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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 RABI ALTHANI 27, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait firms pour $6.8bn Min 09º Max 27º in Egypt energy projects High Tide 10:44 & 21:01 Gulf states continue dialogue on value-added tax Low Tide 04:01& 15:20 40 PAGES NO: 16435 150 FILS CAIRO/ ABU DHABI: Egypt has agreed preliminary from the editor’s desk deals with Kuwaiti companies for the establishment of petrochemical projects worth $6.8 billion, the govern- Food and tenders ment said yesterday. Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab signed memorandums of understanding with Kuwaiti companies involving projects due to start in three to five years, it said in a statement. A shortage in gas sup- By Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan plies has slowed petrochemicals projects in Egypt, which is suffering from an energy crisis. [email protected] theories Last year Egypt said that the government plans to invest $14.5 billion in developing its refining and petro- chemicals sectors over the next five years. The initial he biggest business news last week was the agreements signed yesterday involved several compa- sale of the locally-created Talabat for KD 50 mil- nies, including Egypt Kuwait Holding Company, Kuwait Tlion. Here is a good example of a few young Gateway Holdings and Boubyan Petrochemical Co. Kuwaiti entrepreneurs who came up with an idea Egypt’s economy is starting to recover from political and developed it and grew it into a truly valuable and financial turmoil triggered by the 2011 uprising business model. The news shows that our youth that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak. have great potential if they are given the right plat- The most populous Arab state will host an invest- form. In other words, if they are given the support ment conference next month in the resort town of and access to doing business. Sharm El-Sheikh which the government hopes will help Unfortunately our financial hub is really more of a to attract billions of dollars in foreign cash. In a vote of financial snub. It is extremely difficult for young confidence, the International Monetary Fund last week Kuwaitis to set up their own businesses from home. said that Egypt’s structural and monetary reforms are Regulations do not allow them to be self-employed beginning to produce a turnaround in the economy. unless they already have the financial backing that Egypt has received billions of dollars in aid from Gulf sets them on their way. states, including Kuwait, since former army chief Abdel For example, a computer programmer in almost Fattah Al-Sisi ousted president Mohamed Morsi of the any country in the world can work from home and Muslim Brotherhood in July 2013 after mass protests develop programs or do networking for small to against his rule. The aid has kept the economy afloat as the government introduces reforms, seeking to restore medium-sized businesses. However in Kuwait, in RIYADH: HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (left) meets Saudi King Salman growth while controlling inflation and curbing its budg- order for him to work and be licensed, he will be bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud yesterday. The two leaders exchanged brotherly talks that reflect the depth of bilater- et deficit. required to rent an office in an area that is approved al ties between the neighboring countries at all levels. — KUNA (See Page 2) by the government as a commercial area - even if he Continued on Page 13 doesn’t need a location or any equipment other than his computer. Then he needs probably KD 30,000 (more than $100,000) as bank guarantee, Qatar demo protests US ‘terrorist act’ which is near impossible for the average fresh grad- uate. Many people in the world could retire with $100,000, never mind setting up a new business. Saudi Arabia condemns Copenhagen, North Carolina attacks Then our erstwhile young man would have to go through a slow, daunting, bureaucratic system that DOHA: Several thousand people marched hate.” The marchers appealed for protec- involves the Ministry of Commerce, the Municipality, yesterday in Doha in solidarity with the tion against hate crimes for the tens of the Fire Department and God knows what other three Muslim American students murdered thousands of young Arabs studying in the Jordan jails senior departments and ministries that have nothing to do last week by a white neighbor in what pro- US on scholarships funded by the energy- with this young man’s self-employed business. It’s no testers in Qatar called “a terrorist act”. The rich governments of the Gulf. Among the wonder why so many enthusiastic young people are marchers carried banners calling for the marchers was the US ambassador to Qatar, Brotherhood leader put off by the labyrinthine regulations that seem to “end of hate crimes”, “unity” and another Dana Shell Smith, who tweeted that it was be created more to discourage rather than encour- read: “We all have the right to live free from Continued on Page 13 Morsi goes on trial age them to build their own business. Small and medium-sized businesses are key to AMMAN/CAIRO: A court in Jordan groups. The UAE is one of Jordan’s main the growth and development of any economy. They jailed the deputy head of the country’s financial backers and the two countries support innovation and efficiency and help encour- Muslim Brotherhood yesterday for are close political allies, both partici- age creativity and new ideas. Unfortunately here in publicly criticizing the United Arab pating in US-led air strikes against Kuwait, it seems that everyone has their eyes on the Emirates, in a verdict his lawyer Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. big government tenders which only a handful of described as illegal and an attack on Bani Rushaid’s lead counsel Saleh companies can effectively compete for. But the little free speech. The military court sen- Armouti said the court was illegal and guys are mired in the muck of government regula- tenced Zaki Bani Rushaid to 18 months its verdict a political one designed to tions, limited to no opportunities and few options in prison after convicting him of sour- “twist the arms of the Islamist move- beyond working for someone else or investing their ing ties with a foreign country, a judi- ment”. “It’s the death of freedom of time, energy, money and ideas abroad. Even the new cial source said. He is the most high- speech and a sword that hangs over ‘small and medium enterprise’ funding programs profile political figure in decades to be anyone who dares express his personal that are being set up do not address the bureaucrat- imprisoned in Jordan, a US ally that has view.” A government official denied the ic problems. Instead they offer limited support in so far been spared the turmoil that has verdict was politically motivated and exchange for a share of the youth’s hard work and spread across much of the Middle East said Bani Rushaid was given a fair trial. ideas. following the Arab Spring revolts. Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood, Kuwait desperately needs to create a market for Bani Rushaid was arrested in which has substantial grassroots sup- these small business owners away from public November after criticizing the UAE on port, said in a statement the verdict spending, the oil sector and the government’s mon- social media for designating the “represses freedoms and confiscates ey. But with an economically locked-up country, it Brotherhood, which is Jordan’s biggest the rights of individuals and is proof of seems that food and tenders are the only thing the DOHA: Qataris march down a street in the capital yesterday in remembrance of opposition party, as a terrorist group the regime’s retreat from (political) government cares to promote. the three victims of the Chapel Hill shooting in the US. Arabic writing on plac- and thereby serving Israeli interests. reforms.” ards reads “All Souls are Precious”. — AFP His arrest was condemned by rights Continued on Page 13 Watan saga continues Gunman born, raised in Denmark COPENHAGEN: The man who is suspected of having as police shut press shot two people dead in Copenhagen was 22 years old and born in Denmark, Danish police said yesterday. The Ex-MP Mulla’s trial postponed alleged gunman, who was himself killed in a shootout with officers earlier in the day, was known to police due By B Izzak cially its printing press, to print its edi- to his involvement in gangs, police said in a statement. tion. As a result, the daily, owned by “He is a young man aged 22, born in Denmark, and he is KUWAIT: Police yesterday closed a Sheikh Ali Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah and man- known by police for several crimes,” the statement said. printing house used by Al-Watan news- aged by his son Sheikh Khalifa, both He had a history of assault and of violation of Danish reg- paper in the past few days after a judge members of the ruling family, used the ulations on the possession of weapons, according to the froze decisions by the ministries of alternative press to print, ignoring statement, which did not give further details. commerce and information to revoke warnings by the information ministry The statement added that the investigation was focus- the daily’s commercial and media to stop. ing on the man’s movements before, during and after the licenses. In an urgent ruling last week, A team from the information min- shootings. It said investigators were also trying to ascer- the emergency judge suspended the istry tried to shut the printing press in tain if the suspect, who was not named, had received two decisions until Feb 18, when the the past three days but failed, which assistance from others. Police carried out extensive oper- administrative court is scheduled to prompted the information ministry to ations in the Copenhagen area yesterday, raiding an rule whether a month-old decision by seek the assistance of police. According Internet cafe and taking away two people, possibly under the commerce ministry to revoke Al- to witnesses, Sheikh Khalifa and Maj arrest. Watan’s license is legal or not. Gen Abdulfattah Al-Ali, a senior police Police are currently working under the assumption But the information ministry kept Al- officer, traded exchanges as the police that the man was acting alone when he carried out the Watan’s building shut, thus preventing enforced the closure. twin shootings. A 55-year-old man was killed when the COPENHAGEN: In this image made from TV, the lifeless body of a shooting sus- the daily from using its facilities, espe- Continued on Page 13 attacker opened fire on a cultural centre hosting a panel pect lies on the pavement as Danish police forensic officers examine the scene Continued on Page 13 after Danish police shot and killed the man early yesterday. — AP MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 LOCAL Kuwaiti, Saudi leaders hold official talks Amir concludes ‘brotherly visit’ to Riyadh RIYADH/KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and sev- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah eral other senior Saudi officials. left the Saudi capital of Riyadh yesterday, after paying a brotherly visit to the Luncheon banquet Kingdom. Later, King Salman bin Abdulaziz held a During his visit, HH the Amir met with luncheon banquet in honor of HH the Amir Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, of Kuwait and his accompanying delega- and exchanged brotherly talks that reflect- tion. HH the Amir was received at the air- ed the depth of bilateral ties between the port upon arrival back home by HH the neighboring countries at all levels. Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh They also discussed means of continu- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, ously boosting those ties, and ways of sup- National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- porting the GCC countries’ mutual goals Ghanem, Deputy Chief of the National and interests to fulfill the aspirations of the Guard Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Gulf people. In addition, the two leaders Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh touched on the current regional and inter- Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, national issues of common interest. Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh The meeting was attended by Saudi Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and min- Crown Prince and Deputy Premier Muqrin isters. The Amir was accompanied in the bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Deputy trip by Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Interior Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- Naif bin Abdulaziz. It was also attended by Hamad Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al- Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Minister of Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and members of the Finance Anas Khaled Al-Saleh, Minister of Kuwaiti delegation. Oil and Minister of State for National Upon arrival to Riyadh, HH the Amir was Assembly Affairs Dr Ali Al-Omair, Head of received at the airport by King Salman bin HH the Amir’s Office Ahmad Fahad Al- Abdulaziz, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, Fahad, Chief of Amiri Protocols Sheikh His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Khaled Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Al-Nasser Al- Al-Sabah waves as he prepares to take the flight back and Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Sabah, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary home. Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz. He was Khalid Suleiman Al-Jarallah and Amiri also received by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Diwan Secretary for Media and Cultural RIYADH: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Saudi Saudi Arabia Ambassador Sheikh Thamer Affairs Yousef Hamad Al-Roumi. -—KUNA King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud walk hand in hand after Sheikh Sabah arrived in Riyadh yesterday. — KUNA photos

His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Saudi King His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Sabah welcomes His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud talk shortly after Sheikh Sabah’s arrival to the Al-Sabah is seen off by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz back to Kuwait. Kingdom. Al-Saud at the conclusion of Sheikh Sabah’s visit.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets Italian Chief of Defense Staff Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli at Bayan Palace yesterday. — KUNA Kuwait, Italy mull military relations

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and especially those related to military Chief of General Staff of the Army Lt. Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al- relations, Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense Gen. Mohammad Al-Khuder and Jarrah Al-Sabah and visiting Italian Directorate of Moral Guidance and Ministry’s senior officials. Chief of Defense Staff Admiral Luigi Public Relations said in a press state- Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Binelli Mantelli discussed yesterday ment. Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- several key topics of mutual concern. Sheikh Khaled commended the Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, with the During the meeting, which was depth of relations between the two attendance of Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah also attended by Italian Ambassador countries and their keenness on pro- Al-Sabah, received Staff Admiral to Kuwait Fabrizio Nicoletti, both sides moting and consolidating ties. The Mantelli and his accompanying dele- discussed several bilateral themes meeting was attended by Kuwait’s gation at Bayan Palace. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (center) with the visitors. — KUNA Amiri Diwan Minister receives renowned doctors

KUWAIT: Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Cardiothoracic Surgery at Imperial his delegation to Kuwait. The famous Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- College London. Dr Yacoub was accom- doctor during the meeting talked about Sabah received yesterday the visiting Sir panied by Dr Jassem Al-Suwaidi, also a his efforts in establishing philanthropic Magdi Habib Yacoub, a renowned cardiologist, Dr Mark Redford and the associations in developing nations, Egyptian-born British cardiothoracic Kuwaiti cardiologist Dr Fareedah Habib. namely a cardiology hospital In Aswan, surgeon, currently Professor of The minister welcomed Dr Yacoub and Upper Egypt.— KUNA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: A general view of the City of Lights. — Photos by Joseph Shagra Visitors walk by a carpet made of lights. Lights on in the ‘City of Lights’ Illuminated park open to the public till Feb 28

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: In February, Kuwait is lit up on the occasion of the National and Liberation Days. All public institutions, most private institu- tions and company buildings, as well as many houses, are decorated with lights and Kuwaiti flags. During this month, many events, carni- vals, sport activities and other events also take place in Kuwait. Until the end of February, people can also enjoy visiting the ‘City of Lights’ in Mishref near the International Fair Ground. The city was launched on Saturday and will welcome visitors till Feb 28, 2015 every day from 5 pm to 11 pm. Entrance is free of charge. This proj- ect was organized by the ‘Baader Inta Gader’ (You Can Make the Initiative) campaign. Besides the huge park, decorated with lights Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud Al-Sabah of all colors and different designs, visitors will A portrayal of the Seif Palace. also find activities for both the adults and chil- speaks at the inauguration. dren. Four huge tents are set in this City, includ- ing booths with various items for sale such as outfits, accessories, perfumes, cosmetics, toys, food and much more. A traditional cafe and restaurant reminds visitors of the Kuwaiti her- itage. Activities and musical performances for kids are held daily at one of the tents.

Historical honoring Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud Al-Sabah inaugurated the City of Lights Saturday, expressing his happiness at this great project, which coincides with awarding Kuwait as the World Humanitarian Center by the United Nations. “This event also celebrates the occasion of honoring HH the Amir as the ‘Humanitarian Leader’ by the UN, which is a historical honoring by the UN for his great humanitarian acts all around the world. And A group of kids take a ‘selfie’ with Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs A child takes a ‘selfie’ with Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth we are celebrating the 54th National Day and Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud Al-Sabah. Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud Al-Sabah. the 24th Liberation day, along with the 9th anniversary of HH the Amir’s reign,” he noted. Youth initiative The head of the ‘Baader Inta Gader’ cam- “The permanent committee for the nation- In my view al celebrations always supports all initiatives paign Mubarak Al-Najjada said that this proj- of various activities. We believe that such ect is a result of Kuwaiti youth initiative. “We activities and projects encourage tourism and believe that the future is made by the present Syrian reconciliation local entertainment, which puts Kuwait on the generation, and that positive initiatives can map of GCC tourism, especially during the beat challenges and obstacles. Kuwaitis have national celebrations. The City of Lights is a the ability to overcome any obstacle that great project that reflects local creativity and stands in the way of the country’s develop- ment. Our campaign aims to encourage posi- innovation of Kuwaitis, and it proves that they By Labeed Abdal are able to come up with tremendous ideas tive thinking and to invest individual and col- and projects,” added Sheikh Salman. lective efforts in useful activities,” he said.

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he statements recently made by the Syrian Minister of State for National Reconciliation Affairs Ali Haidar Tabout considering public reconciliation as the base of striking terrorism and reaching national dialogue, and his A performance during the inauguration. remarks that some people wish to blow such attempts and prevent reconciliation attempts, show that the only way out of the current situation is national accord and agree- KJA’s general assembly meeting today ment that requires a great deal of ‘give and take’ between both sides. It also shows that this solution is more needed KUWAIT: The Kuwait Journalists Shuwaikh. now than any previous time. This option is much better for Association (KJA) urges members who The meeting will be delayed for half Syrians in order to heal their wounds and reunite. paid their 2015 subscription fees to an hour in case of a lack of quorum, after This path will undoubtedly be the base towards fighting attend the ordinary general assembly which it will be held regardless of the terrorism and initiating a national dialogue between the government and the opposition. The minister’s remark, in Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud meeting, which takes place today at number of attendants, in accordance 3:30pm in KJA’s headquarters in with article 29 of the KJA’s statute. which he said that the aim of the meeting was to evaluate Al-Sabah tours a gallery at the city. members’ performance over the past year and set clear visions for this year through the ministry’s coordination, supervision and regulation of voluntary public reconcilia- Small enterprises fund regulations in offing tion-oriented efforts, form the ultimate goal for many Syrians who wish to restore their country. The minister’s emphasis that the Syrian policy is built on Small Enterprises, Future Ambitions Forum kicks off three elements of fighting terrorism, local reconciliation and national dialogue and that state institutions were not KUWAIT: An executive regulation for the said. The minister further stressed that the skills of the ambitious young entrepreneurs He pointed out that the Prime Minister sup- the only ones concerned with reconciliation as all NGOs, National Fund for Small and Medium government is giving due attention to and enable them to contribute to the ports any event that promotes the concepts religious, cultural, social and educational facts share the Enterprises is in the offing, a senior govern- capacity-building activities to harness the national economy and create job openings. of small enterprises and its pivotal role in the same concerns, is actually very heartening because Syrians ment official said. economy. and all the Middle East countries aspire to restore security Dr Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej, Deputy The three-day forum will thrash out the for Syria and its people through real national agreements Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce concepts and expertise of projects and and true democratic practices. and Industry, made this announcement young people’s awareness as well as promis- Syrians who had been misled must be contained and while addressing the attendants in the inau- ing investment openings. The conferees will reintegrated in the society; their needs and demands must gural session of the ‘Small Enterprises, also touch upon governmental facilities to be met be them jobs or rights, various individual and state Future Ambitions Forum,’ which kicked off youth-run projects and joint work mecha- rights should be protected, reunions must be made and yesterday at the Australian Collage of nisms with civil society organizations. It will pardons must be granted. Efforts must be continued to Kuwait. The event was held under the feature youth-oriented training workshops achieve reconciliation between the Syrian army and the patronage of His Highness the Prime to be held in cooperation with a number of armed opposition, which is already happening and suc- Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad concerned agencies and under the supervi- ceeding in some areas and failing in others. Yet, such failure Al-Sabah, and witnessed large participation sion of accredited academicians and train- should not deter those efforts. The only bet should be on from government officials and business ers. The forum is primarily intended to the continuation of other political solutions. leaders in the country. encourage young people to carry out small In this regard, various parties should recall the history of The fund will start receiving Kuwaiti and medium-sized enterprises and to pro- Japan and Germany and their devastation in the aftermath entrepreneurs’ requests for finance of small mote the positive aspects of the recently of World War II. Nevertheless, those two nations survived and medium enterprises immediately after KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr adopted law on small and medium-sized thanks to the strong will of their people and their vision for the executive regulation issuance, Mudej Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej making his address at the session. — KUNA enterprises. — KUNA a better future. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 LOCAL

In Brief Awqaf Ministry GCC to sponsor Kuwait’s role extolled stresses moderation inventors MANAMA: Chief of Staff of Bahrain Defense Force Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmad KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of Justice and Awqaf and KUWAIT: GCC countries need to set up a joint Al-Khalifa lauded Kuwait’s role in unifying Islamic Affairs Yaacoub Abdulmohsen Al-Sane under- authority to be charged with sponsoring inventors, lined yesterday that it is the mission of the Ministry of the GCC countries’ efforts and stances aiding them to develop their innovations and make Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to advocate and promote against any arising challenges. them applicable and useful, a Kuwaiti official says. moderation in the country. Sheikh Khalifa made this remark yester- Sheikh Nimer Al-Sabah, the assistant undersecre- The Ministry aims to be part of a broader system to day after receiving Kuwaiti Ambassador to ensure social security and fight extremist ideas, the tary at the ministry of commerce and industry, said Bahrain Sheikh Azam Al-Sabah. During the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural that he raised this idea during a meeting with the meeting, the Bahraini official also praised session of the second annual conference of the Kuwait visiting GCC assistant secretary general for economic strong ties between Kuwait and Bahrain International Law School (KILS). affairs, Abdullah Al-Shalbi. that have helped in achieving stability and In this regard, he pointed out that the ministry has Such an authority is necessary for aiding the GCC security in the Gulf region. On his part, the taken a number of measures to reform and upgrade the inventors, developing their works and rendering the Kuwaiti Ambassador reiterated the impor- performance of the Moderation Center. On the other devices applicable, he said, adding that his talks with tance of increasing strategic coordination hand, the minister said that the Ministry of Justice the GCC official also dealt with application of the among the GCC countries in order to aid in would draw upon the outcome of the KILS conference GCC common legislations related to intellectual the flourishing of their societies in a stable in preparing the cybercrime law. —KUNA property and patents.—KUNA and secure environment. — KUNA

Photo of the day

KUWAIT: Ahmadi is decorated with lights to celebrate Kuwait’s national holidays. The decorations include depictions of old crafts that were popular in the pre-oil era Kuwait. The country celebrates the National and Liberation days on the 25th and 26th of February respectively. Ahmadi’s decoration project is sponsored by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC). — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Kuwait’s KIHSE-2015 conference, exhibition draws growing interest Two-day event kicks off today at Regency Hotel

KUWAIT: Under the High Patronage of and gas industry in Kuwait and the Officer, Kuwait National Petroleum ters. Each one of the three other Dr Ali Saleh Al-Omair, Kuwait’s Minister GCC region, as well as other parts of Company tracks will provide a set of sessions of Oil and Minister of State for National the world. Asaad Al-Saad, Chief Executive Officer, with highly strategic topics presented NA delegation leaves Assembly Affairs; and hosted by the Additionally, a growing number Petrochemicals Industries Company by major international experts in the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), national and regional sponsors and Peter Bartlett, Chief Executive, Bapco HSE field. for WTO conference Kuwait International Health, Safety exhibitors have aligned themselves Dr Mohammed Yousef Al-Mulla, Vice The organizers of the event expect- and Environment (KIHSE-2015) will be with the event, including some of the Chairman and CEO, QAPCO ed KIHSE-2015 to become a platform KUWAIT: A National Assembly delegation headed for Geneva, inaugurated today under the theme of most important state companies and Raoul Restucci, Managing Director, for involved oil companies, their Switzerland, yesterday to take part in the Parliamentary “We Can Make a Difference to Our leading oil and gas players in the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) prospective suppliers and members of Conference on the World Trade Organization (WTO), aimed at World.”. region like Equate, American In addition to a long list of other the civil society to meet and network, boosting democracy across the globe. The KIHSE-2015 which will take University of the Middle East, Chevron, managers, experts, and consultants in benefiting from Kuwait’s remarkable The annual 2015 session of the Parliamentary Conference place on 16 and 17 February 2015 in BAPCO, Technip, HP, Eurotech, the HSE fields. The packed program advancements in the HSE fields. on the WTO will be held on February 16-17, on the WTO prem- the Regency Hotel and Conference Australian College of Kuwait, Fares Al- will also include 25 poster-presenta- Petrochemicals Industries Company ises, Centre William Rappard, in Geneva, under the theme, Centre in Kuwait City aims to become Dabbous and Sons, RIMSCO, Petrofac tions by local and international HSE (PIC), a subsidiary of KPC, is among the “WTO at the age of 20.” The Conference on the WTO is organ- a major drive for HSE awareness, not and many others exhibiting. A global experts during the accompanying main supporters of KIHSE-2015, which ized jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the only in the petroleum sector, but also event with more than 500 participants exhibition. reflects the company’s commitment to European Parliament (EP) and aims at strengthening democra- across all economic and social activi- now registered representing 115 com- The adjacent specialized exhibition HSE practices. In this context, PIC’s cy at the international level by bringing a parliamentary ties in the country, creating a culture panies from 22 countries. will permit more than 30 companies to Chief Executive Officer, Asaad Al-Saad, dimension to multilateral cooperation on trade issues. of commitment to a healthy, safe and showcase the latest in HSE technolo- indicated that the company allocated In this regard, the conference provides legislators with the environment-friendly society. Key speakers gies and services. This exhibition will 17 percent of the total value of its proj- This interest has been reflected in boast national, regional and interna- ects to HSE-related projects. He added opportunity to examine developments in the WTO, obtain first- World-class event the important contributions from busi- tional companies, providing them with that PIC gives priority to HSE training hand information on the state of multilateral trade negotia- With over 70 confirmed speakers ness leaders, experts and decision the opportunity to present their latest to boost the performance of its work- tions, and consider a possible parliamentary contribution to and a growing number of sponsors, makers who joined the KPC and its products and services. force and to reduce the number of these multilateral processes. The Kuwaiti delegation is chaired exhibitors and delegates, the “Kuwait subsidiaries in recognizing the impor- This web of activities ensures that industrial accidents. by Oda Al-Ruwaii and includes MPs Madi Al-Hajeri and Khalil International HSE conference and exhi- tance of HSE as a key issue for the participants will have access to all the Saad explained that HSE training Abdullah. —KUNA bition” (KIHSE-2015) has consolidated whole energy sector. The KIHSE pro- latest information and technologies to courses represented 60 percent of all its position as a leading world-class gram has gathered over 70 speakers, guarantee that HSE best practice solu- training courses for employees at PIC. regional event in Kuwait. including: tions and methods are available to He added that 85 percent of PIC staff In addition to the full support and Dr Ali Saleh Al-Omair, Minister of Oil more than 500 attending delegates participated in HSE training, and that Kuwait, Austria discuss endorsement by the KPC and its sub- and Minister of State for National and business leaders. more than 85 percent of enrolled sidiaries, this world-class event has Assembly Affairs employees successfully passed these boosting trade volume attracted a big interest from the oil Abbas A Al-Naqi, Secretary General, Strong topics training courses. Organization of Arab Petroleum The Conference’s program includes In addition to business activities, KUWAIT: Chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Exporting Countries (OAPEC) 3 themed tracks for Health, Safety and the KIHSE conference, will be conduct- (KCCI) Ali Al-Ghanem discussed with a visiting Austrian delegation Nizar M Al-Adsani, Deputy Chairman Environment; along with a set of ple- ing several activities that aim to inform means of boosting economic ties and trade volume. and Chief Executive Officer, Kuwait nary sessions, to provide an in depth and educate the industry about the The visiting delegation, which arrived Saturday for a few-day visit, Petroleum Corporation coverage of the key topics related to advantages of having proactive and was headed by Member of the Austrian Parliament and OSCE PA Ali Al-Jarwan, Chief Executive Officer, the development of a sustainable HSE forward-leaning HSE Policies and Abu Dhabi Marine Operating culture. effective management systems, Vice-President Christine Muttonen. Ghanim pointed out, during the Company, ADMA-OPCO The plenary sessions will focus on according to KPC sources. meeting, that KCCI will utilize its services and increase mutual visits Mohammad Husain, President and the HSE management practices and KIHSE is an initiative by KPC, and is to boost bilateral trade. CEO, EQUATE Petrochemical Company strategies in general and will provide a organized in collaboration with Global On her part, Muttonen expressed that these visits serve to pro- Hashem Sayed Hashem, Chief platform to discuss strategic topics, Events Partners Ltd (GEP), a major UK- vide good knowledge on investment opportunities in both coun- Executive Officer, Kuwait Oil Company including a view by major regional based event management company tries. She added that her current visit aims at exploring two-way Mohammad Al-Mutairi, Chief Executive CEOs on the importance of HSE mat- affiliated to the dmg::events network. investment prospects for Austria and Kuwait. — KUNA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 LOCAL Electricity ministry holds review meeting after blackout

By Mesh’al Al-Enezi 11:00 am at Wara Conference hall, Kuwait University Chemistry Professor Hamad Al-Mutar. Municipality Tower. The group demanded an investigation to identi- KUWAIT: Minister of Electricity and Water and fy those responsible for the pollution, and hold Minister of Public Works Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim Group furious on environmental silence them accountable accordingly. held a lengthy meeting to discuss the latest Kuwait’s Green Line Environmental Group developments after the recent Subbiya power recently criticized the government’s silence over MEW note on water plant failure that caused a 3-hour blackout in the deterioration of environmental situations in Ministry of Electricity and Water’s water most areas around Kuwait. Assistant undersecre- taries and managers of the power and water desalination plants were present at the meeting, well-informed Ministry of Electricity and Water sources told Kuwait Times. The minister was briefed about the reasons why the plant lost 2,000 megawatts of its out- put, and why it was disconnected to avoid worse VIVA handing out gifts to winners. possibilities, the sources added. “The minister will hold several further meetings before report- VIVA celebrates National, ing to the cabinet, especially since many law- makers have been threatening to grill him over Liberation Days at 360 Mall the blackout,” they said. Kuwaiti investors KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and Meanwhile, well-informed sources at the most developed telecom operator, conclud- Foreign Ministry said that a group of Kuwaiti ed its hugely successful National Festival investors urged the Omani ambassador to event in 360 Mall celebrating Kuwait’s Kuwait to suspend the Sultanate’s decision to National and Liberation Days, which took repossess lands jointly owned by Kuwaiti and place on Friday 13 February 2015. foreign investors. Oman had issued orders to Hundreds of mall visitors were enter- repossess lands owned by Gulf Cooperation tained during the festival which included Council nationals in case they are not used with- Mayouf Majli band playing old traditional in four years of purchase. Kuwaiti songs and music related to National Day of Kuwait. In addition, VIVA held several Forum on housing tomorrow entertaining activities including a questions The Municipal Council will hold a first of its and answers session with the audience kind forum under the title of ‘Issuing about Kuwait’s history and heritage, where Architectural, Private Housing Licenses: A New KUWAIT: Minister of Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim reacts during a spe- winners received a wide range of exciting Perspective’, in cooperation with Kuwait cial parliament session held last Thursday to discuss the massive blackout that prizes. Municipality, Municipal Council member engulfed Kuwait the previous night. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat To find out more about VIVA’s National Abdullah Al-Kandari said. and Liberation Day activities, or any of its The event which aims at boosting cooperation Kuwait. It also accused the concerned minister pumping stations department announced numerous competitions, promotions, prod- between various municipal sectors and the pri- and Environment Public Authority (EPA) officials that East Amghara water pump started ucts and packages visit any of the 65 VIVA vate sector, said Al-Kandari, who is the head of of ignoring warnings that were made by many operating as of yesterday. It replaces the branches, one of the VIVA authorized dis- the reform and development committee at the governing bodies and experts, including the Sulaibikhat pump, which was closed on the tributors, the company’s website at council. Kandari accordingly invited all con- United States Ambassador Douglas Silliman, the same date. The ministry accordingly urges cerned parties to attend the forum due to be dean of the Science College at Kuwait University all water tanker owners to head to the new www.viva.com.kw or contact its 24 hour A kid receives a gift from VIVA. call center at 102. held tomorrow, February 17, 2015, at 9:00 am till Professor Jassim Al-Hassan, and Kuwait station. Jordan lauds Kuwait’s support for Syrian refugees

AMMAN: Jordan’s Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Syrian refugees upon the directions of His tarian roles by all Kuwait’s bodies and institutions Affairs Dr Hayel Abdul Hafeez Dawood commend- Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- aiming at helping Syrian refugees, he said. ed Kuwait’s humanitarian role aiming at support- Jaber Al-Sabah. Kuwait has been launching cam- Minister Dawood asserted that such support ing the Syrian refugees who are living in makeshift paigns of relief aid to support the Syrian refugees promotes and consolidates brotherly relations shelters across the country. in a bid to alleviate their sufferings, he said, noting among Muslims, urging all Arab and Muslim coun- In a statement to KUNA, Dawood voiced his such campaigns affirm that Kuwait is a humanitari- tries to support needy people and to take Kuwait Mayouf Majli band entertaining the audience. gratitude to Kuwait’s continuous efforts to help an center. All Jordanian people appreciate humani- as a model in this regard. —KUNA Project to remove leftover explosives at nature reserve

By A Saleh national experts. Abdul Mohsen Al-Mudej are under- way. “There is another factor I wish KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Labor contracts not to include,” he said. “Is it possible Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources The Egyptian embassy in Kuwait that the Flour Mills Company qualifies (PAAAFR) announced intentions to recently stopped endorsing labor con- for a tender to supply steel?!” he was carry on with projects to rehabilitate tracts for those whose salary is less quoted as saying. Kuwait’s environment, and undo the than KD 100. The new minimum- damage caused by the Iraqi invasion. salary condition also prompted many ‘90% of amendments by MPs’ In this regard, Faisal Al-Hasawi, employers to change the work per- MP Yousif Al-Zalzalah stressed that PAAAFR Deputy Director for Fish mits of many of their employees. 90 percent of the amendments made Resources Affairs and Head of the by the government on the Capital Joint Rehabilitation Team Engineer, Domestic labor Markets Authority’s law had been sug- said that the projects would be fund- General Manager of the GCC gested by lawmakers. ed by the sums approved by the UN in Ministers of Social Affairs and Zalzalah added that both sides compensation for the Iraqi damage. Ministers of Labor Council’s Executive agree on the remaining 10 percent, He added that the projects include Office Aqeel Al-Jassim said that GCC and that some remarks had been removing barricades and explosives social affairs and labor undersecre- made in written form to the govern- left at Sabah Al-Ahmed Nature taries would meet in Qatar in April to ment to be discussed later on by the Reserve, leveling the affected soil and discuss issues related to domestic committee. planting wild fungal plants over an labor in the GCC states. MP Faisal Al-Shaye, Chairman of area of 6025 square kilometers. the Parliamentary Financial Affairs Hasawi added that there were “Mudej grilling ready”: Dashti Committee, said meanwhile that both plans to build five other nature MP Abdulhameed Dashti said that the government and the parliament reserves and that his team is current- preparations for his grilling motion agree on everything and that the law ly surveying possible locations to against Deputy Prime Minister and would be ready in the next parliamen- build them with the help from inter- Minister of Commerce and Industry, tary session’s agenda. Egyptian Culture invited to Kuwait

CAIRO: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Cairo order to partake in Al-Arabi Magazine the depth of the relations between the Salem Al-Zamanan handed Egyptian Forum that is scheduled for March 9-11. two Arab countries. He added that the Minister of Culture Gaber Asfour an In statements to KUNA following the Egyptian Minister has accepted the invitation from Minister of Information meeting with the Egyptian Minister, invitation and stressed his eagerness to and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Ambassador Zamanan said he con- participate in any event that aims to Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al- veyed to Minister Asfour the greetings strengthen cultural relations between Humoud Al-Sabah to visit Kuwait, in of Sheikh Salman and his emphasis on Egypt and Kuwait. —KUNA

Kuwait backs Yemen call CAIRO: Kuwait officially announced supporting Qatar’s request to the Arab League General Secretariat to call for an emergency meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers Council to mull the latest developments in Yemen. In statements to KUNA, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative at the Arab League Azeez Al- Daihani said that he has informed the General Secretariat about Kuwait’s support to the Qatari request to call for the foreign minis- ters meeting on Wednesday. ‘The GCC Foreign Ministers Council’s statement on the dangerous deteri- oration in Yemen would be top on the agenda of the emergency Arab FMs meeting,’ he noted. Earlier yes- terday, Arab League Secretary General Nabil Al-Araby said that Arab foreign ministers would con- vene shortly to discuss the alarm- ing situation in Yemen. —KUNA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Anbaa Report Democracy: Theory Harasser appears and practice

to confess By Sami Al-Nisf KUWAIT: Two hours after an accident, a citizen showed himself up to Jleeb police; where he admitted that he hit here is always a huge difference between theory a woman’s car. A security source said that a citizen went and application. Theoretically, Marxism, with its to Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh police station and told them an Tfamous slogan of ‘Free nation and happy people’, unknown person was harassing her. When she ignored should have dominated the whole world by the end of him, he hit her vehicle and escaped, but she was able to the second half of the twentieth century, especially note his car’s license plate number down. Two hours later the suspect appeared before the police. after China, one third of the world’s countries and Eastern Europe fell into the hands of communist regimes. However, the past century ended completely Using car to harass differently with the triumph of political and economic A pick-up driver damaged the car of an Iraqi expat liberalism due to the huge difference between for admonishing him in Salmiya. A security source Communism as a theory and its application. said the woman was in the parking lot of a mall in In the Middle East, Arab countries that were ruled by Salmiya, when she was surprised by the man walk- regimes and parties calling for unity of the Arabs ing up to her and attempted to harass her. When should have maintained the solidarity between these she started screaming, the man hit her car before countries. They should have been united with their fleeing. Salmiya police are looking for him. Al-Anbaa neighbors, especially those who advocated and believed in the same unity slogans. Instead, these very Broken promise same regimes who called for Arab unity did not only A citizen did not keep his word after he took a loan settle for not uniting with other countries, but con- of KD 25,000 from a lady. A security source said the tributed to dividing their own countries and oppressing victim told police that a citizen she knew asked for their Arab subjects based on religion and sects rather the money and promised to return it when she need- ed it. When she asked to return the money he did not Expat visa violators reach 128,897 than valuing and respecting them. deliver forcing her to report the matter to police. Similarly, there is a common belief and a theory that KUWAIT: The number of expats who are required for all to come to Jabriya to stopped, but did not give numbers, adding adopting democracy prevents corruption, enhances in violation of residency law reached update their data, the source added. that the stoppage came with sending some transparency, protects public funds, promotes develop- Stare ends in stab 128,897 by the end of 2014, according to companies for legal action after making ment and saves innocent people’s lives, which if true, A security source said a citizen was taken to data collected from the Interior Ministry’s Fake workers sure they were bogus. Somalia, Yemen, Libya and Afghanistan would do much Mubarak Hospital after receiving stab wounds Detectives General Department. This On another topic, administrative Majdali said those concerned were told better than many other advanced countries in terms of and a broken finger. When he regained con- number makes up around five percent of sources at the Manpower Restructuring to get a work permit from the authority, welfare, transparency, development and stability. Once sciousness, he said he was beaten by another the total expats’ population of nearly 2.8 more, theory proved to be something and real life man while in Salmiya. The attacker claimed that million, bearing in mind that a field action proved to be a completely different thing. the victim was staring at him, according to the towards them did not exceed 20 percent victim. Detectives are working on the case. of the total violators. It was proved in some regional countries, at least, Meanwhile, the development plan for that the absence of elections sometimes prevents Suicide in Abdullah Port 2015/2020 showed that the expat labor addressing factional, tribal and regional feelings for population suffers from low education electoral reasons and limits corruption and favoritism. An Indian hanged himself in an open area near level, as there is 70 percent of the total Abdullah Port according to police, who went to the Wasta destroys fair administrative work in many coun- number represents workers with below tries and violates the principle of equal opportunities. site and found the body hanging with a rope around intermediate education. This negatively This is an undeniable phenomenon in many regional the neck. The body was recovered by the coroner. affects development in Kuwait, as described by a source quoted in the countries that adopted democracy that helped many report. world countries develop while broke and fragmented Cars for fireworks some of ours! Ahmadi police impounded eight cars whose Authority services Finally, as we see it, democracy is more like a medi- owners used them to sell fireworks, police Meanwhile, an official source at the cine that is not prescribed and consumed unless need- said. The source also revealed that 660 pieces Manpower Public Authority said that ed. It is not right to give healthy people medicine based on the instructions of the Director of fireworks were eased and its owners were KUWAIT: An officer checks an expatriate worker’s visa status in this file because it might affect their health. It is also unaccept- sent to the concerned authorities. General Jamal Al-Dousary to reduce the burden of patrons and business owners, a photo. —KUNA able that the medicine can be more harmful than the mechanization of authority services to Program and the State’s Executive System, bank statement that shows company trans- disease or ailment itself. Medicine doses should vary Drunk man caught labor departments in areas instead of hav- stopped payments of salaries to 1,500 citi- fers of its employees salaries during the past from one patient to another. The real danger lies in An Indian expat, who was drunk, slept on a sandy area ing it in one center in Jabriya has been dis- zens in the private sector during this months in order to resume payments of medical overdoses that may lead to the death of some in Maidan Hawally. A Lebanese passerby found him tributed. The source said that updating month for suspicions of them being fake their salaries, otherwise they will be referred countries and communities just the way that clearly and called the police. Policemen arrested the inebriat- information about businessmen and com- workers. to legal authorities to make them repay the happened in some regional countries! ed man to be sent to concerned authorities. —Al-Rai panies is done in the department where Secretary General of the Program Fawzi money paid to them undeservedly. the company files are kept. It is no longer Al-Majdali confirmed that the salaries were —Al-Qabas, Al-Anbaa and Al-Jarida

Al-Anbaa Al-Anbaa Merits of Blackout’s merits traffic jams and ‘funeral’ By Thaar Al-Rasheedi By Sami Al-Kharafi ur real problem lies in the fact that many recently asked the following question: What would people found Wednesday’s blackout as a you do to keep yourself amused if you get caught Ofuneral during which they kept howling and Iin a traffic jam? What can you watch while inside shouting criticisms. Well, what is more important your vehicle? I received many funny answers from my right now is to conduct a full investigation to know friends and some of them actually included some the real reason of the blackout that kept over 70 good ideas that are worthy of being tried in order to percent of the country in the dark and then trans- avoid the tension and nervousness during these daily parently declare the results of this investigation to congestions that we hope will come to an end one the public. day and become part of the past. What’s even more important is that this 3-hour The answers included: ordeal resulted in no tragedies, and contrarily, l Listening to something you like, praying and prais- showed that for the first time, the government was ing Allah instead of cursing and insulting others, capable of handling an incident of such magnitude which is becoming a daily routine in view of the very professionally, starting with MoI that immedi- amount of unskillful and clumsy drivers who drive ately put a full security deployment plan into prac- one mad. It would also be a good chance to listen tice in such a record time and KFSD men who were to Quran recitations and assuring oneself that the deployed in various areas without waiting for jam is but a means to save one from other danger- reports and emergency calls for help from people ous things that might happen if one drove any trapped inside lifts, and managed to deal with 50 faster. such incidents in a record time. l Others suggested conducting a quick inventory of In addition, the Ministry of Electricity and Water’s the contents of the vehicle and cleaning it from (MEW) emergency services managed to repair the nut and seed remains, tissues that might be found underneath the seats, and most probably, a dry damage in such a short time, because according to forgotten piece of shawarma that one might mis- specialists, such a blackout could have continued take for a piece of incense at first sight, so be care- for over 24 hours. But thanks to the efforts of power ful! plant engineers, technicians and operators and their l Some suggested noting down a to-do-list covering high professionalism, power was restored in less the few coming days or surfing various social than three hours. media networks, calling someone, becoming a The government’s official spokesperson, Minister Robin Hood if someone’s car breaks down, espe- of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Al- cially if that someone is a woman, which makes Abdullah Al-Sabah turned into a spokesperson of the everyone become volunteers to offer help unlike people through his Twitter account. He directly dealt what might happen if the driver was a man. They’d with the people and turned his account into a live only call the emergency number 112 for him and coverage for what was going on. Thanks, Sheikh that’s it. Mohammed! l Some said that it can be a good chance to get acquainted with drivers caught up near you by dis- In addition, and for the first time, Kuwait TV han- cussing and analyzing the reason of the jam. They dled an incident of such a magnitude very transpar- said that women can make use of the time apply- ently and stopped all programs to provide a live cov- ing makeup they had not had a proper chance to erage of all the affected areas. It interviewed two wear, getting out hastily. They added that it would ministers and many MoI, MoH and KFSD officials to also be a good chance for men to use a portable get minute-by-minute reports. I do not know who shaver to make their skin softer. came up by the idea of using MoI cameras to provide l Some said that one can become a psychiatrist by live TV coverage, but it was a brilliant idea. Yet, what analyzing others’ behaviors so closely or make use I do know is that this live coverage was directly of the time reviewing the shapes of new models of supervised by Information Minister Sheikh Salman vehicles as one might probably like one of them Al-Humoud and his undersecretary Faisal Al- and decide buying it instead of having to go to Mutalqam. automobile agencies to pick one. l Another party stressed that congestions can be a Demands to dismiss MEW Minister Abdul Aziz Al- golden chance for soliloquies or monologues in Ibrahim are politically and logically unfair. What hap- which one can review the incidents of the day and pened was technical and Ibrahim is one of the most the mistakes he committed. They also suggested that devoted ministers, although he is responsible for two it would be a good chance to chat with one’s spouse, ministries. Yes, indeed. That blackout had its advan- kids or friends about daily errands they have to do. tages because it made us realize that our government Well, the above list is but an attempt to change our is becoming better than before and we also discov- negative attitude towards congestions that makes us ered the real essence of Kuwaiti youth who voluntarily grumble and complain all the time without any good parked near major crossroads and intersections and in it. Having reviewed my friends’ answers, now the started directing traffic. They were the real heroes! question is: Do traffic jams actually have merits? MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 S Lanka president in India on first Female suicide bomber kills seven in Nigeria foreign trip Page 10 Page 12

DONETSK: Pro-Russian separatists drive a tank along a street in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk yesterday. Two civilians were killed by rockets fired by rebels shortly after the start of a ceasefire in east Ukraine, a pro-Kiev offi- cial said, but most of the frontline had fallen silent. — AFP Ukraine rebels disavow ceasefire US urges Russia to implement ceasefire in full

DONETSK/ARTEMIVSK: Ukraine’s rebels disavowed a new armoured columns of troops without insignia arriving in the truce yesterday hours after it took effect, saying it did not area in recent days. In the main rebel centre, Donetsk, apply to the town where most fighting has taken place in Reuters journalists said artillery had been exploding every recent weeks. few seconds in the hours before the ceasefire, but halted Guns fell abruptly silent at midnight across much of east- abruptly at midnight. A Reuters photographer in govern- ern Ukraine in line with the ceasefire agreement, reached ment-held territory also said constant bombardment had after a week of diplomacy led by France and Germany. But halted overnight, although he heard a volley of artillery pro-Russian rebels announced they would not observe the around 7 am from the direction of Debaltseve. truce at Debaltseve, where Ukrainian army forces were encir- A Ukrainian military spokesman said the ceasefire was cled. “Of course we can open fire (on Debaltseve). It is our ter- being “generally observed”. Its forces had been shelled 10 ritory,” senior rebel commander Eduard Basurin told Reuters. times since the truce took effect in “localised” incidents, and “The territory is internal: ours. And internal is internal. But no soldiers had been killed. along the line of confrontation there is no shooting.” A Ukrainian staff officer stationed near Debaltseve said: The Organization for Security and Cooperation, responsi- “The general level (of attacks) has decreased, although there ble for monitoring the ceasefire, said rebels had denied its are violations.” Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, wear- observers access to Debaltseve. It said firing continued in the ing the uniform of the armed forces’ supreme commander, town, one of a few exceptions to a truce that was otherwise announced the order to stop firing in a midnight televised largely being observed. address, but said there was still alarm over Debaltseve. Both sides blamed what firing there was on the enemy. But Debaltseve has been the focus of fighting for weeks, and ‘Last chance’ it will be hard to speak of a truce if Ukrainian troops remain trapped there under fire, or the rebels press on with their “I very much hope that the last chance to begin the long advance. and difficult peaceful process for a political settlement will Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thurday’s peace not be wasted,” he said, adding, however, that if Ukraine were deal including the truce must be implemented “uncondition- slapped, it would not “turn the other cheek”. ally”. But he made no mention of whether Moscow believed The ceasefire, negotiated in all-night four-power talks on the truce applied to Debaltseve, and declined to comment Thursday, foresees creation of a buffer zone and withdrawal on Basurin’s remarks. of heavy weapons. More than 5,000 people have been killed Reuters journalists heard volleys of artillery from the direc- in a conflict that has caused the worst crisis in Russia-West tion of Debaltseve in the morning after a night that had been relations since the Cold War. Russian President Vladimir Putin mostly quiet. denies Moscow is involved in fighting for territory that he calls “New Russia” but Washington and its allies have imposed Town almost cut off economic sanctions over Russia’s role in the conflict. Ukrainian forces have for weeks been holding out in the US Secretary of State John Kerry urged implementation of town, which sits astride a railway junction in a pocket the ceasefire in a telephone call with his Russian counterpart between the two main rebel strongholds. Sergei Lavrov and expressed concern about efforts by Russia Rebels say they have completely encircled the town, but and the separatists to cut off Debaltseve. Ukraine says its forces have kept open a road to resupply it in US President Barack Obama expressed “deep concern” the face of a Russian-backed onslaught. about the violence around Debaltseve prior to the ceasefire Kiev military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Ukrainian in a telephone call with Poroshenko, the White House said. forces had foiled an attempt to close the circle in the last 24 Obama also spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. hours. Washington says regular Russian forces armed with It was Merkel who negotiated the truce along with tanks and missile launchers advanced on the town from all President Francois Hollande of France at talks with sides in the days before the truce. Poroshenko and Putin. The Kremlin said the four leaders Reuters journalists operating on the rebel side have seen would continue to speak by phone. — Reuters

UKRAINE :Ukrainian servicemen play football on a road at Svitlodarsk, approaching Debaltseve yesterday. A ceasefire in Ukraine was cautiously observed by both sides, despite accusations by Kiev and the US that Russia had fuelled a final push by rebels to gain territory before the deadline. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered troops to abide by the truce from midnight (2200 GMT), in line with a deal reached in Minsk earlier this week with the leaders of Russia, Germany and France. — AFP p8_Layout 1 2/15/15 9:56 PM Page 1

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Israel’s Likud claims vote for left will benefit IS

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin “colossal” security failures. asks: “Which way to Jerusalem brother?” December as an electoral alliance of threshold,” it said in a statement. Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party The ad features actors portraying “Take the left,” the driver answers and Israel’s Labour Party and the centre-left Security will be a key issue in Israel’s claims in a contentious new campaign jihadists driving in a white pick-up truck the pick-up drives off, one of the actors Hatnuah, denounced the ad and “the March 17 general election, which was ad that a vote for the left in Israel’s with two standing in the rear carrying firing an automatic rifle into the air. Two colossal failure of Benjamin Netanyahu called early after the collapse of March election would benefit jihadists the black flag of IS, the extremist Sunni slogans appear on the screen: “The left in the field of security”. Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. from the Islamic State group. Muslim group that has seized control of will give in to terrorism” and “It’s us or “He freed terrorists with blood on Recent polls have shown a tight The ad drew fire from the left-wing large parts of Syria and Iraq. them, there is only Likud, only their hands and strengthened Hamas, race between Likud and the Zionist coalition opposing Likud, the Zionist The truck pulls up next to a car driven Netanyahu.” and during his tenure Iran became a Union but many voters remain unde- Union, which accused Netanyahu of by an Israeli and one of the “jihadists” The Zionist Union, formed in state that has reached the nuclear cided. —AFP

Iraq MPs boycott parliament after tribal chief killed

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Sunni lawmakers said yes- Shot in the head terday they were boycotting parliament On Saturday, officials and security after the killing of a senior tribal leader was sources said “gunmen manning a fake blamed on Shiite militia, sparking fresh ten- checkpoint stopped the convoy carrying sions between the two communities. The MP Janabi and kidnapped all who were on boycott comes weeks after suspected board”. Shiite gunmen in January killed three Sunni “They moved them to Sadr City, where clerics in Basra, a majority Shiite southern they released the MP, then took the others province, triggered outrage in a country and killed them. Their bodies were found mired in sectarian violence. next to Al-Nida’a mosque in northern Sheikh Qassem Sweidan al-Janabi, his Baghdad,” a member of the lawmaker’s staff son and seven bodyguards were killed by said. Sadr City is a vast Shiite neighbour- gunmen after their convoy was ambushed hood in the north of the capital. Abu late Friday in Baghdad, with most shot in Qusay told AFP that Sheikh Janabi had the head, members of his tribe have said. been shot in the head, like most of his Janabi’s nephew, MP Zeid al-Janabi, was bodyguards, while his son was killed by a with the group when they were ambushed bullet to the chest. “People who carry but was later released unharmed. state-issued weapons... and wear state- The boycott by Sunni lawmakers-who issued uniforms are behind the assassina- hold 73 seats in the 328-strong parliament- tion,” he said. was announced in a statement posted on Abadi vowed in a statement to strike the official Facebook page of Sunni parlia- with an “iron fist” those who threaten Iraqi ment speaker Salim al-Juburi. lives and pledged to hunt the killers and Representatives of Sunni parliamentary bring them to justice, saying they had blocs held “an extraordinary meeting late wanted to “fracture” the country’s political Saturday... and agreed to suspend their par- fabric. Sheikh Janabi was a prominent fig- liamentary activities”, said the statement ure in the religiously mixed areas south of released after an all-night meeting. The Baghdad, often described as a key player in politicians discussed the killings and “insist- efforts to combat sectarianism. He “had a ADEN: Yemeni supporters of the separatist Southern Movement gather in the southern city of Aden yesterday, during a protest against the ed on submitting to the government a known history of confronting terrorism, Shiite Huthi militia which seized power in the country last September. Shiite militiamen who overran the capital Sanaa vowed to defy “threats” draft resolution to ban militias and crimi- sectarianism and supporting national rec- as the UN Security Council prepared to adopt a resolution calling on them to step aside or face consequences. — AFP nalise sectarianism”, it said. onciliation”, said MP Adnan al-Janabi. Abu In Iraq the word “militias” is often used Qusay said Sheikh Janabi had recently to refer to armed Shiites who have been called for Sunni residents to return to Jurf Yemeni militia stands fighting alongside government forces al-Sakhr, an area south of Baghdad which against the Islamic State group. Sunni MP government troops backed by Shiite mili- Nahida al-Daini told AFP that Sunni law- tias retook from IS jihadists in October. In a makers “began observing from Saturday report published Sunday, Human Rights defiant ahead of UN vote night an open-ended” boycott of parlia- Watch accused Shiite militias of “abuse, ment. They also set up a commission possibly war crimes” against civilians in tasked with holding negotiations with oth- Sunni areas which government forces and er parliamentary blocs, namely the forma- the militias recaptured from IS. Ban Ki-moon calls for Hadi’s reinstatement tion of Shiite Prime Minister Haider al- “Iraqi civilians are being hammered by SANAA: Shiite militiamen who seized power in other officials and activists under de facto house Yemen since sweeping down from their moun- Abadi. ISIS and then by pro-government militias in Yemen vowed to defy “threats” as the UN arrest or in detention. tainous northern stronghold in September, the Another Sunni MP, Ghazi al-Kuoud, said areas they seize from ISIS,” said HRW’s Security Council prepared to adopt a resolution militiamen have tried to stifle opposition and commission would aim “to put pressure on deputy Middle East and North Africa direc- yesterday calling on them to step aside or face UN’s first resolution have been accused of detaining and torturing the prime minister to ban militias” and halt tor Joe Stork, referring to IS by another consequences. According to Western diplomats, Russia, opponents. crime. “We are not prepared to be partners name. In October Amnesty International Yemen is a traditional US ally in the fight which is already under US and European sanc- They announced a ban on anti-Huthi protests with a government that cannot protect its made similar accusations against the Shiite against Al-Qaeda, but the impoverished Arabian tions over its annexation of Crimea and backing last week, unless authorised by the interior min- citizens,” he said, calling for Janabi’s killers militias. Peninsula country has descended into chaos of rebels in eastern Ukraine, was reluctant to istry under their control, and have repeatedly to be identified and prosecuted. The speaker of parliament has sum- since the militia known as Huthis overran the vote for sanctions. fired live rounds to disperse demonstrations in Friday’s killings were not claimed by any moned the interior and defence ministers capital in September. The text marks the Security Council’s first res- Sanaa as well the central city Ibb, which they group, but Abu Qusay, a cousin of Sheikh to address the legislature today. Another city they captured last year, Ibb in olution on Yemen since the Huthis ousted the overran last year. Janabi, accused “armed militias backed by “Parliament will not remain silent in the central Yemen, was the scene of violence yester- government and parliament, in a move the The family of a demonstrator detained by the some sides of the government”-a reference face of acts that might undermine the day when Huthis fired live rounds to disperse United States and Gulf Arab countries have Huthis last week at a protest against their to Shiite militias. authority of the state,” Juburi said. — AFP hundreds of protesters, wounding several of described as a “coup”. takeover said he had died late Friday of torture them. At a Riyadh meeting of the Gulf Cooperation wounds suffered in captivity. Following their seizure of Sanaa and Ibb, mat- Council on Saturday, Yemen’s neighbours urged Another two protesters who were held with Scores dead in intensified ters worsened when they ousted the govern- the UN to evoke Chapter Seven of the United him have been hospitalised after being found ment and dissolved parliament on February 6, Nations Charter, which allows for economic and wounded and left on a street. Yesterday, several fighting in southern Syria tightening their grip after Western-backed military pressure to enforce Council decisions. protesters were wounded in Ibb when the BEIRUT: Intense clashes in southern Syria north. The insurgents had made significant President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi resigned in They said they themselves would act if the Huthis fired live rounds to disperse hundreds have killed scores of pro-government and gains in the south in recent months, taking protest at their advance. rival factions fail to resolve their differences, who took to the streets demanding the release insurgent fighters in the past week, a group several army bases. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has without elaborating. Huthi spokesman of activist Ahmed Hazzaa, witnesses said. monitoring Syria’s war said yesterday, fore- Syrian state media and Hezbollah’s al- warned Yemen is falling apart and called for Mohammed Abdulsalam, quoted Sunday by the Hazzaa, a leader of the anti-Huthi Rafdh casting even fiercer violence as the weather Manar channel reported on the battles in Hadi’s reinstatement. Citing security concerns, official Saba news agency which is under the (rejection) Movement, was detained on Saturday clears. the south during the week, saying the army nine Arab and Western countries shuttered their Shiite militia’s control, insisted that “the Yemeni in Ibb by Shiite militiamen, members of his Syria’s army and allied combatants from had been reclaiming territory from “terror- embassies in Yemen last week and evacuated people won’t cede power in the face of threats.” group told AFP. The Huthis are accused of Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched a large-scale ists”. State media said a number of enemy diplomats. The Security Council is expected to Abdulsalam said Yemenis were “engaged in a receiving support from Shiite-dominated Iran offensive in the region last week against fighters had been killed. Syrian officials adopt a resolution yesterday calling on the mili- process of self-determination free of any (for- which had criticised the “hasty action” of closing insurgent groups including al Qaeda’s Syria were not immediately available for com- tia to withdraw their forces from government eign) tutelage”. embassies in Sanaa, and insisted the Huthis were wing Nusra Front and non-jihadist rebels. ment yesterday. and security institutions “immediately and fighting “corruption and terrorism”. The battle is significant because it is one “The situation remains hit-and-run unconditionally”. Huthis denounce ‘blackmail’ Among the countries that have closed their of the last areas where mainstream rebels between us and regime forces,” said Abu It also urges the Huthis to “engage in good He denounced as “provocative blackmail” embassies and pulled out their staff are Britain, opposing President Bashar al-Assad have a Gaiath, spokesman for the rebel Alwiyat faith in the UN-brokered negotiations” led by demands for the Huthis to relinquish power and France, Germany and the United States. Saudi foothold. Such groups have lost ground to Seif al-Sham group. Its fighters are part of special envoy Jamal Benomar and to release criticised the withdrawal of ambassadors. Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have taken hardline Islamist militants in the four-year the “Southern Front” rebel alliance that has Hadi, his Prime Minister Khalid Bahah, as well as In their bid to establish authority across similar action. — AFP conflict. had support from states opposed to Assad. More than 50 rebels have been killed in Speaking via the Internet from inside the fighting, the head of the Britain-based Syria, he said fighting had calmed in the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. past two days but the military was aiming Netanyahu urges Jews to move to Rami Abdulrahman said 43 members of the to encircle a village northeast of Quneitra Syrian army and allied groups had also and had captured towns and villages south died, including 12 officers. of Damascus. Israel after Copenhagen attacks “Now the weather is better there will be The Observatory’s Abdulrahman said 10 Syrian air strikes. With the air strikes they fighters on the government side had been JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will move forward,” he said. executed after being accused of passing yesterday urged European Jews to move to Israel after a Abdulrahman, who tracks the war using information to the enemy. He also said Jewish man was killed in an attack outside Copenhagen’s sources on the ground, said around 5,000 Nusra Front fighters had been killed in bat- main synagogue. pro-government troops were taking part in tles but exact numbers were not known. “Israel is your home. We are preparing and calling for the offensive which aims to take a triangle Winter weather had limited fighting in the absorption of mass immigration from Europe,” of rebel-held land from rural areas south- the past few days and prevented air strikes, Netanyahu said in a statement, repeating a similar call west of Damascus to Deraa city to Quneitra. one of the army’s most potent weapons made after attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris last month Sources on both sides of the battlefront against insurgents. Abdulrahman said the that killed 17 people, including four Jews. have said the offensive aims to shield army and allied groups planned to involve Two police officers were also wounded in yesterday’s Damascus, the capital a short drive to the 10,000 fighters in the offensive. —Reuters attack, one of two fatal shootings in the normally peaceful Danish capital on the weekend. In the first attack on Saturday a 55-year-old man was killed at a panel discussion about Islam and free speech attended by a Swedish car- toonist behind controversial caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). “Extremist Islamic terrorism has struck Europe again... Jews have been murdered again on European soil only because they were Jews,” Netanyahu said in the statement. The Israeli prime minister said his government was to adopt a $45 million (39.5 million euro) plan “to encourage the absorption of immigrants from France, Belgium and Ukraine”. “To the Jews of Europe and to the Jews of the world I say that Israel is waiting for you with open arms,” Netanyahu said. He had made a similar call after three days of bloodshed in Paris that started with the January 7 attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo where 12 people were gunned down, followed the next day by the shooting death of a policewoman just outside the city. On January 9, the gunman who killed the policewoman took hostages at a kosher supermarket in Paris and four Jews were killed during a police commando raid. GAZA: Middle East Quartet envoy Tony Blair (R) stands next to Palestinian unity gov- The bodies of the four were later flown to Israel where ernment Minister of Work, Mamoun Abu Shahla (C), during his visit to Gaza City yes- they were buried. Officials in Copenhagen described the BEIRUT: Kurdish supporters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, known as PKK, with terday. Blair is in Gaza for meetings with officials about the reconstruction of the ter- weekend attacks as an act of terror and said the man their hands chained together hold portraits of the jailed Turkish Kurdish guerrilla ritory which has been devastated by a 50-day summer war between Israel and believed to be behind the shootings was shot dead after leader Abdullah Ocalan, during a demonstration demanding his release, in Beirut, Hamas militants. —AFP opening fire on police at a rail station. — AFP Lebanon, yesterday. — AP MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Argentina officials rally behind Kirchner

BUENOS AIRES: Members of Argentina’s Jewish Mutual Association which killed a single thing, and that’s why there has known for (the per-child subsidy for par- ment Hezbollah, and requested arrest government rallied behind President 85 people. He had alleged Kirchner pro- been no formal request for subpoena,” ents), good retirement benefits, same- warrants for five Iranian officials includ- Cristina Kirchner on Saturday, tossing tected high-ranking Iranian officials he argued. sex marriage, more rights, collective bar- ing former president Akbar Hashemi aside allegations she protected Iranian from prosecution in the bombing probe. Kirchner, 61, has presidential immuni- gaining, a better minimum wage ... for Rafsanjani. suspects in an investigation into a 1994 After Nisman was killed, a new team of ty and could only face punishment over being on the side of scientists, schools On January 14, four days before he bombing. prosecutors quickly endorsed his the case if two-thirds of Congress voted and kids,” Kirchner said, looking to was found dead, Nisman filed a 300- “It’s utter nonsense,” interior and charges against the president. to remove it-unlikely in the current legis- reframe her legacy as Argentina’s first page report accusing Kirchner and transportation minister Florencio The accusation now goes to the lature. The president got word of Friday’s democratically elected woman presi- Timerman of colluding to shield the Randazzo said of the allegations. An judge in the case, Daniel Rafecas, to indictment while she was in a plane dent. The bombing at the Buenos Aires Iranian suspects from prosecution. indictment filed Friday against Kirchner decide whether to call Kirchner to make heading from the capital to her late hus- Jewish center, known as AMIA, was the His death was initially labeled a sui- endorsed the claim made by investigat- a statement. band’s home turf in Santa Cruz province deadliest such attack in Argentina’s his- cide, but suspicion has fallen on ing prosecutor Alberto Nisman before Anibal Fernandez, the president’s top for a Friday night event. tory. After the initial investigation ended Kirchner’s government. The president he was found dead on the eve of a con- spokesman, emphasized there had been She wrote in a Facebook post that her with no convictions, Nisman was named has suggested Nisman was manipulat- gressional hearing. no formal request for subpoena in accusers “can just keep all that hatred, in 2006 to reopen the case. ed by disgruntled former intelligence Nisman was leading an investigation Nisman’s written allegations. resentfulness ... and lies. We are going to He accused Iran of ordering the agents who then killed him to smear into the bombing of the Argentine “They have not been able to back up let them keep that. “We are going to be attack via Lebanon-based Shiite move- her. — AFP Rio carnival tainted by shootings ahead of parades

RIO DE JANEIRO: After two days of rau- songs, told AFP. “Street parties are the best cous street parties engulfing the nation, thing that could ever happen to carnival. I the Rio carnival focus yesterday was on the have stopped watching the main parades city’s elite schools as they prepared to strut as they are now so commercialized-though their stuff at the city’s sambadrome. maybe the street versions will go the same Over the next two nights, 12 Special way.” Group schools, each comprising some After yesterday and tonight’s elite 5,000 participants wearing dazzlingly exot- parades, the jurors will elect the winners ic outfits exposing maximum flesh, will ahead of next Saturday’s Parade of sashay along the 720-meter (yard) Sapucai Champions which brings a final curtain Avenue in the city center. down on proceedings. An anticipated crowd of more than A panel of judges will run the rule over 70,000, from great-grandmothers to babes the dancers and massed ranks of percus- in arms will sway and cheer on their sionists as well as their spectacular floats favorite school in a parade lasting into the before determining who takes the crown early hours, as Rio residents forego their worn currently by the Unidos da Tijuca beds and cast off their cares. school. The ugly side of life intruded, however, The main parades at the Oscar on the unbridled joy after ten people were Niemeyer-designed Sambodromo are the hurt in an overnight shooting in the tourist culmination of months of preparations. magnet of Paraty, west of Rio, Brazil’s CBN “The excitement builds and builds. Then radio reported. it’s your school’s turn to go and there you Another man was injured in a separate are, under the lights, the noise. It’s an inde- shooting in the northern city of Salvador, scribable feeling,” Megumi Kudo, solo which hosts one of Brazil’s most spectacu- dancer with the Salgueiro elite school, told lar carnivals. AFP. The sweltering heat means the In Rio, the urban violence that so often parades, broadcast live on television in an scars the life of the city of more than six all-night spectacular, do not start until 2300 million has faded into the distance, at least GMT. The last school is not scheduled to fin- for five days of festivities which began ish until around 4 a.m. (0600 GMT), leaving Friday and drew more than a million peo- residents of the “Marvelous City” bleary ple Saturday to street parties known as eyed. ‘blocos’. The first record of carnival celebrations Even so, 15,000 police have been dates back to 1723 — but the first samba deployed-just in case emotions boil over. school was not formed until 1928. The emblematic Cordao da Bola Preto had Recent years have seen street groups hoped to attract as many as two million swell to more than 400, Many draw just a people to its traditional shindig in central few hundred people but others, such as the Rio to kick off the day’s proceedings. Cordao da Bola Preta, attract millions. But Globo newspaper reported yester- Other cities, notably Sao Paulo, with its BOSTON: A front loader plows the Downtown Crossing area during winter storm Neptune which dropped over a foot of snow yesterday in day that only around one million attended own Anhembi sambadrome a major draw Boston, Massachusetts. — AFP with the venue shifted slightly owing to in Brazil’s business hub, and the northeast- pre-Olympic roadworks. ern cities of Salvador and Recife, are also engaged in their own spectacular festivi- Street parties ties. Snow, dangerous winds “I’m not sure the figures are right-but in This year’s carnival comes after a difficult recent years carnival has grown so much year for Brazil, whose economy is facing maybe there’s nowhere else for it to go,” zero growth this year while flagship oil firm Luiz Benevides, 39 and a drummer with a Petrobras is mired in a huge corruption strike New England again top bloco playing samba-flavor Beatles scandal. —AFP Hundreds protest police Nearly 400 flights canceled shooting in Washington BOSTON: Snow and dangerously high winds stay off the roads ... so the crews can do the work the roof,” he said of the school’s football training roared across parts of New England in the dark they need to do to remove this snow.” center. “It’s all wet, heavy snow.” of night to face an army of road crews and emer- Transportation officials in the region had tak- Paquette said all the work that’s come to him PASCO: Hundreds gathered in southeast- blocked traffic in the area of 10th and Lewis gency workers yesterday, who had readied en precautions. Nearly 400 Sunday flights were with the storms this winter is keeping him in ern Washington on Saturday to protest streets. Officers took control of the inter- themselves for the fourth winter onslaught in canceled at Boston’s Logan International Airport, shape. “I’ve lost nine pounds since Wednesday,” police brutality in the wake of a deadly section with no resistance. There was no less than a month. The odds favored the omi- and none was scheduled today morning. The he said. shooting of a man who had been throwing word of any arrests or further problems. nous weather. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority rocks at the police. Four people have been shot and killed More than 6 feet of snow already stood in canceled all rail, bus and ferry service in the Storm warnings extended Before the midday rally, children and by police since last summer in this agricul- some areas from previous storms; a blizzard Boston area yesterday. In southern New Hampshire, where forecast- adults hand-lettered signs, calling for jus- tural city of 68,000, where about half the warning was in effect for coastal communities Babcock said gusts could max out at 75 mph - ers called for up to 18 inches of new snow, tice for Antonio Zambrano-Montes, who population is Hispanic.Following the gath- from Connecticut to Maine into today; and a hurricane territory - on Cape Cod. Officials employees at a tree service volunteered to clear witnesses say was running away when ering at the park, the crowd chanted and bone-chilling blast of cold, with lows of minus warned of possible power outages, and north- snow from the roof of Londonderry South police fired on him Tuesday in a busy inter- marched to Vinny’s Bakery, where the 10 degrees was tonight’s forecast in parts of the facing or vulnerable coastal areas could suffer Elementary School. Dave Burl of Accurate Tree section. shooting took place. The march was led by region. flooding and beach erosion, the weather service Service told WMUR-TV the roof was engineered A large sign hanging over the band- members of Zambrano-Montes’ family. The Heavy snow had moved into parts of eastern said. to hold 44 pounds per square foot, and the stand at Volunteer Park said, “Stop Police family of the orchard worker, who was a cit- Massachusetts by early yesterday, according to weight was already approaching 30 pounds per Brutality: It was just a rock!!!” Hand-lettered izen of Mexico, has filed a $25 million claim National Weather Service meteorologist Alan Streets clogged square foot. signs said, “Use Your Training, Not Guns,” with the city of Pasco, the first step toward Dunham. Ahead of the storm, forces gathered to The bad weather going into the weekend and “Good Police We Respect You.” a lawsuit. Three to eight inches of snow had fallen remove piles of snow and ready for the next spanned several states - winter storm warnings Speakers from the community called for Franklin County Coroner Dan Blasdel across parts of the region with the heaviest in round. extended west into Michigan and Ohio, where a full review of the Pasco police depart- has decided to order an inquest, which Boxford in Essex County, which recorded 13 Massachusetts called up hundreds of whiteout conditions led to a pileup on the Ohio ment and its policies. would be open to the public, in hopes of inches, Dunham said. Boston was also getting National Guard troops to assist with snow Turnpike that killed at least two people. Another Felix Vargas, chairman of Consejo Latino, calming “some of the fears and outrage of hit with heavy snow. Winds across the area were removal, and the Hanscom Air Force base out- storm-related crash on the New York Thruway a group of primarily Hispanic business the community.”While an inquest won’t also increasing in intensity. side Boston became a staging area for heavy south of Buffalo killed one person. leaders, called for a federal investigation proceed until police finish gathering evi- Before it is all over, southern New England equipment pouring in from eight other And leading up to Valentine’s Day, a holiday into the shooting. dence and witness statements, “it’s going could get several more inches and Maine could Northeast states to help in the effort. that usually generates about $500 million in After the rally ended, KNDO-TV reported to make this whole investigation transpar- see up to 2 feet, weather forecasters said. Crews worked urgently in Boston’s Financial business, some restaurants and retailers said that a smaller group of demonstrators ent,” Blasdel said. — AP “On Sunday, the best thing people can do is District to remove the massive amounts of snow weather-related travel woes have cut into sales stay home, stay indoors,” said William Babcock, that clogged streets and triggered numerous by up to 80 percent for some restaurants and another weather service meteorologist. roof collapses. retailers. Gov. Charlie Baker in Massachusetts and Gov. At the University of Connecticut, where up to Since the day promised to show little love, Gina Raimondo in Rhode Island warned 8 inches of new snow was expected, Gavin Baker proclaimed “Valentine’s Week” in motorists to stay off the roads. Baker stopped Paquette was part of a 12-man crew shoveling Massachusetts and encouraged people to cele- short of an outright travel ban. snow off roofs. brate the holiday by buying gifts and dining out “I can’t stress this enough,” Baker said. “Please “There was about an 8-foot snow bank up on all this week. — AP America issues new rules governing use of drones

WASHINGTON: US authorities yesterday issued The White House issued a presidential memo- Laws regulating drone use should be evaluat- sweeping new guidelines governing the use of randum Sunday concerning “the responsible use ed every three years, “to ensure that protections drones, while the White House separately moved of this technology, strengthening privacy safe- and policies keep pace with developments,” the to place limits on the kind of data they can col- guards and ensuring full protection of civil liber- statement said. lect and how they will be deployed. ties.” Civilian drone use has recently surged in pop- Drones, or unarmed aircraft systems, while A central pillar of the presidential memoran- ularity, presenting new regulatory headaches for rapidly growing in popularity, for the most part dum is that drones should not be used to illegal- states and the federal government. have not been regulated. ly gather or share private data. Drones-like the one that crashed on the The US Department of Transportation and “Policies are in place to prohibit the collec- White House lawn-are used most often recre- the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday tion, use, retention, or dissemination of data in ationally for collecting aerial video, but authori- issued proposed guidelines governing how high any manner that would violate the First ties fear they could also pose a security threat. drones will be allowed to fly, the certification Amendment,” a White House statement said. Various US federal agencies regularly use needed to operate them, and other rules. Sharing or collecting information that would drones, including to monitor wildfires, conduct Meanwhile, President Barack Obama Sunday “discriminate against persons based upon their scientific research, monitor borders and in mili- called for more stringent rules privacy and drone ethnicity, race, gender, national origin, religion, tary training. PASCO: People stop traffic as they stand in the street during a rally for Antonio use, just a few weeks after a “quadcopter” drone sexual orientation, or gender identity, in viola- The US Federal Aviation Administration has Zambrano-Montes, Saturday, in Pasco, Wash. Zambrano-Montes was shot and killed device crashed on White House grounds, tion of law” will also be prohibited, according to been testing drone use at six sites across the by Pasco police in Pasco on Tuesday. — AP prompting a security alert. the statement. country since late 2013. —AFP MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Romania sends ambulances to Moldova in war with Russia

BALTI: A stone’s throw from the mounted T-34 for closer ties to Europe could cause it to lose Europe, US Air Force Gen Philip Breedlove has integration in the European Union’s internal try’s independence in 1991 and sponsored Soviet tank in the centre of this Moldovan city control of Transnistria for good, just as Ukraine said Russian forces could easily annexe market”. Moldovans, including Economy Minister is an emergency ambulance service set up by lost Crimea, and lead to more costly gas from Transdniestria. Moscow has denied any such Romania funded about three-quarters of Candu, to study in Romania. Romania, one of several soft power moves to Russia, its main supplier. The Romanian gov- plans. the initial pipeline’s 26 million euro cost and is Such help plays well with Romanians, steer its eastern neighbour away from ernment is unapologetic, saying even though expected to fund the extension while Chisinau three-quarters of whom support reunification Moscow’s orbit. it sees Russia as a serious security threat, it will Trade, gas wars is seeking international financing for the with Moldova, a country of 3.5 million some- Wary of Russian intentions after Ukraine step up a battle that is, for now, economic EU and NATO member Romania champi- pipeline. Critics note that gas has yet to flow times referred to by its historical name lost control of Crimea and much of its east to rather than military. oned Moldova signing a trade agreement with and question whether the line to Chisinau will Bessarabia. Russian-backed forces last year, Romania is try- “(Russia’s) main weapon is neither war- the EU in June and, as Russia moved to restrict ever be built. Candu estimated the extension’s Graffiti and stickers advocating reunifica- ing to bring Moldova towards the European planes, nor its tanks or its frigates. It is energy,” imports of Moldovan wine, fruit, vegetables overall joint costs at 200 million euros, with 120 tion adorn walls, lamp-posts and trains across Union. Prime Minister Victor Ponta said in a televised and meat, Romania overtook Russia as million to be invested by Romania. Romania, and February saw the creation of a Its sweeteners, the ambulances, as well as interview with local media in November. He Moldova’s largest trade partner. cross-party group in parliament to lobby for it. offers of cheaper gas supplies and closer trade has vowed to press ahead with a gas pipeline Moldovans can now travel visa-free to Moldova’s balancing act In Moldova, however, only a fraction of MPs ties, have been warmly welcomed by impover- to Moldova. Europe’s Schengen zone and to wean them Romania’s emergency ambulance and res- openly support reunification and the country’s ished Moldova’s two-month-old pro-European Among the people of Moldova, divided from Russian gas, Romania has built a 43 km cue service, developed in the early 1990s by large number of left-leaning voters also government. into several ethnic groups with varying alle- (27 mile) pipeline across the border, inaugurat- Raed Arafat, a Syrian-born doctor of Palestinian oppose closer ties with the EU. Some locals are wary of Romania’s inten- giances, Romania’s actions have met a mixed ed last year on the 23rd anniversary of origin, will soon straddle the border. “The people on the other side of the Prut tions, but many are grateful in this corner of reaction, with some seeing them as a bulwark Moldovan independence from the Soviet As well as training up Balti’s medical work- river in Romania are our blood brothers, so I Moldova, where villagers trudge along muddy, against Russia and others worried Romania Union. ers, Romania donated five ambulances to the think their help is sincere,” said Vasile Braghis, a unpaved roads and western cars like the red, may try to swallow Moldova up. Part of Tsarist The project will initially cover about five city and rescue helicopters, based in Romania, 45-year-old Moldovan businessman. Volkswagen ambulances are novel enough to Russia for a century, Moldova joined what was percent of Moldova’s energy needs, and will soon fly across the border, taking victims to “But ... the overwhelming majority of the win salutes from their children. known as Greater Romania after the First World Romania plans to extend the pipeline to the Chisinau, or, if they have dual Romanian- population support the continuing statehood “People calling 903 for an ambulance ask War but was annexed by the Soviet Union in Moldovan capital Chisinau, offering gas for Moldovan citizenship, possibly to Iasi. of Moldova.” us to send them the red cars with the red men,” 1940. It is now split between a Romanian- 1,010 lei ($263) per 1,000 cubic metres, exclud- “There has been strong political will from Joining the EU could be a long drawn out said 35-year-old Ion Picalau, a rescue captain speaking majority and the breakaway region ing transport fees which are still under negoti- the two prime ministers to achieve this,” Arafat, process. The new European Commission team with the newly-created ambulance service in Transdniestria, propped up by Russia in one of ation. who is also Romania’s deputy interior minister, says it does not envisage new members within Balti, about 60 km east of the Prut river border, a series of “frozen conflicts” that have kept sep- That compares to the Russian price of more told Reuters. the next five years. For Moldova to reach candi- who trained for the job for six months in aratist regions in several former Soviet than $300. Moldova’s acting Economy Minister Romania has also donated buses and date status it would need to meet criteria on Romania. republics under Moscow’s wing. Andrian Candu told Reuters it was a “key proj- books to Moldovan schools. It has given pass- human rights, the rule of law and be seen as a Moscow has warned Moldova that its drive NATO’s supreme allied commander in ect ... creating a basis for our country’s future ports to 500,000 Moldovans since the coun- functioning market economy. —Reuters Female suicide bomber kills seven in Nigeria Suicide attack at a bus station

KANO: A female suicide bomber ried out its first-ever attacks inside others, some of them seriously, said arrested, local governor Kalla Moutari killed at least seven people in north- Chad and Niger, apparently in retalia- Yobe’s police commissioner Marcos told AFP. east Nigeria yesterday in an attack tion for the regional offensive, raising Danladi. The suspects were detained for believed to be the work of Boko fears of the unrest spreading further. A shop owner in the park, who “checking” and had been sent to an Haram, as neighbouring Niger Nigerian President Goodluck requested anonymity, said an angry anti-terrorist unit in the capital stepped up efforts to stop the Jonathan has called for more US help mob prevented rescue workers from Niamey, he added. The suspects were Islamist insurgency from spreading. to combat the threat, and for the first evacuating the remains of the arrested at checkpoints on access The suicide attack at a bus station time drew a direct link between Boko bomber. “They gathered the pieces roads into Zinder, Niger’s second in the Nigerian city of Damaturu Haram and the Islamic State (IS) (body parts) and set them on fire,” he largest city some 400 kilometres (250 came after authorities across the bor- group in Iraq and Syria. told AFP. miles) west of Diffa, the governor der in Niger’s Zinder region detained While there was no immediate said. dozens of suspected militants. Female bomber claim of responsibility, suspicion Boko Haram launched a series of Boko Haram began its brutal Police in Damaturu, capital of immediately fell on Boko Haram. The cross-border attacks in the remote uprising against Nigeria in 2009, but Nigeria’s Yobe state, said a woman Islamist militants have increasingly Diffa area on February 6. Moutari said some 10,000 people had fled the violence in Diffa to Zinder, and that the checkpoints allowed authorities “to intercept those who had infiltrated the dis- placed people”.

Conflict spreading The unrest in Niger and Boko Haram’s first attack inside Chad on February 13 have fuelled growing ZAGREB: The new Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic is sworn in fears of a widening uprising. Jonathan’s suggestion in an inter- during a ceremony yesterday, in central Zagreb. Croatia inaugurated today view with the Wall Street Journal its first female president, conservative former top diplomat Kolinda Grabar- published Saturday that Boko Haram Kitarovic, who pledged to help kickstart EU member’s ailing economy. —AFP had direct ties the IS group may have been aimed at raising the interna- tional alarm. Croatia’s first female Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has previously mentioned IS president sworn in group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in videos but has not pledged alle- giance to the outfit. ZAGREB: Croatia’s first female president moment that requires a broad national Nigeria’s military, once the Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic pledged to help consensus over key issues. There is neither strongest in West Africa, has proved kickstart the country’s ailing economy as space nor time for divisions.” The ceremony unable to contain the violence and she was sworn into office yesterday. was attended by hundreds of Croatians some experts have voiced doubt that The 46-year-old conservative former and top local officials as well as presidents multi-national African offensive can foreign minister and NATO official narrowly of several regional states and, notably, succeed without more Western sup- defeated her left-wing predecessor Ivo Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. port. Josipovic in an election run-off in January. Grabar-Kitarovic said Croatia would GOMBE: Policemen patrol in streets in the northeast Nigerian city of Gombe following an In a visit to Nigeria last month, US “I will be a top economic diplomat of our continue to support bids by other Balkan invasion by Boko Haram Islamists on Saturday. Hundreds of Boko Haram gunmen invaded the Secretary of State John Kerry said country,” she said in her inaugural speech, countries to join the EU and NATO as it was city, firing heavy guns and throwing fliers calling on residents to boycott the forthcoming Washington wanted to provide more vowing to do her utmost “to make Croatia in the country’s “strategic interest” “I want a wealthy nation”. “Almost two years of that countries of southeastern Europe elections. —AFP assistance but suggested all future cooperation would depend in part on (EU) membership, I would like us all to become members of the European family the Islamist extremists have increas- with explosives packed on her body been blamed for using woman and the credibility of Nigeria’s upcoming eventually start to live the life of a and we offer them a hand of cooperation.” ingly posed a regional threat. The entered the city’s main bus station girls as human bombs across north- general election. European Union member,” Grabar-Kitarovic Grabar-Kitarovic is the fourth to hold the affected countries-including Chad shortly after midday (1100 GMT). ern Nigeria, and bus parks have been The vote had been scheduled to said at the ceremony in the old quarter of largely ceremonial role in the former and Cameroon as well as Nigeria and She got out of a vehicle and among the groups preferred targets. take place this weekend, but Zagreb. Yugoslav republic since its independence Niger-have launched an unprece- walked towards a grocery store at the Nigeria’s national security advisor Hopes that EU membership would in 1991. She was European affairs and for- dented joint effort to crush the insur- back of the terminal, then positioned Suspects arrested and military chiefs successfully lob- boost the economy of the small Adriatic eign minister from 2003 to 2008 and then gency, claiming some early success, herself in a crowd, according to multi- Across the border from Yobe state bied for a delay to March 28. They nation of 4.2 million have faded. The served as Croatia’s ambassador to the US including the recapture of towns pre- ple witness accounts. in Niger’s Zinder region, several listed a number of justifications for Croatian economy, hit by a six-year reces- until 2011 when she was named NATO’s viously under rebel control. She then blew herself up, killing at dozen people suspected of having the delay, including the raging vio- sion, remains among the weakest in the assistant secretary general. But Boko Haram this month car- least seven people and injuring 32 links to Boko Haram have been lence in the northeast. —AFP 28-nation bloc. Unemployment is almost Her election was seen as a major boost 20 percent and the government forecasts a for HDZ ahead of parliamentary elections meagre 0.5 percent growth this year. due late this year, and in which the party is Grabar-Kitarovic, a leading member of the likely to make significant gains. Singapore PM Lee to undergo main opposition HDZ party until becom- The current centre-left rulers face major ing president, called for national unity to public discontent largely over their failure surgery for prostate cancer overcome the crisis. “We are facing a to revive the economy. —AFP Germany cancels carnival SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien showed “suspicious lesions”, the statement added. Loong has been diagnosed with prostate cancer “A subsequent biopsy found that one out of 38 because of terror threat and will undergo surgery today, but is expected to samples contained cancer cells,” it said. “Mr Lee recover fully after a week’s medical leave, his office decided on the surgical treatment option on the BERLIN: Police in the German city of our city ... and a sad day for our democratic said yesterday. advice of a panel of doctors... and is expected to Braunschweig cancelled a popular Carnival society.” It is the second bout with cancer for Lee, who recover fully.” Lee has been prime minister since street parade yesterday because of fears of Organizers and city officials announced was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1993, for which August 2004. News of his illness came amid wide- an imminent Islamist terror attack. that the many marching bands, which had he underwent chemotherapy and is now in remis- spread expectations that the next general elections Police spokesman Thomas Geese said planned to participate in the parade, would sion. Lee “has been diagnosed with prostate can- will be held before they are due in early 2017, possi- police received credible information that instead play their music at the city’s town cer, and will undergo surgery to remove his bly this year. In the last election, held in May 2011, there was a “concrete threat of an attack hall in the afternoon. prostate gland today”, the Prime Minister’s Office Lee’s People’s Action Party (PAP), which has gov- with an Islamist background” on Sunday’s Braunschweig’s police chief Michael said in a statement. erned Singapore since 1959, suffered its worst set- parade and therefore called on all visitors Pientka told German public radio NDR that Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will stand back after a large district was wrested by the oppo- to stay at home. there was no connection to the terror in for 63-year-old Lee during his one week’s medical sition and its share of the popular vote plunged. Geese said the parade was canceled less attacks in Copenhagen, Denmark, where leave, the statement said. Data from the Memorial After the election, Lee launched reforms to than 90 minutes before its scheduled start an attacker killed two men this weekend, Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in the United States address voters’ gripes over the large influx of for- and that “many people arriving at the train one at a free speech event and the other at “show that patients with similar medical profile and eign workers and immigrants into the compact station from out of town were already a synagogue. treatment have a cancer specific survival rate of 99 city-state as well as the rising cost of living. dressed up and very disappointed-but we Carnival parades planned for Monday in percent at 15 years”, it said. Lee posted an upbeat Before entering politics, Lee was a brigadier- didn’t want to take any risks.” the cities of Mainz, Cologne and Dusseldorf message on his Facebook page after the announce- general in the Singapore Armed Forces. Braunschweig’s Carnival parade is the will go ahead as planned, but with added ment, thanking people who expressed concern and He studied at Britain’s University of Cambridge, biggest one in northern Germany and police vigilance, officials said. wished him well. “I’m all set for my op tomorrow, graduating with a B.A. in Mathematics and a draws around 250,000 visitors each year. German Interior Minister Thomas de and so are my surgeon and medical team,” he wrote Diploma in Computer Science, and subsequently Geese denied to give further details regard- Maiziere said Sunday that the terror threat above a picture of himself smiling from a hospital earned a Masters in Public Administration from the ing the nature of the threat, but did say level in the country remains high and that bed after a biopsy last month. Harvard Kennedy School in the United States. that the warning came from intelligence national and local security officials are Lee, son of Singapore’s founding prime minister His frail 91-year-old father Lee Kuan Yew, who sources. The city’s mayor, Ulrich Markurth, investigating every hint they receive with Lee Kuan Yew, underwent a magnetic resonance Singapore Prime Minister was prime minister from 1959 to 1990, is still an MP said the cancellation marked a “sad day for the biggest possible care. —AP imaging (MRI) prostate test in January which Lee Hsien Loong but no longer plays an active role in politics. —AFP 10,000 top jobs daily

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www.bayt.com MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Australia PM warns Indonesia of tough response to executions

SYDNEY: Millions of Australians are “sick- Bali Nine group trafficking heroin from their citizens in January. Abbott has not row,” he said. “If it’s right for Indonesia to government asking they be spared, ened” by the imminent execution of two Indonesia’s island of Bali into Australia. said what Canberra’s response would be. ask and expect some kind of clemency, broadcaster ABC reported. of its citizens by Indonesia, Prime Minister While all hope appears to be lost, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop last week it’s surely right for us to ask and expect Their families are also due to be pre- Tony Abbott said yesterday, warning of a Abbott put pressure on Jakarta for the warned Jakarta that Australians could some kind of clemency.” sented with a petition with more than tough diplomatic response. second day in a row. “Millions of boycott Indonesia, including the island of There are 360 Indonesians on death 150,000 signatures urging clemency. No date has been set for the killing of Australians are feeling sickened by what Bali, a popular holiday spot for its trav- row around the world, including in Chan and Sukumaran, who have been on Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, might be about to happen in Indonesia,” ellers. Abbott also stepped up criticism of Malaysia, Singapore, China and Saudi death row since 2006, lost their appeals to but Indonesia has said governments with he told Channel Ten. Indonesia for trying to save its own citi- Arabia, Australian media reported. Of President Joko Widodo, who has vowed a citizens on death row have been invited “If these executions go ahead, and I zens on death row in other countries for that, 230 are on drug charges. tough approach to ending what he has to talks at the foreign ministry today. hope they don’t, we will certainly be find- drug trafficking while rejecting pleas from As time runs out for Chan and called Indonesia’s “drug emergency”. Chan, 31, and Sukumaran, 33, are fac- ing ways to make out displeasure felt.” Australia. “What we are asking of Sukumaran, attorneys-general from Widodo has been a vocal supporter of ing execution by firing squad as early as Brazil and The Netherlands recalled their Indonesia is what Indonesia asks of other across each of Australia’s states and terri- capital punishment and recently execut- this week as ring leaders of the so-called ambassadors in protest at executions of countries when its citizens are on death tory have sent a joint letter to Indonesia’s ed six convicted drug smugglers. —AFP Sri Lanka president arrives in India on first foreign trip ‘We will be making a new beginning with India’

NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka’s new presi- into Sri Lankan infrastructure proj- billion. Sirisena will also travel to announced plans to visit China dent arrived in India yesterday on ects, becoming the country’s the Buddhist pilgrimage site of after his India trip. his first foreign trip in office, trying biggest foreign financier and Bodh Gaya and a Hindu temple in “We will be making a new to rebuild ties hit by tensions over enjoying significant political and Tirupati further south tomorrow beginning with India,” government growing Chinese influence on the even military influence under before leaving on Wednesday. minister and spokesman Lakshman strategically located island. Rajapakse. Kiriella told reporters in Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena landed in Critics say China is trying to Dept traps yesterday. New Delhi for the four-day trip aimed develop facilities around the Last year, President Xi Jinping Sri Lanka’s ethnic Tamil minority at allaying Indian fears over China’s Indian Ocean in a “string of pearls” became the first Chinese leader to complain that little has been done influence on the island that strength- strategy to counter the rise of its visit Sri Lanka in 28 years as he to restore trust and national unity ened under President Mahinda Asian rival India and secure its own courted Colombo’s support for a since the 25-year civil war ended Rajapakse’s decade-long rule. economic interests. maritime trade route. Sri Lanka with the routing of ethnic Tamil rebels in 2009, despite pledges to devolve power to Tamil-populated provinces. India, with its own sizeable KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks during a joint Tamil population, has also voiced press conference at the prime minister’s office in Putrajaya, outside Kuala concerns about the slow pace of Lumpur. Malaysia’s premier is under mounting scrutiny for cracking down reconciliation efforts, and has on opponents, troubles in a sovereign wealth fund and questions over his urged Sri Lanka to heed interna- family wealth. —AFP tional demands for an independ- ent investigation into alleged war crimes. Malaysia PM under scrutiny “This is an important issue. We will discuss issues relating to the over wealth, oppn crackdown reconciliation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka,” Akbarrudin, the for- KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s premier is In a separate statement, 1MDB denied eign ministry spokesman, told under mounting scrutiny for cracking down ever missing any debt payments and said it reporters in New Delhi on Friday. on opponents, troubles in a strategic devel- has no links with Low. opment fund and questions over his family Human rights violation assets, with even ruling-party conservatives ‘Something rotten’ in Malaysia Rajapaksa had been widely pop- questioning his leadership. But Malaysia’s opposition and other ular in the Sinhalese-majority Prime Minister Najib Razak, 61, took the government critics, who allege decades of nation for ending the war, but helm of the multi-ethnic country’s long-rul- widespread government graft, have became increasingly unpopular ing regime in 2009, promising to soothe called for Najib to detail the sources of his abroad as he refused international racial tensions and bolster democracy. wealth and for an independent audit of calls for an independent investiga- But he is under fire from progressives for 1MDB. tion into alleged human rights vio- abandoning such pledges and from ruling- The government is yet to respond to lations during the war, saying a gov- party hardliners over 1MDB-a development such calls. ernment inquiry would be suffi- vehicle he launched that is believed to be in Fears that the fund could collapse and cient. a precarious state. rattle Malaysia’s financial system have Many had expected that Sirisena “People are beginning to doubt whether exacerbated economic unease in the would agree to an independent he is the sort of leader who can address energy-exporting country. probe, but his government has said Malaysia’s problems,” said Wan Saiful Wan Sagging oil prices have dragged the it wants time to set up its own judi- Jan, head of Malaysian think-tank IDEAS. ringgit currency to six-year lows and are cial mechanism. Malaysia also drew international criticism expected to crimp economic growth this Thousands of civilians are sus- after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was year while the government struggles to pected to have died in the final jailed for five years last week on a sodomy contain a troubling deficit. months of the war when govern- conviction widely considered politically Most experts expect the economy to ment forces crushed the Tamil NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena (R) walks with Indian Minister of State for motivated, the latest in a crackdown on avoid serious harm. Rebels’ quarter-century fight for an Shipping P. Radhakrishnan following his arrival at the Indra Gandhi International airport in New Najib’s opponents. Leading criticisms of 1MDB is Mahathir ethnic homeland. Delhi yesterday. Sri Lanka’s new president arrived in India on his first foreign trip in office, seeking to 1MDB, meanwhile, has missed repeated Mohamad, who was premier from 1981- On Saturday, Sirisena urged the deadlines to pay down billions of dollars in 2003 and still casts a long shadow at 89. rebuild ties hit by tensions over growing Chinese influence on the strategically located island. —AFP Tamil diaspora to be patient, noting debts, according to Malaysian media That is potentially worrisome for Najib- that progress has been made reports, with questions swirling around the Mahathir engineered the ouster of his through the release of private lands Sirisena, who defeated “A first visit is always an oppor- also irked New Delhi by allowing whereabouts of huge sums. own chosen successor, installing Najib. held by the military, but saying Rajapakse in a presidential elec- tunity to set directions. President two Chinese submarines to dock 1MDB said a $560 million loan payment Mahathir wrote on his widely read blog “there is a need for necessary time tion last month, was due to hold Sirisena will be welcomed warmly along its coastline, and by broker- was finally made last week, after a Malaysian last week that “there is something rotten” to achieve” full reconciliation and talks with Prime Minister Narendra in Delhi,” India’s foreign ministry ing deals for billions in Chinese billionaire was reportedly drafted in to in Malaysia, and on Thursday suggested unity within society. Modi today, and will later be guest spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told loans and infrastructure projects. stump up the cash. Najib should resign. Amnesty International praised of honour at a banquet. reporters ahead of his arrival. Sirisena has said his govern- Also last week, a New York Times inves- “The country is currently facing a lot of Sirisena for taking “important steps” Sirisena, accompanied by his “We expect substantial talks, we ment will review the loans and tigative report detailed multi-million-dollar problems but the government is not in restoring an independent judici- wife Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari, expect outcomes in terms of projects approved under his pow- purchases of luxury US real estate by a close admitting it. They are in denial,” he said. ary and other institutions in the waved to waiting media before agreements, in terms of frame- erful predecessor and one-time Najib family associate, financier Low Taek Political observers say such pressure is country, while also urging efforts being greeted at the airport by works, and in terms of announce- ally, Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he Jho, whom various reports have linked to part of a battle for influence and spoils in toward ending discrimination, pro- India’s junior minister for shipping ments.” Sirisena is expected to try defeated in a stunning election 1MDB. the ruling United Malays National tecting free speech and conducting P. Radhakrishnan. India has long to secure greater Indian invest- upset last month. While campaign- It also said documents showed millions Organisation (UMNO), pitting Najib a speedy and thorough investiga- considered Sri Lanka to be within ment in Sri Lanka, which said last ing for the election, Sirisena had of dollars in jewellery purchases for Rosmah against forces seeking to take the country tion into the rights abuse allega- its strategic sphere of influence. week it was seeking an interna- criticized the Chinese projects as Mansor, Najib’s wife, who is widely ridiculed even further to the right. tions. —Agencies But China ploughed huge sums tional bailout of more than $4.0 debt traps, but he has since in Malaysia for her luxurious tastes. “The danger for Najib on 1MDB is that In a statement to AFP, Najib’s office said people in his own party realise the magni- the report raised “false allegations”. tude of money going around, and that “The prime minister does not have, nor the cake is not being shared equally,” said Energy pledge not based has he ever had, a financial interest in, or any Rafizi Ramli, the opposition’s leading graft sort of agreement related to, the properties whistle-blower. mentioned in the article,” it said. Analysts say Najib appears secure for It added that “no purchases by the prime now. No other UMNO figures are seen on foreign pressure: Modi minister or his family involved funds from rivalling him, the son of a Malaysian 1MDB”. founding father. —AFP

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said yes- pledging to reform the economy, said he was deter- Modi said, as he opened a conference on renewable terday his commitment to ramping up India’s renew- mined to meet the energy needs of India, which suf- energy aimed at attracting foreign investment. Taiwan’s opposition leader able energy supplies is not aimed at “impressing the fers regular blackouts and is heavily reliant on pollut- While India has committed to hugely expanding world” following international pressure to cut green- ing coal to produce electricity. “Our stress on renew- its solar and wind sectors, it has long resisted pres- lodges presidential bid house gas emissions. able energy is not aimed at impressing the world, sure to commit to any emissions targets on the Modi, who stormed to power at May elections but to meet the energy requirements of our people,” grounds that it could hamper its economy and hurt TAIPEI: The leader of Taiwan’s Beijing- pointed by Taiwan’s political culture and the poor. During a visit to India last month, US sceptic main opposition party, Tsai Ing- distrust the government. People need a President Barack Obama said the world does not wen, yesterday lodged her bid to stand in new option.” “stand a chance against climate change” unless a 2016 presidential vote she is tipped to A legal scholar-turned-politician who developing countries such as India reduce their win after a landslide victory in November. served as vice premier in the former DPP dependence on fossil fuels. But Modi has denied he Tsai called for Taiwan to “consolidate government, Tsai turned the party is under pressure from other countries, after China its sovereignty” as she formally registered around after it suffered a crushing defeat and the United States announced a pact in to become the Democratic Progressive in 2008 dogged by a string of corruption November in the build-up to a UN climate change Party’s (DPP) candidate for next year’s scandals. conference in Paris late this year. Currently about 60 vote, for which she is likely to stand But the tables turned in November percent of India’s electricity comes through coal, uncontested. when the KMT lost five out of Taiwan’s six while some 300 million people do not have access to The 58-year-old party chairwoman municipalities, prompting Ma to step electricity at all. The government says it needs to failed to unseat incumbent President Ma down as the party chairman. attract $100 billion of investment to help achieve its Ying-jeou of the Beijing-friendly A proposed trade pact with the main- ambitious goal of boosting solar energy capacity to Kuomintang party (KMT) when she ran land sparked mass student-led protests 100,000 megawatts by 2020. against him for the top post in 2012. and a three-week occupation of Taiwan’s The conference yesterday, attended by represen- But recent polls have given Tsai a parliament last year. tatives from 41 countries, saw 293 local and foreign strong lead for the 2016 contest with the A United Daily News poll last week companies commit to invest in producing 266 KMT, which has seen its popularity slump found 65 percent of respondents expect- gigawatts of renewable energy over five years. because of growing public concern over ed the DPP to win the presidential vote Modi also urged Indians themselves to help save its warming ties with China. and only a tenth think the KMT has a the country’s resources, including by changing their Taiwan has ruled itself since splitting chance of retaining power. lifestyles, in a nod to a rising middle class. “We don’t from the mainland in 1949 after a civil “Taiwan needs reforms but there will realise that we are eating into our future generations’ war, but China still sees it as part of its be pain accompanying the reforms,” Tsai share of resources. We don’t realise that we our slow- territory and is pushing for reunification. wrote on her Facebook page on ly destroying our natural assets. “If there is any nation “As the leader of the country, the most Saturday. “We should create an era in pol- that can show ways of protecting humankind from critical task is to consolidate its sover- itics that truly belongs to the people, a NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he arrives to open the global warming to world, it is India. “Loving nature eignty,” Tsai told reporters yesterday. new politics of transparency, cleanness, first Renewable Energy Global Investors conference in New Delhi yesterday. —AFP and living in harmony with nature is a part of India’s “Lots of people might have been disap- participation, tolerance.” —AFP DNA.” —AFP NEWS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Ethnic Intha fishermen with their legs wrapped around oars pull up nets in Inle lake in the northeastern Shan state of Myanmar esterday.y Intha fishermen are known for a unique style of rowing with one leg wrapped around a single oar instead of using their hands. — AP Qatar demo protests US ‘terrorist act’ Jordan jails senior Brotherhood leader Continued from Page 1 lence. Hicks has been charged with three counts of mur- Continued from Page 1 despite facing several court cases. “This court does not der. Yesterday’s march in Doha was organised by a foun- represent anything to me,” said Morsi, who was on trial “good to see young people rejecting hate of all kinds”. dation chaired by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Masnad - The organization has ideological ties with the with 10 other people. The maximum penalty if convict- The march was a rare public demonstration for a country the mother of Qatar’s emir. At the end of the march, par- Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, which Cairo authorities ed is death. where protests are largely discouraged. ticipants heard a pre-recorded video message from banned in Dec 2013, but the two groups are not direct- Relations between Qatar and Egypt have been icy The three students - Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, his Deah’s brother and sister, Suzanne and Farris Barakat. In ly affiliated. While long tolerating the Brotherhood’s since July 2013, when Egypt’s then-army chief Abdel wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21, and her 19-year- the video, Farris said it was “amazing” that “the people of presence, Jordan’s government arrested several mem- Fattah Al-Sisi overthrew Morsi and then launched a old sister Razan - were allegedly killed by a neighbor, Qatar were thinking about us and the family”. bers of the group last year who criticized it for not cen- tough security crackdown against Islamists. Qatar had Craig Stephen Hicks, in the North Carolina university Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia yesterday condemned this suring Israel more following the summer’s conflict in supported Morsi, who is already in jail along with thou- town of Chapel Hill. The 46-year-old was believed to be weekend’s fatal attacks in Copenhagen and the murders Gaza. sands of Brotherhood members, many of whom have strongly opposed to religion, as his Facebook page last week of the three Muslim students in the US as “ter- But Bani Rushaid is the most prominent politician to been sentenced to death on separate charges. The showed dozens of anti-religious posts, including state- rorist” acts. “Saudi Arabia has followed with deep sorrow be arrested since opposition figure Laith Shubailat, a public prosecutor had said Morsi’s aides were involved ments against Islam, Christianity and Mormons. the terrorist, criminal, and ugly acts that took place leading opponent of Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with in leaking to Qatari intelligence, documents which Police said they were investigating the crime as a recently in the Danish capital Copenhagen and the US Israel, was detained in 1995. Since Bani Rushaid’s arrest, exposed the location of and weapons held by the parking dispute, but victims’ families believe the attack state of North Carolina,” authorities said in an official some government ministers have suggested authori- Egyptian armed forces and detailed the country’s for- was religiously motivated. Some have accused Western statement on the Saudi Press Agency. The kingdom, ties adopt a more hardline stance towards the group eign and domestic policies. media and politicians of not responding quickly enough home to Islam’s holiest sites, called for “the need to including revoking its decades-old right to operate as a Human rights groups accuse Sisi, who went on to to the deaths of the three students, saying there is a respect religions” and to avoid “incitement against political party. Its strongholds are among urban become Egypt’s elected president last year, of sup- double standard when Muslims are the victims of vio- Muslims”, the statement said. — Agencies Palestinians and in camps populated by refugees who pressing dissent, an allegation the government denies. have fled successive Arab-Israeli wars since 1948. “We were abducted and tortured to pressure us to con- Separately, an Egyptian court put ousted Islamist fess falsehoods,” said defendant Amin Al-Serafy, who president Mohamed Morsi on trial yesterday on was a secretary in the presidency under Morsi. Islamist Watan saga continues as police shut press charges of endangering national security by leaking militants based in the Sinai Peninsula have killed hun- state secrets and sensitive documents to Qatar, further- dreds of soldiers and policemen since Morsi was Continued from Page 1 Feb 18 to reopen Al-Watan. ing a state crackdown on his outlawed Muslim deposed. Sisi says the Brotherhood still poses a serious The ministry of commerce had revoked the commer- Brotherhood. Morsi, who was toppled by the army in threat to Egyptian security despite the crackdown, cial license of Al-Watan on the grounds that the compa- 2013 after mass protests against his rule, remained which has weakened what was once Egypt’s most Reports were later circulating on social media that an ny lost more than 75 percent of its capital. The informa- defiant, insisting he was Egypt’s legitimate president organized political organization. arrest warrant was issued against Sheikh Khalifa for tion ministry later revoked the daily’s media license obstructing and insulting police while doing their duty. because it lost its legal status as a company. Earlier in the day, Al-Watan’s lawyer Rashed Al-Radaan In another case, the criminal court yesterday post- demanded the replacement of a judge looking into the poned the case of former MP Saleh Al-Mulla until April Gunman born, raised in Denmark government’s challenge to the emergency ruling allow- 26. Mulla was arrested last month and detained for sev- ing the daily to resume publication. Radaan said he eral days after he was accused of writing comments on Continued from Page 1 The killing of the suspected attacker capped a massive requested the judge to be replaced because this was the his Twitter account deemed offensive to HH the Amir police manhunt launched after the gunman fled the same judge who issued two rulings against Al-Watan in and Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi, who was on discussion about Islam and free speech attended by scene following both shootings. The shootout took place the past, leading to its closure on both occasions. As a a visit to Kuwait. Mulla served as a lawmaker for several Lars Vilks, a Swedish cartoonist behind a controversial shortly before dawn in the neighborhood of Noerrebro, result, the judge postponed the case until Feb 22 to look years before he boycotted the elections of Dec 2012 caricature of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Saturday where police had been keeping an address under obser- into Al-Watan’s request. But this ruling will most likely after an amendment of the electoral law by the govern- afternoon. In the second attack, the gunman killed a 37- vation. Police said video surveillance had led them to become irrelevant if the administrative court rules on ment. year-old Jewish man outside Copenhagen’s main syna- believe that the man killed by armed police was behind gogue. Five police officers were also wounded in the two both attacks, but that they were still investigating attacks. whether he was acting alone. Kuwait firms pour $6.8bn in Egypt energy... The suspect “may have been inspired by the events The shooting came at the end of a night of fear that that took place in Paris a few weeks ago,” Jens Madsen had gripped the city of about one million, which had Continued from Page 1 “The committee has met many times but we from the Security and Intelligence Service told reporters. been spared major attacks in recent years. The central haven’t concluded anything yet,” Younis Hajj Al- He added that the man may “generally have been area of Copenhagen that is home to both the synagogue Separately, Gulf states are pursuing discussions Khoori, under-secretary at the UAE ministry of inspired by militant Islamist propaganda issued by IS and Noerreport station, the country’s busiest rail hub, on plans to introduce value-added tax (VAT) in the finance, told reporters on the sidelines of a media (Islamic State) and other terror organizations”. He said was cordoned off by police carrying machine guns. oil-rich region, with a meeting scheduled later this event yesterday. The committee is meeting again police were looking into the possibility that the man had Swedish security services told AFP they were on alert for month aimed at resolving points of contention, an this month to try to sort out matters, he said, travelled to conflict zones such as Syria and Iraq. any attempt by a suspect to cross the bridge linking United Arab Emirates finance official said. The six adding with the main sticking points related to “We believe the same man was behind both shootings Denmark with Sweden. Increased controls introduced at nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have imposing VAT on certain goods and services. Some and we also believe that the perpetrator who was shot by the border with Germany were relaxed after the killing of been mulling the introduction of VAT since 2007 to countries do not want the levy on food, for exam- the police action force at Noerrebro station is the person the suspected attacker, Denmark’s TV2 reported. broaden their revenue base, with negotiations hap- ple, and others want to exclude healthcare. behind the two attacks,” senior police official Torben Michael Gelvan, chairman of the Nordic Jewish pening jointly to avoid any one nation losing out in A levy of between 3 percent and 5 percent has Moelgaard Jensen told a press conference. The first lethal Security Council, told AFP the victim at the synagogue competition with others in the region. been proposed by the committee but Khoori said a attacks on Danish soil in decades were branded was a young Jewish man who had been providing securi- However, the sharp recent reduction in oil prices figure has not been finalized. Officials at the IMF “deplorable” by the United States and triggered condem- ty for a ceremony. Danish police had released a photo of could lend a further push to introduce the levy, giv- have long urged GCC states to introduce the tax as nation around the world. “We have experienced the ugly the suspect in the cultural centre attack, wearing a black en that most Gulf states are expected to record a way of ensuring a reliable inflow of government taste of fear and powerlessness which terror hopes to puffer jacket and a maroon balaclava and carrying a budget deficits in the coming fiscal year and are revenues, safeguarding against volatility in oil create,” Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt told a black bag. The windows of the cultural centre were pock- reluctant to pare back spending on infrastructure prices. A proposed corporate tax for companies in briefing, saying Denmark was experiencing “a day of sor- marked by bullet holes, and the BBC released chilling and social spending aimed at developing their the UAE is still under study, Khoori said, declining row”. “We will defend our democracy and we will defend audio of the moment a speaker at the event was inter- economies and improving the lives of citizens. to elaborate. Denmark at any time,” she said. rupted by a volley of gunshots. — Agencies MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Focus Erdogan’s views spark fears for Turkish economy

By Stuart Williams

oncerns are growing over the health of the Turkish economy, long seen as a star performer among emerg- Cing markets, partly due to unorthodox statements by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on economic policy that have rattled investors. Turkey’s economic success of the past decade has been one of the pillars of the undefeated electoral success of Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), with robust foreign investment and solid growth rates. But economists now fear Turkey could be heading for an era of much lower sub-three percent growth as the AKP loses its reformist zeal ahead of June legislative elections, and Erdogan concentrates powers around the presidency after moving from the job of prime minister to head of state in August. Moreover, Erdogan has become embroiled in a some- times farcical row with the central bank, repeatedly telling the nominally independent institution in ever more heated terms to aggressively cut interest rates despite plus seven percent Experts warn over hasty link to attacks inflation. His comments unnerved markets and Turkey’s already embattled lira this week, for the first time, fell in value to the By Francesco Fontemaggi ‘High-Value Targets’ already said the man “may have been their Internet recruitment, they want peo- 2.50 lira against the dollar. “At the moment, it’s not clear “The modus operandi seems similar, the inspired” by the three days of terror in Paris ple to identify with actions such as the whether this is posturing ahead of the election or more seri- aturday’s deadly attacks in targets too. It seems to be the same type last month. According to the security Paris attacks. They want them to repeat ous. But it does raise more general concerns about institution- Copenhagen bore several similarities of individual jihad,” said one source close source, authorities are wary of “copycat” them.” al independence in Turkey,” William Jackson, senior economist Sto last month’s assault in Paris, experts to the elite French forces, who declined to acts. “That is the intention of those waging Groups such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic at the Capital Economics consultancy in London, told AFP. said, but warned more needed to be known be named. Danish security forces have jihad: with their propaganda videos and State have called on followers to take about the Danish attacker before drawing whatever crude action they can to inflict ‘Undermining the Future’ direct parallels. In the words of French carnage on the streets of the West. Erdogan has in particular raised eyebrows by suggesting Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, the similar- Terrorism Jean-Charles Brisard said there that high interest rates lead to high inflation, a suggestion ities between the two attacks are “striking”. were indeed “similarities” between the two that flies in the face of all economic orthodoxy which assumes “First an attack on a symbol of freedom of attacks “but they follow the same basic that lowering interest rates increases inflation by raising con- expression, then an attack on Jews and trends we have been observing for several sumer demand. “Interest rate is a cause and inflation the finally a showdown with police,” Fabius said years.” The gunmen aimed at “high-value result. But some of our friends think it is vice versa. What is the on French television on Sunday. targets” with “weapons that are increasing- logic behind this?” Erdogan said before leaving on a trip to Like the Islamist Kouachi brothers who ly less sophisticated” instead of using Latin America this week. killed 12 in and around the offices of French explosives that are “more and more Central Bank governor Erdem Basci, who has stood defiant satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on January tracked by security services”, said Brisard. in the row with Erdogan, pointedly noted that high inflation is 7, the Copenhagen gunman unleashed a This type of attack “requires a lot less detrimental to growth and “the best contribution to growth volley of bullets at a cultural centre where a preparation than attacks that were carried from a central bank would be to maintain price stability”. debate on freedom of speech was taking out in the past,” which makes it harder for Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, one of the few top AKP place. Two days later in Paris, another authorities to intervene in the preparatory figures with the full respect of markets, meanwhile warned Islamist gunman, Amedy Coulibaly, killed phase. about making exchange rate policies the “subject of daily four Jews in a hostage drama at a kosher Nevertheless, the security expert political polemics”. Erdal Saglam, economics commentator for supermarket. In Copenhagen, the gunman warned against “shortcuts” in linking the the Hurriyet daily, said that Erdogan’s approach was “under- shot a 37-year-old Jewish man dead outside two attacks, as “we don’t know much about mining Turkey’s economic and political future” by risking scar- the city’s main synagogue early on Sunday. the Copenhagen shooter”. Nevertheless, ing away the foreign investment that is key to its economic Both rampages ended in a firefight with Jens Madsen from Denmark’s Security and success. In a sign of the tensions, the Taraf daily said Babacan police. French elite forces stormed the Intelligence Service told reporters that the had threatened to resign over the growing influence of Jewish supermarket and a printing firm man may “generally have been inspired by Erdogan’s advisor Yigit Bulut but was talked out of it by col- where the Kouachi brothers were holed up, Police officers take cover behind their patrol cars on the streets of central militant Islamist propaganda issued by IS leagues. The whole issue is coming to a head as Turkey pre- resulting in the deaths of all three gunmen. Copenhagen yesterday after one person was shot in the head and two (Islamic State) and other terror organisa- sides over the G20 group of top economies for the first time, In Denmark, the suspected attacker was policemen were shot in the arm and leg in Krystalgade, a street that is home tions.” He said police were looking into the with Babacan this week in Istanbul chairing the first meetings killed in a gun battle with police after a mas- possibility that the man had travelled to of finance ministers and central bank chiefs. sive manhunt closed down the capital. to Copenhagenís main synagogue. —AFP conflict zones such as Syria and Iraq. —AFP

‘Miracle Over’ Turkey under Erdogan was long seen as a poster child for economic emerging market success, but these days the coun- Happy first anniversary for Italy PM try is lumped into the so-called “fragile five” emerging markets along with Brazil, India, South Africa and Indonesia, which By Angus Mackinnon than had been done for years,” Fiat-Chrysler boss Sergio dle”. “The political system in Italy is extremely difficult to have become overly dependent on foreign investment. “It’s Marchionne said this month. Pier Luigi Loro Piana, the heir change, even Berlusconi couldn’t do it. If Renzi can move us fair to say that the ‘economic miracle’ seen during the 2000s n football terms, Matteo Renzi looks more like a scuffling to the luxury textile group that bears his family name, says towards the Anglo-Saxon model, things will get better.” has come to an end,” said Jackson. “Unless there’s a drastic midfielder than a predatory striker. Politically, Italy’s Renzi’s principal achievement has been to “stay in the sad- That is the goal of a new electoral law that Renzi guided improvement, I would be surprised to see the Turkish econo- baby-faced prime minister knows exactly where the goal through the Italian Senate with help from Berlusconi. The my grow at rates of 3 percent plus for a sustained period over I is and how to find it. A year after seizing power via a leader- law, set to be adopted in the coming months, is designed to the coming years.” ship coup in the ruling Democratic Party (PD), business ensure election winners have a working parliamentary The consolation for Turkey in a tricky economic period is leaders and experts credit Renzi, 40, with significant majority and end the pattern of shaky coalitions that has lower oil prices, a boon for an economy which is a major ener- gy importer with one of the largest current account deficits progress on an ambitious agenda of reform aimed at shak- blighted Italian politics since World War II. The potential for among emerging markets. The current account deficit fell 29 ing Italy out of decades of political and institutional inertia. decision-making gridlock will be further reduced if Renzi percent to $45.8 billion in 2014 thanks to lower oil prices, the In the process, the energetic former mayor of Florence can push through proposed constitutional changes which central bank said Wednesday. Fitch Ratings said the figures hopes to revive a moribund economy in the face of what will sweep away the Senate in favour of a second chamber showed the economy’s “capacity for rebalancing” but warned some economists see as a chronic competitiveness prob- with greatly reduced powers. Shake-ups of the snail-paced its resilience “may be tested in 2015” by tighter US monetary lem. judicial system and Italy’s schools are also part of Renzi’s policy or geopolitical risks. But uncertainty over whether he can get his get his poli- longer-term agenda for change. Turkey still has a long way to go to meet Erdogan’s much- cies over the line represents Renzi’s biggest challenge as he vaunted ambition of making it one of the world’s top 10 prepares to raise a glass of prosecco on Feb 22, the first Worthy of Machiavelli economies - currently it is number 18 according to the World anniversary of his swearing-in. Italy’s labour unions and the The deal with Berlusconi that eased the first reforms Bank - when the 100th anniversary of the modern republic is left of the PD see little to celebrate after a year in which the through parliament was widely thought to have left Renzi celebrated in 2023. A report on global growth published by economy stagnated, unemployment rose and the new pre- in his predecessor’s debt. But that idea was debunked this the OECD this week said that Turkey’s income gap with the mier got the framework of a contested new labour law month when the premier ignored the tycoon’s objections upper half of OECD countries “continues to narrow but adopted. The law makes it easier to fire workers with the and imposed his own candidate, Sergio Mattarella, as Italy’s remains large”. It called for reform to encourage formal goal that this will make companies more likely to hire. new president. Berlusconi cried betrayal while commenta- employment in particular among the older generation and Hundreds of thousands took to the streets in sometimes tors hailed Renzi’s coup as proof he has a ruthless edge wor- women - many Turks are employed illegally due to excessive violent protests against the plans. thy of Machiavelli, the renaissance chronicler of Florentine regulation - as well as improvements to the inconsistent edu- But Renzi’s critique of Italy’s labour-market apartheid scheming. cation system. —AFP between long-term employees on cushy contracts and the A practising Catholic and the son of Christian Democrats, legions of jobless or precariously employed appeared to Renzi is often portrayed as being on the right of his centre- strike a chord with many voters. Helped by a tactical alliance left party. But according to Bologna University economist with predecessor Silvio Berlusconi, Renzi was able to face Paolo Onofri, the progressive elements of his first-year poli- All articles appearing on these down rebels in his ranks, and his personal popularity sur- cy mix have been downplayed, perhaps deliberately. “There pages are the personal opinion of vived the bruising debate. have been a lot of initiatives - tax cuts for the low paid, the the writers. Kuwait Times takes no 80-euro baby bonus, extension of unemployment benefit Business Backing rights - that have helped the poorest in society and reduc- responsibility for views expressed His approval ratings remain comfortably ahead of his tions in payroll taxes have helped companies,” he said. therein. Kuwait Times invites read- rivals and his networking ability has helped raise Italy’s pro- Onofri, a member of the Prometeia economic research ers to voice their opinions. Please file within the European Union, where Renzi has been a group, also highlighted a little-noticed wealth tax discreetly send submissions via email to: opin- vocal advocate for more growth-friendly policies. It is too adopted at the end of 2014 for anyone holding more than early to say if the labour market changes will help drive a one million euros ($1.14 million) in the bank and steps to [email protected] or via snail recovery this year as the positive effects of the euro’s recent close tax loopholes enjoyed by banks registered as founda- mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. slide, lower oil prices and the European Central Bank’s refla- tions. “Renzi is a good communicator so I don’t think it is an The editor reserves the right to edit tionary bond-buying program kick in. They have, however, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi arrives ahead of accident they haven’t played up these things too much,” any submission as necessary. helped to get prominent business leaders behind Renzi. the European Council Summit at the European Union Onofri said. “They don’t want to be seen too much as a gov- “In 11 months, the Renzi government has achieved more (EU) Headquarters in Brussels on Feb 12, 2015. —AFP ernment of the left.” —AFP p15_Layout 1 2/15/15 9:29 PM Page 1

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 SPORTS

‘Valdes must prove his worth’ Petkovic wins in Antwerp Uphill task for Kvitova LONDON: January signing Victor Valdes must earn his spurs in Manchester ANTWERP: Germany’s Andrea Petkovic won the WTA Diamond Games DUBAI: Petra Kvitova admits she still has much to improve upon as the two-time United’s reserve side before he can be considered for a full first-team debut, tournament yesterday when her final opponent Carla Suarez Navarro Wimbledon champion returns to competitive tennis this week for the first time according to manager Louis van Gaal. pulled out before the match with a neck injury. since her shock third-round loss to American teen Madison Keys at January’s The 33-year-old arrived at Old Trafford for a free transfer on an 18-month Petkovic’s victory is her sixth on the WTA Tour and will ensure she breaks Australian Open. Kvitova won Sydney’s Apia International ahead of that straight- deal in January having been the bedrock of a Barcelona side that won six La into the world top ten when the new rankings are released. “I woke up in sets defeat to 19-year-old Keys and had lauded the benefits of new fitness coach Liga titles and three Champions League trophies. the morning and I felt this pain in my neck,” said Suarez Navarro. “I went to Alex Stober’s gruelling pre-season training regime, but that pro- Valdes, however, has failed to displace incumbent David de Gea who the physio to get treatment and tried to play at 11:30, then had physio gramme proved insufficient against the big-hitting American in continues to impress in an inconsistent United side, and Van Gaal again and tried to play again at 2:15, and I just couldn’t serve. I couldn’t Melbourne. “I still have a lot of space to improve-it’s not like sud- had previously stated it would be ‘very hard’ for him to do so. The play like I wanted. So I had to pull out of this final. “I’m really sorry. I love denly I’m going to be the fittest ever, but I’m trying,” Kvitova, 24, 20-cap Spain international, who recovered from a serious knee this tournament and I had a great week. I really tried today.” told reporters at the Dubai Championships, which began yesterday. injury playing for Barcelona in March 2014, played for United’s For the 27-year-old Petkovic, it was her fourth title in ten months, as she “Alex is a physio as well, so he knows exactly what the body needs. I continues her return to form after a career-high ranking of world number reserves in a 2-1 win against Liverpool on Jan. 26. think that’s very important. I’m fitter and I think we still have a nine after reaching since reaching the quarter-finals at the US Open and Since then, however, Valdes has been an unused substi- lot of room to improve on everything-to be quicker on the Australian Open in 2011. court and more explosive.” Kvitova’s hopes of winning a second tute on the first-team bench for seven successive Injuries saw her slide down the rankings and outside the top 100 but a matches. “When you are out for more than a year, first Dubai title in three years were boosted by world number one strong 2014 season, including a run to the French Open semi-finals, shows Serena Williams’s late withdrawal due to illness and the Czech is of all you have to show yourself at a lower level,” Van she is back to her best. —AFP Gaal told reporters.—Reuters now second seed at the Aviation Club event. —Reuters

NHL results/standings Ottawa 7, Edmonton 2; Montreal 2, Toronto 1 (SO); Winnipeg 5, Detroit 4 (SO); NY Islanders 6, Columbus 3; Nashville 3, New Jersey 1; Minnesota 6, Carolina 3; NY Rangers 5, Arizona 1; Colorado 4, Dallas 1; Calgary 3, Vancouver 2; Los Angeles 3, Washington 1. Western Conference Pacific Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Anaheim 35 14 7 166 155 77 San Jose 29 20 8 162 160 66 Vancouver 31 21 3 155 145 65 Calgary 31 22 3 162 144 65 Los Angeles 25 18 12 152 148 62 Arizona 20 30 7 129 189 47 Edmonton 16 32 9 131 191 41

CENTRAL DIVISION Nashville 38 12 6 170 131 82 St. Louis 36 15 4 176 136 76 Chicago 34 18 4 170 130 72 Winnipeg 29 19 10 160 153 68 Minnesota 28 20 7 153 149 63 Dallas 26 22 8 175 179 60 Colorado 23 22 11 144 159 57

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION Montreal 36 15 4 148 123 76 Tampa Bay 34 17 6 184 154 74 Detroit 31 13 10 160 139 72 Boston 28 20 7 144 141 63 Florida 24 19 11 134 151 59 Ottawa 22 22 10 152 152 54 Toronto 23 29 5 160 175 51 Buffalo 16 36 3 103 191 35

METROPOLITAN DIVISION NY Islanders 37 18 1 179 156 75 Pittsburgh 32 15 8 160 139 72 NY Rangers 33 16 5 168 131 71 Washington 29 17 10 163 142 68 Philadelphia 23 22 10 149 161 56 Columbus 24 27 3 142 170 51 New Jersey 21 26 9 124 154 51 Carolina 19 28 7 120 147 45 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings NASHVILLE: Predators center Craig Smith (right) celebrates with forward Mike Fisher (12) after Smith scored a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the and are not included in the loss column (L). New Jersey Devils. —AP Predators roll, Rangers beat Coyotes

NASHVILLE: Colin Wilson scored the Toronto, which is 0-11-2 in its last 13 home on Friday. Anton Forsberg tiebreaking goal on a tic-tac-toe play road games. Jonathan Bernier stopped stopped 40 shots as Columbus began with 3:27 left, leading Nashville to a 3- 31-of-32 shots through regulation and a five-game trip. 1 victory over the New Jersey Devils extra time. Nielsen put the Islanders ahead for on Saturday night for the Predators’ The Leafs took a first-period lead good when he converted Thomas fifth straight win. Craig Smith added for the first time in seven games when Hickey’s slap pass 1:54 into the third an insurance goal when he swatted a Winnik was left alone in the right circle for his first goal in 13 games. shot between Cory Schneider’s legs and beat Price at 11:19. Toronto’s with 2:21 left. Matt Cullen gave advantage lasted only 41 seconds, as KINGS 3, CAPITALS 1 Nashville a 1-0 lead in the first period the Canadiens tied it on a power play Trevor Lewis and Jarret Stoll scored before Steve Bernier’s power-play goal when Gallagher reached into the in the third period to lead Los Angeles. late in the second period tied it up for crease to put in Tomas Plekanec’s pass. Dwight King also scored to help the New Jersey. Pekka Rinne stopped 21 the defending Stanley Cup champion shots for the Predators, who lead the WILD 6, HURRICANES 3 Kings win their fourth straight, their NHL with 82 points and improved to Thomas Vanek had two goals and longest streak since a six-game stretch 24-3-1 at home. Rinne, 14-1-1 in his an assist, and Devan Dubnyk stopped that followed season-opening losses last 16 games, leads the NHL with 33 24 shots to lift surging Minnesota. The to San Jose and Arizona. Jonathan wins. The Devils lost their fourth Wild nearly blew a three-goal lead Quick made 27 saves. Alex Ovechkin straight. during a sloppy second period, but scored for the Capitals, his 34th goal of Dubnyk helped the league’s fourth- the season and 456th of his career. RANGERS 5, COYOTES 1 best penalty kill unit stymie a four- That tied Detroit Red Wings great Alex Rick Nash scored his NHL-best 35th minute power play to prevent Carolina Delvecchip for 54th place on the all- goal early in a four-goal third period, from tying it. Erik Haula added a goal time list. and New York gave coach Alain in the third for some insurance; Jordan The Capitals lost to the Kings for Vigneault his 500th career win. Cam Schroeder, Nate Prosser and Zach the eighth time in their last nine meet- Talbot made 34 saves, including on Parise also scored the Wild, who have ings with the exception being a 4-0 Tobias Rieder’s third-period penalty won eight of nine. Andrej Nestrasil, win on Feb. 3 at Washington. Braden Bonhomme triumphs in Abu Dhabi shot, in the Rangers’ third straight win. Jeff Skinner and Elias Lindholm scored Holtby stopped 27 shots for the Vigneault became the 21st coach in for Carolina, and Anton Khudobin fin- Capitals. league history to reach the milestone, ished with 18 saves. Carolina lost its at Red Bull Air Race season opener coming in his second season with the second straight game, missing a FLAMES 3, CANUCKS 2 Rangers. Chris Kreider, Marc Staal and chance to win three of four. Sean Monahan scored twice and ABU DHABI: Hitting top speeds of 370 and enthusiastic motorsport fans, host- Results: 1. Paul Bonhomme (GBR), 2. Lee Stempniak also scored for the Minnesota, meanwhile, extended its Lance Bouma got the tiebreaker early km/h while flying just above the ed the Red Bull Race World Matt Hall (AUS), 3. Pete McLeod (CAN), 4. Rangers and Kevin Hayes added a point streak to 10 games, tying a fran- in the third period for Calgary. Bouma turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, Championship season opener for an Hannes Arch (AUT), 5. Nigel Lamb (GBR), short-handed goal. Antoine Vermette chise record. took a centering pass from David Bonhomme mastered the scorching eighth straight time. There were 14 6. Yoshihide Muroya (JPN), 7. Peter scored for the Coyotes, while Mike Jones and quickly fired a shot inside temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius pilots from 11 nations battling for cham- Besenyei (HUN), 8. Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA), and the changing winds to take top Smith made 28 saves in Arizona’s sev- SENATORS 7, OILERS 2 the goal post for his 10th goal of the pionship points in the race in which 9. Matthias Dolderer (GER), 10. Martin honors with a time of 57.787 seconds in enth straight home loss. Milan Michalek had two goals and season at 1:41 of the final period. pilots navigate a low-level slalom track Sonka (CZE). 11. Francois Le Vot (FRA), the first of eight races in 2015 of the an assist, leading Ottawa past Bouma came into the season with six made up of 25-meter high air-filled 12. Michael Goulian (USA), 13. Juan world’s fastest motorsport series. JETS 5, RED WINGS 4 Edmonton. Kyle Turris, Cody Ceci, Alex goals in 121 career games. Monahan pylons at high speeds while enduring Velarde (ESP), 14. Kirby Chambliss (USA) Hall was a close second on a glorious Drew Stafford scored the only Chiasson, Mike Hoffman and David had two goals nearly 5 minutes apart forces of up to 10G. Many of Abu Dhabi’s World Championship Standings: 1. day for racing, just 0.084 seconds behind shootout goal to lift Winnipeg past Legwand also scored as the Senators in the second - giving him a team- high-society spectators watched the Bonhomme (12 points), 2. Hall (9), 3. in 57.871 seconds, while Pete McLeod of Detroit. Stafford’s wrister got past matched their season high for goals. leading 19 goals on the season - to put action in style at the Sky Lounge and McLeod (7), 4. Arch (5), 5. Lamb (4), 6. Canada took third in 58.843 seconds in Detroit’s Jimmy Howard in the fourth Robin Lehner, making his eighth the Flames ahead 2-1 with 8:18 to go Race Club, the official and exclusive hos- Muroya (3), 7. Besenyei (2), 8. Ivanoff (1), the FÈdÈration AÈronautique round of the tiebreaker and Michael straight start for Ottawa, stopped 25 in the period. Karri Ramo stopped 28 pitality programs. The next race will be 9. Dolderer, 10. Sonka, 11. Le Vot, 12. Internationale (FAI) official air racing in Chiba, Japan on May 16/17. Goulian, 13. Velarde, 14. Chambliss. Hutchinson stopped Stephen Weiss on shots. shots. Ronalds Kenins scored in the world championship. Defending Red the ensuing attempt to seal the win. Derek Roy and Mark Fayne scored first period to put Vancouver ahead, Bull Air Race World Champion Nigel Howard, who missed 11 games for Edmonton. Viktor Fasth allowed and Linden Vey tied it at 2-2 with 2:17 Lamb ended up a disappointing fifth with a partially torn groin muscle, three goals on 15 shots before being remaining in the second. Ryan Miller after being knocked out by Bonhomme made 34 saves for Detroit in his first replaced by Richard Bachman, who finished with 31 saves. in the Round of 8. start since Jan. 6. The Jets’ Hutchinson gave up four goals on 27 shots. “It was all in a busy day’s work,” said stopped 25. Ladd also had a regula- AVALANCHE 4, STARS 1 Bonhomme, who won in Abu Dhabi for tion goal for Winnipeg, which ISLANDERS 6, BLUE JACKETS 3 Alex Tanguay had a goal and an the second consecutive year and fourth improved to 14-64 against Eastern Josh Bailey scored two goals in the assist, Semyon Varlamov stopped 24 time overall. “Our whole team has a lot Conference teams this season. Pavel first period, John Tavares had two shots and Colorado beat Dallas. of experience and I think we’re able to Datsyuk had two goals for Detroit. The goals and two assists, and New York Jarome Iginla, Gabriel Landeskog and get out of the blocks faster than the oth- loss ended Detroit’s six-game home fought off two rallies by Columbus. Dennis Everberg also scored for the er teams.” Hall made the most of his rev- winning streak. Tavares set up Bailey twice early Avalanche, who snapped a four-game olutionary new “winglets” — 750-mm and then gave New York two- and skid. Jason Spezza scored and Jhonas high curved tips on the outer edge of his CANADIENS 2, MAPLE LEAFS 1 three-goal leads in the third. The Enroth had 26 saves in his first start wings-and equaled a career-best second Alex Galchenyuk and David Islanders have won four straight and since being acquired from Buffalo on place. “I’m happy to be on the podium Desharnais scored in the shootout to six of seven. Ryan Strome and Frans Wednesday. Dallas came into the but it’s kind of frustrating to be so close lift Montreal. Brendan Gallagher Nielsen also scored, and Jaroslav Halak game short-handed. Leading scorer to winning. It was just eight one-hun- scored in regulation and Carey Price made 34 saves. Tyler Seguin is out 3-6 weeks with a dredths of a second! That’s about the made 28 saves for the Canadiens, who Brandon Dubinsky, Cam Atkinson, knee injury suffered in Friday night’s have earned points in five straight and Nick Foligno had goals for win over Florida, and Ales Hemskey length of an airplane that separated us.” games. Daniel Winnik scored for Columbus, which beat Philadelphia at and Patrick Eaves were also out.—AP Abu Dhabi, with its knowledgeable p16_Layout 1 2/15/15 9:28 PM Page 1

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 SPORTS

BEAVER CREEK: United States’ Mikaela Shiffrin races down the course during the women’s slalom competition at the Alpine skiing orldw championships. —AP Shiffrin defends slalom crown

BEAVER CREEK: Mikaela Shiffrin soaked up Thunderous roars echoed across the sun- everybody wanted it. I’m really happy to with Czech Sarka Strachova, who had sur- for last with Shiffrin landing the second the pressure and defended her alpine ski kissed slopes of Beaver Creek Mountain and come out on top but I really had to pull it gery for a brain tumour in 2012, taking the American gold in as many days. Her win fol- world championship slalom crown in U.S. flags waved from the packed grand- out at the very end. bronze. lowed Ted Ligety’s victory on Friday in the thrilling style on Saturday to give the United stand as the 19-year-old added a second “It’s always a relief to come down and “I have had an amazing season and to be giant slalom. States a golden finish to the women’s com- world title to her Olympic crown in the know I did a good job,” said Shiffrin, who able to take the silver, I am super happy,” For just the second time in 10 events petition. slalom. “It was a really big day and tough showed no sign of celebration after crossing said Hansdotter, who has finished on the Austria failed to land a skier on the podium, First after the opening leg, American dar- competition, especially that second run,” an the line. podium in four of six races to lead the Kathrin Zettel recording the top result in the ling Shiffrin trailed midway through her sec- emotional Shiffrin told reporters after “It’s just putting all my energy out on the slalom World Cup standings. “Mikaela was women’s slalom by crossing fifth. After tak- ond trip down the Golden Eagle track becoming the third woman, after Christel course, I don’t have energy to celebrate.” hard to beat today.” ing medals in the opening three disciplines, before turning on the after-burners and Cranz (1938, 1939) and Janica Kostelic Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter, whose after- After a slow start to the championships Slovenia’s World Cup leader Tina Maze was blazing across the finish line in a combined (2003, 2005), to retain the slalom world title. noon run was 0.06 seconds faster than that produced just one silver and two kept off the podium for a second consecu- time of one minute, 38.48 seconds. “It was a little bit faster, the course, and Shiffrin’s, claimed silver, 0.34 seconds back, bronzes, the U.S. ski team saved their best tive race, finishing eighth. —Reuters Irish on track after defeating France

DUBLIN: Ireland hung on to beat France layoff after suffering four concussions in a 18-11 in a tense Six Nations encounter at year, kicked Ireland into a 6-3 lead with two the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to seal their penalties either side of a strike by Lopez. ninth win in a row and make it two victories The home team then added two more from two to start the defence of their Sexton penalties, again either side of one championship. from Lopez. Returning flyhalf Johnny Sexton out- kicked opposite number Camille Lopez to BLOODIED HEADS give Ireland a six-point halftime advantage After his series of concussions began in that they stretched in the second period a clash with Bastareaud in Paris last year, before a Romain Taofifenua try meant the Sexton thundered into the big centre again hosts had to survive a late onslaught. early in the second half and both went off The victory put Ireland level on points at with bloodied heads. the top of the table with England. “Irish In Sexton’s absence, temporary replace- teams don’t beat France all that regularly so ment Ian Madigan nudged Ireland nine to do it back to back...is fantastic,” captain points in front before visiting coach Paul O’Connell told national broadcaster Philippe Saint-Andre brought on a new RTE. “We never really took control for long front row after 50 minutes. periods. We took control for short periods However, Pascal Pape was then sent to and you probably need to back it up to the sinbin for kneeing Jamie Heaslip in the dominate and I don’t think we really did back, forcing the number eight to hobble that.” off on his return from injury. Ireland’s intent was clear from the start. The hosts went for the kill but a rare mis- They were prepared to run with the ball judgement and poor pass from the return- more than in recent outings while looking ing Sexton let France off the hook. Ireland to neutralise the French with intense hooker Rory Best joined Pape in the sinbin defending that is becoming a trademark for a trip on Thierry Dusautoir before Lopez under coach Joe Schmidt. missed the resulting penalty. Mathieu Bastareaud, the player Schmidt Sexton made it five penalties from five reckoned would require three of his men to with 12 minutes to go before France finally take down, was turned over twice in the went over for a try after pulling Ireland’s first 10 minutes while Robbie Henshaw got defence apart and another miss from Lopez into opposite number Wesley Fofana’s face kept the gap at seven points. France straight from the first whistle. pushed for an equalising converted touch- Sexton, back after an enforced 12-week down but Ireland kept them out. —Reuters NEW YORK: Matthew Centrowitz (right) races down the final stretch ahead of Nick Willis in the men’s Wanamaker Mile during the Millrose Games. —AP Centrowitz edges Willis in rousing Millrose mile

NEW YORK: Matt Centrowitz held off New Sally Kipyego of Kenya won the 3,000 meters ner.” Willis’s time of 3:51.46 lowered the national Zealander Nick Willis in a shoulder-to-shoulder in a 2015 best of 8:41.71, and Murielle Ahoure of record he set last week. “I’ve learned that whoev- duel down the stretch to win Saturday’s thrilling the Ivory Coast clocked a year’s fastest 7:05 to er leads with a hundred to go in indoor track Wanamaker Mile at the 108th Millrose Games. win the women’s 60 meters. normally will win it, so I gave everything I could Willis, coming off a sizzling victory in Boston Brycen Spratling ran the fastest indoor time to pass him there but I couldn’t,” said Willis, the last week, came up on the right shoulder of ever in the rarely run 500 meters, timing 1:00.06 2008 Olympic 1,500 meters silver medallist. Centrowitz with 100 meters left but failed to get to beat the 1987 mark of 1:00.17 by Ken Lowery. Women’s miler Shannon Rowbury looked like past the American, who won in a year’s best The racing highlight came in the meet-end- threatening the US record as she opened a big three minutes 51.35 seconds, 11 hundredths of a ing men’s mile. Centrowitz, the world champi- lead before slowing before the finish to win in second ahead of the Kiwi. onships 1,500 meters silver medallist, was well in 4:24.32. “Just me getting tired, nothing wrong, Pat Casey was third in 3:54.36 ahead of eight- front before Willis surged on the last lap. “Doing nothing hurt,” she said. “I just had that elephant times Wanamaker winner Bernard Lagat, whose the last three laps by myself that’s not ideal for on my back the last 50 meters.” Also hitting the 3:54.91 set an over-40 masters record by more me to run 3:49,” he said about his goal of a US wall near the finish was Olympic 400 meters than three seconds over the 1994 mark set by record. champion Sanya Richards Ross, who grabbed Ireland’s Eamonn Coghlin. Ten runners clocked “Once Willis came up on me in the back the lead with 100m to go but slowed before the DUBLIN: France’s Pascal Pape (right) is tackled by Ireland’s Peter OíMahony during under 3:58 on the fast Armory track as several stretch I knew if I let him by me that it was game tape to finish second behind Francis Phyllis’s their rugby union Six Nations match at the Aviva stadium. —AP world-leading times were posted. over...I went all-out just to fight him to the cor- 53.14. —Reuters Ogier wins Rally of Sweden

HAGFORS: World champion Sebastien Neuville and Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen, Frenchman, also strengthens Ogier’s posi- Ogier, in a VW Polo, continued his victori- also in a VW Polo, who finished third. tion at the top of the world standings and ous start to the season when he won the “I feel an immense pride because, on this gives him a 23-point lead over both Rally of Sweden in dramatic fashion yester- rally the conditions were not always Neuville and Mikkelsen with the third race day. favourable, when you look at our opening of the season set for March 5-8 in Mexico. Thierry Neuville of Belgium, in a Hyundai position on the road for the first two days,” The race was decided over the final i20, was second, having finished Saturday’s Ogier said. 15km special when Mikkelsen was leading second day in control with Ogier back in “From the first to the last special, we by three seconds from Ogier and four over third, nearly 10 seconds down. were going flat out and taking a lot of risks. Neuville. However, the Norwegian But the Frenchman, already winner of This victory really leaves a special taste.” dropped 40sec on a long winding bend in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, added the 31-year-old. the middle of the stage and his hopes of a SWEDEN: Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia of France drive their VW Polo during clawed his way back to overhaul both The victory, the 27th career win for the first rally victory went up in smoke. —AFP the Rally Sweden of the World Rally Championship. —AP p17 2.e$S_Layout 1 2/15/15 10:32 PM Page 1

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 SPORTS Nishikori scrapes into final

MEMPHIS: Top seed Kei Nishikori is on hours. Nishikori had trouble against track for a three-peat at the Memphis Open Querrey’s serve and in the end was mightily after a narrow semi-final victory on relieved to edge the world number 41. Saturday. The Japanese barely averted an Last year’s US Open finalist trailed 2-4 in upset against Sam Querrey. He lost the first the final set tiebreaker, before winning five set before winning consecutive tiebreakers of the next six points to scrape through. for a 5-7 7-6(5) 7-6(5) victory over the “I thought a couple times that I might American, who served 27 aces. World num- lose,” Nishikori told reporters. “I knew it was ber five Nishikori will seek his eighth ATP going to be tough because I didn’t break title when he meets second seed Kevin any of his serves... It was really tough to Anderson in the final late yesterday. make any returns.” The South African also dropped the first Nishikori, 25, has lost the first set in all set before recovering to beat American three of his matches this week. “I’m a lit- Donald Young 4-6 6-3 6-4. Anderson, 28, tle bit tired from playing three tough staved off four break points in the second matches, but it’s just one more match,” he and third sets to triumph in just under two said. —Reuters

Preview Nadal seeks Rio defence

RIO DE JANEIRO: After a quick foot shuffle a sultry Southern Hemisphere summer at the city’s carnival, Rafael Nadal will get which has Rio in a stifling grip. “If the tem- down to the serious stuff from tomorrow as perature doesn’t drop by Tuesday I’ll have he seeks to kickstart his year on his favorite to fight to stay alive,” the world number clay by defending his title at the ATP 500 three said. event in Rio. “I don’t know if I am ready to win it. I’m Nadal was joining Brazilian legend and working hard to get back to the level I was former world number one Gustavo Kuerten at before I got injured,” added the first off Sunday night to sample the atmos- Mallorcan, who will target a tenth Roland phere of the samba parades before a Garros crown come the end of May. 70,000 crowd as the elite schools showed Ferrer, who last year shocked Nadal at ROTTERDAM: Swiss Stan Wawrinka with his trophy after he won the final match from Czech Republic’s Thomas Berdych during the 42nd ABN off their moves. the Monte Carlo Masters, meanwhile said AMRO world tennis tournament. —AP But after a succession of injuries last the sultry conditions were a challenge for year hampered his start to 2015, which everyone. brought an early exit in Qatar and then in “It’s been tough to train these past few the quarters of the Australian Open, Nadal days, especially during the daytime. I am Wawrinka wins in Rotterdam will be out to show off some moves of his trying to adapt and get prepared.” Other own as he takes on Brazilian world number names to look out for should Nadal and ROTTERDAM: Stan Wawrinka beat Tomas as second seed, finished on just under two hours to control it today,” added Berdych. 63 Thomaz Bellucci at the exclusive Jockey Ferrer both slip up include another Berdych 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 yesterday to claim the first with three aces and three breaks of serve. The Wawrinka entered his match having won all Club. Spaniard in Tommy Robredo, Italian world indoor title of his career in the ATP Rotterdam Swiss has now won his last six matches over three of his previous meetings with Raonic and David Ferrer, ranked nine on the ATP number 26 Fabio Fognini, Argentine World Tennis event. Czech rival Berdych and improved to 11-5 in preserved his 100 percent record against the computer, is the second seed this week and Leonardo Mayer, ranked 30, Uruguayan The Swiss fourth seed lifted his second trophy their series. second seed despite watching 15 aces whizz by can only meet fellow Spaniard Nadal in Pablo Cuevas (32) and Slovak world num- of the season after winning in Chennai to start On Saturday, Tomas Berdych crushed his outstretched racket. next Sunday’s final. ber 38 Martin Klizan. the year and reaching an Australian Open semi- Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-2 6-1. Third seed In a match featuring seven break points but Having had to overcome a wrist prob- Last year, Nadal came here with a back final last month. Berdych was totally dominant, offering up only no breaks of serve, Wawrinka won both lem and an appendectomy in recent problem but still triumphed over Ukrainian The 29-year-old ranked eighth in the world, one point on his serve throughout the 58- tiebreaks to reach his second final of the year fol- months, 14-time Grand Slam champion Alexandr Dolgopolov afer the latter first who won the Australian Open a year ago, now minute encounter. “My game was good and the lowing his success in Chennai at the start of the Nadal, 28, is hoping some of the carnival ousted Ferrer. owns nine career titles. He came good for his lat- game plan was even better,” Berdych told the season. sheen may rub off on his game. Against Bellucci his record is 3-0. est trophy after last playing Rotterdam a decade ATP’s website (www.atptour.com). “In general I’ve been playing really well,” said “I don’t think the carnival will affect my “Logically, he is the favorite,” admitted the ago. Third seed Berdych had been looking for a “I need to keep going as there is still one Wawrinka. “I’ve been really aggressive and mov- game-it’s an event which is great fun,” he Brazilian. “But in these first round games second straight title at the Ahoy Stadium and more match to go. I want to go all the way.” ing well in the rallies. “I served well when I faced said after arriving in Rio. One of the key the top players are not settled into their was bidding to defend a title for the first time in Simon beat top seed Andy Murray on Friday but a break point. It’s only one or two points that factors for Nadal and his rivals will be the tournament and are still finding their feet. his career. could not cope with the Berdych onslaught. “We make the difference and I played good intense heat which in recent days has been So there is an opportunity to pull off a sur- Wawrinka, who heads to Marseille next week have worked really hard on my serve. I was able tiebreaks.” —Reuters bordering on 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in prise.” —AFP Pennetta wins at Dubai Open

DUBAI: Flavia Pennetta, the former top tough, but it isn’t easy to say what I real- 20 Italian, provided a substantial pay- ly did (to survive) there.” back to organisers, which gave her a Pennetta then appeared to take wild card, by recovering dramatically advantage of Goerges’ disappointment from a large deficit and near tears to win as she followed her escape from match her first round match at the Dubai points by breaking serve immediately, Open. then repeating the achievement, and Pennetta’s attempts to enter the going on to dominate the tie-break. $2,500,000 Premier 5 tournament had When Pennetta then reached 4-1 in only happened after the official dead- the final set, the match looked nearly line, and after getting her belated over, but Goerges gave it a twist by get- acceptance she responded with an ting the score back on serve at 3-4 emotional 2-6, 7-6(7-3), 6-4 win over before playing two disappointing serv- Germany’s Julia Goerges, also a former ice games to concede defeat. By then top 20 player, to score her first victory of Pennetta’s standard had gone up - the year. Goerges had also been fortu- though “it’s still not good yet,” she said - nate to make the main draw, qualifying and Goerges’s had dipped a little. only as a lucky loser, but seemed certain “At least I had two hours and ten min- to make further progress when she led utes on court and a little bit of my tennis by a set and 5-2 in the second. was coming,” concluded Pennetta, who “I was almost crying on the court - I next plays the winner of Wang Qiang of was feeling so bad,” admitted Pennetta. China and Kurumi Nara of Japan, and “Sometimes you don’t feel good at the could progress to a last 16 meeting with beginning of the year. My good tennis another German, Angelique Kerber, the China dominate ‘Salwa Cup’ just was not coming.” world number ten. There seemed little chance of it com- Earlier there were wins for Samantha ing in this tournament when she slipped Stosur, the former US Open champion By Abdellatif Sharaa to 15-40 in the eighth game of the sec- from Australia, who earned a second ond set, but somehow she conjured two round meeting with Caroline Wozniacki, KUWAIT: Competitions of the 10th Kuwait International steadier rallies to save those two match the world number five from Denmark; Table Tennis Tournament ‘Salwa Cup’ is in its last stages points, and then saved two more after also for Svetlana Kuznetsova, the former with outstanding performance by China’s ranked players as Goerges got advantage points. French and US Open champion from they qualified for the final rounds. Four Chinese players reached the round of four in the men’s singles as the first After saving those two as well Russia, and for Sabine Lisicki, the former seed in the tournament Jo Zing will meet the fourth seed Wimbledon finalist from Germany. The Pennetta claimed “I don’t know how I Zing Jik, while the second seed Ma Long will meet Van did it.” She added: “I was just playing titleholder Venus Williams begins her Zing. Four female players qualified for the same round as until the last point. I wasn’t playing well defence tomorrow (Tuesday) against Ben Ning will face Zo Yu Ling, while Lee Xiao will meet Li but I was just playing with what I have. Belinda Bencic, the 17-year-old former Shi Wun. The doubles rounds will see China facing Hong “When you fight you can get closer to French Open and Wimbledon junior Kong as they reached the finals while the women’s doubles a good level. My coach says I am really champion from Switzerland.—AFP will see strong competition between China and Germany. The U21 groups were honored and prizes were distributed in the presence of Sheikha Naeema Al-Ahmad.

KSSC to host shooting tourney

By Abdellatif Sharaa double trap for men, women, juniors and KSSC is proud of organizing this tournament, Kuwait Shooting School. as Kuwait is celebrating its National and KUWAIT: Kuwait Shooting Sports Club will Registration for those wishing to partici- Liberation days, and it carries good memories organize the late Sheikh Abdallah Al-Mubarak pate is open until Tuesday Feb 17 evening, of one of Kuwait’s sincere men. Al-Sabah Cup in the Olympic Shotgun on when the draw will be made to decide the Al-Osaimi hoped that Kuwait Shooters Thursday Feb 19-21, when the winners will groups. exert their utmost efforts in late Sheikh DUBAI: Julia Goerges of Germany serves the ball to Flavia Pennetta of Italy during receive their cups and medals on that day. Secretary General of Kuwait and Arab Abdallah Al-Mubarak Cup, as this is one of the the 1st Round of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. —AFP Competitions will be in the skeet, trap and Shooting Federation Obaid Al-Osaimi said beneficial events before competing abroad. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Fans in search of African World Cup glory HAMILTON: Hundreds of African fans Since their the semi-final tie in the 1999 New Zealand and South Africa last year. thronged the Seddon Park stadium to watch World Cup (Australia going on to the final Subrah Lalini Mazako, a student in Pretoria, South Africa play Zimbabwe in the opening thanks to their group stage win), South Africa had also come with her friends in a hope for Pool B game yesterday, hoping and praying were infamously dubbed “chokers”-a tag that South African win. “We are a group of ten stu- for the first African team to win the World stuck as they repeatedly spurned good dents who will follow the team, hopefully Cup. chances at crucial stages of major events. until March 29 final in Melbourne as we are No African team has won the World Cup Since their re-admission the Proteas have sure that this is our World Cup,” Mazako said. since the launch of the 50-over event in 1975 only won one major International Cricket “Hamilton is a very vibrant, diverse and a with South Africa finishing as losing semi- Council event, the Knockout Trophy (now beautiful city and we hope that it gives South finalists in 1992, 1999 and 2007 editions. Champions Trophy) in 1998. Africa an ideal start,” she explained. Minnows Kenya, who lost their one-day Some of the fans were holding South Local organisers said all 10,000 tickets were status last year, shocked everyone by becom- African flags and were chanting “Come on sold, some of them on the morning of the ing the only non-Test side to reach the semi- Proteas-win this time” and carrying pictures of match, and there were Zimbabwe, as well as finals of the 2003 World Cup when the event South African captain AB de Villiers. South Africa, supporters among the Seddon was held on the African continent. Marcus Bhuvenkaga is one of around 2,000 South Park crowd with Chispen Ndlovu travelling all Bhuvenkaga said he had been praying for Africans living in Hamilton and has become the way from Bulawayo. South Africa’s success. something of a Seddon Park regular. “I am not very hopeful of a Zimbabwe win “I am here to cheer South Africa,” “I am a teacher in a Hamilton school and but hope that South Africa beat Australia in World Cup results and standings Bhuvenkaga told AFP outside the ground. whenever I get time I watch cricket,” said the final,” said Ndlovu. “Australia look too “This is the best chance for South Africa to win Bhuvenkaga, who was also among the crowd strong but I pray that an African team wins the World Cup and shrug off the chokers’ tag.” who watched the one-day series between this time.” —AFP Pool B At Hamilton South Africa 339-4 (David Miller 138 not out, JP Duminy 115 not out) v Zimbabwe 277 all out (Hamilton Masakadza 80, Chamu Chibhabha 64) Jittery South Africa South Africa won by 62 runs

At Adelaide India 300-7 (Virat Kohli 107, Suresh Raina 74, Shikhar Dhawan 73; Sohail defeat Zimbabwe Khan 5-55) v Pakistan 224 all out (Misbah-ul-Haq 76) India won by 76 runs HAMILTON: David Miller and JP Duminy both scored hundreds as South Africa overcame a Played won lost tied N/R points run rate nervy start to beat Zimbabwe by 62 runs in their Pool A World Cup Pool B opener in Hamilton yesterday. Wobbling at 83 for four, South Africa were lift- Australia 1 1 0 0 0 2 +2.220 ed by brilliant hundreds by Miller (138 not out) New Zealand 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.960 and Duminy (115 not out), with the pair sharing Sri Lanka 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.960 an unbroken stand of 256 — a new fifth-wicket record for all one-day internationals-as they England 1 0 1 0 0 0 -2.220 piled up 339 for four at Seddon Park. Afghanistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Zimbabwe, as they had with the ball, started Bangladesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 well with the bat and were 191 for two in the Scotland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33rd over as Hamilton Masakadza (80) and Chamu Chibhabha (64) threatened before they lost eight wickets for 86 runs. Masakadza hit Pool B eight fours and two sixes in his 74-ball knock India 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.52 while Chibhabha knocked 10 boundaries off 82 balls but Zimbabwe’s batting wilted after their South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.24 departure. Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.24 Brendon Taylor chipped in with 40 and Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.52 Solomon Mire scored 27. South Africa’s spear- West Indies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 head Dale Steyn struggled with his line as he conceded 38 runs in his first five overs before fin- Ireland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ishing with one for 64 in nine. It was leg-spinner UAE 000000 0 Imran Tahir (three for 36) who dismissed both Chibhabha and Masakadza in his first spell while Already played Vernon Philander (two for 30) and Morne Morkel (two for 49) shared the spoils later on. Pool A South Africa, after losing the toss, slumped to At Christchurch 83 for four against Zimbabwe’s unheralded New Zealand 331-6 (Corey Anderson 75, Brendon McCullum 65, Kane Williamson 57) v Sri Lanka 233 all attack with key batsmen Hashim Amla (11) and out (Lahiru Thirimanne 65) skipper AB de Villiers (25) both falling cheaply. Miller smashed nine sixes and seven fours off New Zealand won by 98 runs 92 balls to better his previous highest score of 130 not out against the West Indies at Port At Melbourne Elizabeth last month. Duminy almost matched his fellow left-han- Australia 342-9 (Aaron Finch 135, Glenn Maxwell 66, George Bailey 55; Steven Finn 5-71) v England 231 der stroke for stroke, smashing three sixes and all out (James Taylor 98 not out; Mitchell Marsh 5-53) nine boundaries in his 100-ball knock. Their partnership beat the previous fifth- wicket best of 226 which England’s Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara shared against Ireland in Dublin two years ago. Ireland, Windies “I really enjoyed that, it’s been a long time since I last got three figures,” said Duminy whose side had been put into bat. “The pitch was defi- nitely slower than we all predicted initially, but promise run-fest with wickets in hand, we could go after them.” Duminy praised Miller’s innings by saying: “David was exceptional-he just muscled it about NELSON: Traditional giant-killers Ireland for muscle nor depth in the batting all over the park.” Miller became the 15th bats- and under-pressure West Indies possess department. men overall and second South African behind all the ingredients for a high-scoring But there is a lack of experience Gary Kirsten (against the United Areab Emirates clash in their opening World Cup match among their bowlers not helped by the at Rawalpindi in 1996) to score a hundred on his in Nelson today. absence of spinner Sunil Narine. Led by World Cup debut. Both sides feature quality batsmen recently appointed skipper, the 23-year- South Africa had also lost Quniton de Kock but relatively inexperienced bowling old Jason Holder, the West Indies’ last full line-ups for a match they have each tar- series was a 4-1 loss to South Africa dur- SCOREBOARD HAMILTON: South Africa’s Morne Morkel bowls to Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza during the geted as ripe for getting immediate ing which Proteas’ captain AB de Villiers Pool B 2015 Cricket World Cup match. —AFP points on the board. exposed the bowling deficiencies with a (seven) and Faf du Plessis (24) by the 17th over attempt to hold onto the catch, Ervine threw the The West Indies and Ireland are lead- world-record century off 31 balls. HAMILTON, New Zealand: Complete score- board in the World Cup Pool B match and de Villiers (25) also didn’t linger long. ball back before leaping across the boundary to ing contenders to fill the fourth quarter Holder became the youngest-ever between South Africa and Zimbabwe at De Villiers hit the first six of the innings, off complete the dismissal on the field. final spot along with South Africa, India West Indies captain when he took over Seddon Park, Hamilton yesterday: Tendai Chatara but, trying to play a similar shot But Zimbabwe failed to take any more wick- and Pakistan from Pool B which also from Dwayne Bravo who along with off leg-spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi, he was ets as Miller and Duminy smashed 146 runs in includes Zimbabwe and United Arab Kieron Pollard was dropped after the South Africa Q. de Kock c Ervine b Chatara 7 brilliantly caught on the boundary by Craig the last 10 overs, taking 30 alone in the 48th Emirates. Ireland are no strangers to players’ strike during their India tour last Hashim Amla b Panyangara 11 Ervine. over bowled by Mire with three sixes and as knocking over teams from cricket’s elite year. F. du Plessis c Taylor b Chigumbura 24 Realising he was going over the rope in his many boundaries.—AFP top eight. At the 2011 World Cup they “Not having them would be a huge AB de Villiers c Ervine b Kamungozi 25 pulled off an historic win over England loss to any side. But it’s beyond our con- D. Miller not out 138 and four years before that they stunned trol and we have to accept it and move JP Duminy not out 115 Pakistan. In the lead up to this tourna- on,” Holder said, putting an optimistic Extras: (lb1, nb2, w16) 19 Total: (4 wkts, 50 overs) 339 ment they beat ninth-placed spin on the Caribbean side’s chances. Did not bat: F. Behardien, V. Philander, D. Steyn, Bangladesh who sit just one spot behind “We’ve been inconsistent and not Imran Tahir, M. Morkel the West Indies in the International played to the best of our abilities but we Fall of wickets: 1-10 (de Kock), 2-21 (Amla), 3-67 (du Cricket Council’s one-day international have some world-beaters in our team. Plessis), 4-83 (de Villiers) rankings.New ball bowlers John Mooney It’s all about putting it all together.” Bowling: Panyangara 10-2-73-1 (3w); Chatara 10-1- and Max Sorensen snared three wickets “Obviously, the bigger picture is for the 71-1 (1nb, 5w); Mire 6-0-61-0 (2w); Chigumbura 4-0- 30-1 (1nb, 2w); Williams 8-0-44-0 (3w); Kamungozi 8- each and Andy Balbirnie chimed in with team to do well in this World Cup and 0-34-1; Raza 3-0-19-0 (1w); Masakadza 1-0-6-0 an unbeaten 63 in the four-wicket win. starting the World Cup well and carrying The West Indies meanwhile suffered a the momentum through.” Zimbabwe morale damaging nine-wicket loss to Ireland will be banking on Kevin C. Chibhabha c Duminy b Tahir 64 England last week when they were all O’Brien to anchor their innings, recalling Sikandar Raza b Philander 5 out for 122 in 29.3 overs, and just man- his World Cup record century off 50 H. Masakadza c Amla b Tahir 80 aged to beat Scotland with three balls to deliveries in their shock win over B. Taylor c Philander b Morkel 40 spare. The West Indies, winners of the England four years ago. S. William c de Kock b Duminy 8 first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979, His brother Niall O’Brien, along with C. Ervine c de Villiers b Steyn 13 have a reputation for being able to play William Porterfield and Ed Joyce add E. Chigumbura run out 8 sublime cricket. batting depth, but there is a question S. Mire c de Villiers b Philander 27 T. Panyangara c de Villiers b Tahir 4 mark over their bowling although Craig However, their glory days were some T. Chatara c and b Morkel 6 years ago and in recent times the quality Young offers promise after his five for 46 T. Kamungozi not out 0 performances have been few and far on debut against Scotland five months Extras: (lb13, w9) 22 between. ago. Former England international and Total: (all out; 48.2 overs) 277 They have only won two of their past now Scotland coach Paul Collingwood Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Raza), 2-137 (Chibhabha), 3-191 10 ODI series, beating Ireland in a one- believes the benefits Ireland have from (Masakadza), 4-214 (Taylor), 5-218 (Williams), 6-236 off match and sweeping a three-match several players performing in English (Chigumbura), 7-240 (Ervine), 8-245 (Panyangara), 9- contest against Bangladesh. In Chris county cricket will make them tough to 272 (Mire), 10-277 (Chatara) Gayle, playing in his fourth World Cup, beat. “They’re a well-drilled unit, and a Bowling: Philander 8-0-30-2 (3w); Morkel 8.2-1-49-2 they have a batsman who can turn a lot of their players have county experi- (2w); Steyn 9-0-64-1; Behardien 5-0-40-0 (1w); Duminy 8-0-45-1 (2w); Tahir 10-0-36-3 (1w) game in an over and along with Marlon ence, so you know they are going to HAMILTON: South Africa’s David Miller celebrates his century during the Pool B 2015 Cricket Result: South Africa won by 62 runs. Samuels, and Darren Sammy don’t lack cause teams problems,” he said. —AFP World Cup match against Zimbabwe. —AFP MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 SPORTS

German League Spanish League Paderborn shock Hanover

BERLIN: Paderborn claimed a 2-1 come- October the same year. back win at mid-table Hanover 96 yester- It was Hamburg’s heaviest ever league day to break their 10-match winless streak defeat. Just over two years after their 9-2 and climb out of the Bundesliga’s relega- drubbing at Munich’s Allianz Arena, tion places. Hamburg were again made to suffer having Hanover took the lead at home when also been beaten 3-1, 5-0 and 6-0 on their Brazilian defender Marcelo fired home on last four visits to Bavaria. 66 minutes, but Paderborn roared back Second-placed Wolfsburg had Bas Dost with two goals in seven minutes to take the to thank for their 5-4 win at Leverkusen as three points. the towering Dutch striker claimed four Replacement striker Srdjan Lakic lev- goals while Bayer’s Son Heung-Min scored elled just a minute after coming on and his a hat-trick, yet still lost. 72nd-minute header was followed up Having gone 3-0 up, Wolfsburg survived when Alban Meha found the back of the a spirited fight-back as Son claimed a hat- net with a free-kick on 79 minutes. It was trick in just ten second-half minutes. Paderborn’s first win since the start of Leverkusen finished with 10 men after November and saw them climb from 17th Bosnia defender Emir Spahic was sent off before kick-off to 12th. late on for a second yellow card before Earlier, Freiburg had briefly escaped the Dost hit his fourth goal in the 93rd minute bottom three with a 2-0 win at Hertha to secure a dramatic victory. Berlin in Sunday’s basement battle. The The result leaves Wolfsburg both eight defeat dampened Pal Dardai’s debut in points ahead of third-placed Gladbach and charge of Hertha after the Hungarian as many behind leaders Bayern. national team coach took charge when Jos Moenchengladbach claimed a 1-0 win at Lukukay was sacked earlier this month. Cologne as Swiss midfielder c headed their But Paderborn’s victory pushed Freiburg 91st-minute winner. Two home fans were back to 16th and in the relegation places arrested after a 30-strong group invaded with Hertha second from bottom on a the pitch after the final whistle. Schalke 04 bumper weekend of goals in the German suffered a 1-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt league. There were 38 goals in the German in preparation for hosting holders Real league’s nine games as leaders Bayern Madrid in Wednesday’s Champions League Munich enjoyed an 8-0 rout of Hamburg last 16, first-leg, tie. while Wolfsburg won a 5-4 thriller at Bayer Frankfurt’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leverkusen. Piazon headed home from a corner with 65 On Saturday, Bayern claimed the minutes gone to leave his side ninth while biggest Bundesliga win for 30 years to Schalke dropped to fourth. SPAIN: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, from Argentina (second left) controls the ball against Levante’s Tono Garcia (left) during a Spanish La Liga soc- warm up for Tuesday’s Champions League Werder Bremen’s remarkable run contin- cer match. —AP clash at to Shakhtar Donetsk by hammer- ues with a 3-2 win at Augsburg for their ing Hamburg in Munich. fifth straight victory which has taken them Stars Arjen Robben, Thomas Mueller and from 18th to eighth and the verge of a Mario Goetze all netted twice as Bayern ran European place. Messi slams hat-trick riot at Munich’s Allianz Arena ahead of VfB Stuttgart stayed bottom of the table Tuesday’s last-16, first-leg clash against after their 2-1 defeat at Hoffenheim, thanks Shakhtar in Lviv. to Sebastian Rudy’s 93rd-minute winner. This was Bayern’s biggest league win On Friday, Borussia Dortmund moved out since routing Kickers Offenbach 9-0 in of the relegation zone with a 4-2 home vic- as Barca reel in Real March 1984 and it was the league’s highest tory over Mainz as Germany winger Marco score since Borussia Moenchengladbach Reus got on the scoresheet, just days after crushed Eintracht Braunschweig 10-0 in committing to Dortmund until 2019.—AFP MADRID: Lionel Messi marked his 300th La Liga a subdued start, but Barca’s luck was in on 17 the Spanish international and Messi tapped appearance with his 31st Barcelona hat-trick as minutes when Neymar mishit Messi’s dinked home with his right foot. the Catalans moved within a point of Real pass over the Levante defence only for the ball Neymar was then upended inside the area by Madrid at the top of the table with a 5-0 win to spin high into the air and drop into the far Ivan Lopez and, having handed penalty taking over Levante. corner of the net. duties to the Brazilian when Neymar missed Barca have now won 11 straight matches in The two South American stars combined from the spot in midweek, Messi wasn’t to give all competitions and never looked in danger once more 20 minutes later only for Messi to be up the opportunity for his fifth hat-trick of the despite coach Luis Enrique making eight wrongly flagged offside when he seemed set to season as he sent Marino the wrong way. changes from the side that beat Villarreal in the double the hosts advantage. Suarez was introduced at Neymar’s expense Copa del Rey in midweek. Messi didn’t have to wait long for his first shortly afterwards and the former Liverpool Messi teed up Neymar to open the scoring goal, though, as Marc Bartra robbed the ball man provided his own moment of brilliance as early on and then took over scoring duties him- deep inside the Levante half and fed his team- he caught Adriano’s cross flush on the volley for self to take his all-time La Liga tally to 269 goals. mate to slot home his 35th goal of the season. just his fourth La Liga goal 17 minutes from However, even the Argentine was upstaged The four-time World Player of the Year should time. by a stunning overhead kick from substitute have added to his tally before the break when Earlier, Valencia needed an Alvaro Negredo Luis Suarez to round off the scoring. Messi, he fired over from inside the area after Diego penalty 19 minutes from time to see off Getafe Neymar and Javier Mascherano were the only Marino had made a fine block from Pedro 1-0 and move back up to fourth in La Liga. survivors from Wednesday’s 3-1 Cup semi-final, Rodriguez’s original effort. The on-loan Manchester City striker cheekily first leg win over Villarreal as Enrique continued Messi did add his second of the afternoon chipped home the winner from the spot after to use the vast resources of his squad. just before the hour mark as Sergio Busquets’s he had been brought down by Juan Rodriguez Those changes did understandably provoke lovely pass into Pedro was turned across goal by inside the area.—AFP

Italian League Roma slump as Inter and Genoa launch Euro charge

BRADFORD: Bradford City’s Filipe Morais and Sunderland’s Liam Bridcutt in action MILAN: Roma’s Serie A title hopes were But despite the visitors being during their FA Cup Fifth Round soccer match at the Valley Parade. —AP kept in check by a scoreless draw at camped in their own half for most of home to basement side Parma yester- the second period, Roma struggled to Bradford stun Sunderland, day as Genoa and Inter Milan hit nine find an opening. goals between them to boost their Cole had two chances late on to seal chances of European football next sea- the win, the Englishman hitting the Gunners shoot down M’boro son. upright with Verde’s delivery at the LONDON: Third-division Bradford City con- GIROUD DOUBLE Roma ended a run of four consecu- back post after Doumbia missed con- tinued their remarkable progress in the FA A quick-fire first-half brace by Olivier tive draws with a precious 2-1 away to tact. He then volleyed Florenzi’s curling Cup by beating Premier League Giroud was enough to give Arsenal a com- Cagliari last week to close to within sev- delivery from the right flank over the Sunderland 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals fortable 2-0 victory at home to en points of leaders and champions bar in the final minute. yesterday, while holders Arsenal overcame Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough, Juventus. Despite the draw, Cole insists the Middlesbrough. Bradford, beaten League who had eliminated Manchester City in the But after a thrilling encounter at the scudetto fight is open, telling Rai Sport: Cup finalists in 2013, stunned Chelsea 4-2 fourth round. The French striker opened Stadio Olimpico, Rudi Garcia’s men are “Of course the draw wasn’t positive, but at Stamford Bridge in round four and they the scoring in the 27th minute at the six points adrift and now in danger of the championship is long and we will pulled off another upset at Valley Parade Emirates Stadium by steering home a low falling nine behind the Bianconeri, who keep on believing until the end.” courtesy of a John O’Shea own goal and a cross from Kieran Gibbs. travel to Cesena in Sunday’s late match. Genoa, meanwhile, continued to strike by Sunderland old boy Jon Stead. Arsenal, who handed a debut to new Roma’s poor run of late had forced reap the rewards of signing M’Baye “There is always a danger because the defender Gabriel, added a second goal two Garcia to play down their title hopes, Niang on loan from AC Milan with the expectancy might have been we would win minutes later when Giroud capitalised on but the Frenchman hit out at his players Frenchman hitting a brace in a 5-2 this one after beating Chelsea, but we have inattentive marking to meet Alexis when he told Sky Sport: “If we have any drubbing of Verona, with veteran Luca kept that underdog spirit,” Bradford manag- Sanchez’s left-sided corner with a deft ambitions, we should be winning and Toni hitting a brace for the visitors. It er Phil Parkinson told the BBC. “After today near-post volley. Middlesbrough’s best not having to settle for a result like this. was Genoa’s second win on the trot fol- we would like another game at home. It is moment arrived deep in stoppage time “We only hit the target with four of lowing a seven-game winless streak incredible for all the players to experience when Spanish striker Kike headed against our 20 shots. We’re not going to score and saw Gian Piero Gasperini’s men up that sell-out atmosphere. the post. “We had a good day, but goals like that.” to seventh, 18 points behind Juventus “We had all three sides singing and Middlesbrough are a good side,” said Garcia had several injury concerns, and seven behind Napoli, who remain behind the team and it raises the lads to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “Olivier meaning Ashley Cole stepped in for third after Saturday’s shock 3-1 loss to the next level.” Bradford, 37 places below Giroud was very sharp. He has improved a Jose Holebas at left-back, although Palermo. Premier League strugglers Sunderland in lot compared to the player he was when he Daniele De Rossi was welcomed back to Gasperini said of Niang: “I know him League One, have reached the last eight for arrived here.” defensive midfield duties. really well and I think our style of game ROME: Roma’s Gervinho (left) and Parma’s Alessandro the first time since 1976 and will discover Earlier, a half-time rallying cry from new With captain Francesco Totti still flu- will allow him to show what he is capa- Lucarelli jump for the ball during a Serie A soccer match at their next opponents in today’s draw. manager Tim Sherwood inspired Aston Villa hit, Seydou Doumbia made his debut ble of.” Rome’s Olympic stadium. —AP Bradford’s fans witnessed home wins to beat Premier League rivals Leicester City alongside Ivory Coast compatriot Inter’s 3-0 win over Palermo last Gervinho at the centre of a three- week ended a three-game winless run over Arsenal and Aston Villa during their 2-1 at Villa Park and book their place in the French League side’s run to the League Cup final two years last eight. pronged attack with Adem Ljajic, the and seemed to open up the floodgates ago and they had a goal to celebrate within Leicester enjoyed the best of the first Africans thrown straight into the mix for Roberto Mancini’s men, who after their recent triumph at the Africa grabbed a precious 4-1 win away to three minutes of kick-off against half, but Sherwood, watching from the Cup of Nations. Atalanta with Fredy Guarin hitting a Sunderland. Filipe Morais’s free-kick from stands after being appointed as the succes- Bordeaux edge Parma are on the brink of going into brace to claim his third goal in two wide on the right found Billy Clarke at the sor to Paul Lambert on Saturday, made a visit to the home changing room at the administration-the issue of unpaid games. back post and although his left-foot shot wages could decide the club’s future on “He’s a great midfielder,” Mancini said Saint-Etienne was flying well wide, it struck Sunderland interval and Villa were a different team in the second period. Monday-but if there was fear among of Colombian Guarin. “Hopefully after captain O’Shea on the leg and cannoned PARIS: Bordeaux defeated Saint-Etienne 1-0 yesterday to close the Leandro Bacuna’s 68th-minute curler Roberto Donadoni’s men, they kept it what has been a difficult period he is into the net. gap on the leading trio Lyon, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. A put them ahead and a blunder by well hidden. back on the right path.” Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher had a 42nd minute strike from Diego Rolan, which ‘handcuffed’ goalkeeper Leicester’s Australian goalkeeper Mark Parma frustrated Roma throughout, The Nerazzurri moved up to 10th penalty appeal waved away and home Stephane Ruffier, lifted Willy Sagnol’s side level on 40 points with Schwarzer allowed substitute Scott Sinclair especially in an entertaining second place, 21 points behind Juventus but goalkeeper Ben Williams saved from both half when teenager Daniele Verde, who two ahead of city rivals AC Milan, who Monaco and one point behind fourth-placed Saint-Etienne. It was to make it 2-0 before Andrej Kramaric Bordeaux’s first win at home since December 6, while Saint-Etienne Danny Graham and Patrick van Aanholt headed in a late consolation. scored his maiden Roma goal last week, were whistled off the pitch at the San before Stead made it 2-0 in the 61st replaced De Rossi on the hour mark and Siro after a 1-1 draw with struggling failed to win in the league for the fifth straight outing. “It’s a great On Sherwood’s half-time intervention, success against one of our direct rivals,” said delighted Bordeaux minute. This time Sunderland winger Adam Villa assistant manager Scott Marshall said: produced another lively performance Empoli. Johnson was at fault, dallying on the ball which opened up space for midfielders Elsewhere, Antonio Candreva’s first- coach Sagnol. “He came in there and made a few points “We knew the importance of this match and could have been sev- before playing a clearance straight to Radja Nainggolan and Alessandro half penalty secured the points for to the lads. The boys took them on board en points back but now we’re only one back which is within our Florenzi. Cole set up both Gervinho and Lazio in a 1-0 win away to Udinese James Hanson, whose header freed Stead and delivered it in the second half.” The fifth capacities. “It’s a great satisfaction after our month of December and Nainggolan in quick succession, but the while Omar El Kaddouri secured a share to squeeze a shot beneath visiting goal- round concludes on Monday when over the last two weeks we’ve had a lot of players come back from keeper Vito Mannone. The on-loan Manchester United visit League One side Ivorian’s shot was straight at Antonio of the spoils for hosts Torino in a 1-1 injury which is making competition for places intense,” added the for- Huddersfield Town striker has now scored Preston North End for their third consecu- Mirante and the Belgian’s low drive draw with Cagliari, who saw Ghanaian mer France international defender. Leaders Lyon, who are on 50 in all five rounds of this season’s competi- tive away tie against lower-league opposi- flashed inches wide of Mirante’s Godfred Donsah open the scoring on points and one above Marsille and PSG, are in action later Sunday tion. tion.—AFP upright. 34 minutes. —AFP away at Lorient. —AFP Jittery South Messi slams hat- Africa defeat trick as Barca Zimbabwe18 reel19 in Real MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Predators roll, Rangers beat Coyotes Page 15

ADELAIDE: India’s Virat Kohli (right) runs to complete his hundred runs during the World Cup Pool B match against Pakistan. — AP India extend hold over Pakistan Kohli only Indian to score ton against Pakistan in World Cup

ADELAIDE: India’s bowlers backed-up a land- Pool B game that was beamed to an estimated Jadeja. Pakistan’s most experienced pair of mark century by Virat Kohli as the defending 2.5 billion viewers across the world. Misbah and Shahid Afridi revived their team’s champions continued their World Cup domina- Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s 98 at hopes by adding 46 for the sixth wicket, but the SCOREBOARD tion of Pakistan with a 76-run win at the Centurion in 2003 to become the only Indian to recovery came too late. Adelaide Oval yesterday. score a century against Pakistan in the World Seamer Mohammad Shami dismissed Afridi ADELAIDE, Australia: Scoreboard of the World Cup pool B match between India and Pakistan Kohli hit 107, the first century by an Indian in Cup. (22), caught off a full toss by Kohli, running back at the Adelaide Oval yesterday: World Cup matches against their arch-rivals, to The Indian vice-captain put on 129 for the in the covers, and four balls later had Wahab Riaz India: Pakistan: lift his team to an imposing 300 for seven after second wicket with Dhawan and 110 for the edging to Dhoni. R. Sharma c Misbah b Sohail 15 Ahmed Shehzad c Jadeja b Yadav 47 they elected to bat on an even-paced pitch in third with Raina to leave Pakistan chasing a tar- Kohli was let-off on the long-on fence by Yasir S. Dhawan run out (Misbah) 73 Younis Khan c Dhoni b Shami 6 their World Cup opener. Mohammad Shami get of six runs an over under lights and overcast Shah on three and again by wicket-keeper V. Kohli c Akmal b Sohail 107 Haris Sohail c Raina b Ashwin 36 picked up four wickets and Umesh Yadav and conditions. Akmal after he had made 76. He was finally S. Raina c Haris b Sohail 74 Misbah-ul Haq c Rahane b Shami 76 Mohit Sharma two each as Pakistan were shot Pakistan, whose most successful World Cup caught by Akmal in the 46th over. Raina holed M. Dhoni c Misbah b Sohail 18 Sohaib Maqsood c Raina b Yadav 0 out for 224 with three overs to spare as they suf- chase was 262 against New Zealand in 1992, out in the deep two overs later before three R. Jadeja b Riaz 3 Umar Akmal c Dhoni b Jadeja 0 Shahid Afridi c Kohli b Shami 22 fered their sixth consecutive World Cup defeat sent Younis Khan to open the batting but the wickets fell with the score on 296. However, A. Rahane b Sohail 0 by India dating back to 1992. gamble backfired as the veteran was dismissed India still managed to add 83 runs in the last 10 Wahab Riaz c Dhoni b Shami 4 R. Ashwin not out 1 Skipper Misbah-ul Haq played a lone hand for six. overs. Yasir Shah c Yadav b Mohit 13 Mohammad Shami not out 3 with a valiant 76 off 84 balls that ensured Ahmed Shehzad (47) and Haris Sohail (36) Earlier, Dhawan and Rohit Sharma made a Sohail Khan c Yadav b Mohit 7 Pakistan did not surpass their heaviest World put on 68 for the second wicket, but the fall of slow, but steady start against the spot-on Extras: (lb2, w3, nb1) 6 Mohammad Irfan not out 1 Cup defeat, a 112-run reverse against England in four quick wickets reduced Pakistan to 103 for Pakistani seamers with an opening stand of 34 Total (for 7 wkts, 50 overs) 300 Extras: (lb1, w10, nb1) 12 Cape Town in 2003. five in the 25th over. by the eighth over. Did not bat: U Yadav, M Sharma Total (all out, 47 overs) 224 Kohli showed why he is one of the most After off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had Sharma, the only batsman with two 200s in Fall of wickets: 1-34 (R. Sharma), 2-163 Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Younis), 2-79 (Haris), 3- feared batsmen in modern cricket as he survived Haris caught in the slips, seamer Umesh Yadav one-day internationals,had made 15 when he (Dhawan), 3-273 (Kohli), 4-284 (Raina), 5-296 102 (Shehzad), 4-102 (Maqsood), 5-103 two dropped catches to notch up his 22nd one- removed Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood in three top-edged an intented pull off hard-working (Jadeja), 6-296 (Dhoni), 7-296 (Rahane). (Akmal), 6-149 (Afridi), 7-154 (Riaz), 8-203 day international century in his 151st match at balls through catches at point and slips. seamer Sohail Khan and was caught at mid-off. Bowling: Irfan 10-0-58-0 (1nb, 2w), Sohail (Yasir), 9-220 (Misbah), 10-224 (Sohail) this level. Umar Akmal failed to score as India earned a Sohail, a 30-year-old who played the last of 10-0-55-5 (1w), Afridi 8-0-50-0, Riaz 10-0-49- Bowling: Yadav 10-0-50-2 (5w), Shami 9-1- Opener Shikhar Dhawan made 73 and fellow favourable review by the third umpire for a thin his five one-dayers in 2011, conceded just 15 1, Yasir 8-0-60-0, Haris 4-0-26-0. 35-4 (4w), Mohit 9-0-35-2 (1nb), Raina 1-0-6- left-hander Suresh Raina smashed 74 off 56 balls edge caught by captain and wicket-keeper runs in his first five overs. He finished with cred- 0, Ashwin 8-3-41-1 (1w), Jadeja 10-0-56-1 in front of a sell-out crowd of over 47,000 in a Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind off Ravindra itable figures of five for 55 from 10 overs. — AFP Indian fans hail victory

NEW DELHI: Jubilant fans spilled out watching this match which Pakistan me, India has won the World Cup onto India’s streets and let off fire- has lost,” said Farhat Irshad, 22, who today!” crackers after the national team saw the game in an Islamabad Earlier in the day a photo trending defeated bitter rivals Pakistan in their restaurant in the company of about on Twitter showed guests at a wedding opening World Cup match in Adelaide 200 others. craning their necks to watch the match yesterday. India have won all their previous live on a giant screen. On Saturday spe- In bars, restaurants and homes World Cup matches against Pakistan, cial prayers were held at a famous tem- nationwide, millions watched Virat but Pakistani media and fans were ple in Mumbai where fans chanted Kohli score a majestic 107 before his hoping against hope for a first-ever hymns in front of a replica of the World side cruised to an emphatic 76-run win success. Cup Trophy-kept beside Ganesha, the at the jam-packed Adelaide Oval. “We had a lot of expectations, that Hindu god of luck and fortune. Scores of euphoric university stu- Pakistan might change history... but However, some Indian fans were left dents gathered in the heart of the capi- they did not make it possible,” Irshad seething after their Air India flight to tal New Delhi as soon as the last added. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Sydney was delayed by eight hours - Pakistan wicket fell, dancing and wav- Modi, who had called his Pakistani meaning they missed the game alto- ing the saffron and green Indian flag. counterpart Nawaz Sharif to wish him gether according to local newspaper “I love you, Virat Kohli, it’s the best luck before the match, took to Twitter reports. gift that you could give India,” said to congratulate the team. Enraged fans held heated argu- Shreya Sharma, 21, planting a kiss on a “Congrats Team India. Well played. ments and engaged in “fisticuffs” with blow-up poster of the Indian vice-cap- We are all very proud of you,” he tweet- besieged airline staff who blamed the tain.Across the border, the mood was a ed. For legions of supporters in both delay on a shortage of cabin crew, the mirror image. India and Pakistan, a win over the old Times of India reported. Millions of Pakistanis nationwide enemy is almost as important as win- “AI (Air India) has killed the World watched the match either at home or ning the tournament. “The pressure is Cup for us. We had a connecting flight in restaurants with specially installed now off India, now they can relax for to Adelaide. We won’t get to see it even ADELAIDE: Indian supporters celebrate a century by Indian batsman Virat Kohli during the Pool B 2015 big screens, but left downhearted. “I the rest of the tournament,” S. Shriram, on TV now,” one passenger told the Cricket World Cup match against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval. — AFP had huge feelings and excitement in a software professional, told AFP. “For Hindustan Times. — AFP Gold’s luster lures Turkish savers

Page 22 Business Nespresso opens new Boutique in Kuwait MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 Page 25 Zain Jordan first in Kingdom to launch Rolls-Royce Motor Cars craftsman flown to Kuwait 4G LTE services Page 26 Page 22

PARIS: People go shopping at an H&M store yesterday on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. French lawmakers voted late February 13 in favor of proposals to introduce “international tourist zones” where shops would be open every Sunday and until midnight every night. — AFP Greece, EU agree on ‘national reform plan’ Greeks brim with pride as country totters on the edge ATHENS: Greece has agreed with its European partners said. “The Greek government’s (moves) will have as their politicians in Germany, the euro zone’s paymaster. Greek TV channel Mega’s main news broadcast on that there needs to be a “national reform goal the stability of the financial system and there are no Hans Michelbach, a senior conservative lawmaker, said Thursday gushed over him “stealing the show”. plan” to deal with decades-long issues of the economy, circumstances that will have the share value of the banks the new government needed to prove that it “was not just “For the first time in years I feel proud to be Greek,” said its government spokesman said yesterday. But he added as the goal. about sham-compliance” and warned Greece’s euro zone Lena Dousiou, a 32-year-old who worked in a printing in a wide-ranging interview on Greece’s Skai TV that the partners against granting Athens too many concessions. shop before being laid off two years ago. “We went to the new government will not clash with the public based on Greek PM confident “There are programs which have been signed by Europeans with our head held high and told them orders from outside. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expects tough talks Greece and to which the new government is tied. ‘Enough is enough!’” Greece and its euro-zone partners are in difficult nego- at a meeting of euro-zone finance ministers on Monday International agreements cannot be voted away,” he was Another TV feature on Varoufakis had the pop hit “Can’t tiations over demands by the new government of leftist over how to proceed with its international bailout but quoted as saying in the Handelsblatt newspaper on take my eyes off you” in the background. Far from obsess- Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras for an end to austerity and a remains confident, he told a German magazine in an inter- Saturday. ing over a potential Greek banking collapse or a euro-zone renegotiation of Greece’s debt. Spokesman Gabriel view published yesterday. exit after Thursday’s talks ended without agreement, Sakellaridis reiterated that the government was not will- “I expect difficult negotiations, nevertheless I am full of Big support Greek newspapers ran headlines suggesting a “bridge” ing to accept a euro zone bailout if it came with the same confidence,” Tsipras told Germany’s Stern magazine, reiter- For over a fortnight, Europe’s single warning to Greece deal would soon be adopted. kind of strings as in past. ating calls for international creditors to give Athens more has been that the chaos and misery of national bankrupt- “Spring in Athens, fog in Brussels” proclaimed Efimerida “A lot has happened since last Wednesday’s Eurogroup time to implement its reform program. “I promise you: cy await it unless its new left-wing government changes ton Syntakton on its front page. (meeting). It was a period of continuous negotiations,” he Greece will then be in six months’ time a completely differ- its anti-austerity tune. The message of impending doom Two polls this week showed that over three-quarters of said. “(But) the Greek government is determined to stick to ent country,” he said. Greece and its euro zone partners are appears to have gone largely unnoticed on the streets of Greeks support Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s hardline its commitment towards the public ... and not continue a in arduous negotiations over demands by the new leftist Athens, where a mood of hope and optimism bordering stance for a wholesale cancellation of Greece’s bailout pro- program that has the characteristics of the previous government led by Tsipras for an end to austerity and a on euphoria reigns as Greeks see themselves finally shak- gram, which has alarmed Europe and left Athens danger- bailout agreements.” renegotiation of debt. The country’s current bailout pro- ing off foreign shackles to shape their own destiny. ously close to bankruptcy. An opinion poll this week Sakellaridis also said the government would find a way gram expires at the end of February. “Bankrupt but free” proclaimed a banner at a pro-govern- showed 79 percent of Greeks backed Tsipras’s policies and for the country’s battered banking system to work in the Tsipras struck a conciliatory tone saying he wanted a ment demonstration on Wednesday that drew thousands. 74 percent believed his negotiating strategy will succeed, interests of economic growth. “Win-Win situation” for all parties. However, the new Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis was isolated at even though Greece has so far found not a single ally “We are making contact with the banking sector,” he government’s confrontational style has alienated some Thursday’s crunch euro-zone meeting in Brussels, but among 19 euro-zone nations. — Agencies HSBC says sorry over past Markets rise on Earnings and oil standards at Swiss bank LONDON: HSBC apologized to customers The disclosures have sparked a political MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS and investors yesterday for past practices at row in Britain over practices at HSBC and its Swiss private bank after allegations that whether tax authorities had done enough DUBAI: A stronger oil price, bets on fourth- Saudi Arabia’s central bank governor called percent after posting a 70 percent drop in it helped hundreds of clients to dodge tax- to pursue possible wrongdoers. Britain’s quarter results and dividends as well as posi- for reforms to the country’s lavish system of fourth-quarter profit. Abu Dhabi’s bench- es. Europe’s largest bank said in full-page Treasury Committee has called the bank’s tive news from local companies lifted most energy and water subsidies; higher electrici- mark rose 1.5 percent as most stocks gained. advertisements in British newspapers that chairman and chief executive to give evi- Gulf stock markets yesterday. ty tariffs could benefit the company’s bot- Developer Aldar Properties, which last week recent media coverage that focused on the dence on the matter on Feb. 25, according Oil closed higher for a second straight tom line, though the governor gave no indi- posted a 61 percent increase in fourth-quar- Swiss operation and financial affairs of to a memo seen by Reuters on Friday. week on Friday after another drop in the US cation that the government actually planned ter profit, surged 5.8 percent. some of its clients had been a painful expe- rig count, with Brent crude hitting a 2015 concrete action. Qatar’s index climbed 0.7 percent and rience and that standards in place today ‘Explanation needed’ high above $60 a barrel. The main Saudi heavyweight Qatar National Bank, up 2.2 “were not universally in place” in the past. Business minister Vince Cable said that index jumped 2.3 percent as petrochemicals DUBAI, OMAN percent, was the main support. Oman’s Bank “We therefore offer our sincerest apolo- he is seeking reassurance that such prac- giant Saudi Basic Industries Corp, which Dubai’s index added 1.5 percent on the Nizwa jumped 2.3 percent after United gies,” the advertisment said. It is addressed tices have been consigned to history. “It’s would benefit from higher oil prices, back of gains by developer Emaar Properties, Finance Co said its board had agreed in prin- to customers, shareholders and colleagues one thing to say that these things hap- advanced by the same amount. which surged 4.6 percent ahead of its fourth- ciple to merge with Nizwa. Oman’s index and is signed by Chief Executive Stuart pened 10 years ago, and we do need a Property firm Jabal Omar surged 7.1 per- quarter earnings announcement. After the edged up 0.3 percent. Gulliver. proper explanation of that, but what is cent, extending a leg-up which started last close, Emaar said its profit for the quarter Egypt’s market added 0.4 percent amid a Most of the message echoes an email absolutely essential is that the practices are week after the company said it had swung to had risen 14 percent to 861.4 million mixed performance by local stocks. Real sent to staff on Friday, when Gulliver said not continuing,” Cable told the Murnaghan a quarterly profit of 149.3 million riyals from dirhams, slightly ahead of OAB Invest’s fore- estate firm Medinet Nasr Housing and that the bank had sometimes failed to live show on Sky News, adding that he had a loss of 2.5 million riyals a year earlier. cast of 828.8 million dirhams. Development rose 1.4 percent after calling a up to the standards expected of it. HSBC written to HSBC. Saudi Electricity Co, the biggest listed util- Meanwhile, Air Arabia fell 1.8 percent shareholder meeting for March 5 to discuss a has admitted failings in compliance and Cable also said that the tax authorities ity in the Gulf, surged its daily 10 percent after reporting a 30 percent fall in fourth- capital increase. controls in its Swiss private bank after the need to take a firmer approach. “The treat- limit. The firm usually announces its annual quarter net profit, which it blamed on fuel The company reported a 16 percent media allegations that it may have enabled ment of small people and poor people is dividend in the second half of February and hedging and oil’s sharp drop at the end of increase in 2014 net profit last week to 215 clients to conceal millions of dollars of very severe, but the big fish-the companies investors may be betting on a generous pay- last year. million pounds, beating analysts’ average assets, though Gulliver said that many peo- and rich individuals-are not being treated out. Also, the stock gained this month after Engineering firm Drake and Scull fell 1.1 estimate of 187 million pounds. — Reuters ple alleged to have been customers had as seriously,” Cable said. “That is wrong and long since left and some never were clients. it must change.” — Reuters MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 BUSINESS

News Dimah report in brief US dollar needs

Dubai’s NPS signs to be revalued $200m financing By Hayder Tawfik DUBAI: Dubai-based oilfield services firm National Petroleum Services (NPS) has secured a $200 million refi- he US dollar has been appreciating over the nancing deal from a group of banks and financial institu- past year and the appreciation against the tions, Arab Petroleum Investments Corp (APICORP), one of Tmajor currency has accelerated this year. It has the participants, said yesterday. APICORP said in a state- appreciated over 14 percent against a basket of cur- ment that HSBC, Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi’s Al Hilal rencies just over one year. Its strength has been Bank were also participating in the deal which includes a more noticeable against the currency of the devel- $150 million fixed rate Islamic facility and $50 million to be oping economies and more so against the curren- used by the company for working capital. The interest rate cies of the emerging economies. and lifespan of the facilities were not disclosed in the state- Some of these currencies have hit record lows ment, although NPS CEO Adnan Ghabris was quoted as against the dollar. Currencies of Russia, India, saying in the statement that the cash would help fuel NPS’ Turkey, Malaysia, Brazil and so on have been devalu- growth over the next five years. The statement added the ing aggressively nearly on daily basis. No one knows refinancing “offers the company better terms and will posi- if this is an informal devaluation process against the tively impact the company’s bottom line”. APICORP was US dollar or just investors are getting more bullish part of a consortium of Gulf-based investors that also on the US economy and at the same time panicking included Fajr Capital which last year agreed to acquire NPS about the Federal Reserve raising rates any time in a deal valued “in excess of $500 million”. soon. I believe the US will have to accept a stronger Dollar stable against exchange rate as the Federal Reserve turns toward Kuwaiti dinar at 0.295 raising interest rates for the first time since 2006. KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the US dollar against The Federal Reserve will have to start at some point the Kuwaiti dinar was stable yesterday exchanging at normalizing interest rates. The problem is that KD 0.295, while the euro went up to reach KD 0.336 unless the Federal Reserve starts doing it, others compared to Thursday’s exchange rates, said the daily aren’t or cannot follow suit. Once the Federal bulletin of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK). The ster- Reserve raise rates, it will have to accept some ling pound exchange stabilized at KD 0.450, as well as appreciation of the dollar simply because it’s the the Swiss franc at KD 0.318 and the Japanese Yen first one to do so. I think the Foreign Exchange mar- remained unchanged at KD 0.002. The dollar was kets are starting to prepare and position themselves affected by the major currencies following the drop in for the rise in US interest rates. consumers trust in the United states, being the great- Many people in Turkey-which has one of the lowest private savings rates among major economies-keep gold as I have warned previously against borrowing in est drop since the 11 years. security for a “rainy day” rather than products offered by banks. the dollar. The easy access to the dollar is not a sound investment decision to take when measured against possible rate rises or crises around the world UAE’s CBI names Gold’s luster lures as we are experiencing now. Business and investors Robinson as CEO around the world should be ready and resign them- DUBAI: Commercial Bank International (CBI), the Abu selves to a stronger US dollar. Appreciation in the Dhabi-listed lender, has appointed Mark Robinson as its dollar, spurred by the US economy outperforming new chief executive, it said yesterday. Robinson joins from most of its industrialized counterparts, already has ANZ Banking Group, where he was chief executive for Turkish savers damaged earnings at some of the US multinational. Europe, Middle East and America, CBI said in a statement. Some US companies have been complaining about He replaces Kris Babicci, who stepped down from the post CB allows businesses to hold gold reserves the strength of the dollar but the benefits of the in October. Qatar National Bank, the largest bank in the strong dollars for US consumers outweigh any noise Gulf, owns a 40 percent stake in CBI. ISTANBUL: From the outside, it looks like any other auto- gold mining. The first gold was mined in Anatolia several made by those American multinationals. matic bank machine on the streets of Istanbul. But rather millennia before the birth of Christ but until recent years United Finance agrees than notes, this one distributes small pieces of gold. Gold there had been a long break in extraction. This changed Policy shift is hugely prized in Turkey not just for ornamentation or in the 1980s with new legislation facilitating foreign At the end of the day it has never been the policy to Bank Nizwa merger investment by banks but as a secure way for private indi- investments, resulting in the discovery of new gold of the US to interfere in the global currency markets. It DUBAI: Oman’s United Finance Co has agreed in prin- viduals to hold their savings. deposits at home. lets the dollar finds it own level or price. International ciple to merge with Islamic lender Bank Nizwa , the Many people in Turkey-which has one of the lowest pri- The extraction of gold has since risen exponentially, developments would contribute to deciding how financial firm said yesterday. On Wednesday, United vate savings rates among major economies-keep gold as from two tons mined in 2002 to 33.5 tons in 2013. A long to keep the benchmark rate near zero. Finance said it would consider Bank Nizwa’s merger The US Treasury always refrains from making any proposal when its board next met, which was the fol- security for a “rainy day” rather than products offered by bright future is assured, with underground reserves esti- public concern at the competitiveness hit from a lowing day, according to a statement to Muscat’s banks. mated at 6,500 tons. “The main reason for this boom is stronger dollar. There is no doubt that they are hap- bourse. Bank Nizwa, which started operations in 2013 According to estimates, Turks hold some 3,500 tons of that we still don’t have any tax on gross gold transactions, as one of Oman’s two full-fledged Islamic banks, has a gold. Banks have sought to capitalize on the tradition by we only pay VAT (value added tax) on finished products,” py with a strong dollar and believe like anyone else market capitalization of about $339 million, accord- offering accounts denominated in gold. “We were think- said Ali Bulut chief executive of Turkey’s number one gold that a strong dollar is good for America. The Federal ing to Thomson Reuters data. United Finance ing about putting all that gold back into the financial sys- retailer Altinbas. “I’m very optimistic in the long run about Reserve’s trade-weighted broad dollar index describes itself as Oman’s largest non-bank financial tem somehow, so we decided to create gold accounts for domestic demand, not only for fashion and jewellery but climbed 13percent in the six months through institution, and offers loans and leasing services as our clients,” said Seda Yilmaz, marketing manager of the also for savings.” January, and ended the month less than 1 percent well as corporate deposits. Its market capitalization is Kuveyt Turk Bank, the first to do so, in 2007. “So we Even if exchange rate variations have an effect on from its high reached during the global financial cri- about $106 million. bought one kilo of gold, and the demand on the first day activity and profits, Turks are the number four global con- sis back in 2009.The net effect of the stronger dollar, was three kilos. It was a very good decision, so we decid- sumers of gold and number two exporters. “In 2013, recy- together with lower oil prices, is still likely a very ed to move ahead.” cling, fabrication and consumption (of gold) boosted the positive one, but I think this should not prevent the Eight years on, Kuveyt Turk manages 200,000 gold Turkish economy by at least $3.8 billion,” said Alistair Federal Reserve from raising rates later this year. At Emaar Properties lifts accounts with different products allowing sales by Hewitt, author of a recent report published by the World some point the foreign exchange markets will dis- quarterly profit by 14$ cheque, bank transfer or mobile phone. Now with the Gold Council. count the rate raise on the dollar but I don’t think it introduction of the first ATMs that issue gold as well as “The opportunity is huge. We are only at the early has done it yet. the usual banknotes, consumers can withdraw pieces of stages here, there is a huge potential. “It’s looking very, This year at least ten central banks have cut inter- DUBAI: Dubai’s Emaar Properties , builder of the gold weighing 1.0 or 1.5 grams. very exciting... all that infrastructure allows Turkey to est rates as plunging oil prices lead to slowing infla- world’s tallest tower, reported a 14 percent rise in The success of the ATMs started a trend, with many become a gold trading hub within the region.” Made a lit- tion. The cuts in interest rates have been one reason fourth-quarter net profit yesterday. The developer, in other Turkish banks latching on. The volume of gold in tle jealous by the successes of banks in a market that they why some currencies have depreciated but it is not which Dubai’s government owns a minority stake, their reserves has gone from two tons in 2007 to 250 tons. once had to themselves, Turkish gold jewellers staked the only reason. I think more cuts in interest rates made a net profit of 861 million dirhams ($235 million) The government has also tried to join the bandwagon their interest in joining the gold investment industry. “We are more likely as inflation rates fall further. May be in the three months to Dec. 31, it said in a statement. with the central bank allowing commercial businesses to are a little bit disappointed. We may need new legislation it is a good reason to devalue your currency against That compares with a profit of 756 million dirhams in hold some of their reserves in gold and opening this up and have this gold end up with the jewellers instead of the dollar. Some argue that cuts in interest rates and the same period a year earlier. to private investors. the banks,” said Sarp Tarhanci of the Istanbul Chamber of the expansion of the monetary base have not led to Quarterly revenue was 2.85 billion dirhams, up 3 per- “Thanks to this measure, our sales jumped 85 percent Jewellery. increase in domestic economic activity but just cent year on year, although costs rose 6 percent to 1.32 last year,” said Aysen Esen, head of a leading gold refinery “Jewellers are customer-based, they build trust and weakened the currency further. billion dirhams. The company’s annual profit last year in the country. good relationships with their clients.” Turkey’s performance This is something quite noticeable in the euro- was 3.29 billion dirhams, up from 2.57 billion dirhams in “Over the last two years, banks have taken in some 40 in 2014 remained strong, according to the latest figures zone area. If there is no domestic economic activity 2013. Full-year revenue was 9.89 billion dirhams. Of this, tons of gold that people had stashed under their beds. published by the World Gold Council, even if purchases but only devaluing the currency then will lead to its shopping malls, retail and hospitality businesses And it’s just a small proportion of the reserves.” were down on the extremely strong 2013. 2014 demand increase in exports. This process will not go without accounted for a little more than half, rising 12 percent for gold jewellery of 68.2 tons in Turkey was down 7 per- notice and the others will devalue their currencies year on year. Emaar’s share price jumped 4.6 percent ‘Huge opportunity’ cent, “slightly more resilient” than the overall global trend to compete aggressively for market share. This liter- yesterday, outperforming the wider market’s 1.5 per- Turkey, where the mythical Phrygian King Midas of minus 10 percent. Meanwhile, investment demand of ally means we are seeing a global competitive cent gain. The results were released after the stock mar- turned everything to gold and Trojan King Priam was said 54.8 tons was 46 percent below the previous year’s 102.1 devaluation. — Dimah Capital ket close. — Reuters to amass his gold hoard, has historically been a centre for tons record. — AFP

EXCHANGE RATES

Malaysian Ringgit 83.445 South African Rand 0.019455 0.027955 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.870 Thai Bhat 10.060 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001885 0.002465 Turkish Lira 120.790 Taiwan 0.009314 0.009494 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Thai Baht 0.008748 0.009298 Japanese Yen 2.527 Australian Dollar 224.24 Indian Rupees 4.798 Canadian Dollar 239.29 Arab Swiss Franc 324.35 Bahrain Exchange Company Pakistani Rupees 2.918 Bahraini Dinar 0.780011 0.788011 Euro 338.45 Srilankan Rupees 2.217 Egyptian Pound 0.035956 0.039056 Nepali Rupees 3.002 US Dollar 296.55 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Sterling Pound 454.53 Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Singapore Dollar 219.200 Europe Japanese Yen 2.52 Iraqi Dinar 0.000191 0.000251 Hongkong Dollar 38.133 Belgian Franc 0.007726 0.008728 Jordanian Dinar 0.414149 0.421649 Bangladesh Taka 3.793 Bangladesh Taka 3.807 Indian Rupee 4.767 British Pound 0.450567 0.459567 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Philippine Peso 6.706 Czech Korune 0.004264 0.016264 Thai Baht 9.101 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.223 Lebanese Pound 0.000147 0.000247 Nepali Rupee 2.973 Danish Krone 0.041466 0.046466 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022000 0.046000 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Euro 0.332804 0.340804 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Pakistani Rupee 2.931 Nigerian Naira 0.001210 0.001845 UAE Dirhams 80.58 Norwegian Krone 0.035168 0.040368 Omani Riyal 0.764111 0.769791 GCC COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 787.08 Romanian Leu 0.085049 0.085049 Qatar Riyal 0.080730 0.081943 Saudi Riyal 78.811 Egyptian Pound 38.79 Slovakia 0.008733 0.018733 Saudi Riyal 0.078430 0.079130 Qatari Riyal 81.270 Jordanian Dinar 421.36 Swedish Krona 0.031279 0.036279 Syrian Pound 0.001269 0.001389 Omani Riyal 768.650 Omani Riyal 769.08 Swiss Franc 0.313438 0.323638 Tunisian Dinar 0.150684 0.158684 Bahraini Dinar 785.700 Qatari Riyal 81.66 Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 UAE Dirham 80.561 Saudi Riyal 78.99 UAE Dirhams 0.079745 0.080894 Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001339 0.001419 ARAB COUNTRIES Australian Dollar 0.222280 0.233780 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.065 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd New Zealand Dollar 0.215554 0.225054 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.822 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.381 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate America Tunisian Dinar 153.610 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 296.250 Canadian Dollar 0.233203 0.241703 Jordanian Dinar 417.130 Canadian Dollar 240.325 US Dollars 0.292400 0.297100 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.985 Sterling Pound 456.890 US Dollars Mint 0.292900 0.297100 CurrencyTransfer Rate (Per 1000) Syrian Lira 2.108 Euro 340.055 Morocco Dirham 31.291 US Dollar 295.600 Swiss Frank 276.690 Asia Euro 334.700 Bahrain Dinar 788.025 Bangladesh Taka 0.003508 0.004108 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Pound Sterlng 450.800 UAE Dirhams 81.035 Chinese Yuan 0.046133 0.049633 US Dollar Transfer 295.700 Canadian Dollar 236.700 Qatari Riyals 82.195 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036143 0.038893 Euro 336.800 Saudi Riyals 79.190 Indian Rupee 0.004462 0.004863 Indian Rupee 4.765 Sterling Pound 445.692 Jordanian Dinar 418.150 Egyptian Pound 38.710 Canadian dollar 234.870 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Egyptian Pound 38.750 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.219 Turkish lira 121.540 Japanese Yen 0.002418 0.002598 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.222 Bangladesh Taka 3.796 Swiss Franc 321.410 Kenyan Shilling 0.003285 0.003285 Indian Rupees 4.758 Australian Dollar 231.090 Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Philippines Peso 6.685 Pakistani Rupees 2.920 US Dollar Buying 294.500 Malaysian Ringgit 0.079324 0.085324 Pakistan Rupee 2.925 Bangladesh Taka 3.806 Nepalese Rupee 0.003031 0.003201 Bahraini Dinar 787.100 Philippines Pesso 6.689 GOLD Pakistan Rupee 0.002698 0.002978 UAE Dirham 80.450 Cyprus pound 727.170 20 gram 238.100 Philippine Peso 0.006589 0.006869 Japanese Yen 3.490 Saudi Riyal 79.000 10 gram 121.740 Sierra Leone 0.000066 0.000072 Syrian Pound 2.565 5 gram 61.560 Singapore Dollar 0.215690 0.221690 Nepalese Rupees 3.975 *Rates are subject to change BUSINESS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman fear money outflows after Saudi opening up

KCIC WEEKLY ANALYSIS

By Francisco Quintana - which are concerned about rapid country. As an example, stock market outflows towards Saudi destabilizing returns in Qatar and Dubai rose 55 KUWAIT: Rumors that Saudi Arabia local markets. These fears are not percent and 119 percent in the 12 might open up to foreign investors in groundless. months following the announcement the next months are circulating in the There are two important bench- of their promotion from frontier mar- Gulf’s financial circles. Until now only marks that influence asset allocation ket to emerging market. investors from the Gulf Cooperation in large investors. The first one is A similar benchmarking system Council (GCC) enjoyed access to the determined by the MSCI index. Stock applies to large institutional investors Tadawul, the Saudi stock market. investors often use MSCI indices as a - in particular sovereign wealth funds - Recent adjustments also opened the benchmark to track their perform- in deciding the geographical portfolio door to foreign investors by creating ance. Funds start by acquiring a port- allocation across asset classes. In this “swap agreements” allowing access to folio composed of the constituents of case, the allocation to each country certain Saudi stocks, albeit under very the MSCI and then tweaking the allo- should replicate the country’s share of restrictive conditions. If the road map cation to improve the performance of global GDP. Again, given that previous suggested last summer becomes a the MSCI and generate additional restrictions prevented many investors reality, a significant opening up of the market to foreign direct investment might take place as early as April 2015. The excitement in the investment Zain Jordan first in Kingdom community is understandable. The Saudi stock market has a capitaliza- to launch 4G LTE services tion close to half a trillion USD, around half of the total GCC market. It pro- vides access to major firms in energy, Launch marks the fifth Zain operation to launch 4G LTE finance and real estate that dominate the region and could expand interna- tionally. The market is also deep and AMMAN: Zain Group, a leading telecom innovator in eight Zain Jordan’s investment in 4G LTE in 2014 amounted to liquid: retail investors account for 80 markets across the Middle East and Africa, announced that its 200 million JOD (US$ 282 million), and the company will dedi- percent of daily turnover. It has also operation in Jordan officially launched 4G LTE services on 14 cate a further 100 million JOD (US$141 million) in the new witnessed intense activity in the IPO February, 2015, making it the first and only operator in the technology through to 2017. market, with some successful large Kingdom to do so. The launch marks the 5th country that Zain Furthermore Hanandeh added: “We announced our 4G LTE operation in 2014, particularly if com- has launched 4G LTE services across the region and the ninth plans in 2013, holding a trial of the technology at the Dead pared to the rest of the region. country to introduce the technology in the Arab world. Sea during the MENA ICT Forum. Following that trial we Furthermore, some sectors, like bank- Zain Jordan held a press conference that was attended by acquired the frequencies in April 2014, and were honored that ing, present cheap valuations. the Minister of ICT, Dr AzzamSleit, and TRC Commissioner Eng. His Majesty King Abdullah II launched the first phase of the Construction names might also returns. The inclusion of a country in from accessing the Saudi market, a Mohammad Ta’ani, Zain Jordan CEO Ahmad Hanandeh along- network rollout in November 2014.” receive substantial interest, in particu- the benchmark forces many interna- reallocation of funds to adjust those side local, regional, and international media. Zain Jordan’s Chief Operating Officer, Yousef Abu Mutawe lar firms able to tap into the govern- tional funds to invest in that country shares might hurt other countries that The recently launched network covers all governorates in commented: “We are proud of our technical team that was ment’s infrastructure and housing to replicate the performance of the were overrepresented. Jordan, with approximately 1,000 sites connected, guarantee- able to establish the network in less than 10 weeks, taking spending plans in the next few years. new benchmark. Saudi Arabia, along The risk of a rapid and abrupt real- ing the quality of coverage wherever in Jordan customers may into consideration the delay in receiving the equipment due These factors have prompted with Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, location of funds around the region be. Zain opted to utilize the same geographical scheme that to the strike in Aqaba port, and the harsh weather conditions. enthusiasm in the investment com- Lebanon and Palestine in the Middle exists. The possibility of other less liq- was undertaken four years previously when it launched Our teams overcame these complications and proceeded to munity. Some experts expect that by East and 17 other countries constitute uid less deep markets being impacted HSPA+ services, with the company providing comprehensive also expand our 3G footprint in the fourth quarter of 2014.” 2017 Saudi Arabia might become part the “MSCI frontier markets” index, the is real. However, those fears are being coverage to all areas connecting the Kingdom’s governorates Zain Jordan’s 4G LTE features high-speed Internet that of the MSCI emerging market index, group of “less developed” stock mar- exaggerated. A number of cyclical fac- by the end of 2015. reaches speeds of 150 Mbps, contributing to the doubling of attracting large inflows of funds - ini- kets. When countries reach a certain tors - which we will analyze in future Commenting on the successful launch, Zain Group CEO the quantity of information available online, in addition to the tial estimates suggest $40 billion to level of development, they are pro- articles - supported by empirical evi- Scott Gegenheimer said, “This historical milestone in the support of a number of mobile handsets, which opens up fur- start with - from investors that cannot moted to a higher group, the “MSCI dence from previous similar changes Kingdom’s telecom industry marks the 5th market in which ther opportunities for new digital deployments. participate now in the Saudi market. emerging markets”. The number of in the region suggest that, even if Zain offers 4G LTE services across the region. As the leading The new technology enables customers to enjoy video At the same time, the possibility of institutions linking their investments Saudi Arabia opens up its stock mar- operator in the Kingdom, we are committed to offering the calls; communication through social media, high-quality these adjustments in the global allo- to this benchmark is drastically larger, ket and is later promoted to “emerg- Jordanian community life-enriching mobile services and play- downloads through multimedia, use of business applications cation of assets has sparked fears in and therefore, being included in this ing market”, other markets in the ing a key role in the economic and social development of the on the go, in addition to high-quality integrated services that other markets - Kuwait, Dubai, Bahrain category increases inflows into the region need not suffer a correction. country.” Addressing the attendees at the press conference cater to the evolving needs of customers. Zain intends to add held in Amman, Zain Jordan CEO, Ahmad Hanandeh said: further features to its current services, including IPTV, Machine “Zain’s 4G LTE service is a quantum leap in the daily lives of to Machine (M2M), IP-based television and cloud computing. Jordanians, as it provides advanced solutions and enriches the Zain Jordan customers will benefit from various 4G LTE ECB used funding stick on experience of businesses and consumers alike.” bundles and products including an array of dongles, smart- He continued: “The technology caters to the growing phones and customer premise units. Zain will also introduce demand for Internet services in several segments, and its ‘Zain MiFi’ devices, which are the smallest portal Wi-Fi devices Cyprus, carrot on Ireland availability will lead to a positive impact on economic activity available, and can be carried anywhere, supporting 10 con- given the ability users will have to do things more efficiently.” nections. FRANKFURT: With its power over emergency funding for months before the ECB agreed to a deal to ease its bank banks, the European Central Bank wields a big stick that it debts. But it also swallowed a severe dose of austerity has past form in waving to badger countries into the kind medicine. That made it a role model for the euro-zone’s of aid-and-reform program that Greece is desperate to debt-ridden economies - something that Greece’s leftist escape. The ECB is loath to pull the plug on Greece’s banks, government, with its anti-austerity demands, is clearly not. a scenario that would almost certainly lead to the country’s The ECB’s Governing Council, which will reassess the Greek exit from the euro zone, but if authorities in Athens refuse ELA on Wednesday, can restrict the funding operations if a to extend the existing program or sign up to a new one it two-thirds majority is in favor. Some Council members’ may have little choice. patience is wearing thin. Executive Board member Peter Time is short, and the ECB has Greece on a tight leash. Praet said last week that ELA is “only for very short needs” On Thursday, the ECB raised the Emergency Liquidity and stressed the rules on provision to solvent banks should Assistance (ELA) available to Greek banks by about 5 billion be applied. Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann has called euros ($5.7 billion) to 65 billion, extending the funding for “strict standards with ELA”. until just Feb. 18, when it will reassess the situation. The ECB has already stopped accepting Greek bonds in U-TURN, OR GAME OVER? return for funding, shifting the financing burden onto Taking a strict approach would leave the ECB in an awk- Greece’s central bank. However, the ECB retains control ward position if Greece failed to agree a program at over that ELA funding, which is subject to tight conditions. Monday’s meeting of euro zone finance ministers but “If the Greek government says ‘we are not paying our nonetheless remained in the euro zone. “If Greece does not debts’, then the banks are actually insolvent, because they sign up to a program but it’s still in the euro-zone, it is basi- hold a lot of Greek sovereign bonds,” said Volker Wieland, a cally in a state of limbo,” said Andrew Bosomworth, a senior member of the German government’s Council of Economic portfolio manager at Pimco in Munich. Experts, or ‘wise men’. ECB Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said on The rules governing ELA stipulate that the euro zone’s Thursday a lack of agreement on a program would “defi- national central banks can only grant such funding tem- nitely not” automatically see Greece’s banks cut off from porarily and to solvent banks. ELA. Yet the solvency of Greece’s banks is tied closely to Denying Greek banks this funding “would be a way to that of the state, which needs the funding tied to its bring Greece to an agreement quickly,” said Wieland. bailout program. The existing program runs out on Feb 28. The ECB wants euro zone governments to work out a CLOCK TICKING deal for Greece’s future. A failure to do so quickly could This is a tactic the ECB has used before. In March 2013, accelerate deposit outflows from Greek banks, which have with Cyprus unwilling to accept the conditions for unlock- increased as EU negotiations have stalled. “The Greeks ing EU aid, the ECB set it a tight deadline to agree a bailout have to do a complete U-turn soon,” said Berenberg bank plan, threatening to cut off ELA funding to its banks. That economist Christian Schulz. “If not, I think there is a big quickly brought Cyprus to heel. chance the ECB will limit ELA. Then it will be ‘game over’ for By contrast, Ireland used ELA to prop up its banks for the Greek banks.” — Reuters Ruble tumble busts Russian buying boom in Spain

MADRID: Spain was counting on rich Russians to help revive its Catalonia in the northeast, according to the General Council of stricken property market by buying homes on its sunny coasts- Notaries. Hundreds also bought in the hot southern region of until the ruble collapsed on falling oil prices and the Ukraine Andalucia. At the same time, Spain saw a surge in Russian crisis. The sharp fall of the Russian currency, driven by slumping tourists visiting. “In the past five or six years it was like the oil prices and sanctions over Moscow’s backing for separatists Russians suddenly landed,” said Federico Alvargonzalez, sales in Ukraine, knocked some Spanish estate agents back down director of La Gavina, a luxury hotel on Catalonia’s Costa Brava just as they were staggering to their feet. “Russians are not buy- coast. “The Russians are a bit more profitable than other clients. ing right now,” said Ramon Riera, president of FIABCI Espana, a They order more expensive rooms and spend more on dining grouping of 120 property specialists. and wine,” he said. “What’s more, some Russians are actually getting rid of their “That may have made some people get carried away.” But properties here in Spain. There were some deals that were the tide turned last year as tensions rose in Ukraine-where over about to go through but the Russians have disappeared.” 5,400 people have died in fighting between Ukrainian forces Purchases of properties in Spain by Russians were already and pro-Russian separatists. The number of Russian tourists to declining steadily last year, according to the College of Spain fell to 1.4 million in 2014, down 10 percent compared to Registrars. the previous year, according to figures from Spain’s tourism They fell from 8.8 percent of the total in the first quarter of ministry. Hotel manager Iker Llano fears the impact of the 2014 to 7.5 percent in the third quarter, according to its latest recent turbulence will continue this summer. At his Piramide figures. And that was before the sharpest plunge in the ruble in Salou hotel on the coast south of Barcelona, Russians account mid-December. Overall, the ruble lost 40 percent of its value for 70 percent of revenues. He fears Russia’s problems will have against the euro and 45 percent against the dollar in 2014. an impact “not just on the number of tourists who come here, Russia’s government forecasts its economy will shrink by but that those who do come will have much less spending three percent in the first quarter of 2015 after growing just 0.6 power”. percent overall last year. Riera also fears that amid the crisis, Russian authorities are encouraging their compatriots to stay in Russians selling to Russians the country and buy holiday homes on the Black Sea. Some in Spain still have hope in the Russian market, howev- er. Despite the decline, Russians were still the third-biggest for- ‘The Russians landed’ eign buyers of homes in Spain last year, after the British and After Spain’s construction sector collapsed in 2008, “lots of French. “There will still be business with them,” said Kristina people were looking to work the Russian market, because it Szekely, owner of the luxury real estate agency Sotheby’s was the strong market,” said Riera. Russians above all went for International Realty based in the southern Spanish resort of relatively cheap properties near the Mediterranean beaches of Marbella. “Maybe some Russians are having to sell now because Spain’s sunny eastern coast. In 2013 they bought more than of the economic situation. But that will interest other Russian 2,000 properties in the eastern Valencia region and 989 in buyers.” —AFP BUSINESS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 Eyes of the world focused on Greece

GLOBAL ECONOMY WEEKAHEAD

LONDON: The coming week will go a long gram while bridging financing sounds fine - that direction but Prime Minister Alexis Last week, the ECB made available a But whether progress can be achieved way to dictating whether Greece remains in but there are serious issues of substance too Tsipras is likely to have to move considerably further 5 billion euros of Emergency under very pressing deadlines and large the euro-zone. A meeting of euro-zone and there is a gulf to overcome. further from where he is now. Tsipras says he Lending Assistance (ELA). Banking differences of opinion on the underlying finance ministers today is tasked with produc- The new government’s plan to renegotiate has a strong democratic mandate to pursue a sources told Reuters it did so because policy path between the two sides ing a deal that will keep Greece solvent and Greece’s debt pile and end debt-cutting will new deal. The euro zone says Greece owes deposit outflows have picked up and remains to be seen,” Saravelos said. which is acceptable to both sides. not fly given the amount of money Athens them a fortune. Both are right. Something also to ensure sufficient liquidity while ANY OTHER BUSINESS A similar meeting last week, marking Greek owes to European institutions and govern- must give. The European Central Bank has the standoff persists. Greece will cast a long shadow this finance chief Yanis Varoufakis’ debut, got ments. kept the pressure on and could possibly pull That money will only last until week but there are other key events nowhere over seven hours of talks. Some of There is economic logic in easing up on the plug on emergency support for Greek Wednesday when the ECB Governing besides. Top of the list is the minutes of this is down to semantics - the Greeks will not austerity to galvanise growth and increase the banks, without which they will collapse, if Council meets to review the situation. the Federal Reserve’s last policy meeting. accept an extension of the hated bailout pro- tax take. The euro zone could move a little in there is no progress towards a deal. It could stop the lifeline for Greek The central bank world has been upend- banks if Greece was clearly not in a ed by cheap oil and the prospect of the bailout program and/or if it judged its European Central Bank creating more banks to be insolvent. That would push than 1 trillion euros over the next 18 Athens a big step closer to the edge. “A months. continuation of the deadlock on Monday Interest rates have been cut from will immediately shift focus to Australia to India to Canada. Denmark Wednesday’s bi-weekly ECB review of the and Sweden now boast negative official ELA limits of Greek banks,” said Deutsche rates and the latter has started printing Bank strategist George Saravelos. money. “In the event of failure, we would In stark contrast, the Fed is expected expect the ECB to become more explicit to raise rates at some point this year. At 6XQGD\)HEUXDU\ on the timing of when ELA funding its last meeting, it said it would remain would be withdrawn or capped.” The patient about a first policy tightening ,QGH[ &KDQJH &ORVLQJ /DVW&ORVLQJ +LJK /RZ odds are still on some sort of extension but said the US economy was expanding 3ULFHLQGH[ ź      9ROXPH  to the bailout, even if it is called some- “at a solid pace” with strong job gains. :HLJKWHG,QGH[ Ÿ     9DOXH .:'  thing else, to allow time for more sub- The Bank of Japan delivers its latest poli- .6; Ÿ      1XPEHURI7UDGHV  stantive negotiations. But it is far from cy decision on Wednesday. guaranteed. In April 2013, the BOJ pledged to push The Dutch finance minister who will inflation up to 2 percent in “about two 7UDGHV 7UDGHV chair Monday’s meeting of the years” by printing money at an unprece- 6HFXULW\ +LJK /RZ 9ROXPH 9DOXH .' 7UDGHV /DVW &KDQJH 6HFXULW\ +LJK /RZ 9ROXPH 9DOXH .' 7UDGHV /DVW &KDQJH Eurogroup played down the chances of a dented rate to end two decades of defla- 0$5,1       ŷ  62.28.       Ÿ  breakthrough. “I’m really still very pes- tion. With inflation running at just 0.5 ,.$586       Ÿ  .5(       Ÿ  simistic about that now,” Jeroen percent, more stimulus is expected but ,3*      ŷ  85&       ŷ  Dijsselbloem said on Friday. Economists not yet. Of 16 analysts polled by Reuters, 1$3(6&2       ŷ  15(       ź  polled by Reuters estimated a one-in- five each said more BOJ easing would (1(5*<+       Ÿ  65(     ŷ  *3,       ŷ  7$0    ŷ  four chance of Greece leaving the 19- come at either its July or Oct 30 meeting. $%$5       Ÿ  $5((&       ź  nation single currency area this year - the Flash purchasing managers surveys for 2LO *DV     Ÿ  0$66$/(+       ź  highest reading since the start of the February from the euro zone, the United $5$%5(&       ŷ  Greek debt crisis in late 2009. States and China will give the latest .)28&       ŷ  85(&       ŷ  %3&&       Ÿ  (5(6&2       ŷ  “Ultimately, the alternative of ELA snapshot of the health of the world $/.287       ŷ  0$%$1((       Ÿ  withdrawal and eventual capital controls economy and whether cheap energy is $/485$,1       ŷ  ,1-$==$7       ź  for Greece is worse for all sides involved. starting to give activity a fillip. — Reuters %DVLF0DWHULDOV     Ÿ  ,19(67256       ź  ,5&       ŷ  .&(0       ŷ  $/7,-$5,$      Ÿ  5()5,       ŷ  6$1$0       ź  &$%/(      Ÿ  $$<$15(       ŷ  Swedish bond-buying 6+,3       ź  $4$5       ŷ  3&(0       ŷ  $/$4$5,$     ŷ  3$3(5      ź  0$=$<$       ŷ  could encourage its 05&       ŷ  $'1&       ŷ  $&,&2       ź  7+(0$5       ŷ  **0&       ŷ  7,-$5$       ź  Nordic neighbors +&&      ŷ  7$$0((5       Ÿ  .3$.       ŷ  $5.$1       Ÿ  STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s new bond-buy- said. “A free lunch will cost you in the .%00&       ŷ  $5*$1       ŷ  1,&%0     ŷ  $%<$$5       Ÿ  ing plan to stave off falling prices could long run,” she added. Economists are also (48,30(17      ź  0816+$$7       Ÿ  trigger a round of money printing by its worried how it could impact Sweden’s 1&&,     ŷ  ),567'8%$,       ŷ  fellow non-euro-zone neighbors to household debt levels, which are among *<3680       ŷ  .%7       ŷ  thwart untimely currency rises against the highest in the world. 6$/%22.+       ź  5($0     ŷ  the weakening euro, analysts say. Bojsen Jakobsen questioned “whether $*/7<       Ÿ  0(1$       ź  The Swedish central bank’s historic cut it’s necessary for Sweden to introduce an ('8       ŷ  $/08'21       ź  of its base-interest rate to -0.1 percent on even larger program in a situation where &/($1,1*       Ÿ  0$5$.(=       ź  &,7<*5283       ź  5(0$/       ŷ  Thursday was accompanied by the first the credit growth is doing quite well, .*/       Ÿ  0$6+$(5       ź  outright quantitative-easing program some might say too well, private con- .&3&       ŷ  5HDO(VWDWH     ź  adopted by a smaller economy. sumption is growing, and everything is +80$162)7       ŷ  Sweden’s move comes as central pointing toward decent growth”. 1$)$,6       Ÿ  .,19       Ÿ  banks across Europe are fighting to stop At only 0.3 percent of gross domestic 6$):$1     ŷ  )$&,/       ŷ  their economies from slipping into dam- product (GDP), the Swedish purchase *)&       Ÿ  ,)$       Ÿ  0$<$'((1       Ÿ  1,19       ŷ  aging deflationary cycles that could be remains a peashooter to the European &*&       ŷ  .352-       ź  difficult to reverse. Central Bank’s 1.14-trillion-euro bazooka 07&&       ź  &2$67       ŷ  “What we’ve seen since the end of unveiled in January to boost the sluggish 83$&       ŷ  6(&+       Ÿ  2014 and the start of this year is a type of 19-nation euro-zone economy. $/$)&2       ŷ  6*&       ź  chicken race between central banks. But Sweden’s program can still have 08%$55$'       ź  $5=$1       ŷ  Several of them have chosen to lower regional spillover effects. Denmark’s cen- /2*,67,&6       ź  0$5.$=       Ÿ  interest rates and expand their balance tral bank-which has kept its deposit rate 6&(0       Ÿ  .0(),&       Ÿ  *&(0       ŷ  $/$0$1       Ÿ  sheets,” bank SEB’s chief economist below zero for over six months and low- 4&(0       ź  $/2/$     ŷ  Robert Bergquist told AFP. ered it further last week-might see quan- )&(0       ź  $/0$/       Ÿ  Sweden on Friday announced it would titative easing as a tempting tool to 5.:&       ŷ  *,+       ź  buy 10 billion kronor ($1.18 billion, 1.04 reach for now that its Swedish neighbor 63(&       ŷ  $$<$1       ź  billion euros) of bonds with maturities already has. “If the currency peg remains ,QGXVWULDOV     ź  %$<$1,19       ŷ  between one and five years-a policy often under pressure I would guess (bond-buy- 2628/       Ÿ  considered a last-ditch attempt to revive ing) has got to be towards the top of the .6+     ŷ  .),&       Ÿ  16+       ŷ  .$0&2     ŷ  a stagnating economy. By contrast, list of policy options for Denmark,” said 3$3&2     ŷ  1,+       Ÿ  Sweden intends to use the program to Jonathan Hoynes at London consultancy &$77/       ź  ,6.$1     ŷ  take aim at a more specific threat: defla- Capital Economics. On Thursday, the '$1$+       ź  0$'$5       ŷ  tion. Prices in Sweden have been stag- Danish krone shot up on the back of the 328/7    ŷ  $/'((5$       ŷ  nant since 2012 but have yet to start Swedish announcement, an unwelcome )22'       Ÿ  $/6$/$0       Ÿ  falling, which could trigger a dangerous effect in a country whose central bank in &RQVXPHU*RRGV     Ÿ  (.77,7$%       ź  485$,1+/'       Ÿ  cycle where consumers hold off purchas- January spent six percent of GDP to keep 0+&       ŷ  $/0$',1$       ŷ  es, demand drops forcing companies to the currency down. $7&   ŷ  1225       Ÿ  cut jobs and stifling economic growth. “Sweden’s example could cause <,$&2       ź  7$0,19       ŷ  “Sweden’s only reason is this fear that Denmark to follow,” Hoynes added. In +HDOWK&DUH     ź  (;&+       ŷ  a weaker euro might result in high defla- Norway, although inflation has not 7$,%$     ŷ  tion pressure,” said Danish Sydbank’s ana- reached the 2.5 percent annual target .&,1       Ÿ  .6+&       ŷ  lyst Peter Bojsen Jakobsen. The Nordic since 2010 it is still far from flatlining at .+.+2727   ŷ  675$7(*,$675$7(*,$       ŷ  68/7$1       Ÿ  .&,&       ŷ  country is far from the eight-year stagna- two percent. The central bank also has &$%/(79       ŷ  0$1$)$(     ŷ  tion that led Japan to pioneer quantita- room to cut its interest rate, which sits at (<$6     ŷ  *1$+&       Ÿ  tive easing in 1998, yet Swedish central 1.25 percent after a downward nudge in ,)$+5     ŷ  $0:$/       ŷ  bank chief Stefan Ingves said this week December. 28/$)8(/       ź  $/,07,$=       Ÿ  that more expansionary moves could lie Yet the Norwegian krona dropped 0817$=$+$7       ŷ  0$1$=(/       ŷ  ahead. one percent on Thursday’s news of -$=((5$       Ÿ  1,1'       ŷ  6225       ź  %,,+&       Ÿ  Sweden’s trip to the money presses. )8785(.,'       ŷ  6(1(5*<       ź  ‘Not in crisis’ “That might point towards the $/1$:$',     ŷ  $*+&       ŷ  Some analysts have criticized the Norwegian central bank easing policy $/5$,       ź  .33&       Ÿ  move. “It sends a crisis signal and the further and maybe also introducing a =,0$+       ŷ  7$+66,/$7       Ÿ  Swedish economy is not in crisis,” Nordea quantitative-easing program,” Bojsen 8),*       ŷ  -((5$1+       ź  bank’s chief economist Annika Winsth Jakobsen said. — AFP .287)22'       ŷ  (.+2/',1*       ŷ  &RQVXPHU6HUYLFHV     Ÿ  *)+       ŷ  ,129(67       ŷ  =$,1       Ÿ  )LQDQFLDO6HUYLFHV     Ÿ  225('22       ŷ  Oman antimony project +,767(/(&       Ÿ  ,QYHVWPHQW,QVWUXPHQWV     ŷ  9,9$       ź  7HOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV     ź  $6&       ź  secures $4m loan 6$)7(&       ź  1%.       ŷ  )8785(       ź  MUSCAT: A joint venture part-owned by lower than China,” Eyi said, adding that much *%.       ŷ  +$<$7&200       ŷ  Oman’s sovereign wealth fund signed a $40 of China’s production was going to its domes- &%.       ŷ  7HFKQRORJ\     ź  million loan deal yesterday to finance the con- tic market, meaning it had a significant poten- $%.     ŷ  struction of an antimony roasting facility in the tial market for its product. $/087$+('       ź  %$5((4     ŷ  Gulf state, part of its efforts to diversify the oil- Antimony trioxide is mostly used as a flame .,%       ŷ  $)$4       ŷ  %85*       Ÿ  $/6+$0(/       ŷ  dominated economy. retardant and a catalyst in the production of .),1       ŷ  6$)5(       ź  Strategic and Precious Metal Processing, set plastics and Eyi said up to a fifth of the plant’s %28%<$1       Ÿ  $-:$1       ź  up in Sohar Port and Freezone on Oman’s output could be sold in the Gulf region, which $8%       Ÿ  0$6$.(1       ŷ  northern coast, borrowed the money from has a well-developed petrochemicals industry. ,7+05       ź  '$/4$1       ŷ  Bank Nizwa and plans to complete the con- It will import raw materials from Canada, :$5%$%$1.       ź  $/(,'     ŷ struction of the facility within 18-24 months. Australia, Turkey, and other African and Asian %DQNV     Ÿ  0,'$1     ŷ  )/(;       Ÿ  Oman Investment Fund and UK-based Tri-Star countries. The Sohar port launched a free zone .,16       ŷ  7+85$<$       ŷ  Resources own 40 percent each in the venture in 2010 with tax and other incentives to attract *,16       ŷ  .&/,1,&     ŷ  and Dubai’s Castell Investments has a 20 per- companies’ logistics and manufacturing oper- $,16       ŷ  $0$5    ŷ  cent stake. The project’s total cost is $65 mil- ations as part of the sultanate’s drive to diversi- :,16       ŷ  3DUDOOHO0DUNHW     ź  lion. With a planned annual capacity of 20,000 fy its economy. Among other big industrial .8:$,75(     ŷ  tons, the plant aims to claim up to 12 percent and infrastructure projects planned or under- )7,       ŷ  of the global antimony market, which is cur- way are a $3.6 billion plastics production com- :(7+$4       ŷ  %.,.:7       ŷ  )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQFDOO*OREDO,QYHVWPHQW+RXVHRQZZZJOREDOLQYQHW rently dominated by Chinese producers, Tri- plex to be built in the city of Sohar and a $400 ,QVXUDQFH     ŷ  Star managing director Emin Eyi told reporters. million steel plant in the southern port city of “Our production cost in Sohar will be by far Salalah. — Reuters MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 BUSINESS Nespresso opens new Boutique in Kuwait Pioneer in premium portioned coffee expands its network

KUWAIT: Nespresso, the worldwide pioneer in Today, Nespresso expands its expertise by Boutique in 360 Mall and of course our Digital sented in dedicated areas, every need will be of our Grand Crus in the setting they are used premium portioned coffee, achieves another opening its 41st Boutique in the MEAC (Middle Boutique at buynespresso.com. Next month I met in a unique and personalized way, with to; of quality, service, and comfort in line with milestone in its Middle East expansion plan East, Africa and Caribbean) region. have the pleasure to announce the launch of unrivalled customer service, advice and guid- the latest design trends in one of the largest with the opening of its second Boutique in The Pierre Debayle, Regional Manager of our mobile application as well. Nespresso is on ance from specially trained Nespresso Coffee shopping malls in the region. This milestone is Avenues Mall in Kuwait. Nespresso Middle East, Africa and Caribbean the move in Kuwait, for the pleasure of all our Specialists. the culmination of over seventeen years that The Nespresso history is marked by our commented: “It is a feeling of pride to open fans! “ Nasser Al- Jallal the Managing Director of Nasco and Nespresso have been serving their passion for perfection and track record of con- our second Kuwaiti Boutique in The Avenues Located in the largest shopping mall in Nasco Trading Company, the exclusive distrib- discerning clients in Kuwait.” tinuous innovation to consistently deliver the Mall. For a long time, we were waiting for a Kuwait, the new Nespresso Boutique will pro- utor of Nespresso in Kuwait commented: “We The coffee lovers can now enjoy the ulti- highest quality coffee tasting experience to location in this iconic mall of Kuwait. Patience vide a unique opportunity for Nespresso Club at Nasco are pleased to announce the opening mate coffee experience in The Avenues Mall, consumers worldwide. From the range of our has been rewarded and now our Club Members and Boutique visitors to indulge in a of the second Nespresso Boutique in Kuwait in from Sunday to Wednesday from 10h00 to Grand Cru coffees to the unique Nespresso Members and Coffee Lovers can enjoy the full multi-sensory journey into the world of The Avenues Mall. The Avenues, being the des- 22h00 and from Thursday to Saturday from system, and from the brand to our commit- Nespresso experience during their shopping Nespresso. This 84 square meter space will tination for a wide sector of the community in 10h00 to 23h00. The Coffee Specialists will be ment to service and our sustainability journey in The Avenues. This Boutique has immerse you into the Nespresso universe, general and Nespresso customers in particular, glad to assist you. approach, we have been constantly enhancing been designed with the latest global concept, from the tasting of the entire range of the 23 is the natural choice for expansion. The aim is For any other information about Nespresso and reinventing how consumers experience which makes it unique in the Middle East permanent Grands Crus with each of their aro- to bring the Nespresso ultimate coffee experi- products you can contact the Nespresso Club their coffee through every facet of our busi- region. It complements as well our set up in mas and profiles to the discovery of the latest ence closer to our Club Members, to give them by calling (+965) 24922600 or visit the online ness. Kuwait, as we have already our historical machines and accessories, conveniently pre- the opportunity to taste the growing number Boutique at www.buynespresso.com Honda Alghanim displays new 2015 CR-V at The Avenues Supplemented by augmented reality

KUWAIT: Following the recent unveil- Introduced in its enhanced form tioning. The redesigned front fascia sliding sun visors, and standard ing of the new 2015 Honda CR-V in its recently, America’s best-selling SUV of incorporates new headlights with LED Bluetooth Hands-Free-Telephony. Shuwaikh Showroom, Honda the decade the new 2015 Honda CR-V daytime running lights that blend Storage space is abundant thanks to Alghanim displayed the new CR-V in is already a clear winner in the com- with the new solid chrome grille, and the easy fold-down 60:40 split rear The Avenues Mall; so that more peo- pact SUV segment having received a the new bumper design now sports seats with low cargo loading height. ple can experience it up-close and number of awards and accolades, fog lights with chrome surrounds, In terms of safety, the new 2015 CR- personal. starting with “2015 Motor Trend SUV and a standard brushed aluminum V is a superstar thanks to the Honda- Adding a new dimension to static of the Year”, “2015 Best Buy Compact skid pad for a rugged and tough look. exclusive Advanced Compatibility displays, the week-long display SUV” from KelleyBlueBook.com, a Out back, the rear bumper design was Engineering (ACE) body structure tech- engaged mall visitors through the use “Top Safety Pick+” safety rating from massaged to give it a wider stance nology which enhances occupant pro- of augmented reality technology. The tection and crash compatibility. interactive technology relies on an Additionally, the new CR-V comes stan- app to bring static objects to reality dard with active safety features such as by playing interactive content on the the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and user’s tablet or mobile device once Traction Control System (TCS) which the user’s device camera views the enhance handling stability and pre- pre-defined object, in this case a spe- dictability especially in poor traction cial sticker placed on the new CR-V conditions working alongside the Anti- engine bonnet. Users were further Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic engaged as they watched carefully Brake Distribution (EBD) and Hill Start sequenced animations highlighting Assist (HAS). new design elements and features to Honda Alghanim invites interested the new model. Interested users were customers for a test drive experience also encouraged to test drive the new either at Safat Alghanim showroom 2015 CR-V at their convenience, with open all week from 8:30AM-10:00PM the sign-up option made available in- or at the Shuwaikh showroom, open app. The interactive experience is also Saturday through Thursday from available for newspaper readers, with 8.30am-12.30pm and 4.30pm-8:30pm. simple instructions incorporated into Honda Alghanim, the sole distribu- the press ad. the Insurance Institute of Highway along with restyled combination tail tor of Honda automobiles, motorcy- Additionally, a special offer was Safety (IIHS), and a 5-Star Crash Test lamps, all in all giving the CR-V a cles, power products, and marine extended to customers interested in Safety Rating from the National more fluid three dimensional appear- products in Kuwait, is committed to the new 2015 CR-V whereby they can Highway Transit Safety Association’s ance. providing customers with flexible pay- choose between an iPhone 6 or a New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The spacious interior maintains ment solutions and efficient and cost- complimentary bundle that includes For 2015, the CR-V styling has the same look albeit with higher qual- effective services. The cars service a 1-year/20,000 service contract, car been thoughtfully enhanced with ity materials throughout and wood- center waiting lounge offers enter- registration and 3rd party insurance. Middle Eastern customer preferences grain trim, along with newly available tainment and comfort for customers Meanwhile, a repost competition is in mind, boasting a slew of exterior options such as the intuitive Display with gaming consoles, digital satellite currently running on Instagram with and interior design updates to Audio 7” touch screen with HDMI TV, free wireless internet and relaxing the iPhone 6 as a prize. strengthen its stylish yet smart posi- inputs; Smart Entry and Smart Start; massage chairs. BUSINESS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars craftsman flown to Kuwait to paint customer Coachline

KUWAIT: At the request of a VIP Rolls-Royce customer, Ali Royce Motor Cars produced in the past decade, a truly special tomers is testament to our dedication to our valued clientele, Court’s visit to Kuwait is yet another sign of the ever grow- Alghanim & Sons Automotive, the sole authorized dealer of task. Besides the necessary natural talent, mastering the art of and of course the importance of the Kuwaiti market for Rolls- ing visibility of the Middle Eastern market on the marque’s Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the official importer of BMW and Coachlining requires astonishing levels of patience and focus Royce Motor Cars on a global level as well.” global network. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to lead the MINI in Kuwait, recently arranged a 24-hour visit by one of as fine brushes made of the squirrel’s hair are used to create Symbolizing the quality and uncompromising craftsman- luxury automotive market in Kuwait as Ali Alghanim& Sons Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ most talented craftsmen. Mark Court the intricate design, a process which can take up to three ship that is synonymous with the meticulous creation of a Automotive recently announced it had achieved an outstand- was flown in from the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, UK hours. Yousuf Al-Qatami, the General Manager of Ali Rolls-Royce Motor Car, the Coachline is applied entirely by ing 42% growth in sales in 2014. with a dedicated mission to repaint the Coachline of a Kuwaiti Alghanim & Sons Automotive said: “At Ali Alghanim & Sons hand, unaided by any robot or machine, running over both This remarkable growth also contributed to the phenome- customer’s Midnight Blue Rolls-Royce Wraith. Automotive, we do our best to provide the pinnacle experi- flanks of the full six meters of a Rolls-Royce car. It can feature nal success of Rolls-Royce in the region, as it was also revealed As the only person in the world qualified to paint the ence of Rolls-Royce ownership for our valued customers. anything from logos, to family crests or even Arabic calligra- that the Middle-East was Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ second renowned pinstripe of the luxury marque, Court has been Flying Mark all the way to Kuwait in order to repaint the phy all based on what the customer requests through the largest market globally, comprising around one-fifth of the responsible for each and every single Coachline on all Rolls- Coachline on the Rolls-Royce Wraith of one of our VIP cus- famous Rolls-Royce Bespoke program. company’s global volumes throughout 2014. Air Arabia 2014 full year net profit climbs 30% to AED 566m

SHARJAH: Air Arabia (PJSC), the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, announced today its financial results for the full year ending 31 December 2014, reflecting anoth- er year of continued growth and high levels of profitability. Air Arabia reported a record net profit for the full year ending December 31, 2014 of AED 566 million, up 30 per cent compared to AED 435 mil- lion for the same period last year. The airline’s turnover for the full year 2014 reached AED 3.7 billion, an increase of 17 per cent on 2013, driven by increased passenger numbers. Air Arabia car- ried over 6.8 million passengers in 2014,12 per cent more than last year. The average seat load factor - or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats - for the same period stood at an impressive 81 per cent. STP/Armor All awards AUTO1 These results were announced following a meeting of the Board of Directors of Air Arabia, Accessories Division the Best who have proposed a dividend distribution of 9 per cent of capital, which is equivalent to 9fils per Sales Performance for 2014 share. This proposal is subject to ratification by highly confident about the long-term prospects pared to the same quarter of last year. the shareholders of Air Arabia at the company’s for our business”. He concluded: “We have begun Now in its eleventh year of successful opera- KUWAIT: The US based multinational com- through their highly energetic & dedicated upcoming annual general meeting. this year with the aim of continuing our strategy tions, Air Arabia operates flights to 101 destina- pany Armored AutoGroupInc (AAG) which team of professionals here in Kuwait”, stat- Commenting on the results, Sheikh Abdullah to expand into new markets and increase our net- tions. The newly voted Low Cost Carrier of the owns STP and Armor All the world’s num- ed Mr Doherty. Bin Mohammad Al-Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, work coverage, making air travel accessible to Year, by Aviation Business, Air Arabia has seen its ber one automotive fuel & performance Hassan responded that as AUTO1 we are said: “Our program of expansion into new mar- millions of customers across the MENA region flight network expand substantially with the addi- additives and protectants or simply put committed as ever in ensuring STP and kets combined with improved operational effi- and beyond.” Air Arabia’s net profit for the fourth tion on prominent new routes, such as Cairo in one of the best car care brands awarded Armor All remains the most preferred ciencies has led to another year of sustained quarter, stood at AED 68 million, a drop of 28 per Egypt and Antalya in Turkey, from its main base at Kuwait’s AUTO1 - Accessories Division with brand in their respective automotive cate- growth and profitability for the airline. The strong cent compared to AED 94 million for the same Sharjah International Airport. The carrier now the Sales Performance Award for 2014. gories through innovative sales offers and performance over the year is also testament to period last year. The drop in the fourth quarter operates from five international hubs, including The award was presented to Ali Hassan - proactive customer service. Besides it our focus on delivering outstanding quality and 2014 was mainly due to a temporary downward the UAE (Sharjah &Ras al-Khaimah), Morocco, General Manager of AUTO -Accessories by would be only prestigious and honoring for value to our customers.” correction in the fuel hedge portfolio, which will Egypt and Amman, Jordan. In the first half of Ian Doherty, Senior Vice President & AUTO1 to be associated with STP(r) as they Al-Thani continued: “The year 2015 continue to regain its benefits going forward. The airline’s 2014, Air Arabia opened its fourth international Managing Director EMEA of AAG, UK while get ready to put to test the world’s fastest witness political uncertainty in some parts of the turnover for the last quarter of 2014 was AED 924 hub in Ras Al-Khaimah. In the past 12 months, Air visiting Kuwait along with Mr. Peter land speed car (1000 miles per hour) ever region and with the current fluctuating fuel million, an increase of 14 per cent compared to Arabia was also named among the World Coleman - Marketing Manager AAG, UK built on the face of the earth - the BLOOD- prices, the pressure on the global economies is AED 811 million reported for the same period in Economic Forum’s prestigious Global Growth and Robert Pearce of GDT Group of HOUND SSC project; faster than the super- increasing. Despite the regional and global eco- 2013.Passenger traffic for the fourth quarter 2014 Companies for its innovation and market leader- Companies, Dubai. Present on the occasion sonic fighter jets which have speeds of nomical and geo-political challenges, we remain reached 1.7 million, an increase of 8 percent com- ship in the aviation sector. was also Hani Ahmed- Retail Manager of MACH 1 (768 mph). During the presenta- AUTO1 Accessories. tions, the AAG team revealed multiple new “We are proud of AUTO1’s sales growth products that are scheduled to be released over the last few years and this award is in 2015 starting with fragrant infused pro- Economists adjust their only an apt recognition of AUTO1’s high tectants, new freshness protection contain- performing sales efforts demonstrated ers and paint protection waxes. Fed hike expectations Zain announces Hussain Jassim Gholoum winner NBK MONEY MARKETS REPORT KUWAIT: The US dollar started the week on a strong losses. The currency opened the week at 0.7766, December highlighting the effect of the euro-zone cri- of $10,000 cash prize footing feeding off a better-than-expected Nonfarm reached a low of 0.7641 and closed the week at sis on the country’s productive sectors and a steep fall in oil and gas production brought on by the recent KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommuni- Any eligible customer wishing to payroll reading that fuelled further the expectations 0.7779. collapse in oil prices. cations company in Kuwait, announced enter the draw may do so by simply sub- of an early rate hike by the Federal Reserve. today Hussain Jassim Gholoum Ali win- scribing to any of Zain’s selected Internet Additionally, sentiments in the market declined as Retail sales fell in January BoE inflation report ner of the $10,000 cash prize in the third or smartphone postpaid bundles, where concerns over whether Greece will reach a compro- Retail sales in the US fell more than expected in January, dampening optimism over the strength of the The Bank of England sees little need to raise inter- weekly draw that was launched this they will receive a certain amount of mise deal with creditors to extend its bailout pro- economic recovery. In a report, the US Commerce est rates this year, and stands ready to cut them if month. The daily and weekly draw cam- points that they can collect to be entitled gram, pushing investors to seek the safety of the Department said that retail sales declined by a season- inflation dips more deeply into negative territory than paign is running until the 28 of February, to enter either the daily, weekly, or grand greenback. However, the currency reversed its up ally adjusted 0.8 percent last month following a previ- expected. The BoE Governor Mark Carney stated that 2015, with the grand prize draw being draws. move as weak retail sales combined with higher job- less claims pushed it lower as economists adjusted ous decline by 0.9 percent previously and worse than he expected inflation to fall below zero in the coming held on 1 March, 2015. Today’s announcement is a testament expectations for a drop of 0.5 percent. Additionally, core months due to tumbling oil prices that are nearly at a Zain further announced the names of of Zain’s tireless efforts in rewarding its their Fed hike expectations accordingly. The Euro remained subdued for the most part of retail sales, which exclude automobile sales, slumped six-year low, but stressed that this by itself did not the Daily Draw winners for the third customer base, the largest in the country. by a seasonally adjusted 0.9 percent in December, dis- mean that the economy had entered deflation while week: Elli Hakeem, Thamer Mutar Al The promotion further demonstrates last week as talks between Greece and European Union officials ended without an agreement. On appointing forecasts for a 0.4 percent decline. The back- presenting an update on the central bank’s view on Dehani, Sumaiya Dawoud Al Qassar, Zain’s pivotal role in Kuwait’s telecom to-back declines were the first since 2012 and indicate the United Kingdom’s economy. The BoE’s forecasts Thyab Harbi Al Khaldi, Abdullah Khaled sector, sparing no effort in introducing Friday, the single currency rose to one-week highs against the US dollar, boosted by upbeat fourth- consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, that inflation will rebound to hit its 2 percent target in Al Obaid, Ahmad Mohammed Rashed, exceptional offerings for technology and may be cooling after a surge in the second half of last about two years’ time and then slightly overshoot it by and Tahani Oudah Arfaj. smartphone enthusiasts. quarter German economic growth data. The curren- cy opened the week at 1.1310, reached a high of year. Both figures re-introduced doubts about the early 2018. 1.1440, and closed the week at 1.1383. Federal Reserve’s ability to raise rates by mid-2015 Sterling opened the week at the 1.5200 levels despite improvements in the labor market. Australia Al Tijari Announces the and gained slightly to reach 1.5300 against the US Australian unemployment climbed to a 12 1/2-year dollar. Then cable extended its gains, rising to six- Higher unemployment claims high, sending the currency lower and underscoring last week’s decision to cut interest rates to a fresh Winners of the Daily Draw week highs following disappointing data from the Applications for unemployment benefits climbed record low. The jobless rate rose to 6.4 percent from US and after the Bank of England downplayed the last week to a level that is consistent with progress in 6.1 percent. That was the worst since August 2002 and threat of deflation. The currency reached a high the US labor market. Jobless claims rose by 25,000 to for the Najma Account exceeded expectations of 6.2 percent. The number of 1.5418 and closed the week at 1.5397. 304,000 in the week ended Feb. 7, higher than fore- people employed fell by 12,200. The Japanese yen weakened slightly after Bank cast, from a revised 279,000 in the prior period. KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held highest in the country and another 4 mega Economists were expecting claims to rise to 287,000. the Al Najma Account Daily draw on 15th prizes during the year worth KD 100,000 of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said that the China’s imports drop Group of 20 nations did not criticize his bank’s mon- February 2015. each on different occasions: The National Growth in Germany China registered a record trade surplus in January etary easing program, indicating confidence to con- The draw was held under the supervi- Day, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and on the 19th Germany’s economy grew by a robust 0.7 percent as imports plunged on falling commodity prices and tinue on the path of monetary stimulus. However, sion of the Ministry of Commerce & of June which is the date of the bank’s in the last quarter of 2014, well above market expecta- weak domestic demand. Imports fell by the most in Industry represented by Mr. Saquer Al establishment. disappointing figures from the US pushed investors tions. It was expected that the economy would grow more than five years, declining 19.9 percent from a Manaie. With a minimum balance of KD 500, cus- to abandon the greenback, helping the Yen erase its at a 0.3 percent pace only. Domestic demand lifted year earlier. That compared with estimates for a 3.2 tomers will be eligible for the daily draw losses for the week. The pair opened the week at Germany out of its mid-year lull and allowed it to percent estimated drop in the market. Exports slid 3.3 The winners of the Najma Daily Draw are :- provided that the money is in the account 119.00, reached a high of 120.40 and closed the achieve 2014 growth of 1.6 percent. The Statistics percent, leaving a trade surplus of $60 billion. A prop- Name Prize one week prior to the daily draw or 2 week at 118.78. Office said a significant pick-up in spending cancelled erty downturn and a stall in manufacturing are signals Murad Mahmoud Taher KD 7000 months prior to the mega draw. In addi- The Australian dollar came under pressure last out the slow summer affect. the government may need to step up measures to Mohammed Moqbil Hussain KD 7000 tion, for each KD 25 a customer can get one week as disappointing figures from the labor mar- stimulate the economy, as domestic demand for com- Choudhary Muhammad Riaz KD 7000 chance for winning instead of KD 50. ket signaled further rate cuts from the Reserve Manufacturing improves modities including crude oil and iron ore declines. The Zayed Hussain Al Ajmi KD 7000 Commercial Bank of Kuwait takes this Bank of Australia. UK manufacturing production unexpectedly rose record trade surplus, combined with declines in Mohammed Shafi Shahed KD 7000 opportunity to congratulate all lucky win- The Aussie reached two-week lows following in December, capping its best annual performance exports and imports, complicates the government’s The Commercial Bank of Kuwait ners and also extends appreciation to the the release. On Friday, the central bank Governor since 2010. Factory production increased 0.1 percent management of exchange rates after January’s curren- announces the biggest daily draw in Ministry of Commerce and Industry for Glenn Stevens noted spurring demand in the after a 0.8 percent surge in November. Economists cy depreciation. Kuwait with the launch of the new Najma their effective supervision of the draws economy would take more work, indirectly sug- had expected a 0.1 percent decline. For the full year, Kuwait account. Customers of the bank can now which were conducted in an orderly and gesting the government step-up spending. His manufacturing climbed 2.7 percent. Meanwhile, total Kuwaiti dinar at 0.29545 enjoy a KD 7,000 daily prize which is the organized manner. comments helped the currency recoup most of its industrial production dropped by 0.2 percent in The USDKD opened at 0.29545 yesterday morning. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 technology CFO Yoshida’s Sony revamp wins over investors Turnaround engineer took tough message to CEO Hirai TOKYO: Months after Sony Corp division to take more responsibility for tion plans,” emails leaked by hackers in was missed by activist investor Daniel Yoshida will be in securing long-term bought So-net, the broadband its performance, a direction that insid- November revealed. Lynton confided to Loeb, who said in October he sold his sales growth rather than merely making provider’s chief chided CEO Kazuo Hirai ers say Sony is likely to confirm in a new studio co-chair Amy Pascal that he felt Sony stake after failing to persuade Sony profitable again. Aside from an for having his “priorities in the wrong multi-year business plan to be unveiled he was under “enormous pressure.” management to sell part of its enter- announced increase in production order”. He told Hirai his focus should be on Wednesday. Pascal has since left the company in the tainment business. Under Yoshida, capacity of image sensors, used in on restructuring the struggling elec- Colleagues say Yoshida’s low-key wake of other embarrassing emails dis- Sony’s 5-year credit default swaps , the smartphones and security cameras, tronics conglomerate rather than demeanour conceals a straight-talker who closed in the hack. cost of insuring its debt against default, analysts say Sony’s best growth oppor- spending time and effort buying a firm is unafraid to ask tough questions. Under have halved. Jefferies analyst Atul tunity ahead may be in making better it had previously spun off, said a person Yoshida’s knife, Sony sold its ailing Vaio Stock price jump Goyal, who has a “buy” recommenda- use of its PlayStation network to attract familiar with the exchange. That was personal computer division, a seismic The Yoshida shake-up seems to be pay- tion on Sony, last week raised his target consumers beyond videogame players, two years ago and Hirai was sufficiently shift for the group as this was an estab- ing off. Sony this month reported stronger- price by 15 percent to 4,050 yen. The with better movie and music services. impressed to hire Kenichiro Yoshida as lished, 17-year-old brand. He spun off the than-expected quarterly results, forecast a stock closed on Friday at 3,220.5 yen. Sony has fumbled to emulate the Sony’s chief strategy officer. Within TV business and axed thousands of jobs smaller net loss for the year to March than With Yoshida as CFO, “Sony has success of Apple Inc’s iTunes platform, months, he was promoted to chief across the company while raising spend- previously expected and reversed a fore- responded more quickly to the chang- and recently said it was ending its own financial officer. ing on imaging sensors, a profitable seg- cast operating loss to a profit. ing environment and competition,” said Music Unlimited service, offering music Yoshida, a reserved foil to the more ment and likely future profit driver. Some analysts believe Yoshida is Fitch Ratings director Kelvin Ho. “It’s through Spotify instead. For Yoshida, flamboyant “Kaz” Hirai, has since sought Yoshida’s overhaul is not only being striving to get Sony’s mobile business been able to make more bold decisions.” the challenge may be in continuing that to turn around Sony with a no-non- felt in Japan; it has rattled Sony’s tradi- back in the black with an eye on a possi- Yoshida has injected a sense of urgency, search while keeping costs under check. sense program of cuts and targeted tionally autonomous Hollywood big ble sale. Sony declined to comment for Ho added, but to return Sony to invest- Jefferies’ Goyal warned: “given the expansion that has won over investors, shots. Late last year, he pressed Sony this article. Sony shares have risen more ment grade - Fitch still rates its debt a sharp recovery in the stock price, the even as the Tokyo-based conglomerate Pictures CEO Michael Lynton to give than 70 percent since Yoshida was speculative BB- - the company needs a CFO may need to watch out for senior prepares to post a sixth loss in seven “serious consideration to modifying the named CFO last April - including a 28 broader base for profits. executives relapsing into grand expan- years. Yoshida is pushing each Sony Entertainment executives’ compensa- percent run-up in the past month that Ho and others say the real test for sionary visions.” —Reuters Insurers prove laggards in new technology race Face-to-face transactions still have a place

LONDON: At a time the financial sector is racing estimate customers’ claims. developed markets, but penetration is 3.5 per- to embrace digital technology to boost sales But a mass of different systems, often the cent in Italy, 2.5 percent in Britain and just 1 per- and drive profits, the traditionally staid insur- legacy of firms being swallowed up by bigger cent worldwide. ance industry is in danger of falling behind. insurers, makes it hard to streamline technology. The black boxes are expensive for the insurer Some insurers are using developments such Some firms have chosen the status quo. to fit into cars, only making it worthwhile for as telematics, or social media sources, to “I have a very jaundiced view of the genera- young or inexperienced drivers, whose policies increase the amount of information they have tion behind me, they are too reliant on technolo- are more expensive. Some insurers are waiting about customers to reduce claims and theoreti- gy,” one broker told Reuters. “I don’t believe this for the cost of the boxes to fall, or for alternatives cally make insurance cheaper for all. Telematics (face-to-face approach) will disappear.” such as mobile phone apps or Internet-connect- uses aircraft-style “black boxes” that have been Even if firms want to harness technology, ed cars. in Formula One racing cars for years to collect they may be unwilling to commit cash. Insurers data about how policyholders drive their cars, so are struggling to balance their books, with bond TOO EXPENSIVE SAN FRANCISCO: Xiaomi president Bin Lin (right) speaks to a reporter after a presen- they can be rewarded with lower insurance pre- yields at record lows and slashing the returns British insurer Aviva was one of the first to tation in San Francisco. — AP miums if they adopt a cautious style. they make on investing premiums. introduce telematics. Policyholders had 30 per- But an industry that has long relied on per- cent fewer accidents and premiums fell by the Chinese mobile sensation dips sonal contacts, the Lloyd’s of London insurance TRENDSETTERS same amount. market started in a coffee house in the 17th cen- A report from Morgan Stanley and Boston Aviva has since pulled out because it was tury, has not been quick to embrace new tech- Consulting Group says the first movers will reap costing too much to buy and install the boxes, toes in US with accessories nology or mine vast new data sets, known as bigger spoils. but it now offers discounts to drivers using SAN FRANCISCO: Xiaomi, one of China’s phones sold in China, India and six other “Big Data”. They say a full transformation to becoming a mobile apps to monitor their driving habits. The hottest companies, is bringing its blend of countries where much of the population The reluctance to roll out technology with digital company could cut an insurer’s combined technology has also not yet arrived for telemat- cheap yet fashionable technology and still lacks Internet access. The company the same enthusiasm as banks and some invest- ratio by 21 percentage points, in other words ics to be used in markets beyond motor insur- crowd-pleasing antics to the US. plans to expand into Brazil later this year. ment managers is partly cultural, partly financial. making the firm more profitable. Expenses could ance. New uses for telematics could include an Although its smartphones won’t be The phones offer a smattering of the sleek “Compared to many other industries, (insurers) fall by 10 percent of premiums and claims by 8 oven that tells your house insurer it has been left available here anytime soon, Xiaomi technology featured in fancier devices are still playing catch-up. The sector has a very percent. Germany’s Allianz is highlighted in the on, or a smartwatch that tells your health insurer unveiled plans Thursday to test the US mar- made by Apple and Samsung, but they sell traditional culture.” said Catherine Barton, part- report as a good example of a traditional insurer if your blood pressure is too high. ket by selling inexpensive headphones and at much lower prices, ranging from about ner at EY. working to enhance its digital capabilities and “In the next few years, we’ll see a lot of other accessories online. It plans to hew to $95 to $280. In comparison, an iPhone 6 Staff at Lloyd’s, home to more than 90 trading transform its business model. change in (the way) technology will impact pric- the Internet-driven, customer-friendly starts at $650 without subsidies for signing syndicates in London’s financial district, still trun- It is investing 400-500 million euros a year in ing,” said Rudi Van Delm, director for pricing and model that has helped turn the company two-year contracts. dle suitcases of claim forms for complex insur- digital initiatives such as setting up an innova- underwriting at Direct Line. But until that tech- into a major player in mobile computing A Xiaomi phone “may not be the best ance transactions. tion lab to work with young companies on Big nology becomes more cost-effective, insurers just five years after its founding. product out there but a product with the Function rooms in its flagship building are Data, mobile, social media and sponsorship, the focused on retail consumers may invest more in Xiaomi - pronounced schow-mee - has best combination: a very affordable price furnished with antiques, while besuited under- report said. their online presence and use of price compari- made a name in China by selling sleek and good quality,” said Bing-Sheng Teng, a writers swap ideas in local pubs and restaurants Others are focusing on telematics, one of the son sites. gadgets at relatively low prices, using corporate strategy expert at the Cheung when the market closes for lunch. industry’s brightest innovations. Britain’s RSA has Even with the prospect of technological online sales and social media to keep mar- Kong Graduate School of Business in a telematics product and underwrites business advances, insurers say there is still a need for keting and distribution costs low. Some Beijing. While the iPhone still dominates STATUS QUO for specialist telematics insurer Ingenie. Direct human interaction. Inside the “Walkie-Talkie” analysts have hailed the company as the the smaller luxury segment of China’s mar- Lloyd’s Chief Executive Inga Beale has said Line also does telematics. Belgian insurer Ageas, building, one of London’s newest skyscrapers, Chinese equivalent of Apple, in part ket, Xiaomi’s devices are being snapped up the industry needs to take technology on board which has a British division and writes insurance RSA offers its telematics-based insurance but because of its intensely loyal fans. by the masses almost as quickly as the to maintain its role in global business. The firm for firms such as Tesco Bank, also underwrites also provides a meeting room where brokers can There are some significant differences company starts accepting online orders. recently appointed a Chief Data Officer and Ingenie’s telematics car insurance, while mingle and do business the old-fashioned way. between the two companies’ approach, Xiaomi sold about 61 million phones last Beale said the sector needs to attract new, tech- Progressive is a frontrunner in the United States. “More complex and more large-scale prod- though. While Apple tends to keep its year, more than tripling its 2013 volume, savvy talent. Insurers already carry plenty of data Still, the benefits sometimes seem unclear ucts are always reliant on some form of relation- future product plans secret, Xiaomi has Lin said. That established Xiaomi as China’s about policyholders, and have started mining and the use of telematics remains low. Britain, ship management and negotiation,” said Tim invited customers to nosh on popcorn at top seller of smartphones with a 15 percent sources such as Facebook, to cut fraud or better Italy and the United States are among the most Skates, RSA’s chief technology officer. —Reuters company parties, chat on Xiaomi’s online market share to edge out Samsung at 14 forums and review or make suggestions for percent, according to research firm IHS. But new features, which Xiaomi frequently another firm, Canalys, estimates that Apple builds into its weekly software updates. sold more phones in China than either of “We don’t have customers or users. They those companies in the fourth quarter of prefer to be addressed (as) fans,” said Hugo 2014, when Apple’s new iPhone 6 models Barra, who defected from his job oversee- came out. ing Google’s Android products in 2013 to By concentrating on online sales of help plot Xiaomi’s expansion outside China. phones and accessories, Lin said, the com- Barra was joined Thursday by Bin Lin, pany has built the third-largest e-com- Xiaomi’s co-founder and president, at the merce site in China. Besides phones, Xiaomi company’s first major press event in the has an electronics lineup that ranges from United States. a 49-inch flat-panel TV for $550 to a fitness In an interview with The Associated band for about $13. The company also has Press, Barra described the US website as “an sold about 2 million stuffed bunnies that experimental launch” that will help the serve as Xiaomi’s mascot. company raise awareness in the US, which Xiaomi is just dipping its toes in the US in turn would help its profile in other coun- market by selling accessories for now, tries. He said the company also is hoping to including headphones for about $80. Barra get the kind of feedback and ideas from US said it takes “an incredible amount of work” consumers that the company gathers in to bring more technologically complicated China. products, such as a smartphone, to a new Xiaomi has emerged as a mobile-com- market. He didn’t say when that might hap- puting sensation with a line of smart- pen.—AP While Obama talks cyber security, his hotel’s computer system fails RANCHO MIRAGE, California: It may not have dence of any hacking,” he said. “It was a hard- In this photo taken on February 12, 2015, passengers sit and stand in the aisle of a train near Shijiazhuang, in China’s northern Hebei province. been a hacking, but a computer outage at the ware issue that impacted the hotel operating Hundreds of millions of people are flocking home in China to celebrate the Year of the Sheep, in what is the largest annual migration on the hotel where US President Barack Obama system.” A Secret Service spokesman declined planet.— AFP resided this week could not have come at a to comment. more inconvenient time. The president flew to At Friday’s summit, Obama asked US corpo- San Francisco on Thursday to preach the bene- rate executives to cooperate more with each China’s cyberwar: Battle for New Year train tickets fits of better corporate cybersecurity practices. other and the government in defending BEIJING: As hundreds of millions in China flock Gan, a 27-year-old accountant, explained: “I was secure a full refund for tickets if they are unable to The entire two days he was in town, the com- against hackers after high-profile attacks on home to celebrate the Year of the Sheep, the world’s using a program that refreshes the page every five use them. puter system at his upscale hotel, The companies such as Sony that exposed weak- biggest human migration places extraordinary pres- seconds to grab a spot as soon as it was available on Vast numbers of people initially buy tickets that Fairmont, was down. nesses in US cyber defenses. Obama left San sure on roads and railways-but technology is offering 12306.cn. I basically did it all day long, from when I are not exactly what they want, in order to have “There’s certainly no evidence to say any- Francisco on Saturday morning for California’s new ways to find a route home. Chinese tradition woke up until I slept.” some way to get home, and then seek better alterna- thing was hacked or compromised,” said Palm Springs area, where he is spending the requires people to gather at their family home before She finally managed to get her ticket from tives. At Shanghai railway station, more than 7,000 Thomas Klein, the hotel’s general manager, weekend the Lunar New Year begins-on February 19 this year- Shanghai to Chengdu, a journey of more than 2,600 tickets were being returned each day, reports said in noting the irony of Obama’s attendance at a A sophisticated global cyberattack struck with authorities expecting more than 2.8 billion trips kilometres (1,600 miles) and 39 hours. It cost her 450 late January. cybersecurity summit during the same period. more than 100 banks in 30 countries stealing to be taken over the festive period. yuan ($72) for a “hard sleeper”-a bed and mattress The program Gan used to secure a returned ticket “It’ just a coincidence in timing.” Upon arriv- hundreds of millions of dollars, The New York Rail is one of the favoured ways to travel and that are a far more comfortable option than the firm was an open-source one made available for free by a ing at the hotel on Thursday night, members Times reported yesterday. Citing a soon to be while historically there have been endless queues at bench most passengers will have to endure. lone independent developer, but major Chinese of the president’s entourage were told that the released report from computer security com- the ticket windows, China’s official train booking internet firms have also waded into the fray. Chinese hotel’s operating system had stopped working. pany Kaspersky Lab, the newspaper said the website 12306.cn is helping to relieve congestion in 1,000 tickets a second search giant Baidu developed software to speed up Rather than swiping credit cards at the front attack involved malicious software that gave stations and kiosks. Chinese train tickets can only be bought a maxi- the booking process and avoid losing a ticket desk, they filled out paper forms instead. hackers long-term access to banking systems. But with such huge demand users say it can be mum of 60 days before departure, triggering a between booking and payment, one of the most By Saturday morning, the problem still had A group of Russians, Chinese and Europeans still be an exercise in hair-tearing frustration. Posters scramble. All tickets are sold in the first few minutes frustrating user experiences. The company says 18 not been fixed. At checkout, a hotel employee was able to siphon off around $300 million in on social media say the booking website is “more dif- after they become available, and purchases for this million people have installed it, and bought 28 mil- took guests’ email addresses in order to send one of the world’s largest bank robberies, the ficult to access than the Diaoyu Islands”-the uninhab- year’s festivities peaked on December 19, with lion tickets between them. Web browser LieBao them their receipts. Klein said he alerted the report said. The money was transferred to ited East China Sea archipelago disputed between 12306.cn at one point selling 1,032 tickets every sec- offers a pre-booking function, allowing users to Secret Service about the issue. “They checked bank accounts around the world in small-value Beijing and Tokyo, which calls them the Senkakus. ond. The next best opportunity to buy is 15 days select a ticket beforehand and sending an automatic into it ... and they said no, they have no evi- amounts to avoid detection.—Agencies There are, however, new tactics in the battle. Kelly before departure, the last date that people can request as soon as booking officially opens.—AFP MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Possible discovery in 2015 of a new particle in physics

SAN JOS: The world’s largest atom-smasher could help cists discover the elusive Higgs boson, which helps Advancement of Science annual meeting. to find them. physicists understand mysterious dark matter in the uni- explain how objects have mass, and which led to the Heinemann is a member of the ATLAS research team Since the standard model of physics cannot explain verse, and later this year it may offer a discovery even award of the 2013 Nobel Prize for physics. at the LHC. “Maybe we will find now supersymmetric the existence of dark matter, which is thought to hold more fascinating than the Higgs-Boson, researchers say. This year, the atom-smasher will restart at a beam matter,” she added. “For me it is more exciting than the galaxies together and account for most of the matter in The Large Hadron Collider, built by the European energy that is substantially higher, with the goal of bet- Higgs.” Supersymmetry is an extension of the standard the universe, supersymmetry aims to offer “a more com- Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), has under- ter understanding why nature prefers matter to antimat- model of physics that aims to fill in some big gaps prehensive picture of our world,” according to the CERN gone major upgrades this year will begin its second, ter. A new discovery “could be as early as this year... if we regarding how scientists understand matter. According website. three-year run. CERN says that after a two-year break for are really lucky,” said Beate Heinemann, professor of to the theory of supersymmetry, all particles have a The first of eight steps toward getting the LHC start- upgrades, the LHC will be twice as powerful this time. physics at the University of California, Berkeley, during a counterpart that is heavier, and experts believe that if ed again began on December 9, and is expected to take The collider is already credited with helping physi- talk on Saturday at the American Association for the these partner particles are there, the LHC should be able several months. — AFP Researchers test devices to help deaf kids detect sounds

WASHINGTON: At age 3, Angelica Lopez is 2000 specifically for adults and teenagers helping to break a sound barrier for deaf whose hearing nerves had been destroyed children. Born without working auditory by surgery for a rare type of tumor. It does- nerves, she can detect sounds for the first n’t restore normal hearing, but can help to time - and start to mimic them - after varying degrees. Then about a decade ago, undergoing brain surgery to implant a an Italian surgeon started trying the ABI in device that bypasses missing wiring in her deaf children, whose younger brains are inner ears. more flexible and might better adapt to Angelica is one of a small number of U.S. this artificial way of delivering sound. children who are testing what’s called an Now, spurred by some successes auditory brainstem implant, or ABI. The abroad, the first US studies in young chil- device goes beyond cochlear implants that dren are underway at a handful of hospi- have brought hearing to many deaf chil- tals. Hearing specialists are watching the dren but that don’t work for tots who lack work closely. their hearing nerve. When the ABI is first turned on, “she isn’t Ages vary going to be hearing like a 3-year-old. She’ll There are children “who are not being be hearing like a newborn,” audiologist helped in any other way,” said Dr. Gordon Laurie Eisenberg of the University of Hughes of the National Institutes of Health, Southern California tells parents. She out- which is funding Eisenberg’s study. And lined the research Friday at a meeting of cochlear implants proved “there’s a critical the American Association for the time window when the brain is very recep- Advancement of Science. tive to auditory stimulation and can devel- The children don’t magically understand op speech communication in ways that are and use those sounds. “It’s going to take a surprisingly good, if the stimulation is start- lot of work,” Eisenberg cautioned. ed early enough.” Angelica cried when her ABI first was The studies are small, each enrolling 10 switched on, scared by the sounds. But five to 20 children. Ages vary; the Los Angeles months later, her mother says the young- study will implant starting at age 2, while ster uses sign language to identify some some others try earlier. Children then sounds - that was a cough, that’s a dog receive intensive therapy, to learn to hear. barking. And she’s beginning to babble like The studies must prove safety, since the hearing babies do, as therapists work to ABI requires delicate brain surgery in teach her oral speech. healthy children. CALIFORNIA: In this photo taken Feb. 11, 2015, Santos Lopez crushes a tree leaf for his daughter, Angelica Lopez, 3, so she can experience the “We’re talking about real surgery to go sound. Angelica was born deaf and received an auditory brainstem implant to allow her to hear some sounds. She is part of a research study of Cochlear implants into a deep area of the brain,” said Dr. Marc the device in youngsters at the University of Southern California. — AP “It’s just so awesome to hear her little Schwartz, a neurosurgeon with the House voice,” said Julie Lopez of Big Spring, Texas, Clinic and Huntington Medical Research who enrolled her daughter in the study at Institutes in Los Angeles, who is part of the Schools treat e-cigarettes USC, where researchers say she’s progress- USC study. “This is a precise operation that ing well. requires exacting technique.” Many children born deaf benefit from In skilled hands, complications appear cochlear implants, electrodes that send rare, said Robert Shannon, a USC professor as drug paraphernalia impulses to the auditory nerve, where of otolaryngology who helped develop the they’re relayed to the brain and recognized device. Post-surgery, stimulator complica- as sound. But the small fraction born with- tions can include non-auditory sensations out a working hearing nerve can’t make such as tingling of the face or throat. Illegal to sell e-cigarettes to kids that brain connection. Next questions include who are the best The ABI attempts to fill that gap by candidates, and what benefit to expect - if RICHMOND: Some schools are getting tougher delivering electrical stimulation directly to children really will develop speech as well on e-cigarettes, even punishing possession of the neurons on the brainstem the nerve as with cochlear implants, and hear well the devices more harshly than regular cigarettes. normally would have targeted. Here’s how enough to talk on a phone. Scientists know The devices, which heat a nicotine solution to it works: The person wears a microphone far more about how to stimulate the inner create a vapor instead of burning tobacco, have on the ear to detect sound, and a processer ear than the brain directly, Shannon noted. passed traditional smokes in popularity among changes it to electrical signals. Those are “What we’re giving to these kids is teenagers. Schools are clamping down because beamed to a stimulator under the skin, something very different than what any e-cigarettes, sometimes also known as vaporiz- which sends the signals snaking through a normal system would be getting,” he ers, can also be used for illegal substances like wire to electrodes surgically placed on the explained. To untangle that scrambled pat- marijuana. brainstem. The Food and Drug tern, “the brain is picking up the slack. It’s Most schools have folded e-cigarettes into Administration approved the device in covering our tracks.” — AP their anti-tobacco policies, which typically pun- ish students with detention, a letter home and sometimes a tobacco education class. China’s ‘blood famine’ drives But other schools in states including North Carolina, New Jersey, Washington and patients to the black market Connecticut, are grouping the devices in with bongs and pipes, meaning students could face SHANGHAI: China’s rising demand for To meet demand, a new generation of long suspensions and required drug tests and healthcare is exposing a chronic shortage blood heads have moved in, paying people have possession of drug paraphernalia marked of an essential commodity: blood. off the street to donate blood at a state on their school record. With hospital blood supplies tight, des- blood bank and selling their donation cer- “Our goal is to reduce access and discourage perate patients are turning to agents tificates to those in need. The blood heads use on campus,” said Sarah D’Annolfo, dean of known as “blood heads”, who sell certifi- include men like Zhang, a 25-year-old from students at The Taft School in Watertown, cates that give patients access to state northeastern Jilin province who late last Connecticut. The co-ed boarding school amend- blood banks, creating a black market at the year stood in a neon yellow puffer jacket ed its policy this school year to have e-cigarettes heart of the healthcare system. outside the Red Cross Centre in Beijing. fall under its drug and alcohol policy. A discipli- “To us patients, buying blood solves our His terms: 1,000 yuan ($160) for every nary committee made up of faculty and stu- problems,” said Hong, a retired Shanghai 100 cc (3.4 fl oz) he gets donated into the dents evaluate violations case-by-case, but they civil servant who suffers from myelodys- blood bank. All he needs - beyond money - could result in a weeklong suspension and a plastic syndrome, a debilitating blood con- is a day’s notice, the name of the hospital mark on their record rather than a chat with the dition. “If there were no blood heads, what and the blood type of the patient. dean and school doctor and parental notifica- would I do?” tion. “It definitely sparks conversation within the The blood “famine”, as it has been Crackdowns ineffective school community about e-cigarette use and dubbed, is an unintended consequence of Periodic crackdowns on blood heads the possible dangers and the possible benefits,” China’s attempts to restore faith in the appear to have had only limited effect. D’Annolfo said. nation’s scandal-stained blood supply and “Don’t worry about the police. We’re out- “That conversation alone is a hugely impor- SEATTLE: In this Monday, Feb 9, 2015, photo, a packaged marijuana oil concentrate vaporizer encourage people to donate. side most of the hospitals and we know all tant learning opportunity.” According to an cartridge is displayed at a pot shop in Seattle. Some schools are taking stricter measures to In the late 1980s and 1990s, local offi- the police officers,” Zhang said. Two police annual government survey of more than 41,000 keep e-cigarettes out of students’ hands, even punishing possession of the devices more cials urged farmers to sell their blood and cars were parked nearby. students, e-cigarettes have surpassed traditional harshly than regular cigarettes, because the devices, sometimes also known as vaporizers, can plasma, and an earlier generation of blood Patients such as Hong, whose son asked smoking in popularity among teens. also be used for illegal substances like marijuana. — AP heads sold this to hospitals and blood that her full name not be used for fear that rette advocacy group American Vaping ment that can be filled with substances like con- banks. Tens if not hundreds of thousands the hospital would deny her a bed if its Regular smokers Association, said minors shouldn’t have or use e- centrated forms of marijuana are sold online and contracted HIV through unhygienic prac- practices were exposed, are nothing but Some 16 percent of 10th-graders had tried an cigarettes but it’s “pure over-reaction” to punish in stores across the country. In states like tices in the process. grateful. Denied blood for the regular trans- e-cigarette in the past month, and 17 percent of students caught with them more than students Colorado and Washington state, where marijua- A second scandal in 2011 further fusions she needs at a top public hospital in high school seniors. Regular smoking continued who have regular cigarettes. na is legal for adults over 21, stores not only sell depressed donations. A young woman who Shanghai, Hong moved to a private special- inching down, to 7 percent of 10th-graders and Still, the array of possible uses of e-cigarettes the hash oil itself but sells it in pre-filled car- claimed she worked at the Red Cross ist hospital that introduced her to blood 14 percent of 12th-graders. However, the survey has spurred caution among school officials. “We tridges. Society of China posted online pictures of heads. They deliver the blood donation cer- didn’t ask about repeat use, or whether teens don’t know if it’s vapor or some kind of hashish Traditional e-cigarettes also are being modi- her lavish lifestyle, damaging the image of tificates to her bedside. were just experimenting with something new. oil or if it’s some kind of illegal substance,” said fied by users for use with the oil, illegal in most a charity that helps the government collect Just under 1 percent of China’s popula- Most agree it should be illegal to sell e-ciga- Anne Garrett, superintendent of Haywood of the country. Much like using an e-cigarette blood. In the mid-1990s, China started tion donated blood in 2011, the most rettes to kids, and most states have banned such County Schools in western North Carolina, with liquid nicotine, the vapor - along with any shuttering commercial blood stations and recent year for which figures are available, sales. But health and public policy experts can’t where the policies were changed this month to odor - produced dissipates quickly. Still, some in 1998 it introduced a blood donation law, according to the World Health Organization say for certain whether the electronic devices treat the devices as drug paraphernalia. argue most people could smell the difference. banning the commercial sale of blood and - at the lower end of the WHO’s recom- are a good thing or a bad thing overall, whether The National Association of State Boards of encouraging voluntary donation. It also mended range. they help smokers kick the habit or are a gate- Measures too harsh Education doesn’t have an official policy on e- tightened rules on plasma collection and That year, blood donations rose 5 per- way to ordinary paper-and-tobacco cigarettes. Some parents think such measures are too cigarettes, but Executive Director Kristen increased blood testing. cent to 4,164 tons, according to China’s Nevertheless, companies vying for a stake in harsh. In Parsippany, New Jersey, Kathleen Leone Amundson said she believes the group would Chinese law now encourages patients to National Health and Family Planning the e-cigarette business have revived marketing refused to let school officials drug test her 16- recommend that the devices be treated as present a certificate showing that they, Commission. The commission did not tactics that helped hook generations of year-old daughter after she was caught with her tobacco products. But if a school district thinks friends or relatives have donated blood respond to a request for comment. Americans on regular smokes. The TV commer- older brother’s e-cigarette in her pocketbook, they have a particular problem with the devices, when they need to tap the national supply. In a country where many are still loath cials, race-car sponsorships and candy-flavored leading to a four-day suspension. then sending a really clear message may be a Some hospitals will not provide blood with- to give blood, most legitimate donations nicotine liquid all raise fears that makers are tar- “I’m not going to sit here and tell you that she good idea, she said. out these certificates. come from students and members of the geting young people to take up an addictive should have it, but you know, she’s 16, and 16- “But it is always better if school administra- The effect has been to penalize chroni- military. habit. year-olds do stupid things,” said Leone, who’s tors use good judgment and discretion,” said cally ill patients who depend on regular or But the law also encourages govern- Last April, the Food and Drug Administration also a teacher. “In her record it says she was sus- Amundson, a former Virginia legislator and large transfusions, as well as those who ment employees to donate. Chinese court for the first time proposed regulations for e-ciga- pended for refusal to take (a drug test), and teacher who also served on the school board of cannot count on family and friends nearby. documents show that government units rettes. They would include banning sales to that’s something that could affect her chances northern Virginia’s Fairfax County. “That’s how Chinese law also limits individual whole have used blood heads to meet annual minors and requiring health warning labels. The getting into a university.” we end up not having to hear a case of a kinder- blood donations to twice a year, and quotas for blood collection from residents rules wouldn’t immediately ban the wide array But the concerns raised by school districts gartner who brought a little paring knife to provinces rarely share blood. or employees in recent years. —Reuters of flavors or styles of e-cigarettes or curb mar- may not be too far-fetched. Devices that look school suddenly being recommended for expul- keting. Gregory Conley, president of the e-ciga- exactly like e-cigarettes but have a compart- sion for bringing a weapon to school.” — AP MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Pot legalization backers discuss next steps in California

SAN FRANCISCO: Marijuana legalization Campaign proponents are gathering in San Francisco Issues that remain to be resolved in the this weekend to hear about efforts to add California effort include whether recre- the nation’s most populous - and arguably ational pot users would be allowed to grow most pot-infused - state to the four others their own plants, as medical marijuana where it is now legal for adults to buy and users and patient collectives can do now, use the drug recreationally. and whether the hundreds of store-front The International Cannabis Business dispensaries and delivery services that sell Conference today is expected to draw medical marijuana will get to stay in busi- about 1,000 investors, entrepreneurs and ness, vie for a limited number of commer- activists from California and elsewhere for cial sales licenses or close up shop. an overview of the legalization landscape. One of the main speakers at the two- Advocacy groups are now drafting a day conference will be US Rep. Dana 2016 ballot initiative that could transform Rohrabacher, a 13-term Orange County California from a place where only medical Republican who has emerged as a leading marijuana is legal to a global center of voice of marijuana law reform on Capitol state-approved recreational weed. Hill. Also scheduled to appear is travel The measure’s passage might seem like guidebook writer Rick Steves, another out- a foregone conclusion after voters in spoken supporter of marijuana legalization. Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska The New York-based Drug Police legalized marijuana use and obliged their Alliance, a national advocacy group that governments to develop guidelines for has an established presence in how and where pot can be grown, sold and California, is expected to have a signifi- taxed. cant role in next year’s likely legalization However, conference organizer Alex campaign. Executive Director Ethan Rogers says the size of California’s existing Nadelmann acknowledged that forming medical marijuana industry and the few an effective campaign coalition that restrictions on it means it will take some unites people who have an interest in effort to persuade all the relevant players legalizing the recreational use of mari- that complete legalization would be a step juana and those who feel threatened by forward. it is going to take work. The state previously defeated another “This is not going to be a labor of love. effort to legalize recreational use in 2010. This is going to be a labor of labor,” said “California has a huge task ahead of Nadelmann, who is also scheduled to speak them,” said Rogers, who owns two medical at the weekend conference. TEXAS: In this photo made Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, JPS Health Network patient navigator Delaila Hernandez, center, helps Fred Cardenas with marijuana clinics in Oregon. “Sometimes Backers of legalization have until late documents during a Affordable Care Act enrollment event at the Fort Worth Public Library in Fort Worth, Texas. Enrollment drives are being these big institutional events can give peo- August to submit a proposed initiative to held across the country to help people beat the deadline to sign up for health insurance through the federal marketplace. — AP ple this ‘kumbaya’ feeling even if it’s the secretary of state and until April 2016 momentary and there can be some sim- to gather enough signatures to qualify a patico consensus that starts to take place.” measure for the November ballot. — AP Snag affecting health law sign-ups gets a fix

WASHINGTON: A technical problem that had the amount of financial assistance to help pay row or call...or log back into their account and been interfering with sign-ups for President premiums is based on people’s income. do it on their own.” Barack Obama’s health care law has been The health care law offers health insurance The official sign-up deadline in the 37 fixed, officials say. Any consumer whose to people who don’t have coverage on the states served by HealthCare.gov is 2:59 a.m. enrollment was hampered by the glitch will job. More than 8 in 10 of those who apply Eastern time today. be provided with a special enrollment period. qualify for help. Without it, most can’t afford “If a consumer was unable to submit an The problem popped up the day before the coverage. application because their income could not the deadline to sign up for subsidized private The IRS handles income verification for the be verified due to this or had any other tech- health insurance. It had been intermittent, HealthCare.gov website. In a statement, Hill nical issue that prevents enrollment before meaning some people were able to complete said the problem was due to issues with the deadline, we plan to provide them with a their applications and submit them, Health “external verification sources.” special enrollment period,” Hill said. and Human Service Department spokes- The glitch seemed to affect people with “Additional information will be provided to woman Katie Hill said. new applications. People who previously sub- those consumers in the coming days.” By Saturday night, the problem had been mitted their income details - but hadn’t com- Last year, HealthCare.gov stumbled at the resolved, Hill said in a statement. Consumers pleted the final step of picking a plan - were start. Numerous technical problems with the affected by the problem should log in to their still able to do so. The technical problems tied website were a huge headache for con- Marketplace account and click on their 2015 up some consumers who’d come out Saturday sumers, and an embarrassment for the tech- OAKLAND: This Feb 1, 2011 file photo shows medical marijuana clone plants at a application to finish it and complete their to an enrollment event in the central Illinois savvy White House. medical marijuana dispensary in Oakland, Calif. The International Cannabis Business enrollment for health coverage, she said. city of Jacksonville. This year, the process had worked fairly Conference today is expected to draw about 1,000 investors, entrepreneurs and Some people trying to get coverage hadn’t “They were frustrated, but they were nice smoothly. The administration has set a goal of activists from California and elsewhere for an overview of the legalization land- been able to get their income information about it,” said Miranda Clark, who was helping 9.1 million people signed up and paying their scape. — AP electronically verified. That’s crucial because people sign up. “They can come back tomor- premiums in 2015. — AP Congressional panel seeks health-agency documents

PORTLAND: A Congressional panel investigating or destroy any records - a reference to a Kitzhaber headache for Kitzhaber, a former emergency room know if the decision to abandon the Cover Oregon Cover Oregon has asked departing Gov. John staffer’s recent request to have the governor’s per- doctor who prides himself on matters involving exchange - funded with $305 million in federal grants Kitzhaber to preserve all documents related to the sonal emails deleted from the state archives. The health care. The exchange website never fully - was based on election-year politics. shutdown of the dysfunctional health insurance request was denied. “If it is the routine practice of any launched, forcing the state to hire hundreds of work- The Republican-controlled committee seeks all exchange. A letter submitted Friday by four members state employee or contractor to destroy or otherwise ers to manually process applications. communications from those associated with Cover of the House Committee on Oversight and alter such records, halt that practice,” the letter states. The state finally scrapped the online portal in Oregon, the re-election campaign and other contrac- Government Reform asks for a slew of documents in Kitzhaber announced his resignation Friday amid spring 2014 and switched to the federal site, tors and consultants. The committee has been inves- hopes of understanding whether campaign advisers a conflict-of-interest scandal involving his longtime HealthCare.gov. The decision came in the same year tigating Cover Oregon since last March, when it played a role in the decision to switch to the federal girlfriend, Cylvia Hayes, and whether she used her Kitzhaber was running for what would prove to be a requested thousands of documents to see if the pri- health insurance exchange. access to power to advance her consulting business. successful re-election campaign. The US House com- vate information of Oregon residents was placed in a The letter warns the governor’s office not to alter The Cover Oregon debacle has been a yearslong mittee seeking the documents by Feb. 27 wants to vulnerable position. — AP WHAT’S ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Chicken Hydrebadi Lamb Dum Biryani Prawn Rasilli Biryani Indulge in a true Indian Feast at Zafran’s Big Biryani Festival

afran, the contemporary Indian restau- for the non-vegetarian enthusiast. The menu the traditional ‘Dum’ cooking technique is used, rant by Foodmark, is hosting a month also comprises of Subz Noormahal Biryani for where dough is placed over the dish and Zlong Biryani Festival running now until vegetarians and Prawn Rasilli Biryani for the sea cooked at a low temperature to guarantee a 15th March 2015. The festival will give food food aficionados. subtle, rich flavour. buffs a chance to experience the different Meticulously created with delicious ingredi- The Biryani Festival at Zafran is the perfect regional Biryanis from across India. Zafran’s ents and recipes passed down through genera- place to quench your craving for the best brand Chef Gaurav Singh has concocted a tions, guests can opt for the Chicken biryani available. Enticing and succulent aroma menu comprising of five types of biryanis made Hyderbadi Biryani, which consists of tender of the sizzling biryanis along with mouth water- with the choice of meat, seafood or vegetables chicken that has been marinated in yoghurt, ing delicacies make Zafran the chosen spot for which will for sure tickle the taste buds of cus- whole spices, mint and brown onions with bas- families, friends, and corporate functions either tomers. mati rice. Diners who prefer exotic flavors can for lunch, parties, or a splendid evening dinner. Biryani, a regal dish, is a perfect one-dish pick the Prawn Rasilli Biryani which is made Zafran, located in Salmiya (Salem Al meal. Zafran’s Big Biryani Festival offers a vast with a mixture of mace, cardamom and saffron, Mubarak Street), is known for its vibrant and range of mouth watering specials with a fine as these spices give an appealing aromatic modern setting, and is a warm and welcoming mÈlange of vegetarian and non-vegetarian taste. retreat for friends and family who wish to relax delectable Biryanis. The Big Biryani Festival Staying true to the original recipe of Pakki, and enjoy good high quality food at purse- menu includes the Chicken Hyderabadi Biryani, the Biryanis at Zafran are made with a delicate friendly prices. To make a reservation, please Chicken Kesari Biryani, and Lamb Dum Biryani, mix of separately cooked meat and rice. Next call: 25750647. Vegetable Biryani Marina Hotel launches Hala February promotions

arina Hotel Kuwait invites guests to take a delightful dining experience. Start your morn- advantage of a host of special promo- ing with steaming coffee and a delicious break- Mtions coinciding with the festivities of fast buffet at Six Palms restaurant followed by a “Hala February”. The hotel invites its guests to delectable lunch and dinner buffet at the celebrate with multitude of special room pack- Atlantis Restaurant with a magnificent sea view. ages including complimentary breakfast, and is These exclusive offers combined with the ready with its best offer and guarantees that all hotel’s attractive features provide an exciting guests have an enjoyable time with their friends getaway. With the convenient location of the and family. hotel, close to many shopping attractions and Marina Hotel’s stunning coastal setting pro- areas like Marina Mall and Marina Crescent; vides a broad range of leisure options with where “Hala February” promotions and entertain- access to the hotel’s various facilities, gym, pri- ment is at a high point Marina Hotel is certainly vate beach and three swimming pools. The the place to be for the entire family, as well as hotel’s Wi-Fi connection ensures that guest’s groups of friends to share and spend together. communication needs are duly met during their “Hala February” is the prime time to experi- stay throughout the festive period. ence true Arabian hospitality, Marina Hotel’s Overlooking the azure waters of the Arabian facilities, friendly staff and family touch create Gulf, Marina Hotel features an excellent choice of the perfect holiday atmosphere. For more infor- dining options. Unwind in the finest ambiance at mation, please visit our website: www.marinaho- the hotel and enjoy with your family and friends tel.com ANNOUNCEMENT McDonald’s commemorates Kuwait’s Indian Embassy notice The Indian Embassy would like to inform that the EdCIL (India) Limited, a Government of India Enterprise, formerly National, Liberation Days known as Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL), has been designated as the “Nodal Agency” to promote Indian education abroad. n the spirit of celebration and festivity that Sherif Coutry, Marketing Director at all the entries submitted and vote to choose the EdCIL has been assisting NRIs, PIOs and foreign nation- spreads across Kuwait during February, McDonald’s Kuwait, commented: “At McDonald’s, winners. There will be two winners from each cate- als for pursuing Under-graduate courses, Post-Graduate McDonald’s is commemorating Kuwait’s we have always been proud to be a part of gory. Courses and Doctoral Programs in Indian Institutions. I National and Liberation Day with a unique compe- Kuwait’s society, and we are deeply committed to “We at McDonald’s Kuwait believe there is Details of assistance provided by EdCIL to Indian Diaspora tition aimed at highlighting the country’s rich her- embracing its traditions, customs and values. With wealth of creative and artistic talent in our country as well as foreign nationals are available on their website itage, culture and traditions. The “My Heritage” the “My Heritage” competition we wanted to come that should be nurtured and encouraged. That is ‘www.edcilindia.co.in’. Those interested may please contact competition which was launched today will accept up with our own unique way to join the people of why we strive to create outlets where the people Dr Shaik Suleman, Head, Placement and Secondment, submissions until February 28th. Kuwait in their national celebrations, as well as of Kuwait can showcase their talents and be recog- EdCIL (India) Ltd, EdCIL House-18-A, Sector-16-A, NOIDA - McDonald’s invites people across Kuwait to providing a platform to highlight the rich and nized for their work, and the “My Heritage” compe- 201301, UP (Tel 0091-120-2515281, Fax: 0091-120-2515372, enter the My Heritage competition, which will proud history of this country. “ tition is a perfect example of this,” added Coutry. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]), for include two different submission categories. The competition will conclude with a show- Entries can be submitted to further information. Participants can choose to take part in one of the case and awards ceremony at the McDonald’s [email protected], and for categories or both, by either submitting photos or landmarks, traditions, and customs - or by creating Corniche (Gulf Road) branch on March 7 2015. more information on the competition, please visit Merger of PIO, OCI Schemes pictures depicting Kuwaiti heritage - including drawings or paintings of this heritage. Members of the public will get the chance to view www.mcdonaldsarabia.com. The Indian Embassy wishes to inform that Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme has been withdrawn by Government of India and has been merged with Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card scheme w.e.f 9th January 2015. BuntaraSangha Kuwait held AGM, appointed office bearers Hence as per Government of India Gazette Notification No.11 dated 9th January 2015, all PIO cardholders will be untaraSangha Kuwait held their year 2015. The following office bearers deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India cardholder. Annual General Body meeting on were declared to have been elected to Therefore, the Embassy of India will no longer be issuing BFriday 16th January 2015 at Indian serve as office bearers for the year 2015. PIO cards. Fresh applications will be accepted only for Community School, Salmiya. The program President: Rajesh ShettyAgari (Rayee Overseas Citizenship of India cards. For any clarification, commenced with a prayer followed by the Shethala) please contact J S Dangi, Second Secretary (Consular) at traditional lighting of lamp by the Vice President: Sanath Kumar Shetty Telephone No 22533315, Mobile No 97229947 and e mail Managing Committee. Welcome address General Secretary: Dinesh Shetty [email protected] and Shri D K Tripathi, Consular was given by Vice President Nirmitha Treasurer: Babita Manoj Shetty Wing at Telephone No 22530600 Extn-235. Shetty. Chetan Adappa, General Secretary, Cultural Secretary: Sudarshan Shetty presented the Annual report highlighting Sports: Devi Prasad Shetty the various cultural and social activities PRO: Raghunath Shetty organized in the past year. Treasurer The new managing committee mem- Shodan Shetty briefed about the income bers introduced themselves and affirmed What’s On - Submission Guidelines and expenditure of the Sangha for the year their commitment to serve the association 2014. The Managing Committee felicitated to the best of their abilities in co-operation the few newly married couple without with all the members. All photos submitted for What’s On dowry as part of social commitment of the After the delicious lunch by Avanti association. The Managing Committee hon- Palace, lively cultural programs entertained should be minimum 200dpi. ored all the sub-committee members and the members. Kids entertained the audi- Articles must be in plain text and also other adults and kids who participated ence with melodious Hindi song and vari- in the various cultural programs. The out- ous other activities. Spectacular dance pro- should include name and phone going President Guru Hegde extended grams were performed by BSK Dancing numbers. Articles and photos that gratitude to all the members for the year Divas. Family Games was very well fail to meet these requirements will long cooperation and support as well as anchored by Manoj Shetty, involving all the the warm response in contribution to wel- BSK members with lots of fun and zeal. not be published. fare activities to serve the needy under Finally the evening was capped by the HEMA (Health, Education, Marriage Indian national anthem. The Vote of thanks Please send them to Assistance) scheme. was given by Chetan Adappa. The program Vishwanath Shetty, the designated was well anchored by Chetan Rai and [email protected] Election officer briefed over the nomina- Prithvi Shetty. tion of the Managing Committee for the WHAT’S ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

LOYAC hosts Austrian ambassador, delegation Creating new channels of cooperation

n Austrian delegation headed by evident to us that the Arab community was you the values of LOYAC. We focused on a duplicated in both Jordan and Lebanon, and fear and intellectual terrorism. We have Ambassador of Austria to Kuwait Ulrig regressing and falling under the dark shadows number of programs that build the profession- recently in Yemen, is an optimal model to offered our programs to more than 3,000 AFrank and six members of the Austrian of the fundamentalist movement starting al and personal capacities of the youth and address violence and extremism. It is a model young men and women annually in Kuwait Parliament visited Lozan Youth Achievement from the ë70ís and eventually dominating our enable them to design their present and that we can bet on to create a global human alone through our dedicated civic work and Center (LOYAC) in order to review the youth educational system. future. We gave special attention to the arts by citizen, involved in effectively building the not through demonstrations. Our programs organizationís activities that serve the youth ìWe were determined to create change and creating the LOYAC Academy of Performing global community. The model is aligned with serve youth from the age of 6 years to 30 through various activities. The visit created confront the violence with love. We estab- Arts (LAPA) and presented theatrical, dance, our mission: Empowering the youth through years including citizens and residents of new channels of cooperation between LOYAC lished LOYAC with a clear vision aiming for and music performances during a period in unique opportunities to evolve into highly Kuwait. and the Embassy of Austria to discuss ways to ëenlightened youth for peace and prosperityí. which such activities were banned in Kuwait. effective humane citizens. ìWe have been proudly awarded and rec- serve the youth and community development. During the past 13 years, we created diverse LAPA was founded because we believe that ognized by several institutions like the United Fareah Al-Saqqaf, Chairperson and programs to address the mental, emotional, art, just like volunteerism, is a means to spread Global citizen Nations and other global organizations. The Managing Director of LOYAC, addressed the spiritual and physical dimensions of our youth. joy in the hearts of youth and help them over- ìWe believe that the time has come to most recent was the ëChaillotí mention for visitors: We stressed a culture of volunteerism, because come their psychological crises. work together in order to create a global the promotion of human rights in the GCC ìYour Excellencies, Welcome to LOYAC and we believe that volunteerism for community ìSimilarly, and because we believe in the humane citizen, who belongs to humanity, region which was recently granted to us by thank you for giving us the honor of meeting service is the way to instill the core human val- importance of sports in cultivating the posi- and not to a race, religion or political party. the Delegation of the European Union in the with you today. LOYAC is a non-profit organi- ues that we promote. tive energy in our youth, we established a The earth belongs to all of us and we are all Gulf. LOYAC cooperates with a number of zation founded by a group of committed citi- football academy in collaboration with AC responsible to protect it. In conclusion, allow European countries in several fields and we zens in 2002 as a proactive response to the LOYAC values Milan club in Italy. The LOYAC model that me to assure you that we have succeeded to hope that such collaborations will grow fur- violent events of Sept 11, 2001. In 2002, it was ìYour Excellencies, allow us to introduce to started in Kuwait in 2002 and was successfully create a major paradigm shift in our culture of ther with you.î

he “Our Kuwait is Beautiful” carnival was held under the supervision of Latifa Al-Daher, during which Sheikh Duaij Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah’s birthday was celebrated. Sebamed was on hand during the event, Tas samples were distributed, followed by a dinner buffet. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

01:15 Art Attack 18:20 Take On The Twisters 10:00 Emmerdale 18:00 A Cat In Paris 01:40 Jungle Junction 19:10 Coronation Street 10:30 Coronation Street 20:00 Home Alone 3 01:50 Jungle Junction 19:35 The Chase 15:00 Live Good Morning America 22:00 Barbie And The Diamond 02:05 Jungle Junction 20:30 Get Your Act Together 19:00 Drop Dead Diva Castle 02:15 Jungle Junction 21:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 20:00 Royal Pains 23:30 Ploddy Police Car 00:50 Gator Boys 02:30 Violetta Of Dogs 01:45 Gator Boys 03:10 The Hive 21:55 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 02:40 Gangland Killers 03:20 Art Attack Of Dogs 03:35 Deadly Islands 03:45 Art Attack 22:20 Coronation Street 04:25 Tanked 04:10 Jungle Junction 22:50 Emmerdale 05:15 Treehouse Masters: Bionic 04:20 Jungle Junction 23:15 Emmerdale 00:00 Red Tails-PG15 Treehouse 00:00 Lockout 04:35 Jungle Junction 23:45 Murdoch Mysteries 02:15 Ender’s Game-PG15 06:02 Gangland Killers 02:00 Darkness Falls 04:45 Jungle Junction 04:15 The Legend Of Hercules- 06:49 Deadly Islands 04:00 Into The Blue 05:00 Art Attack PG15 07:36 The Wild Life Of Tim 06:00 Hellboy: Blood & Iron 05:25 Art Attack 06:00 Death Clique-PG15 Faulkner 08:00 Summoned 05:50 Mouk 08:00 The Incredible Burt 08:00 The Wild Life Of Tim 10:00 A Good Day To Die Hard 06:00 Kim Possible Wonderstone-PG15 Faulkner 12:00 Into The Blue 06:25 Austin & Ally 10:00 Lakeview Terrace-PG15 08:25 Too Cute! 00:00 Sea Patrol 14:00 Hellboy: Sword Of Storms 06:50 Girl Meets World 12:00 The Legend Of Hercules- 09:15 Gangland Killers 01:00 Dangerous Encounters 16:00 Summoned 07:15 Liv And Maddie PG15 10:10 Call Of The Wildman 02:00 Live Free Or Die 17:45 The Peacemaker 07:40 Jessie 14:00 Legendary Amazons-PG15 10:35 Call Of The Wildman 03:00 Air Crash Investigation 20:00 A Good Day To Die Hard 08:05 Dog With A Blog 16:00 The Incredible Burt 11:05 Gator Boys 04:00 The Living Edens 21:45 Iron Man 08:30 Good Luck Charlie Wonderstone-PG15 12:00 Too Cute! 05:00 Swamp Men 08:55 Good Luck Charlie 18:00 Dark Tide-PG15 12:55 Gangland Killers 06:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 09:20 Sonny With A Chance 20:00 World War Z-PG15 13:50 Treehouse Masters 07:00 Crime Lab 09:45 Sonny With A Chance 22:00 Fire With Fire-18 14:45 Wild Things With Dominic 08:00 Sea Patrol 10:10 Suite Life On Deck 09:00 Dangerous Encounters Monaghan 10:35 Suite Life On Deck 00:00 Darkness Falls-PG15 15:40 Tanked 10:00 Live Free Or Die 11:00 That’s So Raven 11:00 The Living Edens 02:00 Into The Blue-PG15 16:35 Gangland Killers 11:25 That’s So Raven 04:00 Hellboy: Blood & Iron-PG15 12:00 Outback Wrangler 02:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 17:30 Gator Boys 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 06:00 Summoned-PG15 13:00 Animal Intervention 03:00 ICC Cricket 360 18:25 Treehouse Masters 12:15 A.N.T. Farm 08:00 A Good Day To Die Hard 14:00 Mega Breakdown 07:00 Golfing World 19:20 The Wild Life Of Tim 12:40 Hannah Montana 10:00 Into The Blue-PG15 15:00 Car SOS 08:00 Snooker - The Masters Faulkner 13:05 Hannah Montana 12:00 Hellboy: Sword Of Storms 16:00 Hunter Hunted 11:00 Champions Tour 19:50 The Wild Life Of Tim 13:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 14:00 Summoned-PG15 17:00 Alaska Wing Men 13:00 Top 14 Highlights Faulkner 13:55 Wizards Of Waverly Place 15:45 The Peacemaker-PG15 18:00 Perilous Journeys 13:30 Live Snooker Welsh Open 20:15 Tanked 14:20 Austin & Ally 18:00 A Good Day To Die Hard 19:00 Car SOS 19:30 Golfing World 21:10 The Lion Queen 15:00 Dog With A Blog 19:45 Iron Man-PG15 22:05 Roaring With Pride 20:00 Hunter Hunted 20:30 Top 14 Highlights 15:20 Dog With A Blog 21:00 Alaska Wing Men 22:00 Safe-PG15 23:00 The Wild Life Of Tim 15:45 Liv And Maddie 21:30 ICC Cricket 360 Faulkner 22:00 Perilous Journeys 22:00 Live Snooker Welsh Open 16:10 Violetta 23:00 The Living Edens 23:30 The Wild Life Of Tim 17:00 Good Luck Charlie: The Faulkner Road Trip Movie 23:55 Rogue Nature With Dave 18:40 Dog With A Blog Salmoni 19:05 Dog With A Blog 00:00 The Addams Family-PG 02:30 Super Rugby 19:30 Violetta 02:00 RV-PG 07:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 20:20 Emperor’s New School 04:00 Timer-PG15 10:00 Golfing World 20:45 Emperor’s New School 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 06:00 LOL-PG15 14:00 Super Rugby 21:10 Emperor’s New School Stewart 08:00 In A World...-PG15 16:00 Golfing World 21:35 Emperor’s New School 01:00 Modern Family 10:00 RV-PG 18:00 WWE NXT 00:25 Call The Midwife 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 01:30 Girls 12:00 Addams Family Values-PG 19:00 WWE Experience 01:20 Frankie 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 02:00 Girls 14:00 All American Christmas 20:00 WWE Afterburn 02:10 Scott & Bailey 22:50 Shake It Up 02:30 Girls Carol-PG15 21:00 WWE This Week 02:55 Whitechapel 23:10 Wolfblood 03:00 Enlisted 16:00 In A World...-PG15 21:30 PGA Tour Highlights 03:45 The Vicar Of Dibley 23:35 Wolfblood 03:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 18:00 Syrup-PG15 04:15 The Weakest Link 04:00 Men At Work 20:00 John Dies At The End-18 22:30 PGA European Tour 05:00 The Green Balloon Club 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 22:00 The Mule-PG15 Highlights 05:25 Mr Bloom’s Nursery Jimmy Fallon 23:30 Golfing World 05:45 Me Too! 05:30 My Boys 06:05 Garth And Bev 06:00 The Goldbergs 06:15 The Green Balloon Club 00:00 The Soup 06:30 Better Off Ted 06:40 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 00:30 House Of DVF 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:00 The Pact-PG15 04:00 Snooker The Masters 07:00 Gigglebiz 01:25 House Of DVF 08:00 Men At Work 03:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 07:00 Super Rugby 07:15 The Weakest Link 02:20 E! News 08:30 My Boys 05:00 Empire State-PG15 10:00 World Cup of Pool 08:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 03:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 09:00 Enlisted 07:00 Heaven’s Door-PG 11:00 World Cup of Pool 08:30 Lead Balloon 03:40 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 09:30 Community 09:00 The Twilight Saga: Breaking 12:00 World Pool Masters 09:00 My Family 04:10 THS 10:00 Hot In Cleveland Dawn Pt. 2-PG15 14:00 Golfing World 09:30 Doctors THE ICEMAN ON OSN MOVIES DRAMA HD 05:05 THS 10:30 Better Off Ted 11:00 Heaven’s Door-PG 16:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 10:00 Casualty 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 13:00 Christmas Magic-PG15 19:00 PGA Tour Highlights 10:50 The Weakest Link Miami Jimmy Fallon 15:00 Atlas Shrugged-PG15 20:00 PGA European Tour 16:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive 20:55 Magic Of Science 11:35 The Vicar Of Dibley 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take 12:00 The Goldbergs 17:00 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Highlights 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 21:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 12:05 Last Of The Summer Wine Miami 12:30 Men At Work Dawn Pt. 2-PG15 21:00 World Cup of Pool 17:15 17 Kids And Counting 22:10 How Do They Do It? 12:35 Lead Balloon 07:50 Style Star 13:00 My Boys 19:00 Grace Of Monaco-PG15 22:00 World Cup of Pool 17:40 Sister Wives 22:35 How Do They Do It? 13:05 My Family 08:20 E! News 13:30 Better Off Ted 21:00 The Letter-PG15 23:00 World Pool Masters 18:05 Sister Wives 23:00 Magic Of Science 13:35 Doctors 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 14:00 The Michael J. Fox Show 23:00 The Iceman-18 18:30 What Not To Wear 23:25 Magic Of Science 14:05 Casualty 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 14:30 Community 19:20 Bakery Boss 23:50 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 14:55 The Vicar Of Dibley 11:10 Kourtney And Khloe Take 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 20:10 Secret Eaters 00:10 Zou 15:25 Last Of The Summer Wine The Hamptons 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 21:00 The Face Australia 00:25 Mouk 15:55 Lead Balloon 12:05 E! News Stewart 00:00 NHL 21:50 Alaskan Women Looking For 00:35 Jungle Junction 16:25 The Weakest Link 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 16:00 Modern Family 07:00 Monster Jam Love 00:50 Art Attack 17:10 Eastenders 13:35 E!ES 16:30 The Goldbergs 09:00 The World’s Strongest Man 01:15 Julius Jr. 00:30 The Master-R 22:40 Extreme Couponing 17:40 Doctors 14:30 Style Star 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 12:00 NHL 01:25 Calimero 03:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 23:05 Body Bizarre 18:10 Lark Rise To Candleford 15:00 Keeping Up With The 18:00 New Girl 19:00 NHL 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 05:00 Ray-PG15 23:55 The Face Australia 19:05 Gavin & Stacey Kardashians 18:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 22:00 WWE Experience 01:50 Zou 07:45 Promised Land-PG15 19:35 The Job Lot 16:00 Keeping Up With The 19:00 Two And A Half Men 23:00 WWE Afterburn 02:05 Mouk 20:00 Scott & Bailey Kardashians 19:30 Two And A Half Men 09:45 Bully-PG15 00:40 On The Case With Paula 02:15 Jungle Junction 20:45 The Shadow Line 17:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 20:00 Wilfred 11:30 My Piece Of The Pie-PG15 Zahn 02:25 Art Attack 21:45 Call The Midwife 17:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 20:30 Wilfred 13:30 Atlas Shrugged-PG15 01:30 Solved 02:50 Julius Jr. 22:35 Mistresses 18:00 E! News 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 15:15 Ray-PG15 02:20 Most Evil 03:00 Calimero 18:00 Too Big To Fail-PG15 03:15 Henry Hugglemonster 23:25 Being Eileen 19:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take Stewart 01:00 Live ICC World Cup: IRE v 00:40 Magic Of Science 03:10 Who On Earth Did I 20:00 In The Name Of The Father 03:25 Zou 23:55 Gavin & Stacey The Hamptons 21:30 Modern Family WI 01:05 Mind Control Freaks Marry? 22:30 The Last King Of Scotland 03:40 Mouk 20:00 House Of DVF 22:00 Girls 12:30 ICC World Cup H/L: IRE v WI 01:30 Dynamo: Magician 03:35 Who On Earth Did I 03:50 Jungle Junction 21:00 Fashion Bloggers 22:30 Curb Your Enthusiasm 15:00 ICC Cricket 360 Impossible Marry? 04:00 Art Attack 21:30 Fashion Bloggers 23:00 South Park 20:00 ICC World Cup H/L: NZ v SL 02:20 Through The Wormhole 04:00 Blood Relatives 04:25 Julius Jr. 22:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 23:30 Wilfred 21:00 ICC World Cup H/L: AUS v With Morgan Freeman 04:45 On The Case With Paula 04:35 Calimero 22:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills ENG 03:10 How Do They Do It? Zahn 01:00 Anna Nicole-PG15 04:50 Henry Hugglemonster 23:00 The E! True Hollywood Story 03:35 How Do They Do It? 05:30 Solved 02:45 Great Expectations-PG15 06:20 Forensic Detectives 05:00 Zou 00:00 Antiques Roadshow 04:00 Deadliest Space Weather 05:00 Epic-PG 07:10 Forensic Detectives 05:15 Mouk 00:55 Come Dine With Me 04:24 NASA’s Unexplained Files 07:00 A Family Reunion-PG15 08:00 Nightmare Next Door 05:25 Jungle Junction 01:40 Food Glorious Food 00:00 Covert Affairs 05:12 Alien Mysteries 09:00 Peace, Love & 08:50 Fatal Encounters 05:35 Art Attack 02:30 Bargain Hunt 02:00 Better Call Saul 06:00 Close Encounters Misunderstanding-PG15 09:40 Murder Shift 06:00 Julius Jr. 03:15 Bargain Hunt 03:00 Grimm 06:24 Long March Into Space 00:00 Midsomer Murders 10:45 Saving Mr. Banks-PG15 10:30 I Was Murdered 06:10 Calimero 04:00 Bargain Hunt 04:00 How To Get Away With 07:12 How The Universe Works 01:30 James Nesbitt’s Ireland 13:00 The Great Gatsby-PG15 10:55 Stalked: Someone’s 06:25 Henry Hugglemonster 04:45 Antiques Roadshow Murder 00:45 Bakery Boss 08:00 Weird Connections 02:00 Emmerdale 15:30 Struck By Lightning-PG15 Watching 06:35 Zou 05:40 Antiques Roadshow 05:00 Castle 01:35 Extreme Couponing 08:25 How Tech Works 02:25 Emmerdale 17:00 Peace, Love & 11:20 Forensic Detectives 06:50 Mouk 06:30 Bargain Hunt 06:00 Covert Affairs 02:00 My 600lb Life 08:50 Mega Builders 02:55 Coronation Street Misunderstanding-PG15 12:10 Solved 07:00 Jungle Junction 07:15 Bargain Hunt 07:00 Witches Of East End 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress 09:40 Food Factory 03:25 Who’s Doing The Dishes 19:00 Runner Runner-PG15 13:00 Disappeared 07:10 Art Attack 08:00 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 08:00 Unforgettable 03:15 Little People, Big World 10:05 How It’s Made 04:20 Sunday Night At The 21:00 Breathless-PG15 13:50 True Crime With 07:35 Julius Jr. 08:45 Come Dine With Me 09:00 Castle 03:40 What Not To Wear 10:30 Magic Of Science Palladium 23:00 The Counselor-18 Aphrodite Jones 07:45 Calimero 09:10 Homes Under The Hammer 10:00 How To Get Away With 04:30 Cake Boss 10:55 Mind Control Freaks 05:15 Murdoch Mysteries 14:40 Who On Earth Did I 08:00 Jungle Junction 10:00 Antiques Roadshow Murder 05:00 Sister Wives 11:20 Dynamo: Magician 06:10 Take On The Twisters Marry? 08:10 Zou 10:55 Come Dine With Me 11:00 Witches Of East End 05:30 Sister Wives Impossible 07:05 James Nesbitt’s Ireland 15:05 Who On Earth Did I 08:25 Henry Hugglemonster 11:40 Masterchef: The 12:00 Emmerdale 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 12:10 Mythbusters 07:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes Marry? 08:35 Julius Jr. Professionals 12:30 Coronation Street 06:25 Secret Eaters 13:00 Weird Connections 08:25 Sunday Night At The 15:30 Solved 08:50 Mouk 12:35 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 14:00 Unforgettable 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 13:25 How Tech Works Palladium 16:20 I Was Murdered 09:00 Calimero 13:20 Come Dine With Me 15:00 Covert Affairs 01:00 Niko 2: Little Brother, Big 07:40 Little People, Big World 13:50 Mega Builders 09:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 16:45 Stalked: Someone’s 09:15 Art Attack 13:45 Homes Under The Hammer 16:00 Emmerdale Trouble 08:05 Brides Of Beverly Hills 14:40 Food Factory 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries Watching 09:40 Henry Hugglemonster 14:35 Antiques Roadshow 16:30 Coronation Street 02:45 A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s 08:30 Brides Of Beverly Hills 15:05 How It’s Made 11:10 Emmerdale 17:10 Murder Shift 09:50 Doc McStuffins 15:30 Come Dine With Me 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Escape From Paradise 08:55 Sister Wives 15:30 Magic Of Science 11:35 Emmerdale 18:00 Disappeared 10:05 Special Agent Oso: 3 16:15 Masterchef: The 18:00 Unforgettable 04:30 The Apple & The Worm 09:45 Cake Boss 15:55 Mind Control Freaks 12:00 Coronation Street 18:50 Fatal Encounters Healthy Steps Professionals 19:00 Bones 06:00 Barbie Magic Of The 10:10 Sister Wives 16:20 Dynamo: Magician 12:30 The Hungry Sailors 19:40 Forensic Detectives 10:10 Special Agent Oso 17:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 20:00 Revenge Rainbow 10:35 Sister Wives Impossible 13:25 Take On The Twisters 20:30 True Crime With 10:20 Special Agent Oso: 3 17:55 Come Dine With Me 21:00 Bates Motel 08:00 Oggy & The Cockroaches: 11:00 What Not To Wear 17:10 How Do They Do It? 14:20 Come Dine With Me Ireland Aphrodite Jones Healthy Steps 18:20 Homes Under The Hammer The Movie 11:50 Cake Boss 17:35 How Do They Do It? 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries 21:20 The Will: Family Secrets 10:25 Special Agent Oso 19:15 Homes Under The Hammer 10:00 A Cat In Paris 12:15 Cake Boss 18:00 Through The Wormhole 15:35 The Chase Revealed 10:40 Special Agent Oso: 3 20:10 Michela’s Classic Italian 11:30 Soccer Dog: European Cup 12:40 Secret Eaters 18:50 How It’s Made 16:30 Get Your Act Together 22:10 Who On Earth Did I Healthy Steps 20:35 Come Dine With Me 13:00 A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s 13:30 Cake Boss 19:15 How It’s Made 17:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Marry? 10:45 Special Agent Oso 21:25 Masterchef: The Escape From Paradise 14:20 Bakery Boss 19:40 Food Factory Of Dogs 22:35 Who On Earth Did I 11:00 Sofia The First Professionals 14:45 Oggy & The Cockroaches: 15:10 Cake Boss 20:05 Food Factory 17:55 Paul O’Grady: For The Love The Movie Marry? 11:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 22:20 Antiques Roadshow Of Dogs 02:00 Good Morning America 15:35 Little People, Big World 20:30 Magic Of Science 06:00 Good Morning America 16:15 Ploddy Police Car 23:00 Blood Relatives 11:50 Calimero 23:10 Come Dine With Me 12:05 Jake And The Neverland 23:35 Delicious Iceland Pirates 12:30 Julius Jr. 12:40 Henry Hugglemonster 12:55 Handy Manny 13:05 Justin Time 13:20 Sofia The First 00:45 Dive Wars Australia 13:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 01:35 Dive Wars Australia 14:10 New Adventures Of 02:25 Dive Wars Australia Winnie The Pooh 03:15 Dive Wars Australia 14:35 Henry Hugglemonster 04:05 Dive Wars Australia 14:45 Zou 05:00 The Carbonaro Effect 15:00 Special Agent Oso: 3 05:30 The Carbonaro Effect Healthy Steps 06:00 Marooned With Ed Stafford 15:05 Special Agent Oso 06:50 Bike Battles 15:15 Special Agent Oso: 3 07:40 Fast N’ Loud Healthy Steps 08:30 Auction Hunters 15:20 Special Agent Oso 08:55 The Liquidator 15:35 Special Agent Oso: 3 09:20 Auction Hunters Healthy Steps 09:45 How It’s Made 15:40 Special Agent Oso 10:10 How It’s Made 15:55 Handy Manny 10:35 Overhaulin’ 16:05 Justin Time 11:25 Kindig Customs 16:20 Sofia The First 12:15 Fantomworks 16:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 13:05 Auction Hunters 16:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 13:30 The Liquidator 17:15 Lilo & Stitch 13:55 Auction Hunters 17:40 Adventures Of The 14:20 Marooned With Ed Stafford Gummi Bears 15:10 Bike Battles 18:05 Chip n Dale Rescue 16:00 Fast N’ Loud Rangers 16:50 How It’s Made 18:30 Ducktales 17:15 How It’s Made 18:55 Art Attack 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 19:20 Sofia The First 18:30 Gold Rush 19:45 Calimero 19:20 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 20:00 Doc McStuffins 20:10 The Liquidator 20:10 Jake And The Never Land 20:35 Auction Hunters Pirates 21:00 Gold Rush 20:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 21:50 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 20:35 Zou 22:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 20:50 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 23:30 Alaska: The Last Frontier 20:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 21:20 Sofia The First 21:45 Adventures Of The Gummi Bears 22:10 Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers 22:35 Ducktales 00:00 Violetta 23:00 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 00:45 The Hive 23:05 Art Attack 00:50 Art Attack THE COUNSELOR ON OSN MOVIES HD 23:30 Julius Jr. Classifieds

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (12/02/2015 TO 18/02/2015)

SHARQIA-1 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:30 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 6:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM SON OF A GUN 8:45 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 11:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 5:15 PM SON OF A GUN 1:15 AM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 7:45 PM FANAR-5 TEMPER (Telugu) 3:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:00 PM TAKEN 3 1:00 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 6:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:30 AM SHAMITABH (HINDI) 3:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 3:30 PM SON OF A GUN 12:30 PM SHARQIA-2 SHAMITABH (HINDI) 6:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM TEMPER (Telugu) 6:30 PM 360º- 3 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 12:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM TAKEN 3 12:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 3:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 5:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM MARINA-1 YELLOWBIRD 7:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM YELLOWBIRD 11:30 AM THE GAMBLER 9:45 PM FOR SALE Online Quran BIG EYES 1:30 PM THE GAMBLER 12:05 AM teaching and prayers SHARQIA-3 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:45 PM For sale car Ssangyong - Quran Majeed with translation in BIG EYES 11:30 AM BIG EYES 6:00 PM AL-KOUT.1 Corando 2015, white color BIG EYES 1:45 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 8:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 PM Urdu and English. “24 hours” YELLOWBIRD 4:00 PM BIG EYES 10:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:30 PM with golden color inside, “Mansoor Dua” we teach how to YELLOWBIRD 6:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:00 PM 130 kilometer used only, pray with recognized methods. TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 8:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:30 PM price with Agency: KD BIG EYES 10:30 PM MARINA-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM Class duration 30 minutes. 6,500. Required price KD Time you can select as yours con- BIG EYES 12:45 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM 4800. Tel: 66052541. YELLOWBIRD 1:00 PM venience. MUHALAB-1 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 3:00 PM AL-KOUT.2 (C 4929) “All over the world” STONEHEARST ASYLUM 11:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 1:00 PM 16-2-2015 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:45 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 7:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 1:30 PM [email protected] ROY (HINDI) 4:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 3:30 PM Phone: 0092 307 717 65 80 TEMPER (Telugu) 4:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM SITUATION WANTED ROY (HINDI) 7:00 PM Plan B (ARABIC) 7:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 7:00 PM MARINA-3 F3899195, Malayatoor TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 9:30 PM House, Kozhencherry P.O., TEMPER (Telugu) 10:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:05 AM Need job for a Bachelor STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM degree holder with com- Pathanamthitta Dist., STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:00 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 puter diploma with 8 years Kerala, India, hereby KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM experience in Kuwait look- change my name to Vidya MUHALAB-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:15 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 1:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM ing for job as Admin/ Sales Thomas. (C 4928) JUPITER ASCENDING 5:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:45 PM 15-2-2015 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 8:00 PM executive (Indian license YELLOWBIRD 3:30 PM AVENUES-1 only). Please contact: YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 11:45 AM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:15 PM BIG EYES 7:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 2:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:45 AM 66894543, JUPITER ASCENDING 9:45 PM YELLOWBIRD 4:15 PM (C 4916) BIG EYES 12:15 AM YELLOWBIRD 6:30 PM AL-KOUT.4 14-2-2015 Plan B (ARABIC) 8:45 PM BIG EYES 11:30 AM MUHALAB-3 Plan B (ARABIC) 11:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:15 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 1:15 AM BIG EYES 4:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME 112 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:45 PM BIG EYES 7:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:15 PM AVENUES-2 BIG EYES 9:15 PM I, Vidya Sam, holder of KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:45 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:45 PM Indian Passport No. KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:15 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 2:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 5:30 PM BAIRAQ-1 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 8:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM FANAR-1 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 11:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 2:45 PM AVENUES-3 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Plan B (ARABIC) 5:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM Plan B (ARABIC) 7:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 3:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 9:15 PM Plan B (ARABIC) 6:15 PM Automated enquiry about TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 11:45 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 8:45 PM BAIRAQ-2 JUPITER ASCENDING 11:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 12:30 PM the Civil ID card is FANAR-2 YELLOWBIRD 2:45 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 11:30 AM AVENUES-4 JUPITER ASCENDING 4:45 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 2:15 PM BIG EYES 12:15 PM YELLOWBIRD 7:15 PM 1889988 AMERICAN SNIPER 4:45 PM TAKEN 3 2:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 9:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 7:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 4:45 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 11:45 PM Plan (ARABIC) 9:45 PM TAKEN 3 7:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:05 AM BIG EYES 9:45 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 12:15 AM BAIRAQ-3 Prayer timings FANAR-3 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 11:45 AM 360º- 1 BIG EYES 3:45 PM BIG EYES 2:00 PM BIG EYES 12:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 6:00 PM Fajr: 05:07 YELLOWBIRD 4:15 PM BIG EYES 2:15 PM BIG EYES 8:15 PM YELLOWBIRD 6:15 PM BIG EYES 4:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:30 PM Shorook 06:27 BIG EYES 8:15 PM BIG EYES 6:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:30 PM BIG EYES 9:00 PM Duhr: 12:02 BIG EYES 12:45 AM BIG EYES 11:15 PM PLAZA YELLOWBIRD 3:15 PM Asr: 15:13 FANAR-4 360º- 2 THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 3:30 PM Maghrib: 17:38 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 PM SON OF A GUN 11:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:30 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 2:00 PM ANEGAN (Tamil) 7:45 PM Isha: 18:55 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:00 PM SON OF A GUN 4:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:45 PM

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

Arrival Flights on Monday 16/2/2015 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 Departure Flights on Monday16/2/2015 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 BBC 044 Chittagong/Dhaka 00:40 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 538 Sohag 14:50 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 OMA 645 Muscat 15:25 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:15 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 DLH 637 Dammam 01:15 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 MSC 404 Sohag 03:30 OMA 646 Muscat 16:25 MSC 403 Sohag 02:30 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:35 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 JZR 560 Sohag 05:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 KAC 118 New York 18:30 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 JZR 503 Luxor 05:25 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 GFA 048 Istanbul 19:10 BAW 157 London 06:40 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 KAC 537 Sohag 08:20 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 GFA 048 Bahrain 19:55 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 104 London 19:55 BAW 156 London 08:45 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 614 Bahrain 20:00 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 KAC 281 Dhaka 20:55 KAC 344 Chennai 08:45 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:50 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 GFA 047 Istanbul 10:25 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 KAC 282 Dhaka 09:20 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 GFA 047 Bahrain 09:40 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 IRA 666 Esfahan 10:45 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:45 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:15 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:15 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 KAC 103 London 12:20 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 JZR 561 Sohag 11:45 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 IRC 6521 Lamerd 11:50 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 IRC 6522 Lamerd 12:50 JZR 502 Luxor 23:05 SYR 341 Damascus 12:00 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 SYR 342 Damascus 13:00 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 CROSSWORD 817 STAR TRACK

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

Your experiences will be out of the ordinary and you will likely feel very gener- This morning you may find yourself giving lectures or teaching some sort of ous today. Great opportunities may emerge, particularly in spiritual affairs. Good things are self-help class. You have a supersensitive awareness of the moods and needs of others, mak- easily attracted to you today. There is much energy at this time that is best applied out-of- ing you a fine teacher. This afternoon financial ties or obligations grab your attention. Your doors, engaging in activities that are both carefree and pleasant with friends and relatives. instinctive orientation is to have things organized and set up for tax time or perhaps to use an You face tremendous responsibilities in relationships with loved ones and are apt to have dif- accountant. Be careful when you talk about home improvements with family members this ficulty expressing wants and desires openly to companions. You should try during this time evening. If you are not flexible, others could respond to your ideas in a negative way. There to loosen up and enjoy your companions without being afraid to voice true feelings. Games may be a little time to do things with friends this evening, even though it may only be catch- and exercise, such as the ones today, would bring several opportunities to clear away difficul- ing up with each other’s activities over the phone. You appreciate harmony and are willing to ties and deepen friendships. share your cheerful attitude.

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

Your energy is high and your creative mind is busy, ready to be applied to Today you are interested in grasping the widest view of a concept-this could be whatever creative work you have decided to throw yourself into now. Considerable achieve- an interesting day. You will find others want to join in the conversation-input and ideas from ment is sure to be yours-your concentration is at a high. You are expressive and if it is help you people are welcome. These contributions reinforce and widen your vision as well as fill in a need, it is help you will receive. Perhaps you are ice sculpturing or wood carving and intend to few information gaps. You gain fresh insight at this time. You can become distracted this win an award. Lady luck is on your side-you are full of confidence. You will succeed at any proj- afternoon, so if you hear something you think might benefit you, write it down. You have a ect you attempt. Make sure both your expectations and abilities are in balance. You are con- festive spirit and it’s best to act on it now. You should do well at social gatherings and activi- siderate to friends and family. Companionship is most rewarding and you should take every ties you hold at home for friends or relatives. Your sensitivity to others is heightened and opportunity to be with your friends in fun gatherings now. There are some fun projects within increases your physical attractiveness-expressing affection should come easily and is most your grasp. positive.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) This is a great day to get things done, whether you are alone or with others, You have a love of life today that manifests itself in good cheer and generosity. especially if you lead. You take an interest in social activities and pursuits like This is a time when relationships, especially with women, are good. There is an aspect of good religion and volunteer work. However, this could be the day you move, put things in storage ACROSS 5. A dark-skinned member of a race of peo- fortune. Parental instincts may come to the forefront now and you make every effort to pla- or repair an existing housing problem. Your mental attitude is positive-this is the time to dis- 1. The sign language used in the United ple living in Australia when Europeans cate any discord in the home. Also, there is a strong wish to make your surroundings as pleas- cuss any problems with friends and get them out in the open and solved. With your guidance, States. arrived. ant as possible. The accent all day is on sociability. This should be one of those nice days when others will know just what to do and their progress will be fast. Reward the people that have 4. A genus of Astacidae. 6. A chronic progressive nervous disorder everything goes well, a time that is great for social get-togethers with lighthearted conversa- helped you-perhaps a pizza party or some other fun way to show your appreciation. There tion. You will be full of energy at this time and ready to take on the world. Any past tensions 12. Any of various units of capacity. involving loss of myelin sheath around cer- may be numerous romantic interests in your life right now. As such, you may spend a great can easily be forgotten. It is a perfect day to go to a concert, take a drive or start a vacation. deal of time and effort toward balancing commitments. 15. Fiddler crabs. tain nerve fibers. 16. Of or relating to or in the manner of the 7. A short high tone produced as a signal or playwright Henrik Ibsen. warning. 17. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to 8. The part of the nervous system of verte- Capricorn (December 22-January 19) but heavier than beer. brates that controls involuntary actions of Cancer (June 21-July 22) 18. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug the smooth muscles and heart and glands. You enjoy being around people in general today; the rapport between you and Logic prevails. You can think about all of your relationships-friendships, associa- (trade name Daypro). 9. A long noosed rope used to catch ani- your significant other should be especially strong at this time. With this understanding, you tions or love affairs-and discuss them without emotions getting in the way. This is a good day 20. Physicist honored for advances in solid mals. both can be nurturing without being pushy. Unfortunately, your rapport with food and drink for fun communication between best friends. This time indicates that relations with partners state electronics (born in Japan in 1925). 10. Medium-sized tree-dwelling monkey of could also be strong. Work is definitely on the back burner, although you could be inspired to are both easygoing and rewarding. Later this afternoon, you and this friend may find a used 21. A decree that prohibits something. the Amazon basin. do something to beautify your home or surroundings. A new job offer may come from a sur- book store to enjoy. Find a book about some intriguing new subject to you or a new creative 22. (anatomy) Of or relating to the ilium. 11. The act of breathing heavily through prising source this afternoon and could possibly be worth your consideration. Whatever your project. A common interest in spiritual and mystical values among family members may occur financial situation is, keep in mind that your job for this year is to build up reserve funds. at this time. You are gracious and understanding to friends and relatives. This is an excellent 24. A crisp smooth lustrous fabric. the nose (as when the nose is congested). time to engage in activities with members of the opposite sex. 26. Serving cart for serving tea or light 12. A confusion of voices and other sounds. Building up reserve funds will provide some security and a little stress relief. refreshments. 13. Cry plaintively. 28. The quantity that a car will hold. 14. A Russian river. 29. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked 19. Genus of American of east Asian peren- Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) on a skewer usually with vegetables. nial herbs with yellow to orange or red 30. Not in good physical or mental health. flower rays. IYour emotions have taken a short vacation, giving you some time to calmly IThis is a creative time and the stories just keep coming! It could be fun to join 33. Challenge the honesty or credibility of. 23. A resident of Utah. reflect on where you are and where you are going. If something puzzles you, an older, wiser a storytelling class or begin a creative-expression group and enjoy each other’s talent to enter- 38. Worn or shabby from overuse or (of 25. A family of languages of the Fula people head may give guidance. If any problem arises, you can handle it methodically and without tain, enlighten and inform each other. You might consider reading stories to the young peo- panic. You may take comfort in the past, with its old ways and old solutions. If they worked ple on story day at your city’s library or at some other meeting place. Singing and dancing and pages) from having corners turned down. of west Africa in the sub-Sahara regions once, they will probably work again. This afternoon, you may become more actively involved creating games are all a part of this day and may be taking place at this time because a young 40. British artist and writer of nonsense from Senegal to Chad. on a social level-taking a bigger part in collective events and developments. A friend or person is celebrating his or her birthday with you. The energies today will take you in one of verse (1812-1888). 27. A mature blood cell that contains acquaintance may not want to follow through on some responsibilities today and this could these named directions but a volunteer attitude will help you express your talents the best 41. A member of the Nahuatl people who hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the bodily cause you a great deal of discomfort. You have little patience with people who do not live up way possible. It is good to have a positive passion that is helpful throughout our lives. established an empire in Mexico that was tissues. to their word. Practice meditation. Everyone is smiling. overthrown by Cortes in 1519. 31. Hear or try a court case anew. 43. German chemist who was co-discoverer 32. An accessory or adjoining anatomical with Lise Meitner of nuclear fission (1879- parts or appendages (especially of the Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 1968). embryo). 44. Of or relating to or characteristic of 34. Like or containing meat. Practice meditation as often as possible and count your blessings today-this is There is an interest in religion and philosophy, with many questions being Malaysia. 35. East Indian tree bearing a profusion of indeed, your day. Be flexible with regard to the old routine. You will be receiving lots of atten- raised about mysterious topics like your purpose in life. Relationships are the order of the day. tion regarding your talents. There are discussions around continued education and you may Being with the people you care about and that care about you is an important part of this day. 47. A radioactive element of the actinide intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms want to take some sort of creative writing class-others encourage you. You always have a lot of There may be an occasion to celebrate and visit with each other. If you have a collection of pic- series. and yielding a yellow dye. interesting things to say. If you are self-employed or earn a living by means of your wits-do tures of people everyone knows, it might be fun to share the event or adventures. Chores are 49. The seat within a bishop's diocese 36. Drooping of the upper eyelid caused by something different for today! Loved ones, children and other people or things dear to your definitely on the back burner, although you could be inspired to plan future projects that will where his cathedral is located adv. muscle paralysis and weakness. heart are emphasized today. There is a chance to understand those around you and to have a help to beautify your home surroundings. You might want to think about what plants you 50. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet. 37. A light strong brittle gray toxic bivalent special time with someone you love. General good feelings and a sense of support and harmo- would like for the spring planting. This is a good time to get new seedlings started inside. 51. A soft silvery metallic element of the metallic element. ny make this a happy time. alkali earth group. 39. Follower of Rastafarianism. 52. An additional tax on certain kinds of 42. A strip of land projecting into a body of income that has already been taxed. water. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 54. A stock exchange in New York. 45. A soft silvery metallic element. 56. East Indian cereal grass whose seed 46. Striped hyena of southeast Africa that yield a somewhat bitter flour, a staple in the feeds chiefly on insects. Orient. 48. A ductile gray metallic element of the 58. A village in eastern Ireland (northwest lanthanide series. of Dublin). 53. The elapsed time it takes for a signal to 59. Scottish chemist noted for his research travel from Earth to a spacecraft (or other into the structure of nucleic acids (born in body) and back to the starting point. 1907). 55. A flammable colorless gaseous alkene. 61. A state in north central United States. 57. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit 63. Still frozen. juice. 71. A matador or one of the supporting 60. An implement used to propel or steer a team during a bull fight. boat. 72. A plant hormone that promotes root 62. The sister of your father or mother. formation and bud growth. 64. Acute ulceration of the mucous mem- 75. 10 grams. branes of the mouth or genitals. 76. A primeval personification of air and 65. (South African) A journey by ox wagon breath. (especially an organized migration by a 77. Believing in or supporting tenets of the group of settlers). political left. 66. Informal or slang terms for mentally 79. A graphical record of electric currents irregular. associated with muscle contractions. 67. A hand with the fingers clenched in the 80. The lean flesh of a fish similar to cod. palm (as for hitting). 81. A ludicrous folly. 68. The content of cognition. 82. An associate degree in applied science. 69. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism. DOWN 70. Oval reproductive body of a fowl (espe- 1. An inspection of the accounting proce- cially a hen) used as food. dures and records by a trained accountant. 73. (Sumerian) Sun god. 2. An ordered reference standard. 74. Denoting a quantity consisting of 12 3. Genus of western United States annuals items or units. with showy yellow or white flowers. 78. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. 4. Enchanter's nightshade. Yesterday’s Solution

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Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. 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Kardashian sick of Jenner stealing limelight he ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ star is can sell her products, which is why she has been reportedly unimpressed by the media cov- stepping out wearing more and more provoca- Terage of her 65-year-old stepfather’s transi- tive outfits in recent days. Speaking to New York tion to become a woman because she feels Daily News’ Confidenti@l column, they said: ignored by the magazines which usually give her “Bruce is getting the attention and the only time so much attention. A source revealed: “Kim has people show her is when she’s naked on maga- only been on one and a half (tabloid) covers in zine covers, which is fine, but she needs to sell 2015.”Neither Life & Style, OK!, Us Weekly nor brands and products. It’s not like she makes any- People have had her on their cover once this year. thing off of Paper mag. “She still needs to sell her “But Bruce has been on four In Touch covers, two Sears collection. She still needs the mainstream Us Weekly covers and a People cover.” Although press.” “Look what she did earlier in the week in the 34-year-old beauty - who has 19-month-old New York — its 20 degrees and she’s wearing a daughter North with husband Kanye West - cleavage-baring tank top while everyone around received some attention recently when she here is in hats and gloves.”She’s literally exposing stripped off for LOVE magazine for another naked herself while walking out of a hotel on purpose. shoot, the source continued to say she is desper- But as a family they are well aware of the focus on ate to have the full focus on her once again so she Bruce.”

Moore’s children give her ‘purpose’ Vergara spent $ 45,000 he ‘Still Alice’ star believes her two kids, Caleb, 17 and Liv, 12 - who she has with director husband Bart Freundlich - Tgive her a sense of “belonging”. She told Parade magazine: “Right before I met my husband, I always felt as if the party was happening somewhere else.”Like, ‘Where is everybody else going?’ And once I met him and we had our children, I was like, he ‘Modern Family’ actress, who got engaged ‘This is where the party is.’ There’s nowhere else I want to be. I to the ‘Magic Mike’ star in December, report- see a tremendous amount of purpose and a feeling of belong- Tedly splashed out the huge sum on new fur- ing.” Family life is clearly important to the 54-year-old actress, niture and plants to turn her garden into a tropical who previously revealed she chooses her family over any paradise. An insider said: “He absolutely loves it. prospective acting jobs if necessary. She said: “If ever I do a film He spends 99 per cent of his time outside, so it’s that’s a long way from home, we schedule it for the summer- perfect.” The 42-year-old actress hired landscape time and the rest of the family comes with me.”Other than that, gardeners to surprise the 38-year-old actor with I’m never away for more than a week. If someone says to me, lavish outdoor area as a move-in gift. The source ‘Will do you this film in Hungary?’ I just go, ‘Sorry - if you can told US Star magazine: “She wanted Joe to feel move it to New Jersey, then maybe it will work.’” Despite her more at home. This is his home now too - and she husband’s film knowledge, Julianne admitted she rarely asks wanted to do something to symbolize that “Sofia him for advice on which parts to take on. She said: “I make up bough chairs, couches, tables and lounges. She my own mind what I do. I might ask him to read something if I said she has a ton of family and friends, so she need help, but generally I know pretty quickly what I like and bought most of the store.” The Colombian what I don’t. “Contrary to what people might say, I don’t make a actress, who got engaged to Joe after just six point of going for ‘difficult’ parts. I’ve just tried to vary things as months of dating, recently admitted they are much as possible.” planning to have a family together. The brunette beauty, who has a 22-year-old son Manolo from a previous marriage, said: “He’s younger than me and he’s never had kids, so of course if we can do it, why not? It needs a lot of planning, but we have to leave it to God to see if it happens.” never looked better

he 45-year-old singer - who has six-year-old twins Lopez Maximilian and Emme - is feeling attractive again Tfollowing her split from the children’s father, pro- Dane Bowers ducer Marc Anthony, after a ten-year marriage, and believes women become hotter as they get older. She explained: “I think I always felt sexy. More so now. I feel more like myself and I just know myself better. “I think in accused of assault the past, the thought was your 20s are when you are at your best and after that it’s downhill. Now women are realizing that we are at our best as we get older. We are he 35-year-old singer’s ex-girlfriend, model Sophia Cahill, is attractive and we are more interesting and we are more believed to have reported the musician to the police over an inci- self-assured than we were 10 years before, and there’s Tdent which took place at his parents’ home on January 29, despite something sexy and attractive about that to all men.” feels she’s his pals protesting his innocence. A friend told The Sun newspaper: “This Although she is feeling more confident in her appear- does not sound like Dane because he is a gentleman around women.” ance following the finalization of her divorce last June, The ‘Big Reunion’ star and former Miss Wales had been dating for two the ‘On the Floor’ hit maker admitted she still needs to years before she dumped him in December, after she was sent images of work on being happy for the sake of her kids. She told glamour models who she was told he had been eyeing up. Dane - who is the Sunday Mirror’s Notebook magazine: “I’ve just start- currently making a living by doing DJ sets in the UK and in Tenerife - ed working on myself. Maybe it’s having kids and want- seems to have taken the break-up to heart having posted several cryptic ing to be great for them, to set a good example and messages online which allude to the breakdown of their relationship. wanting to teach them the right things. “That and my While Sophia posted on Twitter about clearing out the house they divorce have helped me in growing and realizing things shared, he wrote: “Time to move on I guess...” The next day he seemed to about myself - like life is hard and s*** happens. It gets refer once again to his messy breakup, writing: “Why do some people bad sometimes, but you are going to dance again. We insist on making things difficult...and then go on about how difficult can all succumb to depression or become bitter. Or you things are?” Although the star has not yet been questioned by police, can become better. I prefer better to bitter.” they have confirmed they are looking into the incident. The Metropolitan Police said: “Officers from the Croydon Community Safety Unit are inves- tigating an allegation of domestic assault.” Spacey idolizes her mother he Chanel model admits her parents had a huge impact on the kind of moth- er she tries to be for her and her

Bundchen T still worries American football star husband Tom Brady’s children Benjamin, five, and Vivian, two, as they were strict but “loving”. She shared: “I’m about money very nurturing, I come from a large family and my parents were loving. But the most hile the 55-year-old star has appeared in numerous important thing for me as a mum is to keep Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘The Usual Suspects’ and my word. When I say no, I mean no, I always W‘American Beauty’ - both of which he won Oscars for - and say they have all the time in the world to sit was the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre for 10 years, the actor is there saying, ‘I want it, I want it’, but they are “determined” to be careful with his finances because he didn’t have a smart, and if I give it to them they know they lot during his younger years. He said: “I still worry about money. I came can get away with it.” The 34-year-old star still from a modest middle-class family. My mother was the main bread- idolizes her mother and has confessed that winner, my father was unemployed a lot, and I saw how difficult that although she and her family didn’t have was and I saw what it did to him. “I was determined I was not going to much when she was growing up in a tiny be like that.” The ‘House of Cards’ actor also insists he doesn’t want to be German-speaking hamlet just outside of the the sort of person who sits around a swimming pool counting their Brazilian city Horizontina, she was always cash because there is still plenty he wants to achieve in life. He added happy with what they had. She told Britain’s to Britain’s GQ magazine: “People who are really happy with them- Vogue magazine: “My mother is my hero; she selves are boring. The worst word in the world is content. “When I went is the strongest, hardest working woman I’ve to London, people thought I was freaking crazy. Why not sit around a ever met in my life. I didn’t realize that till I Beverly Hills pool collecting residual checks? That is not the kind of life I became a mother myself, she was living for want.” When asked if he is happy but not content, he replied: “Yes ... us. We had a simple life but I never felt any- Correct. I am not content because I have purpose.” thing was missing.” —Bangshowbiz LIFESTYLE37 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 Features aul McCartney is not lacking for love. who I am?” Lights flashings bright blue, red The former Beatle was surrounded by and purple burst from the stage, where McCartney, celebrity fans Pcelebrity fans at a nearly two-hour Prince shined, wearing a black and gold Valentine’s Day concert Saturday at New York ensemble. “Y’all all right? Turn the lights off,” City’s Irving Plaza. “Tonight is about love,” he he yelled several times. He performed a told his audience, as rose petals fell. He number of popular songs, including entertained a wide group of admirers, “Controversy,” “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” including Peyton Manning, Eddie Murphy, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” “Kiss” and “Hot celebrate Valentine’s Day Emma Stone, Tom Hanks and US Secretary of Thing.” Those who tried to capture video or State John Kerry. snap photos - including celebrities - were Other celebs who attended included Jim quickly stopped. Carrey, Paul Rudd, Kristen Wiig, Q-Tip, Charlie Actress Rosario Dawson danced onstage, Day, Jason Sudeikis, David Spade, Andy Cohen and Billy Crystal. McCartney per- formed excitedly on guitar and keys, singing “Hey Jude,” “Drive My Car,” “Let It Be” and “Carry That Weight.” And he gave as good as he got. “New York City, you have been fantas- tic tonight,” he told his audience. “We love you.”

Prince performs downtown Prince woke up early Saturday to share some love and hits on Valentine’s Day to a crowd that included Michael Jordan and Chris Rock. The pop icon performed an early morning concert to a star-studded audience: Questlove, Rosario Dawson, Nas and Queen Latifah, were among those dancing and singing to his rousing set in downtown New York City. Paul McCartney and his band (out of Wendy Williams danced onstage behind frame) during the Valentine’s Day the keyboards throughout the first half of concert. Prince’s two-hour-plus performance, and the pop icon selected celebs to come onstage later in the set. Among them, Rock, Latifah, looking in to Prince’s eyes as she recited lyrics Questlove, BET executive Stephen Hill and to “When Doves Cry,” which he performed on Extra host AJ Calloway - who all danced to the keys, while rapper Nas sang from the Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get middle of the crowd. “Y’all mind if I play my Enough” along with other non-celebs in the guitar for a little bit,” he said as Latifah crowd. The outside of 23 Wall Street was a bit jammed on, sporting a fedora and glasses. chaotic as fans tried to get in to see Prince - Other celeb attendees included Terrell some waiting outside in the brisk cold Owens, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, MMA weather. Inside, it was hot with hit-after-hit. fighter Chuck Liddell, actor Tim Meadows The singer’s performance celebrated the and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Cynthia 30th anniversary of the Jordan sneaker. Bailey. Prince - after being urged by fans who An energetic Prince switched from guitar yelled “Purple Rain” - returned to the stage to to keys and singing to dancing, and was close the night with the key song. “I heard backed by his mentees, singer Liv Warfield some people singing, but I want to hear and female trio 3RDEYEGIRL. “How many hits everybody singing,” he said, extending the we got?” he asked the crowd. “Do you know song. “You’re welcome.” —AP Red confetti is dropped during Paul McCartney’s Valentine’s Day concert at Irving Plaza on Saturday. —AP Photos Nutella Will the Oscarcast finally click this year? hat are TV viewers seeking from their annual Oscar someone else who has seen them. fix? The same thing they want from movies: drama, Procol Harum should be named this year’s Oscar house Wcomedy, sex, slapstick, glamour and romance. Of band. As you may have noticed, there’s not much diversity course, no single movie can do all that. No wonder the perfect among the nominees. Will the contenders’ pallor cast a pall on Oscarcast is an impossible dream. No wonder so many previ- viewership, or will the uproar over the Academy’s single- ous Oscarcasts failed to measure up. A perfect broadcast mindedness prod movie fans to tune in and witness what they owner would include Roberto Benigni scrambling over auditorium see as Oscar’s sins of omission? seats to claim his trophy (1998), an onstage streaker (1974), Neil Patrick Harris is so talented and versatile other enter- Cher in a collection of outrageous get-ups, a rematch between tainers would probably endorse slapping a restraining order 2008 rivals James Cameron and ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow, that on him. Meanwhile, viewers clearly love him, and why deliciously awful 1988 musical number with Rob Lowe and wouldn’t they? On the other hand, he’s hosted the Tonys four “Snow White,” more of Jack Palance’s one-armed pushups from times and the Emmys twice. Isn’t there someone else out beyond the grave, plus the stirring acceptance speech by Halle there, maybe with new tricks up his or her sleeve, who could Ferrero Berry in 2002. shake things up beyond Harris’ dependable excellence? Not gonna happen. We’ll just have to make do when the 87th annual Academy Awards show airs Sunday, Feb 22, at 8 Pronunciation guide pm EST on ABC. Besides counter-programming on other net- Nothing against the nominated directors, honest! But over- works, here’s what the Oscarcast is up against this year: all, these guys - no matter how admired and acclaimed - aren’t household names. Not yet, anyway. Here’s hoping that, if he wins, his presenter isn’t John Travolta (who already mangled Idina Menzel’s name on last year’s Oscarcast). dies Maybe a new way of watching the Oscars calls for a new kind of Oscarcast. Tom O’Neil, editor of the awards prediction website GoldDerby.com, thinks so. “It used to be that viewer- ship was tied to the popularity of the films in contention,” he illionaire Michele Ferrero, who says. “But there’s been a dramatic shift in the last few years became Italy’s richest man with since social media has started to matter.” Now the Oscarcast, Ba confectionary empire built on like lots of TV fare, is being fortified with a second screen his popular Nutella spread, has died at enabling the viewer to participate, not just sit back and watch. the age of 89. Ferrero had been bat- This could signal a change in what draws viewers to the show tling illness for several months. He died and keeps them there. “Everybody wants to watch,” says in Monte Carlo on Saturday. “I have O’Neil, “then tweet to their friends what they’re thinking. That learnt with emotion of the passing of changes everything.” Last year’s broadcast had a landmark Michele Ferrero, a true entrepeneur, An Oscar statue appears at the Oscars at the Dolby moment when host Ellen DeGeneres arranged an all-star self- known and loved in Italy and abroad,” Theatre in Los Angeles. —AP Photos ie. Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Spacey, Angelina Italian President Sergio Mattarella said Jolie and Brad Pitt were among the A-listers crowding into the in a statement. Sure Shot frame. DeGeneres then asked viewers (of which there were 43 “Ferrero was a leading light in Everyone loves a blockbuster or two landing best-picture million, the most for the Oscarcast in a decade) to help her set Italian business for many years, always nods. It gets people talking and tuning it. But this year, big hits a retweet record. Legions quickly complied, sharing the photo managing to stay on trend thanks to like “Interstellar” and “The Lego Movie” were snubbed, with the throughout cyberspace and even briefly crashing Twitter. his innovative products and his tena- nominees almost uniformly “small” pictures - with the excep- Count on similar give-and-take Sunday night, says O’Neil, cious and cautious work. Italy remem- tion, of course, of “American Sniper,” whose box-office firepow- who offers his recipe for what a digital-age Oscarcast should bers him with gratitude.” It was er in recent weeks has caught everyone off guard and trig- be striving for. “It doesn’t have to be oh-my-God-amazing,” he Ferrero’s father, a small-time pastry gered hero-or-killer disputes about its protagonist. Even so, proposes. “It has to be an engaging, interactive experience.” In this March 30, 1989 file photo, actor Rob Lowe maker named Pietro Ferrero, who laid the favorites appear to be “Birdman” and “Boyhood,” both terrif- And without the customary big-movie lures, “this is the year croons a tune to Snow White during the opening num- the groundwork for the Nutella recipe. ic films that may not be such conversation starters. To handi- we may find out for sure if that’s true or not.” —AP ber for the 61st Academy Awards presentation. He famously added hazelnut to the cap their Oscar chances with your friends, you first have to find mix to save money on cocoa, which was in short supply after World War II. But it was Michele Ferrero who turned the paste into the Nutella now known the world over. The first pot of the ‘Fifty Shades’ heating up addictive mix-whose name is a combi- nation of the English word “nut” and “ella”, the Latin suffix for sweet-was made in Alba in northwestern Italy in April 1964. international box office Ferrero now produces around 365,000 tonnes of Nutella every year in n addition to being at the top of dominating 2003’s “The Matrix lion in Germany for the biggest 11 factories around the world. The the North American box office, Revolutions” ($117 million) for the February opening day of all time; biggest market is Germany, followed by France and Italy. The Ferrero group I“Fifty Shades of Grey” has highest-grossing international $4.9 million in France; $4.6 million also makes Ferrero Rocher, Mon Cheri opened at No 1 in 56 of the 57 terri- opening weekend ever for an R-rat- in Russia, where it also had the and Kinder chocolates and employs tories where it’s debuted. The erotic ed movie. In North America, the biggest non-franchise opening day more than 22,000 people across the drama, which began rolling out movie earned $30.2 million on and best opening day for a 16+ or world. The group had an annual turnover of more than eight billion internationally on Wednesday, is on Friday and is poised to reel in $76 18+ film; and $4 million in Italy, euros in the year to August 2014. its way to setting foreign box office million over Valentine’s Day and the where it set yet another R-rated Ferrero and his family are estimated by records. It grossed $38 million on Presidents Day weekend. Aside opening day record. Forbes to hold Italy’s biggest fortune at Friday for an early total of $66 mil- from giving Universal its largest The picture, starring Jamie $23.4 billion, making him the 30th rich- est man in the world. Ferrero’s son lion. The film is on track for an inter- opening day of all time in 25 for- Dornan and Dakota Johnson, is Giovanni became chief executive of national weekend take of $158.3 eign markets, “Fifty Shades” also adapted from EL James’ romance the Ferrero group after his older broth- million over the three-day holiday, saw the biggest opening day for an novel Trilogy, which was a global er Pietro died of a suspected heart which would make it Universal’s R-rated film in 34 territories. hit, selling more than 100 million attack while cycling in South Africa in 2011. The company’s website carried a second highest opening weekend The UK and Ireland led the pack copies worldwide after being picture of Ferrero alongside the words of all time, just behind “Fast & with $7.1 million in a single day, the translated into 52 languages. The “We are proud of you. Thank you Furious 6” ($160.3 million). This puts biggest opening day ever in film will launch in five more terri- Michele.” The AG news agency report- it on track for a global debut of February as well as the biggest tories, including Korea and the ed that a chapel would be built in his $234 million. opening day for an 18-rated film. United Arab Emirates, by March honor in Alba. —AFP This also means that the film is “Fifty Shades” brought in $5.5 mil- 5. —Reuters lifestyle MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 ‘Sniper’ sneaking up in two-horse Oscar race

‘Big Hero 6’ director talks sequel, success scar nominee “Big Hero 6” is on track this weekend to become the No 3 all-time domestic earner for Walt Disney Animation OStudios, passing the $218.9 million of “Beauty and the Beast” (after “Frozen” and “The Lion King”). One factor in the film’s success is the new approach at Disney Animation, says president Andrew Millstein, “which is about elevating storytelling and putting filmmakers at the center of the process.” ith only a week to go before the Oscars, the But Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper” has unex- Alejandro Inarritu for “Birdman”-with the best picture It sounds like a no-brainer for a film company to focus on filmmakers. all-important Best Picture prize appears pectedly stirred up the race, grabbing headlines both going to “Boyhood.” “So the Academy will split... much But in the past, Disney Animation was often administrative-driven, with locked in a two-horse race between dark for its massive box office success and a row over its like it did last year,” he said, referring to “12 Years a Slave” layers of notes from executives that dictated content and bogged down W the creatives. “Big Hero 6” provides a one-two punch for the studio after comedy “Birdman” and coming-of-age drama portrayal an Iraq war warrior. Filmmaker Michael taking the best film prize in 2014, while “Gravity” helmer “Boyhood.” But as Hollywood counts down the days to Moore claimed it hero-worships former Navy SEAL Alfonso Cuaron-also Mexican-took best director. last year’s “Frozen.” “Big Hero 6” boasts flashy work in the San Fransokyo setting and the action sequences, but the center of the film is the rela- next Sunday’s show, some are suggesting that contro- Chris Kyle, while Tea Party firebrand and former vice- tionship between inflatable robot Baymax and tech prodigy Hiro. “It’s versial blockbuster “American Sniper” could yet sur- presidential nominee Sarah Palin said leftists were “not Uproar over all-white nominees the absolute key to the film and the reason the film resonates with audi- prise, and best the two indie films.”‘Boyhood’ and fit to shine Chris Kyle’s combat boots.” The question is, Talking of “12 Years a Slave,” there was uproar last ences,” “Big Hero 6” co-director Chris Williams says. ‘Birdman’ are the frontrunners, and ‘American Sniper’ is how many of the 6,000-odd voting members of the month when Oscar nominations were announced, over Williams and Don Hall, who both directed the film, are 20-year vets at the dark horse,” Matthew Belloni, executive editor of prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and the fact that every single one of the 20 acting nomi- Disney Animation, with many years’ experience on the storyboarding industry journal The Hollywood Reporter, said. Sciences, the industry’s elite body, will be swayed at nees are white. While Martin Luther King Jr movie team. “I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘American Sniper’ had a this late stage? “Selma” is among the eight Best Picture nominees, eye- When Ed Catmull and John Lasseter took the reins of Disney last-minute surge, because of how well it’s doing at the They began casting ballots on February 6, and vot- brows were raised that neither its British star David Animation in 2006, they initiated a culture shift. The key changes box office,” he added, referring to the movie’s $365 mil- ing closes tomorrow at 5:00 pm (0100 GMT Monday) Oyelowo nor director Ava DuVernay were shortlisted were to put an emphasis on the creative team and to make sure all lion-plus global box office haul so far. The Academy — after which only two PriceWaterhouse Coopers staff individually. the filmmakers were cooperative rather than competitive. So instead Awards have traditionally favored more independent, will know the results before the envelopes are opened “The real snub here is that David Oyelowo... I think of the existing “bake-off,” where directors vied to get their projects art-house fare for Best Picture, handed out at the cli- on stage next Sunday. While the Best Picture race is too a lot of people were surprised that he did not get a made, they initiated what’s called the Story Trust. Similar to Pixar’s max of Hollywood’s annual December-to-February close to call, several of the other key categories are nomination for that,” said Belloni. More broadly, he awards season. seen as much easier to predict. Julianne Moore is said, Academy members “feel bad” that only white Sharing ideas with Pixar almost universally expected to win best actress for actors were nominated this year, but added: “I think Braintrust, it consists of 10-20 animation directors, writers and story Washed-up superhero star playing a professor suffering from early-onset the problem goes deeper than that. “The Academy artists who exchange notes, with the emphasis on collaboration. “The “Birdman”-about a washed-up superhero film star Alzheimer’s Disease in “Still Alice.” nominates the films that are put up for contention, change was about the Pixar team sharing ideas with us, sharing their battling to revive his career on the stage-is definitely Patricia Arquette is the favorite for best supporting and other than ‘Selma’ there really weren’t films that key principles,” Millstein says. “‘Hero’ is one example of what we’ve more along its usual lines, as is “Boyhood,” which took actress as the mother in “Boyhood.” Best actor is featured minority actors in leading and hefty roles,” learned over the years and our embracing some of the Pixar DNA.” The screenwriters for “Hero” are Jordan Roberts, Daniel Gerson and Robert L 12 years to make as the actors aged in real time. Both between “Birdman” star Michael Keaton and Britain’s Belloni added. “It goes to the kinds of movies that are Baird, with Paul Briggs and Joe Mateo credited as head of story. have fared well in pre-Oscars shows, with “Boyhood” Eddie Redmayne as astrophysicist Stephen Hawking in getting green-lit in Hollywood, and the kinds of peo- Baymax and Hiro are together for 80% of film, “So the Story Trust taking the Golden Globes’ best film, while “Birdman’ “The Theory of Everything,” while JK Simmons is tipped ple who are making those decisions. Hollywood has spent most of our time on their relationship,” says Williams. “The movie won a string of awards including top prizes at the for supporting actor for jazz drama “Whiplash.” Belloni made strides in recent years to rectify the diversity centers on loss, and so we all talked about our own experiences. We Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild of America. said his personal forecast for best director is Mexico’s problem, but it still exists.” — AFP made ourselves vulnerable once the doors were closed, when we were in the sacred space of the story room.” One of Catmull and Lasseter’s other contributions was to recognize and promote talent. Like anima- tion greats Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, Disney Animation promoted Hall and Williams to directors because of their Iran win at BIFF called strength in storytelling. And the two directors were told that collabora- tion was paramount. “These are not new ideas, and there had been some lip service to those notions-but when John Lasseter and Ed ‘free speech triumph’ Catmull came in, we’ve taken it to heart,” says Williams. —Reuters

he Berlin film festival wrapped up yesterday after of an official 20-year filmmaking ban, imposed for a elegiac “Closed Curtain”, won a Silver Bear in Berlin for giving its Golden Bear top prize to Iranian dissi- documentary he tried to make on the unrest following best screenplay, drawing protests from the Iranian Tdent director Jafar Panahi, in a move hailed as a Iran’s disputed 2009 presidential election. government. triumph for freedom of expression. “Taxi” is Panahi’s Hollywood director Darren Aronofsky, the jury third picture smuggled out of the country in defiance president at the 65th Berlinale, said at a gala awards ‘ Witty and ingenious’ ceremony late Saturday that Panahi had surmounted Trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter called the restrictions that had the power to “damage the soul of prize for Panahi “a victory both for cinema and artistic the artist”. “Instead of allowing his spirit to be crushed freedom”. “Taxi” was an early hit among audiences at and giving up, instead of allowing himself to be filled the 11-day festival, the first major cinema showcase of with anger and frustration, Jafar Panahi created a love the year in Europe. In it, Panahi himself offers his letter to cinema,” Aronofsky said. The 54-year-old impressions of contemporary Tehran from behind the Panahi is also barred from travelling abroad and could wheel of a yellow cab. A mounted dashboard camera not attend the festival. His young niece Hana Saeidi, allowed him to film, at first, away from the prying eyes who appears in “Taxi” along with the director, wept as of the Islamic state’s authorities. Each person he offers she picked up the statuette for him and held it aloft a lift-including members of his own family-has a story for the cameras. to tell, an axe to grind or an issue to debate about life A screen grab from the big WGA award winner ‘The Grand Budapest German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in today’s Iran. Hotel’. hailed the choice among 19 films in the competition Panahi proves a genial master of ceremonies, treat- as “an important symbol for artistic freedom”, as com- ing his sometimes hysterical passengers with unfailing mentators noted the principle was under threat politeness and good humor. The film builds to a chill- ‘Grand Budapest Hotel’ and around the world. Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel ing climax in which the extent and limits of the direc- wrote in a front-page editorial Sunday that the festival tor’s liberties are revealed. Film industry bible Variety had shown that “especially in these days of global called “Taxi” a “terrific road movie” that offered “a unrest, art and political consciousness can light a bea- provocative discussion of Iranian social mores and the ‘True Detective’ top WGA con”. News website Spiegel Online said the Golden art of cinematic storytelling”. The daily Sueddeutsche Bear sent “an important message against the restric- Zeitung said the Golden Bear for “Taxi” was well- es Anderson’s whimsical script for “The Grand Budapest Hotel” took the tion of art”, calling it a “triumph for free speech”. “The deserved not simply for its political message but also Writers Guild of America award for original screenplay, while Graham Berlinale remains political,” it said, noting the festival’s on its artistic merits, calling Panahi’s film “witty and WMoore’s script for code breaking thriller “The Imitation Game” won for reputation for championing edgy, topical cinema. ingenious”. “Giving him prizes is a way for the West to adapted screenplay. HBO’s “True Detective” and FX’s “Louie” each took a pair of TV Saeidi wept “tears of joy that the world took note of disapprove of the politically motivated capricious trophies. “Alan Turing is the person for who we made this film,” Moore said in his the fate of her uncle, standing in for many more artists treatment of the filmmaker by the mullah regime,” it acceptance speech at the Century Plaza in Los Angeles. “It is on the shoulders of Hana Saeidi holds the Golden Bear for Best Film threatened with censorship and repression in Iran and said. “He has shown how, using the simplest means, as his genius that we made this film.” Anderson, who shares story credit with Hugo ‘Taxi’ she received on behalf of her absent Uncle other countries that restrict artistic and personal free- a smart and funny observer of your surroundings, you Guiness, recalled in his acceptance speech that it was appropriate to receive the Jafar Panahi. — AP photos dom,” it said. Panahi’s last movie shot in secret, 2013’s can make a moving film.” — AFP award in Century City since he had worked with longtime collaborator Owen Wilson at a nearby motel many years ago.”I can think of no greater neighborhood to accept this award in,” Anderson added. “Grand Budapest” won over the scripts for “Boyhood,” “Foxcatcher,” “Nightcrawler” and “Whiplash.” It’s also up for the Oscar in the same category against “Boyhood,” “Foxcatcher” and “Nightcrawler” along with “Birdman,” which was ineligible for the WGA award since the four writers are not guild members. “The Imitation Game” won over screenplays for “American Sniper,” “Gone Girl,” “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Wild.” Moore’s script is also up for an Oscar in the adapted category against “American Sniper,” “Inherent Vice,” “The Theory of Everything” and “Whiplash.” “The Theory of Everything” was also ineligible for a WGA award. Even with exclusions, the WGA winners have a reliable track record of predicting the Oscar winners-which have matched in 14 of the last 20 years in adapted and 13 of the last 20 in original. “Captain Phillips” won the WGA award last year in the adapted category while the WGA-ineligible “12 Years a Slave” took the Oscar; Spike Jonze’s script for her won the WGA and Oscar last year in the original category. The awards were announced in simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York-with the guild leadership managing to coordinate the timing so that most of the key winners were announced around the same time. For the past decade, the New York ceremonies have announced the screenplay winners long before the Los Angeles announcement even though the winners have been at the latter event.

Critical darlings awarded “True Detective” and “Louie” dominated the TV trophies. “True Detective” won Hana Saeidi, niece of the drama series award and new series award with both trophies going to Nic absent Iranian Pizzolatto. “This is incredibly generous of you,” a deeply moved Pizzolatto said on director Jafar Panahi, receiving the drama series award. wipes a tear away as “We’re about halfway through filming season two-I hope you like it. It could be she holds aloft the the end of me,” he said in his acceptance speech for new series. “Louie” took the Golden Bear for Best comedy series and the comedy episode awards. Pamela Adlon and Louis CK won Film for ‘Taxi’ which the series award. Louis CK won the episode trophy for the “So Did the Fat Lady” was presented by Jury segment. “We’re always like nobody’s going to like it, it’s too surreal,” Adlon said in accepting the series trophy. “The Good Wife” won the first award for drama series president Darren episode for the script for “The Last Call,” written by Robert King and Michelle King. Aronofsky, (right) at The animation award went to Brian Kelley for the “Brick Like Me” segment of “The the award ceremony Simpsons”-a perennial winner in the category, which contained three other at the 2015 Berlinale “Simpsons” episodes, along with two for “Bob’s Burgers.” “Hollywood Game Night” Film Festival. won the quiz show trophy. — Reuters lifestyle MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015 FASHION New York Fashion Week Wang heavy metal stunner in NY

s Alexander Wang took his victory jog up and down the runway after his packed show on Saturday, he Aran by a set of special guests and blew them some kisses: the Kanye West family, including Mom, Dad and lit- tle North. It was two days after West’s own high-profile show featuring his collaboration with Adidas, and he was relaxed and smiling as he sat between wife Kim Kardashian and singer Nicki Minaj. North, too, very hip in all black for a Saturday night out, was relaxed and happy, after fussing during Dad’s show. Clearly it’s much less stressful when someone else’s designs are being scrutinized. As for those designs: Wang offered his usual highly con- ceptual show, focusing on a theme of heavy metal - both in music, and in clothes. “There’s always a musical component to my collections, and we loved the idea of AC/DC and Kiss and Led Zeppelin,” he said in a backstage inter- view. “And then we were extracting the idea of metal both in a literal sense, and how do we apply it to clothing - whether it’s fabric or metal trim- ming or hardware, and also the mood of metal and the atti- tude.” What this all meant was black - lots and lots of it, almost exclu- sively - and studs or chains on almost every garment, whether sleek pantsuits or long skirts or heavy black boots. There was also a nod to Victorian codes of dressing - articulated waists and corsetry - and, of course, some sheer chainmail. Because, noted Wang: “How can you have a metal collec- tion without chainmail? But we wanted it to feel really slinky, so we finished the hems of skirts like T-shirts and gave some velvet to it, for sensuality.” Wang said that fall and winter clothes don’t necessarily make him think black, black, black; Last winter, for exam- ple, he presented a colorful collection of heat-activated garments. But he said that people always ask for clothes they see in his collections to be made in black. “So this time we said, why don’t we start the collection in all black?” So everyone still wants black? “At least our customer does,” he said. In keeping with the heaviness of the theme, models had appropriately scowls and hair in their eyes. And speak- ing of the models, one of them had a special connection to the front row: none other than Kendall Jenner, half-sister of Kim Kardashian. — AP

Models present creation of designer Alexander Wang during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2015. Designer Alexander Wang appears on the runway after — AFP Photos presenting his creations. Iran win at BIFF called ‘free speech38 triumph’ MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Connie Barata of Manhattan holds on to papillons Dawn, Echo, and Dante during the American Kennel Club Meet the Breed event in New York. — AP Seasoned stars battle for Westminster glory

Lhasa Apsos participate in the American Kennel Club Meet the Breed event. A dog competes in the agility ring. Chow Chows sit on display. — AP/AFP photos anines of all shapes and sizes are every year at Westminster, sometimes even up aspects of Westminster to unconventional limbo for a long, long time, so we’re excited to tante, were equally buoyant after a lengthy descending on the Big Apple this week- taking the top prize. “It sounds trite, but the entrants, such as mixed breeds that are eligi- be here,” said Adrianne Dering, who appeared road to Westminster in which breed champi- Cend ahead of the Westminster Kennel only surprise at Westminster is if there are no ble to compete in an agility contest intro- at press availability Thursday with Luna, one of ons needed to demonstrate sufficient popula- Club Dog Show. This year’s version of the 139- surprises,” Westminster communications direc- duced last year. 14 Cotons de Tulears showing. The breed, a tion levels, among other requirements. year-old showcase features age-old sporting tor David Frei said. Westminster has also welcomed dozens of cheeky little dog of angelic white, was known The dog is similar to the Vizsla, which has a subplots, such as whether established stars new breeds, further diversifying an already as the Royal Dog of Madagascar. Breeders of flat coat and means “Pointer” in Hungary, from like Matisse the Portuguese Water Dog and Long road to Westminster motley crew. “We’ve just been in ‘rare breed’ the Wirehaired Vizsla, the other 2015 debu- which both dogs originally hail. While the new- Nathan the Bloodhound can hold off the next To win Best in Show, dogs must first be bies have buzz, they are not likely to make it to wave. Westminster 2015 will also see debut declared the “Best in Breed,” which means the business end this year. At every step, dogs showings by new breeds from Hungary and besting out a troupe of similarly coiffed are petted and pinched to determine how they Madagascar. brethren. Breed winners then progress to a stack up against breed standards. Do retrievers The two-day canine extravaganza, an annu- prime-time televised battle with some 20-30 have sufficient leg strength to gather fowl? Do al bright spot with Fashion Week in the dead other dogs to determine the winner in one of herding dogs have the right build for the sud- of winter, culminates Tuesday night with the den sprinting bursts needed to do the job? In selection of Best in Show in New York’s theory, that system should result in a diversity Madison Square Garden. More than 2,700 of champions. While that is to an extent the dogs representing 192 breeds are competing. case, there is also a tradition of dominance at The winner is traditionally feted the next day Westminster. Terriers are the New York Yankees with a round of appearances on morning talk of the competition, winning 46 of the 107 Best shows and a steak lunch at Sardi’s restaurant. in Show contests. Last year’s champion, Sky, In 2008, Uno the beagle made history as was a Wire Fox Terrier, which has 14 crowns at the first Westminster champ to be invited to Westminster, making it the most dominant the White House. Leading contenders this year breed in the most dominant group. include Skye Terrier Cragsmoor Good Time Left out of the winner’s circle have been the Charlie and Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect, an Old Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, English Sheepdog. Nathan could become the two of the three most popular breeds in the first Bloodhound to take the coveted prize. But US. Whereas retrievers were bred to take cues some of the biggest intrigue surrounds from their masters, terriers were let out and Matisse, the nation’s top-ranked dog and a expected to find rats on their own, Frei said. two-time winner of the working group who A Bergamasco sits during the AKC Meet the That can give terriers a hint of hauteur that has come up just shy of the top prize. Matisse Breeds. commands respect in the ring. Terriers have is the same breed as White House residents Bo the “kind of the temperament and showman- and Sunny Obama. Highly ranked entrants seven groups, such as best terrier or best ship that lends itself well to standing in line often win, but upsets happen and a favorite hound. Those dogs then compete in the Best with six or seven other dogs,” he said. “It’s their can always have a bad day. New stars are born in Show grand finale. Organizers have opened world, we’re just living in it.” — AFP