JAMADA ALTHANI 2, 1439 AH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Max 24º 32 Pages Min 17º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17460 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Society urges public to protect Qatar calls for EU-style Nepali shoes get revamp: From Magical title for Hanyu as 3 environment during celebrations 11security pact for Mideast 32 Maoist symbol to hip accessory 15 snowboarder in ski shock

Calls for justice as Filipina maid’s body returns home

Kuwait manpower authority keen to safeguard workers’ rights

ILOILO, Philippines: More than a hun- ously condemned Manila’s “escalation”, dred relatives and supporters of a of the issue but Philippine Foreign Filipina maid whose body was found Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said stuffed in a freezer in Kuwait brandished Friday the Kuwaiti ambassador had banners demanding justice as her coffin assured him his government was “out- was returned home yesterday. The family raged” over the killing and determined to of Joanna Demafelis openly wept as the find those responsible. white casket was unloaded at an airport Cayetano said while the death was cargo terminal in the central city of Iloilo. tragic, it would be a “rallying point” for “Justice for Joanna D Demafelis,” was governments to work harder to protect emblazoned on banners and on T-shirts Filipinos overseas, while conceding that worn by the crowd which included a Philippine-Kuwaiti relations were going congressman and local officials express- through a “very rocky period”. He said ing their anger over the death of the only about three to five percent of Filipina whose body was found in a Filipino laborers in Kuwait were having freezer in Kuwait earlier this month after problems but acknowledged the govern- her employers, a Lebanese man and his ment needed to do more. His department Syrian wife, disappeared in 2016. The said Monday authorities were repatriat- incident worsened a diplomatic flap ing 10,000 Filipinos who had overstayed between the Philippines and Kuwait with their visas in Kuwait, with more than 700 President Rodrigo Duterte alleging that flown home already under an amnesty employers routinely rape their Filipina program announced recently by the workers, force them to work 21 hours a Kuwaiti government. day and feed them scraps. A distraught Eva Demafelis could only He has also banned the deployment of say “I am sad,” when asked by reporters new workers to Kuwait and ordered air- about the death of her daughter. “She lines to fly home any of the 252,000 does not deserve the manner in which Filipinos working there who wish to she died. She was beaten up,” said an return. About 10 million Filipinos work aunt, Rosela Demafelis Taunan, referring abroad and the money they remit back is to local news reports about the 29-year- a lifeline of the Philippine economy. Their old maid’s death. “She decided to go ILOILO, Philippines: Eva (third left), mother of Filipina worker Joanna Demafelis whose body was found inside a freezer in Kuwait, cries in treatment abroad is often a political issue abroad because she wanted to help her front of the wooden casket containing her daughter’s body shortly after its arrival from Manila at Iloilo International Airport yesterday. — AFP at home. Kuwait’s foreign minister previ- Continued on Page 11

India, Iran agree Pak child killer to support Kabul, handed four ink pact to lease death sentences LAHORE: A Pakistani court yesterday handed four Chabahar port death sentences to a man charged with raping and mur- dering a six-year-old girl, in a case that shocked the NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi NEW DELHI: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani country and sparked major riots in his home district. Imran Ali, 24, was on trial for killing Zainab Fatima and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed yester- (left) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister ISLAMABAD: Ameen Ansari, the father of six-year-old day to step up efforts to bring stability to war-rav- Ameen in the eastern city of Kasur last month. He faces Narendra Modi before a meeting at Hyderabad further charges in the cases of at least seven other chil- Zainab who was found raped and murdered, leaves aged Afghanistan. Modi reiterated India’s commitment House yesterday. — AFP to help Afghanistan become “a peaceful, secure, per- dren attacked in the Punjab city - five of whom were following a court verdict yesterday. — AFP murdered - in a spate of assaults that had stoked fears a manent, prosperous and pluralistic country” after in 2001. In 2016, India offered $1 billion in economic serial child killer was on the loose. He has confessed to Lakhpat prison under tight security. Journalists were holding talks with Rouhani in New Delhi on the last aid to strengthen various sectors in the war-torn all eight attacks, including the death of Zainab. stopped 500 m from the prison and only relatives of the day of his three-day visit. “Looking at our common nation including education, health and agriculture. Ali was handed four separate death sentences after victim were allowed in court for the hearing. Zainab’s interests, we are committed to stopping the expansion Modi said both countries wanted to increase eco- being convicted of the rape and murder of Zainab, as mother Nusrat Bibi demanded he be executed in public. of such forces that promote international organized nomic cooperation, regional connectivity and well as terrorism charges, prosecutor general of Punjab “I want him to be hanged publicly at the place where he crime in terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, improve energy security to reach landlocked province Ihtesham Qadir said after a special anti-terror- took Zainab,” she told reporters after the verdict. cyber crime and various forms,” Modi said “We want Afghanistan and central Asia via the southern Iranian ism court passed its judgement. Under Pakistani law, Zainab’s murder last month sparked outrage across to see our region and the world free from terrorism.” port of Chabahar. The port, which was inaugurated in crimes that are considered to have spread terror in soci- Pakistan, with riots erupting in Kasur as thousands There was no mention of financial assistance or December, has been touted as a way for India to ety can be charged as acts of terrorism. The prosecutors swarmed police stations and set fire to politicians’ providing weapons to help Afghanistan fight militants establish trade routes that bypass its rival Pakistan. said he also received life imprisonment and fines homes, while Pakistanis across the nation took to social by either leader. They did not name Pakistan but it has India has been a key purchaser of Iranian oil and gas, totalling 3.2 million rupees ($30,000) for additional media demanding action. Television stations repeatedly long been accused of supporting insurgents in and maintained trade ties even as international sanc- charges of hiding his victim’s body. broadcast chilling CCTV footage purportedly showing Afghanistan. India has been a key supporter of tions were imposed on Tehran over its nuclear pro- One million rupees of the fine would be given in com- the young girl walking hand-in-hand with an unidenti- Kabul’s government and has poured more than $2 bil- gram between 2012 and 2016. pensation to Zainab’s family, public prosecutor Abdul fied male in what may have been her last moments. lion into the country since the Taleban were toppled Continued on Page 11 Rauf Wattoo told AFP. The trial was held in Lahore’s Kot Continued on Page 11

‘Screaming Mummy’ ing disabilities in newborns. MoH to open The conference coincided displayed in museum with health ministry’s prepara- CAIRO: The Egyptian Museum in Cairo tions to launch a Comprehensive has put on display the “Screaming ENT depts in National Program for the Mummy” of the son of a pharaoh who Prevention of Deafness and its may have been hanged for plotting his all hospitals celebration of the International father’s murder. Dubbed “the unknown Day for Hearing in March. man E”, the mummy - which is not usual- KUWAIT: Health Minister Sheikh Basel said participants in ly exhibited - appears to be of a man Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah said the conference will carry out who died an agonizing death. Egypt’s the ministry has completed several tests and operations at antiquities ministry has said DNA analy- nearly 80 percent of the goals of Zain, Farwaniya and Adan sis confirmed the mummy was a son of a health survey that aims at early Hospitals, adding that involving Ramses III, who ruled between 1186 BC discovery of hearing disabilities world experts in such confer- and 1155 BC. CAIRO: A picture taken yesterday shows the in newborns. Sheikh Basel was ences contributes to easing It showed signs that the man had “Screaming Mummy”, known scientifically speaking during the opening of pressure on the treatment KUWAIT: CEO of Central Circle Co Dr Ziad Al-Alyan (second left) discuss- been hanged and shrouded in sheepskin, as “the unknown man E”, on display at the a conference on the latest devel- abroad program and enhancing es the latest ear, nose and throat technologies with Health Minister which the ancient Egyptians considered Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square. —AFP opments in throat and vocal Kuwaiti doctors’ experience. Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah (second right) at an ENT conference. impure. Pentawere, the son of Ramses cord surgeries, which ended Sheikh Basel said the ministry III, was sentenced to hang for his role in killed in the plot, but there are indica- yesterday. He said the survey, is keen on opening ear, nose and equip it with state-of-the-art Arabia, UAE, US, Australia, the plot, according to an ancient papyrus tions that he was stabbed in the neck. An which was launched in 2013, throat (ENT) departments in all systems. Chairman of the Canada and Turkey participated, record of the conspiracy. Pentawere Eye of Horus amulet, representing heal- aims at taking quick treatment hospitals, in addition to develop- Conference Dr Humoud Al-Arouj included 20 lectures, four work- conspired with his mother Tiye, the sec- ing and protection, was placed around and rehabilitation measures ing the Sheikh Salem Al-Ali said the conference, in which 12 shops and two roundtable dis- ond wife of Ramses III, to murder the Ramses III’s throat, the ministry state- while reducing the rate of hear- hearing and diction center and consultants from Kuwait, Saudi cussions. — KUNA king. It is not clear if Ramses III was ment said. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Local Sunday, February 18, 2018 Kuwait stands by countries to resolve conflicts: Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah participates in Munich Security Conference

MUNICH: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah meets with for- Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah meets with South Sudan’s mer UN chief Kofi Annan and former UN envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi. —KUNA First Vice-President Taban Gai.

MUNICH: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Technological development Florence Parly empathized her support for setting an Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah said on Friday that He noted that terrorist elements are mainly depend- independent EU strategy so as to overcome new secu- Kuwait backs peace everywhere and stands by states ing on technological development in recruiting new rity challenges. She commended the European initia- to resolve conflicts. Sheikh Khaled made the statement individuals and carrying out their attacks and plots. As tives aiming to boost cooperation among EU member after heading a delegation to the Munich Security a result, cyber space has become a source of concern states. Conference, which kicked off earlier in the day. Sheikh for all and its effects are serious on security aspects, The three-day event includes more than 30 heads of Khaled Al-Jarrah affirmed that his participation in the he explained, calling for setting up quickly a security state and government, in addition to 100 defense and conference is based on Kuwait’s keenness to continue space to combat terrorism, and drying up its intellec- interior ministers across the globe. It discusses means making mediation efforts to resolve differences tual and financial resources before confronting its of overcoming security challenges in the world, mainly between countries diplomatically in order to avoid the armed cells. He voiced his hope that the conference combating terrorism and conflicts in the Middle East, armed conflicts, and boost peace and security, mainly in would contribute to enhancing coordination among and the Ukrainian crisis. the Middle East region. countries to achieve UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, NATO He elaborated that this preventive security, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Emir of Qatar comes within the frame- which is one of the most Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani, European Commission work of the directives of prominent security chal- President Jean-Claude Juncker, British Prime Minister His Highness the Amir Technological lenges. Theresa May, Turkish Prime Minister Ben Ali Yildirim Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Meanwhile, German and France’s Prime Minister Edward Philippe are Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in this development Defense Minister Ursula among the attendees of the conference. regard. He referred to von der Leyen affirmed the Kuwaiti role played utilized to the necessity of con- Meetings Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled to resolve the Yemeni certed efforts in order Separately, Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah held a meeting Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah meets with European Union (EU) Counter Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove. crisis, saying that Kuwait recruit terrorists to address security yesterday with President of the International has hosted the intra- challenges facing the Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer on Yemeni peace talks for world. She noted that ways of promoting and bolstering cooperation Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah held talks with former UN more than three months, military action is not between the State of Kuwait and ICRC, and of pro- chief Kofi Annan and former UN envoy for Syria and is ready to host the enough neither to tecting the victims of armed conflicts. The Kuwaiti Lakhdar Brahimi on achieving peace and preserving talks until a final agreement is signed. resolve international crises nor settle armed disputes. minister then met with European Union (EU) Counter human rights. On humanitarian field, the minister stated that Kuwait Military and defense operations should be associat- Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove on how to Finally, Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah held a meeting with has hosted several conferences to back humanitarian situa- ed with providing development aid to help poor coun- prop up cooperation between Kuwait and EU in the South Sudan’s First Vice-President Taban Gai in which tion of Syrians. “Kuwait took part in two international con- tries and protect their youth from extremism, she fight against terrorism and extremism. they focused on enhancing bilateral ties. The Munich ferences in London and Brussels. It spared no efforts to stressed. The German minister underlined the need to Furthermore, Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah held a meet- Security Conference kicked off on Friday, in the pres- meet needs of disastrous humanitarian situation of Yemenis. back financially the international organizations like the ing with Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional ence of world leaders, premiers, and foreign and Also it is hosting the Kuwait International Conference for United Nations to help them achieve their missions in a Government of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani. The two offi- defense ministers, with the aim of addressing security the Reconstruction of Iraq (KICRI),” he said. good manner. For her part, French Defense Minister cials discussed means of bilateral relations. Then challenges. —KUNA

Army chief of staff oversees drill for Military vehicle enhancing coordination accident kills KUWAIT: Kuwait Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mohammad Al-Khuder has affirmed vital warrant officer need for close coordination among the armed forces various forces and squads. The chief of staff made the KUWAIT: A staff warrant officer of the Ground statement yesterday during a visit to the site of the Forces was killed and another injured while on ongoing drill ‘Al-Bairaq 7’ involving units from the Ministry of Interior and the National Guard. duty due to a military vehicle accident, Kuwait Lt Gen Khuder said he was briefed during the General Staff announced Friday. The accident inspection of the exercising personnel by Brigadier killed the driver of the military vehicle Staff General Mohammad Al-Kandari, the drilling chief and Warrant Officer Rakan Hadlan of the 35th the chief of staff assistant for operations and plan- Shaheed Armored Brigade, and injured his col- ning, about phases of the exercise, role of the involved units and the set goals; coordination, expert- league Warrant Officer Malhan Nassar, the ise swap and enhancing coordination among the army Defense Ministry’s directorate of moral guid- units and the involved squads. Yesterday’s drills, due ance and public relations said in a statement. to proceed till February 22, were attended by the KUWAIT: Kuwait Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mohammad Al-Khuder visits the site of the ‘Al- The injured was transported immediately to Al- Commander of the Ground Force Major General Bairaq 7’ military drill. —KUNA Jahra Hospital for necessary treatment, the Khaled Al-Saleh Al-Sabah and a number of senior officers. ministry said, adding that investigations are The drill, which kicked off on Friday, is carried out currently underway to uncover causes of the drill also aims to preserve the implementation of mis- sectors taking part in the drill, he noted. Kandari periodically to assess training and operation levels in sions and duties of all military sectors, he added. It called on land and sea-goers not to approach the mil- accident. —KUNA all units, the Ministry’s Directorate of Moral Guidance seeks to boost joint cooperation and coordination as itary camps and gatherings at the training areas only and Public Relations quoted Kandari as saying. The well as share expertise among all army’s units and for their safety. —KUNA

February 22, which will feature a speech delivered on since 2013. He affirmed that these events displayed tion of Iraq, and I hope that in one year we will be able Kuwait highlights the behalf of former US President Jimmy Carter. The Kuwait’s utter commitment to resolve the humanitarian to talk about the reconstruction of Syria too,” he told Palestinian cause was always on the top list of priori- situation in Syria. journalists ahead of the informal meeting of EU for- ties for the State of Kuwait, affirmed Ambassador On the current status quo in Syria, the Kuwaiti eign ministers in Sofia, Bulgaria. Palestinian cause, Otaibi who indicated that Kuwait’s leadership of the diplomat said that there was a push on part of Kuwait “I think that what we must support now is the reso- UNSC this month mainly focused on highlighting the to have the UNSC take considerable action to put an lution by Sweden and Kuwait at the UNSC. This Syria crisis at UNSC situation in Palestine and specifically the catastrophic end to the brutal assault against innocent civilians in would mean a small step towards humaneness. The humanitarian state in the Gaza Strip. The numerous the war-torn country; however, the conflict amongst a war must end in Syria, it’s been going on for seven NEW YORK: Kuwait is leading efforts at the UNSC to plights in the Gaza Strip and the dire situation there number of Secretary Council members seems to derail years now. Secondly, we must be aware that no one highlight the Middle East’s most urging matters name- requires the world to continue assisting the United these efforts. Ambassador Otaibi affirmed that Kuwait will be able to stop this war with weapons,” he stated. ly the Syrian crisis and Palestinian cause, said a senior Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine will continue to support and backup efforts aimed at “We need to concentrate on this UN resolution and as Kuwaiti diplomat late Friday. Kuwait permanent dele- Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Kuwaiti resolving the Syrian crisis in a peaceful manner. European Union see to it that we reach a phase like gate to the UN headquarters in New York and current diplomat said. we have now in Iraq of reconstruction and reconcilia- chair of the UNSC this month, Ambassador Mansour Resolution on Syria tion,” noted Asselborn. Al-Otaibi told Arab journalists at the UN that Syrian crisis Separately, Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean “I think we must lead Syria into a transition phase, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for the first Meanwhile, Ambassador Otaibi touched on the Asselborn said that after the Kuwait conference on which is not easy as there are many factions to lead time, would partake in the council’s meeting on the Syrian crisis during his address to the journalists, not- reconstruction of Iraq he hopes that one can talk along, and then as international community we need to Palestinian situation on February 20. ing that Kuwait had organized and co-organized con- about reconstruction in Syria also. “I just came back concentrate on the fight against Daesh, that is the task The UNSC will also hold a similar meeting on ferences aimed at providing aid to the Syrian refugees from Kuwait, from the conference on the reconstruc- of the global coalition,” he added. —KUNA Established 1961 3 Local Sunday, February 18, 2018 Organ transplants conducted by visiting doctors for Kuwaitis only Proper measures taken to treat prisoner with viral meningitis

By A Saleh health department and the health unit of the prison shoul- and involving a new mechanism for assessment, promo- the deficit to KD 6 billion dered their respective responsibilities properly upon tions and rewards, plus encouraging citizens to join less compared to current pre- KUWAIT: Health Minister Sheikh Dr Bassel Al-Sabah detecting the case. “As a precaution, tests were conduct- attractive jobs. dictions of KD 5.2 billion. issued a ministerial decision restricting organ transplant ed on all prison inmates who were in contact with the Meanwhile, MP Safa Al-Hashem renewed her call on Meanwhile, oil sources at surgeries conducted by visiting foreign specialized doc- patient but their results came negative,” he revealed, the government to expose what she described as ‘poiso- KOC said that the company tors to Kuwaitis only. In a different concern, the minister adding that he ordered working out a detailed report on nous assets’ in investments of Kuwait Investment has managed to achieve dai- said work is currently in progress to increase the number the level of healthcare for all prisoners. The minister reaf- Authority (KIA), warning that not revealing them would ly production of 801,000 of main medical warehouses and distributing them over firmed the commitment of the government to ensuring lead to losses worth billions. Hashem added that through barrels in the northern oper- various areas around Kuwait to be used during any pos- proper healthcare for everybody without any exceptions. KIA, the finance ministry stated that it is about to dis- ations zone. The sources sible contingencies that may result due to regional cir- close a list of some valuable assets that she had earlier added that the actual daily cumstances. Health insurance urged Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf and KIA CEO production in this area was In other news, Dr Bassel said that the ministry, in col- The parliamentary health affairs committee will meet Farouq Bastaki to disclose. She added that those assets 732,000 barrels a day and Health Minister Sheikh laboration with the Central Prison authorities, activated today to discuss proposals on amending law number are still ‘bleeding losses’. that the highest was Dr Bassel Al-Sabah the necessary preventive measures after prisoner tested 114/2014 pertaining health 772,000 bpd, until the num- positive for viral meningitis. “The patient, who was rushed insurance for retired citi- Power plants ber of drilling rigs was increased, with the result of from the prison to Al-Farwaniya Hospital upon showing zens. The committee invit- Preventive mainte- increasing productivity to 801,000 bpd. symptoms of the disease, is in a stable condition after ed both Finance Minister nance of various units taking the proper medication,” the minister said on Nayef Al-Hajraf and Panel discusses has improved the per- Low-cost homes Friday. Minister of Social Affairs formance of power plants The Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) Sheikh Dr Bassel said that he is following in person the and Labor Hind Al- strategic and reduced malfunc- expects offering the first package of the low-cost hous- health condition of the patient, noting that the public Sabeeh to attend the tions to a total of 280 in ing project’s infrastructure (with a total cost of KD 600 meeting. payroll 2017, compared to 317 in million) for public bidding by the end of March, said 2016, acting statistics MEED, noting that the average area per unit would be Strategic payroll alternative manager at the Ministry 200 sq m, which is smaller than land plots in most resi- The parliamentary of Electricity and Water dential areas currently being planned. MEED also local spotlight financial affairs committee Iqbal Al-Tayyar said. expected the project to include 9,600 units. In addition, is due to meet today to MEED noted that the housing authority currently has resume discussing decree Oil prices 100,000 pending housing applications with average No cigarettes law number 15/1979 pertaining civil services (aka the Oil prices have dropped below to the lowest point this waiting periods of 7-18 years. It noted that the new hous- strategic payroll alternative). Informed sources said the year of $58.9, affected by international stock exchange ing projects would reduce overcrowding in Kuwait City in Kuwait! government had urged the parliament to complete dis- plunges and a drop in demand, said analysts. Analysts and help control soaring real estate prices. “Real estate cussing its visions on the proposed amendments, adding also said Kuwaiti oil prices dropped by $8 per barrel and prices have dropped by 30 percent ever since the gov- that the government is eyeing a partial reform of the pay- that this might lead to a drop in oil revenues during the ernment started executing the new housing projects,” roll system divided into nine main professional categories last quarter of 2017-2018, which might lead to increasing said informed sources.

By Muna Al-Fuzai Bahzad added that desert camping also has negative envi- grounds that thousands of water gallons are wasted every Society urges public ronmental impacts. She said a single individual in Kuwait year during national celebrations, costing the country - produces around 1.4 kg of waste daily, which usually increas- which is already poor on natural water resources - a lot of to protect environment es during festive periods, costing the state budget around money. Use of water guns and water cannons during $255 million annually. national celebrations have become very popular in recent [email protected] In addition, Bahzad noted that overgrazing, random move- years after the government banned the use of spray foam during celebrations ment of vehicles and heavy military equipment and spring for environmental reasons. camps had caused the disappearance of highly valuable f you are a smoker or have a smoker in the family plants from the wild, stressing that camping in a way that Mosques’ charter or a friend, then they must have complained to By Meshaal Al-Enezi affects the soil is punishable by a fine of up to KD 5,000, Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Iyou about the disappearance of cigarettes from plus mandatory removal of the waste. She added that plastic Affairs Fahd Al-Afasi issued a ministerial decision regulating cooperatives and grocery stores in Kuwait. Why did KUWAIT: Kuwait Society for Environmental Protection waste has a dangerous impact on desert life, as plastic bags mosques’ work and enabling them to play their part in deliv- the cigarettes disappear? How much truth is there in (KEPS) urged the public to protect the environment during the take around 20 years to decompose. Bahzad added that rev- ering awareness messages about moderation. Afasi added rumors that cigarette traders are refusing to provide national celebrations later this month. The society’s secretary elers every year waste a day’s freshwater supply to 14 hous- that the new charter came to help imams, preachers and stores with cigarettes? Will the prices really rise? general Jenan Bahzad called for ‘environmental discipline’ and ing units on the national anniversaries. muezzins do their jobs professionally on addressing and What has caused this sudden disappearance? avoiding violations during this period. Bahzad added that sea- The administrative court had issued a verdict last guiding the public. He added that the new charter includes It has been widely mentioned that cigarette com- water pollution by plastic and other non-decomposable mate- December giving the cabinet the authority to ban the usage four main parts addressing nature of work of imams, preach- panies in Kuwait have taken preparations to increase rials will take long years to be dissolved. She added that 30 of water guns in National and Liberation Days’ celebrations. ers and muezzins, the relations between them, their rights and cigarette prices, while certain brands of cigarettes percent of the world’s sea turtles and 90 percent of marine The verdict was made in response to a case filed by lawyer responsibilities. He also noted that the charter includes penal have disappeared from markets and grocery stores, birds have been affected by such waste. Mona Al-Arbash demanding the ban for public interest, on measures to be taken in case of violations. and have thus opened up a black market! And prices of most brands of cigarettes have increased by 100 to 200 fils. Some smokers are complaining that cigarette No injuries in traders have intentionally blocked the supply of ciga- rettes since the past 15 days in preparation to raise prices. Is this true? I hope not, because Kuwait has Jleeb house fire postponed the application of VAT until 2019, and we are only in Feb 2018. If so, then it’s not for the first time. In 2015, a simi- lar thing happened and provoked angry campaigns on social media. At that time, smokers denounced cigarette shops for hoarding large quantities of ciga- rettes and clearing the shelves in anticipation of an official announcement to raise prices. Some sellers sold cigarettes at higher prices, and this is happening again. I understand that cigarette prices in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are rising due to the By Hanan Al-Saadoun new tax system, but in Kuwait the tax has not been implemented yet. Many smokers see the trend KUWAIT: Firemen from five different fire stations bat- towards higher cigarette prices to the benefit of tled a blaze reported Friday evening in a Jleeb Al- tobacco traders, because smokers will not stop Shuyoukh house. The place contained woodwork and smoking. foam, so the house was evacuated, and the flames were I do not smoke, but I follow the subject as my son contained after spreading to a neighboring house. No is a smoker and his friends are too. They have been injuries were reported and investigations are underway making futile rounds of grocery stores all around the to determine the cause of the fire. country in search of cigarettes. I too have made some rounds to find that cigarettes have really disap- New fire stations peared. I wonder why? It is said the reasons for the Director of the facilities and maintenance department scarcity of cigarettes in the country is due to mass Col Abdelmohsen Al-Enezi inspected the buildings of the purchases by citizens of other Gulf countries, new fire stations on Sheikh Jaber causeway that are because prices here are cheaper compared to their being built according to Kuwait Fire Service Directorate countries. So they have created a cigarette crisis. (KFSD) specifications. The stations on the roads that I have read reports that the borders between stretch from Shuwaikh to Subbiya contain fire engines Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have witnessed the confis- and fireboats. Enezi was accompanied by Acting Marine cation of thousands of cigarette cartons. In Fire Department Lt Col Ahmad Al-Ansari and Head of November 2017, Al-Rai daily published a report the Backup Center Maj Hamad Al-Rasheed. showing images of large quantities of cigarettes smuggled by Saudis that were confiscated because the prices of tobacco increased there. Bedoons issued 9,521 Many Kuwaitis are suffering in the search of their favorite brands, which have become so rare that some markets have banned the sale of more than two documents in 2017 packs per person. Customs authorities have also stepped up inspection campaigns. The director of the KUWAIT: The central agency addressing the status of Kuwaiti land customs assured that coordination with illegal residents issued 9,521 governmental and non- Saudi customs is ongoing to prevent smuggling at governmental transactions and documents for bedoons ports, except within the limits of personal use. in 2017, the agency announced yesterday. Director I think this disappearance of cigarettes in Kuwait General of Information Department in the agency has reflected negatively on the Kuwaiti market, and Abdullah Al-Farhan said that 14,397 of bedoons bene- prompted the General Administration of Customs to fited from the process. A sum of 4,468 of transactions tighten control over land ports and the airport, where were addressed to the Ministry of Health while 625 instructions were issued to prevent the exit of more health insurance papers were issued since January 1 than one small carton with each car. until the end of December in 2017, he added. The fact is that the majority of shops are empty of The agency sent 2,356 papers to the sharia documen- cigarette packs. The owners think that discussions tation department at the Ministry of Justice and 111 doc- between the Ministry of Commerce and cigarette uments were sent to the Ministry of Interior, he said. A agents are currently underway, and may end soon. I total of 94 papers were delivered to the Ministry of think this is a temporary crisis, but I cannot find a Defense and 575 transactions to other bodies, he said. justification for the rise in prices at some stores, even The agency approved 745 cases in the Civil Service if it is only 100 fils. I hope that the commerce min- (CSC) Commission database after studying their cases as istry will intervene to end this crisis now and for they offered the needed documentations for their regis- good and prevent its recurrence by controlling tration, he said. Farhan called on the newly graduates of prices and punishing those who disregard the min- holders of diplomats and higher certificates of whom are istry’s regulations, or such incidents will recur. eligible to the conditions of employment in the govern- mental bodies to update their information. —KUNA 4 Established 1961 Sunday, February 18, 2018 Local

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti youth pose for the camera outside a car bearing a portrait of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Ahmadi on Friday as Kuwait begins to prepare for National and independence day celebrations. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Fikra program participants conclude 3-month training phase Gulf Bank continues to provide necessary support to participants

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced that participants Startup Pitch Competition will be held, of which num- Nabta Health. Participants were selected from Saudi the technical skills and business knowledge needed to of Fikra Program are progressing as planned, the ber of Fikra Program entrepreneurs from both second Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan. launch their own businesses such as leadership skills, entrepreneurs just concluded the 20 entrepreneurship and third edition will take part. The 2018 AIM Startup Laila Al-Qatami, Assistant General Manager for comprehensive business plan design, mentorship, training programs scheduled for this edition, over the Pitch Competition will be held at Dubai World Trade Corporate communications at Gulf Bank said: “We financial analysis, media exposure, investment oppor- period of three months, and are now in the mentoring Centre in April 2018, under the patronage of Sheikh are glad that participants of Fikra Program are pro- tunities, and others. stage, and then will start preparing for the final cere- Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. gressing as planned and making use of every single Fikra Program is under the patronage of Khaled mony in April 2018, where the entrepreneurs will pitch AIM Startup 2018 Pitch Competition is an initiative opportunity offered to them. We see a great poten- Al-Roudan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and their ideas to the public and investors. by the Ministry of Economy in the UAE which identi- tial in each individual and wish the whole group Minister of State for Youth Affairs and is proudly sup- The mentoring stage has begun on Sunday, fies and fosters startups from the region. The 5 best of luck. Looking forward to the final ceremony ported by Ministry of State for Youth Affairs; the February 4, 2018 with a networking session where selected winners in this year’s Kuwait AIM Startup and to the upcoming editions of this successful National Fund for SME Development; Gulf Bank; Al- Fikra Program entrepreneurs met the 15 mentors from pitch competition are: 851 Animation from Fikra program” Hamra Real Estate Company; Ali Abdulwahab Al- different industries that are assigned to their teams, Program - 3rd Edition, Young Doctors Academy from Gulf Bank is proud to be a gold sponsor of the Mutawa Commercial Company; Markaz Financial following that session the entrepreneurs will be meet- Fikra Program- 3rd Edition, Environmental Projects Fikra Program for the second consecutive year. Fikra Center; Lexus Kuwait as a part of Al-Sayer Group; ing with their mentors on a weekly basis. Supports Company from Fikra Program - 3rd Edition Program is an intensive entrepreneurship training and Grand Cinemas. Fikra Program is managed by Following the closing ceremony, the annual AIM and Kindaishen from Fikra Program- 2nd Edition and program that provides aspiring entrepreneurs with Cubical Services Business Incubator. Established 1961 5 Local Sunday, February 18, 2018 Al-Shaheed Park ideal model for green standards: Official Amiri Diwan minister patronizes green roof conference

KUWAIT: Al-Shaheed Park in Kuwait City is an ide- phase (2013-2015), all buildings were almost fitted al environmental model for the international Green with roof greening, a total of 35,000 square-meter standards, an Amiri Diwan official affirmed yester- of Green Roofs, she said, adding that in 2017, the day. The Park’s green buildings and urban facilities second expansion (Phase II) was opened for the have succeeded in attracting visitors from various public, thus, doubling the total Green Roof area of countries around the world, and challenging the the park. volatile weather nature in Kuwait, said Haifa Al- Khaled Al-Fouzan, General Manager of the Muhanna, the Park’s superintendent at Amiri Diwan. Associated Engineering Partnership (TAEP) and Muhanna made her remarks on the sidelines of member of IGRA, stated meanwhile that Al-Shaheed the fifth edition of the International Green Roof Park currently consists of 310,000 square-meter of Congress, which kicked off in Kuwait earlier under greenery, featuring a modern conference center, the auspices of Amiri Diwan. The two-day event is beautiful botanical gardens, museums, a miniature of hosted by the International Green Roof Association old Kuwait, walkways, jogging tracks, lakes, river (IGRA) and brings together Green Roof experts landscapes, and a musical fountain. from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the US to Al-Shaheed Park is the largest urban park in discuss major challenges facing the spread of the Kuwait that represents as a prime example of how to Green Roof concept meet the challenges of hot around the world, and dry climate by using including planning, appropriate Green Roof application, and per- systems, said Al-Fouzan. formance of Green He also indicated that the Roofs in dry cli- Park welcomes fifth edition event will mates, she said. provide an inspiring mix- 2,000 visitors ture of progressive Up-to-date thinkers, new technical KUWAIT: Haifa Al-Muhanna, Al-Shaheed Park’s superintendent at the Amiri Diwan, speaks during the congress. — KUNA IGRA has con- on daily basis developments, and inno- tributed significantly vative Green Roof appli- in building and cations in architecture, equipping Al- landscape architecture, Shaheed Park with and climate protection. up-to-date technol- ogy that goes in line with international standards of 40 countries modern construction, she noted, adding the non- The congress kicked off yesterday under the profit organization’s choice of Al-Shaheed Park as patronage of Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh radio, executed in cooperation with private the venue for its fifth congress makes the Kuwaiti Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah. The conference, held with the Kuwait to promote media companies, he said in a statement yester- park an ideal model for green building systems. participation of engineers and architects from over day. The Kuwait National Development Plan The first IGRA event in the Gulf region will pro- 40 countries, aims to shed light on the importance ‘New Kuwait 2035’ involves executing long-term vide a unique opportunity to join the worldwide of green roofs, sky gardens and rooftop gardens in 2035 vision development projects. It is organized around five Green Roof network and connect with international reducing desertification and global warming. During themes, or desired outcomes, and seven pillars, and regional experts in this rapidly developing mar- the event, Muhanna provided thorough information programs or areas of focus for investment and improve- ket, noted Muhanna. on the park, a project developed by the Amiri Diwan ment. The pillars include protecting the environ- With currently 2,000 visitors on daily basis, Al- to gather different museums and Kuwait’s historical KUWAIT: Minister of Information Mohammad ment and boosting economy through creating Shaheed Park is the most significant Green events in one place. Meanwhile, the park won Al-Jabri said the ministry has prepared programs different income sources. They also include Infrastructure project in Kuwait and one of the IGRA’s annual award, received by the Amiri Diwan’s to promote the Kuwait 2035 vision for develop- developing healthcare, education, infrastructure largest Green Roof projects in the world, said the assistant undersecretary for engineering affairs ment. The programs will include television and and public administration. — KUNA Amiri Diwan official. During the first construction Niaz Khaja. — KUNA

important in maintaining a healthy and effective pro- KIB sponsors fessional and personal life. Maha Al-Baghli, Founder and Managing Director of Safira CSR Company and manager of this health cam- cervical cancer paign, lauded KIB’s highly-valued sponsorship. She added that cooperation between the public and private awareness campaign sectors in supporting awareness campaigns and social responsibility initiatives plays a huge role in promoting KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) recently sustainable development in Kuwait. sponsored the fourth cervical cancer national aware- Manager of the Corporate Communications Unit at ness campaign, which was organized by Safira CSR KIB, Nawaf Najia, said: “As a national financial institu- Company in partnership with the Ministry of Health. tion and a leader in social responsibility, KIB has The national campaign was held at the Department of always sought to sponsor high-impact initiatives and Women’s Activities at the Patients Helping Fund programs that aim at addressing pressing issues that Society (PHFS), in cooperation with the Business and affect diverse segments of the local community.” Professional Women Network (BPWN). Najia added that KIB’s sponsorship of this campaign As part of the campaign, Dr Ebtehal Al-Habib, came as part of its unwavering commitment to promot- Family Medicine Consultant, provided a carefully ing women’s health and supporting her role in the fami- crafted introductory lecture, as well as an awareness ly and the community as a whole. Accordingly, the Bank lecture entitled “Causes and Prevention”. Through is dedicated to promoting awareness about cervical which, she shed the light on the importance of main- cancer, particularly as a recent study by the Ministry of taining a health triangle for women that measures Health found that the majority of females in the popula- three different aspects of a person’s health, namely: tion are unaware of the dangers of cervical cancer, or physical, social and mental. Each aspect is equally its causes and methods of prevention.

booth, local farm produce, artisanal food products and Ooredoo celebrates crafts, with a ‘street food’ section aimed at highlighting the culinary diversity of Kuwait’s local food community. The market also offers a section dedicated for chil- national days at dren’s activities. The market is held once a month on weekends, until March 2018. Souq Murouj Commenting on this, Ooredoo Kuwait Senior Director of Corporate Communications Mijbil Alayoub KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait celebrated Friday the said: “We are happy to be celebrating our beloved National Days at Souq Murouj with a variety of musical country’s National Days through this engaging project and entertainment activities. Ooredoo organized a which supports local entrepreneurs and businesses. Samra which lasted for three hours. Ooredoo is proudly This sponsorship comes in tandem with our social continuing its strategic partnership with Souq Murouj responsibility strategy, which in turn is based on our for the second consecutive year to bring to you Murouj core values of Ooredoo, of caring, connecting and chal- Market, a monthly weekend market for local entrepre- lenging. We look forward to meeting those young neurs and businesses. The market, which is held at enthusiastic small business owners as well as our val- Murouj Complex, includes an Ooredoo dedicated ued customers at the market.” InternationalEstablished 1961 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2018 US indicts 13 Russians for vote interference Cameroon’s separatists prepare for guerrilla war Page 7 Page 8

CALIFORNIA: This undated photo illustration shows the X-51A Waverider set to demonstrate hypersonic flight, powered by a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne SJY61 scramjet engine. —AFP Pentagon to counter rivals’ hypersonic missiles Authorities turning attention to a new generation of threat

WASHINGTON: Even as the Pentagon hustles to billion requested budget for 2019, the Missile Defense designed to defeat the existing” ballistic missile A mile a second ensure that its defenses keep pace with North Agency (MDA) is asking for $120 million to develop defense system, Pennett said. Though the Pentagon is warning about hypersonics, Korea’s fast-growing rocket program, US officials hypersonic missile defenses, a big increase from the the United States has been developing the technology increasingly are turning attention to a new generation $75 million in fiscal 2018. So, why the sudden for years. The Air Force says its X-51A Waverider of missile threat. These weapons under development MDA Director of alarm? cruise missile, tested in 2012, could travel at speeds by China and Russia-as well as by the United States- Operations Gary According to reports faster than Mach 6 (3,600 miles per hour, 5,800 kilo- can fly at many times the speed of sound and are Pennett told Pentagon Hypersonic in the Japan-based meters per hour). That’s more than one mile a second, designed to beat regular anti-missile defense sys- reporters this week that Diplomat magazine, and future iterations are expected to go much faster. tems. The hypersonic missiles could change the face the potential deploy- missiles could China has developed- Part of the reason China has been able to advance its of future warfare, as they can switch direction in ment by America’s rivals and last year tested-a hypersonic missile programs is that it is not subject to flight and do not follow a predictable arc like conven- of hypersonic weapons- change the new type of hypersonic anti-missile treaties signed between the United States tional missiles, making them much harder to track and which could be missile called the DF-17. and Russia. The 1987 Intermediate Nuclear Forces intercept. launched from planes, face of future The US Office of the Treaty banned short- and intermediate-range ground- “China’s hypersonic weapons development outpaces ships or submarines and Director of National launched missiles. “Over 90 percent of China’s ground- ours... we’re falling behind,” Admiral Harry Harris, who carry either nuclear or warfare Intelligence this week based missiles would be excluded by INF if they were heads the military’s Pacific Command, warned lawmak- conventional payloads- stated China “has tested now in it,” Harris said. Still, by far the lion’s share of the ers on Wednesday. “We need to continue to pursue that would create a “signifi- a hypersonic glide vehi- MDA’s budget continues to go towards improving and in a most aggressive way in order to ensure that we cant” gap in US sensor cle.” Russia too is existing missile-defense systems. Various sensors and have the capabilities to both defend against China’s and missile interceptor capabilities. “The key chal- believed to be developing its own hypersonic weapon radars can track an incoming missile hurtling towards a hypersonic weapons and to develop our own offensive lenge to US national security and the security of US called the Zircon. According to Russian news agency target, then blast interceptor rockets toward it to pul- hypersonic weapons,” he added. In its proposed $9.9 friends and allies is the emergence of new threats Tass, it is to go into serial production this year. verize it with kinetic energy. —AFP

Ethiopia Counting the homeless declares state in the City of Light of emergency PARIS: Of Emmanuel Macron’s many bold promises since sweeping to power last ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia announced a state year, his pledge to completely banish homelessness from the streets of France was of emergency on Friday, a day after the prime perhaps the boldest. The president gave himself until the close of 2017 to end rough- minister resigned, as pressure mounted on sleeping once and for all-but a midnight stroll through Paris shows that goal to be the country’s ruling coalition. The coalition distant dream. decided emergency rule was “vital to safe- “We’ve failed there,” Macron admitted last week, pointing to a continuing influx of guarding the constitutional order”, state-run African and South Asian migrants who often end up camping out. Visitors are often Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation said. shocked by the grim poverty in pockets of the City of Light, the constant begging on The announcement gave no further details. the metro and the migrants’ tents perched in the freezing cold along the scenic Canal St Martin. Charities estimate the homeless population of Paris to be about 3,000. The defence minister was expected to hold a Many are foreign, often from Eastern Europe. But there’s no official data-an issue that news conference yesterday morning giving city hall, under pressure to tackle one of the capital’s most visible problems, is now further details, but it was delayed. Ethiopia trying to fix. After two blazing rows sparked by politicians’ offhand remarks about only fully lifted its last state of emergency in homelessness, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo carried out the city’s first-ever homeless August following months of curfews, restric- ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian jounalist Eskinder Nega (center), who was given an 18-year prison sen- census on Thursday night. Some 2,000 volunteers and officials fanned out until 1 am, tions on movement and the detention of tence in 2012 on accusations of links to the banned Ginbot 7 group, reacts with people after being counting the bodies huddled in doorways and surveying those awake about their 29,000 people. released from Kaliti Prison in Addis Ababa. —AFP housing and health problems. Rail workers counted those sheltering at metro stations. Those measures followed two years of Taking her cue from similar initiatives in New York, Brussels and Athens, Hidalgo anti-government protests in which security hopes this “snapshot of reality” will lead to better policies to help those living in forces killed hundreds of people in Amhara ernment that respects their rights, not one gles to calm discontent. Most were detained indignity as the city passes them by. and Oromiya, the nation’s two most populous that keeps beating and killing them,” he told during the mass protests; some were charged provinces. The imposition of a new state of Reuters. Mulatu’s views are echoed in the with terrorism offences. As well as tensions Heartbreak emergency may indicate that Prime Minister Oromo heartlands that surround the capital in its Oromo and Amharic regions, the gov- Early figures will be released next week ahead of the full census next month. But Hailemariam Desalegn’s resignation on Addis Ababa. It was there that protests ernment has grappled with several armed what the figures won’t show is the human misery behind them. “Welcome to the Thursday was the result of tensions among against an urban development plan in 2015 groups in the past decade. Among them is Hotel California,” a stocky man slurred from his damp mattress near the lush Buttes the four parties in the ruling coalition. The sparked larger demonstrations demanding the Ogaden National Liberation Front Chaumont park. Barefoot as he huddled by a warm air vent, Danilo, a Croatian Serb coalition has been in power since 1991 and more freedom and civil rights. (ONLF), which has fought the government who fought in the 1990s Balkan wars, gave his age as 44. But he looked a decade old- controls all 547 seats in parliament. But “Oromos should not be jailed for exercis- since 1994 and draws support from some of er. Beside him lay a friend with a badly bruised face, the pain numbed by alcohol. cracks have appeared since the outbreak of Danilo’s is the story of a life spun out of control. An electrician who once worked for ing their rights,” said Dinkissa, a university the country’s ethnic Somali population. unrest, with some senior officials resigning Siemens in Germany installing hospital machines, he moved to France two years ago student in Ambo, a town in the region. Somalia and Ethiopia share a long and after a painful divorce. Irregular work dried up. He spends his days drinking on his and others being sidelined. “Oromos have been always mistreated. His porous border. mattress and jovially greeting the neighbours. “Spring will come and I will change my (the prime minister’s) resignation will not This week the ONLF and Ethiopian authori- life,” he said. He pulled out a large silver cross from beneath his jumper. “I’m asking Opposition demands mean anything unless our rights are respect- ties held private talks in Nairobi, an observer him for a little helping hand,” he said, nodding heavenwards. The two largest ethnic groups in the Horn ed. Whoever comes to power should know present at the discussions told Reuters on con- Ruth Owen, policy coordinator at the EU federation of homeless organisations of Africa country, the Oromo and Amharic, that. Otherwise, we will not stop protesting.” dition of anonymity. A tentative accord was FEANTSA, said rough sleeping had soared in Paris since the financial crisis, a phe- complain they are under-represented in the Rights advocates have frequently criticised reached on a ceasefire, prisoner releases, nomenon seen in other European cities like London, Dublin and Athens.”On a basic country’s corridors of power. Mulatu Ethiopia’s government for mass arrests and boundaries between the Somali and Oromiya level, it’s due to house prices rising faster than incomes,” she said, adding that despite Gemechu, deputy secretary of the opposition long jail terms handed to political opponents regions of Ethiopia, and economic develop- France having the strongest housing rights in Europe, this doesn’t always amount to Oromo Federalist Congress, said on Friday and journalists. ment, the observer said. But a final deal was not much. An estimate by statistics agency INSEE put France’s national homeless count Ethiopia needed a completely new political signed because the ONLF wanted a signatory at 141,500 in 2012, but charities say this has likely rocketed due to a housing crunch system. The Congress is one of seven parties Prisoners freed from Ethiopia’s central government, rather than and the migrant crisis. —AFP that make up the biggest opposition coali- But more than 6,000 prisoners have been the leader of the Somali region who represent- tion, MEDREK. “Ethiopians now need a gov- freed since January as the government strug- ed the government at the talks. —Reuters Established 1961 7 International Sunday, February 18, 2018 Desperate to come home, Syrians brave Islamic State mines in Raqqa IS scatters mines across the ravaged city

RAQQA: Mohammed Kuraji returned to Syria’s Raqqa to ed in mine blasts, many of whom died. Goh Mayama of the prepare a homecoming but ended up organising a funeral. aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said his clinic Stepping into his home, an unexploded mine detonated receives an average of six mine blast casualties a day on and killed his elderly father. “It was terrifying. The blast average in Raqqa, about a quarter of whom die. was so strong that I couldn’t hear,” said the 26-year-old, who was also wounded in the incident two months ago. ‘A view to kill’ The Islamic State group was ousted from its de facto Demining operations in Raqqa have been supported by Syrian capital Raqqa in October, but it left mines scattered the US-led coalition that backed the SDF’s drive against across the ravaged city. IS. In December, the SDF said it had demined half the city. Residents are desperate to return home, but they are “The hospitals, public institutions, schools, power stations being maimed and killed by and bakeries are all dem- unexploded-and sometimes ined,” said SDF official insidiously hidden-ord- Lokman Khalil. “Raqqa’s nance. Under piles of rub- a big city. There’s a huge ble, behind old refrigerator number of mines and it’ll doors, in blown-out build- Islamic State take time,” he told AFP. ings, IS has sown death He said the SDF had everywhere. The explosives has sown death tried to keep civilians in Kuraji’s home were trig- away, but Raqqa natives gered when his father everywhere eager to leave displace- leaned down to pick up a ment camps and come copy of the Quran. “I was home had ramped up the thrown back into the neigh- pressure. RAQQA: Photo shows shells and undetonated mines strewn near a burnt-out vehicle on a street in bour’s house and a wall col- Now, the city’s main Raqa that were left by the Islamic State (IS) group.—AFP lapsed onto my father,” said streets have been cleared Kuraji, who has two young children. He spoke to AFP from for traffic, though mounds of debris still line the sidewalks. under a mountain of blankets, pulling back the covers to Outside one damaged building, a group of children in reveal his legs, set in place by splints and screws in his shins. oversized sweaters rummage through a pile of twisted It triggered Mexico City’s alarm system and caused metal and corrugated iron. Men with picks and shovels buildings to sway in the capital. It was also felt in the Mine hunting poke through the ruins, emerging occasionally with an Strong quake states of Guerrero, Puebla and Michoacan. Panicked The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces ousted IS unexploded mine. “We’re paying people out of our own residents flooded into the streets, fearing a repeat of from Raqqa in October, then handed the city over to the pockets to clear our streets and houses,” said Abu the two quakes last September, which caused buildings Raqqa Civil Council. But Raqqa natives are complaining Mohammed, a resident in his forties. The four-storey shakes Mexico, to collapse and killed a total of 465 people. “To be that demining firms hired by the RCC are taking too long, apartment building he owns has been completely honest, we’re all pretty upset. We start crying whenev- and have taken matters into their own hands. Young men destroyed, but he cannot begin rebuilding because of causing panic er the (earthquake) alarm goes off,” 38-year-old publi- cist Kevin Valladolid told AFP through tears after are charging up to $100 to search and clear homes of mines inside. “I have three kids. I keep them locked at MEXICO CITY: A strong earthquake shook southern evacuating from his building in La Roma, in central mines-a small fortune for war-weary Syrians. “It’s becom- home so that mines don’t go off as they walk in the and central Mexico Friday, causing panic less than six Mexico City. ing a lucrative business. The officials are ignoring it, and streets,” he said. months after two devastating quakes that killed hun- “We’re stressed out, we have flashbacks. So we run we don’t have the means,” said resident Hamed Saleh, 28. According to the United Nations, some 60,000 people dreds of people. No buildings collapsed, according to out into the street. It’s all we can do.” On the north A large part of his home in Raqqa is inaccessible have returned to Raqqa despite warnings of the danger. early reports. But two towns near the epicenter, in the side of the city, Julia Hernandez said she felt like she because of mines. “At any moment, even if a cat is just “The number of unexploded ordnance in Raqqa is some- southern state of Oaxaca, reported damage and state was “in a boat” as the ground swayed beneath her passing by, a bomb could go off. It’s terrifying,” said Saleh. thing that we have never seen before. It’s extreme,” said authorities said they had opened emergency shelters. feet. “Is it ever going to stop?” she said. Standing in According to Human Rights Watch, local officials were Panos Moumtzis, the UN regional humanitarian coordina- Later in the day, a helicopter en route to the scene car- the middle of the street, her eyes glued to her fifth- receiving about 10 requests for house inspections for a tor for Syria. Between 50 and 70 people were being rying the country’s interior minister and the governor of floor apartment, Graciela Escalante, 72, could hardly single neighbourhood, every day. But they were only able wounded or killed every week because of mines in the city. Oaxaca crash landed, killing two people on the ground speak. “It was terribly strong. We barely managed to to clear about 10 cases per week across the entire city, the “Just to give you a point of comparison, it’s the number even as the passengers survived. Both Mexico’s National get down the stairs. It was the longest staircase in the New York-based rights group said this week. It docu- that takes place in Afghanistan in a year,” Moumtzis said. Seismological Service and the US Geological Survey put world,” she said. “We thought everything was going to mented at least 491 people, including 157 children, wound- “It’s planted with a view to kill.”—AFP the quake’s magnitude at 7.2. collapse again.” —AFP

Cameroon’s separatists prepare for guerrilla war

IKOM: For the first time in his life, Victor Obi believes that the only way to win freedom in Cameroon is with a gun. “I don’t want to die, but the only future is our independence, and they will not give it to us,” said the student, whose BASHU, Nigeria: Cameroonian refugees, including name has been changed for his own safety. The 25-year- women and children gather for a meeting at old is camped out in a small Nigerian village just kilome- Bashu-Okpambe village in Boki district of Cross tres from his home in Cameroon where authorities have Rivers State in Nigeria. —AFP launched a crackdown on English-speaking separatists. “They killed my sister and my brother,” said Obi, his voice heavy with hatred. “I have nothing to lose.” In is responsible, said ICG researcher Hans De Marie December, Obi says soldiers invaded his hometown of Heungoup. “The main issue for Ambazonian groups is that Kajifu and started shooting indiscriminately at suspected they really lack finance,” he said. “If they had money to separatists, said to be running a major training camp in the buy weapons, train and feed their people, they could raise thick equatorial forest surrounding the village. Kajifu is an army.” But amidst the chaos, one thing seems certain: located in one of Cameroon’s two English-speaking the crackdown has radicalised many English-speakers, regions that have been pushing for independence from the among them the farmers and managers who have long felt French-speaking elite who rule the West African country. marginalised by Yaounde but have never been interested in On October 1, separatists declared the two regions as politics-until now. the self-proclaimed republic of “Ambazonia”, marking a turning point for the country’s English-speaking minori- ‘They are angry’ ty, which makes up around a fifth of the population. English-speakers in Cameroon have been marginalised Cameroon President Paul Biya dispatched troops, com- for too long, said Pastor John Mbe, one of more than bat helicopters and armoured vehicles to root out the 33,000 refugees in Cross River State, Nigeria. “Many peo- dissidents, forcing tens of thousands to flee to neigh- ple have died already, we can’t go back home,” he said, bouring Nigeria. “young people may not have guns and bullets, but I can At least 26 soldiers have been killed in the violence, tell you they’re angry.” A source close to the militants says according to an AFP tally. But the civilian death toll isn’t they have adopted the guerilla philosophy of freedom known, with non-governmental organisations and inde- fighters in Eritrea as well as that of Nelson Mandela’s anti- pendent media barred from the area. Though the original apartheid movement in South Africa. Ambazonia leaders have dissociated themselves from mili- In Manyu, a region at the epicentre of the conflict, sep- tant offshoots-they claim their struggle is peaceful-there aratists block roads with tyres and tree trunks to ambush are a growing number of attacks against the government. and attack military bases.—AFP

‘Raise an army’ On Sunday, before a national youth day parade in Batibo, a town near the Nigerian border, a government official was kidnapped and his car was burnt in an attack claimed by separatists. Lucas Cho Ayaba, leader of the Ambazonian Defence Forces (ADF), took credit for the kidnapping, declaring: “You kill my people, we will chase you to the gates of hell.” The ADF, along with three other militias, represent the main groups which count more than 300 fighters, according to an International Crisis Group (ICG) estimate. There are also 10 much smaller but violent factions engaged in the conflict. Few claim attacks and it’s difficult to know exactly who 8 Established 1961 Sunday, February 18, 2018 International US indicts 13 Russians for vote interference, secret campaign Facebook faces big challenge to prevent meddling

WASHINGTON: The US special prosecutor investigating ble-edged sword for Trump, who has repeatedly dis- Moscow’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election has missed claims of Russian interference as “fake news” and indicted 13 Russians for allegedly running a secret campaign a “hoax” designed to take away from his election victory. to tilt the vote, prompting claims of vindication from On one hand, they confirm Russia interference, but they President Donald Trump. The indictment-which includes the also seem to clear his campaign of knowing involvement first charges laid by special counsel Robert Mueller for elec- with at least a portion of Moscow’s efforts to influence the tion interference-detailed a stunning operation launched in contest. Russia is also suspected of hacking and leaking 2014 in a bid to sow social division in the US and influence embarrassing Democratic emails. Four Trump campaign American politics “including the presidential election of officials, including his campaign manager Paul Manafort 2016.” Mueller alleges that by mid-2016, the campaign- and his national security advisor Michael Flynn, have under the direction of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of already been indicted as part of Mueller’s broader investi- Russian President Vladimir Putin-became focused on boost- gation. Trump has publicly mulled firing the former FBI ing Trump and demeaning his rivals including Democrat director and has repeatedly sought to influence his investi- Hillary Clinton. It allegedly involved “hundreds” of people gation through public warnings. On Friday, Trump seemed working in shifts and with a budget of millions of dollars. to say that the new indictments should put an end to allega- Three companies were tions of campaign collusion. also indicted. Moscow “It’s time we stop the out- dismissed the allegations landish partisan attacks, as “absurd.” wild and false allegations, According to the and far-fetched theories, indictment, members of 13 accused of which only serve to further the group posed as US the agendas of bad actors, citizens on Facebook, running secret like Russia,” he said in a Twitter, YouTube and subsequent statement Instagram, posting con- campaign to issued by the White House. tent that reached “signifi- tilt the vote cant numbers” of Troll farm Americans.The group was The group was said to allegedly in contact with be based in Putin’s home WASHINGTON: US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announces the indictment of 13 Russian nation- “unwitting” members of town of Saint Petersburg, als and 3 Russian organizations for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. —AFP the Trump campaign, but had a broader “strategic goal to but some of the accused traveled to the United States for sow discord in the US political system.” Content created by political intelligence gathering. Stops included Nevada, several states. Two of the firms are said to have Russian nation of tactics revealed in the indictment, including the use the group was retweeted by the president’s two eldest sons California, New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan a government contracts. of shell corporations and stolen IDs, deployment of virtual Don Jr and Eric, as well as other top campaign officials and pivotal state in the election-Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and private networks to avoid online detection, and payments to members of Trump’s inner circle. “There is no allegation in New York, according to the indictment. An unnamed Facebook’s challenge unwitting Americans, suggests even a company as powerful this indictment that any American was a knowing partici- Texas-based American political operative is said to have The Russian influence operation designed to tamper as Facebook could struggle to stop such activities by itself pant in this illegal activity,” said Deputy Attorney General instructed them to focus on so-called “purple states”- with the 2016 US presidential election used a combination as they happen. US spy agencies have said Russia would try Rod Rosenstein. He added that there was also no judgment which swing between Republican and Democratic control. of old-school espionage tactics and 21st-century technolo- to interfere in the 2018 midterm elections, again by using on whether the campaign “altered the outcome.” The group organized pro-Trump rallies in Florida, New gies that will not be easy to stop, even now that the meth- social media to spread propaganda. “They can’t out of hand York and North Carolina, but much of its work was ods have been exposed, experts said. Social media compa- stop it, because it’s very difficult for them to trace those ‘No collusion!’ focused on producing material that was damaging to nies, especially Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc, have been things,” said Ann Ravel, a former member of the US Federal Trump leapt on Rosenstein’s comments, claiming they Clinton and Trump’s Republican rivals Ted Cruz and under heavy pressure to find ways of stopping what is Election Commission. The clandestine purchase of advertis- vindicated his campaign team. “Russia started their anti- Marco Rubio. The group purchased ads on social media often referred to as “information warfare” on their services. ing on the site through fake personas was particularly alarm- US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I and other websites either “expressly advocating for the The indictment of 13 Russian nationals on Friday, ing, she said. To know the identities of ad buyers, internet would run for president,” he tweeted. “The results of the election of then-candidate Trump or expressly opposing announced by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, made companies might need to duplicate the “know your cus- election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did Clinton,” the indictment said. Other ads encouraged extensive use of records from Facebook and Instagram, tomer” practices of banks and regularly share information nothing wrong - no collusion!”The allegations are a dou- blacks and Muslims not to vote, and alleged voter fraud in according to people familiar with the matter. Yet the combi- with authorities, Ravel said. —Agencies

cease”. And if the UK were no longer part of Europol, the Britain pleads EU’s law enforcement agency, information sharing would be hampered-undermining the fight against terrorism, organ- ised crime and cyberattacks. “This would damage us both for ‘urgent’ EU and put all our citizens at greater risk,” May warned, urging Murder, outrage, European leaders to show “some real creativity and ambi- security deal tion” in coming up with a bespoke UK-EU security pact. impasse: How gun “We must now move with urgency to put in place the treaty MUNICH: British Prime Minister Theresa May pleaded yes- to protect all European citizens wherever they are in terday for an urgent deal with the European Union on post- Europe,” May said. Some experts have warned that cooper- crime bedevils US Brexit security cooperation, warning that citizens’ lives were ation on police and security matters could be limited by at stake. In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, she Britain’s refusal to accept the jurisdiction of the European WASHINGTON: The United States has once again acknowledged that no deal currently exists between the EU Court of Justice (ECJ) after Brexit. May appeared to respond been forced to confront its deadly distinction as the and a third country “that captures the full depth and breadth to those concerns by saying that the UK would “respect the world’s only developed country to be plagued by of our existing relationship”. remit” of the ECJ when working with EU agencies, in return mass school shootings. After a teenager shot dead 17 But she said there was no reason both sides could not for “respect for our unique status as a third country”. “But as MUNICH: British Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech people in a Florida high school on Wednesday, there come up with practical ways to create a “deep and special a country outside the European Union, we will have our own during the Munich Security Conference yesterday in Munich, is zero indication that the United States is in any way partnership” on security. “We cannot delay discussions on sovereign legal order, so the European Court of Justice will southern Germany. —AFP ready to adopt major new reforms to stop such this,” May said. She also warned European partners not to no longer have jurisdiction in the United Kingdom.” tragedies occurring again. In a recurring nightmare put politics above cooperation against crime and terrorism. that appalls millions of Americans and is unfath- “This cannot be a time when any of us allow competition ‘Substantial disagreements’ omable overseas, the Florida carnage was the 18th between partners, rigid institutional restrictions or deep- May has in the past drawn criticism for appearing to link island nation’s future relationship with the bloc. EU negotia- US school shooting since January 1. Each year, the seated ideology to inhibit our cooperation and jeopardise security-in which Britain is a major player-with her hopes for tor Michel Barnier warned last week that there were “sub- country loses around 33,000 people to gun violence. the security of our citizens,” May told an audience that a new trade deal with the EU. But there was no hint of that in stantial disagreements” with Britain on a post-Brexit transi- Yet each time, the event unfolds in the same way. included European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker. yesterday’s address, the latest in a clutch of speeches by tion period. May’s comments came a day after the heads of First come the horrified reactions, then unity in The premier warned that if there was no deal on security senior British officials recently as the government seeks to key British, French and German spy agencies warned in a the face of tragedy, followed by outrage, political by the time Britain leaves the bloc in March 2019, speedy clarify its ambitions for Brexit. There has been little progress rare joint appearance that intelligence sharing and coopera- polarization and then impasse. If the debate rings extraditions under the European Arrest Warrant “would in recent months in Britain’s negotiations with the EU on the tion must continue even after Britain leaves the EU. —AFP hollow, it’s because both sides are immutable. At one end stand those who oppose any gun control in the name of the second amendment to the US Constitution, which provides for the right to bear Pressure mounts on arms. They argue that no law can prevent deranged individuals and criminals from obtaining a weapon, nor from opening fire in a school. Given the dangers, FBI director to quit law-abiding citizens might as well be armed to pro- tect themselves. PARKLAND: Pressure is mounting on the FBI director to On the other side stand the likes of former resign after his agency admitted it failed to investigate a Democratic president Barack Obama, who issued a warning that the man accused of killing 17 people at a new appeal for action on Thursday, insisting “we are Florida high school possessed a gun and the desire to kill. not powerless.” “Caring for our kids is our first job. The disclosure spread angry disbelief among residents of And until we can honestly say that we’re doing the Miami suburb of Parkland where Wednesday’s mas- enough to keep them safe from harm, including long sacre unfolded, and led Florida’s governor Rick Scott to overdue, common-sense gun safety laws that most call for FBI chief Christopher Wray to resign. “The FBI’s Americans want, then we have to change,” he tweet- failure to take action against this killer is unacceptable,” ed. But many gun control advocates have given up Scott, a Republican, said in a statement. “We constantly hope of meaningful, national reform in a majority-led promote ‘See something, say something’, and a courageous Republican Congress where Obama failed to enact person did just that to the FBI. And the FBI failed to act.” curbs amid partisan rancor. Scott’s comments came after the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a statement that a person described Access to guns as someone close to accused gunman Nikolas Cruz, 19, Instead reformers concentrate their fight on local called an FBI tip line on Jan 5, weeks before the shooting politics, trying to convince elected officials in a at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, to report LAS VEGAS: People hold up candles during a vigil put together by the Route 91 Foundation at the Las greater number of states to make criminal and psy- concerns about him. “The caller provided information Vegas Community Healing Garden for victims of Wednesday’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas chiatric background checks compulsory before any about Cruz’s gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic High School in Parkland, Florida. —AFP gun sale. But even this is often unachievable in a behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as country that places the gun at the heart of its the potential of him conducting a school shooting,” it Safety rally cannot have one more family, one more student, one more mythology-that of a nation born in the blood of its said. That information should have been forwarded to The mishandled information followed a tip-off to the FBI life taken because of a failure to hear and enact comprehen- revolution and which remains proud of its Wild West the FBI’s Miami field office for further investigation, but in September about a YouTube comment in which a person sive firearm safety legislature in Florida,” said organizers on heroes. “we have determined that these protocols were not fol- named Nikolas Cruz said: “I’m going to be a professional Facebook of the rally to be held at the federal courthouse in Politicians bankrolled by the National Rifle lowed”, it said. school shooter.” The FBI said it investigated that comment Fort Lauderdale yesterday. Organizers of the gun shows to Association, the powerful lobby group that endorsed US Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he has ordered but was unable to trace its origins, closing the inquiry until be held in Boca Raton and at the Miami-Dade County’s fair- Donald Trump’s presidential run, refuse even to a review of FBI procedures following the shooting, carried Cruz surfaced in connection with Wednesday’s shooting. grounds could not be reached by Reuters. accept that a firearm is by definition a lethal object out by a gunman armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told a news conference The massacre has raised concerns about potential lapses and that widening access is risky. On Thursday, and numerous ammunition cartridges. “We have spoken his office had received about 20 “calls for service” in the in school security and stirred the ongoing US debate pitting Trump delivered a televised address to declare the with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional last few years regarding Cruz and would scrutinize all of proponents of tougher restrictions on firearms against United Sates a country in mourning-but avoided all pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy,” them to see if they were handled properly. But Israel said advocates for gun rights, which are protected by the US mention of guns.He has portrayed the Florida mas- Wray said in a statement. The FBI has also separately been law enforcement should not be held responsible for Constitution’s Second Amendment. Some political leaders sacre as the act of someone mentally disturbed, with- criticized by some Republicans over its investigation of Wednesday’s tragedy. “The only one to blame for this killing including Trump have said mental illness prompted the out mentioning how the shooter could have acquired allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential is the killer himself,” he said. shooting. Cruz had been expelled for undisclosed discipli- an assault rifle at 19, an age at which most Americans election, heaping further scrutiny on the agency led by More vigils and funerals will be held over the weekend in nary reasons from the school where the attack occurred. cannot legally buy alcohol. —AFP Wray since President Donald Trump fired James Comey and around Parkland. Two gun shows and a rally calling for Former classmates have described him as a social outcast last year. Russia denies any involvement. the firearm safety legislation are due to be held nearby. “We trouble-maker with a fascination for weaponry. —Reuters Established 1961 9 International Sunday, February 18, 2018 Kosovo celebrates 10 years since splitting from Serbia Sovereignty remains fiercely contested by Serbia

PRISTINA: Kosovo yesterday celebrated 10 years since it ber,” Serbian Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin said on declared independence, a moment of pride for its ethnic Thursday. The former foes have reached deals on issues Albanian majority, although sovereignty remains fiercely such as freedom of movement since talks began in 2011, but contested by Serbia. The capital Pristina is covered in the the EU-brokered dialogue has stalled over the past two blue-and-yellow Kosovan flag for a weekend of festivities, years. with Kosovo-born British pop star Rita Ora due to headline Federica Mogherini, EU representative for foreign affairs, a concert in the main square. nevertheless said on the eve of the anniversary that she was A decade after a war between Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian “realistically optimistic” that a “legally binding agreement” rebels and Serbian troops could be reached by the end left 13,000 people dead- of 2019. Some officials in most of them Albanians- Belgrade have raised the the Kosovan parliament prospect of redrawing declared independence Kosovo’s borders along eth- from Serbia on February Kids from ethnic nic lines. In the far north, 17, 2008. “It was the hap- heavily dominated by Serbs, piest moment for all of us communities the Kosovo flag is shunned as a people,” said in favour of the red, blue President Hashim Thaci in rarely mix and white stripes of Serbia. a statement on Friday, as But Thaci insists that children in Kosovo’s Kosovo is “indivisible” and Albanian schools began many fear a partition deal the day with lessons dedi- would destabilise the fragile cated to the anniversary. Balkans. This was not the case in the completely separate Father Sava Janjic, a prominent Serb Orthodox monk in schooling system of Kosovo’s Serb minority, which remains Kosovo, warned that the “collapse” of a multi-ethnic Kosovo loyal to Belgrade. Children from the two ethnic communi- would be a dangerous precedent for the region. “The ties rarely mix. Although more than 110 countries have Balkans will again become a powder keg,” he wrote on recognised Kosovo as a state in the past 10 years, Belgrade Twitter on Friday. The Kosovo war started in 1998 and came PRISTINA: Young Kosovar boys dressed as police officers salute in the street in Pristina they celebrate refuses to do so. Sovereignty is also rejected by Russia, to an end the following year when Belgrade pulled out after the 10th anniversary of Kosovo independence. —AFP whose Security Council veto prevents Kosovo from joining NATO bombarded its forces, citing a need for a humanitari- the United Nations, and five EU countries including Spain an intervention. and Greece. the first indictments from an EU-backed war crimes court cent-and 50 percent among young people-tens of thou- Trump applauds progress trying former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army. A sands have moved abroad in search of work over the past Partition concerns From Washington, one of Pristina’s staunchest allies, number of leading KLA figures, such as Thaci, remain domi- decade. Home to 1.8 million people, Kosovo is one of the The “normalisation” of ties between Belgrade and President Donald Trump, sent his congratulations to Kosovo nant in Kosovo and ruling coalition MPs recently attempted poorest parts of Europe and hugely dependent on remit- Pristina is crucial to both sides’ bids to join the European for making “great strides in strengthening its sovereignty to block the tribunal-a move that sparked strongly worded tances from its diaspora to drive economic growth of around Union, but Serbian officials say recognition of independence and multi-ethnic democracy”. “While more work must be warnings from the US and other Western allies. four percent. “The conditions for a decent living in Kosovo is a red line. “Serbia will not recognise Kosovo and it will done, we applaud your progress.” Kosovo’s ties with the Kosovo’s milestone is also marred by huge economic have not been fulfilled, so it is clear why people are leaving,” especially not recognise it in order to become an EU mem- West have at times been strained in the past year, as it awaits challenges. With the unemployment rate at around 30 per- said law student Berat Mumi, 17, in Pristina— AFP

Kosovo Roma, News in brief the forgotten Exporting drone parts WASHINGTON: Federal authorities have charged three victims of war men with illegally exporting drone parts and other material from the United States to Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group, the US Justice Department said on Friday. It said in PODGORICA: It was not their war, but the Kosovo conflict a statement that suspects Usama Darwich Hamade and in the 1990s forced tens of thousands of Roma—the Issam Darwich Hamade were in custody in South Africa Balkans’ eternal scapegoats—into exile. So for those living while Samir Ahmed Berro remained at large. According to in a Roma camp in the capital of neighbouring the indictment, the trio conspired and attempted to export Montenegro, the 10th anniversary of Kosovo’s independ- goods including inertial measurement units suitable for use ence on Saturday is little cause for celebration. They fled in drones, a jet engine, piston engines and recording binoc- Kosovo almost 20 years ago for fear of being accused by ulars to Hezbollah in Lebanon from 2009 to 2013, the pro-independence ethnic Albanian rebels of collaborating statement said. Hezbollah is a heavily armed Shi’ite move- with Serb forces in the 1998-1999 war that claimed 13,000 ment which is part of the Lebanese coalition government lives. Many Kosovo Roma who stayed were accused, most and backed by Iran. —Reuters of them falsely, of such collaboration or other crimes. Serdjan Baftijari, now 25, says his family paid for “not tak- ing sides” in the war. Indonesia inks deal He was a child when he left the central ethnic Serb enclave of Gracanica in the summer of 1999, as the tide of JAKARTA: Indonesia has inked a billion-dollar deal to buy the conflict was turning. A NATO bombing campaign was 11 Sukhoi Su-35 jets from Russia, an official said yesterday. forcing Serb troops out of the breakaway territory. The The contract, signed by both countries’ representatives in ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) was taking Jakarta on Wednesday, is worth a total $1.14 billion, control. “We lived in a majority-Serb area. We were Indonesia defence ministry spokesman Totok Sugiharto said. scared,” Baftijari said. Now he is among about 2,000 peo- “Two units of Sukhoi jets will be delivered in August 2018,” PODGORICA: Roma children play outside their makeshift house in a camp in the suburb of Konik in ple living in the camp in the suburb of Konik in Podgorica. he said. Another six jets would be delivered 18 months after Podgorica. It was not their war, but the 1990s Kosovo conflict forced tens of thousands of Roma-eternal Most of them recently moved into apartments but about the contract comes into effect, and the final three a further 60 families remain in converted containers or huts. scapegoats in the Balkans-into exile. —AFP five months later, he said. The deal comes after Indonesia Children play in the rubbish and the communal water pipes said in August that it would seek to trade palm oil, coffee and where residents fill up their cans are leaking. Roma were collateral damage in all the conflicts in former five children. For money, he unloads trucks at a market in tea for Russian fighter jets, saying it wanted to capitalise on Yugoslavia,” said Salijevic. “It is easy to attack us. We Podgorica, earning between five and 15 euros ($6-18) a international sanctions on Moscow.—AFP ‘Serious abuses’ of Roma have nobody to back us, no state, no system to protect us.” day. The camp’s shared toilets are unusable. The Bahtiris Kosovo Roma were victims of “serious abuses” during With aid from the European Union, Montenegro has use the ones at the home of their cousins, who were fortu- the war, according to the Belgrade-based Humanitarian ramped up the construction of apartments in the camp. nate enough to be relocated to an apartment. Armenian ‘genocide’ motions Law Centre (HLC), a prominent non-governmental organi- The goal is to eradicate provisional facilities in 2018. But A native from the northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, sation in the Balkans. They were sometimes forced by that will not end the inhabitants’ social isolation, said Elvis Bahtiri is convinced that this unhygienic environment ANKARA: Turkey summoned the Dutch charge d’af- Serbs “to bury the bodies of Albanian civilians and KLA Berisha of the Walk With Us youth organisation, which caused the liver cirrhosis suffered by his youngest faires to Ankara yesterday to express its unhappiness members, to dig trenches for the military, and to pillage campaigns for Roma education. “Of course it is better to daughter, 18-month-old Aida. She needs treatment with a pair of proposed bills that would see the and destroy ethnic Albanian property,” it said in a 1999 live in an apartment than in a container,” he said. But abroad but he cannot afford it. Like Baftijari, he had to Netherlands recognize as genocide the 1915 killing of as report. Today there are about 35,000 Roma in Kosovo, among the locals, he says, the camp has come to be known briefly return to Kosovo to get a passport and avoid many as 1.5 million Armenians. The four Dutch govern- said Gazmen Salijevic, a Roma activist in Kosovo. as a place for “garavi”-an insulting term for Roma. becoming stateless. Few of these refugees have managed ing parties have expressed support for two proposals Several thousand refugees have returned there, but the to obtain Montenegrin nationality. Despite the harsh con- by the conservative Christian Union party which are due number is still far from the estimated 100,000 or more ‘Never return to Kosovo’ ditions of life in the camp, Bahtiri said he “will never to be debated in parliament in coming weeks. One who lived in Kosovo before the war. Those who did not Ferdi Bahtiri’s family is one of about 50 at the camp return to Kosovo”. “My children were born here. My par- recognises the deaths as genocide and a second calls flee faced danger-HLC’s Kosovo branch said that 240 waiting to be relocated. In the meantime, the 28-year-old ents were buried here,” he said. “I do not know anyone for a Dutch official to attend the country’s formal geno- Roma were either killed or went missing in the war. “The has set up two containers to live in with his wife and their there anymore.”—AFP cide remembrance day on April 24. The bills risk further souring relations between Turkey and the Netherlands.—Reuters than 12,000 people. Duterte maintains he is beyond the ‘I fear for my life’: ICC’s jurisdiction and has threatened to withdraw his Suicide blasts kill 19 country from the treaty that created it if the tribunal pur- sues a formal investigation. “The problem with me is when KANO: Three suicide bombers killed 19 people at a fish Philippine lawyer I see something wrong I fight,” said Sabio, who had a low- market in northeast Nigeria, civilian militia leaders said key legal practice for two decades and unsuccessfully ran yesterday, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists. behind Duterte for public office twice. “Now to the question of how it Friday’s deadly attacks came in the week that hundreds of feels to be standing against Goliath, to me the fact that he Boko Haram suspects went on trial at civilian courts at a is president, I’m sorry to say this, doesn’t matter to me.” military base. One fighter involved in the 2014 abduction of investigation more than 200 schoolgirls from the Borno state town of ‘Treacherous Chibok was jailed for 15 years. The suicide blasts happened The unassuming lawyer-the son of public school teach- at about 8:30 pm on Friday in Konduga, some 35 kilome- MANILA: Philippine lawyer Jude Sabio felt it was his duty ers of modest means lost the 2010 election for mayor of a tres southeast of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. to bring President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs southern town and was disqualified for being a “nuisance” Babakura Kolo and Musa Ari, from the Civilian Joint Task to the attention of international war crimes prosecutors, but senatorial candidate in 2016, officially ruled as lacking MANILA: Lawyer Jude Sabio gestures as he Force (CJTF) assisting Nigeria’s military against the now that a probe into the killings is under way, he fears he funds to run his campaign. But his life started to change shows the communication he submitted to the Islamists, said the bombers were all men.—AFP too has become a target. Sabio, who describes himself as International Criminal Court against Philippine penniless and on the run, said he had received death threats course when in October 2016 he agreed to represent Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed assassin whose deposi- President Rodrigo Duterte, during an interview in from Duterte supporters on social media after filing a peti- Manila. —AFP tion with the Hague-based International Criminal Court in tion forms part of the ICC case. Fire kills 9 in China April last year. “I’m in a state of constant paranoia because Matobato had spectacularly confessed at a Senate BEIJING: Nine people have died in a fire at a waste process- I fear for my life,” Sabio, 51, told AFP in an interview. “It public hearing a month earlier that he was a member of the year ago-the last time he saw his 75-year-old mother. His ing facility in southern China that is suspected of being could be very possible that a bullet will hit me.” “Davao Death Squad” that killed at least a thousand peo- assassins could be “riding in tandem” he said, referring to sparked by fireworks residue, state news agency Xinhua said ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda launched a “prelimi- ple on Duterte’s orders when the president was mayor of gunmen on motorcycles, said by witnesses to be behind yesterday. The fire broke out in the early hours of the morn- nary examination” after receiving Sabio’s petition, which Davao city. The lawyer alleged in the suit that the drug many of the unsolved street murders of known small-time ing in Qingyuan city in the southern province of Guangdong, alleges around 8,000 extrajudicial killings, and this could war was the “Davao Death Squad” on a national scale, drug dealers.Responding to questions about the threat Xinhua said, citing the local government. The fire has been lead to a full investigation by the court. Sabio wants the which Duterte rejects.”It is targeting a vulnerable civilian against Sabio, Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said extinguished and a survivor with serious burns was sent to president arrested. Duterte won a landslide victory in 2016 population, composed mostly of the poor living in Tuesday the president bore no “ill will” against the lawyer. hospital, the report said. Police have detained several sus- elections largely on a pledge to eradicate drugs. He is depressed communities,” Sabio said. “Let’s make sure that if there’s a threat, he should report it pects in connection with the fire, Xinhua said, without giving accused of stoking the killings with inflammatory state- “The only way to stop the killings is to issue a warrant to the police,” Roque told reporters. However, Sabio hit details. “Preliminary investigation showed that fireworks ments and repeated promises to pardon any police officer of arrest. Arrest president Duterte and bring him to The back Friday, saying “these people are treacherous”. He residue initially caused the fire. When three workers were charged with murder. Police say they have killed 4,021 Hague.” Sabio, a short, stocky man with an unruly mous- said he does not know Duterte personally and denied trying to put out the flames, an explosion occurred, killing drug suspects in self-defence, but rights groups claim tache, has feared for his life ever since and he left his working for the opposition, taking on the case purely on more people living nearby,” it said. —Reuters police and shadowy vigilantes have actually killed more southern home city of Cagayan de Oro for his own safety a principle. —AFP 10 Established 1961

Sunday, February 18, 2018 Analysis

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Washington Watch 15 years later By Dr James J Zogby

ver the next few weeks, I want to take a look back to February and March of 2003, to those Ofateful days leading up to the Bush administra- tion’s disastrous invasion and occupation of Iraq. I remember all too well the lies that were told, the hysteria that was created, the bullying tactics that were used to silence debate, and the mass mobilization that was organized in opposition to the war. In the end, then President George W Bush ignored American public opinion and the sage advice of senior Republican statement like former Secretary of State James Baker and former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft and invaded Iraq leading to the most conse- quential disaster in recent US history. The Iraq war has had a staggering impact that contin- ues to grow over time. The magnitude of this disaster can be measured in lost lives, treasure, capacity, and pres- tige. From 2003 to the formal withdrawal of US fighting forces in 2011, the war took the lives of 4,500 Americans and well over 150,000 Iraqi civilians. And more than Fears of expanding war might trigger peace 600,000 US thousand veterans of these wars are now registered as disabled. yria’s civil war is in danger of flaring into a regional Afghanistan,” she said. Haley described it as “a dangerous committee to amend the Syrian constitution. Syria does not To fully understand the war’s impact, however, we or even global conflict, but some diplomats hope the game of pushing boundaries, instead of behaving respon- want its make-up to be dictated by the United Nations, nor must also factor in the number of young men and women, high stakes could, paradoxically, pave the way for a sibly and committing to peace.” does Moscow seem keen on seeing Iran making inroads in who after multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan S peace accord. Last week, five Russians were likely killed in Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters Syria and risk regular clashes with Israel. (400,000 served three or more tours of duty in these a US-led coalition bombing on pro-regime Syrian fighters, that his country is “doing everything to prevent any major two wars) have returned home suffering from post-trau- the Russian government said. A few days later Israel lost international confrontation in Syria. We are working on ‘Dark hours’ matic shock disorder (PTSD) - about 10 percent of vet- an F-16 warplane in reprisal attacks against Syrian and that hard”. According to Nebenzia, no country has “deliv- In closed door meetings, Russia, which may be at the erans suffer from PTSD. Iranian military targets after intercepting an alleged ered more than us on the political process in Syria.” He end of its military and financial commitment in Syria, A great number of them have tragically joined the Iranian drone. speaks of its will to get out of the conflict, insists it has no ranks of the homeless or the addicted or they have com- These serious and unprecedented events were dis- hidden agenda, and even goes so far as seeking Western mitted suicide. Studies show that on an average night cussed in an urgent mid-week UN Security Council help to persuade Damascus, according to this diplomat. almost 40,000 veterans are homeless. And in recent meeting. “The ingredients for a regional or potentially This is a new position after the series of Russian vetoes years, the average number of suicides among this group major global confrontation have come together now, and in late 2017 of Western resolutions that went against of PTSD veterans is a staggering 22 per day - meaning the risk must be taken seriously,” France’s UN ambassa- Need for Syria. “The road to peace will come when all of the par- that more young veterans of these two wars die each dor Francois Delattre told AFP. Since the destruction of ties stop provoking each other, and choose the responsi- year at their own hands out of despair than died in battle the Iranian drone “there has been no escalation”, said a unity to calm ble path,” Haley said. in both wars combined. colleague of Delattre’s on the UN Security Council, In that sense the risk of a major international clash in The direct costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan speaking on condition of anonymity. But there is now a things down Syria might open the doors for a breakthrough. This can have been estimated to be almost two trillion dollars, risk of direct confrontation between the United States serve as “leverage to obtain a peace accord in Syria at a with trillions more needing to be factored in to cover the and Russia, possibly with new deaths, another diplomat time when lines are beginning to move,” said Delattre. long-term healthcare and disability payments to the countered. After seven years of a complex and devastating war that wars’ veterans. The two long unwinnable wars resulted in has brought in many regional and international actors, grounding down and exhausting the US military. It also Russia cooling on Syria? “we are back to the darkest hours,” diplomats say. demonstrated their inability to decisively beat insurgen- On Wednesday, a Security Council meeting on Syria cited Moscow’s ties with the Damascus regime and the They point out a list of besieged areas such as east- cies and resistance movements. This proved demoralizing that was initially slated to be public but was ultimately held opposition, its support for so-called “de-escalation zones,” ern Ghouta, Idlib and Afrin, the target of a Turkish mili- to US troops and also established the limits of the behind closed doors, suggested a turning point had been and peace talks in Astana and Sochi which Russia says are tary operation against Kurdish militia forces allied with world’s most powerful and expensive military machine. reached. The language that emerged was a mix of tension aimed at facilitating other talks in Geneva. the United States. The operation has created tension At the same time, the Bush Administration’s reckless and caution that converged on one point: The need for A diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said between the United States and Turkey, two key members and arrogant unilateralism (“you’re either with us or unity to calm things down. UN ambassador Nikki Haley that Russia is losing ground even after all it has invested mil- of NATO, a military alliance dominated by Washington. against us”) caused friction with allies and contempt for said peace “is urgent” in Syria, then blamed Iran for its itarily in Syria. Moscow’s influence over Damascus remains Due to this tension, NATO strategic interests are now public opinion world-wide. By the end of the Bush role in the violence. “On every front of this conflict, we find tentative, as seen in a recent warning from the Syrian affected by how the balance of power in the Syrian war Administration, US favorable ratings were at their lowest fighters imported by Iran from Lebanon, Iraq, and regime on the results of talks in Sochi aimed at forming a evolves. —AFP point, worldwide. US abhorrent behaviors exhibited dur- ing the war (Abu Ghraib, torture, Guantanamo, etc) also fueled extremist currents giving new life to Al-Qaeda which, though routed in Afghanistan, metastasized, avert a slowdown in the lead up to a general formal extradition agreement between the spreading their anti-American hate across many conti- Pak could face election due in about six months. Indictments could United States and Russia. There is no nents. And the weakened and depleted US military Being placed on the FATF watchlist car- crime called collusion in US law, but former spawned the unforeseen consequence of enabling the ries no direct legal implications, but brings set stage for more federal prosecutor Randall Eliason, now a emergence of multiple and competing regional powers pain from return extra scrutiny from regulators and financial professor at George Washington University who were emboldened to expand their influence. institutions that can chill trade and invest- Mueller charges Law School, said the same conduct is often Of course, it wasn’t supposed to be that way. As envi- to ‘grey list’ ment and increase transaction costs, accord- covered by the offense of conspiracy. “The sioned by the wars’ main protagonists, the neo-conserv- ing to experts. Mike Casey, a partner at law fact is that collusion is potentially a crime,” ative “Project for a New American Century”, a decisive firm Kirkland & Ellis in London, said being pecial Counsel Robert Mueller’s indict- Eliason said. “This has always been clear, he prospect of Pakistan being placed US victory in a war like the one they encouraged in Iraq put back on the grey list would heighten ment of 13 Russian individuals and and it is even clearer now.” back on a global terrorist financing was needed to secure American hegemony in the New Pakistan’s risk profile and some financial three organizations for allegedly inter- The indictment alleges a scheme to World Order. They worried that at the end of the Cold watchlist could endanger its handful of S impede the functioning of the US Federal T institutions would be wary of transacting fering in the 2016 US presidential election remaining banking links to the outside world, War the US had to project decisive strength to dissuade with Pakistani banks and counterparties. sets the stage for the prosecution of Election Commission and other govern- causing real financial pain to the economy just any would-be competitors. After a display of over- “Others might elect to avoid Pakistan alto- Americans who may have helped the Russian ment agencies. Prosecutors also accuse as a general election looms. Washington and whelming force, they were convinced that the danger of gether, viewing the legal risks associated effort, some legal experts said. Deputy the Russians of opening bank accounts its European allies have co-sponsored a a multi-polar world could be averted and the 21st with doing business there to outweigh any Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told under false names and unlawfully using motion calling for the nuclear-armed nation to Century would be an American Century. economic benefits,” he said. reporters on Friday there was no allegation in stolen identities of Americans to post on be placed on a “grey list” of countries deemed the indictment that any American knew about social media in support of Trump. To to be doing too little to comply with anti-ter- Campaign of lies Current account deficit the alleged scheme. It said Russians did con- charge an American with conspiracy, legal rorist financing and anti-money laundering As they rushed to war, the Bush administration and its A decline in foreign transactions and a tact “unwitting” members of the campaign of experts said, Mueller would need to show regulations, with a decision expected next neo-conservative acolytes engaged in a massive propa- drop in foreign currency inflows could further now President Donald Trump in a bid to sup- that person was aware the Russians were week when member states of the Financial ganda campaign of lies to win support for an invasion. widen Pakistan’s large current account deficit, port him while denigrating his opponent, trying to interfere in the election and Action Task Force (FATF) meet in Paris. knowingly aided them. When I say that they lied, I don’t mean their fabricated the Achilles heel of an economy that required Democrat Hillary Clinton. The move is part of a broader US strategy For example, people who participated case about Saddam’s “nuclear program” or their false an IMF bailout in 2013 following a balance of The indictment said the Russians con- to pressure Pakistan to cut its alleged links to in activities to support the Trump cam- efforts to portray the Iraqi regime as the region’s princi- payments crisis. Another major worry is that spired “with persons known and Islamist militants waging chaos in Afghanistan. paign could be charged if they knew ple sponsor of terror - this was the brief presented by the likes of Standard Chartered , the largest unknown”, which could include Americans. then Secretary of State Colin Powell at the United Pakistan, which denies such links, last month international bank in Pakistan with 116 branch- Russians had organized them to help sway shrugged off a US aid suspension worth $2 “While they went to great pains to say the vote. If an American helped direct the Nations in his failed effort to win international backing es, or Citibank and Deutsche Bank, who most- they are not indicting any Americans for the invasion. No, the more serious lies they told were billion. But inclusion on the FATF watchlist ly deal with corporate clients, would pull out. Russian acts, that could lead to charges as could inflict real damage, bankers and govern- today, if I was an American and I did well, said Harvard Law School Professor done so in their effort to sell the war to the American as Banks have been retreating from high-risk cooperate with Russians I would be ment officials say. Islamabad has sought to countries in recent years amid intense pres- Alex Whiting. “If there were meetings an easy, cheap, and lofty venture. extremely frightened today,” said former head off the motion by amending its anti-ter- sure from global regulators to guard against between the Trump campaign and the In Congressional testimony and press briefings, high- federal prosecutor Patrick Cotter. The rorism laws and by taking over organizations money laundering and terrorist financing. Russians, and the Trump campaign offi- ranking administration officials argued the war would White House took a different view, issuing controlled by Hafiz Saeed, a Pakistan-based “The level of due diligence is already high in cials encouraged the Russians or guided only require between 60,000 to 90,000 troops (in fact, a statement saying that Trump had been the Administration fired the Pentagon general who at a Islamist whom Washington blames for the countries like Pakistan, but if this goes ahead them to particular types of work, or pro- 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. then the banks will really have to reassess the briefed on the matter and was “glad to see vided them assistance so that they could Congressional hearing had admitted that the invasion the Special Counsel’s investigation further and occupation of the country, if they were to succeed, But there are concerns Pakistan’s nearly risk-reward scenario,” said a senior executive focus their interference, that would be col- $300 billion economy, expanding at its with a large foreign bank, which has business indicates there was NO COLLUSION lusion,” said Whiting, a former federal would require over 350,000 troops). The fighting, between the Trump campaign and Russia.” administration spokespeople said, would be over in a few fastest rate in a decade at above 5 percent, interests in Pakistan. prosecutor. could lose steam if it ends up on the FATF Mueller has been silent on where the Some experts said Friday’s indictment weeks. US troops would be greeted as liberators. And In September, Pakistan’s biggest lender, watchlist, from which it was removed in 2015 probe is headed. It has so far led to guilty does not indicate Mueller’s probe was the total cost to the US treasury would be between $1 to Habib Bank , was fined $225 million and after three years. “We don’t think the conse- pleas from Trump’s former national securi- broadening. Bill Jeffress, a criminal $2 billion before Iraqi oil production would kick in and effectively forced to shut its US operations quences are going to be drastic but it’s defi- ty advisor and a one-time campaign aide defense lawyer at Baker Botts, said he cover the rest. If all this were not fanciful enough, the by the New York regulator due to compli- nitely not good,” said one senior finance min- ance failures over money laundering and ter- to lying to the Federal Bureau of thought it was significant that Mueller promoters of the war repeatedly told the American peo- istry official. Investigation, as well as indictments of his made clear that members of the campaign ple that when the dust settled Iraq would become a rorist financing. US watchdogs have dished Military successes against militants and out more than $16 billion in fines for anti- former campaign manager Paul Manafort only dealt with Russians unwittingly. “If “model democracy” that would serve as a “beacon for massive Chinese infrastructure investments and Manafort’s business partner Rick they had enough evidence that an the New Middle East”. In his speeches leading up to the money laundering (AML) compliance failings have restored some vim to an economy hob- since the end of 2009, according to data Gates. Moscow has denied meddling in the American were complicit they would have invasion, Bush went further saying that the war “will free bled by a long-running Islamist insurgency compiled by Hong Kong consultancy Quinlan election. included it,” said Jeffress. But Cotter said people” and that his motivation was to bring “God’s gift and wrecked by the 2008/09 global financial & Associates. “No one wants to be get Leah Litman, a law professor at the the narrative set forth in the indictment of freedom” to the Iraqi people. crisis. Officials are aiming for economic caught in a situation where for a few million University of California, Irvine, said that could easily include many more partici- expansion to hit 6 percent this fiscal year dollars of business the bank will have to pay meant the Russian government was pants. “The net is tightening,” he said. NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of the (July-June) and Prime Minister Shahid billions in fines,” added the foreign bank extremely unlikely to turn over any of its “They have moved up a whole other step Arab American Institute Khaqan Abbasi’s ruling party will want to executive. —Reuters nationals for US prosecution. There is no on the ladder.” —Reuters Established 1961 11 News Sunday, February 18, 2018

“To be honest, we’re all pretty upset. We start Qatar calls for EU-style 13 killed in minister’s crying whenever the (earthquake) alarm goes off,” 38-year-old publicist Kevin Valladolid told AFP through tears after fleeing his building in security pact for Mideast quake zone copter crash La Roma, in central Mexico City. “We’re MEXICO CITY: A 7.2-magnitude earthquake Geological Survey. About 50 homes in the stressed out, we have flashbacks. So we run out MUNICH: Middle Eastern states should that rattled Mexico on Friday triggered a nearby town of Santiago Jamiltepec were dam- into the street. It’s all we can do.” put their differences behind them and tragedy when a minister’s helicopter killed 13 aged, as well as the town hall and church, but Patients from a nearby hospital were forced forge a security pact modeled on the people during a crash-landing on the way to the no one was killed in the quake, the interior min- outside, some in wheelchairs or carting their European Union in order to pull the epicenter. The UH-60 Black Hawk military heli- istry said. IV lines. Similar scenes played out in Veracruz. region back from the brink, Qatar’s Emir copter landed on its side, crushing a van. There Oaxaca state authorities opened shelters for On the north side of Mexico City, Julia Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said on were no reported casualties from the quake those affected, and nearly 6,000 soldiers and Hernandez said she felt like she was “in a Friday. He asked the international commu- itself, which damaged buildings. The chopper federal police were deployed to help with the boat” as the ground swayed beneath her feet. nity to keep up diplomatic pressure on the was carrying Interior Minister Alfonso emergency response. Both Mexico’s National “Is it ever going to stop?” she said. Standing countries concerned to achieve that, but Navarrete and Oaxaca state Governor Seismological Service and the US Geological in the middle of the street, her eyes glued to offered few other details. Alejandro Murat, who were unharmed, Survey put the quake’s magnitude at 7.2. It her fifth-floor apartment, Graciela Escalante, “I believe that it is time for wider President Enrique Pena Nieto said. struck at 5:39 pm (2339 GMT) at a relatively 72, could hardly speak. “It was terribly strong. regional security in the Middle East. It is “Unfortunately, multiple people on the deep 24.7 kilometers, said the USGS. We barely managed to get down the stairs. It time for all nations of the region to for- ground lost their lives and others were was the longest staircase in the world,” she get the past, including us, and agree on injured,” he wrote on Twitter late Friday. Panic and flashbacks told AFP. “We thought everything was going basic security principles and rules of Yesterday, the Oaxaca prosecutor’s office said The earthquake came less than six months to collapse again.” governance, and at least a minimum level five women, four men, and three children were after two quakes killed hundreds of people in of security to allow for peace and pros- MUNICH: Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin killed by the helicopter, while another victim the country. On Sept 7, an 8.2-magnitude earth- Seismic hotbed perity,” Sheikh Tamim told a security Hamad Al-Thani gives a speech during the died en route to hospital. Fifteen other people quake shook the nation and killed 96 people, Officials in affected states said they were conference in Munich. “This should not 54th Munich Security Conference on were injured, the office said in a statement. mostly in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. inspecting buildings damaged by last year’s be a pipe dream. Too much is at risk. The Friday. — AFP Rescuers quickly swarmed the accident site Then on September 19 - the 32nd anniversary quakes, which are especially vulnerable to col- Middle East is at the brink. It’s time to searching for survivors. of a 1985 quake that killed 10,000 - a 7.1-mag- lapse. “Obviously people are afraid,” said the bring it back.” Middle East by building and arming Navarrete told the Televisa TV network that nitude quake hit the country, leaving 369 people emergency response chief for the city of Puebla, Qatar, a tiny but rich Gulf Arab state, has “Hezbollah-style” proxy armies in Iraq, the helicopter pilot lost control of the aircraft dead. Friday’s quake triggered Mexico City’s Gustavo Ariza. Pena Nieto tweeted that the been isolated over the past seven months Syria and elsewhere as it has done in about 40 m above the ground as it was coming alarm system and caused buildings to sway in National Emergency Committee had been acti- by trade and travel sanctions imposed by Lebanon. in to land. He added that some passengers were the capital. It was also felt in the states of vated because of the magnitude of the quake. the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, The goal was to weaken Arab govern- hurt. The helicopter went down in the south- Guerrero, Puebla and Michoacan. Mexico sits at a spot where five tectonic plates Bahrain and Egypt over accusations - ments and turn the proxy forces against western town of Pinotepa de Don Luis - 37 km Panicked residents flooded the streets, fear- come together, making it particularly vulnerable denied by Doha - that it supports terrorism those states if they pursued policies that from the quake epicenter, according to the US ing a repeat of last September’s deadly quakes. to earthquakes. — AFP and regional rival Iran. Efforts by the ran counter to Tehran’s interests, he said. United States and Kuwait to end the rift “So the time is now, we think, to act have failed to produce any results. against Iran,” he told the Munich Security In addition to the Gulf row, Sheikh Conference, calling on US allies to halt Tamim referenced violent conflicts in trade that was helping underwrite the Syria, Yemen and Libya which have expansion of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, sparked humanitarian catastrophes and the most powerful military and economic one of the largest refugee crises ever force in the Islamic Republic. The United with millions of people washing up in States deems Lebanon’s Hezbollah a ter- Europe in recent years. “We can mirror rorist organization. efforts of the European Union, its ability “What’s particularly concerning is that to find common ground to rebuild and this network of proxies is becoming more prosper,” he added. “Shifting from feuds and more capable,” he said. Iran has to cooperation will require that we each denied accusations that it meddles in the be held accountable.” affairs of its Middle East neighbours and Meanwhile, US National Security has dismissed suggestions it stop sup- Adviser H R McMaster called yesterday porting groups such as Hezbollah. for more forceful action to halt Iran’s McMaster also railed against the 2015 development of what he said was an nuclear accord signed by Iran and six oth- increasingly powerful network of proxy er countries, saying investments made by armies in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. German firms and others were helping McMaster accused Iran of escalating a fund Iran’s missile program and its other campaign to increase its influence in the activities in the Middle East. — Reuters JAMILTEPEC, Mexico: Soldiers of the Mexican army walk in front of a military helicopter that crashed into a van yesterday. —AFP

she told my mother, is that she was leaving only recorded in the Kasur area in the past two years. Ali Calls for justice as because she wanted to help our parents and our Pak child killer confessed to eight cases, but it is not clear if the four youngest sibling,” the brother told reporters at the car- others are linked. “It was a fair trial,” said Mian Sultan Masood, the defense lawyer provided by the state. “The go terminal. “My parents can’t accept this. Every so Filipina maid’s body... handed four... accused had confessed his crime. In this context he was often, they start weeping,” he added. “I hope they can correctly sentenced to death,” he added. find those who killed my sister”. Continued from Page 1 According to the victim’s father Ameen Ansari, Ali - Continued from Page 1 Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Public Authority of who lived nearby - had taken part in the initial protests Manpower’s spokesman said yesterday PAM is prop- The killing sparked calls for the public execution of that erupted after Zainab’s body was discovered. Prior parents repair the house that was damaged by Super erly playing its due role in protecting workers of vari- Ali after officials said his DNA had been recovered from to the recent flood of cases, Kasur was already infamous Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan),” in 2013, the aunt recalled. ous nationalities. PAM is using legal means and spe- the scene of the crime and matched samples from similar for sexual abuse, after authorities uncovered a huge The slain maid also wanted to finance the college edu- cific measures, according to its competence and pow- cases. At least 12 cases of rape and murder have been pedophilia ring in the city in 2015. — AFP cation of her youngest sister, Joyce, the aunt said. ers, in order to safeguard the rights of the private sec- Residents lined the highway as the funeral convoy tor’s workers, Aseel Al-Mezeid said in a press state- Iran and Afghanistan signed a three-way transit agree- escorted by police cars and motorcycles made its way ment. Mezeid, who doubles as head of the PAM’s pub- India, Iran agree to ment in 2016 to develop Chabahar port aiming to boost to Demafelis’ hometown, about a two hour’s drive from lic relations and media department, dismissed as economic growth in the region. the city. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said late Friday “incredible” recent reports about workers’ rights, The $85 million project, just 90 km from the China- that “working groups” from both countries were dis- along with statements by some countries’ officials on support Kabul... sponsored Gwadar port in Pakistan, creates a transit cussing forging a memorandum for protecting the the conditions of their citizens in Kuwait. Continued from Page 1 route between India, Iran and Afghanistan. India is try- rights of Filipinos in Kuwait, many of whom are working The PAM is eager to protect the rights of workers, ing to develop Chabahar as a way to gain access to the as maids. Domestic workers in that country are not but it takes into account the necessity of avoiding pos- However, local Indian media have reported frustra- markets of central Asia as well as Afghanistan. But covered by ordinary labor legislation, and accounts of sible negative effects on projects and governmental tions over delays in awarding a contract to develop a progress is slow because of concern that President Filipinas being subjected to abuse and exploitation in contracts, she added. In this context, several meetings major gas field known as Farzad B in the Gulf. India’s Donald Trump’s administration in Washington may the Middle East have long circulated. were held between the PAM and representatives of the foreign ministry said yesterday that “discussions con- eventually scrap the Iran nuclear deal. “We will support On Friday, the victim’s wailing sister threw herself at embassies of the Philippines and India in order to tinue” on Farzad B. The two leaders also signed agree- the construction of the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link so that Chabahar gateway’s potential could be fully uti- her sibling’s coffin after it was unloaded at Manila air- resolve problems regarding some companies’ failure to ments for avoidance of double taxation and the imple- lized,” Modi said. “We want to expand connectivity, port, while her stunned brother Joejet Demafelis tried pay the salaries of their workers, PAM’s spokesman mentation of an extradition treaty from 2008. As part of a lease contract, India will help Iran run a multipurpose cooperation in the energy sector and the centuries-old to comfort her. “This is a huge loss for us. Her dream, pointed out. — Agencies container terminal at Chabahar for 18 months. India, bilateral relationship.” — Agencies 12 Established 1961 Sports Sunday, February 18, 2018 Return to number one at 36 was even beyond my dreams: Federer

One of the most stunning late-career runs witnessed in any sport

LONDON: If someone had told Roger Federer 13 though he had not read the script when he took the months ago that reclaiming the world number one first set but Federer was never going to let the ranking would require three more grand slam titles opportunity pass him by-saying afterwards that it and three Masters 1000s, even he might have had been the perfect scenario to complete a declared it mission impossible. fairtyale comeback. Fast forward a year and a bit, however, and the “I think it was great that I had to play for it this 36-year-old is back at the summit-the oldest man to week,” he said. “I just didn’t just get it by Rafa los- make it since the ATP rankings came into being in ing somewhere or dropping points or me sitting on 1973. One of the most stunning late-career runs wit- the sidelines like in 2012 when I was on holiday and nessed in any sport has seen Federer put together a got the ranking two weeks after Wimbledon. sustained spell of brilliance few believed was possi- “This way to play a match where you know that ble when he missed half of you are going to be world the 2016 season with knee number one if you win it, in and back problems. front of a crowd, is a great On Friday a 4-6 6-1 6-1 feeling.” Incredibly Federer victory over Dutchman first became world number Robin Haase in the quar- one in 2004 when he beat ter-finals of the ABN Well it’s a Juan Carlos Ferrero in the AMRO tournament in deep sense of semi-final of the Australian Rotterdam guaranteed that Open before going on to the Swiss would rise to satisfaction take the title. number one for the fourth On that occasion he time in his career. stayed there for 237 Fourteen years after he weeks. “The goal (this first achieved it, this one time) was to be world felt extra special, said the 20-times grand slam number one for a week, that’s plenty for me,” he champion. “Well it’s a deep sense of satisfaction,” said. “If it’s more, great, I’ll take it. If I play well, Federer told a selected few reporters on a confer- good things will happen. “It’s the ultimate achieve- ence call hours after his milestone victory. ment in our sport to get the number one ranking, it “A lot of work went into it, coming back from the just doesn’t come easy.” injury obviously. Just having had the year that I’ve While Federer’s vast army of fans took to social had, winning three slams, that’s what it took to get media to laud a player who continues to defy time, the ranking. “I think I’ve shown resilience. I have a the man himself was just happy to be part of good great team around me and we took a lot of good day for Swiss sport. “I was just watching the decisions in the last three years. I always planned Olympics, got distracted in a good way, because for longevity and I never gave up that I could get Switzerland won three medals today,” he said. “Was back to winning ways, without ever dreaming of watching the highlights and that helped me, it dis- world number again to be honest, that was too far.” tracted me, gave me a great motivation.” Asked to Federer took a wildcard for Rotterdam, knowing compare the 22-year-old Federer to the 36-year-old that a run to the semi-finals would knock Rafa model, he said the older version had the edge. “I ROTTERDAM: Switzerland’s Roger Federer celebrates after victory over Netherlands Robin Haase in their quarter-final Nadal off the top and become the oldest player, man hope I would win-the 36-year-old me!” he said. “We singles tennis match for the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam on Friday. — AFP or woman, to be world number one. Haase looked as hit harder now, you have less time.” — Reuters

Woods misses

comedian and chat show host Ellen cut at Riviera Watson DeGeneres and watched a taping of TV sitcom “The Big Bang Theory”. “It’s Hollywood,” Watson said. “Do after eight thrives on stuff! Let’s have some fun and enjoy life.” All the activity hasn’t seemed to bogeys Hollywood hurt Watson’s on-course performance. He leapt up the leaderboard on Friday with a run of five birdies in six holes in CALIFORNIA: A struggling Tiger Woods vibe the middle of his round before a cou- failed to make the cut at the Genesis Open ple of late miscues slowed his in California on Friday as he had eight LOS ANGELES: Bubba Watson’s bid progress. “It was just a good stretch bogeys in a round of five-over-par 76. The for a third US PGA Tour title at Riviera of holes,” said Watson, who teed off disappointing play left the 14-times major Country Club isn’t the only thing on 10 and bogeyed the 15th before champion at six-over 148, four strokes over occupying his time this week. Watson rolling in an eight-footer for birdie at the projected cut of +2. raised eyebrows before the Genesis the par-three 16th. “I’ve just got to play more tourna- Open started when he said he’d with- “Eighteen I birdied yesterday, ments,” said Woods, making his second draw if an unfavorable tee time might birdied it today. And number one start of the PGA Tour season after a year- cause him to miss the NBA All-Star somehow I made another seven-footer long absence following back surgery. celebrity game, across town at Staples for a birdie. “Then made a nice recov- Britain’s Graeme McDowell and American Center on Friday evening. ery out of the rough there on two, Patrick Cantlay shared the clubhouse lead In the end, he didn’t need to worry. which was my 11th hole, made about a at seven-under 135. Watson teed off at 7:43 a.m. and pro- 12-, 15-footer. So it’s just making the Northern Ireland’s McDowell shot a five- duced a second-round 70 that left him putts at the right time.” under 66, while Cantlay posted a 69. three shots off the clubhouse lead of “Then I missed a short one that I American Sam Saunders also was at seven- Patrick Cantlay with plenty of time to felt would go one way and it decided under through 15 holes with countryman spare. “Hoping my car doesn’t break to go the other way. That’s golf.” Ryan Moore another stroke back after a 68. PACIFIC PALISADES: Tiger Woods plays his shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the down so we get there,” Watson said. Watson, 39, is coming off a disap- Bad light forced play to be abandoned Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on Friday in Pacific Palisades, California. — AFP “So I can say I played or sat on the pointing 2016-17 season in which he with about 20 players still to finish their dropped out of the top 100 in the second rounds. They will return today to bench. “It’s just the atmosphere,” he believed he was progressing in his come- “I thought I could pump a drive down added. “Saying I sat on the bench at world rankings. finish. Still troubled by his driving and put- The two-time Masters champion ting, Woods made only three birdies during back. “I haven’t played golf in years,” he there at 11 and get to it with an iron and turn Staples Center, seeing some of the said. “I’m starting to come back and it’s the tide around and play a good solid back greats, some of the people that I love missed the cut at Augusta National his second round and had more bogeys than last April. But Watson says he’s now scores of par. going to take a little time. I am progressing, nine,” Woods said. “But I didn’t do it.” Three and have friendships with, it will be a I’m starting to get a feel for tournament golf successive bogeys and another at 16 fol- blast.” healthy and ready to contend. Riviera, Despite his problems, the former world where he won in 2014 and in 2016 — number one committed to play in next again. I just need to clean up my rounds.” lowed, wiping out any hope of salvaging the The NBA’s All-Star festivities aren’t Woods’ troubles began on the front nine round. the only extra-curricular attractions the most recent of his nine US PGA week’s Honda Classic in Florida, marking the Tour titles-would seem an ideal spot first time in three years he has entered tour- and went downhill when he had birdies Poor putting did not help. “Today was the taking up Watson’s time in star-stud- around a bogey at the fourth hole before first day I felt bad with a putter this year,” ded Los Angeles. He said he “may or for him to do so. “Anybody that’s won naments on back-to-back weeks. at a place, they love it,” Watson said. “I need some tournament rounds,” three bogeys in four holes from the sixth left Woods said. may not have” taped a show with US him at two-over. A birdie at 10 appeared to “I didn’t feel very good when I was comedy icon Jay Leno. He visited “You get energized.” — AFP Woods said of the event near his Florida home. Despite the problems, Woods said he give him fresh hope, but it did not last. warming up about putting.” — Reuters

eral gold medals in different shooting championships at the KFH renews GCC and Asia levels. He won an Olympic seat and partici- pated in Brazil’s Olympic Games. KFH’s sponsorship and strategic partnership with Al- partnership with Mudhaf reflects the interest in supporting the national play- ers to participate in prominent international, regional, and Kuwaiti Olympic local tournaments. Such players attract positive attention to their country through their achievements. Meanwhile, Al-Mudhaf valued KFH’s sponsorship champion, Al-Mudhaf applauding the Bank’s outstanding role in achieving the social responsibility. It is worth noting that KFH had inked a significant strate- KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) renewed its spon- gic agreement to support the youth in collaborating with the sorship to the Kuwait’s national team trap shooter, Khaled Ministry of State for Youth Affairs. This agreement embodies Al-Mudhaf during the 2018-2019 season. This comes as part the bank’s keenness to recognize those who contribute in of the bank’s social responsibility and efforts to support the raising the Kuwaiti flag high in the international forums and youth, particularly those talented people who raise Kuwait’s championships, while confirming its instrumental role in the flag in the international forums and championships. corporate social responsibility. The Olympic champion Khaled Al-Mudhaf received sev- Al-Mudhaf receiving the partnership agreement from a KFH official. Established 1961 13 Sports Sunday, February 18, 2018 World trounces USA to jump start all-star weekend Simmons won the battle of two hottest rookies in the league LOS ANGELES: Team World attacked the rim and with two, Murray and Toronto’s Dillon Brooks. The dominated from three-point range as the internationals World led 78-59 at the half then stretched that to a kicked off the NBA 2018 All-Star Weekend festivities whopping 36 points at the end of the third quarter. with a 155-124 victory over Team USA on Friday. Their biggest lead was 39 points. Serbian guard Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 26 points and drained seven of 13 from beyond the arc and his WORLD BEATERS Sacramento Kings teammate Buddy Hield tallied a “It was the all-star game so it wasn’t like a really team-high 29 points in the Rising Stars Game at Staples competitive game,” said Hield, of the Bahamas. “But the Center arena. “I got hot first and then Bogie world is getting better. “I am proud to see a lot of guys (Bogdanovic) got hot and he continued to stay hot,” around the world from France, Australia, you have (Joel) said Hield, of the game which Embiid from Cameroon. The features 20 of the top first- world is showing progress and second-year NBA play- catching up to American bas- ers. “I think Bogie had 29 ketball.” and I had 26. So it was good The World dominated tonight for both of us. World is showing from three-point range hit- “We represented ting 41 percent (23 of 56) of Sacramento well and repre- progress catching their attempts compared to sented our countries well. just 27 percent for the The whole thing was to up to American Americans. “It seemed like come here and stay aggres- basketball somewhere in the late first sive and get the win.” quarter and early second Canada’s Jamal Murray, who quarter we just started plays for the Denver making a bunch of threes Nuggets, delivered 21 points and seven assists and and pulled away,” said World coach Rex Kalamian, Dario Saric, of Croatia, scored 18 and made four-of- who is an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. seven three pointers.Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown led USA coach Roy Rogers said they tried to mix it up in LOS ANGELES: Jaylen Brown #7 of the USA Team goes up for the dunk against the World Team during the Mountain Team USA with a game high 35 points and 10 rebounds the second half but they just didn’t shoot well enough Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES while Los Angeles Lakers Kyle Kuzma scored 20 points to win. Center on Friday in Los Angeles, California. — AFP and Jayson Tatum of the Celtics had 15. “Even at halftime we talked about adjustments we Australia’s Ben Simmons won the battle of the two were trying to make. They tried. But unfortunately it Rogers said he even had to do some in-game coaching their competitive spirit.” Rogers said this rookie class is hottest rookies in the league this season, scoring 11 was just one of those nights where the shots didn’t go because he didn’t want it to turn into a slam-dunk con- helping re-define the style of play in the NBA. points and dishing out 13 assists for Team World com- down for us,” said Rogers, an assistant coach with the test at the end like several of these all-star games have “It is no longer a cookie-cutter league where big pared to Donovan Mitchell’s seven points and seven Houston Rockets. “What I told the guys afterwards is in the past. “The last two minutes I got on my guys guys just stay on the post,” he said. “This rookie class assists for the USA. Team Worlds 10 players came from every game is a learning experience. about not finishing the game the right way and they got symbolises where the NBA is headed-speed, athleti- nine different countries with Canada leading the way You choose what you want to learn from this game.” back on track,” he said. “Overall I was satisfied with cism and shooting ability.” — AFP

It’s not finished yet says ‘world Zealand posted a seemingly daunting NZ quick to 243, Australia caned the New Zealand best’ Kohli bowling to produce the highest run chase in Twenty20 history to win by bury T20 five wickets. JOHANNESBURG: Indian captain Virat Kohli, Ben Wheeler was severely put labelled the best batsman in the world by head debacle as away and had gone for 64 from 3.1 coach Ravi Shastri, wants his team to rise to overs when he was forced out of the one more challenge before they finish their England loom attack for bowling two waist-high no gruelling South African tour. balls. Senior bowlers Tim Southee and “The tour is not over,” said Kohli ahead of Trent Boult both went for more than a three-match Twenty20 series starting at the AUCKLAND: New Zealand wasted 40 but Guptill refused to blame the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on no time debating bowling woes after a attack for the dramatic defeat. Sunday. After leading India to a crushing 5-1 CENTURION: India batsman and captain Virat Kohli celebrates his half century during the sixth record Twenty20 loss to Australia as “I don’t think you can really say one-day international series victory to com- One Day International cricket match between South Africa and India at the Super Sport Park in they regrouped yesterday ahead of that,” he said. “Australia came out and pensate for a 2-1 Test series defeat to the Centurion on Friday. — AFP their tri-series showdown against played extremely well and struck it South Africans, Kohli said India were still hun- England. well pretty much from ball one. “To gry for success. Martin Guptill described Friday put 240 on the board and to lose the “That is the frame of mind we are in and we out very soon by this game.” A key for South Africa will be to master night’s loss to Australia as “disheart- game, it’s a little bit disheartening, but are looking forward to the T20s now,” he said. Kohli said India had pledged not to take “a Indian wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and ening” but quickly added: “We haven’t we haven’t really got a lot of time to Kohli capped an exceptional personal per- backward step” after losing the first two Tests Yuzvendra Chahal, who took a combined 33 really got a lot of time to dwell on it.” dwell on it, because we’ve got another formance by hitting 129 not out in the sixth in South Africa. He said their win in the third wickets in the one-day games. When Guptill was flailing away at the game in two days’ time, so it’s a quick one-day international in Centurion on Friday, and final Test had been a turning point. “We Squads: top of the New Zealand innings in turnaround, and get out there taking his aggregate to a world bilateral one- have created momentum which has lasted until South Africa: JP Duminy (captain), Farhaan Auckland, victory seemed certain, tonight.” day series record of 558 runs at an average of now. It’s with us and we have to make the Behardien, Junior Dala, AB de Villiers, Reeza which would have made Sunday’s New Zealand beat England by 12 186. Shastri lauded Kohli’s leadership and his most of it, even until the last day of the tour.” Hendricks, Christiaan Jonker, Heinrich Klaasen clash with England in Hamilton a mere runs when they met earlier in the week batting skills: “I’ve seen him batting across all Ten of the 13 Indian players who appeared (wkt), David Miller, Chris Morris, Dane training exercise before Wednesday’s setting up an all-or-nothing showdown conditions, all formats. It’s not just averages, in the one-day series are in the T20 squad, Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile final for which Australia had already today. Should England win the return it’s the way you get runs, when you get it and while eight of South Africa’s squad played in Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts. qualified. match, then the side with the superior then to back those runs up on what the team the one-day games. With a Test series against India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma But after the big-hitting opener overall run rate will progress to the does. “I would safely say he is the best bats- Australia starting on March 1, South Africa (vice-captain), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra smacked 105 off 54 balls as New final against Australia. —AFP man in the world.” have rested all their likely Test players with Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (wkt), the exception of AB de Villiers. Dinesh Karthik (wkt), Kuldeep Yadav, ‘NO BACKWARD STEPS’ De Villiers, who was once himself Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Manish Pandey, Hardik Asked whether he considered himself the described by Kohli as the best batsman in the Pandya, Axar Patel, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh best, Kohli told journalists: “I am not compet- world, had a poor one-day series in compari- Raina, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat ing with anyone. I only look to help my team. son to his Indian Premier League teammate, Fixtures: world”. “During his six-month ban, If you are thinking about the team special making only 62 runs in three innings and March 18, Johannesburg Iran protests Karimi Mashiani can take part in things happen. “If you are thinking about needs to find his best form ahead of the Tests March 21, Centurion domestic competitions and in the final being ahead of someone else, you’ll be found against Australia. March 24, Cape Town. — AFP stage of the national team selection. ban on wrestler “His ban will be over before the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and the World who threw bout Championship,” Khadem added. Karimi Mashiani threw his quarter- Kenya’s Simader final bout against Russian Alikhan to avoid Israel Zhabrayilov in the under-86 kilo- draws inspiration gramme freestyle contest. Footage TEHRAN: Iran’s wrestling federation shows him leading in the match until from super-G said late Friday it would protest a his coach starts shouting “Alireza, decision to ban one of its athletes and lose” from the sidelines. the national coach for deliberately Karimi Mashiani then repeatedly shock throwing a match to avoid fighting an rolled over to hand his opponent a Israeli opponent. Alireza Karimi dozen points and victory. He also Mashiani threw a match against his refused to take the mat against an PYEONGCHANG: Kenya’s Sabrina Simader Russian opponent in the under-23 Israeli opponent at the World said yesterday she would be inspired to sur- world championships in Poland in Championships in Hungary in 2013. prise a few people herself after watching November to avoid fighting Israel’s Uri The United World Wrestling Czech skier Ester Ledecka win one of the Kalashnikov in the next round. Disciplinary Chamber found that most astonishing Winter Olympic races of The Islamic republic does not Karimi Mashiani “on instruction of his all time. recognise the Jewish state, placing it coach Jamshidi, wilfully lost his quar- Simader, the first speed skier to race for in the same “Great Satan” category as ter finals match against Alikhan Kenya and only its second Winter Olympic the United States, and forbids its Zhabrayilov”. “Both wrestler and athlete, finished 38th out of 44 in the women’s sportsmen from competing against coach were found to have acted in super-G, in which Ledecka - better known as Israelis. direct violation of the International a snowboarder - came from nowhere to beat Wrestling Rules and the UWW PYEONGCHANG: Kenya’s Sabrina Simader reacts after competing in the Women’s Giant Slalom at On Friday, the United World defending champion Anna Veith of Austria by Wrestling Disciplinary Chamber Disciplinary Regulations,” it said in a a hundredth of a second. the Yongpyong Alpine Centre during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in statement. Pyeongchang. — AFP banned Karimi Mashiani from compe- “It was so cool and so emotional, also for tition for six months, and banned his Iran said it had fought for months to me, because I mean - a Czech girl wins the coach Hamidreza Jamshidi for two limit the impact of the decision and Olympics, and nobody expected that before,” on Thursday. the beginning, but afterwards.” years. “The federation will protest the reduce the proposed fine. A statement Simader told reporters. “I hope I can also It was the biggest milestone yet for the She remembered her first reaction: “Oh verdict,” Iran Wrestling Federation from the Iran Wrestling Federation on surprise some other people in the next race.” young woman, born in Kenya and raised in no, it’s too cold and I never saw snow and it president Rasoul Khadem said on its website said such situations were That won’t be at the Olympics, however, Austria, who hated skiing when she first was like, ‘Oh my gosh, no.’” Sixteen years state television. Khadem blamed the bound to recur and be even “more as the teenager has finished her programme tried it out as a little girl. “I learned it at on, she is still living in Austria, training with ban on pressure from the International serious and complicated” in future. in Pyeongchang - rebounding in the super- three years (old) from my stepfather in the Austrian team and hoping she can get Olympic Committee, which he said was “It is hoped that a solution is G from the disappointment of failing to Austria. He has his own ski lift, a small one, more funding to pursue her ambitions in the itself “under the influence of big politi- thought of by competent authorities complete the second run of the giant slalom so I learned it there and I fell in love - not at sport. — Reuters cal and economic powers of the for resolving this issue.” — AFP 14 Established 1961 Sports Sunday, February 18, 2018 Czech snowboarder Ledecka stuns Alpine world with super-G gold

Veith takes silver, Weirather bronze

PYEONGCHANG: Czech snowboarder bumped Veith out of the gold-medal posi- congratulate her because the Olympics is Ester Ledecka produced one of the biggest tion by one hundredth of a second to give so special and anything can happen. It was shocks in the history of the Winter her country its first Alpine skiing gold so tight.” Olympics when she tore down Jeongseon medal. “I was wondering what just hap- Weirather’s bronze enabled her to join slope in bib number 26 to win the women’s pened. Is this a kind of mistake?,” she said. her mother Hanni Wenzel and uncle Alpine skiing super-G yesterday. “I was thinking okay, they’re going to Andreas Wenzel as an Olympic medallist The 22-year-old rank outsider-rated change the time, I’m going to wait for a lit- with the family now having contributed sev- 43rd in the World Cup standings in super- tle bit and they’re going to switch and put en of the 10 won by athletes from the tiny G-was thought to have a much better some seconds on. “I was just staring at the principality. chance of gold in the snowboarding events board and nothing was happening and The 28-year-old said Ledecka’s win was she will also contest in Pyeongchang, an everybody was screaming. I just started to “amazing” and credited her own medal- unprecedented doubling up. think okay, this is weird.” winning performance to a lot of hard work Bib 26 was the starting position for a Veith’s time of 1.21.12 was only enough and a little bit of luck. “There were plenty racer with only the slimmest chance of of racers who had no chance getting near the podium, and the top because of the wind,” she said. contenders clearly thought the medals “It’s difficult when it’s at the had been sewn up by skiers in the top Olympics and you want a really 20 spots. fair race; today you needed the When Ledecka started her run, American star luck for sure. I wasn’t really lucky Austrian Anna Veith was at the bottom this season with that, but today I of the slope already taking phone calls Lindsey Vonn was.” Swiss racer Michelle Gisin and receiving the congratulations of dismissed the idea that the design PYEONGCHANG: (L-R) Austria’s silver medallist Anna Fenninger Veith, Czech Republic’s gold her rivals for becoming the first woman finishes sixth of the course could have con- medallist Ester Ledecka and Liechtenstein’s bronze medallist Tina Weirather pose on the to win back-to-back titles in the tributed to Ledecka’s shock win. podium during the medal ceremony for the alpine skiing women’s Super-G. — AFP Olympic super-G. “We have an amazing slope and Even a smiling International we have an amazing course and it’s made a mistake before the final jump and that maybe wouldn’t be in there before.” Olympic Committee (IOC) President really fair,” said Gisin, who went skied into soft snow, getting a time that was While Vonn is the second most decorat- Thomas Bach seemed to be congratu- out just behind Veith and finished good enough only for sixth. The 33-year-old ed woman on the Alpine World Cup circuit lating her. Clearly, nobody had accounted for silver, while Liechtenstein’s Tina ninth. “We have fair chances from bib one American, who will have another chance to with 81 victories, Ledecka has never graced for Ledecka’s near-miraculous perform- Weirather claimed bronze in 1:21.22 after to bib 50, the slope is so good.” become the oldest female medallist in the podium on the circuit as she has split ance. Indeed, the Czech’s run had appeared earlier bumping Swiss World Cup leader Olympic Alpine skiing in her favoured down- her time with her snowboarding career. on a par with her starting position until Lara Gut off the top of the timesheets by BIG CROWD hill on the same mountain next week, was as World champion in the parallel giant halfway down the course but she simply the slenderest of margins. Despite a delay of an hour because of surprised as anyone by Ledecka’s win. slalom snowboarding and a former world carved up the bottom of the run to clock “I thought I had gold,” Veith said. “For high winds, the race got underway under “It’s definitely shocking, in the Olympics champion in the parallel slalom, she could one minute 21.11 seconds. me it was a big surprise that she could do bright blue skies with a big crowd packed a lot of weird things happen,” said Vonn, the yet enjoy unprecedented medal success in Ledecka could barely believe it herself this. At first I thought ‘is this possible?’ into the stands at the Jeongseon Alpine downhill champion in Vancouver eight years the two separate snow sports in when the green light indicated she had “She did a really good run and I want to Centre. Lindsey Vonn went out first but ago. “Different people can jump in there Pyeongchang. — Reuters

Russians blank US in intense ing a backhanded shot over Russian Russians romp goaltender Nadezhda Alexandrova. “We had a big goal of winning a Olympic hockey medal here,” said the disappointed into women’s Muller, who was in tears after the showdown defeat. “We started well, we kept s-finals with going, we were one-nothing behind but didn’t stop fighting. I am proud of GANGNEUNG: Ilya Kovalchuk and Nikolai my team.” Prokhorkin each scored two goals and the Swiss rout Muller is the tournament’s top scor- Olympic Athletes from Russia blanked arch- er with seven goals, but the personal rival United States 4-0 in an electric atmos- milestone was overshadowed by the GANGNEUNG: The Olympic Athletes phere yesterday at the Pyeongchang Winter exit of her team, who won bronze at from Russia team trounced Olympic men’s hockey tournament. the Sochi Games four years ago. “Now Switzerland 6-2 in an entertaining Russia has not won Olympic hockey gold it’s not worth anything,” she added. “I clash at the Kwandong Hockey Centre since 1992 but an all-star OAR lineup from the am happy about that but at the yesterday to book a spot in the semi- country’s two top clubs showed the skill and moment it’s hard to be happy about finals of the women’s Olympic ice tenacity that made them 2018 favourites, secur- anything. Maybe in some days I can hockey tournament. ing a quarter-final berth with the win. look back and be proud of my team The Russians will take on four- Slovakia, which upset the Russians 3-2 in and maybe we can regret nothing.” times defending champions and heavy their opener, faced Slovenia in a later match, GANGNEUNG: Russia’s Andrei Zubarev and US Brian O’Neill vie for the puck in the men’s ice hock- Stalder made amends when she put favourites Canada on Monday for a but the emotional and hard-hitting USA- ey preliminary round group B game between the Olympic Athletes from Russia and the United the Swiss ahead on the powerplay place in the final. The Canadians beat Russia showdown was the day’s marquee States during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Hockey Centre in with a classy shot into the top corner, the Russians 5-0 in the group stages event. The political rivals stirred passions long Gangneung. — AFP but the Russians were back on level today. Anna Shokhina capitalised on before players began warming up as rowdy terms minutes later when Viktoria Lara Stalder’s mistake to give the fans waved Russian and US flags with chants Kulishova tucked home a rebound. Russian goal heated player emotions until they Prokhorkin rifled a slapshot from the top of Russians an unlikely lead seven min- of “U-S-A” and “Russ-i-a” — screaming that Liana Ganeyeva took advantage of boiled over 91 seconds before the end of the the left faceoff circle past Zapolski 2:14 into the utes into the first period after the only grew louder as the game unfolded in an a powerplay for the Russians to second period. second period to double the Russians’ lead. Swiss forward took a fraction too long intense setting. extend the lead with just over a minute US forward Chris Bourque, the smallest man to control a routine pass. While US coach Tony Granato played down left in the second period by directing on the ice, answered a takedown by going after CZECHS EDGE CANADA The Russians were shorthanded by any “Miracle on Ice” repeat talk, there were Shokina’s powerful shot from just Prokhorkin, who responded in kind as both Jan Kovar and Petr Koukal scored in a two when Shokhina pounced on echoes of the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic upset inside the blue line past Swiss goal- were sent off for roughing. The Russians were penalty shootout to lift the Czech Republic to a Stalder to force a turnover before of the Soviet Union by a collection of US ama- tender Florence Schelling. already leading 2-0 by then thanks to a 3-2 win over defending champion Canada 3-2. bearing down on the Swiss goal and teurs. With NHL talent absent for the first time Shokhina scored again in the final Prokhorkin brace. Canada could still qualify directly for the quar- scooping a wrist shot high into the net. since 1994 over money issues and injury fears, period and Olga Sosina added a sixth Kovalchuk blasted a shot past US goal- ter-finals by beating South Korea today. The Swiss equalised with less than a young US squad with four college stars and late on to put the finishing touches on tender Ryan Zapolski from the right faceoff “We have to keep our heads up and come 10 seconds played in the second peri- mostly Europe-based talent faced an all-star the rout. Switzerland will play the uni- circle with 0.2sec remaining in the period, in tomorrow confident. We can’t dwell on it,” od after Alina Muller collected a lineup from Russia’s two best clubs, including fied Korean team, who they beat 8-0 boosting their lead to 3-0. Kovalchuk struck said Canada’s Maxim Noreau, whose final Christine Meier pass and wove her five-time Olympians and ex-NHL stars earlier in the tournament, in a classifi- again 28 seconds into the third period, zipping shootout effort clanked off the left post to seal way past three defenders before flick- Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk. But these a laser shot from the opposite circle for a 4-0 the Czech triumph. “It was a good game for cation game today. — Reuters Americans found no goals, much less miracles. Russian edge. us,” Canada coach Willie Desjardins said. “We Bobby Sanguinetti and Datsyuk traded early Russian goaltender Vasili Koshechkin made created lots of chances. Now we move ahead. hits against the boards to set a physical tone, 29 saves in the shutout. The red-clad Russians We know we have to get better.” The Czechs with rock music during breaks and crowd noise opened the scoring 7:21 into the game, the would clinch a quarter-final spot Sunday by list fell just short, scoring 121.27 to miss feeding into the game’s quick-pace tempo. unguarded Prokhorkin at the crease tapped in beating Switzerland, which routed South Champion out by 0.45 points. Two shove-filled melees exchanged near the Sergei Mozyakin’s pass. Korea 8-0. — AFP Kushnir’s absence will be felt strongly in the final and as his result was read out, Kushnir fails shock spread across the faces of his team mates, coaches and rivals. The 33- to qualify for year-old, competing in his fourth Korean teen Choi triumphs Olympics, was hoping to defend his title aerials final and continue Belarus’s dominance of the in 1,500m short track sport. The country has had a man on the aerials podium at the last four Olympics, PYEONGCHANG: There was a shock winning gold in both Vancouver and PYEONGCHANG: South Korea’s world record-holder Choi Min- during qualifying for the final of the Sochi. Now, the baton passes to jeong shed tears of joy as she seized her first Olympic title in the men’s aerials yesterday night when Stanislau Hladchenko, who is the only women’s 1,500m short track yesterday, making up for her disqualifica- defending Olympic champion Anton Belarussian representative in the final, tion in the 500m final. Kushnir of Belarus failed to qualify. The after world number four Maxim Gustik Choi, 19, eased to the front with two laps to go and she glided well top six men from the first round of quali- also failed to qualify. clear of the field to win in 2min 24.948sec, more than a second faster fying progressed automatically to American Jonathon Lillis top-scored than China’s Li Jinyu. Choi threw her arms into the air as she did a lap today’s final, with the remaining athletes with 127.44 and the world champion will of honour for the ecstatic 12,000-capacity crowd, and the tears moving into a second qualifying round. be joined in Sunday’s final by Sochi silver flowed as she hugged her coach. The top six after the second round also medallist David Morris. The Australian Kim Boutin of Canada, who received abuse on social media over progressed to the final. needed a second jump but delivered to Choi’s disqualification in the 500m, grabbed her second bronze medal However, after a first round score of qualify in second place from round two. of the Games. But the agony continued for British world champion GANGNEUNG: South Korea’s Choi Minjeong celebrates winning the gold 120.80 failed to seal qualification for the It was a good night for the Chinese, Elise Christie, who was stretchered away and taken to hospital after medal in the women’s 1,500m short track speed skating. — AFP final, the pressure was on Kushnir to who had three athletes progress as they she crashed out painfully in the semi-finals. reach the final with the last jump of the look to get revenge for the result in the Christie was also a crash casualty in the women’s 500m final and at chef de mission. second round. Needing to beat the score women’s final on Friday. Hanna Huskova Sochi 2014, she went home empty-handed after being penalised in all “It’s tough. But right now it’s about Elise’s health. She was in a great of 121.72, set by Mischa Gasser of of Belarus edged China’s Zhang Xin and three of her events. “It’s too early to tell anything, we’ll have some form and I saw her a couple of times and she was in a great place, it’s Switzerland, to qualify in the top six of Kong Fanyu into second and third scans and find out exactly what the story is,” said Mike Hay, Team GB just incredibly unfortunate.” — AFP the second round, the Sochi gold medal- respectively. — Reuters Established 1961 15 Sports Sunday, February 18, 2018 ‘Ice Prince’ Hanyu defies injury to retain skate crown

Shoma Uno takes silver, Javier Fernandez bronze

GANGNEUNG: Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu disclosed he had After his not-quite-spotless free skate, which never “fully healed” from the serious injury that almost opened with a quickfire quad salchow and quad scuppered his Olympics after clinching the first back- toeloop, he bowed to his fans as they in turn tossed his to-back men’s figure skating title in more than six Winnie The Pooh stuffed toys, his mascot, onto the decades yesterday. Gangneung Arena ice. The 23-year-old cemented his status as the modern But this was no teddy bear’s picnic for the two-time day ‘ice prince’ when overcoming a three-month injury world champion, that was evident from his tears of hiatus to add Pyeongchang gold to his Sochi 2014 suc- relief after his score of 206.17 points came over the cess and emulate American Dick Button, Olympic tannoy. He then had to sit and suffer as first six-time champion in 1948 and 1952. European champion Fernandez, and then Uno, attempt- “I’m not fully healed, I ed valiantly but in vain to really pushed it hard and topple the rink king. there were some jumps and He took the Pyeongchang elements that I could not plaudits with a combined perform, but I forced myself score of 317.85 to give him a to do so,” revealed Hanyu, I’m not fully cushion of almost 11 points who damaged ankle liga- over 19-year-old Uno ments in a training accident healed, I really (306.90), with Fernandez in November. (305.24) just behind. “My injuries were more pushed it hard severe than I thought, but REMARKABLE I’ve been fortunate to make JOURNEY it to the Olympics, and that For Fernandez, it was the I’m able to smile now explains what I’m feeling. “I’ve perfect way to end his last Olympics, claiming Spain’s had a slew of injuries since Sochi, but I wanted to have first ever figure skating medal. “It was a good experi- GANGNEUNG: Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu competes in the men’s single skating free skating of the figure skating event dur- the courage to be bold enough to challenge myself.” ence, I know I didn’t do the perfect programme but I ing the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung yesterday. — AFP The charismatic skating icon had promised to was satisfied with what I did and it got me an Olympic reward his army of ardent supporters with “a dream medal, that’s all I’ve got to say. performance” and he didn’t let them down as he led a “I’ve been dreaming about it and it’s been a big goal As well as claiming only the third ever skating title he flopped in the short programme on Friday to leave Japanese one-two with Shoma Uno taking silver, ahead for me. I knew it was going to be my last one for Japan, his gold medal was also the 1,000th awarded him trailing in 17th. of Spain’s Javier Fernandez with bronze. (Olympics) so it’s true that I was a little bit more nerv- in Winter Games history. Aside from Hanyu’s heroics, Hanyu meanwhile, pushed by the likes of his training “I worried a lot of people as I could not practise ous than yesterday.” the free skate was marked by the first ever routine fea- partner Fernandez, Uno, Chen and company, has because of my injury. So, there was stronger support Hanyu was visibly moved by his latest triumph in a turing six quads from American teenager Nathan Chen, pushed figure skating to new limits. The number of than before.” Hanyu’s Sochi triumph had elevated him remarkable journey from the day in 2011 he had to who scored an Olympic record of 215.08. quads, skating’s most difficult jump, executed in the to cult status in Japan, and his exploits in South Korea flee a Sendai ice rink when a devastating earthquake It was enough for fifth place for the 18-year-old, free skate final topped the 50-mark - something that will only serve to propel his standing even further. hit Japan. whose bid to upstage Hanyu had come unstuck when would have astounded Button. — AFP Switzerland’s Hoefflin

Nepryaeva and Yulia Belorukova, wins slopestyle gold Bjoergen Olympic Athletes of Russia made the early running but when the Nordic nations upped the tempo they gradu- PYEONGCHANG: Sarah Hoefflin claimed the Olympic gold medal in makes history ally fell away and had to be content women’s freestyle skiing slopestyle in a Swiss one-two at with a bronze medal. Pyeongchang’s Phoenix Park yesterday. Compatriot Mathilde with Norway Andersson managed to take the Gremaud won silver, while Britain’s Isabel Atkin took the bronze in a lead for the Swedes as the race final that had confounded many pre-competition predictions. reached its final leg but Haga’s power, Sochi gold medallist Dara Howell was eliminated in qualifying, while relay gold consistently applied over her two none of the top-10 of the World Cup standings got on the podium. In laps, left Bjoergen in a position to seal glorious sunshine at Phoenix Snow Park, fans were treated to an the victory. The 37-year-old acceler- entertaining final and it was Swiss pair Gremaud and Hoefflin who PYEONGCHANG: Marit Bjoergen ated up the first hill with Nilsson made the early running to lay down the two highest scores of the first skied a triumphant final leg to write snapping at her heels at the front of round. Norway duo of Johanne Killi and Tiril Sjaastad Christiansen her name in the Olympic record the field but Olympic sprint champion both fell on the rails in first run. Sweden’s Emma Dahlstom, who quali- books, delivering gold for Norway Nilsson had no answer when fied in first place with a 91.40 - the highest score of the day - also fell in the women’s 4x5km relay yester- Bjoergen rounded the final corner and on the first kicker. Further falls for Sjaastad Christiansen and day and joining countryman Ole sped over the line for victory. Dahlstrom and a disappointing run for Killi in the second round meant PYEONGCHANG: Switzerland’s Sarah Hoefflin falls during a run of the Einar Bjoerndalen as the most suc- “I have been nervous, I haven’t the top three in the world were all struggling going into the final runs. women’s ski slopestyle final event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter cessful winter Olympian of all time been able to train for this,” Hoefflin, currently 12 in the FIS World Cup, then raised the bar fur- Olympic Games at the Phoenix Park in Pyeongchang yesterday. — AFP on 13 medals. Bjoergen told Norwegian television. ther as she improved her score to 91.20, taking the lead off her com- Sweden took silver, two seconds “But I just had to grind and wear patriot. Gremaud, who admitted afterwards she had been suffering “I wasn’t aware that was the case until someone told me earlier in behind, after powerful performances out her (Nilsson’s) legs, and I did from a head injury in the build-up to qualification, went for the switch an interview,” said the 19-year-old. “I was just stoked I got to ski with by Charlotte Kalla, Ebba Andersson that. She didn’t manage the last turn double 1080 on the final kicker of her last run to take back the gold, my team-mate Katie (Summerhayes) today.” “I wasn’t too concerned and Stina Nilsson, while the Olympic and I’m surprised I managed it. She but fell going for glory. about the result (coming in the final) but I am so pleased to come Athletes from Russia came third to was on my heels in the last uphill,” Britain’s Atkins produced a clean third run to score 84.60 and move away with the bronze.” take the bronze, 43.3 seconds behind Bjoergen added. into third place. She then faced a nervous wait as the final three ath- It was a disappointing afternoon for many of the world’s top skiers. the winners. Bjoergen received plenty of plau- letes took their final runs. After neither of the highly-touted Fifteen-year-old Jennie-Lee Burmansson, first in the world cup rank- Bjoergen got the glory but dits from her competitors following Norwegians could break into the top three with their final attempts, it ings, was aiming to become Sweden’s youngest ever winter Olympic Norway’s win was firmly rooted in a her historic achievement. “She is an was down to world championship silver medallist Dahlstrom in the medallist but could only manage an eighth place finish. stunning third leg by Olympic 10km absolute legend, it’s really, really cool final run of the afternoon.However, the Swede couldn’t deliver and Birthday girl and Sochi silver medallist Devin Logan couldn’t repeat freestyle champion Ragnhild Haga, to see her race every single time, she Switzerland got their first freestyle skiing gold since Evelyne Leu won her feat from four years ago and finished in 10th. — Reuters who erased a gap of almost half a just skis with absolute control,” the aerials in 2006. “I think there were a lot of girls who could have minute to tee up Bjoergen for victory. American racer Jessica Diggins told won,” Hoefflin told reporters afterwards. The Swedes also had to overcome Reuters. The United States continue “But one thing that is so great about women’s free skiing is it really a big gap to the leaders after a slow their wait for a first cross-country is anyone’s to win.” “But I was really lucky in the finals because I didn’t Matches on TV first leg by Anna Haag but Kalla, who medal since 1976. Sophie Caldwell have any wind in my runs, compared to some of the others. That took Olympic gold in the women’s struggled on the first leg, leaving her helped me a lot.” (Local Timings) skiathlon, charged around her two team mates with too much to do and Atkin, who is also a FIS World Championship bronze medallist, cel- laps to put them back in contention. they eventually finished fifth behind ebrated with friends and family after sealing the bronze medal. In Led by superb runs from Natalia SPANISH LEAGUE Finland. — Reuters doing so, Atkin won Britain’s first Winter Olympic medal on skis. Real Sociedad v Levante 14:00 beIN SPORTS HD 3 Atletico de Madrid v Athletic de Bilbao 18:15 beIN SPORTS HD 3 Espanyol v Villarreal 20:30 groups of three, Kuzmina started in the sec- beIN SPORTS HD 3 ond row, battling for position all the way to Kuzmina finally Real Betis v Real Madrid 22:45 the first shoot. Suarez and Alba beIN SPORTS HD 3 Her accuracy on the range laid the foun- gets her gold dation for her victory, but despite showing strikes give ITALIAN CALCIO LEAGUE nerves of steel on a chilly night, eventually Torino v Juventus 14:30 even she got rattled. Having built up a con- in mass start beIN SPORTS HD 4 siderable lead, Kuzmina arrived at the fourth Barca win at Eibar Bologna v Sassuolo Calcio 17:00 shoot and made her first four shots before beIN SPORTS taking a very long pause and then missing PYEONGCHANG: After two silver medal Napoli v Spal 17:00 her final effort as the rest of the field skied in EIBAR: Barcelona got back to winning ways yesterday finishes in the pursuit and individual races, beIN SPORTS HD 4 towards the range. after two consecutive draws, with a 2-0 victory at Eibar, Slovakian biathlete Anastasiya Kuzmina final- Benevento v Crotone 17:00 “In my career I never shoot clean four thanks to goals from Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, to go ly got her gold at the Pyeongchang Olympics beIN SPORTS times, and today after three times zero, I was 10 points clear at the top of the Liga standings. yesterday with a superb shooting perform- Atalanta v Fiorentina 20:00 reaching for my last shooting, and I was wor- Suarez latched on to a pass from Lionel Messi to ance in the women’s 12.5km mass start. beIN SPORTS HD 4 ried about it,” she said. “I’m so happy that my dribble round the home side’s goalkeeper and slot into The 33-year-old mother of two, who Milan v Sampdoria 22:45 ski time was good enough, and saved my an empty net in the 16th minute, while Messi hit the claimed back-to-back sprint titles in the beIN SPORTS HD 4 7.5km event at Vancouver and Sochi, became position.” woodwork later in the game as did Eibar’s Fabian The miss meant she was diverted to ski a Orellana, who was sent off with 25 minutes remaining the first woman to clinch biathlete golds in GERMAN BUNDESLIGA 150-metre penalty lap, but she remained in for a second booking. three successive Games, winning with a time Augsburg v Stuttgart 17:30 the lead and surged away to the finish, Eibar coach Jose Luis Mendilibar was also dismissed of 35 minutes 23 seconds. beIN SPORTS HD 5 waving a Slovakian flag proudly as she later for angry protests against referee Alejandro Belarusian triple Olympic champion Darya Borussia Monchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund 20:00 crossed the line. Hernandez Hernandez. Barca finally made the most of Domracheva grabbed silver, 18.8 seconds beIN SPORTS HD 5 behind Kuzmina, while Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff Germany’s Laura Dahlmeier, who started their extra man when Alba sidefooted into the near cor- the Games with golds in the sprint and pur- ner with his weaker right foot in the 88th minute to give took bronze. “I expected to have the best FRENCH LEAGUE suit races, struggled with the rifle, missing his side a first win in three games after surprise succes- chance in the gold medal for sprint here,” Nice v Nantes 17:00 once in each of her first two shoots before sive draws against Espanyol and Getafe. Kuzmina told reporters. beIN SPORTS HD 6 finishing a disappointing 16th. Kuzmina’s tri- The hard-fought win takes Barca on to 62 points for “When this didn’t happen I was really sad LOSC Lille v Olympique Lyonnais 19:00 umph equalled the Slovakian record held by the season, 10 above nearest challengers Atletico and nervous before the next races. But it beIN SPORTS HD 6 twin brothers in canoe slalom, Pavol and Madrid, who play Athletic Bilbao at home today. happened here ... A different event from Olympique Marseille v Girondins de Bordeaux 23:00 Peter Hochschorner, of three gold medals at Champions Real visit Real Betis the same day. — Ruters Vancouver and Sochi, so it’s an incredible beIN SPORTS HD 6 feeling.” With the 30 athletes split into 10 Summer and Winter Games. — Reuters Established 1961 Sport

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2018

World trounces USA to jump Czech snowboarder Ledecka stuns ‘Ice Prince’ Hanyu defies 13start all-star weekend 14 Alpine world with super-G gold 15 injury to retain skate crown

Lukaku eases Man Utd into Cup quarters West Brom knocked out of FA Cup

HUDDERSFIELD: Huddersfield Town’s Morroccan midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri (C) cannot direct his header at the goal during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester United at the John Smith’s stadium in Huddersfield. — AFP

LONDON: Debate over the merits of video assistant a dramatic dip in form that has seen him hauled off by Sanchez freed the former to slot low past Jonas Lossl. needed to make a little bit of a statement about the refereeing was again raised as a Romelu Lukaku double Mourinho in recent defeats at Tottenham and Newcastle. events. I was far from happy over them and made eased Manchester United into the FA Cup quarter-finals Mourinho made six changes in all from last weekend’s MORE WEST BROM WOE Gareth (McAuley) captain today.” in a 2-0 win at Huddersfield despite a controversial call shock reverse at St. James’ Park, but his decision to Elsewhere, a week to forget for West Brom was Wesley Hoedt took advantage of some slack West going against Jose Mourinho’s men. retain Lukaku paid dividends rounded off with an FA Cup exit as Brom marking to head home his first goal for Juan Mata thought he had put United into a 2-0 lead when the Belgian burst onto fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton just 11 minutes in. Dusan Tadic doubled the just before half-time only for the Spaniard’s effort to be Mata’s pass to open the scor- Southampton won 2-1 at the visitors’ advantage on the counter-attack after the break ruled out by the video referee after a lengthy delay, and ing inside three minutes. Lukaku takes Hawthorns yesterday. and Southampton held out despite Salomon Rondon’s without conclusive proof the officials on the field had Mata then had the ball in West Brom boss Alan Pardew spectacular volley pulling a goal back. made the wrong decision. the net himself a minute his tally for the named Jonny Evans and Gareth Brighton cruised into the last eight as fourth-tier Thankfully for United, and the authorities, that deci- before the break. A delay in Barry in his starting line-up despite Coventry City’s fairytale run came to a crashing end in a sion didn’t have a definitive influence on the outcome as referring the decision was the experienced duo forming half of 3-1 defeat. Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City face Lukaku struck early in both halves to take his tally for exacerbated as the lines used season to 21 a group of four players questioned an unwanted replay after an insipid 0-0 draw on the season to 21. Brighton and Southampton were also to help the video official deci- by Spanish police this week over Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal’s return to Hillsborough. fifth round victors to join Chelsea and Leicester, who pher offside decisions the theft of a taxi on the club’s “It’s a score nobody wants,” said Carvalhal, whose beat Hull and Sheffield United respectively on Friday, in appeared to be far from straight. warm weather training trip to Barcelona. side are also battling for Premier League survival. the draw for the last eight later on Saturday. United were left to mull over their grievance at half- “There was a problem in terms of selection “Maybe in the future, if the managers and referee agree United were without Paul Pogba due to illness as a time, but quickly ensured it wasn’t to cost them too dear- because of the incident to go with my strongest after the first game we can go to penalties, we can finish frustrating few weeks for the Frenchman continued after ly as a brilliant one-two between Lukaku and Alexis team,” said Pardew. “I decided to do that. I felt I the game today. — AFP

Thomas Mueller and Lewandowski started which allowed Bayer Leverkusen to climb to Lewandowski on the bench. Wolfsburg profited from second with a 2-1 win at Hamburg. Leon Bayern’s slow start after only eight minutes Bailey continued his stellar season by round- when Yunus Malli’s cross was headed ing Hamburg’s goalkeeper Christian late penalty home by Didavi. Mathenia on 40 minutes. Bayern winger Franck Ribery was then It was the 20-year-old Jamaican’s ninth rescues Bayern booked when the video referee spotted he league goal this season. Leverkusen’s 18- had swatted Renato Steffen in the face in a year-old striker Kai Havertz doubled their BERLIN: Robert Lewandowski converted a challenge for the ball. It was 1-0 at the break, lead after the break, finishing a move Bailey 91st-minute penalty to rescue Bundesliga but Bayern were awarded a penalty when started. Hamburg forward Andre Hahn came leaders Bayern Munich with a 2-1 win at Steffen barged over Corentin Tolisso in the off the bench to claim a consolation goal. Wolfsburg yesterday which took their win- area on 53 minutes. Freiburg captain Nils Petersen converted a ning streak to 13 and extended their advan- Steffen was booked for his furious protest, first-half penalty in their 1-0 win at home to tage at the top of the table to 21 points. but Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels Werder Bremen in persistent falling snow. With Bayern hosting Besiktas in the last palmed Robben’s spot kick onto the post. The win ended Freiburg’s three-match run 16, first-leg, of the Champions League on Bayern drew level when Robben’s cross was without a win while Bremen stay just above Tuesday, they rested several stars and were met in the middle by Wagner-Lewandowski’s the relegation places. almost made to pay. Wolfsburg striker Daniel back-up-to head home on 64 minutes. Bottom side Cologne remain nine points Didavi gave the hosts an early lead while Heynckes responded by bringing on captain from safety as they drew 1-1 at home to Bayern winger Arjen Robben had a second- Mueller, Alaba and Lewandowski in the final Hanover. Japan striker Yuya Osako gave half penalty saved. half an hour. When Germany Under-19 inter- Cologne an early lead before Hanover for- However, Sandro Wagner headed Bayern national Gian-Luca Itter pulled Robben back ward Niclas Fuellkrug equalised with his level in the 64th minute before substitute in the area, the referee pointed to the spot. 10th league goal of the season. Lewandowski hit the winning penalty in Casteels got a glove to the ball, but In the dying stages, Claudio Pizarro, 39, injury time. The win extended Bayern’s run- Lewandowski claimed his 20th league goal came off the Cologne bench and had the ball away lead to 21 points as they steam towards this season with the last-gasp spot kick. in the net, but his header was ruled offside. a sixth straight title. Today, Borussia Dortmund can go second WOLFSBURG: Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (R) celebrates with Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes named a BAILEY STRIKES AGAIN with a win at Borussia Moenchengladbach Bayern Munich’s Austrian defender David Alaba after scoring during the German first divi- weakened team with David Alaba, Jerome RB Leipzig are at Eintracht Frankfurt in as Michy Batshuayi looks to add to his five sion Bundesliga football match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Munich. — AFP Boateng, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, the Bundesliga’s first Monday night kick-off goals in three games. — AFP Established 1961

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2018 Business

Japan reappoints Kuroda as Oil prices drop on bearish US Kinshasa joins flydubai’s 18BOJ chief for another term 19 data, capital markets sell-off 21 growing network in Africa

A general view of the site of the Chinese-funded $1.4 billion reclaimed land next to Colombo’s main sea port. China will invest $1 billion in the construction of three 60-storey buildings at a mega-project near Sri Lanka’s main port, Colombo. — AFP China vows to act against US trade curbs Washington eyes hefty import tariffs on steel and aluminum industries

BEIJING: China yesterday warned it would the US Department of Commerce) are according to proposals released on Friday. announce his decision on steel import curbs the rules. Ross said he would not be surprised take necessary measures to protect its inter- groundless and do not correspond to reality,” The long-awaited unveiling of Commerce’s and by April 20 to decide on aluminum if countries challenged the measures at the ests if the US imposes tough trade sanctions he said. Washington “should not lightly adopt “Section 232” national security reviews of the restrictions. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur World Trade Organization. against its steel and aluminium exports. restrictive measures under the pretext of two industries contained global tariff options Ross emphasized that Trump would have the He said “there has been no dialing back” of The US Commerce Department on Friday ‘national security’ ... a vague formula that can of at least 24 percent on all steel products final say, including on whether to exclude cer- the recommendations due to objections from recommended imposing heavy tariffs on China easily lead to abuse,” he said. from all countries, and at least 7.7 percent on tain countries, such as NATO allies, from any industries that use steel and aluminum. “The and other countries to counter a global glut in China produces about half of the world’s all aluminum products from all countries. actions. “The president has the discretion to objective of both reports is to get the produc- steel and aluminum, laying out an array of steel but supplies less than two per- modify any of these or to come with tion up to a level which will result, in our judg- possible options in a report to President cent of the steel imported by the something totally different,” he told ment, in the long term viability of each indus- Donald Trump. The move gives Trump the United States. The US and EU argue reporters on a conference call. try,” Ross said, adding that he did not believe opportunity to strike a highly public blow for Chinese overproduction is heavily He said a global tariff would cover that the recommendations would lead to sig- his “America first” trade policy-he is due to subsidized by the state and has Proposal to every steel and aluminum product nificant price hikes. US Senate Democratic decide on the measures next month-but has depressed world prices, hurting their entering the American market from leader Chuck Schumer said he hoped the pro- stoked fears of retaliation and a trade war own domestic production. slap tariff of China. Steel stocks soared with US posals “are the beginning of efforts by this between the world’s two largest economies. Trump on Tuesday accused Beijing Steel closing up 14.7 percent, AK Steel administration to finally get tough on China.” “If the United States’ final decision affects of decimating American steel and alu- at least 24% up 13.7 percent, Nucor ended up 4.5 Alternatively, Commerce recommended a China’s interests, we will take necessary minium industries, saying he was percent and the broader S&P 1500 steel tariff of at least 53 percent on all steel measures to defend our rights,” said Wang “considering all options”. steel index 5.3 percent higher. imports from 12 countries- Brazil, China, Costa Hejun, a director at China’s commerce min- The US Commerce Department Century Aluminum shares closed up Rica, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Russia, South istry, in a statement responding to the US has recommended that President 8.3 percent, while Alcoa, which has Korea, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and report. The US report framed concerns about Donald Trump impose steep curbs on steel The recommendations were presented to operations across the globe, ended off 0.44 Vietnam. Other countries would be subject to Chinese overproduction in terms of national and aluminum imports from China and other Trump last after he authorized the probes percent. Alcoa said in a statement the US a quota limiting their tariff-free access equal security and defense-an approach refuted by countries ranging from global and country- under a 1962 trade law that has not been trade actions should focus on Chinese overca- to their 2017 steel exports to the United Wang. “The findings of the investigations (of specific tariffs to broad import quotas, invoked since 2001. He has until April 11 to pacity and not penalize nations that abide by States. — Agencies

Indian police operate like a kind of stimulus on the current arrest three IMF chief economic situation” in the US which was already experiencing “strong” growth. “You have to ask yourself whether this will not in $1.8bn PNB warns on result in rising wages, rising prices and there- fore rising inflation and whether, consequent- rate risk from ly, there is a risk of a reaction by the mone- fraud case tary authorities, notably in the form of inter- NEW DELHI: India’s federal police arrested two est rates rising a little faster or a little more employees at Punjab National Bank believed to US tax reform frequently,” she said. This, in turn, would have be at the center of a staggering $1.77 billion “an impact on all of the world’s economies, fraud, a police source said yesterday, in the first PARIS: IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned especially on heavily indebted economies”, arrests so far in the country’s biggest-ever bank yesterday that economic stimulus from US tax Lagarde said. scam. The arrests late on Friday come amid an cuts may lead to a rapid rise in interest rates “We believe that we must be attentive to intensifying probe involving various authorities MUMBAI: Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials escort Gokulnath Shetty which would weigh on countries with high debt what is going on, especially in the United after India’s second-largest state-run lender said (C, grey hair), the former deputy manager of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) into a levels. The International Monetary Fund was States,” Lagarde said. She rejected, however, on Wednesday it had been hit by massive fraud. special CBI court in Mumbai yesterday. — AFP going to be “attentive” to the consequences of any comparison with the economic situation The two bank employees who were arrested, the reform, which notably includes a sharply preceding the 2008 financial crisis. “We are Gokulnath Shetty and Manoj Kharat, are sus- rized signatory” of the companies tied to Nirav sparked a slew of probes into the lender, as well lower corporate tax rate, she told French radio not at all in a pre-major crisis situation like we pected of steering fraudulent loans to companies Modi. All three are being questioned, and will as into Modi, his uncle Choksi and companies station France Inter. Lagarde’s remarks echoed were in 2008,” she said. linked to billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi and to appear in a Mumbai court later on Saturday, the affiliated to both. concerns in financial markets which have been The US Congress in December approved a entities tied to jewellery retailer Gitanjali, which source said, adding an “examination of others is India’s Income Tax Department has also in turmoil amid fears that rising US inflation will tax reform package that will slash corporate is led by Modi’s uncle, Mehul Choksi. continuing.” extended a probe into Modi and his group com- trigger faster Federal Reserve interest rate rises tax to 21 percent from 35 percent. Last month, The accusations against the two relatively The whereabouts of Modi, whose high-end panies, looking into possible tax evasion and sus- than had previously been expected. the IMF said the reform would probably have a junior officials at PNB were detailed in the jewellery has been worn by Hollywood stars pected investment of illegal funds, a spokes- Several key stock markets lost around 10 positive short-term impact on the US economy, lender’s disclosure, and were also contained in a including Kate Winslet, is unknown. TV Station woman told Reuters yesterday. The spokes- percent last week in a brutal correction that and raised its growth forecast for the world’s preliminary police report. NDTV on Friday reported he was at a suite in a woman said 29 properties and 105 bank Lagarde said in the interview had been biggest economy this year by 0.6 percentage Police also arrested a third person, Hemant hotel in New York, citing household staff who accounts of Nirav Modi and his group compa- “inevitable”. She said the US tax reform “will points to 2.5 percent. — AFP Bhat, whom the source described as the “autho- answered the door. The scale of the fraud has nies had been seized. — Reuters 18 Established 1961 Sunday, February 18, 2018 Business Japan reappoints Kuroda as BOJ chief for another term Reflationist academic Wakatabe appointed as deputy

TOKYO: Japan reappointed central bank chief Haruhiko All the same, it could also help the BOJ dispel market Kuroda for another term on Friday, and chose an advo- speculation it may dial back stimulus earlier than expect- cate of bolder monetary easing as one of his deputies in a ed, and allow it to shift gear back toward more easing if strong signal to investors that policymakers are in no rush continued gains in the yen threaten Japan’s economic to turn off a sweeping stimulus program. recovery, some analysts say. The selection of the new BOJ leadership comes amid “The BOJ is in no position to tighten policy anytime heightened anxiety in Japanese and global financial mar- soon given rises in the yen. Contrary to market expecta- kets, fueled partly by speculation over how quickly major tions, the next step could be ease further if yen rises per- central banks will wind down their crisis-era policies. sist,” said Yasunari Ueno, chief market economist at In a widely expected move, the government nominated Mizuho Securities. “Wakatabe will tip the board’s balance Kuroda, a 73-year-old former finance ministry bureau- towards more easing.” crat, to serve another five-year term when the current The other deputy governor post went to BOJ one ends in April. Executive Director Masayoshi Amamiya, a veteran central That would make him the longest serving BOJ head in banker known for masterminding various monetary poli- half a century, a sign of cy steps. premier Shinzo Abe’s The nominations need confidence in the gover- approval by both houses nor’s ability to pull of parliament, which is a Japan’s economy out of near certainty as Abe’s stagnation. Choice of ruling coalition has a Tokyo stocks rose on comfortable majority. relief the BOJ will main- Wakatabe could tain its huge stimulus - a Yen complicates exit cornerstone of the pre- complicate As a former top mier’s “Abenomics” refla- Japanese currency diplo- tionist policies - even as Kuroda’s task mat, Kuroda had criticized other major central banks the BOJ for not doing head towards the exit. enough to ease the pain a “In the short term, the strong yen was inflicting BOJ gave the stock market relief by not derailing on an export-reliant economy. Kuroda’s monetary policy. It sent a message to the market His calls for more radical monetary steps drew Abe’s TOKYO: Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda (R) answers a question beside Japan’s Finance that the main part of Abenomics will not change,” said attention and brought him to the BOJ helm in 2013, Minister Taro Aso (behind L) while attending a financial committee meeting of the lower house of the Norihiro Fujito, senior investment strategist at Mitsubishi where he worked with Amamiya to deploy a sweeping parliament in Tokyo on Friday. Japan’s government nominated Haruhiko Kuroda for a second term as UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities. asset-buying program. A workaholic who does not play central bank governor. —AFP However, many market watchers fear the BOJ’s mas- golf or drink much - making him a rare breed among sive money printing project, which is about to enter its Japanese policy elites - Kuroda has proved to be a safe lawmakers’ questions. attempts to signal a future withdrawal of stimulus. fifth year, is increasingly untenable, distorting financial hand for the government with his unwavering commit- “He’s very lively and energetic,” said one of the peo- In an interview with the Nikkei last November, markets and hurting the country’s banks. ment to keep the money spigot wide open. ple. “He seems ready to stay on.” Wakatabe said the BOJ needs stronger measures to While growth in the world’s third-largest economy has He befriended many overseas policymakers during Kuroda will face challenges different from five years beat deflation and should accelerate its asset purchases. improved thanks largely to stronger global demand, infla- his stint as head of the Asian Development Bank from ago in his second term. The yen’s ascent to 15-month That would require reversing a decision made in tion remains far short of the BOJ’s 2 percent target. 2005 to 2013. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben highs has drawn verbal intervention from the finance 2016 to abandon a target for asset purchases and Bernanke praised Kuroda’s efforts during a visit to minister, a sign Abe’s government may pile pressure on contradict the mainstream approach of BOJ officials, Tipping the balance? Tokyo last year, saying he regretted his criticism of past the BOJ to ramp up stimulus if yen rises persist. who believe the bank’s next move should be a with- The government also nominated Masazumi Wakatabe, BOJ policy. And yet, the BOJ has little ammunition left. With the drawal of stimulus, not an expansion. “There are two a 52-year-old Waseda University academic and an advo- People who work with him or know him well say cost of prolonged easing rising, Kuroda’s biggest task hurdles Kuroda must overcome before seeking an cate of aggressive easing, for BOJ deputy governor. Kuroda appears lively and fit for another term despite would be to engineer a smooth exit from his radical exit. One is a strong yen and another is Abe’s pres- The choice of Wakatabe could complicate Kuroda’s task his age and the demanding schedule, which involves fre- stimulus program, analysts say. While Amamiya is sure on the BOJ to continue easy money policy,” said of engineering a slow but steady exit from the BOJ’s stimulus. quent overseas trips and visits to parliament to answer unlikely to rock the boat, Wakatabe may resist any Ueno of Mizuho.—Reuters

July to buy Media Capital-the owner of the TVI posted on its website. The regulator said mar- Portugal probes channel along with the popular IOL internet kets that could be adversely affected by the deal portal and several radio stations — from Spain’s included advertising, television content produc- Prisa in a 440 million euro ($550 million) deal. tion and pay-TV sectors. Fitch raises Greece’s Altice-Media But the competition regulator AdC said it had Portugal’s telecom regulator Anacom and the decided to “proceed to an in-depth investiga- media regulator ERC had already expressed Capital takeover tion” of the deal because “there are strong indi- similar concerns about the deal. The competition debt rating, citing cations that... it may give rise to significant authority has the final say among regulators on LISBON: Portugal’s competition authority said impediments to effective competition in several the deal. stability, growth Friday it would launch an “in-depth” investigation markets”. Altice, founded and controlled by Franco- into the planned takeover by French media and “The merger is also likely to have a signifi- Israeli tycoon Patrick Drahi, has emerged as a WASHINGTON: The Fitch ratings agency on Friday upgraded Greece’s telecoms firm Altice of Media Capital, the owner cantly negative impact in the development of major telecoms player in Europe and the United sovereign debt grade, citing budget surpluses, greater political stability of the country’s most watched television channel. new TV contents and business models regarding States in recent years with a series of high-pro- and the growing economy. The agency raised the debt rating one notch to Netherlands-based Altice, which owns the online broadcast and access to audiovisual file acquisitions. It bought former state monop- ‘B’ from ‘B-,’ leaving the country in the “highly speculative” category but Portugal’s largest telecom operator, agreed in contents,” the regulator added in a statement oly Portugal Telecom in 2015. —AFP with a positive outlook. The decision followed a similar move last month by S&P Global Ratings, which said the long-suffering economy’s improving fiscal situation was coinciding with growing employment. Long the “sick man of Europe,” Greece is expected to face smoother of April, if Ryanair does not drop its “posture everything, and it makes it impossible to be sailing, with Eurozone finance ministers expected to sign off on the review Ryanair cabin crew of bullying”, the head of cabin crew union productive in a company like this.” Ryanair of its performance under as its financial aid program, which runs through SNPVAC, Fernando Gandra, told AFP. suffered a turbulent end to 2017, forced to August 2018. The eurozone also is expected to provide “substantial debt in Portugal The “vast majority” of cabin crew contracts cancel 20,000 flights through to March 2018, relief” this year, Fitch said. “The concessional nature of Greece’s public do not stipulate a basic salary and staff are mainly because of botched holiday scheduling debt implies that debt servicing costs are low despite the high stock of threatened with sanctions by the company if for pilots. The fiasco triggered pilots’ public debt,” Fitch said in announcing its decision. The agency noted that threaten strike they do not meet ambitious daily targets for demands for better working conditions and Greece saw three straight quarters of GDP growth for the first time in 11 in-flight sales of food, duty free items and representation, with some departing for other LISBON: A union representing Ryanair cabin years, causing per capita incomes to rise as well, while political risks have other goods or if they take sick leave, he carriers. crew in Portugal threatened Friday to go on receded. Between 2015 and 2017, the government of Prime Minister Alexis added. “The main job of cabin crew is to The discontent also saw Ryanair hit by the strike in March and April if talks over pay and Tsipras adopted painful measures under the bailout program and “we guarantee the safety of passengers and in- first-ever strike action by pilots in its 32-year work conditions with the Ireland-based think it would be politically difficult for the same government to backtrack” flight sales are an extra that should never be a history, with German staff staging a short budget airline fail to make progress. once the program ends, Fitch said. Greece has also recorded rising budget reason to threaten employees with discipli- stoppage ahead of Christmas resulting in surpluses and while the banking sector remains weak, banks have commit- The company’s roughly 400 cabin crew in nary proceedings,” said Gandra. delays but no cancellations. In December, ted to plans to reduce their non-performing exposures by the end of next Portugal will walk off the job for up to three “This is creating a terrifying atmosphere. Ryanair made moves to formally recognize year, Fitch said. —AFP days during the last two weeks of March, and People are afraid to get sick, they are afraid of unions. —AFP another three days during the first two weeks

EXCHANGE RATES

Euro 374.910 Japanese Yen 3.810 Asia Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Sterling Pound 421.960 Syrian Pound 1.585 Bangladesh Taka 0.003221 0.003805 Canadian dollar 241.290 Nepalese Rupees 2.936 Chinese Yuan 0.046032 0.049532 ASIAN COUNTRIES Turkish lira 80.500 Malaysian Ringgit 77.970 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036490 0.039240 Japanese Yen 2.752 Swiss Franc 324.500 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.650 Indian Rupee 0.004225 0.004866 Indian Rupees 4.695 Australian Dollar 239.620 Thai Bhat 10.565 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Pakistani Rupees 2.720 US Dollar Buying 299.450 Turkish Lira 79.710 Japanese Yen 0.002758 0.002938 Srilankan Rupees 1.946 Korean Won 0.000272 0.000287 Nepali Rupees 2.957 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.073578 0.079578 Singapore Dollar 228.630 20 Gram 260.52 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Nepalese Rupee 0.002994 0.003164 Hongkong Dollar 38.448 10 Gram 133.18 Pakistan Rupee 0.002517 0.002807 Bangladesh Taka 3.604 5 Gram 67.43 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 0.005752 0.006052 Philippine Peso 5.842 Europe Singapore Dollar 0.224428 0.234428 Thai Baht 9.524 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd British Pound 0.416027 0.423527 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001639 0.002229 Czech Korune 0.006847 0.016147 Taiwan 0.010298 0.010478 GCC COUNTRIES Danish Krone 0.046477 0.051477 Thai Baht 0.009250 0.009800 Saudi Riyal 80.227 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Euro 0. 367366 0.374866 Qatari Riyal 82.630 US Dollar 299.800 Georgian Lari 0.133683 0.133683 Arab Omani Riyal 781.315 Canadian Dollar 240.760 Hungarian 0.001130 0.001320 Bahraini Dinar 0.789586 0.798086 Bahraini Dinar 798.860 Sterling Pound 421.450 Norwegian Krone 0.034815 0.040015 Egyptian Pound 0.014048 0.019766 UAE Dirham 81.932 Euro 374.990 Romanian Leu 0.064082 0.080932 Iranian Riyal 0.000083 0.000084 Swiss Frank 279.880 Russian ruble 0.005328 0.005328 Iraqi Dinar 0.000202 0.000262 ARAB COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 797.280 Slovakia 0.008902 0.018902 Jordanian Dinar 0.418722 0.427722 Egyptian Pound - Cash 19.700 UAE Dirhams 82.025 Swedish Krona 0.033926 0.038926 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 16.985 Qatari Riyals 83.255 Swiss Franc 0.317555 0.328555 Lebanese Pound 0.000154 0.000254 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.207 Saudi Riyals 80.840 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022619 0.046619 Tunisian Dinar 126.860 Jordanian Dinar 424.120 Australasia Omani Riyal 0.773292 0.778972 Jordanian Dinar 424.050 Egyptian Pound 17.046 Australian Dollar 0.229614 0.241614 Qatar Riyal 0.078154 0.083094 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.004 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.929 New Zealand Dollar 0.215892 0.225392 Saudi Riyal 0.078953 0.080253 Syrian Lira 0.000 Indian Rupees 4.693 Syrian Pound 0.001271 0.001491 Morocco Dirham 33.406 Pakistani Rupees 2.712 America Tunisian Dinar 0.122426 0.130426 Bangladesh Taka 3.636 Canadian Dollar 0.234177 0.243177 Turkish Lira 0.074806 0.085106 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Philippines Pesso 5.771 US Dollars 0.296050 0.300470 UAE Dirhams 0.080294 0.081994 US Dollar Transfer 300.650 Cyprus pound 17.850 US Dollars Mint 0.296550 0.300470 Yemeni Riyal 0.000975 0.001055 Established 1961 19 Business Sunday, February 18, 2018

NBK Economic Report Oil prices drop on bearish US data, capital markets sell-off Analysts see Brent trading below $62/bbl this year

KUWAIT: The positive momentum that propelled oil Agency (IEA) estimate of the amount of crude and petro- prices to four-year highs appears to have slipped since the leum stocks in storage across the OECD, one of the key start of the month. A combination of bearish oil data out of metrics by which OPEC is gauging the efficacy of its sup- the US showing crude stocks building for the second week ply cuts, is certainly encouraging as far as the oil produc- in a row and US crude production breaking through the ers’ group (and oil bulls) is concerned. Thanks to bur- symbolic 10 mb/d level geoning demand for middle and contagion from sell- distillates such as diesel, off in the equity, debt global stocks were down and broader commodity for the fourth consecutive markets were the main month in November, at factors. 2,910 billion barrels, which Prices have fallen in OECD stocks would bring OPEC to with- six of the last eight trad- in 65 million barrels of its ing sessions. The interna- down to target five-year average tional crude benchmark, (rolling) stock level-the lev- Brent, closed at $65.53 2.9bn barrels el at which the oil produc- per barrel (bbl) on ers’ group sees global Wednesday, moving inventories as having ‘nor- down into negative terri- malized’. Stocks had been tory on a year-to-date as high as 366 million bar- Goldman Sachs, even went as far as to predict a headline- Global oil demand basis, at -2.0 percent, for the first time this year. And since rels over the five-year average back in July 2016. Indeed, grabbing price of $82.5 for Brent within six months. World oil demand and supply are expected to track hitting a four-year high of $70.5 on 24 January, Brent has according to the IEA, preliminary estimates of December’s Consensus forecasts appear to favor prices settling at each other quite closely in 2018, rising to 99.1 mb/d on fallen by 7 percent. West Intermediate (WTI), the US inventories show that they were on track to close the year $62 on average this year. Even though it represents a rise average, following demand growth of 1.3 mb/d and supply crude marker, closed at $61.76/bbl on Wednesday, falling down by 137 million barrels at 2.87 billion barrels. of 13 percent compared to last year’s average of $54.8, it growth of 1.8 mb/d, respectively. This does assume that 6.6 percent since reaching its four-year high of 66. Meanwhile, over in the futures market, a glance at the is lower than the current oil price. The lower price fore- output by OPEC and its partners will remain constant in A tightening oil market had supported oil prices in the Brent forward curve shows that prices for crude deliveries cast for 2018 largely reflects the markets’ expectation of 2018 as per the terms of the production cut agreement. past few months, with global stocks drawing down and the all the way through to 2022, were lower than prices for quite dramatic increases in US shale growth this year. Global oil demand has benefitted from better-than- oil futures curve firmly in backwardation. Supply and nearer-term and immediate (spot) deliveries. These concerns have once again resurfaced with US expected economic activity, some of which has been stim- demand fundamentals have supported oil’s near 70 per- Backwardation, as the structure is known, typically reflects crude production recently topping 10 mb/d, a level last ulated by lower oil prices. The International Monetary cent rise since late June 2017. Thanks primarily to the strong demand and tighter supplies; the last time the trend witnessed in 1970. Fund (IMF) recently revised up its forecast of economic efforts of OPEC and its ten non-OPEC partners led by was this pronounced was back in 2014. The IEA, in its monthly oil market report, noted that growth in 2018 to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent in 2017. Russia to rein in the supply surplus, the oil market has visi- surging US oil production, itself motivated by higher oil With scope for further stock draws this year limited bly tightened. (OPEC output rose slightly to 32.4 mb/d in Upward price forecast prices, will be responsible for 80 percent (1.35 mb/d) of given that the market is roughly in balance, much of the December, but compliance reached a high of 128 percent.) Reflecting the changing landscape, money managers the 1.7 mb/d in non-OPEC supply growth expected in attention will inevitably switch to the unfolding shale story In their efforts, the oil producers have also been aided by a amassed record bullish positions (net ‘longs’) in crude 2018. US crude expanded by more than 1 mb/d in 2017, in the US and focus on the demand side of the equation. price-positive melange of robust oil demand, supply out- futures and options worth more than half a billion con- replacing effectively 55 percent of the crude taken off the Turbulence is certainly envisaged, especially over the next ages, heightened geopolitical risk premia and, up until tracts in anticipation of firmer prices. Commodities traders market by OPEC and its non-OPEC partners last year. few weeks when oil enters a period of seasonally weaker recently, a weaker US dollar. and investment houses have, in turn, responded by raising Output in Canada and Brazil is also projected to increase demand due to refinery maintenance. Market participants A reading of the most recent International Energy their forecasts for oil this year. Noted commodities trader, substantially this year. should prepare for a bumpy ride.

VIVA successfully Bayt.com weekly report implements previous company beyond the minimum It takes 30 requirements. Look for keywords that match your core skills and qualifications, look for Oracle FRM Cloud numbers and quantitative values, and look seconds to for indications of growth. Remember that, later on, you’ll need to KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and judge a CV verify some of the details such as the dates most developed telecom operator, announced of employment, specific job titles, and names the launch of Fusion Revenue Management of previous employers. This can be done (FRM) system, the first cloud based applica- KUWAIT: During the recruitment process, during the initial screening phases, such as tion for VIVA and the first fully automated looking at CVs is a given. Often, reviewing a the phone interview. revenue management system in GCC that large number of CVs can be tiresome, espe- complies with International Financial cially if the precise information you are ● The skills Reporting Standards (IFRS15) standard. This looking for in the CV is not easily spotted. Let’s assume that you’re hiring a graphic project has been successfully completed in Not only does this make the hiring process designer. In their career objective, they’ve cooperation with Oracle, one of the world’s lengthy. It becomes even more challenging stated that they have experience in design- leading companies in this field. when you only have 30 seconds to spare per ing social media visuals, fancy PDFs, and On this occasion, Eng Salman Bin Abdulaziz CV due to the huge number of applicants brilliant presentations. They also stated that Al-Badran, CEO at VIVA says: Since its incep- crowding your inbox. they’re currently looking to work in a tion, VIVA is committed, through its successful To help you successfully weigh a CV in dynamic environment that will help them timely and efficiently manner”, he added. (FRM), VIVA will be capable of handling the strategy, to play a key role not only on opera- under a minute, Bayt.com, the Middle become even more creative and add value to Mohammed Bin AbdulMohsen Al-Assaf, CFO complex revenue accounting processes and sys- tional level but also by applying the best prac- East’s #1 job site, has prepared a CV- the organization. at VIVA stated: “This achievement proves effec- tems in a very agile manner to be complied with tices and professional standards across all VIVA reviewing guide. Here are some quick In their work experience, you can see tive and outstanding efforts exerted by VIVA to IFRS15”, he added. sectors and departments that support VIVA’s things to look for: that they’ve worked in marketing agencies be a pioneer in ensuring the compliance with Zarrar Khan, CTO at VIVA stated: “VIVA has activities and plans. In addition, VIVA is fully and production houses. But, so far, you still Accountant standards and regulatory require- always been pioneer amid its competitors to ● committed to comply with all regulatory The look have no indication of their technical skills. ments, also the optimal operational efficiency implement first of its kind projects within GCC. requirements and is eager to apply all the new A CV’s layout is extremely important for The vacant position requires someone who through the adoption of the best methods and In line with our technology strategy to have effi- and advanced systems in line with our princi- employers. Looking at any document that is is knowledgeable in Photoshop, Illustrator, modern techniques to obtain the best possible cient systems supporting the business opera- ples, values and professional standards.” not properly formatted and organized can and InDesign. Competency in these pro- results that reflect the vision and strategy of the tions, VIVA Kuwait along with Oracle has “This achievement reflects the great efforts be very disorienting and a waste of their grams should be found under a candidate’s company.” embarked on a journey towards a fully automat- made by the company’s staff along with Oracle valuable time. So, from a quick glance, there technical skills, so that you truly gauge what “It is essential for the organizations to be ed “Revenue Management” system. “The strate- team during the last period to reach the intro- should be a few essential elements that can they’re capable. compliant with International Financial Reporting gic partnership between VIVA and Oracle has duction of this system, as well we always seek to show whether a CV deserves a full read or The next order of business is soft skills. Standards (IFRS) and with successful imple- always enabled both the companies to innovate concentrate our efforts to achieve the best not. Some of these items include the appli- While many CVs neglect adding technical mentation of Fusion Revenue Management and achieve the best for organization”. results through integrated professional team in cant’s career objective, experience and con- skills, the majority of CVs you read will have tact information. There are other things to a long list of soft skills with the exact same look for, but if you have a hard time finding wording: Excellent communication skills, a these basic sections, then you know it’s time team player and, works well under stress. Japan, short of workers, to move to the next CV in the pile. While wording alone is no reason to US home construction jumps in doubt an applicant’s skills, you should still ● The objective be cautious with this section. If after reading eyes hiking pension A candidate’s career objective should be through their career objective, their work January, shifts to apartments the first main section in a candidate’s CV, experience, and their job tasks, you don’t age beyond 70 right after their personal contact informa- feel like they’ve had the experience to WASHINGTON: US home building supply not only helps the economy, but tion. You can consider the career objective develop and apply the skills they claim to surged in the first month of 2018, with a may also help the Federal Reserve temper an introduction to your candidate, the type have, then you’re probably right to have sharp rise in construction of apartments the pace of future short-term rate hikes,” TOKYO: Japan has okayed plans to let people choose to of experience they have, the skills they pos- reasonable doubts. and as rebuilding continued in the Yun said, since rising housing costs can start drawing their state pensions beyond the age of 70 as sess, and their career trajectory. storm-damaged South, according to drive inflation. “Simply put, more housing it grapples with severe labor shortages, ballooning welfare A candidate’s career objective should ● The educational repertoire government data released Friday. supply means a lower inflation rate, and costs and a shrivelling tax base stemming from its greying show what they can bring to your organiza- The jump brought the pace of housing potentially a slower pace of interest rate To some employers, educational back- population. The government said on Friday it would look tion, and how hard they’re willing to work to construction to a 15-month high, while increases by the Fed.” ground may not be as important as work to cement the proposals through legal changes after April reach their end goals. Furthermore, the can- new building permits, a sign of supply in However, he noted that housing 2020, adding that it would look at raising in stages the experience. But, for others, and especially the pipeline, hit a pre-housing-crisis inventory is currently near historic lows. didate’s career objective should be aligned for entry-level jobs, the vacancy at hand mandatory retirement age for some 3.4 million civil ser- to the requirements of your vacancy. You’ll record, according to the Commerce The construction figures are subject to a vants to 65 from the current 60. may require knowledge that’s only acquired be able to quickly tell if the candidate’s pre- Department data. Total housing starts high degree of uncertainty and most fell Japanese people can currently choose to start receiving through learning. And, just like work experi- vious experience and future plans are truly rose 9.7 percent in January to an annual within broad margins of error. Officials their pensions at any point between the ages of 60 and 70, ence is stated from most recent to oldest, relevant to your vacancy or not. rate of 1.3 million units, the highest level caution that a trend may take as many as with bigger monthly payments offered to those who do so the same should ideally apply to education. since October 2016 and the largest six months to appear. You might not always find a GPA or over- after their 65th birthdays. ● increase in 13 months, the report said. Data on permits for projects in the The policies may offer clues to how countries from The professional background all average, so what you should look for That surpassed analyst forecasts, works, which are more reliable, showed a Germany and Italy to China and South Korea could deal A common rule of CV writing is that all instead are academic accomplishments, which had called for 1.2 million units. The 7.4 percent rise to 1.4 million units, the with the challenges sparked by their own ageing societies, professional work experience must be stated including merits, certificates, and awards. increase was driven by a 19.7 percent highest since June 2007. This was large- from a lack of workers to spiralling welfare spending. in a reverse chronological manner, from the This information will give you an idea of how surge in apartment construction, while ly due to a sudden 25.4 percent spike in Japan has the world’s highest life expectancy, while the most recent to the oldest. The second thing to motivated and hardworking your candidate single-family homes started rose just 3.7 permits for multi-unit dwellings. Permits number of births last year fell to their lowest since records look for after the order is a detailed represen- was during their learning phase of life, and percent from December. in the single family home segment, in began over a century ago. Its population will shrink to 88 tation of what the candidate’s job tasks were, how well they’ll perform if they were hired. “The underlying story here is that contrast, fell 1.7 percent. Analysts say million from the current 127 million in the next four their responsibilities, and any significant Another aspect to consider is learning housing construction is grinding slowly rising costs and scarce labor have decades, the government estimates. accomplishments they have accumulated. outside the formal education. Looking at higher, and likely will continue to do so slowed construction, leaving builders The grim demographics, coupled with a reluctance to A simple job title that’s stuck next to a extra courses, internships, workshops, and through mid-year, at least,” Ian struggling to meet strong demand in the loosen tight immigration rules, have led to the worst labor previous employer’s name is not enough, such can signify that the candidate is truly Shepherdson of Pantheon current economic recovery, causing even if it sounds fancy. Firstly, as an employ- Macroeconomics said in a research note. prices to increase. Construction in the shortages since the early 1970s. The squeeze stifles the interested in growing and developing as a potency of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic policies, er, you are most likely going to be aware of professional. “Higher mortgage rates are likely to fire-damaged West rose 10.7 percent, what a job description includes just by read- become a problem later in the year.” and increased 9.3 percent in the South, the International Monetary Fund has said. Because 30 seconds is all you’ve got, you Abe has pushed for more elderly people to remain in ing the job title. Secondly, you’re probably should increase the efficiency of your back- Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the which was battered by back-to-back not particularly interested in the generic National Association of Realtors, hurricanes in August and September. work and stay active in later life, as part of his “work style” ground hiring work as much as possible, tasks performed by your applicant. In order cheered the data, since the increase in Building in the Northeast, also mainly of reforms aimed at revving up economic growth and pro- expedite writing job descriptions, increase available housing will help hold down apartments, jumped 45.5 percent but ductivity. The government said on Friday it would also to find a truly qualified candidate who will the effectiveness of your job postings, and home prices and rent. construction slowed 10.2 percent in the support companies that raise their mandatory retirement go above and beyond in performing their streamline your CV scanning and search In addition, “This boost in housing Midwest. —AFP age. Most Japanese companies require full-time employ- job, you’ll need to know what they per- efforts so you can focus on selecting the ees to retire at 60. — Reuters formed, achieved, grew, and added to their best candidate quickly. 20 Established 1961 Business Sunday, February 18, 2018

BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT Boursa Kuwait equities rally on renewed buying interest Indices pare losses recorded last week

KUWAIT: Boursa Kuwait ended last week in recording 5.56 percent annual gain compared the green zone. The Price Index closed at to its closing in 2017, while the Weighted 6,764.28 points, up by 1.65 percent from the Index increased by 2.30 percent, and the week before closing, the Weighted Index KSX-15 recorded 3.46 percent growth. increased by 0.09 percent after closing at 410.66 points, whereas the KSX-15 Index Sectors’ Indices closed at 946.48 points up by 0.43 percent. Eight of Boursa Kuwait’s sectors ended last Furthermore, last week’s average daily week in the red zone, four recorded increases. turnover decreased by 29.23 percent, com- The Health Care sector headed the losers list pared to the preceding week, reaching KD as its index declined by 9.95 percent to end 9.64 million, whereas trading volume average the week’s activity at 1,396.54 points. The was 62.44 million shares, recording a decrease Industrial sector was second on the losers’ list, of 33.94 percent. which index declined by 2.22 percent, closing Boursa Kuwait indices were able to record at 1,803.58 points, followed by the Consumer mixed gains by the end of the week to com- Services sector, as its index closed at 868.23 pensate a part of its losses recorded in the points at a loss of 1.71 percent. The Basic previous period. The Boursa witnessed such Materials sector was the least declining as its performance in light of the purchasing trend index closed at 1,317.16 points with a 0.10 per- that included many listed stocks especially the cent decrease. small-cap ones, amid optimism of some traders cap of KD 316.28 million was deducted from Regular Market is calculated based on the however, the market indices met in the green On the other hand, last week’s highest gain- in the listed companies’ results for 2017, espe- the total market cap of the Boursa, to reach by average number of outstanding stocks as per closing area for the first time in the week, in er was the Real estate sector, achieving 10.89 cially after finishing the Banks’ from disclosing the end of the week KD 27.26 billion, com- the latest available official financial state- light of the purchasing activity that targeted percent growth rate as its index closed at its annual results, which were mostly positive. pared to KD 27.54 billion in a week earlier. ments). Boursa Kuwait is currently witnessing the small-cap stocks, especially in the last 1,196.58 points. Whereas, in the second place, Also, despite the gains recorded by the The market gains contracted since the begin- a general state of watch by the traders, waiting moments of the session, which was reflected the Technology sector’s index closed at Boursa during the last week; its market capi- ning of year 2018 reaching KD 316 million, for the listed companies’ results for year 2017, on the Price Index’s performance in particular, 527.27points recording 3.88 percent increase. talization declined by 1.04 percent compared with a growth of 1.17 percent only compared especially that most of the listed companies that clearly jumped and ended the session’s The Oil & Gas sector came in third as its index to its level in a week earlier, where delisting of to its value at the last day of the previous year, did not disclose its results yet, despite that half trading at its highest level in about five months. achieved 0.66 percent growth, ending the Nafais Holding Company during the last week where it reached then KD 26.94 billion. (Note: of the legal disclosure period have passed, and On the end of week session, the market week at 972.77 points. contributed to the decline, where its market The market cap of the listed companies in the will end by the end of March 2018. In addition, returned to fluctuate once again, whereas the the number of the listed companies that dis- Price Index decreased as a result to the return Sectors’ Activity closed its financial results for 2017 The Banks sector dominated a total reached by the end of last week 50 trade volume of around 112.71 million company, with around KD 1.39 billion in shares changing hands during last week, net profits, and with a growth of 12.28 representing 36.10 percent of the total percent compared to the same compa- Small caps market trading volume. The Financial nies’ results for year 2016, where it Services sector was second in terms of reached around KD 1.24 billion. make trading volume as the sector’s traded Moreover, the Boursa initiated its shares were 27.29 percent of last week’s first session of the week recording a total trading volume, with a total of around noticeable drop for its three indices, solid gains 85.20 million shares. affected by the profit collection opera- On the other hand, the Banks sector’s tions executed on many traded stocks stocks were the highest traded in terms of during the session, and headed by the value; with a turnover of around K.D 24.13 leading stocks that witnessed strong million or 50.08 percent of last week’s increases since the beginning of the year, of the quick profit collection operations to be total market trading value. The Financial which negatively reflected on the performance in control over some small-cap stocks, which Services sector took the second place as the of the Weighted and KSX-15 indices in partic- lightened the Index’s weekly gains, while the sector’s last week turnover was approx. KD ular, the indices that measure the performance Weighted and KSX-15 indices continued its 8.09 million representing 16.79 percent of the of such stocks. The Boursa witnessed on the increase, which enabled it to transfer to the total market trading value. —Prepared by: second session a fluctuation to its three green zone on the weekly level. For the annual Studies & Research Department - Bayan indices, where the Price Index was able to performance, the Price Index ended last week Investment Co. realize good gains and was able to end the session in the green zone, to compensate all its losses recorded earlier in the week, supported by the random purchasing operations wit- nessed in the last minutes of the session and concentrated on a limited number of small-cap stocks, while the Weighted and KSX-15 indices continued its decline affected by the profit collection operations executed on some heavy stocks. Furthermore, the Boursa continued its fluc- tuation in the mid-week session with changing positions, whereas the Weighted and KSX-15 indices were able to redirect to the green zone with relatively good gains, to compensate some of its losses recorded in the previous two sessions, while the Price Index ended the ses- sion in the red zone, affected by the quick profit collection operations that included some small-cap stocks. On Wednesday’s session

S&P 500 caps off strongest week in five years

NEW YORK: The S&P 500 rose marginally on Friday to mark its biggest weekly increase in five years, although earlier gains evaporated after the indictment of Russians for meddling in the 2016 presidential election sent investors into defensive mode before a long weekend. A market correction sparked by inflation NEW YORK: A trader works on the floor at the closing bell of the Dow Industrial Average at the New concerns earlier in February raised fears that a York Stock Exchange in New York. — AFP nine-year bull market had ended, but data on consumer prices and retail sales this week left investors less worried, returning the stock 19 percent from 12 percent in early January. have rapidly dialed down fear. market to its upward trajectory. “The fundamental story has not changed,” Economic data out on Friday painted a The office of US Special Counsel Robert said Ben Phillips, Chief Investment Officer of rosy picture. Homebuilding increased to more Mueller charged 13 Russian nationals and EventShares. “We really have not seen the tax than a one-year high in January, boosted by three Russian companies accused of interfer- reform start flowing through yet into company strong increases in the construction of single- ing with US elections in an effort to support earnings. We think it’s going to cause a second and multi-family housing units. A different then-candidate Donald Trump. The S&P 500 wave of earnings optimism.” report showed import prices jumped last had been up over half a percent but lost nearly The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose month. The CBOE volatility index, known as all of that after the announcement of the 0.08 percent to end at 25,219.38 points, while Wall Street’s fear gauge, edged up to 19.4 but indictments. the S&P 500 gained 0.04 percent to 2,732.22. remained way off the 50-point level it hit dur- “The market was looking for an excuse to The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.23 per- ing the peak of the sell-off. roll over and Russia headlines would do it. cent to 7,239.47. The Dow rose 4.25 percent Coca-Cola rose 0.45 percent after the You’ve had such a rally for the week, and peo- for the week, its strongest weekly gain since company reported better-than-expected ple have been looking for an excuse to take November 2016. The Nasdaq rose 5.31 percent profit and sales as it sold more teas, coffees profits heading into the weekend,” said Dennis for the week, its best week since December and vitamin water. Among the big decliners Dick, a proprietary trader at Bright Trading 2011. The S&P 500’s 4.3 percent gain for the was Kraft Heinz, which dropped 2.63 percent LLC in Las Vegas. week was its biggest weekly advance since after quarterly profit and sales missed ana- Investors snapped up shares of Johnson & January 2013. But it remains down nearly 5 lysts’ estimates. Johnson, Abbvie and Pfizer, all up more than percent from its record high on Jan. 26. Advancing issues outnumbered declining 1.4 percent and supporting the S&P 500 more US stock markets will remain closed on ones on the NYSE by a 1.43-to-1 ratio; on than any other stocks. Monday for the Presidents Day holiday. They Nasdaq, a 1.34-to-1 ratio favored A strong fourth-quarter reporting season are unlikely to return to the unusually calm advancers. Volume on US exchanges was and deep corporate tax cuts introduced this conditions seen last year, even though equities 7.1 billion shares, below the 8.5 billion year have led analysts to increase their esti- have already recovered more than half the average for the full session over the last 20 mates for 2018 S&P 500 earnings growth to ground lost in the recent sell-off and traders trading days. — Reuters Established 1961 21 Business Sunday, February 18, 2018 Kinshasa joins flydubai’s growing network in Africa Dubai-based carrier to start operating daily flights to the Congolese capital

KUWAIT: Dubai-based flydubai has announced the ducer of cobalt and a start of flights to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic major producer of copper Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 15 April. The daily and diamonds. flights will operate with an enroute stop in nearby “The number of African Entebbe and will also be available for booking through companies registered with the Emirates codeshare agreement. Dubai Chamber exceeded flydubai becomes the first UAE carrier to operate 12,000 in 2017, which flights to N’djili Airport (also known as Kinshasa demonstrates the International Airport) and provide links from the UAE increased cooperation and and the region to a new gateway in Central Africa. opportunity between both Commenting on the launch, Ghaith Al-Ghaith, Chief sides,” said Sudhir Executive Officer of flydubai, said: “Africa is fast emerg- Sreedharan, Senior Vice ing as one of the most important markets for the United President, Commercial Arab Emirates and we have seen the trade relationship Operations (GCC, going from strength to strength in recent years. With the Subcontinent and Africa). Sudhir P Sreedharan proximity to the continent and rising demand to more “We are looking forward direct links to Africa, we see this new service to to operating this route and exploring more opportuni- Kinshasa playing an instrumental role in further sup- ties to expand our network in Africa in the near future, Garamba National Park: One of Africa’s oldest national parks, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage porting the growing trade and tourism flows in the com- while offering passengers a reliable and unrivalled Site in 1980. ing years.” onboard service whether they are travelling in Kinshasa is one of the largest cities in Africa and a Business or Economy Class,” he added. busy hub providing extensive connections to cities Passengers travelling to and from Kinshasa will Passengers travelling in Economy Class will have has built up a comprehensive network in Africa with across the African continent and intercontinental have the option of a Business Class experience, access comfortable seating and a convenient way flights to Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Asmara, Djibouti, services to Europe. The country is known for its vast benefitting from priority check-in service, comfort- to travel. Entebbe, Hargeisa, Juba, Khartoum and Port Sudan, as natural resource wealth; it is the world’s largest pro- able spacious seats and a range of dining options. Since the start of its operations in 2009, flydubai well as Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.

Jazeera Airways offers travelers Hala February 26 new winners ‘Fantastic Friday’ deal added to Al-Hassad KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading air carrier operating regionally and internationally, announces its Islamic account new ‘Fantastic Friday’ weekly offer in celebration of Kuwait’s Independence and Liberation Days. The one- KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank conducted its Al-Hassad Shaikhah Abdulaziz Al-Muzaini, Hamad M I time deal hopes to reward its customers with low-cost Islamic account weekly draw, Kuwait’s leading Almufarrej, Fawaz Abdel Abdulrazzaq Almulla, Kholod fares to popular destinations and accommodate chang- sharia-compliant rewards program that offers a Razaq Khabit, Ebrahim Hasan Alhay, Mohammad ing travel trends. broad range of prizes to the largest number of win- Matar AlShammari, Zad Malek Azzam, Tayobah A For all those travelling from Kuwait, the special offer ners on February 14, 2018. The account provides 26 Madi, Yousef Ahmad AlMailam, Hussain Bankoda takes place every Friday, providing unmissable oppor- weekly prizes with KD 25,000 as a grand prize and Mohamad, Khaled Abdullatef Al Duwaisan, Makki Ali tunities to book discounted tickets to select places. The 25 other prizes valued at KD 1,000 each. AUB also Al Zinji, Hessa Rashid Khalifa, Hameeda Hameed Hala February offer is exclusively open on Friday, 16 offers four quarterly prizes that are valued at KD Alhalwachi, John Baptista Menezes, Saeed Shabat February, valid from 12:01 am until 11:59 pm. This week’s 250,000 to each winner allowing them to achieve Saeed Alhamzi, Mariam Mohammed Ghanim Al- destinations from Kuwait include Beirut and Amman - their dreams of travelling, studying abroad, or owning Thawadi, Ali Moh’d Ali Ridha Hameedi, Mohd Baqer KD 29 each, one way and Baku for KD 37 one way, their dream home or car. Ghuloom and Hameed Mansoor Mutaileq. enabling travel from February 16 until April 30, 2018. On this occasion Ahli United Bank announced, Al-Hassad Islamic account’s customers in Kuwait Travelers are encouraged to avail of the exclusive cabins comprising a Business Class and an Economy “With this draw, we are adding 26 new winners and and Bahrain are eligible to participate in the draw in ‘Fantastic Friday’ deal today by simply booking tickets Class. Business Class travelers get both an upgraded prizes to the Al Hassad Islamic account whereby, the line with the program’s terms and conditions. Ahli through jazeeraairways.com or via the Jazeera app or experience and exclusivity, starting with exclusive total number of winners annually will include more United Bank added, “There are increased opportuni- call on 177. check-in lines, business lounge access, up to 60 kilo- than 1300. ties that await our current customers and those who On this occasion, Jazeera Airways wishes the people grams in free baggage allowance, and an exclusive on- The weekly grand prize winner of KD 25,000 are interested in opening an Al-Hassad Islamic of Kuwait Happy 57th Independence and 27th board cabin. The airline’s Economy Class offers travel- Jehad Falah Alazmi. account to benefit from the wide range of prizes and Liberation Days! ers free baggage allowance of 40 kilograms and free 25 other winners won prizes of KD 1,000 and are opportunities offered this year.” Established in 2005, Jazeera Airways is a Kuwait on-board meals with a changing menu every month. as follows: Ibrahim Saleh Qablan Alhayyan, Nayef Individual customers can open their accounts with Stock Exchange-listed company serving popular desti- Jazeera Airways launched its new brand identity Radhi Al Mutarai, Yousef Abdulraheem AlKandari, a minimum deposit of KD 100, qualifying them to nations in the Middle East and Eurasia. The airline through its logo and website on July 30, 2017 as it Baqer Said Alhusaini, Nasser Mohd Al Sayer, enter the draw. operates a fleet of Airbus A320 aircrafts with two class reaches an important milestone.

Chevrolet Silverado: Gulf Bank welcomes Fayeza Kuwait’s best-selling Ahmad Jasem Al-Khamis pick-up truck in its class for third year in-a-row KUWAIT: Chevrolet Alghanim has added a new achievement to its track record of successes by maintaining their position as the best-selling pick-up truck in Kuwait for the third year in-a-row. The milestone triumph was not achieved easily in a highly competitive market in which other renowned American brands race to grab a majority share of the increased high demand on pick-up trucks in Kuwait. However, the Chevrolet Silverado proved itself All three EcoTec3 engines feature direct fuel injection, Active Fuel once again to being the most popular, reliable and trusted among this seg- Management (cylinder deactivation) and variable valve timing, a combination ment of cars and in specific among the youth who enjoy the Silverado’s driv- not found in competitive trucks. The engines also use a compact overhead- ing experience which reflect their dynamic and modern lifestyle in addition to valve design and weight-saving components such as aluminum blocks and its mighty power that is complemented by a fierce empowering design, latest cylinder heads, to reduce mass, for additional energy savings All three technologies, entertainment options and many others that greatly heighten its engines also provide the proven power, torque and dependability of a large- popularity on the road. displacement engine, seamlessly switching to four-cylinder mode to save fuel Globally, the Silverado earned the JD Power Award as the top-rated truck during light-load driving. The 5.3L V-8 has fuel economy of up to 10.2 in terms of dependability and initial quality. The Award is rewarded by the JD L/100km highway (2WD models), the best of any V-8 pickup. Power Ratings, a global benchmark for assessing the quality of vehicles in which global car brands aim to achieve high ratings thanks to JD Power’s role Functional, aerodynamic exterior in confirming real and genuine quality in cars. Silverado’s exterior design blends strong with the Chevy truck heritage Bringing the globally-award Silverado to Kuwait, Chevrolet Alghanim is delivering a refined and modern aesthetic. A twin-port grille, full-width proud to offer the pick-up of choice to its customers, giving them a unique bumper and dual power dome hood create a strong presence, which is car- KUWAIT: Gulf Bank was pleased to wel- up to KD 15,000, plus an automatic mem- experience of its grand size, reliability and rich heritage in the realm of pick- ried through in sculpted body sides and fender flares. come Fayeza Ahmad Jasem Al-Khamis, the bership in the best and fastest rewards up trucks. With its powerful performance, fuel efficiency and technological The Silverado design is about much more than just looks, however. The lucky winner of its Kuwait’s largest salary program in Kuwait with Gulf Bank Credit sophistication, the Chevrolet Silverado comes in a variety of models and fea- front end is engineered to improve air flow for more efficient engine cooling, cash prize of KD 250,000. Fayza has Cards. Gulf Bank customers will also get tures that are enveloped by the Silverado’s steel frame, a factor that augments while the roof and tailgate spoiler were shaped in the wind tunnel to smooth received her cash prize upon visiting the the best services and facilities when drivers’ sense of reliability, endurance and strength on the road. Anyone who airflow over the truck for reduced drag. Inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in bank’s Surra branch on Tuesday, 13 financing their vehicle through Gulf Bank is a fan of an empowering and exhilarating drive is welcome to visit the near- the bodyside, reduce wind noise for a quieter cab. February 2018, where members of senior representatives who are available in all est Chevrolet Alghanim showroom and test-drive the Silverado. management greeted her. major car showrooms. Interiors tailored to truck customers Gulf Bank’s salary account draw was In addition to these exciting benefits, all The New Silverado The interiors of the new Silverado reflect the same focus on form and held in an exciting event at The Scientific existing and new customers who transfer The new Silverado is designed in consistency to the legacy of Chevrolet function. The upright instrument panel, six-gauge instrument cluster and Center, Kuwait’s premier science and edu- their salaries to Gulf Bank are automatical- pick-up trucks as it encapsulates astounding power, modernized features and multiple storage options are tailored specifically to the needs of truck cus- cational organization on Thursday 8 ly enrolled into quarterly and annual salary other elements that position it as the best and ultimate pick-up truck in com- tomers. Controls are functional, logically placed and easy to operate with February 2018, winner’s name was also account draws. Existing customers will parison to previous models. work gloves on. Rear doors on crew cabs are larger, for easier entry and exit, announced live on 88.8 FM Kuwait Pulse get one chance while new customers will The Silverado comes in three different Eco-Tec3 engines of V-6 or V-8, in and rear doors on double cab models are now hinged at the front for easier radio station. Gulf Bank’s salary account is get three chances to win valuable cash addition to a sturdier and comfortably spacious cabin. The Silverado is also access, especially in tight spots. tailored for Kuwaiti customers, and allows prizes, including three quarterly prizes of equipped with innovative features such as improved driving options including them to benefit from many unique offers KD 25,000, and the annual draw for command and control, inventive solutions for the trunk’s storage space as well Chevy MyLink for powerful, intuitive connectivity by transferring their salaries to Gulf Bank, Kuwait’s largest salary prize of KD as the specified weight of the trailer which is at 4,264 kilograms. All Silverado Work Truck Models feature a 4.2-inch diagonal color dis- including the opportunity to either receive 250,000. Customers also can take part in The new Silverado is available in different models to suit the individual play radio or optional 7-inch diagonal color touch radio with AM/FM a KD 100 cash gift upon transferring their Al-Danah quarterly and yearly draws by lifestyle of drivers, including business people, who usually opt for the Work Stereo, a USB port and auxiliary jack for MP3 devices. salaries to Gulf Bank or an interest free opening Al-Danah account to get the Truck (WT) for light excursions, and those who prefer a more luxurious drive Chevrolet MyLink radio with new 7-inch diagonal touch-screen, stan- loan. Customers must have a minimum chance to become the next Al-Danah mil- with the Silverado High Country. dard on the LS model, includes AM/FM stereo with seek-and-scan and digi- salary of KD 500 and are fully eligible for lionaire. Powertrains tal clock, USB ports, auxiliary jack, and Bluetooth streaming audio for music the offer following their first salary transfer Salary campaign’s 2018 draw dates The EcoTec3 lineup for the 2018 Silverado comes with a 4.3L V-6, 5.3L and most phones. The 8-inch high-definition color touch screen radio, stan- to Gulf Bank. include three quarterly draws to be held V-8 or 6.2L V-8 engine, all matched with the proven and efficient six-speed dard on LT models, enables users to scroll or drag through menus. LTZ and Additionally, customers can also enjoy a on 9 April, 9 July and 8 October 2018, or new eight-speed automatic transmissions (Standard on the LTZ model). High Country models receive an 8-inch high-definition touch screen with one year free of charge Visa or respectively, and prizes value will be KD The 4.3L V-6 engine is SAE-certified at 285 horsepower and 413 Nm of and embedded navigation. Silverado also features four selectable themes for MasterCard credit card, as well as a 25,000 each. The Annual draw for the torque, while the 5.3L V-8 is certified at 355 horsepower and 519 Nm of the display screen and drive information center, which tailor the look of the chance to apply for loan up to KD 70,000 grand prize of KD 250,000, will be held torque, and the 6.2L V-8 at 420 horsepower and 624 Nm of torque. displays to the taste of the customer. payable over 15 years, or a consumer loan on 7 February 2019. 22 Established 1961 Technology Sunday, February 18, 2018 Belgian court orders Facebook to stop tracking web users ‘Facebook must also destroy all personal data obtained illegally’

BRUSSELS: A Belgian court on Friday ordered are not members. The court said Facebook used its Facebook to stop tracking internet users in Belgium cookies to track people not only on its own website but who have no accounts with the social network, or face also on third-party websites. fines of 250,000 euros a day. The California-based firm It added that the investigation showed that vowed to appeal the ruling amid increased efforts in “Facebook can still follow your surfing behavior”, even Europe to boost privacy protections in a digital econo- if you have never visited its website, through invisible my dominated by US giants. Facebook must “stop fol- pixels the firm has placed on 10,000 other websites. lowing and recording internet use by people surfing in Echoing the privacy watchdog’s conclusions, it said that Belgium, until it complies with Belgian privacy laws”, the social network does not properly inform people the Brussels court said. about the fact it is gath- It based its verdict ering information about on a probe by Belgium’s them. privacy watchdog into Does not Without obtaining Facebook’s use of pixels the user’s “valid” con- and cookies, tracking sent, the court said, devices that follow a properly Facebook not only fails user’s internet activity. to say what kind of The court warned inform people information it collects, Facebook it could face but does not make clear fines of 250,000 euros how it uses it or how per day or a maximum long it stores it. The of 100 million euros European Consumer ($125 million) if it failed Organisation (BEUC) to heed the ruling. “Facebook must also destroy all per- welcomed the court verdict. “This is a big win for inter- This file photo taken on November 20, 2017 shows logos of US online social media and sonal data obtained illegally,” the court ordered. Finally, net users who don’t want tech companies to monitor social networking service Facebook. — AFP it said, the social network must publish the complete every step they make online,” BEUC spokesman 84-page verdict on its own website and excerpts in Johannes Kleis said in a statement. “What Facebook is Belgium’s Dutch-language and French-language news- doing is against Europe’s data protection laws and tion of privacy-from engineers to designers-and tools for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — papers. should be stopped throughout the EU,” Kleis added. that give people choice and control,” it said. a new EU law designed to protect privacy online-to It said the cookies and pixels it uses are “industry come into force on May 25. ‘Big win’ ‘Intend to appeal’ standard technologies,” allowing hundreds of thou- “We’ll comply with this new law, just as we’ve com- The court said it “determined that Facebook does “We are disappointed with today’s verdict and sands of businesses to grow and reach customers plied with existing data protection law in Europe,” not respect Belgian privacy law”, basing its ruling on intend to appeal,” Facebook said in a statement. “Over across the bloc. Facebook, it said, requires any business Facebook said. A consumer rights organization said the investigation of Belgium’s privacy watchdog CPVP. recent years we have worked hard to help people using its technologies to give “clear notice to end- Monday that a German court had found Facebook is In 2015, the watchdog lodged a legal complaint over understand how we use cookies to keep Facebook users”. People, it added, also have the right not to have breaching data protection rules with privacy settings Facebook’s tracking of internet users when they visit secure and show them relevant content,” it added. data collected on sites and apps off Facebook being that over-share by default and by requiring users to pages on the site or click “like” or “share”, even if they “We’ve built teams of people who focus on the protec- used for ads. Facebook said it was making preparations give real names. — AFP

50.1 percent of Fuji Xerox, compared with 49.9 percent Major Xerox for current Xerox shareholders, who also would receive a special cash dividend of $2.5 billion. The Xerox board Social media giants pushed for this deal even though, Deason said, it is not in investor sues to the interest of the company or its shareholders. The 77- not complying with year-old billionaire also said Xerox made a secret deal in block takeover 2001, allowing Fujifilm to exit the Fuji Xerox joint ven- US, Dutch officers ture if Xerox were taken over by any investor other than consumer rules: EU the Japanese firm. by Fujifilm Deason argues this clause prevented the Xerox board swoop on dark BRUSSELS: The European Commission said Thursday from seeking another buyer and this in turn harmed the that US social media giants have made an effort to comply with EU consumer protection rules, but that Facebook and NEW YORK: One of Xerox’s biggest shareholders filed company’s shareholders. Xerox said the suit was groundless. “After having considered all strategic alter- web drug buyers Twitter have not made all the required changes. “While suit to challenge the US photocopier and printer maker’s Google’s latest proposals appear to be in line with the natives available to the company, Xerox’s Board of DRIEBERGEN: US and Dutch officers knocked on planned takeover by Japanese technology firm Fujifilm. requests made by consumer authorities, Facebook and, Directors remains steadfast in its belief that the combi- doors across the two countries this week in a mas- Darwin Deason who along with Carl Icahn controls 15.2 more significantly, Twitter, have only partially addressed nation with Fuji Xerox is the best path to create value for sive combined operation to track down those buy- percent of Xerox shares, filed suit against Xerox and important issues about their liability and about how users the company and its shareholders,” the company said in ing illicit drugs on the dark web, officials said Fujifilm on Tuesday, alleging fraud. Xerox said the alle- are informed of possible content removal or contract ter- a statement. “It is unfortunate that Mr Deason is seeking Thursday. Operation “Decrypt” in the United gations are “without merit” and that it will “vigorously mination,” the Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said in to interfere with Xerox shareholders’ right to decide and States and “Mirum” in the Netherlands saw agents defend itself.” Under the planned deal, Xerox would be a statement. is relying on meritless legal claims. Xerox has fully dis- including from the Drug Enforcement Agency, vis- absorbed by an existing joint venture known as Fuji The three major internet companies had published on closed the joint venture agreements, and the company iting almost 100 addresses in so-called “knock- Xerox, falling under the control of Fujifilm, which until Thursday the changes they are making to comply with the will respond to Mr. Deason’s legal claims through the and-talk” actions in the two countries. now held a 75 percent stake in the joint venture. demands of European regulators, which must be imple- appropriate legal channels in due course.” — AFP The operations are the first follow-ups since After the transaction is completed, Fujifilm would hold mented in all languages by spring. Some of those changes authorities last year shut down the massive illicit include having the right to withdraw from an online pur- Hansa Market on the dark web, seen as one of the chase, being able to lodge complaints in Europe rather than most sophisticated actions against internet crimi- in California where the companies are based, and the plat- nality to date. Together with AlphaBay-which was forms being responsible towards EU consumers in the also closed down-the underground websites same way as offline services. included tens of thousands of sellers of deadly “I am pleased that the enforcement of EU rules to pro- drugs like fentanyl and other illicit goods, which tect consumers by national authorities is bearing fruit, as served more than 200,000 customers worldwide. some companies are now making their platforms safer for But unknown to users, Dutch police secretly took consumers; however, it is unacceptable that this is still not over Hansa Market’s administration before taking complete and it is taking so much time,” said Vera Jourova, down the site, allowing officials to gather a wealth European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and of intelligence on the buyers of illicit drugs. Gender Equality. The European Union’s demands to the Dutch police visited 37 addresses over the past US internet giants were made in November 2016 following two days to inform suspected buyers about the numerous complaints by consumers in Europe about being dangers of their actions “and to show that they are hit with fraud and scams when using their websites. There not as anonymous as they thought,” officials said were also concerns by consumer protection authorities in a statement Thursday. At least one 25-year-old about requesting the removal of illegal content.—AFP man was arrested in the small central town of Wilp for ordering 150 ecstasy pills on the dark web, police said, adding that prosecutors were mulling further charges. Buyers were mainly targeted for procuring drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, LSD and hashish, Dutch police said. At the same time, US authorities including the DEA, the FBI and others said they visited address- es in the United States. Ahead of the operation, Kevin Scully, Europe’s regional director of the US Drug Enforcement Agency, told AFP that “we’ll be TOKYO: In this file photo taken on January 14, 2016, a Fujifilm employee shows with the knocking on people’s doors and talking with them, company’s X-Pro2 premium mirrorless digital camera during the Fujifilm X Series fifth letting them know that what they are doing is anniversary event. — AFP wrong.”—AFP

The Tokyo-born lieutenant in the Japanese Maritime Astronauts end Self-Defense Force became an astronaut in 2009. He slavery, by understanding their employees,” said Heuty, also spent 13 days in the Aquarius underwater lab off the Tech startup gives whose social enterprise is one of a rising number of business- coast of Florida as part of NASA’s Extreme Environment es seeking to tackle societal issues. While major companies spacewalk to Mission Operations (NEEMO) crew in 2015. Kanai is the from sportswear giant Adidas to budget fashion chain fourth Japanese astronaut to walk in space. The goal of tools to report supply Primark have set up whistleblower hotlines for workers in fix robotic arm the spacewalk was to move some components related to recent years, Ulula aims to go further, Heuty said. The plat- the space station’s Canadian-built robotic arm, known as chain slavery form will merge feedback from workers with other data, such WASHINGTON: A Japanese and an American astronaut Canadarm2, an aging but crucial piece of equipment as satellite imagery of palm oil plantations and building regu- floated for hours outside the International Space Station which has undergone a series of repairs in recent LONDON: Giving staff the tools to report workplace abuses, lations for garment factories, to give companies real-time Friday on a spacewalk to repair the orbiting outpost’s robot- months. including forced labor, should improve data for brands that insight into risks in their supply chains, he said. ic arm and move some equipment into storage. The space- The robotic arm is used to move astronauts and are striving to ensure their products are slavery-free, a tech Ulula also hopes its software could in the future be used walk, broadcast live on NASA TV, was the first for Japanese heavy equipment around outside the research laborato- startup said. From texts and calls to messaging apps and to build industry benchmarks, allowing companies and sup- Aerospace Agency (JAXA) astronaut Norishige Kanai, and ry. The astronauts had to move a spare hand piece, social media, technology could encourage workers to share pliers to compare working conditions and regulations against the fourth for his US counterpart Mark Vande Hei. called the Latching End Effector (LEE), from a storage issues anonymously. That would give companies a better their peers. “We want to motivate a race to the top,” Heuty “You have been doing a great job today,” a ground spot outside the ISS into the Quest airlock so it can be understanding of the risk of slavery in their global supply said. While technology can play an important role in protect- controller told Kanai before he returned to an airlock after returned to Earth on a future cargo mission for refur- chains, said Antoine Heuty, chief executive of Ulula, a soft- ing vulnerable workers and preventing abuses, it should not more than five hours in the vacuum of space. His US col- bishment and eventual re-launch. ware and analytics platform. be seen as a “silver bullet”, said the Ethical Trading Initiative league remained outside the space station for several min- “This LEE was replaced during an Expedition 53 “Our platform can help build trust and enable workers to (ETI). “Some software platforms may well improve traceabili- utes to finish some other tasks, but a NASA commentator spacewalk in October 2017,” NASA said in a statement. connect with companies in real-time, anywhere, any time and ty and transparency, and be a useful mechanism to flag risk,” said both astronauts “have completed all of their primary “They also will move an aging, but functional, LEE that in any language,” Heuty told the Thomson Reuters said Cindy Berman, head of modern slavery strategy at ETI, a tasks,” ahead of schedule. The astronauts were about 250 was detached from the arm during a January 23 space- Foundation. With modern slavery increasingly making group of trade unions, firms and charities promoting workers’ miles above Africa as the spacewalk neared its conclusion. walk and move it from its temporary storage outside the global headlines, companies are under growing pressure rights. “But resolving workplace grievances or rights viola- The outing began at 1200 GMT when the duo switched airlock to a long-term storage location.” That device will from governments and consumers to disclose what actions tions cannot lie with technology.” About 25 million people their spacesuits to battery power before venturing into be kept at the station as a spare. Friday’s spacewalk was they are taking to ensure their operations and products are globally were estimated to be trapped in forced labor in 2016, space. Kanai, 41, is a medical doctor and diver who goes the 208th in support of space station assembly and not tainted by forced labor. “By combining workers’ respons- according to the International Labor Organization (ILO) and by the nickname “Neemo.” maintenance, and the third this year. — AFP es with other data, we can help companies in the fight against rights group Walk Free Foundation. — Reuters Established 1961 23 Health Sunday, February 18, 2018 Italy’s country doctor makes his house calls on horseback ‘Every week, I ride 80 to 100 kilometers on horseback’

VERDUNO: Through vineyards stretching as far as the combine his passion with his calling. “When I arrived, eye can see and shrouded in fog, the thud of hooves the patient looked at me strangely, he was so surprised, pounding the loose earth grows louder. A man on he didn’t let me in at first,” he recalls. But Anfosso horseback gallops into view. It could be a scene from a believes his unusual mode of transport has a positive 19th century literary classic, but in the hills of Italy’s impact on his relationship with patients. “When a doc- northern Piedmont region Roberto Anfosso is just com- tor arrives on horseback, the patient feels that he has muting to work. For the last 10 years, the slight 63- more time to devote to them. It creates a special, very year-old doctor, with white hair, glasses and a neat human, less institutional relationship,” he says. moustache, has been making his house calls to patients on horseback. A cure for monotony The rural region of Verduno, known for its wine and He has also noticed that, for some patients, the horse hazelnuts, has an ageing population. “This is one of the provides a welcome tonic to relieve day-to-day monot- pockets of Italy with the longest life expectancy. The ony. “Elderly people often fixate on what is wrong with patients I visit are at least 70 years old. The oldest was them and talk about it constantly. The horse distracts 104,” he says, patting Ambra’s sleek brown coat. them from their current situation. If a visit lasts 20 min- LA MORRO: Italian Doctor Roberto Anfosso poses with LA MORRO: Roberto Anfosso (L) visits his 98-year-old Anfosso says that utes they spend 10 talk- his horse “Ambra” near a secular cedar tree in the patient Luigina Sobrero (C).— AFP photos horseback is his pre- ing about the horse, countryside of La Morra, northwestern Italy. ferred mode of transport their memories...” for routine, non-urgent Undertakes “Very often, they visits, such as monitor- offer you food and ing diabetes and check- his journeys wine... Almost all of ing blood pressure. He them are producers. pulls his stethoscope all year round They uncork a bottle and blood pressure and you can’t refuse monitor from one of because that would be Ambra’s saddlebags and like refusing the hospi- approaches his patient’s tality and fruits of their house, his four-year old labour,” he says, grin- filly ambling by his side. ning, of one of the “Every week, I ride 80 to 100 kilometers on horseback. perks of not having come by car. Showing his whip with In the first three years, I made 1,000 visits, I’ve stopped its silver horse design tip, he recalls that he saw it in the counting,” says the doctor, who, when not cantering to window of a Parisian sex shop next to the Moulin tend to the elderly, also works in now more convention- Rouge during a trip with his wife and friends, and ven- al surgeries. tured inside to buy it. The galloping doctor is now well- known across the area. He says that often during his A special relationship visits, whose cost is covered on the national health Anfosso undertakes his journeys all year round, over service, he receives, “a call from the farm next door the lush green hills during the summer months and who has seen the horse pass by and asks me to come through the snow during the icy winters. “The views are over.” incredible, we are blessed here,” he says. The grand- “Sometimes I’ve only scheduled one visit but I make son of a cavalry officer, Anfosso started riding at the 10.” Ignazio Fortino, 70, one of his patients and friends, age of 14, when his asthma forced him to give up foot- says the doctor is “always there when you need him”. ball. But his first patient visit on horseback came years “We’re used to seeing him on horseback. For us there’s later, by chance. nothing strange about it. It creates a beautiful relation- LA MORRO: Italian Doctor Roberto Anfosso rides his horse “Ambra” during a working While mapping out a route for an afternoon ride, he ship and gives the feeling that he is not in a hurry and day. received a call to attend to a patient and decided to can take better care of us.” — AFP 24 Established 1961 What’s On Sunday, February 18, 2018

A special ceremony was recently held at the Crown Plaza to celebrate the twelfth anniversary of HH the Amir’s ascension to power. The ceremony also made special mention of some of martyrs whose families were honored.

where the children had the opportunity to NBK’s social responsibility towards children NBK organizes practice science, technology, engineering, and and keenness to support them while they get math in a fun and challenging way through their treatment. NBK has provided a display activities and games. Also, the children screen, entertainment facilities, variety of dif- events for kids enjoyed watching their favorite play and had ferent and various books and other supplies the chance to participate in an interactive for children to enjoy the whole program. at NBK’s scenario at the end with the characters. NBK’s initiative reflects the bank’s high sense The two events aimed at inspiring the chil- of duty and responsibility towards the com- dren to build on their natural curiosity by munity and helping those in need. It is a well Specialty Hospital teaching different knowledge concepts rooted tradition that has been carried out by through hands-on learning. The two initia- NBK each year in its efforts to continuously ontinuing its monthly activities at the tives come as part of a fun activity program have an active role in Kuwait`s society. It’s Children’s Specialty Hospital and the that extends all year long and includes a worth mentioning that NBK’s Stem Cell Stem Cell Therapy Unit, National Bank library, a reading corner, storytelling sessions, Therapy Unit is the first children’s bone mar- C activities for the medical staff such as the row transplant center in Kuwait. The new of Kuwait (NBK) carried out engineering activities for kids and Red Riding Hood Play “nurse of the month”, interactive expression center is the largest corporate social respon- to support children while they get their treat- day, fun events and a movie night activity that sibility donation in Kuwait and will expand ment. The engineering event was organized in are organized occasionally. the hospital’s ability to treat children with collaboration with “Engineering with Kids” The fun activity program is a part of cancer and blood diseases.

impaired and seniors’ access to various banking Burgan Bank solutions. All the six branches are managed by well-trained staff who have been taught to com- municate via sign language with those who suf- sponsors project fer from sensory disabilities - hearing and speech impairment. for Special Demonstrating its pledge to delivering evolu- tionary business solutions, Burgan Bank had tak- en the lead in 2017 and launched the first-ever Needs’ exhibition Established under the patronage of Al- text-to-speech technological solution Sheikha Sheikha Al Abdullah Al Sabah, the exhi- “ReadSpeaker” integrated on its website to bet- urgan Bank, a dedicated contributor to bition will highlight the measures taken to honor ter serve customers with vision-impairment and societal needs, is pleased to announce its and uphold the rights of the special needs’ seg- need for audio interactivity. As a progressive Bparticipation in the upcoming Kuwaiti ment in Kuwait. Working in line with the gov- financial institution with a firm customer-centric Project for Special Needs Exhibition. Visitors ernment’s mission to serve their everyday approach, Burgan Bank will continue to facilitate will learn how Burgan Bank promotes social requirements and in full compliance with the a seamless banking experience for its special inclusion through its comprehensive financial banking guidelines set by the Central Bank of needs customers. The bank is guided by its long offerings. The exhibition will be held on 22 Kuwait last year, Burgan Bank had appointed standing principle of placing people at the heart February 2018 at the Coral Ballroom ‘Al Marjan’ six fully-equipped branches across all gover- of its business as it accommodates the interests at the Sheraton Hotel in Kuwait City. norates to enable physically disabled, visually of the community within which it operates.

share expectations, learning techniques PBL and experiences that influence and shape the learning process of the next genera- tion of professionals. symposium With keynote speeches from Prof Alex Stojcevski, Dean of the School of Software at ACK & Electrical Engineering at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, he Center for Project Based Australia, and Prof Xiangyun Du, Professor Learning at the Australian College at Aalborg University UNESCO Center for Tof Kuwait (ACK) is organizing its Problem and Project Based Learning, third annual “Project Based Learning Denmark and two internationally recog- (PBL) Symposium” under the theme “PBL nized experts for Project Based Learning - Motivation and Creativity in the will share their insights. The symposium Classroom” on Thursday, March 22nd, will also serve as a platform for profession- 2018. Supported by Kuwait Foundation al development of educators involved in for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) tertiary level education, while providing and set to be held at ACK’s campus in networking and knowledge-sharing West Mishref, the symposium will bring opportunities between the panel of speak- together educators of various fields to ers and symposium attendees.

The National Council For culture Arts and Letters (NCCAL) recently organized a lecture titled ‘Ancient Monumental Inscriptions on Kuwaiti The Pakistani community in Kuwait celebrated the Basant festival in Kabd Soil’, which was presented by Dr Sultan Mutlaq Al-Deweesh. The lecture focused on monumental forms of inscriptions found on the west over the weekend. Organized by JAG organization, the event included a coasts of the Arabian Gulf, including Subbiya and other parts of the Arabian Peninsula. funfair, music, games and food and handicraft stalls. Many families partici- pated and enjoyed flying kites along with other activities. Established 1961 25 TV Sunday, February 18, 2018

18:35 Lip Sync Battle 21:45 Austin & Ally 04:35 Botched 18:10 Charlie Luxton’s Homes By Machines 05:30 Phantom Boy 19:00 Lip Sync Battle 22:10 Austin & Ally 05:30 Celebrity Style Story The Med 07:23 Paw Patrol 07:05 The Secret Of Kells 19:25 Impractical Jokers 22:35 Girl Meets World 06:00 Botched 19:05 Valentine Warner Eats 07:37 Dora The Explorer 08:35 Krazzy Planet 19:50 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 23:00 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 06:55 Botched Scandinavia 08:00 Nella The Princess Knight 09:55 Legend Of The Sea 20:12 Friends And Cat Noir 07:50 Botched 19:30 Valentine Warner Eats 08:12 Kid-E-Cats 11:20 Scooby-Doo! And WWE: 01:35 The Legend Of Zorro 20:35 Friends 23:25 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 08:45 Botched Scandinavia 08:16 Kid-E-Cats Curse Of Speed Demon 03:50 Rumble 21:00 The Daily Show With Trevor And Cat Noir 09:40 Botched 20:00 The Food Files 08:21 Bubble Guppies 12:50 Dinofroz - An Island In The 05:25 The Last Witch Hunter Noah 23:50 Lolirock 10:35 Botched 20:30 The Shelbourne 08:45 Blaze And The Monster Sky 07:15 The Legend Of Zorro 21:30 Comedy Central Presents 11:30 WAGs Atlanta 21:00 Lucky Chow Machines 14:10 Elias And The Royal Yacht 09:30 Compadres Comedy 3alwagef 12:25 WAGs Atlanta 21:30 Lee Chan’s World Food Tour 09:07 Blaze And The Monster 15:35 Phantom Boy 11:15 Batman v Superman: Dawn Of 22:00 Chris Ramsey Stand Up 13:20 WAGs Atlanta 22:00 Restoration Man Machines 17:10 Ploddy Police Car Justice Central 14:15 Revenge Body With Khloe 22:55 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 09:53 Nella The Princess Knight 18:35 Scooby-Doo! And WWE: 13:50 The Last Rescue 22:25 Steve Rannazzisi: Breaking Kardashian 23:20 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 10:15 The Day Henry Met Curse Of Speed Demon 15:40 The Last Witch Hunter Dad 15:15 Revenge Body With Khloe 23:50 Charlie Luxton’s Homes By 10:20 Paw Patrol 20:05 Felix The Toy Rabbit And The 17:30 Avengers Grimm 23:15 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 00:00 PJ Masks Kardashian The Med 10:43 Rusty Rivets Time Machine 19:00 Nick Of Time 23:40 The Daily Show With Trevor 00:30 Vampirina 16:15 Keeping Up With The 11:07 Wallykazam! 21:35 Twigson Ties The Knot 20:35 Beyond Redemption Noah 01:00 Vampirina Kardashians 11:30 Bubble Guppies 23:00 Ploddy Police Car 22:10 The Asian Connection 01:30 Art Attack 17:10 Keeping Up With The 11:53 Team Umizoomi 23:45 Bloodrayne: The Third Reich 01:55 Henry Hugglemonster Kardashians 12:15 Kid-E-Cats 02:05 Loopdidoo 18:05 Keeping Up With The 12:21 Shimmer And Shine 02:20 Henry Hugglemonster Kardashians 00:10 Filthy Riches 12:44 Sunny Day 02:35 Calimero 19:00 E! News 01:00 Yukon Gold 13:05 Max & Ruby 00:00 Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ 02:50 Henry Hugglemonster 20:00 Model Squad 02:00 Wicked Tuna: North vs South 13:28 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 02:00 The Count Of Monte Cristo 00:30 Ultimate Survival 03:05 Art Attack 21:00 Keeping Up With The 03:00 Fish Tank Kings 13:38 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 04:15 Steve Jobs 00:50 Lone Star Law 01:20 How We Invented The World 03:30 The Hive Kardashians 04:00 Don’t Tell My Mother 13:49 Blaze And The Monster 06:20 13 Going On 30 01:45 Going Ape 02:10 How We Invented The World 03:40 Loopdidoo 22:00 Revenge Body With Khloe 04:30 Don’t Tell My Mother Machines 08:00 Leatherheads 02:13 Going Ape 03:00 How We Invented The World 03:55 Henry Hugglemonster Kardashian 05:00 Inside 14:11 Blaze And The Monster 09:55 Dirty Dancing 02:40 Going Ape 03:50 Destroyed In Seconds 04:10 Art Attack 23:00 Keeping Up With The 06:00 India’s Mega Kitchens Machines 12:05 The Count Of Monte Cristo 03:08 Going Ape 04:15 Destroyed In Seconds 04:35 Loopdidoo Kardashians 07:00 Supercar Megabuild 14:33 Paw Patrol 14:20 Oleanna 03:35 Going Ape 04:40 Destroyed In Seconds 04:50 Calimero 08:00 Cesar Millan: Love My Pit Bull 14:57 Paw Patrol 15:55 Seven Years In Tibet 04:00 Going Ape 05:05 Destroyed In Seconds 05:05 Art Attack 09:00 Cesar Millan: The Real Story 15:20 Paw Patrol 18:10 Shanghai Noon 04:25 Going Ape 05:30 Destroyed In Seconds 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster 10:00 Chain Of Command 15:43 Paw Patrol 20:00 An Inconvenient Truth 04:50 Going Ape 05:55 Destroyed In Seconds 05:45 Henry Hugglemonster 11:00 Inside 16:07 Paw Patrol 21:40 Stand By Me 05:15 Going Ape 06:20 How It’s Made 06:00 Art Attack 12:00 The Witch Doctor‚Ķ 16:30 Shimmer And Shine 23:10 St. Elmo’s Fire 05:39 Dark Days In Monkey City 06:40 How It’s Made 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 00:15 Coronation Street 13:00 Cesar To The Rescue Asia 16:42 Shimmer And Shine 06:02 Bad Dog 07:00 Serious Amazon 06:45 Loopdidoo 00:35 Coronation Street 14:00 Cesar To The Rescue Asia 17:05 Nella The Princess Knight 06:49 Bad Dog 07:25 Serious Amazon 07:00 Henry Hugglemonster 01:00 Don’t Tell The Bride 15:00 Yukon Gold 17:28 Nella The Princess Knight 07:36 Meet The Sloths 07:50 Serious Amazon 07:15 Calimero 02:00 Coronation Street 16:00 Wicked Tuna: North vs South 17:51 Rusty Rivets 08:25 Whale Wars 08:15 Serious Amazon 07:30 PJ Masks 02:30 Coronation Street 17:00 The Story Of Us With Morgan 18:14 Rusty Rivets 09:15 Wildest Latin America 08:40 How It’s Made 08:00 P-King Duckling 03:00 Coronation Street Freeman 18:38 Blaze And The Monster 00:40 Nextworld 13:50 My Fat Pet 09:05 How It’s Made 08:30 Puppy Dog Pals 03:25 Coronation Street 18:00 India’s Mega Kitchens Machines 01:30 Nextworld 14:45 The Bronx Zoo 09:30 How It’s Made 09:00 Mickey And The Roadster 03:55 The Royal Variety 19:00 Yukon Gold 19:00 Blaze And The Monster 02:20 Nextworld 15:40 Life On Earth: A New 09:55 How It’s Made Racers Performance 2017 20:00 Wicked Tuna: North vs South Machines 03:10 Nextworld Prehistory 10:20 How It’s Made 09:30 Doc McStuffins 06:15 The Voice UK 2018 20:50 The Story Of Us With Morgan 19:24 Paw Patrol 04:00 Superhuman Showdown 16:35 Going Ape 10:45 How It’s Made 10:00 PJ Masks 07:40 Dancing On Ice Freeman 19:37 Dora The Explorer 04:48 Food Factory 17:03 Going Ape 11:10 How It’s Made 10:30 Sofia The First 09:20 Endeavour 21:40 India’s Mega Kitchens 20:00 Nella The Princess Knight 05:12 Food Factory 17:30 Going Ape 11:35 How It’s Made 11:00 Vampirina 10:55 Don’t Tell The Bride 22:30 Yukon Gold 20:12 Kid-E-Cats 05:36 Food Factory 17:58 Dark Days In Monkey City 12:50 Tanked 11:30 Mickey And The Roadster 11:55 Prince Harry And Meghan: 23:20 Test Your Brain 20:16 Kid-E-Cats 06:00 Food Factory 18:25 Going Ape 13:40 Tanked Racers Truly, Madly, Deeply 20:22 Bubble Guppies 06:24 How Do They Do It? 18:53 Going Ape 14:30 Tanked 12:00 The Lion Guard 12:45 The Voice UK 2018 20:45 Blaze And The Monster 06:48 How Do They Do It? 19:20 Attack Of The Giant Jellyfish 15:20 Tanked 12:30 PJ Masks 14:00 The Voice UK 2018 Machines 07:12 How Do They Do It? 20:15 Baby Panda’s First Year 16:10 Tanked 12:55 PJ Masks 15:30 Endeavour 21:07 Paw Patrol 07:36 How Do They Do It? 21:10 Wild Africa: Rivers Of Life 17:00 What Could Possibly Go 13:20 PJ Masks 17:15 Dancing On Ice 21:18 Paw Patrol 08:00 How Do They Do It? 22:05 China’s Last Elephants Wrong? 13:45 PJ Masks 19:00 The Voice UK 2018 21:29 Shimmer And Shine 08:26 Nextworld 23:00 Shark Attack Survivors 17:50 How It’s Made 14:10 P-King Duckling 20:30 Prince Harry And Meghan: 21:52 Nella The Princess Knight 09:14 Nextworld 23:55 Lone Star Law 18:15 How It’s Made 14:35 P-King Duckling Truly, Madly, Deeply 00:20 Gardeners Of Eden 22:14 The Day Henry Met 10:02 Nextworld 18:40 Penn & Teller Tell A Lie 15:00 P-King Duckling 21:20 The Royal Variety 01:10 Zambezi 22:20 Paw Patrol 10:50 Nextworld 19:30 Pick A Puppy 15:30 Miles From Tomorrow Performance 2017 02:00 Little Monkey House 22:43 Rusty Rivets 11:38 Superhuman Showdown 19:55 Pick A Puppy 16:00 Goldie & Bear 23:40 Royal Stories 02:50 Savage Kingdom: Uprising 23:06 Wallykazam! 12:26 Mythbusters 20:20 Pawn Queens 16:30 Doc McStuffins 03:45 Maneater Manhunt 23:30 Bubble Guppies 13:14 Mythbusters 20:45 Pawn Queens 17:00 Vampirina 04:40 Safari Brothers 23:53 Team Umizoomi 14:02 Mythbusters 00:45 Liar 21:10 Playhouse Masters 17:30 Puppy Dog Pals 05:35 Africa’s Deadliest (2018) 14:50 Mythbusters 01:35 Casualty 22:00 Shark City 18:00 The Lion Guard 06:30 Monster Fish 15:38 Mythbusters 02:25 Eastenders 22:50 Ultimate Survival 18:30 Sofia The First 07:25 Monster Fish 16:26 Food Factory 03:00 Doctors 23:40 Ultimate Survival 19:00 Sofia The First 08:20 Wild 24 16:50 Food Factory 03:30 Liar 19:30 Vampirina 00:00 Decoding The Past 09:15 Snakes In The City 00:15 The Drew Carey Show 17:14 Food Factory 04:25 Eastenders 20:00 PJ Masks 01:00 The Lost Evidence 10:10 Zambezi 00:40 The Drew Carey Show 17:38 Food Factory 05:00 Death In Paradise 20:30 P-King Duckling 02:00 The Lost Evidence 11:05 Unlikely Animal Friends 01:05 The Middle 18:02 Food Factory 06:00 Doctors 21:00 The Lion Guard 03:00 The Lost Evidence 12:00 World’s Weirdest 01:30 The Middle 18:26 How Do They Do It? 06:30 The Moonstone 21:30 Mickey And The Roadster 03:50 Decoding The Past 12:55 Extreme Animal Babies 01:55 Gary Unmarried 18:50 How Do They Do It? 07:20 Eastenders Racers 04:40 Decoding The Past 13:50 Savage Kingdom: Uprising 02:20 Malcolm In The Middle 19:15 How Do They Do It? 07:50 Call The Midwife 00:50 Kindred Spirits 22:00 Doc McStuffins 05:30 Decoding The Past 14:45 Maneater Manhunt 02:45 Making History 19:40 How Do They Do It? 08:50 Father Brown 01:45 A Haunting 22:30 Doc McStuffins 06:20 The Lost Evidence 15:40 Wild Case Files 03:10 Late Night With Seth Meyers 20:05 How Do They Do It? 09:40 Doctors 02:40 A Crime To Remember 23:00 P-King Duckling 07:10 UFO Files 16:35 Primal Survivor¬†wild 04:00 The Tonight Show Starring 20:30 Secret Space Escapes 10:10 Eastenders 03:35 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 23:30 PJ Masks 08:00 Decoding The Past 17:00 Primal Survivor¬†wild Jimmy Fallon 21:20 Secret Space Escapes 10:40 The Coroner Hall 09:00 The Lost Evidence 17:30 Monster Fish 04:50 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 22:10 Secret Space Escapes 11:30 The Moonstone 04:30 Murder At Sea: People 10:00 The Lost Evidence 18:25 South America Untamed 05:40 Malcolm In The Middle 23:00 You Have Been Warned 12:15 Call The Midwife Magazine Investigates 11:00 The Lost Evidence 19:20 Maneater Manhunt 06:05 Gary Unmarried 23:50 Alien Encounters 13:20 Father Brown 05:25 Married With Secrets 12:00 The Universe: Ancient 20:10 Wild Case Files 06:30 Making History 14:10 Doctors 06:20 Kiss Of Death Mysteries Solved 21:00 Primal Survivor¬†wild 06:55 Baby Daddy 14:40 Eastenders 07:10 Evil Stepmothers 13:00 UFO Files 21:25 Primal Survivor¬†wild 07:20 Late Night With Seth Meyers 15:10 The Coroner 08:00 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 00:15 Railroad Australia 14:00 WWII: Lost Films 21:50 Monster Fish 08:10 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 16:00 The Moonstone 08:25 True Crime With Aphrodite 01:05 Abandoned Engineering 15:00 Decoding The Past 22:40 South America Untamed 09:00 The Tonight Show Starring 17:00 Call The Midwife Jones 01:50 Yukon Men 16:00 Decoding The Past 23:30 World’s Weirdest Jimmy Fallon 01:05 Jigar Kaleja 18:00 Doctors 09:15 True Crime With Aphrodite 02:40 Dirty Jobs 17:00 UFO Files 09:50 Kevin Can Wait 03:00 Jigar Kaleja 18:30 Eastenders Jones 03:20 Street Outlaws 18:00 Hangar 1: The UFO Files 10:15 Black-ish 03:55 Koffee With Karan 19:00 The Coroner 10:10 True Crime With Aphrodite 04:05 Alaska Monsters 19:00 Modern Marvels 10:40 Malcolm In The Middle 05:00 Koffee With Karan 20:00 Liar Jones 04:50 Dirty Jobs 20:00 Missing In Alaska 11:05 Gary Unmarried 06:00 Ghar Parivaar 20:50 Line Of Duty 11:05 True Crime With Aphrodite 05:35 How Do They Do It? 21:00 The Universe: Ancient 11:30 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 08:25 Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee 21:50 New Tricks Jones 06:00 Backroad Bounty Mysteries Solved 00:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 12:20 Making History 11:05 Ghar 22:50 Doctors 12:00 True Crime With Aphrodite 06:45 Backroad Bounty 22:00 The Universe: Ancient 00:36 Rabbids Invasion 12:45 Baby Daddy 13:10 Ghar Ho To Aisa 23:25 Eastenders Jones 07:35 Alaska: Battle On The Bay Mysteries Solved 01:00 Rabbids Invasion 13:10 The Drew Carey Show 16:00 Guzaarish 12:55 I Almost Got Away With It 08:20 Backroad Bounty 23:00 D-Day: The Lost Films 01:24 Sanjay And Craig 13:35 The Drew Carey Show 18:15 Dolly Ki Doli 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 09:10 Dirty Jobs 01:48 Sanjay And Craig 14:00 The Middle 20:00 Tere Naam 14:45 I Almost Got Away With It 09:55 Kings Of The Wild 02:12 Winx Club 14:25 The Middle 22:25 I Am 15:40 I Almost Got Away With It 10:45 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 02:36 Winx Club 14:50 Malcolm In The Middle 16:35 I Almost Got Away With It 11:30 Man v Expert 03:00 Harvey Beaks 15:15 Kevin Can Wait 17:30 Florida’s Craziest Crimes 12:20 Backroad Bounty 03:24 Harvey Beaks 15:40 Black-ish 00:00 Homicide Hunter 18:25 Florida’s Craziest Crimes 13:05 Backroad Bounty 03:48 The Loud House 16:05 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:00 Homicide Hunter 19:20 Suspicion 13:55 Dirty Jobs 00:25 American Pickers 04:12 The Loud House 17:00 Making History 02:00 Psychic Kids 20:15 Suspicion 14:40 Yukon Men 01:10 Dark Files 04:36 Breadwinners 17:30 Baby Daddy 01:00 Tadpole 03:00 The Haunting Of... 21:10 Grave Secrets 15:30 Kings Of The Wild 02:50 Hunting Hitler 05:00 Breadwinners 18:00 The Drew Carey Show 02:15 Terminus 04:00 Homicide Hunter 22:05 Disappeared 16:15 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 03:40 Pawn Stars 05:24 Get Blake 18:30 The Drew Carey Show 03:45 Christmas Truce 05:00 Homicide Hunter 23:00 Shattered 17:05 Man v Expert 04:05 Storage Wars 05:48 SpongeBob SquarePants 19:00 The Middle 05:30 Malena 06:00 Psychic Kids 23:55 The Vanishing Women 17:50 Alaska: Battle On The Bay 04:30 Ax Men 06:12 SpongeBob SquarePants 19:30 The Middle 07:00 Avengers: Age Of Ultron 07:00 It Takes A Killer 18:40 Dirty Jobs 05:15 Ax Men 06:36 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 20:00 The Mindy Project 09:30 Dorfman In Love 07:30 It Takes A Killer 19:25 Yukon Men 06:00 Mountain Men 07:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 20:30 The Good Place 11:15 Step Up 08:00 Cold Case Files 20:15 Street Outlaws 06:50 Forged In Fire 07:24 Rabbids Invasion 21:00 American Housewife 13:00 She’s The Man 09:00 The First 48 21:00 Diesel Brothers 07:40 The Curse Of Oak Island 07:48 Get Blake 21:30 The Mick 15:00 Tadpole 10:00 The First 48 21:50 Gear Dogs 08:30 Storage Wars 08:12 Harvey Beaks 22:00 Saturday Night Live 16:30 Adventureland 11:00 It Takes A Killer 22:40 Jesse James Outlaw Garage 08:55 Storage Wars 08:36 Sanjay And Craig 23:25 Late Night With Seth Meyers 18:15 Committed 11:30 It Takes A Killer 00:10 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 23:30 Alaska: Battle On The Bay 09:20 American Pickers 09:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 20:00 Cloud Atlas 12:00 Robbie Coltrane’s Critical Witch 10:10 Ax Men 09:24 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 22:45 Deception Evidence 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 11:00 Forged In Fire 09:48 Henry Danger 13:00 Robbie Coltrane’s Critical 01:00 Hank Zipzer 11:50 The Curse Of Oak Island 10:12 Game Shakers Evidence 01:25 Alex & Co. 12:40 Storage Wars 10:36 Regal Academy 14:00 Robbie Coltrane’s Critical 01:45 Disney Mickey Mouse 13:05 Storage Wars 11:00 Winx Club Evidence 01:50 Evermoor Chronicles 06:00 Milo Murphy’s Law 13:30 Duck Dynasty 11:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 00:20 Olaf’s Frozen Adventure 15:00 Homicide Hunter 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 06:10 Phineas & Ferb 13:55 Duck Dynasty 11:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 00:50 Monte Carlo 16:00 Homicide Hunter Witch 06:25 Milo Murphy’s Law 14:20 American Pickers 12:12 The Loud House 02:40 A Little Game 00:00 Devious Maids 17:00 Evil Up Close 02:40 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 06:35 Phineas & Ferb 15:10 Mountain Men 12:36 Rabbids Invasion 04:15 Zootropolis 02:00 Mistresses 18:00 Evil Up Close Witch 06:50 Marvel’s Spider-Man 16:00 Forged In Fire 13:00 Breadwinners 06:05 The Kids From 62-F 03:00 Victoria’s Secret Fashion 19:00 Britain’s Biggest Heists 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 07:15 Marvel’s Spider-Man 16:50 The Curse Of Oak Island 13:24 Massive Monster Mayhem 08:00 Monte Carlo Show 2017 20:00 Cold Case Files 03:30 Binny And The Ghost 07:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 17:40 Hunting Hitler 13:48 Hunter Street 09:50 Kung Fu Panda 04:00 Three 21:00 Cold Case Files 03:55 Hank Zipzer 07:45 Pair Of Kings 18:30 Mountain Men 14:12 I Am Frankie 11:25 Zootropolis 05:00 Project Runway 22:00 Hatton Garden Heist: One Last 04:15 Disney Mickey Mouse 08:10 Pair Of Kings 19:20 Forged In Fire 14:36 The Thundermans 13:15 A Royal Christmas 06:00 Three Job 04:20 Hank Zipzer 08:35 Phineas And Ferb 20:10 American Pickers 15:00 Rabbids Invasion 14:50 Capture The Flag 07:00 Style By Jury 23:00 Jo Frost On Britain’s Killer 04:45 Alex & Co. 09:00 Phineas And Ferb 21:00 Pawn Stars 15:24 School Of Rock 16:30 All She Wishes 07:30 Style By Jury Kids 05:10 Alex & Co. 09:25 Mighty Med 21:25 Storage Wars 15:48 SpongeBob SquarePants 18:05 Coat Of Many Colors 08:00 Project Runway 05:35 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 09:50 Mighty Med 21:50 American Pickers 16:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 19:35 Lego DC: Justice League 09:00 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Witch 10:20 Gravity Falls 22:40 Forged In Fire 16:36 The Loud House Gotham City Breakout Show 2017 06:00 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 10:45 Gravity Falls 23:30 Mountain Men 17:00 Massive Monster Mayhem 21:00 A Royal Christmas 10:00 Three Witch 11:10 Lab Rats 17:24 I Am Frankie 22:35 Capture The Flag 11:00 Style By Jury 00:05 Nightcap 06:25 Binny And The Ghost 11:35 Lab Rats 17:48 Hunter Street 11:30 Style By Jury 00:30 Steve Rannazzisi: Breaking 06:45 Disney Mickey Mouse 12:00 Pair Of Kings 18:12 Henry Danger 12:00 Cedar Cove Dad 06:50 Rolling With The Ronks 12:30 Pair Of Kings 18:36 Rabbids Invasion 13:00 Cedar Cove 01:20 Josh Widdicombe: And 07:00 Jessie 12:55 Mech-X4 19:00 School Of Rock 14:00 Mistresses Another Thing... 07:25 Elena Of Avalor 13:20 Mech-X4 19:24 Game Shakers 15:00 Victoria’s Secret Fashion 02:10 Tosh.0 07:50 Descendants Wicked World 13:45 Phineas And Ferb 00:15 John Torode’s Malaysian 19:48 The Thundermans 01:20 Without A Paddle: Nature’s Show 2017 02:35 Tosh.0 07:55 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse Adventure 20:12 Regal Academy Calling 16:00 Three 03:00 The Daily Show With Trevor And Cat Noir 14:15 Phineas And Ferb 00:45 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 20:36 SpongeBob SquarePants 02:55 The House Bunny 17:00 Style By Jury Noah 08:20 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 14:40 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 01:10 Lee Chan’s World Food Tour 21:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 04:40 The Family Fang 17:30 Style By Jury 03:25 Tosh.0 08:45 Tangled: The Series Much Everything 01:40 Around The World In 80 21:24 Sanjay And Craig 06:30 Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot 18:00 Say Yes To The Dress: Atlanta 03:50 Chappelle’s Show 09:10 K.C. Undercover 15:05 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty Dishes 21:48 Rabbids Invasion 08:05 Big Stone Gap 20:00 Mistresses 04:15 Kroll Show 09:35 Raven’s Home Much Everything 02:35 Valentine Warner Eats 22:12 Breadwinners 09:50 The Family Fang 21:00 House Of DVF 04:40 Key And Peele 10:00 Bunk’d 15:30 Lab Rats Scandinavia 22:36 Harvey Beaks 11:35 Joe Somebody 22:00 Three 05:05 I Live With Models 10:25 Bizaardvark 15:55 Lab Rats 03:00 Valentine Warner Eats 23:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 13:20 Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot 23:00 Style By Jury 05:30 Impractical Jokers 10:50 Liv And Maddie 16:25 Kickin’ It Scandinavia 23:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 14:55 Fan Girl 23:30 Style By Jury 05:55 Disaster Date 11:15 Stuck In The Middle 16:50 Kickin’ It 03:30 The Food Files 23:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 16:35 The Discoverers 06:20 Ridiculousness Arabia 11:40 Gotta Kick It Up 17:15 Supa Strikas 03:55 The Food Files 18:25 Love The Coopers 06:50 Lip Sync Battle 13:05 The Zhuzhus 17:40 Supa Strikas 04:25 George Clarke’s Amazing 20:20 Bill 07:15 Lip Sync Battle 13:20 Liv And Maddie 18:05 Gravity Falls Spaces 22:00 Kill Your Friends 07:40 The Jim Gaffigan Show 13:45 Liv And Maddie 18:30 Marvel’s Ant-Man 05:20 Restoration Man 23:45 Stay Hungry 08:05 Impractical Jokers 14:10 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 18:35 Gravity Falls 06:15 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 00:20 Ambulance 08:30 Disaster Date And Cat Noir 19:00 Right Now Kapow 06:40 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 00:16 Kid-E-Cats 01:05 An Hour To Save Your Life 08:55 Workaholics 14:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 19:25 Milo Murphy’s Law 07:10 George Clarke’s Amazing 00:22 Shimmer And Shine 01:50 Katie Price: My Crazy Life 09:20 Kroll Show And Cat Noir 19:50 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot Spaces 00:44 Sunny Day 02:12 Katie Price: My Crazy Life 09:45 Key And Peele 15:00 Raven’s Home 19:55 Mech-X4 08:05 Glamour Puds 01:06 Max & Ruby 02:35 Separated At Birth 10:05 I Live With Models 15:25 Jessie 20:20 Penn Zero: Part Time Hero 08:30 Glamour Puds 01:27 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 01:30 A Dangerous Woman 03:20 Little People, Big World 10:30 The Jim Gaffigan Show 15:50 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 20:45 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 09:00 Chocolate Covered 01:38 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 03:15 Jappeloup 04:05 Little Miss Atlanta 10:55 Impractical Jokers And Cat Noir Much Everything 09:25 Poh & Co. 01:49 Blaze And The Monster 05:25 Spare Parts 04:50 Toddlers & Tiaras: Coach 11:20 Disaster Date 16:15 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 21:10 Kid vs. Kat 09:55 Around The World In 80 Machines 07:20 Antwone Fisher Wars 11:45 Ridiculousness Arabia And Cat Noir 21:35 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot Dishes 02:11 Blaze And The Monster 09:20 Spare Parts 05:35 Say Yes To The Dress 12:15 Impractical Jokers 16:40 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 10:50 Confucius Was A Foodie Machines 11:30 The Challenger 06:00 Say Yes To The Dress UK 12:40 Lip Sync Battle And Cat Noir 21:45 Lab Rats Elite Force 11:45 Building Wild 02:33 Paw Patrol 13:20 Jappeloup 06:22 Say Yes To The Dress UK 13:05 Lip Sync Battle 17:05 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 22:10 Lab Rats Elite Force 12:40 Around The World In 80 02:57 Paw Patrol 15:30 East Side Sushi 06:45 Hodges Half Dozen 13:30 I Live With Models And Cat Noir 22:35 Phineas And Ferb Dishes 03:20 Paw Patrol 17:35 Not Without My Daughter 07:30 Little People, Big World 13:55 Friends 17:30 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am 13:35 Valentine Warner Eats 03:43 Paw Patrol 19:45 The New Adventures Of 08:15 Sister Wives 14:20 Friends And Cat Noir Scandinavia 04:07 Paw Patrol Aladin 09:00 Cake Boss 14:45 Workaholics 17:55 Star Wars Forces Of Destiny 14:00 Valentine Warner Eats 04:30 Shimmer And Shine 21:45 War Book 09:25 Toddlers & Tiaras: Coach 15:10 Key And Peele 18:00 Tangled: The Series Scandinavia 04:42 Shimmer And Shine 23:30 Crisscross Wars 15:35 Kroll Show 18:25 Bizaardvark 14:30 The Food Files 05:05 Nella The Princess Knight 10:10 Say Yes To The Dress UK 16:00 Comedy Central Presents 18:50 Bizaardvark 14:55 The Shelbourne 05:28 Nella The Princess Knight 10:32 Say Yes To The Dress UK Comedy 3alwagef 19:15 Elena Of Avalor 00:00 The Platinum Life 15:25 Lucky Chow 05:51 Rusty Rivets 10:55 Outdaughtered: Busby Quints 16:30 Ridiculousness Arabia 19:40 Elena Of Avalor 00:55 The Platinum Life 15:50 Lee Chan’s World Food Tour 06:15 Rusty Rivets 11:40 Oprah: Where Are They 17:00 Friends 20:05 Bunk’d 01:50 E! News 16:20 Restoration Man 06:38 Blaze And The Monster 00:40 Back To The Sea Now? 17:23 Friends 20:30 Bunk’d 02:50 Botched 17:15 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen Machines 02:25 Operation Arctic 12:25 Oprah: Where Are They 17:45 Disaster Date 20:55 Stuck In The Middle 03:40 Botched 17:40 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 07:00 Blaze And The Monster 04:05 Elias And The Royal Yacht Now? 18:10 Ridiculousness Arabia 21:20 Stuck In The Middle 26 Established 1961

Sunday, February 18, 2018 Stars

CROSSWORD 1838 STAR TRACK

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

Aries, you find you re dealing with matters of the spirit: dejavu, intuition Libra, intuition is so strong and demanding! That you could be irritated and other such aspects but you can’t explain them. It s as though you know what and cross. Pay attention to your knowing but strive to keep it in its place. Spiritual gifts coworkers, family and friends are thinking and it turns out what you suspect is true! could take your mind off of your normal tasks and responsibilities so figure out how to Your competitive spirit is boosted with the help of the stars; you could feel the vibra- prevent this; you’ll enjoy your abilities a lot more! You discover several good books tion of this very strongly. Your investigation into investing pays off as you uncover a and films regarding eternity and the mysterious workings of the universe that scratch little-known loophole. You are compelled to contact someone by phone later in the your itch for this type of information. You’ll want to jump into a situation you should afternoon; a long, meaningful discussion clears the air and mends fences. Where take time to consider; stop for a moment, take a deep breath and think. Success can be finances are concerned you are on a clear path to success. Contemplate all you have yours if given a chance to prove your capabilities; be prepared when the opportunity learned on spiritual and moral levels and you see how very far you have come, Aries. does come. This evening could be a good one to practice meditation outside, Libra.

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

Taurus, your mind is on big things such as eternity and life in general; Scorpio, you re hands-on and full throttle when tackling domestic chores. remembering small details such as leaving something out of the fridge or paying a phone You actually enjoy cleaning out and giving away to those less fortunate. You make the bill could slip your mind if you’re not careful! Your intuition, spiritual gifts, or whatever most of enjoying yourself even when surrounded by the demands of every day life. You you’d like to consider them, are at the fore now. The cycle you have just entered creates feel strong and healthy as you go through an important meeting with your healthcare an energy of fact-finding that helps with figuring out the motives of others. A circum- professional. You may make many new connections at a convention or large meeting of stance arises that leaves you exasperated and confounded. You have the ability to over- some kind. You could escape into a new hobby that satisfies your energy and mental come having a temper tantrum; remember that all things pass. Being calm is difficult but levels; keep an eye on expenses regarding this. Your close circle of intimates provides you are able. An evening beneath the stars can serve to refresh your senses. Someone security and comfort. Indulge your love of beauty by visiting a lovely old home or a dear makes a suggestion that s perfect for making positive changes soon, Taurus. unique museum; spending time with someone new could be indicated, Scorpio.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius, your intuitive side is fully awakened when someone from your Gemini, intuitive vibrations stay with you throughout the day as you putter past reaches out to you. This person made your parting ugly, so carefully around the house or workplace. Your mind is preoccupied with the unknown consider this before reconnecting. People can, and do, change but sometimes they don’t. ACROSS an equal and opposite charge of 1 mysteries of life and death. Cosmic information is an interest you enjoy. You could overlook Someone rude interrupts repeatedly as you attempt to get a word in edgewise. Your 1. An awkward stupid person. coulomb on each plate and a voltage normal tasks as your mind is fixed upon things you consider more important. You find future looks bright after you discover a promising new investment opportunity in an yourself center stage regarding an enormous accomplishment. You feel good about your 4. Loose-fitting nightclothes worn for difference of 1 volt between the plates. emerging field or market. Someone criticizes an idea you have for your home; ignore this work and the opportunities offered through certain areas of endeavor. Your humor is person as they re jealous. A friend or family member makes an effort to hide something sleeping or lounging. 4. Reddish long-tailed monkey of west strong and easily shared by others you come into contact with. Organic gardening or food 11. Tall palm tree bearing coconuts as Africa. from you; again, the intuition kicks in! Enjoying a movie with friends takes you away for a takes a place of priority in your life. If you find that your plans may need to take an unex- while! Let the sense of being loved and included warm your heart tonight, Sagittarius. fruits. 5. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike pected turn, remember that much success can be found in change, Gemini. 15. 100 pyas equal 1 kyat. part of an organism. 16. A state in the southeastern United 6. Tropical tree of the East Indies cultivat- States on the Gulf of Mexico. ed for its edible fruit. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) 17. The biblical name for ancient Syria. 7. Of or relating to abasia (inability to 18. The sense organ for hearing and equi- walk). Capricorn, the energy of prosperity surrounds and supports you. The new Cancer, your gift of knowing is strong and at its height of intensity! The cycle you’ve entered creates an atmosphere of abundance and opportuni- librium. 8. The month following February and pre- stars are aligned for ethereal energy and confirmation of what some call ty; it s up to you to accept these. Your understanding and feel for the social graces pro- 19. Small South American marmoset with ceding April. hunches or gut feelings. You are tapped in to the flow as you get tasks and chores done pels you forward. You enjoy your work which is why you do so well at it; if you don’t silky fur and long nonprehensile tail. 9. Type genus of the Amiidae. with ease. Vibrations of love and contentment are prevalent today and you’re caught up like your job, you don t thrive nor even stick with it! Romance holds your interest and 20. Fully developed or matured and ready 10. The capital and largest city of Yemen. in gratitude and humility. You seek more information regarding cosmic or mystic secrets you wonder about a certain person. If you re romantically attached you make plans for to be eaten or used. 11. An abundant nonmetallic tetravalent that keep repeating through your mind; could there be life on other planets and ufo’s, are an intimate evening. It feels good to stretch and move your body. You may want to keep 21. Largest crested screamer. element occurring in three allotropic ghosts are truly haunting physical spacesboring or mundane situations send you running your thoughts and ideas to yourself until they finish forming; someone s interested in 23. A bachelor's degree in science. forms. in the opposite direction. An interest in all things new appeals to you now; art, clothing, taking credit for something you come up with. Be true to yourself, Capricorn. furniture and all manner of accessories are more than likely indicated, Cancer. 24. A city and port in northern Jutland. 12. (Greek mythology) A giant Boeotian 26. Having a flat circular shape. hunter who pursued the Pleiades and 28. Lack of normal muscular tension or was eventually slain by Artemis. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) tonus. 13. An island (part of Campania) in the Bay Leo (July 23-August 22) 29. A soft silver-white ductile metallic ele- of Naples in southern Italy. Leo, when hunches are confirmed over and over again, you have got no Aquarius, the mysteries of life take prominence in your thoughts and ment (liquid at normal temperatures). 14. The ending of a series or sequence. choice but to recognize this substantial spiritual gift; speaking of this to attention. A period of great spiritual evolution is at hand according to the new cycle 31. Someone who works (or provides 22. Cuban timber tree with hard wood people who understand is helpful. No matter the label you apply, gut feelings, mother’s you have entered. You could find yourself overlooking small details because you mind is workers) during a strike. very resistant to moisture. intuition or d j vu, pay attention to what you re picking up on. This ability is one you can focused on deep ideas and questions regarding the mystic workings you long to know 33. A hard brittle gray polyvalent metallic 25. Your general store of remembered rely on. Emotional bonds grow and strengthen within your circle. You follow the urge to more about. Be mindful that when considering eternity, you could become over- element that resembles iron but is not information. stay to yourself and spend the majority of the day at home alone. Your thoughts focus whelmed. The finer things in life interest you at this time; you are a lover of beauty and magnetic. 27. An official prosecutor for a judicial dis- inward toward your life and actions; have you completed working on your self liking comfort. You could come across new recipes that are healthy; this could pertain to eat- 34. Illusory auditory perception of strange trict. who you are makes any tasks or chores easy and not worth complaint. Tonight, special ing only whole foods that are not processed. Tonight, you feel very good about yourself and your efforts to grow; enjoy this special time with those you love, Aquarius. nonverbal sounds. 30. Of or relating to a directionless magni- friends revisit a trip you took together many years ago when much younger, Leo. 38. An associate degree in nursing. tude. 43. Relating to or near the radius. 32. A very young child (birth to 1 year) Virgo (August 23-September 22) 47. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar who has not yet begun to walk or talk. Pisces (February 19-March 20) to but heavier than beer. 35. A European river. Pisces, the heavens create an energy that focuses on your appearance as 49. (Greek mythology) The Titaness who 36. Formerly a term of respect for impor- Virgo, your savvy business skills kick in when you discover a new situa- tion for a potential financial investment. You’re able to use foresight to create a plan well as your health. Your beauty and intellect shine as the work week finally was mother of Helios and Selene and tant white Europeans in colonial India. comes to a very successful end. Your mind is fixated on what is fair; if you discover what Eos in ancient mythology. 37. A metric unit of volume equal to one that works for all concerned parties. You could realize you have more money than you originally thought. You have a reputation for bringing people together by playing the actually is the fair thing to do, this will generate peace and good feelings. Should you make 50. Broadly or extravagantly humorous. thousandth of a liter. diplomat; you feel empowered in a positive way for this. A surprise gathering could be decisions that are incorrect, you stand to lose a lot; do the right thing! There is someone 53. Someone who operates an aircraft. 39. A quantity of no importance. held in your honor; your good works don’t go unnoticed as you thought! You enjoy who surprises you with their acceptance of wrong doing. You are motivated to complete a 55. A trivalent metallic element of the rare 40. German mystic and theosophist who sharing time with others of like mind and heart. Finding out a new way to research is task; the energy of completion surrounds you now and later into the month. The day ends earth group. founded modern theosophy. strongly indicated; go in an try it, you’ll like it! Your intuition is a strong part of your with handy discoveries and new methods that create ease and performance; use a new 56. A port city in southwestern Iran. 41. Appeal or request earnestly. new journey that you can’t, and won’t, ignore; be still and listen to this gift, Virgo. cookbook this evening to practice for a big dinner for loved ones, Pisces. 57. In such a manner as could not be oth- 42. How a result is obtained or an end is erwise. achieved. 58. A unit of absorbed ionizing radiation 44. Food mixtures either arranged on a Wordsearch Puzzle Friday’s Solution equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiat- plate or tossed and served with a ed material. moist dressing. 61. Aristocratic Italian family of powerful 45. A highly unstable radioactive element merchants and bankers who ruled (the heaviest of the halogen series). Florence in the 15th century. 46. A thoroughfare (usually including side- 69. A loose sleeveless outer garment made walks) that is lined with buildings. from aba cloth. 48. An informal term for a father. 70. A large estate in Spanish-speaking 51. City in southwestern Colombia in a rich countries. agricultural area. 73. A column of light (as from a beacon). 52. Type genus of the Cariamidae com- 74. A vest pocket to hold a pocket watch. prising only the crested cariama. 75. Norwegian explorer who was the first 54. A state in midwestern United States. to traverse the Northwest Passage and 59. A member of a nomadic people of the in 1911 the first to reach the South Pole northern Ural mountains. (1872-1928). 60. A unit of dry measure used in Egypt. 76. Counting the number of white and red 62. Very dark black. blood cells and the number of platelets 63. A Chadic language spoken south of in 1 cubic millimeter of blood. Lake Chad. 77. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. 64. A boy or man. 78. A river in northeastern Brazil that flows 65. English monk and scholar (672-735). generally northward to the Atlantic 66. Predatory black-and-white toothed Ocean. whale with large dorsal fin. 79. Black-and-white short-necked web- 67. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agri- footed diving bird of northern seas. culture and patron of scribes and schools. DOWN 68. Flemish painter who was a founder of 1. An organization of countries formed in the Flemish school of painting and to 1961 to agree on a common policy for have pioneered modern techniques of the sale of petroleum. oil painting (1390-1441). 2. An Indian nursemaid who looks after 71. Of inferior or mixed breed. children. 72. A hotel providing overnight lodging for 3. The capacitance of a capacitor that has travelers.

Friday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Friday’s Solution Classifieds Sunday, February 18, 2018

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Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airp DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Sunday 18/2/2018 PAL 668 Manila 14:00 Departure Flights on Sunday 18/2/2018 JZR 776 Jedd Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 204 Lahore 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time SYR 342 Dam JAI 572 Mumbai 00:05 KAC 618 Doha 14:15 AIC 988 Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 RSB 1073 TQD JZR 125 Bahrain 00:10 KAC 692 Muscat 14:15 JZR 604 Ahmedabad 00:05 QTR 1075 Doh KAC 504 Beirut 00:30 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 JZR 606 Koch JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 QTR 1078 Doha 14:20 MSC 406 Sohag 00:30 MEA 405 Beiru JZR 539 Cairo 00:50 KAC 516 Tehran 14:20 FDB 072 Dubai 00:35 SAW 702 Dam KAC 102 London 00:50 KAC 672 Dubai 14:25 KAC 677 Dubai 01:00 JZR 176 Dub PGT 858 Istanbul 00:55 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 JAI 571 Mumbai 01:05 MSR 611 Cairo THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:45 BBC 044 Dhaka 01:30 AXB 394 Kozh RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 JZR 142 Doha 01:45 KAC 673 Dub DLH 625 Bahrain 01:45 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 14:55 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 FDB 060 Dub THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 304 Mumbai 15:10 THY 773 Istanbul 02:30 KAC 785 Jedd ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:15 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:30 GFA 222 Bahr QTR 1086 Doha 02:20 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 DLH 625 Frankfurt 02:45 QTR 1079 Doh GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 JZR 787 Riyadh 15:30 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 SVA 501 Jedd KLM 446 Bahrain 02:30 KAC 562 Amman 15:30 QTR 1087 Doha 03:40 KNE 530 Jedd WAN 548 KTM 02:40 KAC 502 Beirut 15:30 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:55 KAC 775 Riyad OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 KKK 1269 Istanbul 03:55 KAC 283 Dhak KKK 1268 Istanbul 02:55 FEG 937 Sohag 15:45 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 KAC 743 Dam PGT 860 Istanbul 03:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 KAC 619 Doh KAC 414 Bangkok 03:05 QTR 1072 Doha 15:55 PGT 861 Istanbul 04:00 KAC 563 Amm ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 JZR 535 Cairo 16:00 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 PAL 669 Man MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 KAC 118 New York 16:00 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 ETD 304 Abu JZR 555 Alexandria 03:20 ABY 127 Sharjah 16:00 KAC 103 London 05:00 OMA 646 Musc QTR 1076 Doha 03:50 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:25 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 KAC 615 Bahr LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:40 KAC 203 Lahore 05:10 ABY 128 Shar KAC 382 Delhi 04:15 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 KAC 303 Mumbai 05:30 FEG 932 Alex KAC 1544 Cairo 04:25 KAC 542 Cairo 17:05 QTR 1077 Doha 05:30 KAC 675 Dub UAE 873 Dubai 04:25 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 FDB 070 Dubai 05:45 JZR 266 Beiru KAC 418 Manila 04:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 UAE 874 Dubai 06:15 KAC 503 Beiru KAC 784 Jeddah 04:35 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:40 JZR 560 Sohag 06:25 JZR 240 Amm KAC 284 Dhaka 04:50 WAN 984 Tbilisi 17:50 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 QTR 1073 Doh FDB 069 Dubai 04:55 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 FDB 052 Dub JZR 609 Hyderabad 05:10 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 KAC 361 Colo DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:15 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 UAE 858 Dub THY 770 Istanbul 05:25 JZR 177 Dubai 18:15 QTR 8512 Doha 07:55 RJA 641 Amm JZR 143 Doha 05:25 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 171 Frankfurt 08:00 KAC 331 Triva KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 KAC 501 Beirut 08:00 KAC 343 Chen KAC 344 Chennai 05:50 KAC 744 Dammam 19:10 KAC 165 Rome 08:15 SVA 511 Riyad KAC 678 Dubai 06:00 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:20 FEG 934 Sohag 08:30 JZR 538 Cairo KAC 302 Mumbai 06:10 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 791 Madinah 08:35 GFA 216 Bahr KAC 362 Colombo 06:25 RBG 555 Alexandria 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 JZR 608 Hyde QTR 8511 Doha 06:25 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 787 Jeddah 08:40 KAC 381 Delh WAN 338 Alexandria 06:40 KAC 156 Istanbul 19:30 KAC 691 Muscat 08:50 FDB 064 Dub BAW 157 London 07:10 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 KAC 613 Bahrain 08:55 JZR 184 Dub FEG 933 Sohag 07:30 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 BAW 156 London 08:55 JZR 554 Alex KAC 354 Bengaluru 07:35 KAC 616 Bahrain 19:55 KAC 117 New York 09:00 UAE 876 Dub FDB 053 Dubai 07:35 KAC 104 London 20:00 JZR 534 Cairo 09:10 MSR 621 Cairo KAC 358 Kochi 07:40 KAC 620 Doha 20:15 KAC 561 Amman 09:40 QTR 1081 Doh KAC 384 Delhi 08:00 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 101 London 09:45 RBG 556 Alex UAE 855 Dubai 08:35 KAC 166 Rome 20:20 KAC 671 Dubai 09:45 ABY 124 Shar JZR 605 Ahmedabad 08:45 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:45 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 GFA 218 Bahr ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 QTR 1088 Doha 20:45 IRC 529 Ahwaz 09:55 FDB 058 Dub ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 WAN 136 Doha 21:15 KAC 515 Tehran 10:00 KAC 345 Ahm IRC 528 Ahwaz 09:05 ALK 229 Colombo 21:20 KAC 541 Cairo 10:00 KAC 301 Mum QTR 1070 Doha 09:10 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 UAE 856 Dubai 10:00 KAC 357 Koch FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:05 KAC 1543 Cairo IRA 665 Shiraz 09:40 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:25 KAC 773 Riyadh 10:10 OMA 648 Musc SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:30 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 DLH 624 Bahr MSC 415 Sohag 10:15 UAE 859 Dubai 21:35 KAC 617 Doha 10:15 DHX 171 Bahr GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 676 Dubai 21:40 QTR 1071 Doha 10:20 QTR 1089 Doh SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:25 KAC 411 Bang QTR 1074 Doha 11:20 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:50 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 10:30 ETD 308 Abu JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 WAN 116 Bahrain 21:50 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 MEA 403 Beiru WAN 134 Doha 11:55 KAC 564 Amman 22:00 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:40 ALK 230 Colo MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:40 GFA 220 Bahr KAC 614 Bahrain 12:10 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 ZAV 4102 ZRM 11:00 KAC 783 Jedd SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 ZAV 4101 IQA 11:00 KAC 383 Delh JZR 561 Sohag 12:45 JZR 241 Amman 22:40 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 KLM 445 Bahr MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:15 MSC 416 Sohag 11:15 UAE 860 Dub AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:15 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:30 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ETD 310 Abu KAC 792 Madinah 13:20 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 JZR 786 Riyadh 11:55 QTR 1083 Doh KAC 774 Riyadh 13:40 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 WAN 953 Baku 12:00 WAN 337 Alex 28 Established 1961 Sunday, February 18, 2018 Lifestyle Features African audiences celebrate ‘Black Panther’ release he release this week of Marvel Studios’ lat- points out that was “Blade”-a vampire with est superhero outing, “Black Panther”, has human traits portrayed by actor Wesley Snipes in Ttriggered the enthusiasm of African movie the trilogy between 1998 and 2004. “But Blade fans and a sense of pride that Hollywood has was American,” said Barasa. “In a conversation I finally plugged a gap. With an almost entirely had recently, somebody pointed out, ‘Blade had to black cast and a young African-American direc- walk in order for Black Panther to run’,” he noted. tor, Ryan Coogler, the film has already won rave reviews for its stereotype-busting portrayal of Cultural impact Africa. So far “Black Panther” has generated an enthusiastic response from communities in Kenya and Nigeria that are often stereotypically repre- sented on screen. Superhero fans also appear to This is appreciate the film’s visual qualities, the repro- duction of costumes from the original comic and the characters’ accents. beyond a “Usually in Hollywood, you’re just African. They will use a Nigerian actor with a Nigerian accent to play a Kenyan character or vice ver- movie. This sa,” said Sope Aluko, one of five Nigerians in the film, at the Lagos premiere in Nigeria this Actor Chadwick Boseman arrives for the Actress Lupita Nyong’o arrives for the MAR- Actor Michael B. Jordan arrives for the MAR- is huge week. “We knew that we had a responsibility MARVEL Black Panther fashion week cele- VEL Black Panther fashion week. VEL Black Panther fashion week. towards Africa and the black community in gen- bration “Welcome to Wakanda” at Industria eral while shooting this movie,” she added. “But in New York. — AFP photos I didn’t expect anything like this, all this enthu- After all the hype, select audiences in African siasm coming from the black community.” countries have got a sneak preview of the new Commercially, the film looks set to break some and technologically advanced country in the movies a year,” said 27-year-old James Odede, blockbuster-and many agree it’s an important box office records. world-a complete reverse of the run-of-mill por- who runs an IT firm. moment in popular culture. “As I was watching But for some, the potential cultural impact trayal of African nations as backward, poverty- “But I am excited about this one because it the movie with friends, I remember we all felt part could be its most important achievement. “It’s a stricken and disease-ridden. Yet, at the same time, tries to illustrate that a movie that is predomi- of history. This is beyond a movie. This is huge,” very important statement to the world that Wakanda is also anchored in African values of nantly black-cast can still sell and do well.” Kenya said Brian Barasa, a 29-year-old Kenyan who Marvel Studio can have a movie entirely based on community and spirit. film-maker Jinna Mutune, 29, believes the film has says he has loved comic books for as long as he African characters,” said Kenyan actor Moses “I like the Afro-future description of the achieved its aim of showing African culture in a can remember. Set in the fictional African country Odua at the African premiere in Kisumu, a town in continent and the mix of modern and tradition. positive light but that more black-focused movies of Wakanda, the film’s focus on black protago- the west of the country. “That is so nice, it’s going They show regular Africans working with tech- need to be produced. “(It) is definitely filling a nists, stories and culture sets it clearly apart from to turn away some of the stereotypes we have on nology,” said Chiko Esire, 32, in Lagos. Others huge gap,” she said, but added: “We need more other superhero movies. Africans.” took pride in the purely commercial aspect of and more and more ‘Black Panthers’.”—AFP But hero T’Challa, the king of Wakanda played “Black Panther”, which has already beaten “The by Chadwick Boseman, is not the first black Afro-future Hunger Games” and “Beauty and the Beast” in superhero to hit the big screen. Barasa, who co- In the film, Wakanda has skillfully exploited its pre-sales in the United States. “I’m not a movie founded the Nairobi Comic Convention in 2014, mineral wealth to become the most developed fanatic, I only watch maybe three or four

France agog as stars NY City Ballet abuse claims war over rocker ‘not corroborated’ two-month investigation has he said. been unable to corroborate “I retired to allow those glorious Johnny Hallyday’s will Aallegations of harassment and institutions to move past the turmoil abuse that led to the retirement earli- that resulted from these charges. It is er this year of long-time New York my hope that, with the investigation rance has been transfixed this week Miami nightclub. Boudou-who French City Ballet head, Peter Martins. The concluded, they can refocus, without by the no-holds-barred battle over judges sentenced to six months in jail for In this file photo, actress-director Jennifer Aniston and 71-year-old was reportedly accused distraction, on their roles.” The Times, actor-director Justin Theroux attend the 64th Annual Fthe legacy of its biggest rock star, tax and social security fraud in 2007 — by two dozen dancers of verbal and which first reported that the investi- Directors Guild of America Awards cocktail reception held Johnny Hallyday, with his pop star friends was instrumental in persuading Hallyday physical abuse as well as using his gation had not corroborated the alle- and one of his ex-wives being drawn into to leave Universal Music in 2004, a move at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in power to extort sexual favors. He gations, quoted two former dancers Hollywood, California. — AFP the fray. Tensions between the feuding that cost the singer much of his back cat- denied any such misconduct. The as denouncing the findings. Some cur- members of the country’s first family of alogue. nature of many of the allegations has rent and former board members have showbiz have blown up into full-scale war, A Paris nightclub they had opened not been made public. remained loyal to Martins, the news- with Hallyday’s biological children chal- together folded the same year. Boudou’s But despite the outcome of the paper said. The Dane was first Jennifer Aniston and lenging his “rewritten” will, in which he mother Elyette, 82 — nicknamed “Granny investigation, The New York Times accused in an anonymous letter. left everything to his fourth wife Laeticia, Rock”-heads the three companies which reported that the ballet company and A group of dancers later came 32 years his junior. control Hallyday’s royalties, and she also the School of American Ballet have forward to the Times with further The fractured family was able to main- co-owns the Paris mansion in which the unveiled new policies to make dancers allegations dating back to 1983. A Justin Theroux split tain a unified front for the funeral of the star died, which he had signed over to his “feel safe, respected and able to voice former principal dancer, Martins co- ennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are separating “French Elvis” in December, when hun- wife four years ago. Hard-living Hallyday their opinions and concerns freely.” led the company in 1983 and became dreds of thousands of his fans thronged was notorious for his cavalier attitude to after two years of marriage, they said in a statement Neither the company nor the school sole ballet master-in-chief in 1989. on Thursday. The pair, who shared a mansion in the the centre of Paris for a “national popular both money and taxes. immediately responded to AFP He resigned on January 1, as a sexual J tribute”. But that uneasy truce exploded He was often spectacularly open- upscale Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, met on the requests to comment. The investiga- harassment watershed in the United set of the 2008 film “Tropic Thunder” in Hawaii, and when details of the rocker’s will became handed with his friends, offering one an tion was initiated by both institutions States claimed the careers of a litany known on Monday. Not only was his Andy Warhol painting he had admired, started dating in 2011. “In an effort to reduce any further but conducted by outside counsel. of powerful men, prompted by reve- speculation, we have decided to announce our separa- daughter, actress Laura Smet, “stupefied and flying others across the world to par- “I have just learned that the New lations-now leveled by more than and hurt” that she and her half-brother ties in his homes in Los Angeles, the Swiss tion,” the former couple said in the statement released by York City Ballet and the School of 100 women-against disgraced Aniston’s publicist Stephen Huvane. David Hallyday had been left nothing, with ski resort of Gstaad and his Caribbean American Ballet have concluded their Hollywood producer Harvey everything going to Laeticia and eventu- bolthole of Saint Barts. “This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the extensive investigation of allegations Weinstein. New York City Ballet has end of last year. We are two best friends who have decid- ally the two Vietnamese girls she and of harassment and violent conduct yet to name a permanent successor Hallyday adopted. Power behind the throne ed to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continu- made against me,” Martins said in a to Martins.—AFP ing our cherished friendship.” The statement said the Laeticia, 42, was credited with bringing statement sent to AFP on Friday by order to his household. So much so that in couple would have kept the arrangement private, but his lawyer. “I am gratified for the con- wanted to make sure people heard the truth, “given that 2009, after he almost died on the operat- clusions reached in the investigation,” ing table after a routine operation, the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to spec- Hallyday was forced to publicly deny that ulate and invent.” —AFP she was the real power behind the throne. As the years rolled by the couple spent more and more time in California, where their adopted children went to school. Stars of feminist Western say movies ready for new gender roles Unlike France, inheritance laws there also allow children to be disinherited. A fact ollywood stars Robert Pattinson and Mia “I think if you feel that you’ve been wronged someone has said no to you and because you that became shockingly apparent this Wasikowska said the current reckoning and you feel like you’ve been bullied into think ‘I’m in love with you, the only thing that week to the many Hallyday fans who Hwith power abuses in the entertainment silence, it’s one of the most awful feelings in the matters is the fact that I love you so all of my railed against Laeticia on social media. industry has opened a door to new movies that world,” he told reporters after the screening of behaviour has to be excused’. It’s like ‘no, The singer’s best friend, fellow French subvert traditional gender roles, as they pre- “Damsel” in competition at the 11-day event. that’s not how love works, that’s not how reali- This file photo shows former wife of late rock legend Eddy Mitchell, joined them sented the feminist Western “Damsel” Friday at “It’s kind of amazing when any kind of dam ty works’.” French singer Johnny Hallyday, French Friday by telling AFP, “I don’t understand the Berlin film festival. Pattinson, the “Twilight” breaks and people feel like they’ve got the num- singer Sylvie Vartan in Paris. — AFP how anyone could disinherit their children. heartthrob turned independent film actor, said bers to say ‘you’ll be safe to say whatever’s hap- Projection of man’s desires As Laura’s godfather, of course I support the #MeToo movement against sexual miscon- pened to you’. “A lot of these kind of conversa- The Polish-Australian Wasikowska, who also her.” His intervention came after the leak duct felt like a watershed moment both on and tions kind of mirror what we’re trying to say on divides her time between big Hollywood produc- But she also seemed to confirm long- of documents showing Hallyday made off screen. the screen.” tions such as “Alice in Wonderland”, television running rumours that Laeticia was jealous monthly payments to Laura and her half- series like “In Therapy” and smaller budget of Smet’s relationship with her father, who brother, mostly to pay mortgages. Then ‘Not how love works’ movies, said her character represented a new died at the age of 74 after a battle with Elyette Boubou told French television that Pattinson plays Samuel, a dim-witted cowboy take on the old-fashioned Western heroine. “I lung cancer, and prevented him from see- she “didn’t think much of Laura and in the Old West who is searching for his old just really like that we were led to believe a cer- ing her. Smet said that the woman the David, they have already had their part (of flame Penelope (Wasikowska), his purported tain thing of this character and then halfway press had once dubbed Hallyday’s “Iron Hallyday’s wealth).” fiancee who he says has been kidnapped by an through the film it gets flipped on its head and all Lady” had kept her from Hallyday’s But his first wife, 1960s pop star Sylvie old rival. Samuel hires a pastor he hopes will the expectations we have of this woman are very deathbed. “All those times when we had to Vartan, shot back within hours, telling marry them and the pair set off on horseback to much a projection of the man’s desires,” she said. hide to see and call each other,” Smet AFP that she was “dismayed by the false track down his heart’s desire. “I think it’s part of a growing kind of con- wrote in an emotional open letter to her information which is being purposely cir- But as they come upon the prairie homestead sciousness of changing the way that women are father, which she released through AFP. “It culated” to undermine her son. She said it where she is supposedly being held captive, seen. The more you see empowered female char- is still killing me not to have been able to was her part of the marital home which Samuel instead finds a scene of domestic bliss acters that have a really strong voice or who say goodbye to you, Papa-do you know she asked Hallyday to give to David as with Penelope, far from being a damsel in dis- know who they are or are challenging expecta- that at least?” she added. part of their divorce settlement in 1980. tress, happily married to the other man. Samuel, tions that are deeply ingrained in culture, the Vartan said she was “horrified” that her first seen as a hopeless romantic and dashing better it is.” Wasikowska said she thought her In-laws and outlaws son “had been deprived of the artistic her- saviour, is exposed as something of a bumbling character meshed with the current zeitgeist, in The revelations raised questions about itage of his father, which I cannot tolerate, stalker, while a furious, rifle-toting Penelope which seismic shifts in sex and power dynamics the hold Laeticia and her father-disgraced and that is why I have broken my accuses him of destroying “the first time I’ve are becoming palpable. “I think it’s amazing-I’ve British actor Robert Pattinson and Australian nightclub owner Andre Boudou-seemed silence.”—AFP ever been happy”. been in Australia for most of the last year and actress of Polish origin Mia Wasikowska pose on to have over Hallyday, whose fortune has “I guess with Samuel, he just has a kind of watching it from afar,” she said. —AFP the red carpet upon arrival for the premiere of the been estimated at between 50 and 100 extremely skewed idea of consent. He’s just feminist western “Damsel” during the 68th million euros. Laeticia met the star when completely delusional about it-obviously it’s Berlinale film festival in Berlin. — AFP she was 20 and he was 52 in her father’s pushed to a massive extreme,” he said. “When Established 1961 29 Lifestyle Features Sunday, February 18, 2018

A girl touches a lantern attached to a tree to celebrate the Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Dog, at the Ditan park in Beijing. — AFP photos Dancers with traditional Pekin Opera costume waits to perform at a fair to celebrate the Lunar New Year. All quiet as Beijing muzzles Year of the Dog celebrations

eijing began the Year of the Dog Friday with eerily Some 440 Chinese cities have banned the use of Peace and quiet crowded trains, making it in the world’s largest annual silent streets, as the usual thunderous bursts of fire- firecrackers and fireworks-which are also set off during Safety is another reason behind the ban. Every year human migration. Meanwhile in Hong Kong a spectacular Bcrackers and fireworks were silenced by a strict ban weddings or when moving house-since last year. there are numerous accidents caused by pyrotechnics, fireworks display scheduled to mark Lunar New Year that sacrifices tradition in the name of an anti-pollution Beijing introduced a ban in December. “Like all many of which are of poor quality in China. Dong was cancelled as the city mourns victims of a deadly bus campaign. Overnight, police patrolled deserted neighbor- Beijingers, I have been lighting firecrackers since I was Weiwei, a resident who had volunteered to patrol his crash. A speeding double-decker overturned in northern hoods in the Chinese capital-normally abuzz with excite- a child. But times have changed (...) air quality is what street, stood ready to alert police should he see anyone Hong Kong on Saturday evening, killing 19 and leaving ment as the country welcomes the arrival of the Lunar matters most to people now,” said a man who gave his flouting the new regulations. “In the past I have seen more than 60 injured, some critically. New Year. “I never imagined it would be this quiet! It’s surname as Zhang. people wounded, an eight-year-old child whose finger Chief Executive Carrie Lam said residents were griev- usually packed,” said a Beijing resident surnamed Wang The government has launched a huge campaign to was blown off by a firecracker explosion,” he said. ing and wanted “to express their somber mood”. In who had been out in the city centre following a tradition- reduce pollution during the winter, ordering polluting In southwestern Yunann province, a fireworks Shanghai thousands flocked to temples to pray for good al New Year’s Eve family dinner. factories to leave Beijing and its surroundings, and des- explosion killed four people and injured five others fortune. While in Nepal, exiled Tibetans living in A migrant worker from neighboring Hebei province ignating “no-coal zones” where more than three million Thursday night, state media said. The ban has made Kathmandu carried images of their spiritual leader, the surnamed Zhu said that without the firecrackers, “the homes have abruptly switched to gas or electric heat- some happy, including Zhu Ye, an elderly Beijinger who Dalai Lama, as the community-estimated to number in magic of the New Year is gone”. The low-key celebra- ing. In 2017, the level of PM2.5 particles-which pene- took advantage of the peace and quiet to take her dog their thousands-gathered to celebrate Lhosar, the tions were in stark contrast to previous years, when the trate deep into the lungs-in Beijing over the New Year Xiao Mi for a nighttime walk. “I no longer liked it at my Tibetan Lunar New Year, with traditional music and streets were crammed with Beijingers setting off fire- was 26 times higher than the level recommended by the age... with the fireworks and firecrackers everywhere, food.—AFP crackers and the sky was lit by near-constant firework World Health Organization. But on Friday the sky was a we didn’t dare to go out,” she said. “But this year, there displays, unleashing a deafening thunder until dawn. But brilliant blue. “It (the ban) is a good thing, given the are not many people in the streets and I am finally able the tradition, conceived as a way to ward off evil spirits, disastrous state of the environment,” said Xi, a young to walk my dog.” has this year been targeted by authorities anxious to student, before adding: “Even if it deprives us of a little Ahead of New Year celebrations, hundreds of millions lower winter pollution levels. pleasure.” of Chinese travel back to their home towns, often on Russian Buddhists mark Lunar New Year with prayers and dumplings

ussian Buddhists in the Siberian region of Buryatia near the Mongolian border on Friday kicked off cele- Rbrations for the Lunar New Year that will last almost a month. At the Atsagatsky datsan, or temple, 50 kilometers outside the regional capital of Ulan-Ude, believers came to pray and hear astrological predictions for the next year. “The poor will get poorer, the rich will get richer, the sum- mer and autumn will be rainy, but in general it will be a good year,” the temple’s lama Tarba Dorzhiyev, 61, told them. A dragon dance is performed during a cultural festival to mark the first day of the Lunar New Year in Chinatown neighborhood Believers also celebrated with festive food including tra- in Manhattan in New York City. ditional buuzy, a type of large steamed dumpling filled with meat. “The gods offer us another year of life and they wish for us to be happy,” said 57-year-old Svetlana Tsybikzhapova, one of those busily preparing the dish. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday released a mes- sage of congratulations to Buddhists, saying that “it’s impor- tant that Russia’s Buddhist community carefully preserves the priceless moral and spiritual heritage of its ancestors, their original principles and customs.” Russia, where the majority of the population describe themselves as Orthodox Christian, has around 900,000 Buddhists living in Siberia, near the border with Mongolia and around Lake Baikal, as well as further west in the region of Kalmykia on the Caspian Sea. Buddhists, like other reli- gious groups, suffered persecution from the Soviet authori- ties, but the post-Soviet years have seen a revival, with teachers of Tibetan Buddhism from other countries playing a major role.—AFP

Performers take part in a street parade to mark the first day of the Lunar New Year celebrations for the Dancers perform during a cultural festival to mark the first day of the Lunar New Year in Chinatown neighborhood in Year of the Dog in Hong Kong. Manhattan in New York City. 30 Established 1961 Sunday, February 18, 2018 Lifestyle Features

Kenia Vazquez, left, and Paul Carro pose in one of the movements Cecilia Mendez, left, and Marco Flores pose in their ‘Catrines’ costumes. Mayra Cruz, right, and Noe Vazquez pose in their ‘Catrines’ costumes. in the dance they perform. A lawless Mexican region’s explosively colorful carnival

s two armored military vehicles patrol the streets of Tlapale. “But the authorities back then insisted we couldn’t Tlaxcala, workers unload a pick-up truck full of enor- make fun of public figures.” Blending indigenous Mexican Amous traditional masks for this lawless Mexican and Spanish traditions, the carnival evolved into an event region’s explosively colorful carnival. Tlaxcala, which sits a where mocking the European colonizers was elevated to an two-hour’s drive east of Mexico City, is in the middle of a art form. With its feather-topped masks that reach several region that has become one of the Mexican authorities’ meters tall, sumptuous hand-embroidered cloths decorated biggest security headaches, controlled by criminal gangs with small skulls, European-style costumes and elegant that thrive on sex trafficking and stealing gasoline. parasols, the carnival is a celebration of the cultural colli- But it is also home to a thrillingly photogenic carnival, sions that have shaped the region. “The costumes represent where revelers famously sport towering traditional head- a fusion of European and pre-Hispanic cultures. The top part dresses as they party through the night. “The carnival was of every costume is inherited from pre-Hispanic culture, and introduced by the Spanish in the 17th century,” said the head the bottom part from European culture,” Tlapale said. of cultural programs at Tlaxcala town hall, Dario Lemus The masks mostly sport beards resembling those of Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes. Others have a pencil- thin English-style mustache. “That was introduced to mock the English, who arrived later to install the railroad here,” said Tlapale. There are 15 different types of costume in all. Carnival participants, who dance in pairs before the crowd, often completely redo their outfits each year. “I’m very proud to wear this costume,” said Arturo, 23, a civil engineer. But “it’s very physical. These outfits can weigh 25 to 30 kilos (55 to 65 pounds).” Arturo said it takes “enthusiasm and will” to be a carnival dancer, since costumes can cost between $3,000 and $5,000. “I make my own every year,” said Melani Mitchel, a 15-year-old dancer. “I make three Melanie Perez, left, and Arturo Beristain pose in their costumes models, one for each of my appearances.” for the carnival in Tlaxcala, Mexico. — AFP photos risky but lucrative affair: “picadores,” or pipeline-tappers, Hotbed of crime make an estimated $10,000 a month. Holding the siphon Away from the festivities though, a more sordid reality earns up to $8,000 a month. The “huachicoleros,” as these rules in the region. In the nearby town of Tenancingo, girls fuel thieves are known, then sell the gasoline and diesel in the same age as Melani are forced into prostitution by gangs German Carrillo poses in his ‘Charro’ costume. broad daylight through black-market dealers and sometimes that specialize in sex trafficking. The ones who manage to even regular gas stations. Pemex estimated last year it had escape often tell similar stories. “She meets a young man and send their victims as far away as the United States and even lost some $2.4 billion to fuel thieves since 2010. A local cul- falls in love. They get married, she has a child and then he New Zealand, according to investigators. ture celebrating the exploits of the “huachicoleros” has forces her into prostitution by threatening to beat the baby,” Then there is the “red triangle,” near the town of sprung up, with songs and even a saint dedicated to them- said a local woman, who asked that her name not be used for Tepeaca, where two criminal gangs with ties to drug cartels the latter represented with a plastic jug and tube in his Vanesa Calderon, left, and Bladimir Mejia fear of reprisals. are thriving on the business of stealing fuel from state oil hands. But that is one culture that has not been incorporated pose in their costumes. Tenancingo’s sex trafficking gangs have been known to company Pemex’s pipelines. Puncturing the pipelines is a into the Tlaxcala carnival.—AFP

ashion photographer Jerris Madison Alleles, which start at $375, the exhibition tested on the blind, the idea in launching it for thought his titanium rod leg spelled the shows Nike “FlyEase” sneakers, first made for a sale later this year, is that “anyone” can pick it Fend of his glamour days when doctors student with cerebral palsy, with a wraparound up “to figure out which way to go.” More amputated his leg four years ago in a battle zipper and adjustable strap to make getting cross-board appeal also means products can with bone cancer. But in 2016 designers Alleles, them on and off easier. There is also a walking be more affordable. “A lot of times the reason a small Canadian company, spotted a photo of stick, made in the color of your choice, which the product is so expensive is because you him wearing his prosthetic on Instagram and can be propped up easily against a wall without have to amortize that cost over a much smaller sent him their latest product for him to try out: falling over, on sale for around $100. market,” Kirkland said. one of their dazzling, colorful array of prosthet- ic covers. For everyone Breaking down stigma “When I opened the box, I felt like it was A hearing aid looks like a giant earring. A Designers are also eying an aging popula- Christmas,” 45-year-old, Los Angeles-based bracelet connected to a smart-phone GPS app tion, which bring their own disabilities, as Madison said. “Having that leg cover really which guides the blind and tracks obstacles another source for market expansion. “One out boosted my self-esteem,” he said. Walking above the knee. Another item is a jacket, includ- of three people from the age of 62 has some around in just a bare titanium rod used to make ed in a new clothing line for disabled children kind of visual impairment and that aging popu- him feel self-conscious. “People would stare carried by Target, that comes apart at both lation is supposed to double by 2060,” says sides making for easy wear. The key to success Kirkland. Matt Kroeker, whose small Canadian for lots of these products, says Caroline firm Top & Derby created the non-falling walk- A group of prosthetic leg covers are displayed. Baumann, director of the museum, is that they ing stick, says the idea is to create products apprehensive,” Kroeker explained. are so practical. that aren’t simply practical but which people “There is a mentality that people don’t really When Target designers conceived of the enjoy using. care about well-designed, thoughtfully- jacket “they were thinking about the child on “It’s just like glasses who were utilitarian designed home healthcare products and we are the autism spectrum that might have difficulty until the late ‘40s and became more fashionable trying to change that,” he said. putting on their jacket, but what they are find- after that,” said the entrepreneur, who has also Madison also hopes to help change attitudes ing is that people of all abilities are buying that designed a range of compression socks in more by giving his prosthetic leg cover its own jacket,” she said. “I would love that jacket for exciting colors than the usual black and brown. Instagram account. my three-year-old because it’s a fight every But if these products are sexy, few are widely “It is about breaking down that stigma, so morning to put him in his parka,” Baumann available in retail outlets. you are no longer hiding a hearing aid or hiding laughed. Most are sold solely online. “The biggest a prosthetic leg. You are saying ‘I am more able A of Men’s Zoom Keith Kirkland, a former designer at Calvin barrier right now is people want to buy these with this tool that has been designed so well, Klein who co-conceived the vibrating GPS products but the companies responsible for Soldier IX FlyEase and I am not embarrassed about it’,” says is displayed. “Wayband” bracelet, agrees. If the bracelet was distributing or selling to the end user are very Baumann. — AFP

A MagnaReady magnetic shirt is displayed. and know I was an amputee. Now, they look at me as a walking piece of art.” Madison isn’t the only person with a disability who has seen their daily life improve thanks to a growing market of products designed to make things easier, but also look chic and stylish at the same time. From now until September an exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt design museum in New York is showcasing some of these new products, from the low- to the high-tech. “In the last few years there has been a proliferation of new design, very functional and esthetically desirable prod- ucts for people with all sort of disabilities,” says Cara McCarty, curator of the exhibition. Bedazzled and Bejeweled Earring Aids, A Joy for All Companion Pet, Dog and a Simple Music Player are displayed as part of the Access+Ability Besides the tattooed-style covers made by making a fashion statement, are displayed. exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. — AFP photos Established 1961 31

Sunday, February 18, 2018 Lifestyle Fashion Ugly Models, an agency of extraordinary ‘characters’

ong necks, large chins, flapping ears, day, Ugly was organizing a casting to complete crooked noses: welcome to Ugly Models, its catalogue and those in attendance were La London modeling agency of a different atypical models. Among them were some stripe, where imperfections are celebrated. tough-looking guys. Chris, for example, a for- Fashion Week opens in the British capital Friday, mer soldier with arms as thick as logs, posed and among the legions of models strutting down shirtless with a 50-year-old brunette in a two- the catwalk, several will come from Ugly. They piece suit. make eye-catching additions to the perfectly Kris Chesney, an ex-rugby player with honed or androgynous models that typically Toulon and Saracens, is a man mountain at feature at fashion’s annual showcase in London. nearly two meters tall and weighing 135 kilo- grams. With his shaved head, tattooed arms, rugged face, and body bearing the marks of countless scrums, he is perhaps an unlikely male model. “It’s a new journey, something interest- ing, like a challenge,” he said. Others are on more of a personal mission. Sheerah Ravindren, a petite 22-year-old model just 1.61 meters tall, comes from Sri Model Laura Poole

Chairman of Model Chris Manns poses during a casting at the Ugly/Rage Models, UGLY model agency in London. — AFP photos Marc French interviews a potential model.

From fat, thin, “ “ to large to small Model Chloe Akan

“It’s celebrating diversity really and it’s bringing a bit more light to fashion instead of Model Claire Spedding just using the bog-standard models,” agency owner Marc French said. He describes it as a “character” model agency-”from fat, thin, to large to small: you name it, we’ve got it”. He cit- ed the example of French actor Gerard Depardieu. “I mean look at him: he’s so full of Lanka and proclaims herself a “militant immi- be better if he was smaller. “It’s really impor- character and charisma. “He becomes sexy grant model”. Sporting a bare belly between tant. There’s so much pressure on young kids,” because he’s so cool and he’s so different.” baggy jeans and black top, she has a right nos- he said. The agency is also eager to counter any tril piercing and plenty of positive attitude. “I’m perception that it cynically exploits its models Imperfection is beauty a woman of color. Growing up, I’ve never seen for their peculiarities. Founded a half century ago, Ugly occupies people that look like me in media, in fashion.” “Sometimes we’ve had companies ring up trendy open-plan space in west London featur- Frances, a disabled model who gets around and said: we want a small person that will kick ing a baroque sofa, brushed aluminum comput- using a pair of eye-catchingly futuristic crutch- themselves in the head. Woo... like no-that’s ers and walls studded with photos of models. A es, revealed proudly that her disability “didn’t wrong,” said Lulu Palmer, a booker who is head portrait of late rock superstar David Bowie stop me from doing what I want”. of new faces. “We’re not here to exploit people, adorns the wall, alongside the quote to take the mickey out of people.” “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius,” ‘Not here to exploit’ Always on the lookout for new talent, the which reads like a company motto. For French, “what makes a good ugly model team admitted the company name can elicit less Like any such agency, it manages the is someone who is comfortable in his own skin”. than enthusiastic responses from would-be careers of its models, putting them in touch “We don’t want retouching, we don’t want peo- models. But, said French, “the minute they under- ple to change the way they look. “If someone stand what Ugly is all about then they want to be with employers of all stripes, from Burberry to Model Mathieu Blanc Mercedes to Jack Daniel’s. On a recent week- comes to us a certain way, we’d never say it’d a model.”—AFP Model Thomas Kerbie

Fashion photographer Demarchelier accused of harassment he Boston Globe published a bomb- shell expose on Friday accusing more Tthan two dozen professionals in the hristopher Bailey unveils his final collec- An ‘incredible’ designer fashion industry, among them legendary tion for Burberry at London Fashion His last catwalk for Burberry will be a testa- photographer Patrick Demarchelier, of sexu- CWeek starting on Friday-a turning point ment to years spent experimenting with differ- al misconduct. The paper’s Spotlight team, for the British luxury brand which gained a ent color palettes and materials, during which which in 2002 unveiled widespread sexual global reputation under the designer’s tenure. he reinvented Burberry’s signature trench coat abuse by Catholic priests in Boston, said Burberry’s star-studded show on Saturday will with a touch of lace. more than 50 models had detailed alleged be one of the most high-profile events at “Under his watch, a company formerly misconduct they had experienced, from Fashion Week, which runs from Friday to known as little more than an unexciting British touching to assault. Tuesday. After 17 years, Bailey will say farewell producer of raincoats and checked scarves has Young British talent Collectively, they made credible claims with a final overhaul of the fashion house’s sig- exploded into the vast empire it is today,” said The broader London Fashion Week, organ- against at least 25 photographers, agents, styl- nature beige, black and red check pattern. British Vogue. ized by the British Fashion Council, will see ists, casting directors and other industry pro- Drawing inspiration from the internationally The designer, who trained at London’s presti- some 80 shows across the city as designers fessionals, the Globe reported. They include recognized gay pride flag, a new rainbow check gious Royal College of Art, was described as parade their 2018/19 autumn-winter women’s Photographer Patrick Demarchelier attends the Demarchelier, fellow photographer Greg will feature heavily in London as the 46-year- “incredible” and “super smart” by Caroline Rush, wear collections. Saturday’s Burberry show will ‘Patrick Demarchelier’ special exhibition pre- Kadel, who has worked for Victoria’s Secret old Bailey dedicates Saturday’s show to gay chief executive of the British Fashion Council. undoubtedly be closely watched, while the view to celebrate NYFW: The Shows for Spring and Vogue, and stylist Karl Templer, who has rights campaigns and models. “Christopher has played a significant role in the same day sees British heavyweight Jonathan 2016 at Christie’s in New York City. — AFP worked with Coach, Zara, and Tommy Hilfiger. “There has never been a more important British fashion industry, putting innovation at the Anderson showcase his latest collection. The Globe said all of those accused had complaints against him were untrue. “People time to say that in our diversity lies our heart of Burberry and ensuring that it is an Also artistic director of luxury leather brand denied the allegations against them. lie and they tell stories,” he said. strength, and our creativity,” said Bailey, who exciting, relevant, forward-thinking global fash- Loewe, the designer will be unveiling pieces Nevertheless, glossy magazine empire The sexual harassment watershed engulf- was the first openly gay head of a company on ion brand,” she said in a statement to AFP. from his own J. W. Anderson label. He will also Conde Nast, whose company includes ing the United States has already rocked the London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index when he But Bailey’s appointment as chief executive be reducing the number of shows from four to Vogue, had said it has stopped working for fashion industry, with allegations of miscon- was named chief executive in 2014. The at age 42 raised some eyebrows because of his two, which J. W. Anderson said will help now with Demarchelier and Kadel. The duct seeing photographers Terry appointment saw him replace Angela Ahrendts, lack of experience running a company of such “reduce the traditional gap between the cat- Globe said one of Demarchelier’s former Richardson, Mario Testino and Bruce Weber who moved to Apple, and came a decade after stature. He held on to the dual role for just three walk shows and the pieces being available for assistants complained about relentless sexu- barred from collaborating with Conde Nast. Bailey joined Burberry as creative director. years, until Marco Gobbetti, former chief exec- sale”. Such an approach is being followed in the al demands, to which she eventually submit- The magazine empire has issued a new He has since propelled Burberry into the utive of French luxury brand Celine, was wider fashion world, as brands adjust their ted, fearing that she would otherwise endan- “Code of Conduct” to include bans on alco- 21st century, incorporating new technologies brought in to take over the business side. Bailey business models to fit new consumer trends. ger her position. hol on sets and the use of models under the such as social media into his shows. Twice will formally step down from his two roles on Other highlights of the London fashion Six other women accused the now 74- age of 18 without a chaperone present. named Designer of the Year at the British March 31 but will work with Burberry on the bonanza include the Sunday show of Delpozo, a year-old Frenchman of unwanted advances, Nudity or “sexually suggestive” poses are to Fashion Awards, he has also combined men’s transition until the end of this year. Spanish brand which has transferred from New including thrusting a model’s hands onto her be agreed on beforehand. The Globe said and women’s collections and adopted the “see A replacement to fill the creative post held York Fashion Week with the promise of refined genitals and grabbing another model’s breasts, some models wanted to expose serial preda- now, buy now” model becoming popular among by Bailey, who previously worked for Donna elegance. Post-modern champion Christopher the Globe said. Demarchelier did not immedi- tors while others wanted new legal protec- high-end fashion brands. He has also attracted Karan and Gucci, is yet to be announced. Kane is one of a number of young British tal- ately respond to an AFP request to comment. tions and radical reform in an industry they some of the world’s most famous muses, includ- Rumors on the fashion circuit put British ents whose designs will hit the catwalk, as well He was quoted by the Globe as saying the say left them feeling exploited. —AFP ing Kate Moss, Emma Watson and Cara designer Phoebe Philo, who recently left Celine, as David Koma, known for his geometric Delevingne. in pole position. pieces, and provocateur Gareth Pugh.—AFP Established 1961 Lifestyle

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2018

People pose for photos in front of an art installation at Gyeongpo beach in Gangneung, during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. — AFP From Maoist symbol to hipster accessory: Nepali shoes get revamp

This picture shows employees working at a factory of Nepali shoe brand Goldstar in Kathmandu. — AFP photos

ong maligned as the footwear of choice best known for cladding the feet of Maoist mili- bring key perpetrators to account, with many for Nepal’s Maoist guerillas, Goldstar tiamen who waged a brutal insurgency against still occupying top positions in the government Lsneakers are undergoing a revival in the the state from their rural strongholds. The and military. But many buying Goldstars today Himalayan nation-fast becoming a must-have rebels earned a reputation for nimbly evading do not attach these storied shoes to the horrors hipster accessory. The humble $8 trainers were government forces, darting around the hills in of the past. If anything the brand, founded by worn by insurgents during Nepal’s decade-long military fatigues-and their distinctive sneakers. Rana’s father in 1990, has benefited from its civil war, when just being seen “Goldstar shoes, the shoes humble roots as a family business as national wearing a pair was enough to of combatants. Always one pride has surged in recent years. wind up in prison accused to step ahead,” local punk band, Sandwiched between two Asian superpow- being part of the rebel force. The Kathmandu Killers sing in ers vying for economic and diplomatic influ- Today that stigma is fading as a recently released track that ence, Nepal is flooded with products from both. fashion conscious Nepalis, Goldstar taps into the enduring legacy “Most of the goods that we get are either made proud to support locally made “ of the brand from that era. The in India or made in China,” muses Shreyans products, flock to the brand- shoes, the army eventually changed tac- Tamang, a young Kathmandu resident who was Goldstars saw a 30 percent tics, opting to starve the rebels sat on a sun-soaked step drinking tea with jump in sales in 2017 according shoes of “ out by imposing a blockade friends-a pair of Goldstars on his feet. “I think to company figures. that deprived Maoist strong- that’s also why I like Goldstars because they “Wearing a Goldstar now is combatants holds of both food and are made in Nepal,” he adds. like being a part of a move- footwear. “They were trying to A popular #MadeinNepal movement has ment. And everybody seems stop the lifeline, like food, but also put a premium on homegrown products keen on being a part of it,” at the same time they were and helped local businesses reach young buy- says Kathmandu-based singer stopping the shoes as well,” This picture shows Amir Rana, managing director of Nepali shoe brand Goldstar, posing above the fac- ers through social media where their goods can Samriddhi Rai, who regularly posts about her Amir Rana, managing director of Goldstar’s tory floor during an interview in Kathmandu. acquire a new appeal. Rai, the singer, said ever-growing collection to her large social parent company Universal Group, said. that anyone wearing a pair was suspected to be the rebels into the folds of government, with Goldstars meant much more than wearing “a media following. Many of this new generation a militant. “The security forces profiled them. If Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal becoming funky pair of shoes”. She says: “It was also of consumers came of age after the conflict #MadeinNepal a guy was wearing Goldstar shoes and had a Nepal’s first post-war prime minister. But the about making a statement: that I support ended in 2006 with more than 17,000 dead and As the bitter conflict dragged on, the train- backpack, he was Maoist,” Rana adds. The war scars linger and two commissions set up to Nepali makes, the Nepali industry and that I thousands more missing. Then, Goldstars were ers became so synonymous with the Maoists ended with a peace deal in 2006 that brought investigate abuses on both sides have failed to embody the spirit of being a Nepali.” — AFP