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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 JAMADA ALAWWAL 26, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Jleeb remains Turkish court Gwyneth Serena, blighted orders lifting Paltrow, Sharapova despite of Twitter ban, Chris Martin set for Miami ambitious2 plans Erdogan8 defiant call37 it quits final20 rematch Arab leaders back Syria Max 31º Min 16º revolution, but no arms High Tide 09:42 &20:33 Low Tide Summit rejects recognizing Israel as ‘Jewish’ state 02:57 & 14:46 40 PAGES NO: 16117 150 FILS By B Izzak and Agencies

Sisi resigns KUWAIT: Arab leaders yesterday concluded their two- day summit by renewing “total backing” to the Syrian rebels but insisted that the only solution for the Syrian to run for bloody conflict is political. In their Kuwait Declaration, the Arab leaders called on the United Nations to renew efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict through fresh talks president after the failure of the second round of Geneva negotia- tions between the opposition and the regime of CAIRO: Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, the Egyptian military President Bashar Al-Assad. The Arab summit also chief who last summer removed the elected Islamist strongly blasted the Syrian regime for the massacres it is president, announced yesterday that he has committing against unarmed Syrian civilians. resigned from the military and will run for president The leaders did not respond to passionate calls by in elections scheduled for next month. In a national- the head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition ly televised speech, Sisi appeared in his military uni- Ahmad Al-Jarba to supply the rebels with sophisticated form, saying that it was the last time he would wear weapons to change the balance in the revolution’s it because he was giving it up “to defend the nation” favour. “We have no alternative to a political solution,” by running for president. He said he was “respond- Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah ing to a call from the people”. told a press conference following the summit. Arab Egyptian law says only civilians can run for presi- League Secretary General Nabil Al-Arabi added that “the dent, so his resignation from the military, as well as issue of supplying arms to the opposition is not for the his posts of military chief and defense minister, was Arab summit to discuss”. a required step. Sisi is widely expected to win the Syria’s vacant seat the Arab league was another vote, after months of nationalist fervor since he major issue as Arabi said that the Syrian National removed Mohamed Morsi, who in 2012 became Coalition did not complete certain “legal and technical” Egypt’s first freely elected and civilian president. The requirements for taking the seat, although the Arab ouster in July came after massive protests demand- summit at Doha last year voted to hand over the seat to ing Morsi go after only a year in office amid public the opposition. Arabi said that the summit decided to resentment that his Muslim Brotherhood was “invite representatives of the Syrian National Coalition monopolizing power. to attend the next Arab ministerial council in Since then, the military-backed interim govern- September, but on exceptional basis” until the opposi- ment has waged a fierce crackdown on Morsi’s tion completes the requirements. Muslim Brotherhood, arresting thousands of mem- Spokesman for the Syrian opposition Louay Al-Safi bers and killing hundreds of protesters in clashes. At said the decision “reaffirms the vote at the Doha sum- the same time, militants have waged a campaign of mit” but added that it could not be implemented at the attacks on police and the military, and Sisi has Kuwait summit because of internal differences at the repeatedly declared a war on terrorism. Arab foreign ministers meeting on Sunday. In his address yesterday night, Sisi gave a cam- Sources said that reservations from Iraq, Lebanon, paign-style speech, promising he intended to build Algeria and Egypt hindered handing over the seat to a “modern and democratic Egypt”. KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah attends the closing session of the 25th the opposition. Continued on Page 15 Arab League summit at Bayan Palace yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Page 3) Continued on Page 15 MoI denies website hacked Moonshine

KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry denied reports its website was hacked yesterday simultaneously with the release of the just a call Kuwait Declaration on the conclusion of the Arab Summit. “The Interior Ministry’s website is functioning normally and in Minister asked to deny full capacity as it was never targeted by any hacking attempts away in Iran during the day,” the ministry said in a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) yesterday. ANKARA: “Have a shot of tequila first, cheer up!” terror funding claims Local news websites had reported yesterday afternoon Shahriyar tells guests gathered at his luxury apart- that the Interior Ministry’s website was subjected to a cyber ment in Tehran. His girlfriend, Shima, said they par- attack by a hacker who replaced the homepage with white ty every weekend. “Shahriyar has one rule: Bring By A Saleh on fundraising posters for a prominent Nusrah Front and red script on a black background headed by a large flag your booze! We drink until morning,” she told financier,” the US report reads. of the Syrian opposition. Similar reports also spread on social Reuters on a FaceTime call, as lights flashed to rap KUWAIT: MP Nabeel Al-Fadhl demanded Fadhl said in a statement yesterday that media. A report by Al-Aan contained a screenshot of the music in the background. Despite the ban on alco- a response from the justice and Islamic Ajmi is required to deny those accusations defaced webpage and address bar containing the ministry’s hol and frequent police raids, drinking in Iran is affairs minister over a US Department of or otherwise ‘submit his resignation’. “These official URL (www.moi.gov.kw), which the news website said widespread, especially among the wealthy. Because was the ministry’s homepage before it was restored. Treasury report released earlier this month are serious accusations that should not be the Shiite-dominated Muslim state has no discothe- that linked him to terrorism funding. A linked with a minister in the Kuwaiti The hacker was not identified in the screenshot - which mentions that the website was hacked in protest against the ques or nightclubs, it all takes place at home, release quoting the Undersecretary for Cabinet,” Fadhl said. The US report also crit- behind closed doors. Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David icizes Ajmi’s decision as minister of awqaf Arab Summit’s concluding statement. “I would like to send a message to your country and every state that took part in Some of the alcohol is smuggled in, but many Cohen described Nayef Al-Ajmi’s appoint- to allow non-profit organizations and char- your statement about Syria... that too much talking is of no resourceful Iranians make their own. “My friends ment as Minister of Justice and Minister of ities to collect donations for the Syrian use,” the script reads. “[Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad] and I routinely gather to stamp down on grapes in Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in early January people in Kuwaiti mosques. “This is a meas- remains in office for nearly 3 years (since the revolution start- my bathtub,” said Hesam, a 28-year-old music as ‘a step in the wrong direction’, saying ure we believe can be easily exploited by ed) and you continue to have talks with no results. We only teacher in Tehran, asking to be identified only by his that he has a history of promoting jihad in Kuwait-based terrorist fundraisers,” the need cooperation and to become a single hand against injus- first name. “It’s fun, a cleansing ritual almost.” Some Syria. “In fact, his image has been featured Nayef Al-Ajmi report reads. tice,” the ‘hacker’ wrote. “We want action and military move- take considerable pride in their results, to the ment to end the crisis, not useless blabbering.” delight of their acquaintances. “I have a friend who makes wine for his own consumption but gives me around 30 bottles per year as well,” said 36-year-old Mousa, speaking from in the central city of Isfahan. Jury finds Abu Ghaith guilty Only members of religious minorities - Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians - are allowed to brew, distill, ferment - and drink - discreetly in the NEW YORK: A New York jury yesterday 12-person jury took just four hours of privacy of their homes, and trade in liquor is forbid- found Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law guilty deliberations to return the unanimous den. Catholic priests make their own wine for mass. of conspiracy to kill Americans and sup- verdict. Yet wine-making has a long history in Iran. porting terrorists over his role as Al-Qaeda Afterward, Abu Ghaith touched his heart Scientists believe Stone Age settlers in what is now spokesman in 2001-2002. Suleiman Abu in thanks, smiling at his lawyers. Wearing his Iran drank wine with their olives and bread as early Ghaith, whose three-week trial has been habitual dark suit, with open-necked white as 5,000 BC. the most high-profile Al-Qaeda case to shirt he appeared relaxed despite having Continued on Page 15 reach a US federal court, now faces life pleaded innocent. US attorney Preet behind bars. The 48-year-old preacher from Bharara welcomed the verdict against a Kuwait stood impassively as the court clerk man he said had exploited his position in read out the verdict, declaring him guilty of Al-Qaeda’s “homicidal hierarchy” to recruit a conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to new generation of terrorists after 9/11. “We provide material support and providing hope this verdict brings some small meas- material support to terrorists. ure of comfort to the families of the victims Judge Lewis Kaplan said Abu Ghaith, of Al-Qaeda’s murderous designs,” Bharara who was brought to the United States said in a statement. only last year after being detained in Defense lawyer Stanley Cohen told Jordan, would be sentenced on Sept 8. reporters that he would appeal the verdict, Campaigners seized on the trial as proof accusing the judge of being “coercive,” and that terror cases result in swift justice in taking issue with instructions to the jury civilian courts as pressure builds to close and Kaplan’s decision not to allow pre- the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. sumed 9/11 plotter Khalid Sheikh NEW YORK: Stanley Cohen, attorney of former Al-Qaeda spokesman Suleiman “There is to be no demonstration by any- Mohammed to testify in court. He said his Abu Ghaith, answers questions from reporters outside Manhattan Federal Court one in the court room of any kind,” client was “stoic” and “at ease”. yesterday. — AFP Kaplan told the packed room after the Continued on Page 15 THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 LOCAL Jleeb remains backward despite ‘ambitious plans’ An expatriate enclave

KUWAIT: Kuwait Times photographs of Jleeb yesterday. These photographs are not representative of all of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh’s conditions.—Photos by Ben Garcia

By Ben Garcia workers, most of whom are ‘bachelors’ living In recent years, the Jleeb area has been Last year, many small baqalas and restau- nance, trash is not regularly collected and and working here without their wives or fam- named by the government to be included in rants were closed for operating illegally with- double parking is rampant. KUWAIT: Kuwait Times yesterday explored ilies. a plan to make this district a modern city. The out licenses. The Interior Ministry clamped Many dilapidated residential buildings Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, referred to as Hasawi or Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh is a notorious vice hub, government wants to erase Jleeb of all vices down on several makeshift markets and and even commercial establishments are and Abbasiya by many South Asian expats. Jleeb home to various illegal activities such as mentioned above and replace it with a high- street vendors illegally operating in Jleeb for poorly maintained. There are new buildings is located in southwest Kuwait and just a five- prostitution and drug and alcohol dealing, tech and dynamic city. The plan was circulat- years. They were out of sight for a while, but too in Jleeb where decent families have made to seven-minute drive from Kuwait according to police records. Petty crimes hap- ed in local newspapers a few years ago but are now slowly coming back. Roads are their home, but the bad impression will stay International Airport. It is an expatriate pen too including bag and cell phone snatch- has stalled and no reconstruction or redevel- crowded with both people and vehicles, unless the government takes extra efforts enclave crowded with South Asian and Arab ing, carjackings and other street crimes. opment has been carried out. streets are unattended with poor mainte- and pays attention to this area. Nephrology Association organizes walkathon for Kidney Day

KUWAIT: Kuwait Nephrology suitable treatment, he explained. The Association had started its Association (KNA) is organizing a Diabetes is the number one celebration of the World Kidney walkathon on Saturday to celebrate cause for renal failure which later Day which occurs on the second the World Kidney Day, according to develops into Acute kidney injury, Thursday of March of every year, the Association’s Chairman Dr Ali Al- said Al-Sahu, noting that Kuwait by running an awareness cam- Sahu. had seen rising numbers of diabetes paign at the Avenues Mall on Al-Sahu, who is also head of the cases, along with obesity, and high March 13, including organizing tv kidney unit in Jahra hospital, said blood pressure, which are all factors shows and interviews regarding yesterday that the race will start at leading to the disease. the issue.— KUNA 10 am at the Arabian Gulf Street from Al-Corniche Club to the Green Island. The World Kidney Day mainly CBK maintenance plan focuses on bringing awareness to KUWAIT: As part of Commercial Bank Kuwait (CBK) Strategy to employ people about renal failure disease, state of the art Information Technology Systems and provide the high- including ways to prevent it and the est standards of services to its customers, CBK has scheduled a planned current treatments available for the shutdown, maintenance and testing of its information technology sys- disease, said the Chairman. tem capabilities today, according to a press release yesterday. Renal failure is a common dis- During this activity CBK customers may experience some disruption KUWAIT: The Asian who was arrested with 1.25 kg of KUWAIT: Rescue operations in progress after an ease which many people who are of services. The branches will continue to operate within their normal pure heroin yesterday. Egyptian expat fell in a manhole behind Wafra coopera- vulnerable to, take no measures to working hours. tive store yesterday. prevent it, while others who already have it, either have no knowledge CBK would like to apologize in advance for any inconvenience this about their case or are not receiving may cause. Egyptian rescued from manhole

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: An Egyptian expat fell in a manhole behind Wafra cooperative store, prompting Mina Abdallah fire and Mubarak Al-Kabeer hazardous materials centers to rush to his rescue. He was found alive and handed to paramedics for treatment of injuries he sustained. Meanwhile, technical rescue men rescued two Asians laborers whose scaffolding malfunctioned on the 28th floor of a Soor Street tower. The two were cleaning glass and were lowered by ropes to the 26th floor unharmed. * Kuwait airport customs officers arrested a Bangladeshi for possessing one kilogram of marijuana. The suspect, who works as a driver for a Kuwaiti family, had the illicit drug hidden in date containers. His erratic behavior prompted customs officers to search him. He was sent to the Drugs Control General Department. Meanwhile, the Drugs Control General Department arrested an Asian with 1.25 kg of pure heroin. Information about the suspect indicated that he placed the drugs in certain places after receiving the money he asked the addicts to place somewhere else. The drugs were found in KUWAIT: Technical rescue men in action at Soor Street capsules, which he sold for KD 300 each, according to him. tower yesterday. KRCS firm on its GCC Interpol mulled KUWAIT: Gulf Cooperation Council states finished blue- path regardless print to establish a GCC Interpol that allows easier pur- suit of fugitives, a local daily reported yesterday. of challenge A database containing blacklisted people, fugitives and those mentioned in terrorism lists in the six GCC KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) is firm on states have already been prepared for the project, its path of aiding those in need and supporting humani- sources told Al-Rai daily. tarian initiatives across the world regardless of hardship The United Arab Emirates have expressed willingness and challenge, stressed KRCS Chairman Barjas Humoud to host the headquarters for the GCC Interpol, said the Al-Barjas in remarks Tuesday night. sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Addressing the society’s general assembly convened The report does not specify whether the measure is for discussion of the 2012 budget and projected budget related to the Gulf Security Pact or not. The Kuwaiti gov- for 2013, Al-Barjas said it is vital to maintain momentum ernment has approved the pact in principle, but it can- not become effective until it is ratified by the parliament and encourage determined effort to realize the strategies which has said that the vote will not take place during and goals set for the future with the same success level. the current term. He noted the society’s adequate response to pleas made by international aid organizations in response to many catastrophes and its cooperation with Arab aid organizations to best plan and coordinate the Arab aid GCC express effort. It also hosted important events topped by a meet- ing on disaster reduction and the first meeting of mail panel Executives of Gulf Cooperation Council red crescent soci- eties. In other achievements, he recalled the completion of meets in Kuwait Kuwait Red Crescent Society Hospital project in Lebanon, as well as Al-Mubarakiyah School project in Indonesia. KUWAIT: The Committee of Express Mail of the Gulf This was in addition to a series of aid campaigns and Cooperation Council (GCC) countries convened its 11th efforts in response to disasters and situations requiring meeting at the Ministry of Communication here yesterday humanitarian assistance in Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Sri to discuss the development of the express mail project. Lanka, The Philippines, and other countries. There is also During the two-day meeting representatives of the min- istries of communication from the GCC member states the ongoing effort to extend aid to Syrian refugees in assessed the progress made in the mail services notably Jordan and Lebanon, he remarked. the new Gulf Express (GulfEx) product, acting assistant Al-Barjas renewed the society’s determination to con- undersecretary of the Ministry for communication and mail tinue to serve those in need and to maintain its proud sector Nasser Al-Kandari said. record in the coming period. “The conferees agreed to develop quarterly reports on The society chairman also pointed out the society’s the progress of the implementation of the GulfEx by their white hands in Kuwait, such as the aid it provides for the respective departments as well as their cooperation to benefit of those in reform institutions. It also supports meet the international standards,” Al-Kandari added. volunteer groups who organize visits to hospitals and Meanwhile, Director of the Ministry’s Mail and Gulf-Ex social care institutions and also organize solidarity cam- Division Saeed Al-Mezeidi said the meeting reviews the development of an integrated modern mail system encom- paigns and gestures on different occasions. passing all the GCC countries. “It is thanks to the great devotion and self-sacrifice of “The conferees also explores the possibilities of cutting our staff and volunteers that we meet our objectives, and down the mail fees in order to market the Gulf-Ex and offer we have great pride in them.” — KUNA better service to customers,” Al-Mezeidi added. —KUNA LOCAL THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 Palestine ‘central cause’ of Arab nation Summit calls for common ground to solve disputes

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister world, which required an urgent political was keen and aware of the need to focus from the UN and the Arab League. and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah solution to end the suffering of the on creating a ground agreed upon by all He said that the issue of security was Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah underlined Syrian people. leaders in order to use it as a launching a core issue, adding that His Highness yesterday that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the base for broader horizons. the Amir had expressed his deepest sor- and Arab leaders realized they should Palestinian cause was the “central cause In response to a question about the row for these disputes. create a common ground to move of our Arab nation.” He added Palestinian extent of Kuwait’s readiness to provide He noted that His Highness the Amir ahead and address disputes among President Mahmoud Abbas briefed the new mediation to the dispute between had called in his speech that the Arab Arab countries. Arab Foreign Ministers two days ago Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates countries must focus on the issue of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah about outcome of his recent visit to the and Bahrain on one side and Qatar on supporting a fund for supporting small Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah “was keen US. He, however, said Kuwait Declaration the other, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said and medium-sized projects, saying that to meet with all (Arab) leaders in the of the Arab summit was calling for fur- that the disputes can be resolved such fund in the past three years had summit out of his keenness to invest ther strengthening of the comomn through the Arab League. executed numerous projects in the Arab their attendance” in a bid to create a action in all fields. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled believed countries. For his part, Arab League common ground among all of them,” that contacts and consultations that Secretary General Nabil Al-Arabi said Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said at a joint Clear picture took place over the past three days that the Palestinian President Mahmoud news conference with Arab League In response to a question on whether would have positive results in the near Abbas had met with Arab Foreign Secretary General Nabil Al-Araby. the summit had discussed reconciliation future, noting that Kuwait through its Ministers and briefed them on the situa- “All Arab leaders realize they should KUWAIT: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid among Arab countries, Sheikh Sabah Al- presidency of the Council of the League tion in the Palestinian territories. He said focus on creating a common ground to Al-Sabah, right, speaks to journalists in a joint press conference with Khaled said that the Arab leaders in their of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation the Arab summit that was hosted by move forward for more bigger steps,” he Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby at the end of the closing speeches spoke “quite frankly” about the Council is aware and interested to find Kuwait was successful by all means, said. He said the fact that Arab leaders challenges and responsibilities and aspi- common ground for Arab action. praising the logo of the summit. session of the Arab League Summit at Bayan Palace yesterday. were in Kuwait for three days “will con- ration of the Arab peoples to find a com- He said that among the issues that tribute to positive results in near future.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in opening of the Arab summit yesterday, mon ground for Arab causes. He added: Saudi initiative were discussed was the issue of devel- The Arab leaders were focusing dur- his speech before the Arab summit yes- pin pointed the problems and chal- “We may deliberately dissimenated In response to a question on sup- opment of the Arab League charter that ing the 25th Arab summit on “stopping terday, said he sought to reconvene a lenges facing the Arab people. these statements eventhough they were porting the Lebanese army and armed was drafted in August 1944 through the widening of disputes and we should meeting between the Syrian govern- He said all of the Arab leaders were said behind closed doors”, saying that forces, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said enhancing its mechanisms. adopt common grounds.” ment and opposition in Geneva, and keen on solving disputes among their what was expressed by the Arab leaders there is no doubt that the issue of On the proposal to develop the Arab Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said Kuwait that there were contacts to bring the countries. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said was a clear picture of these vague topics Lebanon concerns the Arab countries League, Al-Araby said that a high-rank- was the rotating presidency of the Gulf two parties together. Kuwait was hosting the summit amidst represented in the inter-Arab disputes especially as there will be a meeting in ing committee has been formed consist- Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab Al-Araby was asked if the Syrian “sensitive and critical” circumstances in and what is needed to confront these Rome in this respect. He praised the ini- ing of Arab figures headed by Lakhdar League. “We are responsible as the presi- opposition would be occupying the the Arab countries. He noted that Iraq, challenges. He explained that the meet- tiative of the Saudi King to allocate $3 Ibrahimi and submitted its report last dency ... in finding common grounds Syria seat in the next summit, due in Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Tunisia and ings that took place during the past billion to help the Lebanese army, night. On the Arab Human Rights Court, (among the Arab countries) as is the Egypt next year. He only said that the Yemen have taken “solid” steps that three days were “intensive”, adding that besides Arab countries’ support. Al-Araby said that its statute, proposed case in the GCC,” he added. League would be inviting the opposi- would boost their democracies. His Highness the Amir met with all lead- Asked to comment on the call made by the Bahraini King, would be dis- Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the tion national coalition for the Arab min- Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the ers and representatives of the Arab by the summit to the Security Council to cussed by a higher committee to be Kuwait presidency of the Arab summit isterial meeting next September. Syrian crisis was entering its fourth year countries participating in the summit. take up its responsibilities towards the then forwarded to the next ministerial was keen on turning the closed-door with more people being killed and dis- He revealed that there have been dis- stalled Syrian-Syrian talks in Geneva, the council meeting. session to public so the Arab people New challenges placed, with the conflict spelling over cussions of utmost openness which minister said the file was transfered to On the water issue, Al-Araby urged would hear concerns of the Arab leaders At the beginning of the news confer- beyong the Syrian borders. focused on how to work after diagnosis the UNSC last January 2012 and the the disputing parties on water to sit in a transparent manner. ence, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said His He said the Syrian conflict was threat- of these differences and exploit this council is now following the Syrian together and discuss this significant On the Syrian conflict, Al-Araby said Highness the Amir, in his speech at the ening security and stability in the Arab large presence, stressing that everyone development and there is a joint envoy matter. —KUNA

VIVA’s IT Director Meshaal Al-Munaikh receiving the award VIVA presented with Editors Choice Award

KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most devel- oped telecom operator, announced that Network World Middle East has awarded the company the most presti- gious Editor’s Choice Award. VIVA’s IT Director, Eng. Meshaal Al-Munaikh received the award during a glittering awards ceremony at the Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai, UAE. In an increasingly competitive industry, network and customer experience are important differentiators for the telecom service providers. VIVA was chosen for the Editor’s Choice award for its massive data center network upgrade project that has resulted in significant improvement in effi- ciency, analytical capability and their ability to meet grow- ing customer demands. This substantial upgrade also means VIVA now has a high availability network that pro- vides virtualized services, disaster management along with self-healing capabilities. The annual Network World Middle East Awards honors IT and business professional who demonstrated innovative leadership on all sides of the industry. The awards ceremo- ny is held to celebrate innovative and transformative net- working projects in the Middle East and the vendors behind them. The awards honor both users and vendors and recognize innovation on all sides of the IT industry. VIVA is the fastest-growing telecom operator in Kuwait. Launched in December 2008, VIVA makes things Possible for its customers by transforming communication, informa- tion and entertainment experiences. The company has rap- idly established an unrivalled position in the market through its customer centric approach. VIVA’s quest is to be the mobile brand of choice in Kuwait by being transparent, engaging, energetic and fulfilling. MOE to cancel tests up to grade four

KUWAIT: The recent Education Ministry undersecretaries’ council meeting approved the amendments suggested for the primary stage and cancelled the suggested change of second- ary school second-session exams to be made two week after the final exams, that is in July instead of in September, said informed educational sources. The sources added that the council reviewed a report that recommended cancelling peri- odic tests for primary school students up to grade four and to replace them with ongoing assessments. Concerning secondary stage schools, the council agreed to cancelling a previous decision to have students sit for the sec- ond session exams two weeks after the end-of-year final exams, that is in July instead of September. The report recom- mended keeping the current timing and hold them in September until further studies were conducted in order to either apply the changes in coming years or ditch the whole idea. In another concern, Mubarak Al-Kabeer educational area’s educational activities manager Essa Borhama announced that classrooms, computer and linguistic labs have been counted in various secondary schools within the area’s jurisdiction pending the installment of interactive smart boards in them. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 LOCAL

kuwait digest In my view Beware of Spreading grey zone! tolerance By Dr Sajed Al-Abdali MPs’ hroughout their lives, human relations go through ups and downs because human beings are far questions Tfrom perfect. Nobody is perfect and each of us By Labeed Abdal will someday fall into dereliction and unintentionally offend his nearest and dearest. A wise man would immediately realize this and know for sure that the suc- cess of his interrelations with relatives, friends and loved ones requires considerable capability to forgive and transcend mistakes and derelictions any of them might [email protected] Al-Anbaa commit against him. Government No matter how hard we look, we will never find a n an important step that comes at a time in which the perfect human being. Accordingly, the closest level to Arab world has become very emotionally charged, Al- Qabas daily put a note for its readers and columnist in perfection lies in realizing that there is no perfection I last Friday’s issue saying that it will avoid publishing articles and in stopping looking for it and assuming that every- promoting ideas that encourage religious, sectarian or body enjoys it. Therefore, we have to forgive in order to political fanaticism. Not only did the paper cite its principles proceed forward considering this as a basic requirement as the reason behind their decision, but they also indicated for keeping and continuing those relations, that is, of that the step comes in line with Kuwait’s values of tolerance. course, if we care and want to maintain them. Such Throughout Kuwait’s history, both the government and clemency and forgiveness are actually the price we pay people have stood against blind fundamentalism which is to keep those we like and care about in our lives. being promoted heavily by certain movements in the Arab The moment an offence is very serious or frequent World. Members of those movements live off of luring young men and women to wear explosive belts, drive car that thinking about our dignity, pride and pain comes bombs or carry out actions that none of them accept their first before thinking how important a person is to us, own children to commit. Basically, they send young people we should immediately stop thinking and start asking kuwait digest ourselves frankly how important that person is to us, what exactly does he/she mean at that particular It’s not just Adam’s world Throughout Kuwait’s history, moment and whether he/she was worth making that kind of concession and sacrifice. both the government and peo- It is right for those you like and care about, and By Nasser Al-Eidan ple have stood against blind fun- sometimes mandatory in cases of parents for instance, t last, the Egyptian president approved to give them on an ignorance platter. However, recent statistics to either forgive and concede to keep the relation Egyptian citizenship to Pakistani-born director suggest that this state of ‘comfort’ has a price. damentalism which is being pro- going. Frankly confront them with your pain and hurt AMohamed Khan, who is 70 years old. Khan is cred- Earlier this month, the whole world - excluding Arab moted heavily by certain move- feelings with the aim of reconciliation and bridging ited for directing several award-winning films in Egypt’s countries - celebrated International Women’s Day. UK’s gaps rather than fighting as well as avoiding remaining movie industry, including works like ‘Missing’, ‘Dreams of The Independent published scary statistics simultaneous- ments in the Arab World. ‘grey zones’ where things remain in ‘status quo’ that Hind and Camellia’, ‘Days of Al-Sadat’ and ‘Downtown ly with that occasion, which indicate that 99 percent of degrade the level of the relation or even completely Girls’. Khan is considered a supporter of women’s rights in women in Egypt could be subject to sexual harassment, end it. the Arab world. He said during an interview that ‘women and that one of every three women around the world is to their own death without facing deterrent measures. Meanwhile, Al-Qabas’ notice was published on March No taking any of such steps and remaining in the suffer injustice not only in our societies, but the entire subjected to rape. When it comes to work, the statistics 21st, which is celebrated in the Arab World as Mother’s Day ‘grey zone’ would keep the relation in constant grouchi- world. Man is the ruler, legislator and law enforcer while that were released by the United Nations indicate that and Family Day. I believe that making the announcement ness where your life remains clouded with moodiness the woman must listen and obey’. only a quarter of executive boards around the world are simultaneously with those dear occasions sends a message that would keep ‘showering’ repeated hassles and rows. The issue of men and women is complicated as it is led by women. Meanwhile, the statistics show that 14 mil- that underline the importance of leaving fanaticism and The worst thing someone would do to himself is keep a mostly influenced by customs, traditions and religious lion girls under the age of nine face the risk of forced mar- spreading tolerance. record of others’ offences against him and frequently ideologies that can often be inaccurate. These unusual riage in 2014. Achieving that goal requires efforts to improve educa- review them earnestly or humorously. This would only ideas took their toll on our efforts to achieve advance- What is happening in this world?! It is truly Adam’s tion and create jobs in the Arab world. This helps save increase tensions and keep hurting both sides and ment and development. We have given women the social world. The more ignorance spreads and the more the young men and women who could otherwise end up in would eventually solve nothing. ‘unemployment’ character. What that means is that while women’s role in society shrinks, the more these scary sta- military training camps in the arid desert, before they join battalions of random killing that target civilians under the Man has to master his own mind and feelings instead men in our societies can work freely, women cannot. The tistics increase. false pretext of saving them and are actually based on of being enslaved to them during rages and emotion- same goes for politics, for example, as if it wasn’t for the Women’s freedom does not come through ‘taking’ fact that women’s political rights were forced here, from the society or ‘serving’ men, but comes from ‘serving’ vengeful sentiments. controlled moments. Therefore, he must precisely realize On this occasion, we wish that one day we see Arab Kuwaiti women would’ve still been deprived of suffrage. the society as a whole. The more women give and work the value and significance of eachand every one around young men and women achieve the highest degrees of Women continue to be treated like they are aliens on for their society, the more they guarantee their original him and to accordingly make decisions and administer education, making their parents, families and entire nations his feelings towards them. He should never let himself earth whose main purpose is to serve men! Unfortunately, role in society, and force their rights on their male coun- proud, instead of leaving them heartbroken by committing some women are happy with that role, as they find con- terparts. Because in reality, this world is not exclusive to fall into the grey zone! —Al-Jarida inhuman actions. venience in the ‘unemployment’ that the man provides to Adam, but it is their world together. —Al-Rai

in my view Arab unity now or never!

By Abdulateef Al-Mulhim ith the formation of the Arab League in 1945, a So, what the Arab leaders have to offer at the Kuwait dream of the Arab masses came true, as they had summit to satisfy the need of the masses? The differences Wbeen longing for economic and social unity. and divisions among the leaders had already been surfacing Ironically, the first official Arab Summit was held in Cairo on even before the start of the summit. Jan 13, 1964. That’s about two decades after the establish- For the past one decade, the Arab world ranks very low in ment of the body. terms of human development with the current rate of Leaders of the Arab countries were supposed to convene unemployment at an all time high. The Arab leaders should a meeting annually. Had this been the case, the Kuwait sum- put their differences aside and concentrate on upgrading mit would have been 68th meeting but it is the 25th sum- the standard of living. The Arab masses are demanding mit. Looking back at the previous summits, it will dawn on us reforms. This is why there was an Arab Spring. An uprising that they were mainly aimed at crisis management with that took out many dictators but failed to deliver the many emotions running high but yielding no concrete results. promises that were made by those who took over the helm. An average Arab gained almost nothing from those sum- The entire world is waiting with bated breath the out- mits. Masses in the Arab world want better education, health come of the summit. In the past, most summits revolved care, social security and jobs. All the previous meetings mis- around one issue: Liberation of Palestine. Now there are erably failed to come up with a strategy to address these many issues at hand. How can they solve the Palestinian issues. Sadly, internal divisions mar the Arab world. Despite issue, if the borders between many countries are closed? the passage of over six decades since the establishment of And how can they ask the world to understand them and the Arab League, we see deep divisions among Arab coun- open channels of communication with them if the commu- tries. Is the Kuwait summit any different from the previous nication among themselves is an uphill task. ones? There are many other issues that have been unresolved This meeting has been convened at a time when the so- for many decades and the longer we wait the more complex called Arab Spring has exposed the fragility of the Arab fab- they will become. The Arab League must change its outdat- ric. Apart from internal divisions many erstwhile influential ed doctrine and put the interests of the masses ahead of any countries - Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and to some differences between leaders. extent Tunisia and Egypt - are no longer in a position to play It is no longer only the Palestinian issue, the Syrian crisis any active role. has become a puzzle. And to add to the worries, citizens of Times have changed and that too for the worse. As a mat- the Gulf countries are seeing cracks in the most reliable Arab ter of fact, the worst is not over yet. The Syrian conflict has union among six powerful and richest states. rendered 9 million people refugees in three years and over Now, the Arab world is at a crossroads. Poverty, unem- 150,000 have been killed. ployment, social inequality and a lack of respect to the mass- The country is in complete ruins. And worst of all, the es are factors that might lead to lawlessness and breed Arab Spring has almost transformed from a quest for extremist tendencies that lead to terrorism. The Arab masses democracy and better living standards into a bloody sectari- deserve a better living standard and the leaders are obligat- an struggle. ed to deliver.

kuwait digest Private sector’s role in housing

By Khalid Al-Qahs n 2003, 39 percent of Kuwaiti families did not own a private high. All these encourage the private sector to contribute to hous- house. Ten years later in 2013, the percentage rose to 44 percent. ing projects by establishing consortiums, which can start by part- IMeanwhile, the current number of existing homes reached nership agreements in principle with global companies. 140,000 while there are at least 108,000 housing applications pend- Companies can then hold conferences in order to explain their ing at the relevant state authorities. At this rate, we need to build a financial and technical capabilities to carry out mega housing proj- new Kuwait in order to be able to meet all pending housing applica- ects in record time. tions. The state pays an average of KD 128,000 to connect every The foreign investor must become involved in efforts to resolve house with electricity and water. This amount is not included in the the housing crisis, otherwise the issue will continue to grow until it KD 70,000 housing loan and other infrastructure-related costs. gets out of control. We are dealing here with a necessity of life. The Kuwait needs KD 102 billion to cover housing demands during the main objective from the private sector’s partnership is to break away next 20 years, in addition to KD 100 billion for energy subsidization from governmental bureaucracy. during the same period. Meanwhile, planning should start from now to build residential Housing Minister Yasser Abul pointed out that the housing crisis cities for labor forces at the outskirts of the six governorates, in order can be resolved, but projects face a financing problem. In this to provide accommodation for construction workers who currently regard, he added in a recent statement that the roadmap discussed take shelter in deserted homes that could otherwise be utilized for during a special parliamentary session last December depends on housing welfare. I also believe that reducing the allocated land area encouraging the private sector to take part in building new cities. and collecting taxes from homes that are over 200 sq m in size is the Kuwait’s public and private sector enjoy financial surpluses, the backbone of the solution in light of Kuwait’s small area and fluctua- market is hungry for investment and interest rates are currently tion of oil prices. —Al-Qabas LOCAL THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

KUWAIT: The Secretariat of the National Assembly opened here yesterday an exhibition at the Othman House Museum aimed at giving the public a closer look at how the legislative branch works today and has worked in the past. Through such exhibitions, the secretariat is able to extend to the public valuable information on the inner workings of democracy and the content of the constitution and other aspects of the daily work that is carried out by the nation’s representatives in the halls of the parliament. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat MP gives minister seven-day ultimatum Job opportunities to female prosecutors By A Saleh female law school graduates won expected to become operational in court orders against the ministry, May 2014. KUWAIT: MP Safa Al-Hashem gave which until last year had only Minister of Justice and Minister of accepted applications for prosecu- NCCAL violations Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Nayef Al- tors’ jobs from male applicants. In other news, MP Yousuf Al- Ajmi a seven-day ultimatum to Zalzalah demanded action from publish an ad offering job opportu- North Zour Minister of Information Sheikh nities to female prosecutors, other- A parliament committee investi- Salman Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah against wise she would file a grilling gating possible irregularities in the “violations committed by manage- motion against him. A recent North Zour power plant project is ment of the National Council for Ministry of Justice newspaper ad set to submit a request to Speaker Culture, Arts and Letters”. “The budg- seeking only male jobseekers for Marzouq Al-Ghanem to increase its ets committee reached the conclu- vacant prosecutor jobs has drawn term for an additional two months, sion after reviewing the NCCAL final criticism from several lawmakers, MP Abdulhameed Dashti said. “The account that there is lack of audit or feminist and social groups. “If the current 60-day period is not monitoring and serious financial vio- ad is not withdrawn within a week, enough,” Dashti said in a statement lations committed by the bad man- a grilling will be filed against the yesterday. He added that an addi- agement,” he said in a statement justice minister for depriving tional two-month period is neces- yesterday. Zazalah accused the female citizens of work,” Hashem sary, “especially that the investiga- NCCAL of failing to protect Kuwait’s said yesterday. tion is ongoing despite govern- National Library, “which is a priceless The justice ministry had last year mental stalling”. Minister of national wealth”. “Violations men- accepted 16 women as prosecutors Electricity and Water Abdul-Aziz Al- tioned in this regard in the Audit for the first time in Kuwait’s history. Ibrahim had stated on Tuesday that Bureau’s report are considered a The decision came after several the North Zour power plant is crime against Kuwait,” he said. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 LOCAL Military man arrested for mugging pedestrians Maid questioned in infant death

KUWAIT: A military man faces multiple charges nessing the child fall from the balcony, and der with Saudi Arabia. He was taken to the state after he confessed to using his military uniform emergency medical technicians were dis- security for further action. and licensed firearm to mug pedestrians. patched. The boy was pronounced dead on the Investigations had been ongoing in cases filed scene before an investigation was opened. Fugitive caught by expatriate men at Firdous and Ardiya police Police summoned the baby’s parents who were A fugitive sentenced to life in prison was stations. The complainants gave matching outside the house when the incident happened arrested in Jahra following investigations in a descriptions of a man in military garb carrying a and left the kid in their housemaid’s care. The shooting incident reported last week in military badge and a gun. He would identify couple accused the Indian domestic worker of Sulaibiya and in which 17 other suspects have so himself as a police officer and steal people’s killing their child, insisting that the baby could far been detained. The Gulf citizen was belongings at gunpoint before escaping. The not have climbed the balcony on his own. The ambushed outside his house in the area and man was caught red-handed by patrol police maid was detained and remains in police cus- arrested after he was forced to stop at a road- who caught him trying to break open a car in tody pending investigations. block and resisted arrest. He was referred to the Ardiya Industrial Area. He was taken for ques- authorities to serve his 99-year prison sentence. tioning during which he admitted responsibility Illegal caught for the thefts. Police found drugs and 20 differ- A Yemeni national admitted after he was Homicide probe ent civil IDs in the man’s possession. He was tak- arrested in Saad Al-Abdullah that he entered A homicide investigation was opened in the en to the authorities to face charges. Kuwait illegally through Saudi Arabia. Patrol offi- death of a man in a Mahboulah apartment. The cers arrested the man who tried to run away Nepalese man’s roommates found him motion- Maid detained when he saw their vehicle at a late hour Monday less inside before they made an emergency call, A domestic worker was detained pending night. The man initially claimed he was bedoon, according to their statements to police. questioning in murder charges pressed by par- and told police that he left his ID at home. He Emergency medical technicians pronounced the ents of an eight-month-old baby who died after was taken to the police station for a fingerprint man dead soon after arriving at the scene with falling from the third floor of his family’s ID check, which did not reveal any information police. A murder investigation was opened Abdullah Al-Mubarak house on Tuesday. in the database. He admitted during questioning based on the criminal investigator’s report that Neighbors made an emergency call after wit- that he came to Kuwait illegally through the bor- found evidence of foul play at the scene. Zain sponsors second edition of Villa Uno Expo KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, announced yesterday its main sponsorship of the second edition of the Villa Uno Expo. The exhibition comes under the patronage of Sheikha Fareeha Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, where the event’s opening ceremony took place on March 24 at the 360 Mall. Villa Uno Expo brings together some of the best female designers in the GCC region to present their exquisite designs to female audience in Kuwait. Zain’s sponsorship of this exhibition highlights its utmost pride in young Kuwaiti ladies and their projects. The expo covers different local and franchised boutiques such as fash- ion, accessories, catering and much more, and will be open to the public over two segmented periods. The first period start- ed from March 25 and will continue until March 27, while the second period will take place from April 1 to April 3. Zain takes pride in every young Kuwaiti and their work, KUWAIT: Tunisian president and his accompanying delegation with Waleed and sponsoring this exhibition only helps to reinforce the Al- Shurian, General Manager of Mabanee Co company’s leading role in the society as a telecommunica- tions company that is committed to youth and all the aspects they are involved in. The company will continue to provide support to similar exhibitions that bring out the Tunisia president best in youth and their capabilities in presenting the wider world with prestigious handcrafts. The Villa Uno Expo management will be acting as jury visits The Avenues to evaluate the pieces presented at the exhibition and to ensure that only items that are up to quality standards are KUWAIT: Moncef Marzouki, president of president along with his accompanying showcased. To find out more about Zain’s ongoing activi- Tunisia and his accompanying delegates guests toured all different districts of The ties and sponsorships, please visit the company’s website along with Head of Honorary Mission Fahad Avenues and experienced the grandeur of its on www.kw.zain.com, or visit the company’s social media Al-Awadhi, Ambassador of Kuwait in Tunisia, multiple designs inspired by classical and channels. visited The Avenues yesterday afternoon. The modern school of architecture.

Kuwaiti MPs eye medical, academic exchanges with Zurich ZURICH: Visiting Kuwaiti parliamentary friendship del- egation met here on Tuesday with members of the City Parliament to discuss cooperation possibilities in the academic and medical fields. The two sides explored ways to allow Kuwaiti patients receive treatment at the city hospitals. The delegation’s visit to the City Parliament was of high importance as they discussed with the Swiss side possibilities of obtaining treatment opportunities for some incurable medical cases at Zurich hospitals, which are well-known for their highly advanced inter- national competency and superb abilities, MP Dr Hussein Al-Quwaian, head of the delegation, said. The delegation was also given a scope on the med- ical system at Zurich, work measures of the medical insurance system, and requirements for accepting Kuwaiti patients, as well as details on possible agree- ment signing between the two sides, Al-Quwaian added. He indicated that the discussion addressed possi- ble opportunities for Kuwaiti students to study at the University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, particularly on graduate level, Master’s and Doctorate, in order to benefit from their ‘Clusters of Light’ excellent educational and scientific levels that made the city one of the important European scientific musical postponed research centers in practical tech fields, including medicine. SHAJAH: Clusters of Light, a musical spectacle that chroni- Ways of strengthening economic ties with Kuwait cles the history of Islam, was postponed due to bad weath- and to increase volume of trade exchange between er, the executive committee of the Sharjah Capital of the two sides were also discussed during the meet- Islamic Culture 2014 celebrations announced. ing, Al-Quwaian said, adding that Zurich enjoys an The celebrations will instead kick off on Sunday with the industrial production of high quality standards in unveiling of the memorial before the Clusters of Light fields of technical precision, heavy mechanization, show takes place at the new Al-Majaz Open Theatre, the and energy transferring, as well as rationalizing its organizers said in a statement yesterday. consumption. “Since the Clusters of Light takes place at an amphithe- Kuwaiti parliamentary friendship delegation visit to ater and requires the use of light and sound effects which Zurich started on March 22 and is to end on March 26. need stable weather conditions, we were forced to post- Afterwards, the delegation is to head to Germany to vis- pone the opening show for the audience’s safety,” the it the German Parliament. Their German visit is to last statement reads. until March 30. The delegation includes MPs Kamel Al- The organizers expressed gratitude to partners ‘for their Awadhi, Askar Al-Anzi, and Madhi Al-Hajri. —KUNA understanding’ and cooperation in welcoming guests of Sharjah and give them the opportunity to enjoy sightsee- ing around the emirate.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Dive Team resumed cleaning works at the Shamlan dock in Sharq, removing dozens of plastic bags, plastic waste and fishing nets during their most recent campaign. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Venezuela arrests three Egyptian doctor on the run after mass death sentences generals over ‘coup plot’

Page 8 Page 13 Vatican fires ‘bishop of bling’ Scandal ‘deep embarrassment’ for German Church

VATICAN CITY: The Vatican removed a German being and a position will be found for Tebartz- bishop yesterday because he spent 31 million van Elst in due course, the Vatican said. The euros ($43 million) of Church funds on an extrav- Limburg affair has been an embarrassment for agant residence when Pope Francis was preach- the Vatican as Pope Francis has been urging Church officials around the world to live simpler lives and to get closer to the poor. Francis has several times told bishops not to live like princes. He himself has set an example by renouncing the spacious papal apartments in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace for much more modest quar- ters in a Church guest house.

Irritation Last year, Francis showed his irritation over the whole affair by keeping the bishop waiting for eight days in Rome before receiving him in the Vatican. Tebartz-van Elst has apologized for any “carelessness or misjudgement on my part”, but he denies any wrongdoing. German media, ing austerity. It said the atmosphere in the dio- citing official documents, said the residence cese of Limburg had become such that Bishop had been fitted with a free-standing bath that Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst could no longer car- cost 15,000 euros, a conference table that cost ry out a “fruitful exercise” of his ministry there. 25,000 euros and a private chapel for 2.9 million Tebartz-van Elst, dubbed the “bishop of euros. The affair has also deeply embarrassed a bling”, had been ordered to stay out of his dio- German Catholic Church that had been enjoy- cese temporarily last October while a local ing an upswing in popularity because of Church investigation and audit into cost over- Francis’s wide personal appeal and after years of runs was made. He offered his resignation at the criticism for covering up sexual abuse cases time. A statement said the Vatican department among the clergy. that oversees bishops had now accepted his Tebartz-van Elst, 54, is still 21 years away resignation after carefully studying the results from official retirement age in the Church. He of the investigation. The German Church was will retain the title and rank of bishop but the expected to release details of the investigation Vatican will probably want to put him in a low- yesterday. “The Holy Father asks the faithful of profile job somewhere. The scandal has put the diocese of Limburg to accept the decisions pressure on German bishops for more financial of the Holy See with docility and to commit transparency, forcing them to scrap centuries of themselves to rediscovering an atmosphere of secrecy over reporting the value of their private charity and reconciliation,” the Vatican state- endowments. Germany’s church tax, collected ment said. from worshippers by the state and handed over Another prelate, Monsignor Manfred Grothe, to the churches, raised 5.2 billion euros for the has been appointed to run the diocese as an Catholics and 4.6 billion euros for Protestants in administrator on the Vatican’s behalf for the time 2012. —Reuters

LIMBURG: People watch a part of the residence of Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst (inset) in Limburg, Germany. Pope Francis yesterday permanently removed a German bishop from his Limburg diocese after his 31 million-euro ($43-million) new residence complex caused an uproar among the faithful. —AP 3 Secret Service agents benched

WASHINGTON: The Secret Service sent three agents son familiar with the situation, who wasn’t authorized to home from the Netherlands just before President Barack discuss the alleged behavior on the record and demand- Obama’s arrival after one agent was found inebriated in ed anonymity. The other two agents were deemed com- an Amsterdam hotel, the Secret Service said Tuesday. plicit because they didn’t intervene despite being in a The three agents were benched Sunday for “disciplinary position to assist the drunken agent or tamp down his reasons,” said Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan, behavior, the person said. “It wasn’t like a big, crazy par- declining to elaborate. Donovan said the incident was ty,” the person said. Obama arrived in the Netherlands prior to Obama’s arrival Monday in the country and did early Monday on the first leg of a weeklong, four-coun- not compromise the president’s security in any way. try trip. He departed for Brussels on Tuesday night, and Still, the incident represents a fresh blemish for an there were no known security issues during his stay in elite agency struggling to rehabilitate its reputation fol- the Netherlands. lowing a high-profile prostitution scandal and other alle- Before Obama travels anywhere abroad, a slew of gations of misconduct. An inspector general’s report in Secret Service and other government officials are dis- December concluded there was no evidence of wide- patched in advance to prepare the intense security spread misconduct, in line with the service’s longstand- operation needed to protect the president in unfamiliar ing assertion that it has no tolerance for inappropriate territory. Typically, counter assault teams travel with the behavior. The agents sent home from Amsterdam were president in his motorcade and if he came under fire, the placed on administrative leave, according to The team would be called upon to engage any attackers Washington Post, which first reported the disciplinary while the president was hustled to safety. Stricter rules action. The newspaper said all three were on the implemented in the wake of the prostitution scandal in Counter Assault Team, which defends the president if he Colombia bar agents from drinking alcohol within 10 comes under attack, and that one agent was a “team hours of starting a shift. It’s unclear whether the other leader.” two agents were drinking heavily or what time any of One agent was discovered highly intoxicated by staff them would have been expected to show up for a shift. at a hotel, who reported it to the US Embassy, said a per- The Secret Service’s reputation for rowdy, fraternity- like behavior snowballed in April 2012 in the run-up to another Obama foreign trip, this one in the Caribbean resort city of Cartagena, Colombia, where 13 agents and officers were accused of carousing with female foreign nationals at a hotel where they were staying before Obama’s arrival. After a night of heavy partying in bars and clubs, the employees brought women, including prostitutes, back to their hotel. Six of the employees eventually resigned or retired, while others had their security clearances revoked or were removed from duty. Seeking to turn a page on that chapter in the service’s famed history, Obama last year named veteran Secret Service agent Julia Pierson as the agency’s first female director and signaled his desire to change the culture at the male-dominated service. Less than a year later, two additional officers were removed from Obama’s detail following allegations of sexually-related misconduct that came to light after an incident at an upscale hotel next to the White House. A 145-page report issued late last year by the Homeland Security Department inspec- tor general determined there was no evidence of wide- spread misconduct within the Secret Service. Following the South American prostitution scandal, the agency put new procedures in place, including a ban on bringing foreign nationals to hotel rooms where agents and offi- cers are staying. —AP THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 INTERNATIONAL News Egyptian doctor on the run in brief

Bahrain jails 29 Shiites after mass death sentences DUBAI: A Bahraini court yesterday jailed 29 Shiites for up to 10 years for an attack on a police centre in April 2012, a judicial source said. Twenty-six of those convicted were handed 10-year prison terms Shabib sentenced to death along with 528 others and three others jailed for three years, the source said. The prosecution accused the defendants of CAIRO: Hossam Shabib says he has always been a said “Egypt confirms the need to protect human rights” and ing detentions,” said Human Rights Watch. Shabib, a 45- attacking a police centre in the village of Sitra, respectable Egyptian doctor who served his community the government “is committed to ensuring freedoms”. year-old father of four, said he missed his family and coun- south of Manama, with petrol bombs and iron rods, and stayed out of trouble. Now he is hiding abroad, convict- try but would not return anytime soon. wounding a policeman. The defendants claimed in ed of taking part in the killing of a police officer. On Violence in Minya “This is not the Egypt we know. It’s not the country court that they were tortured and their confessions Monday, an Egyptian court sentenced Shabib and 528 oth- Seventy people, 17 of them policemen, were killed in where I once felt safe. I don’t want to experience prison obtained under duress, the source said. Bahrain, er alleged members of the Muslim Brotherhood to death for Minya, which resembled a war zone on the day in question. again,” he said. He recalled how authorities treated him home to the US Fifth Fleet, remains deeply divided murder and other offences, signaling a sharp escalation in a Police stations, churches and other targets were hit. Shabib while he was being moved from between prisons; blind- since after a quashed 2011 Shiite-led uprising, with crackdown on Islamists. Only 123 of the defendants were in said he had nothing to do with the bloodshed. “I was folded, beaten with rifle butts, slapped, placed in solitary court on Monday. The rest were either released, out on bail accused of breaking the curfew. I was detained for 50 days. confinement. “I was never electrocuted, but I could hear persistent protests sparking clashes with police, or in hiding. Then I was suddenly connected to the death of Colonel men screaming while they were being electrocuted,” said scores of Shiites jailed on “terror” charges and rec- Shabib says he is innocent, one of thousands of people Mustafa Al-Attar,” said Shabib, speaking to Reuters by tele- Shabib, who said the abuses multiplied after he and other onciliation talks deadlocked. Authorities in the human rights groups say have been unfairly rounded up phone from a country he declined to name due to security prisoners complained. Government spokesman Salah said Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom last year increased the since army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi toppled fears. Egypt does not tolerate torture in its prisons. “The Ministry penalties for those convicted of violence, introduc- Islamist president Mohamed Mursi of the Brotherhood last Shabib said he had received a call from an agitated hos- of the Interior allows missions of the boards of Human ing the death penalty or life sentences in certain July. The military-backed government has declared the pital worker on the day of the killing. He complained there Rights to visit prisons, and most of the reports that came cases. Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group responsible for were no doctors at the hospital as bodies started arriving. out of these boards point to the absence of torture in pris- shootings and bombings. The Brotherhood denies the alle- Shabib said he rushed to work and spent all day there. “I ons,” he said. Storm batters Maine gations. “I am not a member of the Brotherhood, but I sup- went downstairs to get a sack of blood, and an intelligence Three weeks before the mass death sentences were CHATHAM: A spring storm brought high winds port its Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). I am not a member agent named Mohamed Rushdi asked me to ‘come inside handed down on only the second day of the trial, Shabib that whipped snow across portions of fled Egypt, expecting what he called a political sentence. of the Brotherhood, and the authorities know that,” said (the operating room) and help us; people are killing a Massachusetts and eastern Maine yesterday, caus- Shabib. police officer’. We tried to stop it. This guy is a witness that I Egyptian officials say the judiciary is independent. The trial ing near-whiteout conditions on Cape Cod as it The FJP has effectively been banned by the government. was in hospital,” said Shabib, referring to Attar. judge declined to comment. One day after Shabib’s death Shabib said he was wrongly accused of killing police “The people attacked us, too. We had to step away.” sentence, the same Minya court and judge began trying moved up the Atlantic coast. Cape Cod, Nantucket Colonel Mustafa Al-Attar in the violence that erupted in the Detentions have been rising since Shabib was arrested on the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and 682 others on and Martha’s Vineyard were expected to bear the southern province of Minya after security forces crushed a August 28, taking in suspected militants, secular activists similar charges. They too could face the death penalty. brunt of the storm as it strikes Massachusetts, per- pro-Morsi protest camp in Cairo last August. A senior and some academics. Human Rights Watch said it was Shabib said he had Islamist leanings from an early age but haps dropping up to 10 inches of snow, forecasters Interior Ministry official, who asked not to be named, said deeply concerned by the more than 16,000 detentions in was not politically active, even when hundreds of thou- said. Less snow was expected farther to the north the police had video and television footage that proved the recent months, adding it was not unusual for charges not sands of Egyptians protested in the streets in 2011 and and east in Massachusetts, with the Boston area 529 had taken part in violence. Government spokesman connected to initial causes of detention to be added on. toppled Hosni Mubarak. “I have never been to a protest in getting just an inch or two. Schools across Cape Hani Salah declined to comment on individual cases, but he “We are also seeing more cases of abuses committed dur- my life,” said Shabib.—Reuters Cod closed, while ferry and flight service to the islands was canceled. State courts in the region also closed. Winds that could gust up to 70 miles Turkey court ends per hour was blowing snow horizontally Wednesday morning, stinging the faces of those few who dared venture outside. On Maine’s eastern Twitter blockage tip, Hancock and Washington counties could get 8 to 16 inches of snow. Gov Paul LePage ordered ANKARA: A Turkish court upheld an appeal yester- was without legal grounds and “an arbitrary deci- day to end a blockage of Twitter that has provoked sion”. An Ankara court yesterday found in favor of state offices in both counties closed Wednesday public outrage and drawn international condemna- the association’s request and ruled that TIB halt its morning as flurries started falling. Blizzard warn- tion only days ahead of the critical local elections. block on the site. ings were in effect in both states. The National But it was not immediately clear if or when the bar Erdogan on Tuesday accused Twitter of “threat- Weather Service also warned of coastal flooding would be removed, although Deputy Prime ening national security” and has repeatedly defend- and significant beach erosion along the Minister Bulent Arinc urged the Turkey’s telecoms ed the ban during rallies in the run up to a municipal Massachusetts coast and wind gusts causing scat- authority, which carried out the ban, to respect the election on Sunday that is seen as a test of whether tered power outages in eastern Maine. court order. he has been damaged by the allegations. Erdogan “We abide by the court rulings, that’s what the has cast the audio postings on Twitter as part of a ‘Serial rapist’ on trial constitution orders. We may not like them, but we plot to unseat him, contrived by followers of his for- PRIVAS: A man who carried out a series of sexual abide by them. If this decision is genuine ... then mer ally, the US based Islamist cleric Fetullah Gulen. assaults on girls at holiday campsites in the what TIB needs to do after this is obvious,” Arinc told Reuters has not been able to verify the authenticity Ardeche region of central France went on trial yes- reporters in Hatay in televised comments. Turkey’s of the leaked recordings. “Our problem is not Twitter terday. Sebastien Dutheil, 33, is charged with two telecoms authority (TIB) blocked access to Twitter on itself but its approach ... The court ruling was con- Friday as Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan battles a veyed to Twitter. It does not listen to it,” Erdogan said counts of rape and nine of attempted or actual sex- corruption scandal, in which a stream of anonymous in a TV interview late on Tuesday about the original ual assaults on victims aged between six and 17. KONYA: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is greeted by ruling postings purportedly revealing government wrong- decision to block access. “You are threatening the His victims included three foreigners: a Belgian, a Justice and Development Party (AKP) supporters during a visit to his home- doing have been posted on the platform. Turkey’s national security of my country,” he said in a strained Dutch girl and a German. The attacks, carried out town of in Konya, Beysehir district, central Turkey yesterday. —AFP Bar Association challenged the blockage, saying it voiced after weeks of campaigning. —Reuters between June and August 2012, involved a masked Dutheil sneaking into tents under cover of dark- ness and restraining the girls while he assaulted Pressure on Iraq them. The victims’ parents were usually sleeping in nearby tents or caravans. Dutheil, who worked as a election law after tiler, was arrested after police matched DNA they found on the underwear of an 11-year-old victim poll chiefs quit with his, which they had on file because of a previ- ous conviction for sexual assault. Police said he had BAGHDAD: Election officials pushed yesterday for reform admitted to a series of attacks which brought terror of Iraq’s election law after polling chiefs suddenly handed to an area popular with nature lovers at the height in their resignations complaining of parliamentary and of the holiday season. Dutheil also confessed to a judicial interference, throwing next month’s vote into disar- number of similar assaults he claimed to have car- ray. Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki warned that failure to ried out in 2010 and 2011. The trial, which is taking resolve the crisis could delay the general election and send Iraq into a “tunnel we might not be able to get out of”. place behind closed doors at the request of one of Doubts are already swirling over whether the polls-current- the victims, is expected to conclude tomorrow. ly set for April 30 — could even be held nationwide as anti- government fighters still control a city on Baghdad’s Australia PM under fire doorstep. SYDNEY: Monarchist Prime Minister Tony Abbott Much is at stake in the election, as Maliki bids for a third was accused yesterday of sending Australia into a term with his security credentials badly damaged by a “time warp” by reintroducing knights and dames surge in violence to levels not seen since 2008, while the to the country’s honors list. The conservative country looks to rebuild its conflict-battered economy and leader announced the move Tuesday with minis- dramatically boost oil production. Hours after the ters revealing he went straight to Britain’s Queen Independent High Electoral Commission’s nine-member Elizabeth II, Australia’s head of state, for approval board collectively handed in their resignations on Tuesday, without consulting his Liberal Party. Opposition IHEC’s chairman said amending a disputed article in Iraq’s Labor lawmakers ridiculed the move, asking why election law could provide a way out. “If there is any prob- lem, they (parliament) have to amend it through legisla- he was not focusing on important issues such as tion,” Sarbat Rashid said, after holding talks with diplomats health and unemployment instead. “I’m concerned from the UN mission to Iraq, the US embassy, and the the Abbott government thinks this is a priority,” European Union mission, as well as parliament speaker Labor leader Bill Shorten said. He later told the Osama al-Nujaifi. National Press Club: “Are we in a time warp?” His IHEC’s board has in particular been frustrated with what colleague Ed Husic said it was proof Abbott was critics say is a vague provision in Iraq’s electoral law that out of date. “As sure as knight follows dame, you requires parliamentary hopefuls to be “of good reputation”. know that Tony Abbott’s going to take us back to Based on that article, a judicial panel has barred several the good old days,” he told reporters. The prospective lawmakers, including Maliki opponents such Australian Republican Movement was equally dis- as former finance minister Rafa al-Essawi, with no obvious missive, saying its website nearly crashed yester- avenue of appeal. Parliament has meanwhile reportedly day from the flood of new members signing up. ruled that IHEC must not bar any candidates unless they have criminal convictions, a decision an IHEC spokesman “This is turning the clock back to a colonial frame said was at odds with that of the judicial panel. of mind that we have outgrown as a nation,” said A diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, its national director David Morris. said that while the resignations had been submitted to par- liament, “I do not expect that parliament will accept them, Dog skins found because the timing is critical for elections.” “Most likely, what BANGKOK: Hundreds of dog skins have been IHEC would like to have done, they would like the article to found dumped in an area of northeastern Thailand be amended.” “IHEC’s problem is that they are squeezed notorious for exporting canine parts as a delicacy between the judicial panel and the parliament, and they are or for use as a leather substitute-including for golf trying to extract themselves.” The diplomat said because the gloves, police said yesterday. Acting on a tip-off, resignations were unlikely to be accepted by parliament, police made the gruesome discovery in bags left elections were likely to still go ahead next month. next to a large pile of dog bones in a forest on Tuesday in Sakon Nakhon, which borders Laos. Maliki urges amendment But the mere prospect of a postponement has sparked “The skins would be bleached-some are then sent concern, with Maliki warning in his weekly televised (by smugglers) to other countries to be made into address that “if IHEC stays this way, that means ... the elec- gloves for playing golf,” Lamai Sakolpitak, from a tion will be delayed.” “We will enter a tunnel we might not special police unit to suppress smuggling and the be able to get out of,” the premier said. “Troubles will come, trade in animal parts, told AFP on telephone. one after another, against the state.” Maliki called for IHEC “Experts say that dog skins are also used for instru- to withdraw the resignations, and urged parliament to pass ments such as drums,” Lamai said, adding that it is an amendment to the law “as fast as possible”. illegal to kill canines to sell their parts in Thailand The looming vote has been a factor in the rising blood- or abroad. Lamai said the find was likely linked to a shed in recent months, analysts and diplomats say. Maliki recent raid on two nearby makeshift factories and other Shiite political leaders have been determined to where skins were stripped from dogs. “Some peo- be seen to take a hard line against militants, rather than ple were afraid that we would find the skins at reach out to the Sunni Arab minority in a bid to undercut long-term support for militancy. But despite widely trum- their houses... so they dumped them,” he added. peted operations against insurgents, bloodletting has con- Local campaign group, Watchdog Thailand, con- tinued, with more than 450 people killed so far this month, demned the killing of dogs for sale, explaining that and upwards of 2,100 this year, according to an AFP tally. exporters pay around $10 for every live dog, And anti-government fighters have held control of the including pets and strays from the surrounding Sunni city of Fallujah, which lies just a short drive from areas. Baghdad, for more than two months. —AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 CNN journalists arrested Burger King Baby Journalists try to sneak into World Trade Center finds birth mom PENNSYLVANIA: A woman who, as a new- own search for the daughter she gave up. NEW YORK: Two CNN journalists were arrested woman for the news network said. The Port Department. born, was abandoned in the bathroom of a Deprill began her quest on March 2 by post- for trying to sneak past security at the World Authority has spent millions of dollars on securi- “He had enough sense to try it at 4 o’clock in Pennsylvania fast-food restaurant said she has ing on her Facebook page a photo in which Trade Center in New York City on Tuesday in an ty measures for the World Trade Center, which is the morning,” he said of the 16-year-old. The found her birth mother just three weeks after she held up a sign that said, “Looking for my attempt to report on recent security lapses at due to open later this year on the site of the CNN producers commenced their less success- launching a search that garnered worldwide birth mother. ... She abandoned me in the the site, police said. Yon Pomrenze, 35, and Twin Towers that were destroyed by Al Qaeda ful attempt shortly after lunchtime on Tuesday. attention, and as her mother prepared to look Burger King bathroom only hours old, for her. Katheryn Deprill, 27, said Tuesday she Allentown PA. Please help me find her by Connor Fieldman Boals, 26, first tried to talk hijackers on Sept 11, 2001. “This is very wasteful of valuable law-enforce- felt “pure joy” when she met her biological sharing my post.” their way in through the main gate to the center Four men were arrested on Monday for ment time and energy,” Pentagelo said. mother for the first time Monday at an attor- The photo was shared more than 30,000 in lower Manhattan, much of which is still a con- organizing a late-night parachute jump from The men were arrested on charges of crimi- ney’s office. And, after she learned the sad times by Facebook users around the world, struction site, according to the police account. the top of One World Trade Center, the tallest nal trespass, obstruction of governmental details of her conception and abandonment, and Deprill’s story landed in numerous One was holding a video camera, the other had structure in the United States, after sneaking administration and disorderly conduct, police she said she understood why her mom did media outlets. That caught the attention of a video camera strapped to his head. Foiled, through a hole in a fence in September. And a said. Barbara Levin, a CNN spokeswoman, said what she did. the woman who abandoned her, and she Boals then twice tried to climb over the perime- 16-year-boy with a camera was arrested a few in an email the two producers were on assign- “She is better than anything I could’ve ever came forward to attorney John Waldron, ter fence. That did not work either. days earlier after evading capture by security ment but “were not asked to sneak onto the imagined. She is so sweet and amazing. I’m so who arranged for them to meet. Deprill A few minutes later, the men were attempt- staff at night and getting to the skyscraper’s WTC site.” “They were in the surrounding area to happy,” said Deprill, who has become known said she bears a very strong resemblance ing to force their way through an electronic 104th floor. On Tuesday afternoon, the two CNN do a story about the recent incidents at the WTC as the Burger King Baby. The woman had to the woman, whose name she wouldn’t gate about a block away when police arrested producers had said to the officer at the main and other sites,” she wrote, “and the notion that decided about six months ago to launch her disclose. —AP them. The two men, identified as CNN produc- gate that if a 16-year-old was able to get in, daredevils are being drawn to them.” It was not ers, were filming a report on recent security then so should they, said Joseph Pentangelo, a immediately clear if the men had lawyers on breaches at the World Trade Center, a spokes- spokesman for the Port Authority Police Tuesday. — Reuters Landslide death toll rises to 24

ARLINGTON: Rescuers digging through the hope that there’s a possibly that we can find timber and earth, adding that it had blocked the debris of a monster US landslide found another someone,” he said. The National Guard joined Stillaguamish river, which had started to flood 10 bodies Tuesday, officials said, bringing the local and state emergency workers after the Darrington area. death toll to 24 with potentially more than 170 President Barack Obama declared a state of still unaccounted for. A day of rain hampered emergency for Washington state. “I would just ‘Increasingly unstable’ efforts to find survivors in the vast pile of mud ask all Americans to send their thoughts and “The rising river and floodwaters are making and timber which crashed into the tiny town of prayers to Washington state and the community the slide areas nearest the banks increasingly Oso on Saturday. “Unfortunately, we didn’t find of Oso and the families and friends of (the miss- unstable,” the emergency worker, who did not any signs of life,” Snohomish County fire district ing),” said Obama. give his name because he was not authorized to chief Travis Hots told reporters, three days after speak to the media said. New help Tuesday the catastrophe in the northwestern US state of Obama: ‘tough situation’ included over 60 National Guardsmen, and up to Washington. He said two more bodies had been “We hope for the best, but we recognize that 100 volunteers, officials said. Washington state recovered, adding to the 14 corpses already this is a tough situation,” he added in the governor Jay Inslee paid tribute to all the emer- brought out, while eight more were located in Netherlands, where he was attending a nuclear gency services helping the rescue effort, from the debris. The number of reports of people security summit. The Federal Emergency local to federal. unaccounted for remains at 176, although that Management Agency (FEMA) will help “save lives could include double-counting and people who and to protect property and public health and ‘Small-town, can-do spirit’ may turn up elsewhere, and so likely does not safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a “There’s a small town, can-do spirit here at represent how many more fatalities may be catastrophe in Snohomish County,” said the work. It’s good to have the White House as well,” found. White House. he said. “We know we still have families in Officials insist finding survivors is still possi- tremendous grief and anxiety, and we’re going ‘We haven’t lost hope’ ble, even there have been no signs of life since to do everything we can to relieve that as soon A total of 49 dwellings in the rural town were Saturday. “I believe in miracles and I believe peo- as humanly possible,” he added. hit by the one square mile wall of mud, rocks ple can survive these events,” said emergency The local fire chief said the rescue and recov- and trees, which also destroyed part of a high- management chief John Pennington, adding: ery operation would be a long one, but pledged way some 60 miles northeast of Seattle. Hots “They’ve done it before, they can do it again.” to try to find every last victim. “This is going to said the massive emergency operation was still One volunteer firefighter described the landslide be a very long-term event. This will be some- aimed at rescuing survivors as well as recovering as “quicksand, where you could easily sink up to thing that goes into the weeks,” said Hots, bodies, even though the chances of finding peo- your armpits.” He described seeing signs of struc- adding: “We’re going to do our very best to get ple alive diminish with each day. “We haven’t lost tures peeking through a dense layer of fallen everybody out of there.”— AFP billionaire brothers ‘threat to Democrats’

WASHINGTON: While US Democrats face many hurdles as they pre- into his Koch-backed challenge, according to her Obama’s health insurance reforms. It argues that pare for this year’s battle for control of Congress, few are more campaign. “It’s clear they are trying to buy a sena- Democrats, by targeting the Kochs, seek to dis- daunting than the Koch brothers-conservative business moguls tor whose strings they can pull in Washington to tract voters from five years of failed White House with deep pockets. The billionaire industrialists are behind exten- get their special interest policies passed,” Hagan’s policies including so-called “Obamacare.” sive, often opaque efforts to get conservative Republicans elected in communications director Sadie Weiner alleged. Democrats “are going to drive off a cliff” if they November. And President Barack Obama’s Democrats are up against Leading the counter-charge is Senate Majority talk exclusively about the Kochs, GOP strategist the wall in their bid to maintain control of the Senate, without which Leader Harry Reid, who took to the floor several Ryan Williams argued. “Complaining about two he will struggle for even the smallest of legislative victories. times this month to attack the “un-American” brothers, who most people have never heard of Eight months before polling, Democrats are already targeting Kochs for trying to “buy our democracy.” before, spending money on TV ads-it’s just not a the media-shy siblings at the helm of Koch Industries, considered He accused the brothers of pumping $30 mil- winning strategy,” he added. “They look small.” the second largest privately-held company in the United States. lion into advertising in competitive Senate races But several vulnerable Democrats are not shying They depict Charles and David Koch as mega-rich schemers fueling from North Carolina to Alaska as they push for away, vilifying the Kochs as outsiders bigfooting fears about Obama’s health care reforms and flooding several races lower taxes on the rich and smaller government. Senate and House races. “Koch Brothers go with tens of millions of dollars this year. With Republicans needing “Senate Republicans,” Reid seethed, “are addicted home,” exhorted one recent ad for incumbent just six net victories to win back the Senate, Democrats paint the to Koch.” Several attack ads have been released Senate Democrat Mark Begich of Alaska, where Kochs as anti-government boogeymen. They are committed to by Americans For Prosperity, an advocacy group Republican fundraising groups have spent heavily defeating vulnerable Democrat incumbents such as Senator Kay funded by the Kochs and severely critical of on anti-Begich ads. —AFP Hagan of North Carolina.

‘Buy our democracy’ Hagan launched a counter-offensive Monday against Republican opponent Thom Tillis, who has raised $8 million already funneled

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Catalonia defies Spanish courts, seek independence

BARCELONA: Leaders in Catalonia was more or less expected,” Mas said. due to debate the referendum issue on endum.” Analysts said the ruling was the central government which redistrib- vowed yesterday to press ahead with the “Each hurdle we encounter on this road, April 8. ambiguous however on whether utes their taxes. region’s drive for independence despite we will find a way around,” he said, reiter- Catalonia could legally hold some form Catalonia is home to 7.5 million of a tough challenge from Spanish judges ating his desire for a referendum on Rocky road to referendum of consultation to express a desire for Spain’s total population of 46 million who overruled its claims of sovereignty. November 9. The Catalan and national press independence, with a view to reforming people. It accounts for more than a fifth Spain’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday Mas has defied fierce resistance from agreed yesterday that the court ruling the constitution. “I think there is narrow of Spain’s economic output and a quar- dealt a blow to those in the indebted the national government, which has strengthened the national government’s scope for holding a consultative referen- ter of its exports. But Spain’s economic region who want to let citizens vote on called for unity as Spain crawls out of its hand, though it was still unclear how dum legally, but it is complicated,” said crisis has made Catalonia one of the whether to become a separate state, economic crisis. Catalans have drawn a likely it was that a referendum would Xavier Arbos, an expert in constitutional most indebted regions in the country, shortly after Scotland holds its own refer- comparison with Scotland, whose lead- take place. “The Constitutional Court’s law at Barcelona University. “If such a prompting calls for independence to endum on independence. ers are holding a referendum in ruling is clear and leaves no room for consultation gave a very clear result in grow louder in the past two years. On “The political process continues,” September on independence from partisan interpretations,” wrote centre- favor of a yes vote, that could lead to a September 11 last year, Catalonia’s Catalonia’s president Artur Mas told the Britain-a move authorized by the British right national daily El Mundo in an edito- reform of the constitution.” But he added: national day, hundreds of thousands of regional parliament, echoing other polit- government. Spain’s conservative Prime rial. “It leaves no doubt about the illegali- “I see little likelihood of a legal solution.” Catalans massed in a vast human chain ical leaders in the region. The court ruled Minister Mariano Rajoy insisted last ty of the sovereignty declaration.” The referendum is opposed by Spain’s stretching across the region to demand that a declaration of sovereignty last year month that in Spain such a referendum Catalan daily La Vanguardia said the rul- two largest national parties: the ruling independence. The national day recalls by Catalan lawmakers was illegal under “can’t take place”. “No one can unilateral- ing provided legal grounds for the conservative Popular Party and the main the conquest of Barcelona by Spanish the 1978 constitution, which also forbids ly deprive the entire Spanish people of Spanish government to crack down on opposition Socialist Party. Proud of their king Philip V’s forces in 1714 - seen by them to unilaterally call a referendum. the right to decide on their future,” he “any act by the Catalan institutions that distinct language and culture, many in many Catalans as the date they lost their “This ruling by the Constitutional Court told the national parliament, which is make reference to the November 9 refer- Catalonia say they feel short-changed by independence.— AFP Venezuela arrests three generals for ‘coup plot’

CARACAS: Three Venezuelan air force gen- Betrayed by loyalists erals accused of plotting a coup against The generals have been summoned the leftist government of President Nicolas before a court martial, Maduro said, Maduro were arrested Tuesday, amid a adding that the plot was uncovered widening crackdown on the opposition. because other officers come forward to say The unidentified generals were in contact they were being recruited. Asked for with opposition politicians and “were try- details about the generals, a senior source ing to get the Air Force to rise up against told AFP that the information is “being the legitimately elected government,” handled only through Maduro’s office.” It is Maduro told a meeting of South American the first time in 15 years of socialist gov- foreign ministers. “This group that was ernment that generals have been arrested captured has direct links with sectors of for alleged coup plotting, said military the opposition and they were saying that expert Fernando Falcon, a retired lieu- this week was the decisive week,” Maduro tenant colonel. Massive protests in April said. The stunning disclosure-the first 2002 resulted in Maduro’s predecessor, the known significant threat from within late Hugo Chavez, being briefly ousted- Maduro’s government-comes amid a grow- before he was restored to power for anoth- ing crackdown on the president’s oppo- er decade. nents after more than six weeks of street Maduro and his government have been protests that have left at least 34 dead. In a further blow to the opposition, the the target of near-daily protests fueled by mayor of the town of San Cristobal where public anger over soaring crime, hyperin- the protests started was sentenced to a flation and shortages of such basic goods year in prison. Daniel Ceballos was convict- as toilet paper. Demonstrators are also ed of failing to prevent violence and the angry at oil-rich Venezuela’s close financial blockading of streets. He was the second and political ties to Cuba, the only mayor convicted and sentenced, and Communist one-party state in the SEOUL: Visitors look at replicas of North Korean Scud-B missile (left) and South Korean Nike missiles at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul yes- quickly. Enzo Scarano, mayor of San Diego Americas. Maduro earlier had said he fend- terday. — AFP in the north, was arrested, tried and sen- ed off a coup bid aided or supported by tenced to 10 months in prison. It all hap- the United States and other “fascists.” pened in a matter of hours last week. An Protests have mainly taken place in mid- opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, has dle-class opposition strongholds. Maduro Obama brokers Japan been detained since last month and is still enjoys support among Venezuela’s awaiting trial. He is accused of instigating larger, poor population, allowing him to violence against the government. weather the weeks-long protests.—AFP and South Korea talks Merkel’s sway endures as Pyongyang fires missiles

govt notches up 100 days THE HAGUE: US President Barack Obama brought Korea’s first firing in four years of mid-range years, close coordination between our three coun- together the leaders of Japan and South Korea for Rodong missiles that can hit Japan followed a tries succeeded in changing the game with North BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel German politics and has great respect even their first face-to-face talks as a North Korean ballis- series of short-range rocket launches over the past Korea: our trilateral cooperation has sent a strong has steered her power-sharing government among the SPD’s voters,” political analyst Ulrich tic missile launch underscored the need for two months and could help improve cooperation signal to Pyongyang that its provocations and through a rocky 100 first days in office with a von Alemann from Duesseldorf University said. Washington’s two key Asian allies to repair their between Tokyo and Seoul. threats will be met with a unified response,” said high-profile resignation and the Crimea crisis Analysts say her new four-year term has got off strained ties. Washington hopes the three-way In Seoul, South Korean Defense Ministry Obama, who will visit Japan and South Korea next but remains at the height of her powers. After to a solid, if unambitious, start, which saw the summit will improve relations between Seoul and spokesman Kim Min-seok called the launches “a month. In an apparent attempt to break the ice the euro-zone turmoil dominated her first two government get past an early political bump Tokyo, which are clouded by the legacy of Japan’s clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions with Park, Abe addressed the South Korean leader terms, Merkel now faces the worst political in the road that sowed bad feeling within the 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean peninsula and a grave provocation against South Korea and in Korean at the start of the talks, saying he was stand-off since the end of the Cold War, while cabinet. Sparked by a child porn probe, a scan- and Seoul’s concerns that Prime Minister Shinzo the international community”. “very happy to be able to meet” her. at home her left-right government pushes dal erupted in the SPD but claimed a conserva- Abe wants to rewrite Japan’s wartime past with a Japan and the United States also protested the But the summit left aside thorny disputes over ahead with social reforms opposed by busi- tive minister’s head over the suspected leaking less apologetic tone. The United States wants to launches. But Tokyo’s plans to resume high-level wartime history, such as the issue of women, many ness leaders. However Merkel retains the confi- of confidential information. strengthen the allies’ combined response to talks next week with Pyongyang on Japanese citi- Korean, forced to work in Japanese military broth- dence of Germans as her conservatives and SPD Labour Minister Andrea Nahles has regional concerns such as North Korea’s banned zens abducted by North Korea decades ago, as well els before and during World War Two. The festering the Social Democratic Party (SPD) chalk up yes- moved quickly on two controversial pension weapons programs and China’s growing assertive- as the North’s missile and nuclear programs, would problem of history has kept the US allies from terday 100 days of the “grand coalition”, trum- reforms-retirement at 63 for those who have ness in disputed waters. not be cancelled, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary deepening military cooperation despite rising peting progress on a minimum wage, pension paid into the system for 45 years and pension In what appeared to be a show of defiance, Yoshihide Suga said. Those talks have been sus- regional tensions. Obama said the three leaders reform and a rent increase cap. Polls show the improvements for older mothers-and on an North Korea fired two medium-range Rodong bal- pended since December 2012. discussed “specific steps to deepen trilateral coor- conservative bloc retains a strong lead over SPD deal-breaker, plans for a national mini- listic missiles into the sea at 2:35 a.m. Japan and dination”, including “military cooperation that the SPD, hovering closely around the 41.5 ver- mum wage that applies to all, except under 18- Korea time (1735 GMT Tuesday), both Tokyo and Signal to Pyongyang includes joint exercises and on missile defense”. sus 26 percent they garnered at the ballot box year-olds and trainees. “The two big parties Seoul said. That was precisely when Abe and South Park, Abe and Obama, who met on the sidelines Japanese public broadcaster NHK later quoted a in September. Unlike several of her European have advocated for their clientele,” Alemann Korean President Park Geun-hye were sitting down of a nuclear security summit in The Hague, empha- White House official as telling reporters that talks peers, Merkel retains her personal popularity. said, adding the coalition’s first 100 days had with Obama in The Hague for their first meeting sized the need to work together on containing the among senior defense officials from the three “Merkel is the determining personality in made a “relatively solid” start.— AFP since Abe took office in December 2012. North North Korean nuclear threat. “Over the last five countries would take place soon.— Reuters THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Issues Digital ventures boost ailing news media

By Rob Lever

nline news ventures have added nearly 5,000 US media jobs in the past few years, boosting Oan industry that is still reeling from technology changes, a study showed yesterday. The Pew Research Center’s “State of the News Media 2014” report said these digital ventures are creating a more varied set of financial models for news, offering some hope to the troubled sector. The Pew report said the largest num- ber of journalists producing original reporting are still at newspapers, whose woes have deepened - with employment down 6.4 percent in 2012 and more loss- es likely in 2013 when final figures are tallied. Egypt verdicts show pressure on judiciary And the news business, which generates some $60 billion in annual revenues, still relies on advertising for By Lee Keath Islamists on charges of violence during a loyal to him, and his backers sought to it. Still, the justice minister appoints nearly 70 percent of its money. But the online seg- Cairo protest, the court acquitted all the push opponents in the judiciary into administrative heads of primary courts, ment is gaining traction and pointing to successful gypt’s judiciary is rife with judges defendants for lack of evidence. retirement. Morsi issued a decree declar- who in turn can determine which judge new models, the Pew researchers said. who are sharp opponents of ing his decisions immune from judiciary will hear which cases. That, he says, opens EIslamists, and they are operating Loyalists review, prompting thousands of judges the door to bias by picking judges known Boosting Reporting Power amid a media frenzy demanding swift Egypt’s judiciary, made up of nearly to go on strike and widening public for certain beliefs. With new courts “New players are boosting reporting power, tech- and harsh verdicts against the Muslim 15,000 judges and prosecutors, has tra- protests against his rule. assigned terrorism related cases, many nological talent and financial resources going into Brotherhood. The result, judicial experts ditionally been one of the country’s Now after Morsi’s ouster, any expres- fear the speed and verdicts could be even news, creating a level of energy not felt for a long say, is this week’s stunning verdict sen- strongest institutions. During the 29- sion of criticism among judges of the faster. time,” said Amy Mitchell, director of journalism tencing hundreds of suspected Islamists year rule of autocrat Hosni Mubarak, the mainstream support for the military is at In the courtroom, judges have consid- research for Pew. While most newspapers have failed to death after a cursory mass trial, a judiciary was stacked with his loyalists - personal peril. Some 75 judges who erable power and leeway in determining to generate significant revenues from their digital edi- decision likely to be overturned but many of whom remain in place and hold spoke out against “the removal of a procedures during their trials and in issu- tions, some online news ventures are moving away clearly intended to send a deterrent the top judicial positions. The govern- legitimately elected president” and “the ing verdicts, even if they may be over- from the ad-based model, getting support from phi- message. “The judge is a citizen who ment had considerable influence on attack on constitutional legitimacy” ruled later. Judges issue verdicts in all tri- lanthropists, venture capitalists and other methods lives in a society and can feel the promotions and advancement in the were suspended from the Judges Club, als, since there are no jury trials in Egypt. such as conferences and events, Pew noted. These nation’s pulse and knows that people system, with Mubarak appointing the an influential association of judges, and They are also backed up by vague laws ventures “are spurring different ways to think about are looking for quick trials,” Rifaat El- head of the constitutional court. are under investigation for disciplinary against “insulting the judiciary.” One how to support journalism in the digital age,” said Pew Sayed, the former head of Cairo’s appeal Still, the courts did not always follow action for engaging in political activity. prominent liberal former lawmaker faces research Mark Jurkowitz. court, one of the country’s major courts, his lead. During Mubarak’s crackdowns Other judges who publicly backed the trial on charges of insulting the judiciary But Pew cautioned that “this growing investment in on the Muslim Brotherhood, regular protests calling for Morsi’s ouster that after he criticized a court ruling as “politi- digital news does not mean the industry has figured told AP. “If there is a mistake from a courts often freed defendants or gave prompted the military to remove him cized” on his Twitter account. out a consistent formula for monetizing that news”. judge, there are means to correct it.” saw no such reprisals. Some of the Part of what has raised concern recent- According to Pew, 30 of the largest digital-only news The rulings Monday by a criminal them light sentences, so Mubarak ly from critics is that many judges are for- organizations account for nearly 3,000 jobs, and one court in the provincial capital of Minya turned to military or exceptional securi- reform judges who were part of the judi- big area of investment is global coverage. Pew noted brought heavy international criticism that Vice Media has 35 overseas bureaus, while the from the UN, United States and European Huffington Post hopes to grow to 15 countries from 11 Union. Amnesty International called the this year. verdicts “grotesque”, and Egyptian rights Other digital ventures growing overseas coverage groups were stunned. The court deliv- include BuzzFeed and Atlantic Media’s Quartz. This ered the sweeping sentences against comes at a time when international reporters working more than 520 defendants after only one for US newspapers have declined 24 percent from session hearing testimony - without 2003 to 2010, according to Pew. Pew said the gains at hearing the defense’s case. digital ventures have only modestly offset the losses in But the verdicts were hailed as a tri- print, estimated at more than 16,000 newsroom jobs umph for justice by much of Egypt’s at newspapers and 38,000 in magazines from 2003 to media, which have been cheerleaders 2012. for the crackdown on the Brotherhood But the study said digital is showing strong journal- since the military’s July ouster of Islamist istic efforts in some cases. “Many digital outlets are President Mohamed Morsi. “Let them be working to fill reporting gaps created by the strain on 10,000, 20,000 (sentenced to death),” resources at traditional outlets - from niche topic areas presenter Ahmed Moussa declared on like education to international coverage to local com- private Sada al-Balad TV. “Those who munity news to investigative journalism,” the report have killed, we shouldn’t be upset about said. them. Why are you upset, Mr Rights Activist? Where were you when martyrs Social Media Driving News were killed? Dragged on the floor? ... The researchers said social media and mobile plat- What do you expect from the judiciary? forms are also transforming the news business. They To give salute to terrorism? Or are you found 50 percent of social network users share or supporting terrorism?” repost news stories, images or videos, and 46 percent On Tuesday, the same Minya judge discuss news issues or events on social networks. More opened a second mass trial of 683 sus- than one out ten online news consumers have submit- pected Islamists on similar charges - ted their own content - videos, photos, articles or murder and attempted murder in con- opinion pieces - to news websites or blogs, the report nection to an August attack on a police found. About a third of US adults watch digital news videos, and news outlets like the Huffington Post have station. After one day of hearing wit- been expanding into video, the report noted. nesses - with defense lawyers boy- Traditional television has seen mixed results, Pew cotting the proceedings - the judge declared he would rule in the next hear- said. Its analysis of Nielsen data showed fewer In this Saturday, Jan 26, 2013 file photo, an Egyptian football fan of Al-Ahly club displays scales to fans celebrating ing, on April 28. Americans watched cable news in 2013, while more a court verdict that returned 21 death penalties in 2012’s soccer violence, inside the club premises in Cairo. —AP tuned into network or local television news - the first The sentences, however, raised a red increase for local TV news in five years. Pew found few- flag even within the judiciary, where ty courts to get harsher and longer sen- cial independence movement under mer police officers. Also, all judges are er local TV stations in 2013 producing original news many said they were certain the verdicts tences. A number of reformist judges Mubarak are now depicted by rivals as trained as prosecutors first. Moreover, the compared with 2012, a phenomenon driven by own- will be overturned because of irregulari- were sharply critical of voting fraud dur- Islamists - which some were, but not all. current judge said, Egypt’s court system is ership changes and content-sharing deals. The study ties in the trial. One current judge on a ing the 2005 and 2006 elections, starting overwhelmed with cases amid a crack- found a quarter of the 952 US television stations that high-level court called it “an individual a movement for greater judicial inde- United down that has arrested some 16,000 peo- air newscasts do not produce the programs they air. case” of a judge aiming to show “his pendence that was one of the various Sayed, the former judge, depicted the ple. Lawyers say they are hard pressed to For cable, the combined median prime-time viewer- political allegiance” and “send a particu- elements that coalesced to trigger the disciplinary measures as unifying the judi- keep up with procedures and defendants. ship of the three major news channels - CNN, Fox News lar message. He knows it will be 2011 protests against Mubarak. ciary and removing political influence. In one day, there could be as many as two and MSNBC - dropped 11 percent to about three mil- annulled.” The judge spoke to the AP on During the past three years of turmoil “Since Jan 25, 2011, the judicial family has mass trials in the same courtroom. lion, the smallest it has been since 2007. The biggest condition of anonymity because judici- since the 2011 ouster of Mubarak, the been united, become one fabric and par- Amid the rush, prosecutors have come decline came at MSNBC, which lost 24 percent of its ary rules bar him from discussing anoth- judiciary has been dragged repeatedly tisan and divisions are finished,” he said. under criticism for putting together shod- prime-time audience. CNN saw a 13 percent drop and er court’s case. “But the manner and the into political battles. It was only after “We managed to protect the independ- dy cases for trial. For example, there has Fox’s audience dipped six percent, Pew said. —AFP way the session was managed has seri- further large protests that Mubarak was ence of the judiciary and anyone who vio- been heavy public pressure to prosecute ously harmed the reputation of the judi- put on trial over killings of protesters lated those lofty principles has been sent Mubarak-era officials, particularly police ciary,” he said. during the uprising. His trial has to disciplinary committees.” The current over the killing of protesters during the Amid the uproar, the Justice Ministry dragged on for more than three years, judge said there is little direct interfer- anti-Mubarak uprising and later protests. All articles appearing on these issued a statement underlining that the and he is currently facing a retrial after ence from the government in specific However, cases against police have large- pages are the personal opinion of judiciary is independent. It said the rul- the first verdict, a life sentence, was decisions of judges - but that the hand of ly been thrown out for lack of evidence. the writers. Kuwait Times takes no ing was not a final verdict, saying the overturned in appeal. the executive still has control over much The judge said that was because prosecu- court can change it after the country’s The judiciary clashed fiercely with of the profession. tion cases were weak. In other cases, responsibility for views expressed top Islamic official, the mufti, issues his Morsi, who in 2012 became Egypt’s first The new constitution passed after judges may be willing to base rulings therein. Kuwait Times invites read- opinion on the death sentences, and freely elected president and whose pres- Morsi’s ouster more deeply enshrines pro- solely on the prosecutors’ cases, the judge ers to voice their opinions. Please that the sentences can be appealed idency saw political domination by the fessional independence for the judicial said. “Before the revolution, a murder case send submissions via email to: opin- before the court of cassation, which can Brotherhood. Morsi and the system, giving judges greater say over would be vetted in details, with evidence order a retrial. So far, there has not been Brotherhood frequently accused the their own affairs - in part a reaction to and review,” he said. “The trial would take [email protected] or via snail a clear trend in the few verdicts reached judiciary of being Mubarak holdovers Morsi’s rule. Judges now choose the pros- time, and the public would be watching mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. so far in the multiple trials of Morsi sup- opposed to their rule, while judges ecutor general and members of the closely. Now the number of deaths is The editor reserves the right to edit porters. One court sentenced 12 stu- accused him of trying to dominate the Supreme Constitutional Court and the huge. They are meant to investigate all dents to 17 years for rioting on universi- judiciary. He locked horns with the judiciary must approve all legislation over the circumstances. How do they? And any submission as necessary. ty campus. In another trial of 62 judges by naming a prosecutor general the profession before parliament can pass who would?” —AP NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

CAIRO: An Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood student and supporter of ousted president Mohamed Morsi runs through smoke during clashes with riot police following a demonstration outside Cairo University yesterday. (Inset) An image grab taken from Egyptian state television Al-Masriya yesterday shows Egypt’s Defence Minister and armed forces chief General Abdel- Fattah Al-Sisi announcing his resignation from his military position to stand in the upcoming Egyptian presidential elections during a televised address. — AF Sisi resigns to run for president Planes, ships chase new Continued from Page 1 strongest political force. Authorities yesterday announced the latest in a series of mass trials of sus- He spoke of the challenges facing the country, pected Islamists, including the top leader of the including millions of unemployed and a “weak econo- Brotherhood Mohammed Badie, on murder and other leads in search for jet my”. In an apparent goodwill gesture despite the charges in connection to violence the past months. crackdown, he promised “no exclusion. ... I extend my Morsi supporters have continued near daily PERTH/KUALA LUMPUR: New satellite apparently under the control of a skilled able amount of debris has been sighted hand to all at home and abroad - all those who have protests against Sisi and the interim government. images have revealed more than 100 pilot. Malaysia’s air force has released few in the area where the flight was last not been convicted”. “There will be no personal score- Yesterday, students in several universities, most of objects in the southern Indian Ocean details of its radar tracking beyond say- recorded. Bad weather and inaccessibility settling,” he said. them Islamists, held protests that turned into clashes that could be debris from a Malaysian jet- ing the plane was last detected off the have so far prevented any of it from However, on the ground there have been no signs with security forces. An 18-year-old student was killed liner missing for 18 days, while planes northwest coast heading towards India. being recovered. But we are confident of any move toward reconciliation with Morsi’s sup- in the violence at Cairo University, the Health Ministry scouring the frigid seas yesterday also But the country’s deputy defence that it will be.” reported seeing potential wreckage. The minister, Abdul Rahim Bakri, told parlia- Yesterday’s good weather was unlike- porters and the Brotherhood, once the country’s said. — AP latest sightings came as searchers ment that no action was taken when the ly to last, in an area renowned among stepped up efforts to find some trace of unidentified plane was spotted because mariners for high winds and big waves. Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, thought it was assumed it had been ordered to “This is only going to be a narrow win- to have crashed on March 8 with the loss turn back, local media said. “It was dow of opportunity by the looks of Jury finds Abu Ghaith guilty of all 239 people aboard after flying detected by our radar, but the turn back things, because another weather system thousands of miles off course. was by a non-hostile plane and we is moving in for Thursday, which looks Continued from Page 1 ask Abu Ghaith to take Al-Qaeda propaganda global. “In “We have now had four separate thought maybe it was at the directive of like that will bring an increase in winds the most important period of time in Al-Qaeda’s savage his- satellite leads, from Australia, China and the control tower,” he was quoted as say- again and also lead to a reduction in visi- “He has confidence that this is not the end but the tory Suleiman Abu Ghaith was Osama bin Laden’s principle France, showing possible debris,” ing. Asked at the news conference bility through the rain associated with beginning. We think there are a number of compelling messenger,” he said. “Al-Qaeda is about murdering Malaysian Acting Transport Minister whether air force radar operators the cold front,” Neil Bennett, a issues for an appeal,” Cohen said. Americans and regardless of role, participating in that con- Hishammuddin Hussein told a news con- thought the plane had been told to turn spokesman for Australia’s Bureau of US prosecutors alleged that Abu Ghaith was bin Laden’s spiracy in any way whatsoever is a crime. Did that man ference. “It is now imperative that we link back by air traffic controllers, Meteorology, said. right-hand man as the group’s main messenger after the knowingly participate in that conspiracy? Of course he did.” the debris to MH370.” The latest images Hishammuddin, who is also defence min- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak 9/11 attacks. Abu Ghaith is most famous for sitting next to Cohen argued there was no evidence linking Abu were captured by France-based Airbus ister, said he could not confirm it. this week confirmed Flight MH370 had bin Laden in a video on September 12, 2001 as he claimed Ghaith to any specific conspiracy, presenting him as a Defence & Space on Monday and A dozen aircraft from Australia, the crashed in the southern Indian Ocean. the attacks on US targets that killed nearly 3,000 people the pious imam who “had no problem” with the Americans showed 122 potential objects in a 400- United States, New Zealand, China, Japan Citing satellite-data analysis by British day before. In follow-up videos, he threatened a “storm of who liberated his country after the 1990 Iraqi invasion. sq-km area of ocean, Hishammuddin and South Korea were once more scour- company Inmarsat, he said there was no airplanes,” proof the government said that he was implicat- Kaplan told the jury that should Abu Ghaith be deemed a said. The objects varied in size from one ing the seas some 2,500 km southwest of doubt the Boeing 777 came down in one ed in the December 2001 plot to blow up a transatlantic conspirator, under US law he would be responsible for any metre to 23 m in length, he said. Perth in the hunt for wreckage on of the most remote places on Earth. flight from Paris with a shoe bomb. Video clips, his confes- acts that happened before he joined. Abu Ghaith fled Flight MH370 vanished from civilian Wednesday, after bad weather the previ- Recovery of wreckage could unlock clues sion to an FBI agent en route to the United States last year Afghanistan for Iran in 2002. He was arrested in Turkey in radar screens less than an hour after tak- ous day forced the suspension of the about why and how the plane had and his testimony on the stand all proved his guilt, prosecu- 2013 and sent to Jordan, where he was transferred to US ing off from Kuala Lumpur bound for search. “The crash zone is as close to diverted so far off course in one of avia- tors said. custody. Abu Ghaith married bin Laden’s daughter Fatima Beijing, and investigators believe some- nowhere as it’s possible to be but it’s tion’s most puzzling mysteries. Theories one on the flight may have shut off the closer to Australia than anywhere else,” range from a hijacking to sabotage or a Assistant US attorney John Cronan said the first thing years after the Sept 11 attacks, a fact that was kept from plane’s communications systems. Partial Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott possible suicide by one of the pilots, but bin Laden did as the Twin Towers lay smouldering was to the jury. — Agencies military radar tracking showed it turning said, before leading the country’s parlia- investigators have not ruled out techni- west and recrossing the Malay Peninsula, ment in a moment’s silence. “A consider- cal problems. — Reuters Arab leaders back Syria revolution... Continued from Page 1 followed suit. In a declaration read out at the end of Moonshine just a call away in Iran the summit, Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry undersecretary But Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari, whose Khaled Al-Jarallah said only that the 22 members of Continued from Page 1 Home-brewed drinks can cause blindness and even country has seen Syria’s Sunni-led rebellion feed a the Arab League would “pledge to work decisively to death. Iranian media often carry reports of deaths caused by Sunni anti-government insurgency on its own side of put a final end to divisions”. It was not initially clear The renowned Shiraz variety of grape, named after the alcohol, or “mashroob”. Last year Iranian health officials the border, made clear Iraq did not approve of the SNC whether this even had the status of the communiques city in the south of the country, is said to have been brought warned the government over the increasing number of “vic- being accorded such status. “Where is their sovereign- customarily issued after Arab League summits. back to Europe by the Crusaders. Persian poets Hafez and tims of home-made alcohol”, calling on the government to ty? Where is their authority?” Zebari told Reuters. “They “The summit is not in agreement, even though Omar Khayyam extolled the virtues of the grape. “What take action. Industrial alcohol is available in supermarkets, are not a state, they don’t have a government even.” Kuwait really tried,” one Western diplomat told Reuters. drunkenness is this that brings me hope? Who was the cup- purportedly for use in manufacturing but widely consumed. On the Palestinian issue, Arab leaders declared their “The Saudis did not want it; they wanted to be very bearer and whence the wine?” Hafez wrote in the 14th cen- “Ettehadiye Industrial alcohol (at 140 proof) is available in total backing for the Palestinian Authority and totally firm with Qatar. There are problems about the tury. supermarkets for only 80,000 Iranian rials ($3.23) with rejected the idea of recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, Brotherhood, the future of Egypt, Syria. Kuwait did all In modern Iran, the Armenian community is the main orange, pineapple and apple flavours,” said Hojjat, 25, a stu- a prerequisite by Israel for the success of the peace it could to have a consensus. But the Saudis are very source of home-brewed spirits, notably arak, a generic vari- dent in Tehran. ety of vodka extracted from sundried grapes. Amin, a 35- The other big business around alcohol is smuggling. The negotiations. The summit also condemned Israeli firm.” “It seems they didn’t agree on anything except year-old sports trainer, has turned his 50-sq-m yard into a Iranian judiciary has accused border officials of complicity in actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the Palestinian issue. Maybe the message was ‘We vineyard and rigged up a crude apparatus in his dingy base- the contraband trade. The elite Revolutionary Guards Israeli plans to divide the mosque between Muslims don’t want to rock the boat - let’s leave it at that’,” said ment to make the spirit, which costs as little as 50 cents a formed in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution, who are and Jews. The summit also called on member states to Emirati political scientist Abdulkhaleq Abdullah. “I litre. Which all means if you aren’t inclined to make your in charge of controlling the borders, are widely believed to fulfill financial aid pledges to the Palestinian Authority. think they agreed to disagree.” own, wine, beer and moonshine are just a phone call away. have a monopoly on the activity, securing a profit of around They condemned terrorism and called on member Saudi commentator Jamal Khashoggi told Reuters “You don’t even need to leave the house,” said Reza, a com- $12 billion annually, according to opposition websites. “The states to fight and combat terror. The leaders also that Arab nations had never been as divided. He com- puter engineer in Tehran. “Nasser, the brewer, will deliver it Guards is like an investment company with a complex of approved an Egyptian request to host next year’s sum- pared the use by some states of satellite TV stations to at your door, VIP service.” business empires and trading companies ... They are mit. broadcast conflicting views to the Arab world with the involved,” said Mohsen Sazegara, a former deputy prime Syria sharply criticized the summit declaration and past, when leaders such as of Egypt and Syria used Western Plot minister of Iran and founder of the Guard Corps who is now stressed that nothing would change “the clear deci- radio propaganda to win regional influence. “We’re The availability of alcohol has caused alarm among the an activist based in the United States. The corps declined to sion by the Syrian state to protect its people against back to ‘my radio is more powerful than your radio’. country’s clerical leaders, many of whom accuse the West of comment on the accusation. terrorism and to face up to it forcefully and firmly”. War across the airwaves. This country slanders the oth- plotting to lure Iranians away from pious religious obser- Brand names smuggled in from neighbouring Turkey and State news agency SANA said the summit’s expression er. It’s very upsetting,” said Khashoggi. vance. The number of police raids has declined since the Iraqi Kurdistan sell for as much as $70 a bottle. A can of beer of support for the opposition was made “in order to “Bashar Al-Assad and Iran are benefiting from this pragmatic President Hassan Rouhani took office in August, is just under $8 a can and bottles of tequila and French satisfy the rich Gulf states that impose their will on the division between the Gulf countries,” said Ebtisam Al- but the ban on alcohol and severe punishments for produc- brandy are easy to find on the black market for $100. Russian Arab League”. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are key backers Qitbi, a professor of political science at the Emirates ing and consuming it remain intact, for health as well as reli- and Georgian vodka finds its way into the Islamic Republic of Syria’s revolt. University in the United Arab Emirates. She criticized a gious reasons. And in fact alcohol abuse and alcohol poison- through the rugged Caucasus, across Central Asia’s deserts lack of consensus on supporting Assad’s political ing are becoming real problems. and the Caspian Sea. Police seizures cause temporary price Little Progress opponents. “There are no real steps to solve the Syrian There are as many as 200,000 alcoholics in Iran, according hikes on the street, but prices and supplies soon recover. to Iranian media reports, and some believe the number is Back in Tehran, at the apartment owned by his wealthy But the Arab leaders offered little evidence of crisis. The opposition felt they were alone at this sum- higher. Last September, a permit was quietly issued for the businessman father, Shahriyar says his alcohol-fuelled progress after the summit. Gulf opposition to Qatar’s mit,” she said. “Differences in approach to some of the country’s first alcohol rehabilitation centre in Tehran. “The parties allow his circle to get around the social restric- financial backing for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and thorniest issues in the reordering of the post-Arab centre was set up in Tehran to help our citizens. You cannot tions imposed by the Islamic establishment. “By drinking radical Islamist rebels in Syria burst into the open last Spring landscape are simply too great to paper over, at resolve the problem by ignoring it,” a health ministry official we forget about our problems,” he said. “Otherwise we month when Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador least for the moment,” said Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a told Reuters, but would not give any details about the num- will go crazy with all the limitations on young people in from Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain Gulf expert at the Baker Institute in the United States. ber of people under treatment or even the centre’s location. Iran.” — Reuters THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 SPORTS

Lambert rallies Saints R&A asks members to Allen signs with Bears LONDON: Southampton’s England striker Rickie Lambert wants the Saints to allow women to join NEW YORK: Free agent pass rusher Jared Allen has found a new home in the wipe some smirks off faces this weekend and reignite the Premier League NFC North as the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end has agreed to a four-year ST. ANDREWS: The Royal & Ancient Golf Club will vote in club’s stuttering season with a win over Newcastle. “We aimed for fourth this deal with the Chicago Bears, the National Football League team said yesterday. September on whether to have women as members for the first season, and people laughed at us, but they didn’t laugh at us straightaway Allen, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, was named a first team All-Pro four when we were second, they waited until we dropped off a bit,” Lambert told time in its 260-year history. A statement from the club yesterday said times in his 10-year NFL career and ranks 12th on the league’s all-time sack list the club’s website. “Our desire is to get into the top four and that’s the way the all committees are “strongly in favor of the rule change and are ask- with 128.5, second only to John Abraham (133.5) among active players. club has been run in the past four years and that’s the vision the players have ing members to support it.” The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. The deal is worth a total of $32 million, with $15.5 million in guaranteed and it’s the one that the club has, so for me it’s what the players still want Andrews has about 2,400 members from around the world and money going to Allen over the first two seasons, NFL.com reported. going forward and it’s what we’re expecting to be honest.” dates to 1754. The clubhouse is among the most famous buildings Allen, who turns 32 next month, had 11.5 sacks last season, A win would see ninth-placed Southampton overtake eighth-placed in golf, overlooking the Old Course at St. Andrews. down from his league-leading peak of 22 in 2011. Chicago Newcastle, but their remaining ambitions this season need to be in Pressure has been building in recent years on the R&A to change had released their own veteran defensive end, 34-year- context - their 45 points see Southampton trail fourth-placed its men-only policy, especially after Augusta National Golf Club old Julius Peppers, who signed a three-year, $30 million Arsenal by 18, with only 21 more to play for this season. announced in August 2012 that it was inviting two women to join - free agent contract to join NFC North rival Green Bay “We definitely believe that we can finish above teams like former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina fin- Packers earlier this month including $8.5 million Newcastle,” Lambert added. “I think we adapted to the Premier ancier Darla Moore. The British Open last year was held at Muirfield, League last year so we stopped thinking about things in terms for the first year. one of three links courses on the Open rotation that does not allow The Bears, who allowed their most points of what clubs are bigger than us. female members. “We’re Southampton, we get on with our own stuff, and yards ever in a season and tied for last in “This is welcome news from the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. and really you’re only as big a club as you want to be sacks in 2013, made Allen the fourth defen- in your own head, so if you want to think you Andrews, and I urge its members to follow their committees’ recom- sive end they have signed since the free won’t be bigger than Newcastle then you never mendations and vote ‘yes’ for women members,” British sports minis- agency period began on March 11, including will be, but it’s up to us to push on.” —Reuters ter Helen Grant said in a statement.—AP Lamarr Houston of the Raiders.—Reuters Blues drop Leafs as Coyotes roll

TORONTO: David Backes completed a hat saves, but the Penguins looked lifeless at goal. After trailing 2-0 only 71/2 minutes duced four goals in a span of 7:15. The scored in a shootout to lift the Florida needs just one more point to clinch a play- trick with an empty-net goal to lead the St. times without center Evgeni Malkin, who is in, then 3-1 entering the third period, the Islanders led 4-0 in the wild matchup of Panthers past the Ottawa Senators. off berth for the sixth straight season. Louis Blues to a 5-3 victory Tuesday that out 2-3 weeks with a foot injury. Kings wound up winning their seventh the bottom two teams in the Metropolitan Trocheck also scored in regulation and Patrick Sharp added two assists to help sent the Toronto Maple Leafs to their sixth consecutive road game. They also have Division. A combined 20 players had a Sean Bergenheim scored a goal for the Chicago finish 4-1 against Dallas in the straight loss. TJ Oshie and former Leafs for- KINGS 5, CAPITALS 4 seven victories in a row over Washington. point. Andrei Loktionov had a goal and an Panthers. Roberto Luongo made 37 saves. Central Division rivals’ regular-season ward Alex Steen also scored for St. Louis, Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter scored in Mike Richards, Dwight King, Marian assist, Jeff Skinner and Alexander Semin Clarke MacArthur and Mark Stone scored series. Ryan Garbutt scored twice for the which passed Boston for the most points the shootout as the Los Angeles Kings Gaborik and Dustin Brown scored for the each scored power-play goals, and Nathan for the Senators and Robin Lehner Stars, who fell three points behind Phoenix in the NHL with 105. Gerbe added a goal for Carolina. stopped 39 shots. Kyle Turris scored in the for the final Western Conference playoff Ryan Miller made 21 saves to improve shootout for Ottawa, but Luongo turned berth. Tyler Seguin set up Garbutt’s goal in to 32-15-3 in his career against Toronto. CANADIENS 2, SABRES 0 aside attempts by Jason Spezza and Milan the second period to extend his point The Blues have won 10 of 13 games since Carey Price made 24 saves and Max Michalek. The Panthers snapped a three- streak to 10 games. He has seven goals acquiring Miller and forward Steve Ott Pacioretty and Daniel Briere scored third- game losing streak. The Senators have lost and 10 assists during the run. Blackhawks from Buffalo before the trade deadline. period goals as the Montreal Canadiens nine of 10. top prospect Teuvo Teravainen didn’t Joffrey Lupul, Carl Gunnarsson and James earned a victory against the Buffalo record a point in his NHL debut. van Riemsdyk scored for Toronto, which Sabres. Pacioretty’s goal was the 100th of BLUE JACKETS 4, RED WINGS 2 dropped out of a playoff spot for the first his career as Montreal extended its win- Cam Atkinson scored a goal confirmed AVALANCHE 5, PREDATORS 4 time since Jan. 14, coupled with ning streak to three and won for the sixth by video replay in the third period, and Gabriel Landeskog scored two goals in Washington’s shootout loss to Los Angeles. time in seven games. The Sabres have one Ryan Johansen added an empty-netter for regulation and then netted the winner in The loss ruined the return of Toronto win in their past 10 games. They played his second of the game to lead the the shootout to lead the Colorado goalie Jonathan Bernier, who made 44 their fourth game of a five-game road trip Columbus Blue Jackets over the Detroit Avalanche over the Nashville Predators. saves in his first game since reinjuring his that ends Thursday in Nashville. Red Wings. The Blue Jackets pulled even Cody McLeod and Nick Holden also for groin on March 13. with the Red Wings with 80 points in the Colorado, which ended a three-game los- PANTHERS 3, SENATORS 2 tight Eastern Conference playoff race. ing streak. With the shootout tied 1-1, COYOTES 3, PENGUINS 2 Vincent Trocheck and Brandon Pirri Brandon Dubinsky and Johansen also Landeskog beat Pekka Rinne with a wrist Thomas Greiss stopped 23 shots - scored in a shootout to lift the Florida had power-play goals, and Curtis shot from the right side. Roman Josi and including all 15 he faced over the final two Panthers past the Ottawa Senators. McElhinney stopped 22 of 23 shots in relief Matt Cullen each had two goals for periods - as the Phoenix Coyotes edged Trocheck also scored in regulation and of Sergei Bobrovsky for the Blue Jackets, Nashville, which had a two-game winning TORONTO: Jonathan Bernier No. 45 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a the sloppy Pittsburgh Penguins. David Sean Bergenheim scored a goal for the who had lost three of four. Gustav Nyquist, streak snapped. save against the St. Louis Blues during an NHL game at the Air Canada Moss, Antoine Vermette and Mikkel Panthers. Roberto Luongo made 37 saves. last week’s No. 1 star in the NHL, main- Boedker scored for the Coyotes, who never Centre. —AFP Clarke MacArthur and Mark Stone scored tained his hot hand with two goals for the SHARKS 5, OILERS 2 trailed while picking up two vital points in came back after allowing Alex Ovechkin’s Kings in regulation. for the Senators and Robin Lehner Red Wings, who were 3-0-1 in their previ- Joe Pavelski scored three goals and set the chase for the final playoff spot in the two early power-play goals to beat the stopped 39 shots. Kyle Turris scored in the ous four. He has 20 goals in his last 24 up another as the San Jose Sharks Western Conference. Greiss was sharp and Washington Capitals. ISLANDERS 5, HURRICANES 4 shootout for Ottawa, but Luongo turned games. snapped a two-game losing streak with a received plenty of help from his defense as The shootout score was 2-0, because Colin McDonald had two goals and an aside attempts by Jason Spezza and Milan victory over the struggling Edmonton Phoenix rebounded a night after losing Kings goalie Jonathan Quick caught Eric assist, and Matt Martin also scored twice Michalek. The Panthers snapped a three- BLACKHAWKS 4, STARS 2 Oilers. Patrick Marleau and Marty Havlat starting goaltender Mike Smith indefinite- Fehr’s attempt, after rookie forward for the New York Islanders, who held on to game losing streak. The Senators have lost Andrew Shaw and Duncan Keith each also scored for the Sharks (47-18-9) who ly with a right leg injury in a loss to the Evgeny Kuznetsov whiffed on his opening beat the Carolina Hurricanes. McDonald nine of 10. had a goal and an assist, as the Chicago moved four points up on idle Anaheim for New York Rangers on Monday night. shot for Washington. scored both of his goals in New York’s four- Blackhawks held on for a win over the the Pacific Division lead and remained two Jussi Jokinen and Taylor Pyatt scored Kuznetsov had tied the game with 41.5 goal first period. Cal Clutterbuck and PANTHERS 3, SENATORS 2 Dallas Stars. Kris Versteeg and Marian points behind St. Louis for first in the for Pittsburgh. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 seconds left in regulation with his first NHL Martin also scored in the burst that pro- Vincent Trocheck and Brandon Pirri Hossa also scored for Chicago, which Western Conference.—AP THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 SPORTS

Ryder Cup-style event Photo of the day to debut in Malaysia KUALA LUMPUR: Top European and Asian nament going forward and with everyone players will face off this week in a new reading from the same page,” said Ryder Cup-style team tournament which McDowell. “We need the two sides to work has incensed organisers of a rival event and it out. Sadly, it’s unlikely to happen any highlighted deep divisions in Asian golf. time soon.” The tournament has become The run-up to the inaugural EurAsia Cup the latest skirmish in the battle for control has been overshadowed by a public row of Asian golf between the Asian Tour and between the European Tour and organisers OneAsia, which supports the Royal Trophy of the Royal Trophy, a similar Europe v Asia and has been holding tournaments in the competition launched in 2006. Team cap- region since 2009. tains Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and Another element of the controversy is Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee will lead their the fact that Jose Maria Olazabal, who was regions’ representatives in the three-day close to Ballesteros, openly supports the event at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Royal Trophy while fellow Spaniard Jimenez Club outside Kuala Lumpur from today. is deeply involved with the EurAsia Cup. Organisers of the Royal Trophy, which Jimenez said he hoped to see the EurAsia was spearheaded by late Spanish great Cup grow to become an event with similar Seve Ballesteros, have repeatedly cried foul stature to the long-standing Ryder Cup, over the new event and sparred with the which pits Europe against the United European Tour, a joint backer along with States. the Asian Tour. And Northern Ireland’s “The Ryder Cup started in 1927 and Graeme McDowell, who is on the European probably now is the event in golf and team, admitted he has “mixed feelings” everyone wants to play and I think is the about the clash between the two compet- important thing,” he said. ing tournaments. “Now we start the EurAsia Cup in 2014 “I’ve got mixed feelings for sure about and hopefully with the support of the play- the two events, and I’m just keen for one of ers and the effort of these two big tours, these two events to establish itself in a the EurAsia Cup will become a big event non-Ryder Cup year as a team-building along with the Ryder Cup.” event for the European Tour,” he said. “For The format will see five four-ball match- Europeans it is important we have a great es played on the first day, five foursomes team event out here in the Asia region. on day two, and 10 singles matches in “Seve is obviously an iconic figure when Saturday’s final round. it comes to European golf and he would Team Europe: Miguel Angel Jimenez Jake Marshall poses for an underwater portrait on the North Shore of Oahu, HI, USA.— www.redbull.com want to see the two events to remain (captain, ESP), Thomas Bjorn (DEN), Jamie strong, so hopefully we can put this event Donaldson (WAL), Victor Dubuisson (FRA), this week on the map a little bit and talk Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (SPA), Stephen about where we go from here.” Gallacher (SCO), Pablo Larrazabal (ESP), Thongchai’s squad includes his country- Joost Luiten (NED), Graeme McDowell (NIR) man and rising star Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) Machida upstages Hanyu along with Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Team Asia: Thongchai Jaidee (captain, Lahiri of India, and Japan’s Koumei Oda. THA), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Jimenez, meanwhile, will have former Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), Nicholas Fung SAITAMA: Tatsuki Machida of Japan upstaged Major winner McDowell, Scotland’s (MAS), Kim Hyung-Sung (KOR) Anirban compatriot and Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Stephen Gallacher, and France’s Victor Lahiri (IND), Prayad Marksaeng (THA), Hanyu yesterday to finish first in the short pro- Dubuisson among his 10-man squad. Koumei Oda (JPN), Siddikur Rahman (BAN), gram at the World Figure Skating Championships. “It’s obvious there can only be one tour- Hideto Tanihara (JPN). —AFP Machida, who was fifth at last month’s Sochi Games, hit all his jumps and scored a career-high 98.21 points to finish ahead of Javier Fernandez of Spain, who had 96.42 points. Skating to music from the movie “East of Eden,” Machida electrified the capacity crowd of 18,000 at Saitama Super Arena with a near-flaw- less routine that opened with a quad toeloop, triple toeloop combination. The 24-year-old Machida also included a triple axel and a triple lutz in his routine. “I got motivated when I saw Hanyu win the gold in Sochi,” Machida said. “I think this is the best chance I’ll have to get a medal and will do my best in the free skate. I was able to get a lot of positive energy from the crowd tonight.” Hanyu, who is looking to add a world title to the gold he won in Sochi, fell on the opening quad toeloop and finished with 91.24 points for third place. “Needless to say the toeloop wasn’t good,” Hanyu said. “But how I jumped wasn’t that bad so I am going to adjust for the free program.” Fernandez, who was fourth in Sochi, impressed the judges with a dynamic routine TOKYO: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs during a men’s short program of the World Figure and got high marks for a triple lutz, triple Skating Championships in Saitama. —AP toeloop combination. “One skater did better than me but I am still Canada is skipping the championships. The Two-time Olympic bronze medalists happy with my performance,” Fernandez said. men’s event concludes with the free skate on Savchenko and Szolkowy received 79.02 points “Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated right after Friday. to finish ahead of world bronze medalists the Olympics by my coaches told me to work In the pairs event, four-time world champions Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada, hard and I can see that hard works pays off.” Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of who had 77.01 points. Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic was Germany were first after the short program. Olympic silver medalists Ksenia Stolbova and fourth, followed by Han Yan of China. Jeremy Skating to music from the movie “Pink Fedor Klimov of Russia were third with 76.15 Registration commences for Abbott and Max Aaron of the United States fin- Panther,” the Germans were solid in all their ele- points. The pairs event concludes today with the ished eighth and ninth, respectively. ments, although all the top couples did not free skate. The women’s short program is also ‘Best Corporate Tournament’ Three-time world champion Patrick Chan of make any major mistakes. scheduled for today. —AP DUBAI: The region’s most popular, cure preventable blindness and improve award winning corporate tournament the lives of those affected. Our offices and the largest corporate networking are located strategically and spread event on the greens, the Xerox across the Middle East and Africa, and Vettel, Franklin winners at Corporate Golf Challenge, has we’re very pleased to be sponsoring the announced the opening of player regis- 2014 Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge” he tration for the 2014 edition. said. emotional Laureus awards Avid Executive golfers are invited to The first qualifying round of the 2014 form a company 2-ball team and register Challenge will be held on Thursday, April KUALA LUMPUR: Formula One world champion Minister Najib Razak, who just two days earlier can be a very, very big inspiration,” an emotional online through the tournament’s brand 3, 2014, at the Dubai Creek Golf and Sebastian Vettel and swim star Missy Franklin announced the fate of the missing Malaysia Vettel said. “I’ve come here and seen many new website, www.xeroxcgc.com, and Yacht Club, Dubai, UAE, and the second were named Laureus sportsman and woman of Airlines plane and passengers, said “our heroes of mine... this (award) is very inspira- details of all qualifying rounds (including qualifier will be on Thursday, April 24, the year yesterday in a ceremony in Malaysia thoughts and our prayers” were with the victims. tional, very special.” format) will also be available on the site. 2014, at the Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, that was tinged with tragedy over the MH370 “At this difficult time we draw strength from indi- Franklin, 18, beat tennis great Serena Williams Now in its 16th year, the event will have UAE. After this, qualifiers will be held in plane disaster. Germany’s treble-winners Bayern vidual stories of perseverance, of generosity, of and Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva, qualifying rounds in leading golf courses Doha, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kuwait, Munich beat out rugby’s All Blacks for team of endurance. The nominees here tonight display among others, to the women’s award and after- across the Middle East and South Africa, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, 2013 and Rafael Nadal won comeback of the those values,” Najib told the audience in the wards she offered her condolences for the plane with a 2-day grand final on two iconic with dates to be announced. year at the glamorous awards show in down- Malaysian capital. crash. “It’s a horrific tragedy. My thoughts and golf courses, Tower Links Golf Club and Cheryl Gleeson, Marketing Manager town Kuala Lumpur. Vettel, F1’s youngest four-time world champi- prayers are with you along with the thoughts Al Hamra Golf Club, and overnight stay Middle East and Africa at Skandia The ceremony, packed with some of the on and in Kuala Lumpur for this week’s and prayers of billions of people around the in the magnificent Waldorf Astoria, in International commented, “We are greats of world sport, was preceded by a Malaysian Grand Prix, won sportsman of 2013 world,” said Franklin, who won a record six golds the region’s emerging golf destination, proud to co-sponsor the 2014 Xerox moment’s silence for the 239 people killed when ahead of Usain Bolt, LeBron James, Nadal, at last year’s world championships. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. Corporate Golf Challenge. Building flight MH370 crashed in the Indian Ocean in still Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Farah. “If I’ve learned Spain’s Nadal won comeback of the year for unexplained circumstances. Malaysian Prime anything tonight, surely it’s the fact that sport his amazing recovery from a career-threatening Andrew Horne, General Manager strong brand recognition across the knee injury when he won the French Open and Xerox Emirates, said: “The 2014 edition markets we operate in is important to US Open and returned to world number one. of the Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge help us achieve our aim of being recog- “Everyone knew how tough last year was builds on our strong golf experience nised as a leading investment business. with my injury. I thought I would never have the over the last 16 years, and this year Our sponsorship of the Xerox Corporate chance to come back,” said Nadal, who picked up brings many exciting new experiences Golf Challenge provides a great oppor- the third Laureus award of his career. for all participants with our 2014 vision tunity to increase awareness among our Afghanistan’s cricket team were honored with of bringing ‘Corporate back into target markets. We look forward to work- a spirit of sport award for their feat in rising from Corporate Golf’. We also aim to raise ing with Xerox to build on the success of refugee camps and long-running conflict to funds for a leading charity with out- the Corporate Golf Challenge, and con- qualify for the 2015 World Cup. standing global reach and impact, the tinuing to deliver a highly respected, Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez won Noor Dubai Foundation, to hopefully enjoyable tournament.” breakthrough of the year for becoming his support running a mobile eye camp in a 2014’s Challenge brings with it an sport’s youngest ever world champion at the developing part of the world.” exciting field of sponsors, including age of 20 years and 266 days. The 2014 Xerox Corporate Golf Prestige Wealth Solutions (PWS - the Skier Marie Bochet of France, who was born Challenge is supporting the Noor Dubai Dubai-based firm of financial advisers), without a left forearm, was named best Foundation, an organization that works Skandia International (part of Old sportsperson with a disability and British BMX towards a vision of a world free of avoid- Mutual Wealth) and long-time supporter rider Jamie Bestwick won the action sports able blindness, primarily in developing Ecco. Event partners are Crystal Gallery, award. countries. The Challenge aims to raise a ProGolf International, Dubai Golf, and The winners were chosen by secret ballot by a 46-strong panel of sporting greats. Bobby sum of US$60,000 during the 2014 edi- OnSide Sports, and with Golf Digest, Charlton, Steve Waugh, Johan Cruyff, Sebastian tion, which is the cost of one mobile Eye Sport 360, Arabian Golf TV, and UAE Golf Coe, Mark Spitz and Nadia Comaneci were just Camp that can deliver 4,000 treatments Online as media partners for this year. some of the big names at the show. and up to 500 surgeries for the needy. The Xerox Corporate Golf Challenge is Organisers had earlier scaled back press Craig McConnon, Managing Director, proud to partner with Ras Al Khaimah events and dedicated a football match featuring Prestige Wealth Solutions - one of the (RAK) Tourism Authority, the Waldorf legends of the game to the victims of the plane Challenge’s new sponsors - believes the Astoria, Tower Links Golf Club and Al crash after it was confirmed on Monday. vision of this year’s series will bring two- Hamra Golf Club, all in RAK, as series The widely televised show was moved from fold benefits to those supporting and destination partners, who will host the Rio de Janeiro after authorities in Brazil, which playing. “We’re proud to be associated Grand Final event in December in a has seen protests over its hosting of the World with the Noor Dubai Foundation and ful- promising unmatched 2-day weekend KUALA LUMPUR: Spain’s MotoGP rider Marc Marquez kisses his Laureus World Breakthrough Cup, became concerned over the reaction to ly support their pioneering efforts to experience. of the Year trophy as he poses for photos during the Laureus World Sports Awards. —AP spending public money on the event.—AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 SPORTS Mavericks defeat Thunder

DALLAS: Dirk Nowitzki scored seven of his 32 points in overtime, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 128-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Nowitzki also had 10 rebounds and six assists. In Dallas’ loss to Brooklyn on Sunday, he was 2 for 12 from the field in his worst shooting per- formance of the season. Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 43 points. He has scored at least 25 in 36 consecu- tive games in the longest such streak since Michael Jordan’s 40-game run during the 1986- 87 season. Dallas had seven players score in dou- ble figures. Jose Calderon went 6 for 8 from 3- point range and finished with 22 points. Russell Westbrook scored 23 for Oklahoma City. All of his points came in regulation, when he played 31:50. He added another minute in overtime. Westbrook is limited to 30 to 32 min- utes per game because of his oft-injured right knee. The Mavericks scored the first five points of the extra period on two free throws by MELBOURNE: Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia racing in a file picture tak- Nowitzki and a 3-pointer by Calderon. They nev- en on March 15, 2014. —AFP er trailed again.

CAVALIERS 102, RAPTORS 100 F1 party arrives in Dion Waiters scored 24 points and Luol Deng added 19 as Cleveland prevented Toronto from getting closer to a playoff spot. mourning Malaysia Dion Waiters scored 24 points and Luol Deng DALLAS: Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) goes down with the ball against added 19 as the Cleveland Cavaliers prevented Dallas Mavericks guard Jose Calderon, of Spain, during the first half of an NBA basketball KUALA LUMPUR: The world of Formula to be expected with such new technology, Toronto from getting closer to a playoff spot game. —AP One descends on Kuala Lumpur for the we are learning more about the car with with a 102-100 win over the Raptors on Tuesday often dramatic Malaysian Grand Prix with every lap. This inevitably brings more prob- Young hit five 3-pointers while scoring 20 points after an eight-game winning streak. night. The Cavs blew a 21-point lead, but made as the Los Angeles Lakers dropped a franchise- Knicks President Phil Jackson watched his excitement around the Sepang circuit lems to the surface, all of which require just enough plays down the stretch to snap a unusually muted as the country mourns careful management. “Our priority has record 51 points in the third quarter of their vic- new team and his former club from a luxury five-game losing streak at home. They did it tory over the New York Knicks. Kent Bazemore suite high above the court. Carmelo Anthony the disappearance of flight MH370. therefore been to arrive in Malaysia in bet- without All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, who The Sepang circuit is a stone’s throw ter shape mechanically than we left scored 18 points as the Lakers won consecutive scored 29 points for the Knicks, who couldn’t missed his fifth straight game with a strained games for the first time in more than three stop the Lakers’ patchwork roster from hitting 18 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Australia.” biceps tendon. where the Malaysian Airlines flight carrying weeks with a phenomenal offensive effort 3-pointers in the opener of New York’s five-game Kyle Lowry scored 22 for the Raptors, who against the Knicks, who have lost two straight West Coast road trip.—AP 239 passengers and crew departed 18 days ENCOURAGING PACE had a chance to tie it in the final seconds but ago and has since become the home for One driver in greater need of major guard Greivis Vasquez lost his footing and com- many associated with the story. progress is four-times defending world mitted a turnover with 1.9 seconds left. NBA results/standings Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak champion Sebastian Vettel, who failed to Toronto led 95-94 with 6:45 remaining, but said earlier this week that the Beijing- finish in Melbourne after reliability issues went just 1 of 9 from the floor and scored five Cleveland 102, Toronto 100; Orlando 95, Portland 85; Dallas 128, Oklahoma City 119 (OT); LA Lakers 127, NY bound flight had crashed into the southern dashed his hopes of a 10th race win in a points the rest of the way. Tristan Thompson Knicks 96. Indian Ocean with a search for debris row after only a few laps at Albert Park. added 15 points and 13 rebounds for Cleveland. ongoing some 2,500 km (1,550 miles) Vettel’s pre-season had been struck by Eastern Conference Western Conference Atlantic Division Northwest Division southwest of Perth in Western Australia. big question marks over the Red Bull’s MAGIC 95, TRAIL BLAZERS 85 W L PCT GB Oklahoma City52 19 .732 - While the Laureus Sports Awards in Renault-powered unit but the German saw Tobias Harris had 25 points and 11 rebounds Toronto 39 31 .557 - Portland 45 27 .625 7.5 Kuala Lumpur yesterday opted to scale a few shoots of optimism ahead of the as Orlando stopped a nine-game losing streak. down their week of events in response to Malaysian race which he won in controver- Brooklyn 37 32 .536 1.5 Minnesota 34 35 .493 17 Nik Vucevic added 22 points and 10 boards for NY Knicks 29 42 .408 10.5 Najib’s announcement, the Formula One sial style last year after defying team orders. the Magic, who led by just eight at the half but Denver 32 39 .451 20 party has continued as normal for the 16th “We still have a lot of work to do with Boston 23 47 .329 16 Utah 23 48 .324 29 used scoring spurts in the third and fourth quar- Philadelphia 15 56 .211 24.5 staging of Malaysia’s premier sporting the car but it was encouraging to see that Pacific Division ters to put the game away. Victor Oladipo had 13 Central Division event. That meant Chinese relatives of the our pace was better than expected in LA Clippers 50 21 .704 - points and six assists. Robin Lopez led Portland Indiana 51 20 .718 - missing MH370 passengers were forced to Australia,” said Vettel, who won 13 of last Golden State 44 27 .620 6 with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Chicago 40 31 .563 11 change hotels to make way for those season’s 19 races. “Hopefully we can build The Blazers, who entered the night in fifth Phoenix 42 29 .592 8 involved in the glamour sport, which start- on that and start collecting some strong Cleveland 28 44 .389 23.5 place in the West, have lost three straight. They Detroit 26 44 .371 24.5 Sacramento 25 45 .357 24.5 ed its new season in Australia two weeks points in the next two races.” were without forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who LA Lakers 24 46 .343 25.5 ago. The drivers have been quick to offer His new team mate Daniel Ricciardo Milwaukee 13 58 .183 38 missed his seventh consecutive game with a Southeast Division Southwest Division their support and Lewis Hamilton also has thought he had sealed a brilliant second lower back contusion. The Magic closed the third San Antonio 54 16 .771 - a “#PrayForMH370” message on the side of place finish on his Red Bull debut at his Miami 48 21 .696 - quarter on an 11-2 run and increased their lead Houston 48 22 .686 6 his Mercedes car this week and he will be home grand prix but the podium place was Washington 36 34 .514 12.5 to 19 in the opening minutes of the fourth. Memphis 42 28 .600 12 hoping it is on display for the entire 56 laps taken away from him by the FIA after the Charlotte 34 37 .479 15 of Sunday’s race after only managing a Australian was deemed to have broken fuel Atlanta 31 38 .449 17 Dallas 43 29 .597 12 LAKERS 127, KNICKS 96 Orlando 20 52 .278 29.5 New Orleans 30 40 .429 24 brief three-lap run in Melbourne. rules. Xavier Henry scored 22 points and Nick The season opening race was won by Red Bull have appealed the decision the Briton’s team mate Nico Rosberg after with a verdict due after next week’s Bahrain the German overtook pole sitter Hamilton race in the Manama desert. McLaren’s before the first turn and eased to the che- Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen was pro- quered flag. moted up to second in Melbourne follow- KFH lifts Kuwait Banks Club trophy Mercedes appear to have been quickest ing Ricciardo’s disqualification with team in adapting to the new V6 turbocharged mate Jenson Button joining him on the hybrid engines that have levelled the play- podium in a bright start to the season for Burgan Bank wins Plate Final ing field after years of Red Bull dominance the team that had a 2013 to forget. but they remain wary of being labelled However, the Briton said the car lacked KUWAIT: In a keenly contested final for the championship favorites. race pace to challenge for victory on the prestigious Kuwait Banks Club league 2014 “While we were pleased to come away notoriously quick Sepang circuit where trophy, Kuwait Finance House rode their luck from Melbourne with a win, we were also afternoon thunderstorms are again predict- considerably to bag the coveted KBC trophy left with plenty to think about,” Mercedes ed, which could play havoc on the undulat- for the second consecutive year by prevailing executive director Paddy Lowe said. “As is ing track. —Reuters over the fancied Boubyan Bank in the final played at Sulaibiya ground. In a rain affected match, having scored a mammoth total of 179, Boubyan were quite unlucky to have been placed Runners Up as the D/L method proved to be the villain when the match was called off in the 15th over when KFH were slightly ahead in the run rate. Aamer the dashing Boubyan opener bat- ting impressively gave Boubyan a bright start and did not waste the perfect condition to hammer an aggressive 64 runs and with Saber (19 runs) added 58 for the first wicket. Nothing could stop Aamer as he clouted 4 huge hits over the ropes and struck 5 fours and with Rifkas Ibrahim, the duo added another 37 runs. Cup Finalists KFH and Boubyan teams pose after the finals. Rifkas played a very useful & elegant innings of 40 runs and with Hisham as his partner, the pair added 67 runs to the fourth wicket to post a handsome total of 179 runs in HAVANA: In this March 23, 2014 photo, a rodeo clown (right) works to distract a bull 20 overs. Hisham contributed a quick fire 33 as a rider slips off during rodeo competition at the 17th Boyeros Cattlemen’s runs containing 4 boundaries and a six. KFH International Fair in Havana, Cuba. —AP captain Faraz tried as many as 6 bowlers in which Irfan Bhatti & Nisar bowled extremely well to share 2 wickets each. Remarkable feats of Needing to score almost 9 runs an over, KFH lost their flamboyant opener Abdulla too daredevilry in Cuba soon and it was left for Zahid & Faraz to build a 54 runs partnership for the 2nd wicket. Zahid’s HAVANA: Mustached and goateed men with Cuba from its one-time Spanish colonizers, sweetly timed knock of 43 runs had 2 sixes & 6 broad-brimmed hats and leather chaps min- and the rodeo featured all the standby tradi- well connected hits to the fence. gle in the dust, and talking on cellphones. A tional events: bull riding, calf roping, barrel Sensing the possibility of a heavy shower, woman tenderly straightens the red necktie racing, lasso demonstrations - and remark- both the teams were updating themselves to of a nervous teen as he prepares to mount a able feats of daredevilry. the calculation as Boubyan bowlers main- bucking bronco. A man on horseback abrupt- Between competitions two stunt riders tained a consistent line and length and did ly bolts through the arena and launches him- raced around the arena on a horse, one not let the free scoring KFH batsmen take self onto a young cow, headlocking it into the standing upright atop the saddle as his part- much liberty whereas KFH batsmen were mud horns-first. Cuba’s eight-day internation- ner dangled precariously to the side, a single going for great guns to match their oppo- Plate trophy winners- Burgan Bank Team al rodeo festival is half party and half a cow- hand clutching the pommel. The quirkiest nents. Irfan Bhatti with his trademark lofted boy-skill showcase that would seem right at moment came in an event that could be shots then rose to the occasion and gave KFH Burgan won the toss and invited KIB to bat scored 12 runs and Kunal batting beautifully home in Nevada, Wyoming or anywhere else dubbed “Dancing With the Equestrians.” a much needed impetus to hit a lightening 35 first and the decision paid well for Burgan as top scored with a fluent 33 runs. in the American West. Riders took turns coaxing their mounts to runs and as the 13th over was in progress the they got rid of Ali M, the prolific scorer of KIB Burgan in 15 overs ended up with the same “You know that Cuba’s national sport is cut a rug to amplified music, with the winner game was halted due to downpour. KFH were very cheaply. Emphasizing on staying at the total of KIB. In the five attempts given to both baseball. In second place, then, are the rodeo eliciting laughter and cheers for a dance to declared winners due to their having better wicket, rather than trying expansive shots, the teams, Burgan hit the timber twice as KIB stadiums,” said Teresa Gonzalez, the Cuban reggaeton - the tropical music notorious for run rate at stoppage of play. Irfan Bhatti was Nadeem and Shiraz sticking to the basics post- failed to do so and Burgan Bank captured their rodeo’s national statistics keeper. “Whenever its steamy lyrics. Against the thumping beat, ed 76 runs in 11 overs. first trophy of the season. Kunal Singh of there’s a rodeo, across the whole country, the the horse gyrated its hindquarters in imita- declared player of the match for his all-round The heavy outfield was one great obstacle Burgan was declared Player of the match for stadiums fill up.” tion of the suggestive, twerk-like dance steps cricketing skills. but gradually started drying up as the sun his splendid batting display. Popular around the Americas, rodeo has associated with the genre. In a tensed and nail-biting match, Burgan its roots in the skills required of cattle herders Entire families turned out to watch, legs Bank had to take all their weapons out to nar- started shining. Nadeem’s knock of 43 runs The presentation ceremony was graced by in Spain and the New World. The word itself dangling over the side of the bleacher railing, rowly prevail over Kuwait International Bank & was worth a ton of gold as KIB posted a much the presence of Mahmoud Bastaki, Vice comes from the Spanish term for “roundup.” beneath a black mesh screen that kept at bay win the KBC -Plate final in the morning ses- decent total of 102 runs in 15 overs. Shiraz con- Chairman, Kuwait Banks Club who presented The roughly 60 participants competing in the the worst effects of the Caribbean sun. sion. Both the teams equally balanced, battled tributed a well- timed 17 runs too. Amit, Ashraf, the trophies to the Winning and Runner up event, part of the Boyeros Cattlemen’s “An event like this one is very important neck to neck in the stipulated 15 overs match Sharma & Ejaz shared a wicket each. teams along with Asad Baig, Director General, International Fair, came mostly from Cuba but because it’s the annual fair where the best which was reduced due to heavy overnight Burgan openers Waheed & Kunal laid anoth- Kuwait Cricket. Individual prizes were handed also Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and (competitors) take part,” Gonzalez said. “You rains and it ended in a tie which saw both the er useful partnership of 22 runs before KIB all- over to players by Kuwait Cricket Council mem- Panama. couldn’t even walk in the streets because teams going for the bowl out, a very rare sce- rounder Ali M fought back with a 3 wicket haul bers Riaz Choudhary, Mehaboob Khan, Iqbal There’s still a strong cultural influence in there were so many people.”—AP nario witnessed in the tournament. with his wobbling medium-pace. Waheed Rajpurkar, Amanullah Palekar and Taher Khan. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 SPORTS Guardiola betters Bayern’s record in debut season

BERLIN: Pep Guardiola won his first taken the European champions to a new before. last June in German and insisted he would November. Bayer Leverkusen put up a Bundesliga title on Tuesday as record- level. Guardiola has added a “new dimen- But Guardiola’s concerns proved justi- neither poach any Barcelona players, nor fight when Bayern came away from the breaking Bayern Munich were confirmed sion” with his “positive fanaticism” to his fied as Bayern suffered their only defeat make major changes. BayArena with a 1-1 draw in October. German champions with seven games to work, according to chairman Karl-Heinz this season when they lost the following He soon did both as Spain’s Under-21 Bayern claimed a record tenth consecutive spare, bettering predecessor Jupp Rummenigge. day at home to Manchester City. captain Thiago Alcantara was signed from Champions League victory when they beat Heynckes’ record of six. “He has a clear plan and I have never Guardiola showed a ruthless streak Barca and a new 4-1-4-1 system was intro- CSKA Moscow away in December before Having won 14 out of 19 titles in four seen such diligence in any other coach,” when Mario Mandzukic was briefly duced, briefly abandoning the 4-2-3-1 for- lifting the Club World Cup in Morocco. years with Barcelona, Guardiola collects his Rummenigge told German daily Die Welt. dropped at the start of 2014 for poor per- mation which won the treble. The only defeat came in the final third title in his nine months since taking Director of sport Matthias Sammer heaped formances in training. Captain Philipp Lahm was switched Champions League group stage when charge of Bayern. But he pins the success praise on the Spaniard after the final whis- It was a bold decision to drop the from right-back, where he is one of the Bayern threw away a two-goal lead to lose firmly on his players. “A coach is always tle in Berlin. “We build the foundations team’s top-scorer and the Croatia striker world’s best, to the midfield. Guardiola got 3-2 at home to Manchester City. only good because he’s at a big club with under Heynckes and now we have devel- netted in all six league games before last off to a losing start as Bayern were beaten They still managed to finish as group great players,” said Guardiola before the oped them further,” said Sammer. Saturday’s 2-0 win at Mainz 05. 4-2 at Borussia Dortmund last July in the winners. The closest Bayern have come to Hertha Berlin win. “We have selectively improved the While Bayern dropped only 11 league German Super Cup final, but have not a Bundesliga defeat was at VfB Stuttgart in “I have won many titles, because I have team and Pep Guardiola is not only a spe- points least season, Guardiola’s side have looked back since. January. They were 14 minutes away from had great players, they deserve the praise, cialist, but also an exceptional person.” dropped just four so far. Guardiola recently He got one over old Spanish league losing before Claudio Pizarro headed them they are unbelievable.” Guardiola’s mod- There is no stone left unturned in referred to the Bundesliga as “pizza and rival Jose Mourinho in Prague when level, then Thiago hit a stunning 93rd- esty hides the fact he moulded the likes of Guardiola’s relentless pursuit of perfection. burgers” and likened the Champions Chelsea were beaten on penalties in the minute winner. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta He was disgruntled in a press conference League to a “nice restaurant”. UEFA Super Cup final. Bayern’s last league defeat-at home to and Xavi into footballing superstars and last December because his players had While the Spaniard drew criticism for Bayern then picked off their Bundesliga Leverkusen in October 21012 — came seems intent on doing the same at Bayern. been subdued during the first 15 minutes his comments, Bayern’s rivals have failed to rivals one by one. Schalke were humbled with Heynckes in charge as the Bavarian The Bavarian giants sent records tum- of a training session. They had trounced serve up a decent challenge. Guardiola 4-0 in Gelsenkirchen in September, while giants currently enjoy a record 52-match bling under Heynckes, but Guardiola has Werder Bremen 7-0 away just 48 hours tackled his first Bayern press conference Dortmund they went down 3-0 at home in unbeaten run.—AFP Hosts Australia draw S Korea in Asian Cup

SYDNEY: Hosts Australia were handed a tricky opening round at the 2015 Asian Cup finals when they were grouped with twice former champions South Korea, Oman and Kuwait in the draw at Sydney Opera House yesterday. The Socceroos open the tournament against Kuwait in Melbourne on Jan. 9 and will hope to be still in the reckoning when the final takes place 23 days later at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. Manchester United’s Scottish manager David Moyes. Although two teams will qualify from Group A for the quarter-finals, the hosts could have After brief respite, dark hoped for easier first round opposition than South Korea, who they will play in their final group match in Brisbane on Jan. 17. clouds loom over Moyes “You want to avoid them but are you going to avoid them the whole tournament? At some LONDON: After a brief ray of sunshine in a against the current top four is equally dire point you have to play a team,” Australia coach stormy season, the dark clouds were hovering with one win, two draws and five defeats the Ange Postecoglou told reporters. over Old Trafford again yesterday in the wake sum total of their efforts against Chelsea, “That first game against Kuwait in Melbourne of another humiliation for the champions. Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal. becomes a real critical one. We need to get off to A 3-0 home defeat by local rivals Moyes had a similarly poor record against a really strong start and if we can get those three Manchester City, their third in a row against the top-four when he was Everton manager points that will put pressure on the other teams.” but things were supposed to be different them at Old Trafford, drained away any opti- Champions Japan were drawn in Group D mism born out of victories against once he was given the controls at United. with Jordan, who they lost against for the first Olympiakos and West Ham United the previ- time in World Cup qualifying last year, 2007 ous week and illustrated once again just how SQUAD DECLINE Asian Cup winners Iraq and the champions of far United have fallen in such a short space of The reality is, however, that he has inherit- this year’s Asian Challenge Cup, which will be SYDNEY: AFC General Secretary Alex Soosay displays Saudi Arabia’s draw in Group B during time. ed a squad in decline, with too many players decided in May. the draw of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 in Sydney yesterday. Hosts Australia will play United manager David Moyes wore a who would struggle to get a place on the “We played against both teams in the World Kuwait in the opening game of the 2015 Asian Cup in the draw. —AFP glazed look as City’s gloating fans mocked bench at the Etihad, Stamford Bridge or Cup qualifiers and both matches were tough, so him with chants of “five more years” while Anfield. I can expect it is going to be tough again,” Japan open,” he said. thousands of the home faithful voted with England squad player Tom Cleverley, who Football Association general secretary Hara “It’s important to have a good start and to Draw for the 2015 Asian Cup their feet, heading for the exits long before has become the whipping boy of the fans, Hiromi said. create a good spirit because the quality of the Yaya Toure put a realistic gloss to the score- was hauled off at halftime on Tuesday but to “We will do our best to play Australia in the teams are very close and maybe the spirit of the SYDNEY: Draw for the group stage of 2015 Asian line with City’s 90th minute third. single him for United’s malaise would be final.” Iran, the top ranked Asian team in the FIFA team can make the difference.” Cup finals, which will take place in Australia from Jan. 9-31 next year: “I am the one who picks the team,” Moyes, unfair. rankings, will play a United Arab Emirates, Qatar Australia progressing is the key to the success portrayed on one Old Trafford banner as the Moyes’ two big signings since taking the and Bahrain in Group C with the talented young of the tournament and Oman coach Paul Le GROUP A “Chosen One”, said after the latest in a series job, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, were Emirati side looking likely to be their biggest Guen, whose team embarrassed the Socceroos Australia of debilitating setbacks. outclassed by City’s midfield slickers while rivals. in a 2-2 draw in Sydney in World Cup qualifying South Korea “I take responsibility and always will do. It Michael Carrick laboured in United’s misfiring “Group C is quite balanced with three Arabic last year, said he thought the hosts were Oman is disappointing. I thought it would be a engine room. countries, neighbours, the rivals, a lot of tension favourites. Kuwait tough year but I hoped it would be more While there is some sympathy for Moyes and emotion,” said Iran coach Carlos Queiroz, “They will host the competition, the crowd competitive.” and continued support from Ferguson, who whose contract ends after this year’s World Cup. will be behind them, so we will be outsiders and GROUP B Uzbekistan Club stewards had to step in when some watched from the stands on Tuesday, and for- “It will tough but I think Iran will have a good they will be favorites but we will try to bother fans tried to haul down the “Chosen One” mer players, patience is beginning to wear Saudi Arabia chance. We must play the World Cup intensively them like we did a few months ago,” he said. China banner as their frustration boiled over at thin. as an Asian Cup preparation. And if that hap- “I think it is the toughest group of the compe- North Korea another home humiliation days after United look cumbersome in defence, short pens, I think whoever comes after me has a tition, it will be very difficult for us. We are a little Liverpool thumped them 3-0 there. of guile and pace in midfield and totally good chance to compete for a medal.” bit unlucky but I keep smiling.” GROUP C This season they have lost six times at reliant up front on Wayne Rooney and Robin South Korea, like Japan, Australia and Iran, Iran their former fortress in the league and on van Persie, who missed Tuesday’s match OPEN GROUP will be playing at the World Cup before the Asian United Arab Emirates home form alone they would be 12th in the because of a knee injury that will keep him Uzbekistan face Saudi Arabia, China and Cup and Brazil was still the focus for their coach Qatar table, rather than the seventh spot they cur- out of next week’s daunting Champions North Korea in Group B and the French coach of Hong Myung-bo. Bahrain rently inhabit with seven games left. While League quarter-final against a rampant the Chinese team, Alain Perrin, said he thought “It’s not an easy group, we’ve been grouped GROUP D league defeats against the likes of West Bayern Munich side. all four teams would fancy their chances of pro- with the home team and as Australia have home Japan Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United, not With no Champions League football, bar- gressing. advantage, it’s going to be a very difficult Jordan to mention an FA Cup exit against Swansea, ring something extraordinary in the next “I know Uzbekistan very well and they are a match,” he said. “First we have to play the World Iraq were hurtful, it is the way they have been out- month or so, next season Moyes faces a big strong team to play but I think in this group, Cup in Brazil and then we can think about play- 2014 Asian Challenge Cup winners classed by Liverpool and Manchester City in challenge attracting the very best to Old everyone can lose points against anyone, so it’s ing in Australia.”—Reuters consecutive home league fixtures that have Trafford in what will be a crucial summer of been most ego-damaging. United’s record rebuilding.—Reuters A modern Colosseum: Roma reveals new stadium plan

ROME: Three-time Serie A champion Roma for numerous stadiums and arenas in the United cial areas and training grounds outside the stadi- plans to build a new privately financed stadium States, plus the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. um. Financing will come from naming rights, inspired by the Colosseum on the outskirts of “It’s impossible designing a building here sponsors and priority seating proceeds, while the Italian capital. without considering the architectural history in bank loans and equity will finance construction. Labeled “Stadio della Roma” for now - until Rome,” Meis said. “The stadium will have an outer If the project becomes reality, Roma will naming rights are awarded - the facility will seat wall that will be a new vision of the Colosseum.” become only the second major Italian club to 52,500 spectators and be able to expand to It will be purpose-built for football, the fans own its own stadium. Juventus, which is closing 60,000 for major matches. seated as close as possible to the pitch and a in on its third successive title, opened Juventus Building costs for the stadium itself are esti- three-tiered seating design with a sharp Stadium in 2011. mated at 300 million euros ($414 million) but inclined. “It will be our new home and what I like the overall price, including surrounding infra- Keeping fans in mind, there will be a 14,000- about this home is the garden in the center, on structure and transport, will run far higher. seat detached section behind one of the goals which we’ll need to continue adding pages to TORREON: Javier Toledo (right) of Uruguay’s Penarol celebrates his goal next to The new stadium will be in the Tor di Valle for the hard-core “ultra” supporters, replacing Roma’s history,” Roma coach Rudi Garcia said, a Mexico’s Santos Laguna player Jonathan Lacerda during their Copa Libertadores area in the city’s southwest, about halfway the Curva Sud from the Stadio Olimpico. day after the Giallorossi beat Torino 2-1 to stay football match. —AFP between downtown and Fiumicino airport. There will also be luxury boxes, plus commer- second and keep its faint title hopes alive.—AP Slated to open for the 2016-17 season, the Laguna heap misery on Penarol stadium has been a big goal since Roma was purchased by a four-man group of Boston exec- TORREON: Five-time champions Penarol’s games, ran riot in the second half as they utives, who in 2011 became the first foreign dismal Libertadores Cup campaign contin- repeatedly exposed Penarol’s flat back four. majority owners of a Serie A club. For years, ued when they were thumped 4-1 by ram- Quintero floated a pass over the Penarol Roma has shared the Stadio Olimpico with city pant Mexicans Santos Laguna, leaving the defence to set Javier Orozco clear and he rival Lazio but that stadium features a running Uruguayans on the brink of group stage sidefooted past Juan Castillo in the 59th track and poor sightlines for football. elimination. Colombian forward Darwin minute. Quintero added a third in the 78th “The Stadio Olimpico has been a great place Quintero scored twice as Group Eight lead- minute after running onto a another ball for us to play but it has clearly had its time,” ers Santos made sure of a place in the over the top of the defence and fellow Roma president James Pallotta said on knockout stage with a match to spare while Colombian Andres Renteria completed the Wednesday. “(The new stadium) is clearly going their opponents remain stuck on four scoring one minute later after he also got to give us a competitive advantage.” points, two behind Arsenal of Argentina, away. Third-placed Penarol were left to face Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino sat next to who also have a game in hand. a 20-hour trip home with stops in Mexico Pallotta at the City Hall presentation and sup- Penarol got off to a perfect start at the City and Lima. Venezuelans Zamora kept ported the project, although he warned the sta- Corona stadium in the desert city of up their hopes of qualifying from Group dium would not open until the necessary sur- Torreon when Javier Toledo headed in from Four with a 2-0 win over Paraguay’s rounding infrastructure was in place. close range in the first minute after a mix- Nacional in Tuesday’s other game. “Hopefully we will have an expedited process up in the home defence, who also had a Juan Falcon broke clear to put Zamora and a two-year construction plan,” Pallotta said. player on the ground injured. ahead from a narrow angle in the 58th “I want to see Francesco (Totti, Roma’s 37-year- Quintero replied in the ninth minute minute and John Jairo Murillo added old captain) be the first person to run out on ITALY: This artist rendering provided by Italian Serie A soccer club Roma shows the new when he got in front of the Penarol defence another eight minutes later, leaving the that pitch.” stadium to be built on the outskirts of Rome. Three-time Serie A champion Roma plans to and cleverly volleyed home a long ball into hosts second with seven points and The stadium is being designed by American build a new privately financed stadium inspired by the Colosseum on the outskirts of the the area. Santos, with 13 points from five Nacional third with five.—Reuters architect Dan Meis, who has drawn up the plans Italian capital. —AP Vettel, Franklin Mavericks winners at defeat emotional Thunder Laureus awards

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 17 18 Guardiola betters Bayern’s record in debut season Page 19

KEY BISCAYNE: Maria Sharapova, of Russia, returns to Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic, at the Sony Open Tennis tournament. Sharapova defeated Kvitoka 7-5, 6-1. — AP Serena, Sharapova in semi showdown Sony Open locked down by bomb scare

MIAMI: Defending champion Serena Williams closed in on vented from entering or leaving the facility. step up in certain situations that I haven’t been able to do “I love playing her. I really do.” Sharapova, who has come a seventh Sony Open title with a 6-2 6-2 quarter-final dem- “Yeah, there was a bomb threat and a lockdown but in the past against her. “But it’s great that I have come to up short in the Miami final each of the last three years, olition of German Angelique Kerber on Tuesday, a win that that’s all I know about it. Scary,” said Williams. Sharapova that stage and have the opportunity to play her again.” dropped her opening serve to Kvitova but that would be came as the Crandon Park tennis facility was locked down and Williams, who have both achieved a career grand slam Certainly Sharapova will have to be at her best as Williams’ the only time in the entire match. due to a bomb scare. and held the number one ranking, were expected to devel- title defence has picked up steam with each match. The fourth-seeded Russian took control with a break to Williams’ win sets up a semi-final rematch of last year’s op into one of the great rivalries in women’s tennis. The world number one needed just 62 minutes to dis- get back on level terms at 4-4 and then again to close out final against Maria Sharapova, a five-time runner-up on the But it has not quite worked out that way with Williams pose of Kerber and has dropped one set on route to the the first set. Sharapova then dominated the second set, Miami hardcourts, who advanced with an equally impres- dominating the series, winning 15-of-17 career meetings final four. “When you’re playing champions, you have to storming through the first five games before a reeling sive 7-5 6-1 win over eighth-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova. including the last 14. play your best,” said Williams, looking ahead to her meet- Kvitova held her serve. While Williams was shutting down fifth seed Kerber, The pair have clashed three times in Miami, Williams ing with Sharapova. “She always plays her best and her “I didn’t have a good first few games, so I was happy Miami Dade police were locking down the sprawling ten- winning all three. “It’s no secret that she’s been a big chal- heart out against me. that I was steady, that I kept trying to do the right thing, nis complex after a suspicious package was found at the lenge of mine, an opponent that obviously I would love to “We just have to bring the best because we both are kept trying to be aggressive,” said Sharapova. “I think that main entrance. Four lane traffic was halted in both direc- beat,” said Sharapova, who has not beaten Williams in really good players. We just both do the best we can when paid off as the match went on because I made a few too tions in front of the complex while spectators were pre- almost a decade. “There are certainly ways that I need to we try to play each other. many unforced errors in the beginning.” — Reuters Nadal cruises through Spin vital to India for MIAMI: Unruffled by a bomb scare that locked down a good match for me.” Defending champion Murray, the Sony Open late on Tuesday, world number one playing his first event since splitting with coach Ivan World T20 success Rafa Nadal brushed past Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-2 6-2 Lendl last week, has looked increasingly comfortable MIRPUR: India has surprised at the World Twenty20 not only by its success to join Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy and confident on his own. but in that its being led by its spinners. India came to Bangladesh with little Murray in the last eight. He disposed of 11th-seeded Frenchman Jo- recent success in one-day internationals and having played only one T20 Officials announced a suspicious package had Wilfried Tsonga 6-4 6-1 without facing a single break since December 2012. been left near the main entrance to the sprawling point. Djokovic, a three-time winner on the Miami Yet, only it and Sri Lanka are unbeaten after winning their first two tennis facility which was quickly locked down, keep- hardcourts, had only two break points the entire games, and India’s spinners rather one of its robust batsmen have been ing thousands of spectators from entering or leaving match but that was all the second seeded Serb need- while Miami Dade police investigated. ed, converting both chances on his way to a 6-3 7-5 match-winners. The all clear was given just before Nadal stepped win over Spaniard Tommy Robredo. Legspinner Amit Mishra grabbed 2-22 against Pakistan and 2-18 against onto the Crandon Park centre court to face Fognini in Not everything at Crandon Park tennis center the West Indies to take both man-of-the-match awards. the final match of the night. went according to script, however, as Japan’s Kei The track at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium has helped spin, and since the venue The Spaniard showed no signs of being alarmed Nishikori and Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov pulled will host all the knockout matches, captains have a lot of strategizing to do by the bomb scare as he completed the win in 62 off a pair of fourth-round upsets. in the coming days. minutes. “Every day I have to try to find my rhythm, Dolgopolov battled to a 6-4 3-6 6-1 win over “As far as the bowling is concerned, I am really happy to see how our try to think about myself, what I have to do well, so I Swiss third seed and Australian Open champion spinners are bowling,” India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said after his just try to be focused on what I really need to do to Stanislas Wawrinka, while Nishikori shocked fourth team’s second win. “Yes, there is a bit of help for them but at the same time, play well,” said Nadal. seeded Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6(7) 2-6 7-6(9). you have to execute your plans well, especially in this format.” “Then the opponent is free to do whatever. Mishra, who has three hat tricks in the Indian Premier League but has not Tonight was not an easy match for him, for the condi- GLOOMY START enjoyed a long run in international cricket, justified Dhoni’s decision to play tions that I told you before. So it was a little bit In other fourth-round action, big-hitting an extra spinner. strange, but in general, I think I was very focused and Canadian Raonic blasted German lucky loser Becker “My captain has been really supportive and been telling me that I will solid with my serve.” Nadal’s next opponent is 6-3 6-4, while another big-hitter, towering American only do better as the tournament progresses,” Mishra said. “He has given me Canadian Milos Raonic, who beat Benjamin Becker 6- John Isner, was beaten 6-3 7-5 by Czech seventh the freedom to attack, to toss the bowl up as I like to do.” India’s spinners 3 6-4. “He’s a very dangerous opponent,” added the seed Tomas Berdych. have so far bagged 12 wickets and the pacemen five, turning around its per- Spaniard. While the day got off to a gloomy start with early ceived weak bowling attack which has restricted the opposition to 129 and “His serve is huge, one of the best without any morning showers delaying play by 30 minutes, ten- 130 in its first two games. The tournament has also seen a host of spinners doubt, and he’s able to play very aggressive on the nis fans were treated to a lineup of sparkling action open the bowling including West Indian leg-spinner Samuel Badree and return because he doesn’t feel a lot of pressure on his with nine of the world’s top 10 men battling for spots return because he knows that he’s very safe with his in the quarters. Pakistan left-armer Zulfiqar Babar. serve.” Nadal’s great rival Federer was also in cruise Djokovic, riding the momentum from his Masters Badree grabbed 4-15 against Bangladesh on Tuesday while Babar took 2- control, needing just 49 minutes to dismiss ninth Series win in Indian Wells nine days ago, was first 26 with the new ball in Pakistan’s 16-run win over Australia on Sunday. seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-1 6-2. through to the last eight and was soon followed by Australia opener Aaron Finch said ahead of Friday’s match against the “Look, things went well out on the court today,” Murray, setting up rematch of last year’s Wimbledon West Indies that playing spin was a challenge, especially the prospect of said the Swiss 17-times grand slam winner. “You just final won by the Briton. It was just the second match facing someone like Badree early on. take what you get and you run with it. of the tournament for Djokovic, who received an “Badree has opened the bowling for them for a few games now,” Finch “I think I played well. I served well. I made my opening-round bye and advanced to the last 16 on a KEY BISCAYNE: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Fabio said. “He is an interesting bowler. He bowls a great length. He is someone returns I had to and stayed aggressive, so I didn’t let walkover when Florian Mayer withdrew with a groin Fognini of Italy during their match on Day 9 of the Sony Open at who is hard to hit down the ground and it is a bit of a risk if you go across him just make errors. “I forced him to do stuff. It was injury. — Reuters Carndon Park Tennis Center. — AFP the line.” —AP China loses trade dispute over rare earth exports

Page 22 Business Obama, EU counterparts to tackle Russia, trade, energy THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 Page 23 Al-Tamimi & Co, PwC host India markets on election roll but doubts linger family business seminar Page 25 Page 26

ATHENS: Riot police restrain a protesting cleaning staff worker at the side entrance of the Finance Ministry, in Athens yesterday. Police forcibly expelled the protesters, who have lost their jobs in austerity staff cuts, from the ministry building after a request was denied for protest representatives to meet ministry officials. —AP WB sees Russia capital flight as crisis deepens High-risk scenario puts capital flight at $150 billion

MOSCOW: The Russian economy may ing only a short-lived impact from dence has already led investors to contract markedly this year and the the Crimean crisis, the bank sees GDP transfer massive sums outside Russia. country could see record capital out- growth of 1.1 percent this year, com- The Economy Ministry estimates net flow of $150 billion if the crisis over pared with the 2.2 percent it predict- capital outflow at up to $70 billion in Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s ed in its last report in December. “No the first quarter alone, compared with Crimea deepens, the World Bank matter how the Crimean crisis plays $63 billion in the whole of last year. In warned yesterday. In the first esti- out, there is the risk that the Russian the bleaker of its scenarios, the World mate by a leading international insti- government will be put back into a Bank envisages capital outflow at tution of the likely economic damage crisis mode to uphold macroeconom- $150 billion this year and $80 billion from the Kremlin’s standoff with the ic stability,” the bank said. “It is likely in 2015. This year’s forecast exceeds West over Ukraine, the bank said that policy choices will be about the $120 billion in capital flight that Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) managing short-term issues, and the Russia saw in 2008 during the global might shrink by 1.8 percent in 2014. medium-term agenda of structural financial crisis. “We assume that political risks will reforms will continue to take a back The outflow of money will put fur- be prominent in the short-term,” the seat.” ther pressure on the ruble, which bank said in a report on the Russian despite its recent firming is still 7 per- economy. “If the Russia-Ukraine con- Crisis of confidence cent down against the dollar this flict escalates, uncertainty could rise Russian assets have rebounded year, according to Reuters calcula- around sanctions from the West and this week, calmed for now by signs tions. “We assume the roble depreci- Russia’s response to them.” The that the crisis may ease. But the situ- ates both in 2014 and 2015 and we United States and European Union ation remains fragile. “An intensifica- see a high volatility in its exchange have called the takeover of Crimea tion of political tension could lead to rate,” Hansl said. The weakening of illegal, and imposed asset freezes heightened uncertainties around the currency is likely to put upward and visa bans on selected Russian economic sanctions and would fur- pressure on inflation, which the and Crimean officials. These moves, ther depress confidence and invest- World Bank sees at 5.5 percent in and the threat of harsher sanctions if ment activities,” the World Bank said 2014, higher than the upper end of Moscow goes further by intervening in its report. the central bank’s targeted range of MOSCOW: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (right) meets Siemens AG CEO, Joe Kaeser (left), in the Novo-Ogaryovo in eastern Ukraine, have shaken “Recent events around the Crimea 4.0-5.0 percent. Meeting the target residence outside Moscow yesterday. — AFP Russian financial markets. have compounded the lingering con- would require further monetary The forecast 1.8 percent contrac- fidence problem into a crisis of confi- tightening, the Washington-based cast of 2.5 percent for the year, but nomic growth to inch up to 1.3 per- economy would recover in 2015,” tion represents the World Bank’s dence,” said Birgit Hansl, the bank’s bank said. a deputy minister said on Monday cent next year. The high-risk sce- the Bank said. “Nevertheless, there high-risk scenario, but still assumes chief economist for Russia. The issue that it was anticipating GDP nario envisages 2.1 percent would remain some tail risk of con- the international community will is “the decisive factor affecting Low-risk scenario growth of “around zero” for the first growth, largely due to a low base tinued tensions, which would refrain from trade sanctions. In an Russia’s economic outlook,” she told a The Economy Ministry has yet to quarter. In its low-risk scenario, the this year. “If there is an orderly res- adversely affect growth over a alternative low-risk scenario, assum- press briefing. Deteriorating confi- revise its early 2014 growth fore- World Bank expects Russia’s eco- olution to the Crimean crisis, the longer period.” — Reuters

Property, bank stocks lift UAE, Dubai bourses KCCI and CMA meet on corporate governance MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS KUWAIT: Meetings of the Kuwait Chamber 2012 topped KD7.6 billion whereas exports of Commerce and Industry and representa- were set at KD32.1 billion, out of which oil DUBAI: Banks and property stocks lifted reducing the minimum free float should Aldar Peoperties climbed 2.2 and 5.3 percent tives from the private sector and the Capital took the lion’s share at KD30.3 billion. Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s markets yesterday, encourage more firms to list. The current rules respectively. Abu Dhabi National Energy Co Market Authority regarding the corporate He further said that the combined budg- while other regional bourses were little have led some companies to instead look to (TAQA) fell 4 percent, declining for a second governance law have been fruitful, said ets of all local banks exceeded KD51 billion in moved. Dubai’s bourse added 0.9 percent as list abroad. day since the company reported a 2013 net Chamber president Ali Al-Ghanim, in press 2013 and that the number of Kuwaiti nation- Emaar Properties and contractor Arabtec “There are rumors about more and more loss and proposed no dividend payout. statements on the sideline of the Chamber’s als working in the private sector jumped Holding rose 0.8 and 2.8 percent respective- IPOs coming back to the market and for Shuaa In Doha, Qatar Islamic Bank was one of the General Assembly meeting yesterday. from 83,000 in 2012 to 86,000 in 2013, a ly. Investment bank Shuaa Capital was the it’s their core business,” says Sebastien Henin, top gainers, up 0.8 percent after saying it was in He said there was some disagreement on slight jump no doubt but indicative of a top gainer, surging 14.7 percent on bets it portfolio manager at The National Investor. talks to buy a “strategic stake” in Turkey’s Bank a number of aspects of the corporate gover- spurning of jobs in the private sector which, may benefit from an expected increase in Some market participants said those buy- Asya. State-run Bahrain Telecommunications nance law especially between the Chamber he said, did not bode well for the future. To initial public offerings in the United Arab ing Shuaa yesterday were betting it would win (Batelco) gained 3.1 percent after announcing and the Market Authority but he hoped that achieve economic reforms through the pass- Emirates. Shuua’s trading volume was its a mandate to run the $2.5 billion listing of plans to buy back a third of outstanding bonds differences would soon be worked out. In his ing of successful legislations, he said two largest of 2014. Emaar’s shopping mall unit. Shares in Shuaa due in 2020, using excess liquidity from a address to the General Assembly yesterday, aspects had to be taken into account: a com- The UAE government has indicated it will Capital have lagged the wider market’s recov- scrapped acquisition to lower its debt servicing Al-Ghanim reviewed the Chamber’s achieve- mitment to a crystal clear government soon approve a long-awaited companies law ery and at 1.25 dirhams after Wednesday’s ral- costs. ments over the past period, noting-among a reform program and an adherence to apply- that analysts hope will cut the minimum free ly are still trading at less than an eighth of Oman’s bourse suffered from a technical large number of statistics-that Kuwait’s GDP ing correct economic and technical stan- float in IPOs to 30 percent from 55 percent at their 2008 high. Abu Dhabi’s index rose 0.8 glitch for a second day but managed to in 2013 reached KD 51.7 billion, causing the dards to such a program. Augmenting that, present. Many family-owned businesses have percent. resolve it before the end of the session. Its per capita income to hover around $48,000 - he noted, there had to be a hand-in-glove been unwilling to lose majority control so National Bank of Abu Dhabi and developer index fell 0.2 percent. — Reuters the same level as it was in 2012. On external approach to the cooperation of both the pri- trade, he mentioned that Kuwait’s imports in vate and public sectors. — KUNA THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 BUSINESS News in brief China loses trade dispute

Abu Dhabi’s Hilal Bank posts 42% rise in profit ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi government-owned Al Hilal over rare earth exports Bank said its 2013 net profit jumped 42 percent on the back of strong asset growth. The Islamic lender, owned by Abu Dhabi Investment Council, made a net profit of 441.4 million dirhams ($120.16) in 2013 com- WTO acts on US, EU and Japan petitions pared to 310.3 million dirhams in the prior year, a statement from the bank said yesterday. “The signifi- GENEVA/WASHINGTON: China has lost a dispute at cant net profit upsurge for the full year of 2013 is the World Trade Organization over restrictions on its largely attributed to growth in assets along with exports of rare earth metals, tungsten and molybde- improvement in asset quality and liability mix,” the num, the US Trade Representative’s office said yester- statement said. Deposits increased 13 percent to 28.2 day. The complaint about the restrictions on the high- billion dirhams while financing advanced 18.3 percent ly prized commodities was made by the United States, to 27.1 billion dirhams. Total assets grew 20 percent to European Union and Japan two years ago. touch 38.71 billion dirhams in 2013. The five year-old “This victory shows that we stand prepared to take bank plans to open two new branches in the United action whenever necessary to protect the high-quality Arab Emirates this year taking the total to 24 branches middle class American jobs that trade supports,” US that include three overseas branches in Kazakhstan. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in an Oil-rich Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE. emailed statement. The WTO is expected to publish its ruling in the case later on Wednesday. Any of the par- Third of Oman power ties in the case can appeal within 60 days. units set for stock market China produces more than 90 percent of the PARIS: French energy group GDF Suez said yesterday world’s rare earth elements, which are used in a wide it planned to float a one-third share in a company range of applications in sectors like renewable energy, owning two gas-driven power stations in Oman on a telecommunications and defense. The United States, local stock market in May. The power plants, Barka 3 Europe and Japan complained export restrictions, and Sohar 2, each capable of generating 744 including duties and quotas, gave Chinese companies megawatts, began operating in April 2013 and were in key high-tech sectors an unfair competitive edge. opened officially this week. GDF Suez headed a con- “China’s decision to promote its own industry and sortium which won the contract for the two projects discriminate against US companies has caused US in 2010 and owns 46 percent of them. The French manufacturers to pay as much as three times more group said that the members of the consortium which than what their Chinese competitors pay for the exact built and is responsible for running the plants had same rare earths,” Froman said. “WTO rules prohibit undertaken to place 35 percent of the two facilities on this kind of discriminatory export restraint.” For its the market within four years. Consequently 35 percent part, China has said rampant overmining has caused of the two operations would be offered for sale in ecological damage and that it no longer wants to pay May, GDF Suez said in a statement. A company the environmental costs of supplying the vast bulk of spokesman said that the shares would be offered by the world’s rare earths. In 2013, it capped rare earth means of a flotation on a local market, implying that production at 93,800 tons. Chinese officials were not Workers use machinery to dig at a rare earth mine in Baiyunebo mining district of Baotou in north China’s Inner this would be the Muscat Securities Market since this immediately available for comment. — Reuters Mongolia Autonomous Region. — AP is the only such market in Oman. Other partners in the consortium are the Oman firm Suhail Bahwan Group with an 22-percent stake, the Oman public social insurance body PASI with 10.0 percent, and Japanese Egypt mulls free trade zone companies Sojitz Corporation and Shikoku Electric Power Co, each with 11.0 percent. The investment in the two power stations totalled $1.7 billion (1.23 bil- lion euros). with Russia’s customs union

OPEC basket price up MOSCOW: Egypt has resumed talks about the creation of a (Russia) have expressed your wish to expand exports, pri- “Egypt has often talked about these long term wheat 26 cents to $103.39pb free trade zone with the customs union of Russia, Belarus marily of wheat... and we want to develop exports of veg- deals before but no one believes anything practical will VIENNA: OPEC daily basket price rose by 26 cents to and Kazakhstan, Egyptian and Russian officials said yester- etables and fruit. It would help widen our cooperation,” come out of it as it doesn’t make sense, why would you $103.39 per barrel on Tuesday compared with $103.31 day. Russia is increasing efforts to strengthen relations with Abdel Nour told the meeting. lock yourself into a deal with certain prices and what if the previous day, the cartel said here yesterday. The large importers of its products as the United States and Officials did not provide any other details on how market prices go down after that, you are stuck paying the annual rate of the OPEC basket price hit $105.85 last European Union threaten steeper sanctions over Moscow’s Russian wheat exports could be increased. It is unlikely that higher price?” the trader said. “What is more realistic is that year, the statement added. The new OPEC Reference intervention in the crisis in Ukraine. the countries will reach a major long-term wheat supply they discuss together whether or not the Russian govern- Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: In the biggest East-West confrontation since the Cold deal - a possibility the market has repeatedly speculated ment can perhaps encourage Russian firms to participate Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente War, the US and EU have imposed visa bans and asset on, although there might be other ways of a deeper coop- more directly in GASC (Egyptian state wheat buyer) ten- (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra freezes on some of President Vladimir Putin’s closest politi- eration, a trader said. ders to increase the amount of Russian offers.” — Reuters Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), cal and business allies after Moscow annexed Ukraine’s Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light Crimea. “There were talks about this (creation of the free (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venez). trade zone with Egypt) before 2011.. Now we have agreed to resume these negotiations and to discuss sectors of Tiny British energy suppliers cooperation,” Russian Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fydorov Oman sets up panel to said. “The final decision will be made after the (presiden- take on goliaths as bills bite tial) election campaign in Egypt, official documents will be ensure fiscal stability appearing after it,” he told reporters in Moscow after the LONDON: Riding a wave of public anger at soaring utility same supplier all my married life, for 56 years. But I just meeting of the Russian-Egyptian commission for trade bills, a group of tiny British suppliers have prised away had a huge gas bill and for the first time I am thinking I MUSCAT: Oman’s government and regulators have set up development. Egypt has yet to announce the official date hundreds of thousands of customers from the energy ought to look into switching supplier,” said Margaret a “financial stability committee” to monitor and manage of presidential elections that army chief Field Marshal giants which dominate the gas and power market, a Nelson, a 74-year-old pensioner. risks in the banking and capital markets, the Gulf nation’s Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is expected to win. Reuters analysis of company data showed. In a modest Overall account numbers are rising due to a growing finance ministry said yesterday. Egyptian industry and investment minister Mounir but potentially significant challenge to the dominance of population - about 140,000 new British homes were The creation of the committee follows a suggestion by Fakhry Abdel Nour said that the agreement on free trade the “Big Six” energy suppliers, half a million customers - completed in the government’s 2012-13 financial year. the International Monetary Fund last year that Oman’s with the customs union could contribute to expanding or two percent of British households - have opened However, the young suppliers are expanding largely authorities “should articulate a formal mandate over finan- cooperation between two countries. accounts with smaller suppliers since November, the through switching. The main winners are companies cial stability”. The Supreme Committee for Financial He said the officials have also discussed a number of data showed. such as First Utility, Ovo Energy and Utility Warehouse, Stability includes the chief executive of the Capital Market joint projects, including supplies of Russian liquefied natu- The Big Six - SSE, Scottish Power, Centrica, RWE npow- which is owned by Telecom Plus . These independents, Authority, representatives from the finance ministry and ral gas and other commodities. Russian state nuclear firm er, E.ON and EDF Energy are under intense political which buy energy on the same wholesale markets as the ministry of commerce and industry, and the head of Rosatom is considering taking part in the construction of a scrutiny before a parliamentary election next year. These their big rivals, have also raised their tariffs. However, the central bank’s financial stability unit. nuclear power plant in Egypt, according to officials. suppliers raised gas and electricity tariffs by up to 11 per- they are attracting business by promising to keep prices The committee will study risks and develop solutions. It They have also agreed to revive Russia’s participation in cent in the past winter before passing on tax savings, down through more efficient administration and by will also coordinate authorities’ fiscal and monetary policy modernization of assets dating back to the Soviet era, and could soon face an anti-trust investigation into their offering better customer service. and prudential supervision, as well as the actions of regula- Fyodorov said. He mentioned an aluminium plant, a hydro pricing. The big companies still dominate the market and mil- tors and supervisors, the finance ministry said. Oman’s cen- power plant and projects related to the light metro in Cairo Blaming a jump in wholesale costs plus the taxes and lions more customers would need to switch to undermine tral bank acts as banking sector regulator while the Capital and grain storage. He did not specify what form Russia’s social charges, they deny accusations by the opposition their position. Nevertheless, their market share has Market Authority is responsible for managing risks in the involvement could take. Labor party that they are gouging customers and say dropped from 98 percent at the end of 2012 to below 95 securities and insurance markets. they have been unfairly cast as the villains in a debate percent for the first time since the British energy market The country is spending heavily on huge industrial proj- Wheat supplies over how rising prices for everything from gas to water was liberalized 15 years ago. “These customer switching ects to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas. Rising Egypt is already the largest importer of Russian wheat, have eroded living standards. Many customers remain numbers are just a drop in the ocean but it’s a step in the pressure on state finances may prompt Oman to return to buying one fifth of the country’s exports of this commodity with their energy company through inertia but growing right direction,” said Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at the international debt markets in coming years for the first so far in 2013/14. It bought 2.6 million tons of Russian numbers now want a better deal. “I have stayed with the UK consumer lobby group Consumer Futures. —Reuters time since 1997. — Reuters wheat between July 1 and the end of February. “You

EXCHANGE RATES

Malaysian Ringgit 86.305 South African Rand 0.019990 0.028490 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.785 Thai Bhat 9.700 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001866 0.002446 Turkish Lira 126.505 Taiwan 0.009116 0.009296 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Thai Baht 0.008358 0.008906 Japanese Yen 2.757 Australian Dollar 259.98 256.98 Canadian Dollar 258.85 258.85 Indian Rupees 4.653 Arab Pakistani Rupees 2.888 Swiss Franc 327.41 325.41 Bahrain Exchange Company Euro 395.49 396.49 Bahraini Dinar 0.742218 0.750218 Srilankan Rupees 2.158 Egyptian Pound 0.036785 0.039885 Nepali Rupees 2.915 US Dollar 281.25 284.25 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Sterling Pound 471.17 474.17 Iranian Riyal 0.000078 0.000079 Singapore Dollar 222.710 Europe Japanese Yen 2.83 2.85 Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 Hongkong Dollar 36.396 Belgian Franc 0.007335 0.008335 Bangladesh Taka 3.631 Bangladesh Taka 3.620 3.890 Jordanian Dinar 0.393872 0.401372 Indian Rupee 4.608 4.908 British Pound 0.458220 0.467220 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.0000000 1.0000000 Philippine Peso 6.250 Czech Korune 0.006187 0.018167 Thai Baht 8.712 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.155 2.590 Lebanese Pound 0.000137 0.000237 Danish Krone 0.048161 0.053161 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Nepali Rupee 2.888 3.423 Moroccan Dirhams 0.023408 0.047408 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 Pakistani Rupee 2.758 2.790 Euro 0.384384 0.392384 Nigerian Naira 0.001192 0.001827 UAE Dirhams 76.64 77.11 Norwegian Krone 0.042742 0.047942 Omani Riyal 0.727084 0.732764 GCC COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 748.57 750.64 Romanian Leu 0.086957 0.86957 Qatar Riyal 0.076817 0.078030 Saudi Riyal 75.337 Egyptian Pound 40.40 41.00 Slovakia 0.008071 0.018071 Saudi Riyal 0.074630 0.075330 Qatari Riyal 77.625 Jordanian Dinar 400.29 405.94 Swedish Krona 0.039972 0.044972 Syrian Pound 0.001750 0.001970 Omani Riyal 733.890 Omani Riyal 731.43 738.73 Swiss Franc 0.313616 0.323816 Tunisian Dinar 0.175192 0.183192 Bahraini Dinar 750.370 Qatari Riyal 77.67 78.22 Turkish Lira 0.124324 0.131324 Turkish Lira 0.124324 0.131324 Saudi Riyal 75.13 75.53 UAE Dirham 76.938 UAE Dirhams 0.075864 0.077013 Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001282 0.001362 ARAB COUNTRIES Australian Dollar 0.249196 0.260696 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.695 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd New Zealand Dollar 0.234725 0.244225 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.134 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.318 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate America Tunisian Dinar 179.640 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 282.150 Canadian Dollar 0.246361 0.254861 Jordanian Dinar 398.950 Canadian Dollar 254.055 US Dollars 0.278150 0.282500 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.895 Sterling Pound 465.725 US Dollars Mint 0.278650 0.282500 CurrencyTransfer Rate (Per 1000) Syrian Lira 2.014 Euro 390.885 Morocco Dirham 35.522 US Dollar 281.700 Swiss Frank 319.900 Asia Euro 391.200 Bahrain Dinar 745.010 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Bangladesh Taka 0.003245 0.003845 Pound Sterling 466.100 UAE Dirhams 76.795 US Dollar Transfer 282.400 Chinese Yuan 0.044355 0.047855 Canadian Dollar 253.100 Qatari Riyals 78.345 Euro 390.980 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034295 0.037045 Saudi Riyals 76.110 Indian Rupee 4.660 Sterling Pound 466.950 Indian Rupee 0.004374 0.004775 Jordanian Dinar 397.630 Egyptian Pound 40.105 Canadian dollar 252.370 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026 Egyptian Pound 40.480 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.155 Turkish lira 126.690 Japanese Yen 0.002672 0.002852 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.158 Bangladesh Taka 3.622 Swiss Franc 321.270 Indian Rupees 4.651 Kenyan Shilling 0.003251 0.003251 Australian Dollar 257.550 Philippines Peso 6.250 Pakistani Rupees 2.883 Korean Won 0.000251 0.000266 US Dollar Buying 281.200 Malaysian Ringgit 0.081708 0.087708 Pakistan Rupee 2.880 Bangladesh Taka 3.627 Bahraini Dinar 750.100 Philippines Pesso 6.247 Nepalese Rupee 0.002939 0.003109 GOLD UAE Dirham 76.700 Cyprus pound 693.015 Pakistan Rupee 0.002628 0.002908 20 Gram 240.000 Japanese Yen 3.750 Philippine Peso 0.006360 0.006640 Saudi Riyal 75.200 10 Gram 121.000 Syrian Pound 2.950 Sierra Leone 0.000069 0.000075 5 Gram 62.500 Nepalese Rupees 3.900 Singapore Dollar 0.218903 0.224903 *Rates are subject to change BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 BoE may broaden Islamic liquidity tools

LONDON: The Bank of England is studying ways to These include six full-fledged Islamic banks such as the ples such as bans on interest and pure monetary spec- Sukuk issued by sovereigns with lower credit ratings increase the number of sharia-compliant assets that European Islamic Investment Bank, Bank of London ulation; this limits the types of financial tools that and other non-financial issuers could also be eligible, Islamic financial institutions can use in their liquidity and the Middle East and Gatehouse Bank. In addition banks can use to manage their short-term funding subject to haircuts and caps, the consultation paper buffers, a step towards reducing concentration risks in to reducing risks, expanding the eligible list could needs. The Bank of England’s proposal is in line with said. The consultation will end on April 15 but no date the sector. The move comes as part of a broader push improve growth prospects for the industry and remove the approach of Basel III global banking regulations, was given for the proposed reform. Britain first to promote London as a top centre for Islamic finance, a potential entry barrier to the sector, a consultation which allow sukuk issued by high-rated sovereigns to announced plans for a sovereign sukuk issue six years in the face of growing competition from other centres paper released by the central bank said. be included in the liquid assets buffer without a hair- ago but that issue never materialized as the country’s such as Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Currently, sukuk “Recognizing only one asset also potentially limits cut. This would allow Britain’s proposed 200 million Debt Management Office decided the structure was (Islamic bonds) issued by the AAA-rated Islamic the growth of existing sharia-compliant firms and cre- pound ($330 million) sovereign sukuk issue to be used, too expensive. The new proposal is less than a fifth of Development Bank are the only assets that meet the ates barriers to entry for new sharia-compliant firms as well as other high-investment grade instruments the size of the original, and is designed to boost central bank’s criteria for use in the liquidity buffers of due to the difficulties that can be experienced obtain- such as sukuk issued by the Malaysia-based London’s status rather than to diversify Britain’s investor the 22 Islamic financial institutions operating in Britain. ing the asset.” Islamic finance follows religious princi- International Islamic Liquidity Management Corp. base to a significant degree. — Reuters Obama, EU counterparts to tackle Russia, trade, energy Both sides seek to integrate economies in TTIP pact

BRUSSELS: The European Union will press US Karel De Gucht, who will attend the summit, said Agency spying in Europe have combined with President Barack Obama to help reduce Europe’s at the weekend, referring to EU demands for a concerns about the damage to food safety and reliance on Russian energy by exporting US nat- clear framework setting out US commitments on the environment under a free-trade pact. In both ural gas, at a time of chill in relations with gas exports. The issue will also be discussed next the United States and Europe, unions also worry Moscow over its intervention in Ukraine. After a week at a special EU-US Energy Council, officials about lost jobs or lower working standards and visit to a World War One battlefield, Obama will said. In the wake of the worst financial crisis say that a trade pact will serve only the interests have just 75 minutes over lunch with the EU’s since the Great Depression, EU governments and of multinational companies. top officials to tackle issues ranging from energy the Obama administration see a deep and broad Inside the negotiating rooms, other difficult to climate change, in a meeting that will be free-trade deal as the best way to create jobs, issues include how to open up to each other’s dominated by the Ukraine crisis. removing burdens and customs duties on busi- markets, removing customs duties that cost Yet if there were any doubts about the EU-US nesses. They say a “21st century” trade pact companies billions of dollars each year, particu- relationship after last year’s revelations that encompassing almost half the world’s economy larly automakers such as Ford and Volkswagen. Washington spied on its allies, Obama plans to could generate $100 billion in additional eco- Washington and Brussels are at odds over an PARIS: French president Francois Hollande (left) welcomes Chinese President Xi assuage them later in the day in a speech to nomic output a year on both sides of the initial exchange of offers to open up markets and Jinping, at the Elysee palace yesterday in Paris as part of a three days state visit in some 2,000 guests, before leaving for Rome. Atlantic and set the standards for global busi- cut tariffs, with each saying the other has not France. — AFP “Recent developments just underscore the ness before China does. been ambitious enough. In an effort to overcome importance of the transatlantic relationship,” The European Union and the United States that, Obama, along with European Commission China-France to tie Obama’s top trade envoy, Michael Froman, said already trade almost $3 billion in goods and President Jose Manuel Barroso and European during a visit to Brussels before the summit. services each day, and by thickening economic Council President Herman Van Rompuy will “Right now, as we look around the world, ties, the pact could create a market of 800 mil- promise to remove all tariffs on bilateral trade, up deals on Xi visit there is a powerful reason for Europe and the lion people where business could be done freely. according to a draft of the summit’s joint declara- United States to come together to demonstrate But eight months into talks, public hostility is tion seen by Reuters. “We reaffirm the objectives that they can take their relationship to a new growing at the idea of unfettered transatlantic we agreed,” the summit draft declaration said. LYON: China and France are expected to Areva wants nuclear deals level,” said Froman, who is the US Trade commerce, while negotiators remain far apart “Those goals include eliminating all duties on sign scores of business deals on the first full Luc Oursel, head of French nuclear giant Representative. on many issues. Reports of US National Security bilateral goods trade.” — Reuters day of President Xi Jinping’s state visit after Areva, last week said he was hoping that sev- Obama will seek to send that message in his he was wined and dined in the gastronom- eral agreements would be signed, as negoti- tour of Flanders Field in northern Belgium where ic capital of Lyon. ations continue on the construction in China US soldiers fought a century ago, a visit steeped France lags behind some European of a nuclear waste reprocessing plant. in historical significance that has been accentu- neighbors, most markedly Germany, in France’s finance ministry is also organizing ated by the tensions with Russia over Crimea. trade and investment links with China but an economic forum today that will gather Earlier this week, both sides sought unity in The has worked hard to catch up and accords in together about 400 businesses. “Our eco- Hague, where Obama and Germany, France, the aviation, nuclear, space, agriculture and nomic and trade relationship with China is Britain and Italy, along with Japan and Canada, urban development sectors are expected marked by a strong imbalance,” the French warned Russia it faced damaging economic to be unveiled. Details have been closely foreign ministry said, pointing to a trade sanctions if Moscow took further action to guarded by both sides. The only deal cer- deficit of 25.8 billion euros ($35.7 billion) last destabilize Ukraine following its seizure and tain to be signed is one that will see year between the two countries. annexation of Crimea. Chinese firm Dongfeng take a stake in trou- At the end of 2012, France’s total invest- Ukraine will be foremost in discussions on bled French auto giant Peugeot. ments in China came to 16.7 billion euros, Wednesday in light of the EU’s efforts to scale An agreement on the joint construction four times more than China’s in France. The back its imports of Russian energy. Russia pro- of civilian helicopters between Airbus trip is also due to touch on political matters vides around one third of the EU’s oil and gas Helicopters and China is also expected. as the crisis in Ukraine dominates the inter- and some 40 percent of the gas is shipped When French President Francois Hollande national agenda. through Ukraine. EU leaders dedicated part of a visited China in April last year, Xi welcomed summit to the issue last week and German him with a pledge to buy 60 Airbus planes Tibet protest planned Chancellor Angela Merkel said she supported and there could be more to come. “My visit The trip also carries a symbolic note, with asking Obama to relax restrictions on exports of to France... will allow me to work with Xi scheduled to make a major speech in Paris US gas. President Francois Hollande... to sum up 50 highlighting historical bonds such as the years of Sino-French relations and to plan experiences of Communist Party luminaries 21ST century trade pact the future together,” Xi said Tuesday at a Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping, who both One way to do that is through the proposed dinner in the centre-west city of Lyon, his studied in France. Xi’s wife Peng, a famous free-trade agreement between the United States first stop. “Investments are welcome in singer and China’s first prominent First Lady, and the European Union, which would be the France and we are mobilized to facilitate is also a Francophile. world’s biggest accord of its kind, dubbed the BRUSSELS: US President Barack Obama (center) attends a roundtable meeting during the EU- them,” French Foreign Minister Laurent And while she no longer has a French Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, US Summit at the European Headquarters in Brussels yesterday. Obama paid his first visit ever Fabius told Xi. Hollande will welcome Xi counterpart after Hollande split from his or TTIP. “We should have an ambitious chapter to the EU headquarters, cementing US-EU opposition to the takeover of Crimea after hitting and his glamorous wife Peng Liyuan to the partner Valerie Trierweiler, Peng has her own on energy in the TTIP,” EU Trade Commissioner out at Russian expansionism as a “sign of weakness”. —AFP presidential palace, where the two coun- itinerary planned that will see her named tries will sign the Dongfeng-Peugeot deal. special UNESCO envoy for the promotion of The couple’s three-day visit will culmi- women’s education. The question of human nate in a concert at the Versailles palace, as rights in China will impact on the visit amid Dagong chief: Credit ratings the two countries celebrate 50 years of full an ongoing, government-backed crackdown diplomatic ties. Ahead of his trip, Xi penned on dissent, with Tibetan exiles planning a big a column in French daily Le Figaro in which rally in Paris today. Since 2009 about 120 need ‘Chinese wisdom’ he paid tribute to French leader Charles de Tibetans have set themselves on fire in China Gaulle’s 1964 decision to break ranks with in protests against the authorities, denounc- the United States and recognise commu- ing what they say is an erosion of their reli- BEIJING: The man behind Beijing-based credit spark the global financial crisis in 2008. Guan rency at AA+, with a stable outlook, even as a nist China, paving the way for Beijing’s gious freedoms and culture and discrimina- ratings agency Dagong says “Chinese wisdom” presses the theme. “The Western rating system debt audit by Beijing found local government global acceptance. tion by the country’s Han majority.— AFP will help it take on mighty Western names that is a failure,” he said in his presentation. “If we liabilities had ballooned to almost $3 trillion failed by not predicting the global financial cri- follow this Western way” on credit ratings “we by last June. Guan acknowledges that he has sis. “I think if you look at the entire picture of will end up nowhere”. been a member of China’s ruling Communist Child miners pay the price the international credit ratings sector, a lot of Western agencies only focused on the pos- Party since the age of 18, but said he has no credit rating agencies have been influenced by sibility of default, he said. “The core theory of links with the country’s top officials. in Burkina Faso’s gold rush the way of thinking of the Western ratings the Western ratings system is wrong. It cannot “I can tell you for sure and with responsibili- agencies,” said the firm’s chairman Guan explain reality. In its methodology it’s chaos. ty that personally I have no connection with NOBSIN, Burkina Faso: Perched on the small rectangular holes between 20 to 30 Jianzhong. the government and even the senior leader- edge of a mine shaft, Joel Sawadogo, 13, metres (65 to 100 feet) deep to pound “So this is something that we need to ship of the Chinese Communist Party,” he told readies the fragile plastic lamp strapped to away at the rock face. Thuds and muffled change,” he told AFP after making a presenta- AFP. But his “Guiding Principles of Credit his forehead with an elastic band as he pre- voices drift up to the surface, where fellow tion to Chinese and foreign media outlining Rating” were put out in a booklet by the pub- pares to lower himself into the darkness. workers take turns to haul up broken the firm’s “Guiding Principles of Credit Rating”, lishing company of the People’s Daily newspa- He is one of hundreds of children and stones in plastic cans. Other teams further young people working at the Nobsin pounded the stones, sifting and hoping to in which he said Dagong wants to offer the per, the party mouthpiece, using the red print mines, about an hour’s drive from Burkina find gold. At 15, Hamidou is a short world “Chinese wisdom” on ratings. However, and typeface typical of official publications. Faso’s capital Ouagadougou, who every stripling of a lad, wincing and weary as he while Guan is quick to promote his agency’s Guan added that Dagong was “wholly private- day risk their lives in the search for gold in wrenches a splinter out of his foot. But he superiority, he has had to bat away accusa- owned” and that its goal of becoming a glob- the impoverished west African nation. says that mining is still better than working tions it is anti-Western while pandering to ally influential ratings agency means that it Child mining has become a growing prob- in the nearby village where he lives. Beijing and overlooking serious problems in must be independent, impartial and objective. lem in Burkina Faso, where 60 percent of There “they cultivate the land, but they China’s economy. Dagong-founded 20 years “This is very important for a credit rating the population is under 25. A mining don’t earn anything,” he says, adding that ago-remains far less prominent than its long- agency to earn its credibility,” he said. boom in recent years has made the coun- he is “not afraid” of working in the mines. established Western competitors, though it Christopher Balding, who teaches economics try Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer, Some youngsters invoke spirits to help has begun making a splash in international at Peking University’s HSBC Business School in where exports of the yellow metal account them in their search for gold. “If you don’t media. It hit the headlines in August 2011 Shenzhen, describes Dagong’s ratings for almost a fifth of economic output. go to see the sorcerers, you won’t find any- when it cut its main rating for US sovereign methodology as being on “very safe ground”, Joel, who started working at the mines thing,” said 19-year-old Issiaka, who has debt from A+ to A, with a negative outlook, although the occasional use of terminology two years ago, makes a meagre income been sifting for three years. after a standoff over Washington’s debt ceiling such as “dialectical materialism” can appear “off BEIJING: President Guan Jianzhong of Dagong from the backbreaking work. Sometimes Children at the mines dream of a local that led to fears of a potentially globally desta- the rails”. it’s 5,000 CFA francs (7.6 euros, $10.5), on a El Dorado, but mining is dangerous. Five Global Credit Rating delivering a speech at a bilizing US default. press conference in Beijing. —AFP The real perception challenge, he said, was good day twice that, but often nothing at people were injured at Nobsin the day Standard & Poor’s of the US also slapped if Dagong was seen as too aggressively anti- all. “Down there, it’s really damp,” he said, before AFP visited, according to a 50-year- Washington with a credit downgrade that “For our principle we take the probability of Western and anti-Washington, despite the scratching a filthy arm. He hopes one day old “elder” at the site Ouinin Ouedraogo, month, reducing it one notch to AA+ and wealth creation as the basis for credit ratings. very real problems it and others have pointed to find “less painful work” but “mostly, I while a landslide killed 14 and injured denying it a coveted AAA rating for the first We take into consideration the maximum debt out regarding the state of US government think about what I could earn”. another 14 at a different dig in Western Burkina Faso’s government estimates a Burkina Faso last year. time. Dagong-which can be translated as akin of a debtor and we also consider the outstand- finances. “If they continue to play up this anti- ton of gold was brought out of the ground Younger children, who are small to “great fairness”-struck again in October, ing debts of the debtor.” Western, anti-US, pounding this into the by small-scale miners last year-official esti- enough to get to the bottom of the mine whittling the US sovereign credit rating to A- ground, they’re going to essentially, from a mates say it could be double that-com- shafts, are often the first accident victims. after another debt deadlock saw a two-week Extension of the government? marketing standpoint, be aligning themselves pared to the 32 tons mined legally. Part of David Kerespars, whose children’s charity government shutdown. Nonetheless the reliability of Chinese eco- much closer at being seen as an extension of that was dug by children. The UN Children’s Terre des Hommes works at a dozen illicit Dagong’s downgrades have come under nomic statistics and the true situation of pri- the government, whether they want to or not,” Fund estimates that between half a million sites in Burkina Faso, says up to a quarter suspicion as reflecting official concerns of vate and state-owned enterprises have been a Balding said. But Guan suggested that China’s and 700,000 adolescents and youngsters of youngsters are hurt working at the China’s government, the largest foreign holder source of concern for analysts for years. economic rise and growing influence meant it are caught up in the mining sector in the mines. “Here the ground is solid, but of US Treasury debt that makes up part of the Investors have questioned Chinese auditing should have a commensurate voice in ratings. nation of some 17 million people. sometimes the earth is very fragile. You can world’s biggest foreign exchange reserves. But standards, and scandals have erupted over the “China is a big country sending out lots of feel it when you probe. Cracks appear in it has sought to take advantage of global accounts of some foreign-listed Chinese com- capital,” he said. “We should depend on our ‘Sometimes it’s scary’ the hole and that’s scary,” said Frederic anger with the so-called big three agencies- panies. Dagong also has to fight suspicions own credit rating institutions that are capable At the illegal mine, even breathing is Tindiebeogo, 23, whose T-shirt bears the S&P, Moody’s and Fitch-which were widely crit- that it has a political agenda. to do the work. We cannot simply think that hard in the windy, arid landscape. slogan: “It’s only funny when someone gets icized for having given their highest ratings to It has maintained China’s foreign currency Western credit rating institutions are always Children, many barefoot, scramble into hurt”. —AFP the debt instruments whose failure helped rating at AAA-its highest grade-and local cur- the best.” — AFP

BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 India markets on election roll but doubts linger Rupee trades at 8-month peak

NEW DELHI: Indian shares extended their roll ly Muslims-allegations he has always denied. But Analysts add that it is unlikely a BJP govern- yesterday, hitting another lifetime high while Gujarat’s reputation as one of India’s fastest ment could kick-start investments and revive the rupee traded at a new eight-month peak, as growing states-it expanded by nearly 10 percent the stalled investment cycle. Just a fourth of investors bet a more business friendly govern- annually over the last five years-and its easy investment projects are stuck with the central ment will come to power in elections. But some investment policies have won him national government, and two-thirds of these are in pow- analysts warn that expectations the opposition favor. er and steel which are both reeling from massive Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Investors hope Modi, who has a reputation overcapacity. “Even elsewhere-roads, railways, tipped to win national elections starting next for quick decisions and clean governance, will etcetera-solutions will take years,” said Credit month, can turn around India’s ailing economy be able to replicate his policies nationally and Suisse economist Neelkanth Mishra, calling the may be a mirage. boost growth. But some analysts question the elections “much ado about nothing”. And there MADRID: Riot police officers in civilian clothes protest outside a police station in Madrid Much of investor optimism over a BJP win yesterday. The riot police are complaining about a riot control operation that they say rests on belief that Narendra Modi, the conser- went wrong after several police officers were attacked and injured by demonstrators at a vative chief minister of prosperous Gujarat state, weekend protest over corruption, government cuts and unemployment. — AP will strongly advocate pro-growth reforms to open up India’s still largely closed economy. But “current (market) optimism in our view is Spanish economy to grow going too far,” Capital Economics analyst Miguel Chanco said, noting unwieldy coalition politics that hamstrung the current Congress govern- 1.2% in 2014, says CB ment could constrain the next administration too. MADRID: Spain’s economy will grow by 1.2 ing the nation’s banks, companies and con- Still, opinion polls suggesting the BJP will percent in 2014 after shaking off a long, sumers deep into debt. oust the scandal-tainted Congress has pushed job-destroying downturn, the nation’s cen- Growth would not be strong enough, business optimism to its highest since 2011, tral bank predicted yesterday. The bank’s however, to make a big difference to the according to business information provider Dun outlook for Spain, which boasts the euro- unemployment rate, which topped 26 per- and Bradstreet. The Bombay Stock Exchange’s zone’s fourth-largest economy, paints a pic- cent at the end of 2013. The Bank of Spain benchmark index rose nearly a fifth of a percent ture of gradual, modest recovery with stub- predicts the unemployment rate will ease to a new peak of 22,095.30 point yesterday bornly high rates of unemployment. to 25.0 percent this year and 23.8 percent while the rupee traded at 61.25 to the dollar, its “After the start of the recovery observed in 2015. highest since last August when it crashed on a in the second half of 2013, we predict that Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s conser- gloomy Indian financial outlook. the Spanish economy will continue to vative government has issued slightly less Foreigners, shunning some other emerging progress through this year,” the Bank of optimistic economic forecasts, predicting markets, have pumped in $2.5 billion into Indian shares in March alone. “If the BJP comes to pow- Spain said in its monthly bulletin. growth of 1.0 percent in 2014 and 1.5 per- ALLAHABAD: An Indian laborer transports pumpkins on a boat at Fafamau village near Allahabad Following a 1.2-percent economic con- cent in 2015. Spain’s government is predict- er, it will be taken as a signal for stability in the yesterday. — AFP traction in 2013, the central bank said it ing economic growth in the first quarter of economy and stock markets will take it very pos- was tipping gross domestic product this year will be at least as fast as the 0.2- itively,” said Vivek Gupta, research director at BJP’s pro-market credentials as well as the ability are worries about Modi’s hardline Hindu politics, growth of 1.2 percent this year and 1.7 per- percent pace recorded in the final three CapitalVia Global Research Investment. Modi, 63, of Modi, who has an abrasive reputation, to and the fear he could upset the secular land- cent in 2015. months of 2013. The central bank, too, said is riding a wave of popularity amid wide disen- forge a consensus for change in the faction-rid- scape in India where Muslims make up around If correct, that would mean Spain is set the recovery appeared to be on track early chantment with Congress under which growth den populist political scene. 13 percent of the population. for the fastest economic growth since 2007, this year. “Economic indicators for the first has slumped to 4.7 percent, half the level it The BJP vociferously opposed moves to open The BJP, and Modi in particular, have cultivat- just before a property crash plunged the quarter of 2014 point in general to a con- reached during India’s boom years. up India’s still largely closed economy while in ed an image of macho nationalism that has the nation into five years of stop-start reces- tinuation of the gradual improvement in Modi’s chances of leading India were widely opposition, fighting such measures as legisla- potential to exacerbate bilateral tensions and sion, wiping out millions of jobs and plung- activity,” the Bank of Spain said. — AFP written off over charges he turned a blind eye to tion to allow foreign supermarkets into the “roil markets”, noted Anjalika Bardalai, analyst at riots in 2002 that left at least 1,000 people, main- country. Eurasia Group. — AFP Women struggling to Analysts concerned crack glass ceiling in after Brazil rating top UK firms: Report downgrade

LONDON: More women are sitting Quotes voluntary? BRASILIA: Brazil must convince markets that it can grow its economy while also slash spending and curtail inflation, ana- on the boards of Britain’s biggest While countries such as Norway, the lysts said after the country’s credit rating sunk to near junk sta- companies but the glass ceiling is yet Netherlands, and France have intro- tus. The Central Bank said Brazil would respond “robustly” to to crack, with most top jobs still held duced mandatory quotas, Britain and global economic challenges after Standard & Poor’s lowered by men and companies needing to Germany have resisted such moves. its credit rating to BBB-, the lowest level for investment grade do more for gender balance, a Davies, who returned to the City after debt. report showed yesterday. the 2010 national election and sits on S&P however described Brazil’s overall outlook as stable. The latest of three British govern- several boards himself, stopped short The downgrade was “inconsistent” with economic conditions ment reports on gender in board- of mandatory quotas and recom- and “does not reflect Brazil’s solid performance and funda- rooms found women now hold a mended FTSE 350 companies set their mentals,” the finance ministry said in a statement late Monday. fifth, or 20.7 percent, of board posi- own targets instead which was wel- tions in FTSE 100 companies, up comed in the corporate world. Several China’s role in growth from 17.3 percent in April 2013 and British banks released targets on gen- Analysts warn that they see hard times ahead for the World 12.5 percent in 2011, but short of a der balance in their annual results for Cup and Olympic hosts, with one indicating that strong 2004- 2015 target. The figures showed the first time this year. 2010 growth had been on the coattails of strong demand women accounted for 6.9 percent of HSBC is aiming to have women in TAIPEI: Student protesters sit under a poster reading “no worries Ma and Dad” out- from China“Having enjoyed years of ‘easy growth’ in 2004-10, executive directorships in the FTSE 25 percent of senior roles by 2014/15, side Parliament during an anti-China demonstration in Taipei yesterday. Taiwan’s driven by Chinese demand, absorption of surplus labor and 100 while making up 25.5 percent of up from 22.7 percent; Lloyds has a tar- president Ma offered to talk with protesters in a concession to student demonstra- credit growth, the government and congress have not pur- sued structural reforms to sustain growth,” said Robert Wood, non-executive directorships and get of 40 percent by 2020 compared to tors who have occupied parliament for the past week in a bid to stop the govern- ment from ratifying a contentious trade agreement with China. — AFP Brazil analyst with Economist Intelligence Unit. Without policy their representation on FTSE 250 28 percent now; and Barclays is eyeing adjustments in 2015, “the outlook will deteriorate further,” company boards fell to 15.6 percent. 26 percent by 2018, up 5 points from Wood said. Sao Paulo University’s Manuel Enriquez Garcia said The report by former trade minis- now. that the years of strong growth fueled hopes that Brazil could ter Mervyn Davies comes during a Despite the voluntary drive, Britain become a major economic force. Now this hope “has been lost debate in many countries and the still lags some countries on female IMF ups Philippine due to poor management of public accounts and a falloff in European Union about the pros and presence with only four FTSE 100 com- growth,” he said. cons of mandatory quotas to boost panies having female chief executive. Austin Rating’s chief economist Alex Agostini added: women numbers at the top. Critics Two FTSE 100 firms, Glencore growth forecast “There is no confidence that Brazil will control public spend- argue that quotas lead to “trophy Xstrata and Antofagasta, have no ing and manage to bring down inflation in an election year.” directors”. Davies, who left his role as women in the boardroom - although MANILA: The International Monetary Fund est rates at record lows to spur credit and Standard Chartered chief executive both told Reuters they were looking yesterday raised its 2014 economic growth spending. IMF called last year’s perform- Slow growth forecast in 2009 to enter government, over- for suitable women board members - forecast for the Philippines to 6.5 percent, ance impressive, adding that “the economy Growth in Brazil has fallen off after peaking at 7.5 percent saw a review into the lack of women and there are 48 all-male boards up from its January projection of 6.3 per- is well positioned to absorb a gradual tight- in 2010. In this World Cup year the government is forecasting board members in 2011 and set a among FTSE 250 companies. cent, with typhoon reconstruction expect- ening of US financial conditions and to growth of 2.5 percent, though markets are less optimistic. target to have women in one quarter Audrey Williams, partner at global ed to boost the economy. It forecasts 2015 implement timely, measured action on the Brazil is also stuttering of late on trade, with a 2013 trade surplus of just $2.56 billion, its lowest in 13 years. The Central of British boardroom seats by 2015. law firm Eversheds, said more could growth at 6.5 percent, slightly lower than domestic front.” But it cited the need for a its 6.6 percent estimate in January. The reduction in bottlenecks to investment and Bank said that, in response, it would combine macroeconomic “The rate of change that we have be done to drive up women numbers economy grew 7.2 percent last year despite formal sector employment to encourage austerity, exchange rate flexibility and use of liquid reserves to seen at the heart of our biggest com- at top levels without using quotas a string of calamities including Typhoon broader-based business activities and to keep share price volatility in check. panies over the last three years has such as sponsoring and mentoring Haiyan in November, and government has allow the Philippine to realize its full poten- In announcing the downgrade, S&P cited the government’s been impressive,” said Davies. women. targeted growth of 6.5 to 7.5 percent this tial for rapid, sustained and inclusive unclear policy signals as it faces a weaker fiscal situation and “However, the eyes of the world are “There is a fear that quotas lead to year and 7 to 8 percent next year. growth. slower growth. The agency said the rating cut reflects “slip- on us as we enter the home straight. tokenism and women are not appoint- An IMF statement at the conclusion of It said 2014 inflation was expected to page” in the government’s fiscal balance, and the prospects They are judging us as to whether ed on merit but the Davies reports regular consultation with economic man- moderate to 4 percent, a lower figure from that slow growth over the coming years will leave the govern- the voluntary approach, rather than have acted as a kind of catalyst and agers also said the need for easy monetary the 4.4 percent it forecast in January. Last ment less able to strengthen the balance. It said both cyclical regulation, will work - we need to given organizations more strength of policies in the Philippines has waned year’s inflation rate was 3 percent and the and structural factors were behind the growth outlook, point- now prove we can do this on our voice to push forward the agenda,” she because of a stronger global outlook. government targets a 3 to 5 percent rate ing to low investment, which was only 18 percent of GDP last own.” told Reuters. — Reuters Monetary authorities have kept inter- this year. — AP year. — AFP UK to sign yuan clearing deal with China next week

LONDON: Britain and China will sign an tries will follow, but London now has the criti- domestic entity, with Bank of China and ICBC agreement next week to set up the first clear- cal mass of infrastructure, helping to put seen as the leading contenders for this role, ing service for renminbi trading outside Asia, Britain at the front of the global race.” according to trade sources last month. putting London in a prime position to offer A finance ministry source said an London is the world’s largest trade centre for yuan trade business in Europe. China has announcement on the appointment of clear- foreign exchange, but it mainly relies on Hong been a key focus of finance minister George ing banks was not expected next Monday. A Kong’s offshore yuan infrastructure to obtain Osborne’s efforts to boost exports of financial Bank of England spokesman said he had noth- yuan liquidity and clearing services. services from Britain, which was the first ing further to add at present. In December, Standard Chartered Bank Group of Seven country to agree a renminbi Prime Minister David Cameron and tied up with Agricultural Bank of China to swap line with the People’s Bank of China last President Xi Jinping discussed cooperation provide yuan clearing services there. The year. between the two central banks at a meeting finance ministry said 62 per cent of yuan pay- Britain’s finance ministry said on on the margins of a nuclear security summit ments outside of China take place in London, Wednesday that the Bank of England and in the Netherlands on Tuesday, Wednesday’s citing data from the SWIFT global financial PBOC would sign an agreement on renminbi statement said. transactions network. Average daily turnover clearing and settlement next Monday, setting Osborne said last month that the British of yuan-denominated foreign exchange prod- out how the two central banks will cooperate and Chinese governments were in discussions ucts - including spots, forwards, swaps and on setting up a clearing bank. “Connecting about the appointment of a yuan clearing options - in London climbed to $15.6 billion in Britain to the fastest growing parts of the bank in London. the first half of 2013, more twice as much as a world is central to our economic plan,” said A clearing bank is considered a politically year earlier, according to the local authority BRUSSELS: BNP Paribas Fortis CEO Max Jadot gives a press conference to present the Osborne in a statement. “Other Western coun- sensitive subject in China, and is usually a for the City of London. — Reuters group’s results for 2013, yesterday in Brussels. — AFP BUSINESS THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Al-Tamimi & Co, PwC host family business seminar Keynote address given by Omar K Alghanim

KUWAIT: Al-Tamimi & Company, the largest law firm in the from fragmentation of ownership”, said Al-Tamimi. Middle East, along with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), In addition, Mr. Alex Saleh, Partner and Head of the Kuwait recently hosted a seminar in Kuwait focused on family busi- office of Al-Tamimi & Co, presented along with Gary Watts, nesses and how to create proper structures to ensure sustain- Regional Head of Corporate Commercial of Al-Tamimi & Co. ability. Finally, Amin Nasser, and Daryoush Pour presented on behalf Omar K Alghanim, CEO of Alghanim Industries, Chairman of PWC. of Gulf Bank and a Board Member of the Family Business Saleh and Watts then discussed the mechanics of imple- Network, presented as the keynote speaker. Alghanim deliv- menting a legal structure that would accomplish the various ered a powerful speech to a capacity crowd, emphasizing the goals and objectives. Saleh focused on Kuwait companies and importance of creating the proper structures in family busi- how the new company’s law allows for greater flexibility in nesses to ensure longevity and to foster, reward and retain structuring a succession plan, while Mr. Watts focused on the the best talent. “Within 3 generations less than 10% of family family arrangements, including the establishment of family owned companies are still owned by the same family; those trusts off-shore. that do survive, tend to outperform their corporate peers,” Saleh, who first arrived to Kuwait in 1994, remarked that “as noted Alghanim. a legal professional who has advised many of the Kuwaiti mer- Upon conclusion of Alghanim’s address, Essam Al-Tamimi, chant families for decades now, I am passionate about the founder and senior partner of Al-Tamimi & Co echoed the encouraging these families to structure their companies in a same views. “From a succession point of view, Sharia is a per- way that allows for continued progress and growth”. fect system in protecting the rights of family members with After the seminar, the crowd engaged the presenters in an respect to inheritance issues. However, legal structures need open floor session of questions and answers, and ended with to be put into place to sustain the continuity and prosperity of a networking session. Yaqoub Al-Munayae, the Al-Tamimi & the businesses that the founders of the same have created. Company Kuwait Joint Venture Partner noted, “We are pleased KUWAIT: (Left - right): Alex Saleh - Partner and Head of Kuwait Office, Al-Tamimi Without implementing a proper succession plan, the individ- to discuss this very important topic; the feedback from the & Company, Omar K Alghanim - CEO of Alghanim Industries, Chairman of Gulf Bank and a Board Member of the Family Business Network and Essam Al- ual’s estate, which would include his business, would suffer attendees was overwhelmingly positive.” Tamimi -Senior Partner, Al-Tamimi & Company.

Dewan ranked one of top 2 architectural firms in ME

DUBAI: The UAE’s construction industry is in the midst of resurgence. Dubai’s real estate prices surged more than 30 percent last year- with further growth expected to come - according to a recent report by global real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). The global financial services group Citi assesses the property boom in the country to be much more sustainable and less susceptible to external financial shocks, unlike 2008. The UAE’s GDP is projected to increase by up to 5 percent in 2014, while growth will be buoyed in coming years by events such as the World Expo 2020 in Dubai -it is little sur- prise that Building Design Magazine, the industry-leading UK publication, emphasizes “Dubai’s re-emergence into the glob- al spotlight” this year. That builds upon an almost 4 percent All-new 2014 Silverado named rise in GDP across the country last year. Dewan Architects and Engineers has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as one of the world’s top architec- tural firms in Building Design’s 2014 World Architecture 100 Saudi Auto’s 4x4 of the year rankings - an annual barometer of excellence in the industry. Notably, as “the UAE’s burgeoning construction industry is RIYADH: New from hood to hitch, the 2014 Silverado Light bumperandhandholds built into the box rail protectors. price, making the Chevrolet Silverado a clear winner.” targeted by firms around the globe,” as BD puts it, Dewan is in Duty has continued its award-winning streak - having now “We are immensely proud that the all-new 2014 The 2014 Silverado’s available 6.2L V-8 engine provides- prime position to take advantage. It was the only company garnered Saudi Auto’s 4x4 of the Year award. The vehicle Silverado has received Saudi Auto’s coveted 4x4 of the Year the mostpower and torque (420Hp, 624 Nm)of any light based in the UAE to be recognized in the rankings, described recently swept the 2014 North American Truck of the Year title - especially considering we were up against such steep duty truck engine without the cost and complexity of tur- as “the definitive survey in its field”. Dewan attained the sec- award, Four Wheeler’s 2014 Pickup Truck of the Year honor competition,” said Markus Leithe, Regional Marketing bocharging. It also offers class-leading maximum available ond highest ranking of any firm based in the Middle East, as and the Best 4x4 of the Year title from leading regional auto- Director of GM Middle East Operations. “This award is an towing capability of 5,443kg. The 5.3L V-8 delivers fuel well as coming in at joint No 50 globally. motive magazine Car and Driver Middle East.In effect, since excellent validation of the vehicle’s immaculate design - economy of up to 10.2 L/100km highway, the best of any Building Design also highlighted Dewan’s successes in Iraq its launch, the 2014 Silverado Light Duty has amassed which blends strong Chevrolet truck heritage with a mod- V-8 pickup, and the 4.3L V-6 offers available towing ratings since the firm returned to the country in 2010 - in particular worldwide industry recognition thanks to the pioneering ern aesthetic. Straddling functionality and refinement, the of up to 3,447 kg and payload up to 956 kg, the highest for the award of two substantial contracts last year: the US$60 model’s hundreds of improvements - large and small. 2014 Silverado will continue its leadership in the full-size any base V-6 in the segment. million Basra Cultural Centre, and a master planning contract Silverado’s innovative technology is tailored to the way cus- pickup segment.” for Madinat Al-Nakhla, a14,500hanew city in Basra which will tomers use full-size pickups, providing the power, efficiency, “The Chevrolet Silverado has deservedly won Saudi Chevrolet care accommodate up to a million people on completion. refinement and dependability they expect from their trucks. Auto’s 4x4 of the Year Award 2014 by virtue of its merits,” All customers who purchase the All New 2014 Chevrolet Worldwide, Dewan has offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, The 2014 Silverado’s remarkable roster of new features added BakurAzher, Editor-in-Chief of Saudi Auto. “The Silverado will receive the benefits of the Chevrolet Care Iraq, Qatar, the Philippines, and India. This year, as it celebrates includes a trio of all-new EcoTec3 engines, a V-6 and two V- most notable clincher for this prestigious title was the big program. Chevrolet Care is a high level customer service the 30th anniversary since its foundation, it will also open an 8s; a stronger, quieter and more comfortable cab; a refined leap forward from the previous model in terms of experience based on four pillars: To provide customers office in Doha. The firm employs 230 architects, working on a new interior with an excellent connectivity through increased cabin space, improved on and off-road capabili- with the best in service pricing and cost transparency; portfolio of world-class developments that extends across 10 MyLink infotainment system; revised steering, suspension ties, advancements in technology, a powerful and highly booking service with same day delivery; quality service by countries. and brakes for improved ride and handling; and, smart efficient engine, low fuel consumption and excellent insu- certified technicians as well as a regional 3 year/100,000 solutions for cargo management such as CornerStep lation from noise. To top it all off, there is the reasonable km warranty and 24x7 regional roadside assistance.

Mushrif Trading raises KD10.7m in first tranche of capital increase KUWAIT: Mushrif Trading & Contracting appropriate. With a stronger balance Co, KSCP, yesterday announced that it sheet, it is the management’s belief that has successfully increased its capital by the company will be able to compete for KD 10.7 million. Following this place- higher value work in its core market and ment, the company’s total paid up capi- hence grow its backlog substantially. tal will reach KD 30.7 million. On Commenting on the capital increase, December 12, 2013, the company Faisal Juma Khalfan Belhoul, chairman, received approvals from The Ministry of said: “We are very pleased with the suc- Commerce and Industry for the capital cessful capital increase and the positive increase, and on July 16, 2013, it implications this has for our business received approval from the CMA to and its strategy. The new funds will increase its authorized capital from KD enable Mushrif to reduce its non-project 20 million to KD 40 million. The increase related debt and hence strengthen its in capital was recommended by the balance sheet considerably. This will Board of Directors to the General enable Mushrif to continue focusing on Assembly of Shareholders, who its core market of Kuwait and seek other approved the increase. growth markets within the GCC. By opti- The new funds will be utilized to mizing our balance sheet structure reduce balance sheet debt, improve through the increase in capital, we have working capital ratios and support the placed the business in a strong position creation of strategic partnerships where to create further shareholder value”. Wataniya Telecom announces KUWAIT: The winner receiving the prize from Mohammed Al-Othman, NBK’s Executive Manager, Consumer Banking Group. winners of 4th weekly draw Mutlaq Al-Tamimi wins KD KUWAIT: Wataniya Telecom, a member of everybody a chance to be a winner by simply Al-Matiri, Jahanjir Rahman, Mohammad 250,000 in NBK’s Al-Jawhara Ooredoo Group, announced the winners of using their Wataniya line, through recharging Ahmad Mohammd Houmam, Thanjafil the fourth weekly draw. The weekly draws are and paying bills. Every KD1 is equal to 1 chance Jayasilan, Setta Ram Brajabat, Shijithazhi quarterly draw part of the exciting new draw campaign that of winning. New customers will get 5 chances Bellathotarhil, Latifah Mohammad Hasan gives every customer a chance to win a upon activating their new lines. 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Not only is it an Watani at 1801801. draws. Wataniya draw campaign promises Balkin Bothyabora, Abdel Rahman Aziz Maid Sultan and Mahdi Baddah Al-Hamli. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 TECHNOLOGY Technical glitch delays US-Russia crew’s docking

MOSCOW: A US-Russian three man crew yesterday reviewing data to work out why the third thruster are continuing their flight normally,” he said. The tists failed to work out the correct altitude in orbit faced an unprecedented two-day delay in their burn did not occur as planned. “Initial information head of the Russian rocket state firm Energia that for the thruster to fire to take the Soyuz to the ISS. docking with the International Space Station (ISS) indicates the problem may have been the space- supplies the Soyuz rocket that propels the craft Roscosmos said that the docking was now provi- after their Russian Soyuz spacecraft suffered a tech- craft was not in the proper attitude, or orientation, into space however said that the origin of the prob- sionally expected at 3:58 am Moscow time tomor- nical glitch on its approach in orbit. The two for the burn,” NASA said. The head of Russia’s space lem was not yet clear. “It could be mathematics, it row (2358 today). Russian cosmonauts and American astronaut were agency Roscosmos Oleg Ostapenko said the prob- could be a transmitter problem or that the engine to have docked with the ISS just six hours after lem appeared to have been triggered by a hitch choked. But most likely it was a mathematical Space cooperation despite Ukraine launch from Kazakhstan but the problem means with the orientation system. problem,” said Vitaly Lopota, quoted by the Interfax After the retirement of the US shuttle, NASA is that the docking is now only planned tomorrow. “The crew have taken off their space suits and news agency. This would imply that ground scien- for now wholly reliant on Russia for delivering This means that the trio will now orbit the Earth 34 astronauts to the space station on its tried-and- times before their rendezvous with the internation- trusted Soyuz launch and capsule system. US- al space laboratory, instead of the fast track route Russia space cooperation has continued of four orbits originally envisaged. undimmed despite the diplomatic standoff over Russians Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Ukraine and the joint work is seen as one of the few Artemyev along with Steve Swanson of NASA had true success stories in post Cold War bilateral ties. earlier taken off from Russia’s Baikonur cosmod- At the pre-flight news conference at Russia’s rome in Kazakhstan in the spectacular night-time Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, senior astro- launch that initially went without problem. The nauts Skvortsov and Swanson said that they had issue appeared to arise once their Soyuz capsule decided to have dinners together on board the ISS was in orbit and a thruster failed to fire to assist its “as an opportunity to come together as friends in approach for docking with the ISS. the kitchen and look each other in the eye”. The US space agency NASA said in a statement Swanson also paid homage to Yuri Gagarin, the on its website that the Soyuz spacecraft “was Soviet cosmonaut who became the first man in unable to complete its third thruster burn to fine- space in 1961 with his flight from Baikonur. tune its approach” to the orbiting space station. “Yuri is a symbol for the whole world. I am proud The trio were using a fast-track approach to the ISS to be part of history here,” he said. Skvortsov is mak- that Russia has been employing since 2013. After ing his second space flight and Swanson, a veteran the problem, they are now using the traditional of two past shuttle missions, his third. Artemyev two-day longer approach that was employed up to meanwhile is making his first voyage to space. He 2012. “Rendezvous experts are reviewing the plan, took part in a 2009 experiment where volunteers and may update it later as necessary,” the US space were shut up in a capsule at a Moscow laboratory agency said, adding that the trio on board were “in for 105 days to simulate the effects of a possible good spirits”. voyage to Mars. After docking, the trio will bring the ISS crew up to six by joining on board incumbent ‘Mathematical problem?’ BAIKONUR: Russian Soyuz-FG rocket with the Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft and a crew of US astronaut crew Koichi Wakata of Japan, American Rick NASA said Russian flight controllers were and Russian cosmonauts aboard, blasts off from a launch pad yesterday. — AFP Mastracchio and Russian Mikhail Tyurin. — AFP Facebook takes $2 billion dive into virtual reality Does Facebook have Google envy?

SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook on Tuesday announced a $2-billion deal to buy a startup behind virtual reality headgear that promises to let people truly dive into their friends’ lives. Facebook co-founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg said that the acquisition of Oculus was a long- term bet that making the social network’s offer- ings more immersive would pay off. “People will build a model of a place far away and you will just go see it; it is just like teleporting,” Zuckerberg said. “I do think gaming is a start,” he said in a con- ference call, referring to the Oculus headset’s ROME: This file photo shows a man playing the Candy Crush Saga on his original design focus. Zuckerberg billed the iPhone. — AFP acquisition as part of a drive to build the “next major computing platform that will come after mobile.” For now, Facebook will use its resources King Digital to make Oculus headgear affordable and ubiqui- tous, according to Zuckerberg. The California- based social network does not intend to become raises $500m in IPO a hardware company, but Zuckerberg said it is open to people using virtual reality devices for NEW YORK: King Digital Entertainment, the underpin the sky-high valuation. The compa- immersive shopping experiences at Facebook. creator of the wildly popular video game ny says its games, which also include Farm Facebook plans to build on Oculus technolo- Candy Crush, priced its initial public offering Heroes and Pet Rescue, are installed on 600 gy for areas such as communications, education, at $22.50 per share Tuesday, raising $500 mil- million mobile devices, and played over 1.4 and entertainment. Oculus shareholders will LAS VEGAS: In this file photo, show attendees play a video game wearing Oculus Rift virtual lion in its Wall Street debut. The British game billion times a day-more than one billion receive $400 million in cash and 23.1 million reality headsets at the Intel booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show. — AP developer sold 22.2 million shares in an offer- alone for Candy Crush. Facebook shares in the deal. Facebook called ing priced at the midpoint of the $21-$24 Profits in the fourth quarter reached $159 Oculus, launched in 2012, the leader in immer- the deal stymied some analysts, who noted that er high-end brands to create and sell Glass range previously targeted. King will begin million. However, analysts have cautioned sive virtual reality technology with a strong fol- the people hot to get hands on Oculus headsets Internet-linked eyewear in the United States. The trading on the New York Stock Exchange that King’s long-term earnings viability lowing among developers. The company has have been hardcore video game players. California-based technology titan billed the Wednesday under the ticker “KING” with a remains questionable owing to its business already garnered more than 75,000 orders for partnership with Luxottica as its “biggest step market valuation of $7.1 billion. heavily reliant on a single product. Research the $350 Oculus Rift headset development kits. Google envy yet into the emerging smart eyewear market.” The money raised in the issue could reach firm PrivCo notes that King itself estimates “It’s a cool technology,” said Silicon Valley The first smart glasses by Luxottica for $574 million depending on market demand the average lifespan of a paying player on a Beyond games analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group. “I just Google Glass will go on sale in 2015, the head of for an additional 3.33 million that could be particular game at two to nine months. “While the applications for virtual reality don’t know why Facebook wants it, unless they the Italian eyewear group said Tuesday. Google’s issued underwriters, the company said. Given that much of the growth in Candy technology beyond gaming are in their nascent are having incredible Google envy. It has noth- Internet-connected eyewear is currently in a test Established in 2002, King’s business has Crush subscribers ended in the first quarter of stages, several industries are already experi- ing to do with social networking.” It appeared to phase with a small number of so-called “explor- soared in the last two years thanks to the 2013, “many of the paying players on Candy menting with the technology,” Facebook said. Forrester media analyst James McQuivey that ers.” Glass connects to the Internet using Wi-Fi spectacular popularity of Candy Crush Saga , Crush will soon reach the end of their esti- “Oculus has the chance to create the most social Facebook made the big-ticket buy out of fear hot spots or, more typically, by being wirelessly which boasts some 97 million players world- mated playing period,” PrivCo said. “As a platform ever, and change the way we work, the social network might miss out on the next tethered to mobile phones. Pictures or video are wide. The Tetris-like format requires players to result, King’s other games will need to grow play and communicate.” Oculus’s headset earned big thing in Internet lifestyles. may be shared through the Google Plus social line up sweets and bon bons through 500 at much faster rates if King is to maintain its raves from reviewers at the annual global tech- He saw no good fit between Facebook and network. increasingly difficult levels. But the addictive current growth rates.” Analysts have noted nology fair CES in Las Vegas in January. virtual reality, saying the technology does not The Oculus acquisition comes just weeks qualities of Candy Crush, and the company’s that Zynga, creator of the once-mighty Buying it puts Facebook, the social network- promise to be an irresistible addition to social after Facebook made a deal to buy mobile mes- ability to monetize that by users on comput- “FarmVille” game lost 40 percent of its value ing leader, in competition with Oculus rival Sony networking. “Facebook is putting itself in a posi- saging service WhatsApp for more than $19 bil- ers, tablets and cellphones paying extra to after entering the market in December 2011 for development of advanced virtual reality tion to offer an experience we are not going to lion in cash and stock, expanding its global foot- help them advance through its 500 levels, with a valuation of $7 billion. — AFP headsets. Japanese consumer electronic titan need that much, especially if it means strapping print. WhatsApp is a mobile software program Sony last week unveiled “Project Morpheus,” something to your head,” McQuivey told AFP. which allows users to exchange messages with- development of a virtual reality headgear sys- “If this is Facebook’s way of getting into a out having to pay telecom charges. The Disney’s purchase of Maker tem for its new-generation PlayStation 4 video Google Glass type experience, that makes a little WhatsApp buy is Facebook’s biggest acquisition game consoles. Facebook said Oculus will main- more sense but they could do that from scratch.” and comes less than two years after a real boon for LA startups tain its headquarters in Irvine, California, and Google on Monday said it is joining forces with Zuckerberg’s firm raised $16 billion in the richest continue developing the Rift platform. Word of the frame giant behind Ray-Ban, Oakley and oth- tech sector public stock offering. — AFP LOS ANGELES: Disney’s $500 million pur- because of its ready supply of actors, direc- chase of YouTube video producer Maker tors, camera people and editors who are oth- Studios is a sign that the entertainment erwise struggling to make it onto a big-bud- industry’s content and technology startups get Hollywood movie or TV show. Japan robot suit are coming of age and proving to be as valu- “I think the big media companies just able to Hollywood as app makers are to the have a hard time being nimble on their own,” firm rockets in giants of Silicon Valley. The deal announced says Gerry Laybourne, chairman of Defy Monday also signals Hollywood’s new open- Media, operator of YouTube channels includ- ness to technological innovation, an ing Smosh and Shut Up! Cartoons. “They 1st market debut acknowledgement that media giants don’t can’t take the time to find a Smosh. It’s too have all the answers. The acquisition comes a hard. They can’t take the risk of trying to fig- TOKYO: Exoskeleton robot-maker Cyberdyne, based in Tsukuba, northeast month after The Walt Disney Co launched a ure out all the angles. They have to rely on Cyberdyne burst onto the Japanese stock of Tokyo, has developed a robot suit that technology startup incubator called Disney the garages for innovation,” she says. Dana market yesterday, with the issue more than can help the elderly or disabled get around. Accelerator, which promises to seed 10 com- Loberg, cofounder of San Francisco-based doubling on its first day of trade. The Its Hybrid Assistive Limb, or HAL, is a pow- panies with $120,000 each to develop ideas digital marketing company MovieLaLa, says Japanese robot venture provided 10.85 mil- er-assisted pair of legs. The company has that’ll have a big impact on entertainment the Maker deal provides encouragement to lion shares, which did not trade in the early also produced a brainwave-controlled and technology. entrepreneurs like herself who are looking to session because buy orders overwhelmed robot suit that allows wearers to don heavy Disney’s purchase price - which could hit the studios for business and investment. sell orders after it was priced at 3,700 yen. radiation protection without feeling the $950 million if Maker hits performance tar- “To have a buyer in Los Angeles like a stu- But things took off in the afternoon, weight, possibly offering utility to workers gets - also validates the increasing value of dio that can make these big purchases is with the price rocketing at one point as at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. so-called “multichannel networks.” Those are really big and good for the ecosystem of LA,” high as 10,010 yen, before settling on 9,600 A huge tsunami in March 2011 smashed the mini media empires that provide funding she says. yen at the close, around 160 percent up. into the power plant, sparking meltdowns and support to video creators while taking a “I’m super happy to see studios are That was despite the release of Cyberdyne’s that forced the evacuation of a huge area cut of ad revenue generated from views on acquiring and paying attention to the digital earnings reports for the nine-month period of northeastern Japan. The decommission- YouTube. When people subscribe to these space.” The purchase price sets a high bench- to December, which showed it booked a ing of the crippled plant is expected to take channels, they’re notified when new videos mark for an L.A.-area startup, but it’s not the are available. That helps networks generate highest. Facebook Inc. announced its $2 bil- net loss of 450 million yen ($4.4 million) on several decades. regular views on multiple devices, and lion purchase of Irvine-based virtual reality sales of 269 million yen, and forecasting a Cyberdyne is unrelated to the fictional enables them to deliver video ads on a mas- headset maker Oculus on Tuesday. Yahoo Inc. full-year net loss of 659 million yen on sales firm responsible for the Terminator in the sive scale. bought Burbank-based search marketing of 469 million yen. 1984 film of the same name, and HAL’s Only a handful of such networks have firm Overture in 2003 for $1.6 billion. News “Today we listed onto the Tokyo Stock naming is said to be unconnected to the reached the size of Maker, which went from Corp. bought Beverly Hills-based social net- Exchange’s Mothers’ market... We appreci- sentient computer in the film 2001: A Space startup status in 2009 to a network with work Myspace in 2005 for $580 million. ate your additional guidance and encour- Odyssey. The firm was established in 2004 55,000 channels that generate 5.5 billion Electronic Arts Inc paid $680 million for Los agement,” the firm said in a statement, to disseminate the research results of views a month, the vast majority from peo- Angeles-based mobile game maker Jamdat using an expression common to formal Tsukuba University professor Yoshiyuki ple aged 13-34. Other big network players in 2005 and Sony Corp. bought Aliso Viejo- greetings in Japan. The Mothers market is a Sankai. Industrial robots have long been TOKYO: Employees of Japanese robot venture include Machinima, Big Frame and based streaming game company Gaikai for forum aimed at providing venture compa- used in Japan, and robo-suits are gradually Cyberdyne, display the robot suit Hybrid Assistive Limb Fullscreen, all based in the Los Angeles area $380 million in 2012. —AP nies with access to funds at an early stage making inroads into hospitals and retire- (HAL), which is designed to learn the user’s motion and of their development. ment homes. — AFP assist their movement. — AFP HEALTH & SCIENCE THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 Comet-probing robot to wake from hibernation

PARIS: A fridge-sized robot lab hurtling through star in a mission that has already taken 10 years and ments designed to probe and analyze the comet’s beginning of August no more than 150 km,” said the Solar System aboard a European probe is about a seven-billion-kilometer (4.3-billion-miles) trek surface, teasing out the secrets of its composition Gaudon. In August, the satellite will be inserted into to wake from hibernation and prepare for the first- around the inner Solar System. Comets follow ellip- and organic chemistry. an orbit 25 kilometers above Comet “C-G”, which ever landing by a spacecraft on a comet. The deli- tical orbits around the Sun, spewing spectacular Philippe Gaudon of France’s CNES space agency travels at speeds up to 135,000 kilometers per hour, cate operation, starting tomorrow, marks the next tails of gas and dust as close brushes with the hot said Philae’s 33-month slumber was almost exactly to start scanning the surface for a suitable landing phase in the European Space Agency’s billion-dol- star cause surface ice to evaporate. “like an animal in hibernation,” for only its tempera- site for Philae. lar mission to explore one of these ancient wander- They are sometimes called “dirty snowballs”-but ture was monitored during this time to check it On November 11, Rosetta will inch to within two ers of our star system. Sent to sleep in 2011 to save cosmologists say comets’ primeval mix of ice and remained alive in the chill of deep space. The wake- to three kilometers of the comet surface to put energy, the lander will start a weeks-long process of dust are time capsules, offering insights into how up, he added: “will be like switching on a computer down its precious load in a “delicate, difficult” oper- progressively waking up, checking and updating its the Solar System formed 4.5 billion years ago. Some that’s been off for three years.” ation, said Gaudon. The box-shaped lander will systems ahead of its historic rendezvous with scientists believe comets may have brought much touch down on its three legs, fire two harpoons Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. of the water in today’s oceans and possibly com- Harpooning a comet into the surface to provide anchorage, and then Dubbed Philae, the 100-kilo (220-pound) lander plex molecules that kickstarted life on Earth. This is “By the beginning of July, Rosetta will be about further secure itself with ice screws before starting carried by the Rosetta spacecraft is the scientific where Philae comes in: it is stuffed with 10 instru- 50,000 km (31,000 miles) from the comet, by the its work. Abalone threatened with extinction in South Africa Illicit shipments disguised as duvets, sardines

HOUT BAY: In broad daylight, groups of poach- tion at Seal Island. ing hot-spot - whose video footage helped iden- ers hidden among the rocks of a South African With mobile phones sealed in condoms to tify a top get-away driver, nicknamed “Fast and marine conservation area wade slowly into the keep out the water, they scan the ocean for Furious” because of his ability to evade capture. icy, shark-infested waters of the Atlantic Ocean patrol vessels and sharks before sliding into the Police estimate that one syndicate will have up in search of ‘white gold’. Foot soldiers of a global deep. Only a limited number of fisheries are to 30 members, from divers to carriers and buy- criminal network stretching from the southern- licensed to harvest a highly circumscribed ers. More than 100 suspects have been arrested most tip of Africa to the other side of the globe, amount of abalone in South Africa, and the over the past three years. they are scouring the rocks for abalone to meet penalties for breaking the law are harsh. Those held face charges of racketeering, insatiable demand from Asia for the gourmet Under no illusion about the dangers of jail or money laundering and poaching, offences that mollusk. The hunt is driving the species to the how depleted stocks could hurt fishing villages, carry jail terms of up to 25 years. For the first edge of extinction, but fears of being caught - another poacher, Leon, echoes the line from time, foreign assets such as companies are also COLOMBO: Sri Lankan elephants take part in a demonstration yesterday. — AFP either by coastguards or great white sharks - are almost all the fishermen: it is simply a question being targeted, investigators say. “We are cut- relegated to the back of poachers’ minds by the of survival. “We are just ordinary fishermen ting off the head of the snake, but there are glittering prizes on offer. “We didn’t get much struggling to survive, to put food in the pot, to many snakes in this dirty business,” Potgieter Lanka monk demands capture now but we will go out again tonight with the pay school fees, to make a living,” he said, sitting told Reuters. The scale of the plunder is mind- boat,” said veteran poacher Stephan, emerging among piles of empty abalone shells strewn boggling. In one case, a syndicate poached 55 of wild elephants for temples warily from the water as fisheries’ inspectors in across the beach. tons in five months, storing the abalone at a dis- speed boats could be seen whizzing about look- used chicken battery along South Africa’s west COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk things will get worse for the animals. What ing for boats further out to sea. “Fast and furious” coast. The premises were raided after a tip-off to led a procession of elephants yesterday, we say is give elephants from Pinnawala if Destined for trendy restaurants in Hong Kong On land the silky abalone are “shucked” from police who caught three suspects. Another demanding authorities capture wild you want, but don’t allow the capture of and China, abalone - dubbed “white gold” after their shells before being dried in sheds or subur- group slipped through 10 shipping containers of pachyderms from the jungle to boost the wild elephants.” The elephant orphanage its pearly flesh - can fetch up to 4,500 rand ban garages. They can also be frozen prior to contraband before authorities intercepted two dwindling number of the animals in tem- established in 1975 shelters more than 85 ($420) a kg on the South African black market, being smuggled out of the country in shipping more en route to Hong Kong. The contents of ples. Patron of the Tamed Elephant elephants, most of whom were aban- and nearly three times that in Asia, experts say. containers. Customs officers have intercepted one of the seized containers were estimated at Owners’ Association, monk Maagalkanday doned or separated from their herds Also found in abundance in cold waters off New consignments concealed as duvet covers, plastic $3.5 million, police said. Sudaththa said temples faced a severe when they were babies. Many have also Zealand, Australia, Japan and the west coast of pellets or sardines. Some shipments are organ- shortage of animals for their annual pag- been born at the orphanage. the United States, abalone from South Africa is ized by notorious Chinese ‘Triad’ gangsters. Extinction threat eants where caparisoned elephants are Asian elephant expert Jayantha considered to be among the best. “Triads do play a role, but in our experience it Abalone is mainly fished commercially in paraded. Jayewardene noted many Sri Lankans The divers may only get 300 rand per kg but is mainly wealthy Asian businessmen who hide Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Oman “There are only 130 tamed elephants in wanted to own elephants as a symbol of in impoverished coastal villages such as Hout illegal activities behind legitimate businesses,” and South Africa, where 300 commercial license the country and only about half them are wealth. “It is prestige. It is a way of show- Bay, blighted by sky-high unemployment, that is said Lise Potgieter, a member of the South holders can take no more than 150 tons a year actually available for temple parades,” said ing your wealth” Jayewardene said. “I fear still good money. Caught on both sides of South African police’s elite Hawks detective unit. One between them. However, wildlife trade monitor- the monk, who led some two dozen ele- the calls to allow the capture of wild ele- Africa’s coastline, abalone, or “perlemoen” as it is of the alleged kingpins, a Chinese national ing group TRAFFIC estimates the illegal 2012 phants from parliament to the wildlife phants (for temple ceremonies) is just a called locally, is sold for cash or exchanged for named Ran Wei, had a successful South African harvest at 1,700 tons - way more than the local office a short distance away. “We want the ruse for people to freely own elephants.” methamphetamines, helping fuel South Africa’s crayfish-exporting business before skipping the population of the mollusk, which takes nearly a authorities to capture wild elephants and Sri Lanka considers elephants sacred already serious drug problem. country in 2010 when associates - including a decade to reach maturity, can support. tame them for our cultural purposes,” the animals because of their association with “Tonight we expect a good haul of between lawyer and police officers - were nabbed. Government officials say the situation is so des- monk told AFP. Buddhist temple festivities. Pinnawala ele- 50 and 60 kg, maybe 100 if we’re lucky,” Stephan An Interpol arrest warrant is out for Wei, the perate they may have to impose a blanket ban There was no immediate comment phants have been presented as gifts to said, shivering after two hours underwater in a principal suspect in a case being described as on all abalone fishing - both recreational and available from the wildlife department Buddhist temples as well as to other battered wetsuit. Like others interviewed for this the biggest of its kind in South Africa’s history. commercial - to stave off looming extinction. where the monk staged his elephant countries as symbols of friendship. story, he asked to be identified only by his first Better crime intelligence and a dollop of luck, “We have reached commercial collapse already protest. But environmentalists said the Elephants are also protected by law and name. Moving from their iron and wood shacks such as finding a discarded pie receipt in a and if we continue on this path the abalone authorities for decades have not allowed there were fears that their numbers were on the steep slopes of Hout Bay’s Hangberg, 20 Porsche Cayenne, has helped authorities close in could become extinct in the wild soon,” said the capture of elephants from the wild. falling, but a survey in 2011 found that Sri km (13 miles) east of Cape Town, the poachers on previously untouchable syndicate bosses. Bernard Liedemann, a senior fisheries official Environmental lawyer Jagath Lanka’s elephant population remained trek over a snake-infested ridge, carrying heavy In the case of the pie receipt, officers were involved in the fight against poaching since the Gunawardena said they had no objec- healthy with 7,379 in the wild. The sur- scuba-diving gear before reaching their destina- able to identify a bakery in Hermanus - a poach- 1990s. — Reuters tions if the state released animals from vey’s results had been a welcome out- the country’s main elephant orphanage at come for authorities who had believed Pinnawala, 90 kilometers (60 miles) north- the wild elephant population totaled just Birth control east of the capital Colombo, for the tem- 5,350. The country boasted 12,000 ele- ples. “Animals in the wild are already phants in 1900 but their numbers have rule seems to divide threatened with the habitat shrinking,” been depleted by shrinking of habitat as Gunawardena told AFP. farmers kill animals who stray onto their Supreme Court “If you allow the capture from the wild, land. — AFP WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court struggled Tuesday with the question of whether companies have religious rights, a case challenging President Barack Obama’s health overhaul and its guarantee of birth control in employees’ preventive care plans. The case is one of myriad legal challenges to the health care law, which is now being fully implemented and has emerged as a major issue in this year’s national election in which control of Congress will be at stake. The justices upheld the overall health care law two years ago in a 5-4 ruling in which Chief Justice John Roberts cast the deciding vote in favor of Obama’s signature domestic legisla- tion. The latest case focuses on a sliver of the law dealing with preventive services, including contraception, that must be offered in a company’s plan at no extra charge. Peppering attor- neys with questions in a 90-minute argument, the justices PHOENIX: Photo provided by Flor Medrano shows Kevin Vicente in Phoenix, Ariz. — AP weighed the rights of for-profit companies against the rights of female employees. The discussion ranged to abortion, too, and even whether a female worker could be forced to wear an all- Phoenix judge spares life covering burka. The outcome could turn on the views of Justice Anthony of dog that mauled child Kennedy, often the decisive vote, as his eight colleagues appeared otherwise to divide along liberal and conservative PHOENIX: A Phoenix judge on Tuesday spared through a Spanish interpreter. “If they don’t care lines. As the court heard the challenge brought by the Hobby the life of a pit bull that mauled a 4-year-old boy about (Kevin), well, I do.” Lobby chain of stores and others, demonstrators on both sides last month and touched off a polarizing Internet Neither Vicente nor the man who owned the of the issue chanted outside in an early spring snow. The family- debate on mercy, blame and animal violence. dog attended the court hearing. Guadalupe SEOUL: A pedestrian walks past an advertisement for plastic surgery clinic at a subway owned companies that are challenging the provision provide Municipal Court Judge Deborah Griffin ruled Villa, whose boyfriend’s mother was baby-sit- station yesterday. — AFP health insurance to their employees but object to covering cer- that the dog named Mickey must be neutered, ting Kevin the day of the attack, filed the tain methods of birth control that they say can work after con- defanged and microchipped. She declared the vicious-dog court petition that started the case. ception, in violation of their religious beliefs. dog vicious earlier in the day and could have In her petition, she describes Mickey as a dog Seoul set to limit ordered euthanasia. that has a history of acting without provocation Obama to meet Pope Francis “There would be absolutely no possibility of and that killed one of her dogs. Animal advo- The justices have never declared that for-profit corporations, the animal ever doing this to someone again,” cates hit back, saying both the dog and boy are plastic surgery ads as opposed to individuals, can hold religious beliefs. The com- Griffin said, saying the dog must remain in a victims and the baby sitter watching the child panies in this case, and their backers, argue that a 1993 federal facility for the rest of its life and can’t be adopt- was negligent in letting him play near the ani- SEOUL: The South Korean capital Seoul is complaints from citizens who say these ads law on religious freedom extends to businesses. Among the ed. An animal rights group is the trustee for the mal. They also argued the owner was fostering to restrict the use of plastic surgery adverts further promote an obsession with looks groups opposing the administration is the US Conference of dog and has 30 days to find a rehabilitation cen- aggression by keeping the dog chained up. on public transport, officials said yesterday, and are disturbing to look at,” a municipal Catholic Bishops. As it happens, Obama is to meet this week ter or shelter to take Mickey. An animal advo- On Tuesday, Griffin said several adults shared after complaints that they were fuelling an official told AFP. “Overly sensational” with Pope Francis. The Obama administration says it’s not just cate in court started to cry when hearing the some responsibility for the attack. The judge unhealthy obsession with body image. before-and-after shots and slogans will be about birth control, that a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the dog would live. pointed out that there was a “Beware of Dog” South Korea, and particularly Seoul, has an banned, he added. The adverts will also be businesses also could undermine laws governing immuniza- The Feb 20 attack left Kevin Vicente with a sign on the property’s fence but the gate was international reputation for plastic surgery, prohibited in areas close to elementary, tions, pension taxes and minimum wages. broken eye socket and jaw, and the boy has left open and children were allowed to play and adverts featuring famous surgeons middle and high schools, said city council Kennedy voiced concerns about the rights of both female months, if not years, of reconstructive surgery near the dog. “This whole case has been very, and giant before-and-after photos are official Lee Chang-Min. employees and the business owners. He wondered what would ahead of him. The question of whether the pit very distressing to me,” Griffin said, adding that omnipresent-on street billboards, subway “Many people complained these ads happen if an employer ordered a woman who works for him to bull should live or die attracted a team of top Kevin will pay the price for the rest of his life. wear a burka, a full-length robe and head covering commonly death penalty lawyers, led to candlelight vigils A half dozen animal rights advocates attend- trains, bus stops and the backs of bus seats. make people, including youngsters, worn by conservative Islamic women. He asked: Does the and riled up thousands of animal lovers on ed the hearing in T-shirts that bore a paw mark believe that plastic surgery can be done In the Apgujeong subway station at the employer’s religious belief “just trump?” One key issue before social media who placed blame with the dog’s and a slogan, “Save Mickey.” One of them, heart of the upscale Gangnam district- so easily,” Lee said. Both officials said com- the justices is whether profit-making corporations may assert owners and child’s baby sitter. Veronica Lee, said the hearing showed that the home to hundreds of cosmetic surgery plaints surged after several fatal incidents religious beliefs under the 1993 religious freedom law or the Meanwhile, donations and gifts from around baby sitter wasn’t watching closely and that clinics-around half of all advertising prints involving botched plastic surgery. Earlier First Amendment provision guaranteeing Americans the right the world have flowed in for Kevin since the Mickey was kept chained. “We were not here to and hoardings are promoting nose jobs, this month a 34-year-old woman died of to believe and worship as they choose. The court could skirt dog bit the boy in the face. Floridalma Vicente, put a dog above Kevin,” Lee said. “We were just facelifts and other nips and tucks. Under asphyxiation while having surgery on her that issue by finding that the individuals who own the business- the boy’s mother, said she is grateful for the out- here to make sure justice was served.” Luis the new regulations, no more than 20 per- nose and a man in his 30s died three days es have the right to object. But the justices still would have to pouring of public support, but can’t understand Acosta, who said he’s not related to anyone cent of advertising at any subway station after undergoing a procedure on his jaw- decide whether the birth control requirement impinges on reli- the support that emerged for the dog. “It dis- involved in the case, disagreed with the judge’s can be connected with the plastic surgery bone. Last December, a high school girl gious freedom, and if so, whether the government makes a per- turbed me at first that they placed more value decision and questioned whether the govern- industry. fell into a coma while having a nose sur- suasive case that the policy is important and has been put in on an animal than on a child, and that made me ment would really ensure the dog was never “We have received a growing number of gery. — AFP place in the least objectionable way possible. —AP feel very bad,” Vicente told The Arizona Republic adopted.—AP HEALTH & SCIENCE THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 Terror grips Ebola-hit west Africa Death toll in Guinea Ebola outbreak reaches 63

CONAKRY: Guinea battled yesterday to contain an continue every day to record a number of new cases in Liberia are being tested for the killer virus. Ebola epidemic threatening neighboring countries as or fatalities,” said Guinea’s chief disease prevention Guinea has banned inhabitants of the south from fear and confusion gripped communities under siege officer Sakoba Keita, confirming the two new deaths. eating bats, a common feature of the local diet, as the from one of the deadliest viruses known to mankind. “But the daily incidence is lessening. We believe creatures are considered to be the natural host of the Aid organizations have sent dozens of workers to the peak has passed.” The tropical virus-described in virus. Transmission of Ebola to humans can come help the poverty-hit country combat a haemorrhagic some health publications as a “molecular shark”-caus- from wild animals, direct contact from another fever outbreak which has claimed at least 63 victims, es severe fever and muscle pain, weakness, vomiting human’s blood, faces or sweat, as well as sexual con- many of whom have been confirmed to have been and diarrhea, organs to shut down and unstoppable tact or the unprotected handling of contaminated infected by Ebola. bleeding in severe cases. Scientists have examined 45 corpses. Doctors Without Borders, which is known by “On Monday, two more deaths were reported in samples from victims of the epidemic, with 19 testing its French initials “MSF”, said the spread of the disease our area. People are really frightened,” Joseph Gbaka positive for Ebola, the International Federation of Red was being exacerbated by people travelling to funer- Sandounou, a unit manager for Plan International, Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a statement. als in which mourners touch the dead person’s body. was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Other highly-contagious tropical bugs, including No treatment or vaccine is available, and the Zaire organization. “They have seen people die in a matter Marburg and Lassa, can lead to similar symptoms but strain detected in Guinea-first observed in the of just two or three days. They are constantly worried the authorities have not announced which Democratic Republic of Congo 38 years ago-has a 90 who is going to be the next fatality.” pathogens were been picked up in samples where percent death rate. Guinea is one of the world’s poor- The British-based charity said people of Guinea’s Ebola was not detected. est nations despite vast untapped mineral wealth, southern forests-the epicenter of the outbreak which with a stagnating economy, youth unemployment at began in February-had been terrified by seeing Danger of panic spreading 60 percent and a rank of 178th out of 187 countries neighbors bleeding severely as they were struck “When the epidemic broke out a number of on the UN’s Human Development Index. down by the virus. “People have never experienced health workers had no clue what they were handling Plan, MSF and other aid organizations are provid- anything like this before. Rumors are rife among com- nor did they have the protective gear,” said ing treatment and sanitation facilities and relaying munities who are trying to come up with their own Sandounou. “As a result, a number of Ebola victims public health information, especially to schools, via explanations,” said Sandounou. have been health workers. We heard reports that the media and text messages. “We want to avoid the Ebola had never spread among humans in west health workers turned patients away due to fear in danger of the population panicking and it is impor- Africa before February but five deaths being investi- some cases before the health administration swung tant to transmit all the information necessary to KAMPUNGU: In this file photo, a 43-year-old Congolese patient (center) who has been gated in Liberia, one in Sierra Leone and others still into action.” Sierra Leone warned on Tuesday that a understand the disease and how people can protect confirmed to have Ebola hemorrhagic fever, following laboratory tests, is comforted by being tested could bring the total in the epidemic to 14-year-old buried recently may have been infected themselves,” MSF emergency coordinator Marie- Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) in Kampungu, Kasai Occidental above 70. “We are not at the end of this epidemic, we in Guinea, while the deaths of four women and a boy Christine Ferir said. — AFP province, Congo. — AP WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Greetings

ongratulations to Ahmed Sharkis who was awarded Cthe ‘Ideal Employee’ title at Lulu Center in best food service front office sales. I wish you fur- ther success in all your endeavors. Best wishes from Sherif Ismail.

Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa unveils Italian chef, new menu in Olio

s his grandmother was to umeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Kuwait’s Venezia, a refreshing drink made from fresh head back home to idyllic resort, has appointed a new Italian chef grapes, passion fruit, lemon juice and rosemary. AJordan, Saleh began to JFrancesco Picaro. Born in Naples, the capital of For antipasti, Insalata di Mare includes a mix of walk on his own at Buffalo, NY the Italian region of Campania, Francesco Picaro octopus, shrimps, calamari, mussels, celeries and airport, as if her departure was received his diploma from Instituto Alberghiero G carrot with a lemon dressing. The soup options Salvemini and his Masters Certificate in Gourmet now include Zuppa di Pesce alla Mediterranea or so hard for him that he was from the A Tavola Con Lo Chef in Rome. He has Mediterranean seafood soup. attempting to prevent her from over 13 years’ experience in the culinary world For risotto and pasta options, traditional Italian doing it. Father Walid, mother gained from luxury hotels in Egypt, Libya, the Lasagna is offered and for a hearty main course Hibatullah and grandmother United States and in his home country Italy. the sumptuous Costolette d’Agnello, made from were thrilled to see him take his appy birthday to Bushra Francesco Picaro recently introduced a new lamb chop with pistachio, sauté vegetables, menu including a selection of aperitivi or drinks, mashed potato and rosemary sauce is a popular first steps on his own outside Mahboob Ali Shaikh. Best antipasti, soups, an assortment of risottos and pas- choice. Authentic Italian pizzas made in a wood their home. You made your Hwishes from Chachu Aslam ta dishes and a wider variety of main courses, piz- burning oven include the Frutti di Mare made grandfather very proud, Saleh. and family. zas and desserts. Gourmet coffee choices are also from tomato, mozzarella, prawns, mussels and offered. Among the selection of aperitivi, is calamari. Italian Chef Francesco Picaro

Sable celebrates Mother’s Day in a distinguished way

ommitted to always sharing was inspired by the occasion. Salameh, Acting Operations remarkable occasions with the For Mothers’ Day, Sable has gone Manager at Sable said: “We wanted CKuwaiti population, Sable the further and given away comple- to share this joyful occasion with leading sweets company, dedicated mentary cakes for mothers visiting Kuwaiti mothers and expats and a special collection of cakes tailor- its branch in Salmiya on Wednesday, offer them the best wishes for the made to be the perfect gifts on March 19. The celebration was cov- day”. He added: “We consider our- Mother’s Day. ered live on Al-Qayla radio program selves as strictly committed to play- Sable has provided six different with Mike Mobtaleh presenting. ing a key role in sharing society’s designs of cakes in celebration of Actor Hiba Al-Durri and her hus- occasions - in particular Mother’s this occasion, diversified in flavor, band actor Nawaf Al-Ali were the Day - by providing our state-of-the- size and decoration as well which hosts of the program as per their art sweets and cakes inspired by the has given customers a wide range desire to share the celebratory joy of the occasion as a rewarding of choices as per their different atmosphere with Sable customers. gesture to mothers who don’t hesi- tastes. This in addition to a unique Commenting on the occasion tate to sacrifice for the good of their collection of tasty chocolates which and Sable’s celebration, Khaled children”. Al-Seif New Grand Ballroom is ideal venue at Safir Hotel & Residences Kuwait

l-Seif new Grand ballroom is the ideal venue at Safir Hotel & Residences Kuwait, adjacent to the Al-Seif ABallroom. The new Grand Ballroom is the newest addition to Safir Fintas’ banqueting facilities. Its contempo- rary and functional design provides a variety of flexible ven- ue settings suited for weddings functions, corporate and special events. Plan your wedding at Safir Fintas and discover a brand new standard of elegance in wedding celebrations. The new Grand Ballroom has been designed to accommodate large wedding celebrations with an elegant atmosphere adapted specifically for your occasion. With a maximum capacity of 400 persons for Mudjarat style, the Grand Ballroom and Al- Seif Ballroom can be combined together to extend the capacity to up to 700 persons for a reception style. On top of its luxurious setting, both ballrooms are equipped with the latest technology, including state-of-the- art audio visual equipment. Together with our highly trained professionals who are committed to deliver the best service possible in every aspect of your wedding arrangements from table settings to music, our rich selection of international and oriental cuisines, Safir Fintas we will make your wedding cele- bration an occasion of a lifetime. IOC Arts Festival ndian Overseas Congress (IOC) will conduct Arts Festival 2014 on April 10, 11, 2014 at the United Indian ISchool, Abbassiya. Preparations are on to host this mega event among the Indian expatriates in Kuwait. Entry forms are also available on request through email. Entry forms can be sent to fax no. 24331461. Filled entry forms can be emailed to: [email protected]. Also, the final registration date has been extended till Saturday, 5 April 2014. All Indian children are invited to participate in the various competitions to be held on April 10, 11, 2014 at the United Indian School, Abbassiya. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Abdulghani Behbehani is seen with Pirelli delegates. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Tony Trantic is seen with Pirelli delegates. Behbehani Tire Center launches largest Pirelli center in ME

irelli, the leader in the premium tire seg- tion. This collaboration is in line with these ment, has brought its wheels to a store goals and we look forward to our customers’ Pnear you. The new Pirelli Kuwait Flagship feedback,” says Abdulghani Behbehani - store opened its doors to the public on March Director of Behbehani Tire Center. 23. This is by far the biggest tire center in its The attendees of the event participated in a segment in the region. This new state-of-the-art tour of the new store, observing and praising facility has been brought in Kuwait by the new high-tech facilities in the center. The “Behbehani Tire Center”, the sole distributor for tour included a visit to the customers’ lounge Pirelli in Kuwait and a subsidiary of Mohammed that comprises of various customer-friendly fea- Saleh and Reza Yousuf Behbehani Company. tures including screens that allowed customers The launch event was attended by senior man- to observe their vehicles undergoing mainte- agement of Behbehani Tire Center, senior dele- nance as well as they may enjoy hot and cold gates from Pirelli, esteemed customers and rep- refreshments while their cars are being resentatives of the media. equipped with brand new Pirelli tires. The Pirelli store in Kuwait is regarded as its Founded in 1872, Pirelli is the world’s fifth flagship store in the Middle East. This is the sec- largest tire manufacturer based on revenues. ond Pirelli store in Kuwait and its opening was a With a presence in over 160 countries, the com- strategic move in order to cater to the growing pany now has 22 tire manufacturing facilities on demand for Pirelli tires amongst the local popu- five continents and employs over 37,000 peo- lation. The newly launched store is located in ple. Pirelli is one of the leading manufacturers of Shuwaikh on the Fourth Ring Road beside Ali high-end and performance tires, and is striving Abdulwahab. Apart from the showroom, the to become the world leader in this segment by new store includes a modernized service center 2015. The company has always had a keen for tire installation in addition to a special area focus on research and development, investing where highly skilled and trained professionals around 3 percent of revenues each year in this are designated for installing truck tires. The cen- area: one of the highest levels of research invest- ter is managed by experts from Pirelli who work ment in the tire industry. The goal is to constant- in a high-tech, modernized setting that is com- ly improve the quality of Pirelli products in mitted to not just deliver expert service but terms of performance, safety and environmental provide an overall enhanced customer experi- impact, all in line with the company’s ‘green per- ence. formance’ strategy. In pursuing these objectives, Pirelli tires are available at various specifica- motorcycle brands who enjoy the largest range able at affordable prices, thus making them extend our help and support to the pioneer Pirelli always aims to unite financial profitability tions and measurements that suit a range of of motorcycle tires that are also available here accessible to a variety of individuals with differ- and look forward to delivering quality services with social responsibility. vehicles including American, Japanese, in Kuwait. Pirelli tires are distinguished by their ent budgets all of whom would highly benefit to our clients. Our mission is to deliver the high- Having been involved in motor racing since European and Korean cars as well as sports and exceptional performance, strength, stability, from the damage and corrosion resistant tires est level of customer satisfaction. Hence, we 1907, Pirelli is currently the single tire manufac- luxury cars that require specific qualities. Pirelli ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, that would serve them for an extended period invested in excellent infrastructure in our Pirelli turer for Formula 1 and for the World Superbike tires is officially certified by the world’s most high temperatures and fast speeds, making the of time. Pirelli store in Kuwait is only the begin- showrooms and service centers as well as in Championship. This is an important challenge popular vehicle brands such as Mercedes, tires the ideal choice for vehicles in the Middle ning. The company hopes to see 30 new Pirelli highly trained professional staff who will not in terms of technological innovation and is a Porsche, Jaguar, Audi and Land Rover as well as East and especially Kuwait. Pirelli tires are avail- shops by the end of the year. “We are proud to only meet, but exceed our customer’s expecta- key means of promoting the Pirelli brand. TV PROGRAMS THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

04:40 Container Wars 05:05 How Do They Do It? 07:35 Wolfblood 05:30 How It’s Made 07:55 Gravity Falls 08:20 That’s So Raven 06:00 Sons Of Guns How ‘Cheap Thrills’ social 08:45 Jessie 07:00 You Have Been Warned 00:20 Doctors 09:05 Good Luck Charlie 00:50 New Tricks 07:50 Flying Wild Alaska 09:30 Shake It Up media, viral marketing spawned 01:40 My Family 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 09:55 Austin & Ally 02:10 Walk On The Wild Side 09:30 Border Security 10:15 A.N.T. Farm 02:40 Being Erica 09:55 Auction Kings 10:40 Dog With A Blog a surprise box-office hit 03:25 Spooks 10:20 Container Wars 11:05 Suite Life On Deck 04:15 The Weakest Link 10:45 How Do They Do It? 11:25 Jessie hile “Divergent” stole most of the box office 05:00 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 11:10 How It’s Made 11:50 That’s So Raven spotlight this past weekend, E.L. Katz’s dis- 05:20 Balamory 11:35 Gold Rush 12:15 Hannah Montana Wturbing genre movie “Cheap Thrills” made 05:40 Nina And The Neurons 12:25 Alaska Gold Diggers 12:35 Hannah Montana waves of its own, with a per-screen average that best- 05:50 Me Too! 13:15 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 13:00 Good Luck Charlie ed Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted”. “Cheap Thrills” fol- 06:10 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 14:05 Border Security 13:25 Austin & Ally lows two working-class, down-on-their-luck guys (Pat 06:30 Balamory 13:45 A.N.T. Farm 06:50 Nina And The Neurons 14:30 Auction Kings Healy, Ethan Embry) who are invited by a wealthy cou- 14:55 Container Wars 14:10 Jessie ple (David Koechner, Sara Paxton) to participate in a 07:05 Me Too! 14:35 Dog With A Blog 15:20 North America 07:25 My Family 15:00 Good Luck Charlie series of progressively bizarre dares that could win 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 07:50 The Vicar Of Dibley 15:25 Gravity Falls them $250,000. 08:20 Little Britain 17:00 Ultimate Survival 15:50 Austin & Ally After “Cheap Thrills” opened in Los Angeles and 08:50 Eastenders 17:50 Wheeler Dealers 16:10 Violetta Austin and averaged $9,550 per screen, Drafthouse 09:20 Doctors 18:40 You Have Been Warned 17:00 Liv And Maddie Films CEO Tim League and producer Gabe Cowan (pic- 09:45 The Weakest Link 19:30 Sons Of Guns 17:20 Liv And Maddie tured below) of New Artists Alliance chalked up the 10:30 The Vicar Of Dibley 20:20 How Do They Do It? 17:40 Mako Mermaids film’s success to the power of social media and the 11:00 Call The Midwife 20:45 How It’s Made 18:10 Good Luck Charlie 11:55 New Tricks movie’s innovative viral marketing campaign. The film- 21:10 Auction Kings 18:30 Jessie makers relied on social media support from celebrities 12:45 My Family 18:55 Dog With A Blog 21:35 Container Wars to help spread the word. Courteney Cox, David 13:15 Little Britain 22:00 Dual Survival 19:20 Violetta 13:45 Eastenders Arquette, Elijah Wood, Patton Oswalt, Edgar Wright, 22:50 Survive That! 20:05 Jessie 14:15 Doctors Morgan Spurlock, Eliza Dushku, Kate Walsh, Gareth 23:40 Yukon Men 20:30 Good Luck Charlie 14:45 Call The Midwife 20:50 Dog With A Blog Evans, Rob Riggle, Kunal Nayyar and genre luminaries 15:35 New Tricks 21:15 Gravity Falls such as Eli Roth and Ti West were among those who 16:25 The Weakest Link 21:40 Shake It Up championed the film online. Arquette and “Girls” star 17:10 Eastenders 22:00 Austin & Ally Alex Karpovsky even attended the 10 pm screening at 17:40 Doctors 22:25 A.N.T. Farm Cinefamily on Saturday. 18:10 Being Erica 22:50 Good Luck Charlie 19:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 00:40 The Colony 01:30 Bang Goes The Theory 23:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 19:30 The Vicar Of Dibley 23:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place ‘Share to Dare’ campaign 20:00 Upstairs Downstairs 02:00 Food Factory “‘Cheap Thrills’ is an epic film where they cross so 20:55 Mistresses 02:25 How Tech Works many lines that you should probably do some lines 21:45 The Omid Djalili Show 02:50 Mega Builders before you see it just to follow along,” joked Arquette. 22:15 Stella 03:45 Kings Of Construction 04:35 Thunder Races “In all honesty, it is on the list of my favorite films I 23:00 The Weakest Link have seen in recent memory. The writing, direction 23:45 Eastenders 05:25 How The Universe Works 06:15 Food Factory 00:00 Chelsea Lately and acting was flawless,” Arquette wrote in an email to 06:40 How Tech Works 00:30 The Spin Crowd TheWrap. “These people have big followings and 07:05 X-Machines 00:55 The Spin Crowd they’ve been engaging their fans,” League told 08:00 Building The Future 01:25 Style Star TheWrap. “This is a really meaty role for David 08:50 Eco-Tech 01:50 Style Star Koechner that shows he’s much more than Champ 00:00 The Planners 09:40 Food Factory 02:20 E!ES Kind from ‘Anchorman.’ He has a lot of ties to the com- 00:50 Extreme Makeover: Home 10:05 How Tech Works 03:15 Extreme Close-Up edy world and they’ve been supporting him online. 10:30 James May’s Man Lab Edition 03:40 Extreme Close-Up Likewise, Pat has been a working actor for 15 years, 01:35 Come Dine With Me 11:25 X-Machines 04:10 E!ES but this is a commanding leading man performance 02:25 MasterChef 12:20 Thunder Races 05:05 E!ES 03:20 Chef At Home 13:10 How The Universe Works 06:00 THS from him.” 03:45 Chef At Home 14:00 Kings Of Construction 07:50 Fashion Police Critics have noticed, as the film boasts a 94% fresh 04:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 14:50 Bang Goes The Theory 09:15 Opening Act SIGHTSEERS ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is extremely rare for 04:55 Extreme Makeover: Home 15:20 Food Factory 10:15 Married To Jonas a violent genre movie - even one that won the Edition 15:45 How Tech Works 10:40 Chasing The Saturdays Country Audience Award at SXSW in 2013. The “Cheap Thrills” 05:40 Bargain Hunt 16:10 Mega Builders 11:10 The Drama Queen 05:00 Good Morning America 05:30 Now Is Good-PG15 16:30 Endeavour team returned to Austin for this year’s festival, where 06:25 Come Dine With Me 17:00 How The Universe Works 12:05 Fashion Police 07:00 Emmerdale 07:15 Girl In Progress-PG15 18:20 May The Best House Win they piggybacked on publicity for producer Travis 07:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 17:55 Thunder Races 13:35 E!ES 07:30 Coronation Street 09:00 Midnight In Paris-PG15 19:10 Coronation Street Stevens’ new horror movie “Starry Eyes,” which co-stars 08:00 Extreme Makeover: Home 18:45 X-Machines 14:30 Style Star 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:00 Olympus Has Fallen-PG15 19:35 Trevor Mcdonalds Queen & Healy. Edition 19:35 James May’s Man Lab 15:00 Keeping Up With The 09:00 24 13:00 Magic Journey To Africa- Country 08:45 The Planners 20:30 Junkyard Wars Kardashians 10:00 Emmerdale PG15 The twisted dares depicted in the movie led the 20:30 Endeavour 09:35 Bargain Hunt 21:20 Large Dangerous Rocket 16:00 Keeping Up With The 10:30 Coronation Street 15:00 The Odd Life Of Timothy “Cheap Thrills” team to launch the “Share to Dare” pro- 22:20 Coronation Street 10:20 Antiques Roadshow Ships 2011 Kardashians 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Green-PG gram, which played a large role in the film’s digital 22:50 Emmerdale 11:15 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 22:10 Food Factory 17:00 The Wanted Life 12:00 Castle 17:00 Midnight In Paris-PG15 campaign strategy. Cowan credited League with the 23:45 May The Best House Win Notebook: London 22:35 How Tech Works 17:30 Hello Ross 13:00 Made In Jersey 19:00 Red Dawn-PG15 idea for “Share to Dare,” explaining that there was an 11:40 Come Dine With Me 23:00 Stuck With Hackett 18:00 E! News 14:00 Live Good Morning America 21:00 The Bling Ring-18 16:00 24 email chain with all kinds of extreme suggestions. 12:30 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 23:25 Stuck With Hackett 19:00 Fashion Police 23:00 The Campaign-18 “Basically, Tim wrote to all his friends and said ‘I believe 23:50 Large Dangerous Rocket 17:00 Castle 13:20 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 20:30 E!ES in the film so much that if you go to the movie and 14:05 Antiques Roadshow Ships 2011 18:00 Made In Jersey 21:00 The Drama Queen don’t like it, I will pay you back and you can slap me in 15:05 Extreme Makeover: Home 22:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 19:00 24 Edition 22:30 E! News 20:00 Castle the face.’ “”One of the main things we stressed was the 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 15:50 MasterChef 23:30 Chelsea Lately 21:00 Made In Jersey 01:00 The Missing Lynx ‘Share to Dare’ campaign, which has led to us embar- 16:45 Bargain Hunt Stewart 22:00 Rescue Me 02:45 The Legend Of Sarila rassing ourselves in public,” echoed League. 17:30 Chef At Home 01:00 The Colbert Report 23:00 Nip/Tuck 04:30 Free Birds Healy, Embry, League and Stevens performed sev- 17:55 Chef At Home 01:30 The Big C 06:00 Olentzero Christmas Tale eral humorous dares, the highlights of which saw 02:00 South Park 18:20 Antiques Roadshow 08:00 Emperor’s Secret Healy recreating Burt Reynolds’ centerfold photo on a 19:15 Homes Under The Hammer 02:30 Out There 09:45 Sky Force 00:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody bearskin rug, Embry doing an impression of himself 20:10 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 03:30 Raising Hope 11:15 Mrs. Doubtfire 00:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody from “Empire Records”. Notebook: London 04:00 Seinfeld 13:30 The Legend Of Sarila 00:45 Sonny With A Chance 00:35 House Gift 20:35 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 00:00 The Corruptor-18 15:00 The Fantastic Adventure Of In an effort to appeal to hardcore genre fans, 01:05 Sonny With A Chance 01:30 Emmerdale 21:00 Food & Drink Jimmy Fallon 02:00 Sudden Death-PG15 The Ugly Duckling Drafthouse also cut a new trailer last week that 01:30 Suite Life On Deck 02:25 Coronation Street 05:30 Seinfeld 04:00 Lords Of Dogtown-PG15 16:30 The Elf Who Stole Christmas emphasized a particularly gruesome scene in which 21:30 Come Dine With Me 02:55 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 01:50 Suite Life On Deck 06:00 Two And A Half Men 18:00 Sky Force one of the characters is dared to chop off his own 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 03:25 Agatha Christie’s Marple 06:00 Sins Expiation-PG15 02:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place 06:30 Arrested Development 20:00 The Water Horse: Legend Of 23:15 Bargain Hunt 05:15 Ade In Britain 08:00 Special Ops-PG15 pinky. 02:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers The Deep 06:10 House Gift 10:00 Broken Path-PG15 03:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 08:00 Seinfeld 22:00 The Fantastic Adventure Of 07:05 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 12:00 Excess Baggage-PG15 Low Budget 03:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 08:30 Seinfeld The Ugly Duckling 07:30 Agatha Christie’s Marple 14:00 Special Ops-PG15 The small team at Drafthouse Films leveraged its 03:45 Sonny With A Chance 09:30 The Crazy Ones 23:30 The Elf Who Stole Christmas 04:05 Sonny With A Chance 09:20 Ade In Britain 10:00 Trophy Wife 16:00 The Last Stand-PG15 larger Alamo Drafthouse team - including the market- 04:30 Suite Life On Deck 10:15 May The Best House Win 10:30 Arrested Development 18:00 Excess Baggage-PG15 ing side and website Badass Digest - to help turn 11:10 Emmerdale 00:30 Gold Rush 04:50 Suite Life On Deck 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 20:00 Mafia-18 “Cheap Thrills” into an event-like release. The Alamo 12:00 Coronation Street 01:20 Alaska Gold Diggers 05:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place Jimmy Fallon 22:00 The Last Stand-PG15 Drafthouse in Austin even served “Cheap Thrills” finger 05:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:30 House Gift 12:00 Two And A Half Men sandwiches to hungry genre audiences. “Cheap Thrills” 02:10 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 13:25 Ade In Britain 06:00 Austin & Ally 12:30 Seinfeld finished the weekend as one of the Top 10 independ- 03:00 You Have Been Warned 06:25 Dog With A Blog 14:20 May The Best House Win 00:00 Knuckle-PG15 13:00 Seinfeld ent films on iTunes, where it outpaced the star-stud- 03:50 Border Security 06:45 Suite Life On Deck 15:10 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 13:30 Arrested Development 02:00 Gambit-PG15 04:15 Auction Kings 07:10 A.N.T. Farm 15:35 Trevor Mcdonalds Queen & 14:00 Raising Hope 00:00 Tin Men-PG15 04:00 Snowflake , The White ded “Nymphomaniac,” a film that received much more 14:30 The Crazy Ones 02:15 Sightseers-18 Gorilla-PG press leading up to its release. 15:00 Trophy Wife 04:00 Damsels In Distress-PG15 06:00 Dating Coach-PG15 “Our marketing budget was very low but people 08:00 The Greatest Movie Ever 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 06:00 The Little Rascals-PG really seem to be talking about it. We relied on word of Sold-PG15 Stewart 08:00 Open Season-FAM mouth to get people to support indie cinema and feel 16:00 The Colbert Report 10:00 Charlotte’s Web-PG like they’re part of a community. I think it’s the only 10:00 Smooch-PG15 12:00 Gambit-PG15 16:30 Two And A Half Men 12:00 Damsels In Distress-PG15 thing that makes you stand out,” Cowan said. Cowan 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 14:00 Barnyard-PG 14:00 Home Alone: The Holiday 16:00 The Greatest Movie Ever continued: “Last week, more than 40 films were 18:00 The Simpsons Heist-PG released on iTunes and VOD. People have a lot of 19:00 The Mindy Project Sold-PG15 16:00 Smooch-PG15 19:30 Modern Family 17:45 Iron Man 3-PG15 choices. How are you going to be the one that they 18:00 Today’s Special-PG15 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 20:00 Killing Them Softly-18 decide to see? Social media and viral marketing help Jimmy Fallon 20:00 Look Who’s Talking-PG15 22:00 The Possession-PG15 you stand out. Otherwise, you need huge celebrities 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 22:00 Tin Men-PG15 and lots of money behind you. Besting Stewart ‘Nymphomaniac’ in per screen average and on iTunes 21:30 The Colbert Report is really meaningful because that movie has Shia 22:00 Veep LaBeouf and Uma Thurman. It was released on 25 22:30 South Park 01:00 NRL Premiership 03:00 NRL Premiership screens and had a lot of money behind it. It really 23:00 Out There made us feel that people were really behind our movie 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:45 The Trial-PG15 05:00 NRL Full Time 03:30 Oh Christmas Tree-PG 05:30 Futbol Mundial and championing it. It’s becoming a cause.” 05:00 The Chateau Meroux-PG15 06:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Resistance-PG15 07:00 Trans World Sport To encourage theatrical attendance, Drafthouse has 09:00 The Trial-PG15 08:00 LV Cup been “flying out cast members to various locations for 00:00 Warehouse 13 11:00 The Good Doctor-PG15 10:00 Golfing World live introductions, which reinforces our message to 01:00 Mistresses 13:00 You Got Served: Beat The 11:00 World Golf Championship share and help support this film that deserves it,” said 02:00 The Killing World-PG15 Highlights League. “We’ve also held live dare competitions with 03:00 World Without End 15:00 The Key Man-PG15 12:00 Super Rugby prizes in Austin, so the screenings have a party atmos- 04:00 Grey’s Anatomy 17:00 The Iron Lady-PG15 14:00 Super Rugby phere.” When Cowan saw that “Cheap Thrills” had 05:00 The Fosters 18:45 Silver Linings Playbook-PG15 16:00 NRL Premiership 06:00 Warehouse 13 leaked on BitTorrent sites, the producer consulted 21:00 Passion-18 18:00 World Golf Championship 07:00 Drop Dead Diva Drafthouse Films, and the team decided to be proac- 23:00 This Must Be The Place-18 Highlights 08:00 Switched At Birth tive rather than shrug their shoulders. To discourage 09:00 The Killing 19:00 Golfing World piracy, a 40-minute behind-the-scenes documentary 10:00 The Fosters 20:00 PGA European Tour Weekly was made available and it seems to have done the 11:00 Grey’s Anatomy 20:30 Inside The PGA Tour trick, with Cowan telling TheWrap that the documen- 12:00 Emmerdale 21:00 Trans World Sport tary received more downloads than the actual movie. 22:00 LV Cup 12:30 Coronation Street 01:00 The Samaritan-18 “The VOD returns have been really good and we 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 03:00 Seeking Justice-PG15 received pretty decent placement on Time Warner, 14:00 Switched At Birth 05:00 Nobody Walks-PG15 Comcast and Cox. Our theatrical release and our VOD 15:00 Warehouse 13 07:00 Planet Of The Apes (1968)- 16:00 Emmerdale release have both been working together really well,” PG15 00:00 Golfing World 16:30 Coronation Street said League, who cautioned that social media means 09:00 Last Dance-PG15 01:00 Premier League Darts 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show little if you don’t have a good movie to back it up. 11:00 The Music Never Stopped- 04:00 LV Cup 18:00 Switched At Birth PG15 06:30 NRL Full Time “You can have great social media but if the reviews 19:00 Twisted 13:00 Katy Perry The Movie: Part Of roll in and don’t live up to the hype, it doesn’t matter,” 20:00 Scandal 07:00 NRL Premiership Me-PG 09:00 NRL Full Time said League. “Five years from now when we’re all talk- 21:00 House Of Cards ing about Evan Katz, people will remember this direc- 14:45 The Lady-PG15 09:30 Dubai World Cup Carnival 22:00 American Horror Story: torial debut.” “Social media is what made it a success Coven 17:00 The Music Never Stopped- 13:00 Trans World Sport PG15 this weekend,” added Cowan. “It was about supportive 23:00 World Without End 14:00 Golfing World 19:00 The Grey-18 friends reaching out to friends who reached out to 21:00 London-18 15:00 World Golf Championships their friends and helped turn ‘Cheap Thrills’ into this lit- 23:00 We Need To Talk About Highlights tle movie that could. I mean, we beat ‘The Muppets!’ I Kevin-18 16:00 Snooker can cross that off my bucket list now and basically 19:00 NHL retire.” After the success of “Cheap Thrills,” I double dare 21:00 HSBC Sevens World Series him to. “Cheap Thrills” expands to New York and 00:00 Made In Jersey 23:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 01:00 Good Morning America Chicago this weekend, before opening in 26 additional Highlights 03:00 Nip/Tuck 01:15 Drift-PG15 cities on April 4. — Reuters EXCESS BAGGAGE ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 04:00 Rescue Me 03:30 Olympus Has Fallen-PG15 23:30 PGA European Tour Weekly Classifieds

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Kuwait SITUATION VACANT Lady Indian physiothera- pist B.PT, M.Sc (UK) 4 years experience, transferable visa, ready to join. Please KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY call 99651572. (C 4677) 27-3-2014 (27/03/2014 TO 02/04/2014) SHARQIA-1 NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 6:45 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 12:45 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 9:15 PM MATRIMONIAL SABOTAGE (DIG) 2:45 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) DIVERGENT (DIG) 4:45 PM 9:15 PM Marriage proposal for SABOTAGE (DIG) 7:45 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 11:45 PM Marathomite girl 26 years DIVERGENT (DIG) 9:45 PM B/B in Kuwait (Ms) well SABOTAGE (DIG) 12:30 AM FANAR-5 BLOOD TIES (DIG) 1:45 PM placed in Kuwait. Proposals SHARQIA-2 HAUNT (DIG) 4:00 PM from Marthomite boys - MINUSCULE: VALLEY THE DOUBLE (DIG) 6:00 PM qualified and well placed in OF THE LOST ANTS (DIG) 12:30 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 8:00 PM Kuwait or GCC countries. NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 2:30 PM NO WED Email: 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 5:00 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 10:30 PM [email protected] NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 7:00 PM NO WED (C 4678) NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 9:30 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 12:45 AM CAPTAIN AMERICA: NO SUN+TUE+WED 27-3-2014 THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 9:45 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 12:05 AM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 8:00 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: ACCOMMODATION SHARQIA-3 THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 10:45 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 1:30 PM Abraq-Khaitan bed BLOOD TIES (DIG) 3:45 PM MARINA-1 space/sharing room avail- NON-STOP (DIG) 6:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 12:30 PM able for decent BLOOD TIES (DIG) 8:15 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 2:45 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 10:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 5:00 PM Goan/Indian bachelor in NON-STOP (DIG) 12:45 AM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 7:15 PM two bedroom flat, beside NON-STOP (DIG) 9:30 PM the main road and bus stop. MUHALAB-1 BLOOD TIES (DIG) 11:45 PM Near police station round- 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 12:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED about, from 1st May with NON-STOP (DIG) 2:30 PM kitchen and internet facility. BLOOD TIES (DIG) 4:45 PM MARINA-2 NON-STOP (DIG) 7:00 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 12:45 PM Contact: 97523316 / BLOOD TIES (DIG) 9:30 PM DIVERGENT (DIG) 2:45 PM 24745162. (C 4676) CAPTAIN AMERICA: SABOTAGE (DIG) 5:45 PM 27-3-2014 THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 9:30 PM DIVERGENT (DIG) 7:45 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 10:30 PM MUHALAB-2 CAPTAIN AMERICA: CHANGE OF NAME NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 2:00 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 10:30 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 4:30 PM DIVERGENT (DIG) 12:30 AM I have changed my name LEGEND (DIG) (Telugu) 4:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED Abbas holding Indian LAMO AKHZA (DIG) (Arabic) 7:45 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 9:45 PM MARINA-3 Passport No. Z1922769 NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 12:30 PM issued at Kuwait to Abbas MUHALAB-3 NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 3:00 PM Mashrak for all purposes. 158, SABOTAGE (DIG) 12:30 PM FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 5:30 PM Kharol Colony, Fatehpura, DIVERGENT (DIG) 2:30 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 7:30 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 5:15 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 10:00 PM Udaipur (Raj.) DIVERGENT (DIG) 7:15 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: (C 4675) SABOTAGE (DIG) 10:00 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 10:00 PM 25-4-2013 NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 12:45 AM FANAR-1 NON-STOP (DIG) 1:30 PM AVENUES-1 I, Saud Ali Vettukattu Kuniyil MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 4:00 PM MINUSCULE: holder of Indian Passport No. NON-STOP (DIG) 6:00 PM VALLEY OF THE LOST ANTS (DIG) 2:00 PM L1164641, hereby change my FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 8:15 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 4:00 PM name to Saud Ali Koya. FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 10:15 PM LEGEND (DIG) (Telugu) 4:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 12:15 AM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 7:00 PM Address: Mishkath, LEGEND (DIG) (Telugu) 7:00 PM Thuvvakkode, Cheman FANAR-3 LEGEND (DIG) (Telugu) 10:00 PM Chery, Kozhikode Dt, Kerala, SABOTAGE (DIG) 1:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 1:00 AM India. (C 4674) SABOTAGE (DIG) 3:00 PM DIVERGENT (DIG) 5:00 PM AVENUES-2 24-3-2014 SABOTAGE (DIG) 7:45 PM FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 2:15 PM DIVERGENT (DIG) 9:45 PM FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 4:30 PM I, Dahodwala Husain SABOTAGE (DIG) 12:30 AM FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 6:45 PM Joharbhai holder of Passport FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 9:00 PM FANAR-4 FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 11:15 PM No. K3652369, hereby NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 2:15 PM FACTORY GIRL (DIG) (Arabic) 1:15 AM change my surname to 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 4:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED Bhabhrawala Husain Joharbhai. (C 4671)

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 27/3/2014 FDB 057 Dubai 13:50 QTR 1074 Doha 22:00 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 Airlines Flt Route Time QTR 1078 Doha 13:55 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:05 KAC 617 Doha 15:30 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 KAC 672 Dubai 14:00 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:10 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:30 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:30 KAC 546 Alexandria 14:05 JZR 239 Amman 22:20 JZR 188 Dubai 15:40 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:35 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 KNE 481 Taif 15:50 QTR 1084 Doha 00:55 KAC 562 Amman 14:50 PIA 205 Lahore 23:15 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:30 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 JZR 185 Dubai 23:20 KAC 773 Riyadh 16:05 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 KNE 460 Riyadh 15:05 ETH 3718 LGG 23:30 KNE 471 Jeddah 16:30 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:10 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:35 THY 764 Istanbul 02:15 KNE 470 Jeddah 15:35 Departure Flights on Thursday 27/3/2014 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50 JZR 267 Beirut 02:30 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50 Airlines Flt Route Time OMA 646 Muscat 16:55 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 JZR 535 Cairo 15:50 JZR 560 Sohag 06:20 JZR 180 Dubai 16:55 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 02:45 OMA 645 Muscat 15:55 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 238 Amman 16:55 JAI 576 Kochi/Abu Dhabi 02:50 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:05 JAI 575 Abu Dhabi/Kochi 06:45 FDB 8052 Dubai 17:00 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 FDB 8051 Dubai 16:10 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:35 MSC 401 Alexandria 03:45 JZR 135 Bahrain 16:30 THY 765 Istanbul 07:05 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 KAC 118 New York 16:35 KAC 545 Alexandria 07:15 UAE 858 Dubai 17:50 FDB 067 Dubai 04:20 UAE 857 Dubai 16:40 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 JZR 538 Cairo 17:50 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 QTR 8650 Dhaka 07:15 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 JZR 240 Amman 07:20 ABY 128 Sharjah 18:05 QTR 8650 Doha 05:45 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 JZR 503 Luxor 05:50 UAL 982 IAD 17:05 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:20 FDB 069 Dubai 05:50 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 BAW 156 London 08:45 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 555 Alexandria 06:10 ABY 127 Sharjah 17:25 IRA 616 Ahwaz 08:50 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 BAW 157 London 06:40 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 JZR 266 Beirut 19:10 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:45 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 JZR 534 Cairo 09:00 FDB 064 Dubai 19:25 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:40 KAC 542 Cairo 18:05 SVA 513 Riyadh 09:15 QTR 1081 Doha 19:40 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 AXB 394 Kozhikode 20:15 IRA 617 Ahwaz 07:50 QTR 1080 Doha 18:40 KAC 561 Amman 09:25 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 KAC 671 Dubai 09:30 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 FDB 063 Dubai 18:45 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 FDB 062 Dubai 20:45 KAC 382 Delhi 07:55 KAC 502 Beirut 18:50 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 TAR 328 Tunis 20:50 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 618 Doha 19:00 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 OMA 648 Muscat 20:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 08:15 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:15 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:05 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:15 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 IRA 606 Mashhad 10:20 ABY 120 Sharjah 21:00 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:35 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:05 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:10 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:30 QTR 1071 Doha 10:55 KAC 351 Kochi 21:10 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 FDB 056 Dubai 10:55 KAC 343 Chennai 21:30 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:35 KAC 501 Beirut 11:10 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:35 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 KAC 104 London 19:35 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 543 Cairo 21:40 IRA 605 Esfahan 09:30 OMA 647 Muscat 19:55 KAC 541 Cairo 11:30 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 QTR 1070 Doha 09:55 TAR 328 Tunis/Dubai 20:00 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:50 FDB 072 Dubai 21:55 FDB 055 Dubai 10:15 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 FDB 061 Dubai 20:05 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:10 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 FDB 8054 Dubai 13:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 ABY 129 Sharjah 20:20 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:35 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 KNE 480 Taif 20:50 SYR 342 Damascus 13:30 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 FDB 8053 Dubai 12:15 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:55 JZR 134 Bahrain 13:35 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 SYR 341 Damascus 12:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 JZR 552 Alexandria 23:00 TBZ 5483 Mashhad 12:35 FDB 071 Dubai 21:15 TBZ 5484 Mashhad 13:50 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:05 JZR 241 Amman 12:45 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 MSR 580 Sohag 13:50 QTR 1075 Doha 23:10 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JZR 181 Dubai 21:30 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 FDB 060 Dubai 23:10 JZR 561 Sohag 12:55 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:35 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 528 Asyut 23:25 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 FDB 058 Dubai 14:30 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:55 MSR 579 Sohag 13:05 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 QTR 1079 Doha 14:55 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

CROSSWORD 499 STAR TRACK

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

The last thing you probably want today is to stay inside and tend to paper- Easy does it today! You may find yourself having different opinions from a work. However, if you complete some unfinished business, you will be able co-worker regarding matters already discussed in a meeting. Once away from the meeting to get out among the public and do a little networking, particularly if you are trying to sell place, the things discussed stay in your mind, not on your lips. If you did not care for the a product or gain the attention of a new prospect for your business. Unusual places for a outcome, there will be a new opportunity to change things soon. You must have patience. vacation may occupy your mind later this afternoon and it would be fun to create some This is a very good day for job-related events. You may shine in your particular job or find fantastic plans for the near future. You may have such fun ideas for a vacation that other that promotion or practical insights come without too much of a wait. You could represent people will want to do what you do. Now; considering your enjoyment of the out-of- your company or communicate about your skills. Lovers, children and other people you doors, there may be some outdoor sports competition or just a challenge to experience love are emphasized now. You enjoy the out-of-doors this evening. Try something a little the things in your life that you have never done, one by one. Happy birthday! different for the evening meal tonight.

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

Problems and obstacles that have previously been confounding should find Good practical job-related thoughts and ideas are available to you today. easy explanations under your keen examination. This is a good time to present yourself to You work hard all day to accomplish twice as much as the average workaholic. You com- others in business propositions or in requesting a raise in income. You may also be assert- municate with feeling and strength. You may gather some extreme insights today. Later ing a greater need for independence in a relationship now. Do not let your dreams run today, you can step back and reflect on the past and contemplate your next move. You wild-run a reality check once in a while. A repair problem on the home front, car or home, have a heightened sensitivity to others and you may find your own physical attractiveness may need some tender loving care-repair work. You might save some money by investing has improved as well. Investments are ripe for the taking over the next few days. some time in a class or in doing some apprentice work with a carpenter, plumber or Becoming involved in community activities this evening improves your popularity. There mechanic. Your romantic life will improve quickly as you lend a listening ear and positive may be an opportunity to become involved with a foster care program, or an animal rights feedback to that special someone you love. program. This is a rewarding day.

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

While the working energies may seem a bit slow-your own energies are This is a time where you could see your family expanding, either through high. Whether you are a man or a woman, you are in the mood to change marriage, or the birth of a new relative. Likely you will find yourself involved your style or looks. Perhaps this means a splash of color in your wardrobe or a different in intellectual pursuits at home, to the point of beginning a home-based business. You haircut. You may feel like breaking away from the usual routine. One of your life lessons is could also find benefits in the skills of a family member. Compromise is paramount in your ACROSS DOWN the appreciation of self, with the ability to appraise yourself honestly. Where you once had life today. You can successfully undertake original projects at this time. Your energies are 1. The part of the nervous system of vertebrates 1. By bad luck. a hunger for reassurance, you will now feel centered and at peace. When frustrations do high and you have plenty of energy and the right attitude to complete most any job you occur, you can go back to this time and remember this feeling of peace. You may begin to begin. Close relationships take on more emotional depth, power and importance. You that controls involuntary actions of the smooth 2. Kamarupan languages spoken in northeast- may worry excessively, about home life and domestic security at this time. Make some muscles and heart and glands. ern India and western Burma. create some new goals for yourself and make plans and decisions with regard to your own life situation. There is a sense of satisfaction and completeness now. simple changes now that will make you feel more secure. 4. Be of different opinions. 3. The act of scanning. 12. Lacking self-confidence. 4. Any of numerous low-growing cushion-form- ing plants of the genus Draba having rosette- 15. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac Capricorn (December 22-January 19) insects. forming leaves and terminal racemes of small Cancer (June 21-July 22) 16. The property of being cohesive and sticky. flowers with scapose or leafy stems. Conditions in the workplace continue to improve. You keep your workplace 17. Towards the side away from the wind. 5. Add ions to. Personal affairs, paperwork, income records or insurance records may grab environmentally friendly and this may be hard for some of your co-workers your attention today. You have a loved one that has been extremely quiet recently and 18. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in 6. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat to understand. Eventually, some of the things you do mysteriously become accepted prac- trimmed off. may continue to be this way a few more days. Never fear, your loved one is appreciative of tice. Smile, you are finally getting a very important message across to others on being Turkey). 7. Aromatic bulb used as seasoning. you and will express this truth. Your love of home and family may conflict with your job or environmentally friendly. People look to you for the best information on products to pur- 19. A collection of excerpts from a literary work. with authorities. You may tend to discount career opportunities just at the moment. You 8. Small tropical tree with tiered branches and chase for the office. Everything conspires to reveal you at your most elegant, particularly in 20. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part are more likely to conform your ways just now. You will find yourself more cautious, mod- divaricate branchlets having broad glossy dark social situations this evening. Speaking of social situations, you will want to be prepared to of an organism. erate in disposition and better organized than ever before. You make new purchases jump from work to a social gathering this evening. Whatever the case, there are some green leaves. 21. A bar of sand. today that have perhaps, been preplanned. Even though you may not be able to com- enjoyable times ahead. Look for ways to share your talents. 9. Directions for making something. pletely pay for these items now, you will pay for them soon. 23. A light strong gray lustrous corrosion-resist- 10. Standard time in the 5th time zone west of ant metallic element used in strong light- Greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian. weight alloys (as for airplane parts). 11. A garnet ranging in color from yellow to Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 24. Attractiveness to the opposite sex. brown. Professional advice regarding finances will encourage you in the direction 26. The emotion of hate. 12. Winning all or all but one of the tricks in Wherever you extend your energies now, you will find success. Assert 27. become turned or set on end. yourself today as new ventures will likely prove successful. There could be a depressing you want to take. There could be a desire to secure your own feelings about yourself bridge. through another person. You may not realize when someone confides in you that they 29. The capital and largest city of Yemen. 13. The activity of contributing to the fulfillment influence in your surroundings; however, by maintaining your optimistic mood you will sustain yourself and encourage others. You may have strained relations with a woman- really do not want your answer. This person may only want a listening ear-give it. You may 32. A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose. regardless of your gender. Shrug off guilt and pessimism-they are unhealthy. Dealings try to increase your power of attraction during this time-consciously or subconsciously. group. 14. Not only so, but. with the opposite sex may not be easy just now, though you should emphasize the posi- You may be inclined to pay attention to a young person today, especially his or her energy. 33. Relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages. 22. An Indian tree of the family Combretaceae tive aspects of any relationship at this time. You influence many people with your attitude- Be wise in your actions; someone is watching. A stalemate may occur in a business propo- 37. An anti-TNF compound (trade name Arava) that is a source of timber and gum. keep moving with the flow. A young person depends on your advice this evening. You can sition today, but you must decide your position and firmly maintain it. At home you are quick-witted, which also calls for patience. that is given orally. 25. United States playwright (1906-1963). act as a mentor to this young person. 39. Being nine more than ninety. 28. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls. 40. The territory of Athens in ancient Greece. 30. Type genus of the Ardeidae. 41. Large antelope with lightly spiraled horns of 31. An extreme state of adversity. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) desert regions of North Africa. 34. Urgently needed. You may enjoy probing into your inner self as well as some good solid gos- 44. Flower arrangement consisting of a circular 35. A dilute solution of acetic acid that is used You have the qualities that reflect grace, charm and refinement. You possess as a solvent (e.g. for a drug). sip. You value your darker, more secretive areas and do not mind working an inner radiance that brings a sense of harmony and beauty wherever you go. The act of band of foliage or flowers for ornamental pur- through some sensitive problems. You could be susceptible to jealousy. However, you are simply walking into a room with your smile brings joy to others. You may think you need poses. 36. A city in southern Texas on the Rio Grande. good at keeping your emotions in check. Maintaining your objectivity is the best course 38. A shaft on which a wheel rotates. recognition at work today but most of all, you just need confirmation that you are on the 45. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes of action at this time. Remember, fear and love are the only true feelings; anything else is a right track. If no one is complaining, you are on the right track! The balance of give-and- 42. An enclosed space. readily. symptom of one or the other. This is good day to think through your decisions. You will take is important for you. You need to speak up when you feel manipulated. Only in 43. Having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature find a way around almost any obstacle and are in control and able to guide yourself with 48. Goddess of criminal rashness and its punish- silence will people take advantage of you. Work, achievement and ambition are the things especially as specified. ease. Your sense of inner direction is good and should lead to a few positive opportunities. that mean a lot to you. If there is shopping to be done, put it off today or let someone else ment. 46. Lack of strength or vigor esp from illness. This evening you may enjoy a romantic book or movie. do the purchasing from your list. 49. Gained or acquired. 47. African tree with edible yellow fruit resem- 51. Made agreeably cold (especially by ice). bling mangos. 54. Noisy talk. 50. Type genus of the Nepidae. Word Search 56. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake 52. An informal term for a father. Chad. 53. (folklore) A corpse that rises at night to drink 58. A polyvalent metallic element that resem- the blood of the living. bles chromium and tungsten in its properties. 55. A mythical Greek warrior who was a leader 59. A device in which something (usually an ani- on the Trojan side of the Trojan War. mal) can be caught and penned. 57. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali 62. A less than average tide occurring at the first earth group. and third quarters of the moon. 60. Large black bird with a straight bill and long 64. Fallow deer. wedge-shaped tail. 66. Of or pertaining to Sabah or its people. 61. Make less active or intense. 68. A plant hormone promoting elongation of 63. Peruvian shrub with small pink to lavender stems and roots. tubular flowers. 70. Severe diabetes mellitus with an early onset. 65. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine 73. Any of various coarse shrubby plants of the (trade names Advil and Motrin and Nuprin) genus Iva with small greenish flowers. used to relieve the pain of arthritis and as an 74. Punish with an arbitrary penalty. analgesic and antipyretic. 77. Remaining after all deductions. 67. A pilgrimage to Mecca. 78. A foghorn that makes a signal consisting of 69. (in Gnosticism) A divine power or nature two tones. emanating from the Supreme Being and play- ing various roles in the operation of the uni- 80. A belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as verse. authoritative by some group or school. 71. Any orchid of the genus Disa. 81. The compass point midway between north- 72. Black honeycreepers with yellow feathers east and east. around the tail. 82. Shrubs and woody climbers mostly of tropi- 75. Rate of revolution of a motor. cal and temperate Old World. 76. A crystalline rock that can be cut and pol- 83. Of or relating to a member of the Buddhist ished for jewelry. people inhabiting the Mekong river in Laos and 79. The 13th letter of the Greek alphabet. Thailand. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 information

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 Al-Madeena 22418714 Al-Shuhada 22545171 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Al-Shuwaikh 24810598 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Al-Nuzha 22545171 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Sabhan 24742838 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Al-Helaly 22434853 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Al-Faiha 22545051 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967

Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Al-Farwaniya 24711433 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Al-Sulaibikhat 24316983 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Al-Fahaheel 23927002 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh 24316983 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Ahmadi 23980088 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Al-Mangaf 23711183 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Al-Shuaiba 23262845 Rawda 22517733

Adaliya 22517144 Al-Jahra 25610011 Khaldiya 24848075 Al-Salmiya 25616368 Kaifan 24849807 Shamiya 24848913 INTERNATIONAL Shuwaikh 24814507 CALLS Abdullah Salem 22549134

Nuzha 22526804 Afghanistan 0093 Iran 0098 Albania 00355 Iraq 00964 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Algeria 00213 Ireland 00353 Qadsiya 22515088 Andorra 00376 Italy 0039 Angola 00244 Ivory Coast 00225 Dasmah 22532265 Anguilla 001264 Jamaica 001876 Antiga 001268 Japan 0081 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Argentina 0054 Jordan 00962 Shaab 22518752 Armenia 00374 Kazakhstan 007 Australia 0061 Kenya 00254 Qibla 22459381 Austria 0043 Kiribati 00686 Bahamas 001242 Kuwait 00965 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Bahrain 00973 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Mirqab 22456536 Bangladesh 00880 Laos 00856 Barbados 001246 Latvia 00371 Sharq 22465401 Belarus 00375 Lebanon 00961 Belgium 0032 Liberia 00231 Salmiya 25746401 Belize 00501 Libya 00218 Jabriya 25316254 Benin 00229 Lithuania 00370 Bermuda 001441 Luxembourg 00352 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Bhutan 00975 Macau 00853 Bolivia 00591 Macedonia 00389 Bayan 25388462 Bosnia 00387 Madagascar 00261 Mishref 25381200 Botswana 00267 Majorca 0034 Brazil 0055 Malawi 00265 W Hawally 22630786 Brunei 00673 Malaysia 0060 Bulgaria 00359 Maldives 00960 Sabah 24810221 Burkina 00226 Mali 00223 Jahra 24770319 Burundi 00257 Malta 00356 Cambodia 00855 Marshall Islands 00692 New Jahra 24575755 Cameroon 00237 Martinique 00596 Canada 001 Mauritania 00222 West Jahra 24772608 Cape Verde 00238 Mauritius 00230 South Jahra 24775066 Cayman Islands 001345 Mayotte 00269 Central African 00236 Mexico 0052 North Jahra 24775992 Chad 00235 Micronesia 00691 Chile 0056 Moldova 00373 North Jleeb 24311795 China 0086 Monaco 00377 Ardhiya 24884079 Colombia 0057 Mongolia 00976 Comoros 00269 Montserrat 001664 Firdous 24892674 Congo 00242 Morocco 00212 Cook Islands 00682 Mozambique 00258 Omariya 24719048 Costa Rica 00506 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 N Khaitan 24710044 Croatia 00385 Namibia 00264 Cuba 0053 Nepal 00977 Fintas 23900322 Cyprus 00357 Netherlands (Holland) Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 0031 Czech Republic 00420 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Denmark 0045 New Caledonia 00687 Diego Garcia 00246 New Zealand 0064 PRIVATE CLINICS Djibouti 00253 Nicaragua 00505 Dominica 001767 Nigar 00227 Dominican Republic 001809 Nigeria 00234 Ecuador 00593 Niue 00683 Egypt 0020 Norfolk Island 00672 El Salvador 00503 Northern Ireland (UK) Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Ophthalmologists Endocrinologist England (UK) 0044 0044 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Equatorial Guinea 00240 North Korea 00850 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Eritrea 00291 Norway 0047 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Estonia 00372 Oman 00968 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Ethiopia 00251 Pakistan 0092 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Falkland Islands 00500 Palau 00680 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Faroe Islands 00298 Panama 00507 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Fiji 00679 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Finland 00358 Paraguay 00595 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 (1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 France 0033 Peru 0051 French Guiana 00594 Philippines 0063 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, Rheumatologists: French Polynesia 00689 Poland 0048 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 FRCS (Canada) 25655535 Gabon 00241 Portugal 00351 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dentists Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Gambia 00220 Puerto Rico 001787 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Georgia 00995 Qatar 00974 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Germany 0049 Romania 0040 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ghana 00233 Russian Federation 007 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Gibraltar 00350 Rwanda 00250 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Greece 0030 Saint Helena 00290 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Greenland 00299 Saint Kitts 001869 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Grenada 001473 Saint Lucia 001758 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Guadeloupe 00590 Saint Pierre 00508 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Guam 001671 Saint Vincent 001784 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Guatemala 00502 Samoa US 00684 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Guinea 00224 Samoa West 00685 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Guyana 00592 San Marino 00378 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Haiti 00509 Sao Tone 00239 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Saudi Arabia 00966 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Honduras 00504 Scotland (UK) 0044 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Hong Kong 00852 Senegal 00221 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Hungary 0036 Seychelles 00284 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sierra Leone 00232 Soor Center Iceland 00354 Singapore 0065 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 India 0091 Slovakia 00421 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 Indian Ocean 00873 Slovenia 00386 Indonesia 0062 Solomon Islands 00677 lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 MUSIC & MOVIES Star says ‘Walking Dead’ changed her temperament pending your days killing picking up hobbies or whatever,’ but zombies apparently takes its remembering how to have frivolity This image Stoll. Actress Lauren Cohan said as well has been difficult,” the 32- released by being on AMC’s “The Walking Dead” year-old actress said. Cohan said Paramount for three seasons has had an effect that in some ways, she feels that Pictures shows on her. “My temperament has she’s changed for the better Emma Watson in a changed since I’ve been on the because she doesn’t have as many scene from show because of being immersed in highs and lows as she used to, but ‘Noah.’ — AP this dark material all the time,” adds that she now has a “serious Cohan said in a recent interview. feeling in my heart” that she some- Cohan plays Maggie Greene on the times wishes wasn’t there. Maggie post-apocalyptic zombie drama. So and her husband were reunited in A Minute With: far this season Maggie has seen her the show’s penultimate episode. father beheaded, was separated Now the couple and a host of other from her husband and doesn’t characters are headed for Terminus, Emma Watson on how know whether her sister Beth is which promises “sanctuary for all. alive, dead or undead. Those who arrive survive.” Is that a Cohan said that while she loves good thing? Cohan isn’t giving Hogwarts prepped her for ‘Noah’ the show, it’s sometimes difficult to away any spoilers for the season separate herself from her character finale, which airs Sunday (9 pm fter spending a decade at the Hogwarts Q: Did you do any reading on your charac- and that she’s become more “sub- EDT). “It sounds too good to be school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the ter of Ila outside of the script? dued.” “You come out of doing the true,” Cohan said, adding that like A“Harry Potter” film franchise, actress A: I actually didn’t do a lot of reading, but I did show when you’re like, ‘OK, remem- everything else on the show, “It This undated image released by AMC shows Lauren Cohan as Maggie Emma Watson put her magical training to good a lot a research because I become a mother in the ber how to relax and remember probably is.” — AP Greene, left, in a scene from ‘The Walking Dead. — AP use for her first big budget post-Potter role, in story, and obviously have never given birth biblical action blockbuster “Noah.” In director myself. That required quite a lot of careful think- Darren Aronofsky’s movie, out in US and ing. Darren and I had this conversation where we Canadian theaters on Friday, Watson plays Ila, both agreed that in so many films, women give ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’ storms the wife of Noah’s eldest son, Shem, who is birth and it looks like they’re barely breaking a played by Douglas Booth. sweat. We wanted it to feel very raw, very real and The film distributed by Viacom Inc’s so I took it pretty seriously. Paramount Pictures stars Russell Crowe as the Europe - is ‘Avengers’ effect still in play? ark-building Noah and Jennifer Connelly as his Q: Did you talk to anybody about what it’s wife, Naameh, in a dark, psychological reimagin- like to give birth? aptain America: The Winter Soldier” ing “The Winter Soldier” overseas a week ahead Soldier. Given that story line, it will be interest- ing of the Old Testament flood story. Three Arab A: Any pregnant woman anywhere, I’d be storms the box office starting today, of its April 4 debut in North America. It’s track- ing to see how it plays in Russia, where it opens countries have banned the Hollywood film on like, “Can I talk to you? Can I talk to you about ‘C when Disney rolls out its third post- ing for an $80 million-plus opening, which on April 3 - particularly given the recent ten- religious grounds even before its worldwide your experience?” I spoke to my own mother a ”Avengers” Marvel superhero sequel across would be the year’s biggest domestic debut. sion between the US and Russia over Crimea. premiere and several others are expected to fol- lot, obviously, and then I watched a lot of much of Europe. If the first two post-”Avengers” “Audiences have had a lot of great exposure The film is quickly making headlines around low suit. YouTube videos of natural births, lots of docu- films (“Iron Man 3” and “Thor: The Dark World”) with the introduction of Captain America in the globe, as its stars build buzz attending red- Oxfordshire, England-native Watson, 23, mentaries, spoke to midwives, just any informa- are an indicator, the follow up to “Captain the 2011 film and an integral role in ‘Marvel’s carpet premieres last week in London and Paris spoke to Reuters about how the “Harry Potter” tion I could get my hands on, really. America: The First Avenger” should out-gross The Avengers,’ which is the third biggest film of - all ahead of a stop in China. films prepared her for the physically punishing the original by plenty. Especially if it receives a all time,” Disney distribution chief Dave Hollis Reviews are also in “Winter Soldier’s” box- role, the challenge of realistically portraying Q: Ila is unable to conceive initially, but childbirth on screen and working with a cast of then is made fertile by a miracle. Was there boost from the 2012 blockbuster “Marvel’s The told TheWrap Tuesday. “The Marvel films are office favor; they’ve have been especially veteran actors. anything in particular you tried to emphasize Avengers.” Disney is betting that it will, open- like interlocking puzzle pieces, so we expect to strong for a superhero movie. And there is still of her psyche? see increased interest.” The original 2011 film room to grow. But both Disney and the indus- Q: “Noah” marks your return to large- A: I guess just her self-doubt. ... Ila is barren, was a hit. “Captain America,” distributed by try are keeping an eye on how the film plays in scale spectacle films, do you approach your she can’t have children, and she doesn’t want to Paramount and produced for $140 million, European markets. “Captain America: The First role any differently than you did while mak- deprive her future husband of being able to opened to an impressive $65 million in North Avenger” did just OK in Europe. The leading ing the “Harry Potter” series? have kids and to have a family. There’s this real America. It went on to take in $176 million market was the UK, where it brought in $14.7 A: I remember being on set and Darren was wrestling match within her. She’s so in love with domestically and another $194 million from million, followed by France ($10.2 million), Italy saying, “Okay, the water is going to be cold, him and she kind of sacrifices her own happi- overseas. ($8.6 million) and Spain ($7.7 million). we’re probably going to be here for a full day, ness for his, and that struggle and self-doubt felt That was pre-”Avengers,” though - and that “The first film was pretty soft in Europe,” try and conserve your energy between takes, very relatable to me. 2012 film’s $1.5 billion global haul greatly said Bruce Nash, founder of box office tracking like keep warm and make sure you eat properly. changed the game for all subsequent films in service The Numbers. “I think it will do much This is going to be physically very demanding.” Q: What attracted you to the role in the Marvel’s cinematic universe. “Iron Man 3” and better than that this time around, thanks to For a minute I felt very intimidated and then first place? “Dark World” played more like follow-ups to ‘The Avengers,’ but my benchmark would be there’s something about having done those A: I was a huge fan of Darren’s films. I loved Joss Whedon’s team-up film than their origi- for an opening around $10 million in the UK” “Harry Potter” films and they were very physical. “Requiem for a Dream.” “The Fountain” is one of nals. “Iron Man 3,” the first Marvel movie after “First Avenger’s” biggest foreign markets We did a lot of stuff in Scotland. It was freezing my favorite movies of all-time, “The Wrestler,” “The Avengers,” nearly doubled the $623 mil- proved to be in Latin America. It brought in cold, filming at four in the morning, working “Black Swan.” So, you know, even before you lion worldwide haul of “Iron Man 2” with $1.21 $20.6 million from Brazil and $20.2 million crazy hours. read the script, you’re intrigued because his billion. And last November, the Thor sequel from Mexico. The bulk of the rollouts for those It’s kind of comforting in a way to know that work speaks for itself, really. And then having markets will come on April 4, the same week- in some senses, nothing will be as hard as that read the script, I loved my role. She’s got such a brought in $644 globally, compared to the again, and I’m pretty prepared for most things huge heart. She’s very wise, very relatable, and $449 million that Kenneth Brannagh’s original end that “The Winter Soldier” opens in China people can throw at me, whether it be animals, then you hear about the cast, it’s like Russell film took in. and Russia. water, stunts, CGI (computer-generated Crowe and Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jennifer Chris Evans returns as the red-white-and- Another aspect of the “Avengers” effect? imagery), whatever it is. It was a very good Connelly and Ray Winstone. And you realize that blue crusader Steve Rogers in “Winter Soldier,” The Marvel blockbuster seems to be offset- school in a way and set me up very well for this it’s the opportunity to work with people who which carries a $170 million production budg- ting any worries that foreign exhibitors’ might kind of environment and this kind of pressure. really are at the top of their game. — Reuters et. Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, have about an anti-American backlash. When Anthony Mackie and Robert Redford co-star. the original came out, Paramount gave over- The screenwriters are Christopher Markus and seas distributors the option of calling it “The Stephen McFeely (“Thor: The Dark World”), First Avenger,” rather than “Captain America: working from a story by comic book writer Ed The First Avenger.” Only three countries - Brubaker, and the directors are Anthony Russo Russia, Ukraine and South Korea - opted to go Actress Scarlett Johansson, center, stands and Joe Russo, taking over for Joe Johnston. with the shorter handle. Disney’s Hollis said with Samuel L Jackson, left, and Chris Evans he didn’t have any concerns about that. “Our during a publicity event ahead of the April Embracing the modern world regional teams know their markets best, so release of the movie ‘Captain America: The The plot features Rogers struggling to we defer to their expertise when it comes to Winter Soldier’ in Beijing, China, Monday, embrace his role in the modern world, while titling our films for international territories,” March 24, 2014. — AP battling the Soviet agent known as the Winter he said. — Reuters MTV Movie Awards: ‘Fault in Stars’ Woodley and Elgort to present

he MTV Movie Awards has added “Fault in through Saturday, April 12. Stars” co-stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel This will be the second year in which MTV will TElgort to its growing list of presenters for hold the awards in April. Last year’s awards the award show airing live on Sunday, April 13 at attracted 3.8 million viewers and averaged 4.8 9:00 pm from LA’s Nokia Theatre. Additionally, the million viewers, airing across Viacom’s family of network will air a new preview from the movie networks (MTV, VH1, MTV2 and Logo). Last year’s ahead of the telecast. Watch a new teaser above. show also saw an increase of 20 percent over the This April 15, 2012 file photo shows Eminem performing at the 2012 Coachella Valley The actors join previously announced presen- previous year in MTV’s target demographic of Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. — AP photos ters “The Other Woman” stars Cameron Diaz, viewers ages 12-34. Leslie Mann and Kate Upton. Also, “Entourage” Den of Thieves’ Jesse Ignjatovic, who just stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara joined “American Idol” as an executive producer, and Kevin Dillon will present the MTV Generation will return to serve as executive producer of this Eminem, Outkast top Award to Mark Wahlberg, a producer on both the year’s show. HBO series and its upcoming movie. Conan He’s joined by executive producers Garrett O’Brien will host the awards, which will be award- English, also the executive in charge for MTV, Lee 2014 Lollapalooza lineup ed by fan vote at www.MovieAwards.MTV.com Lodge and Jen Jones. — Reuters Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort minem and Outkast will headline a diverse The full lineup is available on Lollapalooza’s lineup of more than 130 acts at this year’s website. Last year’s lineup included The Cure, Ethree-day Lollapalooza music festival in Mumford & Sons, The Killers and Nine Inch Nails. Chicago, Jane’s Addiction lead singer and Eminem last played Lollapalooza in 2011. “He’s Streep to star in Demme Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell announced on top of his game and he’s doing a great show,” yesterday. The lineup also includes recent Farrell said. “His live show is incorporating really Grammy darling Lorde, rockers Kings of Leon well-made video and guest appearances.” and Arctic Monkeys and electronic dance music Outkast announced earlier this year that they movie written by Cody stars Calvin Harris and Skrillex. “Every year you’re were coming off hiatus and performing more shooting to have just an incredible bill that peo- than 40 festival dates in 2014. Pop fans will be excited for Lorde, whose hit “Royals” won song of the year and best pop solo ollywood is salivating over a red-hot package making the rounds performance at this year’s Grammy Awards. that has Jonathan Demme attached to direct a Diablo Cody script, “She’s got a love affair going with her audience,” Hwith none other than Meryl Streep attached to star, an individual Farrell said. “They scream and howl for her.” familiar with the project told TheWrap. Representatives for Demme and Farrell works each year to curate a lineup. This Cody did not immediately respond to requests for comment. year he said it wasn’t that difficult because so In “Ricky and the Flash,” Streep would play a woman who abandoned many acts want to play Lollapalooza. “It has her family when she was younger to find fame and fortune as a rock star. become the gig to get,” he said. “Getting all that Decades later, she decides to be a mother again to her estranged chil- excitement built around your band. People are dren, one of whom is going through a rough divorce. Marc Platt, who throwing themselves at us.” worked with Demme on “Rachel Getting Married,” will produce, while This year’s lineup continues the festival’s Cody’s manager, Mason Novick, is also expected to be involved in a pro- efforts at attracting international acts. Artists ducing capacity. Novick produced the Cody-scripted films “Juno” and This Aug 11, 2006 file photo shows musi- from Australia, Chile, Ireland and South Africa “Young Adult,” as well as Marc Webb’s directorial debut “(500) Days of cians Andre Benjamin, right, and Big will perform. Last year’s festival sold out at Summer.” Boi, of the musical group Outkast in Los 100,000 visitors a day, or 300,000 over the The prestige package is being shopped to studios and high-level pro- Angeles. three-day event. Three-day passes sold out on duction companies with access to financing. Universal and Fox 2000 are Tuesday. One-day passes go on sale among the studios that have expressed interest in the project, according ple will look at and say, ‘I’m there,’” Farrell said in Wednesday morning. Elton John, Kanye West to one insider. Demme and Cody won Oscars for “The Silence of the an interview. “The music is going to entertain and Jack White will headline this summer’s Lambs” and “Juno,” respectively, while Streep has three Academy Awards them and do wonders for their heart and so is Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. OutKast will the city.” also headline the Coachella Valley Music and on her mantle. Demme previously worked with the acclaimed actress on This year marks the festival’s 10-year anniver- Arts Festival in April along with Arcade Fire and the “Manchurian Candidate” remake. CAA reps Streep, while WME reps sary in Chicago’s lakefront Grant Park. This year Muse at the festival that plays over two week- Demme and Cody, who are respectively managed by LBI Entertainment acts will perform on eight stages from Aug 1-3. ends in Indio, Calif. — AP Meryl Streep and MXN. — Reuters LIFESTYLE37 THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 MUSIC & MOVIES Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin call it quits

scar-winning actress Gwyneth And in a wide-ranging interview with Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Harpers Bazaar last April, Paltrow admitted File photo shows rap singer Suboi performing at an event in Ho Chi Minh city. — AFP photos OMartin announced their separation her marriage to Martin was sometimes on Tuesday, signaling the end of the A-list challenging. “We are growing into very sim- couple’s 11-year marriage. In a statement ilar people,” she said. “It’s cool, it’s good. It’s Breaking bad: entitled “Conscious Uncoupling” posted on not always easy though!” Paltrow’s lifestyle website Goop.com, the In a separate June interview, however, stars said they had decided to “remain sepa- Paltrow hinted at strains. “It’s hard being rate” after battling unsuccessfully to save married,” Paltrow said. “You go through their marriage over the past year. “It is with great times, you go through terrible times. Vietnam’s female rap stars hearts full of sadness that we have decided We’re the same as any couple. “I asked my to separate,” said the couple, who moved Dad once, ‘How did you and (Mom) stay n a land of simpering karaoke stars, Vietnam’s deals with Pepsi and KFC. pers in a male-dominated industry she is always back to Los Angeles recently after spending married for 33 years?’ And he said, ‘Well, we first female rappers are foul-mouthed queens “Women! You can do it, get out of the shadow trying to prove herself-but she also has little several years in London. never wanted to get divorced at the same of the lyrical underground-battling govern- of men and do whatever you want to do... time for the ego-driven competitiveness of the “We have been working hard for well time.’ And I think that’s what happens. I ment censorship and rampant piracy to spit flow Nobody has the right to judge you,” Kimmese underground scene. “Other rappers, they’re over a year, some of it together, some of it “When two people throw in the towel at the and make dough. Hip-hop is a new import to the said, in her near-flawless American-accented more underground, they think they’re like super- separated, to see what might have been same time, then you break up, but if one communist country of some 90 million, where English, learned from rap songs. She has recently stars... But I’m sorry, I can talk about the truth possible between us, and we have come to person’s saying, ‘Come on, we can do this,’ society is still dominated by conservative values. come out, and thrown her support behind the without swearing. I can go another way. the conclusion that, while we love each you carry on.” Young women producing profanity-laced rap campaign to legalize gay marriage in Vietnam. other very much, we will remain separate.” about partying and getting high raises eye- Seeing Kimmese perform was what inspired Ho Sending a message Paltrow, 41, and Martin, 37, have two ‘Ups and downs’ brows. Chi Minh City-based Suboi to start rapping. “I want to show that women can be strong, young children, Apple, nine, and Moses, In another interview Paltrow, whose pre- But having shot to fame at 14 as Vietnam’s She joined a school friend’s rock band which like it’s not just guys can do rap,” she said. After a seven, and appealed for privacy as they vious boyfriends included Brad Pitt and Ben first mainstream rap act, Kimmese performed Linkin Park covers, learning her pro- bad experience with a possessive, violent navigated their break-up. Affleck, suggested that managing two artis- SpaceSpeakers-who discovered the genre boyfriend, she also wants to send a message to “We are, however, and always will be a tic temperaments in one household was the through a single Bone Thugs-n-Harmony song young Vietnamese women-in a country where family,” the couple said. “We are parents first couple’s biggest challenge. “Artists are sen- on a karaoke VCD-is nonchalant about her noto- domestic violence is widespread and remains and foremost, to two incredibly wonderful sitive; there are ups and downs, mood-wise. riety. “I do what I want,” said the singer, 23, who taboo-that they do not have to accept it. Read children and we ask for their and our space Musicians need a certain gravitas and focus has given up on Vietnamese record labels and is between the lines Suboi’s lyrics are often coded. and privacy to be respected at this difficult in order to write,” she said. The break-up releasing her second studio album independent- “We cannot say something super straight. You time.” The statement-signed “Love, Gwyneth comes after a challenging year for Paltrow, ly. “None of them can produce me now... they have to read between the lines,” she said. “You & Chris”-was accompanied by an old photo who reacted furiously upon learning that don’t understand my music,” she said. Kimmese can’t talk about drugs, you can’t talk about sex... of the couple, smiling as they lounged on Vanity Fair magazine was planning a story took a four-year career break at 17, a hiatus she people don’t want to hear it, actually, because grass. Soon after the statement went online, rumored to be an “epic takedown” of the says was spent mostly drunk and partying, and government don’t want to hear it,” she said, Goop.com crashed for several hours after actress. Vanity Fair later spiked the article. then re-emerged as a powerful R&B vocalist adding that she has no desire to take on the sys- being overwhelmed with visitors. Paltrow, Paltrow and Martin reportedly met back- straddling Vietnam’s musical underground and tem for now. “I have a lot of rage in me about the who co-stars in the billion-dollar block- stage at a Coldplay concert in late 2002, mainstream. country (but) if I say something about govern- buster “Iron Man” movies, won a Best after the singer asked an assistant to She cuts an unusual figure in her native ment I might be in a bad way.” Both Kimmese Actress Oscar in 1999 for her role in arrange a meeting with the actress. The fol- Hanoi, Vietnam’s conservative communist capi- and Suboi have a massive social media presence “Shakespeare in Love.” lowing year, the couple tied the knot in a tal: strikingly beautiful, she is covered in tatoos with hundreds of thousands of followers on secret ceremony in California soon after with waist-length green hair. It is an image that Facebook. They regularly perform overseas but Show of affection announcing they were expecting their first chimes with her broader message, she said. “In say it is hard to get concerts in Vietnam. As recently as January, the couple had child together. British singer Martin found- Vietnam, if men have tattoos, it’s cool. But if a Most major concerts in Vietnam feature state- been seen cuddling affectionately together ed Coldplay with a university friend in 1996 woman has tattoos they call you a bad girl. It’s sanctioned stars singing bland, patriotic ballads- at the Golden Globes Awards in Beverly and the band enjoyed huge critical acclaim fine to be a bad girl! Man-good girls are boring,” not rap divas talking swag and sisterhood. “I can Hills. However their marriage has been the with their first two albums “Parachutes” and she told AFP. She’s “not interested” in politics and smile, but rap is rap,” Suboi said. For Ho Hoai subject of tabloid speculation for years, “A Rush of Blood to the Head.” Since then so doesn’t rap about it, but her profanity-strewn Anh, a music producer and song writer who has with reports as recently as February indicat- the band have sold tens of millions of lyrics are groundbreaking in the authoritarian worked with both Kimmese and Suboi-who are ing that Martin was unhappy at the cou- albums. The group’s sixth album, “Ghost country where standard mainstream pop fare is friends and have featured each other in their ple’s move to Los Angeles late last year. Stories” is due for release in May. — AFP about patriotism, love and being a good girl. songs-the two female artists represent a new File photo shows rap singer Suboi speaking wave of Vietnamese musical talent. “In Swag and sisterhood during an interview with AFP. Vietnamese culture, even in the arts, women try Traditional social attitudes still dominate in and appear very understated, very feminine and Vietnam and women fall under considerable fanity-laced English along the way. Her style and gentle,” he said, adding the pair defied this norm. pressure to marry, have children and then cook lyrics have evolved: she started out wearing bag- “They have strong personalities. They express a for their husbands. Kimmese gives short shrift gy clothes and scored her first hit re-writing a desire common to many Vietnamese women: to to those expectations. “I wanna be equal! And I popular children’s song in English. Now, she have a more fulfilling professional life, to be less want to tell them (Vietnamese women) that if I dresses more elegantly. “I don’t want to be passive in general, not to be junior to men,” he can do it, then you all can do it,” said the singer, stereotyped like ‘you’re a rapper you’ve gotta said. “Their music speaks to the aspirations and who makes little money from her songs due to look like this’ but if you wanna battle me I can the realities of modern life for Vietnamese rampant piracy but has lucrative advertising freestyle,” she said. As one of the few female rap- women.” — AFP Jolie surprises CinemaCon to tout ‘Unbroken’

ngelina Jolie took to the stage at it and earned the right to direct it,” said CinemaCon, the annual convention Langley, who called Jolie “a true filmmaker.” Aof theater exhibitors, on Tuesday to “Unbroken,” to be released in December, is reveal footage from the upcoming survival based on Laura Hillenbrand’s book Mick Jagger, center, Ronnie Wood, left, and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones per- saga “Unbroken,” which she directed and “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, form during their concert at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Wednesday, Feb 26, 2014. — AP produced. “I wanted to make this film Resilience, and Redemption,” which chroni- because its message is one that we all need cles Zamperini’s life. now more than ever,” said Jolie in front of “Lou Zamperini is the toughest man I Jagger mourns girlfriend the crowd of theater owners at the Caesars have ever met,” said Jolie. “He’s a fighter and Palace in Las Vegas. Shot in Sydney last year, true hero. He is also a man of faith, full of the film tells the true story of Lou love and humility. He sounds perfect. But he Paul Walker Scott at private LA funeral Zamperini, a World War II hero and track star wasn’t always. Smoking, stealing and drink- who ran in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. ing by the time he was 9, he was convinced ʻUnsafe speedʼ caused grieving Mick Jagger bid farewell Jade, read Psalm 139, and the rocker’s grand- Zamperini, who is played by Jack O’Connell, he was worth nothing and full of darkness.” Tuesday to his fashion designer girlfriend children, Mazie and Zak, read Psalm 23 — “The spent a harrowing 47 days afloat in the The footage teased revealed affecting car crash that killed AL’Wren Scott, in a private funeral with Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Pacific Ocean following the 1943 crash of scenes of Zamperini’s struggles, from his family and celebrity friends a week after she Karis lives in Los Angeles, while Jagger’s his US military plane. He spent the follow- efforts to escape from his military plane Paul Walker - sheriff killed herself. Nicole Kidman, her husband other daughters Elizabeth and Georgia May ing two years as a prisoner of war after after it crashed into the ocean, to the beat- musician Keith Urban and rocker Bryan Adams have also been staying in town to comfort him, washing up behind Japanese enemy lines. ings her underwent as a prisoner. Jolie he fiery car accident last year that killed “Fast & were among guests for the cremation service according to media reports. The service was Developed originally by Universal added that Zamperini’s journey can remind Furious” actor Paul Walker was caused by exces- at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los held amid tight security at the Hollywood Pictures in 1957, the biopic was supposed us of what we’re capable of. “Gain strength Tsive speed and not a mechanical failure, the Los Angeles, media reports said. Former Forever Cemetery, the final resting place to to star Tony Curtis, said Universal chair- from our family, identify our fears and our Angeles County Sheriff said on Tuesday, concluding its Eurythmics star Dave Stewart played guitar for generations of celebrities including Jayne woman Donna Langley before introducing pain, come face to face with darkness and almost four-month investigation. The red Porsche a rendition of gospel hymn “Will the Circle be Mansfield, Cecil B DeMille, Rudolph Valentino Jolie. But after many false starts, the project never give up,” she said. “Unbroken” is the Carrera GT sports car driven by Walker’s friend Roger Unbroken,” sung by veteran Rolling Stones and Douglas Fairbanks. Jagger had been with never took shape. It wasn’t until Zamperini’s second time Jolie has directed a feature. The Rodas, 38, was traveling at speeds of 80 to 93 miles per backing singer Bernard Fowler, said the Rolling Scott for 13 years. The model-turned-fashion story caught the attention of Jolie, that the 2011 war drama “In the Land of Blood and hour (129 to 150 kilometers per hour) before Rodas Stones frontman’s spokesman. designer was 49. Last Wednesday a coroner film really began to evolve. “She fought for Honey” was her first. — AP lost control of the car and crashed into trees and a util- Jagger, 70, who flew to Los Angeles to be confirmed that Scott had hanged herself. close to his daughters last week after postpon- The 70-year-old singer has not been seen in ity pole in Santa Clarita, California, northwest of Los ing a Stones tour of Australia and New Zealand, public since hearing the tragic news, but in a Angeles. arrived in a blacked-out SUV at the cemetery, blog post on his website a day after Scott was Angelina Jolie, director of “Investigators determined the cause of the fatal closed for the day. “A small private gathering of found dead he described her as not only his the upcoming film solo-vehicle collision was unsafe speed for the road- family and close friends attended a funeral lover but his best friend. “I am still struggling to ‘Unbroken,’ makes a way conditions,” Los Angeles County Sheriff service for L’Wren Scott today” at the understand how my lover and best friend surprise appearance Commander Mike Parker said in a statement. Walker, Hollywood Forever Funeral Home, which is in could end her life in this tragic way,” he wrote onstage to introduce a 40, died from traumatic injuries and burns while Rodas the cemetery grounds, Jagger’s spokesman under a post entitled “L’Wren”, featuring a black trailer for the film during a died of multiple traumatic injuries in the one-car crash said. Scott, who committed suicide in New and white photo of Scott. “I will never forget Universal Pictures studio on Nov. 30, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office York last Monday, was cremated, spokesman her.” Last week a spokesman for the late fashion presentation at CinemaCon determined in January. Bernard Doherty told AFP after the ceremony. designer hit back at suggestions that her busi- 2014 on Tuesday Walker was in the process of filming “Fast & Furious The roughly hour-long service with bless- ness was in financial trouble before her suicide. in Las Vegas. — AP 7” at the time and production was halted a few days ings and prayers included “memories and Scott’s label LS Fashion Ltd reported losses of later. No drugs or alcohol were found in the bodies of words of tribute” from Jagger and Scott’s broth- $5.9 million as of December 31, 2012 according Walker and Rodas. The investigation determined that er Randy Bambrough, he said in a statement. to accounts lodged with Britain’s Companies both were wearing seatbelts, and driver and passen- Also there were talent agent Justinian Kfoury, House in October obtained by AFP. But a ger airbags had deployed. Universal Pictures said in costume designer Ira M Hammons-Glass and spokesman for Scott insisted the company’s December that the release of the seventh installment Adam Glassman, creative director of Oprah prospects were good, saying: “Although some in the highly lucrative franchise would be pushed Winfrey’s magazine O, the Oprah Magazine. areas of the business had not yet reached their back by nine months to April 2015. Walker will appear Poems were read by Jagger’s daughter Karis, as potential, other parts of her business were in the film. — Reuters well as actress Ellen Barkin. Another daughter, proving successful.” — AFP lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Fashion

Campbell not impressed by Kardashian and West’s VOGUE cover aomi Campbell has hinted she isn’t impressed by Kim it’s a build in your career, it’s a stepping stone to achieve that. show the pair cuddling up to their nine-month-old baby Kardashian and Kanye West’s VOGUE cover. The super- “And you know I’m a fashion model so what more can I say.” North. Meanwhile, Naomi also recently slammed Nicole Nmodel, who has appeared on the front of the US mag- Kylie then asked her: “So you think Kim and Kanye haven’t Trunfio, her fellow mentor on modeling show ‘The Face azine numerous times during her 28-year career, spoke about earned the right to be on the cover?” Naomi thought careful- Australia’. She said: “‘Nicole was disrespectful, in a sense the controversial cover featuring the reality star and her rap- ly about her reply and insisted it was down to VOGUE editor where instead of trying to get to know me she said I wasn’t a per husband on Australia’s ‘The Morning Show’ yesterday Anna Wintour to know what’s right for the magazine. She model of now. “And at the time when she said it I was on four (25.03.14). When host Kylie Gillies asked the 43-year-old said: “Those are your words, I’m being politically correct. magazine covers around the world, two of them being beauty what she thought about the cover, she started laugh- That’s Anna Wintour’s choice to put them on the cover of her VOGUE.” — Bang Showbiz ing and replied: “I’m a fashion model ... I do not want to com- magazine, who’s to question it?” The cover features Kim in a ment.” She then added: “Because I’m a fashion model and I’ve wedding dress as the couple prepare for their upcoming been working for 28 years and when you get a VOGUE cover wedding in May and further images inside the magazine

Ashley Roberts is a big fan Green’s new shoe of Lupita Nyong’o’s style collection inspired he former Pussycat Dolls singer has been girl crush- new range is its universal appeal. Ashley explained: “I think ing on the Oscar-winning ‘12 Years a Slave’ actress’ there’s just a little bit of everything in the collection - occa- Tstandout looks on the red carpet since she burst onto sions, prom, bridesmaids dresses, date night dresses, going the scene earlier this year. Speaking at the launch of KEY on a holiday. There’s a little bit of something in there for Fashion’s Spring Summer 2014 collection yesterday, Ashley every girl, every shape, every size.” The blonde bombshell by her travels exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “Lupita’s just gorgeous! She will also be incorporating some of catwalk’s key spring has an inner glow about her as well, she shines bright from trends into her wardrobe in the warmer months. She said: the inside. She’s not afraid to wear fun, bright colors, like “I definitely think I’ll be adding in pastel colors, and bold that really beautiful blue she wore at the Oscars. That’s prints are happening right now. Adding in the acid blue hloe Green’s new shoe collection was what’s cool about KEY Fashion too. There’s a lot of beauti- wash of the jean that’s ripped, I feel that would be really inspired by her travels. The Topshop ful, flowing dresses in the new collection.” Ashley has been fun.” The KEY Collection is available from www.keyfash- Cheiress has revealed her impressed by British fashion since moving over to the UK ion.co.uk from March 25, 2014, with prices starting from Spring/Summer 2014 footwear line was influ- full-time after falling in love with London living. £80.00. — Bang Showbiz enced by her globe-trotting lifestyle, with the Listing her new style icons, she enthused: “Kate Moss, 24-year-old designer naming each pair of cov- obviously, she’s fabulous. Rita Ora can go real out there etable green-soled heels after a place she vis- with her fashion, but then there’s some stuff that she does ited across the Atlantic, from Upper East to Rio that just love, I think it’s so cool and funky. And Rosie de Janeiro. She told the MailOnline: “I have Huntington-Whiteley, I’m a little obsessed with her.” The 32- been travelling a lot to get inspiration for my year-old star fronts KEY Fashion’s new collection of pastel range. I’ve spent time in the States and South prom and party dresses as well as full-length gowns per- America to get an idea of the markets out fect for every occasion, and says the best thing about the there.” Chloe - whose father is billionaire Sir Philip Green - made sure to stay true to her own aes- thetic and personal tastes as well as taking inspiration from what’s hot on the catwalk for her latest Chloe Jade Green range. She explained: “I am following the trend for lower heels this season but I didn’t take much inspi- ration from the catwalks because I always want to base my designs on what I’d wear myself. I don’t want to lose what’s me.” Despite having a wardrobe brimming with designer pieces, Chloe insists she is a high street girl at heart. She added: “I would say I’m edgy chic but effortlessly put together. I love Givenchy and YSL and high street wise, I usu- ally shop in Topshop and I love Zara at the moment.” Chloe’s shoe line is now available from CJG.com, Selfridges.com and Topshop.com. — Bang Showbiz

Bi-annual China Fashion Week

Models parade creations of ‘Fur Fashion Collection A/W 2014/2015’ during the bi-annual China Fashion Week in Beijing yesterday. The biannual China Fashion Week is being held in Beijing from March 25 to 31. — AP/AFP photos lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Fashion

Models parading cre- ations of “SEC QiGang Collection” designed by Qi Gang.

Richie launches Tom Ford has launched an first House of Harlow e-commerce site

1960 clothing line he designer’s website tomford.com is offering a selec- tion of items including handbags, leather goods, icole Richie has launched her first clothing line for footwear, jewelry, eyewear and the Tom Ford Beauty cos- House of Harlow 1960. The reality star has finally T metics and fragrance ranges from today onwards. He com- Nunveiled her brand’s first ready-to-wear line after years mented: “I have waited patiently to introduce e-commerce of fans clamoring for the accessories designer and style icon until I felt the foundation of the brand was well established to branch out into clothing. She said in a statement: “It’s been offline. We now have 98 retail locations worldwide and the so gratifying to see the fan base that has grown for our acces- online store is an extension of them: it is a beautiful online sories over the years, so I’m thrilled to provide our loyal cus- space that carries exceptionally crafted, hand made products tomers with fashion to complete their look. It’s exciting that and offers superlative service.” While the current online range House of Harlow 1960 is now one step closer to being a com- is focused on accessories, the designer’s ready-to-wear collec- plete lifestyle brand.” Nicole’s new clothing collection is per- tions will be available in the future. fectly in keeping with her bohemian style, and features laid- The move has been a long time coming for Tom, who has back dresses, printed camisoles and loose trousers. been vocal about the negative impact of the web on the fash- Prices are in the $60 to $300 bracket and the range is avail- ion industry in the past. He commented four years ago: “The able at HouseofHarlow1960.com. The star previously revealed way the system works now, you see the clothes, within an that her husband, Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden, isn’t a hour or so they’re online, the world sees them. They don’t get fan of her experimenting with her look and prefers her to keep to a store for six months. “The next week, young celebrity girls it simple when it comes to clothes. She said: “I have found that are wearing them on red carpets. They’re in every magazine. men don’t like too many bells and whistles. They’re not into The customer is bored with those clothes by the time they get hats or red lipstick. They’re more drawn to simplicity... and a to the store.”— Bang Showbiz short skirt. Shocker.”— Bang Showbiz Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin call it quits

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 37

File photo shows the work ‘Sleep’ by Greek street artist SMTS is seen surrounded by graffiti tags in the Exarchia A homeless man sleeps next to work by 30-year-old Greek area of central Athens. — AP photos street artist Sonke in central Athens.

A motorcyclist passes street art in central Athens. A woman runs past the work ‘System of a Fraud’ by Greek street artist iNO, in Pedestrians walk past work by Greek street artist iNO, at an exhibition space central Athens. created out of an old gasworks on central Pireos Street in Athens. Greek graffiti artists spray thoughts

ncient Greeks chiseled Greece’s deep financial crisis. their messages, often rude Vacant storefronts, acres of shut- Aor boastful, into marble. ters reinforced against rioters are They would probably be amazed the canvases that have helped how the illicit art form has attract artists from Greece and evolved in the country’s capital abroad to spray their thoughts in centuries later. Graffiti covers Athens. entire buildings, trains, and is dis- Mindless tagging this is not: respectfully scrawled on the stat- Violent confrontations with police, ues of respected ancestors. The stateless children of immigrants, vandals are often graduates of and the rise of a political party Greece’s fine arts schools, who whose leaders were inspired by have sometimes spun their street Nazi Germany are among the art into commissions. issues turned into art. — AP Loudly expressing opinions is a national pastime that has only The work ‘Moment’ by Greek street artist SMTS is seen surrounded by grown more raucous during the graffiti tags in the Exarchia are of central Athens. social upheaval caused by

An anti-austerity work of street art featuring the Dalton Brothers from the Belgian comic ‘Lucky Luke’ is seen in the Exarchia area of central Athens.

A motorcyclist passes the work ‘Access Control’ by Greek street artist iNO, on central Pireos Street. A woman walks past the work ‘capture’ by Indonesian-born street artist WD.

Graffiti is seen in a shuttered shopping arcade in central Athens. A building front is decorated by the work of London-based street artist Alex A building front is decorated by the work of London-based street artist Alex Martinez, is seen in central Athens. Martinez, is seen in central Athens.