Feb.26

February 26th 2018



















Mon Feb 26 Tues Feb 27 Wed Feb 28 Thurs Mar 01 Fri Mar 02














Mostly Sunny Mostly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Sunny


77° High 77° High 72º High 76ºHigh 77ºHigh


56°Low 58°Low 55°Low 57°Low 60°Low


Humidity: Humidity: Humidity: Humidity: Humidity:

45% 58% 63% 54% 46%

THE SPA LIFESTYLE OF HACIENDA


SPA RESERVATIONS EXTENSION 5600

Fitness Class Schedule
Fitness Center 6 am – 9 pm daily
Each of our cardio stations is equipped with a
A visit to the Spa at Hacienda Beach Club and Residences is a journey into a world of
television. We supply headphones, towels and
bottled water for your visit. Maintain your fitness sensation, beauty and balance. The Spa’s serene desert garden environment creates an
regimen or start a new one with guidance from our atmosphere of luxury with a sense of place and invites guests to relax while restoring a
connection with the natural rhythms of life. Poised amid the historic architecture and
personal trainers!
traditional decor of Hacienda, and the vibrant colors and textures of Cabo San Lucas,
the Spa offers a peaceful haven for physical, mental, and emotional renewal.
Fitness Class Schedule

Monday, February 26
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Yoga: 8:00 am-9:00 am Serenity and Prosperity Couples Ritual
Glutes, Abs and Legs: 9:30 am- 10:30 am

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Tuesday, February 27 Enjoy the time to relax and unwind with a partner in the luxurious privacy of our
Spinning: 8:00 am – 9:00 am couple’s suite. Beginning with a soak in the private Jacuzzi, the ritual involves full
body exfoliation with
Reformer Pilates: 10:30 am– 11:30 am
black and white sesame
Wednesday, February 28 seeds and sesame seed oil
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Boot Camp Training: 8:00 am- 9:00 am massage, leaving the body
Yoga: 10:00 am-11:00 am nourished and entirely
tension-free. The sesame
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Thursday, March 01 seeds signify prosperity among local cultures, and the colors of black and white
Glutes, Abs and Legs: 9:00am – 10:00am support the balance of opposing energies in nature. An aromatherapy scalp
Mat Pilates: 10:30am-11:30 am treatment concludes the experience, head to toe!


Friday, March 2 2hrs. - $250 USD + TAX per person
nd
Functional Training: 8:00 am-9:00 am
Spinning: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Reformer Pilates: 11:00 am- 12:00 pm

rd
Saturday, March 3 Rose Petals Couple´s Treatment
*Cardio Strength Circuit: 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Yoga: 10:00 am- 11:00 am
Sensory experience of happiness with
Sunday, March 4 relaxing and fresh mysterious fragrant
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and organic essential oils that
Boot Camp Training: 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Spinning: 9:30 am - 10:30 am moisturize the skin with delicacy and
softness with the subtle aroma of rose
*Mix of cardio on bike, step including and Osmanthus oil promote cell renewal
TRX & Weights overall cardio workout for an even tone, while the soft aroma
with added strength exercises. balances the mind. We perfumed and
scrub the skin leaving the aroma for

hours. This romance treatment for two
Private classes will leave you with lingering memories.
Hacienda Spa offers personal training classes
upon request.

90 minutes - $170 USD + TAX


Rejuvenate your Body.
HACIENDA SPA Re plenish your Soul.

Daily 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

QUESTRO HOTEL RATES

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December 26 , 2017 – May 15 , 2018
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Preferred Rates USD Cabo Real Campestre San José Puerto Los Cabos
Individual Rounds Public Public Public


-18 Holes $245.00 $200.00 $190.00 $150.00 $275.00 $230.00
-Early Twilight 12:00p $200.00 $160.00 $160.00 $130.00 $220.00 $185.00
-Twilight 1:30p $175.00 $140.00 $135.00 $110.00 $195.00 $165.00


Includes Food & Beverages
FORE FOR 4 PROMO
(After 11:00 am) $660.00 $500.00 $760.00
Rates per foursome Includes Food & Beverages



2 ROUND PASS 3 ROUND PASS 5 ROUND PASS



$370.00 USD $510.00 USD $800.00 USD
*Rounds may be played at any of our three courses.
*Each pass used at Puerto Los Cabos will incur a $20 USD surcharge due to all-
inclusive food and beverage palapas.
*Golf pass is personal, non-transferable.
* Golf Pass is valid for 14 days, once initial round is played.








All rates and promos are valid up to 12 golfers. Group service fee will apply to all groups larger than 12.





Important news for important people
www.dedicatedpress.com Volume 3104 Monday February 26, 2018
International Business Sports
Sidestepping sex scandals, serial Disney’s “Black Panther” sunk its American Jessica Korda fended off Cabo San Lucas
gaffes and legal woes, Silvio Berlusco- claws into the top spot once again this challengers to emerge victorious in the Partly cloudy (day)
ni’s astonishing return to frontline pol- weekend at the North American box Honda LPGA tournament on Sunday Sunrise: 6:45 AM
itics rolled on Sunday at a party gath- office, taking an estimated $108 mil- with a strong performance in the final Sunset: 6:21 PM
ering where adoring supporters... P.2 lion, industry estimates showed... P.3 push that helped her hold onto... P.5 Humidity: 46% 65-69 F

“I can’t imagine, emotionally, what me and my fellow students (will) go through that day” An ‘intimate reckoning’
After shooting, students brace for emotional return to Florida school November release set for
Michelle Obama memoir
inaction, and on law enforcement A much-awaited memoir by former
-- specifically the Broward County first lady Michelle Obama will be
(Florida) sheriff’s office, which she published in North America on No-
said had had ample warning of Cruz’s vember 13 and will appear simultane-
violent tendencies. ously in 24 languages worldwide.
She accused the sheriff’s office of In making the announcement Sun-
“abdication of duty” for not arresting day, Penguin Random House publish-
Cruz sooner. ers’ chief executive Markus Dohle
‘A terrible idea’ called Obama “one of the most iconic
But in an often contentious inter- and compelling women of our era.”
view on CNN, Sheriff Scott Israel In an unusual gesture, one million
strongly defended his department’s copies are to be donated in the Obama
work. Of the 23 calls to his depart- family’s name to “children in need,”
ment about Cruz’s erratic or threaten- the publisher’s statement said.
ing behavior, nearly all were minor “Writing BECOMING has been a
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida (Photo AFP)
and had been handled appropriately, deeply personal experience,” Obama
Students and teachers preparing Sun- convert semi-automatic weapons into and a few others were being investi- tweeted Sunday.
day to return to the Florida school that automatic firearms. gated, he said. “I talk about my roots and how a
was the scene of a gruesome mass ‘Red flag’ law Asked about a deputy who stood girl from the South Side found her
shooting called the prospect “daunting” A new CNN poll, conducted a outside the building for long minutes voice. I hope my journey inspires
and “scary” as they urged politicians week after the Florida shooting, even as the slaughter continued, Isra- readers to find the courage to become
to act swiftly to address gun violence. shows surging public support for el called the man’s inaction “disgust- whoever they aspire to be.”
“Imagine being in a plane crash -- stricter gun laws -- surpassing levels ing” but said he appeared to be alone Having grown up in a modest Chi-
and having to get on the plane every seen even after other horrific shoot- in failing to respond adequately. The cago neighborhood, Obama defied a
day and go somewhere else,” David ings of recent years -- and for a ban deputy has since resigned. teacher’s advice that she was “setting
Hogg, a survivor of the February 14 on powerful semi-automatic weapons “We will investigate every action (her) sights too high,” applying and
shooting at a Parkland, Florida high like the AR-15 used in Parkland. of our deputies, of their supervisors getting accepted into Princeton Uni-
school, told ABC’s “This Week.” Overall, 70 percent of those sur- ... and if they did things wrong, I will versity, then earning a Harvard Law
“I can’t imagine, emotionally, what veyed said they supported stricter take care of business,” he said. School degree.
me and my fellow students (will) go gun laws, up from 52 percent in Oc- Trump has also proposed arming She met Barack Obama while he
through that day.” tober, and 57 percent favored a ban some teachers, a step many teachers was an intern and she his adviser at a
Some students and teachers will on semi-automatic arms, up from 49 passionately oppose. Chicago law firm, and they were soon
be back at the school on Sunday for percent. Randi Weingarten, president of married. She became his closest con-
what is being called “orientation.” Florida Governor Rick Scott, the American Federation of Teach- fidante during his political rise.
Teachers and staff are to return full- himself a member of the influential ers, told C-Span in an interview aired At the White House, under a some-
time Monday and Tuesday to prepare National Rifle Association (NRA), Sunday that “it’s a terrible idea, pe- times-harsh spotlight, she advocated
their classrooms for students’ return has laid out a plan to station a police riod, full stop.” for the rights of women and girls and
on Wednesday. officer at every public school in the Children, parents and teachers, she campaigned for Americans to live
Seventeen people died in the at- state, to raise the legal age for gun said, “want schools to be safe sanc- healthier lives.
tack. Authorities have charged a purchases from 18 to 21, and to pass tuaries for teaching and learning, not The publisher’s announcement de-
19-year-old former student, Nikolas a “red flag” law making it easier for armed fortresses.” scribes “Becoming” as “an unusually
Cruz, in the assault. authorities to remove guns from the And the idea of “a good guy with intimate reckoning from a woman of
One teacher who has already been mentally ill or people with violent a gun” being able to stop a shooter, soul and substance who has steadily
back told NPR radio that the shock of histories. Weingarten said, was debunked by defied expectations.”
returning to a classroom left exactly The age change and “red flag” law the inaction of the deputy outside the It said Obama would embark on
as it had been during the attack -- are staunchly opposed by the NRA. Parkland school. an international book tour when “Be-
notebooks still on desks, the calendar Scott, who holds the NRA’s highest Meanwhile, Delaney Tarr, another coming” comes out, with details to be
still set to February 14 -- made her so rating of A+, noted on “Fox News Sun- survivor of the Florida shooting, said announced.
physically ill she had to leave. day” that “there will be some that dis- Sunday on Fox that she was girding The former first couple last year ne-
Amid ardent demands by students agree. But ... I want my state to be safe.” herself as best she could to return to gotiated a deal with Penguin Random
like Hogg for action, President Don- Dana Loesch, an NRA spokes- school. House, reportedly worth more than $60
ald Trump has said he is open to woman, told ABC that her organi- “It’s daunting... (and) scary be- million, for books by both Obamas.
raising the minimum wage for gun zation staunchly opposes most of cause I don’t know if I’m going to be That amount would be the highest
purchases and to banning so-called the proposed gun bans. Instead, she safe there,” she said. ever paid for books by former presi-
bump stocks, which can effectively placed blame on politicians, for their “But I know that I have to.” dents or their spouses.

International
Page 2 Monday February 26, 2018
Entertainment “Berlusconi is the most solid, the most prepared, and he’s got the most experience”
Saudis get a taste Shedding past scandals, Berlusconi barrels ahead with comeback
of opera, jazz
Opera made its debut in Riyadh at the Sidestepping sex scandals, serial dent. “The election campaign proves tute, though that conviction was later
weekend with a classic Arabian love gaffes and legal woes, Silvio Berlus- it: he’s constantly on TV or the radio.” overturned.
story, as bands from Beirut to New coni’s astonishing return to frontline For Simone de Giorgio, also 20, ‘Persecuted’ by judges
Orleans performed at the kingdom’s politics rolled on Sunday at a party Berlusconi -- whose media empire Although the man the Italian press
first-ever jazz festival. gathering where adoring supporters dovetailed with a career in politics calls “the knight” has been unable to
Long known for its ultra-conser- feted the billionaire mogul as Italy’s and his ownership of footballing gi- escape the clutches of judges deter-
vative mores, the kingdom has em- next kingmaker. ant AC Milan -- is a peerless operator. mined to see him go down, Berlus-
barked on a wide-ranging programme Berlusconi, dressed in black with “Whatever he does, he’s always coni’s return to the political bigtime
of social reforms that includes boost- oiled-back hair and a dayglo smile, shown he’s number one: in business, is just the latest in a string of improb-
ing sports and entertainment and al- spoke for more than two hours at the television, football, politics... he’s a able comebacks.
lowing women to drive from June. event in Milan, beguiling the audi- phenomenon.” And he has even managed to make
Music lovers had their first taste of ence just a week before general elec- an asset of his history of legal woes,
jazz when a three-day festival opened tions with his trademark mix of popu- with supporters claiming attempts
on Thursday at the Riyadh Intercon- list rhetoric and baudy humour. to prosecute the Forza Italia leader
tinental hotel, showcasing perform- “He’s an exceptional man,” said amount to politicised justice.
ers such as regional darling Chady Elga Morati, a 70-year-old retired “In Italy, part of the judiciary is al-
Nashef of Lebanon. nurse. “He’s a real pillar of Italy, ways involved in politics and judges
The opera “Antar and Abla” -- a leg- someone blessed by the gods.” have persecuted him because he’s
endary story of love between an Arab Although barred from public office always won elections,” said De Gior-
warrior and his cousin -- also drew owing to a tax fraud conviction, Ber- gio.
crowds on Friday and Saturday in lusconi is hoping to position himself “What he’s suffered has been out-
Riyadh’s Princess Noura University. as a key dealmaker in the next gov- rageous, immoral,” added retired
Such events would have been un- ernment if his coalition wins a major- businessman Giacomo Zecchini.
imaginable a few years ago, when the ity in parliament on March 4. Silvio Berlusconi (Photo AFP) Ruling Italy for a total of nine
much-feared religious police wielded An average of the last major opin- years between 1994 and 2011, Ber-
authority to shut down concerts as ion polls suggested Berlusconi’s The former cruise ship singer lusconi became renowned for his buf-
they curbed any mixing of genders. right-wing coalition -- which includes was Italy’s longest-serving post-war foonish gaffes, friendships with the
Since the appointment in June of his Forza Italia (Go Italy) party, The prime minister until a blaze of sleaze likes of late Libyan dictator Moamer
32-year-old Prince Mohammed bin League and the far-right Brothers of scandals and fears of a Greek-style Kadhafi, and a colourful private life
Salman as heir to the throne, Saudi Italy -- could finish on top. financial collapse ended his stint in epitomised by his notorious “bunga
Arabia has launched an image over- While surveys suggest the two time power in 2011. bunga” sex parties.
haul, lifting bans on entertainment, divorcee derives much of his support Two years later he was forced out But for Raimando Suriano, 76,
including cinemas and public music from the older generation, there was of parliament after his conviction for such longevity is a sign that the gaffe-
festivals, and scaling back restric- no shortage of young cheerleaders on corporate tax fraud was upheld by prone ex-premier belongs in power.
tions on women. Sunday. Italy’s highest court and he was sen- “Berlusconi is the most solid, the
The reforms are largely motivated “He’s young on the inside,” said tenced to seven years in jail for pay- most prepared, and he’s got the most
by economics and are part of a strat- Giuseppe Porta, a 20-year-old stu- ing for sex with a 17-year-old prosti- experience,” he said.
egy to diversify the economy away
from oil and create jobs for young “This is not just a march in honour of Nemtsov, this is a protest against the authorities”
Saudis.
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertain- Russians march for murdered hero Nemtsov ahead of presidential vote
ment Authority (GEA) last week an- Several thousand Muscovites Some chanted “Putin is a thief” guilty of murdering Nemtsov and
nounced it will stage more than 5,000 marched Sunday in frigid tempera- and “Nemtsov is a hero of Russia”. sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
festivals and concerts in 2018, double tures in memory of Kremlin critic The gathering came ahead of the Four other men were found guilty of
the number of last year, and pump Boris Nemtsov who was gunned March 18 presidential election wide- involvement in the killing.
$64 billion in the sector in the com- down three years ago, a rare sanc- ly expected to extend President Vlad- But Nemtsov’s family and allies
ing decade. tioned opposition gathering ahead of imir Putin’s Kremlin rule until 2024, insist the authorities have failed to
Saudi Arabia’s first opera house is next month’s presidential vote. making him the longest-serving Rus- bring the masterminds to justice and
set to open in the Red Sea port city of Ordinary Muscovites and promi- sian leader since Stalin. point the finger of blame at Chech-
Jeddah, the GEA said, without giving nent opposition figures including Moscow police, which are often nya’s Moscow-backed strongman
a date. Alexei Navalny thronged the streets accused of downplaying the popular- Ramzan Kadyrov — and the Kremlin
Some Saudi Arabians took to so- in the centre of the Russian capital ity of opposition events, said some itself.
cial media at the weekend to criticise where the thermometer dipped below 4,500 people showed up. “The Putin regime killed a man
what they saw as wasteful spending, minus 14 Celsius (7 Fahrenheit). Pro-opposition monitors estimated but the masterminds have not been
as the kingdom reels from high in- “This is not just a march in honour the turnout at more than 7,000. found,” one of the participants,
flation, unemployment and subsidy of Nemtsov, this is a protest against Nemtsov, one of the most vocal Mikhail Kononenko, a 20-year-old
cuts. the authorities,” said Irina Bagayeva, Putin critics, was gunned down short- student, told AFP.
Saudi Arabia has posted budget 61. ly before midnight on February 27, Opposition politicians said that
shortfalls since the 2014 crash in oil Many carried flags, portraits of 2015, while walking across a bridge a three years after Nemtsov’s murder
prices. The kingdom has since with- Nemtsov, flowers and placards read- short distance from the Kremlin. the atmosphere in the country had de-
drawn some $250 billion from its fi- ing “I am not afraid” and “We re- In 2017, a court found a former teriorated, with tolerance for dissent
nancial reserves to finance the deficit. member, we won’t forgive”. security force officer from Chechnya shrinking even further.
The claims come as part of a wider sex scandal in the charity sector
Diana landmine charity embroiled in sex scandal
The landmine charity backed by Prin- “In relation to generic allegations
cess Diana was on Sunday dragged of habitual use of prostitutes by Mag
into the sector-wide sex scandal after staff in DRC it would seem these
apologising for not properly investi- were not sufficiently followed up at
gating claims its staff paid prostitutes. the time as they should have been and
British-based Mines Advisory we are very sorry about this,” it said.
Group (Mag) admitted it had ig- A whistleblower at the charity said
nored allegations about the “habitual they had regularly witnessed mem-
use” of prostitutes by aid workers in bers of staff with prostitutes and had
the Democratic Republic of Congo told managers in the capital Kinshasa
(DRC). three times between 2011 and 2013.

Business
Page 3 Monday February 26, 2018
Its global take is now more than $700 million. The film has yet to open in China or Japan Wall Street Indexes
‘Black Panther’ again slays North American box office Dow Jones 25,309.99 + 1.39%
Nasdaq
7,337.39
+ 1.77%
S&P 2,747.30 + 1.60%
Disney’s “Black Panther” sunk its Dropping one place into third was International Stock Indexes
claws into the top spot once again “Peter Rabbit,” based on Beatrix Pot- Australia 5,999.785 + 0.82%
this weekend at the North American ter’s classic children’s book. Sony’s Frankfurt 12,483.79 + 0.18%
box office, taking an estimated $108 family-friendly offering brought in Italy 22,672.15 + 0.93%
million, industry estimates showed $12.5 million in its third week in theaters. London 7,244.41 - 0.11%
Sunday. Paramount’s new science fantasy Madrid 9,822.40 - 0.55%
Following a record-shattering horror “Annihilation” was off to a Paris 5,317.37 + 0.15%
opening weekend -- raking in $242.2 weak start, debuting in fourth place at Tokyo 21,892.78 + 0.72%
million -- the frenzy to see the 18th only $11 million. Toronto 15,638.45 + 0.84%
entry in the Marvel Cinematic Uni- Hannah Beachler has designed Wakanda, Starring Natalie Portman, the film Latin-American Stock Indexes
verse continued, bringing total earn- the “Black Panther” fictional African home -- based on the novel by Jeff Van- Bogota 1,532.60 + 0.03%
ings to an astronomical $400 million and world (Photo AFP) derMeer -- tells the story of a team Buenos Aires 32,742.39 - 1.15%
in just 10 days, according to tracker get his own standalone movie in the of military scientists who go into Lima 20,768.07 + 0.38%
Exhibitor Relations. franchise. a quarantined zone known as “The Mexico 48,643.43 - 0.67%
Its global take is now more than Starring alongside the likes of Shimmer.” Panama 456.46 + 0.06%
$700 million. The film has yet to Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o Finally, in at fifth was “Fifty Santiago 5,742.54 + 0.29%
open in China or Japan. and Daniel Kaluuya, Boseman plays Shades Freed” -- the last film in the Sao Paulo 87,293.24 + 0.70%
It is only the fourth movie ever the titular superhero also known as trilogy based on the wildly successful Venezuela 5,175.950 + 10.55%
to make more than $100 million in T’Challa, king and protector of Wakan- novels by EL James -- with takings of Most Active Stocks
its second weekend, joining “Star da, a technologically advanced, afflu- $6.9 million. 3M Co
Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Jurassic ent, never-colonized utopia in Africa. Rounding out the top 10 were: Alcoa
World” and “Marvel’s The Aveng- In at an anything-but-close second “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” Amex
ers,” according to Disney, which place was newly-released dark come- ($5.65 million). AT&T
owns Marvel Studios. dy “Game Night,” with $16.6 million. “The 15:17 to Paris” ($3.6 million). B. of America
Directed by Ryan Coogler, “Black Featuring Jason Bateman and Ra- “The Greatest Showman” ($3.4 Boeing
Panther” features an almost entirely chel McAdams, the film follows a million). Caterpillar
black cast led by Chadwick Boseman group of friends whose game night “Every Day” ($3 million). Chevron
as the first non-white superhero to descends into a murder mystery. “Early Man” ($1.7 million). Cisco Systems
Coca Cola
Dupont
Samsung had a 21.6 percent share while Apple held 14.7 percent Exxon Mobil
Huawei launches new tablet in flagship phone hiatus General Electric
China’s Huawei launched a new lap- new top end phone later Sunday. “By the world’s first commercial chipset H.P.
top and tablet on Sunday as it seeks launching the new P20 smartphones that meets the standards of the super- Home Depot
to cement its place among the world’s only a month later in Paris, Huawei fast 5G wireless networks which are IBM
three biggest electronic device manu- will be able to fine tune its market- poised to start being rolled out. Intel
facturers. ing message based on how the new The company said the chipset can Johnson & Johnson
The laptop, the Matebook X Pro, Samsung S9 devices are perceived hit download speeds of 2.3 gigabits JPMorgan
and the tablet, the MediaPad M5, by consumers,” said Forrester analyst per second, significantly faster than Kraft Heinz Co
were presented on the eve of the Thomas Husson. Both the new Hua- speeds reached in current 4G net- McDonalds
opening of the Mobile World Con- wei laptop and tablet feature long last- works. Huawei remained the world’s Merck & Co
gress in Barcelona -- the scene of pre- ing batteries and quicker charge times third biggest seller of smartphones in Microsoft
vious major Huawei launches. and are available in grey and silver. 2017, behind Samsung and Apple. Pfizer
But this year the company will in- The laptop’s power button doubles It boasted a 10.4 percent market Procter & Gamble
stead present its new flagship smart- as a fingerprint scanner, which Hua- share, up from 9.5 percent, according Travelers Cos
phone -- the P20 -- on March 27 in wei says will start and securely log to research firm IDC. United Tech.
Paris, in what is seen as a bid not to into Windows in under eight seconds. Samsung had a 21.6 percent share Verizon
be eclipsed by Samsung’s launch of its Huawei also unveiled what it said is while Apple held 14.7 percent. Wal-Mart
Walt Disney
“China is strongly opposed to the United States’ long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions on Chinese entities and individuals”
Beijing protests US sanctions on Chinese firms over N. Korea ties
Beijing has protested against Wash- which is trying to develop missiles accepted caps agreed at the United The North Korean military and
ington’s decision to impose sanctions that could deliver an atomic weapon Nations. broader economy depend heavily on
against Chinese companies accused to major US cities, and the sanctions “We will never allow Chinese imports of coal and oil from Russia
of conducting illicit economic deals are designed to put the squeeze on citizens or companies to be engaged and China, with the latter accounting
with North Korea, the foreign minis- North Korea’s already precarious in activities that violate resolutions for some 90 percent of the country’s
try said. economy and fuel supply. from the United Nations Security trade.
US President Donald Trump on “China is strongly opposed to the Council,” Geng said. Last year, the Security Council ad-
Friday announced measures target- United States’ long-arm jurisdiction But Washington says its latest mea- opted a series of resolutions to ban
ing more than 50 North Korea-linked and unilateral sanctions on Chinese sures target entities that have helped North Korean exports of commodi-
shipping companies, vessels and entities and individuals,” foreign Pyongyang evade UN sanctions. ties, including coal, iron and steel.
trade businesses, hailing the package ministry spokesman Geng Shuang
as the “heaviest sanctions ever” lev- said on Saturday.
ied on the nuclear-armed regime. “We have lodged solemn represen- Foreign Exchange
The measures, which the US says tations to the United States and asked
are aimed at forcing Pyongyang the U.S. to immediately cease the EURO USA CAN UK AUS SWISS H.KONG JAP
to roll back its banned nuclear and wrong practice so as to avoid under- EURO - 1.23 1.56 .88 1.56 1.15 9.60 131.00
weapons programmes, apply to com- mining relevant cooperation between USA .81 - 1.27 .71 1.28 .93 7.81 106.38
panies located or registered in North the two sides,” he added. CAN .64 .79 - .56 1.01 .75 6.20 84.00
Korea, China, Singapore, Taiwan, China, North Korea’s only major UK 1.14 1.40 1.79 - 1.79 1.30 10.90 149.00
Hong Kong, Marshall Islands, Tanza- ally, has steadfastly rebuffed Wash- AUS .64 .78 .99 .56 - .75 6.10 84.00
nia, Panama and Comoros. ington’s calls for a full oil embargo SWISS .87 1.07 1.33 .77 1.33 - 8.40 114.00
Washington has been locked in a -- fearing the chaotic collapse of H.KONG .10 .13 .16 .09 .16 .12 - 13.70
nuclear standoff with Pyongyang, the Pyongyang regime -- but has JAP .01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .07 -

Business
Page 4 Monday February 26, 2018
Many Anbang holdings look likely to be sold off “Clearly we need a different way of doing business in Japan”
Anbang mess tightens state grip on China Inc: analysts Taxi! Companies line up to overhaul Japan’s staid cab sector
Beijing’s unprecedented takeover of particular selling off billions in as- With their white-gloved, greying driv- “The Japanese taxi industry has
private insurer Anbang confirms that sets recently to stay solvent, and are ers and lace-covered seating, Japan’s been protected by regulation for a
toxic risks lurk in the world’s second- not yet seen as imminent government taxis seem to belong to another era, but long time. However recently more
largest economy while signalling the takeover targets. as the 2020 Olympics approach, the se- attractive, customer-oriented services
state’s tightening grip on China Inc. Growing state control date sector is facing a quiet revolution. have appeared,” said Hitoshi Kaise,
despite reform rhetoric, analysts said. But the Anbang move sets a prec- This week, Uber’s CEO Dara an automotive expert at Roland Berg-
Government regulators seized con- edent of state intervention in the pri- Khosrowshahi made his first visit to er, a consulting firm.
trol of the Anbang Insurance Group vate sector that is expected to recur. Japan since taking over at the firm,
on Friday, saying its debt-fuelled for- President Xi Jinping has become touting “promising partnership talks”
eign acquisition binge left the com- the most powerful Chinese leader in on his Twitter feed, where he posted
pany in financial peril and that high- decades by pushing a programme of smiling photos of himself alongside
flying founder and former chairman party control in all walks of life. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Toy-
Wu Xiaohui would be prosecuted for Fraser Howie, co-author of a book ota chief Akio Toyoda.
fraud. on China’s financial system, said An- The global ride-hailing giant has
The takeover, to last at least a year, bang’s takeover is a fresh example. had little success so far penetrating
was the most striking step yet by reg- In an essay, he wrote that govern- Japan’s taxi market, which is gov-
ulators to rein in dizzying debt levels ment promises of economic reform to erned by strict regulations.
and a clear sign that the government let market forces lead “really have no But instead of pursuing the aggres-
saw something frightening in An- weight anymore”. sive strategies it has used elsewhere,
bang’s books. “While further regulatory take- the company is opting for a charm
“This move has huge significance. overs may be unlikely, government- offensive, emphasising cooperation
If something went wrong with Anbang orchestrated bailouts and restructur- rather than confrontation.
it would lead to massive bad loans ings are almost certain to come,” “Clearly we need a different way
in the financial system,” said Bei- Howie said. of doing business in Japan,” Khos-
jing-based economist Hu Xingdou. “Xi’s China seems to care less and rowshahi said at an event in Tokyo
China has moved aggressively less about the distinction between the covered by local media.
over the past year to slam the brakes private and state sectors.” “We need to come in with partner- (FILES) Taxi driver in Tokyo (Photo AFP)
on companies like Anbang, which ran China’s debt crackdown is gener- ship in mind, and in particular a part-
up gargantuan debts to fund pricey ally lauded as necessary to avert a nership with the taxi industry here, Robo-taxis
overseas acquisitions. credit crisis, but growing state control which actually has a very, very strong Tokyo’s leading taxi company
Such companies have become worries economists too. product,” he added. Nihon Kotsu, whose slogan is “un-
known as “grey rhinos” -- financial It curbs the natural and healthy dis- “But that product hasn’t kept up changing sincerity in this ever-chang-
beasts that could charge quickly, with tribution of capital, and prevents an ef- with technological change”. ing society”, recently began testing a
damaging results. ficient modern economy from develop- Rushing to catch up ride-sharing app.
Despite expert warnings that Chi- ing, said Julian Evans-Pritchard, China Japan’s taxi companies have seen “We’re trying to make it easier for
na’s spiralling debt could spark a economist with Capital Economics. little reason until now to innovate, everybody to hail a taxi with more
meltdown with global repercussions, “China won’t be able to achieve shunning the upheaval seen across reasonable fares,” said Ryota Fujimu-
the communist regime has steadfastly the growth rates that it could with the industry elsewhere in the world. ra, a spokesman for JapanTaxi, the
insisted that any risks remain control- better resource allocation,” Evans- Hailing a taxi rarely takes more subsidiary in charge of the project.
lable. Pritchard said. than a few seconds in major Japanese JapanTaxi estimates the app could
‘Serious problem’ “State control gives the appearance cities, with the vast majority hired reduce ride costs by between 15 to
But a look under Anbang’s hood of stability, but growth continues to from cab ranks. 40 percent for customers, and the
has clearly spooked Beijing, analysts slide and in a decade you’re at three But with major sporting events -- company has attracted 7.5 billion yen
say. percent growth.” the Rugby World Cup next year and ($70 million) from Toyota for other
Anbang raked in cash largely by China’s GDP grew 6.9 percent the 2020 Olympics -- expected to projects to update the sector.
selling short-term policies promis- in 2017, robust but well down from bring in an unprecedented number of Under pressure from competitors
ing some of the highest returns in the double-digit growth a decade ago. tourists, companies including Uber and anticipating a drop in private car
market, and rose from obscurity to Blaming Beijing think the time is right for a taxi revo- purchases, Toyota says the invest-
quickly become one of China’s big- Anbang’s takeover also means lution. ment is “part of our transformation
gest insurers. that the Communist Party is now the “We know that the first thing many from a strict car maker to a provider
With the proceeds, the Beijing- ultimate owner of the Waldorf Asto- people do when they arrive in a coun- of mobility.”
based firm spent billions overseas, ria and other Anbang assets, and the try is open the Uber app. Our vision The Toyota tie-up hopes to bring
snapping up New York’s iconic Wal- spectre of such state involvement is for visitors to Japan to get a taxi Japan’s taxis into the digital age,
dorf Astoria hotel in 2015 for nearly could deter foreign regulators from via the app, with no language issues,” equipping them with on-board tablets
$2 billion, adding other pricey hotel approving some future Chinese in- Uber spokesman Chris Brummitt told and AI technology to help better pre-
and financial assets around the globe, vestments overseas, analysts add. AFP. dict customer demand.
and even making an aborted $15-bil- With its vast war chest, China’s all- For now, the company has a lim- Electronics giant Sony is jumping
lion bid for Starwood Hotels. powerful government is expected to ited presence in Japan with its premi- in too, announcing plans to partner
But Beijing’s clampdown on risky contain financial risks. um service UberBLACK, but finding with six Japanese companies who
financial practices since 2016 crip- But the current mess is Beijing’s a local partner could change that. would receive AI technology for
pled Anbang’s fund-raising. own fault, said Balding, the Peking “We believe there is immense po- their vehicles, some 10,000 in Tokyo
“It’s a serious problem. There may University professor. tential to reach more customers by alone.
now be a flood of redemptions com- Xi’s government and state media partnering,” Brummitt said. The innovations aim to rejuvenate
ing through,” said Christopher Bald- extolled the then-accelerating wave Uber is far from alone in targeting the client base for taxis, but perhaps
ing, a Peking University economics of overseas acquisitions just a few the market, with Chinese ride-hailing also their drivers, who at present have
professor. years ago, apparently oblivious of the giant Didi Chuxing and Japanese an average age of 60.
“If you are a $315-billion company risks. telecom firm SoftBank announcing And at carmaker Nissan, develop-
like Anbang and have to write down Chinese regulatory approval is a deal in early February to develop a ers are taking things one step further,
even just 20 percent of your assets, necessary for major overseas acquisi- taxi app in Japan. testing “robo-taxis”, driverless cabs
that’s almost a $100-billion hole. tions by the country’s firms, meaning SoftBank owns a 15 percent stake that could be particularly tempting
That’s big even by China’s standards.” regulators allowed many now consid- in Uber, but appears to be hedging its for Japan given its labour shortages.
Many Anbang holdings look likely ered questionable, he added. bets. For now, the cars will be moving
to be sold off. “You have to lay the blame at Bei- And as outsiders line up to tap the around a test route, with a safety
Attention will now shift to other jing’s feet,” Balding said. sector, Japan’s taxi companies are driver in place but not touching the
acquisitive “grey rhinos” like HNA, “Companies like Anbang clearly also springing into action, seeking steering wheel.
Fosun and the Wanda Group. got drunk and got behind the wheel, to tackle a decline in rider figures, But Nissan’s partner Renault hopes
Those companies have already but Beijing was plying them with which fell by a third between 2005 it can bring the taxis to market by
been pulling back, with Wanda in beer and giving them the keys.” and 2015. 2020 -- just in time for the Olympics.

Sports
Page 5 Monday February 26, 2018
“I can’t believe it, today was such a blur, I was just trying to make birdies” Frances the first
American Jessica Korda wins Honda LPGA in Thailand Tiafoe stops Gojowczyk to
claim first ATP title
“I can’t believe it, today was such Wild card Frances Tiafoe captured his
a blur, I was just trying to make bird- first ATP Tour title Sunday, defeating
ies. I tried to relax, but I was ner- Peter Gojowczyk in the Delray Beach
vous,” Korda told LPGA.com. “This Open final to become the youngest
was my first event, my rookie year. I American to win a ATP Tour title in
played really, really well this week.” 15 years.
The 24-year-old, who is making The 20-year-old Tiafoe toppled
her season debut after jaw surgery, the German in straight sets, winning
pushed ahead of a four-way tie on the 6-1, 6-4 as he continued his success-
opening day of the $1.6 million purse ful start to the 2018 season which has
tournament to card a 62 on day two. seen him beat the likes of Juan Martin
During the third round she made Del Potro, Chung Hyeon and Denis
five birdies on the back nine to make Shapovalov.
up for an early bogey and entered the “I can’t believe it,” said Tiafoe.
final day with a four-stroke lead. “If you had asked me 10 years ago if
Korda crushed the hopes of lo- I could win a title at 20 I would have
cal favourites the Jutanugarn sisters, laughed. It’s unbelievable.”
though Moriya Jutanugarn managed His win marks the youngest by an
to finish tied second with American American since Andy Roddick won
player Lexi Thompson at 21-under. the 2002 Houston tournament at age
Moriya was within a few strokes of 19.
Us golfer Jessica Korda holds aloft the Honda LPGA golf tournament trophy (Photo AFP) Korda but a bogey on the 12th hole “I got a lot of love this week. I am
American Jessica Korda fended off sank four birdies on the back nine in- kept her just far enough out of the top. really happy I got over that line,” he
challengers to emerge victorious in cluding a 25-footer on the 17th hole Korda’s own sister Nelly finished said.
the Honda LPGA tournament on Sun- to finish with a five-under-par 67. in a tie for 14th. “It is going to be a good night. The
day with a strong performance in the Korda left the 72 holes at the Siam Thompson was able to climb back next couple of days I am going to en-
final push that helped her hold onto Country Club in Thailand’s Chonburi up the leaderboard with a stunning joy this.”
her lead. province at 25-under, a new tourna- eight birdies on the final day of play. Gojowczyk has been a thorn in
After a somewhat uneven start ment record and also her fifth LPGA Australia’s Minjee Lee took third the side of the Americans on the
with two birdies and a bogey, Korda tour victory. place with an 18-under for the course. ATP Tour for some time. Going
into Sunday’s final, he held an eight
NBA “Estrada was a very strong fighter” match win streak over US oppo-
nents.
Kevin Durant powers War- Boxing: Srisaket edges Estrada to retain WBC boxing crown He reached the Florida final by
riors past Thunder Thai dynamo Srisaket Sor Rungvisai his will on him, by landing two solid beating John Isner, Steve Johnson
and Reilly Opelka as his maiden title
punches near the end to win that round.
retained his World Boxing Council
Kevin Durant delivered 28 points and title by beating challenger Juan Es- In the fourth, Srisaket landed a bomb capped off the best two weeks of his
Stephen Curry finished with 21 points trada on Saturday, holding on in the on the nose of Estrada to send him stag- young career.
and nine rebounds as the Golden State later rounds to come out with a close gering backwards toward the ropes. “He beat all the Americans so I
Warriors improved to 46-14 with a majority decision. Srisaket excelled through the mid- am happy I stopped that,” said Tia-
112-80 win over Oklahoma City. Srisaket compiled a big lead by dle rounds but something happened foe.
After a see-saw first half the de- winning almost all of the first seven in the eighth that turned the momen- Tiafoe hammered 13 aces, won 89
fending league champion Warriors rounds in the 12-round super fly- tum in Estrada’s favour. percent of his first-serve points in the
got in a groove, going on a 21-1 run weight title fight at the Los Angeles Realizing he hadn’t done enough 61 minute match.
spanning the third and fourth quarters Forum. in the early rounds to win without Gojowczyk, 28, had his serve bro-
to seize control and turn Saturday’s But the hard-hitting 31-year-old a knockout, Estrada went to work, ken four times and earned just nine
contest into a blowout. couldn’t get the knockout he was dancing around the ring and counter- points (39 percent) on his second
The Warriors also avenged a pair hoping for against the Mexican, and punching effectively. serve.
of losses to the Thunder in Novem- even looked the more tired of the two Thai hero This was the first meeting on the
ber and just before the NBA All-Star in the final round. In the 12th, both fighters were tired ATP Tour between the two. They
Game break earlier this month. Srisaket, who improved to 45-4-1 but especially Srisaket who despite played twice previously on the lower
Thunder star Paul George was held with 40 knockouts, won by a score of his exhaustion still flailed away with level circuits in 2016 with each win-
to just five points, while a struggling 117-111 on one judge’s card. Another windmill punches. ning once.
Carmelo Anthony scored only 14. judge had him winning 115-113 and This was the first fight of 2018 for Tiafoe reached the final by beating
Russell Westbrook led Oklahoma Las Vegas judge Dave Moretti scored the former garbage collector Srisaket Shapovalov in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.
City with 15 points and 10 rebounds. it a draw, 114-114. after a spectacular 2017. He upset world No. 10 and second
Anthony’s frustration boiled over Still, the victory was impressive His two wins over Gonzalez gained seed Del Potro in the second round
when he got into a testy exchange enough to validate his status as a him plenty of attention and respect, 6-2, 6-4.
with the Warriors’ Draymond Green. bona fide star in the super flyweight as his rags-to-riches story prompted “Del Potro was my idol growing
Green was given a technical foul -- division, especially after beating comparisons to Filipino icon Manny up,” said Tiafoe. “It was tough day
his 15th of the season -- for swatting former champ Roman “Chocolatito” Pacquiao. conditions with the wind today. With
the head of Anthony who then threw Gonzalez twice in 2017. Like Pacman and the Philippines, all the rain delays this week it was
his blue headband down on the court The pair traded heavy punches in live broadcasts of Srisaket’s fights driving me nuts.”
before engaging Green. the middle of the ring on Saturday have gripped the entire nation of Tiafoe played one other tourna-
Elsewhere, the Miami Heat used throughout the thrilling fight, espe- Thailand. ment this year, reaching the quarter-
a balanced scoring attack to halt a cially at the end of the first and fifth On the undercard, Donnie Nietes finals of the New York Open last
three-game losing streak by rolling rounds. Srisaket, a southpaw, threw knocked out Juan Carlos Reveco, of week where he lost to Kevin Ander-
over the struggling Memphis Griz- 879 punches overall while the chal- Argentina, in the seventh round to son.
zlies 115-89. lenger threw 671. keep his International Boxing Fed- Tiafoe needed just 25 minutes
Tyler Johnson scored 23 points for The hard-punching Srisaket built up eration flyweight title. to take the first set when Goj-
the Heat, who are battling for a post- points by dominating the early rounds Nietes floored Reveco just 53 sec- owczyk sailed a forehand return
season spot after winning for just the of a fight that showcased their con- onds into the round to improve to 41- long.
second time in their last 10 games. trasting but effective boxing styles. 1-4 with 23 career knockouts. Tiafoe kept the pressure on in the
Memphis has lost nine games in a Estrada, a counterpuncher, served Nietes, of the Philippines, landed second set, dropping to the court in
row, the longest current losing streak notice in the second round that he 100 punches in the fight compared to joy following a second serve ace on
in the NBA. wasn’t going to let Srisaket impose just 40 for the challenger. match point.

Entertainment
Page 6 Monday February 26, 2018

Sudokumania
The aim of the game is to fill a 9x9 grid (81 squares) that is subdivided into 3x3 “sub-squares, with each of the numbers one through nine, besides
the ones that are already filled with numbers.
The rule is that each number appear only once per row, once per column, and only once per sub-square. It is rather easy to solve, in fact no math-
ematical knowledge is required. The solutions are indicated below.
Have fun!

Beginners Advanced
3 8 5 6 7 2 4 7


2 9 3 5 9 3

7 6 8 3 2 1 5 4 9 2

6 2 1 9 7
1 2 3 4
1 5 1 5 5 8 6 2
7 8 9 10 11 12
7 9 1 8 6
13 14 15 16
19
1 5 3 4 2 8 9 4 17 18 2 1
20 21
4 8 1 5 3 22 23 7 24 25

26 27 28 29 30
8 6 2 9 7 6 3 5
31 32
33 34
Crossword
www.CrosswordWeaver.com
1 2 3 4
ACROSS DOWN
5 6 1 In the middle of 1 Coffee brand
3 Madagascar franc (abbr.) 2 Slattern
7 8 9 10 11 12 5 Study a book 3 Food and drug administration (abbr.)
7 Hurray! 4 __ joe (tv cartoon)
11 Fled 6 Arkansas
13 14 15 16
13 Net 8 Seed bread
15 You 9 Tree sloth
17 18 19 17 Iron (abbr.) 10 Tender beef
18 “Remember the __” 12 Big Apple
20 21 20 Regional plant life 14 Loved
21 South Dakota 16 Cease
22 Anchorage locale (abbr.) 17 Farm credit administration (abbr.)
22 23 24 25
24 Layers 19 Capital
26 Chart 21 Compass point
26 27 28 29 30 29 Lay to rest 23 Kilometer
32 Cat 25 Spielberg's alien
33 Nothing 27 Both
31 32
34 Arise (2 wds.) 28 Greek letter
30 Rend
33 34 31 Zinc (abbr.)
Fold Fold
www.CrosswordWeaver.com
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DEDICATED PRESS sales
N I L
G E T U P
ACROSS 1 6 3 7 5 8 2 9 4 DOWN 8 4 1 7 9 3 5 I I N T E R L I O N M A P Z (52)8183105037
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[email protected]
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DEDICATED PRESS editorial
(52)5555726129
A K
P L I E S
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1 In the middle of 6 3 5 4 7 9 1 2 8 7 1 Coffee brand 1 9 3 S D F L O R A C [email protected]
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3 Madagascar franc (abbr.) 2 5 4 3 6 2 Slattern 9 4 6 7 2 N A L A M O F E Information Source:
Agence France-Presse (AFP)
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Printed and distributed locally in each hotel.
Y I E L D
Y E
5 Study a book 5 1 9 2 3 4 8 6 7 3 Food and drug administration (abbr.) All rights reserved.
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Reproduction in whole or in part by any printed
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B R A V O
R A N
7 Hurray! 3 4 8 9 6 7 5 1 2 4 __ joe (tv cartoon) 6 I R E A D J or electronic without permission of the publisher.
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1
11 Fled 2 7 6 5 8 1 3 4 9 6 Arkansas 4 1 3 2 9 F M G M I D S T Solution:
5
6
7
8
13 Net 8 Seed bread
15 You 9 Tree sloth
17 Iron (abbr.) 10 Tender beef
18 “Remember the __” 12 Big Apple
20 Regional plant life 14 Loved
21 South Dakota 16 Cease
22 Anchorage locale (abbr.) 17 Farm credit administration (abbr.)
24 Layers 19 Capital
26 Chart 21 Compass point
29 Lay to rest 23 Kilometer
32 Cat 25 Spielberg's alien
33 Nothing 27 Both
34 Arise (2 wds.) 28 Greek letter
30 Rend
31 Zinc (abbr.)