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THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 RAJJAB 11, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Abhishek Ankara mayor The Real Fouz: Sheikh Ahmad Bachchan in in sexist When to drop to take first Kuwait to open diatribe against someone out step towards Omega3 boutique US official8 of37 your life FIFA20 throne Saudi King Salman recasts Min 21º Max 41º line of succession, cabinet High Tide 10:00 & 22:05 Amir sends congratulations • Move marks generational shift Low Tide 03:05 & 16:15 40 PAGES NO: 16506 150 FILS

RIYADH/KUWAIT: Saudi King Salman appointed a new heir and made his young son second in line to rule yes- KNPC seeking terday, a major shift in power towards two princes who have overseen a more assertive stance at a time of $10bn for major almost unprecedented regional turmoil. By making Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef, 55, crown refinery revamp prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman, 30, deputy crown prince, King Salman has effectively decided the line of succession for decades to come in Kuwait National Petroleum Co DUBAI/KUWAIT: the world’s top oil exporter. (KNPC), a state-run refiner, is in talks with banks to The appointments signal a tougher foreign policy, raise a loan worth around $10 billion to expand and particularly towards regional foe Iran, but little change refurbish the state’s main refineries, according to five to a firm hand against dissent at home, where Riyadh sources aware of the matter. Part of Kuwait’s KD 30 this week said it had detained 93 suspected Islamic billion ($99.6 billion) economic development plan, State militants. Almost all powers under the king are the Clean Fuels Project will upgrade and expand two now concentrated in the hands of the pair, who each of its largest existing refineries to focus on producing chair committees determining all security and econom- higher-value products such as diesel and kerosene ic development issues in Saudi Arabia, and have led for export. Riyadh’s month-old campaign of air strikes in Yemen. Local and international banks are talking with the In another big shift, King Salman replaced veteran company, which is responsible for the oil refining and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, who had served gas liquefaction industry in addition to the marketing in the role since Oct 1975, with the kingdom’s of petroleum products in Kuwait, said the sources Washington ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir, the first non- who spoke on condition of anonymity as the infor- royal to hold the post. Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, mation is not public. A company source, declining to who replaces Prince Muqrin, the successor chosen by be named, confirmed the talks were taking place to the late King Abdullah before his death in January, fund around 70 percent of the total project cost with- enjoys closer personal ties with US officials than almost out elaborating. any other senior royal, diplomats have said. While discussions are at an early stage, KNPC is HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- said to be seeking funds which will last between sev- Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday cabled Saudi King Salman en and 10 years, according to four sources. RIYADH: Then Saudi Defense Minister (now Deputy Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Salman (left) and then expressing congratulations on his appointment of Continued on Page 13 Deputy Crown Prince and Interior Minister (now Crown Prince) Mohammed bin Nayef arrive for a meeting Prince Mohammed bin Nayef as crown prince and with Saudi air force officers in this March 26, 2015 photo. — AFP Continued on Page 13 THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 LOCAL US envoy tackles regional issues, threats to Kuwait

By Ben Garcia Syria, Iraq and Iran “We are trying to address issues in Iraq and Syria KUWAIT: Regular meetings are held between and we are focused now on getting rid of Daesh in Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khaled Al- Iraq and retaking the territory from Daesh in Syria. Jarallah and US Ambassador to Kuwait Douglas We believe the only real solution in Syria is a long- Silliman to discuss a broad range of subjects includ- term political solution probably based on Geneva I ing regional developments in Yemen, Iran, Iraq, principles. There have been several attempts to Syria, Egypt and the GCC countries, along with reconvene members of the Syrian opposition and Russia and Ukraine, Silliman told local media repre- potentially draw a framework for new talks - this is sentatives during a roundtable discussion at the the way to move forward,” Silliman pointed out. “We embassy yesterday. continue to believe however that Bashar Al-Assad is But the ambassador refused to go into specifics no longer legitimate and is fully responsible for the when asked about any serious internal security situation in Syria - he has to leave. But how we get threats to Kuwait and the GCC countries. “While we from where we are now to the end of that process is have cooperation on almost everything - from law not yet clear. We want negotiated settlements enforcement to sharing information in the military which leave Syrian people with a more legitimate to helping the government address any threats - it government,” he added. is not our job to define threats to Kuwait. This is the On the issue of Iranian forces who fired warning job of the Kuwaiti government. We assist the gov- shots over a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo vessel ernment of Kuwait if they ask for any advice and and directed it toward the Iranian mainland, assistance, and occasionally military equipment,” Silliman noted that the US Navy was dispatched in Silliman said. KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key. “We also talk administrative issues such as visas — Amiri Diwan photo and the entire range of subjects related to our bilateral cooperation, human rights issues and reli- gious freedoms,” he added. “There are obviously lots of things going on in the Middle East right now, some of them historic, such as in Tunisia, Amir receives New which is getting better now, while in some places we don’t know yet how things will turn out. There are lots of concerns in the Gulf, especially over regional developments, which is unnecessary because all of the big issues and questions now in Zealand’s premier the Middle East have been answered halfway for- KUWAIT: US Ambassador to Kuwait ward because of our close cooperation with our Douglas Silliman speaks during the Gulf allies,” he said. roundtable discussion. US President Barack Obama will meet GCC —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Amir receives call from US Vice President leaders on May 13-14 at Camp David and the White House. “I can say that President Obama, Vice the area (in the Hormuz Strait) which is technically President Biden and Sec Kerry are looking forward the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. “This is an KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- a formal welcome. nomic, parliamentary and trade fields and the to meeting leaders of the GCC and ministers and international shipping lane, and the right of safe Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received the visiting Prime Minister Key was welcomed at the air- latest regional developments. Several members delegations in the US in a little more than two passage prevails and ships can transit through Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key with his port by Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, Deputy Prime of parliament and ambassador Rezouqqi attend- weeks from now,” Silliman mentioned. He said the these waters. Hundreds of ships do this every day. spouse and an accompanying delegation at Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al- ed the meeting. Later, Prime Minister Key met meeting will be frank and will feature open discus- We do not know the reason why this happened but Bayan Palace yesterday. HH the Crown Prince Jarrah Al-Sabah, Dr Salem Jaber Al-Sabah, Public Investment Authority (PIA) Managing sions about the concerns of leaders in the region. It the shipping company is communicating with the Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and sheikhs, ministers, chiefs of the Army, the Police Director Bader Al-Saad, and Kuwait Fund for Arab will also be an opportunity to hear what President government of Iran to find out,” he said. HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- and the National Guards, senior State officials, Economic Development (KFAED) Director- Obama’s ideas and policies are for the region. Hamad Al-Sabah were in attendance. and Premier’s Diwan, in addition to the Kuwaiti General Abdulwhab Al-Bader. Human Rights The meeting was attended by First Deputy Ambassador to New Zealand Ahmad Badr Yemen and Saudi Arabia One reporter alleged that the US’ annual report Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Rezouqqi. Biden phones Amir On Yemen, Silliman said all parties now are on human rights and press freedom is biased and Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Later, HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak held a Separately, HH the Amir received a phone call looking forward to reestablishing UN-led talks with mostly based on conversations with people who do Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, luncheon banquet in honor of his New Zealander yesterday from US Vice President Joe Biden, who the new UN envoy to Yemen. “There are discussions not represent the actual situation in Kuwait. “The US the head of the Mission of Honor accompanying counterpart. During the banquet, they had conveyed greetings from US President Barack going on to figure out what is the basis for these State Department’s annual report is based mostly the New Zealand Prime Minister, the Advisor at friendly talks that reflected the close and distin- Obama and discussed bilateral relations between talks, when will they take place and who will be on reports by the US Embassy here. There are Prime Minister’s Diwan Sheikh Dr Salem Jaber Al- guished relations between both friendly coun- the friendly countries, as well as several issues of involved. From our part, we believe that this UN requirements that we have to comply with. With Ahmad Al-Sabah and the head of the Mission of tries and ways of bolstering and cementing bilat- mutual interest and the latest regional and inter- mediation is the best and probably the only way regards to human rights and religious freedoms, I Honor accompanying the New Zealand Prime eral cooperation in various fields. They also national developments. The US vice-president forward to reestablish a centralized Yemeni govern- can say the report is very respected and objective, Minister’s spouse, Advisor at Prime Minister’s exchanged views on both sides’ positions on wished HH the Amir good health and wellbeing. ment. We also believe that the GCC initiative, the and widely considered by observers around the Diwan Sheikha Dr Rasha Al-Hmoud Al-Jaber Al- main regional and international issues of mutual HH the Amir thanked Biden for this contact Yemeni national dialogue and the relevant UN world. It is based on well-researched and factual Sabah. interest. which reflected the depth of historical relations Security Council resolutions need to be the basis information and is as nonpolitical as possible. We Premier Key arrived in the country earlier yes- Also yesterday, Acting National Assembly between the State of Kuwait and the US. HH the for these discussions. We are optimistic that in the aim to talk about the facts and answer specific terday, starting a two-day official visit, in Speaker Mubarak Al-Khurainej met the visiting Amir also asked the US vice-president to convey relatively near term, these talks will resume and we questions given to us by the US Congress. But we response to an invitation by HH the Prime Prime Minister of New Zealand and his accompa- greetings to the US president, wishing him good can help find a way forward for Yemen,” he said. welcome criticism from governments and individu- Minister. He was received at the airport by HH nying delegation. They discussed cooperative health and wellbeing and bilateral relations more Silliman declined to comment on yesterday’s als so we can do better next year. We are trying to Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, and then was accorded relations between both friendly countries in eco- development. —KUNA political changes in Saudi Arabia. improve year in, year out,” Silliman concluded. THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 LOCAL

Exclusive Kuwait Times Interview Abhishek Bachchan in Kuwait to inaugurate Omega boutique ‘My parents are my benchmark for acting’

KUWAIT: Bollywood actor and Omega’s brand ambassador answers questions during the interview. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

By Sajeev K Peter Versatility telling her we must do a sequel. I think all of us father. This was what attracted me to the movie,” he tem, which is something that I really respect,” he Abhishek Bachchan has come a long way from became family doing the movie. We all just want said. Abhishek has acted with his father in eight pointed out. KUWAIT: Celebrated Bollywood actor and ‘Refugee’ of 2000 to ‘Happy New Year’ of 2014, an excuse to spend time together. So we keep movies such as ‘Sarkar’ and ‘Bunty Aur Babli’. “It is an Omega watches are designed to accurately tell Omega’s brand ambassador Abhishek Bachchan playing a wide range of characters over the past telling Farah to make a sequel. Let’s see and let’s honor for any actor to share the screen with the time, decorated with elements of fashion and flew into Kuwait yesterday to inaugurate 15 years. His dexterity and agility in playing both hope she will do it one day,” he said. Abhishek great Amitabh Bachchan. As his fan, it was my unique details invisible to the naked eye and craft- Omega’s new standalone boutique at 360 Mall. serious and humorous roles have made him very said he has just completed a new film titled ‘All is dream as well. I have been lucky. It is just like a ed with enchanting mechanical movements. But The son of renowned Indian actor and popular among movie buffs in India. He has Well’, which will be released on Aug 21. “I just learning experience. It was like going to school, and there is more than extraordinary design to Omega’s Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and actress become one of Bollywood’s outstanding per- started shooting a film in Dubai which is a sequel he is a university of acting. So it was wonderful to watches. Beyond the iconic dials, there are stories Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek, with his unbounded formers with nearly 50 films and more than two of the comedy hit ‘Hera Pheri”, he said. spend time and observe him as a co-actor from that come together to form a deep-rooted legacy style and charisma, represents Omega as its dozen major awards to his credit. “Yes, I have inherited both my parents’ talents. whom you learn so much,” Abhishek remarked. that distinguishes the brand’s timepieces from ambassador along with other international An actor has to be comfortable in whatever But I don’t know if I will ever be half the actors leagues of other luxury treasures. “It is very simple - celebrities like George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, role he is given, he said. “This is the true mark of they were. You have to strive towards that and Omega boutique what differentiates Omega from the rest is that it is Daniel Craig and Zhang Ziyi. a versatile actor. Whatever role you get, you you can hope that one day you will be as good as Since 2006, Abhishek Bachchan has been the the best,” Abhishek said. In an exclusive interview with Kuwait Times should try and do 100 percent justice to it. Be it a them,” he said when asked if he has inherited his brand ambassador for Omega. Abhishek yesterday yesterday, Abhishek spoke at length about his cop in ‘Dhoom’ or a thief in ‘Happy New Year’, you parents’ acting skills. “For me my parents are opened the third standalone Omega boutique in Tight-knit community acting career over the past 15 years, his associa- have to perform with equal amount of convic- standards and benchmarks for acting. I hope that Kuwait at 360 Mall. Morad Yousuf Behbehani Group Abhishek has travelled the length and breadth tion with Omega, its industry-defying caliber and tion,” he said. “As it is in everybody’s life, you are someday people can compare me in the same is the exclusive agent of Omega in Kuwait. “Being the of the world to endorse Omega as its ambassador the quartz movement that defines precision. going to have ups and downs. You have to learn breath as them,” he remarked. brand ambassador for Omega is a matter of huge and meet customers who wear Omega watches. “I believe that an actor should always work from both of them. As long as you stay positive, pride for me. It happens to be one brand I have been “What I love about people who wear Omega is that towards progress. you will definitely grow,” he said. Abhishek’s Film production associated with for almost 10 years now. It is the it is a tight-knit community. They don’t just wear There is always room for improvement. An debut film ‘Refugee’ released in 2000 and earned Abhishek produced and appeared in ‘Paa’ in company in which I have a huge amount of respect Omega for aesthetic reasons. Most Omega watch- actor should always be hungry to try and him critical acclaim. But the action thriller 2009, a comedy-drama which won the National and faith,” he said when asked about his association wearers are people who are very passionate and improve himself. I feel the day you lose that Dhoom (2004), a box office hit and the first film Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. “It comes with Omega. enthusiastic about watches. They understand the hunger, you start stagnating creatively, which is in the popular Dhoom series, catapulted naturally once you are part of the film industry. And “I am not going to associate with any brand. For movements and they understand how much time not conducive to anybody who works in a cre- Abhishek to real stardom. I was born and brought up in the industry. So pro- me it has to be much more than a commercial deal. and energy Omega spends to innovate newer ative field. The quest must always be for excel- duction comes naturally to me. I had immense faith I have to believe in the company and use the prod- movements and make more advanced watches. lence and the quest has to be bigger and better A sequel in the script which narrates the sad story of a boy uct. This is very important for me as a celebrity. To This is quite heartening as a watch-lover to see,” he than your last performance. Yes, the more time When asked about a possible sequel of the who suffers from progeria. Progeria is a rare genetic wear an Omega watch for me is a matter of great said. “I know people those who wear Omega not you get in front of the camera, the luckier you are blockbuster movie ‘Happy New Year’, he quipped, disorder of ageing from a very early age. In ‘Paa’, pride. I absolutely adore and love what the compa- just as a fashion accessory, but they realize that and you get an opportunity to sharpen your “Oh no, that was what Farah Khan was just joking Amitabh Bachchan plays the protagonist. “It was a ny stands for. More than just being the best watch- they are wearing the finest timekeeping instru- skills,” he pointed out. about. But I would love to do it. And I keep nice opportunity in which I play my own father’s makers in the world, they have a great value sys- ments on their wrists. This is wonderful,” he said.

Customers visiting Gulf Bank’s booth during the KNCC offer weekend. Gulf Bank offers free movie tickets to red customers

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced launch- tomers who opened their new red college students from the age of 17 to ing a special offer for its new red cus- account over the weekend. 24 years old. Amongst other benefits, tomers, whereby the bank will present, During the period of the promotion, account holders receive an ATM card on the opening of any new red Gulf Bank will have a corporate booth and there is no deposit required to account, with free vouchers to see present at the KNCC cinema in Avenues open the account or minimum balance movies at Kuwait National Cinema Mall to showcase its products and serv- charge. To become a Gulf Bank red Company (KNCC) cinemas during the ices to potential and existing cus- account holder or to find out more of weekend. tomers. Gulf Bank is committed to pro- its benefits, visit one of the Bank’s 58 This latest offer is valid every week- viding its red customers with new and branches, contact the Customer end (Thursday through Saturday) start- exciting promotions that are tailored to Contact Centre on 1805805, or log on ing from 23 April until 1 May 2015, meet their specific needs. The red to www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s open to any new red account cus- account is designed for university and website bilingual website. Development plans available on website

KUWAIT: National development plans will be posted on a website to give people a chance to offer their views and proposals, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Planning and Development Hind Subaih Al-Subaih said. The move aims to benefit from expertise and views of the entire society, the minister added at a development dialogue forum, which she sponsored yesterday. The event, organized by the Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development (SCPD), was titled ‘Planning in Kuwait, reality and ambition.’ Subaih noted that the development dialogue will be broadened over the coming period at SCPD to include more participants, as well as through the proposed web- site and the social media. She stressed the SCPD’s eager- ness on such social dialogues to benefit from experience of former SCPD officials, planning experts, ministers, and professors for the implementation of the plans. This is the fourth dialogue to be organized by the SCPD within that context. SCPD Secretary-General Hashim Al-Rifaai said meanwhile that the gathering seeks to enhance social participation in planning and development, especially urgent and prime ones. — KUNA LOCAL THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Kuwait environmental portals nominated for WSIS Award Kuwaitis, expatriates urged to vote

By Chidi Emmanuel On the other hand, eMISK.org is another environmental geo-data- KUWAIT: In line with its vision to be base with a user-friendly interface an internationally recognized cen- for data entry, retrieval, updating, tre of excellence for the analysis browsing, analysis and reporting. and dissemination of environmen- Kuwait Geo-Environmental Data tal knowledge, Kuwait Environment Vision 2030 is being developed at Public Authority (EPA) has been the EPA under eMISK’s initiative. nominated by the Central Agency This is seen as the cornerstone for for Information Technology with Kuwait geo-environmental data two projects - the Kuwait Official infrastructure, Mariam Falah Al- Environmental Portal (beatona.net) Salem, Head of Environmental and the Environmental Monitoring Emergencies said. KUWAIT: Minister Ahmad Al-Jassar (fourth from left), Public Works Ministry official Information System of Kuwait and GS Engineering and Construction Corporation executives are pictured during (eMISK.org) for the World Summit Monitoring data the ceremony. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh Award for Information Society eMISK.org is an intranet-based (WSIS Project Prizes 2015). GIS application used by the staff The event is co-organized by from various departments of Kuwait KD 165.7 million Doha Link ITU, UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD in Mariam Al Salem Abeer Al Ebri EPA to view, update, query, analyze close collaboration with all WSIS and report environmental monitor- Bridge major project: Minister action line facilitators/co-facilita- (www.eMISK.org.) ronmental knowledge at the center ing data. This system provides tors. The summit on the Speaking to Kuwait Times, the of decision-making in Kuwait,” Al- generic GIS functions that are avail- KUWAIT: The Doha Link Bridge is a key Engineering and Construction Corporation Information Society project prizes Manager of the Environmental Ebri said. able to all authorized users of EPA, project and part of Kuwait’s national devel- last year. The project will help link the will take place on the sidelines of Inspection, Monitoring & regardless of the department or opment plan, Minister of Public Works and country’s northern and southern roads, and the World Summit forum which is Emergencies department Abeer Al- Official portal division. eMISK aims to establish, Minister of Electricity and Water Ahmad Al- realize smooth traffic flow, he said. —KUNA scheduled from May 25 to 29, 2015. Ebri urged Kuwaitis and expatriates Earlier in the past, the search for build and maintain a comprehen- Jassar said. The project will contribute to The supervisory committee has to vote for these information sys- environmental information has sive geo-environmental database of meeting His Highness the Amir Sheikh chosen Environmental Monitoring tems on the website. “Winning this been a huge challenge - prompting Kuwait aimed at raising awareness Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s vision Information System of Kuwait prize will be by your votes. Our Kuwait Environment Public at all levels of Kuwaiti Society of the for turning Kuwait into a global economic (eMISK.org) and beatona.net with main mission is to evaluate and Authority (EPA) to establish an offi- values of the environment. It is con- and financial hub, Jassar added in a press 13 other Kuwaiti projects. Today is highlight the values of environ- cial environmental portal (beat- sidered to be one of the pioneer statement yesterday as he laid the founda- the last day for voting ment and put authoritative envi- ona.net) in order to share authentic programs in the Arab Region that tion stone for the project. environmental information about fulfills the UNEP and AGEDI initia- The 12-kilometer long bridge, which will Kuwait with the public over the tives to establish a set of National link Shuwaikh Port and the free zone to Internet in an easy, transparent and Environmental Information Doha Peninsula in Jahra, is considered user-friendly manner. The portal is a Network (NEIN) in the Arab Region complementary to the Sheikh Jaber Al- one-stop shop for all environmen- and other developing countries in Ahmad Al-Sabah Causeway, the Minister tal data and information in Kuwait. the Middle East, Mariam said, added. Jassar noted that the project is to It is expected to play a leading role adding that the success of the sites be implemented over four years, to coin- in raising awareness of the value of has prompted the region to eye a cide with the completion of the Jaber the environment among Kuwait cit- portal for the Gulf region. A map showing the Doha Link Bridge’s Causeway according to a KD 165.7 million route. izens and residents, she added. Beatona.net can be replicated in contract signed with South Korea’s GS Beatona.net is a network that other countries towards the devel- offers information about Kuwait’s opment of a GCC-wide and then an environment from various national, pan-Arab environmental informa- regional and international organi- tion network, she added as she zations on one single platform. The highlighted other achievements site allows the public to participate recorded by EPA’s agencies so far and interact in the preservation and the impact of the portals, and protection of the environment which include - facilitating interna- in Kuwait by reporting environ- tional coordination and collabora- mental phenomena and problems tion towards a GCC wide environ- they may encounter to the EPA in mental Portal of Gulf Cooperation an easy manner, supported by loca- Council (GCC), similar to the Eye on tion, descriptive text and photos, Earth platform of the European One of the voters seen casting her vote. she explained. Union.

Syrian relief aid plane arrives in Beirut

BEIRUT/KHARTOUM: A Kuwaiti airplane Ahmad Al-Senosi and representatives of arrived in Beirut Tuesday loaded with 33 the construction company which will build tons of humanitarian aid sent by Kuwait the school and the Sudan Disarmament, Higher Relief Committee for the Syrian Demobilization and Reintegration refugees in Lebanon. The aid supplies Commission (SDDRC). The signing ceremo- included food, wheelchairs, blankets, ny was also attended by Kuwaiti clothes and other basic relief aid, said Ambassador to Sudan Talal Al-Hajiri. Bader Al-Shamrouk, head of the commit- Senosi said in a press statement that the tee’s delegation. school will accommodate 500 students and Shamrouk said Kuwait charitable soci- will cost $1.5 million and the disarmament eties rushed to help the Syrian refugees in and re-integration program will cost Ooredoo platinum sponsor Lebanon and other neighboring countries $600,000. This is the fourth batch of IICO- since the broke out of the Syrian crisis in finance projects as part of Kuwait’s aid March 2011. He hoped the humanitarian pledges during East Sudan donors’ confer- aid would alleviate suffering of the Syrian ence which was held in Kuwait in to 17th GUST Career Fair refugees who were forced to abandon their December 2010, he said. homes and were living in difficult condi- For his part, Ambassador Hajiri said that KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, a member of the the role they play in creating a better future. We Communications Mijbil Alayoub. tions. More than a million Syrian refugees the school project’s donation was raised by international Ooredoo Group, is participating in especially believe in talented Kuwaiti youth, who This is not the first time that Ooredoohas tak- live in different parts of Lebanon. Kuwait Kuwaiti University female students. He also the Gulf University of Science and Technology can be partners in our success as a telecom serv- en part in a job fair; it has successfully participat- hosted three donor conferences for the lauded the finance of the disarmament 17th Career Fair as platinum sponsor. The fair, ice provider operating in Kuwait.” ed in several job fairs in the past. The company’s Syrian refugees in 2013, 2014 and last project as a remarkable leap in the IICO’s which was launched yesterday and continues to Ooredoo Kuwait’s Human Resources repre- aim is to open new horizons for the ambitious month. charitable activities. open its doors today from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm to sentatives Anwar Al-Kandari and Abdulwahab youth by giving them an opportunity to apply Meanwhile, State Minister and Head of receive visitors. Al-Khubaizi, led by Human Resources Director their educational knowledge to the professional East Sudan Fund of Re-construction and Development Driven by its social responsibility, Ooredoo is Omar Al Bassam, will be present at the world. Separately, the Kuwait-based International of East Sudan Abu Obaida Dag expressed keen to take part in such occasions as it is always Ooredoo’s booth to brief students about the Ooredoo is known for its dynamic and fresh Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO) signed gratitude to Kuwaiti leadership and people willing to support youth and help them reach benefits of working for Ooredoo and the differ- corporate culture where new ideas are nurtured two agreements to finance the establishment for their great contributions to the devel- their potential and shape their career paths. ent career growth opportunities provided by the and everyone is given a fair chance to grow and of a secondary school for girls and a program opment projects in East Sudan. He added Ooredoo was the only telecom service provider company, as well as internship opportunities. maximize their potential. Ooredoo employees on the disarmament and re-integration of that Kuwait-financed projects in East Sudan that participated in the fair. The inauguration of Ooredoo’s booth on are always given opportunities to develop their 500 former fighters in East Sudan. is executed at a good pace, noting that In a statement to the press, Ooredoo noted: Wednesday was also attended by the Chief of skills and enhance their knowledge through The agreements were signed yesterday many Kuwaiti NGOs are setting up projects “Youth have a major part in our corporate social Human Resources and Administration Services extensive training programs along with new by Head of the IICO Bureau in Khartoum in the impoverished province. — KUNA responsibility program. We strongly believe in Saleh Al-Houti and Director of Corporate challenges to develop their interests.

KUWAIT: Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Hong Thao hosted a reception on the 40th Anniversary of South Liberation and National Reunification Day at Crowne Plaza Hotel. Diplomats and media persons attended the event. —Photos by Joseph Shagra LOCAL THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Assembly panel approves security cameras project

Court jails four activists to one month

By B Izzak mer MPs with regards to illegal profiting and accepting bribes, yesterday completed KUWAIT: The National Assembly’s interior its investigation and voted on its report fol- and defense committee yesterday lowing days of disputes. approved a draft law to allow the govern- The committee was essentially formed ment to install security cameras to monitor to investigate allegations that a number of vital interests in the country as a preventive MPs elected to the 2009 assembly had measure against terrorists, head of the accepted bribes worth tens of millions of committee said. dinars to vote on crucial issues in the MP Abdullah Al-Maayouf said the bill assembly. But MPs wanted the committee Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is pictured while meeting interior ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council countries in stipulates the installation of security cam- to extend its probe to investigate any sus- Doha yesterday. eras in public places only and bans moni- picious increase in properties owned by all toring private places as it includes strong MPs since 2006. The panel held many meet- guarantees for preserving privacy. Maayouf ings and demanded data from government GCC joint security work more praised the interior ministry for proposing agencies. It has not released its findings but the draft law because the law is important according to sources members of the com- in strengthening security in the country mittee had different opinions on how to urgent now: Interior Minister and allow citizens to go on with their daily handle the results of the probe. life without fear. According to sources, the panel found The bill will allow authorities to curb that properties of around 89 former MPs GCC ministers approve mechanism of unified terror list committee those who may attempt to destabilize the were inflated in a suspicious way, which country or commit crimes and does not requires the public prosecution to launch DOHA: It is of crucial necessity that GCC states work The ministers underlined the importance of securi- security challenges. “This can be achieved only restrict public freedoms, he said. The draft an official investigation. The committee closely together to develop more frameworks for joint ty agencies’ vigilance to safeguard the internal front in through more concerted efforts, coordination and law is expected to be debated in the finally voted on the report and referred to security work capable of withstanding regional chal- the GCC states, Zayani said. He added that the minis- cooperation in various fields with a view to maintain- assembly’s session next week and is also the National Assembly which will decide lenges and difficulties, said Kuwaiti Deputy Prime ters congratulated Saudi Deputy Prime Minister and ing our unity and integration and taking adequate expected to be passed in light of the whether or not the information should be Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al- Interior Minister Prince Mohammad bin Naif bin moves to promote our countries’ security and stability regional developments. referred to the public prosecution. Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Abdulaziz Al-Saud on his appointment as Crown and ensure our people’s welfare,” he added. He also Maayouf, who also heads the sports and In a speech at the opening of the 16th consultative Prince on Wednesday. warned of terrorism as a key security challenge haunt- youth committee, said the panel discussed Activists sentenced meeting of the GCC Ministers of Interior yesterday, ing the GCC countries and even the entire world. a government-sponsored bill to separate The court of misdemeanors yesterday Sheikh Mohammad said it was advisable that GCC Unprecedented challenges the youth and sports authority into two sentenced four opposition activists to one states took a common stance regarding current The 16th consultative meeting of the GCC minis- Concerted efforts independent bodies. The committee will month in jail for taking part in an illegal regional issues in order to easily achieve universal ters of interior kicked off yesterday with the main Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled also had called for meet later with the information minister, demonstration but asked them to pay KD peace and security for all peoples of the GCC. objective to beef up cooperation and coordination in more coordinated work by the GCC countries to face who currently heads the authority, to dis- 100 to suspend the implementation of the He referred to fighting terrorism and organized the security field. In a keynote speech at the meeting, swift regional developments. Speaking to KUNA upon cuss the separation, the lawmaker said. jail term for three years. The activists, crime as well as transnational crimes as some of the Qatari Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh arrival in Doha to attend the 16th consultative meet- Khaled and Rashed Al-Fadhalah, Abdullah challenges facing law enforcement authorities in the Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani said that the ing of the GCC Ministers of Interior, Sheikh Illegal profiting Al-Rassam and Fahad Al-Qabandi were region. He said that yesterday’s consultative meeting meeting comes at a time when the Gulf region and Mohammad Al-Khaled said the meeting comes at a Meanwhile, a National Assembly panel arrested during a huge opposition demon- came at a time when the GCC region was in the throes the entire Arab world are experiencing exceptional time when the region is experiencing critical security of sensitive and delicate developments with direct circumstances and unprecedented challenges. developments. probing allegations of wrongdoings by for- stration in October 2012. impact on its peace and stability, such as the events in Political and security instability in several coun- “We are living in a world that is seeing swift devel- Yemen for example. tries, mainly Yemen, is the main challenge the Arab opments that require us to work together to serve the Moreover, he touted in his speech the military world is now witnessing, he said. In this context, he public interest of the region’s people,” the minister Kuwait named 2017 undertaking of Operation Decisive Storm, led by Saudi highly commended the attitude of the GCC leaders said. “We should be able to handle the requirements Arabia, to help the Yemeni people restore the legiti- towards the current crisis in Yemen, saying “such posi- of this stage so as to fend off risks and dangers and to macy of their government, noting his condolences to tions have boosted our ability to face all challenges achieve the aspired goals. This can be done only Capital of Arab Youth Saudi Arabia on the loss of the lives of some of its the GCC member states are facing”. He voiced confi- through our integration and coordination,” he added. fighting men in Yemen. He thanked Qatar for hosting dence the GCC member states have the capability, The Kuwaiti minister voiced hope that the event CAIRO: Arab youth and sports ministers have conferees have thanked His Highness the the consultative meeting, congratulated Sultan political will and experience in maintaining their secu- would come up with concrete recommendations and named Kuwait as the “Capital of Arab Youth of Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Qaboos Bin Saeed on his recovery from illness and his rity and stability. resolutions that could match the level of regional risks 2017, announced Kuwait’s Minister of Sabah on Kuwait’s hosting of three confer- return home, and Saudi Arabia for recent reshuffling The Qatari prime minister hoped that the meeting and challenges. He added that the meeting is part of Information and Minister of State for Youth ences for humanitarian aid pledging for Syria. in its government. would lead to the fulfillment of the GCC leaders’ ongoing coordination and cooperation among the Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Hmoud They also congratulated His Highness the expectations for developing and promoting Gulf secu- GCC member states in the fight against terrorism and Al-Sabah. Amir of the UN honoring and naming of him Unified list rity through a future vision aiming to address serious organized crime. —KUNA In a press conference following the con- as a Humanitarian Leader of Kuwait as a Interior ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have ratified the work mechanism of the clusion of the meeting of the Arab Ministers Humanitarian Center. committee in charge of preparing the GCC unified list of Youth and Sports Council yesterday, Sheikh The Arab ministers backed Egypt’s call for of terrorist organizations, Secretary General of the Kuwait signs FATCA Salman said that the council has also named holding an international conference under pan-Gulf organization Abdullatif Al-Zayani announced Manama as the “Capital of Arab Youth of the rubric of ‘Youth against Terrorism.’ They at the conclusion of the meeting. Zayani said the min- 2015” and Rabat as “the Capital of Arab Youth also expressed support to Jordanian Prince isters have thoroughly mulled the rapid security to curb tax evasion of 2016”. Sheikh Salman, who chaired the Ali bin Al-Hussein’s nomination for the FIFA developments in the region and the growing chal- meeting, expressed gratitude to Egypt which presidency, he said. lenge of the terrorist groups and their impact on secu- KUWAIT: Kuwait has sought to join the list of states Kuwait for purposes of US tax compliance. gave up the title of 2017 to Kuwait. He stated rity and stability of the Gulf region. The ministers reit- signing the FATCA agreement out of its commit- US citizens owning $50,000 or more in their that Kuwait will hold a series of regional and Youth aspirations erated Gulf states’ categorical rejection of extremism ment to fight international tax evasion and to bank accounts and US firms owning $250,000 or international initiatives and activities to sup- Sheikh Salman had indicated during his and terrorism in all their manifestations, he said, exchange tax data with other nations, said Khalifa more in such accounts in Kuwait will have their port and help empower Arab youth. speech at the meeting that it was incumbent adding that they urged collective action to fight Hamada, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance. finances reported to the IRS by the Kuwaiti banks The conferees have assigned Kuwait to on Arab states to nurture the aspirations of extremism and dry up its finance sources. Hamada was speaking yesterday to reporters holding these accounts, said Hamada, citing the deliver the speech of the Arab countries in the youth and protect them from crucial chal- Zayani pointed out that the ministers expressed on the sideline of having signed the FATCA agree- requirements of FATCA. For the 2014, Kuwait must the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting lenges facing the region. satisfaction with the level of cooperation among secu- ment yesterday, noting that according to the send information about accounts of US citizens on the World Programme of Action for Youth He added that these challenges ought to rity agencies to maintain security in Arabian Gulf agreement Kuwait was obligated to instruct its held by Kuwaiti financial institutions by next (WPAY), to be held in New York on May 29, he be confronted by, among other things, countries at that difficult time which led to the financial institutions (banks, investment firms, September, he said adding that already 212 of disclosed. Sheikh Salman noted that the con- empowering the youth to be an integral part launching of the Saudi-led “Operation Decisive Storm” financial houses, insurance companies) to report to these institutions have registered with the IRS on ferees have agreed on scaling up the imple- of their nations’ growth and sustainable to restore legitimacy and defend people in Yemen the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) contents of the latter’s website as per directions of the FATCA mentation of the Arab strategy for caring for development. upon request from the Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh money accounts held by American citizens in agreement. —KUNA Mansur Hadi. youth. He stressed that Arab leaderships are He pointed out the fact that the Arab world giving due attention to issues of youth who had been perennially wracked with endemic make up nearly 50 percent of the whole Arab problems affecting the youth, such as unem- population. ployment and lack of opportunities to better Furthermore, the Minister said that the themselves for a brighter future. —KUNA Man killed in 3-vehicle crash

Two vehicles pictured after the fatal crash.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun Investigations are underway. Meanwhile, a fire broke out in an Ardiya house, which KUWAIT: A citizen was killed and three per- started in two vehicles outside and then sons were injured in a three-car collision on spread to the building, according to prelim- Al-Ghous street Tuesday evening. Qurain inary investigations. No injuries were firemen freed the victims from the wreck- reported. age and handed them to paramedics. Dead body No injuries in multiple fires A Kuwaiti man was killed in mysterious cir- Firemen put out a huge fire in an aban- cumstances in Adan. His body was taken by doned house in Khaitan. No injuries were the coroner to determine the cause of reported. The fire spread to the fifth floor of death. The citizen had complained of pain, a neighboring building, prompting firemen and then collapsed, according to his broth- to evacuate it. The abandoned house was er’s statements to police. The man was used for storage and contained fiberglass, dead on arrival at the hospital. tires construction and hazardous material, according to the fire department’s report. iPhone stolen A teenager told police that someone stole his iPhone 6 when he asked to use it and then ran away. Police are investigating. Separately, a fight broke out between two Egyptian men, and one of them gave police a medical report stating that he had three broken teeth.

Bachelors’ evacuation Kuwait Municipality announced that bach- elor expatriates were evacuated from 55 buildings during crackdowns on illegal housing inside residential areas. Meanwhile, the ministry received 200 com- plaints since the operation started earlier this month, said Ahmad Al-Manfouhi Assistant Director General for Organization The scene after the fire was put out in Sector Affairs and head of the evacuation Khaitan. team. THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 From the Arabic press

Al-Jarida DECISION MAKING Al-Qabas Have women failed The engineers’ in politics? society

By Dr Ghanim Al-Najjar By Ahmad Al-Sarraf en years elapsed since women’s political rights were approved, and it became benefi- here is no need for experience in a country Tcial to carry out an evaluation of this experi- with Kuwait’s architectural, medical and edu- ence, especially since there are those who repeat Tcational backwardness. Half a century ago, that the women’s political experience failed, and there was a need for qualified and competent engi- most of them, in reality, hate the presence of neers, and this is what the government realized women in public life and not only in politics. They when it sent the brightest Kuwaiti youth to pursue have their reasons which we understand, but we engineering degrees in the best American and do not accept them. Women got their rights in May British universities. When they returned at the start 2005 that are not subject to review, but scientific of the ‘60s, an established and professional society evaluation is required and necessary under all cir- of engineers was required, and so in 1962, the cumstances to improve performance. Kuwait Engineering Society was established to The truth of the matter is that the “masculine” become the first NGO in Kuwait. National Assembly continued with an election law The society’s boards of directors sought the best that was in violation of the constitution from 1962 engineering experience that would contribute to until 2005 and was being run by males, where the URGENT the construction renaissance and instill the princi- first items said “every Kuwaiti male” and did not say ples of the profession. A large number of those “every Kuwaiti man”. The Assembly was not sub- Al-Jarida engineers later became ministers and heads of jected to an integrated scientific evaluation. important projects. But two developments took Scattered studies about the Assembly reveal weak place in the history of the society that derailed it performance for nearly 43 years, which is before from its tracks and make it fall under the influence women joined the political process, so the weak of the financially and politically corrupt. What hit public funds in Kuwait, this society and performance was masculine in full. Al-Anbaa During the elections of 2009, four women won tens of others was the Brotherhood party in Kuwait seeking to control NGOs both big and small. This is parliamentary seats and regardless of their per- how the society’s situation began to gradually dete- formance in the Assembly and the difference in Officials’ responsibility riorate at the start of the second millennium which their levels and capabilities, there are no angels in accompanied the start of the political and religious politics - be them women or men - yet there is a domination. This paved the way for the regretful group of considerations. The first is that the win- By Dr Adel Al-Ibrahim developments that took place in the society, ning of four women at once showed that there is read a tweet that said: “We gave a two-year period ernment in Dubai is near and according to plan, and prompting many of its sincere members to leave. political acceptance for women, especially since to government authorities to implement the smart my belief is based on the fact that officials cannot rest So, it was not strange for those lacking in experi- two of them got the highest percentage. The sec- government project, and we promised officials who as they know that they are in front of an official who ence and competence to take over its management ond consideration is that Kuwait became among I do not achieve the goal with a farewell party at the end knows what he says and his tweets are only a smart and force the acceptance of graduates from unrec- the first countries in the world in the speed of the of this period.” Another tweet followed few days ago way to draw their attention before the deadline and ognized institutions to be accepted as members. women’s winning suffrage from the date when that said: “I want to remind officials... our date is a remind them of what will be done about applications They ultimately succeeded in pressuring the gov- they got their political rights to the date of win- month from now to review the results of their work.” in the smart government, which I expect to be a sur- ernment to recognize those “engineering” institu- ning without a quota. The third consideration is Those two tweets were by an official, and not just prise in the way services are presented and made, and tions that had remained unrecognized for many that performance of women MPs in parliament was any official. The vice president of UAE and Dubai ruler this is the basic goal of the smart government, which long years. These implications warrant the ministry relatively good compared to male MPs, through Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum reminded officials relies on using smartphones and technological devel- of education to change its standards or rather the percentage of their participation in commit- of what they promised him to complete the require- opment and adapts them to process transactions. change the government’s political decision towards tees, presence, presentation of proposals and par- ments of the smart government to see the light of day Yes, major projects need follow-up and accountabili- them! ticipation in public life, besides their contribution in less than two years, and the period is almost finished ty, and what we see in the form of construction and This also resulted in opening the door to accept to the legislative process. and only less than a month is left, and we see what UAE touristic and infrastructure projects in Dubai is witness membership of many in the Kuwait Engineering What concerns us here is that a barrier was officials have done to implement the smart govern- to follow-up and evaluation and there is no room for Society without justification, and thus the manage- destroyed forever, and there is no longer an excuse ment project. laxity or delay, because accountability is the destina- ment was changed completely. For the sake of jus- against their presence in public and political life, as There is no doubt that from now until the awaited tion for every lax person. tice, what happened at the engineering society was she is capable to be an MP just like the best of date, there will be many rumors and issues will be This is what we hope to get in our beloved Kuwait, not strange to what was going on in the political men, or males if you want. It is not accepted to raised. Also, officials concerned with implementing the because benefiting from others’ experience is some- and professional arena and the damages that generalize the saying that the women’s perform- smart government totally realize what Sheikh thing right. What is wrong in benefiting from the suc- reached many other NGOs. So, it was expected to ance is worse than men’s in politics until someone Mohammad means with his tweet, and that the hour of cessful experiences of a sisterly country that proved its have an increase in the corruption and theft in proves to us with decisive evidence, not by just evaluation after follow-up is near, and that their check- ability of leadership to reach achievements others many of them, along with referring several boards making such claims. Performance may be bad of all list is either to make achievements according to plan failed to reach in a short period of time? Let us wait for of directors to the public prosecution. women and men, but to only focus on women’s and schedule, or be questioned and make room for the end of the month that is left from the two years for Now, we ask: When will we get rid of all this cor- performance has nothing to do with justice or fair- others. achieving the smart government in Dubai and see ruption and damage, or at least part of it? ness or subjectivity. —Translated by Kuwait Times I am sure that the implementation of the smart gov- what will happen. — Translated by Kuwait Times —Translated by Kuwait Times

MPs demand showing Crime mercy for expats Report KUWAIT: “Have mercy and go Hashish, Captagon easy on poor expats” is what MPs said over the increase in smuggling foiled fees for services, despite the acceptance of the necessity to KUWAIT: Sniffer dogs at the Abdaly border crossing dis- pay for them. Some MPs said covered drugs in a truck, which was searched and hashish the fees should not be for all and Captagon tablets were found. The six kilograms of without regard to differences hashish and 20,000 tablets were sent along with the in salaries between one expat Pakistani driver to concerned authorities. and another, while others said that fees should be collected Old 100 and 50 fils coins with ‘Emirate of Kuwait’ scripted in the front side, and the Witchcraft issuance year of 1961 on the back. from marginal laborers A Sudanese man who arrived in the country two because they cause much of months ago as a “legal researcher” was arrested for the corruption and endanger Major General Abdullah MP Abdullah practicing sorcery, through which he collected thou- ‘Historic’ coins put for sale security, while exempting Al-Muhanna Al-Maayouf sands of dinars from those who saw him as a problem Arab laborers. funds squandering in past years”. solver, before being arrested by Farwaniya police. KUWAIT: A 50-fils coin has sold for KD 20, as it is known to collectors as it has a smooth this rare metal coin has a manufacturing flaw edge compared to regular coins. I have been Fee increases Deporting drivers that turned it from being an ordinary 50 fils trading in rare Kuwaiti coins since 2002 and Chairman of the Interior and Defense Flat blaze coin to a rare currency sought by collectors. the most important coins I offer are coins Meanwhile, Interior Ministry’s Committee MP Abdullah Al-Maayouf Operations department men put out a fire in the Abdullah Mohammad, the owner of the coin issued in 1961, which carries the name Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic said it is necessary that the sponsor department due to faulty wiring. The fire started in the who advertised it on Instagram, said: “I am ‘Emirate of Kuwait,’ and their prices vary Affairs Major General Abdullah Al- should bear any fee increases of expat exhaust fan of an office, prompting officers to use fire asking for KD 20 for this coin, and the fault in between KD 4 to KD 10 each.” — Al-Anbaa Muhanna said the decision to deport workers, adding the state has increased expats driving without a license does extinguishers already available in the department, prevent- fees for citizens, as passport renewal not apply to those who forget to have ing it from spreading. No injuries were reported. used to cost KD 5 and now it is KD 30, the license with them, and it also does as well as fees of renewing car registra- not apply to those whose licenses tion, but this does not mean increases expire. He said the ministry calls upon Murder threat should be made without a study. He citizens and expats to keep their docu- A former parliamentary candidate accused his said “the state should not seek to col- ments including driving licenses with cousin of threatening to kill him, and filed a complaint at Fahaheel police station. A security source said that lect taxes from simple people, and if them, adding that those whose licenses the government is going ahead in rais- when the former candidate arrived at the diwan of his have expired should not drive because cousin, he was surprised by those present criticizing ing fees, then services should be they will be in violation, but the depor- improved”. He said the government is him for a poem he wrote. The source said that the criti- tation decision does not apply to them. cism turned into threats by two of his cousins, one of seeking to diversify sources of income He said the traffic department by imposing taxes indirectly on expat whom pulled out a pistol and threatened him with it. impounds the vehicles of those who Police are investigating. workers, “especially after the drop in oil drive with expired driving licenses. prices and the unearthing of public — Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa Prostitutes arrested Immigration detectives arrested seven Chinese women who arrived in Kuwait to practice prostitution. Three Egyptians were arrested with them. Police learned about No vacations for education their activities and obtained warrants to raid a residence in ministry undersecretaries Hawally, where the women and men were arrested.

KUWAIT: “No vacations or traveling dur- Meanwhile, an urgent report on the Fugitives caught ing summer,” is what Education Miniter Dr required budget to turn makeshift class- Jahra detectives arrested a wanted citizen to serve a Bader Al-Essa told assistant rooms into permanent struc- 6-year jail sentence and a bedoon to serve a 5-year jail undersecretaries of various sec- tures is being prepared at the sentence for stabbing a detective. Both were sent to tors during a meeting he held instructions of His Highness concerned authorities. after a visit to Lulua the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Intermediate School, where fire Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Sources broke out in one of its class- said that a plan will be com- Maid charged rooms. The minister asked the pleted during summer that A citizen and his wife told Sabah Al-Salem police that undersecretaries to present includes all three educational their Filipina maid caused the injuries stated in his wife’s their plans within a week, and stages. The sources said that medical report before stealing KD 200 and two ladies’ found it strange they were late Essa is supervising the new watches. Detectives are working on the case. in presenting them. He said schools’ construction plan, that he is not satisfied with the besides changing the air condi- situation, and consequently tioners. Essa said all classrooms Smuggling foiled there will not be vacations dur- made of corrugated galvanized Air cargo customs officers foiled an attempted to ing summer and all must be Education Minster Dr steel sheets will be removed smuggle in raw material used to make liquor that KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait participated in a careers’ fair organized available and work hard to pre- Bader Al-Essa from schools because they are arrived from the US. The citizen to whom the ship- recently at the American University of the Middle East (AUM). Bank employees pare for the coming school year not ‘civilized’ and will be gradu- ment was addressed has been summoned for ques- offered advice to fresh graduates looking for career opportunities in the banking and for the final exams next ally removed based on a time tioning. —Al-Rai month. schedule. — Al-Watan and Al-Anbaa sector. THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Sisi vows elections Police enforce Baltimore curfew, disperse protesters will be held in 2015

Page 9 Page 8 Quake survivors clash with police

Angry Nepalis block roads l UN seeks $415m

KATHMANDU: Desperate survivors of an Hundreds of thousands of people across McGoldrick said that the Nepalese govern- earthquake that killed more than 5,000 the country settled down for a fifth night ment had told organisers of the relief effort people clashed with riot police in Nepal’s under tents. Their homes were either there was no need for further outside help, capital yesterday, as the United Nations wrecked or were feared to be on the verge with teams from many countries on the appealed for $415 million for the devastat- of collapse. But with the number and scale ground. ed Himalayan nation. Supplies of food and of the aftershocks subsiding, some resi- water are running thin and aftershocks dents returned to salvage possessions from ‘So Thirsty he Drank his Own Urine’ have strained nerves in ruined Kathmandu, the ruins of their homes, grabbing every- Among the dead were 18 climbers who home to some 2.5 million before it was thing from fridges to family chickens. were at Mount Everest base camp when an shattered by Saturday’s 7.8 magnitude avalanche from the quake flattened every- quake. Desperate to leave, thousands of UN Launches Urgent Appeal thing in its path. The victims included two people gathered outside the main bus sta- “There have been some weaknesses in Americans, an Australian and a Chinese tion after the government promised to lay managing the relief operation,” national. Police yesterday released a list of on special services to far-flung rural areas. Communications Minister Minendra Rijal 33 foreigners still missing since the earth- But when the buses failed to materi- told Nepal’s Kantipur Television, acknowl- quake, including 15 Israelis, five Canadians, alise, anger surged and scuffles broke out edging the government had been over- three Bangladeshis and three French between the crowds and riot police who whelmed by the devastation from the nationals. Rescuers underlined the daunt- were sent to try to contain the situation deadliest quake in Nepal since 1934. “The ing scale of the task. An Indian Air Force near parliament. Some protesters forced a disaster has been so huge and unprece- plane trying to reach one of the worst-hit truck carrying drinking water off the road dented that we have not been in a position areas near Kathmandu was forced to drop and climbed on top of it, throwing the bot- to meet the expectations of the needy peo- packets of noodles and sacks of rice from tles to the crowd. “We’ve been left starving ple,” he added. There was also desperation the air after being unable to land, with the in the cold and the best this government in devastated rural areas. People have been ground below looking like the set of a war can give us is this queue. Why are they so pleading to be airlifted out when the occa- movie. slow?” demanded Rajana as she lined up sional helicopter has reached their villages “We tried for 20 minutes but there was along with thousands of others for a bus to with relief supplies. no possible way we could land. There was her home village. In Dolakha angry residents smashed debris and rubble everywhere,” Wing “I keep hearing on the news that all windows of a local administrative build- Commander Abhijit S. Bali told AFP at governments and aid agencies are here, ing, said Chief District Officer Prem Lal Larpak village 80 km outside the capital. An but where are they? Our government is Lamichhane. “Over 200,000 people are Indian military helicopter had better luck in totally absent. Forget shelter, they couldn’t homeless. We’ve been told that materials the Gorkha Valley yesterday, airlifting even give us water,” said Rajana, who goes are on their way, but we haven’t received around a dozen mainly Slovakian trekkers by one name. Columns of riot police stood them yet,” the official pleaded. A total of to safety. And French rescuers plucked one behind rolls of barbed wire as rioters armed 5,057 people are known to have died in man from the rubble of his Kathmandu with sticks surged into the street, attacking Nepal and around 100 more in neigh- hotel late Tuesday after he was trapped buses and other vehicles. At one point a bouring India and China. Around 8,000 under masonry for around 82 hours. Barely young woman was pulled from her scooter were injured while the United Nations UIYA, Nepal: Nepalese villagers wait for relief aid from an Indian Army helicopter in this village in conscious and covered in dust, Rishi Khanal and assaulted by an angry protester. estimates that eight million people have northern-central Gorkha district yesterday. —AFP was taken to hospital after being fitted with Onlookers screamed at him to stop before been affected. a neck brace and a drip attached to his riot police pulled him away. Yesterday, the world body appealed for another 530,000 damaged. One estimate aged by the progress of the response to es all the affected, especially those in the right arm. “He said he was so thirsty that he Israel advised its nationals to leave $415 million for Nepal, saying that around has put the cost of reconstruction at $5 bil- date, efforts need to be maintained and remote areas,” said UN resident coordinator even drank his own urine,” his brother-in- Nepal for “health and security reasons”. 70,000 houses had been destroyed and lion. “Although I am heartened and encour- stepped up to ensure vital assistance reach- for Nepal, Jamie McGoldrick. Earlier law Purna Ram Bhattarai said. —AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Iraq seeks to counter IS propaganda coup

BAGHDAD: Iraqi authorities are on the there is psychological war,” Abadi said was made worse by people collaborat- Obeidi,” one user wrote on Twitter, made significant progress in retaking defensive after the Islamic State group on Tuesday in parliament, trying to ing. They began shouting that IS “con- while some even accused him of being the Ramadi areas lost this month, and scored a major propaganda victory with counter the mounting criticism. “Some trolled Anbar and the government in IS. much of the rest of the province attacks in Anbar, undermining confi- of us took part in the psychological war (buildings) in it, and this caused a state Obeidi called a news conference to remains out of their control. Army Staff dence in Baghdad’s attempts to retake with statements such as ‘Anbar fell or of panic and fear,” Khazraji said.A major say that the toll from the attack was 13, Major General Mohammed Al-Dulaimi the key province. April began with gov- will fall’. Anbar is still resisting,” he said. blow came after IS attacked an army including two top officers, and Abadi, said there are not enough Iraqi security ernment forces recapturing the city of After the Tikrit victory and Abadi’s post east of Ramadi last Friday. Obeidi and Interior Minister forces in Anbar, given its massive size, Tikrit after a lengthy battle, Baghdad’s announcement that Anbar west of Mohammed Ghaban then took to par- and they hold only part of Ramadi and biggest victory in the 11-month conflict Baghdad was next, IS launched attacks Rumours of Heavy Casualties liament to defend their records and a handful of other areas. For IS, the with the jihadists. Then Prime Minister in the area of provincial capital Ramadi. Rumours that more than 100 soldiers criticise the rumours. “What happened propaganda gained from this month’s Haider Al-Abadi announced that Anbar Officers said the assaults involved were killed in the attack swept through in the media, and the statements of Anbar attacks is vital, following a string province, much of which remains under only dozens of fighters, but more than social media, assisted by press reports. some brother MPs and politicians, was of defeats it has suffered elsewhere, IS control, was next. 110,000 people fled, adding to the This was more than double the toll that destructive to the morale of the fight- including in Tikrit. “I see this as Daesh IS struck back with attacks in Anbar strain of upwards of 2.5 million dis- even IS gave, sparking accusations of a ers,” Obeidi said. Abadi said: “Two- trying to make themselves relevant that shifted the narrative from one of placed since last year. The jihadists first cover-up and calls for Defence Minister thirds of the battle is psychological. again,” a senior officer in the US-led government victory to one of impend- seized Albu Faraj on the northern side Khalid Al-Obeidi to go. Unusually, it was From a military standpoint, we have coalition against the jihadists told AFP, ing defeat - and sparked rumours of a of Ramadi, then attacked security forces supposed government supporters who multiple problems” but have not been using an Arabic acronym for IS. “They’re cover-up of the deaths of more than in the east, taking several other areas, spread the rumours, not slick IS propa- defeated. an organisation that must appear to be 100 soldiers. “There are no military vic- officers said. Army Brigadier General ganda. “I call you all to join the cam- Anbar poses major military chal- going forwards - they must appear to tories for IS in Anbar. What happened Abdulamir Al-Khazraji said the situation paign to remove the traitor Khalid Al- lenges. Government forces have not be winning.” —AFP Ankara mayor in sexist rant against US official

ANKARA: The maverick mayor of Ankara, a dencies of Erdogan, then prime minister. close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government was at the time Erdogan, yesterday fired off an extraordi- widely criticised abroad for its handling of nary anti-US diatribe on Twitter over the the crisis. Pro-government Turkish news Baltimore rioting, telling the US State outlets quickly drew parallels between Department spokeswoman to “come on police action in protests in Turkey, and blonde answer now”. “Come on blonde, Baltimore, where clashes erupted on answer now!” Melih Gokcek wrote in English Monday after the funeral of a black man as well as Turkish, sharing an image from who died in police custody. the riots in Baltimore with a picture of US The Gezi protests as well as the foreign State Department spokeswoman Marie media’s coverage of the unrest are recur- Harf. He added a caption that read: “Where ring themes in Gokcek’s often provocative are you stupid blonde, who accused Turkish tweets. Gokcek, who has been mayor of police of using disproportionate force?” Ankara since 1994, is one of the most con- Gokcek was referring to a report on a troversial and colourful members of the rul- pro-government news website, which criti- ing Justice and Development Party (AKP). cised Harf for being “now silent” in the face The mayor, nicknamed “Mad Melih” by his of the Baltimore rioting despite repeated detractors, was ridiculed this month after criticism of Turkey during the anti-govern- erecting a massive statue of a ment Gezi Park protests in 2013. “The “Transformers” style robot in the centre of Ankara to promote a new theme park. Separately, a Turkish court yesterday acquitted more than two dozen activists who helped launch mass protests in 2013 against Erdogan, after a trial slammed by rights campaigners. The 26 suspects are all leaders of Taksim Solidarity, an umbrella group of civil society, union and political groups at the forefront of the May-June 2013 demonstrations that marked the biggest challenge yet to the dominance of the ruling Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP). NICOSIA: Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (center), Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (right) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi The activists, including doctors, archi- shaking hands during a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace yesterday. — AFP tects and engineers, had been charged with setting up a crime syndicate, violating public order and organising illegal protests through social media. They faced years in Sisi vows parliamentary prison. “All of us were acquitted,” Mucella Melih Gokcek Yapici, one of the leaders, told AFP. “It was an absurd case which meant to declare blonde girl, according to you, the (Turkish) Taksim Solidarity a criminal organisation.” polls will be held in 2015 government’s reactions during Gezi were The suspects went on trial at an Istanbul worrisome, but when it comes to your court in June 2014 a year after the protests, (country) it is normal to declare a curfew?” which started as a small environmental bat- Gokcek asked, referring to the curfew order tle to save Gezi Park - one of the few green 69 Islamists get life terms for torching church in Baltimore on Wednesday. spots in the country’s mega city. In separate tweets, Gokcek lashed out at The protests snowballed into a nation- MADRID/CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Morsi, who was sentenced last week by an supporters lashed out at Egypt’s Christian com- CNN television and the Economist weekly wide wave of anger against Erdogan, then Fattah Al-Sisi vowed that parliamentary polls, Egyptian court last week to 20 years in prison for munity, accusing it of supporting his overthrow. for the same reason, adding: “As you sow so prime minister, and were ultimately put originally set for last month, will be held before abuses against protesters. Morsi, an Islamist, They pointed to Coptic Pope Tawadros II’s televi- you shall reap.” In another tweet, Gokcek down by the police. Rights campaigners had the end of the year, in an interview published came to power following the 2011 ouster of sion appearance alongside Sisi when the army criticised the Turkish media for their limited called for the charges to be dropped, with yesterday. “I give my word: they will be held longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak in a popular chief announced Morsi’s removal to the nation. coverage of the riots in Baltimore and said: Amnesty International calling the hearing a before the end of the year,” he told El Mundo uprising. But after just a year in power, Morsi was “Shame on you! They are afraid of their “politically motivated show trial”. Emma newspaper in an interview published on the eve himself toppled by then-army chief Sisi follow- Systematic Campaign American masters.” Sinclair-Webb, senior Turkey researcher at of his official visit to Spain. Egypt’s parliamentary ing mass street protests. At least 1,400 Morsi Human Rights Watch said more than 40 The 2013 protests in Turkey started as a Human Rights Watch, wrote on Twitter after polls were set to start on March 21 and run until sympathisers were killed by Egyptian authorities churches were attacked in the violence after relatively small environmentalist move- the court order that for the government the May 7 but were postponed after the constitu- after he was ousted from power. Over 15,000 Morsi’s ouster, mainly in central Egypt. The Copts, ment to save Istanbul’s Gezi Park, but acquittals were “unimportant”. “Seeing critics tional court ruled that parts of the electoral law Morsi sympathisers were jailed and hundreds who account for some 10 million out of Egypt’s evolved into a nationwide wave of protests stand trial is a means to discredit and harass unconstitutional. were sentenced to death. population of more than 85 million, have often against the perceived authoritarian ten- them,” she said.— Agencies The election would be the first for a new par- Meanwhile, an Egyptian court yesterday suffered persecution. But they say they had never liament since former army chief Sisi overthrew jailed 69 Islamists for life for torching a church seen such a systematic campaign against them Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. near Cairo in Aug 2013, as anger flared over a as that witnessed in the aftermath of Morsi’s UAE crushes tons of Critics accuse Sisi, who was elected president in crackdown on supporters of Morsi. The Coptic ouster. Apart from the church being torched, May 2014, of establishing an authoritarian church was set on fire and a police station was Kerdasa was the scene of deadly violence just regime by eliminated all opposition, but he told attacked when violence erupted in the town of hours after police cracked down on his backers in contraband ivory El Mundo he has prevented Egypt from descend- Kerdasa on Aug 14 that year, after hundreds of Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda squares. ing into civil war. “I faced a difficult equation: My Morsi supporters died in a crackdown on two Thirteen policemen were killed in the attack on a DUBAI: With a rock crusher rattling and elephants are killed for their tusks each role is to guarantee life and security of 90 million protest camps in the capital the same day. The Kerdasa police station by angry mobs. Dubai’s gleaming skyscrapers in the dis- year. Most of it is destined for China and Egyptians who faced the risk of chaos. If I let any- court also sentenced two minors to 10 years in In February, a court confirmed death sen- tance, the United Arab Emirates yesterday other Asian markets. “The aim behind this is thing be done, is it Europe that would pay the jail in the same case. A life term in Egypt tences against 183 men convicted of killing the pulverized a mound of contraband ele- to send a message around the world that salaries of Egyptians?” he said. amounts to 25 years in jail. policemen, in a verdict that was denounced as a phant tusks and ivory carvings confiscated ivory is worth nothing,” Mohamed said. “Don’t judge me without taking into account The defendants were found guilty of “setting violation of Egypt’s human rights obligations. in the Gulf country to send a message “Elephants have value.” the reality on the ground,” he added. “If the state the church on fire, attempting to murder civil- Rights groups and critics of Sisi say authorities against poaching and ivory trafficking. The For traffickers, however, the trade collapses, that would cause terrible harm to ians and possessing illegal weapons,” a judicial are using the judiciary as an arm to repress any UAE is not a major destination for smug- remains lucrative. The Born Free Europe and the region would face a disaster. official said. Hundreds of Morsi supporters have form of dissent, including from secular activists. A gled ivory, but it is a key crossroads for the Foundation, a British wildlife charity, says a Egypt is not Iraq, or Syria or Yemen, nations that been given death sentences or jailed for life after court is to issue verdicts in two separate cases trade because of extensive air and sea links kilogram of ivory sells for $2,100 on the each have over 20 million residents. We are 90 often speedy mass trials which the United against Morsi on May 16 on charges that are pun- to Africa, Asia, Europe and the Mideast. The wholesale market in China, with retail prices million. I do what I can to protect Egyptians. I try Nations has called “unprecedented in recent his- ishable by death. Morsi and 35 others are commercial hub of Dubai is home to the much higher. In Nov 2013, American offi- not to arrive at situations that I could regret,” he tory”. Morsi himself was handed a 20-year prison accused of allegedly conspiring with foreign Middle East’s largest seaport and busiest cials crushed more than 6 tons of confiscat- added. “Egyptians can break with Al-Sisi if they term last week for ordering the arrest and tor- powers, including Iran, to destabilise Egypt. And airport. ed ivory tusks, carvings and jewelry seized wish. If I had not intervened, there would have ture of demonstrators involved in clashes in he stands accused in a second case of staging a Workers used a construction digger to after a global ban on the commercial trade been a civil war.” 2012 when he was president. The verdict can be jailbreak and attacks on police stations during hoist what officials said was more than 10 of African elephant ivory went into effect in Sisi refused to answer a question about appealed. the 2011 uprising that ousted president Hosni metric tons, or about 11 US tons, of ivory 1989. Other countries, including Belgium, Egypt’s first freely elected leader, Mohamed In the aftermath of Morsi’s ouster, his Islamist Mubarak. — AFP into the crusher at a landfill where the Britain, China and France, have held similar powder will be buried. Elsayed Ahmad A ivory crushes to deter smugglers who kill Mohamed, regional director for the elephants for their tusks and to raise aware- International Fund for Animal Welfare, a ness about the illegal trade. According to Massachusetts-based group involved in the IFAW, UAE seized 474 ivory tusks at Dubai’s Heavy fighting in Yemen as ivory crush, said the bulk of the ivory was Jebel Ali port in 2012 and 2013, and more transiting the country on its way to the Far than 300 pieces of ivory at Dubai East. IFAW estimates that 25,000 to 50,000 International Airport last year. —AP Saudis train tribal fighters

ADEN/DOHA: Saudi-led air strikes hit five in Aden, seen as the main bulwark against the Arabia had trained Yemeni armed tribesmen to Yemeni provinces as fighting raged in the south- Houthis, and dozens of families fled the district fight the Houthis, in a sign of its growing ern city of Aden yesterday, and sources in the yesterday. “The world, the coalition and the involvement in the country’s ground war after region said the kingdom was training armed United Nations need to step in urgently to save a month of air operations. tribesmen to fight the Iran-allied Houthi group. our neighbourhood, which has truly become a Three hundred tribal fighters trained across Houthi rebels’ tanks and snipers killed at least 12 disaster area after this indiscriminate shelling,” Yemen’s border with the kingdom were civilians overnight in Yemen’s Aden as they resident Ali Mohammed Yahya said. deployed this week back to their home area in advanced toward the centre of the city, residents About 200 km to the north, Arab aircraft the Sirwah district of central Marib province said, and a Saudi-led coalition airdropped arms dropped weapons for tribal and Islamist militia- and made gains against the Houthis, a Yemeni to anti-Houthi fighters in the city of Taiz. men fighting the Houthis in the city of Taiz. Talks official source told Reuters. “You cannot win a The Houthis took the capital Sanaa in between the Houthis and exiled, Riyadh-based war against the Houthis from the air - you need September, demanding a more inclusive govern- President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi collapsed in to send ground forces in, but now there’s a ment, and swept south, rattling top world oil early April and he fled. Chaos then set in as the program to train tribal fighters on the border,” exporter Saudi Arabia and its allies, who fear Iran-allied Houthis fought their way south, bat- said a Doha-based military source familiar with what they see as expanding Iranian influence in tling loyalist army units, regional tribes and al the matter. Despite weeks of bombing, the the region. Arab coalition air strikes have, over Qaeda militants. Houthis have retained their dominant position DUBAI: United Arab Emirates authorities crush more than 10 metric tons of elephant the last month, backed local fighters in Aden on battle fronts across Yemen, and no visible tusks and ivory carvings confiscated in the Gulf nation to send a message against and nationwide battling Shiite Houthis. Training Tribesmen progress has been made towards peace poaching yesterday. — AP Heavy clashes shook the Khor Maksar district Sources in the region told Reuters Saudi talks.—Reuters INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Trust in police runs low among Baltimore blacks

BALTIMORE: Pierre Estep was 16 when, he says, a policing practices. More often than not, the Sun Baltimore police officer put a gun to his face and said, the victims who filed civil suits were African- taught him a lesson about respect for the law. “He Americans whose charges against them were dis- told me he was the next thing to God,” Estep missed - if they were charged at all. recalled Tuesday, a day after rioters ran amok in The biggest payout, $500,000, went to a cou- the blue-collar Mid-Atlantic city of 620,000. “He ple who were arrested in 2007 on dubious said, ‘I’ll mess around and take your freedom - or I charges of kidnapping their grandson. The hus- might mess around and take your life’,” the 56- band was severely beaten in custody, leaving him year-old Baltimore native told AFP. Today, he said, with kidney failure. At the other extreme, settling things are hardly different, as public trust in for $30,000 was a furnace repairman who said an Baltimore’s police department sinks to new lows. officer stopped him in 2009, pulled him out his “I’m not saying the police have an easy job, but vehicle, stomped on his head and bent his right the way they police now...” Estep said, trailing off wrist, fracturing it. “You’ve got some good ones without finishing his sentence. “I could go on with out there, but it seems like it’s getting worse,” a these horror stories about people living in a black 68-year-old man who only gave his name as neighborhood.” Clarence told AFP on Tuesday. Police Baltimore has been on a knife’s edge since Commissioner Anthony Batts, who came to the April 19 death of Freddie Gray, 25, a week Baltimore in 2012 after stints as police chief in after he was pinned to the sidewalk and taken Long Beach and Oakland, California, acknowl- into custody. Six police officers have been sus- edges the challenges he faces in implementing pended, pending the outcome of a police inves- reform. “It’s clear that what we have to do is tigation that is due to report to the Maryland change the culture within the Baltimore Police state prosecutor on Friday. But Gray’s death - the Department,” Batts, who champions community- latest in a recent series in the United States going oriented policing, said Tuesday alongside Mayor back to unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Both the 45-year-old Ferguson, Missouri last year - was no exception. mayor, a Baltimore native who is also secretary of Thirty-one people died after police encounters in the Democratic National Committee, and the the Baltimore between 2010 and 2014, the police commissioner are African-American. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a But while taxpayers are left footing the bill for report in March. misconduct, police officers are rarely if ever pros- ecuted. Their union, the Fraternal Order of Police, BALTIMORE: A protester is seen in front of riot police minutes before a mandatory citywide curfew of 10 pm on Tuesday near a CVS pharmacy Lawsuit Payouts is vigorously fighting efforts to roll back that was set on fire during rioting after the funeral of Freddie Gray. — AFP An investigation by the Baltimore Sun newspa- Maryland’s Law Enforcement Officers Bill of per in September revealed how the city has paid Rights. Maryland was the first state to have such a out $5.7 million since 2011 to settle more than law, but critics say it makes it too easy for police Police enforce Baltimore 100 civil suits alleging police brutality. The US wrongdoers to dodge responsibility for miscon- Justice Department reacted by promising a root- duct. There’s enough misconduct to sustain a and-branch “collaborative review” into Baltimore’s blog maintained by a local law firm. —AFP curfew, disperse protesters Fired employee sues Al Jazeera America Pepper balls, smoke used against crowd BALTIMORE: Police in riot gear used pepper respected and police said the only exceptions themselves,” said Roxanne Gaither, 45. “This is LOS ANGELES: A former Al Jazeera America his way to exclude women from key meetings spray and rubber bullets to disperse a group of would be for medical emergencies and for peo- what Freddie Gray would have wanted to see. employee has sued the news cabler for wrong- and to replace female employees with men in protesters in Baltimore on Tuesday night after a ple going to and from jobs. Just ahead of the Last night was terrible if a curfew is what it takes ful termination, claiming he was fired after key roles. Most explosively, the suit claims that curfew took effect a day after the worst rioting in curfew, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake went to to avoid that, so be it.” complaining about anti-Semitic and sexist Mahmud made anti-Semitic remarks including the United States in years. Shortly after a city- the intersection where protesters had gathered For nearly a week after Gray died from a behavior by a senior executive. Matthew Luke the statement “whoever supports Israel should wide curfew took effect at 10 pm EDT (0200 GMT and pleaded with them to go home. spinal injury, protests in Baltimore had been filed suit Tuesday in New York Supreme Court, die a fiery death in hell”. Al Jazeera America did yesterday), police in helicopters ordered a few On Monday, shops were looted, buildings peaceful and Mayor Rawlings-Blake said she act- claiming that Al Jazeera America exec Osman not immediately respond to a request for com- hundred people to disperse. Most protesters burned to the ground, 20 officers were injured ed cautiously on Monday to avoid a heavy-hand- Mahmud has expressed anti-Semitic state- ment on the lawsuit. The suit also claims that were at an intersection in West Baltimore that and police arrested more than 250 people in the ed response that would incite more violence. On ments and taken discriminatory actions AJA executives exhibited an “anti-American” was the scene of the heaviest looting and rioting violence following the funeral of Gray, who died Tuesday she responded to critics who said she against female employees. Luke’s suit claims bias in recent months as key executives on Monday over the death of a black man who on April 19 a week after sustaining injuries in waited too long to act. that after he complained about Mahmud’s recruited for the US operation were replaced was injured in police custody. police custody. “It’s a very delicate balancing act, when we behavior to human resources in February, he with Middle Eastern execs from the parent Al The death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray gave have to make sure that we’re managing but not was fired 10 days later. Jazeera org, which is based in Qatar and fund- new energy to the public outcry that flared last Cleanup increasing and escalating the problem,” said Luke had served as AJA’s supervisor of ed by an offshoot of the state government. year after police killings of unarmed black men Earlier, as night fell, hundreds of protesters Rawlings-Blake, 45, an African-American and media and archive management since May The picture of anti-American activity paint- in Ferguson, Missouri; New York City and else- chanted “Black Lives Matter,” and there were also Democrat who grew up in the city 64 km from 2013, before the news channel formally ed in the complaint is sure to be fodder for AJA where. When protesters threw bottles and scenes of reconciliation, cleanup and even cele- Washington, DC. launched on what had been Current TV. The critics who have blasted the channel from the bration. Near a looted and burned-out CVS phar- Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a suit seeks $5 million in compensatory damages start as being connected to terrorist and jeered in response, the police slowly advanced a and another $10 million in punitive damages. Islamist fundamentalist orgs in the Middle East. few feet at a time, breaking up the crowd by fir- macy, hundreds of people waved flags and Republican, said he had called Rawlings-Blake Mahmud is named as a defendant along with Al Jazeera has long maintained that its goal ing rubber bullets and projectiles containing a swayed in the street as they watched 50 dancers repeatedly Monday but that she held off AJA. The complaint claims that Mahmud, who was to build a credible and objective news- chemical irritant. “Officers are now deploying gyrating to the drumming of a unity band put requesting the National Guard until three hours was recently promoted to senior VP of broad- gathering operation in the US as a linchpin of pepper balls,” the Baltimore Police department together for the evening from music groups after looting started in the largely black city of cast operations and technology, went out of its global news network. — Reuters said on Twitter. from all over the city. “It feels good to see every- 620,000. He ended up declaring a state of emer- Elsewhere in the city the curfew was mostly one coming together. People just enjoying gency while she imposed the curfew. — Reuters INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Once magnet for foreign ‘mujahedeen’, Bosnia now exports them

SARAJEVO: A magnet for foreign jihadists The assailant, identified as 24-year-old ship,” Esad Hecimovic, a local journalist who at Sarajevo airport in February were 2013, according to intelligence sources and during its 1990s war, Bosnia is now grap- Nerdin Ibric from a village near the north- has reported extensively on the subject charged with attempting to join the Islamic the US State Department. Imamovic, who is pling with the threat from home-grown eastern town of Zvornik, was suspected of said. Hardliners, whose numbers are esti- State group, which has sown terror named on a US State Department terrorist extremists wooed by the conflicts in Iraq links to radical Islamist groups. Another mated by the authorities at around 3,000 throughout the Middle East and North list, is believed to be the third-in-command and Syria. While most Bosnian Muslims are man, said to have travelled to Syria, was followers, represent just a fraction of Africa and executed several Western of Al-Qaeda’s Syria affiliate Al-Nusra Front. moderates, a few thousand have adopted arrested Tuesday over the attack. Suspected Bosnian Muslims, who make up around 40 hostages. “Those who return to the country Testifying at Bosnic’s trial in Sarajevo, the the ultraconservative Salafist brand of Sunni Islamist extremists had made their presence per cent of the population of 3.8 million. But are very dangerous. They are of course relatives of several youths who travelled to Islam introduced by the fighters who felt before in the Balkan country. In October their ranks are suspecting of supplying under surveillance but the danger is that Syria or Iraq, some of whom have died in flocked to Bosnia from North Africa, the 2011, a gunman opened fire on the US scores of fighters to the wars in the Middle they start to recruit others,” said Jasmin fighting, said their kin attended his ser- Middle East and Asia during the 1992-1995 embassy in Sarajevo, wounding a police- East. Ahic, a professor at the Sarajevo University mons. The prosecution accused the cleric of conflict between Serbs, Muslims and Croats. man before being injured himself and Faculty of Criminology. receiving “significant” funding from Most of those foreign fighters, or “muja- arrested. In June of the previous year, a man ‘Terrorism spreading’ unnamed backers in Arab states. Bosnia’s hedeen”, left Bosnia when the war ended. set off an explosive device at a police sta- Reacting to the attack on the police sta- Stiff sentences Balkans neighbors Albania, Serbia and But the seed had already been sown. tion in the central town of Bugojno, killing tion in Zvornik Security Minister Dragan To prevent their departure, parliament Kosovo have also swooped on jihadist net- Twenty years on, the radical preachers giv- one officer and wounding six others in what Mektic warned terrorism had become “a last year introduced sentences of up to 20 works in recent weeks. ing fiery sermons in “mesdzids”, or impro- the government called a “terrorist act”. serious problem”. “We need to use all our years in prison for jihadists and their Fifteen men went on trial in Serbia and vised prayer halls, are no longer foreigners. capacity to stop this terrorism that has been recruiters. In January, a radical imam in the Albania in March accused of recruiting and Those taking up arms are also local men. On Prayer room recruitment spreading in Bosnia,” he said. “Either we northwestern town of Buzim was the first financing volunteers for the war in Syria. Monday, a gunman shouting “Allahu Akbar” Would-be jihadists are suspected of defeat terrorism or it will defeat us.” Some person to go on trial accused of recruiting “For the first time in the region, people (“God is greatest” in Arabic) opened fire on a being recruited by radical preachers, oper- 150 Bosnians are believed to have joined people for jihad. who call on others, in a very sophisticated police station in the eastern town of ating through a network of informal prayer jihadists groups in Iraq and Syria, while Husein Bosnic, a former member of a way, to go to foreign battlefields and com- Zvornik, killing one officer and wounding rooms. “There is no doubt that the recruit- some 50 others have already been and mujahedeen unit in Bosnia’s war, replaced mit crimes, are being tried,” Ahic said. two others before being killed in a ment process is possible due to the exis- returned from the battlefield, according to Nusret Imamovic as leader of the country’s “What will come out of these trials has yet shootout. tence of a network of such places of wor- the intelligence services. Two men arrested Salafists after Imamovic left for Syria in late to be seen.” — AFP ‘Fascists’ or heroes? How WWII history divides Ukraine

LVIV: He fought alongside the Nazis, century. In 1939, “when the Soviets then against them. He tried to drive arrived, we really thought that our the Soviets out of his native Ukraine, brothers had come to liberate us and spent 11 years in a prison camp from Poland,” he recalled. At that in Russia. What does that make Oles time, Ukrainians hung two flags in Gumenyuk-a fascist? Or a hero? It their villages: their yellow-and-blue depends on who you ask. national one and the red one for the Mustachioed and vigorous despite Soviet troops. his 90 years, he calls himself a free- “But after a couple of weeks, they dom fighter, proud of having served started looking for those who had in the Ukrainian Insurgent Army hung the yellow-and-blue flags and (UPA) in World War II. arresting them,” Gumenyuk said. “We were warriors, fighters, patri- Hundreds of thousands of western ots. We were proud people and never Ukrainians are said to have been asked for compassion from our ene- killed or sent to Soviet prison camps CHERNOBYL: A handout picture shows smoke rising from a forest fire burning near mies,” he said in an interview in his in the ensuing repression. “When the the Chernobyl plant in Ukraine. — AFP apartment in the western Ukrainian Germans arrived we also saw them as city of Lviv. Seventy-five years on, it’s liberators,” Gumenyuk said. In a controversial boast. September 1945, he was wounded in Wildfire ravages Chernobyl In Ukraine’s latest conflict, “fascist” fighting against the Red Army and is the insult hurled by pro-Russian ended up a prisoner of the Soviets. KIEV: Firefighters have brought under con- dumped water on the flames. Police said separatists-and Russian media-at the He spent the next 11 years in a trol a forest fire near Ukraine’s Chernobyl that they evacuated several people who Kiev government side. The epithet LVIV: Former Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) fighter Oles Gumenyuk, Siberian prison camp in the far north- plant, scene of the world’s worst nuclear had been living as squatters in the area, for harks back to the Ukrainian national- 90, poses for a photo in his home in Lviv. — AFP ern city of Norilsk, thousands of kilo- accident in 1986, the emergency services their safety. ist fighters who sided, for a time, with meters from his home in western said yesterday. The blaze came within Officials gave few details of the possible Gumenyuk has a portrait of one of and Communist symbols and propa- the Nazis, hoping they would drive Ukraine. Parliament’s recognition of about 20 kilometers of Chernobyl after cause of the fire but Ukraine’s Interior the most divisive figures in Ukraine’s ganda. The reforms have angered out the Soviets during the war. UPA members as freedom fighters breaking out Tuesday afternoon, but offi- Minister Arsen Avakov said authorities had history: World War II nationalist Russia at a time of tensions between Among these was Gumenyuk, who at comes too late for most of his former cials said it posed no danger to the plant not ruled out arson. A state nuclear inspec- leader Stepan Bandera. Ukrainians in the neighbors over the conflict in 18 joined a Ukrainian division of the brothers in arms, many of whom and radiation levels in the zone remained tion official said late Tuesday that “the level the west hail Bandera as a hero; oth- eastern Ukraine, which has killed Nazi SS force. He says it was a strate- have died. “But it is still very impor- unchanged. “At 6:00 am local time (0300 of radiation at the Chernobyl plant had not ers in the pro-Russian east and in more than 6,000 people in the past gic decision. “We joined them so we tant for our descendants, so that our GMT), the fire was controlled and stopped,” changed”. The fire struck just two days after Russia itself hate him, branding him a year. The Russian foreign ministry could get trained. But we knew even children’s and grandchildren’s gener- the emergency services said in a statement. Ukrainians marked 29 years since the Nazi collaborator. Some historians say accused Ukraine of “rewriting history”. then that Germany was going to lose ations can never say we were ban- “Work is continuing to extinguish the fire.” Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The explosion Ukrainian nationalists committed It said the law would “create divisions” the war,” he said. After tactical train- dits,” he said. Lviv-based historian The area around Chernobyl was evacu- of reactor number four on April 26, 1986 atrocities during World War II, notably and promote a “nationalist ideology”. ing from the Germans, he joined the Igor Derevyaniy said the legislation ated after the 1986 blast and the last reac- spewed poisonous radiation over large against Poles in Ukraine. nationalist UPA, which first supported could help Ukraine make peace with tor there shut down in 2000 but some per- parts of Europe, particularly Ukraine, But Ukraine’s pro-European Union Siberian gulag but then turned on the Nazis, fight- its painful history.”It is a matter of jus- sonnel still operate in the exclusion zone, Belarus and Russia. The human toll of the parliament this month gave them Formerly part of the Austro- ing the Germans and the Red Army at tice for those who fought for a demo- where work is underway to build a new disaster is still disputed. United Nations unprecedented recognition, adopting Hungarian empire, Gumenyuk’s the same time. cratic Ukrainian state and those who seal over the reactor site. The government experts officially recognized 31 deaths a new law granting UPA members the native region of Ivano-Frankivsk was died for it,” he said. “Ukraine for the said the fire had spread across some 320 among plant workers and firefighters status of “Ukrainian independence under Polish rule when he was born War hero or Nazi stooge? first time is abandoning its totalitari- hectares near the plant, which is about 100 directly linked to the blast. But environ- fighters”. Parliament has also but would change hands several On the wall of his apartment, an past.”— AFP kilometers from the Ukrainian capital Kiev. mental group Greenpeace said there could approved a controversial ban on Nazi times over the course of the 20th More than 300 firefighters with scores of be around 100,000 additional deaths from vehicles battled the blaze and aircraft cancer caused by the disaster. —AFP Nigeria working to identify ‘Evil resident’ 300 rescued women, girls Hitler birth house haunts Austrian town ABUJA: Nigeria was yesterday seeking to goric, stating: “From our preliminary identify nearly 300 women and girls rescued investigations, the rescued girls are not BRAUNAU AM INN: “Every year it’s But in 2011, the arrangement came ‘Banality of evil’ protection. For rally organiser Astrid from Boko Haram, raising hopes they may those abducted from Chibok in April last the same circus,” mutters a resident at to an abrupt end when Pommer The issue has generated strong dis- Hainz, the memorial stone installed in include schoolgirls seized in a high-profile year.” Details of the rescue came as the sight of dozens of anti-fascist pro- unexpectedly refused to grant per- cussion among the 17,000 residents of 1989 is not enough. Authorities ought kidnapping last year. The army appeared to Nigerian troops fought to flush out Boko testers stomping toward a large mission for much-needed renovation Braunau, near the German border, and to push harder to solve the issue even rule out any of the 200 girls being from the Haram from its last remaining territory weatherworn building in the small works. Now, the state has decided to beyond. Some want it to become a if it means “forcing the owner to sell”. northeastern town of Chibok, who were after a four-nation offensive against the northern Austrian town Braunau am take more radical steps. “We have refugee centre, others a museum dedi- “The house is here and we have a duty snatched from their dormitories on April 14, group in the restive northeast. Inn. “Nazis out!” chant the demonstra- made a purchase offer but at the cated to Austria’s liberation. There have to deal with it,” she says. One person prompting global outrage. The rebels, whose six-year insurgency tors, many clad in black hoodies and same time we are also looking into even been calls for its demolition - but who remains noticeably absent from But the country’s defense spokesman to create a hardline Islamic state has left sporting sunglasses despite the rain, the legal possibility of expropriation,” the house is part of the city’s historic the public debate is the notoriously urged caution, saying it was too early to at least 15,000 people dead and some 1.5 their shouts ricocheting off the three- said Grundboeck. centre and therefore under heritage media-shy Pommer. “She has inherited tell and all those released from camps in million homeless, have lost control of storey residence. This is no ordinary the house and pockets the money the militants’ Sambisa Forest stronghold towns in recent months. Kidnapping of town and no ordinary house: behind without fulfilling the terms of the were still being screened. Chibok elders women and girls as well as forced con- the fading facade of number 15 agreement,” local historian Florian reacted angrily to the latest announce- scription of young boys and men has Salzburger Vorstadt Street hides the Kotanko told AFP. “She could make his- ment, which comes after the military pre- been an established tactic throughout birthplace of Adolf Hitler. And almost tory by giving the house to the repub- viously said some of the girls had been the conflict. At least 2,000 women and exactly 70 years since the Nazi dicta- lic.” Like the anti-fascist protesters, he released, only to backtrack, and that it girls have been seized since the start of tor’s suicide in the ruins of Berlin, it believes that Braunau has a historical knew where they were. “It is dishearten- last year, Amnesty International said in a continues to stir up controversy. responsibility to deal with its legacy. ing for our hopes to be dashed,” said report earlier this month. But the daring The building has been empty “It’s short-sighted to say, let it fall apart Enoch Mark, whose daughter and niece raid on Chibok-and President Goodluck since 2011 as its owner and the gov- or blow it up, because the fascination are among the 219 teenagers still being Jonathan’s lacklustre response to the ernment remain embroiled in a bitter won’t go away,” Kotanko says. In his held by the Islamists. incident-galvanized global demands for legal battle over its future. Only a eyes, this obsession is linked to what “When we heard of the rescue we action, including international help in the memorial stone gives a clue to the philosopher Hannah Arendt famously thought it was our girls. Parents kept rescue operation. house’s significance, reading: “For called the “banality of evil”-the idea contacting one another, hoping to get Peace, Freedom and Democracy. that Hitler was born behind such ordi- confirmation that their daughters were ‘Festering wound’ Never Again Fascism, Millions of nary walls into an ordinary, middle- the ones rescued,” he said. “However it’s The girls were initially said to have Dead Warn.” Hitler may have just class family. “People want to see the not surprising to me that our hopes have been taken to the Sambisa Forest, while spent the first few weeks of his life birthplace of someone who was capa- been dashed. This has happened several others said they had been split up, with here, but the property has been a ble of exterminating large parts of the times. The government has lied a few some sent to Cameroon and Chad or the thorn in Braunau’s side for decades. It population in Germany, Austria and times. To us, the government no longer Lake Chad region of northeast Nigeria. belongs to local resident Gerlinde beyond,” he said. Locals, meanwhile, has credibility.” Pogo Bitrus, whose four Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau Pommer whose family has owned the resent the attention, deploring that nieces are hostages, added: “We have claimed the girls had been “married off” building for more than a century, their pastel-coloured town is known never lost hope as a people but the issue and converted to Islam. Nothing has except for a brief period during World for being the cradle of one of the is, if the military has the capacity (to res- been seen or heard from the 219 since a War II. world’s most reviled political figures, cue hostages) now, why didn’t they do it video appearance in May last year. Both In 1972, the Austrian government rather than for its Gothic architecture before? “We are an unfortunate bunch Bitrus and Mark said the latest rescue, signed a lease with Pommer to pre- or pretty river. caught up in a political game. It is unfor- while welcome, was part of the roller- vent the premises from becoming “a “The people here don’t deserve this tunate that we find ourselves in this situ- coaster ride of emotions they have felt pilgrimage site” for neo-Nazis, interior stigma,” says district commissioner ation. They have played with people’s since the abduction. ministry spokesman Karl-Heinz Georg Wojak. “Braunau’s only crime lives and messed people up.” “The chief of defense staff last year Grundboeck said. Under the deal, the was that Hitler was born here.” Try as it claimed to know where our girls were 800-square-metre (8,600-feet) struc- might, the town is unlikely to break the Military at odds being kept but now we are being told a ture can only be used for socio-edu- chains that tie it to Adolf Hitler. He Defense spokesman Chris Olukolade different story,” said Mark, a church pas- cational or bureaucratic purposes. At immortalized Braunau in the opening announced on Tuesday evening that tor. “Up to now they can’t rescue them. lines of “Mein Kampf”, describing as troops rescued 200 girls and 93 women The national security advisor (Sambo first the agreement-which earns from the former colonial-era game Dasuki) promised to bring back our girls Pommer 4,800 euros ($5,150) per “providential” the fact that he was reserve in northeastern Borno state. He before (the handover of power from month in rent-appeared to settle the born in “this little town on the bound- was initially cautious, saying it was “not Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari on) moral dilemma: the Hitler house, as it ary between two German states”. And yet confirmed” if the Chibok girls were May 29. “What has happened yesterday is generally known, became a centre residents are learning to confront the among those released. Yesterday, he (Tuesday) has further opened an already for people with disabilities. past more openly. The days where they warned that it was “not safe or wise” to festering wound. To us parents, its like In many ways, this represented an would point tourists looking for the say the teenagers were not among the the abduction happened yesterday. “We “ideal” solution, according to local building in the wrong direction are group. “You never can say. One or two were on the verge of celebrating the res- newspaper editor Monika over, insists Raschhofer: “When I have could be among them.” But army cue of our daughters and now that mood Raschhofer, because it offered a guests, I always show them the Hitler spokesman Sani Usman was more cate- has turned into mourning.” — AFP home “specifically to those who were BRAUNAU AM INN: A man cycles past the house where Adolf Hitler house and the memorial stone. It’s part eradicated under the Hitler regime”. was born in Braunau Am Inn, Austria. — AFP of Braunau.” — AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 India jilts Pakistan on push for better ties

Afghan officials warn of influx of insurgents from Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: India has failed to respond to yesterday warned of an influx of insurgents civilian casualties.” “The Taleban and the terror- Pakistan’s desire for good relations, Pakistani from neighboring Pakistan into northern ists will not succeed in creating bases or a long- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said, in rare rebuke Afghanistan in an attempt to destabilize what term threat in the northern part of the country,” of a neighbor with which he has promised to has mostly been a peaceful part of the country. Sediqqi told reporters in Kabul. He said several mend ties. Sharif made improving relations with The “terrorists” are coming from Pakistan, operations are underway in Kunduz, Baghlan India a priority when he swept to power for a including foreign fighters - such as Chechens and Badakhshan provinces, where Afghan third time in a 2013 election, raising hopes that and Uzbeks - from other regional countries, forces far outnumbered militants. a Pakistani civilian government would finally according to Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Gen Dawlat Waziri, the Defense Ministry’s wrest control of foreign policy from the power- Sediqqi. Sediqqi said the insurgents are flood- deputy spokesman, said the Afghan forces are ful military. The nuclear-armed neighbors’ top ing into the northern Kunduz province, where battling in Kunduz on their own and have not diplomats met in Pakistan last month, after at the Taleban launched a major push over the requested any backup from international Enrique Penalosa, a former Colombian mayor least a dozen people were killed in a series of weekend, closing in on the provincial capital, forces. This year’s fighting season will be a exchanges of fire along their disputed border, also called Kunduz. major test for the Afghan forces, following the but there has been little sign of progress in ties. The attack came just after the Taleban pullout at the end of last year of all foreign From Bogota with love: Karachi “Our desire for good neighborly relations announced the start of their annual spring combat troops. The Kabul government, which with India has not been reciprocated,” Sharif offensive. Kabul has sent in reinforcements to has been fighting the Taleban for more than a gets advice from Colombia told the Saudi Gazette in an interview during a the area this week. Around 200 militants have decade, has often accused Islamabad of not recent visit that was published in Pakistani been killed so far in Kunduz, Sediqqi said, doing enough to prevent cross-border attacks KARACHI: As mayor of Bogota, Enrique “All citizens are equal, the Pakistani consti- newspapers yesterday. The neighbors have adding that 12 Afghan soldiers have also died and of providing safe haven for the Taleban, Penalosa transformed Colombia’s crime-rid- tution says. If all citizens are equal so a bus on fought three wars since 1947, two of them over in the fighting. The insurgents were hiding in whose leadership is believed to be based in den, traffic-clogged capital and now he is which we get 80 passengers has a right to the divided Muslim-majority region of Kashmir civilian homes in the villages, he added, and Pakistani cities including Quetta and helping Pakistan’s sprawling metropolis have 80 times more space than a car with one which they both claim in full but rule in part. the troops were trying to be “careful to avoid Peshawar.— Agencies Karachi as it seeks to shed its violent, chaotic person. This is basic democracy.” The 10,000 Sharif said his acceptance of an invitation last image. Penalosa is hoping to bring to bear buses the city currently boasts are old and May to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s some of the lessons he learned in Bogota as poorly maintained and take up a tiny part of inauguration was “an exceptional decision”. But Karachi embarks on creating its first proper traffic compared with the nearly two million months later, India withdrew from talks after mass transport system, the $1 billion Bus cars and motorbikes on the roads. The BRT Pakistan’s ambassador in India met Indian Worker crushed Rapid Transit (BRT) network. system will create five routes through the city Kashmiri separatist politicians. Karachi, Pakistan’s main port and econom- where buses will run in dedicated lanes sepa- Sharif said that was a “frivolous pretext”. ic heart, has seen its population mushroom rate from other traffic-a far more effective use “There is no sign of India desiring resumption of in meat grinder by more than four percent a year since 1998 of scarce road space in a dense city like dialogue with us,” he said. Pakistan’s military, which has ruled for about half of its history and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says Karachi, according to Penalosa. BANGKOK: A migrant worker from Myanmar migrant workers are employed in Thailand, since 1947, traditionally sees relations with India it will top 31 million by 2030. Car and motor- A similar project has been running in the was killed after he slipped into a meat mainly from neighboring Myanmar, as its of responsibility, even during civilian rule. bike ownership are booming as the city’s eastern city of Lahore since early 2013, while grinder at a pet food factory in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Many work in the coun- Sharif’s aim to improve ties with India was wide- wealth grows, bringing more noise, worse air another is nearing completion in the twin police said yesterday. The man, who police try illegally, something labor groups say ly seen as cause of friction with the army, pollution and longer and longer traffic jams- cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but the identified as 37-year-old Zaw May Zir, died leaves them open to exploitation by employ- though tension has eased since last year when exacerbated as roads are narrowed by con- Karachi BRT is the most ambitious yet. The 100 on Monday evening at a factory in south- ers in industries where safety standards are the coup-prone military helped calm anti-gov- struction work and encroachment. The city’s billion rupee ($1 billion) cost of the five lines eastern Chonburi province, 80 kilometers notoriously lax. Since seizing power last May, ernment protests. A government insider said at rickety, ad-hoc public transport system is will be met through a mix of public and pri- southeast of Bangkok. “It was an accident,” Thailand’s junta have vowed to document all the time Sharif would stay in power but had to struggling to cope-buses make up less than vate financing. The ADB, which is making $100 Lieutenant Thaninthorn Suaypan, a case offi- migrant workers inside the country in a bid “share space” with the army on issues such as five percent of the vehicles on the road-and million worth of loans available, says that as cer with Chonburi police told AFP by tele- to crack down on illegal employment. relations with India and security. Penalosa warns of total meltdown if the right well as reducing pollution and making public phone. In March they reported that at least 1.6 Sharif said Pakistan was ready for “construc- steps are not taken. transport safer and more efficient, the BRT will “I went to examine the man with the doc- million workers from Myanmar, Cambodia tive dialogue for negotiated settlement of all “You will have 20 times as many cars in also bring an economic boost. Building the tor and the lower half of his body was and Laos have been registered so far. The pet issues, including the issue of Jammu and Karachi (in the coming years) and Karachi is infrastructure will provide work for construc- crushed,” Thaninthorn added. Police said they food factory worker’s death came on the Kashmir”. India says Pakistan arms militants going to be totally jammed,” he said. The sil- tion companies, existing bus companies will believed the man, who had worked at the same day a horrific road smash left nine fighting in Indian Kashmir. Pakistan denies that ver-haired Penalosa transformed Bogota by be integrated into the new system and factory for five years, was unable to extricate Myanmar migrants working in Thailand’s saying it offers political support to Kashmiris creating hundreds of kilometers of cycleways smoothing out traffic bottlenecks will reduce himself from the grinder because it was filled fishing industry dead. Police said 26 workers facing rights abuses at the hands of India’s army. and dedicated bus lanes, separate from other the cost of doing business in the city. with glue used to create artificial bones for were crammed into the vehicle after their India was angered this month when a Pakistani traffic, and improving sidewalks for pedestri- dogs to chew on. “When he fell into the mix- shift when the accident happened late court freed on bail Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who ans. He is passionate about the democratiz- ‘Take space from luxury cars’ er he could not move because of the glue,” Monday in the coastal province of Samut was accused of plotting a 2008 assault on the ing effect of proper public transport, giving For now the BRT is still at the planning Thaninthorn said. Sakhon, 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Indian city of Mumbai. India said the release more room to buses than SUVs. “This about stage and has so far met with little opposi- Police said the man’s wife had been Bangkok. Thailand’s fishing industry, the “reinforced the perception that Pakistan has a what kind of society Pakistan aspires to be in tion. But Penalosa, who became known in informed of her husband’s death. The facto- third largest in the world, is blighted by accu- dual policy on dealing with terrorists”. the future. It is extremely crucial,” said Bogota for virtually “declaring war” on private ry, which police said used the name Pet sations of slave labor, low pay and poor con- Penalosa, who is a consultant for the ADB and cars, hiking the tax on fuel and restricting Smart, did not pick up the phone when ditions-something the junta has also vowed Influx of insurgents an advisor to Bahria Town, one of Pakistan’s traffic during peak hours, warned tough bat- called by AFP. More than a million poor to crack down on.— AFP leading property development companies. tles may lie ahead.— AFP In another development, Afghan officials INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Female Afghan ‘Top Gun’ soars above gender barrier

KABUL: With a hint of swagger, Afghanistan’s first female threats grew so menacing in 2013 that she was forced to streets, going shopping is no longer possible. My freedom lynched a young woman called Farkhunda last month pilot since the fall of the Taleban is defying death threats leave the country for two months. “They threatened to has all gone,” she said. after an amulet seller, whom she had castigated, falsely and archaic gender norms to infiltrate what is almost hurt me and my family,” she said over the roar of military accused her of burning the Koran. “Animals don’t do this entirely a male preserve. Dressed in khaki overalls, aviator transport planes. “My only choice was to be strong and ‘I have hope’ to other animals,” she said of the daylight murder which shades and a black headscarf, 23-year-old Niloofar ignore them.” Rahmani always carries a pistol for her pro- But more than physical threats, it is pervasive conser- sparked nationwide protests. “This wasn’t done by the Rahmani cuts a striking presence as she struts across the tection and though she has grown accustomed to the vatism that hurts the most, with Afghanistan stuck in Taliban. These were ordinary people, the young Afghan tarmac at the Kabul Air Force base, which is otherwise ogling eyes of men, she never leaves the base in uniform, what many deride as a medieval time warp. Rahmani says generation.” Rahmani also recalled a flight mission when devoid of women. “Ever since I was a child, when I saw a lest it make her a target. “Simple things like walking in the she was heartbroken when a mob in Kabul savagely she defied orders from a superior who stopped her from bird in the sky, I wanted to fly a plane,” she told AFP at the airlifting wounded soldiers in a restive southern province. base, hemmed in by rolling dun-colored hills. “Many girls Women are traditionally forbidden from transporting the in Afghanistan have dreams... but a number of problems, dead or wounded in Afghanistan as “many believe that threats stand in the way.” females have a small heart and are too emotional,” Rahmani, who grew up in Kabul, enlisted for an air Rahmani said. Upon completing the task, “I told my com- force training program in 2010 and kept it secret from her mander, ‘punish me if you think I did anything wrong’,” she relatives who believe a woman does not belong outside recalled. “He smiled and said: ‘you did good’.” the home. Two years later she became the first female In order to be treated on a par with her male col- fixed-wing aviator in Afghanistan’s history and the coun- leagues, Rahmani says she can’t afford to display jangled try’s first woman pilot since the ouster of the Taleban nerves. “I have to be tough-so tough, showing no emo- regime. The once-unimaginable feat recently won her the tion,” she said. But while Rahmani is pushing at the bound- US State Department’s International Women of Courage aries of change, she is cautious not to disrespect cultural Award-and earned her the sobriquet “Afghan Top Gun” on norms in a country known for its strict gender segrega- social media, after the 1986 Tom Cruise film about flying tion. One recent morning, when a male colleague at the aces in the US Navy. base reached out to shake her hand, she declined. “Why It is believed there were female Afghan pilots during not?” he said, disappointed. the pre-Taleban Communist era, but details are scant. Rahmani smiled politely and later she didn’t want to Nearly 14 years since the Taliban government was toppled send out the wrong signal. In conservative Afghanistan, in a US-led invasion, Afghan women have taken giant even a simple gesture such as a handshake between men strides of progress, with female lawmakers and security and women can sometimes be interpreted as a sign of personnel now commonplace. That marks a sea change in bad character. Rahmani is only one of three Afghan women’s rights, as previously women weren’t allowed to women who have trained to become pilots since the 2001 leave their homes without a male chaperone and were invasion, and one of them has since quit the air force. brutally consigned to the shadows. But gender parity still When asked how long it would be before the air force has remains a distant dream as conservative attitudes prevail. an equal number of men and women pilots, she was Rahmani has received threatening calls and letters KABUL: Afghanistan’s first female pilot Niloofar Rahmani, 23, sits in a fixed-wing Afghan Air Force forthright. “Not anytime soon. Maybe 20 or 30 years,” she purportedly from the Taleban, warning her to quit. The aviator aircraft in Kabul. — AFP said. “But I have hope.” — AFP Indonesia defends executions Convicts sang praise to God before execution

CILACAP: Indonesia yesterday staunchly defended its execution of seven foreigners including two Australians as a vital front of its “war” on drugs as testimony emerged of how they went singing to their deaths. Australia withdrew its ambassador in protest at the midnight executions, but Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he was merely applying “the rule of law” against narcotics traffickers. The seven convicts-two from Australia, one from Brazil and four from Africa-were shot by firing squad along with one Indonesian, despite strident foreign appeals and pleas from family members.

‘Amazing Grace’ Brazil expressed “deep regret” at the execution of its national, who is mentally ill according to his fami- ly, and said it was weighing its next move. The con- demned men reportedly all refused blindfolds and sang hymns, among them “Amazing Grace”, as they went to face the firing squad in a jungle clearing, WASHINGTON: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks before a joint meeting of according to a pastor who was with them. As the Congress, yesterday on Capitol Hill in Washington. — AP clock ticked down to midnight, a group of tearful supporters also sang hymns, embraced and held candles aloft during a vigil at the port in Cilacap, the Japanese leader voices gateway to the prison island of Nusakambangan. After the executions, family members could be seen crying as they were ushered away by friends and ‘repentance’ on WWII supporters, an AFP reporter saw. A Filipina originally set to be executed was given WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe twist to his previous remarks when he an 11th hour reprieve after a woman who allegedly yesterday expressed “deep repentance” over spoke of his deeply symbolic visit to duped her into ferrying drugs to Indonesia came Japan’s role in World War Two, even as he Washington’s World War Two memorial ear- forward to police in the Philippines. The reprieve for declared Tokyo’s emergence as a global lier, saying: “With deep repentance in my Mary Jane Veloso was hailed in the Philippines as a security player in the face of China’s rising heart, I stood there in silent prayers for miracle and a gift from God, but Indonesian power in Asia. Using the high-profile plat- some time.” Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo stressed it form of a landmark speech to the US But he stuck mostly to his past rhetoric, was only a “postponement” to allow time for police Congress, Abe insisted that Japan must not expressing “deep remorse” for Japan’s investigations. He added: “We are fighting a war against horrible drug crimes that threaten our avert its eyes from the suffering of Asian wartime conduct and saying he upheld pre- nation’s survival. “I would like to say that an execu- peoples from its wartime behavior but he vious Japanese apologies, including a 1995 tion is not a pleasant thing. It is not a fun job,” stopped short of issuing his own apology, landmark statement by then-premier Prasetyo told reporters in Cilacap. instead upholding statements by his prede- Tomiichi Murayama. “Our actions brought cessors. suffering to the peoples in Asian countries,” Fighting drug crimes With Abe’s comments on Japan’s war he said. “We must not avert our eyes from “But we must do it in order to save the nation record unlikely to satisfy critics who had that.” Abe made no mention of “comfort from the danger of drugs. We are not making ene- demanded he go further, the conservative women,” the Japanese euphemism for the mies of countries from where those executed came. premier chose to focus more on the future thousands of Korean and other Asian What we are fighting against is drug-related crimes.” of the US-Japan military alliance and press women forced into prostitution at Japanese ‘They asked for mercy: there was none’ Prasetyo skeptical lawmakers to back a long-delayed military brothels before and during World also played down Australia’s decision to recall its Pacific free-trade pact. “We now hold high a War Two. ambassador, describing it as a “temporary reaction”, new banner that is a ‘proactive contribution But he made an oblique reference to the while Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stressed to peace based on the principle of interna- controversial issue, saying “armed conflicts Jakarta’s desire to “continue having good relations” with one of its most important trading partners. tional cooperation,’” Abe said a day after he have always made women suffer the most.” CILACAP: A coffin bearing the body of Indonesian drug convict Zainal Abidin is buried in Australia had mounted a sustained campaign to and President Barack Obama cemented Abe also faced the formidable challenge of Cilacap on April 29, 2015. — AFP new guidelines for Japan’s military to sup- selling lawmakers on the Trans-Pacific save its citizens, who have been on death row for port US forces beyond its waters. He has Partnership (TPP) as US and Japanese nego- almost a decade, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott trip to Perth, citing concern about reaction to the in the Philippines after the last-minute reprieve for executions, while Jakarta stocks fell heavily due in Veloso, whose case attracted emotional appeals for proposed changes to Japan’s pacifist post- tiators struggle to finalize terms of a bilater- said the executions were “both cruel and unneces- sary”. “We respect Indonesia’s sovereignty but we do part to the effect of the death sentences on investor mercy from boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao war constitution to make this possible. al deal essential to a broader 12-nation pact deplore what’s been done and this cannot be sim- sentiment. among others. Receiving a warm welcome from law- that would cover one-third of global trade. ply business as usual,” he said, announcing “Miracles do come true,” her mother Celia told a makers reflecting Japan’s status as America’s Differences remained between Washington Australia’s unprecedented step of recalling its Drugs emergency Philippine radio station, adding that her daughter’s staunchest Asian ally, Abe, the first and Tokyo over automobiles and agricul- Jakarta ambassador. Australians Andrew Chan and Widodo, who took office in October, says two boys aged 12 and six were awake and yelling Japanese prime minister to address a joint ture, which dashed hopes for a break- Myuran Sukumaran, ringleaders of the so-called Indonesia is facing an emergency due to rising drug “Yes, yes, mama will live”. meeting of Congress, used his speech to through announcement during Abe’s offi- “Bali Nine” heroin trafficking gang, were described use, citing figures from the national anti-narcotics Little is known about the other four executed send a stern message to China, which is cial visit. “The goal is near,” Abe said. “Let us by Canberra as reformed men after years in prison. agency showing that more than 30 Indonesians die foreigners-three of them are from Nigeria but it is locked in maritime disputes with Japan and bring the TPP to a successful conclusion The families said their sons did “all they could to every day due to drugs. not clear whether the fourth held Ghanaian or other Asian neighbors. Referring to the through our joint leadership.” make amends, helping many others” in the years However some academics believe the agency’s Nigerian nationality. Rupert Colville, spokesperson “state of Asian waters,” Abe called for adher- Obama hopes Abe’s visit will help him since their arrests, with Sukumaran teaching fellow data is flawed, while critics accuse Widodo of pursu- for the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for ence to principles of peaceful negotiation, build momentum on his trade agenda, inmates English and art, and Chan ordained as a ing a populist policy following recent political prob- Human Rights, called the executions “extremely sad” saying countries must not “use force or including legislation to give him fast-track minister in February. lems. The bodies of Chan and Sukumaran, in plain in a statement. “Indonesia appeals for clemency coercion to drive their claims.” Abe’s speech authority to speed any Pacific deal through “They asked for mercy, but there was none,” the wooden coffins, arrived in Jakarta after being driven when its own nationals face execution in other to Congress was a moment deeply symbolic Congress. But many of Obama’s fellow families said in a joint statement. There were already from Cilacap in two ambulances. They were taken to countries, so it is incomprehensible why it absolute- of the reconciliation between former World Democrats are reluctant to back him for fear signs of fallout Wednesday with former Indonesian a funeral home and will soon be flown back to ly refuses to grant clemency for lesser crimes on its Two enemies who are now the closest of it will hurt US jobs. Constrained by its paci- president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cancelling a Australia for burial. There were very different scenes own territory,” he said. — AFP allies. He spoke in slow, deliberate English fist constitution, Japan was criticized in the and was interrupted frequently by applause United States for decades for free-riding on and standing ovations. US military spending. In the most dramatic Buried in rubble for 82 hours, Abe gave his address from the spot shift in security policy since Japan’s military where President Franklin Roosevelt asked was rebuilt after World War Two, Abe’s cabi- for a declaration of war against Imperial net last July adopted a resolution reinter- quake survivor ‘drinks urine’ Japan after the 1941 bombing of Pearl preting the constitution to allow Japan’s Harbor in Hawaii. The speech also coincided armed forces to provide military aid to the KATHMANDU: As he lay trapped for some 82 hours yesterday. “He said he was so thirsty that he even all hope of finding him.” “Luck saved him, it’s like he with Japan’s national holiday marking the United States and other friendly countries under the rubble of his Kathmandu hotel after drank his own urine, there was nothing else, no has a second life. Everybody else is dead,” said birthday of its wartime emperor, Hirohito. under attack. Nepal’s devastating earthquake, Rishi Khanal knew option,” Bhattarai said as he waited at Tribhuwan Bhattarai. “He was conscious when he was res- Abe, who has sought to cast Japan’s aggres- Abe said security reform legislation what he must do to survive: drink his own urine. University Teaching Hospital for Khanal to return cued... he said ‘Oh God, thank you’.” “His wife was sive World War Two-era conduct with a less would be enacted by this summer. Japan’s After a painstaking rescue effort, Nepalese and from surgery on his leg. From beneath the rubble, very relieved when we called her.” Like thousands of apologetic tone, was under close scrutiny military is already considering joining the French emergency workers finally pulled the 28- Khanal had called Bhattarai to plead for help. But other young men who leave impoverished Nepal for how he chose to handle history in his United States in maritime air patrols in the year-old alive late Tuesday from the wreckage, from Khanal, who has a wife and a six-month-old baby for work in the Gulf, Khanal had been scheduled to speech. The issue remains a sensitive one tense South China Sea in response to where he had been desperately calling relatives on and lives in Arghakhanchi district, had forgotten fly to Dubai on Sunday to start at a KFC outlet. for Asian neighbors, especially China and China’s increasingly assertive pursuit of ter- his phone for days. the name of the hotel where he had been staying International rescue teams, some using sniffer US ally South Korea, nearly 70 years after ritorial claims, Japanese and US sources Dazed and caked in dirt, Khanal was carried out since last Thursday. “You won’t believe it, but we dogs, have been racing against the clock to find Japan’s defeat. familiar with the discussions said. Abe has of the wreckage on a stretcher before being taken could reach him on his phone even after two days,” survivors trapped in the rubble of houses and other been under pressure to allay concerns that to hospital where doctors said he was lucky to be Bhattarai said. “I’m trapped here’ he said, but in pan- buildings. The government acknowledged it had Critics want new apology he seeks to whitewash Japan’s role of alive, suffering a leg injury. Brother-in-law Purna ic he forgot the hotel’s name. If he had remem- been overwhelmed by the devastation from the Some American critics, including politi- wartime aggression. His 2013 visit to the Ram Bhattarai, 32, described how Khanal was left bered, maybe we would have found him earlier.” deadliest quake in Nepal in over 80 years. Around cians and war veterans, had urged Abe to Yasukuni shrine, which honors the nation’s helpless when his leg was pinned under debris dur- Bhattarai said the phone later went dead, spark- 8,000 people were injured while the United Nations use the speech to make a strong public war dead but is also where a number of ing Saturday’s quake that has killed more than ing a desperate search of overwhelmed hospitals estimates that eight million people have been expression of contrition about World War convicted war criminals are memorialized, 5,000 people. “He said that the walls just started and mortuaries in the devastated capital. “We affected. Hospital chief administrator Parashu Ram Two to erase concerns that he is trying to angered Seoul and Beijing. But Abe’s con- crumbling, and there was nothing he could do. His looked everywhere, we went to all the hospitals. Koirala said that apart from the leg injury, Khanal’s dilute past official statements of remorse by servative domestic allies feel fresh apolo- leg was stuck and he was trapped,” Bhattarai said Checked patients and even the dead. We had lost condition was not thought to be serious. —AFP Japanese leaders. Abe did in fact offer new gies are unneeded. — Reuters NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

Farmworkers are busy on a field of tulips from a local company near Schwaneberg, Germany yesterday. Tulips are particularly popular because of their colorful blossoms and also for their bulbs. — AP Saudi King Salman recasts line... Does a long, black skirt flout Continued from Page 1 The reshuffle also touched the oil sector, hugely sen- sitive to financial markets as the world’s biggest petrole- France’s treasured secularity? Prince Mohammed bin Salman as deputy crown um exporting country holds the key to global supplies. prince, wishing the two princes good wishes in their In a statement yesterday, state oil firm Aramco described PARIS: Is a long, black skirt a “conspicuous” sign of Islam? minister’s special advisor on secularity, cautioned that this service of the homeland. He also wished lasting welfare its head Khalid Al-Falih as the outgoing CEO and presi- Or is that pushing France’s strict secularity laws a little too was a rare occurrence but said the move in Charleville- for King Salman and his nation. dent, but also as chairman of its board of directors, far? The outrage over the case of a Muslim girl who was Mezieres was a “bad interpretation of the law.” Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also appearing to confirm an earlier report on Al-Arabiya tel- twice banned from class for wearing the offending piece To make matters more complicated, a letter sent to all cabled Prince Mohammed bin Nayef on his appointment evision. Falih was named as the new health minister in of clothing highlights the headache teachers face in inter- education personnel explaining how to apply the law as crown prince, deputy prime minister and minister of yesterday’s royal decree. A new Aramco CEO has not preting France’s treasured ban on religion school, experts allows for some exceptions, such as when a student interior and chairman of the council of political and been named but analysts said oil policy was not likely to and officials say. attaches religious significance to an accessory or outfit he security affairs. Sheikh Sabah also cabled Prince change. “I don’t think there’s been any disagreement The country has a long-established secular tradition or she wears regularly. As a result, as a local education Mohammed bin Salman on his appointment as deputy about the idea of keeping up production, maintaining that has its roots in the anti-clericalism of the French revo- authority near Charleville-Mezieres explained on Tuesday, crown prince, second deputy prime minister, minister of market share,” Clement M Henry, professor at Middle lution and a 1905 law enforcing a strict separation “it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between simply defense and chairman of the council of economic and East Institute, National University of Singapore, said. between church and state. In 2004, spooked that the wearing a conspicuous religious sign, provocation or development affairs. While Mohammed bin Nayef is a familiar figure both growing number of Muslim girls wearing headscarves in temptation to test the limits of common rules.” The Amir expressed sincerely congratulations and inside the kingdom and in the West for his role in quash- public schools was eroding this separation, the govern- Cadene said that while the individual behaviour of stu- good wishes to the princes on their selection to the ing an Al-Qaeda uprising and leading Saudi policy in ment brought in a controversial secularity law that dents had to be taken into account to decide whether leading posts. He expressed good wishes for them and Syria, his successor as second in line to the throne, banned students from wearing “conspicuous” signs of reli- they were deliberately provoking authorities, it would be their nation. Similar cables were sent by HH the Crown Mohammed bin Salman, is comparatively unknown. gion such as veils, Jewish skullcaps or crucifixes. “counter-productive” to set up “clothing police”. Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Until four months and six days ago, the young Prince HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Mohammed had only served as head of his father’s Difficult to Interpret Law ‘Cat and Mouse Game’ Hamad Al-Sabah. court, was a virtual stranger to the Saudi public and had But the 15-year-old girl was stopped from going to Sociologist Jean Bauberot, who took part in a commis- The changes come as Saudi Arabia navigates the had relatively little contact with the kingdom’s foreign class earlier this month for wearing a long skirt - popular sion of experts debating secularity ahead of the 2004 law, messy aftermath of the Arab spring and worries that its partners. among some Muslim women who cover their whole body said he and other members at the time had warned that strategic partner Washington is disengaging from the Since then he has become, as Defence Minister, the - which the head teacher decided “conspicuously” showed any accessory or outfit could eventually be given religious region. It has broken with decades of backroom politics face of Saudi Arabia’s newly-launched war in Yemen, her religious affiliation as part of a concerted, protest significance. “We risked entering a stupid cat and mouse by bombing Yemen. The Yemen move, closely associated with his bearded features rarely off television screens or action. Her story caused an outrage, fuelled by the fact game, constantly suspecting the students,” he said. So with both heirs, is seen by analysts as indicative of a street billboards, and is now established as a central fig- that she always removed her veil before entering school they decided to make a list of conspicuous religious signs more confrontational foreign policy under Salman and ure. “Mohammed bin Salman can grow into the job premises in the northeastern town of Charleville-Mezieres, that was included in the letter sent to education person- his ruling team, who have worked to build a coalition of under Mohammed bin Nayef’s supervision,” Alani said. as is specifically stipulated by law. nel. Sunni allies against Iran. The replacement of Prince Muqrin, Salman’s youngest On Twitter, the hashtag #JePorteMaJupeCommeJeVeux, But he said the issue had become “an obsession” with Riyadh appears increasingly determined to counter half brother, as crown prince means the present translated into English as “I wear my skirt as I please,” was some school authorities that risks encouraging teenagers Tehran’s allies, including in Syria, where Saudi-backed monarch will be the last of the sons of Saudi Arabia’s trending on Tuesday. “The girl was not excluded, she was “to revolt and spark the feeling that they are persecuted rebels against President Bashar Al-Assad have recently founder King Abdulaziz Al-Saud to rule after five of his asked to come back with a neutral outfit and it seems her and victims of injustice. “If we wanted young people to be made gains. “I think we’re going to see a more confronta- brothers. father did not want the student to come back to school,” attracted by extremism, we couldn’t do better than this. local education official Patrice Dutot told AFP on Tuesday. And if we chase down young girls who have long skirts, tional policy, faster decision-making and more long- It also ends concerns about a line of increasingly frail, According to the CCIF Islamophobia watchdog, some their parents will put them in private school,” he added. aged kings after Salman, who is 80 this year, replaced term thinking. A leadership that won’t hesitate from any 130 students were kicked out of class last year for outfits “We’re turning our backs completely on the calling of state confrontation,” said Mustafa Alani, an Iraqi security ana- the 90-year-old Abdullah. “We don’t want Saudi Arabia deemed too openly religious. Nicolas Cadene, the prime schools, which is to welcome a lot of children.” — AFP lyst with close ties to the kingdom’s Interior Ministry. to be ruled by one ailing leader after another,” said Jamal It follows what many Saudis see as a decade of grow- Khashoggi, general manager of Al-Arab television sta- ing Iranian influence across the Middle East coupled tion. The move also solidifies Salman’s own branch of the with concerns that the United States, long Riyadh’s secu- ruling family. Abdullah’s only son in a position of signifi- KNPC seeking $10bn for major refinery... rity guarantor, has stopped listening. The appointment cant power now is Prince Miteb, who is head of the of Mohammed bin Nayef, who has better ties to the national guard and was retained in his post yesterday. Continued from Page 1 capacity of the Mina Ahmadi refinery will drop to American establishment than any other prince, may help The new deputy crown prince, who also serves as 347,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 466,000, while Mina alleviate such concerns, along with the appointment of head of a top committee on economy and development, One of the sources, at an international bank, added Abdullah refinery’s capacity will rise to 454,000 bpd Jubeir, who also enjoys close ties with figures through- was replaced as royal court chief by Hamed Al-Sweilam, that a grace period to allow for construction to take from 270,000. out Washington. the decree said, possibly to answer critics who said he place would mean repayments begin after four years. The reduction in the capacity of the Ahmadi refinery The rise of the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria had too many jobs. Ali Al-Naimi retained his position as The Clean Fuels Project is expected to be completed by after shutting one of its crude distillation units will be has also caused security threats at home including the OPEC kingpin’s oil minister, a position he has held for May 2018 and to be fully operational by the end of compensated for by adding new units to produce high- recent attacks on police and minority Shiites. Riyadh 20 years. Labour Minister Adel Fakieh was moved to the 2018, Mohammed Ghazi Al-Mutairi, chief executive of er-value products. Contracts worth around $12 billion blames Iran’s involvement in Arab countries for creating post of economy and planning, as the kingdom seeks to KNPC, told Reuters in September. were awarded in February 2014 to international compa- political chaos in which Islamic State can grow, while diversify its oil-based economy. But the country’s high- Banks who have been contacted by KNPC about par- nies including Japan’s JGC Corp , Britain’s Petrofac and Tehran says it is caused by Saudi interference in the est-ranking female official, Nora bint Abdullah Al-Fayez, ticipating in the project have been asked to revert by US-based Fluor Corp for construction work on the proj- region. Saudi Arabia faces long-term domestic chal- was let go from her post as deputy minister of education May 10, the sources at the international bank said. NBK ect. In November, KNPC said it would spend $40 billion lenges, including entrenched youth unemployment, for girls. She had earned the wrath of ultraconservatives unsustainable state spending and tension between reli- for pushing to allow physical education for girls in the Capital, the investment banking arm of the National in the period to 2022 on projects including a new refin- gious conservatives and more Western-oriented liberals. public school curriculum. — Agencies Bank of Kuwait, is advising KNPC. Under the project, the ery and a clean fuels project. — Reuters THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Focus Saudi crown prince a warrior, survivor

audi Arabia’s new Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, appointed by royal decree yesterday, has waged war Sagainst Al-Qaeda and survived a suicide bombing claimed by the jihadists. King Salman said Mohammed, 55, will also be deputy prime minister and remain interior minister and head of the political and security council, a coordinating body. The removal of Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud as crown prince leaves Mohammed as the first of the second generation, or grandsons of the kingdom’s founder, Abdul Aziz bin Saud, in line to lead the conservative Islamic kingdom. Born on Aug 30, 1959, Mohammed became interior minister in 2012, taking over from his late father Nayef bin Abdulaziz

King’s powerful son future crown prince

audi King Salman’s youthful son Prince But he will no longer hold the crucial position of head of Mohammed, appointed yesterday as second in line the royal court, a type of gatekeeper to the king. “He is Sto the throne, wields enormous power and is lead- the strong man in Saudi Arabia,” a Western diplomatic ing a war against rebels in neighbouring Yemen. source said before the reshuffle. “He oversees everything Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in his important which is going on in this country.” 30s, was named deputy crown prince thanks to his “mas- The exact age of Mohammed, who sports a full dark sive capabilities which became evident to everyone beard, is uncertain. Analysts and local media have through all the missions he had been assigned with,” reported various ages but none higher than 35. said a statement by his father, King Salman, 79. According to a biography from the MiSK Foundation, Just weeks after taking charge of the kingdom’s which Prince Mohammed established for youth devel- armed forces Prince Mohammed assumed huge respon- opment, he had “a professional career of 10 years” and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef sibility when a Saudi-led coalition on March 26 began an was active in business and philanthropy before entering air war against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen. His nomina- public service. tion yesterday gained “support from the vast majority of In 2009 he became special adviser to his father who who headed the strategic ministry for 37 years. He was the members of the Council of Allegiance,” a committee of was then the governor of Riyadh, before heading his youngest Saudi royal to be named to such a high-ranking post, 35 descendants of the kingdom’s founder Abdul Aziz bin court from 2013 after Salman was named crown prince. in a country where key figures are often advanced in age. He Saud. The council was formed in 2006 to decide on suc- In April last year Prince Mohammed became a state min- oversaw a crackdown on Al-Qaeda following a wave of deadly cession. ister and cabinet member, prior to his appointment as attacks in the Gulf state between 2003 and 2006. Prince Mohammed also retains his position as head of defence minister and chief of the royal court on Jan 23, Mohammed studied politics in the United States and had the economic and development council, a coordinating the day Salman became king upon the death of his several military training courses, including under the aegis of body, and was named as second deputy prime minister. predecessor Abdullah at the age of about 90. —AFP Prince Mohammed bin Salman the CIA, according to experts on the Saudi royal family. In 1999, the bespectacled Mohammed was given his first official post, serving as aide to his father. His formative years at the interior ministry allowed him to build a “solid network both inside Saudi New Saudi FM is Washington insider Arabia and regionally to fight Al-Qaeda”, said one Saudi expert, speaking on condition of anonymity. Western governments noted his “successes” in confronting By Ian Timberlake of the coalition campaign. anonymity. Jubeir first rose to prominence Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia and its the global extremist network and his men were the first to A Western diplomatic source told AFP defending Saudi Arabia after the Sept 11, Shiite regional rival Iran, which has been detect and prevent Al-Qaeda attacks, said one expert. The rom the 9/11 attacks to this year’s air that he didn’t expect to see a major shift in 2001 attacks on the United States, in which accused of arming rebel forces in Yemen. prince’s reputation put him in the firing line and nearly killed strikes in Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s new the kingdom’s approach to diplomacy 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi. Insisting Tehran denies such charges. The frame- him. He survived an attack by the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Ftop diplomat is a longtime Washington under Jubeir. “Nothing much will change. Saudi Arabia was not a breeding ground work deal between world powers and Iran Arabian Peninsula in Aug 2009 when a suicide bomber man- insider known as a well-spoken advocate for The foreign policy will stay on track,” the for extremists, Jubeir said his was country over its controversial nuclear program is aged to infiltrate his security. Mohammed suffered only superfi- the kingdom’s foreign policy. A frequent source said, speaking on condition of was being “unfairly maligned” in the US another potential flashpoint, with Riyadh cial injuries when the bomber killed himself. face on US television, Adel Al-Jubeir, 53, was press. raising concerns Tehran could still seek to A March 2009 US embassy cable released by WikiLeaks named yesterday to replace the ageing develop an atomic bomb. described Prince Mohammed as already being the de facto Prince Saud Al-Faisal, who held the post Alleged Assassination Plot Official biographies say little of Jubeir’s interior minister and said he was “held in high regard by Saudi since 1975 and was the world’s longest-serv- He has also become known in the personal background. He attended schools King Abdullah ... and well respected by the Saudi populace”. Yet ing foreign minister. The move was part of a United States as the target of an alleged in Saudi Arabia, Germany, Yemen, Lebanon despite his constant contacts with Western - particularly major shake-up by King Salman and came Tehran-sponsored assassination plot and the United States, before receiving a American - officials and a prominent media presence through after the country adopted a more assertive involving an Iranian-American used car Master’s degree in international relations his security role, Prince Mohammed remains something of an foreign policy since he took the throne fol- salesman trying to contract Mexican gang- from Georgetown University in 1984. A flu- unknown quantity. lowing the death of King Abdullah this year. sters. The Iranian-American, Mansour ent speaker of German as well as his native Diplomats and Saudi analysts and academics are uncertain Jubeir - a rare member of the Saudi rul- Arbabsiar, was charged in 2011 with Arabic and English, he joined the diplo- what positions he holds on the big long-term issue facing the ing elite not from the royal family - has organising the plot but pleaded not guilty, matic service in 1987, and was assigned to kingdom: Reconciling social change and a young population been Riyadh’s ambassador to key ally while Tehran has ridiculed suggestions of Washington. In the 1990-91 Gulf War he with conservative traditions and an oil-dependent economy. “I Washington for eight years and previously its involvement. was part of the “Joint Information Bureau” would assume he’s from the second generation of princes who served as the embassy’s spokesman. Once Jubeir’s first major assignment is likely based in the Saudi city of Dhahran, which are more receptive to ideas of reform. But he is good at making dubbed the “Saudi spin doctor” by Time to come today when Gulf foreign ministers organised foreign reporters covering the everybody think he is in their camp. That’s what makes a suc- magazine, Jubeir has most recently been meet in the Saudi capital to discuss the conflict. He was also posted with the Saudi cessful politician,” said Jamal Khashoggi, general manager of Al- seen briefing reporters on the Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen ahead of a summit of armed forces to Somalia in 1992 and was Arab News, when Prince Mohammed was appointed in 2012. war against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen their heads of state next week. He will also later made an adviser to King Abdullah, An old friend of the interior minister described him as a fan and was the first to announce the launch Adel Al-Jubeir have to tackle rising tensions between who died in January aged about 90. —AFP of Hollywood action films and a gun enthusiast, who built a pri- vate shooting range at his palace. Whatever his personal views, however, Prince Mohammed has followed his father’s example of keeping close ties with conservatives, a group often seen in Longest-serving Saudi FM steps down Saudi ruling circles as posing the biggest potential threat to the government. Religious conservatives were behind uprisings in 1927 and 1979 and backed the Islamist sahwa protest move- he world’s longest-serving foreign minister, Saudi Qaeda militants who launched a spate of bombings and stints at state oil company Petromin and the ministry of oil ment of the 1990s, while the most recent serious challenge to Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal steered the oil giant’s shootings in the kingdom in 2003. and mineral resources. The married Saud has three sons and Saudi rule came from Al-Qaeda last decade. The prince’s friend Tdiplomacy for four decades before stepping down. The While Prince Saud frequently visited Washington or three daughters. says his office is still staffed by ultra-conservative men. minister, born in 1940, asked to be relieved of his duties due received US officials in Saudi Arabia, he was believed to be Prince Saud proved adept at cutting through flowery In a ruling family where big policies are developed through to health problems, and was replaced yesterday by envoy to closer to European diplomats. The prince, who often swapped diplomatic niceties to deliver Saudi Arabia’s message with pith consensus, Prince Mohammed’s views may shape foreign poli- Washington Adel Al-Jubeir as part of a major shake-up in the the traditional Gulf robe and checkered headdress for elegant and wit. During a moment of tension in Saudi ties with its cy too. US embassy cables released by WikiLeaks show him to Saudi royal family and cabinet. His departure comes amid main ally the United States in 2004, he described the relation- be somewhat hawkish on Iran, consulting American officials on serious regional tensions, with Saudi Arabia leading a coali- ship as “a Muslim marriage” in which the kingdom could retain how best to protect key infrastructure “when at war with Iran”. tion of Arab states bombing Iran-backed rebels in Yemen and different wives if it treated them all with fairness. Even in However, his focus on the risk of creating a new wave of domes- taking part in the US-led campaign against the Islamic State recent years, when a chronic back complaint and other mal- tic militants helped shape a Saudi policy on Syria that included group in Syria and Iraq. adies have made his hands appear shaky and his speech more government aid to the opposition while discouraging pri- Saud served under four monarchs, most recently taking a slurred during public appearances, he retained a knack for vate citizens from becoming donors or rebels. —Agencies new oath of office after King Salman took over following the mental acuity. Tentatively asked in early 2012 if he thought it death of King Abdullah in January. Saud was named at the was a good idea to arm Syria’s rebels, he briskly retorted: “I foreign ministry’s helm in Oct 1975, seven months after his think it’s an excellent idea.” father, King Faisal, was assassinated by a nephew. He oversaw In a sprawling ruling clan prone to clique-building, Prince Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a major diplomatic player, facing Saud proved one of the closest allies of the late King Abdullah. All articles appearing on these successive regional crises and maintaining a focus on relations When Abdullah, then crown prince, embarked on his trade- pages are the personal opinion of with the West. mark set of economic reforms in 2000, it was Prince Saud, Saud was closely involved in efforts to end the 1975-1990 drawing on his oil ministry experience, who worked with him the writers. Kuwait Times takes no civil war in Lebanon, playing a prominent role in pulling off to offer foreign energy firms access to Saudi gas fields. Two responsibility for views expressed the Saudi-sponsored Taef accord between Lebanese warring years later, he pushed Abdullah’s biggest foreign policy initia- therein. Kuwait Times invites read- factions which silenced the guns. The seasoned diplomat was tive, an Arab plan for peace with Israel in return for a with- ers to voice their opinions. Please in charge during the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran war, Iraq’s 1990 inva- drawal from all occupied land and a resolution of the refugee sion of Kuwait and the 1991 Gulf War in which US-led forces problem, with similar gusto. send submissions via email to: opin- used Saudi Arabia as a launchpad. “All the neighbourhood, if you will, will be at peace with [email protected] or via snail But relations with Washington could get testy, and during Prince Saud Al-Faisal Israel, will recognise their right to exist. If this doesn’t provide mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. the unrest that followed the intervention in Iraq, Saud openly security of Israel, I assure you the muzzle of a gun is not going criticised US policy in the neighbouring country. Ties were suits when on missions in Western capitals, suffered spine to provide that security,” he said at the time. Israel never The editor reserves the right to edit also strained by the Sept 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, problems. Born in the mountain resort of Taef, Saud graduat- agreed to the plan and Prince Saud has frequently spoken of any submission as necessary. in which 15 of 19 plane hijackers were Saudi. Tensions eased ed with an economics degree from Princeton University in the failure to help create a Palestinian state as the biggest dis- after Riyadh began waging its own war on suspected Al- New Jersey in 1964. He came to the foreign ministry after appointment of his career. —Agencies THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 SPORTS

Hohaia announces retirement Harlequins to Spieth: Rory still the best LONDON: St Helens’ New Zealand utility back Lance Hohaia is retiring from rugby play US friendly LOS ANGELES: Masters champion Jordan Spieth says he would welcome a long-term league with immediate effect, his Super League club announced yesterday. “St rivalry with Rory McIlroy but insists that he has still got some way to go to match the Helens announce that Lance Hohaia has informed us of his retirement from rug- LONDON: Harlequins will play a pre-season friendly against world number one. The 21-year-old American, who captured his first major title at by league and will therefore not play for the club again,” St Helens said on their the United States in Philadelphia in August, the English Augusta National earlier this month, is seeded second behind McIlroy at this week’s WGC- website. “Lance has been a valued and integral member of the squad for the last Premiership club said yesterday. Matchplay Championship in San Francisco. three and a half years and we thank him for his service. “We wish him and his fam- It will be the first time Harlequins have toured the ily well in their life after rugby league with St Helens. St Helens will make no fur- United States in the professional era, following tours in the And should the seedings hold firm that would mean he would go head-to-head with ther comment on this matter.” 1970s and 80s. “Harlequins is a globally recognised club the Northern Irishman for the first time in Sunday afternoon’s final, an Hohaia, 32, was knocked out by a pair of punches from Wigan’s and this match will help drive our global ambitions,” encounter he said he would relish. Asked if he considered himself Ben Flower during last October’s Grand Final-the second deliv- Harlequins chief executive David Ellis told the club’s web- as being in the same bracket as four-time major winner McIlroy, ered when he was flat on his back-for which the Welshman site (www.quins.co.uk). “Rugby in the USA is a sleeping Spieth replied: “I think? I still think I have a long way to go to received a record six-month ban. He made 29 appearances for giant and we are looking forward to being a part of this where I could be considered that. New Zealand and played at full-back in their 2008 World Cup unique occasion as we begin to help develop the sport in “I think I’m off to a good start, but I can’t compare what I’ve final win over Australia. Hohaia played 185 times for New Zealand America.” Warriors between 2002 and 2011, when he joined St Helens done to what he’s done. “Certainly he’s had some more years to The U.S. will use the fixture as a warm-up to this year’s do so, but still in order to have a rivalry, we need to be com- on a four-year contract. He made 78 appearances for World Cup where they have been drawn in Pool B along- peting against each other consistently at the highest level. Saints and played a vital role in their run to the 2014 side South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and Japan. Grand Final, only to have his participation in the “We look forward to welcoming Harlequins to the USA And that hasn’t happened yet. “Have I looked ahead to game at Old Trafford ended by Flower’s fists after this August; this fixture is an exciting opportunity for both what it could mean? Sure. It would be really, really barely two minutes. His final St Helens appear- teams involved,” USA rugby chief executive Nigel Melville cool for that to happen and I could see it as ance was in their 11-8 Super League win at told a press conference yesterday.—Reuters almost a torch passed down.”—AFP Huddersfield on Easter Monday. —AFP

HOUSTON: Dallas Mavericks’ Al-Farouq Aminu (7) is fouled by Houston Rockets’ Terrence Jones (6) during the first half of Game 5in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs. —AP

Rockets shoot down Mavs Formula One to get later start HOUSTON: The Houston Rockets, led by try to close out the set when they host game sure he didn’t have to do it all for the Rockets. Although Houston never relinquished the James Harden’s 28 points, punched their NBA six today. “It was huge for us,” said Spurs veter- Dwight Howard scored 18 points and pulled lead after the first quarter, the Mavericks to 2016 season playoffs second-round ticket on Tuesday with an Tim Duncan, who scored 21 points and down 19 rebounds. Josh Smith added 20 didn’t go down without a fight. They whittled a 103-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. pulled down 11 rebounds. “We’ve got two points off the bench and Terrence Jones a 14-point deficit to 88-85 with just over five MELBOURNE: Formula One’s 2016 season will see Harden, a contender for the NBA’s regular- chances to try to close it out.” scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quar- minutes left in regulation. the latest start to a championship since 1988, with season Most Valuable Player award, delivered Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and ter. Houston advanced despite 21 turnovers But as before in this series, the Rockets the opening Australian Grand Prix scheduled for a key three-pointer and a steal down the grabbed nine rebounds for San Antonio. and a lackluster performance from the foul responded. Jones converted a three-point April 3. Melbourne’s Albert Park street circuit has stretch as the Rockets made it out of the first Argentina’s Manu Ginobili scored 14 points, line-connecting on just 19 of their 36 free- play, then connected on a three-pointer to usually hosted the opener in March, though it was round for the first time since 2009 with a 4-1 while the Spurs’ French point guard Tony throw attempts. “Our work is far from over,” put Houston up by nine. win over Dallas in the best-of-seven Western Parker and Australian Patty Mills added 13 Rockets forward Trevor Ariza said. “We have a Nowitzki trimmed the deficit with an pushed back to April in 2006 to become the third Conference first-round series. points apiece. lot of work to do.” uncontested layup, but Harden came up with round on the calendar when Melbourne hosted the The Rockets now await either reigning NBA Blake Griffin scored 21 of his 30 points in Monta Ellis with 25 points led the a three-pointer before a steal and a no-look Commonwealth Games that year. champions San Antonio or the Los Angeles the first half and also grabbed 14 rebounds to Mavericks, who haven’t won a playoff series pass to Jones for a dunk that all but sealed the “The 2016 Formula One Australian Grand Prix Clippers. The Spurs pushed the Clippers to the lead the Clippers. Chris Paul had 19 points and since their 2011 championship run. German victory. “We kept getting in striking distance, event dates are 31 March-3 April, 2016, with the lat- brink of elimination with a close-run 111-107 10 assists and DeAndre Jordan registered 21 veteran Dirk Nowitzki finished with 22 points but they kept making plays,” Dallas center er start date set to condense the season, which fin- victory in Los Angeles. points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles. and 14 rebounds but missed 15 shots and all Tyson Chandler said. “You have to give them ishes in November,” local organisers said on San Antonio took a 3-2 series lead and will In Houston, Harden’s team-mates made six of his three-point attempts for the Mavs. credit.”—AFP Tuesday. The 1988 season also started on April 3, in Brazil. Media have speculated that Formula One Management is aiming to reduce costs for teams Lightning host and shorten the downtime between races in a bid to maximise interest in the championship. Pundits have also suggested a condensed season could be a bargaining chip for FOM to pack in more Red Wings races into the calendar, with Azerbaijan scheduled to make its debut next year on what could be a 20 MONTREAL: One more game in the first But Detroit won at Tampa Bay in Games round championship. round of the NHL playoffs. One last chance 1 and 5, and the teams have alternated The later date at Albert Park will also mean an to catch a memorable duel between Tampa wins in the series. Each team has scored 15 earlier start for the race, given it falls after the end Bay forward Tyler Johnson and Detroit goals, as well. “I’m not surprised in hind- of daylight savings in the state of Victoria when goaltender Petr Mrazek. sight that we’re here,” Red Wings coach clocks are switched back an hour. Johnson and the Lightning host Mrazek Mike Babcock said. “I thought we were The AGPC was unable to provide further com- and the Red Wings in Game 7 of their see- going to be good in this series. I thought it ment but confirmed the move was a directive from saw series. The winner then travels to was going to be competitive contrary to FOM. “It’s fantastic that Melbourne will again play Montreal for Game 1 of the Eastern what the experts thought. I thought we host to the opening round,” said Australian Grand Conference semifinals tomorrow. were going to be a real tough out and we Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott. “This is Game 7. We worked extremely are, and I also think we’re going to win hard to get ourselves in this position,” tomorrow. That’s just the way I think.” “Over the past 20 years Melbourne has become Tampa Bay star Steven Stamkos said The Red Wings will be without Niklas synonymous with the start of a new Formula One Tuesday. “No one remembers what hap- Kronwall after the veteran defenseman was season, and we look forward to again welcoming all the teams and drivers to our great city in 2016.” A pened in Game 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. We have suspended for the game by the NHL for DETROIT: Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette (13) shoots an empty net goal later start to the season in Australia could also see to be a lot better than we have been. charging Tampa Bay forward Nikita against the Detroit Red Wings in this file photo. —AP They’ve come in here and beat us twice. We Kucherov late in the second period in Bahrain, the fourth race of 2015, move up the order have that mentality we were the best team Game 6. Kronwall knocked off Kucherov’s Western Conference semifinals. It will be in the second period. next year even if it will be hard to accommodate an at home in the league for a reason, and we helmet with the huge hit. No penalty was the first Game 7 for Tampa Bay since it lost Six of the 15 goals allowed by Detroit earlier date. have to show that.” called and Kucherov took seven shifts in to Boston in the 2011 Eastern Conference have gone to Johnson, who is tied with Bahrain has never been later than April 26 on the Detroit had a chance to eliminate Tampa the third, finishing with three assists. finals. Jimmy Howard was in goal for the Vladimir Tarasenko of St. Louis for the play- calendar since the race made its debut in 2004 and Bay at home on Monday night, but “I thought it was a good hit,” Babcock Red Wings for that difficult loss to the off lead. Stamkos, who was second in the local organisers said at this year’s April 19 grand prix said. “Kucherov was leaning back trying to Johnson collected two more goals to lead Blackhawks, but Babcock has gone with the league with 43 goals during the regular that they were hoping for an earlier slot. the Lightning to a 5-2 victory. Jason get out of the way. Kroner’s foot was on the 23-year-old Mrazek against the Lightning. season, has yet to score in this postseason. “Maybe the end of April when it gets pretty hot Garrison, Alex Killorn and Cedric Paquette ice when he made contact.” The Czech goaltender has two shutouts Babcock said Johnson has been “the also scored as the league’s highest-scoring The last time Detroit played in a Game 7, and a 2.30 goals-against average in his first driving force” for the Lightning in the series. isn’t the time, so a few weeks here and there would team in the regular season got untracked it lost 2-1 to Chicago when Kronwall had a postseason series. “He’s a competitive guy,” Babcock said. “He’s help if we could change that,” Sheikh Salman bin Isa after being held in check by Mrazek and shot by Brent Seabrook go off his leg and Mrazek had 23 saves in Game 6, includ- got good speed. He’s competitive defen- Al Khalifa told Reuters then. —Reuters the Red Wings for much of the first round. into the net in overtime in the 2013 ing a spectacular stick stop on Brian Boyle sively. He plays 200 feet.” —AP THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 SPORTS

MLB results/standings

Toronto 11, Boston 8; Kansas City 11, Cleveland 5; NY Yankees 4, Tampa Bay 2; Washington 13, Atlanta 12; Cincinnati 4, Milwaukee 2; Miami 4, NY Mets 3; Seattle 2, Texas 1; Chicago Cubs 6, Pittsburgh 2; Minnesota 3, Detroit 2; St. Louis 11, Philadelphia 5; Arizona 12, Colorado 5; Oakland 6, La Angels 2; San Francisco 2, La Dodgers 1; Houston 14, San Diego 3.

American League Eastern Division W L PCT GB NY Yankees 13 8 .619 - Boston 11 10 .524 2 Tampa Bay 11 10 .524 2 Toronto 10 11 .476 3 Baltimore 9 10 .474 3 Central Division Kansas City 14 6 .700 - Detroit 14 7 .667 0.5 Chicago White Sox 8 9 .471 4.5 Minnesota 9 11 .450 5 Cleveland 6 13 .316 7.5 Western Division Houston 13 7 .650 - LA Angels 9 11 .450 4 Seattle 9 11 .450 4 Oakland 9 12 .429 4.5 Texas 7 13 .350 6 National League Eastern Division NY Mets 15 6 .714 - Atlanta 10 10 .500 4.5 Miami 9 12 .429 6 Philadelphia 8 13 .381 7 Washington 8 13 .381 7 Central Division St. Louis 13 6 .684 - Chicago Cubs 12 7 .632 1 Pittsburgh 11 10 .524 3 Cincinnati 10 10 .500 3.5 Milwaukee 4 17 .190 10 Western Division LA Dodgers 12 8 .600 - Colorado 11 9 .550 1 San Diego 11 11 .500 2 ATLANTA: Atlanta Braves’ AJ Pierzynski (15) is forced out at second base by Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) on an Alberto Callaspo ground ball in the sev- Arizona 9 11 .450 3 enth inning. —AP San Francisco 9 12 .429 3.5 Nationals rally to dump Braves

ATLANTA: Dan Uggla drove in five runs, three YANKEES 4, RAYS 2 and Brandon Phillips had a two-run homer. Cecil pitched the ninth for his first save. The on a homer in the ninth inning, to help the The revelation that ace Masahiro Tanaka ATHLETICS 6, ANGELS 2 Joey Votto and Marlon Byrd added solo Red Sox took a 4-0 lead against Drew Washington Nationals rally from the fran- will be out at least a month because of a mild Sonny Gray struck out six and walked one homers off Kyle Lohse (1-4) as the Reds Hutchison in the second. But Clay Buchholz chise’s biggest deficit to beat the Atlanta forearm strain and right wrist tendinitis over- over eight impressive innings, Brett Lawrie hit clinched the series. Half of their 10 wins this (1-3) gave the lead right back, allowing five in Braves 13-12 on Tuesday night and snap a sev- shadowed the New York Yankees’ victory a three-run homer in the first that held up, and season have come against Milwaukee, the the top of the third. Buchholz got just eight en-game losing streak. behind Brian McCann’s two doubles that drove the Oakland Athletics snapped a season-high worst team in the majors. outs while allowing five runs - four earned - The Nationals twice trailed by eight runs in three runs. Chase Whitley (1-0) was making four-game losing streak. Josh Reddick hit a The Brewers fell to 4-17, the worst start by on six hits and a walk while striking out four. but chipped away at the lead as Jose Lobaton a spot start that was meant to give Tanaka and solo homer and a two-run single to back Gray a National League team in 18 years, accord- hit a three-run homer in a four-run fifth, others extra rest. But the right-hander from (3-0), who retired 13 straight batters during ing to STATS. The 1997 Cubs had an identical ASTROS 14, PADRES 3 Denard Span hit a solo homer in the sixth and Alabama could find himself in the rotation for one stretch to help the A’s avoid dropping to record. The 2010 Orioles were the last team in George Springer homered and drove in Uggla had a two-run triple and Reed Johnson a while after giving up six hits and one run in five games below .500 for the first time since the majors to open a season 4-17. Cueto (2-2) five runs, Evan Gattis added a two-run shot a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh. five gritty innings. He was pitching at the same June 30, 2012. Oakland bounced back against gave up homers to Aramis Ramirez and Ryan and the streaking Houston Astros routed the Washington’s previous biggest comeback time general manager Brian Cashman was the defending AL West champions after being Braun as he got his sixth straight win over the San Diego Padres. Chris Carter connected for was on June 17, 2006, when it trailed the New explaining Tanaka’s injuries. swept at home over the weekend by Houston. Brewers. He’s 9-3 career against Milwaukee, a solo drive, and the Astros hit three home York Yankees by seven runs. Uggla, released Brett Gardner had an RBI groundout Gray allowed two runs and six hits in his including 8-0 in 11 career starts at Great runs at spacious Petco Park for the second last year by the Braves and still owed over $18 against Jake Odorizzi (2-2) in the Yankees’ sec- 105-pitch day. He lowered his ERA to 1.98 American Ball Park. consecutive night. The AL West leaders, who million at the time, was booed in every at-bat, ond win over Tampa Bay in this series and 10th before Evan Scribner struck out the side in have won five straight and nine of 10, set sea- but he quieted the crowd with his first homer in 12 games overall. Chris Martin yielded a order to finish the 2-hour, 6-minute game. BLUE JAYS 11, RED SOX 8 son highs for runs and hits (16). for Washington, a blast into the seats in left two-out single in the ninth before finishing for Jose Bautista had an RBI in Toronto’s five- Houston (13-7) is 9-2 on the road, equaling field off closer Jason Grilli (0-1). AJ Pierzynski his first career save. TWINS 3, TIGERS 2 run third inning, another in a three-run the best 11-game start away from home in went 4 for 4 with four RBIs and Freddie Mike Pelfrey turned in his second consecu- fourth and then added a homer to help the team history. Springer hit a two-run homer in Freeman went 4 for 6 for the Braves. ROYALS 11, INDIANS 5 tive strong start, Kurt Suzuki had two hits and Blue Jays snap a four-game losing streak. the seventh and added a two-run single in Kendry Morales’ three-run homer capped a the go-ahead single in the seventh inning. Josh Donaldson had three hits, including a the eighth as he tied his career high for RBIs. DIAMONDBACKS 12, ROCKIES 5 six-run seventh inning for the Kansas City Pelfrey (2-0) begrudgingly started the sea- homer, and Kevin Pillar also had three of Roberto Hernandez (1-2) allowed solo Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley was Royals. Kansas City’s big inning came after son in the bullpen after spending most of Toronto’s 17 hits. Marco Estrada (1-0) pitched homers to Wil Myers and Justin Upton, giving hit in the face by a line drive but walked off Cleveland had taken a 5-3 lead on Brandon 2014 on the disabled list. He struck out seven three innings of hitless relief for the win. Brett up three runs and six hits in six innings. —AP the field and gave a thumbs up to the crowd, Moss’ three-run homer in the sixth. Alcides and allowed one earned run on three hits over apparently avoiding serious injury. Escobar’s two-run double off Scott Atchison seven innings. The big right-hander has won Mark Trumbo went 4 for 4 with a two-run (0-1) tied the game. Escobar scored the go- his last two starts while allowing only one homer and a two-run triple to lead the ahead run from second on Mike Moustakas’ earned run in 14 innings. Diamondbacks, who ended a four-game skid infield hit and Morales later hit his third homer Eduardo Escobar clapped his hands and NFL draft back in ‘City after a frightening scene early on. of the season to dead center off Bryan Shaw. pumped his fists as he stood on second base Bradley was struck on the right side of his Brandon Finnegan (1-0) picked up his first after his seventh-inning double scored of Big Shoulder Pads’ face by a liner off the bat of Rockies slugger career win despite allowing Moss’ home run. Eduardo Nunez to tie the game. Suzuki fol- Carlos Gonzalez in the second inning. The 22- The Royals had a season-high 18 hits. lowed with a single up the middle off Anibal CHICAGO: The NFL draft is back in the City “That decision,” he said, “is way above my year-old rookie lay virtually motionless on the Cleveland manager Terry Francona met with Sanchez (1-3) to give Minnesota the lead. of Big Shoulder Pads for a seventh time, pay grade.” The mayor will have a say, mound for several minutes as trainers attend- his team for a pep talk following Monday’s expecting a much warmer reception than it though, in almost everything else surround- ed to him and anguished teammates squatted defeat, but the Indians lost for the eighth time CARDINALS 11, PHILLIES 5 got nearly 80 years ago from the very first ing the three-day event. There will be a nearby. Eventually he was rolled over and in 11 games. Matt Carpenter tripled and doubled, and pick in its very first draft. “gold carpet” for draft prospects and their helped to his feet. the St. Louis Cardinals had season highs in The man who stiff-armed the NFL back moms to walk outside the theater and no GIANTS 2, DODGERS 1 runs and hits to help Michael Wacha remain then at the draft in Philadelphia was shortage of wraparound events spread MARLINS 4, METS 3 Madison Bumgarner pitched eight sharp unbeaten. Matt Holliday and Matt Adams University of Chicago running back and across the city and downtown, including Michael Morse hit a tiebreaking single in innings in his fifth career matchup against each added three hits for the Cardinals, who Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger. ambitious plans to turn historic Grant Park the eighth inning that sent the Miami Marlins Clayton Kershaw and batterymate Buster finished with 15 hits. Jason Heyward reached He said “no thanks” when then- into a 900,000-square-foot football fantasy- to victory. It was the Marlins’ first win against Posey homered, leading the San Francisco base four times and Jon Jay drove in two Philadelphia Eagles owner Bert Bell - widely land. the Mets this season in six tries. Miami has Giants. runs. considered the “father” of the draft - select- A flag football festival, Super Bowl muse- won six of seven overall. Bumgarner (2-1) gave up a run and five hits, Wacha (4-0) drove in two runs and pitched ed him with the No. 1 overall pick. Then he um, outdoor beer gardens and restaurant Steve Cishek, who blew a save in Monday’s struck out nine and walked one while throw- 5 2-3 innings to win for the fourth time in repeated it to legendary Chicago Bears stands manned by culinary celebrities from 3-1 loss to New York by allowing a three-run ing 110 pitches. Last year’s World Series and four starts. Severino Gonzalez (0-1) yielded owner George Halas, who had acquired Chicago’s renowned food scene will trample homer to Daniel Murphy in the ninth, walked NLCS MVP is 3-1 lifetime against Kershaw, who seven runs and 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings in his Berwanger’s rights in a trade. He never some of the same turf where demonstrators leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson before earn- was his mound opponent six nights earlier in major league debut. played in the NFL and a few years later, he ran riot during the 1968 Democratic ing his second save of the year in four oppor- San Francisco when neither got a decision in told a handful of sportswriters he’d made a Convention and the Lollapalooza music tunities. Bryan Morris (3-0) pitched a scoreless the Giants’ 3-2 win. MARINERS 2, RANGERS 1 big mistake. No one tells the NFL “no” any bash kicks off for the 10th time later this eighth for the win. Juan Lagares hit a three- Santiago Casilla pitched a perfect ninth for JA Happ doubled his season strikeout more. Yet history barely recorded the reac- summer. Even the park’s iconic Buckingham run double and Murphy had three hits for the his sixth save in seven chances. Kershaw (1-2) total with nine in 6 2-3 innings and Rickie tion in the room at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Fountain will get in on the act, lighting up Mets (15-6), who lost for only the third time in allowed two runs and seven hits over seven Weeks homered for Seattle. Happ (2-1) 1936 because the draft, known as the “play- with the colors of the team that is on the 16 games. innings before he was lifted for a pinch-hitter. allowed only one run and walked one. In 20 ers selection meeting” at the time, was a no- clock during the first two nights. 2-3 innings over his first three starts, the left- frills event that merited no media coverage. ESPN will arrive with a small army to tele- hander had nine strikeouts, three in seven That won’t be the case Thursday when vise the event. Nearly 10 million viewers innings of a loss to the Rangers. Fernando the league sets up shop in the Auditorium tuned in to watch its first-round coverage Rodney worked a perfect ninth with two Theatre at Roosevelt University - 51 years last year, with the hype surrounding Johnny strikeouts for his sixth save in seven chances, after the last draft outside New York was Manziel. It helped produce the highest-rat- and second in as many nights in Texas. held, also in Chicago. ed draft since the network began tracking Nelson Cruz had three hits for Seattle, includ- In keeping with a recent trend, several numbers in 1993. Lead producer Seth ing a triple and double in the same game for likely top picks won’t be part of the live pro- Markman made a handful of visits in prepa- the second time in his career. The other was ceedings, leaving commissioner Roger ration for this one, in addition to coordinat- at Boston in June 2009 while playing for the Goodell on stage with hat in hand. Among ing a dozen or more “Monday Night Rangers. them are quarterbacks Jameis Winston of Football” telecasts from Soldier Field in pre- Florida State and Marcus Mariota of Oregon, vious years. CUBS 6, PIRATES 2 who already announced plans to hear their While the cozy, 3,900-seat Auditorium Dexter Fowler had three hits and two RBIs, names called surrounded by family and Theatre will present a number of logistical Travis Wood tossed seven strong innings and friends, thousands of miles from the Windy challenges, that’s not what’s been keeping the Chicago Cubs won their fourth straight. City lakefront. But they might regret missing Markman up at night. Many of the net- Kris Bryant, Starlin Castro, Junior Lake and the after-party. work’s draft-related shows, including its Addison Russell each had an RBI as the Cubs Mayor Rahm Emanuel relentlessly lob- flagship “SportsCenter,” will be staged live scored all their runs with two outs. Wood (2- bied the NFL to relocate the event, then outdoors - a roll of the dice, to be sure, con- 1) extended his solid start to the season by invested some of his own political capital to sidering the unpredictable spring weather allowing two runs and five hits. He lowered make sure things run smoothly. in these parts. “It can’t be as bad as the his ERA to 3.04. Starling Marte accounted for He plans to be on hand when the first snow we ran into the night Coach (Mike) Pittsburgh’s offense with a two-run homer in selection is made, but how long he’ll stick Ditka got his number retired. I’m sure of the fourth. Pirates starter Jeff Locke (2-1) took around is anyone’s guess. When asked that,” Markman said. “I’m not sure we ever the loss after giving up six runs, five earned, whom the hometown team should take got a colder game than that. I remember and eight hits in 3 2-3 innings. with the No. 10 pick, Emanuel added a little thinking, ‘He’s 75 years old and he standing oomph - but no more information - to the out there in that weather for halftime with REDS 4, BREWERS 2 answer he gave to the same question in nothing but a little hat on.’ “Poor guy,” Johnny Cueto gave up three hits over November. Back then, the Bears were on the Markman recalled with a chuckle. “I thought eight innings during his latest dominant per- PHOENIX: Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder AJ Pollock (11) dives for a line drive in the skids en route to a 5-11 finish. his face would freeze off.” —AP formance against the Milwaukee Brewers, third inning during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies. —AP THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 SPORTS Australia too good for England, says Smith

SYDNEY: Australia have a huge hunger for “There’s a big burning desire to be an Ashes triumph in England, according to involved in an Ashes winning campaign in all rounder Shane Watson, while batsman England as well. We’re as well prepared as Steve Smith believes this year’s series will we can be within our group. I’m incredibly not even be close if the tourists play to excited about what’s on the horizon with their potential. After the 5-0 sweep in the the Ashes and everyone else is as well.” 2013-14 series Down Under, Australia head Smith, captain-elect for when Michael to England in July and August in posses- Clarke decides to call time on his test sion of the coveted urn with a chance to career, also experienced defeat in 2013 but claim a first Ashes series win away from thinks the side, which has enjoyed test home since 2001. series wins over England, South Africa and Watson has played in two of the four India since that reverse, will be too strong. series Australia has lost in England since “I can’t wait to get over there and play then but believes the current squad, with another Ashes against England in their con- the core of the team that won the 50-overs ditions after beating them so convincingly World Cup in March, should break the in Australia,” Smith said. drought. “We’ve got a very strong squad “It’s going to be nice to go in their back- that’s going over to England,” the 33-year- yard. If we continue to play the way we old told Cricinfo. “We’ve got good depth have been playing over the last 12-18 and the best part is everyone is in nearly months, I don’t think that they’ll come career-best form right now which is most close to us to be honest.” important as well. “There is a huge hunger Australia play West Indies in a two-test within the group because we know that we series in the Caribbean in June before haven’t won in England for the last three heading to England, where the Ashes series series. I’ve been involved in two of those. opens in Cardiff on July 8. —Reuters

Trump sinks Ding at World Championship KHULNA: Bangladesh wicketkeeper Imrul Kayes (left) tries to take a catch as Pakistan cricketer Azhar Ali (right) looks on during the second day SHEFFIELD: Judd Trump overcame illness up a shot against Bingham on Tuesday. of the first cricket Test match. —AFP to secure a berth in the World The five-time world champion, who Championship semi-finals yesterday after played part of a frame in his socks earlier completing a one-sided 13-4 victory over in the tournament and was warned for China’s Ding Junhui in Sheffield. making a hand gesture during his second- Ton-up Hafeez leads Picking up after establishing a 12-4 round win over Matthew Stevens, could overnight lead, world number six Trump a have incurred a seven-point penalty for runner-up in 2011 — produced a break of the infringement. Pakistan’s strong reply 66 to end Ding’s interest in the competi- But referee Terry Camilleri decided not tion before mid-morning. to call a foul and a tournament spokesman Trump will now face either Ronnie said that no retrospective action would be KHULNA: Opener Mohammad Hafeez hit an Kayes to don the gloves as Tamim Iqbal took Rahim caught in the covers and bowled Taijul O’Sullivan or Stuart Bingham, with the lat- taken. Commenting on the incident, unbeaten century as Pakistan reached 227 for over the captaincy. Bangladesh, who resumed round his legs. ter 5-3 up ahead of the resumption of Trump said: “I don’t think he knew what he one in reply to Bangladesh’s 332 at stumps on on the overnight score of 236 for four, were dis- Wahab returned after lunch to remove their quarter-final at the Crucible Theatre was doing. I didn’t have a clue about the the second day of the first Test in Khulna yester- missed for 332 soon after lunch. Left-arm seamer Mohammad Shahid and last man Rubel Hossain late yesterday. rules either, so I don’t really think it was day. Wahab Riaz and leg-spinner Yasir Shah claimed quickly, leaving Shuvagata Hom unbeaten on Trump has been battling illness this anyone’s fault.” Shaun Murphy was 9-7 up The tourists finally enjoyed a successful day three wickets each, while Hafeez and Zulfiqar 12. week and said after the match: “I felt ill against Scottish qualifier Anthony McGill on an otherwise miserable tour, where they Babar took two each. Bangladesh had prospered on the opening before the game, so I was a bit worried as their tie resumed yesterday. were whitewashed 3-0 in the one-day series and Yasir grabbed two of the four wickets that fell day through Mominul Haque, who top-scored about how I was going to play and how In the day’s other match, Australia’s Neil lost to Bangladesh for the first time in a in the morning session as Bangladesh faltered with 80, and useful contributions from opener my concentration was going to be. Robertson had cut the gap in his Twenty20 international. Hafeez made 137 not against steady spin bowling by the Pakistanis. Kayes (51) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (49). “It was a bit iffy in the middle of the encounter with Barry Hawkins to 8-7 out, his eighth Test hundred and the third in his The hosts lost the early wicket of star all-rounder Sarkar admitted bad batting by the lower match. I missed a few and got quite tired. I before they were called off a frame early last four innings, after Pakistan had ended Shakib, who was smartly caught at leg-slip by order had allowed Pakistan to dominate the haven’t been sleeping that well so I just due to slow play. Bangladesh’s hopes of posting a mammoth first Asad Shafiq off Babar for 25. day’s play. “I think we batted badly today as com- need to go and rest up now for the next Leading 5-3 overnight, Hawkins innings total. Rahim (32) and Soumya Sarkar (33) put on 62 pared to yesterday,” he said. “Pakistan bowled game. stretched his lead to 7-3 before 2010 Hafeez has so far hit 12 fours and two sixes for the sixth wicket before Pakistan hit back with well but we put ourselves under pressure by not “It’s just a bit of a fever, I think, a bit of a champion Robertson rattled off four after surviving a narrow escape in the fourth three wickets in the space of seven runs. being able to score more runs.” The second and over of the innings when TV umpire Paul Reiffel Sarkar was dismissed by another good catch final Test of the short series will start at the Sher- cold. I just don’t feel too great. I’ll go and straight frames, levelling the match with a overturned a decision for a catch at the wicket by Asad in the covers off Hafeez before Yasir had e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka on May 6. —AFP rest up now and I should be fine for break of 130. The 15th frame lasted 70 off Taijul Islam. Hafeez put on 50 for the first- tomorrow (Thursday).” minutes and 22 seconds-just five minutes wicket with debutant Sami Aslam and 177 in an Tournament organisers World Snooker, short of the record set by Mark King and unbroken partnership with Azhar Ali, as the SCOREBOARD meanwhile, have confirmed that Stephen Maguire in 2009 — with Hawkins batsmen prospered at the Sheikh Abu Naser sta- O’Sullivan will face no punishment after taking it to ease ahead of the concluding dium. KHULNA, Bangladesh: Scoreboard at stumps on the second day of the first Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sheikh Abu Naser stadium in Khulna yesterday: resting his chalk on the table while lining evening session. —AFP Left-handed Aslam, who captained Pakistan’s under-19 team before making the grade at sen- Bangladesh 1st innings (overnight 236-4): Bowling: Junaid 16-2-40-0 (2nb), Wahab 26-7-55-3 (5nb), ior level, was caught down the leg-side by wick- Tamim Iqbal c Azhar b Yasir 25 Hafeez 18-5-47-2, Zulfiqar 32-3-99-2, Yasir 28-4-86-3. Imrul Kayes c and b Hafeez 51 et-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim off Taijul. Mominul Haque lbw b Zulfiqar 80 Pakistan 1st innings: Azhar survived two dropped catches by Mohammad Mahmudullah c Sarfraz b Wahab 49 Rahim to remain unbeaten at stumps on 65, Mohammad Hafeez not out 137 Shakib Al Hasan c Asad b Zulfiqar 25 Sami Aslam c Rahim b Taijul 20 reaching his half-century with a six off Shakib Al Mushfiqur Rahim c Misbah b Yasir 32 Azhar Ali not out 65 Hasan. Soumya Sarkar c Asad b Hafeez 33 Extras (lb2, nb3) 5 Shuvagata Hom not out 12 Pakistan’s spin bowling coach Mushtaq Total (for one wicket, 58 overs) 227 Ahmed praised Hafeez, saying it was not easy to Taijul Islam b Yasir 1 Mohammad Shahid c Misbah b Wahab 10 Fall of wicket: 1-50 (Aslam) score runs on the slow pitch. “Hafeez really bat- To bat: Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz ted well and showed his class,” Mushtaq said. “It Rubel Hossain c Sarfraz b Wahab 2 Extras (lb5, nb7) 12 Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Junaid Khan, Zulfiqar was awesome the way he played on what is a Total (all out, 120 overs) 332 Babar. slow wicket where it’s not easy to go for shots. Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Tamim), 2-92 (Imrul), 3-187 Bowling: Rubel 11-0-50-0 (2nb), Shahid 7-0-29-0 (1nb), “We will obviously aim for a big total to put (Mahmudullah), 4-236 (Mominul), 5-243 (Shakib), 6-305 Taijul 16-2-43-1, Shuvagata 8-0-34-0, Shakib 12-0-57-0, Bangladesh under pressure.” The hosts suffered a (Sarkar), 7-310 (Rahim), 8-312 (Taijul), 9-329 Mahmudullah 2-0-9-0, Sarkar 1-0-2-0, Mominul 1-0-1-0. blow when Rahim was forced to leave the field (Shahid), 10-332 (Rubel). Pakistan trail by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. after tea with a bruised finger, leaving Imrul

Mubtaahij ready for US debut in Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE: In terms of international flavor, part of the race most of the time,” de Kock said. dencies and de Kock’s questions about speed Mubtaahij and the Kentucky Derby seem made “If he can deal with that first 400 to 600 meters benefits of the drug indicates he’s not inclined to for each other. Intrigue abounds about of frenzy, he’ll be all right.” start administering it now. Mubtaahij (pronounced Moob-tah-heej), the So far, Mubtaahij appears none the worse for That positions the horse to be the Derby’s Irish-born son of Dubawi owned by Sheikh wear after his long trip earlier this month from first Lasix-free starter in a decade, and possibly Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and trained the UAE through Amsterdam to Arlington Park the first winner to not use the drug since by South African Mike de Kock. Not just because near Chicago for quarantine and training. He Grindstone in 1996. And if Mubtaahij’s introduc- he is all things international - he’ll race beneath arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday evening tion to Churchill Downs offered any indication, Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon - but and worked out briefly Tuesday morning. he might not need help. Churchill Downs will be Mubtaahij’s debut on De Kock had planned a short stay there The colt took well to the dirt as he jogged American soil. before shipping Mubtaahij to a training center in one lap and cantered another with exercise If that’s not enough, in addition to being the Kentucky. The horse ended up staying for the ride Lisa Moncrieff. While additional light work horse’s longest distance so far, the 1 1/4-mile duration and trained on the track’s synthetic lies ahead for Mubtaahij, his short yet promis- Derby also features the most competitors (19) Polytrack surface. ing resume’ has put him on the cusp of an he’ll face. “He seemed settled (after) two days of quar- international breakthrough his trainer is still “A few mint juleps might help,” de Kock joked antine,” said de Kock, who also changed the trying to grasp. “From afar, the thought of actu- Tuesday about the challenge ahead. Good line, horse’s diet to meet US criteria. “It seems to have ally having a runner wasn’t really a thought but a few of the Derby’s signature cocktails worked out for the better.” because I didn’t think it could happen,” de Kock couldn’t hurt. Yesterday’s post-position draw will Despite the upheaval in routine, one constant said. “Not in your wildest dreams did you think determine where Mubtaahij will start, and the has been the absence of Lasix, the diuretic com- that you would buy a European horse good hope is a performance that ends with a crash monly administered to many American race enough to come across and compete here. ... course learning “My Old Kentucky Home” in the horses and considered a performance enhancer. Having one of the 20 good enough to run is a winner’s circle. Mubtaahij, however, hasn’t shown bleeding ten- satisfying feeling.” —AP Mubtaahij has provided plenty of toasting opportunities back in Dubai. He has four wins and a second-place finish in his last five races in Dubai after starting his career with a pair of also- ran showings in Great Britain. His eight-length victory over 1 3/16 miles in the 10-horse UAE Derby in March earned 100 Derby qualifying points and sixth place in the standings. The Grade 2 victory symbolized the comfort zone Mubtaahij found at the palatial Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emarites and con- vinced de Kock and the connections to seek rac- ing’s holy grail. De Kock has succeeded in limited chances on North American soil, winning the 2000 Skip Away Stakes with Horse Chestnut and finishing second in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Turf with Eagle Mountain. Churchill Downs is a different place, and earn- ing the blanket of roses won’t be easy in a full Derby field where International Star, Dortmund, Carpe Diem, American Pharoah and Frosted stand ahead of Mubtaahij, who’s tied with SHEFFIELD: China’s Ding Junhui takes part in his quarter-final match against Judd Materiality in points. LOUISVILLE: Mubtaahij runs on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby Trump of England in the World Snooker Championships at The Crucible. —AFP “I think the cream gets settled in the early at Churchill Downs. —AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 SPORTS Pacquiao, Mayweather divided in fight buildup

LAS VEGAS: Days before they meet in the ring rally at the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel, where timing was good so the press could be at both to support this. “The bar is always set so high his “killer instinct” was intact as he prepared for their highly anticipated showdown, Manny he and his entourage are staying this week. events.” for Floyd Mayweather. If I didn’t show up to for Saturday’s welterweight showdown. “My Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather marked the “There are 70,000 Filipinos living in Southern the ‘Grand Arrival’, it would be front page confidence is different than for other fights,” start of fight week at different events on Nevada, and they’ve obviously been very sup- NO AGREEMENT (news).” The undefeated Mayweather (47-0), the 36-year-old told reporters after his arrival Tuesday, with the Filipino southpaw a notable portive of Manny,” Arum told Reuters after Mayweather, however, did not agree when who is guaranteed $120 million from a at the Mandalay Bay rally was preceded by a absentee from the ‘Grand Arrival’. Pacquiao had been welcomed to Las Vegas by he spoke to reporters after treating several megafight that is expected to be the richest of colourful display from Filipino singers and folk While Las Vegas resident Mayweather hundreds of excited, raucous fans. thousand fans to performances by stand-up all time, oozed confidence as he predicted his dancers. “I am not nervous. I am excited. I have greeted his fans in typically flamboyant fash- “We felt that we owed them this type of a comedian Ricky Smiley and the Southern record would remain perfect. something to prove. I like being the underdog ion at the MGM Grand Hotel’s official ceremo- rally and we felt that we couldn’t do it here (at University’s “Human Jukebox” marching band “I truly believe I am the smarter fighter,” because my killer instinct is there, my focus is ny, Pacquiao conducted his own fan rally else- the MGM Grand) because Floyd, quite proper- at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. said the 38-year-old. “Pacquiao is reckless. there.” Pacquiao, a 2-1 underdog for a fight where earlier in the day. ly, would have objected. “So rather than cause “He (Pacquiao) should have been here with Everybody’s game plan (against Mayweather) expected to earn him more than $100 million, Pacquiao’s long-time promoter Bob Arum any problems, we went to the Mandalay Bay me,” said the American. “So many different is to come forward and throw lots of punches. told the cheering fans at his rally: “Don’t be felt his fighter owed it to his legions of sup- where Manny is staying and we did it there sponsors and networks came together to It hasn’t worked in 19 years and 47 fights.” nervous. I know I’m going to win the fight in porters in the United States to host a public and he (Mayweather) did his thing here. The make it possible. It was the professional thing Earlier on Tuesday, Pacquiao promised that the ring, so relax.”—Reuters

Pacquiao bout a family affair for Mayweathers Verbal jabs as ‘Fight LAS VEGAS: Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his my baby, give me my baby,’” Mayweather of the Century’ looms father have had a stormy relationship, but Sr. said. “But you are not going to get this they are back together for the fighter’s baby, because this was my only shield.” toughest test yet against Manny Pacquiao. “I got shot with him in my hands,” Over the years, Mayweather Sr. has Mayweather Sr recalled and added “He LAS VEGAS: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd underdog because my killer instinct and my Saturday’s fight with a chip on his shoulder. spent long stretches estranged from his would have killed me.” The blast destroyed Mayweather amped up the anticipation for their focus is there,” added Pacquiao, describing the “I think the bar is always set higher for Floyd son because of their clashing egos and the the left calf of the father but Mayweather blockbuster bout, feting fans on Tuesday before bout as “one of the most important fights in my Mayweather,” he said. “It’s always set a little bit father’s stints in jail, including a five-year Jr. escaped that incident unscathed. they get down to the final, serious preparations boxing legacy.” different than everybody else. If I didn’t show up sentence two decades ago on a drug traf- for Saturday’s welterweight showdown. Pacquiao’s arrival on a stage in a Mandalay to the grand arrival it would be front page.” ficking conviction. Mayweather Sr., who FAME, WEALTH, VIOLENCE Boxing’s latest “Fight of the Century”- Bay convention center room was preceded by But Mayweather said he didn’t really get turned to training after his own boxing Carrying on a family boxing tradition between two fighters reckoned the best pound- Filipino singers and folk dancers and a bravura caught up in the theatrics of the event-or in the career was cut short when he was shot in has brought Mayweather Jr (47-0, 26 KOs) for-pound of their generation-has been more performance from an 11-year-old singing prodi- fantastic figures being thrown around as to what the leg during a family dispute, once fame and wealth, but the kind of turbu- than five years in the making. gy. A music video featuring Pacquiao performing the fight will make in gate receipts, pay-per- almost took a job training Oscar De La lence that surrounded his upbringing is But as fight-week swung into high gear, ten- his latest composition-interweaved with scenes view, sponsorship and merchandising. Hoya against his son. also still a part of his life. sions between the camps were evident as from his ring career and his efforts in such caus- “I’ve broken records before,” he said. “Are we But the Mayweathers have reconciled But he has multiple convictions for Filipino icon Pacquiao and unbeaten American es as typhoon relief-was followed by a rousing going to do record-breaking numbers again? I and Mayweather Sr. has been in his son’s assaulting women, serving two months in Mayweather made public bows at separate ven- rendition of the Philippine national anthem believe so.” That won’t change his mindset enter- corner for the last four fights. And on jail in 2012 for a hair-pulling, arm-twisting ues. “So many different sponsors and networks before Pacquiao appeared in beige jeans and an ing the bout. Saturday, the 62-year-old Mayweather Sr. attack on a former girlfriend as two of their came together to make this big event happen-I “MP” T-shirt. Mayweather’s entrance at the MGM, “It’s just work,” said Mayweather, and he’s con- will shepherd his now-grown namesake children looked on. think we both should have been here,” in contrast, featured all the swagger that his fans fident he’ll get the job done. After a solid train- into the ring at the MGM Grand Hotel to Unlike other millionaire athletes, Mayweather said after Pacquiao opted out of the love and critics denounce. ing camp, he doesn’t believe Pacquiao, the win- take on Filipino icon Pacquiao in a fight Mayweather Jr, 38, has never been sus- “grand arrival” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. A hip-hop master of ceremonies and a glitzy ner of world titles in an unprecedented eight that will go a long way to determining pended or sanctioned by one of boxing’s Pacquiao instead greeted fans down the university marching band kept the crowd enter- weight divisions who owns a record of 57-5 with who was the greatest fighter of their era. governing bodies over domestic violence street at Mandalay Bay. The several hundred who tained until Mayweather’s arrival at the MGM in two drawn, will be the first to put a blemish on “It’s just a blessing,” Mayweather Jr. told incidents. attended his rally were far outnumbered by the a glistening black van emblazoned with a white his record. reporters at a media workout in Las Vegas His latest legal trouble unfolded last thousands who turned out for Mayweather at “M” logo. “I truly believe I’m the smarter fighter,” as part of the build up to Saturday’s block- year when some fellow boxers, who work the venue that will host the fight. The crowd cheered as the video of the vehicle Mayweather said reiterating his oft-expressed buster bout at the Grand Garden Arena. out at his Las Vegas gym, sued him over Most bookmakers have made 38-year-old gliding to the curb played on a giant screen and belief that Pacquiao’s “reckless” style could land “I come in the gym and work. I try to training conditions which allegedly includ- Mayweather, 47-0 with 26 knockouts, the Mayweather emerged. him in trouble. focus on doing my job and being the best ed making fighters go 31 rounds without a favorite for a fight that’s certain to be the most Soon he was walking a short red carpet to the Certainly he doesn’t believe that a hard- at my job. My father deserves credit break. Mayweather Sr. missed seeing his lucrative in boxing history. stage, pausing for a handful of hugs and selfies. charging start by Pacquiao could be a path to because I wouldn’t be a fighter if it wasn’t son fight in the 1996 Olympics, where he But 36-year-old Pacquiao told reporters he is The brief appearance was done with all the victory for the underdog. “I think everybody’s for my father.” lost in the semi-finals, because he was in revelling in his underdog status as he spoke smoothness expected from the highest paid game plan is to come forward and throw a lot of jail. Mayweather Jr. credits his father with excitedly about the prospect of finally stepping sportsman in the world. punches,” he said of his opponents. “It hasn’t A BOXING BABY leading him down the boxing path to a into the ring to face Mayweather. But in remarks to a select group of media worked for 19 years — 47 fights it hasn’t Mayweather Sr. likes to tell a story of record purse of more than $150 million. At “I have something to prove. I like being the after, Mayweather sounded as if he’s going into worked.” —AFP when his son was just a baby and he least for now, the Mayweathers have also would put him down on the bed at their patched up things inside and outside the house and move his tiny hands in punch- ring. “He might have felt it was my fault, I ing motions. might have thought it was his,” “One day I came into the room and he’s Mayweather Sr. says. “He’s still my son.” laying back on the pillow doing just what I Mayweather Sr. boxed for 11 years until his was showing him,” Mayweather Sr. said. “I wounds from the shooting and a lung dis- said, ‘This is it. He’s going to be a fighter.’” ease that he says he caught in prison There’s another story involving his son made it impossible for him to continue. He that Mayweather Sr. is less comfortable fought as a welterweight contender in the talking about, but he tells it anyway. 1970s and 1980s, losing by a 10th round Sitting in a chair in his Grand Rapids, technical knockout to Sugar Ray Leonard Michigan home with his toddler son in his in 1978. “I fought Sugar Ray Leonard with arms, Mayweather Sr. found himself star- one hand. I had a hairline fracture in my ing down the barrel of a 20-gauge shot- hand,” he said. gun . The shotgun was held by his brother- But while revered by his son as a box- in-law, who had decided to take matters ing “wizard”, his counterpart in the oppo- into his own hands after being told he had site corner this weekend-Pacquiao’s trainer worn out his welcome at the Mayweather Freddie Roach-is less impressed. home. Mayweather Sr. ignored the pleas of “The dad gets too excited in the corner, the child’s mother, hanging onto the boy doesn’t give good direction,” Roach said. as the only thing saving him from death. “I’m very happy he’s there, to be honest “She was trying to get the baby. ‘Give me with you.—AFP Bonanza for Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS: Las Vegas, the neon dream town the massive number of people attending. that rises from the desert like a mirage, is in Boggiani initially balked at the fee, but the grip of Manny Pacquiao-Floyd when he heard the weigh-in ticket receipts Mayweather fever. would be donated to charity he decided it LAS VEGAS: Jose Arroyo installs an advertisement for a fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand. AP— “Sin City” is buzzing as A-listers and casino was no problem. high-rollers pour in for Saturday’s long await- More than 100,000 fans without tickets to ed welterweight showdown between the two the fight were expected to descend on Las fighters, while hard-core boxing fans from in Vegas and its environs this week-hotels, Big price, big expectations for pay TV and out of town make the most of fight week restaurants, chic clubs and tawdry strip joints activities knowing they don’t stand a chance were gearing up for capacity crowds and set- LAS VEGAS: George Foreman was fighting Evander A lot has changed in a quarter-century. Now it sure exactly where the ceiling is but we are already of getting into the MGM Grand Garden Arena ting their prices accordingly. Holyfield for the heavyweight title, and anyone takes just a few clicks of the remote to buy a fight. seeing unprecedented traffic and unprecedented come Saturday. “It really reverberates through restaurants, wanting to watch it in April 1991 had to plan The potential audience, meanwhile, has grown viewership. There are all kinds of indicators which “It’s crazy,” Las Vegas resident Stephen night clubs,” Stephen Espinoza, executive vice ahead. from 16.5 million addressable homes to nearly 100 point to huge success, we’re just not sure how Boggioni said Tuesday as he made his way to president and general manager of Showtime It was the night boxing pay-per-view was born. million. And, of course, the pay-per-view price has huge of a success it will end up being.” a Pacquiao pre-fight pep rally at the Sports, told AFP. “If you talk to some of the But to get the fight, customers had to go to their gone up. It will cost people $99.95 to watch Floyd Longtime rivals in the boxing business, Mandalay Bay convention center. hosts, where at some of the top tier night local cable TV offices and put a deposit down for a Mayweather Jr. fight Manny Pacquiao Saturday Showtime and HBO had to agree to do the fight “It’s just kicking off right now and I think clubs it might be a five- or 10,000-dollar mini- box that would allow them to get the bout. night. together in order to get it made. Mayweather it’s going to be out of control. I think it’s like mum for a table at the night club on Saturday “I remember the Friday before the fight we were Cost aside, more than 3 million people are fights under contract with Showtime, while the biggest event, even though to me, per- night they’re at $50- $60,000. getting calls from cable operators saying there expected to buy the megafight for their homes, Pacquiao fights on HBO. sonally, I don’t think it’s that important of a “From the travel industry to hospitality to were lines wrapped around the building a number helping make it the richest fight ever. The bout is The model is similar to that used by the two fight.” After joining hundreds of fans in feting night clubs it really is a boom in every sense of times and not enough boxes to meet the set to break records for both number of buys (the networks in the 2002 fight between Lennox Lewis Pacquiao, Boggioni was headed to of the economy, really for this sector of the demand,” said Mark Taffet, who oversees pay-per- current mark is 2.48 million for Mayweather’s 2007 and Mike Tyson, including an announcing team Mayweather’s “grand arrival” at the MGM country.” Hotels, too, are charging top dollar view for HBO. “We were shocked when we saw the fight with Oscar De La Hoya) and total pay-per- that features HBO’s Jim Lampley on play-by-play Grand on Tuesday afternoon. for in-demand rooms. number of buys.” The fight cost $35.95, and 1.4 mil- view revenue ($150 million, set by Mayweather and and Showtime’s Al Bernstein as the color analyst. Boggioni was also planning to attend Bob Arum, founder of Top Rank lion people bought it for their homes. They got Canelo Alvarez in 2013). “Lampley and Bernstein, two of the most expe- Friday’s weigh-in-for which 10,000 tickets at Promotions who has presided over more than their money’s worth when Holyfield took some big “We expect we will break the pay-per-view rienced and knowledgeable broadcasters the sport $10 a pop were sold. The $10 charge for an one mega-event in Las Vegas in his time, pre- punches from the 42-year-old Foreman, but fired record,” said Showtime executive Stephen has seen,” said Espinoza, executive vice president event that by Nevada law should be open to dicted this week’s fight would be “the biggest back with more of his own to win a unanimous Espinoza, whose network is producing the telecast and general manager for Showtime Sports. “It’s the public for free was merely a way to corral event in the history of Las Vegas.”—AFP decision. and is partners with HBO in delivering it. “We’re not really an excellent pairing.”—AP THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 SPORTS

LONDON: Manchester City players line up before the English Premier League soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in this file photo. —AP Man City set for upheaval after season of struggles

MANCHESTER: Proof of the struggles at League title. Twelve months later and Pellegrini In 2012-13, City endured a slump in the sea- this happen is another question. players expected to leave. Lampard is moving Manchester City this season arrived when the could be thrown out the door at Etihad son after winning the league title and it cost Some of City’s key players - like Pablo to Major League Soccer and the contract of Premier League’s team of the year was Stadium. then-manager Roberto Mancini his job. The Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure - versatile midfielder James Milner expires this announced on Sunday. Second - at best - in the league and the last same has happened under Pellegrini. haven’t reached the level of last season in this season. The biggest call City needs to make, Chelsea had six players included. 16 of the Champions League sounds like a City’s signings last year were strategic, post-World Cup campaign. The future of the though, is on Pellegrini, the Chilean who has Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and pretty good season to City fans of a certain vin- intending to bolster areas of the squad that 31-year-old Toure, who has been at the heart of brought serenity to the Etihad since replacing Tottenham all had representatives. City? Not tage, who recall the club’s slide to the third appeared light - like at goalkeeper, right back, City’s growth as a domestic force since 2010, is Mancini and has a playing philosophy that fits one player. division in the mid-1990s. Not, though, to center half and defensive midfield. As Chelsea under particular scrutiny amid reported inter- the holistic approach favored by City’s Spanish Before the end of this season, the manager Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al was signing Diego Costa, Arsenal was bringing est from Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. executives, CEO Ferran Soraino and director of is under severe pressure and speculation is Nahyan, the member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling in Alexis Sanchez and Manchester United was The average age of City’s squad is nearly 29, football Txiki Beguiristain. mounting that the best player could leave. family who has invested more than $1.5 billion spending $250 million, Willy Caballero, Bacary which reportedly is the highest in the Premier But is Pellegrini’s laid-back style leaving Even the atmosphere inside the stadium is flat. since his 2008 takeover. Sagna, Eliaquim Mangala, Fernando and an League and one of the highest in Europe. There players in the comfort zone? Is he tactically Just what has gone wrong at the soon-to- “It is impossible for any club to progress aging Frank Lampard were arriving at City. is a general feeling it could do with an injection astute enough to go head-to-head with Jose be-usurped English champions? For the first always,” Pellegrini said after a last-gasp 3-2 win Hardly names to set the pulse racing. of youth. Mourinho and Louis van Gaal next season? time in five years, City is heading into May over relegation-threatened Aston Villa on In fairness to City, the club was restricted to “Now it seems like because we have not Juergen Klopp will be available once he without any silverware to play for in the final Saturday. “We cannot win trophies every year.” a net spend of 49 million pounds ($75 million) won something, it’s a disaster and we have to leaves Borussia Dortmund and has already month of the season. While Chelsea is prepar- These comments are unlikely to go down after breaking financial fair play rules, but it change seven or eight players, the manager,” been linked with City. Pep Guardiola appears ing to hoist the Premier League trophy and well in Abu Dhabi, where Pellegrini faces a didn’t stop them from splashing out a reported Zabaleta said in quotes carried Tuesday in the City’s dream manager but has pledged his Arsenal has an FA Cup final looming, all City post-season debrief when his future will be 42 million pounds ($64 million) on Mangala, British media. “That’s what people say.” City has immediate future to Bayern Munich. Real has ahead is an offseason of major rebuilding decided. the France center back who has failed to been linked with Belgium winger Kevin de Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and Napoli coach work. Sustaining success in England’s top division impress since joining from FC Porto. Pellegrini Bruyne and Paul Pogba - the in-demand France Rafa Benitez have also been mentioned, while City manager Manuel Pellegrini finished last has proved beyond every manager except Alex said in a recent interview that his team needs a midfielder who could be a like-for-like replace- Patrick Vieira - City’s head of youth develop- season by being thrown up in the air by his Ferguson, who retired in 2013 after winning 13 “crack” player that “gives you a kind of ascen- ment for Toure - while Aleksandar Kolarov, ment - is also a possible option. It’s set to be a jubilant players after winning the Premier Premier League titles at Manchester United. dancy, status.” Whether he’ll be around to see Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko are among the busy, intriguing offseason at City. —AP Former EPL player jailed in fixing plot

BIRMINGHAM: A former Premier League Facey played 10 games for Bolton in player was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in jail 2002 and for many other lower-league yesterday after being convicted of plotting clubs in an 18-year career. He retired in to bribe lower-league players in England. 2013, and said he agreed to become a foot- Delroy Facey, who played as a striker for ball consultant for Matchworld Sports Ltd. - Bolton in England’s top division and also a firm run by Singaporean national Chann for the national team of Grenada, was Sankaran, one of the businessman jailed. found guilty by a jury at a court in The court was told that Facey urged one Birmingham. A former non-league player, player at a struggling non-league club to Moses Swaibu, was convicted of the same make some “easy money” by fixing the charge and jailed for 16 months. result of a match. He also told a contact Sentencing both men, judge Mary that some fifth-tier Football Conference Stacey said their behavior was “like a can- teams would “do” a game in return for pay- cer.” “Fairness is at the heart of football,” she ment. In one text-message conversation in said, “and the opportunity of everyone to late 2013, Facey tried to corrupt a player by do their best, and your behavior has struck offering him 2,000 pounds ($3,000). right at the heart of that.” Facey said in court that he thought the Two Asian businessmen were given five- two businessmen who were offering him year prison sentences in 2014 and another up to 15,000 pounds ($23,150) for his part lower-league player was sent to jail follow- in the plot were “clowns” who he decided ing an investigation by the National Crime to “humor.” Agency that focused on matches in League The NCA was alerted to corrupt activity Two and the Conference South - the fourth by British newspaper Daily Telegraph, and sixth tiers of English soccer. which had conducted its own undercover HULL: Liverpool’s Serbian midfielder Lazar Markovic (left) fouls Hull City’s Senegalese striker Dame NíDoye (right) during the nglishE Premier “The NCA is in no doubt that this was investigation. League football match. —AFP the beginning of a concerted attempt to The NCA deployed surveillance teams to build a network of corrupt players in the watch and listen to the men involved in the UK,” NCA officer Adrian Hansford said in a plot and say their “meetings, conversations Rodgers clings to top four hopes statement. “That network included Facey, and messages built up a picture of a con- who acted as a conduit for potential tar- certed effort over seven days to engage gets, and Swaibu, who was recruited to and corrupt footballers to influence the group that can get through the rough waters.” threat all night and defended well, which you have expand the network further. score line of matches, and pass information Whether they will be able to lure them to Anfield to do against Liverpool,” he said. “They deliberately targeted lower to a wider overseas network to make mon- Hull 1 without the attraction of the Champions League is “We have 34 points but I don’t think 34 is leagues believing that because players ey by betting on the outcomes.” “You have debatable, but the fact that Liverpool require at enough, so we still need a couple of results, but we earn less, they could be more susceptible been a role model,” the judge said to Facey, least two of those ‘marquee men’ was obvious in are certainly in a better position that four days ago. to taking a bribe.” “but you have abused that position.” —AP their latest setback at the KC Stadium where The job isn’t done and got to stay resilient for the Liverpool 0 Michael Dawson scored the 37th minute winner for next four games.” Dawson said: “We really needed Hull. Dawson’s goal was his first in 16 months and this win because back-to-back wins are so hard to Hull manager Steve Bruce insisted that it earned get in this league and we’ve done it against a top them a success that their performance warranted. team. “If you give Liverpool too much respect, they PSG move clear of Lyon LONDON: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is “We deserved it because of the way we played,” will hurt you because they have good players, but refusing to write off their chances of finishing in said Bruce, who has had a tough season a year after the commitment from back to front was great,” the top four of the Premier League after their 1-0 guiding them to the FA Cup final. “We caused a added the former Spurs captain.—AFP after beating Metz 3-1 defeat at Hull City. However, it is significant that he is already planning how to strengthen his team PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain won its game in than PSG: + 39 compared to + 36. But PSG ahead of next season. hand against relegation-threatened Metz has strong momentum with five straight Rodgers is realistic enough to know that their 3-1 on Tuesday to move three points clear wins. Champions League ambitions are surely over as Real and Atletico deny of Lyon at the top of the French league Elsewhere, Troyes was promoted to the they lie seven points behind fourth-placed with four games remaining. first division after beating Angers 2-1 at Manchester United with an inferior goal difference transfer ban reports As top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic sat out home. At Parc des Princes, fans were in the and only four games to play. the last game of this three-match ban, mood for more goals after Saturday’s 6-1 A place in the Europa League is also far from MADRID: European champions Real Madrid and continued. Atletico also insisted that they had Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani netted for drubbing of Lille, and Pastore went close to assured, underlining why Rodgers is under pres- Atletico Madrid have denied reports in the complied with FIFA’s rules regarding the registra- the third straight league game and making it 2-0 with a curling shot that flew sure after a season when they have not been able Spanish media that they could be banned from tion of minors. “We have always collaborated Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore contin- just over. to cope with the sale of Luis Suarez and injuries to registering new players for a year due to irregu- with FIFA in all the documentation that they ued his fine recent form by assisting on He then played a one-two with Cavani, Daniel Sturridge, the two men whose goals were so larities in the signing of minors. Spanish radio have asked from us,” said a club spokesman. “We each goal. releasing him into space, and the Uruguay important to Liverpool last season. station Cadena SER reported on Wednesday that have absolute conviction that we have acted cor- “It’s my best season so far with PSG, I’m forward beat goalkeeper Anthony Mfa with “You can’t hide the fact we’ve lost over 50 goals,” both clubs were set to be punished with a similar rectly given all the licences have been submitted scoring and setting up goals and I’m very a neat finish for his 12th league goal of the said Rodgers. “Even with those players we weren’t ban to that handed to Barcelona a year ago. with the approval of the Madrid Federation and happy,” said Pastore, who was PSG’s first season. Pastore also set him up with a simi- tipped to get in the top four and we haven’t got “The cited information is completely false, as the Spanish Football Federation.” major signing when he joined from larly good pass against Lille. those players now. We have to work with what evidenced by the fact the Spanish Football FIFA refused to provide more information on Palermo four years ago. “We’re in a good Maiga kept Metz in the game by head- we’ve got. “Now we have to look to improve the Federation have denied to different media their investigations when contacted by AFP yes- position to win the title. The key is to con- ing in Bouna Sarr’s right-wing cross in the squad and it’s always great if you can get marquee sources that Real Madrid are implicated in any terday. “We are not in a position to comment on tinue playing like we did today - we have to 53rd minute for his fifth goal in four games. players to come in and help you. The owners will irregularity in the signing of minors,” Real Madrid any proceedings that are ongoing. No further score a lot of goals.” Italy midfielder Marco PSG’s defense became edgy after that goal support that. “We want to be in the top four, but said in a statement. information can be provided for the time-being,” Verratti scored in the 25th minute with only and former France winger Florent Malouda that was always going to be difficult because we The club confirmed in January that FIFA had said a FIFA spokesperson. Barcelona unsuccess- his second league goal in 85 games for went close to an equalizer midway through were playing catch up for a lot of the season. asked for information pertaining to 51 players in fully appealed the ruling against them to the PSG. Cavani made it 2-0 in the 42nd and the second half. “We lost a couple of big games which dented their youth system. “Real Madrid reiterates that it Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), although the right back Gregory van der Wiel added the But Van der Wiel’s first goal of the season our confidence a bit. I need to build a team that has always scrupulously complied with FIFA rules appeal did delay the application of the ban until third after striker Modibo Maiga pulled a soothed the nerves - although the can get through the rough waters as well. We need on this matter, as the club explained in detail in January which allowed them to sign seven play- goal back for Metz shortly after halftime. Dutchman was a bit lucky with a low shot a team that can get through the smooth and the its statement on January 26,” Real’s statement ers, including Luis Suarez last summer.—AFP Lyon has a slightly better goal difference that Mfa let slip under his body. —AP rough. “That will be my challenge - to rebuild a Ton-up Hafeez Rodgers clings leads Pakistan’s to top four strong17 reply hopes19 THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

Man City set for upheaval after season of struggles Page 19 Sheikh Ahmad’s first step towards FIFA throne

MANAMA: When FIFA president Sepp Blatter But the man being identified as the one to focus switching to Asia with the Qatar World Cup addresses delegates at the 26th Asian Football eventually take Blatter’s crown is the highly influ- on the horizon, Asia is moving,” a close observer Confederation congress today at least four men ential political kingmaker Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad of the Asian political scene told Reuters. watching him are likely to be imagining them- Al-Sabah of Kuwait, who will, almost certainly be “Assuming Sepp Blatter, who is now 79, wins selves standing in his shoes in the future. elected to FIFA’s executive committee today. the election in May, he will be 83 in 2019 and not Three of them are campaigning now to end Sheikh Ahmad, known in sporting political cir- even he can go on forever. Others might fancy Blatter’s 17-year-reign as the head of world soccer cles as “The Sheikh”, is a former head of the oil car- their chances then like Jeffrey Webb, the presi- in next month’s presidential elections, but the tel OPEC and is effectively the “go-to” man as the dent of CONCACAF or Platini. fourth, biding his time, is increasingly being seen head of the Association of National Committees “But if Sheikh Ahmad is on the FIFA executive as the man mostly likely to actually succeed him. (ANOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and committee then, there is a very good chance he The three candidates standing for election at the Solidarity Commission of the International will become FIFA president in four years time.” the FIFA Congress on May 29 are Prince Ali Bin Al Olympic Committee. Now, with the backing of One of the losers in all of this is likely to be Prince Hussein of Jordan, Michael van Praag, the presi- AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Ali. The Jordanian reformer, who has sat on the dent of the Dutch FA, and former World Player of Khalifa, Sheikh Ahmad, the honorary president of FIFA executive committee for the last four years as the Year Luis Figo of Portugal. the Kuwait FA, is set to win one of the three Asian the Asian vice-president, will leave the executive The chances of any of them actually beating seats on the FIFA executive committee. unless he wins the presidential election. Blatter when FIFA’s 209 members cast their votes He is one of the seven candidates and is likely His FIFA seat will be taken by AFC president in four weeks time are slim. All three have the to succeed along with current incumbents Worawi Salman following a realignment of Asia’s policies, backing of UEFA president Michel Platini who Makudi of Thailand and Zhang Jilong of China. and he is not standing for election as one of the decided not to stand last August and may or may “Sheikh Ahmad is already one of the most three Asian FIFA executive committee mem- not do so at some time in the future. important people in world sport, and with the bers.— Reuters Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah Real keep pressure on Barca

MADRID: Real Madrid warmed up for a big week by moving back to within two points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a comfortable 3-0 win over Almeria yesterday. James Rodriguez’s stunning dipping volley a minute before the break lit up an otherwise drab first 45 minute. Mauro Dos Santos’s own goal dou- bled Madrid’s advantage early in the second-half before Alvaro Arbeloa added a late third. Madrid travel to Champions League-chasing Sevilla on Saturday before facing Juventus away in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday. The pressure was on Carlo Ancelotti’s men after Barcelona had mauled Getafe 6-0 on Tuesday, but they made a slow start against the relegation-threatened Andalusians. Rodriguez headed just wide from Arbeloa’s cross early on before Ruben Martinez stood up well to turn a fierce drive from Cristiano Ronaldo behind. The World Player of the Year also sent a dipping free-kick onto the roof of the net, but the home fans were becoming frustrated before Rodriguez sparked the game into life just before the break. In a similar style to the Colombian’s stunning volley against Uruguay at last year’s World Cup, he slammed the ball over the helpless Martinez from just outside the area. It was 2-0 three minutes into the second-half as Jese fed Toni Kroos down the right and his low cross was turned into his own net by Dos Santos with Ronaldo waiting to pounce. Rodriguez was then withdrawn for Isco in preparation for the week ahead. However, the hosts still dominated the final half hour and should have added to their lead when Raphael Varane headed just wide before Javier Hernandez failed to continue his scoring streak when he turned Ronaldo’s low cross wide at the near post. Hernandez did have a hand in the third goal though as his cross was slotted home by Arbeloa. Sevilla warmed up for the visit of Madrid with a 3-1 win away at struggling Eibar to move up to fourth. SPAIN: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (right) vies with Almeria’s defender Mauro Javier dos Santos during the Spanish League football match. —AFP Carlos Bacca struck twice inside the first 15 min- utes to give the visitors a commanding advantage and Jose Antonio Reyes rounded off the scoring after Federico Piovaccari had pulled a goal back for Dortmund shatter Bayern’s dream the Basques. — AFP FRANKFURT: Bayern Munich’s bid for a trophy treble end- title despite a poor season in the Bundesliga. Spanish League results/standings ed on Tuesday when the holders lost 2-0 on penalties to Dortmund’s rival in the May 30 final in Berlin will be Eibar 1 (Piovaccari 51) Sevilla 3 (Bacca 7, 15, Reyes 64); 10-man Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup semifinals, either Wolfsburg or third-division Arminia Bielefeld, who Real Madrid 3 (Rodriguez 44, Dos Santos 49-og, Arbeloa after missing four spot-kicks in the shootout. The match play late yesterday. 84) Almeria 0; Celta Vigo 1 (Nolito 89) Malaga 0. went into extra time after Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Lewandowski put Bayern ahead in the 29th. Shinji Aubameyang and canceled out Robert Lewandowski first- Kagawa gave the ball away with a bad pass on a Dortmund Playing later half goal and the two teams were deadlocked 1-1 at the attack, Mehdi Benatia sent a long ball down the field and Elche v Deportivo la Coruna, Villarreal v Atletico Madrid end of 90 minutes. Just two days after securing the Lewandowski raced alone toward the goal, chipping the Spanish League after yesterday’s early matches (played, Bundesliga championship, Bayern lost one of the two titles ball with his left foot over Langerak. won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): it won last season. Pep Guardiola’s team is also in the The ball hit the post and bounced back to Lewandowski, Barcelona 34 27 3 4 97 19 84 Champions League semifinals and faces Barcelona in the who slotted home past Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Real Madrid 34 27 1 6 102 30 79 first leg next week. Langerak, who were both slow to react. Early in the second “I am very proud of my team, we played very well,” half, Lewandowski hit the crossbar and the ball bounced Atletico 33 22 6 5 64 26 72 Guardiola said. “I congratulate Dortmund.” Bayern goal- back to Thomas Mueller, who tried to get by Marcel Sevilla 34 21 6 7 63 38 69 keeper Manuel Neuer saved Mats Hummels’ shot from the Schmelzer. The Dortmund defender handled the ball but Valencia 33 20 8 5 60 25 68 spot to revive his team’s hopes, but took the next shot and Bayern did not get the penalty call. Villarreal 33 14 11 8 44 30 53 crashed it against the crossbar. “We were lucky there, but I am not apologizing,” Klopp Malaga 34 13 8 13 36 40 47 Captain Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso took Bayern’s first said. Dortmund equalized in the 75th, when substitute Bilbao 34 13 8 13 34 38 47 two penalties but both slipped and sent their shots wide Henrikh Mkhitaryan squared the ball to the far post and Celta Vigo 34 12 9 13 40 38 45 and high. Aubameyang slid to chip it into the net. Neuer punched Espanyol 33 11 9 13 39 42 42 Ilkay Gundogan and Sebastian Kehl converted for the ball out but it was well over the line. Rayo 33 13 2 18 38 61 41 Dortmund and goalkeeper Mitch Langerak then saved Neuer saved shots by Mkhitaryan and Marco Reus as Sociedad 34 9 13 12 37 44 40 Mario Goetze’s shot by diving to his right. Langerak, an the 90 minutes drew to a close, while Bastian Getafe 34 10 6 18 28 52 36 Australian who is usually a reserve, has never lost in four Schweinsteiger missed with two headed attempts in extra Levante 34 9 8 17 32 60 35 matches against Bayern. time, first sending the ball high and then drawing a superb Elche 33 9 7 17 27 57 34 Neuer, who had produced a couple of big saves late in save from Langerak with his leg. Eibar 34 8 7 19 29 49 31 the match, needed to score to keep Bayern alive but fired Dortmund’s Kevin Kampl, who came on in the 83rd, Almeria 34 8 7 19 27 55 31 high at the crossbar. Bayern had won in the quarterfinals picked up his second booking for an unnecessary foul in Deportivo 33 6 11 16 29 52 29 on penalties against Bayer Leverkusen but Guardiola’s team the 108th and was sent off. Granada 33 4 13 16 21 61 25 looked spent physically and mentally at the end of Arjen Robben came on in the 68th for Thiago Cordoba 34 3 11 20 21 53 20 Tuesday’s match. Alcantara, but his comeback after five weeks out with an NB. Top three qualify automatically for the MUNICH: This combo photos show Bayern Munich's “We played a much better second half and had some abdominal injury lasted only 16 minutes as he hobbled Champions League, fourth goes into the play- Spanish headcoach Pep Guardiola (left) comforts great chances but Manuel produced some super saves,” off with a calf injury. Klopp and Guardiola embraced Bayern Munich's defender Jerome Boateng after the offs. Fifth and sixth carry Europa League Dortmund’s outgoing coach Juergen Klopp said. Klopp before the shootout, but Guardiola was clearly downbeat places. The bottom three sides are relegated. German Cup. —AFP could now end his seven-year spell in Dortmund with a after the loss. — AP Dubai investments eyes Africa and Gulf Page 22

Saudi reshuffle affects Business Aramco CEO, chairman Page 24 THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 World Bank slashes Wife shields Varoufakis in restaurant standoff war-torn Ukraine’s economic outlook Page 23 Page 25

PORT ANGELES: In this photo, with the Olympic Mountains in the background, a small boat crosses in front of an oil drilling rig as it arrives in Port Angeles, Wash, aboard a transport ship after traveling across the Pacific. Royal Dutch Shell hopes to use the rig for exploratory drilling during the summer open-water season in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast, if it can get the permits. — AP Gulf economies’ growth forecasts cut; oil stays low 5 GCC states to record budget deficits in 2015, 2016

DUBAI: The outlook for most of the rich Gulf Arab economies the past few weeks has taken Brent crude oil to four-month Diverse Dubai sive 14.8 percent of GDP from 11.1 percent predicted in the has dimmed for this year and next as oil prices have remained highs around $65 per barrel-still far below last June’s level of This year’s growth forecast for the United Arab Emirates, last poll, while next year’s deficit is expected to be 10.6 per- relatively low, according to a Reuters poll published yesterday $115, but significantly above late March prices of about $55. which is less reliant on oil because of Dubai’s diverse econo- cent of GDP. that showed economists cutting their forecasts. Heavy state This improvement may not yet be fully reflected in economic my, has been cut to 3.4 percent from 3.8 percent, and next The UAE is forecast to run a deficit of 4.1 percent this year spending and strong private consumption are cushioning the forecasts. year’s to 3.7 percent from 3.9 percent. Qatar is expected to be and Kuwait of 5.0 percent. Only Qatar is seen staying in the impact of a plunge in oil export revenues. Nevertheless, some But Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi by far the best-performing of the six Gulf Cooperation Council black, with a surplus of 1.8 percent. Saudi Arabia has already construction and economic development projects are being Commercial Bank, said growth forecasts for the region might economies, as the world’s top natural gas exporter steps up a started running down its financial reserves stored abroad to suspended, cooling economic growth. still be lowered again later this year as cheap oil slowed more vast infrastructure building program. Qatari GDP is projected cover its budget deficit. Its reserves are so huge that it could Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product is now projected to development projects. “If there is no greater recovery of the to grow 6.7 percent this year and 6.4 percent next year. continue to do this for years; the UAE and Kuwait are in simi- expand 2.6 percent in 2015, according to the median forecast oil price, there may be more downside risk in the medium Although the Gulf economies are managing to continue larly fortunate positions. But the financial reserves of Oman, in the poll of 18 analysts, instead of the 3.2 percent foreseen term,” she said. Saudi King Salman unexpectedly carried out growing in an era of cheap oil, it is at a heavy cost to their projected to run a fiscal deficit of 11.7 percent of GDP this by the previous poll in January. Last year, GDP grew 3.6 per- major reshuffles in the line of succession and his cabinet yes- state finances. Five of the six GCC states are projected to year, and Bahrain, with a forecast deficit of 12.0 percent, are cent. In 2016, Saudi GDP is expected to grow 3.0 percent terday, after the poll was conducted. The economic policy sig- record budget deficits this year and next. The forecast for much smaller. They may be forced into painful spending cuts instead of the previous forecast of 3.2 percent. A rebound in nificance of the changes is not yet clear. Saudi Arabia’s fiscal deficit this year has been raised to a mas- in coming years if oil prices stay below $70 a barrel. — Reuters Underground economy helps Recession not over yet for Spanish shoe sector to shine retailers, small businesses

ELCHE: Hunched over her sewing machine in a Spanish workshop, a their production to clandestine workshops. The practice angers NEW YORK: The recession isn’t a dim memory for A homebuilding rebound will help consumer woman puts together a ballerina slipper which will soon slip onto the unions as well as rival shoe firms that operate above board, who com- many small businesses. Nearly two-thirds of owners spending, economists say. If people buy more hous- foot of a customer in Madrid, New York or Tokyo. Spain is the second- plain they are facing unfair competition. in a Bank of America survey said their companies are es, industries related to construction will hire more largest footwear producing country in the European Union after Italy, “We can’t compete with someone who does not pay their employ- still recovering from the downturn that officially end- workers who will be able to spend. And people buy- with 96.5 million pairs of shoes produced in 2013. “Made in Spain” ees, who does not pay Social Security and whose production costs per ed nearly six years ago. Only 21 percent of the own- ing houses tend to shop for appliances, furniture and shoes are selling well at home and abroad but success comes in part pair of shoes is two or three euros less than ours,” said Julian Mendez, a ers surveyed last month said their businesses have home decor. The difficulty many small companies thanks to some employees working off the books to help keep costs manager at Elche-based shoe firm Salvador Artesano. Unions say their fully recovered. The numbers present a different side have in getting loans has prolonged the recovery, down. The shoe sector “subscribes to the underground economy,” said demands for work inspections at shoe firms have multiplied but they of small business than surveys that focus on compa- says Karen Mills, a Harvard Business School faculty Jose Maria Mollinedo of Spain’s tax inspectors union Gestha. are often ignored. “The state administration does not react,” said Juan nies’ increasing optimism and healthy cash flow. member and former head of the Small Business Up to half of Spain’s shoe production is done in the underground Antonio Macia of the Elche branch of the General Workers Union The Bank of America findings are a reminder that Administration. economy, according to a study by students at Madrid’s Autonomous (UGT), Spain’s second largest union.—AFP the economic recovery is not only slow-paced but Banks are still reluctant to lend to many compa- University. Over two-thirds of Spain’s 1,400 footwear firms are concen- also fragmented, with companies whose customers nies, especially the smallest ones. “There’s no ques- trated in the Mediterranean coastal region of Valencia, with many clus- are consumers and other small businesses lagging tion we haven’t fully recovered in terms of access to tered around Elche and the nearby town of Elda. Spain’s shoe industry behind. Retailers and homebuilders are among those capital,” Mills says. Small companies’ struggle to get rejects assembly line production, favoring instead semi-artisanal man- whose revenue is below the levels they enjoyed loans was clear in a first-quarter survey by ufacturing by small and medium sized firms. Big retailers such as before the recession’s December 2007 official begin- Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business Louboutin and Zara make some of their shoes in the country. ning. At Razzle Dazzle, a young women’s clothing and Management and Dun & Bradstreet Credibility The sector’s roughly 25,000 workers tap into a rich tradition of boutique in Atlanta, revenue is down 65 percent Corp. Sixty-three percent of small companies said it leather craftsmanship that dates back to the 19th century. The industry from 2007. Owner Carol Avendano sees customers was difficult to get loans, while only 36 percent of had its golden age in the 1970s when US firms shifted their production think carefully before spending. larger businesses said it was difficult. to Spain, which was at the time isolated and less developed. Like its “It used to be nothing for a mom to come in here European neighbors, Spain suffered in 2005 with the end of import and spend $1,000 on her eighth grader and not even What’s the solution? quotas on shoes made in China. But it managed to hold on to the pro- blink an eye,” Avendano says. “Now, if a purse is $300, Owners need to re-examine every aspect of their duction of mid to high-end shoes and the value of Spain’s shoe they have to think about it.” Younger shoppers are companies to adapt to a business climate that has exports hit a new record in 2013 of 2.64 billion euros ($2.83 billion). also less carefree about money. A young woman with permanently changed, says Kathleen Allen, a profes- $100 is more likely to go to chains like H&M or sor of entrepreneurship at the University of Southern ‘Always like this’ Forever 21 and buy 10 different items than pick up California’s Marshall School of Business. That means But some of those prospering Spanish shoemakers are paying their one shirt in Razzle Dazzle. Avendano, who opened asking whether a company is giving customers what workers off the books to avoid the taxman. “I have always known it to her store in 1975, stays in business because she has they need - and whether they’re targeting the right be this way,” said Manuel Molina, a 57-year-old leather cutter. He recalls loyal customers. She’s been through many ups and customers. “We have to question even whether this that his mother also worked in the industry making shoes at home downs over the decades, but this downturn has sur- business makes sense,” Allen says. John Reiner has and was paid in cash that was not declared to the tax office. The prac- prised her. “I thought it was going to come back,” she used that strategy at his printing and packaging tice is encouraged by the fact that certain tasks, such as cutting leather says. company. Revenue dropped 25 percent in 2009 and and cloth or sewing parts, can be done in small workshops or even at kept falling the next two years; it hasn’t returned to home instead of in a factory. For women, it is a way to earn money What’s wrong? pre-recession levels. Several of PakCom’s best busi- while looking after their children at home. Spain’s economic downturn Companies are still recovering for a number of ness customers shut down. Others cut back on mar- has increased the number of people willing to work in the shoe sec- reasons, some of them related to the industries keting materials and promotional products. tor’s underground economy, said Molina. His six brothers and sisters, they’re in. Retailers struggle because consumer The recession also encouraged companies to as well as his parents, are all working, or have worked, making shoes, spending remains weak, says Scott Anderson, chief switch to email and the Internet from snail mail. he added. economist with Bank of the West. And the housing “When you have that domino effect, it crushes you,” The Spanish federation of footwear manufacturers FICE refused to industry, which includes many small businesses, is says Reiner, whose company is based in Waltham, comment on the topic, preferring instead to highlight rising exports to still in the early stages of recovery from the collapse Massachusetts. Another change: More companies 170 nations. Undeclared work in the shoe sector takes many forms, that began in 2006. But small manufacturers are prefer ordering online instead of dealing with a according to Carlos de Castro, a sociology professor at the doing well and leading the recovery, Anderson says. human. So Reiner has started a website called Autonomous University who has studied the sector. It could consist of ELCHE: An employee paints stitching on a shoe at Salvador The struggles in retailing and homebuilding are Logical Promotions to sell shirts, backpacks and oth- seamstresses who work at home or men, often illegal immigrants, who Artesano shoe factory in Elche. ‘Made in Spain’ shoes are reflected in overall small business revenue, which er items companies and organizations can print load and unload trucks, he said. Some companies only declare some of doing well but thanks to under the table work keeps costs hasn’t recovered to pre-recession levels, says Susan logos on. The website opened for business in March, their employees to the taxman, while others outsource some or all of down. — AFP Woodward, an economist who analyzes data gath- and he’s optimistic it will bolster his PakCom rev- ered from Intuit’s small business customers. Revenue enue. “The printing business will not return,” Reiner has also fallen every month since October, she says. says. — AP BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Dubai investments eyes buys as net profit gains Eyes expansion in Africa, Gulf

DUBAI: Dubai Investments said yesterday This transaction was one of two deals that the corresponding period of 2014. “The it plans to enter new markets in Africa and Kalban said in January the firm was close to company’s real estate and manufacturing the Gulf region, as it reported a 6.5 per completing worth a combined value of 400 businesses have witnessed positive trends, cent rise in first-quarter net profit. “Several million dirhams ($109 million). The other and both the sectors are expected to con- new investment proposals are currently acquisition is expected to be in the real tinue the growth trajectory through the under evaluation, with some of them in estate sector. Dubai Investments also said year,” Kalban said without elaborating. Its advanced stages of negotiations,” Khalid yesterday it increased its stake in Emirates total assets at the end of March rose to bin Kalban, the firm’s chief executive, said Float Glass by 20.15 per cent, bringing its 14.67 billion dirhams from 13.2 billion in a statement. Kalban said the firm was total ownership to 87.43 per cent. dirhams at the same point of 2014, accord- targeting diversified sectors such as finan- ing to the statement. Dubai Investments, cial services, education, healthcare and Earnings in which sovereign fund Investment Corp energy. Dubai Investments made a net profit of of Dubai owns an 11.5 percent stake, plans It already announced in February it 282 million dirhams ($76.8 million) in the to float at least one subsidiary in 2016 and would acquire a 60 percent stake in Al Mal three months to March 31, it said in the could also divest other holdings, Kalban Capital but did not disclose the deal value. statement, up from 265 million dirhams in said in March. — Reuters

NBK Economic Update Kuwait sales bounce back

KUWAIT: The real estate sector showed signs of softening in 1Q15, with sales down from a year ago and price growth appearing to weaken. Sales across Kuwait’s three main real estate sectors totaled KD 864 million in 1Q15, down 6.5% from 1Q14. Sales in March were also off, showing a decline of 6% year- on-year (y/y).Weakness was visible in both the resi- dential and investment sectors. Residential sector sales totaled KD 436 million in 1Q15, down 2.7% y/y. The sector registered a 10% increase in the number of transactions, indicating some weakness in average prices. March sales appeared to be stronger, bouncing back to KD 183 million; March growth was positive at 3.3% y/y. (Chart 2.) The number of residential transactions recorded during the month was the highest since November 2014, at 560.Activity was once again heaviest in the Ahmadi governorate, which accounted for 38% of all residential transactions. The average transaction size in March trended downward for the third consecutive month to KD 326,000, down19% year-on-year (y/y). The investment sector, largely viewed as an alter- native investment option to the stock market, underperformed in the first quarter of 2015. Total sales in 1Q15 reached KD 336 million, a 15% y/y drop. Meanwhile, the number of transactions fell significantly, registering a 41% y/y decline. Monthly sales in the sector, at KD 126 million, saw a smaller decrease of 5% y/y; but it remained significantly lower than the five year average increase of 23%. (Chart 4.) The number of transactions, at 147,was the highest since September 2014.Apartments accounted for 60% of all transactions while whole buildings constituted 32% of all transactions. The Ahmadi governorate once again witnessed the bulk of activity, with 62% of all transactions. The commercial sector continued to show growth in activity. Sales rose by 11% in 1Q15 y/yto KD 91.5 million. The sector recorded 16 transactions in total during the quarter, which drove the average transaction size up to KD 18.5 million, an 88% increase from 1Q14. Sales of commercial properties reached KD 22 million in March(Chart 6.)Three transactions in total were recorded in March, the largest for a building in Hawalli worth KD 12 million. Although registering declines in March, the sector’s improving performance in recent months is believed to be supported in part by a large demand for retail space in the country. Growth in Kuwait Credit Bank (KCB) loans contin- ued to provide support to the residential sector. Though approved KCB loans dropped by 29% y/y to KD 55 million in 1Q15, loan disbursals continued to rise. KCB disbursed KD 64 million in loans in 1Q15, up 33%.Marchdata showed a similar trend, with approvals down by 33% y/y and disbursed loans up by 22% y/y.KCB loan growth is expected to contin- ue, backed by a commitment by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) to accelerate plot distributions.

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 81.524 Asia 20 gram 243.470 Jordanian Dinar 427.257 Bangladesh Taka 0.003547 0.004147 10 gram 124.430 Egyptian Pound 39.596 Chinese Yuan 0.047415 0.050915 ASIAN COUNTRIES 5 gram 62.900 Japanese Yen 2.544 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.262 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036949 0.039699 Indian Rupees 4.755 Indian Rupees 4.770 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Indian Rupee 0.004639 0.005040 Pakistani Rupees 2.977 Pakistani Rupees 2.979 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Srilankan Rupees 2.259 Bangladesh Taka 3.886 Japanese Yen 0.002464 0.002644 Philippines Pesso 6.838 Nepali Rupees 3.011 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Kenyan Shilling 0.003349 0.003349 Australian Dollar 237.10 Cyprus pound 743.019 Singapore Dollar 228.160 Korean Won 0.000272 0.000287 Canadian Dollar 250.71 Japanese Yen 3.524 Hongkong Dollar 39.052 Malaysian Ringgit 0.081325 0.087325 Bangladesh Taka 3.888 Swiss Franc 321.80 Syrian Pound 2.600 Euro 328.14 Nepalese Rupees 3.973 Nepalese Rupee 0.003036 0.003206 Philippine Peso 6.848 Pakistan Rupee 0.002821 0.003101 Thai Baht 9.341 US Dollar 303.00 Malaysian Ringgit 84.142 Sterling Pound 455.35 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 49.190 Philippine Peso 0.006732 0.007012 Sierra Leone 0.000067 0.000073 GCC COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 2.57 Thai Bhat 10.262 Saudi Riyal 80.739 Bangladesh Taka 3.890 Turkish Lira 113.266 Singapore Dollar 0.223986 0.229986 Qatari Riyal 83.180 Indian Rupee 4.816 South African Rand 0.018963 0.027463 Omani Riyal 786.610 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.265 Bahrain Exchange Company Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001878 0.002458 Bahraini Dinar 80.417 Nepali Rupee 3.012 Taiwan 0.009628 0.009808 UAE Dirham 82.443 Pakistani Rupee 2.983 CURRENCY BUY SELL Thai Baht 0.008964 0.0009514 UAE Dirhams 82.37 Europe Bahraini Dinar 804.24 Belgian Franc 0.007898 0.008898 ARAB COUNTRIES Arab Egyptian Pound 39.60 British Pound 0.452542 0.461542 Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.650 Bahraini Dinar 0.796587 0.804587 Jordanian Dinar 430.52 Czech Korune 0.003984 0.015984 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.591 Egyptian Pound 0.038276 0.041376 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.413 Omani Riyal 785.82 Danish Krone 0.040038 0.045038 Qatari Riyal 83.44 Euro 0.322966 0.330966 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Tunisian Dinar 156.410 Iraqi Dinar 0.000192 0.000252 Jordanian Dinar 427.230 Saudi Riyal 80.72 Norwegian Krone 0.034886 0.040086 Jordanian Dinar 0.423005 0.430505 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.031 Romanian Leu 0.086846 0.086846 Slovakia 0.009023 0.019023 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Syrian Lira 2.158 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Morocco Dirham 30.883 Swedish Krona 0.031037 0.036037 Lebanese Pound 0.000152 0.000252 Swiss Franc 0.310283 0.320483 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021749 0.045749 Turkish Lira 0.113673 0.120673 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Nigerian Naira 0.001249 0.001884 US Dollar Transfer 302.650 US Dollar 302.700 Omani Riyal 0.780351 0.786031 Euro 331.860 Australasia Qatar Riyal 0.082447 0.083660 Canadian Dollar 249.437 Australian Dollar 0.228324 0.239824 Sterling Pound 462.150 Saudi Riyal 0.080097 0.080797 Sterling Pound 459.617 New Zealand Dollar 0.224132 0.233632 Canadian dollar 249.710 Euro 329.308 Syrian Pound 0.001283 0.001503 Turkish lira 111.130 Swiss Frank 312.600 Tunisian Dinar 0.152318 0.160318 Swiss Franc 319.250 America Bahrain Dinar 801.850 Canadian Dollar 0.243396 0.251896 Turkish Lira 0.113673 0.120673 Australian Dollar 237.730 UAE Dirhams 82.718 UAE Dirhams 0.081446 0.082595 US Dollar Buying 301.450 US Dollars 0.298650 0.303350 Qatari Riyals 83.964 US Dollars Mint 0.299150 0.303350 Yemeni Riyal 0.001368 0.001448 BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Kuwait stock regulator to align market with global norms CAIRO: Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority in the eyes of foreign investors to markets Clearing Company, Mishaal Al-Usaimi said opened in 2011, making it a relatively new after the transaction. “These changes will will separate the settlement of trades from in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and in an interview in Cairo. “We are working entity. It has had problems recruiting and help raise the classification of the Kuwait its central depository and make the time Saudi Arabia. Kuwait’s regulator was now on launching a bank for cash settlement, retaining senior staff and drawn criticism stock market from frontier market to allowed for the transfer of securities the looking to improve the investment envi- because it is currently part of the role of from market participants for being too emerging market,” Usaimi said, without same for all investors, to bring its practices ronment in the country and raise its classi- clearing, and according to international heavy-handed in its approach. specifying when the reforms would be in line with international norms, its vice fication among index companies such as best practice, they need to be separated,” The market regulator also plans to set a introduced. Kuwait’s market has struggled chairman said. The exchange, one of the MSCI to emerging market from frontier Usaimi said. single period for transferring ownership of to recover from the global financial crisis oldest in the Gulf Arab region, has strug- market-a move which the UAE and Qatar There is cooperation with the central a security at two or three days after the and still sits 59 percent below its 2008 gled in recent years because of a sluggish made last year. bank to regulate the settlement system, sale, he said. Kuwaiti citizens now have peak. Markets in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi economy and a stagnant regulatory envi- This includes plans to take settlement Usaimi said. The central bank will super- their trades settled at the time of the Arabia, by contrast, have recovered much ronment. Consequently, it has lost ground of stock sales away from the Kuwait vise the new entity, he said. The CMA transaction and foreign investors two days of their lost ground. — Reuters Royal reshuffle boosts Saudi; Egypt rebounds on tax compromise hopes Mideast Stock Markets

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s stock market led the year’s economic data, but it could buoy gains in the Gulf yesterday after King consumption this quarter; a bigger payout Salman carried out major reshuffles in the to all public sector employees boosted line of succession and his cabinet. Egypt’s retailers’ profits in the first quarter of 2015. bourse rebounded on hopes for good news about taxes. The main Saudi index climbed Dubai, Egypt 1.0 percent to 9,812 points. The benchmark Dubai’s stock index rose 0.8 percent to rose above major technical resistance in 4,215 points, approaching major chart the 9,572-9,745 point area, where the 200- resistance at 4,250 points, its 200-day aver- day average roughly coincides with the age. Conglomerate Dubai Investments March peak. Blue chips Saudi Basic jumped 3.7 percent to a six-month high of Industries and National Commercial Bank 3.10 dirhams ahead of its earnings were the main supports, surging 4.7 per- announcement. After the market closed, cent each. the firm said its net profit for the first quar- Salman appointed Interior Minister ter had risen 6.5 percent on the back of real Mohammed bin Nayef as his new heir yes- estate and manufacturing businesses. terday and made his son, Defense Minister Bourse operator Dubai Financial Market Mohammed bin Salman, second-in-line to surged 4.3 percent after a pull-back earlier succeed, setting the kingdom’s succession this week on poor first-quarter results. in stone for decades and strengthening his Trading volumes rose sharply in April and branch of the dynasty. The king also that may give investors hope that DFM’s appointed Saudi Aramco chief executive second quarter will be stronger. Khalid Al-Falih as health minister, and made Other markets were less bullish. Abu labor minister Adel Al-Fakieh economy and Dhabi inched up 0.1 percent and Qatar BELGRADE: Picture shows the area where the Belgrade Waterfront project will be constructed in Belgrade. Serbia and UAE-based developer planning minister, replacing him with added 0.3 percent. Doha-listed Barwa Real Eagle Hills signed on April 26 a joint investment agreement on the controversial Belgrade Waterfront project worth $3 billion (2.75 billion Mufrej Al-Haqbani. Estate surged as much as 5.1 percent in ear- euros), despite opposition from various civic groups. The project would turn Savamala, an urban Belgrade district built in 19th century located The economic policy significance of the ly trade, coming close to November’s multi- below the city center at the right bank of Sava river, into a 2-million square meter commercial complex, including apartment buildings, busi- changes is not yet clear but they were year peak of 54.20 riyals, but then pulled ness premises and a Dubai-style 200-meter tower. — AFP unexpected to many analysts. In the short back and closed 0.2 percent lower. The firm term at least, they could increase uncer- yesterday posted a first-quarter profit of 3.2 tainty. However, many investors appeared billion riyals ($879.1 million), sharply up to view the changes as a positive sign that from 265 million riyals a year earlier, but the Euro-zone morale slips, the government would put fresh emphasis surge may have been due to a one-off fac- on stimulating economic growth. “I don’t tor such as land sales reported in think there will be a reversal of any policies December. - I see it as a fresh impetus” for economic Egypt’s index rose 1.9 percent to 8,488 deflation threat eases reforms, said John Sfakianakis, Gulf region points in a broad rally on hopes that the director at fund management firm government would review its approach Ashmore Group in Riyadh. towards taxing stock market investors. The move of the highly regarded Fakieh Egyptian investors challenged the govern- Economic sentiment slips but prices rising again to the economy portfolio could mean labor ment in court on Tuesday over a tax on reforms to push Saudis into private sector stock dividends and capital gains intro- BRUSSELS: Confidence in the euro-zone’s econ- a policy known as quantitative easing, or QE, in Italy. In France, the euro-zone’s second- jobs over the past several years have essen- duced this month, saying it was causing omy slipped slightly in April but business morale that will see it pump 60 billion euros ($65 billion) biggest economy, the mood continued to be tially been judged a success, and that the confusion and hampering investment. improved and household expectations of rising a month into the euro-zone’s economy. downbeat and the European Commission’s indi- government now wants to focus on other Yesterday, Mohamed Maher, vice presi- prices suggested that the threat of deflation may Separately, Belgian inflation rose in April, the cator fell 1.4 points. “Germany and France are structural reforms of the economy, which dent of the Egyptian Association for have been overcome. The European economy ministry said, and stood in positive ter- quite divergent and France remains a concern, have been slow. Also yesterday, Salman Financing and Investment Studies, which Commission’s economic sentiment indicator fell ritory for the first time in six months. there’s a lot of uncertainty in French politics, ordered a one-month salary bonus for all had helped file the lawsuit said that he and by 0.2 points to 103.7, worse than the 103.9 that Manufacturers and services companies also con- reforms are being implemented at a slow pace,” military and security personnel to convey other stock market lobbyists had met sen- economists had forecast in a Reuters poll, tinued to expect prices to rise, a change in senti- Standard Chartered’s Chrysostomou said. his “appreciation of their efforts” - a signal ior government officials and submitted although there were no signs that a recovery ment from just six months ago, when many In Greece, which faces bankruptcy if it cannot that the government remains willing to proposals on how to amend the tax laws. that began in December is falling away. economists saw the euro-zone heading for a reach a deal soon with its international creditors, spend lavishly on its policy priorities. He said the group had proposed replacing Business morale rose 0.09 points to 0.32. “The Japan-style era of deflation and depressed economic sentiment sank to 92.7 from 96.8, Giyas Gokkent, senior Middle East and the capital gains tax with a stamp duty on positive trend will continue, as lower oil prices demand. “This suggests that the rise in oil prices which BNP Paribas noted was one of the biggest Africa economist at the Institute of stock purchases. It is unclear whether the and the ECB’s bond-buying program increase from January’s lows, improving euro-zone eco- falls on record. “Ouch,” was the bank’s reaction in a International Finance, estimated the pay- proposal will be accepted, but yesterday’s disposable income,” said Achilleas nomic activity and the ECB’s QE program are note to clients. Euro-zone services led the way in out would be worth about 0.2 percent of bounce suggested technical support at the Chrysostomou, an European economist at combining to lift inflation expectations,” Howard April, with confidence improving by 0.6 points, Saudi Arabia’s annual gross domestic prod- December low of 8,125 points was a strong Standard Chartered in London. Most strikingly, Archer, chief European economist at IHS, wrote mainly thanks to managers’ good sense of past uct. This is a small amount in the context of floor for the index. — Reuters consumer inflation expectations continued to in a note. demand and recent business in general. That climb back up from their record low in January, helped offset flat industry confidence and retail rising for a third straight month and offering evi- Collapse in Greece trade confidence and a fall in construction confi- dence that the European Central Bank’s money- Still, the euro-zone’s recovery remains fragile dence. Economists polled by Reuters earlier this printing plan is having the desired effect. To and there is uncertainty surrounding Greece. month say that overall, the recovery is sustainable combat low inflation, the ECB has begun print- While economic morale in Spain rose strongly in and see 1.4 percent economic growth in the bloc ing money to buy euro-zone government bonds, April, it slipped in Germany and was unchanged in 2015, rising to 1.6 percent in 2016. — Reuters Deposit outflows from Greek banks slow as credit shrinks Wife shields Varoufakis in restaurant standoff

FRANKFURT: Deposit outflows from Greek terday, leaving an unused liquidity buffer of incident said “around 10 enraged youths lenders slowed in March, staunching a run of about 3.0 billion, a banking source told Reuters stormed in, shouting things along the lines of steep declines that had fuelled concerns about in Athens. ‘what are you doing here, this is our area’.” the country’s banking system as it battles to Fearing for her husband’s safety, his wife avert a sovereign default. Banks’ deposits fell to Restaurant standoff threw her arms around him to protect from the 145 billion euros ($160 billion) from 147.5 bln In another development, Greece’s combative objects hurled by the youths, the ministry state- LONDON: A woman shelters from the rain under an umbrella as she walks past ATM euros in February, data from the European Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis was shielded ment said. Neither the minister nor his wife were machines outside a branch of Barclays bank in London yesterday. — AP Central Bank showed yesterday. That fall of 2.5 by his wife Danae after being pelted with glass injured. The ministry described the incident as billion euros compares with outflows roughly objects by anarchists at a restaurant in a work- an “attack” but contended the group was not ten times larger during the months from ing-class Athens neighborhood, the finance actually trying to hurt the couple. Barclays bank warns forex December to February, suggesting that those ministry said yesterday. Exarchia is an anarchist stronghold that politi- large Greek savers able to move their money The standoff between the anarchists and the cians generally avoid. Writing on her Facebook charge could top £2 billion abroad had already done so. “March was a less flamboyant minister, who has battling Greece’s page, Akrivopoulou, said the group told the 54- turbulent month. Those with a higher propensi- creditors over the terms of a critical bailout year-old motorbike-riding minister “to return to LONDON: Scandal-hit bank Barclays warned exchange. “While we still have much to do, I am ty to channel funds out of bank deposit package, took place Tuesday evening at a restau- Exarchia when you are no longer a politician”. After yesterday that fines over its alleged role in for- pleased with how we’ve begun 2015.” He added: accounts had already done so in the previous rant in the Exarchia district. Journalist Katerina leaving the restaurant, Varoufakis said he spoke to eign exchange market rigging could top £2.0 “The investment bank had a good first quarter months,” said analyst Nick Koskoletos at Athens- Akrivopoulou, who spoke to Varoufakis after the the anarchists until tempers calmed. — Agencies billion ($3.1 billion, 2.8 billion euros), after post- representing a performance which is more based Eurobank. ing plunging first-quarter net profits. The British indicative of the potential of the franchise fol- “As the deposits balance drops we are getting lender revealed it has set aside another £800 lowing the repositioning undertaken last year.” closer to the core base.” Greece has yet to reach a million for “investigations and litigation primari- new aid deal with its lenders and fears of a ly relating to foreign exchange”, taking the ‘Fly in the ointment’ group’s total provision to £2.050 billion. In late morning deals, Barclays’ share price default have swirled during April as government Media reports meanwhile suggest that dipped 0.75 percent to 259.45 pence on debt repayment deadlines approach. Bank of Barclays is close to a settlement with global reg- London’s FTSE 100 index, which fell by 1.03 per- Greece data also showed a slower drop in ulators over the alleged rigging of foreign cent. “The clear fly in the ointment is the addi- household and business bank deposits in March, exchange markets. Barclays-which was also at tional provisions undertaken for the forex inves- which however brought balances to their lowest the heart of the 2012 Libor interbank interest- tigation and litigation, as well as the seemingly level in 10 years. This category of deposits fell by rate rigging scandal-added yesterday that it perennial PPI situation,” said analyst Richard 1.91 billion euros or 1.36 percent month-on- took another provision of £150 million for costs Hunter at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers. month to 138.55 billion euros ($152.3 billion) of compensating customers over the mis-selling “The fact that these are being made are fur- from 140.47 billion euros in February, continuing of payment protection insurance (PPI). The grim ther proof if it were needed that the bank is still to decrease for the sixth month in a row. news sent net profits tumbling 52 percent to some way from distancing itself from the legacy The Greek central bank data showed that £465 million in the three months to the end of conduct issues prevalent in the sector.” Back in credit extended to the private sector shrank at March compared with a year earlier. November, six US and European banks were an annual 2.5 percent pace in March, unchanged Pretax profit, however, rose nine percent to fined a total of $4.2 billion by regulators for from the previous month. In parallel to the £1.85 billion on a strong performance from its attempting to rig forex markets. Crucially, how- deposit outflows, Greek banks have been step- restructured investment banking division. That ever, Barclays was not included in the settle- ping up their use of emergency funding provid- was in line with market expectations. “Resolving ments and remains under investigation. The ed by the country’s central bank. legacy conduct issues is... an important part of bank previously warned that these investiga- The cap on that emergency liquidity assis- our plan to transform Barclays,” said chief execu- tions could result in “substantial” monetary tance (ELA) has been progressively raised by the tive Antony Jenkins in the earnings release. “We penalties. Barclays has been reviewing its for- are working hard to expedite their settlement eign exchange trading over a period of several ECB, which effectively cut off access to its own and have taken further provisions of £800 mil- years and is continuing to cooperate with rele- funding window for Greek banks in February. lion this quarter, primarily relating to foreign vant bodies. —AFP The ceiling was raised to 76.9 billion euros yes- ATHENS: Pensioners wait outside the National Bank of Greece to get their monthly pensions. — AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 BUSINESS Oil dips as oversupply outweighs Saudi royal reshuffle Saudi reshuffle affects Aramco CEO, chairman

SINGAPORE: Oil prices dipped yesterday as over- bin Salman, as deputy crown prince, and Traders said they were closely observing who mentals pointed to ongoing market weak- er dampened consumer spending and supply and weak demand outweighed uncer- replaced veteran foreign minister Prince Saud al- would become Aramco’s new CEO and whether ness. “We do not think the commodity cycle energy companies cutting investment. tainty in Saudi Arabia where King Salman Faisal with the kingdom’s Washington ambassa- oil minister Naimi’s position would be affected. is turning conclusively just yet and expect a Asian growth also remained slow. “Overall relieved the crown prince as well as several sen- dor Adel al-Jubeir as well as appointing several Naimi, who is 79 years old and has been oil min- lot of price volatility ahead,” Barclays said growth momentum in the (Asia) region, ior ministers and the chief executive of national other new ministers. In another move, Khalid Al- ister since 1995, played a crucial role in Saudi yesterday. led by China, has weakened further in oil company Saudi Aramco. Saudi King Salman Falih, chief executive of Saudi Aramco, was Arabia’s decision last November not to cut pro- “Supply growth in many markets is still March,” Morgan Stanley said. The bank bin Abdulaziz yesterday sacked his younger half- appointed health minister and switched to duction in support of prices, which have halved too rapid and high inventory levels are said cheap prices meant lower govern- brother as crown prince and appointed his become the national oil company’s chairman, a since June 2014. Despite the Saudi uncertainty, likely to be a drag on prices for some ment revenues for commodity dependent nephew, deputy crown prince Mohammed bin position previously held by oil minister Ali Al- Brent crude futures dropped 14 cents from their time,” it added. Low economic growth is economies like Malaysia and Indonesia, Nayef, as the new heir apparent, state television Naimi. Internal reshuffles in Saudi Arabia often last settlement to $64.50 a barrel by 0655 GMT. also weighing on prices. In the United but also oil-trading hub Singapore, as the said. move oil prices as stability in the world’s biggest US WTI crude was also down 13 cents at $56.93 a States, economic growth likely braked lower revenues prevented growth-sup- He also appointed his son, Prince Mohammed oil exporting country is key to global supplies. barrel. Outside politics, analysts said that funda- sharply in the first quarter as harsh weath- porting investment. —Reuters

MADRID: Juan Montiel (left) his wife Marivi Leon del Valle and his sister Maria Luisa Montiel, 47, (right) gesture during their eviction in Madrid, Spain. Montiel, a former geriatric assistant, was living in a Bankia bank- owned apartment with her disabled brother, Juan Montiel, 56, his wife, Marivi Leon del Valle, 54, who also has health problems and a friend, Jose Antonio Garcia Mendoza, 64. The group had been living on the street before moving into the apartment, and tried to pay a token rent but Bankia bank insisted on their eviction. —AP Europe shares dip LONDON: Stocks fell in Europe yester- cent. Trade in Asia was thinner than day, following Asian stocks lower, while usual with Japanese markets closed for the dollar held near two-month lows a holiday. before a Federal Reserve policy state- On Wall Street, the Dow had ended ment expected to show the US central Tuesday with gains of 0.4 percent, bank in no hurry to raise interest rates. while the S&P 500 rose 0.28 percent The Fed wraps up its two-day meeting and the Nasdaq dipped 0.1 percent. with the US economy in something of a The biggest boost to the Dow was a 1.9 soft patch - data due later is expected percent gain in IBM shares after the to show growth slowed sharply in the company raised its quarterly dividend first quarter - that has weighed on the by 18 percent, the biggest increase in dollar and, in the view of many ana- five years. Apple hit a record high after lysts, pushed back the first US rate rise stellar results, but still ended down 1.6 since 2006. percent. Shares of Twitter dropped as The dollar index, which measures much as 24 percent after its results dis- the greenback against a basket of cur- appointed, before closing with a loss of rencies, fell 0.2 percent to its lowest 18.2 percent. In European fixed income since March 5, despite a rise in US markets, investors awaited a slew of Treasury yields that took the 10-year bond issuance, from Germany, Italy and yield over 2 percent for the first time in Portugal. a month. The euro was up 0.1 percent at $1.0994, having hit a three-week Fed statement high on Tuesday and come within a The Fed’s policy statement is due at whisker of $1.10. The yen was down 0.1 1800 GMT. Before that, data is expected percent at 118.90. European shares to show the US economy grew at a 1.0 gave up early gains to trade slightly percent annual pace in the first quarter, lower yesterday as investors digested a down from 2.2 percent in the previous batch of mixed corporate results from three months. “Investors are approach- bank BBVA and UK retailer Next, among ing FOMC with the view it will bore as others. The pan-European FTSEurofirst much as possible. The risk is that what 300 index was down 0.1 percent. is neutral to the Fed may be surprising- “If corporate results are good you ly upbeat to the market,” said analysts can continue to see positive openings at Citi. “We would not see this as a big and some stocks will perform very well near-term boost to the dollar and bond but the move yesterday suggests peo- yields, but more a reminder that the ple are taking risk off the table and that Fed remains hopeful that data will can continue at least this week,” Mike improve sufficiently for a lift-off in Reuter, a broker at Tradition said. September.” Oil prices fell as oversupply MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific and weak demand outweighed uncer- shares outside Japan retreated 1 per- tainty over the impact of Saudi King cent having touched their highest Salman bin Abdulaziz’s decision to sack since early 2008 at one point. Chinese his younger half-brother as crown shares rose, however, with gains in prince in favor of his nephew. Brent resources stocks and start-ups offset- crude fell 28 cents to $64.36 a barrel. ing losses in banks. The CSI300 index of Gold traded near three-week highs with the largest listed companies in the dollar soft. Spot gold last traded at Shanghai and Shenzhen rose 0.7 per- $1,207.72 an ounce. —Reuters Gold snaps two-day rally before Fed rate statement

LONDON: Gold fell yesterday, as later. “The statement is expected to be investors took profits following a two- dovish,” ANZ said in a note. “Since the day rally on soft US economic data that FOMC last met in mid-March, US data hurt the dollar and lowered expecta- have been mostly soft, confirming the tions for a Federal Reserve rate hike in weak start to the year.” Investors will June. Spot gold fell 0.6 percent to also get an early read of how the US $1,205 an ounce by 0941 GMT. It gained economy fared in the first quarter with nearly 3 percent in the last two sessions, GDP data due to be released just hours climbing to a three-week high of $1,215 before the Fed statement. on Tuesday. US gold futures for June A softer dollar should boost gold, as delivery fell $7.90 an ounce to it makes it cheaper for holders of other $1,206.50, after rising to its highest currencies. However, traders remain since April 7 in the previous session. cautious as they expect the U.S. econo- “There has been some short-covering in my will eventually improve and the Fed the futures market because people are will start tightening its interest rates re-assessing their views on the Fed, but cycle at some point, denting the invest- that is already fading,” Julius Baer ana- ment appeal of gold, a non-interest lyst Carsten Menke said. “However, any bearing asset. “Beyond the short term, delay to the interest rates hike may we struggle to see solid support from cause more support to prices, either via fundamentals ... so despite this poten- improving sentiment in the futures mar- tial delay by the Fed people are not ket or weakening the dollar further.” rushing into gold,” Menke said. Higher Bullion has been boosted in recent gold prices have also dampened Asian days after a string of US data, including physical demand. In China, the second consumer confidence released on biggest gold consumer, premiums Tuesday, weakened the dollar and hint- eased to about $1 an ounce yesterday ed at slowing momentum in the world’s over the global benchmark, from $2-$3 largest economy. The dollar was near in the previous session. Silver fell 0.5 two-month lows against a basket of percent to $16.52 an ounce, snapping major currencies, as the market hedged two days of gains. Platinum was down the risk that the Fed might adopt a 0.3 percent at $1,149.50 an ounce, while more dovish tone in its statement fol- palladium dropped 0.5 percent to $772 lowing the two-day policy review due an ounce.—Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 China chokes as tobacco profits a tough habit to quit BAOSHAN: In the tobacco-producing heartland of Curbing the habit has become a burning question the following year. But on current trends China will unchanged. Experts point to the financial and health China-the world’s largest cigarette market-smoking for Beijing. Raising cigarette prices has been proven fall short of meeting its global goal to reduce smok- benefits that a sharp decline in smoking would is commonplace at work, in taxis and even in hospi- to be the most reliable method to reduce consump- ing prevalence by 30 percent by 2025, it says. Beijing bring. According to a study published last month in tals. Snatching a break, construction worker Yao tion, and it is a cornerstone of the WHO Framework ratified the convention in 2005, but many officials The Lancet medical journal, a 50 percent increase in Xinggang takes deep puffs on a cigarette through a Convention on Tobacco Control. This recommends say they are concerned about the disproportionate the price of tobacco in China would result in an traditional-style water pipe. He has a two-pack-a-day that at least 70 percent of the retail price of a ciga- impact on the poor, who spend a higher share of additional 231 million life-years in the following five habit, but insists: “It’s less harmful to health because rette is made up of taxes. According to the WHO, their income on tobacco. decades. Such an increase “can be a pro-poor policy the smoke is filtered through the water in the pipe.” when Russia imposed many of its recommendations Higher taxes imposed by the government in 2009 instrument that brings substantial health and finan- Cheap cigarettes are a mainstay of daily life in the in 2013, its number of smokers fell by 17 percent in were absorbed by CTNC, leaving retail prices cial benefits to households in China, especially con- southwestern province of Yunnan. “A lot of people centrated among the poorest socio-economic smoke here. It’s all because of the local economy. groups”, lead researcher Stephane Verguet said. Many tobacco companies are set up here in Yunnan,” said Zhang Jie, as he lit up on the doorstep of his Against the law office in Baoshan. China’s legislature last week banned tobacco The tradesman bought his packet of cigarettes advertising in mass media, in public places, public for 10 yuan (1.5 euros). “It’s good for the economy,” vehicles and outdoors, from September. On June 1 he said of the tobacco industry. “It helps to boost an ambitious tobacco control law comes into force farmers’ incomes.” China has more than 300 million in Beijing, banning smoking in indoor public places, smokers, who consume more than a third of the workplaces and public transport, along with out- world’s annual cigarette production. Among men, door locations in schools, sports centres, and 52.9 percent smoke according to the latest available women-and-children’s hospitals. Violators can be figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), fined 200 yuan, and tobacco sales to minors online among the highest rates in the world. It is almost and through vending machines are also prohibited. entirely a male habit, with little more than two per- But the law-limited to the capital-is not the first cent of women addicted to the weed. such effort. In 2011, under pressure from the WHO, The Chinese state makes billions from the indus- China banned smoking in public spaces but imple- try: 911 billion yuan ($146 billion) in taxes and prof- mentation was lacklustre at best. Lack of awareness its in 2014, an increase of 12 percent year-on-year. remains a deep-rooted issue in a country where China National Tobacco Corporation, the state- adverts in schools have promoted smoking to “help owned firm that has a near-monopoly on the mar- you to think”. Zhou Fuzhong, a retired prosecutor ket, is by far the world’s largest cigarette company, from Baoshan whose teeth are blackened by nico- producing three times as many as its nearest rival, tine, said he is aware of tobacco’s harmful effects, Philip Morris of the US. It had a turnover of $170 bil- and he forbids his children from smoking. But he lion in 2012 - more than tech giant Apple. But at the added: “Of all the people that I know and in my fami- same time more than a million people a year die ly, no one has ever fallen sick because of tobacco. from tobacco-related illness in China-roughly two a “On the contrary, they lived for a very long time. My minute and a heavy social burden in a country with BEIJING: Two men smoke cigarettes while clearing a drain in Beijing. China has more than 300 million third uncle smoked a lot and that didn’t stop him an ageing population and shrinking workforce. smokers, who consume more than a third of the world’s annual cigarette production. — AFP from reaching 95.” — AFP Sainsbury’s rejects Egypt case against CEO Coupe CEO Mike Coupe found guilty of embezzlement

LONDON: British supermarket Sainsbury’s yes- as Mr El-Nasharty. The court’s ruling could be conviction until December, attended the Giza terday rejected all allegations against its chief seen as a setback to Egyptian government court hearing on Sunday to appeal the convic- executive after it emerged he was sentenced in efforts to win back foreign investors by clearing tion. If confirmed, it would put him at risk of absentia last September to two years in an up disputes with settlement agreements rather arrest in Egypt or any country with an extradi- Egyptian jail after being found guilty of embez- than court rulings. In 1999 Sainsbury’s invested tion treaty with Egypt. zlement. Chief Executive Mike Coupe attended a in a company called Edge that was owned by El- There is currently no arrest warrant out for court hearing in Giza last Sunday to try to over- Nasharty. The joint venture was wound up in Coupe and he will not attend the May 3 hearing, turn the conviction which related to the collapse 2001 with El-Nasharty agreeing to buy back said the spokeswoman. “Either the same panel of an Egyptian business which Sainsbury’s had Sainsbury’s shares for about 40 million pounds of judges on Sunday will hear the same appeal invested in over a decade ago. However, that ($61.6 million). and then hopefully it will get thrown out or it hearing was adjourned, with another set for May Sainsbury’s said he paid with cheques that might get heard by another panel of judges in a KIEV: Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk (center) and Ukrainian President 3. “We are aware of media coverage today outlin- bounced. It said El-Nasharty now claims Coupe different court at a different date.” El-Nasharty Petro Poroshenko (left) listen to President of the European Commission Jean-Claude ing a legal case in Egypt brought against our was in Egypt on July 15 last year, six days after he could not be reached for comment. The issue is Juncker during the opening session of the International support for Ukraine confer- CEO, Mike Coupe,” Sainsbury’s said in a state- succeeded Justin King as CEO, and personally an unwelcome distraction for Coupe as ence in Kiev. — AFP ment. “This relates to a historic commercial dis- seized the cheques. “I can tell you what Mike was Sainsbury’s is grappling with falling sales, food pute in which Mike Coupe had no involvement doing that day. He was in London, doing meet- price deflation and a brutal price war. He is due War-torn Ukraine pleads and we strongly refute all the allegations.” ings as usual, we’ve got his diary,” said a to present 2014-15 results, with pretax profit Sainsbury’s said Coupe was not employed by Sainsbury’s spokeswoman. “Nobody from forecast to fall 17 pct to 659 million pounds. with hesitant investors the company at the time of the original business Sainsbury’s was there (Egypt), the cheques are Shares in Sainsbury’s, down 20 percent over the deal in 2001, having not joined until 2004, and still in the file. Our lawyers have them as part of last year, were up 0.4 percent at 267 pence yes- KIEV: Ukraine is pleading for cash to rebuild an European Council of EU leaders, after meetings had never met the complainant, who it named our evidence.” Coupe, who was unaware of his terday. — Reuters economy battered by a year of war, but drawing the Ukrainian government on Monday. investors to a country where shells are still booming is a struggle. Kiev is frustrated that ‘Please, invest in Ukraine’ World Bank slashes war-torn Western officials are ordering it to speed up eco- Visiting officials praised Ukraine’s recent nomic reforms but refusing to send peacekeep- efforts to root out corruption and urged it to ers to stabilize a conflict it blames on Russia. push through more reforms. They notably called “Getting foreign investors to come to a country for new laws against business monopolies and Ukraine’s economic outlook that has a war with a nuclear-powered state is a to boost energy efficiency. “It’s harsh to demand very complicated task,” Ukraine’s Prime Minister the government to undergo difficult reforms KIEV: The World Bank sharply cut its outlook for government has passed new laws to start curbing try’s total public debt was $70 billion in 2014, Arseniy Yatsenyuk told a conference of foreign when the country is in the midst of a military war-torn Ukraine yesterday, forecasting its econo- corruption and clean up Ukrainian banks and according to the government. The International financiers and officials in Kiev on Tuesday. conflict,” said Liza Ermolenko, an emerging mar- Fighting between government troops and ket economist at London-based research group my will shrink by a massive 7.5 percent this year allies are pushing it to deepen those reforms. Monetary Fund has agreed to a bailout deal for pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine’s industrial Capital Economics. due to the conflict with pro-Russian separatists. Ukrainian officials pleaded at a conference with Ukraine worth $17.5 billion (15.9 billion euros) east has killed more than 6,100 people in the “But given Ukraine’s history of political insta- The international lender lowered its 2015 eco- international financiers and officials on Tuesday over four years. It estimates that the country past year and forced more than a million to flee bility, it’s best to push reforms through now, nomic outlook from its previous estimate of a 2.3 for more investment to boost the economy. needs to raise $40 billion overall to avoid financial their homes. “It’s very difficult for the ordinary while there is momentum.” Tuesday’s conference percent contraction. The new forecast is even Qimiao Fan, the World Bank’s director for Ukraine, collapse-including some $15 billion in savings by Ukrainian to live and survive. Living standards “will probably bring in relatively little funds, but grimmer than estimates by the Ukrainian govern- warned yesterday that “the top concern of restructuring its debt. Ukrainians are suffering have dropped substantially,” Yatsenyuk told nonetheless it is sending a message to investors ment and IMF of a 5.5 percent decline in gross investors is that they do not feel secure when from soaring inflation and the weakening of their investors. “I strongly rely on your support.” As the that Ukraine is open for business.” The United domestic product. Ukraine’s economic output they invest in this country because of corruption.” hryvnia currency, which has fallen by two thirds visiting officials repeated demands for more States, European Union and various internation- had already fallen by 6.8 percent in 2014. After against the dollar since early 2014. The conflict reforms to clean up business and politics in the al institutions have already pledged billions of two years of recession, Ukraine has been brought Conflict, exports, debt has killed more than 6,100 people over the past former Soviet country, Yatsenyuk sounded dollars in loans and other forms of assistance to close to economic and financial collapse by the For the economy, “external factors not directly year and driven more than a million from their increasingly irritated. Like Western powers, his Ukraine. The International Monetary Fund has past year of conflict in its industrial east. The gov- under the government’s control still have a sub- homes, according to the United Nations. government accuses Russian President Vladimir agreed a bailout deal worth $17.5 billion over ernment in Kiev is fighting pro-Russian separatists stantial influence,” said World Bank expert Observers from the Organization for Security Putin of sending arms and troops to aid the sep- four years. It estimates the country must raise who have taken control of parts of two key east- Anastasia Golovach at a news conference pre- and Cooperation in Europe say shelling between aratists-a charge Russia denies. $40 billion overall to avoid financial collapse. ern regions. senting yesterday’s forecast. “First of all there is government and separatist forces is rumbling on “When you talk about the rule of law and While the IMF and other international lenders “The conflict in the east has become the main the conflict, which intensified over the first few daily despite a February ceasefire agreement. The reform of the public administration, I do (agree are expected to help cover that gap, the govern- driving force behind the fall,” the World Bank said months of the year. Kiev government has pleaded for its US and with) everything you say,” Yatsenyuk said, raising ment wants to get private money coming in so that in its report, presented in Kiev yesterday. “Ukraine But there is also fairly weak external demand European allies to send arms and peacekeepers his voice indignantly. “But I believe that the pre- the economy starts properly rolling again. “My gov- has considerable potential, but its implementa- and quite low prices of raw materials, of which to stabilize the situation, but they are resisting for liminary and most important issue is just to get ernment is out of tools to boost investment and rid of Russian terrorists and Russian tanks from economic growth. Please, invest in Ukraine,” tion is possible only if the situation in the east is Ukraine is an exporter.” She also pointed to the fear of escalating the conflict, which has wors- my country,” he said. “Get out, Mr Putin!” Kiev’s Yatsenyuk pleaded on Tuesday. Oleksandr Zholud, stabilized and the banking system recovers.” The challenge of lowering Ukraine’s debt. The coun- ened relations with Russia. — AFP European and US allies are reluctant to send an economist at the International Centre for Policy weapons or troops to Ukraine for fear of escalat- Studies in Kiev, reckoned Ukraine would struggle to ing the conflict, which has brought their rela- gain more funding from major international lenders tions with Moscow to a level unseen since the in the near future. “Ukraine should not beg. The Cold War. “We know about Ukrainian expecta- biggest part of the work has to be done by Ukraine tions today, but it’s impossible to send a military itself,” he said. “You can’t ask for more money just mission,” said Donald Tusk, the president of the because you are kind and nice.” — AFP Weir expects fall in oil, gas orders to continue LONDON: Weir Plc said orders from its oil could withstand more job cuts. After the lat- and gas business fell 23 percent in the first est round of cuts, Weir will have reduced its quarter, a smaller drop than was expected by North American oil and gas headcount by the market, sending its shares up as much as about 27 percent. It first began taking cost- 5 percent. The Scottish industrial engineer- saving measures in November. Swiss engi- ing firm, which expects the decline in orders neering group ABB Ltd yesterday said it to continue in the second quarter, said it expected to add $50 million to the $200 mil- would cut costs at its oil and gas segment by lion-$250 million in restructuring costs it another 10 million pounds ($15.35 million). announced earlier, on account of weakness Companies serving the oil and gas indus- at its oil and gas business. try have been feeling the pinch as explo- Oilfield services companies Amec Foster ration and production majors slash spend- Wheeler Plc, Petrofac Ltd and John Wood ing in response to the steep fall in crude Group Plc are also planning to cut jobs. Weir prices. Weir, which makes valves and pumps shares rose to 1842 pence on the London for the energy and mining industries, plans Stock Exchange. A Barclays analyst said the to cut another 125 jobs, mostly in its North shares rose as the decline in Weir’s oil and gas American oil and gas business, and consoli- order input was much less than an expected date its service centers in the region, drop of about 45 percent. The company said Andrew Neilson, Director of Strategy and first-quarter revenue on a constant currency Corporate Affairs said. basis fell, in line with the 9 percent decline in “We’re getting to the point that it might order input. Operating margin fell 400 basis start to impede our ability to respond to points. Weir said orders from its mining busi- market recovery, if we cut it much more,” ness rose 5 percent in the quarter and kept its Chief Executive Keith Cochrane said on a call revenue and operating margin forecast for with analysts, when asked if the company the division. — Reuters PARIS: World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (left) listens to French President Francois Hollande (right) during their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday. — AFP BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Zain holds Strategy Masterclass workshop Competing, organizing for change, growth

KUWAIT: Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom ‘Industry Change, Competition and Strategic innovator in eight markets across the Middle East Choices’ as well as ‘Managing and Organizing for and Africa, announces the successful hosting of a Change and Growth’. Strategy Masterclass workshop, which was held in Commenting on the successful completion of Kuwait under the patronage of Zain Vice-Chairman the workshop, Bader Al-Kharafi said, “Learning and Bader Al-Kharafi, Group CEO Scott Gegenheimer, exposure does not come from a better source than Zain Kuwait CEO Omar Al Omar, and attended by London Business School, a pre-eminent institution senior management from Zain Group and its eight that shapes business practice and transforms operations. careers across the globe. Zain Group is keen to con- Such workshops are in line with one of Zain tinue investing in its people, who are the compa- Group’s strategic pillars to develop its people, avail- ny’s prime asset, and expose them to the latest in ing the foremost thought leaders and learning management and competitive theory in order for materials to staff throughout their careers with the them to reach their full potential which in turn company. In this case, the workshop was run by Dr improves the performance of the company.” Kevin J Boudreau, an applied micro-economist and Scott Gegenheimer added, “Dr Kevin Boudreau strategy researcher. He is Assistant Professor of is a world-renowned expert with a wealth of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at world-renowned knowledge in the area of competitive analysis, London Business School and through his research which is particularly pertinent to all Zain opera- he generates ideas, devises empirical research tions today. We consider ourselves fortunate to designs, and conducts quantitative analysis on how have had him visit us in Kuwait and share new platforms are best designed and organized. insights and management style ideas with us. As The goal of this particular masterclass was to senior management, we are keen to benchmark share the latest research, thinking, and practice on our own efforts with global trends and develop- principles of competing and organizing successful- dynamic environments, prone to competition and ways of dealing with these issues in order to facili- ments as we remain committed to driving growth ly. In particular, it focused on questions related to rapid technological change. The goal of the day tate on-going dialog, decision-making, and action. and implementing our strategy of being a leading competing and organizing effectively in highly was to provide a clear and comprehensive ‘map’ of Specific topics included in the masterclass were digital innovator.” Drop in disability rolls adds to signs of labor market recovery US disability rolls stabilize for first time in a decade

WASHINGTON: The number of Americans on dis- jobs when the economy improves, said Social “We have seen an uptick in applications and we are ability has declined for six months in a row in a Security Administration’s chief actuary Stephen C seeing an increase in successful outcomes,” sharp turnaround after years of increases, more evi- Goss. Disability applications have dropped by Holtsberry said. dence of the labor market recovery the Federal about 400,000 a year, to 2.5 million, since the crisis. Andrew Houtenville, an associate professor of Reserve wants to see before nudging interest rates economics at the University of New Hampshire and higher. Social Security disability rolls have climbed Cyclical upswing research director at the school’s Institute on since the 1980s as the US population has grown In addition, some in the middle of the extensive Disability pointed out that labor force participation older and soared during and after the global finan- application process or already on the disability rolls for people with disabilities has increased over the cial crisis. That stoked fears that shrinking work- might find jobs that pull them back to work, said past six months compared to the rest of the popu- force will stunt the economy’s future growth. Goss, who oversees the statistics used to manage lation, a rare stretch of improvement. For Federal The surge also raised the prospect that the pro- the vast pension and disability programs. Reserve policymakers who met on Tuesday and Air Arabia Jordan to begin gram could run out of money and triggered calls “There is no question that there is a cyclical yesterday and continue to weigh when to start lift- for tougher eligibility rules as part of a broader component.” With benefits linked to a person’s ing interest rates a key question is how much slack operations next month political stand-off over the scope and costs of earnings and years of work, the federal program is is left in the job market and how many people Social Security. The trend reversal may help dispel available to people with physical or mental condi- might still wait to rejoin the workforce. funding fears and take the edge off the political tions that prevent them from “gainful” activity - The share of those working or looking for work Comfort, reliability and value for your money confrontation. Alongside other data such as the defined to mean they cannot earn more than peaked in 2000 at 67.3 percent and has been decline in the number of part-time workers, it is $1,095 a month. But the availability of jobs, and falling since, with the slide accelerating during the AMMAN: Air Arabia Jordan, the Kingdom’s necting Jordan and the entire region with also another sign that the scars of the 2007-2009 employers’ willingness to hire those with health last recession. new low cost carrier (LCC) yesterday affordable air travel”. Ali added: “As a major crisis and recession are healing. The number of new problems, changes with the economic cycle: More The rate has held relatively stable for a year announced that it will commence opera- tourism market with a stable domestic disability awards peaked in 2010 and held near or people with less-severe problems seek benefits now, but at just below 63 percent it is still far below tions from its Amman Queen Alia economy, Jordan offers a superb opportuni- above a million a year between 2009 and 2012. It during hard times and more will choose full-time the pre-recession levels. Yet Richmond Federal International Airport base in May this year. ty to serve both in-bound and out-bound returned to pre-crisis levels last year, hitting work over benefits during upswings. Reserve bank president Jeffrey Lacker has indicat- Beginning with direct flights to four coun- passenger demand. In turn, the launch of 811,000, according to Social Security figures. Since September, more people were leaving ed that this might be as good as it gets since the tries in the region, Air Arabia Jordan will Air Arabia Jordan will provide a direct boost Data for the first three months of the year sug- than joining the program, driving down the total crisis discouraged many workers from looking for greatly strengthen connectivity between to the Jordanian economy through the cre- gest a further drop to around 750,000 in the whole number of benefit recipients to 8,935,000. Kevin jobs altogether. Jordan and the Levant, Middle East, Europe ation of skilled jobs and the opening up of of 2015. Last year was the first in a decade when Holtsberry, spokesman for Opportunities for Speaking on April 10 in Sarasota, Florida, Lacker and North Africa. Starting from Monday new opportunities for local businesses.” the share of disabled workers in the 16-64 year- Ohioans with Disabilities, a job placement agency, said that the potential for cyclical movement into May 18, 2015, Air Arabia Jordan inaugural Air Arabia Jordan passengers can enjoy year-old population stabilized. Other measures of said the group has seen a jump in the past year and out of the labor force was “gone now.” flight will take off to Kuwait city as the carri- exactly the same comfort, reliability and the prevalence of disability have also leveled off. both in the number of people requesting vocation- “I think we’re back to trend,” he said. Lacker, who er’s first destination, followed by the launch value for money services they are used to The numbers serve as a gauge of labor market al rehabilitation plans so they can keep working or is a voting member of the Fed’s policy committee of regular scheduled services to Jeddah, flying from the carrier’s other four hubs. Air strength because people with less severe disabili- return to work, and a more than 16 percent this year, has advocated considering a rate rise in Erbil and Sharm El Sheikh on May 19th, Arabia Jordan fleet consists of new Airbus ties and sought-after skills are able to hold on to increase in the number of people placed into jobs. June. — Reuters 20th and 21st respectively, with more desti- A320 aircraft equipped with the world’s nations to be added later in 2015. most spacious economy seat pitch. Ali con- Earlier this year, Air Arabia announced cluded: “We are confident of the business the establishment of its fifth international growth prospects in the Kingdom and the Last day to deposit or open Al Danah hub in Jordan following the acquisition of a wider region as well as the increasing 49 per cent stake in Petra Airlines which demand for affordable air travel. account for 2015 2nd Quarterly Draw has led to the creation of Air Arabia Jordan, We look forward to the launch of Air the Kingdom’s new low cost carrier Arabia Jordan operations and to working KUWAIT: The countdown to the 2nd Quarterly Al 1) Each year, every eligible account holder gets the quarterly prizes, with quarterly prizes ranging from (LCC).The newly established carrier, man- with our partners to contribute to Jordan’s Danah draw for 2015 is winding down and today opportunity to win Kuwait’s single biggest cash KD25,000 up to KD500,000. aged by Air Arabia, will follow the carrier’s aviation and tourism growth over the com- is the last day remaining for customers to increase prize of KD 1 Million Open an account and Deposit now to Win Big, successful low-cost business model intro- ing months and years.” Air Arabia, listed on their deposits or to open an Al Danah account, to 2) Customers’ chances are calculated on a daily Live big, with Al Danah 2015. Gulf Bank would like duced to the MENA region eleven years the Dubai Financial Market, is the largest enhance their chances of winning, and be eligible basis and added up for every draw. to remind its customers that opening an Al Danah ago by Air Arabia. low cost carrier (LCC) operator in the MENA for the 2nd Quarterly draw held on 25 June, 2015 3) Gulf Bank is the only bank in Kuwait to transfer Account is quick and simple through its 58 branch- Adel A Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer region. The carrier began operations in announcing winners of KD250,000, KD125,000 all of its customers’ Al Danah loyalty chances from es strategically located throughout Kuwait. of Air Arabia said: “We thank the Jordanian October 2003 from its main hub at Sharjah and KD25,000. Opening an Al Danah account the previous year into the next one. Customers are encouraged to go to their near- government and aviation authorities for International Airport in the UAE.It has since merely requires a minimum balance of KD 200 to 4) The Al Danah account gives away the highest est Gulf Bank branch or call the Customer Contact their invaluable support throughout the grown to serve more than 100 destinations, be deposited as to allow active participation in amount of prize money Center on 1805 805 and the Customer Care Center process of forming Air Arabia Jordan. We spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa the Al Danah draws. Minors wishing to open an 5) The daily draw has two winners drawn for every representatives will be delighted to assist with any are eager to begin operations of Jordan’s and Asia from four international hubs in account require their parents or their legal working day, each receiving KD1,000. further information or questions on Al Danah or latest airline and move a step closer to con- the UAE, Morocco and Egypt. guardian to open the account on their behalf. 6) With 64 draws a year, and up to 532 winners, Gulf on any of the Bank’s products and services. Customers are advised to maintain the minimum Bank’s Al Danah account offers you the highest Customers can also log on to Gulf Bank’s bilingual balance, allowing them to automatically enter the number of draws and winners website www.e-gulfbank.com/aldanah for further Qalaa appoints advisor Al Danah Draws. 7) Al Danah account also offers customers the best information The Al Danah account offers the Daily Draw, 3 Quarterly draws as well as an annual draw. The dai- to study Tanmeyah exit ly draw has two winners drawn for every working ABK cardholders to enjoy day and accordingly up to 10 winners announced Qalaa issues update on non-core the following week with each receiving KD1000. Samsonite exclusive offer The 3 Quarterly draws take place every 3 months; assets divestment plan their cash prizes range from KD25,000 - KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) ABK cardholders can enjoy this exclusive KD500,000.Finally, the annual draw, offers the announced yesterday an exclusive collabora- offer by visiting one of the Samsonite show- KUWAIT: Qalaa Holdings (CCAP.CA on the by a number of potential acquirers who biggest single prize in the Middle East, that being Egyptian Exchange), an African leader in are due to submit final binding purchase tion with Samsonite, one of the world’s lead- rooms, which are located at The Avenues, 360 the KD Million cash prize. The more customers ing and iconic travel luggage brands, which Mall, Marina Mall, Al Hamra Luxury Centre infrastructure and industry, has appoint- offers in the coming period. save, and the longer the duration, the more ed CI Capital to study strategic options for Dina Farms: Due diligence by a num- gives all ABK cardholders discounts of up to and Al Kout Mall, during the promotion peri- chances they have to be one of the lucky winners 60% on merchandise in all Samsonite show- od. ABK aims to provide its customers with the full exit of Tanmeyah for Microfinance ber of potential acquirers is set to begin of Al Danah’s draws. Services, a non-core subsidiary in which in May 2015, with the close of the trans- rooms across Kuwait. The offer commenced added value and unique offers through its Seven reasons why the Al Danah account is the on 22 April and is valid until 7 May, 2015. frequent and numerous collaborations. Qalaa holds a 70% stake. Tanmeyah is the action expected in 2H15. Rashidi El- Best: largest private microfinance provider in Mizan:Due diligence by a number of Egypt. “Qalaa Holdings is on track in potential acquirers is set to begin in May divesting non-core holdings. Our ongo- 2015, with the close of the transaction ing divesture of those non-core business- expected in 2H15. ASEC Cement Algeria es will allow us to de-risk, deleverage and (Djelfa): Qalaa is in advanced talks to exit to invest in growth opportunities for our with short-listed bidders. Zahana Cement core subsidiaries. Company (also in Algeria): Qalaa is in talks The exit from Tanmeyah, if concluded, with its Algerian partners in the company would provide us with liquidity that for an SPA that would see them acquire exceeds the needs of both our current Qalaa’s stake in Zahana. Tebbin Port Land deleveraging program and our financing (owned by National Company for River needs, and permits share buybacks by Port Management S A E): Purchase offers Qalaa Holdings on an opportunistic basis,” received and under evaluation. said Ahmed Heikal, Qalaa Holdings’ Nile Food Industries (Enjoy): Chairman and Founder. “Management Information memorandum has been and the Board of Directors are firmly con- withdrawn by potential acquirers. Egypt vinced that Qalaa’s shares trade at a steep October for Food Industries (Elmisrieen): discount to their fair market value and A number of potential buyers have that the acquisition of treasury shares expressed interest. Qalaa expects the due thus represents an exceptionally com- diligence process to soon begin. “Qalaa pelling path to the creation of sharehold- may explore additional exits to permit er value,” said Qalaa Holdings Co-Founder further share buybacks for so long as and Managing Director Hisham El- management sees the company’s share Khazindar. trading at a steep discount to its fair mar- The potential exit of Tanmeyah is part ket value,” concluded Heikal. In 2014 and of Qalaa’s previously announced program early 2015, Qalaa Holdings completed to divest a number of its non-core sub- exits of non-core assets including sidiaries. The current status of these Sudanese Egyptian Bank, Sphinx Glass divestitures is as follows: Misr Glass and foundries AAC and AMC as well as Manufacturing: Due diligence concluded Pharos Holding. MUMBAI: A security guard and policemen are seen outside the first branch inIndia of Doha Bank, in Mumbai yesterday. Doha Bank, the largest private commercial bank in the state of Qatar, started operating in India with the inauguration of their maiden branch in Mumbai. — AFP technology THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 Battle of ideas pits tech talent in London docks

LONDON: The clicking of keyboards fills the hall at Fashion student Keit Kollo said she was creating a Jon Havan and his team won the London con- The contest is not so much about programming a former London dockyard hosting a 24-hour plexiglass prism to project hologram-like images. test in 2014 with a translation app. skills as brainwaves that could just be the next big “hackathon” to design applications ranging from “If you look at it from the right angle it seems as “A day really isn’t enough time to create some- thing. During 24 gruelling hours, some of the con- the whimsical to the practical and even the poten- an actual 3D object... thing that would be, say, the next WhatsApp or testants struggle to stay awake while others lie tially life-saving. I hope we can build something very close to Facebook but it does lead you down the path of down on sofas. The mood inside is studious and intense: over magical,” Kollo said. Her teammate Mansimran something that could be along those lines,” he said. A gong is sounded to signal the end of the chal- 200 competitors stare at screens, desks covered in Singh sounded more sceptical, saying: “We just The contest at Tobacco Dock in east London is lenge and the programmers give presentations of cables, flash drives, soft drinks and sweets. “We all need to test it works because if it doesn’t we have organised by PayPal, the US online payments giant. their inventions in front of a panel of experts. The have the ambition to make something unique and to come up with another idea.” The London leg of John Lunn, one of the judges and a senior global winner is an app that sends out an alert if it regis- innovative,” said Brian Thai, designing an app to the “BattleHack” contest is one of 14 being held director for Braintree, a branch of PayPal, said the ters a break in the daily usage of electronic equip- allow victims of natural disasters to alert emer- around the world this year, with the finalists select- idea was “to make something that makes you go ment by elderly people living on their own, for gency services to their location with a text mes- ed for the final in Silicon Valley in November and a ‘wow’”. Contestants have to use Braintree or PayPal example by monitoring when the television is on. sage. “But I also recognise that innovations like top prize of $100,000 (91,000 euros). It was held on software. “They can learn from our products and “It’s a good validation of our idea and publicity,” WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter... It doesn’t come the same weekend as thousands of runners took we can learn from them what works and what said Sam Machin, co-creator of the project. “There’s overnight. It’s many years of generation,” he said. part in the London Marathon. doesn’t work,” he said. probably something in it,” he added. — AFP LG’s new G4 phones have leather backs

NEW YORK: Optional leather backs and manual camera con- Motorola’s Moto X phone offers leather, wood and other non- trols are two ways LG is seeking to distinguish its new G4 traditional materials as made-to-order options. With LG, they phone from Apple’s iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy smart- are part of standard models. phones. LG’s mobile chief, Juno Cho, said a wireless trade show in The camera Barcelona, Spain, last month confirmed LG’s belief that smart- LG is adding features to improve low-light images. These phones have become clones of one another. are improvements over the average smartphone, though “I was almost shocked,” Cho told The Associated Press. Apple and Samsung have also been incorporating these fea- “Almost all the phones on display and introduced looked very tures - namely, the inclusion of a lens that can open wider to (much the) same - the same metal casing and emphasis on let in more light and reduce blur. thinness, overall form factors that are very similar.” The G4 also has a plethora of manual controls, rivaling The message at Tuesday’s announcement of the new G4: those of full-body cameras known as single-lens reflex, or SLR. We’re not like the others. Apple and Samsung dominate the LG said no other major smartphone released “this year” has smartphone market, with LG Electronics Inc. and other com- that capability. LG was careful about the phrasing, as older panies vying for third place with market shares of less than 5 phones from Nokia - now part of Microsoft - have that level of percent each. control. The feature was popular among some experienced LG will make phones with traditional backs, too - using photographers, though most people are fine with automatic metal or ceramic. Prices weren’t announced, though LG said settings. The G4 differs in letting people save images in RAW leather models will cost more in some markets. The G4 is avail- format, which permits a greater degree of editing. Most cam- able immediately in LG’s home country of South Korea. It will eras use JPEG, which takes less storage space but introduces debut around the world in the coming weeks and is expected distortion in the compression. to reach the US in early June. One nice feature is the ability to snap a photo by pressing LOS ANGELES: In this Tuesday photo, an unidentified person uses an iPad to read Yahoo/ABC News on the internet in Los Here’s how the G4 stacks up: the power button on the back twice, even if the phone’s dis- Angeles. More visitors to Yahoo, NBC and other top Internet sites are getting their news from mobile devices than from play is off. Samsung’s S6 launches the camera with the double desktop computers, according to ‘State of the News Media 2015,’ published yesterday, by the Pew Research Center’s The design press of the home button, but the user still has to then take Journalism Project. Yahoo/ABC is by far the most popular Internet news provider, with nearly 128 million unique visi- Apple has long made design a priority, while Samsung the shot. LG also made a dig at Samsung for this, without tors, according to Pew. — AP began to embrace that this spring with phones that sport a naming the company. metal frame and a glass back, rather than the plastic used in As much as LG tries to be different, the layout of the G4’s previous models. In many ways, Samsung’s new Galaxy S6 photo gallery resembles the iPhone’s. In an interview, Cho said came to resemble Apple’s older iPhones. (The iPhone now has LG “felt that kind of experience is important for the customer.” News industry metal backs.) At Tuesday’s announcement, LG made a dig at Samsung, Extras without naming it, by pointing out that glass backs can be Few phones have removable batteries these days, in part marred with fingerprints. The G4 will have a choice of leather to keep phones thin. LG sacrificed thinness so the battery can finishes. Some of Samsung’s older phones had imitation be removed and replaced with a spare. The G4 also has a slot turning mobile leather backs. The G4 uses real leather and has stitching down for a memory card - something lacking in the iPhone and S6 the middle - for looks, more than anything. phones. LG keeps the slot - especially important if people start If leather isn’t for you, metal and ceramic backs are options. storing all their photos in RAW. — AP Daily and Sunday circulation falls

WASHINGTON: The news industry is struggling with a ital ad spending, with Facebook getting 24 percent of all shift to mobile, getting scant revenues as more readers display ad revenue and 37 percent of mobile display. turn to smartphones and tablets for information, a research report showed yesterday. Those are among the Digital ‘bumps’ findings of the latest Pew Research Center’s “State of the The Pew researchers found the digital side of the news News Media” report released yesterday, highlighting an industry is continuing to grow, but unevenly. Large capital ongoing shift in the US media industry landscape. injections were reported by Vice News-which raised a The report found 39 of the top 50 digital news websites reported $500 million last year-and Vox Media, which pub- had more traffic from mobile devices than from desktop lishes Vox.com and The Verge and is valued at some $380 computers in early 2015, although researchers said people million after its $46.5 million funding round. generally spend more time reading news on PCs.Overall, Meanwhile BuzzFeed, which has been expanding with the news media is seeing much of the same trend as it has its own new capital, had to deal with “ethical questions sur- over the past few years-declines in print circulation and rounding the removal of posts that spoke negatively of key advertising, and a rise in digital news, albeit with limited advertisers,” the Pew report said. revenues, Pew found. And longtime tech journalism outlet Gigaom shut down Among the bright spots for the industry was television in March when it was unable to pay its creditors. news, where some segments managed to gain viewers. Pew said the number of entries in digital news are now Pew said broadcast network newscasts boosted viewership “so numerous and varied that they are difficult to keep by five percent last year, but cable news channels had track of” and that “the pace of technological evolution and another difficult year-with prime-time viewership down the multiplicity of choices... show no sign of slowing eight percent across the three major news channels. down.” The researchers said the top “digital news entity” was Bad news for print Yahoo-ABC News, with more than 127 million users, includ- For newspapers, it was more bad news: daily and ing 93 million who access from a mobile device. The others Sunday circulation fell another three percent in 2014. in the top 10, in order, were CNN, NBC News, Huffington Advertising revenue dropped four percent to $19.9 billion- Post, CBS News, USA Today, BuzzFeed, The New York Times, less than half of what it was a decade ago. Fox News and Mail Online. Each of the top 10 had more NEW YORK: Media get to look at the new LG G4 phone after a press conference to launch the new flagship phone That was only partly offset by a one percent rise in circu- users on mobile than desktop. for 2015 at One World Trade Center Tuesday in New York City. — AFP lation revenue, which suggests rising prices for print edi- For large newspapers, digital audience numbers far out- tions and subscriptions. Pew said that for “legacy” media pace circulation: The New York Times, for example, had an like newspapers, data is not available to separate the digi- average weekday print circulation of less than 650,000, tal-only segments at each organization. while its website and apps attracted nearly 54 million visi- Microsoft makes its But the report said digital revenues “remain largely on tors in January 2015. the wish list” for news organizations, and offered no break- But Pew said online visits averaged just 4.6 minutes for down on mobile ad revenues for news properties. the Times, indicative of the “fly-by” nature of online news. The news media, however, is unlikely to get much from Newspapers have done little to alleviate their financial case for Windows 10 mobile ads since five firms-Apple, Facebook, Google, woes. Overall advertising revenues fell to $20 billion last Pandora and Twitter-took in two thirds of mobile ad rev- year, down from a peak of $47 billion in 2005. But digital enue, the report said. has failed to make up more than $3.5 billion of the total. SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft figures one way to get people use Windows phones and tablets. Microsoft hopes it has Digital ad revenue across all media grew to $50.7 billion Newsroom employment was down another three per- psyched about Windows 10 is to make sure there are plenty of solved that problem by designing Windows 10 so it’s easier for in 2014, according to eMarketer figures cited by Pew. cent in 2013, the latest year for which data was available, cool features and apps for smartphones and tablets that use developers to build “universal” apps that work on a variety of Mobile ad spending now accounts for 37 percent of all dig- Pew said, after a six percent drop in 2012. — AFP the new operating system. Windows devices, from phones to PCs and other gadgets, That’s why the tech giant is making its case yesterday Gownder said. The company also has a big carrot to wave in before an army of software developers who may be crucial front of those developers: Microsoft has already said it will allies in its campaign to build enthusiasm among consumers release Windows 10 as a free upgrade to people who now for the next version of Microsoft’s flagship operating system, have PCs or other gadgets running the previous two versions coming later this year. of Windows, provided they upgrade in the coming year. The While Microsoft has already previewed some aspects of the offer could create a huge new audience of Windows 10 users new Windows, a parade of top executives will use Microsoft’s in a relatively short time, Gownder said. annual “Build” conference to demonstrate more software fea- Microsoft has not said exactly when Windows 10 is coming, tures and app-building tools, with an emphasis on mobile and some analysts are hoping the company will announce a devices as well as PCs. Ultimately, they’re hoping to win over release date at the conference, along with details about how it people who have turned to smartphones and tablets that run will distribute future upgrades. on rival operating systems from Google and Apple. CEO Satya Nadella and other executives have hinted they’d During the three-day conference, Microsoft may also show like to move away from the old notion of selling each new ver- off new Windows smartphones or sion of Windows as a separate product. Microsoft’s had early other devices and reveal more details about such tech ini- success in selling its Office productivity software on a sub- tiatives as the company’s new Spartan web browser; its Siri- scription basis, in which customers pay an annual fee to use like digital assistant known as Cortana; and the HoloLens, a programs like Word, PowerPoint and Excel. futuristic “augmented reality” headset that projects three- Nadella is presiding over a major overhaul of a company dimensional images in a wearer’s field of vision. that once dominated the tech industry, in the days when PCs But perhaps most importantly, this year’s conference is an were king. He has redesigned some of Microsoft’s most popu- opportunity for Microsoft to persuade an audience of more lar programs for mobile devices and invested in new “cloud- than 5,000 techies and independent programmers that it’s computing” services, in which businesses pay to use software worth their time to create new apps and programs for that’s housed in Microsoft’s data centers. Windows 10. Experts say Microsoft needs a rich variety of apps Microsoft still relies heavily on selling traditional software if it wants to appeal to people who are increasingly using for PCs and corporate computer systems. But its latest quar- mobile gadgets instead of personal computers. terly earnings report, issued last week, offered some signs that the decline in that business is slowing, while Microsoft’s Problem cloud-computing business is growing rapidly. The news drove “Getting developer buy-in is absolutely the crucial thing,” Microsoft’s share price up 10 percent in one day. The stock has said J.P. Gownder, a tech industry analyst at Forrester continued to climb, closing Tuesday at $49.15. BEIJING: Models in costumes use their smartphones as they take a break at the Global Mobile Internet Conference Research. He said Microsoft has struggled with a “chicken-and- Nadella will discuss the company’s strategy and financial in Beijing, yesterday. Beijing’s municipal government declared yesterday as “Capital Internet Safety Day” as part egg” problem, in which developers have been reluctant to performance at a gathering of Wall Street analysts in San of an effort to educate Chinese Internet users on avoiding fraud and identity theft online. — AP build mobile apps for Windows because relatively few people Francisco later. — AP THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Healthcare looms over Spanish vote as cuts hit hospitals

MADRID: Raul Robledo’s 82-year-old agency. “People are tired of seeing cuts “The best healthcare” showing smiling peo- He said that despite popular belief, the cialist. “Because of cuts and insufficient mother died on a stretcher in a corridor of made where it affects them personally.” ple outside hospitals and clinics. number of doctors and nurses working had investment in primary health care, the first the emergency unit of La Paz hospital in Spain hasn’t been alone in taking a Far-left upstart Podemos and centre- fallen minimally at a national level. port of call is the emergency ward,” said Madrid in February, after waiting nearly 48 scalpel to its healthcare system. right newcomer Ciudadanos are cam- “We have a health system that is the Ignacio Aguado, a Ciudadanos party candi- hours for a room. Across southern Europe, cash-strapped paigning over health too - a strategy aimed envy of the world,” said Rivero. “But there is date running for Madrid local government. Patients were spilling out of the rooms, governments have cut national healthcare at drawing the vote of older people in what a limit on what we can spend.” Faced with the extra burden, some hos- slumped on chairs and stretchers in the costs - in most cases the biggest part of is one of Europe’s fastest-ageing countries. Madrid’s regional government, run by pital workers have been writing official corridors, when Robledo’s mother was their welfare states, after pensions - in an Podemos, for example, organised a the ruling People’s Party, said La Paz and complaints to the nation’s courts. In the rushed in with pain from leg ulcers. “It’s effort to curb public spending during the demonstration outside hospitals in other hospitals in the region had not suf- complaints, three of which were seen by such an undignified way to die,” said euro zone debt crisis. February under the slogan “Spending cuts fered cuts. It says overcrowding this year Reuters, nurses said the ratio of nurses to Robledo, a 48-year-old engineer. Spain still offers universal health care. shorten lives”. was the result of a particularly harsh flu patients had fallen below official national The emergency wards of Spain’s hospi- And government officials say spending season. health guidelines, putting patients’ health tals have borne much of the brunt of deep cuts have focused less on services than on Emergency Hospital workers say, however, that oth- at risk. cuts that Spain has inflicted to its health- pharmaceutical spending. Spain’s national healthcare spending er areas of belt-tightening have trickled In one complaint, nurses from the La care system over the past five years while Yet in hospitals around the country, was cut by a total of 13.6 percent, or nearly down to emergency rooms. Waiting lists for Paz hospital reported to courts that on the country was swept up in the region’s doctors and nurses say they are struggling 10 billion euros, from 2009 to 2013, an operation have grown by 45 percent January 12, 345 patients were registered in debt crisis. to cope with reduced funds for staff and Treasury Ministry figures show. That is one nationally from 2010 to 2014 and by 52 the La Paz emergency wards with 96 beds. Now, even as Spain’s economy is recov- materials. of the biggest reductions in the European percent in the Madrid region. The nurses asked the court to take meas- ering, the state of the nation’s leaner And even though Spaniards still give Union. One of the reasons, says Cristobal ures to improve conditions. This could healthcare system is shaping up as a key their healthcare system a high rating, the The government defends its record. Lopez, head of the Ear, Nose and Throat involve requiring the hospital to hire more issue in regional and national elections lat- number of people who say hospital care Agustin Rivero, a senior health ministry department at Puerto del Hierro hospital in staff and open more beds. The court has er this year. has worsened has tripled since 2009, official who oversees pharmaceutical Madrid, is that doctors and nurses used to not yet responded. Such is the concern that some hospital according to CIS. spending, says the bulk of savings nation- work extra hours for more pay in order to Robledo, the engineer, says the experi- workers are also filing formal complaints in Thousands of white-coated doctors and wide - 4.5 billion euros of the 7 billion get through operations. Now, hospital ence of his mother dying in an emergency Spanish courts, asking judges to force hos- nurses, dubbed “the white tide”, have taken announced since 2012 - has been to sav- management is loath to continue the over- ward surrounded by other patients after a pitals to increase resources. to the streets. ings in medicine spending. time policy. long wait for a room that never materi- “Healthcare has become a symbolic Vying parties in the upcoming elections Spain now requires a greater share of Nurses and emergency-room doctors alised has deeply affected him and will theme for Spaniards,” says Juan Diez, are taking up the issue in their campaigns. drug costs be shouldered by patients and say patients are increasingly turning to influence his vote. “There are basic servic- founder of the Sociological Investigation The ruling People’s Party has launched a has ordered pharmacies and hospitals to emergency wards when they have to wait es that the state should safeguard,” he Centre (CIS), a closely-watched polling campaign in Madrid under the slogan of use more generic drugs. too long to get an appointment with a spe- said. —Reuters US officials predict return of avian flu in the fall Young birds will be at the highest risk of infection

CHICAGO: US agriculture officials difficult to control, say scientists, in Less than a week ago, USDA’s Democrat from Minnesota, told say it is “highly probable” that the vir- part because wild birds - especially Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford reporters on Tuesday. Other ulent avian flu viruses that have hit ducks - can carry the viruses without told reporters he wasn’t “forecasting Midwestern poultry producers are US poultry operations hard in recent appearing to be sick. anything for the fall.” If the virus were uncertain whether their farms will weeks will return next fall when wild The USDA statement marks a shift to reappear then, Clifford said it survive outbreaks of the flu because bird populations migrate south, in tone in the agency’s assessment of would likely be found along migrato- of production losses, Peterson said. potentially spreading the viruses into the likelihood for a renewed outbreak ry paths that cross over top-produc- “Folks on the East Coast better be new regions of the country. tied to fall migration. More than 15 ing chicken productions states such paying attention,” said Peterson, Officials with the US Department million commercial birds nationwide as Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. whose state has seen more farms of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant have died or are expected to be killed What impact the virus might have on infected with avian flu than any other. Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in the current outbreak, and exports chicken farms in the South is not told Reuters the H5N2 virus - along of U.S. poultry and eggs have slowed known. But the nation’s poultry FEAR OF VIRUS with two other highly pathogenic sharply. industry, which is taking an economic The outbreak’s reach expanded to strains of bird flu - will likely be A key concern has been whether hit from the rapidly escalating out- 14 states on Tuesday, when APHIS passed among birds at breeding the viruses will become endemic in break, is extremely alarmed at the reported that highly pathogenic OHIO: In this April 24, 2015 file photo, a sign on a window at a Jeni’s grounds in the northern United the nation’s wild bird population, prospect of wider exposure. H5N2 was identified in two wild birds Splendid Ice Creams states that the store is closed, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. States and Canada through the sum- eventually spreading them to the One turkey processing plant in in Kentucky. The avian flu viruses cur- CEO John Lowe said in a Tuesday statement that Jeni’s is destroying more mer. When the weather turns cool in East Coast and down into the heart of Willmar, Minnesota, has reduced its rently killing US poultry first originat- the fall, higher numbers of infected the nation’s chicken broiler produc- operations to four days a week ed as a single H5N8 virus in Asia, and than 265 tons of ice cream after listeria was found in the production facility wild birds are expected to move the tion states in the South and because “they don’t have enough quickly spread among wild birds and in products last week. —AP viruses south again. The strains are Southeast. birds,” US Rep Collin Peterson, a along migratory pathways. This virus swapped genes with Health officials say ice cream North American influenza viruses to create the new H5N2 virus, which has is safe despite some recalls been responsible for the slaughter of millions of chickens and turkeys in the Midwest. WASHINGTON: Federal health officials Ventura. “These recalls are an example of It also spawned a new version of say ice cream is still safe to eat - even companies taking appropriate action by H5N1, a distant cousin of the deadly amid recalls by two ice cream companies getting potentially unsafe foods off the Asian bird flu virus. after the discovery of listeria bacteria in market.” Based on evidence gathered so far their frozen confections. The FDA is investigating the Blue Bell from tracking wild and domestic The Food and Drug Administration outbreak but hasn’t said what caused it. birds between December and April, and the Centers for Disease Control and On Thursday, Blue Bell said its plants in “it is highly probable” that the viruses Prevention say there’s no reason to think Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama are will be maintained in some of the that listeria illnesses and deaths linked to undergoing intensive cleaning. North American wild duck popula- Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries and the Listeria illnesses generally only affect tions through the summer breeding discovery of listeria in Ohio-based Jeni’s the elderly, people with compromised season, APHIS officials said in an Splendid Ice Creams are related. immune systems and pregnant women. email. Young birds will be at the high- “Based upon what we know now, The three people who died consumed est risk of infection. “Usually these there is no connection between these the Blue Bell product in a Kansas hospi- young birds are the most susceptible two ice cream companies nor any reason tal. ones. They have no immunity. They to suspect that ice cream as a whole pos- The bacteria is found in soil and water, are loaded with influenza viruses,” es any special foodborne disease risk,” and it can be tracked into a manufactur- said Dr. Rubin Donis, an associate said CDC’s Dr. Robert Tauxe. ing facility, carried by animals or spread director for policy and preparedness Blue Bell, which recalled all of its prod- by employees not using proper sanita- in the Centers for Disease Control ucts Monday, is linked to 10 illnesses, tion practices. and Prevention’s influenza division. including three deaths, in four states. Bill Yarbrough of New Albany, Ohio, If the viruses becomes part of that Jeni’s ice cream hasn’t been linked to any said he understands why the recalls are breeding reservoir, “then we may be illnesses, but the company recalled its concerning to those most at risk but he’s doing control and eradication for products Thursday after Nebraska health not going to stop buying ice cream. years to come,” Donis said. “The prob- officials found listeria in a sample of ice Expecting the company would take a hit, FARMINGTON: In this file photo taken June 19, 2003, chickens gather around a feeder in a Tyson lem is with wildlife, there is no way to cream. Yarbrough started recruiting fellow fans Foods Inc., poultry house near Farmington, Ark. Tyson Foods said Tuesday, it wants to stop control their movements or their On Friday, Jeni’s said early testing sug- on Facebook to help Jeni’s rebound. using human antibiotics in its US chicken houses by September 2017. —AP methods.” —Reuters gested that listeria was present in other pints from the same batch the Nebraska Testing officials tested, and possibly another “When a company makes a good deci- batch as well. The company said addi- sion like this, but it’s going to cost them Scientists race to beat mosquito tional testing appeared to show that lis- a lot of money, they need to know and teria was present in Jeni’s manufacturing be rewarded for that,” he said. Sandra resistance in fight against malaria plant in Columbus. Eskin, director of food safety for the Pew “We are encouraged that the early Charitable Trusts, says she believes the indications suggest we have found it and US ice cream supply is safe but that the LONDON: Mosquitoes are rapidly developing available more quickly. he said. can focus on eradicating it,” said John outbreak linked to Blue Bell shows the resistance to insecticides used in bednets that mil- In the meantime, tens of thousands of people But experts say the question remains how long Lowe, Jeni’s CEO, in a statement on the need for more testing for foodborne bac- lions of people rely on to protect them from may die each year if mosquitoes develop full it will be before mosquitoes do develop resistance malaria, experts say. resistance to the current insecticides, Hamon said. to them. company’s website. teria in manufacturing facilities. Scientists are racing to develop new insecti- He said it was a dilemma knowing how much “We can’t keep replacing insecticides every Tauxe said the discovery of listeria is a President Barack Obama signed a sweep- cides, warning that tens of thousands of people in to warn people about the dangers of resistance. (few) years forever,” Lines said. “wake-up call” for the industry, since the ing new food safety law in 2011 that Africa could die every year if mosquitoes develop “You’ve got to shout loudly enough that peo- “In the long run we need an exit from this arms bacteria isn’t very common in ice cream. would boost some of that testing, but full resistance before replacements are found. ple go: ‘Right we’ve got to fix it’, but you don’t race. Either that, or we need to tone down the While the hardy bacteria thrive in cooler the FDA hasn’t yet put all of the rules in The issue will be a concern when the World want to risk the lives of people, (if health agencies) (insecticide) coverage.” environments, they can’t grow at freezing place. Health Assembly meets in Geneva next month to say: ‘What’s the point? We’ll just shut down all our In agriculture, insecticides are only used in cer- temperatures. “It’s frustrating that people have to look at proposals to eliminate malaria in 35 coun- (bednet) programmes’,” he said in an interview. tain areas, slowing down the development of get sick while we wait for the process to tries by 2030. Scientists say even untreated bednets can play resistance. Robust quality play out,” Eskin said. An estimated 4.3 million deaths have been pre- an important role in protecting people from the But that is more difficult to do in the case of At least one other major ice cream At the same time, the recalls may be vented since 2000, many of them because of the disease, which kills more than 580,000 people a health. One possibility could be to use untreated manufacturer, Unilever, appeared confi- evidence that testing has increased. mass distribution of treated bednets in Africa, year. bednets in areas with relatively little malaria, and dent, saying in a statement that the com- The Nebraska Department of according to Roll Back Malaria, a partnership Treated bednets were rolled out on a massive keep the treated ones for areas with high rates of pany has “robust quality and safety pro- Agriculture’s discovery of listeria in Jeni’s including the World Health Organization, UNICEF scale in Africa in the mid-2000s, with the aim of transmission, Lines said. tocols across our ice cream network ice cream was part of a program to test and World Bank. reaching every person in affected countries, but Other ways to control the disease include designed to prevent listeria contamina- ready-to-eat products for foodborne ill- “Only one class of chemicals is registered and by the end of the decade scientists realised resist- releasing genetically modified mosquitoes or ster- tion.” Unilever owns Ben & Jerry’s, ness. South Carolina health officials were works in bednets. It’s a unique chemistry and it’s ance was becoming a problem. ilised mosquitoes to reduce mosquitoes’ ability to Breyer’s and other ice cream brands. the first to discover listeria in Blue Bell very hard to replace,” said Nick Hamon, CEO of “If that resistance goes on getting worse then breed. This could help stabilise the situation but is In a statement, the International Dairy products as part of a random sampling IVCC, a UK-based charity working with agro-chem- we will get to the point where our treated nets not a long-term solution, Lines said. Foods Association said the dairy industry program that includes frozen desserts. ical companies to develop new insecticides aren’t really working much better than untreated Vaccines are another possibility, and the first is “seeking to understand how and why” Following the recalls, the Ohio against mosquitoes. nets,” said Jo Lines, co-chair of Roll Back Malaria’s one may be approved for use in Africa from listeria ended up in the products. Department of Agriculture said it would The chemicals currently used are extremely Vector Control Working Group and a malaria October. But any vaccine would have to be highly “Ice cream makers are double and add ice cream to the list of items they safe for humans, are absorbed through the insects’ expert at the London School of Hygiene and effective to work in parts of Africa where malaria triple checking safety protocols to make pull from store shelves to check for con- feet-they do not have to be eaten-and kill them Tropical Medicine. Adding insecticides to bednets transmission is very strong, Lines said. sure you can shop with confidence when tamination. within minutes. They also last for several years on doubles their protection, Lines said. In the long-run, scientists want to find ways buying ice cream,” the industry group Former FDA assistant commissioner the nets and are affordable. both to eliminate malaria in Africa and to prevent said. David Acheson, now a consultant to food A lot of hopes are pinned on three new chemi- EXITING THE ARMS RACE it returning. Regions that have successfully elimi- The FDA agreed consumers should manufacturers, says ice cream compa- cals which IVCC and its partners are putting into The chemicals going into development this nated malaria did so as they developed economi- feel safe eating anything that hasn’t nies will boost listeria testing as a result development this year. But even if these succeed, year may create a new generation of insecticides. cally, Lines said. been recalled. of the recalls. If two or all three of them are successful and are In Europe, North Africa, North America and, it will take them eight to nine years to reach the “Despite these recalls, it is important “We just have to cross our fingers market. used in combination, they could become a power- most recently, Sri Lanka, families getting richer, to understand that ice cream in the there won’t be a whole lot more recalls,” Scientists are also looking at insecticides ful new weapon, Lines added. improved health services, and changes in housing United States is Acheson said. “When you start to look, already used in agriculture that may be repur- “It would make getting resistance much harder and the landscape have played a big part, Lines generally safe,” said the FDA’s Jeff you find.” —AP posed for health uses, and which could become for the insects. Not impossible, but much harder,” added. —Reuters THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Homosexual blood donor ban may be justified

LUXEMBOURG: The EU’s top court ruled yesterday of sexual orientation.” If new testing regimes can ensure that all blood lion victims since then. that governments can ban homosexual blood But the court ruled that a ban on blood dona- donations are free of infectious diseases, then such Advances in detection and treatment have donors to combat HIV but only on condition they tions from gay men “may be justified, having regard a prohibition may not be necessary, said the top helped bring the disease under control and in April, show it is still the best way to limit health risks. to the situation prevailing in the Member State con- court for the 28-nation EU. the French government proposed to end a ban The court ruled on the case of a homosexual cerned.” “It must be established whether those per- It was now up to the French court to review the which many think stigmatises the homosexual com- man in the eastern French city of Strasbourg who sons are at a high risk of acquiring severe infectious situation in light of the latest medical findings, it munity and should be reconsidered. protested against a ban on his blood being used in diseases, such as HIV, and that there are no effective said. Britain ended its donor ban in 2011 and the 2009. The European Court of Justice said the French detection techniques or less onerous methods for France barred homosexual blood donors in 1983 United States followed late last year, providing that ban, dating from 1983, could violate the European ensuring a high level of health protection for recipi- as the world scrambled to find a way to halt the the persons involved had not had sexual relations Union principle “of non-discrimination on the basis ents,” it said. spread of HIV/AIDS which has claimed some 39 mil- for a year. —AFP

Dutch saltwater potatoes offer hope for hungry DEN HOORN: A small field on an island off the sea water and growing plants”. Netherlands’ northern coast promises one The world loses around 2,000 hectares (just answer to the problem of how to feed the under 5,000 acres) of agricultural land a day to world’s ever-growing population: potatoes and salt-induced degradation in 75 countries, other crops that grow in saltwater. caused by bad or absent irrigation, according to Every day, swathes of farmland somewhere the UN’s Institute for Water, Environment and in the world become unusable because of salty Health. soil, but farmers here on windswept Texel are The problem today affects an area the size of finding solutions using traditional methods. France-about 62 million hectares or 20 percent The team headed by farmer Mark van of the world’s irrigated lands, up from 45 million Rijsselberghe has planted around 30 types of hectares in the early 1990s. potato and their approach is simple: anything Solutions to make the land cultivable once that dies in the saline environment is aban- more are too expensive for most of the areas, doned, and anything that lives “we try to follow including the basin of the Yellow River in China, up on,” said Van Rijsselberghe. “It’s faster.” the Euphrates in Syria and Iraq or the Indus The experiments do not just target potatoes, Valley in Pakistan. The Team on Texel has already but also look at how other crops grow in saltwa- sent thousands of its potatoes to Pakistan ter, including carrots, strawberries, onions and where they were “successful”, said Van lettuce. Rijsselberghe, who will send more plants next The plants are irrigated using pumps that year. These “salt” potatoes could transform the manage water down to the drop, so the plant lives of thousands of farmers in affected regions and soil salinity can be accurately measured and, in the long term, those of around 250 mil- and the effect of “sweet” rain water taken into lion people who live on salt-afflicted soil. account. Van Rijsselberghe, 60, started the “Salty The potato was introduced to Europe from Potato Farm” around 10 years ago in the hope of Peru in the 16th century and became popular helping the world’s malnourished. because of its ability to feed people during the The team, supported by Amsterdam continent’s frequent famines. University, uses neither genetically modified However, over-reliance on the crop was organisms nor laboratories in their quest for potentially disastrous, with a blight leading to food that grows in salty environments. the devastating 19th-century Irish potato With over 5,000 varieties, the potato is the famine. Today, around 800 million people in the world’s fourth most popular food crop, accord- world are under-nourished, according to the ing to the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural FAO, with salt degradation threatening 10 per- Organisation (FAO). Plants whose ancestors cent of the global cereal crop. grew near or on the sea, but have moved inland with human populations, are likely still to have Sweet taste not price BEIJING: In this March 28, 2015 photo, a girl flies a kite on Olympic Green near Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Birds the necessary genes. “It could be a hundred, it The potatoes grown here taste sweeter than Nest and the site of track and field events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in Beijing. A study led by epidemiologist David Q. could be a thousand years ago, they still are those grown on normal land, because the plant capable of coping with saline surroundings,” produces more sugars to compensate for the Rich of University of Rochester Medical Center and published in Environmental Health Perspectives and released yesterday says said Van Rijsselberghe. salty environment. that women in the final stage of pregnancy during the 2008 Beijing Olympics - when officials strictly controlled pollution - gave The salt absorbed by the plant stays in the birth to heavier babies than in other years when the Chinese capital was smoggier. —AP Food security leaves, not in the flesh. While today much research is focused on But the price of the potatoes is for now pro- improving the yield of crops, the Dutch team hibitive, with one kilo (around two pounds) sell- Chinese babies born heavier has taken the opposite approach: trying to ing for five euros (just over five dollars), com- grow crops on land previously considered unus- pared to less than a euro for the same amount able. of “normal” potatoes. The bespectacled farmer jokes that in a “We grow around 30,000 kilos per hectare during Beijing Olympics country where much of the land lies below sea (2,6765 pounds per acre), a farmer with good level, “we are so afraid of the sea that until 10 conditions around 60,000 kilos,” said Robin years ago we didn’t dare to do anything with Konijn, the farm’s financial director. —AFP Officials strictly controlled air pollution

BEIJING: Women in the Chinese capital in enth months. the many significant health consequences of the final stage of pregnancy during the 2008 Studies previously have linked pollution pollution, but also demonstrate that this Beijing Olympics - when officials strictly con- to birth weight, but did not pinpoint at what phenomenon can be reversed,” Rich said in a trolled air pollution - gave birth to heavier stage of pregnancy the association is great- statement. babies than in years when the city was est. The researchers in China and the US Professor Chen Yuyu of the Applied smoggier, a study said yesterday. used records of more than 83,000 full-term Economics Department at Peking University, The study, led by epidemiologist David Q. births to mothers in Beijing from 2007 to who was not involved in the birth study, said Rich of the University of Rochester Medical 2009. it was interesting but not conclusive Center and published in the journal Beijing halted construction, shut factories because there could have been other unob- Environmental Health Perspectives, found and cut the numbers of vehicles allowed on served factors during the Olympics that con- that babies born to Beijing mothers in their the roads for 47 days for the games, provid- tributed to the results. eighth month of pregnancy during the 2008 ing the basis for a natural experiment on the Chen, who was the co-author of a 2013 Summer Games were on average 23 grams effects of pollution. report that linked heavy pollution from coal (0.8 ounce) heavier than those born either a The authors suggested that pollution burning to shorter lives in northern China, year earlier or a year later. controls - even short-lived ones - can have said more research is needed to “improve It found no significant association positive health benefits. our understanding of pollution’s impact on for mothers in their first through sev- “These findings not only illustrate one of people’s health.” —AP WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

PwC holds PIN2 Challenge awards ceremony

wC, the world’s leading professional part of the competition’s requirements was The third year of the PIN2 Challenge has “NBK is dedicated towards supporting tal- services firm, held an awards ceremony very impressive “commented the judges. 3- The third place team was Ardi. provided students with an unforgettable and ented young people and empowering them Pto announce the winners of the third In a moment of excitement, the winners l ARDI, in third place, proposed setting up valuable experience by developing their ana- towards achieving their goals,” said Emad Al season of the PIN2 Challenge. The PIN2 were announced as follow: an entertainment venue for kids which would lytical and problem-solving skills, communica- Ablani, NBK General Manager Group Human Challenge is a business plan competition driv- focus on raising awareness on the environment tion and team spirit. Students worked in Resources. “With NBK’s immense dedication en by PwC and sponsored by Zain, National 1- The first place team was: Gaia and Lunar and our role in preserving resources and our diverse teams incorporating challenges that towards initiatives that help invest and support Bank of Kuwait, Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa l The winning team presented an idea to earth. The venue would create an entire world are relevant to the prevailing social, economic, young youths, the PIN2 Challenge is one of Commercial Co., Wharton Club of the Middle create an online fashion brand which would focused on entertaining children but with an and technological environment, which allowed these initiatives. This challenge became a part East, Marriot Kuwait, and 4 Films Printing provide customized and tailored fitted clothing educational objective. They would watch pup- them to develop and grow. The students also of NBK’s on going progression to help develop Group Company. to consumers. They differentiated themselves pet shows, solve environmental challenges and developed strong relationships with their men- and support young talents. NBK is elated with The PIN2 Challenge is a business plan com- through their unique idea to use recycled plas- live temporarily in a world where you have to tors that will continue even after the competi- the outcome of the program this year and petition led by PwC for high schools in Kuwait, tic bottles as the key ingredient in their pro- reduce, reuse and recycle. tion has ended. These relationships helped looks forward to seeing the participants mov- which began in November 2014and included duction process. They propose to collect recy- l Student names: Malak Mikhail, Ahmed give the students new perspectives on how to ing into key leadership roles in their near 20 participating teams of around 100 students cled bottles from across Kuwait and convert Tohamy, Yomna Mansy, Farah Ali, Dareen tackle business issues in addition to giving future.” from the American International School, Al them to polyester fabric which would be used Abdallah. them insight on their future aspirations for “Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa has a long his- Bayan Bilingual School, New English School, as the key material in their clothing line. On this occasion Fouad Douglas, Country their careers. This will continue to be an inte- tory of supporting the personal and profes- Kuwait English School, and Universal American l Student names: Zeina Al Khatib, Farah Al Senior Partner of PwC Kuwait office and the gral part of the PIN2 Challenge as it expands its sional growth of young adults in our communi- School. The teams from each of the schools Bader, Nasser Al Rayyes, Omar El Saka. Chair Judge of the competition says, “The stu- reach in Kuwait and the Middle East region. ties,” said Mr. Ali Al-Mutawa General Manager spent five months developing their business dents demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial Faisal Abul, Zain’s Chief Regulatory, Legal of AAW, “When approached about being a part ideas and refining their business plans with 2- The second place team was: G-Tech. mindset and tackled key business issues ana- Affairs and Roaming Officer said, “Zain has of the PwC PIN2 Challenge it was a natural fit support from mentors from each of the spon- l The second place team, G-Tech, presented lytically and creatively. It was impressive to see been long known for its community engage- for our company because it aligns with our cor- sors. an idea to establish a company which would that most teams tackled the issue of sustain- ment on all levels, and our participation in this porate social responsibility objectives that During the 26th of April, the top 8 teams recycle all kinds of electronic products in order ability directly and had a strong understanding year’s PIN2 Challenge comes in line with our focus on helping young adults reach their full presented their business ideas to a panel of to extract the valuable metals that exist inside of the main business challenges of today and well-focused Corporate Social Responsibility potential.” judges made up of Senior Executives from the them. They would set up kiosks that would tomorrows world.” Adding “ We at PwC encour- and Sustainability strategies to enrich the skills Fouad Douglas also added “The PIN2 sponsoring companies. compensate people for their old electronics age our own talent to grow, develop and lead of young talents and contribute to our nation’s Challenge has been great experience for the According to the judges, the competition and appliances. The electronics would then be their own projects; whether it’s when catering development. We believe the development of students, the sponsors, and PwC. PwC and the was strong, great ideas and well developed sent to a factory to be sorted and shredded to to clients or when seeing through a corporate the communities in which we operate is a very sponsors hope to expand this competition in business plans were presented. “The creativity ultimately recover all the precious metals that social responsibility initiative like this one. important part of the company’s overall suc- Kuwait in order to enhance these relationships of the students’ and the innovative ways they can be resold. Through this initiative we hope to continue cess, and our support today showcases our and give back to the community in which we tackled the main challenges of sustainability, l Student names: Vasidev Venkatesh, Omar building future leaders with an entrepreneurial utmost keenness to contribute to the further operateby inspiring the youth and developing governance, technology and design that were Ali, Hiba Assi, James Gribble, Harsh Venkat. spirit to excel in their professional lives”. progress of the education sector”. future talent.” Japanese speech contest hursday, May 7, 2015 at 5.30 pm, the third OSN introduces first Japanese Speech Contest is held at the TAuditorium of National Library of Kuwait co-orga- TV show dedicated nized by the Japanese Community in Kuwait, Kuwait University and the Embassy of Japan. to Saudi youth The contest aims to improve the speaking and pres- entation skills of non-Japanese learners of the Japanese language, giving them an opportunity to demonstrate SN, the region’s leading pay-TV net- “Al-Jamiaa is a pioneering television their ability. Most participants are Kuwaiti nationals who work, is further strengthening its show that aims to bring together the have learnt Japanese In various manners. The event is Ocommunity engagement with the sharpest young minds in Saudi Arabia and also a good occasion to encourage Kuwaitis for learning launch of a first-of-its-kind show dedicated get to the heart of issues that really matter. more the Japanese language. to the largest demographic of Saudi Arabia, The show will have unprecedented access its youth. to public figures and aims to empower The contest is open for all audience. All the media The new show titled, Al-Jamiaa is a com- youth through meaningful dialogue, whilst organizations are welcome to attend and cover the pelling concept that provides a platform for offering the viewers true purpose and val- event. For inquiry, please contact the Cultural Section, Saudi youth to express their views and ue.” Ms, Yasmin or Ms Dana on 25309400. address big questions in a university-style Reinforcing its commitment to deliver- setting with interactive debates and voting. ing compelling and competitive talk shows, It also highlights OSN’s investment in the the university-style theme will be made up Islamic Quiz competition Kingdom in original ‘made in Saudi’ content of top students from some of Saudi Arabia’s he 9th edition of the Inter School Islamic Quiz creation. Through Al-Jamiaa, young Saudis most celebrated academic institutions such conducted by Friday Forum Kuwait will be held as can express their opinions on subjects that as Batarji University, Alghad University, Al matter most to them. Tapping into a gener- Farabi University, King Saud University, King on May 01, Friday at Rawda Jamiatul Islah T ation that is internet-savvy, independently- Abdul Aziz University, Dar Al Hekma Auditorium, said the organizers in a press release. Teams minded, educated and articulate, the show University, Effat University, Technology and for 19 schools in Kuwait will participate in the event presents a chance for Saudi youth to con- Business University, Ibn Sina University and which will start at 6.30 pm. The event will be attended front modern-day issues in an open and Umm Al Qura University. by various dignitaries from all over kuwiat. All attendees MarThoma family union transparent debating theatre. The audience will be split into two gen- will be gifted with a very handy islamic quiz book which The show will host an eclectic mix of der groups, reflecting the diversity of the would be released during the program. uwait City MarThoma Parish Salmiya time school-going students, Ebala Susan guests including sport personalities, intel- Kingdom, whilst the participants will be Prayer groups conducted its 8th annual Mathew, Evelyn Aliza Joshy, Leon Varghese lectuals, business leaders and government selected based on their academic perform- Jinns and Magic KKudumba Sangamam with colorful Manoj, David Philip John and Irene Jess officials, among others. The first episode will ance. What are Jinns? How do they affect people’s lives? Is events at Indian Community School, Salmiya. Thomas. As a surprise event, Achen and feature former Information Minister Dr. Filmed in Jeddah, the one-hour talk there anything that we can do to protect ourselves? The The programme started with an opening prayer Kochamma were requested to cut their wed- Abdel Aziz Khoja. Al-Jamiaa will be present- show gives Saudi youth the opportunity to goal of Satan and his followers of Jinn is to mislead by Soman P. Mathai. Rev Sam T Koshy (Vicar, ding anniversary cake on stage. The grand ed by Saudi Arabia’s most popular online pose questions and seek answers from the mankind into disbelief and sins. Join us as we explore Kuwait City MarThoma Parish) presented the finale was the one-and-a half hour drama celebrity, the 28-year old Omar Hussein. special guest invited on the show. The pre- the mysterious world of Jinns and magic. presidential address and inaugurated the pro- named “Manasantharami” written by Mr. Joseph Khulud Abu Homos, Executive Vice senter plays a crucial role in managing the Wednesday, May 6 and 20 @ 6:30pm gram. Parimanam Manoj (General Convener) M.A. The play was based on the current sce- President of Programming & Creative debates and the voting process which seeks welcomed the guests and members, which was nario and trends where children (the new gen- Services, said: “We are focused on expand- to ascertain whether the audience agrees or followed by Rev. Eapen Varghese’s felicitation eration) send their parents to old-age homes. ing our presence through thought-provok- disagrees with the special guest’s com- The Seven Corners of Life speech. Around 650 members participated in the ing entertainment shows that enrich the ments. Join these free interactive workshops to learn how to There were choral renditions by Salmiya family get-together, which concluded with a knowledge and understanding of our view- “We are committed to local family values achieve greater balance in your life. The Life Principles Zone prayer groups, Sevika Sangam, Edavaka sumptuous dinner. The grand success of the ers. Saudi youth are tech-savvy and con- and in presenting people with a choice of Organization helps the community by sharing informa- Mission and the Sunday School students. event was due to the untiring efforts of the com- nected, and leverage the strong broadband independent quality television that fulfills tion on how to enhance physical, spiritual, professional, Variety of programs included drama, fusion mittee members under the leadership of Joseph connectivity and smartphone penetration their expectations. The introduction of Al- financial and social success. music, skit, dance, solo, mime and group songs. M.A., Mr Anil Thomas, Reji Varghese, Alex Lukose to communicate their viewpoints. Through Jamiaa, with its innovative concept and Tuesday, May 05 @ 5:30 - 8:30pm (Sleep Well) During the short breaks between each item, the and Bobby Mathews. After the closing prayer by Al-Jamiaa, we are providing them a credible high-quality production values, will be a Tuesday, May 19 @ 5:30 - 8:30pm (Performance audience was quizzed and those who respond- Babu Johnson, Mrs Rachel Oommen proposed platform to engage in meaningful discus- breakthrough in debate-led television in the Management) ed with the right witty answers were awarded the vote of thanks. Ms Ansu Joseph and Nethu sion on television.” Arab world,” Abu Homos added. prizes. There was a special dedication of first- Elizabeth Thomas compered the program.

What’s On - Submission Guidelines IDAK scientific symposium tomorrow

ndian Dentists’ Alliance in Kuwait (IDAK), the organization Dr. Sami Al-Manea, Chairman of Kuwait Dental Association; of Root Canal Center, an exclusive endodontic training cen- All photos submitted for What’s On of Dentists of Indian origin residing in Kuwait, is organiz- and Dr. Deepak Nallaswamy, Director of Academics of tre based in Chennai and Dubai. He is the editor of various should be minimum 200dpi. Iing its first Scientific Symposium titled, ‘Clinical Dentistry - Saveetha University, Chennai, India are expected to be pres- text books and Journal of Conservative Dentistry. He is also Recent Advances’, on the 1st of May 2015 at the Regency ent as ‘Guests of Honour’. the General Secretary of National Board of Endodontics in Articles must be in plain text and Hotel, Kuwait from 1.30 PM to 9.30 PM. IDAK is affiliated to Dr David P. Tauro is an internationally acclaimed oral sur- India. Dr Neel Bhatavadekar is from Pune, Maharashtra and a should include name and phone the Kuwait Dental Association (KDA) and the symposium is geon from Bangalore, with extensive training in cleft lip Diplomat of The American Board of Periodontology. He also accredited by Kuwait Institute of Medical Specialization palate, facial esthetics and cancer surgery. He is the holds adjunct faculty appointments at the University of numbers. Articles and photos that (KIMS) for 6 CME Credits. Four internationally acclaimed President Elect of Association of Oral Maxillo Facial Surgeons Texas Health Science Center, Houston. fail to meet these requirements will speakers from India will lecture on the current advances in of India. Dr Deepak Nallaswamy, the Director of Academics at various aspects of clinical dentistry. Dentists from Ministry of Dr Vinod Krishnan from Trivandrum, Kerala, holds a Ph.D Saveetha University, Chennai, is the guest speaker for the not be published. Health, Kuwait University and Private Clinics are expected to in Orthodontics and is a fellow of the Royal College of closing ceremony and will deliver a lecture on ‘Changing participate in the symposium. Surgeons Edinburgh. He is the recipient of Young Dentist Trends in Dental Education in India’. He completed his MS Please send them to Dr. Yusuf Al Duwairy, Assistant Under Secretary of Dental Research Award at the Greater New York Dental meeting from the University of Toronto and Masters in Leadership in [email protected] Affairs, MoH Kuwait; Dr. Sabiha Al Mutawa, Director of and author of number of Orthodontic text books and Editor Dental Education from Harvard School of Graduate Studies. Dental Administration MoH, Kuwait; Dr. Jawad M. of reputed international journals. For registrations and queries visit www.idakkuwait.org. Behbehani, Dean of Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University; Dr V Gopikrishna , from Chennai, is the founder- director or contact [email protected] WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

Second national robot contest ducation Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Dr Bader Al-Mutairi said, the efforts of Sabah Al-Ahmad Center are a source of pride. He appreciated the role of technical directories, Kuwait and other universities through their participation in officiating committees in the ‘Second National Robot Contest’. There were eight contests with 10 schools and 80 teams participating, while 27 teams Ewere declared winners.

Abbasiya Reds Champions in Youth India fest

outh India Shifa Al Jazeera Al Nahil President K.A.Zubair and Salmiya Captain ly showed a new way of using art for social (Salmiya), Junior Boys: Hilal Salim Pathiyarath departments and General CP.Naisam, General Pravasi Kalolsavam which was filled received the runners up trophy from Youth causes in an environment where it is dominat- (Salmiya), Misbah Mayan (Fahaheel), Junior Secretary Shafi PT and President Rafeeq Babu Ywith the artistic skills of around a thou- India President Rafeeq babu. A variety of com- ed by evil. The painting competition Girls: Sama Ummar (Farwaniya), Sub Junior supervised the overall conduct of the event. sand expatriates and the imagination of little petitions for all age categories viz. kids, Sub (Nirakkoot) in which tiny tots to adults partici- Boys: Abdussalam Shoukath (Salmiya), Leading figures in the socio-cultural domains minds comes to an exciting finish. Abbasiya Junior, Junior, Senior, Ladies and Gents, which pated in their respective categories and the Subjunior Girls : Hima Jameela (Abbasiya). of Kuwait gave their verdict on the events. reds lifted the winners trophy in the kalol- started at 8 am in 10 venues. Leading figures open canvas painting was an attraction of the Sajid AC, Najeeb MK, Fasalul Haq,Shareef PT, Youth India General Secretary Shafi PT, Ashraf savam which was conducted with the motto in the socio-cultural, art and literature domain event. Leading singers of each of the zones Firoz Hameed, Muneer Madathil, abdul Kalathod, Anitha Teacher, Sathar Kunnil, Azeez ‘Arts for social causes’ at the Indian Central in Kuwait gave their verdicts on the competi- provided an entertaining evening to the Latheef, Manaf, SAP. Sharafudheen, Rishdin Thikkodi, Sanoj, Aniyan Kunju, Ranjith, School premises, with an aggregate of 283 tions conducted. crowd in the Ganamela competition. The Ameer, Mehbooba Anees conducted the Basheer Koilandi, Habeeb Muttichool, Faisal points in total. Salmiya Yellows were runners The group items which were held in the Individual champions are as follows. Gents : events in various stages. CK. Najeeb, Nisar K. Manjeri,Anwar Saeed, Anees Farooqi, up with a tally of 214 points and Farwaniya evening portrayed the current socio-cultural K.K.Ismail (Abbasiya), Ladies, Shameena Rasheed, Koyamma Shafi, Abdul Basith, PK.MAnaf, Niyas Islahi, Warda anwar and Blues finished behind with 156 points. and political affairs of the country and Nassar (Salmiya), Hasna Kalathil (Fahaheel), Shafeer, NK.SHafi, KV.Fawas, MM.Naufal, Husna distributed the prizes. The results of Abbasiya Reds captain Sanal received the win- expressed their anger over the injustice that Senior Boys: Sinwan Mohammed (Abbasiya), Muhammad Saleem, Hassanul Banna, the competitions are available at ners trophy from Kerala Islamic Group prevails in our country. The group items clear- Senior Girls : Lamiya Shaukath Koroth Muhammed Haroon led their respective www.youthindiakuwait.com. THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

00:15 Mafia! 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 02:00 The World’s End Stewart 04:00 Son Of Rambow 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 06:00 Planes Wilmore 08:00 The Rocker 03:00 Last Man Standing 10:00 Mafia! 03:30 New Girl 11:45 The Life Aquatic With Steve 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring Zissou Jimmy Fallon 14:00 The Adventures Of Rocky 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers And Bullwinkle 09:00 Last Man Standing 16:00 The Rocker 09:30 Black-Ish 18:00 High Fidelity 10:00 Fresh Off The Boat 20:00 The Heat 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 22:00 Not Suitable For Children Jimmy Fallon 14:00 New Girl 14:30 Black-Ish 15:00 Fresh Off The Boat 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:15 Upside Down-PG15 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 03:00 Parkland-PG15 Wilmore 05:00 Diana-PG15 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 09:00 Chasing Mavericks-PG15 18:00 Last Man Standing 11:00 Diana-PG15 18:30 New Girl 13:00 Parkland-PG15 19:00 2 Broke Girls 15:00 Romeo & Juliet-PG15 19:30 Galavant 17:00 Chasing Mavericks-PG15 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 19:00 Reasonable Doubt-PG15 Jimmy Fallon 21:00 Ain’t Them Bodies Saints- 21:00 The Daily Show Global PG15 Edition 23:00 The Master-R 21:30 The Nightly Show Global Edition 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers

01:30 My Last Day Without You 03:30 Bully 00:00 Glee 05:30 The Damned United 01:00 Once Upon A Time 07:15 Dream House 02:00 Survivor: Worlds Apart 09:00 The Cutting Edge 03:00 Mistresses 11:00 My Last Day Without You 05:00 Drop Dead Diva 13:00 Maladies 06:00 Glee 15:00 The Damned United 08:00 Perception 17:00 The Cutting Edge 10:00 Drop Dead Diva 19:00 Between Us 11:00 Once Upon A Time 21:00 Hateship Loveship 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 23:00 Cloud Atlas 14:00 Perception 15:00 Glee 18:00 Perception 19:00 Unforgettable 21:00 Supernatural 01:00 Escape Plan-PG15 SHAOLIN ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 22:00 Satisfaction 03:00 Song For Marion-PG15 MISSION TO MARS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 06:00 Wild Canada 23:00 Mistresses 04:45 Won’t Back Down-PG15 10:30 Off The Map 22:00 Man Fire Food 07:00 Family Guns 06:45 Captain America: The Winter 01:00 Live MSNBC Politicsnation 15:00 European Tour Weekly 11:30 How I Met Your Mother 22:30 Man Fire Food 08:00 80s Greatest Soldier-PG15 02:00 Live NBC Nightly News 15:30 Live PGA European Tour 12:00 Scrubs 23:00 Bite This With Nadia G 09:00 Shark Men 09:00 Muppets Most Wanted-PG 02:30 ABC World News With David 19:30 This Is PGA Tour CANADA 12:30 Scrubs 23:30 Bite This With Nadia G 10:00 Banged Up Abroad 11:00 Maleficent-PG Muir 20:00 Live PGA Tour 13:00 Masterchef: The 11:00 The Big Picture With Kal 13:00 The Lego Movie-PG 03:00 Live MSNBC All In With Chris Professionals 00:20 Fast N’ Loud Penn 15:00 Man Of Tai Chi-PG15 Hayes 15:30 Lone Star Legend 17:00 Muppets Most Wanted-PG 01:10 Fast N’ Loud 11:30 The Big Picture With Kal 00:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 04:00 Live MSNBC The Rachel 16:30 The Bridge 19:00 The Monuments Men-PG15 02:00 Misfit Garage Penn 01:00 Good Morning America Maddow Show 17:30 Wayward Pines 21:00 Miss Julie-PG15 02:50 Wheeler Dealers 12:00 The Border 03:00 Better Call Saul 05:00 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 00:30 ICC Cricket 360 18:30 Happy Endings 03:40 Storage Hunters 00:35 The Jonathan Ross Show 23:15 About Last Night-18 Matthews 01:30 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 13:00 Remote Survival 04:00 Salem 12:00 Indian Premier League H/L : 19:00 Happy Endings 04:05 Backroad Bounty 14:00 Doomsday Preppers 05:00 Good Morning America 06:00 NBC Nightly News Qualifier 2 19:30 Masterchef: The 05:00 How It’s Made 02:00 Who’s Doing The Dishes 06:30 ABC World News With David 02:55 Emmerdale 15:00 Knights Of Mayhem 07:00 Top Gear (UK) 13:00 Live International Test Series Professionals 05:30 How Do They Do It? 16:00 Inside 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Muir : ENG v NZ 20:10 Masterchef: The 06:00 Mind Control Freaks 03:20 Emmerdale 06:57 NBC Nightly News 03:45 Emmerdale 17:00 Is It Real? 09:00 The Night Shift 21:00 ICC Cricket 360 Professionals 06:25 Mind Control Freaks 18:00 Star Talk 07:18 ABC World News With David 21:30 Indian Premier League H/L : 21:00 According To Jim 04:10 Emmerdale 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:00 The Adventures Of Rocky 06:50 The Pop Illusionist 19:00 Knights Of Mayhem Muir Qualifier 1 21:30 According To Jim 04:35 Emmerdale 13:00 C.S.I. And Bullwinkle 07:40 Close-Up Kings 20:00 Inside 07:39 Live ABC Nightline 22:30 Indian Premier League H/L : 22:00 Lone Star Legend 05:15 Coronation Street 14:00 Killer Women 02:45 Sir Billi 08:30 Running Wild With Bear 21:00 Is It Real? 08:06 MSNBC The Rachel Eliminator 23:00 The Bridge 05:40 Coronation Street 15:00 Live Good Morning America 04:30 Pim And Pom: The Big Grylls 22:00 Star Talk Maddow Show 06:05 Coronation Street 16:00 The Night Shift Adventure 09:20 Marooned With Ed Stafford 23:00 The Big Picture With Kal 09:00 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 06:30 Coronation Street 18:00 C.S.I. 06:00 Dinosaur Island 10:10 So You Think You’d Survive? Penn Matthews 06:55 Coronation Street 19:00 The Night Shift 08:00 Pacific Pirates 11:00 Wheeler Dealers 23:30 The Big Picture With Kal 10:00 MSNBC Morning Joe 07:15 The Chase: Celebrity 21:00 C.S.I. 10:00 Tristan And Isolde 11:50 Wheeler Dealers Penn 22:00 Better Call Saul 13:00 MSNBC The Ed Show 12:40 Wheeler Dealers Specials 11:30 The Happy Cricket 14:00 Live NBC Saturday Today 08:00 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 23:00 Salem 13:00 Sir Billi 13:30 Wheeler Dealers Show 00:00 Pawn Stars 14:20 Wheeler Dealers 08:55 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 14:30 Quest For A Heart 00:00 Wreck-It Ralph 16:00 ABC 20/20 00:30 Pawn Stars 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 09:50 Murdoch Mysteries 16:00 The Spiderwick Chronicles 01:45 Nuclear Family 17:57 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 01:00 American Pickers 16:00 Gold Rush 10:40 Murdoch Mysteries 18:00 Tristan And Isolde Matthews 02:45 Last Orders 02:00 Storage Wars 16:50 Gold Divers 11:35 The Widower 20:00 Tony Hawk: Boom Boom 18:38 MSNBC The Rachel 03:30 The Entitled 00:00 Battle Of The Damned 02:30 Storage Wars 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 12:25 The Chase 00:20 World’s Deadliest: Jaws & Sabotage Maddow Show 05:15 Last Orders 02:00 Darkroom- (Season 4 Specials) 13:15 The Chase Sins 22:00 Quest For A Heart 21:00 MSNBC Weekends With 07:00 The Four 03:00 American Pickers 04:00 Empire State 18:30 Running Wild With Bear 14:05 Big Star’s Little Star 01:10 Hunter Hunted 23:30 The Spiderwick Chronicles Alex Witt Saturday 09:00 What Women Want 04:00 Ice Road Truckers 05:45 Shaolin Grylls 15:00 Home Fires 02:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 23:00 Live MSNBC Caught On 11:15 Nuclear Family 05:00 Counting Cars 08:00 Breakout 19:20 Marooned With Ed Stafford 15:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 02:50 Lion Battle Zone Camera 13:00 Wreck-It Ralph 05:30 Counting Cars 10:00 Mission To Mars 20:10 Alaskan Bush People 16:30 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 03:45 Wild Colombia 14:45 One Day 06:00 American Restoration 12:00 Street Fighter 21:00 Alaska: Battle On The Bay 17:45 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 04:40 The Croc Catchers 16:30 Toy Story 3 06:30 American Restoration 14:00 Reign Of Fire 21:50 Auction Hunters 18:30 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 05:35 World’s Weirdest 18:15 Owning Mahowny 07:00 Counting Cars 19:00 Big Star’s Little Star 15:45 Shaolin 00:00 47 Ronin-PG15 22:15 Auction Hunters 06:30 Fish Warrior 02:00 No Clue-PG15 20:00 The Reunion 07:30 Counting Cars 19:45 Home Fires 18:00 Mission To Mars 02:00 Golfing World 22:40 Auction Hunters 07:25 Hooked 03:45 The Amazing Spider-Man 2- 21:45 Love And Honor 08:00 Counting Cars 20:30 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 20:00 Breakout 07:00 World Rugby 23:05 Treehouse Masters 08:20 Kingdom Of The Oceans PG15 23:30 Chimpanzee 08:30 Counting Cars 21:45 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 22:00 Prisoners Of The Sun 07:30 NRL Full Time 23:55 The Pool Master 09:15 World’s Deadliest Animals 06:15 Turbo-PG 09:00 Counting Cars 22:30 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 08:00 Live NRL Premiership 10:10 Urban Jungle 08:00 I, Frankenstein-PG15 09:30 Counting Cars 23:00 Coronation Street 10:30 Live Super Rugby 11:05 Animals Gone Wild 09:45 Vamps-PG15 10:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 23:25 Coronation Street 12:30 Live Super Rugby 12:00 Red Sea Jaws 11:30 The Amazing Spider-Man 2- 23:50 Coronation Street 17:00 Super Rugby Highlights 11:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 12:55 World’s Deadliest Animals PG15 18:00 Live Super Rugby 11:30 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 13:50 Grizzly Cauldron 14:00 Last Passenger-PG15 00:00 Richkids Of Beverly Hills 00:00 Darkroom—PG15 20:00 Live Super Rugby 12:00 Counting Cars 14:45 Monster Frog 02:00 Empire State-PG15 15:45 I, Frankenstein-PG15 00:00 According To Jim 13:00 Storage Wars Texas 00:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 15:40 Man And The Wild 22:30 Live Indy Car Series 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 03:45 Shaolin-PG15 17:30 The Hobbit: The Desolation 00:30 The Bridge 13:30 Storage Wars Texas 16:35 Nordic Wild 06:00 Breakout-PG15 Of Smaug-PG 01:30 Lone Star Legend 14:00 Storage Wars Texas 01:25 Beyond Candid With 17:30 Built For The Kill 08:00 Mission To Mars-PG15 20:30 Think Like A Man Too-PG15 02:30 Da Vinci’s Demons 14:30 Storage Wars Texas Giuliana 18:25 World’s Weirdest 02:20 E! News 00:00 80s Greatest 10:00 Street Fighter-PG15 22:15 Sin City: A Dame To Kill For- 03:30 Army Wives 15:00 Shipping Wars 01:00 Shark Men 19:20 Monster Frog 18 04:30 Off The Map 03:15 Keeping Up With The 12:00 Reign Of Fire-PG15 15:30 Shipping Wars 20:10 Man And The Wild 07:00 Live AFL Premiership Kardashians 02:00 Banged Up Abroad 13:45 Shaolin-PG15 05:30 Dirt 21:00 Nordic Wild 10:00 NRL Full Time 16:00 Pawn Stars 04:10 E!ES 03:00 Naked Science 2.5 16:00 Mission To Mars-PG15 06:30 The Listener 04:00 Mystery Files 21:50 Built For The Kill 10:30 Live NRL Premiership 07:30 The Listener 16:30 Pawn Stars 05:05 E!ES 18:00 Breakout-PG15 17:00 Pawn Stars 04:30 Mystery Files 22:40 World’s Weirdest 20:00 Prisoners Of The Sun-PG15 12:30 Live NRL Premiership 08:30 Revenge 06:00 Keeping Up With The 17:30 Pawn Stars 05:00 Somewhere In China 23:30 Red Sea Jaws 22:00 Red Sky-PG15 00:00 Live MSNBC The Ed Show 14:30 World Rugby 09:30 Revenge Kardashians 18:00 Pawn Stars South Africa 06:55 Keeping Up With The 18:30 Pawn Stars South Africa Kardashians 19:00 Storage Wars 07:50 Style Star 19:30 Storage Wars 08:20 E! News 20:00 Storage Wars 09:15 Richkids Of Beverly Hills 09:45 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 20:30 Storage Wars 10:15 THS 21:00 Storage Wars 11:10 E!ES 21:30 Storage Wars 12:05 E! News 22:00 Counting Cars 13:05 Giuliana & Bill 23:00 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 14:05 Christina Milian Turned Up 23:30 Big Rig Bounty Hunters 15:00 Fashion Bloggers 15:30 Fashion Bloggers 16:00 House Of DVF 17:00 House Of DVF 18:00 E! News 19:00 E!ES 20:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 00:45 Return To Amish 21:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 01:35 My 600lb Life 22:00 E! News 02:25 Body Bizarre 23:00 The Soup 23:30 The Grace Helbig Show 03:15 Outrageous Emergency 04:05 Soul Food Family 05:00 Soul Food Family 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 06:25 Toddlers & Tiaras 07:15 Toddlers & Tiaras 08:05 The Next Great Baker: Road 00:30 Guy’s Big Bite 01:00 Girl Eats World To The Finale 01:30 Girl Eats World 08:55 The Next Great Baker 02:00 Bite This With Nadia G 10:10 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 02:30 Bite This With Nadia G 10:35 Shopping Is My Life 03:00 Guy’s Big Bite 11:25 17 Kids And Counting 03:30 Guy’s Big Bite 11:50 17 Kids And Counting 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:15 17 Kids And Counting 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:40 17 Kids And Counting 05:00 Chopped 06:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 13:05 17 Kids And Counting 07:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:30 Say Yes To The Dress 07:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:55 Say Yes To The Dress 08:00 Chopped 14:20 Oprah: Where Are They 09:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes Now? 10:00 The Pioneer Woman 15:10 Cake Boss 10:30 The Pioneer Woman 15:35 Cake Boss 11:00 Siba’s Table 16:00 Cake Boss 11:30 Siba’s Table 12:00 Guy’s Big Bite 16:25 Cake Boss 12:30 Chopped 16:50 Cake Boss 13:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 17:15 Shopping Is My Life 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:05 Oprah’s Next Chapter 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:55 Say Yes To The Dress 15:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:20 Say Yes To The Dress 15:30 Chopped 19:45 Say Yes To The Dress 16:30 The Pioneer Woman 20:10 Say Yes To The Dress 17:00 The Pioneer Woman 17:30 Guy’s Big Bite 20:35 Say Yes To The Dress 18:00 Guy’s Big Bite 21:00 Oprah: Where Are They 18:30 Guy’s Big Bite Now? 19:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 21:50 Oprah’s Next Chapter 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:40 Long Island Medium 20:00 Chopped 23:05 Last Chance Salon 21:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:55 Last Chance Salon 21:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives ESCAPE PLAN ON OSN MOVIES HD Classifieds

SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY

SHARQIA-1 KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET 8:00 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 2:30 PM 360º 2 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 11:30 AM GABBAR IS BACK -Hindi 9:45 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 5:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:00 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 2:15 PM THE FORGER 12:45 AM Special Show “AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON” 5:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 2:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 5:00 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 9:45 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 8:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 4:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:15 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 11:45 PM Special Show “AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON” 8:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:45 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 11:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 9:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:45 PM FANAR-4 MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 1:15 AM BIG GAME 11:00 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 11:45 PM THE FORGER 11:30 AM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 11:00 PM LAST KNIGHTS 1:00 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 1:30 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 1:00 AM SHARQIA-2 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 4:15 PM 360º- 3 BARELY LETHAL 11:30 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 7:00 PM AVENUES-5 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 1:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 9:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 3:00 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 4:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 12:30 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 3:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 5:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 7:00 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 6:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 9:45 PM FANAR-5 Special Show “AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON” 6:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:30 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 9:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:05 AM Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 3:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:05 AM Member of: ICCRC, CAPIC & CommissionerCommissioner for Oath SHARQIA-3 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 6:00 PM AL-KOUT.1 MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 1:00 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 8:45 PM AVENUES-6 THE FORGER 11:30 AM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 3:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 11:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 11:30 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 1:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 5:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 2:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 4:15 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 7:45 PM MARINA-1 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 5:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 7:00 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 10:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 8:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 9:45 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 12:15 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 3:00 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 11:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:30 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:45 PM MUHALAB-1 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 8:00 PM AVENUES-7 AL-KOUT.2 BARELY LETHAL 11:30 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:15 PM SAMBA 11:45 AM KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET 12:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 1:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:30 AM KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET 2:00 PM BARELY LETHAL 2:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 3:45 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 12:30 AM KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET 4:00 PM KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET 4:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 6:00 PM SAMBA 6:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:15 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 8:15 PM MARINA-2 KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET 8:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 8:15 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 10:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:30 AM SAMBA 10:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 12:45 AM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 1:30 PM SAMBA 12:45 AM BARELY LETHAL 12:45 AM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 3:45 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 12:45 AM MUHALAB-2 MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 6:00 PM AVENUES-8 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:00 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 8:15 PM TRACERS 1:15 PM AL-KOUT.3 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 2:45 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 10:30 PM THE FORGER 3:15 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 1:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 5:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 12:45 AM TRACERS 5:30 PM TRACERS 1:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:45 PM THE FORGER 7:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 3:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 10:00 PM MARINA-3 KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET 9:45 PM TRACERS 5:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:15 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 1:00 PM TRACERS 11:45 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 7:45 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 10:00 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 3:45 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 10:00 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 12:15 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 6:30 PM AVENUES-9 MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 12:15 AM ACCOMMODATION AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 9:15 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 12:45 PM FOR SALE MUHALAB-3 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 12:05 AM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 3:15 PM AL-KOUT.4 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 12:45 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 5:45 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:30 AM Household items for sale, A separate room available AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 3:30 PM AVENUES-1 MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 8:15 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 1:30 PM kitchen cabinet, cooking with bathroom and good AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 6:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:00 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 10:45 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 3:45 PM range micro only, location for an Indian small AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 9:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:15 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 1:00 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 6:00 PM wardrobe, desktop comput- family or a working lady AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 11:45 PM THE AGE OF ADALINE 5:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 8:45 PM er, treadmill, and many oth- PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 7:45 PM AVENUES-10 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 11:30 PM near Al Rashid Hospital in FANAR-1 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:45 AM er items at throw away Salmiya from April 25th TRACERS 1:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:15 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 2:00 PM BAIRAQ-1 prices at Salmiya, Easa Al onwards. (Preferably vege- TRACERS 1:30 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 10:00 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 4:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 1:00 PM Qattami street. Call: tarian). Contact: 99838117 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 3:15 PM SWORD OF VENGEANCE 12:05 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 6:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 3:45 PM 25630982, 66460214. or 99315825. (C 4974) TRACERS 5:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 8:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 6:30 PM (C 4976) 25-4-2015 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:30 PM AVENUES-2 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 11:00 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 9:15 PM 30-4-2015 ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 1:15 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 12:05 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 12:05 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:45 PM CHANGE OF NAME FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:30 PM AVENUES-11 BAIRAQ-2 MATRIMONIAL FANAR-2 UTTAMA VILLAIN -Tamil 6:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON- DOLBY ATMOS 12:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:30 PM I, Poli Shanker Reddy, hold- MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 12:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON- DOLBY ATMOS 3:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 2:45 PM er of Indian Passport No. MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 3:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON- DOLBY ATMOS 6:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:00 PM Marthoma girl 31, 151cm, 5622331 issued in Kuwait MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 5:30 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON- DOLBY ATMOS 9:30 PM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 7:15 PM MA, teacher divorcee seeks on 12/03/2006 change my MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 7:45 PM AVENUES-3 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON- DOLBY ATMOS 12:30 AM ZANKET AL SITAT-Arabic 9:30 PM alliance from boys educat- MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 10:00 PM THE FORGER 11:45 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:45 PM name to POLI SANKAR RED- MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 12:15 AM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 1:45 PM 360º- 1 SWORD OF VENGEANCE 11:45 PM ed graduate and above. DY. (C 4975) AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 4:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 11:30 AM Kuwait/India. Email: FANAR-3 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 7:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 2:30 PM BAIRAQ-3 [email protected] THE FORGER 12:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 10:45 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 5:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 11:30 AM (C 4973) THE FORGER 2:45 PM Special Show “THE COBBLER” 6:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 1:45 PM KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET 4:45 PM AVENUES-4 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 8:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 4:00 PM 25-4-2015 UTTAMA VILLAIN -Tamil 6:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 12:15 PM AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON -3D 11:30 PM MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT 6:15 PM 112

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 30/4/2015 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 Departure Flights on Thursday 30/4/2015 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 Airlines Flt Route TimeAIC UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 KAC 564 Amman 00:05 KNE 460 Riyadh 14:10 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:10 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 JZR 562 Sohag 00:20 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 KNE 481 Taif 15:10 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 538 Sohag 14:55 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 KAC 788 Jeddah 14:55 KLM 411 Amsterdam 00:55 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 15:00 JZR 502 Luxor 01:10 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 OMA 645 Muscat 15:05 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 KAC 741 Dammam 15:55 SAI 441 Lahore 01:35 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 SAI 442 Lahore 02:35 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:00 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:05 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:15 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:10 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:10 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 MSC 404 Sohag 03:30 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:25 OMA 644 Muscat 03:35 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 MSC 403 Sohag 02:30 KAC 118 New York 16:30 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 OMA 643 Muscat 02:35 KNE 476 Jeddah 16:40 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 QTR 1076 Doha 03:05 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 KAC 562 Amman 17:00 QTR 1077 Doha 04:05 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 17:15 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 KNE 477 Jeddah 17:30 KAC 1544 Cairo 03:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 JZR 560 Sohag 05:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:40 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:15 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 GFA 050 Bahrain 06:00 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 DHX 170 Bahrain 04:20 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 17:55 QTR 8646 Doha 06:20 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 THY 770 Istanbul 04:40 FDB 065 Dubai 18:05 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 QTR 8646 Doha 04:50 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 KAC 563 Amman 18:30 GFA 050 Istanbul 05:15 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 JZR 538 Cairo 18:40 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 BAW 157 London 06:35 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 JZR 240 Amman 07:05 FDB 066 Dubai 18:55 JZR 563 Sohag 06:45 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 JZR 238 Amman 19:15 JZR 503 Luxor 07:20 AXB 393 Kozhikode 18:55 KAC 537 Sohag 08:20 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 BAW 156 London 08:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 IRA 673 Ahwaz 07:30 KAC 104 London 19:00 IRA 672 Ahwaz 08:30 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:45 KAC 742 Dammam 19:00 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 AXB 394 Kozhikode 19:55 KAC 204 Lahore 07:50 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:30 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 TAR 327 Dubai/Tunis 08:50 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 TAR 327 Tunis 08:05 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 AGY 681 Alexandria 20:50 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 KAC 1543 Cairo 20:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 AGY 684 Sohag 19:50 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 KAC 362 Colombo 08:30 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 ABY 122 Sharjah 21:00 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:00 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 KNE 480 Taif 20:10 KAC 101 London/New York 10:00 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 IZG 4162 Mashhad 10:30 KAC 287 Dhaka 21:05 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 20:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:10 IZG 4161 Mashhad 09:30 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:20 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 10:50 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15 KAC 350 Kochi 09:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:30 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 KLM 417 Amsterdam 21:05 KNE 471 Jeddah 11:20 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 KNE 470 Jeddah 10:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:05 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 JZR 561 Sohag 11:25 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 KAC 381 Delhi 22:20 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10 SYR 341 Damascus 11:35 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 AGY 680 Alexandria 11:40 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 SYR 342 Damascus 12:35 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 AGY 685 Sohag 12:40 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 JZR 241 Amman 12:40 FDB 059 Dubai 22:50 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:05 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:25 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 23:30 JZR 124 Bahrain 13:30 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:50 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 FDB 060 Dubai 23:50 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

CROSSWORD 888 STAR TRACK

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

Someone needs your support today and you are pleased to help. Later there You could be most persuasive with others and eloquent in speech and com- may be an opportunity to meet up with a few old friends and enjoy some munication. You will find several situations become available for you to teach and motivate new type of activity. It is good you keep a close contact with your siblings or family as they others with a desire to investigate, research and learn new subjects. You may find yourself enjoy your company as much as old friends enjoy your company; keep up those communi- dealing with difficult people this afternoon, but solving problems is easy for you at this cations. Sometimes it takes one positive and strong individual to keep family members time. Some people see life as a struggle, but you seem to see life as an adventure. Your close and informed of each other’s progress. You may be the one to carry through on that inner resources and emotions are accented. Expect a sense of support and goodwill from order in your family. Being more involved with family is as important for you as it is for that those around you. Perhaps you feel this is really you-and how you feel. You and your loved cousin who may live in another state or country. Matters of showmanship will be getting one are in a fun loving and sociable mood this evening. You will find that any social plans special attention tonight. Perhaps a party! you thought about today will become a reality.

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

Social involvement, dating and general pleasantries can be enjoyed all day. Someone may really need your help now; just listening will have a most pos- This is a great time to refurbish your own energies. Take some time to get outside-weather itive effect. You may quickly find a lost item which you or someone else has spent a great permitting, of course. Fishing, bird watching, walking, working or playing in the yard or amount of time looking for lately. This situation can be used to help young people under- park-all lead to a more relaxed and focused you. Later this afternoon you will want to be stand the importance of reporting a lost item. You are good at finding things. There is time with your loved ones. Feeling significant within the family group or being popular with today for just about any activity you might want to enjoy. A love of music and an apprecia- your peers gives you a sense of belonging this afternoon. Perhaps some grilled hamburgers tion for sensual pleasures are the signs of the cycle that has begun for you. This is an artistic outside with continued conversations and reunions with neighbors would be fun this time, to be sure, but it is also a practical and materialistic time. Special people, a new interest evening. This is a time you will enjoy being the center of attention as well as satisfying that or a bag of popcorn keeps you busy and happy to be you this evening. There is time to craving to give and to be appreciated for your gifts. enjoy some time shared with a loved one this evening.

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

A family member or a close friend may be performing today and you want to Figuring things out and discovering the problem that others have spent so be available to help in the preparations as well as the celebrations after the much time trying to discover, seems to be the thing that takes on special sig- performance. Plans you have already made are good and you enjoy the exhilaration that nificance now. People call on you to be the mediator or the one that finds the right puzzle comes with this whole day. This could be anything from participating in a dog show or a piece. Whatever the case, there is much mental busywork now. Your mind is quickened- ACROSS DOWN first recital or a show after many long rehearsals. You are proud and do a good job with making you receptive to all external stimuli. You are filled with self-assertiveness. Working 1. A rapid bustling commotion. 1. An honorary arts degree. whatever is in need today. Much energy and drive are available for whatever is to be on a project could prove beneficial, especially if you elicit the aid of friends. Instead of buy- 4. A fibrous amphibole. 2. A city in north-central India. achieved. You can demonstrate great understanding and sensitivity about the needs of ing a grill you may decide to build one. Be judicious and diplomatic in your discussions with 12. (Australian and New Zealand) A disparaging 3. An annual award by the Academy of Motion others and may decide on a career in some form of psychology. Your intuition is strong and a loved one at this time. You are feeling festive and desirous of having fun times with family and friends. Linking in to long-distance associates is enhanced. term for English immigrants to Australia or New Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in your emotions are healthy. Expect a sense of goodwill. Zealand. motion picture production and performance. 15. A widely distributed system consisting of all 4. Gone by. the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal par- 5. The month following August and preceding Capricorn (December 22-January 19) ticles etc, except for certain white blood cells. October. Cancer (June 21-July 22) 16. A colorless water-soluble glutinous protein 6. The whiteness that results from removing the If your personal popularity was absent before today, it is back now. You may obtained from animal tissues such as bone and color from something. Your goals stand in stark contrast to the goals of others now. Adjustments feel that you are in touch and in harmony with others; the lines of communi- skin. 7. A British peer ranking below a Marquess and and compromises must be made in the interests of harmony. This may have you feeling like cation are open. The support you need is available. You like to shop when there are not so a caged lion; however, failure to take such steps can increase tensions between others- 17. A federal agency established to coordinate above a Viscount. many other shoppers around you. Early afternoon may be a good time to select furnish- 8. Boxcar with latticed sides. especially those closest to you. There are many things you want to accomplish and with ings, colors and so on-the finer things of life. Your taste in art and appreciation in general is programs aimed at reducing pollution and pro- patience, you will be able to return to what you want to do later today. This afternoon you 9. A silvery malleable metallic element that sharp. Shop for the best buys, however, not just the quick fix. After shopping, you may want tecting the environment. are able to express appreciation for music, sensual pleasures and the finer things in life. This to share some time with friends or family members. Some outside activity with children or a 18. Considerate and solicitous care. resists corrosion. is aesthetic and artistic to be sure, but it is also practical and materialistic: you develop a 10. In operation or operational. trip to the park could bring you great satisfaction this afternoon. Practice initiating these 19. A segment of DNA containing adjacent keen appreciation for the value of things, including the money it takes to buy them. This times in your life more often. genes including structural genes and an opera- 11. The largest island of Denmark and the site of evening could be a good time for imagination and creativity. tor gene and a regulatory gene. Copenhagen. 20. An upright tripod for displaying something 12. The basic unit of money in Uruguay. 13. Affording unobstructed entrance and exit. (usually an artist's canvas). Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 22. Title for the former hereditary monarch of 14. A milkshake made with malt powder. 21. Completely enveloping. Ask for help in housework so it can be put behind you quickly. Steer away Iran. Communication with those around you, especially young people, may 23. Austrian composer who influenced the clas- from arguments and possible hard feelings this morning-many things are not as they seem. 24. A fine grained mineral having a soft soapy spur memories of your own youth. You may find yourself reflecting over some event in the sical form of the symphony (1732-1809). Your thoughts may not be in sync with your feelings and this could result in a clash with feel and consisting of hydrated magnesium sili- past. These young people may need a listening ear: yours. This afternoon you may find that someone. At this time, you may actively be concerned over the welfare of others. Try listen- cate. 25. The compass point that is one point north of your high level of energy helps you become caught up in maintaining and caring for ing to their needs before deciding how best to help them. You enjoy being with loved ones 26. English theoretical physicist who applied due east. household items, cleaning, etc. Exercise, perhaps a bicycle ride or some outside movement, whether you are at work or play. Engage in activities that are both carefree and pleasant. Do relativity theory to quantum mechanics and 27. A heavy odorless colorless gas formed dur- will help to balance your energies this afternoon. There could be some wonderful opportu- not pressure a loved one into doing something he or she really does not want to do. ing respiration and by the decomposition of nities later to enjoy nature. You enjoy helping others and will probably find there are plenty predicted the existence of antimatter and the Fairness with and responsibility to the other people in your life is emphasized. A lover or organic substances. of chances to follow-through and be helpful. There is a craving to give and to be appreciat- positron (1902-1984). child is generous or inspiring-return lots of positive feedback. 28. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 29. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. ed for your gifts. This is a creative time. skewer usually with vegetables. 31. Small cubes with 1 to 6 spots on the faces. 30. The 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 33. A short high tone produced as a signal or warning. 32. A person who eats human flesh. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 36. Any of a group of Indic languages spoken in 34. A drug (trade names Atarax and Vistaril) Kashmir and eastern Afghanistan and northern used as a tranquilizer to treat anxiety and What is called for today is a better belief in yourself. Have confidence in your You may find yourself waiting in line, riding a bus or surrounded by Pakistan. motion sickness. own ability to take on the problems and opportunities of life. Coming to strangers. Whatever the case, you really enjoy the people that come across 40. A low triangular area where a river divides 35. A cartilaginous structure at the top of the grips with the past and getting in touch with the mystical and the spiritual are the things your path. Conversations are easy and new ideas about life and living may enter your reality. before entering a larger body of water. trachea. that give you a sense of satisfaction. Keep your plans for today’s social activities light and There is good luck in money matters today. Your powers of creativity are great. Some petty 41. Chief port of Yemen. 37. (Old Testament) In Judeo-Christian mytholo- laidback. Positive things happen today as you follow the plan that is set forth before you. problems between you and a friend may come to your attention this afternoon. Do not try Someone has offered to help and you will be wise in letting them help. Creating a fun time 42. A male monarch or emperor (especially of gy. to force an issue-you could regret what is said. This is a time of unexpected opportunities. 38. A summary that repeats the substance of a this evening could be as simple as homemade hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream. You Russia prior to 1917). Relations with friends of the opposite sex could be a big boon now. This is one of your best longer discussion. may find this get-together a great opportunity for relationships to heal, as well as to grow days for love and money. Make more time for love this evening. A volunteer organization 45. Not far distant in time or space or degree or 39. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann. and mature. Someone might announce an engagement this evening. that has interested you may be your next goal. circumstances. 43. Large ornamental tropical American tree 46. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac with bipinnate leaves and globose clusters of insects. flowers with crimson stamens and sweet-pulp 50. Of or relating to Oman or its people. Word Search seed pods eaten by cattle. Yesterday’s Solution 52. Informal terms for a mother. 44. Any of numerous local fertility and nature 53. A river in north central Switzerland that runs deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples. northeast into the Rhine. 47. An island republic in the west central Pacific 54. Cooking utensil consisting of a wide metal just south of the equator. vessel. 48. An unofficial association of people or 55. Type genus of the Percidae. groups. 59. Denoting a quantity consisting of 20 items 49. A three-legged rack used for support. or units. 51. A small Asian country high in the Himalayas 60. A very poisonous metallic element that has between India and Tibet. three allotropic forms. 56. Having a common axis. 62. A meson produced as the result of high- 57. An organization of independent states to energy particle collision. promote international peace and security. 63. A yellow trivalent metallic element of the 58. Eurasian perennial bulbous herbs. rare earth group. 61. At an earlier place. 64. Young of any of various canines such as a 65. A genus of temperate and arctic evergreen dog or wolf. trees (see spruce). 66. The large yellow root of a rutabaga plant 67. A mountain lake (especially one formed by used as food. glaciers). 72. Type genus of the Spalacidae. 68. Type genus of the Amiidae. 74. Canadian hockey player (born 1948). 69. An important seaport on the Island of Cebu 75. A car driven by a person whose job is to take in the Philippines. passengers where they want to go in exchange 70. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was for money. formed by an explosion. 78. A deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or 71. (usually followed by `to') Having the neces- large bells). sary means or skill or know-how or authority to 79. (British) Your grandmother. do something. 80. A mountain peak in the Andes in Bolivia 73. Worthless or oversimplified ideas. (20,870 feet high). 76. Being ten more than thirty. 81. A river in north central Switzerland that runs 77. A metric unit of length equal to one hun- northeast into the Rhine. dredth of a meter. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 information

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Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. 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GOSSIP

Cooperhas great chemistry with McAdams

radley Cooper knew he and his ‘Aloha’ co-star Rachel years ago. I always thought, ‘Wow! It’s so easy to work with pair are joined in the film - which sees a military contractor McAdams would have “great chemistry”. The ‘Wedding her.’ She’s so present and it only got stronger after 10 years.” screw up a deal, forcing him to return to Hawaii, where he BCrashers’ co-stars have reunited for Cameron Crowe’s Meanwhile, Rachel enjoyed working with Bradley because he tries to romance both an old flame and a young air force pilot new movie and the 40-year-old actor was delighted to find is so passionate about the project. She gushed: “It’s such a - by an all-star cast including Emma Stone, John Krasinski, Alec the 36-year-old actress even better to work with than he wonderful thing to come to work with Bradley every day, Baldwin, Danny McBride, Jay Baruchel and Bill Murray. remembered. He told ‘Entertainment Tonight’: “I knew that we because he has so much passion for not just his character but would have great chemistry. “At least I thought we would the whole film - the whole process.”He approaches every based on ‘Wedding Crashers’, a movie I’d done with her 10 scene like he wants it to be the best scene filmed ever.” The

Michael Sheen: No room for Mark Ruffalo: ‘snobbishness’ in film Robert Downey Jr ichael Sheen doesn’t like the “snobbishness” that sur- rounds the film industry. The 46-year-old actor - Mwho’s appeared in ‘The Queen’ and the ‘Twilight’ finds me a little insane movies - has revealed people are “snobbish” about his work, but says he’ll appear in anything as long as it “excites” him. Michael said: “People will say to me, ‘You do things like ‘The Queen’ and ‘Frost/Nixon’ and then you do ‘Twilight’, ‘Tron’ and ‘Underworld’?’ “There’s no room for snobbishness, it doesn’t matter what genre you’re working in, you just make a connec- tion with the work, and if it gets you going, it excites you and it’s the kind of work I’d like to go and see and I have a wide range of tastes.” The actor also insisted he’s not an imperson- ator, despite having portrayed former British Prime Minister ark Ruffalo worries Robert Downey Jr considers him don’t know what’s going to come up with him, which makes it Tony Blair and journalist David Frost in the past. Michael told “a little insane”. The 47-year-old actor - who stars so much fun and alive.” Ruffalo also revealed his co-star helped the Huffington Post: “When people do impersonations, it’s for Malongside the Hollywood icon in ‘The Avengers: Age him to overcome his fears of joining the iconic franchise. a very short period of time, usually around a series of jokes, of Ultron’ - has revealed he’s developed a close friendship with Ruffalo - who plays the Hulk/Bruce Banner - told People maga- because an impersonation can’t sustain telling a story. “What I the Iron Man actor, even if Downey Jr considers him to be a lit- zine: “He’s kind of my godfather in the world. He sort of gave love about playing real people is that it’s more of a challenge. tle quirky. Ruffalo said: “He’s been just a bro to me.”He also, he me the okay to come join and has sort of bolstered me along It’s everything you’d normally do for a character but you have thinks I’m a little insane. So when we get into those moments the way when I’ve had my doubts, which are plenty. And he to attend to this other bit, which is to get people to accept (during filming), we are half laughing through the whole has made sure that (Bruce) Banner’s been well represented.” you as that person from the start.” thing. He’s half like, ‘Ruffalo, how do you even get up out of bed?’ “He has the most endearing sort of patience and toler- ance for me. And we literally are laughing behind everything. I Jenner was ‘laughed at’ Mariah Carey: when she started modeling Infinity isn’t

endall Jenner was “laughed at” when she first tried to fashion weeks - went on to thank designers Marc Jacobs, about Cannon make it as a model. The brunette beauty - who has Riccardo Tisci, Karl Lagerfeld and Love magazine’s editor Katie Kgraced the runway for Chanel and Fendi - has revealed Grand for giving her a shot. She said:” I am so grateful to Marc ariah Carey’s new single is for “whoever’s gone she was often mocked during go sees and had doors closed in Jacobs, Riccardo Tisci, Karl Lagerfeld, and Katie Grand, who through any relationship”. The 45-year-old singer her face by people who refused to work with her after she took a chance on me that first season and gave me an oppor- Minsisted ‘Infinity’ is not about her estranged husband starred on the reality TV show ‘Keeping Up With The tunity.” Despite her difficult start in the industry, Kendall Nick Cannon but hopes it strikes a chord with anyone who has Kardashians’. She said: “You have no idea how many doors remained determined to break into modelling thanks to the experienced similar romantic problems. She said: “I don’t feel closed on me and how many adults were either initially reluc- strong “work ethic” that was instilled in her by her parents Kris like it’s my personal life. It’s written for all the women, or men, tant to take a chance working with me or who outright Jenner and former Olympian Bruce Jenner. She explained to V or whoever’s gone through any type of relationship. “I’m look- laughed at me behind my back.”It was kind of hard because all magazine: “My parents taught me that work ethic is one of the ing at it as the mantra of ‘Infinity’ is love yourself... loving your- I was doing was going on go-sees, trying my best to break most important keys in life, and I believe it.” self first to infinity.”Then you can love anybody or anything into this business as a teenager.” The 19-year-old model - who else - your career, your kids, your life. “It’s like someone eman- has since become a staple feature on the catwalk at global cipating themselves. It’s like my re-emancipation of Mimi. I wanted everybody to be able to sing along with [me]. It’s a big chorus.” However, even if the song was about Nick - the father of her three-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe - she wouldn’t admit it. She added to ‘Access Hollywood’: “I tend to be more private about my personal life anyway, so even if the song were about someone in particular, I would never say that, because that would be like my own private thought “We had a bunch of collaborators on that song too.” The ‘Hero’ hit- maker’s ‘Mariah #1 to Infinity’ Las Vegas residency begins next week, but she won’t be doing much partying in the city as she’d rather be at home with her twins. She said: “I’m not really like a let go and party [person] out here. It’s too smoky. The cigarette smoking is like... everybody’s smoking here. “I can’t handle it with the cigarette smoke ‘cause of the smoke. “So my idea of fun is like to go home and watch a movie with the kids - like, whatever they feel like watching.”

John Boyega: Trainor found I dreamed of being a soccer star Styles duet

ohn Boyega has revealed “an own goal” ‘terrifying’ helped him land a part in ‘Star Wars: The JForce Awakens’. The 23-year-old actor - who’s been cast in the role of Finn in the J.J. Abrams- eghan Trainor found it “terrifying” working with directed movie - has confessed he only turned to Harry Styles. The 21-year-old pop star wrote a cinema when he realized he wasn’t good enough Mtrack with the One Direction heartthrob last to become a professional soccer player and man- year, and while she found it exciting collaborating with aged to embarrassingly scored an own goal. The the musician, she admitted it was a scary experience London-born star told Metro newspaper: “I tried because he is so famous. Recalling the moment she to kick a ball because I thought I would able a sang a rough demo of the song for the star, she said: footballer but I ended up scoring in our own “Performing a love song in front of Harry is terrify- goal!”So I decided to just let that be ... perhaps I ing, and on top of that I was a little nervous because should try acting.” What’s more, John also credit- he was one of the first celebrities I met.” However, ed his Pentecostal minister dad for helping him the ‘All About That Bass’ hitmaker - who released get into the Jedi mindset. He explained: “The dis- her debut album ‘Title’ earlier this year - confessed cipline kind of got me into a universe of Jedi, and the 21-year-old singer’s contribution to the track now I think I know how to have a foundation was “incredible”. She continued: “Harry was super between the dark and the light.” Meanwhile, talented at writing, and his lyrics were incredible - Disney recently saw its share price climb by $2 probably my favorite lyrics in a song. I remember billion following a two-minute clip of the much- I wrote it at midnight the night before and sent it discussed new movie. The trailer premiered at an to my mom. I was so worried he was going to event in California earlier this month, with the hate it.” Despite revealing it is one of the best movie set for release in December. tracks she has ever written, the blonde beauty has been left disappointed as no one has chosen to sing the song. Speaking to Teen Vogue magazine, she added: “It’s a cute little number called ‘Someday Maybe’. It needs a good home.” lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

Features

How do you know when it’s time to drop someone out of your life? e get so caught up in trying to figure out what tion is, happiness comes from within and never allow exactly makes us happy. We look for stability, love someone else to make you feel that way. Wand security in things that often be very random, Nowadays, people can be extremely manipulative, emp- or a hobby, and sometimes we plant our happiness seeds ty and inhuman. Many relationships are built from a foun- in people. In my opinion, it is one of the most dangerous dation made out of benefits. People started loosing the thing to do, only because there’s a thin line between find- feeling to genuinely love and care for another human ing your true happiness or going through a true disap- being. Friends drop other friends due to success, family pointment. The healthiest thing to do to find your happi- members become back stabbers as a result of envy, people ness is to truly achieve something for yourself. It’s not pos- start becoming brutal because monetary goals. So many sible for someone to find happiness, even if they found the things make people become more antisocial and careful to right partner if they haven’t experienced happiness by who they are friends with, become partners with and even themselves or by making their own dreams and goals marriages have became for much more difficult. Break-ups a reality. and divorces have alarmingly skyrocketed over recent We go through ups and downs in our life, when years that it makes anyone with any kind of insecurities we’re going up we pick people up with us and even more insecure and fear the idea of commitment in when we’re going down we drop people off and any sort. that’s the journey with many relationships All of this brings us to our topic for this article, when do and friendships. A relationship (whatever you know it’s time to cut someone out of your life? I’ve had successful with anything that you do, they encourage you sort of relationship it was) never ends, it to ask myself this question a bunch of times, and I’ve to make the right decisions and aren’t afraid to tell it how it becomes complete. Sometimes that is all noticed that it’s always the same reasons. I’m a very under- is. Keep in mind, there’s a thin line between being honest you can do for a person, nothing more standing person, I’m also extremely realistic that people and putting someone down. can be done to achieve happiness or start to think I’m rude or cold at times. I hate lying to myself You see life in a whole different perspective when you’re to be at a certain point with them. and giving other people excuses for their own behaviour. I around positive, successful and genuine people. They tend You have to search for what makes dont cut people off right away, I always trust and respect to pick you up instead of bring you down. Your vibe is your you happy and feel some sort of people one hundred percent until they give me a reason tribe. Attract what’s good for you and the people you care fulfilment and achievement to not to. When people around you aren’t productive, nor for and you will never go a day regretting something you experience happiness within yourself helping you to grow and mature in any aspect of your life did, even if you failed at it. Drop anything that makes you to share it with someone else. These then you are hanging around the wrong people. You need unhappy and seek inner happiness, to achieve happiness things can be anything, educational, to be with people who motivate you and make you want in you life as a whole. personal, a shift in career or position to be a better version of yourself. People who have your or family goals. Whatever the situa- best interest at heart want to see you grow and become Inspired by Scotland, golf course in Atlantic Canada

ibbons of manicured turf weave through dunes land, yard (118-meter) “chip” that bounces the entire length before connecting the shore of the Gulf of St Lawrence to the barely trickling just beyond the green’s back edge. Sutherland Rhigher elevation of town in this remote corner of Cape is pleased. Breton Island. Here, a 21st century golf destination has been conceived, inspired by the venerable links courses of Scotland. Positive atmosphere There is an adjacent pub with samplings of single-malt Cabot Links sets atop what was once a coal mine, which Scotch, but no motorized golf carts or beer wagons on the attracted 19th century immigrants to Inverness. When the Falcon looks trough the bars on a falcon farm. A falcon stands in the garden on a falcon farm. course itself. coal business disappeared, the village’s future dimmed. That It’s not cheap - up to almost $200 a round during the sum- changed when a young entrepreneur from Toronto named mer - and the drive from the airport in Nova Scotia’s provincial Ben Cowan-Dewar began building support in 2005 for a golf capital of Halifax is almost 200 miles (320 kilometers). Even so, destination in Inverness after other such visions failed. Cabot Links has been ranked among the world’s top 50 cours- Students of golf development will recognize the similarity of es since opening in 2012, and it could be surpassed by a sec- Cabot Links to the coastal Bandon Dunes resort in the United ond 18 holes next door - Cabot Cliffs - that is scheduled to States, an even longer drive from the Portland, Oregon, air- debut later this year. “Some of the best experiences and some port than Cabot Links is from Halifax. That is no coincidence. of the best properties are off the beaten track,” says Andrew Bandon Dunes’ creator, Mike Keiser, who became a partner in Alkenbrack, Cabot’s general manager and veteran of interna- Cabot Links, now is a driving force for the second 18 holes at tional tourism. “Good things are worth the effort.” Cabot Cliffs, along with Masters’ champion Ben Crenshaw - If a late summer afternoon last season is an indication, who perhaps is without peer as a traditionalist in golf architec- that’s true. A squall stays offshore and gives way to a freshen- ture. Like Cabot, Bandon Dunes is walking-only. “I think Cabot ing breeze and sunshine, creating a silvery mosaic on the surf. has brought a new positive atmosphere to our community,” Soon, Bryan Sutherland, the local school’s physical education says Sutherland, a sixth-generation Cape Breton native of director who moonlights as a caddy, arrives on his bicycle. The Scottish descent. “It is such a pleasure to enter the Cabot temperature hovers in the high 60s F (20 C), and the first tee is premises and see the smiling, welcoming faces of our young A sparrow hawk looks up after catching a pigeon on a fal- A couple of falcons inside the room on a falcon farm, near open. people.” con farm, near the northern Serbian town of Coka. the northern Serbian town of Coka.—AP photos

Rhapsodic sound Longer stays What we proceed to do next is claimed to be one of the About 200 residents are employed for golf operations, few true links golf opportunities in North America. Though three restaurants and a well-appointed lodge with minimalist many courses bill themselves as “links-style” - rolling terrain exteriors that blend into the landscape. Guests of the lodge Serbs breed, train without tree cover and perhaps next to a body of water - benefit from reduced green fees and the new golf option of purists believe the land must be waves of sandy hillocks that Cabot Cliffs may encourage longer stays. The lodge has connect, or “link,” a beach to more tillable areas farther inland. expanded during the off-season and bookings for 2015 are falcons for buyers in UAE In this, Cabot Links complies, just as do its older cousins across brisk, given the buzz created by The Golf Channel and others the Atlantic. about the Cliffs. The formal opening of Cabot Cliffs will be in ibor Buza has combined passion with profit: breeding At Buza’s farm, the training targets are wild pigeons. It takes Level lies are few. Off the fairway, knee-high brush, Queen 2016, but it will be playable on a “preview” basis by July this and training falcons for export to the United Arab only a few seconds for a well-trained falcon to take off from a Anne’s lace and colorful Joe-Pye weed are not. Though rain is summer. Will the Cliffs eventually overshadow Cabot Links? TEmirates. The ethnic Hungarian from the leafy northern falconer’s hand and snatch the flying prey. When not outside plentiful, the grass drains quickly, rewarding low running “I believe the two courses will complement each other,” Serbian village of Coka keeps about 200 peregrine falcons on training on a grass field, the birds are kept in large indoor shots. The wind confounds and confuses, but the patient says Joe Robinson, the resort’s director of golf. “Cabot Links his farm, which echoes with the squawking sound of the enclosures, including small newly born fluffy chicks with white advice of caddy Sutherland succeeds if followed. The pace of will never be an ‘ugly sister.’” He describes the new course as majestic birds. “We breed them, we teach them to fly well in feathers, large brown eyes and yellow beaks. play is steady but not strenuous. The sky, the distant bluffs “two courses in one.” The front nine has a “true links feel” near certain conditions in order to get strong muscles and to look Buza, who has been in the breeding business for 30 years, and the rhapsodic sound of the sea merge in the background. the beach like the older course, but the back nine “will be wild like wild falcons, because nowadays you can’t find wild falcons said a “regular” falcon can be sold for a couple of thousand A “putt” of 100 feet (30 meters) or more is not uncommon, in the wind as it winds its way up the hillside culminating with in that many countries,” Buza said, holding a large brown-feath- euros (dollars) in the UAE. “The special ones go up to tens of given the lack of demarcation between fairway and green. the drama of the closing holes along the cliffs” - hence, the ered bird on his outstretched hand. thousands,” he said. “I was lucky many times to give them (buy- Bunkers seem to be sculpted by nature, not a bulldozer. Dunes new course’s name. — AP Most of the birds end up in the UAE, which has a long tradi- ers from the UAE) a falcon that achieved great results, that was remain as they might have been when there was no golf, even tion of falconry. The sport involves trained birds that typically the best in competitions or the best in hunting.”— AP if that produces a blind shot to a landing area behind them. circle above the falconers and take high-speed dives at flushed The par-4 finishing hole is downwind and fast, dictating a 130- prey such as grouses.

A threesome of golfers on the Cabot Links golf course. An eagle flying inside the room on a falcon farm, near the northern Serbian town of Coka. lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

Music & Movies Turkish singer questioned over video commemorating slain teen

ne of Turkey’s most prominent pop singers has been questioned over a video clip commemorating Oa teenager whose 2013 death in anti-government demonstrations mobilized opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reports said yesterday. Sevval Sam, known for her activism, was questioned by Istanbul prosecutors Tuesday as part of an investigation launched last week into almost a dozen artists who appeared in the video, Milliyet daily reported. She was accused of “inciting people to commit a crime” for taking part in the video entitled “For Justice and For Berkin”, which was released ahead of the anniversary of Berkin Elvan’s death in March. The black-and-white video opens with a little girl playing hide-and-seek and asking: “Where is Berkin Elvan?” The artists then take turns to say things such as “I’m Berkin Elvan,” “Can you sleep comfort- ably?” and “How can you laugh or smile?” When her turn comes, Sam says: “I’m Berkin Elvan. Is your mind at peace? Why are you hiding my killer?” Jay Z arrives at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. — AP The video shows the girl holding a piece of bread-an allusion to Elvan, who became caught up in the protests after going out to buy bread. According to Milliyet, Sam denied the accusations and told the prosecutors: “I took Jay Z to perform rare songs part in the video so that no child dies. I had no intention to provoke people.” Sam is one of Turkey’s most celebrated singers, known for fusing traditional music styles with to promote Tidal service modern pop. Elvan spent 269 days in a coma after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister fired by police during ay Z is breaking out his B-sides to hype He co-owns the service with Beyonce, protests that swept Istanbul in May-June 2013. He died on his fledgling music streaming service. Rihanna, Madonna and other artists. He March 11, 2014, aged 15. His parents and supporters have JThe rap mogul announced plans yes- said Tidal currently has 770,000 sub- expressed anger at the fact that no police officer has been terday to unearth songs he hasn’t per- scribers. “The iTunes Store wasn’t built in a brought to trial over his death, accusing the authorities of formed in a decade - or ever - at a free New day,” he wrote. “It took Spotify 9 years to be shielding the perpetrator. The video features a voice York concert. The performance will be held successful. We are here for the long haul. recording of Erdogan telling a crowd of supporters at the May 13 and subscribers can submit a Please give us a chance to grow and get height of the unrest: “It was me who ordered the police to playlist on the service to win tickets. Jay Z better.” The concert will be streamed on shoot (the protesters).”— AFP took to Twitter on Sunday to defend Tidal’s Tidal.com. — AP slow start. Joni Mitchell to Paul McCartney returns to Tokyo, make full recovery surprises fans with Beatles hit olk legend Joni Mitchell is conscious and expected to make a full recovery, her official website said Tuesday, lmost 50 years after the Beatles na in 1966, amid protests from locals Fdenying a report that she was in a coma. The TMZ delivered memorable performanc- angered at the use of the venue for a celebrity news outlet earlier reported that the 71 year old, es at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan are- musical act, as it was intended to be a who was rushed to hospital on March 31, was in a coma and A na, former band member Paul McCartney sporting arena. The controversy died “unresponsive.” But her official website said: “Contrary to returned to the venue on Tuesday with a down and over the past five decades, sev- rumors circulating on the Internet today, Joni is not in a coma. special treat for his fans. McCartney, 72, eral musical acts have come to the Tokyo “Joni is still in hospital-but she comprehends, she’s alert, and surprised the audience by singing the arena. McCartney last performed in Japan she has her full senses. A full recovery is expected.” Beatles’ “Another Girl,” the first time the in 2013, near the beginning of his interna- TMZ said a friend of the singer-songwriter-who had been song has ever been performed live, the tional “Out There” tour, but not at the reported as having improved a few days after she was hospi- singer’s publicist said. The veteran British Budokan venue. His current tour will wrap talized-had filed legal documents to obtain legal guardianship musician also performed both Beatles up in July in Chicago. — Reuters over her. According to TMZ, the documents say the singer, one hits and his own, and addressed the excit- of the symbols of the 1960s Woodstock generation, is “so ed crowd in Japanese, saying “Long time impaired as to be incapable of being assessed.” But her official no see Budokan.” website said the document “simply gives her long-time friend “It was sensational and quite emotion- Leslie Morris the authority-in the absence of 24-hour doctor al remembering the first time and then care-to make care decisions for Joni once she leaves the hos- experiencing this fantastic audience pital. tonight,” McCartney said in a statement. “As we all know, Joni is a strong-willed woman and is The Beatles first played the Budokon are- Paul McCartney nowhere near giving up the fight.” Publicists for the singer did not respond to requests for comment. Mitchell, whose real name is Roberta Joan Anderson, is known for hits including “Big Yellow Taxi,” and “The Circle Game,” as well as her role in the 1960’s music scene. She has received eight Grammys, the top prize in the US music industry, and was inducted into the Love sued by co-author Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Mitchell has said she suf- fers from an ailment called Morgellons disease, described as a of long-awaited memoir Jeff Daniels crawling, biting or stinging sensation all over the body. The medical diagnosis of the disease is disputed by some doctors, music journalist who worked on Courtney Love’s long- who call it a form of psychosis.— AFP awaited memoir has sued her, saying that the rock joins final Asinger failed to compensate him. Anthony Bozza, known for his articles in Rolling Stone magazine and his biog- raphy of rap giant Eminem, said that Love-the widow of ‘Divergent’ movies Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain-owed him more than $200,000. eff Daniels is in final negotiations to join the last In a lawsuit filed in New York last week, Bozza said that movies in Lionsgate’s “Divergent” franchise. The Love has received $400,000 out of a $1.2 million advance from Jactor would appear in “Allegiant Part 1” and publisher HarperCollins for the yet-to-be-released book. “Allegiant Part 2” in the role of the leader of the In the lawsuit, Bozza said that he sent drafts of the intro- Bureau of Genetic Welfare. Robert Schwentke, who duction and first two chapters to Love in 2012 and that she directed “Insurgent,” will begin shooting “Part 1” in responded by email “that the work was beautiful!!!!’” But by May. Producers are Doug Wick, Lucy Fisher and mid-2014, Bozza said that Love told him by text message that Pouya Shahbazian. she had started working with a new writer, who turned out to The four-film franchise is based on the Veronica be “worthless” and had put the project in “even more chaos.” Roth trilogy about the warfare between five fac- Bozza said that he was never terminated but charged that tions in a post-apocalyptic society that emerges new writers were using his work as a base. Love and from the ruins of Chicago. The two films that have HarperCollins did not immediately comment on the lawsuit. already been released have grossed over $550 mil- In an interview last year with Britain’s Daily Telegraph news- lion worldwide. “Allegiant Part 1” will be released on paper, Love was quoted as saying that she rejected Bozza’s March 18 and “Allegiant Part 2” will open a year later. draft because it was too revealing. Love, who enjoyed suc- Daniels will next be seen portraying former Apple cess as the frontwoman of alternative rock band Hole, is infa- CEO John Sculley in Universal’s Steve Jobs biopic, mous for her volatile personality and struggles with sub- which has an Oct 9 launch. He also appears in Ridley stance abuse. But she has recently shown a softer side as she Scott’s space drama “The Martian,” which Fox opens appears at premieres for a new documentary about her late Nov 25. Daniels is repped by ICM Partners and husband, “Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck,” on which she Martino Management. The news was first reported cooperated.— AFP by The Hollywood Reporter. — Reuters Joni Mitchell waves to the crowd during her 70th birthday tribute concert as part of the Luminato Festival at Massey Courtney Love arrives to the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hall in Toronto. — AP in Beverly Hills, California. — AP Hemsworth, Evans get playful with ‘Avengers’

uperheroes Thor and Captain America might there needs to be more female representation sure we’ve really nailed down the question. be serious about saving the world in Marvel’s in these films. Evans: But they’re going to do it though. Sensemble “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” but Evans: Who says that? Great, use that. Nailed it. They’re doing “Captain Marvel,” people are going actors Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans found Man, I saved this one. nuts over Captain Marvel. themselves unable to keep a straight face while Hemsworth: I didn’t say that, by the way. Scarlett (Johansson) was playing Black Widow in discussing the film. Amid laughs and irreverence in Evans: No, I did. “Iron Man 2,” it wasn’t like she had a long-picture an interview with Reuters, Hemsworth, the 31-year- Hemsworth: I agree, there should be more deal, but fans wanted it and she keeps coming old who plays Thor, and Evans, 33, who stars in the female representation ... (laughing) Before he back. Now we’ve got (Elizabeth) Olsen and even role of Captain America, talked about the Marvel (Evans) ruins this interview and my career, what’s Cobie (Smulders), they keep bringing Cobie back. franchise and female characters. Here are excerpts. the question? I’m actually interested, what was the There’s no denying that people want to see Q: The Avengers are looking inwards at their question? female superheroes and there’s plenty of them, and own fears and responsibilities in “Age of Ultron.” Q: How does this movie address criticism I think (with) Marvel, these aren’t getting old. I Why was that important? that there aren’t enough female characters in think a lot of people think there’s superhero Hemsworth: They’re a little more mature than superhero movies? exhaustion. I tend to disagree because Marvel can’t the first time around. The first time was them trying Hemsworth: (If I) have it my way, I’d get rid of stop making good movies, and they absolutely will to come together as a team, and now they’re trying all of us, have an all female cast - women are bring more females to the screen. Nailed it. to operate as a larger scale, as a team, or have been smarter than men. My mum’s smarter, so is my wife, Q: You answered two of our questions in one for some time. But I think all the worlds that so women (turns to Evans) you should leave this go. they’ve been a part of are beginning to collide, and interview and women should lead the world. You Evans: I don’t even have a wife!—Reuters the pieces of the puzzle that they’ve moved sexist human being. around are coming together and causing this Evans: This interview is my favorite one. This is This photo provided by Disney/Marvel shows, Chris Evans as Captain America/Steve chaotic event. my favorite one. My favorite. Rogers, in the new film, ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron.’ The movie releases in US theaters on Q: There has been a lot of commentary that Hemsworth: I’m with you though, I’m just not May 1, 2015. — AP lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

Features Want to stand out in cap and gown? Decorate the mortarboard

t’s hard to stand out at graduation when dozens, hun- Nicole Malli, a senior at Ripon College in Ripon, Graduation ceremonies dreds or even thousands of your classmates are Wisconsin, wants to make sure her cap photographs well ASU even has a contest to recognize the best-decorated Idressed in identical caps and gowns. But some stu- when she graduates May 17 because she’s a commence- mortarboards. Ruth Lauture is graduating from Kennesaw dents individualize their appearance by decorating their ment speaker. She’s been looking on Pinterest for inspira- State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, with a degree in mar- mortarboards. Designs range from a simple lettered mes- tion, and will probably use a pearl design because pearls keting, “so my cap is going to say, ‘I mean business.’ sage like “Thanks, Mom and Dad!” to an elaborate craft are the official gemstone of her sorority, Alpha Chi Something simple, but really meaningful.” The word “mean” project with images, glitter or 3-D constructions. Other Omega. will be in pink, partly to help her mom pick her out from the crowd. Marc Goldberg’s mom had such a hard time finding him at his commencement from Indiana University in 1997 that it inspired him to create a business called TasselToppers.com. Goldberg has now shipped several hundred thousand cus- tomized mortarboard designs, which let buyers choose back- ground colors and add images and text. There’s artwork on the TasselToppers website, or you can upload your own. Universities have licensed their logos to the company, and some colleges are encouraging high school seniors to put Yale University student Sharlayne Waller, of Kingston, their future alma maters’ names on caps at 12th grade gradu- Jamaica, wears a feathery head covering. ation ceremonies.

Puzzle-piece logo TasselToppers’ finished designs cost $15 and are printed on durable plastic the size of the mortarboard, with reusable adhesives. That way, rented caps can be returned undam- aged, and commencement policies that don’t permit mortar- board decorations can be temporarily accommodated. Goldberg says he’s been amazed at “the creative stuff that people come up with,” including touching messages “in lov- ing memory of a mom or dad who could not be there. It’s a concept that they’re looking down on them at graduation and the cap is looking back up.” Also noteworthy, Goldberg says, are designs ordered by older students who may have taken years to finish their degrees (“49 years old, finally done”); single moms declar- ing, “I did it for my kids”; and designs honoring students who are the first in their family to graduate. He also part- A Yale University student wears a decoration on her mortarboard during Class Day at Yale. —AP photos nered with Autism Speaks to include the organization’s puzzle-piece logo on his website so that students with students decorate caps with school logos, or fraternity or Ali Boden, who is getting her degree in sustainability issues related to autism can add that symbol to their caps sorority letters. and business from Arizona State in Tempe, will be taking a as they celebrate their achievements. “Everyone has a story,” At the University of Texas at Dallas last year, Laurel trip to Europe after graduation and hopes it’s the first of Goldberg says. — AP Mohrman had a simple message on her cap: “DEBT FREE.” many trips to see the world. She plans to decorate her cap A 2014 Lehigh University grad, Lisa Glover, attached a with a map of the world and a phrase “along the lines of miniature 3-D dinosaur to her cap; Glover launched a busi- ‘The world awaits,’” she said. She’s been going to Michael’s, ness called KitRex after graduating, selling kits to make the craft supply store, to figure out the best materials for Yale University student Russell Ault, of Cincinnati, wears a paper dinosaurs. lettering. decoration on his mortarboard during Class Day Exercises at Yale in New Haven, Conn.

A decorated mortarboard with a Disneyesque castle and A graduating Harvard University student wears a mortar- A Yale University student wears a replica of an astronaut’s A cap worn by Laurel Mohrman at her graduation, deco- the message, ‘I Did it My Way.’ board that features a book and a feather. helmet during Class Day Exercises at Yale. rating her mortarboard with the words, ‘DEBT free,’ to cel- ebrate her lack of college debt. Italy looks to Milan Expo for taste of recovery taly is having a party, the whole world is invited and, yes, dals in the run-up to Friday’s opening ceremony, has estimated American food is,” she promised. The most striking of several They have had knock-on effects in terms of construction there will be food; lots of it. Expo Milan 2015, the first world the net benefit to the country from hosting the fair at 10 billion architecturally innovative pavilions is China’s, its first official delays, particularly on the Italian pavilion, where workers have Ifair since Shanghai’s groundbreaking event five years ago, euros ($11 billion). Half would come in the form of additional representation at an overseas Expo. Designed by New York- been laboring round the clock since March in a bid to ensure it opens its doors on Friday amid optimism that the six-month tourist spending and the balance from boosts to investment. based Chinese architect Yichen Lu, the pavilion, which will host is finished on time. “We are now on the finishing touches, the nutrition and gastronomy-themed fest will help lift the host “It is an incredible opportunity for Italy to be the centre of the an exhibition called “Land of Hope”, features a dramatically snagging,” Sala assured AFP. “There may be one or two pavil- country out of the economic doldrums. world for six months, especially with relation to food and all undulating roof made from bamboo panels and is intended to ions not completely ready but the race is on - nobody wants to “We can say with great satisfaction that the Expo gamble the themes related to food,” said Eugenio Magnani, the head of reference China’s modern and traditional landscapes. It is also be the one who doesn’t open.” Getting the giant site ready will has paid off,” Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said Monday, under- Italy’s national tourist board ENIT. intended to symbolize harmony between the city and nature- have been no mean feat, with up to 250,000 visitors expected lining the high hopes invested in an event expected to draw appropriately enough since the Expo site was constructed, at a on the busiest days and 150 restaurants preparing to serve up more than 20 million people to Italy’s economic capital. With Bamboo panels cost of 2.5 billion euros, on former agricultural land. 27 million dishes over the six months. Fears the event could be more than 50 countries hosting exhibitions in purpose-built With the official theme of “Feeding the Planet, Energy for targeted by terrorists mean security will be tight, with visitors national pavilions and a total of more than 140 involved in Life,” Expo 2015 will be as much about showcasing innovation Protests planned protected by airport-style security with a perimeter fence, some way, Italy is counting on long-term benefits in terms of in food production for a growing global population as about With around 10 million tickets already sold, Milan’s second scanners at entry points and some 2,000 cameras. revamping the country’s brand image and attracting inward showing off techniques in the kitchen. The privately financed hosting of a world fair (the first was in 1906) is off to a strong Anti-globalization protestors have denounced the involve- investment. United States pavilion, for example, is dedicated to the theme start, perhaps remarkably for a format that began with the ment of global corporations like McDonalds, Coca Cola and It is also looking to the short-term fillip that will come from of how the world will feed itself in 2050, when the global pop- 1851 Great Exhibition at London’s Crystal Palace. “One of the Nestle and the decision to hold the opening on May 1, forcing increased tourist spending during the exhibition. Finance ulation is projected to have reached nine billion. “Quite frankly interesting aspects of this exhibition is the choice of a theme staff to work on what is traditionally a holiday to mark interna- Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said the Expo could deliver the con- we don’t even have the energy on this planet to feed nine bil- that does not work well on the net,” said Davide Chiaroni of tional Labor Day. The No Expo movement is planning four days fidence boost needed to kickstart the economy. “It represents a lion people, let alone the food,” said Dorothy Cann Hamilton, Milan’s Politecnico university. “To taste, experience the emotion of protest around the opening. — AFP symbol of recovery and confidence that could translate into the president of the Friends of the US Pavilion. of food, you have to be physically there. It is not yet possible to investment,” Padoan told foreign correspondents in Rome. To offset the serious stuff, Cann Hamilton is also promising do it virtually,” he said. The corruption problems forced the Expo supremo Giuseppe Sala, who has had to battle con- to showcase the latest culinary trends from the other side of government to put the Expo under the control of an authority struction delays and a series of embarrassing corruption scan- the Atlantic. “We are going to shock the world with how good headed by an anti-mafia judge.

This photo taken yesterday shows a sign next to the Castello Sforzesco, for the Universal Exposition Milano 2015, EXPO2015, in Workers pass throught the construction of the French Pavillion for the Universal Exposition Milano 2015, EXPO2015. Milan. — AFP photos Want to stand out in cap and gown? Decorate 39the mortarboard THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

‘Shaki’ and her partner ‘JK’ eating dinner at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

This photo taken on April 22, 2015 shows two monkeys belonging to Jamil Ismail (Jamilkucing) dressed in with Malaysian cultural outfits Baju Melayu for his male monkey named ‘JK’ and Baju Kurung for his female monkey named ‘Shaki’ at their owner Jamil’s house in Kuala Lumpur. Jamil, a 45-year single Malaysian man, has unusual pets-two macaque monkeys. JK and Shaki, both nine years old, usually ride with Jamil on his motorcycle and they often have dinner together in public restaurants, drawing instant public awe. At times Jamil uses the two monkeys, who sometimes wear traditional Malay clothes and other costumes, to act in advertisements and perform stunts in public areas. The monkeys which cost 56 USD each and receive regu- Jamil Ismail dressing his male monkey named ‘JK’ with Baju Melayu Malaysian cultural lar medical check-ups, are regarded as his family and move freely within his house. — AFP photos outfits.

Jamil Ismail sitting with his pet monkeys ‘Shaki’ and ‘JK’ both wearing Malaysian cultural outfits Baju Melayu and Baju Kurung, at Jamil’s house.

Jamil Ismail preparing to ride his motorcycle with ‘Shaki and ‘JK’ after having dinner at a ‘Shaki’ and ‘JK’ at a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. restaurant. Art of the Japanese company apology: It’s all in the bow

magine you’re the head of a US fast-food chain hopefully... society at large moves on,” says Jun to atone for awful financial results. retirement, the hit to their severance pay and pen- ladder and are paid much less than overseas coun- in Japan that has been scandalized by a tooth- Okumura, an independent analyst and visiting “Well, you need something other than ‘Off with sions will be small.” But it will certainly sting in the terparts with their boatload of stock options-and Iin-french-fries disaster. How do you repair the researcher at the Meiji Institute for Global Affairs. their heads’, don’t you?” says Okumura. “It’s a finan- short run. Japanese CEOs tend to be rank-and-file egos to match. “US CEOs are typically hired guns... damage? Bow deeply-and be convincing. So it was But what’s most important? cial hit, but as long as they are restored before company veterans who worked their way up the who market their expertise to the highest bidders- for Sarah Casanova, the Canadian president of “I don’t know. All of it? After all, it’s a script. I that is not an environment conducive to taking a McDonald’s Japan, whose less-than-textbook cor- don’t think Shakespeare said, ‘So-and-so got killed hit for the company,” Okumura says. porate mea culpa this month was an attempt at in a fight? Okay, we’ll just drop all the scenes with Casanova’s performance got mixed reviews the tightly choreographed script routinely used by Mercutio’,” he adds. “The bow should be as close to from apology watchers. Some say her foreigner crisis-hit organizations. With cameras rolling and 90 degrees as anatomically possible.” A group of status doomed her chances of being convincing, reporters at the ready, apology press conferences pharmaceutical bosses once took bowing to a leg- but others thought her gender could mean are a must-do piece of theatre for Japanese firms endary level when they dropped to their knees reporters would have been easier on her. But even that wandered from the straight-and-narrow in a and touched their noses to the floor after supply- a picture-perfect effort on Casanova’s part might country that has a dozen expressions for saying ing HIV-tainted blood products. not have helped much to make up for mounting sorry. losses and allay public concerns after a string of Act 1: Wear dark colors, look grim and apolo- ‘No bow low enough’ food scares, including the human tooth found in a gies profusely. Add a liberal sprinkling of words like Television and social media have made it all the box of french fries, says Jeff Kingston, a professor “unfortunate” and “deeply regrettable”. more important to convince a Japanese public of Asian Studies at Temple University’s Tokyo cam- Act 2: Take a deep bow-better keep limber sensitive to visual cues, says Mitsuru Fukuda, a pro- pus. “When you are in the business of selling food since you have got to make like a right angle or fessor of crisis management and risk communica- and your food is found wanting and considered you will look like an amateur. tions at Nihon University in Tokyo. “A big difference unhealthy there is no bow low enough to right Act 3: Forget about buying a Porsche this year. is that in the West, facts matter,” he says. “Japanese what is wrong.”— AFP You’ve got to cut your pay temporarily or forgo a journalists... focus on top leaders’ apologies.” bonus. Senior managers too. Business communication specialist Yasuyuki Mogi Acts 4 and 5: Optional add-ons (depending on adds: “Unless words of apology are at the forefront, circumstances) — quit outright, or more likely many Japanese feel (it) lacks sincerity.” The boss of step aside and put someone else in as CEO. disgraced auto parts maker Takata chopped his McDonald’s Japan president Sarah Casanova Promise sweeping changes to avoid further scan- own pay in half for several months after an explod- bowing her head as she announces the com- dals. “This is part of a broader cultural phenome- ing airbag crisis was linked to at least five deaths, pany’s restructuring plan before the press at non where the leader takes a hit for the team, then while the top brass at Sony went without bonuses the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo. — AFP