SHARJAH: Pakistan’s Nobel Peace Prizewinner Malala Yousafzai, giving a speechyesterday in the Emirates, urged Muslimsto respect the “true message of Islam”and unite against wars in their countries.The 19-year-old, who was shot in thehead by the Taleban in 2012 after shehad publicly advocated education forgirls, urged the world’s Muslims to “cometogether... and follow the true messageof Islam as they join hands in the strug-gle for peace”.

“We cannot talk about investing in ourfuture in this region without calling foran end to these bombings and theseattacks,” she told a conference in thesouthern Gulf emirate of Sharjah on thefuture of women in the Middle East. “Wemust not forget that the majority ofthose suffering because of these conflictsand wars are Muslims,” said Malala, refer-ring to conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.“I cannot stop thinking of those 500,000

children in Mosul right now under athreat to be used as human shields,” shesaid of the Iraqi city where an offensivehas been launched to retake it from theIslamic State group.

She called for empowering theyounger generation, especially women,with the education needed “to bringpeace and prosperity to their countries”.The youngest-ever Nobel recipientstressed the need for men to supportwomen in their attempt to receive “quali-ty education”. Malala, who moved toEngland where she received medicaltreatment after the shooting, is bothadmired and hated in her nativePakistan, where some conservatives viewher as a Western agent on a mission toshame her country. She was awarded theNobel Peace Prize in 2014 jointly withIndia’s Kailash Satyarthi, a fellow educa-tion activist who made similar calls at theSharjah conference yesterday. — AFP

4 12 40 20Kuwait Hospital in Gaza helps patients amid Israeli blockade

Azalea the smoking chimp new star at Pyongyang zoo

Messi treble gives Guardiola nightmares on Barca return

Philippine police van runs over protesters

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FILS

Amir instructs premier to

re-examine DNA test law

Royal files to contest election • Candidates blast dissolved AssemblyBy B Izzak

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday ordered HH the Prime Minister SheikhJaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to review the controversial DNAlaw that was passed by the National Assembly earlier thisyear that required all citizens, expats and visitors to undergo

mandatory DNA tests. The Amir said therevision must safeguard people’s privacy.HH the Amir also instructed the premierthat the re-examination of the law shouldbe in a manner that would serve publicinterests, social security and the objectivethat had been set for drafting it.

Meanwhile, in a rare event of its kind, amember of the ruling Al-Sabah family wasamong 71 candidates who filed nomina-tion papers to stand for the 50-seat

Assembly elections on the first day of candidate registra-tions. Sheikh Malek Al-Humoud Al-Sabah criticized the out-going Assembly for failing to protect the interests of Kuwaitipeople and said he has decided to run as an ordinaryKuwaiti citizen to defend the interests of the people. He saidhe had given up his special passport for a regular one andthat he does not mind losing other benefits.

Sheikh Malek said that the constitution does not bar rul-ing family members from contesting parliamentary pollsand they are considered similar to other Kuwaiti citizens.Only a handful of ruling family members have filed to run inelections during Kuwait’s 54 years of parliamentary democ-racy. However, all of them dropped out of the race beforethe elections were held. The last royal to register his candi-dacy was Sheikh Fahd Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, who withdrewbefore the 2006 election.

Continued on Page 13KUWAIT: Candidates register for the upcoming parliamentary elections yesterday. (Inset) Ruling family memberSheikh Malek Al-Humoud Al-Sabah files to run in the polls. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

By Ahmad Jabr

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s plan to achieve complete nationali-ty-based segregation at its medical facilities is on track,with the first steps set to take place early next yearwhen clinics run by a medical insurance company willbegin offering services exclusively for expatriates.

In addition to the 15 clinics that will be spreadacross Kuwait, the Health Insurance HospitalsCompany, a public shareholding firm for health insur-ance established in accordance with a decision by theCabinet, will provide medical care for expatriatesthrough three hospitals to be officially opened by late2019, CEO Dr Ahmad Al-Saleh said during a confer-ence sponsored by the health ministry.

When those hospitals become operational, theplan is to prohibit expats from receiving medicalattention at public hospitals and clinics, making accessto those facilities - where services are mostly offeredfree of charge - exclusive to Kuwaiti citizens. This stepalso comes at an additional cost for foreigners. Oncethe new company takes over the duties of offeringhealth services to expats from the health ministry,expats’ annual health insurance fees will increase toKD 130, Saleh confirmed, without giving an exact datefor its implementation.

Continued on Page 13

Kuwait inches

closer to expat

only hospitals

Malala urges Muslims to unite

SHARJAH: Pakistani activist for female education and Nobel Peace Prize laureateMalala Yousafzai delivers a speech during a conference yesterday. — AFP

DUBAI: A modest recovery in oil prices falls short offilling budgetary gaps in crude-exporting Gulf coun-tries, the International Monetary Fund said, stressingthe need to cut spending. The price of the region’smain commodity has partially rebounded and is hov-ering around $50 per barrel having hit a 10-year low

of less than $30 in January,from a peak of more than$100 in mid-2014. Therecovery “will definitelyhelp in terms of the finan-cial numbers for this year”for the countries of the GulfCooperation Council, saidMasood Ahmed, the IMF’sdirector for the Middle East.

“But it doesn’t really change the fundamental out-look for GCC countries or the challenges that facethem,” he told AFP in an interview Tuesday. Oil wasexpected to stabilize at around $60 per barrel in themedium term, he said, a rate lower than the budget-ary breakeven point for some of the six nations. In itsregional economic outlook report releasedWednesday, the IMF cited a breakeven price for SaudiArabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates at $79.7,$62.1 and $58.6 respectively.

The level drops to $47.8 per barrel in the case ofKuwait, but it shoots to $77.5 and $93.8 in the case ofOman and Bahrain respectively. “(This) means thatGCC countries as a group still have to try and balancetheir budgets,” said Ahmed.

Continued on Page 13

Spending cuts a

must despite oil

recovery: IMF

Masood Ahmed

DOHA: Iraqi artist Dia Al-Azzawi poses for a picture with his work titled ‘Mission ofDestruction’ at the Arab Museum of Modern Art in the Qatari capital yesterday. — AFP

DOHA: Acclaimed Iraqi artist Dia Al-Azzawi, who exhibits almost 550 of hisworks in Qatar this week, says his countryfaces a bleak future and the assault onMosul is “a scenario of destruction”. “I amthe cry, who will give voice to me?” show-cases paintings, sculptures and drawingsfor the next six months across two Dohamuseums. It is potentially the largest eversolo exhibition by an Arab artist and is thefirst major retrospective of Al-Azzawi’swork. The exhibition charts a career span-ning more than 50 years by a politicallyconscious artist, and the division of workacross two museums neatly representstwo distinct phases of his career.

The exhibition at Doha’s the Mathaf:Arab Museum of Modern Art highlights his

interest in Iraqi folk figures and legends.The second half, in the Al Riwaq gallery,charts the 77-year-old’s more politicizedwork from the late 1960s onwards. Onemajor theme is the momentous politicalevents which have engulfed the MiddleEast over the past few decades as well asthe fate of his own nation, about whichBaghdad-born Azzawi is steadfastly pes-simistic. “We have destruction, we havetragedy, sectarian mentality, faith mentali-ty,” he says of Iraq.

“All that is created by the interests ofthe West, I have no problem with that, butto support parties, Islamic parties, thementality of Daesh (the Islamic Stategroup), the mentality of ethnic

Continued on Page 13

Top Iraqi artist warns of

‘scenario of destruction’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani tea seller Arshad Khan is seen in this imageposted on Instagram by Javeria Ali.

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani tea seller with velvet eyessaw his life changed this week when his portraitspread around the Internet, sparking ardent debateson class, objectification, and the place of ethnicPashtuns in society. Arshad Khan had no idea he hadset the Internet alight from Pakistan to India andbeyond: He has no phone, and cannot read. “It was areal surprise,” the young “chaiwala”, or tea seller, toldAFP. “I was aware that I am handsome but you can’tdo anything when you are poor,” he said, adding thatthe image has “changed the way I think.”

In the candid photograph, snapped by a passingphotographer and posted on Instagram, Khan pre-pares Pakistan’s ubiquitous milk tea, his blue greeneyes looking frankly into the camera. It set socialmedia users swooning, with the 18-year-old’s imageshared tens of thousands of times since Oct 14. ByTuesday, the Islamabad market where photographer

Javeria Ali took the fateful shot was swarmed bydozens eager to gawk at the young worker.

But in a country where women have long foughtfor rights and rarely express their feelings publicly,that fervor soon morphed into an intense debate onwhat it meant to reduce a poor man to a beautifulobject. “We are more used to seeing this happen towomen, it is still creepy whan it happens to a boy,”feminist columnist Bina Shah told AFP. “Just becausepeople are bored does not mean you can play withsomeone’s life.”

Columnist Maria Amir concluded that “reversesexism is still a form of sexism” on the website ofPakistan’s biggest-selling English language newspa-per, Dawn. But she also echoed many in noting thatthe true “ick factor” was in social class rather thangender. “The elite getting excited over a hot#ChaiWala reeks of class privilege and the objectifi-

cation of working class men,” tweeted @nidkirm,who described himself as a sociologist based inLahore.

And in a column in the Express Tribune FarahnazZahidi mocked the “surprise” that someone poorcould be good-looking. “(T)he upper tier bourgeoisof Pakistan have come to believe that even looks andGod-gifted attributes are co-dependent on moneyand affluence?” she wrote. Indeed, in his first appear-ance on television, viewers laughed at Khan’s awk-ward speech and the Western suit in which heappeared uncomfortable. “No girl would agree tomarry him,” wrote Twitter user @ItsMahah.

Even the color of Khan’s cool gaze provoked dis-comfort in some like columnist Amir, who wrote“apparently there is no expiry date on our colonialbaggage”.

Continued on Page 13

‘Cat-eyed’ tea seller sparks soul searching

L O C A L

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-AhmadAl-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday the outgoingMongolian ambassador Sondom Enkhbat. The audiencewas attended by the Deputy Amiri Diwan Affairs Minister,Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah.

Earlier, His Highness the Amir received His Highness

the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh JaberAl-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Meanwhile, HisHighness the Crown Prince received His Highness SheikhJaber Al-Mubarak, Deputy Prime Minister and InteriorMinister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-

Sabah and the Deputy Prime Minister and DefenseMinister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. His Highnessthe Crown Prince also received the Executive Secretary ofthe Regional Organization for the Protection of theMarine Environment (ROPME) Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi. —KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahmeets with the outgoing Mongolian ambassador Sondom Enkhbat.

—Amiri Diwan and KUNA photos

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahmeets with Executive Secretary of the Regional Organization for theProtection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi.

Amir meets outgoing Mongolian ambassador

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah presided over the 112th meeting of the Supreme Petroleum Council(SPC), held at Bayan Palace yesterday. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Sports in Kuwait will be drasti-cally improved regionally and interna-t ional ly in the foreseeable future,Minister of Information and Minister ofState for Youth Affairs Sheikh SalmanSabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah said yesterday.

Sheikh Salman made this remark tothe press during a ceremony to honorKuwaiti athletes who participated in theRio 2016 Olympics. He added thatdespite the chal lenges imposed onKuwait, athletes have been able to excelin many sporting events. Honoring thosesportsmen by the leadership is an indica-

tion to the great appreciation given tothem, he added.

Head of Kuwait Banking AssociationMajid Al-Ajil, whose association organizedthe participation of Kuwaiti athletes to theOlympics, said that supporting sports isthe social responsibility. Double trapshooter Fahad Al-Dihani, skeet shooterAbduallah Al-Rashidi and 100-meterwheelchair racer Ahmad Al-Mutairi allwere present at the ceremony and they allexpressed their appreciation to be part ofthese international sporting events wherethey scored high records. —KUNA

Kuwait sports to be improved

drastically: Sheikh Salman

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth AffairsSheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah is pictured with Kuwaiti athleteswho participated in the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics. —KUNA

Franco-GCC forum

urges closer

trade, other links

PARIS: Meeting for wide-reaching discussions ontrade and investment relations between France andthe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), participants in aforum held in Paris yesterday urged closer ties inmany areas, although it was recognized that therehave been some noteworthy improvements in therecent past.

Scores of representatives of the French and GCCbusiness communities gathered for the 3rd France-Gulf Countries Economic Forum to discuss, in particu-lar, ways to boost mutual investment and trade links,a meeting that was held under the aegis of theFranco-Arab Chamber of Commerce.

Opening the event, the Chamber’s Secretary-General Dr Saleh Al-Tayar told participants that hewas optimistic about the future and that he was surethe meeting would enhance contacts and foster clos-er cooperation on both sides. “The road is open,” hesaid. “There are no limits.” Chamber of CommercePresident Vincent Reina also stressed the importanceof the GCC for France and he underlined the Gulfregion is “essential on a geostrategic plane.”

The Gulf region and its stability, from a politicalview point, “conditions a large part of the equilibriumin the world and in our societies,” Reina said. He point-ed out that it was not just the fact that 40 percent ofworld oil reserves were located in the GCC, but thepost-oil era will be of huge importance to countrieslike France because of the economic policies nowbeing implemented in the Gulf.

This is an opportunity for French enterprise andinvestors who should capitalize on the emerging con-ditions to work with Gulf countries he added, and heunderlined the attractiveness for investment there.“The Gulf countries are today among the mostadvanced in the world in matters of financial regula-tion,” he said, noting some differences between thepace of change in some countries but stressing “a lotof progress has already been accomplished.”

DiversificationSpeaking specifically on Kuwait, the Chamber

President said ongoing economic diversificationplans indicated that projects were now envisaged tomove out of a solely oil-based economy and Francewas active in several sectors. In line with the 2015-2019 development plan, he identified these sectorsas “energy, water treatment, health, transport, infra-structure and security-defense.

Reina also noted the Kuwaiti role in favor of theenvironment and said “sustainable development”would be getting particular attention as “Kuwaitactively participated in the UN Conference on ClimateChange” which got an important global agreement atthe Paris Conference in December 2015.

Speaking on behalf of the Gulf Countries, GCCDeputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs andNegotiations, Dr Abdulaziz Al-Auwaisheg said“France has been a very important partner in 2014”for trade but volumes have dropped off by about 6percent in 2015 because of the drop in oil prices. Healso stressed “very modest” investment levelsbetween the partners and he said “we have to con-centrate on this.”

Auwaisheg also underlined the need for coopera-tion in several other areas, among them on politicalissues like Syria and Yemen, where there are veryclose views. He praised the high level of securitycooperation which he said was “very close,” includingin the fight against terrorism and efforts to combatthe propaganda discourse of terrorist groups.

But he urged more security for maritime trafficwhich he said was vulnerable to attack. “We need totighten up this security, especially on maritimeroutes,” he cautioned. The GCC official also encour-aged more should be done on education coopera-tion and communications and media to better high-light the positive sides of the Gulf region. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s acting assistant foreign minister forthe two Americas’ affairs Fadhel Al-Hassan saidTuesday that Peru is supportive of Kuwait’s candidacyfor a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Councilfor 2018-19.

During a reception hosted by the Peruvian Embassyin Kuwait to mark the 195th national day of Peru, theKuwaiti diplomat appreciated the longstanding friend-ship between the two countries, recalling the supportoffered by Peru to Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion in1990. “Peru plays a distinguished role in its region andis an active member of the regional and internationalorganizations notably the United Nations,” he said.

On the bilateral ties, Hassan said they have beengrowing since the two countries established theirdiplomatic relations in 1975. The political and econom-ic relations gained momentum after Peru founded itsembassy in Kuwait in 1989, he said, commending therole of Ambassador Heli Adelfo Pelaez Castro instrengthening the friendly ties. Hassan expressed hopefor even greater trade exchanges and more jointinvestments, and invited the Peruvian businesspeopleto visit Kuwait in order to explore the investmentopportunities. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Heli Pelaez Castro, Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Kuwait hosted a reception Tuesday night to celebrate his country’s national day. State officials, diplomats and other dignitaries attended theevent. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

Peru backs Kuwait’s bid for UNSC non-permanent seat

L O C A L

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

KUWAIT: A total of 71 candidates regis-tered to run for parliamentary electionsyesterday. The third constituency sawthe largest number of candidates in thefirst day of registration with 18, followedby the fifth with 16, the fourth with 15,and then the first and second with 11each. The list of candidates include:

First Constituency1- Ahmad Al-Mulaifi2- Bader Al-Shuqaihi3- Hussein Al-Huraiti4- Khaled Al-Khamees5- Salman Al-Attar

6- Abdullah Al-Turaiji7- Ali Al-Aradi8- Ali Mohammad Al-Ali9- Essa Al-Kandari10- Faisal Al-Duwaisan11- Yousuf Al-Zalzalah

Second Constituency1- Ahmad Bughaith2- Ahmad Al-Hamad3- Bader Al-Mullah4- Jaleel Ali5- Khaled Al-Enezi6- Rakan Al-Nisf7- Salem Al-Shuwaiker

8- Adel Al-Kharafi9- Adnan Al-Mutawa10- Fahad Al-Khanna11- Mohammad Al-Hajeri

Third Constituency1- Jamal Al-Omar2- Hamad Al-Tuwaijri3- Roudhan Al-Roudhan4- Saadoun Al-Otaibi5- Sanad Al-Otaibi6- Abdulkareem Al-Kandari7- Abdullah Al-Kandari8- Abdullah Al-Maayouf9- Abdulmohsen Al-Saied

10- Abdulwahab Al-Rushaid11- Adnan Al-Salem12- Ali Al-Omair13- Faris Al-Otaibi14- Mohammad Al-Yousuf15- Muhalhal Al-Mudhaf16- Hesham Al-Saleh17- Yaqoub Al-Sane18- Yousuf Al-Fadhalah

Fourth Constituency1- Khalil Al-Shemmari2- Saad Al-Enezi3- Abdullah Al-Mutairi4- Ujail Al-Shemmari

5- Amash Al-Shemmari6- Ghaleb Al-Mutairi7- Faraz Al-Daihani8- Falah Al-Muaseb9- Fahad Al-Harbi10- Fuhaid Al-Ajmi11- Marzouq Al-Khalifa12- Mefreh Al-Mutairi13- Nayef Al-Mutairi14- Nayef Al-Harbi15- Hashem Al-Sulaili

Fifth Constituency1- Ahmad Al-Azmi2- Al-Humaidi Al-Subaie

3- Bader Al-Khurainej4- Barrak Al-Azmi5- Hussein Al-Rashidi6- Seif Al-Azmi7- Daifullah Al-Otaibi8- Abdullah Al-Tamimi9- Ali Nasser Ali10- Faisal Al-Kandari11- Malek Al-Sabah12- Marzoqu Al-Azmi13- Meshari Abdullah14- Meshari Al-Dousari15- Mahdi Al-Ajmi16- Nouri Al-Qallaf —KUNA

71 candidates register on first day

KUWAIT: Kuwaitis wait in front of the election affairs department yesterdayas�Kuwaiti candidates arrive to register for the upcoming parliamentaryelections. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Former MP and minister Roudhan Al-Roudhan registers as a candidate in thethird constituency.

Former MP and minister Ahmad Al-Mulaifi registers as a candidate inthe first constituency.

Former MP Dr Yousuf Al-Zalzalah registers asa candidate in the first constituency.

Former MP Abdullah Al-Tamimi’s information areseen on the monitor as he registers as a candidatein the fifth constituency.

Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary Lieutenant General Suleiman Al-Fahad is pic-tured with former MPs Abdullah Mayouf (right) and Abdullah Al-Turaiji afterthey registered as candidates in the third and first constituencies respectively.

Interior Ministry’s spokesman BrigadierAdel Al-Hashash addresses reportersoutside the elections affairs department.

Former MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan registers as a can-didate in the first constituency.

LOCA LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

ROME: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Italy Sheikh Ali KhaledAl-Jaber Al-Sabah and representative of United AgainstNuclear Iran (UANI) and Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi diSant’Agata discussed yesterday the risk of proliferation ofnuclear weapons in the world. Terzi called on the Kuwaitembassy and GCC diplomatic delegations to take part inthe international conferences and forums held by UANIto work on halting weapons proliferation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Defense MinisterSheikh Khaled Jarrah Al-Sabah held talks yesterday with vis-iting US Congressmen, especially in the military aspect.Sheikh Khaled Jarrah conversed on a number of relatedissues with the US Congressmen Mike Conaway, RalphAbraham and Gwen Graham and their accompanying dele-gation. The meeting was attended by Kuwaiti Army’sDeputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Abdullah NawafAl-Sabah, and several other senior military officers. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Jordanian Senate President Faisal Al-Fayez andhis accompanying delegation left Kuwait yesterday afterconcluding an official visit. Fayez was seen off by SecretaryGeneral of the National Assembly Allam Al-Kandari andKuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Mohammad Al-Kayed.Fayez started his visit last Sunday, where he met with HisHighness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh JaberAl-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. —KUNA

In Brief

Photoo f t h e d a y

KUWAIT: Traditional musical instrument used in Kuwait in the past, showcased at a local museum. —Photo by Joseph Shagra

Minister, US Congressmendiscuss military issues

Jordanian official concludes visit

Ambassador meetsUANI representative

GAZA: Over the past ten years theKuwaiti hospital in Rafah, southern GazaStrip, healed wounds and soothed pain ofmany Palestinians, thanks to efforts bydedicated staff ser ving at mult ipledepartments, where the hospital receivesthousands of cases per month, amid poorhealth conditions in the enclave due tothe Israeli blockade.

The Kuwaiti hospital was the firstdefense line in Rafah, which experiencedlike the rest of Gaza cities and towns, threeIsraeli wars in five years. During the wars, itadmitted hundreds of injured people,

despite limited resources and equipment.The hospital was established in March

2007 with suppor t by Al RahmaAssociation for Relief and Development-Palestine Branch. Annual reports said thatthe hospital receives about 2,000 to 2,300emergency cases and 100 births monthly,in addition to conducting 130 to 140 sur-geries per month along with hosting 1,200to 2,000 patients monthly for regularcheckup and nearly 1, 400 patients at thedental clinic.

The hospital operates 24 hours a dayand provides 24 beds and two ambulances

transporting emergency service free ofcharges to Palestinian citizens. It also offerslow costs for medical treatment toPalestinian citizens due to the difficult liv-ing conditions, high levels of poverty andunemployment because of the ongoingIsraeli siege for more than ten years. Andduring a meeting with a number ofpatients, they expressed their happiness forpresence of the Kuwaiti hospital in Rafah, intime where the town suffers from lack mini-mum levels of health care.

Meanwhile, Director General of theKuwaiti hospital, Dr Abdullrahman Al-

Dahoudi said despite what the hospitaloffers to patients of the Gaza Strip, it stillsuffers from lack of the capability of receiv-ing more patients and needs an additionalbuilding along with more medical devices.

The hospital is also suffering from ashortage in the number of beds and poweroutages, and needs maintenance for itsdepartments, along with the monthly oper-ational requirements and the payments ofabout 84 employees’ salaries. The Kuwaitihospital opened in March a solar energyproject to alleviate suffering of patients as aresult of frequent power outages. —KUNA

The Kuwaiti hospital in Gaza. Medics operating on a Palestinian child at the Kuwaiti Hospital in Gaza.

Young patients treated at the Kuwaiti hospital in Gaza. The Kuwaiti hospital in Gaza has three ambulances to transport patients.Medics treating a Palestinian infant at the KuwaitiHospital in Gaza.

Kuwaiti hospital in Gaza: A destination for patients in light of Israeli blockade

LOCALTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Evacuation drill atResidency Department

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: The Medical EmergenciesDepartment held a mock evacuation drill incooperation with the Fire Department atthe Farwaniya Residency Department inDajeej. The exercise simulated a fire in anoffice that injured a person. Dr Abdullah Al-

Jassar said the drill was successful.In other news, the road occupancy

department at the Jahra Municipalitybranch carr ied out a campaign inMutlaa, Naeem, Taima, Industrial Jahra,K abd and Sa lmy, resul t ing in theremoval of 577 abandoned cars and 14truckloads from Kabd.

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and InteriorMinister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah ordered yesterday forming a specialpanel to examine nomination papers of thecandidates vying for seats in the upcoming50-member National Assembly (Parliament).The commission, to be presided by the firstpublic attorney, justice Sultan MajedBoujarwa, will check the candidacy papers toensure all the required terms and specifica-tions for the nominees are met and available,the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a state-ment. The panel, which will hold its sessionsat the headquarters of the election depart-ment, is entitled to seek any information ordocuments from any authority, and will reportto the Ministry of Interior.

The MoI statement came as the electoralprocess kicked off early today, when candi-dates started submitting their registrationpapers at the set centers across Kuwait.Candidates’ papers’ submission will proceedtill October 28, pending the balloting due onNovember 26th.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has recently dis-solved the parliament citing various chal-lenges and regional critical conditions. Atleast three Cabinet members desiring to takepart in parliamentary elections have alreadyresigned from their executive posts.

Law number 35/1962, which deals withparliamentary elections, permits candidatesto file their candidacies to contest elections, astatement issued by the Ministry of Interiorsaid. Moreover, all eligible candidates shouldbe Kuwaiti citizens below 30 years of age andare required to be fluent in written and spo-ken Arabic, the statement added.

On further prerequisites, the statementpointed out that all candidates should haveno criminal history, as those found with crimi-nal records are prohibited from contesting theelections. Furthermore, all candidates shouldregister at the elections affairs office inShuwaikh Residential area from 7:30 am to1:30 pm, with their citizenship certificates andtwo recent photos in hand. A KD 50 fee is also

required to register, the statement noted.Parliamentary life in Kuwait saw the light inthe early 60s, thus putting the State of Kuwaiton the world’s democracy map. —KUNA

Special panel examinescandidates’ papers

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: Opposition representatives met atAmmar Al-Ajmi’s diwaniya in Kaifan withoutthe attendance of former MPs Ahmed Al-Saadoun and Khaled Al-Sultan, well-informedsources said. The sources explained that 11former MPs including Mohammad Al-Dallal,Badr Al-Dahoum, Jamaan Al-Harbash, WaleedAl-Tabtabaei, Hamad Al-Mutar, Osama Al-Menawer, Adel Al-Damkhi, Osama Al-Shaheen, Mohammad Hayef, Nayef Al-Merdasand Ajmi attended the meeting and dis-cussed taking part in the upcoming parlia-mentary elections.

The sources quoted Harbash urging hiscolleagues to be realistic and note that peo-ple have been avoiding their seminars andrejecting their calls to go to Irada Square. “Mybrothers and myself have been affected verymuch by the boycott,” he said, pointing outthat he had received a call from former MPMusallam Al-Barrak urging them to take partin the elections, because having oppositionMPs in parliament would be a golden oppor-tunity for Barrak to run in the following elec-tions that will be held when the oppositionwins seats and manages to create a crisis inthe new parliament and have it dissolved.

The sources added that a discussion washeld about how to take part in the electionsand that it was agreed to run in the electionsprovided that Barrak issues a written state-ment urging the opposition to do so.“Harbash called Barrak and he promised tomake the statement,” said the sources, addingthat former MP Faisal Al-Mislem said that hewas embarrassed to declare his intentions totake part because he had just urged peopleto boycott the elections two days earlier. “Letme be the last to announce my participation,”the sources claimed he said, as if yielding topublic pressure.

The meeting’s host and former MP Ajmi

said that the opposition MPs who attendedthe meeting decided to take part in theelections except for Tabtabaei, who decid-ed to consult his voters, and Merdas, whohas not made up his mind yet. Ajmi addedthat six of the majority bloc members,including Saadoun, Sultan, Abdullatif Al-Ameeri, Mohammed Al-Kandari, Faisal Al-Yahya and Obaid Al-Wasmi, will not takepart in the upcoming elections. Ajmi addedthat another meeting would be held at hisdiwaniya tomorrow. In addition, Ajmi notedthat the Islamic Constitutional Movement( ICM) general assembly had selec tedHarbash to take part.

Opposition ‘on verge’ of ending boycott: Sources

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: Dean of the College ofPetroleum and Engineering at KuwaitUniversity Prof Abdullatif Al-Khlaifi saidthat the college’s labs need periodic main-tenance according to a special contractand that the delay in the college’s budget

has been holding up maintenance opera-tions, although studies are highly depend-ent on lab apparatuses. Khlaifi added thatthe total number of students at the col-lege is 5,000, which is beyond its capacityof 3,600. “This means that some sectionsinclude 45 students though the idealnumber should be 18,” he underlined.

Petroleum college overcrowded

FROM THE ARABIC PRESSTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Newsi n b r i e f

Teachers to receive

reduced pay in NovKUWAIT: Arab public school teachers will receive theirsalaries in full this month, including their rent allowanceintact, as the Ministry of Education is yet to officiallyreceive the decision to cut the allowance from KD 150to KD 60, despite the fact it became effective onOctober 13, 016. As a result, not only will teachersreceive reduced rent allowances next month, but theministry will also deduct KD 55 from each teacher’s payfor applying the decision retroactively. —Al-Qabas

No decrees

KUWAIT: The Cabinet is not expected to issueemergency decrees concerning issues that go incontradiction with the state’s budget for2016/2017, high ranking government sources said.They made their remarks in response to specula-tions that the Cabinet might restructure the publicsector’s payroll or reduce subsidies through emer-gency decrees issued before a new parliament iselected. —Al-Anbaa

Oil sector’s budgets

KUWAIT: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s (KPC) Boardof Directors starts discussions next Sunday to adopt theoil sector ’s budgets for the fiscal year 217/2018.Meanwhile, sources revealed that KPC demandedexcluding the Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) fromthe budget in an attempt to avoid losses resulting fromhalting production at the divided zone, adding thatproduction is not expected to resume before a yearfrom today. —Al-Anbaa

Airport security

KUWAIT: G4S started operation at KuwaitInternational Airport as part of a deal with theInterior Ministry to offer security services there. Thecompany has already provided 97 inspectorsassigned at the entrance and before the passports’counter. The remaining 303 inspectors, who will beassigned to all gates at Kuwait International Airport,the Saad Al-Abdullah Airport and the new terminal(under construction) are set to arrive to Kuwaitwithin two months, sources said. —Al-Rai

Kuwaiti fighters

KUWAIT: The number of Kuwaiti fighters is increas-ing among the ‘Jund Al-Aqsa’ group fighting in Syria,at a time in which their numbers are dwindling with-in the Islamic State (IS) and Nusra Front, Al-Rai dailyreported yesterday quoting ‘jihadi sources.’ “Jund Al-Aqsa has become the favor i te dest inat ion forKuwaitis travelling to Syria for jihad,” the sourcessaid, adding that four Kuwaiti members of the radicalgroup were killed in fighting during the past coupleof years. —Al-Rai

Al-Anbaa

By Saad Al-Motesh

On building a new house, those close tothe owner start offering free advice tohelp him avoid mistakes they had made,

such as taking care of the quality of electricalwiring because of its significance to safety.However, the most important piece of advicethey offer is about installing a central water filter.

Nevertheless, regardless of the quality of thatcentral filter, one will still have to install smallerones in the kitchen or for water coolers to getthe purest drinking and cooking water and toensure the safety of family members. Therefore,we see many houses install more than one filternext to each other.

The idea of using multilayered filters was thesame used by former Minister of Awqaf andIslamic Affairs Yaaqoub Al-Sane, with a slight dif-ference that he did not use it in his house - it isup to him if he does not even install a single fil-

ter there. Sane used the idea at his ministry,where he formed four committees to decide whodeserves to be appointed in leading positions.

The first committee Sane formed is responsi-ble for listing candidates who match the condi-tions set for the position. The second committeeis responsible for checking the first committee’swork. The third committee interviews candidateand finally the fourth committee endorses thefinal selectees. These four committees act as afour-process filter to make sure only the best getthrough.

Four-layer water filters at home ensure thatdrinking water will be purer than spring water ontop of Everest and Tibet. Similarly, Sane’s four fil-ters are the main reason behind severe criticismsand accusations pointed at Sane, questioningthe committees’ decisions!

—Translated by Kuwait Times

Sane’s filters

CrimeR e p o r t

Trio sold phone

lines to inmatesKUWAIT: Acting Interior Ministry Assistant Undersecretaryfor Criminal Evidence Major General Shihab Al-Shimmariordered two women and a man be sent to the public pros-ecution after they registered phones in the names of citi-zens and expats, then sold them to central prison inmates,leaving innocent people to bear the charges. A securitysource said a citizen told Khaitan police that she was sur-prised to find there were two phone lines in her name, andthe company was demanding payment. The source saidinvestigations led to discovering that a bedoon and twowomen, both citizens, were behind this scam.

Cabby muggedA roaming taxi driver was stabbed by three unidenti-fied persons after he resisted them. They robbed himof his money and other belongings. The taxi driverpicked up the three from Industrial Shuwaikh, and assoon as they got in, one pulled out a knife, and whenhe resisted, he was stabbed in the shoulder. The sus-pects then escaped. Detectives are investigating.

FightAfter a fight broke out between a Filipino and aBangladeshi, friends of the former rushed to help himand caused injuries to the Bangladeshi, who was taken tohospital. The fight was over a taxi fare. The Bangladeshicabbie took the Filipino from Salmiya to Fintas, but herefused to pay what the driver demanded, so a fightbroke out and residents rushed to help their compatriot.

Driver ‘punished’An unidentified person ‘punished’ an Egyptian bydamaging his car after he blocked the road inSalmiya. A security source said the Egyptian lodgeda complaint. He said that he parked his car behindanother vehicle in front of a Salmiya building, andwhen he returned, he found his car was damaged.

Drug users caughtSpecial missions men arrested a citizen and an Emiratiwoman after stiff resistance and insults. Both were underthe influence of drugs and had 20 illicit tablets on them.Both were sent to the Drugs Control General Department.

Suicide attemptPolice rescued a citizen in his 40s who flung himselfinto the sea in an attempt to commit suicide, andrushed him to Mubarak Hospital. They found his sui-cide bid was due to divorce and accumulated debts.The incident took place near Balajat Street, and theman was charged and will be questioned after herecovers. —Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa

Al-Jarida

A long with the accelerated tensions due tothe nearness of parliamentary elections,the government is expected to open its

arms wide for a large number of lawmakers torenew their affiliations, and the best channel to doso is through overseas medical treatment. Forexample, the health minister will not mind being alink between current and new lawmakers anddecision makers amongst ministers and sheikhsregardless of the government’s promises to blockthe financial drainage caused by treatmentabroad, with a few exceptions, according to thegovernment’s wishes.

In a recent article, my colleague Kamel Harmisaid: “The growth in touristic medical treatmentpatients, according to statistics recorded inAugust, from 2,500 to 6,000, means sending 120patients for treatment abroad per lawmaker at amonthly cost of KD 70 million. So, tell me aboutthe silly talk about saving expenses, increasingfuel prices and cutting expat teachers’ rentallowances!”

Political bribes, such as treatment abroad, isnot the point. Neither are the other forms of giftsand corruption facilitators. So much has beenwritten in the local press and so many peoplehave talked about corruption and favoritism andabout how the authority sometimes legalizes it orturns a blind eye to it. What matters now iswhether there is any use of our debates and dis-cussion about how the country is being run. Inother words, have we noticed any change andintentions to reform despite the oil price disaster?Was there any reaction on the government’s or theparliament’s part towards this drainage of publicfunds other than worthless lawmakers’ talk aboutstrong rejection of overburdening citizens andprotecting public funds?!

We all know that you cannot get blood out ofstones, and our political administration is made ofstone. All what is being said and written by theso-called reformists, politicians and former MPsare only media tranquilizers meant to act as toolsto cool our tensions.

It is mandatory not to get overwhelmed by toomany details about the coming elections; aboutwho is for and who is against, because eventually,the elections are only a tool of political amuse-ment in a state full of political emptiness andboredom, as long as the political administrationhas no visions about the future or a real projectthat would save it from the unknown future.

—Translated by Kuwait Times

Let’s not get

lost in details

Al-Jarida

By Hassan Al-Essa

Dissolved parliament

KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary Lieutenant GeneralSuleiman Al-Fahad recently welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Dr Tariq Al-Doubfrom the ministry’s Research and Studies Center, who presented to himcopies of his publications on security information and statistics.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Foundation for theAdvancement of Sciences (KFAS), EQUATEPetrochemical Company, Americana -Meat Cluster and Plastic IndustriesCompany (PIC) celebrated their collabora-tion for an advanced solution in plasticfood packaging.

The collaboration involved a partner-ship among KFAS, EQUATE, Americana -Meat Cluster and PIC (a local plastic manu-facturer) to devise an optimal solution inplastic food packaging. The solution wasdeveloped based on plastic raw materialproduction, film conversion and foodpackaging. The results included develop-ing and enhancing the food packagingplastic proper ties through EQUATE’sResearch and Development (R&D) Center.

KFAS Director-General Dr Adnan Shihab-Eldin said, “KFAS believes that innovationand R&D are essential for the growth of theprivate sector’s scientific and technicalcapacities that are needed to build a

knowledge economy. KFAS establishedprograms to help companies achieve suchcapacities. We have been utilizing our con-tacts with local, regional and internationalentities to find the best technology andknowledge providers that can assist thecompanies in identifying the technologysuitable for their businesses. Last year we

Celebrating collaboration in plastic food packaging

introduced both EQUATE and Americana tothe German Institutes in hope that theyfind new technologies that can be of valueto both companies individually.Furthermore we co-funded feasibility stud-ies for both companies. . KFAS is pleased tobe the catalyst that activated the coopera-tion between EQUATE, Americana and PIC.We are honored to be part of this celebra-tion and will continue to be a partner in thesuccess with companies.”

On his part, EQUATE President and CEOMohammad Husain said, “Diversification iscritical for our economy and we consider ita real opportunity for success. In order toachieve success, we need very robust col-laboration within a framework of innova-tion-based partnership. This collaborationis a milestone for us as it promotes theoverall sense of ownership. We reallyappreciate KFAS for being the catalyst thatenabled al l par ticipating entit ies toachieve their final goal. Today, this collab-oration should not stop as it is an embodi-ment of our slogan ‘Partners in Success.’This is in line with EQUATE’s constant driveto develop differentiated products andsolutions to advance the local industryand support its growth. Our real story is tobe told and used as a power for moreachievements.”

Americana - Meat Cluster CEOMohamed Mahrous Awad said, “Americanabeing the Regional leading food brand forthe last 6 decades, through understandingthe market needs and using the state-of-arttechnology, has achieved various mile-stones through product innovation, offer-ing the market different products and solu-tions that makes life of our consumers bet-ter. Our collaboration with the technicaland industrial experts like EQUATE and PIC,through the scientific platform of KFAS,merging their solid scientific and technicalexperience with our practical and technicalindustrial environment would only lead tothe best quality solutions benefitting theindustry, environment and the society.”

PIC General Manager Hassan Jaber said,“PIC is excited to announce the successfulcompletion of the Americana collaborationwith KFAS and EQUATE for the plastic foodpackaging application. This significantachievement was made possible on a foun-dation of trust and a strong commitment tothe project’s success, as well as the techni-cal and processing guidance from all sides.We would like to thank KFAS, Americana -Meat Cluster and EQUATE for the opportu-nity to be part of this project. PIC’s missionis to provide our customers responsive andinnovative execution of their projects.”

Americana Meat Cluster CEOMohamed Mahrous Awad

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

The children ofAlbania’s brutal blood feuds Obama: We saved the best for last

Page 9 Page 10

COLUMBUS: In this Oct 10, 2016 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton smiles while speaking at a rally at The Ohio State University. —AP

WASHINGTON: Back in early 2014, a media leak revealedRobby Mook was being considered to run a possible presi-dential campaign by Hillary Clinton. In fact, the 36-year-oldwas already on the job-almost three years before the vote.“You are right abt a long term press strategy. Need a differentvoice responding to this stuff,” Mook wrote to Cheryl Mills,Clinton’s longtime aide, in February 2014. Mook’s messagewas among the thousands of gmail messages hacked fromthe account of John Podesta, Clinton’s campaign chairman,and released in recent days by WikiLeaks.

The Clinton campaign say the hack was carried out byRussian cyber spies bent on tilting the race in favor of theRepublican candidate. But the emails offer a fascinating win-dow into the development of a presidential campaign thathas been years in the making, with a tiny group of insidersworking in secret to prepare Clinton’s bid to become the firstwoman president of the United States.

The emails show that the candidate and her closest col-laborators were determined not to repeat the errors ofClinton’s unsuccessful presidential bid in 2008, when shelost to a charismatic newcomer, Barack Obama. The formersecretary of state let speculation build about her possiblerun for the White House, coyly deflecting questions abouther future plans by saying she was enjoying time with hergranddaughter.

Obama and Hilary differences Nevertheless, the press was already alert to signs of a

Clinton candidacy. Mook’s message about press strategy wasprompted by a news story that examined growing differencesbetween Clinton’s camp and Obama’s inner circle. By March22, 2014, Mook was starting to work on a campaign strategy,the emails show. He urged Clinton not to run for the presiden-cy, as she had in 2008, as a woman seeking to make history,warning that would be a “mistake.” Instead, Mook argued,Clinton should run as a champion of the middle class-a lineshe would embrace about a year later.

At the time, Clinton was busy shuttling from paid speakingengagement to paid speaking engagement, and readying apromotional tour for her memoir as secretary of state-nothingthat would suggest any direct political agenda. But in April2014, Mook already was thinking about how Clinton’s cam-paign should be set up and where.

“I anticipate that about two dozen staff will need to be inplace and working six to eight weeks prior to an official cam-paign announcement,” he wrote. But he said they should notact before November 4, 2014 midterm elections. In May2014, Hillary Clinton was summoning her closest advisers.Even they were unaware that Mook was hard at work behindthe scenes. “The only person in this group that knows aboutyou besides me is John,” Mills wrote Mook, presumably refer-ring to Podesta.

Influencing the media In late 2014, as Clinton campaigned for fellow

Democrats in congressional elections, her speechwriter DanSchwerin worked up a 20-page document on possible “nar-ratives” for her campaign strategy. “The goal is for you tobegin crystalizing the ideas and motivations that are mostimportant and compelling to you, which will then providedirection for policy development, midterms messaging, and

further research,” he wrote. One suggestion was: “I’m run-ning for president to restore America’s fundamental bargainwith the middle class and get government working foreveryone again, not just a wealthy few.”

Another was “I’m running for President to renew theAmerican Dream.” And “That’s why we need a fighter in theWhite House.” Then the pace of hiring picked up. “MadameSecretary, Congratulations-you have a very enthusiasticCommunications Director and Deputy CommunicationsDirector,” Mook messaged Clinton in January 2015, referringto Jennifer Palmieri and Kristina Schake.

The press strategy also had begun to take shape. “We areall in agreement that the time is right to place a story with afriendly journalist in the coming days that positions us a littlemore transparently while achieving the above goals,” wroteNick Merrill, formerly at State, in a memo. Focus groups wereset up in New Hampshire in January 2015 to start fleshing outthe campaign messages, but Clinton’s pollsters found a prob-lem after one messaging test.

“For an audience of core supporters, the enthusiasm issomewhat muted and we don’t appear to be generating theexcitement or a sense of a fresh, new candidacy we had

hoped for,” wrote pollster Joel Benenson. A week before thecampaign launch, daily calls were being held to coordinatestrategy. Emails piled up in Podesta’s mailbox as the April 12,2015 launch date loomed. Just one day before, Podesta andothers spoke on condition of anonymity to at least one influ-ential journalist. Then, on the big day, Clinton sent this mes-sage on Twitter: “I’m running for president. EverydayAmericans need a champion, and I want to be that champion.-H”. The “H” was intended to mean that the tweet was from herpersonally. But it was pre-written, and pre-approved at thehighest level, at least a week before. —AFP

Clinton campaign took shape in secretHacked emails show a campaign that was years in the making

TEHRAN: Iran said yesterday it wouldaccept no US “inter ference” afterWashington demanded the release of adual national and his 80-year-old fathergiven 10 year sentences for espionage. TheState Department demanded the immedi-ate release of Siamak and Baqher Namazi,both Iranian-American dual nationals, aftertheir sentences were announced onTuesday. But foreign ministry spokesmanBahram Qassemi told Iranian media:

“The government and the Iranian peo-ple give no importance to the statementsand interference of American officials andtheir efforts to divide the ranks of theIranian people. “The American threats onlyadd to the wall of mistrust Iranians haveregarding the United States.” Washingtonexpressed concern over the health of theelder Namazi, a former UN Children’s Fundemployee who also served as the governorof an Iranian province before the Islamic

revolution of 1979. Both were jailed for 10years for “espionage and collaboration withthe American government”, Tehran prose-cutor Abbas Jafari Dolat-Abadi announcedon Tuesday. Three other Iranian-Americandual nationals-Farhad Abd-Saleh, KamranGhaderi and Alireza Omidvar-were alsosentenced to 10 years on the same charges,along with a US resident from Lebanon,Nezar Zaka.

Siamak Namazi, a well-connected busi-ness consultant who has supported Iranianreformists and sought to promote tiesbetween Iran and the United States, wasarrested as he arrived in Tehran a year ago.His father was detained in February whenhe came to Iran to seek his son’s release.Conservatives in Iran have criticizedattempts by the moderate government ofPresident Hassan Rouhani to improve tieswith the West following a nuclear deal withworld powers last year. — AFP

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

DAKAR: Senegalese prosecutorsrequested a six-month sentence yester-day for an imam accused of insulting thecountry’s most powerful Muslim broth-erhood, in a case that has underlined thegroup’s outsized influence. The Mouridesare one of four important Sufi brother-hoods followed by Senegal’s Muslims,who overwhelmingly practice a moder-ate version of Islam while following theteachings of local spiritual guides.

The case relates to a video posted inSeptember by imam Cheikh MbackeSakho in which he accused Mourideelders of taking money from Muslims tofurther their own business interests,and of “swindling” followers. Now in“fear of his life”, according to a closefriend contacted by AFP, Sakho couldface a six-month suspended jail sen-tence and a f ine of a mil l ion FCFA($1,673) for abusing a religious groupon a digital platform, prosecutors said.

They added this would be the mini-mum sentence possible “taking intoaccount the apologies” the imam hadalready offered in another online video.

Sakho was not present at the hearing inDakar for security reasons after threatsof lynching by Mouride members. Hiscase will be decided on October 26. TheMourides are highly entrepreneurialand best known outside Senegal forselling trinkets and counterfeit goodson the streets of New York, Paris andRome, where they have built up signifi-cant networks.

In Senegal they are highly influentialin government and business. Formerpresident Abdoulaye Wade is among thecountry’s most high-profile Mourides.Many Senegalese looked to the brother-hood for leadership in the fight againstFrench colonial authorities in the late19th century. The Mourides’ holy city ofTouba, created by founder AhmadouBamba Mbacke in 1888, has grown to beSenegal’s second-largest after Dakar, withsome 1.5 million inhabitants. Senegal’sSufi movements have no relation to theSunni Islamist Muslim Brotherhood popu-lar across the Middle East and Africa andcurrently considered a terror organizationin several nations. — AFP

Imam risks jail for ‘insulting’

Senegal Muslim brotherhood

An Iraqi forces M109 self-propelled howitzer fires towards the village of Tall Al-Tibah, some 30 kilometers south of Mosul,during an operation against Islamic State (IS) group jihadists to retake the main hub city. — AFP

QAYYARAH: Iraqi forces prepared yesterday toretake several key areas around Mosul, includingthe country’s largest Christian town, to tightenthe noose on the Islamic State group’s strong-hold. Kurdish and federal troops have madequick progress since the offensive was launchedon Monday but officials have cautioned thatIraq’s largest military operation in years couldlast months. Hundreds of thousands of civilianswere still trapped in the city with dwindling sup-plies, many sheltering in basements as air strikesintensified on IS targets.

“We couldn’t sleep last night because of theair strikes. The explosions were huge but I’m notsure what the targets were,” said Abu Saif, a 47-year-old resident contacted by AFP. “Many fami-lies are starting to run out of some basic foodgoods, there is no commercial activity in Mosul-the city is cut off from the world,” he said. East ofMosul, forces were poised for an assault onQaraqosh, which lies about 15 kilometers andwas once Iraq’s largest Christian town.

News of the move to recapture Qaraqoshsparked jubilation among Christians who hadfled the town, with many dancing and singing inthe city of Arbil on Tuesday night. Units fromIraq’s elite counter-terrorism service, which hasdone the heavy lifting in most recent operationsagainst IS, were poised to flush jihadists out ofthe town yesterday, officers said. “We are sur-rounding Hamdaniya now,” Lieutenant GeneralRiyadh Tawfiq, commander of Iraq’s groundforces, told AFP at the main staging base of

Qayyarah, referring to the district that includesQaraqosh. “There are some pockets (of resist-ance), some clashes, they send car bombs but itwill not help them,” he said.

Qaraqosh was the largest of many Christiantowns and villages seized by the jihadists whoswept across the Nineveh Plain east of Mosul inAugust 2014. The mass exodus it sparked dis-placed a large proportion of Iraq’s already dwin-dling Christian minority, sending most into theneighboring Kurdish region.

Displaced families Qaraqosh was home to around 50,000 people

in 2014 and has at least seven churches, makingit a key hub for the more than 300,000 Christiansstill in Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga forces preparedto attack IS positions on several fronts north ofMosul while federal forces worked their way upthe Tigris Valley. Some families recovering theirfreedom from IS for the first time in more thantwo years cautiously approached security forceswaving white flags.

In one village in the Al-Shura district south ofMosul, the men were promptly isolated andherded into a handful of buildings for screening.The families were being dispatched to varioustemporary camps, including near Qayyarah. The“caliphate” that IS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadiproclaimed in Mosul’s Great Mosque in June2014 once covered more than a third of Iraq andparts of Syria. But it has been shrinking steadilyfor more than a year and retaking Mosul would

be a major setback for IS, all but ending itsexperiment in statehood. “IS simply has toomany enemies with the world arrayed against it,”said Aymenn Al-Tamimi, a jihadism expert at theMiddle East Forum.

No safe exit Tens of thousands of personnel are involved

in the operation to retake Mosul, where thejihadists have an estimated 3,000 to 4,500 fight-ers. World leaders and military commanderswarned that-despite signs that early progress inthe Mosul offensive was faster than predicted-the battle could be long and difficult. “Mosul willbe a difficult fight. There will be advances andthere will be setbacks,” Obama said on Tuesday.

After clearing towns and villages on the out-skirts of Mosul with air support from a US-ledcoalition, Iraqi forces are expected to besiege thecity before entering it. Iraqi forces may allow flee-ing IS fighters an exit to the west in a bid to mini-mize human and material losses from the fight-ing inside the city. But the chief of Russia’sGeneral Staff Valery Gerasimov argued it was“necessary not to drive terrorists from one coun-try to the other but to destroy them on the spot”.

Russia, he said, was focusing on “possibleattempts by fighters to break out of Mosul” and“freely leave the city in the direction of Syria”.Many civilians have been able to flee the widerMosul region to safer areas, with some desper-ate enough to seek refuge over the border inwar-torn Syria. — AFP

Iraqi forces poised for

assaults around MosulNoose tightens on IS stronghold

ADEN: Heavy fighting rocked Yemen hoursbefore a UN-brokered ceasefire was due tobegin yesterday, as warring parties comeunder mounting pressure to end a conflictthat has raged for more than two years. Thetruce will be the sixth attempt to end thebloodshed since a Saudi-led Arab coalitionintervened in March 2015 to support thegovernment of President AbedrabboMansour Hadi after rebels overran much ofYemen. Civilians have paid the highestprice in a country that was already theArabian peninsula’s poorest.

Almost 6,900 have been killed-morethan half of them civilians-while anotherthree million are displaced and millionsmore need food aid. A United Nationsreport said air strikes by the coalition weresuspected of causing around half of allcivilian deaths, while rebel-affiliated groupswere responsible for about a quarter. TheUN special envoy for Yemen, Ismail OuldCheikh Ahmed, on Sunday announced thetruce from 23:59 (2059 GMT) for an initialthree days, subject to renewal. But clashesinvolving heavy artillery and air raids killedat least five people across the country yes-terday, including fighting near the Saudiborder and around the capital Sanaa, mili-tary sources said.

The last ceasefire attempt began in Aprilalongside UN-brokered peace talks inKuwait but both the rebels and the coalitionaccused each other of breaches. After peacetalks collapsed in August, fighting escalateduntil an October 8 coalition air strike whichthe UN said killed more than 140 peopleand wounded at least 525 at a funeral inSanaa. The United States announced an“immediate review” of its intelligence andrefueling assistance to the coalition, whoseinvestigative team then released unusuallyquick findings from a probe of the incident.It said a coalition aircraft “wrongly targeted”the funeral based on “incorrect information”.In another major development, the US Navyfor the first time targeted Huthi rebelsdirectly. On October 13 it hit radar siteswhich, the US said, were involved in missile

launches against a US warship and othervessels. Yemen’s Houthi rebels are alliedwith members of the security forces loyal toex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

‘More optimistic’ They control the capital Sanaa and other

territory but coalition-backed forces earlierpushed them back from the southern portof Aden and adjacent areas. Both the rebelsand pro-government forces have comeunder increased international pressure tosilence their guns. On Tuesday, USSecretary of State John Kerry hailed theannouncement of the new truce andechoed an urgent plea from the UN envoyfor unfettered humanitarian accessthroughout Yemen. “We ask the parties totake all steps necessary to advance theimplementation of this cessation, call onthem to sustain it, and strongly encourageits unconditional renewal,” Kerry said.

Hadi’s government said it would agreeto the truce if rebels also adhered to it, andalso called for the insurgents to monitorthe ceasefire and end their siege of Yemen’sthird city, Taez. The rebels, in a statementon Tuesday night, expressed readiness for a“lasting ceasefire, comprehensive and with-out conditions”. Military sources howeversaid rebel positions in the northern Saadaprovince were struck by coalition raids yes-terday. At least three strikes also hit a con-voy of rebel reinforcements in Omranprovince, north of Sanaa.

At least two loyalists were killed and 15wounded in fighting near the Red Sea, inHajja province, the sources said. And inTaez, at least two rebels and a pro-govern-ment fighter were killed during overnightfighting, according to witnesses and mili-tary sources. In spite of yesterday’s vio-lence, Mustafa Alani, a senior adviser to theGulf Research Centre, said the prospects forpeace were growing. “I am more optimistic,actually, because the environment is com-pletely different from the previous one,” hetold AFP. “At the same time, both parties inthe conflict are getting tired. — AFP

Deadly clashes before

latest Yemen ceasefire

BEIRUT: Former Lebanese PrimeMinister Saad Al-Hariri intends toendorse Michel Aoun for the vacantpresidency, senior political sources said,and the Hezbollah ally could be electedhead of state later this month. Long anopponent of the Iran-backed Shiitegroup Hezbollah, Hariri would becomeprime minister again under the planthat could reshape Lebanese politics. Ithas drawn opposition in his party and afinal decision has not yet been taken,allies said.

The presidency, which is reserved fora Maronite Christian in the country’ssectarian power-sharing arrangements,has been vacant for 2 1/2 years due topolitical conflicts. Aoun, a veteran politi-cian in his 80s, has long coveted thepost. It was not immediately clear if

Aoun’s candidacy would enjoy enoughsupport among other politicians tosecure the necessary two-thirds quorumfor the vote in the 128-seat parliament.The next scheduled parliamentary ses-sion to elect a president is set for Oct.31. Opponents of Aoun’s candidacyinclude Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri,head of the Shiite Amal Movement anda close ally of Hezbollah, which itself hasyet to comment. Hariri , 46, led the“March 14” alliance against Hezbollahand its allies, after the 2005 assassina-tion of his father Rafik Al-Hariri. Heremains a fierce critic of Hezbollah,which is fighting in Syria in support ofPresident Bashar Al-Assad.

The proposal, unthinkable unti lrecent ly, casts new l ight on thepredicament fac ing Har i r i , whose

standing as Lebanon’s most influentialSunni politician has been shaken by afinancial crisis at his Saudi-based con-struction business. The troubles atSaudi Oger, which has been hit byfall ing oil prices and cuts in Saudistate spending, have led to a cashcrunch in Hariri’s Future Movement.Diplomats say Hariri has fallen fromfavor in Saudi Arabia, which thesedays cares far more about confrontingIranian influence in the Gulf and Syriathan about Lebanon.

Opposition from withinTwo senior politicians told Reuters

that Hariri had expressed his intentionto nominate Aoun for the presidency aspart of the power-sharing deal. A thirdsource, a member of Hariri ’s Future

Movement, confirmed Hariri hadexpressed this intention, but membersof his own parliamentary bloc opposedit. Fouad Siniora, a former prime minis-ter and head of the Future Movement’sparliamentary bloc, told the newspaperDaily Star that Hariri had told his MPs onTuesday that he had decided to supportAoun’s candidacy, but added that therewas “no final decision yet on this mat-ter”. One of the senior sources said Haririwould announce his support for Aoun“within the coming few days”.

The current government of PrimeMinister Tammam Salam has beenparalysed by rivalries exacerbated byregional conflict. Hariri became primeminister for the first time in 2009, buthis cabinet was toppled in 2011 whenHezbollah and its allies resigned. Since

then, he spent most of his time abroad.Last year, he nominated Hezbollah allySuleiman Franjieh for the presidency,but Hezbollah stuck by Aoun.

Aoun, a former army commander,heads the largest Christian bloc in par-liament and has a large following in thedivided Christian community. He hasbeen a political ally of Hezbollah since2006. A significant figure in Lebanon’s1975-90 civil war, Aoun led one of tworival governments during the final yearsof the conflict. In 1990, the Syrian armyforced him into exile. He returned in2005 after Syrian forces withdrew underinternational pressure following theHariri assassination. Aoun’s mainChristian rival, wartime enemy SamirGeagea, earlier this year also endorsedAoun’s candidacy. — Reuters

Lebanon’s Hariri backs Aoun for president

ALEPPO: A pause in Russian and Syrian strikes onAleppo was holding for a second day yesterday,ahead of a brief ceasefire aimed at allowing civil-ians and rebels to quit the devastated city. Moscowannounced it would extend an eight-hour truceplanned for Thursday to 11 hours and said Syrianand Russian warplanes were giving Aleppo a wideberth. French President Francois Hollande said hewould work with Germany to persuade Russia toadopt a long-lasting truce around Syria’s secondcity. But Russia’s ceasefire plan was met with skep-ticism and the United Nations said it would beinsufficient to allow humanitarian aid to reachencircled Aleppo inhabitants.

Moscow is backing President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in its war with a wide range ofrebel groups, including with air strikes in thedivided northern city. Under growing interna-tional pressure over the devastation and civiliandeaths caused by strikes, Moscow announcedearly Tuesday that Russian and Syrian warplaneswould stop bombing rebel-held parts of the cityto pave the way for a “humanitarian pause”.

That window, starting at 0500 GMT onThursday, was initially meant to last eight hoursand is expected to see all fighting stop to allowcivilians and rebels to exit opposition-held dis-tricts via six corridors. Senior Russian military offi-cial Sergei Rudskoi said yesterday that the cease-fire had been extended “by three hours until 7:00pm (1600 GMT)”. He also said Russian and Syrianplanes were keeping 10 kilometers from Aleppo.An estimated 250,000 people live in Aleppo’seastern districts and have been under near-con-tinuous government siege since July.

Clashes continue AFP’s correspondent in east Aleppo said yes-

terday that although clashes between rebels andpro-government forces involving heavy artillerycontinued in several neighborhoods, the pause

in air strikes extended into late afternoon. TheSyrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said pro-regime fight-ers were pressing their ground assault in the OldCity as they vied to shift the front line. —AFP

Aleppo bombing pause holds into second day

Iran rejects US demand for

release of dual nationals

BERLIN: An activist wearing a mask depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin knees inmidcolour smeared teddy bears during a protest on October 19, 2016 in front of the chancellery inBerlin ahead of a meeting of leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. — AFP

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

BUENOS AIRES: The brutal killing of a 16-year-old girlwho was allegedly raped and impaled on a spike bydrug dealers has sparked outrage in Argentina, whereprotesters plan a “women’s strike” yesterday. LuciaPerez, a high school student in the resort city of Mardel Plata, died on October 8 after being brought tothe hospital by two men who said she had overdosedon drugs. But after doctors noticed signs of violentsexual penetration, investigators pieced together adifferent story.

Prosecutors say the two men drugged, raped andimpaled her through the anus, causing pain so excru-ciating that she went into cardiac arrest and died. Thelead prosecutor, Maria Isabel Sanchez, could barelyhide her disgust. “I know it’s not very professional tosay it, but I’m a mother and a woman, and I’ve seen athousand things in my career, but nothing equal tothis litany of abhorrent acts,” she said. The killing is justthe latest incident of horrific gender violence in

Argentina, which has seen more than a year of massmarches to protest brutality against women.

Last year in June, protests broke out nationwideover a trio of gruesome killings: a kindergartenteacher whose estranged husband slit her throat infront of her class; A 14-year-old girl whose boyfriendallegedly beat her to death because she got pregnant;and a woman whose ex-boyfriend stabbed her todeath in broad daylight at a Buenos Aires cafe. In thelatest protest, 50 activist groups have called onwomen across the country to go on “strike” at 1:00 pm(1400 GMT), taking to the streets dressed in black.

One organizer, Sabrina Cartabia, said the goalwas to protest not only Perez’s killing, but a culturethat values women less than men. That is visible instatistics such as the unemployment rate, she said:9.3 percent nationally, but 12 percent for women. “Ina context of social insecurity, with children to carefor and no access to economic autonomy, it’s much

more difficult to overcome domestic violence,” saidCartabia, a lawyer for an advocacy group called theWomen’s Network.

‘Barbarity’ Perez met her alleged killers a day before her

death, when she and a friend approached them tobuy a marijuana joint, prosecutors say. The men-Matias Farias, 23, and Juan Pablo Offidiani, 41 —were known for selling drugs near her school andhad prior convictions. Investigators say they forcedPerez to consume a large amount of cocaine to inca-pacitate her, then had a violent orgy with her. “Hernose was purple from all the cocaine they made hertake,” said her father, Guillermo.

“We can’t understand such barbarity. It’s impossi-ble to understand,” said her mother, Marta Montero.Together, the couple led a protest Saturday in Mardel Plata that drew 1,000 people demanding the

judge deny bail for the alleged killers.

Every 36 hours Despite the protest-and a long string of others in

recent months-at least four other women inArgentina have been killed by their husbands orexes since Perez’s death. Nationally, domestic vio-lence kills one woman every 36 hours on average.Argentina is one of 16 Latin American countriesthat have written the crime of “femicide” into theirpenal codes, setting down harsher punishments forthe killing of a woman by a man when gender playsa part in the crime. But the authorities are not doingenough, argued Cartabia, who says Argentine soci-ety needs a wake-up call on women’s vulnerableplace within it. A decade ago, the activist said,women who suffered domestic abuse took six yearsto report it on average. “Today, that average hasgone down-by one year,” she said. — AFP

Argentine girl’s brutal rape, murder sparks new demos

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama pose for a photo as they greet Italian Prime MinisterMatteo Renzi and his wife Agnese Landini on the North Portico for a State Dinner at the White House. — AP

WASHINGTON: “Bittersweet” was the word ofthe night, the one often used to describePresident Barack Obama’s final State Dinner.“We saved the best for last,” he said Tuesday ashe welcomed Italian Prime Minister MatteoRenzi and his wife, Agnese Landini, to theWhite House. He wasn’t joking. The final galameant everything was big or bigger, from thepersonality of the guest chef (Mario Batali)who collaborated on the menu to the size ofthe white tent (huge) on the South Lawnwhere the soiree was held, to the guest list(nearly 400 people).

Rep Gerald Connolly, D-Va, said it’s “a littlesad” that it’s Obama’s last State Dinner. But tomake the occasion even more memorable, hesaid: “For tonight only, I pronounce my name‘Canoli,’ not ‘Connolly.” Michelle Obama’s hair-stylist, Johnny Wright, also described themoment as “bittersweet,” but he was still excit-ed to have been invited. The first lady also invit-ed her makeup artist, Carl Ray; her trainer,Cornell McClellan; and Meredith Koop, whohelps Mrs. Obama with her wardrobe. “I’m excit-ed that it’s the last State Dinner, so it’s a bitter-sweet thing,” said actress-comedian AlexandraWentworth. “I love the Obamas.”

Others, meanwhile, sought to inject somelevity into the evening. “We’re Jews, but weidentify as Italian,” joked Jerry Seinfeld. By wayof explaining why the Obamas may have invitedthe comedian and his wife, Jessica, Seinfeld said

the couple spends a lot of time traveling in Italy“and we almost exclusively go out for Italianfood, but that’s as far as I can figure.” After trip-ping while climbing stairs and then cutting outthe lining of her dress, celebrity chef RachaelRay joked that “I should only come here insneakers.” Ray has done numerous events withMrs. Obama to support the first lady’s “Let’sMove” anti-childhood obesity initiative.

Obama has had one dinner bigger thanTuesday’s - a 2014 event for African heads ofstate to which more than 400 people were invit-ed. Tuesday’s guest list included a touch ofeverything: celebrities, lawmakers, senior admin-istration officials, White House staff, a larger-than-usual contingent of journalists and others,and it had the feeling of having been designedas one big final “thank you” to all. In fact, MrsObama was overheard thanking her guests “foreight magnificent years.” “This has truly been asuccessful final State Dinner,” she said betweendinner and the entertainment.

Guests of Italian descent included HouseMinority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, the high-est-ranking Italian-American in US politics; for-mer race car driver Mario Andretti, who sportedsocks designed like a checkered racing flag;fashion designer Giorgio Armani; actor JohnTurturro; New York Gov Andrew Cuomo; andactor-director Roberto Benigni.

Once again, the first lady dazzled - literally - inher evening gown, a rose gold chainmail num-

ber by Italian designer Versace, the White Housesaid. Other female guests also went Italian intheir choice of attire, clothing themselves inValentino, Roberto Cavalli and others. Batalihelped the White House kitchen crew preparethe meal, and Grammy-winning pop singerGwen Stefani opened the after-dinner segmentwith her hit, “ The Sweet Escape,” as herboyfriend, country superstar Blake Shelton,looked on from the audience. After that song,she talked about her dad being Italian Americanand said “I’m trying to, like, figure this out, how Igot here,” referring to the dinner.

A few guests, including fellow cook SandraLee, Cuomo’s partner, said they were mostlylooking forward to eating Batali’s food. In hispre-dinner toast, Obama said American democ-racy had been graced by a touch of Italy. He not-ed that the Lincoln Memorial and the interior ofthe U.S. Capitol dome were done by Italians, andraised a glass to the “enduring alliance” betweenthe U.S. and Italy.

Renzi alluded during his toast to a speech thefirst lady gave last week in New Hampshire inwhich she criticized Republican presidentialnominee Donald Trump for boasting on a 2005video about being sexually aggressive towardwomen. “Michelle, your tomatoes are great. Butafter the last weeks, let me be very frank, yourspeeches are better than your tomatoes,” Renzisaid, thanking her as the father of a youngdaughter. — AP

Obama: ‘We saved the best

for last’ at final state dinnerFinal gala meant everything was big or bigger

SAN FRANCISCO: When a student athlete atSan Jose State University in California wasaccused of sexually assaulting two women atan off-campus party over Labor Day weekend,school officials acted decisively. The studentwas ordered to stay away from the womeninvolved and was moved from his dorm into astaff housing facility. He was also temporarilysuspended from campus and team eventspending the result of an investigation.

University officials also acted quietly,prompting many students to ask why theywere kept in the dark about the allegedassaults. Fueling the criticism, the suspect -identified as an international student - left thecountry as authorities investigated. The casehas renewed focus on the problem of sexualassaults involving college students and raisesquestions about what obligations a universityhas to inform students and when it’s time to gopublic about an alleged assault.

University officials and legal experts say it’sa delicate issue. On one hand, students have aninterest in knowing immediately if a perpetra-tor is on their campus. But schools also need toprotect students’ privacy before an arrest ismade or charges filed. One proposed solutionis for schools to notify students of suspectedassaults in police-blotter style, withoutdivulging details that could identify suspectsor victims.

San Jose campus president Mary Papazianaddressed student concerns in an email sent

Monday to the university’s 35,000 students and5,000 faculty and staff. “I am determined to doeverything possible to ensure that SJSU is asafe, caring, inclusive community,” she said.“We will look comprehensively at how toimprove communication.”

Notification policies The school has said the male student was

immediately interviewed by police and schoolofficials. Since no arrests have been made andthe Santa Clara County District Attorney’sOffice is still reviewing the case for possiblecharges, the school felt there was no imminentsafety threat to the campus community. Still,given the student concerns, the university willreview the way it responds in sexual assaultcases. “I believe it is time to re-examine andconsider changes to notification policies,”Papazian said. The case follows the high-profiletrial of former Stanford University athlete BrockTurner, who was convicted of attacking awoman while she was passed out near a trashbin on campus in January 2015. Turner’s six-month prison sentence sparked national out-rage and ignited a debate about campus rapeand the criminal justice system.

The California State University system,which includes San Jose State and 22 othercampuses, has no systemwide policy on notify-ing the campus community about allegedassaults. But the schools adhere to the federalClery Act, which requires universities to issue

“timely warnings” of situations seen as a threatto the campus, said Toni Molle, spokeswomanfor the California State University system. Thedecision of when to issue warnings is up toeach campus. The Stanford case did notbecome public until Turner was charged, saidStanford law professor Michele Dauber, whofavors some public disclosure early on afterassaults are reported.

“As long as student privacy is protected,schools should err on the side of greater trans-parency and issue the timely warnings,” saidDauber, a friend of the woman Turner assault-ed who has been outspoken against thejudge’s sentencing. Families Advocating forCampus Equality, which works on behalf of stu-dents accused of assault, says it’s importantnot to name names prematurely. “I think it’s OKfor a campus to notify in the abstract. Takemore precautions, say there’s been a report,”said Cynthia Garrett, a co-president at thegroup. “But to put somebody’s name and faceout there, you need to be pretty sure some-thing has happened. Imagine if you’re inno-cent. Just imagine, how that could ruin a life.”

Most universities will wait until there is aclear public safety issue to sound an alarm. Butpublicizing an assault could lead more victimsto step forward, says Fatima Goss Graves, anattorney at the Washington DC-based nationalWomen’s Law Center. In San Jose, one of thewomen came forward immediately, and thesecond woman waited two weeks. — AP

Campus assaults stir debate

on when to alert students

WASHINGTON: Republican candidateDonald Trump has made the insistent claimthat the US presidential elections are being“rigged,” but experts say massive voter fraudis highly unlikely in a system as decentral-ized as the United States. “There are a lot ofsafeguards in place that would precludethat from happening, from federal laws tolocal and state laws as well,” said Jo-ReneeFormicola, a political scientist at Seton HallUniversity.

The US election system is far from per-fect, as illustrated by the imbroglio over thevote count in Florida during the 2000 presi-dential election between George W Bushand Al Gore. A conservative-majoritySupreme Court finally ruled in favor of Bush,but the sense of a “stolen” election lingeredon among some Democrats-who never fullyaccepted the Republican president as legiti-mate. But 16 years later, the chances ofmass fraud marring the contest betweenTrump and his Democrat rival HillaryClinton are remote, experts say.

Even national elections like the one onNovember 8 are organized not by the feder-al government but by US states, and theytend to delegate the task to a welter of localauthorities. “The fact that every single vot-ing district would be involved in a fraud isvirtually impossible because there are somany different kinds of districts,” Formicolasaid. A mosaic of voting systems-someusing electronic voting machines, otherspaper ballots, and still others both-add alevel of complexity that would tend tothwart any attempt at wholesale voterfraud, the experts say.

Besides, Republican election officialsoversee the vote in most of the key battle-grounds of the 2016 presidential elections,states like Colorado, Iowa, Michigan andArizona. “In person voter fraud-that’s when

someone shows up and pretends to besomeone else-is incredibly rare, almost nev-er happens and there is no evidence that ithappens in numbers that are anywhereclose to having an effect, even in a closeelection,” said Cornell Law School professorZachary Clopton.

Evidence lacking Trump’s charges of impending voter

fraud have escalated as he has sunk belowHillary Clinton, his Democratic rival, in thepolls. While providing no evidence to backhis claims, the New York billionaire has castsuspicion on voting in urban areas whereClinton enjoys strong backing from blackand Hispanic voters.

“Mr Trump, for example, has called outPhiladelphia as a place where he thinks theremight be fraud,” said Clopton. “I think there isvirtually no evidence of in-person voter fraudat all, but I guess the idea would be that itwould happen in a few places.” PresidentBarack Obama on Tuesday derided Trump’sattacks. “I have never seen in my lifetime or inmodern political history any presidential can-didate trying to discredit the elections andthe election process before votes have eventaken place. It’s unprecedented,” Obama said.“If, whenever things are going badly for youand you lose, you start blaming somebodyelse? Then you don’t have what it takes to bein this job,” he said.

While the risk of in-person fraud is seenas minimal, there are more serious con-cerns that hackers could pose a threat onElection Day-fuelled by recent intrusionsattributed to Russian hackers in voter regis-tration databases in Illinois and Arizona.Those incidents have spurred federalauthorities to offer local authorities theirexpertise in protecting their systemsagainst hackers. — AFP

‘Rigging’ election easier

said than done: Experts

COLORADO: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump arrives to speakat a rally at the Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. — AFP

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Russia opens new cathedral complex in Paris sans Putin

In this Friday, Oct 7, 2016 photo, Albanian teacher Liljana Luani teaches her student who asked not be identified, isolated in the family housefearing a blood feud vendetta in northern Albania. — AFP

SHKODRA: Where most people and evenpolice fear to set foot, Liljana Luani takes books,household supplies, and a lifetime of experi-ence on how to help families marked for mur-der. The 56-year-old school teacher fromShkodra in northern Albania uses her sparetime to travel to remote hillside villages wherechildren are trapped in a centuries-old traditionof blood feuds and hidden by their families. Theguard dogs recognize her and villagers barelyreact as she opens the metal gate and stepsinto a protected house. But the sense of dangeris constant.

“I am aware that my job is like walkingthrough land mines. If I slip somewhere my fami-ly will pay for it,” Luani told The Associated Press,speaking in the home of a young boy hiddenaway to protect him from a vendetta after givinghim a lesson in math, grammar and the ancientGreek tale of “The Odyssey.” “I am a teacher andteaching is not a profession for me. It’s a mission.”

While often related to criminal rivalry, gener-ation-spanning feuds in Albania stem from anancient code of conduct known as the Kanun, adetailed but primitive form of self-administra-tion. Typically only men are targeted or tasked totake revenge. But blood feuds, largely sup-pressed during Communism, have been revivedmainly in remote areas where the rule of law isperceived as weak. Victims are typically pursuedover years and eventually ambushed, gunneddown in the street, in a country awash with unli-censed weapons.

Cycle of reciprocal killings Police don’t report figures on the motives of

murders, but revenge killings are blamed fordozens of deaths every year. A cycle of recipro-cal killings may be started from a number ofcauses, including murder, causing accidentaldeath, land disputes, and making a grave falseaccusation. Women are generally exempt fromvendettas, allowing Luani to travel withoutbeing targeted or followed. But post-commu-nist revenge killings have occasionally strayedfrom traditional rules and the male blood-lineto include women, minors, multiple killings andthe use of assassins.

Luani says she is still haunted by the memoryof a teenage boy who insisted on attendingschool and was shot dead in an ambush. For thatreason, she doesn’t give specifics about the vic-tims she visits or why they are embroiled inblood feuds, because she’s scared that they willbe identified. AP journalists also met with someblood feud targets who asked not to be identi-fied for fear they would be found and killed. Ona typical weekday, she finishes classes, cooks athome for her family, and then sets off into whatlocals call the “Accursed Mountains,” steep andinhospitable, traveling by taxi van for up to anhour to reach the stranded children.

Several years ago, she helped start and sup-port a pioneer shelter school in southernAlbania, in some cases taking additional risks topersuade parents to let their kids travel. “Onthree or four occasions, I used my son as a guar-

antee to the families,” she said, noting that shetraveled with her son on some visits to familiesin hiding. “The school was a miracle, but it closedafter three years due to corruption in publicadministration.” She fought in court to have itreopened, insisting that private donations wassquandered through mismanagement byregional authorities. Despite winning the case,no action was taken.

‘They miss freedom’ Groups from civil society estimate that sever-

al thousand people, including young children,live in isolation due to the feuds. Treated bymany as outcasts, they often only venture out atnight to get firewood, food and other supplies.“Confined children do not grow up the way nor-mal children do,” Luani said. “They miss every-thing. They miss freedom. They grow up fearingthey will be killed or are focused on how to kill ...Imagine that life.”

On one recent visit, she called in on a rundownhouse where a 40-year-old woman stays with herthree teenage sons, aged 14 to 19. They use asmall yard to grow vegetables, and keep chickensand a cow. Neighbors and relatives providedsome assistance, while Luani persuaded the pow-er company to offer electricity at a discount. Thewoman’s husband is in jail for murder and thefamily is unaccustomed to visitors. The mothercried frequently, while the two older boys disap-pear into another room, apparently ashamed toadmit they never leave the house. — AP

Fearless teacher helps children

of Albania’s brutal blood feuds

Helping families marked for murder

THE HAGUE: International judges yesterdayfound former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba and four close aides guilty of brib-ing and corrupting witnesses in a bid to derail

his landmark war crimes trial. The case was“about the clear, and downright criminal behav-ior of the five accused... that resulted in seriousoffences against the administration of justice,”

judge Bertram Schmitt told the InternationalCriminal Court while handing down the verdict.“No legal system in the world can accept thebribing of witnesses, the inducement of witness-es to lie or the coaching of witnesses,” he toldthe five men, who were all present in the courtin The Hague.

Each of the men stood in turn and remainedimpassive as Schmitt pronounced them guilty ofmost charges, although there were acquittals onsome of the lesser charges against two of thedefendants. “Today’s judgment sends a clearmessage that the court is not willing to allow itsproceedings to be hampered or destroyed,”Schmitt said. And he further warned that thosewho sought to undermine the court would “notgo unpunished”.

Prosecutors charged that from his prison cell,the ex-rebel leader Bemba masterminded a net-work to bribe and manipulate at least 14defense witnesses to lie during his trial at ICCbased in The Hague. Bemba was sentenced inJune to 18 years in jail on five charges of warcrimes and crimes against humanity committedby his militia in Central African Republic. Oncethe powerful leader of the Congolese LiberationMovement (MLC) and a wealthy businessmanfrom the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bemba,53, remains behind bars in The Netherlands andis appealing his sentence. — AFP

Ex-Congo VP, aides guilty of

bribery in war crimes trial

PARIS: Some survivors froze and somewept when they returned to the Bataclanmusic hall in Paris this month, nearly ayear since they witnessed jihadist gun-men slay dozens of concertgoers. But allwere determined to face their fears at theplace where 90 people were shot dead onNovember 13 in the culmination of theIslamic State group’s slaughter of 130people across Paris.

“When I left the Bataclan, I imagined itas a bloodthirsty monster which wantedto consume me,” said Caroline Langlade,of the victims’ association Life for Paris. “Infact it ’s just a room with walls wheresomething tragic happened. It’s not thebuilding itself which is tragic,” she said.When the trio of jihadists brandishingKalashnikovs burst into a concert byCalifornian group the Eagles of DeathMetal, Langlade and around 40 otherpeople among the crowd of 1,500 barri-caded themselves in a room upstairs.

Returning for the first time 11 monthslater, she was astonished to find that thestaircase she had charged up in a terrifiedstate was not wooden and spiral as shehad recalled. “In fact, it was as it hasalways been-made of concrete and deadstraight,” she said. Another survivor, 28-year-old Maureen, who did not want togive her full name, had a similar sensa-tion: “The hall was not as I left it. Theemergency exit was only seven metersaway, but in my memory the distanceseemed infinite. “I went back there-Ididn’t have to, but it feels like a sort ofvictory over what we lived through thatday.” AFP spoke to survivors after a groupof 260 visited the Bataclan earlier thismonth. A smaller group of nearly 130 vis-ited in March.

Re-living the fear Florence Deloche-Gaudez, part of the

team of psychiatrists who have beenworking with survivors, said going backto the Bataclan had had a “calming effect”on many of them, despite the terriblememories it re-awakened. “It allowedthem to relive the event and feel thosesensations again-the noises, the smells,what it looked like, the fear,” she said.“Some froze while others were walkingaround, re-tracing the route they had tak-en that night.” The visit also gave sur-vivors a chance to talk to other survivors.“In many cases, that was the Bataclansecurity staff, who replied to their ques-tions,” the psychiatrist said. Such experi-ences “help them to feel less powerlessand to ease the trauma of experiencingdeath,” she added.

The survivors filed into the concert hallin groups of five or six and led to a spe-cially reserved area. Psychiatrists were onhand to assist them. Some of the sur-vivors stayed there for as long as an hour.A few people lit candles or left notes andflowers. The Bataclan will defiantly re-open for concerts in November, butdespite the building work the venue’smanagement said it had “tried to respectthe various requests from victims and torespond to them wherever possible”.Maureen said the visit had helped her.“When you do something like that, youdon’t know what good it is going to do.“When I came out, I felt calmer. It mightsound morbid to say so, but I felt ithelped in my rehabilitation.”

O ther sur vivors, l ike 37-year- oldAnthony, who also did not want to givehis full name, said he only wanted toreturn to the Bataclan under happiercircumstances. “I want to go back forconcerts and definitely not when I amsurrounded by v ic t ims,” he sa id.“Everyone has their own way of dealingwith it.” — AFP

Bataclan survivors confront fears

on return to Paris attack scene

PARIS: This file photo taken on November 14, 2015 shows People being evacuat-ed through rue Oberkampf near the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris, earlyon November 14, 2015. — AFP

PARIS: Russia unveiled a new state-financedOrthodox cathedral complex in a prime positionnear the Eiffel Tower in Paris yesterday withoutthe intended guest of honor, President VladimirPutin. He cancelled his trip last week after FrenchPresident Francois Hollande said Russia’s bomb-ing of the Syrian city of Aleppo could amount towar crimes.

In a statement from Moscow, Putin said themore than 100-million euro ($110 million) com-plex, built around the cathedral which has fivegolden domes, was a “visible testament to the cul-tural and human ties between France and Russia”.The theme was taken up by speakers at the low-key event yesterday, where Russian CultureMinister Vladimir Medinsky overlooked currenttensions to say the project was “testament to thesolidity of our bilateral relations.”

The Saint-Trinite cathedral, which will be conse-crated by the patriarch of the Russian Orthodoxchurch in December, sits on a prime location by the

river Seine and is a striking illustration of Kremlinsupport for its national church. It has raised eye-brows not only because its five giant cupolas cov-ered with 90,000 sheets of gold leaf rise up in frontof the Eiffel Tower when viewed from the surround-ing area. The project has also reportedly sparkedconcerns among France’s intelligence agenciesbecause of its proximity to nearby governmentbuildings, including the foreign ministry just ashort walk along the Seine.

Putin has given it strong political and financialbacking, acknowledging it was “very difficult” torealise but thanking France for its “continuous sup-port”. The Russian president has developed closebonds with the powerful Russian Orthodox church,whose patriarch Kirill has backed him personallyand his policies such as military intervention inSyria. “We thank President Putin in particular.Without his personal commitment, it would neverhave happened,” said bishop Antoine from thetown of Bogorodsk, who was representing patri-

arch Kirill at the ceremony. Only the cultural centrewas officially opened yesterday, but journalistswere allowed inside the cathedral for the first timeahead of its consecration on December 4.

Politics and religion The growing Orthodox community in France,

swelled by immigration from Russia as well as theMiddle East and the Balkans, is not united behindthe new cathedral, which will only be fully complet-ed in 2017. Antoine Arjakovsky, an Orthodox histo-rian in Paris, commented on the “strange and prob-lematic ambiguity” of the project, financed by atheoretically secular Russian state.

Speaking to AFP, he said it “mixes religion andpolitics a stone’s throw from the Elysee (presiden-tial palace) and the foreign ministry”. Paris alreadyhas an Orthodox cathedral, the Saint AlexandreNevsky built by the Russian community in 1861,but it is aligned with a different branch ofOrthodoxy based in Istanbul. Until 1931, it was

aligned with Moscow but has since refused toreturn, seeing the Russian church as more sociallyconservative and politicised.

“You could link this project to pastoral needs,but it also likely a desire by Russia to open a cultur-al and religious showpiece in Paris beyond itsembassy,” writer and Orthodox priest ChristopheLevalois told AFP. As well as opening at a difficulttime in Franco-Russian relations, the striking newplace of worship was unveiled as France engagesin a feverish debate about the role of religion inpublic life after a string of attacks by Islamicextremists. Last week, Hollande was quoted in abook as saying there was a “problem with Islam” inFrance because it required holy sites and recogni-tion. “It’s not Islam that poses a problem in thesense of its being a religion that is dangerous initself, but because it wants to assert itself as a reli-gion in the republic,” he was quoted as saying in:“Un president ne devrait pas dire ca” (“A presidentshouldn’t say this”). — AFP

LAGOS: A row between the NigerianPresident Muhammadu Buhari and hiswife has brought cracks in the rulingparty right into the open, as frustrationgrows over government inertia in try-ing to drag the country out of its firstrecession in 25 years. Aisha Buhari pub-licly criticized her husband’s record inoffice, saying she might not supporthim if he seeks re-election in 2019unless he shakes up his administration,which she said had been hijacked by a“few people”.

The president tried to laugh off therebuke from his wife of 27 years, saying“she belongs in the kitchen” - but with-out addressing the substance of herremarks, made last week in an interviewwith the BBC. The 73-year-old won lastyear’s election promising a new era inthe West African nation, where graft hasenriched an elite while most of the 180million Nigerians live in poverty despitethe OPEC member’s oil wealth.

Buhari came to power backed by hisAll Progressives Congress (APC) party, abroad coalition of politicians who unitedto remove his predecessor, GoodluckJonathan, without having a joint plan onhow to run the country. Now, 17 monthsinto office, there are few signs of Buhari’spromised reforms to diversify the econ-

omy away from exporting crude, pricesof which have halved since 2014.

Already the naira is down 35 percentthis year, making it one of the worstperforming currencies in the world, andthe National Bureau of Statistics fore-casts the economy will shrink by 1.3percent in 2016. But criticism of thegovernment goes beyond an apparentlack of urgency in tackling the econom-ic crisis. A belief is growing that poweris concentrated among Buhari’s chief ofstaff and an inner circle at the presiden-tial villa, making it difficult for ministersto get the attention of the president.

The First Lady is not alone in herviews. Senate President Bukola Saraki,the third most senior polit ician inNigeria, took to Twitter to express hisconcerns. “It has become clear thatthere is govt within govt of @MBuhariwho’ve seized apparatus of Executivepowers to pursue their nefarious agen-da,” he tweeted in June. Buhari ’sspokesmen decl ined to commentwhile the president himself hasdefended his economic record in gen-eral terms. “I believe that this recessionwill not last,” he said this month. “Wehave identified the country’s salientproblems and we are working hard atlasting solutions.” — Reuters

Buhari’s row with wife signals

Nigerian inertia frustrations

KINSHASA: A policeman walks in front of a police truck as the Congolese capital Kinshasa wasgripped by a strike called ‘Villes mortes’ (Dead cities) in a protest over plans by the presidentto stay in power beyond the end of his term in December. — AFP

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

KARACHI: Taleban officials and the Afghan gov-ernment have held new secret talks in Qataraimed at restarting peace negotiations to endthe country’s long war, three officials say, thoughquestions remain over which faction of theinsurgency is doing the talking. Talks betweenthe US-backed government in Kabul and themilitants fell apart in July 2015 after Afghan offi-cials announced the death years earlier of theinsurgency’s longtime leader, the Taleban’s one-eyed founder Mullah Mohammed Omar. In thetime since, a leadership struggle within its ranksbroke into the open and Omar’s successor waskilled in a US drone strike in Pakistan.

Now, the Taleban itself is denying the newtalks while its fighters continue to battle gov-ernment forces, suggesting another break with-in the insurgency. How much power that splin-ter group wields may prove to be the crucialquestion in how far this new effort goes. TheGuardian newspaper of Britain first reported onthe talks Tuesday, saying the first happened inSeptember and second this month in Doha, thecapital of Qatar. The small, natural-gas-richcountry on the Arabian Peninsula hosts aTaleban political office, whose earlier insistenceto fly the white flag of Taleban-ruledAfghanistan and use the term the “Islamic

Emirate of Afghanistan” derailed earlier peacetalks in 2013.

Long relationship A senior Pakistani intelligence official, who

spoke to The Associated Press on condition ofanonymity as he wasn’t authorized to release theinformation, said he was aware of recent meet-ings in Doha between “mid-level Taleban andAfghan officials.” He said a US official also attend-ed the meetings, though he did not knowspecifics of what was discussed as Pakistan didnot take part.

“We wish them a success in bringing peace inAfghanistan as peace in our neighbor is good forall,” the official said. Pakistan long has beenviewed with suspicion in neighboringAfghanistan over its intelligence services’ longrelationship with the Taleban. An Afghan gov-ernment official, who spoke to the AP on condi-tion of anonymity as the talks were supposed toremain secret, also confirmed the meetings tookplace, without elaborating.

Mohammad Haroon Chakhansuri, aspokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani,said in a statement that “despite the continuedfighting, we pursue different channels for peacetalks.” He declined to answer any questions

regarding the Doha talks. Qatar’s government,which also helped mediate the 2014 Talebanprisoner swap that freed US Army Sgt BoweBergdahl, did not respond to a request for com-ment. The US Embassy in Qatar declined to com-ment. Mark Toner, a deputy spokesman at theState Department in Washington, declined toanswer questions about the talks or identify theAmerican official who took part.

“We are committed to promoting a negotiat-ed settlement to end the Afghan conflict,” Tonersaid in a statement. News of the talks apparentlysparked confusion among the ranks of theTaleban. Zabihullah Mujahid, the insurgency’sspokesman, described reports of talks takingplace as “baseless news” as the Qatar office’schief did not take part. Another Taleban official,speaking on condition of anonymity as hewasn’t authorized to talk to journalists, con-firmed the talks took place and said that officechief’s absence from them reflected a continu-ing power struggle within the movement overwho should run the Qatar office. That likelycomes as part of larger questions about thegroup’s direction, years after the Sept 11, 2001,attacks and the subsequent US-led invasion ofAfghanistan over the Taleban harboring Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. — AP

Afghan government, Taleban

officials hold talks in QatarAimed at restarting peace negotiations

YANGON: The death toll from a ferrydisaster on a river in central Myanmarfour days ago has risen to nearly 50,officials said yesterday, with most ofthe deceased identified as womenand at least two dozen others stillmissing. The overloaded vessel,whose passengers included scores ofteachers and university students,went down early Saturday while itwas travelling on the Chindwin Riverin Sagaing region. Some 150 peoplewere rescued alive on that day butofficials believe the ship was carryingup to 250 passengers when it sank onits way to Monywa, a city around 72kilometers south.

“We have found altogether 48dead bodies so far,” said local MP TunTun Win, a jump up from the 32 peo-ple pronounced dead on Monday.“Many more could be dead,” he said,adding that local monks have begunleading memorial services for thedeceased. An official from the localrelief and resettlement department

said two thirds of the dead werewomen. At least 23 people — 17 ofwhom are women-are still missing,the off icial said, requestinganonymity.

One end of the brightly-paintedferry has been raised above the river’ssurface, with bloated bodies foundtrapped inside, but most of the vesselremains submerged. Yesterday res-cuers continued efforts to raise therest of the ship using cranes. “Theboat still can’t be lifted out (com-pletely),” Sa Willy Frient, the directorof the relief department, told yester-day morning. At least four of theboat’s staff have been arrested andwill face legal action, according tolocal authorities. Shipwrecks are com-mon in Myanmar, a mostly rural andpoor country with rudimentary trans-portation infrastructure. Many livingalong the nation’s flood-prone riversystems rely heavily on ferries, whichare often overcrowded and poorlymaintained. — AFP

Myanmar ferry disaster

Death toll nears 50

S Lanka exhumes body of

former spy over murder

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan police yesterday exhumed the body of a retiredarmy spy whose supposed suicide note claimed responsibility for the 2009murder of a prominent anti-establishment newspaper editor, a police offi-cer said. The 52-year-old former military intelligence officer was foundhanging at his home in central Sri Lanka five days ago and was buriedshortly afterwards, the senior police source said. But police now suspectthe suicide note found in his pocket at the time of his death may not begenuine and want to determine his link to any criminal activity that couldhave led to his murder.

“There had been lapses in the first autopsy and the body is exhumed tocarry out fresh forensic tests,” the officer told AFP on condition of anonymi-ty. “We are looking at his fingerprints to see if he had been involved in anycriminal activity.” Investigators have begun checking his phone recordsand bank accounts since his retirement nine years ago. Last month author-ities reopened the investigation into the January 2009 killing of EditorLasantha Wickrematunga, a fierce critic of the then-strongman presidentMahinda Rajapakse.

A serving military intelligence officer is already in custody in connectionwith Wickrematunga’s death, which sparked an international outcry andshone a spotlight on violence against the media. Last month authoritiesalso exhumed Wickrematunga’s body to conduct a fresh autopsy afterfears that forensic evidence may have been tampered with or falsified tomislead the investigation.

Wickrematunga was the chief editor of the Sunday Leader newspaperwhich had accused Rajapakse’s then-powerful defense secretary brotherGotabhaya of kickbacks in arms purchases, including an aircraft deal. Lastyear a former minister in Rajapakse’s government accused Gotabhaya ofrunning a death squad and ordering the hit against the editor. — AFP

Pakistan arrests two for

spreading IS propaganda

PESHAWAR: Police arrested two men suspected of distributingpamphlets for Islamic State (IS) following a raid in the northwesterncity of Peshawar, officials said yesterday, amid lingering fears thatthe Middle East militant group was making inroads in Pakistan. Lastmonth, the military said that it had stemmed Islamic State’sattempts to expand in the country, having arrested more than 300people suspected of plotting attacks against government, diplo-matic and civilian targets.

Following Tuesday’s raid, however, police in the capital of KhyberPakhtunkhwa province said militants were operating in parts ofPeshawar, including some from Islamic State. “Some of areas in theprovincial capital including Tehskal, Palosai, Charsadda Road and Regiare known for activities of militant groups such as IS,” police officialIshtiaq Ahmed told Reuters. Another police official, speaking on con-dition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media,said two other suspects managed to escape during the raid.

There are fears that some of Pakistan’s home-grown Sunni mili-tants could be drawn to Islamic State, as already seen in neighbor-ing Afghanistan. Pakistan has long suffered from sectarian violence,with Sunni militants targeting the country’s minority Shiites, as wellas non-Muslim religious minorities. In August, the official IslamicState news service claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at ahospital in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta that killed 74people. The attack, however, was also claimed by a breakaway fac-tion of the Pakistani Taleban, Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, which at one timehad declared support for Islamic State’s Middle East leadership, butlater switched back to the Taleban. — Reuters

DOHA: This June 18, 2013 file photo, shows a general view of the Taleban office before the official opening. — AP

In this photograph taken on October 18, 2016 rescue workers are seen on thesunken ferry partially lifted from the water near the river bank. — AFP

NEW DELHI: Myanmar is struggling to establishfull democracy after 50 years of military rule, defacto leader Aung San Suu Kyi said yesterdayfollowing a deadly military lockdown in restiveRakhine state. State media say security forceshave killed at least 29 people in a military crack-down after raids on guard posts along theBangladesh border which the governmentblamed on Islamist insurgents. The area is hometo many Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minori-ty in the overwhelmingly Buddhist country.

“We as a nation are struggling to make thedemocratic culture take root,” Suu Kyi toldreporters after meeting Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on her first official visit to NewDelhi. “We too have many challenges to face,but we are confident that these challenges canbe overcome because our people are deter-mined to overcome them.” Suu Kyi won a his-toric election victory last year and her adminis-tration is managing a difficult transition from amilitary-run pariah nation to full-fledgeddemocracy.

After spending much of the last few decadesunder arrest, she is now officially foreign minis-ter and self-appointed state counsellor-a roleakin to prime minister. But her country remainsriven with ethnic and religious violence and shehas disappointed some of her supporters byrefusing publicly to recognize the Rohingya aslegal citizens. Tens of thousands of stateless

Rohingya have spent the past four yearstrapped in bleak displacement camps with lim-ited access to health care and other basic servic-es. Suu Kyi said her country had suffered from alack of peace and stability for many decades

and looked to neighboring India for help indeveloping as a democracy. Modi said India,which strongly supported Suu Kyi during hertime in opposition, stood “shoulder to shoulder”with Myanmar. — AFP

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hand with Myanmar StateCounsellor Aung San Suu Kyi before a meeting. — AFP

India offers Myanmar’s Suu Kyi

help in energy and agriculture

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

BANGKOK: Thai “cyber-scouts” have flaggedscores of websites for alleged royal defamationsince the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadejand are monitoring all communication chan-nels, a junta official said yesterday. A crack-down on perceived royal insults has beenenforced following the king’s death lastThursday, which has plunged the nation intomourning for a beloved monarch.

Thailand’s monarchy is protected by a dra-conian lese majeste law that outlaws criticismand muzzles detailed discussion on themonarchy-including by all media based inThailand. Surveillance by authorities is routinebut appears to have been stepped up. Therehave also been vigilante actions by pockets ofroyalist hardliners. Police say they have openeda dozen cases under Section 112 — the broad-ly worded royal defamation law that carries upto 15 years in jail for each infringement-sincethe king died aged 88. But the number mayrise as authorities scour the internet forinfringements of the law.

“During this time we have centers to moni-tor 24 hours a day,” Prajin Jantong, a deputyprime minister, told reporters. “We are moni-toring all channels, websites, all communica-tion channels including LINE,” he added, refer-ring to the messaging app widely used byThais. On October 14 officials found 52 web-sites deemed to have broken the law and thefollowing day 61 websites were flagged, hesaid, adding “some were closed” using specialpowers granted to the junta.

“When (the public) sees these kinds of

website, they should inform authorities anddo not like or share them,” Prajin said, addingsome of the sites were hosted outside thecountry. Prosecutions for lese majeste havesurged under the military which seized powertwo years ago, with record-breaking sen-tences handed down in some cases. Criticssay the junta has largely targeted its politicalopponents.

Witch-hunt Thais have been overwhelmingly dignified

in grief following the king’s death, with peopledonning black and so far abiding by an orderto “tone down” the country’s nightlife andentertainment. But concerns about a lesemajeste witch-hunt have grown since theking’s death. Five videos have emerged ofangry mobs beating people alleged to haveinsulted the monarchy. In the latest example ofmob justice, a live broadcast on Facebook onTuesday morning showed a man dragged,kicked and forced to prostrate himself in frontof a portrait of the king for allegedly insultingthe monarchy in a social media post.

The same day Justice Minister PaiboonKoomchaya urged Thais to “socially sanction”those who defame the monarchy, pledging totrack down “those people who violate the law”.But on Wednesday the junta sent a more con-ciliatory message. “The Prime Minister (PrayutChan-O-Cha) is upset over attacking clips,” jun-ta spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd toldreporters. “By attacking people it damages ourimage in the eyes of foreigners,” he said. —AFP

Thailand steps up

its web surveillance

MANILA: Protesters lie on the ground after being hit by a police van during arally in front of the US embassy. —AFP

MANILA: A Philippine police van rammedinto protesters, leaving several bloodied,as an anti-US rally turned violent yesterdayat the American Embassy in Manila. Atleast three student activists were taken toa hospital after they were run over by thevan driven by a police officer, protestleader Renato Reyes said.

Associated Press TV footage showed thevan repeatedly ramming the protesters asit drove wildly back and forth after activistssurrounded and started hitting the vehiclewith wooden batons they seized frompolice. In front of horrified crowds, includ-ing video journalists and photographers,the van suddenly charged backward thensprinted forward twice over a space ofabout 20 meters (60 feet), barrelingthrough the scattered protesters andhurtling some to the side like bowlingpins. A few were run over but somehowmanaged to stand.

Some screamed in surprise, othershurled stones at the van and yelled invec-tives. A speaker called the police “puppiesof imperialists” on a loudspeaker. “Therewas absolutely no justification for it,” Reyessaid of the violent police dispersal of about1,000 protesters. “Even as the presidentvowed an independent foreign policy,Philippine police forces still act as runningdogs of the US.”

‘US troops out now’Police lobbed tear gas and arrested at

least 23 protesters who broke through aline of riot police and hurled red paint atthe officers and a US government seal atthe start of the rally at the seaside embassycompound. A firetruck doused the rowdyprotesters with water to push them back,

but they took hold of the water hose andconfronted the outnumbered police withrocks and red paint. After breakingthrough the police corridor, they scribbled“US troops out now” and other slogans atthe embassy’s tall fence with red paint.

The protesters, consisting of students,workers and tribespeople, were demand-ing an end to the presence of visiting UStroops in the Philippines and to support acall by President Rodrigo Duterte for a for-eign policy not dependent on the US, thecountry’s longtime treaty ally. The activistscame from the largest left-wing umbrellagroup called Bayan (Nation), which hasorganized regular anti-US protests in frontof the embassy for decades, most of whichare peaceful.

Duterte was on a state visit to China,where he is seeking to repair relationsstrained under his predecessor over terri-torial conflicts in the South China Sea. He isalso seeking to expand two-way trade andinvestments and financing for badly need-ed infrastructure projects. Amid an uneasyrelationship with the US, Duterte has triedto reach out to China and Russia, bringinguncertainty to his country’s long alliancewith America.

But the protesters also opposed thepresident’s effort to lean toward China.“The Philippines will not be dictated on,whether by the US or China,” they said in astatement. The Philippine National Policedid not comment immediately yesterday.The violence happened as the police andDuterte are under increased internationalscrutiny for their alleged role in the killingsof thousands of drug suspects and pushersas part of the president’s war on illegaldrugs. —AP

Philippine police van rams

protesters at US Embassy

HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s legislatureagain descended into chaos yesterday aspro-Beijing politicians blocked theswearing in of two new lawmakers whowant a split from China, in an increasing-ly divided parliament. It comes as fearsgrow in the semi-autonomous city thatBeijing is tightening its grip, fuelling anindependence movement in Hong Kong.Yesterday saw rival lawmakers clash in aheated shouting match after the pro-Beijing camp walked out of the swear-ing-in session.

The walkout led to the meeting beingcancelled, preventing pro-independencelawmakers Yau Wai-ching and BaggioLeung from taking the oath that wouldallow them to take up their seats. In theensuing confrontations one veteran pro-democracy legislator threw slices ofluncheon meat at his opponents while

another was surrounded by securityafter turning China and Hong Kong flagsdisplayed on pro-Beijing lawmakers’desks upside-down.

Meanwhile, pro-Beijing lawmakerschanted “Apologise!”, demanding Yauand Leung say sorry for their failure totake the oath properly at last week’sswearing-in ceremony. The pair hadtheir oaths rejected last Wednesdayafter they draped themselves in “HongKong is not China” flags. The oath statesHong Kong is a special administrativeregion of China.

Both refused to pronounce Chinaproperly, and Yau was heard to replacethe words “the People’s Republic ofChina” with “the People’s ref*****g ofZeena”. They were given permission toretake their oaths Wednesday, but thesession was abandoned after the pro-

Beijing walkout left an insufficient num-ber of legislators in the chamber. “If theywant people to respect their oaths, theyhave to express regret over their behav-ior last week and to apologize to allChinese around the world,” pro-Beijinglawmaker Priscilla Leung told reporters.

Hundreds of pro-Beijing supporterswaved Chinese flags and stamped onpictures of the two outspoken lawmak-ers outside the legislative council build-ing. The pair said they wanted to com-plete their oaths, but would not apolo-gize for last week’s behavior. “We areempowered by the people to enter theLegco,” Baggio Leung said.

Court challenge The former British colony was hand-

ed back to China in 1997 under anagreement protecting its freedoms for

50 years, but there are concerns thoseliberties are being eroded. Leung andYau are part of a new wave of lawmak-ers advocating independence and self-determination who won seats in theLegislative Council (Legco) — HongKong’s lawmaking body-in citywidepolls last month. Five legislators, includ-ing the pair, had their oaths rejected atlast week’s swearing in.

Of those five, one pro-Beijing law-maker and one pro-democracy lawmak-er, whose oaths were declared invalidthe first time round, were allowed toretake them Wednesday morning. TheBeijing camp then walked out, forcingthe session to be abandoned before Yau,Leung and pro-democracy teacher LauSiu-lai, who read her oath at a snail’space last week, took the stand. Thechaotic scenes came after a late-night

court bid Tuesday by city leader LeungChun-ying and justice secretary RimskyYuen to block Yau and Baggio Leungfrom taking up their seats.

That went directly against a decisionby the pro-Beijing president of Legco,who had already given the green lightfor them to have a second chance at theoath. The court refused to grant aninjunction against Wednesday’s oath-taking, but gave permission for a judicialreview into whether the pair should bedisqualified, putting their future as law-makers into question. In a separate caseWednesday, former pro-democracy law-maker Raymond Wong was convicted ofthrowing a glass at city leader LeungChun-ying inside the Legco in 2014.Wong, 64, was convicted of commonassault and will be sentenced onTuesday, local media reported. —AFP

HK independence lawmakers blocked from taking oath

BEIJING: Visiting PhilippinePresident Rodrigo Duterte hadpraise for China yesterday, settingaside a maritime dispute as thecombative leader reconfigures hiscountry’s diplomatic alliances. TheAsian giant was “good”, he said. “Ithas never invaded a piece of mycountry all these generations,”Duterte added in an apparent com-parison to the Philippines’ formercolonial ruler the United States.“During the Cold War, China wasportrayed as the bad guy,” he added.“And all of these years, what wehave read in our books in schoolwere all propaganda produced bythe West.”

Duterte is in China for a four-daytrip that is expected to confirm his

tilt away from Washington andtowards Beijing’s sphere of influ-ence. Foreign policy under Dutertehas dramatically shifted from thatpursued under predecessorBenigno Aquino, who took Beijingto an international tribunal over itsextensive territorial claims in theSouth China Sea and won aresounding victory.

The move infuriated Beijing. ButDuterte, who took office in Juneshortly before the tribunal ruling,has made a point of not flauntingthe outcome, even though Chinaseized Scarborough Shoal-a fishingground within the Philippines’exclusive economic zone-in 2012.The judgment, Duterte said, was “apiece of paper with four corners”.

“The arbitral award gives us theright. China has the historical right.And they’re insisting. In this situa-tion, do we argue, or do we justtalk? I would say, let us put it (off) tosome other day.”

As Duterte has cozied up toBeijing, he has repeatedlydenounced the United States andPresident Barack Obama for criticiz-ing his deadly war on crime. He hasalso suspended joint US-Philippinepatrols in the South China Sea, andhas threatened an end to joint mili-tary exercises. The South China Seais of intense interest to Washingtonand it has repeatedly spoken out onthe various territorial disputesbetween China and its neighborsover the strategically vital waters.

Rising tensions Tensions have risen between the

US and China over Washington’s so-called “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific, amove that Beijing says is intended tocontain it. Duterte will meet top lead-ers including President Xi Jinpingand Premier Li Keqiang during hisstay. Hours before he spoke, Chineseforeign ministry spokeswoman HuaChunying told a regular briefing thatBeijing was pleased to move towardsresolving the territorial dispute“through consultation and dialogue”.

“This is how two friendly neigh-bors should treat each other,” sheadded. “Anyone who truly wishes forpeace, stability, development andprosperity in the Asia Pacific” shouldwelcome Duterte’s visit. In an editori-al yesterday, China’s nationalistGlobal Times newspaper saidWashington had treated Manila “as apawn”, adding Duterte was now“redesigning Philippine foreign poli-cy based on Philippine interests”.Duterte has said his China trip willfocus on promoting economic ties.

The Philippines is hoping, amongother things, that Beijing will repeala ban on imports of its bananas-aneconomic sanction intended to pun-ish Manila for its South China Seastance. Hua said Wednesdayannouncements on infrastructurecooperation and economic develop-ment projects could be expectedduring the Philippine leader’s visit.Beijing has also enthusiasticallyendorsed Duterte’s war on drugs,which has seen more than 3,700people killed and led theInternational Criminal Court to warnthat those responsible could facecharges. Hua praised Duterte yester-day for “rolling out policies to ensuresocial order and public security”,adding that the two sides werealready in close communicationabout cooperating on drug controland anti-crime issues. —AFP

Duterte praises China ‘Criticism all propaganda produced by the West’

BEIJING: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses members of the Philippine community. —AP

MANILA: Millions of people in thePhilippines were on high alert yesterday forone of the strongest typhoons to ever hitthe disaster-battered country, with authori-ties warning of giant storm surges anddestructive winds. Super Typhoon Haimawas forecast to hit remote communities inthe far north of the country about 11:00 pm(1500 GMT ) yesterday, bringing windsalmost on a par with catastrophic SuperTyphoon Haiyan that claimed more than7,350 lives in 2013.

“It’s not just heavy rain and strong windsthat we are expecting. It’s also floods, land-slides and storm surges in coastal areas.Those in these areas, you are in danger. Findsafer ground,” Allan Tabel, chief of the interi-or ministry’s disaster and information coor-dinating centre, told a nationally televisedbriefing. With Haima having a weather bandof 800 kilometers more than 10 million peo-ple across the northern parts of thePhilippines’ main island of Luzon will beaffected, according to the government’s dis-aster risk management agency. Haima wasapproaching the Philippines with sustainedwinds of 225 kilometers an hour and gustsof 315 kilometers an hour, according to thestate weather bureau. Authorities warnedcoastal communities to expect storm surgesof five meters or higher.

“It’s already started. The wind is strong,the waves are big,” said Julie Hermano, man-ager of a small resort in Santa Ana, a coastaltown of about 30,000 people that is in thetyphoon’s direct path. “Some residents havebeen panic-buying food in markets becausewe were told it ’s going to be a supertyphoon. We’ve already tied down our watertank and prepared our (power) generatorset.” The Philippine islands are often the firstmajor landmass to be hit by storms that gen-erate over the Pacific Ocean. The SoutheastAsian archipelago endures about 20 majorstorms each year, many of them deadly.

The most power ful and deadly wasHaiyan, which destroyed entire towns inheavily populated areas of the centralPhilippines. “We are possibly dealing with atyphoon that is even stronger than TyphoonYolanda (as Haiyan was known in thePhilippines) in 2013. We must thereforebrace ourselves for the possible effects of a

typhoon of this magnitude,” governmentexecutive secretary Salvador Medialdea saidin a statement. “We call on all governmentagencies to be on highest level of prepared-ness and to take all necessary precautions.”

In the northern regions expected to beworst hit, tens of thousands of peoplesought refuge in schools and other

makeshift evacuation centers as authori-ties raised the highest typhoon alert of“signal five”. Flights to the north were alsosuspended and schools were closed. ThePhilippine capital of Manila is about 450kilometers south of where Haima is fore-cast to make landfall. Authorities said thecity, with about 12 million people, was not

expec ted to be badly hit a l though i twould be hit with some rain. Haima wasforecast to exit the Philippines Friday,then track towards southern China. Haimais the second typhoon to hit the northernPhilippines in a week, after Sarika claimedat least one l ife and left three peoplemissing. —AFP

Millions in Philippines on

alert for super typhoon

BAGUIO CITY: A resident holding his pet cats sits in a temporary shelter, after localauthorities ordered a pre-emptive evacuation of affected residents hours beforeSuper Typhoon Haima is forecast to hit. —AFP

N E W STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Continued from Page 1

Sheikh Malek said he is determined to fight the electionbattle until the end and is ready for any outcome.

The first day of registration did not see the return ofopposition groups that had boycotted polls since Dec2012, but at least two former opposition MPs - MarzouqAl-Hubaini and Fahd Al-Khanna - registered as candidates.At least 14 of the 50 members of the dissolved Assemblyfiled yesterday for re-election. They include the three out-going Cabinet ministers Ali Al-Omair, Yaqoub Al-Sane andEssa Al-Kandari. They also include Jamal Al-Omar, SaadounHammad, Faisal Al-Duwaisan, Yousef Al-Zalzalah andAbdullah Al-Turaiji.

A large number of candidates blasted the outgoingAssembly as weak and for having passed several unconsti-tutional legislations like the DNA law. Candidate Hamad Al-Tuwaijri said the outgoing Assembly failed to protect theinterests of the Kuwaiti people. Former MP Emad Al-Mutawa said the coming election is crucial and the next

Assembly will be a “tough” one. Former MP Roudhan Al-Roudhan acknowledged that the people were upset bythe Assembly and expected an up to 70 percent turnover.

Many candidates expected economic issues to top theelection campaigns, which will start next week. FormerMP Faisal Al-Kandari said any economic reform must notbe at the expense of the Kuwaiti people, “not now andnot any time in the future”. Former liberal MP Rakan Al-Nasef said the Assembly needs political groups to defendthe interests of the people. Former MP and ministerAhmad Al-Mulaifi said the country is experiencing a situ-ation that pleases no one, especially after corruptionreached the Assembly, after it was limited to the govern-ment in the past.

Deputy director of the election department Col SalahAl-Shatti said there are 483,186 eligible voters, of whom252,756 or 52.3 percent are women and 230,430 voters or47.7 percent are men. Candidate registration will end onOct 28 and the coming few days are expected to witnessthe return of a large number of leading opposition figures.

Amir instructs premier to re-examine DNA...

Continued from Page 1

At present, expatriates must pay KD 50 per year forhealth insurance before they can renew their residen-cies. This allows them basic services in the publichealthcare system including polyclinics and govern-ment hospitals. Expatriates are also required to payadditional fees for a variety of medical procedures,especially surgeries, hospital stays and radiology exami-nations. Expatriates also pay KD 1 for each visit to publicclinics and KD 2 to casualty sections at hospitals.

Under the ministry of health’s law No. 1/1999 per-taining with health insurance for foreigners, obtainingmedical insurance is obligatory in order to issue orrenew a resident’s visa. Therefore, the KD 130 insurancefee will become mandatory according to the same law.There has been debate in the past that the governmentshould give expats the choice of buying health insur-ance plans from private insurance companies.

The Health Insurance Hospitals Company was estab-lished according to the public-private-partnership (PPP)model with a KD 230 million capital, and the govern-ment owns 24 percent of its shares, while 26 percent isowned by strategic investor Arabi Holding Group. Theremaining 50 percent will be offered in an initial publicoffering at a later date.

Furthermore, most expats are likely not going to findthe option of buying insurance policies from privatecompanies financially feasible as well. The averagemonthly salary for expat workers in the private sector is

KD 255 according to official statistics, while the mini-mum average cost for private health insurance inKuwait reaches KD 140 a year, and goes up the older thebuyer is.

The idea to establish expat-exclusive hospitals cameafter the government decided it was the best solutionto the problem of its heavily overcrowded public med-ical facilities. The current health sector’s capacity is7,000 beds in public hospitals and 1,000 in private hos-pitals, with an average of three beds for every 10,000 inKuwait, Dr Mohammad Al-Khashti, the ministry ofhealth’s assistant undersecretary for private medicalservices, said during the launch of the 2nd KuwaitConference for Insurance and Investment in the HealthSector on Tuesday. The ministry hopes to increase thecapacity to 15,000 by 2020, he added. The ministry isalso expected later this year to open the Jaber Hospital -a nearly 1,200-bed public hospital billed as the largesthospital in the Middle East - which will be exclusively forKuwaitis.

Meanwhile, the three planned hospitals for expatri-ates will have a bed capacity of 700 each, and will bebuilt in Ahmadi, Jahra and Farwaniya governorates.They will serve only around two million expatriatesworking in the private sector, while non-Kuwaiti publicsector employees and domestic helpers (nearly onemillion) are either going to continue to be treated atpublic hospitals or through an alternative health plan,likely at private medical facilities via a mechanism tobe decided later.

Kuwait inches closer to expat only...

Continued from Page 1

GCC countries had to cut back their spending “one wayor another” over the next five years and find ways of raisingnon-oil revenues, he said.

The IMF regional chief said economic growth in the GCCas a whole was expected to be at just under two percent in2016. Next year would see a “modest improvement,” risingto between two and 2.5 percent. Saudi Arabia would grow1.2 percent this year, down from 3.5 percent in 2015, whileKuwait and Qatar’s economies would expand by 2.5 per-cent and 2.6 percent respectively. The UAE, which has beenahead of its Gulf peers in diversifying its economy, wouldsee growth of 2.3 percent this year.

Record-high oil prices in the past few years haveallowed GCC economies to expand rapidly, and govern-ments were able to invest heavily on infrastructure proj-ects. But the drop in oil revenues pushed these govern-ments to shelve many of them. GCC countries also took thepreviously unthinkable measure of cutting energy subsi-dies. “Now we’re getting into some of the more difficultareas, such as looking at the public sector wage bill,” saidAhmed, pointing out that it amounts to a large part ofexpenditure in some GCC countries.

Saudi Arabia announced last month new drastic austeri-ty measures, cutting salaries of cabinet ministers by 20 per-cent, slashing perks for the 160 members of the consulta-tive council and limiting overtime pay and allowances for

civil servants. Its measures represent one of the ways forGCC countries “to address this issue of how to bring theirbudgets into balance,” said Ahmed. “We think these are notgoing to be easy measures to implement but they are nec-essary and they have to be undertaken to try and get to amore sustainable budget,” he said.

In the longer term, GCC countries should aim to cuttheir wage bills through encouraging nationals to seekjobs in the private sector “rather than automatically think-ing that their future lies in the public sector,” Ahmed said.The private sector in most GCC countries is run by expatri-ates, who represent the majority of the population in someof these states, while nationals opt for cushy, well-paidpublic sector jobs.

“Over two million young people are going to comeinto the labor market over the next couple of years inthe GCC,” said Ahmed, highlighting the need for a “com-petitive private sector” that could create jobs. As fordiversifying revenues, the IMF official praised GCC coun-tries’ collective agreement to levy a value-added tax ofaround five percent in 2018, arguing that VAT would notturn away expatriate workers now lured by the tax-freeenvironment. “My own view is that a five-percent value-added tax is not going to be the reason why peopledecide or not to stay or work in those countries,” saidAhmed. “It is really a much bigger package they arelooking at,” he said, citing lifestyle and professionalopportunities. — AFP

Spending cuts a must despite oil recovery...

Continued from Page 1

cleansing - it cannot be accepted.” Speaking on the eve ofthe launch of the battle for second city Mosul, Azzawi, askedif there is any reason for hope in Iraq, responds simply: “No,none at all. This is the scenario, the scenario of destruction.”

A former officer in the Iraqi army, he left his homeland in1976. Now living in London, he has not been back to Iraqsince 1980 and says he refuses to visit. “It is two hours fromhere,” he says. “I go back and I accept what’s going on. I can-

not accept.” He adds: “I am not saying Saddam (Hussein) wasfantastic, no. But we have now 100 Saddams.”

The exhibition is curated by Catherine David of Paris’Pompidou Centre and runs until April 2017. Azzawi says it is“a privilege” to see much of his work once again. “I haven’tseen some of them for 30 or 40 years, certainly I can see mylife in a way. It gives me a little bit of help to ask some ques-tions whether I am right or not.” Azzawi said he with thegrowing global stature of Arab artists, he would like to hold asimilar exhibition in London. — AFP

Top Iraqi artist warns of ‘scenario...

Continued from Page 1

Light skin and eyes are the attribute of many Pashtuns, tribalinhabitants of northwest Pakistan and southern Afghanistan,romanticized as warriors by the British. Others expressed con-cern about the risk of exploitation of a young man so littlearmed for success. A local brand was quick to publish picturesof him, but Khan said he has not signed any modelling contract.

The third of 17 children, Khan has never been to school. He

said he hoped his newfound fame would allow him to “moveforward”. Vegetable seller Saeed Ahmed worked in the marketalongside Khan. “His eyes were so beautiful that we used tomake fun of him and call him ‘cat eyes’,” he told AFP. “But we nev-er even thought that he would one day become famous likethis.” Indian newspapers were the first to seize on the “Cinderellastory”, bringing frivolity to recent tensions between the rivalneighbors with tweets calling Khan a “nuclear bomb”. “I send amessage of peace to my Indian fans,” Khan said. -— AFP

‘Cat-eyed’ tea seller sparks soul searching

FRANKFURT: The search for life on Mars took a giant leap yesterdaywhen a space lander touched down on the red planet in Europe’s firstattempt to land a craft there since the Beagle 2’s “heroic failure” morethan a decade ago. The disc-shaped 577-kg Schiaparelli lander, which istesting technologies for a rover due to follow in 2020, landed on Marsafter a risky descent, but scientists are still waiting to find out whatshape it is in.

During the six minutes descent to the surface, it used a parachuteand thrusters to slow from a speed of nearly 21,000 km per hour. “Wehave to wait a little bit to see what happens with the test lander. But this(mission) is already a success so far,” European Space Agency (ESA)Director General Jan Woerner said at ESA’s Space Operations Centre inDarmstadt, Germany.

The lander is named for Giovanni Schiaparelli, the Italian astronomerwho in 1877 began mapping the topography of Mars, extending studyof what are now known as the planet’s canals, a mistranslation of theItalian word canali, or channels. “Mars has already inspired people forcenturies,” ESA’s Woerner told Reuters TV.

Schiaparelli is part of the European-Russian ExoMars programme,which will search for signs of past and present life on Mars and repre-sents only the second European attempt to land a craft on the red plan-et. Britain’s Beagle 2 was ejected from the Mars Express spacecraft in2003 but never made contact after failing to deploy its solar panels uponlanding. At the time it was dubbed “a heroic failure”.

Landing on Mars, Earth’s neighbor some 56 million km away, is anotoriously difficult task that has bedevilled most Russian efforts andgiven NASA trouble as well. A seemingly hostile environment on Mars

has not detracted from its allure, with US President Barack Obamarecently highlighting his pledge to send people to the planet by the2030s. Entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX is developing a massive rocketand capsule to transport large numbers of people and cargo to Marswith the ultimate goal of colonising the planet, with Musk saying hewould like to launch the first crew as early as 2024.

Life on MarsThe primary goal of ExoMars is to find out whether life has ever exist-

ed on Mars. The spacecraft on which the Schiaparelli lander travelled toMars, Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), carries an atmospheric probe to studytrace gases such as methane around the planet. Scientists believe thatmethane, a chemical that on Earth is strongly tied to life, could stem frommicro-organisms that either became extinct millions of years ago and leftgas frozen below the planet’s surface, or that some methane-producingorganisms still survive. “If there is life in our solar system beyond Earth,then Mars is the most interesting planet,” ESA’s Woerner said.

The second part of the ExoMars mission, delayed to 2020 from 2018, willdeliver a European rover to the surface of Mars. It will be the first with theability to both move across the planet’s surface and drill into the ground tocollect and analyze samples. The ExoMars 2016 mission is led by theEuropean Space Agency (ESA), with Russia’s Roscosmos supplying thelauncher and two of the four scientific instruments on the trace gas orbiter.The prime contractor is Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thalesand Finmeccanica. The cost of the ExoMars mission to ESA, including thesecond part due in 2020, is expected to be about 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 bil-lion). Russia’s contribution comes on top of that. — Reuters An artist’s impression yesterday shows the Schiaparelli module on the surface of

Mars. — AP

Mars lander makes risky

touchdown on red planet

Simultaneous attacks on the Islamic State-held citiesof Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa, the de facto capital of themilitant group’s self-proclaimed caliphate across the

border in Syria, would make military sense: such assaultswould make it harder for the extremists to move reinforce-ments and deny them a safe haven. When preparing forthe Mosul operations this summer, US officials said a pushagainst IS in Raqqa could be almost simultaneous, puttingadditional pressure on the group by stretching its ability todefend two strongholds at once.

While the long-awaited Mosul offensive began earlierthis week, there’s no sign of an imminent campaignagainst Raqqa. Perhaps that’s because Syria is proving tobe a more daunting terrain than Iraq. Going after IS-heldRaqqa would mean moving deeper into an explosive mixof regional and international rivalries, including a proxywar that has pitted the United States against Russia andits allies.

The fight against IS in northeastern Syria also under-lines a US reliance on its one effective partner there -Syria’s Kurds. Such an alliance for a Raqqa campaignthreatens to ignite a new conflict, with another US part-ner, NATO member Turkey, and its allied Syrian rebels. InIraq, the US offers logistical and other support for the mil-itary in its fight against IS. In Syria, Washington viewsPresident Bashar Assad’s government as illegitimate andcannot partner with him.

Even if IS were to be driven out of Raqqa, finding some-one to administer the city would be problematic, saidNoah Bonsey, a Syria expert with the International CrisisGroup think tank. Mosul is the largest city under IS control,with an estimated population of up to one million and nomore than 10,000 fighters. Oil-rich Raqqa is home to near-ly 200,000 people, most Sunni Arabs, and an estimated5,000 militants.

Bonsey said retaking Raqqa is key to defeating IS mili-tarily, a US priority, but that among the warring factions inSyria “everybody else has other geostrategic interests thattake higher priority.” In recent weeks, US-led coalitionairstrikes targeted half a dozen bridges in Syria’s largely IS-controlled Deir el-Zour province between Raqqa and theIraqi border. The strikes were aimed at cutting the roadbetween Iraq and Syria for fleeing militants.

Activist Hussam Eesa reported increased IS activity inRaqqa, including more night-time checkpoints, and saidsome wounded and IS families arrived from Mosul beforethe start of the offensive. He said there was no sign of pan-ic in Raqqa. Most fortifications in Raqqa, such as trenches,were built long ago, said Eesa, who is not in the city andwhose group, Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently, relies onleaked reports from residents.

RefugeRaqqa could serve as a refuge for IS fighters fleeing

Mosul, even if roads are harder to access, said JenniferCafarella of the Washington-based Institute for the Studyof War. Retreating fighters could also hide among fleeingcivilians, or travel in small groups to evade coalition air-craft, she said. Others could withdraw to desert areasbetween Syria and Iraq for staging future attacks.

Since the summer’s discussions in Washington about apossible double-strike against IS, Turkey has entered thefray. Starting in August, Ankara has backed Syrian opposi-tion fighters with tanks and aircraft. This has complicatedplanning for a possible Raqqa campaign and threatenedAmerica’s main ally on the ground, the Kurds. The rivalriesare dangerous because IS is deft at exploiting divisionsamong its enemies, said Cafarella.

Kurdish fighters, mostly the well-trained and highlyorganized People’s Protection Units, or YPG, have been theUS partner in the anti-IS fight in Syria since 2015 when theyfreed the town of Kobani. In return for leading the battlefor Raqqa, the Kurds demand to be armed by the US and towin political recognition of their right to self-rule.

That would enrage Ankara, which considers the SyrianKurdish forces as an offshoot of its domestic rebels itdeems a terrorist group. Cafarella said directly arming theKurdish forces would simplify logistics during planning fora major offensive. But the potential for direct confrontationbetween the Kurds and Turkish and Ankara-backed Syrianforces “would cause a huge ripple in the strategy” andwould be difficult for the US to mitigate while conductinga major operation on the Iraqi side, she said.

Ilham Ahmed, a senior Syrian Kurdish official who was inWashington last month, claimed that preparations byKurdish-led forces for such an offensive are in their finalphase, suggesting US recognition and arming are a matterof time. She did not provide details. Fighting elsewhere inSyria has further complicated the situation, including aTurkish push in the northern Aleppo province and a bid forAl-Bab, an IS-run town in the area. The Kurds are also vyingfor control of Al-Bab, in hopes of connecting separate can-tons they hold along the Syrian border with Turkey.

‘Terror-Free Zone’Meanwhile, Turkish troops and Syrian rebels argue that

by advancing on Al-Bab, they can break the Syrian govern-ment’s hold on the rebel-held besieged city of Aleppo city,30 km to the west, while also denying the Kurds their con-tinuous territory. “Both actors want to grab more territoryto prevent the other from grabbing more territory andboth want to improve the depth and breadth of coordina-tion with the US against the interest of the other,” Bonseysaid. Since August, Turkey-backed efforts have driven ISmilitants and Kurdish rebels from a large swath along theborder. The aim, Ankara said, is to set up an even larger“terror-free zone” of as much as 5,000 sq km inside Syria,trampling on the Kurdish aspirations. — AP

A N A L Y S I STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

THE LEADING INDEPENDENTDAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF

ESTABLISHED 1961

Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN

Editor-in-ChiefABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN

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All articles appearing on these pages arethe personal opinion of the writers. KuwaitTimes takes no responsibility for viewsexpressed therein. Kuwait Times invitesreaders to voice their opinions. Please sendsubmissions via email to: opinion@kuwait-times.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the rightto edit any submission as necessary.

Issues

With coup defeated,

Erdogan eyes vote

on revamped powers

From Mosul to Raqqa? A complex, risky battle

They show what we like, reveal whowe’ve been with and flag where weare going. Social networks offer win-

dows into people’s lives, and exploitingthose insights is big business - with somesounding the alarm over the ever-growingintrusion from corporations and govern-ments alike. “There is a thin line of differ-ence between surveillance of individualsand monitoring for research purposes,”Gartner analyst Jenny Sussin told AFP.

Even when espionage is not the originalgoal, nothing prevents someone from cre-ating streams of Twitter posts based onwhere information is shared or who isdoing the sharing. Twitter and Facebooklast week revoked data access for an analyt-ics firm which, according to a civil libertiesgroup, helped law enforcement track peo-ple protesting the police shooting of blackmen in several US cities.

The American Civil Liberties Unionreported that Geofeedia had been market-ing its services to US police agencies tohelp track activists using their social mediaposts and location data. According to inter-nal documents published by the ACLU,Geofeedia boasted that it “coveredFerguson/Mike Brown nationally with greatsuccess,” referring to the wave of protests inthe Missouri community after the shooting

of an unarmed African-American man.The ACLU documents showed that

Geofeedia claimed to have access to theTwitter “firehose” or full stream of datawhich can be analyzed and interpreted bylocation and other factors. Geofeedia is oneof an array of companies built on the abilityto mine insights from the massive amountof information freely shared on social net-works. Twitter had previously barred USintelligence from using the Dataminr ana-lytical tool to scan missives sent via theone-to-many messaging service.

The ACLU, however, wants online socialnetworks to ramp up efforts with movesthat include the blocking of applicationsused as tools for spying or police surveil-lance. Companies processing people’s per-sonal data have a responsibility to find outwho the end user is going to be, SophiaCope, a lawyer specializing in civil liberties atthe Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Sheencourages firms to ask specific questions tofind out what use the data will be put to.

Privacy vs Security The degree to which internet firms

should cooperate with police or intelli-gence services is a long-running debate. InFrance, there were concerns that data-min-ing companies put their software to work

for parties interested in monitoring oppo-nents of regimes in Libya or Syria. Internetpioneer Yahoo was recently accused ofscanning messages at its email service for asnippet being sought by US authorities.Social networks, however, differ in that thedata being perused is typically on publicdisplay and not private.

The US government has employees whomonitor social networks, but the time andeffort involved has created business oppor-tunity for companies such as Geofeedia.Analytics firms often have the advantage ofbeing directly connected, usually for a fee,to streams of data at social networks. Thislets the process of drawing out details,insights or patterns be done automaticallywith software that promises to only getsmarter due to improvements in artificialintelligence.

Use of the data can range from benignto troubling. Data mined by firms can helptarget ads, meaning that people see mar-keting messages that might spark interestinstead of annoyance. Researchers canseek clues to causes or spreads of illness,or measure public sentiment during politi-cal campaigns. IBM announced this sum-mer a collaboration with a Brazil ianresearch center to track the spread of dis-eases such as Zika, dengue or chikungunya

by studying Twitter posts. In Los Angeles,the Department of Justice funded researchto see if the police could prevent racistcrimes by figuring out where hateful com-ments on social networks were originatingto determine at-risk neighborhoods.Analysis of social media data can also beabused, Cope cautioned. For her, any kindof monitoring is problematic but govern-ment keeping tabs on people comes withthe added offense of violating constitu-tional rights.

Think Before Posting Facebook, Twitter and other online ven-

ues use terms of service that set limits onwhat those tapping into data are permittedto do with the information. Sussin wouldlike to see Internet firms do more to makepeople mindful of moments when they aresharing their locations. “You voluntarily par-ticipate in your own monitoring,” saidEndpoint Technologies Analyst Roger Kay.“Many people live their lives quite publicly,”allowing spies, or criminals to track them,the analyst maintained. In one dramaticillustration: Images shared by social mediaqueen Kim Kardashian were believed tohave played a role in her being robbed inParis recently. She has since become muchmore discreet. — AFP

Online sharing treasure trove for snoops

Just three months after seeing off a failed coup,Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has putright back at the top of the agenda a plan to

increase his powers through constitutional change.The plan to create a presidential system meansTurkey is likely to be heading to a referendum in thefirst half of next year, analysts say. This may createmore instability for Turkey’s fragile economy andexacerbate already simmering tensions in society,after Erdogan defeated the biggest challenge to his13-year rule.

But it will also allow the leader to settle for onceand for all the question of his powers. Only a monthafter becoming prime minister in March 2003Erdogan told an interviewer that his “desire” was for apresidential system in Turkey, similar to the one in theUnited States. After being elected president inAugust 2014 and defeating the coup bid in July,Erdogan is more determined than ever to fulfill hisdesire and push forward with his plans.

Government officials argue a fully presidential sys-tem is needed to legalize what has become a de-fac-to situation, with Erdogan Turkey’s undisputed num-ber one after transforming the office of head of state.To change the constitution the ruling Justice andDevelopment Party (AKP) co-founded by Erdoganneeds a super-majority of 367 votes. The AKP onlyhas 316 seats (excluding the speaker IsmailKahraman) in the 550-seat national assembly.

But to put forward the changes to the public in areferendum, the party needs only 330 votes, whichcould happen if the 40-seat Nationalist MovementParty (MHP) of Devlet Bahceli gives its support. Thetwo other opposition parties are likely to be against.Bahceli has not indicated whether his party’s MPs willgive the government their support but on Tuesdaygave his firmest indication yet it could be prepared toallow the referendum to go ahead.

‘Increase Polarization’ Fadi Hakura, Turkey expert at Chatham House

think tank in London, said that so far the Bahceli’sstatements indicate “willingness to collaborate” withthe AKP to bring about a referendum. He addedthere was a “real possibility” the system would beapproved in a referendum but warned that the cur-rent polarization in Turkey would worsen. “The presi-dential system will further intensify the ideologicalpolarization and entrenched conservatism. “(It) willfurther intensify the existing political, ideological andsectarian divisions bedevilling Turkish politics andsociety,” he said.

The uncertainty since the issue rose back to thetop of the agenda has also hurt the Turkish lira, whichhas lost over four percent in value against the US dol-lar over the last month. Some experts suggest thepresident could even be tempted to call early legisla-tive elections in 2017 although the government hasdenied having any such idea.

Michael Harris, global head of research at invest-ment bank Renaissance Capital, warned in a note thatthe Turkish economy was “on hold” until Erdoganachieved his objectives. According to Harris, if Erdogantries to win a super-majority through an early election,it would be the “crux of why we continue to recom-mend investors take money out of the country”. But ifErdogan is able to achieve the executive presidency inan accelerated and smoother process, Turkey couldfind “political equilibrium in 2017”, he said.

‘People Support Erdogan’ Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Tuesday said it

would be brought to parliament “very soon” becausethe changes were needed to “eliminate confusionfrom the system”. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag sug-gested last week a referendum on a presidential sys-tem could come as early as spring 2017. The authori-ties are confident of winning a symbolic and convinc-ing victory, which would be Turkey’s fourth majornational poll in as many years.

Polls after the coup showed that its defeat hadsubstantially bolstered Erdogan’s ratings while a pollpublished on Tuesday in the pro-government DailySabah newspaper said 63 percent supported thepresidential system. “In Turkey people see a closerelationship between Erdogan and the presidentialsystem,” said Mehmet Ali Kulat, the head of the MAKresearch company which conducted face-to-faceinterviews with 5,400 people between Oct 10 and 15.“What they support more is Erdogan rather than apresidential system,” he said. — AFP

Iraqi forces deploy in Bajwaniyah village, about 30 km south of Mosul, on Tuesday after they liberated it fromIslamic State (IS) group. — AFP

S P O RT STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

WELLINGTON: While the All Blacks arereaching new heights, recent off-fieldscandals have left New Zealand Rugbystruggling to maintain the sport’s image,particularly with women.

The NZR admits the game needs tochange its macho culture after a series ofplayer incidents involving strippers, streetviolence and casual sex. Pundits havedubbed it “the season from hell”, distract-ing attention from the All Blacks’ bid thisweekend to set a new record of 18 consec-utive Test victories. It is an uncomfortableposition for rugby administrators, who areused to New Zealanders backing the sportwith an almost religious fervour.

New Zealand Herald rugby writerGregor Paul said the backlash had been

exacerbated by NZR’s poor handling ofvarious crises. “They have been accused ofbeing lenient and guilty of condoningabusive behaviour by doing so little topunish it,” he wrote this week.

“They have had their failings pointedout by just about everyone, but mosttellingly by some of the most influentialwomen in the country.”

The problems began in August, when astripper known as Scarlette said she wasabused and demeaned at a Waikato Chiefsend-of-season “Mad Monday” party.

The Chiefs initially suggested her wordcould not be trusted because of her occu-pation, then an internal NZR review dis-missed her claims and cleared the players.

“A lot of the language immediately

after the Chiefs incident was around victimblaming and shaming,” Human RightsCommissioner David Rutherford said atthe time. The NZR soon found itself in thespotlight again over its response to ateenage star ’s violent rampage on aWellington street.

The player, Losi Filipo, savagelyattacked four people, including twowomen, but escaped conviction because ajudge said it might harm his rugby career.

Officials at first stood by Filipo, only toperform an embarrassing U-turn andagree to terminate his Wellington Rugbycontract as public outrage grew.

There were further blows to the game’simage when one provincial player wasjailed for masturbating in public and

another was charged with intent to com-mit rape.

‘SERIOUS MISCONDUCT’ In such a heated atmosphere, the tim-

ing of an indiscretion by All Blacks half-back Aaron Smith could not have beenworse. The 54-Test veteran was seen enter-ing a disabled toilet cubicle with a mysterywoman at Christchurch Airport while hewas travelling with the national team theday after a recent Test against South Africa.

While there was no hint of criminalwrongdoing, Smith’s actions was deemed“serious misconduct” that damaged thereputation of the All Blacks and its sponsors.He was suspended for one Test and volun-tarily stood down from another-this

Saturday’s blockbuster match againstAustralia where his teammates are chasingthe record win. In response to its recentwoes, the NZR is setting up an independentpanel to review “respect and responsibility”in the game. Politician Louisa Wall, a formerrugby international once named NewZealand women’s player of the year, saidcultural change needed to begin at the top.She said the NZR needed to include womenat board level and take their contribution tothe game seriously. “The way that womenhave traditionally been viewed, they’re inthe kitchen preparing the food, they washthe uniforms,” she told Wellington’sDominion Post newspaper.

“We’re not seen as the administrators,the coaches, the umpires.” — AFP

As All Blacks soar, scandal-hit NZ rugby reels

TOKYO: International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (L) answers questions beside President of the 2020 Tokyo OlympicsOrganizing Committee (Tokyo 2020) Yoshiro Mori (C) and IOC Vice President John Coates (R) during a press conference at the Tokyo 2020 head-quarters after their meeting in Tokyo yesterday. Bach is in Tokyo to look at preparations ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. — AFP

TOKYO: International Olympic Committee presi-dent Thomas Bach yesterday dodged questionsover reports some Tokyo 2020 events could beheld in South Korea, a move which would fur-ther embarrass beleaguered Games organisers.

The IOC is considering staging rowing andcanoeing in the South Korean city of Chungju,according to Japanese media, as they try to slasha Tokyo 2020 budget which has skyrocketed toan estimated $28 billion-four times that of theinitial bid. But Bach was hurriedly ushered out ofa scheduled press briefing in the Japanese capi-tal after answering prepared questions fromTokyo Olympic officials that hinted at further fric-tion between local organisers and city politicians.

With the Korean bombshell-which citedunnamed sources-making headlines, a mediagathering was quickly shut down as nervousTokyo organisers refused to allow more than 100journalists to question Bach about the reports.

Stripping Japan of events would be seen a

major humiliation for Tokyo organisers, althougha Seoul sports ministry official told AFP thereports came as a “surprise” to them.

Bach and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike onTuesday agreed to set up a four-party workinggroup comprising Tokyo’s metropolitan govern-ment, the IOC, Games organisers and theJapanese government to try to rein in snow-balling costs. Koike, who became Tokyo’s firstfemale governor in July after promising to slashwasteful spending, then proposed national andinternational sports federations be added to thatworking group, but Bach clearly felt otherwise.

“There was an agreement on a four-partyworking group,” insisted Bach.“This was very wellreceived by the Tokyo metropolitan governmentand the governor, and of course this happenedin agreement with the organising committee.Therefore we will follow this agreement.” Theoption of moving rowing and canoeing to SouthKorea comes after a panel of experts proposed

moving the events to northeast Japan, severalhundreds of miles away, instead of building anew venue in Tokyo Bay.

The panel also called for existing venues inTokyo to be renovated to stage volleyball andswimming to help cut costs further, as it predict-ed the total cost for the 2020 Games would hitnearly $30 billion, almost three times higherthan the 2012 London Olympics.

Tokyo organisers have lurched from one crisisto another since beating Madrid and Istanbul inthe race to host the Games, with Abe forced torip up initial plans for the Olympic stadium amidpublic anger at its $2 billion price tag.

The Tokyo Olympic logo was then scrappedafter accusations of plagiarism before Frenchprosecutors launched an investigation into $2million in payments which they suspect weremade to help Tokyo secure the Games.

Japanese Olympic officials have denied anywrongdoing. — AFP

IOC boss ducks S Korea

row in Tokyo 2020 visit

LIMERICK: Munster will play its first rugby gamesince the sudden death of coach Anthony Foleywhen the Irish province takes on Glasgow in theEuropean Champions Cup on Saturday.

Foley, who was 42, was found dead in the ear-ly hours of Sunday in a Paris hotel, ahead of amatch against Racing 92 in the French capitalthat day. The match was canceled.

The prosecutor’s office in Nanterre, a suburbof Paris, told The Associated Press yesterday thatpost-mortem tests on Foley showed “a heartbeatdisorder probably led to fluid buildup in hislungs.” Foley’s funeral will be on Friday in hishometown of Killaloe, and Munster will return toaction the following day at its Thomond Parkground. “As difficult as it will be to play the next

game, no matter the time, the opposition or thevenue, we have an opportunity to play there thisSaturday,” Munster director of rugby RassieErasmus said yesterday. “That’s something that’shugely important to all of us.

“He would never want us to say that thegame is secondary - it’s just not the man he was -but it will be. It’s all about Anthony, now, andthis weekend, and will be for a long time.”Erasmus said Munster’s players “had so muchrespect for him that they are trying to get onwith it,” adding: “That’s what drives us and makesus committed to get a proper performance outthere.” Ireland and Munster flanker PeterO’Mahony broke down as he tried to put intowords what the late coach meant to him and the

club. “He was a man that wanted a Munster jer-sey win,” O’Mahony said. “I’m not going to dohim justice here. It’s all the words I can say, to behonest.” Foley was a Munster great who repre-sented Ireland 62 times.

Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend saidSaturday’s match “is an occasion to rememberAnthony ... a chance for everyone to showrespect for what a great man he was.” TheNanterre prosecutor said further toxicologicalanalysis has been ordered, in accordance withclassic procedures, and that there was no sign ofa break-in at his hotel room or of any lesions onhis body. Foley’s remains were being flown backto Ireland and taken to the family home inKillaloe. — AP

OSLO: Norway’s cross country skier ThereseJohaug, a former Olympic gold medallist,has been suspended for two months afterfailing a drug test, the Norwegian anti-dop-ing agency said yesterday. The seven-timeworld champion tested positive for tracesof the banned anabolic steroid clostebolduring an out-of-competition control onSeptember 16. The steroid was containedin a lip cream called Trofodermin, whichshe used to treat burns during a trainingsession at altitude in Italy late August. Thetemporary suspension is pending a finalverdict, Norway’s anti-doping committee,in a statement. The use of anabolic steroidsis punishable by a four-year ban.

Johaug’s attorney Christian Hjort toldTV2 this week that the Trofodermin tubehad been provided in its original package,which includes a warning showing that theproduct is on the list of substances prohib-ited by the World Anti-doping Agency.

National skiing team doctor Fredrik

Bendiksen has taken responsibility andresigned last week from his post.

Hjort said Johaug respected the deci-sion to impose a temporary ban. “We willnow focus on the main case which is toprove her innocence,” he said. The suspen-sion of 28-year-old Johaug will last untilDecember 18, ruling her out of the first raceof the World Cup in Ruka, Finland, onNovember 26 and 27, a race she won in2015. The skier has won seven world titles,including three last winter (skiathlon 2x7,5km, 30 km classic and relay 4x5 km). Shealso has three Olympic medals, includingone gold unhooked with the relay at theVancouver Games in 2010.

It is the second doping incident to shakethe Norwegian federation recently aftercross country skier Martin Sundby was sus-pended for two months and stripped of his2015 overall World Cup and Tour de Skititles for unauthorised use of medication totreat asthma. — AFP

Munster to return to action

after coach Foley’s death

File photo shows Keith Earls of Munster takes on Seremaia Bai during a match. Munster will play its first rugby game since the sudden death ofcoach Anthony Foley.

Nordic champion Johaug

suspended over doping

Otaibi thanks Crown Prince for

his support and care of shooting

Shooters seen during practise.

By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: The higher organizing committeeof HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ShootingTournament, which starts today at SheikhSabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting

Complex, inspected facilities and ranges tomake sure all is set and ready.

President of Kuwait and Arab ShootingFederations, Chairman of HOC Eng DuaijAl-Otaibi said efforts of all committees are

evident in preparations that were beingmade for the start of the season, with oneof the most important events which is theCP tournament, who sponsors this majortournament in which all Kuwaiti shootersparticipate including shooters of Saad Al-Abdallah Shooting Academy in the variousOlympic skeet, trap, double trap, rifle, pistoland archery.

He said Kuwait shooters are known formaking significant achievements in most oftheir participations at the Gulf, continentaland international events.

Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi, on behalf of KuwaitShooting Sport Club Board members andall those involved in the shooting sport,thanked HH the Crown Prince for his con-tinued support and care for shooters, andfor this very important tournament whichdeclares the start of the 2016/2017 season.

He also thanked the representative ofHH the Crown Prince, Information Minister,State Minister for Youth Affairs SheikhSalman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, for his keen interest in developingKuwait sport in general and shooting inparticular, and shooters are always happyto see Sheikh Salman among them.

Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi thanked PublicAuthority for Sports and its DirectorGeneral Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-AhmadAl-Sabah and his deputies for their support.

Duaij Al-Otaibi

Shooter seen in action

S P O RT STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

NEWARK: Andrew Cogliano #7 of the Anaheim Ducks and Ben Lovejoy #12 of the New Jersey Devils battle for position during the third period atthe Prudential Center on Tuesday in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Ducks 2-1. — AFP

NEWARK: Taylor Hall made his new fans in NewJersey very happy with two power-play goals ina 4:11 span in the second period and the Devilsposted their first win, a 2-1 decision over theroad-weary and penalty-plagued AnaheimDucks on Tuesday night. Cory Schneider had 23saves and forced the Ducks’ Chris Wagner to losecontrol of the puck on a second-period penaltyshot as New Jersey snapped a five-game losingstreak against Anaheim in its home opener. SamiVatanen scored on a power play for Anaheim,which is 0-3-1 in its five-game trip to start theseason. John Gibson made 26 saves for Ducks,who played shorthanded seven times. Hall, theformer No. 1 overall draft pick who was acquiredin a major trade with Edmonton in late June, tiedthe game at 1-all, putting the rebound of a shotby Mike Cammalleri into an open net at 12:35.

SHARKS 3, ISLANDERS 2Joe Pavelski scored with 2:11 left to lift the

Sharks to a victory over the Islanders. MelkerKarlsson and Tomas Hertl also scored to help theSharks win for the third time in four games. JoeThornton and Brent Burns had two assists each,giving both five on the season. Aaron Dellstopped 21 shots to win his NHL debut. On thetiebreaking goal, Thornton sent a pass into theslot and Pavelski deflected it in. It gave Pavelskihis fifth point in two games after he had a goaland three assists in the Sharks’ 7-4 loss to theNew York Rangers on Monday. The Islanderstrailed 1-0 after getting outplayed in the firstperiod, but picked it up in the second and tookthe lead with two goals 2:10 apart in the middleof the period.

CAPITALS 3, AVALANCHE 0T.J. Oshie scored twice and Alex Ovechkin

picked up his first goal of the season, helpingthe Capitals beat the Avalanche. Ovechkin andOshie each scored on the power play to endWashington’s man-advantage scoring drought,and the Avalanche lost for the first time undernew coach Jared Bednar. Goaltender SemyonVarlamov was sharp in stopping 37 of 40 shotsbehind Colorado teammates who were notice-ably tired playing the second half of a back-to-back and their third game in four days.

Washington backup Philipp Grubauer onlyneeded 18 saves for his first career shutoutbecause Washington had the puck for most ofthe game. The Capitals entered the game 0 for 8on the power play and lacking production fromthe first line, but those problems went away inquick succession.

STARS 2, PREDATORS 1Jason Spezza scored midway through the

third period to give the Stars a win over thePredators. Adam Cracknell added his secondgoal of the season for Dallas, and Kari Lehtonenmade 27 saves. Mike Fisher scored for Nashvilleearly in the second period to tie it 1-1. ThePredators have lost two straight. Spezza’stiebreaking goal came 9:15 into the third.Antoine Roussel had the puck in the right cornerand sent it out front, where Spezza was able gethis stick on it and tip it past goaltender PekkaRinne. Rinne made 35 saves.

SENATORS 7, COYOTES 4Tom Pyatt, Mark Stone and Chris Kelly had a

goal and an assist each as the Senators defeatedthe Coyotes in front of a sparse crowd of 11,061at Canadian Tire Centre. Bobby Ryan, Zack Smith,Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson, into an empty net,also scored for the Senators, who have wonthree of four. Mike Hoffman had three assistsand Craig Anderson made 31 saves. JordanMartincook scored twice, including his second at18:43 just 30 seconds after Turris gave theSenators a 6-3 lead. Tobias Rieder and OliverEckman-Larson had the other goals for theCoyotes Arizona lost the services of startinggoalie Mike Smith seven minutes into the thirdperiod when he suffered an injury to his left legduring a scramble in front of the net.

LIGHTNING 4, PANTHERS 3, SOBrayden Point scored the game-winning goal

in the sixth round of a shootout, and the

Lightning beat the Panthers. Point’s goal camethree rounds after it seemed Tampa Bay hadwon the shootout 1-0. After Jonathan Drouinscored for the Lightning in the third round,Vincent Trocheck appeared to fan on his initialshot before sending the puck into the net. It wascalled no goal on the ice but the ruling was over-turned after a video review, tying the shootoutat 1. Lightning star Steven Stamkos forced over-time when he lifted a shot from along the goalline over James Reimer with 5.5 seconds left inthe third period. Michael Matheson scored hisfirst NHL goal at 15:52 of the third to give Floridaa 3-2 advantage.

WILD 6, KINGS 3Erik Haula and Jason Pominville scored for

Minnesota and assisted on the other’s first-peri-od goal, fueling the Wild for a victory over LosAngeles that triggered an early exit for Kingsgoalie Jeff Zatkoff. After Charlie Coyle, MikkoKoivu and Teemu Pulkkinen tacked on scores forthe Wild, Kings coach Darryl Sutter pulledZatkoff for Peter Budaj during the second inter-mission. Zatkoff stopped 11 shots, taking histhird straight loss since replacing star JonathanQuick just 20 minutes into the season openerlast week. Tanner Pearson had two goals, bothassisted by Jeff Carter, and Anze Kopitar alsoscored in the third period for the Kings, butJared Spurgeon’s end-to-end empty-net flingfrom the far corner put the bow on a bannernight for the Wild.

CANADIENS 4, PENGUINS 0David Desharnais scored twice and Al

Montoya made 36 saves as the Canadiens won

their home opener, over the Penguins. Off-sea-son signing Alexander Radulov got his first goalas a Canadien - with Montoya picking up anassist - while Max Pacioretty also scored forMontreal, which has started the season 2-0 -1.Montoya, signed from the Florida Panthers thissummer, picked up his sixth career shutout. ThePenguins, coming off an overtime loss at homeMonday night, played their first road game ofthe season. While the ailing Carey Price got ahuge ovation from the Bell Centre crowd in pre-game introductions, his replacement Montoyawas spectacular in goal as Pittsburgh outshotthe Canadiens 36-32.

BLACKHAWKS 7, FLYERS 4Marian Hossa scored his 500th career goal,

Artem Anisimov snapped a third-period tie withhis first score of the season and the Blackhawksbeat the Flyers. Hossa’s power-play goal chasedMichal Neuvirth and gave Chicago a 4-0 lead,but Philadelphia responded with four goals in a5 1/2-minute span overlapping the second andthird periods.

Wayne Simmonds, who hit the left post ontwo different shots, tied it at 4 on the power playat 3:49 of the third. The Flyers had all themomentum before Artemi Panarin stepped upfor the Blackhawks in his best game so far thisseason. The Calder Trophy winner found a wide-open Anisimov for the tiebreaking goal at 10:24,and then finished off a 2-on-1 with Patrick Kane,beating Steve Mason for a 6 -4 lead with 3:57 togo. Panarin also scored on the power play duringChicago’s three-goal first. The Russian wingerwas kept off the scoresheet during theBlackhawks’ first three games. — AP

Taylor Hall scores twice

in home debut for Devils

Western ConferenceCentral Division

W L OTL GF GA PTS St. Louis 3 0 1 12 8 7 Minnesota 2 1 0 12 9 4 Dallas 2 1 0 11 9 4 Colorado 2 1 0 10 11 4 Chicago 2 2 0 16 15 4 Nashville 1 2 0 7 9 2 Winnipeg 1 2 0 9 12 2

Pacific DivisionVancouver 3 0 0 8 5 6 Edmonton 3 1 0 17 15 6 San Jose 3 1 0 12 12 6 Calgary 1 2 1 12 17 3 Arizona 1 1 0 8 10 2 Anaheim 0 3 1 7 12 1 Los Angeles 0 3 0 6 12 0

Eastern ConferenceAtlantic Division

Tampa Bay 3 0 0 13 9 6 Ottawa 3 1 0 17 16 6 Montreal 2 0 1 11 5 5 Florida 2 0 1 9 6 5 Boston 2 1 0 11 8 4 Toronto 1 0 1 8 6 3 Buffalo 1 1 1 10 10 3 Detroit 1 2 0 10 11 2

Metropolitan DivisionWashington 2 0 1 7 4 5 Pittsburgh 2 1 1 9 12 5 NY Rangers 2 1 0 14 10 4 New Jersey 1 1 1 5 6 3 Philadelphia 1 1 1 11 13 3 Carolina 0 1 2 9 12 2 NY Islanders 1 3 0 9 12 2 Columbus 0 2 0 5 9 0

NHL results/standings

New Jersey 2, Anaheim 1; San Jose 3, NY Islanders 2; Washington 3, Colorado 0; Montreal 4,Pittsburgh 0; Ottawa 7, Arizona 4; Tampa Bay 4, Florida 3 (SO); Dallas 2, Nashville 1; Minnesota 6, LosAngeles 3; Chicago 7, Philadelphia 4; Calgary 4, Buffalo 3 (OT); Edmonton 3, Carolina 2; Vancouver 2,St. Louis 1 (OT).

Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L).

DHAKA: England bowler James Andersonshould play some part in the tour of India butwill definitely miss the first test, captainAlastair Cook said yesterday.

Paceman Anderson is still recovering fromthe shoulder injury that ruled him out of thetrip to Bangladesh. “He might come out to dosome training but he will not be ready to playin the first test,” Cook said.

“I spoke to him last night. He has beendoing a lot of training and is in good shapephysically. The decision is going to be madeover the next week on that (when he goes toIndia). “The test for his body is when he startsbowling, but he is making some strides.”Anderson, 34, has struggled with injury thisyear and missed the first test against Pakistan

at Lord’s with a shoulder injury before it flaredup again at the end of the domestic season.

The first of five tests against India starts onNov. 9. Cook will overtake Alec Stewart tobecome the most-capped England test playerwhen he steps out for the first of two testsagainst Bangladesh today. “I started howevermany years ago and you never thought you’dget anywhere near, so to break the record likethat is very special,” he told the England andWales Cricket Board website ahead of his 134thtest. “A lot of luck, I suppose, is needed withinjuries and all that stuff and to score justenough runs at the right time to keep yourselfin the team,” said Cook who rejoined the squadin Chittagong after returning home for thebirth of his second daughter. — Reuters

Cook hopeful Anderson

will play role in India

LOS ANGELES: The Toronto Blue Jays kepttheir hopes of reaching Major LeagueBaseball’s World Series alive on Tuesdaywith a 5-1 home victory over the ClevelandIndians.

The Blue Jays denied the Indians a four-game sweep of the best-of-seven AmericanLeague Championship Series, which willsend the winners into a title showdownwith either the Chicago Cubs or LosAngeles Dodgers.

The Cubs, trying to end a World Seriesdrought that stretches back to 1908,slipped 2-1 down in the National LeagueChampionship Series with a 6-0 game-three defeat in Los Angeles.

In Toronto, Josh Donaldson homered,Edwin Encarnacion drove in two runs andAaron Sanchez pitched six strong inningsfor the Blue Jays, who handed Clevelandtheir first defeat of the post-season.

Ezequiel Carrera singled in a run in thefourth to put Toronto up 2-0.

Robert Perez doubled in a run forCleveland to trim the deficit, but with thebases loaded in the bottom of the seventhEncarnacion smacked a single to centerthat scored two runs to stretch Toronto’slead to 4-1, and they tacked on another runin the bottom of the eighth.

“They hit better than us, they pitchedbetter than us, they played defense betterthan us today, so they deserved to win,”Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor said.“Their hitters looked a lot better today, a lotmore comfortable.”

Toronto host game five on Wednesday,with the Indians again aiming to securetheir first World Series appearance since1997, when they were beaten by theFlorida Marlins in a seven-game thriller.Cleveland last won it all back in 1948.Down 3-1 in the series, the Blue Jays stillface a formidable task.

The only baseball team to overcome a 3-0 post-season series deficit was the 2004Boston Red Sox, who rallied past the NewYork Yankees in the ALCS. “It’s an uphill bat-tle,” said Donaldson, who belted his firsthomer of the playoffs off Cleveland starterCorey Kluber in the third inning. “We’re stilldown three games to one. It’s a must wineach and every game.

“They have a good team over there, we

understand that and we’re just going tocontinue to go out there and handle andcontrol the things that we can.”

DODGERS ROUGH UP ARRIETA In Los Angeles, Yasmani Grandal and

Justin Turner homered off Cubs ace JakeArrieta to help the Dodgers to a 2-1 serieslead with games four and five coming up inLos Angeles on Wednesday and Thursday.

Los Angeles starting pitcher Rich Hillallowed just two hits with six strikeoutsover six scoreless innings as the Cubs wereshut out in back-to-back games for the firsttime since May of 2014.

Hill, who just 14 months ago was withan independent league team havingbounced around and out of the majorleagues, called it the biggest game of hiscareer, although he said he couldn’t affordto think about that during the contest.

”It’s all about staying in the moment andexecuting when you’re in that moment andthat’s all you can think about,” Hill said.

Cy Young Award-winner Arrieta, whopitched a no-hitter at Dodger Stadium inAugust of last year, gave up six hits in five-plus innings, including Grandal’s two-runblast in the fourth and Turner’s solo shot into lead off the sixth that spelled the end ofArrieta’s night.

Corey Seager had opened the Dodgers’account with a run-scoring single in thethird, and the Dodgers added two moreruns in the eighth.

Dodgers relief pitchers Joe Blanton andGrant Dayton combined to throw 1 2/3scoreless innings before closer KenleyJansen recorded the final four outs.

“More than anything, I think we needto get a couple runs and hits and runsearly to try to get that kind of feelingback,” said Cubs manager Joe Maddon,whose team haven’t scored since theeighth inning of game one of the series inChicago on Saturday. Despite the Cubs’offensive struggles, Grandal said theDodgers couldn’t take anything for grant-ed against the team that posted the bestregular-season record in baseball. “Youcan’t look ahead,” Grandal said. “Theseguys won 100-some games. They’ve gotthe talent. When you think ahead, that’swhen bad things happen.” — AFP

NEW DELHI: New Zealand’s batsmen arestruggling for answers against India’s bowl-ing attack, Black Caps pace spearhead TrentBoult conceded yesterday, before the sec-ond one-day international in New Delhi.The Kane Williamson-led side mustered just190 runs in the opening match inDharamsala earlier this week, a total whichIndia chased down in just 33.1 overs.

“We are looking to get more runs, asbasic as it sounds. If we could put moreruns on (the) board we could offer morescoreboard pressure on a good Indian side,”Boult told reporters on the eve ofThursday’s game. “They are a quality sideand they are putting a lot of pressure on usat the moment and at the moment wedon’t have the answers for their questions,”said Boult, whose team-mates were white-washed by their hosts in the Test series.Debutant medium-pacer Hardik Pandya led

an inspired bowling attack on Sunday, rat-tling New Zealand who slipped to 48 forfive and 106 for eight before Tom Lathamand Tim Southee gave some respectabilityto the visitors’ total.

“ There are still four matches up forgrabs. An opportunity (is there) for us toright a few wrongs and put in a good per-formance,” said Boult, who expects to playat Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla stadium afterbeing rested for the first game.

India’s coach Anil Kumble said Pandya’sinclusion had given the starting eleven the“right balance”. The 23-year-old, who hasplayed 16 Twenty20 internationals forIndia, impressed with match figures of 3-31in seven overs in the first ODI.

“I think he is someone who gives us theright balance, because he cannot only bowlbut he bowls at a pretty decent pace,” saidKumble. — AFP

NZ struggle for answers

against Indian bowlers: Boult

NEW DELHI: New Zealand’s Ross Taylor kicks a ball during a practice session ahead of sec-ond one-day international cricket match against India in New Delhi, India, yesterday. — AP

TORONTO: Toronto Blue Jays’ Edwin Encarnacion celebrates after his two-RBI doubleagainst the Cleveland Indians during the seventh inning in Game 4 of baseball’sAmerican League Championship Series in Toronto, Tuesday. — AP

Blue Jays keep hopes

alive as Dodgers

ease ahead of Cubs

S P O RT STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

MILAN: Former World Cup-winning coachMarcello Lippi is being tipped to take overas coach of China after being offered thejob following the resignation of GaoHongbo, reports said yesterday. “Lippi,coach of China,” ran the headline on thefront page of Italy’s second most popularsports daily Corriere dello Sport.

I t claimed the Italian maestro was“inclined to accept the offer” and added:“In the coming days, the former Italycoach will travel to Beijing to pore overthe details of the Chinese football associa-tion’s offer.” However, the China FootballAssociation’s Huang Shiwei told AFP the

selection process for a new coach wascontinuing.

“Only 2 things I can tel l you now.Firstly, we have accepted Gao Hongbo’sresignation.

Secondly, for the coach candidate ofthe national football team, we are doingrelevant selection work and our selectionhas not been finished,” he said.

Former China coach Gao resigned onOctober 11 following a 2-0 World Cupqualifying defeat to Uzbekistan. Theresult left China’s chances of qualifying forthe 2018 World Cup in Russia lookingslim. Sitting a lowly 78th in FIFA’s rank-

ings, China have claimed just one pointfrom four games and dropped to bottomplace in a Group A which includes Iran,Uzbekistan, South Korea, Syria and Qatar.

Lippi, who steered Italy to their fourthand most recent World Cup triumph in2006, is not new to working in China.

The 68-year-old coached Chinese topflight side Guangzhou Evergrande tothree consecutive Super League titlesbetween 2012 and 2014.

Corriere dello Sport said last monthLippi was set to return to the club on athree-year deal worth 20m euros net perseason-a salary that would have put Pep

Guardiola’s world-beating 17.7m euro(£15m) annual salary at Manchester Cityin the shade.

But the Chinese football federationmay be about to capture Lippi at a timewhen they are looking to make hugestrides forward in the game.

Often a source of national embarrass-ment, improving the level of football atclub and national level has been one ofthe priorit ies of China President XiJinping.

Even before taking office, Xi under-lined his ambitions for Chinese football in2011: to qualify for the World Cup, to host

the event and to one day win it.China have qualified only once for the

World Cup, quietly departing the 2002edition without scoring a goal. Last yearofficials declared football a compulsorypart of the national curriculum, withpledges to open 20,000 football-themedschools by 2017 with the aim of produc-ing more than 100,000 players. There hasalso been a splurge of Chinese invest-ment in some of Europe’s top clubs-InterMilan, Manchester City, Aston Vil la,Espanyol and Atletico Madrid to name buta few-and some of the sport’s top starshave been lured to China. — AFP

Marcello Lippi set for China post: Report

PARIS: Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forsteris looking for the Premier League club to make “amassive statement” by beating Italian giantsInter Milan in the Europa League today.

The Saints travel to the San Siro-and as manyas seven thousand of their fans are expected tofollow them-knowing a win at the home of thethree-time European champions would be a bigstep towards progressing to the knockout phasefrom Group K.

It would also be another memorable resultfor a club who were in the third tier of Englishfootball just five years ago. “If we go and do that(win) it will be a massive statement. You lookwhere the club was just a few years ago andeven in the time since I’ve joined the club-youmeet the owner and you meet the chairman,and when we came to the club that’s what theysaid, that they wanted to move the club forwardand get into Europe, and every summer they’vebacked us,” goalkeeper Forster told the club’swebsite. “They’ve bought players, and step bystep we’re achieving those goals and hopefullywe can do ourselves proud in the game, and ifwe can come out of it with three points that willbe a massive achievement.”

Southampton, who are fresh from beatingBurnley 3-1 in the Premier League at the week-end, have so far beaten Sparta Prague 3-0 anddrawn 0-0 away in Israel to Hapoel Beer-Sheva.

In contrast, Inter are struggling.Frank de Boer was only appointed in the sum-

mer but the Dutchman’s side have lost two outof two in the Europa League and are in the bot-tom half of the Serie A table after a 2-1 homedefeat to Cagliari at the weekend.

Meanwhile, star striker and captain MauroIcardi’s future at the club is in the air after Intersupporters reacted furiously to comments hemade about them in a recently-published auto-biography.

DUNDALK ‘ON THEIR KNEES’ It is all a far cry from the days under Jose

Mourinho when Inter won the ChampionsLeague in 2010. Mourinho’s current side

Manchester United entertain Fenerbahce inGroup A at Old Trafford.

United have four points from two gamesbefore a rematch with the Turkish giants, withwhom they have a bit of history.

Fenerbahce inflicted a first ever Europeanhome defeat on United back in 1996, while eightyears later Wayne Rooney hit a hat-trick againstthe same team on his European debut.

The Istanbul side are not in good form as theytravel to England with former United strikerRobin van Persie, now 33, in their baggage.

In Dublin, Irish surprise package Dundalkmust try to shake off fatigue as they host 2008UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg.

After falling just short of reaching theChampions League group stage, Dundalk have

drawn away to AZ Alkmaar and beaten MaccabiTel Aviv in Group D to stay in touch with leadersZenit. But as they close in on another Irishleague title, boss Stephen Kenny admits thenumber of games they have faced is beginningto take its toll. “Hopefully we can be energisedby the crowd. I think it will be a full house andwe will need that because on Sunday we havean opportunity to win the league against

Bohemians,” Kenny told RTE.“It is great to be involved in these games but

the players are on their knees. They are exhaust-ed.” In other action French league leaders Niceare looking for their first win in Group I whenthey visit Salzburg but will be missing star strikerMario Balotelli in Austria due to an adductorproblem. — AFP

BANGALORE: Bengaluru’s captain Sunil Chhetri (2nd R) heads a ball during the 2016 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup semi-final secondleg football match between Bengaluru FC and Johor Darul Ta’zim at the Shree Kanteerava stadium in Bangalore, yesterday. — AFP

Saints chase famous win at

San Siro, Van Persie returns

MILAN: Southampton’s Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk takes part in training session at the SanSiro Stadium in Milan yesterday, on the eve of the UEFA Europa League football match againstInter Milan. — AFP

MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho does not wantMarcus Rashford to be selected for next year’sEuropean Under-21 Championships if theManchester United striker is a regular in the sen-ior England squad.

The United manager was responding to sto-ries that England’s governing Football Associationwere keen to include Premier League stars, suchas Rashford, in their Under-21 squad for the tour-nament in Poland in June.

Mourinho has no problem with Rashford, whoturns 19 on the last day of this month, being apart of that squad - but only if he has not estab-lished himself in the senior set-up. “We are in mid-October, the Championships will be in the sum-mer,” United manager Mourinho said Wednesday.

“I think we have to wait and see what happensuntil then. Because if the player becomes a regu-lar in the ‘A’ national team, if you want to call itthat, then to say it is important for his develop-ment (to be) with the Under-21s, makes no sense.”Gareth Southgate has been promoted from his

post as England Under-21 boss to be the manag-er of the senior England team on an interim basis,with the FA still to announce if the formerEngland defender will succeed Sam Allardyce ona permanent basis after the veteran coach wasforced out after just one game following indis-creet comments made to undercover reporters. “Ifhe’s an Under-21 player in the national team, thenhe is an Under-21 player and there is no discus-sion about that,” said Mourinho of Rashford.

“But if he becomes a regular choice for GarethSouthgate in the first team, then we have tospeak because we don’t want him going.”Rashford has five England caps to his name, fourof them as a substitute in competitive interna-tionals.

ROONEY ‘WORKING WELL’ Mourinho was speaking as he put the finish-

ing touches to plans for the Europa League groupgame with Fenerbahce at Old Trafford onThursday. The game could be the opportunity for

Wayne Rooney and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to fea-ture in the starting side as Mourinho juggles hissquad ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.

Rooney has not started the last four Unitedgames and has also seen his place in the Englandrun-on XI disappear under new managerSouthgate.

“Wayne is working well, he is one of thoseresponsible for the atmosphere for the players,”insisted Mourinho. “He is positive, he is a goodexample. We count on him to start or be on thebench. He will be there tomorrow (Thursday).”

As for Mkhitaryan, a £26 million ($34.5 million,30.7 million euros) pre-season signing fromBorussia Dortmund, the Armenian has not beeninvolved since defeat in the Manchester derby inearly-September as he struggles to recover from athigh injury. “He was injured and was injured forquite a long time,” said Mourinho. “Now he is notinjured anymore. He has been training with theteam without any limitation. “I cannot confirm ifhe plays tomorrow.” — AFP

Mourinho issues Rashford with

England Under-21 warning

LONDON: Peter and Kate Shippey’s suc-cessful lobbying of Sunderland to install aroom dedicated to largely autistic footballfans could see more Premier League clubsfollow suit.

Alex White, Premier League CharitableFund Executive, said the Shippeys hadserved as an example and funding hasbeen made available to other clubs to setup similar rooms for home and away fans.

“Their success has been inspirational,”White said at the Beyond Sport Summit,the leading movement for sport for socialchange. “With BT (the telecom companywho provide the specialist equipment) wewant to extend it into other clubs in thePremier League, “ he said. “We have madefunding available to them for both homeand away teams.”

The Shippeys decided to take actionafter two abortive trips to Sunderlandhome matches with Nathan, one of theirthree boys-all of whom are autistic.

“Two years ago I took Nathan to a homegame even though we knew it would be aproblem with all the noise,” said PeterShippey. “We gave him ear defences to tryand see if they worked. However, it was abig game which we won and so ensuredwe stayed up. Thus the noise was louderthan ever and he couldn’t cope.” TheShippeys thought that the experiment wasover, but Nathan’s passion for football grewafter he watched the World Cup throughthe summer of 2014.

“So I bought season tickets for the2014/15 campaign which aren’t cheap,” said

Peter. “However, the first game with themusic and other noise we had to leave ear-ly. “Then it struck us why couldn’t the clubput in a sensory room like he had at hisschool where children go when they’rehaving a meltdown and it helps to calmthem down.”

Thus the campaign started, includingtalks with Sunderland and also garneringsupport from the community, including apetition signed by 3,000 backers includingschools dealing with similar problems.

“That told the club that we weren’t justacting for ourselves...,” he said. He told theclub the flood of cash flowing into theleague would allow them to set aside a cor-porate box costing about £30,000. Insteadthe club opted for a purpose-built room inone of the lounges for the 2015-16 season.

“I think its the first one ever built,” hesaid Sunderland’s example-the room can fitthree people with sensory illnesses alongwith a parent and a carer and for whichthere was a waiting list at the end of lastseason-has been followed Shippey says byfourth tier Notts County. “It has trans-formed his (Nathan) life, although it gotinteresting when there was a Newcastle fanin the room for the derby last season!” saidShippey. Kate Shippey says the room hasrevolutionised life for other parents.

“It’s had a massive and positive impact,”she said. “One father brought his 24-year-old son to a game for the first time becausebefore it had not been worth the risk.

“There was not a dry eye in the room,the boy was awe-struck.” — AFP

Family lobbying brings

hope for autistic fans

SUNDERLAND: This file photo taken on April 2, 2013 shows the gates of the Stadiumof Light, home of Sunderland Association Football Club, in Sunderland, northeastEngland. Peter and Kate Shippey’s successful and historic lobbying of Sunderland toinstal a room dedicated to largely autistic football fans could see many more PremierLeague clubs follow suit. — AFP

SEOUL: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors stormedinto the AFC Champions League final with a5-3 aggregate victory over FC Seoul despitelosing the all-Korean semi-final’s second leg2-1 yesterday. After Jeonbuk had dominatedthe first leg 4-1, Brazilian marksman Adrianogave the home side hope when he slotted arecord-equalling 13th goal of the tournamentin the first half.

But Jeonbuk’s Ricardo Lopes doused anyhopes of a comeback by equalising on 59minutes, before Seoul’s Ko Kwang-Mingrabbed a consolation goal for Seoul in injurytime. Jeonbuk, the 2006 champions, now gointo a blockbuster two-legged final nextmonth against fellow former winners Al Ainand their feted playmaker OmarAbdulrahman. The K-League leaders alsoreach their third Asian final despite a domes-tic scandal. They were deducted nine points

and fined after one of their scouts was con-victed of bribing referees.

“We fought hard and were looking goodin the first half,” said FC Seoul’s coach HwangSun-Hong. “The second goal was importantand we were pushing for that.

“So I am sorry for the fans who came outto support us in good numbers. We had agood campaign and the players did theirbest... we have learned from this experienceand we will come back stronger.”

FC Seoul’s Adriano was in the thick of itduring an electric first half in front of a noisycrowd as the hosts pressed for the goals theyneeded to overturn their first-leg deficit.

The Brazilian shot just wide on 16 minutesand headed off-target eight minutes later.Elsewhere, Jeonbuk midfielder Kim Bo-Kyungwas bloodied by a flailing elbow before play-ing on with a bandaged head. — AFP

Korea’s Motors roar

into Asian final

SEOUL: Go Yo-han, right, of South Korea’s FC Seoul fights for the ball against JangYun-ho of South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors during the second leg of AFCChampions League semifinal soccer match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, yes-terday. — AP

S P O RT STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

NAPLES: Vincent Aboubakar scored twiceand Besiktas beat Napoli 3-2 in theChampions League on Wednesday todeny the Italian club a chance at advanc-ing from the group stage in record time.

Aboubakar, a Cameroon internationalon loan from Porto, scored the winnerfour minutes from time after having alsorestored Besiktas’ lead late in the first half.It was the Turkish side’s first win in the

competition since 2009.If Napoli had won, it would have

become the first team in ChampionsLeague history to advance from its groupafter just three matches. Now, Napoli hasjust a one-point lead over Besiktas, withBenfica two points back after its 2-0 win atDynamo Kiev. While Napoli missed injuredcenter forward Arkadiusz Milik , thePartenopei were most lacking on defense.

Adriano scored on Besiktas’s first opportu-nity 12 minutes in, redirecting a low crossfrom Ricardo Quaresma that found its waythrough a crowded area.

Dries Mertens equalized for Napoli onthe half-hour mark, finishing off a beauti-ful exchange that began with captainMarek Hamsik and ended with JoseCallejon cutting the ball the back forMertens to prod home. Eight minutes lat-

er, Besiktas took the lead again throughAboubakar, who took advantage of adreadful back pass by Napoli midfielderJorginho. Besiktas goalkeeper Fabri madea diving save to stop a penalty fromLorenzo Insigne early in the second halfand preserve the lead.

Napoli substitute Manolo Gabbiadiniconverted a penalty to make it 2-2 fiveminutes after he replaced Insigne.

Fullback Caner Erkin was booked for tug-ging Mertens’ shirt in the area.Aboubakar’s second came with a headerfollowing a free kick from Quaresma,although the striker may have been off-side. It was Napoli’s first home loss in thecompetition, having won eight and drawnfour games stretching back to the oldEuropean Cup. Napoli has also lost twostraight in Serie A. — AP

Besiktas beat Napoli for first CL win in 7 years

LONDON: Ludogorets’ Madagascan midfielder Anicet Abel (C) tackles Arsenal’s Spanish defender Hector Bellerin during the UEFA ChampionsLeague Group A football match between Arsenal and Ludogorets Razgrad at The Emirates Stadium in London yesterday. — AFP

LONDON: Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchezshowed why their value to Arsenal is priceless asthe peerless duo inspired a 6-0 thrashing ofBulgarian minnows Ludogorets in theChampions League yesterday.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has urged Oziland Sanchez not to get greedy after reports theyboth plan to demand Arsenal increase theirwages to £250,000-per-week ($307,000, 279,000euros) when contract talks are reopened laterthis month. Sanchez and Ozil’s current dealsexpire in 2018, but Arsenal want their prizeassets to commit their long-term futures to theclub and on the evidence of their swaggeringdisplays at the Emirates Stadium, they shouldpay them whatever they want. Sanchez was thecatalyst for Arsenal’s romp as the formerBarcelona star netted his sixth goal of the seasonwith a quite brilliant first half chip, while Germanmidfielder Ozil smashed a second half hat-trick.

Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlainwere also on the scoresheet for rampant Arsenal,who are top of Champions League Group A afterthree matches and well on course for the last 16.Unbeaten in Europe this season, Arsenal havenow won seven successive matches in all com-petitions. Making four changes from the team

that beat Swansea on Saturday, Wenger calledfor his players to keep their foot on the gas afterbuilding some impressive momentum in recentweeks and the response was emphatic.

After scoring twice against Swansea, Walcotthad a golden opportunity to extend his hotstreak when Sanchez picked him out unmarkedinside the penalty area.

With only Ludogorets goalkeeper VladislavStoyanov to beat, Walcott strangely opted for across and his scuffed delivery was easily cleared.

Walcott’s faux pas was never likely to derailArsenal for long as they cut through theLudogorets defence time and again before tak-ing the lead in the 12th minute.

PRIME FORMTaking possession on the left edge of the

Ludogorets penalty area after beating theBulgarians’ attempted offside trap, Sanchezlooked up and lofted a majestic chip that archedover Stoyanov before nestling into the far cor-ner. While Arsenal were in prime form going for-ward, they were less convincing at the back andWanderson threatened with a stinging drive thatforced David Ospina into action.

Breached again moments later, Arsenal were

saved by Ospina, who raced off his line andbarely got to the ball before colliding with VirgilMisidjan, who appealed in vain for a penalty.

Ospina also had to be alert to block on theedge of the area before Wanderson fired againstthe woodwork from the rebound. Walcott mis-fired again when he blasted straight at Stoyanovfrom close-range, but he made amends in the42nd minute. Given time to size up his shootingchances 25 yards from goal, Walcott punishedLudogorets’ slack marking with a superb shotthat flashed past the slow-to-react Stoyanov.

With their chances of taking even a pointlooking forlorn, Ludogorets faded in the secondhalf and Oxlade-Chamberlain pounced onKieran Gibbs’ half-cleared cross to score Arsenal’sthird goal from 10 yards in the 46th minute.

Wenger’s men weren’t finished yet and Ozilmade it four when he raced onto Santi Cazorla’ssuperb long pass and drilled a low strike pastStoyanov in the 56th minute.

There was still time for Ozil to improve hisown bid for a bumper new deal as he struckagain with a cool finish in the 83rd minute.

Ozil completed his hat-trick in the 87thminute when he blasted home with a fierceclose-range volley. — AFP

Ozil treble, Sanchez gem

inspire rampant Arsenal

PARIS: Angel Di Maria’s first goal of the seasonset Paris Saint-Germain on their way to a 3-0Champions League victory against an unluckyBasel side at the Parc des Princes yesterday.

Di Maria grabbed the opener late in the firsthalf and Lucas doubled PSG’s lead just after thehour mark before Edinson Cavani’s late penaltysealed the victory as the French giants movedcloser to qualifying for the last 16 from Group A.

They remain level on seven points at the topof the group with Arsenal, who crushedLudogorets 6-0 in London, with Basel and theBulgarians both six points behind. A draw whenthey play Basel away in their next outing willlikely secure their progress to the next round,and yet the outcome of this game could havebeen very different, with the Swiss side hittingthe woodwork three times.

The home side were without the injuredThiago Motta, and while the elegant AdrienRabiot started in his place, they missed his abili-ty to dictate the tempo of a game and keep pos-session. Indeed, a side that had appeared soaccomplished in previous seasons under LaurentBlanc again looked a shadow of their formerselves for much of this game.

Paris have not yet convinced under UnaiEmery and they could not afford to underesti-mate a Basel outfit utterly dominant in theirdomestic league and who have pulled off someimpressive results in Europe.

The visitors were the better team in the firsthalf but missed several chances, first when BirkirBjarnason kept alive a corner at the back postand Michael Lang headed against the bar.

Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia then out-muscled Thiago Silva before releasing RenatoSteffen, but Alphonse Areola came out to denythe winger before Doumbia fired over the looseball. Di MarÌa did flash a volley just past afterbeing teed up by Lucas on a quick breakawaybut Basel hit the woodwork again in the 36thminute, this time from a Doumbia header after aMatias Delgado cross.

Rabiot was denied by Tomas Vaclik seconds

later but Paris were poor, and yet they went infront five minutes before the interval.

Cavani tried to convert a low ball in by BlaiseMatuidi but his touch turned into an assist for DiMaria, who finished emphatically.

Cavani saw a header graze the near post onits way past as he connected with a Di Mariafree-kick at the start of the second half.

He then robbed Eder Balanta and bore downon goal but could not beat Vaclik. Instead, it wasLucas who made it 2-0 moments later, slotting

low into the net after Basel failed to cut out aSerge Aurier centre.

It was not Basel’s evening, and they hit theframe of the goal for the third time in the 66thminute. Marek Suchy’s header following a free-kick struck an upright and then rebounded offan unwitting Areola on the line.

Cavani then added gloss to the score-line byconverting a stoppage-time penalty for his 17thgoal this season for club and country after hehad been fouled in the box. — AFP

GLASGOW: Celtic’s Champion Leaguehopes were in tatters yesterday as BorussiaMonchengladbach produced a clinical per-formance to inflict a 2-0 home defeat onthe Scottish champions.

The Germans arrived in Glasgow with ahorrendous injury list and struggling forform following defeats by Manchester Cityand Barcelona in their opening Group C fix-tures. However, the Bundesliga side domi-nated the match from the start as theyplayed with the kind of intensity that hadhelped Celtic claim a thrilling 3-3 draw withManchester City on match day two.

Following a goalless first half, captainLars Stindl rifled his side into a deservedlead in the 57th minute after a mistakefrom veteran defender Kolo Toure.

The former Liverpool defender wascaught out again 20 minutes later as AndreHahn pounced to grab the second andinflict only Celtic’s fourth home defeat in 26Champions League games.

Monchengladbach move to within onepoint of Manchester City in second, wholost 3-0 to Group C leaders Barcelonathanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick on PepGuardiola’s return to the Nou Camp, whileCeltic are rooted to the bottom on onepoint. The Hoops flew out of the trapsagainst City but any hopes for a similarstart were thwarted by theMonchengladbach players who seemed tohave the measure of their opponents.

Much was made of the visitors’ injuryproblems with key forwards Raffael,Thorgan Hazard and Josip Drmic missing,but their replacements were impressive astwice within the opening minutes theCeltic defence was torn apart.

Only a last-ditch block from Toure pre-vented a Hahn shot from reaching CraigGordon, but the ‘keeper didn’t have to wait

long to be tested. Ibrahima Traore’s effort had the Hoops

stopper at full-stretch to make a fingertipsave before he smothered the danger asHahn looked to pounce on the loose ball.

The Bundesliga side seemed to cutthrough Celtic with ease and JonasHoffman was next to try his luck but his ris-ing shot failed to trouble Gordon.

The Hoops looked to be in trouble asStindl latched on to a poor backward head-er by Bitton, but the Foals’ captain over hithis pass to Hahn whose shot from a tightangle was tipped over by Gordon.

The Celtic fans, who seemed to drivetheir side forward against Man City withtheir raucous support, were silenced astheir side struggled to cope with the relent-less pressure from the Germans.

However, they came alive again justbefore the break as Rogic’s clever passbehind the Borussia defence played inSinclair but the English forward sent hiseffort sailing over the bar.

The home support tried their best torouse their side at the start of the secondhalf but the Germans’ slick one-touch pass-ing play stifled their opponents.

The visitors took a deserved lead inbizarre circumstances. Toure was caughttrying to usher the ball out inside the six-yard box but Hahn’s perseverance allowedhim to dig the ball back into ball for theadvancing Stindl who lashed the ballthrough the legs of Gordon.

Another costly mistake from Toureallowed the visitors to increase theiradvantage. The experienced defender wascaught dithering on the ball by Hahn whorobbed him of possession near thehalfway line and raced away to blast astrike into the top right-hand corner ofGordon’s net. — AFP

Di Maria points the way for PSG

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria (2nd-L) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (2nd-R) control the ball moments before scoringduring the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Paris Saint-Germain(PSG) and Basel at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris yesterday. — AFP

Celtic’s CL hopes in tatters

after Kolo Toure blunders

KIEV: Benfica goalkeeper Ederson makes a save in front of Kiev’s Andriy Yarmolenkoduring the Champions League Group B soccer match between Dynamo Kiev andBenfica at the Olympiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, yesterday. — AP

KIEV: Eduardo Salvio converted a penaltyand Franco Servi also scored as Benficabeat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 yesterday for a firstwin in the Champions League this season.

GonÁalo Guedes was brought down byAntunes, allowing Salvio the chance toscore from the spot in the ninth minute.Conceding early disrupted Dynamo’s

rhythm and the hosts fell further behind inthe 55th, when Servi scored at the secondattempt after his first effort struck his ownplayer, Kostas Mitroglou.

Benfica moved up to third in Group C, apoint behind Besiktas and two behindNapoli after three games. Dynamo has onepoint. — AP

‘Benfica beat Dynamo Kiev

GLASGOW: Celtic’s Erik Sviatchenko, right, jumps for the ball ahead ofMoenchengladbach’s Lars Stindl during the Champions League group C soccermatch between Celtic and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Celtic Park, Glasgow,Scotland, yesterday. — AP

16IOC boss ducks S Korea row in Tokyo 2020 visit

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

19Ozil treble, Sanchezgem inspire rampant Arsenal

Taylor Hall scores twice in home debut for Devils Page 17

BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi kicks the ball during a Champions League, Group C soccer match between Barcelona and Manchester City, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, yesterday. — AP

BARCELONA: Manchester City’s Claudio Bravo and PepGuardiola endured a nightmare return to Barcelona asLionel Messi’s hat-trick spearheaded a 4-0 ChampionsLeague rout for the Spanish champions yesterday.

Guardiola led Barca to 14 trophies in a glorious four-year reign between 2008 and 2012, but his homecom-ing was undone by a series of shocking defensive errorsand Messi’s clinical touch on his return from injury.

Messi pounced on Fernandinho’s slip to give Barca ahalf-time lead before goalkeeper Bravo was sent off forhandling Luis Suarez’s shot outside the area.

Two more sumptuous Messi finishes soon followedand Neymar made amends for missing a penalty with abrilliant individual run and finish for Barca’s fourth afterJeremy Mathieu’s red card left both sides with 10 men.City now trail Barca by five points at the top of Group C.

Guardiola’s decision to jettison England number oneJoe Hart to bring in Bravo at the start of the season will

once again come under the spotlight as the Chilean’sdifficult start to life at City cost the visitors dearly.

However, early on it looked as if Guardiola was to getone over on his former teammate, Barca coach LuisEnrique, as City hemmed the hosts inside their own halfand enjoyed the vast majority of possession.

The course of the game changed with one hugeerror on 17 minutes, though, as Fernandinho’s untimelyslip left Messi free inside the area and he calmly round-ed Bravo to slot home on his first start for a month aftera groin injury.

Barca’s injury problems continued as Jordi Alba andGerard Pique limped off before the break due to ham-string and ankle problems respectively.

Bravo rushed from his line to deny Neymar latchingonto Samuel Umtiti’s brilliant ball over the City defence,whilst Ivan Rakitic headed wastefully wide from a Messifree-kick as Barca threatened a second.

Yet, City could easily have been level as Marc-Andreter Stegen turned Nolito’s angled drive behind beforethe German made a stunning stop from internationalteammate Ilkay Gundogan.

John Stones then headed a golden chance wide, butCity were grateful to Bravo again when his outstretchedleg denied Suarez before he reacted in time to turn therebound over his crossbar just before half-time.

There was no reprieve for Bravo eight minutes intothe second half when he gifted possession to Suarezand then saved the Uruguayan’s effort whilst outside hisbox to prompt an obvious red card.

City were still reeling from that blow when Messicurled home at the near post-a finish reminiscent of hisopening goal when Guardiola also suffered a 3-0 drub-bing on his only previous return to the Camp Nou as avisiting coach with Bayern Munich two seasons ago.

By contrast, Ter Stegen continued to shine at the oth-

er end as he produced another stunning save to turnKevin de Bruyne’s low effort to safety.

Messi completed his second hat-trick in as manyChampions League games this season 21 minutes fromtime thanks to another City gift. Gundogan this timepresented the ball to Suarez, who unselfishly squaredfor Messi to slot home.

Mathieu picked up two yellow cards in three minutesto balance up the numbers on each side.

But by then the damage had already been done asafter winning his first 10 games in charge, Guardiola’smen have now gone four matches without a win.

Willy Caballero looked to have saved City from fur-ther embarrassment as he stopped Neymar’s penaltythree minutes from time.

But the Brazilian responded in style by dancing pasta series of tired City defenders before slotting into thefar corner. — AFP

Messi hat-trick punishes Man City

MUNICH: Bayern Munich broke their three-game winless streak with an emphatic 4-1 win athome to PSV Eindhoven yesterday in theChampions League with winger Arjen Robbenoutstanding.

Thomas Mueller and Joshua Kimmich putBayern ahead at the Allianz Arena beforeLuciano Narsingh netted for Eindhoven beforethe break, but Robert Lewandowski made it 3-1on the hour mark.

Robben, who created two goals, capped aneye-catching display with a fourth goal asBayern got their Group D campaign back ontrack after their 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madridthree weeks ago.

After talk from the German media of a ‘mini-crisis’, following three games without a win in allcompetitions, this was the result and perform-ance Bayern needed.

But the German league leaders were aidedand abetted by an Eindhoven defence which leftacres of space to exploit, especially early on,allowing Bayern 28 shots on goal, while theDutch managed only eight in reply. Bayernremain second in Group D, three points behindleaders Atletico, who won 1-0 at Rostov, whileEindhoven are third with a single point.

Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti had hinted atchanges from the side which drew 2-2 atEintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, a Bundesliga

performance chairman Karl-Heinz Rummeniggehad branded “unacceptable”.

Lewandowski was the only change to thestarting line-up in a 4-3-3 formation as Muellerswitched to the wing and Kingsley Coman drop-ping to the bench.

Eindhoven coach Phillip Cocu made twochanges from their 1-1 Dutch league draw withHeracles Almelo as Netherlands striker Narsinghand Mexico winger Andres Guardado returned.

Bayern needed just 12 minutes to take thelead thanks to quick thinking from Mueller andRobben, who fired in a short pass from a corner.

Eindhoven goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet parriedMueller’s shot, but the Germany internationalsnapped up the rebound and slotted home offhis right foot.

Bayern exploited the space Eindhoven gener-ously gave them at the back.

David Alaba’s cross clipped a defender, butKimmich tracked the looping ball to headerover the line on 21 minutes for his seventh goalin eight games. Eindhoven then tightened theirdefence and started to attack.

Uruguay winger Gaston Pereiro had the ballin the Munich net on their first meaningfulattack on 39 minutes, but the goal was incorrect-ly ruled off side.

The Dutch clawed one back two minutes laterwhen Narsingh’s superb shot from outside thearea crashed in off the post to the annoyance ofBayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to make it 2-1at the break.

Lewandowski fired wide in the first two min-utes after the break, but only Neuer’s reflex savedenied Pereiro at the other end.

Just as PSV were gaining momentum, Bayernextended their lead. Robben beat two defendersbefore Zoet parried his shot beforeLewandowski headed in the rebound on 59 min-utes. Zoet’s saves, to deny Alaba and Mueller,kept the score respectable before ThiagoAlcantara’s chip saw Robben nudge the ball overthe Eindhoven keeper on 84 minutes. — AFP

ROSTOV-ON-DON: Top of La Liga and nowwith three wins from three in theChampions League, Atletico Madrid’s sea-son so far is going to plan after beating FCRostov 1-0 yesterday.

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco fired in thewinner on a cold night in Russia onWednesday, and at the halfway point inGroup D Atletico is all but assured of quali-fying for the knockout stages with aneight-point lead over third place.

Carrasco now boasts five goals from hislast four games for Atletico after havingfailed to score in his first seven outings ofthe season. Against Rostov, the Belgiumwinger was all action from the start, forcinga save from Rostov goalkeeper SoslanDzhanaev early on and twice helping to setup good chances that were missed by

Angel Correa. Against a tenacious Rostovteam which had not lost at home for 26games, the breakthrough came in the 62ndminute when Carrasco met Juanfran’s crosswith a fierce shot on the bounce afterFernando Torres had failed to convert fromclose range.

Atletico’s star attacking midfielderAntoine Griezmann started the game slow-ly but played an increasingly valuable rolein the second half and could have scoredAtletico’s second in the 83rd, but Dzhanaevmade the save.

Defensively minded Rostov has onepoint from three games in its ChampionsLeague debut campaign and rarely threat-ened to score against Atletico, barring acouple of late efforts easily dealt with bygoalkeeper Jan Oblak. — AP

Bayern thump Eindhoven to break winless streak

MUNICH: Bayern Munich’s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben (L) and Eindhoven’s Mexicandefender Hector Moreno vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League group D foot-ball match FC Bayern Munich vs PSV Eindhoven in Munich, yesterday.— AFP

ROSTOV-ON-DON: Atletico Madrid’s Argentinian midfielder Angel Correa (L) andRostov’s Ecuadorian midfielder Christian Noboa vie for the ball during the UEFAChampions League football match between FC Rostov and Club Atletico de Madridin Rostov-on-Don yesterday. — AFP

Carrasco fires Atletico

to win over Rostov 1-0

BusinessTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Dollar recedes from a seven-month peak

Page 24

UK jobless rate holds at 4.9% despite Brexit

Page 25

Property, credit booms stabilize China growth

Page 23Rosneft enters India with $13 billion Essar deal

Page 25

TRIPOLI: Libyans ride a horse-pulled-cart on Martyrs’ Square in the capital Tripoli. When the 2011 uprising toppled the regime of dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libyans dreamt of transforming their country into anotherDubai, but the political stalemate and the conflict rocking Libya are preventing the North African country from taking advantage of its vast oil resources and pushing the economy towards collapse, experts say. —AFP

TRIPOLI: Political stalemate and the conflictrocking Libya are preventing the North Africancountry from taking advantage of its vast oilresources and pushing the economy towardscollapse, experts say. When the 2011 uprisingtoppled the regime of dictator MuammarGaddafi, Libyans dreamt of transforming theircountry into another Dubai. Today, they havesomewhat lower expectations. “To live in secu-rity, have electricity, fuel and a salary, and sendour children to school. We’re not asking foranything more than that,” said Mahmoud, a35-year-old Tripoli resident.

Long queues form ever y morning atbanks, which do not have enough cash tomeet customers’ needs, and the people faceunprecedented high prices. The World Bankreports a “substantial loss in real purchasingpower of the population”, with basic foodprices leaping 31 percent in the first quarterof the year. Meanwhile, in the absence of

police or army, crime is rife in the capital. Cartheft, kidnapping for ransom and vendettasbetween armed groups are common. After 42years in power, Gaddafi left behind a dilapi-dated infrastructure, an economy totallydependent on oil revenues and a poorlyskilled workforce. In the five years since hewas killed, most foreign investors have fled.

‘Mired in recession’“The Libyan economy is near collapse as

political stalemate and civil conflict prevent itfrom fully exploiting its sole natural resource:oil,” the World Bank warned. Libya may haveAfrica’s largest oil reserves, estimated at 48 bil-lion barrels, but production and exports haveslumped dramatically through years of crisis.Libya pumped around 1.6 million barrels ofcrude a day before Gaddafi’s overthrow, butthe ensuing chaos hit production which fell aslow as 290,000 in recent months, according to

the National Oil Company (NOC).Coupled with low global oil prices, this has

left the economy “mired in recession since2013”, with record high deficits, the WorldBank said. Libya has lost more than $100 bil-lion (91 billion euros) in oil revenues since2013, according to NOC chairman MustafaSanalla. Oil income has fallen to record lows,hitting just $2.25 billion (2.05 billion euros) inthe first seven months of 2016, according tothe World Bank. That is far from the $50 billion(45 bill ion euros) per year oil revenuesbrought Libya under Gaddafi.

The sector, which used to bring in 95 per-cent of state revenues, has fallen victim tofeuding between militias and rival govern-ments that have torn the country apart. Oilproduction fell to near zero during the 2011uprising. In the following months it cameclose to pre-revolution levels, but in 2013tumbled again as protests and violence

erupted around key export terminals in east-ern Libya’s so-called Oil Crescent. InSeptember, the four terminals were seized byforces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar,who is allied to an authority in the east thatopposes the internationally recognized unitygovernment based in Tripoli.

Damaged infrastructure After Haftar’s takeover, exports quickly

resumed-a development welcomed by theNOC which has sought to remain neutraldespite the two governments’ intense rivalry.But repairing infrastructure damaged by fight-ing will take time, and the World Bank doesnot expect production to return to capacityuntil 2020. Even as exports resume, the crisis islikely to continue as revenues struggle tomatch vast public spending, Karima Munir, anindependent Libyan expert said.

“The country is a massive welfare state and

alternative sources of income need to befound,” she said. “The reliance on oil has had asevere impact on the economy and put pres-sure on (capital) reserves.” To bridge the rev-enue gap, the authorities have drawn ondwindling currency reserves which the WorldBank says have fallen from $107.6 billion (97.7billion euros) in 2013 to $43 billion (39.0 bil-lion euros) in 2016.

Currency exchange restrictions and specu-lation are pushing the economy into a viciouscycle and boosting a flourishing black market.Most Libyans no longer trust the banks andalmost all transactions happen on the blackmarket. Supermarket shelves are empty astraders cut imports for fear of losses in a wildlyfluctuating market. One of the few businessleaders still in Tripoli warned that things coulddeteriorate further. “The situation could geteven worse if a quick solution isn’t found tothe problem of liquidity,” he said.—AFP

Chaos-ridden Libya’s economy on the brink

Libyan economy nears collapse amid low oil prices

DUBAI: Saudi Basic Industries (SABIC) helpedlift Riyadh’s stock market yesterday after itreported a third-quarter net profit at the topend of forecasts, but a loss at Qatar’s third-largest bank dragged that market lower. Egyptslid for a fourth straight session. Riyadh’s stockindex rebounded 1.1 percent, ending threedays of declines and trimming its loss sinceSunday to 3.0 percent. SABIC, the Gulf’s largestpetrochemical producer, climbed 1.8 percent to84.00 riyals after posting a net profit of 5.22 bil-lion riyals ($1.39 billion) in the three months toSept. 30, down 6.8 percent from a year ago.Analysts polled by Reuters had on average pre-dicted 5.05 billion riyals.

Riyad Capital said in a note that althoughSABIC’s sales dipped on a quarterly and yearlybasis, margins expanded to offset some of thatnegative impact. It raised its target price forSABIC to 86.00 riyals from 80.00 riyals but main-tained a “neutral” rating. “We have increasedgross margin assumptions for the full year andbeyond as global petrochemical spreads havebeen healthy.” Roughly two-thirds of Saudi

petrochemical producers have now reportedthird-quarter earnings, with generally weakresults. Nama Chemicals, a mid-sized producer,said yesterday it made a loss of 32.6 millionriyals versus a loss of 24.0 million in the sameperiod of 2015; its shares closed flat.

Middle East Healthcare jumped 7.8 per-cent after its quarterly net income rose 1.4percent to 92 mil l ion r iyals. The posit ivemood spilled into some shares that were hitearlier this week by disappointing results.Lender Saudi Hollandi rebounded 2.4 per-cent. But Emaar the Economic City, developerof an industrial city near Jeddah, dropped 1.6percent after reporting a third-quarter netloss of 81 million riyals versus a profit of 8million riyals a year ago.

In Dubai, the index built positive momen-tum in the last hour of trade to close up 0.1percent. No major companies posted freshresults; DXB Entertainments climbed 3.3 per-cent ahead of opening its theme parks at theend of this month. Gains in blue chips helpedboost Abu Dhabi’s stock index 0.9 percent.

First Gulf Bank added 1.8 percent, trimming itslosses to 1.3 percent since Sunday.

Qatar, Egypt UnderperformIn Qatar, the index closed down 0.3 percent as

Commercial Bank of Qatar dropped 4.8 percent.The bank made a net attributable loss of 1.04 mil-lion riyals ($285,612) in the third quarter versus aprofit of 275.9 million riyals a year earlier; analystspolled by Reuters had forecast a profit of 281.7million riyals. The bank cited provisions for non-performing loans, after former Australia and NewZealand Banking Group banker Joseph Abrahamwas appointed chief executive in July. MedicareGroup sank 2.9 percent after reporting an 85 per-cent drop in third-quarter net profit to 4.8 millionriyals. Qatar Insurance fell 0.7 percent on a 6 per-cent drop in third-quarter profit to 108.8 millionriyals, considerably below EFG Hermes’ forecast of312 million riyals. In Cairo, the index of the 30most valuable shares pulled back 0.7 percent inmodest volume. Heliopolis Co for Housing lost 0.6percent after reporting a 47.9 percent drop inquarterly net profit. —Reuters

MIDEAST STOCKS

SABIC profit boosts Saudi as

Qatar hit by weak earningsMUMBAI: A multi-million-dollar racket thatused fake Indian call centers to trick US citi-zens into paying bogus tax bills may be thetip of the iceberg, with police warning simi-lar scams could be operating across thecountry. School leavers or college dropoutswould be trained to speak with anAmerican accent, posing as US InternalRevenue Service officials and scare peopleinto believing they owed the governmentcash, detectives said. The scheme, whichhad been operating for over a year, nettedmore than 10 million rupees ($150,000) aday, they added.

More than 70 people have been arrestedafter police this month swooped on call cen-ters in western India, from Mumbai to theGujarat capital of Ahmedabad, but they sus-pect the network could stretch even further.“We believe that the racket is spread acrossIndia, including in the north,” ParambirSingh, commissioner of police in theMumbai suburb of Thane said. Police fromThane, on the outskirts of India’s financialcapital, rounded up at least 770 employeesof bogus call centers on October 4. Mostwere let go pending further investigationsbut 72 were arrested while another suspect

was detained this week as police try to closein on the 23-year-old alleged mastermind.

It is claimed the accused would berate vic-tims for falsely failing to pay taxes and thenthreaten them with jail if they did not coughup immediately. The con artists would use analtered caller ID number that made it look likethey were ringing from the United States andoften quoted IRS badge numbers to makethem appear legitimate. The fraudsters wouldtrick the victim into sending money, oftenthrough pre-paid debit cards that can be pur-chased at stores like Walmart, or even by buy-ing Apple iTunes gift cards. In both instancestransfers are made by the victim handing overthe card’s registration number.

The iTunes scam has even led Apple toissue a global warning on its website urgingpeople not to give the number to someonethey do not know. The IRS has been warningabout identical scams for a few years withreports in US media that such schemes mighthave been operating out of India. In January,the US Treasury Inspector General for TaxAdministration said it was aware of more than5,000 victims who had paid a total of morethan $26.5 million in such scams sinceOctober 2013. —AFP

Indian police fear the US tax

scam spread across country

B U S I N E S STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

ASIAN COUNTRIESJapanese Yen 2.927Indian Rupees 4.560Pakistani Rupees 2.901Srilankan Rupees 2.070Nepali Rupees 2.848Singapore Dollar 220.040Hongkong Dollar 39.140Bangladesh Taka 3.871Philippine Peso 6.306Thai Baht 8.719

GCC COUNTRIESSaudi Riyal 80.017Qatari Riyal 83.455ani Riyal 789.111

Swiss Franc 308.740Australian Dollar 234.720US Dollar Buying 302.450

GOLD20 Gram 255.96010 Gram 130.9005 Gram 66.300

Rate for Transfer Selling RateUS Dollar 303.900Canadian Dollar 231.960Sterling Pound 373.965Euro 334.585Swiss Frank 301.755Bahrain Dinar 803.385

UAE Dirhams 82.970Qatari Riyals 84.185Saudi Riyals 81.760Jordanian Dinar 428.225Egyptian Pound 34.126Sri Lankan Rupees 2.069Indian Rupees 4.547Pakistani Rupees 2.899Bangladesh Taka 3.866Philippines Pesso 6.289Cyprus pound 160.170Japanese Yen 3.920Syrian Pound 2.420Nepalese Rupees 3.835Malaysian Ringgit 72.950Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.510Thai Bhat 9.595Turkish Lira 98.530

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

Bahraini Dinar 806.830UAE Dirham 82.716

ARAB COUNTRIESEgyptian Pound - Cash 25.100Egyptian Pound - Transfer 34.583Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.220Tunisian Dinar 136.290Jordanian Dinar 428.430Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.024Syrian Lira 2.0165Morocco Dirham 31.369

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIESUS Dollar Transfer 303.650Euro 335.530Sterling Pound 374.860Canadian dollar 232.680Turkish lira 98.590

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s energy minister gave anupbeat message to an audience of industry exec-utives yesterday, saying the oil market was at theend of a downturn and producer action to limitsupply would help it improve further. Khalid Al-Falih also told the annual Oil and Money confer-ence in London that non-OPEC countries wereshowing a willingness to freeze and even cutsupplies alongside the Organization of thePetroleum Exporting Countries. “Market forcesare clearly working after a testing period of sub-$30 prices. The fundamentals are improving andthe market is clearly balancing the supply anddemand equation,” Falih said.

“With this contribution of improving funda-mentals, rebalancing and the joint action byOPEC and non-OPEC alike, I fully expect marketconditions to continue improving.” Oil is tradingnear $52 a barrel, less than half its level in mid-

2014 when prices began to slide due to over-supply. The downturn deepened after OPEC inNovember 2014 dropped its traditional role ofcutting its supply to support prices. Appointedas energy minister for the top OPEC oil producerand world’s biggest exporter earlier this year,Falih has overseen a return by the group tomanaging supply.

OPEC agreed in Algiers on Sept. 28 to reduceproduction to a range of 32.50 million to 33.0million barrels per day, which would be its firstoutput cut since 2008. Another meeting on Nov.30 is set to firm up details of the accord. Falih saidthat by freezing production or slightly reducingit, OPEC wanted to signal to the market that itwanted to lower inventories and encourageinvestment. Spending has fallen due to the pricedrop, raising concern about supply in the medi-um term. “I am happy to see more rigs coming

back,” he said, adding that unconventional oilproduction was important for helping to meetglobal demand growth.

A challenge for OPEC is to work out how tomanage the aspiration of members whose out-put has been cut involuntarily to pump more.Output levels are not known in some countriesthat have disruptions, Libya, Nigeria andVenezuela, Falih said. “We want some clarity onwhere those producers are as we approach themeeting in November,” he said. OPEC wantsnon-member producers such as Russia to con-tribute to the supply limiting effort and Falihwas optimistic that they would deliver. “Non-OPEC is showing willingness to join, I won’tmention names, to not only freeze but cut pro-duction,” he said. “Their contribution to stabi-lization could be as significant as those made byOPEC members.” — Reuters

Falih says oil market

at end of downturnNon-OPEC not only willing to freeze but cut output

ACCRA: Photo shows the Agility Distribution Park near Ghana’s main port - the first of a network of logistics parks it intends to build acrossAfrica, bringing world-class warehousing and logistics capabilities.

ACCRA: Agility, a leading global logistics andinfrastructure provider, has opened a distribu-tion park near Ghana’s main port, the first of anetwork of logistics parks it intends to buildacross Africa, bringing world-class warehousingand logistics capabilities. Tenants at the 45-acreGhana Agility Distribution Park in the Tema PortFree Trade Zone Enclave include multinationalsentering the West African market and small andmedium-size Ghanaian companies using thepark to expand their operations in light manu-facturing and export and import.

Agility is developing distribution parks inCote D’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, Mozambiqueand Angola. It has additional sites available inSenegal, Mauritius and Cameroon. “One of thebiggest constraints to companies starting to dobusiness in Africa is the lack of quality logisticsand infrastructure,” said Geoffrey White, CEO ofAgility Africa. “This is inhibiting the growth oftrade, imports, exports and manufacturing.” TheAgility parks provide 24-hour security, reliablepower and connectivity, and international-stan-dard warehousing and logistics services. In addi-

tion, Agility develops “Build-to-Suit” options forcustomers to meet their specific requirements.

“Agility is a world leader in developing logis-tics parks around the globe. We are committedto using this in-depth experience to establish anetwork of quality facilities in Africa,” White said.“By developing and leasing much-needed ware-housing, the Agility Distribution Parks help com-panies operate in Africa with the reliable, mod-ern and secure infrastructure they need to growtheir business, allowing them to access newmarkets without committing large amounts ofcapital.” To meet demand, Agility is building sev-en more warehouses at the Ghana park in a sec-ond phase of development. It is also finalizingproposals for several large Build-to-Suit facilitiesat the Ghana park, each tailored to specific cus-tomer requirements with sizes ranging from5,000 sqm to 25,000 sqm.

Agility Distribution Parks meet internationalenvironmental standards and use eco-friendlyconstruction materials. Agility used energy effi-cient roof and side insulated panels; wind-drivenroof fans; skylights for natural lighting; LED and

energy-saving bulbs; and solar-powered streetlights. The site will recycle paper, plastic, metal,and carton waste. It provides eco-friendly wastemanagement services and carbon footprintreporting. The 2016 Agility Emerging MarketsLogistics Index ranked Ghana as one of the mostpromising markets in Africa. Africa’s growing mid-dle class and consumer spending were identifiedas the most significant drivers for Africa’s growthin the Index, an annual ranking of the world’smost attractive emerging markets countries.

To provide training in management andlogistics-related skills, Agility has developedleadership programs for Africa that are availableto local employees and university graduates.Trainees will have the opportunity to gain expe-rience working with Agility in Ghana and aroundthe world. “Agility is investing in the future ofAfrica by funding and developing projects thatbuild long-term sustainable businesses. TheGhana distribution park is just the first step,”White said. “We are proud to be supportingGhana’s economic growth, and the economicgrowth of Africa as a whole.”

Agility opens world-class

logistics park in Ghana

MANAMA: Eagle Hills Diyar, a private real estateinvestment and development company based inBahrain yesterday announced that it will show-case one of Bahrain’s key real estate develop-ments, Marassi Al Bahrain, at the JumeirahMessilah Beach Hotel in Kuwait from 17 to 19October. The exclusive exhibit, located in theDewan 2 private meeting room, will give Kuwaitinationals and visitors a preview of the exquisiteresidential opportunities available within MarassiResidences and Marassi Shores Residences, at the875,000 square meter waterfront destination,which is located on the northern shores of themaster-development Diyar Al Muharraq.

Dr Maher Al Shaer, Managing Director of EagleHills Diyar, said: “Marassi Al Bahrain will rival interna-

tional waterfront destinations with its lush green gar-dens, ocean-facing residences, and two world-classhotels. Its location in Bahrain is an added attractionbecause the Kingdom remains a quick and populargetaway for visitors from Kuwait, Qatar and theKingdom of Saudi Arabia. This master-plannedwaterfront development is especially appealing tofamilies due to its unique mix of outdoor activities,shopping, dining, and entertainment.”

The Marassi Al Bahrain master plan includesseveral residential projects, such as theannounced Marassi Residences and MarassiShores Residences, as well as the iconic MarassiGalleria, a 178,000sqm high-end lifestyle andshopping destination, which will feature a rangeof entertainment and dining options, lush gar-

dens, and shaded walkways. Eagle Hills Diyarrecently announced the award of its contract formajor piling works on Marassi Galleria to Germanground-engineering firm Keller Grundbau GmbH.

The piling contract milestone marks the begin-ning of construction on the Marassi Al Bahrainsite as planned, with the project on track for deliv-ering a unique master-planned urban develop-ment, offering unique waterfront residential, hos-pitality, retail and entertainment space. MarassiGalleria also incorporates two first-to-market hos-pitality brands, introducing to the Kingdom the110-room The Address Hotel and 160-room VIDAHotel, both of which have been successful smartlifestyle concepts operated by Emaar HospitalityGroup across the UAE.

Marassi Al Bahrain to be showcased in Kuwait

Vibrant waterfront lifestyle destination on display

B U S I N E S STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

BEIJING: China’s economy expanded at asteady 6.7 percent in the third quarter andlooks set to hit Beijing’s full-year target,fueled by stronger government spending,record bank lending and a red-hot proper-ty market that are adding to its growingpile of debt. Yesterday’s data painted a pic-ture of an economy that is slowly stabiliz-ing but increasingly dependent on govern-ment spending and a housing boom forgrowth, as private investment and exportsremain stubbornly weak.

Some economists believe Beijing hashad to “double down” on stimulus this yearto meet its official growth range of 6.5 to 7percent, and say the government’s obses-sion with meeting hard targets may hurtboth planned reforms and the long-termhealth of the world’s second-largest econo-my. “So far this year they have clearly cho-sen to do everything they can to meet thegrowth targets, and now there is a little bitof an upward surprise from the housingmarket which actually will help them withGDP growth this year,” said Louis Kuijs, headOf Asia economics at Oxford Economics inHong Kong.

“The question really is, is the leadershipwilling to move to somewhat lower growthtargets in order to put growth on a moresustainable footing, or will it feel obliged tocontinue to hang on to those very highgrowth targets.” The economy grew at thesame clip in the third quarter year-on-yearas in the first and second quarters, as ana-lysts polled by Reuters had expected.Government infrastructure projects andthe property boom have spurred pricesand demand for raw materials and goodsfrom cement and steel to furniture. On aquarterly basis, it grew 1.8 percent, again inline with expectations but easing slightlyfrom the previous period.

Biggest risk Economists believe the greatest near-

term risk for China is a possible correctionin the high-flying property market, whichaccounts for about 15 percent of GDP. Realestate investment accelerated inSeptember and home sales soared, high-lighting persistent investor demand evenas more cities tighten measures to curbprices. Property investment growth tickedup to 7.8 percent in September on-year,and property sales surged 34 percent,though new construction starts fell 19.4percent, suggesting sentiment amongbuilders may be shifting as the governmentlooks to cool the buying frenzy.

A wave of restrictions imposed on buy-ers in major cities since early October hasresulted in a sharp drop in sales and author-ities are stepping up pressure on specula-tors. Shanghai said on Tuesday it had pun-ished some property agencies for falsifyingcontracts and had launched probes intosome developers suspected of raising priceswithout authorization. Most economists donot expect house prices to collapse, arguingthe market is supported by steady migra-tion to bigger cities, but memories are stillfresh of authorities’ heavy-handed attemptto cool surging stock markets last year,which triggered a crash and an unprece-dented government rescue.

The property craze has also heightenedconcerns about China’s growing debt andthe risks to its financial system, as much ofthe record loan growth has been driven bymortgages. China’s debt has soared to 250percent of GDP and the Bank forInternational Settlements (BIS) warned inSeptember that a banking crisis was loom-ing in the next three years. “We think thatthe cooling measures in property marketwill weigh on China’s economy over thecoming quarters,” Commerzbank econo-

mist Zhou Hao in Hong Kong said in a note.But statistics bureau spokesman ShengLaiyun said “the impact (of property adjust-ment measures) on the economy will notbe very big” in the short-term.

Modest improvementConsumption contributed 71 percent of

GDP growth in the first three quarters ofthe year, compared with 66.4 percent for2015. The increase is partly due to contract-ing net exports but also indicates somesuccess in Beijing’s attempts to rebalancethe economy from an over reliance oninvestment-led growth. September indica-tors were mostly in line with expectationsand improved slightly from August, butindustrial output growth unexpectedlycooled to 6.1 percent from a year earlier,versus expectations for 6.4 percent. Fixed-asset investment rose 8.2 percent inJanuary-September from a year earlier, asexpected, as the government cranked upinfrastructure spending to support theeconomy. Fiscal spending in the nine-month period climbed 12.5 percent.

Private investment growth picked up to4.5 percent in September after falling to

record lows in recent months, but still sig-nificantly lags investment by state-ownedfirms. For the first nine months, privateinvestment rose just 2.5 percent. Retailsales rose 10.7 percent in September on-year, beating expectations of 10.6 percentas home buyers bought appliances anddecorated, while subsidies fueled strongsales of new cars. China’s economy expand-ed 6.9 percent in 2015, the slowest pace ina quarter of a century.

While analysts expect China to meet itsgrowth target this year, as usual, manyremain skeptical of the official numbers,especially as growth has remainunchanged for three straight quarters evenas the country attempts a major economictransition. “The official GDP figures remaintoo stable to tell us much about the per-formance of China’s economy. Our ownmeasure of economic activity suggests thatgrowth actually picked up last quarter,though the improvement clearly won’t last,”Julian Evans-Pritchard, China economist atCapital Economics in Singapore wrote in anote. Capital Economics’ calculations sug-gest the economy is growing at around 5percent.— Reuters

Doha Bank net profit misses expectations

DUBAI: Doha Bank, Qatar’s fifth-largest lender byassets, yesterday reported a 8.9 percent fall in third-quarter net profit, missing analysts’ expectations.The bank earned a net profit of 310.6 million riyals($85.3 million) in the three months to Sept 30against 340.9 million riyals in the same period a yearearlier, according to its full financial statement.Reuters had earlier calculated a third-quarter figurefrom a preliminary statement from the bank yester-day, which gave results for the nine months to Sept.30 and did not break out the third quarter. Fouranalysts polled by Reuters had forecast on averagethe bank would make a quarterly net profit of 354.1million riyals. Banks in Qatar are battling against thefallout from a prolonged weakness in energy prices,which has dented growth in lending and con-strained liquidity. Loans at the end of Septemberstood at 55.6 billion riyals, gaining 2.1 percent onthe same point in 2015, while deposits fell 6.6 per-cent to 48.6 billion riyals over the same period.

Saudi Arabia targets $17.5 billion in first bond issue

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plans to raise up to $17.5 bil-lion from its first international bond issue,Bloomberg News reported yesterday, citing twopeople familiar with the offering. It would make theSaudi issue the largest ever from an emerging-mar-ket nation, said Bloomberg News, whose sourceswere not identified. The figure exceeds the $15 bil-lion which an analyst had previously said could bethe value of the issue. The kingdom, the world’slargest oil exporter, projected a deficit of $87 bil-lion this year after a fall in oil revenues, which stillaccounts for most of its income. To cover the short-fall, Saudi Arabia has imposed unprecedented sub-sidy cuts, slowed government projects, and lastmonth cut cabinet ministers’ salaries, among othermeasures. Saudi Arabia has already issued domes-tic bonds.

NewsI n b r i e f

Qatargas signs 5-year LNG sale, purchase agreement

DOHA: Qatargas, the world’s largest LNG producer,signed a five-year sales and purchase agreement withPetronas LNG UK yesterday, expanding a strategicimport deal to Europe in the face of a looming globalglut of gas supplies. Under the agreement Qatargas willdeliver 1.1 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG)per year to the UK-based venture until Dec 31 2023,extending a current five-year contract that was due toexpire on Dec 31 2018. Qatargas is looking to Britainand the Netherlands in an effort to weather an impend-ing global gas glut through expanding import dealsinto Europe’s most liquid markets, industry sources toldReuters in March. Qatar must lock in buyers for itsunsold supply just as new Australian and US producersmuscle into its prized Asian markets. Petronas UK is asubsidiary of Petronas, the national oil and gas compa-ny of Malaysia. The LNG will be supplied from Qatargas4, a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and Shelland will be delivered to Dragon LNG terminal at MilfordHaven in the United Kingdom.

S Korea’s troubled STX put up for sale

SEOUL: South Korea’s troubled STX Offshore andShipbuilding Co was put up for sale by public tenderWednesday along with its profitable French shipyardunit, with buyers offered the choice of buying the com-panies separately or as a package. STX France, whichspecializes in building cruise ships, is the only profitableunit of STX Offshore, which filed for receivership in May.On the orders of the Seoul Central District’s bankruptcycourt, the tender notice was published in a local news-paper, inviting potential bidders to send letters ofintent by November 4. “Bidders can tender for eitherone of the two companies or both of them,” the noticeread. A bankruptcy court spokesman had earlier sug-gested a preference for a package sale. In 2008 STXbought a 66.6 percent stake in a huge naval shipyard inthe western French port of Saint-Nazaire, later namedSTX France. The French state holds a 33.3 percent shareand is extremely concerned about the future of theshipyard, which is a major local employer with a healthyorder book for large cruise liners.

Property, credit booms stabilize China growth

GDP grows 6.7 percent as expected

ZHENGZHOU: People ride electric bikes as they pass next to property condominiums (back) in Zhengzhou yesterday. China’sgrowth slipped to a seven-year low of 6.6 percent in the third quarter, according to an AFP survey, despite ample stimulus and ared-hot property market in the world’s second-largest economy. — AFP

DOHA: The Commercial Bank QSC(Commercial Bank or The Bank), its sub-sidiaries and associates yesterday announcedits financial results for the nine month periodended 30 September 2016. The Bank report-ed a net profit of QAR 491 million as com-pared to QAR 1,341 million for the same peri-od in 2015, a decrease of 63%. Key financialhighlights compared to the same period in2015; Net operating income down 11% toQAR 2,733 million; Net profit of QAR 491 mil-lion; Total assets up 4% to QAR 123.9 billion;Customer loans and advances up by 4% toQAR 76 billion; Customers’ deposits up 4% toQAR 66.7 billion and Earnings per share ofQAR 1.04.

His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali binJabor Al Thani, Chairman of the Board ofDirectors of Commercial Bank, said,“Commercial Bank has proudly served thefinancial needs of its customers for over 40years by always looking forward to the future.I, together with my fellow Board members,are resolved to maintain the development ofCommercial Bank. Through our new execu-tive leadership, and under the guidance ofthe Board, we are taking necessary decisionsnow to reshape a strong Commercial Bank forthe future. Commercial Bank continues tohave great potential to generate long termvalue for our customers and investors. Ourdecisions now will ensure that we unlock theBank’s full potential.”

Financial performanceHussain Al Fardan, Commercial Bank’s Vice

Chairman and Managing Director, added,“Commercial Bank reported an operatingprofit of QAR 1.4 billion for the nine monthsended 30 September 2016. During this peri-od, we aligned our local market strategies tothe current challenging realities, pursuingonly those opportunities which meet ourreturns criteria. Our discipline will be main-tained as we continue to serve our cus-tomers.” Net operating income decreasedby 11% to QAR 2,733 million for the ninemonths ended 30 September 2016, downfrom QAR 3,058 million achieved in the sameperiod in 2015.

Net interest income was QAR 1,800 millionfor the nine months ended 30 September2016, 5% lower than the same period of 2015,mainly due to an increase in cost of deposits.Net interest margin decreased to 2.3% ascompared to 2.5% in the same period in 2015.Non-interest income was down by 19% toQAR 933 million for the nine months ended30 September 2016 compared with QAR1,155 million. The overall decrease in non-interest income was due to lower net fee andcommission income. Total operating expens-es were up by 2% at QAR 1,235 million for thenine months ended 30 September 2016 com-pared with QAR 1,256 million for the sameperiod in 2015.

The Bank’s net provisions for loans andadvances were QAR 1,108 million for the ninemonths ended 30 September 2016, up 104%from QAR 544 million for the same period in2015. The non- performing loan (NPL) ratiohas increased to 5.3% at 30 September 2016

compared with 3.6% at the end of September2015 and the coverage ratio was 78.8% as at30 September 2016 compared to 81.3% as at30 September 2015. Impairment provisionson the Bank’s investment portfolio increasedto QAR 68 million for the nine months ended30 September 2016 compared with QAR 25million for the same period in 2015.

Commercial Bank delivered balance sheetgrowth of 4% at the end of September 2016with total assets at QAR 123.9 billion, com-pared to QAR 119.2 billion at the end ofSeptember 2015. Total asset growth was driv-en mainly by an increase of QAR 2.6 billion inloans and advances and QAR 3.6 billion indue from banks and offset by lower invest-ment in securities by QAR 2 billion. Loansand advances to customers were up by 4%to QAR 75.9 billion at 30 September 2016compared with QAR 73.4 billion at the end ofSeptember 2015. The growth in lending hasbeen generated, mainly in Services andCommercial Sectors.

Investment securities was down 12% toQAR 16.2 billion as at 30 September 2016compared with QAR 18.4 billion at the end ofSeptember 2015. The decrease is mainly inTreasury bills issued by the Central Bank.Customers’ deposits increased by 4% to QAR66.7 billion at 30 September 2016, comparedwith QAR 64.1 billion as at 30 September2015. The increase was mainly in timedeposits. Joseph Abraham, CommercialBank’s Chief Executive Officer, commented,“Since joining Commercial Bank in July, weare completing a review of the Bank’s strate-gy, performance and future direction and wewill update the market with the results of ourreview later this year.

However, one clear action became evidentearly in the process, which was the need forus to recognize a number of non-performingloans. The decision we have taken to providefor an additional QAR 505 million of loansin the third quarter has consequentlyimpacted our financials. Both the Board andthe Bank’s leadership team view this as thenecessary first step in aligning the businessfor the current and future economic environ-ment and ensuring Commercial Bank buildssustainable earnings and is well positionedfor the future.” He added, “During the period,we continued to manage the business con-servatively, reflecting both the challengesand opportunities of the current market.Qatar generated a solid financial performanceexcluding provisioning with QAR 431 millionoperating profit for the third quarter. OurTurkish subsidiary, ABank, has been alignedmore closely in its working with CommercialBank and with the injection of new equityand a Tier 2 issuance raised in the first half ofthe year, we had the funds to pursue loans inthe corporate mid-market. However loangrowth was limited as we remained highlyselective of opportunities. Most importantly,we brought operational costs down by 5% atABank during the period. UAB continues tosuccessfully recover as its management teamexecute upon the realignment of the busi-ness to the UAE’s corporate market, whilstNBO in Oman has performed well.”

The Commercial Bank reports

net profit of QAR 491 million

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank recently announced the namesof the 20 lucky winners of its exciting summer pro-motion “Win Cash this Summer Season”, wherebycredit and debit cardholders were offered the chanceto win Cash during the summer season, by entering araffle draw upon using their cards locally or abroad.The draw was held on Sunday 16 October 2016 in thepresence of a representative from the Ministry ofCommerce and Industry.

Gulf Bank would like to congratulate NawafAbdullah Abdullah Abdulkarim, who won the grandprize, which is KD 15,000, in addition to the fourlucky winners who won KD 3,000 each: KhaledAhmad Abdullah Dashti, Yousef Jassem Essa Alsaraf,Mohammed Ebrahim Ebrahim Majd, Shaker EdanMohammed Alkhaleefa.

The bank also announced other 15 lucky winnerswho won KD 1,000 each: Mohammed H S Moftah,Tariq Mohammad Ayham Alshawa, Bader Ali HassanIbrahim, Fawzi Dawoud Humoud Ibrahim Al Mutawa,Dalal Salah Khalefa Aljeri, Jaber Ghuloum Abulmalak,Amal Ibrahim Mahmoud Hayat, Faraj Hathal MesferAl Mufrah, Haya Jasem Mohammed Alghanem,Jumana Ahmed Bahbahani, Khalil Michel Amiouni,Ahmad Jassem Mohammad Khalaf, Bader HussainAbdulrahem Alsafar, Hattab Dwaih WoqayanAlshammari, Azizah Baqar Abdullah B Almousawi.

Gulf Bank is committed to providing its customerswith exceptional value and exciting offers that meettheir needs, in addition to presenting them with oneof the widest ranges of financial products and bank-ing services currently available in Kuwait. To find outmore about Gulf Bank’s promotions and offers, youcan visit one of Gulf Bank’s 56 branches; contact theCustomer Contact Center on 1805805, or go on tothe bank’s bilingual website at www.e-gulfbank.com.

ZHENGZHOU: A vendor sells clothes as she stands on a ladder at a shopping mallcomplex area in Zhengzhou yesterday. —AFP

HONG KONG: Official investment figuresmay be feeble, but exporters at China’slargest trade fair say they are ploughingmore money into robotics, industrialautomation and new product developmentto offset rising costs. At the Canton Fair,which kicked off this weekend for compa-nies in the household electronics, decora-tive materials and building sectors - othersectors follow later in the month - morethan 80 percent of companies quizzed byReuters said they would be spending morenext year.

That would represent a significant shiftif matched throughout China’s economy.Official data yesterday showed private sec-tor investment in fixed assets in the firstnine months grew just 2.5 percent, pickingup from a record low of 2.1 percent in thefirst eight months. Kison Van said his com-pany, Ningbo Cixi Import and ExportHoldings, which makes fans and heaters,needs to develop three to four new prod-ucts every year to stay competitive. “It’simportant to continuously invest in R&Dbecause once a new product comes out,you see it everywhere at the Canton Fair,”said Van, one of tens of thousands of sales-man at a fair that sprawls over 1.2 millionsquare metres, almost twice the size of theworld’s largest mall.

More than 65 percent of the 103exhibitors polled by Reuters in China’ssouthern city of Guangzhou expect toboost spending by up to 20 percent in2017, while 16.5 percent expect to raisespending by more than 20 percent. Thatwill be welcome news to leaders in Beijing,as China’s private companies, which makeup the bulk of exhibitors at the fair, are acrucial engine of growth for the economy,unlike the largely inefficient and indebtedstate-owned sector.

Chinese growth slowed to a 25-year lowof 6.9 percent last year, and third-quarterfigures released yesterday put it on track forabout 6.7 percent this year. Economists saythe country’s mid-sized private companiesare the primary source of investment, inno-vation and productivity growth. Heavymachinery manufacturers at the fair saidthey spend over 30 percent of their invest-ment capital upgrading production lineseach year, while many building materialsand household equipment makers said theywere pumping money into automation.

China is achieving average annualgrowth of 18 percent in research and devel-opment (R&D) spending, compared withjust 1.4 percent across the rest of theworld’s upper-middle-income countries,according to the UNESCO Institute forStatistics. While most exporters surveyedaim to boost spending, around 20 percentsaid they planned to cut investment. Othersectors that may be under pressure asglobal growth slows, such as textiles andapparel, will feature later at the fair, whichruns until Nov 4.

Rise of the robotsChina is increasingly moving to modern-

ize its manufacturing industry with roboticsand automation, driven in part by a short-age of skilled workers and rapidly risingwages that threaten to erode its appeal as alow-cost workshop to the world. “Robotsdo a better job than workers; the quality ismore stable,” said Zhejiang Momali SanitaryUtensils Co general manager Selina Song.Song said, however, that a drop in sales wasslowing the company’s push to boostautomation. Some economists said newand emerging sectors such as high-endmanufacturing equipment would see moreroom for development. —Reuters

Chinese firms ramp up

investment; costs riseGulf Bank announces

winners of ‘Win Cash

This Summer Season’

B U S I N E S STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

LONDON: Gold rose yesterday as the dol-lar weakened and Treasury yields tickedlower amid uncertainty around the tim-ing of a US interest rate increase. Spotgold gained 0.6 percent to $1,270.20 anounce at 1153 GMT. US gold futures rose$8.70 to $1,271.50 an ounce. Spot priceshad shed about 7 percent over the pastthree weeks, as markets re-priced thelikelihood of a Federal Reserve’s rate hikein December. The metal is highly sensitiveto rising rates, which lift the opportunitycost of holding non-yielding assets.

However, a retreat in the dollar, whichfell 0.3 percent against a basket of sixmain currencies after US consumer pricesshowed a moderation in underlying infla-tion, prompted markets to trim bets on aDecember Federal Reserve rate hike. Fedfund futures imply around a 65 percentprobability of the Federal Reserve raisinginterest rates by December, down from70 percent before the CPI data. “The mar-ket is keeping an eye on the potential

rate hike in December, which we don’texpect because once we get close to themeeting, the Fed will see that key figuresare not doing well enough to justifyanother rate hike and there will be somesupport for gold,” said Danske Bank sen-ior analyst Jens Pedersen.

A European Central Bank’s policymeeting today will also be monitoredby markets, Pedersen said. The metalwas also benefiting from lowerEuropean shares, indicating waninginvestor appetite for risk. “We remainrelatively negative on gold short termdespite a stronger start to the week,”INTL FCStone said in a note. “We expectfurther dollar strengthening going intoQ4 on account of an election victory forHillary Clinton along with the likelihoodof a Fed rate hike.” Spot silver rose 1 per-cent to a one-week high of $17.77 anounce. Platinum rose 1 percent to $950an ounce and palladium gained 0.6 per-cent to $642.22 an ounce. — Reuters

Gold rises as US

dollar weakens

LONDON: Oil rose by around 1 percent yesterday,boosted by evidence of declining production inChina and falling US inventories, while an upbeatOPEC statement on its planned output cut also sup-ported the market. A slightly weaker dollar rein-forced the strength in oil as well, traders said, as itmakes fuel purchases cheaper for countries usingother currencies, potentially spurring demand.Benchmark Brent crude futures were at $52.42 abarrel, up 74 cents on the day by 0922 GMT, whileUS West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futureswere up 73 cents at $51.02 a barrel.

Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falihsaid yesterday that oil markets were at the end of aconsiderable downturn as fundamentals were

improving and supply and demand were rebalanc-ing. He called on non-OPEC producers to help stabi-lize the market saying their role was as critical asthe role of OPEC members. “Market forces are clear-ly working after a testing period of sub-$30 oilprices... Oil demand is expanding at a healthy ratedespite slower global growth,” he said.

As the world’s largest exporters prepare to discussthe first cut in output in eight years next month, thepressure of persistently low oil prices on higher-costproducers is becoming apparent. China’s crude out-put fell 9.8 percent to 3.89 million bpd, to near itslowest in six years in the second-biggest year-on-year decline on record. “The fall in Chinese crude oilproduction is probably attributable to the low price

level, which makes parts of production unprofitable.This makes it all the harder to understand why OPECis talking prices up with its current debate about pro-duction cuts, and is thus helping precisely those oilproducers it would ideally like to force out of themarket,” Commerzbank analysts.

Adding to the support to crude prices from low-er output, refining rates in the world’s largest com-modities consumer rose last month. Chinaprocessed 43.8 million tons (10.7 million bpd) ofcrude oil in September, up 2.4 percent from a yearago. US crude stockpiles fell 3.8 million barrels inthe week to Oct 14, to 467.1 million barrels, the APIreported late on Tuesday. The US EnergyInformation Administration (EIA) is due to release

official crude and fuel storage data later.If the figures show another drop, this will be the

sixth fall in inventories in seven weeks. MohammedBarkindo, secretary general of the Organization ofthe Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), gavethe market a boost by saying he is confident aboutthe prospects of a planned production cut follow-ing an OPEC meeting on Nov 30. “I am optimisticwe will have a decision,” he said. In its first outputcut agreement since 2008, OPEC said it plans toreduce production to 32.50 million to 33.0 millionbarrels per day (bpd), compared with record out-put of 33.6 million bpd in September. The groupalso hopes non-OPEC producers, especially Russia,will cooperate in a cut. — Reuters

Oil rises as China output drops; US inventories shrink

GUIZHOU: Chinese farmers carry crops from their paddy fields in a village inCongjiang county, southwest China’s Guizhou province. — AFP

LONDON: The US dollar fell from a seven-month peak yesterday, combining withsigns of an easing supply glut to help lift oilprices back towards a one-year high. Aweaker dollar boosts crude prices, whichgained over 1 percent to top $52 a barrel,since it makes fuel cheaper for countriesusing other currencies. The bounce in oilpushed a key market gauge of long-termeuro zone inflation expectations to a multi-month high, keeping bond yields elevatedabove record lows seen in the wake ofBritain’s vote in June to leave the EuropeanUnion. Wall Street was set to open a touchhigher but neither the rise in commodityprices nor a barrage of data confirmingChina’s economy, the world’s secondlargest, was stabilizing could prevent a dipin euro zone stocks after a series of poorearnings results.

“Oil is a good indicator of expectationsfor growth next year,” said FrederikDucrozet, a senior European economist atSwiss wealth manager Pictet. “It is comfort-ing for markets that oil is above $50 a bar-rel and looking stable at those levels.”Against a basket of major currencies, theUS dollar fell 0.2 percent to 97.665, offMonday’s seven-month high of 98.169,after consumer price data showed underly-ing inflation had moderated. That prompt-ed markets to trim bets on a FederalReserve rate hike later this year.

Traders said that had helped lift oil,which was also supported by a report of adrop in U.S. inventories and declining pro-duction in China. An upbeat OPEC state-ment on its planned output cut also sup-ported the market. International Brentcrude futures were at $52.35 a barrel at1040GMT, up 67 cents, or 1.3 percent, andheading back towards a one-year high of$53.73 seen earlier this month. US WestTexas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futureswere trading at $50.96 per barrel, also up1.3 percent, having been below $40 a barrelat the start of August.

Disappointing earningsEuropean shares fell early yesterday after

a slew of weak updates weighed on Britishcompanies Travis Perkins and ReckittBenckiser. Akzo Nobel’s results were hit by aweak pound. The pan-European STOXX 600index edged down 0.1 percent, following a1.5 percent rise in the previous session.Earlier, Asian shares edged up for the sec-

ond straight day after data showingChinese gross domestic product expanded6.7 percent in the year to September, exact-ly as forecast. Other data showed retail salesrising 10.7 percent and urban investment8.2 percent. Industrial output disappointedby growing only 6.1 percent.

“The upshot from today’s data is thateconomic activity seems to be holding upreasonably well, with few signs that arenewed slowdown is just around the cor-ner,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard, China econ-omist at Capital Economics. “Nonetheless,the recent recovery is ultimately on bor-rowed time given that it has been driven inlarge part by faster credit growth and aproperty market boom, both of which poli-cymakers are now working to rein in.” MSCI’sbroadest index of Asia-Pacific shares out-side Japan added 0.4 percent on top ofTuesday’s 1.4 percent jump.

The recent bounce in oil prices hashelped lift a key market gauge of long-termeuro zone inflation - the five-year, five-yearforward rate - above 1.44 percent, its high-est level since early June. That remains wellbelow the European Central Bank’s inflationtarget of just below 2 percent, but it has tak-en the heat off the bloc’s policymakers -who meet on Thursday - to introduce moreeasing measures. Worries that they mayeventually scale back their stimulus hasseen German 30-year bond yields climbmore than 20 basis points in the last fort-night, already on track for their biggestmonthly rise in fourteen months.

Dollar retreatThe retreat in the dollar came after a

report on US consumer prices showedunderlying inflation - stripping out foodand energy - moderated slightly inSeptember to 2.2 percent, leading the mar-ket to slightly pare back bets on aDecember rate hike. Fed fund futures implyaround a 65 percent probability of a move,down from 70 percent. Federal ReserveChair Janet Yellen said last week the US cen-tral bank could allow inflation to run aboveits target. The euro was slightly higheragainst the weakening dollar at $1.0985.Sterling, which plunged to a record low ona trade-weighted basis last week, continuedto recover and hit an eight-day high yester-day after a UK government lawyer said thatparliament would have to ratify any deal totake Britain out of the EU. — Reuters

Dollar recedes from

a seven-month peakEuro zone stocks bruised by weak earnings

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

B U S I N E S S

MOSCOW: In a spectacularly costly gam-ble aimed at boosting Russia’s strategicposition, state-controlled giant Rosneft isinvesting in India’s Essar Oil to muscle intoa promising market with outlets through-out Asia. Russian President Vladimir Putinreturned from last week’s BRICS summit inGoa with one of the largest deals the oilsector has seen in the last two years offalling prices: 98 percent of Essar Oil at avaluation of $12.9 billion. Rosneft-Russia’sbiggest oil company led by Putin’s closeally Igor Sechin-will buy 49 percent of EssarOil, which owns the Vadinar refinery inwestern India.

Vadinar is one of the country’s largestrefineries and one of the world’s mostmodern, with access to a port navigable bythe largest vessels. Essar Oil operates 2,700petrol stations and was controlled untilnow by billionaire brothers Shashi and RaviRuia. A further 49 percent will be acquiredby a group of investors led by Trafigura oiltraders, one of Rosneft’s partners. “Rosneftis entering one of the most promising andfast-growing world markets,” Sechin said,according to a statement. Rosneft said theVadinar refinery will allow it to process itscrude oil produced in Venezuela, which isheavy and more difficult to refine.

It could also serve as a base for export-ing to the Asia-Pacific region, includingIndonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines andAustralia. While the deal represents anunprecedented foreign acquisition fromthe Indian perspective, for Russia it is “animportant strategic victory,” said EmilyStromquist, an analyst at Eurasia Group. “Itsends a signal to the EU and US that Russia

has alternative market opportunitiesdespite sanctions” imposed over Russia’sactions in Ukraine, she wrote in a note. “Italso provides a much-needed opportunityfor export diversification as Europeandemand flattens and Chinese growthbecomes more unpredictable.”

Allied nations With its 1.2 billion inhabitants, India is

the world’s fourth largest consumer ofhydrocarbons, with demand constantlygrowing. It is increasingly dependent oncrude imports, despite authorities takingsteps to encourage foreign investment andseeking to diversify its suppliers, currentlymainly in the Middle East. Indian compa-nies in turn this year bought almost half ofVankor, one of Rosneft’s most promising oilfields in Siberia.

“Rosneft has the ambition to developitself into a global energy group... but theopportunities to develop business abroadare limited, especially in Western countries,”said Valery Nesterov, an analyst atSberbank CIB. “The markets that are prom-ising are in Asia,” he said, while Rosneft“acts in the interests of the state and devel-ops cooperation with countries that arefriends with Russia.” The Russian group hasalready grown considerably in recent years.It took over the ruins of oil magnateMikhail Khodorkovsky’s group after his jail-ing and has since increased its acquisitions,notably TNK-BP in 2013 for $55 billion.

Due to the weak ruble, it is sitting onlarge cash reserves that soften the effect ofoil prices falling in dollars. It has justproved its influence by pushing the reluc-

tant government to allow it to buy a major-ity stake in Russia’s number six oil companyBashneft, which the state wanted to priva-tize. Internationally the Ukrainian crisis hasstruck a blow to Rosneft’s policy of forming

partnerships with Western giants such asBP, Exxonmobil and Statoil hence the needto invest in emerging markets that are notaffected by sanctions. Pavel Kushnir, ananalyst at Deutsche Bank, did not conceal

his skepticism over Essar, saying he couldnot remember a single “example of an out-right successful acquisition or investmentthat a Russian energy company madeabroad.” —AFP

Rosneft enters India with $13 billion Essar deal

VADINAR: Photo shows an Indian Oil Refinery of Essar Oil at Vadinar village, near Jamnagar, some 380 kmfrom Ahmedabad. In a spectacularly costly gamble aimed at boosting Russia’s strategic position, state-con-trolled giant Rosneft is investing in India’s Essar Oil to muscle into a promising market with outlets through-out Asia. —AFP

LONDON: Britain’s jobless rate held at 4.9 per-cent in the three months to the end of August,official data showed yesterday, signaling littleimpact thus far from the shock Brexit vote. TheOffice for National Statistics (ONS) said the June-August rate-a low for 11 years-matched the 4.9-percent figure for the three month period thatended in July. The nation’s jobless total mean-while stood at 1.66 million people over the sameperiod. That was 118,000 fewer than a year earli-er. “All in all this (data) suggests that Brexit hashardly had any measurable impact on the UKlabor market yet,” noted economist Kay DanielNeufeld, at the Centre for Economics andBusiness Research think tank.

“Unemployment has been low throughout theyear and wages continue to grow at a subduedbut steady rate.” British Prime Minister TheresaMay has already stated that she will trigger thetwo-year process to exit the European Union bythe end of March 2017, after the surprise approvalof the Brexit referendum on June 23.Commentators also warn that the jobless ratecould head higher before the end of this year.

“We suspect both the economy and the labormarket will be increasingly pressurized bymounting uncertainties over the comingmonths-particularly once the government trig-gers Article 50,” said IHS Markit economistHoward Archer. “We also expect growth to slowas consumer purchasing power is increasinglysqueezed. “Consequently, we see the unemploy-ment rate starting to trend up before too longand suspect that it could reach 5.0 percent bythe end of 2016.”

Meanwhile, British building materials supplierTravis Perkins said yesterday that up to 600 jobswere at risk from the uncertain economic out-look arising from Brexit. The company whichserves professionals and consumers employs atotal of 28,000 people at 2,060 stores thatinclude Tile Giant, Tool Station and Wickes. Acompany spokeswoman said that the Brexit wasone of the major factors behind the gloomy out-look, adding that affected jobs were at trade-fac-ing businesses.

Travis Perkins also warned annual underlyingprofit, or adjusted earnings before interest, tax-

es, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA),would be below market expectations of £415million ($509 million, 462 million euros) — andblamed weak plumbing and heating results. Thenews sent the group’s share price sliding almostseven percent in morning deals on the Londonstock market, topping the fallers’ board on theFTSE 100 index.

“Given that levels of future demand remaindifficult to predict, the group has chosen toimplement a number efficiency programs andbranch closures to further optimize the net-work,” Travis Perkins said in a statement. “Thiswork includes the closure of ten smaller distri-bution and fabrication centers, the write off ofcer tain IT legacy equipment and over 30branch closures in our trade businesses. “All ofthe 600 affected employees are aware of thechanges.” British Prime Minister Theresa Maydeclared last month that she would trigger thetwo-year process to exit the European Unionby the end of March 2017, after the surpriseBrexit referendum that was held earlier thisyear. —Agencies

UK jobless rate holds

at 4.9% despite BrexitBritish building firm says 600 jobs at risk

SEOUL: A couple looks at their mobile phones as they sit before the Han riv-er in central in Seoul. Samsung Electronics slashed its latest quarterly profitestimate by one third in the wake of a highly damaging recall crisis that end-ed with the scrapping of its latest flagship smartphone. —AFP

SEOUL: The next few weeks are tradition-ally a tense time at Samsung ElectronicsCo as executives wait to see if their workover the year is rewarded with promotionat the South Korean firm’s annual perform-ance review. This year, that tension hasbeen ramped up several notches as theyear-end ritual comes on the heels of thedebacle over Samsung’s flagship GalaxyNote 7 smar tphone. The world’s topsmartphone maker this month pulled theplug on the near-$900 device after phonesoverheated and caught fire. With somereplacement phones suffering the sameproblem, Samsung has forecast a $5.4 bil-lion hit to its operating profits. Some ana-lysts predict the smartphone businessmay post a first quarterly loss for July-September.

“Everyone’s afraid to be heard evenbreathing,” said one Samsung employee.“There will be punitive measures; some-one will have to take responsibility forthis.” None of the Samsung employeesReuters talked to for this article wanted tobe named as they were not authorized tospeak to the media. Samsung’s annualpersonnel decisions - a common practicein South Korea around December - is asecret more closely guarded than evendetails of its new products. Executives aretold about any changes only at the lastminute.

Samsung insiders say there is morenervousness this year than normal, andtalk internally of sweeping changes, with acull both in the executive suite and on theground level. “There’s a lot of talk therecould be major turnover in the executiveranks on the hardware side,” said an insid-er at the mobile division. “There’s also a lotof concern among the working-levelemployees about a major restructuring.”Samsung said it was not considering anymanagement changes or restructuring inresponse to the Note 7 crisis.

FrustrationThe sense of frustration among

Samsung staff has been heightened bythe company’s inability to find the causeof the fires in replacement Note 7s thatbegan shipping last month with whatSamsung said were safe batteries, insiderssaid. “We are working around the clock toanalyse the causes of the reported cases,”Samsung said in a statement to Reuters,adding it is premature to speculate onwhat went wrong.

In an internal Oct 11 email apologizingto staff, mobile chief Koh Dong-jin - who

has been in the job for less than a year -wrote of the “big wound” the scrapping ofthe Note 7 would be for executives andemployees. Samsung confirmed Koh wroteto staff, but did not comment on what hesaid. Some Samsung workers said therewere already rumours circulating internallyabout which executives might be ousted.Some investors and analysts have said topexecutives including Koh may be heldresponsible at the year-end review.

Others said they felt ashamed whenpeople they know ditched the Note 7 for arival product or when they heard newsannouncements about the phones beingbanned from aeroplanes. Koh and otherSamsung executives have been active oninternal messaging boards, discussingwith employees how to deal with the Note7 crisis, insiders said. About 70 percent ofSamsung’s more than 325,000 employeeswork outside South Korea. It is not clearhow overseas jobs or those at subsidiariesmight be affected by the Note 7 storm;Samsung said it has no plans to cut jobsthis year in Vietnam, a major smartphonemanufacturing base.

Taking it slowInternally, the mobile business was crit-

icized by some for changing product spec-ifications without delaying launch sched-ules, putting staff and suppliers underpressure to deliver fast. “Some people whowork in other business divisions feelsomething like this was bound to happen,”said a Samsung employee at the con-sumer electronics division, noting mount-ing pressure on the mobile business toovercome slowing growth amid strongcompetition from rivals including AppleInc and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. Aperson familiar with the development ofthe next Galaxy S smartphone, expectedto launch early next year, said the processhas now slowed as Samsung is anxious toavoid any repeat of the Note 7 problemsin its future premium handsets.

“Depending on the cause (of the Note 7problem), certain configurations mayneed to be altered,” the person said. “Sothe specifics for the (next) phone have notbeen finalized.” Samsung is not likely tobring forward the launch of the nextGalaxy S smartphone to make up for lostNote 7 sales, the person added. Samsungtold Reuters it will take “any and all neces-sary steps” to ensure product safety, butdid not comment on whether the Note 7fallout was affecting the next Galaxy Sphone’s development. —Reuters

At crisis-hit Samsung, nerves

jangle; annual review looms

ABK ‘Double Your

Salary’ winners

KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) held its 25th‘Double Your Salary’ weekly draw on 17th October, 2016 atthe Bank’s Head Office in the presence of a representativefrom the Ministry of Commerce, announcing the names ofthe winners for this week. The promotion includes weeklydraws, with two winners per draw. Given the success ofthe campaign it has been decided to extend it until27thJune, 2017.

The winners this week were: (1) Abdulsadeq JumaahMahdi Abdulsadeq - Salmiya Branch and (2) MohammedAli Abdul Samat - Jleeb Al Shyoukh Branch. New customerswho transfer their salary to ABK receive KD 100 and willautomatically be entered into the weekly draws to doubletheir salaries. Existing customers who are already transfer-ring their salary to ABK are entered into a separate draw.

The next ‘Double Your Salary’ draw will be held on 24thOctober, 2016 where two new lucky winners will beannounced. All winners will be contacted personally and aweekly announcement will be made through the mediawith the winners’ names. For more information about ABKplease visit eahli.com or contact an ABK customer serviceagent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899899.

KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank KSCP (AUB) has suc-cessfully concluded the subscription of its issueof a $200 Million Perpetual Additional Tier 1Sukuk. The Bank’s Chairman, Dr Anwar AlMudhaf, commented “We are very proud of thisachievement as it represents a major success forthe Bank, and for Islamic Banking in general,notwithstanding the prevailing economic chal-lenges. Furthermore, it reconfirms that the Stateof Kuwait enjoys the necessary components toattract international investors to enter theKuwait market.”

Dr Al Mudhaf went on to say: “I would like toexpress my appreciation for the continued sup-port extended to the Bankby our regulators, theCentral Bank of Kuwait andthe Capital MarketsAuthority, in the process ofthe Sukuk issue, to ourmany investors both inKuwait and abroad and tothe Bank’s team whoseefforts were rewarded byour achieving this excellentresult within a record time”.

Richard Groves, theBank’s Chief ExecutiveOfficer said: “The success-ful issuance of AUB’s Sukukhas been demonstratedthrough being oversub-scribed by over threetimes more than the tar-

geted amount. This was achieved in less thanone week from the date of the announcementof the transaction both locally and internation-ally, with a roadshow covering meetings inAsia, the Middle East and Europe.” Grovesadded: “The Perpetual Additional Tier 1 capitalissue Sukuk is issued in compliance with therequirements of Basel III, the regulations of theCentral Bank of Kuwait as well as in compli-ance with the regulations of the CapitalMarkets Authority.

To enable the secondary market trading sub-sequent to the issuance, the Sukuk will be listedon both the Irish Stock Exchange and NASDAQ

Dubai. The Sukuk adds anew source of cost effec-tive funding for AUB’s cap-ital which will furtherdiversify its capital andfunding base. The strongdemand generated forAUB’s Sukuk is a clear indi-cation of the confidenceof both local and globalinvestors in the Bank’sdiversified business mod-el, its robust financial per-formance, and overallcredit worthiness. Thesuccessful closure of thisissue will assist AUB inboth sustaining its growthmomentum and optimiz-ing its capital resources.”

Ahli United Bank $200 million

Perpetual Additional Tier

1 Sukuk oversub scribed

KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank held its weekly draw of Al-Hassad Islamic Saving program on October12 2016.This program offers the biggest prize amount to thelargest number of winners. The prize program suc-ceeded in becoming the first prize account in Kuwaitcompliant with the Islamic Sharia principles. The pro-gram has been developed to fulfill the needs of theBank customers and increase their opportunities inwinning sizeable and attractive prizes in addition toenjoying the latest banking advantages that AhliUnited Bank provides.

On this occasion, the bank issued the followingpress release: Al Hassad Islamic Saving programoffers the highest amounts of prizes which amountto KD 3.4 Million per year. This Program also offers 26weekly prizes, with the highest number of weeklywinners. The Islamic Hassad Saving Account may be

opened by the lowest amount to open an account,which is KD 100.

The winner of the weekly grand prize in theamount of KD 25,000/- is: Ibrahim Ahmad Almull. Thewinners of the Kd 1,000 Prize Each are; Khaled AwadhMlaihan, Ahmad Awadh Almutairi, Abduallah YousefAlsaif, Awatef Hamad Alsubeeh, Husain AbbasAlsaffar, Salem Eid Alenezi, Mohd Hanif Shamsuddin,Taleen Karkoz Karkosian, Abdullah Murshed AlMurshed, Tharwat Hasan Ali, Khaled MohammadAlsaqoubi, Fawziah Yousef Alkandari, Sami KhalidAljasmi, Ali Jdaie Alajmi, Mortada Ali Mohamed,Omar Lafi, Rawan Ali Ibrahim, Abdul Hadi Mirza Khalil,Ahmed A Ridha Yusuf, Mohd Salman A Hussain, SalahAbdulla Hassan, Batsco, Badriya Ebrahim Abdulla,Fatima Ahmed Ali, Abbas Abdulla Isa.

The Prize program of “Al Hassad Islamic Saving”

from Ahli United Bank offers a weekly grand prizeworth KD 25,000/-in addition to 25 weekly prizesworth a total of KD 25,000 distributed to 25 prizes,KD 1,000 for each winner. In addition, prizes of AlHassad Islamic saving program from Ahli UnitedBank offer 4 quarterly grand prizes announced inquarterly draws. Each is a “Salary for Life” prize whichis worth KD 250,000/-.

In general, Ahli United Bank continues to offerinnovative tools and means to meet the needs of itscustomers to match the Bank’s long history of dis-tinctive services which extend over 74 years duringwhich the Bank managed to take the lead amonglocal banks. For further information about “Al HassadIslamic Saving” account, customers may call at anyAhli United Bank branch, or call: “Hayakom” serviceat Tel: 181 2000.

Ahli United’s ‘Al Hassad Islamic Saving’ winners

B U S I N E S STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Euronext faces a bind

over LSE Clearnet sale

Rivals like CME Group seen as possible biddersLONDON: The London Stock Exchange’s moveto sell off its French clearing business has leftFrance’s stock market operator Euronext facinga dilemma. The Paris-based exchange hasbegun talks with LSE to buy LCH Clearnet SAaccording to sources familiar with the negotia-tions. The British bourse has put the platformup for sale to help get its $28 billion mergerwith Deutsche Boerse approved by Europeancompetition authorities, and Euronext is seen asthe faraway favorite to buy it.

The deal would strengthen Euronext’s posi-tion in the competitive European clearing mar-ket following its acquisition of a 20 percentstake in Netherlands-based clearing houseEuroCCP. It would also give it control of a plat-form that it provides much of the revenue forand would allow it to avoid relying on a com-petitor’s clearing house for an essential service.

Clearing forms a critical part of the financialsystem’s plumbing, guaranteeing a trade iscompleted even if one side of the transactiongoes bust. Clearing is becoming a growth sectorin trading as new rules intended to apply les-sons from the financial crisis mean far morederivatives will have to pass through a clearinghouse, ensuring their volumes will swell in com-ing years. But there’s a catch. If Euronext buysClearnet SA, the chances of LSE getting the nodfrom competition regulators to merge withDeutsche Boerse increase as it would ease con-cerns about a concentration in the clearing mar-ket. But the deal would still leave Euronext aminnow compared with a combined Anglo-German exchange.

“Of course Euronext is keen to acquireClearnet,” said a source directly involved in thetalks. “But Euronext is probably even more keento see the LSE-Deutsche Boerse merger fail.”

Euronext said in a statement that it is “obvi-ously considering this situation (LCH.ClearnetSA), because this asset belonged to Euronextuntil 2003.” But it declined to comment on

whether the company is currently in talks withLSE. “We are a natural buyer but not at any price,especially since our clients represent approxi-mately half of the revenues of the company,” itadded.

Politics at playA decision by Euronext, which also oper-

ates exchanges in Belgium, Netherlands, andPortugal, to buy Clearnet would be watchednot just by the London and Germanexchanges - politicians in France also have aninterest. The French government wants criticalmarket infrastructure to be locally owned, andPresident Francois Hol lande and otherEuropean policymakers say euro-denominatedderivatives contracts should be cleared in thesingle currency area.

The bulk of euro-denominated swaps arecurrently cleared by the London half of LCHClearnet. But Euronext buying up Clearnet inFrance could help drive euro clearing to Parisand a French-owned exchange. But l ikeEuronext the French government - as well asthose in Portugal and Belgium - have also spo-ken out against LSE and Deutsche Boerse com-bining, saying a deal would create an exchangeso large it could make it more expensive forsome companies in Europe raise money on thecapital markets.

Buying Clearnet would not be enough toinstantly transform Euronext’s footprint in theindustry though - and the merger of the Londonand Frankfurt exchanges would be a readymade channel for shifting euro-denominatedclearing from London to Deutsche Boerse’sEurex clearing unit in any case. People familiarwith Euronext’s thinking say the exchange’smanagement does not feel under obligation tobuy Clearnet and has “alternative options”,pointing to the EuroCPP deal as an example,though the latter clears shares and has noimmediate plans to move into derivatives.

Euronext could take its time and wait untilthere’s more clarity on whether the LSE-Deutsche Boerse deal will go through - lastmonth the European competition regulatorraised a series of concerns about the proposedmerger. But LSE is unlikely to offload the asset ifthe deal with Deutsche Boerse is rejected, sothere is only a limited time to decide. It wouldalso be easier for Euronext to secure a deal nowas its clearing contract with LCH Clearnetexpires in December 2018, which in marketstructure time scale is a very short time framegiven all the tests and authorizations required ifit is to find an alternative clearing house.

Britain’s decision to leave the EuropeanUnion has also made LCH’s French arm moreattractive to non-EU players as it would allowthem to operate in the continent without hav-ing a so-called “passporting” deal in place.Chicago-based CME Group, which was touted asa possible rival bidder for Deutsche Boerse,might want to bid, sector bankers said. CMEdeclined to comment. The cash-rich exchangehas been slowly building up a presence inLondon, where it already has a clearing house.Industry officials say Asian exchanges mightalso be interested in Clearnet as a gateway intothe EU.

That leaves Euronext with limited bargainingpower and time with LSE, as others might seizethe opportunity if they fail to agree a deal.Analysts at KBW say Euronext is under-lever-aged compared to other exchanges, so has thefirepower to ensure a deal goes through. Thewhole of LCH-Clearnet is estimated to be wortharound 600 million euros ($650 million) basedon what LSE paid for its controlling stake in2012, with Clearnet expected to sell for lessthan that. One banker in the exchange industryestimated it could be worth 400 million euros.The question is whether they see the platformas a good enough consolation prize for an LSE-Deutsche Boerse merger.— Reuters

KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH)announced the 8 winners of the last drawof the new banking cards campaignthemed “Use KFH Cards and You May Winup to 2 Mercedes-Benz SUV’s and CashPrizes up to KD 60000 aiming at encourag-ing its customers to use KFH credit, prepaidand debit cards while making purchases inKuwait and overseas.

The winners are: Husain Alkindari,Nawaf Alotaibi, Mohammad Alqattan, SaudShoaib, Ayad Alhoud, Mubarak Alhajri,Khaled Alahmad and Saleh Alkindari. Forevery KD 10 spent on their KFH cards,clients will gain a chance to enter a drawand win up to 2 Mercedes-Benz cars and achance to win the value of their purchasesup to $2000 daily for 100 days. It is worthnoting that KFH Credit and Prepaid cardsused in domestic and international pur-chases and KFH Debit cards used in inter-national purchases are eligible for the dailydraw.

Moreover, clients will gain the chance toenter 2 draws to win 2 Mercedes-Benz cars.The first draw will be for the first carMercedes Benz GLE 400. This draw will beheld after 50 days of the launch for pur-chasing transactions conducted from day 1to day 50, while the second draw will be for

the second car Mercedes Benz GLE 450Coupe, and will be held after 100 days ofthe launch for purchasing conducted fromday 51 to day 100 of the campaign. KFHstrives to continuously offer its clients newpromotions and offers that differentiatethem among peers, whilst also bolsteringthe bank’s pioneering position in the fieldof banking cards. KFH marketing cam-paigns play a significant role in underliningKFH’s principles that include boosting sales,while benefitting clients and merchants.

This new campaign is part of KFH’sefforts to reward its clients and grant themadditional value; thus achieving higher cus-tomer satisfaction. The campaign also aimsat enhancing the bank’s presence, especial-ly that it dominates the largest marketshare in the field of banking cards inKuwait. KFH has won several awards in thefield of banking cards which reinforces itssuccess and efficiency in banking cardsmarket. KFH enjoys high confidence andleadership in the market in addition to highquality products which have enabled it toachieve growth in cards market andincrease the number of customers. KFHoccupies the leading position as the issuerof banking cards and one of leading banksat the GCC level.

KFH announces winners of

‘Banking Cards Campaign’

KUWAIT: KAMCO Investment Company, a lead-ing investment company with one of thelargest AUMs in the GCC region, successfullyacquired General Electric ’s (GE) GlobalOperation Center building located in theUnited States of America. KAMCO, establishedin the heart of Kuwait City with an internation-al office in the UAE, announced that the 12-sto-ry office tower housing GE’s Global OperationCenter, located within The Banks “Work, Live,Play” mixed-use development area in down-town Cincinnati, Ohio is categorized as a ClassA trophy property.

The strategic location provides returnsexpected to deliver a 6.5% per annum net yieldto investors and a projected net IRR of 7.1%after a total investment period of 5 years. Thenewly built-to-suit state of the art facility isequipped with the latest building techniquesand necessary infrastructure to accommodatea large number of offices, and consists of339,678 sq feet of usable commercial space.The property, leased to GE on a triple net 15-year lease, started from October 2016 until2031 with five additional terms of 5 years witheach option extended.

Commenting on the acquisition, ChiefExecutive Officer of KAMCO, Faisal MansourSarkhou, said that the acquisition was yetanother landmark in KAMCO’s expansion planthat the Firm implemented during the begin-ning of 2016. He also affirmed KAMCO’s strate-gic focus on the regional and international realestate investments across the identified coremarkets that provide sustainable returns to theFirm’s shareholders.

Also commenting on the acquisition, ChiefInvestment Officer of KAMCO, Khaled Fouad,said, “This investment opportunity emphasizesKAMCO’s ongoing determination in providingnew diverse and innovative income generatingasset streams, and we believe that this primeasset offers long-term value in combinationwith attractive current yields.” Fouad also addedthat the Alternative Investments Department atKAMCO is keen to resume developing andexpanding its renowned track-record of experi-ence in different alternative asset classes on alocal, regional and global basis.

The investment transaction was orchestrat-ed by the Atlanta office of Eastdil Secured, act-

ing on behalf of Carter and 90 North RealEstate Partners acting on behalf of KAMCO. JLLCapital Markets Debt & Equity team, based inChicago, coordinated the financing, on behalfof KAMCO, with Des Moines, Iowa basedPrincipal Real Estate Investors. The localCincinnati office of CBRE, led by StevenThornton, will provide property managementon the asset.

Assisting KAMCO in completing the transac-tion, Ice Miller LLP acted as legal advisors for allpractices in the United States.. Ernest andyoung provided tax advisory services for theacquisition, while BDO USA LLP, CentrumInvestment Group, and Jones Lang LaSallefinancial and professional services firm special-izing in commercial real estate services, assist-ed in completing the transaction. GE is a globaldigital industrial company that is ranked 8th inthe Fortune 500 with investment grade ratingsfrom Standard and Poor’s (AA+) and Moody’s(A1). The company’s diversified stream ofincome from its clients in over 180 countrieshas led GE to reach a market cap of approxi-mately USD 296.5 billion.

Strategic LocationThe real estate property acquired by KAM-

CO is located in the vital area of Cincinnati,

Ohio called “The Banks”. The Banks is vibrant,mixed-use development on the banks of theOhio River. The ideal location consists a combi-nation of residential real estate, entertainmentvenues, retail stores, offices and national parks.It is also situated between the Cincinnati Reds’baseball stadium, the Great American Ball Parkand the Paul Brown Stadium. The developmenthas also transformed downtown Cincinnati’sriverfront to a true live-work-play environment.

When fully completed, The Banks will fea-ture 1,800 residential units, 400 hotel rooms, 1mil l ion square feet of off ice space and400,000 square feet of retail space. The 592residential units have been completed todate, along with over 100,000 square feet ofretail. The location has multiple bus and shut-tle services and a new bike-sharing program,Cincy Red Bike, with recently installed sta-tions across the downtown Cincinnati areaproviding over 260 bicycles for public use.The new $112 million, 3.6-mile streetcar trackwill link The Banks to Downtown and eventu-ally to the University of Cincinnati. The ameni-ties The Banks has to offer allows GE to accessa broader and wider pool of quality staff, in amodern working environment while encour-aging a work- life balance.

Fitch affirmed NBK Long Term

ratings at AA-,Outlook Stable

KUWAIT: Fitch Ratings, the internationalcredit rating agency (Fitch), once againaffirmed National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK)Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at‘AA-’, the highest in the Middle East andNorth Africa, with a Stable Outlook. Fitchhighlighted the strength of NBK’s regulato-ry capital achieved through a rights issueand by issuing additional tier 1 securitiesand subordinated bonds, noting that NBK’sregulatory capital ratios and Fitch CoreCapital (FCC) have improved.

Moreover, the agency added that NBK’sViability Rating (VR) is underpinned by itsflagship status and dominant franchise,which supports it revenue generationcapacity and ability to finance better quali-ty assets than its peers. The rating also fac-tors in the bank’s strong management, con-sistent strategy and solid funding profile

The report confirmed that the Stableoutlook on the bank’s Long-term IDRreflects the outlook on the Kuwaiti sover-eign rating at (AA/Stable), due to the

agency’s expectation of support from theauthorities and Kuwait’s strong ability toprovide support to its banks, combinedwith Fitch’s belief that there would be astrong willingness to do so, in addition tothe authorities’ record of support for thedomestic banking system in case of need.

Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) also playeda vital role as per the report, with its strictregime and hands-on monitoringapproach, leading to the continuedimprovement of the asset quality in thebanking sector. Additionally, reserves forNPLs continue to be extremely high due tothe prudent actions of CBK’s requiring thebuild-up of precautionary general provi-sions. Finally, in its reflection on the eco-nomic scene in Kuwait, Fitch concludedthat despite the impact of lower oil prices,Kuwaiti banks in general continue to bene-fit from a fairly stable operating environ-ment, thanks to the government’s continu-ing capital spending plans which managedto partially offset the pressures.

KAMCO acquires GE Global

Operation Center in US

KAMCO’s CEO Faisal Sarkhou Chief Investment Officer at KAMCO Khaled Fouad

DOHA: Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ)swung to a third-quarter net loss, it reportedlate on Tuesday, as the Gulf Arab state’s third-largest lender by assets was forced to setaside more cash to cover bad loans. Theresults, the first since the appointment of for-mer Australia and New Zealand BankingGroup banker Joseph Abraham as chief exec-utive, continue the bank’s dismal earningsrun, having posted falling profits in the pre-ceding four quarters.

The bank made a net attributable loss of1.04 million riyals ($285,612) in the threemonths to Sept. 30, the bank said in a finan-cial statement. That compared with a netattributable profit of 275.9 million riyals a yearearlier, while the average forecast of four ana-lysts polled by Reuters was for a quarterly

profit of 281.7 million riyals. Reuters had earli-er calculated the earnings based on a sepa-rate statement which did not provide a quar-terly breakdown. Weighing on the bank’searnings was a near-tripling of net impair-ment charges against bad loans, whichjumped to 504.9 million riyals in the thirdquarter from 167.6 million a year earlier.

Provision levels in the Gulf are being care-fully watched as the region’s banks feel thefallout of lower oil prices on the wider econo-my, which has forced cutbacks in state andconsumer spending, as well as layoffs in anumber of industries. Saudi banks have beenhit hard by third-quarter impairments,although other Qatari lenders which have sofar reported earnings have not registered sig-nificant jumps. In a statement, Abraham said a

review of the bank since he joined had identi-fied a need to recognize a number of non-per-forming loans.

“Both the board and the bank’s leadershipteam view this as the necessary first step inaligning the business for the current andfuture economic environment and ensuringCommercial Bank builds sustainable earningsand is well positioned for the future,” Abrahamsaid. The bank will update the market withother aspects of the review later in the year,Abraham said. Quarterly net interest incomefell by 13.5 percent to 563.2 million riyals andnet fee and commission income fell by 30.7percent to 170.7 million. Loans and depositslevels both increased by 4 percent to 75.9 bil-lion riyals and 66.7 billion riyals as of Sept30.—Reuters

Bad loan provisions almost triple

Egypt allocates $1.8 billion to

build up strategic goods stock LONDON: Egypt’s central bank has allocated$1.8 billion to ensure six months of reservesin all strategic goods, Supply MinisterMohamed Ali El-Sheikh said yesterday, afterwidespread sugar shortages prompted talkof an impending food crisis. Egypt alreadyhas five months worth of wheat and veg-etable oil reserves and would ensure thatEgyptians receive a steady supply of essen-tial foods, Sheikh said at a news conference.The $1.8 billion has already been allocatedand the supply effort would be made incoordination with the armed forces, saidSheikh, a military major general who tookcharge in September of a ministry rocked bya wheat corruption scandal.

Sheikh said his ministry would seek toend procurement of wheat to open airsilos by next year’s buying season andmove to more sophisticated climate-con-trolled silos that are designed to minimizewaste and prevent fraud. The move comesas Egypt, the world’s largest wheatimporter, tries to clamp down on allegedcorruption in its strategic wheat supplychain that has wasted billions of poundsin public funds. Egyptian prosecutors areinvestigating allegations that millions ofdollars intended to subsidize local wheatfarmers were used to purchase more

wheat on paper than was found in silos. The public prosecutor has charged sever-

al private silo owners and others with profi-teering, forgery and enabling embezzle-ment. Parliamentarians who formed a fact-finding commission to investigate the sus-pected fraud have said upwards of 2 milliontons, or 40 percent of the locally procuredcrop, may be unaccounted for. Sheikh said acommittee composed of officials from thesupply, agriculture and finance ministrieshad been established to determine theproper price for local wheat to be procurednext year.

However, he said Egypt had yet to decideif it will shift to a system where it pays farm-ers the global wheat price plus the govern-ment subsidy. The plan was mooted earlierthis year as part of efforts to minimizeopportunities for corruption along the sup-ply chain but was never implemented. Egyptwas also reviewing eligibility for a smart cardsystem through which low incomeEgyptians access state-subsidized food,Sheikh said. He said the ministry would cutwaste by cancelling cards allocated to peo-ple who have since died or emigrated andwould review eligibility criteria for everyoneelse. He did not elaborate on what the newcriteria may involve. — Reuters

Qatar bank CBQ swings to loss

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

T E C H NOLO G Y

DUBAI: Dell EMC today announced astrategic alliance with neXgen Group,the region’s leading Smart Cities adviso-ry and managed services organizationaimed to drive the region’s advancinginnovation agenda.

neXgen Group specializes in extend-ing smart city technology solutions as aservice to governments, real estate andenterprise customers across the regionand has been actively involved in flag-ship projects such as Smart Dubai andSmart Riyadh, contributing its regionalconsulting expertise and in-countrySmart City managed services. The com-pany offers an integrated portfolio oftechnology, intelligence and insights tohelp some of the region’s most promi-nent government entities, telcos andpublic sector organizations conceptual-ize, execute, monitor and deliver smartapplications, services and infrastructure.

According to a recent report by Frost& Sullivan, Smart Cities will represent amarket value of USD 1.5 Trillion by 2020driven by investments in sectors such asSmart Districts, Utilities, Healthcare,Security and Governance. The GCC isalready witnessing the innovation-pow-ered transformation of cities across theregion to improve the quality of life fortheir citizens, stimulate business anddrive economic growth in the future.

As part of its Smart City managedservices offering, neXgen Group aims tointroduce a first of its kind Application-As-A-Service offering to empower inno-vation agenda’s across the GCC regionand has announced Dell EMC as aninfrastructure partner to empower itsin-country Managed Smart-City andSmart-District Services forGovernments. neXgen Group’s uniqueoffering extends the essential IC Tframework and foundation to new serv-ices in a number of areas includingsmart security, smart real estate, smarteducation and healthcare verticals inaddition to smart metering and energymanagement.

With this alliance, neXgen Group andDell EMC commit to enabling govern-ments and cities across the regionestablish the instrumental ICT pillars toaccelerate innovation adoption; deliversuperior, fast and personalized servicesfor citizens and businesses whileenabling agility and sustainability.

To that end, neXgen Group has struc-tured its platform deployments aroundDell EMC VxRack(tm), hyper-convergedrack-scale engineered systems purposebuilt to enable customers quicklydeploy Infrastructure-as-a-Service archi-

tecture, in addition to Dell EMCIsilon(tm) scale out storage, to provisionthe need for a robust and elastic stor-age architecture. The platform is com-pleted with Dell EMC Data Domain(tm)in addition to Dell EMC Avamar(tm) tocreate a performance backed data pro-tection and availability environment.

In addition, neXgen Group hasselected Pivotal Cloud Foundry(r), opensource cloud native platform to extenda production-ready application plat-form that enables the development anddelivery of faster composable servicesdesigned for independent deployment,scaling and recovery

Customer QuoteGhazi Atallah, CEO ,neXgen Group

“At neXgen Group we are commit-ted to helping governments and devel-opers across the region build citiesthat are powered by innovative smartservices. Our strategic partnership withDell EMC allows us to bring govern-ments and city authorities closer toreal iz ing their digital agenda andstrengthening their concerted effortsto create not only smart, but sustain-able cities with higher quality of life.

Dell EMC QuoteHabib Mahakian, Vice President,

Gulf and Pakistan, Dell EMC“As the digital era brings about

unprecedented changes in customerand business expectations, the MiddleEast is making headway in buildingfuture-forward cities powered by inno-vation. We are excited to be workingtogether with neXgen Group and havethe opportunity to create “smart soci-eties” that foster innovation, collabora-tion and open engagement betweengovernments and citizens, visitors andbusinesses alike.”

Dell EMCDell EMC, a part of Dell Technologies,

enables organizations to modernize,automate and transform their data cen-ter using industry-leading convergedinfrastructure, servers, storage and dataprotection technologies. This providesa trusted foundation for businesses totransform IT, through the creation of ahybrid cloud, and transform their busi-ness through the creation of cloud-native applications and big data solu-tions. Dell EMC services customersacross 180 countries - including 98% ofthe Fortune 500 - with the industry’smost comprehensive and innovativeportfolio from edge to core to cloud.

Dell EMC and neXgen

Group Join Forces to Drive

Regional Smart Agenda

KOCHI, INDIA: The inventor of an innovativesolar chick incubator, solar milking machine andsolar-powered boat now has his newest itemrolling onto the streets in this southern Indiancity: A solar rickshaw taxi.

Georgekutty Kariyanappally, the founder ofLifeway Solar Devices Private Ltd., so far has justone prototype operating on the streets, but hassupplied another 20 to a nearby tourist resort.

In a city where traffic fumes are a worseningproblem, the solar rickshaw, Kariyanappally said,is a way of ensuring people don’t have to choosebetween effective transport and environmentalprotection. Usually “you have to choose betweendevelopment or the environment,” he said. “But Ihave an answer.”

Solar vehicles are not entirely new in Asia.Solar rickshaws are on the road in a number ofcountries, particularly Thailand; in Cambodia, asolar-adapted auto rickshaw has even become amobile coffee cart. Earlier this year anotherIndian engineer drove a solar rickshaw he’d con-structed from Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) tothe UK. But Kariyanappally, known in Kochi as“Solar Man”, has come up with his own version -just the latest creation in more than 14 years ofwork on renewable energy innovations, some ofit backed financially by the National Bank forAgriculture and Rural Development.

The fledging solar rickshaw - a three-wheeled,five-seater motorized rickshaw with a solar panelon the roof - has gained a particular public fol-lowing in Kochi since its launch in Augustbecause it is quiet and non-polluting.

‘Breathing fresh air’In a country where more than half a billion

people don’t own motorized vehicles and relyinstead on hailing taxis - usually auto rickshaws -the invention could have a big impact on airquality, noise, health and climate change, back-ers say.

Altogether more than five million auto rick-shaws - favored because they are cheap, ubiqui-tous and able to get through narrow lanes - plyIndia’s roads, according to the Indian Ministry ofSurface Transport. Kochi has about 15,000,according to the road transport office in the city.

“It’s quite similar to an ordinary auto (rick-shaw) journey except that I am breathing freshair instead of polluted air. This gives meimmense pleasure,” said Vijayakumari, whorecently took a ride in Kariyanappally’s prototype.

The solar rickshaw can run up to 80 kilometersa day with six hours of charging, with the rangeextending to 120 kilometers on a sunny day,Kariyanappally said. Solar rickshaws could poten-tially find a home in cities such as Mumbai andKolkata, where their more polluting cousins havebeen banned, replaced with battery-operatedelectric rickshaws, backers say.

“Think how much carbon would be reduced ifall the autos in the city were remodeled as solarautos,” Kariyanappally said. He noted that aswitch to solar transport potentially could alsonet the country carbon credits.

Cost for drivers?Some auto rickshaw drivers in Kochi say

they’re interested in the solar models - but onlyif they’re affordable and improve incomes fordrivers. “Tell me in simple language how could it

helpful in my daily life,” said Biji, one driver inKochi, asked about whether he’d consider asolar vehicle.

Like most rickshaw drivers in Kochi, Biju does-n’t own his vehicle, but instead rents one for 12hours a day for 250 rupees ($3.75). He spendsanother 250 rupees a day on diesel while drivinghis vehicle 80 to 100 kilometers, he said, andtakes home about 500 rupees ($7.50) a day forhis work.

Ditching diesel costs would be great, he said,but not if it means paying a higher daily rent fora solar taxi. “I am ready to shift from a traditionalauto to a solar one. But I should not have to paymore,” he said.

Still, he can see other benefits of making theswitch. In a city suffering what the NationalEnvironmental Engineering Research Institutecalls “severe” air pollution, even his own 5-year-old son is struggling with bronchitis, he said.

Kariyanappally, the solar vehicle’s inventor,says solar rickshaws need not be more expen-

sive. He believes his invention could be sold for125,000 rupees (about $1,875), compared toabout 200,000 to 250,000 for a traditional newauto rickshaw.

Even with drivers saving $3.75 a day in fuelcosts, that’s still a steep upfront cost, but emerg-ing green policies in India could lead to the gov-ernment providing cheaper loans or subsidiesfor clean transport such as solar auto rickshaws,he believes.

For now, Kariyanappally’s invention faces afew barriers - including that his prototype vehi-cle is technically on the streets illegally, as theKerala Motor Vehicle Department has not yetrecognised solar as a legal vehicle fuel. “We aretreating the solar auto service as a trial,” saidSadiq Ali, a Kochi road transport officer.

Whether solar taxis will take hold in Kochiremains to be seen, residents say. But for nowthey’ve driven another innovation: researchers,environmentalists and investors coming to Kochito have a look, Kariyanappally said.—Reuters

In fume-choked Kochi, a solar

rickshaw glides to the rescue

New item rolling onto the streets

SAN FRANCISCO: Yahoo’s quarterly profitsshot up by more than double to $163 millioneven as it prepares for a takeover by Verizon.The faded internet pioneer skipped its usualquarterly earnings call with analysts due tothe pending takeover by the US telecommu-nication company, for which chief executiveMarissa Mayer said Yahoo is busy preparingdespite recent revelations about a major databreach that may affect the deal.

“We launched several new products andshowed solid financial performance acrossthe board,” she said in an earnings release,which beat expectations despite only a slightrise in revenue.

Shares were up 1.49 percent to $42.30 inafter-market trades following the earningsreport release, reflecting confidence thebreach is not prompting a significant numberof users to abandon Yahoo.

Revenue for the quarter that ended onSept. 30 came to $1.3 billion, up from the $1.2billion in the same period a year earlier.Mobile revenue during the quarter reached$396 million, up from $271 million the previ-ous year. The boost in profits came from cut-ting workers and costs, not from the strengthof its core business. They hit the mark never-theless, according to independent SiliconValley analyst Rob Enderle. “For the most part,people were expecting a burning craterwhere Yahoo used to be,” he said. “This is thekind of financial report they needed to notincrease the probability that Verizon runsaway screaming from the deal.”

Hacks and scans The beleaguered internet company

agreed in July to sell its core assets to Verizonfor $4.8 billion, ending a 20-year run as anindependent company after several attempts

to refocus failed to help it catch up to Googleand Facebook in key segments of onlineadvertising.

The deal would separate the Yahoo inter-net assets from its more valuable stake in theChinese online giant Alibaba. However,Verizon said last week that a recently revealedhack affecting 500 million Yahoo customersworldwide could have a “material” effect onthe deal.

The comments from Verizon general coun-sel Craig Silliman suggest the telecom com-pany could seek to reduce the purchase priceor walk away from the deal. Although thehack took place in late 2014, Yahooannounced it only last month, dealing thecompany a fresh blow.

The attack was probably “state sponsored,”it said, although some analysts have ques-tioned the source. “We’re working hard toretain their trust,” Mayer said of Yahoo’s users,“and are heartened by their continued loyaltyas seen in our user engagement trends.”

Yahoo’s image took another hit recentlyfrom allegations of mass email surveillancethat triggered an outcry from privacyactivists. Yahoo has denied doing any suchthing, rejecting as “misleading” a report that itsecretly scanned hundreds of millions ofemail accounts to help US intelligence.

“We narrowly interpret every governmentrequest for user data to minimize disclosure,”the company said in a statement to AFP. “Themail scanning described in the article doesnot exist on our systems.”

Some activists described the allegation asa “bombshell” that if proven true could reveala new level of surveillance by the NationalSecurity Agency, already roiled by disclosuresin 2013 by former contractor EdwardSnowden.—AFP

Yahoo rakes in profits as it

prepares for Verizon deal

Underwater drone to investigate

sonar contacts in MH370 hunt

SYDNEY: A ship involved with the deep-sea sonar search for missing MalaysiaAirlines Flight 370 is being fitted with adrone that will examine several sonarcontacts of interest on the remoteseabed west of Australia, officials saidyesterday.

None of the sonar contacts exhibit thecharacteristics of a typical aircraft debrisfield, said the Australian Transport SafetyBureau, which is heading up the hunt forthe Boeing 777 in a desolate stretch ofthe Indian Ocean. But some of the con-tacts do exhibit man-made propertiesand therefore must be investigatedbefore they can be eliminated as havingcome from the plane, the agency said ina statement.

Officials have previously said thatmore than 20 sonar contacts that crewshave picked up in recent months requirecloser examination by a sonar-equippedunderwater drone. They are between2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles) and 1,900kilometers (1,200 miles) from theAustralian port of Fremantle where thesearch ships are based.

Poor weather during the southernhemisphere winter has, until now, pre-vented the ships from deploying thedrone. With the weather improving, theChinese vessel Dong Hai Jiu 101 is beingfitted with a video camera-equippedremotely operated vehicle that will scru-tinize the sonar contacts.

Crews have picked up hundreds of

sonar contacts of interest throughout thetwo-year hunt. The contacts are groupedinto three classification levels based ontheir likelihood of being linked to theplane. Contacts dubbed “classification 1”are considered the most likely to havecome from the aircraft. None of therecent sonar contacts that the drone willinvestigate are classification 1. Therehave only been two contacts that fit intothat category thus far; one turned out tobe an old shipwreck, and the other was arock field.

Search crews have so far come upempty in their attempt to find the mainunderwater wreckage of the plane,which vanished on March 8, 2014, duringa flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijingwith 239 people on board. The shipshave less than 10,000 square kilometers(3,900 square miles) left to scour of the120,000-square kilometer (46,000-squaremile) search zone.

Officials previously said the searchwould be finished by December. OnWednesday, the transport bureau said itis now likely to take until January orFebruary to complete, due to the longstretch of poor winter weather that hashampered search efforts.

Malaysia, China and Australia agreedin July that the hunt would be suspend-ed after the crews finish scouring thecurrent search zone, unless credible newevidence emerges that identifies theplane’s location.—AP

Alex Bender, SVP of Global Marketing, Mimecast

Mimecast Hosted a Human

Firewall Event at GITEX 2016

Hacking email accounts demonstratedDUBAI: As part of its GITEX Technology Week2016 plans, Mimecast Limited (NASDAQ:MIME), a leading email and data security com-pany, held a Human Firewall breakfast eventon October 19 at the Dubai World TradeCentre from 8am to 11am. The event targetedorganizations with email users covering thelatest threat trends, how users can preparetheir email defences and the newest solutionsavailable to prevent these attack.

Speaking on the necessity of educatingpeople on the importance of email security,Brandon Bekker, Managing Director atMimecast MEA said, “91% of cyber-attacks

start with an email. Companies are beingattacked by malicious cyber criminals withmore frequency and sophistication than everbefore. The threat of spear-phishing, whalingand socially-engineered email attacks is realand could happen to any company and hencemaking people aware of the latest threats,and how they could prepare these attacks isimportant.”

“We know that routine security trainingdoesn’t work and technology is less effectivewithout proper training. Only when organiza-tions start to get users to think for a fractionof a second longer than normal before per-

forming a task, running an attachment orclicking a link, that they can drive a behaviorchange in them. With the Human Firewallevent, we want to educate our customers onthe threats, encourage a behavior changetowards security and invoke a human firewallto help protect their business and de-fang thethreats that target them,” Mr. Bekker added.

Mimecast is showcasing its full-range ofemail and data security solutions and services,at GITEX Technology Week 2016, being heldfrom October 16-20, 2016 at the Dubai WorldTrade Centre. Mimecast is exhibiting at standC1-20, Hall 1.

H E A LT H & S C I E NC ETHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

SACRAMENTO: California’s state capitalregion could reap 20,000 jobs and gener-ate $4.2 billion in business if it becomes ahub for a legalized marijuana industry, astudy released on Monday showed, weeksbefore voters decide whether to allowrecreational use of the drug.

The report from the University of thePacific in Stockton was commissioned bythe cannabis investment company TruthEnterprises, one of hundreds of business-es counting on voters to legalize pot nextmonth.

“The Sacramento region should be tocannabis what Detroit is to automobiles in

terms of both a center of innovation aswell as production,” said Daniel Conway,who left his job as chief of staff toSacramento Mayor and former NBA starKevin Johnson to become TruthEnterprises’ managing partner. “Thisregion has the ability to be to cannabiswhat Sonoma and Napa are to wine.”

If local leaders choose to limit thenumber and type of marijuana business-es, the study showed, legalization wouldbring as few as 1,600 jobs and generateabout $322 million in revenues, wagesand other economic impacts.

Polls indicate voters in the most popu-

lous US state are likely to legalize marijua-na on Nov. 8, instantly creating a massivemarketplace and making California thefifth US state to permit recreational potuse.

Centering some of that business in theSacramento region would take advantageof the area’s proximity to farmland andagricultural processing facilities as well assuch population hubs such as the SanFrancisco Bay Area and tourist destina-tions like Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley,the study said.

Local business and political leadershave for years searched for ways to rein-

vigorate the slightly faded feel ofSacramento area, where empty store-fronts mar numerous shopping centersand abandoned houses sport boarded-upwindows despite nearly a decade of slowrecovery from the Great Recession.

Downtown is undergoing a massivefacelift around a new arena for the NBAKings, with dozens of new shops andrestaurants planned. The city is close towinning a major league soccer franchise,and its restaurant scene is growing. “Theentire Sacramento business community islooking at this with different eyes today,”said Joshua Woods, chief executive officer

of the Sacramento Region BusinessAssociation. “With this many jobs, youcan’t ignore it.”

The University of the Pacific reportoffers the first hard look at the potentialeconomic impact of the marijuana busi-ness on the Sacramento region, Woodssaid. But that does not mean his group -or other business and political leaders - isready to make the area a hub.

For that to happen, policymakerswould need to be persuaded that a busymarijuana growing and processing indus-try would not also be a magnet for crime,addiction and other problems.—Reuters

California capital could reap billions from legalized pot, study says

RECIFE, BRAZIL: As the sun dyes the earlymorning sky a reddish hue, Angelica Pereira car-ries her 1-year-old daughter out of the tiny whitehouse sitting on a dirt road where piles ofgarbage float in puddles.

The driver sent to fetch her and other moth-ers with babies disabled by the Zika virus is twohours late, which could mean less time with thetherapists who help her daughter move rigidlimbs and a floppy back.

While battling these logistical challenges,Pereira also struggles to find and afford expen-sive drugs that families must pay for becausegovernment health plans don’t cover them. “Weare always chasing something. We have to dropeverything else, all our chores, our homes,” saidthe 21-year-old. “There are so many of us withchildren with special needs. (The government) isforgetting about that.”

Initial reactionZika initially was known only to cause flu-like

symptoms in some people. But a surge late lastyear in cases of babies born with small heads innortheast Brazil set off worldwide alarm aboutthe virus, which was later linked to a birth defectknown as microcephaly. When the connectionwas made, then-President Dilma Rousseff prom-ised that affected families would get the help

they needed.While the government has provided therapy

and some financial assistance, mothers such asPereira say it doesn’t come close to meetingtheir overwhelming needs caring for childrenwith severe development delays.

Some families plan to sue the government toget more families with disabled children the$275 a month now currently provided to house-holds earning less than $70 a month. They alsowant the government to pay for medication forbabies with epilepsy, increasingly common inchildren whose mothers were infected with Zikaduring pregnancy.

“These are women in need of financial aid,who are from remote towns and are finding newproblems every day with their children,” saidattorney Viviane Guimaraes, who is helping sev-eral families enroll in a program for the disabled.

State-run health care in Brazil is woefullyunderfunded, and patients often wait monthsfor treatment. People who can afford get carethrough private health plans. Jusikelly da Silvasays she is desperate to get a brain scan for her10-month-old Luhandra, who was sitting up andeating solid foods before a seizure severalmonths ago left her virtually motionless. Silvahas tried for three months to get the radiologytest and an appointment with a specialist. “It’s

horrible because I feel that the longer I wait forthese exams, the worse it can get, and I won’t beable to take care of her,” said Silva.

Many mothers end up borrowing moneyfrom relatives to pay for private hospitals anddoctors for specialized treatment. Silva says thatisn’t an option for her; just trying to buy babyformula is a struggle. She and her five childrenlive on the $250 her husband earns each monthworking at a warehouse.

The health secretary for Recife state, JailsonCorreia, says the city has yet to receive fundsfrom the state or federal government for a spe-cial child development division. The plan is tocreate a group of pediatricians, child neurolo-gists, social workers and physical, speech andoccupational therapists who treat children withcongenital Zika syndrome.

Correia says the city has offered epilepsydrugs on a case-by-case basis because they arenot provided through the public health plan, butthat help won’t last forever. “The city’s financialresources are already strained,” Correia told TheAssociated Press. “We need the state and federallevels to take a more active role.”

No response from officialsFederal officials didn’t respond to repeated

requests for additional information about howthey are responding to the crisis. The Zika crisiscomes as Latin America’s largest nation weathersa two-year recession that has pushed inflationand unemployment to over 10 percent. A pro-posal under consideration by Congress wouldcap public spending, raising fears about cuts forhealth and education.

Treating children with neurological problemsis not cheap. Researchers exploring the healthburden for governments fighting Zika concludethat each child with microcephaly in Brazilwould cost about $95,000 in lifetime medicalexpenses, a little more than half the $180,000 itwould cost in the United States.

Jorge A. Alfaro-Murillo, a researcher at theYale School of Public Health, said the estimatesare based on cases of mental disability, addingthat microcephaly is a more severe condition. Hesaid total costs, including special education andincome loss, can add up to much more.

Brazil has confirmed more than 2,000 cases ofmicrocephaly so far, and Health Minister RicardoBarros says almost all of these babies areenrolled in rehabilitation centers to stimulatedevelopment. More than half of the children arefrom poor households with a monthly income ofless than $70.

Ana Carla Maria Bernardo, 24, says she had toclose her beauty salon when a test taken shortlyafter her daughter Carla Elisabethe was bornshowed the child had brain damage caused by aZika infection while still in the womb. Carla’sfather was recently fired from his job as a door-man, but Bernardo says the government won’tprovide financial aid because his former salarywas over minimum wage.

Meanwhile, Bernardo says it takes her nearlytwo hours each way on buses to get from herRecife suburb to the rehabilitation center. “I wishthe government would help us,” said Bernardo.“They have the resources. It’s just a matter ofthem taking some interest in us.”—AP

SANTA CRUZ DO CAPIBARIBE, PERNAMBUCO STATE, BRAZIL: In this Dec 23, 2015 file photo, Angelica Pereira, left, holds her daughter Luiza, whowas born with microcephaly because of the Zika virus, as she sits with her husband Dejailson Arruda, at their home.—AP

Where Zika struck hardest, Brazil

moms say more help needed

PARIS: Some 300 wild mammal speciesin Asia, Africa and Latin America arebeing driven to extinction by humanity’svoracious appetite for bushmeat, accord-ing to a world-first assessment releasedyesterday.

The species at risk range from rats to rhi-noceros, and include docile, ant-eatingpangolins as well as flesh-ripping big cats.

The findings, published in the journalRoyal Society Open Science, are evidenceof a “global crisis” for warm-blooded landanimals, 15 top conservation scientists con-cluded. “Terrestrial mammals are experi-encing a massive collapse in their popula-tion sizes and geographical ranges aroundthe world,” the study warned.

This decline, it said, was part of a largertrend known as a “mass extinction event,”only the sixth time in half a billion yearsthat Earth’s species are dying out at morethan 1,000 times the usual rate.

Besides eating them, humans are rob-bing mammals of their natural habitatsthrough agriculture and urbanization, anddecimating them through pollution, dis-ease and climate change. According to theUnion for the Conservation of Nature’s(IUCN) Red List of endangered species, aquarter of 4,556 land mammals assessedare on the road to annihilation.

For 301 of these threatened species,“hunting by humans”-mainly for food, butalso as purported health and virility boost-ers, and trophies such as horns or pelts-isthe main threat, according to the compre-hensive review of scientific literature.

The likelihood of extinction, the teamfound, depends on body size: the biggerthe animals, the greater the danger.

More than 100 primates, including goril-las and snub-nosed monkeys, and dozensof hooved animals from oxen to antelope,are at dire risk from hunting. “These specieswill continue to decline unless there ismajor global action to save them,” BillRipple, a professor at Oregon StateUniversity and lead author of the study,told AFP.

Cascading effects All 301 species identified are found

exclusively in developing countries, withthe highest concentration in southeast Asia(113), followed by Africa (91), the rest ofAsia (61) and Latin America (38). The coun-tries with the most native species undersiege from hunting were Madagascar (46),Indonesia (37), the Philippines (14) andBrazil (10).

The scale of the problem is daunting:some 89,000 tonnes of wild meat-with amarket value of about $200 million (180million euros) — is butchered every yearfrom the Brazilian Amazon alone, the studyfound.

On current trends, the prospects forthese and other mammals is not bright, theauthors said. “Forty of these species werealready classed as critically endangered by1996, indicating that there has been littleor no conservation progress in reversingtheir fate,” they note.

This, despite dozens of major conserva-tion conferences and summits, and theexpansion of protected areas. The impactof extinction may be felt well beyond theloss of individual species, the scientists cau-tioned. “Through cascading effects, the lossof these mammals is altering the structureand function of the environments in whichthey occur,” the study notes.

The result could be a loss of food securi-ty for humans. The research echoed arecent study which showed that more thantwo-thirds of 9,000 threatened species-including plants, birds and insects-facedover-exploitation from commerce, recre-ation or subsistence.

Ripple and colleagues call for increasedlegal protection of threatened mammals,better education and family planning, andthe provision of alternative foods to localpopulations. Giving local communitiesstronger land rights-so that they have amore direct interest in conservation-is alsokey, they said.—AFP

Humans eating wild

mammals into extinction

SHANGHAI: This picture taken on October 18, 2016 shows Chan Ming, who surviveda close encounter with a great white shark while cage diving off Guadalupe Island,Mexico, watching the viral video of the great white shark on his computer.—AFP

SHANGHAI: A diver whose near misswith a great white shark became a viralvideo sensation, viewed more than 15million times on Youtube, says theocean’s apex predator is “beautiful”. ChanMing was on a shark-watching excursionoff the Mexican coast when the animalbroke into the metal cage protectinghim.

Despite their fearsome reputation,sharks do not normally feed on humans,and have to be drawn in with bait. Theshark seized the bait and crashed intothe cage, breaking part of it. Unable toswim backwards, it carried on inside,where Chan was alone. The advertisingexecutive and part-time diving instructortold AFP on Monday that he tried hard tostay calm, “because if I get panicked itwill be very horrible in there”. “When thegreat white shark was breaking into thecage, the inside of its mouth was gettingjammed in the cage, and at that momentI was thinking ‘Hey, don’t think aboutcoming in here’,” he said.

The video shows the shark apparentlybleeding as it thrashes its way outthrough a gap on top of the cage, whichwas opened by a crew member. An ago-

nizing 20 seconds pass before Chan, whois from Hong Kong but lives in Shanghai,emerges safely.

The harrowing incident did little todiminish Chan’s fondness for the greatwhite and he went back into the waterthe next day. “You know in Chinese wesay that ‘Where you fell down, (is) whereyou need to stand up’,” said the 51-year-old. “I still think the shark, the greatwhite, is so beautiful, they’re very beauti-ful and cute.”

In a company statement posted onFacebook, operator Solmar V LuxuryLive-Aboard said the shark did not sufferany serious injuries. “Shark breaches ofthis magnitude are a one in a millionoccurrence,” it said. “As unfortunate as itwas, it was still an accident.” The compa-ny-whose priority is to offer “unique lifeexperiences”-said

its cages have been reinforced follow-ing the breach, and bait would bethrown further away from them in future.After his October 4 brush with the greatwhite Chan wrote on his Facebook pagethat he had been “reborn” and was savor-ing Cantonese noodle soup and beer,adding: “Everyday are good days.” —AFP

Sharks are beautiful, diver

says despite narrow escape

Finding and affording drugs main Zika problem

MADRID: A 62-year-old Spanish woman hasgiven birth to a healthy girl and encourageswomen in their later years to imitate her ifthey want to.

Lina Alvarez left the Lucus Augusti Hospitalin the northwestern city of Lugo on Tuesdaywith her third child in her arms, saying she feltwonderful. She said baby Lina, born Oct. 10,was in perfect health. The 2.4-kilogram (5.3-

pound) Lina was born by cesarean section.Alvarez’s first child, now 27, was born with

cerebral palsy. Her second child is now 10. Hersecond and third pregnancies were throughin-vitro fertilization treatment. Alvarez, a doc-tor, said that women who are well enough tohave a baby in their later years shouldn’t beafraid to do so, adding that they should letnature, not gynecologists decide.—AP

62-year-old woman in Spain

gives birth to third child

MADRID: In this screen grab taken from video on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, Lina Alvarezleaves Lucas Augusti Hospital with her new born baby.—AP

H E A LT H & S C I E NC ETHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

UTRECHT, PROVINCE DE UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS: Professor of Earth Sciences atUtrecht University and former director of Rotterdam’s Museum of Natural Historybiologist Jelle Reumer poses on August 10, 2016.—AFP

Out of the countryside, wildlife

returning to Amsterdam

KOCHI, India: The inventor of an innovativesolar chick incubator, solar milking machine andsolar-powered boat now has his newest itemrolling onto the streets in this southern Indiancity: A solar rickshaw taxi.

Georgekutty Kariyanappally, the founder ofLifeway Solar Devices Private Ltd., so far has justone prototype operating on the streets, but hassupplied another 20 to a nearby tourist resort.

In a city where traffic fumes are a worseningproblem, the solar rickshaw, Kariyanappally said,is a way of ensuring people don’t have to choosebetween effective transport and environmentalprotection.

Usually “you have to choose between devel-opment or the environment,” he said. “But I havean answer.” Solar vehicles are not entirely new inAsia. Solar rickshaws are on the road in a numberof countries, particularly Thailand; in Cambodia,a solar-adapted auto rickshaw has even becomea mobile coffee cart. Earlier this year anotherIndian engineer drove a solar rickshaw he’d con-structed from Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) tothe UK. But Kariyanappally, known in Kochi as“Solar Man”, has come up with his own version -just the latest creation in more than 14 years of

work on renewable energy innovations, some ofit backed financially by the National Bank forAgriculture and Rural Development.

The fledging solar rickshaw - a three-wheeled, five-seater motorized rickshaw with asolar panel on the roof - has gained a particularpublic following in Kochi since its launch inAugust because it is quiet and non-polluting.

‘Breathing fresh air’In a country where more than half a billion

people don’t own motorised vehicles and relyinstead on hailing taxis - usually auto rickshaws -the invention could have a big impact on airquality, noise, health and climate change, back-ers say. Altogether more than five million autorickshaws - favoured because they are cheap,ubiquitous and able to get through narrow lanes- ply India’s roads, according to the IndianMinistry of Surface Transport. Kochi has about15,000, according to the road transport office inthe city.

“It’s quite similar to an ordinary auto (rick-shaw) journey except that I am breathing freshair instead of polluted air. This gives meimmense pleasure,” said Vijayakumari, who

recently took a ride in Kariyanappally’s proto-type. The solar rickshaw can run up to 80 kilome-ters a day with six hours of charging, with therange extending to 120 kilometers on a sunnyday, Kariyanappally said.

Solar rickshaws could potentially find a homein cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata, wheretheir more polluting cousins have been banned,replaced with battery-operated electric rick-shaws, backers say. “Think how much carbonwould be reduced if all the autos in the city wereremodeled as solar autos,” Kariyanappally said.He noted that a switch to solar transport poten-tially could also net the country carbon credits.

Cost for drivers?Some auto rickshaw drivers in Kochi say

they’re interested in the solar models - butonly if they’re affordable and improve incomesfor drivers “Tell me in simple language howcould it helpful in my daily life,” said Biji, onedriver in Kochi, asked about whether he’d con-sider a solar vehicle. Like most rickshaw driversin Kochi, Biju doesn’t own his vehicle, butinstead rents one for 12 hours a day for 250rupees ($3.75). —Reuters

Robotic scan for horses could

hold promise for human health

In fume-choked Kochi, a solar

rickshaw glides to the rescue

Detailed anatomical views in normal state now possibleKENNETT SQUARE: Veterinarians hope an inno-vative type of CT scan can advance medical carefor horses and possibly be adapted for humans,eliminating the need for people to lie still insidea tube. Robotic CT at the University ofPennsylvania’s veterinary school allows a horseto remain awake and standing as scanners ontwo mechanical arms move around it. The result-ing high-quality images, including some in 3D,for the first time offer detailed anatomical viewsof the animal in its normal, upright state.

That’s a huge difference from the standard CTfor a horse, which requires administering anes-thesia, placing the animal on its side andmaneuvering a scanning unit around the affect-ed area. Not all body parts fit in the machines.

Robotic CT “is much less stressful,” said Dr.Barbara Dallap Schaer, medical director of PennVet’s New Bolton Center. “It’s a pretty athleticevent for horses to recover from general anes-thesia.” The New York-based company 4DDI cre-ated the Equimagine system with componentsfrom robot manufacturer ABB. First unveiled atPenn last spring, 4DDI now has orders for morethan a dozen units at equine facilities around theworld, according to CEO Yiorgos Papaioannou.“The word is spreading,” Papaioannou said.

ProcedureAt Penn, the large white robotic arms are

installed at a barn at New Bolton Center, the vetschool’s hospital for large animals in thePhiladelphia exurb of Kennett Square. Horses aregiven a mild sedative and walked into the facilityfor a scan that lasts less than a minute.

CT, or computed tomography, gives picturesof soft tissues that X-rays can’t. While traditionalCT requires the subject to be still, this new sys-tem compensates for slight movement.Eventually, vets hope they’ll be able to captureCT images of a horse running on a treadmill.

The ease of imaging means more horses canget preventive scans, said Dr. Dean Richardson,chief of surgery at New Bolton. As it stands, hesaid, many owners are reluctant to have theirhorses anesthetized for a diagnostic procedurebecause recovery can be treacherous. As the ani-mals emerge from unconsciousness and woozilystruggle to find their footing, they risk cata-

strophic injury if they stumble.“So the whole beauty of this technology, we

hope, is that we’re going to be able to scanmuch greater numbers of patients much, muchearlier in the process of things like stress-relatedinjuries in a racehorse,” Richardson said. Forhumans, the technology could be helpful whendealing with squirming children or claustropho-bic adults. Doctors could also get clearer viewsof, say, spinal problems in a standing patientinstead of relying on CT performed while theperson is lying down. Penn’s translationalresearch team has partnered with other hospi-tals to look at the possibilities.

“This is an interesting concept - the ability toimage in your natural state,” said Dr. Raul Uppot,an assistant professor of radiology at HarvardMedical School who is not involved in theresearch. “It does offer something that doesn’tcurrently exist in the market (for humans).”

Equimagine’s base cost is $545,000, accordingto Papaioannou, though he said some new cus-

tomers are getting the equipment in exchangefor a per-scan fee. The company plans to makeanother version of the system for smaller ani-mals, he said.

Penn’s system was made possible through adonor, said Dallap Schaer, noting the cost wascomparable to standard CT scanners. Overallcost for the images will be less than CT scansthat require anesthesia, she said.

Dennis Charles, of Allentown, brought hishorse Bert to Penn Vet for an MRI earlier thisyear, before robotic CT was available. The proce-dure required anesthesia, and Charles said hewas incredibly nervous watching a wobbly Bertregain consciousness afterward.

Last month, the horse again needed imagingbut was able to have robotic CT. Charles, whodescribed the robotic system as looking likesomething out of “Star Wars,” said the scansassured him Bert’s leg injury had healed. “Theyget really precise images,” he said. “I think it’s atremendous piece of equipment.”—AP

KENNETT SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA: In this Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, photo, Medical DirectorDr. Barbara Dallap Schaer, right, and Radiologist Dr. Kathryn Wulster hold a horse as a comput-erized tomography scan is conducted at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton CenterHospital for Large Animals.—AP

AMSTERDAM: Seals peep fromAmsterdam’s famous canals, while rare batshuddle in the eaves of houses, next to nest-ing birds. Wildlife-of the animal kind-is onthe rise in the teeming Dutch capital.

More than 10,000 different animalspecies roam the city’s nooks and crannies,sharing space already packed with around800,000 Amsterdamers and millions ofannual tourists, according to a new study.And it appears to be an exodus out of thecountryside, providing a potent illustrationof the natural world’s extraordinaryresilience, experts and scientists say.

Since 2012 small grey or brown furredharbor seals have occasionally been knownto travel down from the North Sea coast,arriving in Amsterdam after slippingthrough locks at the town of IJmuiden andswimming down the North Sea Canal tothe city.

And on a rare occasions a lucky few spotthe bigger grey seals, a protected Europeanspecies with their distinctive mottled coat,or even the occasional porpoise.“Biodiversity in Amsterdam has increasedin the last decades, which has not been thetrend nationally or even internationally,”said Geert Timmermans, head of the city’secology and landscape architecture proj-ect. The new study of Amsterdam’s biodi-versity shows more than a quarter of allanimal species living in The Netherlands,including some 300 protected kinds, arefound in the densely populated city.

Part of the recovery of biodiversity isattributed to a ban on using pesticides tocontrol weeds, as well as on farmlandbeyond the city limits. And according toWWF Netherlands, the damage caused byhumans appears to be more limited inDutch cities where animal populationshave only fallen by 30 percent since 1990,compared to the hedgerows and duneswhich have seen a drop of 50 percent and40 percent in the countryside. Urban plan-ners meanwhile have also increased theirfocus on maintaining so-called “ecologicalcorridors” or green spaces.

Natural evolution “Nature always exists. It adapts, it uses

new situations to ensure that it can installitself,” said biologist Jelle Reumer, the for-mer director of Rotterdam’s museum ofnatural history. He created waves earlierthis year by suggesting that people shouldnot try to intervene to save endangeredanimals like the panda or rhinoceros, but

should allow things to evolve naturally.“Extinction is normal. More species have

become extinct throughout geological his-tory than are alive today,” Reumer, a profes-sor in Earth Sciences at Utrecht university,told AFP. It is Amsterdam’s leafier, wetteroutskirts which have proved the most fer-tile ground for animals looking to set uphome. Here natterjack toads, red squirrels,foxes and voles along with the blue-winged grasshopper can be spotted tryingto keep out of the clutches of birds of preylike hawks and peregrines. A soprano pip-istrelle bat was spotted in Amsterdam forthe first time last year, while there is “a cau-tious recovery” of the swift and sparrowpopulation which had gone into decline.

In cities, where several different micro-climates can exist, buildings have replacedcliffs as homes for the pigeons. While thewarmer temperatures-sometimes 10degrees C higher than in the countryside-have caused fig trees to flourish in Utrechtand attracted an Italian grasshopper to TheNetherlands. But other experts argue thesituation is much more complex and it ishard to compare ecosystems. “There is lessbiodiversity in the Arctic compared to trop-ical rainforests. But it is just as unique,”stressed Martin Poot, a researcher with theDutch statistics office. “That is the same forthe town or the country.”

The Exterminator But in the countryside, the large-scale

industrialisation of agriculture has led tothe disappearance of two-thirds of the wildbirds since the 1960s. Sightings of cranes,oystercatchers, redshanks and larks areincreasingly rare. It is mankind turning thecountryside into an “agricultural desert ofcornfields, and cows and only one kind ofgrass,” said Reumer

Still, as time passes, species will evolve,he insisted, adding that “cities are veryyoung in geological time. Evolution takesthousands, if not millions of years.”

The Earth is now facing “its sixth wave ofmass extinction,” said Reumer, but it is notcaused by a meteorite such as wiped out40 to 60 percent of living species at the endof the Cretaceous period, or a volcaniceruption which killed off 90 percent ofspecies in the Permian period some 252million years ago. Today’s exterminator-in-chief is mankind. The International Unionfor Conservation of Nature estimates some28 percent of mammal species are current-ly facing extinction.—AFP

W H AT ’ S ONTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

“Shrimpy”, a leading local Kuwaiti fast food chainserving seafood, launched its all new menu,revealing a new variety of delicious cuisine,

drinks and desserts as well as healthy meals providingdifferent options to please all appetites.

Shrimpy announced the launch of a variety of newsandwiches such as “Shrimpino”, the latest twist on friedbutterfly shrimp combined with Pico de gallo sauce,crunchy red cabbage, as well as the “Mix Sub” that com-bines fried shrimp, fish, and calamari with lettuce andtasty tartar sauce, in addition to the “Black Burger”, “PoBoy”, and “Shrimp Roll”.

Not only that, but the new menu included newitems such as a variety of salads, sweets, drinks, and

new side dishes. Of these items, a delicious “ShrimpCocktail” salad, “Mix Berry Cheese Cake”, “Creamy OreoCake”, “Lotus Cheese Cake”, as well as drinks such as arefreshing “Mojito” or “Cherry Cola” are served. Therestaurant also offers new side dishes created by theexpert chefs such as “Dynamite Shrimp”, “ShrimpTempura”, and “Buffalo Shrimp”.

The General Manager for Al Thiqa Co., Mr.Mohammed Farraj, has declared that the ExecutiveManagement is working hard to be able to meet the cus-tomers’ needs and exceed their expectations in provid-ing a cuisine that is able to compete in such a market, aswe have proven worthy for years by providing our localinfamous shrimp based meals for the past years.

The head of Marketing at Al Thiqa Co., Mr. HusseinElsayed, said “The new menu launch, with our strategicmarketing campaign, aims at promoting Shrimpy as wellas welcoming back our beloved customers and seafoodenthusiasts.”

The Manager of Operations, Mr. George Nassar,added saying “We push ourselves to be able to providethe necessary possibilities and ideas from which hasallowed us to yield such delicious seafood cuisine, pricedcompetitively in the market, was a challenge weimposed on ourselves to please our customers as well asto increase our sales and market share belonging to ourchain.”

In the end, the Senior Brand manager, Mr. Basel

Homeidan, clarified “We have been able to facilitate achange for the brand “Shrimpy” through evolving thelook and brand as well as introduce new social mediatools to reach a vast majority of customers. In addition tothat, the amount of information regarding our productsspread through the use of either social media or throughprinted flyers has helped us in the introduction of the allnew menu to the vast majority.”

Last but not least, Shrimpy released new children’scharacters called “Shumy, Bubly, and Crush” to have funand share happy times together which show a strongsense of caring towards children as well as the willing-ness to cater to the whole family showing a sense ofgoodwill.”

For the 2nd consecutive cycle, the AmericanUniversity of Kuwait (AUK) will be the CountryPartner in Challenge 22, a Qatar-led initiative,

launched by the Supreme Committee for Delivery &Legacy (SC). Challenge 22 promotes innovationthrough awarding generous research and develop-ment grants to participants with the best ideas.Challenge 22 is in association with country ambassa-dors in each of the ten participating countries andstrategic partners including the Qatar NationalResearch Fund (QNRF), Wamda and theMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT )Enterprise Forum Pan-Arab. The innovation awardprovides entrepreneurs, scientists and pioneers fromacross the Arab world with the tools and resourcesthey need to turn their ideas into a lasting positivelegacy.

AUK hosted an information session on October17th, where representatives from Challenge 22introduced the initiative to the public and providedan overview of the application process and criteriafor participation. The representatives also shared

success stories from the cycle in early 2015. In itsrole as Country Partner for Challenge 22, AUK willpromote the initiative locally, and encourage localinnovators to participate and represent Kuwait. Theevent was open to members of the AUK communityand the public.

“The American University of Kuwait under itsmission is committed to fostering a culture of inno-vation and accordingly we are very proud to be acountry partner for Challenge 22. We believe thatChallenge 22 offer excellent opportunities to stu-dents at AUK and Kuwait not only to showcase theirideas and talents but to connect to other talentedstudents in the region,” said Professor Nizar Hamzeh,AUK President.

“Engaging with the participants from Kuwait wasan inspiring and encouraging experience and fur-ther supports Challenge 22’s belief in the potentialthe Arab world has to offer in the field of innovation,”said Fatma Al Nuaimi, Legacy Senior Manager at theSC, “Thanks to our collaboration with AUK and itssupport, we were able to spark exciting discussion

and dialogue with the attendees and encouragethem to pursue their ideas, no matter how small orlarge they seemed. We look forward to seeing thesubmissions coming from Kuwait.”

The second cycle of Challenge 22, which runsfrom 27 September, 2016 to 11 May, 2017, aims toinspire innovative solutions in four key areas: sus-tainability, health & safety, the internet of things,and tourism experience. For this cycle, Challenge 22has also expanded its reach beyond the six Gulfcountries to include Egypt, Jordan, Morocco andTunisia. The submission deadline for the first phaseis December 12th, 2016.

The SC, with its partners that will host the inno-vation award, have always believed that young peo-ple in the Arab world have great creativity andpotential. Challenge 22 will ensure that when theworld is watching the Middle East in 2022, Arabinnovation is in the spotlight.

For more information and how to apply, pleasevisit the award’s official website at: www.chal-lenge22.qa

American University of Kuwait, Country Partner

for Challenge 22 for the 2nd Consecutive Cycle

Unmatched meals launched in Kuwait ... To suit all tastes and occasions

W H AT ’ S ONTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

JW Marriott Kuwait has officially opened its new and muchawaited restaurant “Crossroads”, adding a whole newdimension to Kuwait dining scene.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on October 17, andwas attended by Mr. Ghazi Al Nafisi, the Chairman andManaging Director of Salhia Real Estate along with a hugenumber of invitees from different companies in Kuwait andmedia representatives.

Crossroads Restaurant features a wide range of distinctivecuisines, including Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian andMediterranean. The culinary delicacies of these cuisines havedominated the world for many centuries and still proving to bethe most popular. The restaurant also offers an open kitchen toenable guests to see and smell their food choices while chefsare preparing them. This concept is the first of its kind inKuwait, offering a world of authentic cuisines under one roof.

The menu includes regional and global flavors with a uni-versal appeal, and a special emphasis is placed on freshly

cooked foods. A la carte menu is also available offering disheslike latin churrasco, five-spice rosemary bbqued ribs, Sicilianstyle seabass, pan-roasted salmon and cilantro prawns.

In addition, the menu features decadent desserts, includ-ing bitter chocolate mousse cake, exotic fruit platters, crËmebr˚lÈe and the famous New York cheese cake. And for bever-ages, the menu provides an array of exotic fruit and veg-etable drinks.

Furthermore, the different food stations at Crossroads areseamlessly fused within the large and elegant dining space, toallow guests to enjoy an exciting and fun experience.

Cluster General Manager of Marriott Hotels in Kuwait, Mr.George Aoun said ‘with this new addition, we are looking tomove away from the traditional dining concept and provideguests with a more enjoyable dining experience.’ ‘Crossroads’open kitchen will allow guests to enjoy the cooking process oftheir dishes from start to finish, and see for themselves howfresh and delicious our food is.’

JW Marriott Kuwait opens

‘Crossroads’ Restaurant

American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), KuwaitChapter is a premier voluntary, Non-profit Health,Safety and Environmental organization, which

strives to provide professional guidance, training, consul-tancy and resources to the industrial and social sectors inthe region.

As a part of continuous efforts in its professional jour-ney, ASSE-Kuwait Chapter organized its 213th TechnicalMeet (3rd in the term 2016-17) on” “Dynamic BarrierManagement” in Kohinoor Banquet hall, Fahaheel Kuwaiton 13th October 2016.

The Technical Meet began with the Opening addressby Mr. Sunil N Sadanandan, Chapter Acting Secretary,who also briefed about recently held and upcomingevents of ASSE Kuwait Chapter. Mr. CH. Rama KrushnaChary, President ASSE Kuwait Chapter in his welcomeaddress emphasized the importance of attending suchtechnical events to enhance knowledge of ASSEMembers. Mr. Adnan Yousaf, Head of Technical Events

committee introduced the speaker for the evening Mr.Mark Fisher.

Mr. Mark Fisher has been working in the upstream anddownstream oil & gas industries since July 1992. He hasheld many posts in the areas of facilities integrity man-agement, operational safety, project management andconsultancy. As an employee of M/s DNVGL, he has spentmuch of his career seconded to senior operational super-visory and management roles within client organizations.He held major project roles, from leading the conception,development and implementation of safety, health andenvironmental, process safety and enterprise risk man-agement systems with major energy companies inEurope, the Middle East and Asia.

Mr. Mark in his presentation explained the concept ofSafety barrier management which is an important activityto maintain or reduce process safety risk of an operatingfacility. Barriers can be hardware, human or organization-al, or some combination of these.

Dynamic barrier management uses the full suite ofinformation available, including direct and indirect indica-tors of barrier performance to infer barrier status in nearreal-time. Higher Importance barriers (i.e. risk affecting)would be assigned higher priority than other barriers. Thiscan achieve better safety at lower cost than current barriermanagement processes.

The presentation followed with a question and answersession. As an Honor of Appreciation, ASSE KuwaitPresident CH. Rama Krushna Chary honored the speakerMr. Mark Fisher with a Memento for his excellent presenta-tion Technical Meet concluded with close out speech ofMr. Muhammad Alamgir, Vice-President of ASSE KuwaitChapter who thanked Mr. Mark Fisher for giving an insighton the topic Dynamic barrier Management and M/sDNVGL for organizing the same. He thanked the TechnicalEvents committee for the arrangements and all the par-ticipants, who attended the technical meet.

For more detail visit www.assekuwait.org

ASSE Kuwait Chapter Conducted Technical Meet on ‘Dynamic Barrier Management’

T V PR O G R A M STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

THE MARK: REDEMPTION ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION

AMERICAN SNIPER ON OSN MOVIES HD

04:00 Hector And The Search ForHappiness06:00 4 Minute Mile07:45 The Longest Ride10:00 Hector And The Search ForHappiness12:00 Daddyʼs Home14:00 Home16:00 A Birderʼs Guide ToEverything17:45 The Rewrite19:45 American Sniper22:00 Hitman: Agent 4700:00 Ted 2

04:50 Science Of Stupid05:15 Science Of Stupid05:45 Mystery Files06:10 Mystery Files06:40 Bid & Destroy07:05 Bid & Destroy07:35 Brain Games08:30 How Hard Can It Be?09:25 Is It Real?10:20 Mystery Files10:45 Mystery Files11:15 Nazi World War Weird12:10 Disappeared: The SearchFor Cody Dial13:05 Locked Up Abroad14:00 Is It Real?15:00 The Numbers Game15:30 The Numbers Game16:00 Brain Games16:30 Brain Games17:00 Nazi World War Weird18:00 Disappeared: The SearchFor Cody Dial19:00 Locked Up Abroad20:00 Science Of Stupid20:30 Science Of Stupid21:00 Nazi World War Weird21:50 Disappeared: The SearchFor Cody Dial22:40 Locked Up Abroad

MURDER BY NUMBERS ON OSN MOVIES FESTIVAL

05:00 Dickie Roberts: Former ChildStar07:00 A Lot Like Love09:00 Big Ass Spider!11:00 Dickie Roberts: Former ChildStar13:00 All About Steve15:00 Serial (Bad) Weddings17:00 Big Ass Spider!19:00 Hot Rod21:00 Weʼll Never Have Paris23:00 Are You Here01:00 Tim And Ericʼs Billion DollarMovie03:00 Hot Rod

04:00 The Sixth Sense06:00 Walking On Sunshine08:00 Searching For Bobby Fischer10:00 The Village12:00 Walking On Sunshine14:00 Parkland16:00 The Truth About Emanuel18:00 The Village20:00 Murder By Numbers22:00 Short Term 1200:00 Hustle And Flow02:00 The Truth About Emanuel

04:25 Wildest Africa05:15 Gator Boys06:02 River Monsters: Top TenBeasts06:49 The Vet Life07:36 The Wild Life Of TimFaulkner08:25 Cats 10109:15 The Vet Life10:10 River Monsters: Top TenBeasts11:05 Tanked12:00 Cats 10112:55 Bondi Vet13:50 The Vet Life14:45 Gator Boys15:40 River Monsters: Top TenBeasts16:35 Tanked17:30 Wildest Africa18:25 River Monsters (Best OfSeries 1-5)19:20 Wildest India20:15 Tanked21:10 Ten Deadliest Snakes22:05 Wildest India23:00 Grizzly Uprising23:55 Gator Boys00:50 River Monsters (Best OfSeries 1-5)

04:30 Orphan Black05:15 Doctors05:45 Eastenders06:15 Stella07:00 Doctors07:30 Eastenders08:00 Holby City09:00 New Tricks09:55 Doctor Who10:50 Stella11:35 Doctors12:05 Eastenders12:35 New Tricks13:30 Doctor Who14:25 Stella15:15 Doctors15:45 Eastenders16:15 New Tricks17:10 Doctor Who18:15 Stella19:00 Doctors19:30 Eastenders20:05 New Tricks21:00 Holby City22:00 The Detectorists22:30 I Want My Wife Back23:00 Friday Night Dinner23:30 Pramface00:00 Pramface00:35 Doctors01:05 Eastenders01:40 Holby City

04:40 Dash Dolls05:35 Dash Dolls06:30 Celebrity Style Story07:00 Botched07:55 E! News08:10 Botched09:10 E! News10:10 Botched11:10 Botched13:00 E! News13:15 Botched By Nature14:10 Hollywood Medium WithTyler Henry15:05 Hollywood Medium WithTyler Henry16:00 E! News16:15 Hollywood Medium WithTyler Henry18:10 LA Clippers Dance Squad19:05 LA Clippers Dance Squad20:00 E! News21:00 Rob & Chyna22:00 Catching Kelce00:25 E! News00:40 Hollywood Cycle02:40 E! News03:40 Hollywood Cycle

04:45 Animal Superpowers05:40 Lion Warrior06:35 Worldʼs Deadliest Snakes07:30 Bearhood08:25 Animal Superpowers09:20 Lion Warrior10:15 Baby Animals In The Wild11:10 Caught In The Act12:05 Worldʼs Weirdest AnimalFaces13:00 Catching Giants13:55 Pythonathon14:50 Bear Nomad15:45 Animal Superpowers16:40 Bandits Of Selous17:35 Baby Animals In The Wild18:30 Caught In The Act19:25 Worldʼs Weirdest AnimalFaces20:20 Animal Superpowers21:10 Bandits Of Selous22:00 Baby Animals In The Wild22:50 Caught In The Act23:40 Worldʼs Weirdest AnimalFaces00:30 Catching Giants01:20 Pythonathon02:10 Bear Nomad03:00 Tiger On The Run03:50 Worldʼs Deadliest Animals

05:00 The Mark: Redemption07:00 Panic Room09:00 Justice League: Gods AndMonsters11:00 Deep Rising13:00 Reclaim15:00 Panic Room17:00 Swelter19:00 Deep Rising21:00 Con Air23:00 Duplicity01:15 Colors03:30 Mine Games

04:00 Workaholics04:25 Catch A Contractor04:50 Ridiculousness05:15 Key And Peele05:40 Ridiculousness06:05 Ridiculousness06:30 Impractical Jokers06:55 Impractical Jokers07:20 Tosh.007:50 Tosh.008:15 MLE Chowdown: The TurkeyBowl09:05 Ridiculousness

09:30 Ridiculousness09:55 Impractical Jokers10:45 Nathan For You11:35 Ridiculousness12:00 Catch A Contractor12:25 MLE Chowdown: The TurkeyBowl13:15 Workaholics14:05 Impractical Jokers14:55 Ridiculousness15:45 Frankenfood16:35 Tosh.017:00 Tosh.017:30 Nathan For You17:55 Nathan For You18:25 Workaholics18:50 Urban Tarzan19:15 Urban Tarzan19:39 Ridiculousness20:03 Ridiculousness20:27 Impractical Jokers20:50 Impractical Jokers21:13 Coaching Bad22:00 The Daily Show With TrevorNoah22:30 South Park22:54 Brotherhood23:18 Underground With DaveAttell

04:15 Magic Of Science04:40 Fast Nʼ Loud05:30 Garage Gold06:00 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars06:30 How Do They Do It?07:00 Deadliest Catch07:50 For The Love Of Cars08:40 Fast Nʼ Loud09:30 Gold Divers: Under The Ice10:20 Garage Gold10:45 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars11:10 How Do They Do It?

04:00 What Happened Next?04:25 What Happened Next?04:50 Ultimate Survival05:40 How Itʼs Made06:05 How Itʼs Made06:30 Storm Chasers07:20 Mythbusters08:00 Kenny The Shark08:25 Dick ʻnʼ Dom Go Wild08:50 Too Cute! Pint-Sized09:40 How Itʼs Made10:05 How Itʼs Made10:30 What Could Possibly GoWrong?11:20 Mythbusters12:10 Bondi Vet13:00 Too Cute! Pint-Sized13:50 Ultimate Survival14:40 How Itʼs Made15:05 How Itʼs Made15:30 Strangest Weather On Earth16:20 Mythbusters17:10 Kenny The Shark17:35 Dick ʻnʼ Dom Go Wild18:00 NASAʼs Greatest Missions18:50 NASAʼs Unexplained Files19:40 What Could Possibly GoWrong?20:30 How Itʼs Made20:55 How Itʼs Made21:20 Mythbusters22:10 NASAʼs Greatest Missions23:00 NASAʼs Unexplained Files23:50 Destroyed In Seconds00:15 Destroyed In Seconds00:40 Ultimate Survival01:30 What Could Possibly GoWrong?02:20 NASAʼs Greatest Missions03:10 NASAʼs Unexplained Files

04:00 Deadline: Crime With TamronHall04:48 I Almost Got Away With It05:36 True Crime With AphroditeJones06:24 Deadly Affairs07:12 Impostors08:00 Disappeared08:50 I Almost Got Away With It09:40 True Crime With AphroditeJones10:30 Deadly Affairs11:20 Impostors12:10 Last Hope With Troy Dunn12:35 Last Hope With Troy Dunn

04:15 The Hive04:20 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch04:45 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch05:10 Hank Zipzer05:35 Binny And The Ghost06:00 Violetta06:45 The Hive06:50 Mouk07:00 Jessie07:25 Jessie07:50 Miraculous Tales Of LadybugAnd Cat Noir08:15 Tsum Tsum Shorts08:20 Liv And Maddie08:45 Bunkʼd09:10 Austin & Ally09:35 Shake It Up10:00 A.N.T. Farm10:25 A.N.T. Farm10:50 Thatʼs So Raven11:15 Thatʼs So Raven11:40 Good Luck Charlie12:05 Good Luck Charlie12:30 Jessie12:55 Disney Mickey Mouse13:00 The 7D13:15 Miraculous Tales Of LadybugAnd Cat Noir13:40 Hank Zipzer14:05 Star Darlings14:10 Austin & Ally14:35 Austin & Ally15:00 Liv And Maddie15:25 Liv And Maddie15:50 Dog With A Blog16:15 Jessie16:40 Bunkʼd17:05 Star Darlings17:10 Gravity Falls17:35 Miraculous Tales Of LadybugAnd Cat Noir18:00 Backstage18:25 Alex & Co.18:50 Girl Meets World19:15 Stuck In The Middle19:40 Disney Cookabout20:05 Best Friends Whenever20:30 Jessie20:55 Liv And Maddie21:20 Austin & Ally21:45 Backstage22:10 H2O: Just Add Water22:35 H2O: Just Add Water23:00 Binny And The Ghost23:25 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch23:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A

Teenage Witch00:10 Hank Zipzer00:35 Binny And The Ghost01:00 Violetta01:45 The Hive01:50 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of ATeenage Witch02:40 Hank Zipzer03:05 Binny And The Ghost03:30 Violetta

04:10 Henry Hugglemonster04:20 Calimero04:35 Zou04:45 Loopdidoo05:00 Art Attack05:25 Henry Hugglemonster05:35 Calimero05:50 Zou06:00 Loopdidoo06:15 Art Attack06:35 Henry Hugglemonster06:50 Calimero07:00 Zou07:20 Loopdidoo07:35 Art Attack08:00 The Hive08:10 Zou08:25 Loopdidoo08:40 Sheriff Callieʼs Wild West09:05 Sofia The First09:30 PJ Masks09:40 Goldie & Bear09:55 Doc McStuffins10:10 Jake And The NeverlandPirates10:20 PJ Masks10:35 Miles From Tomorrow10:45 Doc McStuffins11:00 Sofia The First11:25 The Lion Guard

11:55 Jake And The Never LandPirates12:25 Sheriff Callieʼs Wild West12:50 The Hive13:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse13:30 Doc McStuffins14:00 Jake And The NeverlandPirates14:15 Sofia The First14:45 Goldie & Bear15:15 Sheriff Callieʼs Wild West15:45 Doc McStuffins16:15 Minnieʼs Bow-Toons16:20 The Adventures Of TheDisney Fairies16:50 Miles From Tomorrow17:15 Sofia The First17:45 Jake And The NeverlandPirates18:00 The Lion Guard18:30 Goldie & Bear18:55 Unbungalievable19:00 Doc McStuffins

07:00 Boyster07:10 Super Matrak07:35 Super Matrak08:00 Star vs The Forces Of Evil08:25 K.C. Undercover08:50 The 7D09:00 Phineas And Ferb09:15 Danger Mouse09:40 Counterfeit Cat10:05 Future Worm10:10 Gravity Falls10:35 Lab Rats11:00 Supa Strikas11:25 Supa Strikas11:50 Danger Mouse12:20 Annedroids12:45 Annedroids

13:10 Counterfeit Cat13:35 K.C. Undercover14:00 K.C. Undercover14:30 Gravity Falls14:55 Lab Rats15:20 Lab Rats15:45 Phineas And Ferb16:10 Disney Mickey Mouse16:15 Supa Strikas16:40 Supa Strikas17:05 Lab Rats17:30 Danger Mouse17:55 Kirby Buckets18:25 K.C. Undercover18:50 Annedroids19:15 Gamerʼs Guide To PrettyMuch Everything19:40 K.C. Undercover20:05 Future Worm20:10 Gravity Falls20:35 Counterfeit Cat21:00 Lab Rats21:25 Supa Strikas21:55 K.C. Undercover22:20 Gamerʼs Guide To PrettyMuch Everything22:45 Guardians Of The Galaxy23:10 Marvel Avengers Assemble23:40 Disney Mickey Mouse00:00 Programmes Start At 6:00amKSA

04:40 Counting Cars05:30 Pawn Stars06:00 Time Team07:00 Shipping Wars07:25 Shipping Wars07:50 American Pickers08:40 Pawn Stars09:05 Pawn Stars09:30 American Restoration09:55 Counting Cars10:20 Counting Cars10:45 Counting Cars: Best Of11:10 Counting Cars: Best Of11:35 American Restoration12:25 Time Team13:15 Mountain Men14:05 The Curse Of Oak Island14:55 Counting Cars15:20 Counting Cars15:45 Ice Road Truckers16:35 Shipping Wars17:00 American Pickers17:50 Storage Wars: Best Of18:15 Storage Wars Texas18:40 The Curse Of Oak Island19:30 Time Team20:20 American Pickers21:10 Pawn Stars21:35 Pawn Stars22:00 Forged In Fire22:50 Barbarians Rising23:45 Time Team00:35 Forged In Fire01:25 Barbarians Rising02:20 Lost In Transmission03:10 Storage Wars Texas03:35 Counting Cars: Best Of

04:05 The Shelbourne04:30 Top Tables, Top Cities04:55 Top Tables, Top Cities05:20 Raw Travel05:45 Raw Travel06:10 Croatiaʼs Finest06:35 Croatiaʼs Finest07:00 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita07:25 Street Food Around TheWorld

05:00 Good Morning America08:00 Suits09:00 Rosewood10:00 The Voice12:00 Suits13:00 Rosewood14:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show15:00 Live Good Morning America17:00 Marvelʼs Agents OfS.H.I.E.L.D.18:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show19:00 Criminal Minds21:00 Blindspot22:00 Lethal Weapon23:00 Empire00:00 Sleepy Hollow01:00 Prison Break

04:00 Mind Control Freaks04:24 Mind Control Freaks04:48 Prototype This05:36 Sport Science06:24 How The Universe Works07:12 How Do They Do It?07:36 Food Factory08:00 How Do They Do It?08:26 Prototype This09:14 How The Universe Works10:02 Mind Control Freaks10:26 Mind Control Freaks10:50 How Do They Do It?11:14 Food Factory11:38 Sport Science12:26 Prototype This13:14 How The Universe Works14:02 How Do They Do It?14:26 Food Factory14:50 Mind Control Freaks15:14 Mind Control Freaks15:38 Sport Science

16:26 Prototype This17:14 How The Universe Works18:02 Mind Control Freaks18:26 Mind Control Freaks18:50 Ways To Save The Planet19:40 How The Universe Works20:30 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars20:55 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars21:20 How Do They Do It?21:45 Food Factory22:10 Through The Wormhole WithMorgan Freeman23:00 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars23:25 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars23:50 How The Universe Works00:40 Ways To Save The Planet01:30 How Do They Do It?01:55 Food Factory02:20 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars02:45 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars03:10 How The Universe WorksDiscovery World04:00 Discovery World10:00 Discovery World16:00 Discovery World22:00 Discovery World

19:30 Doc McStuffins20:00 Jake And The Never LandPirates20:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse21:00 PJ Masks21:30 The Adventures Of TheDisney Fairies22:00 Miles From Tomorrow22:30 Miles From Tomorrow23:00 Sheriff Callieʼs Wild West23:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse00:00 Minnieʼs Bow-Toons00:05 Henry Hugglemonster00:20 Calimero00:35 Zou00:50 Loopdidoo01:05 Art Attack01:30 Henry Hugglemonster01:45 Calimero02:00 Zou02:15 Loopdidoo02:30 Art Attack03:00 Calimero03:15 Zou03:30 Loopdidoo03:45 Art Attack

05:15 Ghatothkach - Master OfMagic07:00 Jack And The Cuckoo ClockHeart08:45 Bolts And Blip10:30 Looney Tunes: Rabbitʼs Run12:00 Earth To Echo13:45 Columbus In The LastJourney15:30 Pim And Pom: The BigAdventure17:00 Minuscule: Valley Of TheLost Ants19:00 Looney Tunes: Rabbitʼs Run20:45 Justice League vs. BizarroLeague22:15 Pim And Pom: The BigAdventure00:00 Minuscule: Valley Of TheLost Ants

11:35 You Have Been Warned12:25 X-Ray Mega Airport13:15 Magic Of Science14:05 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars14:30 Storage Hunters14:55 Garage Gold15:20 Gold Divers: Under The Ice16:10 Alaskan Bush People17:00 Deadliest Catch17:50 Fast Nʼ Loud18:40 For The Love Of Cars19:30 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars19:55 How Do They Do It?20:20 Gold Divers: Under The Ice21:10 Storage Hunters21:35 Garage Gold22:00 Sean Conway - RunningBritain22:50 What On Earth?23:40 Fire In The Hole00:30 Fast Nʼ Loud01:20 For The Love Of Cars

13:00 Disappeared13:50 I Almost Got Away With It14:40 True Crime With AphroditeJones15:30 Deadly Affairs16:20 Impostors17:10 Evil Stepmothers18:00 Disappeared18:50 I Almost Got Away With It19:40 True Crime With AphroditeJones20:30 Deadly Affairs21:20 Impostors22:10 California Investigator22:35 California Investigator23:00 Murder Book23:50 Redrum00:40 Betrayed01:30 Deadly Sins02:20 Murder Book03:10 Redrum

04:25 Brief Encounters05:20 The Jonathan Ross Show

06:15 Murdoch Mysteries07:10 Whoʼs Doing The Dishes?08:05 The Chase09:00 Brief Encounters10:00 The Jonathan Ross Show11:00 Murdoch Mysteries11:55 Whoʼs Doing The Dishes?12:50 The Chase13:45 Emmerdale14:15 Coronation Street14:45 Coronation Street15:15 Whoʼs Doing The Dishes?16:10 The Chase17:00 Autopsy: The Last HoursOf...17:55 Paul Oʼgradyʼs AnimalOrphans18:50 Murdoch Mysteries19:45 Emmerdale20:15 Coronation Street20:45 Coronation Street21:10 The Chase22:00 Autopsy: The Last HoursOf...22:55 Paul Oʼgradyʼs AnimalOrphans23:50 Emmerdale00:15 Coronation Street00:40 Coronation Street01:10 Whoʼs Doing The Dishes?02:00 Emmerdale02:30 Coronation Street03:00 Coronation Street03:30 The Chase

07:50 A Model Adventure08:40 Great Escapes09:05 Eat Street09:30 The Shelbourne09:55 The Shelbourne10:20 Top Tables, Top Cities10:45 Top Tables, Top Cities11:10 Raw Travel11:35 Raw Travel12:00 Croatiaʼs Finest12:25 Croatiaʼs Finest12:50 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita13:15 Street Food Around TheWorld13:40 Fearless Chef14:35 Food School15:00 Eat Street15:30 The Shelbourne15:55 The Shelbourne16:25 Top Tables, Top Cities16:50 Top Tables, Top Cities17:20 Raw Travel17:45 Raw Travel18:15 Croatiaʼs Finest18:40 Croatiaʼs Finest19:10 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita19:35 Valentine Warnerʼs WildTable20:05 The Shelbourne20:30 Top Tables, Top Cities21:00 Top Tables, Top Cities21:25 Raw Travel21:50 Raw Travel22:15 Croatiaʼs Finest22:40 Croatiaʼs Finest23:05 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita23:30 Valentine Warnerʼs WildTable23:55 Fearless Chef00:45 Food School01:10 Eat Street01:35 The Shelbourne02:00 Access 360 World Heritage02:50 Delinquent Gourmet03:15 Eat Street03:40 Baking Good, Baking Bad

ClassifiedsTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

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

DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

112Automated

enquiry aboutthe Civil ID card is

1889988

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (20/10/2016 TO 26/10/2016)

SHARQIA-1JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 1:30 PMSACRIFICE 4:00 PMSACRIFICE 6:00 PMASAL ABYAD 8:00 PMASAL ABYAD 10:15 PMSACRIFICE 12:30 AM

SHARQIA-2JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 11:45 AMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 2:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 4:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 7:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 9:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 12:15 AM

SHARQIA-3INFERNO 1:00 PMTHE MERMAID PRINCESS 1:30 PMFRITHE MERMAID PRINCESS 3:30 PMTHE MERMAID PRINCESS 5:15 PMINFERNO 7:00 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 9:30 PMINFERNO 11:45 PM

MUHALAB-1JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 11:30 AMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 2:00 PMISM- Telugu 1:30 PMISM- Telugu 4:30 PMISM- Telugu 7:30 PMISM- Telugu 10:30 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 4:45 PMASAL ABYAD 7:00 PMASAL ABYAD 9:15 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 11:30 PM

MUHALAB-2PRECIOUS CARGO 11:45 AMPRECIOUS CARGO 1:45 PMINFERNO 3:45 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 6:15 PMINFERNO 8:15 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 10:45 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 12:45 AM

MUHALAB-3JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 12:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 2:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 5:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 7:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 10:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 12:45 AM

FANAR-1SACRIFICE 12:00 PMSACRIFICE 2:15 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 4:15 PMSACRIFICE 6:30 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 8:30 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 10:45 PMSACRIFICE 1:00 AM

FANAR-2INFERNO 12:15 PMINFERNO 2:45 PMASAL ABYAD 5:15 PMASAL ABYAD 7:30 PMASAL ABYAD 9:45 PMINFERNO 12:05 AM

FANAR-3PRECIOUS CARGO 12:30 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 2:30 PMTHE MERMAID PRINCESS 4:30 PMTHE MERMAID PRINCESS 6:15 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 8:00 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 10:00 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 12:15 AM

FANAR-4JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 12:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 2:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 5:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 7:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 10:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 12:45 AM

FANAR-5KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 1:00 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 3:15 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 5:15 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 7:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 9:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 11:45 PM

MARINA-1KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 11:30 AMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 1:30 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 3:30 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 6:00 PMASAL ABYAD 8:00 PMASAL ABYAD 10:15 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 12:30 AM

MARINA-2JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 11:30 AMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 2:00 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 4:30 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 7:00 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 9:30 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 12:05 AM

MARINA-3INFERNO 12:15 PMINFERNO 2:45 PMTHE MERMAID PRINCESS 5:15 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 7:00 PMINFERNO 9:15 PMINFERNO 11:45 PM

AVENUES-1PRECIOUS CARGO 12:15 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 2:15 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 4:15 PM

PRECIOUS CARGO 6:15 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 8:15 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 10:15 PMPRECIOUS CARGO 12:15 AM

AVENUES-2JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK - 2D 4DX 11:45 AMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK - 2D 4DX 2:15 PMHARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART II- 3D 4DX4:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK - 2D 4DX 7:30 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK - 2D 4DX 10:00 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK - 2D 4DX 12:30 AM

AVENUES-3LAF WA DAWARAN 1:15 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 3:30 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 5:45 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 8:00 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 10:15 PMLAF WA DAWARAN 12:30 AM

AVENUES-4JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 1:00 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 3:30 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 6:00 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 8:30 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 11:00 PM

360º- 1KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 12:30 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 2:45 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 5:00 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 7:15 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 9:30 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 11:45 PM

360º- 2INFERNO 12:15 PMINFERNO 2:45 PMINFERNO 5:15 PMINFERNO 7:45 PMINFERNO 10:15 PMINFERNO 12:45 AM

360º- 3KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 11:30 AMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 1:45 PMKEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES 4:00 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 6:00 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 8:30 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 11:00 PM

AL-KOUT.1JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 12:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 2:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 5:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 7:45 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 10:15 PMJACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK 12:45 AM

PRAYER TIMINGS

Fajr: 04:32

Shorook 05:52

Duhr: 11:33

Asr: 14:48

Maghrib: 17:14

Isha: 18:31

Arrival Flights on Thursday 20/10/2016Airlines Flt Route TimeMSC 415 Sohag 00:10THY 772 Istanbul 00:10JZR 267 Beirut 00:30FDB 069 Dubai 00:55DLH 635 Doha 01:00QTR 1086 Doha 01:15JZR 539 Cairo 01:20SAI 441 Lahore 01:30ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45RJA 642 Amman 01:45JZR 553 Alexandria 01:50AXB 395 Kozhikode 01:50THY 1464 Istanbul 01:50KKK 6506 Istanbul 02:00KAC 418 Manila 02:15GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15UAE 853 Dubai 02:25ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05OMA 643 Muscat 03:05MSR 612 Cairo 03:15FDB 067 Dubai 03:15QTR 1076 Doha 03:25KAC 544 Cairo 03:40LMU 510 Cairo 04:00RBG 551 Alexandria 04:05AVV 653 Alexandria 04:30DHX 170 Bahrain 04:35THY 770 Istanbul 05:15JZR 529 Asyut 06:00PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 06:25KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:30QTR 8511 Doha 06:35BAW 157 London 06:40FDB 5061 Dubai 07:15JZR 503 Luxor 07:25KAC 382 Delhi 07:30KAC 346 Ahmedabad 07:35KAC 204 Lahore 07:40KAC 206 Islamabad 07:40KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50FDB 053 Dubai 07:50SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50KAC 344 Chennai 08:15KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:15KAC 352 Kochi 08:20KAC 362 Colombo 08:20UAE 855 Dubai 08:25IRA 673 Ahwaz 08:35KAC 784 Jeddah 08:50KAC 284 Dhaka 09:00ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:00ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05IRA 667 Esfahan 09:05QTR 1070 Doha 09:20FDB 055 Dubai 09:40SYR 341 Damascus 10:05UAE 873 Dubai 10:40GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40MEA 404 Beirut 11:00JZR 561 Sohag 11:25RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30FDK 801 Damascus 11:45JZR 165 Dubai 11:50AVV 651 Alexandria 12:05FDB 075 Dubai 12:25UAE 871 Dubai 12:45MSR 610 Cairo 13:00KAC 620 Doha 13:10AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:55KNE 231 Riyadh 14:00KAC 672 Dubai 14:05QTR 1078 Doha 14:05KAC 178 Vienna 14:15

GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20FDB 057 Dubai 14:20JZR 779 Jeddah 14:25SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30KAC 742 Dammam 14:55KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00KNE 529 Jeddah 15:05KNE 535 Jeddah 15:10OMA 645 Muscat 15:10ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:10ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35UAE 857 Dubai 15:45NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50RJA 640 Amman 16:00FDB 051 Dubai 16:10QTR 1072 Doha 16:15JZR 535 Cairo 16:20KNE 531 Jeddah 16:35JZR 787 Riyadh 16:45KAC 562 Amman 16:55KAC 118 New York 17:00SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30JZR 177 Dubai 17:45FDB 8053 Dubai 17:45KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 17:50JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50QTR 1080 Doha 17:55JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 18:20MSR 620 Cairo 18:30KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35KAC 502 Beirut 18:35KAC 774 Riyadh 18:35KAC 542 Cairo 18:55KAC 618 Doha 18:55KAC 104 London 19:00UAE 875 Dubai 19:05GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05FDB 063 Dubai 19:10KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10ABY 123 Sharjah 19:15JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35KAC 674 Dubai 19:45KAC 154 Istanbul 19:45FDB 059 Dubai 19:50DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:05KNE 381 Taif 20:10MEA 402 Beirut 20:15OMA 647 Muscat 20:20JZR 189 Dubai 20:25MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30QTR 1088 Doha 20:35FDB 5053 Dubai 20:55KAC 174 Munich 20:55ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:05UAE 859 Dubai 21:15ALK 229 Colombo 21:20KLM 417 Amsterdam 21:25KAC 676 Dubai 21:35QTR 1082 Doha 21:55GFA 219 Bahrain 22:00NIA 151 Cairo 22:10ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10JZR 125 Bahrain 22:15AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25MSC 501 Alexandria 22:30THY 764 Istanbul 22:55JZR 185 Dubai 22:55JAI 574 Mumbai 23:05MSC 403 Asyut 23:10MSR 614 Cairo 23:30JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 23:30FDB 071 Dubai 23:35JAD 301 Amman 23:45

Departure Flights on Thursday 20/10/2016Airlines Flt Route Time AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10JAI 573 Mumbai 00:10MSC 404 Asyut 00:10FDB 072 Dubai 00:30KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:05MSC 416 Sohag 01:05JZR 502 Luxor 01:15THY 773 Istanbul 01:40DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:00SAI 442 Lahore 02:30THY 765 Istanbul 02:45ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:50KAC 177 Vienna 02:55KKK 6505 Istanbul 02:55KAC 783 Jeddah 03:30UAE 854 Dubai 03:45OMA 644 Muscat 04:05FDB 068 Dubai 04:05ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10MSR 613 Cairo 04:15QTR 1077 Doha 04:35RBG 552 Alexandria 04:45LMU 511 Cairo 05:00JZR 560 Sohag 05:00AVV 654 Sohag 05:30THY 1465 Istanbul 06:00RJA 643 Amman 06:25QTR 1087 Doha 06:30THY 771 Istanbul 06:45GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50FDB 070 Dubai 07:05JZR 164 Dubai 07:15FDB 5062 Dubai 07:55BAW 156 London 08:25FDB 054 Dubai 08:30QTR 8512 Doha 08:35KAC 173 Munich 08:35JZR 778 Jeddah 08:50SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30KAC 619 Doha 09:30KAC 671 Dubai 09:30JZR 534 Cairo 09:30IRA 672 Ahwaz 09:35ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45JZR 482 Istanbul 09:45UAE 856 Dubai 09:50KAC 101 London/New York 10:00ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:05IRA 668 Mashhad 10:05QTR 1071 Doha 10:35FDB 056 Dubai 10:40KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 10:50KAC 153 Istanbul 11:00KAC 501 Beirut 11:00SYR 342 Damascus 11:05KAC 561 Amman 11:20KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35KAC 741 Dammam 11:35MEA 405 Beirut 12:00KAC 541 Cairo 12:05UAE 874 Dubai 12:10RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15FDK 802 Damascus 12:45KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00AVV 652 Asyut 13:05FDB 076 Dubai 13:10JZR 176 Dubai 13:10JZR 786 Riyadh 13:20

AAG 147 Baghdad 14:00MSR 611 Cairo 14:00UAE 872 Dubai 14:15PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 14:45AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:45KNE 382 Taif 14:55KAC 773 Riyadh 15:00FDB 058 Dubai 15:05GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05KAC 673 Dubai 15:05QTR 1079 Doha 15:15KAC 617 Doha 15:15JZR 188 Dubai 15:50KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55KNE 536 Jeddah 15:55SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00KAC 613 Bahrain 16:00OMA 646 Muscat 16:10ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50RJA 641 Amman 16:55FDB 052 Dubai 17:00KAC 675 Dubai 17:00JZR 266 Beirut 17:10JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 17:15QTR 1073 Doha 17:25KNE 532 Jeddah 17:25UAE 858 Dubai 17:40SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20JZR 184 Dubai 18:20JZR 538 Cairo 18:30FDB 8054 Dubai 18:40KAC 563 Amman 19:00QTR 1081 Doha 19:05JZR 238 Amman 19:15JZR 124 Bahrain 19:20MSR 621 Cairo 19:30KAC 285 Dhaka 19:40GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50FDB 064 Dubai 19:50ABY 124 Sharjah 19:55FDB 060 Dubai 20:30UAE 876 Dubai 20:35JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:45DLH 634 Doha 20:50KAC 343 Chennai 20:55KAC 353 BLR 20:55KAC 351 Kochi 21:00KAC 543 Cairo 21:00KNE 232 Riyadh 21:10MEA 403 Beirut 21:15OMA 648 Muscat 21:15JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15MSR 619 Cairo 21:30QTR 1089 Doha 21:45DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50FDB 5054 Dubai 21:55ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 21:55ALK 230 Colombo 22:20UAE 860 Dubai 22:25KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:25KAC 381 Delhi 22:25KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30GFA 220 Bahrain 23:00KAC 205 Islamabad 23:00ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05NIA 152 Cairo 23:10QTR 1083 Doha 23:20KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:25MSC 502 Alexandria 23:30

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Mohamed Baruk MohamedAsraf, holder of IndianPassport No. J6973017 & CivilID No. 270021203341 haschanged my name toMohamed Baruk Ashrafalihereinafter in all my dealingsand documents I will beknown by the name ofMohamed Baruk Ashraf Ali. (C 5223)18-10-2016

I Zahra holding IndianPassport No. Z3218479issued at Kuwait on29/11/2015, would likechange my name toAlbertina Fernandes. (C 5219) 17-10-2016

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

There is a feeling that time is slipping away this afternoon and you maywant to accomplish more than there is time for this day. Make a list and leave some ofthe projects for another day. Relax! A drive to the outskirts of town with a friend orloved one may find some foliage that you can take home with you for decorations rep-resenting the fall season. If you can treat this foliage with a spray of sorts, it will remainbeautiful for some time. Make a fun project out of your day. This may also includepainting or repair of some sort. There will still be time to set aside later for a differentsort of relaxation. You find yourself quick-witted. There is a chance to give attention toyour family through games or time around the dinner table. This is a special time.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

STAR TRACK

You are favored today. Good luck and positive results are in the forecast.This is one of your best overall days. Much can be accomplished in the workplace andif you need any help, just ask. There is a feeling that anything is possible if you set yoursights high enough. You are encouraged to go the extra mile for a boss that would dothe same for any employee. There is a sort of exploring your feelings, a kind of restless-ness for new emotional experience. You may find yourself looking for a little romancethis evening or at least enjoying some emotional release. You can appreciate feelingsand movement. Perhaps dancing is your specialty. You may want to just get out andwalk or exercise. Enjoy the sunset. This is a good day for love.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

You are at your mental best with sharp ideas and clear thoughts. You get allthe important work out of the way as quickly as possible. This is an excellent

time to make decisions and take care of any mental work. You have a clear-minded insightinto your own plans and methods and can express a “take-charge” manner wheneverneeded. There are plenty of opportunities to communicate your goals and put them intowords-a good time for decisions. Appointments, meetings or social events can be insertedthroughout the day. Your emotions are clear and it is easy for you to understand and workwith those around you. Music plays a big part in your life this evening-perhaps you arescheduled to perform soon or attend a performance. A nice time.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

There are many more rewarding days ahead of you. You will be reapingthe rewards of your hard work, even though it may only be the good feel-

ing that comes when you do your best. You may wish there were more days like today.There is an opportunity to advance your career now-look before you leap. This is also thebest time to join that club, group or activity. If you have become involved in a communi-ty effort, now is a good time to plot your activity or involvement. Leave yourself time forsome personal freedom, however. You do not have to say yes to everything surroundingthis activity-that is what a task force or committee involves. You could be most persua-

sive with others today. The energies available at this time lean in your direction.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Increased confidence and a more outgoing manner may be the key thatopens many a new door in your career. There are opportunities to discover your talentsthrough creativity and self-expression. You will be pleased at the recent progress youhave made in many areas of your life-just take a look! In a simple disagreement aboutphilosophical, religious or legal possibilities, it would be wise to agree to disagree. Avoidsuch situations as much as possible and if you need to become more involved in heavydiscussions, find facts to support your ideas. Settle up front rather than dragging thingsthrough to the bitter end-you will be glad you did. There may be an opportunity to gainimportant information this evening.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

This morning seems to lean in the direction of production, and lots of it.Whether you are on an assembly line, granting loans, planting seeds or studying for a testor a class, you will find time passes very quickly and production or results are positive.Your management and directional abilities are in high focus. Learning the psychology ofpeople is fascinating. It seems to give you an inside track into the understanding of peo-ple. Your instinctive orientation at this time is in getting down to the facts and eliminat-ing the emotional, thereby destroying the roots of a disturbance. Real insight into yourown inner workings could surface today as well-and in a manageable form. Enjoy yourbeautiful friends this evening.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Intense emotional drama is available-if that is what you need. Your emo-tions are not in tune with the more sensitive and private areas of your life. Push on nowand you risk some very turbulent emotional scenes. Obtaining professional advice is amove in the right direction at this time. The impressions you make on the outside worldmay bring attention to your professional life as well-keep your activities positive. This is agreat time to consider involving yourself and perhaps a loved one in a class of some sort-something fun! This can be something that will bring you both toward a closer relation-ship. If you are dating and find yourself in several relationships, it may be time to begin tofocus your attention on one particular person.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Communicating with others is at a high today. You manifest your idealsand dreams in an organized and clear-headed manner. You would be

great at giving the public a sense of the ideal via films, advertising, spiritual work. There isa tendency to be too strict with yourself and to insist that whatever does not contributeto security and other long-term goals is trivial. Your ambition is intensified. Your practicalskills are linked to your almost mystical inner vision. Have fun shopping for a few dietmeals this evening. Choices that include pretty colors, fruits, lots of different sorts ofgreenery will have the whole family wanting to join you in this venture. You may all bevery pleased with the weighing in process toward year’s end.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Now may be best to begin to dig in and strengthen your current work posi-tion rather than expand outward just now. You will find yourself concentrating more onyour work. From time to time you consider how to maintain and strengthen your position.If you are working to push an important issue in front of the public, now is the time youwill begin to gain success. A relative or friend hooks up with you this afternoon in anattempt to catch up on the news and the types of things your family enjoys. This personmay even treat you to a meal. Any attempt on this person’s part to get information is tohelp and support, not to gossip and tell. At home this evening it might be fun to plan on

some future trip or adventure, even if it is only for a weekend.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Everything may be pouring in at once, and it’s all good news. Your careerdirection gets some encouragement and life’s problems should find easy

solutions. You may benefit from an older person or one in authority. Life could assume adreamlike stance. You are a solid supporter, always gravitating to the heart of things. Youmay have trouble getting moving, but once rolling, others had better step aside. You havean amazing strength that finds you lending a hand and working through all types of situa-tions. Good fortune is near and things open up in a very natural way for you. Driving homethis evening, some view or activity or animal stirs your attention for a short while. This maybe the instigator that pushes you in the direction of some fun decisions.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

CROSSWORD 1405

ACROSS1. (used especially of persons) Having lived fora relatively long time or attained a specificage.4. Pasta in the form of slender tubes.12. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lacinsects.15. A user interface in which you type com-mands instead of choosing them from amenu or selecting an icon.16. Type genus of Agaricaceae.17. The residue that remains when somethingis burned.18. 4-wheeled motor vehicle.19. An esoteric or occult matter that is tradi-tionally secret.20. (folklore) A corpse that rises at night todrink the blood of the living.22. A woman hired to suckle a child of some-one else.24. British informal.25. Intelligence derived from non-communi-cations electromagnetic radiations from for-eign sources (other than radioactive sources).26. Covered with paving material.28. A doctor's degree in dental surgery.31. Half the width of an em.32. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of thealkali metal group.33. Crowd or pack to capacity.37. Any of a number of fishes of the familyCarangidae.42. The longer of the two telegraphic signalsused in Morse code.43. A silvery ductile metallic element foundprimarily in bauxite.44. A river in north central Switzerland thatruns northeast into the Rhine.45. A white metallic element that burns with abrilliant light.46. The use of bacteria or viruses of toxins todestroy men and animals or food.49. A republic in the Middle East in westernAsia.51. A genus of Lamnidae.54. A linguistic element added to a word toproduce an inflected or derived form v 1.56. A distinguished female operatic singer.57. A master's degree in business.58. A popular island resort in the NetherlandsAntilles.60. A unit of current equal to 10 amperes.62. Of or relating to anions.64. A radioactive gaseous element formed bythe disintegration of radium.65. The branch of computer science that dealwith writing computer programs that cansolve problems creatively.66. A state in east central United States.67. (Old Testament) Cain and Abel were thefirst children of Adam and Eve born after theFall of Man.69. A plant hormone promoting elongation ofstems and roots.72. The 3rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet.74. A river in north central Switzerland thatruns northeast into the Rhine.77. The environmental condition.79. A constitutional monarchy in northernEurope on the western side of theScandinavian Peninsula.81. Something that remunerates.82. Electrical conduction through a gas in anapplied electric field.83. Suffering from a partial loss of memory.85. The compass point midway betweennortheast and east.86. Type genus of the family Myacidae.87. Widespread genus or herbs or soft-wood-ed arborescent shrubs cultivated for theirshowy flowers.88. An associate degree in applied science.

DOWN1. English scholastic philosopher andassumed author of Occam's Razor (1285-1349).2. Wild or domesticated South American cud-chewing animal related to camels but smallerand lacking a hump.3. English theoretical physicist who appliedrelativity theory to quantum mechanics andpredicted the existence of antimatter and thepositron (1902-1984).4. (British) A waterproof raincoat made of rub-berized fabric.5. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions ofthe Old World.6. Alternatively, a member of the familyNymphaeaceae.7. Any of various strong liquors distilled fromthe fermented sap of toddy palms or from fer-mented molasses.8. Aroused to impatience or anger.9. South American wood sorrel cultivated forits edible tubers.10. The 13th letter of the Greek alphabet.11. A small island.12. A thin plate or layer (especially of bone ormineral).13. The seventh month of the Hindu calendar.14. An informal conversation.21. The 1st letter of the Hebrew alphabet.23. The (prehensile) extremity of the superiorlimb.27. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.29. A person who announces and plays popu-lar recorded music.30. Experiencing or showing sorrow orunhappiness.34. An infective disease caused by sporozoanparasites that are transmitted through thebite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.35. Salted roe of sturgeon or other large fish.36. A kind of loud horn formerly used onmotor vehicles.38. A member of an American Indian peoplesof NE South America and the Lesser Antilles.39. An anti-TNF compound (trade nameArava) that is given orally.40. Any of various aromatic resinous sub-stances used for healing and soothing.41. The compass point that is one point northof due east.47. A city in east central Texas.48. A fluorocarbon with chlorine.50. God of love and erotic desire.52. A loose sleeveless outer garment madefrom aba cloth.53. The site of three famous battles amongGreek city-states.55. A sheet or band of fibrous connective tis-sue separating or binding together musclesand organs etc.59. Poorly stated or described.61. Relating to the pineal body.63. Being deepest within the self.68. Greek mythology.70. Open to or abounding in fresh air.71. Type genus of the Alcidae comprisingsolely the razorbill.73. A member of an Iroquoian people former-ly living on the south shore of Lake Erie innorthern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvaniaand western New York.75. Type genus of the Ranidae.76. Opinion or judgment.78. A benevolent aspect of Devi.80. Aircraft landing in bad weather in whichthe pilot is talked down by ground controlusing precision approach radar.84. A state in the western United States.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

34s t a r s

Daily SuDoku

Wordsearch Puzzle

This day could be a bit frustrating. You will find yourself constructing prob-lem-solving bridges to successful results over and over this day. Good things happenwith patience. Perhaps with the challenges you muster up the energy and the knowl-edge to rise above any difficulty. You may find plenty of support flowing to you-perhapseven too much at times. Keep notes of your ideas and visions-they may be appropriatefor use again. A little question of whether to make a loan to a friend may come up thisafternoon-you might think about the history of the relationship before you decide. Ananimal gains your attention this evening; perhaps it is your animal. Now is the time fortraining and the exercise is good for the both of you-enjoy.

You could have difficulty getting outer recognition for your efforts oraccomplishments. This does not mean they are worthless; it does mean you

should throw your efforts into work or ventures you really love doing, not necessarily forothers. You will prosper by pursuing your ideals and most deep-seated dreams of howlife could be. Don’t be afraid to show off your talents-someone will support or encourageyour growth in this respect. Group cooperation could further your career at this time.Opportunities appear all around you but may seem to challenge your status quo. Youmust decide whether the risk is worth the change it will bring about in your situation. Anew romantic relationship is practically within your grasp!

Yesterday’s Solution

inf or m at ionTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558

Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622

Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967

Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638

Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241

Ophthalmologists

Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444

Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222

Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171

Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999

Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700

Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223

Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510

Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660

Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478

Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996

Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988

Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426

General Practitioners

Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123

Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312

Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920

Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465

Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528

Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781

Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501

Urologists

Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534

Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955

Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660

Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120

Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427

For labor-related inquiries and complaints:

Call MSAL hotline 128

Sabah Hospital 24812000

Amiri Hospital 22450005

Maternity Hospital 24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700

Chest Hospital 24849400

Farwaniya Hospital 24892010

Adan Hospital 23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300

Al-Razi Hospital 24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9

Kaizen center 25716707

Rawda 22517733

Adaliya 22517144

Khaldiya 24848075

Kaifan 24849807

Shamiya 24848913

Shuwaikh 24814507

Abdullah Salem 22549134

Nuzha 22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764

Qadsiya 22515088

Dasmah 22532265

Bneid Al-Gar 22531908

Shaab 22518752

Qibla 22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082

Mirqab 22456536

Sharq 22465401

Salmiya 25746401

Jabriya 25316254

Maidan Hawally 25623444

Bayan 25388462

Mishref 25381200

W Hawally 22630786

Sabah 24810221

Jahra 24770319

New Jahra 24575755

West Jahra 24772608

South Jahra 24775066

North Jahra 24775992

North Jleeb 24311795

Ardhiya 24884079

Firdous 24892674

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F E A T U R E S

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

l if e s t y l e

Models display creations by designer Christelle Kocher during the KOCHE AW16 and SS17.

She’s a literary sensation whose debut novel has sold over100,000 copies, yet unless you speak Dutch you’ve proba-bly never heard of writer Lize Spit. But all that’s about to

change as publishers line up to translate her dark tale of friend-ship and betrayal. Why would a traumatized young womanreturn to her home town with a block of ice in her car? It is thisquestion at the heart of “The Melting” that has gripped readersand caused a stir unlike any other Dutch-language debut inrecent years. Reviewers in Belgium and the Netherlands havehailed Spit as the voice of her generation, while internationalpublishers have jostled to snap up the translation rights to thehaunting coming-of-age story.

The 27-year-old author attributes her success partly to thebook’s universal themes of small-town life and growing up in adysfunctional family, but says the Flemish literary world “wasalso waiting for someone new, a young new voice”. “I’m a bitstunned by it all,” she told AFP in a phone interview ahead ofthis week’s Frankfurt Book Fair, where Flanders and theNetherlands are the guests of honor and where “The Melting”will get its first big outing on the international stage.

The story opens with the main character, twenty-some-thing Eva, driving back to her home village, determined to set-tle the score over childhood wrongs. Weaving between thepast and the present, Spit takes the reader back to the swelter-ing summer of 2002, when Eva’s only two friends-both teenageboys-embark on a chilling game of sexual exploration. A sense

of creeping dread fills the pages until the shocking climax.

‘Unprecedented’ Since it was first published in January, the book has sold

over 100,000 copies-a remarkable achievement for any debutauthor. But it’s an astronomical figure in a country where mostnovels have a print run of 2,000 and any book that sells over10,000 copies is considered a hit. “After more than nine monthsit’s still the best-selling novel in Flanders,” said Spit’s publisherDaniel van der Meer of the Dutch publishing house Das Mag.The film rights were sold three days after “The Melting”appeared in stores, and nine countries have since bought thetranslation rights-including France, Spain and England.

In Germany, interest was so strong that the book went toauction. “The extremely fast foreign sales, including to the verydifficult English-language market, are unprecedented for aFlemish debut,” said Michiel Scharpe of the Flemish LiteratureFund, which will be showcasing Dutch-language works inFrankfurt. Van der Meer expects to add more countries to thelist at the fair, where Spit will appear in a documentary thattakes her back to her home town to visit some of the locationsthat inspired the book.

‘The Melting’ tourists Critics have been unanimous in their praise for Spit’s vivid

prose and keen observations, drawing comparisons with Ian

McEwan and the late Hugo Claus who wrote the Flemish clas-sic “The Sorrow of Belgium”. Wary of being written off as hype,Spit stresses the hard work that went into “The Melting”, notingthat she read the entire book out loud three times before set-tling on a final version. Much has been made in local mediaabout the graphic nature of some of the scenes, and Spit her-self admits parts of the book are “quite intense”. “But you needsomething like that, at the end, where everything goes horri-bly wrong.”

Questions have inevitably been raised about how much ofthe story is based on true events, but Spit has resisted talkingabout her own past. “I think it’s very important to keep that dis-tance,” she said, expressing disbelief at fans of the book whotour her childhood village of Viersel in northern Belgiumexpecting to see all the same places as on the page. With herfrequent media appearances and a weekly newspaper column,Spit-who is invariably pictured wearing her hair in a messybun-has become a celebrity at home, but says she tries to keep“a cool head” about fame. “I know that it won’t last. People for-get quickly.” She is already planning her second novel. “Theidea is already bubbling. This time it won’t be about a small vil-lage, but about something else completely. I think I have saideverything there is to be said about that village.” — AFP

British artist David Hockney poses with his book “SUMO - ABigger Book” during the Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurtam Main, western Germany, yesterday. — AFP

Belgian author creates stir with tale of ice-cold revenge

French label Koche made its JapanFashion Week debut yesterday, trans-forming part of Tokyo’s famed Harajuku

district into a catwalk-stopping traffic tounveil street cool with a French twist. Paris-based designer Christelle Kocher brought hertwo-year old fashion house to the heart ofJapanese youth culture, taking over a streetlined with boutiques, which until shortlybefore the show had been bustling withteenage girls dressed in Japan’s distinctiveschool uniforms. Lanterns lined the open-airrunway and a sound system blasted out atechno beat, but otherwise there was noadornment to the display of street wear-partlocker room, part French boudoir.

Kocher cast real people to personify theconcept of street fashion, including aJapanese DJ, a photographer and a designer,in a high-energy show presenting more than40 looks for summer and winter. Her castingwas similar to her 2015 Paris debut, when sheturned part of Les Halles into a runway, using

models that included what Vogue called a“girl handpicked off the street” and one of herneighbors.

Tokyo yesterday saw net leggings, joggingbottoms reimagined as lace flares, patchworkdresses cut on the bias and textured creamsilk trousers for men and women, describedby Kocher as a unisex look. There were deli-cate negligee-style slip dresses and vest tops,paired with denim or sportswear, fabrics withsequins and feathers, and crepe ruffled shirts-again for both men and women. “The ideawas to bring the energy of Paris together inTokyo,” Kocher explained to reporters back-stage after the show. “We wanted to have thisreally powerful, symbolic connectionbetween the two countries and show that wecan be altogether.” Kocher started the label in2015 after working for fashion giants EmporioArmani, Chloe, Bottega Veneta and Dries VanNoten. — AFP

French label stops

traffic with outdoor

Tokyo catwalk

Designer Christelle Kocher (front third right) poses with models during her KOCHE AW16 and SS17 mix collection show presented by HBEAUTY&YOUTH at Amazon Fashion Week in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP photos

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

F E A T U R E S

l if e s t y l e

Splash, the Middle East’s largest high-streetfashion retailer hosted an event at its recentlyrefurbished and renovated Avenues store

which saw attendance from the local media andmanagement from Landmark Group. Attendeeswere treated to an exclusive preview of Splash’s lat-est autumn/winter collection which offers an amal-gamation of the latest fashion trends with anupdated look in menswear, ladies wear, children’swear, footwear, accessories and other products.

During the launch, Saibal Basu, Chief OperatingOfficer, Landmark Group Kuwait said :”We aredelighted to unveil the new look of Splash at theAvenues. We have been constantly adapting andexpanding to meet the demand and recognize theburgeoning fashion interests of our patrons. Ouraim to achieve proximity to our customers pushedus to revamp the store which in turn will provideshoppers with an easy access and better under-standing of our collections. The refurbished facilitieswill only add to a customer’s enhanced shoppingexperience. We look forward to welcoming our cus-tomers to this newly renovated store.”

Speaking about the new collection Saibaladded: “This Autumn Winter, we want to providethe fashion savvy consumer complete unmatchedfashion solutions with an experience that enticesthem to come back to our store. With the launch ofour new collection, we are certain that our cus-tomers will keep stylishly warm and comfortable”

Splash’s Autumn Winter collection for womenare filled with silhouettes and textures for the sea-son and are reflective of the free- spirited gypsy-vibe of the 70s influenced by artisanal craftsman-ship using spice shades of cinnamon, saffron andmustard blend. Midseason the colour palettebecomes much richer using the jewel tones of deepburgundy, bright crimson, emerald, teal and celes-tial blue. Moving into peak winter the colour paletteis offset by pale parfait pink, subdued grey and softwinter white. Taking inspiration from the season’srunways, the brand’s womenswear offers knittedcapes, pleated skirts with cold shoulder detailing.Fringe details, eyelets and ruffled sleeves make itsway in to the collection giving it a romanticVictorian vibe. Our glamorous evening wear dresses

form an integral part of the range.Moving on to men’s collection, Splash’s

menswear range is dominated by the fall trends ofBespoke Tech with unstructured blazers and techni-cal joggers being the key pieces followed by FutureFolklore which combines a mix of traditional coun-try influences and modern workwear. The GrungeCore trend is all about the muted tones with tornelements, androgynous cardigans and Parkas beingthe core pieces. For the ultimate masculine appealthe Minimal Military makes a strong comebackwhich promotes clean lines, understated militaryelements and boxier silhouettes. Key pieces you canown are Cargo Joggers, aviator bomber Jacket andslim biker pants. The colour palette comprises thetrusted olives, tans, rusty reds, greys and black.

The renovated new store highlights Splash’sexceptional service in Kuwait. This autumn/winterSplash is the definitive destination for the family’sfashion and lifestyle needs.

The entire collection is available at all Splashstores in Centrepoint , Splash -The Avenues, PhaseII and at Splash - Salam Mall.

Splash at the Avenues gets a new look

Send in the frowns. This year’s nationwide creepy clowncraze has become a nightmare before Halloween foractual, working clowns, who say their bookings at par-

ties and other events have dropped sharply, even after manyof the social media-fueled scary clown sightings have turnedout to be hoaxes. Some fear going out with their greasepaintmakeup and red noses will make them a target of police, oreven marauding mobs who take to the streets on so-called“clown hunts.” “It’s definitely a scary feeling leaving your houseand you fear you are going to get jumped because you’redressed as a clown,” says Cyrus Zavieh, a New York City hospi-tal administrator who also performs professionally as “Cidothe Clown.”

“You’re there to make them happy, to make them have fun,and now they are saying, ‘Aaaagghh!’” Zavieh says. “All of asudden these stories are putting fear into kids. ... Before they’djust look the other way, but now it’s like, ‘You’re a scary clown

and I hate you.’” The World Clown Association - comprised ofmore than 2,000 members in 30 countries - has been floodedwith calls from scared performers. It’s been sending out safetytips, suggesting clowns consider changing into their costumeswhen they arrive at a party or go with a handler.

Association president Randy Christensen says clowns arealso increasingly getting requests for “modified performances”in which they entertain without makeup and traditional clownattire. This week, retail giant Target took the step of pullingscary clown masks from its shelves. And McDonald’s says itssignature clown character, Ronald McDonald, will be keepinga lower profile. All of the fallout follows a phenomenon in theUS involving dozens of stories, many fabricated, about clownsstalking or attacking people. In multiple states, people havecalled police to report being menaced by people in clown cos-tumes. In Kentucky, a man dressed as a clown was arrestedafter lurking in the woods. Children in Ohio and Texas have

been charged with making clown-related threats to schoolclassmates. A New York City teen told police a clown threat-ened him with a knife in the subway.

Clown sightings“They aren’t clowns. They are clown impersonators,” said

Wendy Pincus, who has performed in New York City for thelast 20 years. “We’re here to make people happy. We don’tthreaten people. We bring joy.” Pincus, whose clown alter egois “Crazy Daisy,” says she’s seen a 30 percent to 40 percentdecrease in just the past few weeks. Clown sightings, hoaxesand pranks - especially around Halloween - aren’t new. In fact,they’ve become a recurring staple of crime blotters since seri-al killer and working clown John Wayne Gacy was convicted in1980 of killing 33 people. In 2012, James Holmes dyed his hairred as Batman’s Joker when he opened fire at a Coloradomovie theater, killing 12 people.

Those high-profile cases notwithstanding, experts say it’srelatively common for people to feel creeped out by clowns. “Itprimarily has to do with the exaggerated makeup and features.We recognize it, but there is something abnormal,” says DrKristie Golden, associate director of operations for psychiatryand neurosciences at Stony Brook University Hospital. “We canbe drawn in by that or we can be repelled.” World ClownAssociation’s Christensen says this year’s clown scares seems tobe reaching new heights, and suggests working clowns repelthem the same way they always have, by spreading a messageof happiness and boundless. “Go out and clown and show peo-ple what this is,” he says. “Show them what good entertain-ment is - show them what a caring clown does.” — AP

Cyrus Zaveih, also known as Cido the Clown, poses for a photo. — AP photos Cyrus Zaveih, also known as Cido the Clown, applies his make-up. Cyrus Zaveih, also known as Cido the Clown, poses for a photo.

Crying inside? Creepy craze no joke for real clowns

Wishful thinking and three heel-clicks whisked Dorothy back homein “The Wizard of Oz,” but it will

take hard cash to restore her ruby red slip-pers. The sparkling shoes dazzled audi-ences of the 1939 film classic as Dorothy,played by Judy Garland, danced down theyellow brick road. Now the US

Smithsonian’s Museum of AmericanHistory in Washington-where they are onpublic display-has launched a crowdfund-ing Kickstarter campaign to raise $300,000for restoring their pizzazz.

The shoes, made nearly 80 years ago, arein dire need of repair as well as a new dis-play case to protect them from environ-mental harm, the museum said. TheSmithsonian Institution-which overseesmuseums and research centers in and nearWashington-receives federal funding tosupport its core operations, but that moneywill not cover repairing the shoes, it added.The institution often solicits corporate andprivate donations to pay for projectsbeyond its budget. Conservators say theshoes’ sequins are flaking, leaving themmore of a washed-out auburn than the glit-tery ruby color for which they’re known.

The Smithsonian had raised just over$85,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, withslightly under a month left in the fundrais-ing campaign. MGM Studios’ prop depart-ment created the low-heeled shoes bydying commercially manufactured low-heeled slippers red and attaching red

sequined netting. The slippers became oneof the film’s most iconic props, on near-con-stant display at the museum since they wereanonymously donated in 1979. Millions ofvisitors view them each year, and they areslated to be part of a new 2018 exhibitionon American innovation in music, sportsand entertainment. The Kickstarter cam-paign is the Smithsonian’s second, after itraised $719,779 last year through crowd-funding to conserve Neil Armstrong’s space-suit. The museum issued its appeal with thewords of the Wicked Witch of the West:“These things must be done delicately-oryou hurt the spell.” — AFP

Chef Alexandre Couillon has a name that hehimself admits “is not easy to carry”. But theman whose surname translates as “Idiot” was

named yesterday as France’s cook of the year, havingturned his family’s humble “moules frites” joint intoone of the country’s best seafood restaurants. His tri-umph is all the more remarkable because the restau-rant is at the farthest end of the unpretentious islandof Noirmoutier off France’s west coast, a favorite forbucket and spade family holidays. The 40-year-oldchef, who featured on the Emmy-winning Neflixshow “Chef’s Table” last month, has built a worldwidereputation for the simple but ingenious way hecooks ingredients from his garden and the little fish-

ing port of L’Herbaudiere his eatery overlooks.The first year he and his wife Celine took over the

then seasonal La Marine restaurant “we didn’t have asingle customer one night in July”, Couillon told AFP.“You don’t come here by accident. Now we havepeople coming 800 kilometers (500 miles) for dinner.“It’s amazing... we have five or six emails from abroadevery day to book tables next year,” the fisherman’sson added. Dishes like black oyster poached inColonnata lard with squid, sardine crackers and cauli-flower ice cream and equally creative deserts usinglocal seaweed won over the judges from the Gaultand Millau guide who named him best chef.

The guide is France’s most trusted gastronomic

benchmark after the Michelin guide. Couillon, whohas two Michelin stars, said the couple started withnothing. “We had pink tablecloths, old rush seatchairs and the cutlery came from a self-service place,”he recalled. And he insisted success had not changedhim. He would still be keeping things simple with “nosnobbishness, no truffles nor caviar”. “Nothing isgoing to change. I remain an artisan. I just want toget up every morning and keep that same pleasureof going to work,” said the father of two. — AFP

‘Monsieur Idiot’ named France’s chef of the year

French chef Alexandre Couillon poses in his restaurant La Marine inNoirmoutier-en-l’Ile, western France. — AFP photos

French chef Alexandre Couillon blows on a barbecue using pine cones inthe kitchen of his restaurant.

Kickstarter campaign aims to saveDorothy’s fading ruby slippers

‘The Wizard of Oz’ ruby red slippersbecame one of the film’s most iconicprops, on near-constant display at themuseum since they were anonymouslydonated in 1979. — AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

l if e s t y l eM U S I C & M O V I E S

Hundreds of people mourning for Poland’s leading film-maker Andrzej Wajda are paying their respect by pass-ing in silence before an urn with Wajda’s ashes at a

church in southern Poland ahead of his funeral. Poland’sPresident Andrzej Duda, foreign diplomats, actors and intel-lectuals attended the funeral Mass at the Dominican friars’church in Krakow. Later Wajda will be laid to rest at the city’shistoric Salwator Cemetery, where the movie director’s moth-er is buried.

Wajda died in a Warsaw hospital Oct 9 at the age of 90, justmonths after finishing “Afterimage,” Poland’s entry for a for-eign language Academy Award. In 2000 he received an hon-orary lifetime achievement Oscar. On Tuesday, hundreds ofpeople in Warsaw, where he lived, bid Wajda farewell in a spe-cial Mass. — AP

Hundreds mourn top filmmaker Andrzej Wajda in Poland

People pay their respects to late Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda attend a mourningMass, in Krakow, Poland yesterday. — AP photos

The urn with the ashes of Polandfilmmaker Andrzej Wajda is set out

during a farewell ceremony.

Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunnyand friends are returning tothe court, and theaters, to

mark the 20th anniversary of “SpaceJam.” The 1996 basketball-themedadventure, which combined the reallife Jordan with animated LooneyTunes characters, will be back onscreens in select theaters for twodays next month.

Fathom Events and Warner Bros.say the screenings will take place onSunday, Nov 13, and Wednesday, Nov16. Basketball greats Larry Bird,Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewingalso appear in the film, as does BillMurray, who joins with Jordan todefeat a team of aliens. — AP

Moore debuts film on

Trump weeks before vote

Michael Moore has premiered a surprise film discussing thepresidential election just three weeks before Americanshead to the polls. Moore debuted “Michael Moore in

TrumpLand” in New York on Tuesday night in front of an audience ofhis fans. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film featuresMoore speaking about both Republican nominee Donald Trump andDemocratic candidate Hillary Clinton on stage earlier this month inWilmington, Ohio, a hotbed of Trump support.

The liberal documentarian urged the crowd at Tuesday’s premiereto vote for Clinton next month. The Hollywood Reporter says the filmwill screen for one week at the IFC Center in Manhattan beginningtoday. It will also be shown at a theater in Encino, California. Mooresays he hopes more theaters will be announced soon. — AP

The modern studio comedy increas-ingly feels limp, suffocated by thefinancial imperatives of high-concept

plots and desperately in search of signs oflife. Greg Mottola’s “Keeping Up With theJoneses” is, l ike many before it, fineenough. But it mostly goes down as anoth-er collection of funny people stuck in toonarrowly clichÈd roles in an overly familiarstory. It’s now been more than 10 yearssince “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” and five since“Bridesmaids.” (Feel old yet?) There have,undoubtedly, been good comedies since,namely things with Melissa McCarthy inthem, Noah Baumbach’s “Frances Ha” andanything Wes Anderson is putting out. Butthere has been perhaps no greater casualtyto the constrictions of blockbuster-centricHollywood than comedy. The freedom nec-essary for comedy to thrive is mostly foundon television; the action is with “Broad City,”“Atlanta,” “Inside Amy Schumer” and others.

Mottola, the director of “Adventureland”and “Superbad,” has been at the center ofcomedy on both the big screen and on TV(“Arrested Development,” the underrated“Clear History”), but “Keeping Up With theJoneses,” written by Michael LeSieur (“You,Me and Dupree”) doesn’t have much of thenaturalism that has distinguished his best.Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher play Jeffand Karen Gaffney, a regular suburbanitecouple experiencing an empty nest for thefirst time with their kids away at summercamp. An impossibly stylish and accom-plished couple moves in next door, theJoneses (Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot, tak-ing a break from her Wonder Womanduties). He’s a travel writer who can blowhis own glass; she writes a cooking blogand wears cocktail dresses to neighbor-hood barbeques.

But what makes the Joneses most jeal-ous of them is their easy affection with oneanother. Though its name is taken from thestatus-obsessed phrase first made famousby a 1913 comic strip and coopted by theKardashians, this “Keeping Up With theJoneses” is a comedy about marital passionrekindled. That the Joneses are putting upa facade is evident from the start, but themovie cleverly subverts the nature of theirsecret identities. They are elite governmentspies of some sort, but not as far removedfrom the normal squabbles and challengesof marriage as you might think.

The collision of international espionagethrills and quiet suburban life has becomefamiliar by now thanks to the likes of “TheMatador,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “TheAmericans.” When the bullets start flying,“Keeping Up With the Jones” has somemoves of its own, thanks to the talents ofGalifianakis (here playing a naive, aw-shucks character that limits him) and thealways game Fisher. Only Hamm managesto create a three-dimensional character: aJames Bond secretly yearning to be a regu-lar guy. But whatever is cramping the styleof “Keeping Up With Joneses” - whether it’sthe PG-13 rating, the stock characters or athin script - the feeling never leaves thateveryone here could do better if they werereally let loose. Alas, it’s going to take morethan Wonder Woman to save the studiocomedy.

“Keeping Up With the Joneses,” a 20thCentury Fox release, is rated PG-13 by theMotion Picture Association of America for“sexual content, action/violence and briefstrong language.” Running time: 101 min-utes. Two stars out of four. — AP

Michael Jordan’s ‘Space Jam’ returning to theaters

File photo shows Michael Moore attends the 20th Annual WebbyAwards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. — AP

‘The Joneses’ is anotherstudio comedy misfire

Review

Leonardo DiCaprio is aiding the investi-gation into a Malaysian embezzlementscam that involved his hit film about

financial market fraud, “The Wolf of WallStreet,” according to his spokespersonTuesday. The Hollywood star contacted theUS Justice Department in July just after it fileda lawsuit to seize more than $1 billion inallegedly ill-gotten assets tied to Malaysianstate investment fund 1MDB, including rightsto the film, DiCaprio’s spokesperson said.

Allegations of a vast international schemeof embezzlement and money-launderinginvolving billions of dollars of 1MDB moneybegan to emerge two years ago, rockingMalaysia’s political establishment. In a Julylawsuit, the US Justice Department detailedhow “Malaysian Official 1”-later identified byofficials as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib

Razak-family members, and close associatesdiverted billions from the now-stricken fund.

Najib launched the fund, 1MalaysiaDevelopment Berhad in 2009 and closelyoversaw it. Both he and 1MDB deny anywrongdoing. The money allegedly siphonedfrom 1MDB was used to buy hundreds of mil-lions of dollars worth of assets around theworld, and allegedly financed the productionof “The Wolf of Wall Street.” DiCaprio’s 2013film about Wall Street corruption and greedwas financed by Red Granite Pictures, co-founded by Riza Aziz, stepson of theMalaysian prime minister. DiCaprio reportedlywas friends with Aziz associate Jho Low, alsonamed in the lawsuit.

The Justice Department wants to seizeroyalties from the film, as well as real estate inBeverly Hills, New York and London, artworksby Monet and Van Gogh, and a Bombardierjet. A Leonardo DiCaprio Foundationspokesperson said that after hearing aboutthe lawsuit, DiCaprio’s had his representativescontact the Justice Department “to determinewhether he or his foundation ... ever receivedany gifts or charitable donations directly orindirectly related to these parties, and if so, toreturn those gifts or donations as soon aspossible.”

The move to seize the funds, which is sub-ject to what could be lengthy legal proceed-ings, emerges from a 2010 JusticeDepartment anti-kleptocracy initiativeintended to confiscate the ill-gotten gains ofworld leaders which pass through the USbanking system. The Bruno Manser Fund, aSwiss NGO campaigning against corruptionin Malaysia, said Tuesday it welcomedDiCaprio’s announcement but called on theactor to fully disclose his financial ties to Low,Aziz and Red Granite Pictures.

“DiCaprio’s public statement leaves keyquestions open,” said Lukas Straumann, theexecutive director of the Bruno Manser Fund.“How much money did Leonardo DiCaprioand his foundation get from PoliticallyExposed Persons (PEPs) from Malaysia andwhy didn’t he conduct due diligence uponreceiving these funds?” The organization alsoquestioned whether DiCaprio would pay backthe estimated $25 million he received for hisrole in The Wolf of Wall Street. “While weappreciate the statement and his cooperationwith the Department of Justice, there is clear-ly more DiCaprio could do to end this dis-graceful chapter in Hollywood history,” thestatement said. — AFP

Garth Brooks

joins Amazon’sstreaming service

Aweek after launching its paid streaming music service,Amazon announced a deal with one of streamingmusic’s biggest holdouts: country superstar Garth

Brooks. Brooks, the best-selling solo artist in US history with138 million albums sold, has kept his music off streaming serv-ices. Yesterday, select albums and songs will be available onAmazon Music Unlimited. His albums, previously availableonly through his GhostTunes service, will be sold digitally viaAmazon Music.

Brooks said he waited until the right partner came alongbefore he was ready to dive into streaming. “I love retail todeath, but retail will never tell me what my stuff is worth andwill never tell me how to sell it,” Brooks said in a telephoneinterview from Los Angeles. “That’s the tail wagging the dogfor me.” “This is a landmark moment for both Amazon Musicand Garth Brooks,” said Steve Boom, vice president of AmazonMusic, in a statement. “Garth Brooks is a legendary countrymusic superstar who continues to shatter industry recordsand amaze fans three decades into his career. We are honoredto make his music available for streaming for the first timeever, exclusively on Amazon Music.”

Brooks entered semi-retirement in 2000 near the height ofhis popularity to spend more time with his children and wife,Trisha Yearwood. In 2014, he returned with a major tour and anew album, “Man Against Machine.” His upcoming albums,“Gunslinger” and “Christmas Together” with Yearwood, will beadded to the streaming service later this year. Two of his best-selling albums, “Ultimate Hits” and “Double Live,” will be avail-able for streaming. They include his popular hits “Friends inLow Places,” “The Dance” and “The Thunder Rolls.” His currentsingle, “Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance,” will also be availableon streaming. —AP

Khloe Kardashian is calling her sister’srobbery in Paris “a wake up call foreverybody” but is pushing back

against criticism that Kim Kardashian Westhad been too public in displaying herwealth. “Pulling back on social media Ithink is a personal choice. ... No matterwhat you post or don’t post. ... That should-n’t give someone a reason to feel like theycould do anything like that to you,” she saidin an interview Tuesday. “But we definitelyare just being more aware and I think justmaking changes to our lives.”

Armed robbers forced their way intoWest’s hotel room, tied her up and lockedher in a bathroom before making off withmore than $10 million worth of jewelry.Khloe Kardashian, 32, said the Oct. 3 rob-bery was “an incredibly traumatic experi-ence for Kim and she’s definitely takingsome well needed and much deservedtime off.” She said she isn’t sure when

Kardashian West, 35, would make anotherpublic appearance, but she batted downrumors that her sister would be leaving thefamily’s reality series “Keeping Up With theKardashians.”

Kardashian made the comments whilepromoting her new fall denim line GoodAmerican with co-designer Emma Grede.She said she agreed to partner up withGrede to design the brand for the curvywoman. The jeans range in size from zeroto 24. “I was always body shamed, and thatwas something that was super importantto me to really teach girls to love them-selves and love their bodies,” saidKardashian, who has publicly chronicledher issues with weight. “I was always kindof told I couldn’t wear certain jeansbecause I was too fat to be trendy, whichwas always really hard on me.” — AP

Leonardo DiCaprio

cooperating in 1MDB probe

In this file photo, actor Leonardo DiCaprioposes for photographers during a photocall to promote the film ‘Before the Flood’,showing as part of the London FilmFestival in London. — AP

In file photo, Garth Brooks sings ‘Ain’t Going Down’ duringa concert at Yankee Stadium in New York. — AP

This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows, from left, Jon Hamm, ZachGalifianakis, Isla Fisher and Gal Gadot in ‘Keeping Up With The Joneses.’ — AP

Khloe Kardashian calls sister Kim’s robbery ‘a wake up call’

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

l if e s t y l eM U S I C & M O V I E S

With turquoise columns propping up apink and yellow portico, Myanmar’s artdeco style Thwin cinema is a rare relic

from a golden age of movie-making that daz-zled audiences more than half a century ago.Myanmar’s film industry, once the most vibrantand prolific in the region, shriveled under a mili-tary regime that smothered the arts and ravagedthe economy during its ruthless 50-year reign.Now as the fledgling democracy emerges fromthe doldrums of junta rule, the stage is set for afilm industry renaissance.

But the first step is repopulating the poorcountry with cinemas. In its heyday Myanmarhad nearly 400 theatres spread across its hillyterrain. Today only some 50 remain, mostly inurban Yangon. “That is not enough for 53 mil-lion people,” said Tin Maung Win, a garrulousbusinessman trying to bring movies back to themasses with a plan to build 100 new cinemas intwo years. The Thwin is the only theatre still sell-ing tickets on what used to be known asYangon’s “cinema row”-a major city artery thatonce boasted six movie houses.

The others have been knocked down to makeroom for more lucrative development, while onestately cinema dating back to the 1920s hasbeen boarded up for years. The dearth is evenmore pronounced in the rural and impoverishedprovinces, where theatres have all but vanishedafter they were sold off by the former militaryregime. Tin Maung Win and his business part-ners were inspired to take up the “100 cinemaproject” after hearing about a 2012 film shotnear the border with Thailand, where localactors were unable to see their work becausethere was no screen for miles. “We got this ideathat we needed to create cinemas all over

Myanmar,” he told AFP, sitting next to a model ofthe low-cost, one-screen theatres with 300 seats,where tickets will go for around a dollar each.

Losing the plot While they will not rival the grand movie

houses built during the industry’s peak, thehope is that a rapid increase in theatres willinject cash into an industry where the majorityof movies now go straight to DVD. Myanmar’smotion picture industry reached its acme in the1950s-a time when optimism was flowing afterindependence from Britain and before the armyseized power and clung on for five decades.Stylish stand-alone cinemas like the Thwincropped up in towns across the country, withcrowds filling their teak wood chairs to watchromances, thrillers and foreign flics.

In the country’s inaugural Academy Awardsceremony in 1952, the first best picture awardwent to ‘Chit Thet Wai’, a tale of love between acity boy and a country girl who must contendwith a jealous sister. But after its 1962 powergrab, the junta increasingly leaned on the indus-try to crank out socialist propaganda. Scriptswere vetted by censors, who issued stringentand often bizarre bans on everything from ghoststories to blue jeans in a bid to ward off foreigninfluence.

“The quality kept decreasing,” said Mighty, adirector who has been in the business since the1980s and feels his generation was robbed ofthe chance to reach their creative potential.“ They intentionally made it so we did notbecome educated people,” the 51-year-old, whoonly goes by one name, said of the country’s mil-itary oppressors. “Now there is no one whoknows about the art of film perfectly,” he added.

A second act? Censorship has eased since the end of junta

rule in 2011 and horror flicks are now a boxoffice favorite. But many say that despite grow-ing freedoms and improved technologies, main-stream production houses have yet to veer offscript and grapple with political issues or othersensitive topics. A class of Burmese students atthe Yangon Film School responded with anemphatic “no!” when asked by AFP if they likedcontemporary Myanmar movies during a breakfrom analyzing scenes of ‘Taxi Driver’, the 1976American classic starring Robert De Niro. “They(Myanmar films) are somehow good in technicalskills, like color grading, and sound design,” saidstudent Myat Minn Khant.

“What annoys me are the stories and casting.The keep making the same cheesy stories”.Myanmar’s leading man Lu Min, who looks toTom Hanks an idol, concedes that many direc-tors still rely on tired story tropes and cost-cut-ting shortcuts. But he says the desire is there toraise the bar. “Some people are trying hard toimprove our industry,” he told AFP during abreak from filming his latest action thriller.

He and hundreds of other actors, producersand directors recently gathered to discuss indus-try reforms at a three-day forum called “Time toChange”. Many are pushing to see the govern-ment’s censorship board revamped as a ratingscommittee that only warns viewers of racy orviolent content. Lu Min is also hoping thatrebuilding the country’s network of cinemas willbe the launchpad. “Our film industry dependson the quantity of theatres,” he added. — AP

This picture shows people walking by the Thwin cinema in downtown area ofYangon. — AFP photos

People walk past movie posters at the downtown area of Yangon.

People waiting for tickets at Thwin cinema in the downtown area of Yangon. People queue for tickets at Thwin cinema in downtown area of Yangon.

Myanmar’s storied filmindustry gears up for a sequel

A couple standing next to movie posters at the Naypyidaw cinema in downtown area ofYangon.

The Disney princess may not be dead yet, but chil-dren’s television makers are under pressure to cre-ate more adventurous female characters as fears

grow over the damage gender stereotyping may bedoing to girls. Last week Disney tried to tackle head onfears that its relentless merchandising was fuelling adamaging “princess culture” that limits even very younggirls’ horizons and contributes to “body esteem” issues.

It launched a 10-point guide for would-be princessesin posters which urged girls to “Right wrongs” and“Believe in yourself”. But analysts and program makersgathered at the world’s biggest entertainment market inCannes on the French Riviera this week warned thatyoung girls and their parents were impatient for morefundamental change. Several warned that if thereweren’t given better role models, girls would simplyturn off.

Emma Worrollo of London-based strategy companyPineapple Lounge said her detailed research conductedwith thousands of children across the globe showedgirls’ frustration. “Their idea of gender is much more flu-id (than previous generations). They don’t want genderto be a factor at all,” she said.

‘Gender fluid’ Both older girls and boys idolize the crusading char-

acter of Katniss Everdeen from the “Hunger Games”films, she told AFP. But girls search in vain to find similarfigures they can identify with on television, which they

see as unjust. They are right to be upset. On averagethree-quarters of cartoon heroes are male, industryinsiders say. Yet there is a huge hunger for better andmore gender fluid stories among children, Worrolloinsisted.

“Generation Z children (who are now aged 10 to 16)tell us that boys can now be girls and girls boys, but ‘wedon’t see that on TV’,” she added. Some channels, how-ever, are determined to force change. France Televisionsput out a formal call to producers for series revolvingaround female heroes after realizing its output-”likeeveryone else’s”-was completely imbalanced. Its head ofchildren’s programs Tiphaine de Raguenel told AFP that“we are trying not just to have princesses, fairies andtomboys”.

Even new “girlie” cartoon series are trying to up theirempowerment message. “SpacePop” an American car-toon series about an intergalatic girl band is marketingitself at the MIPCOM TV industry meeting as a “not youraverage princesses” show. Its heroines may be into“fashion, music and friendship” but they are also out tosave the universe.

Self-image problems The problem can start very early, experts say. A US

study of pre-school children published this year saidprincess merchandise can begin affecting children’sbehavior as young as three. “Girls who strongly adhereto female gender stereotypes feel like they can’t dosome things,” researcher Sarah M. Coyne said. LisaHenson, head of the Jim Henson Company, said produc-ers had to address the issue.

She said their new animated undersea series “Splashand Bubbles” was picking up her father Jim Henson’swork for diversity on such legendary shows as “TheMuppets” and “Sesame Street”. “We have an equal num-ber of boy and girl characters and each of them havecharacteristics which cross genders, so it is quite genderneutral in that way. Splash as his name suggests is a boyand Bubbles is a girl but she is equally as adventurous,”she added.

She said the Henson company took its mission topass on “good values” to children in a fun way very seri-ously. “You would not believe how diverse the oceanfloor is... There are seahorse single dads with 499 chil-dren,” she joked. “And it is the seahorse dads who givebirth. There is so much weird stuff there.” — AFP

Officers with assault rifles, backed by a huge armoredgrenade launcher, square up to a crowd furiouslydenouncing the killing of a young black neighbor. It is a

scene which could have been taken from archive footage ofMogadishu in 1990s Somalia or countless other battles, but thisconflict is closer to home-the streets of small-town America.

The images, captured in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014, open“Do Not Resist”-a disturbing documentary charting the trans-formation of police across the US into forces that look like mili-tary units. The explosive film is set to fuel an already bitterdebate raging in America over heavy-handed law enforcement,following a litany of police killings of black men that havesparked protests from Ferguson and Charlotte to Chicago.Director Craig Atkinson, whose movie is opening across the UShaving won best documentary feature at the Tribeca FilmFestival, says the American law enforcement ethos has changed“from a mentality of peacekeepers to that of an occupyingarmy.”

Another eye-opening scene shows officers in black fatiguesfiring volley after volley of automatic rounds at cardboard tar-gets, as if they were preparing for war rather than to “protectand serve.” A khaki-clad instructor explains that security forcesmust prepare for all kinds of attacks, “including the IslamicState.” MRAPs, the armored trucks that protect troops fromroadside bombs planted along the dusty roads of Iraq andAfghanistan, are now ubiquitous across the US.

Growing backlash They are provided by the Pentagon through a program of

surplus giveaways that has amounted to $5 billion since formerpresident Bill Clinton signed it off in 1996. In another shockingscene, a SWAT team arrives in an MRAP at a tree-lined street inColumbia, South Carolina, to execute a search warrant in a drugcase. The officers, whose equipment looks barely distinguish-able from that of an infantry division, end up badly damaging afamily home in a raid that nets a small amount of loosecannabis.

Atkinson’s father, a retired policeman from Detroit,Michigan, spent over a decade in one such SWAT team, the New

York-based filmmaker explains. “In his time, his team inter-vened 29 times in 13 years. Now they are taking part in 200raids a year,” Atkinson tells AFP. Faced with a growing backlashagainst police killings, particularly in black communities,Terrence Cunningham, the president of the InternationalAssociation of Chiefs of Police (IACP), has admitted that lawenforcement officers have been “the face of oppression to fartoo many of our fellow citizens.” He told a conference in SanDiego on Monday that police needed to apologize for “theactions of the past and the role that our profession has playedin society’s historical mistreatment of communities of color.”

‘Warrior culture’ Campaigners against police militarization accept that SWAT

teams and their heavy-duty hardware have a vital role in com-batting the rare instances of terrorism in the US. But they pointout that, due to prolonged mission creep, this is no longer howthese resources are used. Peter Kraska, a criminology professorat the University of Eastern Kentucky, says there are now at least50,000 SWAT raids a year, up from 3,000 in the 1980s. Most ofthe activities of these highly specialized units have little to dowith the reasons for their inception, such as dealing withhostage situations, terrorist attacks and drug cartels.

According to Atkinson, one of the architects of the “warriorculture” is a hugely successful police trainer named DaveGrossman, head of a consulting firm called the KillologyResearch Group. “We are at war and you are the frontline troopsin this war. What do you fight violence with? Superior violence,”Grossman hollers at an audience of mesmerized police in onesession filmed for the documentary.

The retired army lieutenant colonel has lectured throughoutthe US, according to his website, and Atkinson believes hisinfluence has spread to every American law enforcementagency. “There are 63 million police interactions with citizenseach year in the United States, and if we take that kind of men-tality during a routine traffic stop, that’s how there are peoplegetting killed,” he said. — AFP

TV makers forced torethink ‘damaging’

princess shows for girls

‘Do Not Resist’ highlights crisis of police militarization

St Louis County Police officers, outfitted in tactical equipment, monitor the situation in Ferguson, Missouri on August10, 2015. — AFP

39Myanmar’s storied film

industry gears up for a sequel

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016

Azalea, whose Korean name is ‘Dalle’, a 19-year-old female chimpanzee, lights a cigarette at the Central Zoo in Pyongyang, North Korea yesterday. — AP

David Teie plays a few high-pitched notes on his cellobefore passing to the low ones, stopping Lizzy, a smallblack cat with white paws, in her tracks. Donnie, a white

and ginger tomcat, abandons his favorite plaything-a toymouse bouncing on a piece of string-to approach the Americanmusician. Curious, he raises up on his back legs and puts hispaws on Teie’s knees during an unusual performance in LadyDinah’s cat cafe in Shoreditch, east London.

Despite an allergy to cats, Teie has created the world’s firstalbum entirely for felines and is distributed by a major label,Universal Music. Though initially cautious, the 13 furry visitorsto “Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium” appeared satisfied at this week’spremiere. The purring and murmuring sounds which make up“Music for Cats” take inspiration from the noises kittens hear likebirds chirping or their mother’s purr.

“I have something like 26 different purr instruments,” Teie, amusic teacher based at the University of Maryland who has per-formed with the US National Symphony Orchestra, told AFP. The60-year-old, dressed in a tie and with his wavy grey hair neatlycombed, picked a cat paradise to unveil his work. The cat retreatincludes an enormous artificial climbing tree. The residents arekept entertained with walkways, hiding places, baskets, scratch-ing boats and a vast array of toys.

‘Chihuahua music and labrador music are very different’ “I use ten acoustic instruments but nearly all of the sounds

have to be modified in electronics and software to make animalsounds,” he said. “I thought if I write music that cats like but catowners think is irritating, they just won’t put it on. So I put a lay-er of human music to make it hearable and in fact calming forpeople as well.” Lauren Pears, owner of Lady Dinah’s, said Teie’smusic is not dissimilar to the music she would usually play inthe cafe. At first she had her doubts about how the animalswould respond to the music, but she found the felines curiousand engaged.

“All morning they have been sort of watching him and theyseem really, really interested in it,” said Pears, who opened thecafe after taking inspiration from similar cat venues in Asia.Poppy Childs, a 21-year-old nursery nurse, said she is alwayslooking for new purchases to keep her elderly cat entertained.“I try to find things to keep her going so I would love to buy the

album and make her listen to some music. It would be great, itsounds pretty cool,” she said.

“Music for Cats” was released on October 14. “We’re thrilledto be part of this world-first project and break into the mas-sive untapped market of non-human music fans,” said aspokesperson for Universal Music. Cats are big business inBritain, with £4 billion pounds (4.5 billion euros, $5 billion)spent by owners on the country’s seven million cats everyyear, according to one report. For Teie, the animal music mar-ket need not be limited to cats. “I have designed music forhorses and I’m ready to start recording... I’m doing research fordogs. “They are next but it’s going to be a challenge because,for example, chihuahua music and labrador music are very dif-ferent,” said the composer. — AFP

What a purr-formance!Cellist creates album for cats

David Teie, a US composer and cellist, drinks a cup of tea during an interview to promotehis new album “Music for Cats”.

David Teie, a US composer and cellist, looks on during an interview to promote his newalbum “Music for Cats”.

David Teie, a US composer and cellist, looks on during an interview to promote his newalbum ‘Music for Cats’ at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in London. — AFP photos

Pyongyang’s newly opened zoo has a new star:Azalea, the smoking chimpanzee. According to offi-cials at the newly renovated zoo, which has become

a favorite leisure spot in the North Korean capital since itre-opened in July, the 19-year-old female chimpanzee,whose name in Korean is “Dalle,” smokes about a pack aday. Dalle is short for azalea. They insist, however, shedoesn’t inhale. Thrown a lighter by a zoo trainer, the chim-panzee lights her own cigarettes. If a lighter isn’t available,she can light up from lit cigarette if one is tossed her way.

Though such a sight would be cringe-worthy in manyother locales, it seemed to delight visitors who roared withlaughter yesterday as the chimpanzee, one of two at thezoo, sat puffing away as her trainer egged her on. Thetrainer also prompted her to touch her nose, bow thankyou and do a simple dance. The zoo is pulling in thousandsof visitors a day with a slew of attractions ranging fromsuch typical fare as elephants, giraffes, penguins and mon-keys to a high-tech natural history museum with displaysshowing the origins of the solar system and the evolution

of life on Earth. Another of the most popular attractionsthat might come as a surprise to foreign visitors is the dogpavilion, which has everything from German shepherds toShih Tsus. The zoo also has performances featuring otheranimals trained to do tricks, including a monkey that slamdunks basketballs, dogs trained to appear as though theycan do addition on subtraction on an abacus and

doves that fly around and land on a woman skating onan indoor stage. Renovations for the new zoo began in2014, as part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s efforts

to create more modern and impressive structures andleisure centers around the capital. The zoo actually datesback to 1959, when Kim Il Sung, the nation’s first leaderand the grandfather of Kim Jong Un, ordered it built on theoutskirts of the city. According to its official history, the zoostarted off with only 50 badgers. — AP

Meet Azalea the smoking chimp, new star at Pyongyang zoo