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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 JAMADA ALTHANI 22, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Sawaber tenants Suspect remanded From Senegal to Germany beat fume; evacuation as hijacking sparks Libya: An African Italy; 1st time in ultimatum expires social media buzz student joins IS over 20 years

3Kuwait7 and Korean13 firms19 Min 14º Max 27º seal $2.9 billion LNG deal High Tide 05:22 & 15:53 KPC, BP to explore opportunities in oil, gas, petrochemicals Low Tide 10:22 & 23:29 40 PAGES NO: 16830 150 FILS KUWAIT: Kuwait yesterday inked a $2.93 billion contract with three South Korean firms for the construction of the largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import facility in the oil-rich country. The project, to be built at the Al-Zour refinery near the border with Saudi Arabia, was awarded to Hyundai Engineering Co, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co and Korea Gas Corporation. CEO of national refiner Kuwait National Petroleum Co Mohammad Al-Mutairi, who signed the contract, said the project is slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2021. OPEC member Kuwait is rich with crude oil but its natural gas production is too small to meet its needs. Every year it imports large LNG quantities to supply power plants, especially during the summer, and for use in the petrochemicals industry. The facility will be part of a huge complex being built in Al-Zour, south of Kuwait City, which will also houses a state-of-the-art 615,000 barrel-per-day refin- ery and a petrochemicals plant. Mutairi said the cost of the complex is expected to reach $30 billion. In October, Kuwait awarded contracts worth $13.2 billion to 10 international firms to build the refinery, which is set to come on stream in late 2019. In 2014, the State gave out contracts for a $12 billion project to upgrade BRUSSELS: People hang a flag of Kuwait on the two of its three existing refineries. Kuwait sits on 101.5 Place de la Bourse (Beursplein) in central Brussels, billion barrels of crude reserves-equivalent to around days after a triple bomb attack hit Brussels’ air- 7.0 percent of the world’s proven reserves, according to KUWAIT: Representatives of the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) and South Korean repre- port and the Maalbeek subway station, killing 32 the latest OPEC figures-and pumps around 3.0 million sentatives of the Hyundai Engineering and Construction (HDEC) pose for a family photo after signing people and wounding 300 others. — AFP barrels per day. an agreement as part of a Liquefied Natural Gas import project yesterday at the KNPC headquarters in Continued on Page 13 Al-Ahmadi. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Dubai introduces ‘passenger tax’ $9.50 airport tax per traveler

DUBAI: The emirate of Dubai, whose air- course D, at a cost of $1.2 billion. Dubai port is the world’s busiest for internation- has a smaller second airport, Al- News al passengers, announced yesterday it Maktoum International, which opened in in brief was introducing a tax on travelers to help 2013 and will receive 120 million passen- finance expansion, as Gulf governments gers a year once completed. grapple with plummeting revenues. The The receipts of the new tax will be Civil ID fee raised 35-dirham ($9.50) fee will apply to all channeled into funding the expansion of from ‘KD 2 to KD 5’ passengers, including those transiting in Dubai airports, the statement said. By A Saleh Dubai, on all flights from June 30, accord- Although part of the oil-rich United Arab KUWAIT: The Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Planning ing to a statement carried by WAM state Emirates, Dubai has dwindling oil wealth, and Development Affairs Hind Al-Subaih (center) is pictured with some Kuwait MPs KUWAIT: The Public Authority of Civil Information news agency. and its revenues are diversified com- during the parliamentary session yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (PACI)’s director Musaed Al-Assoussi said that the new It is the first time Dubai has pared to its oil-dependent Gulf peers. civil ID fees would be in effect from Sunday and that the announced a passenger tax, which is But the whole region is struggling to fee would be KD 5 instead of KD 2. Al-Assoussi added imposed in many airports worldwide. cope with a sharp drop in oil revenues Assembly panel to discuss that the decision includes increasing the fees re-issue in More than 78 million passengers passed since crude prices nosedived. Situated cases of loss or damage from KD 10 to 20. The civil ID through Dubai International in 2015, on transcontinental air routes, Dubai is power rates next Sunday fees could be paid online at the PACI’s website. keeping its place as the world’s busiest one of several Gulf-based airports to for international passengers since over- experience prodigious growth in recent MPs debate KIA report taking London Heathrow in 2014. Last years. Around 100 airlines fly to more Saudi executes two month, Dubai Airports increased the than 240 destinations from the interna- KUWAIT: Head of the National Assembly rent electricity charges of 2 fils per kilowatt citizens for murder capacity of its main airport to 90 million tional hub, which is also home to carrier Financial and Economic Affairs Committee to as follows: For consumption of up to RIYADH: Saudi Arabia executed two citizens con- passengers with the opening of con- Emirates. — AFP MP Faisal A-Shaye said yesterday the panel 3,000 kilowatts - 5 fils per kilowatt; For victed of murder yesterday, raising to 81 the num- received a government draft law stipulat- consumption of between 3,000 - 6,000 - 8 ber of death sentences carried out in the ultra-con- ing increases to electricity charges. Shaye fils per kilowatt; For consumption servative kingdom this year. Dhafer and Hussein al- said the committee will meet on Sunday between 6,000-9,000 - 10 fils per kilowatt; Mutliq were found guilty of killing fellow Saudis to study the bill but expected that major For consumption above 9,000 - 15 fils per Azeb and Mahdi Al-Moamer in a dispute between changes will be made to the bill to reduce kilowatt; As for apartments (normally the two families, the interior ministry said. They the proposed increases to electricity and refers to expatriate), the new proposed were both executed in Najran, in the south, a min- water charges. The draft law, which was rates are as follow; For consumption of up istry statement carried by the official SPA news approved by the cabinet on Monday, stip- to 1,000 kilowatt - 5 fils per kilowatt; For agency said. Most people put to death in Saudi ulates to raise electricity charges on the consumption between 1,000-2,000 - 10 fils Arabia are beheaded with a sword. The executions basis of consumption by several folds. It per kilowatt; For consumption above 2,000 so far this year include 47 for “terrorism” carried out divides the proposed charges for expatri- kilowatt - 15 fils per kilowatt. The bill also in a single day on January 2. In 2015, Saudi Arabia ates and citizens. proposes smaller increases to water executed 153 people, most of them for drug traf- For private houses (normally inhabited charges. ficking or murder, according to an AFP count. by Kuwaitis), the bill proposes to raise cur- Continued on Page 13 NZ men charged over red-hot chilli assault Islamic State threat raises WELLINGTON: Two men who allegedly forced a stakes for US nuke summit teenager to eat red-hot bongo chillies have been DUBAI: An Emirati looks at classic cars displayed in downtown Dubai. Dubai, charged with assault in New Zealand. Police did not whose airport is the world’s busiest for international passengers, announced WASHINGTON: The specter of the efforts by the Islamic State (IS) group detail the alleged crimes but the victim, an 18-year-old yesterday it will introduce a tax on travelers to help finance expansion, as Gulf Islamic State group obtaining a “dirty to secure fissile material. Late last year, who cannot be named for legal reasons, recounted his governments grapple with plummeting revenues. — AFP bomb” will loom over a top-level Belgian police investigating the ordeal to Fairfax New Zealand earlier this month. He nuclear security summit hosted by November 13 Paris terror attacks claimed a group of men assaulted him in a basement President Barack Obama in Washington found 10 hours of video surveillance after an argument over a prank telephone call, punch- today and tomorrow. Obama wel- detailing the comings and goings of a ing him and forcing him to eat bongo chilli peppers. The comes several leaders from countries senior Belgian nuclear official. chillies, cultivated in Fiji, reportedly measure 100,000- as diverse as China and Nigeria, as well Belgian media have since reported 350,000 Scoville heat units, compared to 3,500-8,000 for as representatives from nearly 50 other that the brothers were linked to the a jalapeno. nations, for the summit aimed at ele- surveillance. The incident has only vating the problem of shaky safe- heightened existing concerns about IS Yemeni troops push guards from the desks of technocrats efforts to get nuclear material. “Having Qaeda back in Aden to the highest corridors of power. a portion of the discussion that is ADEN: Loyalist forces pushed Al-Qaeda out of parts The meeting comes just days after focused on counter-ISIL is a decision of Aden yesterday in a new drive against the 32 people were killed and 340 were that was made in January,” said Laura jihadists in Yemen’s second city where the interna- injured in bombings at Brussels air- Holgate, the National Security Council’s tionally recognized government is based, military port and the Belgian capital’s metro. senior director for weapons of mass sources said. Troops and militia retook the central The attacks featured conventional destruction, terrorism and threat prison and deployed on main roads across the explosives, but two of the suicide reduction. “But it turns out that it is Mansura residential district after a three-hour gun- bombers-Ibrahim and Khalid El obviously very timely, unfortunately. battle with the jihadists, the sources said. There was Bakraoui-have been linked to possible Continued on Page 13 no immediate word on casualties. THURSDAY, MARCH3 1, 2016 LOCAL Amir receives invitation to GCC-US Summit

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yester- day a written message from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Monarch of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, inviting His Highness to the Summit due to group Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders with the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, in Riyadh, next month. The invitation was handed over by Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Abdulaziz Bin Ibrahim Al-Fayez, during a reception attended by Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah. RIYADH: Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah attends the 15th GCC Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received Ministerial Committee meeting yesterday. — KUNA a message from the President of the Swiss Confederation Johann Schneider-Ammann GCC chalks up momentous dealing with bilateral relations and means of boosting cooperation in various fields as well achievements: Official as issues of mutual interest. The message was delivered by Swiss Confederation KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives a letter RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council promoting means of integration, coopera- Ambassador to Kuwait Aldo de Luca to Sheikh from King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, delivered by Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Abdulaziz (GCC) has achieved much over the years tion and coordination. He added that there Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah. Bin Ibrahim Al-Fayez.— Amiri Diwan photo and its resolutions reflect the joint efforts are more than 140 decisions which are of the member states to further advance implemented year after year in GCC mem- Allegiance and develop their societies, said a Kuwait ber states. Also yesterday, His Highness the Amir official yesterday. Meanwhile, GCC Secretary General In a statement at the conclusion of the Abdul-Latif Al-Zayani affirmed during a received Kawthar Al-Jowan, Anissa Jaafar, 15th GCC Ministerial Committee meeting similar speech keenness of GCC leaders on Laila Al-Othman and Siham Al-Qabandi, who tasked with following up on implementa- enhancing the march of joint action, indi- presented a document of allegiance from the tion of resolutions related to inter-GCC cating that the 36th Gulf summit held in institute of women for development and cooperation, Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Riyadh last December materialized the peace. His Highness also received chairperson Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, who attended vision of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz of the Kuwaiti Association for Learning the meeting, said that all but very few reso- on the joint action. Differences Amal Al-Sayer and head of the lutions by the committee have been satis- The vision aims to establish the concept ‘teach me right’ committee Hanadi Al-Duaij factorily implemented. He commended the of promoting real cooperation among GCC and committee members, who presented to perceptive vision of Saudi King Salman Bin member states in security, military, social, His Highness a national document on educa- Abdul-Aziz, adopted by the 36th GCC sum- political and economic fields, and raise the tional services for special needs students. mit in Riyadh last December, regarding the level of cooperation and cohesion among Earlier, His Highness the Amir received His imperative to further develop the GCC con- them in all domains as well, he added. Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- struct. It also seeks to boost role of GCC coun- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Jarallah expressed optimism as to the tries on Arab, Islamic and international lev- Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem, His future of the GCC, noting that the meeting els so as to serve issues that interest the Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber here in Riyadh carried a highly positive Gulf countries and their nations, and meet Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Deputy tone reflective of the wish of the leaders their aspirations as well as support Arab Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and peoples of the GCC for more joint work and Islamic issues, he made clear. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. and close integration. Moreover, he empha- Zayani lauded sincere efforts exerted by sized that the committee was expediting the ministerial committee’s members that the implementation of major resolutions contributed to taking executive and legisla- New officials dealing with high-profile concerns such as tive steps of many decisions on the joint Separately, His Highness the Crown Prince a common GCC market and a joint customs action. He stressed the importance of con- received Ghanem, His Highness Sheikh Jaber His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives a document of and tariffs union. tinued action in order to implement all Al-Mubarak, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- allegiance from the institute of women for development and peace, presented by Kawthar Al- decisions to implement directives of GCC Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Jowan (second from left), Laila Al-Othman (left), Anissa Jaafar (fourth from left) and Siham Joint action leaders, and meet hopes and aspirations of Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammad Al- Al-Qabandi (right). Addressing the meeting, Saudi Minister the Gulf nations. The ministerial committee Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sana who presented the Mishari Al-Mutairi, Dawoud Al-Jarrah, of State and Cabinet’s Member for Shura was formed by a decree issued by the Gulf Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh newly-appointed chairman of the Public Anti- Mohammad Al-Subaie, Abdulwahab Al- Council Affairs Mohammad Abu Saq summit in 2008, with the aim of following Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. Corruption Authority (PACA) Advisor Muzaini and Louai Al-Saleh. His Highness the stressed the importance of such meetings up the implementation of all decisions per- Moreover, His Highness received Minister Abdulrahman Al-Namash, deputy chairman Prime Minister also received minister Sane as they serve the joint Gulf action through taining to the joint Gulf action. — KUNA of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Advisor Riyadh Al-Hajeri and members and the newly-appointed officials. — KUNA THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 LOCAL Sawaber evacuation ultimatum expires today, tenants threaten legal action

By A Saleh and Agencies

KUWAIT: As the ultimatum to evacuate the Sawaber Residential Complex expires today, and in light of the government’s looming plans to demolish the key estate in down- town Kuwait City, the issue could be heading towards further complication as a number of residents still refuse to cooperate with evacu- ation calls and plan to seek legal action to keep hold on what they say is rightfully theirs. The Ministry of Finance said yesterday that an announcement for a tender to demolish the Sawaber complex will be published in the next issue of the state’s official gazette ‘Kuwait Al-Youm.’ The ministry explained that the bidding conditions would be set soon and that the company offering the highest bid would be authorized to pull down the KUWAIT: Damages are seen at a mosque under construction in Qairawan after the complex provided all safety and security roof collapsed yesterday, leaving four workers injured. measures are followed.

Sit-in Four injured in This comes amid reports indicating that around a hundred citizens who still refuse to KUWAIT: This file photo shows flames and smoke emitting from a building at the Sawaber evacuate their apartments in the complex, Residential Complex in Kuwait City on June 15, 2010. Lingering problems surrounding the mosque roof collapse shedding uncertainty about their fate as of 35-year-old complex led the government to evacuate it and proceed with a plan to demol- today. Last week, the government ish it. —KUNA By Hanan Al-Saadoun arrest of a citizen and a bedoon for posses- announced that public services, including sion of drugs and paraphernalia. electricity and water would be cut from the Nations in 2014. He further urged National Welfare (PAHW) ordered paying the Sawaber KUWAIT: Four workers were injured when Meanwhile, a citizen was arrested with pos- complex after the deadline. Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem to complex eviction committee members KD 30 the roof of a mosque under construction session of an unlicensed 9mm pistol and Al-Qabas yesterday quoted a statement by ‘undo the injustice’ they had been suffering each for their efforts though they had worked collapsed yesterday. Firefighters arrived to ammunition. Meanwhile, police arrested a 24 apartment owne who he stressed that form. The owners also threatened to go on for three months trying to convince tenants the scene located in Qairawan shortly after Syrian national wanted for defaulting on a they would not yield to any threats or intimi- an ‘open strike’ and sue the concerned state evict their apartments, Al-Anbaa reported the incident was reported. They rescued KD 46,000 payment. Police arrested anoth- dation attempts, adding that they do possess authorities if those threats were put into yesterday quoting sources. the workers and handed them over to para- er Syrian national wanted to serve an 11 proper lawful ownership deeds that prove practice. Most members received this news with medics who transported them to the near- years in prison sentence over bad cheques. their rights. Notably, the state property department at frustration, the sources said, noting that they est medical facility. An investigation was Furthermore, police found a hyena in an opened. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Awqaf animal’s pen that was searched during the Citizen Faisal Ali, one of the owners, criti- the finance ministry had given a grace period have been using their own vehicles, going to and Islamic Affairs stressed that the campaign. The animal was secured and cized what he described as lawmakers’ to 24 citizens living at the complex to evict the complex on almost daily basis, and had to mosque was still under construction, that it transported to Kuwait Zoo, while orders silence about practices of the finance min- their apartments by March 31, 2016 and to deal with rejection from many tenants was being built by a donor and that it was were given to summon the pen’s owner for istry and its state property department, get clearances from the Ministry of Electricity because they did not have judicial powers. not yet handed over to it. Ahmed Al- questioning. In another case, Jahra police including ‘threats’ to disconnect power. “The and Water (MEW) to finish their transactions. “The PAHW has previously rewarded Ministry Qarawi, the Awqaf ministry’s official arrested three fugitives, bedoons, and notices we received from the department are of Interior and Ministry of Electricity and spokesperson and director of its media found a shotgun with one of them. inhumane though we live in the Center of ‘Unfair pay’ Water with a KD 1,000 reward each for taking department, said on that regard that the Humanity,” he underlined, referring to a term In a related issue, Bader Al-Weqayyan, part in other eviction operations,” the sources ministry was following up the latest news No injuries in fire Kuwait has been coined with by the United Director of the Public Authority for Housing argued. about the mosque and that the engineer- A fire broke out in a Sabah Al-Nasser ing affairs department at the mosques’ sec- house yesterday. Firefighters from two dif- tor was asked to prepare a detailed report ferent fire stations headed to the scene about the incident to determine the cause after the fire was reported. They discovered Delay in plans for US satellite campus of the collapse. that there was a child and a domestic helper trapped behind flames in a base- KUWAIT: Plans to open a satellite campus for “changes with the authorities in Kuwait,” tion aims to eventually allow Kuwaiti students Fugitives caught ment where the fire started. They evacuat- the University of Massachusetts-Lowell in though she did not provide specifics, accord- to study at the UMass campus and alterna- Weapons detectives launched a cam- ed the two before putting out the fire. No Kuwait have been shelved until at least 2017. ing to a local newspaper report. tively to bring students and faculty from the paign in Kabd area that resulted in the injuries were reported. Lowell Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney said The $50 million, seven-year plan would US to Kuwait. that university, which is opening the campus establish five undergraduate and 11-graduate The agreement helps Raytheon fulfill its in Kuwait in collaboration with GUST and US degree programs, and supply Raytheon with a contractual obligation to invest in Kuwait, one weapons manufacturer Raytheon, are now pipeline of talent. About 1,200 students are of its customers. In return, the country has shooting for a September 2017 opening. expected to earn degrees in business, educa- purchased Raytheon’s high-tech weapons. The chancellor has blamed the delay tion, engineering and science. The coopera- — from The Lowell Sun Bedoons in Calais FRANCE: Al Jazeera has reported that there are approximately 300 stateless Arabs from Kuwait’s bedoon population who are living in the illegal Calais camp in France. The men and at least one child reportedly traveled using forged documents via Iraq through Turkey and then across Europe to reach Calais. Thousands of illegal immigrants from Syria, Iraq, countries in Africa and else- where have made their way to Calais in the hopes of finding a means of sneak- The scene at a house’s basement in Sabah Al-Nasser after fighters tackled a blaze ing illegally into the United there. Kingdom. Abdali appeal case adjourned to April 13

Minister investigates students ‘slandering’

By Meshaal Al-Enezi and A Saleh to ten years in prison each over New CMA headquarters charges of funding and fighting Chairman of the capital commit- KUWAIT: The appeal court yester- with the Islamic State (IS) in Syria. tee at the municipal council Dr day adjourned hearing the Abdaly The two suspects had been sen- Hassan Kamal said that the commit- case until April 13. The court also tenced to seven years in prison by tee yesterday approved a request decided to hold the next hearing, the criminal court. The court also made to allocate a site to build a where two state security officers acquitted ten expatriate and headquarters for CMA. The com- and detectives would testify, behind Kuwaiti doctors of causing the mittee also approved a request closed doors restricting those death of a patient by medical errors. made by MSAL to allocate an area of attending to lawyers only. The court proved that the patient 435 square meters to build a whole- Addressing the court, chairman of had died of causes other than the sale and supplies branch at Daiya. the Egyptian lawyers syndicate and procedures of the surgery he under- Kamal added that other topics on chairman of the Arab lawyers union, went. Meanwhile, the misdemeanor the meeting’s agenda, such as a pro- the defendants’ lawyer, Sameh court set April 13 to make its ruling posal to build a financial district, Ashour stressed that the wireless in a case in which blogger Sara Al- were postponed. Kamal also communication devices seized with Derais is accused of blasphemy. stressed that the committee post- his clients were nothing but toys poned removing violations in public sold in local markets. The criminal Students offended property (unlicensed cafes and cab- court had sentenced the first and Minister of Education and Higher ins) pending summoning the the 23rd (Iranian) of the 25 defen- Education Dr Bader Al-Essa prom- municipality’ emergency team dants to death, the sixth to lifetime ised to investigate an issue pertain- leader. imprisonment, 15 defendants to 15 ing with an educator who reported- years in prison, three defendants to ly offended Kuwaiti students inside Salwa streets asphalt five years in prison and one defen- a public school. Photos taken from Chairman of the Hawally commit- dant to 10 years with labor while it Snapchat have went viral recently tee at the municipal council, Yousif acquitted the first defendant’s on social media allegedly showing Al-Ghareeb urged relevant state brother over charges of espionage students in a Farwaniya school with authorities to immediately re-asphalt and communicating with Iran and captions that read slanderous a number of streets in Salwa area Hezbollah as well as possessing an remarks targeting the students. The because the asphalt layer had been arsenal of explosives and weapons. footage were said to be uploaded damaged by rain. He added that so by an Arab trainee who had been many citizens have been complain- Court orders visiting the school on field training. ing about the streets condition not- In other news, the appeals court These information could not imme- ing that this had caused consider- yesterday sentenced two brothers diately be verified. able damage to their vehicles. THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 LOCAL

Kuwait, Tanzania sign aviation services agreement DODOMA:Kuwait and Tanzania yes- would pave the way for more Gulf terday signed an agreement on avia- tourists and investors to visit tion services to simplify air travel Tanzania,” Mbwrawa noted. Moreover, between both countries. The agree- Fouzan said that the agreement also ment was signed by Director General aims to strengthen the commerce of the Directorate General of Civil industry in both countries, as he Aviation (DGCA) Yousef Al-Fouzan and underscored Kuwait’s historic ties Tanzanian Minister of Works, with Tanzania. Transport and Communication The DGCA Director General also Makame Mbwrawa, Kuwait’s embassy announced that Kuwait Airways in the East African nation said in a would soon be launching direct statement. flights between Kuwait and Tanzania. Fouzan and Mbwrawa held a press First Secretary at the Kuwaiti conference after the signing, in which embassy in Tanzania Mohammad Al- both officials described the agree- Omairy, Diplomatic Attaché Meshaal ment as a launch pad for further Al-Humaidi and a DGCA delegation cooperation. “Increased air travel attended the proceedings. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Philippine Commission on Elections Head Andres Bautista (second from left) addresses the media yesterday at Costa Del Sol Hotel during 3-day training/seminar for OAV. With him are Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa, Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso Ver and Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wildredo Santos. — Photo by Joseph Shagra Filipino overseas vote starts April 9 Election head ensures credible ‘OAV’s’ for Filipinos By Ben Garcia leadership, he will do his best and that the proof ballots. We are also looking at the electronic will be revealed after the elections. “The recent transfer of results, similar to what we are already KUWAIT: Filipinos in Kuwait, including Pinoys Supreme Court decision in the printing of the implementing in the Philippines for quicker from other countries, may vote for their new voters’ receipts delayed some of our prepara- transmission of results, we are still working on country’s leader starting April 9. The presiden- tions, we shall overcome. We are hopeful, that that,” he noted. tial election in the Philippines is slated for May with our partnership with the Department of DODOMA: Director General of the General of Civil Aviation Yousef Al-Fouzan 9, but Overseas Filipinos are given a one month Foreign Affairs, we would be able to conduct Hacking of website and Tanzanian Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Makame grace period to cast their votes at their credible elections in the foreign posts,” he said. In response to queries about defacing of Mbwrawa sign the agreement. — KUNA embassy’s missions. He noted that all election materials are ready Comelec website about three days ago by a Overseas voters are allowed to elect presi- and many of them has been distributed to for- certain hacker calling itself ‘Anonymous dent, vice president, senators and a party list eign posts. “Because of the fact that overseas Philippines’, Bautista pointed out that it was an representative. To ensure the success, clean and voters will be one month ahead of our elections unfortunate incident. “Hacking activities by orderly Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) in the period in Manila, the thermal paper which we certain groups can happen to whichever web- region, Philippine Commission on Elections have in the stock room of the Comelec were sites, may it be from the CIA, or a certain com- (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista, super- already sent to foreign posts. As a matter of fact, panies in New York and it happen to private vised a three-day training/seminar for the offi- we have them here ready,” he reiterated. and some government agencies in the cers/members who will oversee the voting Philippine and in some countries too. Comelec process in the Middle East. The event was host- The day of valor website is a public website, the message sent ed by Kuwait, with the attendance of some offi- Every year, April 9 is remembered as the Day by the hacker to us was clear, they want to cers/members from other countries including of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) and traditionally, make sure that we have an honest and credible Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, and it is an official holiday in the Philippines, will elections, and that all safeguards necessary for with the participation of Philippine there be some changes in the election date? the elections will be implemented. That of Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa, “No, we stick to election dates overseas. As a course we vouched that everything mentioned Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso Ver matter of fact, it is somehow providential in the law will be followed. But I want you to and Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wildredo because the date falls on April 9, the start of know that website that we are going to use Santos. The three-day event is held at the Costa choosing our government officials, we should during Election Day will be different from the Del Sol Hotel, in Al-Shaab. really choose the next official with honor and public website already in the Comelec right “I thanked the ambassadors of the pride. In foreign post, it is agreed that the now. Different website and different security Philippines to the Middle East for arranging this embassy will be opened to voters from April 9 features will be used during Election Day,” he seminar for the Comelec. We are doing this to including weekends and holidays until May 9,” added. familiarize the special board of election inspec- he announced. Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato tors and canvassers, in preparation for 9 April to With regards to the sanctity and safety of Pedro Villa reminded the Filipino public that 9 May Overseas Absentee Voting. The overseas ballots of overseas absentee voters, Baustita the canvassing of vote, (on May 9) will be voters are ahead for about one month, provid- explained the voting machine is fully secured opened to poll watchers/representatives of ed for by law. We would like to encourage with additional safety features. “As provided by political parties at the embassy. “We want to Filipinos to come out and take advantage of the law Republic Act 8436, as amended by Republic show the transparency of the embassy on privileges to select, let their voices be heard in Act 9369, all the safeguard features written in May 9, we will canvas the vote publicly. In the upcoming elections. We are happy that the law will be implemented by Comelec for Kuwait we have 49,000 registered voters. Our OFWs have a vital role in the Philippine econo- this year’s elections. We insure that all the stan- challenge in our post is to be able to encour- my and we are grateful for that. The reason why dard operating procedures on OAV will be fol- age at least 30-40 percent of the voters. We I am here is that because we want to ensure lowed, that is exactly the reasons why we are want to ask the support of employers to allow clean and orderly elections,” he said. conducting this seminar here in Kuwait right their Filipino workers, if they are registered, to Asked if the Comelec is ready for this year’s now, for them to be aware of the features and come out and vote for their government offi- conduct of OAV, Baustita stressed under his to protect the integrity and sanctity of election cials,” he said. Kuwait pioneer in UNDP honors Kuwait AMMAN: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) honored Kuwait in recognition of its international humanitari- aiding Syrian an and development efforts and its prominent role in aiding Syrian refugees. In a ceremony held late Tuesday to celebrate the program’s 50 anniversary in Amman, Kuwaiti Ambassador refugees: Ki-moon to Jordan Hamad Al-Duaij received an honorary shield. Duaij expressed his keenness to receive the award, noting Kuwait’s GENEVA: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon developmental and humanitarian projects around the world. hailed Kuwait’s efforts to provide financial Speaking at the event, Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah support for Syrian refugees, in cooperation Ensour said that UNDP plays a huge role in supporting coun- with Germany and the UK. In a speech at the tries to face crisis and achieve development. Meanwhile, UN’s first conference for the resettlement of UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan Edward Kallon said Syrian refugees held in Geneva yesterday, Ki- that the program aims to achieve sustainable development in moon noted that Syria-neighboring countries 170 countries. UNDP has been supporting projects in Jordan are facing difficulties in receiving the rising for 40 years and is exerting massive efforts to ease the suffer- numbers of refugees. All countries must ing of Syrian refugees, he added. cooperate to face the growing needs of Syrians living in severe conditions, he added. Generous support The UN chief also said that the interna- UNDP officials meanwhile applauded the partnership with tional organization is exerting huge efforts to Kuwait in the humanitarian and developmental work field, provide the Syrian refugees with decent liv- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and hailed the “generous” support offered by Kuwait to boost ing conditions and grant them proper educa- diplomacy has resulted in several successful developmental plans in developing countries. Furthermore, tion to achieve their dreams of a bright initiatives for relieving the Syrian people, they applauded the wise instructions of His Highness the future. namely by hosting three international con- Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for relieving The recent donors conference for Syria ventions for raising donations, in addition to people in need and offering aid to developing countries all held in London last February came with an the fourth such gathering hosted by London over the world. important decision to provide refugee-host- on February 4th-co-chaired by Kuwait, Kallon described the Kuwaiti support as a “basic pillar” in ing countries with funds to enable them to Germany, Norway and Britain. continuing to host the Syrian refugees in the Syria’s neighbor- meet the needs of refugees, he said. The con- These four conventions resulted with ing counties. The partnership between Kuwait and the UNDP ference also stressed on resettling Syrians in pledges to allocate $7 billion for the refugees. is “promising” as the program is keen on cooperating with other countries away from those neighboring Kuwait has so far paid $1.6 billion-with the Kuwait on that matter, especially regarding the issue of Syrian Syria. lion’s share shifting to the UNHCR, taking $1.5 refugees in the region. UNDP will soon focus on rehabilitating Ki-moon further noted that countries have billion which benefited 3.5 million refugees. the infrastructure of areas hosting the Syrian refugees, and pledged to provide 187,000 resettlement Kuwait through the Arab Fund for Arab offering the appropriate environment to youth and society opportunity, hoping the number would Economic Development (KAFED) con- segments prone to marginalization, besides boosting efforts increase to receive 480,000 Syrian refugees tributed with financial allotments for relief to prevent spread of terrorism and violence, he said. (ten percent) currently living in Syria-neigh- plans in Syria’s neighboring countries, he Jordan itself hosts more than 1.4 million Syrians, including boring countries. said, noting that Kuwait covered all of these 630,000 refugees, from which 107,000 live in camps, while the projects. others reside in residential areas, he added. This requires a Mankind solidarity In the third conference for pledging aid for group work between governmental and non-governmental Meanwhile, Kuwait hailed the freshly- the Syrians, Kuwait contributed with $500 launched international conference aimed at organizations to alleviate the negative impact of the Syrian million, mostly addressed to the UN agencies crisis on the hosting countries, he affirmed. settling Syrian refugees as an event that operating in Syria, including $100 million for depicts mankind solidarity, free from political, refugees in countries around the country. religious or racial considerations. Remarkable partnership UNDP country Director Zena Ahmed said “success and Objectives of this international gathering Hosting countries are in harmony with basic goals of the State achievements” by the UNDP could not have seen light with- Ambassador Ghneim said $20 million had out the “generous support” from the donors, namely the State of Kuwait’s foreign policy, bases of which had been earmarked for Jordan for development been placed by His Highness the Amir Sheikh of Kuwait. She expressed pride of the strong ties and remark- projects in regions hosting the refugees. An able partnership with Kuwait in serving the cause of Syrian Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, said the identical sum was allotted for Egypt for the refugees and alleviating their suffering. permanent Kuwaiti envoy at the UN, ambas- same purpose. KFAED, he added, would grant UNDP Program Manager Majida Al-Assaf said this celebra- sador Jamal Al-Ghneim, addressing the con- Turkey $20 million to minimize social and tion is shedding light on the UNDP achievements made in vention, organized by the UN High economic impact caused by hosting the cooperation with its major partners including Kuwait. Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). refugees. Moreover, KFAED teams are current- Cooperation with UNDP partners resulted in many projects The State of Kuwait, since break-out of the ly present in Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon and Syrian crisis, has placed all available resources Jordan to discuss plans for securing health which contributed to supporting Jordan in hosting the Syrian at the disposal of rallying international sup- services, education and water for the refugees since outbreak of the Syrian crisis before around six port for humanitarian operations, where its refugees. — KUNA years, she said. — KUNA

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 From the Arabic press Crime News Report in brief

Man accuses woman 38 expat municipality of killing dog employees terminated KUWAIT: Thirty eight expatriate employees at KUWAIT: Rumaithiya police detained an Asian Kuwait Municipality were informed by phone not domestic helper whose sponsor accused her of to report to work starting at the end of this month, deliberately killing his pet dog. The citizen arrived at as they were relieved of their duties. The employ- the police station in a hysterical state, along with an ees were hired under the ‘services assistance’ cate-

Asian woman he accused of killing his rare-breed Al-Jarida gory which allows state departments to hire extra dog. The man claimed that she did it on purpose to workers outside of their annual payroll budget. The take revenge, adding that she admitted this to him. employees were told that they were released He insisted that she be charged with “premeditated because there was ‘no extra budget to cover their murder,” based on the animal protection law. He said salaries.’ According to a sources familiar with the if police did not take action, then he would, so the situation, the employees expressed disappoint- woman was kept at the police station for her own ment towards the way their contracts were termi- protection. nated without being given a period to adjust their status. —Al-Rai

Citizen arrested with machine gun Ministry to track medical A citizen was arrested by weapons detectives in Al-Anbaa errors in private hospitals his Adan home with an unlicensed machine gun along with ammunition. Detectives were KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health approved informed that the citizen owns several unli- Silly fight above the clouds new regulations that would allow it to have censed weapons, so they confirmed the details ‘strict supervision’ to prevent medical errors in and discovered that the man works for an oil By Abdulmohsen Al-Meshari private hospitals and clinics, sources said. company, and lives in an Adan area house. A war- They did not provide much details, but indi- rant was obtained and the houses raided where n a nice article written by Meshaal Al-Sedairi, he which made French authorities opt to standard secu- cated that the ministry informed private med- the weapons were found. He was sent to the told in detail the story of what once happened to rity measures and send military fighters to escort the ical facilities that they are required to report public prosecution for further legal action. Ian Algerian friend of his at a 33,000 feet altitude plane thinking it was hijacked by a suicide bomber. back any case in which a patient is sent to a aboard an Algerian flight heading from Algeria to “The fighters were authorized to bomb the plane public hospital, which might indicate that Paris. down if it reached Paris,” The friend said that when the plane was flying “Shouts got louder and all passengers panicked,” negligence was involved. This would allow Strange hugging and caressing over Marseilles, he heard shouts and noises of a fight he said. “Seeing the pilot and a few crew members investigations to take place and determine near the captain’s cabin. trying to break open the cockpit’s door, we thought whether or not medical errors took place, the A police officer cadet accused a classmate of his of “Well, the story started when the captain had to they were terrorists dressed in crew uniform and thus sources explained. —Al-Anbaa hugging and caressing him in a strange way. When go to the toilet, leaving his co-pilot, an Algerian attacked them, starting a fierce fight. One of us man- the classmate repeated the actions, the cadet com- woman, to take over flying the plane,” said the aged to snatch the ax and run towards the tail, but plained to Saad Al-Abdalah Academy administration, Algerian passenger. “The co-pilot apparently asked a the crew chased him and got it back by force. When I Kuwaiti women to be but no action was taken. The first year student said he flight attendant for something which she did not tried to take it from them, I received a blow to my face hired as school guards was surprised when another student in the non-com- bring, and therefore, the co-pilot left her seat to scold and started bleeding. I immediately charged at the missioned officers institute harassed him with her. The hostess talked back so rudely and loudly, pilot knocking him down to the ground while he was KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education is preparing unwanted physical contact. The administration ques- which started the fight. Hearing the noise while get- shouting ‘I am the pilot, I am the pilot!’. ‘You are a ter- four contracts to appoint Kuwaiti women as tioned the student who denied the accusation. He ting out of the toilet, the pilot decided to close the rorist, a criminal’, I shouted back and bit his arm so guards in public schools for girls next year. The cockpit’s door in order not to disturb his co-pilot, hard that he started screaming in pain. Someone hit admitted to hugging the cadet but said he did so guards will officially be referred to as ‘security offi- thinking that she was inside, and went to check out me on the back of my head and I fainted. They man- cers’ and will officially be hired on July 1, 2016, because he was an orphan and wanted some affec- on what was going on. To his surprise, he found the aged to get the ax and open the door just in time to tion. A source said the college did not take any further co-pilot fighting instead of being inside the cabin. He get the pilot back in his seat, control the plane and Assistant Undersecretary for Financial Affairs action. But then the man repeated the advances and rushed like a madman to the cockpit’s door trying to contact the traffic control to tell them what hap- Yousuf Al-Najjar said. Kuwaiti women wishing to even chased the cadet into the toilet at night, keeping open it with no use because, after 9/11, all cockpit pened.” apply for this job will be hired through private others from entering, and insulted him with indecen- doors were designed only to open from the inside to “We later on learnt that had the pilot not opened companies in coordination with the Manpower cies. The student told a relative of his what was going prevent hijacking. The pilot and crew members the cockpit in time, we had only ten more minutes and Government Restructuring Program (MGRP), on and the relative took the cadet to the Abdallah Al- reached to an emergency ax and used it in an before French fighters shot the plane down as Najjar said. Each employee will receive a starting Mubarak police station and lodged a complaint. The attempt to break open the fortified door. At that ordered,” he continued. “All this happened because of salary of KD 260 a month, added to it the govern- time, the plane had been flying alone without a pilot a silly fight between two women.” source said the accused student was sent to the prose- and flight control had been calling with no response, —Translated by Kuwait Times ment’s monthly labor support allowance, he indi- cution, and he was detained in central prison for 10 cated. —Al-Rai days as the case will go to court.— Al-Rai

Energy bill increase to hike rents, prices

KUWAIT: Kuwait has been buzzing above 2,000 kilowatt - 15 fils per equal to an invoice of KD 15 accord- with questions since the cabinet kilowatt. The bill also proposes ing to the old tariff, while it will announced Monday approving a smaller increases to water charges. reach KD 54 according to the new proposal to increase electricity and price. This means that the annual bill water fees, which would increase the Third category would increase from KD 180 to KD cost four fold for consumers accord- According to sources, most citi- 648. ing to the indications of ordinary zens would be classified in the third The average consumption of consumption. Furthermore, it is category, and would pay 10 fils per water in these residences is 30,000 widely expected that the fees’ kilowatt according to current con- imperial gallons, for a value that will increase will automatically and sumption rates. The sources ques- reach KD 60 according to the new unwillingly reflect on other fields, tioned the government’s argument tariff, from the current KD 24. starting with apartment rents, and that the bill encourages saving ener- includes factories that produce gy, saying that the majority of con- Apartments national products and every facility sumption goes to power air condi- As for residential apartments, that uses energy. tioning “that cannot be replaced” where the average consumption of a The proposal would increase elec- during Kuwait’s long and extremely two room flat is 2,700 kilowatts, the tricity fees as follows: for private hot summer. bill will increase fivefold from KD 5 to houses (normally inhabited by “How can rationalization reduce KD 25 a month. Four bedroom apart- Kuwaitis), the bill proposes to raise an invoice valued at KD 100 if air ments with an area exceeding 400 current electricity charges of 2 fils conditioning consumes nearly 70 square meters will go up to KD 75 per kilowatt to as follows: For con- percent of the bill?” the sources won- per month, from KD 12 only. sumption of up to 3,000 kilowatts - 5 dered. Specialists meanwhile warned fils per kilowatt; For consumption of that real estate owners will be left Industrial sector between 3,000 - 6,000 - 8 fils per with no other choice but to increase The industrial sector will proba- kilowatt; For consumption between rents to compensate for the increase bly be the most affected. With an 6,000-9,000 - 10 fils per kilowatt; For in energy bills. average monthly consumption of consumption above 9,000 - 15 fils 400,000 kilowatts, the monthly bill per kilowatt. As for apartments Houses would jump from KD 800 to KD (mostly inhabited by expatriate), the Ministry of Electricity and Water 4,000, since the tariff under the pro- new proposed rates are as follow; (MEW) statistics show that the aver- posed plan increases from 2 to 10 For consumption of up to 1,000 kilo- age consumption of power in private fills per kilowatt. This would obvi- watt - 5 fils per kilowatt; For con- residences (houses) of an area ously lead to increasing the prices of sumption between 1,000-2,000 - 10 between 300 to 1,000 square meters products that these facilities pro- fils per kilowatt; For consumption reaches 7,500 kilowatts, which is vide. —Al-Rai THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Rousseff clinging Tears flow as Myanmar swears in ‘first president’ to power as Brazil coalition collapses Page 12 Page 9 Egyptian remanded as hijacking sparks online buzz Cyprus detains hijacker who wanted to see ex-wife

LARNACA: The man accused of hijacking an be the best selfie ever,” he said. As it became Egyptian plane with a fake suicide belt and clear on Tuesday that the hijacker was trying diverting it to Cyprus was remanded into cus- to contact his ex-wife and was likely not a real tody yesterday, as social media buzzed with danger, Egyptians also took to social media to ridicule about the bizarre incident. A judge in poke fun at the incident, many using the Larnaca on the island’s southern coast ordered Twitter hashtag #loveisintheair. “This is what 58-year-old Egyptian Seif Al-Din Mohamed happens when you block your ex,” one person Mostafa held for eight days as he made his wrote on Twitter, while another opined: “Some first court appearance after Tuesday’s hijack- may wonder why the hijacker didn’t just email ing. Mostafa is accused of forcing the his wife. They don’t realise how terrible Egypt’s Alexandria-to-Cairo flight to divert to Cyprus, Internet is.” where he demanded to see his Cypriot ex- wife, with whom he has children. ‘Non-prohibited’ items Police told the court that Mostafa- HA Hellyer, an Arab affairs specialist at the described by officials as “psychologically Royal United Services Institute in London, unstable”-faces possible charges of hijacking, tweeted: “My wife just told me: ‘You don’t love kidnapping, reckless and threatening behav- me enough. You haven’t hijacked a plane to ior, and breaches of the anti-terror law. Police talk to me. Sort it out’” After several hours in prosecutor Andreas Lambrianou said witness- Larnaca, passengers on the flight were flown es saw the suspect wearing a belt around his to Cairo late on Tuesday. “Fifteen minutes after waist stuffed with cylindrical objects connect- departure we saw on the screens that the ed by wires to what appeared to be a hand- plane was not going to Cairo and it was cross- held detonator button. At one point, the sus- ing the sea,” passenger Noha Saleh said on pect had threatened to detonate the belt if his arrival in the Egyptian capital. “They said it was demands weren’t met, he alleged. Mostafa will a technical problem and they needed to go to not face any formal charges until a later hear- Cyprus or Greece to fix it... they were profes- ing and only at that point will he be expected sional and their attitude was normal,” she said. to enter a plea. Concerns were raised about security at He flashed journalists the victory sign as he Egyptian airports after a Russian airliner was was driven away by police from the court- downed on October 31 over the Sinai house, which is less than a kilometer from Peninsula, killing all 224 people on board. The Larnaca airport where a six-hour standoff Islamic State group claimed to have smuggled unfolded after the hijacking. Most of the 55 a bomb on board. passengers on the EgyptAir flight were quickly The police prosecutor said Cypriot authori- released after it landed in Larnaca but it took ties would seek the help of Interpol to discover hours of negotiations, including a conversa- how the fake suicide belt passed through air- tion with his ex-wife, before Mostafa surren- port security in Alexandria. But Egypt’s interior dered to police. “What’s someone supposed to LARNACA: Seif Al-Din Mohamed Mostafa, an Egyptian man who hijacked an EgyptAir passenger plane and forced it to divert to Cyprus ministry said in a statement that all security do when he hasn’t seen his wife and children demanding to see his ex-wife, flashes the ‘V’ for victory sign as he leaves the court in Larnaca in a police car yesterday. — AFP measures had been applied. The accused in 24 years and the Egyptian government one uniformed man who was seen clambering that has been widely shared on social media. lose anyway, so took a chance to get a closer hijacker and his luggage were scanned, it said, won’t let you?” the police prosecutor quoted out of a cockpit window and dropping to the The image features a grinning Innes standing look at it,” Innes, a health and safety auditor and he had used “non-prohibited belongings” him as telling officers after his arrest. ground. Among them was a 26-year-old British next to Mostafa, with what appears to be a from Leeds, told Britain’s The Sun newspaper. in his handbag “to imply that he was wearing Some passengers and crew escaped only man, Ben Innes, who asked crew to snap a rudimentary suicide vest strapped to his chest. “So I stood by him and smiled for the cam- an explosive belt and to threaten the crew and minutes before the standoff ended, including photograph of him standing beside Mostafa “I figured if his bomb was real I’d nothing to era while a stewardess did the snap. It has to passengers.” — AFP Ash coats village areas near erupting volcano in Alaska ANCHORAGE: A village not far from an fall in Nelson Lagoon, a village of 39 peo- actually saw an eagle land on the grass erupting Alaska volcano urged residents ple about 55 miles northeast of the vol- today, and as he landed, a big pile of ash to stay indoors after the mountain rained cano. Residents reported one-eighth to came up and flew away,” he said. The down ash, coating ground areas and turn- two-thirds of an inch of ash. Cpl Barrett plume blew northeast and by Tuesday ing some rooftops and car windows black. Taylor, a village public safety officer in had reached Canada, but Dave Schneider, The volcano kept pumping out new ash Nelson Lagoon, saw ash falling early a USGS geophysicist at the observatory, Tuesday that could threaten aircraft, but it Monday. “It was raining ash for a little bit,” said activity had calmed from the continu- came in smaller amounts at lower heights, Taylor said. “It turned everything black, the ous eruptive phase. according to the Alaska Volcano rooftops, the fuel tanks, homes.” “Over the last six to eight hours the Observatory. The ash was worse Tuesday, he said, activity is more intermittent,” he said Pavlof Volcano, 625 miles southwest of because wind coming in off the ocean Tuesday. “There are short duration, small Anchorage on the Alaska Peninsula, was whipping it around. Officials say ash explosive events that are occurring, as erupted Sunday. The initial eruption con- can be hazardous to eyes, skin and opposed to sort of a continuous plume.” tinued for about 17 hours and put out an breathing passages. The community has The original ash cloud crossed Bristol Bay, ash cloud that reached 37,000 feet. US put out a health advisory to stay inside spread into interior Alaska, and stretched Geological Survey geologist Kristi Wallace until today. Taylor is hoping strong wind into northern Canada, said Don Moore, said there were reports of a significant ash or rain will sweep some of the ash away. “I meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service Alaska Aviation Weather Unit. “The extent of the plume is certainly greater but the concentration of the ash is Nuclear summit: becoming less,” Moore said. “The plume is becoming thinner over time.” Volcanic ash is angular and sharp and What’s at stake can cause a jet engine to shut down. WASHINGTON: President Barack founder of anti-nuclear group Global Alaska Airlines canceled 41 flights within Obama hosts an international summit in Zero. “We should have an agenda ... that the state Monday, and 28 more Tuesday. Washington today and tomorrow aimed would cover all fissile materials, civilian Sherry Keever has lived in Healy, Alaska, at ensuring that nuclear material in the and military.” for only a year and was trying to get home world’s roughly 1,000 atomic facilities is from a vacation in California when ash secured. Here is a breakdown of what’s New dangers from the volcano prompted the cancella- at stake: Since the summits began, 14 nations tion of her flight. “I’m kind of new, and I have eliminated their fissile material wasn’t even aware there were volcanoes Large stockpiles stockpiles, and other countries have that could affect the flight patterns, and Obama convened the first Nuclear stepped up efforts to secure theirs. But I’m OK with it,” she said while sitting in a Security Summit in 2010, followed by at the same time, other nations are waiting area of Ted Stevens Anchorage similar gatherings in Seoul in 2012 and ramping up their nuclear capabilities. International Airport, waiting to see if she The Hague in 2014. The meetings focus Countries like Pakistan, India and North could get her flight to Fairbanks on on preventing criminals from accessing Korea have built new bombs, and Tuesday. The volcano in the 8,261-foot stockpiles of radioactive materials, experts warn these fall behind in safety mountain is one of Alaska’s most active. It reducing highly enriched uranium and standards aimed at preventing acciden- has had 40 known eruptions. separated plutonium, enhancing the tal detonation. Pavlof eruptions in the past 20 years detection of smuggling, and cybersecu- The Islamic State group has already rity. Considerable progress has been used chemical weapons, and experts have not been as intense, but the current made, with several countries reducing fear the jihadists are trying to secure fis- eruption is not unprecedented for the vol- or eliminating their stockpiles of nuclear sile material to make a “dirty bomb.” cano, Schneider said. The length of the material. For example, Japan this month Such a device is a regular bomb, but eruption was a major factor in the size of is returning to the United States enough would explode radioactive material the ash cloud, Schneider said. plutonium to make 50 nuclear bombs. across an area. Highlighting the risks, So were the winds and possibly the But despite these advances, a January Belgian police investigating the smaller size of the ash, which takes longer report by the Nuclear Threat Initiative November 13 Paris terror attacks found to fall out of the atmosphere. Pat Walsh, a (NTI), a leading US nonproliferation 10 hours of video of the comings and wildlife biologist for the Togiak National watchdog, found basic weaknesses per- goings of a senior Belgian nuclear offi- Wildlife Refuge, saw ash 25 miles west of sist in securing the world’s fissile materi- cial. One agenda item at the summit will Dillingham as a gray haze as he tracked als. And according to a 2015 study by see leaders discussing a hypothetical wolves from the air in the refuge. He could the International Panel on Fissile nuclear security crisis. also see traces of ash in fresh wolf tracks Materials, enough plutonium and highly and in the snow. enriched uranium stockpiles remain to Possible outcomes Tisha Christensen, a health aide at the make the equivalent of 200,000 Sharon Squassoni, director and sen- clinic in Port Heiden, said gray ash mixed weapons of the magnitude that leveled ior fellow at the Center for Strategic and with snow fell Monday night in the com- Hiroshima in 1945. International Studies’ proliferation pre- munity on the Bering Sea side of the vention program, said the latest summit Alaska Peninsula. It affected her 8-year-old Narrow scope? aims to consolidate progress made so son, who has asthma but tried going to The fissile materials in question do far, such as seeing countries that com- school Tuesday. not include state-owned nuclear mitted to certain actions implement “He didn’t even make it a half-hour and weapons, leading critics to say the sum- these. The 2014 summit saw 35 coun- had to come home and have a nebulizer mits are not broad enough in scope. tries sign up to various pledges-but key treatment,” she said. Only trace amounts “This is an important mission, but it’s players including China, India, Russia beneath the pay grade of the 50 or 60 and Pakistan did not join in. “It would be of ash had been reported from Pavlof heads of state that are going to convene really important for those countries to eruptions since 1996. In the past, the vol- in Washington,” said Bruce Blair, co- sign on,” Squassoni said. —AFP cano has erupted intermittently over months or shut off abruptly. — AP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 Russia, ship more to Syria than removing A draw down?

MOSCOW: When Vladimir Putin presence also gives Moscow the option along with the Yauza, an auxiliary cargo announced the withdrawal of most of of firing cruise missiles from the sea. vessel. The Saratov looked loaded when Russia’s military contingent from Syria Russia appears to have more than a it passed the strait on Thursday going there was an expectation that the Yauza, dozen military vessels in the south towards Syria. Its load line was visi- a Russian naval icebreaker and one of the Mediterranean, including the Zeleniy Dol bly lower than on March 14 when it was mission’s main supply vessels, would warship equipped with terrain-hugging photographed going the other way, return home to its Arctic Ocean port. Kalibr cruise missiles which are accurate towards Russia. At the same time, two Instead, three days after Putin’s March 14 to within three metres, according to warships - the Alexander Otrakovsky and declaration, the Yauza, part of the “Syrian Russian state media and the database of the Minsk - and the Dvinitsa-50, an auxil- Express”, the nickname given to the ships Bosphorus Naval News, a Turkish online iary vessel, were photographed by that have kept Russian forces supplied, project. Moscow is likely to maintain that Turkish bloggers passing the Bosphorus left the Russian Black Sea port of strength, said CAST’s Barabanov. “Russia en route back to Russia. At least two of Novorossiysk for Tartous, Russia’s naval doesn’t have too many ships that it can the returning ships, the Alexander facility in Syria. Whatever it was carrying keep in the Mediterranean. The role of Otrakovsky and the Dvinitsa-50, looked was heavy; it sat so low in the water that the force was to ensure the activity of the unloaded on their way back. its load line was barely visible. ‘Syrian Express’ and to demonstrate it to Photographs show that the Its movements and those of other the West and, later, to Turkey.” Otrakovsky, a large landing ship, sat high- BEIRUT: Syrian refugee Mohammed Al-Shareef, 20, who fled with his family from Damascus, Syria, performs a Russian ships in the two weeks since The Russian defense ministry did not er in the water on its return to Russia breakdance on the Mediterranean waterfront promenade in Beirut. — AP Putin’s announcement of a partial with- reply to questions about what the compared to March 2 when it crossed the drawal suggest Moscow has in fact Russian navy was doing in the strait in the other direction. It was not Transitional govt must include shipped more equipment and supplies Mediterranean or whether there were clear if it carried troops or equipment. The to Syria than it has brought back in the plans to reduce its presence. Russia’s mili- load line of the Dvinitsa-50 was also high same period, a Reuters analysis shows. It tary ships and most auxiliary vessels are above the water when it was pho- Syrian regime, opposition: Assad is not known what the ships were carry- not shown in publicly available databas- tographed in the Bosphorus on March 20 ing or how much equipment has been es. But most of its ships are seen and on its way back to Russia. It seems unlike- Economic, infrastructure damage ‘exceeds $200 billion’ flown out in giant cargo planes accom- photographed when they pass the ly that Russian troops or equipment were panying returning war planes. But the Bosphorus on their way from Russia to on board any of the returning ships. None MOSCOW: President Bashar Al-Assad said paused last week, but the sides remained and special forces on the ground. Soldiers movements - while only a partial snap- the Mediterranean or vice versa. In most of them looked like they had heavy cargo yesterday that any transitional government deadlocked over the fate of Assad, whom yesterday were locked in heavy fighting shot - suggest Russia is working inten- cases it is impossible to track military onboard. The Minsk has already headed in Syria should include both the regime the opposition insists must leave power with IS fighters in central Syria as they sively to maintain its military infrastruc- shipments to destination ports however, back towards Syria. On Tuesday, it was and opposition, as UN chief Ban Ki-moon before a transitional government is agreed. pressed their offensive following the ture in Syria and to supply the Syrian meaning data is only partial. photographed passing the Bosphorus. Its urged greater efforts to tackle the coun- In the interview, Assad did not touch on seizure of the UNESCO world heritage site. army so that it can scale up again swiftly bow sat deep in the water; its cargo could try’s refugee crisis. In an interview pub- his own future, saying only that the make- A ceasefire between Damascus and if need be. Low in the water not be discerned. Non-military cargo traf- lished Wednesday, Assad told Russia’s RIA up of the transitional government should non-jihadist opposition forces has broadly Putin has not detailed what would Since Moscow began to scale back in fic between Russia and Syria also shows Novosti state news agency it would be be agreed upon at the negotiations in held since February 27, prompting a glim- prompt such a move, but any perceived Syria, Russia has sent two landing ships, no signs of flagging. Four cargo ships “logical for there to be independent forces, Switzerland. “There are many questions mer of hope that a political solution might threat to Russia’s bases in Syria or any which are typically used to transport involved in the supply operation called at opposition forces and forces loyal to the that need to be discussed in Geneva, but be on the horizon. But the fighting has left sign that President Bashar Al-Assad, troops and armor - the Caesar Kunikov Syria in the two weeks before Putin government represented” in any transition- there are not difficult questions,” Assad vast swathes of the country in ruin and Moscow’s closest Middle East ally, was in and the Saratov - to the Mediterranean announced the draw down. — Reuters Assad estimated that economic and infra- structure damage to the country “exceeds peril would be likely to trigger a powerful $200 billion”. return. Russia operates an air base in Hmeymim and a naval facility at Tartous. Iraqis kept in the dark about 10 percent Putin has said Russia will keep both and Mosul Dam emergency plans The aim of the Geneva conference is to that they will need to be well protected. secure relocation pledges within three “Since the main part of the force de facto BAGHDAD: Despite intense US pres- said the most lives could be saved by years for 10 percent of Syria’s refugees, or stayed there, there is no reason to reduce sure to act to keep Iraq’s largest dam advising people in advance of what to 480,000 people, whom the UN wants the traffic,” said Mikhail Barabanov, a sen- from collapsing, Baghdad has done lit- do in the event of a breach of the struc- moved outside of Syria’s immediate neigh- ior research fellow at the Moscow-based tle to prepare Iraqis for the possibility ture, once known as Saddam Dam and bors who are currently absorbing an enor- CAST military think tank. “Supplies for the of a burst that could unleash a flood opened in the mid 1980s. “You want to mous human burden. Ban said the 480,000 Syrian army remain significant as well.” reaching the capital and killing hun- make sure when you have a major haz- figure was “a relatively small number,” com- Moscow has not revealed the size of dreds of thousands of people. The gov- ard risk that the population that is pared with those being hosted by Iraq, its force in Syria, nor has it given details ernment signed a $296-million con- going to be potentially affected is Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. The Geneva of its partial withdrawal. Reuters has cal- tract with Italy’s Trevi Group last month aware of that, that they know what to meet follows a conference in London in culated that around half of Russia’s fixed- to reinforce northern Iraq’s fragile do about it when it happens, and they February where nations pledged $11 billion wing strike force based in Syria flew out Mosul Dam, but it has not announced understand how they’re going to be (9.7 billion euros) to help manage one of of the country in the days after the par- any specific plans to try to rescue peo- alerted to it,” the official said. al body. Assad did not specify which oppo- said. “I don’t consider them difficult, they the largest displacements of people since tial draw down was made public. The ple in the event of a breach or instruct- Instead, Iraqi authorities have sition groups should be included in the can all be resolved.” World War II.More than one million precise number of planes Russia had was ed them in detail how to react safely. downplayed the threat. The water government but the statement comes as migrants-about half of them Syrians- secret, but analysis suggested it had Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s minister estimated last month there Damascus faces international pressure to Draft constitution reached Europe via the Mediterranean last most significant public statement on was only a one in 1,000 chance of fail- compromise at UN-mediated talks aimed The US and Russia are pushing for a transi- year, a rate of arrivals that has continued about 36 fixed-wing military jets there. On Monday, state TV showed three the dam, which was not widely distrib- ure, a “risk level present in all the at ending the five-year conflict that has tional government and draft constitution to through the first three months of 2016. uted, advised millions of people living world’s dams”. On Jan 21, US Secretary killed some 270,000 people. be established by August, according to a plan Thousands have died making the harrow- heavy attack helicopters being flown out of Syria along with some support staff. in the path of a potential flood that of State John Kerry met with Abadi in In a sign of how high the stakes are, the agreed by world powers last year. Assad said a ing journey, often on rickety boats run by they should move to higher ground, Davos, Switzerland, and handed him a UN chief exhorted a conference in Geneva preliminary draft version of the constitution people smugglers. Some European states Naval firepower but provided few specifics. confidential note from President “to address the biggest refugee and dis- could be drawn up “within a few weeks” but have temporarily shut borders and called US officials have said Washington Barack Obama pleading for urgent But an examination of shipping data, placement crisis of our time” which has insisted that the country would only adopt a for tough measures to stem the movement feels Baghdad has failed to take the action. The president’s personal inter- official information, tips from maritime seen an estimated 4.8 million Syrians flee- new constitution “after the Syrian people vote of people through the continent. The threat seriously enough. A US govern- vention indicated how the dam’s ing their homeland. “There is no alterna- on it”. Assad has been buoyed after his forces British charity Oxfam on Tuesday noted that security sources and photographs from ment briefing paper released in late fragility has moved to the forefront of tive to negotiating a political transition recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra from wealthy countries had so far only resettled bloggers of Russian ships passing the February said the 500,000 to 1.47 mil- US concerns over Iraq, reflecting fears that will lead to a new Syria,” Ban said. Talks Islamic State (IS) jihadists over the weekend, 67,100 Syrian refugees-a mere 1.39 percent Bosphorus strait en route from the Black lion Iraqis living in the highest-risk its failure would also undermine US led by Ban’s Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura in an advanced backed by Russian air strikes of those forced to flee. — AFP Sea to the Mediterranean, shows no areas along the Tigris River “probably efforts to stabilize Abadi’s government signs that the “Syrian Express” is being would not survive” the impact of a and complicate the war against Islamic wound down. A Reuters analysis of the flood’s impact unless they evacuated. State. Iraqi forces launched a new same data shows Russia is also likely to Swept hundreds of miles along in the offensive last week in Makhmour, 60 have reinforced its naval force in the waters would be unexploded ord- km south of Mosul, as the beginning Mediterranean and now appears to have nance, chemicals, bodies and build- of a broader campaign to clear areas more war ships near the Syrian coast ings. A senior official at the US Agency around the city but so far progress has than at the time of Putin’s declaration. for International Development (USAID) been slow. — Reuters Their role is to protect cargo ships. Their THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 INTERNATIONAL

Two Republican governors, Brazil coalition collapses two different calculations Rousseff left clinging to power ATLANTA: Two Republican governors. Two Multistall bathrooms proposals at the heart of LGBT rights. One McCrory and his aides focus on provisions BRASILIA: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was left rejection. One new law. Georgia’s Gov Nathan that require people to use multistall bathrooms scrambling for votes to save her presidency in a loom- Deal said he was preventing discrimination of the sex matching their birth certificates at ing impeachment showdown after her main coalition and protecting commerce when he state agencies, schools and universities. The partner walked out of the government Tuesday. The announced his veto of a measure that would law was the product of a special session PMDB, the country’s largest party, voted to immediately have allowed certain individuals, businesses Republicans called essentially to override a city end its alliance with Rousseff’s leftist Workers’ Party, or and faith organizations to deny services based of Charlotte ordinance allowing transgender PT, and go into opposition. “From today, at this historic on “sincerely held religious beliefs.” In North individuals to use the bathroom assigned to meeting of the PMDB, the PMDB withdraws from the Carolina, Gov Pat McCrory said he was protect- their gender identity. Chris LaCivita, McCrory’s government of President Rousseff,” said Senator ing his citizens’ privacy and using “common chief campaign strategist, said it’s a simple Romero Juca, the party vice president. The meeting, sense” when he signed into law a bill that, question: “Can a male use a female bathroom broadcast live on national television, was the culmina- among other things, prohibits local anti-dis- and a female locker room?” LaCivita said tion of a long divorce with Rousseff, leaving Brazil’s first crimination ordinances and obligates trans- McCrory “has always maintained that this is a female president grasping at straws as she tries to stay gender people to use restrooms matching the case about reasonable expectations of privacy.” in power. The vote and announcement took no more gender on their birth certificates. Opponents of an anti-discrimination ordinance than three minutes and was accompanied by singing of Their moves highlight a familiar GOP fault in Houston successfully used the same argu- the national anthem and shouts of “PT out!”The split line between business conservatives, led by ments in a 2015 referendum. plunges Rousseff’s government into fresh crisis mode large corporations that have embraced LGBT Cooper answered Tuesday that the North and, more seriously, greatly reduces her chances of rights, and social conservatives, who have Carolina law is a “national embarrassment,” and mustering the one third of votes in the lower house of ramped up their calls for their own legal pro- he said he would not defend it as attorney gen- Congress that she needs to defeat a first impeachment tections since the US Supreme Court legalized eral against a pending federal lawsuit. He and vote, expected in April. “If you look at the numbers, same-sex marriage last year. The tussle is par- other Democrats also tried to define the bill by that’s basically it,” said Everaldo Moraes, a political sci- ticularly fierce in statehouses like those in more than transgender bathroom access. The ence professor at Brasilia National University. Rousseff Atlanta and Raleigh, where the GOP holds law blocks workers from suing in state courts cancelled a trip to Washington for a nuclear safety sum- overwhelmingly majorities. “There was no over workplace discrimination based on race, mit on Thursday and Friday, the state news agency said. BRASILIA: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (right) and World Trade Organization escape hatch,” former Deal aide Brian religion, color, national origin, age, sex or hand- A government spokesman said that in “the current (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo meet at Planalto Palace in Brasilia. —AFP Robinson said. “He was getting torn between icap; and it bars local anti-discrimination meas- political context,” it was not advisable. two factions ... both of which have supported ures to protect people on the basis of sexual involvement by Rousseff in the multibillion-dollar cor- vigorous, rallies held in her defense. Another round of him strongly for years.” orientation or gender identity, while separately Last nail in coffin? ruption scandal centered on state oil company pro-Rousseff protests was planned for this Thursday. preventing local governments from setting If the lower house votes in favor, an impeachment Petrobras. Rousseff has called on her mentor, former president Luiz Political reality their own minimum wage or requiring busi- trial would start in the Senate, where a two-thirds vote Inacio Lula da Silva, to become chief of staff so that he Yet there’s a stark political reality in the nesses to provide paid sick leave. would force Rousseff from office. PMDB head Michel Lula controversy could stiffen resolve in the ranks and put his negotiating governors’ different conclusions: Deal is a 74- All that “will set North Carolina’s economy Temer-who remains vice president under Rousseff Although still vice president, Temer, 75, increasingly skills to use. But the move prompted a swift backlash year-old in his second term, unable to a seek a back if we don’t repeal it,” Cooper said, echo- despite the break-up would take over as interim presi- resembles a politician preparing for power. . The growing from opponents who see the appointment as a bid to third consecutive term and almost certain ing the argument business leaders made in dent. Eliseu Padilha, a high-ranking PMDB member instability has spilled onto the streets with millions of give Lula ministerial immunity and protect him from cor- never to face Georgia voters again; McCrory is pressuring Deal for a veto in Georgia. More who served as minister of civil aviation in Rousseff’s Brazilians marching against Rousseff and smaller, but still ruption allegations related to the Petrobras probe. —AFP a 59-year-old running for re-election, with a than 500 companies joined a coalition led by government, predicted that Rousseff had only weeks newfound general election issue smoldering Coca-Cola and other big-name Georgia firms. left. “In less than three months we’ll have a new gov- in his lap. So Deal was free to wax eloquent The Walt Disney Co, Marvel Studios and ernment-in two months,” he told AFP. Senator Aecio Temer: The man who would Monday about constitutional freedoms, large- Salesforce.com threatened to take business Neves, who heads the PSDB opposition party and who ly avoiding explicit commentary on same-sex elsewhere. The NFL suggested Atlanta could narrowly lost to Rousseff when she won re-election in be Brazil’s next president marriage and LGBT rights as he explained his lose its bids for the 2019 or 2020 Super Bowl. 2014, said: “The exit of the PMDB is the last nail in the decision. “If indeed our religious liberty is con- McCrory heeded such arguments last year coffin.” The PMDB has 69 of the 513 lower house seats SAO PAULO: When Brazil Vice President Michel Temer Preparing for big job ferred by God and not by man-made govern- when he vetoed a “religious freedom” bill that and 60 of these deputies will vote for impeachment, complained to embattled President Dilma Rousseff that Temer, seen as a master operator in the snakepit of ment, we should heed the ‘hands-off’ admoni- was more limited than what Deal nixed. (The Padilha said. Analysts say that the PMDB’s exit could he didn’t like being a “decorative” figure, he was being Brasilia’s Congressional politics, played his cards cau- tion of the First Amendment to our Legislature overrode McCrory’s veto.) also encourage minor coalition partners to quit. serious. Now he could be about to take her job. Temer tiously. For months he has been making his displeasure Constitution,” he said. The veto disappointed On Monday, McCrory doubled down, say- Lawmakers from the center-right Progressive Party, and Rousseff always made an awkward couple. As head at Rousseff known, including sending a letter in some religious conservatives and enraged ing he’d “not had one corporation tell me that which has 49 deputies, and the center-left Social of the PMDB centrist party, Temer represented the December where he complained of feeling underval- others, all of them promising to press the mat- they’re threatening to leave,” though the NBA Democratic Party, which has 32, said their parties biggest force in leftist Rousseff’s shaky coalition. ued as “a decorative vice president.” But he was careful ter again. But Deal stood his ground, alluding has now suggested it could move profession- would meet this week on a possible split. For years, the PMDB has played that kingmaker to stay on the fence, even as other PMDB members to his own lifelong Southern al basketball’s 2017 All-Star game from However, Workers’ Party loyalists are negotiating role and it worked. But on Tuesday, the party voted to openly attacked Rousseff and pushed ahead the Baptist affiliation. “I do not think we have to Charlotte. Georgia Republican consultant intensely with individual deputies, trying to persuade quit the government and go into opposition, sup- impeachment momentum. discriminate against anyone,” he said, “to pro- Chip Lake said those arguments are what ulti- them to vote against the grain. “We can’t give an exact porting an ever stronger push to impeach Rousseff. Occasionally, he let the mask slip, publishing a doc- tect the faith-based community.” Conversely, mately drive the issue, regardless of specific evaluation, but they are exaggerating the support for And if she is removed from office, the outwardly dour ument in October called “A bridge to the future” in McCrory now must try to frame the new North and often complicated provisions that impeachment among PMDB deputies,” said Alfonso Temer becomes interim president. The 75-year-old which he criticized the “excesses” in government poli- Carolina law in his favor, while his Democratic McCrory, Cooper, Deal and others try to Florence, from the Workers’ Party, who represents the lawyer has a low profile for someone in such a lynch- cies. But while lower-level supporters liked to refer to general election opponent, North Carolina parse. “We get caught up in arguments of government in the lower house. Echoing Rousseff, pin position at the top of Latin America’s biggest him as “President Temer,” he insisted he had no ambi- Attorney General Roy Cooper, does the same. what’s right and what’s wrong, but this Florence said the opposition was effectively mounting country and economy. If anything, the constitutional tions, except perhaps at the next scheduled elections in The challenge for both men is to placate their becomes an issue where we just have to ask, “a coup.” The impeachment case alleges that Rousseff scholar is perhaps best known to voters for having a 2018. Then over the last few days the party publicly dis- respective party bases - gay-rights supporting ‘Are the economic consequences real or per- illegally borrowed money to boost public spending 32-year-old former beauty contestant as a wife. But cussed governing plans in the event of a Rousseff exit. liberals for Cooper, social conservatives for ceived?’” Lake said. “You can call it economic and mask the severity of the recession from voters dur- now, with his boss sliding toward political oblivion, And on Monday, Temer came out into the open, calling McCrory - while appealing to independents extortion. We can talk about ‘that’s unfair,’ but ing her re-election. The Brazilian bar association filed a Temer appears hungry to take himself and his party on the PMDB to abandon the government and go into who hold sway in the closely divided state. that’s the reality.” —AP new impeachment petition Monday, seeking to out of the shadows. opposition-making good on that threat Tuesday. —AFP expand the accusations to include allegations of THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 INTERNATIONAL US award for French mother courage battling hate

WASHINGTON: After her beloved son, a Merahs,” she declared, after the troubled scale, and Ibn Ziaten admits she has tim, but not the last. Before he was killed saw that he grew up in a vacuum, with- French soldier, was murdered by an petty criminal turned jihadist Mohamed much more work to do, refusing to “sur- by police 11 days later, the gunman out love, affection, that he knew pain, Islamist gunman, Latifa Ibn Ziaten Merah cut down her boy. render to fear.” On Tuesday, the US gov- would kill two more off-duty soldiers, prison, drugs-that’s what made him, formed a group to prevent radicalization But since that day in 2012, extremist ernment named her one of 14 then a rabbi and three young children in made him a monster. and promote dialogue. “No more attacks in Europe have only grown in “International Women of Courage” and an attack on a Jewish school. Latifa Ibn “I forgave him for what he was but invited her to explain her anti-radicaliza- Ziaten did not leave the matter there. not for what he had done.” Ibn Ziaten tion message in American cities. “If we’re She formed an association in memory of found the inspiration for her quest at the afraid, we’ll make no progress, and that’s her son and began to tour prisons and scene of Merah’s last stand, cut down in a what the terrorists want. If we cede to schools to preach inter-faith respect. hail of police bullets after the siege of his fear, it is they who gain ground,” she told “I dissuaded three young men from apartment. Heading into his neighbor- AFP after the ceremony. leaving for Syria,” she said. “I work with hood she asked herself: “Who was he? young women who have converted. I Why so much hate?” She fell upon a The ghettos work with a lot of parents who are hav- group of young people who were speak- France was hit by two bloody jihadist ing difficulty coping.” ing about the slain jihadist as a martyr, as attacks last year, and neighboring In one of her biggest operations, Ibn a hero. Belgium last week, but Ibn Ziaten has Ziaten took more than a dozen young “It was as if they had killed my son a not abandoned her message of dialogue people from a Paris suburb to Israel and second time,” she said. “They were the and compassion. “We need to open up the Palestinian territories as “peace cause of my suffering. But I felt I had to the housing projects, the ghettos. We ambassadors.” In another, she opened a reach out my hand, to help them.” need to promote diversity in schools, center in Paris’ underprivileged immi- Already a recipient of France’s highest equality of opportunity,” she explained. grant suburbs from where many radicals award, the Legion of Honor, the wronged “We need to listen to those young emerged to listen to the concerns of mother said the US award would only people who, when they speak at all, say young people and their families. encourage her in her mission. But, as she ‘the republic has forgotten us’,” she said. begins a tour of US cities with the 13 “That’s where the malaise lies.” On March ‘I forgave’ other activists, lawyers and reformers to 11, Ibn Ziaten’s son Imad had an The goal is to identify early signs of win the award she will encounter some appointment to view a motor scooter violent extremism. “Today, some parents angry American attitudes. that Merah had advertised. say: ‘We didn’t pay attention. We didn’t The US presidential campaign has The young extremist pulled out a notice’,” she warned. “A child left alone, only heightened the angry debate about gun, but Imad, a sergeant in France’s 1st living in his own head, this is what hap- Islam’s role in western society. “You can’t WASHINGTON: French recipient of the 2016 International Women of Parachute Regiment, refused to lie on pens. That’s why I forgave Mohamed mix religion and citizenship,” she insisted. Courage Award, Latifa Ibn Ziaten (left), shakes hands with US Secretary the ground. He was shot dead at point Merah,” she said. “When you’re a citizen, religion should of State John Kerry at the State Department in Washington. —AFP blank range. Imad was Merah’s first vic- “When I looked at his journey and I remain personal.” —AFP Hollande scraps reforms to strip terrorists of nationality Embarrassing U-turn for govt after howls of protests

PARIS: French President Francois the Islamic State group killed 130 have taken... to ensure the security ‘Sad spectacle’ Hollande said yesterday he was people. But after four months of of our country.” The decision to abandon the scrapping contested constitutional fierce debate, the lower house Hollande’s move to drop the constitutional reform comes as a reforms proposed after the Paris National Assembly and opposition- reform comes as authorities in massive blow to Hollande who is attacks, in an embarrassing U-turn dominated Senate failed to agree on Europe face increasing criticism over hoping to run for re-election in for his already beleaguered govern- the text. “A compromise appears out laxism and security failings in the presidential polls next year. ment. The reforms included a plan of reach on the stripping of terror- face of the spread of radical Islam. Hollande was France’s most unpop- to strip convicted terrorists of their ists’ nationality,” Hollande said. “I also Links have emerged between the ular leader in modern history when French nationality which led to note that a section of the opposition IS cell which attacked Paris and the Paris suffered its first terror attack howls of protests from the left flank is hostile to any constitutional revi- suicide bombers who struck of 2015, when gunmen killed 17 of his Socialist party. sion. I deeply regret this attitude,” Brussels last week, killing 32 people. people at the offices of Charlie Hollande also wanted to the president said in a brief televised “The threat remains higher than Hebdo magazine and at a Jewish enshrine in the constitution a state statement. ever,” said Hollande. supermarket in January. of emergency adopted after the “I have decided to close the con- “Islamist terrorism has declared His popularity briefly rose over November 13 Paris attacks, in which stitutional debate (but) I will not war against us, against France, his handling of the attacks, but not suicide bombers and gunmen from deviate from the commitments I Europe, the entire world.” for long, and the constitutional debate as well as fierce opposition BANGUI: Central African Republic’s Prime Minister Faustin Archange from the street to proposed labor Touadera looking on as he takes part in a march for peace in Bangui. —AFP reforms have further eroded his support. The leader of the far-right National Front (FN) Marine Le Pen Touadera: The maths said Hollande’s decision to scrap the constitutional reform was “a his- torical failure”. professor now taking “Francois Hollande fails to have his own words taken seriously. He and his government are the only on C Africa chaos ones responsible for this failure,” Le Pen said. However Hollande’s BANGUI, Central African Republic: The other armed bands active in parts of the Socialist party said the right-wing new president of the Central African country. Aboout one million people in a opposition was responsible for the Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera, population of 4.8 million fled villages and “sad spectacle”. dubbed the “People’s candidate” is a for- urban homes because of the atrocities per- “We apologise to the French mer maths teacher now tasked with restor- petrated by mainly Muslim rebels who people. We were not able to con- ing stability to a dirt-poor country wracked ousted Bozize and the ruthless vengeance vince the right in general ... to rein- by sectarian violence. of Christian vigilantes. force our law in the fight against The 58-year-old, who was sworn in yes- terrorism,” said party leader Jean- terday, was the last prime minister under ‘A vast construction site’ Christophe Cambadelis. Francois Bozize, whose overthrow in 2013 As prime minister, Touadera was suc- “This withdrawal does not call plunged the country into violent chaos. cessful in bringing about talks between into question the fight against ter- Touadera, a former rector of the University the authorities, the political opposition, rorism and the effectiveness of the of Bangui, stood as an independent candi- rebel movements and civil society, which state and its services. But it does date and took almost 20 percent of the led to the signing of several peace agree- not reinforce our legal defence votes in the first round of a contest among ments. However no pacts could prevent PARIS: French President Francois Hollande (2ndR) and Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib- 30 contenders. The second round on renewed violence, which saw about 12,000 Fakim (2ndL) during their meeting yesterday at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris. —AFP against terrorists,” said Cambadelis. —AFP February 14 pitted him against Anicet troops and police deployed in the CAR by Georges Dologuele, a banker and former the United Nations, alongside French sol- prime minister who was seen as the likely diers and an African Union military force victor until Touadera surprisingly won the that was incorporated into the UN mission. Turkish companies struggle vote with a comfortable 62.7 percent. Without questioning Touadera’s integri- In the country’s west with regions that ty, some wonder whether he can deal with had been strongholds of loyalists to unruly armed bands prone to attacking Bozize-a general who took power in a 2003 civilians and illegally exploiting the coun- in Russia amid diplomatic row coup-Touadera was dubbed “the candidate try’s gold production. “Nothing entitles us of the people”, though Bozize’s party had to say today that he has the clout to stand urged people to vote for his rival. up to these soldiers who sowed terror and MOSCOW: Four months after President Vladimir The businessmen requested that their names the name of a Russian friend to try to avoid prob- Observers noted that Bozize’s last prime hatred under Bozize to the point of plung- Putin accused Ankara of a “stab in the back”, Turkish and those of their firms not be published, citing lems. “I used to own 100 percent of my firm. Now I minister (2008-2013) was highly regarded ing the country into crisis. The same men business executives in Russia are getting used to fears that public comments could result in further feel like a thief of my own goods,” he said. The first for ending decades of repeated delays in are surrounding him and making them- saying hasty goodbyes. “Every week another friend pressure from Russian officials. businessman cited in this article said shipments of paying the wages of state employees, selves his personal guard,” Bangui University calls to say he’s leaving,” one Turkish businessman Russia’s Interior Ministry did not respond to a Turkish textiles were sometimes held up for as which plunged many deep into debt. student Euloge Ngate Linzonzo said. based in Moscow told Reuters. “It’s become very dif- Reuters request for comment. The Economy much as 20 days at the Russian border, longer than “He’ll remain known as the one who While Touadera has yet to prove his ficult for Turks to do business here.” Ministry said the problems outlined by Turkish busi- previously. A Turkish diplomatic source said it was paid the civil servants and he is much mettle, many traditional supporters of The row erupted in November when Turkish mil- nessmen did not fall within its remit. too early to say the two sides had found a way to appreciated for that,” a diplomatic source Bozize’s KNK party threw their weight itary jets shot down a Russian warplane near the resolve the dispute. “We hope that a compromise in Bangui said. Dologuele, sometimes behind him and he is renowned for hard Syrian border, and is still weighing on what had FIRST SHOCKWAVE can be found, but we haven’t seen any big shifts so dubbed “Mr Clean” for his firm manage- work. Even while he was prime minister, he been a close economic relationship. Putin has Ikbal Durre, a Moscow-based commentator on far,” the source said. Around 80,000 Turkish citizens ment of the government under President went on taking classes at the university. imposed sanctions on Turkey and trade between Russian-Turkish affairs, expressed hope that the row live in Russia, although not all are involved in busi- Ange-Felix Patasse in 1999-2001, levelled As a pure mathematician, the new the two countries - which back opposing sides in would eventually blow over. “The situation is mov- ness. allegations of “organised fraud” and “intimi- leader faces a complex equation in restor- the five-year Syrian conflict - has dived due to the ing towards stabilisation, just not particularly quick- dation by leaders of armed militias” after ing the wrecked economy of a mostly rural combined effects of the measures and the collapse ly. The first shockwave has passed,” he said. NO CERTAINTY he lost the election. country where the administration has van- in global oil prices. But the cost has been high. Turkish exports to Earlier in March a small group of Turkish busi- A key challenge facing Touadera is tack- ished in entire regions roamed by armed In interviews with Reuters, expatriate members Russia fell to around $108 million in January, nessmen based in Moscow returned home to share ling the militias, undisciplined soldiers and groups. —AFP of the Turkish business community accused Russian according to the Turkish statistics service, down their concerns with economic policymakers there, authorities of creating obstacles for their firms that two-thirds on the previous year. Russian exports to one of the businessmen said. go beyond the measures set out in the official sanc- Turkey, mainly of energy, were 30 percent lower at They explained that if the exodus of their com- tions. This, along with economic crisis in Russia, was $1.3 billion, reflecting weak oil prices. patriots from Russia continues, it will be difficult for Spain closer to new govt why increasing numbers of Turks are heading back The sanctions include a ban on Russian firms Turkish business to regain its former standing in home, they said. importing a range of Turkish foodstuffs as well as Russia. “Investment is a sensitive thing, and at the than fresh elections Before the plane was brought down, about cancelling a visa-free regime and restricting Turkish moment there’s no certainty,” one businessman 1,500 Turkish firms operated in Russia in businesses firms from working in certain Russian business sec- said. The diplomatic spat has also cast a pall over MADRID: Spain’s Socialist party said that in his two-hour talk with ranging from construction and tourism to imports tors including tourism. Turkish firms had stood to Turkey’s tourism sector as Russians cut back on trips yesterday it is closer to forming a gov- Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias both of Turkish fruit, vegetables and textiles. gain from an earlier set of Russian sanctions - restric- there. ernment and averting fresh elections agreed they want to avoid fresh elec- While no numbers are available, one of the tions on Western food imports imposed in retalia- One potential bright spot is that a Turkish firm, following its meeting with the far-left tions but also oust the Popular Party expatriates estimated that around 200 Turkish firms tion for US and European Union sanctions over the Renaissance Construction, won a tender this month Podemos party. The Socialists, who government of acting Prime Minister have since left. Many Turkish executives say they Ukraine crisis. Now Turkish businessmen say that to build a terminal and tunnel at Moscow’s won 90 seats in the 350-seat parlia- Mariano Rajoy. Rajoy’s party won the have experienced difficulties in getting Russian over-zealous Russian officials are subjecting their Sheremetyevo Airport. ment in inconclusive Dec. 20 elections, most seats - 123 - but failed to retain visas, and some have had to rearrange their affairs. goods to additional checks at customs and have However, Renaissance Construction submitted are struggling to win support to form its 2011-2015 parliamentary majority Of the four businessmen interviewed in conducted impromptu searches at their premises. its bid via its Russian subsidiary and the airport a government and end the four-year and cannot find anyone to back its bid Moscow, two said they had registered their compa- Dagir Khasavov, managing partner of Moscow- operator had no choice on the nationality of its stint in power of the conservative to stay in office. nies in the names of Russian relatives or trusted based legal firm Drakonta which has Turkish clients, contractor - the only other bidder was another Popular Party. To date, Podemos has refused to Russian friends to try to avoid additional checks described the attitude of Russian law enforcement Turkish firm, Limak. A Russian employee at a They have already made a deal with back Sanchez unless he breaks with from law enforcement officers. All said it was diffi- agencies towards Turkish citizens since the down- Russian-Turkish business group in Moscow said all the business-friendly Ciudadanos par- Ciudadanos, which it views as being cult to stay as their country was demonised in ing of the plane as “hostile”. joint investment projects had been frozen in line ty, which won 40 seats, but also need too far right. But Sanchez said Iglesias Russian media. The Komsomolskaya Pravda mass- with a Russian government order. “For the moment the backing of Podemos, which con- had dropped that demand. So far, market tabloid ran a report earlier this month head- FEELING LIKE A THIEF there is a lock-down,” he said. “Informal contacts trols 69 seats. Ciudadanos has rejected deals includ- lined “Turkey never was and never will be a friend of One Turkish businessman said he had registered continue, but it looks like projects will be frozen for Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez said ing Podemos. —AP Russia”. his firm, which serves Russia’s metals industry, in this year at least.” —Reuters INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 Mallya makes offer to clear massive debts Businessman to repay 40% of debts by September

NEW DELHI: Flamboyant Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, who is accused of fleeing to London this month owing more than a billion dollars to Indian banks, told India’s top court yesterday that he would repay over 40 percent of his debts by September, one of his lawyers said. Mallya, who has failed to appear for questioning by authori- ties, made the offer to the Supreme Court and gave documents to the Indian lenders, said the ISLAMABAD: Pakistani supporters of convicted murderer Mumtaz Qadri gather dur- lawyer, C.S. Vaidyanathan. ing an anti-government protest in front of the parliament building in Islamabad The Press Trust of India news agency reported yesterday. — AFP that the court gave the banks a week to respond to Mallya’s proposal. If they decline to accept it, Pakistan protesters refuse then he will face prosecution. Mallya has failed to appear for questioning by India’s Enforcement Directorate, which has been investigating his to end Islamabad sit-in massive debt liability since he left for London ear- ISLAMABAD: Islamist protesters gathered the paramilitary Rangers and Frontier lier this month. On March 9, the Supreme Court in the Pakistani capital said yesterday they Corps with reinforcements from the Punjab had sought Mallya’s response within two weeks would not end their days-long sit-in and police. Army troops were already standing to pleas by the State Bank of India and other were “willing to die”, as armed security guard at government buildings. Analyst lenders seeking cancellation of his passport and forces readied to clear the camp. Hasan Askari said authorities were hesitant his presence in the court. The stand-off, which comes as Pakistan to act due to “both indecisiveness and cau- The opposition Congress party has accused NEW DELHI: Indian business tycoon and owner of Kingfisher Airlines Vijay Mallya gets into his mourns more than 70 people killed in a tion”, saying the government “does not Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of car outside the Parliament in New Delhi. Mallya told India’s top court yesterday he would repay Taleban suicide bombing targeting want to offend religious circles due to polit- letting Mallya fly out of India on March 2 while over 40 percent of his debts by September, one of his lawyers said. — AP Christians celebrating Easter Sunday in ical considerations”. he was being pursued by the banks over mas- Lahore, underscores deep religious divi- sive debts amounting to 9 billion rupees ($1.3 and liquor company, an airline, a Formula One to global spirits company Diageo. Diageo’s agree- sions fuelling the Muslim country’s long Qadri’s legacy billion). India’s finance minister, Arun Jaitley, team and an Indian Premier League cricket club. ment last month to pay $75 million in exchange battle with extremism. The protesters-who Hailed as a hero by right-wing religious defended Mallya’s exit, saying the banks had His downfall was triggered by the failure of for resigning as chairman of USL prompted the numbered some 25,000 at their peak-had groups when he murdered Punjab gover- not initiated the legal process to prevent him Kingfisher Airlines, which he launched in 2005. latest legal push by competing creditors, who say gathered Sunday in support of Mumtaz nor Salmaan Taseer, the demonstrators from leaving the country by the time he board- The Indian government in 2012 suspended the they should have the first claim to that money. Qadri, who was hanged in late February have demanded that Qadri be named a ed a flight out of India. license of the airline after it failed to pay pilots Mallya is famous for his flashy lifestyle and lavish five years after he assassinated a liberal “martyr” and called for the execution of Mallya was once hailed as India’s version of and engineers for months. Mallya ceded manage- parties attended by fashion models, Bollywood Punjab governor over his calls to reform Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five convict- Richard Branson for his investments in a brewing ment control of his flagship United Spirits Limited movie stars and cricket players. — AP the country’s blasphemy laws. ed of blasphemy. Pakistan has 17 people They clashed with security forces in on death row for blasphemy including Bibi, Islamabad before setting up camp outside but has not executed anyone yet. The pro- Fight with Taleban kills 15 security troops key government buildings along the capi- testers have also demanded the imposition tal’s main Constitution Avenue. The govern- of Sharia law. The government has so far KANDAHAR, Afghanistan: A late night gunbat- have in recent months stepped up their attacks in deputy police chief. “Around 100 Taleban insur- ment gave the demonstrators an ultima- rejected their demands. tle with the Taleban killed at least 15 members of Uruzgan and neighboring provinces in the south, gents, including foreign fighters, attacked police tum to leave late Tuesday, but it went Qadri’s hanging, hailed as a “key the Afghan security forces in the volatile south- including the Taleban heartland of Helmand where check points,” Qaderi said. “The Taleban were unheeded, prompting authorities to issue a moment” by analysts in Pakistan’s war on ern Uruzgan province, an official said yesterday. much of the world’s illicit opium is produced. The pushed back after reinforcements arrived and right second call saying security forces would religious extremism, has become a flash- The fighting took place late Tuesday during an crop, along with other contraband, funds the insur- now the battle is going on in neighboring Jawzjan begin an operation to clear the area point for the deep divisions in the conser- operation to reopen an important highway in gency, now in its fifteenth year. In Zabul province province.” The Taleban did not immediately com- Wednesday morning. vative Muslim country. His funeral earlier the province, said Mohammad Nabi Niazo, the yesterday, two children were killed in an explosion ment on the Balkh report. That deadline, too, passed. Protesters this month drew tens of thousands in an Dihrawud district police chief. Taliban gunmen behind the police headquarters in Qalat, the provin- were calm yesterday as leaders said they extremist show of force that alarmed mod- had blocked the highway between Dihrawud cial capital, said Asadullah Kakar, a member of the US F-16 crashes were holding talks that stretched into the erate Muslims, while the call to hang Bibi and the provincial capital, Tarin Kot, for almost provincial council. Another civilian was wounded in A US F-16 warplane crashed Tuesday while tak- afternoon with authorities. “We won’t move along with the Easter attack in Lahore has four days, he said. the blast, he said, adding that the target was ing off from Bagram airfield in Afghanistan, an offi- from this place until and unless all 10 underscored a growing sense of insecurity Following the deadly firefight, Afghan forces unclear and the incident is under investigation. cial said. The pilot ejected safely. Pentagon press demands are accepted,” said protest leader for Pakistan’s minorities. have retaken control of the road, Niazo said. Eight No group immediately claimed responsibility for secretary Peter Cook said the fighter from the 455th Ashraf Asif Jalali. Yesterday the death toll from the Lahore members of the security forces were wounded dur- the attack. Roadside bombs, planted by insurgents, Air Expeditionary Wing crashed around 8:30 pm “Our workers are willing to die. If the bombing climbed again to 74. Dozens ing the operation. However, Taleban spokesman are a major threat for both Afghan security forces (1630 GMT). “Coalition forces are securing the crash government takes action they will not run more remain in hospital, seven of them crit- Qari Yousaf Ahmadi told The Associated Press that and civilians across the country. site. The cause of this accident will be investigated,” away but face the bullets. They are not ical, medical staff told AFP. “It’s a sense of the battle for control of the highway is still going In northern Balkh province, fighting yesterday Cook said. The Taleban said their fighters shot down armed with guns but with clubs.” A police great grief, sorrow and fear,” Shamoon Gill, on. The insurgents often exaggerate their battle- killed two police officers and eight militants in the jet, claiming that all on board had been killed. source said more than 7,000 security forces spokesman for the All Pakistan Minorities field prowess. Niazo had no information of any Charhar Bolak district, on the western border of the The insurgent group is well known for exaggerating were poised to clear the sit-in, including Alliance, said. —AFP insurgent casualties during the battle. The Taleban province, said Gen. Abdul Razaq Qaderi, Balkh’s battlefield claims. — Agencies INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 Philippines mulls submarines as China row simmers MANILA: The Philippines may invest in its according to Taipei and Washington. will be a very expensive investment, and it first-ever submarine fleet to help protect its China’s military dwarfs that of the may not address the problem in the most territory in the disputed South China Sea, Philippines, despite Aquino’s efforts to raise reasonable way,” he said. Aquino said the President Benigno Aquino said yesterday. defence spending to record levels and the South China Sea dispute concerns every The impoverished nation, which has never acquisition of new warships and fighter jets. country since it could disrupt trade in ship- before operated submarines and until now This year China’s proposed defense ping lanes through which about a third of relied largely on US surplus ships, has been spending of 954 billion yuan ($147 billion) the world’s oil passes. “The uncertainty ramping up defence spending in response is about 59 times that of the Philippines. breeds instability. Instability does not pro- to China’s military expansion in the region. The Philippines has turned to its longtime mote prosperity,” he said. But while the China claims almost all of the South ally the United States and former wartime Philippines is fortifying its defenses, Aquino- China Sea despite conflicting claims from foe Japan to bolster its military hardware. who will step down in June when his single the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan It has also asked a United Nations- six-year term ends-said that as an impover- and Brunei. Aquino said the Philippines backed arbitration panel to declare China’s ished nation the government would priori- could lose control of its entire west coast sea claims illegal, with a ruling expected tize “butter rather than guns”. should China succeed in enforcing its later this year. China boycotted the arbitra- “We have no illusions of ever trying to claims. “We’ve had to accelerate the mod- tion hearings at The Hague. match, trying to engage anybody in an ernization of our armed forces for self- arms race or in a military build-up,” he said. defence needs,” he told reporters. “We are a ‘Be realistic’ In a separate development a defense natural transit point into the Pacific and we However, buying submarines would not department official confirmed that the are now studying whether or not we do solve the disputes as the Philippines could Philippines had sealed an agreement to need a submarine force,” he said. Beijing not match China’s military might, said Benito acquire two anti-submarine helicopters. has reclaimed more than 2,900 acres (1,174 Lim, a political science professor at the The Anglo-Italian AW159 helicopters will be hectares) from the South China Sea in less Ateneo de Manila University. “Aquino should delivered in a little over a year, said defense than two years in an intensive island-build- be realistic. He needs force to counter force,” MANILA: Filipino boys play on floaters beside their creekside homes in Manila undersecretary Fernando Manalo, adding ing campaign, and has deployed surface- Lim told AFP, adding the Philippines should yesterday. The government continues to clear garbage and shanties along the they would be the nation’s first. He did not to-air missiles on a disputed island there, reopen dialogue with China. “A submarine creeks to avoid flooding in parts of the city. — AP disclose the cost. — AFP Myanmar takes historic step with new president

Suu Kyi aide Kyaw takes over in transition to democracy

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar: Myanmar’s slow transi- tion to democracy took a momentous step yes- terday as a trusted aide to ruling-party leader Aung San Suu Kyi took over as the country’s pres- ident, officially ending more than 50 years of the military’s control over government. In a day full of ceremony and symbolism, Htin Kyaw was sworn in along with his two vice presi- dents and 18 Cabinet ministers. Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate and face of Myanmar’s pro- democracy movement, takes on a prominent role as the country’s new foreign minister and the head of three other ministries - education, BANGKOK: Thai soldiers march while changing positions with fellow soldiers on a energy and the presidential office. “The Union street in Bangkok. — AFP Parliament has elected me as president, which is a historic moment for this country,” Htin Kyaw, 70, Thai junta chief gives military said in a speech after being sworn in. He pledged to work toward national reconciliation, strive for broad new police-like powers peace with warring ethnic rebels and improving the lives of Myanmar’s 54 million people. While it was a historic day for the impover- BANGKOK: Thailand’s junta chief has given wrongdoings are considered crimes. They ished Southeast Asian country, democracy the military broad new police-like powers threaten the country’s economy and socie- remains incomplete. The military retains consid- to arrest and detain criminal suspects, in an ty,” the order says. Deputy Prime Minister erable power in the government and parliament, unannounced move that rights groups criti- Prawit Wongsuwan was quoted by The and the president himself will play second fiddle cized yesterday as a recipe for human rights Bangkok Post as saying that soldiers would to Suu Kyi. She cannot be president because of a New Myanmar President Htin Kyaw (centre left) and outgoing president Thein Sein (centre violations. The decree Prime Minister also act as interrogators and were taking on constitutional manipulation engineered by the right) arrive for the handover ceremony at the presidential palace in Naypyidaw Prayuth Chan-ocha issued late Tuesday the new role because there were not military, and has repeatedly said she will run the yesterday. — AFP night comes amid a wider crackdown on enough police to tackle crime. country from behind the scenes. civil liberties. Authorities the same day Brad Adams, the Asia director of Human he said, and referred to the party’s goal to amend Kyaw’s Cabinet, including Suu Kyi, took a joint “I am very happy that we have a president charged a woman with sedition for posting Rights Watch, called the move “a recipe for the constitution. “I have the obligation to work oath of office read out by the speaker. who represents people,” said Mar Thin, a 50-year- a Facebook photo of herself holding a red abuse, not greater peace and order.” “By toward achieving a constitution that has demo- Suu Kyi’s leadership of four ministries is old street cleaner. She said she used to own 70 plastic bowl that was deemed too politically erasing the line between the military and cratic norms and is suitable for the nation,” Htin unusual, and the lack of public criticism of her acres (28 hectares) of land that she and her sister charged. the police, Prime Minister Prayuth has fur- Kyaw said. “I want to tell the new government, we wide power is likely a sign of her continuing inherited from their father before the military The order, published in Thailand’s Royal ther reinforced his dictatorship and guaran- must constantly try to fulfill the hope and will of broad support. kicked them out and appropriated the land for Gazette under the title “Suppression of teed more blatant human rights abuses, the people of this country. I wish all citizens of this Despite her inability to become president, Suu the defense ministry. wrongdoings that could threaten Thai econ- increased numbers of civilians being tried in country a successful and peaceful life.” The consti- Kyi’s entry into the government is a remarkable “I hope that the new government can solve omy and society,” gives soldiers in the army, military courts, and further impunity for sol- tution, drafted under the former junta, reserves 25 turn of fortune not only for her, but also for the the land confiscation problem and let us own our navy and air force who are ranked sub-lieu- diers to do whatever they want whenever percent of the seats in parliament for military offi- country, which had been under iron-fisted mili- land as farmers. All we want is enough food, and tenant and higher the power to summon, they want,” he said. cers, guaranteeing that no government can tary rule for decades beginning in 1962. The junta to live without fear. I hope that President Htin arrest and detain suspects in a wide range Since toppling an elected government in amend the constitution without the army’s kept Myanmar in isolation and economic stagna- Kyaw will do that for us because Daw Suu prom- of crimes for up to seven days. The soldiers the 2014 coup, Prayuth has restricted free- approval. The military also heads the Home tion while refusing to listen to international coun- ised us a lot of things, and we love her too,” Mar can act against people suspected in 27 dif- dom of speech, barred public protests and Ministry, the Border Affairs Ministry and the sel or homegrown demands for democracy. Thin said, using an affectionate term for Suu Kyi. ferent types of crime, including extortion, relentlessly pursued critics by detaining Defense Ministry, which gives it control over the Suu Kyi came to prominence in 1988, when US President Barack Obama noted the continu- human trafficking, robbery, fraud, forgery, journalists, academics and other perceived corrections department, ensuring that the release popular protests were building up. The junta ing challenges for Myanmar, also known as defamation, debt collection, gambling, dissidents at military bases for so-called of political prisoners is its decision to make. crushed the protests, which had turned into anti- Burma, in a statement in which he called Htin child protection, prostitution, loan sharking “attitude adjustment.” The military also ensured that one of Htin government riots, killing thousands of people Kyaw’s election “a historic milestone in the coun- and tour guide services. It says the soldiers The junta says criticism could destabilize Kyaw’s two vice presidents is a former general, and placing Suu Kyi under house arrest in 1989. try’s transition to a democratically elected, civil- are appointed “crime prevention and sup- the nation, which it says needs unity after Myint Swe, a close ally of former junta leader The junta called elections in 1990, but refused to ian-led government.” pression officers” and anyone ranked below almost a decade of sometimes violent polit- Than Shwe. Myint Swe remains on a U.S. Treasury hand over power when Suu Kyi’s party won over- sub-lieutenant can act as their assistants. ical conflict. Department blacklist that bars American compa- whelmingly. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Challenges Prayuth, the former army chief, invoked On Tuesday, a 57-year-old woman in nies from doing business with several tycoons Prize a year later while under house arrest. The “Burma will face significant challenges going the powers under a law he enacted after northern Thailand was arrested and and senior military figures connected with the junta finally started loosening its grip on power forward, including achieving broad-based eco- leading a May 2014 coup that gives him as charged with sedition for posting a photo former junta. in 2010, allowing elections that were won by a nomic development, advancing national recon- junta chief near-absolute authority without of herself holding a red plastic bowl As Htin Kyaw was sworn in, Suu Kyi sat in the military-allied party after Suu Kyi’s party boy- ciliation, and promoting the rights and freedoms any accountability. The law, known as inscribed with a New Year’s greeting from front row watching. The same pledge was simul- cotted the polls as unfair. Thein Sein, a former of all its people,” Obama said. “The United States Article 44, allows Prayuth to take any meas- two former prime ministers, siblings taneously read by First Vice President Myint Swe general, was installed as president for a five-year looks forward to being a friend and partner of ures deemed necessary to promote public Yingluck and Thaksin Shinawatra, according and Second Vice President Henry Van Tio. After a term that started March 30, 2011, and ended yes- the new government and the people of Burma as order and unity. Rights groups say Article 44 to Human Rights Watch. A military court in 20-minute tea break, the 18 members of Htin terday.— AP they make progress toward building a more is essentially martial law in all but name. Chiang Mai released her on 100,000 baht inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous future.” “There are people whose behavior and ($2,800) bail pending a military trial. —AP Htin Kyaw’s swearing-in was held in an aus- tere hall of parliament, with lawmakers dressed US: China will talk about in traditional costume. A few hours later, outgo- ing President Thein Sein shook hands with his S Korea missile defense successor and handed him a letter and a golden sash, officially transferring power. WASHINGTON: A senior US diplomat said Ministry spokesman Hong Lei would not It was Suu Kyi who led her National League for yesterday he hopes China will accept an directly reply, repeating China did not view Democracy party to a landslide win in November offer for a technical briefing on a new mis- the matter “as simply a technical one”. elections, ushering in Myanmar’s first civilian sile defense system the United States wants “The THAAD system exceeds the normal government after 54 years of direct and indirect to deploy in South Korea, a prospect defensive needs of the Korean peninsula, military rule. Suu Kyi endured decades of house Beijing sees as a threat to its national secu- threatens China’s reasonable national secu- arrest and harassment by military rulers without rity. US Deputy Secretary of State Anthony rity interests and damages regional strate- ever giving up on her nonviolent campaign to Blinken said the Terminal High Altitude gic stability,” Hong told a news briefing in unseat them. Area Defense (THAAD) system was neces- Beijing yesterday. South Korea’s military The constitutional clause that denied her the sary for the United States to protect itself said on Tuesday that North Korea test fired presidency excludes anyone from the position and regional allies from North Korean mis- a short-range missile on its east coast in the who has a foreign spouse or child. Suu Kyi’s two sile attacks. latest of a string of launches that sons are British, as was her late husband. The “We realize China may not believe us Pyongyang has characterized as a response clause is widely seen as having been written by and also proposed to go through the tech- to the sanctions. the military with Suu Kyi in mind. She has repeat- nology and specifications with them ... and US President Barack Obama will meet edly made it clear that she will run the govern- prepared to explain to what the technolo- South Korean President Park Geun-hye and ment from behind the scenes, and in his speech gy does and what it doesn’t do and hope- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on yesterday, Htin Kyaw paid obeisance to Suu Kyi. fully they will take us up on that proposal,” Thursday to discuss North Korea’s nuclear “The new parliament and new government are NAYPDYIDAW: Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi (left) speaks with Vice President Blinken told Washington’s Brookings program, ahead of a bilateral meeting formed in accord with the policies of the National Henry Van Thio as they attend the handover ceremony from outgoing President Thein Sein to Institution. Blinken spoke ahead of a visit between Obama and Xi later that day. League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi,” new Myanmar President Htin Kyaw at the presidential palace in Naypyidaw yesterday. — AFP by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Blinken said THAAD deployment was a nec- Washington for a nuclear security summit essary step until Pyongyang’s behavior that will have concerns about North Korea changed. “None of these steps are directed Ally of disgraced China security chief gets 12 years in jail high on the agenda. against China but we have also been very BEIJING: A former deputy governor of China’s of senior officials in the party, the government, jailed for life last June. Several key Zhou allies The United States and South Korea clear that as long as this persists ... we will southern province of Hainan has been sen- the military and state-owned companies. have been ensnared in the anti-graft cam- agreed to begin talks on possible THAAD have to take steps,” he said. tenced to 12 years in prison for corruption, the Investigators began looking into Ji’s activi- paign, including Jiang Jiemin, the former top deployment last month after North Korea Obama’s deputy national security official Xinhua news agency said yesterday. ties as early as 2014, Xinhua said, adding that regulator of state-owned assets. In another tested its fourth nuclear bomb on Jan. 6 adviser, Ben Rhodes, said China had Ji Wenlin was a one-time ally of Zhou he used his position to seek benefits, including report, Xinhua said the trial of a former senior and launched a long-range rocket on Feb 7. stepped up pressure on North Korea, but Yongkang, the country’s once-powerful investments for several companies, illegally official who had vigorously backed Xi’s anti- China backed tough new sanctions on this had to be shown to change domestic security boss, who was felled by obtaining 20.4 million yuan ($3.2 million) in graft campaign had begun. North Korea following the tests but has Pyongyang’s calculus. “We’ve had good President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption cam- assets and bribes. Wang Min, the one-time Communist Party voiced opposition to THAAD as its radar has support from China, but we clearly believe paign. Xi has warned that rampant corruption Ji’s official biography says he worked under boss of Jinan city, about 300 km (185 miles) a range that would extend far beyond the that there’s more that will continue to threatens the survival of the ruling Communist Zhou when the latter was the party boss of the south of the capital, Beijing, is suspected of Korean peninsula and into China. have to be done, including on enforcing Party and has waged a campaign against graft southwestern Sichuan province and the public procuring property and other favours for com- Asked whether China would accept a US the sanctions we have put into place,” in the past three years that has swept up scores security minister, among other posts. Zhou was panies, and of taking bribes. — Reuters briefing on THAAD, Chinese Foreign Rhodes told reporters. — Reuters NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 From Senegal to Libya: An African student joins IS

Politicians demand checks on aid money from Gulf ZIGUINCHOR: When Sadio Gassama decided to go into lions of dollars a year in charity donations from Gulf medicine, he started by giving free check-ups at his states. In Niger, some religious leaders are calling for a mosque in Senegal’s poor southern region of Casamance. “re-Islamisation” against the secularism imposed by for- Now, the 25-year-old medical student says he is treating mer colonial power France. This is already underway in Islamic State fighters in Libya. Until recently, many the capital, Niamey, where some women wear the full thought the peaceful, tolerant Sufi brotherhoods in veil and pay higher fares to avoid sharing taxis with men. countries such as Senegal could prevent more conserva- Gulf-financed bodies deny links to radical groups and say tive and radical versions of Islam from taking hold in their money is for charity, but local sources say it can go poorer parts of West Africa, like Mali and Niger. astray. “Contributions are intended for the poor and to But security experts say Gassama’s story shows how build mosques but are often diverted in the wrong direc- the penetration of hardline Islamic Salafism, coupled tion,” said Bakary Sambe, director of the Timbuktu with Gulf money and militant propaganda, is aiding Institute and a coordinator for the Observatory on recruitment, even from stable and democratic Senegal. In Religious Radicalism and Conflicts in Africa. particular, in their appeals to Africans, Islamic State pro- This foreign money and the migration of Senegal’s pagandists are calling on doctors to make “hijrah”, or pil- youth to the cities has undermined the country’s Mouride grimage, to their African stronghold of Sirte in Libya. brotherhood, an old-established Islamic Sufi order which Pictures posted on Gassama’s Facebook page before he preaches tolerance. In Gassama’s home town of joined Islamic State show him hugging his young niece. Ziguinchor, the mosque he attended in the HLM neigh- Now, he is brandishing a machine gun, his name stitched borhood is funded by a Kuwaiti NGO called Africa on to his military uniform. Muslims Agency. AMA director Almany Badji said it was Friends and family say Gassama’s decision to join one of more than 100 mosques it has financed in thousands of militants in Libya in December during the Casamance. The mosque Gassama attended at Dakar’s fifth year of his medical studies was sudden and unex- Cheikh Anta Diop University also has Salafist leanings, KAIJADO: A ranger of Kenya Wildflife Service (KWS) shoots a lion after the feline ran away from the Amboseli pected. His shocked father described him as a ‘humanist’ Sambe said. National Park in Kaijado yesterday. — AFP motivated by a desire to help others. A former professor Gassama did not say who helped him join Islamic State called him a “brilliant student, incapable of hurting any- more than a year ago, referring only to ‘guidance’ in one”. But an interview with Gassama showed a darker Senegal. “Through meetings with local scholars it became Islamic State threat raises stakes for US... side. Speaking from Sirte, he said he had been planning clear that jihad was my Muslim duty,” he said. His friends an attack in Dakar. and family said the only change they noticed before he Continued from Page 1 trafficking, “unauthorized possession” or loss of nuclear “Senegal is lucky. I was planning to commit an attack left was to a more Salafist dress code. “His pants were materials have been recorded in an International there in the name of the Islamic State before one of their shorter and did not reach all the way to the floor,” said his “The video footage is of concern,” she said, adding, Atomic Energy Agency database. A US government contacts helped me go to Libya,” he said last month via father, Boucar Gassama, a retired civil servant, surrounded with regard to the Belgian case, that the United States audit late last year found that Obama’s goal of improv- the internet. He could not be reached subsequently. by Gassama’s siblings in the shady courtyard of his house. does not “have any information that a broader plot ing the physical protection of more than 43 sensitive Friends said he took trucks to Libya via Mali and Niger, “But I could not know he had been radicalized.” exists.” buildings and making 34 foreign reactors more “prolifer- accompanied by another Senegalese man and paying his But groups like the Islamic State have long shown ation-resistant” had fallen short. The International Panel way with his student grant. “I left Senegal a year after Calls for reform their interest in obtaining nuclear material. “We’ve seen on Fissile Materials, an independent group of arms-con- embracing the ideology of the Islamic State,” Gassama There is growing concern in West Africa about recruit- over the years that different terrorist organizations have trol experts, estimated that the global stockpile of high- said. “Joining ISIS in Libya was relatively easy and accessi- ment into Islamic State and other militant groups after ambitions related to acquiring nuclear materials,” said ly enriched uranium stood at around 1370 tonnes at the ble. I wanted to contribute to the establishment of a attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. Modou Faye, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes. “We’ve end of 2014. Most was held in Russia. caliphate in Libya.” Asked what he was doing there, he Gassama’s professor, says students need more guidance seen that in their public statements, we’ve seen that in replied: “I am a jihadist doctor.” Islamic State propaganda in reading the Koran, which is often rote-learnt at reli- some cases in their monitoring of nuclear facilities,” he Lame duck? and security sources confirm fighters from countries gious schools similar to one Gassama attended. added. “That’s why the summit process is so important, More than fifty heads of state have been invited to including Chad, Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria are already Mauritania has closed several Quranic schools for security because different countries have different levels of attend the summit, but the absence of leaders from in Libya, where the group is consolidating its presence. reasons, officials said. In Mali, where an Islamist insur- security at their facilities or in terms of how they are Russia, North Korea, Iran and Belarus virtually ensures The number of sub-Saharan Africans is not known but gency is intensifying, some are calling for checks on handling nuclear materials.” gaps in the united front. Rhodes said Russia’s decision they are thought to represent a minority of the 3,000- mosques and NGOs. not to attend at the highest level was a missed opportu- 6,000 Islamic State fighters there, with most from North “We must take stock of the potential risks of collusion Dirty bomb nity for Moscow, which itself faces significant threats of Africa and the Middle East. However, there are concerns between civil society and terrorists, better monitor Obama personally launched the first head of govern- its own. Obama leaves office in less than a year, raising more will travel there along the same desert routes places where radicalization occurs, keep tabs on all sus- ment-level nuclear security summit in Washington in questions about whether the initiative will continue migrants use to reach Europe, as Gassama did. “Libya is pect individuals like radical preachers and trace their 2010, after describing nuclear terrorism as the “most without his personal involvement. “World leaders face a closer and easier to reach for some African fighters than funds,” former Prime Minister Moussa Mara said. But oth- immediate and extreme threat to global security.” stark choice at the final nuclear security summit later Syria, and the political disarray there opens space for ers say labeling peaceful Islamic groups as jihadists is Subsequent meetings in South Korea and the this month: Will they commit to continuous improve- fighters to enter and operate,” said Andrew Lebovich, a risky. Depriving poor communities of services such as Netherlands have focused on securing stockpiles, ment, or will nuclear security efforts stall and potentially visiting fellow with the European Council on Foreign orphanages and free study trips to Saudi Arabia could reducing highly enriched uranium and separated pluto- decline?” said experts at the respected Belfer Center for Relations who focuses on North Africa and the Sahel. provoke a backlash. “A politician who attempts to regu- nium, smuggling detection and cybersecurity. Science and International Affairs at Harvard University. late this risks losing his electorate,” said Moulaye Hassane, Few believe IS could develop an atomic bomb, but “Their answer will shape the chances that terrorist Gulf donations researcher at the Institute of Research and Human many fear it could acquire uranium or plutonium and groups, including the Islamic State, could get their Across Africa’s arid Sahel region, Western diplomats Sciences and Niger’s former ambassador to Saudi Arabia. construct a “dirty bomb.” Such a device would not trig- hands on the materials they need to build a crude note an increase in conservatism, alongside tens of mil- “I think they are afraid.” — Reuters ger a nuclear explosion but would scatter radioactive nuclear bomb.” White House spokesman Josh Earnest material-with potentially devastating physiological, said the administration hopes Obama’s successor will medical and economic effects. Nuclear material can be take up the mantle. “I certainly hope that the incoming found in small quantities at universities, hospitals and president would understand that safeguarding loose Assembly panel to discuss power rates next... other facilities the world over, often not well secured. nuclear materials around the globe is a top national Continued from Page 1 reports to the government by a slim majority of 21 out of 41 Since the mid-1990s, almost 2,800 incidents of illicit security priority of the United States,” he said. — AFP members present. Shaye said the bill is the government viewpoint and the The recommendations attached to the two reports call committee will change the rates to keep consumption of up to refer top officials at KIA to the Public Prosecution for a Kuwait and Korean firms seal $2.9 billion... to 6,000 kilowatts unchanged, adding that the idea of the possible legal action. Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh, who Continued from Page 1 KPC to help the people of Kuwait realize the full poten- bill should be to rationalize consumption and not to collect demanded the two reports be discussed in a closed session, tial of their nation’s oil and gas resources and exploring funds. He said MPs will present a substitute proposal that said he saw no aggression on public funds in the two In another development, BP and Kuwait Petroleum new opportunities globally.” includes major cuts to government proposed rates. Shaye reports. He added the government will study the report, Corporation (KPC) have signed a framework agreement In addition to enhancing oil and gas recovery from expected the committee to complete studying the govern- and if it finds any violation, it will form a neutral probe com- to explore possible joint opportunities for investment Kuwait’s existing resource base, the agreement also ment bill on Sunday and is likely to hold a meeting on next mittee. The probe in KIA offices abroad was launched after and cooperation in future oil, gas, trading and petro- includes the intention to study opportunities for joint Wednesday to approve the government-sponsored eco- accusations of violations and mismanagement. chemicals ventures. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation CEO investment in future oil and gas exploration both inside nomic reforms. The Assembly yesterday refused to approve amend- Nizar Mohammad Al-Adsani signed the agreement with Kuwait and globally. Other elements of the agreement It was not clear if the committee’s planned cuts would ments to the key tender law and instead returned the report visiting BP CEO Bob Dudley. The framework paves the cover possible future oil and gas trading deals including also include apartments. In the Assembly session yesterday, to the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee to review way for both companies to jointly invest and cooperate LNG trading and related ventures. Opportunities for the Assembly debated in a secret session two investigation the law once again to include all required amendments. in oil and gas projects in Kuwait and globally. cooperation and investment in midstream and petro- reports about Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), the first MPs particularly objected to a provision in the law giving the “BP’s commitment to Kuwait dates back to our partici- chemical projects globally will also be considered under about its offices in London and elsewhere and the second right to listed contracting firms to bid in contracts worth pation in the discovery of the giant Burgan oil field in the agreement, including potentially deploying BP’s pro- about an Audit Bureau report on KIA controversial sale of above KD 20 million. They insisted that all companies, the 1930s and we are there today extending the life of prietary paraxylene technology as part of KPC’s petro- real estate abroad. Following the debate, Speaker Marzouk including foreign firms, should be allowed to bid. The com- the field,” Dudley said. “We look forward to working with chemicals projects. — Agencies Al-Ghanem said the Assembly decided to refer the two mittee was given two months to study the amendments. THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 ANALYSIS

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Issues Thein Sein: quiet junta insider who opened Myanmar

By Phyo Hein Kyaw, Kelly Macnamara

hen he became Myanmar’s leader five years ago Thein Sein was dismissed as a junta Wstooge-but as he prepares to hand power to Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, the taciturn ex-general can also claim credit for steering a peaceful political transition that has stunned the world. President Thein Sein, who spent almost half a century climbing the mili- tary’s ranks, will make way on Wednesday for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy and her proxy president Htin Kyaw. They will form the Southeast Asian nation’s first elected civilian government in generations, marking an extraordinary new chapter for a society suffocated for decades by military rule. Bespectacled, balding and unobtrusive, Thein Sein’s quasi-civilian regime presided Debt demon looms again over Africa over sweeping reforms that pushed further than many in the country of 51 million people had dared to dream possible. But the 70-year-old’s record is far from pristine By Antonio Rodriguez New York-based credit rating agency said. external debt rising by 25 percentage points as a proportion in a nation where the military maintains significant “The tide has turned,” it warned, however, predicting that of annual GDP, followed by Niger, up 23 percentage points, political and economic power and grievances run deep. he spectre of high debt is raising its head again in Africa, most of these countries would have to spend more and more and Malawi, up 19 percentage points. There is no short-term Historic elections last year were the first chance in analysts say, as sub-Saharan nations that borrowed over the next three years to service their debt. Many of those risk of a new debt crisis for the great majority of African coun- decades for Myanmar’s long-suffering population to Tcheaply on global markets are now squeezed by a com- sub-Saharan countries will face a difficult choice between cut- tries, the French Treasury said. choose their own rulers-and Suu Kyi’s party won in a modities crash. The return of debt troubles in Africa has ting spending or being obliged to pay higher debt and inter- But “a small number of them have seen a period of very landslide. Yet Myanmar’s people remain cautious. caught some by surprise, they say, 20 years after a global cam- est payments in the future, Standard & Poor’s said. And this sustained debt growth”, it said, warning that they could soon “People hoped for more changes, but they (the army) paign was mounted to offer debt relief to the world’s most time, a large part of the debt is held by private creditors, return close to the levels of external debt that reigned before just changed their uniforms,” said Yi Yi, a 59-year-old impoverished nations. “It is clearly a source of concern. People rather than institutions such as the IMF or World Bank. “The the global debt relief initiative. Seven countries faced the risk legal advocate in Yangon. did not see it coming,” said Julien Marcilly, chief economist at depreciation of local currencies, often related to the recent of elevated debt levels at the end of 2015, the Treasury said: French group Coface, which offers worldwide insurance to commodity price decline, has inflated foreign currency debt Burundi; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; Ghana; Unlikely reformer protect firms from the risk of clients defaulting. An IMF-World for several sub-Saharan African sovereigns,” Standard & Poor’s Mauritania; and Sao Tome and Principe. “We must ensure we Seen as absolutely loyal to junta senior general Than Bank program launched in 1996 has to date approved $76 bil- added. do not fall again into the debt trap,” African Development Shwe, little dramatic change was expected from Thein lion (68 billion euros) in external debt relief for 36 of the Bank president Akinwumi Adesina warned at a conference of Sein when he was named president in March 2011. world’s heavily indebted poor nations, of which 30 are in ‘Debt trap’ business leaders in Abidjan this month. Independent analyst Richard Horsey said he was “a little Africa. For some of those countries, however, debt levels are A study by the French Treasury said the IMF-World Bank Despite a recent rise in debt levels, African countries bit grey” to begin with and many just assumed he was a rising again to worrying levels. Relieved of their debt burdens initiative had slashed the average external public debt of the remain less indebted than many advanced economies. “The yes man for the former strongman. “I think people were by the international program, countries enjoyed the budget- 30 African countries from the equivalent of 119 percent of total public debt of Africa amounted to 38 percent of conti- very surprised when that wasn’t necessarily the case,” he ary freedom to boost economic growth, which was further annual economic output to just 33 percent between 2000 nental GDP in 2014 compared with 111 percent for OECD said. As reformers and hardliners tussled for position in propelled by soaring commodity prices. and 2014. Yet some are now sliding deeper into debt at a “very nations,” said Carlos Lopes, executive secretary of the UN his government, senior figures approached Thein Sein “Over the past few years, sub-Saharan African sovereigns sustained pace”, the Treasury said. Of the 30 African countries Economic Commission for Africa. “Debt levels will deteriorate and urged real change, convincing him “to come off the have enjoyed unusually favorable financing conditions,” that had previously secured international debt relief, 13 have in countries with a weak level of budgetary discipline and fence,” Horsey added. Standard & Poor’s said in a recent report. Many of them issued pushed up their debt levels by the equivalent of 10 percent- those that have borrowed excessively,” Lopes said. He urged Within months Thein Sein broke with the old mili- bonds for the first time to raise money on financial markets as age points of annual gross domestic product (GDP) in the past countries to strengthen debt management capacity and to tary approach, holding his first meeting with Suu Kyi borrowing costs slumped to record lows in mid-2014, the five years, it said. The Republic of Congo led the list, with its report on how they are using their borrowed funds. —AFP and abruptly suspending a multi-billion dollar Chinese- backed dam in northern Kachin state-a rare push back against the influential neighbor. His government freed The race against time that Belgium lost hundreds of political prisoners, lifted stifling censor- ship, and launched a dialogue with multiple armed eth- nic groups who have spent years fighting for greater autonomy. By Alastair Macdonald Abaaoud. Killed in a shootout in Paris days net. The morning after Paris, he went to to Brussels colleagues. Reforms were rewarded with the lifting of most after the attacks there, he emerged as “the ground in Brussels. The revelation has led to criticism - Western sanctions, sparking a flood of foreign invest- hen Brussels police caught Salah spider in the web”, in the words of a strongly denied - that Mechelen’s town ment to the poor nation. The secretive men in green Abdeslam, suspected sole sur- Belgian minister, of an extensive network. New resources, too late hall might prefer to suppress a tip to have never publicly revealed the exact motivation for Wvivor of November’s suicide Yet though Belgian authorities questioned Michel pledged cash and legal reforms avoid irritating local Muslims, a key elec- the dramatic changes. But observers say the junta rec- assault on Paris, they knew they were in a numerous contacts of Abaaoud, notably to beef up a security system that officials toral constituency. In their four-month ognized the country’s beleaguered position compared race against time to stop a new Islamic from his old Molenbeek neighborhood, accepted was understaffed. An intelligence search for Abdeslam, police pulled in to its neighbors, its over-reliance on China and the mili- State attack. It was the afternoon of Friday, the trail went cold. Among those interro- service of about 700 staff for a country of dozens of people, holding 10 by last tary’s precipitous fall in the estimations of Myanmar’s March 18, and one of Prime Minister gated and released were Salah Abdeslam 11 million struggled to cope, as did a month. Dozens of homes were raided to people after several mass uprisings. Charles Michel’s cabinet ministers tweeted and his brother Brahim. In the first half of police force that is about 20 percent below no avail. Police reject suggestions it was “We got him!” after Europe’s most wanted 2015, Belgian courts convicted dozens of full strength. Police and security services chance that led them to a house in the Old habits man was seized at a house in the capital’s radical preachers and their followers for have also struggled with a lack of commu- Brussels borough of Forest on March 15. A son of farmers, born in a small village in the south- Molenbeek neighborhood. But Michel was recruiting for Syria. But new cells were nication and coordination across a multi- Four officers were wounded in a shootout ern Irrawaddy Delta, Thein Sein attended a prestigious worried, according to a government official forming elsewhere. Last summer, the plicity of departments that cross Belgium’s before one gunman was killed. The apart- military academy and eventually climbed to the top who was present at the time. The premier Abdeslams, petty drug dealers who ran a Dutch-French language divide. ment, rented under a false name by echelons of the junta. Thein Sein never fully stepped raced to his crisis command centre from a Molenbeek bar, put together what Salah Two of Tuesday’s suicide bombers - Khalid El Bakraoui, the Brussels metro outside the military that moulded him. He emerged as a European summit nearby. Security forces has since told interrogators was a logistical Najim Laachraoui and Khalid El Bakraoui - bomber, yielded a fingerprint belonging crucial force behind Myanmar’s roadmap for “disciplined had orders to increase vigilance but lacked plan to prepare for the attacks on Paris. were on counter-terrorism watchlists. The to Salah Abdeslam. Police homed in on a democracy” and a constitution that gifts the army a intelligence to justify a citywide lockdown Salah drove across Europe more than once former was a suspected bombmaker for cellphone he was using, leading to his quarter of parliament’s seats and control over three key such as Michel imposed after the Paris and appears to have transported quanti- the Paris attacks; the latter rented a safe capture three days later. security ministries. The charter also blocks Suu Kyi from attacks. “Our first thought was that ... this ties of guns, explosives and people. It was house for the Paris cell and the flat where the presidency because her sons are British. There have will set off a ferocious response,” the aide with shock, after 130 people died on a police picked up Abdeslam’s trail. Three days of fear been other pointers that Thein Sein’s administration was told Reuters, speaking on condition that he Friday evening in the French capital and Bakraoui’s brother Brahim, was a convict- Over the three and half days following unwilling to abandon the repressive, acquisitive not be named. Those fears were well found- trails led back to Brussels, that Michel’s ed armed robber in breach of his parole that arrest, the government considered instincts of the junta years. Scores of protesters have ed. The suicide bombings of Brussels air- government realized it had an urgent who was expelled last July from Turkey. locking down Brussels but decided against been arrested under his watch, while those in power port and a metro train that killed 28 problem. He locked down transport and Ankara warned Belgium he had been it because they had no clear clues that an have been accused of overseeing a rise in Buddhist bystanders laid bare the inability of the public spaces for days as he was near “100 caught trying to reach Syria. In December, attack was in the offing, the government nationalism. Belgian authorities to counter Islamic State percent certain” of a threat. At the centre of police in the town of Mechelen had a tip official said. When the bombers struck at Many close to the military have been the first in line militants, no matter how high the level of those fears was Salah Abdeslam, whose about a family sheltering Abdeslam. The the morning rush hour on Tuesday, the to rake in benefits from reforms. In its last days in power alert. Missed connections, leads not fol- brother had blown himself up at a Paris tip included the address where he was authorities tried to moved fast. A taxi driv- the outgoing government has been accused of rushing lowed and suspects let slip have exposed cafe. Abdeslam had slipped back across eventually apprehended. But officials er who took the bombers to the airport led through opaque business deals. His legacy may be deficiencies in security services. They have the Belgian border ahead of a French drag- acknowledge the tip was never passed on police to the apartment where he had imperfect, but Thein Sein will be remembered for a cen- also shown how Europe’s Syrian-trained picked them up. That produced a evidence tral role in the country’s gradual emergence from its Islamist cells can react with deadly speed to including chemicals and another bomb. dark dictatorial past. The onus is now on Suu Kyi and her events such as Abdeslam’s arrest. “It was a One report said the bombers left it behind government, which has inherited big issues-including race against time,” said Vincent Gilles, head after a confused taxi dispatcher sent a civil wars, religious tensions and eviscerated public of Belgium’s main police trade union SLFP. smaller cab than they ordered. It also pro- services-as well as soaring expectations of change. “It’s But with the intelligence service under- duced a witness who, investigators say, has not just impatience among the people, I think the coun- staffed - by some estimates by about half since identified a third man seen on airport try needs results pretty fast otherwise things could the level for other rich European states - it cameras with the two bombers. unravel,” Khin Zaw Win, a political analyst said. —AFP was a race the authorities could not win. Police have been rolling up contacts and acquaintances of those identified, Year on alert including another suspected plotter in Belgium is, for its size, the biggest Paris. Michel’s government is also cracking All articles appearing on these European supplier of foreign fighters in down on fake documents which seem to pages are the personal opinion of Syria. Islamic State has appealed to an have allowed the likes of Laachraoui and alienated generation descended from Abaaoud, to slip across Europe from Syria. the writers. Kuwait Times takes no mostly Moroccan immigrants of the 1960s. The government has sought new legal responsibility for views expressed Belgian authorities stepped up their powers over, and in cooperation with, therein. Kuwait Times invites read- searches for activists after January 2015. Internet and telecoms firms to track sus- ers to voice their opinions. Please That month, days after the bloodshed at pects. But officials caution that it could Paris magazine Charlie Hebdo, Belgian take years to fill the gaps in the security send submissions via email to: opin- police foiled a plot in the town of Verviers structures of a country that is host to the [email protected] or via snail that revealed an Islamic State campaign to European Union and NATO. So it was with mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. send some of the 300 or more young a note of resignation that Belgium’s leaders Belgians who have fought in Syria back to reacted to the worst bloodshed in their The editor reserves the right to edit Europe to strike on their native soil. In country since World War Two: Michel any submission as necessary. Verviers, police killed two men who Picture shows a makeshift memorial for the victims of last week’s suicide bombing. declared simply: “What we feared, has hap- returned from Syria with Abdelhamid A total of 32 people were killed in Belgium’s worst-ever attacks. —AFP pened.” —Reuters THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 SPORTS

Gary Neville sacked Australia’s Starc back Goetze fuming over as Valencia coach for upcoming series pundit’s criticism SYDNEY: Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was included VALENCIA: Gary Neville has been sacked as coach of Valencia after just over BERLIN: Despite his goal-scoring performance in Germany’s thumping win four months in charge, the struggling Spanish club confirmed yesterday. yesterday in Australia’s one-day international tri-series squad to face the West Indies and South Africa in the over Italy, Mario Goetze was left fuming by stinging criticism over his fitness “Valencia Football Club have today parted company with Gary Neville as Head and form from an ex-international on live television. The 23-year-old Goetze Caribbean in June, while bit-hitting Travis Head also earned Coach,” Valencia said in a statement published in English on their website. “After scored Germany’s second goal against Italy in Munich on Tuesday to brush a call-up. careful consideration, the Club have decided to make a change with the best off a frustrating injury-riddled season on the bench at Bayern Munich, where Starc, 26, has been out of action since fracturing his foot interests of the Valencia CF moving forward this season. We thank Gary for his he has only made four league starts under Pep Guardiola this season. work at Valencia and wish him the best in the future.” in last November’s historic day-night Test in Adelaide His goal in Munich capped an impressive all-round display in the 4-1 win Pako Ayestaran, previously an assistant coach at the Mestalla, has been against New Zealand and undergoing ankle surgery. But he as die Mannschaft bounced back from throwing away a two-goal appointed as Neville’s replacement until the end of the season, has now regained fitness and leads an impressive pace lead in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to England. But Goetze was left Valencia added. “I would like to thank Valencia Football Club, the attack which also features Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter- fuming when German TV pundit Mehmet Scholl said Goetze fans, staff and the players,” Neville said in a statement. “I would have Nile and John Hastings. needs “a helping hand to nudge him along” and “must work liked to have continued the work I started but understand that we “Mitchell has progressed very well in his rehab and the much, much harder” on his fitness after five months out with a are in a results business and in the 28 games (W10, D7, L11) they medical staff are confident he will be fit to play in this groin strain. “He said that? How did he come to that conclu- have not been to my standards or to those which are required by this series,” chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said. “It is extreme- sion? Does he come to (Bayern’s) training? Or did he just say club.” Neville, who had been combining the job with his role as ly pleasing to have a bowler of his calibre back in the side.” that?” fumed Goetze. “If he sees it that way, I will take it to heart. part of the England coaching team, leaves with Valencia lan- Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon, overlooked for the World T20, I believe that I train enough.” Scholl’s comments that Goetze guishing in 14th place in La Liga, six points clear of the rele- has been given another chance to shine in the limited- needs a ‘helping hand’ is a thinly-veiled reference to reports gation zone with eight games remaining.—AFP overs format after being included alongside leg-spinner that Liverpool are set to swoop to reunite the disgrun- Adam Zampa.— AFP tled — AFP

Alsalam crowned local handicapped champions

By Abdellatif Sharaa Mousa Al-Ajmi was second and Faisal Al-Kandari President Al-Sheikha Sheikha Al-Abdallah Al- third. Meanwhile the junior category for the same Sabah lauded the high technical level of the sec- KUWAIT: Alsalam mentally challenged basketball weapon category saw Suleiman Al-Tamimi ond championship, and the fantastic skills of ath- team was crowned champions after beating Al- crowned champion while Sanad Al-Beloushi and letes in the three competitions. She said that Ittihad 23-13 in the final match Tuesday evening Abdallh Al-Duraie came in second and third these tournaments have a role in improving the during the second local handicapped champi- respectively. The bocce games saw Mohammad players’ levels in all departments. She called upon onship. Al-Taawon finished in third place after Al-Mutairi crowned champion in the BC1 catego- fans to go to the club and encourage athletes in defeating Shuhada 23-19. ry, defeating Shareefa Muhareb while Fahad Al- the upcoming tournaments. Abdallah Al-Haddan won first place in the Babtain ended in third place while the BC2 cate- Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of KHSC epee fencing competition, followed by Faisal Al- gory was won by Emad Al-Najdi with Shireen Al- Shafi Al-Hajiri said the tournament is the best Kandary in second and Atel Al-Dousaryy in third. Shaheen second and Hani Hussein third. Ayesha way to prepare athletes for foreign champi- Meanwhile in the junior category, Fahad Al- Al-Hashash won the BC3 category followed by onships the club plans to attend. Al-Hajiri appre- Bastaki came first, defeating Suleiman Al-Tamimi Athari Al-Muthairi. In the NC4 Amani Isamil was ciated the role of Information Minister, State and Sanad Al-Bouloushi. first, Mashael Al-Ajmi second and Tahani Ismail Minister for Youth Affairs Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Haddad continued his winning streak by third. Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and PSA Director Genreal taking first place in the flores fencing while Kuwait Handicapped Sports Club Honorary Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour for their support. THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 SPORTS

Kuwait trap team wins gold at Arab Shooting Championship

By Abdellatif Sharaa Cairo. Egypt’s minister of youth and the African and Egypt Shooting ing in the championship that will con- Khalaf Al-Otaibi, as well as the signifi- sports Eng Khalid Abdelaziz opened Federations Maj General Hazimi Hosni tinue until April 4th. He wished them cant development it made across the KUWAIT: Kuwait’s double trap team the championship earlier in the week. and other guests attended the ceremo- great success and a pleasant stay in Arab world. He also lauded the sup- won the gold medal, while Hamad Al- President of the Arab and Kuwait ny, along with shooters and ambassa- Egypt. porting role of Kuwait in Arab shooting. Afasi won the individual double trap Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Khalaf dors of the participating countries. Maj Meanwhile, Egypt’s Minister of He also thanked the Arab Shooting competition during the 12th Arab Al-Otaibi, President of Egypt Olympic Gen Hazim Hosni said 422 shooters Youth and Sports lauded the Arab Federation and Egypt’s Federation for Shooting Championship being held in Committee Hisham Hatab, President of from 17 Arab countries are participat- shooting and its President Eng Duaij, Organizing the championship in Egypt.

Top-ranked Djokovic struggles to reach Miami open quarters

MIAMI: World number one Novak great out there.” Djokovic was struggling to play his best, Up next for Nishikori, who won his but held firm when pressed to the brink fourth consecutive Memphis crown last Tuesday and battled into the ATP and month, is French 16th seed Gael Monfils, WTA Miami Open quarter-finals. The two- who rallied past Bulgarian 26th seed time defending champion outdueled Grigor Dimitrov 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3. “He is Austrian 14th seed Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6- playing really well,” Nishikori said. “He is a 4, stretching his Miami win streak to 13 fun player to play against and we will matches to book a last-eight date have a good match.” Nishikori won their Wednesday against Czech seventh seed only prior meeting in 2014 on Halle Tomas Berdych. grass. “Straight set win but far from easy. It “Kei is a good player, very consistent, was a tough match,” Djokovic said. “I and he has a win over me,” Monfils said. kept my serves. But I made a lot of dou- “It will be a great match.” Only one of the ble faults and he had me under a lot of world’s top 12 women, second-ranked pressure.” Djokovic, a five-time Miami Angelique Kerber, is still playing after winner overall, rescued 13 of 14 break Romanian fifth seed Simona Halep was points, four of them in the last game of ousted 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 by 19th-ranked Swiss the first set and four more in a dramatic Timea Bacsinszky. 14-minute final game before hitting a “To beat someone who fights as hard forehand winner on his fourth match- as she does, it’s something amazing,” point opportunity. Bacsinszky said. “I’m happy with it.” The “I had some luck in that last game 2015 French Open semi-finalist will play where he missed a couple of easy fore- for a berth in the final against Russian hands to get the break back and get into 15th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 30- the match,” Djokovic said. “I stayed tough year-old two-time Grand Slam winner when it was most needed. The important who ousted top-ranked defending moments I tried to make him play, make champion Serena Williams in the third him run.” Djokovic won his 11th Grand round. Kuznetsova, the 2006 Miami Slam title two months ago at the champion, beat Russian 30th seed Australian Open and has also lifted Doha Ekaterina Makarova 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-3. and Indian Wells trophies this year while “Just kept fighting,” Kuznetsova said. “I Thiem captured titles last month at was feeling low in energy but I tried to MONTREAL: Goaltender Mike Condon #39 of the Montreal Canadiens makes a pad save while teammate Nathan Beaulieu #28 defends against Acapulco and Buenos Aires. hang in there.” Kyle Quincey #27 of the Detroit Red Wings during the NHL game at the Bell Centre. — AFP The 28-year-old Serbian made eight double faults and 29 unforced errors Kyrgios to face Raonic against only two aces and eight winners. Australian 24th seed Nick Kyrgios, the Red Wings on the bubble to “The second serve was not working that youngest top-30 ATP player at age 20, well. That was due to the pressure he was reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 imposing. I just didn’t have the rhythm,” (7/3), 6-3 victory over Russia’s 51st- Djokovic said. “Generally I don’t get to ranked Andrey Kuznetsov. The Aussie extend postseason streak face that many break points. I’ll try not to never trailed in the tie-breaker and took get myself in those positions as much.” the only break of the second set when DETROIT: Riley Sheahan was not born the last the franchise. Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom, 19-year-old rookie Dylan Larkin, the team’s only Kuznetsov double faulted away the time the Detroit Red Wings failed to make the one of the top defenseman in league history, All-Star this season. Growing up in Michigan, he ‘Felt great’ fourth game. playoffs in 1990. In fact, the 24-year-old forward started his 20-season run with the team a season has no idea what it’s like to see the Red Wings Berdych outlasted French 10th seed Kyrgios, off to a career-best 13-3 start is one of nine players on the Red Wings’ roster later. Four years after retirement, he can reflect end their year when the regular season ends. Richard Gasquet 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, but has that includes his first ATP title last month that wasn’t alive back then. Sheahan, and his on the streak much more than he did as a player. “I think everyone is aware of the streak and won only two of 24 meetings with at Marseille, next plays Canadian 12th teammates, young and old, desperately hope to “When you look at other teams over that everyone in the league knows about it, so Djokovic, having lost their past nine seed Milos Raonic, who ripped Bosnian fare well enough in the final five games of the span, a lot of them have been going through there’s no hiding from it,” Larkin said. “But it’s regular season to avoid the dubious distinction rebuilding processes and have a chance to start not going to help us right now. We’ve got to matches since a 2013 Rome quarter-final Damir Dzumhur 6-0, 6-3. Raonic owns a of being a part of a streak-busting team. over so to speak,” Lidstrom wrote in an e-mail earn it. It would be nice to be part of the victory. They are the only top-10 men still 2-1 rivalry edge but this will be their first “We’ve talked a few times about not wanting earlier this week. “But the Wings have been able streak. In my first year, I’ve realized how tough playing except for Japanese sixth seed match outside the Grand Slams. He won to be on that roster that doesn’t make the play- to find new talent and still make the playoffs it is to earn a spot and it’s going to be a dog Kei Nishikori, who downed Spanish 17th in 2014 at the French Open and offs,” Sheahan said. Detroit took a step back in its every year.” One of those new talents has been fight until the end.” — AP seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-4. “I Wimbledon but lost to Kyrgios last year quest to extend the franchise’s postseason played really well,” Nishikori said. “I felt at Wimbledon. —AFP streak to 25 on Tuesday night, losing a third-peri- od lead in a 4-3 setback at Montreal. The Red Wings are a point behind the Boston Korean slugger Byung Ho Bruins for the third and final guaranteed spot from the Atlantic Division. Detroit is tied with settles into a majors life Philadelphia for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, but the Flyers have two FORT MYERS: Byung Ho Park sat at his locker in his final two years, including a career-best more game to earn up to four more points. The in the Minnesota Twins’ spring training club- 53 with a league-record 146 RBI’s in 2015. He Red Wings’ run is the tied for the fourth longest house, sipping a cup of iced coffee, oiling a also posted personal highs in games (140), at in NHL history, one shy of St Louis’ streak from first baseman’s glove and interacting with bats (528), runs (129), hits (181), doubles (35), 1980 to 2004. It is longer than the combined teammates. He’s relaxed. There’s no hint of batting average (.343) and slugging percent- active streaks Pittsburgh (nine), Chicago (seven) anxiety, which would be natural considering age (.714). Minnesota, hoping to add some and the New York Rangers (five) had entering the challenge he faces. power to the middle of the lineup, envisions the season. Instead, the Korean slugger is excited about Park as a DH and backup first baseman behind The San Antonio Spurs have clinched a spot making the transition from his native home- Joe Mauer. The Twins paid Nexen $12.83 mil- in a 19th straight postseason, the longest active land to the major leagues. His goal is to make lion for negotiating rights and signed the slug- streak in the NBA. New England and Green Bay noise with his bat while quietly going about ger to a four-year, $12 million contract in have the best active playoff streaks in the NFL at his business off the field and getting acclimat- December. “He’s fit in really well. He’s had a seven years each. In baseball, the St. Louis ed to life more than 7,500 miles from Seoul. He good camp,” Molitor said. “We’re seeing a guy Cardinals have been in the postseason the previ- likes the warm Florida weather that greeted who’s been around. He’s played a lot of base- ous five years for the longest current run. him at his first big league camp this spring. He ball, and the confidence he had as a Korean Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma, who is from hasn’t given much thought to how cold it can player, we’ve seen it begin to transfer over Michigan, has watched the Red Wings’ run close- get in Minnesota in the middle of winter, here. Every day is kind of a learning experience ly. He was playing hockey for Bowling Green as it though that reality is coming. for him right now.” began and he coached Pittsburgh against the The Twins hired a full-time translator to Red Wings in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals when help the two-time Korean Baseball On and off the field they was a win away from winning it all for a fifth Organization MVP deal with a language barrier Park’s wife, Ji Yoon Yi, and son, Seung Ri time during the streak. that Park is diligently working to overcome. Park, will move to the U.S. after the regular The 29-year-old’s English is far from perfect - season begins. But outside of acknowledging On the verge but he is making strides communicating with those plans, the slugger - a national hero and “It seems like they’ve been a contending teammates, coaches and manager Paul Molitor instantly recognizable back home in South team my whole life,” Bylsma said Monday night. and felt comfortable enough to conduct his Korea - is reluctant to talk much about what he “It’s hard to wrap my head around it to provide first interview in English without translator JD likes to do when he leaves the ball park. “My context, knowing the second-longest streak in Kim. Hand gestures had to be used at times to family will come to Minnesota,” Park began the league is going on 10 years.” Red Wings gen- communicate with Park, who sometimes had before politely cutting the answer short. “I eral manager Ken Holland, who has led the front to be paraphrased but was able to express want privacy. Understand? ... Sorry.” office since 1997 and been a part of the organi- himself well with short responses. Park is joining the majors a year after for- zation for 33 seasons, said the storied franchise “I’m very excited,” Park told The Associated mer Nexen teammate Jung Ho Kang made his has maintained the streak even after it had to Press, a smile spreading across his face. big league debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates, retool during the salary cap because of one key “Everybody’s nice. Teammates, coaches make hitting .287 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs. While reason. “We’ve had a lot of great players,” time to help me.” The infielder/designated hit- the two of them remain close, Park said he Holland said. ter is not a typical rookie. Park turns 30 on July hasn’t relied on Kang - still recovering from a Steve Yzerman was arguably in the prime of 10 and comes to the majors after spending knee injury suffered while turning a double his Hall of Fame career when the streak started nine seasons in the KBO, most of the past five play against the Chicago Cubs last September MIAMI: Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, returns to Dominic Thiem during their match at in 1991, and future Hall of Famer Sergei Fedorov with the Nexen Heroes. He hit 105 home runs - to be a mentor.—AP the Miami Open tennis tournament. — AP was a rookie, beginning his 13-season run with THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 SPORTS

Clash of titans: Kohli vs Gayle in T20 semis

MUMBAI: Chris Gayle is determined to grab the World The hard yards Twenty20 limelight back from in-form Virat Kohli when the The former Indian allrounder meanwhile said that Kohli West Indies and India clash in a mouthwatering semi-final was on his way to proving himself as one of the greats of in Mumbai today. The destructive opener smashed an the game after a lull in form. “You have to give him the unbeaten century, which included 11 sixes, in the West credit for really believing that he can be right up there with Indies’ opening win against England but has only batted the best and for putting in the hard yards because let me once since, making just four. tell you know one trains harder than Virat,” said Shastri. Kohli has been the star of the tournament so far, expert- “Credit must be given to him for putting in that much of ly guiding India through the group stages with a half-cen- hard work and believing in his own ability.” tury against Pakistan and 82 not out in a crunch win over India are looking to take another step on their quest to Australia. With the flat wicket at Mumbai’s Wankhede become the first team to win the World T20 twice, after Stadium a dream for batsmen, the last-four showdown their triumph in the inaugural 2007 edition, and the first on between the hosts and 2012 champions is set to be a bat- home soil. They are also bidding to give inspirational 34- tle of the big-hitters. year-old captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni-who is thought to “I am looking to show what Chris Gayle is,” Gayle warned be close to announcing his retirement-the chance to out on a high. ominously on Tuesday. “I have only batted twice but this India were stunned by New Zealand in their first match (semi-final) is a perfect opportunity to actually start the but picked up three straight wins to qualify second from tournament and try and pick up where I left off, get a big Group Two. By contrast, the Windies won their opening one for the team and put them in a winning position,” he three games to top Group One before being shocked by added. The 36-year-old described Kohli, who is the top minnows Afghanistan. Gayle believes India have the run-scorer left in the tournament with 184, as a “world momentum but warned that “anything was possible”. beater” but insisted neither he nor the West Indies were “India are the favorites. It is always going to be diffi- concerned about individual players. cult to beat them here. But the West Indies are ready for “Chris Gayle will always be positive. It does not matter an upset,” he said. The Windies preparations were dealt which bowler is bowling against Chris Gayle,” he said. a blow with the announcement that Andre Fletcher, “Chris Gayle would attack. That’s the nature of T20 cricket. whose unbeaten 84 fired his team to victory over Sri And that’s the nature of Chris Gayle. “No names, just cricket Lanka, had been ruled out the rest of the tournament ball, beat it as hard as possible,” Gayle added. India’s coach with a hamstring injury. Fletcher has been replaced by Ravi Shastri said his bowlers were aware of the danger Lendl Simmons, who gets a second chance to take part posed by Gayle but were determined to tame him. “Bring it having been originally named in the squad but having MUMBAI: West Indies’ cricketer Chris Gayle bats during MUMBAI: India’s Virat Kohli plays a shot during a train- on. All our bowlers will target him,” said Shastri in his eve- to withdraw on the eve of the tournament with a bad a practice session ahead of their ICC Twenty20 2016 ing session at The Wankhede Cricket Stadium. —AP of-match press conference. back. — AFP Cricket World Cup semi-final match against India. —AP Captain Afridi Women seek issues video World T20 boost apology for in equality battle NEW DELHI: From poor pay to lack of training grounds and media coverage, and even sexual harassment, women crick- T20 failures eters have long faced inequality in a multi-billion dollar sport dominated by men. Australia beat England in the Women’s ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-fire captain Shahid Afridi World Twenty20 semi-finals in Delhi yesterday, and New yesterday issued a video message to supporters apologiz- Zealand play the West Indies in Mumbai today. ing for his team’s early exit from the World Twenty20, but With both semi-finals and Sunday’s final in Kolkata immedi- remained silent on his future following calls for him to ately preceding the men’s equivalents at the same grounds, retire. players are hoping that success in the tournament-and in Afridi, nicknamed “Boom Boom” for his fierce hitting, front of a global TV audience-can inch them further towards has suffered a drop in form over the past two years and he parity. was unable to steer Pakistan through the group stages of “We are hoping to win and hoping that will kick start more the tournament in India. The 36-year-old has been expect- interest in the women’s team. So watch this space,” said New ed to make an announcement on his future this week, but Zealand captain Suzie Bates who has racked up 171 runs at instead he took to Facebook and Twitter to issue a one- the tournament in cricket-mad India. “It’s about changing peo- minute apology to the cricket-mad country. ple’s attitudes and getting the message across,” the veteran of Pointing to the star on his Pakistan jersey, he said: “For World T20s said of the struggles facing the women. this star, and these colors, when I come to a ground, I carry MOHALI: This file photograph taken on March 27, 2016, shows India’s Yuvraj Singh as he grimaces in pain during Cricketers say the sport has come a long way since the the weight of my people’s hopes with me. “Today, I, Shahid the World T20 cricket tournament match between India and Australia at The Punjab Cricket Stadium Association 1970s when women started playing professionally, and they Afridi, apologize to the whole nation for not being able to Stadium.— AFP have fought hard to have access to decent grounds on which fulfill the hopes of myself and my team.” The 2009 champi- to practise, funds for equipment and qualified coaches. The ons have been widely criticized by fans for a lackluster per- International Cricket Council’s 2005 order for men’s and formance at the World T20 with just one victory, against Injured Yuvraj replaced women’s national governing bodies to merge was hailed by underperforming Bangladesh, and big losses to India, New many in the sport as a chance for the women to flourish. Zealand and Australia. But in India they were left to languish, with the all-power- Like Afridi, head coach Waqar Younis is also under with batsman Pandey ful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reluctant to pro- intense scrutiny and he offered to resign while offering his mote or develop their game or organize frequent internation- own apology at a press conference on Tuesday. Afridi’s MUMBAI: World Twenty20 hosts India will be missing game, when he was taking off and did his ankle a bit and I al tours, according to Indian sports journalist Neeru Bhatia. “It video met with a mostly positive response by fans posting Yuvraj Singh for the rest of the tournament after the all- believe it is a minor tear. We will miss him.” was really pathetic at one point,” Bhatia, The Week magazine’s on his Facebook page. rounder was ruled out with an ankle injury and replaced by Pandey, 26, will fancy his chances of playing when India correspondent, said, adding the BCCI started making amends, “Great cricketer Boom boom Afridi ..I am Indian ..but I middle order batsman Manish Pandey yesterday. Yuvraj, take on 2012 champions West Indies in the second semi- including introducing contracts, after a recent change in lead- like Afridi as sportsman..come on guys support them be who played a crucial role in India’s triumph in the inaugural final at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, although ership. In New Zealand and neighboring Australia, Bates said with your team,” said user Narayan Kawade. Afridi has been edition of the tournament in 2007, twisted his ankle while Ajinkya Rahane will also stake his claim for a place in the she has noticed a shift in attitudes in recent years towards a fan favorite since he burst on the scene in 1996, striking a batting during Sunday’s six-wicket victory over Australia starting side. Pandey, the first batsman from his country to “what the men get the women get too”. 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in only his second match that secured India’s place in the last four. “It will have an smash a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to set a world record that was unbeaten for 17 years. He impact, because he has had his moments,” India team Twenty20 competition, has played only four one-day inter- Sexual harassment became known as a bowling all-rounder in the second half director Ravi Shastri said of Yuvraj, who also won the player nationals and a couple of T20 internationals. “We have not For the first time at this tournament, for example, the White of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan’s early suc- of the tournament award in the team’s 2011 50-overs decided yet, Manish has just joined the party yesterday,” Ferns have single rooms, rather than sharing with teammates cesses in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory. — AFP World Cup success at home. “I thought his three overs were Shastri said, adding that they will also have to consider to save costs. But their request for business-class seats was brilliant in the last game, that put the check and brakes on Yuvraj’s bowling duties. “We will take a look at everything in refused for their 17-hour flight from New Zealand to Dubai, a the scoring and allowed us to come back into the contest. the nets and then see what will be out best options for luxury given to the men. In Sri Lanka, the team are trying to “Unfortunately, it is an injury that happened during the tomorrow.” —Reuters put a sexual harassment scandal behind them that skipper Shashikala Siriwardena conceded had damaged their interna- tional image. Sri Lankan cricket sacked three officials last year following Lanning leads Aussies allegations that women from the national team were being asked to perform sexual favours to keep their places. “Step by step, they (the cricket board) have solved it. It’s a good start into Women T20 final for women’s cricket,” Siriwardena said. “Lots of officials are new after those problems we had in the last two years. Other NEW DELHI: Captain Meg Lanning’s England’s reply got off to a healthy batswoman Sarah Taylor did try to countries were asking about it. It was damaging for our aggressive half century helped hold- start as skipper Charlotte Edwards and inject life into the chase but her depar- image.” ers Australia reach their fourth con- Tammy Beaumont put on a 67-run ture for 21 was a major blow to In Pakistan, women reportedly raised similar allegations secutive women’s World Twenty20 opening stand. Australia however England’s chances of repeating their about selectors from a city club two years ago, prompting an final yesterday after beating tradition- kept their cool, and made the break- 2009 title-winning performance. investigation by the national cricket board. For many, playing al rivals England by five runs in the through when leg-spinner Kristen Down the order, Katherine Brunt did professional cricket is tough financially, compared to the men first semi-final. Beams took the prized wicket of hit a boundary and a six to raise some who can earn six figures signing up for glitzy tournaments Put in to bat on a hot sunny after- Edwards (31). hopes but Schutt got her cleaned up such as the Indian Premier League. Bates tells of women noon in New Delhi, Australia posted a Beaumont (32) hung around for a to shut the doors on England. Australia being forced to choose between their jobs and cricket with competitive 132 for six after Lanning’s while before falling to medium-pacer will meet the winner of the second New Zealand paying a NZ$12,000 (8,000 US dollars) annual 50-ball 55 before their bowlers then Megan Schutt in the 14th overs as the semi-final between West Indies and retainer for its top players. restricted England to 127 for seven. wheels started to come off the New Zealand in the title showdown in Openers Alyssa Healy and Elyse Villani England chase. Wicktkeeper- Kolkata on Sunday. — AFP ‘Difficult to stomach’ laid a decent platform for Lanning to She said she was appalled by the Indian Wells tennis chief’s build on as England bowlers found it comments this month that women players owed their success hard to contain the steady flow of to men, which ignited a furious gender row in the sport. “I boundaries. found that difficult to stomach, as I think many women would,” Healy (25) and Villani (19) played she said, saying women would shine brighter if they were giv- useful cameos but their departure en the same opportunities as men. slowed the Aussie charge at the Feroz But she points to the huge success of the recent inaugural Shah Kotla stadium. Lanning then Big Bash T20 league, played in Australia prior to the men’s took control, starting off cautiously tournament of the same name, as evidence of progress. The and then changing gear to give the lucrative competition, featuring the world’s top players, England bowlers a hard time. Lanning, attracted solid television audiences and match attendances. who led Australia to World T20 glory And a similar Women’s Cricket Super League is set to take off in 2014, registered her eighth T20 fifty in England later this year. “I think women’s cricket is definitely as she hit six boundaries. building and I think it’s come so long (far) in such a short England tried to claw their way amount of time,” Australian pace bowler Holly Ferling said. back into the game with some sharp Bangladesh captain Jahanara Alam said TV coverage of her fielding, including two run-outs from side’s matches would boost public support and perhaps direct hits in the outfield. Natalie attract much-needed sponsors in her impoverished country, MOHALI: Pakistan’s captain Shahid Afridi walks from Sciver had Alex Blackwell trudging whose male players, in comparison, are feted like rock stars. the field after being dismissed during the World T20 back to the dugout after hitting the NEW DELHI: England’s wicket keeper Sarah Taylor watches Australia’s Meg “Even though, we have a good side we are not getting the cricket tournament match between Australia and stumps from deep midwicket, while Lanning (R) play a shot during the World T20 women cricket tournament kind of support we deserve. We are not complaining but it’s Pakistan at The Punjab Cricket Stadium Association another direct hit from long-on saw semi-final match between Australia and England at Feroz Shah Kotla crick- not enough,” Alam said. “(But) I’m sure the day will come, it’s Stadium. — AFP the back of Lanning. et ground. — AFP not very far, when we will be treated equally.” —AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 SPORTS

First Africa Cup qualifiers Morocco praised by coach

JOHANNESBURG: New Morocco coach siderable, but we must remain calm and winning the 2015 final against Ghana in on head-to-head records even if they lose While El Arabi scored all three goals Herve Renard hailed his team yesterday begin preparing for the finals,” he told Equatorial Guinea on penalties after both games. A more probable scenario, in Praia and Marrakech to raise his quali- after they became the first qualifiers for reporters. another goalless decider. however, is two Moroccan victories and a fying total to four, one less than leader the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. Renard replaced Badou Zaki as coach perfect 2017 qualifying record that only Fiston Abdul Razak of Burundi, Benatia The 47-year-old who guided Zambia and of underperforming Morocco a month Perfect record Group K leaders Senegal could match. missed the Cape Verde games. Morocco the Ivory Coast to the most prized African ago and made a winning debut last Morocco have set the Frenchman, Moroccan stars include El Arabi, scorer won the Africa Cup for the only time 40 football trophy was speaking after a 2-0 Saturday with a 1-0 success in Cape once a garbage collector and night-time of 10 La Liga goals for Granada this sea- years ago in Ethiopia, finishing one home win over Cape Verde sealed first Verde. The coach, who believes wearing a cleaning contractor in Paris, the stiff tar- son, and Bayern Munich centre-back point ahead of Guinea in the lone tour- place in Group F. white shirt on match days brings luck, gets of reaching the 2017 Cup of Nations Mehdi Benatia. Renard chose nine players nament decided by a mini-league. The “I was amazed by the determination sprang to prominence in 2012 when he semi-finals and qualifying for the 2018 based in France and five in Spain for his closest they came to matching that feat they displayed,” he said after a second- steered Zambia to Africa Cup glory. World Cup. The Atlas Lions went into first squad. Moroccans with clubs in was in 2004 when a Zaki-coached team half brace from Youssef El Arabi secured Pre-tournament no-hopers, the back-to-back qualifiers against Cape Germany, Italy, Netherlands, England and finished runners-up to hosts Tunisia. In victory in Marrakech. “It is important that Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) beat Didier Verde trailing on goal difference, but now Belgium also made the cut. Two locals, six subsequent Cup of Nations, they we maintain in future games the same Drogba-captained Ivory Coast on penal- have an unassailable six-point advantage. goalkeeper Abdelali M’Hamdi of made four first-round exits, failed to mindset that was shown when we beat ties in a Libreville final after 120 goalless They meet third-place Libya away in Renaissance Berkane and defender qualify once and were disqualified in the No 1-ranked African team twice with- minutes. Perennial underachievers Ivory June and host minnows Sao Tome e Mohamed Oulhaj of Raja Casablanca, also 2015 after a late, Ebola virus-linked with- in four days. “What we achieved was con- Coast were next to benefit from Renard, Principe in September, and will finish top got the nod. drawal as hosts. — AFP China, Syria advance in World Cup qualifying

HONG KONG: China joined Asian heavyweights Australia and Japan in the next round of World Cup qualifying after stunning Qatar 2-0 in their last Group C match in Xi’an on Tuesday. China were helped in their cause by the Philippines’ 3-2 upset of North Korea in Manila. North Korea appeared to be heading for victory and into the next round when they led 2-1, but conceded two goals in the final six minutes to crash out of contention. China have only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, but President Xi Jinping is spear- heading a drive to turn the giant Asian country into a footballing power. Their chances of reach- ing Russia 2018 took an upturn in the 57th minute, when midfielder Huang Bowen buried a shot from outside the penalty box into the cor- ner after a goalmouth scramble. This was followed by a close-range strike in CORDOBA: Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Bolivia during the 88th minute by Wu Lei, who had come close their Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup South American Qualifiers’ football match. —AFP twice before. Qatar, who will host the 2022 World Cup, were lackluster and showed little threat despite their perfect record in their other Messi brings up his 50 as qualifying games. China brought greater organi- zation and energy, boosted by a raucous home Argentina down Bolivia crowd in the ancient capital of Xi’an. “My luck was good, it was a team effort,” Huang told state broadcaster CCTV, before C”RDOBA: Lionel Messi scored his 50th weekend when the Spanish giants take on adding: “Chinese football is gradually improving.” international goal as Argentina defeated Real Madrid in the Clasico. Qualification for the next phase was a major Bolivia 2-0 to advance their 2018 World Cup Messi, meanwhile, was satisfied with yet turn-around for China, who sacked French coach qualification campaign on Tuesday. another Argentina win, which suggests Alain Perrin after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Barcelona superstar Messi emphatically their troubled start to qualifying-which Hong Kong in November left their campaign netted a 30th-minute penalty at the began with a shock 2-0 home defeat to hanging by a thread. Estadio Mario Kempes in Cordoba as Ecuador-is firmly in the rear view mirror. Earlier, veteran striker Tim Cahill scored twice Argentina wrapped up their third consecu- “Beating Bolivia and Chile is what we want- as Australia eased past Harry Redknapp’s Jordan tive qualifying victory. ed,” said Messi, referring to last week’s hard- 5-1, while Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa Messi’s spot-kick followed defender fought win over the Chileans in Santiago. also netted a double in Japan’s 5-0 win over SHAANXI PROVINCE: In this Tuesday, March 29, 2016 photo, China’s Wu Lei, left, fights for the Gabriel Mercado putting Argentina ahead “We’ve come from a low position in the Syria. In Sydney, Cahill, now 36 and playing for ball against Qatar’s Abdulaziz Hatem, right during a soccer match at the 2018 World Cup after 20 minutes with his second goal in as standings to a high one but there is still a China’s Hangzhou Greentown, struck twice in Preliminary Qualification Round 2. — AP many games. The victory cements long way to go,” Messi added. the first half against Jordan to stretch his record Argentina’s place in the automatic qualifi- Messi, meanwhile, said Argentina’s Australian tally to 47 goals in 89 games. late flurry of goals which consigned them to a 5- need to be wary of that.” South Korea, Saudi cation berths of South America’s round- game had been hampered by the poor Australia’s other scorers were home-based 0 defeat in Saitama. A freak own goal from Arabia, Qatar, Uzbekistan, UAE, Iraq and Thailand robin competition with 11 points from six condition of the surface at the Mario midfielder Aaron Mooy, Celtic’s Tom Rogic and Hamdi Al Masri after 17 minutes put Japan in are also through to the next phase. UAE held games. Messi’s penalty makes him only the Kempes stadium, which has hosted rock QPR youngster Massimo Luongo, while Bayer front, before Kagawa’s double alongside late Saudi Arabia 1-1 in Group A to finish second second player in Argentinian history to concerts recently. “We tried to play our Leverkusen’s Robbie Kruse added three assists. strikes from Keisuke Honda and Genki Haraguchi thanks to a 52nd minute equalizer from Omar reach a half century of goals for the two- game but the surface didn’t help, although Redknapp, in only his second game with Jordan gave the score line gloss. Abdulrahman after Taisir Al-Jassim had put the time World Cup winners. that’s not an excuse,” he said. Argentina after being hired to steer them into the next Japan ended the second round of qualifiers visitors ahead in Abu Dhabi. The draw helped The 28-year-old striker is now closing in coach Gerardo Martino-who had faced calls phase, said Asian Cup-holders Australia were a with 27 goals scored and none conceded from the Emiratis join the Saudis, who topped the on legendary scorer Gabriel Batistuta’s to quit after last year’s Copa America “different class”. “They had a bit too much quality their eight games, but Honda warned the Blue group, in the next round. record of 56 goals set between 1991 and defeat-said his team would embark on their and they looked a lot fitter than us, they were Samurai would face tougher challenges ahead. Iran, who played at the World Cup in Brazil, beat 2002. Messi now also needs only one more remaining qualifiers with confidence. “A sharper... there was a big gulf in class tonight,” he “It was a goal to go through qualifying with no Oman 2-0 in Tehran thanks to a Sardar Azmoun goal to reach 500 goals for club and coun- third straight victory gives us tranquility. told reporters. goals against so that was satisfying,” AC Milan’s brace, while Uzbekistan advanced from Group H try-raising the prospect that he could We are in a good position now,” Martino Honda told Japan’s NHK Television. “But there are after Sardor Rashidov gave them a 1-0 win over achieve that milestone with Barcelona this said. —AFP Late flurry still some things we need to work on. We got Bahrain. Iraq qualified after beating Vietnam 1-0 in Meanwhile, war-torn Syria made it through as caught on the counter several times and Group F, with Mohannad Abdulraheem netting in one of the best second-placed teams despite the stronger opponents will make us pay, so we first-half injury time. AFP— US back on track in qualifying with 4-0 win over Guatemala

COLUMBUS: American soccer fans fretted for Gyasi Zardes, flanked by Moises Hernandez and Yedlin to right back from midfield. Defender four days: If the United States lost to Guatemala Rafael Morales, used the side of his head to Steve Birnbaum, midfielders Kyle Beckerman once again, the US would have little chance to knock the ball down. Dempsey ran onto the ball and Zusi, and Zardes were inserted into the line- qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Their worries after two bounces and first-timed a 14-yard up along with goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who had quickly vanished Tuesday night. Clint Dempsey right-footed shot past goalkeeper Paulo Motta. been scheduled to rotate with Tim Howard. scored 12 minutes in, Geoff Cameron, Graham Dempsey has six goals in 10 games against Dropped were the central defense pairing of Zusi and Jozy Altidore added goals and the US Guatemala and a US-record 14 in World Cup Omar Gonzalez and Michael Orozco, and mid- routed Guatemala 4-0 to get back on track. “I qualifying, one more than Donovan. Cameron fielders Mix Diskerud and Alejandro Bedoya, thought we showed a lot of heart,” Dempsey doubled the lead after Bobby Wood was fouled who has a sore ankle. “Every team needs leader- said. “We showed a lot of character by dealing by Cristian Jimenez, Bradley took the free kick, ship from its veteran players,” Klinsmann said. with a pressure situation.” and Cameron got in front of Carlos Castrillo for Midfielder Christian Pulisic, also added to the Following a dismal 2-0 loss at Guatemala City an 8-yard header, his fourth international goal. roster Sunday, made his national team debut in on Friday night in which Jurgen Klinsmann At the start of the second half, Yedlin played the 81st minute. At 17 years, 193 days, Pulisic deployed several players out of their most com- the ball to Zardes, who allowed it to bounce off became the youngest American in a qualifier. By fortable positions, the US coach made five line- him. Zusi ran in and got off a quick shot for his appearing in the game, Pulisic became ineligible up changes and shifted two others into their fourth US goal, his first since October 2013 in a to play for Croatia, the nation of his grandfather. more usual spots. The Americans responded and qualifier at Panama. A giveway by Rodrigo “It’s exactly what I expected; very, very physical,” improved to 27-0-2 at home in qualifying since Saravia of the hometown Columbus Crew led to he said. “It was a good game. It gives me confi- 2001, including 7-0-2 at Mapfre Stadium. Dempsey feeding Altidore for his 34th US goal. dence. I’m going to try and stay grounded and “Columbus has bailed us out on several occa- Klinsmann shifted Cameron to central keep doing what I’m doing and become the best sions,” US captain Michael Bradley said. Cameron defense from right back and moved DeAndre player I can.” — AP ASUNCION: Miranda of Brazil, left, fights for the ball with Dario Lezcano of Paraguay, doubled the lead in the 35th and Zusi, added to during a World Cup qualifying match. — AP the roster on Sunday, made it 3-0 just 18 sec- onds into the second half. Jozy Altidore capped the scoring in the 89th. “The attitude tonight Alves rescues Brazil was outstanding,” Klinsmann said. “We were in sync with the wonderful crowd that pushed them from the first second. There was wonderful in Paraguay thriller energy.”

ASUNCION: Barcelona star Dani Alves Paraguay’s defense stood off fatally and ‘Showed our pride’ scored deep into injury time as Brazil came the Brazilian fullback curled his shot Trinidad and Tobago (3-0-1) won 6-0 at home from behind to draw 2-2 with Paraguay in a beyond the fingertips of veteran goalkeep- against St Vincent and the Grenadines and leads pulsating 2018 World Cup qualification bat- er Justo Villar. Brazil might even have Group C with 10 points, three ahead of the U.S. tle here Tuesday. Brazil-desperate to snatched a remarkable victory after the late (2-1-1). Guatemala (2-2) has six points, and St bounce back after a demoralizing 2-2 draw equalizer. Once again Alves was involved, Vincent (0-4) has been eliminated. Seeking its with Uruguay on Friday when they squan- thumping a dipping shot goalwards which eighth straight World Cup berth, the US travels dered a two-goal lead-appeared to be Villar could only parry away. Filipe Luis fol- to St Vincent on Sept. 2, then finishes the round heading to defeat after Dario Lezcano and lowed up but was just unable to direct the four days later against Trinidad at Jacksonville, Edgar Benitez put Paraguay 2-0 up. ball into the net for Brazil in a nerve-jan- Florida. But Ricardo Oliveira gave Brazil hope gling scramble inside the six-yard box with “We showed our pride,” Dempsey said. with a right-footed strike to make it 2-1 on just seconds left. Brazil now stands in sixth “You’ve got to do that if want to make it to the 79 minutes and, sensing opportunity, the place in the standings with nine points World Cup. You’ve got to show that you want it, visitors swarmed forward in search of an from six games, just behind fifth-placed and we showed that we wanted it.” Dempsey equalizer. Two minutes into stoppage time, Colombia and fourth place Chile, who have scored his 49th international goal, eight behind Chelsea forward Willian advanced down 10 points. Argentina are in third place with Landon Donovan’s American record, after the right flank and fed Alves, who darted 11 points, two behind leaders Uruguay and Cameron looped a pass just inside the center cir- OHIO: United States players celebrate a goal against Guatemala during the second half of a into the penalty area purposefully. Ecuador. — AFP cle to just inside the penalty area. A streaking World Cup qualifying soccer match.—AP THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 SPORTS England’s soft defense a concern for Euro 2016

LONDON: The debate about Wayne the next taking too long over a clearance or Rooney’s place in the England team will slipping over to set in motion a chain of rumble on for the next 10 weeks, right events that led to the Dutch equalizer by through to the start of the European Vincent Janssen. By the end, Stones’ game Championship in France. But that’s not the appeared ragged. only serious dilemma England manager “I don’t think I’ll think about selecting Roy Hodgson will be wrestling with as he him or not selecting him on the fact he plots an unlikely end to the country’s 50- slipped over on that occasion,” Hodgson year drought at major soccer tournaments. said, before going on to praise Stones’ Central defense used to be England’s “assurance” and “comfort” in possession. strong suit. Only 10 years ago, Sven-Goran England’s captain for the night, James Eriksson was in the enviable position of tak- Milner, is also impressed by Stones, who ing Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, John has been linked with a summer move to Terry and Sol Campbell - four greats of the Manchester City despite his dip in form. Premier League - as his center-back options “He’s put himself on a pedestal and people to the 2006 World Cup. Now, there’s just a are interested in him,” Milner said. soft center in England’s defense. And it’s “Obviously he had the transfer thing early threatening to hamper the blossoming of in the season and when you are playing Hodgson’s new breed. well, you are up there to be shot down. He’s Since England exited the group stage of a top-class player.” Cahill would be the oth- the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the team er, safer option alongside Smalling - it was has played 14 games and Hodgson has England’s most common partnership in played a different back four each time. For Euro 2016 qualifying - but he has only the last six matches, culminating in the 2-1 regained his place in the Chelsea team loss to the Netherlands on Tuesday, he has since a serious injury to Kurt Zouma in early had a different central defense. February. And Cahill has found himself Defenses, especially the center backs, exposed by top-class forwards in recent develop as a unit and a lack of consistency years, including Luis Suarez at the 2014 of selection can’t help. Indeed, it highlights World Cup. With Terry no longer an option, the concerns he has in that area. While England lacks leaders and a dominating Chris Smalling now appears a sure starter force at center back. Having the defensively after a solid season at Manchester United, minded Eric Dier as an out-and-out holding Hodgson has to choose between John midfielder should give England more pro- MUNICH: Germany’s Shkodran Mustafi, left, and Italy’s Simone Zaza challenge for the ball during a friendly soccer match betweenGermany and Stones, Gary Cahill and - as an outsider - tection in France but it’s an area that oppo- Italy at the Allianz Arena.—AP Phil Jagielka as the other center back. nents will look to exploit. And it doesn’t get Stones is the future, the 21-year-old heir easier elsewhere in defense. Hodgson is apparent to Ferdinand with his calmness in still seemingly unsure whether to go with possession, vision, deceptive pace and Nathaniel Clyne or Kyle Walker at right Germany wins 4-1, beats Italy, reading of the game. But after starting the back, and has chosen Ryan Bertrand, Kieran season superbly with Everton - proving Gibbs and Danny Rose at left back in recent why Chelsea made three attempts to sign games while still talking positively about for 1st time in over 20 years him last offseason - Stones’ errors have Luke Shaw, who could yet return from a piled up and he has even been dropped by broken leg in time for Euro 2016. his club. In Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and MUNICH: Mario Goetze scored on his interna- stretchered off after Hector’s goal and Conte checks were conducted. The defeat to England returning captain Wayne Rooney, new-look tional comeback to help Germany beat Italy said the Juventus defender had a “muscle was Germany’s first since the 2-0 loss to France Microcosm of season England’s options in attack suddenly look for the first time in more than 20 years, a 4-1 problem.” Loew names his initial squad for in Paris on Nov 13, when attacks outside the The game against the Netherlands was a healthy for France. Hodgson must now get drubbing in their friendly on Tuesday. Goetze, Euro 2016 on May 17. Security was tight ahead stadium and across the city killed 130 people. microcosm of Stones’ season. One minute his defense in shape if England is to be a who had only played 53 minutes for Bayern of the game with around 800 police officers on The game against the Netherlands in looking so assured and at ease on the ball, genuine contender. —AP Munich since a groin injury sustained against duty. Sniffer dogs checked around the stadium Hannover four days later was called off due to Ireland on Oct. 8, headed Germany’s second for explosives, bags were searched and body- the threat of an attack. — AP goal before the break after Toni Kroos opened the scoring. Goetze was also involved in the third before the hour-mark, setting Julian Draxler Vardy hopes goal spree free to cross for Jonas Hector’s first interna- tional goal. “I’m so happy. For me it was simply important to be able to play again after such a helps Leicester title bid long injury, simply to be able to do what’s fun for me. Then to score as well,” Goetze said. LONDON: Jamie Vardy believes his goal- springboard to victory as the Dutch hit Mesut Ozil made it 4-0 in the 75th with a scoring exploits with England will provide back to win 2-1 at Wembley. But he penalty conceded by Italy goalkeeper the ideal confidence boost as he returns to remains convinced Hodgson’s men are Gianluigi Buffon. Substitute Stephan El the task of firing Leicester to the Premier capable of a good run at the European Shaarawy scored Italy’s consolation goal in League title. After terrorizing Premier Championships in France. the 83rd with a strike from distance. It was League defenders throughout a remark- Germany’s first win over Italy at the eighth able breakthrough season, Vardy trans- Reality check attempt since a 2-0 victory on June 21, 1995. ferred his talents to the international stage “We had a massive high at the weekend “We did it well. All the players fulfilled their with his first two goals for England against (against Germany) and losing without put- duties well, played with a lot of discipline,” Germany and the Netherlands. ting in the same tempo is very disappoint- Germany coach Joachim Loew said. The 29-year-old striker’s impressive dis- ing,” he said. “But there are still positive Following the 3-2 defeat to England in plays likely cemented his place in Roy things for us to take from the international Berlin on Saturday - Germany’s second con- Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016 and Vardy week. “Hopefully we will work on that to secutive loss after losing to France in can now turn his attention to the final put it into action at the Euros.” November - Loew opted for a back-three of weeks of Leicester’s astonishing bid to win While Vardy’s place in the squad looks Mats Hummels, Antonio Ruediger and their first top-flight title. assured, he still has to elbow his way past Shkodran Mustafi, with Hector and Sebastian Claudio Ranieri’s team are five points Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck Rudy supporting on either flank. clear of second placed Tottenham with sev- and Daniel Sturridge for a coveted spot in “We trained with the formation a little bit en games remaining and, with his confi- the starting line-up against Russia in the yesterday,” Kroos said. “We wanted to come dence sky-high, Vardy, who has 21 goals for Euro opener on June 11. “There’s massive out of a more compact defense. This was a club and country this term, can’t wait to competition and that is only good for us. It game that we wanted to win, in which we take on Southampton at the King Power means everyone is going to be trying that perhaps wanted to make up for something.” Stadium on Sunday. extra two or three percent, which is always “I feel brilliant personally. The goals can important in games,” Vardy added. PARIS: France’s Ngolo Kante, right, celebrates his goal with France’s Andre-Pierre Thomas Mueller captained the side for the first time on his 70th appearance. Regular only be good for my confidence,” Vardy James Milner, who captained England Gignac, during the international friendly soccer match between France and said. “Going back to training this week off on Tuesday in the absence of the injured Russia.—AP captain Bastian Schweinsteiger suffered a par- tial ligament tear in his knee in training last the back of scoring two goals, hopefully I’ll Wayne Rooney, told his team-mates their week and faces a race against time to be fit for be scoring at the weekend.” Vardy’s influen- defeat to the Netherlands, who failed to Kante sparks impressive the European Championship. tial cameo and impudent flicked finish in qualify for the Euros, should serve as a England’s 3-2 friendly win over Germany warning they still have much work to do France in friendly victory Disappointing Azzuri added to the former non-league player’s before they can make an impact in France. Italy rarely threatened reserve goalkeeper incredible rise to prominence, but he is “We will have learnt a lot as a group Marc-Andre ter Stegen though he looked jit- determined not to let the increased atten- moving forward. It shows the consistency PARIS: N’Golo Kante celebrated his birth- his France debut from the bench against tion distract him. needed if we are going to do well in the day with a goal on his first international the Netherlands and was handed a first tery on the rare occasions he was called into action. Ter Stegen was filling in for Manuel “I’ve not seen the goal that many times tournament,” Milner said. “We didn’t play start to set France up for a 4-2 friendly win start here as Deschamps made six changes to be honest with you. “I don’t really look at with the same intensity we did the other against Russia on an emotional return to to his line-up. On his 25th birthday, he Neuer, who had complained of a stomach bug my goals after I’ve scored,” Vardy said. “The day. We had most of the ball and we didn’t the Stade de France on Tuesday. Kante needed barely eight minutes to get his first a day after his 30th birthday celebrations on opened the scoring just eight minutes into international goal, arriving late in the Sunday. Just as he did against England, Kroos missus messaged me to say it was all over move it quick enough. “It’s a reality check. his full debut for Les Bleus and Andre- penalty box and coolly finishing past Igor broke the deadlock by slotting a precise effort Twitter but I like to stay relaxed if possible.” We have shown we can beat anyone with Pierre Gignac doubled the lead before Akinfeev at the end of an excellent move inside the post, his 24th-minute strike giving Vardy admitted he was frustrated that his the result against Germany. But we need to Alexander Kokorin headed in for Russia in that featured Paul Pogba, Gignac and Buffon little chance. close-range opener in Tuesday’s friendly be more consistent and do it game in and the second half. Antoine Griezmann. With the fans sending a Mexican wave against the Netherlands didn’t prove the game out.” —AFP Dimitri Payet then demonstrated how The second goal arrived nine minutes around the stadium, Mueller crossed for important he can be to the French side before half-time, with Gignac-now playing Goetze to direct the ball inside the right post, with a stunning free-kick just after the hour his club football in Mexico-putting forward leaving Buffon rooted to the spot. “It’s always mark, and Kingsley Coman netted in equal- his case for a berth in the France squad as worth supporting Mario Goetze because he ly spectacular fashion after Yuri Zhirkov he met Griezmann’s free-kick from the left can do things that others can’t,” Loew had said added another goal for the Russians in an with a fine diving header at the near post. in the buildup. Goetze said Loew’s confidence entertaining contest. had given him a huge boost. Despite the goals conceded, it was a Payet free-kick Riccardo Montolivo went close after the very encouraging win for the Euro 2016 A strong Russia side made up largely of hosts on the night international football players from leading clubs CSKA Moscow break as Italy emerged with new intent but came back to the Stade de France just over and Zenit St Petersburg were disappointing any hopes of a comeback were dashed in the four months on from the terror attacks that in the first half but they got a goal back 11 59th, when Goetze set Draxler free and the took place just outside the ground and minutes into the second period when Wolfsburg playmaker pulled the ball back for elsewhere in Paris. Kokorin escaped his marker to head in an Hector to score on his 12th appearance. “There were lots of good things. Not Alan Dzagoev free-kick. Simone Zaza shot over in response but then everything was perfect but this is a team Just before that, France had seen substi- Buffon brought down Rudy and Ozil ended that likes to get forward. The players link up tute Jeremy Mathieu hobble off only eight the contest. well and we have lots of pace,” said France minutes after his introduction, but two oth- “It’s no fun to lose this way. That’s the first coach Didier Deschamps, whose side had er replacements had a far more positive thing. But we said we wanted to be better and recorded a 3-2 victory in the Netherlands impact on the game. West Ham United star to measure the gap between us and Germany. on Friday. “They are only friendly matches Payet, like Kante one of the players of the Some players paid the price for the physical but we need to win them. It’s good for con- season in the English Premier League, effort against Spain,” Italy coach Antonio fidence, for our serenity, but the truth will curled in a brilliant free-kick only moments Conte said, referring to last Thursday’s 1-1 come in June.” after coming off the bench. draw in Udine, Italy with the European cham- Bayern Munich’s teenage winger pions. “Germany are world champions. I think Tight security Coman, also on from the bench, had won they deserved it today, without a doubt,” With November’s events still fresh in the the free-kick that led to that goal and he Conte said. “When they got their chances they memory, security was extremely tight for a got his name on the scoresheet with a used them. We had a few chances but we game played in front of a crowd of around stunning finish from a tight angle after were inexperienced.” 65,000, including French president Francois rounding substitute goalkeeper Yuri Hollande, at the stadium that will host the Lodygin. Conte said there was no need for panic or European Championship final in July. And In between those two strikes, Zhirkov for wholesale changes ahead of Euro 2016. “I fortunately this time the football took cen- netted from an Oleg Shatov cutback but can’t accuse the guys of anything. They tried tre stage as Deschamps’s team displayed the goals conceded were a rare black mark everything, gave everything... I don’t know why they must be considered among the on a positive night for France in their final what I can change six weeks before naming LONDON: England’s Jamie Vardy, center, celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the favorites to win the title on home soil. match before Deschamps names his 23- the squad,” said Conte, who is stepping down international friendly soccer match between The Netherlands and England at Wembley Leicester City sensation Kante had made man squad for the Euros in May. —AFP after the tournament. Leonardo Bonucci was stadium. —AP Messi brings up his England’s 50 as Argentina defense a down Bolivia concern for Euro

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 18 19

Clash of titans: Kohli v Gayle in T20 semis Page 17

NEW DELHI: England’s Jason Roy (L) plays a shot past New Zealand’s wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi during the World T20 cricket tournament semi-final match between England and New Zealand at The Feroz Shah Kotla Cricket Ground. — AFP Roy steers England into World T20 final

NEW DELHI: Opener Jason Roy’s 78 helped England sail into New Zealand lost opener Martin Guptill early but Kane cricket’s World Twenty20 final with a crushing seven-wicket Williamson and Colin Munro counter-attacked with a 74-run SCOREBOARD win over New Zealand in the last four in New Delhi yesterday. partnership to lay a solid foundation before the Kiwis faltered Chasing 154 for victory, England rode on a brisk 82-run part- late on. Munro (46) and Williamson (32) proved too hot to NEW DELHI: Scoreboard of the World Twenty20 semi-final match between England and New Zealand at New Delhi’s Feroz Shah nership between Roy and Alex Hales to canter home in 17.1 handle for England’s pacers as the duo took a special liking to Kotla stadium yesterday: overs after the bowlers had restricted a much-fancied New Liam Plunkett and Stokes in the opening stages, both of Zealand to 153 for eight. whom came back well in their second spells. New Zealand: Bowling: Willey 2-0-17-1, Jordan 4-0-24-1, Plunkett 4-0- Roy rose to the occasion, smashing four boundaries in the Left-hander Munro smacked Plunkett for three straight M. Guptill c Buttler b Willey 15 38-1, Rashid 4-0-33-0, Stokes 4-0-26-3, Ali 2-0-10-1 very first over against Corey Anderson to set the tone for what boundaries in the sixth over of the innings to set the pace and K. Williamson c and b Ali 32 turned out to be a perfect chase for the 2010 champions. New his reverse-hit for a six against Adil Rashid brought the house C. Munro c Ali b Plunkett 46 England: Zealand’s bowlers, who shone in the team’s unbeaten run to down. But Morgan then juggled his bowlers around and off- C. Anderson c Jordan b Stokes 28 J. Roy b Sodhi 78 the semis, were at the receiving end of some brutal hitting spinner Moeen Ali’s introduction in the 11th over soon saw R. Taylor c Morgan b Jordan 6 A. Hales c Munro b Santner 20 that kept the packed house at Feroz Shah Kotla entertained. the back of Williamson. J. Root not out 27 The introduction of spin after six overs of powerplay did lit- Plunkett did well in his second spell to deny the dangerous L. Ronchi c Willey b Stokes 3 G. Elliott not out 4 E. Morgan lbw Sodhi 0 tle to improve the situation but Mitchell Santner gave the Munro, whose 32-ball knock included seven boundaries and a J. Buttler not out 32 Kiwis their first breakthrough when he got Hales (20) out. Leg- six. He was denied his fifty when a wild slice went straight into M. Santner c Jordan b Stokes 7 Extras (lb 1, w1) 2 spinner Ish Sodhi also tried to bring some drama back into the the safe hands of Ali at third man. England’s fielders continued M. McClenaghan run out 1 game after picking the wickets of Roy and Eoin Morgan (0) to to pouch their catches and Morgan dived beautifully at extra Total (for 3 wickets, 17.1 overs) 159 Extras (b1, lb4, w6) 11 Did not bat: B. Stokes, M. Ali, C. Jordan, A. Rashid, D. leave himself on a hat-trick, but England made sure they cover to get rid of Ross Taylor off Chris Jordan. Total (for 8 wickets, 20 overs) 153 stayed on course. The wickets quickly tumbled and New Zealand’s run-rate, Willey, L. Plunkett Jos Buttler (32), who denied Sodhi his hat-trick, and a com- which had started impressively, plummeted. Stokes was Did not bat: A. Milne, I. Sodhi Fall of wickets: 1-82 (Hales), 2-110 (Roy), 3-110 (Morgan) posed Joe Root (27) then drove England to their second World going for a hat-trick near the end after sending back Luke Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Guptill), 2-91 (Williamson), 3-107 Bowling: Anderson 1-0-16-0, Milne 3-0-27-0, T20 final, with Buttler hitting a four and two sixes against Ronchi for three and the hard-hitting Anderson for 28. The (Munro), 4-134 McClenaghan 3-0-24-0, Santner 3.1-0-28-1, Sodhi 4-0-42- Sodhi to finish things off in style. Earlier, England’s bowlers impressive all-rounder ended with figures of 3-26 as New (Taylor), 5-139 (Ronchi), 6-139 (Anderson), 7-150 2, Elliott 3-0-21-0 responded well to their captain’s decision to field first to Zealand lost five wickets for 35 runs in the final 30 deliveries (Santner), 8-153 (McClenaghan) England won by seven wickets. restrict New Zealand after a poor start. of their innings. — AFP Warriors move closer to season wins record OAKLAND: Stephen Curry knocked down making it a one-point game. PISTONS 88, THUNDER 82 also inched closer to clinching their first six 3-pointers on the way to 26 points, and Both teams missed shots on their next Marcus Morris scored 24 points, and playoff spot in two years and just second the Golden State Warriors beat the possession, but Trevor Ariza’s 3-pointer from Detroit took advantage of Kevin Durant’s postseason berth in the last 13 years. Washington Wizards 102-94 on Tuesday the corner with 17 seconds left gave absence in a victory over Oklahoma City. Charlotte hasn’t won a playoff series, night to stay on pace for the all-time wins Houston a 101-97 lead. Irving scored 31 The Thunder rested Durant and Serge though, since 2002. The teams both have record. Klay Thompson followed back-to- points for Cleveland, which fell to 1-3 this Ibaka, and Oklahoma City was held to only off until Friday, when they will play again in back 40-point games with 16 as Golden season and 4-13 over the last two when nine points in the third period en route to Charlotte for the fourth and final meeting State (67-7) stayed a game ahead of the James doesn’t play. its lowest-scoring game of the season. The of the season. Short-handed Philadelphia, 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ pace during their 72- Thunder rallied from a 15-point deficit, which dressed just 10 players, lost its 10th 10 season. BULLS 98, PACERS 96 closing the gap to just one in the fourth, straight game and 23rd in the last 24. The Warriors must go 6-2 over their final Jimmy Butler made a tiebreaking jumper but Detroit was able to hold on late for Robert Covington had 18 points. eight games for the record. Draymond with 3.7 seconds left, and Chicago beat another victory in its push for a playoff Green had 15 points, 16 rebounds and nine Indiana to snap a four-game losing streak. spot. The Thunder had their eight-game MAGIC 139, NETS 105 assists to just miss back-to-back triple-dou- Nikola Mirotic scored 28 points as Chicago winning streak snapped. Russell Westbrook Aaron Gordon had 20 points and Elfrid bles in the Warriors’ 54th straight regular- (37-37) got back to .500 and pulled within season home win and 36th consecutive this two games of Indiana for the eighth and final led Oklahoma City with 24 points on 8-of- Payton had 11 points and 12 assists as the season. Bradley Beal scored 17 for the playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. 28 shooting. Andre Drummond had 13 Magic scored a season high in defeating Wizards, who lost their fourth straight to Mirotic made seven 3 -pointers, his final one points and 15 rebounds for the Pistons, and Brooklyn. Victor Oladipo and Evan Fournier Golden State. tying it at 96 with 2:19 remaining. Tobias Harris added 17 points. had their moments and backup center The Pacers missed five shots in the final 2 Dewayne Dedmon, playing in place of ROCKETS 106, CAVALIERS 100 minutes that would have given them the HORNETS 100, 76ERS 85 injured Nikola Vucevic, scored 15 points James Harden scored 27 points and lead before the Bulls rebounded Pau Gasol’s Nicolas Batum had 19 points, 12 The Magic had eight players in double fig- Houston rallied from a 20-point deficit to miss with 20 seconds remaining and got the rebounds and 12 assists for his second ures, including backups Andrew Nicholson beat Cleveland, which rested LeBron James. ball to Butler for his 17-footer from the right triple-double of the season, leading with 24 and Jason Smith with 14. The Nets Harden scored 18 points in the fourth quar- wing. CJ Miles missed a 3-pointer that would Charlotte over Philadelphia. Cody Zeller were led by reserve forward Thomas ter and Houston outscored Cleveland 35-16 have won it as time expired. Paul George had added 18 points and 11 boards for Robinson, who scored 18 points, after OAKLAND: JJ Hickson Golden State Warriors’ in the period. Dwight Howard’s free throw 20 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers, Charlotte, which set a franchise record for being inserted into the starting lineup in Stephen Curry (30) scores past Washington Wizards’ with 2:13 left put Houston ahead 95-94. while Ian Mahinmi had 18 points and seven wins in a month with its 13th victory in place of Thaddeus Young. Brook Lopez Ramon Sessions, right, Marcus Thornton (15) and JJ Harden’s 3-pointer made it 98-94 before boards. Butler finished with 14 points, and March. The Hornets, who entered the game scored just five points in the first half and Hickson, left, during the second half of an NBA bas- Kyrie Irving hit a 3-pointer with 1:30 left, Gasol added 10 points and 11 rebounds. in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, did not play in the second half. — AP ketball game. — AP Low oil prices challenge liquidity conditions of GCC banks: Moody’s Page 25

Ooredoo Kuwait to purchase Business 99% of FASTtelco’s shares THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 Page 26 NBK increases its capital by 6.5% Global reports KD16.4 million revenues in 2015 Page 22 Page 23

KUWAIT: KIPCO’s Vice Chairman (Executive) Faisal Al-Ayyar speaks at the annual Shafafiyah (transparency) Investors’ Forum yesterday. KIPCO on track to double its profit by 2018 ‘We will move forward confidently despite 2016’s difficult conditions’

KIPCO’s Vice Chairman (Executive) Faisal Al-Ayyar (right). KUWAIT: KIPCO shareholders, financial analysts and institutional investors attend the company’s annual Shafafiyah Investors’ Forum yesterday. KUWAIT: At its annual Investors’ Forum, KIP- exemplary track record and that 2015 was agement under Basel III, the bank’s capital mostly of residential units, alongside restau- cial growth trend for KIPCO’s core business- CO - the Kuwait Projects Company - said its twenty-fourth consecutive year of prof- adequacy is expected to be at around 16.5 rants, health clubs, clinics, retail units and a es. In last year’s Shafafiyah Investors’ Forum, that while 2016’s difficult trading conditions itability. It also highlighted the company’s percent by the end of March 2016. During hotel. we promised to double our 2014 profit by are expected to result in revenue growth in strengthened funding profile after raising 2015, the bank received an A+ rating from For SADAFCO, the dairy company has 2018, and our companies are on track to the high single digits for KIPCO, the compa- $500 million under KIPCO’s Euro Medium Fitch and opened a representative office in increased its total shareholder return by 2.3 deliver this. Revenue for Burgan Bank ny remains on track to double its 2014 prof- Term Note (EMTN) Program and extending the UAE. times over the past five years, standing at increased 12 percent in 2015, while that of its by 2018. This is driven by the continued the average debt maturity to 3.6 years. This For OSN, the pay-tv company secured a $ over 20 per cent in return on equity in 2015. both OSN and Gulf Insurance Group was up growth of the company’s core businesses, will result in an annual interest saving of $ 400 million syndicated loan, reflecting This success is driven by the company’s 11 percent, and United Real Estate raised its which are forecast to generally deliver rev- 20 million from 2017 onwards. investor confidence in its business model. leading market position, large distribution revenue by 17 percent. These results are a enue growth in the two digits in 2016. KIPCO’s net profit in 2015 increased 15 The company’s subscriber base and revenue network and strong operational perform- strong indication that our core companies At the company’s annual Shafafiyah per cent to KD 53.03 million ($175 million), increased 2.6 and 2.5 times respectively ance. will continue to deliver growth in the dou- (transparency) Investors’ Forum, KIPCO pre- compared to KD 46.1 million ($152 million) from 2010 to 2015, and 2015 also saw the In its outlook for 2016, KIPCO said it ble digits.” sented a review of 2015 and its outlook for in 2014. The company’s total revenue from payment of $ 100 million in dividends to expects that its portfolio of core companies Commenting on the outlook for 2016, Al- 2016 to 2018 to an audience of sharehold- continuing operations increased 4 per cent OSN’s shareholders. - which includes Burgan Bank, OSN, Gulf Ayyar said: “We enter this year with the ers, financial analysts and institutional in 2015 to stand at KD 621 million ($2.1 bil- A mega real estate development was Insurance Group, United Real Estate and expectation that it will continue to bring investors. lion), compared to the KD 598 million ($2 announced in 2015 and construction will KAMCO - will continue to deliver revenue difficult trading conditions. While KIPCO is The forum followed the company’s billion) reported in 2014. begin in 2016 on prime land in the area of growth over the next year, generally in the moving forward confidently along the track General Assembly meeting where KIPCO’s Also as part of its 2015 review, KIPCO said Daiya, at the heart of Kuwait City. The proj- double digits. of doubling its 2014 profit by 2018, we shareholders approved a cash dividend of that Burgan Bank - one of the company’s ect, which will cost close to $ 2.5 billion KIPCO’s Vice Chairman (Executive), Faisal expect these global market circumstances 25 per cent (25 fils per share). As part of its largest revenue makers - continues to grow when completed, will have a leasable area Al-Ayyar said: “Over the past two years, we to result in revenue growth in the high sin- review, KIPCO said that it has maintained its robustly. As a result of efficient capital man- of around 400,000 sq.m. and comprise have seen a consistent double digit finan- gle digit for KIPCO in 2016.” OECD: Weak global Boeing to cut 4,000 economy to threaten jobs in commercial govt finances airplanes division WASHINGTON: Sluggish global growth threatens to keep governments around the world from being able to pay pen- NEW YORK: US aerospace giant transitioning aircraft production, sions and bondholders, the chief economist of the Boeing will trim about 4,000 jobs in such as the 737, its best-selling jet, as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development its commercial airplanes division as it it introduces the new 737 MAX and said yesterday. The OECD, representing mostly advanced seeks to cut costs and boost produc- its long-range 777 to the new 777X. economies, has lowered its forecast for worldwide economic tivity, a company spokesman told Boeing had a record 762 commercial growth to 3 percent this year from the 3.3 percent it estimated AFP yesterday. Staffing reductions aircraft deliveries in 2015, topping in November. When growth is weak, governments collect less through mid-year, including hun- Airbus, but its rival had a substantial revenue and struggle to pay pensioners and meet all their dreds of executives and managers, edge in net orders last year, at 1,080 debt payments. “These kinds of numbers mean we are not will be done through attrition and versus 768 for Boeing. going to make good on these commitments,” Catherine Mann, voluntary layoffs, leaving open jobs As of March 22, Boeing had 107 the group’s chief economist, told reporters. unfilled, spokesman Doug Alder said net airplane orders this year amid a She said that to jump-start growth, countries need contin- in an email. robust air travel industry that is see- ued stimulus from central banks, government spending and “We’ll only use involuntary layoffs ing strong demand for planes. The tax policies that encourage expansion and economic reforms, as a last resort,” he said. The payroll job cuts reflect the company’s posi- such as making regulations more consistent from country to reduction is part of a streamlining tioning even as orders roll in, anoth- country. Since the financial crisis, the World Bank, announced last month that includes er Boeing spokesman said. “It’s all International Monetary Fund and OECD have repeatedly over- non-labor cost savings and supply- part of year-over-year growth in pro- estimated the strength of the global economic recovery. chain savings, he noted. At the end ductivity and driving costs down. Mann suggested that the economy no longer works the way of February, Boeing’s commercial air- That sort of effort never stops. Just most economists were taught: Low unemployment in the planes division had 82,310 employ- because we’re building more doesn’t United States and other countries has not triggered strong ees. The Chicago-based company, mean we shouldn’t always pay growth, for example. Low interest rates have not encour- which includes defense and space become more productive,” aged businesses to invest. And easy-money policies by the divisions, among others, employed spokesman Bernard Choi told AFP. In world’s central banks have not ignited inflation. 159,250 people. January, Boeing forecast deliveries “The relationships are broken,” she said. Mann asked her Shares in Dow member Boeing would decline this year for the first team to consider the new economic realities when it issued its dipped 0.3 percent to 130.50 in time since 2010, to between 740 and lower economic growth forecast in February. She said she is JAKARTA: Motorists travel on their way to downtown Jakarta yesterday. Indonesia’s economy morning trade. Boeing, facing stiff 745. It also predicted flat to slightly confident the OECD won’t have to downgrade its estimates has lagged for some time as demand, especially from China, for key commodity exports has competition from European aircraft lower 2016 revenues and core earn- when it releases its next forecast in June.—AP waned. —AFP maker Airbus, is in the process of ings per share. — AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 BUSINESS Global reports KD16.4 million revenues in 2015 Company posts KD6.6 million net profit, proposes 5% cash dividend

KUWAIT: Global Investment House management, listed equities and spe- interesting pipeline of M&A and equi- (“Global” or the “Company”), a region- cial situations assets. Several funds ty capital markets mandates. al asset management & investment managed by the Company outper- On the brokerage front, Global banking firm headquartered in formed their respective benchmark made focused efforts to grow the Kuwait, with offices in major capital indices and peers. In addition, our institutional brokerage business lead- markets in the MENA region, yester- Special Situations Asset Management ing to gains in Kuwait market share. day announced its financial results for team signed a portfolio management However, due to decline in the market the year ended 31 December 2015 turnover in most key markets where reporting a net profit of KD6.6 million Global operates, the brokerage rev- ($21.7 million) and earnings per share enues declined. of 8 Kuwaiti fils. Regional operations continue to contribute to the Company’s business Key points of the results: by enhancing our client base, raising l 2015 net profit of KD6.6 million new money and deal sourcing. Early ($21.7 million), a marginal increase 2015, Global inaugurated its Dubai over 2014 net profit of KD6.5 million International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) ($21.4 million) despite adverse market operations to strengthen its presence conditions. in one of the major capital markets in l 2015 revenues of KD16.4 million the region. Global Saudi, with assets ($54.0 million); 75 percent are gener- under management of $169 million, ated from fee-based businesses. remains one of the largest non-bank l Fee-based businesses (asset asset managers in the Kingdom of management, investment banking Saudi Arabia and its flagship fund and brokerage) generated revenues of continued to outperform its bench- KD12.3 million ($40.6 million). mark. l Global board proposes 5 percent The Company’s continuous efforts cash dividend (5 Kuwaiti fils per to control and rationalize its cost base share), subject to shareholders’ and resulted in reducing our operating regulatory approvals. cost base from KD14.8mn ($48.6 mil- During 2015, the Asset lion) in 2014 to KD13.3 million ($43.9 Management business remained Maha K Al-Ghunaim million) in 2015. Global has a healthy Saad, Chairman of the Board, said: ance and an excellent capital struc- our profitability momentum. resilient with KD1.1 billion of assets capital structure, conservatively “Global has achieved significant ture have facilitated the Board’s deci- Furthermore, we reduced our operat- under management. Our asset man- agreement with one of the Kuwaiti deployed primarily in liquid and oper- growth in net profit for the third con- sion to recommend a distribution of a ing costs by 10 percent in spite of agement teams remained focused on banks to manage its portfolio of spe- ating assets with no external debt secutive year, thanks to its manage- cash dividend to shareholders at lev- expanded business activities. Being a launching products and services best cial situation assets worth $34 million. and a capital base of KD90.5 million ment’s efforts in implementing the els consistent with the previous year.” MENA player, Global cannot be isolat- suited to our clients’ investment needs During 2015, the Investment ($297.8 million). Company’s strategy of growing its Maha Al-Ghunaim, Vice Chairman ed from the regional headwinds; offering recurring income / yield Banking team generated revenues The board proposes a 5 percent core businesses while minimizing risk. & Group CEO, said: “Despite the however, we remain committed to accompanied with low volatility. from 11 different mandates, ranging cash dividend (5 Kuwaiti fils per We are delighted by these excellent extremely volatile and challenging continue creating value to all our During the year, the Company raised from advisory to M&A mandates, 4 of share), subject to shareholders’ and financial results, which were generat- times, we successfully widened our stakeholders, through our resilient approximately $160 million of new which were successfully closed during regulatory approvals, amounting to ed during difficult times for the capital client base, enhanced our product and robust fee-based business mod- money in various strategies, including the year. The team is currently work- KD3.9 million ($12.9 million). markets and the investment services offering, signed new mandates, el, innovative strategies and execu- income-yielding UK real estate, cash ing on several mandates and has an Commenting on the results, Ibrahim industry. Good operating perform- raised new money and maintained tion capabilities.” Iran paves way for corporates Kuwait oil price down with lease-based Islamic bonds to $32.73 pb: KPC KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti oil went Bank of Kuwait (CBK) yesterday. down on Tuesday by $1.03 to settle at According to the CBK, the exchange rate TEHRAN: Iran’s Ministry of Finance has issued 5 The government would usually issue sukuk debt-laden banking sector. $32.73 pb, compared to $33.76 pb the day of the Sterling pound was up to KD 0.433 as trillion rials ($145 million at the free market based on its own assets, but in this case the The government has announced plans to before, said Kuwait Petroleum Corporation well as the Swiss franc to KD 0.312. exchange rate) of lease-based Islamic bonds, transaction was based on the creditors’ assets, issue 60 trillion rials worth of Islamic Treasury (KPC) yesterday. In international markets, Exchange rate of the Japanese Yen expanding the range of the government’s fund- Fatemeh Khanahmadi, computational finance bills this year, after a maiden sale in September. the American crude oil dropped $1.11 to remained the same at KD 0.002. ing tools and providing a much-needed pricing and risk manager at Novin Investment Bank, told Iran’s capital markets have developed differ- settle at $38.28 pb, as well as the Brent The dollar was down compared to the benchmark for corporate issuers. The deal is the Reuters. “The creditors accepted it as the govern- ently from those in the rest of the Gulf after Blend which fell $1.13 to $39.14 pb. major currencies, reaching its lowest levels first time that Iran’s government has issued ment is still guarantor to pay the principal and years of isolation, and only a handful of sukuk Meanwhile, the exchange rate of the US during a week. This came after the sukuk using an ijara format, selling them the interest to investors.” structures are available. dollar against the Kuwaiti dinar went down announcements of president of a Federal through the country’s over-the-counter securi- While officials have said foreigners are per- The municipality of Tehran issued the coun- to KD 0.301, while the euro went up at KD Reserve Bank Janet Yellen which reduced ties market, known as Fara Bourse. mitted to buy Iranian bonds, foreign portfolio try’s first sukuk in 1994 based on an investment 0.341 compared to the exchange rates for the chances of any increase in interest The four-year sukuk were listed on March 16 investment in Iran is still very small, so all or partnership format known as musharaka, which Tuesday, said a statement by the Central rates. —KUNA and pay a nominal rate of 18 percent, according almost all of this month’s sukuk issue is likely to has remained the main structure in use. Six years to Fara Bourse data. The proceeds will be used to be held by domestic investors. In the wake of the ago, the capital market regulator introduced settle debts owed by the government to lifting of economic sanctions against Iran in ijara and murabaha structures - the latter is a Oil prices rise with riskier Ayandesaz Pension Fund and Mahan Air, accord- January, authorities are rolling out a series of ini- cost-plus-profit format - but they have been ing to Novin Investment Bank, which arranged tiatives to develop the country’s capital markets slow to catch on, even though they are widely assets on weak dollar the transaction. and reduce local firms’ reliance on loans from a used elsewhere in the Gulf. —Reuters LONDON: Oil futures edged up yesterday near Kuwait and Saudi Arabia said they would $40 per barrel as a weaker dollar spurred inter- resume production at the jointly operated est in riskier assets and the International Energy 300,000-barrels-per-day Khafji field even as DME Oman spikes ahead of expiry Agency said expectations for a deluge of oil major oil producers consider an output freeze. from Iran were misplaced. Brent futures climbed The freeze idea emerged after prices fell SINGAPORE: DME Oman crude’s Iraq fixes its loading program for than anticipated has the potential prepare an output freeze proposal 46 cents to $39.60 a barrel as of 1000 GMT after below $30 a barrel in January from as high as premium to Dubai swaps jumped May by mid-April. Kuwait has to keep the expected upside to oil for an April 17 meeting of OPEC settling down $1.13 in the previous session. $115 in June 2014 on global oversupply spurred to above 50 cents a barrel yester- agreed with neighbour Saudi prices in check,” the analysts said. and non-OPEC countries, Ecuador’s US crude rose 61 cents to $38.89 a barrel by US production growth and rising output day, as traders bought to cover Arabia to resume oil production at India’s crude imports rose in oil minister said on Tuesday. after ending Tuesday down $1.11. The dollar from oil exporter group OPEC. The International positions a day ahead of the con- the jointly operated Khafji field, February with Reliance importing Nigeria is in talks with oil majors index fell, after slipping to an eight-day low in Energy Agency, which oversees energy policies tract’s expiry. the OPEC member state’s acting oil 13.7 percent more oil than in Chevron, France’s Total and Italy’s the previous session on dovish comments by of industrialized nations, forecasts the global Cash Dubai went the other way minister said on Tuesday, weeks January. Essar Oil, the top Indian ENI to get help revamping the ail- US Fed Chair Janet Yellen about possible inter- stock build to continue this year. and is set to end the month weak- before oil producers are expected buyer of Iranian crude, raised ing refineries in Africa’s top crude est rate rises. A weaker dollar makes greenback- But it said yesterday Iran was not adding as er, as its discount to swaps to agree a global output freeze. imports from Tehran by about two- producer, its oil minister said on denominated commodities cheaper for holders many barrels into the market as expected widened 13 cents to $1.38 a barrel. “In theory, Saudi Arabia and thirds in February compared with Tuesday. of other currencies. despite the easing of international sanctions Asian refiners have completed Kuwait could offset higher NZ the previous month. Rosneft is set to lower oil out- “One of the main reasons for Yellen’s dovish against Tehran in January. their purchases of May-loading (Neutral Zone) production by a Japan’s commercial crude put, Russian Natural Resources stance is the low oil price and she made a direct “It was misleading to believe that there cargoes, with the exception of Iraqi reduction in output elsewhere,” stocks fell 1.12 million barrels to Minister Sergei Donskoi said on reference to it,” said Olivier Jakob from would be a huge amount of new Iranian crude crude. JBC Energy analysts said in a note. 89.78 million barrels in the week to Tuesday, ahead of a meeting of Petromatrix consultancy. and natural gas production entering the mar- Basra’s premiums are set to stay “However, no details of this March 26, data released by the leading global oil producers in “For Yellen, low oil prices are not only con- ket in the short term,” Fatih Birol, the IEA’s exec- firm above $1 as Japex has sold a have been specified, nor is there a Petroleum Association of Japan Doha on April 17 to discuss an out- tributing to low inflation expectations but they utive director, told Reuters. OPEC member Iran May-loading Basra Heavy cargo to timeline as to how quickly produc- (PAJ) showed. put freeze to support weak oil are a threat to global economic growth due to is expected to attend an oil producers meeting GS Caltex at a premium above tion will be ramped up.” “Any indi- Latin American oil producers prices. For crude prices, oil product the financial stress they are imposing on oil-pro- in Doha on April 17 to discuss the proposed $1.60 a barrel to its OSP, a trader cations that total Saudi/Kuwaiti Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia and cracks and refining margins, please ducing economies,” Jakob said. Oil prices fell freeze, although it may not take part in the said. More cargoes will trade once production could in fact be higher Mexico may meet on April 8 to click on the RICs below. —Reuters about 3 percent in the previous session after talks. —Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 81.545 US Dollars Mint 0.299100 0.303100 20 Gram 246.640 Jordanian Dinar 427.185 10 Gram 126.240 Asia CURRENCY BUY SELL Egyptian Pound 34.053 5 Gram 63.970 ASIAN COUNTRIES Sri Lankan Rupees 2.063 Bangladesh Taka 0.003441 0.004015 Japanese Yen 2.692 Indian Rupees 4.538 Chinese Yuan 0.045177 0.048677 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036945 0.039695 Indian Rupees 4.586 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Pakistani Rupees 2.891 Pakistani Rupees 2.889 Bangladesh Taka 3.857 Indian Rupee 0.004290 0.004680 Srilankan Rupees 2.041 Philippines Pesso 6.540 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Nepali Rupees 2.848 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Cyprus pound 577.595 Japanese Yen 0.002609 0.002789 Singapore Dollar 224.220 Australian Dollar 201.91 Japanese Yen 3.675 Kenyan Shilling 0.002975 0.002975 Hongkong Dollar 39.037 Canadian Dollar 219.82 Syrian Pound 2.375 Korean Won 0.000252 0.000267 Bangladesh Taka 3.859 Swiss Franc 306.95 Nepalese Rupees 3.835 Malaysian Ringgit 0.072650 0.078650 Philippine Peso 6.566 Euro 336.85 Malaysian Ringgit 76.000 Nepalese Rupee 0.002869 0.003039 Thai Baht 8.605 US Dollar 299.90 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.930 Pakistan Rupee 0.002684 0.002964 Sterling Pound 431.04 Thai Bhat 9.565 Philippine Peso 0.006459 0.006739 GCC COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 2.67 Turkish Lira 105.085 Sierra Leone 0.000073 0.000079 Saudi Riyal 80.763 Bangladesh Taka 3.817 Singapore Dollar 0.219993 0.225993 Qatari Riyal 83.194 Indian Rupee 4.375 South African Rand 0.013878 0.022378 Omani Riyal 786.642 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.083 Bahrain Exchange Company Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001696 0.002276 Bahraini Dinar 804.300 Nepali Rupee 2.732 Taiwan 0.009235 0.009315 UAE Dirham 82.457 Pakistani Rupee 2.860 Thai Baht 0.008275 0.008825 UAE Dirhams 0.08161 CURRENCY BUY SELL Bahraini Dinar 0.7970 Europe ARAB COUNTRIES Arab Egyptian Pound 0.03819 British Pound 0.428306 0.437306 Egyptian Pound - Cash 34.440 Bahraini Dinar 0.796349 0.804349 Jordanian Dinar 0.4265 Czech Korune 0.004611 0.016611 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 34.479 Egyptian Pound 0.030698 0.035816 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.413 Omani Riyal 0.7788 Danish Krone 0.041773 0.046773 Qatari Riyal 0.08269 Euro 0.336290 0.344290 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Tunisian Dinar 151.730 Iraqi Dinar 0.000192 0.000252 Jordanian Dinar 426.730 Saudi Riyal 0.07994 Norwegian Krone 0.032028 0.037228 Jordanian Dinar 0.422934 0.430434 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.018 Romanian Leu 0.076415 0.076415 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Syrian Lira 2.158 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Slovakia 0.009020 0.019020 Lebanese Pound 0.000150 0.000250 Morocco Dirham 31.696 Swedish Krona 0.032864 0.037864 Swiss Franc 0.306371 0.316571 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020649 0.044649 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.100914 0.111214 Nigerian Naira 0.001248 0.001883 US Dollar 303.250 US Dollar Transfer 302.700 Omani Riyal 0.779814 0.785494 Canadian Dollar 230.325 Euro 344.020 Australasia Qatar Riyal 0.082433 0.083643 Sterling Pound 429.535 Sterling Pound 437.400 Australian Dollar 0.222426 0.233926 Saudi Riyal 0.079833 0.080783 Euro 339.765 Canadian dollar 232.490 New Zealand Dollar 0.200930 0.210430 Syrian Pound 0.001283 0.001503 Swiss Frank 297.075 Turkish lira 107.150 Tunisian Dinar 0.147333 0.155333 Bahrain Dinar 802.260 Swiss Franc 314.980 America Turkish Lira 0.100914 0.111214 UAE Dirhams 82.805 Australian Dollar 232.170 Canadian Dollar 0.226010 0.234510 UAE Dirhams 0.081433 0.082582 Qatari Riyals 84.020 US Dollar Buying 301.500 US Dollars 0.298600 0.303100 Yemeni Riyal 0.001368 0.001448 THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 BUSINESS NBK increases its capital by 6.5% Bank to maintain healthy capitalization on Basel 3 rules

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) plans to maintain healthy capitalization company in Kuwait and the Gulf Region. board of directors has agreed to increase ratios following the implementation of NBK reported profits of $ 929.7 million the bank’s capital through a 6.5 percent Basel 3 and the regulations of the Central (KD 282.2 million) for 2015 which was rights issue. The bank will issue 343.96 Bank of Kuwait (CBK) in this regards. Also, among the highest in the Arab region. million shares at 400 fils per share. The this increase will allow the bank to contin- NBK’s total assets were $77.8 billion (KD issuance price includes an issuance pre- ue capturing growth opportunities, espe- 23.6 billion) at the end of 2015, while mium of 300 fils per share on top of the cially in Kuwait as the government’s capi- shareholder equity stood at $ 8.6 billion par value of 100 fils per share. tal spending plan remains intact and as (KD 2.6 billion). Following the capital increase, NBK’s NBK continues to be the market leader in NBK is the largest financial institution issued and paid-in capital will reach KD the project finance segment. in Kuwait with effective market domi- 563.57 million distributed over 5,635.66 It is worth mentioning that in 2015, nance in the commercial banking market million shares. The capital increase will NBK issued $ 700 million in additional Tier and has been consistently awarded the take place following final approvals of all 1 securities and KD 125 million in Tier 2 highest credit rating of all banks in the regulatory authorities. The rights issue will subordinated bonds. The bank’s capital region from Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, be offered to the shareholders registered adequacy ratio stood at 16.8 percent as of supported by its high capitalization, pru- presence with a local and international and Fitch Ratings. NBK also stands out in in the bank’s records one day prior to the end-December 2015, comfortably above dent lending policies, and its disciplined network reaching 4 continents. NBK’s terms of its local and international net- date of calling the capital increase. regulatory requirements. approach to risk management, in addition international presence spans many of the work, which includes branches, sub- Earlier, NBK received all necessary NBK continues to enjoy collectively the to its highly recognized and very stable world’s leading financial centers including sidiaries and representative offices in approvals from regulatory authorities as highest ratings among all banks in the management team. NBK was also named New York, Europe, GCC, Middle East, China, Geneva, London, Paris, New York, well as its general assembly to increase Middle East from the three international among Global Finance’s list of the 50 safest Singapore as well as China (Shanghai). and Singapore alongside its regional pres- the bank’s authorized capital to KD 600 rating agencies Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and banks in the world for the tenth consecu- NBK was founded in 1952 as the first ence in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, million. This step is in line with the bank’s Standard and Poor’s. The Bank’s ratings are tive time. NBK enjoys the widest banking indigenous bank and the first joint stock Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, and the UAE. India’s Tata Steel seeks British exit Thousands of jobs at stake

LONDON/MUMBAI: India’s Tata Steel is seeking to sell Britain’s biggest steelmaking business, putting thousands of jobs at risk in an industry that once dominated Britain but has been brought low by falling prices, high costs and Chinese competition. After a marathon board meeting in Mumbai, Tata said it would draw a line under its almost decade-long foray into Britain’s steel industry, exiting the country entirely. HONG KONG: Pedestrians cross a road in the Central district of Hong Kong The move could have an impact on Britain’s yesterday. —AFP closely fought vote in three months over whether to stay in the European Union. Britain’s traditionally anti-EU media have blamed Aramco CEO says no Brussels for preventing London from taking greater steps to protect the industry, although supporters of membership say EU policy is not projects cancelled, responsible for the industry’s plight. Tata, which employs about 15,000 people in Britain at sites including the giant Port Talbot Khurais ready in 2018 plant in Wales, said its financial performance in Britain had deteriorated sharply in recent AL-AHSA: Saudi Aramco was continuing to on the sidelines of an finance event. months and it wanted to exit as quickly as possi- PORT TALBOT: A picture shows the Tata Steel steel plant at Port Talbot, South Wales yesterday. work on both its upstream and downstream Asked if there will be any delay in explo- ble. The British government and the Welsh Indian steel giant Tata Steel yesterday put its British business up for sale, placing thousands of projects without any cancellations, with its ration activities, Nasser said: “Exploration authorities said they were looking at all viable jobs at risk and striking a heavy blow to the crisis-hit steel industry. — AFP Khurais scheme expected to come online in activities are continuing. We have one rig in options to protect the steel industry, which has 2018, the chief executive of the state-owned the Red Sea in the shallow water.” He added already shed thousands of jobs in just the last try’s decline since its peak in the 1970s. The ducer ArcelorMittal , have been hit by plunging oil giant said yesterday. work on the clean fuels project in Ras year. “We are, and have, and continue to look at leader of the opposition Labour party, Jeremy prices due to overcapacity in China, the world’s Global oil majors and Saudi Arabia have Tanura is ongoing, while the completion of all options, and I mean all options. But what we Corbyn, called on the government to take a pub- biggest steel market, making Tata’s task of find- been paring back investments to cope with the Khurais oil field expansion would be in first want to achieve from Tata is this period of lic stake in the industry which he called “the cor- ing a buyer all the more difficult. Tata Steel is the continuing lower oil price environment. 2018. Aramco revived bidding for the clean- time to allow a proper sale process,” Anna nerstone of our manufacturing sector”. the second-largest steel producer in Europe The kingdom is the world’s largest exporter er fuels project at its biggest oil refinery, Soubry, a minister for business, told BBC radio. Tata Steel bought Anglo-Dutch steelmaker with a diversified presence across the conti- of crude oil. “Until now, our projects are con- sources familiar with the plan told Reuters She said she could not rule out the possibility Corus in 2007 and has since struggled to turn nent. It has a crude steel production capacity tinuing in downstream, upstream, there are last month, following speculation that low- of the government buying the plants until a new the giant around. Port Talbot, though far from its of over 18 million tonnes per annum in Europe, no projects that have been cancelled from er oil prices would force the project’s can- owner could be found. The sale ramps up pres- 1960s peak, still employs about 4,000 people, but only 14 mtpa is operational. our programs,” Amin Nasser told reporters cellation. — Reuters sure on Prime Minister David Cameron’s right- and Tata is one of the most significant private Two of its three main European units, Port leaning Conservative government, which has companies in Wales. Talbot and Scunthorpe, are in Britain, with the sought to cultivate closer ties with China. Unions welcomed the decision not to shut- remaining operations in the Netherlands. Its Bundesbank concerned about Cameron’s fate hangs in the balance when ter the plants but called on Tata to be a share price has halved in the past five years, a Britain votes on whether to stay in the EU in May, “responsible seller” and on the government to period in which it recorded asset impairment negative interest rates and his government has sought to avoid contro- play its role. “We don’t just want more warm of more than $2.88 billion related to the UK versies during the runup to the vote. The words. We want a detailed plan of action to find business. FRANKFURT: The German central bank, so low for such a long period. Conservatives are resented in Britain’s industrial buyers and build confidence in potential The stock opened about 2 percent higher in or Bundesbank, is worried that private Bundesbank president Jens Weidmann heartlands for the demise of mining and manu- investors in UK steel,” Roy Rickhuss, general sec- Mumbai yesterday, as investors welcomed the savers may soon face negative interest said he was not convinced by the ECB’s facturing under former prime minister Margaret retary of steelworkers’ trade union Community, decision to shed a burden on its Indian opera- rates on their bank accounts, board mem- latest policy moves. With low interest Thatcher in the 1980s. The government has said said. Steelmakers in Britain pay some of the tion. For the year ending March 2015, the com- ber Andreas Dombret warned in a maga- rates offering little incentive to savers and it is taking measures to help the steel sector but highest energy costs and green taxes in the pany took a write-down of a little over a billion zine interview yesterday. weighing on banks’ profitability, board the fundamental problem remained the halving world and are also struggling to compete with dollars in its consolidated numbers. However, “The banks and savings banks I speak member Dombret noted that “lots of of steel prices in the past year, caused by overca- record Chinese steel imports, which they say the tide seems to be turning for the India oper- to want to do everything to avoid that,” banks have increased their fees to cus- pacity in China. have been unfairly subsidised by Beijing. ations. Tata also said it was still in talks with Dombret told Der Spiegel news magazine tomers or are thinking about increasing Once a driver of the economy through the investment firm Greybull Capital over the sale in its online edition. “But the longer the them.” This could be in the area of cash 19th and 20th centuries, many of Britain’s former TATA’S TROUBLES of its British long products unit, which makes current interest rate environment lasts, withdrawals, cheque card issue or other steel towns have been decimated by the indus- Most steel companies, including top pro- steel for use in construction. — Reuters the higher the possibility that they might services, he said. pass on the negative rates” to customers, As savers look for alternative returns on Dombret said. “As the supervisory authori- their money, the Bundesbank board China overcapacity darkens ty, we don’t tell the banks what to do. member suggested that low interest rates Every bank and savings bank must decide could eventually lead to the emergence of for itself.” In a bid to push up chronically a real estate bubble. low inflation in the euro area, the “Real estate prices have risen sharply in Asia’s growth prospects: ADB European Central Bank slashed its main metropolitan areas in recent years,” he refi refinancing rate down to zero this said. “That’s why I have more reservations BEIJING: Huge industrial overcapacity in China will month and lowered its deposit rate to than in previous years,” Dombret said, drag on both the country’s and the region’s growth minus 0.40 percent. The Bundesbank has urging banks to “be very cautious and this year, the Asian Development Bank said yester- made no secret of its opposition to the weigh up their real estate credit decisions day, cutting its forecast for the world’s second- ECB’s decision to bring its key rates down very carefully.” — AFP largest economy. China’s GDP growth is expected to slow to 6.5 percent in 2016, the ADB said in its flagship Asian Japan’s Abe aims to double Development Outlook, lowering its December forecast of 6.7 percent. tourist visits by 2020 With China casting its shadow over the conti- nent, the bank also reduced its prediction for Asia’s growth to 5.7 percent, down from 6.0 percent and TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo which would be about twice as much as the slower than last year’s actual 5.9 percent expan- Abe set yesterday an ambitious target to number of tourists who entered Japan last sion. China’s “growth moderation and uneven glob- double the number of foreign visitors and year, a statement showed. al recovery are weighing down overall growth in the amount of money they spend in the In 2015, tourists spent 3.5 trillion yen Asia”, said the ADB’s chief economist Shang-Jin Wei. country by 2020 to breathe life into a flag- ($31.2 billion) in Japan, and Abe wants to The document comes at a time of global uncer- ging economy. Since taking office in late more than double that amount to 8 trillion tainty about Beijing’s ability to make much-needed 2012, Abe’s administration has relaxed visa yen by 2020 by relaxing visa requirements cuts to its steel, coal, and cement sectors and man- requirements for several Asian countries, further and improving flight access, the age a tough economic transition to a more con- which has notably led to an influx of statement showed. sumer-led model. Chinese visitors. An ensuing boom in Abe will also try to promote more of the China’s economy grew at its slowest pace for a tourism has been one of the few bright country’s national treasures and public quarter-century last year, and concerns have been BEIJING: A woman walks through a residential complex in Beijing yesterday. Huge industrial spots of his structural reform agenda. parks to guests from overseas. mounting it could soften further after Beijing set a overcapacity in China will drag on both the country’s and the region’s growth this year, the Abe is looking to reap further benefits The government is also targeting 60 mil- 6.5-7 percent target for 2016. “Weak external Asian Development Bank said yesterday, cutting its forecast for the world’s second-largest from inbound tourism as Tokyo prepares to lion visitors and 15 trillion yen in tourist demand and excess capacity in some sectors, on economy. —AFP host the Olympics in 2020. Luring more spending by 2030, the statement showed. top of a shrinking labour force and rising wages, China needs and what Asia needs,” he said, adding regulations would help boost activity. Indonesia will tourists could also help ease concerns The number of inbound tourists has been continue to induce a gradual decline in the PRC’s that Beijing would not use “shock therapy” to make lead Southeast Asia as Jakarta ploughs cash into about consistently weak domestic con- hitting record levels since the government growth rate,” Wei said. changes. Elsewhere across the continent the infrastructure and encourages private investment, sumption and Japan’s declining population. began relaxing visa requirements. A “sharp slowdown” in Chinese real-estate prospects were brighter, however, according to the the ADB added, predicting GDP would grow 5.2 “Today we have decided a new vision for The benefit was initially seen at depart- investment will be a “drag” on the economy, the Manila-based bank. percent this year, up from 4.8 percent in 2015. tourism,” Abe said after a meeting with gov- ment stores in Tokyo, where Chinese bank added, although it would be partly offset by The ADB predicted growth in India, the fastest- China’s heavy industries, many of them state- ernment ministers. tourists bought electronics and clothes in consumption and green investment. expanding large economy in the world, would slow owned, have provided mass employment for tens “Tourism is an important part of our eco- bulk to re-sell in their home country. The The ADB’s China economics head Jurgen to 7.4 percent, from 7.6 percent in 2015, but would of millions of people but are increasingly loss-mak- nomic growth strategy, of revitalising local boost to retail sales is now starting to Conrad said the government “urgently needed” to accelerate again to 7.8 percent in 2017. “India is ing and debt-ridden. Shutting inefficient companies economies and of our goal to raise gross spread to regional economies as more accelerate cuts to excess capacity in real-estate and growing faster now than China... and is likely to could cause further problems, the bank said, poten- domestic product to 600 trillion yen.” Abe tourists visit temples and shrines in rural manufacturing, and cited high corporate debt as remain so in the near future,” Wei said, saying struc- tially leading to 3.6 million job losses and drying up aims to attract 40 million visitors to Japan, areas. — Reuters another challenge. “Supply-side reform is what tural reforms and improvements to labour market tax revenues for local governments. —AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 BUSINESS Yellen drives global stock markets rally

LONDON: Stock markets around the booking trends compared with last ConocoPhillips 1.8 percent and Shanghai equities soaring yesterday, higher... on the back of a late rally in “Leading the way is the materials sec- world powered higher yesterday after year. Yoga-attire maker Lululemon drilling firm Nabors Industries 1.1 per- but Tokyo fell on the back of a US stocks in the aftermath of a speech tor as commodities received a boost Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen Athletica surged 9.4 percent as fourth- cent. Acadia Pharmaceuticals surged stronger yen which hurts exporters. by US Fed chief Janet Yellen,” said ana- on the back of the weaker dollar,” said hinted that the US central bank would quarter earnings climbed 5.9 percent 12.0 percent on news a US Food and The largely positive mood spilled over lyst Markus Huber at City of London analyst Brenda Kelly at traders London not lift interest rates any time soon. to $117.4 million on a five percent rise Drug Administration panel voted in into Europe where major stock mar- Markets. Capital Group. US stocks rose early joining most in comparable store sales. favor of its Nuplazid medication for kets gained up to 2 percent in after- Yellen promised a cautious Mining giant Anglo American global bourses in rallying after her Petroleum-linked stocks pushed the treatment of psychosis associated noon deals. Wall Street gained further approach to future US interest rate surged 11.8 percent to 535.80 pence, that pledged a cautious approach to higher as oil prices gained. Dow mem- with Parkinson’s disease. at the opening bell yesterday. hikes, saying the central bank has to Glencore won 8.0 percent to 155.35 hiking interest rates. About 30 min- ber Chevron rose 1.3 percent, The news sent Hong Kong and “European equities are trading pay heed to “broader concerns about pence and BHP Billiton added 6.2 per- utes into trade, the Dow Jones global financial developments”, cent to 796.70 pence. Yellen added Industrial Average stood at 17,765.84, including oil prices and the overall Tuesday that job creation remains up 132.73 points (0.75 percent). pace of growth. strong and other signs of growth firm, The broad-based S&P 500 rose A better-than-expected reading on even as the US manufacturing indus- 13.89 (0.68 percent) to 2,068.90, while US growth and other improved data try has been hit by the strong dollar the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index recently had raised hopes that the and the sharp contraction in the oil gained 45.02 (0.93 percent) at global turmoil at the start of the year and gas industry. 4,891.64. Yellen’s remarks Tuesday may have ended, and fuelled talk that But she said that even if the US emphasized the need for a gradual the central bank might consider a fur- maintains a moderate growth rate, approach to lifting rates in light of ther tightening of borrowing costs. the Fed must heed “broader concerns global economic uncertainty. The However, while Yellen pointed out about global financial developments”, speech was “viewed as unequivocally that the world’s top economy had including oil prices and the overall dovish,” said Briefing.com analyst “proven remarkably resilient” in the pace of growth. Patrick O’Hare. face of a global slowdown-particularly She also rejected arguments, Stock markets in London, Frankfurt in China and plunging oil prices, she including from some Fed officials, that and Paris were up 1.7 percent or more. took a dovish stance on monetary inflation has increased to the point Sentiment was also boosted by data policy this year. that policymakers must raise rates from payroll firm ADP showing US With the prospect of US rates sooner rather than later. “Despite companies added a solid 200,000 jobs remaining low for some time, traders some of her colleagues having in March. moved out of the dollar, sending it expressed rather hawkish views of late Apple led the Dow with a gain of tumbling against the yen, which in especially as inflation has started to 2.3 percent. All but four companies in turn hit Japanese exporters and go up, Yellen made it very clear... that the 30-member index were positive. Tokyo’s Nikkei stocks index. the downside risks to the economy Dow member Boeing rose 0.2 percent are by far outweighing concerns on news it was eliminating 4,000 posi- Mining sector forges higher about inflation possibly moving up in tions in its commercial aircraft division The weaker greenback boosted the months ahead,” added Huber. as part of a cost-cutting push. Carnival many dollar-denominated commodi- “This not only means that another advanced 3.4 percent as first-quarter ties, which become cheaper for buy- interest hike is not on the cards any net income nearly tripled to $142 mil- ers using stronger currencies. In turn, time soon but also that rates are likely lion. The cruise company lifted its MANILA: San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang speaks in front of a giant electronic board at the that gave a shot in the arm to Europe’s to rise less this year than markets have 2016 forecast based on stronger Philippine Stock Exchange during the listing of San Miguel in Manila’s financial district yesterday. —AFP metals and mining sector yesterday. already discounted.” —Agencies Markets mixed, money flows to UAE

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS

DUBAI: Middle East stock markets were mixed and has seen unusually heavy volumes this week. 10 percent daily limit for a second straight day. yesterday as money flowed into bourses in the Abu Dhabi’s index gained 1.8 percent as Abu Many Saudi stocks are priced cheaply in their ini- United Arab Emirates but many markets Dhabi National Energy (TAQA), the most active tial public offers and rise by their daily limits for dropped in shrinking volumes, suggesting some stock, jumped 12.2 percent before the release of several days after listing. investors were pulling out. Given the UAE’s its fourth-quarter earnings, expected early on Qatar edged down 0.04 percent as Gulf diversified economy, its markets are widely seen Thursday. One market source said an Abu Dhabi Warehousing retreated 2.3 percent, after soaring as relatively well-placed to ride out a looming institutional investor was buying the stock last week when the Qatar Central Securities economic slowdown in the Gulf this year actively. Depository said it had raised the maximum for- prompted by low oil prices. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank rose 2.7 percent eign ownership percentage for its shares to 49 Dubai’s index climbed 1.5 percent to 3,325 to 6.57 dirhams after Citigroup raised its target percent of capital. points, bouncing from near technical support on price for the stock to 8.2 dirhams from 7.5 Egypt’s index fell 1.1 percent as real estate its mid-March low of 3,253 points. GFH Financial dirhams. Elsewhere in the Gulf, however, the firm Talaat Mostafa dropped 3.7 percent after rose 3.0 percent after saying it had signed a 100 mood was less positive. The Saudi index rose 0.6 declaring cash dividends worth a combined million pound ($144 million) deal to become an percent but falling trading volume indicated 0.145 Egyptian pound per share. anchor partner in a central London property that after the bourse jumped earlier this month But Telecom Egypt jumped 4.5 percent after development. It said this would reflect positively in response to the rebound of oil prices to near a ministry of communications source told on its financial results in the first or second quar- $40 a barrel, some investors believe the uptrend Reuters that Vodafone Egypt owed Telecom ters of this year, but did not elaborate. is ending. Much of the index’s gain was due to Egypt 4.5 billion Egyptian pounds ($506.8 mil- Shuaa Capital, the most heavily traded stock, heavyweight Saudi Basic Industries, which rose lion) in deferred profit payments; payment jumped its 15 percent daily limit. It has been 1.7 percent. Hospital operator Middle East would be made in two instalments, with the first rebounding from a record low hit earlier this year Healthcare, which listed on Tuesday, jumped its in April. —Reuters

YANGON: A Myanmar vendor sells vegetables at a market in Yangon yesterday. —AFP Gold retreats to $1,240 after post-Yellen rally

LONDON: Gold fell yesterday as a rally in assets quarter so far since the third quarter of 1986. World stocks climbed near the highest levels seen as higher risk, such as equities, prompted Spot gold was at $1,232.63 an ounce at 1330 this year yesterday as investors rolled back some investors to cash in gains sparked the pre- GMT, down 0.7 percent, having risen 1.7 percent expectations for how fast and how far US inter- vious day by Fed chair Janet Yellen’s cautious on Tuesday after Yellen’s speech. US gold futures est rates might rise. Holdings of the world’s tone on further rate hikes. Yellen’s signal that for April delivery were down $2.40 an ounce at biggest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, interest rates will likely rise only gradually reas- $1,235.10. “There was quite a big move yester- SPDR Gold Shares, declined for the first day in sured gold investors, as higher rates boost the day from $1,220 to $1,240, which was really in two weeks on Tuesday, by 3.3 tons. opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets line with what Yellen said. You had dollar weak- Focus is now shifting to the main US jobs like bullion. ness, but the gold move was stronger, which data later this week. “Though the rally looks The metal remains on track for its best quar- suggests some genuine interest in gold,” Julius intact it can be dented by a good employment ter in nearly 30 years, up 16.4 percent, after Baer analyst Carsten Menke said. “But overall, the number in the non-farm payrolls release for prices rallied sharply earlier in the year as wor- strength in gold has also been driven by global March scheduled for Friday,” HSBC said in a note. ries about economic growth, particularly in growth fears, and this is slowly ebbing as market “A number above 200,000 new net jobs could China, shook up stock markets. Consequent participants get less afraid about the global wear on gold and clip recent gains.” Among oth- demand for safe havens, combined with reced- economy. In the equity market today, prices are er precious metals, silver was flat at $15.34 an ing expectations for further US Federal Reserve up again. The weakness in gold we’re seeing ounce, platinum was up 0.7 percent at $974.17 rate hikes, have driven gold up more than 16 today is a mirror image of the positive mood in an ounce and palladium was down 0.3 percent percent since January, making this its strongest financial markets overall.” at $571.39 an ounce. —Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

All-new BMW 7 Series takes design, engineering innovation to new level

KUWAIT: The new BMW 7 Series is an the wheel design and the seamlessly Laserlight or Remote Control Parking, outstanding example of technical innova- incorporated Hofmeister kink makes this they are setting further future-orientated tion of the highest level coupled with new model distinctive. Looking inside, standards in the BMW 7 Series. In laser contemporary luxury. Created through high-quality materials such as chrome high beam mode, BMW Laserlight illumi- the concept of ‘Technological Poetry’ one with interior trims in Poplar Grain Grey nates a range of up to 600 metres nearly sees the perfect marriage between fine-wood finish and seats with uphol- twice as far as that of conventional head- advanced technology and its interpreta- stery such as exclusive ‘Nappa’ leather in lights. With the use of this new headlight tion into design. Dynamic proportions, Ivory White create a harmonious combi- technology, BMW Laserlight improves precise lines and sculptured surfaces: The nation. Also displaying a high level of safety with better night time visibility. BMW 7 Series shows typical BMW design handicraft is the instrument panel deco- In addition, the BMW Touch Command in its most elegant form. Be it in the for- rated by a continuous seam. is a tablet with 7” display that is integrat- ward-surging front, the extended side Nothing beats the new BMW 7 Series ed into the centre armrest in the rear for view or powerful rear, the BMW 7 Series for comfort and luxury. A host of new the first time. It is connected to the car’s radiates its natural and authoritative pres- BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance systems and offers comprehensive opera- ence from every angle. features include the intuitive Touch tion and setting options. Using the tablet, “If you ever wanted quality craftsman- Command: a 7-inch tablet positioned in the rear seats and front passenger seat ship at a supreme level then this is the car the rear of the vehicle, offers passengers a can be adjusted. for you. Evidence of this is the Floating completely new experience in controlling Air conditioning, ventilation and seat Design Mirror: The side mirrors appear to multiple in-car functions. Through Touch heating in the rear can also be operated, grow organically out of the window out- Command, rear passengers are able to as well as the interior lighting with line. Modern and elegant in their effect, control in-car infotainment and comfort Ambient light, the blinds for the glass the aerodynamics are also enhanced,” features, such as the new BMW 7 Series sunroof and the roller sunblinds. The said Yousef Al-Qatami, General Manager Vitality Program, which offers luxurious entertainment functions can also be con- of Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive. in-seat massage options. A unique trolled. The portable BMW Touch “Other examples of genuine detail refine- Gesture Control function, which offers Command can be conveniently charged ments are the Sky Lounge, a panorama those inside the vehicle with the option from the Snap-in adapter. glass roof welcoming passengers to enjoy to increase the volume of the radio only “The all-new 7 Series has certainly the day or star-filled night sky, as illumi- by gesturing at the screen, is also one of raised the level of automobile engineer- nated light patterns provide a luxurious the new technology features. ing, innovation and design. The new interior light ambience in six colours,” he Whichever seat you occupy in the model exemplifies the highest level of added. BMW 7 Series, you feel the contemporary precision coupled with the ultimate in Active air stream kidney grille with ver- and future-orientated atmosphere of lux- vative technologies to accompany people for pioneering innovations is the driving luxury and comfort. We have no doubt tical slats in Chrome, the high-precision urious wellbeing. A virtuosic composition who wish to move things - be it from the force for the BMW engineers. With func- that it will surpass our customers’ expec- and powerfully distinctive appearance of of material, light, shape, colour and inno- rear or from the driver’s seat. The search tions such as BMW Gesture Control, BMW tations,” Al-Qatami concluded. GCC Banks - Moody’s Investor Service Report Low oil prices challenge liquidity conditions

KUWAIT: In this report, we survey the extent fiscal position and capacity to provide support 2014, will commensurately reduce banking next 12 months from 15 percent levels previ- deposits ratios for these systems have been to which the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to the fairly large Bahraini banking sector (230 system liquidity. Although increases in sover- ously. The resultant funding gap is already broadly stable at 98 percent and 77 percent, banks have been affected by low oil prices and percent of GDP). Public sector borrowings eign borrowing are positive for the domestic pressuring system liquidity and driving banks respectively, unlike some of the other GCC sys- highlight relative vulnerabilities of individual grew by around 15 percent in the first six banks’ profitability, these trends may ultimate- to compete for deposits and, at the same time, tems. Liquid asset buffers remain solid in the banking systems. The pressures highlighted in months of 2015, which has helped sustain the ly impact sovereign creditworthiness and, con- seek longer-term, but costlier, market funding. 30 percent-35 percent range for the two sys- this report, combined with those generated by domestic economy but poses risks for 2016, as sequently, the deposit ratings of banks that Kuwait is expected to be the least affected tems. Going forward, a key question will be the strong sovereign linkages in the region. it is unclear how the government will be able currently benefit from government support. system. Credit growth in the country has been whether these governments will take stronger Low Oil Price Challenge Banks’ Resilience’) to maintain the current levels of spending. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) banking consistently the lowest in the GCC since the measures to protect their own fiscal position were among the factors that underpinned our Over the same period, the level of government sector remains moderately exposed to a pro- global financial crisis, driven by very limited and whether this could have an effect on the recent action to downgrade some banks in deposits declined by around 4 percent, reduc- longed period of low oil prices. Despite chal- government spending and as such, leaving systems’ deposit levels. Oman and Bahrain while placing the ratings of ing local liquidity for the banks from a relative- lenges in operating conditions, the UAE’s more room for increases in 2016 that will be benefi- In Saudi Arabia, deposit growth has slowed 31 banks on review for downgrade in all six ly strong base. In this context, we expect loan diversified economy and the macro prudential cial for the banks. Deposit growth too is more significantly to around 1 percent during GCC countries. performance to weaken in the second half of initiatives in real estate and banking regula- expected to be stable given the limited public- 2015 from 12 percent for 2014. This slowdown Low oil prices have pressured operating is driven by modest declines in government conditions for banks across the GCC countries, deposits (overall government deposits fell by with real non-oil economic growth halving to around 2 percent during 2015, while time and an average of around 3 percent over 2016 savings deposits fell by 5.7 percent), which is a from around 6 percent in 2014. reversal from the positive trend observed in Reduced oil revenues for regional govern- prior years. ments have already led to a more challenging As a result, loan-to-deposit ratios have funding environment, with annual deposit started to increase and the regulator has growth slowing significantly, from around 10 increased the limit for this metric to 90 per- percent during 2014 to around 3 percent during cent from 85 percent to provide headroom for 2015 and we expect liquidity to remain tight more lending. Liquid asset levels remain stable over 2016. Also, while banks’ asset quality per- at around 32 percent of total assets for the sys- formance and capital buffers have been broadly tem. We expect liquidity to tighten further as maintained so far, we note that pressure on loan inflows from government continue to growth and asset quality could increase if GCC decrease. governments become more fiscally selective Although overall deposit growth is down in and let the non-oil economy slow down further. Kuwait as well, it remains least affected by As such, we will continue to monitor the broad pressures from the low oil price as the decline economic performance of the individual sys- has been fairly modest - to 3 percent in 2015 tems and the key risk transmission channels for from around 4 percent in 2014. Also, unlike the pressures, in particular government spending 2016, while capital should remain solid. tions since the global financial crisis in 2008 sector balances held at local Kuwaiti banks other GCC systems where the level of govern- policies as well as investor and consumer confi- Oman’s banking system also continues to will support the solvency profiles of the banks. (around 15 percent of total system deposits). ment deposits has declined, in Kuwait it has dence, liquidity, and asset quality (direct and remain vulnerable. We expect the operating Nevertheless, deposit growth is expected to Nevertheless, the low fiscal break-even oil actually increased by around 11 percent dur- indirect exposures). environment to weaken further as indicated slow significantly to around 3 percent from the prices of Kuwait and Qatar, coupled with large ing 2015 to reach around 15 percent of total The widening gap between oil prices and by declining business volumes, investment, 10 percent levels of 2012-14. While sovereign reserve buffers will support elevated public deposits, however, the increase was primarily fiscal break even oil prices across GCC gov- liquidity and reduced consumer confidence. buffers remain large, the highest bank deposit spending for an extended period for these sys- driven by re-classification of deposits from a ernments has resulted in a significant We expect these developments to impact ratings in the UAE (mostly for Abu Dhabi tems, moderating the downside risks to the government related entity which was reported increase in some of these governments’ Oman banks’ funding, profitability and ulti- based banks) are vulnerable given their prox- operating environments and, consequently, as market funds until 2014 but now customer deficits, which has weakened their own cred- mately asset quality in 2016. At the same time, imity to the government’s rating and some of the respective banking sector fundamentals. deposits. Banking system indicators of loan- itworthiness, as highlighted by the recent rat- the government’s fiscal pressures mean the the significant rating uplift levels incorporated Nevertheless, like the UAE, the highest deposit to-deposits and liquid assets to total assets are ing actions taken on the government of capacity and willingness to support the bank- in the banks’ ratings, based on our current ratings in these two systems are also vulnera- expected to remain broadly stable at their cur- major oil-exporting countries. In turn, these ing system is declining as well. In Saudi Arabia, assessment of a very high probability of gov- ble given their proximity to the government rent levels of 85 percent and 30 percent, developments also highlight the reduced banks face the dual pressure of weakening ernment support. ratings, which are currently facing some pres- respectively, over 2016. capacity (or possibly willingness) of these operating conditions and fiscal pressures sig- Qatar is still expected to deliver solid non- sure. A key driver of the favorable conditions governments to support both the broad naling a potential reduction of the govern- oil economic growth in the 8 percent range that have long supported GCC banks is the economy and the banks in times of stress, if ment’s capacity to provide support. While we driven by continued infrastructure invest- GCC CENTRAL BANKS reallocation of high oil revenues into the needed. We will continue to assess for any expect new asset quality pressures, profitabili- ments that provide stable growth prospects Overall yearly deposit growth at banks in broad domestic economy through direct pub- changes in the GCC governments’ capacity or ty and capital buffers are expected to remain for 2016. Oman and Bahrain has slowed to around 3 lic spending, which has helped soften the willingness to provide such support. resilient. Government borrowing will continue However, the banks have experienced a sig- percent and 2 percent, respectively, but their overall economic slowdown, with total real to increase, helping to sustain domestic credit nificant slowdown in overall deposit growth, governments have consciously kept their level GDP declining only to 2 percent in 2015 from 3 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS growth. Lower overall deposit inflows, the to 6 percent over 2015 from above 20 percent of deposits in the system stable at around 32 percent in 2014 (see appendix 1 for more Bahrain’s banking system is under pressure, growth rate of which declined to around 1 during 2012-13, and we expect credit growth percent and 11 percent, respectively, to help information on linkages between oil revenues linked directly to the government’s weakening percent during 2015 from 12 percent during to fall to a more moderate 8 percent over the maintain liquidity. As a result, loans-to- and public spending). BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Infiniti Al-Babtain conducts Infiniti Kuwait national sales competition

KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain he will be competing on behalf of AABC in an ment to continuously enhancing the skills and Co (AABC), the authorised distributor of Infiniti attempt to win the prestigious regional con- knowledge of staff with the aim of delivering in the State of Kuwait, conducted the 2015 test trophy and a cash award up to AED 15,000 unparalleled service to our customers and Infiniti National Sales Competition. (Approximately $4,080). The regional competi- prospects.” He further added, “Such competi- The competition pitted the skills and tions will be held in the beautiful Sofitel Dubai, tions are a chance for the staff to showcase knowledge of AABC’s top three Infiniti Sales the Palm Resort and Spa in early April. their talents in a competitive environment and Ambassadors focussing on various sales skills The awarding ceremony was attended by a prove their hard work and dedication to the that included product knowledge, general number of guests from the regional offices organisation and brand. automotive information, sales processes and headed by Ms. Fatma Zenagui, Senior Dealer Our objective is not only to choose the technology. The day’s program commenced Process, Training & CRM Manager at Nissan undisputed champion, but endeavour to with a written examination, product walk- Gulf and Mr. Rami Al-Salih, Assistant Sales & improve and advance skills of all the participat- around presentation and a question and Marketing Manager at Nissan Gulf. Also pres- ing members and giving them motivation. answer session that tested the contestants’ ent were members of Al Babtain top manage- Keeping knowledge and skills up to date knowledge of Infiniti brand, products and ment headed by Mr. Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz enables our staff to deliver high quality service technology. First place was awarded to Yasser Al Babtain - Al-Babtain Group Human that meets the expectations of our customers Abed who received a total cash prize valued at Resources General Manager. and safeguards the reputation of our organiza- AED 3,000 presented from Nissan Gulf (NGF) Commenting on the event, Abdulmohsen tion. Al-Babtain owes its success to quality cus- and a token of appreciation. As the champion, said “At Al-Babtain there is a deep commit- tomer service and a dedicated workforce.” Ooredoo Kuwait to purchase 99% of FASTtelco’s shares Fed sees gradual pace

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait (National commitment to enhance people’s lives. Mobile Telecommunications Co KSC) has All stakeholders will benefit from this entered into an agreement to purchase complimentary transaction, especially of rate hikes: Yellen 99 percent of Internet Service Provider our business and residential customers, FASTtelco’s shares for a total considera- who will have access to the full scope of tion of KD 11 million. The transaction is our advanced mobile and fixed broad- NEW YORK: Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen subject to the approval from the relevant band services. We will invest to provide said yesterday that the Fed still envisions only a regulatory and governmental authorities. the best end-to-end customer experi- gradual pace of interest rate increases in light of This transaction is an important step ence across both companies and boost global pressures that could affect the US econo- for both Ooredoo and FASTtelco as well both Ooredoo’s and FASTtelco’s growth my. Yellen didn’t specify a timetable for further as for the industry. It shows Ooredoo’s profiles.” hikes to follow the Fed’s rate increase in strong commitment to deliver best in FASTtelco CEO Talal Jassim Al-Bahar December from record lows. She said risks to the class services and enhance people’s lives. said: “This transaction is a testament to United States appear limited but cautioned that It will allow both companies to offer full the outstanding employees that we have that assessment is subject to “considerable scope of fixed broadband and mobile at FASTtelco, the strength of the business uncertainty.” services and open the doors to new rev- we have created and the advanced solu- Speaking to the Economic Club of New York, enue opportunities. Following this trans- tions and capabilities we have offered to Yellen said the central bank is monitoring a glob- action, Ooredoo and FASTtelco will con- the market. Going forward, we see al economic slump, sharply lower oil prices and tinue to co-exist as separate entities in Ooredoo as the best partner for stock market turbulence, which she said have the foreseeable future. FASTtelco and therefore are excited hurt some US consumers and key sectors such Ooredoo CEO Sheikh Mohammed bin about the potential this transaction as manufacturing. Singling out China - the Abdullah Al-Thani said: “This is a major unlocks for both companies and their world’s second-largest economy, after the milestone for Ooredoo showing strong employees in the years to come.” United States - Yellen noted widespread uncer- tainty over how well Beijing will manage a deli- cate slowdown in coming years. She said that because foreign economic Investors tiptoe back growth seems to have further weakened this year, the Fed will “proceed cautiously” in raising into emerging markets rates. In light of her comments, most economists expect no hike at the Fed’s next policy meeting - April 26-27 - despite remarks last week from oth- NEW YORK: Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen addresses an Economic Club of New York lunch- as storm clouds linger er Fed officials that had raised the possibility of a eon, on Tuesday. — AFP rate increase then. “Despite a growing chorus of significant changes in the US or international December. As a result, most economists conclud- LONDON: Emerging markets may well appear inclement again. For a start, JPMorgan’s rosier calls from even centrist-leaning officials to economic outlook. ed that no rate increase would likely occur before cheap again after years of attrition, but there’s view hinges somewhat on the fading of ‘China resume raising policy rates, Chair Yellen stuck to “I anticipate that the overall fallout for the US June. But comments last week from several of the considerable trepidation about venturing back tail risk’ involving messy yuan devaluation. the dovish script of the March meeting state- economy from global market developments Fed’s regional bank presidents had raised the out to the developing world until the financial And while Beijing has been forceful on the ment,” when the Fed expressed concerns about since the start of the year will most likely be lim- possibility that the central bank would decide to and political storms have finally lifted. Global issue, few investors can muster much convic- the global economy and kept rates unchanged, ited, although this assessment is subject to con- raise rates in April. One of them, Dennis Lockhart investors have tiptoed back into emerging tion about China’s markets. Christophe Donay, said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO siderable uncertainty,” she said. She said she still of the Fed’s Atlanta regional bank, said in a assets over the past six weeks at least partly on head of asset allocation at Swiss firm Pictet’s Capital Markets. Investors welcomed Yellen’s thought inflation will rise gradually over the next speech that he thought the strength of the most hopes that the gut-wrenching New Year shake- Wealth Management unit, said that China may message that the Fed would move slowly in rais- two to three years to the Fed’s target of 2 per- recent US economic data could justify a rate out may have been a final capitulation after hold the line for now but that there was a high ing rates. Major US stock indexes turned higher cent annual increases in prices. Inflation has increase as early as April. The views expressed by three years of downdrafts and disappointments. risk over the next three years of a ‘Minsky after she began her remarks, reversing an early been running below this level for nearly four Lockhart, who is regarded as a centrist in his According to the Institute for International moment’ - a sudden collapse of asset prices due loss, and bond yields dipped. years. But Yellen warned that if oil prices began approach to interest rates, was echoed by some Finance, foreigners ploughed some $36.8 billion to credit and currency pressure named after Yellen noted that the US job market and falling again, it could have “adverse spillover other Fed regional bank presidents. back into emerging stocks and bonds in March - economist Hyman Minsky. housing recovery have lifted the economy close effects to the rest of the global economy.” Whatever decision the Fed does make in April the highest inflow in nearly two years and well “We are staying well away from emerging to full health despite the risks that remain. She will hinge on its view of the economy’s durabili- above monthly averages of the past four years. market assets because of that and hold very observed that the economy has benefited from Risk concerns ty. In the past week, some reports have pro- And yet these are baby steps. To put it in con- limited EM exposure,” he said. With such skepti- low long-term US borrowing rates. Those rates Such expressions of concern about risks, duced weaker-than-expected readings, includ- text, that portfolio pop compares with a total cism about the international environment, the have been held down by money flowing into US which were sprinkled throughout her speech, ing a sharp drop in orders for long-lasting manu- net capital outflow from emerging economies return to markets riven by a host of disparate bonds from investors, who have scaled back help explain why Yellen seems inclined to keep factured goods and tepid consumer spending. in 2015 of some $730 billion. but highly disruptive domestic political risks their expectations for the number of Fed rate rates unchanged in the near future. Those reports have led some economists to For the coast to clear, three clouds have to seems brave at least. Mired in a deep recession, hikes this year from four to two at most. Responding to a question after her speech, downgrade their forecasts for growth in the cur- evaporate. First is a lingering fear of higher US Brazil’s political strife has yet to reach a crescen- The Fed chair said that while stock prices Yellen said the Fed foresees US worker productiv- rent January-March quarter from a 2 percent interest rates and dollar appreciation that do. Dilma Rousseff is struggling to save her have rebounded to roughly where they were ity, which has been historically low in recent annual rate to a lackluster 1 percent. squeezes hard-currency borrowers in emerging presidency and fighting an impeachment when 2016 began, “in other respects economic years, eventually rising but says that assessment The consumer spending report also showed economies, stresses local currencies and forces process amid a widening graft investigation and financial conditions remain less favorable is “a source of huge uncertainty.” Productivity - that the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge is still credit to be far tighter than needed to buoy into state oil firm Petrobras. than they did” in December, when the Fed raised the average output produced per hour of work - signaling that inflation remains well below its weakening economies. While markets have rallied on the prospect its key rate modestly after keeping it near zero is needed to boost living standards. When the target level. For the 12 months that ended in The second is China’s economic slowdown of a new government, it could still take several since 2008, when the financial crisis erupted. Fed met two weeks ago, it signaled the likelihood February, inflation rose just 1 percent. “Core” and its slipstream effect on commodity prices more weeks or even months for a clear out- Yellen cautioned that the Fed’s expectations of just two rate increases this year - half the num- inflation, which excludes the volatile items of and emerging markets at large. And third is a come. Turkey’s economy and government too for rates remain subject to revision to reflect any ber that Fed officials had envisioned in food and energy, increased 1.7 percent. — AP spike in political risks in many countries such as are under strain given the war in neighbouring Brazil, Turkey and South Africa - pressures mag- Syria, the resultant refugee crisis, internal con- nified by recessions and rising joblessness but flict with Kurdish separatists, a clampdown on which, in turn, compound the economic local media and a diplomatic showdown with Metro shares fly off the shelf malaise and policy paralysis on the ground. Russia. The struggling South African economy Neither of the first two global issues have been and its buckling infrastructure are compounded resolved. The world markets fillip of the past by pressure on President Jacob Zuma, his as retail giant splits businesses month has been rooted in the US Federal finance minister Pravin Gordhan and the ruling Reserve’s hesitation in adding to December’s African National Congress amid a variety of FRANKFURT: German retail giant Metro said lence,” it argued. Moreover, both entities would first interest rate rise in almost a decade and the accusations and probes about undue political yesterday it will spin off its businesses into two be able to independently pursue acquisition and resultant dollar recoil. But rekindled Fed hawk- interference and graft. separately listed units, sending its shares sharply partnership strategies, enabling them to define ishness as the quarter ends puts a potential More authoritarian governments in China higher. “The management board of Metro is their own expansion strategies. relapse on the dashboard - particularly if the and Russia may seem less vulnerable than their preparing the creation of two independent and Metro said its management and supervisory rebound in emerging assets is little more than a democratic counterparts, but slowdown and sector-focused companies through a demerger boards “will make a decision on the contemplat- re-balancing of portfolios from extreme aver- recession heighten the political risks there, too. of the group,” Metro said in a statement. ed demerger of Metro group after a period of sion and if you believe that cycles of dollar An oil hit and foreign sanctions continue to Metro shares were the strongest performer intensive consultation and review.” appreciation historically last far longer than this. hamper oversees refinancing by Moscow and on the mid-cap MDAX index of the Frankfurt Should the boards and shareholders be in JPMorgan strategists remain optimistic its major companies. stock exchange yesterday, shooting up 7.73 per- favour, “implementation of the demerger is about emerging markets outperforming over While the picture in Brazil may mask a cent to 26.47 euros in a generally firmer market. aimed for mid-2017,” Metro said. “Over the past the next three months - not least because funds brighter hue in Mexico or the slowdown in A wholesale and food specialist group would years, we have successfully revitalized our core are starved of income in developed economies. China hide the resilience in India, a still sizeable be created comprising the group’s Metro, Makro businesses while significantly strengthening our But they acknowledge that there’s no outright slice of the emerging universe remains in and Real brands, as well as a consumer electron- DUESSELDORF: CEO of Metro Group, Olaf group balance sheet,” said chief executive Olaf improvement in the economic picture and that foment. China, Brazil, Russia, South Africa and ics products and services group centred around Koch, speaks in Duesseldorf, Germany Koch. “Both our wholesale and food specialist price moves are built solely on re-positioning. Turkey together make up more than 42 percent its Media and Saturn retail chains. yesterday. — AP business as well as our consumer electronics “Given the almost five years of emerging of the market capitalization of MSCI’s bench- Since there is little operational overlap “Both entities would become individually business have continued to commercially markets equity and FX underperformance - and mark emerging market equities index. between the two businesses and limited synergy stock-listed, with their own distinct profile, man- improve, are on a steady successful path and are recent conversations with investors - it could Asset manager Blackrock’s sovereign risk effects, management felt “very strongly that a agement and supervisory boards,” Metro said. best-equipped for an independent future,” Koch take at least a few months before the average indices measuring the likelihood of defaults split into two independent and focused busi- The aim would be to give each of the compa- said. “Our shareholders would effectively own investor is again neutral,” they told clients. across the world contain a political risk sub-set nesses would be in the best interest of all stake- nies and their respective management full con- two well positioned market leaders, both of called ‘willingness to pay’. This remained the holders, as it would facilitate a significant oppor- trol over their corporate strategies. “This will fur- whom are increasingly focusing on their respec- STAYING WELL AWAY biggest negative for the countries recording the tunity for faster and more profitable growth,” ther increase customer focus, accelerate growth tive business areas and are generating more val- So the move may have some legs, but it’s biggest overall index declines in 2015 - Brazil, said supervisory board chief Juergen of the businesses, simplify structures and ue for customers, employees and business part- highly vulnerable if the global climate turns Russia, Peru and Colombia. —Reuters Steinemann. improve time-to-market and operational excel- ners.” — AFP technology THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 SoundCloud expands with new paid streaming plan

LOS ANGELES: SoundCloud is entering tier, SoundCloud Go, launches Tuesday. you won’t find elsewhere. paid music streaming, hoping to turn its That’s about four times other paid services. “You’re going to be able to listen to a huge community of cover singers, dub- The fast-growing field of paid music sub- Rihanna next to an emerging artist, next step remixers and wannabe stars into a scription services is already crowded, led by to a DJ set, next to a mashup in the same bigger source of revenue. Since its launch companies like Spotify, with 30 million pay- playlist,” said Wahlforss. “It’s new for us, it’s in 2007, the Berlin-based online music ing subscribers, and Apple, which jumped new for the world.” For example, on service has allowed pretty much any to 10 million after launching last year. SoundCloud you can find gems like a John audio to be uploaded to its cloud - from Legend’s cover of the Adele hit, “Rolling in Kanye West outtakes to teenagers singing Massive variety the Deep.” Or a 4-minute version of “30 over canned music. It has slowly intro- SoundCloud hopes to distinguish itself Hours,” a shortened take of one of the duced tools to earn revenue, introducing with its massive variety and huge audi- songs from Kanye West’s latest album, paid services for artists in 2008 and ad rev- ence of 175 million monthly listeners. “The Life of Pablo.” The album version is enue sharing for invited musicians in “We’re at the very early days of streaming,” exclusively streaming on competing 2014. said Eric Wahlforss, the co-founder and music service Tidal. But after signing deals with major chief technology officer, in an interview. SoundCloud’s reputation for hosting labels, including holdout Sony Music this “The pie is going to be very large over music that is off the beaten path is what month, SoundCloud is adding a subscrip- time.” drew DJ Kaskade to the platform. Without tion plan for consumers, giving them ad- SoundCloud Go will cost $10 a month saying whether he’ll put music behind the free listening and a whole range of music and offer ad-free offline playback on pay wall, Kaskade’s manager Stephanie from mainstream artists that had shunned mobile devices. It’ll also allow artists to LaFera said it has long been a place for the the service because it only gave tracks choose whether to give away tracks for DJ to connect with fans looking to dig away for free, including top acts like Taylor free or reserve them for paying customers deeper than a standard release. “We feel Swift. - an option not allowed by Spotify, which like we’re speaking to an audience that’s LOS ANGELES: In this March 22, 2016, photo, Eric Wahlforss, the co- SoundCloud, privately held and with depends on having quality free music to already with us, fans that are open to tech investors like Union Square Ventures draw in prospective paying customers. experimentation, sub-genres and all the founder and chief technology officer of Soundcloud, talks during an and Kleiner Perkins, will have a staggering Wahlforss said a key selling point for con- quirks that come with the world of elec- interview. —AP 125 million tracks available when the paid sumers is the many tracks on SoundCloud tronic music,” she said. —AP Apple still clueless on how FBI hacked iPhone without help Complicates Apple’s job repairing software flaws

WASHINGTON: The FBI’s announcement that it tinuously test passcodes in what’s known as a ceptible to hackers. The aim is to ensure that mysteriously hacked into an iPhone is a public brute-force attack until the right code is entered American consumers stay as safe online as pos- setback for Apple Inc, as consumers learned and the phone is unlocked. sible and prevent premature disclosures that that they can’t keep the government out of It wasn’t clear how the FBI dealt with a relat- might damage a US company or the economy. even an encrypted device that US officials had ed Apple security feature that introduces claimed was impossible to crack. Apple, mean- increasing time delays between guesses. The Confidential discoveries while, remains in the dark about how to restore official spoke on condition of anonymity As far back as 2002, the Homeland Security the security of its flagship product. because this person was not authorized to dis- Department ran a working group that included The government said it was able to break cuss the technique publicly. FBI Director James leading technology industry executives to into an iPhone used by a gunman in a mass Comey has said with those features removed, advise the president on how to keep confiden- shooting in California, but it didn’t say how. That the FBI could break into the phone in 26 min- tial discoveries by independent researchers that puzzled Apple software engineers - and outside utes. a company’s software could be hacked until it experts - about how the FBI broke the digital The FBI hacked into the iPhone used by gun- was already fixed. Even now, the Commerce locks on the phone without Apple’s help. It also man Syed Farook, who died with his wife in a Department has been trying to fine-tune those BEIJING: A woman uses her mobile smartphone near an advertisement for a complicated Apple’s job repairing flaws that gun battle with police after they killed 14 peo- rules. The next meeting of a conference on the Chinese news web portal. —AP jeopardize its software. ple in December in San Bernardino. The iPhone, subject is April 8 in Chicago and it’s unclear how The Justice Department’s announcement issued to Farook by his employer, the county the FBI’s behavior in the current case might influence the government’s fragile relationship China proposes new Web rules with technology companies or researchers. The industry’s rules are not legally binding, that could enhance censorship but the government’s top intelligence agency said in 2014 that such vulnerabilities should be BEIJING: China is consolidating its ability get the address, talk to the manager and reported to companies and the Obama adminis- to censor the Internet by drafting new then ask them to censor something,” Long tration put forward an interagency process to rules requiring businesses that serve said. “If the domains are all domestic, they do so. domestic Internet users to register their can directly stop traffic going to your “When federal agencies discover a new vul- Web addresses inside the country, a move domain with a command.” Jacob Parker, nerability in commercial and open source soft- seen as targeting Chinese companies but vice president for China operations with ware - a so-called ‘zero day’ vulnerability that has raised concerns among foreign the US-China Business Council, which lob- because the developers of the vulnerable soft- businesses. bies the Chinese government on trade pol- ware have had zero days to fix it - it is in the In its most draconian interpretation, the icy, said his group was concerned that the national interest to responsibly disclose the vul- proposed requirements could also further rules would block the free flow of informa- nerability rather than to hold it for an investiga- limit access within the Chinese network, tion. “Any kind of restrictions would under- tive or intelligence purpose,” the Office of the analysts said. That appears to be the latest mine China’s broader economic develop- Director of National Intelligence said in a state- step by the ruling Communist Party to ment goals,” Parker said. ment in April 2014. The statement recommend- erect cyber barriers in the name of what Concerned that a borderless, US-led ed generally divulging such flaws to manufac- some officials call “Internet sovereignty.” global Internet could weaken its political turers “unless there is a clear national security or “This expands control over domestic control, China’s government has repeated- law enforcement need.” Internet operators and contributes to the ly issued cyber regulations that have gradual buildup of the capability under- drawn criticism from Western trade Last week a team from Johns Hopkins pinning Internet sovereignty,” said Rogier groups. Following pushback from the University said it had found a security bug in Creemers, an expert on Chinese media pol- White House last year, China dropped a Apple’s iMessage service that would allow hack- icy at the University of Oxford. provision in a cybersecurity law that would ers under certain circumstances to decrypt Under the draft regulations released this require companies to keep Chinese user some text messages. The team reported its find- week by the Ministry of Industry and data at facilities in China, allowing the gov- ings to Apple in November and published an Information Technology, any firm that pro- ernment access to personal information. academic paper after Apple fixed it. vides services to Chinese users must regis- Questions remain about the new rules’ ter its domain, or Web address, with a true purpose and how strictly they would WASHINGTON: In this Feb 17, 2016 file photo, an iPhone is seen. —AP “That’s the way the research community han- dles the situation. And that’s appropriate,” said Chinese provider. The rules are found in be enforced. The ministry is currently solic- that it was dropping a legal fight to compel health department, was found in a vehicle the Susan Landau, professor of cybersecurity policy Article 37 of the ministry’s proposed iting feedback on the proposed registra- Apple to help it access the phone also took day after the shooting. The FBI is reviewing at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She said it update to a set of decade-old Internet laws. tion regulations, and Chinese laws are away any obvious legal avenues Apple might information from the iPhone, and it is unclear was acceptable for the government to find a often softened during the revision process. have used to learn how the FBI did it. Magistrate whether anything useful can be found. way to unlock the phone but said it should Flow of information Fang Xingdong, the director of a top Judge Sheri Pym on Tuesday vacated her Feb. Apple said that the legal case to force its reveal its method to Apple. Mobile phones are Analysts said the main targets appear to Chinese technology think tank, said he 16 order, which compelled Apple to assist the cooperation “should never have been brought,” frequently used to improve cybersecurity, for be Chinese Internet companies that store believes Chinese leaders are seeking to FBI in hacking their phone. The Justice and it promised to increase the security of its example, as a place to send a backup code to their content domestically but keep their enhance their control, but not to wall Department declined through a spokeswoman products. CEO Tim Cook has said the Cupertino- access a website or authenticate a user. Web address registered overseas with rep- China off from the rest of the world. to comment Tuesday. based company is constantly trying to improve The chief technologist at the Center for utable, international firms for security pur- “Under the current wording, all this is security for its users. The company declined to Democracy and Technology, Joseph Lorenzo poses. Requiring them to shift their regis- doing is integrating large Chinese Web Clues emerge comment more Tuesday. Hall, said keeping details secret about a flaw tration to a domestic provider under service providers under a more rigorous A few clues have emerged. A senior law The FBI’s announcement - even without affecting millions of iPhone users “is exactly Chinese government control would allow supervision framework, while most small enforcement official told The Associated Press revealing precise details - that it had hacked the opposite the disclosure practices of the security censors to react more quickly in blocking businesses won’t be affected,” said Fang, that the FBI managed to defeat an Apple securi- iPhone was at odds with the government’s firm research community. The FBI and Apple have a access to certain sites, said Long Weilian, whose organization regularly submits ty feature that threatened to delete the phone’s recommendations for nearly two decades that common goal here: to keep people safe and an IT consultant based in the southern opinions to the government on Internet contents if the FBI failed to enter the correct security researchers always work cooperatively secure. This is the FBI prioritizing an investiga- Chinese city of Shenzhen who has blogged issues. Any attempt to seal off the Chinese passcode combination after 10 tries. That and confidentially with software manufacturers tion over the interests of hundreds of millions of extensively on the issue. Internet “would hurt China as much as allowed the government to repeatedly and con- before revealing that a product might be sus- people worldwide.” —AP “Before, they had to contact the server, America,” he said. —AP Apple vs the FBI: What happened? Oculus Rift begins shipping; Reviews suggest waiting SAN FRANCISCO: Apple’s legal standoff iPhone’s passcode. Once that feature is nies have been steadily increasing their had said he was prepared to take the with the FBI ended Monday, but experts activated, it renders all the data on the use of encryption and other safeguards case to the US Supreme Court. But last LOS ANGELES: The first consumer-ready or at least $1,500 with a high-end personal say the issues behind it will come up phone permanently unreadable. to protect their customers’ data, follow- week, just one day before Magistrate Oculus Rift virtual-reality headset was computer included. Oculus, which began again, as more tech companies take Apple said it could create the soft- ing a wave of recent hacking attacks and Sheri Pym had planned to hold a hearing delivered to a real person over the week- crowd-funding through Kickstarter in measures to guard their customers’ mes- ware the government wanted, but it revelations about government data-col- on the dispute, the Justice Department end, and reviewers got their first taste. The August 2012, was acquired by Facebook for sages, photos, business records and oth- argued vehemently that doing so would lection by the former National Security asked for a delay. Authorities said an initial feedback: It’s a beautiful, wonderful $2 billion in 2014 and has shipped two er files. be a bad idea. CEO Tim Cook said the Agency contractor Edward Snowden. unnamed “outside party” had come for- device that immerses you, yet it still has a developer versions so far. After weeks of heated debate, in order would set a precedent for more Law enforcement officials, including ward with a technical solution to unlock- ways to go. Oculus founder Palmer Luckey which Apple had resisted the FBI’s government demands, both in the Comey, have complained that encryp- ing the phone, which the FBI needed hand-delivered the first Rift to software Mixed reviews demand for help, authorities say they United States and around the world. tion and other data safeguards are help- time to test out. developer Ross Martin in Anchorage, Expectations for a consumer version found their own way to get the data from Apple also said the software could be ing dangerous people hide their activi- Then on Monday of this week, the Alaska, on Saturday, kicking off a new era in have been high. There’s a backlog of orders an encrypted iPhone used by one of the stolen by hackers and used against other ties, while interfering with the govern- government reported that it had suc- virtual reality by putting the most powerful and if you order now, you can expect deliv- San Bernardino mass shooters. If you’re iPhones. ment’s ability to investigate crimes. cessfully accessed the iPhone’s files and VR device yet into a consumer’s hands. ery in July. It’s not clear, though, how many confused by all the back-and-forth in this Federal authorities insisted they were In the San Bernardino case, Apple no longer needed Apple’s help. For that Martin, who had never tried VR before, units Oculus made for the first round - and high-stakes dispute, here’s a simplified only asking for Apple’s help in a single case, drew support from other leading tech reason, the Justice Department asked spent a few hours on the Rift Monday whether there will ultimately be much breakdown:- although prosecutors nationwide have companies, computer security experts the magistrate to withdraw the order she morning. He watched a short movie, played demand beyond gamers and hard-core said they wanted similar assistance in oth- and civil liberties groups. They filed court issued in February. a game and explored a virtual environment technologists. Early reviews by journalists What was the fight about? er cases where iPhones have been seized. briefs arguing the government was that included an up-close encounter with a have been mixed. At the Justice Department’s request, a While it’s unclear if any useful information going too far in trying to force a compa- So who won? Tyrannosaurus Rex. Steven Tweedie of Business Insider was federal judge ordered Apple Inc. last was stored on the iPhone, FBI Director ny to create software that threatened its Each side can claim a victory: “I couldn’t stop saying, ‘Wow,’” Martin, a glowingly positive in his review of the Rift, month to help the FBI unlock an James Comey said authorities owed it to own customers’ security. Meanwhile, top Authorities say they achieved their goal 33-year-old Web developer, said in an inter- relishing the greater presence he felt in both encrypted iPhone used by Syed Farook, the San Bernardino victims to leave no officials in the Obama administration, of getting into the iPhone, while Apple view. But he said that he felt a touch of games and narrative stories. “Everything who along with his wife, Tashfeen Malik, stone unturned in their investigation. including US Attorney General Loretta successfully resisted a court order that it nausea at times and that the resolution feels like it means more: there’s a height- killed 14 people in December. Lynch, denounced Apple’s stance and contends would be harmful to its cus- could be better. “If you’re a gamer, this is ened connection to characters, both in Specifically, the government wanted Why was it such a big deal? accused the company of trying to rewrite tomers. Even so, the FBI may have lost right up your alley,” he said. “You’re going to games and short films, and the action car- Apple to create software that would The case crystallized some long-sim- the rules for government investigations. some credibility. After repeatedly insist- override an “auto-wipe” feature which is mering frustrations and conflict between ing that only Apple had the means to be able to forgive that.” ries weight,” he wrote. But he noted its hefty designed to kick in after anyone makes the tech industry and law enforcement What did the judge decide? help authorities unlock the phone, it Oculus has said it’s sending the Rift to its price tag “is undoubtedly the biggest thing 10 wrong attempts at guessing the authorities. Apple and other tech compa- The judge didn’t have to rule. Cook turned out there was another way. —AP first Kickstarter backers first, followed by keeping more people from getting the those who ordered one in January for $600, chance to try virtual reality.” —AP HEALTH & SCIENCE THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 How much marijuana is OK while driving?

HONOLULU: Hawaii lawmakers are asking how much Evans said. “Hopefully this is the beginning of the discus- Nevada and Ohio went with the lower 2 nanograms. marijuana a driver can safely consume before getting sion.” For drunk driving, there’s a nationally recognized Other states provide an exemption for medical marijuana behind the wheel of a car. It’s an issue they want to tack- level of impairment, which is a blood alcohol concentra- patients. le now that Hawaii is setting up medical marijuana dis- tion of 0.08 grams per milliliter. But there’s no federal rule The state Department of Health opposed the resolu- pensaries. So Rep Cindy Evans and 15 other lawmakers or widespread consensus on what’s an acceptable limit tion, saying the department doesn’t have the capacity to introduced a resolution asking the state Department of for driving under the influence of drugs. study the complicated question, especially because the Health to study whether a person can safely drive while Hawaii law bans people from driving under the influ- resolution didn’t include funding. The department’s under the influence. ence of a drug that impairs their ability to drive, but director, Virginia Pressler, said in written testimony that Marijuana is the illicit drug most frequently found in there isn’t a set threshold for how much marijuana - The National Institute on Drug Abuse has been studying the blood of drivers who have been involved in acci- medically prescribed or not - is acceptable in the blood this issue for many years and hasn’t been able to estab- dents, including fatal ones, but the role marijuana plays stream. Several states have passed laws specifying how lish a recommended level for driving. Despite the oppo- in those accidents is often unclear because it can remain much marijuana in the blood stream is acceptable while sition, the House Committee on Transportation passed in the bloodstream for days and it’s often combined with driving, but set different limits for how much THC - the the resolution Monday, sending it to the Committee on alcohol, according to the National Institute on Drug main psychoactive ingredient of cannibus - in the blood Health to keep the discussion going, Committee Abuse. The National Highway Traffic Safety would be considered driving under the influence of Chairman Rep. Henry Aquino said. “It’s here, so we just Administration says marijuana use impairs cognitive drugs. According to the National Conference of State wanted to make sure that we have some sort of scientific, HONOLULU: Hawaii Rep Cindy Evans, Majority Floor functions, lane tracking and other driving-related skills. Legislatures, Colorado, Montana and Washington set the some sort of data-driven study to being done to address Leader, talks about the need for information on how much “I think that it’s really important that we do this now,” limit at 5 nanograms per millileter of blood, while this,” Aquino said.—AP marijuana a driver can safely consume before getting behind the wheel of a car. — AP

Don’t screen all kids Mom delays cancer care to for developmental delays, Canadians say protect baby she says saved her NEW YORK: Don’t test children for developmental delays if they’re not showing any signs of problems, a government-backed panel of Canadian experts advises. ‘Just taking one day at a time’ The recommendation from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care largely mirrors US recommen- dations regarding screenings for speech and language TONAWANDA, New York: For Kim Vaillancourt, pregnant while Soon she would be rushed into surgery to remove two and legs. Phil’s leave from his maintenance job with the town of delays and autism spectrum disorders. The advice staving off aggressive brain cancer, it comes down to this: “The tumors that doctors said could have killed her. One had grown Tonawanda is coming to an end. applies to children ages one to four who have no signs baby saved me. Now it’s my turn to save him.” Vaillancourt was on the front of her brain. The other was dangerously close to her or symptoms of developmental delays, said Dr Brett diagnosed with glioblastoma after going to the hospital for brain stem in the back. Holding hands on the couch in their sub- Aggressive treatment Thombs, who is a member of the Task Force. headaches and nausea that came on over Christmas. Were it not urban Buffalo living room, Kim and Phil lean on each other as “Just taking one day at a time,” Phil said. “Even looking too far “If parents think their child is behind on some of for concern for the boy she’s carrying, she and her husband, Phil, they describe with calm acceptance the abrupt turn their life into the future, you just get caught up in what it can look like. their important milestones, this doesn’t apply to those said it was a life-saving trip she would not have made. They took between the joyful Dec 23 adoption and the devastating Why even do that?” Though relatively rare, glioblastoma is the kids,” said Thombs, who is affiliated with McGill believe the unexpected pregnancy was heaven-sent. Now, to diagnosis on Dec 27. Gliobastoma, they learned, is characterized most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. It affects University in Montreal. Developmental delays can give the baby they’ve named Wyatt Eli the same chance he gave by fast-growing tumors known to reappear within eight to 12 about 17,000 adults in the United States every year, but is include, for example, problems with motor skills, her, Kim is postponing the chemotherapy and radiation that are weeks. With April 25 the target delivery date, Kim has been uncommon during pregnancy, said Dr Robert Fenstermaker, speech, language, thinking, social skills and activities of her best hope against the cancer but would threaten her devel- undergoing MRIs every two weeks to check for any signs of new chair of neurosurgery at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. oping child. activity. Early in a pregnancy, a woman might be advised to end the daily life. “She’s going to do what she can to save the baby’s life and “We’re praying a lot and trusting God through these next few pregnancy in favor of aggressive treatment, he said. Women fur- The Task Force writes in CMAJ that when these give it the healthiest life possible,” Phil Vaillancourt said. It had weeks to keep these scans clean,” Phil Vaillancourt said. It’s some- ther along have undergone chemotherapy but not without risk delays persist, children are at higher risk of learning dif- already been an eventful time in the Vaillancourt home in the thing the health-conscious Kim, with her focus on vitamins and to the baby. “It’s a tough cancer,” said Fenstermaker, who has ficulties, behavioral problems and functional impair- Buffalo suburb of Tonawanda. The couple and their 11- and 12- nutrition, would never have imagined. She laughs while describ- developed a vaccine therapy for glioblastoma that is now in clin- ments later in life. For the new recommendation, the year-old children had spent Dec 23 in Erie County Family Court ing her longstanding practice of texting as far away from her ical trials. The Vaillancourts have found strength from their big Task Force commissioned a review of existing evidence for an adoption ceremony that made three sisters- ages 6, 7 and body as her arms will allow to avoid cancer risks. She doesn’t and close families and in the prayers that have flowed in as word to see if the benefits of screening for developmental 10 - the couple had been fostering permanent members of their even want to take a chance with microwaves and has kept hers of the family’s fight has spread. “People have wrapped their delays in all children ages one to four, regardless of family. in the garage for the last 10 years. hearts around this family,” childhood friend Jenna Koch said, whether they showed signs of problems, would out- “When we need it, we press it and close the door real fast, describing a GoFundMe campaign and a host of benefits and weigh the potential harms. Devastating diagnosis and we use it like once a year,” she said. It’s strange, she said, to fundraisers planned over the next few weeks. With treatment, The screening tools are usually questionnaires that With five kids on break from school, Kim wouldn’t normally now look for healing in chemicals and radiation. Unwilling to risk doctors say patients with the serious grade of glioblastoma add up to a certain number of points, said Thombs. have made a fuss about feeling ill. “I would have just thought I the baby’s health, the plan is to begin treatment about two afflicting Kim have a median survival rate of about 14 months. “Those points would determine if the physicians should had a headache and the flu and I would have laid in bed,” the 36- weeks after his birth, hoping all the while the tumors don’t re- But the Vaillancourts are holding onto their Christian faith. “I act or be more concerned,” he said. Overall two relevant year-old mother said. But she worried that being unable to keep appear before then. In the meantime, they will start interviewing hope to fight this off for years and years to come,” Kim said. “I randomized controlled studies were found, but the Task food down was keeping the baby from getting the nourishment nannies to help care for the newborn and the rest of the chil- hope to be sitting here in 30 years saying how I beat this.” Said Force found that the screening tools did not ultimately he needed and headed to the hospital to be checked. dren, among them 7-year-old Josie, who was born without arms Phil: “We definitely believe in miracles.”— AP improve health outcomes among children. Instead, the screening tools had very high rates of false positives, said Thombs. Those false positives would lead to many children with normal development being referred for more testing, he added. Those refer- rals may take health resources away from children who would actually benefit from the services. “We don’t rec- ommend parents get their kids tested unless they have any specific concerns,” said Thombs. In February, the US Preventive Services Task Force said it did not find enough evidence to recommend universal autism spectrum disorder screening for tod- dlers between 18 and 30 months of age. Likewise, in 2015, the US. Task Force said there’s not enough evi- dence to recommend universal screening for speech and language delay and disorders in children under age five. “We’re not suggesting parents and physicians don’t keep ongoing surveillance,” said Thombs. “If they have any concerns at all, they should have their physi- cians check it out.”— AP NEW YORK: Kim and Phil Vaillancourt are interviewed at NEW YORK: Phil Vaillancourt holds photos of his wife, Kim and their children at their home in Tonawanda. their home in Tonawanda. — AP photos

Hospital cyberattack highlights After China vaccine scare, Hong Kong to limit inoculations health care vulnerabilities for non-resident children

NEW YORK: A cyberattack that para- cific mandates for that protection, said scramble data and make it useless. companies right now, every day,” he HONG KONG: Hong Kong is to limit the bookings.” Mainland Chinese authorities lyzed the hospital chain MedStar this Lee Kim, director of privacy and security “Stealing this much data takes time, said. Companies hesitate to restrict number of non-resident children getting said this month a mother and daughter had week is serving as a fresh reminder of for the nonprofit Healthcare and there were numerous steps along access because they want to make it vaccinations at government clinics, after an illegally traded nearly $90 million worth of vulnerabilities that exist in systems that Information and Management Systems the way when any company following easy for employees to move from net- illegal vaccine scandal in mainland China vaccines and sold them on to hundreds of protect sensitive patient information. Society. Intruders cracked Anthem’s standard IT security practices would work to network and do their jobs, raised fears some families would come to re-sellers around the country, prompting an That attack came a month after a Los database sometime between the end have foiled the hackers,” the complaint Zweiback said. “When security becomes the city for inoculations and put pressure on outcry from parents and political leaders. Angeles hospital paid hackers $17,000 of 2014 and the start of 2015 in a hack states. An Anthem spokeswoman said the emphasis, employees start to com- supplies. From April 1, Hong Kong’s The vaccines, which police said were made to regain control of its computer system that is still under investigation. They the details in the federal lawsuit were plain because maybe they don’t get Maternal and Child Health Centres will only by licensed producers, were not kept refrig- and more than a year after intruders gained access to Social Security num- merely allegations, and the company access as quickly,” he said. accept 120 new non-resident children a erated, meaning they could be ineffective. broke into a database containing the bers, birthdates and employment could not comment on pending litiga- The lawsuit also states that Anthem month. Non-resident children will only be Hong Kong would order additional vac- records of nearly 80 million people details for customers as far back as tion. only required a single password for able to book an appointment when there is cine supplies if needed, another spokes- maintained by the health insurer 2004, all key ingredients for stealing “At Anthem, securing our member, those who wanted to get into its data- spare capacity and will have to pay a higher woman there said. The Macau government Anthem. In Anthem’s case, only a single someone’s identity. provider and client data is a top priority,” base from a remote location. Experts password stood between hackers with Anthem, the nation’s second-largest spokeswoman Jill Becher said in an say two-factor authentication is the fee. “The government’s policy is to accord said in a statement on Tuesday that only a stolen employee ID and a chance to health insurer, has said that hackers email. Hackers cracked Anthem’s data- more common practice. This basically priority to local children,” Hong Kong’s Macau residents were entitled to free vacci- plunder the Blue Cross-Blue Shield car- staged a sophisticated attack that evad- base by stealing the credentials of an involves an employee entering a user Assistant Director of Health for Family and nations and government-procured routine rier’s database, according to a federal ed multiple layers of security to reach its employee whose job didn’t require name and password and then a sepa- Elderly Health Services, Teresa Li, said in a vaccinations would not be given to visitors. lawsuit filed by customers over the database. But a lawsuit filed last year by access to the database, according to the rate password or identification number statement. Hong Kong, a free-wheeling financial hub breach. customers who say they were affected complaint, which was based in part on that can change. Only about 10 percent “We will closely monitor the utilization of and former British colony, returned to Cyber criminals also have staged by the breach paints Anthem as a ripe a security assessment Anthem commis- of health insurers use two-factor services by (non-resident children) and may Chinese rule in 1997 with wide-ranging high-profile attacks in recent years target. It says the insurer allowed wide sioned after the breach. A failure to authentication and encryption to pro- adjust the quota or withhold new case autonomy. — Reuters against the federal government, retail employee access to its database and restrict access to sensitive information is tect data, said Avivah Litan, a cyberse- chains and the adultery website Ashley didn’t train employees how to handle one of the biggest security weaknesses curity analyst for the information tech- Madison, among many other targets. “phishing” emails, which can bait a hackers exploit, said Michael Zweiback, nology adviser Gartner. Litan works as a Govt panel backs drug for But security experts say health care recipient into revealing a password. an attorney and former federal prosecu- consultant in several sectors, including companies make especially inviting tar- Investigators have said they think tor. Allowing widespread access gives health care. delusions in Parkinson’s patients gets for a number of reasons. The infor- hackers may have used a phishing hackers many chances to try to trick a Anthem has said it normally mation they protect is more valuable scheme to compromise the credentials worker into divulging a password. encrypts data it exports, but that prac- WASHINGTON: Federal health experts have Acadia’s drug had only modest benefits in most on the black market than a credit card of several workers. A partially redact tice would not have helped because endorsed an experimental drug intended to patients and was linked to serious safety issues, number stored by a retailer. Health care complaint filed in the litigation also said Restrict access the hacker used high-level security cre- treat psychotic delusions and behaviors that most panelists ultimately said it would fill an cybersecurity also can lag behind meas- the company failed to employ common “This is something that happens in dentials to get into its system. Experts often afflict patients with Parkinson’s disease, important need. “We all want the effect size to ures taken in other sectors like banking. defenses like encryption, which can hospitals, it happens in Fortune 500 say encryption can be tuned so that the debilitating movement disorder. The panel be larger but it’s certainly convincing in the This can stem in part from a busi- even authorized users can view only of Food and Drug Administration advisers voted sense that it is here and meaningful,” said Dr ness emphasis on tight budgets and one person’s account or a portion of a 12-2 Tuesday that the benefits of the drug from Tobias Gerhard of the Rutgers University, who convenience over security. Health care record at a time. Litan and other con- Acadia Pharmaceuticals outweigh the risks. That voted in favor of the drug. companies also have to deal with an sultants say health care companies additional headache: Multiple entry have started showing more interest in vote - considered a recommendation for During a public hearing session at points into a system, with security quali- cybersecurity, and top executives of approval - is non-binding, though the FDA Tuesday’s meeting, patients and doctors ty varying among clinics, labs, hospitals these companies have begun to pay often follows the advice of its panelists. San detailed harrowing stories of Parkinson’s that may have access. Cybersecurity closer attention to it. But Litan hasn’t Diego-based Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. has patients lashing out at family members due to experts note that government guide- seen the actual investment from these asked the FDA to approve pimavanserin to treat paranoia and delusions. Medical experts still lines for health care data protection also companies yet. “I’m sure Anthem has hallucinations, delusions and irrational behavior disagree on whether such problems are are light on details and standards. The made some changes, but the other associated with Parkinson’s disease, a neurode- caused by the underlying Parkinson’s disease federal law known as HIPPA tells health ones are waiting until they get budgets, generative disease that primarily causes itself or the drugs used to manage it. FDA sci- care companies when they can disclose and they won’t get budgets until they tremors and other movement problems. entists presented a complex, mixed review of a person’s records and to whom. It also get breached,” she said. “That’s just the Approximately half of all Parkinson’s patients pimavanserin’s performance and whether its requires them to protect the informa- way it works.” Anthem has said in regu- suffer from the psychotic problems, according benefits outweighed significant, hard-to- tion. latory filings that it quickly fixed a secu- to the FDA. There are no FDA-approved drugs define risks. On a questionnaire measuring hal- rity vulnerability it discovered after its currently available for the condition. Parkinson’s lucinations and other symptoms, patients tak- Under investigation WASHINGTON: A woman walks out of the MedStar Georgetown breach and has continued to improve is the second-most common neurodegenera- ing the drug showed a 23 percent improve- But it doesn’t come with a lot of spe- University Hospital. — AP security since then.—AP tive disease in the US, after Alzheimer’s. While ment over patients taking a fake pill. —AP HEALTH & SCIENCE THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

SEATTLE: A female orca leaps from the water while breach- SEATTLE: File photo shows endangered orcas from the J pod swim in Puget Sound west of Seattle, as seen from a federal research vessel that has been tracking the whales. ing in Puget Sound west of Seattle. — AP photos Endangered Puget Sound orcas to get personal health records

SEATTLE: The killer whales that spend time in the inland waters of scientist with the SeaDoc Society, which is part of the university’s Initial database database of hundreds of thousands of photographs taken over Washington state already are tagged and tracked, photographed School of Veterinary Medicine. “Ultimately, the real benefit of any Scientists have enough data that they can now connect the decades, researchers at the New England Aquarium and others and measured. Researchers follow them by drone and by sea, ana- health record is to help make (management) decisions,” he added. dots to get meaningful answers, said Brad Hanson, an NOAA have studied the body and skin conditions of about 400 individual lyzing their waste and their exhaled breath. Now, experts want to For example, if an orca appears emaciated or is in bad shape Fisheries wildlife biologist. More than two dozen wildlife experts right whales to assess their health. Individual Puget Sound orcas add another layer to the exhaustive studies: individual health during certain times of the year, wildlife managers can access the met in Seattle on Tuesday to develop plans for health records for are identified by unique black and white markings or variations in records for each endangered whale. The records would take exist- animal’s health history to see what’s going on and what they the orcas. The meeting was sponsored by SeaDoc Society, the their fin shapes, and each whale is given a number and a name. ing research on the creatures and combine it in one place. The could do about it, he said. Understanding the factors that affect an National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries and The Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island keeps the fed- idea is to use them to monitor the orcas’ health trends individually orca’s health will ultimately help pinpoint the key threats and how the National Marine Mammal Foundation. Many details are still eral government’s annual census on the population. and as a population. It’s similar to people having one medical to reduce them, experts say. “It will be really powerful to rule out being worked out, including who will maintain the data and how The three families - the J, K, and L pods - are genetically and record as they move from one doctor to the next or between spe- things that aren’t important and focus in on what’s really impor- people will access it. But an initial database would be launched behaviorally distinct from other killer whales. They use unique cialists. tant,” said Lynne Barre with NOAA Fisheries. She said that will help this summer using readily available information, such as sex, age, calls to communicate with one another and eat salmon rather Eighty-four orcas typically appear in Puget Sound from spring inform research and management decisions in the long run. The gender and other details, Gaydos said. Other information would than marine mammals. Their numbers have fluctuated in recent to fall. “The goal is to really start getting a lot of data and pull them project aims to pull together data on behavior, reproductive suc- be added next year. decades as they have faced threats from pollution, lack of prey together in a way that permits easier analysis,” said Joe Gaydos, a cess, skin diseases and other study areas to allow for integrated Elsewhere, scientists have studied individual animals to moni- and disturbance from boats. They were listed as endangered in wildlife veterinarian at the University of California, Davis, and chief analysis, she said. tor their health, including North Atlantic right whales. Using a 2005. — AP Even men need to cut back Painful uterus condition may on coffee before pregnancy boost risk for heart disease WASHIGNTON: Women already know they Daily multivitamins need to cut back on coffee during pregnan- Overall, 98 women, or 28 percent, expe- cy, if not sooner, to lower the risk of miscar- rienced a miscarriage during the study, as ‘Girls and women can be treated through surgery’ riages. But a new study suggests the men in reported in the journal Fertility and Sterility. their lives need to limit caffeine too. Women 35 or older had nearly double the Women with an excess growth of uterine lining tissue said. “From our study, we can conclude that surgical endometriosis- even young women-to adopt heart- Pregnant women who had more than two miscarriage risk of younger women, the may also be at higher risk of coronary heart disease, and hormonal treatments following endometriosis healthy lifestyle habits, be screened by their doctors caffeinated drinks a day while trying to con- study found. When women took daily multi- according to a new study. The condition, called diagnosis may impact the risk of cardiovascular dis- for heart disease, and be familiar with symptoms ceive had a 74 percent higher risk of miscar- vitamins, their miscarriage risk was 55 per- endometriosis, affects up to five million women in the ease, but they did not negate the risk entirely,” because heart disease remains the primary cause of riage than their peers who drank less coffee, cent lower than for their peers who didn’t US Uterine tissue can grow on the ovaries, behind the Missmer said. “It is important for women with death in women.”—Reuters tea, soda and energy drinks, the study found. do this. uterus or on the bowels or bladder and can cause When their husbands and boyfriends had The study wasn’t designed to prove that pain, infertility and very heavy periods. “Many girls and more than two caffeinated drinks a day dur- excessive caffeine consumption causes mis- women do not realize that distressing menstrual ing the baby-making phase, however, these carriages, or that vitamins prevent pregnan- cramps and pelvic pain can be due to endometriosis,” Many in US ignorant of pregnant women ended up with almost the cy loss, the authors note. It’s possible that said senior study author Stacey A. Missmer, director of same increased risk of miscarriage they women who cut back on caffeine did so Epidemiologic Research in Reproductive Medicine at would get from drinking coffee or soda because they were experiencing food aver- Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. key facts on Zika virus themselves. sions and vomiting - both signs of a healthy “Girls and women can be treated through surgery that removes the endometriosis lesions or by hormon- MIAMI: Many Americans are unclear on key facts when in fact most of those who are infected show “We are not saying to stop drinking caf- pregnancy - and this might explain some of about the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has no signs of illness. feinated beverages,” said lead study author the connection between miscarriages and al medications including oral contraceptives,” but there is no outright cure, Missmer told Reuters Health been linked to birth defects and is of particular “We have a key window before the mosquito Germaine Buck Louis of the Eunice Kennedy caffeine, the researchers point out. by email. The researchers used data on more than concern to pregnant women, US researchers said season gears up in communities within the United Shriver National Institute of Child Health and One surprise in the study is that 116,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study II, which Tuesday, warning of a race against time. The find- States mainland to correct misperceptions about Human Development in Rockville, Maryland. researchers didn’t find an increased miscar- ran from 1989 to 2009 - including about 5,200 women ings were contained in a nationally representative Zika virus so that pregnant women and their part- “Rather, our data suggest that men and riage risk associated with smoking or alco- with surgically confirmed endometriosis. Those with poll of 1,275 adults conducted by the Harvard ners may take appropriate measures to protect women, should they continue to drink caf- hol, however. This doesn’t mesh with previ- endometriosis were more likely than others to suffer a University TH Chan School of Public Health in early their families,” said Gillian SteelFisher, director of the feinated beverages, might be advised to ous research, noted Dr Jeffrey Goldberg, a heart attack, to have coronary bypass or stent surgery, March. The survey included 105 households in poll and research scientist at Harvard. Among the keep the amount to less than three daily reproductive health researcher at or to have angina, the chest pain that can be a sign of which a woman was pregnant or was considering general public, misconceptions about Zika were drinks,” Louis added by email. “We did not Cleveland Clinic in Ohio who wasn’t coronary artery disease. The increased risk for these becoming pregnant in the next year. In those also common, the poll found. find drinking one to two daily caffeinated involved in the study. “This study did not conditions was highest for women up to age 40, who households, nearly one in four (23 percent) were Four in 10 said they thought Zika could be a beverages to increase the risk of miscarriage.” address the fact that both smoking and were about three times as likely to have any combina- not aware of the association between Zika and the danger to future pregnancies, while the US Centers Scientists aren’t sure how caffeine con- alcohol use can reduce pregnancy rates tion of the heart disease end points as those without birth defect, microcephaly, in which infants are for Disease Control and Prevention says Zika is tributes to miscarriages, but it’s possible it and increase the risk of adverse effects on endometriosis. The difference in heart disease risk born with unusually small heads. believed to be a threat only to current pregnancies. affects egg or sperm production, implanta- fetal development,” Goldberg said by email. shrank at older ages. As has been seen in the past, Thousands of children in Brazil have been born Significant misunderstandings about how Zika is tion of the fertilized egg, or the ability of the Doctors currently advise couples trying to women who had their uterus or ovaries removed were with the condition, sparking alarm about a virus transmitted were also found. “These mispercep- embryo to grow in the uterus. conceive to avoid delays, especially when also at higher risk for coronary artery disease end- that today remains poorly understood by global tions about Zika virus transmission could lead peo- To assess how lifestyle choices may influ- they’re over 35, and counsel women to lim- points than others, the authors reported in Circulation: scientists. One in five of these households said they ple to take unnecessary or inappropriate precau- ence miscarriage risk, Louis and colleagues it caffeine and take multivitamins, Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. believed a vaccine exists to prevent Zika, even tions, as we have seen in other kinds of outbreaks,” followed 344 couples in Texas and Michigan Goldberg noted. Now, it seems men have Systemic chronic inflammation, heightened oxida- though one does not and experts say such a vac- warned SteelFisher. One in five (22 percent) did not through the first seven weeks of pregnancy. something new to add to their to-do list. tive stress and higher cholesterol levels associated cine will take years to develop. More than four in 10 know Zika could spread from a pregnant mother to All of the couples recorded their daily use of “We would now have to recommend that with endometriosis may explain the link between the (42 percent) did not realize Zika virus can be sexual- her fetus, and more than a quarter (29 percent) cigarettes, caffeinated and alcoholic bever- the male partners also reduce their caffeine condition and heart disease risk, Missmer said. ly transmitted. Furthermore, one quarter mistaken- were unaware it can be transmitted through blood ages, and multivitamins. intake,” Goldberg said. — Reuters “Additionally, endometriosis and coronary heart dis- ly believed symptoms were likely to be apparent, transfusions.—AFP ease may share common genetic susceptibilities,” she WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Lulu further expands in Bahrain; opens 6th Hypermarket in Zinj

iddle East retail major LULU Group Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha, Lulu Group introduced inaugural offers and deals for a vision of the leadership, the business-friend- opportunity to the educated Baharaini which is on a vast expansion mode Chairman Yusuffali M A, prominent business- range of products at attractive prices. ly economic environment and the ability of youth, Yusuffali said “it is also our endeavor Munderscored its commitment to man Mohammed Dadabhai, Lulu Group CEO “The opening of the 124th Lulu our Bahraini employees to absorb and fit to nurture the local talent and a proof of this Bahrain by opening its 6th Hypermarket in Saifee Rupawala, Executive Director Ashraf Hypermarket in the Kingdom of Bahrain and into the Lulu service model which puts cus- is our strong Bahraini work force that form New Zinj’s Galleria Mall. Ali MA, Bahrain Regional Director Juzer the 6th in the country is a moment of great tomers above all. the nucleus of our operations here in The new Hypermarket which is also the Rupawala and other top officials. pride for the LULU Group,” said Chairman We thank His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Bahrain. Currently Lulu provides best quality 124th store of the Lulu Group globally, was Located next to the Al-Ahli Sports Club Yusuffali M A after the inauguration. As Al Khalifa, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al training to absorb them in various manageri- officially inaugurated by Shaikh Khaled bin and adjacent to the US Embassy, the new announced earlier, this new hypermarket is Khalifa, the Prime Minister and Prince al and specialized sections to Bahrainis. Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of hypermarket will serve residents of part of our committed BD 100 million invest- Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown There are more than 1200 Bahrainis who Bahrain in the presence of Bahraini Minister Salmaniya and Zinj and offers easy access to ment plan for Bahrain, commented Yusuffali. Prince and First Deputy Premier and the peo- work with us not only here but in other GCC for Industry and Commerce Zayed Al-Zayani, Tubli and Isa Town residents as well. As The group will open 2 more hypermarkets by ple of this great country for encouraging us countries also and we will continue to sup- Labour Minister Jamil Humaidan, British always Lulu hypermarket provides the widest the end of 2017 at Saar and Busaidi in in all our expansion strategies and efforts in port Governments’ Bahranization plan by Ambassador Simon Martin CMG, US range of quality and value-for-money prod- Bahrain added Yusuffali. Bahrain. giving employment to more Bahrainis in our Ambassador William Roebuck, Indian ucts all under one roof. The outlet has also “Our growth in Bahrain is powered by the On providing training and employment new projects. Kuwait Toastmasters’ impressive show in Area 14 contests

embers of Kuwait and inspirational stories and mes- runner-up trophy in the Toastmasters Club achieved sages are conveyed. International Speech category with Mheartening results at Area Kuwait Toastmasters was repre- his speech “Rehmatulla” that 14 (Division I) Annual Speech sented by Toastmasters Santosh touched the hearts and soul of the Contest 2016, held at American Kumar and Satish Kumar, both emi- audience. TM Satish Kumar and TM University of Kuwait on March 25, nent speakers who have traveled a Santhosh Kumar will now represent MMF leaders meet Indian Ambassador 2016. Prolific speakers from Kuwait path of self-learning and learning Kuwait Toastmasters Club at the Toastmasters and other four clubs of through feedback from other mem- Annual Division I Speech Contests to he new office bearers of Malayali Community School as part of the gates are visiting Kerala state, the Area 14 participated in the contests bers to improve their communica- be held on May 6, 2016 at Australian Media Forum Kuwait met Sunil Indian community since it is residing Ambassador informed. He also stated in four categories, namely, tion skills. College of Kuwait. Jain the Indian Ambassador to over here, Sunil Jain said to MMF lead- that the functioning of canteen in the Impromptu speaking known as TM Satish Kumar, collected three The victories by Toastmasters T Kuwait on March 28, 2016 and dis- ers in the meeting. But as per the embassy premises positively will be Santhosh and Satish has added few cussed various topics faced by the school constitution, Indian embassy considered. more feathers to Kuwait expatriate Indian Community in cannot involve in the community The representative of MMF briefed Toastmasters’ cap. In 2015, TM Kuwait. Issues related to Indian school daily business. He added, about their function of Malayali Media Deepak Bindal of the club represent- Community School, problems faced by Indian Embassy will inform to the Forum in Kuwait. Sam Pynummoodu, ed Kuwait in humorous speech con- Nurses recruitment agencies, school director board to do the neces- Ismayil Payyoli, Nixon George, Thomas test finals at the District Level (DTAC Reopening of canteen in Indian sary amendment in the school consti- Mathew Kadavil and Regi Bhaskar were 2015) in Dubai, competing with the Embassy premises etc. were discussed. tution. the attendees for the meeting. Indian best of the humorous speakers from In an emergency situation the Regarding the MOH nurses recruit- embassy community welfare secretary seven countries, bringing laurels to Indian embassy will involve in Indian ment concerns next month, MOH dele- K K Tahel also witnessed the meeting. Kuwait. When asked, TM Santosh said, “joining Toastmasters has helped me in organizing and expressing my Appeal for Information about thoughts better and has also aided me to improve my listening skills. Kuwaiti Resistance Fighters The self-phased and feedback ori- ented training has helped me at the To whom it may concern man names Sami Al Dabbous, who we’re having trouble work place to communicate better This is an appeal on behalf of Marshal Byiers, a Scottish locating. during presentations and official gentleman who lived in Kuwait during the 1980s. While After the war, Marshall returned to Scotland. We are a interactions.” here, he lived with his family in Fahaheel city, more specifi- group of filmmakers who are currently working on a docu- TM Satish, reflected back on his cally, in a building owned by Khalif Al-Fulaij. mentary that narrates Marshall’s story, and, after 26 years, Toastmasters journey and said, Marshall worked for a company called EW Sable, and we are flying him back to Kuwait for the first time, for what “Toastmasters is a great self and was trapped in Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion. He was will probably be quite an emotional closure to his journey. team learning forum for developing held hostage by the Iraqi forces for a brief period of time. Marshall would really like to meet the person that Table Topics, Speech Evaluations in trophies, winning the Humorous communication and leadership skills He was eventually put in contact with members of the helped him during the Iraqi occupation. Marshall is due to which speakers evaluate a target speech contest with his speech very essential in the modern world. Kuwait Resistance by Larry Banks at the British Embassy. arrive to Kuwait on April 4-9. The documentary tells his sto- speaker and suggest improvements, “Laugh - the world will laugh with I am immensely helped by While Mr Byiers never met the resistance fighters in per- ry and we would like the opportunity to tell the story from Humorous speech where speakers you”, placed as first runner-up in the Toastmasters in being able to speak son, they spoke over the phone and they provided him the side of the man who helped him. If you or anybody else take up a theme to entertain the Table Topics contest and second run- in an organized manner, putting with food, cigarettes, and a small radio at great personal has any personal history with this story or anybody audience and finally International ner-up in Evaluation contest. across my view points in a crisp and risk to them self. The men who knew him would likely be involved in it, please contact us at the following email Speech through which motivational TM Santosh Kumar won the first concise way.” in their 50s now. His personal friend was a Kuwaiti gentle- [email protected] or phone number (965) 6668-0061. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

(From left) Chuck Silva, Director, OSN Pinoy, Emad Morcos, SVP - OSN, Media Partners, Affiliate Channels and Digital, Gilberto Duavit, Jr, GMA, President and COO, Joseph Francia, GMA International, First Vice President and Willie Revillame, Host of GMA Pinoy TV’s Wowowin. OSN adds six new Filipino channels to its platform

DUBAI: OSN, the leading pay-TV network in via OSN Play. Offering unmatched variety, the who get additional value through the excep- Claude Van Damme and Jackie Chan. diverse array of programme genres, from Middle East and North Africa (MENA), increas- three other channels include the ABS-CBN tional bouquet of HD channels that we have movies and sports, to news, reality, and es the breadth of content for OSN Pinoy sub- operated Lifestyle Network Channel; action on our network,” he said. Lifestyle Network (Channel 712) lifestyle, delivered in English and Filipino. scribers with the roll out of six new channels film channel CineMo; plus Viva Emad Morcos, Senior VP - Media Partners, Owned and operated by ABS-CBN, taking the overall number of OSN Pinoy chan- Entertainment’s flagship movie channel Pinoy Affiliate Channels and Digital, OSN, said: “The Lifestyle Network offers both localised and GMA News TV (Channel 715) nels to 15. The channels offer the best shows, Box Office (PBO) which offers the best in addition of the six new channels further international topics, covering a range of pro- The most awarded news organisation in program and movies directly from the Filipino blockbusters and classic films, will strengthens the choice that we offer the gramming blocks that include home, food, the Philippines is also coming to OSN, provid- Philippines to the GCC’s large and vibrant also be available to live stream on OSN Play. Filipino community in the region, making OSN travel and entertainment. Popular shows ing customers with news program, public Filipino community. Arnie Garcia, ABS-CBN Middle East the best network for premium and exclusive include F.A.S.H. (Fashion And Style Hub), affairs shows including local and international The additional channels make OSN the Managing Director said: “We are pleased to content. This builds on the introduction of sev- Sabrina’s Kitchen, Philippine Realty TV, and entertainment, news, sports program and pay-TV platform with the largest number of offer two new channels, Lifestyle Network and eral new channels on OSN this year, adding to Chefscapades. unrivalled entertainment. Filipino channels outside of the Philippines, CineMo, to cater to the varied TV entertain- the diversity of world-class programming that and the only platform in the region with the ment needs of Filipinos in the region. The we offer to our subscribers. We will endeavour GMA Pinoy TV (Channel 713) PBO (live streaming channel on OSN Play) biggest networks in one package. addition of these two new world-class chan- to ensure our offering remains as extensive as GMA Pinoy TV delivers an outstanding PBO (Pinoy Box Office) offers the most The six new channels come from three of nels strengthens the existing channel line-up possible which means pushing boundaries to range of shows including Eat Bulaga, the extensive Filipino film library with blockbuster the biggest names in entertainment in the of TFC on OSN giving viewers the widest deliver for all our customers.” longest running variety show in the offerings. Produced by Viva Entertainment, Philippines, ABS-CBN, Viva Entertainment and choice of Filipino content in the region.” Philippines. Viewers can also enjoy Wowowin, PBO assures subscribers great movies and GMA Network. GMA offer three channels, fur- Gilberto R Duavit, Jr, GMA Network The six new channels are: hosted by Willie Revillame, one of the most classics. It showcases a winning mix of indie ther strengthening its presence in the MENA President and COO, said that through the CineMo (Channel 711) watched game shows from the Philippines, flicks, as well as mini-series produced exclu- region by providing Filipinos wider access to renewed partnership, GMA program will CineMo features the best Filipino block- also Lip Sync Battle, the Filipino version of the sively for the channel. their favourite Kapuso program on its flagship become even more widely available across buster action and comedy films while offering worldwide TV hit, and 24 Oras the channel’s OSN subscribers can access all 15 OSN international channel, GMA Pinoy TV the the MENA region. “We look forward to becom- subscribers top-level Asian kung-fu movies flagship news programme. Pinoy channels including the six new chan- Filipino lifestyle channel; GMA Life TV; and the ing more accessible to our kababayan in the that will keep viewers enthralled. nels and 42 Western channels by upgrading international news channel, GMA News TV Middle East. If you look at the other channels The channel showcases films of Pinoy GMA Life TV (Channel 714) to the ‘OSN Pinoy Plus Extra’ package. Other International. that we will be offered with, it is a very unique action hero Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ) and come- The second international channel of GMA OSN Pinoy packages are also available for cus- Select Kapuso program are also available opportunity and position. OSN is the defini- dy king Dolphy as well as movie hits of Robin Network, GMA Life TV, offers a premium mix tomers to choose from. For more information, online through any internet-enabled device tive destination for the Filipino community, Padilla, Bong Revilla, TVJ, Steven Seagal, Jean- of programming. The channel is home to a visit www.osn.com/en/packages.

AOU Admission, Registration, Examination Dept organize workshop

ona Al-Loughani, Director of the Admission and in creating a suitable atmosphere among the different Registration Department at the Arab Open work sectors and the students. He also valued the MUniversity (AOU) emphasized that AOU is keen on University’s achievement and its commitment to keep taking care of its students and providing them with all abreast of development and employ all capabilities and means and appropriate conditions for meeting their needs experiences that power it to compete and offer high quali- and requirements and enabling them to academically suc- ty services to its students. ceed, in turn, this would be beneficial to them and open Loughani said this workshop came to enhance the rela- the doors for finding excellent employment opportunities tionship of the Department of Admission, Registration and as well as pursuing their higher education studies, Examination at the AOU-HQ with all units of Admission and This came in the first workshop for Admission, Registration at all AOU branches. It also aimed to exchange Registration and Examination Department, organized by ideas and experiences in addition to discuss all matters the Academic Sector at the AOU Headquarters in Kuwait. related to the department, added Loughani. She said, “AOU All heads of Admission and Registration units of the eight takes care of its students as they are the core of the educa- AOU branches operating in a number of Arab countries tional process”. The workshop included various themes participated in this workshop. Prof Marwan Al-Akaidi, Vice such as Bachelor’s Degree Regulation, Equivalence, President for Academic Affairs, welcomed all and lauded all Student Behavior Regulation, Exams, Branch Transference efforts that serve the public interest of the University and and Academic Calendar. Loughani expressed her gratitude its students, stressing on the importance of the teamwork for all who contributed to make this workshop successful. KU, Hanyang University sign academic exchange agreement

uwait University (KU) yesterday signed a memorandum of under- Kstating (MoU) for academic exchange with South Korean Hanyang University, as part of efforts to boost cooperation between both universities. KU President Hussain Al-Ansari signed the MoU with Deputy President of Hanyang Dr. Yang Lee, in the presence of a number of KU officials. The MoU encompasses numerous initiatives, including joint academic conferences, lectures and workshops, the KU said in a press statement. The agreement would also facilitate academic exchange between both schools, the A delegation from Kuwait University’s College of Administrative Sciences visited the Sabah Al- statement added. — KUNA Salem University City project’s site recently to inspect the new college building and the process of work there. p32.qxp_Layout 1 3/30/16 8:45 PM Page 1

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 TV PROGRAMS

14:30 Dialogue 14:55 Fatal Encounters 02:00 Coronation Street 19:30 I Hate My Teenage 15:00 News Update 15:45 On The Case With Paula 02:30 Big Star’s Little Star Daughter 15:15 China 24 Zahn 03:25 Tracey Ullman’s Show 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 16:00 News Update 16:35 Murder Shift 03:55 Raised By Wolves Jimmy Fallon 16:15 Global Business 17:25 I Almost Got Away With It 04:20 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 21:00 Playing House 00:20 Parked 17:00 News Update 18:15 The Will 05:15 Come Dine With Me 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 01:55 Desperately Seeking Susan 17:15 World InSight 19:05 Deadly Affairs Couples Wilmore 03:40 Monkey Shines: An 18:00 Asia Today 19:55 True Crime With Aphrodite 06:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 22:00 Married Experiment In Fear 18:30 Culture Express Jones 07:00 Eggheads 22:30 The Brink 05:30 Race For The Yankee 19:00 News Update 20:45 California Investigator 07:30 Tracey Ullman’s Show 23:00 The League Zephyr 19:30 The Heat 21:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 08:00 Raised By Wolves 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 07:20 The Return Of Sabata 20:00 Africa Live 21:35 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 08:25 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 09:05 Mannequin 21:00 Global Business 22:00 Surviving Evil 09:20 Big Star’s Little Star 10:35 The Aviator 21:30 Dialogue 22:50 Deadly Women 10:15 The Chase 12:10 The Beautiful Country 22:00 News Update 23:40 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 11:05 Eggheads 14:10 Beauty Shop 22:15 China 24 11:35 Come Dine With Me 00:00 Bates Motel 15:55 Death Rides A Horse 23:00 News Update Couples 01:00 Quantico 17:50 One More Kiss 23:15 World InSight 12:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 02:00 Rosewood 19:30 Saved! 13:25 Emmerdale 03:00 Allegiance 13:50 Eggheads 04:00 Good Morning America 14:20 Coronation Street 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 14:45 Big Star’s Little Star 07:00 Covert Affairs 00:20 How It’s Made 15:35 Come Dine With Me 08:00 Heroes Reborn 00:44 How It’s Made Couples 09:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 00:45 I Escaped Jaws 2 01:08 You Have Been Warned 16:30 Remember Me 10:00 Quantico 01:40 From WAGs To Riches 00:00 Inside China 01:55 Stephen Hawking’s Grand 17:25 Hiding 11:00 Covert Affairs 02:35 Tanked 00:30 Managing Asia Design 18:20 Emmerdale 12:00 Coronation Street 03:25 Echo And The Elephants Of 01:00 U.S. Squawk Alley 02:42 Sci-Fi Science 18:45 Coach Trip 12:30 Coronation Street Amboseli 02:00 Asia Squawk Box 03:04 Sci-Fi Science 19:10 Coronation Street 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 03:50 Echo And The Elephants Of 04:00 Asia Street Signs 03:29 Penn & Teller Tell A Lie 19:35 Come Dine With Me 14:00 Live Good Morning America Amboseli 06:00 Fast Money: Half Time 04:16 You Have Been Warned Couples 16:00 Heroes Reborn 04:15 Gator Boys Report 05:03 Stephen Hawking’s Grand 20:30 Remember Me 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:02 Treehouse Masters 07:00 Capital Connection Design 21:25 Hiding 18:00 Heroes Reborn 05:49 From WAGs To Riches 08:00 Squawk Box Europe 05:50 Building The Biggest 22:20 Coronation Street 19:00 The Voice 06:36 Meet The Sloths 11:00 Europe Street Signs 06:37 How Do They Do It? 21:00 Castle 07:00 Meet The Sloths 12:00 Worldwide Exchange 07:00 How Do They Do It? 22:00 Supergirl 07:25 America’s Cutest Pets 13:00 U.S. Squawk Box 07:23 Penn & Teller Tell A Lie 23:00 Better Call Saul 08:15 From WAGs To Riches 16:00 Squawk On The Street 08:08 Sci-Fi Science 09:10 Treehouse Masters 18:00 U.S. Squawk Alley 08:30 Sci-Fi Science 10:05 Tanked 19:00 Fast Money: Half Time 08:53 Building The Biggest 11:00 America’s Cutest Pets Report 09:38 How It’s Made 00:10 Eat Street 11:55 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 20:00 U.S. Power Lunch 10:00 How It’s Made 00:35 Eat Street 22:00 U.S. Closing BellΩ 01:00 David Rocco’s Dolce India 12:50 From WAGs To Riches 10:23 Mega Builders 00:00 Devil May Call 01:25 David Rocco’s Dolce India 13:45 Gator Boys 11:08 Stephen Hawking’s Grand 02:00 Jersey Shore Shark Attack 01:50 Tales From The Bush Larder 14:40 Treehouse Masters Design 04:00 Age Of Dinosaurs 02:15 Eat Street 15:35 Tanked 11:53 Building The Biggest 06:00 The League Of 02:40 Eat Street 16:30 Echo And The Elephants Of 12:38 Penn & Teller Tell A Lie Extraordinary Gentlemen 03:05 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Amboseli 13:23 How It’s Made 08:00 Turbulence Australia 17:00 Echo And The Elephants Of 13:46 How It’s Made 10:00 The X Files 03:30 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Amboseli 00:00 The Killer Speaks 14:10 Sci-Fi Science 12:00 Justice League: Throne Of Australia 17:25 River Monsters (Best Of 01:00 Britain’s Darkest Taboos 14:32 Sci-Fi Science Atlantis 03:55 A Marriage Of Flavours Series 1-5) 02:00 Evil Up Close 14:57 Mega Builders 13:45 Fast & Furious 6 04:20 Confucius Was A Foodie 18:20 Gator Boys 03:00 The First 48 15:44 Stephen Hawking’s Grand 16:00 The League Of 05:10 Eat Street 19:15 Tanked 04:00 The Killer Speaks Design Extraordinary Gentlemen 05:35 Eat Street 20:10 Into The Pride 05:00 Gangsters: America’s Most 16:31 Building The Biggest 18:00 Turbulence 06:00 The Best Job In The World 21:05 Treehouse Masters Evil 17:18 Sci-Fi Science 19:45 The Bourne Legacy 06:25 Wineroads 22:00 Gator Boys 06:00 The FBI Files 17:40 Sci-Fi Science 22:00 300: Rise Of An Empire 06:50 David Rocco’s Dolce India 22:55 Gator Boys 07:00 The FBI Files 18:05 Penn & Teller Tell A Lie 07:15 David Rocco’s Dolce India 23:50 River Monsters (Best Of 08:00 Homicide Hunter 18:50 Food Factory 07:40 Tales From The Bush Larder Series 1-5) 09:00 Beyond Scared Straight 19:15 Food Factory 08:05 Eat Street 10:00 Private Crimes 19:40 Stephen Hawking’s Grand 08:30 Eat Street 10:30 Private Crimes Design 08:55 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 11:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 20:25 How It’s Made 00:00 Role Models Australia 12:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 02:00 The First Time 09:20 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 13:00 The First 48 04:00 The Trip To Italy Australia 14:00 Homicide Hunter 06:00 The Misadventures Of The 00:35 Prey 09:45 A Marriage Of Flavours 15:00 Private Crimes THE FIRST TIME ON OSN MOVIES HD COMEDY Dunderheads 01:30 Happy Valley 10:10 Confucius Was A Foodie 15:30 Private Crimes 08:00 Rush Hour 2 02:25 Happy Valley 11:00 Eat Street 16:00 The FBI Files 00:30 Crashes That Changed 12:20 Miraculous Tales Of 12:00 Chopped 10:00 The Trip To Italy 03:20 Casualty 11:25 Eat Street 17:00 Crimes That Shook Britain Flying Ladybug & Cat Noir 13:00 Guy’s Big Bite 12:00 Grudge Match 04:20 Stella 11:50 The Best Job In The World 18:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 01:20 Origins 12:45 Fish Hooks 13:30 Guy’s Big Bite 14:00 50 First Dates 05:10 Father Brown 12:15 Wineroads 19:00 The First 48 01:40 Chasing Classic Cars 13:10 Austin & Ally 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 16:00 Rush Hour 2 06:00 Eastenders 02:05 Anthony Bourdain: No 12:40 David Rocco’s Dolce India 17:45 Mystery Men 20:00 Homicide Hunter 13:35 Austin & Ally 06:00 Boyster 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 06:30 Casualty Reservations 13:05 David Rocco’s Dolce India 20:00 Identity Thief 21:00 Private Crimes 14:00 Liv And Maddie 06:10 Super Matrak 15:00 Man Fire Food 07:30 Stella 02:50 Tattoo Hunter 13:35 Tales From The Bush Larder 22:00 What We Do In The 21:30 Private Crimes 14:25 Descendants Wicked World 06:35 Super Matrak 15:30 Man Fire Food 08:20 Call The Midwife 03:35 Disaster On K2 14:00 Eat Street Shadows 22:00 Ms. Homicide 14:30 Liv And Maddie 07:00 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 16:00 Chopped 09:15 Doctor Who 04:20 Extreme Engineering 14:30 Eat Street 23:00 Killer Kids 14:55 Dog With A Blog 07:25 K.C. Undercover 17:00 The Kitchen 10:05 Casualty 05:05 Gunslingers 14:55 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 15:20 Dog With A Blog 07:50 Supa Strikas 18:00 The Pioneer Woman 11:05 Father Brown 05:50 Modern Sniper Australia 15:45 Miraculous Tales Of 08:15 Annedroids 18:30 The Pioneer Woman 11:55 Stella 06:35 Origins 15:25 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Ladybug & Cat Noir 08:40 Lab Rats 19:00 Chopped 12:45 Call The Midwife 07:00 Anthony Bourdain: No Australia 16:10 Violetta 09:10 Kirby Buckets 20:00 Iron Chef America 13:45 Doctor Who Reservations 15:50 A Marriage Of Flavours 17:00 The Next Step 09:35 Guardians Of The Galaxy 21:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 14:35 Casualty 07:50 Bush Pilots 16:20 Confucius Was A Foodie 17:25 Austin & Ally 10:00 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 21:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 15:30 Stella 08:40 Extreme Engineering 17:15 Eat Street 02:00 A Civil Action 17:50 Dog With A Blog 10:25 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 22:00 Man v Food 16:15 Call The Midwife 09:30 Gunslingers 17:40 Eat Street 04:00 The Savages 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 18:15 Mako Mermaids 10:50 K.C. Undercover 17:10 Doctor Who 10:20 Origins 18:10 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 06:00 Great Expectations 01:10 Gold Rush 18:40 Gravity Falls 11:20 K.C. Undercover 18:00 Doctors 10:45 Chasing Classic Cars 18:35 Ariana’s Persian Kitchen 08:30 What Dreams May Come 02:00 Diamond River Hunters 19:05 Miraculous Tales Of 11:45 Supa Strikas 18:35 Doctors 11:10 Anthony Bourdain: No 19:05 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 10:30 The Alamo 02:50 Alaska: Battle On The Bay Ladybug & Cat Noir 12:10 Supa Strikas 19:05 Father Brown Reservations Australia 12:45 Won’t Back Down 03:40 Extreme Collectors 19:30 Violetta 12:35 Gamers Guide To Pretty 20:00 Ripper Street 12:00 Bush Pilots 19:30 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 14:45 The Apostle 04:05 The Liquidator 20:20 The Next Step Much Everything 21:00 Ripper Street 12:50 Extreme Engineering Australia 17:00 What Dreams May Come 04:30 Garage Gold 20:45 Good Luck Charlie 13:00 Annedroids 00:20 Aussie Pickers 21:55 Silent Witness 13:40 Gunslingers 19:00 At Any Price 05:00 How Do They Do It? 21:10 Good Luck Charlie 13:30 Mighty Med 01:10 Storage Wars: New York 22:50 Father Brown 14:30 Origins 21:00 Siberian Education 05:30 Chasing Classic Cars 21:35 H2O 13:55 Mighty Med 01:35 Storage Wars: New York 23:40 Doctors 14:55 Chasing Classic Cars 23:00 Dallas Buyers Club 06:00 Outback Truckers 22:00 Binny And The Ghost 14:20 Kickin’ It 02:00 Duck Dynasty 15:20 Anthony Bourdain: No 06:50 Wheeler Dealers 22:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A 14:45 Kickin’ It 02:25 Duck Dynasty Reservations 07:40 Fast N’ Loud Teenage Witch 15:10 Guardians Of The Galaxy 02:50 American Pickers 16:10 Bush Pilots 08:30 Extreme Collectors 22:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 15:15 Rocket Monkeys 03:40 Shipping Wars 17:00 Extreme Engineering 00:00 Community 08:55 The Liquidator Teenage Witch 15:40 Guardians Of The Galaxy 04:05 Shipping Wars 17:50 Gunslingers 00:30 Playing House 01:15 Project Almanac 09:20 Garage Gold 23:10 Hank Zipzer 16:05 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 04:30 Pawn Stars 00:00 Charlie Rose 18:40 Origins 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 03:15 Boychoir 09:45 How Do They Do It? 23:35 Binny And The Ghost 16:30 Kirby Buckets 05:00 The Curse Of Oak Island 01:00 First Up With Angie Lau 19:05 Chasing Classic Cars Wilmore 05:00 Pompeii 10:10 Chasing Classic Cars 16:55 Gamers Guide To Pretty 06:00 Ice Road Truckers 02:00 First Up With Angie Lau 19:30 Origins 01:30 Married 07:00 Step Up All In 10:35 Gold Rush Much Everything 06:50 Counting Cars 03:00 Trending Business 19:55 Origins 02:00 South Park 09:00 Boychoir 11:25 Diamond River Hunters 17:25 K.C. Undercover 07:15 Counting Cars 04:00 Trending Business 20:20 Anthony Bourdain: No 02:30 The League 11:00 Life Of A King 12:15 Alaska: Battle On The Bay 17:50 Supa Strikas 07:40 Search For The Lost Giants 05:00 Asia Edge Reservations 03:00 Your Family Or Mine 13:00 Big Eyes 13:05 Extreme Collectors 18:15 Lab Rats 08:30 Storage Wars 06:00 Bloomberg West 21:10 Extreme Engineering 03:30 The Goldbergs 15:00 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 13:30 The Liquidator 00:05 Art Attack 18:40 Mighty Med 08:55 Hoard Hunters 07:00 Charlie Rose 22:00 Origins 04:00 Two And A Half Men 17:00 Odd Thomas 13:55 Garage Gold 00:30 Henry Hugglemonster 19:10 Annedroids 09:45 Lost In Transmission 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 19:00 The Maze Runner 00:45 Calimero 19:35 Phineas And Ferb 10:35 American Pickers Jimmy Fallon 21:00 Tracers 01:00 Zou 20:00 Kirby Buckets 11:25 The Curse Of Oak Island 05:30 The Last Man On Earth 23:00 Son Of A Gun 20:25 Gamers Guide To Pretty 12:15 Pawn Stars 01:15 Loopdidoo 06:00 Mad Love Much Everything 12:40 Pawn Stars 01:30 Art Attack 06:30 Community 20:55 K.C. Undercover 13:05 Shipping Wars 01:55 Henry Hugglemonster 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:20 Pickle And Peanut 13:30 Shipping Wars 02:05 Calimero 08:00 Two And A Half Men 21:45 Lab Rats 13:55 Storage Wars 02:20 Zou 08:30 Breaking In 22:10 Mighty Med 14:20 Storage Wars 03:00 Premier League Darts 02:30 Loopdidoo 09:00 Your Family Or Mine 22:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 14:45 Aussie Pickers 06:30 Top 14 Highlights 02:45 Art Attack 15:35 Storage Wars 09:30 The Grinder 07:00 Golfing World 03:10 Henry Hugglemonster 10:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 16:00 American Pickers 08:00 AFL Season Preview 03:20 Calimero 10:30 Community 16:50 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 09:00 Inside The PGA Tour 03:35 Zou 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 17:15 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 09:30 European Tour Weekly 03:45 Loopdidoo 17:40 Counting Cars Jimmy Fallon 12:00 The Bernie Mac Show 10:00 Trans World Sport 04:00 Art Attack 00:00 Hollywood Medium With 18:05 Counting Cars 04:25 Henry Hugglemonster 18:30 The Curse Of Oak Island 12:30 Two And A Half Men 11:00 Live AFL Premiership Tyler Henry 13:00 My Name Is Earl 14:00 NRL Full Time 04:35 Calimero 00:55 The Grace Helbig Show 19:20 Duck Dynasty 04:50 Zou 19:45 Duck Dynasty 13:30 Community 14:30 The PGA Tour Champions 01:25 Keeping Up With The 14:00 The Goldbergs 05:00 Loopdidoo 20:10 Pawn Stars Highlights Kardashians 14:30 The Grinder 20:35 Pawn Stars 15:30 Golfing World 05:15 Art Attack 02:20 E! News 15:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 05:35 Henry Hugglemonster 03:15 Hollywood Cycle 15:30 Playing House 16:30 Inside The PGA Tour 05:50 Calimero 04:10 The E! True Hollywood Story 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 17:00 European Tour Weekly 06:00 Zou 05:05 E! Entertainment Special Wilmore 17:30 Live PGA Tour 06:20 Loopdidoo 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take 16:30 The Bernie Mac Show 20:30 Inside The PGA Tour 06:35 Art Attack Miami 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:00 Live World Golf 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take 07:00 Calimero 00:10 The Chase 18:00 Your Family Or Mine Championships 07:10 Zou Miami 01:05 Emmerdale 18:30 Living With Fran 07:25 Loopdidoo 07:50 Style Star 01:30 Eggheads 19:00 Modern Family 08:20 E! News 07:40 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:15 Giuliana & Bill THE BOURNE LEGACY ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 08:05 Sofia The First 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 08:30 Goldie & Bear 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 00:00 Trans World Sport 08:45 Jake And The Never Land 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 01:00 Super Rugby 08:00 Countdown 14:20 Outback Truckers 22:25 Origins Pirates 09:00 Countdown 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 22:50 Gunslingers 12:05 E! News 03:00 PGA European Tour 09:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 09:30 On The Move 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 23:40 Modern Sniper 13:05 House Of DVF Highlights 10:00 On The Move 16:50 Chasing Classic Cars 09:35 Doc McStuffins 14:05 Fashion Bloggers 10:00 Sofia The First 14:30 Fashion Bloggers 04:00 The PGA Tour Champions 11:00 The Pulse 17:15 How Do They Do It? Highlights 17:40 The Island With Bear Grylls 10:30 The Lion Guard: Return Of 15:00 Keeping Up With The 12:00 Bloomberg Surveillance 05:00 Super League 13:00 Bloomberg Surveillance 18:30 Men, Women, Wild The Roar Kardashians 14:00 Bloomberg Go 19:20 Dynamo: Revealed 11:25 Winnie The Pooh: 16:00 Keeping Up With The 07:00 NRL Premiership 15:00 Bloomberg Go 20:10 The Liquidator Springtime With Roo Kardashians 09:00 World Golf Championships 16:00 Bloomberg Go 20:35 Garage Gold 00:00 Violetta 12:45 Doc McStuffins 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 15:30 WWE Vintage 17:00 Bloomberg Markets 21:00 The Island With Bear Grylls 00:45 The Hive 13:00 Sofia The First 18:00 Fashion Police 16:30 WWE Raw 18:00 Bloomberg Markets: 21:50 Men, Women, Wild 00:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 13:25 Miles From Tomorrow 19:00 WAGs 19:00 WWE NXT European Close 22:40 So You Think You’d Teenage Witch 13:50 Jake And The Never Land 20:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 21:00 Keeping Up With The 20:00 WWE Smackdown 19:00 Bloomberg Markets 01:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Pirates 22:00 Live Premier League Darts 20:00 Bloomberg Markets Teenage Witch Kardashians 14:15 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 22:00 E! News 21:00 Bloomberg Markets 01:40 Hank Zipzer 14:40 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:00 Bloomberg Markets 02:05 Binny And The Ghost 15:10 Miles From Tomorrow 02:30 Violetta 23:00 What’d You Miss? 15:35 Jake And The Never Land 03:15 The Hive 00:05 Who On Earth Did I Marry? Pirates 00:00 NRL Full Time 00:30 The Haunted 03:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage Witch 16:00 Sofia The First 00:30 Gillette World Sport 01:20 Ghost Lab 16:25 Jungle Cubs 03:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A 00:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 01:00 NRL Premiership 02:10 Swamp Murders 16:50 Aladdin 03:00 True Nightmares Teenage Witch 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 03:00 NRL Premiership 00:00 News Update 04:10 Hank Zipzer 17:15 Gummi Bears 01:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 0 03:45 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 17:40 Goldie & Bear 05:00 Inside The PGA Tour 00:30 Dialogue 04:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 04:35 Binny And The Ghost 02:00 Mystery Diners 0 18:05 Miles From Tomorrow 05:30 European Tour Weekly 01:00 News Update 04:30 The Haunted 05:00 Violetta 02:30 Mystery Diners S 01:15 China 24 05:20 Fatal Encounters 05:45 The Hive 18:30 Sofia The First 03:00 Man Fire Food 06:00 The World Sailing Show 0 02:00 The Heat 06:10 On The Case With Paula 05:50 Mouk 18:55 Doc McStuffins 03:30 Man Fire Food 06:30 NRL Full Time H 02:30 News Update 06:00 Lolirock 19:10 Jake And The Never Land 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 0 Zahn 07:00 Super Rugby 03:00 Global Business 06:25 Sofia The First Pirates 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 0 07:00 Dr G: Medical Examiner 09:00 Premier League Darts 04:00 News Update 07:50 On The Case With Paula 06:50 Gravity Falls 19:35 The Lion Guard: Return Of 05:00 Iron Chef America 0 05:00 News Update Zahn 07:15 Miraculous Tales Of The Roar 06:00 Chopped 12:30 Gillette World Sport 0 06:30 Dialogue 08:40 Fatal Encounters Ladybug & Cat Noir 20:30 Sofia The First 07:00 Man Fire Food 13:00 Europro Tour C 07:00 News Hour 09:30 Murder Shift 07:40 Jessie 21:00 Winnie The Pooh: 07:30 Man Fire Food 0 08:00 Global Business 08:05 Shake It Up 15:00 The Weber Cup 1 10:20 Deadly Affairs Springtime With Roo 08:00 Chopped 09:00 News Update 08:30 Shake It Up 16:00 Super Rugby 11:10 True Crime With Aphrodite 22:20 Lilo And Stitch 09:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back To 10:30 Sports Scene 08:55 That’s So Raven Basics Jones 22:50 Zou 18:00 AFL Premiership 11:00 Global Business 09:20 That’s So Raven 09:30 Barefoot Contessa: Back To 12:00 The Will 23:05 Henry Hugglemonster 20:30 Golfing World 12:00 News Update 12:50 I Almost Got Away With It 09:45 Girl Meets World Basics 12:30 Culture Express 10:10 Girl Meets World 23:20 Calimero 10:00 The Kitchen 21:30 Trans World Sport 13:40 California Investigator 23:35 Zou 22:30 Gillette World Sport 13:00 Africa Live 14:05 Dr G: Medical Examiner 10:35 Mulan 2 11:00 The Pioneer Woman 14:00 News Update 12:15 Cars Toons 23:50 Loopdidoo 11:30 The Pioneer Woman TRACERS ON OSN MOVIES HD 22:58 Live Super League Classifieds

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (31/03/2016 TO 06/04/2016)

SHARQIA-1 HIGH-RISE 10:30 PM EDDIE THE EAGLE 3:45 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 12:00 PM HIGH-RISE 12:45 AM LONDON HAS FALLEN 6:00 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 3:00 PM EDDIE THE EAGLE 8:15 PM NO FRI+SAT FANAR-2 EDDIE THE EAGLE 10:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 3:00 PM EDDIE THE EAGLE 1:00 PM EDDIE THE EAGLE 12:45 AM FRI+SAT KUNG FU PANDA 3 1:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 5:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 3:45 PM AVENUES-3 KUNG FU PANDA 3 7:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 5:45 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 12:15 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 9:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 7:45 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 2:30 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 11:00 PM EDDIE THE EAGLE 9:45 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 4:45 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 1:00 AM EDDIE THE EAGLE 12:15 AM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 7:00 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 9:15 PM SHARQIA-2 FANAR-3 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 11:30 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 1:15 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 11:45 AM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 3:30 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 1:45 PM AVENUES-4 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 5:45 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 3:45 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 1:00 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 8:45 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 6:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 3:15 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 11:45 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 8:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 5:30 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 10:45 PM Special Show “KUNG FU PANDA 3” 5:30 PM SHARQIA-3 JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 12:45 AM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 7:30 PM HIGH-RISE 12:30 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 9:45 PM HIGH-RISE 3:00 PM MARINA-1 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 12:05 AM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 5:15 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 1:00 PM HIGH-RISE 7:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 3:00 PM AVENUES-5 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 9:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 5:00 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 1:00 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 12:45 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 7:00 PM Special Show “BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE” 1:00 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 9:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 2:00 PM CHANGE OF NAME MUHALAB-1 JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 11:00 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE -3D 4:00 PM HIGH-RISE 1:15 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 1:00 AM Special Show “KUNG FU PANDA 3” 5:00 PM Rashida holder of Indian JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 1:30 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 7:00 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 3:30 PM MARINA-2 Special Show “BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE” 7:00 PM Passport No. Z1845012 293, HIGH-RISE 5:30 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 12:15 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 10:00 PM Saheli Nagar, Zainab Villa, JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 7:45 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 3:15 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 1:00 AM Udaipur, Rajasthan, hereby HIGH-RISE 9:45 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 6:15 PM change my name to JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 12:05 AM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 9:15 PM 360º- 1 Rashida Shoyab Hussain. BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 12:15 AM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE -3D 1:00 PM (C 5154) MUHALAB-2 KUNG FU PANDA 3 2:00 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 11:30 AM MARINA-3 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE -3D 4:00 PM 28-3-2016 KUNG FU PANDA 3 1:45 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 1:15 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 7:00 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 1:45 PM NO FRI+SAT BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE -3D 10:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 4:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 1:30 PM HIGH-RISE 1:00 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 6:00 PM FRI+SAT BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 8:00 PM HIGH-RISE 3:30 PM 360º- 2 112 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 11:00 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 5:45 PM MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA GIRLS - FRIENDSHIP GAMES 12:30 PM JU ON: THE GRUDGE 3 (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END) 1:15 AM HIGH-RISE 8:00 PM MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA GIRLS - FRIENDSHIP GAMES 2:15 PM 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE 10:15 PM MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA GIRLS - FRIENDSHIP GAMES 4:15 PM PRAYER TIMINGS MUHALAB-3 HIGH-RISE 12:30 AM MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA GIRLS - FRIENDSHIP GAMES 6:00 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 12:15 PM VETTAH- Malayalam 7:45 PM Fajr: 04:20 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 3:15 PM AVENUES-1 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 7:45 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 6:15 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 11:30 AM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 10:45 PM Shorook 05:40 BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 9:15 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 1:45 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 12:15 AM KUNG FU PANDA 3 4:00 PM 360º 3 Duhr: 11:52 KUNG FU PANDA 3 6:15 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 12:45 PM FANAR-1 KUNG FU PANDA 3 8:30 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 3:00 PM Asr: 15:23 HIGH-RISE 12:45 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 10:45 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 5:15 PM HIGH-RISE 3:00 PM KUNG FU PANDA 3 7:30 PM Maghrib: 18:05 HIGH-RISE 5:30 PM AVENUES-2 KUNG FU PANDA 3 9:45 PM HIGH-RISE 8:00 PM EDDIE THE EAGLE 1:30 PM BATMAN V SUPERMAN: AWN OF JUSTICE 12:15 AM Isha: 19:23

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 31/3/2016 AXB 393 Kozhikode 14:10 Arrival Flights on Thursday 31/3/2016 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 THY 772 Istanbul 00:10 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 PAL 669 Manila 14:45 MSC 415 Sohag 00:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 742 Dammam 14:55 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:25 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 KKK 6506 Istanbul 00:55 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 DLH 635 Doha 01:00 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:10 MSC 404 Asyut 00:55 AXB 394 Kozhikode 15:10 QTR 1086 Doha 01:15 OMA 645 Muscat 15:10 KLM 411 Amsterdam 00:55 KNE 381 Taif 15:10 JZR 539 Cairo 01:20 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 MSC 416 Sohag 01:05 QTR 1079 Doha 15:15 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JZR 502 Luxor 01:15 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 RJA 640 Amman 16:00 THY 773 Istanbul 01:40 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 KNE 531 Jeddah 16:05 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:00 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 JZR 552 Alexandria 01:50 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 THY 765 Istanbul 02:45 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 JZR 535 Cairo 16:20 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 OMA 646 Muscat 16:10 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 KAC 118 New York 16:30 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:50 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 KAC 562 Amman 16:55 OMA 644 Muscat 04:00 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 KKK 6505 Istanbul 04:05 KNE 532 Jeddah 16:55 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:15 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 FDB 068 Dubai 04:05 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 QTR 1076 Doha 03:25 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 KAC 675 Dubai 17:00 KAC 544 Cairo 03:40 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 17:50 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 JZR 266 Beirut 17:10 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 QTR 1077 Doha 04:35 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 QTR 8511 Doha 04:30 QTR 1080 Doha 17:55 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 18:20 JZR 560 Sohag 05:00 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:50 THY 770 Istanbul 05:15 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20 QTR 8512 Doha 06:00 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 JZR 529 Asyut 06:00 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 RJA 643 Amman 06:25 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 KAC 774 Riyadh 18:35 QTR 1087 Doha 06:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 06:25 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 THY 771 Istanbul 06:45 JZR 538 Cairo 18:30 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 JZR 554 Alexandria 18:50 IRA 673 Ahwaz 07:15 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 JZR 240 Amman 06:55 KAC 563 Amman 19:00 FDB 5061 Dubai 07:15 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 QTR 1081 Doha 19:05 JZR 503 Luxor 07:25 KAC 104 London 19:00 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 JZR 238 Amman 19:15 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:55 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:20 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 07:35 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 IRA 672 Ahwaz 08:15 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 204 Lahore 07:40 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10 BAW 156 London 08:25 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:45 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:15 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:30 ABY 124 Sharjah 19:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 JZR 534 Cairo 09:25 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 FDB 060 Dubai 20:30 KAC 344 Chennai 08:15 KAC 154 Istanbul 19:45 KAC 671 Dubai 09:30 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:15 FDB 059 Dubai 19:50 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 KAC 362 Colombo 08:20 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:05 KAC 619 Doha 09:30 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:45 KAC 352 Kochi 08:20 KNE 382 Taif 20:10 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 DLH 634 Doha 20:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 20:10 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:45 ABY 122 Sharjah 20:50 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:00 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 353 BLR 20:55 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 KAC 101 London/New York 10:00 KAC 351 Kochi 21:00 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:05 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:05 KAC 543 Cairo 21:00 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 KNE 234 Riyadh 21:10 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:55 QTR 1071 Doha 10:45 SYR 341 Damascus 10:30 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:05 KAC 677 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 10:50 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 OMA 648 Muscat 21:15 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:20 KAC 153 Istanbul 11:00 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:30 MEA 404 Beirut 11:00 KLM 417 Amsterdam 21:25 KAC 561 Amman 11:20 QTR 1089 Doha 21:45 JZR 561 Sohag 11:25 KAC 676 Dubai 21:35 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30 QTR 1082 Doha 21:55 SYR 342 Damascus 11:30 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:55 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 22:00 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 21:55 NIA 151 Cairo 12:20 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 KAC 741 Dammam 11:35 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:00 KAC 381 Delhi 22:25 JZR 241 Amman 12:30 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 MSC 501 Alexandria 22:30 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:25 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 KAC 620 Doha 13:10 THY 764 Istanbul 22:55 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:00 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 MSC 403 Asyut 23:00 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 23:00 KAC 672 Dubai 14:05 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:20 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 JZR 779 Jeddah 14:05 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 NIA 152 Cairo 13:20 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:25 KNE 231 Riyadh 14:10 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 MSC 502 Alexandria 23:30 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION p34_p34 stars 3/30/16 8:48 PM Page 1

stars34 THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

CROSSWORD 1212 STAR TRACK

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

Try again for those goals of yours; a mentor or teacher is available to you Others value you for your unique qualities. There are new ways to view today. Long-and short-term goals are attainable. Finances improve and you people and new ways of understanding the things that are occurring in your life now- will be wise to put some of these improvements into funds for investing and saving. While behind the illusions. Co-workers enjoy teaming up with you because you listen and are in business group meetings today, you find much inspiration. Expect positive results con- helpful. You can take command of your life now and proceed with full speed ahead in any cerning some recent work you have been doing; there are rewards. Travel and other con- area you wish. In the workplace there is an opportunity to take a chance on a long shot- tacts with faraway people and places will play a big role for you now and in the future. nothing ventured, nothing gained. This could be anything from inviting a new friend to Such things bring love and gain in one way or another. Good things are happening in your lunch to asking for a raise. This afternoon you can enjoy some much deserved downtime. life. New friends coming into your life now will encourage and empower you. Allow your- Be consistent in your message to young people this evening. This will help them to know self to grow and change. what to expect from you and you will gain respect.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) There is a yearning for the stimulation of new ideas and ideals. Since you will This is your lucky day! Schedule that conference, give that party and plan for not have yet reached your long-term goals this year, it might be fun to create some short- the future. Whatever you do today, your ability to make things run smoothly should pro- term goals. When you accomplish the short-term goals, the successes encourage you to duce excellent results. Teamwork and understanding are your best guarantee for peaceful move forward. When you have completed this workday you will feel good about your negotiations at work and at home. Some idea running around in your head has an oppor- accomplishments. This afternoon’s refreshment and some interesting conversation with a tunity to actually be verbalized and perhaps viewed by others. You will be pleased at the loved one brings about new and fun ideas for family outings. You encourage bonding and response from higher-ups regarding your ideas. There is not only financial growth now, bring up a few fun memories. A few of you will enjoy camping, to learn some survival but also increased intimacy in your personal relationships. You will want to be showing techniques or perhaps as a pathway to a new hobby. This is a good time to discuss the your gratitude and appreciation for others who share your life. Young people have your idea of the family volunteering in some charity that teaches. attention this evening.

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

Allow your creative side to blossom by categorizing your activities. The Some unique and wonderful ideas are passed around among your peers more you increase this creative side, the easier you will find problem-solving situations and associates. Listen carefully-don’t try to over-impress an innocent end. You have an exciting time ahead of you now as you discover ways in which to bystander. The financial aspects of a business deal lacks clarity-go back to the drawing increase your sense of abundance and personal prosperity. Quick answers, great wit and a board. You are particularly witty and can be wonderful company for someone after work. ACROSS 7. The front limb (or homologous structure surplus of insights and solutions are at hand from which you can choose. This is a good You enjoy relaxing with your friends. A surprise gift will come to you today from an admir- 1. The law enforcement agency in the in other animals such as a flipper or time to write and communicate with real originality. Inventions and breakthroughs are er. Study the gift box and you will know the sender. This evening is an excellent time for Justice Department. wing). possible. A domestic challenge can be ended later today and will free you for a more rest and relaxation. Close associates are more positive and confirming of one another; this 4. Filled or impregnated with perfume. 8. Fiddler crabs. enjoyable home life. Your tact is improving. In learning more about your real self, you learn is encouraging. You may be feeling more like sharing some time with your lover or with 12. A device for creating a current of air by 9. Wealth regarded as an evil influence. more about humanity. Enjoy some creative activity this evening. close friends this evening; perhaps a party or event is in the making. movement of a surface or surfaces. 10. Small ornamental ladies' bag for small 15. A plant hormone promoting elongation articles. of stems and roots. 11. A potent estrogen used in medicine and 16. A person who pleads for a cause or pro- in feed for livestock and poultry. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) pounds an idea. 12. A trivial lie. Understanding and clarity are easy to come by just now. Any confusing 17. An agency of the United Nations affiliat- 13. A condensed but memorable saying Eliminate the elements in your life that slow you and keep you from accom- ed with the World Bank. embodying some important fact of issues can be cleared away. Your activity level is high and your expressiveness works in your favor. You can make your goals materialize through the sheer determination of your plishing your goals. You are to be congratulated for your ability to rise above difficult situa- 18. A city in south central California in the tions so use these talents in your everyday situation. Communal activities that take place experience that is taken as true by will. Reward yourself for progress rather than punish yourself for any imperfections. This San Joaquin Valley. now should be well-attended and successful. The need for emotional security is accented many people. afternoon, choose an activity that you consider fun and soothing, like going to an amuse- 20. The posterior part of the mandible that 14. Submerged aquatic plant having nar- now, though you should not pressure a partner into doing things just to please you. Your ment park, bicycling, skating, etc. You may be able to help someone with a sensitive area creativity is strong, as usual. With your love of antiques, you could take a class in refinishing is more or less vertical. row leaves and small flowers. by just being you. You answer what seems to be a silly question, but you will be setting an 21. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in 19. (British informal) Ill-tempered or furniture. This or any creative hobby will help you to get a better focus on your emotional example. Communicating kindly and clearly is important to you, and you do it well. Your progress and will most certainly balance any frustrating energies. Perhaps a friend will join the Dali region of Yunnan. annoyed. timing is be perfect. You are most positive. 22. A member of the Siouan people former- 23. A decree that prohibits something. you in this class. ly living in the Missouri river valley in 25. Be going to. NE Nebraska. 28. The capital and largest city of Albania in the center of the country. 24. Destruction of heart tissue resulting Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) from obstruction of the blood supply to 29. Showing deterioration from age. the heart muscle. 30. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot Your mind is ready to attend to any situation that may occur today. Schedule more than enough time to get to and from your destination. Do everything you Someone unexpected may test your ability to remain calm. Th is is a great 26. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic palm used in India for writing paper. opportunity to check out your patience. You may not appreciate this person’s ve ry diffe r- can to eliminate the unnecessary items on your to-do list so that you are not under such a element. 32. Evergreen Indian shrub with vivid yel- ent perspective but everyone has the right to an opinion. Wi th patience you will have your tight time schedule. If you cannot adjust your work hours, so that you are not driving at 27. Of or relating to a seizure or convulsion. low flowers whose bark is used in tan- turn to be expressive. Your own confidence is good and you acce pt other people’s differ- 31. A native or inhabitant of Bahrain. ning. stressful times, get a book on tape or some incentive recording and listen while you drive. ence s. Te aching through example may have you te aching the importance of looking for 34. Relating to or accompanying birth. 33. The official of a synagogue who con- If you are ready to grab those books and head for the nearest university, now is the time. If the good in all things-negative situations will dissipate. Ot her people te nd to be lucky fo r 36. A new embodiment of a familiar idea. ducts the liturgical part of the service this is something you feel you need to do in order to widen your scope of knowledge, start you today. You may be able to enjoy and value yo ur ow n life situation or feel especially 37. A unit of information equal to one mil- and sings or chants the prayers intend- making your plans. You could find out about applying for the May or June class. Your loved kind toward a friend or loved one. Someone may compliment you on your belongings. lion (1,048,576) bytes. ed to be performed as solos. one shows you attention this evening. Harmony with loved ones makes this a happy time. 39. A town in northwestern New Mexico 35. A soft white precious univalent metallic near the Arizona border. element having the highest electrical 42. Filled or abounding with fog or mist. and thermal conductivity of any metal. 43. A French abbot. 38. Cut the head of. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 45. Wild or domesticated South American 40. Flat-topped or rounded inflorescence Sometimes people may cut you off from speaking or make it difficult for Avoid burnout by scheduling time out for a little exercise each day, even if cud-chewing animal related to camels characteristic of the family you to express yourself. You could find that you lack some ability to move or communicate Umbelliferae in which the individual it means a couple of walks up and down stairs. Make it a point to tell only but smaller and lacking a hump. with others. A business class could be considered but get some good advice from the uni- one joke or give one positive insight today, for your own enjoyment! You will help lighten 46. A constellation in the southern hemi- flower stalks arise from about the same versity or junior college before you sign-up for the class; an acting class may be all you point. the atmosphere and create a balance in your life for a good emotional health. You face sphere near Telescopium and Norma. need. Your ideas may need special tweaking. Most of the time, you reign as the most obvi- tremendous responsibilities in your relationships with loved ones this afternoon and may 48. The lean flesh of a fish similar to cod. 41. A person to whom money is paid. ous one to go to when someone needs help with creative things. Today, you may want to find it difficult to express your own wants and desires. You should try to loosen up and 51. Minor or subordinate. 44. Found along western Atlantic coast. do some meditation on your goals and gain a focus for you. There is also an interest in enjoy your companions without being afraid to voice your true feelings. You are compas- 52. A bar of sand. 47. The blood group whose red cells carry some spiritual development. This time can be the beginning phase of sublime spiritual sionate and giving to all around you. Your devotion and selflessness will reap unexpected 54. The sense organ for hearing and equi- both the A and B antigens. development, to be sure. Tonight is perfect for soft and lovely things. rewards. Being appreciated and admired is a powerful need. librium. 49. An associate degree in applied science. 57. Before noon. 50. A colorless element that is one of the six 58. Slanting diagonally across the grain of a inert gasses. Word Search fabric. 53. English theoretical physicist who Yesterday Solution 64. Minute blackish gregarious flies applied relativity theory to quantum destructive to mushrooms and mechanics and predicted the existence seedlings. of antimatter and the positron (1902- 70. A military officer appointed from enlist- 1984). ed personnel. 55. Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829). 71. An ordered reference standard. 56. Preaching the gospel of Christ in the 73. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which manner of the early church. the pilot is talked down by ground con- 59. Deciduous round-headed Asiatic tree trol using precision approach radar. widely grown in mild climates as an 74. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike ornamental for its heart-shaped leaves part of an organism. and fragrant yellow-green flowers fol- 75. A skeletal muscle arising from the tibia. lowed by hanging clusters of fleshy 77. A member of a Mayan people of south- orange-red berries. western Guatemala. 60. Devoid of any feeling of awe or rever- 78. United States liquid unit equal to 4 ence. quarts or 3.785 liters. 61. Occurring at or forming an end or ter- mination. 79. The art of making and decorating pot- 62. Tall perennial herb of tropical Asia with tery. dark green leaves. 80. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 63. The dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in from aba cloth. Thessaly and Boeotia and Aeolis. 65. Large genus of African trees bearing DOWN kola nuts. 1. Inventory accounting in which the oldest 66. A training program to prepare college items (those first acquired) are students to be commissioned officers. assumed to be the first sold. 67. A landlocked republic in northwestern 2. A commercial leavening agent contain- Africa. ing yeast cells. 68. Someone who works (or provides work- 3. The United Nations agency concerned ers) during a strike. with atomic energy. 69. God of love and erotic desire. 4. Hypothetical remedy for all ills or dis- 72. A rotating disk shaped to convert circu- eases. lar into linear motion. 5. The capital and largest city of Japan. 76. A nonmetallic largely pentavalent 6. A motorized wheeled vehicle used for heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liq- camping or other recreational activities. uid element belonging to the halogens. Yesterday’s Solution

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Music & Movies Cool rockin’ granddaddy Willie Nile glorifies untamed aging illie Nile is loud and proud. While other rockers Lerman. As the journey begins, the 67-year-old firecracker his new-golden-oldie song will hear this grandpa - who’s merely strut around leathered and weathered, Nile and his rock-solid band reincarnate their early rebel in apparently chugged the entire Fountain of Youth - playfully Wtakes one giant leap for mankind: glorifying the “Forever Wild” (“16 and crazy - we were ragged and free...”) rolling in the Stone(s) Age. “Where’s my cane?!” snarls the cool aging process with the party-hearty song “Grandpa Rocks” (its “Let’s All Come Together” is an amped-up social anthem - rockin’ granddaddy. “Who are these people?!... “Get offa my featured character depicted in a Clash T-shirt and dirty com- think danceable Pete Seeger. Listeners can’t resist hollering cloud!!!”—AP bat boots). Soul mates, seekers - even seductive sociopaths - the stress-busting refrain in the track “Hell Yeah.” In fact, populate the storytelling in Nile’s robust new album, “World there’s quite a bit that’s irresistible in this diverse album - War Willie,” co-produced with Grammy winner Stewart including Nile’s self-deprecating humor. Fans fist-pumping to Sydney embraces Kanye loving mural

n Australian artist behind a larger- Chippendale for several years, said he than-life mural of American rap was open to whitewashing the mural for Astar Kanye West embracing him- US$100,000. self has offered to paint over it-for a siz- Whoever pays the fee will receive a able fee. The 20-foot (6.1-metres) paint- one-off large print of the amorous ing dubbed ‘Kanye Loves Kanye’ features embrace, in which the image is mostly a black-suited image of the singer kissing whited out, an offer Marsh said was open another version of himself wearing a glit- to anyone but may appeal to the global tering pantsuit. Artist Scott Marsh said he superstar. “If you pay that I will also paint decided to paint the image after a friend over the wall,” he said. The mural on did a mural of a nude Kim Kardashian Wednesday drew a number of onlookers selfie at one end of the wall and he want- to the quiet lane, with 22-year-old ed to create an artistic “link”. Stephanie Brown saying she took a short He said he was inspired by the inter- detour to snap the image she said was “a net meme which followed the infamous reflection of society”. Quintin Fawcett, a red carpet photograph of Kanye embrac- 20-year-old axe and saw maker visiting ing Kim Kardashian in which the rapper’s Australia from New Zealand, said he too head was superimposed on his wife’s was aware of the mural and thought “I body. “It was pretty light-hearted,” he might as well come and have a look”. “It Don Cheadle, right, the star, director and co-screenwriter Don Cheadle, left, the star, director and co-screenwriter of ‘Miles Ahead,’ poses with cast told AFP of the mural made on March 19. highlights how crazy people are for the of ‘Miles Ahead,’ poses with Frances Davis, ex-wife of leg- members Emayatzy Corinealdi, center, and Ewan McGregor at the premiere of the film at “I suspect when you paint something big cult of celebrity that I can paint a 20-foot endary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, at the premiere of the the Writers Guild Theatre. — AP photos on a wall people tend to take notice of it.” mural in Chippendale and it’s global film at the Writers Guild Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif. He said he was contacted by someone news,” said Marsh. — AFP Review via email claiming to represent West, ask- ing him to remove the image, although he was not convinced it was genuine. Marsh, who has been painting on the Cheadle’s ‘Miles Ahead’ wall in the Sydney suburb of stylishly evokes jazz legend iles Ahead,” an ambitious, experimen- Davis’ “Howard Hughes of jazz” phase and much particularly odd then that this portion is duller Oscar-winning actress tal biopic about jazz legend Miles earlier during the romantic beginnings and fraught than the more traditional portrait of the past. That “MDavis, actually states its mission twice endings of his relationship with the dancer Frances section plays more like a languid, melancholy bal- over the course of the movie. Basically: “If you’re Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi). lad as we peer into his courtship of Frances and the going to tell a story, come with some attitude. The story jumps from the past to the present insanity, danger and obsessiveness that drove her Patty Duke dies at 69 Don’t make it all corny.” The person saying it is Miles very suddenly, employing an interesting visual away. Cheadle and Corinealdi’s palpable chemistry Davis, played by Don Cheadle, who also co-wrote technique that links the two moments in time is an undeniable force here, and is a striking con- and directed. In the context of the film, he’s speak- through a character, let’s say, falling in the present trast to the occasional awkwardness of many of ctress and singer Patty Duke, zation of the extraordinary develop- ing to a fictional music writer named Dave Braden and another continuing the motion in the past. It’s Cheadle and McGregor’s interactions in the pres- who won an Oscar at age 16 for ment of the blind-deaf child brought (Ewan McGregor), who has conned, charmed and a unique take on the fluidity and imprecision of ent. In theory, it’s probably meant to be another Aher portrayal of deaf-blind global attention to the plight of peo- strong-armed his way into Miles’ orbit for a few memory, but, more precisely it’s indicative of evocation of jazz stylings, but in execution, it feels political activist Helen Keller in “The ple living with those challenges.” Astin days in hopes of writing a comeback story that Cheadle’s ambitions to make the film feel as unpre- more like dead air. Miracle Worker,” died Tuesday. She was said Duke had talked about setting up would end the eccentric musician’s half decade of dictable and freestyle as Miles’ jazz. Cheadle as an Cheadle has an interesting vision here and his 69. Duke, whose real name was Anna a “Patty Duke Mental Health Initiative” dormancy. actor is not afraid to show Miles Davis for all his ambitions pay off on a number of levels - especially Pearce, had developed sepsis from a as she struggled with illness. Her While a little on the nose to be repeated, it’s a contradictions - his genius, his charm, his ego and in his performance - but it doesn’t really come ruptured intestine, her manager death triggered an outpouring of trib- good line, and an even better goal in the murky his mania. His bold, studied and fully lived-in por- together as a coherent composition. Unlike in jazz, Mitchell Stubbs said in a statement. utes from Hollywood, led by the and generally unrewarding territory of the dreaded trayal has attitude to spare too. the disparate moments, sounds and styles struggle “This morning, our beloved wife, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and biopic - especially for someone as elusive, multifac- to coalesce in service of a whole that’s bigger than mother, grandmother, matriarch and Sciences which posted a picture of eted and just downright giant as Miles Davis was. Record company its parts. “Miles Ahead,” a Sony Pictures Classic the exquisite artist, humanitarian, and Duke as a grinning teen, proudly bran- As Cheadle’s Miles cheekily says to Dave in that The “present” part shows a hyper-active Davis, release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association champion for mental health Anna dishing her Oscar. whispered rasp, “I was born, I moved to New York, hopped up on painkillers and hobbling with a of America for “strong language throughout, drug Patty Duke Pearce closed her eyes, met some cats, made some music, did some dope, deteriorating hip trying to collect a payment from use, some sexuality/nudity and brief violence.” quieted her pain and ascended to a made some more music, then you showed up at the record company that he’s long since stopped Running time: 100 minutes. Two and a half stars beautiful place,” said her son, the actor my house.” Knowing well how a tell-it-all approach producing for. It’s sort of a kitchen sink approach to out of four. — AP can be duller than a Wikipedia page, Cheadle the escalating events story that takes Dave and and director Sean Astin. eschews the cradle to grave approach and instead Miles everywhere from a college dorm room to Astin, who played hobbit Samwise focuses in on two moments - a crazy few days in score some cocaine to a high-speed shoot out. It’s Gamgee in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, said the family were celebrating the “infinite love and compassion she shared through her work and throughout her life.” Duke, who lived in New York, shot to fame with a best supporting actress Academy Award for her role as Keller in Arthur Penn’s 1962 biopic “The Miracle Worker.” She built on her suc- cess by playing “identical cousins” in her own sitcom, “The Patty Duke Show,” which ran for more than 100 episodes in the mid-1960s. She went on to take film roles, including in Mark Robson’s 1967 dra- ma “Valley of the Dolls,” embarked on a successful singing career and served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1985 to 1988. She won This file photo taken on March 23, 2010 three Emmy Awards, including for the shows actress Patty Duke speaking dur- miniseries “Captains and Kings” and ing the Social Security Administration television movie “My Sweet Charlie,” Reunites the cast of ‘The Patty Duke which both aired in the 1970s. In her Show’ press conference. — AFP 1987 autobiography, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with bipolar West Wing star Marlee Matlin, who disorder, then known as manic won a best actress Oscar for “Children depression, five years earlier, and she of a Lesser God,” described Duke as Awarded winners of the Saudi Film Festival pose for a group photo on March 28, 2016 at the Saudi Cultural An awarded winner of the Saudi Film Center in Dammam, some 400 km eastern of the capital Riyadh. Although public cinemas are not allowed in Festival walks with her award on the went on to become a vocal advocate “brave, outspoken and humanitarian” Saudi Arabia there is a growing interest in cinema and filmmaking, as reflected in the re-emergence of the stage. for people with mental health issues. while “Star Trek” and “TJ Hooker” actor Saudi Film Festival last year after a seven-year absence. — AFP photos William Shatner said she was “a won- ‘Brave humanitarian’ derful friend.” “21 Jump Street” actress Duke apologized to fans earlier in Holly Robinson Peete, soap star Alyssa March for having kept a low profile Milano, pro wrestler Jerry Lawler and recently. “I have been absent, but not US radio host Tammy Bruce all took to Country icon Merle Haggard far, believe me. I love and miss you all. Twitter to offer their condolences. Hopefully back more soon and often,” “She was so cool she had a disco tweeted the star, who celebrated 30 dance named after her in my hood in cancels April concerts years of marriage to her fourth hus- 70s NYC,” said legendary New York ountry icon Merle Haggard has can- Man Blues” had also cancelled dates in band, drill sergeant Mike Pearce, two musician and producer Nile Rodgers. celed his April concert dates as he February and March. He had a battle with weeks ago. “My mother’s life touched Flowers were being readied to be Crecovers from a recurring bout of lung cancer in 2008 but still keeps up an tens of millions of people. Her placed on Duke’s Walk of Fame star on double pneumonia. “I want to thank my ambitious touring schedule. — AP groundbreaking portrayal of iconic Hollywood Boulevard. — AFP fans for their prayers and well wishes. I American legend Helen Keller hope to be back on the road in May, but launched a career that would span six I’m taking it one day at a time,” the singer File photo shows singer- decades,” said Astin. said in a statement from his publicist on songwriter Merle Haggard “First on Broadway and then on the Tuesday. performs at the 2015 Big silver screen, Patty Duke’s characteri- The 78-year-old singer of hits like “Okie Barrel Country Music From Muskogee,” “Mama Tried” and “Workin’ Festival in Dover, Del. — AP lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Features

(From left) Photo shows Khaled Al-Abdulghafour, Ramzan Al-Naimi, Creative Photo shows Kuwaiti photographer Basma Al-Qartas. (From left) Photo shows famous Kuwaiti singers Nabeel Shuail and Hmoud Al- Director of Jazeera Network, and Dr Mohammed Al-Kandari at Fototalks forum. Khudhor. — Photos by Khalid Al-Ali Forum for photographers from across the GCC Fototalks 2016: ‘Inspiring, Educating and Entertaining’ By Athoob Al-Shuaibi Kandari, who was adept at melting the ice with the audience with his great sense of humor. heir motto is “Inspire, Connect and This year, the guest speakers were from Educate”, but in fact, they do more than Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, KSA, Oman and Bahrain. The Tthat. The photographers annual forum, first part of the event began with Ramzan Al- Fototalks 2016, is bringing together again ama- Nuaimi, the creative director at Al-Jazeera teurs and professionals from Kuwait and the Gulf Network who talked about how to become your region in a free from formalities atmosphere to own brand. Secondly, photographer Basma Al- network and strengthen their relations. It turned Qartas told us about her successful transition the theater of the Gulf University (GUST) into a from being a school teacher for blind children to platform where they show off their photograph- establishing her newborn photography busi- ic talents in addition to taking advantage of both ness, followed by the photographers challenge technical expertise and talking about challenges when two photographers had only twenty min- and successes in their field. utes to take a picture and edit it. In this chal- The idea behind this event started five years lenge, Fototalks surprised the audience when ago by photographer Khaled Al-Abdulghafour. they invited one of the most famous singers in “I’ve never imagined that Fototalks would last the Arab world, Nabeel Shuail, to pose as a mod- for another year when I first started. However, el for this challenge. Another one, too was a live when I saw 50 to 70 photographers came asking competition between two photographers in the about when is the next one, I knew by then that food photography category. it’s going to become a greater responsibility for Prior to the food photography challenge, the me to maintain a higher level each year of these award winning Emirati photographer Khalid Al- (From left) Photo shows photographers Abdulaziz Al-Duwaisan and Abdulaziz Al- Photo shows Emirati photographer Khalid Al-Malki. four elements, inspiration, education, network- Hammadi presented his exciting and risky expe- Shayji during the discussion. ing and entertainment,” Al-Abdulghafour said. rience in photographing the fog over the city of The Fototalk forum 2016 will continue until Kuwait Finance House as a strategic partner. This Professional Advancement & Continuing Despite the technical faults that occurred Abu Dhabi for the last three years. The photog- the third of April in morning and evening ses- year’s event is sponsored by LUMEN photogra- Education Centre (PACE). during the seminars, the team overcame them rapher’s work has been recently selected to be sions. The event requires previous registration, phy, Canon, Albumi.com, Love cafe, Joe’s, and smoothly. The event was characterized by the published in the National Geographic Magazine free of charge, except the workshops. This event Choco Queen, hosted by the Gulf University of presenter, photographer Dr. Mohammed Ali Al- for travel. is organized by photolender.com with the Science and Technology (GUST) and the

Hikers overlook a bluff on the Kalaupapa Peninsula.

Flowers grow around an abandoned structure that was once part of al leper colony in Molokai in Kalaupapa. Hawaii: Exploring the sea cliffs and sad stories of Molokai visit to the island of Molokai offers a window on a start ahead of the mules as the trail narrows in some spots say, there’s no cell service here, and hikers must bring their other hikers, a group of retirees and the mule riders who’d unique and tragic chapter of Hawaiian history. For and the mules make it tougher to navigate. (We planned our own snacks and water. As mules use the trail daily, mule drop- passed us, including our fellow taxi passengers, who looked Aabout a century beginning in 1866, some 8,000 individ- flight home from the park airport so we wouldn’t have to hike pings are found at every turn. That aside, the hike was peace- just as wet and worn as we did. An old yellow school bus uals afflicted with leprosy were quarantined to live out their back up.) ful with hardly anyone else on the trail. Storm clouds broke an transported us to the national park. lives on the remote Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai’s north- hour into our hike. The rain was brief but heavy, turning the We visited structures built in the late 1800s by St Damien, ern shores. Their stories are told at Kalaupapa National Colorful plants trail into a slippery mud bath. Footholds filled with water and the Belgian priest who devoted himself to the colony and was Historical Park. About 100 people still live in the community, At 1,664 feet up, the mountaintop offered an incredible water spilled in streams off the concrete steps. We’d packed eventually canonized, and also saw the gravesite of St mostly government workers along with a few patients who view of the Kalaupapa Peninsula - though it would have been raincoats but got soaked to the bone anyway. Yukako took a Marianne, the nun who cared for female patients of the colony chose to stay after the quarantine policy officially ended in even more spectacular if there hadn’t been storm clouds and small stumble and I had a few close calls, ending up with and who also was made a saint. Our guide pointed out an 1969. Unless you’re invited by a resident, you can only visit the vog (what locals call volcanic smog). As we began the roughly muddy hands from catching myself on the rocks. We tried to ancient Hawaiian altar called a heiau, and we visited two turn- park on a guided tour with a permit. There are several options 3-mile hike, we were immersed in a loud chorus of tropical dry ourselves off but with no sun and a strong breeze, we of-the-20th century churches still in use. Some of St Damien’s for getting there. My wife Yukako and I booked a package with birds. We also caught a few glimpses of the ocean rumbling were chilled for the rest of the hike. remains are interred at St Philomena Church. Along the way Makani Kai Charter Tours that included a flight from Honolulu below at spots where the thick foliage thinned out. As we there were deer, wild pigs and dozens of feral but friendly cats to the main airport at Molokai, a bus tour of the park plus made our way down, I spotted huge spider webs above in the Ironwood trees who were accustomed to being fed by the bus driver. We pic- lunch, and a return flight from a tiny open-air airport inside trees and Yukako found tiny flowers and moss-covered rocks. About three-fourths of the way down, the mules caught up nicked on a blustery field overlooking the peninsula’s cold, the park. Colorful plants abounded along with guava, noni and with us, passing us on a wide switchback. Near the bottom, rough waters before being taken to the airport for our flight We also planned a hike down Kalaupapa’s steep sea cliffs Brazilian pepper trees heavy with red bundles of peppercorns. the trail opened up to a view of the stormy Pacific. Rough seas out. It was sobering to consider that ships once anchored here before our park tour. We headed to the trailhead from Farther along, a wild goat ignored us while quietly munching slammed onto shores lined with boulders, palm trees and to unload passengers who would never leave. — AP Molokai’s mountaintop airport, sharing a 15-minute taxi ride on the noni fruit, also known as Indian mulberry. ironwood trees. The hike took about two hours total, but with two people who’d been on our flight. Our fellow passen- The uneven concrete and boulder steps began to jolt our would have gone faster if the rain hadn’t slowed us down. We gers were heading to the cliffs for mule rides. We were told to knees so we took a break every few switchbacks. Needless to met our tour near the beachside mule corral, joining a few

A wild goat appears along the trail leading to Molokai’s Kalaupapa A hiker makes her way down a trail leading towards the Molokai’s A view of the trail leading to Molokai’s Kalaupapa Peninsula in Kualapuu, Peninsula. Kalaupapa Peninsula near Kualapuu, Hawaii. Hawaii. — AP photos lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Fashion Pierre Berge Fashion mogul accuses designers of ‘enslaving women’ with Islamic styles

ormer fashion mogul Pierre Berge lashed out yesterday at philosopher Montesquieu, “De l’esclavage des nËgres” (“On the their “opportunism”. designers creating Islamic clothing and headscarves, Enslavement of Negroes”). Earlier this year Dolce & Gabbana “These creators who are taking part in the enslavement of Faccusing them of taking part in the “enslavement of became the first major western brand to openly aim at captur- women should ask themselves some questions,” he added. “In women”. The French businessman, partner of the late fashion ing a corner of the Islamic fashion market-estimated to be one way they are complicit, and all this to make money. legend Yves Saint Laurent, took aim at the wave of big fashion worth $260 billion (230 billion euros) — with its Abaya range. It Principles should come before money,” Berge argued. “In life chains that have followed the Italian designers Dolce & included 14 abayas or ankle-length dresses, which it matched you have to choose the side of freedom,” he said. Rather than Gabbana in catering specifically to the Muslim market. “I am with embroidered headscarves and hijabs. covering women up, “we must teach (Muslim) women to scandalized,” he told Europe 1 French radio. revolt, to take their clothes off, to learn to live like most of the “Creators should have nothing to do with Islamic fashion. ‘Burqinis’ women in the rest of the world. “It’s absolutely inadmissible. It Designers are there to make women more beautiful, to give The Swedish giant H&M followed their lead, using a veiled is not tolerable,” he told the radio station. them their freedom, not to collaborate with this dictatorship Muslim women in its advertising campaign, with the Japanese Berge-who spends most of his time in Muslim-majority which imposes this abominable thing by which we hide brand Uniqlo earlier this month announcing it would begin Morocco-said: “I am definitely not an Islamophobe. Women women and make them live a hidden life.” “Renounce the mon- selling hijabs in its London stores. The British brand Marks & have a right to wear headscarves, but I do not see why we are ey and have some principles,” he declared, lashing the new Spencer has also put its toe in the water, marketing full-body going towards this religion, these practices and mores that are fashion for “modest” Muslim-friendly lines. His comments came “burqini” swimming costumes in its online store. Last year absolutely incompatible with our western freedoms.” — AFP as the French families minister, Laurence Rossignol, sparked Zara, Tommy Hilfiger, Oscar de la Renta and Mango all outrage on social media as she compared women who fol- launched varyingly “modest” collections to coincide with the lowed this trend with “negroes who supported slavery”. holy Muslim month of Ramadan, picking up on the success of a Her office later told AFP she had not intented to cause small DKNY line the previous year. But Berge, 85, who ran the offence but was referring to an abolitionist tract by the French Yves Saint Laurent fashion house for four decades, decried

Models parade creations from the XINSHEN LINEN and Sun Lin Collection designed by Sun Lin at China Fashion Week in Beijing Models parade creations from the J Queen & Little Queen Xie Jiaqi yesterday. — AP/AFP photos Collection designed by Xie Jiaqi. lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016

Features

Models parading creations from J BY HO & WOW-IN HaoJia Cross-border Collection designed by Hao Jia. Models parading creations from Fei Gallery & Boutique Sun Xuefei Collection designed by Sun Xuefei. Confidence is attractive aining confidence has been a rather sensitive and ing others and making them happy in any way will make to think you are superior or deserve more than everyone essential issue that almost every girl deals with and you feel better automatically. Keep in mind helping others else because sometimes when you set the bar really high, Gsome suffer from it. We live in a world now where can be as simple as cheering them up when they’re down no one will be there to satisfy or support you. everything is available, and the understanding of beauty to as important as charity work and donating to the people The right amount of confidence is extremely attractive, has changed. In some aspects, it has changed to the better in need. it makes others want to meet you and hear your story and and in other aspects it has changed to the worse. Surround yourself with people who want to see you do it also helps you believe in yourself to always do better, it Confidence is how you see yourself, whether it was physi- better and who will also guide you whenever you’re at also encourages you to solve any problems you encounter cally, mentally or emotionally, and it’s also how you carry crossroads, feeling that love and care from others will also in your way, whether it was at work, at home or in a rela- yourself in a crowd. build trust between you and the people who matter to you tionship. Confidence always comes from within first, then is Many women and young ladies compare themselves to the most. The more you believe in yourself and push your- boosted with what you achieve and who you help, howev- others, which is a huge mistake because that’s where the self to achieve your goals the more your confidence grows er always be realistic and try to inspire others to be as giv- insecurities come in and play a huge damaging role. with you. You need to love yourself first in order to love ing, caring and considerate of others. It is always beautiful Sometimes people can get really nasty with each other and others, there’s nothing wrong with pampering yourself and to see young girls and even older women support each manipulative to put you down or make you feel bad about not settling for anything less than what you deserve. other and just be satisfied with who they are and what yourself, and only people who are weak and suffer from Of course being overconfident isn’t an attractive charac- they have, because if you think about it, there will always low-self-esteem would want people to feel as bad as they teristic, it will definitely cause you to loose opportunities in be better people, more beautiful, more successful and so feel about themselves. life such as a job offer or a career and so on, people who on, but if you are confident and grateful then that Building confidence takes a while, and only when you are overconfident tend to be more delusional or might shouldn’t matter at all to you, and you should always wish do good for others will you feel better about yourself, help- come off as snobby to others. It also isn’t healthy mentally the best for everyone around you. Fashion mogul accuses designers of ‘enslaving women’ with Islamic styles

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 38

File photo shows people show off their Easter finery as they walk down Fifth Avenue in New York during the annual Easter Paradend a Easter Bonnet Festival. — AFP

Philippines puts Marcos In Montreal, a French-flavored jewel images online to teach about graft festival on bicycles hilippine authorities are staging an online exhibition of jew- elry owned by late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family Pto try to educate a new generation about the corruption of that era. The postings on Facebook and Twitter by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) come as the family tries to extend its political comeback in elections in May. “The PCGG will be posting selected jewelry items to show and remind the present generation of the excesses and extravagance of the Marcoses in their two-decade dictatorship,” the anti-corruption agency said on its website. “The Virtual Jewelry Exhibit” began in mid-March with regular postings showcasing valuables recovered after the dictator was oust- ed by a military-backed popular uprising in 1986. Aside from pictures of the jewels uploaded regularly, there are postings explaining what they cost the country. A picture of a diamond tiara comes with the caption: “can fund... the treatment of 12,052 cases of tuberculosis.” The PCGG, which plans eventually to auction off the Marcos jew- els, has previously said that international auction houses have appraised their total value at more than a billion pesos ($21 million). Marcos and his jet-setting wife Imelda were accused of massively enriching themselves during their years in power while the country sank deeper into poverty. Imelda was known for her extravagance, This image provided shows bicyclists touring Montreal, Canada.— AP photos This image provided shows bicyclists touring Montreal, Canada, as amassing jewelry, art masterpieces and a huge collection of shoes. part of a bike festival that typically brings out 15,000 people for a Although the family fled abroad during the 1986 revolt, they were night ride and 25,000 for the main event a few days later. allowed to return home after the former dictator died in exile in 1989. Since then the Marcoses have made a startling resurgence, with ontreal puts the sizzle on its status as a cycling good weather. The classic Sunday ride is 30 miles (50 kilo- world’s top cycling destination, according to National members not only evading criminal charges but winning election to and cultural beehive with a bike festival May 29- meters), with an “express” option for fast cyclists to leave Geographic. The Go Bike Montreal Festival opens May 29 prominent positions. Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, previously elected to the MJune 5. It’s anchored by a bicycle tour of the city- before the mob. Shorter hops are part of the mix, as is a 60- with “metropolitan challenge” rides in the countryside. The powerful Senate, is now running for vice-president. Widow Imelda island that rivals New York’s Five Boro cycling extravaganza mile (100-kilometer) ride that ventures beyond streets main Sunday ride costs $30.50 to $41 Canadian dollars for Marcos is seeking re-election to Congress and her eldest daughter in size, adds a distinctive French twist and shows closed to traffic. Tour la nuit, on the Friday night, takes an adult, depending when booked. The exchange rate, Imee is running for another term as governor of the family bailiwick Americans how very far their dollar can go in Canada these cyclists 14 miles (23 kilometers) and invariably brings out about even a few years ago, has tilted heavily in favor of in the north.— AFP days. Tour de l’lle de MontrÈal is the iconic event for a bicy- plenty of bikers and spectators in goofy costumes with the US dollar, meaning discounts of one-third or more for cle-mad city that Joelle Sevigny of Velo Quebec, the some wild homemade illumination on the bikes. Americans in Canada in recent months. — AP province’s bicycle association and festival organizer, calls Tour de l’lle de MontrÈal began in 1985 with 3,500 peo- “little Copenhagen in North America.” ple and mushroomed as the cycling ethic took hold. The festival is far from little. The Sunday tour on closed- Cycling is a year-round form of commuting and recreation off streets, June 5, typically draws 25,000 people, and fol- despite the bitter winters in a province that is home to lows a Friday night ride that brings together 15,000 in Route Verte, the vast bike network that made Quebec the

This file photo shows an official from the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) holding a diamond- studded piece of jewelry seized by the Philippine government from former first lady Imelda Marcos, at the Central Bank head- quarters in Manila. — AFP Lebanese models dressed as Batman and Superman (right) play on the rooftop of a building during a photoshoot in the capital Beirut on March 23, 2016. — AFP