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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 RAJAB 8, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Mogherini: May arrives in Coast Investment Qatar in Kuwait playing Saudi Arabia & Development talks to positive role on mission Co records profit host Club in region2 to boost7 ties of21 KD 2.06m World20 Cup New board of directors of Min 19º Max 29º Kuwait Airways appointed High Tide 07:40 & 17:35 Low Tide Outgoing chairperson details resignation reasons 00:27 & 12:18 40 PAGES NO: 17189 150 FILS

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State to increase Scores killed in Syria gas attack Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh issued a decree forming a new board of directors at borrowing from Kuwait Airways, with Sami Fahd Al-Rasheed as chair- man. The decision also includes the appointment of global markets Faleh Abdullah Al-Reqba as deputy chairman and Iman Al-Humaidan, Ibrahim Al-Khuzam, Mohammad Al-Hilal, By B Izzak Tareq Al-Wazzan and Wafaa Al-Othman as board mem- bers. Under the new decree, the new board will remain KUWAIT: Kuwait will increase its borrowing on inter- in office for only three years. Established in 1953, Kuwait national markets to plug a budget deficit resulting Airways is one of the oldest airlines in the Gulf region. from low oil prices, the finance minister said yester- The move came after Rasha Al-Roumi resigned as the day. The move comes after the state raised $8 billion carrier’s chairperson yesterday after submitting a resig- last month in its first international bond issue. “We nation letter addressed to Deputy PM, Interior Minister will continue to be present in the international (debt) and Chairman of the Supreme Aviation Council Sheikh market but in a prudent, rational way,” Anas Al-Saleh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. In her resignation letter, told reporters at the Kuwait Financial Forum. “We will Roumi said she had been facing many challenges since use all instruments, including bonds and (Islamic) assuming office three years ago, despite the positive sukuk. This will go side by side with enforcing changes she managed to achieve. reforms,” he said. Roumi explained that the Kuwait Airways building On top of its international bond sales, Saleh said on Hilali Street in downtown Kuwait City was razed the government had raised domestic debt worth KD despite all attempts to retain it. She also noted that 2.2 billion ($7.2 billion) in 2016-2017. The govern- ment also withdrew unspecified amounts from its negotiations had gone on for 18 months to pay the reserves, estimated at $600 billion, to meet the company’s KD 600 million debt in full, which forced the budget deficit. Saleh said the government put for- carrier to borrow, which reduced the value of its assets ward a bill allowing the state to borrow up to KD 20 and capital compared to debts. Roumi also noted that a billion ($65.5 billion) over the next five years. KHAN SHEIKHOUN, Syria: Children are seen following a chemical attack at a makeshift hospital in this low-cost airline was granted more privileges than those Continued on Page 13 town in northern Idlib province yesterday. — AP (See Page 13) given to Kuwait Airways, which led to considerable loss- es of public funds. —Agencies LOCAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 Kuwaiti FM Kuwait condemns heads to Brussels for Saint Petersburg Syria’s future bomb attack conference KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Ministry has expressed Kuwait’s con- KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on demnation of the terrorist bombing Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Monday sent a cable of condolences to attacks that targeted St Petersburg Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah left to Russian President Vladimir Putin over underground stations in the Russian Brussels yesterday to take part in the the victims of the terrorist explosion in Federation, leaving dozens of people ‘Brussels Conference on Supporting the a metro station in the Russian city of St dead and injured. The source voiced Future of Syria and the Region,’ which Petersburg. Kuwait’s solidarity with Russia and its takes place today. The conference will His Highness the Amir expressed support to all measures it may take to discuss means of easing the suffering of strongest condemnation of the State of retain its security and stability. Syrians in their country and in neighbor- Kuwait as well as full solidarity with the The official reiterated Kuwait’s firm ing states. It is co-chaired by Kuwait, Russian people against this terrorist opposition to terrorism in all its forms Germany, Qatar, Norway, the UK, the UN act, which killed 10 people and injured and manifestations regardless of its and the EU. scores others. His Highness the Crown source and called on the international The event will also discuss progress Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- community to redouble efforts to eradi- made since the fourth donors’ conference Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly cate the scourge of terrorism and rid the for Syria held in February 2016 in London. Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and His world of its evils. The source also extend- Moreover, it will shed light on solutions to Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh ed condolences to the Russian govern- end the current war and set a roadmap to Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah ment and people, especially families of follow, once the conflict ends.—KUNA KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khaled sent similar cables. the victims, and wished the wounded Al-Hamad Al-Sabah leaves for Brussels yesterday. —KUNA An official source at the Foreign people speedy recovery. —KUNA Kuwait plays positive role in region: Mogherini

BRUSSELS: EU High Representative Federica Mogherini lauded yesterday the role of Kuwait in finding political solutions to the regional conflicts. “We have worked with Kuwait a lot in the preparation for this conference and we have seen an active and positive role that Kuwait is play- ing especially in trying to bridge some of the positions in the region,” she said during a meeting with a small group of journalists yesterday afternoon ahead of the Brussels interna- tional conference on Syria today. “I hope and wish that a country like Kuwait can play a more prominent role in the political mediation,” said the EU foreign policy chief. Mogherini said she will EU High meet Kuwaiti First Deputy Representative Prime Minister and Minister of Federica Mogherini Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah either today or tomorrow to discuss not only the humani- tarian issue but also the political solution to the Syrian conflict. She stressed that all the countries in the region have a role to play in the political side as they have a direct inter- est to see that the conflict is not further protracted. “In the moment when we will hopefully soon come to the end of the conflict, we have to see that the situation is managed in a reasonable manner,” she said. “I have a clear sense of the fact that Europeans and the Gulf countries share a sense of urgency and seriousness of the situation (in Syria) and that it could only be solved politically,” she added. The European Union, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Nations will co-chair the Brussels Conference titled “Supporting the future of Syria and the region,” today. Mogherini said that represen- tatives from 70 delegations, including from the EU and the region but also the wider international community, the United Nations, major donors and civil society, humanitarian and development organizations, will attend the meeting. The conference will also assess where the internation- al community stands collectively in fulfilling commit- ments made at the London Conference in February 2016 and agree on additional efforts needed to meet the needs of those affected by the crisis. She said pledges for Syria will be announced tomorrow and hoped that the pledges made last year and this year for Syria will be maintained. Mogherini said discussions in tomorrow’s conference will also focus on how the international com- munity can support a lasting political resolution to the Syrian conflict through an inclusive and Syrian-led politi- cal transition process based on the relevant Security Council resolutions. Meanwhile, an EU statement noted that one year ago, the international community convened in London under the leadership of the United Kingdom, Germany, Kuwait, Norway and the United Nations, reaffirming its solidarity with millions of vulnerable people living in Syria and Syrian refugees and affected host countries in the region, and building on the commitments made at the three pre- vious pledging conferences in Kuwait from 2013-15. The Brussels conference will reconfirm existing pledges and identify additional support to Syrians in need inside Syria and in neighboring countries, as well as to the respective host communities, in response to the UN coordinated appeals. —KUNA

Amir proposes ideas to resolve regional crises: Magazine BEIRUT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has proposed ‘creative ideas’ aimed at defusing tensions and resolving conflicts in the region during the latest Arab sum- mit, disclosed a Lebanese magazine. The weekly Al-Sayyad said in its latest edition that His Highness the Amir put on the table ‘creative ideas’ designed to alleviate tensions in the region. “In the event, His Highness has gotten support (so that) regional strives can be turned into mere disagree- ments in opinion and a new era may be ushered in which our peoples will be relieved from perils of discords, wars and terrorism,” Sayyad said. His Highness the Amir, a veteran Arab foreign minister before being proclaimed Amir, masterminded mediation and conciliation efforts among some of the regional and Arab nations during several crises. The magazine also shed light on great popularity enjoyed by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, listing the posts he had held and his firm role in fighting ter- rorists and saboteurs. “He however enjoys a spirit of forgiveness and great heart for resolving citi- zens’ problems,” it added. —KUNA LOCAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Dr Anoud Al-Sharekh.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh who was accompanied by the president and board members of Kuwait Public Relations. — KUNA photos Amir meets state officials Crown Prince receives academics

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh who was accompanied by the president and board members of Kuwait Public Relations Association. His Highness also received National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- Ghanem and His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince with Dr Mariam Al-Shammari. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Dr Anoud Al-Sharekh, who was hon- ored with the National Order of Merit by France. His Highness Sheikh Nawaf also received Dr Mariam Al-Shammari, who presented to His Highness with an atlas on dermatologic diseases in Kuwait. Moreover, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf received Dr Saud Al-Ajmi, who presented his Master Degree thesis on the balance between the legislative and executive authorities in Kuwait. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince received Dr Ahmad Al-Huraiji, who attained a fellowship in blood cancer from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Separately, His Highness the Amir sent a con- gratulatory cable to the newly elected Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sabah sent similar cables. In other news, His Highness the Amir is set to patronize and attend a national operetta to be held at 10:00 am today His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Dr His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets in Bayan Palace. Ahmad Al-Huraiji. with Dr Saud Al-Ajmi. Prime Minister receives newly appointed diplomats

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday the newly appointed Ambassadors of Austria, Iraq, and Bulgaria. The meeting was attended by chairperson of the Diwan of His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikha Etimad Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with the newly appointed Ambassador Al-Sabah meets with the newly appointed Ambassador of Iraq. Hamad Al-Sabah meets with the newly appointed Ambassador of Austria. — KUNA photos of Bulgaria. KRCS distributed more than 1,500 food parcels in Mosul

IRBIL: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) distributed yes- Me’raj added that this was part of “Kuwait is by your terday 1,500 food parcels in several liberated parts of side” campaign, adding that the food aid covered the Mosul, said an official for the society. The KRCS operation needs of newly displaced Iraqis escaping from the military was carried out in cooperation with local humanitarian operations in their area. The humanitarian aid that Kuwait organizations, Director of the society’s Disasters and provides to the Iraqi people will continue to cover many Emergency Department Yousef Fahad Al-Me’raj said. aspects of their daily needs, he affirmed. — KUNA

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem received yesterday Sheikh Dr Abdullah bin Mohammad Al-Mutlaq, member of the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars Authority and Advisor to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. MP Al-Humaidi Al-Subaie attended the meeting. — KUNA LOCAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 Photo of the day

KUWAIT: A picture taken from a camp in Kuwait on the last day of the camping season. A seven-month ban on camping starts on April 1st every year to prevent excessive damage on the country’s environment. —KUNA photo

Kuwaiti student presents ‘my parking’ project at Dubai fair ABU DHABI: Kuwaiti student Maha Al-Hajri pre- sented her project ‘my parking’ that deals with reserving parking spots for vehicles in shopping malls during the Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibition. The project was executed by students from the Hafsa intermediate school for girls, that won the first place in the ‘young merchant’ competition organized by Kuwait’s Manpower and Government Restructuring Program (MGRP) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The competition was aimed at encouraging youth to engage in small ABU DHABI: Kuwaiti student Maha Al-Hajri who presented her project ‘my park- enterprises and later enter the business world, ing’ at the Dubai International Government Achievements Exhibition. head of the small enterprises department at the program Faris Al-Enezi said yesterday. The ‘young merchant’ is held for the third year in a row, with the participation 450 male and female students from 75 intermediate and high schools, said Enezi. Meanwhile, student Hajri said she was pleased to present her project at one of the biggest fairs in the Middle East. The project aims to allow people to save time and effort in finding a parking spot in shopping malls, especially in crowded days by booking their spot prior to their visit, she Kuwaiti student Maha Al-Hajri poses with officials from Kuwait’s Manpower explained. —KUNA and Government Restructuring Program (MGRP). —KUNA Photos

KUWAIT: Kuwait University President Dr Hussein Al-Ansari is seen with Palestinian Ambassador Rami Tahboub during the forum. —KUNA Photos

Kuwaiti photographer Hamed Al-Amiri Handicrafts displayed at the exhibition. Kuwait University advocates multi-nations’ interaction

KUWAIT: Kuwait University seeks to interact ples’ cultural forum,” organized by the KU. 30,000 editions of which have been printed by with academic establishments of other coun- Groups from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information. Photos by tries in implementation of one of its key objec- Palestine, Tunisia and Algeria are taking part in the renowned Kuwaiti photographer Hamed Al- tives, says the KU president. The university the activity, displaying traditional dresses, books Amiri are exhibited at the forum. Some of them administration makes sure that students are reg- and handicrafts. depict ancient and traditional professions such ularly involved in scientific and cultural occa- Rami Tahboub, the Palestinian ambassador, as pearl diving. Kuwaiti artist Hussein Al-Bazzaz sions in and outside Kuwait, said Dr Hussein Al- boasted of his country’s participation noting displays prototypes of old Kuwaiti dhows and Ansari, in a statement after inaugurating “peo- that the pavilion displays Al-Quds encyclopedia, visitors are served Kuwaiti cuisines. —KUNA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 LOCAL

Ministry workers Kuwaiti warplane enters Iraqi protest allowance airspace: Safwan authorities suspension

By Meshaal Al-Enezi Debate over revoked citizenships continues

KUWAIT: A large number of Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) By A Saleh financed by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic those of former MP Abdullah Al-Barghash, Saad Al- employees staged a sit-in on Monday to protest over the suspension of Development in several Iraqi areas. Ajmi and Nabil Al-Awadhi. remote areas' allowances some of them had been getting. The sit-in was KUWAIT: Iraqi authorities said a Kuwaiti military plane In related news, MP Khalid Al-Shatti accused fellow law- held at MEW headquarters in South Surra. Ministry officials had entered Iraqi airspace over Safwan in Basra governorate Revoked citizenships makers he described as "those with shining slogans" of explained earlier that they followed Civil Service Commission instruc- and broke the sound barrier, terrifying residents of the A governmental committee discussing the issue of working to "legitimize forgers and protect dual citizens by tions to cut allowances given to some employees who work in power area. Safwan authorities asked the Kuwaiti government nationality revocations held its first meeting recently amending the nationality law." Shatti said that the nation- plants and other MEW facilities located in remote areas. to 'make an apology' to residents of the area for causing that was chaired by Amiri Diwan advisor Ali Al-Rashed. ality law is among the sensitive issues being discussed by Commenting on the issue, MPs Nayef Al-Merdas and Marzouq Al- them a scare. Kuwait is currently hosting a military exer- It agreed on the mechanism of its work and allowed the National Assembly, saying that het law was issued in Khalifa stressed the need to do justice to employees who lost their cise along with American and GCC forces, but it was not those whose nationalities were revoked to contact the 1959, three years before the constitution. "It is rejected to allowances and urged Minister Essam Al-Marzouq to intervene before clear whether the incident took place as part of the drill panel through a website. Informed sources said there have a systematic attack on the nationality law, to a point things develop into a strike. MEW employees' syndicate chairman Nawwaf or not. Kuwaiti authorities could not immediately be are plans to allow all those with revoked nationalities where an MP introduces a new law - and what is worse - he Boyabes said Marzouq promised to look into the matter during a meeting reached for a comment on the subject. since 1980 to plead their cases, adding that the only calls it the 'national identity protection law'," he charged. held earlier this week and instructed his assistant undersecretary for finan- In other news, Iraqi Cabinet Secretary General Mahdi cases that can be discussed are those concerning "There are bedoons (stateless) in Kuwait and even if I sym- cial and administrative affairs to follow up and resolve the problem. Al-Allaq discussed with Kuwait's Ambassador to Iraq nationalities that were revoked according to adminis- pathize with them over their rights and hope their issue is In other news, Kuwait Fishermen Union's chairman Thaher Al- Salem Al-Zamanan the process of rebuilding areas liber- trative procedures, and not those related to state secu- resolved, the matter is much bigger than this issue, Sowayyan stressed that the union is keen on providing Sharq fish mar- ated from the Islamic State (IS). A statement said that the rity, which means the door will be closed to many cas- because the amendment aims at protecting forgers, and ket with all needed fresh local fish despite the hardships fishermen suf- Kuwaiti ambassador handed the secretary general a list es expected to be discussed. Sources said priority will this is dangerous because it is a clear violation of national fered after being evicted from their residences without providing them of mobile schools in displaced camps, and list of schools be given for nationalities revoked recently, such as identity and protects the corrupt," Shatti added. with alternative accommodation close to the harbor.

Top Interior Ministry officials attend military exercise

By Hanan Al-Saadoun maneuvers were also witnessed by Kuwait Army Directorate's Deputy Director General for the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans Firefighting Sector Maj Gen Jamal Al-Bulaihees. KUWAIT: Interior Ministry Undersecretary Maj Gen Maj Gen Ahmad Al-Ameeri and Commander of the In other news, the Interior Ministry's Traffic Mahmoud Al-Dousary along with assistant under- Eagle Resolve 2017 exercise Maj Gen Waleed Al- Department said a detour will be opened at the secretaries witnessed a training session as part of Saradi. It was also attended by Commander of intersection of Jamal Abdelnasser Road with Ghazali activities of the 'Eagle Resolve 2017' military exer- Protection and Backup at the National Guard Maj Road, and a red light will be placed before demolish- cise at the special security forces camp. The Gen Faleh Shujaa and Kuwait Fire Service ing the old steel bridge on Friday, April 7, 2017.

KIPIC announces new structure, unveils logo

KUWAIT: Kuwait Integrated Petrochemical and its subsidiaries, saying that the new com- Industries Company (KIPIC) announced pany's main duties include building, operat- recently its administrative structure to include ing and managing the refining and petro- Hashim Hashim as Chief Executive Officer chemicals complex and the imported lique- (CEO) Ahmad Saleh Al-Jeemaz as Deputy CEO fied gas facilities in Al-Zour Project. for Petrochemicals and Liquefied Gas and "This integration aims at boosting Kuwait's Khaled Al-Qo'oud as Deputy CEO for Financial petroleum industries while coping with inter- and Administrative Affairs and official national markets' demands," he underlined. spokesperson, among others. KIPIC also announced that its official logo was Speaking on the occasion, Hashim approved by the Ministry of Commerce and stressed that KIPIC was founded and Industry and that it would use the following launched as a result of the efforts and strate- e-mail: [email protected] for media cor- gies of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) respondence.

KUWAIT: Firefighters tackled a blaze that gutted a six-floor apartments' building in Mahboula yesterday. No injuries were reported in the inci- dent. Meanwhile, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) said that legal action will be taken against the building's owner for violations that obstructed firefighter's work while extinguishing the flames. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun Hashim Hashim Ahmad Al-Jeemaz Khaled Al-Qo'oud Voluntary team hosts program with PAAET nursing institute

By Abdellatif Sharaa received by faculty and students. He lauded the efforts of team members in registering participants, checking their KUWAIT: Al-Wiqaya Ghaya voluntary team launched the weight and giving advice on following a healthy lifestyle to first stage of its agility and youthfulness project in coopera- fight obesity and reaching an ideal weight. Tamimi said such tion with the nursing institute of the Public Authority for programs are very important, adding that the nursing insti- Applied Education and Training (PAAET), in the presence of tute believes in participating in executing the development the team's director Dr Musaed Ghanim Al-Enezi and assis- plan of the PAAET in order to fulfill the development vision tant director of the nursing institute Firyal Al-Tamimi, who of Kuwait, and as part of the institution's vision to instill represented Director Dr Wael Hamada, in addition to sever- health awareness in the society through such programs. The al institute officials. program will continue throughout the school term with Dr Enezi said the launch of the program was well- close follow-up to make sure the program meets its goals. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 From the Arabic press Crime Report Escalation! Al-Anbaa Deducting KD 55 Four arrested with drugs from Kuwaitis’ wages KUWAIT: Four Indians were arrested in Jleeb Al- Shuyoukh with possession of heroin. Patrol officers By Thaar Al-Rasheedi had found the suspects in a suspicious place, and MP arrested them after discovering that they were under ome people always remain in the dark and the influence of drugs. They were sent to concerned appear in public only when the government authorities. Sintends to haunt citizens’ pockets for economic reasons. By appearing in the media, those people cre- ate a state of panic about our economy, which I am not Intruder stabbed claiming is in a good place. It is actually falling apart. I A citizen stabbed a stranger who entered his house mean that those people come out to explain how in Naseem five times, then handed him to police. The deteriorated the economy is due to the fall of oil citizen said he was surprised by the man in his house Grilling prices. They will also argue that simple poor citizens and attempted to catch him, but he resisted and tried have to take their part of the responsibility to solve the to beat him, so he stabbed him. The house owner was economic problem. also sent for questioning. This amount is less Family dispute Two brothers struck a Yemeni man with an axe on his than five percent of head and chest and pulled a firearm at him due to earlier disputes. The Yemeni had went to the house of his sister’s in-laws in order to get her belongings, but a man the value of one of the emerged and started beating him. The attacker’s brother then came out with a firearm, and following an argu- failing unfinished projects ment, one of the brothers brought an axe and hit the Some of them would even go as far as suggesting Yemeni on the head. The victim’s own brother went to Al-Jarida Naeem police station and filed a complaint. that it would be okay if citizens give away a part of Investigations are underway. their salaries and incentives to contribute to reducing expenditure. The suspicious economic reform plan suggested by the government, approved by the 2013 Thefts parliament and promoted by the government’s econo- Two Nepalese and a Filipina stole the contents of a mists proves this. The plan suggested reducing the beauty salon where they worked and disappeared, Arab media, press National Labor Support allowance by 10 percent. Well, according to the owner. Investigations are underway. assuming that citizens working in the private sector Meanwhile, a thief stole KD 3,000 and smartphones conference opens today receive an average salary of KD 550 a month, this from a policeman’s house. The victim lodged a com- means deducting KD 55 a month and KD 660 a year. plaint at Saad Al-Abdullah police station. The policeman According to the latest statistics, the total number held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Al- found the door broken and discovered the theft when KUWAIT: The Arab Independent under auspices of Minister of State of citizens working in the private sector is 73,000, Baraka Ballroom). It is set to witness he looked for the money in the bedroom’s cupboard. Media and Press Freedom for Cabinet Affairs and Acting which means that the government would annually several symposiums discussing the Jahra detectives are working on the case. — Translated Conference organized by KJA in col- Minister of Information Sheikh save around KD 48 million by cutting down their Kuwaiti press, freedom of press in the from the Arabic press laboration with The World Union Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak salaries by 10 percent. I do not wish to speak about the Arab world and a declaration of Organizations for Arabic Press Al-Sabah. legality, constitutionality or even logic in cutting down media freedom. (WUOAP) will be launched today The two-day conference will be the allowances; which was originally set by law to encourage more citizens to join the private sector. Let me talk about the KD 48 million the state will save by this unusual economic procedure. Al-Jarida This amount is less than five percent of the value of one of the failing unfinished projects. It is not even worth half the value of the cost changes in projects Comas and abuse worth millions of dinars. It is less than half the value of a tender to provide devices to ministries that are often end up not used. It is not even equal to 10 percent of By Mohammed Al-Sager the costs spent on the overseas treatment program. Solving financial squander should not go through the had decided to give the current parlia- I would like to remind you that former pockets of simple citizens and those with limited ment a chance to prove itself after MPs Dr Ahmad Al-Kahteeb, Jassem Al- income. It should be done through solving the issue in Iseveral tragic experiences of previous Qatami, Ahmad Al-Saadoun and Jassem various ministries. Citizens’ pockets must be the last parliaments being annulled, suspended Al-Sager have never filed a single inter- resort in any economic reform plans, but our politi- and politically disqualified. However, pellation throughout their parliamentary cians know nothing about economic principles when what happened since this parliament careers; neither have I, though we had so it comes to multibillion development projects. Such an came in power makes me more grateful many confrontations with governments economic reform attempt is but a sugarcoated form of for previous ones, especially since so and their policies. We were fiercer in corruption disguised as reform. much was expected from it after the defending people’s rights, liberties and —Translated by Kuwait Times people put an end to boycotting the the rule of law. Why do they opt to prac- elections under the one-vote electoral tices that are so strange for citizens and system. However, it ended up with great open for authoritarians, the enemies of disappointment. democracy and those with bad intentions The fact that this parliament only to attack and criticize the democracy? passed two bills since it came to office I recently heard threats to file interpel- shows how much time is being wasted lations, then closely followed the process on political disputes and disagree- of grilling former information minister ments, instead of focusing on legisla- Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. tion, achievement and reforming laws And though I believe he failed in fulfilling that had been distorted by the previous his tasks in sports and information, I parliament and are gradually being strongly believe that the motion was undone such as that of the DNA law, unsuccessful and that lawmakers abused blasphemers’ penalties, or Juveniles’ this tool and started executing political age reduction bill. agendas that are far beyond the right of Nonetheless, the worst political phe- monitoring as part of a balance-of-power nomenon in the current parliament is the game that would only harm Kuwait. flowing threats of interpellations, both Despite what I mentioned above, justified and unjustified. The distin- what makes me unhappy is having the guished lawmakers seem to have figured country torn between the ‘absent’ gov- out that shouting louder, gaining more public support and electoral gains were ernment with paralyzed will and the much better than legislation. They also abuse of powers practiced with evil discovered that blackmailing the govern- intentions. This cannot go on because if ment is more useful than cooperating it does, it will only undermine our with it. They seem to have forgotten that democracy, as well as the legislative and a parliamentary inquiry is a real monitor- executive authorities. It will also open ing tool, that a press conference can sup- wide for fishing in murky waters and going back on the Kuwaiti people’s gains. port such inquiries, that media can be KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) carried used for more pressure and that there are Therefore, I urge the government to recover from its coma and the parliament out an exercise at Sabah Al-Salem University in so many ways to achieve goals. Why, then, Shedadiya yesterday to gauge the readiness of fire and do they opt to the easiest methods and to calm down and go back to the right path of democracy. backup teams in dealing with accidents such as an file grilling motions? Why are they turning explosion of an oxygen cylinder during welding. such a tool into a silly one by overusing it? —Translated by Kuwait Times

Alghanim Industries employees pose with the Dean of the college of Business Administration at Kuwait Alghanim Industries employees pose with the Minister of Commerce at GUST. University. Alghanim Industries strengthens relationship with local universities

KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries, one of the largest in the career fairs, Chief Human Resources Officer pany, its history, and what it can offer to further privately owned companies in the region was a at Alghanim Industries, George Lambros said: “We develop their skills and build rewarding careers. Platinum sponsor of Gulf University for Science look for every opportunity to engage with Kuwaiti Many resumes were received from students and and Technology’s (GUST) career fair, and a Sliver students, and to inform them about the exciting alumni interested in joining Alghanim Industries. sponsor of the career fair in the College of career opportunities we have at Alghanim The company is committed to empowering Business Administration of Kuwait University. Industries. Over the years, we have successfully youth through education, with particular inter- The career fairs were able to attract many stu- recruited impressive talent from local universities est in acquiring talented graduates from both dents and professors to the company booth to and we’re invested in retaining and developing international and local universities. Alghanim learn more about the businesses and programs them, once then join the organization. We look Industries also focuses on gender diversity, that the company offers such as, the Alghanim forward to having many of the students we met as recruiting and retaining female talent. In addi- Future Leaders Program (AFLP) and the Summer interns or as employees in the near future.” tion to its Kuwaiti Mentorship Program, which Internship Program. The event served as a great platform for all stu- aims to further advance the skills and talents of Commenting on the company’s participation dents interested in learning more about the com- Kuwaiti employees in the company. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

Out with the old? Outsiders shaking up Trump-Xi meet watched for clues of future relationship French election Page 12 Page 10

RIYADH: In this photo released yesterday by Saudi Press Agency, SPA, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, rear left, meets with British Prime Minister Theresa May. — AP PM May in Saudi Arabia seeking deals Hoping to tap the kingdom’s ‘immense potential’

RIYADH: British Prime Minister Theresa May arrived in King Salman and the country’s powerful two crown Call to halt arms sales activist last week attempted a citizen’s arrest of Assiri, Saudi Arabia yesterday hoping to tap the oil-rich king- princes. In a statement ahead of the visit, May said she He called on Britain to halt arms sales to Riyadh imme- before another threw an egg that hit the spokesman in dom’s “immense potential” as she looks to secure post- would be looking to use the “immense potential for Saudi diately and to push for a ceasefire in Yemen, where a Saudi- the back. Asked by British reporters if she would bring up Brexit investment and trade. May landed at a military air- investment to provide a boost to the British economy”. led coalition intervened two years ago. The coalition has humanitarian and rights questions in Riyadh, May told port in the Saudi capital, state news agency SPA said, com- Britain is looking to strike new trade deals as it prepares carried out hundreds of air strikes and sent troops to sup- Sky News: “We have no difficulty in raising hard issues ing from Jordan. Facing criticism at home and calls to raise to leave the EU, with a major focus on longtime partners port Yemen’s internationally recognised government with those that we meet, be it in Saudi Arabia or else- rights issues with Saudi leaders, May insisted she had no like the energy-rich Gulf states. Qatar, for example, against Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels who have seized where in the world.” problem talking about “hard issues” on foreign visits. announced plans last month to invest £5 billion ($6.23 bil- control of large parts of the country. May also pointed to social reforms announced in the But, less than a week after Britain officially started a lion/5.8 billion euros) in Britain within five years. Saudi More than 7,700 civilians have been killed and a fur- Vision 2030 program, including plans to increase women’s two-year countdown for quitting the European Union, May Arabia is Britain’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, ther 42,500 wounded since the start of the campaign, participation in the workforce from 22 to 28 percent by made clear that economic issues were the priority. May with exports of more than £6.5 billion in British goods and according to the United Nations. Seven million Yemenis 2020. Saudi Arabia has some of the world’s tightest restric- began a three-day Middle East tour on Monday in Amman, services to the country in 2015. are also facing starvation. Rights groups including tions on women, and is the only country where they are where she touted cooperation between British forces and Saudi Arabia is also looking at boosting its foreign Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have not allowed to drive. “I hope also that people see me as a Jordan’s military in the fight against the Islamic State investments as part of a long-term plan known as “Vision been among organisations calling for an end to arms woman leader, will see what women can achieve and how jihadist group. 2030” to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence sales from Britain and the United States to Saudi Arabia women can be in significant positions,” May told the BBC. Both countries are part of the US-led coalition that has on oil revenues. May came under fire ahead the visit, with over the coalition’s actions in Yemen. May is also due to meet Sarah Al-Suhaimi, who was been carrying out air strikes and supporting local forces opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn demanding On Sunday, Britain apologized after an egg was appointed as the first female chair of the Saudi stock against IS in Syria and Iraq since mid-2014. May is expected she raise concerns about “the dictatorial Saudi monarchy’s thrown at Saudi General Ahmed Assiri, the spokesman for exchange earlier this year, and a Saudi princess appointed to have two days of talks with senior officials including shocking human rights record”. the coalition, during a recent visit to London. An anti-war last year to oversee women’s sports. — AFP Russia IDs metro bomber as nation mourns 14 dead

SAINT PETERSBURG: Russian investigators Russia gears up towards hosting the World insurgency in its volatile Caucasus region and yesterday identified the bomber in the deadly Cup next year. Commuters on the busy Saint has suffered a string of bloody terror attacks Saint Petersburg metro blast as 22-year-old Petersburg metro remained on edge after the over the years. Health Minister Veronika Akbarjon Djalilov, as Russia’s second city system temporarily shut down Monday in the Skvortsova said the toll from the blast had mourned the 14 people killed. The wake of the attack. climbed from 11 to 14 yesterday as three peo- Investigative Committee said in a statement “Everyone in the metro can only think of ple succumbed to their injuries, adding that 49 that Djalilov “carried out an explosion” in the this,” said 45-year-old Svetlana Golubeva as more people remained in hospital. carriage of a train travelling between two busy she entered the underground. Resident Those hurt include citizens of Belarus, stations on Monday afternoon. Dmitry Leonov said there was a sense of shock Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as Djalilov’s “genetic trace” was also found on that terror could strike the city as he picked his Russians from 13 different regions, according a bag containing a second bomb left at anoth- way through the candles and flower tributes to the Saint Petersburg authorities. The chief er metro station and later defused, the state- lining the gates of the station. “Now we’re all of the Saint Petersburg metro, Vladimir ment said. Investigators gave no further under threat,” he said. Garyugin, said yesterday that quick actions by details about Djalilov but his name and year of staff prevented a much higher toll and that birth coincided with a statement from the ‘Food for thought’ passengers had helped each other instead of Kyrgyz security services which said earlier yes- Putin, who hails from Saint Petersburg, was panicking. The second bomb was an explosive terday he was a naturalized Russian citizen holding a meeting near the city at the time of device fashioned from a fire extinguisher and originally from Kyrgyzstan. the bombing and later on Monday added his hidden in a bag, he said. “A metro employee The remains of the bomber were found at own floral tribute at the scene. “The fact that quickly cordoned off the area and called in the scene of the blast, but it was not clear if he the act of terror was perpetrated at the experts,” Garyugin said in televised remarks. ST PETERSBURG: A woman reacts while placing is included in the official toll of the attack. moment that the head of state was in the city flowers in honor of the victims of the April 3 blast Flags flew at half-mast in Russia’s second city is food for thought,” Kremlin spokesman ‘Barbaric act’ on the platform of Technological Institute metro and flowers and candles piled up at an Dmitry Peskov said yesterday. In the wake of the attack Putin spoke to a station. (INSET) An undated handout picture impromptu memorial outside the metro sta- A spokesman for Kyrgyzstan’s security serv- string of leaders around the globe-including sourced by a Russia’s VK.com social network page shows Akbarjon Djalilov, an alleged tion rocked by the attack, as authorities ices, Rakhat Sulaimanov, told AFP in Bishkek holding only his second phone call with US suspect in the April 3 blast in the Saint Petersburg metro. — AFP photos beefed up security on the busy underground that authorities of the ex-Soviet republic were President Donald Trump overnight. Trump transport system. in contact with their Russian counterparts over offered Putin the “full support of the United In October 2015, a bomb attack claimed by where a blast claimed by Islamic insurgents The Kremlin said the bombing was “a chal- the case. There has not been a claim of respon- States Government,” according to a White House IS downed a plane carrying holidaymakers killed 37 people in 2011. In an apparently lenge to every Russian”, including President sibility for the attack, which came after the statement. Putin also talked up cooperation in back to Saint Petersburg from Egypt in unrelated incident, two traffic policemen were Vladimir Putin. The bombing raised jitters Islamic State group called for attacks on Russia the fight against terrorism with leaders in October 2015. All 224 people onboard were killed overnight in the southern city of ahead of the Confederations Cup football in retribution for its military intervention in Germany, France, Turkey and the king of Saudi killed. Russian ground transport has also been Astrakhan when unidentified assailants tournament in June, with the opening game Syria against the jihadists. Arabia. The attack in Saint Petersburg is the first hit by extremists before, including in the opened fire on them, the regional governor and final set to be held in Saint Petersburg as Russia has long been battling an Islamist in several years to hit a major city in Russia. Moscow metro and the Domodedovo airport, said, calling them “radical Islamists.” — AFP WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Spanish police raid Assad family’s assets

MADRID: Police in southern Spain yesterday ties say the Spanish probe established that Rifaat staged raids targeting assets of the family of Syrian and his family had 503 properties in their portfolio, leader Bashar Al-Assad, a judicial source said. The ranging from holiday villas to plush hotel apart- raids, in the Puerto Banus marina area of the plush ments-almost all in and around Marbella. One resi- resort of Marbella, are the result of a corruption dence, “La Maquina” at Benahavis just outside investigation launched in France against Assad’s Marbella is worth an estimated 60 million euros. uncle, Rifaat Al-Assad. The assets of Rifaat Al-Assad The investigating magistrate has frozen 16 peo- and his family in Spain are valued at 691 million ple’s bank accounts and a further 76 accounts in euros ($736 million), the source said, adding that connection with the case, the judicial source said. “all these properties have been seized.” Investigators say Rifaat Al-Assad-first charged in “Judge Jose de la Mata is coordinating the judi- France last June-holds some 90 million euros cial operation against Rifaat Al-Assad, uncle of the worth of property assets in France, including an current president of Syria, for money laundering in office block in the eastern city of Lyon. Rifaat Al- Puerto Banus and Marbella”, the source said. In Assad denies wrongdoing, saying much of his 1984, Rifaat Al-Assad was forced into exile for try- wealth stems from gifts bestowed by the Saudi ing to overthrow his older brother, the late Syrian royal family, which he says gave him political back- dictator Hafez Al-Assad. According to Spanish jus- ing in the 1980s. tice, Rifaat Al-Assad, now aged 79, received 300 Last October, he told French authorities that for- million dollars of state cash which he used to buy mer Saudi kings Fahd and Abdallah had provided real estate in France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg those gifts, according to a source close to the and Curacao. French probe. The initial probe was triggered by an French and Spanish authorities have been coop- activist group, which represents victims of financial erating on the case and Spain opened an investiga- crime. Rifaat Al-Assad insists he does not keep close MARBELLA: A woman walks past a luxury residence during a raid by the Spanish Guardia civil tar- tion on the back of the French one. Madrid authori- tabs on his property holdings. — AFP geting assets of the family of Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad in the Puerto Banus marina area. —AFP

Iraq trip news with Kushner midair poses security risks

WASHINGTON: The Trump administra- or lands, or use roadside bombs or shoul- tion’s failure to keep senior adviser Jared der-launched rockets to strike dignitaries Kushner’s trip to Iraq secret isn’t standard while they’re on the ground. US security practice for top US officials visiting war- details work with host countries to make zones. Such trips are usually kept quiet, sure routes and buildings are secure, trying with the cooperation of journalists, until to do so in the most inconspicuous manner the officials arrive in order to ensure maxi- possible. mum security. The choice of plane, too, is determined A senior administration official told by danger level. In warzones, officials often reporters Sunday evening that Kushner - fly more rugged combat aircraft, such as President Donald Trump’s son-in-law - was the Air Force’s heavy C-17 transport plane. in Iraq, even though he was still en route. These can take off and land quicker on For the military and security professionals shorter runways. Steeper, corkscrew land- managing the mission, the public disclo- ings are sometimes preferred to minimize sure of the unannounced trip was a securi- the threat from surface-to-air missiles. ty breach. Gen. Joseph Dunford, the Joint Reporters cooperate, too. Those travel- Chiefs of Staff chairman, also was on board. ing with top leaders into conflict areas Although the plane landed safely in must keep the trip secret, with reports gen- Baghdad on Monday, the Iraqi capital is erally “embargoed” until landing. hardly a secure location, having suffered Restrictions can be tighter on rare occa- countless extremist attacks over the years. sions. But these practices all are predicated The threat is no less acute today as Iraq on the administration not making the trip wages a bitter battle to try to rid the public prematurely. “The moment of vul- Islamic State from its territory. For trips to nerability is, if they know you’re coming, a the city, the military seeks to avoid public surface-to-air missile going after the air- mention of plans ahead of time so extrem- plane,” said Ari Fleischer, President George ist groups can’t plot attacks. W. Bush’s White House press secretary. “If you can diminish the time they know - and Reasoning is obvious by the time you’re there, the whole thing is “It’s been longstanding practice to a flood of security agents - it makes it AMMAN: In this Wednesday, March 29, 2017 file photo, a section of the twenty one kings, presidents and top officials who attended the strictly avoid announcing the visits of sen- almost impossible in theory for them to do Arab League summit pose for a group photo, at a gathering near the Dead Sea. — AP ior US officials in advance of their travels to anything bad.” warzones,” said George Little, a Pentagon and CIA press secretary for Leon Panetta, Not according to plan At White House, Jordan king who managed both departments under For the Trump administration, Kushner’s President Barack Obama. “The main reason voyage marks the second time a secret trip is obvious. You want to avoid giving the hasn’t gone as planned. In February, the to present Arabs’ view on peace enemy any information that could help White House arranged for Trump to visit them to target these delegations, especial- Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to honor ly in areas where the battle lines aren’t the returning remains of a US Navy SEAL A look at what’s on the table and in the pipeline clear on the map.” killed a week earlier. In keeping with the Knowing when and where a senior US practice of past White Houses, the trip was- AMMAN: Jordan’s King Abdullah II will be able Will Trump engage? White House hasn’t formulated a clear Mideast military or civilian official might arrive n’t announced. News organizations agreed to deliver an Arab consensus on Mideast peace Trump’s international envoy, Jason strategy. Trump’s personal interest in a deal con- makes attacks easier. Such details could not to report on the trip until after Trump when he meets with President Donald Trump at Greenblatt, told Arab leaders on the sidelines of trasts with his predecessor Barack Obama’s more help groups target the plane as it takes off arrived at the base. — AP the White House today, after a recent summit last week’s summit in Jordan that the US presi- hands-off approach, and the current president’s hosted by the monarch renewed an Arab offer of dent has a personal interest in achieving an amicable relationship with Netanyahu could give recognition of Israel in exchange for Palestinian Israeli-Palestinian deal and that he believes it is him greater leverage with Israel, said Jordanian statehood. Could the revived Arab plan, coupled doable. Trump hasn’t said what kind of agree- analyst Musa Shteiwi. Another key ingredient - with Trump’s stated eagerness to strike a deal, ment he seeks, but appears to have backed broad Arab support for negotiations - will be signal an opening for restarting stalled Israeli- away from initial suggestions that he could envi- delivered by Jordan’s king today. “There is an Palestinian talks? Here’s a look ahead. sion alternatives to the globally backed two- opening,” said Shteiwi, head of the Center for state solution that has been supported by previ- Strategic Studies, a think tank at Jordan What’s on the table? ous US presidents. For now, Trump envoys are University. “We should be cautiously optimistic.” At their annual summit last week, Arab lead- trying to get Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ers renewed an offer they first made to Israel in Netanyahu to curb settlement construction on What does Jordan want? 2002 - recognition by dozens of Arab and war-won lands and ease economic restrictions The White House meeting will affirm the Muslim nations in exchange for allowing the cre- on Palestinians - a traditional US move when try- king’s traditional role as Mideast mediator and ation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, ing to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks. Greenblatt raise his profile as an arbiter of Arab consensus. Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Israel has balked, also won praise from Palestinian officials, who Jordan seeks a solid US promise that among other things, at the envisioned scope of say he was surprisingly open to their concerns Washington will try to revive peace efforts, withdrawal from the lands it captured in 1967 during his recent “listening tour” in the region. most importantly by persuading Israel to and unsuccessfully sought to renegotiate the engage in credible talks on Palestinian state- initial proposal. A rare opening? hood, said a government official who spoke on With the summit declaration to back his case, Early on, Trump positioned himself as a condition of anonymity because he was not Jordan’s king will be able to tell Trump that Arab staunch Israel supporter, eliciting alarm in parts authorized to talk to reporters about diplomat- leaders are serious about achieving what of the Arab world and cheers among Israeli ic efforts. There have been no serious Israeli- Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, hard-liners. The administration has since tried to Palestinian talks since gaps widened with BAGHDAD: Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advis- described as the “historic reconciliation between adjust the balance on some issues, seeking a set- Netanyahu’s 2009 election. Netanyahu hasn’t er, arrives at the Ministry of Defense. —AP Israel and the whole Arab world.” But the king tlement slowdown and holding off on a promise formally reneged on the principle of a two- will couple the enticing prospect of regional to move the US Embassy in Israel to contested state solution, but has stopped short of men- peace with a warning. Jordan argues that the Jerusalem. US ally Jordan, custodian of a major tioning it in recent weeks, and most of his decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains Muslim-run shrine in Jerusalem, has warned Cabinet members oppose the idea. German officials meet with at the root of regional turmoil and that, if such a move would fuel extremism. allowed to fester, it will undercut the Trump Some argue that recent events could create What about Israel? journalist jailed in Turkey administration’s Mideast goals of containing Iran an opening for resuming Israeli-Palestinian nego- Netanyahu reportedly told Cabinet ministers and defeating Islamic State extremists. tiations - despite perceptions that the Trump last week that it’s important for Israel to show ISTANBUL: German officials met yesterday 100 journalists who are being detained in goodwill and not be seen by Trump as an obsta- with a German-Turkish journalist impris- Turkey - something he said had been cle to any US initiative. Still, talks with the US on oned in Istanbul for the first time since his brought up in talks with officials there. slowing settlement construction haven’t led to incarceration, saying he was doing well “Rule of law, democracy and press free- results and Israel last week approved a new set- but voicing concerns that he was being dom played a large role in all conversa- Iran cleric claims tlement - the first in 20 years - billed by kept in jail for political purposes and call- tions,” he said. “And I emphasized once Netanyahu as keeping a previous promise to ing for his release. German Foreign more that it’s not just about one case... but settlers. At the same time, Netanyahu reported- Ministry official Michael Roth, a deputy about the situation of journalists in Turkey bad driving a sin ly proposed unilateral Israeli construction limits. foreign minister, told reporters that Die in general.” The case has been one of sev- Netanyahu envoy Michael Oren, who recently Welt correspondent Deniz Yucel met with eral issues that have led to increased fric- TEHRAN: Some 700 people were killed over Republic of Congo and the Central African met with Greenblatt, said on Monday that Israel Consul General Georg Birgelen and a tion between Germany and Turkey in the Persian New Year on roads in Iran, which Republic where drivers must contend with wants Arab states to take concrete steps to German consulate attorney in prison. recent months. A German parliament reso- are among the deadliest in the world despite terrible roads and armed militants. The only “show that they are not just talking about “He’s doing well overall given the cir- lution labeling the early-20th-century Islamic leaders declaring bad driving a sin. The other middle-income country in the top 10 is peace, but actually mean it.” This would include cumstances, but is finding the solitary con- killing of Armenians in Turkey as “geno- two-week break for Nowruz that ended at the Thailand, though three-quarters of that coun- “aspects of normalization,” Oren said, but did finement a great strain,” Roth said. It was cide” and an offensive poem about weekend actually saw a 12-percent improve- try’s road deaths involve motorcycles which not elaborate. He described a process of mutual the first consular contact Yucel has been Erdogan by a German comic last year ment on last year’s death toll, police chief are much less prevalent in Iran. goodwill gestures that could gradually lead to a allowed since he was arrested on charges sparked the first round of tensions Taghi Mehri said yesterday. But the horrific The reasons are unclear, though the highly peace agreement. of producing terrorist propaganda and between the two countries. loss of life-with more than half a million killed aggressive nature of Iranian driving and poor incitement to hatred - accusations he Turkish officials’ attempts to rally sup- over the past two decades-has led religious quality of locally made cars are clearly factors. What else will come up? denies. He was taken into custody in mid- port among their citizens living in leaders to step in. Police fight a desperate battle to keep drivers Another important issue for Jordan will be February after reporting on a hacker attack Germany last month for a referendum over “Violating traffic laws is a sin, and following in line, with officers impounding 32,000 cars the fight against the Islamic State group, which on the email account of the country’s whether to expand Erdogan’s power then these rules is a religious duty,” said Grand and 20,000 motorbikes for violations in the controls territory in neighboring Iraq and Syria. energy minister and formally arrested later caused widespread irritation in Germany, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi last week. He was first three days of Nowruz alone. The militants have shown with a series of recent in the month. and several of their public events were repeating a declaration he made in 2014, “Unfortunately, every 71 minutes, one per- attacks that they pose an internal and external Roth thanked Turkey for providing canceled. That caused Erdogan to accuse when he said: “Driving while tired and sleepy, son dies on the country’s roads due to acci- threat to pro-Western Jordan. Jordan has been access to Yucel, and said Germany expects German officials of acting like Nazis which, illegally passing other cars and running red dents,” deputy police chief Eskandar Momeni part of a US-led military coalition against IS for to be able to continue to send consular in turn, prompted strong condemnation of lights are haram (forbidden).” Iran is almost said, quoted by Tasnim news agency. “The fig- the past two years, hosting Western military officials to meet with him and is working the Turkish president’s words from alone among middle-income countries when ure for last year was one in every 60 minutes, trainers and carrying out airstrikes against IS tar- to have him freed. “He’s obviously being Chancellor Angela Merkel. Roth said part it comes to the scale of its road deaths. so there has been an improvement. “But we gets. A senior White House official last week por- made a political project of,” Roth said, not- of the purpose of his visit to Turkey was The World Health Organization places it in should know that even the death of one per- trayed Jordan as a “critical” US partner in the ing that Turkish President Recep Tayyip also to try to ensure no further escalation, the top 10 alongside extremely poor African son on the roads is shocking and we should fight against the extremists. Jordanian and US Erdogan had mentioned the case. “The saying that the Nazi comparisons were countries such as Libya, the Democratic all try to stop it.” — AFP interests appear to converge, with both seeking case has a political and a legal dimension.” “completely unacceptable” and “deeply to step up the anti-IS campaign. — AP Roth said Yucel is only one of more than hurt” Germany. —Agencies WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Chelsea Clinton in no hurry to get into politics

NEW YORK: Congresswoman Clinton? President Still, with Hillary Clinton’s political career possi- cies they believe in. She said, “I hope that politics responsibilities, she plays an active role in fundrais- Clinton? For now, Chelsea Clinton says her only bly over following a devastating election loss, peo- is in all of our DNA.” The comments come as her ing, promotion and program evaluation. plan is to burnish her profile as an author of chil- ple can’t stop speculating about whether her mother’s political standing reaches new lows. In She is also teaching a class on global health dren’s books. The former first daughter embarked daughter intends to take up the family business. December, more than 60 percent of Democrats governance at Columbia University and recently on a six-state book tour yesterday that was sched- Chelsea Clinton was blunt in a Tuesday interview and independents said Hillary Clinton should not joined the board of the internet travel site Expedia. uled back when she believed her mother was on with “CBS This Morning,” but also left the door open. run again for office, according to a Suffolk And she is eager to speak out against President the way to the White House. “No, no, no,” Clinton said, noting that she’s pleased University/USA Today poll. Donald Trump’s policies. Late last week, she There has been no internal polling, no private with her state and local public officials in New York Political operatives in New York say that Chelsea warned during a televised fundraiser for the discussions with political consultants. No one City. “I clearly don’t agree with our president, but Clinton, who lives in Manhattan, may have more American Civil Liberties Union that Republican- scheduled the tour - to promote the paperback I’m definitely not the right person to run to defeat options than her mother’s poor numbers suggest. backed voter ID laws are threatening the right to release of “It’s Your World,” a book aimed at middle- him in 2020,” she continued. “So right now, the “The brand here is still pretty strong,” said Jefrey vote. Over the weekend, she tweeted a link to the school students - thinking it would be an effective answer is no. But I think we all need to be asking Pollock, a New York-based Democratic pollster, Los Angeles Times headline: “Our Dishonest vehicle to launch a serious political run. She is also ourselves that question periodically.” referring to liberal New York City and its suburbs. President.” And on Monday, she posted a message preparing to release an illustrated children’s book in “For right now, if there’s a future, it’s going to be to her 1.6 million Twitter followers highlighting the May that celebrates female leaders. “There’s lots of Political standing something more local than national.” Trump administration’s plan to cut funding at the TBD’s in Chelsea’s future,” Clinton chief of staff Bari Asked whether a run for office is inevitable Chelsea Clinton continues to serve as the vice Environmental Protection Agency. “She’s made it Lurie told The Associated Press, using the acronym because her parents were both politicians, chair of the board at the Clinton Foundation, an very clear: ‘I can care deeply and fight for issues I’m for “to be determined.” “But right now she’s very Chelsea Clinton, 37, would only say that people unpaid position that puts her at the center of deci- passionate about and not be running for public clear: One of those TBD’s is not running for office.” should be willing to fight for programs and poli- sions about the foundation’s future. Among other office,” Lurie said. — AP

Border wall bidders ready for a hostile environment

SAN DIEGO: One potential bidder on was a cornerstone of Trump’s presidential President Donald Trump’s border wall with campaign and a flashpoint for his detrac- Mexico wanted to know if authorities would tors. The multibillion-dollar project along rush to help if workers came under “hostile the 2,000-mile border has many outspo- attack.” Another asked if employees can car- ken critics, including the Roman Catholic ry firearms in states with strict gun control Archdiocese of Mexico, which said last laws and if the government would indemni- week that Mexican companies expressing fy them for using deadly force. With bids interest were betraying their country. US due on the first design contracts, interested Customs and Border Protection said in a companies are preparing for the worst if statement that it would pick multiple con- they get the potentially lucrative job. tractors to build prototypes by around A US official with knowledge of the June 1 and will name only the winning plans who spoke on condition of anonymi- bidders. The agency said last month that ty because the details haven’t been made the prototypes should be about 30 feet public said four to 10 bidders are expected long and 18 to 30 feet high. to be chosen to build prototypes. They will The winning bidders must submit a be constructed on a roughly quarter-mile security plan with details including “‘fall (400-meter) strip of federally owned land in back positions, evacuation routines and San Diego within 120 feet of the border, methods, muster area, medical staff mem- though a final decision has not been made bers/availability, number of security per- on the precise spot, the official said. The sonnel, qualifications, years of experience, government anticipates spending etc. in the event of a hostile attack,” $200,000 to $500,000 on each prototype. according to the solicitation. A chain-link The Border Patrol and local police would fence with barbed wire around the con- establish a buffer zone around the con- struction site is required. The agency said struction site if necessary, the US official it won’t provide security. said. The San Diego police and sheriff’s Bidders are also asked to demonstrate departments said Monday they will respect experience “executing high-profile, high- constitutional rights to free speech and visibility and politically contentious” proj- assembly for any peaceful, law-abiding ects. The agency, responding to questions protesters. Enrique Morones, executive from companies on a website for govern- WASHINGTON: Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, wraps up the meeting on Capitol Hill. — AP director of Border Angels, said his group ment contractors, said the Border Patrol plans to protest. would respond as needed if there is a hos- “There will be a lot of different activity - tile attack, but companies were responsi- Senate begins debate on Gorsuch, protests, prayer vigils - on both sides of the ble for security. The government won’t wall,” said Morones, whose immigrant allow waivers from state gun laws or advocacy group is based in San Diego. “We indemnify companies whose workers use headed for dramatic showdown pray and hope that they’re peaceful.” deadly force. The website for contractors Michael Evangelista-Ysasaga, chief execu- lists more than 200 companies that signed ‘Nuclear option’ on Senate floor remains a possibility tive of The Penna Group LLC, a general con- up for email notifications on the design tractor in Fort Worth, Texas, said he has contract but it’s unclear how many of WASHINGTON: Democrats have secured the Coons also said that Republicans’ treatment of Gorsuch’s confirmation would also serve as vindi- received about a dozen death threats since those will apply. Bidders must have done votes to block President Donald Trump’s former President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court cation for McConnell’s strategy of refusing to fill publicly expressing interest in bidding, border security or similar projects worth Supreme Court nominee under current rules, nominee, Merrick Garland, left lasting scars after Scalia’s seat last year, instead leaving it open for including one from a woman who told him $25 million in the past five years to qualify. putting the Senate on a partisan collision course they denied him so much as a hearing following the next president, even though few imagined she hired a private investigator to trail him. Ronald Colburn, Border Patrol deputy over confirming Neil Gorsuch to a lifetime the death of Justice Antonin Scalia early last year. then that that person would be Trump. Evangelista-Ysasaga said he bid in part chief when hundreds of miles of fences appointment that could reverberate for decades. “We are at a historic moment in the history of the The showdown over the “nuclear option,” because he wants broad immigration were built under President George W. Debate over the 49-year-old appellate judge United States Senate” due to actions by both par- expected on the Senate floor Thursday, is likely reform. Securing the border, he said, is a Bush’s administration, said companies gets under way in the full Senate on Tuesday, ties, Coons said. “We have eroded the process for to be accompanied by much hand-wringing prerequisite for granting a path to citizen- should plan on training workers to know with Republicans and Democrats bitterly divid- reaching agreement and dishonored our long from senators bemoaning the decay of the ship to millions in the US illegally. “We when to seek cover and stay put and ed over the next steps. traditions of acting above partisanship.” chamber’s traditions of bipartisanship and comi- didn’t enter this lightly,” he said. “We looked when to retreat. “Most of those organiza- While Democrats have the votes for a fili- The long-term consequences of the coming ty. But both parties are to blame. When the at it and said we have to be a productive tions are probably fairly accustomed to buster, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is ready confrontation could be profound, as the rules Democrats were in the majority, they removed part of the solution.” that,” said Colburn, who retired in 2009. to lead the GOP in a unilateral change in a change Republicans intend to enact would apply the 60-vote threshold for nominees to federal “Some of them may be learning for the Senate floor procedure so significant that it has to future Supreme Court nominees as well, allow- benches lower in the judicial system than the Betraying their country first time, that kind of risk at the bor- been dubbed the “nuclear option.” The tactic if ing them to be voted onto the court without any Supreme Court. This change came in 2013 as Building a wall on the Mexican border ders.” —AP invoked would lower the confirmation threshold input from the minority party. And though pre- Republicans, who were in the minority at the to a filibuster-proof simple majority of 51 votes dicting a justice’s votes can be difficult, confirma- time, were blocking Obama picks for critical in the 100-member Senate rather than the 60 tion of the 49-year-old Gorsuch is expected to court vacancies. Republicans said at the time votes currently needed to stop delaying tactics restore the conservative majority that existed that Democrats would come to regret the move. by opponents. while Scalia was alive and that majority could be Gorsuch will be confirmed “and he should be,” The likelihood of more partisan wrangling left expanded in coming decades if Republicans John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Senate veteran GOP senators frustrated - and hoping remain in control of the process. Some of the Republican, said during Monday’s debate. “If that Democrats would relent in their opposition more liberal justices are among the oldest on the Judge Gorsuch is unacceptable to our to the Colorado jurist. The nuclear option would court, so more court openings could pop up. Democratic colleagues, there will never be a be “damaging to the Senate, damaging to them nominee by this president that you will find and damaging to the country. Maybe a light will Bright spot acceptable. Never.” come on somewhere,” said Sen Lamar Alexander, For Republicans and Trump, Gorsuch’s confir- Gorsuch now counts 55 supporters in the a Tennessee Republican. mation would be a moment of triumph, a bright Senate: the 52 Republicans, along with three spot in a troubled young administration that’s moderate Democrats from states Trump won Activist approach failed on the legislative front with the health care last November - Joe Manchin of West Virginia, After hours of debate Monday, the Judiciary bill and is under investigation over Russia con- Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Committee voted 11-9, along party lines, to send nections. The nomination of Gorsuch, by con- Donnelly of Indiana. A fourth Senate Democrat, Gorsuch’s nomination to the full Senate, where trast, has won universal praise from Republicans, Michael Bennet from Gorsuch’s home state of McConnell, R-Ky., has vowed he will be con- some of whom call his appointment Trump’s best Colorado, has said he will not join in the fili- firmed on Friday. Sen Chris Coons of Delaware move so far as president. buster against Gorsuch but has not said how he became the key 41st vote for the Democrats, Gorsuch has spent more than a decade on the will vote on final passage. Democrats claim the declaring during a committee debate that federal appeals bench in Denver where he’s Republicans’ treatment of Garland was worse Gorsuch’s conservative record showed an issued consistently conservative rulings, and he than anything they ever did or are doing, and SAN DIEGO: In this June 13, 2013, file photo, hands from Daniel Zambrano of activist approach to the law, often in favor of appeared on Trump’s list of potential candidates with Trump in the White House they are under Tijuana, Mexico, hold on to the bars that make up the border wall separating the US business interests, and that he evaded questions partly generated by the Federalist Society and intense pressure from liberal voters to oppose and Mexico as the border meets the Pacific Ocean. — AP during his confirmation hearings. Heritage Foundation during the campaign. the president on every front. — AP Heavy storms sweeping through South; 5 killed

JACKSON: A Mississippi woman who desper- Authorities immediately began looking but loved her,” Simmons said of Shirley Thomas. ately tried to direct rescuers to her sinking couldn’t find her in time. Records from the Two other people died earlier in Louisiana, vehicle after it skidded into a rain-swollen county’s 911 center show the first call came at and a man died Monday in South Carolina creek was among five people killed in storms 4:35 a.m., responders were dispatched within after storms swept through the state. Some across the South. Jacqueline Williams, 52, 17 seconds and arrived at 4:42 a.m. “It was schools in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama was running a newspaper delivery route really quick,” Thomas said. canceled or delayed the start of classes when her car slid off a road into a creek in Williams’ body was eventually recovered, Monday so students wouldn’t travel in heavy her hometown of Florence before dawn and authorities pulled her small vehicle out of rain or on flooded streets. Louisiana Gov John Monday, authorities said. She dialed 911 the water about three hours later. Florence is a Bel Edwards signed a statewide emergency from the car as it went down, said Rankin town of about 4,000 people. The chief declaration Monday before embarking on a County Coroner David Ruth. described Williams and her family as “really trip to survey storm damage in two central Ruth said Williams was trying to relay her good people.” “Twenty-some-odd years ago, and southern parishes. location to a dispatcher as the car settled into our two boys played baseball together,” Some of the heaviest rains fell in central the swirling waters. “She was trying to tell the Thomas said. Louisiana from Sunday into early Monday. CS dispatcher where she was, and she could actu- Ross, a National Weather Service hydrologist in ally hear the sirens,” Ruth said. The two lost Destruction Shreveport, said nearly 8 inches of rain was BREAUX BRIDGE: The remains of a trailer lie where a woman and her 3-year-old daughter contact, and Ruth said a swift-water recovery In the tiny Mississippi Delta town of reported in Grant Parish in the north central were killed during a severe storm. — AP team later found Williams’ body in the creek Glendora, the mayor’s wife died Sunday when part of the state. A tornado flipped a mobile outside the car. Florence Police Chief Richard strong winds toppled a tree onto the couple’s home Sunday in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, one person, said Kim Bailey, administrative Monday. In Louisiana, the storm also brought Thomas said the current where Williams died house. Mayor Johnny B. Thomas was briefly killing a mother and her 3-year-old daughter, assistant to Union County Sheriff David Taylor. hurricane-force winds, large hail and sparked was fast and strong. hospitalized with injuries after his wife Shirley while on Monday a weather event authorities JC Matthews Jr, 65, was dead by the time flash flooding. Up to 6 inches of rain fell in He said authorities got a call from a woman was killed, said town clerk Aquarius Simmons. also believed to be a tornado flipped a mobile emergency help arrived at his destroyed home some areas. Breaux Bridge is about 50 miles saying her car was being swept into the water. “She was a nice lady. Very sweet. Everybody home in Union County, South Carolina, killing in Whitmire, the county coroner’s office said west of Baton Rouge. —AP WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 INTERNATIONAL UK tourism body calls for visa-free EU travel

LONDON: Britain should aim to secure visa-free years of negotiations to ensure there is no disrup- ty and growth opportunities for British businesses. and a half in advance. Currently Britain is due to travel between the UK and the European Union in tion to flights. “Travel and tourism is one of the UK’s largest leave the European Union in March 2019, whether upcoming negotiations to leave the bloc, an associ- The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) industries and it is vital that the Government makes or not an agreement over the terms of its departure ation of travel agents said yesterday, adding that a said the maintenance of visa-free travel between the sure it can continue to thrive during and after the can be reached. transitional deal could also help the sector. Britain EU and UK after Brexit was among its key priorities. negotiations,” said Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of Unlike trade arrangements, which will default to formally began its divorce from the European Union Other goals for ABTA included the protection of ABTA. The trade body also said a transitional World Trade Organisation rules if no deal is reached, last Wednesday, and airlines have demanded that Britons’ ability to travel freely to Europe and beyond arrangement may be needed, to give consumers the aviation sector has “no international fall-back their sector is prioritized in the forthcoming two and safeguards for consumer rights, as well as stabili- certainty given that some holidays are sold a year option,” the ABTA report said. — Reuters Out with the old? Outsiders shaking up French election Voter sentiment is constantly shifting PARIS: Imagine if Americans elected a president promises of energizing the world’s sixth-largest by the debate or by new campaign scandals. who was neither Democrat nor Republican. economy and ditching the left-right political And she has so successfully detoxified her once- France may be facing a similarly shocking sce- spectrum. Lacking an entrenched party machine, pariah party that voters from left and right have nario: As the 11 presidential candidates head into he may struggle to build a parliamentary majori- joined her cause. a debate, the traditional left-right contenders are ty. He’s already looking beyond the presidential overshadowed by rivals pledging to turn today’s race, and courting political heavyweights among Melenchon system on its head. The debate may be pivotal. the Socialists and the conservative Republicans The latest poll darling is Jean-Luc Melenchon, Polls show voter sentiment is constantly shifting, ahead of legislative elections in June. an anti-globalization campaigner with and a third of voters remain undecided with less Communist Party backing and a powerful social than three weeks left before the April 23 first Le Pen media presence. With humor and a far-left con- round. The two top candidates then advance to Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has set the viction, he shone in the last presidential debate the decisive May 7 runoff. Here’s a look at the agenda for the presidential campaign by railing and his ratings have spiked in recent days. main candidates and their prospects: against immigration and a perceived Pollsters say voters think he understands their “Islamization” of France. She’s such a political daily struggles and lives better than any other Macron force that, for many voters, the race is about Le candidate. Melenchon would yank France out of Bookmakers and financial markets are assum- Pen vs. the rest. While all polls suggest she NATO, European treaties and international trade ing the presidency will go to independent cen- would lose the runoff to Macron, she points to pacts. He sports jeans and a Chairman Mao-style trist Emmanuel Macron, a 39-year-old upstart the victories of U.S. President Donald Trump and jacket at campaign events. who has no party. However, polls show his sup- Brexit as proof that “anything is possible,” and port is wobbly, with many of his potential voters says she can pull off a surprise populist win. It’s The old guard still unconvinced he’s the man to run this unlikely, but not impossible. French voters So where does that leave the traditional parties nuclear-armed country. A former banker and pro- appear restless after years of economic stagna- that have led France for decades? Possibly in the tege of Socialist President Francois Hollande, tion and broken promises. Unlike Macron, Le Pen dust. Conservative Francois Fillon hopes his long- BANJUL: A figure of the Arch 22 monument to mark the July 22, 1994 bloodless coup Macron became the surprise front-runner on enjoys solid support unlikely to be diminished standing support among farmers, observant led by former President Yahya Jammeh is draped with a shirt-shaped banner reading Catholics and the finance world will be enough to ‘Gambia has decided’. — AFP push him into the runoff. But corruption charges are crippling his campaign and have deeply dam- Gambia prepares for its aged his Republicans party. Accused of employing his wife and two children for taxpayer-funded jobs they never did, Fillon denies wrongdoing. But first post-Jammeh poll polls now put him a distant third, behind Macron and Le Pen. The governing Socialists, meanwhile, BANJUL: The Gambia holds its first election said the party was aiming to win in 44 con- are on the verge of a stunning collapse. President Thursday since the downfall of longtime stituencies. “The support we are getting Hollande is so unpopular he decided not to seek leader Yahya Jammeh, with expectations from the electorate during the campaign is re-election, so the Socialists nominated Benoit high that new lawmakers will overhaul a a clear indication that we are going to win,” Hamon. However, even his promise of a universal national assembly once derided as a mere he told AFP. President Adama Barrow, who income have failed to charm voters. And his rubberstamp. Gambians complain that won December’s presidential race, was a refusal to join forces with Melenchon will split the under Jammeh, who ruled for 22 years, former UDP treasurer who had resigned to left-wing vote - and likely prevent either candidate laws were often made by executive decree run as the candidate of an unprecedented from reaching the runoff. and buttressed by legislation much later opposition coalition. on, if at all. After a drawn-out crisis caused by The small candidates The 239 registered candidates repre- Jammeh’s initial refusal to step down, The six other candidates could suck enough senting nine different political parties yes- mediation efforts by west African leaders votes away from top contenders to sway the terday ended campaigning for the 48 seats and the threat of military intervention race. Right-winger Francois Asselineau is cam- up for election in the Banjul legislature. Five eventually delivered the country’s first ever paigning for a “Frexit” from the European Union, seats are also appointed by the president, democratic transition. Barrow’s cabinet is as is left-leaning Jacques Cheminade, while totaling 53 spots in the tiny west African made up of the heads of seven different Nicolas Dupont-Aignan also wants to restore nation’s parliament, and with just 886,000 political parties, all of which will field candi- France’s “sovereignty.” The far left is further splin- registered voters according to the dates in Thursday’s poll. Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), The president had initially said the AUBERVILLIERS: From left to right, Conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon, tered between Trotskyist Nathalie Arthaud and every ballot matters. opposition coalition was a “family” and Independent centrist presidential candidate for the presidential election Emmanuel Macron, Philippe Poutou of the New Anti-Capitalist Awa Lowe, a resident of Kanifing, a would run again as a group in the legisla- Far-left presidential candidate for the presidential election Jean-Luc Melenchon, Far-right Party. Centrist candidate Jean Lassalle made Banjul suburb, told AFP expectations were tive poll, but internal tensions broke apart presidential candidate for the presidential election Marine Le Pen and Socialist candidate for headlines in 2006 when he lost 21 kilograms high that the new parliament would the agreement. As a result, parties whose the presidential election Benoit Hamon pose for a group photo prior to a television debate at during a hunger strike for preserving jobs in his ensure true accountability for government leaders govern together as ministers will be French TV station TF1 on March 20, 2017. — AP constituency. — AP decisions. “The next parliament will not be pitted against each other at the ballot box, a rubberstamp National Assembly that stoking tensions that some close to the passes any bill that comes before parlia- government say could play into the hands In St Petersburg, relief and anger after blasts mentarians,” Lowe told AFP. “Parliament of the APRC. will be diverse and that is what will make it Yankuba Colley, the APRC’s campaign SAINT PETERSBURG: Gently plac- time by his wife. He endlessly One woman screamed that she still but I’m mainly scared for my chil- interesting. No party would have the chief, said the party knew mistakes were ing flowers outside a Saint repeated to anyone who would lis- had no news from her son and dren when they take the metro on numerical strength to pass bills that are made during the presidential election, but Petersburg metro station to honor ten how “God saved me” from the berated politicians one by one until their own.” Saint Petersburg is also not in line with the interest of the people,” added that his candidates were working the 14 people killed in yesterday’s blast that claimed 14 lives and she was dragged by a friend from the hometown of President Lowe added. hard to show it was still a vital force. “We devastating suicide bombing, caused horrific injuries to dozens the crowd in floods of furious tears. Vladimir Putin, who came himself are optimistic that we are going to defeat Ksenia Zashikhina ponders what more. His friend was also in the to mourn late Monday and place Altered landscape our opponents in the 29 constituencies might have been. “I was going to metro and also survived. Mixed with Nervous commuters his own flowers at the scene. The landscape of Gambian politics (where) we fielded candidates,” he told AFP. take the metro a few minutes the grief was a sense of shock that Meanwhile, life was gradually Just before the president’s could not have shifted more dramatically “Some of our party militants felt they made before the explosion,” said the 27- terror could strike their city that had returning to normal in the city as arrival, police politely but firmly since the last legislative elections in 2012, errors in the presidential elections,” he year-old, her voice cracking with seemed far from being a target- boulevards that had been silent pushed back a group of young men when Jammeh’s Alliance for Patriotic added. “Some of our militants thought emotion. “I don’t know why but I unlike Paris, Berlin or London. Even and blocked off in the aftermath of who had come to offer their servic- Reorientation and Construction (APRC) APRC was dead... they are now convinced changed my mind and went on threats to Moscow “seemed far the attack on Monday again rang es for the clean-up operation. One took 43 seats, with a large number uncon- the party is alive.” foot. I found out what had hap- away from us,” said Dmitry Leonov out with the noise of traffic and the of them, Nikolai, 33, made no secret tested due to an opposition boycott. Although much has changed since the pened on the way. All day, I was as he picked his way through the honking of horns. The metro sys- of the fact that he had been drink- Among the parties running this year, the last vote, one peculiarly Gambian institu- thinking that that could have been candles and flower tributes lining tem, which carries hundreds of ing for most of the day to dull the United Democratic Party (UDP) is fielding tion remains firmly in place. Gambians me,” she told AFP. the gates of the station. “Now we’re thousands of passengers daily and pain. Although there has yet been the greatest number of candidates after vote with marbles dropped into colored Alongside her, a sparse crowd of all under threat,” he said. is seen as the lifeblood of the city, no claims of responsibility, Nikolai long being seen as the strongest opposi- metal barrels representing the different residents from Russia’s second city Another resident, who gave his was also creeping gradually back to was in no doubt, blaming the presi- tion force in Gambian politics. candidates, and despite rumors of reform, came to pay their respects, adding name as Arseny, said: “I don’t life-although with a heavy police dent’s “tolerance” towards Alagie Darboe, deputy administrative the system will be used again for the leg- bouquets and candles to the rapid- understand it. We’re all living presence and a nervousness run- “Islamists.” “I’m angry at our own secretary of the UDP who is standing for a islative elections, IEC chairman Alieu ly growing impromptu memorial. together in a beautiful country, in a ning through the commuters. country. We can’t protect ourselves seat in The Gambia’s West Coast Region, Momar Njie said. — AFP One man, Nikolai Kazachenko, was beautiful city. How could anyone “Everyone in the metro can only from terrorists,” complained Ilya, a clearly in shock, his eyes red from do such a thing?” However, for oth- think of this,” said 45-year-old friend of Nikolai’s, before laying her sobbing and cradled from time to ers, the pain and grief is still raw. Svetlana Golubeva, 45. “It’s not nice own tribute to the 14 dead. — AFP Pope makes appointments amid criticism of sex abuse response VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis yesterday additional staff to handle cases, which by named a new official to oversee the some estimates take two to three years to Vatican office that processes clerical sex process. The congregation assumed abuse cases amid mounting criticism responsibility for processing abuse cases over a yearslong backlog of cases and in 2001 after then-Cardinal Joseph Francis’ handling of the problem. Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, The promotion of Monsignor John determined that dioceses weren’t disci- Kennedy to head of the discipline section plining pedophiles as church law of the Congregation of the Doctrine of required. The change required bishops the Faith was the second abuse-related and religious superiors to submit all cred- appointment in recent days. Francis ible accusations to the congregation, named the Rev. Hans Zollner, one of the which decides how to proceed. Catholic Church’s top experts on fighting Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who heads abuse and protecting children, as an Francis’ abuse advisory commission, said adviser to the Vatican’s office for clergy in a recent interview that the on Saturday. Francis and the Vatican have Congregation for the Doctrine of the come under fresh scrutiny over their Faith needed more resources to deal with response to the abuse crisis since Irish the caseload and related issues. survivor Marie Collins resigned from the Francis earlier this year named pope’s sex abuse advisory commission on O’Malley to the congregation’s member- March 1, citing “unacceptable” resistance ship in a first key move to place commis- to the commission’s proposals from the sion members inside Vatican offices to Vatican’s doctrine office. lend their expertise. Collins’ departure laid bare the cultural Zollner, the new addition to the clergy chasm between the commission’s outside office’s board of advisers, is another experts, who proposed best-in-class member of the pope’s abuse advisory ideas for protecting children, and the commission. He heads the Center for reality of the Vatican bureaucracy and its Child Protection at the Jesuits’ Pontifical legal and administrative limitations. Gregorian University, which runs pro- Kennedy was an assistant to the previous grams to train church personnel in child discipline section chief, the Rev. Miguel safety and abuse awareness. As an advis- Funes Diaz, one of three congregation er to the Congregation for Clergy, he will officials who recently left. The Vatican have a hand in advising the Vatican office spokesman, Greg Burke, said Francis had responsible for training the world’s approved their replacements as well as Catholic priests in best practices. — AP ST PETERSBURG: A boy lights a candle at a symbolic memorial at Sennaya subway station. — AP

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Trump-Xi meet watched for News in brief

North Korea warns to clues of future relationship hit back over sanctions SEOUL: North Korea has warned it will retaliate if the glob- al community ramps up sanctions over its latest round of ‘We’re going to get down to some very serious business’ weapons tests. The warning comes as President Donald Trump threatened the United States was prepared to go it BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping with Xi, he doesn’t “want to talk about tariffs alone in bringing Pyongyang to heel if China did not step probably won’t give President Donald yet, perhaps the next time we meet.” Having in. The isolated state has quickened its missile program in Trump a round of golf during their first suffered a major blow with the failure of recent months, with a volley of tests it says are putting it face-to-face meeting this week, but he may health care reform, Trump will be seeking to closer to acquiring the ability to hit the US mainland with a find it worthwhile to ensure his American claim some kind of victory in his encounter nuclear weapon. US-based analysts have said North Korea counterpart does not feel like he’s leaving with Xi, said June Teufel Dreyer, professor of appears to be preparing a new atomic test. It has staged empty-handed. political science at the University of Miami. five nuclear tests so far, two last year. North Korea’s foreign Some view the informal venue of the Trump’s comments on trade and other ministry on Monday assailed Washington for its tough talk summit Thursday and Friday - Trump’s Mar- issues “portend some hard bargaining,” and for an ongoing joint military exercise with South Korea a-Lago estate in Florida - as a sign that nei- Dreyer said. She added, however, that slow- and Japan which Pyongyang sees as a dress rehearsal for ther side anticipates important outcomes. ing economic growth in China could limit invasion. The “reckless actions” are driving the tense situa- Trump, however tweeted last week that he Xi’s options for negotiating on trade. “So the tion on the Korean peninsula “to the brink of a war”, a min- expects “a very difficult” meeting, and on stage is set for a battle royal,” Dreyer said. istry spokesman was quoted as saying by the official KCNA Friday said: “We’re going to get down to Meanwhile, China continues to oppose news agency. The idea that the US could deprive some very serious business,” referencing the tough measures demanded of it to Pyongyang of its “nuclear deterrent” through sanctions is what he believes is China’s negative address former close ally North Korea, fear- “the wildest dream”. “Now that the US fails to face up to the impact on the US economy, especially ing a collapse of the Pyongyang regime trend of times but incites confrontation to strangle the manufacturing jobs. China, for its part, has would bring a crush of refugees and possi- DPRK (North Korea), the DPRK is left with no option but to remained largely sanguine about the bly US and South Korean troops on its bor- take necessary counteraction against it. “The world will event, with Vice Foreign Minister Zheng der. Trump told the Financial Times the US is soon witness what eventful steps the DPRK will take to Zeguang telling reporters that “both sides prepared to act alone if China does not take frustrate the hideous and reckless sanctions racket”, he said look forward to a successful meeting so a tougher stand against North Korea’s without elaborating. that a correct direction can be set for the nuclear program. growth of bilateral relations.” “China has great influence over North Like many nations, China is still grappling This combination of pictures created on April 04, 2017 shows US President Korea,” Trump said. “And China will either Afghanistan sacks generals with Trump’s mercurial nature after the rela- Donald Trump in St Louis, Missouri on October 9, 2016 and China’s leader Xi decide to help us with North Korea, or they over brazen hospital attack tive transparency and predictability of the Jinping in Beijing on December 5, 2012. — AFP won’t. And if they do that will be very good bilateral relationship under Trump’s prede- for China, and if they don’t it won’t be good KABUL: Afghanistan yesterday sacked 12 army officers cessor Barack Obama. Both during his cam- probably can’t accommodate Trump on sov- Friday focused on reducing the trade deficit. for anyone.” Add to the mix the issue of the including two generals for negligence over an insur- paign and after his victory, Trump com- ereignty and security issues, but he has a lot Coupled together, the orders appeared to South China Sea, where China has built and gent attack on the country’s largest military hospital, plained repeatedly over China’s allegedly of leeway on economics,” said Robert Sutter, be a symbolic shot at China, which account- armed man-made islands despite the con- which pointed to a spectacular intelligence failure. unfair trade practices, its perceived lack of a China expert at George Washington ed for the vast bulk - $347 billion - of last cerns of neighboring countries; and Taiwan, Gunmen disguised as doctors stormed Sardar Daud assistance in reining in North Korea’s nuclear University in Washington, DC. year’s $502 billion trade deficit. the self-governing island democracy that Khan hospital in Kabul last month, with multiple surviv- ambitions and its drive to cement control Yet even if Xi is able to offer Trump deliv- While aides insisted the timing was coin- China claims as its own territory, and that ing staff telling AFP that insiders including two interns over the South China Sea. erables, he will still have to deal with “a rest- cidental, the administration touted the some in Trump’s administration would like were among the attackers. The military head of intelli- less US president valuing unpredictability moves as evidence of it taking an aggressive to build a stronger relationship with. gence and the official in charge of medical support Symbolic victory and seeking advantage for his agenda going but analytical approach to closing a trade were among those who have been dismissed and will Some analysts believe Xi might be willing forward,” Sutter said. Trump was seen as gap that is largely due to the influx of goods Positive relationship face prosecution, the defense ministry said. “They have to hand Trump a symbolic victory on trade moving trade even more to the forefront from China. Still, Trump told the Financial Despite such divisions, Beijing seems been sacked for negligence of duty over the hospital to put a positive spin on the meeting. “Xi when he signed a pair of executive orders Times newspaper that during his meeting committed to establishing a positive rela- attack,” ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish tionship between the two leaders. “It is fun- told AFP. The carnage inside the heavily guarded hos- damental for them to improve understand- pital was a major embarrassment for the military, spot- ing between each other,” said Xiong lighting how insurgents have managed to infiltrate top Malaysia rights panel disturbed Zhiyong, a professor at Peking University’s government institutions in Afghanistan. The defense School of International Relations. “Both ministry denies that insiders were involved and asserts sides have shown their willingness to coop- that only 50 people were killed. But security sources Over 600 plus deaths in prisons erate and they are expected to make a and the survivors, some of whom counted bodies, told commitment for cooperation.” China, Xiong AFP that the death toll exceeded 100. Public anger has KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s national human rights panel yester- that are overcrowded and unhygienic. Some said they received said, realizes that Trump “is a leader with a grown over the episode, with speculation swirling on day said it was disturbed by more than 600 deaths at immigration insufficient food, water or healthcare, and many developed strong personality.” social media that such a brazen attack on the tightly detention centers and prisons over the last two years, and called skin and lung infections, or contagious diseases. All those So far, few details of the summit’s agenda guarded hospital could not have happened without for immediate reform. In its 2016 annual report, the panel, known interviewed also alleged they were beaten by camp guards or have been released. China has said only that the complicity of high-ranking officials. by its Malay acronym, Suhakam, said there were more than 100 saw others being beaten. Trump and his wife, Melania, would host Xi deaths in immigration detention centers and 521 deaths in prisons and his wife, famed songstress Peng Liyuan, in 2015 and 2016. Twelve people died in police lock-ups in 2015. ‘Unfit and unsafe’ at a welcoming banquet. As personalities, Xi Thai junta secures $58m Last week, citing documents from Suhakam, Reuters reported Suhakam documents reviewed by Reuters showed detainees and Trump are a study in contrasts. A life- for more Chinese tanks that 118 foreigners, including undocumented workers, refugees died from lung infections, heart-related conditions and the bacteri- long Communist Party apparatchik and son and asylum seekers, had died at detention centres in the last two al disease leptospirosis. No cause was attributed for 50 deaths. Last of a former vice premier, Xi has built his BANGKOK: Thailand’s government yesterday agreed to years. More than half the dead were from Myanmar. Suhakam said week, deputy home minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed told Reuters his career with a cautious approach, avoiding buy 10 tanks from China for $58 million in the latest deaths mostly stemmed from diseases in all prisons and detention ministry had hit a budget brick wall in efforts to improve condi- controversial reforms and rarely speaking defense spending by a junta with a taste for Chinese hard- centres, where the government should look to improve conditions tions in immigration detention centers. Malaysia’s 13 detention out in ways that would distract from his core ware. The military is replacing its US-made M41 rolling and healthcare. centres had a total of 86,795 detainees during various periods in message. His nearly five years as head of the stock with Chinese VT-4 tanks, as it continues to upgrade “There is little interest in the human rights of detainees,” said 2016, the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission says. ruling party have been defined by a cam- its equipment three years after seizing power from a civil- Chairman Razali Ismail. “This attitude is reflected in government Two of the detention centers Suhakam visited last year were paign to achieve the “Chinese dream” of ian government. The Southeast Asian country has already budgetary priorities and the resources made available for the run- in dilapidated condition, the agency said in its report. Three increasing prosperity while tackling endem- snapped up 28 Chinese tanks and secured around $380 ning and upkeep of all places of detention.” Particularly in immi- blocks of a detention centre in southern Johor state, and two ic corruption. While Trump is an avid golfer, million for a submarine-with cash being sought for two gration detention centres, people spent long periods unable to blocks on northern Penang island were held “unfit and unsafe Xi has never been known to hit the links. In more. Yesterday, the cabinet approved the purchase of 10 move freely or sleep comfortably in overcrowded cells, he said, for occupation,” by the Public Works Department, it added. The fact, his administration has actually pursued more VT-4s for around two billion baht ($58 million), where conditions sometimes deteriorated to become “inhumane”. rights agency said the immigration department last week a crackdown on golf-course development, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters. The government did not immediately respond to requests informed it of “major reforms,” such as better healthcare and pushing instead for mass participation in “These are to replace the M41 tanks which we have used for comment on Suhakam’s report, published yesterday. repair of dilapidated structures. Southeast Asia-based migrant soccer. Still, outwardly cordial relations with since World War II,” he added. Thailand is facing a decade- Former detainees, government agencies and rights groups and refugee protection group Fortify Rights urged a criminal U.S. presidents are also a longstanding long insurgency in its southernmost provinces but rarely have told Reuters of grim living conditions in detention camps investigation into the deaths.—Reuters Chinese tradition, in recognition of the deploys tanks there. Its last international conflict came importance of the relationship. — AP during border skirmishes with Cambodia in 2011. Duterte fires minister after ‘corruption’ row

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo the firetruck deal as it was approved by ment. Duterte said he would scout for a Duterte said yesterday he had fired his Duterte’s predecessor. He also said his replacement for Sueno. interior minister for corruption as signs conscience was clear and he was will- In Congress, two other close Duterte of infighting rocked his government. ing to face any investigation. Asked if allies, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez “It’s corruption,” Duterte said about the Sueno might face charges, Duterte’s and Congressman Antonio Floirendo, sacking of Ismael Sueno, who super- spokesman Ernesto Abella told have been publicly feuding for weeks, vised the president’s war on drugs that reporters: “Let us wait for the president with Duterte trying to stay out of the has left thousands dead. to take his subsequent actions.” “The quarrel. Alvarez has accused Floirendo, Sueno, who was fired at a cabinet summary dismissal served as a warning a key contributor in the Duterte elec- meeting late Monday, was blamed for that Mr Duterte would not counte- tion campaign, of corruption, but what Duterte described as the anom- nance any questionable or legally Floirendo denies the charge. Duterte alous purchase by the interior ministry untenable decisions by any member of won election by a landslide last May of fire trucks from a foreign country. “I the cabinet,” Abella added. largely on his promise to launch a war do not have to belabour the point. Just Last month Perfecto Yasay was on illegal drugs. Although the cam- remember my promises to the people: forced to quit as foreign minister after paign has proved popular at home, the NEW DELHI: Tibetan monks sit on a bench outside a temple at Majnu Ka Tilla. — AP No corruption, drugs, criminality,” Congress ruled that he lied to them over president has faced international criti- Duterte said. “I respect the president’s his US citizenship. Abella said the loss of cism for thousands of alleged extrajudi- decision but I am not corrupt,” Sueno, another cabinet member was not a sign cial killings which human rights advo- India-China row deepens as 69, said in a statement. of trouble but proof that Duterte was cates say were carried out as part of the Sueno said he was not involved in serious about restoring trust in govern- anti-drug initiative. — AFP Dalai Lama arrives in India

GAUHATI: India said yesterday that China should not there was “tremendous enthusiasm among all of us here interfere in its internal affairs, as the Dalai Lama began a over the visit.” “This visit is purely related to culture and weeklong visit to India’s remote northeast that Beijing has faith, and there is no politics involved,” he said. The Dalai protested. The Tibetan spiritual leader was greeted by Lama will travel to the Arunachal Pradesh district of cheering supporters as he arrived in Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang on Thursday, where he is scheduled to consecrate China claims the partly ethnically Tibetan Himalayan state a monastery and address his followers. People from near- as its own territory, and warned last month of “severe by areas, including from the Himalayan country of damage” to relations with India and increased regional Bhutan, which borders Arunachal Pradesh, were already instability if the Dalai Lama proceeds with his trip. gathering at Tawang, local officials said. “The mood in Indian Junior Home Minister Kiren Rijiju said yesterday Tawang is very joyous and spiritual,” said Sonam that New Delhi respects Beijing’s “one China” policy and Chombey, a Tawang official. expects China to accept India’s policies. “Arunachal Last month, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Pradesh is an inseparable part of India and China should Geng Shuang said that Beijing has expressed its con- not object to the Dalai Lama’s visit and interfere in India’s cerns to New Delhi on numerous occasions and urged internal affairs,” he said. The Dalai Lama is visiting the state India to avoid offering a place for the Dalai Lama to carry at the invitation of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Rijiju out anti-China separatist activities. The frontier between said. “As a democratic country, India cannot interfere in the two Asian giants remains tense more than 50 years the religious affairs of any community,” he said. after they fought a brief but bloody border war high in Hundreds of supporters, some waving Tibetan flags, the peaks. China claims about 90,000 square kilometers cheered as the Dalai Lama’s motorcade entered Bomdila, in Arunachal Pradesh, referred to informally by some a town in Arunachal Pradesh that borders China. The Dalai Chinese as “Southern Tibet.” India says China is occupy- Lama had to cancel his plans to fly to the state due to bad ing 38,000 square kilometers of its territory on the Aksai weather, giving people in Bomdila a surprise chance to Chin plateau. More than a dozen rounds of talks have greet their spiritual leader. This is the Dalai Lama’s seventh failed to make substantial progress on the dispute, visit to Arunachal Pradesh, and his first since 2009. Lama although there have been relatively few confrontations TAGUIG CITY: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, right, reviews the troops with Army Chief Lt Gen Glorioso Tashi, a senior monk, said by phone from Bomdila that in recent years. — AP Miranda, left, during the 120th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army. — AP NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 Outrage as Syria ‘chemical attack’ kills scores in Idlib

BEIRUT: A suspected Syrian government chemical attack backing from Iran and Russia in the war. Britain said he would killed scores of people, including children, in the northwest- be guilty of a war crime if it were proved his regime was ern province of Idlib yesterday, a monitoring group, medics responsible. The U.N. envoy for Syria said the “horrific” chemi- and rescue workers in the rebel-held area said. The Syrian mili- cal attack had come from the air. tary denied responsibility and said it would never use chemi- A series of investigations by the United Nations and the cal weapons. The head of the health authority in rebel-held Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Idlib said more than 50 people had been killed and 300 found that various parties in the Syrian war had used chlorine, wounded. The Union of Medical Care Organizations, a coali- sulfur mustard gas and sarin. A joint UN-OPCW report pub- tion of international aid agencies that funds hospitals in Syria, lished in October said government forces used chlorine in a said at least 100 people had died. toxic gas attack in Qmenas in Idlib province in March 2015. An The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier report by the same team blamed Syrian government said the attack killed at least 58 people and was believed to troops for chlorine attacks in Talmenes in March 2014 and have been carried out by Syrian government jets. It caused Sarmin in March 2015. It also said Islamic State had used sulfur many people to choke, and some to foam at the mouth. mustard gas. The OPCW said it had begun “gathering and ana- Director Rami Abdulrahman told Reuters the assessment that lyzing information from all available sources” about the sus- Syrian government warplanes were to blame was based on pected Khan Sheikhoun attack. several factors such as the type of aircraft, including Sukhoi 22 Turkey, which backs the anti-Assad opposition, said the jets, that carried out the raid. attack could derail Russian-backed diplomatic efforts to shore “We deny completely the use of any chemical or toxic up a ceasefire. Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency said 15 material in Khan Sheikhoun town today and the army has not people hurt in the attack, mostly women and children, had used nor will use in any place or time neither in past or in been taken to Turkey. Footage from Turkey’s Dogan news future,” the Syrian army command said in a statement. The agency showed at least four people being brought out of Russian Defence Ministry said its aircraft had not carried out ambulances on stretchers in the Turkish border town of the attack. The UN Security Council was expected to meet Reyhanli by medical staff wearing face masks. One was a KHAN SHEIKHOUN, Syria: Victims of a suspected chemical attack are seen in this town in northern Idlib today to discuss the incident. Reuters photographs showed young boy. An official at the Turkish Health Ministry said province yesterday. — AP people breathing through oxygen masks and wearing protec- Turkey’s disaster management agency was first “scanning tion suits, while others carried the bodies of dead children, those arriving for chemical weapons, then decontaminating and corpses wrapped in blankets lined up on the ground. them from chemicals” before they could be taken to hospital. Activists in northern Syria circulated pictures on social Idlib province contains the largest populated area con- State to increase borrowing from global... media showing a man with foam around his mouth, and res- trolled by anti-Assad rebels - both nationalist Free Syrian Army cue workers hosing down almost-naked children squirming groups and powerful Islamist factions including the former Al- Continued from Page 1 reducing public subsidies. Many MPs have called on the gov- on the floor. Mounzer Khalil, head of Idlib’s health authority, Qaeda-linked Nusra Front. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan ernment to scrap the hike in petrol and electricity prices and said hospitals in the province were overflowing with victims. and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the suspected The minister told the forum that the government has have threatened to grill the prime minister if it failed to do “This morning, at 6:30 am, warplanes targeted Khan attack, Turkish presidential sources said. They said the two succeeded in reducing the current expenditures and main- so. But Saleh said yesterday that the government will soon Sheikhoun with gases, believed to be sarin and chlorine,” he leaders had also emphasized the importance of maintaining tained the pace of investment spending to boost economic start discussing the new form of the reform package to told a news conference. the much-violated Syrian ceasefire. growth in the country. But Saleh warned that the govern- approve it, adding that it focuses on reforms in the country. Warplanes later struck near a medical point where vic- Idlib’s population has ballooned, with thousands of fight- ment is not ready to continue borrowing to finance a He declined to answer questions if the government will tims of the attack were receiving treatment, the ers and civilians shuttled out of Aleppo city and areas budget deficit resulting from “consumption spending” and scrap the price hikes that have come under fire from law- Observatory and civil defense workers said. The civil around Damascus that the government has retaken in recent not spending on development. makers. Opposition MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari said two days defense, also known as the White Helmets - a rescue service months as Assad has gained the upper hand in the war. The After registering a healthy surplus for 16 consecutive years, ago that he was told by the finance minister that the gov- that operates in opposition areas - said jets struck one of its United States has also launched a spate of air strikes in Idlib the Kuwait posted its first budget shortfall of $15 billion in the ernment had suspended the economic reforms package. centers in the area and the nearby medical point. The inci- this year, targeting jihadist insurgents. Following the 2013 2015-2016 fiscal year following a slump in oil prices. Kuwait Meanwhile, MP Riyadh Al-Adasani said yesterday that he dent reported at Khan Sheikhoun would be the deadliest attack, Syria joined the international Chemical Weapons projected a deficit of $29 billion in the 12 months to March 31. will file to grill the prime minister before May 3, when the chemical attack in Syria since sarin gas killed hundreds of Convention under a US-Russian deal, averting the threat of The country is expecting a deficit of some $21.6 billion for the constitutional court is due to issue a number of crucial rul- civilians in Ghouta near Damascus in Aug 2013. Western US-led military intervention. next fiscal year. Like other countries in Gulf, Kuwait has seen its ings, including one that will determine the fate of the states said the Syrian government was responsible for that Under the deal, Syria agreed to give up its toxic arsenal main revenue stream hit hard by a prolonged drop in crude Assembly. The lawmaker however said he may not file the attack. Damascus blamed rebels. and surrendered 1,300 tonnes of toxic weapons and industri- prices. An OPEC member state, it pumps around 2.8 million grilling if the government succeeds in dealing with squan- The White House called the attack an “intolerable act” and al chemicals to the international community for destruction. barrels per day. dering of public funds and applies more strictly the replace- said President Donald Trump was alarmed by the reports. UN-OPCW investigators found, however, that it continued to Saleh said the government will soon discuss with the ment of expatriate employees with Kuwaitis. Spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump had been briefed exten- use chlorine, which is widely available and difficult to trace, National Assembly “version 2” of its economic reform package, Adasani said the financial condition of the state is very sively on the incident, adding that the US was “confident in its in so-called barrel bombs, dropped from helicopters. but declined to say if the new plan will include raising charges. dire and corruption and negligence are the main sources assessment” that Damascus was to blame. Spicer also suggest- Although chlorine is not a banned substance, the use of any Saleh said the ministry had held discussions with civil society of squandering public funds. He said that the government ed it was in the “best interest” of Syrians for President Bashar chemical is banned under 1997 Chemical Weapons organizations and this led to developing the economic reform must diversify the sources of income. He said that the cur- Al-Assad not to lead the country. Convention, to which Syria is a member. Damascus has package that was discussed by the previous Assembly. That rent Assembly will set the reforms package with the gov- French President Francois Hollande directly blamed Syrian repeatedly denied using such weapons during the six-year package has come under harsh criticism by a majority of MPs ernment and will not be a rubberstamp one like the previ- government forces and said Assad’s allies were emboldening war, which has killed hundreds of thousands and created the in the present Assembly for envisaging hiking prices and ous Assembly. him to act with impunity. Assad has enjoyed staunch military world’s worst refugee crisis. — Reuters WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 ANALYSIS

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Focus Deal for historic Somaliland port sparks land rush

he land along the road into Berbera is barren and empty. Somaliland’s small, rusty Gulf of Aden Tport which for centuries made the town prosper- ous rises suddenly out of the ground as the road hits the coast. The crumbling town has languished for decades, but its fortunes look set to change following a multi-million dollar deal to revamp the port which has triggered a rush to buy land. Berbera, along the coast from Djibouti, has been a backwater since 1991 when Somaliland broke away from Somalia following a bloody civil war. The town’s buildings, some dating back to the Ottoman era, stand neglected. Unemployment is ram- pant, exacerbated by a devastating drought that has decimated livestock, a backbone of the export econo- Brazil gangs hijack Petrobras’ oil, fuel my. But last September Somaliland’s government signed its largest-ever investment deal which could n September, police investigating a duty cops - as they seek to move away from Duque de Caxias refinery were so precisely government crackdown - the militia have allow Berbera to become a major trading hub for goods wave of killings in the northern Rio de terror and violence to lower-profile crimes engineered that investigators concluded maintained a lower profile, said Ignacio to and from the Horn of Africa. Janeiro suburbs followed a tip to the iso- following a crackdown by authorities in the thieves must have had help from inside Cano, a professor at the state university of The development will be carried out by DP World, a I lated scrubland near the massive Duque de recent years. The thieves’ methods range Petrobras. “They knew what type of fuel was Rio de Janeiro and a member of its multinational port operator from the United Arab Caxias oil refinery. Police presumed the from hijacking tanker trucks to tapping the inside each pipe and what was the ideal Laboratory for the Analysis of Violence. Emirates, which has valued the project at more than killings were linked to turf battles between company’s more than 11,000 km of point to place a tap without the change of “Stealing fuel was not typically a crime $400 million. The deal was followed by another with the criminal gangs in the run-up to municipal pipelines - and processing stolen crude at pressure in the tube raising the attention of associated with militia, but they must see UAE, signed in March, for a military base a few kilome- elections the following month. They found their own secret refineries. “Not even the company’s security system,” Lages said. an opportunity for making millions,” he tres down the road. Locals and investors believe a different explanation buried beneath the Petrobras knows exactly how much is Petrobras, whose production of about said. “It’s unusual for them to operate out- Berbera is on the brink of an economic boom that will grass: A system of tubes to siphon fuel from being stolen,” said Giniton Lages, the Rio 2.8 million barrels a day makes it one of the side the territory they control.” make the town wealthy once more. underground pipelines leading from the police chief who led the investigation at world’s top 10 oil companies, said it was Most oil and fuel thefts reported by Adan Abokor, a researcher at the Rift Valley Institute refinery, owned by state-run oil company Duque de Caxias. “It’s a huge business, working with police to identify any employ- Petrobras in 2016 took place on the popu- in the capital Hargeisa, says the project has sparked a Petrobras. moving millions of reais.” ees or ex-employees that may have been lous Sao Paulo-Rio de Janeiro axis, which “land rush”, as diaspora Somalilanders and wealthy Some of the killings, police said, were involved in the crimes. “In 2016, there was a groups five of the company’s biggest businessmen from nearby regions flock to buy a piece part of a power struggle between rival Inside Job startling increase in theft from our refineries. In Rio de Janeiro, thefts tripled of the town. Though the surrounding land appears gangs earnings millions of dollars a year While oil theft - often with environmen- pipelines,” said Rodrigo Spagnolo, head of last year to 33. Five of the incidents caused deserted, brick foundations enclose recently demarcat- from stealing crude oil, diesel and gasoline tal damage from the accompanying spills - pipeline maintenance at Transpetro, oil spills, Petrobras said. Police arrested 13 ed plots from the airport to the coast. Freshly built walls and selling it on a thriving black market. is commonplace in regions like the Niger Petrobras’ transport subsidiary. The compa- people for the Duque de Caxias refinery sprout into the distance. “There has been more building The discovery highlighted a fast-growing Delta of Nigeria, it has not traditionally ny, however, said the robberies had no scam, including two military police officers. in the last two years than in the whole period from criminal enterprise in Brazil’s oil heartland, been a problem in Brazil. The thefts add to material impact on its earnings. Petrobras A judge has issued warrants for 26 others. 1991,” said Jimale Abdulahi, a local government official. between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. the steep challenges facing Petroleo reported revenues of $81 billion last year. The gang, set up in June 2015, stole 14 mil- But not all residents are happy. From just one recorded incident in 2014, Brasileiro SA, as the Rio-based firm is for- lion litres of fuel last year, worth an estimat- the number of thefts and attempted thefts mally known. Amid weak oil prices, the Ruthless Gangs ed 33 million reais, prosecutors said. Land Tensions from Petrobras rose to 14 in 2015 - before company is scaling back under new CEO The militias in Rio de Janeiro emerged Police believe the Rio branch of the Land has long caused trouble throughout jumping five-fold to 73 last year, the com- Pedro Parente and trying to emerge from a to combat drug gangs in the city’s violent gang was headed by Caxias Denilson Silva Somaliland, and is behind the majority of violent inci- pany told Reuters. $100 million pile of debt. hillside favelas. But they evolved into crimi- Pessanha, a former city councillor in dents recorded in towns and cities, the Hargeisa-based The racket is part of a larger crime wave For the past three years, the state-run nal organizations preying on those impov- Duque de Caxias and the owner of illegal Academy for Peace and Development (APD) reported in in Brazil, and especially Rio, amid the coun- company has been hit by a sprawling inves- erished communities, controlling every- gasoline stations. Such service stations, 2010. Clan disputes have for years been drivers of con- try’s worst recession on record. tigation into corruption and political kick- thing from real estate and electricity to operating without a license or a distribu- flict, aggravated by the destruction or loss of legal doc- Investigators believe the oil and fuel thefts backs in its dealings with construction cable TV. Some of the leaders entered local tion contract with a fuel supplier, have umentation during the civil war, leading to competing were masterminded by the city’s powerful firms. Police suspect corruption in the oil politics. In the wake of high-profile killings become more common in Brazilian cities title claims. Despite the existence of a national land law militias - often made up of retired or off- thefts as well. The taps and pipes near the at the end of the last decade - prompting a in recent years. — Reuters since 2001, clan ownership is still seen as the dominant, if unofficial property ownership system throughout most of the country. In Berbera, the Ise Musa clan has dominated local politics since the late 1990s, and some fear the arrival of Trump, Xi will be ‘odd couple’ at summit outsiders will threaten this. Sayeed “Sonny” Sayeed, a young resident, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that many in the town are suspicious of the port deal, hen US President Donald Trump meets Chinese could be an influential moderating voice on how he han- their meeting last month. An acrimonious call between suspecting the plans will alter Berbera’s clan composi- President Xi Jinping this week, their summit will dles Xi in their talks on Thursday and Friday. Contacts Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tion. “People from other regions want to take over,” he Wbe marked not only by deep policy divisions but between Kushner and China’s US envoy helped smooth the caused particular concern in Beijing, officials there say. said. “If they move here then new people will be born in a clash of personalities between America’s brash “tweeter- way for the meeting, according to current and former US Still, the decision to hold a summit so early in Trump’s this place, so that they can vote here.” His friend, Ahmed in-chief” and Beijing’s cautious, calculating leader. They officials. Even so, what worries the protocol-conscious presidency suggests both Washington and Beijing see the Nazal, said returning members of the diaspora were may have one thing in common: their rhetoric about Chinese more than policy clashes is the risk that the unpre- value of trying to build a personal relationship between welcome, but only if they originally hailed from the restoring their nations to greatness. But the two men dif- dictable Trump could publicly embarrass Xi, after several the two leaders. Trump goes into the meeting with signifi- area. “If not, they should go and invest in their own fer in almost every other respect, from their political styles foreign leaders experienced awkward moments with the cant gaps in his team of Asia advisers and his China policy regions,” he said. Others who spoke to the Thomson to their diplomatic experience, adding uncertainty to new US president. “Ensuring President Xi does not lose face still not fully formulated. Hardliners like trade adviser Peter Reuters Foundation disagreed, saying diaspora invest- what has been called the world’s most important bilateral is a top priority for China,” a Chinese official said. Navarro, who authored a book “Death by China,” have feud- ment would be good for the town. “These lands were relationship. US presidents’ meetings with their Chinese counterparts ed over the administration’s approach to China with more empty, no one was investing here,” said Salelan Adel, a Five months after his election on a stridently anti-China are usually more tightly scripted than with other foreign pragmatic aides such as economic adviser Gary Cohn, a young unemployed man. “It will give locals the chance platform, Trump appears to have set himself on a course leaders, something Chinese officials insist on to make sure former Goldman Sachs president, current and former US to finally develop the lands that we own.” for collision rather than conciliation with Xi, raising doubts they are treated with the decorum they believe befits a officials say. as to whether the world’s two biggest economies can find global power. This summit should offer a study in contrasts: Administration officials argue Trump can use his “Art of Simmering Unease common ground. Topping the agenda at Trump’s Mar-a- Trump impatient, outspoken and prone to angry tweet- the Deal” sales techniques to convince Xi that China needs The port deal has also highlighted other tensions, Lago resort in Florida will be whether he will make good storms; Xi, outwardly calm and measured, with no known the United States more than the United States needs with the role of the local council targeted for particular on his threat to use crucial US-China trade ties to pressure social media presence. China, especially when it comes to market access. But ana- criticism. Unlike many other major towns in Somaliland, Beijing to do more to rein in its nuclear-armed neighbor Their shared nationalist tendencies could aggravate fric- lysts say the Chinese are shrewd enough at geopolitics to Berbera’s government controls swathes of land, includ- North Korea, which is working to develop missiles capable tion between their countries, which are increasingly global fend off US demands. Xi may also see Trump politically of hitting the United States. rivals. Trump insists the United States has been cheated weakened by his high-profile legislative failure on health- ing a 70-km “free zone” around the port. This undevel- Trump, a 70-year-old former real estate magnate with economically for decades by countries like China and must care as well as his low public approval ratings. oped land had been reserved for use by the port, but no foreign policy experience before entering the White regain its luster, while Xi wants China, once an ancient Trump has already backed down on China’s most sensi- has been hurriedly allocated to newcomers since the House, has tweeted that it will be a “very difficult” meeting empire, to be able to flex its muscles on the world stage. “Xi tive issue - Taiwan - having first infuriated Beijing by sug- DP World deal was signed, according to locals and with the veteran Communist Party leader seven years his and Trump are not natural friends,” said a former senior US gesting he might not Hargeisa-based experts. junior, given Chinese official specializing in Asia. “The question is when Trump’s abide by “It is being sold off without clear procedures and trade practices ‘Make America Great Again’ hits Xi’s ‘Chinese Dream’, what’s Washington’s guidelines,” said Mohamed Farah, director of the APD he says are the result?” long-standing think tank. Critics say most of this land has been allocat- killing “one China” ed to those with government connections. “What we are US Won’t Pull Punches policy. Trump seeing is land grabbing,” said Ahmed Hussein Esse, presi- It remains unclear how far Trump will go in translating may now feel dent of Abaarso Tech University in Hargeisa. There is populist rhetoric into policy that steps up pressure on he is owed a now almost no public land left in Somaliland, he added. China, given the risk of a trade war neither country can favor in Local official Abdulahi confirmed the council had been jobs. afford. But aides say he won’t pull his punches, especially return. A distributing public land, including parts of the “free He has also on trade, on which he has held an outspoken view for fence-mend- zone”, but said it had done so transparently. — Reuters demanded decades. This adds to doubts as to whether the two leaders ing phone that Beijing can find common ground on North Korea and China’s call in do more to expansive claims in the South China Sea. Some analysts February “solve” the question whether Trump can get the better of Xi, who was was All articles appearing on these pages North Korean born into a life of politics and has a reputation for being a arranged are the personal opinion of the writers. problem - his tough tactician. by biggest “Xi’s performed pretty well in these types of environ- Kushner Kuwait Times takes no responsibility national secu- ments,” said Christopher Johnson, a China expert and for- and China’s for views expressed therein. Kuwait rity challenge mer CIA analyst at Washington’s Center for Strategic and US ambassa- - or he will act International Studies. While Trump has been in office little dor, Cui Times invites readers to voice their alone to deal more than 10 weeks, Xi has honed his US strategy since Tiankai, offi- opinions. Please send submissions via with Pyongyang’s assuming the Chinese leadership in 2013. The son of a rev- cials say, after nuclear and missile olutionary leader, Xi has sought to project the image inter- Cui invited Trump’s email to: [email protected] or programs. nationally of a strong advocate of globalization at a time daughter Ivanka to via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Some White House when Trump has stoked fears of US protectionism. the Chinese aides believe Still, Chinese officials are mindful of the pitfalls if Trump Embassy’s Lunar Kuwait. The editor reserves the right to Trump’s son- veers off-script. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe found New Year recep- in-law and himself in a long, uncomfortable handshake at the White tion, where her edit any submission as necessary. senior adviser House in February, and Trump appeared to ignore German daughter sang in Jared Kushner Chancellor Angela Merkel’s offer of a handshake during Mandarin. — Reuters WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 SPORTS

West Ham’s duo Antonio, Coach detained in Spain Lahm seeks advice Sakho return for Arsenal in match-fixing probe MADRID: The coach of third division Spanish side West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio and striker Diafra over April Fool stunt LONDON: Eldense was arrested by police investigating suspicions Sakho are expected to feature in today’s Premier League trip to Arsenal, of match-fixing after his side’s 12-0 defeat to Barcelona’s BERLIN: Ex-Germany captain Philipp Lahm has confirmed he is taking legal advice over a manager Slaven Bilic has said. Antonio, the club’s top scorer this season B team on Saturday. Italian Filippo Di Pierro was “arrest- spoof April Fool’s story gone wrong. A Munich-based fitness start-up issued a grovelling apol- with nine goals, has recovered from a hamstring injury suffered against ogy to the World Cup winner over a fake April 1 story, which hit the German media last Leicester last month, while Sakho returned to ed and questioned” a police source told AFP yesterday, adding that the investigation is ongoing. Eldense player Saturday, falsely claiming he had invested in them. The story even contained a fake quote training last week after four months out with a attributed to the Bayern Munich star after an employee decided to back injury. “Mikey (Antonio) is available for Cheikh Saad was the first to point the finger at a num- ber of his teammates and coach. Saad told radio station circulate an internal newsletter to the German media without the tomorrow night and we’ll decide today if he’s knowledge of the company’s bosses. “It was an April Fool’s joke going to start,” Bilic told in a news confer- Cadena Copa that certain players stood to make “huge sums” of money from bets placed on the match. The which should have been sent exclusively to our members in a ence yesterday. “Diafra (Sakho) is back and newsletter,” explained the company’s red-faced co-founder. club’s president David Aguilar then reported his suspi- when you talk to him he says he is ready. He However, the stunt quickly backfired and although the firm cions to the police and the Spanish football authorities. was out for a long time, had a back opera- apologised several times, Lahm failed to see the funny side Di Pierro was appointed as coach after an Italian tion, and looks good. “Diafra may be on the with the prank having generated plenty of free publicity for the bench tomorrow. I haven’t decided yet, but he investor took control of the club earlier this season with start-up. “I’m taking advice and bringing the matter to the is very, very close.” After West Ham lost their suspicions now raised over whether that investment detailed attention of a lawyer,” said the 33-year-old, who will fourth consecutive league game at Hull City on was linked to illegal betting patterns. “At the very least, retire from all football in June, in a statement. “The personal apol- Saturday, the club’s owners felt compelled to issue a we must investigate it because there are certain links to ogy reached me, but nevertheless, the company has overstepped statement saying they had “100 percent faith” in the an Italian group that has the look of what may be indi- the mark with this action. “We will now get in direct contact and manager. Bilic was pleased to receive the vote of confi- cations of a international betting ring when it comes to look for a solution.” The firm has already suggested making a dence and reiterated that he was not worried about his fixing matches,” said president of the Spanish league donation to Lahm’s charity, The Philipp Lahm future at the club. —Reuters Javier Tebas. — AFP Foundation, in an attempt to make amends. — AFP

Golf Day brightens as storm hits Masters practice

AUGUSTA: Severe thunderstorms shortened Heavy rains and strong thunderstorms are ranked Rickie Fowler. “It’s not a golf course that Monday’s first official practice session for expected again today on the eve of the opening you have to be any certain type of player. He’s the 81st Masters, but the outlook bright- round, which could soften the greens and lead shown that he can play and compete with the ened for Australia’s Jason Day ahead of the to more showers for early starters tomorrow. best. He has already won. So it will just be him year’s first major. After that, the forecast is for dry conditions going out and learning this golf course for him- World number three Day played nine holes at at Augusta National, where weather has not self.” One of the crucial areas to master is Amen Augusta National, his fourth consecutive day on suspended play since the third round in 2008 Corner-the noted par-4 11th, par-3 12th and par- the fabled course, before it was closed in the and not postponed a round since the opening 5 13th holes. Jordan Spieth was on his way to early afternoon when the area fell under a torna- round in 2003. defending his title in Sunday’s final round last do warning. Day withdrew from the World Golf Even if greens and fairways are more recep- year only to find a watery grave twice into Rae’s Championships Match-Play event two weeks tive, it’s likely the lightning-fast trademark put- Creek and take a quadruple bogey at 12, helping ago to be with his mother, Dening, as she faced ting surfaces will be back at full speed for England’s Danny Willett take the title. cancer surgery. Her uncertain prognosis through Sunday’s final round. “Yeah, it’s a really good stretch of golf espe- chemotherapy kept his status in doubt for the cially with the way the forecast is looking for Masters. But Day said Monday that his mother is GREAT GOLF Thursday and Friday,” said 2016 PGA improving and she might even be at the course “You’ve got to hit the shots in the right spots,” Championship winner Jimmy Walker. on the weekend to watch him compete for the warns world number one Dustin Johnson. “The winds look like they’re going to pretty green jacket. “She’s good,” Day said. “She had the Among the newcomers hoping to become gnarly, and that’s a section of the course that left quarter of her lung taken out... I was with the first Masters debutante to take a green jack- gets really tough, especially if the wind swirls. her pretty much every day back home. She is in et since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 is Spain’s Jon You get through there even par, you’re doing a fair amount of pain but hopefully things are Rahm, who won his first PGA crown in January really well against the field. Seventh-ranked Tommy Fleetwood looking up.” at Torrey Pines. Justin Thomas says level par through the three- A severe thunderstorm closed the course for “A guy like Jon Rahm, obviously he has been hole stretch is his goal too. Fleetwood eyes Masters glory more than an hour and forced evacuation of the playing great golf. I don’t see any reason why he “If I went through those even each day, I course even before the tornado warning shut can’t go and play well or be in contention this probably wouldn’t be complaining too much,” AUGUSTA: Tommy Fleetwood is no one’s in Abu Dhabi in January and then was run- down the course the remainder of the day. week and have a chance to win,” said eighth- he said. —AFP favorite to win the 81st Masters, but the ner-up to the 32-year-old Texan at the WGC understated 26-year-old Englishman with Mexico in March. Still, a smiling Fleetwood the flowing locks and the tidy short game said he does not expect that Johnson was won’t let that get him down. running scared. Favorites have a habit of coming “I mean, he’s not very massively on my unstuck at the Masters and this year all radar. I can’t really think about what he is eyes are on what the course holds for doing,” he said smiling. world number one Dustin Johnson, whose “I’m sure he can do stuff that I can’t and form puts him way ahead of all contenders I’m sure if you sat here and asked him if he here. “But I have beaten him,” boasts soft- was worried about me, he wouldn’t say...” spoken Fleetwood, who slid to around The son of a tarmac layer from humble ori- 200th in the world rankings last year gins in the northern England town of before a run of superb results vaulted him Southport says he is in with a chance. inside the top 50 and earned him a place “I’m not going to sit here an say I expect at the world’s most elite golf tournament to win. But you never know,” he said. for the first time. He said Augusta’s course is “forgiving” “He’s getting good, that’s for sure,” joked off the tee and hard round the greens, Fleetwood of Johnson, 32, who captured where a precise short game comes in his first major title at last year’s US Open at handy. “That’s what it comes down to, Oakmont, and has won three events in a being precise with your irons,” said row in the run up to Augusta: at Riviera in Fleetwood, not among the big hitters on February and last month’s WGC Mexico and the tour. “It’s not only the power hitters that the WGC Match Play in Texas. win... and if you are on your game and your irons are very precise, then you can use it to ELITE COMPANY your avantage.” “It’s very very impressive what he is In the meantime, he intends to put doing,” said Fleetwood. “I think there are every possible advantage on his side by not been too many runs like he’s had. I teaming up with past Masters champion think Rory (McIlroy) did it when he won the Fuzzy Zoeller at the traditional Par-3 Open and the PGA at Bridgestone. Tiger did Contest the day before tomorrow’s first Jason Day it a few times. But he’s in some pretty elite round. Not since Zoeller’s 1979 triumph company at the moment with how he’s has a first-time Masters player won the title. playing.” Even so, Fleetwood, whose trade- “He’s the only (modern) one that has mark long hair flows down from his base- won the first time so I thought that might Rahm says Seve looking ball cap, beat Johnson by one stroke to win give me some vibes,” he said. — AFP Little big man Thomas has out for him at Masters drive to compete at Masters AUGUSTA: Jon Rahm says fellow Spaniard Seve win. I might do it. I might not. But that’s how I do talent and potential. But he had to come back in AUGUSTA: Justin Thomas is slight in are just getting faster. So kind of all that Ballesteros, the late golfing legend who would it.” At 6-ft-2 (1.88m) and 220 lbs (100kg), Rahm the match after messing up the first nine holes stature but huge in driving distance, an is just accumulated into it.” have turned 60 on Sunday, will be watching over belongs to an emerging breed of big, fit power because he failed to master his nerves. “I odd combination that has produced him as he competes in his first Masters. hitters but has a complete game reminiscent of couldn’t control my body, honestly,” Rahm said. “I impressive form and a chance for even IN CONTENTION Rahm, one of golf’s most exciting new tal- Tiger Woods in his pomp. didn’t know. It was like my body was independ- greater success at the Masters. It has accelerated Thomas in the rank- ents, has always idolized Ballesteros, a two-time If he has an Achilles heel, it may be his youth- ent from my mind. I was trying to focus and do The 23-year-old American has already ings and despite a share of 39th last year Masters champion, and the 22-year-old Augusta ful inexperience in dealing with emotion and my routine, but things just weren’t happening.” won three US PGA Tour events this sea- in his Masters debut, he is confident he newcomer says he will count on help from past- tension that he says have taken a toll in the past. Once he mastered his emotions, Rahm took son, defending his title last October in can contend at Augusta National. master Seve all the way to the final hole on At last month’s WGC Match-Play, Rahm took away an important lesson from Texas. “I learned Malaysia before back-to-back triumphs in “A lot of success was I was confident, Sunday. “If I have a chance on Sunday I’ll keep in world number one Dustin Johnson all the way to that when I am playing good, I can take on the Hawaii, shooting a rare 59 on the way to playing well, driving it well,” Thomas said. mind that he’ll be out there,” said Rahm. the 18th hole in the final, showing his enormous number one player in the world,” he said. — AFP winning the Sony Open after taking the “The biggest thing is the short game. I “I know he will be out there for the entire Tournament of Champions. was not making very many bogeys and I week. But hopefully on Sunday he can make a Despite standing only 5-ft-10 (1.78m) make a lot of birdies. So if I continue to special present.” Ballesteros died nearly six years and 145 lbs (66kg), Thomas ranks 11th in do that, then would I feel like I have a ago and is remembered at Augusta National and average driving distance on the US PGA good chance of being in contention. other major golf venues as one of the greatest Tour at 306.5 yards. “I feel very confident with my wedges. players who ever lived. “If you just sit down and look at my But at the end of the day, I was just play- “Seve is my ultimate reference, idol,” said attributes on paper, look at it how I hit it, ing really well... my game feels good. I’ve Rahm. “I try to emulate a lot of things he did. You yeah, it looks surprising,” Thomas said made a lot of great work and progress know, the name Seve Ballesteros is really impor- Monday. “When you get the conditions, the last couple weeks on stuff I’ve want- tant to me.” you know you have the right conditions ed to work on. I know around here I don’t Though playing his first Masters in only his to hit it far and then it just happens.” need to be my best, I just need to man- second year as a professional, Rahm, ranked Thomas grew up relying on his short age it and I need to be smart.” 12th in the world, is billed as a potential future game because he tee shots were shorter Thomas also sought advice from world number one and one of the genuine con- than rivals. But then he found formida- three of the greatest champions in tenders to win the 81st Masters. ble speed, power and swing rhythm as Masters history-Jack Nicklaus, Tiger No Masters debutant has won the green jack- he matured. Woods and Phil Mickelson. et since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 but Rahm said he “I was really short, like physically very “In terms of learning things, I tried to would not have troubled himself to come to short, so I hit it nowhere,” Thomas said. pick a lot of guys’ brains,” Thomas said. Augusta if he thought he had no chance. “My junior year of high school, I started “Talked to Mr. Nicklaus last year, was Rahm won at Torrey Pines in January in his hitting it a little bit farther. Probably to here earlier this week and played a cou- first appearance at the event and felt he could do something with my form or maybe ple rounds with Phil and been talking to follow up at Augusta. got a little bit stronger. I never really him and talking to Tiger some. I want to “If I didn’t think I could win it, I wouldn’t be worked out. be around guys that are successful here here. Truly, Torrey Pines is not one of the places “And then in college was when I start- and it’s kind of hard to get much better rookies usually win for the first time and I was ed hitting it a little bit farther than just than them. “I feel like a lot of stuff just in able to do it,” he said. about everybody I was playing with. I’ve terms of course management and pick- “Obviously this is different. This is a major and AUGUSTA: Jon Rahm of Spain hits a shot on the ninth tee during a practice round prior to the just gotten stronger since then and I’ve ing your spots that I’ve heard from those my first time in Augusta. It is very, very impres- started to get up on the ball and speeds guys is key.” — AFP start of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club yesterday in Augusta, sive. I am going to tee up believing that I can Georgia. — AFP WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 SPORTS

Relationship with Root will be absolutely fine, says Cook

LONDON: Alastair Cook is confident his The 32-year-old stepped down in transition back to just playing for the team in 140 tests. With the emergence of a pair “You’re always under pressure, that’s relationship with newly appointed test cap- February after a 4-0 defeat in the five-test would be smooth. of batting prospects in India for what life is about,” Cook said. “That is what tain Joe Root will be “absolutely fine” and series in India at the end of last year. He was “I feel like I can get back in the troops England’s fragile top order, Cook hoped playing international cricket or being a the former England skipper has assured his replaced by Root, who will captain England and get on with it and hopefully score he could continue making an impact professional sportsman is. You’re there to successor he will get all the support he for the first time against South Africa at some runs and help England win cricket with the willow. score runs. needs in the role. Lord’s on July 6. games, which ultimately is what everyone Haseeb Hameed and Keaton Jennings “If you don’t do that over a period of Cook, who was appointed captain in “A lot will be made of it, there always is, wants to see,” he added. became Cook’s 10th and 11th opening time, people will look elsewhere. That hasn’t 2012, led England in a record 59 tests it’s a good story to write about but I think The left-handed opening batsman has partners since the retirement of Andrew changed and that’ll never change, whether including Ashes victories at home in 2013 it’ll be absolutely fine in terms of our rela- scored more test centuries than any of Strauss, with both youngsters showing it’s myself or Jimmy Anderson, you’ve got to and 2015 as well as series wins in India and tionship,” Cook told British media. his predecessors and is also England’s signs they might have bright futures after play to a certain level to be picked for South Africa. The former captain said he hoped his most prolific run-getter with 11,057 runs impressive debuts in India. England or even Essex.” —Reuters

NZ’s ‘Two-Metre Peter’ retires after 16-yr career

WELLINGTON: Former New Zealand He was recalled in early 2013 as an batsman Peter Fulton retired yesterday opening batsman against England and after a 16-year first-class career that was became the fourth New Zealander to highlighted by two stints in the interna- score a century in both innings of a test tional arena. when he scored 136 and 110 against the The towering 38-year-old, nicknamed tourists at Eden Park in Auckland. ‘Two-Metre Peter’, made his first class “When I was growing up I had dreams debut in the 2000/01 domestic season of playing for Canterbury and New and played 121 times for Canterbury, 66 Zealand, but when I was younger I didn’t of which were as captain. think I was going to do it,” Fulton said in Fulton made his international debut in announcing his decision. a one-dayer in 2004 against Bangladesh “From making my debut, I never would and had a roller-coaster ride for New have thought I would play this many Zealand, making the test side in 2006 as a times and achieve these records for middle-order batsmen and accumulating Canterbury. just 10 appearances in nearly four years “At that stage, I was just stoked to play before dropping out of contention. one.” —Reuters

BANGALORE: In this photograph taken on May 29, 2016, Indian Premier League Chairman Rajeev Shukla (L) presents an award to Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner (2R) during the presentation ceremony after the Twenty20 cricket final between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The tenth season of the Indian Premier League kicks off today, marking a decade of scandal and success for the flashy Twenty20 competition beloved by India and watched across the globe. —AFP Cash-rich IPL marches into season 10 today

NEW DELHI: The 10th season of the Indian while, is in self-imposed exile in Britain, Singh Dhoni at the helm of Pune, said he Premier League starts today, marking a refusing to return to India to face corrup- had benefited immensely from playing in decade of scandal and success for the flashy tion charges. the league. Twenty20 competition beloved by India and “You get to learn different parts of the Peter Fulton watched across the globe. GLOBAL APPEAL game, and what people from different parts The latest edition of the glitzy league- Shukla acknowledged the league’s mud- of the world are thinking,” he said. famous for its pyrotechnics, cheerleaders and dy past but said all possible checks and bal- huge signing bonuses-gets under way with ances were in place to ensure the 10th edi- CASH TALKS Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad tion was a success. But cash, and plenty of it, has been the hosting Royal Challengers Bangalore. “There may have been some aberrations single most important ingredient for the quits Twenty20 cricket Since its debut in 2008 the shorter-format but the strongest possible action was taken. IPL’s success, experts say. “Money is the mag- league has evolved into India’s most popular We have ensured that corruption does not net,” ESPNcricinfo senior editor Sharda Ugra COLOMBO: Bangladesh’s limited-overs mat, and has been an integral part of sporting event, filling stadiums and attracting creep in,” he said. “I am quite optimistic that told AFP. captain Mashrafe Mortaza announced the side ever since. TV audiences well beyond that enjoyed by this edition will be another grand success and “I think IPL was always going to succeed... yesterday his retirement from Twenty20 Beloved by fans, the 33-year-old Test and one-day competitions in the cricket- be very significant for us.” because so many people directly connected international cricket after he completes played 52 Twenty20 internationals to mad subcontinent. Despite a litany of off-field troubles the with the BCCI (India’s cricket board) and the ongoing two-match series against claim 39 wickets and score 368 runs. He “Its unique selling proposition is that most league has never struggled to attract foreign Indian business were involved at that time. Sri Lanka. led Bangladesh in 27 of his 52 Twenty20 Mashrafe’s decision came just before internationals and won nine matches. of the stadiums are packed, and it is being talent. A host of international stars have They were like determined to see it succeed.” the first match of the series against the But he was hobbled by knee Signing deals for up-and-coming stars are watched around the world,” IPL chairman become household names in India, shaping home side in Colombo’s R. Premadasa injuries during much of his career, Rajeev Shukla told AFP. their careers on the IPL stage or resurrecting also growing, with Afghanistan leg-spinner Stadium. “It has been a great honour for forcing him to avoid Test cricket since Its appeal has outlasted numerous con- former glories. Rashid Khan signed by Sunrisers for 40 mil- me to represent Bangladesh in T20I for 2009 and to undergo a series of opera- troversies-most notably corruption and England pace bowler Tymal Mills recently lion rupees ($615,700) — the most ever more than 10 years,” Mashrafe said on his tions in Australia. match-fixing charges-that at times have signed a $1.8 million-contract with offered to a player from an associate (non- official Facebook page. Bangladesh selectors welcomed his raised more eyebrows than the showy the- Bangalore-despite having played just four Test playing) nation. “I believe that this team is currently a decision to retire from Twenty20 interna- atrics on the pitch. T20 internationals. Khan and teammate Mohammad Nabi will balanced one and there are some prom- tional cricket. “Mashrafe is a true legend Three of the eight teams from the inaugu- Fellow countryman Ben Stokes-who be the first players from Afghanistan to play in ising young stars. “This is high time for of our game and he has made the right ral edition, and two others since, have been joined Rising Pune Supergiant for more than the IPL, highlighting the league’s ever- me to say good-bye to T20 format so that decision,” Bangladesh’s chief selector taken over by new owners, suspended or sim- $2 million-said the IPL was an opportunity expanding global appeal. many youngsters can get the opportuni- Minhajul Abedin told AFP by phone. ply vanished altogether. unavailable in England, where the format is While Royal Challengers Bangalore captain ty to showcase their talent”, he said. He will now play his final Twenty20 Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals not yet franchised. and run-machine Virat Kohli will be absent for Mashrafe made his Twenty20 inter- international against Sri Lanka on April 6 were barred for two seasons in 2015 over a “A big reason for coming out here is to get the opening week of the competition, big hit- national debut against Zimbabwe in in Colombo. He is expected to continue spot-fixing saga, while Hyderabad’s original that exposure and try and take the Twenty20 ters abound such as Kohli’s teammate Chris 2006, the first ever game played by the to lead Bngladesh in one-day interna- franchise Deccan Chargers were terminated game to new level,” he said. Gayle and Sunrisers’ David Warner. South Asian country in the shortest for- tionals. —AFP for breaching contract terms. Australia skipper Steve Smith, who has The tournament ends on May 21 with the The league’s founder Lalit Modi, mean- replaced former India captain Mahendra final in Hyderabad. —AFP

Al Mulla Exchange promotion gives free tickets to IPL final to winners

KUWAIT: With the exciting Indian always been a craze in India and with Premier League season due soon, Al the advent of T20, the cricket fever Mulla Exchange Company begins its has gone higher. The IPL has become new promotion to provide its Indian a festivity in India that has the whole customers the unique chance to be country in frenzy. As a token of our part of the electrifying finals on May gratitude to the support and trust of 21, 2017, in Hyderabad. our loyal Indian customers, we Starting from today, (April 5), any- thought of providing them with a one transferring money to India chance to be part of the peak of this through any of Al Mulla Exchange season, the final match. branches or via the company’s online The Indian customers are an services will automatically enter a important part of the Al Mulla draw for to get two tickets to the IPL Exchange business, “and we have 2017 finals, in addition to two airline been providing continuous promo- tickets. A winner will be chosen every tions to them as a token of our grati- week until May 14, 2017. tude. This is one of the biggest pro- This promotion will see 11 winners motions we have conducted so far and a total of 22 tickets to the dream and we believe this will be well IPL final match. The highpoint of the received in the community. draw is the grand prize which includes The IPL matches are being played special hospitality services in addition between April and May with approxi- to the other prizes. The grand prize mately 57 matches played between winner will be announced on May 15. eight teams. Al Mulla Exchange with Talking about the latest promo- 71 branches in Kuwait continues to tion, Rakesh Joshi General Manger Al give customers out of the box mar- Bangladesh’s cricket captain Mashrafe Mortaza. Mulla Exchange, said cricket has keting promotion. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 SPORTS Saracens sign Wallabies lock Skelton

LONDON: Australia second row for- “We’re absolutely delighted that Will tional player so we’re looking forward ing a longer-term deal, so it’s been a cult, but this is about family as much as ward Will Skelton secured a permanent is returning,” Saracens director of rugby to welcoming him back later this year.” really big decision and one I haven’t it is football. One day I’d love to play for move to English and European champi- Mark McCall told the club website. Skelton, who played three made lightly. Australia again and if that opportunity ons Saracens yesterday after impress- “In a very short space of time Premiership games for Saracens in his “It’s not easy leaving the NSW comes up I will give everything I’ve got ing during a short stay earlier this sea- here his contribution to the side spell there earlier this season, admit- Waratahs and the Wallabies-Darryl for my country.” son the club announced. was superb, he showed a real ted the decision to leave Australia and Gibson and Michael Cheika have been Skelton, first capped in 2014, is The 24-year-old-capped 18 times by appetite to improve his game and give up for at least two years any fantastic for my career so far and I want Saracens fourth signing for next sea- the Wallabies-has put pen to paper on a he was very popular among all the hope of playing for the national side to thank them for everything they son, joining Wales international Liam two year deal which will see him leave players and staff. had been tough. have done for me, on and off the field. Williams, Toulouse and France hooker Australian Super Rugby franchise the “There’s still so much more to come “I am very excited to be returning “Not being able to pull on the gold Christopher Tolofua and Northampton NSW Waratahs and join up with Saracens from him, which is incredibly exciting to Saracens,” Skelton told the club jersey while I am playing in England Saints and England flanker Calum for the beginning of next season. for us as he is already a proven interna- website. “This time around I am sign- has made the decision especially diffi- Clark. —AFP

News OLYMPICS in brief LA, Paris prepare to share 2024 Aspas extends Celta deal MADRID: Spanish international Iago Aspas tied his future to Celta Vigo by extending his contract to 2022, plans with Olympic leaders the club said yesterday. “Unbeatable news for Celta and their fans,” the club said in a statement. “Aspas will play in light blue until 2022.” “Both the club and I wanted to AARHUS: Los Angeles and Paris are making close the renewal and today we managed to do it,” said a direct appeal to Olympic sports leaders, Aspas. Aspas, 29, has scored 21 goals this season to help aside from ongoing politics of possibly Celta reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, awarding future hosting rights. In the first of where they will face Belgian side Genk. The former three campaign events this year, the two Liverpool striker’s form has also seen him earn his first 2024 Olympic candidates will focus on small international honours this season with three caps, details in their plans that are key to athletes including a goal against England on his debut. and organizers - a break from the big picture talk of also choosing a 2028 host when IOC members meet on Sept. 13. Tottenham’s Winks out for season “We understand that without the federa- tions there are no competitions,” LA 2024 bid Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks has chairman Casey Wasserman told The been ruled out for the rest of the season after sus- Associated Press on Tuesday ahead his taining an ankle injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win at team’s meeting with sports officials. “Our job Burnley, the club confirmed yesterday. The 21-year- is to give them the greatest platform to host old, who has made 33 appearances for Tottenham the ultimate competition in what we think is this season, left the field on a stretcher. “We can one of the greatest cities in the world.” confirm that Harry Winks sustained ligament dam- LA was due on stage first to make a 10- age to his left ankle during Saturday’s win at minute presentation followed by five sched- Burnley,” the club said on their website (www.tot- uled minutes of questions from the audi- tenhamhotspur.com). “He will continue to be moni- ence. Paris will follow in what is now a two- tored by our medical team during his recovery and horse race that could yet have two winners, will be unavailable for the remainder of the season.” according to speculation fueled by IOC President Thomas Bach. That would make both cities a three-time Olympic host. England out of Sudirman Cup Paris bid co-chairman Tony Estanguet said an Olympics in the French capital would Badminton England expressed “deep disappointment” showcase “the best iconic places” in the city. yesterday as they announced they were pulling out of The Paris presentation was expected to the prestigious World Mixed Team Championships stress its more compact plan treating much (Sudirman Cup) because of the withdrawal of Olympic of the city as a big Olympic Park. Its project funding. There was shock that badminton was included also includes building projects, including an LOS ANGELES: In this Feb. 1, 2016, file photo, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, second last December in the sports to be stripped of their athletes village. from left, is flanked by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, left, LA 2024 chairman Casey Wasserman, second from right, Olympic funding by UK Sport because they came back LA, which will stage most sports in four separate venue clusters, hopes to score by and UCLA chancellor Gene Block, right, during a news conference in Los Angeles. As the IOC moves the goalpost in from the Rio Olympics with a men’s doubles bronze the 2024 Olympic contest, bid leaders from Los Angeles and Paris head to a campaign event in Denmark yesterday medal. Badminton England-who oversee Britain’s promising to use only venues that already exist. That means no new construction proj- unsure of exactly what they are shooting for. —AP Olympic programme-have already made several people ects that have given recent Olympics a repu- plan to cut hosting costs that have scared off gram that he hopes will safeguard the sustainable project, by having very low infra- redundant. However, on Tuesday it was decided further tation for huge overspending. voters in would-be candidate cities. Olympics’ future under his leadership. structure investments compared to previous savings could be made by not sending a team to the “I would argue that Los Angeles is the Earlier yesterday, Bach told the AP he “We have two excellent bids which are bids,” Bach said. Asked if the contest could event on Australia’s Gold Coast, where the 2018 poster child for Agenda 2020,” said would not attend the two presentations. Still, embracing Olympic Agenda 2020 by making yet have two winners, the IOC head chuckled Commonwealth Games will be held. “It is with deep dis- Wasserman, referring to Bach’s signature he praised both in the context of his pro- use of many existing facilities, by having a before adding: “We’ll see.” —AP appointment that we have had to withdraw the England team from participating at the Sudirman Cup,” said Badminton England performance director Jon TENNIS Austin. “We are now working through an unprecedent- ed financial situation as a consequence of the recent Fired up by team spirit, Kyrgios funding decisions. “The decision is a tough one to make but we have had to consider the investments we now says in ‘best’ mental shape make very carefully.” The Badminton World Federation says England’s place will be taken by Germany. MELBOURNE: Nick Kyrgios is relishing Melbourne, playing a pivotal role in the 4-1 being in the “best” mental shape of his defeat of Czech Republic. career and credited the camaraderie of Kyrgios’s commitment to the team tour- De Lange joins Glamorgan Australia’s Davis Cup team for his ominous nament has not always been so whole- form during the US hardcourt swing. hearted. He was reported to have said, “I Pace bowler Marchant de Lange has been hailed a The world number 16 pushed Roger don’t want to be here” during a singles rub- match-winner by Glamorgan coach Robert Croft Federer to the wall in a classic Miami Open ber defeat during the 2015 quarter-final after the South African signed a three-year contract semi-final on Friday and beat world number against Kazakhstan in Darwin and withdrew yesterday. The 26-year-old, who has adapted his two Novak Djokovic twice in succession in from last year’s first round tie against the bowling action since suffering a stress fracture in the past month. United States in Melbourne, citing “illness”. his back in 2012, is especially effective in the shorter The emotional 21-year-old now carries That withdrawal prompted criticism formats of the game and has played in Twenty20 Australia’s hopes of reaching the Davis Cup from team mate Bernard Tomic, who pub- franchise teams round the world. “Marchant is a semi-finals when the hosts play the United licly upbraided him for the decision to match-winner. He has pace, aggression-and he’s the States in Brisbane this weekend. Having pull-out. right age and at the right stage of his career to long felt ambivalent toward the sport and Kyrgios returned to the fold for the make an impact for us,” said Croft. “He will be a great admitted to struggling for motivation, World Group play-off win over Slovakia and addition to our squad.” De Lange, who played the Kyrgios has brought a new intensity to has been a fixture since, while Australia’s last of his two Tests for South Africa in 2012 and his training and a stronger focus on court. number two Tomic has opted out. last one-day international in 2014, is in the “prime of “I think my level’s always been there but I Kyrgios said the win over Czech Republic his career”, said Glamorgan’s director of cricket think where I’m at mentally at the moment, had worked wonders for his motivation. “I Hugh Morris. “We are delighted to have signed I’m just competing for every point and play- think the last Davis Cup tie helped me a lot. Marchant de Lange and to see him arrive in Wales ing hard and I haven’t really had that mind- Ever since then I’ve been in a good mental today,” said Morris. Glamorgan open their second set before,” Kyrgios told reporters in space,” he said. division County Championship campaign against Brisbane yesterday. “I prefer the team environment, I love Northamptonshire on Friday. “I’m feeling motivated and I want to get being around these guys, I love training out there more. I want to compete and I with them and I love being on the sidelines want to play. “I’m probably in the best place watching them compete. Jesus returns to training I’ve ever been in.” It was little more than two “I’ve been wanting to play and they’ve Brazilian sensation Gabriel Jesus boosted Manchester months ago that Kyrgios bowed out of the all been supporting me. It’s good to know City’s trophy hopes as he returned to training earlier Australian Open in acrimony, jeered by these guys have my back and I think it’s just than expected on his 20th birthday, the club revealed home spectators after giving up a two-set the chemistry. on its website. The striker-who joined City in the lead in defeat to Italian Andreas Seppi. “I feel like I’m playing well and I’ve got a January transfer window after they paid Palmeiras an But weeks later, he returned to play in really good opportunity now to battle initial £27 million ($33 million, 31 million euros) — Nick Kyrgios the Davis Cup in the first round tie in against the USA.” —Reuters made a sensational start to his English career with three goals in five matches. His hot streak was stopped in its tracks when he broke a bone in his foot against Missing Miami title defence was refreshing: Djokovic Bournemouth in mid-February-he was expected to be out for between two and three months. “Gabriel Jesus BELGRADE: Sitting out last week’s Miami Open was rejuve- as it generates the kind of home crowd atmosphere you performing in front of our fans. I always draw very positive stepped up his recovery from injury today (Monday) nating for Novak Djokovic although it meant missing the don’t see on the ATP Tour, so I am really looking forward to energy from the Davis Cup as it invariably brings out the when he returned to the training field for the first time chance to win a record seventh title in the tournament, best in me.” since February,” read the City statement. “The early Serbia’s world number two said yesterday. Having dominated for several years to rack up 12 grand prognosis (of the injury) suggesting he could be out Djokovic missed the Masters series event with an elbow slam tournaments after clinching his maiden French Open until the end of the season. “He recently began working injury and, having recovered, is eager to face Spain in the title last June, Djokovic then suffered a dramatic loss of in the gym in a bid to keep his fitness levels high-and Davis Cup quarter-finals in front of a boisterous home form which saw him ousted as the world number one by this afternoon, on his 20th birthday, he returned to the crowd next weekend. Briton Andy Murray. training field just seven weeks after his initial setback. “Of course I wanted to be on the court and defend my With Murray also playing in fits and starts in the early “And although he didn’t take part in full training, focus- title but it just didn’t happen this time,” Djokovic told a stages of the season, Djokovic heaped praise on the ever- ing instead on some light ball work, it’s a sight City fans news conference in the Serbian capital’s Aleksandar Nikolic green Roger Federer after the Swiss maestro won the will nonetheless have been pleased to see “We wish arena. Miami Open following his Australian Open triumph in Gabriel well in his continued recovery and hope to see “At the same time, it was also rather refreshing to get January. him back in a blue shirt as soon as possible.” His return some rest and sit out Miami at home with my wife and son. “What Federer has accomplished this year is admirable comes at a timely moment for City manager Pep It was quality family time which I don’t get enough of and and it shows that one can play at the top level even at his Guardiola, who is desperate to maintain his record of it made me very happy,” he said. age. He’s had his ups and downs in the last three or four “A hardcourt tie is not an ideal preparation for the clay years but came back swinging and revitalised after a six- never going trophyless through a season with any club court season but given that I was away for a few weeks month layoff last year,” said Djokovic. he has managed. City’s best hopes of ensuring that after a patchy start to the season, I need as many matches He said the Miami Open final between Federer and proud record stands is perhaps in the FA Cup where as possible to get back into my stride irrespective of the Nadal was “as outstanding as anyone might have expected they face Arsenal in the semi-finals later this month. In surface.” from the greatest rivalry ever”. the league they are 11 points adrift of leaders Chelsea. Djokovic added: “The Davis Cup is a very special event Novak Djokovic Nadal will skip Spain’s clash with Serbia. —Reuters WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 SPORTS

NHL places USA’s young stars’ Olympic aspirations on hold

BUFFALO: Whatever aspirations Buffalo Sabres sec- The NHLPA said in a statement that players are ond-year center Jack Eichel had of representing the “extraordinarily disappointed and adamantly dis- United States at the Winter Olympics have been put agree with the NHL’s shortsighted decision.” on indefinite hold. Same goes for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rookie-of-the-year candidate Auston MORE CONCESSIONS Matthews. The NHL closed the door on USA The NHL had allowed its players to participate in Hockey’s next generation of stars - and the league’s the past five Olympics dating to 1998. players from every other nation, for that matter - The league said no meaningful dialogue had from playing on the international stage by abruptly emerged in talks with the NHLPA, International announcing it wouldn’t compete at the 2018 Winter Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Games in South Korea. Federation. Even after the IIHF had agreed to pay for The stunning reality of the decision announced players’ travel and insurance costs when the IOC on Monday began hitting home for Eichel following refused, the NHL had been looking for more conces- Buffalo’s 4-2 loss to Toronto. “It’s a little bit disap- sions that were believed to include marketing pointing as a player who takes a lot of pride in repre- opportunities tied to the Games. senting his country and who’s done it before,” Eichel The IOC said yesterday it “feels very sorry for the said. “As a young kid just breaking into the league it’s athletes,” but could not give the NHL special favors. something I definitely watched growing up and “The IOC, which distributes 90 percent of its revenue looked forward to.” The news hurt even more for for the development of sport in the world, obviously Eichel when recalling how he and Matthews showed cannot treat a national commercial league better glimpses of their potential a mere six months earlier than not-for-profit international sports federations playing together on Team North America at the which are developing sport globally,” the Olympic World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. body said in a statement. “As a league, we’re trying to grow our game all The league wanted the matter resolved before SOCHI: In this Feb. 15, 2014, file photo, Russia goaltender Semyon Varlamov, front, and Russia for- over the world. I think the Olympics is a good way to the playoffs begin April 12. “The league’s efforts to ward Alexander Ovechkin, second, lead the Russian team onto the ice for warmups before playing do it,” the 20-year-old Eichel said. “To be able to play blame others for its decision is as unfortunate as the the USA in a men’s ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Sochi, Russia. Ovechkin and the game on other continents, other places and decision itself,” the NHLPA said. “NHL players are other players are raising doubts about the finality of the NHL announcement that it won’t partici- allow them to see how exciting and what type of patriotic and they do not take this lightly. A decent pate in the 2018 Olympics. —AP game we play, it’s a good opportunity.” respect for the opinions of the players matters. This Matthews expressed disappointment while also is the NHL’s decision, and its alone.” players that can’t be part of the most special adven- Lichtner, was briefing Winter Games federations on acknowledging he’s more preoccupied with helping Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock, who led ture in sports.” Tuesday in a previously scheduled meeting at an Toronto clinch its second playoff berth in 12 seasons. Canada to consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2010 Former NHL forward Brandon Prust, who’s now Olympic sports conference in Aarhus, Denmark. “Yeah, of course, you’d want to go and represent and 2014, said, “I’m just going to tell you I’m disap- playing in Germany, tweeted: “Way to ruin the sport “It is a pity but it is not a surprise,” ski federation your country,” said the 19-year-old from Scottsdale, pointed.” Players blasted the decision. “It’s beyond of hockey even more Gary #Olympics.” Nancy Park, a president Gian Franco Kasper told The Associated Arizona. “I’ve been fortunate to do it in the past at disappointing,” said Montreal Canadiens goalie spokeswoman for the Pyeongchang Winter Press. Kasper, who represents winter sports on the different tournaments. But, it’s not readily on my Carey Price, who won a gold medal at the 2014 Olympics organizing committee, held out hope the IOC executive board, added: “There might be some mind right now.” Youngsters and veterans, from Alex Sochi Games. “It was one of the best experiences of NHL might change course by saying there’s still time players who don’t care what the NHL says.” Ovechkin and Jonathan Toews to Connor McDavid my life and catapulted my career to the next level for “meaningful discussions.” The NHL has not ruled The league has cited the 13-hour difference from and Henrik Lundqvist, the world’s best players called and things have been going pretty well since then.” out participating in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, Pyeongchang to the Eastern time zone as one of its playing in the Olympics important. The league Lundqvist, the New York Rangers goalie, turned though the IIHF and IOC had indicated that could be concerns. There was a 13-hour difference to Nagano decided otherwise. to Twitter. “A huge opportunity to market the game conditional on the NHL going to South Korea. For in 1998, six to Turin in 2006 and nine to Sochi in 2014. Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy at the biggest stage is wasted,” tweeted Lundqvist, now, the league is making its 2017-18 schedule Team owners have long complained that stopping Commissioner Bill Daly informed the NHL Players’ who won the 2006 Olympic gold medal with without a break for the Olympics. the NHL season every four years wasn’t worth it and Association that the matter was “officially closed.” Sweden. “But most of all, disappointing for all the The world hockey body’s secretary general, Horst they have been wary of injuries to star players. — AP

BASKETBALL Timberwolves snap Blazers’ six-game streak, 110-109

MINNEAPOLIS: As Karl-Anthony Towns The sleek lineup put the Blazers in con- powered through Portland’s smaller front- trol with a 34-point second quarter, but court, the Trail Blazers found out just how the 7-foot Towns had his way in the fourth. much they’re going to miss big man Jusuf He scored 14 points in the period, includ- Nurkic down the stretch. Towns had 34 ing a big dunk for a 110-106 lead with 35 points and 12 rebounds and the Minnesota seconds to go. Timberwolves snapped Portland’s six-game “We just had a hard time,” Lillard said. winning streak with a 110-109 victory over “Guys competed hard on him. We made it the Trail Blazers on Monday night. as hard as we could on him, but he’s very It was the second game for Portland good and he’s going to score points. That’s without Nurkic, who galvanized the team what happened.” after coming over in a trade from Denver at the deadline. He will miss at least the rest TIP-INS of the regular season with a fractured right Trail Blazers: Terry Stotts was the leg, leaving the Blazers to battle big front- Western Conference coach of the month courts in San Antonio, Utah and one more and Lillard was the conference’s player of time against Minnesota without him and the month as Portland finished March at just a 11/2-game cushion on Denver for the 13-3. ... Lillard’s first 3 of the game in the eighth seed in the Western Conference. third quarter gave him 200 for the season, “There’s a lot of good bigs out there, and the third time he’s done that in his career. we’re thin right now. We’ve got Meyers Wes Matthews is the only other Blazers (Leonard) and (Al-Farouq Aminu), who’s not player to do it even one time. really a five,” C.J. McCollum said. “So we’re in Timberwolves: Brandon Rush scored 12 a tough position, but it’s not an excuse. points, giving him back-to-back double- We’ve got to go out there and play and digit efforts for the first time since Jan. 11- make the best of it.” 13. ... Rubio hit a technical free throw in the Damian Lillard scored 25 points but third quarter after the Blazers were whis- made just 7 of 21 shots, including 3 of 11 3- tled for defensive 3 seconds. It was his 49th pointers. His potential game-winning pull- straight technical free throw made, the up jumper at the buzzer glanced off the longest active streak in the league. rim. Andrew Wiggins scored 29 points and Ricky Rubio had 11 points, 16 assists and MCCOLLUM STRUGGLES SUNRISE: Steve Ott #92 of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot on Reto Berra #20 of the Florida Panthers during a game at BB&T Center seven rebounds for the Timberwolves, who McCollum struggled as well, scoring 17 on Monday in Sunrise, Florida. — AFP bounced back from an ugly home loss to points on 5-for-14 shooting and 0 for 3 on Sacramento that eliminated them from 3s. He scored 43 and 32 points in his first NHL postseason contention on Saturday. two games against the Wolves. “They’re playing small, we have a big “I think I’ve got to be more aggressive at who can guard smalls and play like a big certain times,” he said. Montreal clinches Atlantic at the other end,” Rubio said of Towns. Both teams are set up for difficult back- “That’s big for us.” to-backs because this game had to be Aminu scored 20 points and Maurice shoe-horned into the schedule. It was origi- Harkless had 17 points, eight rebounds nally scheduled to be played on March 6, Division title with 4-1 win and a big block of a Rubio drive that gave but an ice sheet that was placed under the the Blazers the ball back with 4.9 seconds court so Target Center could host a college SUNRISE: Artturi Lehkonen scored twice in the third period and to play. hockey tournament started to melt due to had an assist to help the Montreal Canadiens clinch the Atlantic NHL RESULTS/STANDINGS Lillard got a clean look, but couldn’t unseasonably warm weather. That caused Division title with a 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on knock it down and Portland missed a condensation on the court that could not Monday night. Andrew Shaw and Alexander Radulov also scored Montreal 4, Florida 1; Toronto 4, Buffalo 2; Detroit 5, Ottawa 4 (SO). golden chance to pad its lead on Denver be corrected, so the league postponed the for the Canadiens while Charlie Lindgren stopped 31 shots in his in a tense race. game. Trail Blazers: Portland travels to Utah Western Conference The Blazers beat lowly Phoenix in their for a tough back-to-back. second NHL start. Jonathan Marchessault scored for Florida and Central Division Reto Berra finished with 27 saves. Lehkonen put Montreal ahead first game without Nurkic and went Timberwolves: Minnesota heads to the WLOTLGFGAPTS super-small on Monday against the Bay Area to play Golden State. The Wolves 2-1 at 1:27 of the third as he beat Berra with a rising shot from Chicago 50 22 7 239 202 107 between the circles high to the glove side. He made it a two- Wolves with Aminu and Harkless seeing are the last team to beat the Warriors, Minnesota 46 25 8 254 201 100 some time at center. doing so in Minnesota on March 10. — AP goal game when he followed Paul Byron’s breakaway attempt by St. Louis 43 28 7 219 204 93 knocking in the rebound for his 16th with 3:11 remaining. Nashville 40 28 11 231 217 91 Winnipeg 37 35 7 237 249 81 RED WINGS 5, SENATORS 4, SO Dallas 32 36 11 213 250 75 Evgeni Svechnikov scored the only goal of the shootout in Colorado 21 54 3 154 264 45 his NHL debut, lifting Detroit past Ottawa. In the seventh Pacific Division round of the tiebreaker, Svechnikov went to his backhand and Anaheim 43 23 13 212 196 99 slid the puck between the pads of Ottawa goalie Craig Edmonton 44 25 9 231 200 97 Anderson. Tomas Tatar had a goal and an assist while Frans San Jose 44 28 7 213 195 95 Nielsen, Gustav Nyquist and Dylan Larkin all scored in regula- Calgary 44 31 4 220 214 92 tion for Detroit. Nick Jensen had two assists and Petr Mrazek Los Angeles 37 34 7 188 191 81 stopped 41 shots. Kyle Turris and Fredrik Claesson scored 4:09 Vancouver 30 39 9 174 228 69 apart in the third period to level the score for the Senators, Arizona 29 41 9 190 251 67 who pulled into a tie with Boston for third place in the Atlantic Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Division. Ottawa is technically ahead at the moment with a Montreal 46 24 9 220 192 101 game in hand on the Bruins. Erik Karlsson had a goal and an Toronto 39 24 15 242 228 93 assist while Alexandre Burows also scored and Turris also had Ottawa 41 27 10 203 208 92 two assists for the Senators. Boston 43 30 6 228 207 92 Tampa Bay 39 29 10 222 218 88 MAPLE LEAFS 4, SABRES 2 Florida 33 35 11 202 231 77 Auston Matthews scored his 39th goal to set the record for Buffalo 32 35 12 197 229 76 most by an American-born rookie and Toronto moved closer to Detroit 32 35 12 201 238 76 clinching its second playoff berth in 12 seasons. Nazem Kadri Metropolitan Division had a goal and an assist while James van Rimedsyk and Leo Washington 52 18 8 254 178 112 Komarov also scored. Frederick Andersen made 18 saves for the Pittsburgh 48 19 11 266 221 107 Maple Leafs in their fourth straight win. The victory vaulted Columbus 49 21 8 239 180 106 Toronto (39-24-15) one point ahead of Ottawa and Boston for NY Rangers 47 26 6 252 213 100 second-place in the Atlantic Division. Jack Eichel and Ryan NY Islanders 37 29 12 228 237 86 O’Reilly scored for Buffalo. Robin Lehner was pulled after giving Carolina 35 29 14 204 220 84 up three goals on five shots in the first five minutes and Anders Philadelphia 38 33 8 212 229 84 New Jersey 27 37 14 175 229 68 Nillson stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced. The Sabres have lost MINNEAPOLIS: Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) is fouled by Minnesota three in a row and the late-season collapse will extend Buffalo’s Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L) Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game on playoff drought to six consecutive seasons. — AP Monday, in Minneapolis. — AP WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 SPORTS

PREVIEW Fernandinho out to ruin Chelsea’s title stroll

LONDON: Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho But while Antonio Conte’s side remain over- NAVAS V HAZARD? Zabaleta short of fitness, Guardiola may have to believes his side can reignite their Premier League whelming title favourites, failure to beat City would City were one of the teams expected to chal- decide whether to persist with Jesus Navas at right- title ambitions today against a Chelsea team rocked give hope to the chasing teams who have spent lenge for the title, particularly after Guardiola’s back. The Spanish winger looked ragged at times by a shock 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace. much of the season trailing in their wake. much-trumpeted appointment, but as the draw at against Arsenal and in Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, he Ten points clear following the international Chelsea failed to avoid defeat against Palace Arsenal highlighted, they remain vulnerable in would be up against one of the most lethal attack- break, Chelsea saw their lead trimmed to seven despite boasting a close to full-strength team and defence. The result extended their current unbeat- ing players in the division. points after they crashed at home to Palace on having almost 80 minutes in which to turn the en run to eight league games-the longest such City received some good news on Monday when Saturday and second-place Tottenham Hotspur game around. sequence of Guardiola’s tenure-but the last three of Gabriel Jesus returned to training after breaking his won 2-0 at Burnley. City could not follow Spurs’ However, although neutrals will be crossing those matches have all been drawn. foot, but the Brazil starlet is not expected to be lead, drawing 2-2 at Arsenal on Sunday, but vic- their fingers for another slip-up against Pep City twice took the lead at Arsenal, only to be available for selection for several weeks. Chelsea tory at Stamford Bridge will leave them eight Guardiola’s City, Conte has urged his players to pegged back on both occasions, and Guardiola wing-back Victor Moses is a major doubt after miss- points below Chelsea with eight games of the think of the pressure in positive terms. believes his team struggle psychologically when ing the Palace game with a calf strain, which saw season remaining. “There is big pressure, but it is normal when you they have a lead to defend. “When the team is Pedro fill in on the right flank. City won 3-0 on their “The Premier League is still open,” Fernandinho are in a great club and you are very good,” the down, we react because everything is lost and we last visit to the Bridge a year ago, with Sergio Aguero told the City website. “We have a tough game Chelsea manager told the club website. “When you react in a good, good way,” he told reporters at the plundering a hat-trick in a game that saw Chelsea against Chelsea away. To be close to them, we have are lucky enough to fight for the title there is the Emirates Stadium after the stalemate against goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sent off for upending to win that game and we will see what will happen pressure, but not only for us, for a lot of teams. Arsenal. “To handle a situation at 1-0 (up), we are not Fernandinho. Neither side came close to challenging at the end of the season.” Chelsea came from “Don’t forget, the other teams were candidates comfortable, not yet. But we will be better. We will champions Leicester City last season, but a similar behind to record a clinical 3-1 victory when the to win the title, but instead we stay top of the table improve in the future.” With Bacary Sagna expected outcome on Wednesday could have major repercus- teams last met at the Etihad Stadium in December. and we try to keep this position.” to miss out again due to a groin strain and Pablo sions for this season’s title race. — AFP

PREVIEW ‘Nothing impossible’ for title-chasing Pochettino

LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino insists Pochettino insists it would take a dramatic “nothing is impossible” as Tottenham shift in fortune to deny Chelsea the title. Hotspur attempt to increase the pressure “We reduced the gap by three points on Premier League leaders Chelsea. but it’s still a big gap, seven is a massive dif- Second-placed Spurs travel to face ference,” the former Southampton manager Swansea City today, with their title hopes said. “Chelsea, two-and-a-half years ago buoyed by Chelsea’s shock loss to Crystal they won the Premier League and 80 per- Palace last weekend. cent of the players have experience of how With north London club Spurs beating to manage the pressure. Burnley, it meant the Blues’ 10-point advan- “They can win or lose but it’s not putting tage at the top of the table was cut to sev- pressure or stress on them.” en points. And that gap could narrow even The Tottenham manager was dealt a further on Wednesday, when Chelsea are blow ahead of the Swansea clash when away to Manchester City on the same night young midfielder Harry Winks was ruled as Spurs manager Pochettino’s side are in out for the season with an ankle injury. action in south Wales. Swansea, having enjoyed an initial boost “That’s a good lesson for all-belief is the following the appointment of Paul Clement most important thing in football-not only as manager, are in need of a fresh lift after quality, running or being strong,” said three games without a win. Pochettino. The Welsh side’s failure to beat second- “Belief, faith and fight. Nothing is impos- bottom Middlesbrough at home last sible in football and that is our idea, our weekend was a particular disappointment philosophy.” The Argentinian added: “We and left the club one place and one point need to keep going in that direction and above the bottom three. But Swansea cen- it’s true the Premier League is tough to play tre-back Alfie Mawson insisted a goalless in, and to win every game and compete. draw with Middlesbrough had not dented It’s so competitive. the squad’s self-belief. “But if it can happen? Yes, of course it “We go again today against Tottenham can happen and our mind must be positive and with a big crowd behind us hopefully to try to imagine and dream and believe we can get the result we want,” he said. and give our best. “If we are focused only “Confidence is still very high going into SANT JOAN DESPI: FC Barcelona’s Neymar, right, Lionel Messi, second left, and Luis Suarez attend a training session at the Sports Center FC on the next game and nothing around and today’s game. The squad is fit and ready for Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, Spain, yesterday. FC Barcelona will play against Sevilla during a Spanish La Liga today. — AP nothing after, and if we are positive, I think the challenge. “The belief is fully there that we can get the three points but first of all we will stay up. I am very confident in us.” SOCCER we need to play, we need to be better than Clement hopes to welcome back striker Swansea and it’s sure we will need to fight Fernando Llorente who missed the Boro a lot against them.” game with an ankle injury. The manager With Messi back, Barcelona said: “We missed Fernando-he is a big focal ‘MASSIVE DIFFERENCE’ point for us. He has an ankle issue that I am Spurs, bidding to be crowned champi- hoping will not keep him out for long. ons of England for the first time since they “Today is achievable, although he is still faces free-falling Sevilla completed the ‘Double’ in 1961, when they a doubt for that game. “He has a chance, also lifted the FA Cup are in fine form. but we are very much looking at him day to They’ve won five successive games, but day.” — AFP MADRID: Lionel Messi is back, and just in time. Fully rested after the moment of the season, coming off five consecutive games without a win. international break and a yellow-card suspension, Messi returns to Among the setbacks was the disappointing elimination to Leicester in Barcelona’s team for the decisive Spanish league match against the last 16 of the Champions League. Sevilla today. Messi will be playing his first game in nearly two weeks “It’s not easy. We all thought that we were going to get past Leicester. when Barcelona resumes its pursuit of league leader Real Madrid at the It’s difficult for us to accept it,” Sevilla forward Stevan Jovetic said. “We Wenger believes Camp Nou. Barcelona is two points behind Madrid, which plays at have to find a way to recover. We are the same team that we were five Leganes later Wednesday. matches ago, when we were in second place. We need to win a match by “We saw Messi practice at the highest level,” Barcelona coach Luis two or three goals to regain our confidence.” in top four target Enrique said. “The mini break that he had was very positive.” Sevilla was fighting for the league title not long ago, but now it sees LONDON: Beleaguered Arsenal manager Suddenly it becomes important, so I am Messi’s last game was on March 23 with Argentina in World Cup quali- itself 10 points off the lead, in fourth place and already having to worry Arsene Wenger said yesterday a top four quite pleased that people realise that it’s fying, a 1-0 win over Chile with a penalty kick converted by the playmak- about qualifying for the top European club competition next season. finish and a place in the Champions League not as easy as it looks.” er. But he didn’t play in the national team’s 2-0 loss to Bolivia five days “Maybe the elimination against Leicester affected them,” Luis Enrique is a realistic target for his stuttering team. Wenger’s future at the club he has man- later because of a four-game suspension for insulting a linesman, then said. “It’s not their best moment, not their best dynamic, but they remain But the 67-year-old Frenchman admit- aged for over two decades has become an missed Barcelona’s 4-1 win at Granada over the weekend. a difficult rival.” Madrid, which has a game in hand, faces a Leganes squad ted his team-presently sixth and seven increasingly febrile topic among fans-with Messi is the Spanish league’s leading scorer with 25 goals and has 41 that has drawn its last three matches and is struggling to avoid returning points off the Champions League places video footage appearing to show some overall this season from 40 matches. The 29-year-old Argentine has not to the second division next season. It is 17th in the 20-team standings, with a game in hand on fourth-placed fighting each other on Sunday when the gone two consecutive games without scoring since early September. He only one spot above the relegation zone. Manchester City-have their work cut out. “I Gunners fought back twice to secure a 2-2 has scored 10 times in his last nine league games. “No one should think that we will easily beat Leganes, that doesn’t tell myself to finish as high as possible... It draw with Manchester City. Neymar and Luis Suarez, who led Barcelona against Granada, are also exist in football,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. (finishing in the top four) is a good chal- Having guided Arsenal to three expected to play today, when Barcelona will try to win its sixth straight Madrid has won four in a row in the league and has scored at least a lenge but I think it’s perfectly possible,” said Premier League titles, although none match against Sevilla. Sevilla enters the match enduring its worst goal in its last 50 games in all competitions. — AP Wenger. “Certainly for 20 years I have done since 2004, Wenger is yet to declare it and it looked always like it’s nothing. whether he will stay and sign a new two year contract or leave. The board are believed to be keen for Wenger-who has coached Arsenal to a top four finish every season he has been there- Matches on TV to re-sign but have also demanded he (Local Timings) make changes to his backroom staff. This season has been an especially tough one for Wenger with his side fading from title ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE contention and humiliated in the Southampton v Crystal Palace 21:45 beIN SPORTS Champions League by Bayern Munich. Arsenal v West Ham United 21:45 Uncertainty about the futures of Chilean beIN SPORTS star Alexis Sanchez-who has cast a glum Hull City v Middlesbrough 21:45 figure of late-and German World Cup win- beIN SPORTS ning playmaker Mesut Ozil has also affect- Swansea City v Tottenham 21:45 beIN SPORTS ed the club. Liverpool v Bournemouth 22:0 beIN SPORTS ‘NOT IN POLITICS’ Chelsea v Manchester City 22:00 However, ahead of today’s clash with beIN SPORTS West Ham, Wenger insisted that his achievement in guiding Arsenal into the SPANISH LEAGUE Barcelona v Sevilla FC 20:30 top four year after year should not be beIN SPORTS HD 3 underplayed.“If you listen to (Manchester Deportivo Alaves v Osasuna 21:30 City manager) Pep Guardiola, he said the beIN SPORTS other day that to achieve the top four in Deportivo La Coruna v Granada 21:30 England is a trophy because it’s so difficult,” beIN SPORTS said the Frenchman. Sporting Gijon v Malaga CF 21:30 beIN SPORTS “Of course we have a difficult task in CD Leganes v Real Madrid CF 22:30 front of us, but I am happy as well that beIN SPORTS HD 3 people realise suddenly that it’s not as easy as it looked always.” Wenger, who has ITALIAN CUP equated retiring with dying, said he would SSC Napoli v Juventus 21:45 beIN SPORTS not comment on the debate amongst fans about whether he should stay or go. “I’m GERMAN BUNDESLIGA not in politics,” said Wenger, who VfL Wolfsburg v Freiburg 21:00 described the support of the fans on beIN SPORTS Sunday as outstanding. Monchengladbach v Hertha 21:00 “It’s not about majority or minority. You beIN SPORTS HD 5 FSV Mainz 05 v RB Leipzig 21:00 just want our fans to stand behind the beIN SPORTS team and the club, and that’s what they Augsburg v Ingolstadt 04 21:00 did. I’ve said many times, it’s not about me. beIN SPORTS “I wish just to dedicate my energy to foot- CANNES: Frejus-Saint Raphael’s forward Karim Tlili (L) vies with Guingamp’s French midfielder Thibault Giresse during the French Cup SV Darmstadt 98 v Bayer 04 21:00 ball and the next game, and leave my own beIN SPORTS final quarter football match between Frejus-Saint RaphaÎl (CFA) and Guigamp (L1) yesterday at the Coubertin stadium in Cannes, personal case out of the debate. — AFP southern France. — AFP Bangladesh Montreal clinches skipper quits Atlantic Division Twenty2016 cricket title 18with 4-1 win WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

LA, Paris prepare to share 2024 plans with Olympic leaders Page 17

WASHINGTON: Adnely Hechavaria #3 of the Miami Marlins turns a double play as Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals slides into second base in the Opening Day game against the Miami Marlins on Monday at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Washington won the game 4-2. — AFP

BASEBALL Washington beat Marlins, Orioles top Blue Jays

WASHINGTON: Adam Lind’s first swing as a called out. New York took advantage of five ering from Tommy John surgery, walked tine fly for the save. Scott Feldman (0-1) ASTROS 3, MARINERS 0 member of the Nationals resulted in a pinch- walks by a shaky Braves bullpen in a six-run Jonathan Villar leading off the ninth, then allowed three runs and seven hits over 4 2/3 Dallas Keuchel (1-0) allowed two hits over hit, go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh bottom of the seventh that lasted 35 min- retired Eric Thames one a lineout to center innings in his third opening day start. seven innings while Luke Gregerson and Ken inning while Bryce Harper went deep on utes. Curtis Granderson had a sacrifice fly and and Ryan Braun on a game-ending, double- Giles completed the three-hitter and opening day for the fifth time in his young Lucas Duda busted the game open with a play grounder started by third baseman DODGERS 14, PADRES 3 Houston won its fifth straight opener. career, leading Washington past the Miami three-run double off Eric O’Flaherty. Hansel Nolan Arenado, who dove to his left. Joc Pederson launched a grand slam as George Springer became Houston’s first Marlins 4-2 on Monday. Stephen Strasburg Robles (1-0) worked a perfect inning for the the Dodgers backed Clayton Kershaw with a player since Terry Puhl in 1980 to lead off the (1-0) earned the win, allowing two runs and win. Ian Krol (0-1) was the loser. TWINS 7, ROYALS 1 franchise-record four home runs on opening first game with a home run. Carlos Correa six hits in seven innings, pitching out of the Miguel Sano homered and drew the third day. Pederson drove in five runs while homered and drove in two runs. Felix stretch the whole way. It was his return to RED SOX 5, PIRATES 3 bases-loaded walk during a dreadful seventh Yasmani Grandal homered twice and Corey Hernandez (0-1), making his 10th opening action after missing last September and the Rookie Andrew Benintendi hit a three-run inning for Kansas City’s bullpen as the Twins Seager added a three-run shot. Kershaw (1-0) day start, allowed two runs and five hits playoffs with a right elbow injury. Matt homer off Gerrit Cole (0-1) that capped a won an opener for the first time in nine years. allowed two runs - one earned - and two hits while striking out six in five innings before Wieters singled ahead of Lind’s drive off five-run fifth inning as Boston began its post- Ervin Santana (1-0) gave up two hits and two in seven innings, struck out eight and walked leaving with tightness in a groin. David Phelps (0-1) that made it 3-2. David Ortiz era. Rick Porcello (1-0) gave up walks while striking out three over seven none in his seventh consecutive opening day three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings while innings, aided by two diving catches of sink- start. Jhoulys Chacin (0-1) gave up nine runs ATHLETICS 4, ANGELS 2 ORIOLES 3, BLUE JAYS 2 striking out five. Craig Kimbrel retired ing line drives by center fielder Byron Buxton. and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings in his Padres Mark Trumbo homered off Jason Grilli (0- Starling Marte on a game-ending popup Matt Strahm (0-1) and Travis Wood allowed debut. Khris Davis hit a go-ahead homer in the 1) with two outs in the 11th inning in a with two on for the save. four runners while recording only one out. sixth and connected again leading off the eighth to lead Oakland past Anaheim. Davis rematch of last year’s AL wild card playoff, INDIANS 8, RANGERS 5 won by Toronto 5-2 on an 11th-inning ROCKIES 7, BREWERS 5 PHILLIES 4, REDS 3 Abraham Almonte singled in the go-ahead had just the second multihomer game on home run by Edwin Encarnacion. Tyler Bud Black won his debut as Colorado Cesar Hernandez opened the Phillies’ sea- run in a three-run ninth as Cleveland won the opening day in Oakland history - Jason Wilson (1-0), the fourth Baltimore reliever, manager while Greg Holland got a save in his son with a homer on Cincinnati’s eighth pitch opener of its AL title defense. Making his first Giambi did it in 2000 - to back Kendall pitched one shutout inning in the 25th first game with the Rockies. Mark Reynolds while Jeremy Hellickson drove in a run with opening-day start for Texas, Yu Darvish had a Graveman (1-0). The right-hander struck out Camden Yards opener. homered, had three RBIs and scored the his first career triple. Hellickson (1-0) pitched 5-1 lead behind Rougned Odor, who home- seven over six innings. Mike Trout hit a two- tying run in a two-run seventh following two into the sixth, allowing a run and six hits, and red twice and drove in four runs. Edwin run homer in the third inning for the Angels METS 6, BRAVES 0 defensive lapses by Milwaukee. Milwaukee’s he also contributed his RBI triple in the sixth. Encarnacion tied the score 5-5 with an then Yonder Alonso’s RBI single in the fifth Noah Syndergaard struck out seven over Junior Guerra left his first opening-day start Right fielder Scott Schebler failed to make a eighth-inning homer off Matt Bush as the tied it at 2. Davis, who dealt with a sore six sharp innings in his first opening day start in the big leagues after three innings with a diving catch of his two-out liner, letting the Indians went ahead against Sam Dyson. quadriceps muscle leading up to the opener, for New York before leaving with a blister strained right calf, grimacing as he broke out ball get by him as Hellickson chugged across Carlos Santana added an RBI double and connected first against Angels starter Ricky while Asdrubal Cabrera snapped a seventh- of the batter’s box after laying down a bunt. an infield turned muddy by several innings scored on Michael Brantley’s single. Andrew Nolasco (0-1) then JC Ramirez for his 12th inning tie with a single as the Mets broke The right-hander will go on the disabled list. of rain. Jeanmar Gomez gave up Scooter Miller (1-0) struck out two in a perfect eighth, career multihomer game. The slugger didn’t through following a pivotal replay reversal at Carlos Estevez (1-0) pitched a hitless sixth. Gennett’s two-out, two-run homer in the and Cody Allen got the save by striking out hit his first home run last season until April the plate in which Wilmer Flores initially was Holland, who missed last season while recov- ninth before retiring Billy Hamilton on a rou- the side around Elvis Andrus’ triple. 21 then finished with a career-high 42. — AP

SOCCER Qatar in talks to host Club World Cup DOHA: Qatar is in discussion with FIFA to host several major Confederation. On a trip to Qatar in February, FIFA president international tournaments ahead of 2022 including the Club Gianni Infantino said “all options were open” for Qatar to host World Cup currently held by Real Madrid, sources familiar rehearsal tournaments but at the time said no specific dis- with the matter have told AFP. cussions were taking place. The Gulf state could also be the venue for the Under-17 “We have to make sure there will be some test events, test and Under-20 World Cups. Sources say all three tournament matches organised here and all the options are open at this options are currently being considered by the Qatari authori- moment in time,” he said. The Club World Cup is held annual- ties and football’s governing body, and all three could be ly, and was most recently won by Real Madrid who beat staged in the Gulf. Japan’s Kashima Antlers in the final. The tournament is tradi- Qatar is urgently looking for test events to try out the tionally played in December, the same time of the year the multi-billion dollar infrastructure it is putting in place-and 2022 World Cup will be played. which is reshaping the country-for the 2022 World Cup finals. The U-17 tournament is held every two years, the next But unlike other recent World Cup hosts, Qatar will not event taking place in India in October this year. The U-20 have the advantage of staging the Confederations Cup, tradi- World Cup is also held biannually, and the next competition tionally played 12 months before as a rehearsal for the main begins in South Korea in May. event. Concerns about Qatar’s fiercely hot summers-which Qatar is spending almost $500 million every week on prompted FIFA to move the World Cup from June/July 2022, major infrastructure projects for the World Cup, the country’s to November/December that year-also meant football’s gov- finance minister, Ali Shareef Al-Emadi said this year. erning body ruled out playing the 2021 Confederations Cup That eye-watering level of spending could continue until DOHA: This file photo taken on February 16, 2017 shows FIFA President Gianni Infantino attending a press conference in Doha. No host has yet been chosen for 2021, but the ven- 2021 and covers not only stadiums but also huge projects during the FIFA Executive Football Summit in the Qatari capital Doha. Qatar is in discussion with FIFA to host several ue will be another country from the Asian Football such as roads, a metro, new airport and hospitals. — AFP major international tournaments ahead of 2022 including the Club World Cup currently held by Real Madrid. —AFP Iran's Aseman Airlines signs $3bn deal for 30 Boeing jets

Page 22 US trade deficit falls as exports hit 2-year high Business Page 23 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 Elderly Greeks protest S&P cuts South Africa’s credit rating to ‘junk’ against pension cuts

Page 24 Page 23

KUWAIT: Anwar Jassem Al-Kharafi Coast Investment & Development Co Chairman of the Board is pictured with other top executives. CIDC records KD 2.06 million net profits

KUWAIT: Coast Investment & Development Company Speaking on the occasion, CIDC's Board Chairman Al-Kharafi stressed that shareholders' spirits were lifted attracting foreign investments. Further, Al-Kharafi (CIDC) recently announced its results for the fiscal year Anwar Jassem Al-Kharafi said that ever since the beginning in 2016 as a result of UAE's Adeptio overtake of Americana explained that GCC stock exchanges performed well in the which ended on December 31, 2016. The company made of 2017, KSE has been witnessing a remarkable surge in liq- shares by purchasing 268.5 million shares (66.7%) for KD last quarter of 2016, including KSE which achieved 8 per- showing KD 2,068,398 as net profits, which is a 123.67 uidity and trading volumes, which had positive impacts on 2.650 per share and the total of KD 711 million. Al-Kharafi cent increase in weight index. In addition, he added that percent change compared to 2015 when the company all indexes compared to the same period in 2016. He also explained that the deal was a major step in KSE's histo- CMA regulations also helped organized KSE performance lost KD 8.7 million. The company's total assets hit KD added that market value for all companies, including CIDC, ry and that it had a positive impact on economic situations and contributed in enhancing more transparency and 54,278,654. had increased giving hopes for recovery for CIDC and KSE. in general by pumping more liquidity into the market thus, investors protection. Tesla overtakes giant Ford in market capitalization

CHICAGO: Tesla has became the second-largest units a year ago, Autodata reported. Despite the as sales slipped 0.7 percent, when accounting for US car maker in terms of market capitalization, dis- bad news, there were bright spots among estab- declines at its Acura luxury brand. This combination of pictures shows the Yahoo logo and the AOL. placing Ford, whose sales lagged amid concerns lished auto makers. GM saw sales gain 1.6 percent, In an earlier forecast note, Edmunds analyst about the ability of the US market to keep grow- helped by Americans' strong demand for light Jessica Caldwell struck a cautionary tone for the AOL plus Yahoo to ing. Many major auto makers reported US sales trucks and sport utility vehicles, as well as bigger industry, saying there were several areas of con- declines in March compared to a year ago, but discounts. cern. "Inventories have reached levels not seen in Tesla over the weekend said it saw a huge jump in equal new 'Oath' vehicles delivered to consumers in the first three months of the year. That was enough to send the SAN FRANCISCO: AOL and Yahoo will be com- Yahoo announced in September that hack- electric car maker's stock soaring Monday, even as bined into a unit called "Oath" after telecom ers in 2014 stole personal data from more investors punished major car brands for reporting titan Verizon buys the pioneering internet firm, than 500 million of its user accounts. And in lower-than-expected March sales. according to a tweet Monday by the AOL chief. December it admitted to another cyber attack Tesla said it delivered 25,000 of its high-tech Confirmation of a new name for what the world from 2013 affecting more than a billion users. vehicles in the January-March period-a 69 per- has long known as Yahoo was tweeted from a The US Justice Department last month cent surge compared to the first three months of verified @timarmstrongaol account after reports charged two Russian intelligence operatives 2016 - indicating it was on its way to meeting its of the new name leaked in US media reports. and a pair of hackers over one of the largest goal of 50,000 vehicle deliveries by mid-2017. "Billion+ Consumers, 20+ Brands, Unstoppable cyber attacks in history, which had apparent Late last year, the company reported its first Team. #TakeTheOath. Summer 2017," the Twitter twin goals of espionage and financial gain. quarterly profit in more than three years, but post read. But the rebranding was greeted with The Kremlin denied any official Russian then slipped back into unprofitability in the fol- derision by some on the Internet who mocked involvement in cybercrimes after the US lowing quarter. Investors still rewarded the com- the name, including from one person who indicted two FSB intelligence agents over pany on Monday, with stock movements reshuf- tweeted: "Oath is the name of the evil tech com- cyber attacks on Yahoo that compromised 500 fling the hierarchy among US carmakers. Tesla pany in the sci-fi story you wrote in 7th grade." million accounts. Motors overtook Ford for the number two spot Another Twitter user also made sport of the Under the terms of the revised acquisition and closed the gap with GM, the biggest US company's new name. agreement, Yahoo will continue to cover the automaker by market capitalization. cost of a US Securities and Exchange At market close, Tesla was up 7.3 percent to Commission (SEC) probe into the breaches as $298.52 for a market capitalization of $48.63 bil- well as shareholder lawsuits. However, other lion. Ford, which at one point was down as government investigations and third-party liti- much as three percent, had a market capitaliza- gation related to the hacks will be shared by tion of $45.47 billion. At its low, GM fell 4.4 per- LOS ANGELES: Photo shows a sign posted on the exterior of a Tesla service center in Los Verizon and Yahoo. The deal with Verizon was cent, but maintained a market capitalization Angeles, California. — AFP expected to close by July, and will end Yahoo's above $50.9 billion. Tesla founder and CEO Elon run of more than 20 years as an independent Musk marked the occasion on Twitter with a dig Nissan sales also rose, up 3.2 percent com- more than a decade, and incentives are rising," Is "Oath" Yahoo or AOL? company. Yahoo is selling its main operating at short sellers, investors who bet that a compa- pared to March 2016, helped by its popular Caldwell said, referring to discounts and other Boath," read the tweet from the poster, who business as a way to separate that from its ny's stock will decline. "Stormy weather in Rogue compact SUV. But the news was not good enticements offered to consumers. "We're also then doubled down on the gag. more valuable stake in Chinese internet giant Shortville," Musk wrote. for many other big players. Ford reported that seeing an increase in loan terms and indications of Alibaba, which will become a new entity, to be sales fell a worse-than-expected 7.2 percent, a rise in subprime lending, which demonstrate What will determine success? renamed Altaba, Inc., and will act as an invest- Major brands struggle while Toyota sales dropped 2.1 percent, com- sales aren't coming as easily as they used to," she Growth," the tweet read. A price cut early this ment company. For the industry as a whole, it may indeed be pared to the same period last year. FCA US, the said. But while Toyota echoed that cautionary year kept Verizon on track to consummate the Yahoo boasted having more than a billion stormy weather. Car companies failed to meet American arm of Fiat Chrysler, continued to tone, pointing to a declining selling rate, GM purchase of Yahoo's internet business, and share users monthly in 2016. Yahoo's most recent forecasts of an overall March sales increase, which struggle, reporting a five percent decline last remained optimistic. "More people are working, the costs from a pair of epic hacks that threat- earnings report showed the company swung fell instead industry-wide by 1.6 percent, accord- month, while in the first three months of the year, consumer confidence is at a 16-year high, fuel ened to derail the deal. Yahoo slashed the price to profit in the final three months of last year, ing to an estimate by the tracking firm Autodata. sales were down eight percent. Record Honda prices are low," Kurt McNeil, head of GM's US sales, of its core internet business by $350 million. after a massive $4.4 billion loss in the same The seasonally-adjusted annual rate for US vehicle truck and SUV sales could not help the Japanese said in a statement. "We see more growth ahead Under revised terms of the delayed deal, period of 2015. Yahoo reported a loss of $214 sales fell to 16.62 million units, versus 16.67 million car maker notch an overall increase last month, for our brands," McNeil said. — AFP Verizon's purchase of Yahoo assets will total million for 2016 on revenue that inched up to $4.48 billion. $5.2 billion from $5 billion in 2015. —AFP WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 BUSINESS

RENTON: Photo shows the rear tail of the first Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane during its rollout for media at the Boeing factory in enton,R Washington. US plane maker Boeing said that Iran’s Aseman Airlines had agreed to buy 30 737 MAX jets for $3.0 billion in its second major deal since sanctions were eased last year.— AFP Iran’s Aseman Airlines signs $3bn deal for 30 Boeing jets Second major deal since sanctions were eased

NEW YORK: US plane maker Boeing said yester- maintained its own sanctions, which block to emphasize the employment opportunities. day that Iran’s Aseman Airlines had agreed to almost all trade with Iran, but plane manufac- Even before the latest Boeing announcement, buy 30 737 MAX jets for $3.0 billion in its second turers were given a specific exemption under Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said plane pur- major deal since sanctions were eased last year. the nuclear deal. In September, Washington chases would create 20,000 direct jobs, and “Boeing confirms the signing of a Memorandum approved the sale of 80 Boeing and 100 thousands more indirectly. “Currently, 500-700 of Agreement (MOA) with Iran Aseman Airlines, Airbus planes to Iran Air. The first few Airbus co-pilots are unemployed in Iran,” CAO official expressing the airline’s intent to purchase 30 jets have already arrived in Tehran. Mohammad Reza Kazemimpour told the Iran Boeing 737 MAX airplanes with a list price value The new deal with Aseman will also need Daily newspaper on Monday, adding that the of $3 billion,” the US group said in a statement. approval from the US Office of Foreign Assets new fleets would bring “tens of billions of dollars “The agreement also provides the airline with Control. “Boeing continues to follow the lead of in revenues for Iran”. purchase rights for 30 additional 737 MAXs,” it the US government with regards to working Meanwhile, companies across the world are added. If finalized, delivery is expected to start in with Iran’s airlines, and any and all contracts with waiting to see whether US President Donald 2022, Boeing said, adding that a contract of this Iran’s airlines are contingent upon US govern- Trump makes good on his campaign threat to magnitude “creates or sustains approximately ment approval,” the company said. Many US tear up the nuclear deal. The first test will come 18,000 jobs in the United States.” lawmakers have opposed the sales, saying that in June when he will decide on whether to Iran has been desperate to renew its age- Iranian airlines have been used to ship weapons renew the sanctions waivers that keep the deal ing fleet of planes, but was largely blocked and troops to Syria and other conflict zones. in effect. Aseman currently has a fleet of 36 from dealing with major aircraft manufactur- Iranian conservatives have also criticized the planes-half of them the 105-seat Dutch Fokker ers until a 2015 accord with world powers purchases, saying new planes will do little to 100s. Its three Boeing 727-200s are almost as old that eased global sanctions in exchange for improve Iran’s stagnant economy. as the Islamic revolution, having made their first curbs to its nuclear program. The US has Supporters on both sides have therefore tried flight in 1980. —AFP Banks in GCC should adapt fast: Marmore From Bitcoin to Blockchain technology

KUWAIT: Marmore MENA Intelligence, ment authorities. Two key projects- a research subsidiary of the Kuwait Hyperloop, a high-speed transporta- Financial Centre “Markaz,” recently tion system, and a Blockchain project rolled out its report “From Bitcoin to developed by Consensys-were eco- Blockchain.” In this release, Marmore nomically buttressed by the program. fathoms the potential impact of the Dubai recently steered a series of Blockchain technology on various sec- pilots, through its Global Blockchain tors in the GCC region. Reading along Council, on using Blockchain in the the lines of “Financial Times,” are also increasingly becoming recep- water. Dubai, through its Dubai following areas-health records, man- Blockchain is a data-recording structure tive to the idea of incorporating Future Foundation (DFF) of emerging aging conflict diamonds, land title that mothers a shared ledger that is dis- Blockchain to their systems. Although technologies, has been hitting the transfer, business registration, digital tributed among networked computers, overnight adoption is unlikely, we top of the list by nurturing and devel- wills, tourism engagement, and ship- allowing users to make and verify trans- envisage Blockchain being used in oping latest technologies. The objec- ping. Dubai has lofty ambitions of actions immediately, eliminating any some form or other to carry on regular tive of the DFF is to ring in new tech- creating smart cities, and these are interference from a central authority. transactions over the next 5-7years. nologies for the government and likely to deliver stacks of data daily. New transactions are cross- The GCC region, traditionally, has bureaucratic services. Dubai’s Tracing the progress of the checked by the network and, when lagged behind in adopting disruptive approach is new in that it dares to Blockchain technology, it is not easy approved as valid, are added to the technologies. Lack of a robust start- defy its traditional nature of simply for anyone to question its capability Blockchain. The traditional payment up environment and difficulty in mir- serving as a hub and is actually bent of handling the pool of data. model ropes in a third party, trusted roring the success of global start-ups on leveraging on new technologies Blockchains can be put to use in by everybody, to be involved in a have been threatening the potential for catering to the needs of the state. almost any form of record keeping, transaction. Blockchain puts that of the GCC region. Given the defiance The DFF’s Dubai Future agreement, contract, or register. model to a test by eliminating the to change, coupled with the absence Accelerators program, for instance, Recently, the UK government has centralized system and replacing it of a robust framework, it is too early has singled out 30 companies and has started probing the use the with a system that is widely distrib- for investments in Blockchain to given them 3 months’ development Blockchain for public services lend- uted and secured by cryptography. befall in the GCC region. The argu- time and access to millions of dollars ing credibility to the fact that Transactions that happen on the ment that nothing noteworthy is hap- of venture capital to put their tech- Blockchain is primed to move into Blockchain network are public, allow- pening in the GCC region fails to hold nologies to a test with local govern- mainstream. ing anyone to join the network and verify the transactions. Banks and financial companies are exploring Blockchain to tide their day- Spain’s joblessness falls as job creation picks up to-day challenges. Many technology pundits and bankers had projected MADRID: The number of people registering as jobless in Spain still has the highest unemployment rate in the European Union old, unemployment fell 13.7 percent year-on-year, more sharply that even though Bitcoin could possi- fell last month and job creation increased as an economic revival after Greece, and even though 48,599 fewer people registered as than among other age groups, signaling a recovery in one of the bly be restricted to a few thousands that has cut unemployment by a third from the peak hit during a jobless in March, 3.7 million people remained out of work. highest youth unemployment rates in Europe. Fewer people reg- on the internet, the underlying tech- five-year recession continued. Labor Ministry data yesterday Moreover, nearly 90 percent of new employment was contracted istered as jobless in 16 of the country’s 17 regions, and registra- nology-”The Block Chain”-holds a showed the number of workers signing onto the social security under temporary terms which make it hard for people to take on tions rose only in the Canary Islands. huge potential in real-world scenarios. system, a measure of job creation, rose 0.91 percent from the pre- big financial commitments like a mortgage as they can be fired The month of March last year contained Easter Week, which The concept of decentralization that vious month, the biggest rise on record for the month of March. at short notice. usually brings a temporary boost to employment in tourism, a The number of people registering as jobless fell by 1.29 per- Unemployment fell in the construction, services and industry major driver of growth in the euro zone’s fourth-largest econo- Blockchain promises has creased the cent from a month earlier. But at 18 percent in February Spain sectors, but rose in agriculture. Among people under 25 years my. In 2017, Easter falls in April. — Reuters brows of several central bankers, who

EXCHANGE RATES

Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.784 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Swiss Franc 306.920 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Australian Dollar 234.280 Thai Bhat 9.883 Japanese Yen 0.002658 0.002838 US Dollar Buying 304.650 Turkish Lira 84.390 ASIAN COUNTRIES Kenyan Shilling 0.002962 0.002962 Japanese Yen 2.748 GOLD Korean Won 0.000264 0.000279 Indian Rupees 4.717 20 Gram 255.550 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Malaysian Ringgit 0.065669 0.071669 Pkistani Rupees 2.918 10 Gram 130.070 Nepalese Rupee 0.002961 0.003131 Srilankan Rupees 2.012 5 Gram 66.190 CURRENCY BUY SELL Pakistan Rupee 0.002730 0.003020 Nepali Rupees 2.956 Philippine Peso 0.006002 0.006302 Singapore Dollar 219.880 Europe Hongkong Dollar 39.356 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd British Pound 0.377040 0.387040 Sierra Leone 0.000038 0.000044 Bangladesh Taka 3.806 Czech Korune 0.004060 0.016060 Singapore Dollar 0.213565 0.223565 Philippine Peso 6.102 Danish Krone 0.039816 0.044816 South African Rand 0.016754 0.025254 Rate for Transfr Selling Rate Thai Baht 8.929 Euro 0. 320900 0.329900 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001641 0.002221 US Dollar 305.500 Norwegian Krone 0.031570 0.036770 Taiwan 0.009956 0.009121 Canadian Dolla 230.040 GCC COUNTRIES Romanian Leu 0.084764 0.084764 Thai Baht 0.008571 0.009121 Saudi Riyal 81.614 Sterling Pound 384.717 Slovakia 0.009167 0.019167 Qatari Riyal 84.059 Euro 327.087 Swedish Krona 0.030107 0.035107 Arab Omani Riyal 794.828 Swiss Frank 306.082 Bahraini Dinar 812.670 Swiss Franc 0.2998860 0.309860 Bahraini Dinar 0.804702 0.813202 Bahrain Dinar 810.284 UAE Dirham 83.327 Turkish Lira 0.078729 0.089029 Egyptian Pound 0.014549 0.020457 UAE Dirhams 83.569 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000086 Qatari Riyals 84.793 ARAB COUNTRIES Australasia Iraqi Dinar 0.000197 0.000257 Egyptian Pound - Cash 20.250 Saudi Riyals 82.358 Australian Dollar 0.224097 0.236097 Jordanian Dinar 0.425719 0.434719 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 16.815 Jordanian Dinar 430.789 New Zealand Dollar 0.207605 0.217105 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.228 Egyptian Pound 16.970 Lebanese Pound 0.000152 0.000252 Tunisian Dinar 135.480 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.014 Jordanian Dinar 431.990 America Moroccan Dirhams 0.020121 0.044121 Indian Rupees 4.714 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.039 Canadian Dollar 0.224066 0.233066 Nigerian Naira 0.000398 0.001033 Pakistani Rupees 2.913 Syrian Lira 2.181 Georgina Lari 0.138139 0.138139 Omani Riyal 0.787994 0.793674 Bangladesh Taka 3.830 Morocco Dirham 30.894 US Dollars 0.301750 0.306150 Qatar Riyal 0.083198 0.084648 Philippines Pesso 6.086 US Dollars Mint 0.302250 0.306150 Saudi Riyal 0.080473 0.081773 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Cyprus pound 168.592 Asia Syrian Pound 0.001297 0.001517 US Dollar Transfer 305.850 Japanese Yen 3.739 Bangladesh Taka 0.003467 0.004051 Euro 328.180 Tunisian Dinar 0.130924 0.138924 Syrian Pound 2.426 Chinese Yuan 0.042918 0.046418 Sterling Pound 385.830 Turkish Lira 0.078729 0.089029 Nepalese Rupees 3.928 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037267 0.040017 Canadian dollar 230.480 UAE Dirhams 0.081847 0.083547 Malaysian Ringgit 69.919 Indian Rupee 0.004102 0.004790 Turkish lira 84.610 Yemeni Riyal 0.000994 0.001074 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 BUSINESS EU Industry chief sees ‘fast’ phase-out of diesel MPs back tougher rules on new car approval

BRUSSELS: Europe’s industry chief said Bienkowska told EU lawmakers yester- the US Environment Protection Agency she saw diesel engines disappearing day. “But after this year of work ... I am - one of the key recommendations of a from markets much faster than expect- quite sure they will disappear much parliamentary report into the ed as the European Parliament yester- faster than we can imagine.” Dieselgate scandal. Environment day endorsed tougher rules aimed at Under the draft law, car makers would groups called it a missed opportunity, preventing a rerun of the Volkswagen no longer directly pay testing agency - in saying the scandal had clearly shown emissions cheating scandal. In a bid to break their cosy relationships. EU the need for stronger oversight. response to the German car maker’s nations now have to fund car exhaust The non-binding report adopted in a admission in September 2015 that it testing centers - although they may levy plenary yesterday also accused EU leg- used software to cheat US diesel pollu- fees from car makers to do so. Brussels islators and governments of caving in tion controls - a scandal that spotlight- would get powers to carry out vehicle to lobbying efforts and being too slow ed the EU’s lax vehicle regulations - the spot-checks and levy fines, while nation- to adopt reforms. Following the VW European Commission proposed an al authorities would be able to peer- scandal, national investigations overhaul of rules on how vehicles are review each other’s decisions. revealed on-road nitrogen oxide (NOx) licensed and tested across the bloc. The bill calls for fines levied by EU emissions as high as 15 times the regu- EU lawmakers voted 585 to 77 in regulators to be used to compensate latory limits, as well as the use of favor of the draft bill, which would bol- car owners and boost environmental devices to reduce exhaust treatment. ster EU oversight and allow Brussels to protection or market surveillance meas- The use of such devices is illegal under fine car makers up to 30,000 euros ures. The law still needs to be finalized EU law, but car manufacturers have ($31,923.00) per vehicle. The new meas- in negotiations between EU lawmakers, invoked an EU legal loophole that ures will eventually take diesel cars off the Commission and member states. allows them to use software to scale FRANKFURT: The new 50 euro bank note is presented at the German the roads, European Commissioner The proposed rules, however, stopped back emissions controls when neces- Federal Bank in Frankfurt, Germany. The new note, that went into circu- Elzbieta Bienkowska said. “Diesel will short of creating an independent mar- sary to protect car engines. All deny lation yesterday. It has a similar design as the previous one, but is not disappear from one day to another,” ket surveillance agency in the Style of breaking the law. —Reuters equipped with better security features. —AP US trade deficit falls as exports hit 2-year high Exports rise 0.2%; imports decline 1.8%

WASHINGTON: The US trade ing 1.82 percentage points from In February, exports of goods crude oil imports in February. deficit fell more than expected in fourth-quarter growth. and services increased 0.2 per- Some of the decline in imports in February as exports increased to In addition to trade, weak con- cent to $192.9 billion, the highest February likely reflects slower a two-year high and slowing sumer spending also likely con- level since December 2014. consumer spending. Data on domestic demand weighed on strained the economy in the first Exports were lifted by gains in Friday showed real consumer imports. three months of the year. the shipments of automobiles spending decreased for a second The Commerce Department The Atlanta Federal Reserve is and parts, which were the high- straight month in February, the said yesterday the trade gap forecasting GDP rising at a 1.2 est since July 2014. Exports of first back-to-back monthly declined 9.6 percent to $43.6 bil- percent rate in the first quarter, a industrial supplies and materials decline since April 2009. lion. January’s trade deficit was deceleration from the 2.1 percent were the highest since December Still, food imports hit a record revised slightly down to $48.2 bil- pace logged in the October- 2015. There was an 8.0 percent high in February and imports of lion from $48.5 billion. Economists December period. jump in exports to the European capital goods were the highest ATHENS: A dog stands in front of pensioners holding a banner and chanting polled by Reuters had forecast the Union, with goods shipped to in nearly two years. Imports of slogans as they gather to march in central Athens yesterday to protest trade gap falling to $44.8 billion in Rising exports Germany surging 8.6 percent. goods from China tumbled a February. When adjusted for infla- The Trump administration is Exports to the United Kingdom record $8.6 billion to $32.8 bil- against pension cuts and changes in the taxing system. —AFP tion, the deficit decreased to $59.7 eyeing trade as a vehicle to lift soared 17.3 percent and Japan lion in February, a 20.8 percent billion, with exports of goods the annual economic growth to 4 also bought more goods from drop from January. The nation highest on record as an earlier percent and boost the manufac- the United States. However, also saw a decline in goods Elderly Greeks protest drag from a strong dollar fades. turing sector. President Donald exports to China fell 2.7 percent shipped from the European The real trade deficit was $65.1 Trump last Friday ordered a study and Mexico saw a 7.1 percent Union, Canada and Japan. As a against pension cuts billion in January. The dollar held into the causes of US trade drop in goods shipped from the result, the politically sensitive modest gains versus a basket of deficits and a clamp-down on United States. Imports of goods US-China trade deficit dropped More austerity looms currencies after the data, while import duty evasion. Trump also and services fell 1.8 percent to 26.6 percent to $23.0 billion in prices for US Treasuries were little wants to renegotiate the North $236.4 billion amid declines in February. The trade deficit with changed. Most economists American Free Trade Agreement imports of cell phones and motor Germany was the smallest since expect trade will likely be a small (NAFTA), which was signed in vehicles. Imports had risen in January 2013. The trade gap ATHENS: Thousands of elderly Greeks hold, where a quarter of the workforce drag on gross domestic product 1994 by the United States, recent months, in part on higher with Mexico jumped 46 percent protested peacefully yesterday against is jobless. Several said their pensions in the first quarter after subtract- Canada and Mexico. oil prices. There was a drop in to $5.8 billion.—Reuters more pension cuts, as cash-strapped were financially supporting unem- Greece remained locked in talks with ployed adult members of their family lenders on further austerity and unpop- and that they scrimped on food. “We ular labor reforms. Pension cuts have have cut everything. We only eat been a regular feature of austerity beans,” said Triainos Softsis, 82. His 800- drives to ensure that financial aid con- euro pension was cut to 650 euro dur- tinues to the indebted country. Greece ing the crisis, and now, he says, he has needed three multi-billion bailouts financially supports two children and since 2010 to stave off bankruptcy. grandchildren. Greece is now negotiating new cuts Greece has agreed to cut pension to keep its latest 86 billion-euro ($91.54 spending after its current bailout billion) bailout. They would represent expires in 2018. It has sought to imple- the 12th reduction in pensions in seven ment the cuts gradually, over two or years, a controversial issue for Prime three years. But Germany and the Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose Syriza International Monetary Fund want party vowed to fight austerity when it them implemented in 2019, sources was elected to office in 2015. “Tsipras said. Greece’s finance and labor minis- has betrayed us,” said Stelios Vitzilaios as ters were due to fly to Brussels on he marched with about another 4,000 Tuesday for consultations with lenders, pensioners through Athens with the aid hoping to wrap up a long-delayed of a walking stick. He started work at bailout review that will unlock more the age of 14, and now takes a 550-euro aid before repayments loom this sum- pension a month, 100 euros less than mer. One placard summed up the pre-crisis levels. mood at Tuesday’s demonstration: Pensioners in the country are often “Don’t slash pensions. Go slash your the sole means of support in a house- throats.” —Reuters Germany’s new car sales zoom

FRANKFURT AM MAIN: New car sales in in the data came with sales of diesel vehi- Germany motored ahead with a double- cles, which fell 2.8 percent in March as the digit increase in March, official data fallout from Volkswagen’s 2015 ‘diesel- showed yesterday, rounding off a power- gate’ emissions cheating scandal contin- CALIFORNIA: Tugboats assist a container ship mooring at the Port of Oakland, as seen from Alameda, Calif. —AP ful first-quarter performance for the cru- ued to weigh on demand for the technol- cial sector. Some 360,000 new vehicles ogy. Some German cities are considering were registered in Europe’s largest econo- banning diesel vehicles from urban cen- my in March, the KBA transport authority tres altogether. “Ongoing discussion All euro business ‘should be said, an 11.4-percent increase on the about possible diesel bans is clearly wor- same month in 2016. rying drivers, even when they go to buy Part of the increase was attributable to new cars,” said Matthias Wissmann, head moved’ from UK after Brexit the timing of the Easter holidays, which of the German Association of the fell in March last year, while this year Automobile Industry (VDA). there were more shopping days in the But “clean and efficient” modern STRASBOURG: All financial business denom- news conference in Strasbourg. Weber, an issue, which could sour Brexit talks. The ECB month. Growth in private car sales stood diesels “are necessary to meet European inated in euros should be moved from ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, considers it crucial to have the clearing busi- at 13.3 percent last month, outpacing carbon dioxide targets,” he insisted. London to the European Union after Britain said that it was not conceivable that after ness in the euro zone to facilitate the super- business registrations which were up 10.4 Brand-by-brand figures from the KBA leaves the bloc, an EU lawmaker said yester- Brexit business conducted in euros should vision of activities that could endanger percent. Looking at the three months showed the first quarter was a struggle day. London is the world’s leading financial remain in London. financial stability if not properly monitored. since January, 845,000 vehicles were sold for Volkswagen, Germany’s biggest car- centre for the clearing of derivatives denomi- He added that the bloc should protect the Weber said his remarks on relocating busi- in Germany, a 6.7-percent increase on the maker. Sales of its own-brand cars nated in euros, a lucrative business that the interests of EU financial hubs, like Paris, ness from London were general but added first quarter of 2016. It was “the best declined by 4.3 percent year-on-year as European Central Bank had tried in vain two Frankfurt, Dublin and Amsterdam. Weber they were about “European supervision, the quarter since the year 2000,” aside from negative headlines about the scandal years ago to relocate to the euro-zone. declined to answer specific questions on European Banking Authority (EBA) and 2009, when Berlin offered a scrappage refused to go away, but sales at its luxury But with Brexit, the case for London whether this would involve the moving of defending European jobs”. No reference was subsidy to new car buyers, said Reinhard subsidiaries Audi and Porsche and lower- maintaining its leading role in euro-denom- clearing of euro-denominated derivatives. made to the relocation of financial business Zirpel, head of the VDIK foreign carmak- end units Seat and Skoda all increased. inated business has become weaker. The European Commission could propose a in the draft Brexit resolution that the ers’ association. Looking to the export market, March saw “People expect that we do the euro busi- forced relocation from London to the European Parliament will adopt yesterday. “Now we just have to keep up the 9.0-percent growth year-on-year with ness and all the business which is linked to European Union of the clearing business in Lawmakers only said in their draft text that momentum into the second quarter, some 431,000 vehicles sold abroad, while the euro on European soil,” Manfred Weber, legislative proposals on derivatives that are the London-based EBA, the European agency when there are three fewer working days the industry booked 4.0-percent growth who heads the conservative grouping, the upcoming. But the EU executive has so far monitoring banking rules, should be relocat- than last year,” he added. One dark spot over the whole first quarter. —AFP largest in the European Parliament, told a refrained from taking a clear position on the ed as quickly as possible. —Reuters WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 BUSINESS Tokyo hit by strong yen after Russia blast Asia markets down

HONG KONG: Tokyo led most Asian markets killed outside parliament in London last the moment,” said Greg McKenna, chief market Toshiba routed again 111.30 yen in Asia Monday. The Russian lower yesterday, hit by a stronger yen as month in an attack claimed by Islamic State. strategist at AxiTrader, in a note. “It’s caught Tokyo ended 0.9 percent lower, with ruble stabilized against the dollar, having investors fled to safety following a suspected Traders are also on edge about the upcoming between what has been a real pick-up in data Toshiba collapsing almost 10 percent- swung wildly Monday soon after news of terror attack in Saint Petersburg that left 11 summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping over the past four months and some fading extending Monday’s 5.5 percent slump fol- the Saint Petersburg explosion. But the people dead and fanned fresh geopolitical and Donald Trump. Trump at the weekend said notions about the effectiveness of Donald lowing reports it may have to delay releas- South African rand shed almost two per- concerns. The blast on a metro train in he expects the meeting with Xi in Florida “will Trump and his ability to implement his agen- ing its earnings for October-December for a cent after Standard & Poor’s cut its rating Russia’s second city dragged US and European be a very difficult one”. It follows a series of da.” He added that while Trump’s failure to third time. They were first due in mid- on the country to “junk” owing to “height- equities lower after a positive start to the attacks by him on Beijing’s trade policies and pass his repeal of Obamacare last month was February. Toshiba has delayed formally ened political and institutional uncertain- week across Asia. Russia said it was probing accusations it is a currency manipulator. A seen by some as a chance to concentrate on reporting its earnings because of problems ties” following President Jacob Zuma’s deci- the explosion as a possible terror attack, world rally fuelled by hopes for Trump’s overall his tax reforms, most investors worry about at US nuclear unit Westinghouse, which last sion to sack top ministers last week, includ- while yesterday, Kyrgyzstan’s security services economic agenda sputtered last month, the prospects of pushing through promised month filed for bankruptcy. Regulators ing respected finance minister Pravin said a suicide bomber from that country was despite a series of strong economic readings economy-boosting measures. “The question have given Toshiba until April 11 to publish Gordhan. responsible. from China to Europe and the United States. for traders and markets more broadly is what the results and there are concerns it could The unit had already fallen more than 10 The tragedy comes after four people were “Markets are at an interesting juncture at comes next,” McKenna said. be removed from the stock exchange. percent since March 27, when speculation Sydney and Seoul each shed 0.3 percent started swirling that Gordhan’s job was in and Singapore gave up 0.2 percent. danger. Other key events this week include However, Wellington added 0.3 percent the March US jobs report and the release of and Manila soared 1.3 percent. Hong Kong minutes from the most recent meetings of and Shanghai were closed for public holi- the Federal Reserve and European Central days. On currency markets the dollar Bank. In early European trade London rose dipped against the yen, sitting around 0.3 percent, Paris edged up 0.1 percent and 110.45 yen, well down from levels around Frankfurt was flat.—AFP

KUWAIT: Al-Shall Consulting chairman Jasim Al-Saadoun speaks during the Kuwait Financial Forum in Kuwait City yesterday. Kuwait will increase its borrowing on international markets to plug a budget deficit resulting from low oil prices, Kuwaiti Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh said. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat China’s plan for new economic zone sparks real estate frenzy

BEIJING: China’s plan to develop an eco- over the country filling the streets,” he nomic backwater outside Beijing into a city added, noting that while most came from three times the size of New York has nearby Beijing, Tianjin or Hebei, some had sparked a real estate speculation frenzy driven up from as far as Hainan, the coun- among out-of-town home buyers. The try’s southernmost province. Xiongan New Area—a patch of apartments Photos showed long queues of potential and wetlands in northern Hebei province— buyers outside real estate offices while has less than one percent of Beijing’s eco- most hotels in the region were fully booked, nomic output, but was on Saturday according to local media reports. Chinese unveiled as the future location of a special authorities have vowed to crack down on economic zone similar to those established wild speculation in everything from stocks in Shenzhen and Shanghai. to real estate. By Sunday, local officials had Located some 100 kilometers southwest ordered a freeze on all property sales and of downtown Beijing, the zone will eventu- shut down construction projects and real ally be expanded to 2,000 square kilome- estate offices. But the move has done little ters—nearly three times the size of New to deter prospective investors, who have York City. The move seeks to reduce traffic, continued to turn up in droves. air pollution, and population growth in the Caster Pang, head of research at Core overcrowded capital. Within hours of the Pacific-Yamaichi, told Bloomberg News that news, investors from all over the country the Xiongan project had revived optimism descended on Xiongan, causing average in the growth prospects of the world’s sec- apartment prices to nearly double in a day. ond-largest economy, which last year Home prices in one area increased from expanded at its slowest rate in a quarter of around 4,000 yuan ($580) per square a century. “The investment plan could sup- metre to highs of 20,000 yuan, financial port demand for cement, steel and con- magazine Caixin reported. “We people struction-related materials in the next ten here had never in our lifetimes seen any- years in China,” Pang said. Chinese stocks in one buying houses like this-they were cement, construction, ports and real estate pulling out hundreds of thousands, mil- surged on the Hong Kong stock exchange lions in cash without even blinking,” one on the back of the announcement. local Xiongan resident told the Beijing Mainland markets are closed for a public Youth Daily. “You could see cars from all holiday until yesterday.—AFP S&P cuts South Africa to ‘junk’

JOHANNESBURG: S&P cut South Africa’s Ramaphosa, ANC Secretary General credit rating to junk status on Monday, Gwede Mantashe and Treasurer-General saying the dismissal of its respected Zweli Mkhize before Monday’s regular finance minister heralded a damaging pol- meetings of the party leadership. Zuma icy shift, while President Jacob Zuma read- still had the support of Chairwoman ied for a showdown with other ANC lead- Baleka Mbete and Deputy Secretary- ers over the sacking. In an unscheduled General Jessie Duarte, marking a straight review that prompted a selloff in South split among the party’s “Top Six” leaders, African assets, the credit agency handed sources said. South Africa its first downgrade since Late on the president also won the 2000, citing the impact of divisions in the backing of the party’s influential women’s ANC-led government that led to leader- league, which accused S&P of holding the ship changes including Pravin Gordhan’s country to ransom. Party spokesman Zizi removal on Zuma’s orders late on Kodwa said its National Working Thursday. Committee would meet before a decision “This has increased the likelihood that was taken on how to handle the Gordhan economic growth and fiscal outcomes fallout. “The ANC must remain and it could suffer,” said S&P, which cut its rating must emerge stronger than it was last by one notch to BB+ — its highest non- week,” Kodwa said. New Finance Minister investment grade mark-and also assigned Malusi Gigaba said earlier on Monday he Africa’s most industrialized economy a had spoken to the ratings agencies, and negative outlook. Moody’s later said later informed them he would maintain that it was placing South Africa on review Pretoria’s current fiscal stance. His for downgrade, and that it would assess appointment hit an already weak rand the likelihood of changes in key areas of currency. financial and macro-economic policy- The currency has fallen 11.5 percent making following Zuma’s cabinet since last Monday, when Zuma ordered changes. Zuma’s dismissal of Gordhan, Gordhan to return home “immediately” widely respected in financial circles, from an investor roadshow abroad, and it threatens to split the upper echelons of fell by more than 2 percent after the down- the ruling African National Congress grade. Government bonds also sank. “We down the middle. will assure them that although the political Some pundits say Gordhan was the tar- environment is a bit concerning, we should get of political pressure from a faction be clear that we have all agreed to the allied to Zuma, which has criticized his same policy direction,” Gigaba’s plans to rein in government spending, spokesman, Mayihlome Tshwete said, refer- wrangled over the spending on a planned ring to S&P. Gigaba, said on Monday he nuclear expansion as well as the running would pursue “tough and unpopular choic- of loss-making state owned enterprises es” to oversee a redistribution of wealth to and the tax agency. His sacking drew pub- the black majority, a stance echoing recent lic criticism from Deputy President Cyril comments by Zuma. —Reuters WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 business Australia keeps rates on hold, warns on housing Inflation remains below Reserve Bank’s 2-3%

SYDNEY: Australia’s central bank held interest ward once it considers first quarter inflation data Lowe noted that “growth in household bor- rates at a record low 1.50 percent for a seventh due later this month, potentially making the rowing, largely to purchase housing, continues straight meeting yesterday as it juggles a boom- board’s May meeting more interesting. to outpace growth in household income”. ing property market with mixed economic data. Inflation remains below the Reserve Bank’s 2- “Lenders need to ensure that the serviceability The Reserve Bank of Australia slashed rates 300 3 percent target band, while the jobless rate has metrics that they use are appropriate for cur- basis points between November 2011 and August edged up to 5.9 percent since the bank last met. rent conditions,” he added. “A reduced reliance last year to support non-resources industries as At the same times wages growth remains weak, on interest-only housing loans in the the economy transitions out of a mining invest- eroding consumers’ purchasing power. Data this Australian market would also be a positive ment boom. It has remained on hold since then. week showed continued softness in retail sales. development.” The decision to stay on hold In a statement, Reserve Bank governor Philip The central bank is juggling all this alongside was widely expected by economists, and the flydubai appoints JPA Design Lowe said the board “judged that holding the surging property prices, particularly in Sydney Australian dollar was largely unchanged at stance of monetary policy unchanged at this and Melbourne, amid fears the market is enter- 75.93 US cents after the statement. Lowe not- to design its cabin interior meeting would be consistent with sustainable ing bubble territory. This is widely seen as why it ed the economy was “continuing its transition growth in the economy and achieving the infla- has held off on further rate cuts owing to worries following the end of the mining investment KUWAIT: Dubai-based carrier, flydubai yes- John Tighe, JPA’s tion target over time”. Economists expect a bet- it would stoke more debt-funded speculation boom”. “Recent data are consistent with ongo- terday announced that it has appointed Design Director ter reading on the bank’s intentions moving for- and push the cost of housing even higher. ing moderate growth,” he said. — AFP international transport design specialist leading the fly- JPA Design to design the cabin interior for dubai design proj- its new fleet of aircraft. The announcement ect said; “To seek Rosneft hopes Iran was made at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in inspiration that will Hamburg and marks flydubai’s continued help inform the rulings can help commitment to further enhance its prod- final cabin design, uct offering and overall onboard customer JPA has already it beat sanctions experience. flydubai, which operates a fleet spent a good deal of 58 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 air- of time immersing LONDON: Russian oil major Rosneft hopes to benefit craft, placed an order for up to 100 Boeing into the culture, Ghaith Al Ghaith, from European court rulings that have allowed some 737 MAX 8s at the 2013 Dubai International color and sights of CEO flydubai Iranian banks to escape from European Union sanc- Airshow. The carrier has partnered with JPA Dubai. We’ve com- tions. Russia’s largest oil firm has been subject to sanc- to entirely reimagine a new look for both pared flight experiences on airlines in the tions since 2014, following Russia’s annexation of Business and Economy Class which will fea- region and have been getting to know the Ukraine’s Crimea region. Chief Executive Igor Sechin, a ture on the new 737 MAXs scheduled for flydubai family of crew, engineers and man- close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is himself delivery from the second half of 2017. agement team. They are a warm, friendly, under sanctions. Sanctions complicate fund-raising for Commenting on the new partnership smart and ambitious airline, have a clear the state-run Rosneft and have prevented western with JPA, flydubai’s Chief Executive Officer, vision of where they wish to go and value companies from helping it develop deepwater, shale Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “We have been com- their customers highly. And we both share and Arctic oil deposits, including a large venture with mitted to investing in product enhance- in the commitment to constantly innova- Exxon Mobil. ments and technologies that exceed the tive and strive for best in class solutions.” Rosneft is attempting to annul EU sanctions in the expectations of the industry and our cus- “The Middle East region and the European General Court, following a ruling by the tomers since day one. flydubai was the dynamism of Dubai in particular has inter- European Court of Justice that the matter can be launch customer for the Boeing Sky Interior ested us for some time and has led us to heard in Brussels. Rosneft is challenging the legality of in 2009, we introduced a top of the line forming a local presence. There exists in sanctions, saying the General Court set a precedent Inflight Entertainment system to our fleet Dubai a truly positive attitude and a desire when it annulled some EU sanctions against Iranian in 2010 and in 2013 we launched our two- to achieve great things in the 21st Century. banks. The decision was later confirmed by the cabin configuration with the introduction This approach reflects our own values and European Court of Justice. Rosneft said the Iranian Burgan Bank announces winner of Business Class.” we were keen to establish and build on banks had successfully challenged sanctions intended “We are teaming up with JPA, as one of relationships in this fascinating region. to curb Iran’s nuclear program because there was no of the Al Thuraya Salary account the world’s leading design specialists, to Partnering with flydubai is a pleasure and evidence of wrongdoing by the banks. deliver a new cabin interior reflective of the an honor,” said James Park founder and The General Court had recognized that the banks KUWAIT: Burgan Bank, the second largest in The Al Thuraya account holders have the airline’s maturity, offering our more than 10 chairman of JPA Design. JPA Design’s full were not involved in Tehran’s nuclear activities, terms of assets, announced yesterday option to hold money in Kuwaiti Dinar and million annual passengers a more comfort- scope of work takes in all cabin elements, Rosneft said in legal arguments. Rosneft is hoping to MONA AHMED ABDULMOHSEN AL ALI as any other major currencies and can access able onboard experience across our grow- including seat design and customization benefit from a similar attitude to sanctions imposed the lucky winner of the Al Thuraya Salary other account-related services such as ing network”, added Al Ghaith. JPA Design, for Economy and Business class, lavatories, over Ukraine. The oil firm said it had “not committed Account monthly draw. The winner was pre- standing orders, loans and credit cards and who has offices in London, Singapore and full CMF (color materials and finishes), soft any illegal actions in any jurisdiction, including sented with a Nissan Patrol SUV. The draw much more. Customers wishing to open the most recently Dubai, are designing all ele- furnishings - including curtains and car- Ukraine, and has nothing to do with the Ukrainian cri- rewards new and existing customers who Al Thuraya account can do so by simply visit- ments of the two-class cabin interior for pets, service wear - bulkheads, lighting and sis”. In 2014, the European Court of Justice struck transfer their salary to Burgan Bank by offer- ing the nearest Burgan Bank branch and the fuel-efficient single aisle aircraft. In Inflight Entertainment GUI (Interface) down an EU decision to freeze the assets of Iran’s cen- ing them a chance to win a Nissan Patrol obtain all the necessary details, or simply Business Class, a more bespoke seat that menu content. “As chosen design partners tral bank, a measure put in place prevent Iran devel- SUV every month. With every KD 10 avail- call the bank’s call center on 1804080. For promises to be unique to flydubai will be for flydubai, we see this is as a very exciting oping nuclear weapons. —Reuters able in the account, the customer receives further information, customers can also visit developed, giving added comfort and val- and positive experience for JPA Design,” one chance to enter the draw. the bank’s website on www.burgan.com. ue to passengers. Tighe concluded. technology WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

Huawei celebrates Mother’s Day with its ‘9’ competition

KUWAIT CITY: Huawei Consumer Revolutionary speed Daydream, a highly-demanded VR sys- Business Group (CBG) in Kuwait today Built with the new Kirin 960 proces- tem launched by Google. announced the winners of its competi- sor and intelligent Machine Learning tion titled “9”, which was launched in cel- algorithm, this groundbreaking inter- Fingerprint unlock speed ebration of Mother’s Day. Huawei Kuwait play between hardware and software The Huawei Mate 9 comes with 4 invited participants to snap a photo of means the Huawei Mate 9 is born fast Level Fingerprint which includes 3D fin- the number “9” wherever they see it in and stays fast. gerprint recognition and an encrypted their everyday life for a chance to win a file safe that you can access with the fin- Huawei Mate 9 smartphone. Enhanced power gerprint sensor. It’s also20% faster when To enter the draw, participants were The Huawei Mate 9 offers a truly revo- compared with the Huawei Mate 8. asked to take any picture featuring the lutionary battery life. With its large number 9 and post it on their Instagram 4000mAh battery and smart power-sav- Global connectivity account, tagging @HuaweiKW. Winners ing technology, the battery lasts up to With incredible network support and of the competition were Taleb Al two days of usage. The state-of-the-art integrated dual SIM support, the Shammary and Yazan Ziyadeh. On Dec 1, Huawei Supercharge technology safely Huawei Mate 9 offers outstanding per- 2016, Huawei Kuwait introduced its most charges the device for a full day’s power formance worldwide. Users can experi- in 20 minutes. ence consistent call quality and a stable coveted flagship smartphone, the Internet connection with reduced pow- Huawei Mate 9, which revealed to be the Breathtaking photography er consumption and data usage around third successfuldevice launch in the The Huawei Mate 9 offers exceptional the globe. country within a year. sharpness in its second-generation Leica The Huawei Mate 9 offers a high Dual Camera, which renders images in Bold, meticulous and refined performance and unprecedented unprecedented detail. The Mate 9 is also The Huawei Mate 9 has inherited the images with its camera co-engineered equipped with a front camera. Mate Series’ design DNA, with a visual with Leica. With the Mate 9, Huawei and sensual feel that’s uniquely glam- continued to push the limits of per- Groundbreaking user experience orous. It is available in two versions: The formance and advanced features, mak- The Mate 9 was designed with EMUI Huawei Porsche Design Mate 9, which ing it the ideal device to support busi- 5.0 and a beautiful and smart user inter- uses 5.5 inches 2K curved screen, and ness users and complement con- face for a stunning experience.Huawei the Huawei Mate 9 with 5.9 inches sumers’ lifestyle in general. plugged in the VR technology to support 1080P screen. Inventor of World Wide Web wins computing’s Nobel Prize Berners-Lee named among important people of 20th Century

SAN FRANCISCO: Most people who search on Google, share on Facebook and shop on Amazon have never heard of Sir Tim Berners-Lee. But they might not be doing any of those things had he not invented the World Wide Web. Berners-Lee, 61, is this year’s recipient of the A.M. Turing Award, computing’s version of the Nobel Prize. The award, announced yesterday by the Association for Computing Machinery, marks another pinnacle for the British native, who has already been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and named as one of the 100 most important people of the 20th Century by Time magazine. “It’s a crowning achievement,” Berners-Lee said in an interview with The Associated Press. “But I CALIFORNIA: This photo provided by Drew Wharton shows a female black bear wear- think the award is for the Web as a project, and the ing GPS collar in Yosemite National Park.—AP massive international collaborative spirit of all that have joined me to help.” The honor comes with a $1 million prize funded by Google, one of many com- Track journey of panies that made a fortune as a result of Berners- Lee’s efforts to make the internet more accessible. Yosemite bears online He managed that largely by figuring out a simple way to post documents, pictures and video - every- FRESNO, California: Wildlife enthusiasts Yosemite - are hit and killed by drivers on thing, really, beyond plain text - online. around the world can now follow the daily Yosemite’s winding roads. The website journey of Yosemite National Park’s black shows where 28 bears were struck by cars Spinning the web CAMBRIDGE: In this photo, Tim Berners-Lee poses outside his office at the Massachusetts bears from their laptops and smartphones, last year, many fatally. The park has used up Starting in 1989, Berners-Lee began working Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.—AP tracking the iconic animals as they lope up to 20 GPS collars for the last three years, on ways digital object could be identified and steep canyons and cross vast distances in learning that bears in the park begin mat- retrieved through browser software capable of University of Oxford. But he fears parts of the web own notes, keep my own journal and not share it search of food and mates. Park rangers ing in May, more than a month earlier than rendering graphics and other images. In August will become less accessible in the US if the Federal with anybody. That is just part of being a person.” unveiled keepbearswild.org on Monday previously thought, rangers said. 1991, he launched the world’s first website, Communication Commission dismantles regula- showing where select bears fitted with GPS Leahy also said that the tracking devices http://info.cern.ch. Besides coming up with the tions protecting “net neutrality.” Beyond the web collars are heading. The tracking tool, show that bears move more than 30 miles web’s technical specifications, Berners-Lee That’s the principle that internet service Like several other prominent figures in tech- which pings the bears’ steps from satellites, in a day or two, moving with ease up 5,000- “offered a coherent vision of how each of these providers should treat all websites equally instead nology, Berners-Lee isn’t sure if humanity will be have already revealed surprises, wildlife foot canyon walls. The Yosemite elements would work together as part of an inte- of favoring some destinations that might be willing better or worse off as computers grow better at biologists say. Conservancy has spent $1.2 million since grated whole,” said Vicki Hanson, president of the to pay for special treatment. If the Trump adminis- thinking like people via artificial intelligence. “I think people are going to be blown 1998 to help the park manage bears. The Association for Computing Machinery. tration tries to dump net neutrality, “it’s going to “Computing has grown exponentially more pow- away,” said Ryan Leahy, a wildlife biologist latest project cost $279,000, rangers said. In an even more significant move, Berners-Lee have a fight on its hands because I think the erful, so it’s only logical that it will get to the point at Yosemite National Park who leads the The tracking technology and public web- decided against patenting his technology and American people realize it’s important,” Berners- when computers will become smarter than us,” project. “It’s our responsibility to keep bears site help rangers learn even more about instead offered it as royalty-free software. That Lee said. “It allowed America to benefit from a Berners-Lee said. “So, yes, we should logically wild.” A bear’s location is delayed so people bears’ habits to protect them, said Frank allowed other programmers to build upon the thriving internet market for connectivity and con- think about those consequences.” aren’t tempted to track it down in real time, Dean, the conservancy’s president, and it foundation he’d laid, spawning more than a bil- tent. It has become part of the spirit of America.” This is the 50th anniversary of the A.M. Turing rangers said. But the tracking collars alert raises awareness among visitors about lion websites today that have helped lure more Berners-Lee also worries about governments award, named after English computer scientist rangers so they can block a bear from what they can do to save bears. than 3 billion people online. around the world using the internet as a surveil- Alan Turing, whose revolutionary work with early going to a campground or parking lot in “People love to see bears,” Dean said. lance tool, calling it a “recurrent threat.” He admits computers and artificial intelligence helped crack search of food. The goal of the website is to “Protecting them is something we can all Caught in the web that preserving personal privacy as technology Nazi Germany’s codes during World War II. draw in the public so they know to slow do.”Yosemite’s effort drew praise from Jesse The web’s widespread appeal gratifies Berners- advances remains a thorny problem, one that he Previous award winners include Vint Cerf and down while driving and properly store food Garcia, a black bear specialist with the Lee, who now splits his time shuttling between doesn’t have a ready solution for. But figuring that Robert Kahn, who did some of the pioneering when they visit the park’s towering granite California Department of Fish and Wildlife. the US and Britain as a professor at the out is “really important to the future of society,” he work on the internet that Berners-Lee spun into cliffs, charging waterfalls and abundant He said it’s important for park visitors to Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the says. “As an individual, I should be able to keep my the World Wide Web.—AP wildlife, including up to 500 black bears. understand bears while in the animals’ nat- Yosemite attracted more than 5 million ural territory. “You’ve got to give them their visitors last year. Too often, black bears - distance and always be aware, knowing Chasing Lazarus: A hunt for the infamous many of which are actually brown in that they’re there,” Garcia said.—AP hackers to prevent large bank robberies

DUBAI: Kaspersky Lab has pub- followed the Bangladesh attack, the too, their attempts were interrupted- tem inside a bank is breached either lished the results of its more-than- Lazarus group was still active. They by KasperskyLab’s security software with remotely accessible vulnerable year-long investigation into the had been preparing for a new opera- detections,as well as the quick inci- code (i.e. on a webserver) or through a activity of Lazarus - a notorious tion to steal money from other banks dent response,forensic analysis,and watering hole attack through an hacking group allegedly responsible and, by the time they were ready, reverse engineering with support exploit planted on a benign website. for the theft of 81 million dollars they already had their foot in a finan- from company’s top researchers. Once such a site is visited, the from the Central Bank of Bangladesh cialinstitution in South East Asia. victim’s (bank employee) computer in 2016. During the forensic analysis After being interrupted by Lazarus Formula gets malware, which brings addi- of artefacts left by the group in Kaspersky Lab products and the fol- Based on the results of the forensic tional components. Foothold estab- South-East Asian and European lowing investigation, they were set analysis of these attacks, Kaspersky lished: Then the group migrates to banks, Kaspersky Lab has reached a back for anotherfew months, and lat- Lab researchers were able to recon- other bank hosts and deploys per- deep understanding ofwhat mali- er decided to change their opera- struct the modus operandi of the sistent backdoors - the malware cious tools the group usesand how tionby moving to Europe. But here group. Initial compromise: A single sys- allows them to come and go when- it operates while attacking financial ever they want. Internal reconnais- institutions, casinos, software devel- sance: Subsequently the group opers for investment companies spends days and weeks learning the and crypto-currency businesses network, and identifying valuable around the world. resources. One such resource may This knowledge has helped to be a backup server, where authenti- interrupt at least twoother opera- cation information is stored, a mail STUTTGART: In this file photo, the logo of Mercedes is photographed at the annual tions which had one goal - to steal a server or the whole domain con- news conference at the company’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.—AP large amount of money from finan- troller with keys to every “door” in cial institutions. In February 2016, a the company, as well as servers stor- Daimler, Bosch to cooperate group of hackers (unidentified at ing or processing records of finan- that time) attempted to steal $851 cial transactions. Deliver and steal: on fully automated cars million USD, and managed to trans- Finally, they deploy special malware fer 81 million USD from the Central capable of bypassing the internal FRANKFURT AM MAIN: German luxury car- stances. Firms like Bosch and Daimler, both Bank of Bangladesh. This is consid- security features of financial soft- maker Daimler and auto parts supplier dating back to the 19th century, are joining ered to beone of the largest, most ware and issuing rogue transactions Bosch will work together to create com- the race launched by Silicon Valley technol- successful cyber heists ever. on behalf of the bank. pletely driverless cars in the next few years, ogy firms like Google or Uber to create a Further investigation conducted the two companies said yesterday. A devel- vehicle that can drive itself in busy, unpre- by researchers from different IT secu- Geography and Attribution opment agreement between the Mercedes dictable urban environments. ritycompanies including Kaspersky The attacks investigated by parent and Bosch aims at “production-ready Beyond practical considerations, Lab revealed a high chance that the Kaspersky Lab researchers lasted for development of a driving system which will Daimler and Bosch expect the new tech- attackswere conducted by Lazarus - a weeks. However, the attackers could allow cars to drive fully autonomously in nology to change people’s relationships notorious cyber espionage and sabo- operate under the radar for months. the city,” the firms said in a statement. to cars, with car-sharing becoming more tage group responsible for a series of For example, during the analysis of “By the beginning of the next decade,” popular as automated driving spreads. regular and devastating attacks, and- the incident in South-East Asia, the firms hope to produce “level 4” self-dri- “Customers will be able to order an known for attacking manufacturing experts discovered that hackers were ving vehicles-able to take over from the automated shared car with their smart- companies, media and financial insti- able to compromise the bank net- driver only under certain conditions-as well phone. The vehicle will then make its tutions in at least 18 countries work no less than sevenmonths prior as the more challenging “level 5”, or com- way autonomously to the user,” the firms around the world since 2009. to the day when the bank’s security pletely automated driving under all circum- suggest.—AFP Although several months of silence team requested incident response. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE

US to end funding for UN Population fund over abortion WASHINGTON: The US government plans to stop 2017 fiscal year, the official said in a statement. The site. The organization, which provides reproductive in China as a force for good.” The organization funding the United Nations Population Fund decision to terminate US donations to the UN health and birth control services in more than 150 lamented the loss of funding by Washington, a because of the organization’s “coercive” family agency was “based on the fact that China’s family countries and territories, said early Tuesday that it “founding member” of the UNFPA. planning practices, including providing abortions, planning policies still involve the use of coercive “regrets” the decision by Washington “to deny any The group said it has saved “tens of thousands officials in Washington said late Monday. abortion and involuntary sterilization, and UNFPA future funding for its life-saving work the world of mothers from preventable deaths and disabili- According to a State Department official, partners on family planning activities with the over.” UNFPA said in a statement in which it also ties, in addition to “combating gender-based vio- President Donald Trump has instructed Secretary Chinese government agency responsible for these vigorously pushed back against “erroneous” US lence and reducing the scourge of maternal deaths of State Rex Tillerson “to take all necessary actions, coercive policies,” the statement said. “The determi- charges that it plays a role in forced abortions and in the world’s most fragile settings.” And in the con- to the extent permitted by law, to ensure that US nation will result in withholding $32.5 million of fis- sterilizations in China. troversial area of reproductive choice, the organiza- taxpayer dollars do not fund organizations or pro- cal year 2017 funding, provided for UNFPA,” it said, “UNFPA refutes this claim, as all of its work pro- tion said that Washington until now had “partnered grams that support or participate in the manage- adding that the funds instead will be directed to motes the human rights of individuals and couples with UNFPA to protect and promoted the repro- ment of a program of coercive abortion or invol- other global health programs. to make their own decisions, free of coercion or dis- ductive health and rights of women and girls, untary sterilization.” The UN Population Fund in 2015 received contri- crimination,” it said. “Indeed, United Nations thereby fostering healthier women and girls and The funding cut would go into effect during the butions totaling $979 million, according to its web- Member States have long described UNFPA’s work their families.”—AFP

Indian clinic treats Bangladeshis Scientists find common seeking mercy deaths for free antibiotic could prevent or treat PTSD Mumbai-based Institute offers stem cell therapy LONDON: A common antibiotic called instinctive response to sudden threats. DHAKA: Three Bangladeshis suffering from a doxycycline can disrupt the formation of The fear memory was calculated by sub- highly debilitating form of muscular dystrophy negative thoughts and fears in the brain tracting the baseline startle response - to are receiving free treatment in India after a rela- and may prove useful in treating or pre- the sound on the ‘good’ color - from the tive’s plea for them to be allowed to die brought venting post traumatic stress disorder response to the sound when the ‘bad’ col- their plight to global attention. Fruit seller (PTSD), according to research by British or was showing. While the fear response Tofazzal Hossain sparked a rare debate about and Swiss scientists. In a specially was 60 percent lower in those who had euthanasia in conservative Bangladesh in designed trial involving 76 healthy volun- doxycycline in the first session, the January when he pleaded with the authorities to teers who were given either the drug or a researchers found that, importantly, other allow his grandson and two sons to die. All three placebo dummy pill, those who were on cognitive measures - including sensory suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a doxycycline had a 60 percent lower fear memory and attention - were not affected. rare genetic disorder characterized by progres- response than those who were not. “When we talk about reducing fear mem- sive muscle degeneration. Patients rarely live Scientists said the antibiotic works in ory, we’re not talking about deleting the beyond 30. this way because it blocks certain pro- memory of what actually happened,” Bach Now the Mumbai-based NeuroGen Brain and teins outside nerve cells, called matrix said in a statement about the findings. Spine Institute has offered to treat them using a enzymes, which our brains need to form “The participants may not forget that new stem cell therapy that it says has improved memories. “We have demonstrated a they received a shock when the screen the condition of hundreds of patients. proof-of-principle for an entirely new was red, but they ‘forget’ to be instinc- Spokeswoman Avantika Patil said the family had treatment strategy for PTSD,” said tively scared when they next see a red arrived at the clinic on Sunday after an Indian Dominik Bach, a professor at University screen. “Learning to fear threats is an airline flew them free of charge. “The disorder is College London and the University of important ability ... helping us to avoid incurable of course. They suffer from severe form Zurich, who co-led the research team. In dangers. (But) over-prediction of threat of muscular dystrophy,” she said, adding what the trial, volunteers were given either can cause tremendous suffering and dis- the clinic was trying to do to was to improve doxycycline or a placebo and put in front tress in anxiety disorders such as PTSD.” their conditions. of a computer. PTSD is caused by an overactive fear Hossain said the treatment was the last hope The screen would flash either blue or memory and includes a broad range of for his sons and the grandson. “I am hopeful. red, and one of the colors was associated psychological symptoms that can devel- They have carried out the first round of opera- with a 50 percent chance of getting a op after someone goes through a trau- tions,” a tearful Hossain said by phone from painful electric shock. After 160 flashes matic event. Bach said he and his team Mumbai. “I hope they will be cured by the grace with colors in random order, participants would now like to explore doxycycline’s of Allah.” One of Asia’s poorest countries, DHAKA: Fruit vendor Tofazzal Hossain (top right) poses with his family in Bangladesh.—AFP learnt to associate the ‘bad’ color with the potential effects further, including in a Bangladesh has no free health care and medical This leaves few treatment options for seen debate about euthanasia in Bangladesh, shock. A week later, under no medication, phenomenon called “reconsolidation” of treatment is often beyond the reach of many of Hossain’s sons, aged 24 and 13, and his eight- where attempted suicide can land you in prison. the volunteers repeated the experiment. fear memories - an approach to helping the country’s 160 million people. An estimated year-old grandson. Hossain said his sons were So-called “mercy killing” is forbidden both under This time there were no electric shocks, people with PTSD - in which memories 600,000 Bangladeshis suffer from incurable dis- unable to move and could do little for them- the secular law of the land, and by the religious but a loud sound played after either color and associations can be changed after eases, yet the country has just one palliative care selves. The younger boy’s condition is better, but code adhered to by Bangladesh’s Muslim-majori- was shown. Fear responses were meas- an event when the patient experiences centre and no hospice services. is worsening. Their plight has sparked a rarely- ty population.—AFP ured by tracking eye blinks, as this is an or imagines similar situations.—Reuters Micro-grids powered by the sun boost fortunes of Lake Victoria fishermen MUHURU BAY, Kenya: Mary Atieno part of a pay-as-you go system for off- was often forced to sell her tilapia well grid electricity that has become popu- below the market rate because she had lar across Kenya and many other coun- to get rid of the fish quickly in the sear- tries in sub-Saharan Africa. ing heat bearing down on her village Thirty households are connected to on the shore of Lake Victoria. Lack of the system in the Muhuru Bay area, electricity meant Atieno was at the managed by community organization mercy of commercial fish buyers and Ngore Renewable Energy and Auxiliary made little or no profit because she Project (REAP) and benefitting 1,400 could not refrigerate her catch of people, including small businesses. “We tilapia and Nile perch. also have some running barber shops Poor rural communities, like Muhuru and phone charging businesses with Bay in western Kenya where Atieno the solar power,” said Lucas Okoth, lives, are often far from markets where REAP’s chairman. The micro-grids they can sell their produce and lack installed by Renewable World are sim- basic infrastructure and electricity ple steel frame structures that hold the despite rapid electrification elsewhere solar panels and a control box housing in the country. Atieno’s fortunes batteries, a charger and energy distri- changed when British-based charity bution systems. Renewable World joined forces with Each grid has a smart meter con- community groups and a private com- nected to mobile phone-based money pany to set up solar micro-grids, small transfer service M-Pesa through which local power networks not connected to customers make their payments before the national electricity grid. they are transferred electronically to With a grant by British charity Comic the solar hub’s bank account. The fisher- Relief, fishing cooperatives in the area men have also been able to cut costs by received solar freezers to chill their using solar rechargeable lamps on their catch rather than having to resort to boats during night time fishing. They preserving it with smoke, a practice now spend 200 Kenyan shillings ($1.94) that makes the fish chewier and harder a day, a quarter of what it used to cost to sell. “With the deep freezers, we can them to fuel their fishing lamps with store fish for up to four days while we kerosene, said REAP’s Okoth. source for a profitable market,” Atieno, a Villager Lovis Odhiambo said his MOCOA: Aerial view of the extensive damage caused by mudslides as a result of heavy rains, in Mocoa, Putumayo department, Colombia.—AFP 43-year-old married mother of four and home is healthier since he has become secretary to Ngore Mtakatifu Women a customer as he no longer has to use Group, said. sooty and smoky kerosene lamps and Why is S America being hit by deadly landslides? With its year-round sunshine, solar his children are more comfortable power is ideally suited to Kenya where studying at night thanks to solar light- BOGOTA: It starts with torrential rain in the moun- glaciers, is also driving the problem. “Climate said Colombian ecologist Rodrigo Botero. “That’s electricity access surged to around 60 ing. It is also cheaper - he used to spend tains. Then a wall of mud and boulders comes bar- change is generating dynamics and we see the the case in nearly every region of Colombia.” Even percent in 2016 from 27 percent three 50 shillings a day on paraffin compared reling down the slopes, sweeping away houses, tremendous results in terms of intensity, frequency Mocoa’s own mayor, Jose Antonio Castro, said it “is cars and people. Like a video stuck on repeat, the years before, according to government to the 200 shillings he now spends and magnitude of these natural effects, as we have not a place where a town should be,” because of all story has played out over and over again in recent data, due to a drive to achieve universal every month on solar power. “The table just seen in Mocoa,” said Martin Santiago, UN chief the rivers surrounding it. Three of them flooded weeks in South America, where hundreds of peo- access by 2020. Remote areas such as cloths were always dirty with soot and for Colombia. Experts say chaotic urbanization is Friday, triggering the landslide. ple have been killed in landslides. First they hit the lakeshore settlements on Lake the smoke was irritating to the eyes. also to blame. Mocoa’s population was swollen by In the Peruvian capital Lima-also hit hard Peru, where the indigenous Quechua language has Victoria lag behind though, experts Sometimes it felt like we were short of poor migrants and especially people uprooted by recently by flooding and landslides-Mayor Luis a word for these flash flood-landslides: “huaycos.” said. “For a long time, some of these set- breath and the house would smell of Colombia’s half-century civil war. These displaced Castaneda said nature “got the better of engi- the paraffin,” said Odhiambo. More than 100 people have been killed since residents and their often precarious houses were neering.” But that misses the whole point, said tlements along the lakeshore have the start of the year in flooding and landslides in been neglected,” said Herick Othieno, a A solar ‘graveyard’ no more hit especially hard by the disaster. Ortiz de Zevallos. “Engineering is about under- The amount of solar energy cap- Peru, and more than 100,000 have lost homes or “The centralization of society means people try standing nature,” like the ancient Incas did, said solar energy expert at Maseno University otherwise been affected. In Colombia, the devasta- in Kenya. “It’s only recently that power tured into the national grid is currently to move closer to cities, no matter where it is, with- the architect. The bishop of Mocoa, Luis negligible despite the government’s tion is even worse. The southern town of Mocoa out considering whether a river used to flow there Maldonado, had his own take when asked if God started getting there,” said Othieno, who was hit by an enormous landslide Friday that killed call for investments in renewable ener- or if it’s a ravine where rain accumulates,” said archi- had abandoned the town’s people. “God always led the creation of Renewable Energy 262 people, including 43 children. Why do these gy sources. Kenya’s Energy Regulatory tect Ortiz de Zevallos. In the case of Mocoa, the forgives, man sometimes does, but nature doesn’t Solutions for the Lake Victoria natural disasters occur? And why is South America Commission (ERC) identified high initial town “was the victim of a lack of urban planning,” forgive,” he said.—AFP Environment (RESOLVE) with Renewable being hit so hard right now? World and its local partners. Soil in the capital costs and low awareness of the “Nature has always been like this. Our ancestors area is poor and hard to cultivate, leaving potential opportunities and economic understood it better than we do today,” said Experts urge huge expansion of commercial fishing in Africa’s largest lake benefits offered by solar technologies Peruvian architect Augusto Ortiz de Zevallos. “Just as one of the few alternatives to make a as some of the reasons. Some projects look at the archaeological sites that remain, shel- online therapy for mental illness living. Increasing access to solar power is also fell into disrepair despite receiving tered from the onslaught of water,” he said. helping to lift local people out of poverty large subsidies. Modernization has led to forests being replaced by LONDON: A “massive and growing” mental health ty worldwide. Rates of depression have risen by by improving their income and sparking “In the past they used to say Africa farms, eliminating the natural barriers that restrain burden across the world can only be tackled suc- more than 18 percent since 2005, the WHO says, business opportunities beyond fishing, was a ‘graveyard of failed solar projects’ the water from torrential rains. “During the floods of cessfully with a major expansion of online psychi- and a lack of support for mental health combined experts said. because of all the 100 percent subsi- 2010 and 2011, 71 percent of the flooding happened atric resources such as virtual clinics and web- with a common fear of stigma means many do not dized installations which broke down in pasture land that had lost its trees,” the head of the based psychotherapies, specialists said yesterday. get the treatment they need. Community power and never got fixed because no mecha- weather warning system for the Colombian meteor- With resources tight and the global mental health Michael Krausz, a professor of psychiatry at the The Muhuru Bay community solar nism was put in place for operation and ological institute, Christian Euscategui, told newspa- system only serving around 10 percent of University of British Columbia in Canada, and a hub is one of six that RESOLVE estab- maintenance,” said Charlie Miller, direc- per El Tiempo. Colombia’s weather authorities, who patients even now, specialists speaking at the leading specialist at the World Psychiatric lished on the lakeshore, with their pow- tor for national programs at Power for keep a close eye on deforestation, say it slowed by European Congress on Psychiatry (ECP) said the Association, said “E-mental health” should be a er capacity ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 kilo- All. “That’s really starting to change 12 percent in 2015. But that still meant forest losses web is the only option for significant extra treat- major part of the answer. “Through a proactive watt (KW) which can be expanded and now,” said Miller, whose coalition of of more than 124,000 hectares. ment capacity. approach we can create an additional virtual sys- support up to 50 connections. Users more than 170 public and private The World Health Organization (WHO) said last tem of care which could build capacity, improve pay a connection fee and are charged organizations campaigns for universal Nature doesn’t forgive week mental disorders - in particular depression - the quality of care and make mental health care by the hour for using the technology as energy access by 2030.—REUTERS Global warming, which is melting the region’s are now the leading cause of ill health and disabili- more effective,” he told the ECP. —Reuters WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE Strike force: World’s most venomous scorpion in action

PARIS: The world’s most lethal scor- surrounded by mirrors on all four pion, the death stalker, has been sides. They filmed the scorpion caught on high-speed camera for strikes from above with a video the first time lashing out with its camera at 500 frames per second, lethal stinger, scientists reported and then created 3D models with yesterday. A comparison of half-a- computers. “Just taking them out dozen scorpion species shown in of their container and putting ultra-slow motion revealed an them in the arena was enough to unsuspected variety of strike get them in stinging mood,” van modes, they reported in the journal der Meijden said. “All that was nec- Functional Ecology. The death stalk- essary to make them strike was er had the fastest lunge of all, with touching their pincers with a thin its venomous stinger snapping piece of wire.” over its head like a whip at 130 cen- Next on the research agenda is timeters per second. to figure out the evolutionary It has a no-nonsense trajectory, forces which explain why the strike moving straight towards its target patterns are so varied. It could be before flicking upward. The emper- “related to the kind of predators or scorpion-the world’s largest-has they need to defend themselves a similar open strike. Other species, against,” van der Meijden told AFP. such as the black spitting scorpion, The differences could also arise BLISNA: A woman feeds one of two orphan bear cubs, named Masha and Brundo, in which can squirt venom at a dis- from the fact that some scorpions Blisna, a village located some 20 kilometers north of the capital Podgorica.—AFP tance, and various members of the rely less on their tail stingers, and hottentotta genus, strike with a more on their pincers to ward off a more circular motion, forming an threat. Scorpions use their defen- Orphaned bear cubs win “O”. “We found that different ‘tail’ sive arsenal against bats, snakes, shapes”-some slim, some fatter- lizards and other predators. hearts in Montenegro ”appear to permit different strike They also use their stinger to PARIS: A handout photo shows a Deathstalker scorpion (Leiurus quin- performances,” said senior author catch prey, and during mating. A questriatus) in a defensive posture.—AFP PODGORICA, Montenegro: Two orphaned become irreversibly domesticated, and if Arie van der Meijden, a professor at 2008 study in the journal Acta bear cubs have captured hearts in nothing was done, their future could be the University of Porto in Portugal. Tropica estimated that more than (Leiurus quinquestriatus) are found dangerous for adults, and poten- Montenegro after a farmer rescued them only a zoo or a circus. Milickovic persuaded To record and analyze the light- 3,000 people die every year from in dry regions of North Africa and tially lethal for children, but has from starving to death in the wild. The cubs Bigovic to let him take the two animals as a ning-fast strikes, van der Meijden scorpion bites. Measuring up to 110 the Middle East, where they live been a valuable avenue for drug were found last month by March Ilinka temporary measure until they can be and his team built a small platform millimeters in length, death stalkers under rocks. Their venom is highly research.—AFP Bigovic, who lives in a village perched on moved to a specialized facility that can pre- the Pusti Lisac mountain, some 80 kilome- pare them to return to the wild. ters from the capital Podgorica, near the The cubs, now named Masha and Bosnian border. “I heard some screams. Brundo, are living at his family property, Indian farmers beef up below Persistent, day and night, for two or three some 20 kilometers north of Podgorica, days,” the 61-year-old said. where they live in the company of a deer, Bigovic searched the area with her an emu, a boar and a llama. Masha and sea-level system for climate fight brother until they almost stumbled over Brundo approach people and other ani- the cubs “separated, on the brink of death, mals without fear, looking for a hug, food KUTTANAD, India: Farmer Moncy Joseph, who districts, is under sea level, consisting of The Thanneermukkom barrage, built in 1975 weak,” she said. “We brought them home, or to play. “In a bid to save their lives grows rice on land below sea level in India’s reclaimed delta swamps fenced by dykes, out of to block seawater, and a spillway constructed in put at a warm place near the stove and fed humans ... made their return to the wild Kuttanad region, is determined not to be beaten which water is pumped every few days, similar 1955 to drain off floodwater extended the rice them milk and honey.” Montenegro’s more difficult,” said Jovana Janjusevic of the by climate change. Last year, the 44-year-old to the Dutch polder system. It supports 30,000 season, also pushing up annual yields. But mountains are home to 50 to 100 brown Center for Bird Protection, which is also bought two Kasaragod Dwarf cows, an endan- farming families. The rest consists of higher dry human intervention has harmed Kuttanad’s bears, according to ecologists, while the involved in protecting larger animals. gered native breed that grows just 3 feet (91 cm) land where coconut trees are grown, as well as ecology - particularly its fish stocks, which have national hunters’ association puts their “After two months with humans, the tall and whose dung makes extra-rich fertilizer. wetlands and a maze of water networks includ- dwindled due to the high level of chemicals in number at 357. Bigovic, who breeds goats, cubs cannot be rehabilitated and success- Last season’s bitter gourd vines, now withered ing canals and sea-water inlets. the water, said KG Padma Kumar, director of the is used to close encounters with wild ani- fully returned to the wild,” she said. Activists grey, hang from plastic nets above the grazing Four rivers, fed by monsoon rainfall, drain International Research and Training Centre for mals-a wolf recently killed a goat just near are now racing against time to get the per- animals. It’s been three years since Joseph diver- into Kuttanad, bringing fresh water, fertile silt Below Sea-level Farming, set up in 2016 to reju- her house and she often sees bears. mits needed to move the Masha and sified into two-storey vegetable farming, using and flooding that can last for weeks between venate the heritage farming system. The story of the two orphans has spread Brundo to Greece or Romania, which-unlike overhead trellises. June and October. When the rivers’ flow slows Calls are now growing among Kerala’s ecolo- like wildfire in the Balkan country, with Montenegro-have centers that specialize in “Plan B - in readiness,” he said at his home in from December to May, the water level drops gists, scientists and fishing communities to many people coming to have their photo dealing with orphaned bear cubs. Masha Champakulam village, making light of the uncer- below that of the sea, enabling salt water to change the way the dam is used and to cut the taken holding the cubs. But engineer and and Brundo would spend between a year tainty faced by farmers in the southwest coastal leach into the low rice lands. use of agricultural chemicals. Scientists estimate animal-lover Miljan Milickovic was worried- and 18 months in such a centre before state of Kerala as temperatures and the ocean “So adapted were traditional rice varieties to that reverting to the traditional system where he realized the cubs were on the way to returning to their mountains.—AFP rise. Here in Kuttanad, scientists are working to local deep water situations that they grew taller rice and fish are co-produced organically could adapt a 150-year-old Indian farming system with the rising flood water, keeping their panicles boost farmers’ incomes by 40 percent, compared used on land 2 meters (6.56 ft) below sea level (grain-producing tips) above water at all times,” with today. For now, some farmers, like Joseph, London to bring forward new that has withstood saltwater infiltration and explained Leena Kumari. Farmers traditionally cul- are experimenting with new sources of income. monsoon floods, hoping it could help fight glob- tivated saline-tolerant rice varieties like this and Hundreds of ducks nest on water-logged farms, levy on most polluting vehicles al warming, rising oceans and coastal storms. bred fish on the same plot, together or alternately fertilizing them with their manure, which is sup- As the only part of India where rice is farmed in two seasons per year, alongside coconut on the plemented by cattle and vermi-composted LONDON: London Mayor Sadiq Khan London city airport in the east to below sea level, it was designated in 2013 by the dykes, comprising their staple foods. kitchen waste. plans to charge the most polluting cars Tottenham’s White Hart Lane football sta- United Nations as a globally important agricul- Fish fed off the rotting rice-harvest residue Others are planting vegetables on top of the and vans a daily fee of 12.50 pounds dium in the north, Kew Gardens in the tural heritage system. But since India’s Green while rice was fertilized by fish excrement, mak- thousands of kilometers of low earthen dykes, ($16) to enter the city centre from 2019, west and Clapham Common in the south Revolution began in the 1960s, farmers came to ing added nutrients unnecessary. “Cooked rice alongside the coconut trees whose roots have the latest city to crack down on gas-guz- for cars from 2021. ULEZ will apply to all rely on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to from these grains had a distinctive aroma and strengthened the banks against floods for zling cars. The asthma-sufferer, who was petrol vehicles which do not meet Euro 4 boost rice yields. That damaged fish populations taste,” said 81-year-old Thommy Thomas, a wiry decades. At the research station, traditional elected less than a year ago, has prom- emissions standards and all diesel mod- and distorted the system - an effect that has man in a white wrap watching over the emerald flood-tolerant rice germplasm cross-bred with ised to make London one of the greenest els which do not comply with Euro 6 worsened in recent years as they use more green fields he has farmed for 54 years. But rice high-yielding varieties is already surviving 15 cities in the world with more electric bus- standards. chemicals to keep up production in the face of yields were low, at 2 tons per hectare, compared days of submergence. The next goal is to breed es and charging points for cars. An Ultra Several cities such as Paris, Stuttgart, climate change. with 10 tons from today’s high-yielding varieties, rice that can withstand 30 days of water stress, Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), in which cars Athens, Brussels and Madrid are trying to Now efforts are underway to rejuvenate the Leena Kumari said. as floods become more frequent. must meet stringent emissions standards crack down on polluting vehicles by pro- traditional model as a wider “ecosystem to enter or pay a charge, will now be posing bans, fines and restrictions, partly approach” that treats rice, fish, ducks, cattle, Drowning in chemicals Exporting knowledge rolled out from April 2019 instead of in response to reports of poor air quality humans, houses, coconut and cash crops as part As farmers were encouraged to adopt chemi- Meanwhile, as climate change brings higher Sept2020 as previously planned by his harming people’s health. Public and of a single system, said Leena Kumari S., a scien- cal inputs and new varieties during the Green temperatures, combined with up to 95 percent predecessor. political concern has also been height- tist who leads Kerala Agricultural University’s Revolution, Kuttanad became Kerala’s rice bowl humidity due to the water all around, insects “The air in London is lethal and I will ened since the Volkswagen emissions Rice Research Station in Moncompu town. The in the 1970s. One-third of the state’s rice came and disease vectors are rapidly multiplying. not stand by and do nothing,” Khan said. scandal broke in September 2015 when aim is to make farmers self-sufficient, cutting the from here, although it accounted for only 15 per- “Kuttanad is turning into a hot spot for plant The mayor will also launch a consultation the carmaker admitted to installing illicit use of chemical inputs and costs, and providing cent of Kerala’s 875,000 hectares of paddies. That pests and diseases during the November-to- to expand the zone to the whole of software in as many as 11 million diesel an alternative income if crops fail due to weather area has since reduced to 200,000 hectares, April cropping season,” Leena Kumari said. Minor London from 2020 for buses, coaches vehicles sold worldwide and cheating US or climate extremes, she explained. devoured by urban expansion. But Kuttanad has pests are turning into major ones, increasing and lorries and to an area spanning emissions tests.—Reuters Half of the Kuttanad region, a trough of not let its rice fields shrink and is now seen as damage, and hitherto unknown crop diseases 110,000 hectares covering 79 villages in three central to Kerala’s future food security. are emerging, she added. — Reuters WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

Fantasy world brings Shopkins, Grossery Gang lines to Kuwait

antasy World, Kuwait’s favorite toy grocery-themed characters, often admired gross side of Shopkins for boys with its four Yousef Anabtawi, Fantasy World’s social commitment towards our little customers.” retailer is bringing in the hottest toys in by girls that range from fruits and veggies, kinds of gross accessories: Vile vending media specialist, stated “we were getting Shopkins and Grossery Gang, is the latest Fthe international markets, the adorable to sweet treats, and even stylish accessories machine, mushy slushie machine, yuck mart constant request from kids asking for these craze amongst children, and they are now ‘Shopkins’ and ‘Grossery Gang’ lines. The lat- with different series, such as sports, music, or the sticky soda. Vile is a vending machine toys on our various social media channels, available in all Fantasy World stores. est in trend among kids, these two craze driv- technology and charms. There are 36 that makes rotten raspberry, crimey lime, sour adhering to their demands these collecta- Customers are invited to visit any of Fantasy en products are selling like hot cakes in unique charms for girls to collect, Apple grapes, vile vanilla, slime apple, putrid peach ble toys, we ensured to get them at the ear- World’s stores in Kuwait to explore and Fantasy World, the store known to have lat- Blossom, Cheeky Chocolate, and more to and molar cola. Mushy slushie machine is to liest to Kuwait, and now we see kids coming experience new toys, available at Al Rai, est, best and trendiest original toys. their charm bracelet. gross slush the machine makes. Sticky Soda, with their parents and buying them.” Bustan Mall, The Avenues, Souq Sharq, The Shopkins is an adorable line of miniature Grossery Gang, on the other hand, is the keep you wondering what is inside. “Fantasy World has yet again fulfilled its Boulevard Mall.

Technology team wins Ooredoo Cup 2017

oredoo, Kuwait’s fastest network concluded its third company CEO and General Manager Sheikh Mohammed bin ments and units. The tournament also included players erly relationship between Ooredoo staff across the organiza- Ooredoo Cup football tournament on Sunday in Abdullah Al Thani awarded a number of the tournament’s working in Ooredoo’s head office from other organizations, tion, and is an embodiment of our core values of caring and OHassan Abul Sports Center in Dasma. The tourna- distinguished players: Samir Abdulraouf from Sales won the such as Huawei, FAST telco, Phono, as well as the security connecting.” ment, which started two weeks ago, saw with the victory of Top Scorer Award; Mohammed Al-Nuaimat from Technology officers in the building. During the halftime breaks through- He added that the tournament is a great opportunity for the Technology team against Sales 6 goals to 1. The compe- won the Best Goalkeeper Award; Khaled Al-Sabaa from B2B out the tournament, Ooredoo held raffle draws for the audi- employees to interact with the company’s upper manage- tition brought all employees together in a friendly environ- Sales won the Best Player Award; and Issa Haidar from ence, giving away prizes such as smartphones, smart watch- ment in a friendly setting, and a chance for employees to ment away from the office life. This comes in alignment with Technology won the Fair Play Award. es and gaming consoles. enjoy a friendly atmosphere with their families. He noted Ooredoo’s core values of caring, connecting and challeng- The tournament included 16 teams from the company’s Commenting on this event, Ooredoo’s Corporate that the games include a number of awards for best player ing, and the company’s philosophy of investing in its different departments, with players from across the organi- Communications Director Mijbil Alayoub said: “We’re happy voted by the audience, in addition to best supporter. The employees who are the cornerstone of the establishment. zation including the company’s CEO Sheikh Mohammed bin to organize this event for the third consecutive year here in event comes as part of Ooredoo’s year-long plan of internal Aside from awarding the first two winning teams, the Abdullah Al Thani, in addition to heads of other depart- Ooredoo Kuwait. The tournament aims to fortify the broth- activities, aiming to engage employees and entertain them. HH Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi meets young entrepreneurs of ALP’s final session

he Abdulaziz Bin Humaid Leadership where machines and robots are being deployed in Program (ALP), a first-of-its-kind program the work sector at ever-increasing rates, and how Tthat empowers young, talented individuals global players are building trust with Corporate with essential leadership qualities, concluded its Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies. final session under the title ‘My World’ at The session on March 13, which focused on Fairmont Ajman Hotel, Ajman. The session, which change leadership, detailed the driving forces, was held from March 12 to 16, focused on global vision and processes of large-scale transforma- trends, change leadership, business networking, tion. As change leadership has its own demands as well as protocol and etiquette to be applied in and requires a different mindset, this session high- their careers. lighted the importance of a leader that can adapt The conclusion of the final ALP session pro- an organization to changing times. The Business vided participants with the rare opportunity to Networking workshop on the March 14, provided visit Diwan on March 15, 2017 to meet and have strategies for developing sales opportunities and an engaging conversation with His Highness contacts, based on referrals and introductions. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi, Supreme The workshop focused on the principles and Council Member and Ruler of Ajman. He person- techniques of business networking through vari- ally examined the learning methodologies ous platforms. The day concluded with a field vis- adopted at the session. His continuous support it to the Gulf Craft Factory, witnessing the for the youth was evidenced in his speech which process of building luxury yachts. They also had focused on the special role that young leaders the chance to ride them in the open sea and play in shaping the future. meet HE Mohammed Hussein Al-Shaali, The participants also had the opportunity to Chairman of Gulf Craft. He took the participants meet HH Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al-Nuaimi, through the journey of building each yacht, Crown Prince and President of the Executive explaining the intricate process from its begin- Board of Ajman and HH Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin ning to its luxurious conclusion. He also dis- Humaid Al-Nuaimi, Chairman of the Department ness the growth of the young participants. Today, Hotel for hosting the final session.” “It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity to cussed the various challenges the company has of Culture and Information. After the Diwan visit, the importance of global trends, adaptive leader- The session started on March 12, 2017 with a share key insights and the best international prac- overcome and the opportunities that can be the participants presented their ‘Innovation ship, business networking and etiquette cannot key note speech from Abeer Mohammed Hussain tices with such a wonderful audience. As young found in difficult moments. Challenge Projects’ in a 30-second elevator pitch be understated. In addition, protocol is an impor- Al-Shaali, Executive Management Officer at Gulf entrepreneurs in the early stages of their career, it As the final session of the program, the work- as well as a five-minute, PowerPoint presentation tant part of diplomatic practice linked with histo- Craft. Gulf Craft was the official sponsor at the is crucial to pay attention to current trends for shop focused on specific protocol procedures, for the ALP jury committee. The presenters were ry, royalty, religion, culture and language. It is par- final ALP session titled ‘My World.’ Mrs Al-Shaali long-term success.” respect for precedence, behavioral etiquette, then provided feedback and each Innovation ticularly important because it outlines a set of inspired the participants with her own colorful This was followed by a workshop on macro and the rules of courteousness in business. The Challenge Project was ranked. established rules of courteousness that are to be career, narrating specific incidents where she global trends, including: Innovation, emerging workshops provided tactics for self-improve- Sheikh Ali Al-Nuaimi, Corporate respected and applied in business and society. overcame obstacles that served as a personal markets, clean technology and individual and col- ment, demonstrating the importance of punctu- Communication Manager, Abdulaziz Bin Humaid Taking this as an opportunity, I would like to benchmark for leadership and innovation. lective empowerment. It highlighted the impor- ality, goal-setting and taking responsibility for Foundation said, “It is incredibly satisfying to wit- extend my heartfelt gratitude to Fairmont Ajman Commenting on the initiative, Mrs Al-Shaali said, tance of automation (i.e. smart technologies) mistakes. Royale Hayat Hospital visits American United School

nder the umbrella of Community During the visit, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mulla highlight- Awareness Program at Royale Hayat ed the importance of Royale Hayat UHospital, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mulla, Head of Community Awareness Program and the role Surgery Department and Consultant General, it plays in educating and encouraging the Laparoscopic, Bariatric and Oncology Surgery community to adapt a healthy lifestyle. and a team of experts visited the American In addition to awareness programs, the United School on March 28, 2017 to raise Department of General Surgery and Obesity awareness on health related issues among Surgery, Endoscopy and Oncology at RHH students and teachers. provides advanced services to treat any relat- Experts from Royale Hayat Hospital dis- ed disease, such as stomach stenosis, gastric cussed medical topics such as the risks of obe- bypass, gastric balloon, stomach ring, stom- sity, medical treatments and methods of pre- ach capsule, restoration of obesity and cos- vention, such as having a healthy balanced metic reconstructive surgery after obesity, in diet that is low in carbohydrates and free of addition to many diseases related to the gas- sugar to maintain a healthy body. Students trointestinal system, such as gallstones, and teachers at AUS were interactive and had abdominal hernia, diaphragm, esophageal the chance to ask questions and get expert reflux, diaphragm, tumors, gastroenteritis, answers regarding various health issues and intestine and colon, tummy tucks, anal sur- preventative medicine including personal and gery, breast surgery and surgery, and thyroid hands hygiene to fight infectious diseases. and endocrine surgery. WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 Zain holds first internal blood drive campaign of the year

ain, the leading telecommunications with rare blood types. Zain strives to con- company in Kuwait, recently held the tribute to its community through its numer- Zfirst internal Blood Drive campaign for ous corporate social responsibility initiatives its employees of the year. The campaign, and is pleased with the success this particu- held at the company’s main headquarters in lar activity has achieved. Shuwaikh, came in partnership with the The company is keen to organize internal Central Blood Bank of Kuwait. Zain organizes blood drive campaigns for employees in col- this initiative several times a year as part of laboration with the Central Blood Bank to its corporate sustainability and social respon- encourage employees to donate blood and sibility strategy towards the health sector. save lives. Zain affirmed that its contribution The campaign also aims at encouraging to organizing internal blood drives falls employees to donate blood and save lives. under its CSSR strategies. The blood drive campaign witnessed Zain’s solid corporate sustainability and positive feedback and participation from social responsibility strategy primarily focus- Zain employees, further reinforcing the es on the well being of the entire nation. For company’s keenness in having a productive this reason, the company has maintained its role in social and health activities, especially support of numerous initiatives that spread those that contribute with saving people awareness and help make a difference to that are in urgent need of blood like people people’s everyday lives.

Tarabband enchants audience with Arab Music From Sweden

ithin the activities of the spring festival held at Al-Shaheed Park, Nadin wars, refugees sufferings and passions. The band also played a piece called concluded with a piece played by Gabriel Hermansson, Fredrik Gille, Dan Al-Khaldi; a Swedish artist of Iraqi origin, recently led her music band, Sakkara expressing Al-Khaldi’s love for Egypt. Svensson, Filip Runesson and Romain Gabourg. Al-Khaldi had to flee Iraq over WTarabband’s performance was were warmly received by the audience In addition, the band performed a Dabka dance and a song about a Libyan 18 years ago and live as a refugee in various countries until she settled in and played several songs she had composed herself inspired by stories about girl who died off Libyan shores while attempting to flee the war. The concert Sweden where she met her band members. Kuwait hosts Red Bull BC One Cypher

nce again, Kuwait is about to resents the new generation of Dutch life and that he will be able to give wins in Kuwait’s Red Bull BC One bat- host one of the world’s most B-Boys. He is a dancer with heart, back to the scene by teaching and tles, B-Boy C-Sick is going to be part Ofabulous one-on-one break- explosive energy and plenty of sur- organizing events. of this year’s cypher in Kuwait as a dance competition for the 7th time. prises. He is a master of smooth Last year, B-Boy C-Sick’s head- judge for the very first time. Like every year, 16 B-Boys will com- blow-ups, the mind-boggling moves spinning antics and power moves Issei Hori was the surprise winner pete in thrilling head-to-head bat- that whip the audience into frenzy. won him the Red Bull BC One Cypher of the Red Bull BC One World Final in tles, this time in the heart of Salmiya, His signature moves are baby-freeze Kuwait for the third consecutive year Nagoya, in his native Japan, follow- Al Arjan Square (facing AUK) on April transitions, slides and rolls. with a performance that left 15 of ing a pulsating battle with two-time 28. This year, Amsterdam B-Boy Menno started breaking the top-level B-Boys in town behind. winner Hong 10.Crowned the cham- Westergasfabriek will provide the around 2001. The first time he saw The stage was set on fire with pion, the 19-year-old’s high-energy stage for the world’s best B-Boys to breaking was in the Run DMC video Kuwait’s best 16 B-Boys jumping and performances were enough for the battle it out one-on-one again at the clip “It’s Like That.” He learned his first spinning for the coveted prize. The judges to give him the honors by 14th edition World Final of Red Bull moves from his cousins and has event, which took place at Radisson three votes to two despite his rela- BC One on November 4. been dancing ever since. Menno is Blu was judged by breaking legends tive inexperience on the global Netherlands is home to celebrat- an all-around B-Boy, making a living B-Boy Cico (Italy), B-Boy Roxrite stage.”It’s been amazing,” says Issei in ed crews such as HustleKidz and the through working in shows, judging (Mexico) and B-Boy Nabil (France). fast paced Japanese. “People were so Ruggeds as well as 2014 BC One win- battles and teaching workshops. He The 2016 final battle was a repeat supportive, and this is by far the ner Menno - a member of the Red has also delved into different aspects of the 2015 final between B-Boy biggest show I’ve ever taken part in. Bull BC One All Stars who will join of dance, having created a solo show Primo and winner, B-Boy C-Sick and I’m very, very happy.” After the amaz- Poe One and C-Sick in supervising for theaters across his native The was as intense. However, C-Sick’s ing routines displayed in Japan, 2017 and judging the B-Boys’ perform- Netherlands. He is well respected for non-stop moves seemed in control Red Bull BC One promises to be the ance during Kuwait’s BC One Cypher his painting and graphic design and within the rhythm, taming down best yet with the planet’s most tal- this year. work, which he creates under the his opponent and achieving awell- ented B-Boys feeding off the pas- B-Boy Menno to Judge B-Boys’ moniker Mennopoly. He hopes that deserved win. More interestingly sionate Dutch crowd to discover the performance Menno Van Gorp rep- Hip Hop will always be a part of his and after achieving 3 consecutive next champion.

Al Tijaria launches ‘Plant a Tree in My Country’ Initiative

lant A Tree in My Country” is the latest initiative Enterprise Development has stated that this fruitful ny’s staff, tenants such as Costa Café, volunteer groups campaigns, through this initiative. We look forward to launched by the Commercial Real Estate cooperation between Al Tijaria Real Estate Company, Al such as: Loyac, Date Palm Friends Society and Ataa Hub being a role model for neighboring countries and the “PCompany “Al Tijaria” as part of their ‘We care’- Salmiya Group and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Society, Accounting Club at GUST University and Rotana rest of the world in the long run. “We Care” is the title Corporate Social Responsibility program. This initiative is Research is a result of our care in providing a healthy Hotel staff. Adwani also thanked Symphony Style Hotel chosen by the Commercial Real Estate Company to high- the brainchild of Al Tijaria’s Chairman Abdulfatah M R environment and safe outdoor area for families to enjoy Kuwait for their valuable participation in this event by light its corporate social responsibility initiatives in Marafie. The event focuses on increasing awareness on their best moments. Adwani added that more than 500 offering the volunteers light snacks and drinks and dis- alliance with applying corporate governance principles planting more trees and to further plant as many seedlings were planted in different areas in Boulevard in tributing giveaways which can be recycled and used as and as part of our responsibility in saving the environ- seedlings as possible in Boulevard and across Kuwait. On less than an hour. seedlings once consumed. ment and towards a greener future. Al Tijaria Real Estate April 1, 2017, the first inaugural initiative of this campaign He further appreciated the efforts of all the volunteers Rawan Adnan, Marketing and Leasing Dept. Manager Company thanked all the volunteers and employees for was successfully held in Boulevard. in accomplishing this achievement which includes the stated that Al Tijaria aims to encourage citizens and resi- their valuable participation in planting the trees and Adwan Al Adwani, Chairman of Al Salmiya Group for staff of Al Tijaria Real Estate Company, affiliated compa- dents to preserve the environment and initiate similar making this initiative a success. KKMA, IDF Kuwait organizes medical screening camp

he Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association of this mass medical camp by providing their sugar, blood pressure, height and weight will (KKMA), the leading social welfare organ- technical and facilities support. Medical wing be provided to all. ECG, Cholestrol test and Tization of Indians in Kuwait along with of Kuwait National Guard join hands with free medicines will also be provided upon Indian Doctors Forum (IDF) Kuwait celebrates KKMA last few years by providing their servic- doctors’ note with no cost to beneficiaries. the World Health Day on April 7 by organizing es. Kuwait National Guard officer will have a KKMA has been organizing the medical a large scale medical screening and consulta- courtesy visit at the camp. camp in association with Indian Doctors tion camp for Indians in Kuwait. The medical Sunil Jain, the Ambassador of India to Forum in Kuwait for seven years now, helping camp is being supported by Bader Al Sama Kuwait will inaugurate the camp at 8.30 am. thousands of needy people. Sageer Trakaripur, Medical Center Kuwait. He will also release a health directory which is N A Muneer, Ibrahim Kunnil, Ali Matra , Abdul Institutions such Kuwait Medical published on this occasion. In addition to the Fattah Thayyil , Hamsa Payyanoor, B M Iqbal, C Association, Kuwait Herat Foundation, medical screening camp, variety of health ori- Firose, A P Abdul Salam, K Basheer, K C Rafeek, Dasman Diabetic Center, Al Rahma Medical ented classes, exhibitions, and seminar also K C Gafoor from KKMA and Ashraf Ayoor Services, Association of Indian arranged during the medical camp. More than Managing Director Bader Al Sama Medical Ophthalmologists, Indian Dentists Alliance, 50 doctors from various medical departments Center, Nithin Menon Marketing Manager Saudi Kuwait Pharmasuitical Co., Indian and above of 150 paramedical and technical attended the press conference to explain the Optician Co., Asharf and Ashraf Co. are a part staffs serves the patients. Medical tests such as details of the medical camp. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 TV PROGRAMS

07:15 Disorderly Conduct: Video On Cat Noir 17:30 The Pioneer Woman Patrol 16:45 Elena Of Avalor 18:00 Chopped 08:05 Disaster Date 17:10 Liv And Maddie 19:00 Iron Chef America 08:30 Disaster Date 17:35 Descendants Wicked World 20:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:55 Ridiculousness 17:40 Girl Meets World 20:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 06:00 Guardians Of The Galaxy 00:15 28 Weeks Later 09:20 Key And Peele 18:05 Stuck In The Middle 21:00 Man Finds Food 06:25 Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man vs 02:00 The Viral Factor 09:45 Disaster Date 18:30 Bunk'd 21:30 Man Finds Food The Sinister 6 04:15 Big Game 10:10 Ridiculousness 18:55 Bizaardvark 22:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 06:50 Atomic Puppet 06:00 Close Range 10:35 Impractical Jokers UK 19:20 Disney Mickey Mouse 22:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 07:15 Gravity Falls 08:00 Christmas Twister 11:00 Urban Tarzan 19:25 Alex & Co. 23:00 Guy's Grocery Games 07:40 Supa Strikas 09:45 A View To A Kill 11:25 Urban Tarzan 19:50 Jessie 08:05 Two More Eggs 12:00 Automata 11:50 I Live With Models 20:15 Tsum Tsum Shorts 08:10 K.C. Undercover 14:00 Echo Effect 12:15 Lip Sync Battle 20:20 Backstage 08:35 Milo Murphy's Law 16:00 Golden Eye 12:40 Impractical Jokers UK 20:45 Austin & Ally 09:00 Walk The Prank 18:15 Harlock: Space Pirate 13:05 Disorderly Conduct: Video On 21:10 The Next Step 09:25 Right Now Kapow 20:15 Dracula Untold Patrol 21:35 Cracke 00:10 The Chase 09:50 Lab Rats 22:00 Troy 13:55 Ridiculousness 21:40 Best Friends Whenever 01:00 Emmerdale 10:15 Two More Eggs 14:20 Bondi Ink. 22:05 Girl Meets World 01:30 Coronation Street 10:20 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 15:10 I Live With Models 22:30 That's So Raven 02:00 Coronation Street 10:45 Mighty Med 15:35 Disaster Date 22:55 Star Darlings 02:30 Guess This House 11:10 K.C. Undercover 16:00 Disaster Date 23:00 Good Luck Charlie 03:25 Vera 11:35 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 16:30 Impractical Jokers UK 23:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 05:15 Come Date With Me Australia 12:00 Avalon High 00:15 Vet On The Loose 16:55 Lip Sync Battle Witch 06:10 The Chase 13:30 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 00:45 Bondi Vet 17:25 Key And Peele 23:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 07:05 Guess This House 13:45 K.C. Undercover 01:40 Lone Star Law 17:50 Life Or Debt Witch 08:00 Vera 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 02:35 Tanked 18:39 Ridiculousness 09:35 Gino's Italian Escape 14:15 K.C. Undercover 03:25 Pandamonium 19:03 Disaster Date 10:00 Come Date With Me Australia 14:40 Lab Rats 04:15 Gator Boys 19:27 Key And Peele 10:55 The Chase 15:05 Lab Rats 05:02 Vet On The Loose 19:50 Key And Peele 11:50 Guess This House 15:30 Supa Strikas 05:27 Vet On The Loose 20:13 Idiotsitter 12:45 Emmerdale 15:55 Supa Strikas 05:49 Lone Star Law 20:37 Important Things With Demitri 00:00 Henry Hugglemonster 13:15 Coronation Street 16:25 K.C. Undercover 06:36 Gorilla School Martin 00:15 Calimero 13:45 Coronation Street 16:50 Walk The Prank 07:00 Gorilla School 21:00 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 00:30 Art Attack 14:15 The Chase 17:15 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 07:25 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 21:30 Workaholics 00:55 Zou 15:10 Guess This House 17:40 Milo Murphy's Law 08:15 Lone Star Law 22:00 Inside Amy Schumer 01:05 Loopdidoo 16:00 Murdoch Mysteries 18:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 09:10 Pandamonium 22:25 Key And Peele 01:20 Henry Hugglemonster 16:55 Brief Encounters 18:10 Gravity Falls 10:05 Tanked 22:50 Tosh.0 01:35 Calimero 17:50 Come Date With Me Australia 18:35 Mighty Med 11:00 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 23:15 Tosh.0 01:50 Zou 18:20 Come Date With Me Australia 19:00 Atomic Puppet 11:55 Bondi Vet 23:40 The Daily Show With Trevor Noah 02:05 Art Attack 18:45 Emmerdale 19:25 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 12:50 Lone Star Law 02:30 The Hive 19:15 Coronation Street Everything 13:45 Gator Boys 02:40 Loopdidoo 19:45 Coronation Street 19:55 K.C. Undercover 14:40 Pandamonium 02:55 Henry Hugglemonster 20:10 Guess This House 20:20 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 21:00 Murdoch Mysteries 15:35 Tanked 03:10 Art Attack 20:45 Mighty Med 21:55 Brief Encounters 16:30 Vet On The Loose 03:35 Loopdidoo 21:10 Walk The Prank 22:50 Emmerdale 16:55 Vet On The Loose 00:30 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 03:50 Calimero 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 23:15 Coronation Street 17:25 Rugged Justice 01:20 Kids Do The Craziest Things 04:05 Art Attack 21:45 Marvel's Avengers Assemble 23:40 Coronation Street 18:20 Pit Bulls & Parolees 01:45 Kids Do The Craziest Things 04:30 Henry Hugglemonster 22:10 Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man vs 19:15 Tanked 02:10 Pick A Puppy 04:45 Zou The Sinister 6 THE GUARDIAN ON OSN MOVIES HD 20:10 Pandamonium 02:35 Pick A Puppy 05:00 Art Attack 22:35 Boyster 07:15 Emma's Chance 21:05 Rugged Justice 03:00 Destroyed In Seconds 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA 09:00 Frozen 22:00 Pit Bulls & Parolees 03:25 Destroyed In Seconds 05:45 Loopdidoo 10:45 The Hunchback Of Notre Dame II 22:55 Gator Boys 03:50 Ultimate Survival 06:00 Zou 12:00 American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into 23:50 Vet On The Loose 04:40 How It's Made 06:15 Calimero 00:00 America: The Story Of The U.S. The Spotlight 05:05 How It's Made 06:30 Loopdidoo 01:00 Cities Of The Underworld 13:45 Frozen 05:30 Dirty Jobs 06:45 Henry Hugglemonster 00:15 Food Lover's Guide To The Planet 02:00 America's Book Of Secrets 15:45 The Emperor's New Groove 06:20 Mythbusters 07:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 00:40 The Game Chef 00:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 02:50 Ancient Aliens 01:05 Raw Travel 17:15 Kronk's New Groove 07:00 Doki 07:25 Sofia The First 03:40 Bible Secrets Revealed 00:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 01:30 Dog Whisperer 19:00 High School Musical 3: Senior Year 07:25 Bear Grylls Survival School 07:50 The Lion Guard 04:30 The Universe 01:50 Botched 02:20 The Food Files 21:00 Inspector Gadget 07:50 Must Love Cats 08:15 PJ Masks 05:20 America: The Story Of The U.S. 00:35 The Living And The Dead 02:50 Celebrity Style Story 02:45 The Food Files 22:30 The Emperor's New Groove 08:40 How It's Made 08:40 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 06:10 The Universe 01:35 Line Of Duty 03:20 Celebrity Style Story 03:10 The Best Job In The World 09:05 How It's Made 09:05 Goldie & Bear 07:00 Cities Of The Underworld 02:35 DCI Banks 03:50 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 03:35 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Australia 09:30 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 09:30 Minnie's Bow-Toons 08:00 America's Book Of Secrets 03:25 DCI Banks 04:40 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 04:00 World's Best Beaches 10:20 Mythbusters 09:35 The Lion Guard 09:00 Ancient Aliens 05:30 Celebrity Style Story 04:50 Maximum Foodie 10:00 Bible Secrets Revealed 06:00 Hollywood Medium With Tyler 05:20 Maximum Foodie 11:00 The Universe Henry 05:45 Confucius Was A Foodie 00:15 Sunlight Jr. 06:55 E! News 12:00 America: The Story Of The U.S. 02:00 Frankie And Johnny 13:00 Cities Of The Underworld 06:40 Chasing The Sun 07:10 Hollywood Medium With Tyler 07:10 Raw Travel 04:00 The Girl Henry 14:00 America's Book Of Secrets 06:00 Gone With The Bullets 15:00 Ancient Aliens 07:35 Dog Whisperer 08:10 E! News 08:30 The Food Files 08:00 The Truth About Emanuel 09:10 Mariah's World 16:00 Bible Secrets Revealed 10:00 5 Flights Up 17:00 The Universe 09:00 The Food Files 10:05 Mariah's World 09:25 The Best Job In The World 12:00 The Girl 11:00 Mariah's World 18:00 America: The Story Of The U.S. 14:00 Trash 19:00 Cities Of The Underworld 09:55 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Australia 12:00 E! News 10:20 World's Best Beaches 16:00 Escobar: Paradise Lost 12:15 So Cosmo 20:00 America's Book Of Secrets 18:00 Very Good Girls 21:00 Ancient Aliens 11:15 Maximum Foodie 13:10 So Cosmo 11:45 Maximum Foodie 20:00 Nightcrawler 14:05 So Cosmo 22:00 Ancient Aliens 22:00 In America 23:00 The Universe 12:10 Chasing The Sun 15:00 E! News 12:40 Raw Travel 15:15 WAGs 13:05 Dog Whisperer 16:10 WAGs 14:00 The Food Files 17:05 WAGs 14:30 The Food Files 18:00 WAGs 14:55 The Best Job In The World 19:00 E! News 15:25 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Australia 00:45 Curious George 20:00 Mariah's World 00:20 Mankind The Story Of All Of Us 15:50 World's Best Beaches 02:30 Moomins And The Comet Chase 21:00 Mariah's World 01:10 The Curse Of Oak Island 16:45 Charlie Luxton's Homes By The 04:15 Capture The Flag 22:00 Mariah's World 02:00 Hunting Hitler Med 06:00 The Adventures Of Don Quixote 23:00 E! News 07:30 Mamma Moo And Crow 02:50 Storage Wars 17:40 Confucius Was A Foodie 23:15 Botched 09:00 Thumbelina 03:15 American Pickers 18:35 Chasing The Sun 19:05 The Best Job In The World 10:45 Curious George 04:05 Pawn Stars 19:30 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Australia 12:30 Moomins And The Comet Chase 04:30 Pawn Stars 20:00 World's Best Beaches 14:00 Egon And Donci 05:00 Mountain Men 20:55 Charlie Luxton's Homes By The 16:00 Thumbelina 06:00 Leepu And Pitbull Med 18:00 The Boxcar Children 00:00 Restaurant: Impossible 06:50 Shipping Wars 21:45 Confucius Was A Foodie 20:00 The Tale Of Despereaux 01:00 Mystery Diners 07:15 Shipping Wars 22:35 Chasing The Sun 21:45 Egon And Donci 01:30 Mystery Diners 07:40 Counting Cars 23:00 Raw Travel 23:15 Mamma Moo And Crow GOLDEN EYE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:05 Counting Cars 23:25 Dog Whisperer 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 04:15 Casualty 11:10 Must Love Cats 10:00 Sofia The First 03:00 Man Fire Food 08:30 Pawn Stars 05:10 Stella 12:00 Ultimate Survival 10:30 Doc McStuffins 03:30 Man Fire Food 08:55 Pawn Stars 06:00 Casualty 12:50 How It's Made 10:55 Miles From Tomorrow 04:00 Chopped 09:20 Storage Wars 00:15 A Night At The Roxbury 06:55 Casualty 13:15 How It's Made 11:20 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 05:00 Guy's Grocery Games 09:45 Storage Wars 02:15 Everest 07:55 Father Brown 13:40 Dirty Jobs 11:50 Loopdidoo 06:00 Barefoot Contessa 10:10 American Pickers 04:30 The Guardian 08:45 Doctor Who 14:30 Doki 12:05 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 06:30 Barefoot Contessa 07:30 The Bucket List 09:35 Stella 14:55 Bear Grylls Survival School 12:30 Gummi Bears 11:00 Time Team 00:10 Scam City 07:00 The Kitchen 09:30 Cas & Dylan 10:25 Casualty 15:20 Mythbusters 12:55 Zou 11:50 Time Team 01:00 Lawless Island 08:00 The Pioneer Woman 11:30 Everest 11:25 Father Brown 16:10 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 13:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 12:40 Swamp People 02:00 Mine Kings 08:30 The Pioneer Woman 13:45 Finding Forrester 12:15 Doctor Who 17:00 Race To Escape 13:35 PJ Masks 13:30 Ax Men 03:00 Mega Factories 13:05 Stella 09:00 The Pioneer Woman 16:00 Just Married 17:50 Now That's Funny 14:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 14:20 Mountain Men 04:00 Scam City 09:30 The Pioneer Woman 17:45 Steve Jobs 13:50 Casualty 18:40 Destroyed In Seconds 14:30 The Lion Guard 05:00 World's Toughest Fixes 10:00 Siba's Table 15:10 Ice Road Truckers 20:00 Pretty Woman 14:45 Father Brown 19:05 Destroyed In Seconds 15:00 Sofia The First 06:00 Mygrations 10:30 Siba's Table 16:00 Leepu And Pitbull 22:00 The Gambler 15:35 Doctor Who 19:30 How It's Made 15:30 Doc McStuffins 07:00 Filthy Riches 11:00 The Kitchen 16:50 Pawn Stars 16:25 Stella 19:55 How It's Made 15:55 Goldie & Bear 08:00 Mars 12:00 The Pioneer Woman 17:15 Pawn Stars 17:10 The Coroner 20:20 Mythbusters 16:20 Miles From Tomorrow 09:00 World's Toughest Fixes 12:30 The Pioneer Woman 18:00 Doctors 21:10 Race To Escape 16:50 PJ Masks 17:40 Hunting Hitler 10:00 Monster Fish 13:00 Siba's Table 18:30 Doctors 22:00 World's Funniest Fails 17:15 Sofia The First 18:30 The Curse Of Oak Island 11:00 Wicked Tuna 13:30 Siba's Table 19:05 Father Brown 22:50 Destroyed In Seconds 17:40 Doc McStuffins 19:20 Mountain Men 12:00 Air Crash Investigation 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 00:30 How Do They Do It? 20:00 Frankie 23:15 Destroyed In Seconds 18:05 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 20:10 American Pickers 13:00 Mygrations 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 00:55 Food Factory 21:00 The Level 23:40 Ultimate Survival 18:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 14:00 Mars 21:50 DCI Banks 15:00 Chopped 01:20 NASA's Unexplained Files 19:00 Goldie & Bear 21:50 Fifth Gear 15:00 Filthy Riches 22:45 DCI Banks 16:00 The Kitchen 16:00 Monster Fish 02:10 Ways To Save The Planet 19:25 Goldie & Bear 22:40 Swamp People 23:40 Doctors 17:00 The Pioneer Woman 17:00 Wicked Tuna 03:00 The Big Brain Theory 19:50 Doc McStuffins 23:30 American Pickers 20:05 Goldie & Bear 18:00 Air Crash Investigation 03:48 Mythbusters 20:35 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 19:00 Filthy Riches 04:36 How Do They Do It? 21:00 Gummi Bears 20:00 Monster Fish 05:00 Food Factory 05:24 NASA's Unexplained Files 00:10 Hank Zipzer 21:30 Miles From Tomorrow 20:50 Wicked Tuna 06:12 Ways To Save The Planet 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 22:00 PJ Masks 21:40 Air Crash Investigation 07:00 How Do They Do It? 00:00 Killers 01:00 Binny And The Ghost 22:25 PJ Masks 22:30 Filthy Riches 07:26 The Big Brain Theory 01:00 I Escaped My Killer 01:25 Hank Zipzer 22:55 PJ Masks 23:20 Mygrations 08:14 Mythbusters 02:00 Homicide Hunter 01:45 The Hive 23:20 Henry Hugglemonster 09:02 How The Earth Works 03:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 01:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 23:35 The Hive 09:50 How Do They Do It? 04:00 Killers Witch 23:45 Loopdidoo 10:14 Food Factory 05:00 I Escaped My Killer 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 10:38 The Unexplained Files 06:00 My Crazy Ex Witch 11:26 The Big Brain Theory 07:00 My Crazy Ex 02:40 Hank Zipzer 12:14 Mythbusters 08:00 Evil Up Close 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 00:20 Man V. Lion 13:02 How Do They Do It? 09:00 I Killed My BFF 03:30 Binny And The Ghost 01:10 Hunter Hunted 13:26 Food Factory 10:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 03:55 Hank Zipzer 00:20 Street Outlaws 02:00 Clouded Leopard 13:50 How The Earth Works 11:00 The First 48 04:15 The Hive 01:10 Gold Rush 02:50 Animals Gone Wild 14:38 The Big Brain Theory 12:00 The First 48 04:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 02:00 Idris Elba: Fighter 03:45 Jobs That Bite! 15:26 NASA's Unexplained Files 13:00 My Crazy Ex Witch 02:50 Killing Fields 04:40 Ultimate Animal Countdown 16:14 Mythbusters 14:00 Evil Up Close 04:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 03:40 Fast N' Loud 05:35 Clouded Leopard 17:02 Ways To Save The Planet 15:00 Crimes That Shook Australia Witch 04:30 Storage Hunters 06:30 Animals Gone Wild 17:50 The Big Brain Theory 16:00 I Killed My BFF 05:10 Hank Zipzer 05:00 How Do They Do It? 07:25 Jobs That Bite! 18:40 Mythbusters 17:00 The First 48 05:35 Binny And The Ghost 05:30 How Do They Do It? 08:20 Ultimate Animal Countdown 19:30 Sport Science 18:00 The First 48 06:00 Binny And The Ghost 06:00 Outback Truckers 09:15 World's Deadliest Animals 20:20 How Do They Do It? 19:00 Evil Up Close 06:25 Hank Zipzer 06:50 Street Outlaws 10:10 Survive The Wild 20:45 Food Factory 20:00 Britain's Biggest Heists 06:45 The Hive 07:40 Fast N' Loud 11:05 Man V. Monster 21:10 Ways To Save The Planet 21:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 06:50 The 7D 08:30 Venom Hunters 12:00 Shark Junction 22:00 Sport Science 22:00 Crime Stories 07:00 Jessie 09:20 Storage Hunters 12:55 Return Of The Lion 22:50 The Big Brain Theory 23:00 Sex, Fame And Murder 07:25 Jessie 09:45 How Do They Do It? 13:50 Animals Gone Wild 23:40 Mythbusters 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts 10:10 How Do They Do It? 14:45 Jobs That Bite! 07:55 The Zhuzhus 10:35 Gold Rush 15:40 Ultimate Animal Countdown 08:20 Elena Of Avalor 11:25 What On Earth? 16:35 Animals Gone Wild Compilations 08:45 Bizaardvark 12:15 Alaskan Bush People 17:30 Survive The Wild 09:10 Bizaardvark 13:05 How Do They Do It? 18:25 Man V. Monster 00:05 The Half Hour 09:35 Stuck In The Middle 13:30 Storage Hunters 19:20 Jobs That Bite! 01:10 Return To Amish 00:30 South Park 10:00 Stuck In The Middle 13:55 Storage Hunters 20:10 Ultimate Animal Countdown 02:00 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 00:55 South Park 10:25 Disney The Lodge 14:20 Gold Rush 21:00 Animals Gone Wild Compilations 02:25 Say Yes To The Dress: 01:20 Tosh.0 10:50 Bunk'd 15:10 Venom Hunters 21:50 Survive The Wild Bridesmaids 01:45 Tosh.0 11:15 Bunk'd 16:00 Outback Truckers 22:40 Man V. Monster 02:50 Love At First Swipe 02:10 Another Period 11:40 Pocahontas II: Journey To A... 16:50 Fast N' Loud 23:30 Shark Junction 03:15 Cake Boss 02:35 Another Period 12:55 Stuck In The Middle 17:40 Street Outlaws 03:35 Little Miss Atlanta 03:00 The Daily Show - Global Edition 13:20 Jessie 18:30 How Do They Do It? 04:20 Little People, Big World 03:25 Disorderly Conduct: Video On 13:45 Jessie 18:55 How Do They Do It? 04:45 Little People, Big World Patrol 14:10 Austin & Ally 19:20 Venom Hunters 05:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 04:15 Lip Sync Battle 14:35 Austin & Ally 20:10 Storage Hunters 06:00 Say Yes To The Dress: The Big 04:40 Ridiculousness 15:00 Liv And Maddie 20:35 Storage Hunters 00:15 Emma's Chance Day 05:05 Disaster Date 15:25 Liv And Maddie 21:00 The Wheel: Survival Games 02:15 Chilly Christmas 06:50 Say Yes To The Dress: 05:30 Sweat Inc. 15:50 Sunny Bunnies 21:50 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 04:00 American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into Bridesmaids 06:20 Catch A Contractor 15:55 The Zhuzhus 22:40 American Tarzan The Spotlight 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress: 06:50 Catch A Contractor 16:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug And 23:30 Fast N' Loud THE GIRL ON OSN MOVIES FESTIVAL 06:00 Kim Possible: So The Drama Classifieds

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (30/03/2017 TO 05/04/2017)

SHARQIA-1 SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 10:00 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 1:15 PM FANAR-2 LIFE 12:05 AM DAYLIGHT’S END 3:30 PM DAYLIGHT’S END 12:00 PM DAYLIGHT’S END 5:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 2:15 PM AVENUES-1 AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 8:00 PM POWER RANGERS 4:45 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE- Arabic 1:15 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 10:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:15 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE- Arabic 3:15 PM DAYLIGHT’S END 12:30 AM DAYLIGHT’S END 9:45 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE- Arabic 5:15 PM DAYLIGHT’S END 12:05 AM COLLIDE 7:15 PM SHARQIA-2 COLLIDE 9:15 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 1:00 PM FANAR-3 COLLIDE 11:15 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 3:00 PM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 12:45 PM COLLIDE 1:15 AM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 5:00 PM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 3:30 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 7:00 PM GURU -Telugu 3:30 PM AVENUES-2 SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 9:00 PM FRINAAM SHABANA -Hindi 6:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D-4DX 12:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:00 PM GURU -Telugu 6:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D-4DX 2:45 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 9:30 PM POWER RANGERS-2D-4DX 5:15 PM SHARQIA-3 AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 11:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D-4DX 7:45 PM GET OUT 12:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D-4DX 10:15 PM GET OUT 2:45 PM FANAR-4 KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D-4DX 12:45 AM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 5:00 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 11:45 AM COLLIDE 7:45 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 1:45 PM AVENUES-3 GET OUT 9:45 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 3:45 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 12:15 PM GET OUT 12:05 AM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 5:45 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 2:30 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 7:45 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 4:45 PM CHANGE OF NAME ACCOMMODATION MUHALAB-1 SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 9:45 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 7:00 PM GET OUT 12:15 PM COLLIDE 11:45 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 9:15 PM I, Surendra Sangaraju S/o Sharing accommodation KONG: SKULL ISLAND 2:30 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 11:30 PM Naraya Naraju Sangaraju, available in Farwaniya - GET OUT 5:00 PM FANAR-5 holder of Indian Passport Block 6, Street - 107, close NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 7:15 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 12:00 PM 360º- 1 No. Z3344254 & Civil ID No. to Metro Center. For execu- GET OUT 10:15 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 2:00 PM GET OUT 12:30 PM 283060507914 has tive working ladies / bache- GET OUT 12:30 AM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 4:00 PM GET OUT 2:45 PM changed my name to lors. Please contact: SAFRA 5 NJOOM 6:00 PM GET OUT 5:00 PM Surendra Singaraju here- 66625901. (C 5291) MUHALAB-2 SAFRA 5 NJOOM 8:00 PM GET OUT 7:15 PM inafter in all my dealings 5-4-2017 SLEEPLESS 11:30 AM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 10:00 PM GET OUT 9:30 PM and documents. (C 5290) NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 1:30 PM SAFRA 5 NJOOM 12:05 AM GET OUT 11:45 PM 5-4-2017 GURU -Telugu 1:30 PM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 4:30 PM MARINA-1 360º- 2 GURU -Telugu 4:30 PM COLLIDE 1:15 PM COLLIDE 11:45 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 3:15 PM COLLIDE 2:15 PM Automated GURU -Telugu 7:30 PM COLLIDE 5:45 PM COLLIDE 4:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 10:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:45 PM COLLIDE 6:15 PM enquiry SLEEPLESS 1:00 AM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 10:15 PM COLLIDE 8:15 PM about the COLLIDE 12:30 AM COLLIDE 10:15 PM MUHALAB-3 COLLIDE 12:15 AM Civil ID card is SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 12:00 PM MARINA-2 SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 2:00 PM GET OUT 12:45 PM 360º- 3 112 SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 4:00 PM GET OUT 3:00 PM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 11:45 AM 1889988 SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 6:00 PM GET OUT 5:15 PM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 2:45 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 8:00 PM GET OUT 7:30 PM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 5:30 PM COLLIDE 10:00 PM GET OUT 9:45 PM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 8:30 PM PRAYER TIMINGS COLLIDE 12:05 AM GET OUT 12:05 AM NAAM SHABANA -Hindi 11:15 PM Fajr: 04:13 FANAR-1 MARINA-3 AL-KOUT.1 Shorook: 05:34 GET OUT 1:00 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 12:00 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 12:00 PM GET OUT 3:15 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 2:00 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 2:00 PM Duhr: 11:51 LIFE 5:45 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 4:00 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 4:00 PM GET OUT 8:00 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 6:00 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 6:00 PM Asr: 15:23 GET OUT 10:15 PM Special Show “SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE” 6:00 PM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 8:00 PM Maghrib: 18:08 GET OUT 12:30 AM SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE 8:00 PM GET OUT 10:00 PM Isha: 19:27

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 5/4/2017 KAC 618 Doha 14:20 Departure Flights on Wednesday 5/4/2017 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time CLX 792 Hanoi 14:30 THY 772 Istanbul 00:10 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 AIC 988 Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 IYE 827 Mukalla/Sanaa 14:30 KAC 786 Jeddah 00:30 KAC 540 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:35 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 IRC 6512 ABD 14:50 JZR 267 Beirut 00:35 JZR 357 Mashhad 14:50 MSC 406 Sohag 00:30 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 KAC 102 LHR 00:55 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 KNE 382 Taif 15:00 DLH 635 Doha 01:00 KAC 788 Jeddah 14:55 ICV 675 Hong Kong 01:35 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 JZR 539 Cairo 01:25 KAC 692 Muscat 14:55 THY 773 Istanbul 01:40 FDB 060 Dubai 15:05 MSR 618 Alexandria 01:35 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:05 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:00 QTR 1079 Doha 15:15 UAE 853 Dubai 01:40 KNE 683 Madinah 15:05 MSR 619 Alexandria 02:35 KAC 563 Amman 15:40 KKK 6506 Istanbul 01:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:10 THY 765 Istanbul 02:50 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 KLM 446 Bahrain 02:05 KAC 562 Amman 15:10 KKK 6505 Istanbul 02:55 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 QTR 1086 Doha 02:05 KAC 502 Beirut 15:25 PGT 831 Istanbul 03:10 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:30 KAC 619 Doha 16:00 PGT 830 Istanbul 02:10 KAC 412 Bangkok 15:30 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:30 KNE 684 Madinah 16:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 RJA 645 Amman 03:55 KAC 775 Riyadh 16:05 KAC 118 JFK 15:40 KAC 418 Manila 02:50 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 OMA 646 Muscat 16:10 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 QTR 1087 Doha 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 SAW 705 Damascus 15:50 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 RJA 644 Amman 03:10 RJA 640 Amman 16:00 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:30 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 SVA 504 Madinah 16:00 KAC 417 Manila 04:20 SAW 706 Damascus 16:50 FDB 069 Dubai 03:15 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:10 JZR 560 Sohag 04:45 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 16:50 QTR 1076 Doha 03:40 FDB 051 Dubai 16:15 KAC 103 LHR 05:00 SVA 505 Madinah 16:55 KAC 544 Cairo 03:50 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 CLX 612 Hong Kong 05:15 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 CLX 612 Luxembourg 04:00 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:25 CEB 019 Manila 05:30 FDB 052 Dubai 17:05 CEB 018 Manila 04:00 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:35 QTR 1077 Doha 05:35 KAC 503 Beirut 17:15 KAC 344 Ahmedabad 04:15 KAC 542 Cairo 17:05 THY 771 Istanbul 06:25 JZR 266 Beirut 17:15 KAC 332 Trivandrum 04:45 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 KAC 358 Kochi 04:50 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 JZR 240 Amman 17:30 KAC 784 Jeddah 05:00 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:35 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 KAC 363 Colombo 17:35 THY 770 Istanbul 05:05 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 KAC 501 Beirut 07:50 KAC 357 Kochi 17:40 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 QTR 1080 Doha 18:05 KAC 171 Frankfurt 07:50 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 KAC 344 Chennai 05:30 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:30 BAW 156 LHR 08:20 KAC 343 Chennai 18:00 BAW 157 LHR 06:05 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 741 Dammam 08:30 KAC 283 Dhaka 18:00 KAC 284 Dhaka 06:35 KAC 512 Mashhad 18:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:40 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 KAC 773 Riyadh 08:35 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 KAC 302 Mumbai 06:55 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 KAC 539 Sharm el-Sheikh 08:40 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 156 Istanbul 07:05 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 08:45 JZR 538 Cairo 18:35 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 KAC 101 LHR 09:00 QTR 1081 Doha 19:15 KAC 384 Delhi 08:00 KAC 154 Istanbul 19:30 KAC 117 SNN/JFK 09:00 JZR 552 Alexandria 19:20 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 KAC 616 Bahrain 19:40 JZR 356 Mashhad 09:00 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 362 Colombo 08:50 KAC 674 Dubai 19:40 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:15 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:55 KAC 620 Doha 19:50 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 KAC 691 Muscat 09:30 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:50 KAC 561 Amman 09:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 20:10 IRC 6511 ABD 09:10 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:40 FDB 058 Dubai 20:30 QTR 1070 Doha 09:20 KAC 104 LHR 20:00 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:25 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:35 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KNE 381 Taif 20:10 KAC 541 Cairo 10:00 KAC 353 BLR 20:55 IRM 1188 Mashhad 09:55 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:15 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 DLH 634 Doha 21:00 MSC 415 Sohag 10:15 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 IRC 6522 Lamerd 10:00 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:00 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 KAC 617 Doha 10:15 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:25 KNE 232 Riyadh 21:10 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:05 KAC 564 Amman 21:00 KAC 153 Istanbul 10:30 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 JZR 561 Sohag 11:10 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:05 QTR 1071 Doha 10:35 KAC 301 Mumbai 21:40 KAC 742 Dammam 11:45 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:10 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 QTR 1089 Doha 21:45 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:15 IRM 1189 Mashhad 11:10 KAC 203 Lahore 21:45 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:15 MSC 416 Sohag 11:15 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:55 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 774 Riyadh 12:45 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:00 THY 766 Istanbul 12:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:50 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:00 KAC 155 Istanbul 22:15 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:05 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 13:15 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 KAC 511 Mashhad 12:45 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:25 CLX 792 Luxembourg 13:15 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:35 IYE 826 Sanaa/Mukalla 13:30 BBC 043 Dhaka 22:30 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 KAC 383 Delhi 22:35 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:50 IRC 6521 Lamerd 14:00 JZR 241 Amman 22:55 JZR 124 Bahrain 13:30 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 THY 767 Istanbul 13:45 JZR 528 Asyut 23:05 KNE 231 Riyadh 14:10 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 AAG 147 L76 IQA KAC 783 Jeddah 23:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 PIA 239 Sialkot 23:40 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 stars34 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

CROSSWORD 1569 STAR TRACK

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

Some form of education is in the wind and you may be the instructor. You would do well to play it low key this day. A friend has something to There is also the opportunity to be taught. Also, a new discovery bright- talk about and you could schedule in some visiting time for after work, or perhaps the ens your day. It may spur you into writing a bit of poetry. Whatever the case, you will noon break. You may be asked to listen to a customer's complaint. There are opportu- want to share the discoveries of this time. Charity work is something you enjoy doing nities to make your thoughts known in positive ways. You know how to make fussy but this birth year you may branch out into multiple causes. Not only will you become customers happy in an instant. This day brings some opportunities for financial gain. focused within this realm of activity but you will make a positive difference in whatev- There are, however, the usual difficulties in the workplace, but nothing you cannot er you choose to support. Because of your ability to be creative and expressive, you handle. Your concentration is enhanced and you could discover mistakes or improve may find that working with charities to organize drives is just what makes you happy. on steps to a quick resolution to whatever you are concentrating on now. If you want You enjoy celebrating tonight! Take lots of pictures. to begin a diet, today and tomorrow will be a time of productive beginnings.

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

Careful attention to details may keep you busy most of this workday. Your judgment could be temporarily out of order. Perhaps you have oth- Taking care of business is a major theme where your mental orientation is concerned. er things on your mind. To head off any real problems with your work, check and You love that feeling of being organized and find yourself getting much accom- recheck your progress. Your judgment of people and products is usually accurate but plished. Health goals also take on importance. You may find that you enjoy walks after today's planetary energies may help to create a few distractions. There are impression- the noon meal or during breaks. You may find yourself becoming intensely personal able moments today and you could regret your decisions, particularly based on some- and passionate in the way you appear to others. You will develop a more direct one else's influence-take your time. You may experience a heightened artistic inspira- method of communication, getting to the very heart of things. You show your appre- tion that manifests itself in creative work or just the urge to experience the beauty of ciation toward your friends later this day, as you join in a social event or participate in nature. Work in the yard or with plants can be quite calming later today and will help some joint activity. You could be inspired to stay awhile. You are a positive influence. you to gain a focus on the more positive parts of your life. Balance is returning.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You might like to ignore responsibilities and do some socializing today but You are quick to act and can save the day on more than one occasion. you know that is impossible for now. You drag your mind back into the There is good communication among authority figures as well as your peers. Believing business world and make your intentions to create some plans this evening to enjoy the in yourself is very important to your wellbeing. Expand your vision and do not give into company of your friends . . . Perhaps a dinner party this coming weekend. You aim to any negative thinking that could suppress your progress. You may enjoy discussing ACROSS complete your tasks-goals and work are soon accomplished. There is stability in your DOWN your educational background with a co-worker today. You find yourself remembering movements with the objective to see end results. There will be an urge to communicate. 1. A narcotic that is considered a hard drug. 1. Personnel who assist their superior in carry- the fun times as well as the struggles that you have worked through. You feel value in Also, perhaps a short trip or a special phone call is in order. Later this afternoon you will 5. A Japanese martial art employing principles ing out an assigned task. your life and it is admirable to express your appreciation for your own hard work as find you have a lot of energy and drive to be with your friends. This is a very physical time similar to judo. 2. A clique that seeks power usually through well as for those that helped you. Your creativity is strong. Opportunities exist to gain in in which exercise is fun and invigorating. Romance is possible this evening. 11. Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is intrigue. recognition, applause and attention from wherever you navigate. opened and a section of a blood vessel is 3. Jordan's port. grafted from the aorta to the coronary 4. A member of an agricultural people in artery to bypass the blocked section of southeastern India. ) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) the coronary artery and improve the 5. (of complexion) Blemished by imperfections Cancer (June 21-July 22 of the skin. blood supply to the heart. You may find yourself analyzing situations, perhaps even people, in Put your mind to work and take care of any details that you may need to 15. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh. 6. A state in midwestern United States. order to come up with solutions to problems. Someone could be hard to get along pull things into a completion. There are improvements scheduled now. Anything you 16. A high-crowned black cap (usually made of 7. Swiss painter influenced by Kandinsky with and an underlying truth will help guide him or her through a misunderstanding. do in groups or as teamwork will be successful. Throw away anything that does not felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey (1879-1940). You crave organization and practicality and you want to get things accomplished. serve you and set aside those things that are in need of updating or correction. You and Iran and the Caucasus. 8. A poliovirus vaccine consisting of inactivat- This person or situation could slow your progress-be prepared. Categorizing your underestimate your creative skills and may need some positive feedback today in order 17. Any culture medium that uses agar as the ed polio virus that is injected subcuta- steps today will help anyone sitting in for you while you might be on vacation will to continue with some particular project. Guard against any misunderstandings with a gelling agent. neously to provide immunity to help eliminate a lot of questions. Your earning power seems to be in a holding pattern parent or older family member this afternoon. You have been on such a roll lately-it and a loved one may be more important to you at this time. Plan some fun as well as 18. A port city in southwestern Iran. poliomyelitis. seems only right that you provide time for rest. This evening, rest is everybody's atti- relaxing times around your family for tonight. Your earnings will pick up in due time. tude-perhaps a movie or a good book would help. Protect your love interests. 20. A unit of energy equal to the work done by 9. An official prosecutor for a judicial district. an electron accelerated through a poten- 10. The cardinal number that is the sum of sev- tial difference of 1 volt. en and one. 11. Feline mammal usually having thick soft Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 21. Valuable timber tree of New Zealand yield- Leo (July 23-August 22) ing hard reddish wood used for furniture fur and being unable to roar. and bridges and wharves. 12. With the mouth wide open as in wonder or You may decide to pitch the idea of where you wanted your present In-depth discussions and probing conversations find you at your men- 23. A large family of trees, shrubs, vines, and awe. profession to take you. Working for a charity organization or a religious group may be tal best. Your analytical abilities are at a high. At one point today, you may feel that it is herbs bearing bean pods. 13. Found along western Atlantic coast. exactly where you want to be at this time, and besides, there may be a very important important to prove your ideas. Back up and take the whole situation into considera- 26. A solution containing a phosphate buffer. 14. Narrow-leaved green herbage. person of dating possibilities, just waiting for you to join in the group. If you create a tion. It certainly does not hurt to express your view and give some short demonstra- 27. Loose or flaccid body fat. 19. A radioactive element of the actinide plan for yourself that includes helping others, you tend to excel. However, if you wait tion; keep it simple and keep your audience wanting more. Your creative spirit is on automatic drive, making you very expressive-give people time to digest your presen- 28. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity. series. until you are much older before deciding to work with charities, there will be fewer opportunities for you to be expressive and helpful to others. You have a great aware- tation. The drive for interactions with loved ones is strong. There is a desire for physical 31. A public promotion of some product or 22. A slender double-reed instrument. 24. The blood group whose red cells carry ness of others that have not progressed in life and may find yourself analyzing and intimacy tonight with your loved one. Feed the spirit through some form of art, music service. aiding in their future goals. Planning for the future is always good. or dance. This is a wonderful time to do something special for your loved one. 34. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. both the A and B antigens. 35. A guided missile fired from shipboard 25. A rechargeable battery with a nickel cath- against an airborne target. ode and a cadmium anode. 40. Distinctive and stylish elegance. 29. A republic in southeastern Europe on the Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 44. A member of an Indian people formerly liv- Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula. ing along the Gulf coast of Louisiana and 30. A coenzyme derived from the B vitamin You crave organization and practicality and you want to get things Your work is successful. If a little attention goes a long way, think of what nicotinic acid. accomplished. You aim to have a place for everything and everything in its place. It a dedication to your work would bring about. You could be making new Texas. may be time soon to make your progress report to higher ups. Health and work goals discoveries-it is important not to become distracted. An older person in the family may 47. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 32. A nucleic acid consisting of large mole- cules shaped like a double helix. take on greater importance now. Secrets, conspiracies and the hidden links that unite need help later this day and you are ready to comply. See if there is some way you could 48. (formerly) A title of respect for a man in all things take on a great deal of mystery. Digging into the past for hints about the 33. A brittle silver-white metalloid element enlarge the circle of caretakers so that you are not alone in this endeavor. This afternoon Turkey or Egypt. present and future uncovers a lot of answers to the questions that are finally fading you will find yourself visiting and communicating with your many friends. Perhaps a 49. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly that is related to selenium and sulfur. away. When an elderly person is responsible for an animal or has friends, he or she hobby has your attention. Your attitude is good and you are in a mood to communicate aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true 36. (Greek mythology) A Titan who was forced usually remains more alert and invested in their own daily living. Consider buying a with everyone you see. You are having fun at this time as you become more involved stems and roots and leaves. by Zeus to bear the sky on his shoulders. houseplant or a few fish for a special elder; check back occasionally. with your family members. This is also a beneficial time to look for new ventures. 50. Welsh industrialist and social reformer who 37. Molten rock in the earth's crust. 38. New Zealand timber tree resembling the founded cooperative communities (1771- cypress. 1858). 39. A small cake leavened with yeast. Word Search Yesterday’s Solution 53. An artificial source of visible illumination. 41. At or near or toward the stern of a ship or 54. (Jungian psychology) The inner self (not tail of an airplane. the external persona) that is in touch with 42. Big-eyed scad. the unconscious. 43. (Greek mythology) Monster with nine 55. (old-fashioned) At or from or to a great dis- heads. tance. 45. Small New Zealand broadleaf evergreen 56. (Old Testament) The eldest son of Isaac tree often cultivated in warm regions as who would have inherited the Covenant an ornamental. that God made with Abraham and that 46. A radioactive metallic element that is simi- Abraham passed on to Isaac. lar to tellurium and bismuth. 59. A family of Sino-Tibetan languages spoken 51. (Sumerian) Water god and god of wisdom. in southeastern Asia. 52. A person whose head is bald. 63. West Indian tree having racemes of fra- 57. A port city in southwestern Turkey on the grant white flowers and yielding a durable Gulf of Antalya. timber and resinous juice. 58. North American republic containing 50 70. A loose sleeveless outer garment made states - 48 conterminous states in North from aba cloth. America plus Alaska in northwest North 71. One of the three prairie provinces in west- America and the Hawaiian Islands in the ern Canada. Pacific Ocean. 74. Formerly a large constellation in the south- 60. Lower in esteem. ern hemisphere between Canis Major and 61. A genus of Procyonidae. the Southern Cross. 62. (prefix) Across or crossing or on the oppo- 75. A widely distributed system consisting of site side. all the cells able to ingest bacteria or col- 64. In bed. loidal particles etc, except for certain 65. A girl or young woman who is unmarried. white blood cells. 66. Bulky grayish-brown eagle with a short 76. French writer (born in Belgium) best wedge-shaped white tail. known for his detective novels featuring 67. An open receptacle for holding or display- Inspector Maigret (1903-1989). ing or serving articles or food. 77. The basic unit of money in Western Samoa. 68. Look at with amorous intentions. 78. A doctor's degree in dental surgery. 69. Taking place over public roads. 79. Lacking external ears. 72. The rate at which heat is produced by an 80. Having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature individual in a resting state. especially as specified. 73. The fatty flesh of eel. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 information

For labor-related inquiries INTERNATIONAL and complaints: CALLS Call MSAL hotline 128

Afghanistan 0093 Lithuania 00370 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Luxembourg 00352 Algeria 00213 Macau 00853 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Macedonia 00389 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Angola 00244 Madagascar 00261 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Anguilla 001264 Majorca 0034 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malawi 00265 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Malaysia 0060 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Maldives 00960 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Mali 00223 Austria 0043 Malta 00356 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Azerbaijan 00994 Marshall Islands 00692 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Adaliya 22517144 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Kaifan 24849807 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Shuwaikh 24814507 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Nuzha 22526804 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Qadsiya 22515088 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Dasmah 22532265 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Shaab 22518752 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Sharq 22465401 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Jabriya 25316254 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Bayan 25388462 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Sabah 24810221 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 New Jahra 24575755 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 South Jahra 24775066 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tome 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 North Jleeb 24311795 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 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 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Hungary 0036 Togo 00228 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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MUSIC & MOVIES 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' legacy debated on anniversary

ifty years ago, Katharine Houghton found African-American doctor Hepburn's niece So much racism herself on her first big movie set making Houghton sees both sides but views the Critics said it was ultimately a cautious Interracial couples are now used in Madison Fsomething that made plenty of people movie as revolutionary. "I think the film really movie without much bite. Yes, there was a kiss Avenue-made commercials, indicating a growing deeply worried. Houghton and co-star Sidney was a kind of a thunderbolt," she said. "A lot of but Poitier and Houghton locked lips only acceptance. The US Census Bureau reports inter- Poitier were playing lovers in "Guess Who's very chic critics today say, 'Oh, "Guess Who's once, captured in a rearview mirror in the back racial opposite-sex married couple households Coming to Dinner," a romantic comedy directed Coming to Dinner" was way behind the times. All of a cab. Detractors said Poitier's character was grew by 28 percent over the decade from 7 per- by Stanley Kramer. Shooting had begun in San those problems were already solved and we did- too perfect - and a man who in one scene cent in 2000 to 10 percent in 2010. Houghton Francisco when word came that the movie was n't need a movie like that.' I think we did need a seemed to imply he was post-race - and takes no credit for any of it, saying she's just an canceled. It was an insurance problem, the stu- movie like that." Houghton played a young white Houghton's character was a rich and pretty girl actress. When asked if the film pushed the nee- dio explained. The timing seemed suspicious to woman studying in Hawaii who brings home an who wasn't his equal. "Any criticism of the film dle of change, she pauses. "There's no question the actors. "Columbia Pictures, when they accomplished African-American doctor and was really for the left, for it not being daring that art is a very powerful medium - television found out what the film was about, they didn't informs her parents - played by Katharine enough," said David Schwartz, chief curator at and film, in particular," she said. "But, let me put it want to do it. And they did everything they Hepburn and Spencer Tracy - that she intends to the Museum of the Moving Image in New York this way, 'Why do we still have so much racism? could to stop filming," recalls Houghton. "They marry him. Chaos ensues as her liberal parents City. "A lot of times with Hollywood, the movies Why? Why do we need to have Black Lives kept saying, 'Nobody's going to ever come and grapple with the concept of interracial marriage. are reflecting changes that are happening any- Matter?' Of course, black lives matter. All lives see this film. We're going to lose millions of The film, re-released this spring in a Blu-ray way. The film just captured a change that was In this file photo, actress and playwright matter. All lives deserve the opportunity." dollars on this film.'" edition , served as a challenge to liberals, a sort starting to take place." Katharine Houghton, who starred in the 1967 Monica White Ndounou, author of "Shaping The studio was wrong. The movie made more of modern-day fable made palatable with come- Columbia Pictures wanted to shut down the film ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ with the Future of African American Film," said "Guess money for Columbia than any film before it, dy. Most parents would be supportive of their production, arguing it couldn't get insurance for Sidney Poitier, poses for photographs in New Who's Coming to Dinner" could have done a bet- earned 10 Oscar nominations - winning two - daughter's involvement with Poitier's character - Tracy, who was gravely ill (he would die just days York. — AP ter job of forcing liberal audiences to confront and landed among the 100 greatest movies a handsome, charming, well-educated doctor on after shooting wrapped). Hepburn and Kramer their prejudices and of reaching out to black selected by the American Film Institute. The film, his way to work with the World Health agreed to put their salaries in escrow in case would become president. "I thought, 'Wow that audiences. But she respects the attempt. "If any- with its radical-for-its-time interracial romance, Organization. Only his race could be a sticking Tracy couldn't finish and another actor needed was kind of prophetic.'" More Hollywood thing, we can take what we've learned from this marked the first time a white actress and a black point. The social backdrop was far different in to be hired. Houghton, Hepburn's niece, was attempts to tackle interracial relationships would film, whether it's the failure or accomplishment actor kissed in a major motion picture. Some 1967. While the film was being shot, more than a frustrated that a scene in which she confronted follow, including Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever," of it, and we can continue to work toward telling movie theaters in the South refused to show it. dozen states had laws against miscegenation. her parents was cut but noted with pleasure Anthony Drazan's "Zebrahead," "Something more stories about the humanity of people and Fifty years later, some cheer its legacy while oth- The same year it came out, Secretary of State another one in which her character was asked New" with Sanaa Lathan, "Guess Who" with the ways in which they love each other," she said. ers look back and wince. Fans see its effects in Dean Rusk offered to resign after his daughter what would happen to their biracial children. Bernie Mac and "Loving" starring Ruth Negga. A "To me, that's the message." — AP modern films, like Jordan Peele's new hit, "Get married a black man. Interracial romance was In the film, she says they will grow up to "be stage version of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" Out," and in commercials for Cheerios and Chase such an explosive topic that Beah Richards, who president of the United States and they'll all have has been mounted - most recently in Boston Bank celebrating interracial couples. Critics think played Poitier's mother in the film, couldn't see it colorful administrations." Years later, the biracial starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner. it didn't go far enough to confront racism. in her hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Barack Obama, whose parents met in Hawaii,

Judge rejects Polanski bid to Review draw line under child sex case US judge on Monday rejected a Hanisee wrote in a filing to the court that motion by fugitive filmmaker Roman Polanski "wants answers-but will only show APolanski seeking assurances that he up if he likes the answers." "He forfeited his can return to the United States without fear right to make requests of the court when he of being jailed for having sex with a minor fled," she added. Braun, however, dismissed four decades ago. The Oscar-winning direc- the ruling as "one more attempt by the Los tor of "The Pianist" and "Chinatown" was Angeles Superior Court to cover up for past accused of drugging the 13-year-old before judicial misconduct." Polanski has been raping her at film star Jack Nicholson's engaged in a decades-long cat-and-mouse In this file photo, Harrison Ford greets fans during a Star house in Los Angeles in 1977. He admitted game with US officials seeking his extradi- Wars fan event in Sydney, Australia. — AP statutory rape after a number of more seri- tion for trial, before a global audience split ous charges were dropped, and spent an between continuing outrage and forgive- initial 42 days in jail before getting out on ness for his acts. He was arrested in bail ahead of his trial. But in 1978, convinced Switzerland in 2009 on a US extradition In this image released by STX Entertainment, Sam Clafin, left, and Gemma Arterton Harrison Ford a judge was going to scrap his plea deal and request and spent 10 months under house appear in a scene from, ‘Their Finest’. — AP send him to prison for decades, he fled for arrest before Bern rejected the US order. avoids action over near France and has been on the run ever since. His attorney Harland Braun told Los 'No sense' Angeles Superior Court the 83-year-old film- The United States then asked Poland to 'Their Finest' stylishly miss plane landing maker, who lives in Paris, had "already done extradite Polanski in January 2015, but the his time" and wanted to resolve the case country's Supreme Court ruled in December blends wit, romance in WWII ollywood star Harrison Ford is to avoid punishment with a finding that he has completed his that he had served his time under the plea over a near-miss at a California airport as he was pilot- sentence. He asked Judge Scott Gordon to deal. Braun has also written to Gordon to heir Finest " is a movie about mak- insider jokes, like when they go out to the Hing his private plane, his lawyer told AFP on Monday. order prosecutors to give some indication of unseal a secret transcript of the testimony of ing a movie, specifically a glossy past-his-prime actor Ambrose Hilliard (Bill Ford, a seasoned pilot and vintage plane collector, was how much time-if any-they want Polanski to Roger Gunson, the prosecutor in the "Tpropaganda film meant to bolster Nighy, always the scene stealer) for the approaching John Wayne Airport in Orange County in serve if he returns. Gordon ruled, however, Polanski case, collected in 2010 in the US. morale in Britain in the darkest days of the "corpse role" of the drunken father who's February when he headed toward a taxiway rather than the that there was "no sufficient or compelling The lawyer believes the testimony supports Second World War. It is also very much a described as being a "shipwreck of a man" runway, passing over a Boeing 737 with 110 passengers and basis for reconsideration of these issues." Polanski's claim that he had an agreement movie-movie. Good-looking, finely acted, and who is in his 60s but "looks older." six crew on board. The 74-year-old "Indiana Jones" star was to serve just 48 days and that-taken with the well-told, director Lone Scherfig ("An captured on air traffic control recordings released subse- Cat-and-mouse Polish decision-it should convince US Education") has made a charming, witty and Less glamorous than usual quently by the Federal Aviation Administration calling himself "The people have unambiguously stated authorities that Polanski has served his time. romantic gem. It is "Shakespeare in Love" in Ambrose of course thinks he's being con- a "schmuck," and saying he had been distracted by two jets. their desire to avoid discussing any substan- A decision will be made on this motion World War II. Adapted by Gaby Chiappe from sidered for the part of the hero and is stunned Ford's lawyer Stephen Hofer, president of Santa Monica- tive issues regarding Polanski's case until he on April 26, the court said. Braun said he the novel "Their Finest Hour and a Half" by to realize otherwise. They're also, late in the based Aerlex Law Group, said in a statement the FAA had is physically present in the court's jurisdic- was surprised to hear about the judge's Lissa Evans, "Their Finest" is centered on Catrin game, instructed that they have to cast an notified the actor that it had "closed its inquiry" into the tion," Gordon wrote in a 13-page ruling. decision at the same time that the media Cole (a luminous Gemma Arterton), a copy- American in the film because, in addition to February 13 incident. "The FAA conducted a full investiga- "The district attorney is acting well within was informed. "This morning he set a hear- writer hired by the government to help write British propaganda, the government now tion into the matter, including an interview with Mr Ford, her discretion to decline to state a position ing on April 26 about unsealing the tran- the "slop," or female dialogue, for a film meant needs this film to persuade the US to help out and determined that no administrative or enforcement to defendant absent from court and in war- script of Mr Gunson and he basically then to lift the spirits of a war weary citizenry. with the war efforts. The star they have in action was warranted," Hofer told AFP. "Mr Ford retains his rant status." The district attorney's office had rules, which really took me by surprise," he mind is a real Air Force pilot, Carl Lundbeck pilot's certificate without restriction. In closing the matter, objected to what they say amounted to an told AFP. "I didn't believe it when someone Disabled and temperamental artist (Jake Lacy) - a Captain America type with the agency acknowledged Mr. Ford's long history of compli- "advance preview" of Polanski's potential called me... It makes no sense, it's confusing. She's a sort of proto-Peggy Olson whose golden locks and a million dollar smile. You ance with the federal aviation regulations and his coopera- sentence. "The people simply do not believe He's denied the motion but he's going to talents and thick skin get her a place at the can guess how that goes. But just because tive attitude during the investigation." that it is in the best interests of justice to have a hearing about unsealing it." He said table alongside the men (although she is, they some of the beats are predictable doesn't The FAA does not identify individual pilots and was not give a wealthy celebrity different treatment he would probably speak with Polanski to make sure to hammer home, paid less than mean that "Their Finest" is ineffective - quite immediately available for comment, but was quoted by from any other fugitive from justice," Deputy discuss the case. — AFP her male counterparts). Catrin takes the job the opposite. The elegantly composed script Variety magazine as confirming it had concluded its investi- District Attorney Michele Hanisee said. out of necessity - her husband Ellis (Jack even begins to mirror the film within the film gation. The FAA said at the time of the incident that air traffic Huston) is a disabled and temperamental as the romantic tension grows between Catrin controllers had cleared "the pilot of a single-engine Aviat artist whose bleak industrial landscapes aren't and Tom. Both need an ending, but what will Husky" to land. The American Airlines jetliner managed to selling and thus not bringing in any money for it be? Claflin in particular is a standout, ironi- depart safely for Dallas, Texas, just minutes after the incident, their rent. Although Ellis tries to talk her out of cally because he's been made to look less according to reports. "Yeah, hi, it's Husky Eight-Niner Hotel the work, Catrin comes alive in the writer's glamorous than usual. His mousy brown hair, Uniform and the schmuck that landed on the taxiway," Ford room, sparring with the egotistical lead writer rounded specs and layers of tweeds and wool is heard saying on the FAA recording immediately after the Tom Buckley (Sam Claflin) as they try to meld lets his real acting heft shine through. You incident. minds to make a compelling story out of a actually believe he's the underdog. When the air traffic controller said it's "no big deal," Ford newspaper account of twin sisters who stole Without giving too much away, there is a responded that "it's a big deal for me." The FAA prohibits air- their alcoholic father's boat to rescue soldiers beat (you'll know it when it comes) that might craft landing on taxiways and sanctions for pilots found at from Dunkirk. sour things for some audiences, but it's not fault can range from a warning letter to a suspension of their It's a relentlessly appealing take on the cre- enough to destroy all the good that's there. license. Ford suffered a broken arm and minor head injuries ative process, laced with humor and insight as Inspiring, funny and genuinely romantic, when he crash-landed a World War II plane on a Santa Monica Tom and Catrin bicker and banter about just "Their Finest" is a solid, refreshing crowd- golf course two years ago, after the carburetor failed. He also who the hero should be (a man or the pleaser. "Their Finest," an STX Entertainment crash-landed a helicopter during a flying lesson in Ventura woman?), and how strictly they should adhere release, is rated R by the Motion Picture County, California, in 1999 and, a year later, his Beechcraft to the facts (not much, and, by the way, be Association of America for "some language Bonanza scraped the runway during an emergency landing in sure to cut out the boring parts). What ends and a scene of sexuality." Running time: 117 Nebraska. A longtime aviation enthusiast, Ford owns several up being put into production, of course, is minutes. Three and a half stars out of four. aircraft and claims more than 5,200 hours in his log book. He worlds away from reality, but there's a lovely MPAA Definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 is certified to fly and land planes, seaplanes and helicopters, This file photo shows filmmaker Roman Polanski during a break in a hearing con- discovery of the truth at the heart of the sis- requires accompanying parent or adult according to the National Transportation Safety Board. — AFP cerning a US request for his extradition over 1977 charges of sex with a minor, in ters' heroics that eventually makes it onto the guardian. — AP Krakow, Poland. — AP screen. Caiappe and Scherfig pack the film with fun side characters and pseudo showbiz

Renowned Indian classical singer Chris Evans talks breakup with Kishori Amonkar dies at 84 'Gifted' co-star Jenny Slate music student of Kishori Amonkar says Kishori Amonkar hris Evans says he's "endlessly grateful" for having the singer renowned for her innovative met his "Gifted" co-star Jenny Slate, despite their interpretation of classical Indian music A breakup in February. The romance between the has died. Gandhar Bedekar says the 84-year-old C comedic actress and "Captain America" star lasted nine Amonkar died late Monday at her home in cen- months. Evans tells USA Today that Slate is "an incredi- tral Mumbai after a brief illness. One of the lead- ble human being" and "a very, very special person." ing lights of the Jaipur "gharana" or community Slate also had some kind words for in an interview of musicians, Amonkar was trained by her with Vulture last month, calling him "truly one of the mother who was also a well-known singer. kindest people" she's ever met. But she added that the Amonkar developed her own distinctive breakup was probably for his best. She says she hasn't style, drawing on influences from other schools spoken with Evans much lately, but would "love to be of Indian classical music. Music students in India his friend one day." Moviegoers can catch a glimpse of often live with their mentors, and Bedekar's the former couple's chemistry when "Gifted" opens mother was one of Amonkar's oldest disciples. Friday. — AP In this file photo, actor Chris Evans poses for photogra- For her contribution to the popularization and phers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘Captain development of classical Indian music, the gov- America Civil War’ in London. — AP ernment honored her with two of the country's top civilian honors. — AP WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 lifestyle

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After dating show boom, TV helps you get a divorce he dating show boom that has swept the world's tel- evision screens since the success of "Married at First TSight" may be coming to an end, experts predict. Now it is time to get divorced. Producers are falling over themselves to make new shows about warring couples where everything has gone wrong. Analyst Virginia Mouseler said at the world's top TV gathering MIPTV in the French resort of Cannes on Monday that the tsunami of classic dating shows that followed the US blockbuster had run its course. "In the three years since 'Married at First Sight' the tide seems to have turned," she said. Instead a host of new shows are coming with couples making dramatic last-ditch attempts to save their relationships-or deciding to split. The Latvian hit "Mirror of Truth" puts unhappy couples through intense therapy and then asks them to choose whether they should stay together. The cathartic "One Palestinian female football players (in red) are seen during a qualifying match against Thailand for the Asian Women football Cup in the West Bank town of Al-Ram.— AFP photos Night with My Ex" from Britain's Channel 5 locks both part- ners from a failed relationship in an apartment "for the most intense night of their lives". The idea is that they either salvage something from the wreckage or get the answers they need to move on, said Mouseler, who heads The Wit, an influential trends For Palestinian women, football not just about winning newsletter. Couples go on a nostalgic journey to see if they can rekindle the spark in Finland's "Rewind Love", while across the Baltic Sea in Denmark they take a more rugged- ly radical approach. 'Playing football for girls is not something to be ashamed of or a sin'

Sexual healing he Palestinian women's football team saw a crushing tries meant to be in the group-Lebanon and Guam-have Islamist movement Hamas, only a small number of girls play In "Wild Therapy" bickering couples are dropped into defeat in their first match in Asian Cup qualifiers-a 6-0 withdrawn. Palestinian women's football has existed in indoor football. Members of the Palestinian national team the wilderness with a special forces veteran and life coach loss to Thailand-but for captain Claudie Salameh, the organized form for less than 10 years. The first team was come from the West Bank or Arab Israeli communities. who tests them to breaking point to see where the prob- T score means little. "Playing football for girls in Palestine is an formed in 2009 with little financial support and controversy Beyond trying to win, a major challenge for the players is lem in their relationship lies. The new Dutch show "A enormous challenge," she said after the match. "We face world over women playing what is seen by some as a man's game building a program and making their presence known. Riham Whole New Beginning" takes the idea to another level by football but also (challenges) in our country where an outdat- in shorts. There are now four teams playing outdoors and Al-Moghrabi, around 20, was one of the rare fans taking in getting families to sell-up and move to a South American ed vision of girls playing football exists." Palestinian women about a dozen indoors. About 400 girls over 14 are regis- Monday's game at the Faisal Al-Husseini stadium-the only jungle to begin again from scratch. Each family is given football players have sought to overcome traditional attitudes tered as players. The players face both "cultural obstacles" international Palestinian football venue. 75,000 euros ($80,000) to build a new home and life, while and the difficulties imposed by Israel's occupation to build a and, like all Palestinians, those imposed by the Israeli army Having travelled from the West Bank city of Jericho, she their assets at home are frozen. team now competing in Asian Cup qualifiers. The other teams due to the 50-year occupation of the West Bank, said Hanadi said she felt the players had "a strength, a will and a gift that Naturally, sex is the root of much of the discord. The upcoming Israeli show "Sex Tape" takes the bull by the in the Asian Cup qualifying group-Thailand and China-have Nasser Eldin, head of women's football for the Palestinian can both serve them and the whole country". "Playing football horns in a new form of public sex therapy where couples been training together for a long time. federation. Receiving permission from the Israeli authorities for girls is not something to be ashamed of or a sin," she said. are encouraged to film their lovemaking. They then must But the members of the Palestinian team were only for players to travel as well as for equipment to be transport- Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Federation, has share their experiences with other couples in a similar situ- together for 20 days before their match on Monday in Al- ed are issues that have been looked at by FIFA. been working to bring Palestinian teams-as well as the flag, ation in group therapy sessions, where each watches and Ram, the Palestinian city cut off from Jerusalem by Israel's anthem and cause-to all international sporting events. The comments on the other's sex tapes. The Dutch show "On separation wall. "We have to prove to our own people that 'Not a sin' federation works not only on training players and coaches, Top with Goedele" takes a slightly less outrageous girls can and know how to play football," said Salameh while But on a more personal level, due to traditional attitudes, but "also for rules guaranteeing the place of women-half of approach to tackling simmering frustrations under the waving her hands expressively, her fingernails painted with the players are subjected to debates over their clothes and the society-in this sporting revolution," he said. — AFP sheets. The host encourages couples to talk about their flamboyant red polish-the same color as the Palestinian jer- pursuit of sporting activity past the age when some believe real sexual needs and uses facial mapping and eye tracking seys. Tomorrow, they will play their second cup qualifier they should be married. The subject has come up at sermons technology to better identify their hidden desires. against China as part of their aim to reach the 2018 tourna- in some mosques. In the Gaza Strip, the other Palestinian terri- Of course if people were more careful before they ment to be held in neighboring Jordan. The two other coun- tory separated from the West Bank by Israel and run by rushed up the aisle they would save themselves a lot of misery. Which is why Latin American producers have come up with two shows to test love to the limits first.

Five-month stag party Chile's "Double Temptation" puts soon-to-be-married couples in adjoining Big Brother-style houses to see if they can resist the blandishments of "14 attractive singletons" bent on seducing them. "Marry If You Can" from neighbor- ing Argentina subjects couples to a five-month stag party replete with multiple temptations. "Only true love can pass the test", the producers claim, with the winning couple get- ting a house, a paid-for paradise wedding and a honey- moon. British channel E4 uses a more scientific approach. Its "Game of Clones" gives contestants the choice of eight identically dressed possible partners who exactly meet the physical criteria demanded. "It all comes down to personal- ity when they all look the same," the creators declared. And the US show "The Game of Dating" lets viewers at home pitch in on whether a date is really boyfriend or girlfriend material. Sweden's TV3, however, knows that the real way to a woman's heart is a man's toolbox. In "Handyman Wanted" it tries to pair "three strong, independent women who want to build their dream home" with the most quali- Palestinian female football players (in red) are seen during a qualifying match against Palestinian female football players (in red) are seen during a qualifying match. fied men.—AFP Thailand for the Asian Women football Cup in the West Bank town of Al-Ram. Wahran Trading Company introduces 'The Fragrance Collection' by Boucheron ince it became the first jewellery house to move to Place Like a daydream, Jasmine Petals undulate, free and ethere- The exoticism of YlangYlang and the almond sweet- Vendome in 1893, Boucheron has ceaselessly elevated al, in a sweet illusion of almond blossom embodied by ness of Frangipani Flower gives this floral middle a sunny Sits creations across the world, renewing and drawing its Heliotrope. The base note evokes mystical sensuality. intensity that enhances the spellbinding majesty of a inspiration from the journeys and discoveries of its gem Enveloped in a mysterious Patchouli veil, Vanilla is both sensu- Tuberose Infusion. hunters in return. Crossing seas and deserts in search of min- al and carnal. White Musks bring infinite softness to this base, The voluptuous fragrance of Vanilla brings comforting eral perfection, these explorers tirelessly roam the five conti- like the caress of a feather on the skin. fluidity to the base, accentuated by the sensual and nents to unearth and select the most precious gemstones. addictive trail of Tuberose Absolute. Smooth and comfort- From the steep shores of Sicily to the sands of Egypt, the oases able, Sandalwood takes on the bewitching scents of this of the Persian Plateau to the luxuriant tropical vegetation of sacred flower. the Indian Ocean islands, they have brought back much more In this file photo, Kendall Jenner arrives at the American than exceptional stones from their distant expeditions: mem- Vanille De Zanzibar Music Awards in Los Angeles. — AP ories brimming with emotions, lights and scents. With the zesty burst of Mandarin, Jasmine Petals shake ele- Marked by the soul of these legendary lands, their minds gantly and release a sheer and ethereal floral charm. Kardashian clan have gradually helped to form the Boucheron spirit itself, Gentle luminosity with a hint of juicy Pear brings moderni- feeding it with colours and scents that quiver at the heart of ty and color to the top notes. Unsettling and fascinating, the the Maison's collections, in both its jewellery and fragrance middle notes surrender to the richness of Bourbon Vanilla. The member Kendall Jenner creations. An expression of the perfect harmony between Oriental sensuality of its black pods is combined with the these two arts, the new collection of six fragrances with their amber and coppery character of Balsam of Peru to enhance captivating exotic resonances continues the extraordinary tra- its natural power. The creamy floral tones of Heliotrope soften says, 'I'm a big kid' dition of the Boucheron gem hunters. A showcase exalts and this addictive duo. The generous trail of White Musks passion- elevates each one of these fragrant treasures, with bottles fea- ately envelops this exotic beauty with an irresistible powdery hen Kendall Jenner isn't strutting down a runway in turing simple, elegant lines that carefully hold their precious veil. A carnal intensity, tactile and irrepressible, is supported wings, cheesing as Marilyn Monroe on video or flea contents. These perfectly proportioned glass columns are set from below by the woods. Smooth Sandalwood and warm Wmarket shopping with Paris Jackson, you might look with a golden metal neck that reinterprets the emblematic Patchouli wrap up the fragrance with charisma. for her outside. Whether it's next to a pool or on a motorbike, Maison Boucheron double gadroons. The bottles are topped enjoying the great outdoors is one of those things the 21- with a solid white cap which echoes the elegance of marble. Oud De Carthage year-old does just for herself. "I'm born and raised in LA. Even Adorned with a metal plaque bearing the name of each fra- An extremely rich accord offering three facets as distinct as as a kid I was always outside with my little sister. We were in grance, the heavy, transparent glass showcases the colourful, they are complementary. the mud being stupid," the Kardashian clan member told The radiant juices: the blue-violet of Iris de Syracuse, the pastel The strength of an oriental note with a touch of mystery Associated Press with a laugh in a recent telephone interview yellow of Tubereuse de Madras, the sea-green of Neroli D'Ispahan brought by Incense and Honey. from her hometown. Nerolid'Ispahan, the orange-yellow of Vanille de Zanzibar, the The brilliant combination in the top notes of Green Magneticism triggered by a blend of Labdanum Absolute Since, with her on-fire modeling career taking her all over caramel shades of Ambre D'Alexandrie, and the candied Cardamom and Ginger brings an elegant, bursting depth, and Tonka Bean with sensual and comfortable notes. the world, she's had to grab Kendall time when she can. "I've chestnut tones of Oud De Carthage. accentuated by the fresh and peppery facets of Elemi. A pow- The base offers a touch of imposing distinction with two had those moments where you kind of need to just take care Each perfume in the collection is presented in a luxurious erful trio that reveals the ardent character of the spices. accords: Oud and Leather. of yourself and say no to a certain thing," Jenner said. "I think box covered with pure white heavy paper and embellished Infused with the sunny intensity of Neroli, the fragrance that's key." Also key when life gets too hectic: stepping away with golden double gadroons andwith the name inscribed on reveals a heart of Cistus whose amber and resiny softness is Ambre D'Alexandrie from her phone, even deleting the apps for Instagram or a golden rectangle. A discreet loop of grosgrain ribbon, iconic sculpted by the effervescent vigor of Pink Peppercorn. Lulled Both sweet and voluptuous, notes of Creamy Vanilla and Twitter - for a time. "I love setting my phone down and really motif of Maison Boucheron, in the fragrance's colour reveals a by the delicate sensuality of White Musks, this authentic base Benzoin have been coated with a Spirit of Narguile accord, in a trying to enjoy something that's right in front of me," she said. single hint of the bottle within. brings the amber minerality of Ambrox together with the pro- surprising, mystical and hypnotizing blend. Cistus resin Jenner is the latest celebrity to star in a Pepsi "Live for Now foundly woody and warm character of Patchouli Essence. enhances the Amber accord with its Leathery oriental facets. Moments" video and responded this way when asked if she Iris De Syracuse For more complexity with an animal touch, the base was cre- misses those childhood times with sis Kylie: "Of course I do. The top note is a subtle vibration. Enhanced with the Tubereuse De Madras ated around a bed of Ambergris and carnal Musk, and leaves a I'm a big kid. I still love being outside and, like, in the dirt." Is sparkling freshness of tangy Mandarin, juicy and crunchy Pear In the top notes, the rich and delicate petals of Orange remarkable trail. stepping back and saying "no" when she feels life spinning is elegantly contrasted with a spicy touch of Black Pepper. The Blossom illuminate Violet Leaf, revealing lush nature through too fast something that comes easy? "I've never been a yes middle note is a powdery balm. Almost tangible, Iris Concrete its vegetal and fresh facets. Succulent and tangy Passion Fruit person," Jenner said. "If I don't want to do something I proba- evokes a rich and comfortable powder. completes this olfactory treasure with its glowing colors. bly am not going to do it." — AP lifestyle WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

FEATURES

In this photo a premium Japanese Pearl White strawberry (left) and Kotoka strawberry (right) from Nara, Japan, each A premium Japanese melon is displayed at the Yau Ma Tei fruit market in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong. costing 21.60 USD (168 HKD), are displayed at high-end supermarket City Super in Hong Kong. — AFP photos A slice of luxury: Hong Kong's high-end fruit fad

t might be a healthy food choice, but Hong Kong's latest fruit fad is doing serious damage Ito shoppers' wallets. From luxury supermarkets to outdoor stalls, expensive premium produce is increasingly on show and sought after by cus- tomers. At Hong Kong's vibrant Yau Ma Tei fruit market, a Malaysian durian goes for HK$600 ($77) and Tasmanian cherries for HK$550. On the shelves of high-end supermarket City Super, a single Japanese strawberry recently fetched a whopping HK$168. Each strawberry nestled on a paper pillow, encased in a glossy cardboard box. The appetite for pricey fruit from far afield reflects a quest for what punters see as clean, fresh A customer (second right) smells a box of Japanese premium strawberries at the Yau Ma produce, even if it has travelled thousands of miles. Tei fruit market in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong. Fruit shoppers told AFP they did not consider pro- duce from mainland China the source of much of Hong Kong's food-as healthy. "I used to buy main- land fruit, but now I could never go back. It is not Premium Japanese melons, each costing 15 USD (120 HKD), are displayed. as safe and fresh," said Peter Wong, 48, an account- ant who says he spends around HK $2,000 on "Professional, high-class people come here on 'Nothing local' imported fruit each month for himself, his wife and Saturdays and Sundays, with their Maseratis and In Hong Kong, prices are driven by demand, but their two children. Ferraris and Benzs parked outside," Chan told AFP. are also pushed up by new techniques that "The fruit is fresher if it comes from overseas, Shoppers liked to see themselves as "professional" enhance sweetness. Japanese products are the like the USA or South Africa or Japan," he said as he fruit buyers, able to sniff out the best produce, he most popular at Yau Ma Tei, according to vendor browsed the Yau Ma Tei stalls. Reports of farmers added. Chan, but fruits from further afield, including figs using excessive pesticides, fertilizers and preserva- The trend is not limited to Hong Kong. Japanese from South Africa, also find favor with customers. tives in China have damaged the reputation of its families and businesses routinely offer expensive The $77 Malaysian durian at Chan's stall was care- produce, and food grown locally in Hong Kong is fruits as presents to express gratitude. Specialized fully grown, picked ripe, then frozen and flown to very limited. luxury fruit parlors, often located inside high-end Hong Kong, he said, making it more expensive The trend partly reflects a growing desire for a department stores, boast a wide selection of spot- than fruit shipped by sea which ripens during the healthier diet, in a city where traditional dishes can less cherries, mangoes and melons, set neatly journey. As Hong Kong battles to contain food be heavy on salt and fat. But it is also about status- inside cushion-lined wooden boxes. Top of the line waste, critics say high-end fruit is an environmental expensive fruit has become a popular gift to fruits can command sky-high prices at the first auc- hazard due to its overpackaging. But for some, that impress loved ones and colleagues, tapping in to tion of the season, from "Ruby Roman" grapes is part of the appeal. Christopher Gallaga, a former an established Chinese tradition of giving fruit to attracting bids going up to $4,000 for a bunch, to a food and drink manager at City Super, said heavily bring good luck and prosperity. pair of cantaloupe melons sold for more than wrapped fruit was seen as a sign of "standard and $9,000. class" and sold better than loose produce. Keeping face In South Korea, fruit has long been a popular "The trend is just towards nothing local, every- Daniel Chan, 42, a vendor at Yau Ma Tei whose gift option during the Lunar New Year holiday and thing imported," Gallaga said, adding that it reflect- family has been running the business for 70 years, Chuseok, a harvest festival often described as a ed a "distrust" of mainland produce. Shopper Wong said the gifting of expensive fruit was largely relat- Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving. Elaborately said his fruit-buying habit is about a sense of the ed to "face", an important element in Chinese cul- packaged imported fruits became especially popu- exotic-and proof of his quality know-how. He said: ture to show wealth and generosity. The family lar in some quarters in recent years, but after a new "I can now buy the best fruits to share with my used to sell only to wholesalers, but has branched anti-graft law took effect last year, putting a limit of friends and family." — AFP Customers (back center) taste prepmium Japanese fruits at the Yau Ma Tei fruit market in out into retail in the past two years thanks to the around $50 on the value of business gifts, sales of the Kowloon district of Hong Kong. demand for premium fruit from wealthy customers. such items have declined.

A wholesale fruit vendor minds his shop at the wholesale Yau Ma Tei fruit market in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong. Vendors work at the wholesale Yau Ma Tei fruit market in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong.

'Pink Star' diamond fetches record $71.2 million in Hong Kong giant diamond named the "Pink Star" broke Bennet, who presided over the auction, called it a fetched $83 million. But Sotheby's was forced to the world record for a gemstone sold at auc- "historic sale". take back the flawless diamond after that buyer, a Ation when it fetched $71.2 million in Hong Bidding started at around $56 million. The sale New York-based diamond cutter, defaulted on the Kong yesterday. The 59.60-carat "Pink Star" is the lasted for five minutes before the winning offer sale. The previous record for a jewel successfully largest in its class ever graded by the Gemological came from a phone bidder and prompted a round sold at auction was $57.54 million in May 2016 for Institute of America. "Sotheby's Hong Kong is very of applause. The sparkling oval-cut rock measures the 14.62-carat "Oppenheimer Blue" sold by proud to have this record," its Asia chairman Patti 2.69 by 2.06 centimeters (1.06 by 0.81 inches) and Christie's in Geneva. — AFP In this file photo, the "Pink Star" diamond, the most valuable cut diamond Wong told AFP, adding this was a new world auc- weighs 11.92 grams (0.026 pounds). It was discov- ever offered at auction, is displayed by a model at a Sotheby's auction tion record for any type of jewel. Sotheby's world- ered in a mine in Africa by De Beers in 1999. At a room in Hong Kong. — AP wide chairman for international jewelry David previous auction, in Geneva in 2013, the stone lifestyle WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017

FEATURES

Alison Pilgrim, from Melbourne, Australia, right, makes a photo of her daughter Eve Pilgrim, 2, left, seated on a replica of a Sahara camel at a show called "America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far," at the Children's Museum of Manhattan in New York.

Muslim artifacts are encased for display, during the exhibition "America to Zanzibar: A mural of a mosque appears at an exhibit called "America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far," at the Children's Museum of Manhattan Muslim Cultures Near and Far," at Children's Museum of Manhattan in New York. in New York. — AP photos Muslim culture show a hit at Children's Museum of Manhattan

n exhibition about Muslim cultures Egypt, ceramics from Turkey and rugs from around the world is proving popular Morocco. They can also weigh their catch at Aat the Children's Museum of the Zanzibar fish market, smell Indonesian Manhattan. The museum has seen an fruits, serve Tajik tea and design outfits increase in visitors since the show opened, inspired by West African tailors who work with a third of those visitors from outside in New York. And they can explore ancient the New York area. The show, called trade routes on a camel or an Indian Ocean "America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near boat called a dhow. and Far," runs through December and will The exhibit is decorated with geometric open in February 2018 at the Creative tile designs, patterned rugs, ceramics and Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, other works of art. A 3-D installation shows Tennessee, followed by a run in 2019 at the mosque architecture from the Maldives to Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. China. The exhibit is designed for children "As a first-of-its-kind exhibition, the con- aged 2 to 10 and their families. — AP tent of 'America to Zanzibar' is new for most visitors," said Andrew Ackerman, the museum's executive director. "Many par- ents are eager for their children to experi- Youngsters interact with a dis- A youngster interacts with a display on musical instru- ence a broad range of cultures in a deeper play of musical instruments at ments while, Lizzy Martin, right, Director of Exhibit way than what they encounter in the Children's Museum of Development and Museum Planning at the Children's media. Our exhibition helps address this Manhattan, during the exhibi- Museum of Manhattan, is interviewed at the exhibition need." The exhibition includes interactive tion "America to Zanzibar: "America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far," in features like a global marketplace where Muslim Cultures Near and Far," New York. children can pretend to buy spices from in New York. Centennial of US entrance into WWI lures visitors to museum

rossing a glass walkway that spans a field of 9,000 pop- Vietti. So noteworthy was the achievement that Allied com- Hindenburg, a German commander and national hero who lat- pies, visitors to the official US memorial to World War I are manders from Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, France and the US er became Germany's president and in 1933 appointed Adolf Ctransported to a time when tanks and air warfare were gathered in 1921 to dedicate the site. It's located across the Hitler chancellor. new and the hopeful flowers sprang up on the barren, trench- street from the Kansas City train station that more than half of Visitors can also see the rapidly evolving weaponry that led dotted battlefields where hundreds of thousands of soldiers US troops passed through before being shipped overseas. to widespread casualties as commanders struggled to adapt. died. The museum, which is housed under a tower that rises 217 When the monument was completed five years later, a crowd There's a British torpedo, a US-made Naval mine, a life-size repli- feet (66 meters) into the Kansas City skyline and is topped by a of more than 150,000 turned out to hear President Calvin ca of a British biplane known as the Airco DH.2 and a French giant flame, will be the site of a remembrance Thursday to mark Coolidge speak at the dedication. Renault tank that Vietti described as a weapon of "terror as well the 100-year anniversary of the United States entering the war. But years of deferred maintenance led the site to be closed as a weapon of war." The poppies that visitors pass while entering the museum in 1994. A massive $102 million transformation followed, fund- One exhibit highlights the damage an artillery shell would represent the 9 million combat deaths of the Great War, about ed by a sales tax, bond issue and private donations. The exteri- have done to a house in the French countryside, while another 116,000 of them Americans. "In Flanders fields the poppies or was repaired, and the design firm behind attractions such as allows visitors to glimpse inside replicas of the trenches where blow. Between the crosses, row on row," goes a famous poem Washington's Holocaust Memorial Museum was tapped to cre- doughboys fought and often died. In the Horizon Theater, about the Belgian battlefields where hundreds of thousands of ate a new museum that would tell World War I's story of assas- World War I film footage plays on a 100-foot (30-meter) screen soldiers died on the war's Western Front. With the centennial of sination, empires swept away and new nations born. The site, above a full-scale tableau of no man's land. The site's original the fighting drawing more attention to the war, more than now known as the National World War I Museum and museum now hosts rotating exhibitions, with the latest high- 200,000 visited the museum last year, an increase of about 50 Memorial, was made official in legislation that President Barack lighting propaganda posters. Matthew Naylor, the president percent from three years earlier. They included visitors from Obama signed in 2014. and CEO of the museum, keeps his grandfather's wartime more than 70 countries. shaving kit on display in his office. While issued by the British, it Propaganda posters was made in Germany. He noted that the two countries were Collecting money The museum's collection of documents and artifacts has a trading partners before the war. The "fragility" of world rela- The site's Egyptian Revival-style monument was erected in global breadth, covering the period both before and after the tions at the time, Naylor said, has parallels to today that "some a burst of postwar patriotism after $2.5 million was raised in US entered the war. The conflict ended in 1918 with the Treaty would say are ominous." — AP less than two weeks in 1919, an amount that would be equal of Versailles, though many historians believe the treaty's terms to about $35 million today. Children helped, going door to helped set the stage for World War II a generation later. Among Visitors stand on a glass walkway over door collecting money in what was "an early 20th century sto- the items used to tell the complex story of the connection 9,000 poppies inside the entrance of ry of crowdsourcing," according to museum spokesman Mike between the two wars is the tunic and cape of Paul von the National World War I Museum.

A visitor leaves the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Mo. Uniforms hang on display at the National World War I Museum in Kansas A docent walks past a French artillery piece at the National World War I City, Mo. Museum in Kansas City, Mo. — AP photos] Muslim culture show a hit at Children's Museum of Manhattan

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 39

Uwe Gerstenberg decorates a robinia tree with nearly 10,000 painted Easter eggs in Saalfeld, central Germany, Sunday. — AP

Bizarre News Dutch clog-makers hoping Empire Cinemas will celebrate Ben and and having the "flash" idea of immortalizing them in a picture Jerry's Annual Free Cone Day today created from their ashes. The German-born artist, 51, told the Empire Cinemas are set to take part in the Ben and Jerry's Metro newspaper: "I was in a terrible state of grief because a Annual Free Cone Day this week. The film screening chain will close friend, who I had no idea was in such distress, had just to put a stamp on the future mark the yearly celebration for the 13th year in a row yester- committed suicide. "It not only devastated me but also day by giving out free ice creams at nationwide centers from brought back all the unresolved pain I had felt over my father's midday to 8 pm, and all donations will be passed on to a local death fifteen years earlier. By chance, I had recently seen cre- ust decades ago there were thousands. Now only about A shoe for all seasons charity of the cinema's choice. The annual day started in 1979 mated ashes for the first time and I had been deeply moved by 30 Dutch clog-makers remain, fighting to save a dying Even though clogs have been made for centuries across in a bid to thank loyal customers for indulging in their cold the experience. "Probably as a result I had the idea, which did Jcraft with the wooden shoes more often found today as many countries such as in France and Britain, they have tasty treats during their first year of business. Speaking about come as a kind of flash, of making portraits of my father and fridge-magnets rather than footwear. Expertly wielding a long become as synonymous with this lowlands country of 17 mil- the campaign the Retail Manager for Empire Cinemas, Gordon my friend out of their ashes." The art pieces - which are created metal spoon-like tool, Nicole van Aarle rhythmically hewed lion people as tulips and windmills. Up until World War II, clogs MacDonald, said: "Ben & Jerry's are a key part of our cinema by adding the ashes to layers of wax piece by piece - are away at a piece of willow, the shavings falling at her feet, the were the footwear of choice for most Dutch people. Made experience and we're delighted to welcome Free Cone Day "extremely painstaking" to make, but Heide believes she feels walls of her workshop in the southern Dutch town of Aarle- from a single piece of wood, they are "warm, dry and not very again to our cinemas. This is a fantastic way to raise money for a "deep communication" with the deceased person. She Rixtel adorned with clogs of all shapes and sizes. "I work when expensive," said Jack van der Voort, president of the Dutch charity and we are honored to support so many great causes added: "For me the portraits were life-changing since I had to I can. In the evenings, or after dropping the kids off at school, Clog Monument association. "And you can adapt the shape of and give back to our amazing customers." To show your sup- perfect the technique while I worked, but at the end I felt a at weekends. But I can't make a living just from making clogs," the shoe to your job, to the ground on which you work, to the port you can donate and tweet @EmpireCinemas with the sense of solace that was astonishing. "At first I thought that it said this former soldier, who is proud of being a fifth-genera- region." But the tradition "is almost dead," he told AFP, calcu- hashtag #freeconeday. must have had to do with the process itself, which is extremely tion clog-maker. lating that only about 40 clog-makers remain in Europe, of painstaking and highly meditative, and during which I was in At 40, she is one of the country's youngest clog-makers which 30 live in The Netherlands. deep communion with their images, often talking or arguing and represents the future of a trade in which most craftsmen "It's like chips in Belgium or German sausage, we have to out loud with them as if they were there." And Heide has had are already reaching retirement age. It's a "very worrying situ- preserve it," said Van Aarle. "Of course everyone wants to eat mixed responses from those who know of her trade. She said: ation," said Pieter van Rooij, from the Dutch Heritage Centre. chips. But clogs are difficult to walk in, so it's more complicat- "Most people see the loving approach and are touched by it, "Preserving this craft is long overdue, to ensure that it is hand- ed." Since the end of the war, the Dutch have increasingly though others find it unpleasant to think about." ed down to future generations. Otherwise we will lose the donned rubber or leather footwear and clogs have become a know-how of how to make this Dutch icon." sign of a rural past. Van der Voort and Van Aarle have started to organise markets, festivals and even a national clog-making championship in their passion to keep their handicraft alive. "The interest is there. People are beginning to become interested in their traditions again," said Van der Voort. And new uses are coming to the fore. "Young people going to music festivals are sometimes wearing clogs. They protect them from the mud, they're easy to take off outside a tent and no-one steps on your toes," laughed Van Aarle. Man carves slab of cheese into The Hulk Modern stamp A food stylist has carved a large slab of cheese into Superhero For her and her father, Harrie, clogs are an essential part of 'the In-Ched-ible Hulk'. David Bradley had a "grate" time hand Dutch identity. "From my first steps until I was about 15 years sculpting the masterpiece of the Marvel superhero at the East ago, I wore clogs," she said. "I grew up watching my father Village Cheese Carving Championships on Saturday. The making clogs and I wanted to learn when I was about 18 or cheesy work took a total of seven hours, 10 kg of Cheddar, 3 19." At first her dad refused, seeing no point in teaching his barbecue skewers and a cheese grater to complete. Judge and daughter a craft with no future. But he eventually gave in, in East Village Retail and Events Manager, Richard Lewis, said: Woman claims seatbelts are 'racist to fat people' This file photo shows Harrie van Aarle arranging a display face of her persistence. Now, the 66-year-old visits his daugh- "The East Village Cheese & Wine Festival has been a resound- A woman has claimed seatbelts are "racist to fat people". The of wooden shoes in Aarle-Rixtel, southern Netherlands. ter's workshop daily, as she tries to give a modern facelift to a ing success, bringing people in from all over London and even anonymous woman from New Zealand was filmed driving craft seen by most Dutch as old-fashioned. the country. The Cheese Carving Championships were one of without wearing her seatbelt because she "can't fit it", and has "We try to be creative with our designs, by adding heels, or the biggest attractions with everyone marveling at the dedica- said the police are "racist" toward overweight people if they engravings, creating clogs for occasions like births or birth- tion and skill of all our sculptors - watching them transform give her a fine for not wearing the legally required safety strap. days... there's a lot that can be done" to boost the hand-made simple blocks of cheese in to recognizable celebrities was so She said in a video filmed by a passenger in the car: "I can't fit market. Out of the 300,000 clogs made in the country every impressive. "Although all of the entries were brie-lliant, we it, so what's the point in wearing it if I can't fit it. If they're going year either by machine or hand, about a third are bought by were particularly blown away by David's creation, which not to give me a fine for not fitting my seatbelt, that's just being tourists, said Van der Voort. Some end up as garden decora- only created a fantastic likeness to the Hulk, but also really racist, to the fat people. "They're just being racist, like what do tions, others as fridge magnets. Van Aarle hopes her two sons showcased his personality." they think the whole world is skinny or something? What may one day take over the family business. "That would obvi- about the big people?" When one passenger points out seat- ously make me very proud. But it's a difficult job and I would belt sizing isn't racist as overweight people aren't a race, the never force them."— AFP woman insisted she would "sue" if anything happened to her. She continued: "I could actually sue, like what if I crash, and something happens to me because the seatbelt couldn't go around me." The video has been viewed half a million times since it surfaced on the internet, and many people comment- ing on the clip have noted that seatbelt extenders are available Shoemaker Nicole van Aarle boring a hole out of a wood- so car users of all sizes can uphold the law. — Bang Showbiz en shoe in Aarle-Rixtel, southern Netherlands.

Artist creates portraits from ashes An artist has been making portraits of people using their ash- es. Heide Hatry, who lives in New York, has been creating the Aarle-Rixtel, southern Netherlands, shows a pair of wood- Shoemaker carving a wooden shoe in Aarle-Rixtel. art pieces since 2008 after suffering the loss of a "close friend" en shoes, or clogs. — AFP photos