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www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16472- Friday, March 27, 2015 Another Gulf war?
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SANAA: A Houthi Shiite fighter stands guard as people search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi airstrikes near Sanaa Airport yesterday. (Inset) Saudi Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz (left) and Crown Prince and Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz (center) arrive for a meeting with Saudi air forces officers. — AFP Sheikh Ahmad apologizes to end videotapes saga
By A Staff Reporter In a brief statement on state-run their families. Kuwait television, Sheikh Ahmad The surprising turn of events came KUWAIT: Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al- expressed deep regrets and apologies for just a day after a heated assembly debate Sabah yesterday unexpectedly ended the the Amir and the crown prince and the over the issue in which speaker Marzouk one-year saga over the so-called coup judiciary in addition to the two former Al-Ghanem and several MPs called for plot videotapes by offering an apology to senior officials he accused of plotting a taking severe legal actions against Sheikh the country’s leaders and to the men he coup—former premier Sheikh Nasser Ahmad, a senior member of the ruling accused saying the documents and tapes Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and ex- family. he got turned out to be fake. assembly speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi and Continued on Page 9 Local FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Local Spotlight Happy birthday Twitter!
By Muna Al-Fuzai
witter celebrated its ninth birthday last week. The of Twitter users. In March 2012, 88 percent of tweets religious controversy. Some young people rush to make Tservice was made available to the public on July 15, from the Arab region came from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, judgments over official decisions, and they fall into the 2006, and since then, this social media app has UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. trap of legal violations and imprisonment. They learn been a hotbed of controversy, breaking news and indi- Twitter unfortunately has a few negative aspects. It is their lessons the hard way and must understand that vidual inputs. Unfortunately, it has also become a reason used as a source to spread false information, propagan- freedom should be exercised responsibly and there are to send activists to prison, especially in Arab countries da and hate speech, which can easily be believed by limits to this freedom. including Kuwait. inexperienced Twitter users. Rumors on Twitter reflect a The application has made it easy for people to com- Marking the occasion, Twitter wrote in a blog post: moral and cultural problem. municate with each other around the world freely and “At our nine-year mark, we continue to believe that Twitter increased in popularity during the Arab revo- benefit from their views and ideas, but at the same time, Twitter is what it is because of the people who use it”. lutions in 2011 as it was an efficient tool to organize ral- things can transform from a heated debate to a gladiato- The company added that “Twitter reflects both the lies and demonstrations. In Kuwait, Twitter has had a rial arena. This is especially true in Arab societies, world at large and the world immediately around us”. huge impact over political and social decision-making. because we are not accustomed to accept the opinions This was a clever note - after all, it is all about us and how During the 2012 National Assembly election campaign, it of others on topics such as democracy, freedom and cul- we use this tool and its popular features like hashtags. became a key component in spats between candidates. tural differences. I prefer Twitter over other social media sites because The problems started when some corrupt candidates For Kuwait, Twitter is more like an electronic it’s faster than any other application in spreading news hired people to create fake Twitter profiles to spread diwaniya, and everyone is still training to accept the and following up views. It is an open yard for all to unverified information and petty rumors against their opinions and dissent of others. It will take time, but express ideas regardless of their location or age. Also, as opponents. Kuwait being a small, passionate country in eventually, our days will not be complete without this a columnist, I believe Twitter provides unique access to terms of electoral districts, it was no surprise that these unique social media app. global events that reach people all around the world. In fake profiles mislead the public on several occasions. Thank you Twitter and happy birthday! the Arab world, Gulf states occupy the top five positions Twitter at times becomes an arena of political and Local FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Just kiddin’, seriously To my readers
person would have his/her own favorite sec- By Sahar Moussa tion to read. They used to browse me page by page, searching with interest and curiosi- ty for news as if they were searching for pirate treasure. I felt their enjoyment and excitement. I accompanied them wherever [email protected] they went; they cherished me by holding me under their arm or pockets. They took me still remember those days when the print- where ever they went, in their cars, trains Iing press was invented. I will never forget and buses. I built strong connections with the first time I smelled the ink and the people all over the world ever since I came metal of the machine and was brought to alive. life. How can I forget the hands of the men But today, I’m afraid that things have who gathered me page by page with care changed. Unfortunately, as days passed and and love? I contributed in spreading news as our world became dominated by technol- and helping people know about the things ogy, my world began crumbling until I began happening around them. I shared the good to teeter on the edge of extinction. I joined and bad news with them. I felt their pain, dis- the list of endangered species. appointments and even failures. But I also I was superseded by social media and shared their joy, successes and victories. I abandoned for the sophisticated ‘e-paper’. was like a member of every household - join- You can read the ‘e-paper’ on big computers, ing the family in their debates and argu- laptops and almost on all kinds of smart- ments. I snooped into people’s privacy and phones. The internet is a must in order to shared some of the intimate moments. I read the ‘e-paper’ online or else you can’t started wars and brokered peacemaking. I read it. helped in building political empires, but also I have no doubt that reading an ‘e-paper’ was capable of bringing them down. is easier and you can get news faster. But it is People used to do rituals when they held also as cold as any machine you touch. It between a ‘newspaper’ or ‘e-paper’ is like tidbits on their smartphone but for the full me. Either they bought me from kiosks on lacks the intimacy and the rituals of choosing between a real friend or a robot. depth of a story, they still turn to me. My the street or found me thrown on their front newsprint blackening your fingers. Above all, Which would you prefer? legacy is also my future. People still want the doorstep in the early morning hours. The first if for some reason there is no internet, the ‘e- Luckily, it’s not only nostalgia that is win- human touch of the news in front of them at thing they used to do was to check my front paper’ will fail you. I’m not defending myself, ning back readers. Slowly people are grow- the breakfast table. I may not be in vogue, page. Since people vary in their tastes, each but I never failed anyone before. Choosing ing sick of the e-paper. They may like quick but I will never go out of style. Salam Local FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Kuwait’s love for the beautiful game
By Aakash Bakaya answered almost immediately when Madrid equalized with a brilliant play. If the place nearly took off earlier, it now here was a special buzz in the air on Sunday. Phone certainly exploded. It was like a firecracker burst next to my Tcalls were constantly being made, texts were rapidly ear - a kid in front of me jumped up from his chair and exchanged and meeting spots were being decided. If started punching the air like a crazy person. He finished his you were a football fan, there was no way you were sitting at celebration by throwing a crumpled tissue from his hand home, because it was one of world football’s biggest nights - all the way across the café. The last 20 minutes of the first Barcelona vs Real Madrid, the coveted ‘El Clasico’. Few sport- half were electrifying, and now it was the Barcelona fans ing events manage to live up to their lofty expectations, but who were uneasy - not only were they on the back foot, El Clasico is the rare gem that can - and apart from the stadi- they now knew they were outnumbered in this café. ums themselves, Kuwait is a brilliant place to experience this The second half belonged to Barcelona and it was only a clash of giants. matter of time till they regained their lead. And when The Spanish football league ‘La Liga’ is tremendously Suarez shot in the winning goal to make it 2-1, it was more popular in Kuwait. English, Italian and German clubs have of a groan than an applause from the audience. Madrid’s their fans, but they are easily dwarfed by the massive fol- players were drained by the end and so were the support- lowing both Barcelona and Real Madrid share. And on the ers in the café. Cheers became insults as the clock winded days both clubs meet, Kuwait comes to a standstill and the down and when the game finally ended, Barca fans country truly gets a nightlife worth remembering. I’ve wit- friends is known for its lively nature during football games screamed in approval. nessed many Clasico clashes in my time here but this and the Clasico is a must-watch there. Thirty minutes before Exiting the café was more like leaving a music concert. encounter in particular was poised on a knife edge. the game, there were easily 70-80 people inside the café The stairs and elevators were packed and the streets were Barcelona had a slender one-point lead on their rivals and with around the same number seated outside. As the teams still buzzing even at one in the morning. Band t-shirts were this was the game that could decide who wins and loses walked onto the pitch and the cafe lights dimmed, every- replaced by football jerseys and groups were still hanging this season. Madrid was slowly re-gaining their form while one belted out a loud cheer. The excitement was intense around discussing the game and making fun of the losing Barcelona was on a scintillating run. Everything was set up and the game was well and truly on. team. Football’s most memorable night is even more so in for an amazing match, and not only did the game exceed Every pass, cross and crucial mistake were accompanied countries like Kuwait, where the passion and love for the expectations with the talent on display, but also because of by claps and boos, and when Barcelona scored the first game is such a unifying factor. Whether you’re Kuwaiti, the superb atmosphere that builds up around the country. goal, the place took off but I could feel a bigger sense of Egyptian, Indian, Lebanese or any other nationality - there From Kuwait City to Salmiya to Khaitan, every shisha café unease around me. ‘I’m pretty sure there are more Madrid is always something to love in a good game of football. and lounge was packed to the utmost limit - most places set fans here,’ I said to myself, and my thoughts were And during the ‘El Clasico’, the country truly comes alive up extra seats just for the game. The place I went to with and the cheers ring in your ears long into the night. How much is too much or too less in a tip?
By Ben Garcia
ow much is too much? How much is Htoo less? When visiting restaurants, barber shops, petrol stations and groceries - how much do you give the peo- ple who are helping you out? Most of the time, baggers in Kuwait expect you to give at least quarter dinar when pushing trolleys and carrying bags to your car. Some will give more depending on the number of bags or how satisfied you are with their service. “I give half dinar usu- ally,” a shopper said. “I don’t give less just because he helped me do something I could have easily done myself,” said the customer. Some baggers don’t expect any- thing though. “I don’t expect anything from my customers because we are not allowed to ask for tips. Even if they give 50 fils, I’ll take and simply say thank you,” said a bag- ger at a 24-hour supermarket in Salmiya. Tips are not only accepted by baggers in shopping centers, but at restaurants as well. In the United States, the unspoken rule of restaurant tipping starts from 10-17 percent of the total bill. It is commonplace and is respected by everyone. “The idea is to help out people serving your food... as in some cases their salaries depend on our tips,” one customer noted.
No Guidelines source of infighting among employees. something in return,” a customer said. pocket. Sometimes there are customers In Kuwait, the tip is never mentioned in However, in some fine-dining restaurants, a A petrol station attendant in Jabriya said who have extra cash and give it away in black and white on the restaurant menu or 10 percent service charge is included in the he takes tips because it is a small increment tips. I really appreciate this,” he said. even in hotels. “People here give depend- bill already. I don’t know if they are doing it to his measly KD 80 salary. “Yes, I expect At a popular Filipino barber shop, cus- ing on their mood. Like me, I give depend- legally here, because I know in Dubai it’s customers to give something, since most tomers usually give generous amounts - at ing on the service provided. If his or her not allowed since they want to attract for- are aware that I don’t get much from my times almost 50 percent of the bill. “My service sucks, I will not leave any fils at my eign tourists,” he said. employer. Yesterday, I got KD 5.5 from a Filipino barber charges KD 3 but I usually table,” said one customer. At the petrol station, attendants are not generous customer. I had filled only KD 4.5 give him KD 5, so he gets KD 2 extra from Hospitality Manager Raymond supposed to receive extra money from cus- worth of gas and he let me keep the me. I don’t mind as I’m always satisfied with Hernandez said the attitude in Kuwait is tomers, but they will take the tips given to change from the KD 10 note he gave me. the haircut,” said one customer. more reserved when it comes to tipping. them. “I give 100 fils usually. I don’t mind He saw the confused look on my face and How much is too much and too less in “Many local companies here do not impose because they do a job you’re supposed to said that if I don’t like it, he’ll take it back. So the services rendered to you? There is no tipping guidelines, as in some cases it’s a do and in exchange you’ve got to give I said thank you and put the money in my definite price for the services enjoyed, but it Local FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 ICM asks government to MPs divided stop political arrests over Yemen
By A. Saleh start practical moves towards boosting nation- intervention al unity and protection of national security, KUWAIT: The Islamic Constitutional Movement starting with stopping political arrests and KUWAIT: Several lawmakers yesterday issued a statement in which it expressed its sup- release of political prisoners, under the current expressed their total support for the gov- port of the joint Gulf statement on operations in dangerous circumstances. The movement is for ernment over Kuwait’s participation in the Yemen to stop the armed coup that was carried suspending all public popular activities at the Saudi-led airstrikes against pro-Iran Houthi out by the Houthi gangs and remnants of the current time in order to strengthen national deposed president. unity. Similar statements were made by Islamic rebels. Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said in The statement asked the government to Heritage Revival and Salaf societies. a statement that the participation does not contradict with the constitution, adding the participation is based on the joint Gulf defense pact. Kuwait donates $500,000 A number of Shiite MPs however opposed the Kuwaiti move and warned this could to ILO in Palestine escalate regional tension. MP Abdullah Al- Tameemi said in a statement that the Kuwaiti GENEVA: The State of Kuwait granted the The ILO Director General also underlined that constitution forbids the country from enter- International Labor Organization (ILO) half a million ILO’s programs in the Palestinian occupied territory ing into an offensive war, adding that the US dollars, bringing the state’s total contributions are extended to support the Palestinian National government must take the prior approval of dedicated to promoting decent work and social Development Plan (2014-16) as well as the the assembly if it wanted to take part in a justice in the occupied Palestinian territory and the Palestinian Decent Work Program (2013-16), which defensive war. He warned of the risks on Arab States to $3.5 million since 2009. prioritizes technical assistance in the areas of labor Kuwait from taking part in the campaign on Jamal Al-Ghunaim, Ambassador of the market governance, employment and social pro- Permanent Mission of the State of Kuwait to the tection. The new funding brings Kuwait’s total con- Yemen, saying this is a historical precedence United Nations and the Consul-General to the tributions to the ILO’s promotion of decent work for Kuwait and there is no justification to take Swiss Confederation, made the contribution to and social justice in the Arab States region to $3.5 part in it. ILO Director-General Guy Ryder on the side-lines million since 2009. MP Saleh Ashour said that Kuwait’ partic- the ILO Governing Body, the tripartite executive In particular, these contributions have enabled ipation in the airstrikes on Yemen is an meeting of the International Labour Office in the ILO to expand its technical support to its interference in that country’s internal affairs Geneva. Palestinian constituents under the umbrella of the which is totally banned by the Kuwaiti con- The ILO Director General acknowledged Palestinian Decent Work Program, launched in stitution. MP Abdulhameed Dashti also said Kuwait’s support to the ILO and its consistent con- 2013. The program aims to promote labor rights KUWAIT: Citizens attend a special session of he strongly objects the country’s decision tribution to the ILO’s interventions; the contribu- and governance, enhance employment and liveli- parliament earlier this week. to take part in the war on Yemen, adding tions account for 85 percent of funding for ILO pro- hood opportunities, and extend social security cov- — Photo by Yasser Al Zayyat grams in the occupied Palestinian territory. erage and social protection. —KUNA this is banned under the constitution.
Local FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Group photo of the ‘Al Qaser’ movie cast including the Director and some of the actors — Photos by Joseph Shagra First Kuwaiti horror movie to be set in ‘haunted’ palace Chilling news for film buffs
By Nawara Fattahova
uwait’s TV soaps and theatrical plays are among the best in the region and second most popular after KEgypt in the Middle East. Still the nascent film indus- try is not very popular. Which is why one group of film- makers want to give it a jolt by producing the first Kuwaiti horror movie. A few years ago, a local horror play was presented and it turned to be very successful, as it ran for a long time and was followed by many other horror plays. Following the success of this genre, Kuwaiti director Nader Al-Haddad has prepared the scenario for a Kuwait horror movie titled ‘Al Qaser’ (The Palace), which will be shot in the aban- doned castle of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. “The events of the movie will all happen in one night, and this makes it special. In the past I didn’t like horror movies, but the idea just flashed in my head and I decided to make one. A producer brought me the text of a horror movie which was full of errors, so I decided to write a new script myself,” Haddad told Kuwait Times. Kuwaiti actor Jamal Al-Radhan talking during the press conference sitting next to Director Nader Al-Hadad. The movie is a mix of satire, horror and crime. “I brought about 50 old horror movies and started to watch matic tricks or modern computer effects, and will depend to the roles, but I have also chosen a few young actors. A and study them. I learned about terrifying the audience on pure filming. The scenario of the movie will be based child is participating in this movie as well. The whole pro- through music and the surprise factor. I was living in these on suspense rather than special effects, and this was my duction is supported by Sheikh Duaij Al-Khalifa, which movies and my own imagination and inspiration. Then I challenge,” he said. encouraged me to insist on high quality work,” concluded started writing the story of my movie after I saw the palace The movie will be shown in Kuwaiti theatres, but Haddad. and took a tour of it. This palace has been abandoned for Haddad has bigger plans. “We are planning to show Al Al Qaser is produced by Nawaf Al-Shiteili, Haddad and many years, and some members of the team were a bit Qaser in theatres around the GCC countries. I hope it will Adel Al-Anezi from Art Dimension Co. The cast includes scared, but they got used to it,” said Haddad. be ready for an Eid Al Fitr release. This is my first cinema Jamal Al-Radhan, Ali Jumaa, Emad Al-Akari, Mubarak This movie consists of about 80 scenes. “These scenes experience, and after this film I will only focus on cinema Sultan, Ahmad Al-Hleel and others. To announce the will take me about 25 days, as I will be only shooting and will leave TV dramas, on which I worked my whole preparation and beginning of the shooting of Al Qaser, about five scenes a day. The movie will be between 90 to life,” Haddad stated. the organizer held a press conference earlier this week at 105 minutes long. I’m keen to come out with a good quali- A team of about 50 people is working on this movie. “I Akeiraa restaurant, which was attended by some of the ty work of international standard. I won’t be using cine- have chosen the cast mostly of veteran actors according cast, the director, producers and media. Local FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Crime Report
Women steal clothing with K-net trick
KUWAIT: Three women dressed in men’s clothing stole clothes from a Nugra store then escaped in a stolen car. A security source said the three were shopping in Nugra and bought KD 450 worth of goods. Then one of them pretended that she for- got her ATM card went to the car and asked the salesman to bring the goods and the K-net machine with him. The salesman obliged and put the goods in the car but before he could run the card in the K-net machine, the three drove off. The salesman, however, wrote down the license plate number and filed a police report. Police deter- mined that the car was stolen and investigations are underway. A file picture taken on January 1, 2013 shows jet fighters of the Saudi Royal air force performing during the graduation ceremony of the 83rd batch of King Faisal Air Academy (KFAA) students at the Riyadh military airport, in the Saudi capital. Saudi warplanes launched strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen yesterday, as the kingdom launched a 10-nation coalition which included Kuwait to SMS fined check the rebels’ advance and prevent the fall of Yemen’s embattled President Abedrabbo Mansur Hadi. — AFP The misdemeanors court fined a citizen KD 500 for sending SMS and pictures to a female citi- zen following a dispute between the two. Kuwait on alert due
Husband claims family disputes led to stabbing to Yemen conflict The suspect who stabbed his ex wife to death in Salwa earlier this week told Hawally detectives that he did so because of family problems after the vic- tim gained custody of their children. He said it was ‘Armed forces called to duty • Oil facilities on alert’ a reaction to differences with her and that the case was with the courts. The suspect was sent to the By Mishal Al Enezi coalition air strikes against Shiite Houthi ty measures and to intensify the protection public prosecution. militia in Yemen. of oil installations in Kuwait and abroad,” he KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Interior Ministry called all Meanwhile the Kuwait Petroleum Corp said. OPEC member Kuwait, which says it active forces to duty and leaves were sus- (KPC) said yesterday had raised security sits on around 10 percent of global crude pended yesterday. Interior Minister Sheikh around its oil facilities inside and outside reserves, pumps around 2.8 million barrels Citizen insults officers Mohammad Khaled Al-Sabah, chaired a the country. “In the light of developments per day. And Kuwaiti lawmakers have A citizen barraged two police officers with ver- meeting of top officials to review the securi- in Yemen and to protect the strategic inter- declared their total support for participation bal insults when they stopped her in Salmiya ty plan to safeguard the country. Senior ests of the oil sector and securing oil prod- in military operations against the Houthi for a traffic violation. She insulted the two offi- defense ministry and national guard offi- ucts for inside and outside several proce- militia, believed to be backed by predomi- cers, tore up the ticket and drove off. The two cials attended the meeting with the interior dures and precautionary steps taken,” KPC nantly Shiite Iran. policemen filed a complaint, and detectives are minister to discuss activating plans to acting chief executive officer Mohammad The government has also warned that all working on the case. strengthen internal security in light of the Al-Farhoud said. These measures include tweets of Kuwaitis who are sympathetic to events in Yemen, the ministry said. Kuwait “securing all industrial safety and security Houthis are being monitored and there will sent fighter jets as part of the Saudi-led requirements and raising the level of securi- be deterrent measures against them. Axe welding thief A person armed with an axe in Mubarak Al-Kabeer threatened to kill a citizen before stealing his phone Saudi Defense Minister and escaping. The citizen was surprised by the sus- Unstable pect entering his diwaniya, and asked him about his brother, then when he told him he was not directs Houthi air strikes weather there, he asked to call him and he obliged. Police By Meshal Al Salama are investigating. Meanwhile in another case, a citi- RIYADH: The Saudi Minister of Defense is zen attacked Mubarak Al-Kabeer police station offi- commanding air strikes on Houthi militia KUWAIT: Dr Saleh Al-Ojairi said Friday and Saturday will witness unstable weather, cers with a kitchen knife, and attempted to stab an strongholds in Yemen from the Air Force while next week, there will be a chance of non-commissioned officer while screaming “I will Operations Command in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the official Saudi Press rain. He said the marine activity will be teach you what police are, stay away or I will kill negatively affected because of high waves. you.” He went to the detectives department where Agency confirmed yesterday. “Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin He said rain will be at the start and in the he was brought under control, and charged with middle of April. attempted murder. Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, Chief of the Royal Court and Special Adviser to the SRS backs government Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Meanwhile, the Social Reform Society arrived yesterday (on Wednesday) at the Chairman Humoud Al-Roumi, said the socie- Gold stolen ty gives its full support to the political lead- A thief broke into the house of a Lebanese center of the Air Force Operations Command to command Al-Hazm (Firm) ership, adding that we “stand as one behind woman and stole gold worth KD 5,000 and two our wise leadership in support of Kuwait- mobile phones. Police are investigating. Storm operation, launched upon orders RIYADH: Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia Minister of Saudi-Gulf unity.” He called upon Kuwaiti Meanwhile, Andalus police arrested two citizens society to pray for protecting our countries Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Defense — KUNA trading in liquor. They were storing it in an and that security and safety continue. abandoned car, and they were discovered after Saud, the Supreme Commander of all Force. At the operations command center, Weapons thieves get 10 years an attempt to steal a car. A security source said Military Forces, at 12 o’clock midnight he received the Deputy Crown Prince The court sentenced three suspects in police saw the two trying to break into a parked (Saudi local time),” SPA said. Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Second the case of stealing special forces weapons car, so they detained them. When asked for their The Minister of Defense supervised the Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior to 10 years in jail. Meanwhile the appeals IDs, one of them said, it was in another car, and first air strike on the Houthis’ strongholds in who was briefed by the Minister of Defense court postponed the case of Saud Sahood, led them to the abandoned car, where police Yemen, which resulted in the destruction of all Houthi air defenses fully, Al-Dailami on the details of the military plans and accused of vote buying and refused to noticed 22 imported bottles in it. Both were sent release him, rather he was ordered to be base, SAM missiles batteries and four war- operations directly before the Saudi aircraft to concerned authorities. taken to the Central Prison. planes, without any losses in the Saudi Air started their missions. — KUNA Local FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Sheikh Ahmad apologizes to end videotapes saga
Continued from Page 1 Mohammad Al-Kharafi and his esteemed family my profound Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince. apology and deep sorrow for what I have caused in the recent Several lawmakers had appealed to the Amir to intervene to Al-Ghanim commented on the apology by saying “I did not past of slander or defamation or smear, whether intentional or put an end to what they called feuds within the Al-Sabah ruling read the details of the apology, but for sure, staying with the not, to others. The slander, defamation, and smear came about family. The television did not say what happened ahead of right matters is good.” Al-Marzouq hoped that all those who as a consequence of information and documentation I received broadcasting Sheikh Ahmad’s statement which hardly took two circulated the rumors and lies should have the courage and regarding the nation’s interests which I thought at the time minutes. And Sheikh Ahmad himself did not post any new apologize to the people before apologizing to any person who were correct and credible. Now that it has been determined by tweets on his Twitter account. He even deleted all tweets leav- was hurt. the Judiciary the falsehood of the information and documenta- ing his account completely empty. Addressing His Highness the Amir in his speech, Sheikh tion, I hereby adhere to the decision of the Judiciary. As I seek The move comes just a few days after Sheikh Ahmad Ahmad said: “It is my honor to submit to Your Highness and forgiveness from Your Highness, I categorically assure Your accused in a lengthy statement the public prosecutor of ignor- to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Highness that what transpired in the recent past has been a les- ing key evidence when he decided not to press charges against Jaber Al-Sabah and to the esteemed Al-Sabah family and to the son for me to learn from and pledge that I will put this entire the two former senior officials. Kuwaiti Judiciary and to His Highness Sheikh Nasser affair behind me and will not bring it up ever again.” Commenting on the development, liberal MP Rakan Al- Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and his esteemed family and Sheikh Ahmad concluded his televised speech by wishing Nasef said the move will resolve an important part of the dis- to former Speaker of the National Assembly Jassem the best for the nation under the leadership of His Highness the pute within the ruling family but not the whole dispute. Beggars connected to high ranking official
By Meshal Al Salama
KUWAIT: Investigations of a Jordanian beggar who was arrested few days earlier revealed that a high ranking official at the immigration department is involved, either intentional- ly or through negligence in approving more that 10 visas for female expats who beg in Kuwait.
Kuwait opens stock market for foreign firms ownership
DUBAI: The Kuwait Stock Exchange may offer up to 44 percent of its shares to a company that has experience in operating bourses when it goes public, a senior govern- JAPAN: Director-General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al- ment official told Reuters yesterday. Such a move, which Sabah with Chairman of the Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen’s Committee Saito Hiroshi and Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan still requires the sign-off by lawmakers in the Gulf Arab Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi. — KUNA state, would open the way for an international exchange operator such as Nasdaq OMX or Euronext to take a stake in one of the Middle East’s oldest stock markets. Kuwaiti lawmakers voted on Wednesday to amend the KDIPA chief sends strong ownership structure for the impending initial public offer- ing (IPO) of the bourse, Faisal Al-Shaya, head of the Kuwait’s parliament’s economic and financial committee, signal to Japanese investors told Reuters by telephone. A second and final vote on the law is expected at the TOKYO: Director-General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion KDIPA are to attract investments that have know-how, technology next parliament session in two weeks, or a decision may Authority (KDIPA) Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent a and innovation, and help create job opportunities and training for be taken earlier by the economic and financial committee strong signal on Thursday that Kuwait welcomes Japanese invest- Kuwaitis, and add value to the domestic economy,” Sheikh Dr. on behalf of the lawmakers, he said. The IPO will take ment. At a seminar in Tokyo in which leading Japanese trading and Meshaal stressed. place once the amendments are passed, Shaya added. engineering firms, banks, as well as government officials gathered, Calling for deeper Japanese involvement in his country’s econo- Kuwait’s bourse is set to be the second publicly listed Sheikh Dr. Meshaal provided an overview on KDIPA’s services to pro- my, he said, “This is huge potential. We want to have you in Kuwait, stock exchange in the Gulf region after the Dubai mote and support investment from Japan. because we know that our friends in Japan have technology, honesty Financial Market. The planned listing, proposed in 2010, The seminar also focused on the improvement in Kuwait’s busi- and innovation. I emphasize that Kuwait welcomes Japanese compa- was part of a broader privatization effort in the Gulf state ness environment and investment opportunities under the nation’s nies. Please use Kuwait as a platform to expand your business.” For his in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis. ambitious national development plan for 2015-2020, which are con- part, Co-Chairman of the Kuwaiti-Japanese Businessmen’s Committee However, Kuwait has suffered from periodic political ducive to Kuwait’s economic diversification efforts. Saito Hiroshi shed light on Kuwait’s mega national development plan gridlock which has seen numerous elections held and “The development plan aims at transforming Kuwait into a world and recent improvement in the Kuwaiti economic climate. economic reforms delayed, most notably a 30 billion dinar class commercial and financial hub, with the private sector assuming “There used to be some obstacles such as the Offset Program. But ($100 billion) development package for infrastructure and a leading role in economic activities,” KDIPA chief told the audience. thanks to an initiative by Sheikh Dr. Meshaal and the government, other projects. His presentation also covered Kuwait’s economic outlook, new business environment in Kuwait significantly improved.” Saito also Under the plan passed on Wednesday, 50 percent of and revamped laws and measures that are designed to ramp up commended active support by the Japanese Embassy in Kuwait to the bourse’s shares will be offered to Kuwait’s citizens. In Kuwait’s appeal to foreign investors, including Foreign Direct help Japanese businesses there, in a reflection of united efforts by the the Gulf, shares in government companies are sold to Investment (FDI) Law, the amended Commercial Companies Law, as government and private sector to promote Japanese investment. nationals at significantly-reduced values as a method of well as a KD 2 billion-funding for small and medium sized enterprises. The seminar was also attended by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan distributing wealth. The new FDI Law handled by KDIPA allows 100 percent foreign Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi, Minister at the Japanese Embassy in Kuwait The remaining stock will be split between government ownership without local partners or agents in a number of sectors, Kazuhiro Nakai, and KDIPA officials Bader Al-Jadi and Mohammed Al- entities, which will be entitled to own between 6 percent and grants incentives such as a 10-year tax holiday and customs duty Sabbagh. Prior to the seminar, Sheikh Dr. Meshaal held talks with and 24 percent of the bourse’s shares, while a “company exemption, he explained. Saito and Yasushi Kimura, Vice Chairman of Keidanren (Japan with experience in managing bourses” may own from 26 In addition, the official outlined the One-Stop-Shop, the Negative Business Federation) the country’s largest business lobby. percent to 44 percent. Other stock markets in the Gulf List, KDIPA’s envisaged Economic Zones among other services. KDIPA chief told KUNA that the two sides exchanged views on have sold stakes to overseas exchange operators to help “Kuwait is very working hard to diversify the economy and reduce the Kuwaiti economic development and future cooperation their development. Qatar bought out the remaining 12 dependency of oil and increase other sources of income, and this why between them. The seminar was organized by the Japanese percent in its bourse held by NYSE Euronext in October we need foreign investors to come to Kuwait. In order to bring the for- Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME). Established in 2013. A previous version of the Kuwaiti law said up to 10 eign investors, we have to make sure business environment is suitable 1973 under the sponsorship of the Japanese government, the companies could hold a combined 50 percent in the for them.” He also touched on the suspension of the Offset Program JCCME has long been providing cooperation in the fields of trade, bourse, while the remaining 50 percent would be offered last July, a move that was expected to entice Japanese and other for- investment, economy and technology between Japan and the to citizens. — Reuters eign contractors back to Kuwait. countries in the Middle East and the North Africa region on the pri- “Kuwait does not seek capital through investment. The goals of vate-sector level.—KUNA FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Distrust clouds Recording shows India’s long road vision of pilot locked out to tougher law Kurdish peace of crashed against killer in Turkey12 Airbus14 cockpit drivers16
SANAA: People search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi airstrikes near Sanaa Airport, Yemen yesterday. — AP Saudi, GCC allies hit Houthi fighters Fears of disruption to oil supplies, wider sectarian war
ADEN: Warplanes from Saudi Arabia and Arab northern outskirts of Aden, Houthis and army loy- Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal said the operation expressed Gulf Arab concerns about Iranian influ- allies struck Shiite Muslim rebels fighting to oust alists fought extended gun battles with militiamen aimed to counter the “aggression of Houthi mili- ence in Yemen. Yemen’s president yesterday, in a major gamble loyal to Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour tias backed by regional powers”. Saudi-owned Al- “The strategic change in the region benefits by the world’s top oil exporter to check Iranian Hadi. 13 pro-Houthi fighters and 3 militiamen were Arabiya TV reported that the kingdom was con- Iran and we cannot be silent about the fact that influence in its backyard without direct military killed, the militiamen said. Fighters loyal to Hadi tributing 100 warplanes to operation “Storm of the Houthis carry their banner,” UAE Minister of backing from Washington. Iran denounced the retook Aden airport, a day after it was captured by Resolve” and more than 85 were provided by the State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammed surprise assault on its proteges in the Houthi mili- forces allied to the Houthis advancing on the city. United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Gargash wrote on Twitter. Saud Al-Sarhan, direc- tia group and made clear Saudi Arabia’s deploy- The facility remains closed and flights are can- Jordan, Morocco and Sudan. tor of research at King Faisal Centre for Research ment of a Sunni coalition against its Shiite enemies celled. Saudi Arabia also cancelled flights to its Jordan and Sudan said their forces were and Islamic Studies in Riyadh: “It is a clear mes- would complicate efforts to end a conflict that will southern airports. involved in the operation. Egyptian air forces sage on the ‘Saudi defense doctrine’. Security and only inflame the sectarian hatreds already fuelling There was also heavy street fighting in Houta, were participating, and four naval ships headed stability in the Arabian Peninsula is a red line, and wars around the Middle East. the capital of Lahj province north of Aden which to secure the Gulf of Aden. Pakistan was consid- Saudi Arabia doesn’t tolerate any attempt to But a senior Iranian official ruled out military killed 5 pro-Houthi fighters and 4 militiamen. ering a request to send ground forces. A Saudi destabilize the region.” intervention. In the capital Sanaa, which Houthi Thousands of Houthi supporters gathered to con- official familiar with defense matters said that a Yemen’s slide towards civil war has made it a rebels trying to oust the president seized in demn the air strikes at the historic gate to Sanaa’s “land offensive might be needed to restore crucial front in Saudi Arabia’s rivalry with Tehran, September, warplanes bombed the main airport old city, waving the Houthi banner and chanting, order.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry which Riyadh accuses of stirring up sectarian and the nearby al Dulaimi military air base, resi- “Death to America!” The Saudi intervention demanded an immediate halt to the “aggression strife throughout the region and in Yemen with dents said, in an apparent attempt to weaken the marked a major escalation of the Yemen crisis, in and air strikes” in Yemen, the semi-official Fars its support for the Houthis. Iran publicly denies Houthis’ air power and ability to fire missiles. A which Iran backs the Houthis, and Sunni Muslim news agency reported. funding and training the Houthis. Fighting has Reuters witness said four or five houses had been monarchies in the Gulf support Hadi and his fel- “Military actions in Yemen ... will further com- spread across Yemen since the Houthis seized damaged. Rescue workers put the death toll from low Sunni loyalists in Yemen’s south. “We will do plicate the situation,” Fars quoted Foreign Sanaa and forced Hadi out of the capital. at 13, including a doctor pulled from the rubble of whatever it takes in order to protect the legiti- Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as say- Ambassador Jubeir said the assaults were in his clinic. mate government of Yemen from falling,” Saudi ing. A senior Iranian official told Reuters: “Iran will response to a request by Hadi. The White House In a day of heavy fighting, warplanes struck Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, Adel use all possible political ways to allay tension in said it supported the operation and that Houthi fighters near Yemen’s border with Saudi Al-Jubeir, told a news conference in Washington. Yemen. Military intervention is not an option for President Barack Obama had authorized US Arabia, tribal and Houthi sources said. On the In an apparent reference to Iran, Saudi Tehran.” A United Arab Emirates official “logistical and intelligence support”. —Reuters International11 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Sanaa residents flee night of terror
SANAA: Hundreds of terrified civilians fled his home as rescue workers extracted sur- crimes will not deter us. On the contrary, our scared petrol will run out,” said Hammoud, the Yemeni capital yesterday after a sleep- vivors from ruins around him. “Why did they determination will increase to wipe them waiting in his car. less night of heavy Saudi air raids against intervene now ... when the Houthis have out because they’re hitting civilians and the Unlike in Sanaa, many residents of the Shiite Houthi rebels. “I’m leaving with my already seized most parts” of the country? innocent,” a rebel fighter said. The rebels’ southern city of Aden, the target of Houthi family-Sanaa is no longer safe,” said asked Safwan Haidar, a neighbor. For television station Al-Massir aired urgent forces closing in on President Abedrabbo Mohammed, loading personal belongings Mohammed and most Sanaa residents it was appeals for medics to head to Sanaa hospi- Mansour Hadi, expressed relief at the Saudi- onto a minibus in a northern district of a sleepless night of bombardment by Saudi tals. led intervention. “We express our thanks and Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control warplanes countered by Houthi anti-aircraft appreciation for the support of our broth- since September. Huge explosions rocked fire. “My children were terrorised,” he said as Rush on petrol stations ers... even if has come a bit late,” said Abu the city throughout Wednesday night as they left for his hometown of Ibb in central According to military sources and wit- Nasser Al-Adari. Saudi Arabia said it had Saudi-led warplanes pounded an air base in Yemen. nesses, several Houthi-held sites including assembled a coalition of more than 10 coun- the Bani Huwat area of north Sanaa next to The civil defense source said children and the air base and the Sanaa presidential tries for the military operation to prevent the the international airport and other sites. women were among the 14 killed as seven palace were hit, setting off fires. A Saudi mili- fall of Hadi, who has been holed up in Aden Seven homes neighboring the base were homes crumbled in the bombardment. tary adviser said the raids had “taken out the since fleeing rebel-controlled Sanaa last hit, killing at least 14 civilians, a civil defense Houthi rebel militiamen, who normally keep Houthi air defenses and destroyed numer- month. Residents reported hearing explo- source said. In a grim landscape of cars journalists at bay, allowed the media free ous Houthi fighter planes”. Sanaa schools sions at the huge Al-Anad air base, north of shredded by blasts and roads strewn with access as nervous crowds gathered at the stayed closed yesterday and long lines of Aden, which was seized by anti-government rubble, a man sat dazed in what remained of scene. “These Saudi, American and Israeli cars formed at petrol stations. “Everyone’s forces on Wednesday.— AFP
Saudi pulls its Saudi coalition The following is a list of countries that have confirmed their weight with participation in the coalition: Saudi Arabia leads the coalition. Al-Arabiya reported it had deployed 100 fighter jets, 150,000 Middle East soldiers and some naval units. THE UAE signed the GCC statement. Al-Arabiya reported it interventions had deployed 30 fighter jets. BAHRAIN signed the GCC statement. Al-Arabiya reported it RIYADH: Regional power Saudi Arabia, which launched air had deployed 15 fighter jets. strikes yesterday on Houthi rebels in Yemen, has intervened militarily in the region several times in the past. KUWAIT signed the GCC statement. Al-Arabiya reported it had deployed 15 fighter jets. THE SIX-DAY WAR - June 5-10, 1967 QATAR signed the GCC statement. Al-Arabiya reported it had Riyadh announces that it has sent aircraft, armored vehi- deployed 10 fighter jets. cles and large quantities of weapons and ammunition, as well as a detachment of paratroopers, to help Jordanian forces JORDAN said its fighter jets were involved in the operation. fight Israel. Al-Arabiya said six Jordanian jets were involved. SUDAN said its air and ground forces would take part in the THE YOM KIPPUR WAR- October 6-25, 1973 operation. Al-Arabiya said three Sudanese fighter jets were Between 1,000 and 2,000 Saudi soldiers based in Jordan ADEN: A woman from the southern separatist movement, involved. since the Six-Day War fight alongside Syrians against Israel on who oppose the Shiite Houthi rebels, walks carrying a EGYPT said its naval and air forces were involved in the cam- the Golan Heights. On October 16, Riyadh and other oil pro- rocket container which she seized from the Badr military ducers use the commodity as a weapon by steeply increasing camp, in the southern Yemeni city of Aden as Houthi paign. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said ground forces the price of crude. The Saudi troops remain deployed on the rebels threaten the southern port city. — AFP could become involved “if necessary”. — Reuters Golan Heights until withdrawing on October 4, 1976.
THE GULF WAR- January 17-February 28, 1991 Riyadh, a member of the international coalition to drive Shadowy role of Yemen’s Iraq from Kuwait, which it invaded in August 1990, plays a key role in the Gulf war by putting its territory and military bases at the coalition’s disposal. ex-leader in slide to war YEMEN- November 3, 2009 Saleh - expert manipulator of Yemen’s factions After Shiite rebels kill a Saudi border guard, Riyadh carries out a three-month-long intervention to stop them infiltrating. RIYADH: When Saudi Arabian jets struck down in 2012 under a Gulf-brokered tran- his ultimate aim is to help the Houthis The Saudi authorities say the attacks are confined to its terri- Houthi positions in Yemen yesterday they sition plan following mass protests against defeat their common enemies, and then tory, while the rebels accuse it of bombarding Yemeni territo- also hit forces loyal to a key figure who his decades of rule, Saleh won immunity in use his extensive political base to build a ry. In January 2010, amid a ceasefire between the rebels and many Yemenis believe has orchestrated the deal and has remained a powerful role as powerbroker before turning on the Sanaa, Saudi Arabia says 109 Saudi soldiers were killed during the present crisis from the shadows: for- political player operating behind the rebel group and installing his son Ahmed the operation, the biggest carried out by Riyadh since it took mer president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Army scenes. Ali Saleh as president. In a conflict dripping part in the Gulf War. units loyal to Saleh have fought alongside The decision to let him stay in Yemen with historical ironies, Saleh waged six wars the Shiite Houthi militiamen, often in civil- three years ago now looks like a massive against the Houthis from 2002-09 and was BAHRAIN - From March 14, 2011 ian dress, as they swept southwards miscalculation by the very Gulf states now for many years an ally of convenience for More than 1,000 Saudi soldiers intervene alongside securi- through Yemen’s highlands in recent bombing his troops, and who along with Riyadh. Hadi served two decades as Saleh’s ty forces from the United Arab Emirates to help Bahrain’s weeks to advance on the port of Aden, Western countries now accuse Saleh of vice president and was a general in his Sunni-Muslim monarchy crack down on Shiite-led opposition where President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi systematically undermining the transition. army during Yemen’s last civil war in 1994. protesters in the midst of the Arab Spring. is based. “Since the strikes hit bases that were in the Saleh’s continuing ability to deploy hands of Saleh’s loyalists this is more of a Causing chaos SYRIA -From September 23, 2014 forces and take a seat at any negotiating blow to him and he’ll take it as a clear Those big switches of loyalty, which Riyadh confirms that it has taken part in the first air strikes table will prove pivotal to Yemen’s future message that the Saudis are very dis- have come to define Yemen’s complex and carried out in Syria by the US-led coalition against jihadists given the former president’s wide support pleased with him,” said Farea Al-Muslimi, a constantly shifting political landscape, were from the Islamic State group, who have seized swathes of ter- base in the army and bureaucracy. researcher at Carnegie Middle East set in train by the very 2011 Arab spring However, the coming weeks may deter- Institute. protests that ultimately led to Saleh’s fall ritory in Iraq and Syria. mine the fate of Yemen’s arch survivor, Analysts say he has backed the Houthis from the presidency. The decades-old coali- who once likened ruling his country to for months, helping to stop any serious tion of northern tribes that once supported YEMEN - March 26, 2015 “dancing on the heads of snakes” and who army resistance when they seized the capi- Saleh was ruptured in the unrest and Saleh Saudi Arabia launches air strikes on the Shiite rebels in outlasted numerous enemies by repeated- tal Sanaa in September and using his par- turned to his old foes the Houthis to make Yemen, forging a coalition of 10 countries to defend embat- ly proving the least-worst option for for- ty’s continued dominance in parliament to common cause against shared enemies, say tled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.— AFP eign powers. Despite being forced to step weaken Hadi’s government. They believe analysts.—Reuters International FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Moroccan ‘FBI’ and imam training keep jihadists at bay
RABAT: Morocco, on guard against Tolerant form of Islam attacks like the Tunis museum mas- As part of its security strategy, sacre, prides itself on being a bastion Morocco in 2008 launched a vast against Islamist extremism with its anti- reform program to train its imams who jihadist “FBI” and training of imams to lead prayers in mosques, with a budget preach tolerance. More than 130 “ter- of almost 20 million euros ($22 million). rorist cells” have been dismantled, The aim has been to promote a tolerant 2,720 suspects arrested and 276 plots and non-violent form of Islam based on foiled since 2002, according to Morocco’s official Maliki school of Sunni Abdelhak Khiame, director of the newly Islam. A spate of suicide bombings on established Central Bureau of Judicial May 16, 2003 in the city of Casablanca Investigations. that left 33 dead marked a turning Dubbed Morocco’s FBI, the Bureau point. Several preachers were rounded announced this week it had broken up up in sweeping arrests which followed, a 13-member cell that pledged alle- including Mohamed Fizazi, an Islamic giance to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist scholar considered a jihadist-salafist. group and operated in about a dozen A “reformed” Fizazi was granted a cities across the country. The bust royal pardon during Arab Spring came just days after jihadists gunned protests in 2011 and last year led a ses- down 20 foreign tourists and a police- sion of prayers in King Mohammed VI’s man at the Bardo National Museum in presence at which he stressed “the Tunisia in an attack claimed by IS. RABAT: A member of the Moroccan special forces guard stands outside of the importance of security and stability in Morocco is in a state of “constant high Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) building during a press confer- the exercise of faith”. But Morocco has alert”, according to government ence by the governor of the BCIJ in Rabat. Moroccan authorities said that a “ter- not escaped unscathed in recent years: spokesman Mustapha Khalfi. Tarik rorist cell” they dismantled had brought in arms through the Spanish enclave of a 2011 cafe bombing in Marrakesh Tlaty, head of the Moroccan Centre of Melilla to carry out attacks for the Islamic State jihadist group. —AFP killed 15 people, including eight French Strategic Studies and Research, said Louis Caprioli, a former counter-terror- people dead in January, France and tourists. And with close to one in three the country is “the most stable in the ism chief at French intelligence agency Morocco resumed judicial cooperation young Moroccans unemployed, up to region”, thanks largely to the fact that DST. Manar Slimi, who heads the after a year-long row. Rabat had sus- around 2,000 of its nationals are it does not border anarchy-wracked Maghreb Centre for Security Studies pended cooperation with Paris in thought to have joined the ranks of Libya. and Policy Analysis, said Rabat had February 2014 after French authorities jihadists including IS fighting in Iraq, Its expertise in combating radical built up “a complete database” which it tried to question the head of Syria and Libya. Despite its successes, Islam dates back to the 1990s when shares with Western allies. Following Morocco’s DGST domestic intelligence “no country is immune” to extremism, Moroccans fought in Afghanistan, said the Islamist attacks in Paris that left 17 service over torture allegations. said Slimi. — AFP
Distrust clouds vision of Kurdish peace in Turkey US air strikes trigger
DIYARBAKIR: Kurds applauded last weekend’s call from their jailed rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan to end a 30-year final push on Tikrit armed struggle against Turkey but deep suspicions on both sides could shatter dreams of peace. Ocalan began talks with Ankara in 2012 to end a conflict which has killed Troops flush diehard jihadists out of Saddam’s hometown 40,000 people and stunted development in NATO-mem- ber Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast, and impatience is KIRKUK: Iraqi forces buoyed by the first growing in a peace process complicated by Kurds’ involve- US-led coalition air strikes on Tikrit made a ment in fighting Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. final push yesterday to flush diehard President Tayyip Erdogan, his attention focused on a jihadists out of Saddam Hussein’s home- June general election he hopes will pave the way for an town. Washington had been reluctant to executive presidency, is exerting pressure on Ocalan’s get directly involved in a battle in which Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to disarm, declaring there is Iran-backed militias have taken the lead no longer a ‘Kurdish problem’ thanks to reforms under his but the Pentagon seemed keen to reassert rule. For Kurds listening to Ocalan’s message as they cele- itself as Baghdad’s chief partner in the war brated the ‘Newroz’ spring festival, dancing to Kurdish against the Islamic State group. The tussle songs and calling for his release, such talk from Erdogan is for influence over Iraq came as Washington infuriating and shakes their belief in a peace process they and Tehran began fresh nuclear talks and feel is yet to yield results. also as Iran’s regional rival Saudi Arabia “The people are losing patience and if nothing happens launched air strikes in Yemen. in a few months, hope will be completely uprooted,” said The US-backed air campaign against Habibe Altan, 59, whose village was one of thousands Shiite minority rebels in Yemen was destroyed during the conflict. Her son later died fighting announced by the Saudi ambassador in for the PKK. “We are the ones who have been crushed. So Washington and condemned by Tehran. many sacrificed their lives. Such struggle must not go to The operation to retake Tikrit was launched waste,” she said in the city of Diyarbakir, where supporters on March 2 but had failed to dislodge a rela- Photo shows an EA-18G Growler assigned to the Cougars of Electronic Attack of the pro-Kurdish HDP opposition declare an utter lack of tively small number of IS fighters who have Squadron (VAQ) 139 as it launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier confidence in the president. Such sentiment is frustrating hemmed themselves in with thousands of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the Gulf. — AFP for Erdogan, who has invested huge political capital in the bombs for a last stand in the city centre. cient and accurate enough to break the the strikes but officials did not specify process, pushing through cultural reforms aimed at “The assault on the last (IS-held) pocket of back of IS resistance. “Now the operation which ones. Washington had expressed improving the lot of Turkey’s long-suppressed Kurds, Tikrit started from the southern front, in to take Tikrit really begins,” one US defense strong reservations over the leading role roughly 20 percent of its 78 million population. Awja,” said a brigadier general from the mili- official said. played in the Tikrit operation by Shiite mili- tary headquarters in Salaheddin province, of tia groups, some of which have been Syria conflict boosts PKK which Tikrit is the capital. ‘Reliable’ partner accused of serious abuses. Iran’s top com- The situation is complicated by division among Kurds He said Iraqi forces were also attacking Lieutenant General James Terry, who mander in charge of external operations, themselves, many of whom appreciate Erdogan’s efforts in from the west and north and were repair- oversees the command in charge of the US Qassem Suleimani, has been ubiquitous on the face of fierce nationalist opposition, supporting the ing a bridge over the Tigris that IS recently war effort, said precision strikes would save the Salaheddin front lines and is perceived ruling AK Party he founded and distrusting the PKK. “He blew up to pile further pressure from the “innocent Iraqi lives while minimizing col- by many Iraqis as the brain behind Iraq’s has shown great courage in starting the process, putting east. The forces involved in the fighting lateral damage to infrastructure.” The exact ground operations. But at a briefing on his body and soul into it,” said doctor Sedat Ozkul, 44, include the volunteer Popular Mobilization number of civilians trapped inside Tikrit is Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Colonel hoping to be an AKP candidate in the June election and units, Shiite militia groups, the army’s unclear but a Red Crescent spokesman last Steven Warren insisted Washington suspicious of the PKK commanders who live in the Qandil counter-terrorism force as well as interior week said “no more than 30,000, probably remained Baghdad’s most precious partner mountains of northern Iraq. “The problem is the sincerity ministry units. Iraqi air strikes had, by of Qandil and the HDP. —Reuters quite a bit less.” Other countries in the 60- in the war to reclaim the vast regions of Baghdad’s own admission, not been effi- nation US-led coalition were taking part in Iraq IS conquered last summer. —AFP International FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Uganda confirms Shebab Asylum seekers in the West threat; US issues warning
KAMPALA: Uganda said yesterday it was boosting security ‘highest’ since Bosnia war over threats by Somalia’s Shebab militants, hours after the US embassy in Kampala warned its citizens of a possible immi- nent terror attack. In an emergency warning issued late Syrians, Iraqis top list of asylum seekers in 2014 Wednesday, the US mission in Kampala said it had “received information of possible terrorist threats to locations where GENEVA: Wars in Syria and Iraq drove Westerners, including US citizens, congregate in Kampala, the number of people requesting asy- and that an attack may take place soon.” lum in industrialized countries to a 22- Ugandan defense spokesman Paddy Ankunda said the year high last year, the United Nations warning was “absolutely” linked to the Al-Qaeda-linked said yesterday, appealing for Western Islamists, who have carried out major attacks in Kampala in the nations to open their doors to more past. “We’ve always known there’s a threat and we’ve warned refugees. An estimated 866,000 asylum- the public,” he said, adding the militants appeared to have seekers lodged claims in 2014, a 45 per- “have identified vulnerable points” as possible targets and that cent rise from the year before and the security had been stepped up in response to the threat. Uganda highest figure since the start of the war is a key contributor to the African Union’s AMISOM force bat- in Bosnia, when the all-time high of tling the Shebab inside Somalia. Ankunda insisted the threat nearly 900,000 was recorded, the UN was “low level”, although a Western diplomatic source also refugee agency said. described it as “serious” and “based on concrete information”. “Today, the surge in armed conflicts “Out of an abundance of caution, the US mission has can- around the world presents us with simi- celled some non-essential events scheduled at local hotels in lar challenges, in particular the dramatic the coming days,” the US embassy warning said, telling US situation in Syria. Our response has to be citizens they “should expect increased security sweeps and just as generous now as it was then,” delays when entering or exiting hotel areas.” The US embassy said U.N. High Commissioner for in Kampala last issued an emergency warning in September Refugees Antonio Guterres. Some 3.9 2014. Ugandan and Western security sources later revealed million Syrian refugees taken in by A motor boat from the Italian frigate Grecale approaches a boat overcrowded they had intercepted a transfer of explosive suicide vests by Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq don’t with migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. — AP suspected Shebab members. US officials said at the time that figure in the statistics in its “Asylum the militants were determined to avenge the killing of their Trends 2014” report. Syrians accounted country receiving the largest number of Fleming said. “If you just look at Syrians, leader Ahmed Abdi Godane in a US airstrike carried out earli- for nearly 150,00 applications for asylum asylum applications, 173,000, with it’s Germany and Sweden that are taking er that month. In 2010 the Shebab carried out twin bombings in 44 industrialized countries last year, Syrians accounting for one-quarter of all in most of the Syrian asylum-seekers in in Kampala targeting a restaurant and a club where football one in every five claims, it said. claims, it said. The United States came Europe.” Italy, the destination of many fans were watching the World Cup final between the Iraqis placed second with 68,700 second, receiving an estimated 121,200 boatloads of people from Africa and the Netherlands and Spain, killing 76 people in the region’s worst requests, almost doubling the 2013 fig- applications, mostly people fleeing drug Middle East crossing the Mediterranean, attacks in more than a decade. The Islamists were also behind ure, “a reflection of the calamity and the gang violence in Mexico and Central received 63,700 asylum applications, the September 2013 attack on the Westgate shopping mall in violence that is taking place in Iraq right America. fifth highest worldwide. “Most of the neighboring Kenya’s capital Nairobi which left at least 67 now and over the past half year,” Turkey - host to 1.7 million Syrian people who land don’t stay in Italy but dead, and recently issued a call for fresh attacks against such UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming refugees under a temporary protection make their way to other countries in locations. The US has continued to strike the militants from told a news briefing. Afghans formed regime - received 87,800 asylum Europe,” Fleming said. Australia regis- the air, and last week announced it had also killed a senior the third largest group, followed by citi- requests last year, mainly Iraqis who fled tered a 24 percent drop in requests, with Shebab figure, Adan Garar, who was linked to the planning of zens of Serbia and Kosovo, and after Islamic State forces seized large fewer than 9,000 in 2014, the UNHCR the Westgate mall attack. — AFP Eritreans, the agency said. Germany swathes of their homeland last June. said, noting its tougher immigration topped the list as the industrialized “Most Iraqis are fleeing to Turkey,” policies. — Reuters International FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Science researchers battle on in Congo conflict zones
LWIRO: “That day, we were almost in mourning,” said Luc Bagalwa, a geophysics researcher in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, recalling the 2002 eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano. While the ash and deep lava destroyed part of the northeastern city of Goma and prompted the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people, the recording apparatus in Bagalwa’s laboratory had no paper to note the spectacular seismic events. Like his colleagues at the Centre for Research in Natural Sciences (CRSN), based in Lwiro about 200 kilometers south of the volcano, Bagalwa radiates enthusiasm for furthering scientific research but faces a pitiful lack of means. Perched in the hills to the west of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, the CRSN is a miracle. It has survived two wars and incessant armed conflict that has wracked the province for more than 20 years. And when an earthquake rocked the region in 2008, the scientific institute escaped with a few cracks and scrapes. Built by Belgian colonists in 1947, the premises consists of roughcast cell structures that could pass for a military training base or the home of some religious order. Its general director, Jean-Pierre Baluku Bajope, invites visitors into a vast room with green panelled walls to be seated in chairs upholstered in leather around a gigantic table. “It weighs 12 tonnes,” he tells his guests. Apart from signs of decay, the research centre appears to have been frozen in time. The feeling of jumping back 50 years would be complete if it were not for a large portrait of Congolese President Joseph Kabila hanging above the fireplace.
Spared by the fighters The institute employs about 120 researchers and a total personnel LWIRO: Bernard Kasana Luatamba, technician at Congolese Natural Science Research Center (CRSN) based in Lwiro, east- of almost 790 counting the technicians, administrative staff and work- ern DR Congo, poses in the Center’s museum. — AFP ers who maintain the premises on 75 hectares (185 acres) of orchards, gardens and cultivated forest. In surrounding fields, local farmers grow corn, cassava and beans. From the entrance to the CRSN, you can see the waters of Lake Kivu below a long crest of peaks in the forested Recording shows pilot locked Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a haven for endangered gorillas-and also for some of the armed groups in the region. Bukavu sits at the south- ern end of Lake Kivu, while Goma lies at the northern tip, a city of out of crashed Airbus cockpit about one million people and the capital of North Kivu province close to the border with Rwanda. Both towns have come under attack by rebel forces and other armed movements, whose activities include Investigators search for second data recorder atrocities against local villagers. Massacres, rapes and looting have compelled hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. For Baluku, “the strength (of the CRSN) is that in spite of the wars, SEYNE-LES-ALPES: Cockpit voice recordings part in speculation on the causes of the crash.” “words” had been heard on the tape, Jouty staff never abandoned the place, they went on working.” Indeed, from the German jet that crashed in the Alps Asked to comment on the investigation, would not confirm whether that meant the when government troops or militia bands passed by the centre and showed one of the pilots left the cockpit and French Finance Minister Michel Sapin told Airbus A320’s pilots were conscious and he stopped sometimes to sleep there, he said, “they didn’t touch but could not get back in before the plane went iTELE yesterday: “The best thing for now is not gave no details of the recordings. they watched,” as if intrigued by the research. Today, the Congolese down, killing everyone onboard, the New York to rule out any hypothesis.” The retrieval of state pays the salaries of CRSN staff but its managers have to Times reported. The recordings did not make one of two cockpit recordings came as French Post-9/11 rules scrounge for the rest of the funds needed. With financial assistance clear why the pilot left the cockpit or why he President Francois Hollande, Germany’s The BEA said the plane started descending from abroad, money given by visitors and donations from foreign could not regain entry as the plane steadily Angela Merkel and Spain’s Mariano Rajoy trav- a minute after reaching cruising height and researchers who come to work for a spell, the centre amasses a descended toward a mountain range in a elled on Wednesday to the crash site to pay lost altitude for over nine minutes. The last monthly budget of 5,000 dollars (4,600 euros). Baluku dreams of hav- remote area of the French Alps on Tuesday. tribute to the 150 victims, mostly Germany words of the pilot to the ground confirmed ing twice that amount. Investigators were studying the voice and Spanish. France’s BEA air incident investi- the next navigational waypoint, ending with a A studious atmosphere prevails in the library, where standards are recordings from one of the “black boxes” for gation bureau was not immediately available call-sign and “thank you”. The New York Times high as any European reading room, apart from a lack of recent publi- answers yesterday while the search continued for comment on the Times report but earlier quoted a senior military official involved in the cations. The electricity has been cut for four days, a frequent occur- for a second black box. “The guy outside is had said it was too early to draw meaningful investigation as saying the cockpit audio rence for those in the vast central African country lucky enough to be knocking lightly on the door and there is no conclusions on why the plane went down. showed “very smooth, very cool” conversation supplied at all. Visitors use the light of their portable phones to go answer,” an unnamed investigator told the “We have just been able to extract a use- between the pilots in the early part of the upstairs to the herbarium, where thousands of specimens of local Times, citing the recordings. “And then he hits able audio data file,” BEA director Remi Jouty flight. The audio then indicated one of the plants are carefully archived in cardboard pouches, stored in metal the door stronger and no answer. There is nev- told a news conference at the agency’s head- pilots left the cockpit. “We don’t know yet the cabinets. The range of biodiversity in the DRC is enormous. In the lab- er an answer.” “You can hear he is trying to quarters outside Paris on Wednesday. “We reason why one of the guys went out,” the oratory where rodents are studied, scientists enthuse about their smash the door down,” the investigator have not yet been able to study and to estab- official added. “But what is sure is that at the recent discoveries: a new species of shrew and a hitherto unknown added. A spokesman for Lufthansa, whose lish an exact timing for all the sounds and very end of the flight, the other pilot is alone kind of bat. Unfortunately, only one such bat was found and it has budget arm Germanwings operated the flight, words heard on this file.” Jouty expected the and does not open the door.” The Lufthansa been whisked off to Chicago, since the team that financed the said the carrier was aware of the Times story, first basic analysis in “a matter of days” but spokesman said that since the Sept 11, 2001, research came from the United States, according to CRSN scientific adding: “We have no information from the warned this read-out could be subject to hijacked plane attacks on the United States, director Robert Kizungu. While Kizungu yearns for funds to pay for authorities that confirms this report and we errors and that more work would be needed cockpit doors cannot be opened from the out- more field trips, he gets excited when asked about “his” bat. —AFP are seeking more information. We will not take for a full interpretation. Although he said side, in line with regulations. —Reuters Feud on Earth but peace in space for US and Russia
MOSCOW: Hundreds of kilometers below on Earth, their business,” he told journalists at a press conference just after of a commercial rocket in October cast doubt over a NASA governments are locked in a standoff over Ukraine-but up in landing. First launched as an international project back in deal to use private firms. Meanwhile the American sector space, Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts are still 1998, the station was heralded as a symbol of the coopera- supplies the power to run the whole project and the Russian working together side by side. The International Space tion that emerged from the Cold War rivalry of the space race cosmonauts often rely on NASA’s superior communications Station (ISS) is one of the rare areas of US-Russian coopera- between the Soviet Union and United states. And while the system to talk to Earth. tion that has not been hit by the Ukraine crisis and in the lat- research outpost may technically be divided into Russian and “Even though we are butting heads on Earth, up on the ISS est show of commitment, the next joint mission is set to blast American sections the truth, analysts say, is that neither we can’t work without them and they can’t work without us,” off from Kazakhstan today. The crew will include two space country can run it on their own. “The US and Russia need Russian space expert Vadim Lukashevich said. “It’s impossible veterans-American Scott Kelly and Russian Mikhail each other,” American expert John Logsdon, a member of to break up this cooperation.” As tensions over Ukraine spi- Kornienko-who are down to become the first people to NASA’s Advisory Council said. raled, fears mounted that it was only a matter of time before spend a whole year straight on the cosmic outpost, rather the worst East-West standoff since the collapse of Communism than the usual six months. “We do our work that we love and ‘Like a marriage’ would hit the space program. The US briefly blocked exports of we respect each other,” Russian cosmonaut Alexander “It is like a marriage where divorce is almost impossible.” certain defense-linked technologies to Russia that some Samokutyaev said of life aboard the ISS after returning to Since ending its Space Shuttle flights, the US has been thought would affect the cooperation in space. But rather than Earth this month. dependent on Russian rockets to take astronauts and vital affect work on the ISS, the Ukraine crisis might actually have “Whatever the politicians want to get up to, that is their supplies to the space station, especially since the explosion helped cement it for the longer term. —AFP International15 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
US sees ‘path’ to long-elusive Iran deal
LAUSANNE: A nuclear deal with Iran capping over a decade of talks is in sight by a March 31 deadline, US officials said, but they remained cautious as top diplomat John Kerry prepared yesterday for down-to-the-wire negotiations. Kerry will push Iran to agree by Tuesday on the outlines of the long-elusive deal disabling parts of its nuclear infrastructure, in return for an easing of crippling global sanctions, at renewed talks in the Swiss lakeside town of Lausanne. “We very much believe that we can get this done by the 31st,” a senior State Department official told reporters travelling on Kerry’s plane. “We can see a path forward here to get to an agreement, we can see what that path might look like... that doesn’t mean we’ll get there,” the official cautioned. World powers-Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States-have set the March 31 deadline to agree a political framework on paring back Iran’s nuclear ambitions and stopping it developing an atomic bomb. The framework is meant to lay out specific ways to step up international monitor- ing and reduce Iran’s nuclear capability in order to cut off its pathways to a bomb, in return for an easing of crippling sanc- tions. Experts will then have a final few months to grapple with the complex technical details of a comprehensive accord set to be agreed by June 30. It remains unclear how detailed the framework between Iran and the six powers will be, particularly with the United States and France appearing split on the issue. A senior European offi- VALLEJO: Vallejo Police Lt Kenny Park ( center) speaks to reporters about the abduction and ransom of Denise Huskins cial also said any deal may only be an internal document, a fact in Vallejo, California. —AP sheet-or not a text at all. The State Department official said the format of any deal was under negotiation. “We believe and know that we will have to share as many specific details pub- Police call kidnap a hoax, now licly as we can, with the caveat that the work of doing annexes is very tough work,” the US official said. “March 31 is a real date and it is an important one,” the official said, but acknowledged can’t find California woman any framework deal would have to be fleshed out by a wealth of detailed, technical annexes by the end of June. VALLEJO, California: Northern “She wasn’t crying at all. She just said, pointing, it’s disheartening.” In another California investigators say they were ‘Daddy, I’m OK,’” an emotional Mike bizarre twist in the case, the San ‘Bad tactic’ suspicious when a man took hours to Huskins told The Associated Press. “I feel Francisco Chronicle received an email Kerry is under pressure from a hostile Congress to pin down report that strangers broke into his very relieved. Can you imagine? You Tuesday from an anonymous person something concrete after 18 months of intense talks with the home and abducted his girlfriend for an can’t unless you’ve experienced it.” claiming to be holding Denise Huskins. Islamic Republic. But Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali $8,500 ransom but had to take it seri- Her boyfriend, 30-year-old Aaron The person wrote that she would be Khamenei has criticized the two-step process. And France, seen ously for the two days she was missing. Quinn, had told police Denise Huskins returned safely Wednesday, the news- as the most hawkish among the six powers has also expressed Denise Huskins, 29, reappeared 400 was taken forcefully from their Mare paper reported. misgivings. France’s ambassador to Washington, Gerard Araud, miles away in Southern California on the Island home in Vallejo early Monday. He “We will send a link to her location said on Twitter last week that aiming to agree something by same day police revealed they had no called police around 2 p.m. to report she after she has been dropped off. She will March 31 was a “bad tactic” creating pressure to get a deal “at proof of a kidnapping and believe it was had been abducted. be in good health and safe while she any price”. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, a hoax. After the investigation turned to Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park said waits,” the email read. “Any advance on who will sit down again with Kerry on Thursday, hit out at the the couple, police said they weren’t able the delay is part of what aroused suspi- us or our associates will create a danger- group of six for not being able to “coordinate its stance”. The to contact either Huskins or her family cions. “It was such an incredible story, ous situation for Denise. Wait until she is March and late June target dates were set after negotiators members by Wednesday’s end and do we initially had a hard time believing it,” recovered and then proceed how you failed in November-for the second time-to meet a deadline to not know where she is. Park said. “Upon further investigation, will. We will be ready.” turn a November 2013 interim deal into a comprehensive Huskins had indicated she would talk we couldn’t substantiate any of the It included an audio file of a woman accord. to detectives, and the FBI had arranged things he was saying.” It was not clear identifying herself as Denise Huskins, Such a deal could also boost relations between Iran and to have her flown back to Northern whether police have spoken with Quinn who mentioned Tuesday’s airliner crash the West after decades of acrimony, potentially including California, police said. She hired an since they determined the case was a in the French Alps to verify she was more cooperation fighting Islamic State militants in Syria and attorney, but the lawyer’s name was not hoax. Park said he was “free on his own” alive. Her father confirmed the voice in Iraq. But Iran, which denies wanting the bomb, is loath to dis- released. for now and would not say whether the the file was his daughter’s, the Chronicle mantle any of its nuclear facilities unless in return the powers The day began with what seemed to two may had any accomplices. reported. Police had asked the newspa- dismantle painful UN, US and EU sanctions that have choked be a happy ending: Huskins showed up Police expressed disgust at the per to wait to reveal the email until the its economy.—AFP unharmed outside her father’s apart- resources squandered - saying over 40 voice was verified, Park said. ment. Mike Huskins said his daughter detectives had worked on the case - and Huskins’ uncle described her as a per- called him to say she had been dropped the fear the couple instilled in the com- son of sterling character, saying she is off at her mother’s Huntington Beach munity with a report of random vio- career-oriented, independent and house. No one was there, so she said she lence. strong. She works as a physical therapist walked the 12 blocks to his home, but “Devoting all of our resources 24 at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in he had traveled to Northern California to hours a day in a wild goose chase, it’s a Vallejo. “She’s a good girl, not into any help with the search. tremendous loss,” Park said. “It’s disap- bad things,” uncle Jeff Kane said.—AP US Army charges ex-POW Bergdahl with desertion
WASHINGTON: The US soldier who was Bergdahl was detained by Taleban-linked death sentence but authorities said the held by insurgents for five years after dis- Haqqani militants after he went missing particular desertion charge outlined appearing from his post in Afghanistan from his base in eastern Afghanistan near against Bergdahl carried a maximum has been charged with desertion and the Pakistani border in June 2009. prison sentence of five years, as well as a A photo of Brittany Maynard sits on the dais of the Senate “misbehavior before the enemy,” officers Under the military’s code of justice, dishonorable discharge, a reduction in Health Committee as lawmakers took testimony on pro- said Wednesday. Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, Bergdahl faces one count of desertion rank and forfeiture of all pay. posed legislation allowing doctors to prescribe life ending 28, was released in May last year in a con- “with intent to shirk important or haz- The second count of “misbehavior medication to terminally ill patients, at the Capitol in troversial swap for five Taliban detainees ardous duty” and one count of misbehav- before the enemy” carried a potential life Sacramento, California Wednesday. Brittany Maynard, a held at the US-run prison at Guantanamo ior that endangers a command, unit or prison sentence, officials said. The soldier’s 29-year-old San Francisco Bay Area woman who had ter- Bay, Cuba. place, Colonel Daniel King told reporters in case will now be subject to a preliminary minal cancer, moved to Oregon where she could legally He could now face a life sentence in a a televised announcement at Fort Bragg, hearing, in which military authorities will end her life. The bill was approved by the committee by a US jail. The only American in uniform to be North Carolina. decide whether there is sufficient evi- 5-2 vote. —AP held by insurgents in the Afghanistan war, Some desertion crimes carry a potential dence for a trial.—AFP International FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 16 Tornadoes hit Oklahoma, Arkansas; 1 dead
TULSA, Oklahoma: The first batch of severe weather in this year’s tornado season devastated an Oklahoma mobile home park, as storms across the area damaged buildings, tore off roofs and left debris strewn across roads. One person was killed and several were injured. Tens of thousands of Oklahoma residents were without power early yesterday as officials assessed the damage. Tulsa County Sheriff’s Capt. Billy McKelvey said one person was killed in the mobile home park in the Tulsa suburb of Sand Springs, which he said could accommodate 40 to 50 trailers. “It could have been much worse,” he said. A National Weather Service meteorologist said survey teams would be sent to assess the damage yesterday but that it was likely a twister that hit Sand Springs. “I think at this point there probably is enough video evi- dence that there probably was a tornado there,” said Joe Sellers at the weather service’s Tulsa office. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Keli Cain said at least nine people were hospitalized with injuries but that the total number of injuries wasn’t yet known. Tornadoes were seen across Oklahoma and Arkansas. A small twister swept across parts of Moore, an Oklahoma City suburb where 24 people died in a top-of-the-scale EF5 torna- do in 2013. Other twisters formed along a line from southwest of Oklahoma City to east of Tulsa, and some touched down in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas. The tornado season usually ramps up for parts of the US in March, but until Tuesday - when a waterspout formed over an Arkansas lake - the US hadn’t had a tornado in more than a This aerial photo shows storm damage of the River Oaks Mobile Home Park in Sand Springs, Oklahoma yesterday. The month. Television video Wednesday evening showed roof first batch of severe weather in this year’s tornado season devastated the mobile home park, as storms across the area damage in a Moore neighborhood - the Moore storm two damaged buildings, tore off roofs and left debris strewn across roads. — AP years ago scraped lots to their foundations. A glass door at the Tulsa building that houses the National Weather Service office was smashed, and several cars in the parking lot lost their win- dows. Don Ruffin said he and a neighbor were at a conven- US House committee advances ience store in far southeast Moore when he saw the tornado approaching. “I don’t know how close it was to us, but it ‘threat-sharing’ cybersecurity bill looked like it was coming toward us, and so we didn’t take any chances,” Ruffin said. “We got in our vehicles, ran home and got in our shelters.” Ruffin said after the storm passed, there were some fences Lawmakers see good chances of passing bill knocked down and “patio furniture thrown everywhere.” Power utilities reported just over 20,000 power outages yes- WASHINGTON: The US House of Senate and backers of both bills say they ing for more protection against cyberat- terday morning, down from nearly 80,000 Wednesday night. Representatives Intelligence Committee have a good chance of passing after tacks, but they also worry about poten- Weather patterns this month funneled cold air into much voted unanimously yesterday to repeated setbacks. tial lawsuits if they hand information of the country, depriving the atmosphere of the warm, moist advance a long-awaited bill that would The House bill has been in the works over to government investigators. air necessary for forming bad storms for most of the month. make it easier for companies to share for five years, and previous versions Private industry is alarmed by the fre- That all changed this week. Southerly winds pushed tempera- information about cybersecurity threats have stalled before becoming law, large- quency of attacks on corporate net- tures into the 70s and 80s across the Ozarks and Southern with the government without the fear of ly due to concerns by privacy advocates works, such as recent assaults on Sony Plains, while weather fronts churned the air into Wednesday’s lawsuits. worried that they could lead to more Pictures Entertainment and Home storms. A committee spokesman said the surveillance. The measure offers corpo- Depot. Many Americans, meanwhile, Meteorologist Jeff Hood in Little Rock said a weak water- panel approved the measure unani- rations liability protection if they share have become hugely concerned about spout tornado briefly touched down in Bull Shoals Lake in mously, by voice vote, during a closed information through a civilian portal, the government’s access to their private Marion County in northwest Arkansas on Tuesday night. He meeting. The legislation is expected to most likely to be run by the Department data, particularly since 2013 disclosures said it will likely be classified an EF0 - the weakest tornado come before the full House as soon as of Homeland Security. Data handed over by former National Security Agency con- with wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph. A waterspout forms over late April, after lawmakers return from a also would be “scrubbed” twice to tractor Edward Snowden about the bulk water. The tornado never made it onto land, and there were two-week early April recess. Similar leg- remove personal information. collection of citizens’ telephone records. no reports of damage.— AP islation is making its way through the US US corporations have been clamor- — Reuters India’s long road to tougher law against killer drivers
NEW DELHI: One month after Anita Rajput’s anxiously watching parliament, where premier India’s notoriously slow legal system, and he headlights while driving at night. “We live in a son was crushed to death by two buses as he Narendra Modi’s government has promised to has received no payout. disastrous system. There’s corruption in [every- walked home in the Indian capital, the dis- introduce a bill-overhauling a law dating back “It was a government-owned bus but I nev- thing from] building roads to getting licences traught mother cannot bear to send her to the British colonial period. er got any compensation or at least a courtesy and getting away from paying fines,” said remaining child back to school. “Has anything But when parliament rose this month it visit from any official,” Kumar told AFP from his Anurag Kulshrestha, president of trafficZam, a changed? How can I let him out on the road? delayed the bill until late April, a setback vic- home in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state. Delhi-based charity for road safety. What if my younger son meets a similar fate,” tims described as a “big disappointment for He also points to the dilapidated state of Rajput told AFP, tears welling in her eyes. the entire country” although they remain Corruption key India’s vast road network, some of which are India has some of the world’s deadliest hopeful. The number of deaths on Indian roads- poorly designed and ill-equipped to cope with roads, with more than 200,000 fatalities annu- “It’s worth having a new law, even if it saves more than 231,000 every year, according to a the thousands of extra cars pouring onto them, ally, according to the World Health a single person. I know the pain,” said Pulkit WHO report in 2013 — is disproportionately thanks to a rising middle class. The govern- Organization (WHO). The deaths are blamed Kumar, whose spine was crushed in a motorcy- high. India owns only one percent of global ment pledged in its annual budget to build on weak laws, which are routinely flouted by cle accident leaving him bedridden. vehicles but accounts for 15 percent of global 100,000 additional kilometres of roads and to drivers and poorly enforced, often by corrupt Kumar, 29, was riding home in 2011 when traffic deaths, according to the World Bank. hike infrastructure spending by $11.3 billion, officials. he was knocked down by a bus while waiting Campaigners say corruption is at the heart although experts say much more is needed. After years of inaction, the government is at traffic lights in Delhi’s satellite town of of the problem, with drivers able to bribe Until then, drivers will have to continue to proposing tougher penalties, including heftier Noida. police and judicial officers if they are caught compete with trucks, buses, speeding taxis, fines for speeding and reckless drivers-current- Forced to quit his job and faced with huge breaking traffic rules. handcarts, cows and jaywalking pedestrians, ly as low as $2 — in a bid to bring down the hospital bills, Kumar is, at the least, hoping for As a result, motorists regularly flout laws on who are forced onto pot-holed roads by the shockingly high toll. justice. But four years after the accident, a case wearing seatbelts, speeding, using mobile clutter of street vendors and crumbling pave- Victims and road safety experts have been against the bus driver is bogged down in phones at the wheel or switching on their ments. —AFP International FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Indian police arrest 2 in gang rape of nun
KOLKATA: Police arrested two suspects yesterday in the gang rape of an elderly nun in a Catholic missionary school this month in a crime that focused attention on the scourge of sexual vio- lence in India despite tough anti-rape laws introduced two years ago. The suspects were arrested after a nationwide hunt, one of them was found hiding in the western city of Mumbai and the second from West Bengal state, said a police officer said who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters. The nun, in her 70s, was hospitalized in serious condition. She has since recovered and left the hospital. Christian leaders say a series of attacks on churches since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing Hindu government came to power in May have created a sense of fear in the community. Christians comprise 2 percent of India’s more than 1.2 billion people. Police also are looking for other suspects who attacked the Convent of Jesus and Mary School in eastern India’s West Bengal state on March 14, ransacked the chapel, destroyed religious items and stole cash. The attackers tied the school’s security guards with ropes and entered the nuns’ room, where the women were sleeping. They took the elderly nun to another room when she tried to block their way and then raped her, police said. One of the suspects, Mohammad Salim Shaikh, denied the rape charge, but acknowledged that he was part of the gang which attacked the school in Nadia district, 80 kilome- VAISHALI: Indian relatives of students taking school exams climb the walls of the exam building to help pass candidates ters (50 miles) northeast of the West Bengal state capital of answers to questions in Vaishali in the eastern state of Bihar. Authorities in eastern India were left red-faced on March 19, Kolkata, the officer said yesterday.—AP 2015, after images of relatives scaling the walls of a school exam centre to pass notes to candidates were broadcast on local television. Dozens of people were shown clinging to the windows of one four-storey building in the eastern state of Bihar, where more than 1.4 million teenagers are sitting their school leaving exams. — AFP Fears grow as courts hand Pakistan army more power Nine new military courts being set up initially
RAWALPINDI: Weeks after Taleban gunmen massacred 134 pupils back,” he said. Amid popular pressure to crack down on militants in at an army-run school, Pakistani lawmakers significantly expanded the wake of the Peshawar school atrocity in December, Prime the power of military courts by allowing them to try civilians Minister Nawaz Sharif championed the new courts in parliament accused of terrorism. Critics say the new rules cede too much and lifted a moratorium on the death penalty. ground to the military, which towers over Pakistani politics despite He also promised the courts would only try “hardcore terrorists.” the first ever handover of power from one civilian government to Those could include some of 6-7,000 people the military is holding KOLKATA: A closed circuit television image captured at the another two years ago. in internment camps, the senior military official said. Many have Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ranaghat, some 70 kilometers A Reuters investigation of legal documents provided by lawyers been held for years, their identities and locations mostly secret. north of Kolkata, and released by West Bengal Police shows and families of those tried under existing military courts also high- They could face a trial like Ehsan Azeem’s. Unidentified gunmen three suspects in the gang-rape of a 71-year-old nun at the lights concerns over how fair and accountable the new courts will abducted him and his brother from their home in 2013, his parents convent. Indian police have made their first arrest over the be. Some convictions would have been thrown out by civilian said. The brother limped home two weeks later, saying he’d been rape of an elderly nun that has shocked the country, a senior courts, according to lawyers involved. Several defendants said they hung upside down and beaten. A military court sentenced Azeem official said yesterday. — AFP were denied access to legal representation in breach of military law. to death last year. Some said they were tortured in custody. The military can, and Military documents show Azeem was accused of attacking a mili- sometimes does, dissolve and reprimand courts that reach verdicts tary camp, yet he was sentenced for sedition. When his parents they disagree with, then order repeated retrials, according to court were finally allowed to visit him in prison, Azeem told them he was ‘Slumdog’ author is documents and former military officials. tortured and had never appeared in court or spoken to a lawyer. “This happens often. The military is command-oriented, right “He told me, ‘I don’t know on which charge we have been sen- India’s new foreign from arrest until execution,” said former military judge Inam ul- tenced to death’,” the prisoner’s father, Muhammad Azeem, said, his Rahiem. He said he was forced into early retirement for delivering weeping wife clutching a photo of their son. “Our son has been ministry spokesman judgments the top brass disliked. He is now a defense lawyer in abducted and punished like this? Why? It is justice?” high-profile military cases. NEW DELHI: Diplomat Vikas Swarup, whose bestselling debut The military declined to answer questions on the new courts or Try, try again novel was turned into the Oscar-winning movie “Slumdog any of the cases cited in this article. But some officers privately Former military legal adviser Muhammad Akram said the military Millionaire”, has been appointed India’s new foreign ministry blame government incompetence for forcing the army’s hand. sometimes prevented suspects from having lawyers, making con- spokesman, reports and a source said yesterday. “With the civilian courts, it’s justice delayed and justice denied,” one victions easier. Before the January amendment, the two main Swarup will take over from charismatic spokesman Syed senior military official said. “With the military courts, it’s justice on charges the military could bring against civilians were sedition and Akbaruddin who has spent four years as the Indian foreign time and justice delivered.” Senator Aitzaz Ahsan voted for the new spying, he added. Akram said he knew of more than 100 cases ministry’s frontman, a source in the ministry said. courts, saying they were necessary in a country at “war” with mili- where the military used the charges to bypass civilian courts and try “He will be taking over in April after Akbaruddin’s term tants. “I have a visceral distaste for military courts, but the safe- a defendant suspected of a different crime. comes to an end,” the source told AFP. Swarup, an Indian guards provided and the state of war we are in justifies it,” he said. An intelligence official told Reuters that Azeem and four co- Foreign Service officer, has served several stints overseas in Few dispute Pakistan’s chaotic justice system moves at a glacial defendants were members of the militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Indian High Commissions, the most recent in Japan. Since pace. Human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir says reforms are slow which murders minority Shi’ites and government forces. No such returning to India in 2013, he has been attached to the Delhi because the powerful don’t want a judiciary that might one day claim was made in documents seen by Reuters. In another case office of the United Nations. Swarup is known for penning hold them to account. “It suits those who want to work the system,” reviewed by Reuters, Nisar Javed Fakhri was convicted of the rape internationally acclaimed “Q & A”, published in 2005 about a she said. and murder of an officer’s wife. Fakhri, a low-level soldier working as young waiter who becomes the biggest winner in the history a cleaner, was tried three times until his life sentence was increased of a particular quiz show. “Slumdog Millionaire”, directed by ‘Hardcore terrorists’ to the death penalty. Forensic evidence was inconclusive, so his Britain’s Danny Boyle and which won eight Oscars in 2009, is Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told reporters this week conviction rested mostly on evidence from a co-accused who con- based on the book. In a 2009 interview with AFP, Swarup said more than 50 cases had been referred to the new courts, nine of tradicted himself three times about whether Fakhri was present. he would like people to call him “a diplomat who writes”. which are already being set up. Cases must be approved at the Both men say they were tortured. The co-accused ate a shattered Swarup faces a tough task as spokesman, a job that involves provincial level before going to the Interior Ministry and Prime light bulb to try to kill himself in custody. “I had accepted my voicing the government’s official line on foreign issues and Minister’s secretariat. “There have been dozens of cases which have involvement in the occurrence due to torture,” Fakhri said at his holding regular briefings with the press. — AFP not been approved by the ministry of interior and have been sent third trial. “I was innocent.” — Reuters International FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 14 dead in scaffolding collapse at Vietnam plant
HANOI: At least 14 workers were killed and dozens According to local officials, the industrial com- more injured after scaffolding collapsed at a steel plex is owned by Taiwanese group Formosa plant in central Vietnam, officials said, as rescue Plastics. State media also said the construction teams yesterday searched for bodies still trapped project had been sub-contracted to a local labor in the wreckage. The labourers were building con- supply company, with investment from Samsung crete blocks as part of a seawall project when the C&T, a subsidiary of South Korean giant Samsung. accident took place late Wednesday in the coastal Formosa Plastics has been building a large steel province of Ha Tinh, said Le Minh Dao, office man- complex in the Vung Ang industrial zone in Ha ager of the provincial People’s Committee. “We Tinh. The eight-billion-dollar site was the target of have pulled out 12 bodies. Two other bodies will anti-Chinese riots last May after Beijing deployed soon be rescued from the rubble,” Dao said. He an oil rig in waters that Vietnam claims. added that around 700 people were mobilised Formosa’s Ha Tinh complex was looted, van- overnight to help rescue workers at the site, where dalised and partially burned down by rioters, leav- at least 28 people were injured. ing at least two Chinese workers dead and more JAKARTA: Densus 88 counter-terrorism police commandos march during operations on a State media reported that many of the injured than 100 others both Chinese and Vietnamese- house in Malang located in eastern Java island yesterday where three men were arrested ear- were recovering at a local hospital, with some in injured. The project recently came under fire in lier in a series of raids in and outside of Jakarta as the government wage a campaign against a critical condition. It was not immediately clear why Vietnam’s state-controlled media for violating local threat by Islamic State (IS) influences in the country. — AFP the scaffolding had collapsed but an investigation labor laws by employing too many Chinese work- would be launched, said Dao. ers. —AFP Indonesian court rejects China slams Japan over death row defense spending fears Filipina’s appeal Tokyo commissions biggest-ever helicopter carrier JAKARTA: Indonesia’s Supreme Court has rejected an application by a Filipina on BEIJING: China dismissed Japanese concerns tenth that of China,” Hua told a regular briefing any move or actions by Japan in the military and death row for a judicial review of her case, about its defense spending as “ridiculous” yester- yesterday. “But its per capita national defence security field is worth the vigilance of its Asian day after Tokyo commissioned its biggest-ever hel- spending is about five times that of China,” she neighbors.” taking her a step closer to being executed icopter carrier. Both sides are boosting their mili- added. Separately, Geng criticized reported comments along with several other foreign drug con- tary budgets as they grow increasingly wary of “Given this, Japan’s criticism of China’s national by the commander of the US Seventh Fleet sug- victs. As well as the Filipina, Mary Jane each other’s ambitions in the Asia-Pacific region, defence is quite ridiculous.” It was unclear on what gesting it would back efforts by Southeast Asian Fiesta Veloso, two high-profile Australian facing off over a maritime territorial dispute and figures Hua based her comparison. Earlier this nations to form a combined maritime force to inmates and convicts from France, Brazil, how to interpret Japan’s motivations and actions month China unveiled a military budget of 886.9 patrol areas of the South China Sea. China claims Ghana and Nigeria are set to face the fir- during World War II. billion yuan ($142.9 billion) for 2015. With a popu- almost all of the South China Sea, a position that ing squad after they recently had requests Japan is uneasy about what it sees as China’s lation of 1.37 billion, that equates to about $104 conflicts with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and for presidential clemency rejected. growing assertiveness, including through regular per person. Vietnam, as well as with Taiwan. In her application for a judicial review, double-digit increases in its defense spending, and Japan’s defence spending for fiscal 2015 has US officials have called for a multilateral agree- Veloso’s lawyers had reportedly argued on Wednesday commissioned its biggest warship been set at 4.98 trillion yen ($42.1 billion), or about ment to end all actions that risk further inflaming since World War II, the helicopter carrier Izumo. $329 per capita, just over three times as much as tensions in the region, which includes US allies. that she was not provided with a capable The 248-metre (810-feet) Japanese-built vessel can China. Kyodo news agency said the Izumo cost “If ASEAN members were to take the lead in translator during her first trial. But the carry nine helicopters and is aimed at beefing up around 120 billion yen. Beijing is suspicious of organizing something along those lines, trust Supreme Court’s website said that judges Tokyo’s maritime defences in the East China Sea. moves by Tokyo to increase its defence profile me, the US 7th Fleet would be ready to sup- on Wednesday rejected Veloso’s applica- In 2012, China commissioned its first aircraft under nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who port,” Bloomberg News quoted Vice Admiral tion for a review of her sentence. It did not carrier, the Liaoning, and has said its plans more. has called for his country to throw off the con- Robert Thomas as saying. “We urge the US side provide details about the ruling and a Tokyo has repeatedly called on Beijing to be more straints of its “peace” constitution imposed by the to stop making irresponsible remarks”, Geng court spokesman could not immediately transparent about its military outlays but Chinese United States after World War II, which ended 70 said, adding it should “respect the efforts made be contacted for comment. foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying hit years ago this year. by the relevant countries in finding a peaceful Veloso was caught at Yogyakarta air- back, saying that despite Japan’s far smaller num- Asked about the Izumo, Chinese defence min- solution” to the issue. “We hope that the United port, on the main island of Java, carrying ber of people it spends a hefty amount on defence. istry spokesman Geng Yansheng told a monthly States will stop their provocative remarks and “Japan’s population accounts for only about one- briefing on Thursday: “Due to historical reasons, actions.” — AFP 2.6 kilograms (5.73 pounds) of heroin on a flight from Malaysia. Jakarta plans to exe- cute all 10 of the convicts-nine foreigners and one Indonesian-at the same time, but has said it will wait for any outstanding legal appeals to conclude. Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, leaders of the so-called “Bali Nine” drug-smuggling gang, as well as Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, currently have appeals that are working their way through the courts. Chan and Sukumaran have lost two pre- vious attempts to get judicial reviews of their cases, but their legal teams have lodged a further, rare appeal. Indonesia has some of the toughest anti-drugs laws in the world, and President Joko Widodo has vowed there will be no clemency for traf- fickers on death row, as the country is fac- ing an “emergency” due to rising narcotics use. Jakarta put to death six drug convicts, including five foreigners, in January, spark- ing a diplomatic storm. — AFP BEIJING: Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) during a signing ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. Widodo is in China following his four-day visit to Japan. — AFP FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 FRIDAY, www.kuwaittimes.net
A model parades a creation during the Hempel Award, the 23rd China International Young Fashion Designers Contest at China Fashion Week in Beijing on March 25, 2015. The biannual China Fashion Week is being held in Beijing.—AFP
Page 21 Lifestyle FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Off the mat
By Polina Volkova
t’s been almost a year since I’ve joined the Yoga Center family and what a journey it has Ibeen. I’ve been lucky enough to witness the whole path of YCK (Yoga Center Kuwait), which started as just an idea and a dream of a close friend, who is now one of the founders. She found support, motivation and help from her sisters and the three of them created something that transformed into the first and most reputable yoga center in Kuwait, rightfully deserving its title. I believe it was destiny that yoga, the Yoga Center and all the lovely yoginis I’ve met were on my life path. Since my son was born, I haven’t been working and I’ve start- ed at the Yoga Center when he was almost a year. Let me tell you, I’m certainly glad I got pulled up and gently pushed back to work as I’m afraid if that didn’t happen, I would have still been in a pile on the floor unable to move. Motherhood can do that to you. One of the best things about working as a manager here is naturally practicing yoga. I’ve had the pleasure of trying almost all the classes we offer and each is so special and different in its way. In Kuwait, the general public still thinks of yoga as one type of exercise and can’t differentiate the variations. With time and effort from the Yoga Center founders to educate and involve the Kuwaiti community, I’ve seen that attitude change. With their newfound knowledge, our clients know exactly what they want to sign up for, be it a nurturing restorative session or a full blast intermediate hot yoga class. Call me mad, but I’ve decided to raise my son without a nanny and I yearn for those treasured moments of quietness and peace the most. I remember walking out of my first yoga class, and for the first time in a year I felt like someone else and not a mum, I felt like a person again. I highly recommend it to young mothers and women who lead a busy lifestyle. In the sereni- ty of the class I managed to separate my life at home and this world of yoga that I found so inviting. I’ve started to practice more with time and it was beautiful to observe how your body and mind changes. Yoga is not a fast paced weight loss plan, it’s an organic way of healing the body and mind that stays with you on and off the mat. I wouldn’t say yoga makes miracles hap- pen, but there is definitely some magic involved which you feel during those minutes of your shavasana pose at the end of your class. Since yoga became a part of my life, my way of eat- ing also became different. I’m much more careful about the food that I eat and make for my family. I try very hard to opt for items that are healthy and have nutritional value and avoid foods with chemicals and arti- ficial flavoring. I’ve even started making my own organic liquid kids wash, as it wasn’t available anywhere in Kuwait. I now sell it at the Yoga Center Kuwait. I’ve also improved my health as I’ve always suffered from lower back problems, at times so severe, that I couldn’t walk and had to be taken to the doctor and immediately given muscle relaxants and strong pain killers. With a cocktail of Bowen technique ( which is a therapy we offer) and warm Yin Yoga and restorative yoga classes, my condition has improved greatly without any medication at all. Yoga can actually aid or cure physical and mental problems and issues. What I find most special about the Yoga Center Kuwait, is that it offers you a yoga lifestyle, not just a yoga class. Apart from classes there are numerous workshops on the most interesting topics such as Healing your heart, Nutrition and the seven chakras. In my life, yoga has made me more grounded, calmed me down and truly improved my everyday life and rela- tionships and I hope it can do the same for you. The Yoga Center Kuwait Burj jassim, basement Instagram @yogacenterkw Lifestyle FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
(From left) Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles of British band One Direction, pose after winning the awards for Best New Artist and Best British-Irish pop band ‘One Direction’ pose on the red carpet arriving at the BRIT Awards Pop Video for the track, ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ at the MTV Video Music Awards. 2013 in London. — AP/AFP photos Which way will One Direction go after Malik’s departure? avid Lee Roth and Van Halen. Noel Gallagher with a new lead singer (Sammy Hagar); or Oasis, Dand Oasis. And now Zayn Malik and One which essentially disbanded when Gallagher left, Sense of unsteadiness Direction. Malik said Wednesday he is leav- One Direction is all vocalists, making it easier to Take That started as a singing, dancing group of ing the chart-topping British boy band “to be a nor- absorb a loss. five. When one of its members left, the band fin- mal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some ished its world tour, released a single, then broke private time out of the spotlight.” His name immedi- Cheeky personalities up. It reunited as a foursome almost a decade later ately became a top trending topic online - The band’s only choice now is to continue with and found new success. The fifth member briefly #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik - as the band four, Hiatt said: “I can’t imagine, under any circum- returned, then left again, followed by another mem- announced it would continue its world tour, “On stances, them replacing him.” One Direction formed ber’s departure. The group now records and tours the Road Again,” without Malik. Plans also remained in 2010 after five teenagers - Harry Styles, Liam as a trio and just released a single this month. It’s in place for the now-foursome to record an album Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Malik - too soon to say which way One Direction, or Malik, later this year. auditioned individually for the British TV talent might go, but making a clean split was a good first “For kids now, it’s truly the equivalent of if one of show “The X Factor.” Simon Cowell had the idea of step, writes Jason Lipshutz, an associate editor at the Beatles would have left at the height of their putting them together as a boy band. They didn’t Billboard. “Zayn’s exit from One Direction is painful success,” said Rolling Stone Senior Writer Brian Hiatt win the competition, but they went on to score hits because it means something has ended, but it of Malik’s departure. One middle-school teacher and win young hearts around the world with their would have been vastly more painful to approach said the day was among the toughest in her career perky pop and cheeky personalities. Each member the next few months with a sense of unsteadiness,” as tween girls ran out of class in tears. has his own following, with Styles and Malik he says. “Now, Zayn is gone, and One Direction can But while it may be sad news for Malik’s fans, his arguably the most popular. Cowell said in a state- move on.”— AP departure isn’t necessarily bad for the band - at least ment Wednesday that One Direction fans “can rest not immediately. The remaining four members assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely have concert dates scheduled through October and excited about the future of the band.” Another they promise a future for the group. Unlike Van British boy band faced a similar challenge in the One Direction member Zayn Malik appears Halen, which started over when it replaced Roth 1990s, with unsettled results. on NBC’s ‘Today’ show in New York. JB Smoove ‘psyched’ to perform Adams and Jake in talks at Garden of Laughs benefit for ‘Nocturnal Animals’ B Smoove says he’s “psyched” to be performing this completed its third season. That means he has the extra weekend at the Garden of Laughs benefit at Madison responsibility of representing MSG when he takes the ources tell Variety that Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal are in discussions JSquare Garden. The actor-comedian sees his partici- stage. “I have to be supportive of Madison Square Garden Sto star in fashion designer Tom Ford’s thriller “Nocturnal Animals,” his sec- pation as the perfect confluence of opportunities: He’ll be and their interest in the plight of children,” he said. “Their ond film as a director after 2009’s “A Single Man.” This is in the early days supporting a great cause, playing in his home city and interest is my interest. ... I’m part of the team. I’m the pow- as no financial offers have been made yet but insiders say it is headed in that making a connection with a live audience. “That immedi- er forward. It’s time to pass me the ball, so pass me the direction. Ford will write and direct and also produce along with George ate response, it’s like a high,” Smoove said in an interview. ball.” He compared the diversity of comics in Saturday’s Clooney and Grant Heslov through their Smokehouse Pictures banner. He added: “I don’t think anything beats direct contact show to boxers. “There’s the slugger, the fundamental Based on the novel by Austin Wright titled “Tony and Susan,” the plot is with people and that immediate response.” boxer, the speed guy, the southpaw. ... We all have our described as a “story inside a story,” with the first part following a woman Smoove is one of six comedians set to take the stage own world that we’re going to pull people into for that 10 named Susan who receives a book manuscript from her ex-husband, a man Saturday night. He’ll be joined by Dane Cook, Lewis Black, minutes,” he said. —AP whom she left 20 years earlier, asking for her opinion. The second element fol- Bill Burr, Billy Gardell and John Oliver. He refers to the line- lows the actual manuscript, called “Nocturnal Animals,” which revolves around up as “an ice cream parlor of comedian flavors.” “I haven’t a man whose family vacation turns violent and deadly. It also continues to fol- figured out what flavor I am, yet. Maybe I’m butterscotch low the story of Susan, who finds herself recalling her first marriage and con- or even mocha,” Smoove joked Tuesday. “Sopranos” star fronting some dark truths about herself. Steve Schirripa hosts the show, which benefits the Garden Sources say actors were immediately drawn to the project when the script of Dreams Foundation. The organization works with all hit the market, and Adams was the first to sign on, as she was interested in the areas of the Madison Square Garden Co. - including the part of Susan, with Gyllenhaal pushing hard for the male lead. Adams has New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, the New York received five Oscar nominations, most recently for best actress in “American Liberty, MSG Entertainment and MSG Networks - to Hustle.” Gyllenhaal has a history of strong dramatic roles with a dark edge. brighten the lives of children facing obstacles. Adams is about to start production on “Story of Your Life” opposite Jeremy Smoove, known for his role as Leon Black, Larry David’s Renner and can be seen next reprising the role of Lois Lane in “Batman v sidekick in the HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” began Superman: Dawn of Justice.” She is repped by WME and Brillstein his career as a standup comedian. He also was a writer on Entertainment.—Reuters “Saturday Night Live.” Now he’s the host of the MSG net- Actor-comedian JB Smoove appears during an inter- work talk show “Four Courses with JB Smoove,” which just view in New York.— AP Lifestyle FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Jacobs has joined Instagram
arc Jacobs has joined Instagram. The 52-year-old the site. He said at the time: “I am so appalled by the whole doesn’t appeal to me.” The move has prompted speculation Mdesigner has set up his own account on the image social media thing. I don’t get it, it doesn’t appeal to me, neither he’s worried about staying at the forefront of fashion following sharing site despite previously claiming he’s “appalled” does a computer, or working on a laptop. I don’t want to read a the announcement that his Marc by Marc Jacobs collection is to by social media. The outspoken fashion star - who posted his book on a device. be absorbed into his eponymous main line. Marc confirmed the first photo to an account with the handle @themarcjacobs on “I like a book with a hard cover, and text on a piece of paper. end of his diffusion line earlier this week, announcing it would Monday - has already bagged himself nearly 50,000 followers. I like magazines. I don’t care if I carry around 100lbs of maga- merge with the luxury brand but described the move as “start- However, just last month he claimed he had no interest whatso- zines, I’d rather to that than look at them on the internet. “I am ing at the beginning.”-Bang Showbiz ever in joining the thousands of people who upload pictures to just not of that generation. I get it the allure of it, but it just
In this photo provided by Woman’s Day shows ‘egg chicks,’ This photo provided by courtesy of FamilyFun magazine In this photo provided by courtesy of FamilyFun magazine, created by adding facial features, and personality, to tradi- shows a candy caddy made from a 32-ounce yogurt contain- use an oiled chopstick to pierce lengthwise through a marsh- tional deviled eggs, which appear in the April 2015 issue of er. mallow bunny, then insert a straw for serving with milk. Woman’s Day magazine. — AP photos DIY ideas for the Easter brunch table ake the most of your Easter celebration by preparing a medium-size, square vessels from The Container Store, and Edibles Mbrunch table with a few easy, handcrafted items. “A cou- ensured that the cut flowers would last longer by sticking each One simple project from FamilyFun’s April issue: Use an oiled ple of special touches will make it feel like a more special stem in a water pick, or little tube (available at florists or crafts chopstick to pierce lengthwise through a marshmallow bunny, gathering,” says Taryn Mohrman, senior lifestyle editor at stores). and then insert a straw for serving with milk. Woman’s Day sug- Woman’s Day magazine. She recommends keeping things simple, “The fresh-cut flowers look like they are growing out of the gests turning deviled eggs into cute chicks; a plateful helps deco- adding only one or two decorative items to the table - for exam- grass,” says Mohrman. “I just love that it’s a shrunken-down gar- rate the buffet table. Cut off the top third of each hard-boiled egg, ple, a centerpiece and place cards. And pick projects you’ll enjoy. den.” Make one of these centerpieces or line several down the removing the yolk from the bottom two-thirds and following “As long as you’re having fun doing them, then they’re going to center of the table. one’s own deviled-eggs recipe. To assemble the chicks: Slice a be worth it,” says Mohrman. It’s a great season for including chil- Another option: The website Hometalk suggests creating pret- thin piece from the bottom of each egg white to help it stand dren in DIY projects because so many Easter crafts “are just so ty vases by wrapping clean glass jars with various colors and pat- upright. Then, using a 1-inch cookie scoop, scoop the yolk mix- cute: adorable bunnies, chicks and colorful eggs,” says Mary Giles, terns of washi tape, and then filling them with flowers. Or fill ture into each egg white and cap it with the reserved top third of deputy editor of FamilyFun Magazine. Mason jars with green craft Easter grass, and add Easter choco- the egg, like a hat. Use thinly sliced carrots as feet, wings and She recommends keeping things simple, adding only one or lates and two marshmallow chicks. Decorate the lids with washi beak. Use capers for eyes, and herbs for beards, hair and eye- two decorative items to the table - for example, a centerpiece and tape and craft paper before screwing them back onto the jars. brows - gently placing each in the yolk mixture to make silly faces. place cards. And pick projects you’ll enjoy. “As long as you’re hav- Glue a plastic or crafted egg on top, and wrap Easter- or spring- “I think (children will) have a lot of fun giving each egg their ing fun doing them, then they’re going to be worth it,” says themed ribbon around the jar at its neck. own personality,” says Mohrman. Mohrman. It’s a great season for including children in DIY projects For those who still want to build a gingerbread house - maybe because so many Easter crafts “are just so cute: adorable bunnies, Place cards a small one made out of graham crackers - Joy McElroy of chicks and colorful eggs,” says Mary Giles, deputy editor of For a simple project, Woman’s Day suggests painting small Greenville, Texas, shares an edible “Peeps Houses” how-to at her FamilyFun Magazine. rabbit figurines in gold. For each place card, cut two 13/4-inch cir- blog, Yesterfood. The gist: Break three graham crackers into six cles from card stock; write a guest’s name on one circle. Glue a 4- pieces. “Glue” the walls to the floor with icing. Attach the remain- Centerpieces inch length of thin gold wire between the two circles. Attach the ing two pieces together like a “V” for the roof. Let all the pieces One suggestion in the April issue of Woman’s Day is that kids other end of the wire around the rabbit like a collar. dry, and then use icing to attach the roof to the walls. Fill the place wheat grass (bought at a garden center) in a shallow dish “It looks like a floating balloon, which is playful and cute,” says house with craft Easter grass, candy eggs and a Peep chick. — AP and decorate it with spring flowers, such as tulips and grape Mohrman. “You can swap out names next year or reuse the same hyacinth, along with dyed Easter eggs. The magazine used several ones.” Lifestyle FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 The Biannual China Fashion Week
Models parade creations during the Hempel Award, the 23rd China International Young Fashion Designers Contest at China Fashion Week in Beijing on March 25, 2015. The biannual China Fashion Week is being held in Beijing from March 24 to 31. — AFP photos 24 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Recipe for honey-zaatar glazed rack of lamb By Aarti Sequeira The recipe varies by family and region: The Lebanese use a lot of sumac, while the Palestinians add a little nutty caraway. No matter its composi- hen I was growing up in Dubai, my favorite afterschool snack tion, you’ll find zaatar on everything from pastries and bread to salads and was “manaeesh bi zaatar,” a warm flatbread smeared with a kebabs. It’s usually sold alongside other seasonings in either the spice or Wdeep green paste made of olive oil and the beloved Middle international aisle at the grocer. Think of zaatar as the pinch hitter of your Eastern spice blend, zaatar. Rolled up with some creamy lebneh (thick spice cabinet. Whether you’re out of herbs de Provence, poultry seasoning yogurt) and fresh tomatoes, it’s still the snack I crave today. or just plain old dried thyme, zaatar will fill in nicely, punctuating your fish, chicken, meat and vegetables with its distinctive grass-and-sour flavor. It Zaatar actually is the name of a wild herb that somewhat resembles pairs particularly well with lamb, a meat I think of in spring, especially at oregano in flavor. The herb originally was used to make the spice blend, Easter. So this year, I used it to season a honey-glazed rack of lamb. It’s a but here in the US, you’re more likely to find a blend of dried thyme, orega- great Easter meal, and a delicious way to get to know zaatar. no and marjoram, flecked with toasted sesame seeds and ground sumac, a magenta berry that packs a delightfully sour punch.
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Ingredients
Start to finish: 40 minutes (15 minutes active) Servings: 4
2 racks of lamb (each weighing about 1 1/2 pounds) 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper 2 teaspoons zaatar, 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon lemon zest 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 to 3 tablespoons sunflower or canola oil
Preparations Heat the oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet large enough to hold both racks of lamb with foil. Set the baking sheet in the oven. Season the lamb racks with salt, pepper and a light dusting of zaatar. Set aside at room temperature while you prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, stir together 2 teaspoons zaatar, the honey, lemon zest and juice, vinegar and mustard, along with a hefty pinch of salt. Set aside. In a large skillet over medium-high, heat the oil until shimmering. One at a time, add the racks of lamb, meat-side down. Cook until golden brown with a nice crust, about 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully flip, then brown on the other sides for another 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully remove the heated baking sheet from the oven. Transfer the lamb to baking sheet, meat-side up. Paint honey-zaatar mixture onto the meat with a pastry brush, making sure to brush the bottoms and sides, too. Place the lamb in the oven and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the meat at the centre of the rack reads 135 F. Remove the lamb from the oven, cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Slice the lamb bones into either single or double chops, sprinkle with a little extra salt, pepper and zaatar. – AP
p24-25.indd 3 3/24/15 7:21 PM The bride, Paula Froke, (left) and groom, Timothy McCarthy, at the informal reception following their wedding at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oak- land, California—AP photos The story of a dedicated couple who hosted their wedding twice for their families
By Paula Froke
wo dresses — one from Craigslist, several sizes too big, the other a last-minute, $18 antique shop find. Two bouquets — one crafted Tfrom a gigantic flower market’s offerings, the other from wildflow- ers gathered from the side of a highway. Two venues — one a waterfront park where the groom spent his last hours of bachelorhood cleaning up goose droppings, the other a cemetery. To think, all I’d wanted was to 1 couple, run down to City Hall. Fortunately, Timothy is wise. A wedding, he told me, is as much for our families and friends as it is for us. So that became our theme: “taking it to the family.” Which meant that my simple City Hall idea morphed into two ceremonies, one in California with his large family and one in Pennsylva- nia with my small family. 2 weddings “Yes it is about the couple, and it’s this huge, important step, but you don’t live life in a bubble. You’re basically blending two families in one moment,” says Yolanda Crous, features and travel director for Brides magazine. “This is probably the only time in your life that you’re going to be able to get everyone in one room.” Our families gave us plenty of space. Thankfully, they also prodded us to do a bit more planning than we might otherwise have done, with our and 5 dresses relaxed approach that bypassed a lot of the traditional formalities. We wanted room for compromise, rule-bending and flexibility. Some of the ways we found that — with help from the family.
The venues California: Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland, because of its
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FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Dana Plumley, (second left), does a reading as part of the wedding ceremony for her sister Paula Froke, (left) and Timothy McCarthy in Pennsylvania.
family connection. Timothy’s sister Celia (his “best woman”) was part of a team that had helped plan and design the park. It’s a lovely and historic setting with Photo shows, Timothy McCarthy and bride Paula at the second of their summer a view of San Francisco. It’s also home to geese, so on the morning of our wed- of 2014 wedding ceremonies, in the cemetery where Froke’s father is buried. ding, my groom helped scoop goose poop. Pennsylvania: A tranquil spot of deep meaning: my father’s burial place. An unusual setting, but we knew we could make it just right at this spot atop a hill, with cornfields and mountains as the backdrop.
The flowers California: From the San Francisco Flower Market, where Timothy’s sister Ann — my matron of honor — and I selected the flowers. Queen Anne’s Lace was key, and not just because it looks bridal. Ann and her daughters Megan and Molly crafted the flowers into the corsages and bouquet, and Celia’s daughter Eva was “maiden of the Solstice”. Pennsylvania: From the side of a highway near my childhood home, where we plucked Queen Anne’s Lace — just as my dad used to do when I was a kid. Again, Ann made the corsages and bouquet.
The food California had an assortment of relatives manned the grills and others brought potluck for a reception at the park. Pennsylvania had a takeout from a favorite BBQ joint for a party at my mother’s house. We had two different cakes as well. In California, A multi-tier carrot cake by Ann, with help from Celia and in Pennsylvania, A peanut butter-based concoc- tion created by my mother, with ice cream from Penn State’s creamery.
And yes, the (five) dresses California: The dress saga started on Craigslist, where a blurry picture showed only a beaded bodice. Replying to the ad, I got a man speaking on behalf of his wife because his English was better. He didn’t know the dress size, but described his wife’s proportions. It didn’t sound promising. Still, I liked the blurry picture. So I drove 75 miles to their small apartment. In person, it seemed even less promising. In their cramped bathroom, with their baby crying and their cat underfoot, I donned the dress. As feared, it was way too big. In the vanity mirror, I could see only the bodice. But somehow, it made me feel bridal. Plus, she needed the $150. So I took it. In the meantime, I rounded up two alternatives from a consignment shop. One was never really in the running, but the second, an ivory-and-gold Ann Taylor sheath, seemed just right for the Pennsylvania wed- ding. Until the time came two months later, and it had become too small.
Pennsylvania: Clock ticking, I hit the consignment shops again. Found success in a pink sheath — non-traditional, to be sure, but hey, it’s the second wedding, I’m non-traditional, and Timothy and I both like pink. Plus, it fit. So the dress was good to go. Until two days later, when Ann and I were in an antique shop. There, peeking out from a corner, was a sliver of ivory bead- ing. I tried on that dress. It fit. So did the veiled hat in the same shop. And with a day to spare, I had the perfect second dress for my second wedding of the summer. Would our rule-bending and chance-taking work for everyone? No. It was perfect for us — with essential help from our families.—AP
Paula and Timothy as they prepare to cut their wedding cake.
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TravelFRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
How tourism is taking off in Bangladesh
By Vicky Baker
ome before the tourists visit’ is the old Bangladesh tourist board slogan that had caught ‘Cmy eye and partially inspired my trip. Two days after arriving in the country, I unexpectedly meet the woman who came up with it. I’m at Wilderness, a resort in the north-eastern region of Syl- het, where the majority of British-Bangladeshis hail. It’s owned by Nazim Choudhury, whose glamor- ous wife, Geeteara, now runs her own advertising company.
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I tell them I’m heading to Cox’s Bazar – the world’s longest beach, on the country’s east coast, and Geeteara says: “That’s where I had the idea for the slogan. Walking on that beach in the 1980s, when no one was around.” The coast: South-east “But,” interjects Nazim, “the tourists, they never came!” He laughs, partly at Bangladesh is rarely considered a tourist destination. What people the absurdity, partly because he is accustomed to expecting no different. know of it generally comes from news reports: floods, cyclones, political Domestic tourism, buoyed by a growing middle class, has been enough strife, tragedies in garment factories. “It has been stigmatized,” says Yasmin to keep his business going and, indeed, to help it grow. Wilderness is his Choudhury, who I am travelling with. “We never hear any positive news.” second resort, and it has a slight treehouse feel, built into a hillside with Yasmin was born and grew up in south-west London to Sylheti parents, an infinity pool amid the jackfruit and mango trees. Yet it sees few foreign but it’s only since her father died suddenly in 2004 that she started to take guests. real pride in her heritage. Now she’s founded a company, Lovedesh, to “We’ve had one or two,” he says. And I soon realise he is talking literally. overturn people’s preconceptions (desh means country in Bengali, hence Two, or maybe three, Brits have made it over the border from India – even Bangladesh). Her aim is to showcase the best of the country, by offering though the Indian state of Meghalaya lies just half an hour away over the escorted holidays, hosting wood-fired curry nights around the UK and hills. I’d managed to make it all the way here on a direct flight from Heath- promoting Bangladeshi fashion (which means traditional jamdani weav- row. I skipped the chaos of crowded Dhaka in favour of a soft-landing at ing, not H&M shirts). Osmani International airport, in the countryside just half an hour from I’m Yasmin’s guinea pig – the first person she has taken to Bangladesh, Sylhet, the capital of the region of the same name. apart from her 12-year-old daughter. Her aim is to try out places for her newly devised holiday itinerary. She’s keen for my input, but it’s hard to know where to start. One of the places I am initially undecided about is Cox’s Bazar, a beach that stretches an incredible 125km down the eastern side of the Bay of Bengal. It sounds amazing, yet a number of Bangla- deshis had advised me to skip it, calling it “overdeveloped” and “unimpres- sive”. Even my guidebook is uncomplimentary: “World wonder it isn’t.” We decide to take a chance and travel south. When we get to Cox’s Bazar town, I can’t help wondering if the nay- sayers are right. As the top domestic tourist destination, it’s strewn with half-finished hotels – a muddle of high-rise, concrete blocks competing for a sea view. A fishy smell hangs in the air. When we climb into a tom-tom (as tuk-tuks are called here), our driver promptly crashes on a chaotic side street. It’s hardly paradise.
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But 10 minutes later, things take a turn for the better. The development Ambitious eco-resorts are a clear sign of confidence in Bangladesh as a around town is, indeed, a mess, but it’s (currently) contained, which means you tourist destination. In Sylhet, the Shuktara Nature Retreat (shuktararesort.com, can leave the main parasol-strewn stretch behind and find yourself wandering doubles from £34 B&B) is a group of brick and glass-walled buildings designed the expansive shore, totally alone. It may not be bright-white sands and tur- by a local architect amid rolling hills. In the Srimangal tea-growing area further quoise waters – the color scheme is more beige and dusky blue – but it is wild, south in Sylhet, DuSai (dusairesorts.com, rooms from $120) is a grand resort empty, pine-fringed and seemingly never-ending. Later, we take a boat trip to that claims to be the first five-star offering outside of Dhaka. No doubt both Sonadia Island, 9km away. We’re the only people there – aside from a handful also have their eyes on the Bangladeshi diaspora. of fishermen, who live on the island year-round, drying fish in bamboo huts. Yasmin also takes me to her ancestral village, Ali Nagor, close to where It’s similarly unexpected to find a burgeoning surf scene here. We’re taken we started. It’s surrounded by paddy fields and fishponds, and by the Surma under the wing of the local surfing gang, who promise they’ll have me stand- river, on whose sandy banks children are playing cricket. It’s where her father ing up in my first lesson. One of them, Ramjan, explains how the first Bangla- grew up and where, after founding a successful restaurant in the UK, he built a deshi surfer started here around 2002 when an Australian tourist left a board bungalow. It’s shady and cool inside, with a wraparound veranda that receives behind. “With no wax and no leash, he kept falling off, but he managed to a steady stream of visitors, from Yasmin’s cousins to the local imam, who con- teach himself. We’d never seen anything like it, not even on TV. So we asked if stantly flashes us big grins to reveal teeth stained from chewing paan (betel we could learn too.” leaf combined with areca nut). Yasmin puts together a potential itinerary for a place that has never seen The Forests: South-west a tourist: we’re shown how to make wood-fire curry in a pit in the ground; we Leaving our surfer friends behind, we move on to Bangladesh’s other major take a moonlit midnight walk; we go foraging; we take lilos to the river with draw: the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest. On the map, you the kids. This part of the trip alone would have been reason enough for com- can clearly see the crisscrossing tributaries at the mouth of the Ganges making ing. One night around the bonfire, we talk about how the country has exceed- a fringe on the bottom of the country, and spilling across into India. ed all our expectations. Our photographer, Nawaz, also British-Bangladeshi, We book a boat trip with Pugmark , the longest-established operator in the has been in a constant state of disbelief. He admits he had “zero interest” in the region. Visitors would typically take a three- or four-day trip, staying overnight country before this trip, but is now planning to return with friends. in the boat’s basic but snug cabins. We only have a day. As we drift along the —www.theguardian.com muddy waters, beside the low-rising, tangled foliage, we spot Ganges dolphins (like marine dolphins but with longer noses). Then, in a side stream, we run into some fishermen with a curious technique. To steer the fish into their nets, they use otters on leads. Loudly squeaking and squawking, the otters work in pairs to herd the fish. “It’s a dying tradition,” one fisherman tells us. “It’s hard to make a profit. I’m not sure we can do it for much longer.” Otters and dolphins aside, the main wildlife draw is, of course, the Bengal tigers. Around 500 live in the Sundar- bans, but my expectations for seeing one are realistic – our guide has only ever had two sightings, each a two-second glimpse, right in the darkest depths of the forest). Nonetheless, when we moor to go for a walk, seeing a clear tiger footprint in the mud is thrilling enough. As a precaution, we have a gun-wielding escort, Mizan. We ask him what the procedure is if he spots one. Clearly a frustrated thespian, he widens his eyes, hunches his back and jabs the rifle out, threateningly. He’d fire as a warn- ing, he says, rather than to kill. The protection laws are strict, but the threat for people living here is real. In 15 years, Mizan has seen 45 critical injuries and 15 deaths caused by tigers. Local honey collectors are the most at risk, because the time they spend looking up at treetop hives gives the beasts ample op- portunity to pounce. Community projects: North-east
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86. A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some CROSSWORD854 special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography). DOWN 1. A large number or amount. 2. A river in northern England that flows southeast through West Yorkshire. 3. (Scottish) Bluish-black or gray-blue. 4. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing. 5. (usually followed by `to') Naturally disposed toward. 6. Arising from or going to the root. 7. An area of ground used for some particular purpose (such as building or farming). 8. A state in east central United States. 9. Set up for use. 10. The large yellow root of a rutabaga plant used as food. 11. The United Nations agency concerned with international maritime activities. 12. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad. 13. Not set afire or burning. 14. A particular kind (as to appearance). 19. Fleshy spore-bearing inner mass of e.g. a puffball or stinkhorn. 22. (music) Characterized by avoidance of traditional Western tonality. 25. Spectacles that are darkened or polarized to protect the eyes from the glare of the sun. 28. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group. 29. Turn pale, as if in fear. 33. An acute viral disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals (usually transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal). 34. Realistic Norwegian author who wrote plays on social and political themes (1828- 1906). 36. A sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright light) that precedes the onset of certain disorders such as a migraine attack or epileptic seizure. 39. The dialect of Malay used as the national language of the Republic of Indonesia or of Malaysia. 41. Tropical Asian starlings. ACROSS 42. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 1. Light informal conversation for social occasions. 46. Acquire or gain knowledge or skills. 4. (Japan) Ritual suicide by self-disembowelment on a sword. 47. Of or relating to or resembling a bull n. 12. A vehicle carrying many passengers. 49. 1 species. 15. A slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water. 51. The strength of a electrical current measured in amperes. 16. Perennial herbs with small pink or white flowers. 56. A colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube. 17. (prefix) Opposite or opposing or neutralizing. 60. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural). 18. (informal) Exceptionally good. 62. Wild sheep of northern Africa. 20. A prominent rock or pile of rocks on a hill. 63. (Sumerian) Consort of Dumuzi (Tammuz). 21. In a resolute manner. 64. A group of biological taxa or species that share features inherited from a common 23. Sew up the eyelids of hawks and falcons. ancestor. Yesterday’s Solution 24. Protective outer layer of seeds of flowering plants. 67. The basic unit of length adopted under the System International d'Unites 26. Horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits. (approximately 1.094 yards). 27. A gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number). 68. Any of several tall tropical palms native to southeastern Asia having egg-shaped 30. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of nuts. Jezebel (9th century BC). 70. A material effigy that is worshipped as a god. 31. A brittle silver-white metalloid element that is related to selenium and sulfur. 71. A bachelor's degree in library science. 32. Relating to or characteristic of a tribe. 74. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion. 35. (Greek mythology) A maiden who was first a sculpture created by Pygmalion and 77. A statement that deviates from or perverts the truth. was brought to life by Aphrodite in answer to Pygmalion's prayers. 78. The compass point midway between northeast and east. 37. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is the top of an extinct volcano. 82. A doctor's degree in religion. 38. In bed. 40. A member of the North American Indian people of Arizona and adjacent Mexico and California. Yesterdayʼs Solution 43. The compass point that is one point south of due east. 44. A nucleic acid consisting of large molecules shaped like a double helix. 45. Any of various widely distributed beetles. 48. Bound or secured closely. 50. The act of pursuing. 52. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River. 53. 100 sene equal 1 tala. 54. Thigh of a hog (usually smoked). 55. (Babylonian) The sky god. 57. A public promotion of some product or service. 58. A radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neu- trons. 59. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily. 61. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat trimmed off. 65. (in Gnosticism) A divine power or nature emanating from the Supreme Being and playing various roles in the operation of the universe. 66. Not out. 69. A white or colorless vitreous insoluble solid (SiO2). 72. A rare polyvalent metallic element of the platinum group. 73. A person who gives a name or names. 75. The sixth month of the civil year. 76. Especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole. 79. Related on the mother's side. 80. A deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks. 81. An atom or molecule or radical or ion that forms a complex around a central atom. 83. A lawman concerned with narcotics violations. 84. Humble request for help. 85. (of the more skilled contestants) Selectively arranged in the draw for position a Challenging Maze tournament so that they meet each other in later rounds. Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TV listings FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
09:45 How It’s Made 20:05 Food Factory 22:00 Gravity Falls 06:10 Sweet Genius 18:20 The Chase 10:10 How It’s Made 20:30 How Do They Do It? 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 19:10 Coronation Street 10:35 Street Outlaws 20:55 How Do They Do It? Witch 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 19:35 The Jonathan Ross Show 11:25 American Muscle 21:20 Joe Rogan Questions 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes 12:15 Extreme Car Hoarders Everything Witch 08:15 Chopped SA 21:25 The Chase: Celebrity Specials 00:50 Mountain Monsters 13:05 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 22:10 How Do They Do It? 23:10 Wolfblood 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 22:20 Coronation Street 01:45 Ivory Wars Edition 22:35 How Do They Do It? 23:35 Wolfblood Basics 22:50 Emmerdale 02:40 Tanked 13:30 Garage Gold 23:00 How Do They Do It? 09:30 Farm Kings 23:15 Emmerdale 03:35 Killer Iq: Lion vs Hyena 13:55 Storage Wars Canada 23:25 How Do They Do It? 10:20 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 23:45 Above Suspicion 04:25 Ivory Wars 14:20 Yukon Men 23:50 Joe Rogan Questions 10:45 Easy Chinese 05:15 Treehouse Masters 15:10 Wheeler Dealers Everything 11:10 Reza’s African Kitchen 06:02 Call Of The Wildman 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 11:35 The Big Eat... 06:25 Call Of The Wildman 16:50 How It’s Made 00:00 Fashion Bloggers 12:00 Chopped 06:49 Killer Iq: Lion vs Hyena 17:15 How It’s Made 00:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 12:50 Siba’s Table 07:36 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 17:40 River Monsters 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 13:15 Guy’s Big Bite 08:00 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 00:00 Dogtown 18:30 Fast N’ Loud 01:25 Keeping Up With The 13:40 Guy’s Big Bite 01:00 Situation Critical 08:25 Too Cute! 19:20 Misfit Garage Kardashians 14:05 Guy’s Grocery Games 09:15 Killer Iq: Lion vs Hyena 02:00 Is It Real? 20:10 Garage Gold 02:20 E! News 14:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:00 Brave New World 10:10 Call Of The Wildman 20:35 Storage Wars Canada 03:15 Giuliana & Bill 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 10:35 Call Of The Wildman 00:00 Violetta 04:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 21:00 Fast N’ Loud 04:10 The E! True Hollywood Story 15:45 Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity 05:00 America’s Lost Treasures 11:05 Gator Boys 21:50 Misfit Garage 00:45 The Hive 05:05 E!ES Cook Off 12:00 Too Cute! 00:50 Art Attack 06:00 Last War Heroes 22:40 Philly Throttle 06:00 Keeping Up With The 16:35 Chopped SA 07:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 12:55 Killer Iq: Lion vs Hyena 23:30 River Monsters 01:15 Art Attack Kardashians 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks The 13:50 Treehouse Masters 01:40 Jungle Junction 08:00 Dogtown 06:55 Keeping Up With The Riviera 09:00 Situation Critical 14:45 Nature’s Newborns 01:50 Jungle Junction Kardashians 17:50 Guy’s Big Bite 15:15 Nature’s Newborns 02:05 Jungle Junction 10:00 Is It Real? 07:50 Style Star 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 11:00 Breakout 15:40 Tanked 02:15 Jungle Junction 08:20 E! News 18:40 Siba’s Table 16:35 Killer Iq: Lion vs Hyena 02:30 Violetta 12:00 Alaska Wing Men 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 19:05 The Big Eat... 13:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 17:30 Tigerfish: Africa’s Piranha 03:10 The Hive 10:15 THS 19:30 Chopped 18:25 Treehouse Masters 03:20 Art Attack 14:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 00:40 How It’s Made 11:10 THS 20:20 Guy’s Grocery Games 15:00 Convoy: War For The Atlantic 19:20 River Monsters 01:05 How It’s Made 03:45 Art Attack 12:05 E! News 21:10 Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity 20:15 Tanked 04:10 Jungle Junction 16:00 Armageddon Outfitters 01:30 Alien Encounters 13:05 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Cook Off 17:00 Animal Mega Moves 21:10 Predator’s Playground 02:20 Through The Wormhole With 04:25 Jungle Junction 13:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 22:00 BBQ Crawl 22:05 Treehouse Masters 04:35 Jungle Junction 18:00 Wild Russia Morgan Freeman 14:05 Fashion Bloggers 22:25 BBQ Crawl 19:00 Convoy: War For The Atlantic 23:00 River Monsters 03:10 How Do They Do It? 04:45 Jungle Junction 14:30 Fashion Bloggers 22:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:55 Gator Boys 05:00 Art Attack 20:00 Armageddon Outfitters 03:35 How Do They Do It? 15:00 House Of DVF 23:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 21:00 Animal Mega Moves 04:00 Food Factory 05:25 Art Attack 16:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 05:50 Mouk 22:00 Wild Russia 04:24 Food Factory Hamptons 23:00 Breakout 04:48 Rise Of The Machines 06:00 Kim Possible 17:00 Keeping Up With The 05:36 Rise Of The Machines 06:25 Binny And The Ghost Kardashians 06:24 Bang Goes The Theory 06:50 Girl Meets World 18:00 E! News 06:48 How Tech Works 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water 19:00 THS 00:40 Ade In Britain 00:05 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 07:12 Food Factory 07:40 Jessie 20:00 Giuliana & Bill 07:36 How Do They Do It? 08:05 Wizards Of Waverly Place 21:00 Fashion Bloggers 01:30 Come Dine With Me Ireland 00:50 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 02:00 Emmerdale Notebook: London 08:00 Bang Goes The Theory 08:30 Austin & Ally 21:30 Fashion Bloggers 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 08:25 How Tech Works 08:55 Dog With A Blog 22:00 E! News 02:25 Emmerdale Stewart 01:15 Rachel’s Favourite Food For 02:55 Coronation Street Living 08:50 Nyc: Inside Out 09:20 Binny And The Ghost 23:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 01:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 09:40 Food Factory 09:45 Girl Meets World 23:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 03:25 The Chase: Celebrity Specials Wilmore 01:40 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers 04:20 Tricked 02:05 Masterchef: The Professionals 10:05 How It’s Made 10:10 Liv And Maddie 01:30 Family Guy 10:30 Rise Of The Machines 12:15 Jessie 05:15 Above Suspicion 02:00 Brickleberry 02:55 Bargain Hunt 06:10 Take On The Twisters 03:40 Come Dine With Me 11:20 Rise Of The Machines 12:40 Austin & Ally 02:30 Web Therapy 12:10 How Do They Do It? 13:05 Good Luck Charlie 07:05 Come Dine With Me Ireland 03:00 Hot In Cleveland 04:05 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 07:30 The Chase: Celebrity Specials 04:50 Holmes On Homes 12:35 How Do They Do It? 13:30 I Didn’t Do It 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 13:00 Bang Goes The Theory 13:55 Austin & Ally 08:25 Tricked Jimmy Fallon 05:35 Home Cooking Made Easy 09:20 Horsepower With Martin 06:00 Rachel’s Favourite Food For 13:25 How Tech Works 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 05:30 My Name Is Earl 13:50 Nyc: Inside Out 14:55 Liv And Maddie 00:05 Chopped SA Clunes 06:00 Til Death Living 00:55 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 10:15 Above Suspicion 06:25 Masterchef: The Professionals 14:40 Food Factory 15:20 Binny And The Ghost 06:30 My Boys 15:05 How It’s Made 15:45 Hank Zipzer 01:20 Amazing Wedding Cakes 11:10 Emmerdale 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 07:15 Bargain Hunt 02:10 Siba’s Table: Fast Feasts 11:35 Emmerdale 08:00 Bargain Hunt 15:30 Rise Of The Machines 16:10 Violetta 08:30 My Name Is Earl 16:20 Rise Of The Machines 17:05 Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure 02:35 Siba’s Table 12:00 Coronation Street 09:00 Hot In Cleveland 08:45 Come Dine With Me 03:00 Best In Chow 12:30 Ade In Britain 09:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 17:10 How Do They Do It? 18:40 Austin & Ally 09:30 Black-Ish 17:35 How Do They Do It? 19:05 H2O: Just Add Water 03:25 Best In Chow 13:25 Take On The Twisters 10:00 Parks And Recreation 09:55 Home Cooking Made Easy 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:20 Come Dine With Me Ireland 10:20 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 18:00 Through The Wormhole With 19:30 Violetta 10:30 My Boys Morgan Freeman 20:20 Binny And The Ghost 04:15 Chopped 14:45 Above Suspicion 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring Notebook: London 05:05 Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity 15:35 The Jonathan Ross Show 10:45 Holmes On Homes 18:50 How It’s Made 20:45 H2O: Just Add Water Jimmy Fallon 19:15 How It’s Made 21:10 Austin & Ally Cook Off 16:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes 12:00 Til Death 11:35 Masterchef: The Professionals 05:50 Siba’s Table 17:25 The Chase: Celebrity Specials 12:25 Bargain Hunt 19:40 Food Factory 21:35 Jessie 13:00 My Name Is Earl 13:10 Come Dine With Me 13:30 My Boys 13:35 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 14:30 Black-Ish 14:20 Home Cooking Made Easy 15:00 Parks And Recreation 14:50 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Notebook: London Stewart 15:15 Holmes On Homes 16:00 The Nightly Show With Larry 16:05 Nigellissima Wilmore 16:30 Masterchef: The Professionals 16:30 Til Death 17:20 Bargain Hunt 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 18:05 Come Dine With Me 18:00 Hot In Cleveland 18:30 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 18:30 New Girl 19:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 19:00 Black-Ish 20:00 Come Dine With Me: South 19:30 Parks And Recreation Africa 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 20:50 Nigellissima Jimmy Fallon 21:15 Masterchef: The Professionals 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 22:10 Rachel’s Favourite Food For Stewart Living 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 22:35 Bargain Hunt Wilmore 23:15 Come Dine With Me 22:00 You’re The Worst 22:30 You’re The Worst 23:00 Web Therapy 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers
01:00 Suits 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 03:00 Hemlock Grove 01:10 Street Outlaws 04:00 American Idol 02:00 American Muscle 05:00 The Flash 02:50 Hellriders 03:40 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 09:00 American Idol Edition 10:00 The Flash 04:05 Garage Gold 11:00 Suits 04:30 Storage Wars Canada 12:00 Emmerdale 05:00 How It’s Made 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:30 How It’s Made 16:00 Emmerdale 06:00 Yukon Men 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:50 Fifth Gear 19:00 Once Upon A Time 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 08:30 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 20:00 Grey’s Anatomy Edition 21:00 American Idol 08:55 Garage Gold OSN MOVIES HD 22:00 Survivor: Worlds Apart 09:20 Storage Wars Canada The Amazing Spider-Man 2 23:00 Hannibal TV listings FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
00:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:00 Good Morning America 03:00 Supernatural 05:00 Good Morning America 07:00 Emmerdale 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:00 Emmerdale 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 14:00 Live Good Morning America 19:00 Parenthood 20:00 Sleepy Hollow 22:00 Supernatural 23:00 The Killing
00:00 Mercenaries 02:00 The Wicked Within 04:00 Red Sky 06:00 Crimson Tide 08:00 Shanghai Noon 10:00 Red Sky 11:45 Shaolin 14:00 Babylon A.D 15:45 Knockout 17:30 Shanghai Noon 19:30 Shaolin 21:45 Star Trek Into Darkness
00:00 The Wicked Within-PG15 02:00 Red Sky-PG15 04:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 06:00 Shanghai Noon-PG15 08:00 Red Sky-PG15 09:45 Shaolin-PG15 12:00 Babylon A.D-PG15 13:45 Knockout-PG15 15:30 Shanghai Noon-PG15 17:30 Shaolin-PG15 ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 19:45 Star Trek Into Darkness-PG15 STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS 22:00 Shaft-18 PG15 12:00 Live Super Rugby 12:15 Something Borrowed, Watching 09:00 Limon And Oli 05:00 Saving Mr. Banks-PG15 14:00 Live PGA European Tour Something New 17:10 Murder Shift 09:15 Jake And The Never Land 07:15 Escape From Planet Earth-PG 16:00 Golfing World 12:40 Something Borrowed, 18:00 Disappeared Pirates 09:00 Ender’s Game-PG15 17:30 Live PGA European Tour Something New 18:50 Fatal Encounters 09:40 Doc McStuffins 00:00 National Lampoon’s European 11:00 The Amazing Spider-Man 2- 20:30 Super Rugby Highlights 13:05 Something Borrowed, 19:40 Forensic Detectives 10:05 Art Attack Vacation-18 PG15 22:00 Live PGA Tour Something New 20:30 On The Case With Paula 10:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:00 In A World...-PG15 13:30 Turbo-PG 13:30 Oprah: Where Are They Now? Zahn 11:00 Sofia The First 04:00 Seeking A Friend For The End 15:15 Enough Said-PG15 14:20 Oprah Presents: Master Class 21:20 The Will: Family Secrets 11:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West Of The World-PG15 16:45 Ender’s Game-PG15 15:10 Little And Looking For Love Revealed 11:50 Calimero 06:00 Son Of The Mask-PG 18:45 Captain America: The Winter 16:00 The Undateables 22:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 12:05 Jake And The Never Land 08:00 10 Years-PG15 Soldier-PG15 01:00 Gillette World Sport 16:50 Too Ugly For Love? 22:35 Who On Earth Did I Marry? Pirates 10:00 Ghost Dad-PG 21:00 Maleficent-PG 03:00 Live PGA Tour 17:40 The Face Australia 23:00 Serial Killers 12:30 Limon And Oli 12:00 Three Men And A Baby-PG15 23:00 About Last Night-18 08:30 Live HSBC Sevens World 18:30 Sneak Peek: Food Hospital 23:50 Most Evil 12:40 Henry Hugglemonster 14:00 Run For Your Wife-PG15 Series 19:20 Sneak Peek: The Next Great 12:55 Handy Manny 16:00 10 Years-PG15 18:00 Super Rugby Highlights Baker 13:05 Justin Time 18:00 Anchorman 2: The Legend 19:00 WWE Bottomline 20:10 Leah Remini: It’s All Relative 13:20 Sofia The First Continues-PG15 20:00 WWE Superstars 20:35 Leah Remini: It’s All Relative 13:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 20:00 Girl Most Likely-PG15 21:00 WWE Main Event 21:00 19 Kids And Counting 14:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 22:00 Let’s Go To Prison-18 22:00 Live Top 14 21:25 19 Kids And Counting 14:35 Julius Jr. 01:00 Barbie Fairytopia Mermaidia 21:50 Kate Plus 8 14:45 Jake And The Never Land 02:45 Quest For A Heart 22:40 Extreme Couponing Pirates 00:10 Zou 04:30 Pacific Pirates 23:05 Mob Wives 15:15 Doc McStuffins 00:25 Mouk 06:00 Renart The Fox 23:55 Mob Wives 15:40 Limon And Oli 00:35 Jungle Junction 08:00 Jelly T 15:55 Zou 00:50 Art Attack 10:00 Justin And The Knights Of The 17:30 ICC Cricket 360 16:05 Justin Time 01:30 Inescapable-PG15 01:15 Julius Jr. Valour 18:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Quarter 16:20 Sofia The First 03:15 August: Osage County-PG15 01:25 Calimero 11:45 Hammer Boy Final 3 16:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 05:15 The Bag Man-PG15 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 13:15 Quest For A Heart 19:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Quarter 17:15 Lilo & Stitch 07:15 Heaven’s Door-PG 01:50 Zou 14:45 Catch That Kid Final 4 17:40 Adventures Of The Gummi 09:00 Nebraska-PG15 02:05 Mouk 16:30 Barbie As Rapunzel 20:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Semi Final 1 Bears 11:00 The Bag Man-PG15 02:15 Jungle Junction 18:00 Justin And The Knights Of The 21:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Semi Final 2 18:05 Chip n Dale Rescue 13:00 August: Osage County-PG15 02:25 Art Attack Valour Rangers 15:00 Phantom-PG15 02:50 Julius Jr. 20:00 Stuart Little 3: Call Of The Wild 00:40 Dates From Hell 18:30 Ducktales 17:00 Nebraska-PG15 03:00 Calimero 22:00 Catch That Kid 01:05 Dates From Hell 19:00 Art Attack 19:00 Capital-PG15 03:15 Henry Hugglemonster 23:45 Barbie As Rapunzel 01:30 Deadly Sins 19:25 Sofia The First 21:00 Every Day-PG15 03:25 Zou 02:20 I Almost Got Away With It 19:55 Calimero 23:00 American Hustle-18 03:40 Mouk 03:10 Deadly Affairs 20:10 Limon And Oli 03:50 Jungle Junction 04:00 I Almost Got Away With It 20:25 Jake And The Never Land 04:00 Art Attack 04:45 Dates From Hell Pirates 00:45 Oprah Presents: Master Class 04:25 Julius Jr. 05:07 Dates From Hell 20:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 01:35 Extreme Couponing 04:35 Calimero 05:30 Deadly Sins 21:20 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 00:00 Madagascar-PG 02:00 Mob Wives 04:50 Henry Hugglemonster 06:20 True CSI 21:25 Sofia The First 01:45 The Grandmaster-PG15 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress ‚Äì 05:00 Zou 01:00 My Piece Of The Pie-PG15 07:10 American Greed 21:50 Adventures Of The Gummi 04:00 Closed Circuit-PG15 Bridesmaids 05:15 Mouk 03:00 Yellow Rock-PG15 08:00 Nightmare Next Door Bears 06:00 The Philly Kid-PG15 03:15 Something Borrowed, 05:25 Jungle Junction 05:00 The Glass Man-PG15 08:50 Fatal Encounters 22:20 Chip n Dale Rescue 08:00 G.I. Joe: Retaliation-PG15 Something New 05:35 Art Attack 07:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 09:40 Murder Shift Rangers 10:00 Ong Bak 3-PG15 03:40 Ballroom Blitz 06:00 Julius Jr. 09:00 Dead Poets Society-PG15 10:30 I Was Murdered 22:45 Ducktales 12:00 Closed Circuit-PG15 04:30 Cake Boss 06:10 Calimero 11:15 My Piece Of The Pie-PG15 10:55 Stalked: Someone’s 23:15 Art Attack 14:00 The Numbers Station-PG15 05:00 Sister Wives 06:25 Henry Hugglemonster 13:15 Goal II: Living The Dream- Watching 23:40 Limon And Oli 15:30 G.I. Joe: Retaliation-PG15 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 06:35 Zou PG15 11:20 Forensic Detectives 23:55 Henry Hugglemonster 17:30 The Hunger Games: Catching 06:25 Cake Boss 06:50 Mouk 15:15 Gravity-PG15 12:10 American Greed DISNEY XD Fire-PG15 06:50 Cake Boss 07:00 Jungle Junction 17:00 Dead Poets Society-PG15 13:00 Disappeared 00:00 Programmes Start At 20:00 I, Frankenstein-PG15 07:15 Cake Boss 07:10 Art Attack 19:30 Prisoners-PG15 13:50 On The Case With Paula 7:00am KSA 22:00 Trance-R 07:40 Cake Boss 07:35 Julius Jr. Zahn 07:00 Phineas And Ferb 08:05 World’s Worst Mum 07:45 Calimero 14:40 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 07:25 Phineas And Ferb 08:55 Hoarding: Buried Alive 08:00 Jungle Junction 15:05 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 07:50 Supa Strikas 09:45 Kate Plus 8 08:10 Zou 15:30 American Greed 08:15 The 7D 10:35 Six Little Mcghees 08:25 Henry Hugglemonster 16:20 I Was Murdered 08:40 Ultimate Spider-Man 01:00 A Fighting Man-PG15 07:00 Golfing World 11:00 Six Little Mcghees 08:35 Julius Jr. 16:45 Stalked: Someone’s 09:05 Lab Rats 02:30 The Amazing Spider-Man 2- 09:35 Live Super Rugby 11:25 19 Kids And Counting 08:50 Calimero Stars FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Aries (March 21-April 19) COUNTRY CODES Libra (September 23-October 22) You are ready to move forward into new areas of your life. Afghanistan 0093 Kuwait 00965 This may mean you have been thinking about some changes and now You have many good ideas on how to improve, encourage Albania 00355 Kyrgyzstan 00996 you are ready to live and enjoy those changes. This is a great day to face and lead others. There is an increased desire to succeed in the world. Algeria 00213 Laos 00856 You are full of wit and sharp insights. Many projects come to fruition, Andorra 00376 Latvia 00371 a few challenges. Of course, some of the challenges you approach at this Angola 00244 Lebanon 00961 time are to climb higher, to entertain a handicapped child or to take the especially large ones. You should resist selling short, though, just to fin- ish work. A financial increase is in the making. Remember your friends Anguilla 001264 Liberia 00231 next most-famous-photograph. You will find this birth year of new Antiga 001268 Libya 00218 beginnings will be full of accomplishments. Finances will be manageable and family at this time and try to include them in any of your good for- Argentina 0054 Lithuania 00370 and by the end of this year, with your eagle eye, you will find life a little tune. This is an excellent time to talk business or engage in discussions Armenia 00374 Luxembourg 00352 easier than most. You are good at planning ahead and you might con- about philosophy, religion or the arts. You may find that someone close Australia 0061 Macau 00853 sider instructing others in the art of good budgeting. Keep your camera to you understands and is patient with your eccentricities. Just about Austria 0043 Macedonia 00389 handy today. anything you do should be both rewarding and enjoyable. Bahamas 001242 Madagascar 00261 Bahrain 00973 Majorca 0034 Bangladesh 00880 Malawi 00265 Barbados 001246 Malaysia 0060 Belarus 00375 Maldives 00960 Taurus (April 20-May 20) Belgium 0032 Mali 00223 Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Belize 00501 Malta 00356 Your energy is high and your creative ideas are abundant, Benin 00229 Marshall Islands 00692 Bermuda 001441 Martinique 00596 ready to be applied to the work at hand. With your enthusiasm, you This is an easy, calm day that should find everything run- ning in a smooth manner. You can demonstrate a great deal of under- Bhutan 00975 Mauritania 00222 should find success with every project. You have a natural sense of what standing and sensitivity about others’ needs and are in a good position Bolivia 00591 Mauritius 00230 the public wants at this time. Later today, you may be dealing with to communicate about political or society concerns. Interaction with Bosnia 00387 Mayotte 00269 young people. Patience, persistence, fairness and a sense-of-limits are in authority figures or older people may be possible. You are particularly Botswana 00267 Mexico 0052 order. You could be in conflict about how many restrictions are needed creative and taking advantage of this energy is a good idea. Working Brazil 0055 Micronesia 00691 with each child but you will know instinctively just what to do. There is with-rather than against-the flow should be easy to do. Your mind is Brunei 00673 Moldova 00373 an opportunity to double your money through some sort of investment quite clear and natural. Ideas are flowing and come with ease. On the Bulgaria 00359 Monaco 00377 this afternoon-not gambling. This is also a time that favors communica- home front this evening you may rebel against monotony by initiating Burkina 00226 Mongolia 00976 Burundi 00257 Montserrat 001664 tion. It is a day to talk to a special someone, perhaps taking or planning a exciting new activities. Giving flowers or some other token of esteem to trip with them. Relationships get a plus at this time. Cambodia 00855 Morocco 00212 that special someone in your life brings wonderful surprises. Cameroon 00237 Mozambique 00258 Canada 001 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Cape Verde 00238 Namibia 00264 Cayman Islands 001345 Nepal 00977 Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Central African Republic 00236 Netherlands (Holland)0031 Chad 00235 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Chile 0056 New Caledonia 00687 You may not place much value on the ideas of others just Some sort of interference tends to disrupt your relations China 0086 New Zealand 0064 now. You may find it easy to overdo or work at cross-purposes to your- with those in authority and increases the possibility of conflict. On the Colombia 0057 Nicaragua 00505 self. This can result in a frustrating day; it is temporary however. An positive side, this situation may be the cause of the beginning of a new Comoros 00269 Nigar 00227 answer to this is to work at your regular pace with your usual chores and and successful project. Things may not always be what they seem-get Congo 00242 Nigeria 00234 with your customary breaks. You are well inclined toward friends and away from an intense situation when you feel that no satisfactory out- Cook Islands 00682 Niue 00683 family this afternoon. Companionship with others is most rewarding at come is possible. Orally, you could say that you would like to think about Costa Rica 00506 Norfolk Island 00672 this time and you should take every opportunity to be with these friends a project before making decisions. This afternoon you may run into a Croatia 00385 Northern Ireland (UK)0044 now. You are helping them as much as their presence is helping you. friend from your youth. You have such a variety of friends-you might just Cuba 0053 North Korea 00850 You should notice an enthusiasm for new projects; however, a little quietly take a look around and see for yourself. This is an endorsement to Cyprus 00357 Norway 0047 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Oman 00968 research may be in order. Answers are as close as the articles in the old you, that so many different types of people enjoy your company. Keep your good attitude of gratitude strong-it is contagious. Czech Republic 00420 Pakistan 0092 magazines you have been saving. Denmark 0045 Palau 00680 Diego Garcia 00246 Panama 00507 Djibouti 00253 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dominica 001767 Paraguay 00595 Cancer (June 21-July 22 Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Dominican Republic 001809 Peru 0051 ) Ecuador 00593 Philippines 0063 Egypt 0020 Poland 0048 You are at your most practical when it comes to dealing Ambition takes center stage now. Achievements that win El Salvador 00503 Portugal 00351 and working with others. The technical steps of a project may slow you a you rewards and recognition are yours for the making. You must make England (UK) 0044 Puerto Rico 001787 bit this morning but others find you happy to work the cobwebs out for them happen-you cannot simply wait around and expect them to Equatorial Guinea 00240 Qatar 00974 now. This may be a time for new accomplishments, during which appear; enter contests and sign up for the prize. A raise or promotion is Eritrea 00291 Romania 0040 insights and breakthroughs in organization and determination are in also in the forecast but you will have to show others that you have the Estonia 00372 Russian Federation 007 order. You have a lot of energy for improving your surroundings or life desire to take on the responsibilities that come with the raise or promo- Ethiopia 00251 Rwanda 00250 situations. You are very motivated to improve. In your quest to improve, tion. You have enthusiasm. You should expend great zest in moneymak- Falkland Islands 00500 Saint Helena 00290 you could overstep your boundaries and find hard feelings, especially ing efforts but show caution toward costly activities. Lottery tickets could Faroe Islands 00298 Saint Kitts 001869 be one example here-one or two tickets are all that is needed. A friend Fiji 00679 Saint Lucia 001758 from young people-respect the space of others. Underneath your cool Finland 00358 Saint Pierre 00508 exterior there is a need for physical hugs and long talks. You may feel returns a favor this afternoon. There is time to engage in some fun activi- ties with friends or family this evening. France 0033 Saint Vincent 001784 that you are in-touch and in-harmony with others. French Guiana 00594 Samoa US 00684 French Polynesia 00689 Samoa West 00685 Gabon 00241 San Marino 00378 Gambia 00220 Sao Tone 00239 Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Georgia 00995 Saudi Arabia 00966 Germany 0049 Scotland (UK) 0044 This is a good time to throw yourself into work, though Ghana 00233 Senegal 00221 Everything points to your taking the initiative today. You Gibraltar 00350 Seychelles 00284 have a larger amount of work to get through than usual today; help is you should check the desire to complain about others who do not work as hard. This is a time when you should not let office gossip or intrigue Greece 0030 Sierra Leone 00232 available. You could feel great support from those around you, or cir- Greenland 00299 Singapore 0065 interfere with the normal flow of business. You are wise to emphasize cumstances could dictate your taking action. You feel healthy and natu- Grenada 001473 Slovakia 00421 practicality and realism in any endeavor you are engaged with now. Guadeloupe 00590 Slovenia 00386 ral. You could be most persuasive with others and powerful in speech Your creativity is also inspired-exploit it. Romance becomes better as you and communication. The situation is a natural for self-expression and Guam 001671 Solomon Islands 00677 try something new. You may find yourself serving to guide someone Guatemala 00502 Somalia 00252 lends itself to your particular ideas. You may spend a great deal of time, younger than you in important matters tonight. You could make one or effort and worry balancing commitments this afternoon. Yet again . . . A Guinea 00224 South Africa 0027 two guesses at the lottery-you have a lucky trend just now. Do not Guyana 00592 South Korea 0082 friend lends a helping hand. Tickets for a future event may fall in your lap become carried away with the feelings that good luck can bring. A sense Haiti 00509 Spain 0034 tonight. You count your blessings this evening and show your apprecia- of support and harmony make this a good time. Holland (Netherlands)0031 Sri Lanka 0094 tion to your friends. Honduras 00504 Sudan 00249 Hong Kong 00852 Suriname 00597 Hungary 0036 Swaziland 00268 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sweden 0046 Iceland 00354 Switzerland 0041 Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) India 0091 Syria 00963 Indian Ocean 00873 Taiwan 00886 You are likely to obtain success financially through the You may be under a lot of pressure, at least in the way you Indonesia 0062 Tanzania 00255 powers of attraction. There is a sense of invincibility in everything you appear to others. All is not in harmony between your emotions and the Iran 0098 Thailand 0066 do. It is a great idea to check out the many projects available to you now. way you come across to others. However, your sense of humor will see Iraq 00964 Toga 00228 There are positive opportunities for you to be expressive. You will also be you through anything. Your mental impressions are strong and you Ireland 00353 Tonga 00676 able to lend support to others-even though you may not immediately excel in positions where quick decisions are vital. Your home is due for Italy 0039 Tokelau 00690 realize you have helped. Mutual activities that take place after work some basic enhancements but remember that it is your home. Do not let Ivory Coast 00225 Trinidad 001868 Jamaica 001876 Tunisia 00216 should be successful. The need for emotional security is emphasized at contractors take advantage of you or get too many friends involved in advising you. When you start asking for input from others, you could run Japan 0081 Turkey 0090 this time, though you should not pressure a partner into doing things Jordan 00962 Tuvalu 00688 just to please and satisfy you. You are apt to spend a great deal of time into all sorts of problems. You are open to new ideas and if you are out in the stores this afternoon, look for ideas, not necessarily purchases for Kazakhstan 007 Uganda 00256 communicating with co-workers and people outside of work today. Kenya 00254 Ukraine 00380 now. You have the answers. Surprises are abundant-just go with the flow. Kiribati 00686 United Arab Emirates00976 HEALTH FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
New tool to foretell heart attack/stroke risk
PARIS: Over the age of 40? Want to know your risk of suf- fering a fatal heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years? Read on. A new instrument dubbed Globorisk, unveiled yesterday, will allow you to determine your risk simply by inputting your age, gender, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, whether you have diabetes or smoke, and which country you live in, its developers say.It is hoped such self- scrutiny can spark important lifestyle changes among those at risk, said Globorisk’s creators, as well as identifying people who may benefit from preventive drug treatment. “A risk of about four or five percent on the chart for fatal cardiovascular disease starts becoming high,” lead author Goodarz Danaei of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, told AFP, and risks greater than 10 percent should “definitely be taken seriously.” The research was published in the medical journal The LOS ANGELES: A dead fish lies on the shore next to the North Shore Yacht Club at the Salton Sea, California on Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, with eight ready-made March 19, 2015.—AFP charts for people in China, Denmark, England, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Spain and the United States to meas- ure their risk. For the first time, the method used to create The Salton Sea: A time-bomb the tables can be recalibrated for any country in the world using readily-available national health statistics, said amid California drought Danaei. Globorisk, which used data from eight other large, long- LOS ANGELES: At first sight the Salton official with the Imperial Irrigation ing and fishing, four marinas, and so term studies with over 50,000 participants in total, is Sea looks putrid, with dead fish scat- District, a local water-management many people you couldn’t put a towel meant to have charts for all the world’s nations “in a few tered among patches of fetid water in a agency. The sea, which sees some 400 on the beach,” said Larry Wienebock, a months”. It will ultimately have its own interactive web- vast salty lake in the middle of the species of migratory birds pass retired trucker, sitting in the garage of page on which individuals from any country can look up Californian desert. In the fourth year of through, was born from a civil engi- his small house on Bombay Beach. their risk-what Danaei described as “the best guess of the a historic drought in the western neering accident in 1905, which led to likelihood” of a fatal cardiovascular event in the coming United States, some say the wetland is an overflowing of the Colorado River. It Unparalleled disaster decade. an environmental time bomb. But, on lies 71 meters above sea level, south of This former seaside resort today closer inspection, its beauty and fertili- Joshua Tree National Park, some 250 looks like a ghost town, its beach Vast country differences ty come through. As the sun sets on kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Los marred by an earth mound and scat- Previous tools for cardiovascular risk measurement the sea-a former upscale vacation play- Angeles. tered with the wrecks of cars and rust- were developed for particular target populations and ground-hundreds of pelicans, seagulls In the 1950s and 60s, the banks of ing metal of all sorts. From 1970, the could not be extrapolated more widely, the paper authors and ducks perform an aerial ballet the Salton Sea were a playground for Salton Sea began to shrink, leading to a said. Apart from a tool for individual analysis, Globorisk against the iridescent sky, reflected in southern California’s rich set, who surge in salinity and a reduction in also allows for global comparisons. “When we applied the the mirror-like water. would come for water-ski-ing, yacht- depth which ended its days as a fishing risk score in national populations, we saw that, at any age “The reputation of the Sea always racing and fishing. At the time it was and boating haven. The yacht club, and risk factor level, the estimated 10-year risk of fatal car- smelling, ringed by dead fish or dead more than 50 kilometers in length and fishing stores and other shops closed, diovascular disease varied substantially between coun- birds is wrong,” said Bruce Wilcox, an 20 wide. “There used to be lots of ski- in an ever-accelerating decline. —AFP tries,” the team wrote. —AFP FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Chandra Mohan to MATRIMONIAL SITUATION WANTED Yerraguntla Chandra Mohan Reddy. 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Alliance invited for hand- 24-3-2015 some, god-fearing, Orthodox boy of reputed family in cen- Prayer timings tral Travancore, 31/180, fair, CHANGE OF NAME Fajr: 04:25 BCom and MBA (Finance), Shorook 05:44 bank employee in Kuwait, I, Yerraguntla Chandra from god-fearing, well-edu- Mohan holder of Indian Duhr: 11:54 cated girl. Passport No. L0082323 Asr: 15:23 Contact: resided at Kodur, Kadapa AP [email protected] India. Now would like to Maghrib: 18:03 22-3-2015 change my name Yerraguntla Isha: 19:20
Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (26/03/2015 TO 01/04/2015)
SHARQIA-1 CINDERELLA 4:45 PM CINDERELLA 7:00 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM CINDERELLA 7:00 PM AVENUES-1 CINDERELLA 9:30 PM CINDERELLA 2:45 PM CINDERELLA 9:15 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 11:45 AM CINDERELLA 12:05 AM CINDERELLA 5:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 11:30 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 2:00 PM NO WED CINDERELLA 7:15 PM NO WED YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:15 PM FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM CINDERELLA 9:45 PM FURIOUS 7 11:30 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 6:30 PM WED EX MACHINA 12:15 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:45 PM FANAR-3 MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 11:00 PM 360º- 1 SHARQIA-2 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 1:00 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 1:15 AM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM HOME -3D 11:45 AM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 3:00 PM CINDERELLA 3:00 PM HOME 1:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 5:00 PM AVENUES-2 CINDERELLA 5:30 PM HOME -3D 3:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 7:00 PM EX MACHINA 12:30 PM CINDERELLA 8:00 PM HOME 5:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 9:00 PM EX MACHINA 2:45 PM CINDERELLA 10:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 7:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 11:00 PM EX MACHINA 5:00 PM THE GUNMAN 12:45 AM EX MACHINA 10:15 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 1:00 AM EX MACHINA 7:15 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 12:30 AM 360º- 2 FANAR-4 EX MACHINA 9:30 PM FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM EX MACHINA 11:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 11:45 AM FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM HOME -3D 12:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 2:15 PM HOME -3D 2:15 PM AVENUES-3 RUN ALL NIGHT 4:45 PM SHARQIA-3 HOME -3D 4:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 7:15 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 12:00 PM HOME 6:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 3:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:45 PM THE GUNMAN 2:00 PM EX MACHINA 8:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 5:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:15 AM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 4:15 PM EX MACHINA 10:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 8:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 6:15 PM EX MACHINA 12:45 AM 360º- 3 RUN ALL NIGHT 10:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:45 PM HOME 1:00 PM FANAR-5 RUN ALL NIGHT 1:00 AM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:45 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 3:15 PM THE GUNMAN 12:45 AM HOME 11:30 AM AVENUES-4 HOME 5:30 PM HOME 1:30 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 7:45 PM MUHALAB-1 HOME 3:30 PM HOME 12:00 PM HOME 2:15 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 10:00 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM HOME 5:30 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 12:15 AM CINDERELLA 2:45 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 7:30 PM HOME 4:30 PM CINDERELLA 5:00 PM CINDERELLA 10:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 6:45 PM CINDERELLA 9:15 PM AL-KOUT.1 CINDERELLA 7:15 PM THE GUNMAN 12:30 AM HOME 1:00 PM CINDERELLA 9:30 PM FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM NO WED HOME -3D 3:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 11:45 PM FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM RUN ALL NIGHT 11:45 PM NO WED HOME 5:00 PM MUHALAB-2 MARINA-1 FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM HOME 7:00 PM WED THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 9:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 1:00 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 11:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 3:30 PM CINDERELLA 3:00 PM WED FURIOUS 7 9:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 5:30 PM CINDERELLA 5:30 PM FURIOUS 7 11:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:00 PM CINDERELLA 7:45 PM AVENUES-5 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:00 PM CINDERELLA 10:00 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM AL-KOUT.2 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 12:15 AM EX MACHINA 12:15 AM Special Show “HOME” 12:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 12:00 PM MUHALAB-3 MARINA-2 CINDERELLA 3:00 PM THE LOVERS 2:00 PM CINDERELLA 5:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 4:15 PM HOME -3D 11:30 AM EX MACHINA 11:45 AM Special Show “FOCUS” 5:30 PM THE LOVERS 6:15 PM HOME 1:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 2:00 PM CINDERELLA 8:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:30 PM HOME -3D 3:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 4:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 10:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:30 PM HOME 5:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 6:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 1:00 AM THE LOVERS 12:45 AM EX MACHINA 7:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:30 PM EX MACHINA 9:45 PM THE LOVERS 6:15 PM EX MACHINA 10:30 PM AL TIJARA SHATARA (Kuwaiti Film) 8:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 EX MACHINA 12:05 AM THE GUNMAN 12:45 AM FURIOUS 7 9:45 PM THE LOVERS 11:30 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM CINDERELLA 3:00 PM FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM MARINA-3 AVENUES-10 CINDERELLA 5:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:15 PM FANAR-1 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 12:00 PM CINDERELLA 7:30 PM HOME 3:00 PM THE LOVERS 12:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 2:00 PM CINDERELLA 9:45 PM HOME -3D 5:15 PM THE LOVERS 2:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 4:15 PM EX MACHINA 12:15 AM RUN ALL NIGHT 5:00 PM HOME 7:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 6:45 PM THE LOVERS 7:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 9:00 PM AL-KOUT.4 NO WED QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 11:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:45 PM EX MACHINA 12:45 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 12:05 AM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 1:15 AM THE LOVERS 12:15 AM EX MACHINA 3:15 PM NO WED RUN ALL NIGHT 5:30 PM FURIOUS 7 9:30 PM AVENUES-11 FANAR-2 EX MACHINA 8:00 PM WED CINDERELLA 11:30 AM CINDERELLA 12:15 PM EX MACHINA 10:15 PM FURIOUS 7 12:15 AM CINDERELLA 2:00 PM CINDERELLA 2:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:30 AM WED CINDERELLA 4:30 PM Business
FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Lower US jobless claims suggest Oil surges after Saudi air strikes in Yemen solid labor market Page 38 Page 41
KUWAIT: A stock trader talks over the phone at the Kuwait Stock Exchange yesterday as share prices plunged 2.6 percent to 6,212.0 points after Saudi Arabia-led GCC troops launched air strikes in Yemen.— Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Kuwait, Gulf shares plunge after Saudi strikes Gulf economies could ride out Yemen conflict
DUBAI: Economies and markets in the wealthy Gulf oil exporters Iran described the intervention as “a dangerous step” that violated market debt under management, said he did not expect Yemen to barely blinked when Islamist militants overran parts of neighboring “international responsibilities and national sovereignty”. The United prompt any large-scale reassessment of investments in the GCC. “The Iraq last year, and they look likely to ride out escalating conflict in Arab Emirates’ second bourse in Abu Dhabi lost around 2.0 percent at impact on key GCC countries like Qatar or UAE will be miniscule in Yemen with similar ease. the opening but regained some of the losses. At mid-session, the Abu terms of their credit profile,” he said, adding that any selling of bonds Main indices of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) drastically fell in yes- Dhabi Securities Exchange index was down 1.75 percent at 4,295.0 by foreign investors would be offset by local institutions buying in at terday’s trades, with the benchmark shedding up to 163.3 points. The points. The Qatar Exchange, the second largest in the Gulf, dived 3.5 cheaper levels. Saleem Khokhar, managing US$3 billion of assets as KSE price index dropped to the level of 6,214, the weighted index lost percent at the opening but regained most of the losses. The index head of equities at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, said the Yemen con- 12.5 while Kuwait 15 index dropped by 35.7 points. Value of traded was trading at 11,337.68 points, down 1.4 percent. The Muscat flict was a political concern but would not have a dramatic impact on shares has reached KD 5.5 million, while volume of the exchanged Securities Market and Bahrain bourse lost 2.5 percent and 0.5 percent economies in the region. “I don’t think it’ll derail economic prospects stocks amounted to 54 million, done in 1,340 deals. respectively. as a whole for the GCC,” he said. “Weakness in the stock market is to Air strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen by Saudi Arabia yester- be short-lived - the market should then begin to stabilise, settle and day raised the prospect of a proxy war, with Shiite Iran backing the Confidence test recover.” Houthis and Riyadh plus other Sunni Muslim monarchies supporting A war would probably dent the confidence of international Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Meanwhile, stock mar- investors in the entire Gulf. It could pose a domestic security challenge Local investors kets in the Gulf states dived yesterday on fears from Saudi Arabia’s air for Saudi Arabia, and deny Dubai and Oman the economic benefits of The GCC has almost zero economic exposure to Yemen, analysts strikes on Huthi Shiite rebels in neighboring Yemen, analysts said. The a hoped-for rapprochement with Iran if there is an international said - even less than it does to Iraq, where some GCC energy and Saudi market, the largest in the region, and the Dubai Financial agreement on Tehran’s disputed nuclear program. telecommunications firms have big operations that have suffered Market led the slide, amid a massive sell-off over fears of a possible As a result, stock markets in the six Gulf Cooperation Council states over the past six months. In fact, as past geopolitical crises have confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Saudi Tadawul All- - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and shown, GCC economies may actually benefit from the Yemen conflict Shares Index lost 4.0 percent at the start of trading, diving below the Bahrain - slid yesterday, with the Saudi index down 1 percent after a 5 if it pushes up oil prices, increasing export revenues. Yemen has been 8,500-point mark. But the TASI recovered slight and was trading down percent plunge on Wednesday. But other market indicators showed selling about 1.4-1.5 million barrels of oil per month; if that dries up, 1.8 percent at 8,705.0 points. little worry. Gulf bonds barely moved and credit default swaps, used Saudi Arabia may fill much of the gap. So the risk for the GCC is any Dubai shares dived more than 6.0 percent at the start, but at mid- to hedge against sovereign defaults, rose only marginally; five-year expansion of the conflict beyond Yemen’s borders, said Abdul Kadir session the index was trading down 3.5 percent at 3,313.55 points. Saudi CDS are up just 4 basis points in the past week. Hussain, who oversees about $1.2 billion in assets as chief executive at “There has been a massive sell-off by investors because of fears the That is because the GCC states have shown over the last few years Mashreq Capital, the investment unit of Dubai’s Mashreq bank. “I strikes may escalate into a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran,” that they’re able to insulate their economies from geopolitical threats, think the probability of such an event is very low, but clearly the Mohammad Zidan, chief market strategist at Kuwait’s Orbex such as the turmoil in Iraq and the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, fund impact of something like that would be very high.” Dergachev said he Brokerage, said. “Any fears about Iran normally strongly impact managers and analysts said. Sergey Dergachev, senior portfolio man- was concerned about the potential role of Yemeni workers in Saudi investors in the Gulf,” Zidan said. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf partners ager for emerging market debt at Union Investment Privatfonds in Arabia, who have been estimated to number around 1 million or launched air strikes yesterday on the rebels in Yemen. Germany, which has about 10 billion euros ($11 billion) of emerging more. — Agencies Business FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Oil surges after Saudi air strikes in Yemen Threat to Arab supplies on way to Europe
LONDON: Brent crude oil soared more than 4 percent towards Brent and US crude prices spiked around 6 percent earlier in Iranian officials demanded an immediate halt to Saudi-led mil- $59 a barrel yesterday after Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies the session but pared gains in European trading. “Geopolitical risk itary operations in Yemen and said Tehran would make all neces- began a military operation in Yemen, which sits on a key shipping like this has been on the back burner for a while because we’ve sary efforts to control the crisis there, Iranian news agencies passage between Europe and the Arab Gulf. been focusing on global oversupply,” said Ole Hansen, head of reported. In order to export to Europe, Arab producers have to The air strikes against Houthi rebels, who have driven the pres- commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. ship oil past Yemen’s coastlines via the Gulf of Aden to get to the ident from Yemen’s capital Sanaa, could stoke concerns about the “This news has not made the oversupply go away. The upside Suez Canal. security of Middle East oil shipments. Brent futures were up $2.32 potential is limited unless something escalates. We need to see Four Egyptian naval vessels have passed through the Suez at $58.80 by 1120 GMT. US crude was up $2.10 at $51.31 a barrel. how this unfolds over the next couple of days,” he said. Canal en route to Yemen to secure the Gulf of Aden, maritime sources said. The waters between Yemen and Djibouti, known as Bab el-Mandeb, are less than 40 km (25 miles) wide. They are con- sidered a “chokepoint” to global oil supplies by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA estimates that 3.8 million barrels a day of crude oil passed through Bab el-Mandeb in 2013, the latest year for which figures were available. The region is heavily populated with Western military forces. The United States and France operate large military bases in Djibouti. NATO’s anti-piracy fleet also oper- ates from the Gulf of Aden. While the strikes have not affected major oil facilities of key Gulf producers, such as Saudi Arabia, there are concerns that the conflict might widen. The Shi’ite Houthis have received some sup- port from Iran, Saudi Arabia’s long-time rival for dominance in the Middle East. Yemen shut its major seaports yesterday, industry and local sources said. — Reuters
Somali entrepreneur to launch scheme to ease cash transfer fears
NAIROBI: A Somali businessman is betting on a biomet- ric fingerprint system to keep alive vital money transfer firms which face closure after Western banks cut ties due to fears remittance cash may be channelled to militant groups. Somalia’s leaders say the closure of money transfer companies would be disastrous for a nation where mil- lions depend on remittances from family members abroad to buy food, pay for schools and set up business- es. Banks in the United States, Britain and elsewhere are increasingly wary of facilitating transfers to Somalia because of tighter regulations aimed at stopping cash reaching insurgent groups such as Islamist Al-Shabaab. Prominent entrepreneur Liban Egal plans to launch a technology in May to help remittance firms track trans- fers and identify who picks up the cash, using fingerprint, photo and other identification. “We are betting that if we show this system to a (for- eign) bank and say ‘now we know who is sending the money’, then the risk assessment people (at the bank) might look twice,” he told Reuters on Thursday in Nairobi. Egal, 45, is chairman of First Somali Bank (FSB), which was set up in 2012 but has yet to secure a full commercial banking license from Somalia’s central bank. He also runs a technology and other firms. With very few Somalis owning passports, remittance firms use the traditional trust-based clan system to iden- tify customers. But banks in the West say this informal system leaves them vulnerable to regulatory fines, as they cannot prove who exactly picks up the money inside Somalia. Egal’s biometric platform relies on a fist-sized finger- print scanner, bought from a firm in India, and a CamelCash smartphone app that is owned and devel- oped by FSB. Customers would have their photos, fingerprints and an image of any other form of identification stored via the app. Egal, who spent decades in the United States before returning to Mogadishu in 2011, said he had pre- sented the idea to US embassy staff in Nairobi, who were putting him in touch with US Treasury officials. FSB will start using the technology in May at some hotels, shops and restaurants in Mogadishu. Egal said he plans to lease the system to remittance firms for a fee. “If they do not (buy) that, I’m willing to go all the way and open a money transfer company in the US and showcase this to American banks,” Egal said, adding he was in talks with three US-based firms facing closure due to transfer restrictions. — Reuters Business FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Ford doubles production capacity in India
AHMEDABAD: US auto giant Ford Motors the southern city of Chennai, aimed to triple said yesterday it was doubling its production its exports from India over the next five capacity in India as it opened a new $1 billion years. The move is a boost to Indian Prime plant in the business-friendly prime minister’s Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” home state of Gujarat. campaign to kickstart the country’s manu- Ford said the Sanand plant in western facturing sector, long eclipsed by that of India would boost its nationwide manufactur- neighboring China. ing capacity to 610,000 engines and 440,000 The government has already relaxed rules vehicles. “With today’s opening of our plant in for foreign investors and has promised to Sanand, we have taken our growth commit- slash red tape which has long frustrated over- ment to a new high in India,” said company seas companies, eager to create jobs for the president and chief executive Mark Fields as millions of Indians who enter the employ- he inaugurated the factory. ment market each year. The manufacturing AHMADABAD: Gujarat state chief minister Anandiben Patel, second right and Ford President “We are doubling our manufacturing push comes at a time when many global com- and CEO Mark Fields (right) pose for photographs standing beside a Ford Figo Aspire during capacity in India.” Fields said the company, panies are seeking an alternative to China, the inauguration of Ford’s manufacturing facility and engine plant at Sanand, near which already has a manufacturing plant in where costs are rising. — AFP Ahmadabad yesterday. — AP German wages, consumer Pirelli future, calendars confidence soaring: Data safe in Chinese hands MILAN: ChemChina’s takeover of Pirelli calanders (a Chinese version was has guaranteed the future of the Italian launched five years ago in Shanghai), Consumer-driven recovery continues tyremaker, and its celebrated racy cal- Tronchetti said there was no question endars, according to the group’s chief of the company ending its “crucial” FRANKFURT: German salaries are rising faster than expect- the highest level since October 2001 — from 9.7 points in executive. In an interview with AFP at involvement in motorsport. ed, official data showed yesterday, which augurs well for a March. the company’s Milan headquarters, “It is where we create our technolo- continuation of the consumer-driven recovery that Europe’s Marco Tronchetti had a reassuring mes- gy. It is kind of our training room for the biggest economy is currently enjoying, analysts said. Consumption boom sage for fans of the annual collection of future of Pirelli,” he said. “Not only will When adjusted for inflation, “real” salaries in Germany Analysts welcomed the data. “German consumers have pictures of scantily-clad supermodels we be continuing, we will be making it increased by 1.7 percent in 2014, the strongest increase in become real optimists and any worries about the current shot by leading photographers. “It is the even more of a priority.” six years, the federal statistics office Destatis said in a state- Greek crisis were clearly outweighed by low inflation and one thing Chinese, Italians and Russians ChemChina’s principal interest lies in ment. In nominal terms-or not taking inflation into account- the strong labour market,” said ING DiBa economist Carsten can all agree on-we’ll never give it up,” the access it gains to Pirelli’s technolo- wages increased by 2.6 percent in Germany last year, Brzeski. Tronchetti said on Wednesday. gy, notably its capacity to produce tyres Destatis noted. Both figures were revised upwards from a “This is not a debt-driven shopping craze, but rather an Launched in 1964 as an annual give- on which components can be replaced, previous estimate in February. indulgence-and-there-is-no-alternative consumption away for garages that sold Pirelli tyres, extending their lives and making them “Both the regular salary components as well as bonus boom. On the back of the strong labour market, wage the main calender has evolved from the more economical and environmentally payments contributed to this increase,” the statisticians increases, low inflation and low interest rates, private con- cheesy to the arty end of the erotica friendly. The deal has been attacked by said. Rising wages look likely to help keep Germany’s eco- sumption has become an important growth driver,” Brzeski spectrum. labour unions as a sign of Italy ceding nomic recovery on track, especially with consumer confi- said. It’s glossy celebration of feminine control of a strategic industrial asset but dence currently higher than it has been in 13 years, analysts BayernLB economist Stefan Kipar agreed. “There is hard- curves has become integral to a brand misgivings have otherwise been muted, said. ly anything standing in the way of strong consumption that, thanks also to its Formula One with most politicians apparently accept- Market research company GfK, which calculates a growth in 2015,” he said. “A potential escalation of Greece’s links, is sufficiently strong for it be ing Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s monthly consumer confidence index, said households were debt problems may lead consumers to start holding back described by one analyst as the Prada of emphasis on the need for the economy feeling increasingly optimistic about their income expecta- on their purchases. But as long as they don’t perceive any the world of burning rubber. According to become more open to inward invest- tions and the outlook for the economy as a whole. risk for a break-up of currency union, and there are no major to Tronchetti however, ChemChina is ment. “Renzi is on the right path,” As a result, they were increasingly willing to open their geopolitical accidents, 2015 will be a good year for the con- acquiring a lot more than a prestigious Tronchetti said. “This is the future. There purses and spend money. “The tug of war in Europe over sumer,” Kipar said. marque with the 7.4-billion-euro ($8.1 are Italian, Russian, Chinese sharehold- the future of Greece has left no impression whatsoever on Berenberg Bank economist Christian Schulz said that “a billion) deal paving the way for the ers, the company will return to the stock German consumers,” GfK said. robust labor market, normal wage rises and cheap oil com- state-owned Chinese giant to take con- exchange but we have protected Italian “Consumers feel the economy is in a clear uptrend, bine to provide a strong tailwind for German consumption trol of one of Italy’s industrial icons. technology. “Italy has made some very buoyed by the weak euro, which boosts exports, and low and for confidence indicators to rise further in the coming The accord will see Pirelli delisted bad industrial choices in the last few energy costs,” it said. “Income expectations and a willing- months”. Fading risks and major stimulus boded well for from the Milan bourse and split into decades, protecting only a few state ness to spend are rising in tandem with the brighter eco- economic growth this year, he said. “If the still great political two units, one producing high-end companies while allowing them to nomic prospects.” risks in Europe do not materialize, Germany looks set to tyres, the other industrial ones. become marginalized from world mar- Looking ahead to next month, GfK’s headline household enjoy yet another extended spell of its ‘Golden Decade’,” According to Tronchetti, the plan kets. “Those who take an interest in the confidence index was forecast to rise to 10.0 points in April- Schulz concluded. — AFP removes the risk of Pirelli, which will future of the country have all welcomed continue to have Italian and Russian this deal.” shareholders, becoming a target for The alternative, the 67-year-old says, hostile takeover attempts. would have been a merger of equals “ChemChina are helping us stabilise with a rival tyremaker that would have the company’s shareholder structure been doomed to failure. With for the forseeable future, ensuring we ChemChina, “there is no conflict. It remain actors in the market, rather than seems balanced to me.” Tronchetti, becoming pawns,” he said. who has been guaranteed five more If all goes well, the new unit produc- years at the wheel of the company, ing high-tech and racing tyres will be recalled that he had taken over as CEO floated while the mass market produc- in 1992 in the aftermath of an aborted tion will be merged with Chinese sub- attempt to forge an alliance with the sidiary Aeolus. The upmarket branch of German group Continental. the business will continue to be based “At the time the company was in and run from Italy, Tronchetti under serious threat (of losing its inde- stressed, while the deal opens up a pendence). Now my objective is to give Chinese market into which Pirelli has Pirelli a future that is, as far as possible, hitherto made little inroad. guaranteed so that, tomorrow, some- As such, it is exactly the kind of one cannot come along and buy it with strategic alliance Pirelli has been seek- the intention of dismantling the com- KARACHI: A Pakistani stockbroker talks on the phone as he monitors the latest share prices during a trading ing for several years. As well as pledging pany and destroying the work that has session at the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) in Karachi yesterday. The benchmark KSE-100 index was to continue production of both Pirelli been done.” — AFP 30626.13, down 460.38 points in mid of the day’s session. — AFP Business FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
S Korea seeks to join China-led development bank
SEOUL: South Korea announced yesterday it would standing governance issues regarding the new lender. major decisions made by both the IMF and the World seek membership of the Chinese-backed Asian China is expected to foot the bulk of the initial $50 Bank, and has a lock on selecting the president of the Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), despite US oppo- billion needed to get the bank started, with donations World Bank. Whatever the motivation, the argument sition to the new multinational lender which from other members set to increase the size of the over the AIIB is one the United States appears to be los- Washington sees as a threat to the World Bank. Joining overall fund to more than $100 billion. ing. South Korea’s decision came a week after France, the AIIB as a founder member would strengthen South China touts the institution as a tool for financing Germany and Italy all said they were planning to join Korea’s influence in the international banking sector regional development alongside other lenders such as Britain in seeking membership, and Australia is believed and help domestic firms participate in large-scale the US-based World Bank and the Japan-led, Manila- to be close to a similar decision. The move by the regional infrastructure projects, a finance ministry based Asian Development Bank (ADB). European powers was seen as easing South Korea’s statement said. President Barack Obama’s administration has been decision to ignore Washington’s urgings to spurn the The question of joining the bank had posed some- waging an intense but low-profile lobbying campaign new bank. thing of a quandary for Seoul, which had to balance against the new bank, with officials suggesting it would But there could be a silver-lining for the US, in that competing pressure from its main military ally, the lower international development standards. Critics say Seoul may feel that by siding with China over the AIIB, it United States, and its largest trading partner, China. The Washington’s opposition is simply down to concerns can now agree to the proposed deployment of a US ministry said the decision to sign up as a founder mem- that the AIIB will undermine the institutions over which missile defence system in South Korea that Beijing ber came after China had addressed a number of out- it holds more sway. The United States wields a veto on opposes. —AFP
China banking giant ICBC net profit rose 5%
SHANGHAI: The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the country’s biggest lender, eked out a five percent gain in net profit last year in the face of “complex” domestic and overseas environments, it said yesterday. Net profit was 275.81 billion yuan ($45.21 billion) in 2014, up from 262.65 billion yuan a year earlier, ICBC said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange, where it is listed. The bank cited China’s slowing eco- nomic growth and a rebound in bad debts as having an impact on its operations. The country’s gross domestic product growth of 7.4 percent last year was the slowest in nearly a quarter of a century, prompting the government to loosen monetary policy by cutting interest rates in November. “We conquered many difficulties such as narrowing interest spread as a result of interest rate liberalization, drainage of tradi- tional business... and increasing market competition and increas- ing loss of financial resources due to rebounding NPLs,” the bank said, referring to non-performing loans. The bank’s NPL ratio reached 1.13 percent by end-December, up from 0.94 percent a year earlier, according to the statement, due to slowing econom- ic growth and the “pain” of economic restructuring. TOKYO: Pedestrians are reflected in the window of a securities company shows the numbers of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in China’s leaders have embraced a “new normal” of slower Tokyo yesterday. Japan’s share prices dropped 309.32 points to close at 19,436.88 in morning trading yesterday.-AFP growth while at the same time attempting to carry out structural reforms to reduce dependence on state spending as the main driver for the economy.—AFP European stocks slide as Oil giant PetroChina’s investors wait on Greece 2014 net profit slumps US data send Asia stocks crashing SHANGHAI: Chinese energy firm PetroChina said yesterday its net profit slumped 17 percent in 2014 from a year earlier as LONDON: European stock markets fell yesterday on concerns left government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras came to pow- international crude oil prices plunged in the second half. Net over Greek finances and following losses in Asia and on Wall er in January on a platform of reducing austerity. profit was 107.17 billion yuan ($17.25 billion) last year, down Street in the wake of poorly-received US economic data, The euro has come under heavy pressure in recent months, from 129.60 billion yuan in 2013, it said in a statement to the traders said. falling to multi-year lows against the pound and dollar on Hong Kong stock exchange. “In 2014, the demand in the oil and London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index slumped 1.37 percent euro-zone strains and expectations that the US and Britain gas market grew slowly due to the slowdown in (the) global to 6,894.88 points around midday in the capital, as traders would soon raise interest rates. economic recovery and the intensified downward pressure on brushed aside news of a rebound in British retail sales. the domestic economy,” PetroChina said. China’s gross domes- Frankfurt’s DAX 30 index shed 1.76 percent to 11,656.15 Lufthansa, LSE slide tic product grew 7.4 percent last year, the slowest pace in near- points and the CAC 40 in Paris lost 1.59 percent to stand at As the investigation reveals startling information about the ly a quarter of a century. 4,941.35 compared with Wednesday’s close. Athen’s main crash in the French Alps of a plane from Lufthansa’s low-cost “International crude oil prices fluctuated and went up slight- index tumbled 3.25 percent. The euro yesterday rose to a division Germanwings, killing all 150 on board, the airline’s ly in the first half of the year and plummeted in the second three-week high of $1.1052, before standing at shares fell by more than four percent yesterday. The half,” PetroChina said. The Chinese government cut its state-set $1.1020, up from $1.0973 late in New York on Wednesday. Germanwings co-pilot “deliberately” initiated the descent and prices for oil products 11 times in the second half of 2014, in “Athens has pledged to draft a set of reforms but we have yet refused to open the door to the pilot who was outside the line with international levels. The turnover of PetroChina, the to see any action, and this is fuelling the selloff in London and cockpit, the lead investigator said on Thursday. By early after- listed arm of China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), rose 1.1 the euro-zone,” said David Madden, market analyst at IG trad- noon Lufthansa’s shares were down 4.08 percent at 12.83 percent year-on-year to 2.28 trillion yuan in 2014, according to ing group. euros. the statement. “If it wasn’t for the FTSE 100’s large element of energy Elsewhere, Borse Dubai said it had sold its significant stake “In 2015, the global economy is expected to continue to stocks the losses would be even worse, with the jump in oil in the London Stock Exchange, sending the British group’s recover at a low speed, subject to some unstableness and providing some brief respite for this embattled sector.” share price plunging. uncertainties. The energy sector is currently under substantive He added: “Across the English Channel the bounce back in The stake is worth £1.53 billion according to the LSE share adjustment,” PetroChina said. the euro has hindered continental equity markets.” The gover- price at the close of trading on Wednesday, at 2,538 pence. In Its shares closed up 5.83 percent in Shanghai, before the nor of the Greek central bank ruled out the country’s exit from yesterday deals following the announcement, LSE crashed to results were released, and rose 0.85 percent in Hong Kong. the euro-zone on Wednesday, and said that Athens was close 2,315 pence, down 8.79 percent on London’s FTSE 100. Authorities said this month that PetroChina vice chairman and to reaching a deal on its bailout. Investors have run for the sidelines since Wednesday also non-executive director, Liao Yongyuan, was being investigated “Grexit is not an option for Greece, it is not an option for after the US Commerce Department said durable goods by the ruling party’s Central Commission for Discipline the euro-zone. It is not going to happen,” Yannis Stournaras orders fell in February. The news will likely put back the US Inspection for “severe violations of discipline and law”.—AFP told an event in London. Athens has faced funding difficulties Federal Reserve’s timeline on when to raise interest rates, since the EU and IMF refused to release the final tranche of while fuelling fears about the global outlook according to ana- Greece’s 240-billion-euro ($260-billion) bailout, after the hard- lysts. — AFP Business FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
EU deal on Greek US caught off guard by reforms, loans next week: Minister China-led bank success ATHENS: Greece’s economy minister yesterday said the European allies flock to join new project country would next week reach a long-awaited accord with its creditors providing funds vital to avert a state default. WASHINGTON: The success of the new China-led development the United States may be overconfident and underestimated the “I think at the beginning of next week we will have a bank has caught the United States off guard, after it fought the powerful attraction of China and its colossal cash reserves. deal, both over the reform package proposed by the project and now finds itself increasingly isolated. “The United States has only known its status as a leader and it Britain, Germany, France... the United States has watched, has psychologically not adjusted to the real emergence of other Greek government, and over the flow of funding,” helpless and dumbfounded, as its European allies flocked to join countries including China. Their mentality is a bit behind the reali- Giorgos Stathakis told Antenna TV. the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, seen as a potential rival ty,” said Hongying Wang, an expert on US-China relations at the Greece’s new radical left government is in a race to to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, both institu- Centre for International Governance Innovation, a Canadian think reach an accord with its EU-IMF creditors by next month tions under powerful US influence. tank. According to experts, Washington also underestimated the before state coffers run dry. The radicals, who came to The list does not stop there. Other US allies, like Australia and weariness of certain countries, including its allies, with its lack of power in January pledging to roll back unpopular aus- South Korea, are considering joining the AIIB, which already has enthusiasm for multilateral economics. terity reforms, have received none of the money remain- about 30 member nations and the blessing of International The United States is blocking 2010 reforms of the IMF that ing in Greece’s 240-billion-euro ($263 billion) bailout Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. “The US has been caught would raise the voting rights of emerging powers and sometimes until it can table a credible alternative reform plan. flat-footed by the rush of countries, including its close economic is accused of neglecting the World Bank. Washington is the major Athens faces a heavy repayment schedule from June and political allies, that are lining up to join the China-led AIIB,” stakeholder in both institutions. “These countries have more onwards, with over 6.8 billion euros due in July alone. Eswar Prasad, a former head of the IMF’s China division, told AFP, ambition for larger multilateral institutions and they become frus- Greek banks were until now the main source of financ- pointing to the “declining power of the US in driving the global trated with the position of the United States, which is not terribly ing for the government, but the European Central Bank economic policy agenda.” ambitious,” Morris, the former Treasury official, said of the coun- has restricted their ability to purchase short-term debt The Obama administration has been waging an intense but tries that are joining the AIIB. known as treasury bills, the main instrument used by low-profile lobbying campaign against rival China’s $50 billion Growing aware of its isolation, the United States has begun to Athens for emergency financing. bank project unveiled in October. Officials have insinuated that relax its position by opening the door to cooperation with the This week, the ECB explicitly urged Greek banks to the AIIB would lower international development standards. China-led bank, which is expected to be open for business by the avoid increasing their exposure to Greek sovereign debt. “Will it adhere to the kinds of high standards that the interna- end of the year. “The United States would welcome new multilat- And the government on Wednesday also failed to per- tional financial institutions have developed? Will it protect the eral institutions that strengthen the international financial archi- suade European officials to return 1.2 billion euros which rights of workers, the environment, deal with corruption issues tecture,” said Nathan Sheets, Treasury undersecretary for interna- it says was unduly returned to the euro-zone’s bailout appropriately?” Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said last week in tional affairs, on Monday. In a recent blog post, the US Treasury fund. testimony in Congress. said that it will continue to “engage directly” with China and coor- The Financial Times on Tuesday reported that the The upfront opposition, which is fed by a climate of mistrust dinate with other international partners “to provide concrete sug- government had drawn funds from state corporations to between the world’s leading economic superpower and its fast- gestions on how the AIIB can best adopt and implement high- meet its financing needs. The finance ministry did not growing rival, has proved ineffective. “The US became isolated on quality standards.” immediately comment on the report. Last month, the issue relatively early because they were so vocally critical. As a The United States may find it difficult to go further. An attempt European officials gave Greece until April to come up result the US lost the opportunity to have more of an open dis- to join the AIIB would certainly raise hackles in Congress and with an alternative reform plan. cussion with countries who were considering joining,” said Scott could be seen as an acknowledgement of weakness. “This would The government has pledged to submit a detailed Morris, a former Treasury official, in an interview. be politically very difficult,” Morris said. list by Monday. Greek officials are hopeful that talks That failure has its consequences. In a rarity since the end of The episode in any case has shifted the landscape. By rallying a between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and German World War II, the United States must prepare to cope with a multi- number of countries to its project, Beijing has proven that it is Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier this week have lateral institution on which it will have no direct influence. “finally maturing” and that it can provide “constructive leader- improved chances of a breakthrough. “After the ship” in the international community, said Prasad. That is “making Difficult US adjustment it harder for the US to counter China’s increasing international talks, the political climate is excellent,” Stathakis Accustomed to constructing the world’s financial architecture, influence,” he said. — AFP said. — AFP Lower US jobless claims suggest solidly improving labor market
WASHINGTON: The number of Americans filing new claims for market strength underscores the economy’s solid fundamentals try’s busy West Coast ports, softer global demand and a strong unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, point- and suggests a recent slowdown in economic activity will be tem- dollar undercut growth early in the first quarter. ing to a healthy and expanding labor market. The sustained jobs porary. Harsh weather, the now-settled labor dispute at the coun- Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 282,000 for the week ended March 21, the Labor Department said yesterday. That was the lowest level since mid-February and was better than economists’ expectations for a dip to 290,000. A Labor Department analyst said there was nothing unusual in the state-level data. “The constructive trend in claims in recent weeks suggests that the positive labor market trend is continuing,” said Cheng Chen, an economist at TD Securities in New York. The four-week moving average of claims, considered a better measure of labor market trends as it irons out week-to-week volatility, fell 7,750 to 297,000 last week. US financial markets were little moved by the data. The sturdy jobs picture is in stark contrast with dour reports on manufactur- ing, home building, consumer spending and trade, which have suggested the economy has hit a soft patch. The tepid growth and persistently low inflation could see the Federal Reserve delaying raising interest rates until later this year. The US central bank has kept its short-term interest rate near zero since December 2008. The economy added 295,000 jobs in February, marking the 12th straight month that employment gains have been above 200,000, the longest such run since 1994. Yesterday’s claims report showed the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid fell 6,000 to 2.42 million in the week ended March 14. So-called continuing claims covered the period during which the government sur- veyed households for March’s unemployment rate. Continuing claims rose marginally between the February and March survey MIAMI: US Armed Forces veterans attend the annual Veterans Career and Resource Fair in Miami. The Labor Department periods, suggesting little change in the jobless rate. The unem- reported yesterday that fewer people sought US unemployment benefits a week earlier, evidence that strong hiring ployment rate fell to a more than 6-1/2-year low of 5.5 percent should continue despite signs of slower economic growth at the start of 2015. —AP in February. — Reuters Sports42 FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
KAISERSLAUTERN: Germany’s goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler fails to save the ball during the friendly football match Germany vs Australia in Kaiserslautern, southern Germany on March 25, 2015. — AFP Germany draw underlines Socceroos rise
KAISERSLAUTERN: Australia’s James Troisi said the Socceroos’ 2-2 draw with Germany showed just how far the Asian champions have come in 12 months. Only a English Premier League clubs profitable again Lukas Podolski equalizer nine minutes from time in Kaiserslautern spared the world champions’ blushes on LONDON: English Premier League clubs ing clubs, this has boosted Premier 20 making it into the top 40. Wednesday night in Germany. Australia had taken a 2-1 posted a pre-tax profit last season for the League revenue 29 percent to a record Premier League clubs have spent a lead thanks to Troisi’s first-half header and a free-kick first time in 15 years, according to a £3.3 billion.” record £950 million on new players dur- from captain Mile Jedinak which cancelled out Marco report released by business advisory firm Despite the huge rise in revenue, ing the 2014-15 season. “The current Reus’s early goal for Germany. Deloitte yesterday. The 20 teams in the clubs have exercised a deal of restraint in broadcast deal has given Premier League Having shocked Germany 2-1 in Moenchengladbach English top flight in 2013-14 generated a their spending on player wages, which clubs such a large revenue advantage four years ago, an inexperienced Australian side came combined profit of £190 million ($282.7 grew by six percent to £1.9 billion. “In over the vast majority of European clubs close to producing another upset as the hosts’ post- million, 257.4 million euros) - the first the first year of the preceding two that they can still attract the top playing World Cup hangover continued. With attacking talis- profit since 1999 and almost four times broadcast deals, 56 percent and 81 per- talent without over-stretching them- man Tim Cahill out injured, Australia coach Ange greater than the previous record of £49 cent of respective revenue growth was selves financially,” explained Deloitte’s Postecoglou blooded a three-man strike force of million set in 1997-98. absorbed by wage costs,” Jones added. Adam Bull. The wealth of the English top Mathew Leckie, Nathan Burns and Troisi which caused Clubs had accumulated £2.6 billion in “This time it is less than 20 percent. Over flight shows no sign of diminishing, after the Germans no end of problems. Australia were pre-tax losses over the last decade, but a the previous 10 seasons wages grew by a record-breaking £5.1 billion domestic impressive in their first international since winning new television rights package worth around nine percent per year, which is TV rights deal for the period 2016-2019 January’s Asian Cup in Sydney and Troisi said the fact around £5.5 billion that took effect in higher than the average annual revenue was announced last month. But it comes they were disappointed not to beat the world champi- 2013 helped them balance the books. growth of seven percent over that peri- at a time when Premier League clubs are ons showed that the Socceroos are on the rise. “Last season was the first in the Premier od, demonstrating further what a struggling in European competitions. “Few would have thought 12 months ago that we League’s current three-year broadcast remarkable turnaround the 2013-14 fig- There are no Premier League teams in would nearly beat the world champions - I surely deal, which was a record-breaker when it ures represent.” In Deloitte’s Football the Champions League quarter-finals for wouldn’t have - but it shows how far we have come as was struck,” said Dan Jones from Money League for the 2013-14 season, the second time in three seasons and no a team,” said the 26-year-old. “I think Germany didn’t Deloitte’s Sports Business Group. published in January, eight Premier English representatives in the last eight expect us to play like we played and to put them under “Combined with strong commercial League clubs were ranked among the of any European tournament for the first so much pressure. They weren’t comfortable at all. “We growth at the highest revenue-generat- top 20 richest clubs in the world, with all time since 1993.— AFP are pleased with our performance, but we missed some chances - we could have had three or four more. “A draw is ok, but it’s great to see how well we play against the best. “We really wanted to put on a good Spain, England look to fresh faces in Euro bids show for people back home who woke up early to watch us play.” PARIS: A rejuvenated Spain recommence tion following last year’s World Cup disaster Group C, three points behind leaders The Socceroos now face Macedonia on Monday in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign at home and his latest squad features the likes of Slovakia, who host Luxembourg. Meanwhile, their last European friendly and captain Jedinak hopes to Ukraine in Seville today, while the Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose, England are chasing a fifth win from five their stunning display against the world champions will prospect of seeing Harry Kane make his Sevilla winger Vitolo and Malaga forward matches in Group E when they entertain have won them a few more fans back home. “I think debut is the main attraction as England face Juanmi, who replaces the injured Diego Lithuania at Wembley. It may not be the kind this can take our belief to the next level. I think every- Lithuania. In their first outing since a 1-0 Costa. “Being called up is already a success. of fixture that would usually whip up great body, if they didn’t believe, now they will,” said the 30- friendly loss to Germany in November, reign- But I want to make my debut,” said winger excitement among the masses, but a crowd year-old Crystal Palace midfielder. “We can take a lot ing European champions Spain put their Vitolo, a native of Gran Canaria who is prov- of 90,000 is expected to see Tottenham from this game. As long as we keep moving in the right record of never having lost at the Ramon ing a big hit with Sevilla this season. “The Hotspur hotshot Harry Kane potentially direction, it’s looking pretty good. “We had a game Sanchez Pizjuan stadium on the line as they Sanchez Pizjuan is my home and it would be make his England bow. “It’s fantastic, what plan, we said we have to build on what we have so far face Ukraine in qualifying Group C. great to make my debut there, in front of my he has done,” England manager Roy with the Asian Cup victory. “We knew it would be a Vicente del Bosque’s side are second in fans.” Hodgson said of 21-year-old Kane, who has great measuring stick - they are the world champs. “We the group after four games, three points With the top two in each group qualifying scored 29 goals this season and could fea- knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But we were brave and behind Slovakia, who beat Spain in October. automatically for next year’s finals in France, ture in the absence due to injury of we were probably a little unlucky not to win.”— AFP Del Bosque is overseeing a period of transi- Spain and Ukraine are level on nine points in Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge.—AFP Sports FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Serena set to fight through knee pain at Miami
MIAMI: World number one Serena Williams is her big pain test. “I don’t want to put too but added, “It takes a tremendous amount for and try to play as many matches as possible, prepared to fight through pain to get onto much pressure on it before,” she said. “I’m just me to stop. I don’t know if that’s a good thing but really to improve my level.” the court today and begin defending her title here in Miami, so I’m just going to go for it or that’s a bad thing, but I think I will be OK.” Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic advanced at the ATP and WTA Miami Open. The 19-time and see what happens.” The top seed will be over veteran Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) Grand Slam singles champion, forced out bidding for a record eighth trophy at her Azarenka advances and Briton Heather Watson defeated Russian before her Indian Wells semi-final last week home event, capturing her seventh last year With all seeds on the men’s and women’s Evgeniya Rodina 3-6, 6-1, 7-5. Americans against eventual champion Simona Halep, when she beat China’s Li Na in the final. draws given byes, first round matches for the Christine McHale and Alison Riske both said Wednesday that she expects to “manage “I definitely don’t have low expectations,” remainder continued, with two-time winner advanced, joining Pauline Parmentier in the pain” when she opens in the second round Williams said. “I just definitely expect to do Victoria Azarenka strengthening her 2015 second round after the French player beat Kiki against Romanian Monica Niculescu. the best that I can. “Whether that’s winning or injury comeback with a defeat of Spain’s Silvia Bertens 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. “I’m just managing where I am right now,” just stepping out on the court, that’s what I’m Soler-Espinosa 6-1, 6-3. Azaranka missed On the men’s side, American Donald Young Williams said. “Just trying to stay out of as going to have to do. I don’t feel any pressure almost all of 2014 with foot injuries but made will line up against British third seed Andy much pain as possible and see what happens. because I have won this title a few times, so I this year’s Doha final. Murray after advancing when opponent Lu I know I’m going to have to manage the pain. feel good about being here. “It has been unfortunate the last couple of Yen-Hsun retired trailing 5-1 with a neck injury. “I think if I’m in that mental state, OK, you “When I hit on the court today, I just feel years for me, but I love this tournament,” said Argentine Carlos Berlocq beat Australian might be in a little pain. You just have to fig- so good out here in Miami. I’m just looking the 2009 and 2011 champion. “I’m just happy teenager Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, ure out the best way around it.” The Niculescu forward to just enjoying myself this year more to play anywhere I can. “Obviously coming Dutchman Robins Haase ousted Briton Kyle match is a repeat of the second round a fort- than anything.” The 33-year-old American back to a place where I have a lot of great Edmund 6-2, 6-2 and Finn Jarkko Nieminen night ago in Indian Wells, which Williams won admitted that she had not imagined being memories, it’s always nice. I’m just looking for- began with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Australian in two difficult sets, and will probably bring able to play Miami after her knee problem, ward to building my momentum here again Marinko Matosevic. — AFP
Rio Games golfers plot how to deal with a tough course
RIO DE JANEIRO: After months of legal wrangles sparked by green protests over the choice of a nature reserve to host the return of Olympic golf after 112 years, Rio Games golfers can now plot how to deal with a tough course. Rio already has two private courses, neither deemed suitable for the Games by the world golf authorities, which is why Rio opted to find 60 mil- lion reais ($20 million) of private cash to build a controversial though spectacular course at Barra de Tijuca, around an hour west of Rio. Course superintendent Neil Cleverly, tasked with oversee- ing the grow-in phase ahead of a test event scheduled for November 26-29, told AFP on Wednesday the Gil Hanse- designed course was exciting and challenging. And he indicat- ed that there could be some surprises, identifying Rory Mcllroy and Lee Westwood as the kind of names who will look to show they can “bump and run” as Cleverly put it to pull out the top- drawer short game required to land a medal. “It favors the short game. It’s going to be a challenging last three holes but every single hole has got a different measure of difficulty. “There’s going to be some players who will shoot horrible numbers!” said Cleverly. “Anyone who plays on the British shores (links courses), Ireland, Scotland especially-those guys have got an advantage” on a course where they will have to negotiate easterly winds. “To hold that green is going to be very difficult. You can drive it, but you can’t hold it,” said Cleverly, who added Hanse had wanted a “firm, fast-running surface” which would benefit a good short game player. “That’s what I’m going to give him. Just like a links course. “This is a dif- ferent animal. You’re going to have to bring a different bag of clubs to play this golf course,” he added of a course modeled on a range of holes Hanse has personally experienced. Cleverly said things would get very interesting on the final PHILADELPHIA: Andrew MacDonald #47 of the Philadelphia Flyers is tripped up by Andrew Shaw #65 of the Chicago three. “If you’re ahead by two shots and your nearest rival is Blackhawks during the third period at the Wells Fargo Center on March 25, 2015. — AFP level he’s going to go for it and you’re not-if you do you’re very stupid.” Not since 1904 has the Olympics seen golf but after all the legal back-and-forth on the venue selection Rio will next year welcome a 72-hole contest for 60 men and 60 women. Flyers roll past The fields will be based on Olympic golf standings with a basic maximum of two players per nation, though that will increase to four in the case of top 15 rankings. The Games have grown exponentially since golf’s last appearance at Saint Louis in 1904, when George Lyon of Canada succeeded 1900 Paris Blackhawks 4-1 Games US champion Charles Sands, while the women have not competed since Indian-born American Margaret Abbott secured gold in 1900. PHILADELPHIA: Claude Giroux, Wayne the returning defenseman who helped in the first 9:36 of the game for the With the main Olympic bywords now sustainability and Simmonds, Ryan White and Michael lead Philadelphia to the 2010 Stanley Oilers, who have won two of their last legacy, Cleverly said that is what fired his ambitions as much Raffl scored goals to lead the Cup final. Timonen returned to three games. Ben Scrivens stopped 31 as next year’s event. “The great legacy of this golf course is Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia for the first time since he shots. Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay that post Olympic Games it’s a public golf course, it belongs Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. was traded to Chicago in February for scored in the second period, and Ryan to the city. “We want to produce a golf course for the city,” Giroux had his 22nd goal for his first two draft picks. O’Reilly tied it early in the third for the said Cleverly. “If we can teach the game to the juniors in Rio even-strength score at home this sea- Avalanche, who have lost three in a row that would be my goal. This is what I want from this. “There is son. Steve Mason was stout again for OILERS 4, AVALANCHE 3 and are 10 points out of playoff spot no point in just putting a course there and then after the the Flyers, finishing with 34 saves. Derek Roy scored the tiebreaking with just nine games remaining. Games it goes to nothing. “We want to produce a legacy for Andrew Shaw scored for the goal midway through the third period Semyon Varlamov allowed three goals the juniors. If we can produce a Brazilian junior in 20 years and Blackhawks. Flyers fans gave Chicago and Edmonton recovered after giving on the first seven shots he faced before he becomes a champion then I’ll have succeeded,” Cleverly defenseman Kimmo Timonen a stand- up a three-goal lead. Martin Marincin, getting pulled in favor of Reto Berra, concluded. — AFP ing ovation during a video tribute for Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall all scored who finished with 26 saves. — AP Sports FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Sports FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 46 Sports FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 Spurs thump Thunder 130-91 Irving lifts as Cavaliers down Grizzlies
MEMPHIS: Kyrie Irving scored 24 points, and Vasquez also matched a career high with six matching the franchise record. seconds left to lift Indiana past Washington, Kevin Love added 22 points and 10 rebounds 3-pointers. ending the Pacers’ six-game losing streak. as the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 111-89 KINGS 108, SUNS 99 Hill scored 29 points, including 12 in the victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on CLIPPERS 111, KNICKS 80 DeMarcus Cousins scored 24 points, all but fourth quarter as Indiana rallied from a 10- Wednesday. LeBron James finished with 20 DeAndre Jordan raised the NBA’s best four in the first three quarters, and had 11 point deficit. Washington’s John Wall, who points, Timofey Mozgov added 14 and J R shooting percentage above 71 percent by rebounds to help Sacramento beat Phoenix. scored 17 of his season-high 34 points in the Smith 13 to help Cleveland win its fourth making all seven shots and scoring 14 points, Cousins also had three assists, two steals and final quarter, tied the game with a 3-pointer straight and eighth in nine. Cleveland shot from the top of the key with 11 seconds left. 51 percent and was 14 of 34 from 3-point range. Marc Gasol led Memphis with 18 HEAT 93, CELTICS 86 points, while Beno Udrih had 15. Cleveland Goran Dragic had 22 points and seven controlled the boards with a 49-32 advan- assists as banged-up Miami beat Boston. tage in rebounds, which offset the Cavaliers’ Luol Deng added 15 points for Miami, and 18 turnovers, including five each by Love Udonis Haslem had 12 points and 12 and Irving. The game completely got away rebounds. Henry Walker and Tyler Johnson from Memphis in the third when Cleveland also scored 12 points apiece. Miami played connected on 11 of its first 13 shots in the without Dwyane Wade, Hassan Whiteside quarter, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. and Chris Andersen due to injuries, but bounced back quite nicely from Tuesday ROCKETS 95, PELICANS 93 night’s 89-88 loss at Milwaukee. The Heat James Harden had 25 points and 10 blew a 14-point lead in the final 6 1/2 min- assists, and Dwight Howard had seven utes against the Bucks. Miami has won four rebounds and a block on Anthony Davis in of six and is seventh in the Eastern his return from a two-month absence as Conference playoff race. Jae Crowder scored Houston handed New Orleans its fourth 16 points for the Celtics. straight loss. Davis had 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Pelicans, but uncharacteris- NETS 91. HORNETS 88 tically missed eight free throws, including Brook Lopez had 34 points and 10 one that could have pulled New Orleans to rebounds and Brooklyn handed slumping 94-93 with 7 seconds left. The Pelicans still Charlotte its fifth loss in six games. The cen- had a chance to set up a trying 3-pointer ter came into the game on a tear, having after Harden missed a free throw with 3.3 scored at least 26 points in each of his last seconds left, but Corey Brewer intentionally three games, including 31 on Monday night fouled Eric Gordon on the inbounds pass to against Boston. Deron Williams had 10 force free throws. Gordon made the first and points, 14 assists and seven rebounds for the purposely missed the second in hopes for a Nets. Nets forward Thaddeus Young left the tying putback that never materialized. game late in the third quarter with a hyper- extended knee and did not return. Team offi- SPURS 130, THUNDER 91 cials said X-rays were negative and he will be Tony Parker had 21 points and six assists re-evaluated Thursday. Gerald Henderson as San Antonio stopped Oklahoma City’s and Al Jefferson each had 23 points for the four-game winning streak. Boris Diaw scored Hornets. 19 points, and Tim Duncan had 16, and Kawhi Leonard 14 points in the Spurs’ high- TRAIL BLAZERS 92, JAZZ 89 est scoring game of the season. They have Damian Lillard had 23 points and 12 won 11 of 13. Thunder star Russell assists as Portland overcame a 10-point Westbrook was held to 16 points on 5-for-16 deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Utah. shooting. He left midway through the third Lillard helped Portland snap a five-game los- quarter with the Spurs leading by 30. ing streak, scoring 13 fourth-quarter points. Westbrook averaged 32.7 points, 11.2 assists LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and nine and 9.6 rebounds in his previous 13 games. rebounds. Derrick Favors led Utah with 26 points and 13 rebounds, and Trey Burke HAWKS 95, Magic 83 added 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting. Rudy Paul Millsap had 25 points and 11 Gobert had 12 points and 10 rebounds. rebounds as Atlanta ended a three-game los- ing streak with a win over Orlando. Jeff LAKERS 101, TIMBERWOLVES 99, OT Teague added 16 points, despite spraining Jordan Clarkson hit two free throws with his left ankle in the first quarter. The Hawks 0.3 seconds left in overtime to lift Los trailed by 13 in the first half, but outscored Angeles past Minnesota. Clarkson scored the Magic 27-12 in the fourth quarter. Elfrid eight points in overtime and finished with Payton led the Magic with 19 points and 20. Jeremy Lin added 19 points to help the nine rebounds. Victor Oladipo and Nik Lakers snapped a five-game road losing Vucevic added 16 points apiece. Orlando had NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Pelicans guard Quincy Pondexter (top) and Houston streak. Andrew Wiggins had 27 points for just five turnovers in the first half, but fin- Rockets guard Jason Terry fall out of bounds during the second half of an NBA basket- Minnesota. Chase Budinger scored 22 points ished the night with 17. The Magic lost their ball game in New Orleans on Wednesday, March 25, 2015. — AP and sent the game to overtime with a 3- second straight and have dropped eight of pointer with 6.6 seconds left in regulation. their last nine. as Los Angeles pounded New York. Shooting a block, and Rudy Gay scored 14 points for the all night from either right at or above the rim - Kings. They have won four straight. Markieff 76ERS 99, NUGGETS 85 BULLS 116, RAPTORS 103 and once right on top of Jason Smith - Jordan Morris scored 24 points, and Eric Bledsoe and Rookie Robert Covington equalized a Jimmy Butler scored 23 points and Pau hiked his season average to .713, which would Marcus Morris added 19 each for the Suns. career high with 25 points as Philadelphia Gasol had 18 as Chicago beat Toronto. Tony be second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s .727 in Phoenix squandered an opportunity to make beat Denver. Nerlens Noel had 14 points Snell scored 17 points to help the Bulls move 1972-73. Chris Paul added 11 points and 16 up a game on eighth-place Oklahoma City in and 15 rebounds to help the 76ers sweep 1 1/2 games ahead of the Raptors for third assists for the Clippers. They won their fifth the Western Conference. The Thunder were the season series. Ty Lawson scored 19 place in the Eastern Conference. Aaron straight and improved the fourth-best record routed at San Antonio. Phoenix trails points, and Wilson Chandler had 16 points Brooks had 16 points, and Nikola Mirotic fin- in the Western Conference to 47-25. Austin Oklahoma City by three games for the West’s and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets. ished with 15. Toronto has dropped three of Rivers scored 21 points in 19 minutes. Rookie final playoff spot. Covington, who also tied a career high with four. It has lost five in a row to Chicago. Cleanthony Early had a season-high 18 points six 3-pointers, scored 15 points in a 6:16 Greivis Vasquez had 22 points for the for the Knicks. They lost their fifth straight to PACERS 103 WIZARDS 101 span of the third quarter to give Raptors, and DeMar DeRozan added 20. drop to 14-58 and move a loss away from George Hill made a driving layup with 2.7 Philadelphia a 66-62 lead.—AP FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015
Australia thrash India, face off with NZ Clarke salutes Smith as Australia power into World Cup final
SYDNEY: Australia put themselves since the inaugural edition in 1975. runs in the last five overs to ensure in line for a fifth World Cup title with India will rue a missed opportunity they went past the 300-run mark. an emphatic 95-run semi-final victo- after an impressive campaign earlier Teams batting second had won nine ry over defending champions India in the tournament when they won of the last 12 one-day internationals in Sydney yesterday. Steve Smith all seven matches, piling up 300 or at the SCG and a 10th victory hammered 105 off 93 balls and more runs each time they batted appeared on the cards after Dhawan Aaron Finch returned to form with first and bowled out their rivals in and Sharma gave India a sound 81 as the hosts piled up 328 for sev- every game. start. Dhawan was reprieved by Brad en after electing to bat on a good But they failed to dismiss Haddin in the fourth over when the pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia as in-form seamer wicket-keeper dived to his left to India were bowled out for 233 in Mohammad Shami went for 68 runs hold the edge off Josh Hazlewood, reply despite an opening stand of 76 in 10 wicketless overs and Umesh but the ball spilled out of his glove. between openers Rohit Sharma and Yadav conceded 72 runs in nine Sharma celebrated his partner’s luck by hooking Johnson for a six and Dhawan welcomed Faulkner to the attack in the 10th over with two boundaries and a glorious six over mid-wicket. The entertaining stand ended in the 13th over when Dhawan stepped out to loft Hazlewood and skied a catch to Glenn Maxwell fielding at deep cover. Dhawan’s 45 off 41 balls contained six bound- SCOREBOARD aries and a six. India were hit by a second blow two overs later when star batsman Virat Kohli miscued a SYDNEY: Scoreboard in the World Cup semi-final between Australia and India at the Sydney pull off a Johnson bouncer and was Cricket Ground yesterday: easily snapped up by Haddin for Australia S. Dhawan c Maxwell b Hazlewood 45 just one run. D. Warner c Kohli b Yadav 12 V. Kohli c Haddin b Johnson 1 MUMBAI: Indian cricket fans react as they watch on televi- The dismissal continued the A. Finch c Dhawan b Yadav 81 A. Rahane c Haddin b Starc 44 sion the ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal match between Indian vice-captain’s lean run in the S. Smith c R Sharma b Yadav 105 S. Raina c Haddin b Faulkner 7 India and Australia in Mumbai yesterday. Australia ended tournament where 46 against South G. Maxwell c Rahane b Ashwin 23 MS Dhoni run out (Maxwell) 65 2011 champion India’s unbeaten run at the World Cup with Africa was his best effort after a S. Watson c Rahane b M Sharma 28 R. Jadeja run out (Smith) 16 a 95-run victory. — AP match-winning century against M. Clarke c R Sharma b M Sharma 10 R. Ashwin b Faulkner 5 Pakistan. India were reduced to 108 J. Faulkner b Yadav 21 Mohammed Shami not out 1 Shikhar Dhawan and a typically defi- overs for his four wickets. A sell-out for four in the 23rd over as Johnson B. Haddin not out 7 M. Sharma b Faulkner 0 M. Johnson not out 27 ant run-a-ball 65 from captain crowd of some 42,000 at the SCG bowled Sharma off the pads for 34 U. Yadav b Starc 0 Extras (b1, lb7, w6) 14 Mahendra Singh Dhoni. were treated to good cricket on a and Suresh Raina was caught Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) 328 Extras (lb8, w5, nb2) 15 James Faulkner finished with grassless, even-paced wicket that behind by Haddin off Faulkner for Did not bat: M Starc, J Hazlewood Total (all out, 46.5 overs) 233 three for 59, while left-arm fast enabled batsmen to play shots seven. Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Warner), 2-197 (Smith), 3- Fall of wickets: 1-76 (Dhawan), 2-78 (Kohli), 3- bowlers Mitchell Johnson and freely. Smith and Finch shared a sec- added 70 for the fifth wicket but the 232 (Maxwell), 4-233 (Finch), 5-248 (Clarke), 6- 91 (R Sharma), 4-108 (Raina), 5-178 (Rahane), 6- Mitchell Starc claimed two wickets ond-wicket stand of 182 before India skipper saw his partner edging Starc 284 (Faulkner), 7-298 (Watson) 208 (Jadeja), 7-231 (Dhoni), 8-232 (Ashwin), 9- each. Australia will take on tourna- hit back with quick wickets as the for 44 before Ravindra Jadeja was Bowling: Shami 10-0-68-0 (2w); Yadav 9-0-72-4 232 (M Sharma), 10-233 (Yadav). ment co-hosts New Zealand in the hosts stumbled from 191 for one in run out for 16 by a direct throw (4w); M Sharma 10-0-75-2; Kohli 1-0-7-0; Jadeja Bowling: Starc 8.5-0-28-2 (1nb, 2w); Hazlewood final at the Melbourne Cricket the 35th over to 248 for five in the from Smith. India’s fate was sealed 10-0-56-0; Ashwin 10-0-42-1. 10-1-41-1; Johnson 10-0-50-2 (2w); Faulkner 9- Ground on Sunday. The four-time 43rd. But Shane Watson (28), James when Dhoni himself was run out in 1-59-3 (1nb, 1w); Maxwell 5-0-18-0; Watson 4- champions, who last won the title in Faulkner (21 off 12 balls) and the 45th over as Maxwell broke the India 0-29-0. 2007, have now won all seven World Mitchell Johnson (27 not out off stumps with a smart throw from R. Sharma b Johnson 34 Result: Australia won by 95 runs. Cup semi-finals they have contested nine) helped Australia plunder 57 mid-wicket. —AFP Priceless as India fans turn SCG into a ‘home’ ground
SYDNEY: More than three hours before way India! But both the teams are very Sydney). I love it.” He added he was relish- the start of the World Cup semi-final competitive. “It’s going to be a tough ing the prospect of witnessing such a between Australia and India yesterday and match. I think the toss will play a big fac- high-stakes match. “It will be a good already there were India flags being flown tor. I feel whichever team wins the toss atmosphere that’s the main thing. More outside the Sydney Cricket Ground. Ajit and bats first should win the match.” “And Australians would be nice, but it’s all right, Burli, 31, a chartered accountant from also the World Cup!,” added Murali, ahead we’ll do what we can do. The whole family Mumbai and his friend Murali Mamana, 39, of the game set to be watched by 42,000 are here my mum and dad live in Sydney. a business development manager from people inside the famous arena.”This is the “Australia will win for sure, of course Pune, were determined to make it a day ‘decider’”, agreed Ajit. “Whichever team they will. “We went to the (Australia-India) out to remember. “It’s cost us one-and-a- wins this match will win the final.” Test series, we know what to expect. It’s half lakhs 150,000 rupees ($2,398, AUS Pre-match estimates were that some 70 very special and it will be fiery.” Australian $3,067) to be here. That’s quite expensive percent of tickets at a sold-out SCG had breakfast television presenter Karl but we are die-hard India fans,” Ajit said. been taken up by India fans. “Sydney will Stefanovic added to that fire when, inter- “We are for cricket and we are sure India be a home ground for India,” said Murali. viewing Indian cricket fans ahead of the will win the World Cup so we are here to “The pitch (which is expected to be spin- match, he asked: “I was just going to cheer our team and our country.” friendly) and crowd support makes it ask...who’s going to be manning 7-Elevens Asked why they had arrived so early, home conditions for India.” However, today?” But a member of the Swami Army, Ajit said: “We just want to get a glimpse of Matthew Collins, a 26-year-old paramedic the India supporters group, laughed off the players (before the match starts). This working in Melbourne was among a group the stereotype that convenience stores in is a World Cup, this is a special event.” of proud Australia supporters at the Australia are mostly run by Indians, saying: Murali added: “At the last World Cup we match. Asked about his interest in cricket, “I’m not sure about who’s going to be were in Ahmedabad for the quarter-final Matthew said: “I’m a first-grade all-rounder manning 7-Elevens but you might have to SYDNEY: An Indian supporter waves a flag ahead of their (where India beat Australia).” Asked about with the Blue Mountains Cricket look at Centrelink (welfare agency) as well Cricket World Cup semifinal against Australia in Sydney his forecast for the match, Ajit said: “All the Association (100km, 60 miles from I think Karl.” —AFP yesterday. — AP