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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 JAMADA ALTHANI 14, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait predicts Groups urge Mosque attack Spurs stung; Lin a budget deficit end to Saudi drama headlines leads Hornets of KD 223 billion arms sales7 Saudi40 Film Fest fightback20 91-88 34 perish as terrorists hit Min 18º Max 28º airport, metro in Brussels High Tide 12:40 Low Tide Amir offers condolence; Kuwaitis in Belgium safe 06:38 & 18:38 40 PAGES NO: 16822 150 FILS BRUSSELS: Thirty-four people were killed in attacks on Brussels airport and a rush-hour metro train in the Oil workers Belgian capital yesterday, according to public broadcast- er VRT, triggering security alerts across Europe and protest cuts bringing some cross-border traffic to a halt. A witness said he heard shouts in Arabic and shots shortly before By Nawara Fatahova two blasts struck a packed airport departure lounge at Brussels airport. The federal prosecutor said one of the KUWAIT: Over 3000 workers from different oil com- explosions was probably triggered by a suicide bomber. panies gathered at the Oil and Petrochemical The blasts occurred four days after the arrest in Industries Workers proposal yesterday to protest Brussels of a suspected participant in November militant against the proposed decisions to remove some of attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. Belgian police and their benefits. The President of the Oil and combat troops on the streets had been on alert for Petrochemical Industries Workers Confederation Seif reprisal but the attacks took place in crowded areas Al-Qahtani said that all the unions and workers are united - as they reject any form of cuts. “We’re not SEE PAGE 8 creating problems; we are just defending our rights,” he said. “Oil labor unions have the same demands. We are where people and bags are not searched. All public against the Strategic Alternative which is - death to transport in Brussels was shut down, as it was in London the oil sector. Also we are also against privatizing during 2005 Islamist militant attacks there that killed 52. the oil sector which will put us under the power of Authorities appealed to citizens not to use over- private sector and the businessmen,” he added. loaded telephone networks, extra troops were sent into Salah Al-Marzouq, Chairman of the KOC Labor Union the city and the Belgian Crisis Centre, clearly wary of a said that the oil crisis is caused by wrong policies further incident, appealed to the population: “Stay and bad management. “The salaries of the oil sector where you are”. British Sky News television’s Alex Rossi, at employees is already included in the cost of oil bar- the airport, said he heard two “very, very loud explo- rel - and is not included in the fifth section of the sions”. “I could feel the building move. There was also national budget (salaries) - so it’s not part of the dust and smoke as well...I went towards where the explosion came from and there were people coming out budget” he stressed. BRUSSELS: A picture released by the Belgian federal police shows a screen grab of the airport CCTV camera Continued on Page 15 looking very dazed and shocked.” showing three suspects of yesterday’s attacks at Brussels Airport. — AFP Continued on Page 15 LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled meets with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Sri Anifah Haji Aman. — Amiri with Head of the Lebanese Socialist Progressive Party MP Walid Jumblatt. Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his Malaysian counterpart Dato Sri Anifah Haji Diwan and KUNA photos Aman sign a trade agreement between the two countries. Kuwait, Malaysia sign trade agreement Amir meets Malaysian Foreign Minister

KUWAIT: Kuwait and Malaysia signed a trade agreement as focused on boosting bilateral ties at all levels. and touched Jumblatt, and Lebanese Health Minister Wael Abu Faour on a step to boost bilateral ties at all levels, especially on the on the recent regional and international developments. the occasion of their visit to the country. His Highness the trade front. The agreement was signed yesterday at the Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Foreign Ministry’s headquarters by First Deputy Prime Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yester- Khaled separately met with the Lebanese officials as well. Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- day Sheikh Sabah Khaled, accompanied by Malaysian Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Amir received newly- Hamad Al-Sabah and his Malaysian counterpart Dato Sri Foreign Minister Aman and his accompanying delegation appointed officials at the Ministry of Commerce and Anifah Haji Aman. on the occasion of his visit to the country. His Highness the Industry. Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Yousif Al- The signing ceremony was attended by acting Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Ali introduced the new Assistant Undersecretary of Legal Foreign Minister Ambassador Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- Sabah and National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- Affairs Dr Mohammad Meshabib Al-Jalal Al-Siheli and Mohammad Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for proto- Ghanem also received the visiting Malaysian minister. Assistant Undersecretary of Trade Monitoring and cols Ambassador Dhari Al-Ajran, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Consumer Protection Affairs Eid Khlaif Al-Rashidi. His Malaysia Saad Al-Asousi, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Kuwait Lebanese officials Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem Ahmad Dato Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani, and senior officials In other news, His Highness the Amir received Head of Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister also meets with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Sri at the Ministry. The two ministers held talks earlier which the Lebanese Socialist Progressive Party MP Walid received the newly-appointed officials. — KUNA Anifah Haji Aman. Malaysian FM praises Malaysia-Kuwait ties

KUWAIT: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Agreement to this list earlier yesterday.” Company, Kuwait Real Estate Investment Dato Sri Anifah Aman yesterday praised the lev- He added that the agreements and memo- Consortium KS, Alafco Aviation Lease and el of bilateral cooperation between his country randa of understanding help to provide the Finance Co. and Agility Logistics. “Our doors are and Kuwait, expressing hope for further frameworks to enhance cooperation between always open for Kuwaiti companies to expand enhancement of such ties. Malaysia and Kuwait. On the horizon, there are their investments in Malaysia,” he said. In an exclusive interview with Kuwait News a number of pending agreements that both He pointed out that “education is an area in Agency (KUNA), Aman said he was delighted to sides are looking to finalize and sign in the near which we see vast potential for both countries. be making his first official visit to Kuwait on 21- future including in higher education, youth and We have Malaysian students studying at the 23 March at the invitation of First Deputy sports cooperation. Islamic Institute and Kuwait University. Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah “Despite the close relations between Likewise, there are Kuwaiti students in Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. “Kuwait has always Malaysia and Kuwait, exchanges of high level Malaysia’s universities, especially at the post- held a special affinity to me and I am glad to be visits could be more frequent. I am hopeful that graduate level. However, the number is very back. This visit is my third here in as many His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber small, which I believe can be increased.” Institute of Hydraulic years. I made working visits to Kuwait on 27-29 Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah will soon May 2015 and 24-25 August 2014.” embark on his first official visit to Malaysia in Fight against terrorism Resources President He added that “the arrangements and hospi- the near future. There were plans for him to visit Asked about his assessment of the Saudi-led tality accorded to me and my delegation dur- Malaysia over the past few years, but because coalition against Terrorism Aman said that con- ing this visit, and previous visits, have all been of various developments, it unfortunately did temporary developments have given rise to arrives in Kuwait wonderful and I hope Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled not materialize,” he said. extremism in various regions around the world. will allow me to return the favor when he The challenges posed by the Islamic State (IS) KUWAIT: Ines Maria Chapman Waugh, Operations of Banco Exterior de Cuba and makes his long overdue official visit to Malaysia Trade partner and other terrorist groups pose serious security President of the National Institute of Rosell Guerra Campana, Director of in the near future.” Asked about the level of trade cooperation challenges. Hydraulic Resources (INRH) arrived to Renewable Energy of the Ministry of Energy He added that his visit aimed at further between the two sides, Aman said Kuwait is an “Malaysia strongly condemns any act of ter- Kuwait to complete a working visit at the and Mines. strengthening the close bonds of friendship important trade partner for Malaysia in the GCC rorism and violence including by the so-called invitation of Abdulwahab Al-Bader, Director The visit will last until March 26. During and cooperation between Malaysia and Kuwait region as the total bilateral trade in 2015 Islamic State or IS which have caused grave General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab her stay, President of INRH will be received in all fields, particularly that this visit is very amounted to $1.02 billion, which is a decrease injuries and losses to many innocent lives. Economic Development. by Ahmad Al-Jassar, Minister of Electricity important for bilateral trade relations “because of 42.9 percent from $1.78 billion in 2014. The delegation was received at Kuwait and Water of Kuwait, will hold talks with Malaysia considers their acts as unacceptable Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and I signed a trade International Airport by Cuban Ambassador Abdulwahab Al-Bader, Director General of Palm oil, wood products, machinery appli- and has tarnished the true image of Islam. Andres Gonzalez Garrido and Abdullah Al- the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic agreement between Malaysia and Kuwait earli- ances, LNG and processed food are the main He said that Malaysia participated in the Mesaibih, Director of Latin America of the Development as well as several technical er yesterday. exports of Malaysia to Kuwait, while major joint military exercise named “North Thunder” Kuwaiti Fund. meetings. The Kuwait Fund for Arab “The Trade Agreement will be of immense imports from Kuwait to Malaysia are petroleum organized by Saudi Arabia from 18 February to The Cuban delegation includes Antonio Economic Development, maintains an benefit to the further enhancement of trade products, crude petroleum and chemical prod- 10 March at King Khaled Military City in Hafar Rodriguez Rodriguez, Vice-president of important cooperation with Cuba in reha- exchanges and cooperation between both ucts, he noted. “The Malaysia-Kuwait Trade Al-Baten, North-east Saudi Arabia. “Malaysia INRH, Javier Toledo Tapanes, INRH delegate bilitation of networks in the capital, countries,” he noted. Agreement, signed earlier yesterday, will act as believes that the joint exercise will serve the in Havana, Lazaro Pena Amat, Director of Santiago de Cuba and Holguin. He pointed out that he had the honor to a catalyst for the further enhancement of bilat- core values of Malaysian Armed Forces in ensur- have an audience with His Highness the Amir eral trade relations,” he stressed. ing the combat readiness of garrisoned or Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at In a positive development for bilateral com- deployable forces in multi-terrain as well as to Yemeni Foreign Minister Bayan Palace and paid courtesy calls on His mercial ties, the Malaysia-Kuwait Business understand the High Availability Disaster Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- Council (Malaysian Chapter) was established Recovery (HADR) procedures and methods of welcomes Kuwait’s Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Speaker of on 17 February 2015. The MKBC made its inau- evacuation from conflict zones. the National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem at gural visit to Kuwait on 31 October-3 “I wish to highlight that my Prime Minister of hosting of peace talks the National Assembly. November 2015, Aman added. The visit has set Malaysia Dato’ Sri Najib Razak has introduced “I had fruitful discussions with First Deputy the MKBC in good stead for its business the Global Movement of the Moderates (GMM) DOHA: Yemen is delighted at Kuwait’s agree- donation of $100 million to the Yemeni peo- Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs prospects in Kuwait. which calls for countries to reject extremism ment to host Yemeni peace talks especially ple. He affirmed his country’s commitment to Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on On investment, there remains substantial and support moderation.” since Kuwait had hosted such talks success- seeking a lasting peace to spare the Yemeni Malaysia-Kuwait bilateral relations during our room and opportunities for Malaysian invest- fully in the past, Yemeni Foreign Minister people the woes of conflict and war. bilateral meeting.” ments in Kuwait, and vice versa. Malaysian Hezbollah Abdel-Malek Al-Mekhlafi said yesterday. Kuwait’s deputy foreign minister Khaled Aman went on to say that during his companies do not have substantial investments Asked how his country perceives the GCC’s Holding the peace talks in Kuwait is Al-Jarallah had stated on March 16 Kuwait’s exchanges with the Kuwaiti leaders, they took in Kuwait, he said. “However, I am pleased to recent decision to declare Hezbollah a terrorist incumbent on a clearly stated position by the readiness to host the Yemeni peace talks, say- stock of the excellent state of relations between share with you that two major Malaysian power organization, Aman said that Malaysia respects rebels regarding the talks, which so far has ing that the recent visit to Kuwait by the Malaysia and Kuwait as they also discussed companies are involved in the Kuwaiti power the decision made by GCC collectively among not been forthcoming, he told KUNA in an Yemeni President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi ways and means to further strengthen the and water sectors. its member countries. exclusive interview. However, he said that was important and fell within the parameters scope and substance of cooperation in various TNB REMACO (a wholly-owned subsidiary of It has always been Malaysia’s position to position could be stated within the next two of Kuwait’s support for a legitimate govern- bilateral, regional and multilateral fields such as Malaysian utilities company Tenaga Nasional condemn all act of terrorism and fully commit- days, probably through the UN representative ment in Yemen. trade, investment, oil, energy, education, Berhad), jointly with Kharafi National are oper- ted and shares the concern of the international to Yemen Ismail Weld Sheikh Ahmad. Jarallah also noted the visit to Kuwait tourism and capacity building. “I am confident ating and maintaining the Shuaiba North Co- community. There is an urgent need to acceler- On the current situation in Yemen, he said recently by the UN representative to Yemen that these talks will be translated into concrete Generation (Power Distillation) Plant. TNB ate global efforts to combat terrorism, especial- the Saudi-led military coalition launching who discussed peace prospects in Yemen outcomes for the mutual benefit of our two REMACO, also jointly with Kharafi National are ly IS. Malaysia acknowledged Kuwait’s efforts to Operation Decisive Storm about one year ago with Kuwaiti officials. Yemeni Foreign Minister brotherly countries in the near future”, he operating and maintaining the Sabiya Power fight terrorism as Kuwait is also a key partner of has resulted in the country experiencing bet- Abdel-Malek Al-Mekhlafi is currently visiting added. Generation (Open Cycle Gas Turbine) and Water Saudi Arabia-led military coalition aimed at ter conditions, since no less than 75 percent Qatar to take part in Al-Jazeera Forum on Distillation Plant, he noted. countering IS, he said. of Yemeni territory has been wrenched away regional issues, which started Yesterday and Close relations Aman noted that another Malaysian compa- “We can draw some similarities between from rebel hands. at which the minister delivered a speech not- The Malaysian official pointed out that ny, Teknik Janakuasa Sdn. Bhd. (TJSB), a wholly- measures taken by the Kuwaiti Government He thanked Kuwaiti humanitarian and ing that the Arab coalition helping Yemen has Malaysia enjoys close relations with Kuwait in owned subsidiary of Malakoff is contracted by and Malaysian Government. Enacting new leg- relief aid, both governmental and NGO-spon- succeeded in confronting Iran and its expan- various fields including trade, investment, Alghanim International to operate and manage islations to counter the threats of terrorism is a sored, especially the Kuwaiti government’s sionist policy in the region. — KUNA Islamic finance, education, tourism, technical the Az Zour Gas Turbine Emergency Power good example and we have sufficient legisla- assistance and capacity building. Plant. Kuwait investments in Malaysia include tions in counter terrorism. Our National Council Nevertheless, much more can be done by those by Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd, for Islamic Religious Affairs had issued “fatwa” both sides to capitalize on the vast potential for Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration banning Malaysian Muslim from being involved further cooperation in various fields for mutual Company (KUFPEC), Kuwait Reinsurance with IS”, he concluded. — KUNA benefit, he said. He added that Malaysia was the first Southeast Asian country to establish its Embassy in Kuwait in 1974. Kuwait subsequent- Crown Prince’s wife sponsors ly opened its Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 1980. At the regional and international level, lecture on women’s health Malaysia and Kuwait continue to cooperate closely and share common positions at various KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) held a lec- cided with the Mother’s Day, a testament to MoH’s multilateral forums including the United ture yesterday dealing with women’s health, which prioritization of women’s health. The lecture, which Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic was sponsored and attended by His Highness the was delivered by Ali, tackled common Endocrine Cooperation (OIC), he clarified. Crown Prince’s wife Sheikha Sherifa Al-Jassem. disorders experienced by women and ways to Aman went on to say that Malaysia and Head of the Endocrine Department at Al-Amiri remedy those disorders. A set of medical tools was Kuwait have signed several agreements in vari- hospital Dr Nadia Al-Ali said that she is grateful to unveiled at the end of the lecture, where atten- ous fields such as Air Transportation; Avoidance His Highness the Crown Prince’s wife for taking dees were subject to impromptu medical tests. of Double Taxation; and Economic and part in the lecture, which was put together by the MoH routinely organizes health lectures as means Technical Cooperation. “As mentioned earlier, Endocrine Department. of generating awareness on how to treat some of Moreover, Ali pointed out that the lecture coin- the most pervasive diseases. — KUNA Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdel-Malek Al-Mekhlafi we have now added the important Trade LOCAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 Kuwait expects ‘budget deficit’

‘Shortfall projected at KD 22 billion’

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s state budget is expected to have a deficit of around KD 22 billion for the next three years as a result of plummeting oil prices, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Anas Al- Saleh said yesterday. That would aver- age to a KD 7.3 billion annual deficit. Kuwait’s fiscal position has deteriorated as a result of lower energy prices. After Could lower oil prices compulsory transfers to its sovereign Future Generations Fund, and excluding investment income, IMF projections serve GCC economies? indicate the country’s overall fiscal bal- ance narrowed from a 34.7 percent sur- WASHINGTON: Kuwait is tackling Weathering the storm website. In an interview with a local plus in 2013/14 to 17.3 percent in dwindling oil prices in a “thoughtful Similarly, US Ambassador to Kuwait Kuwaiti newspaper back in July 2015, 2014/15, reported Oxford Business and strategic way,” several US officials, Douglas Silliman agreed that Kuwait is the KDIPA chief said that the Kuwaiti Group in a 2015 special report on diplomats and experts believe, as they “well-placed to weather the storm.” He government is “offering foreign joint Kuwait’s economy. hailed the Gulf country’s attempts to said that lower oil prices have encour- stock limited liability companies or In a speech during a national confer- attract foreign direct investment in aged Kuwait to reduce subsidies on individuals or branches of foreign ence on priorities, Saleh, who is also return. basic services, reiterating that “even companies’ 100 percent ownership.” Acting Oil Minister, said that that the “I had the privilege to attend the without doing this, Kuwait is well- Other incentives the state body is government is hard at work to imple- KUWAIT: Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh speaks during Investment Forum in Kuwait (on placed to weather the price down- tasked with are offering “tax exemp- ment a long-term economic vision that a national conference on priorities yesterday. — Photo by Joseph Shagra March 9), and it is clear to me that the turn.” tions for up to 10 years, complete aims to diversify the country’s sources of Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud ble tool for society. New measures have State of Kuwait is tackling the eco- Pointing out the recent “liberaliza- and partial customs exemptions and revenue. Public expenditure has risen to Al-Sabah said that “the Ministry of been taken to focus on development nomic downturn in a thoughtful and tion” in foreign investment laws, assistance on locating land and unprecedented levels, reaching KD 21.4 Information, bearing the nation’s best projects and availability of fundamental strategic way,” David Hamod, head of including the possibility of 100 per- labor,” he added. billion for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, interest in mind, has implemented a necessities such as education and the National US-Arab Chamber of cent foreign corporate ownership, he Saleh said, adding that the expenditure series of new initiatives.” He also under- healthcare, Sheikh Salman noted. “It is Commerce said in a State Department- said the move has “opened new The way forward had never previously exceeded KD 4 bil- scored the importance of media, saying imperative to protect society from all hosted panel discussion. opportunities for American companies US Undersecretary of State for lion. Moreover, the Finance Minister said that it has now become an indispensa- ills,” he added. — KUNA and agencies “At a time of low energy prices, to work and invest in Kuwait.” The two Economic Growth Catherine Novelli that the government aims to introduce Arab countries are looking for ways to speakers were referring to the Kuwait believes that this is the way forward financial and economic reforms that reduce their overhead spending - cut- Direct Investment Promotion for governments in the region. would help diversify the country’s Aniti-trust measures ting subsidies, eliminating projects Authority (KDIPA), which has already “Bringing together the right stake- sources of income, which would, in turn, that don’t make sense, and overhaul- accepted the free-flow entry of inter- holders is critical. Governments alone ensure economic stability. ensure fair marketplace ing regulations that should have been national firms like telecommunica- cannot and should not solve every All signs indicate that oil prices are challenged several years ago,” he said. tions giants, Huawei, and Tech problem. But governments have sig- on their way downwards, Saleh noted, practices: Ministers Hamod said that as Kuwait tightens Company, IBM into the Kuwaiti market. nificant convening power,” she said. saying that “we should all learn to cope KUWAIT: The anti-trust apparatus tivity, in lowering cost, and in inven- its spending, more importantly in the The recently-launched body is Assistant Secretary of State for Near with dwindling oil prices for the imme- seeks to ensure fair competition in tiveness and creativity. long-term, it is also expanding its out- mandated with the tasks of attracting Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson takes diate future.” the business community and in the Though the country has taken reach efforts to attract foreign direct value-added direct investment and the view that the oil prices decline is Meanwhile, the Acting Oil Minister marketplace with the ultimate goal tepid steps on the road to applying investment. “American companies are promoting Kuwait as a lucrative invest- favorable to nations in the region in predicted that Kuwait’s state budget of serving the public’s needs in a anti-trust laws full-bore, it is encour- definitely monitoring this emerging ment destination, according to its spite of it resulting in “an unprecedent- for the fiscal year 2016-2017 is expect- manner that transcends self-interest aging that such steps have been opportunity,” he suggested. Director General Sheikh Meshaal Jaber ed level of uncertainty” and putting ed to sustain a deficit of KD 12.2 billion. or bias, a minister said yesterday. applied to the vital sector of telecom- Following recent extremely low fig- Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. the budgets of Gulf nations “under “An increase in deficit puts us at risk, Minister of Commerce and munications as a springboard for fur- ures, OPEC crude prices crept up to just The state-established body aims to stress.” However, she opined that this particularly, it creates mounting debt,” Industry Dr Yousef Al-Ali made that ther applications in the nation’s other above the USD 35-mark, according to be instrumental in the goals of sup- situation will “ultimately benefit all Saleh noted. statement at a forum organized ear- economic sectors, he said. the global oil-producing bloc which porting economic diversification and countries with an improved business Elaborating on planned economic lier yesterday by the anti-trust appa- He praised yesterday’s forum as includes Kuwait, after they had reached the role of the private sector; he is climate that will attract new invest- reforms, Saleh said that a package of ratus to discuss the latter’s study on an apt platform to discuss and ana- around USD 100 a barrel in 2014. quoted as saying on the body’s official ments.” — KUNA 41 programs consisting of develop- using anti-trust measures in the lyze the proper approach to deal- ment projects is in the works, adding field of telecommunications and IT ing with all aspects of anti-trust Kuwait pursues major reform that the government is working with in Kuwait. He also pointed out that laws, without which the market- various partners to help bring those businesses that work in a healthy place would not act responsibly projects to fruition. anti-trust environment become and the public interest would not following record budget deficit In his speech, Minister of Information incentivized to excel in their produc- be preserved . and Minister of State for Youth Affairs KUWAIT: Economic reform is under- way in Kuwait, after the Ministry of Finance unveiled a new six-point strategy last month aimed at restruc- turing the economy amid the slump in global oil prices. Changes ranging from fuel subsidy cuts to the imposition of value-added tax (VAT) and road tolls have been floated in recent months as the coun- try’s budget deficit expands.

Although implementation may be delayed until Kuwaiti authorities determine which model will best serve the economy, the proposed measures offer the potential for signif- icant long-term benefits.

Policy reforms In late February, Anas Al-Saleh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Oil, revealed a new strategy emphasizing six critical priorities for economic reform. The announcement came after the government and the National Assembly’s financial and eco- nomic affairs committee failed to come to an agreement on how best to roll out planned increases in fuel and government revealed record deficit budget. While fuel subsidy reforms are electricity prices. levels in its draft budget for FY a step in the right direction, the intro- According to Saleh, Kuwait’s new 2016/17, announced in late January. duction of new taxes may offer better strategy will focus on implementing While proposed spending was long-term benefits. financial reforms, redrawing the down 1.6 percent at KD18.9bn In February ratings agency state’s role in the national economy, ($62.8bn), given expected revenues Moody’s announced that although strengthening private sector partici- ofKD7.4bn ($24.6bn) the government fuel subsidy cuts could help ease pation, boosting project ownership by forecast a KD12.2bn ($40.5bn) deficit- some of the fiscal pressure on oil- citizens, and various other labor mar- nearly 50 percent higher than the pre- dependent GCC nations, the overall ket and public sector reforms. vious year. economic benefits are relatively limit- The week before the plan was Thegap is almost entirely attributa- ed, averaging around 0.5 percent of announced, the financial and eco- ble to falling oil prices, which have tra- GDP in savings in 2016, compared to nomic affairs committee had recom- ditionally contributed more than 94 an average regional deficit of 12.4 per- mended a round of subsidy cuts that percent to government revenues; this cent of GDP. would raise the cost of low-grade share is expected to fall to 78 percent Indeed, based on the draft budget, petrol by 42 percent from KD0.60 in FY 2016/17, according to the budg- Kuwait’s deficit in FY 2016/17 will ($1.99) to KD0.85 ($2.82) per liter. et. The draft budget assumes a crude amount to 30 percent of GDP, the Prices of both high-grade and oil price of $25 per barrel, roughly half Ministry of Finance reported, making ultra-grade petrol would also be the $45estimate used in FY 2015/16. non-oil diversification and enhanced increased, from KD0.65 ($2.16) to Although Kuwaiti crude was trading private sector participation vital long- KD1.05 ($3.45) per liter for high-grade; above $30 per barrel in mid-March, term priorities. and KD0.90 ($2.99) to KD1.65 ($5.48) the IMF previously estimated that the Tax measures like a VAT may prove per liter for ultra-grade - an 83 percent country’s breakeven oil price stood more beneficial in the long term. In increase. closer to $49 per barrel. late February Christine Lagarde, man- The move mirrors steps taken by aging director of the IMF, reported four other GCC members-Saudi Subsidies versus taxes that the introduction ofsuch a tax Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman-who Earlier this year Saleh called for a could help GCC members raise rev- have each raised their respective retail host of potential reforms to maintain enues by as much as 2 percent of GDP. fuel prices by as much 67 percent over fiscal stability, including the introduc- Speaking alongside Lagard, Obaid the past two months. tion of corporate, income and sales Humaid Al Tayer, the UAE’s minister of taxes. He told media the government state for financial affairs, announced Fiscal reforms a top priority should also consider raising the cost the broader GCC’s plans to implement Fiscal reforms rank high on the of public services, in addition to the a 5 percent VAT from January 1, 2018. state’s agenda, particularly after the spending cuts outlined in the draft — Oxford Business Group WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 LOCAL China, Kuwait celebrate 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties Kuwait invested $10 billion in China so far

KUWAIT: China celebrated yesterday Key partner rying out development projects, stat- the 45th anniversary of establishing China’s Ambassador to Kuwait ing that the State of Kuwait has diplomatic relations with Kuwait. Wang Di stressed that the State of invested so far about $10 billion in Kuwait is considered the first Arab Kuwait has become a main trade part- China. country in the Gulf Cooperation ner of his country in the region. The Wang recalled his country’s stance Council (GCC) exchanging and estab- Kuwaiti-Chinese diplomatic relations rejecting the Iraqi invasion, indicating lishing full diplomatic relations with were established on March 22, 1971, that China supported international China on March 22, 1971. they were the first ties with a Gulf and efforts aimed to liberate the State of The diplomatic relations actually an Arab country, he said in an inter- Kuwait at that time. The envoy noted took place between the two nations view on the occasion of 45th anniver- that there is a great consensus before establishing the official’s rela- sary of the diplomatic relations. between the two sides over the tions, when His Highness late Sheikh The relations between the two regional and international events, Jaber Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- countries have been developing over voicing China’s appreciation to Sabah, back then Minister of Finance, 45 years in all fields, he said, adding Kuwait’s foreign policy in dealing with and Minister of Trade and Industry, these events. visited China on February 13, 1965 and met a number of senior officials, Economic cooperation at the top of them President Leo As for economic cooperation, Chao Chi, said Kuwait’s Ambassador Wang said Kuwait is an important to China Mohammad Al-Thuwaikh in partner of China in all fields, mainly a statement on the occasion. the sectors of oil, telecommunications Political relations between Kuwait and infrastructure. The volume of and China during the last 45 years trade exchange between Kuwait and witnessed a great boost in the politi- China reached about $11. 2 billion in cal, economic and cultural fields, the 2015 compared with $13.4 billion in statement noted. Cooperation 2014, he said, attributing this expanded remarkably based on val- decrease to falling oil prices. ues of mutual respect according to He indicated that oil exports to standards of international diplomatic China hit 14 million tons, recording 35 relations of peaceful coexistence and that Kuwait was the first Arab country percent of total exports, a highest per- equality, with no interferences in the that established diplomatic relations centage in history between the two internal affairs, it added. The political with China. Many achievements have sides. He said Kuwait exports petro- relations were enhanced between the been chalked up between the two chemicals to China and imports two countries following the visit of sides, thanks to the support of the mechanical equipment. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah two countries’ leaders and bilateral Concerning new investment proj- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 2009 efforts of the two nations, he noted. ects, the ambassador reiterated that to China. The ambassador expressed his full China eyes further investments with This visit was followed by a suc- satisfaction over what has been Kuwait, despite difficult economic cessful visit of His Highness the Prime achieved so far in terms of coopera- conditions facing the world. He went Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- tion relations between the two coun- to say that Chinese President Hamad Al-Sabah in 2014 as the two tries, indicating that China looks for- launched two years ago an initiative sides signed a number of mutual ward to enhancing these relations to build the Silk Road Economic Belt ITL World launches in cooperation agreements and memo- with Kuwait in the future. and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk randa of understanding, which He expressed his country’s grati- Road, with the aim of supporting played a great role in boosting bilat- tude to Kuwait for offering about $1 communications with nations and Kuwait with gala night eral ties. billion since 1982 as soft loans for car- countries in the region. —KUNA

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: ITL, a leading travel management company, has opened an office in Kuwait. ITL World caters to a wide portfolio of clientele across Asia and the Middle East. Dr Siddeek Ahmed, the Chairman and the Managing Director of the Eram Group which is the parent company for ITL World, attended the opening gala event. Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait congratulated ITL for setting up new branch and wish fruitful business endeavor here. “I really wish success to this new travel agency. This will lead to more Kuwaiti travelers to India and we are happy about that. I want many Kuwaitis to see the greatness of our country, shop and build bonds of friendships with us,” the ambassador said. Jain pointed out that with the new visa regulations he KUWAIT: Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait would like to welcome more Kuwaitis to various parts of India. “India recently opened our visa to about 45 coun- speaks at a ceremony to announce the opening of tries including Kuwait. We give five years, multiple visa ITL’s office in Kuwait. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat entry to all Kuwaitis. encourage more visitors to India,” he said. That is one step forward, and we also want Kuwaitis to ITL World has been a preferred partner of several glob- take advantage of our medical tourism. Now, more and al travel brands and tourism boards in the region, includ- more people are visiting Kerala for ayurvedic treatment. ing most recently by globally renowned corporate travel We are moving fast in that direction. So I want to seek the giant - CTM (Corporate Travel Management), which chose support of ITL to make this dream come true for India to ITL World as their partner across the Middle East. Minister lauds Kuwaiti-Tunisian ties

KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Dr Ali Al-Omair laud- ed the close bilateral ties between Kuwait and Tunisia. Omair made his remarks to reporters Monday while attending a reception held by the Tunisian Embassy to mark the 60th anniversary of Tunisia’s Independence Day. Kuwait shares every joy and hap- piness in the Arab World, including Tunisia’s, he said, expressing confi- dence in Tunis’ ability to overcome Mijbil Alayob Dr Salma Kayani current challenges and get rid of ter- rorism from all its territories. Omair KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for National Ooredoo concludes sponsorship hoped security and stability prevail in Assembly Affairs Dr Ali Al-Omair participates in the Tunisian for ‘Break the Silence’ event Tunisia. —KUNA Embassy’s Independence Day ceremony. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, a mem- UK, was the lecturer. Dr Salma raised the initiative to attend and partici- ber of international Ooredoo Group, an important and scary fact, that the pate in such an important event to has recently announced the conclu- percentage of women diagnosed raise awareness against sion of its sponsorship for “Break the with Endometriosis in Kuwait has Endometriosis disease and how it Silence” event, which aimed at rais- exceeded the global accepted ratio, could be treated. We hope that all ing awareness against Endometriosis where one out of five women get women could benefit from such disease. Event was organized by The affected in Kuwait while globally it is seminars which give them the American Women’s League in Kuwait one out of ten. knowledge they need about fre- at and was held at Radisson Blu She assured the attendees that quent testing in order to avoid this Hotel last Saturday. the disease could be treated easily, if disease or diagnose it on its early “Break the Silence” is considered diagnosed early taking into consider- stages.” the first of its kind in Kuwait and the ation the progress and development He added:” Women form half of middle east, where Dr Salma Kayani, that happened in the surgical and our society and an important pillar of Consultant Obstetrician and medicine nowadays. it, that is why our social responsibility Gynecologist, a Master’s degree Commenting on the sponsorship, strategy heavily focuses on women holder in this domain, and a member Mijbil Alayoub, Director of Corporate and we consider all events and initia- of the Royal College of Obstetricians Communications at Ooredoo Kuwait tives that leads to women empower- and Gynecologists association in the said: “Thanks to every person took ment.” KFAED lends Liberia KD 5 million to finance highway

MONROVIA: The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) signed yesterday a loan agree- ment with Liberia at a value of KD 5 million (about $17 million) to finance a major highway project. The project will facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce and the movement of people along this highway which will energize trade and economic growth in the north- ern part of the country. It will furthermore boost land- based trade with neighboring countries as well, said a press statement by (KFAED). The loan agreement was signed on behalf of the government of Liberia by its minister of finance Amara MONROVIA: KFAED’s Deputy Director Ghanem Al- M Konneh, and on behalf of KFAED by its deputy direc- Ghunaiman and Liberian minister of finance tor Ghanem Al-Ghunaiman. This is the third such loan Amara M Konneh sign the agreement. —KUNA given by (KFAED) to Liberia. Two loans worth jointly over six million Kuwaiti dinars were given to Liberia KFAED had a part in managing an KD 850,000 grant recently to finance road and energy projects. Moreover, from the Kuwaiti government to that of Liberia. —KUNA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 LOCAL Kuwaiti gets 17 years for slandering Amir

By Meshaal Al-Enezi other commercial establishments in the Traffic lights and congestion area, which also houses warehouses with Municipal Council member and the KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday storage facilities, exhibition grounds, head of Hawalli committee, Yousif Al- sentenced a citizen to 17 years prison banks, courier companies, and insurance Ghareeb suggested removing the traffic over state security charges of slandering companies. light between Andalus, Ardhiya and His Highness the Amir and two others to Firdous along Sheikh Zayed Highway with 10 years each for facilitating his escape Weather: Windy and warm a bridge to lessen traffic congestions to Qatar. Notably, Qatar security authori- Metrology expert Essa Ramadan yes- there. Ghareeb added that motorists driv- ties handed over the suspect upon a terday said that the weather would be ing in and out of the three surrounding Kuwaiti request and extradited him back stable with north westerly wind of mod- and densely populated residential areas to Kuwait. The man reportedly made his erate speed until Friday. He also noted had been caught up in traffic congestions offensive remarks in video footage that that expected temperatures would vary at that point on daily basis. “In addition, spread on social media. between 24 and 30 degrees centigrade. there is a wedding hall near that point Further, Ramadan explained that this and this make traffic even worse whenev- FTZ verdict annulled pre-Sarrayyat (the name of a local type of er a ceremony was held there”, he added The court of cassation yesterday wind) period is usually full of active dusty noting that so many accidents also hap- annulled a previous verdict made by wind and unstable weather until mid- pen in that point during rush hours. the court of appeal in relation to the April. Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and, thus, Mutla violations approved cancelling the FTZ contract Spring camping extension appeal General coordinator of the south Mutla with the National Real Estate Company Municipal Council member and head City Khaled Al-Enezi yesterday urged EPA (NREC). Notably, the cassation court of Farwaniya committee, Nayef Al-Sour and the municipality to act immediately had previously suspended the appeal yesterday appealed to the Minister of to remove violations in the form of ranch- court’s verdict cancelling the former Communications and Minister of State es, barns and camps pitched in the area minister of commerce, Falah Al-Hajri’s for Municipality Affairs, Essa Al-Kandari allocated to be used by the housing decision to terminate FTZ’s contract to allow extending the spring camping authority to build the city. Al-Enezi added with the company. season for a month to annually end on that building the city infrastructure was Built in 1999 on 1.5 million square May 1st instead of April 1st. Al-Sour jus- scheduled to commence within two meters of land in the western part of the tified his appeal by the fact that temper- months after opening the first tender’s Shuwaikh Port, the FTZ has been atures were not expected to consider- bidding offers on April 3rd. “The munici- embroiled for years in a legal dispute ably rise in that period and said that citi- pality has not yet warned the violators between the government and NREC, zens would still want to go camping and such leniency in law-enforcement which had been granted a license to even after the season ends by municipal- means repeating what happened in West Zain celebrates develop and manage it. In December ity orders. “Camping has become a habit Abdullah Al-Mubarak where the construc- 2010, inspection teams from the Ministry for citizens as well as a breather where tion company still suffers from the rem- Mother’s Day at Avenues of Commerce and Industry implemented they meet and chat in outdoor nants of those ranches and barns till an order to shut down restaurants and diwaniyas,” he said. today,” he explained.

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, organized a special celebration of Mother’s Day at the Avenues, where it invited its customers and their families to have a memorable experience on this heart- warming occasion under the theme “My Mother... My Wonderful World.” Every year, Zain celebrates this heartwarming occasion in its own way, as this celebration comes from the compa- ny’s core belief in appreciating the great role of mother- hood. Zain is committed to the community as a whole, and its contribution with this event resembles its utmost will to share people’s joys on important occasions, especially such occasions that reflect one of the company’s core values; Heart. Through its dedicated booth at Grand Avenue, Zain offered mall visitors from children and families the oppor- tunity to express love to their mothers by writing messages and coloring on a large drawing canvas, allowing them to express their love and feelings to their mothers in their own unique ways. Zain also took the opportunity to celebrate this occa- sion with its own human resources, where it distributed special-themed gifts to its employees for them to give their mothers and share the heartwarming feelings of this occa- sion with them. As a leading telecommunications company, Zain is socially dedicated to celebrate and take part in important celebrations as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy. This way, Zain continues to high- light its commitment to sharing special occasions with the people of Kuwait. Burgan Bank launches ‘ENGAGE’ community campaign KUWAIT: In pursuit of its utmost commitment to the community and the nation it operates in, Burgan Bank formally announced yesterday the launch of its full- fledged community campaign entitled ‘ENGAGE’ - Together to be the change. The campaign is designed to reach out to the wider communities by partnering with governmental entities and organizations, in an effort to ultimately focus on all segments of the society that would require the pri- vate sector’s diversified sup- port. After an in-depth research, the bank success- fully refurbished its Fahad Al-Reshaid Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy which now intends to advance not only to a few, but to all segments in Kuwait that require specific aid and sup- port from the bank. The recent announcement reaffirms Burgan Bank’s ongoing dedication to serve and uplift the welfare of the entire society, through sponsorships, facilitation of necessities, and nationwide programs that create aware- ness of a specific topic. The renewed campaign will also shed light on important aspects surrounding the youth, people with special needs, cultural, social, the less advantaged, those with life threatening illnesses, and many more through substantial contributions for improved living and ground level engagement. Commenting on the launch of the ‘ENGAGE’ Corporate Social Responsibility campaign, Fahad Al- Reshaid Marketing Communication Unit Head at Burgan Bank - said: “Empowering the community at large has always been Burgan Bank’s core social responsibility focus. ENGAGE’s key principle reflects the bank’s com- mitment to the development of the Kuwaiti society and its various needs, through corporate volunteering and ensuring viability through sustainability. At Burgan Bank, we believe in the act of giving and positive contri- butions to ensure the overall wellbeing of the society.” Reshaid added: “The ENGAGE campaign is expected to initiate several programs in collaboration with differ- ent segments while creating a successful interdepend- ence with relevant organizations this year. We look for- ward to integrating our newly developed campaign in the hopes that will it change people’s lives and help raise awareness to build a stronger social fabric in Kuwait.” Burgan Bank’s approach to Corporate Social Responsibility begins with a vital principle that as a Kuwaiti financial institution, its conduct and policies should be aligned with the needs and interests of the WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 FROM THE ARABIC PRESS

Al-Qabas Crime Buying loyalties Report in the open Man questioned over money laundry suspicions By Talal Al-Arab KUWAIT: Investigations are ongoing in a suspected mon- parliament member proudly announced that ey laundry case in which a diplomat could be involved. A he helped send 1,100 patients or malingerers, citizen had reported to police that he received phone calls Ano difference, for treatment abroad, and of from people who asked if they could transfer funds to his course not on his expense, but at the expense of bank account, and claimed that they were money launder- Kuwait’s budget. He said the government gave jobs ers. One of the callers told the citizen that they received to more than 93 employees and promoted several Kuwaiti backing from a diplomat working in Kuwait, according to persons close to him to higher posts, overstepping his statements. Based on the investigations, police sum- the rights of other employees who are waiting for Football moned a French national of African origins on suspicions their turn. that he was one of the persons who contacted the com- This is a statement by one person who became plainants. excited in front of the camera and microphone and exposed himself and the government, if his state- ment was true. He exposed himself, because if it was Child negligence not for the government’s support, he would not suc- ceed in the elections. He exposed the government A citizen filed a negligence complaint against his ex- because it bought his loyalty, and of course everyone wife for ignoring her duties of taking care of his son knows that buying loyalties has several forms; it hap- who is in her custody, according to his statements. He pens by giving government lands as gifts in the form complained that the child got hurt while riding a bike. of farms and chalets, or maybe deals and projects, Al-Jarida The complaint was filed at Ali Sabah Al-Salem (Um Al- each up to his status and importance. All that is giv- Haiman) police station. en from the country’s funds and lands, and at the expense of the ordinary citizen’s rights. If one member of parliament received this huge Swindler caught number of government gifts, then what about those who still keep their special ties with the esteemed Abu Halaifa detectives arrested a man who swindled a Kuwait government in secret? Al-Anbaa large number of expats, mostly Egyptians. Not only did the The statement came at this time, that is at the man steal his victims’ belongings, but he also made sure to time when the government says it wants to rational- get his commission in advance. A security source said ize spending, and rescue whatever can be rescued We wish.... nearly 20 Egyptian nationals filed complaints against an from the country’s budget, from which billions of expatriate man who offered his services to deliver goods dinars were squandered over nothing. They were dis- By Dr Nermin Al-Houti to their homes in Egypt. The complainants realized they tributed between buying loyalties, profiteering and were scammed when the man disappeared after receiving embezzlements. ishes change each time according to chang- punishment will be implemented on every corrupt per- the goods. Detectives were able to identify and arrest the Citizens see what’s going on and hear what is ing conditions, be it political, economic, social son. Here I would like to tell His Highness that the suspect, who was sent to the proper authorities for further being said around him, leaving him confused as who Wand psychological. Today, our wishes include Kuwaiti society’s wish for him is to look seriously into action. he should believe? Does he believe the meetings many of the aspects we mentioned above, as one day what the State Audit Bureau finds out in the form of and contradicting statements between ministers on we find our wish goes towards politics, or towards the grave violations as well as financial, scientific and prac- daily basis? One minister speaks optimistically while society on another. And from here and there, we write tical crimes committed by some officials. But regretful- another speaks with a pessimistic tune. One speaks our wishes, perhaps our officials would look into and ly, no one has ever been punished. So, we hope that His Complaint against SMS harasser about rationalization that includes the government, fulfill them for the sake of citizens in the future: Highness the Prime Minister starts where the State the assembly and the citizen while another denies * We recently heard about many people who are Audit Bureau has left off, so the dream can become A citizen in her forties filed a complaint in Qairawan and says the country is in good shape and there will arrested and deported for violating Kuwait’s laws. We true. area police station against a man sending her harass- not be any rationalization or anything else! hope, that in the future, all those who violated Kuwait’s * We hope to have a comprehensive medical hospi- ment over text messages. In a special session, and not to reveal much of security, are not allowed to return to it again, in order tal for all diseases in every governorate. We hope the what is under the lid, some lawmakers became angry to set an example for those who compromise Kuwait’s dream becomes a reality when we have a university in at the government for what its MP had revealed to security. every governorate. Our dreams stop and remain shack- Drug smuggler caught at border them. Their anger was not out of condemnation to * We breathed a sigh of relief following the decision led when we see our children receiving their education the government, but rather because it gave him of the state’s Attorney General to have part of each in run-down buildings. Our wishes are losing much of Nuwaiseeb border outlet customs officers foiled an more than it gave them, and this embarrassed them governorate in Kuwait to look into, consider and rule in culture because those who dream do not know the attempt to smuggle 200 illicit tablets from a Gulf country. in front of their voters. Some MPs threatened to family cases according to certain laws. Furthermore, we meaning of reading. A customs source said the man had hidden the tablets in reveal the secrets, and that means that there are hope that a family court that rules by all personal sta- * When will the sun of wishes shine and we see a his clothes. He was sent to concerned authorities. — Al- many files that can be opened if the government tus laws is established. theater in each governorate? We wish to live in reality. Rai, Al-Anbaa does not treat them equally with that MP. That * His Highness the Prime Minister said recently that In conclusion: It is time we see our wishes become true. means sending 1,100 for treatment abroad and hir- the future will be bright for the Kuwaiti people, and — Translated by Kuwait Times ing 93 people for each MP. As for the rest of the citi- zens who really need treatment abroad, and the School certificates youth who are waiting in line for employment and housing; you have nothing, and who does not like it Urgent measures to fight money forgery can migrate! — Translated by Kuwait Times laundering in real estate investigation underway KUWAIT: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s anti- Inspection money laundering and terrorism funding department urged Meanwhile, banking and financial sources said that KUWAIT: The Public Prosecution is investigating three real estate bodies, including the real estate union, real estate auditing bodies were currently conducting wide scale audit- Hezbollah cases related to forging high school certificates, in brokers’ union and real estate assessors, to contact it as soon ing and inspection on financial and brokerage companies, which 120 persons including officer cadets, lawyers as possible to make their suggestions prior to issuing a min- funds, portfolios and banks, to verify their commitment to and a doctor who works for ministry of health, are sympathizers to isterial decision soon on fighting suspicious real estate anti-money laundering policies at all their units and branch- involved, reported Al-Qabas Arabic newspaper. transactions. es. The sources added that according to instructions of the Quoting unnamed sources, the newspaper report- be prosecuted The letter that the ministry sent read as follows: “With ref- Capital Markets Authority (CMA), anti-money laundering ed that the accused graduated a long time ago with erence to law number 106/2013 pertaining with fighting measures also apply for the branches of those companies or certificates the prosecution believes have been money laundering and terrorism funding, and with refer- banks abroad. Further, the sources pointed that inspections KUWAIT: Authorities are monitoring people in forged. They think the accused studied abroad and ence to ministerial decision number 37/2013 on issuing the might also include the policies of the fees collected for Kuwait suspected to be supporting or are sympa- then returned to Kuwait, then took up jobs in govern- executive chart of the money laundering and terrorism those companies’ services by limiting the maximum non- thizers with Hezbollah, particularly Lebanese, ment ministries and the private sector using the funding law, we would like to inform you that the ministry refundable cash fees to be collected to KD 100, to be paid Syrian, Iraqi and Kuwaiti nationals also. According forged certificates. was in the process of preparing a ministerial decision in this directly by the client or by his/her legal representative. to security sources, suspected citizens are catego- The source said the reason for the delay in sending regard.” The source added that the ban would include brokerage rized into two categories: the first includes known their cases to court is due to a delay in correspon- The sources added that the anticipated decision would companies that sued to accept settlement differences of supporters who have not yet shown support to the dence between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where the re-organize and regulate the professions of real estate bro- over KD 1,000 in cash. “This measure will be replaced by group. Those people will remain under surveillance, certificates are being queried against authentication kers, offices, agencies and companies according to the deduction from the client’s account,” explained the sources, the sources said. The second category includes sources. aforementioned law. The sources also noted that the deci- noting that Kuwaiti companies subject to those new meas- people who express support publicly through The source said that if the suspects are convicted sion would also set new strict measures to track down any ures would have to be very cautious on dealing with compa- social media or gatherings either inside or outside of utilizing forged certificates, they will be required to of the incriminated suspicious transactions as well as regu- nies registered outside Kuwait and verify clients’ identity to Kuwait. “The electronic surveillance unit at State repay all their salaries they received from the state, late local real estate markets by monitoring local transac- prevent manipulators infiltration. Moreover, the sources Security Service continues monitoring potential and much more in fines as punishment according to tions and real estate exhibitions held in Kuwait. Further, the said that CMA goes beyond those measures by mandating suspects” since the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) the law, in addition to a jail sentence to be deter- sources noted that ministry urged the addressed bodies to licensed companies to check and verify the true identity of a branded Hezbollah as a terrorist group, the sources mined by the judge. — Al-Qabas said. — Al-Rai respond within a week and to set an appointment for an foreign body or company before carrying on with acquisi- urgent meeting to be held as soon as possible. tion plans. — Al-Rai, Al-Jarida ABK sponsors Ideal Mother Award for Special Needs

KUWAIT: In line with its Corporate Social A press conference was held at the Al-Kharafi Responsibility (CSR) strategy, Al-Ahli Bank of Activity Kids Center in West Mishref on 14th Kuwait (ABK) recently announced that it will be March, to officially announce the 4th round of sponsoring the 4th Annual Ideal Mother Award awards and to thank the organizers and spon- for Special Needs, organized by Al-Kharafi sors for their support. Representing the Bank at Activity Kids Center. The awards ceremony is the press conference was Ali Al-Baghli, Manager scheduled to take place on 11th April, 2016 at - Corporate Communications at ABK. The Regency Hotel. A total of 15 mothers from ABK has made ‘Special Needs’ its primary across the GCC will be honored this year. CSR focus for 2016. It concentrates its efforts on The 4th Annual Ideal Mother Award for raising further awareness of this segment Special Needs is held to recognize mothers of among the general public by supporting differ- children with special needs and honor their ent related initiatives that allow individuals hard work and perseverance to make a true dif- with disabilities to engage and socialize within ference in the lives of their children. the community.

KFH participates in beach cleaning campaign

KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has and have social and cultural dimensions. The ety’s vital issues, namely environment pro- participated, in cooperation with Kuwait campaign success reinforces and confirms tection and keeping beaches clean without Diving Team, in a beach cleaning campaign the success of this highly reputed Islamic any pollutants or waste. These efforts come with the participation of Ministry of financial institution in adopting a highly to preserve marine life and protect and quali- Education schools. This participation comes sophisticated method in performing its social fy beaches which are considered as a symbol as part of KFH efforts to spread environmen- responsibilities through participating in soci- of civilized society. tal awareness, encourage voluntary work and preserve natural components of environ- ment. Also it aims to reiterate the distin- Nursery licenses suspended guished social role which KFH plays in several fields and at various levels to achieve pros- KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs and already has 340 licensed nurseries, the perity, growth and progress for society. Labor (MSAL) suspended the issuance of sources said, in addition to 50 more applica- Kuwait Diving Team has praised, in the licenses to establish nurseries until this task tions on the licenses’ waiting lists. “The sec- campaign closing ceremony, the strategic is shifted to the Ministry of Education (MOE) tor will be officially subjected to MOE within partnership established with KFH, thus reiter- in the near future, said sources at MSAL’s 90 days when it has finished the needed for- ating that KFH efforts were clear and tangible women and children department. Kuwait malities,” explained the sources. — Al-Jarida WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 Alcohol poisoning Christian convert hacked to death in Bangladesh kills 15 in Pakistan

Page 12 Page 12 Rights groups urge end to Saudi arms sales Saudi Arabia accused of killing civilians in Yemen DUBAI: Top rights groups yesterday urged the United Washington expressed its worries last week, with White States and other nations to stop selling arms to Saudi House spokesman Josh Earnest saying the conflict “has Arabia after it was accused of killing hundreds of civilians caught too many innocent civilians in the crossfire”. The in its year-long air war in Yemen. Amnesty International coalition has said major operations are soon set to wind and Human Rights Watch called on Washington, London down and denied any intentional targeting of civilians. The and Paris to stop weapons deliveries to Riyadh, which is coalition’s spokesman, Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Assiri leading a mainly Sunni Arab coalition that launched air said last week that an independent panel had been formed strikes against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen on March 26 to investigate civilian deaths in the conflict. A strike earlier last year. this month on a market in northern Yemen that according The UN human rights chief said last week that more to the United Nations killed 119 people, including 106 civil- than 3,200 civilians had been killed in the last year, with the ians, has amplified concerns. vast majority of those deaths caused by coalition strikes. Rights groups have accused the coalition of carrying London-based Amnesty called on Washington and London out indiscriminate bombings, including through the use of to “halt all transfers of arms for use in the Yemen conflict.” cluster bombs. Amnesty said it had documented at least 32 “Saudi Arabia’s international partners have added fuel to air strikes by the coalition “that appear to have violated the fire, flooding the region with arms despite the mount- international humanitarian law” and killed 361 civilians. ing evidence that such weaponry has facilitated appalling HRW said it had documented at least 36 “unlawful crimes,” James Lynch, Amnesty International’s regional airstrikes” that killed at least 550 civilians, including on deputy director, said in a statement. HRW also urged the schools, hospitals and homes “with no evidence they were United States, Britain and France to suspend all weapons being used for military purposes”. “How many more air sales until Saudi Arabia curtails its air strikes. strikes need to wreak havoc on civilians before countries TAEZ: Yemeni tribesmen from the Popular Resistance Committees - supporting forces loyal to Yemen’s Saudi- “For the past year, governments that arm Saudi Arabia supplying aircraft and bombs to the coalition pull the backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, hold a position during clashes with Shiite Houthi rebels west of the have rejected or downplayed compelling evidence that the plug?” Bolopion said. — AFP city of Taez. Since March 19, fighting has raged on the outskirts of third city Taez as rebels try to retake positions coalition’s air strikes have killed hundreds of civilians,” New lost in recent weeks to loyalists, military sources said. — AFP York-based HRW’s deputy global advocacy director, Philippe Bolopion, said in a statement. “By continuing to sell weapons to a known violator that has done little to cur- tail its abuses, the US, UK and France risk being complicit in unlawful civilian deaths,” he said. Saudi Arabia is the world’s second-largest arms importer, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and the United States and Britain are its main suppliers.

‘Schools, hospitals, homes’ hit Riyadh launched the intervention in Yemen last year after Shiite Huthi rebels seized control of large parts of the country, including the capital Sanaa, and forced the gov- ernment into exile. Loyalist forces backed by coalition strikes and ground troops have since retaken much of the south but have failed to dislodge the rebels from other areas including Sanaa. Efforts to organize peace talks have so far made little headway and concerns have been grow- ing as the number of civilian casualties mounts.

Saudi arrests Shiite imam for ‘glorifying’ Hezbollah

RIYADH: Saudi security forces have arrested a Shiite preacher in the east of the kingdom, charging that he “glorified” Lebanon’s Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah online, a newspaper reported yesterday. Hussein Al-Radi was detained after Gulf Arab states declared Hezbollah a “terrorist” group earlier this month and brought in tough new measures against anyone supporting it. The Al-Watan daily reported that security forces arrested Radi, of the Al-Ahsa oasis region of Eastern Province. “This is after he glorified the terrorist group Hezbollah and insulted the king- dom in a video clip that has been shared” online, the report said. Radi “also broke previous pledges he had made after defending the terrorist Nimr Al-Nimr following his execution,” it added. Nimr, another Shiite cleric from Eastern Province, was a driving force behind protests that began in 2011 among the Shiite minority in Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, who complain of mar- ginalization. He and three other Shiites were in a group of 47 people executed on January 2 for “terror- ism.” The newspaper quoted a security source as say- ing authorities had “met with patience” a number of violations Radi had allegedly made. “But he continued to incite the public, taking advantage of the mosque platform to breach regulations.” Iranian demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and a consulate following Nimr’s execution, prompting Riyadh to cut diplomatic ties. Other Gulf states have also taken measures against alleged Hezbollah supporters since the terror blacklisting. Bahrain announced it had deported several Lebanese residents for alleged links to the group. A Kuwaiti newspaper reported on Monday that authorities there had taken similar action against 11 Lebanese and three Iraqis. And the United Arab Emirates has report- edly put seven people on trial for allegedly forming a cell linked to Hezbollah. — AFP

Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Blood and panic; Brussels attacked Brussels comes under attack

BRUSSELS: Victims lay in pools of blood, A lot of people lost limbs. One man had An employee for the Swissport airport been “total confusion” at the airport, where ed, there are dead, I do not know how their limbs blown off, as the smoke cleared lost both legs and there was a policeman management company described how she she was having breakfast before a flight. many.” The officer was escorting a woman to reveal a scene of horror after twin explo- with a totally mangled leg.” Emergency looked after a child following the blasts. “I “Suddenly staff rushed in and said we have through a police cordon being put up sions ripped through the main terminal at services said at least 11 people were killed heard the first explosion and I took a child to leave,” she said. “They rushed out and around the Maalbeek station, with all pub- Brussels airport, witnesses said. The nor- in the blast and many others wounded. The in my arms and hid him under the counter. into the main terminal A departures build- lic transport being closed down. mally bustling departure hall at Zaventem city was already on high alert after the Then I gave him to a policeman,” the ing. Nobody knew what was going on.” “It Another AFP journalist, Cedric Simon, was wrecked by the morning rush-hour arrest of Salah Abdeslam, a key suspect in employee said without giving her name. was total confusion, people were just said the situation around the Maalbeek blasts, with part of the ceiling collapsing the Paris terror attacks in November that “There were injured people lying every- standing around wondering what was hap- metro station was totally confused, with a near the check-in desks and many of the were claimed by the Islamic State group. where and some weren’t moving.” At the pening.” Another blast about half an hour cloud of smoke and dust settling over the huge plate glass windows blown out by the airport, on the northwest outskirts of the after those at the airport hit the Brussels road outside. Simon said there were about attack. “A man shouted a few words in ‘A terrible mess’ city and not far from NATO headquarters, metro between the Maalbeek and 15 people lying on the roadside, many with Arabic and then I heard a huge blast,” air- Jean-Pierre Lebeau, a French passenger Jean-Pierre Herman said he was relieved to Schuman stations in the European Union bloodied faces and being treated by med- port baggage security officer Alphonse who had just arrived from Geneva said: have got out safely. Herman embraced his quarter of Brussels, which is also home to ical staff as all Brussels hospitals were put Lyoura, who still had blood on his hands “We heard the explosion and felt the blast.” wife Tankrat Paui Tran, who he had just major international organizations and on standby to deal with casualties. The following the explosion said. He said he had seen many wounded and gone to collect from the airport after her companies. Around 10 people were killed, streets were filled with police cars and He said there was another explosion “blood in the elevator.” “First we were kept flight from Thailand. “My wife just arrived,” emergency services said. emergency vehicles, sirens wailing and about two minutes later. “I helped at least together by the police, then they gave us Herman said. “I said ‘hello,’ we took the ele- blue lights flashing. Brussels has been on six or seven wounded people. We took out the order to evacuate,” he said, recounting vator and in the elevator we heard the first Sirens wailing high alert since the attacks in Paris in some bodies that were not moving. It was the shock on people’s faces and a smell bomb. “The second exploded just when we AFP journalist Lachlan Carmichael was January, with heavily armed police and total panic everywhere,” Lyoura said. “I saw seemingly of gunpowder at the scene. got off. We ran away to an emergency exit. I on the metro and described how his train then troops put on the streets. Troops were people lying on the ground covered in Michel Mpoy, 65, who was at the airport to think we are very lucky.” was halted in the tunnel and then evacuat- clearly very watchful as they patrolled out- blood who were not moving. “At least six pick up a friend coming from Kinshasa, Charlotte McDonald-Gibson, a British ed as it began to fill up with smoke. A side EU and other institutions in the or seven people’s legs were totally crushed. said it was “a total mess-it was terrible”. journalist living in Brussels said there had police officer told him: “There are wound- Maalbeek-Schuman area. — AFP

BRUSSELS: A police officer (right) stands guard as people are evacuated near Brussels airport, after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels yesterday. — AP Travel chaos as Europe freezes air and rail links with Brussels

BRUSSELS: Europe froze air and rail links to Brussels as the authorities tightened secu- rity in alarm over a series of deadly bomb blasts that ripped through the Belgian cap- ital’s airport and a city-centre metro sta- tion. Belgium locked down the capital, home to the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, and imposed its highest level of security alert, as the toll rose to at least 21 people. As passengers fled the smoking airport and the bomb-hit Maalbeek metro station, the public author- ities shut down the airport, metro system, buses, trams and major railway stations in the capital. “Our whole network is closed at the moment,” the Brussels public transport operator STIB warned people on Twitter, confirming the shut-down of metro, bus and tram systems. The Brussels-Zaventem international airport is closed until 6am (0500 GMT) yes- terday, the airport said. The shutdown hit hundreds of flights scheduled to arrive and BRUSSELS: A private security guard helps a wounded woman outside the An injured woman leaves the scene at depart from the airport, halting more than Maalbeek metro station in Brussels yesterday after a blast at this station A wounded man lies inside Brussels Airport Brussels airport, after explosions rocked 400 arrivals from across Europe and other after the explosions yesterday. — AP international airports including New York located near the EU institutions. — AFP the facility in Brussels yesterday. — AP and Dakar. “All flights cancelled at #brus- selsairport for the rest of the day. Avoid the that Eurostar services are currently sus- surroundings of the airport,” the airport pended on the Brussels route. Public trans- said on Twitter. “All our thoughts go to the port in and around Brussels is also severely victims of the horrible events that hap- disrupted,” Eurostar said in a statement. pened here at #brusselsairport this morn- “Our thoughts rest with anyone affected by ing, their family and friends.” the unfolding events in Brussels,” it said. Belgium’s crisis centre urged people not European high speed train service Thalys to move. “No public transport. Stay where said all its traffic, too, had been stopped. you are, also in schools, companies,” it said Dutch anti-terrorism services NCTV said on Twitter. Security forces tightened securi- they were raising airport security and tight- ty at nuclear plants across the country, the ening southern border controls. “We are Belga news agency said. “Surveillance is taking extra security measures as a precau- stepped up with added security measures tion,” the Dutch service said in an online at nuclear plants,” the agency reported. statement, notably stepping up police “Vehicles are being checked with police and patrols at Amsterdam’s Schiphol interna- army on site,” the agency added. The effects tional airport, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. of the Brussels airport and train station clo- London Gatwick, Frankfurt and Moscow air- sures rippled across Europe. Major stations ports raised security, too. Among major air- in Paris remained open but AFP correspon- lines, British Airways and Lufthansa con- dents saw many police patrolling in the firmed all flights departing from and arriv- city’s Gare du Nord, from where Eurostar ing at Brussels had been cancelled for the operates trains to London and Brussels. day. France’s civil aviation authority said Eurostar said all trains to and from five international flights headed for Brussels had been halted. “Following the Brussels had been diverted to French air- The blown out facade of the terminal is seen at Zaventem airport, incident in Brussels today we can confirm ports. — AFP one of the sites of two deadly attacks in Brussels yesterday. — AP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Trump backs tougher border security, New York poised to end water boarding after Brussels attacks ban on professional MMA

WASHINGTON: Republican presidential front- ALBANY: New York is poised to end its ban cussions can be incidental to the game. Here, runner Donald Trump renewed a call for tougher on professional mixed martial arts, the last it is more part of the sport,” she said. US border security following Tuesday’s deadly state to prohibit the combat sport. One early opponent was UNITE HERE, the attacks in Brussels, and suggested torture could Conducted inside a cage or other enclosure hotel and restaurant workers’ union, publicly be an effective technique to gain information to with a referee present, MMA bouts end when citing American Medical Association opposi- thwart future attacks. one fighter quits or gets knocked out or tion and the potential social costs of teens Trump’s comments, in an interview on NBC’s when judges decide after 15 or 25 minutes of imitating fighters. One consistent advocate is “Today” program, came a day after he expressed fighting who the winner is. Ultimate Fighting Championship, the sport’s skepticism about the US role in the North The New York Assembly plans to vote this largest US promoter, whose backers are Atlantic Treaty Organization and said the United week after years of leaving the ban intact major owners of nonunion Station Casinos in States should significantly cut spending on the over fears that the sport was too violent. A Las Vegas. defense alliance. Democrat-controlled chamber approved UFC has its eyes on hosting a major fight “As president ... I would be very, very tough MMA in 2007, then subsequently balked. The card late this year at Madison Square Garden on the borders, and I would be not allowing cer- Republican-controlled Senate, initially reluc- and predicts there will be other professional tain people to come into this country without tant, has voted to legalize it for seven straight shows next year in Brooklyn, Buffalo and absolute perfect documentation,” Trump said. years. smaller cities. Fighters wear small, fingerless The billionaire businessman said water Two Assembly committees voted early gloves and little else. They punch, kick, boarding would be a “fine” way to gather infor- Yesterday to advance it, with a floor vote elbow, grapple, knee, trip, tackle, slam and mation in an effort to prevent such attacks if it expected later in the day. Assemblywoman choke each other inside a cage. was legalized. Margaret Market, a Queens Democrat who Advocates say it has evolved from “If they could expand the laws, I would do a chairs the tourism committee, said she initial- rougher early days with more rules to protect lot more than water boarding. You have to get ly opposed MMA after running into a group fighters. Meanwhile, it’s on television, and the information from these people,” he told NBC. of destitute ex-boxers. Added protections for fighters train and amateurs compete in New Water boarding is the practice of pouring fighters have made it “palatable, at least to York. Rules prohibit biting, eye gouging, water over someone’s face to simulate drowning me at this point in time,” she said. The com- head butts, finger bending and many other as an interrogation tactic. Critics say it is torture, mittee voted 15-5 for it. fouls. and President Barack Obama banned use of the “This bill not only will bring professional The legislation would put MMA under the Committee, said the attacks “bear all the hall- winning the Republican presidential nomination method days after taking office in 2009. mixed martial arts to New York, but just as control of the State Athletic Commission, marks of an ISIS-inspired, or ISIS-coordinated in contests in Arizona and Utah on Tuesday, aim- Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary importantly what it will do is it’ll allow for which regulates professional boxing with attack,” using an acronym for Islamic State. The ing to deal another setback to the party estab- Clinton acknowledged Americans have a right rules and regulations that will offer protec- drug testing, officials and ringside doctors. It attacks will likely revive national security as a lishment’s flagging stop-Trump movement. to be frightened after a spate of recent attacks tions for the amateur fighters as well,” said would have to prepare to do the same for key issue in the 2016 race for the White House, The billionaire businessman has rolled up a but said military leaders have found techniques Assemblyman Dean Murray, a Long Island MMA. Recently added legislative provisions at least for now. big lead in convention delegates who will pick like water boarding are not effective. Republican. would increase required insurance for fight- Trump’s Republican rival John Kasich, the the Republican nominee, defying weeks of “We’ve got to work this through consistent Assemblywoman Pat Fahy, an Albany ers to $50,000 for injuries and $1 million for governor of Ohio, struck a more diplomatic tone, attacks from members of the party establish- with our values,” she said on NBC, adding offi- Democrat, noted those changes but voted life-threatening brain injuries. It authorizes pledging to “redouble our efforts with our allies” ment worried he will lead the Republicans to cials “do not need to resort to torture, but they against it, citing its violence and growing evi- the state to study potential funding mecha- and saying the United States “must strengthen defeat in the Nov. 8 presidential election. are going to need more help.” dence of serious brain injuries and concus- nisms for long-term care of fighters who our alliances” in the face of acts of terror. In Arizona, one of the US states that borders Thirty-four people were killed in attacks on sions in football and boxing. “In football, con- develop degenerative brain conditions. — AP Brussels airport and a rush-hour metro train in US Senator Ted Cruz, a conservative who is Mexico, Trump’s hardliner immigration message the Belgian capital, according to public broad- running second to Trump in the Republican del- is popular and he leads in polls, while in Utah caster VRT, triggering security alerts across egate count, called the blasts in Belgium “the lat- Trump lags in polls behind Cruz. Europe and bringing some cross-border traffic est in a string of coordinated attacks by radical Trump has called for the building of a wall on to a halt. Islamic terrorists.” “Radical Islam is at war with the US-Mexican border to halt illegal immigra- Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the US us,” he said in a statement posted online. tion and a temporary ban on Muslims entering House of Representatives Intelligence Trump looks to take another step toward the United States. — Reuters Trump’s ‘love’ for Israel still not quite requited ‘He is a chauvinist’

JERUSALEM: “I love the people in this room. I love inflammatory and whose proposal to ban Muslims US candidate, but strongly rejected Trump’s views Israel. I love Israel,” Donald Trump told a conven- from entering the United States would affect near- on Muslims, saying Israel “respects all religions and tion of pro-Israel lobbyists in Washington this ly a fifth of Israelis-has alarmed politicians and vot- diligently guards the rights of its citizens”. week. But the feeling still isn’t quite mutual. At ers alike. Dozens of Israeli opposition lawmakers had least not yet. An opinion poll published last week on Israel’s signed a letter demanding Netanyahu call off the In Israel, where distrust of Democratic Walla news site showed that 23 percent of Israelis planned meeting. The letter’s author said Trump’s President Barack Obama runs deep and conserva- want to see Trump in the Oval Office, compared to “racist” remarks meant plans for the prime minis- tive Benjamin Netanyahu is in his fourth term as 38 percent who prefer the Democrats’ frontrunner, ter to meet him were “disgracing Israel’s democrat- prime minister, many voters might have been ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. ic character and hurting its Muslim citizens”. One expected to prefer a Republican to take the White In December Trump called off a visit to Israel, signatory, an Israeli Arab lawmaker, called Trump a House. saying he did not want to cause difficulty for “neo-Nazi”. But the prospect that the candidate could be Netanyahu, after Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims Trump-the real estate billionaire whose rhetoric from the United States drew an outcry. Netanyahu MAINSTREAM SPEECH toward ethnic minorities is widely viewed as said at the time he was willing to meet any serious Three months later, with Trump now on course for his party’s nomi- nation, his speech on Monday to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee seemed designed to shift percep- tions of him squarely back towards the Republican mainstream. “Trump delivered a speech that could easily have been written in the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem,” wrote Chemi Shalev, correspondent for Israeli newspaper Haaretz. “He went into the arena as a racist demagogue but soon came out as an ostensibly serious con- tender.” Trump, who normally disdains prepared remarks, read his speech out from a teleprompter. His criticism of Obama won applause from the room, and he noted that his daughter Ivanka, who converted to Judaism and married a Jewish man, will soon give birth to a “beautiful Jewish baby”. Unlike Clinton, who spoke at the gathering in a morning session on Monday, Trump made no mention of a main sticking point in a now-dormant peace process-Jewish set- tlement on occupied land that Palestinians seek for a state.Instead, he pushed all the traditional applause buttons at a high-energy event replete with swelling music, accounts of Israeli high-tech achievements and shots of waving, and sometimes kissing, audi- ence members displayed on a big screen. Among Trump’s promis- es: dismantling a nuclear deal with Iran, vetoing any attempt by the United Nations to impose a peace settlement and moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which Israel considers its capital but almost all other countries, including the United States, do not. Still, Trump will have a way to go to win over many in a country suspicious of pop- ulist rhetoric. “He is a chau- vinist, a violent person who hates the blacks, the Arabs - anyone who is not his color,” said Orly Marx, a 55-year-old housewife from Herzliya, near Tel Aviv. — Reuters

INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Blocked from presidency, Chadian gang-rape victim Suu Kyi set for Myanmar cabinet NAYPYIDAW: Aung San Suu Kyi was nomi- ‘Heart of government’ demands justice for all women nated as a cabinet minister in Myanmar’s Suu Kyi has held several rounds of talks civilian government yesterday, giving the with army chief Min Aung Hlaing since the democracy veteran a formal position NLD scored a thundering majority in the ‘I talked, I talked. They threatened me.’ despite being blocked from the presidency elections, but was unable to remove the in a nation ruled for decades by the military. constitutional barrier that obstructs her path PARIS: Chadian teenager Zouhoura, whose But their action backfired: photos of the The Nobel laureate, who has vowed to to the top political job. gang-rape by young men from well-to-do fami- naked girl in tears sent a shockwave of disgust rule above the next president Htin Kyaw, Taking a role in the cabinet puts an end lies sparked unprecedented mass protests in her across Chad. Despite the regime’s tight security, was named first in a list of ministers read to speculation that she would opt for a posi- country, says she wants justice for herself and for which leaves opponents little room for manoeu- out to lawmakers by the parliament speak- tion akin to India’s Sonia Gandhi, who wield- “all women” who have long suffered in silence. vre, hundreds of schoolchildren demonstrated in er, who did not specify which position she ed huge influence over her Congress party’s On February 8, the fragile-looking 16-year- the capital on February 15. or others would hold. administration despite having no official old was assaulted in a brutal attack that shocked They were dispersed by riot police and one government role. “I hereby present the list of names for many in the poor central African nation, trigger- youth, 17-year-old Abbachou Hassan Ousmane, “She wants to be at the heart of govern- those who should become union ministers, ing weeks of of demonstrations by thousands of was shot dead. The protest movement spread to ment. She wants to do it properly, and for- proposed to the parliament by the presi- young people in the streets. other Chadian towns in the days that followed. mally, and, this is important to her, legally,” dent-elect,” parliament speaker Mann Win Zouhoura was on her way to school in the More young demonstrators were wounded and Khaing Than told MPs. said Trevor Wilson, an academic at the Australian National University and former capital N’Djamena with a friend when a car with at least 17 were arrested, but the wave of soli- A parliamentary vote to confirm the tinted windows pulled up alongside them. Five darity spread abroad. posts is expected later in the week. ambassador to Myanmar. He added that she would now be able to maintain a “very close boys were in the vehicle, whom Zouhoura later Observers say Suu Kyi is likely to take the learned were rich sons of the ruling class. ‘No justice in Chad’ role of foreign minister, giving her a cabinet eye on things that are important to her”. The incoming president, Htin Kyaw, is “They grabbed me by the neck and threw me To see Chadians from the diaspora joining the post, international clout and a seat at the into the car,” Zouhoura told AFP, stammering protest as far afield as London and Washington, country’s influential Security Council, which seen as having absolute loyalty to Suu Kyi as her long-term confidante and ally. But his with emotion, her voice still almost child-like. “that encouraged me,” Zouhoura said. When is dominated by the still hugely powerful novice administration faces a raft of chal- “They took me outside the city by force... You Chadian authorities “saw that the people were military. Under Myanmar’s complex political lenges-including conflict in ethnic minority know the rest.” Zouhoura has since returned to demonstrating and that my picture was circulat- rules, the cabinet role means she will likely border areas, entrenched poverty and the France, where she already lived with relatives ing everywhere on social networks, they were have to forego her formal position as head need to rapidly improve the country’s from 2009 to 2015. She decided to speak out quick to arrest the criminals,” she added. of her National League for Democracy, decrepit infrastructure and long-neglected publicly in Paris to fight impunity for sex crimi- The five alleged rapists, who include the sons which she led to a stunning victory in his- education and health services. nals in her homeland. “There has never been jus- of three generals, were taken into custody PARIS: Zouhoura, who was kidnapped and toric November elections that were the Another key challenge will be smoothing tice before over the rape of a Chadian woman,” together with four suspected accomplices, freest in generations. relations with the army that locked up Suu said Zouhoura, her gaze firm from beneath a raped by young Chadians dignitaries of the including a son of Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Suu Kyi, 70, is the daughter of Myanmar’s Kyi and other NLD politicians for years dur- grey headscarf. regime, holds a press conference, on March Mahamat. But Zouhoura doubts that they will independence hero and has towered over ing their campaign against oppressive junta 18, 2016. — AFP ever be brought to trial. “In Chad, there is no jus- the country’s democracy movement as the rule. The military still holds strong political ‘I’m not sole victim’ told me to ‘go and file a lawsuit’,” the youngster tice... I am not even sure that they are in prison.” figurehead of its spirited, non-violent strug- sway under a charter that reserves a quarter “I’m not the only victim. There are other said of her father. “To start with, I said nothing, Although she is sceptical, she is determined to at gle against decades of military rule. of parliament seats for unelected soldiers women and girls who have been raped - I know but later, when I saw that everybody was sup- least try to have them held to account. “I want Her ban from the presidency has been a and grants the army chief direct control over them - and they have remained anonymous, porting me, I told myself, why not speak out, justice to be done, so that this doesn’t happen thorn in the side of her party since it was three key ministries; home affairs, border they have said nothing,” she added in an inter- (and) fight this?” When Zouhoura turned to the again,” she said. allowed a space in parliament under the affairs and defense. view Friday. Encouraged by her father, who lives police in Chad, “at first they didn’t react.” Zouhoura’s voice sometimes chokes and a out-going quasi-civilian government led by The new government has offered few in the eastern French town of Nancy and is an Detectives considered that a rape claim against tear rolls down her cheek. It is tough to speak President Thein Sein, a retired general. She hints about its policies, although it has set opponent of the hardline regime of President the sons of senior officials in the regime was out to journalists about rape. But “it had to be is barred from the presidency by the junta- about streamlining the country’s notorious- Idriss Deby Itno, Zouhoura agreed to address a taboo. “I talked, I talked. They threatened me.” done, it was necessary,” she insisted. The teenag- drafted constitution because her late hus- ly labyrinthine civil service by combining meeting and give an interview. Furious to discover that Zouhoura was seek- er plans to “continue this fight”, then later, per- band, British academic Michael Aris, and ministries and reducing the number of “I expected him to say ‘Wait, we need to settle ing action against them, the alleged rapists post- haps, resume studies that were so brutally inter- two sons are British. ministers. —AFP this in the family,’ but no, he didn’t hesitate. He ed images of the assault on social networks. rupted. — AFP Australia arrests two suspected of Islamic State financing

SYDNEY: Yesterday Australian police said South Wales state police Deputy into Syria, an Australian Federal Police thwarted a number of potential attacks, told Reuters. they had arrested two people, including a Commissioner Catherine Burn told source told Reuters on condition of while there have been several “lone wolf” Australian Federal Police Deputy 16-year-old girl, on suspicion of raising reporters. “We will be alleging that they anonymity. “They are doing it usually by assaults. Commissioner Michael Phelan said the lat- funds to support operations of the Islamic were involved in obtaining money to send credit cards or ATM cards - pretty easy. It’s Islamic State raises the majority of its est arrests were not connected to any threat State militant group. offshore to assist the Islamic State in its not that much money. Some of it is a very funding from oil, kidnapping and other illic- of an imminent attack. The arrests in a Sydney suburb on activities,” she said. small amount of money ... sometimes less it activities in far greater amounts than what In 2014, police shot dead a Melbourne Monday of the schoolgirl and a man, aged Australia’s anti-money laundering agency than $1,000,” he said. is sent by individuals, said Greg Barton, a teenager after he stabbed two counter-ter- 20, were part of counter-terrorism opera- said in November reports of suspected mili- terrorism expert at Deakin University. rorism officers. Three months later, two tions aimed at thwarting attacks by domes- tant financing had tripled in the past year, ‘BASIS FOR CHARGES’ Arrests like those made this week were hostages were killed when police stormed a tic radicals at home and disrupting the flow with more than A$50 million ($38 million) Authorities believe dozens of Australians more valuable in identifying and arresting Sydney cafe to end a siege by a lone gun- of funds to foreign fighters overseas. that could be used to support militants have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight Australians who may be at risk of further man, who was also killed. “We anticipate that both these people being investigated. alongside Islamic State militants. Australia, a radicalization than they in putting a dent in A 15-year-old boy fired on an accountant will be charged later today and attend court The amounts being sent in this particu- staunch US ally, has been on heightened militant finances. “It’s more this gives us the at police headquarters in a Sydney suburb and the charge that we anticipate they will lar case were small and most likely used to alert for attacks by home-grown radicals basis for figuring out the connection and it last October and was then killed in a gun- have is one of financing terrorism,” New help facilitate the travel of foreign fighters since 2014 and authorities say they have also gives us the basis for laying charges,” he fight with police. —Reuters WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Christian convert hacked to death in Bangladesh

DHAKA: Unidentified attackers then lunged at his neck with sharp if there was another motive. “He was Shiite, Sufi and Ahmadi Muslims, State has a presence in Bangladesh. hacked a Christian convert to death weapons. “He died on the spot. The not a pastor or reputed Christian. Christians and Hindus. It blames the banned homegrown in northern Bangladesh yesterday, attackers exploded a molotov cock- Also there were some disputes over Last week the IS said it killed a militant group Jamayetul amid growing attacks on religious tail to create panic and left the scene his family properties,” Ullah said. Shiite convert from Sunni Islam in Mujahideen Bangladesh for the minorities by suspected Islamist mili- on a motorcycle,” Kurigram district Nobody has claimed responsibility the southwestern town of Kaliganj. In upsurge in deadly violence. tants in the Muslim-majority country. police chief Tobarak Ullah told AFP. for the killing. But in recent months January an alleged Christian convert Bangladesh has been plagued by Police said at least two attackers Ullah said Ali had converted to militants claiming to be soldiers of was also murdered by the same unrest in the last three years. Experts stopped Hossain Ali while the 68- Christianity from Islam in 1999 but the Islamic State group have claimed group. say a long-running political crisis has year-old was taking his regular morn- he was not sure whether the deadly responsibility for a series of attacks Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s radicalised opponents of the gov- ing walk in the town of Kurigram and attack was carried out by Islamists or on converts and minorities including government denies that Islamic ernment. — AFP

Breakaway Taleban group denies its leader detained in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The leader of a breakaway more Afghan territory than at any time faction of the Taleban is leading his fight- since their hard-line government was ers in Afghanistan, his deputy said yester- toppled in 2001. Rasoul is the biggest day, contradicting three senior members rival to Mansour, who claimed the leader- of the Islamist group and denying a ship of the Taleban last year after news newspaper report that he had been emerged of founder Mullah Omar’s death detained. and who has been shoring up support Three senior Taleban told Reuters that against rival factions. Mullah Mohammad Rasoul, who leads a His faction has firmly opposed joining faction that has rejected the authority of peace talks with the Afghan government the Islamist movement’s leader, Mullah and accuses Mansour of covering up Mohammad Mansour, had been detained Mullah Omar’s death and being under two weeks ago in Baluchistan province the control of Pakistan. on the border between Pakistan and One senior member of the faction loy- Afghanistan. al to Mullah Mansour said that Rasoul Pakistan’s Express Tribune newspaper had been in hiding in the western Afghan said that Rasoul was being held by city of Herat but had recently decided to Pakistani authorities. Quoting two move to Pakistan, where many Taleban unnamed Taleban leaders, the newspa- leaders are believed to be living. Two sen- per said Rasoul was held in Pakistan after ior Pakistani security officials denied fleeing Afghanistan following heavy Rasoul was in Pakistani custody. fighting in recent months with militants “Our last information is that he fled in loyal to Mansour. fighting in Afghanistan,” one of the offi- Rasoul’s deputy, Mullah Abdul Manan cials said, requesting anonymity. Niazi, dismissed the report as “propagan- Alongside its recent battlefield successes, da of our enemies” and two Pakistani the movement has been in turmoil since SEOUL: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel, answers a reporter’s question after eth security officials also denied the report. last year when it was forced to admit that meeting with South Korean senior officials at the Foreign Ministry. — AP “Mullah Rasoul is in Afghanistan and lead- Mullah Omar had died two years earlier. ing his fighters,” Niazi said. But he added Mansour was reported to have been UN lifts North Korea sanctions that his group’s survival did not depend shot and wounded in a leadership dis- on one leader. “Our resistance will not pute last year and dozens of Taleban stop with the arrest or killing of Mullah fighters were killed in clashes between on four ships at China’s request Rasoul or any other leader,” Niazi said. the two factions in the southern Afghan The mixed reports add a further twist province of Zabul. Taleban officials to the opaque nature of the leadership of denied reports last year of Mansour’s ‘It achieved an impact, a real world outcome’ the Taleban, who control or threaten injuries. — Reuters

UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL: UN Security FOURTH NUCLEAR TEST US FRUSTRATION Council agreed on Monday to a Chinese The ships were among 31 vessels sanctioned Liu had raised the issue of the four sanc- North Korean consular official request to remove sanctions on four ships the by the 15-member council on March 2 because tioned vessels last week in a meeting with United Nations had blacklisted for ties to they were linked to Ocean Maritime Power, his US counterpart, according to the in China kills two in car crash Pyongyang’s arms trade. The agreement came Management (OMM), a North Korean shipping cable reviewed by Reuters. after China secured assurances the vessels firm known to transport arms and other illicit Power approved the unclassified cable, would not use North Korean crews, a US offi- goods for the secretive state. which went from the US mission at the UN to BEIJING: A North Korean consular test on Jan. 6 and a month later cial said. “We discovered that they are not OMM American embassies in Manila, Tokyo and Seoul. official in China has killed two people launched what it said was a space China asked the United States on March 16 ships,” Chinese UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi told The cable pointed to American frustration with in a car crash, China’s Foreign Ministry rocket. The United States and other for help removing the ships from the UN black- Reuters on Monday. “The basis for the listing of what US officials characterized as China’s said yesterday, reporting the accident critics said the launch was cover for its list, according to a diplomatic cable sent the the ships is basically that they belong to OMM, attempts to hold up the routine renewal of a UN shortly after China came out in sup- development of ballistic missile tech- same day from the US permanent mission at so if you make a mistake, then you correct the panel of experts in return for de-listing the port of sanctions against its ally over nology that could be used to deliver a the United Nations to a group of other US mistake.” ships. The panel is made up of a team of inter- its nuclear program. nuclear weapon. embassies. US and other Western officials have said all national experts who monitor and research South Korea’s Yonhap news agency The UN Security Council unani- The cable, reviewed by Reuters, showed the original listings were carefully vetted before potential breaches of resolutions against North earlier reported the North Korean offi- mously agreed this month to harsh wrangling between top diplomats from the the ships were added to the blacklist. That list Korea and recommend entities that could be cial was driving drunk, and the acci- new sanctions, drafted by the United United States and China over the tough new was appended to the sweeping Security sanctioned. dent took place after he had left an States and China, on North Korea to North Korea sanctions, weeks after Washington Council resolutions implemented on March 2, Liu had asked Power’s help in removing the event celebrating North Korea’s launch starve it of money for its nuclear had presented a united front with Beijing, following North Korea’s fourth nuclear test in ships from the list in an “easy, smooth and quick of a long-range rocket on Feb 7. weapons program. US State Pyongyang’s main ally and trade partner. January. way,” to get the panel renewed, according to China’s Foreign Ministry did not Department officials have expressed The US mission at the United Nations The US official, speaking on condition of the document’s characterization of Liu’s mention those details in a statement optimism that the sanctions may be declined to comment on the cable or make its anonymity, said the Security Council committee request. The easiest way, Liu said, “would be to to Reuters but said the official’s vehi- more effective than earlier attempts ambassador, Samantha Power, available for an on North Korea sanctions agreed to the request work quickly to get all these issues settled,” cle hit a taxi in the city of Dandong, to curtail North Korea’s nuclear pro- interview about the cable. The US Treasury after China secured written commitments the according to the cable. near the North Korean border, early gram, pointing to China’s apparent Department, which administers US economic four ships would no longer use North Korean Power told Liu China’s linking of the issues on Feb 10, killing the driver and a pas- willingness to support them. and financial sanctions, also declined to com- crews. and attempts to hold up the renewal of the senger. Officials at North Korea’s embassy in ment. The four ships include the Jin Teng, a cargo panel was “not going over well in Washington,” The North Korean official had paid Beijing could not be reached for com- The removal of the four ships was con- ship detained by the Philippines days after the according to the cable, and asked China to let compensation to the families of the ment. Crime committed by North firmed in a press release, which was seen by sanctions took effect. the renewal go forward. victims, the ministry added, in a rare Koreans in China has frequently Reuters and will soon be issued by the Security “We’re pleased with the outcome,” said the “You don’t need to blackmail us, Power said, revelation of wrongdoing by an offi- sparked public outrage in China, par- Council, according to UN diplomats. US official. “It achieved an impact, a real world as we are indeed interested in operating in cial of an allied power. China is North ticularly after a string of murders While Washington has been the driving outcome.” He added it was a sign of a “produc- good faith,” the cable says of Power’s conversa- Korea’s sole major ally but China dis- apparently carried out by deserters force behind the toughening international tive working relationship with China” on North tion with Liu. Liu told Reuters on Monday he approves of its nuclear program. The from the North Korean army in villages sanctions regime, China conducts 90 percent Korea and that it was “gratifying to see such expected the experts panel would be “renewed North conducted its fourth nuclear near the border last year. — Reuters of the trade with North Korea and is the key to instant real-world effects” of the UN sanctions according to the normal procedure in the enforcing them. regime. Security Council”. — Reuters China widens ban on ivory imports

BEIJING: Yesterday China said it has widened a hub for the trade-said in January it would tight- and law enforcement” purposes were not cov- ban on ivory imports as it comes under pressure en restrictions on ivory imports and exports ered by the extended ban. to restrict a trade which sees thousands of including a ban on trade in hunting trophies, Experts say most illegal ivory is headed for African elephants slaughtered every year. but did not give a clear timescale. China’s newly China, where it is seen as a status symbol. By Imports of all ivory and ivory products extended import bans do not outlaw its existing some estimates the country accounts for as acquired before 1975 will be banned until the domestic trade, and appear to potentially allow much as 70 percent of global demand. end of the decade, the State Forestry imports of some raw ivory dating from after Underlining the scale of the trade, state media Administration said on its website. The measure 1975. reported Monday that police in south China’s came into force on Sunday. The State Forestry Administration said Guangdong province seized about 450 kilo- It also extended until the same date existing imports of ivory artifacts for “teaching and scien- grams of smuggled ivory in a raid earlier this bans on imports of African ivory carvings tific research, cultural exchange, public display month. — AFP acquired after 1975, and all ivory hunting tro- phies. China is seen as the major source of demand for African ivory, with prices for a kilo- gram reaching as much as $1,100. TANDO MUHAMMAD KHAN: Pakistani family members mourn the death of a relative Conservationists estimate that more than who died after drinking tainted alcohol. — AFP 20,000 elephants were killed for their ivory last 15 dead from alcohol poisoning year, with similar tolls in previous years. The WWF campaign group says 470,000 of the ani- mals remain. The Convention on International in southern Pakistan: Officials Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and KARACHI: At least 15 people including two Panwar added police had made four Flora (CITES) took effect in 1975. It banned the women died in a southern Pakistani town arrests in relation to the incident but were ivory trade in 1989. after drinking tainted liquor, with dozens chasing a key suspect who remained at large. Like other countries, China permits the resale more sickened, police said yesterday. “We have confiscated 65,000 liters of liquor of ivory bought before the 1989 ban-and also The incident is the latest to highlight the only two days ago but their production is has a stockpile purchased with CITES approval in proliferation of low-grade liquor in the very high,” she said. 2008, which it releases for sale with certification. Islamic country, which officially bars Muslims Gayan Chand Israni, the minister in charge Activists say the trade in legal ivory acts as a cov- from drinking. The poisonings occurred on of excise and taxation, which regulates alco- er for illegal imports and call for a complete ban Monday evening in the town of Tando hol, said an inquiry was underway and sever- on sales. Muhammad Khan, some 250 kilometers al officials had been suspended for negli- The issue came up during President Xi northeast of Karachi. gence. Though legal breweries exist in Jinping’s state visit to the US last year, when the “So far we have reports of 15 deaths Pakistan, the sale of alcohol and consump- White House said in a statement that the two including two women,” Nasim Ara Panwar, the tion is prohibited for Muslims and tightly reg- countries “commit to enact nearly complete town’s senior police officer told AFP. Most of ulated for minorities and foreigners. bans on ivory import and export”. the victims were minority Hindus, she added. While wealthy Pakistanis buy bootlegged The measures would include “significant and A second police official who requested foreign alcohol at heavily inflated prices, the timely” restrictions on hunting trophy imports anonymity because he was not authorized to poor often resort to home-brews that can and steps to halt domestic commercial ivory speak to the media confirmed the incident contain methanol, commonly used in anti- trade, the statement added. Beijing imposed a and toll. “Thirty-seven people were brought freeze and fuel. In October 2014 at least 29 temporary ban on imports of ivory carvings last to hospitals, of whom 15 died, 11 were dis- drinkers were killed after consuming year, but campaigners described the move as charged and 11 others are still being treated,” methanol-tainted liquor over the Eid public more symbolic than effective. he said. holidays. — AFP The Chinese territory of Hong Kong - a key BEIJING: Carved ivory displayed to the media before being destroyed. — AFP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 Vessel carrying plutonium departs Japan port for US TOKYO: A nuclear transport vessel carry- where the highly-toxic substance has week that the material will be disposed of not to. The shipment comes ahead of a it should return large quantities of other ing a huge cache of plutonium-enough been stored, and the ship leaving the in the US. Five anti-nuclear groups, includ- nuclear security summit in Washington materials, including weapons-grade plu- to produce 50 nuclear bombs-to be port. The vessel carrying the 331 kilo- ing Greenpeace, said in a joint statement from late this month, and is meant to tonium and enriched uranium,” ministry returned to the US left a Japanese port grams of plutonium departed at about 3 yesterday released ahead of the vessel’s underscore both countries’ commitment spokeswoman Hua Chunying told yesterday afternoon. pm (0600 GMT) under tight security departure that the shipment “exposes the to nuclear non-proliferation. reporters. “This is indeed a concern of the The stockpile, provided by the United guarded by patrol boats of the Japan failure of global plutonium reprocessing But anti-nuclear campaigners includ- international community.” States, Britain and France decades ago for Coast Guard, according to NHK. program and the threat from current ing Greenpeace last week condemned the Japan traditionally has relied heavily research purposes, is being shipped to The government “cannot reveal” the Japanese nuclear policy.” shipment as a “dangerous distraction” on nuclear technology for its energy the US as part of a bilateral storage deal. vessel’s itinerary or any other details, an The stockpile has caused disquiet from what they said is a far larger cache of needs, though the aftermath of the Television footage by national broadcast- official told AFP, but anti-nuclear campaign among anti-nuclear campaigners and roughly 10 tons of plutonium in the coun- March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster er NHK showed containers being loaded groups said it will take two months for the neighboring countries given Japan has try. In Beijing, China’s foreign ministry yes- led to all of the country’s reactors being on to the Britain-registered ship at a port ship to arrive at a nuclear facility in South the know-how to produce a nuclear terday called on Japan to take further shut down, with only a few coming back in Tokaimura, northeast of Tokyo, close to Carolina. A Japanese official told AFP last weapon-even as it adamantly chooses steps to reduce its stockpiles. “In addition, on line so far. — AFP Fearful of China, escapees embark on a risky voyage As they wait for years to be recognized as refugees BANGKOK: Dong Junming was detained several times in his Chinese homeland before he and his family fled to Bangkok in February 2015. A year lat- er, he was preparing to make a more desperate journey to evade Chinese authorities who still felt dangerously close. In the months since he arrived in Thailand, dozens of Chinese asylum-seekers have been sent back home by Thai authorities. Other dissidents have simply disappeared from Thailand and Hong Kong before re-emerging in mainland Chinese custody. Beijing appears increasingly eager to KANGDING: A woman walks on a street at in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous snatch back countrymen who have attempted to Prefecture. — AFP escape its grasp. Dong is a practitioner of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which is banned in China and whose members are persecuted there. He, his wife and daughter have a long wait Struggle in the city to obtain refugee status and get resettled in a third country - they won’t even interview with the UN refugee agency until at least 2017. In the for Tibetan nomads meantime, he’s unable to work legally and his fam- CHINA: By mid-morning, Lobsang’s leather work or training. ily’s travel documents have expired. cowboy hat is askew, his black robes Dolkar, 42, sold his last 13 yaks for 85,000 So Dong decided to flee once more. This time it disheveled, and his breath stinks of booze. Once yuan two years ago, a decision he now regrets, would be by boat, to New Zealand, some 6,000 a nomad herder roaming the high Tibetan and has yet to find stable employment. “I miles away. The country is so isolated that, as far as plateau, instead he stumbles around his sparse thought this was a lot of money, but I didn’t authorities know, not one refugee boat has success- new concrete house. realise things in the town would be so expen- fully reached its shores. He would leave with six oth- For decades he and his wife grazed yaks and sive,” he lamented. “A person from the govern- er Chinese adults, including a couple taking their KUNMING: In this image taken from a July 9, 2015 video footage run by China’s CCTV, hooded sheep, living a life little changed in centuries, ment came and convinced me I should move, two sons, ages 1 and 7. They believed New Zealand ethnic Uighurs are escorted from a plane by Chinese security officials after being deported until they acquiesced three years ago to gov- but now I see I’ve lost so much. I want to go offered them the best chance of gaining refugee from Thailand. — AP ernment calls to give up their yak-hair tents for back, but it’s too late.” status. Dong, as well as eight other Chinese dissi- tary-led government as catering to China, its in America. Beijing has raised the heat not only on permanent housing. Now available urban jobs are low-wage, dents living in Thailand who did not make the boat biggest trading partner. corruption suspects but also on dissidents who Now they live in a resettlement village, row manual positions in construction or sanitation. journey, described lives of anxiety and frustration With President Xi Jinping at China’s helm and fled China. Forced repatriations and alleged after row of identical blue-roofed grey shells, an But many nomads shun menial labor, having bordering on outright despair in interviews with brimming with confidence, the communist gov- abductions have particularly rattled Chinese asy- hour’s drive from Aba in Sichuan province along enjoyed wealthy status in the Tibetan commu- The Associated Press. Though free and under no ernment is pursuing greater cooperation with lum-seekers who have congregated in Thailand, winding mountain roads. nity by virtue of their valuable livestock hold- immediate deportation threat, Dong said he feared police abroad. One aspect of the campaign popu- where the UN High Commissioner for Refugees “Everything changed when we moved to ings. “Sending people to urban areas only helps what the future might bring. So when offered a lar within China is Beijing’s Skynet operation, has an office. this town,” said Tashi, who like her husband is in if there are jobs there,” Fischer said. “It’s not like berth on the yacht in January, he took it. which seeks the return of corrupt Chinese officials “Beijing has become so ruthless that it grants her 40s but not sure of her exact age. “First we everyone can become a petty entrepreneur sell- and others accused of absconding overseas with us no way out at all,” said Hu Junxiong, a democra- ran out of money, then he couldn’t find suitable ing dumplings in the marketplace, the jobs The risks ill-gotten gains. Since October 2014, China has cy activist who fled to Thailand last year, after work and then he started drinking more and need to be there and in the absence of that, the “It’s highly risky out there on the ocean, but we seen the return of 124 corruption suspects who Chinese authorities detained him 35 days for help- more.” Chinese authorities say urbanization in government moving them to urban areas isn’t are so fearful here in Thailand that I thought I had fled to 34 countries, the country’s chief justice ing other activists with computer and technology Tibetan areas and elsewhere will increase indus- going to help.” should take the risk,” he said. Dong and fellow trav- told the national legislature this month. issues.”It won’t let us flee, but stays on our tail to trialization and economic development, offer- elers boarded the yacht the night of Feb. 29. The That campaign has had limited success in the catch us and bring us back to China, where we ing former nomads higher living standards and Separatist forces captain was democracy activist Li Xiaolong, the US, which has no extradition treaty with China and surely will be met with harsh persecutions and better protecting the environment. Critics say one goal of the urbanization cam- father of both children aboard. He bought the sec- requires evidence that the offences they are end up in misery,” Hu said in an interview from Those who move receive an urban hukou- paign is to give authorities more oversight over ondhand vessel, which also carried his wife and accused of by China would also constitute a crime Bangkok. —AP China’s strictly controlled internal residence per- the people of Tibet, which has been ruled by two brothers. mits that determine access to social services. Beijing since 1951. The resettlement village AFP They had a month’s supply of food and water. The government offers free or heavily subsi- visited is in what was Kham, the eastern part of Their confidence was boosted by a fellow activist dized houses, medical insurance, and free pre-invasion Tibet, where Khampa warriors who succeeded in making a shorter sea voyage An Airline glitch leaves schooling. But critics say the drive has a one- fought Communist forces, sometimes with CIA from Thailand to Australia. They believed their own size-fits-all approach and many former pastoral- backing, until the late 1960s. journey would be smooth. They were wrong. 16,000 stranded in Tokyo ists have not prospered, despite its promises. Since 2000, government statistics show that Fears over the growing reach of Chinese securi- TOKYO: A computer system malfunction forced about 8.20 am yesterday (2320 GMT Monday) Unlike the voluntary urbanization of the early urban residents have leaped by about 60 per- ty services crystallized among many Chinese dissi- Japan’s All Nippon Airways to cancel more than and though the problem was largely resolved 2000s, when many adults maintained subsis- cent in the Tibet region itself, where officials dents with the recent disappearances of people 100 domestic flights yesterday, affecting some about three hours later at least 127 domestic tence lifestyles while sending children and the launched a program five years ago to establish associated with a Hong Kong bookstore that sold 16,000 travelers, the carrier said. ANA ground flights were cancelled. elderly into towns, Andrew Fischer, of the Communist cadre teams in every locality. gossipy titles on the lives of Chinese leaders. One staff at Tokyo’s Haneda airport apologized to The trouble stopped reservations, ticket International Institute of Social Studies at The region’s top Party official, Chen of the missing was believed to have been abduct- stranded passengers, some who could be seen sales and boarding procedures, affecting the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, said: “The pol- Quanguo, has said each village should become a ed from Thailand, another from Hong Kong, making mobile phone calls and sending text travel plans of at least 15,200 passengers as of icy lock, stock and barrel shoves nomads into “fortress” to “guard against and combat the infil- though both have since said they voluntarily messages while children sat on the floor of the 1.40 pm (0440 GMT), said spokeswoman these resettlements thinking that is good for tration of Tibetan separatist forces”. Urbanization returned to mainland China. crowded terminal hall playing video games. Natsuki Uota. “The boarding procedure sys- them. “But then that gives rise to a variety of efforts “concentrate people into areas where Asylum-seekers in Thailand were more alarmed Passengers lined up patiently at counters tem recovered at 11.30 am, but we still have related problems like unemployment, social they are far easier to surveil and where they that the Thai government sent back about 100 asy- to arrange new reservations for later flights as trouble with reservations and ticket sales,” problems, alcoholism, et cetera, which are typi- become more dependent on state subsidies to lum-seekers from China’s Turkic Muslim Uighur the airline’s reservation and check-in hall Uota said early yesterday afternoon. The air- cal hallmarks of rapid social dislocation,” he told survive-in other words, where they are easier to minority last summer, and repatriated two Chinese overflowed with inconvenienced travelers. line was investigating what caused the sys- AFP. At the resettlement facility, many relocated control”, Sophie Richardson, China director at dissidents in November, saying they violated ANA said it spotted something wrong at tem to go down. — AFP former herders complained to AFP they lacked Human Rights Watch, told AFP. —AFP immigration rules. Critics viewed Thailand’s mili- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 ANALYSIS

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Washington Watch ‘Mission accomplished’ for war crimes court?

By Jo Biddle

rebrenica, Vukovar, Sarajevo: towns and cities indelibly scarred by a painful and shameful history Sand seared forever into Europe’s collective con- science. For 23 years, their names and the memories of tens of thousands of victims have stalked the halls of the UN tribunal set up to punish those behind genocide, mass rapes and ethnic cleansing during Yugoslavia’s vio- lent death throes. Now as the International Criminal Tribunal for the for- mer Yugoslavia (ICTY) prepares to deliver its final verdicts before closing its doors in 2017 and handing over to another mechanism, opinion on its legacy is divided. Established by a UN mandate in May 1993, the court based in The Hague was a trailblazer in laying down ground-breaking jurisprudence for trying the worst of all crimes-a decade before the creation of the International Nearing peace, Colombians seek missing loved ones Criminal Court. With a judgment on Bosnian Serb leader Radovan By Alba Tobella ances” in the Colombian conflict. “The main that the peace talks will succeed in setting then have the shock of learning they were Kardazic due on Thursday and a verdict expected in 2017 need the families have is to know-to know up new special tribunals to speed up such killed in violence. “It is bittersweet,” said against notorious military chief Ratko Mladic, prosecutors ora Gonzalez found her dead hus- where the person is, what happened and in investigations. “The FARC must hand over Cala. say they have fulfilled a tough mission. The ICTY itself band’s body, but her son-like tens of what circumstances,” said Deborah Schibler, information about victims that might show Sometimes the remains are found hun- boasts “it has irreversibly changed the landscape of inter- thousands of other victims in the committee’s representative in Colombia. the force was responsible, and the state dreds of miles away from where the vic- national humanitarian law and provided victims an D Colombia’s half-century civil conflict-is still For Dora, recovering her husband’s body must also provide details about people tims went missing. In December the first opportunity to voice the horrors they witnessed and missing. “You live your life wondering helped soothe old wounds, but also raised who have disappeared which might impli- bodies to be handed over under new experienced”. It also has an unrivalled record-all of the whether he is still alive, whether they are new questions. “It is in that moment with the cate state agents,” said Adriana Arboleda, agreements made during the peace nego- 161 people indicted on charges of genocide, war crimes torturing him, whether he is eating proper- loved one, which is so painful but also so inti- leader of a grouping of victims’ organiza- tiations were returned to the victims’ fami- or crimes against humanity have been caught and ly,” she said. She has not seen her son mate, that they start to ask questions about tions. lies. They included FARC members and processed. German since 1995, when he was 13. He left demanding justice,” said Pablo Cala, a leader Many families of civilian victims do not civilians killed by state troops for bounties. to go to his aunt’s house and vanished. In of the non-governmental Orlando Fals Borda know who took their loved ones: the army, Some were children. Dora now hopes final- No fugitives December, she found her husband Carlos group, which gives legal advice to victims’ guerrillas such as the FARC or other militias ly to find her son and learn what happened Even though former Serbian president Slobodan and has given up all hope of finding relatives. “They want to know the truth.” like the right-wing ELN. But recovering the to him. “The best compensation is that Milosevic died in his cell in 2006 before his trial ended, 80 German alive. “Horrible, horrible,” said Dora, remains can yield crucial evidence. “Every they find my son’s remains and give them others have been sentenced, most of whom are still serv- 54, fighting back tears as she recalled see- ‘Bodies talk’ exhumation tells a story,” Cala said. “The to me,” she said. “I don’t care about money. ing long jail terms. “I think that the tribunal has done ing her husband’s remains. “I looked at his That means launching new proceedings bodies talk.” Many families go on believing I want justice. I want the people who did it what it had to do. I can say mission accomplished,” chief bones. I looked at his head, where they shot that can last years. Victims’ groups hope for years their loved ones are still alive and to pay.” — AFP prosecutor Serge Brammertz said. In the convulsions him. I saw how his bones had turned dark. which tore apart Yugoslavia, national courts would not That is very hard.” have been able to do the same work as the ICTY, which She had last seen Carlos in January 2006, “can close with no fugitives at large, with all trials before the Colombian army captured him processed,” he said. while he was bathing in a river. She was told The court played an important role in investigating later that he was alleged to have been killed atrocities on the ground-even during the height of the in combat. Army troops are accused of fighting-amassing nine million pages of documents, leav- killing civilians and passing them off as FARC ing a major legacy for historians and activists. Brammertz guerrillas to win rewards. State prosecutors also highlights the ICTY’s outreach to national courts located Carlos Hernandez’s remains in a established in Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia where thou- cemetery where they were released last year sands of individuals are still under investigation. “National under an agreement made during peace prosecutions have shrunk the space for denial,” said for- negotiations between the Colombian gov- mer US ambassador for war crimes issues Stephen Rapp. ernment and the leftist FARC rebel force. The Prosecutions and accountability are “one of the ways two sides are holding talks in Cuba and clos- you remove the poison that affects the whole body ing on a peace deal to end the conflict. They politic,” added Rapp, now an expert with The Hague had hoped to sign a deal this Wednesday, Institute for Global Justice. But the court’s reputation was but that deadline is looking uncertain. undeniably blemished by several high-profile acquittals, amid unsubstantiated rumors of pressure by the United Thousands missing States. And experts caution that some of the tribunal’s State investigators say they have recov- loftiest ambitions-such as its UN mission to restore and ered 6,500 bodies and handed 3,100 of maintain peace in the region-remain unfulfilled. “I don’t them over to the victims’ families. But tens think that’s necessarily the fault of the tribunal,” said war of thousands more are thought still to lie in crimes expert Rachel Kerr, a senior lecturer at King’s remote and hard-to-reach areas. “There is College, London. “It may be that the lesson that can be one subject that has not been discussed: taken from it, is that international criminal justice is not the people whose bodies are missing in actually the best tool for fostering peace and reconcilia- rivers and places where it will be difficult for tion,” she said. American Eric Stover, who was among the us to find anything,” said Mabel Carrero, a first investigators on the ground and helped uncover a state prosecution official working on mass grave containing 200 bodies in the Croatian town of exhumations. There are some 45,000 people Vukovar in 1992, agrees. “Courts are backwards looking. listed as missing due to the conflict, which They look at the facts and adjudicate individual responsi- started in the 1960s with a peasant uprising bility. They’re not designed as social engineering institu- and has drawn in various armed groups. tions,” said Stover, now director of the Human Rights The International Committee of the Red Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Cross estimates that hundreds of thousands VILLAVICENCIO: Maria del Carmen Bonilla, who lost two brothers and a nephew, ‘disappeared’ during the armed conflict in of people have suffered “forced disappear- Colombia, sits beside photographs of her loved ones at her home in Villavicencio, Meta department. — AFP Skewed legacy Another problem was that, over time, the court was to some extent “hijacked” by the political agendas of the new Balkans nations as they jostled to join the European Union. The narrative was presented “that people were Key points about 1990s Balkan wars again sacrificing themselves for the good of Serbia by going up to this court that ‘we don’t recognize the legiti- macy of’... because we’re going to get EU accession,” said By Katarina Subasic throughout Yugoslavia with calls for “all tion on April 6, 1992. Bosnian Serbs, led by 8,000 Muslim men and boys in a massacre Kerr. And while justice has been served for many, the Serbs in one state”, seen by pro-indepen- Radovan Karadzic and backed by the JNA, described by two international courts as sheer scale of the barbarity means it has not been deliv- he Hague-based war crimes tribunal dence republics and the international com- immediately launched a widespread con- genocide. In Croatia, the eastern town of ered to all, experts agree. Perhaps the court’s most telling for the former Yugoslavia is set to munity as a bid to create a Greater Serbia by flict, declaring territories under their control Vukovar was razed to the ground by the legacy are the haunting statements of those who plead- Tannounce this week its most high- annexing Serb-populated parts of Croatia to belong to a Serb entity called Republika JNA and the medieval Adriatic town of ed guilty. “This responsibility is mine and mine alone,” profile verdict yet, for former Bosnian Serb and Bosnia. Srpska. Shortly afterwards, Bosnian Croats Dubrovnik was severely damaged. former Bosnian Serb president Biljana Plavsic told the leader Radovan Karadzic. Here are some turned against the Muslims or Bosniaks and court in 2002, before being sentenced to 11 years in key points about the 1990s conflicts that What sparked the conflicts the three sides fought each other for anoth- How the conflicts ended prison. “The knowledge that I am responsible for such tore the Balkans apart. On June 25, 1991, the parliaments of er three-and-a-half years. The atrocities eventually led NATO to human suffering and for soiling the character of my peo- Slovenia and Croatia declared independ- launch massive air strikes on August 30, ple will always be with me.” — AFP Background to the wars ence, triggering the immediate deploy- What happened during war 1995, against Bosnian Serb military posi- Communist Yugoslavia, born at the end ment of the Belgrade-controlled Yugoslav The conflicts in Croatia and Bosnia tions. Following intense pressure from the of World War II, was made up of six army (JNA) towards the affected borders claimed more than 120,000 lives. In Bosnia US-led international community and three republics: Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, and airports. After a ten-day conflict the alone more than half of those in the pre- weeks of negotiations between leaders on Montenegro and Macedonia. Following the JNA withdrew from ethnically homoge- war population were forced out of their each side at a US military base in Ohio, the All articles appearing on these death of its autocratic leader Josip Broz Tito nous Slovenia. But in Croatia, Serbian homes, either in campaigns of ethnic so-called Dayton agreement was reached in pages are the personal opinion of in 1980, the Yugoslav federation found itself troops moved to fight on the side of cleansing or bids to find safety. Bosnia’s November 1995. The deal to end the wars in deep political and economic crisis, with Croatia’s ethnic Serb rebels who opposed capital Sarajevo was under siege for 44 divided Bosnia along ethnic lines into two the writers. Kuwait Times takes no bickering between various ethnic groups independence, launching a four-year war. months, during which its 350,000 residents semi-autonomous entities. But the Balkan responsibility for views expressed and the rise of nationalism. By the time the Meanwhile in Bosnia, the most ethnically struggled to get basic necessities. At least conflicts were not over, with war breaking therein. Kuwait Times invites read- Berlin Wall fell in 1989, inter-ethnic relations and religiously diverse Yugoslav republic 10,000 were killed by sniping and shelling out in 1998 in Serbia’s southern province of ers to voice their opinions. Please in Yugoslavia were at breaking point, with and home to four million people, Muslims from Serbs in the surrounding mountains. Kosovo between pro-independence ethnic nationalists mostly winning the first multi- and Croats organized an independence ref- Thousands of people were held in camps Albanian rebels and Serbia’s armed forces. send submissions via email to: opin- party elections in the republics in 1990. erendum. on all three sides, where many were tor- That war ended in 1999 after an 11-week [email protected] or via snail The most prosperous ones, Slovenia and This was fiercely opposed by Belgrade- tured, starved or executed. It is estimated bombing campaign by NATO, by which mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. Croatia, immediately started advocating backed Bosnian Serbs, who made up more that more than 20,000 women, mostly time about 13,000 lives had been lost and decentralization of Yugoslavia. But the than 30 percent of the population. While Muslims, were systematically raped. The hundreds of thousands had fled their The editor reserves the right to edit largest republic Serbia, led by Slobodan Serbs boycotted the referendum, 60 per- worst atrocity occurred in July 1995 when homes. Kosovo unilaterally declared inde- any submission as necessary. Milosevic, fiercely insisted on further cen- cent of Bosnia’s citizens voted for independ- Bosnian Serb forces overran the eastern pendence in 2008, a move Serbia refuses to tralization. Milosevic rallied fellow Serbs ence and Bosnia won international recogni- town of Srebrenica, slaughtering almost recognize. — AFP NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

KUWAIT: Photo shows oil workers protesting against the proposal to remove some of their benefits. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Oil workers protest cuts Continued from Page 1 will continue to protest,” Al-Marzouq added. rally threaten to grill the Oil Minister if these decisions Partnership), Deputy PM, Finance Minister and Acting Mohammed Al-Hajiri, President of the Labor Union of were taken. The MPs include; Abdullah Al Tamimi, Oil Minister Anas Al-Saleh said that Kuwait’s develop- “If the minister and chairman of KOC continue to Kuwait Petroleum Company noted that the salaries of Mohammed Tana, Khalid Al Tahous and Madhi Al Hajri. ment plan has adopted economic reforms based on PPP issue abusive decisions aiming to let the Kuwaiti the oil sector employees do not cost the government Responding to recent inquiries about offering some principles - creating real chances of partnership with employees leave the oil sector or violate their rights, we even 1 KD. Some of the MPs who attended the protest oil facilities for ‘privatization’ through PPP (Public Private the private sector. US airports on edge after Syrian regime digs in on Assad deadly Belgium bombings as Hezbollah vows to fight on GENEVA: Syria’s peace talks hit a fresh impasse over President Hezbollah first announced it was fighting alongside Assad’s Bashar Al-Assad yesterday, as the head of Lebanon’s Hezbollah troops in 2013 and has since sent thousands of fighters to battle NEW YORK: Airports in major US cities were on high US service member and his family were hurt, Fox news vowed his Shiite movement would keep fighting alongside the Syria’s rebels, who are backed by its arch rival Saudi Arabia and a alert yesterday, with police out in force after at least 30 reported, but gave no details. European and US airports regime until Islamic State jihadists are defeated. The UN’s Syria US-led coalition. Its support has been crucial for keeping the people were killed in suicide bombings on a Brussels have extensive security in place to prevent weapons envoy, Staffan de Mistura, said he had pressured Damascus to out- regime in power, but the opposition has insisted the president’s airport and subway, though officials said there was no from being smuggled onto aircraft, but the attackers line its approach to the crucial issue of a political transition, as departure must be part of any peace deal agreed at the talks. specific threat to the United States. US President Barack exploited an area not subject to screening. negotiations in Geneva entered their second week. De Mistura Member of the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) opposition Obama and Democratic presidential election contender said the regime’s lead negotiator Bashar Al-Jaafari told him “it umbrella group, Yahya Kodmani, on Sunday accused the regime Hillary Clinton vowed to do more to take on militants, ‘Scourge of terrorism’ was... premature to talk about it. My message was (that) prema- of being “obstinate”. “We hope that Russia will use its powers to while Republican presidential front-runner Donald Obama addressed the attacks briefly in a speech in ture (for him) means imminent as far as we are concerned”. pressure the Assad regime in order to move into serious negotia- Trump called for tighter border security and suggested Havana on his historic first visit to Cuba, vowing to sup- Assad’s fate has been a key obstacle in the latest talks aimed at tions,” he said. US intelligence services could use torture to head off port Belgium as it seeks out those responsible. “This is ending Syria’s devastating five-year war, which has killed more But Jaafari rejected any suggestion that Assad would step future attacks. yet another reminder that the world must unite. We than 270,000 people and displaced millions. A partial ceasefire down from any new government, saying his future and the politi- The Obama administration was expected to tighten must be together regardless of nationality or race or brought in last month had raised hopes for an end to the violence, cal transition were “two separate issues”. “President Assad has security at US airports following the Brussels airport faith in fighting against the scourge of terrorism,” Obama which were further fuelled when Russia-a key backer of Assad nothing to do with the... talks,” he said, insisting that the subject of attack, which occurred in a public hall outside of the said. “We can and we will defeat those who threaten the announced last week it would withdraw most of its troops from the president “is something that is already excluded from the Syria. But tensions have flared since, with Moscow accusing the scene”. He also insisted Damascus was committed to the peace security check area. US Representative Adam Schiff of safety and security of people all around the world.” US of “unacceptable” delays in agreeing how to punish those who process, and that his delegation had “clear instructions from our California, the ranking Democrat on the House intelli- Islamic State was blamed for killing 130 people in break the ceasefire and warning it could resort to force against leadership to engage seriously in these talks”. Conceding that gence committee, said he was concerned that there was Paris last November. Then in December, a married cou- violators. progress remained slow, de Mistura stressed it was vital that a risk of copy cat attacks and that airport security was ple inspired by Islamic State shot dead 14 people in San There have also been concerns about whether any peace deal opposing sides reach a basic understanding on how to move to a still a concern despite changes in recent years. “Overall Bernardino, California. The attacks in Belgium drew could be enforced on Syria’s complex battlefields, and Hezbollah second round of talks, tentatively scheduled for next month. though there’s a lot more work we still need to do at our immediate response from candidates seeking their par- vowed to stay in Syria until the Islamic State group (IS) and Al- He highlighted the positive impact of the negotiations, airports,” Schiff told MSNBC. ty’s nomination to run for the White House in the Nov 8 Qaeda’s Syria branch are beaten. “All that has been said about our which he said have helped to maintain a fragile ceasefire Islamic State, a militant group that has gained con- election. Former US Secretary of State Clinton vowed to withdrawal from Syria is false,” Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah declared on February 27. But tensions flared between Russia and trol of large areas of Iraq and Syria and has sympathizers strengthen her drive to “defeat terrorism and radical told Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen on Monday. “We went to the US over the truce, with Russian Lieutenant General Sergei and supporters around the world, claimed responsibili- jihadism.” She said on CNN that the United States must Syria to help keep the country from falling into the hands of Rudskoy accusing Washington of showing “no readiness” to ty. Amaq, a news agency affiliated to the group, said sui- do more to coordinate intelligence with Europe. Daesh (IS) and Al-Nusra Front... So long as we have a responsibility agree how to enforce it and warning Russia would resort to force cide bombers strapped into explosive belts had staged Billionaire Trump told NBC’s “Today” program: “If they to be there, we will be there.” itself if necessary. — AFP the attacks on the airport and a rush-hour metro train in could expand the laws, I would do a lot more than the Belgian capital. Delta Air Lines Inc, United waterboarding. You have to get the information from Continental Holdings Inc and American Airlines Group these people.” He was referring to the practice of pour- 34 perish as terrorists hit airport, metro... Inc reported that they had canceled or rerouted flights ing water over someone’s face to simulate drowning as Continued from Page 1 channel tunnel from London to Brussels were suspended. as a result of the attack. Large numbers of uniformed an interrogation tactic. Obama banned its use by US Security services have been on a high state of alert across police officers, some in tactical gear as well as National interrogators after taking office in 2009. Officials in cities VRT said police had found a Kalashnikov assault rifle next western Europe for fear of militant attacks backed by Islamic Guard members in fatigues and carrying long weapons, including New York, Washington, Boston and Miami said to the body of an attacker at the airport. Such weapons have State, which claimed responsibility for the Paris attack. While were on patrol at New York’s John F. Kennedy they were aware of no specific threats targeting them become a trademark of Islamic State-inspired attacks in most European airports are known for stringent screening International Airport. following the Brussels attack. While the attack immedi- Europe, notably in Belgium and France, including on Nov. 13 procedures of passengers and their baggage, that typically One guard member was overheard telling a col- ately sparked discussion of further strengthening airport in Paris. An unused explosive belt was also found in the area, takes place only once passengers have checked in and are league “we have to keep an eye out for bags” after security, some pointed out the inherent difficulty of the public broadcaster said. Police were continuing to scour heading to the departure gates. reports that many of the wounded at the Brussels air- securing spaces that offer broad public access. the airport for any further bombs or attackers. Although there may be discreet surveillance, there is noth- port had severe leg injuries, according to officials, a pat- “There are limits to exactly how exhaustive those Alphonse Youla, 40, who works at the airport, told Reuters ing to prevent member of the public walking in to the depar- tern that suggests an explosion at ground-level, possi- perimeters can become,” US Secretary of State John he heard a man shouting out in Arabic before the first explo- ture hall at Zaventem airport with heavy baggage. Following bly from a bag. Some travelers in the United States said Kerry said in an interview with Telemundo. “So people sion. “Then the glass ceiling of the airport collapsed.” “I helped an attempted ramraid attack at Glasgow Airport in 2007, sev- they hoped airports would further tighten security fol- need to be vigilant, everybody needs to take precau- carry out five people dead, their legs destroyed,” he said, his eral airports stepped up security at entrances by altering the lowing the Brussels attack. “Perhaps it should take place tions. I think it underscores to everyone the importance hands covered in blood. A witness said the blasts occurred at pick-up and drop-off zones to prevent private cars getting too sooner, before you get through security. I find it reassur- of people uniting.” As she rushed to meet clients arriv- a check-in desk. Video showed devastation in the hall with close to terminal buildings. European stocks fell after the ing,” said Mary Ray, 71, a retired government trainer fly- ing at New York’s JFK airport, 31-year-old Shannon ceiling tiles and glass scattered across the floor. Some passen- explosions, particularly travel sector stocks including airlines ing home to Manchester, England, from New York after Freyer worried that adding further layers of security at gers emerged from the terminal with blood spattered over and hotels, pulling the broader indices down from multi-week their clothes. Smoke rose from the building through shattered highs. Safe-haven assets, gold and government bonds rose in a Caribbean cruise with her husband, Malcolm. airports, which have already imposed extensive restric- windows and passengers fled down a slipway, some still haul- price. Ray said she is happy to remove her shoes or have tions since the Sept. 11, 2001 hijacked plane attacks, ing their bags. Public broadcaster RTBF said police were The attacks appeared to be linked to the arrest of French her hands swabbed as she passes through airport secu- would do little to make people safer. “It’s just more time searching houses in the Brussels area. citizen Salah Abdeslam - the prime surviving suspect for rity: “I think it’s a deterrent.” Three Mormon missionaries involved,” Freyer said. “They started making us take off VRT said 20 were killed in the metro train and 14 at the air- November’s Paris attacks on a stadium, cafes and a concert from the United States were injured in the airport blasts, our shoes years ago and they still haven’t stopped a port. Authorities had earlier put the toll at 11 in the airport hall - who was captured by Belgian police after a shootout on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said. A thing.” — Reuters bombing and 15 in the underground train. Many of the dead Friday. Belgium’s Interior Minister, Jan Jambon, said on and wounded at the airport were badly injured in the legs, Monday the country was on high alert for a revenge attack. It one airport worker told Reuters, suggesting at least one was not clear what failings if any allowed the plan for yester- bomb in a bag on the floor. Britain, Germany, France and the day’s operation to go ahead and whether the double attack Netherlands, all wary of spillover from conflict in Syria, were was planned in advance or put together at short notice. “We among states announcing extra security measures. Belgian know that stopping one cell can ... push others into action. We Prime Minister Charles Michel spoke of “a black time for our are aware of it in this case,” Jambon said. country”. “What we feared has come to pass. Our country has Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- been struck by attacks which are blind, violent and cowardly.” Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday sent a cable of condo- The blast hit the train as it left Maelbeek station, close to lence to King Philippe of Belgium over the victims of the two European Union institutions, heading to the city centre. The blasts that hit the Brussels international airport and Maalbeek VRT public broadcaster carried a photograph of a metro car- metro station and left scores of people dead or injured. In his riage at a platform with doors and windows completely cable, His Highness sharply denounced such outrageous ter- blown out, its structure deformed and interior mangled and rorist acts that targeted innocent people - and violate all reli- charred. A local journalist tweeted a photograph of a person gions, human values and international conventions. lying covered in blood among smoke outside Maelbeek His Highness the Amir reiterated Kuwait’s position - reject- metro station, on the main Rue de la Loi avenue which con- ing all forms and manifestations of terrorism, and its support nects central Brussels with the EU institutions. Ambulances for international efforts to fight terrorism and stop its finance were ferrying the wounded away and sirens rang out across sources, praying to Allah the Almighty to bless the victims’ the area. souls with mercy and those injured swift recovery. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber ‘We are at war’ Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber “We are at war and we have been subjected to acts of war Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent the king of Belgium simi- in Europe for the last few months,” French Prime Minister lar condolence cables. Manuel Valls said. Public broadcaster VTM said the Tihange Kuwait Embassy in Belgium has confirmed that, so far, nuclear power plant had been evacuated as part of the securi- there are no Kuwaiti casualties as a result of the suicide attacks ty clampdown. Brussels airport said it had cancelled all flights that occurred in the capital yesterday. The embassy, in a state- until at least 6 am today and the complex had been evacuat- ment, urged all citizens currently in Brussels to be most vigi- BRUSSELS: People walk over messages written on the ground at Place de la Bourse (Beursplein) following ed and trains to the airport had been stopped. Passengers lant since security alert is at its maximum, as well as avoiding attacks in Brussels yesterday. Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights and European railways froze links with were taken to coaches from the terminal that would remove public places and refrain from using public transportation at Brussels after a series of bomb blasts killed around 35 people in the city’s airport and a metro train, spark- them to a secure area. All three main long-distance rail sta- the moment. It also called on citizens to abide by local securi- ing a broad security response. — AFP tions in Brussels were closed and train services on the cross- ty instructions. — Agencies WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 SPORTS

Kuwait handicapped athletes win 32 medals at Fazza International

By Abdellatif Sharaa Sheikh Salman told journalists, after receiv- ue to win through cooperation between all start for the club’s preparations to participate their achievements. He said PAS is keen on ing athletes Monday evening, the state is keen athletes to boost Kuwait sports reputation. in the Reo De Janeiro Paralympics in supporting the club and remove all obstacles KUWAIT: Information Minister, State Minister on supporting the handicapped for more Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Handicapped Club September, bearing in mind that 12 players they face in order to achieve more wins. He for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- achievement and had shown that when it Chairman of the Board, Head of the already qualified. said the reception of Sheikh Salman of the del- Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah hailed the ordered the building of new sports complex in Delegation Shafi Al-Hajiri said achievement of He said, the club, with the distinguished egation is evidence on the state’s support of achievements of Kuwait Handicapped the coming future, adding that it will be world this amount of medals, 10 gold, 14 silver, 8 cooperation of the sports public authority to its outstanding athletes in all sports. Athletics national team during the champi- class. bronze in the three championships, which prepare the players to win more titles during The delegation was also received by onships of Fazza International, Asia, Oceania Sheikh Salman said the outstanding work were strong with the participation of more tournaments abroad. He thanked Sheikh Handicapped Club Honorary President Al- and Sharqa International meetings that was of the Handicapped Club Board of Directors, than 1,200 athletes, is evidence on the out- Salman and authority officials for their major Sheikha Sheikha Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah, held recently, and they won 32 various medals, headed by Shafi Al-Hajiri, who contributed to standing handicapped and the strong deter- support of Kuwait Handicapped Sports. Director General of Handicapped Affairs Public and congratulated them on this outstanding improving the result of national teams abroad, mination they have. PAS Deputy Director General Dr Humoud Authority Dr Tariq Al-Shatti, Handicapped Club achievement. and hoped that Kuwait national teams contin- Al-Hajiri said those championships is a true Fulaiteh congratulated the KHSC athletes for Board members and athlete’s families.

Kenya warns action needed Kenya unlikely to beat April to avoid Olympic ban NAIROBI: Kenya’s Olympic chief iday. “I have hope our parliamentary WADA deadline: Legislator Kipchoge Keino warned yesterday that committee will do us proud to be able time was running out to escape a to pass the document and the Head of ELDORET: Kenya is unlikely to beat the April 5 Friday and returning on April 6,” Korir told proposed 1 million. National Olympic threatened ban if action is not taken to State to sign the bill into law,” he said, deadline set by World Anti-Doping Agency Reuters in this North Rift Valley town, a centre of Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Chairman ensure doping is stopped. adding “we need to criminalise doping (WADA) to put in place laws needed to make it excellence for distance running, yesterday. Kipchoge Keino called for government inter- The World Anti-Doping Agency to protect our athletes.” “code-compliant”, a Kenyan legislator who is Korir, who won the Boston marathon in 2012, vention to salvage the situation. (WADA) has given Kenya until April 5 to Over 72 athletes have already quali- playing a key role in the process said yesterday. said Parliament’s Committee for Labour, Social “I am requesting the President (Uhuru tighten its anti-doping law and provide fied for Rio, in addition to both men’s Kenya faces the threat of being ruled non- Welfare and Sports had summoned the Minister Kenyatta) to intervene in this matter to save the the funding for the new Anti-Doping and women’s rugby teams, a boxer and compliant with the WADA code and, although for Sport last week to impress upon him the future of the youths of this country. These peo- Agency of Kenya (ADAK). one competitor in archery. He said the that could eventually lead to sanctions, the IAAF importance of the process. ple (Ministry of Sport) don’t seem to care about Keino said the lack of action so far National Olympic Committee of Kenya said this month that it is highly unlikely the dis- “We also wanted to discuss how to merge the the future of our youth,” Keino, winner of gold had hampered preparations for the Rio (NOCK) needed to fundraise more cash tance running powerhouse would be suspended two bills, but he did not show up,” said Korir, a medals at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics, said. Olympics. “Time is running out. to ensure all who can go to Rio. from this year’s Olympic Games. Member of Parliament for Cherangany ADAK CEO Japhter Rugut said last week the Unfortunately, up to now we have not “I am asking the parliamentarians to Wesley Korir, who has drafted a bill proscrib- Constituency in the North Rift, said before Bill was ready and was only awaiting ratification sat down with the Ministry of Sports to approve the document, and we will be ing doping in the east African nation which has boarding a plane to the capital. of a few aspects by WADA. Kenya failed to meet give them our plan for the training of able to move forward and start looking been hit by a wave of drug transgressions, said He said the parliamentary committee had the first deadline of Feb. 11 to prove it was doing Kenyan authorities may seek an extension to the adopted his Bill, but was awaiting the one draft- enough to tackle doping. the team,” Keino told AFP. for funds,” he said. “We also need to deadline to be able to complete the legislative ed by the Ministry’s consultants and the Anti- About 40 Kenyan athletes have failed But Keino said he was confident start preparations so that we can come process. Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). drugs tests in recent years. The country has that the ADAK Anti-Doping Bill and back home with more medals than we “The Bill has not been brought to Parliament Korir’s Bill has different penalties to the set up its own national anti-doping agency Policy would be passed before it goes did in Beijing. This cannot just happen as we are speaking and even if it is brought one drafted by a government agency, cap- and WADA said on Feb. 11 it had put Kenya on recess on Friday for a two-week hol- overnight.” — AFP today, we cannot complete the process in two ping fines for offenders at 3 million Kenyan on probation, adding that there was still a lot days because we shall be going on recess on shillings ($30,000) compared with ADAK’s of work to do. — Reuters 17 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 Afghans have talent, just need more games: Inzaman

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan’s cricketers must qualifying for the group stages by seeing off Indian legends Sachin Tendulkar and have more exposure to top-flight opposition more established teams such as Zimbabwe Rahul Dravid are among those who have if they are do justice to their undoubted tal- and Scotland. expressed their admiration for the exploits ent, Pakistani batting legend Inzamam ul “It feels good that people are appreciat- of a team which has to play all its matches Haq said yesterday. ing Afghanistan. Boys have worked hard. We abroad because of the security situation After defeats against Sri Lanka and South have qualified for the world cup and played back home. Their captain Asghar Stanikzai Africa in their first two group matches in the good cricket,” said the former Pakistani skip- said he was “proud” to hear such praise but World Twenty20, Afghanistan’s latest adven- per in a press conference. also urged the International Cricket Council ture with cricket’s big guns is drawing to a “Okay, we have not been able to win a to ensure the team, which is now based in close. But even if qualification for the semi- single game, but have played good game. India, can build on their progress. finals is now all but impossible, they have So if we improve a level, we can win. “Many people believed at the start of the won new fans by giving South Africa a fright “This Afghanistan team has got all the tournament that the matches against and still have an opportunity to spring an talent, they just need more exposure. The Afghanistan would be one-sided, but we upset against England on Wednesday night. more they play international cricket, the really prepared and planned and caused a The Afghan team’s progress in the last few more their talent will improve.” bit of a scare,” he said, speaking through an years has been one of cricket’s feel-good In Sunday’s match against South Africa, interpreter. “We need their (ICC) support and stories but after the highs of competing in Afghanistan were 105 for two at one stage we are eager to play each and every world last year’s 50 over World Cup and the World in pursuit of the Proteas’ total of 210 cup and we have requested full members to T20, they have no immediate fixtures although they were ultimately comfortably play a series with us. against major teams on the horizon once beaten after a flurry of wickets. Burly wicket- “In one game you cannot compare the they leave India. Inzaman, who was appoint- keeper Mohammad Shahzad once again potential of the team but in a series you ed Afghanistan’s coach last October, said his caught the eye by smacking five sixes as he NEW DELHI: Afghanistan’s cricket team captain, Asghar Stanikzai, center, talks to can... We are a side who would like to play charges had done themselves proud after raced to 44 in just 19 balls. team coaching staff during a practice session in New Delhi, India, yesterday. — AP more series.” — AFP England Women survive spin scare to chase 91

DHARAMSALA: India Women nearly got out of to be a raging turner, announced herself with jail courtesy their trump card, spin, in conditions three fours off her first seven balls to briefly as subcontinental as it could get to lift the hopes throw India’s plans off. of a boisterous home crowd, but a turbo- Beaumont also showed she was up for the charged start from Sarah Taylor and Tammy fight by making a sprightly 20. Harmanpreet Beaumont helped England Women overcome a Kaur, who was smashed for three fours off her nervous breakdown. They eventually crossed first three balls, hit back with two wickets off the line by two wickets in a pulsating finish in successive balls. Beaumont holed out to mid- Dharamsala. wicket before Taylor was stumped superbly by India’s 90 for 8, which seemed inadequate at Sushma Verma. the halfway mark, was made to look bigger as From 42 for 3, England’s nervy approach was England’s pre-determined approach on a sur- reduced to a battle of push and prod as Bisht face, where the ball spun visiously, came back to exploited the slow, spinning surface to scythe bite them. It needed the calm of Natalie Sciver, through the middle order. Heather Knight, who who made a crucial 19, and Jenny Gunn to allay had earlier picked up three wickets with her off- fears of a shock loss as England squeezed home spin, was stumped, too, while Lydia Greenway with six balls to spare. was trapped plumb in front attempting an Ekta Bisht, who replaced Poonam Yadav in expansive sweep to leave the game on a knife’s the XI, injected fresh life in to India’s defence edge. India’s fielders also lifted themselves, even with a crafty display of left-arm spin bowling to though England found scoring slightly easier finish with career-best figures of 4 for 21. But, against the pace of Jhulan Goswami. England lack of application with the bat threw India’s also had a reprieve when Katherin Brunt sur- campaign in choppy waters. They need to win vived a close lbw shout, with England needing against West Indies on Sunday and hope other 11 off 23. results go their way. SCOREBOARD After misfiring with the bat, India came out England Women 92 for 8 (Beaumont 20, attacking, and received an early fillip when Bisht 4-21, Kaur 2-22 ) beat India Women 90 Charlotte Edwards was dismissed by the third for 8 (Kaur 26, Knight 3-15, Shrubsole 2-12) by over. But Taylor, perhaps identifying the surface two wickets. BANGALORE: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli talks to young cricketers after a net practice session on the eve of their match against Bangladesh at The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore yesterday. — AFP Dhoni urges India to lift run rate against Bangladesh

BANGALORE: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni wins while Pakistan, Australia and India all have two for illegal actions, forcing them to rush in replace- urged his big-hitters to improve their run rate dra- points. However India’s run rate, which could deter- ments from Bangladesh. matically against Bangladesh today or face the mine who qualifies, is considerably worse than their There are also question marks over star batsman prospect of a humiliating early exit from the World rivals. “In the first game our run rate went down. So Tamim Iqbal who is unwell and did not play against Twenty20 on home soil. it’s not only about winning but you have to take Australia. The hosts are precariously placed in fourth spot care of the run-rate at some point,” added Dhoni. of Group Two after one defeat and one win. They The hosts are seeking to become the first coun- Teams desperately need a big victory to strengthen their try to win the World T20 title twice, after clinching India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt and bid for a semi-finals berth. the crown in 2007, and also the first to win at home. wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit India’s six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan Bangladesh, by comparison, will be desperate for a Bumrah, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, DHARAMSALA: India’s Shikha Pandey bats against England during the Women’s ICC on Saturday will have boosted their confidence win after two straight losses, the latest to Australia Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, World Twenty20 2016 cricket match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association after a shock 47-run defeat to New Zealand in their by three wickets on Monday. Pawan Negi, Ashish Nehra, Hardik Pandya, Ajinkya (HPCA) stadium in Dharamsala, India, yesterday. — AP opening group match. Sitting at the bottom of Group Two after also los- Rahane, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh. But Dhoni said India, who were firm favourites at ing to Pakistan, the Tigers have almost no chance of Bangladesh (from): Mashrafe Mortaza the start of the tournament to lift a second World advancing to the semi-finals, but skipper Mashrafe (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Abu Hider, Al-Amin T20 title, needed to improve to qualify from a tough Mortaza vowed to battle on. Hossain, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Five things learnt group that also includes Australia. “I still feel there is “We will keep fighting. We still have two matches Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir still scope for improvement and in the coming two to fight hard,” he said. The Tigers were left reeling Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wicketkeeper), Sabbir games that will be our priority,” said the captain. after the ICC’s decision at the weekend to suspend Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, so far in World T20 New Zealand top the group on four points after two their top bowlers Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed Shuvagata Hom, Saqlain Sajib. — AFP NEW DELHI: The group stages of cricket’s World T20. Their 230 for 8 with two balls to World Twenty20 have reached the half-way spare was also England’s record total. Morgan mark with every team having played two of will fancy his side’s chances of posting big England determined to their four matches. AFP looks at the lessons scores in their two remaining group matches learned so far: against Afghanistan and a struggling Sri Lanka. If they do, then a semi-final berth may AUSSIES STILL TO MASTER TWENTY20 be theirs which would be a massive achieve- avoid fresh humiliation World champions in ODI cricket and num- ment after defeat to the West Indies in their ber one in Tests, the Australians arrived in opening game. India determined to fill the one major gap in NEW DELHI: Skipper Eoin Morgan vowed that their trophy cabinet. But after defeat to New HARD TIMES AHEAD FOR SRI LANKA England would not take lowly Afghanistan lightly Zealand in their opener followed by a scrappy It was known that defending champions in a must-win World Twenty20 tie today after exit- win over Bangladesh, skipper Steve Smith Sri Lanka might struggle with the bat after the ing their last two major tournaments with egg on admits his youthful side are struggling to retirements of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela their face. adapt to different conditions and “we’ve got Jayawardene. But pace spearhead Lasith England’s 2014 World T20 campaign ended in to improve”. The experiment of dropping Malinga’s injury withdrawal and Rangana an embarrassing 45-run defeat against the David Warner down the order from his usual Herath’s lack of bite mean the holders lack Netherlands while a disastrous showing at last position as opener has not paid off with the obvious match-winners ahead of their year’s 50 over World Cup was capped by a chasten- vice captain making just six and 17 in his two tougher assignments against England and innings. The decision to leave Aaron Finch, the South Africa. Herath was one of the stand- ing loss to Bangladesh. Morgan’s side will hope to top-ranked batsman in T20s, on the sidelines outs in the 2014 triumph, taking five for three record a resounding win against Afghanistan today looks increasingly misguided. in the semi-final against New Zealand. But he in New Delhi as they seek to up their run rate in a went wicketless in Sunday’s defeat against the tight group but the captain said there would be no NEVER WRITE OFF THE BLACK CAPS West Indies where he was outbowled by taking victory for granted. After their talisman Brendon McCullum team-mate Jeffrey Vandersay, a late replace- Speaking to reporters on the eve of the match, retired on the eve of the tournament, this was ment for Malinga. Tillakaratne Dilshan did Morgan recalled the “horrific” feeling in the dress- meant to be a period of transition for New smack 83 against Afghanistan but no one else ing-room at the time of the Dutch debacle but said Zealand. In both their matches against India has passed 40 and the 39-year-old is hardly the atmosphere was totally different after Friday’s and Australia, most pundits saw their batting one for the future. morale-boosting victory over South Africa. totals as some way short of being winning “Our priority is on winning. Tomorrow is a big scores. But marshalled by astute new skipper SPIN IS KING game and we are certainly not taking Afghanistan NEW DELHI: England cricketer Moeen Ali (L) and Liam Dawson bowls during a practice session Kane Williamson, their bowlers held their Indian wickets are famous for being happy for granted. First and foremost we need to get into at Feroz Shah Kotla cricket ground in New Delhi yesterday. England will play their World T20 nerve and skittled out their opponents’ illus- hunting grounds for spin bowlers and that’s that game with the right mindset,” he said. cricket match against Afghanistan today. — AFP trious top-orders cheaply. Rookie spinner certainly been the case at the World T20. “I think Holland was a unique set of circum- Mitchell Santner tops the wickets chart and Slow-armers are commanding the top posi- games, South Africa and Sri Lanka. eager to win at least one match in next two. The no one has managed to post a half-century tions in the bowling tables while even at stances, I think we were already out of the tourna- “I think he (Shahzad) is a good batsman but I guys are playing to win.” against them. Most of New Zealand’s own Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, a flatter ment. We went into the game with a particularly think it will be rude of me to single out any bats- batsman have made a start without going on ground known to favour pacemen, fast wrong mindset,” he added. man... I think as a side they can be quite strong and Teams to compile a big innings. If they can put that bowlers are finding life difficult. New “Disappointment of getting knocked out of the very destructive.” Morgan said England were con- England (from): Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen right, the Black Caps look a decent bet to win Zealand spinners Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi world cup is horrific, so coming into this game we sidering bringing in Liam Dawson as a third spin- Ali, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Alex their first world cup. and Nathan McCullum all feature in the top are really fresh.” Although Afghanistan have lost ner alongside Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid on a pitch Hales, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe 10 most economical bowlers at the tourna- their two matches in the group stages, they caused that is expected to offer more turn than Mumbai, Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, James NEW-LOOK ENGLAND WALK THE TALK ment. Santner’s figures of 4-11 against India South Africa a fright on Sunday with a brisk start to the venue of England’s first two games. Vince, David Willey. England have long struggled in cricket’s were a resounding vindication of the Black their run chase, with opener Mohammad Shahzad Although Afghanistan are effectively out of the Afghanistan (from): Asghar Stanikzai (cap- shortest form due to an inability to score runs- Caps decision to leave pacemen Trent Boult scoring 44 in just 19 balls. tournament, skipper Asghar Stanikzai said his side tain), Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin not any more. Captain Eoin Morgan promised and Tim Southee on the bench. Even South “I think they are a dangerous side. They have was determined to leave India with victory against Naib, Hamid Hassan, Karim Sadiq, Mohammad a new, “brash and aggressive” England and Africa’s lightning quick Dale Steyn has played a really exciting brand of cricket,” said a major team under their belt. Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, Najibullah Zadran, they lived up to that billing in a thrilling win looked a sorry sight, conceding 35 runs in Morgan. “We watched the early stages of the tour- “We have played good cricket and looking to Noor Ali Zadran, Rashid Khan, Samiullah over South Africa when they pulled off the just two overs against England before being nament when they played and qualified, played play well against England as well,” he said. “There Shenwari, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Shapoor Zadran, highest successful run chase by any team at a taken off. — AFP some really good cricket. And we watched both will definitely be pressure on England ... We are Usman Ghani. — AFP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 SPORTS WBA heavyweight champ Brown contests positive doping test

HYDE: WBA heavyweight champion Lucas Wednesday he had been notified that gations and cannot comment further at this “I will be fighting for as long as it takes to reigning champion and believed we had tak- Browne says he will fight to clear his name Browne tested positive following the fight. time.” Browne’s victory gave him the so-called clear my name.” Browne said he had never en sufficient precautions,” he said. “In addition after failing a drug test following his world The test conducted by the Las Vegas- regular version of the WBA belt. Britain’s heard of clenbuterol until now. He said he has it was at our insistence that VADA testing was title fight win over Ruslan Chagaev earlier this based Voluntary Anti-Doping Association Tyson Fury is considered the WBA’s unified been told the substance is used as a weight- implemented for the fight.” month. came back positive for the steroid clen- champion as he also holds the WBO title. loss drug, which he said would be “utterly Browne was knocked down in the sixth Browne became Australia’s first heavy- buterol, ESPN reported yesterday. Browne said he was “shocked and devastat- ridiculous” to use as a heavyweight. round but fought back and knocked Chagaev weight world champion when he stopped “We believe Lucas Browne to be a clean ed” by the positive test and insisted he had Browne suggested the positive test could to the canvas in the 10th. The referee stopped Chagaev in the 10th round of their fight in athlete who arrived in Chechnya a clean ath- done nothing wrong. “I am not a drug user or have resulted from sabotage. “‘My team and I the fight later that round. Browne improved Grozny, Russia, on March 5. Browne’s promot- lete,” Hatton said in a statement. “We are a drug cheat,” he said in a statement released were well aware of the many risks involved in to 24-0 (21 KOs) with the victory, in front of er, former British fighter Ricky Hatton, said therefore conducting our own further investi- through his promoters. going to a place like Chechnya to fight a Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. — AP Corbin solid in Diamondbacks’ win over Brewers

SCOTTSDALE: Patrick Corbin struck out Guerrero were optioned to Double-A seven and allowed just an unearned run Mobile, and OF Zach Borenstein was reas- while pitching into the sixth inning as the signed to minor league camp. Arizona Diamondbacks beat a Milwaukee Bradley had been in the running for the Brewers split squad 3-2 on Monday night. fifth spot in the rotation. Corbin, who came back from elbow sur- “His fastball command, we think, is gery midway through last season, has giv- where it needs to be. He just needs to get en up only one earned run in four starts more command with his off-speed pitches,” covering 14 1-3 innings this spring. He has Hale said. “He understands the situation. He 17 strikeouts. “Everything feels great and I understands that this is the best he’s felt in felt strong there toward the end as well,” years, physically and mentally, and he’s the left-hander said. excited to get started wherever it is and “I’m just hoping I can build off that. work his way back here.” Biggest thing was just to build up the pitch Robbie Ray and Zack Godley remain the count.” Nick Ahmed drove in the winning leading contenders for the No. 5 job. run with a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth. Ahmed had three hits for the TRAINER’S ROOM Diamondbacks, who also got two stolen Diamondbacks OF A.J. Pollock took live bases from former Brewers shortstop Jean batting practice. He’s playing defense but Segura. not swinging the bat in minor league Ahmed, an infielder, has a .429 batting games as he works his way back from average through 13 games. He hit .226 in elbow soreness. ... Hale hopes C Chris 134 games last season. “He should improve, Herrmann (hip) can catch in a game by and his swing has improved a bunch,” man- Wednesday. ager Chip Hale said. “He had a great spring last year, too.” Jake Lamb, competing for the STARTING TIME Diamondbacks’ third base job, committed Brewers: Josh Hader, one of the team’s three errors. No other Arizona player has top pitching prospects, made his first more than two in spring training. spring training start even though he was Corbin permitted five hits in 5 1-3 reassigned to minor league camp last innings. Arizona closer Brad Ziegler gave week. Hader struck out five and walked two up a run and two hits with one strikeout in in three scoreless innings. his inning of work. “I thought Josh was excellent. First Scooter Gennett had two hits for the inning was probably a little extra adrena- NEW YORK: New York Rangers’ Eric Staal (12) checks Florida Panthers’ Vincent Trocheck (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game yes- Brewers, including a run-scoring double. line, but he got through it, which is a big terday, in New York. — AP Gennett has played in only three games thing,” Counsell said. “And then he was real- but has six hits in 10 at-bats. ly good the next two innings.” “I like it that Scooter’s swinging the bat Diamondbacks: Corbin threw 77 pitches Manning’s first NHL goal well. That’s the big thing,” Milwaukee man- and Hale said the left-hander was in com- ager Craig Counsell said. “Just swinging the mand of each pitch. bat well against good pitching is meaning- “He pretty much can throw any of his ful.” Domingo Santana reached base three pitches in any count right now, so those are leads Flyers over Islanders times and scored once, leaving the young weapons not a lot of pitchers have,” Hale Milwaukee outfielder with a .500 batting said before mentioning Corbin’s changeup. average and a seven-game hitting streak. “That’s a huge pitch for him. He almost has NEW YORK: Brandon Manning’s first NHL goal “He missed a couple of games but he’s two of them, one that’s a strikeout pitch midway through the second period snapped a NHL results/standings had a solid spring. It’s been good at-bats and one that he can throw for strikes.” tie and powered the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Monday and getting on base a lot,” Counsell said. NY Rangers 4, Florida 2; Toronto 5, Calgary 2; Philadelphia 4, NY Islanders 1. “He’s drawing walks, so he’s just got to con- URUETA LEADS COLOMBIA TO WBC night. Nick Cousins, Sam Gagner and Claude tinue on this path through the season.” Diamondbacks short-season field coordi- Giroux also scored for Philadelphia, which won Western Conference Tampa Bay 41 26 5 196 171 87 nator Luis Urueta managed Colombia to the for the 10th time in 13 games. The surging Flyers Central Division Boston 39 26 8 216 197 86 ROSTER MOVES 2017 World Baseball Classic with his team’s closed within one point of Detroit for the final W L OTL GF GA PTS Detroit 36 25 11 184 190 83 The Diamondbacks optioned RHPs qualifier win over Panama on Sunday night. playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Dallas 43 21 9 236 211 95 Ottawa 34 31 8 211 223 76 Archie Bradley and Tyler Wagner to Triple-A Colombia made the field of 16 teams for the Philadelphia trails the Islanders by three points St. Louis 42 22 9 194 185 93 Montreal 33 34 6 192 209 72 Chicago 42 24 7 203 179 91 Reno. LHP Keith Hessler and OF Gabriel WBC for the first time. —AP for the first wild card. The Flyers are 2-1-0 against Buffalo 29 34 10 173 198 68 Nashville 37 23 13 202 187 87 New York this season, with one game remaining. Toronto 26 35 11 174 209 63 The Islanders have lost five of six at a most inop- Colorado 38 31 4 198 204 80 Metropolitan Division portune time. They finish the regular season by Minnesota 34 28 11 194 186 79 playing seven of their final 11 games at Winnipeg 29 37 6 184 216 64 Washington 51 15 5 227 168 107 home.Kyle Okposo scored for New York, and Pacific Division NY Rangers 41 24 8 207 192 90 Thomas Greiss stopped 21 shots. Steve Mason Los Angeles 44 23 5 198 165 93 Pittsburgh 40 24 8 204 179 88 made 23 saves for Philadelphia. Anaheim 40 22 9 182 164 89 NY Islanders 38 24 9 197 181 85 San Jose 41 25 6 214 185 88 Philadelphia 35 24 12 186 190 82 RANGERS 4, PANTHERS 2 Arizona 31 34 7 188 217 69 New Jersey 35 31 7 166 189 77 Rick Nash scored his first goal since returning Calgary 31 36 6 202 228 68 Carolina 31 27 14 175 195 76 Vancouver 27 32 12 167 205 66 from a leg injury and Henrik Lundqvist made 25 Columbus 29 35 8 188 223 66 saves in leading the New York Rangers over Edmonton 29 39 7 181 219 65 Eastern Conference Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one Florida. Viktor Stalberg, Mats Zuccarello and point in the standings and are not included in Tanner Glass also scored for the Rangers, who Atlantic Division the loss column (L). moved two points ahead of idle Pittsburgh for Florida 40 24 9 207 181 89 second place in the Metropolitan Division. Nash gave New York a 3-1 lead at 11:14 of the third added a goal and an assist for the Predators, MAPLE LEAFS 5, FLAMES 2 period with his 13th goal of the season and first winners in three of their last four. Mike Fisher, William Nylander had a goal and two assists in since returning to the lineup March 12. He had Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi also scored. Kings Toronto’s victory over Calgary. It was the first been sidelined since January 22 because of a defensemen Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez three-point game of Nylander’s career. The per- bone bruise. Vincent Trocheck and Jiri Hudler each contributed a goal, but Los Angeles had its formance came two days after the 19-year-old scored for the Panthers, who lost their second in four-game winning streak snapped. Anze had his first multipoint effort in a win over a row. The Atlantic Division leaders are two Kopitar had two assists. Jonathan Quick was lift- Buffalo. Nylander has two goals and five points in KUWAIT: Within its community services, CBK recently sponsored the first points in front of Tampa Bay. ed in favor of Jhonas Enroth, who began the his past two games. P.A. Parenteau, Zach Hyman, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Soccer Championship organized by Mubarak Al-Kabeer third period in net for the Kings. Quick stopped Colin Greening and Josh Leivo also scored for the governorate under the title of ‘No for Violence’. A special ceremony was held PREDATORS 5, KINGS 2 24 of the 27 shots he faced through 40 minutes. Maple Leafs, who have won four of five. Jonathan under the auspices of Farwaniya Governor, Sheikh Faisal Malek Al-Sabah to Ryan Johansen had a goal and two assists to Forsberg became the fifth player in Predators Bernier made 23 saves. Matt Stajan and Joe honor the winners. lead Nashville past Los Angeles. James Neal history to score 30 goals in a season. Colborne scored for the Flames. — AP Equal prize money defended as Miami Open begins

MIAMI: Top tennis bosses defended prize added, “The WTA stands on its own and was equality as one of our bedrock principles,” she comments made yesterday in no way reflect Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray money equality for men and women as tur- founded on the principles of equality and said. “As the first Grand Slam to award equal the beliefs of the vast majority of those in the were among those whose first match dates moil continued across the tennis scene ahead empowerment.” prize money, we have endeavored to lead the tennis world.” were unveiled Monday by Miami Open organ- of start of the ATP and WTA Miami Open. way for gender equality in sports. izers. Seeds have first-round byes. World number one Serena Williams, a loser KERMODE, ADAMS BACK EQUITY “There is no place in this sport for antiquat- BACK ON COURT US star Williams will open Thursday after- in back-to-back finals for the first time since ATP president Chris Kermode supported his ed, sexist or uninformed ideologies and the Top seeds Williams and Djokovic and stars noon against Japan’s Misaki Doi or American 2004, seeks a fourth consecutive Miami crown fellow tour chief on Monday, backing the prin- Christina McHale while Serbia’s Djokovic and ninth overall while top-ranked Novak ciple of prize money equality for men and opens Friday night against either Britain’s Kyle Djokovic seeks his sixth Miami title and a women while admitting those decisions were Edmund or Czech Jiri Vesely. record 28th ATP Masters crown. in the hands of tournament directors. Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 But equal prize money for men and women “Ray Moore’s comments towards women’s US Open winner, faces countryman Guido remained an issue in the wake of disparaging tennis were disparaging and made in poor Pella on Wednesday with Swiss third seed comments about women’s tennis Sunday by taste, as Ray has subsequently acknowledged,” Federer to face the winner Friday afternoon. Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Kermode said. Two-time Miami champion Andy Murray, Moore, who resigned Monday night in the “The ATP fully supports equality across the second seed from Britain, opens Saturday wake of harsh reactions to his critique. society while at the same time acknowledging afternoon against either Denis Istomin of Djokovic subsequently fanned the flames that we operate in the sports and entertain- Uzbekistan or Borna Coric of Croatia, while of controversy by suggesting that the disparity ment business. The ATP seeks to achieve fair Spanish fifth seed Nadal meets either Bosnian in pay was justified. compensation for its players by setting mini- Damir Dzumhur or Argentina’s Leonardo “What a mess,” tweeted women’s tennis leg- mum prize money levels for ATP events in Mayer. Play opens Tuesday with 12 first-round end Martina Navratilova. “Moore totally blew it accordance with the revenues that are gener- WTA matches while Murray, the 2009 and and Novak-really?” ated from men’s professional tennis. 2013 winner who lost to Djokovic in last year’s “It was really disheartening to see Ray “The ATP also respects the right of tourna- final, will enjoy another day of practice and Moore offer the extremely prejudiced and very ments to make their own decisions relating to family time at his US “home” event. Wife Kim old-fashioned statements regarding women prize money for women’s tennis, which is run and newborn daughter Sophia are at their tennis players,” she told the BBC. “We have as a separate tour.” nearby home. made it this far on our own, without help from Katrina Adams, the US Tennis Association “I spend a few months a year in Miami for male players, and will continue to do so in the president and chief executive, made it clear my training blocks and my place is only half an future.” WTA Tour chief executive Steve Simon the organizers of the US Open back gender KEY BISCAYNE: Sloane Stephens works with participants at Kid’s Day at during Day 2 of hour from Key Biscayne, so this tournament is on Sunday called Moore’s comments equality for tournament paychecks. the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center yesterday in Key as close as it gets to home when I’m stateside,” “extremely disappointing and alarming” and “The USTA and the US Open hold player Biscayne, Florida. — AFP Murray said on his website. — AFP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 SPORTS Media in silent protest at bumbling Serie A ref

MILAN: Television journalists in Italy have Sunday (of refereeing)” this season. challenge Bruno Fernandes to the right of Juventus in a bad-tempered clash that respect for Juventus, who are a great side gone to extraordinary lengths to protest But after Sunday’s game, Rizzoli is per- the Juve goal. And when both Juventus saw three players including (former) but today I can’t accept that. We need to poor refereeing in Serie A-by appearing haps looking forward to the international defender Leonardo Bonucci and Torino’s Roma coach Rudi Garcia sent off. be shown some respect as well.” The two on air with their mouths covered by break than his colleagues. Torino had Kamel Glik should have been cautioned Torino coach Giampietro Ventura television journalists, Paolo Liguori, the scarves. The ‘silent protest’ followed the reduced the arrears to 2-1 with a 48th for a second time and sent off, Rizzoli somehow kept his composure through- head of Tgcom24 and Mario Giordano, Torino v Juventus derby on Sunday, when minute penalty that stopped Gianluigi kept his hand in his pocket. out a tense 90 minutes on Sunday, but let the head of TG4, took their protest to the match referee Nicola Rizzoli made several Buffon’s unbeaten run in the Juventus net Rizzoli’s performance prompted claims fly afterwards: “It’s unbelievable to have national airwaves. glaring blunders in a hotly-contested fix- at a new record of 973 minutes. from irate Torino fans that Juventus, who lost in these circumstances. Fair enough Liguori, a Roma fan, and Torino sup- ture won 4-1 by Serie A champions The hosts then scored through Maxi a decade ago were sent to Serie B for they went 2-0 up, but after that I don’t porter Giordano appeared on the Juventus. Rizzoli, who officiated the 2014 Lopez to level the match, although his their role in a huge match-fixing affair know what happened. TGCom24 programme with the scarves World Cup final between victors Germany goal was chalked off, as television replays implicating football officials and referees, “Alex Sandro should have been sent over their mouths to “stop ourselves mak- and Argentina, was not the only culprit, confirmed, for an inexistant offside. continue to curry favour from officialdom. off, and in the second half we levelled 2-2 ing caustic remarks” against Italian refer- according to Gazzetta dello Sport, whose Torino were then denied a possible Two years ago, another referee, Gianluca only to see the goal chalked off. “How can ees and, in the process, thwart a possible Monday report claimed it was “the worst penalty when Alex Sandro slid in late to Rocchi was accused of bowing to the referee get that wrong? I have great defamation suit. — AFP West Ham recitals earn Payet new France chance

LONDON: A new song has energised an they slipped back during his two-month old stadium this season as West Ham absence with an ankle injury-going eight United’s supporters have fallen beneath games without victory-his return has the spell of shimmeringly skilful French seen them surge back to fifth, a point off playmaker Dimitri Payet. the Champions League places. The Boleyn Ground, in east London, They are also due to face Manchester has been graced by West Ham greats United in an FA Cup quarter-final replay- such as Bobby Moore, captain of the last cup tie the Boleyn Ground will England’s 1966 World Cup winners, 1980 stage-after Payet netted a stupendous FA Cup final hero Trevor Brooking and 30-yard free-kick in a 1-1 draw at Old record appearance-maker Billy Bonds. Trafford. But as West Ham prepare to leave the Amid reports of a mega-money offer 112-year-old arena for London’s Olympic from China, Payet signed a new five-year Stadium, it is the name of Payet, spear- contract in February and this month he heading Slaven Bilic’s side in an improba- was elected London’s Player of the Year. ble top-four push, that is echoing off the It was the first individual award he rafters. had ever won, reflecting a career that, The song, to the tune of Billy Ray prior to his arrival in England, had been Cyrus’s ‘Achy Breaky Heart’, goes: “We’ve dogged by reservations about his tem- got Payet, Dimitri Payet!/I just don’t think perament and consistency. you understand/He’s Super Slav’s man, Hailing from the French island of La ZURICH: In this July 6, 2000, file photo, from left, Horst R. Schmidt, Franz Beckenbauer, Fedor Radmann and Wolfgang Niersbach of the German he’s better than Zidane/We’ve got Dimitri Reunion in the Indian Ocean, Payet was delegation, pose with a copy of the soccer World Cup trophy in Zurich, Switzerland, after the soccer’s world governing body FIFA announced Payet!” released by mainland club Le Havre at 16 Germany will host the World Cup in 2006. The FIFA ethics committee says it has opened a bribery investigation into Franz Beckenbauer and oth- Payet’s eight goals and eight assists in and had to be persuaded not to abandon er officials from Germany’s 2006 World Cup bid team. — AP the Premier League may have convinced his dream of becoming a professional by West Ham’s fans he is “better than his father, Alain. Zidane”, but there is no clear consensus Offered a path back to Ligue 1 by FIFA opens 2006 W Cup cases over who, exactly, he resembles. Nantes, he acquired a reputation as a For Bilic, the West Ham manager, the flamboyant but errant talent. 28-year-old stands comparison with At Nantes he clashed in training with against Beckenabuer, Niersbach Arsenal’s German schemer Mesut Ozil. former France goalkeeper Fabien Former West Ham midfielder Scott Parker Barthez. At Saint-Etienne he headbutted GENEVA: The FIFA ethics committee opened a ethics committee said. FIFA ethics prosecutors said. Investigations by says that Payet reminds him of maverick team-mate Blaise Matuidi in the middle bribery investigation yesterday into German soc- The other three German officials linked to German prosecutors and tax officials of suspect- Italian striker Paolo Di Canio, while vice- of a match. At Marseille he fell out with cer great Franz Beckenbauer and other officials possible bribery are: Theo Zwanziger, who ed tax evasion by the German soccer federation chairman Karren Brady believes he “ranks Florian Thauvin. from the 2006 World Cup bid team. replaced Beckenbauer on the FIFA executive led Niersbach and Sandrock to resign in recent with Lionel Messi”. It partly explains why Matuidi-now of Ethics prosecutors acted amid rising suspicion committee in 2011; Horst Schmidt, vice president months as its president and general secretary, The player himself, touted as a poten- Paris Saint-Germain-has 41 France caps of wrongdoing linked to the winning of hosting of the World Cup organizing panel; and Stefan respectively. Niersbach said he will “cooperate in tial Player of the Year in England, has only to Payet’s 15, despite the two being born rights in 2000, and irregular seven-figure pay- Hans, chief financial officer for the organizers. every aspect” with the ethics commission, one idol. “Ronaldinho was my favourite less than two weeks apart. ments years later. Beckenbauer, current FIFA Last month, a 361-page inquiry tried to explain a according to German news agency dpa. Swiss player,” Payet told British newspapers But faced with the incontrovertible executive committee member Wolfgang complex trail about payments of 6.7 million federal prosecutors are also investigating the Niersbach and other officials were targeted three euros ($7.3 million) and 10 million Swiss francs 2006 World Cup allegations as part of a wider recently. “People say he enjoyed humili- evidence of his West Ham form, France weeks ago in an inquiry report by a law firm com- ($10 million) that linked Beckenbauer, then-FIFA probe of FIFA’s business. It has already put Blatter ating defenders, but he was always effi- coach Didier Deschamps has ended missioned by the German soccer federation. The president Sepp Blatter, FIFA powerbroker under criminal investigation for two separate cient. I try to put on a show while being Payet’s nine-month international exile by new FIFA case picks up on that inquiry and Mohamed bin Hammam and Robert Louis- acts of suspected financial mismanagement. effective because the spectators come to calling him up for the Euro 2016 hosts’ relates to “the 2006 FIFA World Cup host selec- Dreyfus, the late former Adidas executive and Beckenbauer is back under suspicion at FIFA be entertained by beautiful play.” friendlies against Holland and Russia. tion and its associated funding,” ethics prosecu- part owner of Swiss marketing agency Infront. one month after its ethics judges sanctioned him A cut-price £10.7 million ($15.4 mil- “If I hadn’t taken Dimitri, it would have tors said in a statement. The report, by law firm Freshfields, pointed to in another case. He was warned and fined 7,000 lion, 13.7 million euros) signing from been for non-sporting reasons,” Beckenbauer is among four officials linked to a deeper involvement than suspected of Swiss francs for refusing to co-operate with a Marseille last June, Payet proved an Deschamps explained last week. “And as I suspect payments and contracts during the bid- Beckenbauer - the only man to captain and FIFA ethics investigation of the 2018-2022 World instant hit, scoring five goals in his first don’t have any, it seems completely logi- ding process. Germany won by beating South coach World Cup-winning teams who then Cup bidding contests. nine league games. cal to me that he should return.” Africa, whose bid was supported by Nelson organized a successful tournament. The former Bayern Munich and New York Back in the blue of his country just in Mandela, 12-11 in a vote of FIFA executive com- FIFA prosecutors have now put Niersbach and Cosmos great has publicly denied wrongdoing or FLAMBOYANT BUT ERRANT time for Euro 2016, Payet’s next aim will mittee members. 2006 tournament director Helmut Sandrock that hosting votes were bought. His performances helped West Ham be to have the whole of France dancing “The investigatory chamber will investigate under investigation for “possible failure to report” Beckenbauer, now 70, resigned last week from climb to third in the table and although to his tune. — AFP possible undue payments and contracts to gain unethical conduct and conflicts of interest. “The a television analyst job with the Sky Germany an advantage in the 2006 FIFA World Cup host list of possible violations may be supplemented channel, citing the need for a break after being a selection and the associated funding,” the FIFA as additional information becomes available,” public figure for 50 years. — AP Leicester face Barca, PSG in Champions Cup

LONDON: Leicester City will play Barcelona, Celtic and having them start their 2016-2017 campaign (Eindhoven) and Ghent playing in the knockout and Paris St Germain in this year’s International playing against each other will be a treat for both stage,” he said. “What would Manchester United Champions Cup (ICC), the Premier League leaders fans and the players,” Stillitano said in a statement argue? Did we create soccer or did Leicester? Who said yesterday. on Leicester’s website (www.lcfc.com). has had more of an integral role (in European The pre-season tournament is organised by The Foxes will compete alongside Chelsea and football), Manchester United or Leicester? Relevant Sports whose chairman Charlie Stillitano Liverpool in the main draw. Manchester City and “There are wonderful, wonderful elements to met representatives of top European clubs this Tottenham Hotspur, the other two Premier relegation and promotion and there are good month to discuss changing the Champions League clubs involved, will play standalone show- arguments for a closed system.” League to ensure the elite are always in it and the case matches. Leicester were founded in 1884 and elected to likes of Leicester are not. Stillitano came under fire for his comments on the Football league in 1894. They are on course to Leicester, one of five Premier League teams Sirius XM satellite radio after meeting representa- lift their first-ever top-flight title and have a five- involved in the 2016 event, begin their campaign tives of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, point lead at the top of the table, with seven against Celtic on July 23 in Glasgow. They travel to Liverpool and Manchester City in London to dis- games left. Manchester United, England’s richest Los Angeles to face Paris St Germain on July 30 cuss a closed structure for the Champions club who have won a record 20 league titles, before taking on Barcelona in Stockholm on Aug League. “When they came up with the played in the 2014 and 2015 Champions Cups but 3. “This is the best roster of teams in ICC history Champions League, the idea wasn’t to have PSV will not take part this year. — Reuters Man United announce China tour in July

LONDON: Manchester United will tour China in July as part of their preparations for the 2016-17 season, the English Premier League giants announced yesterday. United will spend eight days in the country and play two matches, with fixture dates, venues, opposition teams and ticket details to be announced in the com- ing days. It will be United’s 11th trip to China, where the club estimates it has 107 million supporters. “Manchester United has strong historical links with China and we are very proud of our relationship and of our fans throughout the country,” United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said in a statement. “A total of almost 500,000 supporters have attended previous games during our visits to China and we have always enjoyed exceptional support in the country, so naturally it is something that everybody is very much looking forward to this summer.” United’s most recent game in China was a fixture BLACKBURN: This file photo taken on February 21, 2016 shows West Ham United’s against Kitchee SC in July 2013, which was attended by French midfielder Dimitri Payet as he celebrates after scoring their second goal dur- a sell-out 40,000 crowd. China has become a key com- ing the FA cup fifth round football match between Blackburn Rovers and West Ham mercial battleground for the Premier League’s leading United at Ewood Park in Blackburn, north west England. A new song has energised teams. A Chinese consortium bought a 13 percent an old stadium this season as West Ham United’s supporters have fallen beneath the stake in the parent group of United’s cross-town rivals spell of shimmeringly skilful French playmaker Dimitri Payet. The song, to the tune Manchester City in December, two months after of Billy Ray Cyrus’s ‘Achy Breaky Heart’, goes: “We’ve got Payet, Dimitri Payet!/I just Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the club during a NEW YORK: Former French football player Youri Djorkaeff attends a press conference don’t think you understand/He’s Super Slav’s man, he’s better than Zidane/We’ve got state tour. —AP to announce the teams, cities, venues, matchups and dates for the 2016 Dimitri Payet!” — AFP International Champions Cup in New York yesterday. — AFP Kuwait handicapped FIFA opens 2 athletes win cases against 32 medals Beckenabuer, Niersbach

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 201616 19

Equal prize money defended as Miami Open begins Page 18

CHARLOTTE: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to pass around teammates Tim Duncan #21 and Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 21, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. — AFP Spurs stung as Lin leads Hornets fightback

CHARLOTTE: Jeremy Lin scored 15 of his 29 points in the fourth tory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. quarter as Charlotte overcame a 23-point deficit to snap San Rose was 9 for 15 from the field and hit a couple of 15-foot Antonio’s six-game winning streak, winning 91-88. Lin was 11 of jumpers during Chicago’s decisive 10-0 run in the fourth quarter 18 from the field and hit all four 3-point attempts, including to rally from a five-point deficit. Gasol recorded his 39th double- NZ beat Pakistan, enter three in the fourth quarter. double of the season in his first game back after missing four Courtney Lee had 17 points, Nicolas Batum added 15, and games with a swollen right knee. DeMarcus Cousins had 19 World T20 semi-finals Cody Zeller grabbed 14 rebounds for the Hornets, who bounced points and 18 rebounds, Darren Collison had 19 points and Rudy back from a disappointing loss to the Denver Nuggets on Gay had 18 for Sacramento. MOHALI: New Zealand stormed into the semifi- Khan hit 47 off 25 balls in a strong start of 65 Saturday night. Tony Parker had 19 points for the Spurs, while nals of World Twenty20 after it defeated before he was dismissed in the sixth over. LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Tim WIZARDS 112, HAWKS 102 Pakistan by 22 runs and registered its third suc- Fast bowler Adam Milne (2-26) and left-arm Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Spurs had two John Wall scored 27 points and dished out 14 assists and cessive victory in Group 2 yesterday. spinner Martin Santner (2-29) led the New chances to tie it at the end of regulation, but Patty Mills and Bradley Beal chipped in with 25 points to help Washington Martin Guptill scored 80 off 48 balls in New Zealand attack with two wickets each. Danny Green both missed 3-point attempts. The Hornets trailed extended its winning streak to a season-high five games. The Zealand’s total of 180-5 and also took three New Zealand has already beaten tourna- 28-7 after the first quarter. Hawks came into the game having won five straight and eight of catches as Pakistan wasted Sharjeel Khan’s rol- ment favorites India and Australia while their past nine, pushing to a season-high 12 games above .500. licking start to be restricted at 158-5. Pakistan has just two points from its victory CAVALIERS 124, NUGGETS 91 But the Wizards bolstered their playoff hopes with a dazzling Pakistan never got its momentum back after over Bangladesh after also losing to India. — AP LeBron James scored 33 points and had his 41st career triple- offensive display, shooting 51 percent from the field and knock- double as Cleveland clinched its second straight Central Division ing down 13-of-25 from 3-point range. Every starter scored in title with a comfortable victory over Denver. James added 11 double figures. Otto Porter had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jeff SCOREBOARD rebounds and 11 assists before checking out with 6:02 left to a Teague led the Hawks with 23 points. Atlanta kept up with the thunderous ovation. He scored 17 in the first quarter, helping Wizards over the first three quarters, but struggled offensively in MOHALI, India: Scoreboard yesterday from the the Cavs build a 19-point lead and erase the memory of an the final period. World Twenty20 Group 2 game between New embarrassing loss on Saturday in Miami. The Nuggets fought Zealand and Pakistan at Punjab Cricket Association back and briefly led before the Cavs regrouped, scored 68 after PACERS 91, 76ERS 75 IS Bindra Stadium: halftime to notch their 50th win. J.R. Smith added 15 points and Paul George scored 15 points and Monta Ellis added 13 to New Zealand Channing Frye 14 for Cleveland, which played without starter help Indiana pull away from Philadelphia. Indiana snapped a Martin Guptill b Sami 80 Kevin Love (illness). Will Barton scored 27 for the Nuggets, who two-game losing streak and won for just the second time in five Kane Williamson c Afridi b Irfan 17 concluded a 1-4 road trip. Denver’s Kenneth Faried missed his games as it tries to take advantage of a favorable schedule to Colin Munro c Khan b Afridi 7 third straight game with a sore lower back. make a late-season playoff push. Hollis Thompson and Isaiah Corey Anderson c Malik b Afridi 21 Canaan each scored 15 for the 76ers, who have lost six straight Ross Taylor not out 36 PISTONS 92, BUCKS 91 and 19 of their last 20. This one was never really close. Luke Ronchi c Malik b Sami 11 Andre Drummond’s tip-in with 2 seconds remaining lifted Indiana used a 9-0 run midway through the first quarter to Grant Elliott not out 1 Detroit over Milwaukee. The Pistons, who are in a tight race for take a 21-10 lead and never trailed. The 76ers only got within Extras: (4lb, 3w) 7 the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, came out inex- one score once the rest of the night, after Canaan’s 3-pointer Total: (for 5 wickets) 180 plicably flat and trailed by 17 points in the first half. They were with 7:06 left in the third made it 55-53. The Pacers scored eight Overs: 20. down 13 in the third quarter before chipping away at straight and extended the lead throughout the fourth. Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-75, 3-127, 4-132, 5-164 Milwaukee’s lead in the fourth. Drummond was outplayed badly Did not bat: Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, early on by Greg Monroe, but when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope GRIZZLIES 103, SUNS 97 Mitchell McClenaghan, Ish Sodhi. missed from the perimeter in the final seconds, Drummond was Lance Stephenson scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth Bowling: Mohammad Amir 4-0-41-0 (1w), able to tip the ball in. The Bucks weren’t able to get a clean shot quarter as Memphis pulled out a victory over Phoenix. The Mohammad Irfan 4-0-46-1, Mohammad Sami 4-0- off after that. Drummond finished with 14 points and 16 Grizzlies scored the last eight points of the game, holding the 23-2 (w), Imad Wasim 4-0-26-0, Shahid Afridi 4-0- rebounds. Khris Middleton led Milwaukee with 27 points, and Suns scoreless the final 2:12. 40-2. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 21. Stephenson’s rebound basket after Jordan Farmar’s airball Pakistan Sharjeel Khan c Guptill b Milne 47 layup attempt gave Memphis a 99-97 lead with 31 seconds to Ahmed Shahzad c Guptill b Santner 30 WARRIORS 109, TIMBERWOLVES 104 play. Zach Randolph added 14 points for the Grizzlies and Khalid Latif c Elliott b Santner 3 Draymond Green had 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists blocked Jon Leuer’s shot with Memphis nursing that two-point Umar Akmal c Guptill b Milne 24 to help Golden State narrowly avoid its first two-game skid in lead. Devin Booker scored 18 points and P.J. Tucker added 15 for Shahid Afridi c Anderson b Sodhi 19 nearly a year with a victory over Minnesota. Klay Thompson Phoenix. Leuer had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Shoaib Malik not out 15 scored 17 points and hit all five of his 3-pointers, and the Sarfraz Ahmed not out 11 Warriors (63-7) overcame a second straight poor shooting night CELTICS 107, MAGIC 96 Extras: (5lb, 4w) 9 from Stephen Curry. The reigning MVP missed 11 of his 17 shots, Isaiah Thomas had 28 points and seven assists and Boston Total: (for 5 wickets) 158 including seven of his nine 3-pointers, but still had 19 points, 11 held on to beat Orlando. Avery Bradley had 22 points and nine Overs: 20. assists and seven rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points rebounds and Kelly Olynyk had 22 points in his fourth game Fall of wickets: 1-65, 2-79, 3-96, 4-123, 5-140 and 11 rebounds, while Ricky Rubio added 20 points, 11 assists back from a right shoulder sprain to help the Celtics even the Did not bat: Mohammad Sami, Imad Wasim, and four rebounds for the Timberwolves (22-48), who gave the season series with the Magic at two games each. Boston led by Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan. Bowling: Mitchell Santner 4-0-29-2 (3w), Corey defending champs all they could handle. 14 early in the fourth quarter and ended the game on a 9-2 run Anderson 2-0-14-0 (1w), Adam Milne 4-0-26-2, MOHALI: New Zealand’s Martin Guptill plays after having its lead cut to four. It was the Celtics’ first home vic- Mitchell McClenaghan 4-0-43-0, Grant Elliott 2-0- a shot during the World T20 cricket match BULLS 109, KINGS 102 tory since their 14-game home winning streak was snapped on 16-0, Ish Sodhi 4-0-25-1. between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson had 18 points each, Doug March 11. Victor Oladipo led Orlando with 25 points and eight Result: New Zealand won by 22 runs. Punjab Cricket Stadium Association McDermott added 16 and Pau Gasol had 14 points and 14 rebounds. The Magic have lost four straight and eight of their Stadium in Mohali yesterday. — AFP rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 109-102 comeback vic- last 10. — AP Oil market rattled by deadly Brussels blasts Page 24

Iranians exasperated as US sanctions hit deal making Business Page 25 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 Fitch Ratings: NBK the flagship Etihad Airways partners with EKar bank in Kuwait Page 22 Page 26

MANILA: Families live in concrete pipes used as makeshift dwellings along a street in Manila yesterday. Roughly one quarter of the nation’s 100 million people live in poverty, which is defined as surviving on about one US dollar a day, according to government data. —AFP Global stocks plunge after Brussels attacks Travel sector stocks nosedive, blasts overshadow economic data

LONDON: World stocks fell and safe- bonds fell to a two-week low of 0.18 haven gold and government bonds percent before edging back to 0.21 per- rose yesterday after attacks on the air- cent. US Treasury yields fell 2 basis Qatar invites port and a rush-hour metro train in points across the curve . Brussels that triggered security alerts In currency markets the Japanese across western Europe. Travel sector yen, regarded by investors as a shelter producers for stocks including airlines and hotels fell from turbulence, rose across the board, the most, pulling the broader indices notably against the euro. The euro was April oil meeting down from multi-week highs, although last down 0.5 percent at 125.25 yen and stocks had clawed back some of their the dollar was down 0.3 percent at DUBAI: Qatar has invited all OPEC members and major losses by midday and bonds and gold 111.60 yen. The single currency fell a producers from outside the exporting group to attend eased back from their earlier highs. fifth of a percent against the dollar to talks next month on a deal to freeze output at January lev- US stocks edged lower in early trad- $1.1220. els to support the global oil market, Qatar’s energy min- ing yesterday following the deadly istry said yesterday. attacks in Belgium. Airlines, cruise com- ATTACKS OVERSHADOW DATA Members from the Organization of the Petroleum panies and travel booking sites were Liquidity had already been starting Exporting Countries and other main oil producers are due among the biggest decliners. The Dow to dry up ahead of the Easter holiday to meet on April 17 in Qatar’s capital Doha to discuss stabil- Jones industrial average fell 46 points, and investors were beginning to think ising prices by freezing production. “The need has become or 0.3 percent, to 17,577 as of 10:05 a.m. about cashing in on a steep rally in an urgent matter to bring back balance to the market and Eastern Time. The Standard & Poor’s 500 stocks over the last few weeks. “Coming recovery to the global economy,” the ministry said in the index lost four points, or 0.2 percent, to up to the Easter holiday, people are invitation letter. Qatar holds the OPEC presidency in 2016 2,047. The Nasdaq composite dropped going to be very reluctant to put more NEW YORK: A street sign for Wall Street hangs near the New York Stock Exchange. US stocks edged lower and has been organising the effort. Iran has maintained four points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,804. money into these (stock) markets. If yesterday led by declines in travel-related companies following the attacks in Belgium. — AP that it will increase exports, following the lifting of Western US futures pointed to a fall of almost anything, they will be more likely to sanctions in January and will not freeze output. But Gulf half of one percent at the open on Wall take money out,” said Michael Hewson, OPEC members support the pact even if Iran declined to Street. “It is all to do with the events in chief market strategist at CMC Markets take part, OPEC sources said. Brussels ... but the reaction is muted, in London. Markets mixed as Saudi, which also shows that after all the ter- “Anything like the events we’re see- Libya snub rorist attacks we have seen, markets ing in Brussels this morning is going to Libya does not plan to attend an April 17 meeting of oil have learned to live with these kind of weigh on risk sentiment and risk Egypt make late dip producers about freezing supply to support prices, a things,” said Rabobank euro zone econ- appetite.” Investors paid little attention Libyan OPEC delegate said yesterday, joining fellow OPEC DUBAI: Middle East markets were mixed yesterday as the the first of its kind and different to earlier development omist Emile Cardon. to data showing a slight pick up in member Iran in snubbing the initiative. later-closing Saudi Arabia and Egypt bourses gave back initiatives, is likely set out how the government hopes to At least 26 people were killed and German business morale and eurozone The absence of the two OPEC members would limit the initial gains following a renewed drop in oil prices. Brent bolster and diversify the economy. many injured in the twin attacks on the business activity in March. Earlier, Asian impact of any freeze by producers from the Organization crude, which had risen more than 50 percent from 12- “There are expectations that energy and utility prices Belgian capital, which took place four stocks seesawed as hawkish comments of the Petroleum Exporting Countries along with Russia, year lows in January, was down 0.8 percent at $41.23 a will increase and so will taxes, levies and fees,” said days after the arrest there of a suspect- from US Federal Reserve officials cloud- even though Libya’s output has been curtailed for many barrel at 1240 GMT. The prolonged oil slump sparked Bukhtiar. “The magnitude of possible increases is ed participant in November’s militant ed the monetary policy outlook less months by unrest and the chance of it increasing produc- panic selling on Gulf markets in January, but confidence unknown and all kinds of rumours are circulating.” attacks in Paris. At 1220 GMT the than a week after Fed Chair Janet Yellen tion swiftly is low. has steadily returned as traders’ worst fears of a repeat of Earlier this year, many listed companies issued state- FTSEuroFirst 300 index of leading had set out a more cautious path to “We are not going,” the Libyan delegate said, referring the 2008-09 bourse collapse proved unfounded. ments estimating the likely impact of reductions to ener- shares was down 1 percent at 1,326 interest rate increases this year. The dol- to the meeting in Doha next month. “Clearly, they have to Having hit multi-year lows in mid-January, Saudi gy subsidies, adding to investor gloom over likely first- points. Germany’s DAX was down 0.5 lar got a mild boost from the sugges- allow us to go back to our production when the security Arabia’s benchmark is up 18.6 percent, Dubai has gained quarter profits following the slump in oil prices. “Most of percent and Belgian stocks were down tion that interest rate hikes could come situation in the country improves.” Libya has made its wish 27.9 percent and Qatar 23.2 percent although this these were rough estimates and some companies are 0.4 percent . These indices had earlier sooner rather than later. to return to pre-conflict oil production rates clear since momentum is now waning. “Following a big shake-up now saying the impact might not be as bad as expected,” been down as much as 2 percent. Japan’s Nikkei stock index added 1.9 four countries reached a preliminary deal on freezing out- across equity markets globally, we have entered a period said Bukhtiar. “The next target is 7,000 and as we head The STOXX Europe 600 Travel & percent, closing at a one-week high, put in February. of low volatility,” said Sebastien Henin, head of asset man- into the next quarter that could be achievable.” Leisure index was the top sectoral faller, after markets in Tokyo reopened after a Other producers understand this, the delegate said. agement at The National Investor in Abu Dhabi. In Egypt, Arabian Food Industries (Domty) surged 9.2 down 2 percent. Shares in major public holiday on Monday. A weaker “They appreciate the situation we are in.” “Companies in the region released decent Q4 results, percent on its bourse debut. It had sold 12.25 million European airlines like Ryanair and Air yen overnight had given a tailwind to Qatar, which has been organising the meeting, has with some positive surprises in terms of dividends. This shares in a public offering this month that was hugely France-KLM were down as much as 4.5 local shares. Elsewhere, sterling was invited all 13 OPEC members and major outside producers. combination of factors has helped support Gulf markets.” over-subscribed. percent, and hotel company Accor was one of the biggest losers among the The talks are expected to widen February’s initial output Saudi’s index was up as much as 0.5 percent in early trade “Domty is up on decent volumes and this is affecting down 3.5 percent. major currencies after ratings agency freeze deal by Qatar, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, plus non- as petrochemical and bank stocks led gains, but it then the rest of the market,” said Mohamed Radwan, Head of The federal prosecutor said at least Moody’s said Britain’s credit rating will OPEC Russia. The initiative has supported a rally in oil tracked a drop in oil prices - sparked by deadly explosions Equity Sales at Pharos Securities in Cairo, shortly after the one of two explosions at Brussels air- be put under pressure by a marked prices, which were about $41 a barrel on Tuesday, up from in Brussels yesterday - to end 0.07 percent lower at 6,482 market open. “Investors are keen to buy Domty at a pre- port was likely to have been caused by slowdown in fiscal consolidation a 12-year low near $27 in January, despite doubts over points. mium to the IPO price, which is giving confidence that a suicide bomber and the attacks unveiled in last week’s budget. whether the deal is enough to tackle excess supply in the “Crude’s rebound has been very encouraging for sen- the prices of other stocks are also at attractive levels,” said brought some cross-border transport The warning came amid concerns market. Iran has yet to say whether it will attend the meet- timent and the fiscal position of Saudi Arabia,” said Asim Radwan, who nevertheless predicted the bourse was ripe to a halt, including trains from London about Prime Minister David Cameron’s ing. But Iranian officials have made clear Tehran will not Bukhtiar, Head of Research at Saudi Fransi Capital. A new for profit taking. The index ended 0.9 percent lower - hav- to Brussels. Gold rose 0.6 percent to ability to keep Britain in the European freeze output as it wants to raise exports following the lift- government transformation plan for the kingdom, which ing been up as much as 1.1 percent intraday - trimming $1,255 an ounce, having been up Union after leading ‘Out’ campaigner ing of Western sanctions in January.—Reuters around twice that earlier. The yield on Iain Duncan Smith resigned from the is expected to be announced by the end of April, is creat- its gains to 13.2 percent since March 14’s currency deval- benchmark German government cabinet late on Friday. —Reuters ing investor uncertainty, however, said Bukhtiar. The plan, uation. — Reuters WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 BUSINESS News Fitch Ratings: NBK the in brief

Kuwait oil price down flagship bank in Kuwait to $34.20 pb: KPC KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti oil went down yester- day by $59 cents to settle at $34.20 pb, compared to $34.79 pb the day before, said Kuwait Petroleum Bank measures up to leading regional banks Corporation (KPC) yesterday. In global markets, oil posted multi-week gains, with US crude up for a fifth KUWAIT: Fitch Ratings, the international Diverse Business Model bank’s strong capital markets division Conservative Strategy week in a row. credit rating agency, said that NBK is the Fitch affirmed that NBK’s business and stable earnings from the bank’s Fitch highlighted that NBK has imple- flagship bank in the Kuwaiti banking sector model is significantly more diverse than treasury function. Fitch sees this mented its conservative strategy effectively and measures up to leading regional banks. peers, geographically and by activity. increased diversification over peers as a over a sustained period. The bank has suc- DIB narrows price The bank enjoys a dominant market share More importantly, in Fitch’s view, is the major contributor to the bank’s sound cessfully diversified within Kuwait on its guidance for sukuk in Kuwait and is widely thought of as one diversification that NBK has achieved and stable earnings base. entry into Islamic Banking and its main focus DUBAI: Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has narrowed pricing of the region’s strongest franchises. domestically. Its acquisition of Boubyan is now on organic growth. Fitch does not see guidance for a US dollar-denominated sukuk issue Earlier, Fitch affirmed NBK Long-term means that NBK is the only bank in Strong Management any major strategic changes as a result of which is due to price later yesterday, a document from Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘AA-’, the high- Kuwait to offer both conventional and Fitch considers that NBK has one of the new senior management team, who est in the Middle East and North Africa, have been with the bank for a long period. lead arrangers showed. The five-year Islamic bond is with a Stable Outlook. now earmarked to price at 235 basis points over Solid Execution midswaps plus or minus 5 bps, according to the docu- Flagship status Fitch also said that “NBK has a strong ment, which added that investor orders, including In its report published recently, Fitch track record of execution over a sustained those from the arrangers, totalled more than $1 billion. Ratings said: “It is difficult to compare NBK time period. Financial metrics have This is inside indicative pricing of the 245 bps area over with domestic peers, due to the dominance remained sound and above peers for a sig- the same benchmark announced earlier in the day. The of the bank’s domestic franchise and supe- nificant period, particularly with respect to rior diversification”. The agency added: “We profitability and asset quality. The bank’s final size of the deal is expected to be “in the context of therefore view NBK’s closest peers as other strategy of diversification has largely been $500 million”, the document added. Benchmark size is leading GCC banks that are flagship banks successful.” usually understood to mean at least $500 million. DIB’s within their domicile.” NBK enjoys the highest credit ratings by transaction is being arranged by seven banks: Bank “NBK’s company profile is underpinned the major international rating agencies: ABC, DIB, Emirates Islamic Bank, HSBC, National Bank of by its status and dominant franchise in Islamic banking. The acquisition has the strongest management teams within Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Islamic Bank and Standard Kuwait. The bank has a more diverse busi- brought synergies and expanded the the Kuwaiti Banking sector with a good Ratings. In their latest reports, the three rat- Chartered. ness model than peers, which includes bank’s customer base. From a low base, mix of experienced locals and expatri- ing agencies affirmed NBK’s credit ratings regional and international operations, a lead- Boubyan is growing rapidly and per- ates. Management has a high degree of with a stable outlook. NBK also maintains ing capital markets subsidiary and a majority formance has improved markedly. depth and stability, and succession plan- its position among the 50 safest banks in stake in a domestic Islamic Bank”, Fitch said. Income is further diversified by the ning has been well managed. the world for the ninth time in a row. Egypt Suez Canal revenue drops to 3.108bn EGP CAIRO: Egypt’s Suez Canal revenue fell in February, Qatargas eyes expanded reaching 3.108 billion Egyptian pounds after 3.179 billion pounds the month before, data from the LNG supply deals with canal authority showed. The website did not explain why a dollar figure for the revenues, which is usually UK, Dutch terminals reported, was not given for February. Egypt’s central bank devalued the pound to 8.85 per dollar from MILAN/LONDON: Qatargas is look- whereas in other areas it’s quite the 7.73 on March 14 and announced it would pursue a ing to Britain and the Netherlands in contrary. Everybody was hoping for more flexible exchange rate. It later strengthened an effort to weather a looming glob- Asia demand but there demand was the pound to 8.78 per dollar. A spokesman for the al glut of gas supplies by expanding slower so I think capacity value has Suez Canal Authority did not respond to requests for import deals into Europe’s most liq- decreased there,” he said. comment on the revenue figures. The canal is one of uid markets, industry sources said. Egypt’s main sources of foreign currency. Egypt has The world’s biggest exporter of liq- TALKS been struggling to revive its economy since a 2011 uefied natural gas (LNG) must lock In 2013, Qatargas signed a five- uprising scared away tourists and foreign investors, in buyers for its unsold supply just year deal to supply 1.14 million other main sources of hard currency. as new Australian and US producers tonnes a year (mtpa) to Petronas’ muscle into its prized Asian markets. half-share of the Dragon terminal at Slowing demand globally is only Milford Haven. Qatargas 4, a joint Saudi Airlines sees 5bn adding to producer woes, thrusting venture between Qatargas and riyal sukuk issue in Q2 Europe’s gas markets and dozens of Royal Dutch Shell, signed the deal BEIJING: Investors watch stock prices on screens at a securities company in Beijing RIYADH: National carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) is under-used import terminals into with Petronas, followed by a five- yesterday. Chinese stocks closed lower yesterday as investors took profit from a seeking to raise 5 billion riyals ($1.3 billion) via the first strong bounce the previous day fuelled by news that authorities have loosened the spotlight. Qatargas has held year agreement with E.ON Global tranche of a sukuk isuance program in the second or third restrictions on margin trading. —AFP talks with Petronas UK Ltd to gain Commodities to ship 1.5 mtpa to quarter of this year, its director-general Saleh Al-Jasser greater access to the Dragon the Gate terminal. said yesterday. The funds will be used to finance fleet import terminal in Wales, as well as Both deals are flexible, accord- As Turkey readies for 4G, row expansion, as the carrier aims to operate 200 aircraft by with Uniper, formerly known as ing to the original announcements, 2020, he told reporters at a business conference. Details E.ON Global Commodities, for the meaning Qatar is not obliged to of the second tranche of the sukuk program have not Gate terminal in Rotterdam, two ship any LNG to Britain or the brews over fibre network been determined, he added. The airline has been spin- sources said. Netherlands and can divert car- Uniper declined to comment, goes at will. At the time, compa- ISTANBUL: As Turkey prepares for the launch of It has laid 213,000 km of fibre, six times more ning off units in the last several years; it is now preparing while Qatargas and Petronas did not nies with import rights at Dragon high-speed 4G cellphone services next month a than Turkcell, while Vodafone is further behind documentation to hive off its cargo unit in an initial public row is brewing over rivals wanting cheaper still. It charges its rivals to use the network, set- offer of shares, Jasser said without giving details. respond to requests for comment. and Gate were eager to drum up access to partly state-owned Turk Telekom’s fibre ting the price itself. Turkcell and Vodafone want Stefaan Adriaens, commercial man- business and effectively gave Qatar optic network, saying that otherwise they can- prices regulated and are pushing for the creation ager at Gate, said he could not com- free options to make use of their not compete in a market where fixed-line and of a joint company to manage the network. BG Egypt suspends some ment on whether Qatargas was capacity. mobile services are set to converge. At stake is a “We have to bring fibre to every household interested in increasing capacity at While Qatari deliveries to fast-growing market of 78 million people where and that requires a mobilisation for digital trans- development wells the terminal either via Uniper or Dragon/Gate have been rare up to the median age is around 30, younger than any- formation,” Turkcell Chief Executive Kaan CAIRO: BG Egypt has suspended work at some develop- directly. now, weak Asian demand coupled where else in Europe, and an attractive proposi- Terzioglu told Reuters. He estimated that by ment projects in Egypt after the company was unable to “They see competition in Asia, so with surging supply makes Europe tion for telecoms companies, as younger people working together on building fibre networks, reach agreement over the price of gas with the govern- if they are looking for capacity, then an increasingly attractive destination demand more bandwidth to stream movies, play rather than investing separately, operators could ment, an official at the Egyptian General Petroleum Corp I presume it’s to have an alternative for cargoes. Talks between Petronas online games and communicate both at home save $12.5 billion. (EGPC) told Reuters yesterday. “BG has stopped work at to Asia,” he said. Dong Energy, and Qatargas over expanding the and on the move. 9A+ and 9B after failure to reach an agreement on the Turk Telekom has spent 20 billion lira ($7 bil- ‘NOT FAIR, OR POSSIBLE’ EconGas, Uniper, Shell and Eneco existing deal at Dragon initially fixed price to be paid for extracted gas, and it withdrew lion) over the last decade on building the coun- Turk Telekom is hoping that faster mobile data hold Gate capacity but around 0.9 sought to double volumes and try’s most extensive fibre-optic network and is will whet customer appetites for better fixed line rigs working on the 9A+ wells on the seventh of March,” billion cubic metres remains avail- extend the duration of the deal by up now looking to bundle high-speed fixed line and broadband. “That’s been the global trend of ‘con- the EGPC official said. The development areas include able. to 10 years, one of the sources said. mobile services into a single contract to attract vergence’, where customers move to a single several deepwater wells in the West Nile Delta. BG Egypt, Unlike the last four years, import A proposal was also made to com- more mobile customers after the April 1 launch provider for mobile, fixed voice, broadband, and a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, is looking to raise the capacity at Gate and other north- mit Qatargas to delivering a third of of 4G services. TV,” said Cenk Sezginsoy, a partner and managing price it is paid for gas to $5.88 per million British thermal west European terminals is becom- the overall volume, he said. At Gate, While Turk Telekom has just 23.4 percent of director at Boston Consulting Group. units from $3.95 currently, the official said. Egypt has ing more valuable in response to the choices boil down to exacting the mobile market, compared with 46.2 percent Turkcell has a fibre network of around 35,000 over the past year raised the price it pays many interna- the start of US LNG exports. “As supply guarantees from Qatargas or for Turkcell and 30.4 percent for Vodafone km, mostly in big cities. Its fibre network serves tional oil companies for natural gas production in order more people are looking to Europe making it pay for optional import Turkey, analysts say its fibre network is the big 900,000 subscribers, compared with 1.5 million the capacity value has increased, slots, sources said. —Reuters attraction. for Turk Telekom. —Reuters to encourage more investment in the sector. EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 81.225 Asia 20 Gram 253.510 Jordanian Dinar 425.495 Bangladesh Taka 0.003431 0.004005 10 Gram 129.510 CURRENCY BUY SELL Egyptian Pound 33.652 Chinese Yuan 0.045053 0.048553 5 Gram 65.600 ASIAN COUNTRIES Sri Lankan Rupees 2.084 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036852 0.039602 Indian Rupees 4.489 Indian Rupee 0.004301 0.004691 Japanese Yen 2.642 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Pakistani Rupees 2.879 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Indian Rupees 4.399 Bangladesh Taka 3.842 Japanese Yen 0.002614 0.002794 Pakistani Rupees 2.881 Philippines Pesso 6.458 Kenyan Shilling 0.003096 0.003096 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Cyprus pound 575.305 Srilankan Rupees 2.080 Korean Won 0.000251 0.000266 Australian Dollar 201.91 Japanese Yen 3.655 Nepali Rupees 2.743 Malaysian Ringgit 0.070925 0.076925 Canadian Dollar 219.82 Syrian Pound 2.370 Singapore Dollar 219.690 Nepalese Rupee 0.002862 0.003032 Hongkong Dollar 38.918 Swiss Franc 306.95 Nepalese Rupees 3.800 Pakistan Rupee 0.002677 0.002957 Bangladesh Taka 3.850 Euro 336.85 Malaysian Ringgit 74.070 Philippine Peso 6.453 US Dollar 299.90 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.745 Philippine Peso 0.006411 0.006691 Thai Baht 8.622 Sterling Pound 431.04 Thai Bhat 9.575 Sierra Leone 0.000067 0.000073 Japanese Yen 2.67 Turkish Lira 105.395 Singapore Dollar 0.218748 0.224748 GCC COUNTRIES Bangladesh Taka 3.817 South African Rand 0.013831 0.022331 Saudi Riyal 80.576 Indian Rupee 4.375 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001707 0.002287 Qatari Riyal 83.001 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.083 Bahrain Exchange Company Taiwan 0.009089 0.009269 Omani Riyal 784.823 Nepali Rupee 2.732 Thai Baht 0.008320 0.008870 Bahraini Dinar 802.440 Pakistani Rupee 2.860 UAE Dirhams 0.08161 CURRENCY BUY SELL UAE Dirham 82.266 Arab Bahraini Dinar 0.7970 Europe British Pound 0.427095 0.436095 Bahraini Dinar 0.794227 0.802227 ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound 0.03819 Czech Korune 0.004561 0.016561 Egyptian Pound 0.030909 0.036027 Egyptian Pound - Cash 35.150 Jordanian Dinar 0.4265 Danish Krone 0.041505 0.046505 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.523 Omani Riyal 0.7788 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Euro 0.333820 0.341820 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.419 Qatari Riyal 0.08269 Iraqi Dinar 0.000194 0.000254 Norwegian Krone 0.031862 0.037062 Tunisian Dinar 159.080 Saudi Riyal 0.07994 Jordanian Dinar 0.421800 0.429300 Romanian Leu 0.086602 0.086602 Jordanian Dinar 424.660 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Slovakia 0.008983 0.018983 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.026 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Lebanese Pound 0.000151 0.000251 Swedish Krona 0.032646 0.037646 Syrian Lira 2.147 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020562 0.044562 Swiss Franc 0.304324 0.314524 Morocco Dirham 31.040 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Turkish Lira 0.099884 0.110184 Nigerian Naira 0.001243 0.001878 US Dollar 302.050 Omani Riyal 0.777736 0.783416 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Canadian Dollar 229.115 Australasia Qatar Riyal 0.082213 0.083426 US Dollar Transfer 301.150 Sterling Pound 432.050 Australian Dollar 0.220611 0.232111 Saudi Riyal 0.079620 0.080570 Euro 333.070 Euro 336.620 New Zealand Dollar 0.197943 0.207443 Syrian Pound 0.001279 0.001499 Sterling Pound 421.610 Swiss Frank 299.080 America Canadian dollar 224.650 Tunisian Dinar 0.147506 0.155506 Bahrain Dinar 799.075 Canadian Dollar 0.225451 0.233951 Turkish lira 101.190 Turkish Lira 0.099884 0.110184 UAE Dirhams 82.480 US Dollars 0.297800 0.302300 Swiss Franc 305.430 UAE Dirhams 0.081215 0.082364 Qatari Riyals 83.690 US Dollars Mint 0.298300 0.302300 US Dollar Buying 301.350 Yemeni Riyal 0.001364 0.001444 BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 BUSINESS Oil market rattled by deadly Brussels blasts

LONDON: Oil prices seesawed yesterday, oil delivery hub) helped ... but obviously Monday, citing data from market intelli- from OPEC and non-members meet on percent since Jan. 1 as those expecta- rattled by investor nervousness after deadly now you have these headlines from Brussels gence firm Genscape. Cushing inventories April 17 in Qatar to discuss an output tions faded. “Before the explosions we blasts in Brussels prompted a flight towards and that can lead to some risk-off position- had previously risen towards 70 million bar- freeze. Iran has said it would consider had some fairly hawkish comments so-called safe-haven assets such as gold. Oil ing. But the movements for now are not rels, causing market participants to fear joining in once it had recovered mar- from one of the Fed officials saying a had risen earlier in the session following a very significant,” Petromatrix strategist they could hit capacity. ket share. A senior oil official was rate increase could now be on the drop in US inventory levels that helped ease Olivier Jakob said. “Oil and a number of other markets have quoted as saying the country’s crude agenda for April,” Societe Generale some of the concern around oversupply The dollar index, gold and German reached a bit of a pause phase,” said Ric exports have reached 2.2 million bar- analyst Robin Bhar said. “I’d have that could dampen future price recoveries. Bunds, all perceived to be less risky options Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC rels per day (bpd) since sanctions were thought that would have weakened Brent crude futures were up 5 cents at at times of geopolitical or financial uncer- Markets. “For oil we have had a substantial lifted in January, marking a rise of gold, but clearly safe-haven buying on $41.59 a barrel by 1127 GMT, having risen to tainty, rallied in price. Equities came under rally. A lot of that has been preemptive in 900,000 bpd. the back of the explosions in Brussels a session high of $41.75. Brent has gained pressure, led by steep falls in airline and nature, preempting production cuts, and has (pushed prices higher).” over 50 percent from January’s 12-year other travel stocks, after the attacks. US assisted by the weaker U.S. dollar,” he said. Gold rallies Atlanta Federal Reserve President lows. crude stockpiles at the Cushing, Oklahoma “We have arrived at the situation where Gold rallied more than 1 percent Dennis Lockhart said on Monday the US May crude futures were down 6 cents hub fell 570,574 barrels to 69.05 million in the market is waiting for news to catch up yesterday after two explosions at United States may be in line for a rate at $41.46. “The stocks (fall) in Cushing (U.S. the week to March 18, traders said on with it a little,” Spooner said. Producers Brussels airport killed at least 26 peo- hike as soon as next month, another ple and a further blast hit the Belgian sign that policymakers are comfort- capital’s Metro, with investors seeking able letting U.S. monetary policy assets seen as a haven from risk. diverge from other major economies. Belgium’s federal prosecutor said the European stocks fell and investors airport explosions resulted from a sui- rushed for the safety of government cide attack, public broadcasters VTM bonds after the explosions in Brussels. and RTBF reported. The Belga agency The euro fell, the yen and the Swiss said shots were fired and there were franc rose, and the dollar index shouts in Arabic shortly before two climbed 0.3 percent after the news. blasts rang out. Swiss gold exports fell to an 18-month Spot gold rallied to a high of low in February as shipments to lead- $1,259.60 an ounce in the wake of the ing gold consumers India, China and news, and was at $1,249.86 at 1030 Hong Kong slid from the previous GMT, up 0.5 percent. US gold futures month. for April delivery were up $6.40 an “Exports to China, Hong Kong and ounce at $1,250.60. India plunged by over 40 percent Gold fell for three days to Monday month-on-month and are thus nearly on uncertainty over the path of US 30 percent lower than in the same peri- interest rates. Speculation rates would od last year. This points to subdued rise pushed prices down 10 percent gold demand in Asia,” Commerzbank last year, but they have rebounded 20 said in a note. — Reuters WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 BUSINESS

The Flagship Infiniti SUV QX80 is ready to shine at The Hamra Mall

KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain Co, the Infiniti Al-Babtain’s focus has always been to bring their LED high/low beam headlights, LED turn signals, LED Event & Lift) technology with the efficiency of Direct authorized distributor of Infiniti in the State of Kuwait, is products closer to their customers and at important places fog lights and a new bumper with flush-mounted sonar Injection Gasoline (DIG) to produce 400 horsepower and showcasing its most advanced flagship Infiniti QX80 SUV at which provide a unique setting for customers to experi- sensors. 560Nm of torque. A smooth 7 - speed automatic transmis- the Al Hamra Mall for five days that will provide esteemed ence Infiniti’s products at their own convenience. The QX80 boasts several new technologies starting sion is standard on all models. mall visitors to experience its bold design, meticulously To complement the promotional display, Infiniti Al- with the advanced High Beam Assist, Predictive Forward The Infiniti QX80 promotion at the Hamra Mall is just crafted luxurious interior and instant opportunity to book Babtain launched a special financial program on Infiniti Collision Warning (PFCW) systems, Front Emergency one of the many promotions offered by Infiniti Al Babtain an exclusive test drive. QX80 that will benefit prospective owners with 0 percent Braking and Front Collision Warning System, alongside during the month of March 2016. The Infiniti portfolio Infiniti QX80 has always been a cornerstone for Infiniti interest rate over 5 years. This promotional incentive is available features such as Blind Spot Warning, Blind Spot offers an extensive line-up of vehicles that ranges from Al-Babtain catering to high-end luxury customers and offered exclusively during the month of March 2016. Intervention, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane sedans, sports and specialty vehicles, crossovers to full size strengthening the brand’s image through HALO model sta- The New Infiniti QX80 underwent an extensive exteri- Departure Prevention (LDP). SUV to meet the diverse needs of premium customers. tus. The redesigned Infiniti QX80 was launched just over a or design refinement focusing on the model’s frontend On the promise of performance, the QX80 does not dis- The entire portfolio shares a common DNA that blends year back in December 2014, and the uptake for the new appearance, with new upper grille shape and added appoint. The proven 5.6-liter V8 engine combines the aggressive bold styling with breath-taking presence and model has been strong. lower grille. The revised front fascia also features new responsive acceleration of Infiniti’s VVEL (Variable Valve exhilarating drive performance. Iranians exasperated as US sanctions hit deal making Global lenders steer clear of Iran, business community frustrated

DUBAI/LONDON: More than two shall be facing problems for the conference that lenders had yet to Iran into the global financial sys- months after international nuclear payments,” said Mostofi, who also be assured of “complete legal tem, the outcome has appeared sanctions on Iran were supposed chairs the Investment Commission security and clarity”. That will be patchy so far. to have ended, frustration is deep- at the Iran Chamber of Commerce. tough as long as Washington Two banking sources said most ening that few trade deals are The US Treasury, which is keeps the ban on processing dollar international banks were still going through as foreign banks responsible for enforcing sanc- transactions for Iran in the US sys- refusing to accept cheques from shy away from processing transac- tions on Iran, gave no immediate tem. holders of accounts at one major tions with the country. Iranian response to a Reuters request for “Until US sanctions are lifted Iranian commercial bank that has hopes of rapidly ending the coun- comment. European banks with major opera- been reconnected. Ali Sanginian, BERLIN: Thomas Rabe, CEO of media group Bertelsmann (left) and Anke try’s economic isolation are fading Iranians based in Dubai, histori- tions in the States, of which there chief executive of Amin Schaeferkordt, CEO of group RTL Germany attend financial results 2015 as particularly European banks - cally one of Iran’s main trading are many, will still be exposed to Investment Bank, Iran’s largest press conference yesterday in Berlin. —AFP some of which have already been partners, complain they cannot onerous trade restrictions unless investment bank, blamed the hit by hit huge US fines for sanc- get letters of credit to finance they can prove complete separa- delay in reintegrating Iranian Eurozone businesses end tions busting - fear falling foul of deals with their home country, tion of European and US divisions lenders on the remaining sanc- the many other restrictions while others have even had their of their business,” said George tions, the banks’ anxieties and out- Q1 on brighter note imposed by Washington that company bank accounts closed in Booth, a partner at law firm dated technology used in Iran. An remain in force. recent weeks. The problems are Pinsent Masons. “That’s easier said international banker in the region Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali also complicating Iran’s plans to than done. It should not be under- said his bank’s aversion to Iranian LONDON: Business activity in the euro zone tute said yesterday. Khamenei has accused the United sell more oil, as well as recover up estimated the level of internal transactions had not changed. and sentiment in powerhouse Germany The mood among German analysts and States of foot-dragging following to $100 billion in assets that had restructuring required to satisfy “Around 85 percent of trade is in ended the first quarter on a brighter note, investors also rose in March, albeit not by as this criteria,” said Booth, who US dollars and if you’re dealing in surveys showed yesterday, suggesting the much as expected, a survey by think tank the official implementation in been frozen by the sanctions in European Central Bank’s extra stimulus may ZEW showed. Still, European stocks fell and January of a nuclear deal with foreign bank accounts. advises firms hoping to do busi- dollars you cannot risk that by already be having a positive effect. investors rushed for the safety of gold and major powers. “The Americans ness with Iran. involvement with Iran,” the banker The ECB chopped interest rates again government bonds yesterday, after two have not acted on their promises AGREEMENTS, FEW DEALS Seyed Arash Shahr Aeini, said. and bolstered its asset purchase program explosions at Brussels airport and blasts at and (only) removed the sanctions Since January, Iran has struck deputy chief executive of the Of the transactions that are earlier this month as part of an ongoing bat- metro stations in the Belgian capital over- on paper,” he said in a televised agreements worth an estimated Export Guarantee Fund of Iran, an happening, some are in euros and tle to drive up growth and inflation in the shadowed the data. address on Sunday, complaining $50 billion with countries includ- Iranian government agency, said other currencies, permitted under 19-nation bloc. Markit’s flash composite that international financial trans- ing Italy, Japan, South Korea, so far only smaller banks were will- the current arrangement. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) , regarded WEAK UNDERBELLY actions faced problems because Russia, Germany and others ing to become involved, and trans- “Notwithstanding the relaxation of as a good growth indicator, jumped to 53.7 What hasn’t revived yet in the eurozone banks “fear the Americans”. involving trade, project finance actions were limited to around $50 the position, it is still unclear as to this month from February’s 53.0, which was is company pricing power. As they have for Many nuclear-related sanctions and other investment. Agreements million. “Some small amounts have whether if you are moving US dol- the lowest reading since the start of 2015. all but two months in the last four years, did end when the 2015 nuclear include a contract to buy 118 gone through but the huge lars around they may get held up The latest result was above all forecasts in firms cut prices to stimulate trade and the deal was implemented on Jan. 17, Airbus jets worth $27 billion. amounts will require the involve- in the banking system,” said James a Reuters poll, which had a median predic- output price index only nudged up to 48.6 including measures imposed by However, the funding needed to ment of big foreign banks which Kidwell, chief executive of ship- tion of 53.0. Any reading above 50 denotes from 48.5. Eurozone inflation was -0.2 per- the European Union and rules turn agreements into firm deals is were active in Iran projects before ping group Braemar. “Some peo- growth. Markit said the PMI pointed to first cent in February, nowhere near the ECB’s tar- allowing US authorities to go after another matter. the sanctions were imposed. They ple are probably choosing to quarter GDP growth of 0.3 percent, slightly get of close to but just under 2 percent. foreign companies and individuals One Airbus executive told a are still reluctant to start doing transact in euros to avoid that weaker than a Reuters poll prediction earlier In Britain, which does not use the euro, dealing with Iran. Agreements on conference in Paris last month that business with Iran.” problem.” this month of 0.4 percent. inflation held steady at 0.3 percent in a number of major contracts have “we only see the back of banks at In recent weeks SWIFT, the Iran has managed to sell oil to Sister surveys from Germany and France, February, official data showed yesterday, been announced with great fan- the moment”, telling them: “Don’t global payments network, has India and other buyers in euros. It the bloc’s two biggest economies, showed putting no pressure on the Bank of England reconnected several Iranian banks told trading partners which owe it the growth rate held steady in the former to raise interest rates from record lows any- fare, with Tehran hoping relief be afraid!” Banks remain deterred and was at a five-month high in the latter. time soon. A PMI covering the bloc’s domi- from the crippling sanctions will by a $9 billion US fine on BNP to its system, allowing them to billions of dollars that it wants to “The surveys offer some encouragement nant service industry also came in above lead to billions of dollars in trade Paribas in 2014 for violating US resume cross-border transactions be paid in euros, Reuters reported that activity and sentiment have improved expectations for no change from February’s and investment, reviving the econ- financial sanctions and other with foreign banks four years after last month, citing a source at somewhat as fears about the global econo- 13-month low of 53.3. It jumped to 54.0, omy and raising Iranians’ living penalties, and the head of the they were cut off. While an impor- state-owned National Iranian Oil my have eased,” said Jennifer McKeown at matching the most optimistic forecast in a standards. However, significant French banking federation told the tant step towards re-integrating Co. —Reuters Capital Economics. Reuters poll. sums have yet to start flowing. German business morale rose more than But some of the activity was driven by US banks are still forbidden to expected in March, snapping a three-month the running down of old orders. A backlogs do business with Iran and while run of falls as companies’ assessments of of work index slipped below 50 for the first lenders based elsewhere are not both the current situation and the outlook time since May, dipping to 49.8 from last covered by this ban, major prob- improved, Munich-based Ifo economic insti- month’s break-even point. —Reuters lems remain. Chief among these are rules prohibiting transactions in dollars - the world’s main busi- ness currency - from being processed through the US finan- cial system. The Iranian business communi- ty believes the United States has failed to spell out exactly what is permitted and what is not, leading to the uncertainty that makes international banks reluctant to process Iranian-linked transactions. “We have to try to put pressure on America to make this issue clear. Otherwise, removing the sanctions does not mean anything,” said Ferial Mostofi, chairwoman of pri- vately-owned Iranian project man- agement firm KDD Group. KDD Group, which is active in sectors including iron, steel and mining, has noticed greater busi- ABIDJAN: Journalist of Jeune Afrique Patrick Smith (left) delivers a speech ness interest from abroad, she next to Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara (right) and Ghana’s President said, but so far no deals have been John Dramani Mahama (center) during the Africa CEO business forum yes- concluded. “If the banking situa- terday in Abidjan. —AFP tion stays as today, definitely we SHANGHAI: Two men ride past shipping containers stacked at a port in Shanghai yesterday.—AFP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 business Etihad Airways partners with EKar Employees to get access to smart mobility solution

ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways, the national air- The airline has a fleet of 120 Airbus and Boeing line of United Arab Emirates, and EKar, an aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm innovative mobile app-based car rental com- order, including 66 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing pany in the Middle East, have yesterday cele- 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and five Airbus A380s. brated an inaugural partnership, offering the Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airline’s employees exclusive access to the airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet smart mobility solution. Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based EKar is an easy to use car-sharing platform Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. that provides pay-as-you-go hourly and daily Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, car rental from the comfort of a laptop or Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet smartphone. Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Etihad Airways is the first airline in the Airways Partners, a new brand that brings region to embrace smart car-sharing and together like-minded airlines to offer cus- rental as an added employee benefit. Brand tomers more choice through improved net- new Nissan vehicles provided by EKar, with works and schedules and enhanced frequent each model holding a five-star crash safety rat- flyer benefits. ing, have been reserved exclusively for Etihad NYU Abu Dhabi consists of a highly selective Airways. Parked at the airline’s accommoda- liberal arts and science college (including engi- tion buildings in Abu Dhabi, employees can neering), and a world center for advanced easily reserve and unlock the cars using the research and scholarship - all fully integrated EKar app and can drive anywhere within the with each other and connected to NYU in New UAE for AED 27 per hour. York. Together, NYU New York, NYU Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and NYU Shanghai form the backbone of a and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. unique global network university, with faculty From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to and students from each campus spending or has announced plans to serve 113 passenger “semesters away” at one or more of the numer- and cargo destinations in the Middle East, ous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. continents. Protest against taxi apps causes chaos in Jakarta Drivers protest unfair competition from ride-hailing apps

JAKARTA: Thousands of taxi drivers enough to halt the motorcades of port industry on its head world- motorcycle taxis and provides other caused traffic chaos in the Indonesia’s president and vice-pres- wide. In the US and Europe, the services like document and food Indonesian capital yesterday in a ident. Drivers say competition from apps have been acclaimed by urban delivery, has also exploded in popu- violent protest against what they ride-hailing apps, which don’t face customers tired of struggling to find larity in the past year. say is unfair competition from ride- the same costs and rules as regular cabs, while taxi companies accuse The demonstrations yesterday hailing apps such as Uber. taxis, has severely reduced their the mavericks of running unli- elicited little if any sympathy from TV footage showed long lines of income. Many come to Jakarta from censed services. commuters in a city of 10 million taxis and three-wheel minicabs other parts of Indonesia and sup- Uber has been making a big people that already suffers massive blocking a central expressway, men port their families as taxi drivers. push into Asia, intensifying compe- congestion. “This protest is so terri- Gulf Bank’s monthly Salary Account setting tires alight and jumping on Driver Jeffrey Sumampouw said tition in a region where there ble. They really are rude and over- and Red Account draws set bearing. I was very hurt,” said Dewi Gayatri, who missed her flight for a to take place live on Marina FM business trip to Makassar in eastern Indonesia. “I still like Uber, and hope the KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced that it their salary a guaranteed cash gift of up to government protects Uber, because will be holding its monthly Salary Account KD 200 or up to 60,000 Gulf Reward Points it’s so easy to order and cheaper,” draw and Red Account draws, simultane- upon their first salary transfer as well as she said. Indonesia’s vice president ously, March 31, 2016 at 1pm, live on receiving a Gulf Bank Signature Credit card Jusuf Kalla complained it was the Marina FM’s famous Diwaniya show. The free for life. first time his motorcade had been Salary & Red Account will have a joint car New Red Account or Salary Account cus- stuck in traffic since being elected draw which includes a brand new 2016 tomers will also have the chance to enter a nearly two years ago. Cadillac CTS in addition to cash draw prizes monthly cash draw to win KD 1,000 each Kalla, who was on his way to pay up to KD 1,000 each. Furthermore the Al- and quarterly car draws with the chance to respects to 13 army officers killed in Danah 1st quarterly draw winner, for a cash win a new 2016 Cadillac CTS. a helicopter crash in Sulawesi on the prize of KD200,000, will be announced. The For further information about the Salary, weekend, said “technology could draws will be held under the supervision of Red, Al-Danah accounts and prize draws, not be resisted.” a Ministry of Commerce representative. visit one of Gulf Bank’s 55 branches, or call Officials have given mixed signals The new 2016 salary offer for Kuwaiti Gulf Bank’s Customer Contact Center on recently about how ride apps would salary provides customers who transfer 1805805. be regulated. Indonesia’s president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has previously defended the Go-Jek app in particu- lar as making life easier for Jakarta residents and refused calls to ban it. Minister of Information Technology and Communications Rudiantara, who goes by one name, said last week the government wants to “level the playing field” by ensuring all transport is regulated. “We are not JAKARTA: Children watch as Indonesian taxi drivers gather to protest against Uber and other talking about blocking or unblocking ride-hailing services, outside the parliament building in Jakarta yesterday. —AFP because technology is neutral,” he said at a press conference following a vehicles that refused to join in the his earnings have slumped more already was a slew of ride-hailing protest involving hundreds of drivers. protest. Green-jacketed drivers for than 60 percent since Uber and oth- apps such as Malaysia’s Grab, which Haryono, a driver for the Blue Bird Go-Jek, an app used to hail motor- er apps starting getting popular in operates in several Southeast Asian taxi company, said he wanted to cycle taxis, retaliated by hurling Jakarta about a year ago. countries including Indonesia. On keep on working yesterday but rocks and other objects. An “The government must defend Monday, Grab said it had formed a couldn’t avoid the protest. “I was Associated Press reporter saw driv- us from illegal drivers who have strategic partnership with Lippo, forced to stop and join with them,” ers surround one taxi, forcing its ter- stolen our income,” he said. “We which is one of Indonesia’s largest he said. “I cannot do anything rified female passenger on to the almost cry every day because it’s conglomerates, and claimed its because they look angry. It would be road with her luggage. It was the difficult to get passengers.” “GrabCar” business in Indonesia dangerous for me, my passenger second major protest by taxi drivers Smartphone-based apps such as grew 30 percent last month. Go-Jek, and my vehicle if I denied their in Jakarta this month and was large Uber have turned the public trans- an Indonesian startup that hails request.” —AP MANILA: Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) executive director Julia Abad gestures during a press conference at the Central Bank of the Philippines headquarters in Manila yesterday. —AFP Italy’s bank troubles test ECB’s mettle Charges sought in Manila MILAN: The European Central Bank is trying to merger between Banca Popolare di Milano and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi-who last year strongarm Italian banks into cleaning up their Banco Popolare that would be Italy’s first tie-up since rammed through a decree intended to encour- money-laundering scandal balance sheets, a year and a half after they fared the ECB took on supervision. age banking mergers-weighed in on Friday to the worst of all euro zone lenders in its first stress put pressure on the lenders to reach an agree- MANILA: A watchdog body yesterday sought sible charges against her as well. tests as overarching supervisor. The banks have RENZI WEIGHS IN ment. criminal charges against two suspects alleged- RCBC bank, one of the country’s largest, made scant progress on requested reforms, The boards of BPM and Banco Popolare are A sell-off in Italian banking stocks - some ly behind an $81 million money-laundering said it had sacked Deguito as well as assistant threatening to undermine a fragile recovery in meeting this week and sources close to the have lost more than half their value so far this scandal that has shaken the Philippines. The branch manager Angela Torres over the scan- the bloc’s third largest economy. They argue the matter say Banco Popolare is considering a year - and a flight of deposits from banks seen Anti-Money Laundering Council asked Justice dal. The two were fired for “violating bank poli- ECB’s demands are unrealistic and delay the very cash call of up to 1 billion euros as part of as more vulnerable, means the government Department prosecutors to file charges cies and procedures and falsification of com- consolidation the sector needs. measures sought by the ECB to clear the merg- feels time is running out. “2016 is the year against businessman Kim Wong and Chinese mercial documents,” and for facilitating the The standoff poses one of the biggest chal- er. Any deal would still need the blessing of when Italy must sort out its banking problems casino junket operator Weikang Xu for their alleged money-laundering of the $81 million, lenges to Europe’s central bank since it became both banks’ shareholders, including powerful once and for all,” Renzi said. alleged role in laundering the sum stolen from an RCBC statement said. the euro zone single banking regulator in unions who fear a tie-up will lead to job cuts. Bangladesh’s foreign reserves through the “Appropriate charges in court will be filed November 2014. After Greek banks, Italian ones Bankers close to the talks say the ECB’s con- ECB’S CREDIBILITY DRIVE Philippines. by the bank against Deguito and Torres by are now taking up most of its time. Banks like ditions for approving the combination have Analysts say the ECB, which is headed by The hackers managed to transfer the $81 next week,” RCBC said. Other bank officials will Carige and Monte dei Paschi di Siena have their been so stringent that after months of negotia- former Bank of Italy chief Mario Draghi, wants million from the account of the Bangladesh likely face “various sanctions,” in the coming liquidity monitored daily and the ECB, working tions, the two banks considered abandoning to establish itself as a credible institution, Bank (central bank) with the Federal Reserve days, it added. in teams with Italy’s central bank, is firing off the deal, which would create Italy’s third ensuring Europe’s banking industry is on a Bank of New York. They moved the sum elec- Deguito had previously denied any wrong- missives telling lenders to raise capital, find a biggest bank. sound footing and taking laggards to task. tronically to RCBC bank in the Philippines and doing but also said she was living in fear. buyer and sell off bad loans. “If this merger falls through, the ECB will “The regulator is being extra cautious and it eventually ended up in casinos in Manila- “I did not do anything wrong. If this is a “They phone, they e-mail and they come have to take responsibility for this,” said a frus- particularly severe and active when it comes to where most of it has disappeared. nightmare, I want to wake up now,” she previ- down to see us,” said a source at one Italian trated adviser for one of the banks. “It’s like the Italy but the situation warrants it,” said Andrea The hackers apparently took advantage of ously told a Manila TV station. The incident has bank, who declined to be named due to the doctor killing the patient.” Resti, an adviser to the European Parliament on Philippine laws granting strict secrecy to bank raised fears that the Philippines will be seen as sensitivity of the issue. Danielle Nouy, the ECB’s bank supervisory banking supervision. After a three-year reces- depositors as well as exempting casinos from a haven for money-laundering despite previ- “They are a constant presence. For one rea- chief, said on Tuesday the merged bank had to sion, Italy’s banks are saddled with 360 billion money-laundering oversight. ous efforts to tighten controls. Julia Abad, son or the other there is always an inspection - be strong from the start. “We are working very euros ($405 billion) of bad loans - one third of The complaint, citing testimony of a executive director of the Anti-Money I’d say they are here two months out of three.” hard with our Italian colleagues to make sure the European total and equivalent to one fifth Senate probe of the scandal last week, Laundering Council, conceded that money- Letters to Veneto Banca and Banca Popolare di that we put the adequate requirements, no of Italy’s output. showed that the accounts of both suspects laundering laws needed improvement. Vicenza, which must raise a combined 2.75 bil- more than is needed but no less, either,” she Banks are reluctant to sell soured debts had received the money. “Wong knew or She said that when the $81 million came lion euros in cash and list on the market to told the European parliament. quickly, fearing that would blow a hole in their should have known that the funds that were into the country’s banking system, it failed to meet ECB demands, threaten all the measures The ECB is demanding a leaner structure accounts and force them to raise cash in rough remitted/transferred... were part of the stolen raise eyebrows because similar huge amounts allowed by the EU banking resolution direc- and a business plan for the new group within a markets. funds from Bangladesh Bank, and are there- were already coming in. “On its face, there is tive-including the last resort of the ECB remov- month: the original deal outline included a 19- One reason for the sector’s fragility is the fore proceeds of an unlawful activity,” the nothing irregular about that transaction of $81 ing top executives and taking over manage- member board, two headquarters, no cash call fragmented financial industry with 650 banks, complaint read. million,” she told reporters yesterday. But she ment. and Popolare di Milano keeping its autonomy most of which are tiny lenders with patronage The justice department has also sum- also said her council only had about nine ana- A crucial test of the strategy is a much-anticipated and a separate board for six years. ties to local communities. —Reuters moned Maia Deguito, branch manager of the lysts overseeing hundreds of transactions each RCBC bank, to answer questions ahead of pos- day.—AFP technology WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Canon Middle East’s top performing channel partners pose for a photograph at PIXMA launch event and awards night. Canon honors UAE partners for stellar performance in 2015 New PIXMA G series printers with refillable ink tanks unveiled

DUBAI: Canon Middle East, the leader in ume printing that significantly reduces ongo- The launch event saw the participation of category, Satrah Computers won in the OPP development of Channel Partners across the office imaging solutions, in recognition of its ing ink expenditure. Canon Middle East’s tier-1 partners - segment while Era Trading were adjudged region. As part of our ongoing partner pro- success in the United Arab Emirates, handed “The demand for cost effective all-in-one Redington Gulf and Simba Gulf along with winners in the OIP segment. gram, Canon Middle East seeks to continuous- out nine business awards to top performing office inkjet printers has significantly other major tier-2 partners which included IT Recognising partners, Canon Middle East ly recognize the contribution of key players channel partners in the Office Personal increased within the segment of home office dealers, system integrators and resellers. A acknowledged their long-standing relation- and team members of the IT Dealer Channel Products (OPP) and Office Imaging Products users in the UAE. For offices where high yield total of nine awards were handed out which ship with Accent Office Supplies with who contribute to our success,” said (OIP) categories. printing is the norm, or home users who also included an award for the best perform- ‘Consistent Long-Term Strategic Partner’ Verbrugghe. Earlier, as part of the event, Alongside the awards ceremony, Canon enjoy printing all their best photographs, ing partner of 2015 won by Blue Bell award and with an aim to welcome new part- Jeetendra Berry, Vice President of Redington Middle East unveiled three new printers - the these printers offer genuine value and low Computers. ners, honored DKA and Tina Technology with Gulf and Ramzan Shafee, Business PIXMA G1400, PIXMA G2400 and PIXMA cost printing, with an unrivalled page number In the OPP InkJet category, Earth Gate the ‘2015 New Rising Partner’ awards. Development Manager, Simba Gulf welcomed G3400 for the UAE market. All three printers output for ultimate productivity. We are hap- Trading won the award for the best performer “Canon is a leader in the imaging and busi- the attendees while Venkatasubramanian are capable of printing up to 7,000 colour and py to cater to this growing segment and take of 2015 whereas in the Laser category, Print ness solutions category in terms of technolo- Hariharan, Regional Sales Director, Canon 6,000 black pages from a single set of ink bot- forward Canon’s vision of providing cutting- Land Trading took the honors. In the OIP seg- gy, performance and range. This success has Middle East unveiled the CME direction for tles. Featuring Canon’s brand new genuine edge technology to business and home-office ment for the Black & White printer category, been built on many factors, including our the year 2016. Anup Kodakkal from the prod- Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS), each users,” said Hendrik Verbrugghe, Marketing JTC international FZ won the award for the product range, the service we offer, and uct management team unveiled the new PIX- printer uses refillable ink tanks to offer vol- Director, Canon Middle East. best performer in 2015. In the consumables importantly, our ongoing program for the MA G series printers. FBI: Attacker’s phone possibly accessible without Apple help

LOS ANGELES: The government has been adamant for where they’ve previously said there is none,” he said. try to crack the iPhone itself before seeking to force weeks: FBI investigators need to unlock an encrypted In a conference call with reporters, Apple attorneys Apple’s hand. iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino attackers, and said it’s premature to declare victory in the case because “To me, it suggests that either the FBI doesn’t under- Apple Inc was the only one that could do it. In a stunning authorities could come back in a few weeks and insist stand the technology or they weren’t giving us the reversal on Monday, federal prosecutors asked a judge to they still need the company’s help. The attorneys spoke whole truth when they said there is no other possible halt a much-anticipated hearing on their efforts to force under an Apple policy that wouldn’t allow them to be way” of examining the phone without Apple’s help, said Apple to unlock the phone. The FBI may have found quoted by name. Alex Abdo, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties another way, and Apple’scooperation may no longer be The company hopes the government will tell Apple Union. “Both of those are scary to me.” The ACLU has filed needed, according to court papers filed late Monday, about whatever method it uses to access the phone’s a court brief supporting Apple’s position. Prosecutors less than 24 hours before yesterday’s hearing. encrypted files. But the attorneys said it may be up to have argued that the phone used by Farook probably “An outside party” came forward over the weekend the FBI to decide whether to share the information. contains evidence of the Dec. 2 attack in which the and showed the FBI a possible method to access the county food inspector and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, data on Syed Rizwan Farook’s encrypted phone, accord- Cracking iPhone slaughtered 14 at a holiday luncheon attended by many ing to the filing. Lawmakers, civil rights advocates and other tech of his work colleagues. The two were killed in a police “Testing is required to determine whether it is a companies have criticized the FBI for not doing more to shootout hours later. —AP CUPERTINO: Members of the media and invited guests take a look at the viable method that will not compromise data on new iPhone SE during an event at Apple headquarters on Monday in Farook’s iPhone,” the filing said. “If the method is viable, it Cupertino, California. —AP should eliminate the need for the assistance from Apple.” If it’s viable, that also means the government has signifi- cantly undermined its arguments against Apple, said Apple’s new iDevices Kristen Eichensehr, a visiting law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. “If they found another way into the phone, that does- say small is beautiful n’t just weaken their case. It means they can’t satisfy the legal standard to sustain the court’s order,” said Eichensehr, referring to Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym’s CUPERTINO, California: As it struggles to Apple hopes the phone will appeal to first Feb. 16 ruling compelling Apple to create software that match the success of its big-screen iPhones, time buyers as well as those who find larger would disable security features on the phone. Apple is now contending that small can be models cumbersome, said Apple executive Pym granted the government’s request to postpone beautiful, too. The giant tech company showed Greg Joswiak. He said the company sold 30 mil- Tuesday’s arguments in the case and stayed her previous off downsized versions of its signature iPhone lion 4-inch iPhones last year. order. She ordered the government to file a status report and iPad Pro tablet on Monday, hoping they’ll by April 5. The development raised more questions than appeal to first-time buyers and those who have No big blockbuster it answered. It’s unclear who is helping the FBI with the shied away from the bigger-screen models But most analysts expect the new phone phone and why it took so long for a possible solution to Apple has sold in recent years. to sell modestly compared to the company’s be identified. At a time when overall smartphone sales are other models. And while they may give Apple One thing seems clear - that the government likely slowing, Apple touted its new four-inch iPhone a boost during the historically slow spring and would not have disclosed it had found another possible SE as the “most affordable” new phone the com- summer months, analysts say the new devices way to unlock the phone unless it was almost certain the pany has offered. While it comes with an may not be new or different enough to com- method would work, said Robert Cattanach, a former US upgraded camera, faster processor and other mand the excitement Apple’s other recent Department of Justice attorney who handles cyber-secu- features, the SE has a starting price of $400, or releases have enjoyed. “It’s not going to be a rity cases for the Dorsey & Whitney law firm. He said the WASHINGTON: An iPhone is seen in Washington. The dispute over whether Apple $50 less than the older iPhone 5S that it’s replac- big blockbuster,” said O’Donnell. disclosure alone weakens the government’s case by must help the FBI hack into a terror suspect’s iPhone is about to play out in a ing. By contrast, the iPhone 6S Plus, which had Several financial analysts had projected introducing doubt that it could only access the phone Southern California courtroom. Federal prosecutors asked a judge on Monday to halt been Apple’s newest and biggest phone, starts Apple could sell about 15 million of the new with Apple’s help. “They’ve created ambiguity in a place a much-anticipated hearing on their efforts to force Apple to unlock the phone. —AP at $750. model this year, although most were expect- The company also knocked $50 off the price ing it to have a higher starting price. By com- of its Apple Watch, showed off some new bands parison, analysts estimate Apple has sold 265 for the wearable gadget, and announced some million of the larger iPhone 6 models over the software enhancements for its mobile devices last two years. While shoppers bought a Kuwait CSC selects EMC to power and the Apple TV system. Apple’s spring prod- record 74.8 million iPhones in the final three uct event came one day before the tech giant is months of 2015, Apple has signaled demand performance backed growth set to square off with authorities in federal court in the current three-month period will fall over the FBI’s demand for help unlocking a mass short of the 61 million iPhones sold in the KUWAIT: EMC Middle East yesterday traditional tape based architecture and invest in the right technology solution, transparent load balancing and new shooter’s encrypted iPhone. The dispute has January-March quarter last year. Overall announced that the Civil Services drastically improve storage utilization not only to protect the wealth of criti- deduplication capabilities to increase dominated headlines in recent weeks, as Apple smartphone sales are slowing around the Commission (CSC) of Kuwait has by over 420%. cal data pertaining to personnel and performance of critical applications. CEO Tim Cook acknowledged in brief remarks at world, as most people already own one. selected industry leading solutions * Simplified Administration: The departments, but also ensure the unin- CSC came full circle with the project the opening of Monday’s event. Apple also showed off a new version of its from EMC’s Data Protection and heightened automation capabilities terrupted access and delivery of critical with the deployment of EMC “We did not expect to be in this position, at iPad Pro, with a 9.7-inch screen and many of Availability Division to effectively accel- allow CSC to drive resource productivi- information and services to internal RecoverPoint to enable continuous odds with our own government,” he said. “But we the features Appleoffered with the 12-inch erate the organization’s IT transforma- ty and utilization, creating a perform- and remote users across the nation. data protection and to enable applica- believe strongly that we have a responsibility to iPad Pro tablet that Apple introduced last year tion journey. ance backed foundation that provides In addition, the CSC needed a solu- tion recovery at any point in time. help you protect your data and your privacy.” Few - including the ability to work with a detach- CSC has selected EMC Avamar and protection and availability of steadily tion that would minimize duplication The solution allows CSC to improve of Monday’s announcements surprised industry able keyboard and stylus. The smaller screen EMC Data Domain to create an effi- growing volumes of critical data and of data across sites and departments, critical data retention policies, experts. Analysts say Apple clearly hopes the new Pro has a starting price of $600 without cellu- cient and reliable backup infrastructure applications. to enhance performance while effec- designed to meet compliance regula- devices will broaden its appeal and get more lar capability, while the bigger Pro starts at that provides cost-effective continuous tively enabling mandatory data reten- tions and to expedite recovery speeds people to use the latest versions of its lucrative $800. While sales of Apple’s iPad have been data protection and disaster recovery Customer Challenges: tion periods. for many applications and files - reduc- online services - such as Apple Pay, Apple Music declining for several years, its rival Microsoft so as to enable uninterrupted service Established in 1960, the Civil CSC and EMC together embarked ing the recovery times from months to and the mobile App Store - at a time when over- has successfully launched a new line of to users. Services Commission (CSC) of Kuwait is on an ambitious project aimed at com- days, from days to hours and from all sales ofApple’s sleek iDevices are leveling off. Surface Pro tablets that come with a detach- Customer Benefits: responsible for overseeing the devel- pletely replacing traditional tape based hours to minutes. “We’re at a point, in a mature market, where it’s able keyboard. Apple marketing chief Phil * Improved Performance: With opment and performance of civil serv- infrastructure with a complete end to Together with EMC, CSC has pow- about having niche products that satisfy differ- Schiller argued Monday that the iPad Pro is EMC Avamar, CSC has been able to sig- ice systems and staff across the State of end backup and recovery solution that ered a performance backed infrastruc- ent needs,” said veteran tech industry watcher the “ultimate replacement” for computers run- nificantly drive backup and recovery Kuwait. In its role, the entity acts as the provisioned the agility, efficiency and ture to support the entity’s critical role Bob O’Donnell of Technalysis Research. ning Microsoft Windows. performance from hours to minutes. central personnel authority, responsi- de-duplication capabilities to support in the overall government agenda. The Apple is packing some new features into Apple is also promoting new uses for its * Enhanced Trust: EMC Data ble for instating effective employment the CSC’s objectives. deployment provisions the scale, man- these smaller packages. The new SE, for exam- devices, particularly in health care. On Monday, Domain enables new deduplication processes to recruit ideal candidates, in CSC selected EMC Avamar to create agement simplicity and efficiency that ple, has the same four-inch screen as the for instance, the company announced CareKit, capabilities to improve storage utiliza- addition to overseeing the establish- the next generation backup infrastruc- CSC needs to successfully cope with iPhone 5S that Apple began selling in 2013. But a set of tools for developers who create mobile tion and to provide cost effective, con- ment of appropriate payroll, training ture that fuelled backup and recovery surging amounts of data and take a the new phone has the company’s latest A9 apps for medical use. Such apps could help tinuous data protection to meet com- and development mechanisms across performance through heightened step forward in its journey to extend processor, a 12-megapixel camera and a secure patients monitor chronic conditions such pliance requirements. all public entities. automation, improving storage utiliza- new Back-Up-As-A-Service capabilities, chip that allows the use of Apple Pay, the com- Parkinson’s disease and share that data with * Enhanced Efficiency: The all-new The critical role that the CSC plays tion and performance resulting in sig- to internal and external stakeholders pany’s digital payment service. Apple Pay was their doctors. Last year, Apple released architecture allows CSC to cut back in the overall government agenda nificant cost savings. EMC Data across numerous public entities in the previously only available with iPhone 6 and 6S ResearchKit, similar tools for apps that collect operational overheads associated with mandates the need for the entity to Domain Boost allows CSC to avail of State of Kuwait. models. data for health research. —AP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE

WHO: Sexual transmission of Zika more common than thought

GENEVA: Sexual transmission of the Zika main driver of transmission,” he said. Chan born with abnormally small heads and other virus is more common than previously also said nine countries have now reported neurological disorders. It said particular thought, the World Health Organization said increasing cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, attention should be given to studying the yesterday, citing reports from several coun- a rare condition that may be linked to Zika genetics of the different Zika virus strains and tries. After a meeting of its emergency com- and can cause temporary paralysis and death establishing studies to determine if there is a mittee yesterday, the UN health agency also in people of all ages. She said that problems causal relationship. said there is increasing evidence that a spike connected to Zika, including Guillain-Barre in disturbing birth defects and neurological syndrome, are now being seen not just in Main suspect problems are caused by Zika, which is mostly women of child-bearing age, but children, The agency also noted it was important to spread by mosquito bites. When WHO teenagers and older adults. continue studying whether other factors declared the explosive outbreak in the Zika is also now spreading to new coun- could be responsible for the jump in micro- Americas to be a global emergency last tries, WHO said. It noted local transmission cephaly and neurological problems, including month, it said that the evidence that Zika was has now been reported in 31 countries across whether several causes combined might be responsible was only circumstantial. Latin America and the Caribbean. “All of this to blame. Aylward explained that scientists WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan news is alarming,” Chan said. Despite the lack were focusing on diseases as the main sus- said “reports and investigations in several of definitive evidence proving that Zika caus- pect, noting the evidence seems “really com- countries strongly suggest that sexual trans- es birth defects and neurological problems, pelling that you’re looking at an infectious mission of the virus is more common than Chan said officials shouldn’t wait for defini- process here.” So far, cases of babies born with previously assumed.” The US is investigating tive scientific proof before making recom- small, deformed heads linked to Zika have more than a dozen possible cases of Zika in mendations. only been confirmed in Brazil and French people who may have been infected through “Microcephaly is now only one of several Polynesia, though officials say they expect sex. Dr Bruce Aylward, who is directing documented birth abnormalities associated reports from other countries once the virus GENEVA: World Health Organization (WHO) chief Margaret Chan arrives to a WHO’s response to Zika, said the cases seen with Zika infection during pregnancy,” she has been circulating there long enough to press conference on Zika virus outbreak yesterday at the health organization so far of sexual transmission of Zika have said, adding that it can cause growth prob- affect pregnant women. Colombia has report- headquarters. — AFP been from men to women. He doubted sex lems, injuries to the central nervous system ed several suspected cases of microcephaly. would play an important role in the disease’s and fetal death. WHO’s emergency commit- “Women who are pregnant in affected WHO recommends pregnant women avoid countries, they should practice safe sex or spread. tee called for “intensified” research into the countries or travel to these countries are travel to areas with ongoing Zika outbreaks abstain from sex for the duration of their “The mosquito is undoubtedly still the relationship between new clusters of babies understandably deeply worried,” Chan said. and that if their partners travel to affected pregnancy. — AP

Depression, addiction common among young transgender women ental health issues like depression and about 8 percent of participants had anxiety and addiction are more common among about one in 10 had post-traumatic stress disor- Myoung transgender women than the der (PTSD). About 11 percent reported alcohol general US population, according to a new dependence in the past year. Likewise, about 15 study. While the study can’t say why this was percent reported some other kind of addiction true, the researchers say the results highlight the during that time. need for culturally competent treatment and The likelihood of mental health and addic- care. “There is a critical need for skilled and well- tion issues appeared to increase with age. That informed mental health professionals,” said Sari finding, coupled with a smaller lifetime preva- Reisner, the study’s lead author from Boston lence of depression than what’s been seen in Children’s Hospital. The researchers write in previous studies in older transgender women, JAMA Pediatrics that mental health issues and suggests there is an opportunity to prevent addiction affect 4 to 26 percent of people in the poor outcomes. The new results do not show US. Often, those issues emerge during adoles- that transgender women are inherently predis- cence and young adulthood. posed to mental health issues, Reisner told For the new study, the researchers inter- Reuters Health. For example, he and his col- viewed 300 transgender women in Boston and leagues point out, gender transition and gender Chicago between 2012 and 2015. The partici- affirmation are stressful events. They may affect pants, who ranged in age from 16 to 29, were a transgender and gender-variant person’s psy- sexually active and were participating in an HIV chiatric health and well-being during adoles- prevention study. Overall, about 42 percent had cence and young adulthood. one or more health or addiction diagnoses. The increased prevalence of mental health About one in five had two or more diagnoses. and addiction issues likely stems from the inter- Rates of diagnoses among the participants were section of several minority stressors, said Dr. about two to four times greater than in the gen- Johanna Olson-Kennedy, who is medical direc- eral US population, write the researchers. tor of the Center for Transyouth Health and KOLKATA, India: Residents of an area gather around a roadside water source to wash their clothes and fill drinking water for their houses in About a third of participants had been Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Kolkata. — AP depressed at some point, and about 15 percent The minority stress theory suggests people in currently had the condition. About one in five minority groups are at a greater risk for health India has the most people participants reported suicidal thoughts within problems due to increased exposures to stres- the past 30 days. Within the last six months, sors like prejudice and stigma. — Reuters

without clean water, report says Doctors often disagree on when ‘Water is the one thing that can tear this country apart’ to call abnormal breast cells cancer NEW YORK: Doctors often disagree on different pathologists working independent- NEW DELHI: India has the world’s Improve service 50 liters. “Poor management of water cides and fertilizers. whether women have breast cancer if they ly reviewed one biopsy slide apiece from highest number of people without The situation worldwide has resources is the biggest problem hold- have abnormal cells that don’t look like inva- 240 women aged 50 to 59. Overall, they access to clean water - imposing a improved since 1990, with 2.6 billion ing India back,” the report said. Public goods sive tumors under a microscope, a US study agreed with the original biopsy diagnosis major financial burden for some of people gaining access to clean water “Misappropriation in planning and exe- “We don’t handle public goods well,” suggests. The researchers asked three differ- about 92 percent of the time, Elmore and the country’s poorest people, accord- since then. But the report urged more cution of water supply projects is said environmental economist Pavan ent pathologists to give a second opinion on colleagues report in the Annals of Internal ing to a report released yesterday. action in “a world where one in 10 peo- another key factor. And projects often Sukhdev. “You need public manage- women’s biopsy slides. When the slides Medicine. The international charity Water Aid ple are trapped in a cycle of poverty use inadequate sources, or pipelines do ment systems to manage public goods, showed either invasive breast cancer, or says 75.8 million Indians - or 5 per- and disease for want of a safe, afford- not reach habitations.” The alternative and there are no market lessons to help harmless or benign cells, the doctors agreed Additional tissue cent of the country’s 1.25 billion pop- able water supply of their own.” Poor to buying supplies - using dirty water - guide that management.” Experts worry with the original diagnosis at least 97 per- They thought about five percent of the ulation - are forced to either buy Indians without water access are forced comes with sober consequence, sicken- the water crisis could exacerbate com- cent of the time. But when the initial diagno- original diagnoses had overestimated the water at high rates or use supplies to spend an average of about 72 cents ing countless people every year. About munity conflicts or regional tensions, sis was “atypia” - healthy cells that grow danger, and roughly 3 percent had underes- that are contaminated with sewage to buy 50 liters (13 gallons) of water a 315,000 children die from diarrheal dis- and have urged authorities to impose faster than normal - the pathologists timated the cancer risk. In the real world, or chemicals. That accounts for more day, the amount recommended by the eases each year, with 140,000 those strict regulations on water pumping thought doctors had originally overestimat- pathologists might have consulted with col- than a tenth of the 650 million peo- World Health Organization, according deaths happening in India. and water use. India’s Supreme Court ed the danger in more than half of cases. leagues or requested additional tissue sam- ple worldwide without clean water to the report. That’s nearly 20 percent of India already faces chronic water “has already held that the fundamental And they thought doctors had overestimat- ples if the diagnosis wasn’t clear from one access - more than any single country their typical daily income, according to shortages and drought, as rivers right to clean water is a right to life,” said ed the danger for almost one in five women slide, potentially increasing the accuracy of in Africa or China, where 63 million the report. By comparison, people in become increasingly polluted and court advocate Satya Tripathi, adding who were originally diagnosed with a com- diagnoses and limiting the disagreement have no access. Britain spend about 10 cents a day for groundwater reserves rapidly decline that it’s only a matter of time before the mon noninvasive malignancy of the breast among doctors, the authors note. thanks to the unchecked use of water issue comes back before the court. known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Still, the findings highlight the challenges pumps by farmers and villagers. The “The government really has to pay “It’s easier for physicians to diagnose dis- doctors and patients face in deciding the problem is set to worsen as global tem- attention. Water is the one thing that eases at the extremes of the spectrum - we best course of action when results don’t fall peratures rise and rain becomes more can tear this country apart.” While India are good at diagnosing normal breast tissue clearly into an extremely low-risk or high-risk erratic with climate change. Within 15 has the most people lacking clean and the very abnormal cells of invasive category, Elmore said. Women with an years, the country is expected to have water access, the much smaller coun- breast cancer,” said lead study author Dr abnormal mammogram may rush to get a only half the water it needs to meet tries of Papua New Guinea, Equatorial Joann Elmore of the University of biopsy, hoping for an immediate resolution competing demands from cities, agri- Guinea, Angola, Chad and Washington School of Medicine and and a clear diagnosis, Elmore noted. But culture and industry. Mozambique topped the list of coun- Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. when the biopsy results fall in a gray area, Some Indian cities, including New tries with the highest population per- “Between these extremes, agreement of their path forward isn’t always as clear cut as Delhi and elsewhere in the northern centages lacking clean water. And in pathologists deteriorates,” Elmore added by they would like. “I encourage women who state of Rajasthan, are rolling out water Papua New Guinea, the 4.5 million email. Atypia and DCIS are gray areas on a receive an initial diagnosis of either atypia or kiosks in drought-prone areas. Others, without access - or 60 percent of the spectrum of cancer severity between DCIS to realize that they do not need to act including Nagpur, in the central state of Southwest Pacific island country’s pop- benign, or generally harmless, cells and fast- immediately on the results; they have time Maharashtra, are experimenting with ulation - spend more than 50 percent of growing invasive tumors, said Dr Richard to obtain a second opinion to verify the privatization schemes to try to improve their typical income on average on Bleicher, breast clinical program leader at diagnosis,” Elmore said. At the same time, service. The breadbasket state of water each day, according to the report. Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. women may find that even when doctors Punjab, which produces the vast major- Rising seas and more frequent extreme “It’s sort of akin to trying to differentiate agree on the diagnosis, they may not agree ity of India’s grains, has set up public weather events - both consequences of blue from teal from green - there is a bit of on treatment, Dr Alexander Borowsky, a KOLKATA, India: A water man or locally called as ‘bhari’ fills drinking water filtration units to clean ground- ongoing climate change - “will make subjectivity,” said Bleicher, who wasn’t researcher at the University of California, water from a roadside hand pump while another waits to deliver in water contaminated by sewage and water supplies, and life in general, ever involved in the study. For the study, three Davis, wrote in an editorial. — Reuters houses. agricultural chemicals, including pesti- more fragile,” it said. — AP In Florida, calls to keep ‘saving the manatees’

CRYSTAL RIVER, United States: When Brandy In Florida alone, the agency said the manatee will face. Among them, the expected loss of winter as many as 4,000 manatees-which are creatures of at all focused on a number and we don’t want the Pounds swam in central Florida’s Crystal River earlier population has grown to a record 6,350 as of refuge they get from clustering around power habit-could die from the cold, she said. agency focused on a number either. It is just about this month, she came so close to an endangered February. Early estimates of their population are plants that discharge warm water. As those plants For Tripp, it doesn’t matter that five times more the habitat,” she said. manatee that she could feel the sea cow’s breath hard to come by, but the first aerial surveys flown are gradually made more environmentally friendly, manatees exist today than 25 years ago. “We are not tickling her toes. “And then I turned around and we over Florida in 1991 counted 1,267 manatees. A final Idle speed for manatees were face-to-face,” said the 41-year-old therapist decision, expected sometime in 2017, would apply In the winter, hundreds of Florida manatees con- from Texas. “We made eye contact. It was pretty to all West Indian manatees in the region, from verge in the natural warm water springs near Crystal cool.” Languid, whiskered and weighing as much as Florida to the Caribbean and northern South River, where boat captain and Mike Dunn, co-owner 1,200 pounds (545 kilograms), the bulbous Florida America. “I believe this is just a first step of celebrat- of Manatees in Paradise, says manatees have manatees-a subspecies of the West Indian mana- ing a success story,” Ivan Vicente, visitor services spe- shaped the local way of life. Dunn leads small tours tees-were among the first creatures to be named by cialist at the Fish and Wildlife Service Crystal River of six tourists at a time into Three Sisters Springs and the United States as a federally endangered species National Wildlife Refuge Complex, told AFP. “It’s only the surrounding canals. Snorkelers must watch a in 1967, alongside the iconic bald eagle and a very minor difference,” he said of the change in ter- video first that explains how to avoid harassing American alligator. minology. “It just means that the species is not as manatees-no chasing, no poking, no hugging For decades, manatees have been celebrated vulnerable to extinction as it once was, but still vul- allowed. Killing a manatee is also forbidden. and protected by environmentalists and celebrities nerable. So the level of protection does not change.” Violators of federal protections may face fines of up alike, earning the title of the official state marine to $100,000 and a year in prison. mammal of Florida and the admiration of celebrities Threats remain Dunn drives his boat slowly, moving at idle like singer Jimmy Buffett, who co-founded the pop- Opponents say a host of threats remain, includ- speed according to local regulations to reduce the ular non-profit Save the Manatee Club in 1981. But ing disease, loss of habitat, cold stress and collisions risk of striking a manatee. He waves his arms and times may be changing for these slow-moving sea- with watercraft. “We really think it is premature,” said chastises other boaters whenever he sees them grass eaters. A controversial proposal by the US Fish the Save the Manatee Club’s director of science and going faster than they should. “It’s all about and Wildlife Service calls for downgrading them conservation, Katie Tripp. She said the change could respect,” according to Dunn, who said he views as from “endangered” to “threatened,” based on their amount to less money for manatee protection, and “absurd” any effort to downgrade the manatees’ ballooning population size. doesn’t take account of future risks the manatees CRYSTAL RIVER, Florida: Tourist boats gather in Crystal River, Florida. — AFP status. — AFP WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE

Horizon FCB and Abeer2 launch a campaign for autism

KUWAIT: In line with its corporate social Abeer Al-Safran, a co-founder of and provide the best services that we can responsibility involving the collaboration responsibility efforts, the advertising Abeer2, said, “We are proud to launch this offer.” Al-Safran conveyed gratitude of students and faculty. These efforts are in agency, Horizon FCB launched a campaign campaign that supports the humanitarian towards Horizon FCB’s active role in sup- line with the United Nation’s sustainable to support Abeer2 voluntary team for cause of aiding those with intellectual dis- porting this cause. From planning to development goals and also touches upon mentally disabled. Under the umbrella of abilities, with a specific emphasis on launching the campaign, the agency a local community issue. GUST’s ‘The Cause’ project, this campaign autism. We are working hard to spread attracted media coverage and sparked Horizon FCB is an advertising agency aims to spread autism awareness through awareness in society and try to reach fami- the interest of the community with a with 40 years of experience across the gathering donations. Horizon FCB con- lies who have similar cases, as they need noticeable response from Kuwaiti youth. region. It focuses on creativity and cocted a creative idea revolving around special care to help integrate them into Many organizations supported this cause responsibility, producing ideas that affect changing the color of the previous Kuwaiti society. We achieve this through providing by spreading the message through cover- customer behavior. Horizon FCB is part of flag from red to blue, the color of autism. a specialized center for children and age, printing, distribution, and social net- the Horizon Group, which includes BPN The campaign coincides with World young adults with intellectual disabilities working. (media planning and buying agency), Autism Day and aims to attract curiosity where experts can provide them with the As part of Kuwait Voluntary Work Blue Barracuda (digital agency), Golin behind the hashtag #⁄‘«‰Â„ (‘for them’ we educational support they need to develop Center, Abeer2 was established in 1999 to (public relations agency) and Frontline changed to the color blue). By responding their skills and help them achieve their help integrate those with mental disabili- Shopper (shopper marketing agency), to the campaign, people would be redi- true potential. ties into society with the help of trained with more than 400 staff members across rected to the website Jaribha.com where Thanks to your donations and support, volunteers and specialists. ‘The Cause’ the region. It is also part of Interpublic they can donate to Abeer2. we are able to continue on this journey project falls under GUST’s corporate social Group (NYSE: IPG). Abeer Al-Safran J&J expands project that aims to predict, prevent diseases ‘It may well save a lot of money and a lot of suffering’ BOSTON: Johnson & Johnson has ramped up its ambitious scientists would develop affordable and easy-to-use diagnos- project to learn how to predict who will develop particular dis- tic tests for those biomarkers. eases and find therapies to prevent or stop the disease early, when it’s most treatable. Since the health care giant Statin drugs announced its groundbreaking project in February 2015, it’s Finally, researchers would develop new therapies, or deter- expanded to include two dozen research programs with part- mine which existing ones would work, to head off full-blown ners - in government, universities, patient advocacy groups disease in those people. Those could include medicines, nutri- and other drug and diagnostic test companies. Their expertise tion changes and physical or psychological therapy. If success- and resources should speed discoveries and allow Johnson & ful, those strategies could be used much as cholesterol tests Johnson to spread its funding across more ventures. are given to patients, with those who have a problem being Tomorrow J&J will give an update and announce the latest prescribed statin drugs to prevent a heart attack or stroke. two projects. They’re meant to identify which pregnant women “This is the way to go,” said Dr Robert Hardi, president of will develop gestational diabetes, and to identify and treat peo- the Academy of Physicians in Clinical Research. “If anybody BOSTON: Boston University professor Avi Spira, a medical researcher in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ple at risk of or in early stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary can pull it off, they can” - with help from partners. He noted stands for a portrait in his lab at Boston University School of Medicine.- — AP disease, the third-leading cause of death worldwide. that researchers already are developing biomarker tests in “We’ve really been trying to introduce a new paradigm,” the areas such as cancer that help doctors pick the best treatment the individuals who eventually develop chronic obstructive proven treatments. Johnson & Johnson, based in New J&J project head, Ben Wiegand, told The Associated Press in an for each patient. “It may well save a lot of money and a lot of pulmonary disease, which includes emphysema and chronic Brunswick, New Jersey, is a leading maker of diagnostic tests, exclusive interview. “We’re moving from disease care to health suffering,” added Hardi, a gastroenterologist in Chevy Chase, bronchitis. They’ll then test therapies to stop further destruc- as well as vaccines, surgical equipment and prescription medi- care.” Wiegand said the mapping of the human genome and Maryland. One of the newest projects piggybacks on existing tion of lung airways. With another $2.1 million from J&J, Spira cines, putting it in a good position to offer products for many other recent scientific advances have made that goal feasible. research at Boston University School of Medicine. It’s been said, his team is studying how the immune system fails in the of the disorders being studied. J&J’s “Disease Interception Accelerator” now is working on working since 2011 under a Defense Department grant to early development of lung cancer and whether new drugs For the project to have a big impact, the US must to multiple studies in Type 1 and gestational diabetes, cataracts identify which military members and veterans will develop that fight cancer by boosting the immune system could pre- address the shortage of primary care doctors, said Dr Wanda and vision-damaging presbyopia, depression in women dur- lung cancer. That group has a high risk because many are vent it. Another new collaboration is seeking biomarkers indi- Filer, president of the American Academy of Family ing and after pregnancy, lung disorders and cancers of the heavy smokers and they’re exposed to fuel fumes and other cating which pregnant women likely will develop gestational Physicians. She said pediatricians, family doctors and cervix, mouth and throat caused by human papilloma virus. dangerous substances while deployed, said Dr Avrum Spira, a diabetes, so they can be treated to prevent it. Half those internists, along with nurse practitioners, already focus on The project is remarkable in an industry whose bread and pulmonologist heading that study. It’s been testing blood and women would otherwise develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 preventive care such as vaccines, so they’re best suited for butter is medicines that patients with chronic diseases take for skin cells and doing chest scans on hundreds of participants, years, and their babies have an eightfold risk of developing it identifying and helping at-risk patients. With patients more years. The idea is to first discover biomarkers - measurable bio- aiming to link changes in those tests over time to which peo- eventually, Wiegand said. Preventing diseases or treating them focused on medical costs as they bear more of them now, logical and molecular signs in blood and other patient sam- ple later develop lung cancer. J&J has given Spira’s group $8 early on is much cheaper than trying to save people diag- Filer said, they’ll need to be convinced new diagnostic tests ples - indicating a disease will develop or is beginning. Next, million to test 1,000 civilian smokers, to identify cell changes in nosed with advanced disease, so Wiegand believes that insur- and pre-emptive treatment are worth the cost. “This could be ers will cover the diagnostic tests being developed and new, transformational,” she added. — AP WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

‘ASWAT 3’ rocks audience at Shaheed Park

nder the Patronage and with the the East and the West, talking about the history place in November of this year in cooperation and today they have returned to us with the Zain’s Corporate Communication and Attendance of the French Ambassador of Kuwait since its beginning until today; as with LOYAC, along with other Francophone experience and creativity they gained in this Relations Director, Waleed Al Khashti, stated Uto Kuwait Christian Nakhle, Al-Shaheed well as how the different cultures of the people activities in Kuwait. field. She also noted that this work embodies that it is a great honour today for Zain to be a Park witnessed the musical performance who live in Kuwait merge together and how Fareah Al-Saqqaf also indicated that over LOYAC’s values that call for love, peace, and sponsor of ASWAT 3, having already spon- ‘ASWAT 3’ on Tuesday 15th March 2016 on the they all share each other’s joys and sorrows. 20 young man and woman participated in this celebrating other cultures, not only accepting sored ASWAT 1 and 2, as well as our economic outside stage, as part of its Kuwait Cultural In that regard, Issam Taleb, the Counsellor performance. Some are Kuwaitis and some are them. partnership for over 13 years - since LOYAC’s Week. Other members of the audience includ- for Cooperation and Cultural Action and the non-Kuwaitis who were born and raised in Saqqaf also thanked the French Institute birth. We also believe that part of our social ed some other important figures from the manager of the French Institute in Kuwait, Kuwait. What brings them together is very and the French embassy for their close and partnership is to encourage the youth to French Embassy, Waleed Al Khashti (Zain’s stated that ‘ASWAT 3’ is the result of the coop- strong. What brings them together is their love beautiful support and cooperation for the past enhance their abilities and skills in all fields. He Corporate Communication and Relations eration between LOYAC and the French for Kuwait, dance, beauty, music, and for one three years and until today, as well as LOYAC added that they will continue to support them Director), Marino (IKEA’s Executive Manager), Institute, after having worked together on another, because art brings them together; and LAPA’s strategic partners - the National - fulfilling the company’s vision and aims, not- Yousef Al Baijan (Al Shaheed Park’s General ASWAT 1 and 2. This asserts our belief in the thus, they are bound to be ambassadors of Council of Culture, Arts, and Letters, and the ing that Zain has many partnerships and activ- Manager), and Fareah Al Saqqaf (the role that art plays in spreading love and peace. love and peace. Three of them were chosen to Amiri Diwan. She also thanked the sponsors of ities related to youth, universities, exhibitions, Chairperson). He also stated his intention to start preparing represent LOYAC as part of a performance with this cultural, artistic, and humanitarian project and events; adding that Zain will be present in ‘ASWAT 3’ presented a mixture of art from from now for ASWAT 4 that is proposed to take the French team in France; they excelled there, - IKEA and Zain. other future events with LOYAC. TSC educates children on importance of healthy lifestyle

Marina Hotel Kuwait actively participates in Earth Hour 2016

arina Hotel Kuwait went dark by al warming for 60 minutes, non-essential light- Participating in the Earth Hour, Marina switching off the hotel’s lights for one ing and electrical appliances around the prop- Hotel Kuwait joins the growing list of support- Mhour on March 19, 2016 in support of erty were switched off in an effort to reduce ing businesses that are committed to take a Earth Hour, a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initia- their environmental impact and draw attention stand on climate change and create a cleaner, tive. By spending an hour in dark, the hotel to environmental issues. safer and more secure future. joins the efforts of an extensive range of Employees of each department including Earth Hour is an annual international event organizations around the world that continue Sales and Marketing, Front Office, Food and created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), to to work towards drawing more attention Beverage, Housekeeping, Engineering, raise awareness towards the need and take s part of their commitment to sup- snacks children can select by encouraging towards global warming. The activity, which Finance, IT, Admin, Human Resources along action on climate change. With the challenges port the communities in which it them to taste foods they might normally relays Marina Hotel’s commitment and support with the General Manager, Nabil Hammoud of the global economy, leaders and people operates and in line with TSC’s have tried or considered to be snack A for a green and sustainable future, involves were present, assisting with candles set-up remain focused on the growing threat of cli- recent Healthy Living campaign, The Sultan options. everyone in the hotel to switch off the lights in around the hotel and creating awareness for mate change and place a high priority on envi- Center recently participated in the Health The Sultan Center also distributed fun public areas and all guestrooms. guests to contribute to global environmental ronmentally-friendly solutions as one of the Weekend event at KidZania. facts for children on nutrition along with a As a symbolic gesture to warn against glob- change. ways to overcome those challenges. The KidZania Health Weekend event short survey in which children could see which took place from March 17 - 19 how much exercise they get and require on focused on educational activities to help a daily basis. Representative from TSC dis- raise awareness on the importance of lead- tributed healthy snacks for all children who ing a healthy active lifestyle through a bal- visited the booth. anced diet, regular exercise, and looking Lisa Al-Gharib, Marketing Manager at after your body by understanding how to TSC said: “Participation in the KidZania check vital signs. The event also included Health Weekend supports TSC’s commit- interactive seminars and a nutritionist to ment toward educating the consumer on answer question relating to food and nutri- the importance of embracing a healthy tion. lifestyle from an early age, and selecting During the event, The Sultan Center products that are healthy and nutritious”. team focused on advising parents and chil- The Sultan Center participates in various dren on selecting healthy and nutritional types of education and health programs in snack options that provide the body with line with “Because We Care” program aimed fuel and energy. The team emphasized the to spread awareness on the importance of large variety of healthy and energizing leading a healthy lifestyle. GUST hosts Sixth Gulf Programming Contest

ulf University for Science and Science. It is also a chance to prepare the Technology (GUST) will be hosting students for tomorrow’s work-force, by Gthe Sixth Gulf Programming helping them apply everything they Contest on March 23rd and 24th. The com- learned in their courses at GUST to real petition, which is organized by the world situations.” Computer Science GPC 2016 serves as an opportunity for Department at GUST, university students from around the region will be taking place in majoring in Computer Science, Computer Kuwait for the first time. Engineering, Management Information This year’s sponsors are Systems, or any IT related subjects to dis- Boubyan Bank and play their abilities in programming and Zain. problem solving. Participating teams will be Dr Tahir Ali, Assistant given eight to ten programming problems Professor and Head of to solve during a five hour period using one the Computer Science PC only. Department and coach of the GUST team, GUST will welcome the arriving teams said “This contest is an opportunity for our from other GCC nations which will be arriv- students to raise the standard of their per- ing starting 22nd of March. Further informa- formance and enhance their programming tion about the upcoming competition can skills in the emerging field of Computer be found on http://gpc2016.gust.edu.kw WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Symphony Style Hotel catering service... leave an impression!

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ACK organizes its first ‘Health Day Carnival’

he Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) hosted its Society (KRCS), Al-Qadseya Team, Ultra-Med Dental the world of fitness. aggressive anti-smoking awareness campaigning. This first ‘ACK Health Day Carnival’ under the theme Clinic, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Abdulmohsen Al-Rifai, Occupational Health and event is one of many attempts ACK is pursuing to dis- T“Health and Smoking” to raise awareness on Resources, Al-Seef Hospital and Shuaiba Medical Safety Manager at ACK, officially welcomed the guests courage tobacco use on campus. As an educational smoking’s effect on human health and the environ- Center. The carnival also hosted a decathlon with 12 noting the importance of educating children on the institution, we believe that a difference can be made by ment. The event was full of engaging activities such as competing teams to celebrate health and encourage negative effects of smoking. Rifai commented: “Not educating smokers to quit and motivating non-smok- stage shows, carnival games for children, an exhibition youth to play sports. The event was sponsored by only ACK, but the whole society is not fully aware of ers, especially youngsters not to take up this habit. fair hosting exhibitors such as Kuwait Red Crescent “Decathlon” and “Gold’s Gym”, two leading brands in smoking related hazards. There is a dire need for Remember, smoking is an avoidable health risk.”

Agility, Kuwait Healthy Living promote gardening, healthy eating among children

gility, a leading global logistics with help from Henadi Al-Saleh, Agility’s students were also taught the impor- provider and Kuwait Healthy Chairperson. Speaking about the proj- tance of a well-rounded diet through ALiving, a non-profit organization ect, Saleh said, “At Agility, we recognize activities like healthy eating pledges that aims to enhance the quality of life the importance of community and information about the food pyra- in Kuwait, recently concluded a two advancement and we drive efforts to mid and different food groups. month campaign that promoted sus- promote sustainability and youth The final session included the chil- tainable community gardening and development. We understand that our dren using the tomatoes grown by healthy eating among children in the children are the future of Kuwait and by them to make healthy sauce with help country. encouraging sustainable thinking and from a Kuwait Healthy Living chef at the The campaign was launched at the healthy living, we can go a long way in Dasman Diabetes Institute. Canon Middle East Fatima Al-Misbah Public School in building habits that will benefit the Sheikha Bibi Al-Sabah, Founder of Shaab where twenty participating pri- country in many different ways.” The Kuwait Health Living, commented, mary students were taught the benefits Agility and Kuwait Healthy Living teams “Community gardening provides an celebrates Earth Hour 2016 of community gardening, including continued to work with these students experience that goes beyond the cooperation and collaboration, and the for the rest of the two months to ensure classroom. It helps empower students anon Middle East (CME), a close follow-up from His Highness focused on Climate Change, entitled importance of health and wellness. that the plants were well taken care of and instills a seed in them for lifelong leader in imaging solutions, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin “Disruption” (watchdisruption.com), Following the first session, each stu- until the crop of tomatoes was ready for lessons that include patience, team- Cparticipated in Dubai Electricity Rashid Al Maktoum, which has helped and a beautiful 3D photo stand dent received a tomato seedling that harvest. work, healthy eating, nature, and and Water Authority’s (DEWA’s) com- Dubai in becoming a world model for inspired by the ocean. The theme was they planted in their school garden During each visit to the garden, the many others.” munity event at Business Bay Park to clean and renewable energy, sustain- chosen to highlight the effect that cli- observe Earth Hour 2016. The event ability, and other environmental mate change has on our oceans. raised awareness about the effects of issues that are of interest to govern- Visitors were seen to be enjoying climate change with family-oriented ments and individuals alike.” themselves at both areas during the activities and a symbolic walk. event. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD Global philosophy Through these activities, Canon and CEO of DEWA said, “We are Anurag Agrawal, Managing conveyed its message of conserving pleased to organise this event in part- Director, Canon Middle East said: “At the environment for a better tomor- nership with the Dubai Supreme Canon Middle East we are committed row. As a special gesture, the partici- Council of Energy and the Emirates to integrating our global philosophy pating visitors were also handed out Wildlife Society (EWS), in association of Kyosei, the purpose of living and giveaways, including an anti-stress with the World Wide Fund for Nature working together for the common globe and a plush turtle. (WWF), and in cooperation with Dubai good, into every aspect of our work. In recognition of Canon’s CSR com- Properties Group (DPG). This supports Climate change is one of the most mitment, the organization received the directives of His Highness Sheikh pressing issues, and together with the Dubai Chamber CSR Label in 2016 Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DEWA we’re reaching out to people to for the fourth consecutive year and Vice President and Prime Minister of encourage them to be a part of a was recertified to ISO 14001 the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has global effort towards halting climate Environmental Management Standard laid down the foundations for a sus- change. We believe in reaching out to in 2013. Honouring Canon Middle tainable future for present and future the maximum people and making East regional CSR efforts in 2015, The generations through a vision, creative them more responsible for their plan- Arab Organization for Social initiatives, and quality programs. The et”. Responsibility awarded Canon Middle directions of His Highness have been Canon’s activities included a East for ‘Best Environmental Practices translated into real initiatives with a screening of an environmental video in the Arab World.’ p32_Layout 1 3/22/16 8:24 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 , 2016 TV PROGRAMS

03:00 Global Business 02:20 Ghost Lab 12:00 The Bernie Mac Show 04:00 News Update 03:10 Swamp Murders 12:30 Two And A Half Men 05:00 News Update 04:00 True Nightmares 13:00 My Name Is Earl 06:30 Dialogue 04:45 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 13:30 Community 07:00 News Hour 05:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 14:00 The Goldbergs 00:10 The Chase 00:25 Mortal Thoughts 08:00 Global Business 05:30 The Haunted 14:30 The Grinder 01:05 Emmerdale 02:10 The Patriot 09:00 News Update 06:20 Fatal Encounters 15:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 01:30 Eggheads 04:50 George Washington 10:30 Sports Scene 07:10 On The Case With Paula 15:30 Playing House 02:00 Coronation Street 06:20 The Beast Of Hollow 11:00 Global Business Zahn 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 02:30 Big Star’s Little Star Mountain 12:00 News Update 08:00 Dr G: Medical Examiner Wilmore 03:25 Tracey Ullman’s Show 07:40 The Garbage Pail Kids 12:30 Culture Express 08:50 On The Case With Paula 16:30 The Bernie Mac Show 03:55 Raised By Wolves Movie 13:00 Africa Live Zahn 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 04:20 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 09:15 Race For The Yankee 14:00 News Update 09:40 Fatal Encounters 18:00 Your Family Or Mine 05:15 Come Dine With Me Zephyr 14:30 Dialogue 10:30 Murder Shift 18:30 Living With Fran Couples 11:05 The Watsons Go To 15:00 News Update 11:20 Deadly Affairs 19:00 Modern Family 06:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? Birmingham 15:15 China 24 19:30 I Hate My Teenage 07:00 Eggheads 12:35 The Crocodile Hunter: 16:00 News Update Daughter 07:30 Tracey Ullman’s Show Collision Course 16:15 Global Business 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 08:00 Raised By Wolves 14:05 Clifford 17:00 News Update Jimmy Fallon 08:25 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 15:35 Natural Causes 17:15 World InSight 21:00 Playing House 09:20 Big Star’s Little Star 17:05 Seven Years In Tibet 18:00 Asia Today 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 10:15 The Chase 19:20 Everybody’s Fine 18:30 Culture Express Wilmore 11:05 Eggheads 21:00 The Apartment 19:00 News Update 00:35 Race To Escape 22:00 Married 11:35 Come Dine With Me 23:05 Mortal Thoughts 19:30 The Heat 01:20 How It’s Made 22:30 The Brink 20:00 Africa Live 01:44 How It’s Made Couples 23:00 The League 21:00 Global Business 02:08 You Have Been Warned 12:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:30 Dialogue 02:55 Cosmic Collisions 13:25 Emmerdale 22:00 News Update 03:42 Science Of The Movies 13:50 Eggheads 04:29 Race To Escape 14:20 Coronation Street 05:16 You Have Been Warned 14:45 Big Star’s Little Star 00:50 River Monsters 06:03 Cosmic Collisions 15:35 Come Dine With Me 00:00 Bates Motel 01:45 I Was Bitten 06:50 Unchained Reaction Couples 01:00 Quantico 02:40 Gator Boys 07:37 How Do They Do It? 16:30 Remember Me 02:00 Rosewood 03:35 Tanked 08:00 How Do They Do It? 17:25 Hiding 03:00 Allegiance 04:25 Into The Pride 08:23 Race To Escape 18:20 Emmerdale 04:00 Good Morning America 05:15 Gator Boys 09:08 Science Of The Movies 18:45 Coach Trip 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:02 Treehouse Masters 09:53 Unchained Reaction 19:10 Coronation Street 07:00 Covert Affairs 06:49 Gator Boys 10:38 How It’s Made 19:35 Come Dine With Me 08:00 Heroes Reborn 07:36 Meet The Sloths 11:00 How It’s Made Couples 09:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 08:00 Meet The Sloths 11:23 Mega Builders 20:30 Remember Me 10:00 Quantico 08:25 Preposterous Pets 12:08 Cosmic Collisions 21:25 Hiding 00:00 Fast Money: Half Time 11:00 Covert Affairs 09:15 Gator Boys 12:53 Unchained Reaction 22:20 Coronation Street 12:00 Coronation Street 10:10 Treehouse Masters Report 13:38 Race To Escape 22:50 Emmerdale 01:00 CNBC Conversation: Felipe 12:30 Coronation Street 11:05 Tanked 14:23 How It’s Made 23:15 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 Preposterous Pets Calderon 14:46 How It’s Made 01:30 U.S. Squawk Alley 14:00 Live Good Morning America 12:55 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 15:10 Science Of The Movies 16:00 Heroes Reborn 13:50 Gator Boys 02:30 Inside China 15:57 Mega Builders 03:00 Asia Squawk Box 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 14:45 Gator Boys 16:44 Cosmic Collisions 18:00 Heroes Reborn 15:40 Treehouse Masters 05:00 Asia Street Signs 17:31 Unchained Reaction 07:00 Fast Money: Half Time 19:00 The Voice 16:35 Tanked 18:18 Science Of The Movies 00:10 Eat Street 21:00 Castle 17:30 Into The Pride Report 19:05 Race To Escape 08:00 Capital Connection 00:35 Eat Street 22:00 Supergirl 18:25 River Monsters (Best Of 19:50 Food Factory 01:00 David Rocco’s Dolce India 23:00 Better Call Saul Series 1-5) 09:00 Squawk Box Europe 20:15 Food Factory 12:00 Europe Street Signs 01:25 David Rocco’s Dolce India 19:20 Dog Rescuers 20:40 How The Universe Works 01:50 Tales From The Bush Larder 20:15 Tanked 13:00 U.S. Squawk Box 21:25 How It’s Made 16:00 Squawk On The Street 02:15 Eat Street 21:10 Into The Pride 21:50 How It’s Made 02:40 Eat Street 22:05 Treehouse Masters 18:00 U.S. Squawk Alley 22:15 Science Of The Movies 19:00 Fast Money: Half Time 03:05 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 00:00 American Heist 23:00 Dog Rescuers 23:00 Food Factory Australia 23:55 Gator Boys Report 02:15 The Gauntlet 23:22 Food Factory 03:30 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 04:00 Toxin 20:00 U.S. Power Lunch 23:45 How The Universe Works 22:00 U.S. Closing Bell Australia 06:00 Hercules 03:55 A Marriage Of Flavours 08:00 King Arthur 04:20 Confucius Was A Foodie 10:15 The 13th Warrior 05:10 Eat Street 12:00 Big Ass Spider! 05:35 Eat Street 14:00 Hercules 00:30 Doctors 06:00 The Best Job In The World 16:00 Stranded 01:00 Doctors 06:25 Wineroads 17:45 King Arthur 01:30 Unforgotten 00:40 HMS Ark Royal KING ARTHUR ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 06:50 David Rocco’s Dolce India 20:00 The Prince 02:25 Ripper Street 01:30 Zero Hour 07:15 David Rocco’s Dolce India 22:00 Bad Ass 3: Bad Asses On 03:20 Doctors 02:20 Origins 02:40 Chasing Classic Cars 08:30 Shake It Up 06:00 Loopdidoo 12:10 Pair Of Kings 07:40 Tales From The Bush Larder The Bayou 03:50 Doctors 00:00 Killer Kids 03:05 Anthony Bourdain: No 08:55 That’s So Raven 06:15 Art Attack 12:35 Lab Rats 08:05 Eat Street 04:20 Stella 01:00 I Escaped My Killer Reservations 09:20 That’s So Raven 06:35 Henry Hugglemonster 13:00 Lab Rats 08:30 Eat Street 05:10 Father Brown 02:00 Fatal Vows 03:50 Bush Pilots 09:45 Austin & Ally 06:50 Calimero 13:30 Phineas And Ferb 08:55 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 06:00 Doctors 03:00 I Killed My BFF 07:00 Zou 13:55 Phineas And Ferb Australia 04:00 The First 48 04:35 Collapse: When Structures 10:10 Austin & Ally 06:30 Doctors 10:35 A.N.T. Farm 07:20 Loopdidoo 14:20 Kickin’ It 09:20 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 05:00 I Escaped My Killer Fail 00:00 Keith Lemon: The Film 07:00 Stella 11:00 A.N.T. Farm 07:35 Art Attack 14:45 Kickin’ It Australia 06:00 Fatal Vows 05:20 Extreme Engineering 02:00 The Foot Fist Way 07:50 Call The Midwife 11:25 Jessie 08:00 Calimero 15:10 Guardians Of The Galaxy 09:45 A Marriage Of Flavours 07:00 The FBI Files 06:05 Codes And Conspiracies 04:00 Space Dogs 08:50 Doctor Who 11:50 Jessie 08:10 Zou 15:15 Rocket Monkeys 10:10 Confucius Was A Foodie 08:00 The FBI Files 06:50 HMS Ark Royal 05:45 Renaissance Man 09:45 Doctors 12:15 Cars Toons 08:25 Loopdidoo 15:40 Wander Over Yonder 11:00 Eat Street 09:00 Homicide Hunter 07:35 Origins 08:00 Dunston Checks In 10:15 Doctors 12:20 Miraculous Tales Of 08:40 Miles From Tomorrow 16:05 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 11:25 Eat Street 10:00 Beyond Scared Straight 08:00 Anthony Bourdain: No 10:00 Space Dogs 10:45 Father Brown Ladybug & Cat Noir 09:05 Sofia The First 16:30 Kirby Buckets 11:50 The Best Job In The World 11:00 Nightmare In Suburbia Reservations 12:00 All About Christmas Eve 11:40 Stella 08:50 100 Miles From Nowhere 12:45 Fish Hooks 09:30 Goldie & Bear 16:55 Gamers Guide To Pretty 12:15 Wineroads 12:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 14:00 UHF 12:30 Call The Midwife 09:40 Extreme Engineering 13:00 Fish Hooks 09:45 Jake And The Never Land Much Everything 12:40 David Rocco’s Dolce India 13:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 16:00 Dunston Checks In 13:25 Doctor Who 10:30 Codes And Conspiracies 13:10 Austin & Ally Pirates 17:25 K. C. Undercover 13:05 David Rocco’s Dolce India 14:00 The First 48 17:45 Blues Brothers 2000 14:20 Doctors 11:20 Origins 13:35 Austin & Ally 10:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 17:50 Supa Strikas 13:35 Tales From The Bush Larder 15:00 Homicide Hunter 20:00 Think Like A Man Too 14:50 Doctors 11:45 Chasing Classic Cars 14:00 Liv And Maddie 10:35 Doc McStuffins 18:15 Lab Rats 14:00 Eat Street 15:25 Stella 16:00 I Married My Killer 11:00 Sofia The First 18:40 Mighty Med 14:30 Eat Street 22:00 Hot Tub Time Machine 2 17:00 The FBI Files 12:10 Anthony Bourdain: No 14:25 Descendants Wicked World 16:15 Call The Midwife Reservations 14:30 Liv And Maddie 11:30 Goldie & Bear 19:10 Annedroids 14:55 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 17:10 Doctor Who 18:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 12:00 Miles From Tomorrow 19:35 Star vs The Forces Of Evil Australia 19:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 13:00 100 Miles From Nowhere 14:55 Dog With A Blog 18:00 Doctors 13:50 Extreme Engineering 12:25 Special Agent Oso 20:00 Kirby Buckets 15:25 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 20:00 The First 48 15:20 Dog With A Blog 18:30 Eastenders 14:40 Codes And Conspiracies 12:40 The Hive 20:25 Gamers Guide To Pretty Australia 21:00 Homicide Hunter 15:45 Miraculous Tales Of 19:05 Father Brown 15:30 Origins 12:50 Handy Manny Much Everything 15:50 A Marriage Of Flavours 22:00 Nightmare In Suburbia Ladybug & Cat Noir 01:00 Carrington 20:00 New Tricks 15:55 Chasing Classic Cars 13:15 Jungle Junction 20:55 K. C. Undercover 16:20 Confucius Was A Foodie 16:10 Violetta 03:15 What Dreams May Come 21:00 New Tricks 23:00 My Haunted House 16:20 Anthony Bourdain: No 13:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 21:20 Pickle And Peanut 17:15 Eat Street 17:00 The Next Step 05:15 Secret Window 22:00 Silent Witness Reservations 14:00 Sofia The First 21:45 Lab Rats 17:40 Eat Street 17:25 Austin & Ally 07:00 Half Of A Yellow Sun 22:55 Father Brown 17:10 100 Miles From Nowhere 14:25 Goldie & Bear 22:10 Mighty Med 18:10 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 17:50 Dog With A Blog 09:00 When A Man Loves A 23:45 Doctors 18:00 Extreme Engineering 14:50 Doc McStuffins 22:40 Super Matrak 18:35 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 18:15 Mako Mermaids Woman 18:50 Codes And Conspiracies 15:15 Zou 23:05 Super Matrak 19:05 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 18:40 Gravity Falls 11:15 What Dreams May Come 19:40 Origins 15:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:30 Boyster Australia 19:05 Miraculous Tales Of 13:15 Diana 20:05 Chasing Classic Cars 15:55 Loopdidoo 19:30 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Ladybug & Cat Noir 15:15 Secret Window 20:30 Origins 19:30 Violetta 16:10 Miles From Tomorrow Australia 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 20:55 Origins 16:35 Jake And The Never Land 17:00 When A Man Loves A 00:00 With All Due Respect 20:20 The Next Step 20:00 A Marriage Of Flavours 01:10 The Island With Bear Grylls 21:20 Anthony Bourdain: No Pirates Woman 01:00 Charlie Rose 20:45 Good Luck Charlie 20:25 Confucius Was A Foodie 02:00 Men, Women, Wild Reservations 17:00 Sofia The First 19:15 Frank 02:00 First Up With Angie Lau 21:10 Good Luck Charlie 21:15 Eat Street 02:50 So You Think You’d 22:10 Extreme Engineering 17:25 Jungle Cubs 21:00 What’s Love Got To Do With 03:00 First Up With Angie Lau 21:35 H2O 00:00 Hollywood Medium With 21:40 Eat Street Survive? 23:00 Origins 17:50 Aladdin It 04:00 Trending Business 22:00 Binny And The Ghost Tyler Henry 22:05 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 03:40 What’s In The Barn? 23:25 Origins 18:15 Gummi Bears 23:00 I Origins 05:00 Trending Business 22:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A 00:55 The Grace Helbig Show 22:30 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 04:05 The Liquidator 23:50 Codes And Conspiracies 18:40 Goldie & Bear 06:00 Asia Edge Teenage Witch 01:25 Keeping Up With The 22:55 David Rocco’s Dolce India 04:30 Garage Gold 19:05 Miles From Tomorrow 07:00 Bloomberg West 22:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Kardashians 23:20 David Rocco’s Dolce India 05:00 How Do They Do It? 19:30 Sofia The First 08:00 Charlie Rose Teenage Witch 02:20 E! News 23:45 Tales From The Bush Larder 05:30 Chasing Classic Cars 19:55 Doc McStuffins 01:00 The Atticus Institute 09:00 Countdown 23:10 Hank Zipzer 03:15 Hollywood Cycle 06:00 Flying Wild Alaska 20:20 Jake And The Neverland 02:45 Selma 10:00 Countdown 23:35 Binny And The Ghost 04:10 The E! True Hollywood Story 06:50 Wheeler Dealers Pirates 05:00 Metallica: Through The 10:30 On The Move 05:05 E! Entertainment Special 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 20:35 Miles From Tomorrow Never 11:00 On The Move 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take 08:30 What’s In The Barn? 00:00 Violetta 21:00 Goldie & Bear 07:00 The Book Of Life 12:00 Bloomberg Surveillance Miami 08:55 The Liquidator 00:45 The Hive 21:30 Sofia The First 09:00 Selma 13:00 Bloomberg Surveillance 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take 00:00 Community 09:20 Garage Gold 00:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 22:00 Jungle Cubs 11:15 The 7th Dwarf 14:00 Bloomberg Go Miami 00:30 Playing House 09:45 How Do They Do It? Teenage Witch 22:25 Aladdin 13:00 4 Minute Mile 15:00 Bloomberg Go 00:05 Henry Hugglemonster 07:50 Style Star 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 10:10 Chasing Classic Cars 01:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A 22:50 Gummi Bears 15:00 Barely Lethal 16:00 Bloomberg Go 00:20 Calimero 08:20 E! News Wilmore 10:35 The Island With Bear Grylls Teenage Witch 23:20 Lilo And Stitch 17:00 Transcendence 17:00 Bloomberg Markets 00:35 Zou 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 01:30 Married 11:25 Men, Women, Wild 01:40 Hank Zipzer 23:50 Zou 19:00 The Good Lie 18:00 Bloomberg Markets 12:15 So You Think You’d 00:50 Loopdidoo 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 02:00 South Park 02:05 Binny And The Ghost 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 21:00 The Last 5 Years 19:00 Bloomberg Markets: Survive? 02:30 Violetta 01:05 Art Attack 02:30 The League 23:00 The November Man European Close 13:05 What’s In The Barn? 01:30 Henry Hugglemonster 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 03:00 Your Family Or Mine 03:15 The Hive 12:05 E! News 20:00 Bloomberg Markets 13:30 The Liquidator 03:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A 01:45 Calimero 03:30 The Goldbergs 21:00 Bloomberg Markets 13:55 Garage Gold 02:00 Zou 13:05 House Of DVF 04:00 Two And A Half Men Teenage Witch 14:05 Fashion Bloggers 22:00 Bloomberg Markets 14:20 Outback Truckers 03:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A 02:15 Loopdidoo 00:00 Programmes Start At 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 23:00 What’d You Miss? 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 02:30 Art Attack 7:00am KSA 14:30 Fashion Bloggers Jimmy Fallon Teenage Witch 15:00 Keeping Up With The 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 04:10 Hank Zipzer 02:55 Henry Hugglemonster 07:00 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 05:30 The Last Man On Earth 01:00 Stone Markers 16:50 Chasing Classic Cars 03:05 Calimero 07:25 K. C. Undercover Kardashians 06:00 Mad Love 03:00 Young Ones 04:35 Binny And The Ghost 16:00 Keeping Up With The 17:40 You Have Been Warned 05:00 Violetta 03:20 Zou 07:50 Supa Strikas 06:30 Community 05:00 Barefoot 18:30 The Weapon Hunter 03:30 Loopdidoo 08:15 Annedroids Kardashians 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 07:00 The French Minister 05:45 The Hive 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 19:20 Dynamo: Magician 05:50 Mouk 03:45 Art Attack 08:40 Lab Rats 08:00 Two And A Half Men 09:00 The Truth About Emanuel 04:10 Henry Hugglemonster 18:00 Fashion Police 08:30 Breaking In 00:00 News Update Impossible 06:00 Lolirock 09:10 Kirby Buckets 11:00 Barefoot 04:20 Calimero 19:00 WAGs 09:00 Your Family Or Mine 00:30 Dialogue 20:10 The Liquidator 06:25 Sofia The First 09:35 Wander Over Yonder 13:00 Breathe In 04:35 Zou 20:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 09:30 The Grinder 01:00 News Update 20:35 Garage Gold 06:50 Gravity Falls 10:00 Rocket Monkeys 15:00 Half Of A Yellow Sun 04:45 Loopdidoo 21:00 Keeping Up With The 10:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 01:15 China 24 21:00 You Have Been Warned 07:15 Miraculous Tales Of 10:25 Ultimate Spider-Man 17:00 The Truth About Emanuel 05:00 Art Attack Kardashians 10:30 Community 02:00 The Heat 21:50 The Weapon Hunter Ladybug & Cat Noir 10:50 Boyster 19:00 The Disappearance Of 22:40 Big Giant Swords 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 11:20 Boyster 22:00 E! News 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring Eleanor Rigby: Him 02:30 News Update 07:40 Jessie 23:00 Dash Dolls 23:30 Wheeler Dealers 08:05 Shake It Up 05:35 Calimero 11:45 Pair Of Kings Jimmy Fallon 21:00 Rosewater 05:50 Zou

OSN launches new App for unmatched TV experience OSN App gives subscribers ultimate control over the OSN Plus HD • Allows users to search OSN’s massive library of content

DUBAI: OSN, the leading pay-TV network in the Middle East The App, designed and developed by Accedo, also allows as a second remote control for your OSN Plus HD box. Adam Nightingale, Vice President for EMEA at Accedo said and North Africa (MENA), has launched a new App that offers subscribers to control their OSN Plus HD box remotely using it Accessible in English and Arabic, convenience and flexibili- “The OSN App is the first companion app in MENA. Its rich UX subscribers effortless access to their OSN Plus HD box with to activate downloads and schedule recordings of easy-to- ty is at the heart of the App, allowing subscribers to discover and deep integration with OSN’s existing services will help new ways to discover OSN’s vast library of content. find content directly from their iPads. even more content according to OSN’s Chief Technology provide an even more enjoyable way of finding and consum- Designed to enhance the OSN TV viewing experience, the User engagement is increased further with the App’s social Officer, Mark Billinge. He added: “OSN has a reputation for ing great content and will help accelerate changing viewing App’s intuitive interface allows subscribers to easily search media sharing features and the ability to link content with innovating, engaging and delighting its subscribers. We habits within the region.” OSN’s extensive library on OSN On Demand and OSN Store, microsites and third-party services such as IMDB.com, which designed the OSN App with our viewer in mind to encourage The app is available for download now at the AppStore keep track of new channel listings, or search for previously provide a rich source of additional information on OSN shows. even more engagement with our content and offer a world- under ‘OSN App’. For more information, please log on to: recorded shows, with ease. The app seamlessly integrates OSN Play and also doubles up class, immersive and dynamic TV viewing experience.” www.osn.com Classifieds

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (17/03/2016 TO 23/03/2016)

SHARQIA-1 UNNATURAL 8:45 PM UNNATURAL 4:45 PM TRIPLE 9 11:30 AM ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 10:45 PM UNNATURAL 6:45 PM SOLACE 1:45 PM UNNATURAL 12:45 AM UNNATURAL 8:45 PM TRIPLE 9 4:00 PM UNNATURAL 10:45 PM SOLACE 6:15 PM FANAR-2 UNNATURAL 12:45 AM TRIPLE 9 8:15 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 11:30 AM SOLACE 10:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 1:30 PM AVENUES-3 TRIPLE 9 12:30 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 3:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 1:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 5:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 3:15 PM SHARQIA-2 KUNG FU PANDA 3 7:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 5:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 12:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 10:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 7:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 2:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 12:30 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 10:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 4:00 PM TRIPLE 9 12:15 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 6:00 PM FANAR-3 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 10:00 PM LONDON HAS FALLEN 8:00 PM KAPOOR AND SONS- Hindi 12:45 PM TRIPLE 9 1:00 AM LONDON HAS FALLEN 10:00 PM THE WAVE 1:30 PM LONDON HAS FALLEN 12:05 AM THE WAVE 3:45 PM 360 ∞- 1 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 10:00 PM KAPOOR AND SONS- Hindi 6:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 12:00 PM LONDON HAS FALLEN 1:00 AM KAPOOR AND SONS- Hindi 9:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 2:15 PM THE WAVE 12:05 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 4:30 PM SHARQIA-3 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 12:05 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 6:45 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 12:15 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 9:00 PM ZOOTOPIA 2:45 PM MARINA-1 KUNG FU PANDA 3 11:15 PM ZOOTOPIA 5:00 PM SOLACE 11:30 AM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE -3D 11:15 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 7:15 PM SOLACE 1:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 9:15 PM TRIPLE 9 3:45 PM 360 ∞- 2 THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 11:45 PM SOLACE 6:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 12:00 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 11:45 PM SOLACE 8:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 2:30 PM TRIPLE 9 10:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 5:00 PM MUHALAB-1 TRIPLE 9 12:15 AM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 7:30 PM KAPOOR AND SONS- Hindi 11:45 AM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 10:00 PM NO THU THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 2:30 PM SOLACE 1:00 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 7:30 PM KAPOOR AND SONS- Hindi 5:00 PM THU UNNATURAL 7:45 PM MARINA-2 THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 10:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 9:45 PM LONDON HAS FALLEN 12:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 12:30 AM UNNATURAL 12:15 AM ZOOTOPIA 2:00 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 12:15 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 4:15 PM 360 ∞- 3 ZOOTOPIA 6:15 PM UNNATURAL 11:45 AM UNNATURAL 1:45 PM MUHALAB-2 LONDON HAS FALLEN 8:30 PM SOLACE 11:30 AM LONDON HAS FALLEN 10:30 PM UNNATURAL 3:45 PM SOLACE 1:30 PM LONDON HAS FALLEN 12:30 AM UNNATURAL 5:45 PM UNNATURAL 7:45 PM SOLACE 3:30 PM MARINA-3 ZOOTOPIA 5:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 1:00 PM UNNATURAL 9:45 PM SOLACE 7:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 1:30 PM UNNATURAL 11:45 PM TRIPLE 9 9:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 3:30 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE -3D9:45 PM TRIPLE 9 12:05 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 -3D 5:30 PM UNNATURAL 12:45 AM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 9:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 7:30 PM AL-KOUT.1 TRIPLE 9 12:45 AM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 9:30 PM Passport No. L0082285, THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT 12:05 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 12:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 2:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME MUHALAB-3 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 12:05 AM Dadamiya Chawl 52115, Jaku LONDON HAS FALLEN 12:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 4:30 PM Club Santacruz East Mumbai KUNG FU PANDA 3 12:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 6:30 PM AVENUES-1 LONDON HAS FALLEN 8:30 PM I, Sathyanarayana 55, Maharashtra, India, here- KUNG FU PANDA 3 2:30 PM EMELIE 11:30 AM LONDON HAS FALLEN 10:30 PM Kandragula Karuna Vikas, by change my name to Baig KUNG FU PANDA 3 4:30 PM EMELIE 1:15 PM LONDON HAS FALLEN 12:30 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 6:30 PM ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 3:15 PM holder of Indian Passport No. Asma Akbar. (C 5149) KUNG FU PANDA 3 8:30 PM EMELIE 5:15 PM G1500671, Jakkamvari street, AL-KOUT.2 LONDON HAS FALLEN 10:30 PM ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 7:15 PM UNNATURAL 1:00 PM Roypeta Narsapur, West I, Rehana holder of Indian LONDON HAS FALLEN 12:30 AM EMELIE 9:15 PM ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 3:00 PM Godavari Dt., A.P - 534275, Passport No. Z2518899 Katka ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 11:15 PM ZOOTOPIA 5:00 PM ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 1:15 AM hereby change my name to Muslim Colony Banswara, FANAR-1 UNNATURAL 7:15 PM Karuna Vikas Kandragula. (C ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 12:30 PM ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 9:00 PM Rajasthan, hereby change my ZOOTOPIA 2:30 PM AVENUES-2 UNNATURAL 11:00 PM 5148) name to Rehana Zainuddin UNNATURAL 4:45 PM UNNATURAL 12:45 PM UNNATURAL 1:00 AM Katka. ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME 6:45 PM UNNATURAL 2:45 PM (C 5150) I, Shaikh Asma Mohammed 23-3-2016 Rauf, holder of Indian

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

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 23/3/2016 KAC 512 Mashhad 14:50 Arrival Flights on Wednesday 23/3/2016 KNE 481 Taif 14:50 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 788 Jeddah 14:50 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:55 MSC 415 Sohag 00:05 KNE 462 Madinah 14:55 AIC 988 Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KNE 472 Jeddah 15:05 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 KAC 791 Madinah 15:10 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:30 MSC 404 Asyut 00:55 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 THY 772 Istanbul 01:05 KAC 562 Amman 15:40 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:55 QTR 1079 Doha 15:10 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 DLH 635 Doha 01:35 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 MSC 416 Sohag 01:00 KAC 617 Doha 15:45 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:30 SVA 503 Madinah/Jeddah 15:45 ETH 3713 LGG 02:00 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:35 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 IRC 6521 Lamerd 16:20 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 KAC 539 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:50 KNE 463 Madinah 16:00 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:50 FDB 051 Dubai 16:30 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 16:05 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:40 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 JZR 554 Alexandria 16:10 FDB 067 Dubai 03:05 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 MSR 501 Cairo 16:20 RJA 644 Amman 03:05 KAC 542 Cairo 16:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 SYR 341 Damascus 17:00 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:15 OMA 646 Muscat 16:30 QTR 1076 Doha 03:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1077 Doha 05:00 KAC 563 Amman 16:45 CEB 7694 Manila 03:15 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 17:15 THY 765 Istanbul 05:15 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 CEB 7695 Manila 05:20 IRC 6512 ABD 17:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:30 CLX 784 Luxembourg 04:45 MSR 614 Cairo 17:50 JZR 560 Sohag 06:10 JZR 238 Amman 17:30 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 FDB 052 Dubai 17:35 KAC 502 Beirut 18:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 FDB 5061 Dubai 06:30 RJA 645 Amman 07:05 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 BAW 157 London 06:40 THY 771 Istanbul 07:05 FDB 063 Dubai 18:05 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:20 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:10 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 QTR 1086 Doha 07:40 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:30 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 SYR 342 Damascus 18:00 KAC 204 Lahore 07:40 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:40 KAC 545 Alexandria 07:40 CLX 785 Luxembourg 18:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 ABY 123 Sharjah 18:45 ETH 3713 LGG 08:30 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 OMA 641 Muscat 07:55 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:25 KAC 511 Mashhad 08:30 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 382 Delhi 08:00 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:30 QTR 1087 Doha 08:40 MSR 615 Cairo 18:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 BAW 156 London 08:45 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:10 ETD 919 MXP/Abu Dhabi 19:15 KAC 352 Kochi 08:30 KAC 618 Doha 19:35 OMA 642 Muscat 08:55 FDB 064 Dubai 19:20 KAC 344 Chennai 08:30 KAC 154 Istanbul 19:45 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 08:30 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 ABY 124 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 362 Colombo 08:50 KAC 117 New York 09:55 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 19:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:35 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:50 KAC 541 Cairo 09:55 KAC 792 Madinah 19:55 KAC 361 Colombo 20:45 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 561 Amman 10:00 KNE 480 Taif 20:10 QTR 1081 Doha 20:50 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:10 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:00 KAC 351 Kochi 20:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 671 Dubai 10:05 KAC 343 Chennai 21:00 QTR 1070 Doha 09:25 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:25 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:10 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 501 Beirut 10:30 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 175 Frankfurt/Geneva 10:30 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:55 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:40 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:55 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 IAW 157 Al Najaf 10:50 KAC 153 Istanbul 10:40 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 QTR 1088 Doha 21:00 UAE 873 Dubai 11:05 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 DLH 634 Doha 21:45 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:50 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:40 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 IRC 6511 ABD 11:35 IAW 158 Al Najaf 11:50 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:55 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:15 QTR 1089 Doha 22:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 SAW 701 Damascus 12:20 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 KAC 381 Delhi 22:00 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:00 JZR 502 Luxor 22:00 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 KAC 103 London 12:25 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:10 MSC 401 Alexandria 12:30 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KAC 540 Sharm el-Sheikh 22:20 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:10 JZR 561 Sohag 12:45 IRC 6522 Lamerd 12:35 KAC 564 Amman 22:25 KAC 203 Lahore 22:10 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:25 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 CLX 792 Luxembourg 13:15 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 KNE 460 Riyadh 13:50 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 ETD 920 Dubai 22:35 BBC 043 Dhaka 22:40 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 13:55 MSC 402 Alexandria 13:30 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 JZR 239 Amman 23:05 SAW 702 Damascus 13:35 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 23:00 FDB 057 Dubai 14:10 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 QTR 1083 Doha 23:05 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 JZR 555 Alexandria 23:25 ETH 3713 LGG 14:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:10 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:15 KAC 672 Dubai 14:45 THY 764 Istanbul 23:50 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 FDB 060 Dubai 23:35 KAC 546 Alexandria 14:50 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:55 CLX 792 Hanoi 14:30 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:40 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION p34_p34 stars 3/22/16 8:23 PM Page 1

stars34 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

CROSSWORD 1204 STAR TRACK

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

You often forget to toot your own horn. You like to be thorough in your job, You may well be reminded of your various responsibilities today. This is a always fine-tuning, polishing and maintaining your honest, rational and good time to get down to the nitty-gritty and take care of the business problems that had practical touch. Some situation may have you tossing around to decide on letting your previously been shoved aside. Obligations may come to your attention now. A meeting knowledge be known. Your inner voice will guide you-you will want to act soon. Many of with someone older or someone in authority may create some nervous moments but this your endeavors succeed, including this one. Have faith in yourself and devote yourself to will keep you on your toes, so to speak. You are at your most practical when it comes to the opportunity that promises the best chance for success. You will be pleasantly pleased dealing and working with others and you know just what to do. You have a lot of zest and at the career advancements this year-whether you remember to shout about it from the plenty of discipline to complete whatever project you begin now. A sense of ambition rooftops or not! No matter how trivial the conversation, being with others this evening is a and practicality takes hold now. A little overtime would not be unusual just now. This great way to show your love. evening is for relaxing-friends may have to wait.

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

You may have a mad desire to do nothing but communicate and exchange A great career trend throughout this year may be the knowledge you need ideas today. You could shoot the breeze with someone for hours, if given the opportunity. in order to make that push for a particular job that you have been wanting. There are There could be a temptation, however, to play devil’s advocate or analyze things to death. rewards for your efforts. You have a grasp for the necessary steps it takes to make things Just enjoy the exchanges and give the other guy a chance. Many stalled activities finally work and improve production, sales or business in some way. Others are interested in get back on track. Remember those plans and decisions you postponednow is the time to what you have to say as well as your response to their questions. Today, your sensitivity to begin implementing them. Pay attention to the little details-otherwise they will come the needs of others is so acute and your desire to help is so strong, that this should be one back to haunt you. Brainstorming with others will get your mind buzzing and your juices super day to work with people. If you are a salesperson, you should sell twice your quota! flowing. Tensions in the family can be put to good use if you look at the situation from a This afternoon a friend may encourage you to become involved in some sort of child pro- creative perspective. tective service. You have a sincere interest in helping children.

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

Courage and confidence reign. Others will follow your lead in any group Between the phone calls and chatty fellow employees, you wonder how effort. You keep a positive spin on everything you do. A smile attracts other smiles-frowns you will ever get to all the paperwork. Remember to take things one step at can close doors. Who could have guessed that last week’s frowning introvert would be a time and keep asking yourself if you want to stay after work to finish your allotment of metamorphosed into a winner of a conversationalist so quickly passion is high-perfect for work. Since the answers to life’s mysteries do not seem to be coming forth, you may wish ACROSS DOWN getting some exercise or chopping that cord of wood. Just make sure any new projects to seek help from disciplines that dig a little deeper into people and phenomena, such as 1. Of a light yellowish-brown color n 1. 1. A sock with a separation for the big toe. are short-term. Problems with relatives today can be ongoing unless you do something psychology, astrology, the occult, or perhaps zen or yoga. Try to keep an open mind, no 4. Someone who tries to bring peace. 2. On, to, or at the top. nice to calm the frustrations. You may be unable to get the support you require, so the matter what happens. If your mind becomes totally preoccupied with one particular 12. Apparent power to perceive things that 3. A desert in southern Israel. choice to lighten the problems will be on your shoulders. You will be able to handle this thought, try to shake it away by visiting with friends. Friends will appreciate your listening are not present to the senses. 4. The capital and largest city of Jordan. successfully after planning and thinking through things. ear and they will provide a great distraction. 15. Goddess of criminal rashness and its 5. The state prevailing during the absence punishment. of war. 16. The time for eating a meal. 6. A number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. A United States unit of weight equiva- 7. Any of various trees of the genus Ulmus. lent to 100 pounds. So, you just found out you cannot help or solve everyone’s problems. You 8. A member of an Indian people formerly Do not expect much leeway in assignments for now, excuses might not be 18. Wet spongy ground of decomposing living along the Gulf coast of Louisiana and may feel a little sad, but do not worry. Aren’t you glad you do not have everyone’s prob- lems put some effort into stress relief and make it a habit to continue along this path, accepted. Cooperation and compromise can bring you close to success. Self-assurance can vegetation. Texas. become rather low at times, so use your spare time to meditate and recuperate-perhaps a every day. You should be able to accomplish quite a lot just now. However, you must be 19. An insane person. 9. Ratio of the opposite side to the health drink and a fun magazine during your break. This afternoon a brainstorming ses- very cautious about giving quick responses, especially today. You could find that you are 20. Goddess of dawn. hypotenuse. sion may shed light on a hidden matter. Pay special attention to jointly held properties and 22. A medicinal drug used to evoke vomit- 10. The square of a body of any size of type. appreciated for your ability to act and get things done. Gathering and exchanging infor- accounts, which could hold a few surprises. Attention to diet and exercise seems only nat- ing (especially in cases of drug overdose or 11. Use again after processing. mation becomes a more important part of your life . . . A very educational experience. ural, but you probably will not neglect the inner self, either. Books about positive thinking Neighbors or siblings have a big impact on your goals and make a big impression. This is a and career advancement should be your first choice of serious reading material. You enjoy poisoning). 12. The persistence of a sound after its mentally and socially active growth period. 24. A spitz-type dog having a shaggy gray- source has stopped. solving problems-a positive day. ish coat and tightly curled tail originating in 13. Stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with Holland. very long neck and usually white plumage 26. Painted beauty and red admiral. as adult v 1. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 29. Towards the side away from the wind. 14. An anxiety disorder associated with 30. A Russian river. serious traumatic events and characterized A friend can influence your move up the ladder at work today. Changing by such symptoms as guilt about surviving chaos into order may be the ticket for successful workdays. If you have your resume updat- It may be time to hire more people in the workplace, especially if the high- 32. Strike with disgust or revulsion. er-ups look to only a few employees to carry a heavy load. Be accommodating, up to a or reliving the trauma in dreams or numb- ed you might find an area in your profession that you would have new job opportunities. point! Someone could demand a bit too much from you. Don’t give in to any martyr role. 34. Type genus of the Amiidae. ness and lack of involvement with reality or This could be within your own workplace. This should be one of those days when you just 38. The acetylated derivative of salicylic Bear in mind, any intense feelings today are just short range, although they could symbol- recurrent thoughts and images. feel good. You feel good about your friends and your love relationship or if there is none, ize some significant emotion in the long haul. Beware of any obsessive ideas plugging up acid. 21. (physics) A deformation of an object in you may feel good about finding one. The only things you do not feel good about are 41. Any of numerous local fertility and your mind, particularly in relationship with loved ones. Remember, there is only one thing which parallel planes remain parallel but work and self-discipline-so watch the finances! You may as well go on feeling good about you can change and that is some part of yourself. If you have questions that are emotional, nature deities worshipped by ancient are shifted in a direction parallel to them- everything else! Your popularity is growing. The most unusual people are attracted to you. it may be good to ask a disinterested party for his or her impression. A hunch about a fami- Semitic peoples. selves. Show the world you have character and good taste. ly member turns out to be true-the outcome is positive. 42. A training program to prepare college 23. A military trainee (as at a military acade- students to be commissioned officers. my). 43. Fill with high spirits. 25. An extension at the end and at right Virgo (August 23-September 22) 44. A colorless and odorless inert gas. angles to the main building. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 45. The blood group whose red cells carry 27. A region of Malaysia in northeastern Today your sensitivity to others and your desire to help are strong. This both the A and B antigens. Borneo. Changes are in the air and you are prepared to make them. This is one of should be a great day to work in a service-oriented position. Everything points to you tak- your better days for money. Circumstances may seem to conspire to irritate 46. The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet. 28. A cut of pork ribs with much of the ing the initiative. You could feel great support from those around you for any decisions or meat trimmed off. you or cause you to become emotional but you are good at thinking first before speaking. 47. The residue that remains when some- actions you feel are important. Communicating and getting your message across to oth- You are particularly clear in thinking and speech and the difficult person may regret hav- 31. Strong lightweight wood of the balsa ers are at a high. Your timing should be perfect and those around you should find you thing is burned. tree used especially for floats. ing approached you with a negative subject. You may even have an opportunity to teach 48. A wad of something chewable as tobac- most talkative. In order to make your cash work for you, perhaps this would be a good others how to reverse a difficult situation. It is all about truth and respect. Health and work 33. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike time to gain some information for study and planning. Advice is important but your study co. part of an organism. goals are important to you and this afternoon is a most positive time to make any changes 50. Essential oil or perfume obtained from and planning will make the difference. When you have a purpose or goal to fulfill, you in your diet routine or choice of foods. Lots of comfortable feelings are present with loved 35. A muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a begin living life with gusto. Name your profession. ones tonight. There may be a fun game challenge this evening. flowers. short barrel that fires shells at high eleva- 52. An epigrammatic Japanese verse form tions for a short range. of three short lines. 36. A Greek island west of Greece. 55. An inclined surface or roadway that 37. Absence of the pupil in an eye. Word Search Yesterday Solution moves traffic from one level to another. 39. A member of an extinct North American 57. The lean flesh of a fish similar to cod. Indian people who lived in the Pit river val- 58. Enter drop by drop, as of medication ley in northern California. into an eye. 40. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic ele- 60. Small genus of dioecious tropical aquat- ment that resembles manganese chemical- ic plants. ly and is used in some alloys. 62. Turn pale, as if in fear. 49. A raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip). 64. An ugly evil-looking old woman. 51. The subject matter of a conversation or 66. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. discussion. 67. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to 53. The basic unit of money in Papua New but heavier than beer. Guinea. 68. Sour-tasting liquid produced usually by 54. Release from a clasp. oxidation of the alcohol in wine or cider 56. A tricycle (usually propelled by ped- and used as a condiment or food preserva- alling). tive. 59. A member of the Himalayan people liv- 72. The basic unit of electric current adopt- ing in Nepal and Tibet who are famous for ed under the System International d'Unites. their skill as mountaineers. 74. A deceptive maneuver (especially to 61. God of wisdom or prophesy. avoid capture). 63. (folklore) A corpse that rises at night to 78. A loose sleeveless outer garment made drink the blood of the living. from aba cloth. 65. Being eight more than fifty. 79. Support resembling the rib of an ani- 69. Cassava with long tuberous edible roots and soft brittle stems. mal. 70. In bed. 80. Tropical trees having one-seeded fruit. 71. Avatar of Vishnu. 81. A recurring sleep state during which 73. A solution containing a phosphate dreaming occurs. buffer. 82. Any of several small ungulate mammals 75. A prominent rock or pile of rocks on a of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors hill. and feet with hooflike toes. 76. A hotel providing overnight lodging for 83. A river in northeastern Brazil that flows travelers. generally northward to the Atlantic Ocean. 77. A federal agency established to regulate 84. An agency of the United Nations affiliat- the release of new foods and health-related ed with the World Bank. products. Yesterday’s Solution

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Afghanistan 0093 Lithuania 00370 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Luxembourg 00352 Algeria 00213 Macau 00853 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Macedonia 00389 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Madagascar 00261 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Majorca 0034 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malawi 00265 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Malaysia 0060 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Maldives 00960 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Mali 00223 Austria 0043 Malta 00356 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Azerbaijan 00994 Marshall Islands 00692 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bahrain 00973 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Adaliya 22517144 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Kaifan 24849807 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Shuwaikh 24814507 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Nuzha 22526804 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Qadsiya 22515088 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Dasmah 22532265 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Shaab 22518752 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Sharq 22465401 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Jabriya 25316254 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Bayan 25388462 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Mishref 25381200 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Sabah 24810221 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 New Jahra 24575755 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 South Jahra 24775066 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 North Jleeb 24311795 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Fintas 23900322 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Paediatricians Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Hungary 0036 Togo 00228 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Rheumatologists: Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Jamaica 001876 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Head, Division of Cardiology Internists, Chest & Heart Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lesotho 00266 lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Gossip Musk’s wife files to divorce billionaire

illionaire Elon Musk and actress Talulah cites irreconcilable differences and makes no 18 months later. Riley sat in the front row at Riley are making another attempt to end mention of a prenuptial agreement. She is seek- September’s unveiling of the Tesla’s Model X Btheir second marriage. Riley filed to ing spousal support from Musk. Musk co-found- sport utility vehicle. Musk is scheduled to unveil divorce Musk on Monday in Los Angeles ed Paypal and has gone on to help start the the newest version of Tesla’s electric car, the low- Superior Court. Musk filed for divorce on New electric car company Tesla Motors and the pri- er-cost Model 3, at an event later this month. Year’s Eve in 2014 but withdrew the petition sev- vate space firm SpaceX. He is also a champion of Musk and Riley do not have any children togeth- en months later. The divorce is amicable, and the building a hyperloop that would transport peo- er, although he has five sons from a previous pair agreed that Riley would file the petition to ple and cargo at the speed of sound. Riley marriage. end their latest marriage after roughly 21/2 appeared in “Pride & Prejudice” and “Inception” years. According to the statement, the Musk and and wrote and directed her first feature film, Riley have been living separately for the past six “Scottish Mussel,” in 2014. The pair first married months and plan to remain friends. Riley’s filing in 2010 and divorced in 2012. They re-married

Ratajkowski is new Kim to appear on Jacquie Aiche’s face of new game show spring collection im Kardashian West is to show and I need some of my biggest appear on new game show ‘Big fans to play with! Go to bigfan.cast- KFan’. The 35-year-old star will ingcrane.com to apply (sic)” ‘Big Fan be the focus of a forthcoming is based on the ‘Who Knows’ segment episode of the ABC series, which will of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and the chat see three of the ‘Keeping Up with the show host will lead the production Kardashians’ star’s biggest fans go up with Andy Richter set to present. against each other in a test to see Applications for contestants will close who knows more about her life and on April 1, and applicants must the winner will get the chance to explain why Kim, or another celebrity, have a unique experience with their is their ultimate idol, when they first idol. Kim - who is married to Kanye became a fan, what memorabilia they West - took to her Twitter account to own of the star and answer other announce the news to her 42.1 mil- questions. lion followers and urge them to apply to be on the show. She tweeted: “I am going to be on a new ABC game

mily Ratajkowski is the new face of amulets. Speaking about the Los Angeles- Jacquie Aiche’s Spring 2016 collec- based designer and their collaboration, Etion. The 24-year-old model-and- Emily said: “I love how each piece from JA is Bieber actress - who made her breakthrough star- a little treasure and can be worn as such, or thanks ring in Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams’ that you can pile on more and more. There controversial ‘Blurred Lines’ music video - is so much room for personal style in has partnered with the brand for their lat- Jacquie’s jewelry.” In one promo shot, Emily West for gig est fine jewellery campaign, which sees the has shared on her Instagram account, the ‘Gone Girl’ actress expose her toned frame ‘Gone Girl’ star sports tussled hair, a variety ustin Bieber has thanked his “inspiration” Kanye West and tease a glimpse of her breasts in a vari- of rings and a choker necklace as she is for attending his show last night. The ‘Sorry’ hitmaker ety of shots showcasing the ethereal acces- dressed in white underwear and a woolen Jwas delighted to see the US rapper and his wife Kim sories. Jacquie’s high-end designs have a cardigan. Kardashian West enjoy a date night at Los Angeles’ Staples Native American influence and feature Center to take in part of his ‘Purpose World Tour’, and turquoise relics and precious gemstones admitted he put on a big performance for the 38-year-old combined with hammered gold and star. He tweeted: “Shout out to one of my inspirations @kanyewest for coming to the show tonight. Had to go big. #PurposeTourLosAngeles night 2 (sic)” Kanye - who recently admitted Justin’s hit ‘What Do You Mean’ was his favourite song of 2015 - took his wife Kim along to the gig and appeared to enjoy himself as the reality TV star posted a video of her significant other dancing along to his tunes on her Snapchat account. She also shared a selfie of the pair looking every inch a loved up couple at the show. Justin’s thanks to Kanye comes just a few days after he mocked the rapper following his Staples Center gig on Sunday. The pop star grabbed the microphone at the 1 OAK nightclub in LA after another of his successful shows, but before giving the crowd some advice he joked: “I’m not gonna give like a 30-minute speech. I’m not Kanye West. I love Kanye. I only got a little bit to give though.” He then said: “All I’m gonna say is let’s have a good night, let’s enjoy ourselves. Let’s be ourselves. I think the thing the world struggles with most is just being ourselves. I think people MJ’s kids at risk of hate on people that just are themselves. losing their millions Goulding wants to he late singer’s kids, Prince, 19, Paris, amount they owe.” It was recently revealed 17, and Blanket, 14, were due to the King of Pop’s children are missing Tinherit their windfall when they turn something else from their inheritance as 30 but tax authorities are said to be seek- his treasured ‘Gone With the Wind’ Oscar get back with Poynter ing £555 million from the ‘Thriller’ hitmak- has disappeared. The ‘Bad’ singer bought er’s estate. And Michael - who died of acute the 1940 Best Picture statuette for $1.54 Propofol intoxication in June 2009 - is million - considerably more than its llie Goulding’s relationship with nana was, like, really sad.” While the blonde believed to have died with over £300 mil- $300,000 worth - at an auction in 1999, but Dougie Poynter is an “unfinished sto- beauty is planning a break from music lion in other debts. A source told The Sun executors of his estate are now unable to Ery”. The ‘Burn’ hitmaker recently split when her current tour ends later this year, newspaper: “On paper the kids are billion- find the trophy. Lawyer Howard Weitzman from the McFly bassist after two years of she will still keep busy writing songs, aires thanks to these massive sums. But the said: “The estate does not know where the dating but she is hoping they can get back though she doesn’t know yet whether truth is those sums will barely be in their ‘Gone With the Wind’ statuette is. “We together in the future because they have a she’ll be writing about her heartbreak. She accounts for any time as they have this would like to have that Oscar because it “special” connection. Asked if they can said: “Everyone knows I write about things huge tax bill to settle. “The IRS (Internal belongs to Michael’s children. I’m hopeful it work things out, she said: “Maybe. I hope that have happened in my life, but it’s too Revenue Service) had been public about will turn up at some point.” It is unclear so. We have something I know is special early to say. “It’s very new and very differ- their demand asking for as much as £555 whether the ‘Billie Jean’ hitmaker kept the and I think other people see it - my friends ent and I think people forget me breaking million, with more charges coming for late Oscar - which was awarded to legendary see it, my family see it... “But I think some up with someone is no different to them payments.” The tax figure has just increased producer David O. Selznick - at his things are just kind of unfinished, an unfin- breaking up with someone - it’s not good. by around £70 million after Michael’s state Neverland estate in California, the Los ished story. I hope so - he’s a real gem and “But if I do write about him, it will probably in Sony/ATVMusic Publishing was recently Angeles home he shared with his children he’s doing so well and he’s keeping busy, as be nice stuff.” sold for £526 million. The source added: when he died, or even at a storage facility. am I. “I hope so, he’s a great guy.” And it “The estate has challenged that enormous wasn’t just Ellie, 29, who was upset by the figure, but the Sony deal simply ups the break-up. She told heat magazine: “My Perry is calling Bloom her boyfriend

rlando Bloom is “officially” Katy Perry’s sun set during their holiday at the San Ysidro Orlando figured he should officially give Katy a boyfriend. The ‘E.T’ hitmaker - who was Ranch in Santa Barbara, California, on Sunday key to his apartment so she can come over Ofirst romantically linked with the ‘Lord of (20.03.16). Speaking exclusively to E! News a whenever. “She was thrilled and offered him one The Rings’ star during this year’s Golden Globes - source said: “They looked very loved up and to her place on the other side of LA too. “They has reportedly confided in pals that she and the were paying more attention to each other than spend most nights at his place and practically British actor are in a relationship following a the view.” The official title to their relationship live together but the holiday cemented things string of dates. A source close to the source said: comes as no surprise following recent news that between them. Now she’s happier than ever.” “They seem to be getting serious and are an offi- Katy, 31, and 39-year-old Orlando - who has five- cial couple. She calls him her boyfriend. “Katy year-old son Flynn with ex-wife Miranda Kerr - likes how down to earth Orlando is.” The couple have keys to one another’s homes. A source were spotted kissing and cosying up whilst the said: “They’ve barely been apart for weeks, so lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Features

Baker Martha Rabello works on making coffee cookies in the kitchen of Fanwood Presbyterian Church in Fanwood, NJ. — AP photos Effort to legalize home-baked goods stuck on cutting board

race DeStefano has been fighting for the past seven Vitale said that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. He said help people get started out without having to either spend years for her right to sell a homemade cake. that it’s admirable that the home bakers want to “make $15,000 or more to build a commercial kitchen or find a GDeStefano is among a group of home bakers who some extra money and do the right thing, it’s just there are rental space, which she said costs about $20 per hour. have been battling since 2009 for New Jersey to catch up to public safety and public health concerns.” “That’s a big investment; you don’t have that leeway to almost every other state in having a cottage food law that He also said it would be unfair to small mom-and-pop try things,” Rabello said. “This is a business that has a high would allow for them to join in a tradition that supporters bake shops that now have to pay rent, insurance and failure rate. If you invest all that money and what you decid- say is as American as the apple pie they’re not legally employees. “They’re concerned at some level of being ed (to make) doesn’t sell, you lose a lot more that if you had allowed to sell. undermined by these home-baked products,” Vitale said. “If the ability to start at home.” The Institute for Justice filed a New Jersey and Wisconsin are the only two states that the cap is $50,000, that’s potentially $50,000 or some por- lawsuit against Wisconsin’s rules in January and successfully effectively ban the sale of home-baked goods. Opponents tion that’s out of the bottom line of a small baker.” fought restrictive cottage food laws in Minnesota. It recently cite public health concerns and unfair competition against Republican Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman, who intro- has begun talking with the New Jersey group. established businesses. “A lot of people that I talk to want a duced the measure, said that the businesses are working on “All these home bakers want to be able to do is sell their small business and don’t want to have to go and buy a such a small level and would be restricted in what they goods at community events, farmers markets and directly to storefront and get a factory,” said DeStefano, 46, of could sell - nothing that needs to be refrigerated, for consumers,” said Erica Smith, an attorney with the institute. Bedminster Township. “We just want something where we instance - that he doesn’t see them as competition. “New “This is something that people have been doing in this can put our foot in the door, do something on the side to Jersey is expensive enough. To give people an opportunity country for hundreds of years. It’s just an American tradition make some extra income. We don’t see it as direct competi- to supplement their income or pay their taxes, why not do to sell to your neighbors.”— AP tion.” it?” Bateman said. “I’m sure it’s being done. Why not legalize The measure has passed in New Jersey’s lower house it?” twice, but Senate health and human services Chairman Sen. Martha Rabello, 36, of Cranford, rents out space at com- Baker Martha Rabello poses with coffee cookies she Joe Vitale has refused to bring up the measure for a vote. mercial kitchens. She said that a cottage food law would baked. ‘Spring cleaning’ is a chance to update decor; some trends or some people, spring cleaning entails not much more than changing window coverings to white. brushed copper, soft rose-gold accents, and painted metallics on a good shake of the carpets. For others, it’s an excuse to throw pillows and wall art. Fupdate room decor. Here’s a sampling of this season’s new On the surface palettes, patterns and styles: Surfaces are the focus in distressed rugs, textured throw pil- Mod and modern lows, and relief-patterned and pin-tucked textiles and wall cover- On the heels of the midcentury revival, some retailers are Colors ings. Printed, dyed velvets with flora or fauna-inspired patterns are banking on the 1980s Italian postmodernist style known as Neither boring nor drab, new neutrals are about bringing luxe and painterly; Kevin O’Brien and Beacon Hill have collections. Memphis to be the next big thing. Characterized by bold geomet- home a sense of calm and comfort. Some pastels are chalkier, like Some furniture designs play with layers and lines. West Elm has a ric designs and often clashing colors, it’s not for the faint of heart. sorbet that’s been given a whisk of cream. Then there are the mirror named Tree Ring that fuses mirrored glass with a slice of Musician Lenny Kravitz has collaborated with CB2 on a furniture organic hues of earth, sky and water. We see neutrals most often Vietnamese hardwood. An Indian pouf at the retailer is crafted collection inspired by ‘70s-era New York club culture and the in minimalist decor, like an unglazed, branch-shaped pitcher at from chunks of jute and cotton like a 3-D rag rug. California music scene. A white lacquered media cabinet with CB2 the color of a stormy sea, or Ikea’s trim Mostorp media unit in Cork has popped up in lots of new decor. Accessories in partic- brushed steel doors and a round, walnut-topped, white coffee a soft, rosy hue. Even Le Creuset is offering its signature cast iron- ular lend themselves to the sustainable material’s pleasant feel, table with concealed storage are standout pieces. ware in pale pink and lemon. but it’s in furniture now, too. Ikea’s new Sinnerlig collection from Neon-hued acrylic fits the era’s vibe; Land of Nod has flamingo Los Angeles designer Joy Cho’s new collection at Target is filled London designer Ilse Crawford includes stools and benches with and palm-tree nightlights, while Los Angeles designer Alexandra with fun, frothy pieces like an acrylic side table covered in polka cork seats, as well as coffee and dining tables. Cork lampshades at von Furstenberg displayed a suite of sleek, neon acrylic serveware dots, animal figurines in little party hats, and printed throw pillows AllModern and Luxe Decor throw a warm light. And check out at the recent NY Now show. Crate & Barrel has launched ART- and wall art saying, “You’re okay.” Warm neutrals - peach, blush, 1stDibs, Chairish and eBay for ‘70s-era vintage cork table lamps. WORKS, a limited-edition collection of Modernist canvas prints. putty, mint and charcoal - contribute to the airy, feel-good vibe. Metallics aren’t going away, says Chicago interior designer West Elm has partnered with Roar + Rabbit design studio on a Mikel Welch. But warmer versions are overtaking the chillier Bo home collection that includes a sexy, midcentury-modern swivel chromes and silvers. “This spring, we’ll begin to see a twist added,” Free-spirited, colorful and often pattern-happy, bohemian chair dressed in shades called lichen, nickel or dusky blush velvet. he says. “From warm, rich, metallic upholstery and galvanized style is easy to embrace. Its influences are global: India, Africa, The energy shifts with several bold hues that ride the current retro wallpaper to shimmering coffee tables, luxurious metallic finishes Latin America. But the eclecticism often comes from a mashup of In this photo provided by Beacon Hill, the company’s new wave. Turquoise, acid yellow, emerald, pink and red are showing in pewter, gold and bronze will command attention.” Look for decorative styles and layered elements. At NY Now, New York Abstract Velvets collection plays with animal prints and up, mostly in accessories and textiles. designer John Robshaw showed a collection of softly hued wood- floral motifs, in rich jeweled hues. — AP photos Kirstin Hoffman, merchandising director for online decor retail- block-printed textiles inspired by the gardens, crafts and clothing er Dot & Bo, says hot pinks are trending: “Whether they’re incorpo- seen on his travels in Northern India. Hudson & Vine stocks a rated in an accent chair or a planter, the look instantly adds energy whimsical collection of animals crafted from reclaimed oil drums. to a room.” A range of new baking items and dish towels at Crate & Urban Outfitters has African mudcloth-printed bedding from Barrel come in a yellow as cheery as a sunny-side-up egg. Deny Designs; medallion-printed tapestries, rugs and pillow cov- And you’ll be seeing lots of lush, green, tropical motifs for ers; and a selection of eclectic headboards made from macrame, spring and summer. Beautiful blues - sapphire, navy and a variety reclaimed wood, rattan and iron. Homegoods has some carved of turquoises, teals and pale blues - are strong players on the and painted African objets d’art, trays and vases as well as kuba spring palette. Wisteria has a settee in a rich jewel tone, while cloth poufs. Ikea’s got new loveseat covers in deep and delicate blues. Boston One of Hoffman’s favorite trends this spring is a combination Interiors’ Conrad chair is upholstered in a watercolor-blue abstract, of boho and minimalism. Designs are pared down to core ele- while Farrow & Ball has added some lush hues, including Vardo, a ments - color, pattern and texture. She suggests getting this eclec- teal, and Inchyra Blue, a dramatic blue-gray. tic style by using neutrals and accenting furniture with hints of White - which Benjamin Moore named color of the year - is deep indigo. — AP also trending. The timing’s perfect, says Kimberly Winthrop of Laurel & Wolf: “Bright white is spring cleaning in its truest sense. In this photo provided by Boston Interiors, a comfortable There’ll be a lot of focus this year on incorporating whites with chair upholstered in an Impressionist watercolor blue natural elements and textures into one’s space.” Consider painting This image provided by courtesy of Target, shows the Oh print hits all the style points for spring 2016. an existing piece of furniture, bringing in side tables or lighting, or Joy acrylic table. Looted artefacts stashed by British art thief restored to Italy

talian and Swiss police have recovered priceless archaeo- extraordinary quality” were returned to Rome in January, said Calabria in the 1970s and 80s,” said prosecutor Giancarlo Germany and other countries under false papers. “This is one logical artefacts stolen from Italy and stored by a notorious Italy’s Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, as they were Capaldo, adding that the loot had been smuggled into the of the most important recoveries of the last few decades,” IBritish antiquities dealer, the culture ministry said yester- unveiled to the press for the first time. Freeport decades ago, where it lay hidden. Franceschini said, adding that the antiquities would be day. The haul, worth nine million euros ($10 million), was dis- The booty included Etruscan painted sarcophaguses repre- Italian sleuths tracked the artefacts after seizing incriminat- restored and returned to the regions across southern Italy covered in 2014 in a storage unit at the Geneva Freeport rent- senting human figures, a Roman sarcophagus, marble statues ing papers from an art smuggler, and they were discovered from which they were stolen. — AFP ed by Britain’s disgraced Robin Symes, a giant in the illegal of animals and pieces of the floor and walls of a temple, all during a joint sting with Swiss police on Symes’s storage unit. antiquities trade with ties to Italian tomb raiders. “Forty-five dating to between the 7th century BC and 2nd century AD. Capaldo said the plot had been to restore the statues, tiles crates containing tens of thousands of archaeological relics of “They were stolen from digs in Sicily, Puglia, Campania and and sarcophaguses and sell them on to clients in Japan,

A carabiniere stands next to recovered archaeological artifacts in Rome, yesterday. — AFP photos lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Features

This undated image provided by Loews Hotels shows This undated image provided by Loews Hotels shows a This undated photo provided by Baccarat Hotel & This undated photo provided by Baccarat Hotel & the Pop Art Suite at Loews Regency New York in guest room at Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami Residences New York shows the grand salon at the Residences New York shows the Harcourt Wall at the Manhattan. — AP photos Beach, Fla. Baccarat Hotel & Residences in New York. Baccarat Hotel & Residences in New York. What hotels can teach us about home design ou know that feeling you get when you walk into a hotel room and you just want to fall on that big white bed- Yspread with the fluffy pillows? Here are some tips from three hotel brands - Renaissance, Baccarat and Loews - on how to create that same serene and inviting atmosphere at home. Marriott opens the Renaissance NY Midtown hotel this spring in Manhattan. Its design concept involves creating moments of “surprise and delight” in public spaces like the lobby and din- ing areas, as well as in guest rooms. For example, open a closet door and inside you’ll find bold graphics livening up a space that’s usually unadorned. Toni Stoeckl, vice president of Marriott’s Lifestyle Brands, offers these tips for a similar approach in home design: 1. Target all the senses, including “what you see, the music, the fragrance,” said Stoeckl. 2. Pepper the environment with “moments to love,” he said. But remember: “Less is more: If you have too much art, you can’t pay attention to any one piece.” Good interior design A close-up view of red buttons used to make an abstract An abstract work of art comprised entirely of red but- is “more about uncovering beauty and decluttering space.” work of art that hangs in a lobby area of the Renaissance tons hanging in a lobby area of the Renaissance Hotel 3. Keep design elements “real and authentic. No fake flowers, Hotel in Manhattan. in Manhattan. no fake candles.” 4. Change artwork periodically. “Have a few pieces of art that and artwork made from Baccarat crystal are hallmarks of the long filament, perfectly done,” Hyers said. you rotate,” said Stoeckl. Consider using the seasons as a hotel decor, but so is lighting. “The idea of illumination is one scheduling guide for when to change displays. of the central reasons why we created the hotel,” said Kemper Clean and cozy 5. Showcase objects and art that have layers of interest or Hyers, head of design for Starwood Capital Group, which creat- Loews Hotels launched a “Loews Knows” campaign in meaningful stories. For example, a large, bright red work of ed the hotel. December offering short videos at with “hints and hacks” from abstract art near the hotel’s front desk is comprised entire- Yet lighting is sometimes overlooked in home design. housekeeping managers and other staff. Topics range from ly of buttons, but you can’t see the buttons until you get Lighting your home isn’t just about finding the perfect lamp, cleaning to entertaining to creating the right ambience. close. The button art was inspired by the hotel’s neighbor- Hyers said. It’s also about “painting with light. How do I bring hood: It’s in Manhattan’s Garment District, and many of its this room to light?” Some tips design elements are connected to the apparel and fashion For “insanely fluffy bed pillows,” toss pillows in a dryer with a industries, from little ceramic sewing machine decorations Some tips tennis ball. in guest rooms, to quotes from famous designers placed 1. Experiment with tape embedded with LED lights. It’s inex- 1. To dust “like a pro,” use a microfiber cloth (avoid terrycloth). on coffee tables in the club lounge. Another large artwork pensive, easy to apply and remove, and widely available. Spritz cleaning solution on the cloth (not on the surface Photo shows a table in a public area at the Renaissance displaying a quote from Diane von Furstenberg - “Attitude The tape is not only handy for illuminating a shelf or dark you’re dusting) and wipe in a circular motion from high to Hotel in Manhattan. is everything”- is made from tiny pushpins. “We want you corner, but it can also light a wall behind a piece of furni- low. shades and leave one light on by the bed. to look at the space, but there is another layer, and we ture or spotlight a work of art. 2. To create a cozy ambience for a relaxing bath, light a candle, 4. To remove crayon from walls, spray WD-40 and scrub vig- want you to look again,” said Stoeckl. 2. When you buy LED bulbs, “don’t go any cooler than 2700 add essential oils and Epsom salts to the water, and pro- orously with a rag or paper towel. To remove coffee stains warm white,” said Hyers, referring to the numerical scale vide accessories, both functional and decorative: sponges, from fabric, blot with light beer, club soda, white vinegar Painting with light used to measure bulb color. The higher the number, the stones, body wash and handmade soap. Place a drink and or baby wipes, then scrub with a toothbrush. To remove a Baccarat is not just a famous brand of French crystal. There’s whiter and cooler the light. book tubside, with a fluffy robe and slippers. red wine stain, soak a cloth in white wine and blot gently. also the Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, across from the 3. Bulb design improves every few months, so look for the 3. To make a guest room welcoming, fold down covers, stand A second round of “Loews Knows” tips is expected this Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. Chandeliers, glassware latest options and “play with a mix of bulbs.” You can even pillows up, put a bottle of water on one side and a glass of spring. — AP buy LED bulbs shaped like classic “Edison bulbs with the milk with cookies and sliced fruit on the other, close the

These photos provided by PPG show PPG Paintsí 2016 color of the year, Paradise Found. Green is a trending color this spring as people respond to wellness trends and the need for calmness in a hectic world. Right at home: Green’s a go for spring decor

hen we start thinking “spring,” one color comes to The company has chosen Paradise Found as their 2016 col- universally pleasant and least risky,” she says. “Particularly teals mind. Tender pea shoots, that soft fuzziness on bud- or of the year. It’s a soothing gray-green with a hint of blue. and deep turquoise.” West Elm has a little midcentury-style Wding trees, a new lawn - there’s a palette of greens Greens like this play well with others. Combining gray-green desk and wooden counter stools in a gentle blue-green that herald nature’s shift to the warm seasons. And there are with matte black modernizes a traditional space. Paired with they’re calling “oregano.” many fresh ways to bring green indoors with paint and fur- white, the color becomes more mineral and organic. Farrow & CB2 has a sleek, low-profile dresser done in high-gloss nishings. “Green is Mother Nature’s favorite color. It’s so abun- Ball has a new, leafy, verdant hue with historic provenance to mint lacquer. They also have a mint, powder-coated steel fil- dant in the world around us that we’re accustomed to seeing help commemorate the paint maker’s 70th anniversary. ing cabinet, and an array of minty trays, vases and napery. it as a background color,” says Lee Eiseman, head of the Saturated shades like chartreuse, citron and lime give a “pop” Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training near Least risky to walls and home accessories. At All Modern, find bold, Seattle. “Yeabridge Green was originally found in an 18th century zigzag-printed throws and slipper chairs from Amity Home, She also points out the “good-for-you” connotations of Georgian farmhouse in the (United Kingdom) county of Deny Designs and Handy Living. Kitchenaid’s mixers and green - eating fruits and vegetables, juicing and so on - and Somerset,” creative director Charlie Cosby recalls. During ren- tools come in a fresh apple green. Looking for other colors the generally calming nature of the hue. “We’re looking for ovation, an original gun cupboard was removed, revealing with which to pair green? “Reach across the color wheel and that restful shade to bring the outside in, and provide balance the paint color. Rich and earthy, it’s a green in the family of choose the complementary colors,” Eiseman says. “It’s the rose in our lives,” she says. Dee Schlotter, the spokesperson for PPG avocado, olive and evergreen. Crate & Barrel’s Marin collection tones, wines and warm purples that are very effective with Brands, design and color marketers and makers of PPG Paints, of artisan-made stoneware comes in a relaxed yet sophisticat- shades of green.”-AP says, “Green is restorative, rejuvenating and fresh. Being in ed lemongrass shade. There’s a soft wool rug named Baxter in nature brings an ease or a relaxation that’s almost immediate. the hue as well. If you’re trying green for the first time, Recreating that feeling in the home is very popular right now.” Eiseman advises looking at the blue-greens. “They’re the most lifestyle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Features

A screenshot shows digital graffitis made by visitors at the Giotto’s bell tower of Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral and archived on the website ‘Autography’. Itching to graffiti? Do it digitally on Florence treasures

he days of scribbling “I woz here” on Florence’s historic monuments are gone: from now on Twould-be vandals will be able to graffiti via app instead, with their messages kept for posterity. “Welcome to Giotto’s Campanile!” reads a message on a digital tablet for visitors scaling the Gothic white, green and pink marble tower by the famed Italian A picture shows the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral in Florence. — AFP photos architect, which stands at one corner of the Cathedral in the Tuscan city. “We have been protecting master- pieces for centuries: starting from today we are going to remove graffiti from the Campanile’s walls. But if you-virtually-leave us a message, we will preserve it: just like a masterpiece,” it says. The walls of the 14th-century bell tower, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have been defiled down the ages by millions of messages left by people climbing the 400 steps to enjoy spectacular views of red-tiled rooftops. “Three months ago, when Alice Filipponi, from the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, writes a digital graffiti reading “Do not we began cleaning the walls, which had never been write on walls” on a tablet screen. done before, we asked ourselves how we could avoid launched last week, is “a first”, she told AFP, saying she visitors about vandalism, but also give them the all the work going to waste in a short time,” said Alice hoped to sell it to other sites plagued by heritage chance to leave behind a record, an everlasting sign of Filipponi, social media manager for Opera di Santa hoodlums. Three digital tablets have been installed on their passing through, without damaging the monu- Maria del Fiore, a not-for-profit organization tasked the 1st, 3rd and 4th floors of the tower and the mes- ment,” the Opera said in a statement. with preserving many of Florence’s monuments. sages are stored online . Over 700 personalized From smiley faces to hearts and doodled names, Architect Beatrice Agostini, who heads up the scrawls were collected in the first week. Just like on graffiti is the bane of restorers’ lives and is laborious to organization’s restoration arm, said the bell tower “was the tower’s walls, where statues of kings and sibyls remove. While the cleaning job on the tower’s walls in an incredibly degraded and dirty condition”, with all once stood, the messages range from declarations of has managed to wipe off most of the pen or paint elements-marble, stone, wood and brick-damaged by adoration, despair over unrequited love and appeals scribbles, words etched into the stone are still visible graffiti. Filipponi said she had “an idea for an app for peace, to the simple “Pietro was here”. despite all efforts. Undeterred, conservators will turn which would allow the visitor to choose the surface They will be printed out each year and filed away their scrubbing brushes next year to the Cathedral’s (marble or wood for example), the colour and the in the Cathedral’s archives, alongside historic docu- dome-the largest such structure in brick ever con- instrument they want to use (felt pen, paintbrush, ments such as the deed appointing Renaissance structed-and install tablets with the Autography app aerosol) to leave a virtual message or drawing”. designer Brunelleschi to build the Duomo’s dome, and there as well. — AFP the birth certificate of Lisa Gherardini, widely consid- ‘Pietro was here’ ered to have been the model for Leonardo da Vinci’s A picture shows the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. The application, which is named “Autography” and Mona Lisa. “The idea was to raise awareness among Florence toasts Guggenheim eye for 20th century masterpieces rom Kandinsky to Pollock, the extraordinary able to offer a rare opportunity to view some semi- In 1943 she gave him a contract that enabled impact collectors Peggy and Solomon nal works of pre-WWII modern art, including pieces him to give up his work as a maintenance man and FGuggenheim had on 20th century art is cele- by Max Ernst, Man Ray and Pablo Picasso, along- devote himself full-time to his art. The exhibition brated by an exhibition of over 100 masterpieces side illustrations of the divergent post-war trends opens with works by Kandinsky, Duchamp and that opens in Florence on Saturday. Subtitled “The on either side of the Atlantic. Ernst and then goes on to explore postwar devel- Art of the Guggenheim Collections”, the exhibition, It also tells the story of Peggy Guggenheim’s opments on both sides of the Atlantic, contrasting which will run in the Tuscan city’s Palazzo Strozzi arrival in Europe in 1921, her return to the United the work of Europe’s Informalist school including Visitors look at the painting ‘Dominant curve’ by Russian painter Vassily Kandinsky. until July 24, explores how bohemian socialite States during World War II and her decision to final- Alberto Burri and Lucio Fontana with the abstract Peggy, her uncle Solomon and the celebrated New ly base herself and her collection in Venice from expressionism of Pollock and Rothko and the later York museum he established influenced European 1949. “Peggy wanted to understand the artistic development of Pop Art led by Roy Lichtenstein. and American art from the 1920s to the 1960s. effervescence of Europe at the time so she simply Palazzo Strozzi has been chosen as the venue Curated by Luca Massimo Barbero, it features moved here,” Berbero said. In the Paris of the roar- because it was here that Peggy first showed the paintings, sculptures, photographs and engravings ing 20s she mixed with poets, writers, painters and collection that was later to find a permanent home borrowed from the Guggenheim museums in New sculptors, serving both as patron and as muse. in Venice, shortly after her return to Europe. York and Venice and a small number of other Twenty-five works from that original exhibition are museums and private collections. “Peggy A Bacon in her bedroom back in Florence for this one. Highlights include Guggenheim (1898-1979) did not just buy works, Important purchases during the inter-war peri- Kandinsky’s “Dominant Curve” (1936), which Peggy she bet on young artists and supported them od included Italian sculptor Giacometti’s “Woman owned but sold in what she later counted as one of thanks to an incredible artistic instinct and curiosi- Walking” and Picasso’s “The Dream and Lie of the “seven tragedies in her life as a collector”, and ty,” Barbero said. “She was so sure of her own taste, Franco.” With the outbreak of war in 1939, Francis Bacon’s “Study for Chimpanzee” (1957). she never compromised.” Guggenheim was transformed from socialite col- Rarely shown outside Venice, the collector was so The fruit of those instincts was the acquisition lector to a mother figure desperately trying to pro- fond of Bacon’s work she generally had it hanging of works by an extraordinary list of artists: Wassily tect her artists in the face of the Nazi threat. She in her bedroom. — AFP Kandinsky, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst (to whom was forced to flee Europe herself in 1941 and Peggy was married from 1941-46), Mark Rothko, Pollock, who has 18 works in the exhibition, was Jackson Pollock and Alexander Calder, to name just one of the major beneficiaries of the time she A visitor looks at the ‘Enchanted forest’ by US painter Jackson Pollock. a selection. As a result, the Florence exhibition is spent back in the United States.

Visitors look at the ‘Spatial concept, Hell’ and ‘Spatial concept, Paradise’ by Visitors look at the painting ‘Preparedness’ by artist Roy Lichtenstein. A woman visits the exhibition ‘From Kandinsky to Pollock, the art of the Italian painter Lucio Fontana during a press preview of the exhibition ‘From Guggenheim collections’. Kandinsky to Pollock, the art of the Guggenheim collections’, at the Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. — AFP photos Itching to graffiti? Do it digitally on Florence treasures

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 39

Visitors stand by an aquarium at the Scientific Center in Kuwait City. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Employees working outside the Saudi Cultural Center. The Saudi film festival director Ahmed Al-Mulla (center) talks with his assistants in Employees working at the main hall of the Saudi Cultural Center in Dammam. front of a screen at the Saudi Cultural Center in Dammam, some 400 km eastern of the capital Riyadh, two days before the opening of the film festival. — AFP photos Mosque attack drama headlines modest Saudi Film Fest

drama about an attack on a mosque is headlining Saudi Arabia has suffered a series of shootings and bomb- cinematic passions. Workshops on production, cinematog- the third Saudi Film Festival, which opens Thursday ings of mosques belonging to the country’s Shiite minority raphy and acting, to be conducted in conjunction with the Aamid hopes the conservative kingdom may finally which have killed some 40 people since late 2014. The festival, were deluged with applicants. allow public cinemas. The modest festival, which will fea- Islamic State group claimed many of the attacks. Al-Mulla “In six hours we had more than 600 registered,” Al-Mulla ture 70 productions in competition, is a far cry from the said the films in competition address a range of topics, said. The non-profit festival is organized by the kingdom’s glitz and glamour of Western counterparts. The austere from extremism and war to health, human rights and social Society for Culture and Arts. While cinemas are banned, version of Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia bans cinemas issues. Some of the films provide a forum for the kingdom’s Saudis are voracious viewers of online videos and rank and other entertainment venues. But organizers hope the youth who “raise their voice about how they are living,” he among the highest watchers of YouTube in the world. event, which will see screenings take place at an arts and said. Saudi films have also been shown in major international cultural center in the Gulf coast city of Dammam, will help festivals and in 2013 Haifaa Al-Mansour’s “Wadjda” became develop the country’s nascent film industry. A ‘thirst’ for cinema the kingdom’s first film to be listed as a candidate for a for- “We try to raise the standards, to make it better,” festival The festival, which could not have gone ahead without eign-language Oscar. It told the story of a rebellious girl director Ahmed Al-Mulla told AFP. The festival will culmi- government endorsement, has helped raise hopes that who dreams of owning a bicycle in a country where nate on Monday night with winners of the juried competi- official attitudes to cinema might be changing, Al-Mulla women’s rights are severely restricted. Despite resistance tion receiving its Golden Palm Tree awards. It is the second said. One indicator came in an agreement to allow seven from conservatives, the public has a “thirst” for cinema, as consecutive annual festival after the event resumed last short films from the 2015 festival to be shown on the final shown by the number of Saudis visiting theatres in neigh- year following an absence of seven years. Al-Mulla said this day of the Riyadh International Book Fair last weekend. boring Gulf countries, newspaper columnist Samar Al- year’s festival has more entries than in 2015, and of a high- Interest in filmmaking has continued to grow, with the 70 Muqrin wrote recently. “We are eagerly waiting for the day er quality. They will be shown on a bigger screen with an productions chosen for this year’s festival coming from 112 when people in the kingdom would be able to go to the improved sound system. entries in the drama, documentary and student categories. cinema,” she said in a January column, saying she believed Rakan Al-Harbi’s four-minute drama “Their Stained Last year 66 productions were in competition from 104 “it would not take long” for a decision to be made. — AFP Hearts” will be one of three short films shown to hundreds entries. Many of the films will be shown for the first time of guests expected at the red-carpet opening gala. The film and all the competitors are Saudi. Fifty-five scripts not yet The Saudi film festival director Ahmed Al-Mulla poses in tells the story of a museum for “terrorists”-where a visitor in production will also be judged, up from 34 last time. front of a screen. engages in a conversation with the attacker of a mosque. Festival winners receive grants to help them pursue their

World Puppetry Day kicks off from Times Square to Iowa imes Square will get even more crowded- and filled with even more fuzzy creatures - for World Puppetry Day, part Tof a national celebration for those who give life to ani- mated objects. Professional and amateur puppeteers and their puppets are invited for the celebration, joined by pup- pets from other Broadway and Off-Broadway shows past and present, including the profane monsters from “Avenue Q.” A huge photo will be taken to mark the event. Puppet parties are scheduled across the country, including at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, a 12-hour puppet building party in Seattle and a performance of “Peter and the Wolf” in West Liberty, Iowa. World Puppetry Day was first cele- This image released by Sam Rudy Media Relations shows puppeteer Veronica J Kuehn, brated in 2003 and was begun by Iranian puppeteer Javad David Bizzaro and his puppet Bayr meet a worm puppet during a gathering of pup- left, with Lucy from the ‘Avenue Q’ production. Zolfaghari. — AP peteers in Times Square in New York, yesterday. — AP photos