GOVERNMENT SHIFT FROM PLAYER TO FACILITATOR Seven pillars core Kuwait Vision 2035

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1 basketball Page 36 THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT Established in 1977 / THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 / RAJAB 5, 1439 AH emergency number 112 NO PAGES 150 FILS GOVERNMENT SHIFT FROM PLAYER TO FACILITATOR Seven pillars core Kuwait Vision 2035 Opinion O Your Highness, corruption now a culture By Ahmed Al-Jarallah Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times THE decline in Kuwait s ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index appeared as a surprising scandal that no one knew about. Ironically, it seems that officials in the country were unaware of the issue which, in reality, has been the topic on the streets for years; in fact, for decades. It seems the warnings issued about this decline were meant for another country, not Kuwait. It also appears that the reports of the State Audit Bureau did not reach the concerned officials in the country. This is due to the fact that such reports are thrown into the forgotten bin after milking a significant layer of the members of government through violations mentioned in those reports. The core of problems remains unsolved and no one is held accountable. Some countries are less wealthy and more populated than Kuwait. These countries went through real crisis including Rwanda, a country in Africa which went through one of the worst civil wars two decades ago. However, Rwanda occupies a higher ranking in the corruption index today such that police and army officers are dismissed for being suspected of corruption. Rwanda has since transformed into an investment destination for business persons who find their wealth, lives and investments more secured there than any other country in the African continent. The difference between us and Singapore is not big in terms of resources and population. That country usually records an average rate of transparency annually, while it attracts investment capitals and more wealth for its citizens. All these are possible due to the well-established virtues in all spheres of its institutions. Unfortunately, the situation is completely different in Kuwait. After the country guaranteed comfortable standard of living for all citizens, it did not imbibe a sense of duty and responsibility, especially after the liberation. The slogan reigning in the lips and tongues of everybody is: My share of the common wealth. In the past three decades, the major lesson learned from the Iraqi invasion is that the best protection for Kuwait is by building strong and transparent institutions, because basic strength lies in the ability to face dangers. Unluckily, the opposite is the case here. Many Kuwaitis regard the country as a bazaar for the smartest that is able to cut the largest Continued on Page 31 ahmed@aljarallah.com Follow me on: ahmedaljarallah@gmail.com US$/KD /00 Euro/KD Yen/KD British /KD KSE pts at closing March 21 See Page 29 Dow pts at 21:40 March 21 See Page 30 Nasdaq pts at 21:40 March 21 FTSE pts at closing March 21 Nikkei pts at closing March 21 Gold $1, per oz (London) NYMEX crude $65.13 per barrel Brent crude $69.27 per barrel 3-month $ LIBOR rate % Facebook, Analytica sued by users in US NEW YORK/LONDON, March 21, (RTRS): A US resident has sued Facebook and a Britishbased political consultancy for obtaining data from millions of the social media site s users without their permission, while an academic at the centre of the storm accused both firms of scapegoating him. The complaint filed at the US District Court in San Jose, California, marked the first of what may be many lawsuits seeking damages over Facebook s ability to protect user data, and exploitation of the information by the Cambridge Analytica consultancy to help President Donald Trump s election campaign. Facebook has been rocked this week by a whistleblower who said Cambridge Analytica, which Trump hired for the 2016 campaign, improperly accessed information on Facebook users to build detailed profiles on American voters. This revelation has knocked nearly $50 billion off Facebook s stock market value in two days and hit the shares of Twitter and Snap over fears that a failure by big tech firms to protect personal data could deter advertisers and users and invite tougher regulation. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook s founder and chief executive, who has been quiet on the controversy, is to address the revelations later on Wednesday, a source at the company told Reuters. The proposed class-action complaint was Continued on Page 31 Trump praises great US-Saudi friendship WASHINGTON, March 21, (KUNA): US President Donald Trump praised relations with Saudi Arabia, saying we really have a great friendship and described it as a great friend. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-saud, Trump said I would really have to say the relationship was, to put it mildly very strained during the Obama administration, and the relationship now is probably as good as it s really ever been, and think will probably only get better. At the top of the meeting, Trump held up two presentation boards, one board titled 12.5 billion in finalized sales to Saudi Arabia displaying photos and details of military equipment that Saudi Arabia Continued on Page 31 Duterte details labor demands MANILA, March 21, (Agencies): The Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was quoted as saying he has incorporated what he called mandatory provisions in the final draft of the bilateral agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait which is expected to be signed in the first week of April the venue of which has yet to be determined to ensure the protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Kuwait, according to sunstar.com.ph. This came while he was addressing the graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy s (PNPA) Maragtas Class of 2018 in Silang, Cavite. He explained he was late for the commencement of the exercises because he had to set some conditions for the Kuwaiti government, to uphold the rights of OFWs which Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III will take to Kuwait. The outspoken president said he had instructed Bello III to strongly stress that the OFWs in Kuwait must be treated equally by their employers by US President Donald Trump (right), meets with Saudi Arabia s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House on March 20, in Washington, DC. (AFP) KUWAIT CITY, March 21: H.E. Khaled Al-Roudan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Youth Affairs stated that Kuwait is looking for partnerships that will bring in new technologies and enhance present capabilities. In A step towards the Future, members of the Council of Ministers gave updates to the implementation of the New Kuwait vision detailing the progress made in By Ali Ahmed Al-Baghli Former Minister of Oil SAUDI Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman traveled to the United States of America. It is a historic tour which will take 19 days and he will visit 7 US major cities. The tour will start with his meeting with US President Donald Trump. Before traveling, the Saudi Crown Prince had an interview with US television channel CBS News, where he spoke about his upcoming tour of the US and current situation of the Saudi Kingdom. The statement that caught the attention of the media in his interview and was broadcasted by western and eastern channels was about the changes taking place in Al-Baghli the kingdom. Prince Mohammed said: Saudi Arabia was living a very normal life before The laws are very clear and Sharia stipulated that women wear decent and respectful clothing like men. This, however, does not specify a black abaya or a black head cover. The decision is entirely left for the woman on what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear. He went on to say, Saudi schools were infiltrated by many extremist elements such as the Brotherhood Group. He affirmed that we will not allow extremism to invade our educational system; we will pluck out the remnants of such ideologies from our schools. He continued, We have made strides in giving women their rights and little is left in that. We are working on an initiative, which we will launch in the near future, to introduce regulations ensuring equal pay for men and women. (Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper 20th March, 2018) We congratulate our brethren in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for being granted an audacious leader who calls a spade a spade. Bin Salman reminded us of Kuwait in the fifties, sixties and seventies; before the closed-minded ideology, which is against development, spread in our societies which were characterized by open-mindedness and tolerance. His words reminded us of the beautiful clothes of our daughters and women, Continued on Page 31 ali-albaghli@hotmail.com Kuwait plans $6.6bn industrial city By Cinatra Fernandes Arab Times Staff and Agencies Kuwait s Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf (left), speaks during the 2018 Kuwait Investment Forum, at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre in Kuwait City on March 20, with Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh (third right), Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Khaled Al-Roudan (second right), and Minister of Oil, Electricity, and Water Bakheet Al-Rasheedi (right), also seated on the stage. (AFP) Other Voices Well said, Mohammed bin Salman Continued on Page 31 Newswatch KUWAIT CITY: Guinness World Records has honored Kuwait s police officer Mohammad Bu Rubaie of the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) for entering the internationally famed reference book after winning 21 gold medals from the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship within 11 years, MoI announced Wednesday. For his part, Bu Rubaie praised the ministry s constant support that empowered him to win advanced ranks in all competitions he took part in, said an MoI press statement. He also lauded the ministry s sponsoring of talents, enhancing their skills, and encouraging them to be creative and excellent in their chosen fields, it added. (KUNA) WASHINGTON: The United States has had constructive talks about the Iran nuclear deal with Britain, France and Germany but is making contingency plans should they fail, the lead US negotiator said on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump gave an ultimatum on Jan 12 to the European powers saying they must agree to fix the terrible flaws of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal or he would refuse to extend the US sanctions relief on Iran that it calls for. US sanctions will resume unless Trump again waives them on May 12. We have had constructive talks with the Europeans towards a supplemental agreement but I can t predict whether we will reach an agreement with them or not, Brian Hook, the State Department policy planning director, told reporters in a conference call. We always have to prepare for any eventuality and so we are engaged in contingency planning because it would not be responsible not to, Hook, the lead US negotiator in the talks with the Europeans, said. We are kind of dual tracking this. Hook had two sets of meetings in Europe last week: talks with the three European powers in Berlin on Thursday followed by wider talks on Friday in Vienna with a group that tracks the implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal, which was negotiated during former president Barack Obama s administration. (RTRS) Continued on Page 31 various programmes and projects implemented to further the goals of the 2035 development plan. The minister shared the government was transitioning from being a player to an organizer and facilitator in the economy. He remarked that the State was keen to enable the private sector, develop capital market, and implement an electronic reform system to promote equal opportunity and values of transparency. He informed that legislative reforms were underway to attract foreign investors to the Kuwaiti market. This package will include new commercial registration law, an information exchange law, as well as bankruptcy laws, competition protection and reorganization of the insurance sector laws. He shared that in the last three years, KDIPA had attracted KD 725 million in investment from 29 companies with 1,000 jobs added across 11 sectors. He informed that many measures had been undertaken such as the new investment law to encourage foreign investment. Kuwait Vision 2035 follows HH the Amir s hopes of transforming Kuwait into a world class financial and commercial centre, with the private sector leading economic activities, fostering competitiveness, increasing productivity, supported by viable public institutions, while maintaining the deep rooted values and national identity, towards achieving balanced economic and human development, supported by adequate infrastructure, legal framework, and enabling business environment. The seven pillars that it is based on are efficient government administration, diversified & sustainable economy, quality infrastructure, sustainable living environment, high quality Continued on Page 31 Merkel hits Afrin attack BERLIN, March 21, (Agencies): German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday strongly criticised the Turkish military offensive against Kurdish militants in their Syrian stronghold of Afrin. Despite all the legitimate security interests Turkey has, it is unacceptable what is happening in Afrin, where thousands and thousands of civilians are being persecuted, dying or forced to flee, she told parliament. We also condemn that in the strongest terms. The People s Protection Units (YPG), a Kurdish militia, was driven out of Afrin on Sunday, one the cantons in the self-proclaimed autonomous administration run by Syria s Kurds. Turkey considers the YPG terrorists allied with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has waged a three-decade insurgency inside Turkey. But Washington and the anti- Islamic State international coalition have backed the YPG to Continued on Page 31

2 LOCAL 2 KUNA photos (Left): His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim at Bayan Palace Wednesday and (right): His Highness the Crown Prince also met His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace Wednesday. (KUNA) MP Al-Tabtabaie eyes amendment to decree that established Parliament Man lives with two wings freedom and dignity KUWAIT CITY, March 21: MP Omar Al-Tabtabaie says his next battle, after covering the topic of freedoms, will target amending the decree dealing with Parliament, indicating that he will present 52 proposals to deal with each mechanism, reports Al- Anba daily. In a symposium titled Increasing the ceiling of freedoms organized by the College of Administrative Sciences at Kuwait University, Al-Tabtabaie said Kuwait is in an advanced place but we want it to be better. Intellectuals are available and so is money. All we need is individuals who adore this country. He stressed that most citizens criticize the MPs because they are not aware of the obstacles they face, which are topped by the decree of the Parliament. Al-Tabtabaie indicated that the MPs need to be followed up, but no MP will be able to represent voters by 100 percent but some MPs can at least do so by 90 percent. He revealed that he and MP Abdulwahab Al-Babtain have proposed a bill concerning collective candidacy lists for elections, stressing that this system would be the best to reach the governmental-parliamentary equation that is seen in many countries. Al-Tabtabaie said the weakness of the governmental performance is the result of changing ministers. Addressing the students, he said, The most important thing is not the government or the Parliament but it is you. Al-Tabtabaie lamented that students activities are no longer like they were before, highlighting that a man lives with two wings freedom and dignity. He affirmed the importance of enhancing freedom of opinion, especially since anyone who expresses his opinion can be imprisoned, insisted that such individuals should be questioned instead of being sentenced to imprisonment which can destroy their future. Concerning the grace period given to Minister of Oil to answer the Parliamentary questions, Al-Tabtabaie said it is the minister who decides if he is going to stand on the grilling podium or not by answering the questions directed to him. Meanwhile, there are a lot of problems that have rendered our ministers incapable of taking bold decisions. Some of these problems include lack of knowledge about governance and management, and their desire to hold on to their positions by pleasing MPs with favoritism in completing their transactions, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting former state minister for Housing Affairs Yahya Al-Sumait. He went on to say, There is no country in the world like Kuwait that provides housing for her people and has a government with a housing plan and philosophy, stressing that the housing minister is required to follow this plan so that it sees the light of the day. Al-Sumait indicated that the silence of the government concerning the most sensitive and bold issues is questionable, as the government s role is to shed light on these issues in a transparent manner. He stressed, Our problem lies in mismanagement by some of the officials who are pulling back progress, highlighting corruption, exchange of gifts, squandering of public funds and seeking personal interests at the expense of the state have been the main reasons for the country s stagnation. A photo from the event EQUATE sponsors initiative for dev of online education KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Continuing its support for social initiatives aimed at developing the capabilities and knowledge of the youth to arm them with the ability to face global challenges, EQUATE Petrochemical Company, a global producer of petrochemicals, announced its sponsorship of the national initiative for the development of online education (Taaleb). During a press conference held by Taaleb, EQUATE Sustainability Committee Member Asrar Mohammad said: EQUATE invests in supporting the professional development of the human capital, whether as human resources working at our company or as members of the society at large. We are focused on supporting the development of the youth who represent a key pillar in EQUATE s Sustainability Strategy. Taaleb has gained tangible success since its inception due to its innovative solutions, enabling students to focus on studying and achieving excellence. For that, EQUATE is extending its support and contributing to the development of our local human capital. Established in 2010, Taaleb has become the internetbased portal for the Ministry of Education, serving over half a million students and promoting online communication between students and teachers. The EQUATE Group* is a global producer of petrochemicals and the world s second largest producer of Ethylene Glycol (EG). The Group has industrial complexes in Kuwait, North America and Europe that annually produce over 5 million tons of Ethylene, EG, Polyethylene (PE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The products are marketed throughout Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The EQUATE Group s shareholders include Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC).

3 LOCAL 3 KUNA photos His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace Wednesday His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The Amir also received National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim. He also received His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. (KUNA) Integrated concept eyed to recruit skilled workers KBA hires services of Oliver Wyman Group photo of Boston College students and AUK staff and student tour guides. Educational trip Boston college students visit AUK KUWAIT CITY, March 21: For the 12th consecutive year, AUK hosted visitors that included 14 political science students along with their professor, Dr Kathleen T. Bailey, an Associate Director of Islamic Civilization & Societies Program. As an educational trip, this visit aimed to supplement their learning for a course they are enrolled in entitled, Kuwait: Intercultural Diplomacy where they are allowed to practically live life in Kuwait through a series of cultural experiences. The Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and several student volunteers organized their tour around campus by showcasing AUK s recently completed Student Center and other facilities. Their visit concluded at AUK with a lecture on campus by Samer Khanachet, Group Chief Operating Officer of KIPCO. In commenting on the significance of this opportunity Dr Bailey said, They see Kuwait, and they have an idea of what this area of the world is like, and it s usually a misperception. Then you come to Kuwait, and it s peaceful and lovely, and people are interested in sharing different ideas. You find that you have much more in common than before. Dr Bailey also noted the ripple effect this could have as it similarly affects different generations throughout the coming years. The American University of Kuwait (AUK) is an independent, private, equal opportunity, and coeducational liberal arts institution of higher education. The educational, cultural and administrative structure, methods and standards of AUK are based on the American model of higher learning. The language of instruction is English. More information on the American University of Kuwait can be found at By Fares Al-Abadan Al-Seyassah Staff and Agencies KUWAIT CITY, March 21: In a bid to organize the labor market, reduce the number of workers and reform the demographic structure, the Public Authority for Manpower has proposed an integrated concept to approve skilled workers for 100 professions. According to an informed source, conducting tests for workers in their countries of origin will now become a basic condition for approval of work permits. The policy will be applied gradually, starting with about ten technical professions including electrical work, carpentry, mechanic, iron bending and other industrial related works. He said Public Authority for Manpower will engage an international company to carry out the test through approved institutions, not academies, in those countries. The source declared that the specialized company will collaborate with about 5,500 approved institutes across the world, and three of them are operating in Kuwait. He stressed that the overseas test will reduce the rate of inflow of mar- Int l academic contest Kuwait wins four prizes KUWAIT CITY, March 21, (KUNA): Kuwait s Education Ministry has claimed a quartet of awards in an international contest recognizing exceptional feats in academics. The Kuwaiti students victory in the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance is a testament to how committed the ministry is to education, its assistant undersecretary for educational development Faisal Al-Makseed said in a statement Wednesday. He touted the event as a highly competitive affair in which a myriad of academic success stories were put on display, noting that a trio of Kuwaiti contestants bagged prizes. Another Kuwaiti participant, Dr Majid Al-Ali, who serves as the director of educational activities at the ministry, took home an award for best academic research. Since its inception in 1998, the UAE-based award encourages initiatives, innovation and excellence in academics. ginal workers into the country particularly into the labor market. Meanwhile, the Kuwait Banking Association (KBA) has hired the services of Oliver Wyman Company to provide the bank business management consultations to evaluate the present work strategy of the bank including the local clientele s view of the banks, reports Al-Rai daily. Oliver Wyman helps companies develop corporate strategies to identify and realize opportunities for growth. Whether evaluating a merger, acquisition, investment, or divestiture opportunity. The sources pointed out the targeted strategy include defining the sources of worry for the clients in addition to supplying the banks with detailed perspective they need to make decisions in any business environment and ways to find solutions to such. The sources added, the targeted strategy includes the ways to raise the level of the baking performance in addition to enhancing the communication of the banks with the clients. The sources went on to say in spite of the social activities carried out by the banks in terms of enhancing the national economy and adopting sustainable policy, they are still in need of re-evaluating their performance and finding ways to develop their services. Oct 6, 2016

4 LOCAL Assembly OKs bill on number of people to be granted Kuwaiti citizenship in 18 Bedouns should be given priority: MP Ashour By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff KUWAIT CITY, March 21: The National Assembly approved the bill on the number of people who will be granted Kuwaiti citizenship in 2018 in its first and second readings Wednesday. This came after the Assembly discussed the report of the Interior and Defense Affairs Committee on the bill. Article One of the bill stipulates that the number of people who will be granted Kuwaiti nationality in 2018 shall be determined in accordance with Clause Three of Article Five of Amiri Decree No. 15/1959 which states the number should not exceed 4,000. Assistant Undersecretary of Ministry of Commerce and Industry Nimer Fahad Al-Malik Al-Sabah inaugurating Made in Indi exhibition at the Holiday Inn Hotel. Made in India exhibition inaugurated INDIA-Kuwait bilateral relations extend back into history, and are characterized by extreme cordiality, understanding and friendship. This relationship straddles various dimensions including economic and commercial. In an effort to further expand and deepen the economic and commercial engagement between the two countries, the Embassy of India in Kuwait, in coordination with Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) of Kuwait, has organized the Made in India exhibition on March 21, 2018 in Hotel Holiday Inn, Kuwait City. India s economic footprint globally has been expanding over the years, with Indian products, technology, investments and human resource capital leading the way. Showcasing these strengths, a wide range of Indian products, machinery and equipment were displayed at the exhibition, representing more than fifty world class brands from India. Sectors on display included Agriculture, Engineering Construction, Oil and Gas, Textiles, Homecare Products, Health & Pharmaceuticals, Food Committee Chairman MP Askar Al-Anazi recommended updating the stipulation on the number of people who will be naturalized every year; pointing out that the current law stipulates granting citizenship to not less than 2,000 and not more than 4,000 people. He added the Ministry of Interior had earlier promised to naturalize those included in the 1965 Census and those who greatly served the nation, so the lawmakers are now waiting for the ministry to address the Bedoun issue. On the other hand, MP Nasser Al-Dosari called on the government to implement the bill approved by the Assembly in its first and second readings by naturalizing maximum of 4,000 people; affirming that the number should not be lower than this. He thanked the concerned authorities for their cooperation which resulted in the approval and referral of the bill to the government. He warned about the consequences of naturalizing just a few persons and then claiming that the bill has been implemented. He pointed out that Bedouns should fully benefit from the bill, so the government must implement it immediately. MP Saleh Ashour stressed that Bedouns should be the priority in the naturalization process, in addition to those who greatly served the nation and children of Kuwaiti women married to non-kuwaitis; indicating that about 35,000 Bedouns deserve citizenship. He pointed out the bill passed on Wednesday stipulates naturalization of not less than 2,000 and not more 4,000 people. He said the and Food processing etc. HE Nimer Fahad Al Malik Al Sabah, Assistant Undersecretary for International Organizations and Foreign Trade Affairs, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, representing the Govt of Kuwait, inaugurated the exhibition. The exhibition attracted ordinary Kuwaiti people as well as businessmen and industrialists. The Embassy of India is confident that this endeavour will help further strengthen the economic and commercial relations between the friendly countries of India and Kuwait. bill did not specify the number of Bedouns who will be naturalized, although the law is not required in granting citizenship to those who greatly served the nation and the children of Kuwaiti women married to non-kuwaitis. Moreover, the Assembly approved the proposal to amend Article Four of the law on establishing the National Commission for Human Rights in its first reading. The bill stipulates that the president and vice-president of the commission should be appointed by the Council of Ministers and it does not require approval of the Assembly. The Assembly decided to postpone the second reading and voting on the bill until the next session. The EcoArts project shows drawing arts on the discarded items. Recycling discarded items into art Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center in collaboration with EcoArt KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre collaborates with EcoArt Project, an ecological group that produces eco-friendly art. As part of the Centre s opening week events, EcoArt as well as local ecological groups use discarded material and recycled them into artwork. Pino Fortunato, Director of the EcoArt Project, led a seminar on March 17, entitled Introducing the EcoArt Project Platform in the auditorium of the Fine Arts Centre. EcoArt also held workshops led by Italian artists; Cesare Galluzzo and Gianni Moretti on March 14, 15 and 16. The aim of the workshops was to use waste material discarded from the fit out of the Centre and turn them into art. The work of the artists is currently being exhibited in the Fine Art Centre until April 30. EcoArt Project is a New York notfor profit organisation that wants to increase public awareness and education surrounding our ecosystems. It began in Italy as a way to use the creative energy of artists, in order to propel solutions towards sustainable progress, using art and design to bring people together. Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre believes that it is imperative to raise public awareness on environmental issues. The Cultural Centre was developed by the Office of His Highness with the vision of delivering worldclass exhibitions and public educational programmes to the people of Kuwait. It is working on facilitating the exchange of knowledge and the development of critical, creative, and interpretive thinking skills. It aims to foster collaborations with various regional and international initiatives that can help prosper Kuwaiti cultural developments to reach a wider Middle Eastern audience. For additional information please contact: fac@ascckw.com 4 Kuwait Today Prayer Timings Fajr... 04:31 Sunrise... 05:50 Dohr... 11:55 Asr... 15:23 Maghreb... 18:00 Isha... 19:17 Weather Expected weather for the next 24 hours: By Night: Fair with light to moderate variable wind, changing to northwesterly wind, with speed of km/h. By Day: Relatively hot with light to moderate variable wind, with speed of km/h. Station Max Min Exp Rec Kuwait City Kuwait Airport Abdaly Bubyan 28 - Jahra Failaka Island Salmiyah Ahmadi 29 - Nuwaisib Wafra Salmy days forecast Weather Thursday, March 22 Expected weather...relatively hot Max Temp...33C Min Temp...18C Wind Direction...NW Wind Speed km/h Friday, March 23 Expected weather...relatively hot Max Temp...34C Min Temp...16C Wind Direction...NW-VRB Wind Speed km/h Saturday, March 24 Expected weather...relatively hot and some scattered clouds will appear later on Max Temp...33C Min Temp...15C Wind Direction...VRB-SE Wind Speed km/h Sunday, March 25 Expected weather...relatively hot causing rising dust over open areas and some scattered clouds will appear Max Temp...35C Min Temp...18C Wind Direction...SE-S Wind Speed km/h Marine Forecast Station Max Min Sea Today s Exp Rec Surf Waves Ht Direction South Dolphin ft SE Umm Mudayrah ft SE Beacon M ft SE Beacon N ft SE Qaruh Island ft SE Umm Al-Maradim ft SE Sea Island Buo Salmiyah ft SE 4 days forecast - Marine Thursday, March 22 Expected weather...relatively hot Sea state...slight to moderate Wave height ft Max Temp....33C Min Temp....18C Wind Directio.....NW Wind Speed km/h Friday, March 23 Expected weather...relatively hot Sea state...slight to moderate Wave height ft Max Temp....34C Min Temp....16C Wind Direction...NW-VRB Wind Speed km/h Saturday, March 24 Expected weather...relatively hot and some scattered clouds will appear later on Sea state...slight to moderate Wave height ft Max Temp....33C Min Temp....15C Wind Direction...VRB-SE Wind Speed km/h Sunday, March 25 Expected weather...relatively hot causing rising dust over open areas and some scattered clouds will appear later on Sea state...slight to moderate Wave height ft Max Temp....35C Min Temp....18C Wind Direction... SE-S Wind Speed km/h Tide times at Shuwaikh Port 1st high tide:...14:12 2nd high tide:... 02:59 1st low tide:... 08:32 2nd low tide:... 20:53 Sunrise:... 05:50 Sunset:... 18:00 Recorded yesterday at Kuwait Airport Max temp... 30C Min temp... 14C Max Rh... 58% Min Rh... 16% Max Wind...SE 32 km/h Total Rainfall in 24 hrs...0 mm Recorded yesterday at South Dolphin Min/Max/ Air Temp...20/24C Min/Max Rel Hum...38/83% Wind Direction/Wind Speed...SE/26 km/h Prev Wave Dir/Max Wave Ht... N/- ft Min/Max Sea Surface Temp....-/- C Sea Current...Upwelling Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Meteorological Dept. deaths Saleh Fahad Thahi Al Sheliya, 59 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Ferdous, Block 9, Street 1, Avenue 1, House 3, Tel: (Women) Ferdous, Block 9, Street 2, House 3; Ali Mohammad Ali Abel, 70 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Bayan, Al Imam Al Hasan Mosque, Tel: (Women) Rumaithiya, Block 10, Street 103, House 19, only at morning time Rumaithiya, Block 10, Street 101, Huseiniyat Al Etra Al Tahera at evening time only; Fawfeeq Abdul Karim Ibrahim Al Nassar, 85 years old, to be buried on Thursday at 09:00 am. Condolences: (Men) Qortuba, Block 1, Street 1, House 61, Tel: (Women) Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem, Block 2, Street 24, House 15, Tel: ; Moawad Hithleen Salem Al Rasheedi, 81 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Qairawan, Block 1, Street 114, House 30, Tel: (Women) Qasser, Block 4, Street 5, House 263, Tel: ; Abdul Rahman Ahmad Al Saber, 72 years old, buried on Wednesday. Condolences: (Men) Eqaila, Block 2, Street 214, House 10, Tel: (Women) Mishref, Block 6, Street 3, House 26. Isa Ibrahim Saqer Al Farah, 61 years old, to be buried on Wednesday after Asr prayers. Condolences: (Men) West Mishref, Block 2, Hamad Al Reshoud Street, House 13, Tel: (Women) Rawda, Block 1, Street 10, House 51, Tel: March 21, 2018

5 LOCAL 5 Jaber Hospital yet to open despite MPW meeting all the conditions MoE, Awqaf ask PAHW to postpone handover of buildings Top & above: Some photos from the event. Mothers of disabled children honored KIB sponsors 6th Ideal Mother Award KUWAIT CITY, March 21: For the fourth consecutive year, Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced its sponsorship of the 6th Ideal Mother Award honoring mothers of disabled children. The award is organized annually by Al Kharafi Activity Kids Center, under the patronage of the President of the Kuwait Foundation for Disabled Children, Sabeeka Al- Jasser. Awards will be presented on April 7, honoring the hard work and dedication of mothers of children with mental disabilities. A press conference was recently held to announce the winners of this year s award, with winners from Kuwait, the GCC and the Arab region. The press conference was attended by the Secretary-General and the president of the organizing committee for the Ideal Mother Award, as well as a diverse group of participating parties and sponsors. On this occasion, Fahad Alsarhan, Team leader of the Corporate Communications Unit at the bank, commended all mothers on the occasion of Mother s Day and also congratulated the winners of the 6th Ideal Mother Award. He continued by saying: We believe in the importance of this award, which recognizes the pivotal role parents play in the lives of children with mental disabilities. This is especially true of mothers, who not only nurture their children but also push them to overcome their disabilities, helping them channel these very disabilities into positive action for the benefit of themselves and their community. For that reason, KIB continues to lend its support to this event every year, reflecting the bank s ongoing commitment to supporting persons with disabilities in the local community. Alsarhan also pointed out that this sponsorship came as part of KIB s strategy to support people with disabilities. Accordingly, the bank has recently redesigned six of its branches in order to provide for more easily accessible banking services that accommodate the needs of customers with special needs, including those who are visually impaired and deaf. KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Several meetings were held between Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Works concerning the handing over of Jaber Hospital. Also, Ministry of Public Works has met all the conditions stated by Ministry of Health in terms of obtaining the approval of Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) for inaugurating the hospital. Despite all this, the hospital has still not been opened, reports Aljarida daily quoting informed sources. The reason the hospital is still out of service is the unjustified delay of Ministry of Health to merge it with the working hospitals. Meanwhile, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has asked Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) to postpone the handover of the buildings that belong to them in the recently-built residential areas in Sabah Al-Ahmed City. The two ministries gave a number of justifications for the request such as the area is far from Kuwait City due to which it is difficult for their employees to commute to and from their houses located in the interior areas close to Kuwait City. Other reasons included lack of budget for offering remote area allowances which might encourage employees to take up work in such remote areas that are in dire need for state facilities as they are inhabited three years ago. Also, the lack of readiness of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to provide job opportunities for filling the vacancies in the two ministries is another reason. According to sources, Ministry of Education is facing a problem in terms of failure in signing new contracts with companies that provide security guards and cleaners, due to which the ministry is unable to receive new schools. Kuwait army chief extols military cooperation with Jordan AMAN, March 21, (KUNA): Visiting Kuwaiti Army Chief of Staff General Mohammad Al-Khodhr recently lauded the level of military cooperation between the State of Kuwait and Jordan. Speaking to KUNA following the conclusion of the joint military committee's meeting, Al-Khodhr underlined the significance of promoting bilateral cooperation, saying that it is necessary to draw upon Jordan's military expertise.

6 LOCAL 6 DIWANIYA A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION KUNA photo Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace on Wednesday Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the country Michael Davenport. (KUNA) Reply to complaints ready in IPU visit Speaker, team heads for Geneva Iraqi invasion damages UN funds repair of oil wells KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Chairman of the team in charge of soil analysis and rehabilitation projects at Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) Eng Muthanna Al-Momen says KOC has received budgets from the United Nations in the form of grants to fix the damages caused by the burning of oil wells during the brutal Iraqi invasion, reports Aljarida daily. He explained that the company will supervise the soil treatment process from Kuwait National Focal Point, which was identified under the UN claims. The field works related to claim No for treatment of contaminated soil in the coastal trench and the coastal pollution in the north region of the country have KUWAIT CITY, March 21, (KUNA): National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- Ghanim will leave for Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, leading Kuwait s Parliamentary Group to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly. During the visit, the Kuwaiti delegation will offer replies to three complaints submitted against the country, Al-Ghanim told reporters. He voiced full confidence in the National Assembly s Parliamentary Caucus and Secretariat, saying that replies to the charges in the complaints are ready, and the IPU and human rights commissions there will be briefed on the issue. The chief parliamentarian said he was proud of the good reputation of the Kuwaiti parliament overseas, as well as the freedom of expression at home. Referring to the parliamentary session on Tuesday and Wednesday, Al-Ghanim said that they realized several legislative achievements to be added to ones of the previous session. Meanwhile, Kuwait s Ambassador to Belgium, and Envoy to European Union (EU), NATO, and Luxembourg, Jasem Al- Budaiwi met the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives (Parliament) Siegfried Bracke Tuesday evening to discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. I had a very interesting conversation with His Excellency the ambassador of Kuwait, Bracke told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) after the meeting. I was happy to learn that he invited me to visit Kuwait and I am happy to announce that I will go by the end of autumn, which is end of October or beginning of November, he said. I look forward to it because we have excellent relations between Belgium and Kuwait and between the European Union and Kuwait and I will be very happy to be there, added the Belgian parliamentarian. On his part, Al-Budaiwi told KUNA that he conveyed a letter of invitation from the speaker of the Kuwait National Assembly Marzouk Ghanim to Bracke and his visit is expected to take place end October or beginning of November. They discussed a wide range of issues including bilateral ties, regional developments, economic and trade relations, he noted. In the meeting, Bracke praised the role of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Amir as a global humanitarian leader and lauded Kuwait s efforts of mediation and reconciliation between many countries and parties in the region. He described Kuwait as the most moderate and most civilized country in the Middle East and highlighted Kuwait s role in fighting terrorism, noted the Kuwaiti ambassador. Al-Budaiwi said he informed the President of the Belgian parliament about the recent visit by representatives of Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) to Belgium where they interacted with 60 Belgian companies and 30 European companies based in Belgium. It was a very excellent and fruitful meeting, he added. finished. The works related to second part of claim No for cleaning the wells that were built to store seawater have finished in terms of combating the flames of the wells in order to avoid contamination of underground water in Sabriya and Rawdatain areas and in the interest of the safety of workers. Eng Al-Momen indicated that the next phase will involve the floating of two tenders which will be awarded to specialized companies soon for treating the contaminated soil. The first contract is concerned with measuring the concentration of pollution in KOC oil fields, and the second is to treat a limited area in southern oil fields. United Gulf can tackle Tehran policies History, doctrine shape Iran ties THE CRISIS of some of the member states with Iran is in fact a matter of chronic crisis of confidence, columnist Dr Nasser Khamees Al- Mutairi wrote for Annahar daily. In other words, whenever Iran tried to recreate such crisis, it is undermined by attempts at adopting certain positions, policies and statements that provoke the Gulf side and eventually the Gulf waters are disturbed through successive tensions and crises. The root causes of the relationship between the neighboring countries of the region lies mainly in the civilization and religious conflict between the Arabs and the Persians and the historical heritage, rivalry and the struggle of influence and interests between both parties. If we historically follow the political behavior of the Persian state towards its regional environment, we will find that this behavior is governed by two factors: the first is the perception of civilizational superiority and the second is the tendency to the imperial expansion of the Persian civilization, and these factors have had a profound and far-reaching impact on modern Arab-Iranian relations after the independence of the Arab states and their presence as independent entities in the Middle East regional space. Therefore, we found the political decision in Tehran is based on the element of Persian nationalism and pride, and the interest that remains the main factor for decision-making. Apart from the above, we refer to the religious dimension. And in the framework of all of the above concentrations, we observe the existence of some kind of coordination between the United States and Iran towards the Islamic State (IS) or the so-called DAESH. Likewise, these concentrations will always push the Iranian regime to gain more influence in the region, Al-Mutairi which in turn ensures the continuity of this regime, and protects it from exposure to risk, and perhaps the clearest witness of that Iranian influence dominating Iraq with US blessing. Given the above, we concluded that the sectarian burden makes the ruling factors of the Iranian policy towards the Gulf States which makes Iran one of the most controversial countries in the Arab world. This influence is linked to two main factors, geopolitics and religion. Consequently, the hegemony based on geopolitics and the doctrinal dimensions shall remain the most influential factor in shaping Iran s policy toward the Gulf and the Arabs at large. The Gulf dilemma with Iran today, which enhances Iran s superiority in the region, lies in our view in the individual policies of the GCC countries with Iran, where there is no policy and strategy for a unified Gulf system in dealing with Tehran. All that exists is bilateral relations between Iran and every Gulf country. We find a difference in the Gulf s visions and policies towards Iran, which gives the Iranians a margin of diplomatic maneuver by exploiting empty spaces in the Gulf playground. Also: The document of the ruling family s youth, which was mentioned in a previous article, contained among other things the following paragraph, columnist Dr Naji Saudi Al-Zaid wrote for Al-Jarida daily. We as a segment of the ruling regime believe that the neutrality and centrality of the power is the first step in the opposite direction of the journey of our great grandfather Jaber We pray to God have mercy on him. Hence we are required more than ever to reform this path, and propose the necessary consultation, advice and pressure to achieve this within the constitutional and legal concepts of the state as well as within the framework of our rights as citizens since our goal is to protect the legitimacy and prestige of governance and keep it away from small issues, justice and neutrality, development and care. The above was signed on July 13, 1992 by Salem Sabah Al-Nasser, Jaber Mubarak Al- Hamad, Ali Fahad Al-Salem, Mubarak Jaber Al-Ahmad, Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad, Salem Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmed, Khalid Fahad Al-Malik, Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad, Abdullah Fahd Al-Malik and Mohammed Mohammed Al-Sulaiman. It is indeed nice words, particularly since we know that HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak is currently Prime Minister and his first deputy is Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad, who signed the document of the ruling family on 13 July, But, some questions still grip our minds as citizens, the first is, Are you planning to relinquish the unilateral central power in terms of decision-making process as you had said during that time. While the second question is, Do all of you actually hold yourselves above the small issues? The third question is, Will you strive to resort to justice and neutrality when it comes to taking of your decisions? And will the evolution and care be among your priorities. However, if you are serious as you have said in 1992, then we as citizens, would like to convey to you our best greetings and encourage you, because we are keen to protect the rule of the Al- Sabah family equals to that of yours in our capacity as a people loyal and sincere to the homeland and to HH the Amir and strive to achieve the same objectives which you had mentioned and all of us will focus on the same. When Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad was the Minister of Amiri Diwan, he said the state revenues, after four years later, will only be enough to pay salaries, Hassan Al-Essa wrote for Aljarida daily. This meant there will be no other expenditures such as financing infrastructure projects and other aspects of the state budget. We can add to this statement by saying the revenues, after five or six years, will not cover the salaries of huge number of employees including tens of thousands of administrative employees, many of who produce nothing due to bad education. These huge numbers of employees are led by senior officials who distribute the positions among themselves based on the stated systems that depend on favoritism and wasta. Four years have passed since the kickoff of the oil crisis which may turn out to be permanent. Of course, there will not be a genie that will appear to the government and say, Any service, master?. His Highness the Prime Minister said the era of prosperity is over and we need to rationalize expenditures. Last April, Minister of Finance at that time Anas Al-Saleh said, I am worried about my country, about the public funds and the sustainability of Kuwait. He later left Ministry of Finance and was appointed as State Minister for Cabinet Affairs. He is now relaxing without facing any financial anxieties. Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah has become the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, which means he has moved to a more powerful position. Talks about development of islands development and Silk City are fading. That project represented the life jacket for Kuwaiti economy but we are not aware about any progress in that regard. What are the obstacles facing the accomplishment of that project? Is it that a number of MPs are standing against the project or is it the lack of details that the Cabinet itself suffers from? It seems that the government is not interested in confronting the upcoming financial disaster. It is only keen about producing legislative repression. God be with our children who are facing an unknown future that they had no part in creating. The statistics issued recently about the number of holders of Kuwaiti driving licenses is frightening. Imagine 320,000 expatriates of one particular nationality have driving licenses!, Talal Al-Saeed wrote for Al-Seyassah daily. On the other hand, Kuwaiti citizens, both men and women, with driving licenses are just 800,000. There are about 320,000 Egyptian holders of driving licenses with the majority of them involved in simple manual jobs or are marginal workers whose presence in the country is a big mistake. In second place is the Indian community with 80,000 driving license holders. They include drivers of private cars, taking into account that for each house, there is approximately one driver. Consecutive governments from the time of Kuwait s liberation to this day are responsible for this. Majority of these drivers are the culprits of the traffic jams and many road accidents especially those who did not have cars in their home country and have no driving experience. Gentlemen, this issue does not need a rocket scientist or an atomic expert for a solution. It only needs a sincere person who reveres Kuwait to send a team in motion to review on what basis those licenses were issued and whether they have files or not. It has become a naked truth that successive directors in that department have been avoiding looking into this time bomb out of fear of losing their positions, with the exception of Abdul Fattah Al-Ali. He rang the alarm bell but was soon driven out from that position. Some know that 1,320 housemaids have driving licenses but nobody dares to open the file or even look into it, save for talking about it. The above only give us an interpretation of the annoying and painful traffic jams that citizens suffer from all the time every day and anywhere in Kuwait. It is not a technical fault but an administrative one. This article has a very important piece of information concerning Shaddadiya University that is supposed to be known by everyone, Za ar Al-Rasheedi wrote for Al-Anba daily. The project of Shaddadiya University kicked off on the basis of a law that was issued in It was determined then that the project will take ten years for completion. This ten-year period ended in 2014 and the Minister of Education and Higher Education at that time Ahmed Al-Mulaifi proposed to amend the law in order to extend the project deadline for another five years. There are several reasons behind the non-accomplishment of the university project such as separation of genders which increased the cost by 40 percent according to a number of variation orders. Another reason is the catastrophic error made by the legislators who placed Shaddadiya University under Kuwait University. I am not sure if that step was made deliberately or if it was just a mistake. Shaddadiya University was supposed to be the second independent university in Kuwait. Al-Mulaifi tried to correct this mistake when he proposed an integrated law concerning the establishment of state universities. That law was supposed to enable the government, especially Ministry of Higher Education, to establish new universities. Al-Mulaifi also proposed non-profit universities to be established by charitable organizations. At Present, if the parliament does not have accumulating legislations, why can t an MP adopt these proposals that are in the favor of the citizens? Why can t the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Hamid Al-Azmi review those proposals and the law for separating Shaddadiya University from Kuwait University? Compiled by Zaki Taleb News in Brief Bonuses mulled for workers: Minister of Information Mohammad Al-Jabri has ordered to review the mechanism in place for disbursement of bonuses to all employees of the ministry s sectors who worked in covering the activities of the 23rd Gulf Cup that was hosted by Kuwait from December 22, 2017 to January 5, 2018, reports Aljarida daily. According to officials from Ministry of Information, the minister directed the concerned authorities to contact the relevant assistant undersecretaries to review the list of the names submitted to the minister and remove the names of those who were not assigned to cover the Gulf Cup. The minister s move came prior to taking administrative measures against those who are proven to have committed financial violations, as it was discovered that a number of employees were included in the approved list by some officials even though they did not participate in the Gulf Cup. The officials stressed that the ministry, after thoroughly reviewing and sorting the names, will move to recover the money paid to some undeserving employees so that the officials of the concerned sectors are not held legally accountable by various regulatory bodies, especially since the minister s directives came after observations were raised by the State Audit Bureau concerning disbursements of bonuses to undeserving employees. Grades issue on hold: Public Authority for Manpower has postponed to next year the approval of grades and financial benefits for its employees, which is one of the key points related to its merger with the Manpower and Government Restructuring Program (MGRP), reports Aljarida daily quoting sources. They said Civil Service Commission (CSC) has not addressed the issue of grades or financial benefits in order to align them with those of the MGRP employees of same grades and positions. The sources indicated that CSC recently finished preparing the organizational structure of the new authority (after the merger). They highlighted that the benefits and grades has not been included in the salaries item of the authority s new budget for 2018/2019 fiscal year, which means the amendments will not happen before the 2019/2020 budget is prepared.

7 LOCAL 7 Other Voices Matters of opinion Forbidden for publication By Ahmad Al-Sarraf Many people are surprised by the fact that a newspaper in Kuwait prevented the publication of an article, especially when they found nothing in the article worth denying from their point of view, unaware that the prevention of publication of any article is at the discretion of the owners or editors of the newspaper whose motives are often not known by others. John Swinton ( ), the former chief editorial writer of the New York Times, the world s most powerful and respected newspaper, was the guest of honor at a banquet given by the leaders of his craft. Someone who knew neither the press nor Swinton offered a toast to the independent press. Swinton outraged his colleagues by replying: Al-Sarraf There is no such thing, at this date of the world s history, in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dare to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others among you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone. The business of the journalists is to destroy the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press? Kuwaiti jailed for beating wife By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah Staff We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. There is no doubt that what Swinton said more than 120 years ago has some truth and some exaggeration in connection to what applies to the press to all media and other commercial or political projects. And this is the natural right. But it is fair to admit that the press, despite all its denigration, was and remains the conscience of any free nation, and has, domestically and internationally, honorable positions that can only be respected and admired. Hundreds of newspaper editors and owners around the world have paid with their lives for their attitudes and views, and Lebanon is a good example. I have also experienced similar experiences in which my life and my businesses have been put at risk. This is not the risk of being sentenced to imprisonment. My experience is nothing compared to the experiences of others who have paid dearly for sticking to their points of view and their insistence to tell the truth and express their views. Many writings have also contributed to the transformation of democratic and dictatorial regimes, and the overthrow of kings and presidents. We go back and say that the indisputable fact which is difficult today, or impossible, is to say the writer s opinion must be without ambiguity and total honesty, and the reasons for that are immaterial. Every newspaper and state has its own circumstances, each subject has its own limits, and each individual has its own red lines which he must not cross. So in other words, there is no absolute freedom in almost anything in life. We are all bound by orders and prohibitions, and therefore we hope that the government resubmits the audiovisual law of the National Assembly for amendment to make it more acceptable. habibi.enta1@gmail.com KUWAIT CITY, March 21: The Court of Appeals upheld the verdict issued by the Court of First Instance which sentenced a Kuwaiti citizen to four-year imprisonment for beating his wife and causing a permanent disability. The court also obligated him to pay temporary compensation worth KD 5,001 to her. The Public Prosecution charged the man of beating his wife and causing the injuries mentioned in the medical report including breaking her hand, which resulted in ten percent loss of power in the body. Ex-speaker Sa adoun laments sharp rise in corruption index KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Former National Assembly speaker Ahmad Al-Sa adoun blames the government for the increasing level of corruption, attributing the situation to the government s inability to confront corruption, reports Al-Qabas daily. Al-Sa adoun said this during a symposium titled Governmental corruption, judiciary independence and lifting the citizenships organized by the Independent List at the headquarters of Kuwait Lawyers Society. He highlighted a report issued in 2003 about corruption in Kuwait which included a suggestion to rectify the situation, indicating that the report was referred to the Cabinet but the latter did not do anything regarding that report since then. Al-Sa adoun expressed his surprise over the statements issued by His Highness the Prime Minister, affirming that most of the senior officials have been appointed based on wasta. He said the current Parliament is Govt must do more to confront graft Double-disability comp ordered for son By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, March 21: The Commercial and Civil Circuit of the Court of First Instance presided over by Judge Yousef Al- Atari ordered Public Authority for the Disabled to pay monthly allowance to the plaintiff retroactively from May 2010 until the actual date of disbursement of allowance in 2016 according to the disability certificate. not different from the 2013 Parliament during the tenure of which all freedom-limiting laws were approved, adding that the 2013 parliament confronted enforcement of laws that protect state properties and public funds. In conclusion, Al-Sa adoun lamented about the recent hike in the level of corruption. Meanwhile, a member of the Parliament s Budget Committee MP Riyadh Al-Adsani said Kuwait s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is more than KD 600 billion. Indicating that he was informed by No injuries in car fire One dead, one hurt in mishap By Meshal Al-Sanousi Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, March 21: A 4WD vehicle toppled on Abdali Road resulting in the death of the driver and serious injuries to his passenger. According to security sources, when the Operations Room of Ministry of Interior received information about the accident, securitymen, firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the location. They discovered that two people were trapped inside the toppled 4WD and pulled them out only to realize that one of them had succumbed to serious injuries. His corpse was referred to the Forensics Department. The other victim who was barely alive was referred to Jahra Hospital where he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit. Securitymen removed the vehicle from the road and organized the traffic. Investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Car on fire: Fire broke out in a vehicle on Sixth Ring Road. No casualties were reported but material loss was incurred. According to sources, when the Control Room of Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) received information about the vehicle on fire, firefighters rushed to the location and extinguished the fire within a short time. The authority started disbursing monthly allowances to the plaintiff s disabled son from 2016 on the basis that the victim has been suffering from double physical disability and a simple permanent mental disability since the time he was born in However, the disability certificate issued by the authority states that the victim suffers from a severe permanent mental disability. Also, the authority had not registered the victim s disability from the date of birth. Lawyers Bushra Al-Hindal and Iman Al-Bloushi filed the lawsuit to demand the financial allowances that their client s son should receive from the day he was born according to the certificate issued by the authority, as the authority had avoided to do so retroactively. The court responded in favor of the plaintiff and ordered for the disbursement of the allowances from May 2010, the date of issuance of Law No. 8/2010 concerning people with special needs. a senior state official that Kuwait s SWF is KD 692 billion, he stressed that the time has come for people to know the true value of the SWF of their own country. Former MP who was part of the dissolved 2012 parliament Dr Obeid Al-Wasmi said he was astonished by the statement issued recently by His Highness the Prime Minister in which the latter expressed his displeasure over the widespread corruption in Kuwait. He clarified that the reason behind his astonishment is that such a statement was issued by a person holding a senior position. Dr Al-Wasmi said Kuwait has been witnessing deterioration in many fields including democratic development, quality of education and level of offered services. He pointed out some voices that respond to any criticism by comparing Kuwait to other countries, stressing, If a country suffers from political backwardness and other problems, it does not mean we must comparing ourselves with those countries, and forget about the rest of the countries.

8 LOCAL 8 Expat engineers can t renew visas without NOC from KES Competence test must for clearance: PAM A little Egret about to jump into the water to catch some fish (Ghazi Qaffaf KUNA) Cigarette smuggling foiled Kuwaiti, bedoun held for drugs use By Munaif Nayef Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Jahra securitymen arrested a Kuwaiti and a Bedoun in Naseem for drug consumption and possession of a bag containing shabu, heroin, weighing scale and drug paraphernalia. While patrolling the area, the officers got suspicious after noticing the unusual behavior of two persons inside a vehicle parked in the area. When the officers searched the suspects, they found the abovementioned items and realized the duo were under the influence of drugs. The suspects were referred to the Drug Control General Department. Cigarettes seized: Customs officers at the Nuwaiseeb border recently foiled the attempt of a GCC citizen to smuggle cartons of cigarettes out of the country, reports Al-Anba daily. The daily added, the cigarettes were confiscated and the passenger was allowed to resume his journey. Meanwhile, Ahmadi securitymen arrested a Kuwaiti in Fahad Al-Ahmad for performing car stunts, putting I Challenge You sticker on his Mustang, and removing the plate number of his vehicle. According to the securitymen, they found the citizen driving recklessly near a roundabout so they chased him and then referred him to the Traffic Department while his vehicle was impounded. Also, a Kuwaiti, born in 1974, was arrested for involvement in different financial cases as he failed to settle debts amounting to KD 16,000. He was referred to the concerned authority for legal action. KUWAIT CITY, March 21: The agreement that has been signed by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) and the Kuwait Engineers Society (KES), says expatriate engineers cannot renew their work permits without the no objection certificate (NOC) from the Kuwait Society of Engineers, reports Al-Anba daily quoting a reliable PAM source. The source said the NOC certificates are given to all engineers after they pass the competence test regardless of the date of entry into the country and years of work experience. The source said the technical procedure is part of the regulatory procedures adopted by PAM in the organization of technical professions. The source pointed out the efficiency test was adopted for many technical professions, in addition to KES and Lawyers and Medical societies. The sources say this method will be applied on all the specialized activities this year. Youth arrested: Personnel from the Criminal Evidences Department have identified and arrested several youths who pelted stones at a police patrol car to help a stuntman escape, when securitymen went to arrest him for violating traffic laws, reports Al-Anba daily. The incident happened in Sabahiya. The arrested youths have been referred to the concerned authorities. They are charged with damaging state property and preventing police to perform their duty. Woman swindled: A Kuwaiti woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, has filed a complaint with the Salhiya Police Station, accusing a Lebanese man of swindling her, reports Al-Rai daily. The suspect reportedly told the woman he is working for a interior décor company and offered his services to do work on her Italian restaurant and escaped with KD 4,500 advance. The woman said she called the man several times over the past four days but he did not reply. She then went looking for him according to the address mentioned on his visit card, but found no company of that name. Motorist nabbed: The Ahmadi police have arrested a reckless motorist for committing several traffic violations and endangering the lives of other road users, reports Al-Rai daily. The motorist was arrested for driving a car without a numbers plate. It has also been reported the suspect was going for a wedding ceremony and on his car was written Congratulations on your second marriage. It has been reported the suspect also refused police orders to stop and attempted to escape by stepping on the gas pedal. He was chased, arrested and taken to a police station. Hunt for thieves: Police are looking for a gang of thieves for breaking into 10 apartments from various residential buildings in Hawalli, reports Al- Rai daily. A security source said after the victims filed complaints with several police stations in Hawalli investigators discovered all the apartments were opened in similar fashion with the use of master key. Investigators also discovered the robbers chose their victims in a professional manner after studying their movements and after making sure there were no CCTV cameras installed in the buildings and there were no caretakers for the building. 94 join service : The head of the National Military Service in the Ministry of Defense Major General Ibrahim Al-Amiri said 94 conscripts of the 5,000 have joined the service, reports Al-Shahed daily. This, he said, is because a majority of them are either on scholarships or joined the university and/or applied education. He added, there are no exceptions except for those who have served in the army or the Ministry of Interior or the Fire Services Department. He went on to say someone who has the ability need not be excluded because the person can be absorbed in administrative work. 200 tyres stolen: Police are looking for unidentified persons for breaking into a farm in Sulaibiya and stealing 200 tyres belonging to a service company, reports Al-Anba daily. The thieves reportedly broke open lock on a container and escaped with the loot. Personnel from the Criminal Evidences Department have lifted fingerprints to identify the culprits. KUNA photo Kuwaiti Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Mohammad Khaled Al-Khuder Wednesday met with visiting US Chief of the Office of Military Cooperation Brigadier General San Clemente. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest, especially military ones, and ways of promoting and developing bilateral military relations, the Defense Ministry said in a press release. (KUNA) Municipality photo A Municipality bulldozer demolishes encroachments on State property. Expired foodstuff seized The Inspection Department of Public Authority for Food and Nutrition in Ahmadi Governorate launched a campaign in a number of shops in Fahaheel, south Kuwait selling food items, reports Court Cases Woman seeks damages Doc goes to criminal trial By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah Staff KUWAIT CITY, March 21: The Appellate Circuit of the Misdemeanor Court cancelled the decision issued by the Public Prosecution to set aside the case famously known on social media as the Liposuction Doctor Case. The court instead ordered the referral of the doctor for a criminal trial. According to the case file, a video clip was posted on social media which revealed the doctor, a cosmetic surgeon, showing the body parts of a female patient during a liposuction operation. The patient, through her lawyer Latifa Al-Yahyouh, filed a case, expressing her client s grievances in being exposed on social media where all sorts of mean comments were made in response, which in turn tarnished her honor and image as a result of the act of the doctor in shooting the video. News in Brief Revenues rise : Vice Board Chairman of the Public Utilities Management Company Anas Jawad Mirza announced that revenues of the company increased by 11.4 percent in 2017, reaching KD million compared to KD 8.6 million in 2016, reports Al-Qabas daily. Mirza disclosed this recently during the annual ordinary general assembly of the company where the meeting recorded 100 percent attendance. He said the net profit in the year 2017 was valued at KD 4.7 million as compared to KD 4.5 million achieved in The shareholder dividends increased by percent, which came to about KD million compared to KD million in the previous year. Mirza indicated that the projects managed by the company included 12 multi-storey car park buildings and 31 open parking lots, as well as many markets, open spaces, expatriate labor city in Subhan, expatriate labor city in Shaddadiya, and eight service centers. He pledged that the company will continue with its aggressive expansion policy by completing several projects in the nearest future. Al-Seyassah daily. The campaign resulted in the destruction of 15 kg of expired food items and issuance of many citations for non-compliance to relevant regulations and conditions. She said her client never agreed to have such a video broadcasted on social media. The prosecution summoned the doctor and conducted investigations with him but it issued a decision to set aside the complaint due to lack of incriminating justifications, based on the victim s signature on the contract of the hospital which states in one of its provisions that the hospital has the right to record the operation. The Prosecution s decision did not sit well with the victim, so she filed the case through her lawyer. The court said the Prosecution erred in issuing the decision because the contract says the hospital has the right to record operations for scientific purposes and studies which is legally allowed. However, it does not say the hospital has the right to publish the video on social media to defame and tarnish the image of patients. The court found the prosecution s decision in violation of the relevant laws. Sahar Don t feed cats! In a strange incident that happened at the Ministry of Information one of the female announcers, identified as Sahar Bseiso, was shocked when the Security and Safety Department staff warned her not to feed the stray cats near the gate of the ministry, reports Al-Anba daily. The daily added, the security staff informed her that many of her colleagues had filed a complaint against her for feeding the cats at the ministry gate. The announcer was informed her colleagues suffer from ailurophobia (extreme or irrational fear of cats) and that she should stop feeding the cats to prevent them from coming near the gate.

9 INTERNATIONAL 9 World News Roundup The White House is reflected in a water puddle during a Spring snow storm, on March 21, in Washington. The coming spring nor easter caused the federal government to close its offices in the Washington area. (AP) Bombings End to 3-week manhunt Texas bomb suspect blows self up as SWAT moves in ROUND ROCK, Texas, March 21, (Agencies): The suspect in the deadly bombings that terrorized Austin blew himself up early Wednesday as authorities closed in on him, bringing a grisly end to a three-week manhunt. But police warned that more b o m b s could be out there. The susp e c t s motive remained a mystery, along with whether he acted alone in the five bombings in the Texas Conditt capital and suburban San Antonio that killed two people and wounded four others. Police zeroed in on the 24-year-old man in the last 24 to 36 hours and located his vehicle at a hotel on Interstate 35 in the suburb of Round Rock. Officers were waiting for armored vehicles to arrive before moving in for an arrest when his vehicle began to drive away, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said at a news conference. Authorities followed the vehicle, which ran into a ditch on the side of the road, he said. When members of the SWAT team approached, the suspect detonated an explosive device inside the vehicle, the police chief said. The blast knocked one officer back, and a second officer fired his weapon, Manley said. A law enforcement official identified the dead man as Mark Anthony Conditt. The official, who has been briefed on the investigation, spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss the case publicly. Suspect Authorities released few details about the suspect, except his age and that he was white. But online postings indicate he was home schooled. He later attended Austin Community College from 2010 to 2012, according to a college spokeswoman, but he did not graduate. A blogger who identified himself as Mark Conditt of Pflugerville described his interests as cycling, tennis and listening to music. In blogs dated from 2012, he wrote that gay marriage should be illegal and called for the elimination of sex offender registrations. The mayor of Pflugerville, an Austin suburb not far from the site of the first of four bombings, said the suspect lived in his city, just two blocks from his house. Pflugerville resident Jay Schulze said he was jogging Tuesday night when he was stopped by police and asked about the bombings. He said police flew drones over a home for about six hours between Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning. He described the home over which the drones were flying as a weird house with a lot of people coming and going and a bit rundown. Austin was hit with four package bombings starting on March 2. A fifth parcel bomb went off early Tuesday at a FedEx distribution center near San Antonio. Citing a high-ranking law enforcement official, the Austin American-Statesman reported that authorities had identified the suspect based largely on information, including security video, gleaned after he sent an explosive device from an Austin-area FedEx store. Police warned Wednesday of the possibility that more bombs had yet to be found. We don t know where this suspect has spent his last 24 hours, and therefore we still need to remain vigilant to ensure that no other packages or devices have been left to the community, Manley said. Victims Authorities initially believed the bombings may have been hate crimes because the victims of the earliest blasts were black, but they backed off that theory after Hispanic and white victims from different parts of the city were also affected. Fred Milanowski, an agent with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said it was hard to say if the bombing suspect had acted alone. What we do know is we believe the same person built each one of these devices, said Milanowski, the agent in charge of the Houston division of the ATF. Asked if the suspect built bombs before the Austin attacks, Milanowski said: We know when he bought some of the components. It s hard to say whether he was building along the way. Austin Mayor Steve Adler thanked law enforcement for their work in bringing down the suspect and urged residents to continue to report anything that appeared suspicious or out of place. Isaac Figueroa, 26, said he and his brother heard sirens and helicopters early Wednesday in the area and drove toward them, then cut through nearby woods on foot after they hit a police roadblock. Figueroa said they saw a silver or gray Jeep Cherokee that was pinned between black and white vehicles and looked like it had been rammed off the road. He said he saw police deploy a robot to go examine the Jeep. This March 18, photo provided by Meghan McCain show Meghan McCain and her father US Sen John McCain in Sedona, Ariz. Meghan McCain has posted the photo on social media of her with her father, saying there s no place I would rather be. (AP) Trump America Al-Alwi Trump rails against sanctuaries: President Donald Trump convened some of the nation s top law enforcement officials Tuesday to rail against so-called sanctuary cities as he continues his crackdown on jurisdictions that flout federal immigration laws. He accused cities that fail to cooperate with immigration authorities of putting the nation at risk by releasing thousands of criminal aliens who should be deported. In many cases they are very bad actors. We have gang members, we have predators, rapists, killers a lot of bad people, he said. Trump s latest immigration salvos came as negotiators on Capitol Hill tried to hash out a government-wide spending bill that appears increasingly unlikely to include big money for the president s promised border wall. Trump and his Justice Department have stepped up their pressure campaign against jurisdictions that resist federal immigration laws, threatening to deny them federal grant money. (AP) Iranian held over alleged $115m scheme: An Iranian who chairs a Maltese bank has been arrested on US charges that he participated in a scheme to evade US sanctions and funnel more than $115 million paid under a Venezuelan construction contract through the US financial system, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday. Ali Sadr Hashemi Nejad, 38, was charged in a six-count indictment filed in federal court in Manhattan accusing him of a role in a scheme to evade US economic sanctions against Iran, prosecutors said. Sadr, chairman of Maltese-registered Pilatus Bank, was arrested on Monday in Dulles, Virginia, according to court papers. A lawyer for Sadr declined comment. (RTRS) Yemeni seeks Gitmo release: Lawyers for a longtime Guantanamo Bay detainee asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to intervene after the Trump administration disregarded a review board s decision clearing him for release. Moath al-alwi has been held in Guantanamo for more than 16 years without charges. The Yemeni native was captured in Pakistan and originally believed to have been a bodyguard for Osama Bin Laden. Authorities later concluded he was a low-level cadre and may not have engaged in combat. A ruling by the three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals in Washington ordering al-alwi s release could set a precedent for how some of the remaining 41 men held in Guantanamo Bay are handled. Al-Alwi s lawyer, Ramzi Kassem, said four other detainees have also been cleared for Budget $1.3 trillion bill soon to be unveiled $380m for election security WASHINGTON, March 21, (Agencies): Lawmakers have included nearly $400 million in a massive federal government spending bill to help safeguard US voting systems from cyber attacks, three sources familiar with negotiations said on Wednesday. The spending package, expected to be publicly unveiled on Wednesday, includes $380 million to provide states with grants that would help them purchase more secure voting machines and improve election cyber security training. If adopted, the funding will represent the first concrete steps from Congress to bolster election security following a 2016 presidential campaign marred by allegations of Russian meddling. The spending bill also includes a $307 million increase over the Trump administration s request for the FBI s budget for counterintelligence efforts to fight Russian cyber attacks this year, according to a summary of the bill seen by Reuters. Americans vote in November in midterm elections, which US intelligence officials have repeatedly warned in recent weeks could be targeted by Russia or others seeking to disrupt the process. It was not immediately clear when the funding would be made available or if it would be delivered in time to make a difference for states ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Republican Senator Richard Burr said on Wednesday the need for improved election security is urgent but that it may already be too late to make a difference for the 2020 presidential election. Votes The Department of Homeland Security said last year that 21 of the 50 states had experienced initial probing of their election systems from Russian hackers in 2016 and that a small number of networks were compromised. It said there id no evidence any votes were actually altered. State election officials repeatedly have said more federal funding would help them better protect systems from hackers. Despite inaction from Congress, nearly all states have taken at least some steps. Nearly all states have taken at least some steps to purchase more secure equipment, expand the use of paper ballots, improve cyber training or seek federal assistance, according to groups that track election security. In related news, negotiators on a $1.3 trillion government spending bill officially dropped protections for so-called Dreamer immigrants and gave President Donald Trump only a partial victory on round of funding for his US-Mexico border wall as talks entered the final stage on Wednesday. GOP aides said that Trump would win $1.6 billion for border wall and physical barriers along the border, which would construct older release by the Periodic Review Board but have languished in Guantanamo under the Trump administration. (AP) Officer s response praised: In the latest school shooting in America, the gunfire was over and done with in less than a minute. This time, the shooter, a 17-year-old student, was killed. Authorities said a 16-year-old girl who had some type of relationship with the shooter was critically wounded, and a 14-year-old boy also was wounded. The school resource officer who responded inside of 60 seconds and fired off a shot at the attacker was praised as a hero. (AP) wall designs and repair existing segments. But Trump would be denied a more recent, far larger $25 billion request for multi-year funding for the wall project. Democrats said just $641 million would go to new segments of fencing and walls that double as levees. Negotiators planned to officially unveil the massive government-wide spending bill later in the day in hopes of passing it before a Friday midnight deadline to avoid a government shutdown. A temporary funding bill to keep operations going this weekend might be required. The top four leaders of both House and Senate met Wednesday morning to try to seal the agreement. Budget The bill would give Trump a huge budget increase for the military, while Democrats would cement wins on infrastructure and other domestic programs that they failed to get under President Barack Obama. It funds a 2.4 percent pay raise for military personnel touted by Republicans. The aides required anonymity because the agreement is not yet public. Battles over budget priorities in the huge bill were all settled, while a handful of nonbudget issues remained, including a GOP effort to fix a poorly drafted section of the recent tax cut law that is harming Midwestern grain companies. As expected, the measure won t renew protections for young Dreamer immigrants facing possible deportation. It also won t provide subsidies to insurers who cut costs for lowearning customers. And it won t have federal payments to carriers to help them afford to cover their costliest clients. Another fight would remove an earmark protecting money for a rail tunnel under the Hudson River that s a top priority of Trump s most powerful Democratic rival, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The project would remain eligible for funding, however, and a Schumer aide said the project was likely to win well more than half of the $900 million sought for Gateway this year under rules governing various Department of Transportation accounts. The measure on the table would provide major funding increases for the Pentagon $80 billion over current limits bringing the military budget to $700 billion and giving GOP defense hawks a long-sought victory. We made a promise to the country that we would rebuild our military. Aging equipment, personnel shortages, training lapses, maintenance lapses all of this has cost us, said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. With this week s critical funding bill we will begin to reverse that damage. Domestic accounts would get a generous 10 percent increase on average as well, awarding Democrats the sort of spending increases they sought but never secured during the Obama administration.

10 INTERNATIONAL 10 World News Roundup Britain s Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she arrives for a visit to the Royal Academy of Arts, in London, on March 20. The Royal Academy of Arts has completed a major redevelopment of its galleries for the academy s 250th anniversary year. (AP) Europe EU demands unilateral power: European Union governments will insist on their unilateral control over whether and how British banks can operate in the bloc after Brexit, ministers will agree on Tuesday ahead of their leaders summit on Friday. According to a draft seen by Reuters, ministers preparing the EU s joint negotiating stance for talks with London on their future ties will say that British financial services companies can benefit from reviewed and improved equivalence mechanisms. That underlines that the City of London s hopes to continue a much closer relationship similar to their passport rights to operate across the bloc will not be met by EU negotiators. The two sides will start talks on the future trading relationship next month, once EU leaders endorse the negotiating guidelines at Friday s summit. The guidelines include language underlining that access for British-registered firms will be subject to ensuring financial stability and the existing legal structures of the EU. They also say the two sides should aim for free trade in services. The text makes clear that would work on existing equivalence rules for Britain s big financial services industry, allowing non-eu firms to operate in certain sectors where their supervision regime is judged by the EU to be equivalent to that of the bloc itself. In a sign of how the move to a second phase of talks dealing with future trade will test the unity seen among the other 27 states so far, Luxembourg, home to operations for many London-based fund operators, has been pressing for the EU to be generous to British-registered firms. It argues that hurting London risks driving European business to New York or Asia. (RTRS) Migrant influx won t recur: German Chancellor Angela Merkel is renewing a promise that the huge migrant influx of 2015 won t be repeated as she embarks on her fourth term. Merkel acknowledged in her first speech to parliament since being sworn in last week that the debate about migration has divided and polarized our country to this day. She said Wednesday that Germany, which allowed in over a million migrants in 2015 and 2016, can be proud. But she added: Of course, it s also the case that this was an exceptional humanitarian situation. And such a humanitarian situation should and must not be repeated. Merkel said a 2016 agreement with Turkey, aimed at curbing migrant arrivals and the activities of smugglers, has many opponents, but she will always defend it. (AP) Trump congratulates Putin: US President Donald Trump congratulated Vladimir Putin Tuesday on his re-election, as the leaders raised the prospect of a summit in the near future while sidestepping both the issue of election meddling and a spy attack that has rocked Moscow s relations with the West. Trump told reporters at the White House he had spoken with Putin, two days after the Russian strongman sailed to a fourth term as president, and with ties strained by the Cold War-style intrigue over the poisoning of an exspy in Britain. I had a call with President Putin and congratulated him on his electoral victory, the US leader said. The call had to do also with the fact that we will probably get together in the not-too-distant future, he added. In calling Putin, Trump ignored explicit advice from his national security advisers not to do so, The Washington Post reported, quoting officials familiar with the call. (AFP) Espionage Envoy skips spy briefing Lavrov threatens to hit back at Britain TOKYO, March 21, (AFP): Russia s foreign minister threatened Wednesday to retaliate against Britain for anti-russian measures, with the two countries at loggerheads over the poisoning of a spy in southern England. Speaking after a meeting with Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, Sergei Lavrov said: If the British government Lavrov continues taking some anti-russian measures, we will hit back under the principle of reciprocity. Lavrov urged the British government to respond calmly over the March 4 attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, who remain in critical condition. Overall, there is no doubt that the British leadership has knowingly chosen to undermine the British-Russian relationship, said the minister. Britain says only Russia had the capability, motive and intent to launch the attack, which used the nerve agent Novichok reportedly developed by the former Soviet Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed allegations of Moscow s responsibility as nonsense. Britain reacted by expelling 23 Russian diplomats and their families -- around 80 people in total -- and has also cut off highlevel contacts. A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said London was actively considering other measures. On Tuesday, the head of the OPCW chemical watchdog said it would take two to three weeks to complete laboratory analysis of samples taken from the poisoning. The affair has further damaged Russia s already shaky relations with many Western countries. Solidarity The EU has expressed its solidarity with Britain and leaders at a summit later this week will agree to coordinate on the consequences for Russia, according to a draft statement seen by AFP. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis suggested on Tuesday that Moscow s suspected involvement shows Russia has chosen to be a strategic competitor. In related news, the Kremlin said on Wednesday that a decision by the British ambassador to skip a Russian briefing on the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain showed London was unwilling to listen to Moscow s side of the story. The nerve agent attack in England has plunged ties between London and Moscow into their worst crisis since the Cold War. Britain has blamed Russia for the attack, something Moscow denies, and both have expelled diplomats in the standoff. A British embassy spokesman said on Wednesday that the UK ambassador, Laurie Bristow, would not attend the briefing with arms controls experts at the Russian Foreign Ministry, but that London was considering sending someone else. It s another vivid example of the absurd situation when questions are asked and an unwillingness to hear even any answers is demonstrated, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. Russia, which has so far refused to explain how Novichok, a nerve agent first developed by the Soviet military, was used to strike down Skripal, had invited foreign ambassadors to attend the briefing later on Wednesday to discuss the case. It was unclear who, if anyone, Britain would send. The ambassador will not attend and we are considering whether to send a representative at working level, a British embassy spokesman said. Russian news agencies reported that other ambassadors, including that of the United States and France, would not attend either. Moscow on Wednesday said Britain either failed to protect a Russian national from what it termed a terrorist attack or was itself behind the poisoning of a former double agent and his daughter in England. The accusation came as Russia faces huge pressure from Britain and its allies to explain how Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in the city of Salisbury earlier this month with a nerve agent the UK says is Soviet-designed. The deepening diplomatic crisis has seen Britain throw out 23 Russian diplomats, prompting a tit-for-tat response from Moscow.

11 INTERNATIONAL 11 North Korea Finland meet constructive Moon says 3-way summit possible SEOUL, March 21, (Agencies): South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday a threeway summit with North Korea and the United States is possible and that talks should aim for an end to the nuclear threat on the Korean peninsula. Moon is planning a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next month after a flurry of diplomatic activity in Asia, Europe and the United States. US President Donald Trump has also said he would meet Kim by the end of May. A North Korea-US summit would be a historic event in itself following an inter-korean summit, Moon said at the presidential Blue House in Seoul after a preparatory meeting for the inter-korean summit. Depending on the location, it could be even more dramatic. And depending on progress, it may lead to a three-way summit between the South, North and the United States, he said. Seoul officials are considering the border truce village of Panmunjom, where Moon Kim and Kim are set for a oneday meeting, as the venue for talks between not only Kim and Moon but also a possible three-way meeting. A Blue House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Moon did not specifically refer to Panmunjom or that a three-way summit had been discussed with Washington before the president spoke. The rush of recent diplomatic contacts began in the lead-up to the Winter Olympics in South Korea last month and helped ease tensions on the Korean peninsula caused by North Korea s pursuit of its nuclear and missile programmes in defiance of United Nations Security Council sanctions. South Korea wants to hold high-level talks with North Korea on March 29 to discuss a date and agenda for the inter-korean summit and make a formal request to the North on Thursday, Moon s presidential office said. Summit North and South Korean officials should be able to agree on when the summit between Moon and Kim will take place once the officials from both sides meet this month, the Blue House official said. Moon said the series of summits should aim for a complete end to the nuclear and peace issues on the Korean peninsula. He said he has a clear goal and vision, which is for the establishment of a lasting peace to replace the ceasefire signed at the end of the Korean war. It also includes the normalisation of North Korea-US relations, the development of inter-korean ties, and economic cooperation involving Pyongyang and Washington, he said. However, the United States must also add its guarantee in order for peace to come about, Moon said. Meanwhile, North Korea has broken its silence on the diplomatic thaw with Washington and Seoul, saying it is driving the peace offensive and rejecting suggestions that sanctions forced it to the negotiating table. The commentary from the state-run KCNA news agency came with a rapid rapprochement on the Korean peninsula under way, after a period of heightened tensions stoked by missile and nuclear tests. In order to prepare an inter-korean summit scheduled for late April, South Korea on Wednesday proposed holding high-level talks with the North next week to discuss details including the summit s dates and agenda. Arrange But as diplomats scurry to arrange the North- South talks and a mooted face-to-face meet between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un the North s silence had raised concerns over its intentions. The KCNA commentary late Tuesday did not directly mention the summits but noted the dramatic atmosphere for reconciliation with the South and a sign of change with the US. It said Pyongyang s overtures came from a position of strength, not from weakness, even as it confronts intense international pressure as well as biting economic sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme. The dialogue peace offensive of the DPRK is an expression of self-confidence as it has acquired everything it desires, it said, using the North s official name. It also slammed hawks in Washington, Seoul and Tokyo for questioning the sincerity and motivation behind the North s willingness to step back from the brink. Such rubbish as result of sanctions and pressure... spread by hostile forces is just as meaningless as a dog barking at the moon, it said, urging prudence for all parties involved. In related news, informal talks held in Finland between North Korean, South Korean and US delegates ended on Wednesday, the Finnish foreign ministry said, describing the talks as constructive. Some 18 delegates from the three countries, including Choe Kang Il, a deputy director general for North American affairs at North Korea s foreign ministry, came to Finland earlier this week for a track 2 conference amid a series of diplomatic encounters ahead of a possible US-North Korean summit. This meeting was one of a series of academic sessions over many years that have explored approaches to building confidence and reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Director General Kimmo Lahdevirta from the Finnish foreign ministry told reporters in front of a government manor out of town in which the delegates had been secluded for two days. In this March 20 photo provided by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), Mindoro Occidental, rescuers and volunteers try to rescue trapped passengers from the wreckage of the passenger bus after it careened off a road and fell into a ravine at Sablayan township, Mindoro Occidental province in central Philippines, south of Manila. (AP) 19 dead as bus plunges off Philippine cliff Nineteen people were killed and 21 others injured when a bus veered off the road and plunged down a ravine in the central Philippines, police said Wednesday. The bus was heading to the capital Manila when it crashed through the railing of a bridge on Mindoro island late Tuesday, said regional police spokeswoman Imelda Tolentino. The survivors said the driver lost control of the vehicle and that is why it fell, she told AFP. Police are investigating why the driver lost control whether there was mechanical trouble or the driver fell asleep, she said. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano (left), passes on a hand-written letter from President Rodrigo Duterte to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minster and State Counselor Wang Yi (right), on March 21, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China. (AP) Xi Asia Htin Taiwan shadows China carrier group: Taiwan has sent ships and aircraft to shadow a Chinese aircraft carrier group through the narrow Taiwan Strait, its defence ministry said on Wednesday, after Chinese President Xi Jinping offered his strongest warning against Taiwan separatism to date. China claims Taiwan as its sacred territory and considers the self-ruled island a wayward province, which Xi said on Tuesday would face the punishment of history for any attempt at separatism. Taiwan s defence ministry said the carrier group, led by China s sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, entered the waterway late on Tuesday, but kept on its western side. By midday on Wednesday it had left Taiwan s air defence identification zone heading southwest, the ministry said, adding it looked like China was conducting drills. Taiwan s military sent ships and aircraft to shadow the carrier group the entire way, but spotted nothing out of the ordinary and people in Taiwan should not be concerned, it added. China s Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (RTRS) Myanmar s president retires: Myanmar s president, a close friend of leader Aung San Suu Kyi, said Wednesday that he was retiring, a move that puts a representative of the country s already powerful military at least temporarily in a position of executive power. An announcement posted on the Facebook page of the Myanmar President Office said 71-year-old Htin Kyaw would step down because he wished to take a rest. It follows reports that he suffered ill health that forced him to travel abroad for medical care at least twice in the past year. The statement said his post would be filled within seven working days, in line with the constitution. Htin Kyaw, who became president in 2016, was Myanmar s first elected civilian president and head of its first government to be elected in free and fair polls since a 1962 military coup. (AP) S pore OKs attack blackout law: Singapore s parliament Wednesday passed a controversial law giving authorities the power to block all electronic communica- The bus driver was among the deceased, she added. Police photos showed rescue workers clambering down the cliff to reach the bus, which lay on its side amongst trees and grass about 15 metres (49 feet) below the road. The accident occurred near Sablayan town, which is about 195 kilometres (121 miles) south of Manila. Road accidents are common in the Philippines, where inadequately maintained buses and poorly trained drivers form the backbone of land transport options. In 2010, 41 people died, including fi ve foreigners, China tions at the scene of a terror attack, despite protests it will erode media freedom. The law allows police to stop anyone within the vicinity of what they deem to be a serious incident, including a terror attack, from taking photos and video or communicating about police operations through text and audio messages. The government says the affluent financial hub is a prime target for militants, and that during attacks elsewhere live broadcasts unwittingly helped attackers to anticipate moves against them. (AFP) Obama in New Zealand: Former president Barack Obama arrived Wednesday for a three-day visit to New Zealand, where he ll speak with community leaders, meet the prime minister and play golf. The sessions will be closed to the public and media except for an official welcome ceremony Thursday. Obama does not plan to answer questions from reporters. Former presidents often choose to keep a relatively low public profile to avoid undermining sitting presidents. Still, the lack of public engagement has frustrated some in New Zealand, who are eager to hear Obama s thoughts on his time in the White House and the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump. Obama said in a statement that he had long wanted to visit the South Pacific nation, given its close friendship with the US Ḟormer New Zealand prime minister John Key helped organize the visit. Key said he d formed a good relationship with Obama after eight years together at events like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. The pair also golfed together in Hawaii. (AP) when a packed bus plunged into a deep ravine in the northern Philippines. Another 31 people perished in a bus crash in the country s north in April last year while 20 were killed when two buses collided in the north in December. Public transport regulators on Wednesday suspended the bus company involved in the Mindoro crash and said they would be inspecting its facilities. Senator Grace Poe took aim at the nation s regulation system, saying vehicles that are not roadworthy or even those we label as rolling coffins are still allowed to ply the roads with near impunity. (AFP) Modi, Xi ready to improve bilateral ties Prudent joint oil exploration sought BEIJING, March 21, (RTRS): China will prudently advance cooperation with the Philippines on joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, China s top diplomat State Councillor Wang Yi said on Wednesday after meeting his Philippine counterpart. Any potential deals between Manila and Beijing on energy exploration in the disputed waterway should be agreed with a company and not the Chinese government, a senior Philippine official said earlier this month. China claims most of the South China Sea, a key trade route and home to areas that are believed to hold large quantities of oil and natural gas. Along with China, parts of the South China Sea are subject to competing claims from Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. The two countries in February agreed to set up a special panel to work out how they can jointly explore offshore oil and gas in areas both sides claim, without needing to address the touchy issue of sovereignty. Speaking to reporters in Beijing after meeting Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Wang said the South China Sea will be turned into a source of friendship and cooperation. We will enhance maritime dialogue and pursue equal footed and friendly consultation and in a prudent and steady way advance cooperation on offshore oil and gas exploration, Wang said, without giving details. However, pursuing a joint project would be extremely complex and sensitive, as sharing oil and gas reserves Obama could be seen as endorsing the other countries claims. The Philippines and China are finding a common legal framework to conduct joint exploration and surveys. And with our discussions today I m confident that we will find a suitable legal framework for our differences, Cayetano said. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has said China has proposed joint exploration that was like co-ownership and better than the two fighting over it. The Philippines suspended exploration in the Reed Bank in 2014 to pursue a legal challenge to China s territorial claims. Included in a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague was a clarification of Manila s sovereign right to access offshore oil and gas fields, including the Reed Bank, within its 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone. The Philippines, China s CNOOC Ltd and state-owned PetroVietnam jointly surveyed the Reed Bank from 2003 to The Philippines ties with China have warmed under Duterte, who has put aside territorial disputes in exchange for trade opportunities and pledged financing for infrastructure projects. Cayetano said Duterte would visit China next month to attend an economic forum on the southern island province of Hainan and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. India and China agreed to consult each other on regional and international issues, the Indian side said after a phone call on Tuesday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Relations between the two countries have been tense since last year after their troops faced off on a disputed part of their border. On Tuesday Modi called Xi to congratulate him on his re-election. The two leaders agreed that as two major powers growing rapidly, bilateral relations between India and China are vital for the realization of 21st Century as Asian Century, Modi s office said in a statement. Hundreds of troops were deployed in 2017 on the Doklam plateau, near the borders of India, its ally Bhutan, and China after New Delhi objected to Chinese construction of a road through the mountainous area in their most serious standoff in years. China is consolidating film, news and publishing regulation under the powerful Communist Party publicity department, strengthening Beijing s grip over content as the country looks to bolster its soft power domestically and overseas. The media shake-up, reported by Reuters on Wednesday and confirmed by the official Xinhua news agency, signals tighter media control amid a broad crackdown on news, online content and film that goes against Party values under President Xi Jinping. The shift also comes as China looks to merge ministries and create new regulators overseeing matters from banking to food safety in the biggest government shake-up in years.

12 INTERNATIONAL 12 World News Roundup Pakistan Fugitive cop surrenders Fate of disappeared stirs Pashtun anger ISLAMABAD, March 21, (RTRS): When Mohammad Ayub Khan heard his nephew had been picked up by Pakistani security officials in Karachi, it brought back painful memories of another nephew who had gone missing in similar circumstances years before. Khan, an ethnic Pashtun, says he had been calling at army and police offices seeking news of Haji Akbar since his nephew was ordered off a bus by uniformed soldiers seven years ago during a security alert in the northern Swat Valley. Then last year his second nephew, rickshaw driver Abu Ghurera, was detained by plainclothes men as he waited for a fare in the country s biggest city, according to witnesses. I have knocked on every door but have not gotten any answers, said Khan, who blames government security agencies for both men s disappearances. Tell us where our children are so we know if they are alive. And if they are dead, at least return their bodies. Mehsud Rights groups say such cases have been common for the past decade. But the simmering resentment of the Pashtun community boiled over in January, when a young Pashtun man was gunned down by police in Karachi in an incident an inquiry has since ruled to be an extrajudicial killing. The killing, initially described by police as a shoot-out with terrorist suspects, sparked peaceful protests across the country by members of the 30 million-strong Pashtun community, who say hundreds of their young men have been disappeared. The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), which organised the protests, has compiled a list of approximately 1,200 missing persons after speaking to families. A preliminary list of 315 names has been seen by Reuters. Relatives of 20 of those listed were contacted and confirmed their family member was missing. Amnesty International said on Monday that a UN working group on enforced disappearances had 700 pending cases from Pakistan and urged the authorities to do more to resolve them. PTM leaders say stories of Pashtun disappearances have been largely ignored until now, especially ordeals suffered by families from the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, including thousands who moved to major cities to escape a near-decade long insurgency by Islamist militants. The Pakistan Army s public relations department did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the military has in the past said it does not detain individuals without evidence. Pakistan s Ministry of Interior did not respond to requests for comment. Many relatives, including Khan, say they had been too scared to speak up, fearing security forces would act against them and their remaining family members. But protest leaders say that changed with the January killing of Naqibullah Mehsud in Karachi, and the demonstrations that followed that swelled to several thousand strong. Naqib s blood has given the rest of us a voice, said Alam Zeb Khan, one of the protest organizers. Pashtuns say that the insurgency raging in their homeland has led security forces to treat them all as potential militants. The killing of Mehsud, an aspiring fashion model, received nationwide attention because his widely shared social media profile, laden with pictures of him posing in fashionable clothes, cast doubt on police assertions that he was a violent Islamist. Responsible A police committee of inquiry has since ordered the arrest of the officers responsible for his death and termed the incident an extrajudicial killing. Meanwhile, the January protests snowballed, with demonstrators camping out in the capital Islamabad, denouncing the disappearance and extrajudicial killings of young Pashtuns. Several of the Pashtun protest organisers say they have been activists since their teens. We have to grow up early. It s because of the lives we are born into, Alam Zeb said. Student activist Manzoor Pashteen, 26, says he has waited years for this moment. Last year he was organising small 100-person protests in the northern town of Dera Ismail Khan, where he has lived since leaving conflict-ridden South Waziristan to pursue an education in On March 15, Pakistani authorities filed a case against Pashteen for provocation with intent to cause riot, carrying a maximum sentence of five years. I am angry because I am asking for my constitutional rights from the government, Pashteen told Reuters. And the state calls me treacherous. A senior police official said a case had been lodged against Pashteen over anti-state comments he made during the protests. In 2009, the army launched an offensive against the Pakistani Taleban in South Waziristan. The war reduced entire villages to rubble and turned nearly a million people into internal refugees. The leadership of the Pakistani Taleban hails from the region and the group controlled large swathes of territory in both South and North Waziristan until they were pushed out by the military in separate operations in 2009 and Also: KARACHI: A senior Pakistani policeman accused of a role in police killings surrendered to the Supreme Court on Wednesday after two months on the run, media said, in a case that has stirred anger about extra-judicial killings. Rao Anwar, senior superintendent of police in the port city of Karachi, was suspended on January 20 after four men were killed in a shoot-out with police. Police initially said the men were suspected Islamist militants but later suggested the incident may have been an extra-judicial killing. The shoot-out, in which police gunned down aspiring model Naqibullah Mehsud, has also brought to the fore the issue of racial profiling of Pakistan s Pashtuns, who say they are targeted and harassed because many militants hail from their communities close to the border with Afghanistan. Take Rao Anwar into custody, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar ordered police after Anwar appeared in court, the English-language Dawn newspaper said. In this photograph taken on March 15, Artiords co-founder and president Omaid Sharifi looks at paintings during an interview with AFP in Kabul. (AFP) Afghan street artists haunt warlords with graffiti campaign For days Hamida Barmaki s smiling face stared out over traffic in Kabul, painted in a towering mural near the home of the warlord blamed for her death, until it was mysteriously covered over in white. The short-lived image on a concrete blast wall marked the beginning of a provocative campaign by social activist group ArtLords, whose artists are calling out Afghanistan s most powerful by Subcontinent Pakistan bans TV host: Pakistan s supreme court has banned a TV host from appearing on-air for three months over his false report that the rape and murder of a young girl was linked to an international network for child pornography. Shahid Masood was also ordered on Tuesday to publish a written apology for his January report on the rape and murder of seven-year-old Zainab Ansari, a case that stirred national outrage. Masood had reported that her killer had 37 foreign bank accounts, a claim that was dismissed by investigators. Pakistani authorities appear to have taken the rare step of ordering an anchorman off the air because of sensitivities surrounding the killing. (AP) Gayoom charged with terrorism: Maldivian authorities have charged former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and several senior judges with terrorism for attempting to topple President Abdulla Yameen, the government said Wednesday. Eighty-year-old Gayoom and ten others including the sacked chief justice Abdulla Saeed were charged under state of emergency laws imposed in the paradise tourist island last month. Yameen declared the draconian laws in February in a bid to prevent himself from being impeached by the national parliament after he lost his majority following a Supreme Court ruling. (AFP) Afghanistan depicting people killed by warlords in giant murals in public places. They have been threatened on social media, branded infidels and told by gunmen and mullahs to stop painting but are unrepentant. This was a warning shot to everyone that we will not let you sleep at night, we will come after you, we will paint in front of your homes, ArtLords co-founder and president Omaid Sharifi told AFP at his studio in the Afghan capital. Rather than seek justice for the countless victims something that is not realistic given the huge number of them and the country s weak judicial system - the group hopes to pressure warlords to acknowledge their past actions and apologise, said Sharifi, 31. Barmaki s portrait was near the home of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, one of the most notorious warlords in Afghanistan s history. His group claimed involvement in the 2011 suicide attack on a Kabul supermarket that killed Barmaki a prominent law professor and human rights activist as well as her husband and their four children. The Taleban also claimed responsibility for the attack. Conflicting claims have long been a feature of the 16-year war. (AFP) Ghani condemns attack as crime against humanity IS suicide bomber kills 26 KABUL, March 21, (AFP): A suicide bomber on Wednesday killed at least 26 people, many of them teenagers, after detonating a device among a crowd of people in Kabul who were celebrating the Persian new year holiday, officials said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the deadly attack the fifth suicide bombing in the Afghan capital in recent weeks via its propaganda arm Amaq, SITE Intelligence Group said. The Taleban earlier denied involvement on Twitter. Another 18 people were wounded in the blast, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said, all of them civilians. There were fears the figure could rise, however, with the health ministry giving a higher toll of 29 people killed and 52 wounded. Afghan officials often give conflicting tolls in the wake of attacks. The bomber, who was on foot, detonated his device in front of Kabul University and a hospital that was opposite, Rahimi said. The blast occurred less than 200 metres from Karte Sakhi shrine where many Afghans gather every year to mark Nawrooz, which is the traditional Persian new year holiday but had been unable to reach it due to heavy security for the holiday. So he detonated himself among teenagers returning from there, Kabul police chief Mohammad Daud Amin told Tolo News. Bloodstains could be seen among scattered belongings on the road at the site of the attack. A man who was standing metres from where the explosion happened told Tolo that he saw at least four bodies in blood on the ground. IS has attacked the same shrine once before, in October 2016 when gunmen killed 18 people gathered to mark Ashura, an important date for many Muslims, especially Shiites. President Ashraf Ghani, whose government has been repeatedly lambasted for its inability to protect its citizens, condemned the attack in a statement as a crime against humanity. Taleban and Islamic State militants have increasingly targeted the warweary city in recent months as US and Afghan forces ramp up air strikes and ground offensives against the groups. Wednesday s blast comes days after a Taleban suicide attacker blew up a bomb-laden car in Kabul, causing multiple casualties. Some Western and Afghan security experts believe the Haqqani Network, a hard-line wing of the Taleban, has been behind some of the attacks in Kabul in recent months, including those claimed by IS. The Taleban, Afghanistan s largest militant group, faces growing pressure to take up a recent offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of peace talks to end the 16-year war. So far it has given only a muted response.

13 INTERNATIONAL 13 Africa Ghana, US seek closer military ties Boko Haram releases most of abducted Dapchi schoolgirls LAGOS, March 21, (Agencies): Boko Haram Islamists who kidnapped 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, northeast Nigeria, just over a month ago have so far returned 101 of the students to the town, the government said on Wednesday. Information Minister Lai Mohammed said the girls were released unconditionally. No money changed hands, he told reporters in the capital, Abuja. He added: As of now, the number (of girls confirmed to have been released) has increased to Mohammed 101. Fatima Gremah, 13, who was among those released, earlier told reporters: Boko Haram said we were lucky we were young and also Muslims. One of us who is a Christian has been left behind. They said they would keep her until she converted. If she converts, they will release her. She is the only one among us left behind. Nigeria s President Muhammadu Buhari said last week the government had chosen negotiation to secure the return of the Dapchi girls rather than use military force. Jammeh s ex-spies arrested: Ten members of Gambia s former spy agency have been detained on suspicion of murdering a political activist who led a protest during ousted strongman Yahya Jammeh s rule, police said Tuesday. Solo Sandeng, organising secretary of the United Democratic Party, was arrested in April 2016 for fronting a street protest demanding electoral reform. He died in detention. Ghana, US seek closer ties: Ghana and the United States are working to forge closer ties between their armed forces but both countries denied that involved setting up military bases in the West African nation. News reports in Ghana on Tuesday cited leaked documents from a recent cabinet meeting that formed the basis of a request to parliament to approve an agreement between the two governments. Burundi on brink again: Declared this month by supporters as Burundi s eternal supreme guide, President Pierre Nkurunziza now wants changes to the constitution that would let him rule until The referendum in May could spark further deadly violence in the African nation that the UN human rights chief has called one of the most prolific slaughterhouses of humans in recent times. Nkurunziza is just the latest African leader to seek the dismantling of term limits to stay in power. Critics call his latest move a bid to be president for life. US airstrike kills 2 al-shebab: The US military says it has killed two extremists with an airstrike in Somalia. The US Africa Command says the airstrike on Monday near Mubaarak in Lower Shabelle region killed two al- Shebab fighters, wounded three and destroyed one vehicle. Al-Shebab representives were not immediately available for comment. The group, which has faced growing military pressure across the Horn of Africa nation, has stepped up attacks in recent months including a massive truck bombing in the capital, Mogadishu, in October that killed more than 500 people. DRC ex-anti-graft chief gets life: The former anti-corruption chief fighting fraud in DR Congo s lucrative eastern mines has been jailed for life by a military court on charges of rebellion and murder, judicial sources told AFP. Abbas Kayonga was arrested by UN peacekeepers in the eastern city of Bukavu on Nov 5 just days after his dismissal for grave negligence. La Paz tests on March 20, 2018 the White Line, a new section of its urban cable car system to be inaugurated on March 24. (AFP) Lat/Am Clandestine videos roil Peru: The revelation of secretly shot videos allegedly showing attempts to buy a lawmaker s political support has roiled Peru s political establishment two days before a scheduled impeachment vote against President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and amid a bitter feud between two powerful children of a former leader. The four videos presented Tuesday by the main opposition party purportedly show attempts by Kuczynski s lawyer, a top government official and Kenji Fujimori to convince a lawmaker to back the president in exchange for a hand in state contracts in his district. They were allegedly shot in December, after Kenji Fujimori led a group of lawmakers who defied his sister Keiko s leadership of the Popular Force party to narrowly block Kuczynski s removal on corruption charges. (AP) Blast kills Ecuadoran troops: Three Ecuadoran soldiers were killed and at least seven other people were injured Tuesday in a bomb explosion on the country s northern border with Colombia, the government said. A roadside bomb exploded as a patrol carrying out surveillance and control operations on the border passed by, the communications ministry said. It resulted in the unfortunate death of three members of the armed forces, it said, adding that at least seven people were reported injured. It did not specify whether the injured were civilians or troops. (AFP) Bishop, priests arrested in Brazil: A Brazilian bishop has been arrested in connection with a corruption case in the Catholic church of Latin America s biggest nation. Prosecutors said Monday that Bishop Jose Ronaldo and four priests were among those arrested for diverting donations and party funds worth about $600,000. They also said the group paid for personal expenses and bought a cattle farm with money from the faithful. (AP) Thousands in Rio seek answers: Thousands of Brazilians on Tuesday demanded answers about the assassination of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, an attack that has shaken the nation and remains a mystery a Kuczynski Franco week later. Artists, activists and Franco s sister spoke during an emotional evening protest that included calls for an independent investigation into the death of the activist who frequently criticized police brutality, particularly against blacks in poor communities. It s black blood in the street. Another warrior who has fallen, said protester Carla Moura, adding that repression will not silence our voices. (AP) US gives $2.5m emergency aid: The United States will provide $2.5 million in food and medical aid to Venezuelans fleeing their economically-crippled country to neighboring Colombia and is poised to help other countries if the situation worsens, US officials said on Tuesday. It is the first funding by the US government s main aid agency to help Venezuela s neighbors deal with the influx of hundreds of thousands of people trying to escape hunger and poverty in Venezuela. (RTRS) Dialogue sought over coastline: The president of land-locked Bolivia said Tuesday he is prepared to discuss options with neighboring Chile for gaining access to the Pacific, but said that powerful forces in Chile do not want talks. At the moment, some people representing the Chilean oligarchies don t want negotiations, President Evo Morales said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press. (AP)

14 INTERNATIONAL 14 World News Roundup In this fi le photo taken on Feb 23, 2018, Olive Ridley sea turtles return to the sea after laying eggs on Rushikulya Beach, some 140 kms (88 miles) southwest of Bhubaneswar in India s eastern Odisha state. (Inset): In this picture taken on Feb 28, 2018, volunteers for the group action for Protection of Wild Animals (APOWA) demonstrate how to look for turtle eggs in the nest and how rescue vulnerable turtles on Dalukani beach, around 80 kms from Bhubaneswar in India s eastern Odisha state. (AFP) Science Scroll SF bans fur sales India s turtle warriors bid to save species DALUAKANI, India, March 21, (AFP): Since he was a boy, Soumyaranjan Biswal has kept a night vigil at the beach near his coastal Indian village where tens of thousands of tiny olive ridley turtles gather to lay their eggs. Fishing communities in Odisha protect this threatened species from harm as they return year after year to nest, a unique ritual for both turtles and their custodians that stretches back decades. Olive ridley turtles navigate thousands of miles of open ocean to reach the eastern state, where they come ashore in numbers not seen anywhere else in the world. It is familiar territory for the females, who hatched on these Patnaik same sands many years ago. "We have seen them coming to these beaches right from our childhood," Biswal told AFP on a moonlit night, as tiny white ocean crabs wriggled across his feet. "The turtles are just like our friends now." The turtles arrive under the cover of darkness, trudging ashore to dig shallow pits with their flippers where they deposit dozens of eggs. Their work done, they return to the ocean. But their eggs are vulnerable to predators like dogs and vultures during the 50-odd day incubation period beneath the sand, and high tides can wash away an entire nest. Fishermen along this stretch of east Indian coastline have been intervening to give the unborn turtles a shot at life. Biswal, equipped with a flashlight and a bamboo pole, identifies nests at risk and carefully digs up the spongy eggs. They are relocated to freshly dug hatcheries a safe distance away, ringed with fencing and marked with a flag -- an arduous process that can be repeated hundreds of times in a single nesting season. Keeping a watchful eye over the brood is no easy task. The job is unpaid, usually following a long day at work. There is the added danger of scorpion bites and nipping crabs in the sand. But Biswal knows safe passage for the turtle hatchlings to the sea is crucial for their survival. In 1997, the coastal regions off Odisha whose current Chief Minister is Naveen Patnaik were declared a marine wildlife sanctuary and fishing was barred in shallow waters for more than half the year -- slashing incomes in one of India's poorest regions. "For seven months a year the fishermen are left jobless," said Sumanth Bindumadhav, wildlife campaign manager with Humane Society International, an NGO. "It's natural for them to feel that it's because of the turtles." Bindumadhav said it had been a "Herculean task" motivating fishermen to protect the turtles during lean times when other work was scarce. San Francisco on Tuesday became the largest US city to ban sales of fur as a way to protect animals. The vote by the Board of Supervisors in the politically liberal California city was Humane Society International hailed the vote, saying "this is an exciting and historic vote both for animals and compassionate consumerism, and we hope that the world is watching." Two smaller California cities -- West Hollywood and Berkeley -- have already banned sales of fur. Bans on fur sales and imports exist in India and Brazil's Sao Paulo, HSI said on its blog. A fragile fragment of an enigmatic Dead Sea Scroll is on public display at the Israel Museum for the fi rst time since its discovery 70 years ago, in Jerusalem, on March 20. (AP) Graziano Discovery Hawking Hawking to join Newton, Darwin: British physicist Stephen Hawking is to take his place among some of the greatest scientists in history when his ashes are interred inside Westminster Abbey, close to the graves of Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Hawking, the world s most recognisable scientist, died last week aged 76 after a lifetime spent probing the origins of the universe, the mysteries of black holes and the nature of time itself. Ravaged by the wasting motor neurone disease he developed at 21, Hawking was confined to a wheelchair for most of his life. As his condition worsened, he had to speak through a voice synthesiser and communicate by moving his eyebrows. Westminster Abbey, the final resting place of 17 monarchs and of some of the most significant figures in British history, said on Tuesday it would hold a Service of Thanksgiving for Hawking later this year, during which his ashes would be interred. (RTRS) Agriculture cuts migration risk: Water stress is increasingly driving migration around the world, but efforts to adapt to worsening shortages could help, a new UN study suggests. Water stress not just shortages, but water-quality issues is expected to drive more people from their communities permanently and cause rapid growth of cities, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Two-thirds of the world s people suffer some water scarcity for part of each year, with communities dependent on agriculture worst affected, said FAO director-general Jose Graziano da Silva in a video message for the 8th World Water Forum in Brazil. Finding ways to adapt to that reality rather than simply responding to disasters caused by water shortages is the most effective Germany returns 3,000-yr-old wooden Olmec busts to Mexico Dead Sea Scroll makes rare show JERUSALEM, March 21, (AP): A fragment of an enigmatic Dead Sea Scroll has gone on public display at Jerusalem's Israel Museum for the first time since its discovery 70 years ago. The Genesis Apocryphon, the sole copy of an ancient Jewish text elaborating on stories from the first book of the Bible, dates to the first century BC and was among the first seven scrolls found in the Judean Desert in The Associated Press previewed the exhibit Tuesday. The Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of Jewish texts found in desert caves in the West Bank near Qumran in the 1940s and 1950s, date from the third century BC to the first century AD. They include the earliest known copies of biblical texts, documents outlining the beliefs of a little understood Jewish sect, as well as related texts like the Genesis Apocryphon. "This is the only copy of this book on Earth," said Adolfo Roitman, curator of the Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book, where the scrolls are housed. The Genesis Apocryphon's Aramaic verses describe the lives of Noah, Abraham, Enoch and Lamech, characters in the book of Genesis, and are written in the first person. "In some way what we have are parallel stories that we don't have in the Hebrew Bible in which the patriarchs are presented in different ways than the ways we have today in the Pentateuch," he said. The badly damaged snippet of the story going on display deals with Noah's Ark alighting on the peaks of Mount Ararat after the fabled flood. way to deal with the problem, the FAO said. Water use has increased six-fold worldwide over the past century, said the study, which drew on a survey of more than 180 research papers on water scarcity and migration issues. (RTRS) Noah tells how he "atoned for all the earth in its entirety" by offering up various animal sacrifices. The Genesis Apocryphon scroll was already in a precarious state when it was first discovered by Bedouin shepherds in A rare recording of the shepherds, Muhammed edh-dhib and Jum'a Muhammed, recounting their discovery is part of an accompanying exhibit about some of the characters involved in finding and unlocking the Dead Sea Scrolls. "It was dark at first, but when I could see before me, there were about 10 jars in the cave on both sides, and the jars in the middle were broken by some ruins falling from the top," edh-dhib, speaking in Arabic, says in a 1961 interview. "There were three manuscripts in one covered jar only. Two of them were rolled in cloth and the other was not. And their color was greenish." The fragile Genesis Apocryphon manuscript remained unrolled until nearly a decade later, by which point it had been brought to New York, purchased by the State of Israel along with three other scrolls, and returned to Jerusalem. Since then, only one section of the Genesis Apocryphon went on a brief public exhibition in the 1960s. "It's the first time the general public is seeing it," said Israel Museum director Ido Bruno. "We have a window of opportunity today to see it for a few months and then it will go back to the cellars and will not see the light of day again for dozens of years." Judge to question Big Oil: Five of the world s biggest energy producers will be questioned by a federal judge on Wednesday about climate change science, part of a lawsuit that accuses the companies of misleading the public for years about their role in global warming. Humanoid robot Sophia speaks at a conference on using technology for public services in Kathmandu on March 21. Shopia, a robot created by Hanson Robotics, was named by UNDP as its first non-human Innovation Champion, in November (AFP) To protect the delicate parchment, the fragment is presented in a special "smart glass" vitrine inside the Shrine of the Book that prevents it from exposure to direct light. When visitors press a button, the opaque white glass becomes clear for 30 seconds, allowing viewers to study the ragged brown scrap before it is once again obscured. "When you take a look at this manuscript, it's not like taking a look at Botticelli," Roitman, the exhibit curator said. "It doesn't look very aesthetic, that's not the point. The point is actually the kind of information in this document, as a lost tradition, that we didn't know about before. It opens up a new perspective on ancient Jewish history and civilization." Also: MEXCO: Mexico says German authorities have returned two rare, wooden Olmec sculptures over 3,000 years old. Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History said Tuesday the sculptures had been held at the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection. The objects were the source of a nearly decade-long legal case involving Costa Rican artifact dealer Leonardo Patterson. Mexico claimed the two busts had been illegally taken from the Olmec ruin site of El Manati, in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, and wound up in Patterson's hands. Authorities seized the pieces in 2008 after Patterson brought them to Germany. A court ruled they belonged to Mexico in The cities of San Francisco and Oakland, California sued Chevron Corp, Exxon Mobil Corp, ConocoPhillips, Royal Dutch Shell PLC, and BP PLC last year, seeking an abatement fund to help the cities address flooding they say is a result of climate change. The companies argued in legal filings on Tuesday that the case in San Francisco federal court should be dismissed, partly because Congress has given regulatory agencies, not the courts, authority over the production and emission of fossil fuels. The lawsuits, filed by Democratic Party politicians, are part of a larger campaign to address climate change in the courts. Worldwide, there are almost 900 lawsuits on climate change in 25 countries, a UN study said last year. (RTRS) Asia a key battleground: Asia is a critical battlefield in the global fight to rein in air pollution, registering about 5 million premature deaths each year, delegates at a United Nations conference said on Wednesday, as urged tougher enforcement of curbs. The World Health Organization (WHO) calls air pollution the greatest environmental risk to human health. About 90 percent of related deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries, most of them in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. There is a sense that if you re developing economically it doesn t mean that you have to live in a city where you can t breathe the air, Dechen Tsering, the Asia-Pacific director of the UN Environment programme, said at the two-day event. (RTRS)

15 Film Clooney to narrate Peres documentary Booming docus still need support, careful positioning LOS ANGELES, March 21, (RTRS): The growing demand for diversity of stories and content on digital and mobile platforms has given a new boost to documentary films. But reaching audiences increasingly requires a combination of creativity and smart use of technology, industry experts said at a panel discussion at Hong Kong FilMart on Tuesday. Documentary films are among the most sought-after content at this year s FilMart. Recognizing that, market organizers put on the thematic section, Doc World, for the first time. It features over 200 exhibitors showcasing new productions. Speaking at the panel debate, executives form the US and China agreed that traditional ways of distribution and advertising are no longer as effective as they used to be. Connecting with the younger generation is harder still. Patrick Connolly, VP of programming at AMC Networks, Sundance TV Global, said video-on-demand is important for future growth of the documentary segment, but appropriate marketing and promotion are key to success. We buy films that have shown at some film festivals. Films that have film festival pedigree, Connolly said. Summer Song, director of copyright operations at Beijing-based China Visible Influence Pictures, said the company s mobile app DOCO, an online platform specializing in documentaries, already has 2 million registered users. And to engage people born after 1990, the company runs both online and offline events, with the aim of establishing a community. The app records and predicts users behavior by analyzing their choice of titles, the amount of time they spent on each title, and whether they watched each episode all the way through. Chinese audiences have diverse taste in documentary titles, but are particularly interested in culture, heritage and history shows. She said some titles have achieved more than 23 million views and earned profits exceeding $160,000 (RMB1 million) from paying viewers. People actively search out what they want to see. Many also take the initiative to share titles that they think are great, or give them high ratings on [Chinese movie website] Douban, said Song. Digital and mobile platforms also play a major role for Daniel Braun, co-president of Submarine Entertainment, which has recently released Wild Wild Country on Netflix and will soon be releasing Evil Genius in June. He said that, although streaming releases are key, timely theatrical releases can still be important for certain titles. Theatrical gives the perception that a film has value, said Braun. Chasing Ice, by the company s boutique distribution label Submarine Deluxe, had a what he called an opportunistic release as the weekend of the film s release was also the weekend when Hurricane Sandy hit the US. Successful We had lots of press bringing up the whole issue of environment and climate change, that global warming is real. We sold a lot of group tickets to non-profits and companies. We had close to $2 million box office, which was very successful, he said. But despite FilMart s efforts in boosting the trading of documentary films, Hong Kong-based Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ruby Yang ( The Blood of Yingzhou District ) accused the Hong Kong government of not providing enough support for documentary filmmaking. Also: LOS ANGELES: George Clooney has come on board to narrate Moriah Films documentary Never Stop Dreaming: The Life and Legacy of Shimon Peres, Variety has learned. It s the 16th film produced by Moriah, the film division of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. The production company generates documentaries focused on the Jewish experience as well as contemporary human rights. Two of its films, Genocide and The Long Way Home, have won the Academy Award for best documentary feature. Nine months before he died last year, the 92-year-old Peres asked Moriah Films to create a documentary on his life story. Never Stop Dreaming includes interviews with president Clinton, president George W. Bush, president Obama, British prime minister Tony Blair, and Barbra Streisand. The film will be released later this year. LOS ANGELES: With the country feeling more divided than ever, everyone s heartstrings could use a good tug, and that s exactly what the trailer for the upcoming Mister Rogers Neighborhood documentary Won t You Be My Neighbor? promises. The trailer, hailed on social media as a tearjerker itself, shows footage from the set of Mister Rogers, as well as clips of Fred Rogers off-screen. The documentary will feature interviews with those involved in the creation of the children s television series, including producer Margy Whitmer, who quips, You take all of the elements that make good television, and do the exact opposite -- you have Mister Rogers Neighborhood... yet, it worked. Others interviewed in the trailer are Elizabeth Seamans, who played McFeely, and Francois Clemmons, who played Clemmons. Variety Features THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 Models present creations by Japanese designer Jotaro Saito for his 2018 Autumn/Winter collection at Tokyo Fashion Week in Tokyo on March 21. (AFP) See Page 17 LOS ANGELES: The first trailer for New Line s comedy Tag starts with Ed Helms trying unsuccessfully to tag Jeremy Renner at Renner s wedding just as a pastor. The footage, released Tuesday, shows an over-the-top game of tag played by middle-aged adult characters who intrude in each other s lives such as during a baby s delivery to yell You re It. Jon Hamm, Hannibal Buress, Isla Fisher, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis, Rashida Jones, and Leslie Bibb also star. The comedy is based on Russell Adams 2013 story in the Wall Street Journal, titled Tag, He s It for Another Year, about a group of friends who have been playing a cutthroat version of the children s game for the last 30 years. The story began, It is going to be another long year for Mike Konesky. He was tagged Thursday night while entering a school play in Spokane, Wash. (RTRS) LOS ANGELES: Kumail Nanjiani has boarded Fox s Uber comedy Stuber opposite Dave Bautista. Nanjiani will portray a mildmannered Uber driver who picks up a grizzled cop, played by Bautista, who is hot on the trail of a brutal killer. The driver is then thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he has to keep his wits, his life, and his five-star rating. The name of the comedy is taken from the driver s name, Stu. Michael Dowse is directing the script from Tripper Clancy. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley are producing the film. Jake Wagner and Nick Thomas are executive producing. Jeremy Kramer is overseeing for Fox. Bautista, who starred last year in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Blade Runner 2049, joined Stuber in December. (RTRS) LOS ANGELES: Hearts Beat Loud will open in limited release on June 8, Variety has learned exclusively. The dramedy about a father s complicated relationship with his college-bound daughter was an audience favorite at this year s SXSW and Sundance Film Festival. It was picked up by Gunpowder & Sky, a global content studio launched by Van Toffler, the former CEO of Viacom Media Networks Music Group, following its Sundance premiere. Hearts Beat Loud will debut in limited release before expanding in the following weeks. The film stars Nick Offerman ( Parks & Recreation ) and Kiersey Clemons ( Dope ). It also boasts a cast of Film Black Panther most tweeted about movie ever Boyega s charm buoys Pacific Rim Renner By Nick Schager Even if it hadn t earned him dual Oscars, it s easy to imagine why The Shape of Water struck Guillermo del Toro as a more enticing project than a sequel to Pacific Rim. Thanks to del Toro s peerless gift for breathing life into slimy organisms and high-tech gadgetry, the rock- em-sock- em 2013 summer tentpole got the job done, but felt like the director s least personal film to date. Nonetheless, having grossed a respectable $101 million at home and an impressive $309 million abroad, Pacific Rim struck enough of a global chord to warrant a return engagement, and thus Pacific Rim Uprising arrives with del Toro (originally slated to direct, but instead advising in a producer s capacity) handing over helming duties to Steven S. DeKnight, best known for his showrunner work on Netflix s Daredevil and Starz s Spartacus. It s a behind-the-scenes change that s felt in ways both big and small, as this second entry in the franchise ditches, or downgrades, many of the elements that made del Toro s original unique, while reconfiguring its style and attitude to more closely align with that of the Transformers films a makeover that not only renders this follow-up unremarkable, but suggests (given the underwhelming box-office performance of Michael Bay s last Hasbro-based effort) diminished long-term prospects with robot-fatigued audiences. DeKnight s desire to emulate Bay s blockbuster template is apparent mere minutes into its action. Picking up a decade after its predecessor, which detailed humanity s use of gigantic Jaegers (massive robots manned by two psychically linked pilots) to fend off invading alternate-dimension kaiju (towering malevolent creatures), Pacific Rim Uprising opens with Jake Pentecost (Boyega) fleeing a shady business deal and, in search of coveted technological goods, meeting teenage orphan Amara (Cailee Spaeny), who s built herself a Jaeger from spare parts. And not just any old Jaeger: Amara s DIY creation is a beetle-y bot that can be operated by a solo pilot, has the ability to roll itself into a ball, and is named Scrapper. Jake, the wayward son of Idris Elba s now-deceased commander Stacker, has long since abandoned his Jaeger-cockpit career for a life of partying and criminality. But his encounter with Amara, and their subsequent arrest for battling a real Jaeger, soon thrusts him back into the service, courtesy of his adopted sister Mako (Rinko Kikuchi), who still sees great potential in her younger sibling. At the Pan Pacific Defense Force s new Chinese headquarters (named, as before, Shatterdome!), Jake is reunited with former partner Nate Lambert (Scott Eastwood), whose gruff greeting implies that they didn t part on good terms. Together, they re tasked with mentoring a group of cadets (including Amara) to be Jaeger pilots. Fortunately, since the war against the kaiju was won, no further beasts have emerged from the inter-dimensional breach located in the Pacific Ocean (the whereabouts of Charlie Hunnam s Raleigh Becket remain unknown). Controlled Yet all is not well for these mature and adolescent heroes-to-be, since the Shao corporation led by Mrs. Shao (Tian Jing) and her right-hand man Newt (Charlie Day), who s gone from being a kaiju fanboy scientist to an R&D guy is prepping a line of Jaeger drones that can be controlled remotely, thus making Jake and his buddies one small step away from obsolescence. DeKnight establishes this premise with a swiftness that s apt to give one whiplash or to leave those unfamiliar with the first Pacific Rim struggling to keep up. At the same time, he paints in such broad, cliched brushstrokes that distinctive personality proves in short supply. Boyega has a natural roguish charm that suits the silly material, and despite being surrounded by more computer-generated chaos than any one actor could hope to survive, his charisma prevents Jake from becoming a dull narrative focus. The same, alas, can t be said of Eastwood, who, Bautista veteran character actors, including Ted Danson, Sasha Lane, Blythe Danner, and Toni Collette. (RTRS) LOS ANGELES: Leading British talents Sean Bean ( Game of Thrones ), Asa Butterfield ( Ender s Game ), Gemma Arterton ( Quantum of Solace ), Sam Claflin ( Hunger Games, with enough squinting, physically resembles his iconic father Clint, but is a wooden presence most comfortable operating in a single stern-and-handsome register. For wisecracking eccentricity, the director and his three co-screenwriters (Emily Carmichael, Kira Snyder, T.S. Nowlin) mainly rely on the tepid bickering of Day s Newt and Burn Gorman s genius Herman. They also turn much of their attention to Amara and her pre-adult comrades, which makes this saga feel like Pacific Rim: The Next Generation an impression that plagued the similar Independence Day: Resurgence. By the time these kids are asked to operate mankind s final Jaegers in an all-out campaign to save the world, the film already firmly rooted in childish fantasies about robots battling monsters tips completely over into the sort of preposterous juvenalia more apt to provoke rolls of the eyes than gasps of wonder, be it from Western moviegoers or those in Asia, who are directly courted via the participation of the formidable Jing and her fellow supporting Chinese actors. Also: NEW YORK: The pop culture sensation Black Panther has set another record: most tweeted about movie ever. Twitter said Tuesday that Ryan Coogler s boxoffice smash has been tweeted about more than 35 million times. That pushes it ahead of the previous record-holder, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The most recent Star Wars installment, The Last Jedi, ranks third. Over the weekend, Black Panther became the first film since 2009 s Avatar to top the box office in North America five straight weekends. It has grossed more than $607 million domestically and $1.2 billion worldwide. In the next week, it s expected to pass The Avengers as the highest grossing superhero film ever, not accounting for inflation. Twitter said Black Panther had the most tweets in the US, followed by the United Kingdom and Thailand. (Agencies) Pirates of the Caribbean ) and Laura Haddock ( Guardians of the Galaxy ) are poised to sign up as the voice cast of upcoming Chinese animation Watch The Skies. The film is to be completed in the first quarter of The film is produced by China s DeZerlin Media and the UK s Zycon Media, and is thefirst product of a 10-film and 10 TV series co-production deal between the two companies. The combined production budget of the slate is some $160 million (RMB1 billion) spread over a period of 8 years. The deal was announced by UK Prime Minister Theresa May in February as part of a package of bilateral creative and cultural collaborations. (RTRS)

16 NEWS/FEATURES 16 People & Places Stage Hawke to star in West Great Wave an epic international mystery LOS ANGELES, March 21, (Agencies): It s nothing if not timely: Francis Turnly s epic international mystery The Great Wave takes us into the soul of North Korea. A tale of two sisters best of times, worst of times - this National Theatre production splits a family up across two very different nations to show just how much our lives are shaped by society. In a Japanese coastal town in 1979, 17-yearold Hanako is swept out to sea. Her sister Reiko swears she saw three men on the beach and, with her mother Etsuko and her best friend Tetsuo, dedicates her life to the hope that Hanako might have survived. She s right - sort of. Kirsty Rider s headstrong Hanako wakes up in a North Korean cell. Enlisted to train North Korean spies to pass for Japanese, she s forced into a transformation of her own, both learning Korean and kowtowing daily to the Great Turnly Leader s image. It s an obliteration of the self, as communism dictates, but it s never wholly clear whether Hanako s acting out of necessity or indoctrinated for real. Taking inspiration from the real cases of Japanese citizens abducted by Kim il-sung s North Korea, Turnly finds a way into a nation that sealed itself off from the rest of the world in In two sisters separated only by circumstance, he shows the extreme ideological distance between the two nations, so that as Kae Alexander s earnest Reiko opts to search for her sister, Hanako s life is entirely dictated to her by the regime. She s allocated a disloyal husband, slung to the bottom of society and left to the mercy of a ravaging famine that gripped North Korea in the 1990s. At one level, Turnly s play offers a short explainer of North Korea and its history, though there s very little fresh insight here. While Turnly wonders whether a government willing to cover up its citizens abductions is any worse than a regime that controls its population s every move, it would help to have a sense of Japan s history as well. This was, after all, a nation emerging from its own recession into one of the free world s financial capitals. Gripping It s an epic and gripping story, swinging between the two nations over 25 years, and Indhu Rubasingham s dynamic production gives it a cinematic sweep. Tom Piper s revolving paperpaneled stage combine with Luke Halls projections to find the fluidity to handle the snapshots and jump-cuts of a script that swishes from shore to shore. Hanako s mother (Rosalind Chao) floats bottled messages out to sea; her granddaughter scoops one up to find it sealed shut. It means the two sisters seem so close to one another, and yet so far away. For all Reiko gets closer to the truth, she s no nearer to a solution. If it s a play of two halves, however, each tends to cancel the other out. While Hanako s life lays bare the harsh realities faced by North Korean citizens, it s couched alongside a glossy procedural drama as her family pushes for answers in Japan. Turnly clings closely to historical events - a North Korean agent did bomb a South Korean plane ahead of the Olympics in Seoul, for example - but he simplifies them to the point of superficiality. It s never quite clear where fact and fiction meet, and if that blur s a deliberate tactic to echo political string-pulling, his form never fully lands the thought. Structurally, too, the stories pull against one another: one s a mystery thriller, the other its solution. Not only does Turnly rob himself of a reveal, he leaves half his narrative stuck in the mud. For 25 years, Reiko and Etsuko can only pine for Hanako - and they do so to the exclusion of all else. Neither seems credible. Ethan Hawke and Paul Dano will star next winter in a new Broadway production of True West, with the two actors playing the volatile brothers at the center of Sam Shepard s 1980 play. James Macdonald, whose last Broadway credit was Manhattan Theater Club s staging of The Children, will direct True West for the Roundabout Theatre Company. The play, probably Shepard s best-known work, was last on Broadway in 2000 in a revival that starred Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly. Dano ( There Will Be Blood, Okja ), who made his directorial debut earlier this year with the Sundance film Wildlife, will play screenwriter Austin in True West, with Hawke whose upcoming films include Blaze and Juliet, Naked on board as his brother, a drifter named Lee. Both actors have previously appeared on Broadway, with Dano making his debut at age 11 in the Roundabout s A Month in the Country with Helen Mirren, and Hawke starring in a string of shows that have included The Coast of Utopia and, most recently, a 2013 revival of Macbeth. An opera involving two characters with Alzheimer s will premiere at Opera Philadelphia as part of the company s latest festival of experimental fare. Unveiling its season on Tuesday, the opera house of the US East Coast s second most populous city announced a festival dubbed 018, a follow-up to last year s inaugural stretch of new works. The September festival will feature the world premiere of Sky on Swings, an opera about two women with Alzheimer s who come together in a care home. Composed by Lembit Beecher with a libretto by Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch, Sky on Swings explores the impermanence of memory and the new hallucinatory experience, untethered from identity and history, which can follow in its wake, the opera house said in its announcement. Another world premiere will be Glass Handel, a multimedia opera performed and co-produced by countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo featuring new arrangements of music by leading US composer Philip Glass and videos by Oscar-winning director James Ivory. In this Feb 25, 2018 photo singer-songwriter Chris Knight (center), and his band perform 333 feet below ground in Cumberland Caverns near McMinnville, Tenn. (AP) Musician Ringo Starr poses for photographers after being awarded a Knighthood during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London, on March 20. (AP) Peterson Variety Bowie NEW YORK: Peter G. Peterson, a billionaire and business executive who became one of the most prominent voices to argue for entitlement reform and reducing the US national debt, died of natural causes early Tuesday, his family said. He was 91. Born in the small town of Kearney, Nebraska, to Greek immigrants, Peterson was CEO of two major US companies and cofounded one of the world s largest private-equity firms. He was already a national figure in business by the early 1960s, serving as chairman and CEO of Bell and Howell, one of the largest manufacturers of movie cameras at the time. (AP) LOS ANGELES: Veteran independent music supervisor and film/tv music exec Greg Sill died on Saturday, March 17. He was 63 years old. According to Sill s brother Lonnie, he died at Sherman Oaks Hospital, surrounded by family. He had contracted pneumonia following kidney and liver failure. The son of legendary music publisher and label executive Lester Sill, he began his career as a music coordinator at Columbia Pictures in He went on to serve as director of music at American International Pictures, director of TV/film music at CBS Songs and at publisher Warner/Chappell. (RTRS) NEW YORK: Longtime New York journalist Les Payne, whose career took him from the poppy fields of Turkey to the Soweto uprising in South Africa to the streets of American cities, has died. He was 76. Payne s family confirmed his death to Newsday, where he worked Music Bennett, Estefan songs added to Recording Registry Music rings out deep underground MCMINNVILLE, Tenn, March 21, (Agencies): By the time Nashville songwriter Travis Meadows took the stage on a recent Sunday afternoon, more than 500 music fans had found their way 333 feet (100 meters) below the ground, some taller guests ducking their heads just a bit. They took their seats in lounge chairs and on a handful of rock outcroppings beneath an antique chandelier that once adorned a New York City theater. The enormous light is now bolted into the ceiling of the Volcano Room inside Tennessee s Cumberland Caverns. The patrons and performers are all sort of awed by this magical and majestic setting, said Todd Mayo, who had the idea of hosting concerts 10 years ago, during a family vacation that included a tour of the cave. The phenomenon draws fans since it pairs live music with the lure of exploring the caves and their unique environments, promoters say. Caves are spiritual, special places, so when you combine that natural wonder of a cave with music, it s just special, Mayo said. Tennessee will soon have not just one, but two caves vying for fans who want to see music performed in a subterranean environment. Mayo is the creator and executive producer of the PBS show Bluegrass Underground, which has filmed concerts in the Volcano Room since He recently bought his own cave at the base of Monteagle Mountain near Pelham, Tennessee, and is planning that cave s first-ever show March 24 by Nashville artist Billy Strings and a band from Havana, Cuba known as the Sweet Lizzy Project. The PBS show is also moving to that cave known as The Caverns, where Mayo hopes to put on about 40 to 50 shows this year. It can seat 750 people or expand to 1,000 for standing-room-only shows. Meanwhile, the original home of the PBS show in Cumberland Caverns is continuing to host concerts on its own and aims to book about 20 shows this year beneath the giant crystal chandelier in the Volcano Room, spokeswoman Amanda Blank said. Atlanta singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins recently performed in the Volcano Room, which has a capacity of around 700. Drawn Mayo said the shows have drawn fans from around the world, from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands to Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. It s a destination now people want to come do this, he said. While producing the PBS shows in the Volcano Room, Mayo recalls meeting a woman from Dubai who had seen the show, and sold her car to buy plane tickets to fly to Tennessee to see a show. The artists who have performed there say they didn t know exactly what to expect. It was kind of surreal, man, in its own kind of way, said Jimbo Hart, a bass guitarist who performed in the Volcano Room with for nearly four decades, rising through the ranks from reporter to associate managing editor. The newspaper reported Tuesday that Payne died unexpectedly Monday night at his home in Harlem. Payne oversaw foreign and national coverage for Newsday, was an editor of New York Newsday and wrote a column. He retired in (AP) LOS ANGELES: There s been so much feverish chatter about the remarkable David Bowie Is exhibition of the artist s outfits, photos and other US film director Steven Spielberg (right), and US film producer Kristie Macosko Krieger pose on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the European premiere of the film Ready Player One, in London. (AP) Alabama artist Jason Isbell s band, The 400 Unit. It sparked the science nerd in me, said Hart, who had studied geology at the University of North Alabama and found himself noticing the waterfalls, the stalactites and various formations of the cave. Tim Nielsen, a bass player in the Georgia band Drivin N Cryin, recalls their gear being loaded into the cave on small all-terrain vehicles. Fans are guided about 900 yards (820 meters) past underground pools and waterfalls to reach the Volcano Room for shows. We had no idea what we were getting into, but we were just like Ok, we re going to play in a cave way down under the Earth, Nielsen said. It was a cool vibe, a cool experience. Mayo said there are several reason he went cave-shopping, and ended up buying one historically known as Big Mouth for the new venue he s named The Caverns. It s closer to Nashville and Chattanooga, Tennessee, and also allows easier access for fans to get inside, he said. And it gives him the ability to install permanent lighting and audio equipment. Also: WASHINGTON, DC: Songs performed by Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan and Run-DMC are among 25 recordings being added to the National Recording Registry. The Library of Congress announced on Wednesday the list of titles being honored for their cultural and historic importance to the American soundscape. Bennett s standard I Left My Heart in San Francisco is being added, along with Rhythm is Gonna Get You by Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, Run-DMC s Raising Hell album and the soundtrack to The Sound of Music. Other notable entries include Fleetwood Mac s Rumours album, Kenny Loggins Footloose, Le Freak by Chic, Kenny Rogers The Gambler and Smokey Robinson s My Girl, which was sung by the Temptations. LOS ANGELES: NSYNC was one of the most iconic groups of the early 2000s, and soon, its place will be permanently cemented in Hollywood history. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced on Tuesday that the band, made up of Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, and Chris Kirkpatrick, will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 30. The star will be located at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard near the corner of La Brea, where they will join other boy bands who have already been honored, including Backstreet Boys, Boyz II Men, New Kids on the Block, and New Edition. Guest speakers for the ceremony have not yet been announced. Fans not able to attend the event in person will be able to live-stream the reception, which starts at 11:30 am PT, at walkoffame.com. ephemera which recently landed at the Brooklyn Museum after traveling the world since 2013 that people may be confused by the presence of another amazing David Bowie exhibit, this one called simply Bowie and containing 40-odd stunning photos from Starr gets his Knighthood LONDON, March 21, (AP): Call him Sir Ringo now, or Sir Richard to be more precise. Either way, it s a fitting honor for the former Beatles drummer, who has waited decades for the recognition. The 77-year-old Ringo Starr received his longawaited knighthood from Prince William Tuesday. He used his real name Richard Starkey for the big event. throughout his career, across the river at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in Manhattan. (RTRS) LOS ANGELES: Jay-Z and Beyonce have added nine dates to the On the Run II stadium tour they announced last week, with additional shows in Amsterdam (June 20), Washington, DC (July 27), East Rutherford, NJ (Aug 3), Chicago (Aug 11), Columbus, Ohio (Aug 16), Columbia, South Carolina (Aug 21), Atlanta (Aug 26), Los Angeles (Sept 23) and a new closing date in Seattle (Oct 4). The tour kicks off Wednesday, June 6 in Cardiff, UK, the international outing will stop in 15 cities across the UK and Europe, with the 21-date North American leg beginning July 25 in Cleveland. The tour is presented by Live Nation Global Touring in association with Beyonce s Parkwood Entertainment and Jay s Roc Nation. Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting Monday, March 19 at LiveNation.com and all usual outlets, according to a press release announcing the tour. (RTRS)

17 NEWS/FEATURES 17 Keisuke Yoshida Keisuke Yoshida Fashion MILAN: The head of the Italian Fashion Chamber says the body is working toward creating clear criteria of what it means for the fashion industry to be environmentally sustainable. Noting that fashion is the secondlargest polluting industry behind oil production, Carlo Capasa said part of the challenge is communicating to consumers because they love sustainability but they love to buy cheap clothing. He told a forum Tuesday that without clear criteria, sustainability becomes esoteric. Capasa said the chamber is looking into issues including creating guidelines on chemical use and industrial discharge, and how to ensure supply chains can be traced. (AP) PITTSBURGH: Former Dance Moms reality TV star Abby Lee Miller is set to be released from prison early. WTAE-TV reports Miller was originally scheduled for release June 21, but online records now list her release date as May 25. Miller has been in a California prison since turning herself in this past July. Miller was sentenced to a year and a day in prison for hiding $775,500 worth of income and bringing $120,000 in Australian currency to the US without reporting it. The 51-year-old had filed for bankruptcy after defaulting on a Florida condominium mortgage and a mortgage on her Abby Lee Dance Company studio in Penn Hills, a Pittsburgh suburb. (AP) LOS ANGELES: Voiceover actor and screenwriter David Hayter has his tree house-like home on a secluded, canyon-like cul-de-sac in Sherman Oaks, Calif., listed for almost $2.1 million. Built in 1959 on a street-tostreet lot where it s perched privately high amid a picturesque canopy of oldgrowth oak trees, the single-level organic contemporary has four bedrooms and three bathrooms in almost 3,000 square feet. Hayter, who penned the screenplays for the tremendously successful X-Men and X-Men 2 superhero films, which together hauled in more than $700 million in worldwide box office, has owned the property since 2003, when he bought it for $1.25 million. A bridge crosses over a stream on the way to a front door that opens to meandering, openplan living spaces with vaulted ceilings. A fireplace anchors the long and slender living room, and a second, angled fireplace warms a spacious dining area that s open to a recently remodeled kitchen. (RTRS) LOS ANGELES: Christina Leotis has been named chief financial officer of Steven Spielberg s Amblin Partners, coming over from serving in the same post at the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. Leotis is replacing Lyndsay Hard- Keisuke Yoshida Above and below: Models display creations by Keisuke Yoshida, Jotaro Saito and Viviano Sue for their Autumn/ Winter collection at Tokyo Fashion Week in Tokyo on March 21. (AFP) Keisuke Yoshida ing, who is leaving the company, as previously reported. She will report to Jeff Small, president and co-chief executive officer. Chris brings deep knowledge and broad entertainment experience to Amblin, and we are delighted to welcome her to our team, said Small in a statement. At a time when change is the new Jotaro Saito normal and disrupters are mainstream, we need a seasoned executive such as Chris who has the proven financial track record and discipline necessary to our future Keisuke Yoshida success. (RTRS) LOS ANGELES: Disney is amping Keisuke Yoshida up its Marvel superhero attractions at the Disneyland Resort in California, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland in The Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday that the California Adventure part of the 63-year-old Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., will see the Guardians of the Galaxy, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and other characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in attractions and a new live show in Disney said the new attractions have been developed in partnership Keisuke Yoshida JAPAN Jotaro Saito Keisuke Yoshida with Marvel Studios and Marvel Themed Entertainment. The California Adventure attraction will become a completely immersive Super Hero universe, anchored by Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: BREAKOUT! in the space currently occupied by the kiddie attraction A Bug s Land. The park closed It s Tough to Be a Bug on March 19 and the rest of the land will close in late summer. At Disneyland Paris, the new Marvel-themed Viviano Sue area will include an attraction where riders will team up with Iron Man and other Avengers on a hyperkinetic adventure in Disneyland Paris will host Marvel Summer of Super Heroes stage show from June 10 to Sept. 30.(RTRS) DOVER, Del: A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Tuesday issued initial orders allowing the Weinstein Co to continue paying its bills and working toward a sale of substantially all of its assets. Judge Mary Walrath s rulings include interim approval for the company to borrow up to $25 million to see it through bankruptcy, but only after she expressed concern about the loan terms in the face of a competing financing proposal. After lengthy arguments by attorneys, Union Bank, the Weinstein Co s major existing lender and primary secured creditor, agreed to reduce the amount of upfront fees it was seeking to provide bankruptcy financing. Robert Del Genio, a consultant serving as chief restructuring officer for the Weinstein Co, testified that the time constraints the company is facing and the loan certainty offered by Union Bank were key factors in accepting its financing offer, which includes an initial draw of $7.5 million. (AP)

18 18 click Drinking problem?: Friends of Bill W. are available to help. Totally confidential. Narcotics Anonymous: NA can help with addiction problems. Totally confidential: English/Arabic. Cancer online support group: If you are Cancer patient or family member fighting with this deadly disease, come join our online support group. Best way of dealing with this disease is providing support and share our experience with each other. There are lot of things which even doctors can t tell so be member of this website and start sharing your experiences which may help others. October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). The primary purpose is to promote self examination and screening mammography as the most effective way to save lives by detecting breast cancer at early stage. For more information visit: fightingwithcancer.webs.com/ contract bridge By Steve Becker Eugene Sheffer Crossword Latest IEI Kuwait Chapter Membership: The Institution of Engineers (India), Kuwait Chapter invites all its members to update their membership information for the year and actively participate in the chapter activities. Indian Engineers residing in Kuwait are welcome to join the pool of more than 700,000 Engineers by becoming corporate or non-corporate members of The Institution of Engineers (India). IEI, Kuwait Chapter conducts many technical events for the benefits of its members. Please watch for further details in your registered or announcement in media. The chapter has science club activities for member s children, and ladies wing activities for the members family. IEI, Kuwait Chapter has facility to register student members for AMIE Examination for those interested in pursuing career enrichment. For more information and on chapter membership, kindly contact IEI, Kuwait Chapter office on extn. 314 between 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm (Sunday through Thursday) or through to ieikwt@hotmail.com. You may also contact Engr Ashok Kumar ( ) or Engr Karthikeyan ( ) for any further clarification. April 6 Goa Day 2018 : Goan Welfare Society GWS, Kuwait, is pleased to announce Goa Day 2018 on April 6, 2018 on Friday, from 12:00 noon onwards, at Salmiya Indian Model School SIMS, Salmiya, Kuwait. Enjoy a fun filled Day with your family and friends. An event to remember with Goan music and traditional dance performances by young local talents and renowned musicians based in Kuwait as well as visiting artists from Goa. A chance to showcase family talents in an unique fb section, Family Bonanza for all ages, performances such as Konkani singing, instrumental, mimicry, comedy skits, fancy dress, traditional games etc. Not to miss the delicious Goan food and delicacies served at food stalls, variety of games on game stalls, bingo to win household appliances, electronics devices and air tickets for you and your family, and above all 5-a side mini football tournament. Countdown begins; mark your Calendar today, more details to follow in this column and through social media. Book General Q8BBall Season 13: Q8BBall is beginning our 13th season with Boys U13 (ages 10-13) and U17 (ages 14-17). We train three times a week and play regular games throughout the year with schools and clubs. In June 2018, we plan to travel for camp and tournaments in the US. Contact Coach T for information. Invitation to Grand Mosque: The Visits Department is pleased to invite you to visit the Grand Mosque, which is one of Kuwait s most treasured religious and cultural landmarks to discover the beauty of Islamic arts and architecture. Free guided tours are available all year round on official working days between (9-11 am) and (5-7 pm), within a special tour program designed to cater to the needs of different age groups. The program is as follows: Reception; Auditorium show; (according to age group); Touring the Mosque; Q & A; Art workshops; (according to age group between 5 and 18 years old); Snack break; Distribution of the Grand Mosque publications and souvenirs; End of tour. According to these age groups: Age group: 5 to 9 years old: Morning: 60 visitors max; Evening: 20; 10 to 15 years: Morning: 100 visitors max; Evening: 45; 16 and above: Morning: 140 visitors max, Evening: 105: Continued on Page 20 Conceptis Sudoku The grid must be so completed that every row, column and 3x3 box has every digit from 1 to 9 inclusive Challenger Manager Answer to yesterday s puzzle DIRECTIONS: Fill each square with a number, one through nine. Horizontal squares should add to totals on right. Vertical squares should add to totals on bottom. Diagonal squares through center should add to total in upper and lower right. Yesterday s solution Word by Word THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE SOLUTION. Today s Challenge Time 14 Minutes 2 Seconds Your Working Time Minutes Seconds Sow As you sow, so will you reap. Kama tazrai tahsoud. Numbers 7817 Seven thousand eight hundred seventeen Tazrai Sabat alaf wa thaman maaha wa sabata ashar

19 19 There s nothing quite like a freak dust storm and an inexplicable drizzle to leave the country looking absolutely lacklustre. It is unnerving to fi nd cars on the street at the end of this work week still covered with the layer of dust, aptly dividing society into those who cleaned their cars since last weekend and those who couldn t be bothered to do so. What more when grand titanium edifices, the new glory of Kuwait, also suffer the same fate as our unwashed cars, their steely shine dimmed by reams of settled dust. Are dust storms the new levellers of our society? Racial stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination reflect the human tendencies to conceptualize and value certain configurations of certain groups and act on these thoughts and feelings in our interactions with members of racial categories. What are racial stereotypes? Racial stereotypes are automatic and exaggerated mental pictures that we hold about all members of a particular racial group. When we stereotype people based on race, we don t take into account individual differences. We just tend to generalize because our racial stereotypes are so rigid, we tend to ignore or discard what s on the ground. That s what exactly happened to the 80-year-old grandmother of one of my friends of European descent. Her grandmother fl ew in to Kuwait for a visit recently but was denied entry simply because of her nationality. My friend had to talk it out with the immigration authorities and guess what? Her grandmother was denied entry on the grounds of possible prostitution? At fi rst, it sounds hilarious but of course, this is not funny at all. How can an 80-year-old grandmother be a potential moral threat to the country? They just took note of her nationality without even looking at her age on the passport. Finally, my friend s grandmother Overheard in the Souk the grapevine was allowed to enter the country, after all, she is just visiting her grandchildren who were born and raised in Kuwait and not to sow any immorality or whatsoever like what they thought her to be. The Kuwaitization system or the system of replacing expatriate workers with Kuwaiti citizens has now become the hot topic for most Kuwaiti citizens especially members of the Parliament. This is actually an old issue that has become new because of its connection with employment. The government initially brought this system to reduce unemployment rate in the Tongues Way country. In both government and private sectors, it is observed that foreign workers are seriously being replaced with Kuwaiti citizens. The target in the government sector is to have about 80 percent citizens working in all government institutions while in the private sector, 20 percent is a mandatory sealing for hiring Kuwaitis. In both cases Kuwaitis are hired in only jobs that they can occupy. In the jobs that are rare, especially the technical ones, expatriates should try to hold it tight and never leave them for Kuwaitis, or else no job would be available for them. Group photo of all winners and organizers Group competition 1st place ASK Group competition 2nd place AIS Group competition 3rd place BSK GUST hosts High School Mathematics Competition for the fourth time Winners of the individual competition Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) hosted the Fourth Annual High School Mathematics Competition, organized by the Mathematics & Science Department, and the Mathematics Foundation Unit, on its campus yesterday. The competition, which is sponsored by Pearson Education and That Al-Salasil, brought together over 60 students from 15 private and public schools, aims to promote the importance of mathematics among the youth across the country through a friendly competition that utilizes their skills. This is the fourth time that the university organizes this event, starting with just four schools competing the fi rst year, and over 15 this year. The competing schools include the: Future Bilingual School, Jabriya School for Girls, The English School Fahaheel, Kuwait National English School, British School of Kuwait, American School of Kuwait, American Creativity Academy (Boys & Girls), Bayan Bilingual School, AJIAL Bilingual School (Boys & Girls), Al-Ru ya Bilingual School (Boys & Girls), American International School, and Canadian Bilingual School. Students were able to compete in teams and individually. Top performing individuals also had the opportunity to participate in a live buzzer round. The questions covered several areas including basic math skills, logical thinking, and real-life situations with questions ranging from fl ight scheduling to staff-requirement forecasting. Congratulations to the winners: Individual competition:1st place: Yujun Lee (American School of Kuwait); 2nd place: Seifeddin Mohamed (Kuwait National English School); 3rd place: Abdellatif Anas Chentouf (American International School) Team competition: 1st place: American School of Kuwait; 2nd place: American International School; 3rd place: British School of Kuwait Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Prof Ali Ansari, said GUST is happy to welcome the schools and students to our campus to participate in this educational and enjoyable event. The competition allows students to demonstrate their math skills in a range of challenging problems while learning to work in teams, and under time pressure. GUST s is always keen on organizing events such as this competition, as it is directly in line with its mission of connecting and building relationships with the community, boosting development in its areas of expertise, and sparking interest in overlooked areas of education. Important milestone for preschoolers ICSK Amman holds pre-primary graduation day KUWAIT CITY, March 21: The Indian Community School Kuwait, Amman organized its Pre-Primary Graduation Day on March 15, 2018 in the school auditorium. Graduation Day is an important milestone for Preschoolers. It is both an ending as well as a beginning. From tiny seeds grow mighty trees. It was indeed a great day as 200 young graduates of Amman, adorned in identical graduation gowns and caps were all set to enter a new phase of learning journey. The ceremony was graced by the chief guest Dr Renu Gupta, Professor of Clinical Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University. The programme started with the Islamic prayer followed by the Kuwait and Indian National Anthems. The customary lighting of the ceremonial lamp marked the auspicious beginning of the function. The little super stars of UKG welcomed the esteemed chief guest. A melodious welcome song enthralled the audience. The Principal Rajesh Nair. C, welcomed the august gathering with his encouraging words. He emphasized that the children are pure and innocent and requested the parents to engage with them instilling great ideas and values, shaping their character as they advance into the future. He also asked the parents to encourage the children to participate in all the events so as to overcome the stage Photos from the event Photo from the event fear and not to worry about winning or losing. The Chief Guest Dr Renu Gupta in her address expressed her joy to be present in the midst of the brilliant smiling tiny tots. She congratulated the students and saluted the parents for raising such wonderful children. Dr. Gupta gave a few tips to the parents to make the children physically and intellectually strong to face the world. She encouraged the children to participate in sports activities and complimented the teachers for their relentless efforts taken towards the holistic development of the students. This was followed by the most awaited moment of felicitation as the bubbling ones stepped on to the stage to receive the Graduation certificates from the chief guest. It was a proud moment for the parents and teachers. The students of UKG expressed their gratitude towards their teachers for their continuous support, guidance and encouragement extended throughout the year in their joyful journey. Their words of appreciation overwhelmed the teachers. A scintillating dance performance by the students left the audience spell bound. The ceremony came to an end with a vote of thanks by the little superstars of UKG and the pre-primary supervisor Mrs. Julie Anthony. Indeed, the pre-primary graduation ceremony of ICSK Amman was a memorable one. Day full of joy, pride and accomplishment KG graduates with Rising Stars at ICSK Khaitan KUWAIT CITY, March 21: A day full of joy, pride and accomplishment, the world of magic and miracle- ICSK-Khaitan s sparkling stars of Kindergarten celebrated their Graduation Day and Rising Star Crowing Ceremony on March 15, Thursday. The auspicious day began with the recitals from the Holy Quran followed by the national anthems of Kuwait and India. The chief guest Agnello Fernandes, Joint Secretary, Board of Trustees, ICSK formally inaugurated the function by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The venue glittered with the smiles of tiny tots reflecting the glint in the eyes of their proud parents. The programme began with a welcome dance by LKG children which was indeed a befitting to the august gathering. Principal, in his welcome address said that it was a great pleasure for him to see the tiny tots with their colourful graduation gowns and eagerly waiting to receive their certificates in their tender hands. He Photo from the event emphasized upon the involvement of parents in overall development of the students and appealed for the cooperation from the parents. In his speech, Agnello appreciated the efforts of the ICSK team in achieving the educational goals and extended wholehearted support of management for the activities pertaining to all-round development of students. He expressed his joy while being amidst the tiny tots, congratulated them on their graduation and blessed them for their future. The cultural extravaganza was interspersed with the most important event of the show. The Pre Primary kids left everybody spell bound with their mesmerizing dance performances. Vibrant music, dance, breathtaking colours and highly coordinated movements promptly set the tone and mood of the atmosphere. Their energetic booming and clapping coaxed the audience to sway to its lively beats. The Rising Stars selected from each class received their awards and were crowned for their academic and co-curricular proficiencies. The most important part of the day graduation ceremony started with the Pre Primary students adorned in convocation robes and caps walking on the stage. Their smiling faces were welcomed by rapturous applause from the audience as they received scrolls of merit on the dais. Chief Guest Agnello Fernandes, Principal and distinguished guest Delancy D Mello gave away the certificates. The budding and poised students steered the mega event throughout, as they compered the show with unabated confidence displaying their oratory skills. In conclusion Aditi Kamath from UKG rendered the vote of thanks. She expressed her gratitude and thanked her teachers, parents and the entire school team for their hard work, towards making this event a memorable one.

20 20 Photos taken from the Infunity Sea World-class entertainment destination in Al Kout Mall Tamdeen Entertainment Company reveals Infunity Sea KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Tamdeen Entertainment Company, a subsidiary of Tamdeen Group, Kuwait s leading property developer, has unveiled Infunity Sea the latest interactive addition to the burgeoning family entertainment sector in Kuwait. Set to open during Q in Al Kout Mall, Fahaheel, Kuwait, Infunity Sea features a unique design inspired by marine life and the mall s location on the inviting Fahaheel coastline. Spanning 4,000 square meters the stateof-the-art indoor leisure center is the ultimate entertainment destination for the whole family. Visitors will embark on a unique journey from the sandy shores and the beachfront to the depths of the sea, passing through three distinctive zones. This first-of-its-kind experience continues with a range of rides and games including a roller coaster, air balloon game, and the inimitable family favorite, bumper cars. Furthermore, commenting on the innovative project, Chairman of Tamdeen Entertainment, Ahmed Al Osaimi, pointed: Tamdeen Entertainment strives to Al Osaimi offer a new world of entertainment in Kuwait. Infunity Sea, the latest edition in family entertainment, offers an enriching, pulsating journey for all visitors that begins with the eye-catching unique design and a welcoming atmosphere. Infunity Sea is an evolution of the first Infunity in 360 Mall, and further positions us as pioneers in the entertainment industry seeking customer s satisfaction and exceeding their expectations. Infunity Sea also features a modern bowling alley with eight lanes, as well as a party room equipped with latest audio-visual technology and amenities to host parties, special occasions and events. The spacious center is the ideal destination for school trips, corporate activities or team building activities. With safety, security and inclusivity paramount, Infunity Sea, the latest indoor family entertainment center, is designed to facilitate accessibility with two entrances and exits, and it caters to visitors with special needs. In addition, Al Kout Mall will also house Kuwait Karting, the biggest indoor karting track of-its-kind in the Middle East. KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Oncost & Carry, the first wholesale membership retail store in Kuwait, is slated to open its 4th outlet in the country in Shuwaikh next week. The new outlet will not only be the largest Oncost store in Kuwait, but also the brand s first wholesale outlet in the Capital Governorate. Adhering to its high international standards, Oncost s new branch offers customers the unique ambiance of wholesale shopping in a modern retail environment, while ensuring significantly discounted prices to its customers. Commenting on the upcoming opening of the 4th Oncost outlet, the company s CEO Saleh Al-Tunaib said, Keeping our customers as a priority, we made the decision to open our largest branch in the Capital Governorate so they can benefit from the Oncost concept of wholesale prices, quality, and variety. The COO of Oncost, T.A. Remesh, added the voluminous area of the new store and its easy accessibility from surrounding areas will provide a convenient Largest, first wholesale outlet Oncost & Carry to open 4th branch in Kuwait shopping environment to families, while also catering to discerning shoppers who are both quality and price conscious. The outlet will provide shoppers with an amazing variety of Saleh products at the best value-for-money prices all under one-roof. Wholesale shopping in a retail environment is a new and unique model that provides customers with the opportunity to enjoy Remesh wholesale shopping in an ambiance that is unparalleled in the wholesale market sector. In early 2018, Oncost launched its first and the only retail Membership Program that offers a cash-back reward of up to four percent, for those who register and shop at Oncost & Carry outlets, with registration being absolutely free. As part of its expansion drive, Oncost plans to open a new branch in Farwaniya Governorate in the immediate future, with more branches slated to open shortly in the Hawally and Jahra Governorates. The expansion is in line with the company s strategy of extending its reach across Kuwait, while providing affordable prices to customers in all governorates. Oncost & Carry, established in 2011, opened its first branch in Sulaibiya, within the Central Fruits & Vegetables Market. Its success led to the opening of second and third outlets in Hawally and Fahaheel respectively in In January 2017, Oncost entered the online shopping market with the launch of its online store. The easily accessible and interactive Oncost website allows shoppers to browse and pick from a vast inventory of products, and to have their selections delivered straight to the shoppers homes at no extra charge. Photo from the event Various surprises, discounts offered Mishref Co-op launches Health & Beauty Fest KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Mishref Co-operative Society inaugurated the Health and Beauty Festival in the presence of the Board Member and Chairman of Finance and Administration Committee, the Co-op and Pharmacy Team, Nasser Maarafi and the Secretary Waleed Rashdan. The launch ceremony took place in the presence of VIP guests and media delegates, where attendees enjoyed various offers on renowned international brands, as well as 50% discount on a wide range of cosmetics brands, medical products and appliances, other than skin care, health and children products. Not forgetting the food supplements and many more that satisfy the needs of every family member. The festival runs till end of March giving the opportunity to everyone to benefit from the amazing offers and surprises. On this occasion, Nasser Maarafi said, This year we will be planning and releasing various offers in the Co-op, as well many promotions and discounts on products and goods. He added, The Health and Beauty Festival in Mishref Co-op pharmacy is one of these initiatives that we are proud to introduce to shoppers as they can benefit from the amazing offers; including but not limited to, skin care and cleansing, free consultancy from beauty experts, special offers and discounts on the biggest collection of brands and medical products. He went on to say, We are keen to choose the best quality products, best prices and the latest offerings in the market, in cooperation with renowned companies, which we consider as key partners in our success, and our executive management that has constant strive to develop and provide the best marketing services throughout the year. Maarafi stated, We attempt to provide the best quality, lowest prices and special offers that generate better value to our shareholders. He pointed out that the Board of Directors is planning to organize ongoing activities, festivals and promotions that play an integral role in improving sales and customer service as well as adding value to shareholders and Mishref residents. He concluded by saying that Mishref Co-op will always be a role model in delivering service excellence and not-to-miss promotions, in addition to other social initiatives like the distribution of monthly food baskets at affordable prices, and the allocation of surplus profits to enrich the marketing plan and support various promotions and offers. KUWAIT CITY, March 21: It is true that a mother s responsibility is to care for her child, to nurture them, and to love them. But a mother is also so much more than that. A mother is someone who cares for you more than they care for themselves. A mother is protective, she wants to pave the path for you so nothing comes in your way. A mother is someone you look up to: whether you re 4 or 40 she is the epitome of a successful and beautiful human being. This Mother s Day, Little Harvard hoped to show students just how important their mother is, and to celebrate all they have done for us. Quality time on Mother s Day Little Harvard students honor Mothers All mothers were invited to Little Harvard to watch a show prepared by students in honor of this special day. Through spending quality time with their children reading books and doing crafts, Little Harvard mother s were gifted the most important intangible gift of all: time. Time is what we hope students give their mothers after all the hard work and mental stress that comes with raising a child. On this special day, we honor all the mothers out there for all they have done, but we also hope that mothers everywhere are being made feel special everyday and not just on this one particular day. We hope that our students take the time to thank their mothers a little everyday. Because when the time comes, it will be their turn to take care of their mothers when they grow old and to nurture them at even half the effort they put into us. click General Continued from Page 18 Photos from the event Tour language: Arabic- English- French; Arabic (English upon prior request); Arabic- English- French; Arabic (English upon prior request); Arabic- English- French: Arabic (English upon prior request) Rules and Regulations: Please arrive in time for your visit. All visitors are kindly required to abide by the mosque s dress code. Male visitors should wear long pants. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Female visitors: should wear head cover and long loose clothing (available at the mosque). Foods and drinks are not allowed inside the prayer halls. For school visits, teachers are responsible for their students and are required to cooperate with the staff members of the Grand Mosque. Photography is allowed inside the Grand Mosque (please note that disrespectful poses are strictly prohibited). If you would like to book a tour, please contact us: Tel: / / gmvisits@gmail.com Fax: Share your story with Amricani: Do you or any of your family members, acquaintances or friends happen to have a story with the American Missionary hospital in Kuwait (Mustashfa Lemraicani) during the years from , the official period of offering medical services in Kuwait? Please share with us your story or your memory during those old days by writing the event and sending it to the following address: Mystory@darmuseum. org.kw Notes: 1. Please send your story only to the above mentioned . Story shared in Instagram, Facebook or Twitter will not be considered. 2. Please write your story or memory and sign it with your full name, and your contact number. 3. It will be great if you send us your personal photos or those of the place related to the story (optional). Your story will be part of a new book to be published by DAI. I am confident that your contributions will be an essential part of the history of Amricani. Share with us! Photos from the event KIFF anti-drugs campaign: As part of the Fraternity fest, Kuwait India Fraternity Forum (KIFF) is conducting Anti-Drugs Campaign among Indians living in Kuwait. According to the available statistics of Indian Embassy, 60% of the convicted Indians in Kuwaiti Jails are arrested on drug-related cases. The recent cases of death and captives of Indian drug abusers is a threatening news. To defend and to campaign against such social crisis by protecting individuals as well as the society has become obligatory. In this current situation, Kuwait India Fraternity Forum is conducting campaign by distributing handouts, conducting counseling, seminars etc. to educate the Indians living in Kuwait informed President Saifudheen Nalakath in a press release. For more details contact: or at kiffkuwait@ gmail.com. NYF offers free yoga classes: NYF Kuwait offers free yoga, breathing, meditation and reiki classes by a well-experienced female yoga teacher for all age groups. Classes are given on the basis of different health problems, stress and other problems by different techniques. Contact: Leadership Excellence Course: The Leadership Excellence Course (LEC) is a course modeled on the Seerah of Rasoolullah who is the best model of leadership for all mankind. The LEC focuses on the lessons that we can learn from the Seerah of Rasoolullah and see how we can apply them in our lives to become winners in this world and the next. The objectives of the course are 1. Understand what leadership is from the Seerah of Rasoolullah and how to apply it in our lives today 2. Understand the purpose of our lives and learn to live that purpose with confidence 3. Understand the importance of connecting to Allah and learn how to do it 4. Continued on Page 21

21 21 Crisp texture, more nutritious Delicious spaghetti squash tasty alternative to pasta By Sara Moulton Spaghetti squash is a large round squash that forms spaghettilike strands when it s cooked. Its texture is crisp, its taste is mild, and it can indeed replace spaghetti in the recipe of your choice. This is especially good news if you re searching for an alternative to pasta, either because you re allergic to gluten or because you re seeking a more nutritious landing pad for a delicious sauce. Spaghetti squash can be steamed, roasted or cooked in the microwave. Whatever method is used, the squash cooks much faster if you start by slicing it in half. But you have to be careful sawing through its thick skin can be dangerous. Happily, just a few minutes in a microwave will soften up the squash enough to alleviate this danger. After cooking the squash and halving it, I finish it off in the microwave, which tenderizes it in 17 to 20 minutes rather than the 30 to 45 minutes required when it s steamed or roasted. By the way, most recipes instruct you to halve the squash lengthwise, but if you halve it crosswise, as in this recipe, you ll end up with strands that are much longer... and more spaghettilike. When the squash has cooled, use a fork to scrape out the strands. Having prepped the squash to this point, you can store it in the refrigerator for a few days until you re ready to prepare a sauce and finish it, an option you can t employ with actual pasta that, because of its starch content, turns into a big gummy wad of stuck-together strands. (You can also freeze spaghetti squash.) After scooping out the squash strands, add them to the creamy goat cheese sauce, then simmer them for 5 minutes while they soak up the flavor. Again, this is something you can t do with actual spaghetti, which would not only become too soft but also completely absorb all of the sauce if you simmered it at length. You can pair spaghetti squash with any sauce you would add to regular pasta. Just remember to let the spaghetti squash cook in the sauce whatever kind it is for a few minutes before serving. Spaghetti Squash with Creamy Goat Cheese Sauce and Shredded Zucchini Start to finish: 1 hour (30 active) Servings: 4 to 6 1 1/2 pounds zucchini; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt; One 3- to 3 1/2 pound spaghetti squash; 1 1/2 cups sliced onion; 2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil; 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage; 4 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled; 1 ounce grated Parmigiano-Reggiano; 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts Coarsely grate the zucchini, preferably using the grating disk of a food processor, toss it in a colander with the salt and let it drain for 20 minutes. Prick the spaghetti squash in three or four places with a skewer and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Cut in half crosswise and microwave for 5 minutes. Scrape out and discard the seeds and microwave again for 8 minutes or until the strands of squash are easy to scrape out. Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook the onion in the oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 8 minutes. Working with one handful at a time, squeeze the zucchini tightly to get rid of excess moisture. Add the squeezed zucchini to the onion and cook over medium heat, stirring This March 2018 photo shows spaghetti squash with creamy goat cheese sauce and shredded zucchini in New York. (AP) for 3 minutes. to a bowl and reserve the skillet. Let the spaghetti squash stand until it is cool enough to handle, then scoop out all the strands (you should end up with about 4 1/2 cups). Add the vegetable broth, 1 cup water, the sage and the cheese to the skillet and bring to a boil, whisking. Add the spaghetti squash strands, cover and simmer 5 minutes or until the squash is tender. Add the zucchini and cook for 1 minute more until the mixture is heated through. Stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano and salt and pepper to taste, transfer to four bowls and top each portion with one-quarter of the nuts. Also: PARIS: The French may be fiercely proud of their gastronomy, but for the first time last year they ate more USstyle burgers than the iconic jambonbeurre sandwich of baguette a study showed. Some 1.46 billion hamburgers were eaten in France last year, 14 times as many as 10 years ago, while 1.22 billion of the baguette cut open according to the study by Gira Conseil consultants. Jambon-beurre is a French tradition, said Gira Conseil director Bernard Boutboul. But the French are now crazy about burgers. You find them everywhere, from fast-foods to Michelin-starred restaurants. Eighty percent of restaurants in France have at least one burger on their menu, Boutboul said, although many add a local twist: It s often done with high quality meat and prized bread. We made it very much a French product. (Agencies) Turathi Samira Al Doub telling stories to her young friends. Bader Alyaseen giving cooking classes to a young friend at Turathi. click Continued from Page 20 General Understand the importance of connecting to Allah and learn how to do it 4. Understand how to leverage your strengths and overcome weaknesses 5. Understand how to articulate your life goal and create a road map to achieve it. For more information please visit or call / AWL registration: If you would like to join the American Women s League (AWL), please call or or kuwaitawl@yahoo. com. All American women and wives of Americans are welcomed. Ugandans register with UIK: Are you a Ugandan living and working in Kuwait? Would you like to get in touch with other Ugandans in Kuwait both socially and professionally? Then please get in touch with us. We would like to invite you to register with the Ugandans in Kuwait (UIK) association, an informal organization of Ugandans living and working in Kuwait. The purpose of this exercise is to get together as Ugandans and to consider taking the first steps to establishing a more formal organisation. This association is voluntary. It is designed to create a forum for Ugandans in Kuwait to foster a sense of community, to communicate more effectively with each other and to encourage Ugandans out here to work together. We are also Continued on Page 24 Children learning and playing traditional games. Volunteers and guests play traditional games in the big courtyard. Sadu House organizes event for children that helps them engage with Kuwaiti heritage Turathi: Engaging the next generation By Chaitali B. Roy Special to the Arab Times On Saturday, March 17, 2018, Sadu House held Turathi a day dedicated to meaningful activities for children that helped them engage with Kuwaiti heritage, traditional games, workshops and a lot more. On that day scores of children flocked the wide courtyards of Sadu House playing traditional games, going through the exhibits, learning to cook traditional food, making cloth dolls, and basically having a good time getting acquainted and in some cases reacquainted with bits and pieces of their culture. The brainchild of Sheikha Bibi Duaij Al Sabah, Chairperson of Al Sadu Handicraft Society, Turathi proved to be a daylong celebration of heritage which brought together families to the old Kuwaiti building. We felt that there was not much going on for children at Sadu House. We do get a lot of school visits but then the children do not come with their parents, and we wanted them to visit and enjoy Sadu House as a family. This event gave us the opportunity. It is a simple event, but the children are enjoying it, smiled Sheikha Bibi delighted with the success of the event. In the evening, the Bin Hussein band will perform. They are our new neighbours now, and they do come to most of our events. Explore On Saturday, apart from participating in the activities that were organized for them, the children were allowed to explore the story of weaving exhibit where they learned about the desert and urban weaving through displays, video presentation and live demonstrations of traditional weaving on a ground loom. Hannan Soliman, an art teacher who had accompanied her son, enjoyed the experience. Sadu, she feels teaches a very important lesson in heritage to the children. Lamya Al-Hajji was relishing the enjoyment the children showed, poring over their colouring books, asking questions as volunteers gently steered them through the activities. Look at the children. They are very enthusiastic about what they are doing and are so involved. Lamya loves Sadu House and keeps coming back for a cup of coffee whenever time permits. is a breathtaking building. I love the light that filters in through the skylight. It is through Sadu House and its activities that Sheikha Altaf Al Ali Al Sabah, patron of Al Sadu Cooperative Society has fought the slow erosion of material culture that has taken place as a process of social change. I am very encouraged and elated because I see it as a positive step that will help any young person to know more about his culture and human cultures in general. It will open their eyes to human artistic expression and creativity, to the beauty in the colours and patterns and meaning in manual handwork, Sheikha Altaf once said in response to interest shown by young Kuwaitis in the sadu project. The achievement of an endeavour like sadu lies in its ability to build awareness and interest among the younger generation as a result granting continuity to meaningful aspects of the past. I believe we can blend tradition with modernity, continuity with change... we can harmonize the old with the new, Sheikha Altaf had shared in her book Kuwait Traditions. Turathi was a coming together of individual and collective efforts. Dowa Al Dawliya, a non-profit organization centred on spreading heritage awareness engaged the children in traditional games, Bader Alyaseen taught them Kuwaiti cooking, Alya and Badriya taught them to have fun with textiles, Samira Doub regaled them with old stories and Hamed Bin Hussein Band, the famous folkloric music band taught them to appreciate and enjoy folk music. Maisa Maqsood from Lebanon was on her first visit to Sadu House. Her daughters along with a group of children were hanging on to every word that storyteller Samira Doub was saying. She is telling them to spend less time with their phones and gadgets, explained Maisa who sat in the audience. She is telling them to read books, and to play with their dolls. Alia Al Mushri from Dowa alyada was explaining the rules of a traditional game to a young crowd. The new generation doesn t know much about their heritage. We create courses and activities that give our children some information about our heritage and traditions. Taught In one corner of the courtyard, Alia s granddaughter taught a group to play Al Khabsa, a simple game for girls. In another section of the courtyard, Ahmad Al Hassan taught young Ali dawma, a traditional board game which resembles chess. In one of the rooms, young Bader Alyaseen held court with a group of children whom he taught to make tamariyah a traditional Kuwaiti dish. I would like to thank Sadu House for the opportunity to work with them and host the cooking class, said Bader, a recently certified trainer. Sadu House provided me with most of the equipment, cutlery and even the cute flags. It was a well-organized event and the volunteers though inexperienced did exceptionally well in managing the kids. It has been a surreal experience for me to see the kids have fun in my class. They bragged about their work and showed their parents what they did. I am very happy I took this opportunity, and I can t wait to work with Sadu House again. Change, as Sheikha Altaf had said in an earlier interview, is inevitable, but this change has to be absorbed with insight and a lot of understanding of our true essence. For a tree to grow and blossom, it needs strong roots and healthy nutrients. People are like trees; they need to understand their roots to grow strong and fruitful. Herein, lies the importance of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, which helps give roots to culture as it grows into a modern developed society. Over the years, Sadu House has made some major contributions to the preservation of both material and non-material heritage and has become a great source of inspiration in the country.

22 22 Training schedule will be every Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00 Kaifan Sports Complex-Karate Gym. Text or call # Herms. Holy Quran classes: Emanway Foundation Musk is offering classes to teach English-speaking ladies (and girls ages 5 and up) to read the Holy Quran in Arabic. The method is al-qaedah Noorania, a traditional program which has been used for many years around the world. (Note: Al-Qaedah simply means base ; this can be likened to a basic phonics program.) No Arabic knowledge is required. Every Friday from 4:00 to 5:15 pm. Al-Salam Area (south Surra), Block 2, Street 201, House 30. Classes are free, but seats are limited, so register now by calling Tagalog Khutba for Filipinos: The Ministry of Awqaf, Islam Presentation Committee, & Kuwait Philippine Cultural Center (KPC Center) invites all Filipino Muslim & Muslima to hear Khutba (Sermon) in Tagalog every Friday at Marzouq Al-Badr Mosque, Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeq St (at the back of Ambassador Supermarket and SM Supermarket, near Salhiya Police Station & Kuwait Airways Bldg) in Kuwait City. There will be a comh o r o s c o p e By Jacqueline Bigar Happy birthday for Thursday, March 22, 2018: This year you are full of energy, and experience your life in a new light. You will focus on your communication with friends and loved ones. You even might sign up for a workshop on how to communicate effectively. If you are single, the person you choose to relate to now might not be so appealing in a year. Stay open to others, and try not to commit for a while. If you are attached, the two of you seem to enjoy each other even more. You will see a change in how the two of you relate. GEMINI often pops in and out of your life. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult. Capricorn - (Dec 22 - Jan 19) **** You might not have the answers you seek, but you do have information. Take time to make some calls for yourself, even if just to schedule a routine checkup. You might be concerned about a health-related issue; know that you will handle it. Tonight: Happiest at home. Aquarius - (Jan 20 - Feb 18) ***** You hear good news that you might want to share. Know that you are heading in the right direction. Both attached and single Aquarians could find relating to loved ones stressful in the next few weeks. Don t worry, this is just a phase. Tonight: Allow your inner child to emerge. Pisces - (Feb 19 - Mar 20) *** Your sense of direction will help push a project forward. Listen carefully to what those you are working with have to say. Remain open to the possibility of change. Refuse to stand on ceremony if you experience a misunderstanding. Tonight: Cozy up at home with a good book. Aries - (Mar 21 - Apr 19) **** You could be more in tune with what is going on than you realize. Return calls, schedule meetings and push forward any matters involving communication. Later in the day, misunderstandings might dominate. Take a step back from the chaos. Tonight: Lie low. Taurus - (Apr 20 - May 20) **** You can be possessive. If you find this tendency emerging, try to figure out what triggers it. Going within yourself usually works, as you can root out the cause. In the next few weeks, be careful, as misunderstandings run rampant. Tonight: Do something that makes you smile. Gemini - (May 21 - June 20) **** Speak your mind. Your words will help clear up a problem. Your ruling planet, Mercury, goes retrograde today. Expect some misunderstandings. A blast from the past easily could appear. You might meet someone with whom you have a karmic tie. Tonight: All smiles. Cancer - (June 21 - July 22) **** You might feel tense with all the activity around you. Be more direct in how you discuss a problem, but don t hit anyone below the belt. A change within your community or at work could cause some stress. Try not to internalize any tension. Tonight: Make sure you go to the gym. Leo - (July 23 - Aug 22) ***** You are flying high. Matters involving long-term goals will be tossed into the limelight. You might want to reflect on what you have taken for granted. You have changed, so your desires could have changed as well. Make an adjustment, if need be. Tonight: Out with friends. Virgo - (Aug 23 - Sept 22) *** You are in the limelight, and others appreciate your efforts. However, finding a point of agreement could be challenging. You might find the process long and tedious. Push this matter aside for a while, as your ruling planet, Mercury, goes backward. Tonight: Let go of problems. Libra - (Sept 23 - Oct 22) **** The more reflective you are, the more likely you will be to find out why others are being secretive. Say little, and listen a lot. Check out all the information that is being shared before taking action; otherwise, a problem could occur. Tonight: A change of plans is a good thing. Scorpio - (Oct 23 - Nov 21) **** Keep your day and plans intact. Don t be surprised if you need to make a lastminute adjustment. Be as clear with a loved one as possible, especially when discussing your relationship. Avoid a misunderstanding. Tonight: Respond with sensitivity to a request. Sagittarius - (Nov 22 - Dec 21) ***** You are full of energy, but try not to direct it toward a grumpy associate or roommate. You inadvertently might set off a quarrel, which won t be easy to resolve. Be smart and distance yourself. You ll discover how creative you can be around a loved one. Tonight: Do your thing, but be sensitive to a partner. Born today: Actress Reese Witherspoon (1976), author James Patterson (1947), football player J.J. Watt (1989) home decor indoor gardening beauty tips taste buds glass door art dracula sodiroi chamomile shampoo chickpea burgers Supplies: Paper doilies Craft paint Sponge brush Scotch tape Instructions: Water down the craft paint just a touch and brushed over the doilies with a 2-inch sponge brush. Set aside to dry. Arrange them on the inside of the cabinet using scotch tape through the lace patterned edge. Dear Abby Wife left at home longs to socialize with adults By Abigail Van Buren Dear Abby: My husband, Tom, and I have three kids: One is in college, the next is in grade school and the youngest is a baby. I m a full-time medical student, and he s a professional athlete. From the outside, it would seem like we have a perfect life. In reality, Tom does his own thing. He attends parties, goes to exciting social events and hobnobs with the rich and famous. I am left at home to manage all of our day-to-day responsibilities and socially restricted to family functions or kid sports. I would like to be included in the invitations and attend some of the fun activities with my husband, but when I ask him if I can go, he says they are work-related. So I end up staying home to care for our kids. He thinks I should Abigail be happy with this and says I don t understand his business responsibilities. I d really like the chance to interact with other adults with my husband, but I can t seem to get him to appreciate the importance of including me. If I make a big deal about it, he opts not to attend the event at all. I m slightly suspicious of his behavior and offended. He s kind to me, a good provider and cares for our kids, but how can I get him to understand it s important for both of us to have fun together with other adults? Sports wife in California Dear sports wife: A wife is supposed to be more than a baby machine, housekeeper and nanny. She s supposed to be her husband s partner. While I understand there may be some events the athletes attend without spouses, it would be interesting to know whether the other athletes wives are being treated the way you are. Surely you know some of them. Talk to the ones you are closest with. Your husband may not have been entirely honest about why he insists on fl ying solo, so make it your business to do some checking. Dear Abby: I m the proud grandmother of an 18-month-old girl. My daughter is an attentive mother in every way except one. My concern is that she lets the baby play alone in the bathtub. My husband and I recently celebrated my birthday at her house. When I asked where the baby was, another guest said, She s playing in the bathtub. Sure enough, the baby was in the bathroom, in the bathtub, playing and swimming around in the water by herself. I was horrified! I can t imagine that times have changed this much or that it could ever be OK to leave a baby unattended in the bath, no matter their dexterity or ability to walk. I spent the next day in a panic, sending my daughter stories, news articles and other information, trying to get across to her how dangerous this is, but she didn t want to hear it. Do you have some magic words for me? Grandmother in North Carolina Dear grandmother: Babies have been known to drown in as little as 2 inches of water. Your clueless daughter may not want to hear it, but what you have described is child endangerment. The magic words you are asking for are: parenting classes. And if she still won t listen, some other good ones are: Child Protective Services. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA (Source: Universal Uclick) This plant is commonly known as The Red Bell Dracula. It is a beautiful clump-forming plant with narrow 6 long leaves, erect fl ower spikes rise above the foliage and are adorned with 2 to 5 brilliant orange/red bell-shaped pendant internally hirsute 1 fl owers with three crimson 1 tails, one of the few Draculas producing more than one open flower at a time per spike. Site: It prefers a humidity of 75-85% with indirect low light and slight shadowing. Temperature: Dracula sodiroi requires cool to intermediate temperature. The temperature range can be between 52 F min. to 80 F max. Water: Daily watering, 1 or more waterings per day (should not dry out). THURSDAY South African Embassy closure: On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa will be closed on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 and will reopen on Thursday, March 22, 2018 with its official offi ce hours from 8h00 to 16h00 and the Consular Section operation hours will be from 8h30 to 12h30. For emergency calls please contact: TIES class: You are cordially invited to another session of our series about some prophets and messengers of Allah (SWT) this Thursday, March 22, at 7:00 pm. In this class, we will discuss Ayyoub s lifespan, the appointment of his son as his successor, his death, and the transformation of his people after him. We will also examine some peoples excuses for their disbelief or neglect of acts of worship, comparing them to several prophets who were challenged with dire circumstances yet they grew firmer in faith and multiplied their acts of worship. Finally, we will learn about Dhul-Kifl, whom some historians and scholars consider a prophet and the son of Prophet Ayyoub (AS). Come and learn more about some prophets of Allah (SWT) in a serene, inviting and encouraging atmosphere. Experience Science for Adults: Registration is now open for Experience Science for Adults. Why should kids have all the fun?! The fi ve week programme will be held on Saturday from 10:00 am-11:30 am at the Yarmouk Cultural Centre. Registration is limited to 16. You may register at either the Amricani Cultural Centre, Sunday to Thursday 10:00-3:00 or the Yarmouk Cultural Centre, Sunday to Thursday 10:00-6:00. For more information, please education@darmuseum.org.kw TIES Center classes: TIES Center is conducting a series of classes about some of the Prophets and Messengers of God who strove very hard to spread monotheism and teach their respective peoples how to worship God. Their message was not only spiritual; they also taught people how to conduct their daily lives and develop the living conditions on earth. In this series, we will focus on the following prophets: Adam, Nouh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Ayoub (Job), Yousuf (Joseph), Mousa (Moses), and Eisa (Jesus) may peace, mercy and blessings of Allah (to Whom all might and majesty is ascribed) be upon them all. We will not only focus on historical facts, but will also deduce some important lessons whose application in our daily interactions and chores determine our success and salvation. Join us every Thursday at 7 pm to learn about the life and times of those messengers of firm resolve. The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking Muslims in Kuwait. For more information, please call or info@tiescenter.net or visit FRIDAY Free IFRA coaching classes: Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) will be starting free refresher/coaching Ingredients: * 6 chamomile tea bags * 4 tablespoons pure soap flakes * 1-1/2 tablespoons glycerin Directions: Steep the teabags in 1-1/2 cups of boiled water for 20 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard. Add the soap fl akes to the tea and let stand until the soap softens. Stir in glycerin until well blended. Keep in a dark, cool place in a sealed bottle. what s on today emergency Site for checking travel ban The farewell and blessing ceremony AMANTRYA was organized on Feb 22, 2018 to bid a warm farewell to the outgoing students of Class X of The Indian Community School Kuwait, Amman. It was a unique farewell as students from Classes VI to IX joined hands in organizing the cultural show. Teachers who taught the outgoing students during their KG, Primary and Middle School days were also present on the occasion to bless them. Principal Rajesh Nair addressed the outgoing students and cherished his association with them and wished them a very bright and successful future. The truly exceptional students were honoured with the best awards by the Principal Rajesh Nair and Vice-Principal Dr Mary Isaac for their remarkable achievements in academics, arts and sports. Students who had 100 % attendance during the academic year were also honoured. classes for existing referees, new recruits, those aspiring to be referees and even those who would like to learn about the laws of the game at IEAS Salmiya (Don Bosco). Classes will be from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm every Friday. Those interested may call or get in touch with any IFRA member for registration. FBC tournament: Filipino Badminton Committee (FBC) is inviting all badminton enthusiast in Kuwait to join their regular badminton tournament being held every Friday from 8 am to 7 pm at Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, Bin Khaldoun Hawalli. Over 10 badminton courts are now available for badminton practices and tournament and it is open for all nationalities and from different badminton organizations. Exclusive-private court are also available on per hour rental. For more information, please contact Dr Chie Umandap Arnis/Eskrima training: Eskrimador- Kuwait a member of Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation now opens a new batch of training. Learn the Philippine national sports, which is Arnis/Eskrima with the authentic style and techniques. A flyer of the event Ingredients: 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained; 1 red pepper; bunch of fresh cilantro; 1 small onion; 1 clove of garlic, minced; 1/2 cup bread crumbs; 1/3 cup chickpea fl our or coarse cornmeal for coating; salt & pepper to taste; 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional). Method: In a medium skillet, sauté the onion, garlic and red pepper until soft. Set aside and let cool. In a small mixer, blend the chickpeas until almost smooth, some texture is good. In a bowl place the mashed chickpeas, veggies along with all the other ingredients and mix either by hand or a wooden spoon. Shape into balls and press to make burgers. Spread out the chickpea flour or cornmeal on a large plate, and dip your cakes into the flour so they re covered all around. Cook them on a frying pan with olive oil. 5-6 minutes on each side. number 112 Civil ID info: Items for the What s On page can be sent directly to the Arab Times, P.O. Box 2270, 13023, Safat or faxed to or to arabtimes@ arabtimesonline.com. All items on this page are published as a courtesy to the public. These announcements can include birthday greetings, weddings, social functions or any other non-commercial events. Photographs of all events are welcome. munity started and lunch after Friday prayers at KPC Center in Farwaniya. For further information, please call KPC Center, Tel St Paul s Church weekly activities: English worship services on Fridays at am and on Sundays at 6.30 pm. The Friday English service has separate sessions for children and youth. A Mandarin language speaking congregations meets separately on Fridays at am in the Youth Centre at St Paul s. A combined service with the English and Mandarin language congregations is held on the first Friday of every month. A family service is held on the second Friday of every month with presentations from different organs of the church. The Church of Pakistan has services in English every Thursday at St Paul s at 5.35 pm and for Urdu language speaking members every Friday at Diwaniya of the NECK Centre, Kuwait City at 5.45 pm. Please contact Fr Michael Mbona on mobile or call at Church house on or to chaplain@stpaulskuwait.com or mrmbona@gmail.com For Mandarin speaking congregation contact Revd Zhu Peijin on and her address is greenolivettc@hotmail.com Contact person: Fr Michael Mbona Mobile: mrmbona@ gmail.com Redeemed Christian Church: The Redeemed Christian Church of God (HOD Parish) worship in English. Celebration Service: Friday 9 am 11 am; Divine encounter: Sunday, 6:30 pm 8:30 pm; Digging Deep (Bible studies): Tuesday, 6:30 pm 8:30 pm; Night vigil every last Friday of the month from 10 pm. Venue: New Mishref. For more information and direction please call , rccghouseofdavidq8@gmail.com Holy Quran classes: Emanway Foundation Musk is offering classes to teach English-speaking ladies (and girls ages 5 and up) to read the Holy Quran in Arabic. The method is al-qaedah Noorania, a traditional program which has been used for many years around the world. (Note: Al-Qaedah simply means base ; this can be likened to a basic phonics program.) No Arabic knowledge is required. Every Friday from 4:00 to 5:15 pm. Al-Salam Area (south Surra), Block 2, Street 201, House 30. Classes are free, but seats are limited, so register now by calling

23 23 Brazil to vaccinate entire country against yellow fever Nearly half of abortions worldwide unsafe, putting thousands at risk LONDON, March 21, (Agencies): Nearly half of the estimated 56 million abortions carried out worldwide each year are unsafe, leading to the deaths of at least 22,800 women every year, according to a major study published on Tuesday. Abortion bans do not stop women having terminations, but do increase the risk that they will resort to dangerous measures to end unwanted pregnancies, the Guttmacher Institute said in the most comprehensive report on global abortion trends in a decade. And although abortion rates have fallen sharply in developed regions in the last 25 years, there has been no notable change in developing countries, it said. A major factor is the lack of access to good contraception in many regions, resulting in high rates of unplanned pregnancy, the New York-based institute said in a statement. Most women who have an abortion do so because they did not intend to become pregnant in the first place, the report s co-author Susheela Singh said in a statement. Meeting the need for contraception is critical to bringing down rates even further. The abortion rate in countries where terminations are largely or totally prohibited is about the same as the rate in countries without restrictions, according to data published by the institute. Tainted food outbreak threatens 16 African nations Study finds obesity robs tongue of taste buds in mice It found the highest annual rate of abortion is in the Caribbean estimated at 59 per 1,000 women of reproductive age; the lowest is in Western Europe at 16 per 1,000 women. Between 2000 and 2017, 33 countries including Nepal, Uruguay, WASHINGTON, March 21, (AP): Packing on pounds seems to dull people s sense of taste, and puzzled researchers turned to mice to figure out why: Obesity, they found, can rob the tongue of taste buds. If Tuesday s findings pan out, this could be a whole new kind of target in treating obesity, said Cornell University food scientist Robin Dando, whose lab led the research. People don t really look at the taste bud, but it s so fundamental. Diet, exercise and genetics are among many factors that play a role in obesity. But taste preferences influence dietary choices, and some earlier studies have suggested that obese people often taste flavors with less intensity than lean people. The theory, still unproven, is that people might make up for weakened taste by turning to higher-calorie foods or generally eating more. Dando s team took a closer look at taste buds, those clusters of cells on the tongue that help perceive the five tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. They turned to lab mice, feeding them a high-fat diet that caused rapid weight gain and then counting the taste buds in a spot on the tongue that s normally packed with them. The obese mice wound up with 25 percent fewer taste buds than lean mice that were fed a normal diet, the researchers reported in the journal PLOS Biology. Taste buds constantly regenerate as the 50 to 100 cells inside Niger and Ethiopia eased abortion rules, the report said. Nicaragua was the only country to tighten its law. But the authors warned that some countries with broadly liberal laws had added restrictions eroding access to abortion, including the United States, them mature, die off and are replaced by new ones. Taste bud cells have an average lifespan of about 10 days, and turnover of the entire taste bud takes about four weeks, explained Dando, who directs the Cornell Sensory Evaluation Facility. Both sides of that cycle were affected in the obese mice, as regular cell death sped up and resupply dropped. Could fatty food be responsible? No, the researchers found mice genetically resistant to obesity chowed down yet didn t lose taste buds. The remaining suspect: the chronic inflammation that obesity triggers throughout the body. Dando s team examined a common inflammatory molecule called TNFalpha. Mice bred to be genetically Russia, Hungary and Latvia. Two-fifths of women still live in countries where abortion is banned or highly restricted, the report said. However the increased use of the abortion-inducing drug misoprostol has improved safety, it added. incapable of making that molecule got fat but also didn t lose taste buds. Also: JOHANNESBURG: A deadly outbreak linked to tainted food in South Africa is now threatening other African nations, with neighboring Namibia reporting a confirmed case that might be connected, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. In a statement, WHO said it has reached out to 16 countries to help with preparedness and response to the listeriosis outbreak that has killed nearly 200 people since January South Africa s health minister has said there have been 950 cases in all. Also: SAO PAULO: Brazil s health minister says the country is expanding its campaign to vaccinate people against yellow fever to cover the entire country. Ricardo Barros says that by includ- ing the final four of Brazil s 27 states, nearly 78 million people will have been vaccinated by Barros told a news conference Tuesday that 920 cases of yellow fever have been reported nationwide since July 2017 and 300 people have died from the disease. During the same period last year, 610 cases and 196 deaths were reported. US health officials last week warned travelers to stay away from certain areas of Brazil if they haven t been vaccinated against yellow fever. The virus can be spread by the same mosquito that transmits other tropical diseases, including Zika and dengue. BELGRADE: Serbian authorities said Tuesday they have launched an initial investigation of some public opponents of vaccination after 12 people, including two children, have died in an outbreak of measles. The prosecutor s office for high-tech crime is looking into whether there is criminal accountability by a number of public persons, opponents of vaccination of children, the Serbian prosecutors s office said in a statement. The probe came about after a group of 270 parents last month accused 43 people of causing panic, including a famous folk singer Jelena Krleusa, a writer and even a doctor who have publicly spoken against vaccination, local media has reported.

24 24 Crown producers apologize Idol auditions bring chill bumps and tearjerkers LOS ANGELES, March 21, (Agencies): On the fourth episode of American Idol auditions, country icon Kenny Rogers made a cameo appearance in the form of advice learned and dispensed by judge Lionel Richie: In pop music, you hit the right notes, while in country music you hit the real notes. Alas, plenty of wrong notes were also struck in one of the funniest episodes of the Idol reboot season. It was also the cutest show so far as birthday girl Katy Perry was surprised by fellow judges Richie, Luke Bryan and host Ryan Seacrest with cake and puppies. She was even gifted with a dress worn by a contestant and serenaded by another, earning the easiest Golden Ticket in Idol history. Plus, a girl born on the date of the original American Idol premiere in 2002 Victoria McQueen felt the birthday love with a shiny ticket of her own. There were real notes, too, with stories and auditions that ranged from heartbreaking to inspiring as the episode jumped cities, from New Orleans to Nashville, Los Angeles and New York. The hilarity came early in the show courtesy of Adriana Bolton, this generation s answer to Mariah Carey. Well, at least when she hit the famed whistle tone, exasperating Richie who notes he isn t sure exactly what he s judging. The setup for Bolton was classic Idol soundtracked by Demi Lovato s Confident but oozing in awfulness. Ditto for a guy who had to spell out his last name as a dog pooped on the floor. The moment prompted Perry to whip out her phone while dragging out the poor stage hands armed with Lysol to disinfect the joint. Another male hopeful didn t even bother to tune his guitar. Good thing he had a pro in the house judge Luke Bryan to oblige with a freebie worth about $50,000, joked Perry. But make no mistake: Nashville is Bryan s turf, and he seemed determined to find talent in the city that first welcomed him to Music Row. Bryan was tougher in his judging on Monday night questioning vocals and genuinely straddling the fence on several contestants. As a variety of contestants are shown the door, including The Voice season 11 alum Johnny Rez and nuanced vocal teacher Britney Holmes, vocal prowess is clearly not enough. Who did snag a golden ticket? Deep-voiced goat farmer Trevor McBane, who brought along his 81-year-old Nana for good luck (the grandmothers this season are amazing) and sailed through after a raw take on Colder Weather by Zac Brown Band. Another unvarnished performance came by way of 18-year-old Genavieve Linkowski, one of ten kids in her family, who impressed at the piano with a breathy cover of I Won t Give Up by Jason Mraz and received a (somewhat ridiculous) comparison to Celine Dion by Richie. Kenedee Rittenhouse of Checotah, Oklahoma came in with what seemed like a built-in Idol pedigree not only is she from Carrie Underwood s hometown, she actually sang a duet with the season four winner, then auditioned with I Told You So, Underwood s duet with Randy Travis. It s here where Bryan begins to show his judging chops, leaning towards a no vote until Perry made her sing the chorus of Firework. Rittenhouse has pitch issues which could be exposed in Hollywood, but she earns a ticket anyway. Chill bumps came courtesy of 22-year-old Alabama boy Brandon Elder. Adopted by a single mom after being abandoned by his birth mother, Elder was heartbroken when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and only began singing one year ago as a way to serenade her at her bedside. Strapping on a guitar, Elder Couch slouch delivered the sweetest two-chord original song, Gone, which Bryan says is magically from the heart. While Elder obviously needs help in the vocal department, he is already a winner. The show continues with tickets awarded to legal assistant Dominique, who impresses with Donny Hathaway s A Song for You, prompting Perry to predict that his job in a law office is not where his future career lies. An interesting contender for the top 12 is found at the New York auditions in 28-year old Amalia Watty, who performs To Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan with a Macy Gray vibe as she plucks at her guitar. Also impressive is 22-year-old Daniel Ethridge, who doubles down with a Chris Stapleton cover of Fire Away and an original song. And 20-year-old Somathias certainly looks the part of an Idol and shows promise at the piano. We ll see how his hair holds up in the heat of Hollywood. The producers of hit Netflix royal saga The Crown apologized Tuesday over the firestorm that erupted after it emerged that Claire Foy was paid less than co-star Matt Smith. But the statement stopped short of admitting that Foy had been treated unfairly, or of offerng to redress the balance with a retrospective bonus for the actress, who played Queen Elizabeth II in the British royal saga. We want to apologize to both Claire Foy and to Matt Smith, brilliant actors and friends, who have found themselves at the center of a media storm this week through no fault of their own, the statement from London-based Left Bank Pictures said. The furor erupted last week when producers admitted that Smith, who plays the queen s husband Prince Philip, negotiated a better deal than Foy because of his perceived higher profile. They did not reveal either salary Foy s was put at $40,000 an episode by Variety last year but told a panel event in Jerusalem that Smith s starring role on the BBC s Doctor Who had been the decisive factor. The explanation has not appeased critics who argued that the discrepancy should only have shown up in the first season, before Foy was garlanded with acclaim. Sinbad has been cast in Fox comedy pilot Rel. The standup comic will play the Nat, the father of the protagonist played by star and co-creator Lil Rel Howery. Nat is described as seeming to care more about his reputation in the community than he does about the happiness of his sons. Rel, from writer, executive producer and star Howery, as well as writers and executive producers Kevin Barnett and Josh Rabinowitz, executive producer and showrunner Mike Scully, and executive producer Jerrod Carmichael, is a multi-camera comedy inspired by Howery s life. Sinbad is represented by CAA and attorney Henry Root at Lapidus, Root & Sacharow, LLP. The casting marks a potential return to series television for the standup comedian, known for roles on A Different World and Good Burger, as well as the films Necessary Roughness, Houseguest, First Kid, and Jingle All the Way. Syfy dropped the first trailer for its new scifi series Nightflyers, based off George R.R. Martin s novella of the same name. The story from the Game of Thrones mastermind follows a group of eight scientists on a spaceship called The Nightflyer. The crew tv highlights click General Continued from Page 21 planning a celebration to mark 50 years of Cinema A flyer of the event. A flyer of the event. Cinema programme from Thursday 22/3/2018 to Wednesday 28/3/2018 Ugandan s Independence this year. If you have any questions regarding this association or if you are interested in registering, then please send us an at ugandansinkuwait@gmail.com. We hope to hear from you soon. Free drum music classes: Free professional drum music classes are available at Salmiya for all age groups from beginners to advanced by a well experienced drum teacher. For more details: Indian Embassy SPDC notice: Attention of all Indian associations/indian schools in Kuwait is once again drawn to Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) which was introduced by Government of India in the academic year with the objective to make higher education in India accessible to the children of overseas Indians and promote India as a centre for higher studies. Under the scheme, 100 PIO/NRI students were awarded scholarship of up to US$ 4,000 per annum for undergraduate courses in Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and some other courses. The scheme is open to NRIs/PIOs from over 40 countries (including Kuwait) having substantial Indian Diaspora population. The Scheme was revamped and launched in July Under the revamped Scheme, number of scholarships has been enhanced from 100 to 150 with introduction of 50 scholarships for children of Indian workers employed in the Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries. The Scheme is now applicable to four categories of applicants: (i) Persons of Indian Origin (ii) Non-Resident Indians (iii) Children of Indian workers working in ECR countries (including Kuwait). (iv) Children of Indian workers in ECR countries - studying in India The institutions that are covered under this Scheme are: (i) NITs, IIITs, Schools of Planning and Architecture (ii) A Grade institutions accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognised by University Grants Commission (UGC). (iii) Other institutions covered under Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme. Income criteria will be applicable to all four categories. Applicants will seek scholarships after they obtain admission in the approved list of educational institutions. Applications are required to be submitted online at SPDC portal - in/login/index.php. Last date for submission of applications was extended till Oct 14, Nodal officer for SPDC is P. Bharadwaj, Deputy Secretary (OIA-II), Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, Tel: , dsoia2@mea.gov.in Bridge game: Bridge tournament is being held every Sunday and Wednesday at 20:00 hours, played at the Graduates Club, next to Kuwait Engineering Society. Interested Bridge pairs or individual players please contact Mohammed Merchant, Tel: , , TIES ladies cooking class: Enjoy a variety of activities with ladies of different cultures at TIES Center s Ladies Club. Each Tuesday of the month is a different theme: social circle, cooking class, craft tutorial and health circle. Free of charge and all ladies are welcome. Registration is required for the craft tutorial (fees may apply). Give us a call to save your spot. Every Tuesday in March at 6:00 pm (ladies only). Villa No. 67, Street 413, Block 4, Shuhada Area, Kuwait, Phone: info@tiescenter. net TIES Center events: TIES Center announces following events Tajweed and Recitation: Learn and practice the art of reciting the Holy Quran (tajweed). The instructor will also answer questions related to the meaning of the Arabic words and verses. Every Sunday & 10 11:30am; every 5-6:30pm. The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking expats in Kuwait. For more information, please call or info@tiescenter.net or visit Black Panther :20, 16:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 16:05 (Fri) Avenues 12:00, 19:00 (Daily Exc Fri) 19:00 (Fri) Blood Money :05, 22:25, 00:15 (Daily Exc Fri, Sat, Mon) 13:40, 18:05, 22:25, 00:15 (Fri) 11:50, 13:40, 18:05, 22:25, 00:15 (Sat) 22:25, 00:15 (Mon) Avenues 14:35, 21:40, 23: 30 Boonie Bears: A Mystical Winter :35 Avenues 15:05 Death Wish :20, 00:30 Avenues 13:30, 01:05 Midnight Sun :05, 15:05, 18:55, 23:05 (Daily Exc Fri) Fanar 15:05, 18:55, 23:05 (Fri) 12:25, 21:30, 23:30 (Thu) 13:40, 00:40 (Fri) 14:05, 00:40 (Sat) 11:40, 14:05, 21:30, 23:30 (Sun) 11:40, 14:05: 00:40 (Mon) 11:40, 15:15, 21:30, 23:30 (Tue, Wed) Avenues 13:05, 16:50, 20:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 16:50, 20:45 (Fri) Pacific Rim: Uprising :15, 15:35, 17:55, 20:15, 22:40, 00:55 (Daily Exc Fri) 11:45, 12:20, 14:40, 16:45, 17:00, 19:20, 21:40, 23:55, 00:20 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:45, 17:30, 22:15 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:40, 16:45, 17:00, 19:20, 21:40, 23:55, 00:20 (Fri) 15:35, 17:55, 20:15, 22:40, 00:55 (Fri) 17:30, 22:15 (Fri) Bairaq 13:45, 21:30, 23:45 Fanar 13:30, 15:45, 20:00, 22:15, 00:45 Sharqia 13:15, 15:30, 21:15, 23:30 (Daily Exc Thu, Fri, Sat) 15:30, 21:15, 23:30 (Thu, Fri, Sat) Avenues 13:15, 14:00, 15:25, 18:45, 20:15, 22:35, 00:55 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:40, 17:00, 00:15 17:15 14:00, 15:25, 18:45, 20:15, 22:35, 00:55 (Fri) Marina 13:35, 17:45, 21:45, 00:05 Red Sparrow :40, 14:00, 14:15, 16:50, 18:00, 19:05, 19:25, 20:35, 21:45, 22:00, 00:35 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:00, 14:15, 16:50, 18:00, 19:05, 19:25, 20:35, 21:45, 22:00, 00:35 (Fri) Ajial 22:30 Bairaq 12:00, 22:00, 00:30 (Daily Exc Thu, Fri, Sat) 22:00, 00:30 (Thu, Fri, Sat) Fanar 11:30, 14:00, 16:30, 19:00, 21:30, 00:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:00, 16:30, 19:00, 21:30, 00:05 (Fri) Sharqia 13:30, 17:45, 22:00, 00:30 Avenues 11:30, 13:45, 16:15, 16:20, 18:55, 21:00, 21:30, 22:35, 00:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:45, 16:15, 16:20, 18:55, 21:00, 21:30, 23:35, 00:05 (Fri) Laila 22:30 Marina 13:00, 19:30, 22:00, 00:30 (Daily Exc Thu, Fri, Sat) 19:30, 22:00, 00:30 (Thu, Fri, Sat) Serbi Haamam (Swarm Of Doves) Kuwaiti Film :30, 21:35, 23:40 Avenues 11:30, 20:25, 22:30, 00:35 (Daily Exc Fri) 20:25, 22:30, 00:35 (Fri) Sherlock Gnomes :35, 15:40, 17:35 (Daily Exc Fri) 12:30, 14:45, 16:35, 16:40, 18:35, 20:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:45, 16:35, 16:40, 18:35, 20:30 (Fri) 15:40, 17:35 (Fri) Ajial 18:00 Bairaq 16:30 14:45, 18:15, 20:00 (Daily Exc Thu, Sat) 12:45, 14:45, 18:15, 20:00 (Thu, Sat) Fanar 11:45, 14:05, 15:55, 18:00, 19:45 (Thu) 14:05, 15:55, 18:00 (Fri, Sun, Mon) 11:45, 14:05, 15:55, 18:00 (Sat) 14:05, 15:55, 18:00, 19:45 (Tue, Wed) Sharqia 15:00, 17:45, 19:30 (Daily Exc Thu, Fri, Sat) 11:30, 13:15, 15:00, 17:45, 19:30 (Thu, Sat) 13:30, 15:10, 17:45, 19:30 (Fri) Avenues 11:45, 13:40, 15:30, 15:40, 17:25, 19:15, 21:10 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:40, 13:50, 15:30, 15:40, 17:25, 19:15, 21:10 (Fri) Laila 18:00 Marina 14:00, 15:30, 17:30 (Daily Exc Thu, Fri, Sat) 11:45, 13:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:30 (Thu, Sat) 13:45, 15:30, 17:30 (Fri) The Forgiven :35, 20:00 (Daily Exc Mon) 20:00 (Mon) Avenues 16:30 The Shape Of Water Avenues 17:10 The Strangers: Prey at Night :05, 20:55, 01:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:40, 17:05, 20:55, 01:05 (Fri) Avenues 15:00, 18:50, 23:00, 01:00 Tomb Raider :00, 19:45, 00:30 11:30, 11:35, 12:55, 14:00, 14:10, 15:30, 16:30, 18:30, 19:00, 21:00, 21:30, 23:10, 23:30, 00:05 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:00, 14:10, 15:30, 16:30, 18:30, 19:00, 21:00, 21:30, 23:10, 23:30, 00:05 (Fri) Ajial 15:30 Bairaq 12:15, 14:30, 17:00, 19:30, 21:45, 00:15 (Daily Exc Thu, Fri, Sat) 12:00, 14:30, 17:00, 19:30, 21:45, 00:15 (Thu, Sat) 14:30, 17:00, 19:30, 21:45, 00:15 (Fri) Fanar 12:00, 14:30, 17:00, 19:30, 22:00, 23:30, 00:30 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:30, 17:00, 19:30, 22:00, 23:30, 00:30 (Fri) Sharqia 12:30, 16:45, 19:15, 21:45, 00:15 (Daily Exc Thu, Fri, Sat) 13:00, 16:45, 19:15, 21:45, 00:15 (Thu, Sat) 16:50, 19:15, 21:45, 00:15 (Fri) Avenues 13:10, 17:30, 17:45, 20:00, 22:25, 23:05, 00:50 (Daily Exc Fri) 12:05, 19:20, 21:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 12:15, 14:45, 19:45, 22:10, 00:40 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:45, 19:45, 22:10, 00:40 (Fri) 17:30, 17:45, 20:00, 22:25, 23:05, 00:50 (Fri) 19:20, 21:45 (Fri) Laila 15:30, 20:00 Marina 11:30, 16:00, 18:30, 21:00, 23:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:30, 16:00, 18:30, 21:00, 23:45 (Fri) Bilghalat (Arabic Film) :45, 23:25 (Daily Exc Sat) 11:40, 18:45, 23:25 (Sat) Avenues 15:40, 18:05 Samak Wa Senara (Arabic Film) :50, 20:45, 22:35, 00:25 (Daily Exc Fri) 14:05, 18:50, 20:45, 22:35, 00:25 (Fri) Bairaq 11:45, 16:00, 17:45, 19:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 16:00, 17:45, 19:45 (Fri) Fanar 12:15, 17:55, 19:55, 21:45 (Daily Exc Fri) 17:55, 19:55, 21:45 (Fri) Sharqia 11:45, 16:00, 20:15 (Daily Exc Fri) 13:45, 16:00, 20:15 (Fri) Avenues 12:55, 19:30, 21:20, 23:10 (Daily Exc Fri) 19:30, 21:20, 23:10 (Fri) Marina 11:45, 15:55, 20:00 (Daily Exc Thu, Fri, Sat) 15:55, 20:00 (Thu, Fri, Sat) Hichki (Hindi Film) :20, 21:05 (Daily Exc Fri, Sat) 13:55, 16:20, 21:05 (Fri, Sat) Ajial 16:25, 18:50, 21:15 Fanar 14:15 (Thu) 11:40, 16:00 (Sat, Mon) 11:35, 16:00 (Sun) 12:45, 17:15 (Tue, Wed) Plaza 21:30 Raid (Hindi Film) Ajial 20:00 (Daily Exc Thu) 15:30, 18:30, 20:30 (Thu) Fanar 16:45 (Thu) MLA - Manchi Lakshanalunna Abbai (Telugu Film) Ajial 15:30, 18:30, 21:30 (Daily Exc Thu) 21:30 (Thu) Fanar 15:30, 18:30, 21:40 (Fri) 18:30, 21:40 (Sat, Mon) 18:30 (Sun) Ira (Malayalam Film) Ajial 16:15, 19:00, 21:45 Plaza 16:00, 18:45

25 Dubai completes $2.45b metro financing UAE s ADNOC awards PetroChina stakes The government of Dubai has completed a project fi nancing worth about $2.45 billion for the extension of the city s metro rail system, Dubai s Department of Finance said on Wednesday. The project envisages a 15 kilometre (9 mile) extension of the Dubai Metro s Red Line, from Nakheel Harbour and Tower station up to the site of the World Expo, which the city will host in The metro extension is one of a number of signifi cant infrastructure projects linked to the development of the Expo exhibition centre. Dubai is also expanding the Al Maktoum International Airport, for which it borrowed $3 billion last year and on which it plans to invest roughly $35 billion in total. The metro extension fi nancing comprises a $1.42 billion 17-year loan backed by guarantees provided by French and the Spanish export credit agencies, and a $1.1 billion 10-year loan provided by commercial banks. Banco Santander, First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC Middle East, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Standard Chartered Bank arranged and provided the fi nancing, Dubai s Department of Finance said in a statement. The loan guaranteed by the agencies amortises over a 14-year period starting in 2020, while the conventional loan amortises over a six-year period starting in (RTRS) PetroChina will take 10 percent stakes in two of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company s (ADNOC) offshore concessions under a 40-year agreement signed on Wednesday by its parent company China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). PetroChina paid a participation fee of 2.1 billion dirhams ($575 million) for the Umm Shaif and Nasr concession and a fee of 2.2 billion dirhams ($600 million) for the Lower Zakum concession, ADNOC said in a statement. In the Umm Shaif and Nasr concession, PetroChina joins France s TOTAL and Italy s Eni which were recently awarded a 20 percent and 10 percent stake respectively. In the Lower Zakum concession, CNPC joins an Indian consortium led by ONGC Videsh, Japan s INPEX, TOTAL and Eni. ADNOC retains a 60 percent majority share in both concessions. These agreements strengthen our growing relationship with AD- NOC, and will help to meet China s expanding demand for energy and contribute to asset portfolio optimization and profitability enhancement of PetroChina, Wang Yilin, who is chairman of both PetroChina and CNPC, said in a statement. The 40-year agreements are backdated to March 9, 2018, AD- NOC said. (RTRS) Market Movements Change Closing pts INDIA - Sensex , AUSTRALIA - All Ordinaries , GERMANY - DAX , Change Closing pts JAPAN - Nikkei , S. KOREA - KRX , PHILIPPINES - All Shares , HONG KONG - Hang Seng , FRANCE - CAC , EUROPE - Euro Stoxx , Business We will play significant role in development of infrastructure for Kuwait islands project and smart cities: Al-Kharafi Zain Group supports Kuwait Investment Forum 2018 KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Zain, the leading telecommunications network in Kuwait supported the Kuwait Investment Forum 2018 (KIF 2018), that was held under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah at Bayan Palace and Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center (JACC), between March The two-day forum, co-organized by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), and the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), reaffirmed the Kuwait government s interest in promoting and facilitating value-added investments in the country s dynamic economy. Zain officials participated in the KIF 2018 inauguration ceremony at Bayan Palace, which provided an interactive platform for high-ranking government officials, local and foreign investors as well as industry leaders, executives, and consultants from various global institutions. The gathering showcased the progress that is being achieved in Kuwait s business environment, and investment opportunities, with a view on emerging trends. Zain s support of the Forum is in line with its strategy to contribute to the further progress of the national economy and in support of the vision Kuwait 2035 New Kuwait. The event provided an opportunity to further highlight the role of the private sector in supporting the country s major developmental projects and the importance of both public-private partnerships and foreign investment. Al-Kharafi with Al-Roudhan and Al-Othaira during the forum. Al-Kharafi praises efforts of KCCI Chairman, KDIPA s Director General KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Al- Kharafi praised the efforts exerted by the Chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Ali Thunayan Al- Ghanim, which enhances the role of the private sector in contributing to the achievement of the country s development goals especially that the KCCI is very active and keen to improve the level of cooperation with the private sector and support the holding of such prominent investment forums. Bader Al Kharafi, Zain Vice- Chairman and Group CEO, said The State of Kuwait is diversifying its efforts on multiple fronts to achieve HH the Amir s desire to diversify the country s sources of income through streamlining the business environment and improving competitiveness, as well as attracting foreign investment into the country, with the aim of transforming Kuwait into a financial and commercial center. Al-Kharafi noted that the message conveyed by HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak to the conference audience emphasized the State of Kuwait leadership s interest to invest directly and create the right legislative and economic atmosphere to attract local and foreign investment. This is further reconfirmed by the keen personal interest and attendance of HH Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad at the event. Al-Kharafi welcomed the economic vision announced at the opening session by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah, who revealed a national plan to develop the Kuwaiti Islands in the north that will create more than 200,000 non-oil jobs and generate revenues exceeding 35 billion dollars annually. This vision came within the ongoing feasibility study to merge the Islands project with Kuwait s Silk City enterprise that will create an international free trade investment zone that will act a launchpad for more cooperation with neighboring countries. Furthermore, the Zain Group CEO added the Islands project that will be carried out by local and international investment entities, will further stimulate the confidence of private sector institutions in the country, given their vital role in supporting the public sector in the execution of this prominent development project in north of the country. The area will become a fertile environment for investment and housing and we look forward to playing a significant role in developing the infrastructure of the islands and smart Also, Al Kharafi commended the efforts exerted by KDIPA and its Director General, Sheikh Dr Meshaal Al Jaber, in maximizing and strengthening the country s strategic directions aimed at restoring Kuwait to its position as a financial and commercial center in the region. The holding of this forum and bilateral dialogues are very important to highlight the State of Kuwait as an attractive incubator for businesses, thus attracting and stimulating foreign investment. cities. Al Kharafi noted the significant role that the introduction of modern technology through foreign investment will play in further bolstering economic growth. This is further supported by the country s growing and dynamic youth population, and the determination of state institutions who have in recent years enacted favorable legislative environment to attract local and foreign investment, moving away from a narrow-minded local economic perspective to an international economic perspective. The two-day forum saw various sessions being held on topics such as: With KDIPA s involvement, Kuwait has a long list of major and sustainable development projects, sound infrastructure, a favorable corporate tax rate, and an open business environment with a distinctive cultural appeal. Al Kharafi recognized and applauded KDIPA s role in recently attracting $2.5 billion in foreign investment and creating over 1,000 direct jobs for Kuwait nationals and its prominent future role in achieving the Kuwait vision 2035-New Kuwait. Investing for the Future of Kuwait; Trade Facilitation: A Driver For Development; An Update on Kuwait 2035 Vision: New Kuwait; Investment Opportunities Lucrative Options In Dynamic Sectors; Financing For Sustainable Development; Dialogue On Kuwait Development Path: The Vision & The Determination. Zain considers itself a key partner of the community, especially for initiatives and projects that are in favor of supporting the national economy, as the company is keen to consolidate its commitment to sustainability programs in the economic-socio development of the country. Saudi s inflation falls in February New tax, hike in fuel prices cited DUBAI, March 21, (RTRS): Saudi Arabia s annual inflation rate fell back marginally in February after jumping in January, when the government introduced a 5 percent value-added tax and hiked domestic gasoline prices, official data showed on Wednesday. Consumer prices rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier last month after climbing 3.0 percent in January. Compared to the previous month, prices increased 0.1 percent in February. The February figures suggested the economy might escape any upward spiral of inflation due to the new tax and more expensive fuel, which are part of a government drive to cut a big budget deficit caused by low oil prices. A major reason for this is weakness of the economy, as consumers are not spending heavily to push up prices while many companies are discounting to try to keep market share. Food and beverage prices jumped 6.5 percent from a year earlier in February while restaurants and hotels Newly empowered Saudi women to benefi t banks DUBAI, March 21, (RTRS): As Saudi women get the right to drive and have more chances to work, increased economic activity among an entire half of the population is an opportunity for banks, the head of one of them said. Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi Arabia s second largest by assets, has opened 133 female-only branches and even has a car showroom for women to help them access car loans, CEO Steve Bertamini told Reuters in an interview. Marking a move away from the strictures of the Wahhabi brand of Sunni Islam, women have been allowed to attend mixed sporting events and will be able to drive from June. The author of the reforms, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also wants to increase the proportion of Saudi women in work from the current roughly 10 percent of the labour force, as he aims to UAE raises rates Kuwait hikes discount rates DUBAI, March 21, (RTRS): Kuwait s central bank said on Wednesday it was raising its discount rate by 25 basis points to 3 percent. Its move followed the US Federal Reserve s decision to hike rates by 25 bps. The United Arab Emirates central bank said on Wednesday that it was raising its repo rate by 25 basis points to 2.0 percent, and increasing interest rates on certificates of deposit by a similar margin. gained 6.8 percent; both sectors were affected by the tax. Transport costs, boosted by more expensive fuel, increased 10.1 percent. But the household and utilities sector rose only 1.3 percent. The government lifted electricity prices in January but the real estate market is slumping because of the weak economy, helping to restrain overall inflation. diversify the economy away from a reliance on oil. Women entering the workforce will be positive from a household perspective in terms of extra income to help offset some of the increase cost you see elsewhere, Bertamini said, referring to reduction in consumer spending expected from the introduction of Value Added Tax this year and the removal of some subsidies. As Saudi Arabia s largest consumer lender, Al Rajhi is a major provider of vehicle loans and has operated car showrooms since But they were only for men until the bank opened its first women-only one late last year. The types and models of cars tend to be different. It s a really big learning curve in the market to adapt, said Munich-born Bertamini, who joined Al Rajhi from Standard Chartered in Continued on Page 26 HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with govt officials and business leaders at KIF Oil inventory overhang shrinks to 44 million barrels Compliance with oil supply cuts hits record in Feb LONDON, March 21, (RTRS): Compliance with a global deal to cut oil supply hit a new high in February, a joint OPEC and non- OPEC committee estimated, suggesting a rise in the price of crude has not weakened commitment. Producers in the pact achieved 138 percent of pledged output reductions last month, OPEC said in a statement, a record since the deal among OPEC and nonmember countries aimed at clearing a glut and bolstering prices began in January The previous high was reached in January, at 133 percent. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and several other non-opec producers have extended the pact until the end of The supply cut s original aim was to shrink oil inventories in developed economies to their five-year average. Stocks in February were 44 million barrels above that level, OPEC said, the closest the group has come to the target. The committee stressed that all participating countries should strive to achieve or exceed full conformity with their voluntary production adjustments, the OPEC statement said. February continued the accelerated rebalancing path witnessed in recent months. The compliance figures reflect both high adherence by top exporter Saudi Arabia and other Gulf OPEC countries, as well as an involuntary slide in production in Venezuela, whose output is dropping amid an economic crisis. OPEC s deal has helped boost oil prices, which topped $71 a barrel this year for the first time since 2014 and were above $68 on Wednesday, supported by a surprise decline in US inventories. While developed-country oil stocks are dropping closer to the five-year average, OPEC is talking of adjusting the metric to give a more complete picture of the supply cut. The committee, which met at OPEC s Vienna headquarters on Monday, discussed this issue but made no conclusions, sources familiar with the matter said. To get a broader picture, producers could look at a longer period than five years, or take into account inventories in other countries, floating storage and oil in transit, OPEC officials have said. The committee includes officials from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Algeria, plus non- OPEC Russia and Oman. Wealthy Abu Dhabi consolidates funds ADIC to join Mubadala group ABU DHABI, March 21, (RTRS): Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) and Mubadala Investment Co, two investment arms of the super-rich emirate s government, will join up as Abu Dhabi consolidates hundreds of billions of dollars worth of funds under its control. An investment vehicle of such scale will enhance the country s competitive position, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said as he revealed the plan on his official Twitter account on Wednesday. ADIC will become part of the Mubadala group, with a combined portfolio worth over $200 billion, a source familiar with the deal told Reuters. United Arab Emirates state news agency WAM said ADIC s board would now report to Mubadala s board, with Eissa al-suwaidi remaining executive director of ADIC. It did not give details of how the funds strategy might change under the new arrangement. ADIC started operating in 2007 and is responsible for investing worldwide part of the Abu Dhabi government s surplus financial resources, earned from oil exports. Mubadala, itself formed by a merger last year involving another Abu Dhabi fund, International Petroleum Investment Co, had assets worth billion dirhams ($126.8 billion) at the end of last June and made a net profit of 4.2 billion dirhams in the first half of Abu Dhabi, the richest of the seven emirates that form the UAE, has ridden out the last few years of low oil prices relatively comfortably, but it has been seeking to save money and make many of its assets more efficient by streamlining them or arranging tie-ups. On Tuesday officials announced that Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi s top real estate developer which is about 30 percent owned by Mubadala, would form a joint venture with Dubai s Emaar Properties to develop local and international projects worth as much as 30 billion dirhams. It was not immediately clear whether the ADIC news presaged more mergers or tie-ups for Abu Dhabi funds. The emirate s biggest sovereign fund, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, has an estimated $828 billion of assets and is the third biggest in the world.

26 BUSINESS 26 insurer Lloyd s of London slides into heavy loss EU greenlights controversial Bayer-Monsanto takeover The insurance market Lloyd s of London on Wednesday announced a fi rst annual loss in six years following a series of devastating hurricanes and other natural disasters. Lloyd s reported a pre-tax loss of 2.0 billion ($2.8 billion, 2.3 billion euros) for 2017, which compared with a pre-tax profi t of 2.1 billion a year earlier, the group said in an earnings statement. The market experienced an exceptionally diffi cult year in 2017, driven by challenging market conditions and a signifi cant impact from natural catastrophes, Lloyd s chief executive Inga Beale said in the release. These factors mean that for the fi rst time in six years Lloyd s is reporting a loss, she added. Lloyd s said it was hit by claims totalling 4.5 billion last year, more than double the amount in In addition to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, among other events (in 2017), there were also devastating wildfi res in California, an earthquake in Mexico, monsoon fl ooding in Bangladesh and a mudslide in Colombia, added Lloyd s chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown. Lloyd s loss comes as the company prepares for life after Brexit, with the opening of a Brussels subsidiary in early Seeking to ensure its access across the European Union continues once Britain leaves the block in March next year, Lloyd s decided in 2017 to shake up its operations. (AFP) The EU on Wednesday approved the proposed blockbuster buyout of US agri-giant Monsanto by German chemical firm Bayer after securing concessions in order to win approval. We have approved Bayer s plans to take over Monsanto because the parties remedies, worth well over 6 billion euros ($7.4 billion), meet our competition concerns in full, said Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, the EU s antitrust chief. Brussels launched an in-depth investigation in August into the $66 billion (56-billion-euro) deal, which would create the world s largest integrated pesticides and seeds company and raised alarm among activists. The European Commission, which serves as the powerful antitrust regulator for the 28-nation European Union, at the time cited concerns it could reduce competition in key products for farmers. Brussels made the decesion despite opposition by environmentalists who fear that the deal gives too much power to the world s leading manufacturers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the controversial weedkiller glyphosate. The tie-up has already won approval by Chinese authorities, but still awaits the crucial approval by US regulators, which have voiced concerns. The EU has won several concessions from Bayer including the announced sale in October by Bayer of parts of its agrochemical business to German rival BASF. (AFP) Bank always looking for simple solutions to make banking easier, more efficient: Al-Fulaij NBK Salary Portal makes paying staff salaries easy and convenient KUWAIT CITY, March 21: National Bank of Kuwait provides customers with the most convenient and efficient products and solutions especially tailored to suit their personal and business banking needs. NBK s innovative salary portal service provides a simple, easy and secure solution for business owners to pay salaries and comply with all Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor reporting requirements. NBK is always looking for simple and convenient solutions to make banking easier and more efficient for our customers, said Faisal Al-Fulaij, Deputy Head of Business Banking National Bank of Kuwait, We take a lot of time to know our customers needs and create innovative, easy-to-use products to that end. The NBK Salary Portal is simple and straightforward. Companies can transfer monthly allowances or salaries each month with the click of a button from the comfort of their own home or office. The salary portal processes the salaries and creates a record of the payments which is then automatically reported to the Social Affairs and Labor Faisal Al-Fulaij Ministry. This reduces the monthly hassle for businesses to maintain compliance with government regulations and also makes the process easier to track, reducing errors or inconsistencies. Processing via the portal saves both time and money. The fee is KD 1 per salary as opposed to a KD 2 process fee using the salaries unit. NBK offers a variety of products and services specifically designed for local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and multinationals doing businesses in Kuwait. NBK Business Banking also offers point of sale, business credit cards, online banking, insurance, business loans, letters of credit and guarantee and local bills. Additionally, NBK has 13 dedicated Business Banking hubs at branches around the country including: Head Office, Surra, Shuwaikh, Al Tadamoun, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Jabriya, Arraya Tower 2 (fifth floor), Fintas, Salwa, Sharq, Al Ghazzali, Ras Salmiya and Hawally. Specialized relationship officers are dedicated to serving the needs of Business Banking clients. Clients will also have access, via their relationship manager, with experts in Credit, Investment Banking, Trade Finance and Treasury. Customers can complete all their necessary business banking transactions in a seamless, efficient and convenient way. Visit NBK.com to learn more about NBK s Salary Portal service and other Business Banking products and services. UK jobs data strengthens interest rate hike prospect Struggling retailers hoping squeeze on income ending LONDON, March 21, (Agencies): British wages growth is catching up with overall inflation and UK unemployment has hit a 1975 low, official data showed Wednesday, increasing expectations of an interest rate hike, analysts said. The data, published on the eve of the Bank of England s latest monetary policy decision, helped push the pound back above $1.40 as it recovers from a Brexit-fuelled slump. However it was accompanied by gloomier news from Britain s struggling retail sector. Average weekly earnings growth, excluding bonuses, accelerated to 2.6 percent in the three months to January compared with a year earlier, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed. That followed 2.5-percent expansion in the three months to December. Nevertheless, wages growth is still lagging annual inflation which stood at 2.7 percent last month. The combination of rising wages and slowing overall inflation means that many Britons will have more cash in their pockets. Owing to the pick-up in wages growth, markets expect the Bank of England (BoE) to deliver a quarterpoint rise to its main interest rate. But it won t occur at this week s meeting, analysts said. Rather the BoE is set to raise borrowing costs to 0.75 percent at its May gathering. Latest models on offer by popular demand Non-stop offers & more from Nissan Al Babtain EY ITEM Club economist Howard Archer said he expected the BoE to use this week s meeting to lay the ground for a May rate hike. Britain s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.7 percent in February from 3.0 percent in January, as food and transport costs rose by less than one year ago, ONS data showed Tuesday. Wage growth still is not quite beating inflation, but both pay and prices now appear to be moving in the right direction for UK consumers, said Laith Khalaf, analyst at stockbrokers Hargreaves Lansdown. Inflation had jumped last year and remains at an elevated level after Britain voted to leave the European Union in The Brexit referendum pushed down the pound, in turn hiking the cost of imported goods. The ONS on Wednesday added that Britain s jobless rate or the proportion of the workforce that is unemployed stood at 4.3 percent in the three months to the end of January. The pressure on British households in the wake of the Brexit-fueled rise in inflation is easing, a development that should help a host of struggling retailers, many of whom reported further acute difficulties Wednesday. Suit hire company Moss Bros issued its second profit warning of the year, while Carpetright said it has to close some stores and negotiated an emergency loan. DIY firm Kingfisher, meanwhile, reported lower sales in Britain as well as France, and Mothercare revealed it faced a funding deadline. The series of woes revealed Wednesday come hot on the heels of others. A number of restaurant chains, such as A flyer of Nissan Al Babtain March campaign burger outlet Byron s burger and Jamie Oliver s Italian, have reported difficulties and closed stores. And some high-profile retailers, such as Maplin Electronics and the UK division of Toys R Us, have gone into administration. Others, like bedmaker Warren Evans, have already closed their doors for good. The reasons behind this catalogue of gloom are varied but all of the companies have suffered from a slowdown in consumer spending since the country s vote to leave the European Union in June That stoked uncertainty about Britain s economic future, which prompted businesses and consumers to become more cautious in spending. The vote also prompted a sharp fall in the value of the pound. Though that may have helped some exporters by making their products more competitive internationally, it hurt retailers on two fronts. Firstly, it raised costs by making imports, such as energy and food, more expensive. And secondly, it triggered a sharp rise in inflation from 0.5 percent to around 3 percent annually. With wages growing by less, households faced a squeeze on incomes, to the detriment of retailers. There is some hope that the squeeze on incomes will disappear soon as wages start to rise by more than prices, though economists expect any consumer rebound to be modest. On Wednesday, official figures showed that average weekly earnings over the three months through January rose by 2.6 percent from the previous year, up on the previous month s 2.5 percent. KUWAIT CITY: March 21: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain Company (AABC), the authorized dealer of Nissan vehicles in the State of Kuwait, is excited to announce that the 2018 edition of Nissan vehicles are on offer for incredibly affordable prices. In addition, a wide range of advantages on the popular range of Nissan models are provided to meet the customers needs and reward them with an exceptional driving experience. Customers can now own the 2018 Nissan KICKS or Nissan X-Trail that comes with a service package and free comprehensive Insurance for a year and free registration plus 3rd party insurance. Additionally, all Nissan vehicles comes with a 5 year unlimited factory warranty. The Nissan ALTIMA is now on offer starting from KD 5,300 backed by a service package, free registration and 3rd party insurance. The 4-Door Sports car, Nissan Maxima can now be purchased for a competitive fare starting from KD 7,999 which comes with a package deal which consists of free comprehensive insurance, free registration and 3rd party insurance. The Hero of all Terrain Nissan Patrol 2018, is on offer with a luxury package which consists of free comprehensive insurance, window tinting, and full body protection in addition to free registration and 3rd party insurance. Nissan Al Babtain offer excellence through its exceptional breed of innovative vehicles and continues to surprise its customers with favourable deals throughout the year. All are welcome to benefit from the new offers that are available only throughout March and visit Nissan Al Babtain showrooms located in Al Rai and Al Ahmadi area to enjoy a complimentary test drive and purchase your new favourite vehicle! Etihad Airways Boeing inflight Services bookable now, for travel from March 26 Etihad & SWISS sign codeshare agreement ABU DHABI, March 21: Etihad Airways and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) have launched a new codeshare partnership with bookings effective immediately. Under the agreement, Etihad Airways will have its EY flight code on SWISS services between Geneva and Zurich, two key gateway cities served in Switzerland from Abu Dhabi. SWISS will market its LX code on Etihad Airways services between Zurich and Abu Dhabi, offering its passengers codeshare flights to and from the UAE s capital city. The codeshare services are bookable now, for travel from 26 March. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: This codeshare deepens Etihad Airways commitment to the Swiss travel market and Switzerland, a key destination for travellers from our UAE home, neighbouring Gulf countries, and across our Asia Pacific network. The partnership further strengthens the historic cultural, business and tourism ties that the UAE and Switzerland have enjoyed over many decades. For travellers from Switzerland, our new relationship with SWISS will provide access to Etihad s awardwinning service and the hospitality for which our Abu Dhabi home is known. The new agreement is part of the codeshare cooperation which began in 2016 between the Lufthansa Group, of which Swiss is part, and Etihad Aviation Group. Etihad Airways operates the technologically advanced Boeing Dreamliner on its daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Zurich. Both airlines customers will experience acclaimed inflight service and award-winning cabin interiors, including 28 Business Studios, and 271 Economy Smart Seats. A flyer of Gulf Bank s Al Danah quarterly draw Winner can claim a cash prize of KD 200,000 6 days left until first Al Danah quarterly draw KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Gulf Bank announced that the first quarterly Al Danah draw, for a cash prize of KD 200,000, will be held on 28 March 2018 and will be aired live on the Diwaniyat Al Yaqout & Al Ansari program on Kuwait Pulse (88.8 FM) at 1.30 pm. The Al Danah draw, which celebrated its tenth anniversary of the KD 1 Million grand prize earlier this year, is internationally recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the acclaimed largest prize linked to a bank account in the world. The grand prize of this internationally renowned draw was claimed last year by the draw s youngest winner, 11-year old Obaid Saad Al-Rashidi. Al Danah s 2nd quarterly draw for the prize of KD 250,000 will be held Newly empowered Continued from Page 25 Usually the family has a large automobile already, so these tend to be smaller vehicles for commuting. A showroom, run by one of the bank s partners, offering viewings for women had 75 bookings in its first week, Bertamini said. The bank will provide extended hours for women within existing car showrooms and increase the number of female bank branches in 2018, he said. Women s increased economic activity will help the bank s loan growth outperform the 4 percent on June 27 and the 3rd quarterly draw for the prize of KD 500,000 will be held on 26 September. The final Al Danah draw for 1 Million Kuwaiti Dinars will be held on Jan 10, 2019, where the Al Danah Millionaire will be announced. Gulf Bank encourages you to increase your chances of winning with Al Danah by depositing more into your Gulf Bank account using the new epay (Self-Pay) service, which is available on Gulf Bank s Online and Mobile Banking. Al Danah also offers many unique services including the Al Danah Deposit Only ATM card, which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience, as well as the Al Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an expected for the sector in 2018, Bertamini said. Its loan growth was 3 percent last year. The government s bid to raise the percentage of Saudis owning their own homes - from around half now to 70 percent by 2030, is another reform Al Rajhi expects to present opportunities. Al Rajhi is Saudi Arabia s biggest mortgage provider, with around 44 percent of total mortgages last year. There s roughly 200 billion riyals of housing out there and the government is looking to increase that to 500 billion by 2050, which implies big opportunities for the industry, Bertamini said. Al Danah winner. Gulf Bank s Al Danah account is open to Kuwaiti and non-kuwaiti residents of Kuwait. Customers require a minimum of KD 200 to open an account and the same amount must be maintained for customers to be eligible for the upcoming Al Danah draws. If the customer s account balance falls below KD 200 at any given time, a KD 2 charge will be made monthly to the account until the minimum balance is met. Customers who open an account and/ or deposit more will enter the daily draw within two days. For more information, visit one of Gulf Bank s 57 branches, call , or log on to to find out more about Al Danah and its winners. Al Rajhi has been one of the main beneficiaries of an inflow of foreign investment into the Saudi bourse in 2018 in anticipation of the country s possible inclusion in the MSCI and FTSE emerging market indexes. We captured 40 to 50 percent of this inflow, which shows the confidence in the market in general and the banking sector in particular Bertamini said. I expect inflows to remain healthy for rest of He said the inflows signalled that foreign investors were not unduly concerned about a purge of senior officials and business people who were detained for months.

27 BUSINESS 27 Skoda also ditches VCA over Brexit uncertainty European bond yields rise Skoda is at least the second automaker to stop approving its cars with Britain s Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) due to uncertainty over its post- Brexit powers, in an example of the steps firms are taking to fill a void of uncertainty. The VCA can for now sign off on models to be used in the whole of the EU, like national equivalents across the 28-member bloc, and is used by the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Aston Martin. Its powers after the Brexit transition period, which ends in December 2020, remain unclear and are likely to be determined as part of the final agreement due to be decided this autumn. Carmakers can spend years on the approvals process at significant expense. Many like Skoda, which does not build in Britain, have picked the VCA in recent years due to its expertise. However, quintessentially British brand Aston Martin, famed for being James Bond s car of choice, told Reuters this month it had no choice but to stop using the VCA for its latest models with Skoda taking a similar approach. (RTRS) Eurozone government bond yields rose on Wednesday, as strong British jobs data stoked expectations for a rate rise from the Bank of England ahead of an anticipated rate hike from the US Federal Reserve later in the session. A view that the European Central Bank remains some way off raising rates given subdued inflation in the bloc kept the gap between short-dated US and German government bond yields close to its widest in 21 years. Two-year US Treasury yields hit more than nine-year highs on Tuesday as investors bet the Fed will conclude a two-day meeting later this session by lifting interest rates for the first time this year. Meanwhile, strong UK wage growth data put upward pressure on British bond yields, lifting borrowing costs in the eurozone by 1-4 basis points. British workers overall pay rose at the fastest pace in more than two years during the three months to January, bolstering the chances that the Bank of England will raise borrowing costs in May. Despite their rise, eurozone borrowing costs remained close to multi-week lows on a view that the ECB will take a slow and steady approach to unwinding monetary stimulus. (RTRS) European countries split over issue, but their backing required EU proposes online turnover tax for big tech companies BRUSSELS, March 21, (RTRS): The European Commission proposed rules on Wednesday to make digital companies pay more tax, with US tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Amazon set to foot a large chunk of any bill. However, many EU leaders, who will debate the issue of how to claw taxes from the elusive new digital economy at a Brussels summit on Thursday, oppose the executive s proposals. Despite support from big powers Germany and, especially, France, that risks making it very hard to turn the idea into European law. Under the Commission s plan, companies with significant digital revenues in Europe will pay a 3 percent tax on their turnover on various online services in the European Union, bringing in an estimated 5 billion euros ($6.1 billion). EU Economics Commissioner Pierre Moscovici brushed off accusations that he was going after rich American tech companies to enrich EU coffers at a time when the bloc is at odds with the Trump administration over trade and taxation issues. This is neither a GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon) attack nor an anti-us attack proposal that will target any company or any country, he told a news conference. The tax would apply to large firms with annual worldwide revenue above 750 million euros ($920 million) and annual taxable EU revenues above 50 million euros. The legislation comes as the United States unsettles Europe with its own tax reform and the threat of a trade war along with reports that Facebook user data was accessed by a consultancy to help President Donald Trump win the 2016 election. EU antitrust authorities have also been busy investigating the business practices of Amazon, Google and Apple, leading to accusations, which the Commission denies, that it is targeting Silicon Valley. While some smaller EU states such as Ireland and Luxembourg fear the proposed tax would undermine their ability to attract multinationals to base themselves in their jurisdictions, others see the measure as more likely to shift taxes toward bigger countries in the bloc rather than raising more revenue in Europe overall. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar called the measure ill judged and urged Brussels to wait and take its lead from global proposals planned by the Fed raises rates Move signals confidence in economy Google boosts efforts to help news organizations, with $300 mn NEW YORK, March 21, (AFP): Google on Tuesday launched a new initiative, committing $300 million to help news publishers get more paid subscribers while stemming the flow of misinformation. The internet giant described the Google News Initiative as part of an effort to help journalism thrive in the digital age. The announcement in New York followed a series of commitments to help the troubled sector by Google, which has been accused by some in the news industry of sapping revenues from the digital ecosystem. I have always believed that the future of Google and the future of our publishing partners were linked, Google chief business officer Philipp Schindler said in announcing the initiative. If you are not successful, we are not successful. Google will enable its users to subscribe to news sites in as little OECD group of industrial states. The tax, designed as a short-term measure before the EU finds a more comprehensive way to tax profits based on where they do business, could also encompass other high-profile US firms such as Airbnb and Uber. It is designed to apply to activities in which users play a role in value creation whether via online advertising, such as in search engines or social media, via online trading or in the sale of data about users. The Commission said that top digital firms, whose average revenue growth of 14 percent far exceeded that of other multinationals, faced an effective tax rate of 9.5 percent, less than half the level of traditional companies. The proposals require backing from the European Parliament, where there is considerable support. But tax reforms also need the backing of all 28 member states to become law. Large EU states have accused the tech firms of paying too little tax in the bloc by routing some of their profits to low-tax member states such as Ireland as two clicks through their Google accounts, and will step up efforts to help news organizations add paying subscribers. The initiative was developed with some 60 media partners including the Washington Post, Financial Times, French-based Le Figaro, Brazil s Grupo Globo and Italy s La Republica. Objectives outlined by the initiative included raising the quality of journalism; strengthening business models of publishers, and and Luxembourg. US tech companies themselves have said they are paying tax in line with national and international laws and, in some cases, that the tax should be paid in the United States on profits repatriated there. The proposal is to tax companies according to where their digital users are based. EU diplomats predicted it would be hard to push through the legislation, among the most important for the bloc, because of deep divisions between helping news organizations capitalize on technological innovations. Google has worked with the news industry for years, with moves ranging from getting pages to load faster on smartphones and making a YouTube player for publishers to creating a lab for newsroom training and a Digital News Initiative in Europe. We invested a lot time and energy in these collaborations, Schindler said. larger countries set to gain more tax income and smaller ones set to lose. Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said that the EU would prefer globally agreed rules, but that the amount of profits currently going untaxed was unacceptable. The tax would apply to online advertising sales, which would bring in companies such as Google and Facebook, to platforms offering services such as interaction with other users or online sales and to those selling data generated from users. WASHINGTON, March 21, (RTRS): The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday and forecast at least two more hikes for 2018, signaling growing confidence US tax cuts and government spending will boost the economy and inflation and lead to more aggressive future tightening. In its first policy meeting under new Fed chief Jerome Powell, the US central bank indicated that inflation should finally move higher after years below its 2 percent target and that the economy had recently gained momentum. The Fed also raised the estimated longer-term neutral rate, the level at which monetary policy neither boosts nor slows the economy, a touch, in a sign the current gradual rate hike cycle could go on longer than previously thought. The economic outlook has strengthened in recent months, the Fed said in a statement at the end of a two-day meeting in which it lifted its benchmark overnight lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point to a range of 1.50 percent to 1.75 percent. Inflation is expected to move up in coming months and stabilize around the Fed s target, it said. Powell, who took over from former Fed chief Janet Yellen in early February, is due to hold a press conference at 2:30 pm EDT (1830 GMT). The rate hike was widely expected. All 104 economists polled by Reuters from March 5-13 said the Fed would increase borrowing costs this week. The move was the latest step away from years of stimulating the world s largest economy in the wake of the US home sales rebound strongly in February: data WASHINGTON, March 21, (RTRS): US home sales rebounded strongly in February, boosted by hefty gains in the South and West regions, but a chronic shortage of houses on the market remains an obstacle heading into the spring selling season. The National Association of Realtors said on Wednesday that existing home sales jumped 3.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.54 million units last month. That ended two straight months of declines. January s sales pace was unrevised at 5.38 million units. All signs point to a spring buying season of high prices and low inventory as any new construction that is added is snapped up quickly by buyers, said Danielle Hale, chief economist for realtor.com. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast existing home sales rising 0.5 percent to a rate of 5.40 million units in February. Sales soared 6.6 percent in the South, where the bulk of sales activity occurs, and vaulted 11.4 percent in the West. They tumbled 12.3 percent in financial crisis and recession. The Fed tightened policy three times last year. The combination of $1.8 trillion in expected fiscal stimulus and recent hints of price and wage pressures had prompted some Fed officials to speculate more Americans could be drawn into an already tight labor market and that inflation could rise to the target, or even well above if the economy got too hot. Policymakers were largely split on Wednesday as to whether a total of three or four rate hikes would be needed this year. They predicted rates would rise three times next year and two times in 2020, a further indication of confidence in the economy. They projected US economic growth of 2.7 percent in 2018, an increase from the 2.5 percent forecast in December, and also marked up growth for next year. The Fed s preferred measure of inflation was expected to end 2018 at 1.9 percent, unchanged from the previous forecast, but it is seen rising a bit above the Fed s target next year. The US unemployment rate by the end of 2018 is expected to edge down to 3.8 percent, indicating the Fed sees more room for the labor market to run. Fed officials predicted the rate also would settle even lower at 4.5 percent in the longer run. US joblessness stood at 4.1 percent last month. While recent home sales and retail spending data have been on the weak side, the overall economic picture has brightened after growth accelerated to 2.3 percent last year. Before the meeting, analysts were split over whether the Fed, which is wary of an early misstep under its new leadership, would raise policy tightening expectations until more price pressures are clearly evident. There are also looming outside risks to the economy such as a possible global trade war. the Northeast and fell 2.4 percent in the Midwest. Existing home sales, which account for about 90 percent of US home sales, increased 1.1 percent on a year-onyear basis in February. There is an acute shortage of homes, especially at the lower end of the market. According to the NAR, sales of houses priced below $100,000 plunged 17 percent from a year ago. WWSales of properties in the $100, ,000 price range slipped 1.0 percent on year-onyear basis. The Realtors group said there was double-digit sales growth for houses costing $250,000 and above. Houses for sale typically stayed on the market for 37 days in February, down from 41 days in January and 45 days a year ago. Forty-six percent of homes sold in February were on the market for less than a month. The resulting high prices from the inventory squeeze, combined with rising mortgage rates, are a constraint for first-time buyers, who have been largely priced out of the market. The African Heads of States and Governments pose during African Union (AU) Summit for the agreement to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area in Kigali, Rwanda on March 21. (AFP) African nations sign largest free trade agreement since WTO African leaders on Wednesday signed what is being called the largest free trade agreement since the creation of the World Trade Organization. The deal creates a continental market of 1.2 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product of more than $3.4 trillion. A major goal is to boost intra-african trade and rely less on the volatility of commodity prices that affect many exports. The aim is to have agreement, signed by 44 of the African Union s 55 member states, enter into force by the end of this year, said the chair of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. States now must ratify the deal. Our peoples, our business community and our youth in particular cannot wait any longer to see the lifting of the barriers that divide our continent, hinder its economic takeoff and perpetuate misery, even though Africa is abundantly endowed with wealth, Mahamat said. He urged strong follow-up to confound those who, outside Africa, continue to think, with barely concealed condescension, that our decisions will never materialize. Concerns remain. The president of Nigeria, one of Africa s largest economies, skipped the summit amid trade unions objections. And while Africa s largest economies are expected to benefit most from the deal, some of them worry that more people from poorer countries will migrate their way. (AP) Trump trade war biggest risk to world economy US unafraid of trade war after G20 meet BUENOS AIRES, March 21, (AFP): The United States is not seeking a trade war over tariffs but does not fear one, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday after a meeting of G20 finance ministers. A trade war is not our goal, but we are not afraid of it, Mnuchin said at the end of the two-day meeting in Buenos Aires aimed at averting a crisis sparked by looming US tariffs on steel and aluminum. We have to be prepared to act in the US interest to defend free and fair reciprocal trade. In doing that there is always a risk, he said. That s not our goal. But we are not afraid of it. Mnuchin was speaking after ministers agreed not to condemn the US move in the meeting s final statement, but instead spoke of heightened economic and geopolitical tensions. Downside risks persist and, over the medium term, challenges remain to raise growth and make it more inclusive, the ministers from the most developed and emerging economies said. The final communique, approved three days before US trade tariffs on steel and aluminum go into effect, comes as the world s two biggest economies the US and China clash over trade rules, particularly overproduction, in which European and other US allies could sustain collateral damage. There is a desire to see China open their markets so we can participate in their markets they way they participate in ours, in a much more balanced and US will take new look at TPP: Mnuchin reciprocal trading relationship, the US Treasury chief said of the general view among his G20 counterparts. On the tariffs row, he added that his delegation had very productive conversations with G20 allies. We had a bunch of discussions about trade and tariffs and those continue to be ongoing, Mnuchin said. We sensed a willingness of the Americans to reduce tensions, a French ministry source said after a meeting on Monday between France s Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and Mnuchin. Le Maire was among several EU ministers to plead for an exemption from the US tariffs, saying the problem was due to China s overcapacity, not key allies in Europe. The decision SANTIAGO, March 21, (RTRS): The United States will consider re-entry to the Trans Pacific Partnership once Washington accomplishes its goals on other trading relationships, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said while on an official visit to Chile on Wednesday. Trans Pacific Partnership is aimed at cutting trade barriers in some of the fastest-growing economies of the Asia-Pacific region. The original 12-member deal was thrown into limbo early last year when President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from it, citing concerns about protecting US jobs. Our focus at the moment, is obviously we re working on renegotiation of NAFTA, we re very focused on our trading relationship with China, which is way too much in one direction. Our markets are open to them, their markets are not open to us, on the same basis, Mnuchin said at a news conference. He was in Chile following a two day meeting of officials from the world s 20 biggest economies in neighboring they want to take is not appropriate, Le Marie told reporters after the meeting. Mnuchin s veiled threat was echoed by EU Economic and Financial Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, with a statement carrying the same hint of steel in a velvet-gloved hand. The EU does not want an escalation on trade, it does not want a trade war, but it is ready to react, even if our preferred option is dialogue, he said. Our countermeasures are ready. Trump s tariffs on steel and aluminium risk escalating into a threat to the international trading system, a highly-regarded group of German economists said Wednesday. An escalation of the trade conflict Argentina on Monday and Tuesday. But as we accomplish our goals on these other trading relationships, this (TPP) is definitely something that we will consider and Chile will be a big partner of ours in that at the right time, Mnuchin said. Trump on Monday signed an executive order barring any US-based financial transactions involving Venezuela s new petro cryptocurrency, as US officials warned that it was a scam by President Nicolas Maduro s government to further undermine democracy in the OPEC country. would damage international value chains and in the medium term threaten the international rules-based trading system, warned the German Council of Economic Experts known as the Wise Men although one member is a woman. The economists highlighted other dangers in a regular report, including a disorderly British departure from the European Union, a tricky Italian election outcome dominated by populists, geopolitical risks from war and conflict and a financial crisis triggering a sudden slowdown in the Chinese economy. But frictionlessly functioning world trade is of central importance for the continuation of the global upturn, they said.

28 BUSINESS 28 Tencent profits up Chinese technology giant Tencent reported a profit boost Wednesday, helped by the continued popularity of its mobile games. Net profit for 2017 was up 74 percent year on year from 41.1 billion yuan to 71.5 billion yuan (US$11.3 billion). In a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Wednesday, the company counted its push to promote more sharing and interaction among users as a highlight for the past year. (AFP) Name: Kuwait Sharia Compatible Indices Providers: Al Madar Finance & Investment Co. Description: Index of Sharia compatible companies traded on the KSE Website: Bloomberg Today s Today s closing Prev closing % 1-week 3-month YTD 12-month 24-month Index name ticker value as of value value change change change change change change Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Composite AMIC March 21, % -0.09% 1.46% 0.91% -8.69% 10.09% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Kuwait Only AMIC March 21, % 0.11% 1.49% 1.08% -6.82% 9.71% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Active AMIC March 21, % -2.43% -3.60% -3.69% % 7.33% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Banking Sector AMIC March 21, % 0.05% 2.28% 2.40% -4.63% 12.16% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Investment Sector AMIC March 21, % -2.22% -9.56% -9.14% % 0.76% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Insurance Sector AMIC March 21, % % % % % % Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Real Estate Sector AMIC March 21, % -0.89% 6.02% 5.09% -7.79% 4.32% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Industrial Sector AMIC March 21, % 0.95% 3.65% 2.26% -1.32% 25.20% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Services Sector AMIC March 21, % -0.01% -0.02% -0.63% 4.02% 23.15% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Food Sector AMIC March 21, % -0.56% % % % % Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Islamic Sector AMIC March 21, % -0.18% 2.12% 1.92% -7.86% 16.53% Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Non Kuwaiti Sector AMIC March 21, % -1.47% -4.66% -7.85% % 22.57% Kuwait Stock Exchange Index - Price KWSEIDX March 21, , , % -0.91% 4.26% 4.35% -2.82% 27.15% S&P 500 SPX March 20, , , % -1.75% 1.41% 1.09% 14.47% 32.56% DJ Islamic Index. DJIM March 20, , , % -1.43% 1.85% 1.49% 17.73% 32.17% Trump expected to unveil tariffs on Chinese imports by Friday China will safeguard national interests in response to US trade probe Asian business sentiment edges up to hit 7-year high SYDNEY, March 21, (RTRS): Business confidence among Asian companies rose in the first quarter to the highest level in seven years, a Thomson Reuters/INSEAD survey showed, as a fresh surge by the Chinese economy offset concerns about rising trade barriers. The Thomson Reuters/INSEAD Asian Business Sentiment Index, representing the six-month outlook of 67 firms, advanced one notch to 79 for the January-March quarter compared with three months before. A reading above 50 indicates a positive outlook. The improvement is not dramatic but with a historical perspective this is a good reading, said Antonio Fatas, a Singapore-based economics professor at global business school INSEAD. Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia saw robust jumps in sentiment, showing that many countries in Asia continue to benefit from accelerating global growth. In particular, China has seen exports soar, up 45 percent in February to mark their fastest growth in three years. China... has escaped the fear of a crisis that started back in 2016 and that s why you see strong confidence. Imbalances persist but there is no real threat of a crisis over the short term, said Fatas. The subindex for Thailand surged to 100 from 85 and the Philippines saw a climb to 83 from 70 while sentiment in Malaysia improved five notches to 75. The tourism and export sector expansion will help drive growth (in Thailand) this year, said Rattham Somboonchareon, a planning manager at survey respondent Thai Airways, adding that government spending was also a key driver of growth. Australia s subindex dropped to 80 from 92, although the figure is relatively high when compared with its historical average of 69. While the International Monetary Fund Companies cite increasing trade friction as chief risk Designed in California, made in China How the iphone skews US trade deficit SHANGHAI, March 21, (RTRS): US President Donald Trump often tweets from his iphone about pressuring China to address its $375 billion trade surplus with the United States. But a closer look at the Apple smartphone reveals how the headline figure is distorted. The big trade imbalance at the heart of a potential trade war, with Trump expected to impose tariffs on Chinese imports this week exists in large part because of electrical goods and tech, the biggest US import item from China. Apple Inc s iphone, however, illustrates how a big portion of that imbalance is due to imports of American-branded products many of which use global suppliers for parts but are put together in China and shipped around the world. Take a look at the iphone X. IHS Markit estimates its components cost a total of $ Of that, $110 goes to Samsung Electronics in South Korea for supplying displays. Another $44.45 goes to Japan s Toshiba Corp and South Korea s SK Hynix for memory chips. Other suppliers from Taiwan, the and the World Bank have raised their global growth forecasts for this year due to strong trade, consumer spending, and investment in many major economies, intensifying rhetoric in favour of protectionism has become a major concern. US President Donald Trump has announced import tariffs on steel and aluminium, and is expected to consider additional tariffs targeted specifically at China. He has also repeatedly said the US free-trade deal with South Korea is unfair and has threatened to scrap it altogether on multiple occasions. That has battered sentiment in South Korea, with the country s subindex plunging to 50 from 83. There is a sense among Korean businesses that Trump will continue to be aggressive against their country, said Fatas. Singapore s subindex declined to 75 from 79. The country s exports took a surprise dip in February as tech product shipments continued to retreat from the hot pace of recent months. Japan, where consumer spending numbers have been subdued, recorded its lowest reading in a year, at 67 compared to the fourth-quarter s 70. India United States and Europe also take their portion, while assembly, done by contract manufacturers in China like Foxconn, represents only an estimated 3 to 6 percent of the manufacturing cost. Current trade statistics, however, count most of the manufacturing cost in China s export numbers, which has prompted global bodies like the World Trade Organization to consider alternative calculations that include where value is added. The impact on export data of just the iphone could be major. Apple shipped 61 million iphones to the United States last year, data from researchers Counterpoint and IHS Markit show, spending $258 on average to make each iphone 7 and 7 Plus. Using a rough calculation, that implies the iphone 7 series added $15.7 billion to the US trade deficit with China last year, about 4.4 percent of the total. That s also about 22 percent of the $70 billion in cell phones and household goods the US imported from China. With an iphone, where China is just the final assembler, most of the value (contributed by China) is just the labour rather than the components themselves, said John Wu, an economic analyst with a US-based think tank, the Information & Innovation Foundation. Louis Kuijs, head of Asia economics research at Oxford Economics, notes that US companies using global supply chains to manufacture products in China means other economies would be caught in the crossfire of a trade war. That is an important reason why US-China trade friction will cause collateral damage, especially in other Asian economies, he said, adding that in value added terms, the US trade deficit with China was only $239 billion last year, 36 percent lower than the headline number. For its part, Apple has responded to Trump s concerns with a pledge to bring some suppliers to the United States. It said in January it planned to pay $55 billion to US suppliers this year. Over the last decade, Apple shipped 373 million iphones, worth $101 billion by manufacturing value, in the United States, according to researcher StrategyAnalytics. also experienced a decline in sentiment, falling to 72 from 79. The index for sentiment in China increased to 88 from 83, but the number of respondents was low at four companies. Increasing trade friction and higher interest rates were cited as the biggest concerns in the Thomson Reuters/ INSEAD survey. By industry, the technology, construction, energy and metals sectors expressed concern about trade friction, showed the survey, which was conducted March BEIJING, March 21, (RTRS): China will actively take steps to safeguard its interests as well as those of its industries, Vice-Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen said, in light of what he described as acts of trade protectionism by the United States. The US decision to launch trade investigations is a unilateral act of protectionism, the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, citing a speech by Wang in New Delhi. President Donald Trump is expected to unveil up to $60 billion in new tariffs on Chinese imports by Friday, targeting technology, telecommunications and intellectual property, two officials briefed on the matter said Monday. The tariffs will be imposed under Section 301 of the 1974 US Trade Act, following an intellectual property probe that began in August last year. Taking trade restrictive measures will not only impede normal international trade order but also cause serious damage to the multilateral trade system, Wang said at a two-day World Trade Organization ministerial meeting that ended on Tuesday. Trump has accused the Chinese government of forcing US companies to transfer their intellectual property to China as a cost of doing business there. Voicing hopes that Beijing and the United States could avoid a trade war, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday that China would open its economy further, so that foreign and Chinese firms can compete on an equal footing. But one day later, Chinese tabloid Global Times said in an editorial that US subsidies for its soybean farmers have given them an unfair competitive advantage in selling to China and strong restrictive measures need to be taken to prevent dumping. While the widely-read paper is run by the ruling Communist Party s People s Daily, its stance does not necessarily equate with Chinese government policy. The (US) president is willing to negotiate and he wants to put all the chips on the table, probably put some people on their heels, Reince Priebus, a former Trump White House chief of staff, told Reuters in an interview in Hong Kong. Speaking at a daily news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated that China would hit back if needed. China does not want to fight a trade war with anyone. But if anyone forces us to fight one, we will neither be scared nor hide, Hua said. If, in the end, the United States takes actions that harm China s interests then China will have to take resolute and necessary steps to respond to protect our legitimate interests. Expectations of tariffs on some Chinese goods have alarmed dozens of US business groups, who said they would raise prices for consumers, kill jobs and drive down financial markets. Fears of a global trade war have risen after Trump imposed hefty import tariffs on steel and aluminium earlier this month under Section 232 of the 1962 US Trade Expansion Act, which allows safeguards based on national security. China to become top patent filer in three years, UN report GENEVA, March 21, (AFP): China is on its way to becoming the world leader in international patent filings, and should overtake the top spot from the United States within three years, the UN said Wednesday. A record 243,500 international patent applications were filed last year, a hike of 4.5 percent from a year earlier, the World Intellectual Property Organisation said in its annual report. These patents represent the best new technology that is arising in the world, WIPO chief Francis Gurry told journalists in Geneva. The US kept the top ranking, which it has held for the past four decades, with American-based companies and individuals filing 56,624 applications, or nearly a quarter of the global total. But it was the rapid growth in international patent filings from China, which passed Japan to reach second place, that drove the global increase, WIPO said. Chinese companies and individuals filed a total of 48,882 international patents last year, marking a hike of 13.4 percent from a year earlier, the UN agency said. China, the only country to record double-digit growth in its patent applications in 2017, has posted growth higher than 10 percent every year since At current trends, (China) is projected to overtake the US within three years as the largest source of applications filed under WIPO s Patent Cooperation Treaty, the agency said. One cannot but notice that there has been a remarkable transformation in the Chinese economy, and that China has gone from a position of being largely a user of technologies to a producer of technologies, Gurry said. He refused to comment on whether US President Donald Trump s expressed anxiety over competition from China was warranted. But he told reporters that China has clearly arrived as a major competitor in the field of technology. investment funds Funds Fund Manager Valuation Valued date Currency Net Asset Prev NAV Prev NAV Dated Value (NAV) National Bank of Kuwait Money Market Funds Watani KD Money Market Fund II NBK Capital Weekly March 13, 2018 KD March 6, 2018 Watani USD Money Market Fund NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly March 13, 2018 USD March 6, 2018 Watani KD Money Market Fund (Acc to Islamic Shariah principles) II NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly March 13, 2018 KD March 6, 2018 Watani USD Money Market Fund (Acc to Islamic Shariah principles) II NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly March 13, 2018 USD March 6, 2018 NBK Kuwait Equity Fund Watani Investment Co. Weekly March 8, 2018 KD March 1, 2018 Gulf Equity Investment Fund Watani Investment Co. Weekly March 8, 2018 USD March 1, 2018 Regional Bond and Sukuk Investment Fund NBK Capital Weekly March 8, 2018 USD March 1, 2018 Gulf Bank Al Basha er GCC Equity Fund Kwt. Fin. & Inv. Co. & Gulf Fin. House Monthly Feb 28, 2018 USD Jan 31, 2018 Coast Fund Coast Investment & Dev. Co. Monthly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Markaz Real Estate Fund Bi-annual Feb 28, 2018 KD Jan 31, 2018 Al Ahli Bank Al Ahli Gulf Fund Al Ahli Bank Monthly Feb 28, 2018 KD Jan 31, 2018 Al Ahli Kuwaiti Fund Al Ahli Bank Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD Jan 31, 2018 Burgan Bank Burgan Equity Fund Burgan Bank Monthly Dec 31, 2017 KD Nov 26, 2017 Boubyan Bank Boubyan KD Money Market Fund Boubyan Bank Weekly March 13, 2018 KD Feb 27, 2018 Boubyan KD Money Market Fund II Boubyan Bank Weekly March 13, 2018 KD Feb 27, 2018 Boubyan Capital Investment Co. Boubyan USD Liquidity Fund Boubyan Capital Investment Co March 13, 2018 USD Feb 27, 2018 Boubyan Multi-Asset Holding Fund Boubyan Bank Jan 30, 2018 USD Sept 30, 2017 Kuwait Investment Co. Local Fund Al Raed Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 15, 2018 KD March 1, 2018 Kuwait Investment Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly Feb 28, 2018 KD Jan 31, 2018 Al Hilal Fund Kuwait Investment Co Monthly March 19, 2018 KD March 1, 2018 Al Atheer Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly Feb 28, 2018 KD Jan 31, 2018 International Global Bond Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 14, 2018 USD March 7, 2018 Diversified Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 14, 2018 USD March 7, 2018 European Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly Feb 28, 2018 Euro Jan 31, 2018 Pacific Equity Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 14, 2018 USD March 7, 2018 North American Equity Fund Kuwait Investment Co Tw. Monthly Feb 28, 2018 USD Jan 31, 2018 National Investment Co. (NIC) Al-Wataniya Fund NIC Monthly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Al-Darij Fund NIC Monthly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Mawarid Fund NIC Monthly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Zajil Fund NIC Monthly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Al Mada Investment Fund NIC Weekly Dec 31, 2017 USD Nov 30, 2017 Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) Mumtaz Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 8, 2018 KD Feb 22, 2018 MIDAF Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 8, 2018 KD Feb 22, 2018 Islamic Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 8, 2018 KD Feb 22, 2018 FORSA Financial Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly Dec 31, 2017 KD Nov 30, 2017 Real Estate Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly Dec 31, 2017 KD Nov 30, 2017 Markaz Fixed Income Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly March 8, 2018 USD Feb 22, 2018 Markaz MENA Islamic Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly Feb 28, 2018 USD Feb 22, 2018 Funds Fund Manager Valuation Valued date Currency Net Asset Prev NAV Prev NAV Dated Value (NAV) Kuwait & Middle East Financial & Inv. Co. Al Rou yah Fund KMEFIC Monthly Nov 30, 2017 KD Sept 30, 2017 Global Investment House Index Funds GCC Large Cap Index Fund Global Weekly March 8, 2018 KD March 1, 2018 Equity Funds Al-Mamoun Fund A Global Weekly March 8, 2018 KD March 1, 2018 Al-Mamoun Fund B Global Weekly March 8, 2018 KD March 1, 2018 GCC Large Cap Fund Global Bi-weekly March 8, 2018 USD Feb 27, 2018 Global Saudi Equity Fund Global Bi-weekly March 8, 2018 SAR Feb 27, 2018 Sectoral Funds EPADI Fund Global Weekly March 6, 2018 USD Feb 27, 2018 Islamic Funds Global GCC Islamic Fund Global Weekly March 6, 2018 USD Feb 27, 2018 Al-Durra Islamic Fund Global Monthly March 8, 2018 KD March 1, 2018 Kuwait Finance & Investment Co (KFIC) Al Wasm Fund KFIC Weekly March 14, 2018 KD Nov 30, 2017 Al Basha er GCC Equity Fund KFIC Monthly Feb 28, 2018 USD Nov 30, 2017 KAMCO KAMCO Investment Fund KAMCO Monthly Dec 31, 2017 KD Nov 30, 2017 KAMCO Real Estate Yield Fund KAMCO Jan 31, 2018 USD Dec 31, 2017 Wafra International Investment Co. Wafra Equity Fund Wafra Co. Monthly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Wafra Bond Fund Wafra Co. Monthly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Masaref Investment Fund ISKAN Weekly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Fajir Islamic Fund Wafra Co. Monthly Jan 31, 2018 KD Dec 31, 2017 Al Aman Investment Al Aman Islamic Fund Al Aman Investment Weekly Dec 30, 2017 KD Nov 30, 2017 Tharwa Investment Co. Tharwa Investment Fund Tharwa Investment Co Weekly Feb 1, 2018 KD Jan 18, 2018 Tharwa Islamic Fund Tharwa Investment Co Monthly Feb 1, 2018 KD Jan 18, 2018 Bank Al-Bilad Al Seef Fund Bank Al-Bilad Daily March 14, 2018 KD Feb 25, 2018 Commercial International Bank CIB Money Market Fund (Osoul) CI Asset Management Weekly March 19, 2018 EGP Feb 11, 2018 CIB II Equity (Isthethmar) CI Asset Management Weekly Feb 28, 2018 EGP Feb 28, 2018 CIB and Faisal Islamic Al Aman CI Asset Management Weekly Feb 28, 2018 EGP Feb 28, 2018 Hemaya CI Asset Management Weekly March 1, 2018 EGP Feb 11, 2018 Thabat CI Asset Management Weekly Feb 11, 2018 EGP Feb 11, 2018 Takamol CI Asset Management Weekly March 18, 2018 EGP Feb 11, 2018 Misr El Mostakbel CI Asset Management Weekly Feb 11, 2018 EGP Feb 11, 2018 KFH Capital Investment Co. Muthanna Islamic Index Fund (MUDX) KFH Capital Investment Co Daily Nov 30, 2017 KD Sept 30, 2017 Muthanna GCC Islamic banks Fund KFH Capital Investment Co Daily Nov 30, 2017 KD Sept 30, 2017 Baitak GCC Fund KFH Capital Investment Co Weekly June 29, 2017 KD Feb 28, 2017 Noor Financial Investment Co. Noor Islamic Fund Noor Financial Investment Co Monthly Nov 30, 2016 KD Sept 30, 2015 CapCorp Investment Co. CapCorp Local Fund CapCorp Investment Company Weekly Sept 28, 2017 KD Aug 30, 2017

29 BUSINESS 29 power consumption growth to slow SEC CEO Growth in electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia is likely to slow to 1.5 percent a year, down from previous expectations of 6 to 10 percent, the chief executive of Saudi Electricity Co (SEC) said on Wednesday. We have always been planning for 6 to 10 percent growth. Now I imagine for the future the growth will be 1.5 percent or less than 1.5 percent as we ve seen over the past two years, Ziyad al-shiha told Al Arabiya TV in an interview. There isn t more than modest growth in energy consumption, he said. SEC shares sank 4.2 percent after the company reported a much bigger-than-expected 5.5 billion riyal ($1.5 billion) loss for the fourth quarter of 2017, which it attributed to a shift to IFRS accounting standards. The Saudi government is eliminating subsidies for a range of energy products, including electricity, in an effort to reduce strains on state finances and make the country more energy-efficient. Authorities have slowed the timeline for those reforms and other aspects of an austerity programme amid concerns about their impact on the private sector, but aim to push ahead with a new round of subsidy cuts in the fi rst quarter of this year. (RTRS) Kuwait equities drop in lacklustre session KIPCO drops 11 fils; VIVA gains By John Mathews Arab Times Staff KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Kuwait stocks headed south on Wednesday extending the losing streak to fourth straight day. The bourse dropped pts in lackluster session to 6, points dragged by some of the heavyweights. The KSX 15 gauge fell 2.25 points to pts paring the year s losses to 40 points while weighted index edged 0.67 pts down. The volume turnover meanwhile rose marginally following last session s drop million shares changed hands down 11 pct from the day before. The sectors closed mostly in red turf. Basic materials outshone the rest with 1.38 pct gain whereas insurance sector shed 1.7 percent, the worst performer of the day. Volume wise, banks notched the highest market share of 21.3 pct and financial services followed closely with 20.9 pct contribution. In the individual shares, KIPCO dipped 11 fils to 284 fils taking the month s losses to 21 fils while Jazeera Airways reversed Tuesday s gains with 11 fils drop to 616 fils. Humansoft Holding dived 21 fils to KD Zain slipped 4 fils to 459 fils after trading 2.5 million shares and Ooredoo took in 2 fils partly recouping last session s losses, Kuwait Telecommunications Co (VIVA) gained 12 fils and Agility climbed 7 fils to 840 fils on back of 1.9 million shares. Commercial Bank fell 3 fils and National Bank of Kuwait clipped 2 fils. The bank has posted a profit of KD million in the year ending Dec, 2017 a 9.2 pct rise from year before. In the fourth quarter of 2017, earnings was up 10.7 pct to KD 84 million from the year-ago period. The market opened flattish and moved sideways in early trade. The main index continued to drift deeper into red amid selling in select counters and plumbed the day s lowest level of 6,667 pts in the final minutes. However it clawed back some of the losses at close. Top gainer of the day, Marakez vaulted 19.9 pct to 28.9 fils and BIIHC jumped 17 percent to stand next. First Takaful Insurance Co slumped 19.7 pct, the steepest decliner of the day and Ajwan topped the volume with over 5 million shares. Mirroring the day s drop, the losers outnumbered the winners. 40 counters advanced whereas 54 closed lower. Of the 114 counters active on Wednesday, 19 closed flat. 2,642 deals worth KD 12.4 million were transacted a 40 pct surge in value from the day before National Industries Group ticked 1 fil lower to 147 fils while Kuwait Portland Cement was flat at KD Heavy Engineering Industries and Shipbuilding Co took in 1 fil and Hilal Cement was down 5 fils at 70 fils. Equipment Holding added 1.7 fils. Kuwait Foundry Co dialed up 1 fil and NICBM rose 4 fils to 165 fils partly recouping Tuesday s fall. Qurain Petrochemical Co gained 4 fils and Boubyan Petrochemical soared 25 fils ton 730 fils. IFA Hotels and Resorts dipped 12 fils to 100 fils. Paused NAPESCO took in 1 fil and ALAFCO paused at 377 fils. The company s profit soared 49.6 pct to KD 7.78 million during the first quarter ended on Dec 31, 2017 from the same period a year ago. Automated System Co fell 3 fils to 167 fils. Mezzan Holding slipped 5 fils to 775 fils and Al Rai Media Group eased 1 fil to 127 fils. Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Co gave up 2 fils before settling at 102 fils and KGL Logistics trimmed 0.7 fil. Inovest inched 0.3 fil into red and GFH fell 3 fils. In the banking sector, Kuwait Finance House was unchanged at 589 fils after trading over 2 million shares while Al Mutahed and Burgan Bank tripped 1 fil each before closing at 324 fils and 284 fils respectively. Gulf Bank nudged 1 fil higher to 258 fils and Al Ahli Bank stood pat at 340 fils. Kuwait International bank took in 1 fil and Boubyan Bank fell 2 fils to 284 fils. Warba Bank gave up 3 fils to close at 229 fils. National Investment Co was flat at 100 fils while International Financial Advisors and Noor Financial Investment Co were up 0.3 fil each. Kuwait Investment Co edged 1 fil into green and Coast Investment Co closed 0.5 fil up. Osoul Investment Co climbed 3 fils to 54 fils whereas Al Salam and Al Madina clipped 1.1 fils each. Securities House fell 1.3 fils to 48.5 fils and Amwal Investment dialed down 2 fils. Al Mal Investment eased 0.3 fil to 22.7 fils. Bayan Investment fell 2.4 fils to 36.9 fils and Al Deera Holding closed 1.5 fils in red. Ahleia Insurance Co gained 20 fils to 480 fils and Warba Insurance Co held ground unchanged at 58 fils. National Real Estate Co fell 2 fils to 108 fils and United Real Estate Co closed flat at 60 fils. Kuwait Real Estate Co eased 1 fil to 50.5 fils and Salhiya Real Estate Co rose 4 fils to 344 fils. Mazaya Holding inched 1 fil up to 110 fils. The bourse has been downbeat so far during the week and has slid 73 points in last four sessions. The main index has skidded 75 points so far during the month and is trading 4.35 pct higher year-todate. KSE, with 188 listed companies, is the second largest bourse in the region. In the bourse related news, Al Imtiaz Investment Group slipped into red in the fourth quarter of 2017 as it incurred KD 2.9 million in losses in the quarter against profit of KD 6.7 million in the year-ago period. In the full-year 2017, it posted a profit of KD mln, up 124.7% from previous year. The company attributed its higher annual profits to selling a part of its stake in an associate, Kuwait Cement Co has posted a 15.4 pct drop in profits during the fourth quarter of 2017 to KD 4.94 mln from KD 4.28 million last quarter of During fiscal year 2017, earnings were down 11.8 percent to KD million as against KD million in the previous fear. The board members have recommended a cash dividend of 20 pct or 20 fils per share for Mabanee has logged 1.6 pct drop in in profits to KD million during the fourth quarter of 2017 from same period a year ago. In 2017 fiscal year, the earnings ticked up by 1 pct to KD million. The board members has recommended a cash dividend of 10% for FY17, in addition to 5% bonus shares or 5-for-100 shares. Aqar Real Estate Investments fourth quarter profits dropped by 14.7 pct from the same period last year to KD 732,000. During fiscal year 2017, earnings saw a marginal year-on-year rise of 1.1 percent to KD 1.76 million. The board of directors has recommended cash dividend of 6 pct or 6 fils per share for FY17. Mideast Stocks UAE s Aldar and Emaar climb Blue-chips lift Saudi market RIYADH, March 21, (RTRS): Saudi Arabia's stock market rose on Wednesday, lifted by its expected inclusion in the secondary FTSE emerging market index, while United Arab Emirates' markets were boosted by its top two property companies. The Saudi index gained 0.5 percent to close at 7,762 points, backed by leading stocks that investors expect to attract foreign funds if the FTSE upgrade is confirmed at the end of this month. Al Rajhi Bank rose 1 percent, with the stock going ex-dividend on Monday. National Commercial Bank added 0.9 percent and miner Ma'aden gained 2.6 percent while retail play Jarir rose by 3.2 percent. Saudi Electricity Co, however, fell by 4.2 percent after reporting a 5.5 billion riyal ($1.5 billion) loss for the fourth quarter. The company said shifting to IFRS accounting standards had affected its results, but gave no details. The loss was bigger than forecasts from SICO Bahrain and NCB Capital of 878 million riyals and 1.58 billion riyals respectively. "The Saudi market may stall around current levels for some time, facing technical resistance at 7,800 points and waiting for positive news that can move it up again, like the FTSE inclusion decision," said Muhammad Faisal Potrik, head of research at Riyad Capital. The index peaked this month at 7,839 points. The Abu Dhabi index rose 0.9 percent, with Aldar Properties adding 2.8 percent after the company said it had signed a joint venture agreement with Dubai's Emaar Properties to develop local and international projects worth as much as 30 billion dirhams ($8.2 billion). Emaar rose 2.2 percent, lifting the Dubai index by 0.8 percent. Neither company provided details of the venture's likely impact on earnings, but the deal could help to cut costs and aid Aldar's overseas expansion. The Qatar index was down 1.2 percent, dragged lower by Qatar Gas Transport's 6 percent drop as it went ex-dividend. The Al Rayan Qatar exchangetraded fund listed on Wednesday with initial assets exceeding $120 million. Focused on sharia-compliant stocks, it is Qatar's second locally listed ETF. Amwal's QE Index ETF, with assets of $40 million, also listed this month. Egypt's index closed 0.2 percent higher as real estate firm SODIC soared 10 percent to Egyptian pounds. CI Capital raised its target price for the stock to 32 pounds. Saudi Arabia The index rose 0.5 percent to 7,762 points. Dubai The index added 0.8 percent to 3,207 points. Abu Dhabi The index rose 0.9 percent to 4,567 points. Qatar The index fell 1.2 percent to 8,873 points. Egypt The index rose 0.2 percent to 17,147 points. Kuwait The index fell 0.3 percent to 6,687 points. Bahrain The index lost 0.3 percent to 1,336 points. Oman The index rose 0.3 percent to 4,796 points.

30 BUSINESS 30 BMW to spend more on autonomous electric cars Deutsche Bank shares dip on investment bank headwinds BMW s profits this year will at least equal last year s results as the automaker sinks billions into developing electric and autonomous car technology to meet expected changes in how people get from one place to another, the company said Wednesday. Chief Financial Officer Nicolas Peter told an annual news conference Wednesday that it expects group profit before tax to be at least in line with 2017 s the bottomline record 10.7 billion euros (currently $13.1 billion), which was up 10 percent. Peter said the company would allocate an increasing amount to research and development after spending 6.1 billion euros in 2017, an increase of a billion euros. He said BMW remained financially strong, enabling a record dividend of four euros per share. BMW made 8.7 billion euros net profit last year, up 26 percent. Last year s result was boosted by 977 million euros through the positive impact of changes in US tax law enacted near the end of the year. Revenues rose 4.8 percent to a record 98.7 billion euros. Auto companies are spending heavily to develop battery-powered cars in order to meet tough measures against global warming and air pollution. (AP) Shares in Germany s biggest lender Deutsche Bank slid around 6.0 percent Wednesday, after its finance chief warned of first-quarter headwinds for its corporate and investment banking division. We do have a headwind in a year-on-year comparison, before you get to business performance, of about 450 million euros ($515 million), chief financial officer James von Moltke said at a London banking conference. With some 40 percent of its business either dollar-denominated or linked to the dollar, the unit would suffer a 300-million-euro blow from currency effects, he said. One euro is worth around $1.22 at present, compared with around $1.06 at the end of March 2017 sapping the value of earnings in the greenback on Deutsche s books. Meanwhile increased funding costs would add a further burden of 150 million euros, von Moltke said. Shares in Deutsche Bank lost 5.6 percent in Frankfurt on the comments to trade at euros by 1425 GMT, making them by far the worst performers on the DAX index of blue-chip German stocks. Von Moltke said performance at the corporate and investment division was depending on the business, flat to slightly down from last year, although it was unclear whether he was referring to revenues or profits. (AFP) Energy lifts equities despite MINNEAPOLIS: General Mills fiscal third-quarter results were mixed as the company dealt with rising freight and commodity costs. The maker of Cheerios cereal, Yoplait yogurt and other packaged foods also lowered its full-year adjusted earnings outlook. Shares dropped 8 percent in Wednesday premarket trading. For the period ended Feb 25, General Mills Inc earned $941.4 million, or $1.62 per share. A year earlier the Minneapolis-based company earned $357.8 million, or 61 cents per share. The company said the current quarter s performance primarily benefited from the recent tax overhaul. (AP) NEW YORK: Cloud data service Dropbox defied recent volatility among technology shares and raised its expected stock price range ahead of this week s initial public offering, suggesting strong appetite among investors. Dropbox now expects to price its shares between $18 and $20, according to a securities filing Wednesday, up from the $16 to $18 estimated earlier this month. At that price, the transaction could value the company at $7.85 billion. (AFP) DALLAS: Benefits from the recent tax law drove quarterly profit sharply higher at FedEx, which also got a boost from strong performance in its ground-shipping business during the peak holiday gift-shipping season. The delivery company raised its forecast for earnings in the fiscal year that ends in May. FedEx Corp. said Tuesday that it earned $2.07 billion in the December-through-February quarter, up from $562 million a year earlier. However, the latest results included a benefit of $1.53 billion from the bill that cut corporate tax rates, mostly because it reduced FedEx s liability for deferred taxes. Pretax income actually fell 3 percent. (AP) NEW YORK: Department store operator Nordstrom ended buyout talks with family members of the company s founder, saying Tuesday it couldn t get the group to raise its price. Nordstrom had rejected an offer of $50 a share earlier this month from the family group which includes high-level company executives and called the price inadequate. At the time, the shares were trading above that level. The family members include copresidents Blake, Peter and Erik Nordstrom, who are descendants of John W. Nordstrom. Together, they have a stake of about 30 percent in the company, according to FactSet.(AP) NEW YORK: Former Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn plans to potentially sell all his stock in the casinooperator, a month after he resigned over sexual assault and harassment allegations. Wynn could potentially sell up to 12.1 million shares of stock. He is the largest shareholder in Wynn Resorts with his stake, which totals about 11.8 percent of the company. Shares of Wynn Resorts Ltd are hovering around $180 apiece, which makes his stake worth about $2.21 billion. Two months ago, The Wall Street Journal reported that several women said the billionaire harassed or assaulted them and that one case led to a $7.5 million settlement with a manicurist formerly employed by the Las Vegas company. Wynn has denied the allegations. (AP) LOS ANGELES: Amazon nearly doubled its share and Netflix grew strongly in Japan s streaming market last year as the two global services try to raise their profiles in Asia. dtv from Japanese telco NTT DoCoMo topped the list of SVOD services in Japan in 2017, with a 20.3% share, but that is 3.8 percentage points lower than the previous year, according to marketing analysis firm GEM Partners. Second was Hulu Japan, with 13.5%, and third was U-NEXT. Amazon ranked fourth, nearly doubling its share from 5.9% to 11.5% last year, followed by Netflix, which grew from 4.3% to 7.1%. (RTRS) MOSCOW: Fourth-quarter net income for Russia s No.2 oil producer Lukoil rose to billion roubles ($2.1 billion) from 47 billion roubles a year earlier thanks to higher oil prices and sales, Lukoil said on Wednesday. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected Lukoil s October - December net income to be 111 billion roubles. Its shares were up 0.4 percent at 1055 GMT, underperforming the broader Moscow market, which climbed by 0.9 percent. (RTRS) PARIS: French luxury goods maker Hermes on Wednesday posted record profitability for 2017 thanks to strong in-store and online demand worldwide. The company, best known for its silk scarves and Birkin handbags named after the British actress and singer Jane Birkin, saw profits rise across Asia, the Americas and Europe, it said in a statement. Hermes achieved a new year of historic results, said chief executive Axel Dumas. (AFP) SYDNEY: Rio Tinto has agreed to offload a raft of Australian coal assets to Swiss-based commodities giant Glencore as it moves a step closer to a full exit from the industry. The $1.7 billion deal involves the sale of Rio s 82 percent stake in the Hail Creek mine and its 71 percent holding in the undeveloped Valeria project, both in Queensland state. Chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques said the sale delivered value to the company s shareholders and fitted with the Anglo-Australian firm s strategy of strengthening its portfolio and focusing on high returns. (AFP) PARIS: Chinese internet giant Tencent has entered into a strategic partnership with Ubisoft that includes it taking a five percent stake, the French videogame publisher said Tuesday. Tencent will become a long-term shareholder in Ubisoft s capital as part of media company Vivendi selling its 27.3 percent stake in a 2-billion-euro ($2.5 billion) deal, Ubisoft said. (AFP) jitters on Fed, trade and tech NEW YORK, March 21, (Agencies): A rise in oil prices to a six-week high helped reverse a daylong decline in world equity markets Wednesday ahead of a likely increase in US interest rates and guidance on how many more to expect for this year. Energy stocks in the S&P 500 gained 2.5 percent after a surprise decline in US oil inventories and as worries persisted over rising tensions in the Middle East. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose points, or 0.37 percent, to 24,819.46, the S&P 500 gained 9.28 points, or 0.34 percent, to 2, and the Nasdaq Composite added points, or 0.26 percent, to 7, World markets had traded lower earlier after the Wall Street Journal reported that China was planning counter-measures against US trade tariffs. European shares fell and investors scurried for the safety of German government bonds and the Japanese yen. Shares of Facebook Inc rebounded 2.2 percent after two days of steep losses that had wiped some $50 billion off the value of shares of the social media company. Those declines, caused by uproar over the alleged misuse of user data, filtered through the tech sector, with technology companies in the benchmark S&P 500 down 2 percent for the week to date. A pan-european equity index was off 0.2 percent after the WSJ report on China. The yen, typically bought during times of stress, rose to the day s high versus the dollar around yen. The tech selloff was a serious setback to markets just as they recovered from an early-february selloff, Milligan said, noting tech had been the leading light of US and Asian equity markets for over a year. Fears of a trade war have also weighed on commodity prices, though tensions in the Middle East supported oil. US crude rose 2.34 percent to $65.03 per barrel and Brent was at $69.16, up 2.58 percent. Benchmark 10-year US Treasury notes last fell 6/32 in price to yield percent, from percent late on Tuesday. US US stocks gained on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of an near-certain interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve, as Facebook Inc s shares reversed course to trade higher and energy stocks got a boost from rising oil prices. The technology index was up 0.36 percent. Oil nears six-week high; gold shines The energy index jumped 2.76 percent as crude oil prices hit a six-week high after a surprise decline in US inventories and as concern persisted over possible disruption to Middle East supply. At 12:54 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.55 percent at 24, The S&P 500 gained 0.46 percent to 2, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.38 percent to 7, General Mills slumped about 10 percent after the company cut its full-year profit forecast due to higher freight and commodity costs. That weighed on other food companies, with Kellogg and JM Smucker and ConAgra falling about 4 percent. Southwest Airlines fell 4.6 percent after the carrier cut its forecast for a key revenue metric. Other airlines also fell, with the Dow Jones Airlines index was down 2.14 percent. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners on the NYSE for a 1.76-to-1 ratio, and for a 1.76-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. Europe European shares slid on Wednesday as worries over a possible trade war dented sentiment and investors awaited the conclusion of a US Federal Reserve meeting for signals on the pace of expected interest rate rises. The pan-european STOXX 600 index fell 0.2 percent, as financials and industrials retreated, although it ended off lows, helped by strength among commodity stocks and a positive turn on Wall Street. The STOXX dropped sharply earlier in the afternoon following a report in the Wall Street Journal that China was planning counter-measures against US tariffs. Fears of a possible trade war have simmered since US President Donald Trump announced plans to introduce tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. The Fed meeting is really the big event of the day. What we re looking out for most is the forward guidance... it s how the accompanying statement is worded, whether it proves particularly hawkish, whether policymakers are guiding towards four rate hikes this year as opposed to three, said Henry Croft, research analyst at Accendo Markets. Financials contributed the most to losses, with the European banking sector down 0.9 percent, led lower by a 5.5 percent drop in Deutsche Bank after negative comments from its CFO around the outlook for the first quarter. Speaking at an investor conference, Deutsche CFO James von Moltke said he expected a 450 million euro ($553 million) headwind for its Corporate and Investment Banking business in the first quarter. European tech stocks advanced 0.3 percent, propped up by gains among semiconductor makers. The sector has seen little fallout so far from the reports of Facebook data misuse that have sent the US social media giant s shares down 10 percent over the past two sessions. French luxury goods maker Hermes jumped 2.4 percent after its profit margin reached a record in 2017 and the company increased its dividend. It was still doom and gloom in the British retail sector, with Kingfisher down 10.7 percent after beating fullyear earnings forecasts but warning that the UK market was more uncertain. Smaller UK stock Moss Bros, which makes men s suits and formal wear, tumbled 22.2 percent after a profit warning while retailer Carpetright, up 0.9 percent after touching a new alltime low, said that it was raising capital to try to turn its business around. Ubisoft rose 3.8 percent after Vivendi sold its entire stake in the video game maker for 2 billion euros. Ubisoft has long opposed the French media group s involvement in the company. Vivendi s shares rose 0.7 percent. Elsewhere, Getinge fell 6.9 percent after the Swedish medical technology group said it would book a 350 million crown ($42.6 million) provision in the first quarter related mainly to a fraud probe in Brazil. UK retail landlord Hammerson, which has rejected a takeover approached from French shopping centre operator Klepierre, spiked higher in afternoon trading, rising 5.2 percent to the top of the STOXX. Basic resources stocks reversed earlier losses to end up 1.7 percent, leading sectoral gainers in the region, propped up by a rebound in metal prices. A surge in crude oil prices to a sixweek high following a surprise decline in US inventories boosted energy stocks, which ended up 1.3 percent. Asia Energy firms in Asia rose Wednesday on the back of a rush into oil after data indicated a jump in US demand, but regional markets struggled to maintain early upward momentum before a crucial Federal Reserve policy meeting later in the day. Energy firms across Asia rose, with CNOOC, PetroChina and Sinopec in Hong Kong all up but by much less than earlier. Sydney-listed Santos was more than one percent higher and Woodside Petroleum gained 0.4 percent. Those gains were not enough, however, to keep all broader markets higher. Hong Kong finished down 0.4 percent, having been up more than one percent, while Shanghai ended 0.3 percent lower and Seoul was marginally down. But Sydney rose 0.2 percent, Wellington jumped more than one percent and Singapore put on 0.1 percent, while Jakarta and Bangkok were also up. Tokyo was closed for a public holiday. While the overall market in Sydney gained, gaming firm Crown Resorts fell more than one percent on news that tycoon James Packer had quit as director as he battles mental health issues. London and Paris each opened flat, while Frankfurt added 0.3 percent. Key figurews around 0820 GMT Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 0.4 percent at 31, (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Closed for public holiday Dollar/yen: DOWN at yen from yen Oil Oil neared its highest in six weeks on Wednesday after a surprise decline in US inventories and as concern persisted over possible disruption to Middle East supply. Unexpectedly large inventory declines in the United States helped underpin the market, even though refinery maintenance reaches a peak this month, but with the hardening stance of the United States towards Iran, most investors were reluctant to sell oil aggressively. Brent crude futures were up 84 cents at $68.26 per barrel by 1325 GMT. Brent has risen by 10 percent since hitting a two-month low of $61.77 in early February. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 68 cents at $64.22 a barrel. Saudi Arabia s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday arrived in Washington for a state visit, raising speculation the United States could reimpose sanctions on Iran, following renewed criticism of the 2015 nuclear deal. Gold Gold recovered from a three-week low as the dollar eased on profit-taking ahead of the US Federal Reserve s meeting later on Wednesday, which could provide further clues on the pace of expected interest rate increases. With a rate rise of 25 basis points seen as a done deal, investors will be on the lookout for whether the Fed forecasts four increases in 2018, one more than previously forecast. Spot gold was up 0.8 percent at $1, an ounce at 1517 GMT, having dropped as low as $1, in the previous session. US gold futures for April delivery rose 0.6 percent to $1, A 25 base hike is priced in, so the potential impact could come from the statement and what happens to the Fed projection for inflation and rate expectations in 2018, said Capital Economics commodities economist Simona Gambarini. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, slipped 0.4 percent to after climbing to its highest since March 1 in the previous session. BEC Muzaini Dollarco Commercial Bank Gulf Bank NBK Burgan Bank ABK KFH KBE BEC Muzaini Dollarco Commercial Bank Gulf Bank NBK Burgan Bank ABK KFH KBE BEC Muzaini Dollarco Gulf Bank ABK KFH KBE exchange rates March 21 Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy Buy US dollar Danish krone Cyprus pound Sterling pound Indian rupee Yemeni riyal travellers cheques US dollar Sterling Euro local gold BEC Commercial Bank Gulf Bank Al-Ahli Bank BEC Muzaini Exchange Euro Pakistani rupee Thai baht Japanese yen Sri Lanka rupee South African rand Swiss franc Bangladesh taka Korean won Gold 999 kg 12, Canadian dollar Philippine peso Syrian pound Gold tola 1, Gold ounce Swedish krona Australian dollar Iranian Riyal Gold gm 22k Saudi riyal Gold gm 21k Hong Kong dollar Lebanese pound Gold gm 18k UAE dirham Singapore dollar Malaysian ringgit gm Bahraini dinar gm Jordanian dinar Indonesian rupiah Omani riyal Egyptian pound New Zealand dollar All rates in KD per unit of foreign currency

31 INTERNATIONAL 31 Collection includes only surviving manuscript of a book by Al Andalusi Leiden University holds rare, precious collection of Arabic manuscripts By Nawab Khan KUNA photo University library in the Dutch city of Leiden is home to precious, oldest and rarest Manuscripts of the Holy Quran which are considered as the oldest full Arabic Manuscripts. LEIDEN, Netherlands, March 21, (KUNA): It is perhaps unknown that the university library in the Dutch city of Leiden has some of the oldest and rarest Arabic manuscripts dating back to early Islamic history. Its precious collection includes leaflets of the Quran the earliest complete manuscript in Arabic copied on paper and the only surviving manuscript of a book by the famous scholar Ibn Hazam Al-Andalusi. Kuwait news agency (KUNA) met Dr Arnoud Vrolijk, Curator of Oriental Manuscripts and Rare Books Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries in the beautiful Dutch city, and interviewed him on the oriental collection of the library as well as on the history of the Middle Eastern studies in the Netherlands. Vrolijk studied Arabic in Utrecht and Amsterdam universities in the Netherlands and then did his PhD from the Leiden University on the subject of Mamluk poetry. Besides Arabic, he is well versed in Ottoman Turkish. The library has collection of six thousand manuscripts in Arabic, Persian and Turkish but the Arabic section is the largest. It is not the largest collection in Europe but it is a big, valuable and important collection, he clarified. The oldest Arabic manuscript, which are few leaflets of the Quran, in the library dates back to the second half of the seventh century. The manuscripts were found either in the Arab Peninsula or in Iraq or Syria. The most important Arabic manuscript in the library is a treatise on love and lovers and friendship written by a scholar called Ibn Hazam Al-Andalusi who lived in Cordova, Spain, in the 11th century. The book is called Tuq Al-hamama (the ring of the dove). This is the only surviving manuscript. All the editions in the world are based on this single manuscript. A copyist wrote it. Among the other rare collections is a manuscript of the first book in Arabic written on paper preserved in Europe dating back to 960 AD. The work is written by Abu Ubayd Al-Qasem ibn Salam on unusual terms in the traditions of the Prophet s. The University of Leiden was founded in 1575 and it is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The oldest generation of Orientalists at the University of Leiden, such as Farnciscus Raphelngius ( ) and Josephus Justus Scaliger ( ) wrote their studies on written sources and stayed at home. Raphelngius who studied Arabic in Paris was appointed as professor of Hebrew but he also taught Arabic and was the first in the Netherlands to print Arabic books. The earliest Dutch Orientalist to try to travel to the Middle East was Thomas Erpenius ( ) who became the first official professor of Arabic at Leiden University in The motives of their interests in the Arab and Muslim world were many. Most scholars were interested in the relationship between Arabic and Hebrew and because both languages were Semitic, they wanted to study Arabic to help them explain difficult passages in the Hebrew bible. The second argument was the idea that a better knowledge of Arabic would help them to convert Muslims to Christianity. Scaliger left 50 manuscripts of his Middle Eastern collection of Arabic, Persian and Turkish at the library when he died in In the beginning since they did not travel to the Middle East, the Dutch orientalists depended on merchants who travelled to the Middle East to buy the manuscripts from them or from local collectors, mainly in Italy, which had a long tradition of buying oriental manuscripts. Italy was a link between the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe. The first Dutch scholar to go to the Middle East to collect manuscripts was Jacobus Golius who visited Morocco in 1622 and later Aleppo in Syria. He bought home about 200 Arabic manuscripts mainly related with science and mathematics. We have a beautiful collection of scientific Arabic manuscripts and also in Persian and Turkish, said Vrolijk. The most important collection in the Leiden library is known as the Levinis Warner collection. He was a German who came to study oriental languages in Leiden in His collection includes precious items like the Kitab Al-Hashaish (book of the herbs) written by a Greek scholar and translated into Arabic in the 8th or 9th century. It is probably the oldest illustrated manuscript in Arabic on the scientific subject. The library also has a small collection of manuscripts in Arabic and Turkish languages from Xinjiang province in China where the Uighur Muslim minority lives. Dr Vrolijk noted that today the Middle Eastern Studies in the Netherlands is very popular and many people come to the Netherlands to study Islam and the Oriental languages. They are becoming more and more popular in this country. O Your Highness Continued from Page 1 part of the cake illegitimately. This is happening at a time majority of lawmakers, who are in charge of legislation and monitoring in the National Assembly, are raising anti-graft slogans, yet they are the ones striking behind the scene. The incessant parliamentary bombardments that exposed series of scandals are the best instances of corruption. The same thing goes for successive governments which succumbed to parliamentary blackmail. Grilling, questioning and voting for or against a no-confidence motion have price tags. Everything is done by milking public funds. On the other hand, we have many institutions tasked to combat corruption. We have a large number of laws on protecting public money, but these laws are often violated. Furthermore, it seems these laws were enforced in order to be violated, not for the sake of State reform and transparency. Observers of our conditions can see the wonders. Overseas treatment is used for electoral purposes as a number of present and former MPs purchased loyalty through this service. The same can be said about education and even the roads. We have not seen any other country repaving roads yearly due to flying pebbles which are crystal clear evidence of corruption. By the way, I remembered the proposal filed by the MPs in the Parliament of Switzerland last year to grant monthly salary for each citizen. About 95 percent of the people, mostly employees and laborers, voted against the bill as they considered it a call for laziness and squandering of public money. This happens in a country which is considered the richest in the world, simply because people are aware of the importance of protecting public money. In light of that incident, we inquire about the solution in our case. The urgent solution lies in putting an end to favoritism and nepotism; in addition to refraining from being submissive to parliamentary blackmail and setting free the State s executive system from cowardice and shivering hands in terms of accountability. This goal will not be achieved unless the virtue of respecting public money, which is the citizens property, is developed. Hence, whoever steals public money, steals from his pocket. In case the current condition remains the same, we shall soon compete with Somalia and Iraq in landing at the bottom of indices due to the failure of the State to combat corruption. Seven pillars Continued from Page 1 healthcare, creative human capital and distinguished international status. In the special briefing session held by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development as a special feature of the two-day Kuwait Investment Forum, H.E. Dr Nayef Al Hajraf, the Minister of Finance, H.E. Bakheet Shabib Al-Rashidi, Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water, and H.E. Hind Sabeeh Barak Al-Sabeeh, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Economic Affairs, also presented updates. The Ministers announced that the Kuwait International Airport s Passengers Support Terminal (T4); Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Bridge; the project of revamping air navigation systems; the first stage of the Shagaya renewable energy complex; the last phase of clean fuel project; and the establishment of a company for entertainment services would all be completed in the first quarter of Minister of Oil, and Minister of Electricity and Water, Bakheet Al- Rashidi informed that 84.8% of clean fuel project was completed and 80% percent of the Shagaya renewable energy complex have been done. It is estimated that this project would help realise the goal of producing 15% of Kuwait s electricity through renewable sources by He also revealed that shares of Zour North Power Plant, that accounts for 10% of Kuwait s power production and 20% of the desalinated water, would be put up for the public by the end of H.E. Hind Al-Sabeeh, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Economic Affairs, shared that efficient government administration was crucial to realizing the other six goals of Kuwait s vision. She revealed that the com- Prince Sultan collects award on behalf of his father HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal honored with KAHAA DUBAI, March 21: Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group and Founder of the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Achievement Award (KAHAA) honoured HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saoud, Governor of Makkah at a ceremony held at The St Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City on March 20, Prince Sultan bin Khalid Al-Faisal Al Saoud collected the award on his father s behalf at a VIP ceremony at The St Regis Dubai at Al Habtoor City. The Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Achievement Award was established in 2017 to recognize individuals or organizations with a proven track record of contributing to the advancement of arts and culture in the Middle East. The award is given to artists, writers, scientists, academics and athletes who have excelled in their field and who have had a lasting impact on society for at least three decades of service to their industry. The inaugural award was given to the late Kuwaiti actor and writer Abdul Hussein Abdul Redha. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor said, It gives me great honour to recognize HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saoud for making significant contributions in the advancement of cultural indicatives and the arts in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. As an artist, a poet and a patron of the arts, His Royal Highness has made his mark as one of the founders of the art movement furthering cultural, artistic and educational understanding in the Arab world. He added, I established the Khalaf prehensive strategy plan for e-government i.e. the Central Agency for Information Technology would aim at expanding e-government applications and civil information system applications to develop public services and business sector services. The project was started in 2015 and is expected to be complete by 2020, the completion rate stands at 38.4% at present with the establishment of the e-government service s development committee and link system complete for 9 out of 33 sectors. The other projected impact, she stated, was reducing the documentary cycle, accelerating and simplifying procedures in the provision of services, enhancing competencies of the State s executive bodies while also improving Kuwait s relative ranking on the ICT use index from 67% to 64% by the end of the development plan. H.E. Dr Nayef Al Hajraf, the Minister of Finance shared that Kuwait had made vast improvements on global indices and international institutions monitoring and evaluating development. Kuwait s saw improvement in global ranking in four main pillars of financial market development variable as captured by the global competitiveness report On curbing of financial waste, Kuwait moved up from rank 90 to rank 59, on Quality of Market Organization, Kuwait rose to 62 from 75, from Burden of government laws Kuwait moved up from 108 to 90 and on management quality of public funds from 57 to 54. Kuwait also made great strides in the World Bank s Doing Business 2018 report index with the global ranking moving higher from 102 to 96. On the ease of starting a business, Kuwait held the 149 position from its past 173, on registering property it moved up to 129 from 144, on getting electricity installed it stepped up from 115 to 97, and on trading across borders from 157 to 154. The Minister also shared Moody s change in outlook on Government of Kuwait s rating to stable from negative as well as Kuwait s Secondary Emerging market status in the FTSE annual country classification review in recognition of the recent market enhancements implemented by the Capital Market Authority of Kuwait and Boursa Kuwait. Private sector Meanwhile, Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) is examining ways to allow the private sector the chance to contribute to national development, its chairman said on Wednesday, stressing the need to have an open and competitive economy. KCCI is steadfast in its efforts to regulate the national economy in a way where the country s oil wealth is used as a stepping stone to sustained Left to right: Khalaf Ahmad Al-Habtoor, Prince Sultan bin Khalid Al-Faisal Al-Saoud. Ahmad Al Habtoor Achievement Award to encourage and cultivate commitment to excellence and strong principles in our Arab youth. It is important that future generations are educated about our cultural heritage as well as respected figures in our society. HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saoud, son of His late Majesty King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, is currently serving as Governor of Makkah for his second term after being reappointed in January Prince Khalid Al-Faisal also holds the rank of Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz. From His Royal Highness served as Governor of development, Ali Al-Ghanim said in a meeting of the business body. The Kuwaiti economy faces a worsening dilemma given how capricious the global economy has gotten, Al-Ghanim pointed out. He went on to reveal that KCCI s net income in 2017 stood at around KD 5.5 million ($18.15 million), as compared to KD 5.3 million ($17.49 million) the previous year, while total expenditure is at KD 3.9 million ($12.8 million). The non-government institution, which was comprised of 49,000 members last year, has also certified around 369,000 transactions in 2017, Al- Ghanim noted. He cited a raft of economic reforms the chamber has introduced to keep the economy afloat, which deal with labor, trade, tax and real estate. As a public utility, KCCI seeks to provide the private sector the leeway it needs to be able to contribute to economic growth. Industrial city Kuwait s Public Authority for Industry (PAI) plans to set up a multipurpose industrial city in the Gulf Arab state with total expected investments of $6.6 billion, an official said on Wednesday. PAI Acting General Manager Abdulkareem Taqi told Reuters that the government would put in place the infrastructure for the city at an estimated cost of $600 million and would target around $6 billion in investments from the private sector to develop the bulk of the project. The industrial city, to be located 70 kms (27 miles) west of the capital Kuwait City, will include industrial facilities as well as residential and leisure projects, Taqi said, adding that the city would be able to house 50,000 people. The official said that infrastructure work for the project was expected to be completed by Well said, Asir Province in south-western Saudi Arabia, which inspired Prince Khalid Al-Faisal both as an artist, a poet and a patron of the arts. His Royal Highness continues to work hard to create new opportunities for artists, poets, writers, composers and musicians to flourish. In 2008 Prince Khalid Al-Faisal established the Cultural Council of Makkah which brought together the leading figures of the region. Activities announced by the new council include a 10-year strategy for the development of the region and an annual prize for excellence in six categories including two prizes for culture and the arts. His Royal Highness is Founder of Continued from Page 1 and even our sons and seniors, with their smiling faces. If a quarter of Prince Salman s words were uttered by any unauthorized person who does not fear blame, you would have heard the mouthpiece of radicals and non-radicals desperately defending the miserable fanatic ideology which has been shunned by its country of origin and its breeding ground. We hope that our officials will contemplate on the words of this senior Saudi official. Their efforts to buy the loyalty of radical groups and giving them the wand in institutions such as education, finance, religion, social and culture led us to the dark pit of corruption which everyone is talking about. This is in addition to the deterioration of education and culture, as well as the increasing monitoring clauses on issues concerning education and culture. The laws are saturated with deterrents, inhibitions and tough punishment on things which are permissible and available in the entire world, up to the point that things almost reached us. If the one speaking was someone else, we would have heard cries, crowing and anti-islamic accusations; given that these groups, through their delirium, link Islam and Muslims of all kinds with their ideology, deterrents and inhibitions. Last but not the least, we wish one of our influential officials to take a tough step in words and action, similar to that of the Saudi Crown Prince whom we salute for being frank and audacious. We tell him, Well said. You have silenced your haters. Duterte details Continued from Page 1 inserting provisions that would be beneficial for his countrymen. For example, I demanded that it will be a contract government-togovernment and that there will be some mandatory provisions like they should be allowed to sleep at least seven hours a day that they should be fed nutritious food. And we will not allow leftovers to be eaten by our countrymen. Let them cook their own meal, Duterte said. Other major proposed provisions include the binding effect of the Philippine-crafted employment contract and the guaranteed payment of minimum monthly net pay of $400 paid through the bank, and non-confiscation of mobile phones and other communication gadgets. Then there will be no confiscation of passports by employers. If at all, it will be surrendered on the tables or on the arrivals of any countries where the Filipinos are working in numbers. And fifth is that they should be allowed holidays and everything, he added. The impending signing of bilateral pact came amid the reported maltreatment against and deaths of Filipino workers in Kuwait. The persistent abuses of Kuwaiti employers against OFWs prompted Duterte to announce a total deployment ban in the Gulf nation. Duterte said he will not allow any foreign employers to look at his Filipinos as slaves. I do not mean to offend all who are employing Filipinos abroad. I said that we are not slaves, he added. Bello said the talks were a success, but added the signing of the deal would not mean automatic lifting of the deployment ban, according to Inquirer News. several cultural initiatives, including the Literary Club of Abha, the Abha Singing Festival, the Abha Prize for Cultural Excellence, and the Al- Miftaha Visual Arts Village located in the ancient quarter of Abha, which includes artists studios and accommodation, exhibition galleries, shops and a bookstore. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal is also behind the construction of one of the first modern theaters in Saudi Arabia, which accommodates 3,000 spectators for performances of music, singing and poetry. In 1999 Prince Khalid Al-Faisal launched Painting & Patronage, one of the most prominent cultural and educational exchange programmes between Saudi Arabia and Europe. His Royal Highness is President of the organisation and is active in the day-today running of the organisation. He is also a member of the Allegiance Council and President of the Arab Thought Foundation. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal serves as the Managing Director of the King Faisal Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic and charitable organisations in the world. The Foundation is aimed at promoting self-sufficiency among less fortunate communities, raising awareness of Islamic civilization and encouraging cultural and scientific activities for the advancement of mankind. Throughout his career, His Royal Highness has received several awards from academic institutions and global recognition for his contribution to furthering cultural, artistic and educational understanding. The formal talks were concluded last Friday night between a delegation of Kuwaiti officials and their Philippine counterparts. However, the abs-cbn news quoting Bello said, the lifting of the deployment ban will cover only the skilled workers. The deployment ban for domestic workers, however, is unlikely to be lifted anytime soon. I will be prepared to recommend lifting of the total ban with respect to the skilled workers but not the household service workers, Bello told lawmakers during a hearing of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs. The Philippines last month repatriated hundreds of Filipino workers from Kuwait and imposed a ban on the deployment of workers to the Gulf state, prompted by reported deaths of Filipino domestic workers there, including that of Iloilo native Joanna Demafelis. The murder of 29-year-old Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer in an abandoned apartment in February, prompted Duterte to declare the ban. How Kuwait will deal with the investigation of Demafelis murder case will be Manila s basis for the Gulf state s sincerity in pursuing the deal on the protection of migrant workers, Bello added. Facebook, Analytica Continued from Page 1 filed late on Tuesday by Lauren Price, a Maryland resident. Every Facebook user has an interest in this lawsuit, and the enforcement of their privacy rights, John Yanchunis, a lawyer for Price, told Reuters on Wednesday. The complaint seeks unspecified damages, including possible punitive damages. Facebook and Cambridge Analytica did not immediately respond on Wednesday to requests for comment. A former Facebook manager who was responsible for policing the network s data handling procedures in said he had warned senior executives about the issue. The manager, Sandy Parakilas, said he had told them that Facebook s failure to police how outside software developers used its data put the company at risk of major data breaches. There was very little detection or enforcement, he told a British parliamentary committee via videolink. The academic who provided the data, psychologist Aleksandr Kogan, told the BBC that Cambridge Analytica had greatly exaggerated its role in Trump s victory. Facebook and Cambridge Analytica have both blamed Kogan, who gathered the data by running a survey app on Facebook. Kogan combines the roles of an academic at Cambridge University and a web entrepreneur based in San Francisco. Trump praises Continued from Page 1 has purchased from US manufacturers. The other showcased sales that were still pending. It really means many many jobs... We re talking about over 40,000 jobs for the United States, Trump noted. He added that Saudi Arabia is buying a lot of this equipment... and a lot of people are at work making this equipment. On defense, Trump said we re talking about defense, and we re working very hard with Saudi Arabia. And they re also footing a big part of the bill for the whole Middle East. He stressed we know what s happened in the Middle East. And it has not been a pretty picture for the United States or for anybody. And a lot of things are changing, and they re changing very rapidly. Trump also lauded efforts to contain the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, saying we ll be able to get out of certain areas that we ve wanted to get out of for a long time and other countries can handle it, at this point they ll be able to to handle it. There will we zero tolerance for the funding of terrorism, Trump stressed, adding that Saudi Arabia has been working very hard on that as are certain other countries in the Middle East, he remarked. Furthermore, Trump told reporters in the Cabinet Room ahead of the working lunch with Prince Mohammed that the relationship with Saudi Arabia is probably the strongest it s ever been. We understand each other. Merkel hits Continued from Page 1 spearhead its effort to oust IS jihadists from Syria. In a wide-ranging speech on her new government s priorities, Merkel offered a full-throated defence of her decision to let in more than one milion asylum seekers since 2015, many of them from war-ravaged Syria. She said the conflict required a political solution as well as a humanitarian response and warned that the current offensives were exacerbating the already desperate situation for the civilian population there. Just now we are seeing horrific things with the bombing for example in Eastern Ghouta, Merkel said. Newswatch Continued from Page 1 BEIRUT: A lightning assault by the Islamic State group that put the jihadists in control of a southern part of the Syrian capital killed 62 regime fighters, a monitor said Wednesday in a new toll. IS launched the surprise attack on Monday night to seize the Qadam neighbourhood of Damascus. (AFP) BEIRUT: The death toll from an insurgent mortar assault on a Damascus market has risen to 44, state media said Wednesday, making it one of the deadliest attacks in the capital since the start of Syria s seven-year civil war. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll from Tuesday s attack at 43, including 11 pro-government fighters. Videos of the aftermath posted online showed scenes of chaos, with people screaming and bodies and mannequins strewn across the ground. (AP) BEIRUT: An air strike hit near a school in Syria s northwestern province of Idlib Wednesday, killing at least 16 children, a monitoring organisation said. Twenty civilians, including 16 children, were killed in an air strike in Kafr Batikh in Idlib province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. (AFP) ISTANBUL: An air strike by Turkish warplanes neutralized at least 12 militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, the military said on Twitter on Wednesday. The air strike carried out on Tuesday targeted the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, Turkish military said adding that the militants were believed to be in preparations for an attack. (RTRS)

32 SPORTS 32 Golfers before tee-off Assaf wins coveted trophy for Best Gross Sei Jin Pyo stars in Hankook golf tournament GOLF A player in Action Peshawar beat Quetta PSL returns to Pakistan LAHORE, Pakistan, March 21, (AFP): Title-holders Peshawar Zalmi beat Quetta Gladiators in the first eliminator by one run with a last-ball thriller in Lahore as the third edition of the Pakistan Super League returned home on Tuesday. The first 31 matches of the league started in 2016 in the style of the Rabada Indian Premier League were held in Dubai and Sharjah. Quetta, chasing 158 for victory, needed 25 in the last over with Anwar Ali smashing three sixes and a boundary to keep the target down to three, but his partner Mir Hamza was run out as the batsmen tried a second run. Peshawar Zalmi notched up 157 all out in 20 overs with former England allrounder Liam CRICKET Dawson scoring a 35-ball 62 with six boundaries and four sixes. Pakistan paceman Rahat Ali took Peshawar s pace attack of Hasan Ali (2-21), Sameen Gul (2-21), Wahab Riaz (2-26) and Umaid Asif (2-26) destroyed Quetta for whom Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz made 35 each. Pakistan Cricket Board have gradually revived international cricket in the country as improved security made it possible to host the final in Lahore in March last year. That was followed by a three-match Twenty20 series against a World XI comprising of players from seven countries in September plus a single Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka a month later.meanwhile, South African captain Faf du Plessis on Wednesday hit back at his Australian counterpart Steve Smith s criticism of the decision to overturn a ban on South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. Bridge Results Results of the Bi-weekly Bridge Tournament played on Sunday evening, Feb 4, Syed Imran - Samuel Jacobs, 2. Numan Al-Turki - Mohd Towfi q, 3. Abdul Salam Ibrahim Mohammed Bushehri, 4. Maher Alia Aidi, 5. Khaled Al-Oubaidi Naela Abu Hantash, 6. Nabeel M. Al Hussaini Reema Al Kalouti. We conduct duplicate Bridge tournament every Sunday and Wednesday at 19:30 hours at the Graduates Club, next to Kuwati Engineering Society. Interested Bridge pairs or individual players please contact Mohammed Merchant. Tel # / / KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Hankook Golf Tournament was organized last Friday 16th March 2018 at the Sahara Golf Club. It was the ninth successive year of this prestigious event, organized in the month of March during spring season. It is an open event with participation not just restricted to Sahara Club members, but covering general golf enthusiasts as well. As in earlier years, this year also, there was an overwhelming rush for inclusion, and eventually 100 players were shortlisted covering various nationalities, age-groups and diverse backgrounds. Moreover, the Ambassadors of South Korea and Vietnam graced the tournament with their energetic participation. The players were divided into two categories based on their Handicap levels Division A (Handicap 0 to 14) and Division B (Handicap 15 upwards). As usual, the game was played in the Stableford format, which allows for relatively speedy play. Fortunately, the weather was quite pleasant on Friday with a light, cool breeze and mild drizzle occasionally. The salubrious climate contributed to a healthy game of golf in the beautifully landscaped 18-hole Championship course. The star of the day was Sei Jin Pyo, who achieved a fabulous score of 40 points to win the trophy in Division A. He was followed by S.P.Pradhan at 36 points who claimed the second prize. In Division B, it was a close contest the first and second prizes were won by Windies reach WC on DLS method Scotland knocked out of contention HARARE, March 21, (AFP): The West Indies snatched a spot at next year s World Cup by edging to a five-run victory over Scotland on DLS method in Harare on Wednesday. The two-time World Cup winners were bowled out for just 198 batting first, but rain forced an early finish with the game in the balance and Scotland on with 14.4 overs remaining. Jason Holder s Windies claimed the penultimate place for the tournament in England and Wales, with Scotland knocked out of contention. I m extremely pleased to get through to the World Cup. We ve been through a lot in the last two years, said captain Holder. We had to play to expectation there was pressure in every game and the guys really put their hands up. I m really pleased to get over the line but my thoughts go out to Scotland for how they ve played in this tournament. With no reserve days in the crucial qualifying tournament, Scotland were left agonisingly short of a massive upset. Former Scotland captains Craig Wright and Preston Mommsen lashed out at the ICC after the match on Twitter, highlighting the decision to cut the World Cup to only 10 teams. Feel absolutely sick for CricketScotland, players, support staff, administration & supporters, wrote Wright. It s all been said before, but this tournament has highlighted (again) so much that is wrong with the management, structure & priorities of world #notgoodenough. Mommsen pointed out the ICC s value of commitment to the global game, I think you need to re-address your values below, particularly your final point. Your actions as a governing body are so misaligned with this it s frightening. A controversial lbw decision also proved key as Richie Berrington fell to Windies spinner Ashley Nurse for 33, with no DRS in place for the qualifiers. Had the rain come with Scotland on the same score but four wickets down, they would have qualified instead. There are a couple of decisions that have hurt us in the last two games and obviously another one didn t go our way today, said Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer. Earlier, the underdogs had a dream start to the winner-takes-all clash, with CRICKET Safyaan Sharif dismissing star West Indies opener Chris Gayle with the first ball of the match. Sharif and Bradley Wheal each finished with three wickets, as Scotland restricted their opponents to under 200 despite 66 from Evin Lewis and a gritty half-century by Marlon Samuels. The Scots rebuilt after being reduced to 25-3 as Kemar Roach claimed two early wickets, but were left high and dry by Berrington s dismissal and the rain. Zimbabwe will claim the final place at the reduced 10-team World Cup if they beat the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. Scores from 2019 World Cup qualifying in Zimbabwe on Wednesday: Scotland batsman Richie Berrington plays a shot during their cricket world cup qualifier match against West Indies at Harare Sports Club, in Harare on March, 21. Zimbabwe is playing host to the 2018 Cricket World Cup qualifier matches. (AP) Kyung Suk No and Soo Yi Park at 37 and 36 points respectively. The coveted trophy for Best Gross was won by Adnan Assaf with a dazzling performance of overall 70 points. Among other winners, young Adam Al-Shimali hit an amazing shot to win the prize for Longest Drive in the Men s category, whereas the prize for Nearest to Pin was won by Tom Leiknes. Among Ladies, both the corresponding prizes were won by Fadia Emadi. Incidentally, Fadia comes from a family of keen sportspersons both her husband and son are talented golfers. Prize distribution was organized in the afternoon in the gracious presence of His Excellency Yeonchul Yoo, NFL Roundup Group photo - Winners WASHINGTON, March 21, (RTRS): Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will take a fourth free agent visit on Wednesday, this time with the Oakland Raiders, according to multiple media reports. The Raiders have been the league s most active team in free agency, with a total of 14 new arrivals and two re-signings in a week s time. Suh has been busy as well. Since being released on March 14 by the Miami Dolphins, he has visited the New Orleans Saints, the Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Rams. An NFL Network report last week suggested Suh planned to meet with several teams and take his time before deciding where he would play next. The No. 2 overall pick of the Detroit Lions in 2010, Suh has 51.5 career sacks with no fewer than four in any season across eight years while never missing a game due to injury. In three campaigns with the Dolphins, he tallied 15.5 sacks and 49 quarterback hits. NFL executive vice-president Troy Vincent confirmed to the Washington Post that changes to the league s catch rule will be proposed. Vincent said the competition committee will propose that the league eliminate the going Suh to the ground rule, which NFL Network reported as a possibility last month. Also to be proposed for elimination will be the rule that slight movement of the ball in a receiver s hands should negate a catch. We worked backward, Vincent told the Post. We looked at plays and said: Do you want that to be a catch? And then we applied that to the rule. Slight movement of the ball, it looks like we ll reverse that. Going to the ground, it looks like that s going to be eliminated. And we ll go back to the old replay standard of reverse the call on the field only when it s indisputable. Former NFL offensive lineman Jonathan Martin is facing four charges of making criminal threats and one count of carrying a loaded firearm in the aftermath of his threatening Instagram post last month. Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Josh Rubenstein told NFL.com a warrant has been issued for Martin s arrest and that police have been in contact with the 28-year-old s attorney. Martin was detained by police on Feb 23 after his post on social media forced his alma mater high school to shut down for the day. A pair of Harvard-Westlake High School campuses in Los Angeles were closed as a result of the post. The Jacksonville Jaguars will release wide receiver Allen Hurns and tight end Marcedes Lewis in a series of moves that will save them nearly $11 million against the cap, according to multiple reports. Hurns signed a four-year, $40 million extension with Korean Ambassador, Cho Kyu Wang, Vice-President and Sung Wook Kang, General Manager of Hankook Tires. Speaking on the occasion, Kuldeep Lamba, Managing Director, AlMailem Group expressed his satisfaction at the large turnout. It is wonderful to see such high level of enthusiasm among golfers here, he added, I take this Changes to catch rule to be proposed opportunity to thank our principals Hankook Korea for their unwavering support. Finally, he complimented Razmic, Richard, Soh and other Sahara Club officials for their professional administration of the event, and expressed hope that the tournament would continue to receive the same level of encouraging response in future also. Raiders most active team in free agency Jacksonville in 2016 that included $20 million guaranteed and carried a cap hit of $7 million this year. He had 39 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns last season. Lewis, 33, was entering the final term of a threeyear, $12 million contract that carried a cap hit of $3.75 million in The tight end had 24 catches for 318 yards and five touchdowns last season. The Pittsburgh Steelers are nearing a deal with former Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett. Burnett was expected to sign with the team Tuesday, according to a report from ESPN. Per NFL Network, it was expected to be a three-year agreement worth $14.5 million. Burnett played 12 games last season, missing the other four because of hamstring and groin injuries. The 29-year-old hasn t played a full season since 2012 and has 7.5 sacks, 44 passes defensed and nine interceptions across 102 games in his eight NFL seasons. The New England Patriots will re-sign free agent special teams ace Matthew Slater to a two-year deal, according to multiple reports. Slater reportedly visited the Steelers last week. The 32-year-old has spent all 10 years of his career in New England, earning Pro Bowl appearances in each of the last seven seasons for his work in the third phase. His selection in 2017 came despite missing seven games. Penn State running back Saquon Barkley intended to do a field workout during the school s pro day, but without a single NFL running backs coach in attendance, he decided to pass. I woke up this morning and that was the game plan, Barkley said, per ESPN, but then when I realized there wasn t a running backs coach here, I figured there was no point for me to run routes or do drills. The 21-year-old went through all of the running back drills at the combine last month. He never planned to do athletic testing at his pro day after posting tremendous numbers in Indianapolis: a yard dash, 29 bench-press reps and a 41-inch vertical jump after measuring at 6 feet, 233 pounds. Former Washington Redskins wide receiver Ryan Grant will sign a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts, according to multiple reports. Grant, 27, had a four-year, $29 million contract with $14 million guaranteed from Baltimore voided after he failed the Ravens physical due to an ankle issue. Per ESPN, the issue dated back to an injury sustained in Grant s final game with the Redskins. Grant reportedly passed a physical with the Colts when he visited the team Saturday. His one-year deal with Indianapolis will be worth $5 million, according to a report from NFL Network.

33 SPORTS 33 Asian Air Safari lift championship trophy Al Qassem, Nusantara runners up By Kitz delos Reyes KUWAIT CITY, March 21: After the semifinal round of the 2018 Philippine Bowling Association in Kuwait General Members Cup Team Tournament held at Kheifan COZMO Bowling Center the standing of the six finalists were: Al Qassem All Star Strikers (3,207), Asian Air Safari (3,183), Nusantara (3,079), COZMO Lane Specialists (3,022), Kuwait National Exchange Co (2,894) and Haribon Slazers (2,677). In the final stage of the championship round Asian Air Safari snatched the lead from Al Qassem until the final throw with 93 pins difference 5,272-5,179. The previous standing of the third until sixth position was left un-scathed. BOWLING After the penultimate game of the championship rounds the final scores were Asian Air Safari (4,252), Al Qassem All Stars (4,240), Nusantara (4,104), Cozmo (4,015), KNEC Strikers (3,839) and Haribon Slazers (3,627). In the last two final games steered by Salem Al Hajras 250, 263 (513) of Asian Air Safari grabbed the leadership and championship trophy from its closest arch-rival, the champion of last season the All Stars. The final scores of the two contenders to the championship were 985-1,106, 1, , 1,131-1,133, 4,252-4,240, 5,272-5,179 in favor of Air Safari (5,272) over All Stars (5179). Individual scores of the champion team were Salem Smiley Hajras 223, 226, 258, 250, 263 (1,220) with an average of 244/game, Aqeel Al Farisy 177, 202, 186, 200, 209 (974), Basil Al Enezi 177, 219, 207, 165, 147 (915), Camilo Baker 155, 180, 193 (528), Aseel Al Roumi 203, 203 (406), Hermie Saliba 152, 114, 136 (402) and Sandy Panopio 156, 128 (284). For the first runner up team, the superstar Fahad Rageeb was the top scorer with his 234, 246, 227, 257, 204 (1,168), Abdul Aziz The Giant Al Aslawi 205, 174, 223, 187, 189 (978), Hassan Al Qassem 176, 176, 207, 170, 166 (895), Mousa Abdullah 187, 170, 196 (553), Ali Jawli 180, 128, 156 (464), Ibrahin Al Jadi 181, 170 (351) and Habeeb Reda 160, 178 (318). Unexpected team to capture the second runner up was Nusantara and finished the game with just 26 pins difference from the first runner up. Considered one of the weakest team in the tournament received the accolade because of team effort, high fighting spirit and Ahmad The Succor Fahmi and priced catch Ali Al Qassem. The highest pointer was Al Qassem with 221, 205, 287, 184, 205 (1,102), followed by Saleh Faraj 189, 251, 156, 180, 188 (964), Ahmad Fahmi 172, 161, 177, 143, 135 (788), Cantossori Tanjung 162, 157, 131, 147, 122 (679), Abdul Razak 121, 169, 196, 204 (690) and Erlissa Gantosori (109). Third runner up were Cozmo whose players were Noe Mahayag (930), Bader Malalah (905), Alex Cervantes (856), Lito Michael (824) and Neng Cervantes (822), fourth runner up was KNEC Strikers with Ali Al Qattan (952), Mohammad Karam (927), Neveen Wasel (901), Abdullah Dubayan (839) and Ibrahim Dubayab (508) and the fifth runner up was the Haribon Slazers and pin busters were Rudy De Lima (823), Moises Amahan (821), Joel Tizon (796), Mar Evangelista (771) and Sonia Mathews (348). After the tabulation of final scores the awarding rites ensued headed by Alvarez is a dope cheat BIG BEAR, United States, March 21, (AFP): World middleweight boxing king Gennady Golovkin accused rival Saul Canelo Alvarez of doping on Tuesday, rubbishing the Mexican fighter s claims that he had failed a recent drugs test due to contaminated meat. In explosive comments to reporters at his secluded mountain training camp in Big Bear, east of Los Angeles, Golovkin said Alvarez had benefited from preferential treatment throughout his career by authorities in Nevada, where the two men will fight in a much anticipated rematch on May 5. The hard-hitting Kazakh was widely believed to have won last September s first battle against Alvarez, when a judging controversy dominated the aftermath of the bout. While one judge scored the fight for Golovkin and another had it even, there was astonishment at the card of a judge who marked it in favour of Alvarez. Alvarez earlier this month was revealed to have tested positive for clenbuterol, which his promoters blamed on consumption of drug-tainted meat in his native Mexico. The Golovkin and Alvarez camps are awaiting a formal ruling on the case from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but the fight is expected to go ahead. Golovkin on Tuesday emphasised that he was willing to climb into the ring with Alvarez regardless of the outcome of the Nevada case. But he pulled no punches in branding Alvarez a dope-cheat, laughing off the Mexican s claims that clenbuterol had entered his system inadvertently. Forget Mexican meat, Golovkin said. Come on. I told you. This is not Mexican meat. Ask him. Ask his team, his promotion. Everything. Canelo s cheating. They re using these drugs and everybody s trying to pretend it s not happening. And you re asking again about meat? There s nothing about meat. Maybe it s Mexican water. Golovkin said he had formed suspicions about Alvarez after last year s bruising 12-rounder in Las Vegas. I m a clean athlete. After the first fight I knew he was not clean, Golovkin said. The 35-year-old unbeaten star challenged the Alvarez camp to explain a pill the Mexican appeared to have taken shortly after the televised weigh-in to last year s fight. Vice-President Sonia Mathews and the Tournament Directors. The Asian Air Safari led the six teams held simultaneously after the 4-long hour ultimate lane battle. It was announced that the next team completion will be on the last Friday of March 30, Champions: Asian Air Safari Team Trophy and KD 300 cash prize First Runners Up: Al Qaseem All Stars Team Trophy and KD 200 cash prize Second Runners Up: Nusantara Team Trophy KD 100 cash prize Third Runners Up: Cozmo Lane Specialists KD 75 cash prize. Fourth Runners Up: Kuwait National Exchange Co KD 50 cash prize Fifth Runners Up: Haribon Slazers KD 50 cash prize PBAK next league will start on Friday, March 30 at 9 am, Cozmo Bowling Center Khaifan. Second runner up - Nusantara KNEC Team - 4th runners up Asian Ai Safari Team - Champions Al Qassem All Star Strikers 1st runners up Cozmo Team - 3rd runners up Haribon Slazers Team - 5th runners up Contest between Bay and Baltimore cancelled Bradley charged with misdemeanor battery Mets Gonzalez hits first spring homer Turner won t need surgery on his wrist: Roberts WASHINGTON, March 21, (RTRS): Adrian Gonzalez hit his first homer of the spring and Wilmer Flores and Travis d Arnaud also went deep as the New York Mets recorded an 8-7 victory over the St Louis Cardinals on Tuesday at Jupiter, Fla. The 35-year-old Gonzalez, who has 311 career homers, is looking to bounce back from a poor 2017 season in which he batted.242 with three homers and 30 RBIs for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gonzalez was limited to 71 games by elbow and back injuries. Amed Rosario went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple for the Mets. Paul DeJong homered and had two RBIs for the Cardinals and teammate Luke Voit hit a tworun triple. Other results from Tuesday s spring training games: Nationals 8, Marlins 3 Bryce Harper slugged a tworun homer and Wilmer Difo had a two-run single to help Washington knock off Miami at West Palm Beach, Fla. Lewis Brinson went deep for the Marlins. Tigers 8, Yankees 3 Victor Martinez smacked his fifth homer of the spring and Victor Reyes went 3-for-3 with an RBI as Detroit cruised past New York at Lakeland, Fla. Jorge Chicago White Sox s Kevan Smith follows through on a single during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Texas Rangers on March 20, in Glendale, Ariz. The White Sox defeated the Rangers (AP) Saez homered for the Yankees. Phillies 2, Blue Jays 0 Right-hander Ben Lively allowed three hits over five shutout innings and Pedro Florimon contributed an RBI triple as Philadelphia blanked Toronto at Clearwater, Fla. The Blue Jays had just five hits before play was halted due to rain while they were batting with one out in the top of the seventh inning. BASEBALL Red Sox 12, Pirates 6 Rafael Devers and Sam Travis homered and Boston racked up 17 hits en route to defeating Pittsburgh at Fort Myers, Fla. Jordan Luplow, Bligh Madris and Ke Bryan Hayes all homered for the Pirates. Rays-Orioles, cancelled The contest between Tampa Bay and Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla, was cancelled due to inclement weather and won t be made up, according to the Orioles. WASHINGTON, March 21, (RTRS): A visit to a hand specialist on Tuesday confirmed Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner won t need surgery on his injured left wrist, manager Dave Roberts told reporters. Turner sustained a small non-displaced fracture of his left wrist Monday when hit by a pitch in the first inning of a spring game against the Oakland Athletics. He told MLB. com that his wrist will be in a brace for few days before he can begin range-of-motion exercises. Good news, Turner said of avoiding surgery. The Baltimore Orioles are nearing a deal with free-agent right-hander Alex Cobb, according to multiple reports. The contract reportedly would be in the neighborhood of $50 million-$60 million over four seasons. The 30-year-old Cobb established a career-best for victories when he went with a 3.66 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays last season. He has won 10 or more games on four occasions while going with a 3.50 ERA in 115 career starts. He has spent his entire career with Tampa Bay, first reaching the majors in The Washington Nationals optioned top outfield prospect Victor Robles to Triple-A Syracuse. The move ensures that Robles won t be on the Nats Opening Day roster and will instead continue to get consistent at-bats in the minors until he is recalled. The 20-year-old made his major league debut in September last season and was even named to Washington s National League Division Series roster, seeing plate appearances off the bench in two postseason games. The Toronto Blue Jays selected left-hander J.A. Happ to be their Opening Day starter against the New York Yankees on March 29. The 35-year-old Happ will be starting a season opener for the first time in his 12-year career. He s just a reliable guy, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told reporters of the reasoning for choosing Happ. He s going to go out there, and nine times out of 10, he s going to give you a chance to win. That s all you can ask for. He s really turned into a good workhorse for us. The Athletics agreed to a minor league deal with veteran left-hander Brett Anderson, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle. The deal would bring Anderson back to the team he began his once-promising major league career with. Nothing has been finalized, but Anderson has changed his Twitter profile to read I throw baseballs for the A s again. The Arizona Diamondbacks announced a series of roster moves, including the release of veteran left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo. Bastardo joined the D-backs on a minor league contract in January. The 32-year-old appeared in only nine games with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, allowing 15 runs in nine innings, as he spent a good deal of time on the disabled list because of a quad injury. The Pirates released him last July after he cleared waivers. Former major league outfielder Milton Bradley was charged with misdemeanor battery on Tuesday stemming from an incident in January, TMZ reported. Bradley allegedly attacked his wife at his Los Angeles home and fled the scene before police arrived. He could face up to one year in jail if convicted. The troubled Bradley previously spent 15 months in jail for assaulting a previous wife in He was released from prison in August 2016 for that incident.

34 SPORTS 34 Participants of the Sports Festival for Girls pose with officials during the closing ceremony. Sports festival for girls in basketball concludes The closing ceremony of the Sports Festival for Girls in basketball and tennis was held at the Girls Club under the sponsorship of Public Authority for Sports and in the presence of Director of the authority Dr Hamoud Fleiteh and Director of Clubs Management at the authority Saoud Hakim. Also present at the closing ceremony were Director of Abdullah Al-Salem Center for Leadership Development Mahmoud Abul, and Director of the Joint Sports Training Centers Project and General Supervisor of Training Centers for Girls Dr Yusri Faisal Al-Ateer among others. Dr Fleiteh expressed happiness over the participation of various clubs and schools from all governorates in the festival, stressing that he would like to see more participation in other games. He affirmed that this was an opportunity for girls to utilize their abilities and prepare very well. Dr Fleiteh called on Ministry of Finance to increase the budget for allowing all schools and centers to achieve a sporting renaissance for female students. On behalf of Public Authority for Sports, he thanked Ministry of Education for its sincere cooperation in ensuring the success of the Joint Sports Training Centers Project for Girls. Meanwhile, Dr Yusri Al-Ateer affi rmed the keenness of Ministry of Education to support the fi eld of sports by identifying distinguished talents and nurturing them. She said, The idea of the Joint Sports Training Centers Project for Girls is definitely going to contribute a lot towards uplifting girls and serving the society. Dr Al-Ateer thanked the Girls Club for hosting the festival. Some of the girls play basketball. An official shows his ping pong skills. A guest addressing the audience. Somalian women defy strict rules to play football MOGADISHU, March 21, (AFP): Shortly after sunrise, a group of young women arrives at a football pitch in Mogadishu, where they shrug off their hijabs some changing underneath the billowing veil to reveal their team kit. Young Somali men stand nearby, some disapproving but all watching closely, as the women jog up and down, dribble a worn-out ball between colourful cones and do sit-ups, less than 200 metres (656 feet) from a heavily guarded security Iraqi fans rejoice lifting FIFA ban SOCCER BAGHDAD, March 21, (AP): Iraqi soccer fans are celebrating the lifting of FIFA s three-decade-long ban on their country holding international competitions as the southern city of Basra prepared to host a friendly match with Qatar on Wednesday. The world soccer s governing body lifted the ban last Friday, allowing Iraqi cities of Basra, Karbala and Irbil to host full international games and competitions for the first time since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Even while the ban was in place, Iraq was still allowed, since 2017, to host friendly matches and tournaments such as three- nation face-off between Iraq, Qatar and Syria slated to begin Wednesday evening. Basra, Karbala and Irbil are considered the safest in Iraq. FIFA did not permit games to be held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, which still sees frequent militant attacks. Iraq s minister of youth and sports, Abdul-Hussein Abtan, congratulated the Iraqi people on Monday, following FIFA s move, and said it would change how Iraq is viewed in the region and beyond. Iraqi fans posted celebratory videos to the minister s Facebook page, praising FIFA s decision. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al- Abadi said the lifting of the ban was the result of stability, security and successes achieved by Iraq in all fields, according to a statement from his office on Friday. FIFA s 1990 ban was temporarily lifted in 2011, but after a match between Iraq and Jordan was disrupted by a power outage, it was re-imposed. checkpoint. The sight of young women playing football is highly unusual in Somalia, due to societal pressures as well as fear of Al-Shebab. The Al-Qaeda linked Islamist group launches regular attacks in Mogadishu and considers forms of entertainment, such as football, to be evil, worse still if women are involved. Left to right: Participants pose for the camera. Djokovic says he s playing pain-free at last Teenager Anisimova stuns Wang in Miami MIAMI, March 21, (Agencies): American teenager Amanda Anisimova, fresh off an impressive run at Indian Wells, beat China s Wang Qiang at the Miami Open on Tuesday to set up a second round clash with Spanish third seed Garbine Muguruza. The 16-year-old wild card, who had never won a WTA main-draw match until this month s BNP Paribas Open where she reached the fourth round, broke the world number 53 five times during a 98-minute match in which she committed six double faults. Next up for Anisimova, ranked 130th in the world, is Wimbledon champion Muguruza, who will be eager to get back to competition after falling at the first hurdle in Indian Wells. Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia overcame some early pressure to defeat Briton Heather Watson 7-6(3) 6-2. Watson had a chance to serve for the opening set but squandered it and then allowed the Brazilian to run away with the match. Haddad Maia will next face No. 31 seed Zhang Shuai. Australia s Ajla Tomljanovic looked headed for an early exit when she fell behind 4-0 in the deciding set against Ukraine s Lesia Tsurenko but the Croatian-born world number 90 reeled off seven of the next eight Joao Sousa, of Portugal, returns to Ryan Harrison during the Miami Open tennis tournament, on March 21, in Key Biscayne, Fla. (AP) games to prevail American wild card Bernarda Pera advanced when she stunned Spanish world number 68 Lara Arruabarrena to set up a second-round match with Belgian 22rd seed Elise Mertens. Estonia s Kaia Kanepi was leading Christina McHale 3-1 but retired 31 minutes into the match, gifting the American passage into the second round where she will face Czech Barbora Strycova. Also advancing on the first day of the main draw in Miami were Belgians Kirsten Flipkens and Alison Van Uytvanck, Swede Johanna Larsson, Hungary s Timea Babos, Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich and American wild card Claire Liu. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic insists he is playing pain free for the first time in years as he pursues his comeback at the Miami Masters. The former world number one has been beset with an elbow injury that sidelined him for six months after he TENNIS was forced to retire at the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last year. A return to action at the Australian Open with a modified serving action resulted in a fourth round defeat while a limp exit at Indian Wells last week only heightened doubts that the 30 year-old would ever add to his total of 12 Grand Slams. Yet as the Serbian star fine tuned his attempt to win in Key Biscayne for a record seventh time, he spoke of finally putting an end to the injury torment which has blighted his efforts to return to the form which saw him become the first man since the legendary Australian Rod Laver to hold all four majors at once less than two years ago.

35 SPORTS 35 Fahaheel English Madrasa Team with the Championship cup Shifa Al Jazeera Al-Nahil Soccer Championship Fahaheel English Madrasa wins Cup Shayan receiving the Best Player trophy award. SOCCER KUWAIT CITY, March 21: Fahaheel English Madrasa emerges champions in the inter-madrasa soccer championship tournament organized by the Education Board of Kerala Islamic Group, Kuwait. The Fahaheel English Madrasa Team lifted the Shifa Al Jazeera Al Nahil Championship Cup after defeating Fahaheel Malayalam madrasa 1-0. The golden boot trophy for the best scorer and the best goal keeper trophy of the tournament was bagged by center forward Nik Mohammed Danish and Buyung Muhammad respectively; both of whom represented Fahaheel English Madrasa. The trophy for the best player was won by Mohammed Shayan Afsal, striker of Fahaheel Malayalam Madrasa; who despite being only 11 years old astonished the crowd with his exceptional soccer skills. In the tournament organized for the Parents and teachers of the Madrasa, Fahaheel Malayalam Madrasa won the championship defeating Salmiya English Madrasa with a score of 2-1. The golden boot trophy for scoring the maximum goals was won by Mohammed Sajid AC, center forward of Fahaheel Malayalam Madrasa. The best player title was won by the defender of English Madrasa Salmiya Mubarak Mohammed Kabeer and the best goal keeper title went to Anees Abdul Salam of Farwaniya Malayalam Madrasa. KIG President Sakkeer Hussain Tuvoor awarded the championship trophy and medals to the winners while the runners up cup was awarded by KIG Education Wing Secretary Mohammed Shafi PT and the medals were distributed by Najeeb MK Vice-President KIG Kuwait. In the tournament that was conducted at the Fahaheel Public Authority Soccer Field, Najeeb VS and Rafeeq Babu controlled the matches. Muneer, Shereef Valloth and Feroze were the official referees of the tournament. The tournament was being conducted as a part of the Madrasa curriculum to instill team spirit and promote sports activities among the students of the Madrasa. The championship was played between the teams of the seven-madrasa s managed by the Education Board. More than 1,500 students are currently studying in these seven Madrasas spread across the country. The four Malayalam Madrasas are located in Abbasiya, Farwaniya, Salmiya and Fahaheel. The three English Madrasas have branches in Khaitan, Salmiya and Fahaheel. Classes are conducted on all Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Various subjects including Quran recitation, Tajweed, Quran Hifz, Islamic History, Islamic Studies, Fiqh, Hadees, Tafseer, Arabic and Malayalam language are taught by well experienced and trained teachers. The madrasa syllabus is reviewed on a yearly basis and is updated to implement best teaching practices and in line with the current educational standard across the globe. Teachers training programs are conducted every year to enhance the teaching skills of madrasa staff. Career guidance, counselling and motivational sessions are also conducted for the students. Various arts and sports events have been included in the curriculum and are being conducted on a yearly basis. Among the extracurricular activities included in the madrasa curriculum are Quran competition, sports competitions, soccer competition, yearly picnics, yearly education tours, parent s teacher s association meet, children s art club, publishing of students handwritten magazines, exhibitions based on various Islamic themes and Islamic Quiz competitions. In short, we at the madrasa ensures that learning is fun, creative and challenging; not just in terms of academics but in terms of physical, mental and psychological well-being as well. Resilient Lightning extend lead Buyung Muhammed with Best Goal Keeper trophy Nik Mohammed Danish with Best Scorer award NHL Results/Standings NY Islanders 4 Pittsburgh 1 Columbus 5 NY Rangers 3 Washington 4 Dallas 3 Edmonton 7 Carolina 3 Florida 7 Ottawa 2 Detroit 5 Philadelphia (SO) 4 Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Tampa Bay Boston Toronto Florida Detroit Montreal Ottawa Buffalo Metropolitan Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Washington Pittsburgh Columbus Philadelphia New Jersey Carolina NY Rangers NY Islanders Jets beat Kings TAMPA, Fla, March 21, (AP): Alex Killorn broke a tie midway through the third period and the Tampa Bay Lightning scored the final four goals to rally past the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on Tuesday night. Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh and Nikita Kucherov also scored as Tampa Bay reached 50 wins for the second time in franchise history. Yanni Gourde had two assists for the Atlantic Division leaders, who moved five points ahead of secondplace Boston for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves and set a Lightning record with his 41st victory of the season. James van Riemsdyk scored twice for Toronto, which fell to when leading after two periods. Fredrik Andersen returned after missing two games with an upper-body injury and stopped 21 shots. The Lightning played the final two periods without forward Ryan Callahan, who exited at 16:04 of the first favoring his right arm and shoulder area. Avalanche 5, Blackhawks 1 In Chicago, Nathan MacKinnon had two assists, extending his point streak to a career high-tying 13 games, and Colorado beat Chicago. Alexander Kerfoot scored twice and Semyon Varlamov made 44 saves as Colorado won for the fifth time in six WASHINGTON, March 21, (RTRS): Results and standings from the NHL games on Tuesday. games and improved to in their last 12. Mikko Rantanen and Tyson Barrie each had a goal and an assist, and Erik Johnson added an empty-netter. The Avalanche ( ) snapped a tie with Anaheim for the top spot in the Western Conference wild-card race and moved within two points of Minnesota for third place in the Central Division. Chicago ( ) lost for the sixth time in seven games. Defenseman Brent Seabrook scored his fifth goal of the season for the Blackhawks, and Anton Forsberg made 35 stops in his first start since he was pulled in the first period of Thursday night s 6-2 loss at Winnipeg. The last-place Blackhawks were eliminated from postseason contention with the loss. They had made the playoffs in nine straight seasons, winning three Stanley Cups. Capitals 4, Stars 3 In Washington, John Carlson scored with five minutes remaining to help Washington beat Dallas and extend its lead atop the Metropolitan Division. T.J. Oshie, Matt Niskanen and Alex Ovechkin also scored for Washington, which leads the tight Metropolitan by four points over Pittsburgh and Columbus. The Capitals are on pace for their third consecutive division title and playoff appearance with nine games remaining Ċarlson s goal tied him with the Stars John Klingberg for the NHL lead among defensemen with 61 points. It was also a dagger to Dallas fading playoff hopes. The Stars finished their road trip and sit outside the final playoff position in the Western Conference and could need 14 of a possible 18 points before the end of the season to get in. Braden Holtby stopped 24 of the 27 shots he faced. Tampa Bay 4 Toronto 3 Winnipeg 2 Los Angeles (OT) 1 Colorado 5 Chicago 1 Las Vegas 4 Vancouver 1 San Jose 6 New Jersey 2 Western Conference Central Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Nashville Winnipeg Minnesota Colorado Dallas St Louis Chicago Pacific Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Las Vegas San Jose Los Angeles Anaheim Calgary Edmonton Arizona Vancouver Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L) Blue Jackets 5, Rangers 3 In New York, Artemi Panarin had three goals and an assist, Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves and Columbus extended its winning streak to nine games with a victory over New York. Markus Nutivaara and Alexander Wennberg also scored for the Blue Jackets, who have surged into playoff position in the Eastern Conference. It is Columbus longest winning streak since its 16-game run last season from Nov 29, 2016, to Jan 3, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad scored power-play goals and Kevin ICE HOCKEY Hayes had a short-handed goal for the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves in his first start since March 10 against Florida. Islanders 4, Penguins 1 In New York, Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech scored in the first period and New York went on to beat Pittsburgh. Anders Lee had a goal in the third period and Jordan Eberle added an emptynetter to help the Islanders snap a threegame skid with just their second win in 13 games (2-7-4). Christopher Gibson, pulled in his last start after giving up five goals on 12 shots against Washington last Thursday, stopped 36 shots and has both wins for New York during its recent stretch. Conor Sheary scored for Pittsburgh, which was in its previous seven but fell four points behind first-place Washington in the tight Metropolitan Division. Columbus pulled into a tie with the Penguins for second at 87 points Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker over the Blue Jackets. Matt Murray, returning after missing nine games due to a concussion, finished with 36 saves for the Penguins. Red Wings 5, Flyers 4, SO In Detroit, Frans Nielsen scored his NHL-record 22nd shootout winner and Detroit edged Philadelphia to end its 10- game losing streak. Dylan Larkin scored twice, Luke Glendending had a goal and Evgeny Svechnikov got his first in the NHL for the Red Wings. Jimmy Howard made 27 saves through overtime and stopped all three attempts he faced in the shootout. Sean Couturier, Matt Read, Shayne Gostisbehere and Travis Konecny scored for the Flyers. Ex-Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek was pulled after allowing three goals on 19 shots. Jets 2, Kings 1, OT In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kyle Connor scored his second goal of the game 1:37 into overtime to lift Winnipeg over Los Angeles losing Patrik Laine to a lowerbody injury. Connor fired the winner past goalie Jack Campbell to help the Jets set a franchise record for wins at 44 ( ). Winnipeg had 43 wins in , and the Atlanta Thrashers hit the same mark in before the franchise relocated in Laine was helped down the tunnel to the dressing room about a minute and half into the second period. He wasn t putting any weight on his left foot after blocking a shot by Kings defenseman Alec Martinez that hit him in the lower leg. The injury halted the sophomore forward s 15-game point streak (18 goals, eight assists). That was the longest active streak in the NHL and a record for a teenager. Panthers 7, Senators 2 In Ottawa, Ontario, Jared McCann had Tomas Plekanec #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs tries to get a puck past Charlie Lindgren #39 of the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on March 17, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 4-0. (AFP) a goal and two assists to lead Florida while Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson sat out following the death of his son. The team announced the death of Karlsson s son before the game. Erik and Melinda Karlsson were married last year and announced in November they were expecting their first child in the spring. The team released a statement offering its collective thoughts and prayers and requested privacy for the family. Keith Yandle, Nick Bjugstad, Evgeni Dadonov, Jamie McGinn and Frank Vatrano each had a goal and an assist for Florida. Colton Sceviour had the other goal while James Reimer made 33 saves. Patrick Sieloff and Marian Gaborik scored for the Senators, who lost their second straight. Craig Anderson started in goal but was replaced by Mike Condon after allowing four goals on 17 shots. Condon made 19 saves. Oilers 7, Hurricanes 3 In Raleigh, NC, Leon Draisaitl had a goal and three assists and Edmonton rode three-goal first period to a victory over Carolina. Drake Caggiula, Matt Benning and Ryan Strome scored in a span of 4:24 in the opening period after Carolina jumped to a 1-0 lead, and Edmonton led the rest of the way. Pontus Aberg, Yohann Auvitu and Jesse Puljujarvi also scored as the Oilers got six goals on their first 22 shots. Cam Talbot made 30 saves for Edmonton. Brock McGinn, Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost six of eight. Scott Darling allowed three goals on his first nine shots and six on 22 but was left in the game. He finished with 23 saves. Sharks 6, Devils 2 In San Jose, Calif, Jannik Hansen scored his first goal of the season and fellow fourth-liners Eric Fehr and Barclay Goodrow also scored to help San Jose beat New Jersey for its season-high fifth straight win. Logan Couture added his 30th goal, and Joe Pavelski and Mikkel Boedker also scored to give the second-place Sharks a four-point lead over Los Angeles in the Pacific Division with one game in hand. Brent Burns added three assists and Martin Jones made 26 saves. The scoring barrage by San Jose spoiled Cory Schneider s return to net for the Devils. Schneider allowed four goals on 14 shots before getting pulled midway through the second period of his first start since March 8. Schneider has lost 11 starts in a row since his last win for the Devils on Dec 27. Taylor Hall got his 32nd goal and Blake Coleman also scored for the Devils, who lead Florida by one point for the final Eastern Conference wild card. The Panthers have two games in hand. Golden Knights 4, Canucks 1 In Las Vegas, Jonathan Marchessault scored his 23rd goal and Vegas defeated Vancouver. Cody Eakin, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Tomas Tatar also scored for the Golden Knights, who rank second in the league with 245 goals.

36 PRIME TIME thursday (all times are kuwait local) 12:30 tennis.... bein sports 8hd 13:30 basketball.... bein sports 10hd 14:00 equestrian.... bein sports hd 14:30 tennis.... bein sports 8hd 16:30 motoracing.... bein sports 7hd 18:00 soccer.... bein sports 5hd 19:45 soccer... bein sports 5hd 20:55 basketball... bein sports 10hd 36 Sports Latest sports scores at Rockets shoot down red-hot Blazers Celtics silence Thunder BOSTON, March 21, (AP): Marcus Morris made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left and the Boston Celtics stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Morris added 21 points as Boston snapped the Thunder s six-game win streak. Russell Westbrook finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Oklahoma City, which fell apart in the closing minute. Rockets 115, Trail Blazers 111 In Portland, Ore, James Harden BASKETBALL Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game on March 20, in Phoenix. (AP) NBA Results/Standings scored 42 points and Houston snapped Portland s 13-game winning streak. Portland s winning streak was tied for the second-longest in franchise history. The team also won 13 consecutive games in Chris Paul added 22 points for the Rockets, who have won six straight and 23 of their last 24 and have the best record in the NBA. Timberwolves 123, Clippers 109 In Minneapolis, Karl-Anthony Towns racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds for his NBA-best 60th double-double and Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points in an all-around performance, leading Minnesota over Los Angeles. Jeff Teague pitched in 20 points and 12 assists for the Timberwolves, who swept the four-game season series and sent the weary Clippers to their fourth consecutive loss on the commencement of a four-game, six-night trip. Hawks 99, Jazz 94 In Salt Lake City, Dennis Schroder scored a career-high 41 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and Atlanta stunned Utah. Dewayne Dedmon had 15 points and 15 rebounds to help the Eastern Conference-worst Hawks snap their six-game losing skid and end Utah s winning streak at nine. Taurean Prince made four free throws in the final 11 seconds to clinch the victory. Pelicans 115, Mavericks 105 In New Orleans, Anthony Davis scored 37 points, and New Orleans overcame the absence of second-leading scorer Jrue Holiday to beat struggling Dallas. Rajon Rondo added 19 points and 14 assists, and Ian Clark also scored 19 WASHINGTON, Mar 21, (RTRS): Results and standings from the NBA games on Tuesday. Toronto 93 Orlando 86 Boston 100 Oklahoma City 99 Minnesota 123 LA Clippers 109 New Orleans 115 Dallas 105 Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Toronto Boston Philadelphia New York Brooklyn Central Division W L PCT GB Cleveland Indiana /2 Milwaukee Detroit /2 Chicago Southeast Division W L PCT GB Washington Miami /2 Charlotte /2 Atlanta /2 points for the Pelicans, who are in a tight, seven-team race for one of the final five Western Conference playoff spots. Davis made 15 of 21 shots, helped by Rondo setting him up for several easy baskets inside. New Orleans shot 52.7 percent (48 of 91) as a team. Atlanta 99 Utah 94 Detroit 115 Phoenix 88 Houston 115 Portland 111 Orlando /2 Western Conference Northwest Division W L PCT GB Portland Oklahoma City Minnesota /2 Utah Denver Pacific Division W L PCT GB Golden State LA Clippers /2 LA Lakers /2 Sacramento /2 Phoenix /2 Southwest Division W L PCT GB Houston New Orleans San Antonio Dallas Memphis /2 Winners display a trophy as they celebrate on the podium during the closing ceremony of the Festival of Girls. See Page 34 Miyahara sits third Kostner outshines Zagitova to lead worlds FIGURE SKATING MILAN, March 21, (AFP): Italian veteran Carolina Kostner outshone newly-crowned Olympic champion Alina Zagitova to grab a slender lead after the women s short programme at the world figure skating championships in Milan on Wednesday. Zagitova, 15, bidding to top a golden debut to her first senior season in which she has won every competition, including gold in Pyeongchang four weeks ago, trails the 31-year-old Italian by a slim 0.76 points. Kostner competing in her 14th world championships skated faultlessly to Celine Dion s Ne me quitte pas, hitting all her elements to score a new personal best points to the delight of the home crowd. Zagitova produced an elegant and solid performance to Black Swan, but looked shocked as she saw her score of points appear well below the world record she achieved in South Korea. Honestly I was more nervous here than at the Olympic Games, said the teenager from Moscow. It was very difficult to go back training after the Olympic Games. I took time to recover. I was very nervous because it is my first world championships. Every competition I m learning something new. She added: Today I felt somewhat tight in my body. I think it was nerves, but I was happy I was able to give a clean performance. There were a few little mistakes but nothing serious. On her home ice, Kostner was in reflective mood as she looked back to her first worlds back in Washington in Kostner has six world medals Raptors 93, Magic 86 In Orlando, Fla, Kyle Lowry scored 25 points and Toronto used a strong fourth-quarter defensive effort to beat Orlando. Toronto limited Orlando to 3-of-19 shooting (15.8 percent) in the fourth quarter, helping the Raptors overcome an eightpoint deficit and win for the 12th time in their last 13 games. Serge Ibaka had 14 points and Deion Wright and Norman Powell had 10 apiece for Toronto. Pistons 115, Suns 88 In Phoenix, Blake Griffin narrowly missed a triple-double and Detroit celebrated the return of Reggie Jackson by handing short-handed Phoenix its ninth straight loss. Griffin led six Detroit players in double figures, finishing with 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds before sitting out most of the final quarter. Construction at WC stadium behind schedule SAMARA, Russia, March 21, (Agencies): FIFA warned on Wednesday that a huge amount of work still needs to be done to get the stadium in Samara ready for the World Cup which kicks off on June 14. With less than three months remaining before the 45,000- seat venue is due to host a Group A match between Costa Rica and Serbia, the pitch has yet to be laid. Construction work at the Samara Arena, one of 12 venues that will stage World Cup matches this year, has been hit by a number of setbacks in recent months, putting authorities under additional pressure to deliver a proper venue for the tournament. Over the course of this project, we have spoken about delays in Samara, FIFA Chief Competitions and Events Officer Colin Smith told reporters at the venue. Those delays are still evident now Smith even though... a lot of progress has been made. There is a huge amount of work to be done. Smith said the full support and commitment of Russian authorities and the venue s contractor were essential for the venue to be commissioned by the end of April as had been Italy s Carolina Kostner performs during women s short program at the Figure Skating World Championships in Assago, near Milan on March 21. (AP) originally planned. We would expect further progress than this, Smith said. But what s important to us is that the stadium is commissioned on time, then we have the use of the stadium and we can install all our temporary overlay and equipment that we need for the World Cup. The stadium will host four group-stage matches, including Russia s showdown with Uruguay, a last-16 tie and a quarter-final. Last August the venue s contractor said that the work on the venue was 30 days behind schedule. SOCCER Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov said last year that the authorities were monitoring the troubled stadium s construction and had set up a timetable to track progress and compensate for delays. Russia will host the World Cup at 12 venues spread across 11 cities including Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi. Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says it is sickening to think of President Vladimir Putin glorifying in Russia hosting the World Cup. including the gold in 2012 with her first a bronze in She also won Olympic bronze in Sochi In the middle of the programme there s a passage where there is silence, said Kostner, who finished fifth in Pyeongchang. I thought back to 15 years ago when I started skating internationally. Nobody in Italy followed figure skating. I feel so happy that people are sharing this passion with me. Japan s Satoko Miyahara, a former world silver medallist, is sitting third with going into Friday s free skate. Two-time reigning champion Evgenia Medvedeva is not defending her title after her silver behind Zagitova in South Korea as the Russian nurses a recurring foot injury. Olympic bronze medallist Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada is fourth. Ladies short programme (top 24 qualify for free skating final): 1. Carolina Kostner (ITA) 80.27, 2. Alina Zagitova (79.51), 3. Satoko Miyahara (JPN) 74.36, 4. Kaetlyn Osmond (CAN) 72.73, 5. Maria Sotskova (RUS) 71.80, 6. Gabrielle Daleman (CAN) 71.61, 7. Bradie Tennell (USA) 68.76, 8. Wakaba Higuchi (JPN) 65.89, 9. Mirai Nagasu (USA) 65.21, 10. Loena Hendrickx (BEL) 64.07, 11. Elizabet Tursynbaeva (KAZ) 62.38, 12. Nicole Schott (GER) 61.84, 13. Viveca Lindfors (FIN) 60.18, 14. Kim Hanul (KOR) 60.14, 15. Laurine Lecavelier (FRA) 59.79, 16. Stanislava Konstantinova (RUS) 59.19, 17. Mariah Bell (USA) 59.15, 18. Eliska Brezinova (CZE) 58.37, 19. Alexia Paganini (SUI) 57.86, 20. Kailani Craine (AUS) 56.90, 21, Choi Dabin (KOR) 55.30, 22. Dasa Grm (SLO) 52.43, 23. Elisabetta Leccardi (ITA) 51.13, 24. Ivett Toth (HUN) THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT Published by: Arab Times Publishing House Editor-in-Chief AHMED AL JARALLAH Editorial Office: Airport Road, Shuwaikh P.O. Box 2270, Safat, Kuwait Telephone: & Fax: arabtimes@arabtimesonline.com Advertising: Tel: Fax: advt@arabtimesonline.com Annual Subscriptions: Individuals KD 45/- Companies and Official Departments KD 75 Airmail charges extra for overseas Tel: Fax:

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