on Thursday.— PhotobyYasserAl-Zayyat inauguration of thenewstate-of-the-artcardiac andpediatricICUsatMubarak Hospital Minister DrAli Al-ObaidiandDrMohammed Al-Zubeid,cardiologistpictured duringthe KUWAIT: (Fromlefttoright) Marzouq NasserAl-Khorafi,FasialHealth Manama togoaheadwith‘stagetwo’againstQatar. tions havealreadybeenmadebyRiyadh,AbuDhabiand the reconciliationeffort.Butifthoseeffortsfail,prepara- ty believethatthe‘silent’policyispartofroadmapfor 1981. Thesourceswhospokeontheconditionofanonymi- ber GulfCooperationCouncil(GCC)sinceitscreationin considered ‘themostseriousthreat’againstthesix-mem- statement tocommentonthelatestdevelopmentthatis yesterday. ing onlimitingmediainstigation,”seniorGulfsourcessaid “Diplomatic effortsbehindthescenearecurrentlyfocus- successful diplomaticeffortstocalmthesituation. the internationalscenethatAmircouldspearhead for hisreturn.ThereishighhopeintheArabWorldandon after undergoingminorsurgery,butthereisstillnodate the AmirwasdischargedfromhospitallateTuesday the decisiontowithdrawtheirambassadorsfromDoha. Saudi Arabia,theUnitedArabEmiratesandBahraintook Sabah couldhavehelpedcontainthesituationbefore believes thatHisHighnessSheikhSabahAl-AhmadAl- could helpdefusethediplomaticcrisisinGCC.Qatar ment inUS,withhopethathislongcareerdiplomacy Kuwait’s Amirwhoiscurrentlyundergoingmedicaltreat- KUWAIT:

High hopeson SUBSCRIPTION crisis worsens Kuwait, alongwithOmanareyettoreleaseanofficial Kuwait NewsAgency(KUNA)reportedWednesdaythat Amir asGCC The Gulfregioneagerlyawaitsthereturnof 150 Fils AUDY AC ,21 AAAAAWL7 45A No:16098 SATURDAY, 1435 AH JAMADA MARCH8,2014 ALAWWAL 7, ‘terrorist groups’ Saudi Arabialists Brotherhood, HezbollahonRiyadh’sterrorlist Continued onPage10 been approvedbytheauthorities. committee hadagreedonandthat the groupsmentionedwerethose The ministry’sstatementonFridaysaid determine thegroupstobeoutlawed. said acommitteewouldbesetupto gone nonetheless.Lastmonth’sdecree estimates thataround1,200Saudishave ers goingtoSyria,buttheInteriorMinistry ities havespokenoutagainstSaudifight- after thewarsinAfghanistanandIraq. Al Saudroyalfamily-ashashappened Assad cominghometotargettheruling young Saudishardenedbybattleagainst abroad. Itunderscoredconcernabout zen foundguiltyoffightinginconflicts for betweenthreeand20yearsanyciti- with moneyandarms,saiditwouldjail which backssomerebelgroupsinSyria a royaldecreelastmonthinwhichRiyadh, published bystatemedia. the InteriorMinistrysaidinastatement battling SyrianPresidentBasharAl-Assad, Iraq andtheLevant,whosefightersare the NusraFrontandIslamicStatein kingdom hasalsodesignatedasterrorist fellow Gulfmonarchies.TheUS-allied ing forthegrouphassparkedarowwith increase pressureonQatarwhoseback- rorist organization,inamovethatcould nated theMuslimBrotherhoodasater- RIYADH: Riyadh fearstheBrotherhood,whose Saudi Arabia’sIslamicreligiousauthor- Yesterday’s moveappearedtoenforce Saudi Arabiahasformallydesig- patients inother departmentsandprovides annually. “The unitalsoexamines1,700 electrocardiograms and1,000HolterECGs ment alsoconducts5,500ultrasounds, 1,600 explaining thatthecardiacdiseases depart- in cardiacdiseaseswards,”he underlined, patients. “Thesamenumbergets hospitalized that theunitannuallyreceives around1,400 bish thecardiacdiseasesICU, Al-Obaidi said Khorafi fortheirgenerousdonationtorefur- late NasserMohammedAbdulMohsenAl- and nursingstaffs. the latestmedicalequipment,best ing variousmedicalfacilitiesandunitswith effort indevelopinghealthservicesbyprovid- Al-Obaidi saidtheMinistryofHealthsparesno atric ICUsatMubarakHospitalonThursday. opened newstate-of-the-artcardiacandpedi- KUWAIT: Mubarak Hospital’scardiac, pediatric ICUsinaugurated Expressing appreciationtotheheirsof abide byanaccordnottointerferein Wednesday, sayingDohahadfailedto recalled theirambassadorsfromQataron United ArabEmirates(UAE)andBahrain unprecedented move,SaudiArabia,the the ArabSpringrevolutions.Inan to buildsupportinsidethekingdomsince Saudi principleofdynasticrule,hastried Sunni Islamistdoctrineschallengethe Health ministerDrAliAl-Obaidi they couldfacefiveto30yearsinprison.—AP Al-Qaeda andothergroups,warningthosewhojointhemorsupport Arabia hasidentifiedtheMuslimBrotherhoodasaterroristgroupalongwith Rawdat Khurayim-asecludedroyalhuntingretreatinSaudiArabia. RAWDAT KHURAYIM:SaudiArabia’sKingAbdullahspeaksduringameetingin today. —KUNA organized by the chestdiseaseshospital part inthe5th ‘Walkathon ofHeartFriends’ es. Finally,Al-Obaidiurgedeverybody totake theatre mannedwith14doctors and48nurs- unit includes11roomsandasmall operation global rates,”heunderlined,noting thatthe ICU unitis7percent,which farlessthan and others.“Thefatalityratein thepediatric for casessuchasacutepneumonia,epilepsy and mostadvanceddiagnosestherapies infections amongpatients;providethelatest highest qualitystandardsinordertoreduce pediatrics ICUhasbeendesignedaccordingto cardiac catheterizations,”heelaborated. 500 patientstothechestdiseaseshospitalfor 2,500 patientsinafternoonOPDsandreferring examining 1,300patientsinmorningOPDs, consultancy ontheirtreatmentinadditionto In addition,Al-Obaidistressedthatthe Qaradawi, acriticoftheSaudiauthorities, has shelteredinfluentialclericYusuf Brotherhood, andresentthewayDoha over Qatar’ssupportfortheMuslim each others’internalaffairs. Saudi ArabiaandtheUAEarefuming Gulf dispute Continued onPage10 Min Max 14º 29º LOCAL SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 17 women, 52 men held in raids on Mirqab ‘vice cafes’ Mobile store burglars arrested

KUWAIT: Vice police raided several cafes in store in Reqai in which several mobile phones, Mirqab and arrested 17 women and 52 men for iPads and KD 3,400 in cash, were stolen, detec- violating residency and vice laws, said security tives managed to trace one of the stolen phones sources. Detectives were tipped off about and arrest a citizen using it. The suspect pleaded immoral practices being carried out in some guilty as charged and led the police to his five downtown cafes. Raiding the suspected places, other accomplices who included another a citi- several Asian women were arrested for violating zen, a GCC national, an Iraqi, a Yemeni and a residency laws and indulging in immoral activi- Syrian. ties. When the police raided, they were in inde- cent dresses with the aim of luring customers. Citizen with drugs held The sources added that several Arab women A citizen was arrested for possessing a variety were also arrested for dancing in indecent outfits. of drugs, resisting arrest and threatening police- men with a gun, said security sources. A Jahra GCC national granted bail patrol inspected a vehicle on suspicion in the Following up the case in which a GCC nation- industrial area and asked the driver to pull over. al had been arrested on entry for attempting to The driver refused and tried to drive away. After smuggle in a gun and some ammunition being chased and stopped, policemen searched through the Southern land border exit of his vehicle to find 380 psychotropic pills, seven Nuwaisseb, the suspect was released on a KD bars of hashish, half a kilo of ICE, a bottle of 500 bail after being cross-examined by prosecu- liquor, 6 Viagra pills and KD 334 in cash. The sus- tion. Security sources revealed that the culprit pect managed to run away during the search of escaped with the help of a senior MOI official, the vehicle. When he was chased and overpow- but the suspect’s family managed to convince ered, he threatened a policeman with a 9 mm KUWAIT: The gutted air-conditioned unit of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital. him to return to Kuwait and turn himself in. gun. A case was filed. Trespasser arrested Mortar shells recovered Juvenile held with narcotic pills A 28-year-old Iranian was recently arrested Twenty one mortar shells were recently for trespassing into Ali Al-Salem Air Base while found in Kuwait City opposite to the Sheraton By Hanan Al-Saadoun vant authorities. murmuring strange words and claiming to be a roundabout, said security sources. According to prophet. The man is initially thought to be men- report, construction laborers working in the area KUWAIT: An expatriate juvenile,16, was Fire at hospital tally disturbed. Further investigations are still in found the shells while digging on site. A bomb recently arrested with the possession of 5,000 A fire broke out at Mubarak Al-Kabeer progress. squad was dispatched to the scene to handle the tramadol pills, said security sources noting Hospital last week, said security sources not- shells that turned out to be left behind by the that narcotics detectives had been tipped off ing that the fire started in an air-conditioned Burglars arrested retreating Iraqi forces. about the suspect’s activities. The suspect unit at the doctors’ break lounge. The sources Two citizens and four Arab expats were was arrested red-handed as he tried to sell added that the fire started in the ceiling-fitted recently arrested for burglary, said security Scorpion attack narcotic pills to an undercover agent. A case unit then spread to some sofas underneath. sources noting that the gang had specialized in A 23-year-old citizen was recently rushed to was filed and the suspect was referred to rele- No casualties were reported. breaking into mobile phone stores and stealing Jahra hospital when he was stung by a scorpion electronic gadgets. Case papers indicate that fol- 10 kilometers away from the Northern land bor- lowing a report on burglary at a mobile phone der exit of Abdali. Man dies, mom saves baby in Fahaheel car accidents 20 arrested for Jleeb brawl

KUWAIT: A pedestrian was killed and another patrol police found him unconscious inside a car was injured in two separate accidents at one parked in Mutlaa. Medical staff at the Jahra street in Fahaheel Thursday night. The 53-year- Hospital confirmed that the man passed out as a old Indian man died of severe head and back result of a drug overdose. A gun was reportedly injuries after he was run over by a speeding found inside the man’s car in police search after vehicle at the Makkah Street. Paramedics and he was put inside the ambulance. police rushed to the scene in response to an emergency call made at 8.30 pm. An hour and a Beggar held half earlier, an 18-year-old Jordanian woman A woman was arrested inside the Amiri sustained back bruises after she took a car hit Hospital where she practiced begging and used The new ‘Al-Fintas’ oil vessel is being officially received at a ceremony. though managed to shelter her 6-month-old her disabled son to lure almsgivers. Police baby who was unharmed. The mother was tak- arrested the 35-year-old Arab woman after en to the Adan Hospital where her condition is reporting to the medical facilities in response to KOTC takes delivery stated to be stable. multiple emergency calls. She used her disabled son to collect money. She was taken along with of two new tankers Suicide attempt her 15-year-old son to the proper authorities, A man was hospitalized following attempted before police summoned her 40-year-old hus- KUWAIT: Kuwait Oil Tankers Co (KOTC) announced side. With the addition of the two new tankers, suicide inside an apartment in the Farwaniya band who reportedly entered Kuwait recently on Thursday it had officially got delivery of two new KOTC’s total fleet size will be 23. The company indi- governorate recently. The Kuwaiti national was with a visit visa. oil tankers as part of its revamping of its current cated in its statement that the revamping process of taken in an ambulance to the Farwaniya fleet, a company statement said. The delivery of the its fleet had begun with the first phase in 2003 Hospital where doctors treated him for a self- Jleeb fight tankers “Fintas” and “Burgan” comes to fulfill the when the average age of a fleet was set at 16 years. inflicted stab wound on his abdomen. At least 20 people were recently arrested fol- third phase inaugurated by the company toward With the completion of phases one and two and the Paramedics and police had rushed to the scene lowing a fight in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. According the acquisition of a new fleet of at least nine new current three, that age has been constricted to only in response to an emergency call made by the to police report, the fight ensued following a tankers, said a press statement by the company. six and a half years, said the statement. With the man’s friend. Preliminary investigations indicate dispute between two neighbors; a Syrian who Al-Fintas is the first of five tankers which the completion of phase three of the revamping, the that the man stabbed himself during a mental opened a diwaniya outside his house and a South Korean company Daewoo Shipbuilding and total capacity of the entire fleet is likely to stand at seizure prompted by psychological reasons. A bedoon man who complained that the diwaniya Marine Engineering (DSME) is building for KOTC. about five million tons, including crude oil, LPG, and case was filed. visitors are restricting movement outside his The new tanker has a capacity of 2.2 million barrels oil products, indicated the statement. house. Both foes reportedly summoned his of oil whereas Burgan’s capacity is approximately It added that the fourth phase of the revamping Addict with gun friends and a fight ensued before police came 340,000 barrels, said the statement. is to begin soon and will take into consideration not Jahra police are waiting for a drug addict to over and put the situation under control. KOTC Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Talal Al- only technical upgrading but environmental be released from the hospital to put charges on Several people reportedly suffered injuries as a Khaled Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah signed for today’s deliv- requirements to deal with such things as global him for possession of an unlicensed firearm. The result of the use of knives and batons during the ery for the Kuwaiti side and S.K. Han for the Korean warming and ozone depletion. — KUNA 38-year-old Kuwaiti man was hospitalized after fight. LOCAL SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Labor tests to regulate unskilled manpower MSAL team working on new system

KUWAIT: A team of senior Ministry of Social Affairs helps unhindered entry of unskilled labor forces into the plan to execute the job tests systems. and Labor officials is currently working on devising a Kuwait. In a bid to address this problem, the govern- The plan, according to Al-Jarida daily yesterday, new testing system to scrutinize the entry of labor ment has considered several measures to control sets the standards for making the ‘obligatory tests’ forces into Kuwait in order to regulate unskilled man- recruitment such as a university degree and work that expatriate labor forces will have to take before power in the state. experience as mandatory requirements. being issued a work permit. Recruitments in the private sector are currently The next step, according to recent reports, is the The team will also study the possibility of prepar- closed and the plan is to reopen it by April 1 after the idea of passing job tests as a requirement for issuance ing training centers for workers who fail the tests, in current system is put in place. A foreigner can enter of work visas in Kuwait. For example, a worker would order to have a second chance to enter the labor mar- Kuwait on a commercial visit visa which can be trans- be required to pass a test on accounting in order to be ket. Furthermore, there is a talk also of finding criteria ferred into a work visa or ‘iqama’ (residency). issued a visa to work as an accountant for a private to test Kuwaiti labor forces who enter the public and But currently there are no effective controls that company in Kuwait. private sector in order to improve the quality of regulate the transferring process that will ensure that In this regard, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor national labor forces, according to the report. a worker is recruited to work in their field of specialty, Hind Al-Subaih released a decree recently that calls The team has a six-month timeframe to submit the giving room for assumptions that the present system for forming a work team whose job is to put together report. — Al-Jarida

National Guard, special forces hold drill Bu Hanan Al-Saadoun National Guard and MOI’s special forces were the ‘eyes that forces and the National Guards yesterday at Failaka island, never sleep in protecting Kuwait and the arms readily Al-Khaled expressed the need to coordinate and join the KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior available to defend it’. Speaking on concluding the efforts of both establishments to face any possible threats Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled Al-Sabah stressed that the ‘Decisive Shield 4’ drill jointly held between MOI’s special and dangers. Kuwait urges dialogue to solve Iran N-issue

VIENNA: Kuwait reaffirmed here yester- He reminded that his country had day that it is the right of all countries to welcomed practical arrangements produce, develop and use peaceful reached between the IAEA and Iran on nuclear energy in line with the Non- November 11, 2013, together with the Proliferation Treaty (NBT). agreement reached by both sides on Third Secretary at the Kuwaiti February 9, 2014. Embassy in Austria and Permanent Kuwait looks forward to maintaining Delegate at International Organizations cooperation between the IAEA and Iran in Vienna Yaseen Al-Majid addressed an in order to settle relevant unresolved International Atomic Energy Agency matters, thus ensuring a peaceful (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting on Iranian nuclear program, he pointed the agreement of safeguards by saying out. The Kuwaiti ambassador went on to that Kuwait believes in diplomacy and say that Kuwait is closely monitoring the dialogue as the only way to bring diver- positive development of the deal gent views closer and to settle out- reached in November 2013, and wel- DOHA: Acting Chairman of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports (PAYS) Sami Fahad Al-Ibrahim standing issues pertinent to Iran’s con- comes the outcomes of recent bilateral with delegation members. — KUNA troversial nuclear program. negotiations in Vienna. — KUNA PAYS Gulf tour ‘successful’: Ibrahim

Fire breaks out in DOHA: Acting Chairman of the Public Authority for United Arab Emirates after Qatar. Youth and Sports (PAYS) Sami Fahad Al-Ibrahim said He pointed out that in spite of the short duration Salmiya building here on Thursday that his Gulf tour was aimed at of the visit to Saudi Arabia, which lasted two days, getting acquainted with the successful sports expe- the delegation sought to achieve the greatest bene- By Hanan Al-Saadoun riences and to strengthen the bonds of sports and fit from it through a program full of encounters, youth relations between Kuwait and the Gulf states. meetings and field visits to some facilities, adding KUWAIT: Firemen put out a fire that broke in the basement of a building in Salmiya Al-Ibrahim added in an interview before leaving that the outstanding reception reflected the spirit of on Thursday evening after smoke was detected from the five-storey building. The Doha to the United Arab Emirates at the end of a brotherhood between the GCC states. fire was in the basement which contained clothes and sewing accessories. The visit to Qatar that his delegation’s program has As for the Qatar visit, Al-Ibrahim said the delega- building was evacuated and no injuries were reported. been full of meetings and discussions with officials tion’s itinerary included field visits to modern sports in the Gulf states. facilities in Qatar, which is a source of pride, noting Food stores closed He explained that the delegation, which includ- that the delegation was briefed on the future plan The capital municipality closed five food stores in industrial Shuwaikh because ed a number of members of the Board of Directors future that reflects the ambitious program of the of opening and operating before obtaining health licenses. The closure took place and the executive organ of the Public Authority for country and the clear-cut systematic work as well as during the campaign of inspectors that included several stores as part of the efforts Youth and Sports began its Gulf tour by visiting the the state’s willingness to host all sorts of sporting of supervisory authorities at the municipality. Saudi capital Riyadh and will conclude it in the activities. —KUNA

Available at The Sultan Centre & Carrefour LOCAL SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Kuwait ranks 115th in global cost of living Dubai becomes more expensive city: Survey

KUWAIT: Kuwait has become a cheaper sive city, while Oslo (128), Zurich (125) The survey itself is a purpose-built place to live according to a recent cost and Sydney (120) ranked third through internet tool designed to help human of living survey ranking over 130 coun- fifth. Tokyo ranked 118, as did Caracas, resources and finance managers calcu- tries around the world. Kuwait shares Geneva and Melbourne. Copenhagen, late cost-of-living allowances and build the 115th rank with Doha in the 2014 the last city in the top 10, scored 117. compensation packages for expatriates Las Vegas Eiffel tower. Worldwide Cost of Living survey pub- According to the index, ‘Within Asia and business travellers. The survey lished by Economist Intelligence Unit the best value for money is in the Indian incorporates easy-to-understand com- Enjoy unexpected travel this week. Compared to the previous subcontinent (defined as India, Pakistan, parative cost-of-living indices between options this month year’s survey Kuwait dropped seven Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka). cities. The survey allows for city-to-city spots. Mumbai is the cheapest location in the comparisons, but for the purpose of this with British Airways According to the survey, Tokyo which survey and three of the four cheapest report all cities are compared to a base topped the list in 2013 was dethroned cities surveyed hail from Pakistan, India city of New York, which has an index set KUWAIT: In an attempt to offer residents across Kuwait increased by Singapore as the world’s most expen- and Nepal. Mumbai’s title as the world’s at 100. The survey has been carried out opportunities to travel and visit friends and loved ones, British sive city to live in. Jeddah and Riyadh, cheapest city and is a reflection of the for more than 30 years. Airways has announced a special fares campaign running until 10 on the other hand are ranked as two of structural factors that define price with- The biannual report compares the March allowing for travel until the end of July. the least expensive cities to live in. in the Indian subcontinent.’ price of products and services such as With Mother’s Day around the corner, there has never been a bet- Dubai, on the other hand, has become a The Worldwide Cost of Living survey food, clothing, transport, private schools ter time for residents in Kuwait to give their mum the gift of a sur- tad more expensive than the previous is released twice a year by the and domestic help between 131 cities. prise holiday! According to a recent survey commissioned by British year with a cost of living rank climbing Economist Intelligence Unit. It compares The Worldwide Cost of Living is a twice Airways, over 40 percent of the respondents in Kuwait have not tak- two spots from 94 to 96. Compared to more than 400 individual prices across yearly Economist Intelligence Unit sur- en a long haul trip in the last year, so now is the perfect opportunity 2011 Dubai ranked Number 78 most 160 products and services in 131 cities, vey that compares more than 400 indi- to take advantage of the discounted fares British Airways is offering expensive city in the world. including food, drink, clothing, house- vidual prices across 160 products and to cities across the UK, Europe, the US and Canada. “The timely spe- The Worldwide Cost of Living survey hold supplies and personal care items, services. These include food, drink, cial fares campaign allows families to plan an unexpected holiday at also found that Tokyo has fallen to sixth home rents, transport, utility bills, pri- clothing, household supplies and per- the end of a very busy first quarter” said Paolo De Renzis, Area Commercial Manager, Middle East and Central Asia. “With an influx of place from top spot in its ranking from vate schools, domestic help and recre- sonal care items, home rents, transport, visitors from Kuwait into London each year, we are offering these last year. Paris, with a score of 129, was ational costs. Over 50,000 individual utility bills, private schools, domestic special fares, so that travellers can have an easy, convenient way to ranked the world’s second most-expen- prices are collected in each survey. help and recreational costs. fly while enjoying the best of British hospitality.” The Middle East is at the cross roads to multiple continents, making it possible to take frequent short trips - including trips back home due to convenient travel times and flight routes - making home feel closer and more accessible. British Airways offers daily flights to London from Kuwait with convenient con- nections to onward destinations for those looking to travel fur- ther than London. The discounted air fares will be available across Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins until 10 March 2014, and allows for travel until 31 July 2014. Fares start from as little as 216 KD to the UK and Europe, and 338 KD to the USA and Canada. A full timetable of British Airways’ flights to London and beyond is available online at ba.com, where cus- tomers can find the lowest fares and book, pay and check-in online for their flights. Kuwait marks Int’l Women’s Day

KUWAIT: March 8th of each year marks International Women’s Day (IWD) where organizations, governments, charities, educa- tional institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women. Even though history is a witness of a long and hard strug- gle in making gains in women’s equality by the adaptation of many international agreements on women’s rights, gender equal- ity and violence against women yet the world is still unequal. Therefore IWD is celebrated every year to steer world attention on areas of women’s rights that require further focus. Joining a global celebration, Kuwait also commemorates this international occasion by identifying Kuwaiti women’s achieve- ments in the political, the social and the economic fronts. NBK concludes ‘Clean and Professor at the College of Social Sciences at Kuwait University Dr Siham Al-Qabandi said yesterday, that IWD is an opportunity where women can jointly voice out their opinions, aspirations and desires to further their advancement in many walks of life. Al- Safe Camping’ campaign Qabandi, a social activist, pointed out that Kuwaiti women have fought hard to gain their constitutional rights of equality; hence, they can be seen in many leading posts in governmental institu- KUWAIT: The National Bank of Kuwait “The environment is one of our most up. The campaign was divided into tions. Kuwaiti women have also competed to seize the house (NBK) concluded its environmental precious resources and NBK appreciates three phases. NBK volunteers visited speaker post in the 2009 parliament. Nonetheless, they still strive awareness campaign ‘Help Keep Kuwait all the support and positive feedback campsites and cleaned up litter and oth- to gain more of their rights, she added. Another Professor at Clean and Safe’ that aimed to clean the from the community,” said Yaqoub Al- er waste. Volunteers also spoke with Kuwait University’s Psychological College, Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah, campsites. The campaign covered more Baqer, NBK Public Relations Officer. “We campers and provided them with safety told KUNA that this international celebration sheds focus on vio- than hundreds of camps in different were delighted with the high numbers and security tips. lence against women worldwide. areas in Kuwait such as Bnaider, Julaia of NBK volunteers and the support we As part of its dedication to corporate Dr Al-Huwailah, who is also head of the family center for social and Mina Abdullah. Volunteers distrib- received on social networks like social responsibility, NBK supports a and psychological counselling, said that women face domestic abuse uted more than 200 waste bins and Facebook and Twitter.” range of initiatives -including electricity that needs to be put an end to it. Women not only battle physical 5000 pamphlets on security precautions Very well received, the campaign conservation and paper recycling- aim- abuse inside their household by their male partners but also psycho- logical one where they are being looked down on. —KUNA and safety and how to maintain the attracted a large number of employees ing at promoting environmental aware- environment during this campaign. who visited desert camps and help clean ness. SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Turkish prez rejects N Korea set Malaysia’s Anwar Facebook, YouTube ban 9 to elect 13 convicted of sodomy 13

KIEV: People hold banners and shout during a rally against the conflict between Russia and Ukraine near the Russian embassy yesterday. — AP Gunmen block monitors in Crimea Putin brushes aside Obama’s warnings

CHONGAR: Pro-Kremlin gunmen kept foreign observers from said Obama “emphasized that Russia’s actions are in violation yesterday called Crimea’s pro-Kremlin leaders “traitors” and entering Crimea yesterday as Russia welcomed the prospect of of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which has led said “no part of Ukraine will ever be a part of Russia”. the Ukrainian peninsula joining the country amid the worst us to take several steps in response, in coordination with our East-West crisis since the Cold War. A convoy of vehicles from European partners.” US, EU sanction Russia the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe The European Union earlier firmed its resolve to impose Washington announced visa bans on targeted Russians and (OSCE) — led by a police car and followed by two buses carry- stiff sanctions on Russia while also vowing to sign an historic Ukrainians in the latest in a series of moves by the US adminis- ing the observers and a large number of cars waving Ukrainian trade pact aimed at pulling Kiev out of Moscow’s orbit before tration to punish Moscow for what the White House flags-were stopped at a checkpoint manned by armed men as Ukraine holds snap presidential polls on May 25. The Russian denounced as “Russia’s ongoing violation of Ukraine’s sover- they tried to enter Crimea for a second day. foreign ministry said in a firm statement yesterday that “it will eignty and territorial integrity”. Obama also authorized freez- The observer mission is a crucial part of the so-called “off- not accept the language of sanctions and threats” and would ing the assets of officials involved in ordering Russia’s military ramp” US President Barack Obama is pushing to de-escalate a not leave any EU punitive measures “without a response”. maneuvers in Crimea. crisis in Ukraine that threatens to splinter the ex-Soviet nation Yet with Russian forces in effective control of Crimea-a pre- European leaders-split between hawkish eastern European of 46 million along its cultural divides. The heads of Russia’s dominantly ethnic Russian peninsula roughly the size of states that were under Kremlin’s zone of influence during the two houses of parliament meanwhile said they would respect Belgium and the base of the Kremlin’s Black Sea Fleet-the Cold War and big western European powers that want to limit a decision by lawmakers in the flashpoint Black Sea region to threat of Ukraine’s division seemed more real than at any the damage to their economic relations with Russia-renewed a renounce ties with Kiev and stage a March 16 referendum on point since Putin won parliamentary approval to use force commitment to sign an EU association accord with Ukraine by switching over to Kremlin rule. against his western neighbor. Western allies have been grap- May. Ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych’s decision “Should the people of Crimea decide to join Russia in a ref- pling with a response to Putin’s seeming ambition to recreate to ditch that pact in November in favour of closer ties with erendum, we will unquestionably back this choice,” said vestiges of the Russian empire without regard to the damage Russia sparked the initial wave of protests that led to his speaker of the upper house Valentina Matviyenko. “We will this does to Moscow’s foreign relations or instability it creates. regime’s downfall and the rise of the new pro-EU government. respect the historic choice of the people of Crimea,” said her Moscow argues it needs to defend ethnic Russians from The EU agreed after six hours of tense discussions to sus- lower house counterpart Sergei Naryshkin. coming under attack from ultra-nationalists who have backing pend visa and economic talks with Russia-a blow for Moscow’s Moscow police said more than 65,000 people attended a from the new pro-EU team in Kiev. Putin has previously years-long efforts to win open European travel rights. And rally outside the Kremlin supporting Russia’s full annexation of denounced the interim leaders’ rise to power as an “unconsti- they adopted a tough statement demanding Russia enter into the region of two million people. The escalating threat of tutional coup”. The new leaders in Kiev-swept to power on the negotiations in the next few days to produce “results” on cool- Ukraine being partitioned between its pro-European west and back of three months of protests against a Kremlin-backed ing the crisis-threatening travel bans and asset freezes along more Russified southeast prompted Obama to place an hour- regime that claimed nearly 100 lives-immediately took steps with the cancellation of an EU-Russia summit in June if not. EU long call to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. to disband Crimea’s parliament. Ukraine’s interim Prime leaders also froze the assets of Yanukovych-now living in It marked the leaders’ second lengthy phone call in five Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk also appealed for EU powers and Russia-and his prime minister Mykola Azarov along with 16 days and both sides described it as tough. The White House the United States to rise to his nation’s defence. Yatsenyuk other former ministers.—AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2013 Equality for women is progress for all Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General’s message on Intl Women’s Day BEIRUT: This International Women’s accelerate progress towards the affect her life; and to decide if and Day, we are highlighting the impor- Millennium Development Goals by when she will have children, and how tance of achieving equality for women next year’s deadline and craft an agen- many she will have. and girls not simply because it is a da for the years beyond 2015. I have a message for every girl born matter of fairness and fundamental Important gains have been made in today, and to every woman and girl on human rights, but because progress in access to primary education for girls the planet: Realizing human rights and so many other areas depends on it. and political representation by equality is not a dream, it is a duty of Countries with more gender equality women. But progress remains far too governments, the United Nations and have better economic growth. slow and uneven. A baby girl born every human being. I also have a mes- Companies with more women leaders today will still face inequality and dis- sage for my fellowmen and boys: play perform better. Peace agreements crimination, no matter where her your part. All of us benefit when that include women are more durable. mother lives. We have a common obli- women and girls - your mothers, sis- Parliaments with more women enact gation to ensure her right to live free ters, friends and colleagues-can reach more legislation on key social issues from the violence that affects one in their full potential. Together, let us such as health, education, anti-discrim- three women globally; to earn equal work for women’s rights, empower- ination and child support. The evi- pay for equal work; to be free of the ment and gender equality as we strive dence is clear: equality for women discrimination that prevents her from to eliminate poverty and promote sus- means progress for all. This simple participating in the economy; to have tainable development. Equality for truth must be central as we work to an equal say in the decisions that women is progress for all! Ban Ki-moon Kerry, Jordan Turkish leader rejects king focus on Mideast talks Facebook, YouTube ban AQABA: US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Jordan yes- terday for talks with King Abdullah II on the Israeli- PM purportedly urges sacking of reporters Palestinian peace process, a US spokeswoman said. The brief ISTANBUL: Turkey’s president yesterday stop in the Red Sea port of Aqaba, where the talks were held, ruled out any ban on Facebook and was not previously announced. State Department spokes- YouTube after Prime Minister Tayyip woman Marie Harf said Kerry, who arrived from Rome from Erdogan said the sites could be shut to stop where he also brought back his Jordanian counterpart his foes anonymously posting audio Nasser Judeh, was to discuss the Middle East peace process recordings purportedly exposing corrup- with the monarch. tion in his inner circle. In the latest record- “We are arriving in Aqaba, Jordan, with Foreign Minister ing, released on YouTube late on Thursday, Judeh today to see King Abdullah to talk about the peace Erdogan is purportedly heard berating a process,” Harf said. Following Kerry’s departure, the palace newspaper owner over the telephone issued a short statement saying that he “briefed the king on about an article and suggesting the jour- the latest developments in the peace talks between Israel nalists be sacked, in comments that will fur- and the Palestinians”. “Kerry also briefed the king on talks ther stoke concerns over media freedom between US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister and Erdogan’s authoritarian style of leader- Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington” this week, it said. ship. “The king stressed the need for achieving comprehensive Erdogan, who rejects any accusations of peace in line with a two-state solution...” He insisted that corruption, blames US-based Turkish “Jordanian high interest, particularly in final status issues, Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen, a former tops Jordan’s priorities”, the statement said without elabo- ally, for the wiretaps which he says have rating. Jordan is one of only two Arab states to have signed a been “fabricated”. Gulen, who denies any peace treaty with Israel, and King Abdullah holds a special involvement, has many followers in Turkey, position because the 1994 accord recognizes his country’s especially in the police and judiciary. “historic” role in caring for Muslim holy sites in east ELAZIG: In this photo, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses President Abdullah Gul, a co-founder of Jerusalem. Last month, Jordan warned that it might review a rally of his Justice and Development Party in Elazig, Turkey. — AP Erdogan’s ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party, the peace treaty after Israeli MPs debated allowing Jewish said freedom of expression was an impor- presided over more than a decade of YouTube this week, part of what Erdogan prayers at Jerusalem’s sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, tant value buttressed by the government’s strong economic growth and rising living sees as a systematic campaign orchestrated saying the kingdom’s custodianship was “not a privilege own reforms. standards. by Gulen’s followers to sully his AK Party granted by Israel”. Israel and the Palestinians remain dead- “Closure (of the social media sites) is out before the local elections and a presidential locked in ongoing peace talks that Kerry helped to launch of the question,” Gul said when asked “Montage” poll due later this year. Reuters has not last July. about Erdogan’s threat, adding that under He says fragments of tapped conversa- been able to verify the authenticity of the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday urged a recent law authorities could block access tions have been fitted together in a ‘mon- recordings. In Thursday’s audio posting, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to recognize Israel as a to material on the sites if a person’s privacy tage’ giving a false and misleading impres- Erdogan is portrayed taking to task busi- Jewish state and to “abandon the fantasy” of flooding it with were violated. “We are always proud of the sion of their content - a claim he repeated nessman Erdogan Demiroren after his returning Palestinian refugees. His remarks sparked a furious reforms we have made regarding the at a packed election rally yesterday in the newspaper Milliyet published on its front reaction from the Palestinians, who denounced his demand broadening of freedoms,” said Gul, who has western city of Eskisehir. There was no page about a year ago an article on the sen- and said it had effectively put the final nail in the coffin of come under fire from liberal-minded Turks immediate reaction from Facebook or sitive issue of peace talks with Turkey’s the talks. over the past year for not contesting some YouTube to Erdogan’s threat. Turkey ranks Kurdish rebels. “Would you keep someone government measures they see as curtail- among the top 15 countries among who would do something dishonorable in Kerry’s Herculean task ing basic freedoms. Facebook’s nearly 1 billion users, with some your office...?” the voice presented by the The spat threw a harsh spotlight on the divide between As president, Gul can veto laws once 34 million active users on a monthly basis in anonymous poster as that of the prime the two sides and the Herculean task faced by Kerry, who is and send them back to parliament for fur- a population of 77 million. minister asks. “No, we wouldn’t,” replies trying to get them to agree on a framework for extending ther work. In a TV interview on Thursday, Turkey banned YouTube for more than Demiroren, who later in the conversation direct peace talks beyond an April 29 deadline. Israel has Erdogan raised the option of a ban on two years until 2010 after users posted bursts into tears, apparently upset at com- repeatedly insisted there will be no peace deal without YouTube and Facebook after March 30 videos the government deemed insulting ing under pressure from the prime minister addressing the issue of recognition, and a clause relating to local elections, saying: “We will take the to the republic’s founder, Mustafa Kemal to sack two of his journalists. The AK Party, this has been inserted into Kerry’s as-yet-unpublished frame- necessary steps in the strongest way ... Ataturk. Turkey recently tightened govern- which remains far ahead of its rivals in opin- work proposal. because these people (Gulen’s followers)... ment control of the Internet saying it want- ion polls despite the corruption scandal, For the Palestinians, the issue is intimately entwined with encourage every kind of immorality and ed to defend privacy. Erdogan’s critics said denies exerting undue influence over the the fate of their refugees who were forced out of their homes espionage for their own ends.” Erdogan, the new law was a further bid to hush up media, but journalists, rights groups and or fled in 1948 when Israel became a state. They see Turkey’s most popular politician, says the allegations of high-level corruption flood- the European Union - which Turkey aspires Netanyahu’s demand as a way of sidestepping a negotiated postings are part of a campaign to discredit ing social media and video sharing sites. to join - have long accused the government solution to the refugee issue.—AFP him and his government, which has Five more recordings have appeared on of curtailing press freedoms.— Reuters news SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

KUWAIT: Breitling Wingwalker Freya Paterson, from Liverpool, UK, flies above Kuwait City with pilots David Barrell and Martyn Carrington on Thursday, March 6, 2014. The team loop and roll up to 160 mph enduring G-forces of 4-5g. Crowds are expected to line the Kuwaiti coastline to catch a glimpse of the Wingwalking team today, to mark the opening of the first dedicated boutique in the city for the prestigious watch brand. — AP Egypt govt welcomes actions against Qatar

CAIRO: Egypt has welcomed the decision of three Gulf ambassador to Doha, who has been in Cairo since the denied any involvement. Several Brotherhood leaders, and states to withdraw their envoys to Qatar and said its own beginning of February, will not return to Qatar at the pres- allied Islamists, fled to Doha following Morsi’s ouster last ambassador “will not return” to the Gulf emirate. The ent time, and his remaining (in Egypt) is a sovereign politi- July 3. Some are wanted for trial in Egypt. unprecedented decision this week by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain cal decision,” the government said. The conservative Gulf monarchies have long viewed the and the United Arab Emirates was seen as closely linked to “It is for Qatar to clearly determine its position, whether Muslim Brotherhood as a threat because of its grass-roots Qatar’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood of deposed it will stand on the side of Arab solidarity, unified ranks and political advocacy and calls for Islamic governance, and Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, who was overthrown protection of national security... or on the other side, and most Gulf states welcomed the military’s ouster of Morsi, by the military in July. bear the consequences and responsibility for that.” pledging billions in aid. Qatar, however, was a staunch ally In a statement posted online late Thursday, the Egyptian Relations between Egypt and Qatar have deteriorated as of Morsi and has supported other branches of the Muslim government said it hoped the withdrawal of the envoys Cairo has carried out a sweeping crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood elsewhere in the region, including the would mark “the beginning of a correction of the course Brotherhood, which it has labeled a terrorist organization Palestinian Hamas movement ruling Gaza. The Gulf taken by the Qatari government, which is contrary to our and blamed for a spate of bombings and other attacks. The Cooperation Council groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council”. “The Egyptian Brotherhood, which renounced violence decades ago, has Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. — AFP Saudi Arabia lists ‘terrorist... High hopes on Amir as GCC... Continued from Page 1 deposed President Mohamed Morsi, a member Continued from Page 1 Sheikh Sabah was credited for ‘extreme efforts’ that of the group that also endured repression in the helped the relationship between the UAE and and given him regular airtime on its pan-Arab Mubarak era. “The next step includes complete boycott,” said Oman stabilize in 2011, and one year after relations satellite channel Al Jazeera. The Interior Ministry The army-backed government in Cairo desig- informed sources’ quoted by Al-Qabas. This means became strained following the discovery of an said on Friday the royal decree would apply to nated the Brotherhood as a terrorist group in that Qatar would no longer be invited to confer- alleged UAE-linked spying network in the Sultanate. both Saudis and foreign residents who joined, December after accusing it of carrying out a sui- ences, events, or forums hosted in these states.” The While Kuwait is considered the ‘country mostly endorsed or gave moral or material aid to groups cide bomb attack on a police station that killed 16 step could also include banning Qatar Airways capable’ of ending the recent crisis, there is also a lot it classifies as terrorist or extremist, whether people. The Brotherhood condemned that attack flights from flying over Saudi Arabia, UAE and of hope put on Oman. Kuwait is set to host the next inside or outside the country. and denies using violence. Yesterday, Egyptian Bahrain - which would cost the Qatari airline huge Arab Summit on the 25th and 26th of this month - The statement also said “those who insult oth- Foreign Ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty said losses. Qatar, which had expressed regret for these providing a good stage for potential reconciliation er countries and their leaders” or “attended con- Cairo approved of Riyadh’s move to declare the steps, is in turn appreciative of Kuwait’s stand - not talks. Diplomatic sources quoted by Al-Qabas yes- ferences or gatherings inside and outside (the Brotherhood a terrorist organization. “We hail it, to follow the other GCC states. terday support that notion, as opposed to fears that country) that aim to target the security and stabil- we welcome it,” he said. “It is in the right direc- “Despite being outside the region, the step the crisis could negatively impact the summit. “I ity and spread sedition in the society”, would be tion.” The Saudi Interior Ministry also listed as ter- made by the ‘Sheikh of Diplomats’ (referring to a believe that the current times and hard situations punished by law. In Egypt, the Brotherhood, rorist Yemen’s Shiite Houthi movement and moniker Sheikh Sabah earned during his political necessitate holding the summit in order to restore which won every election following the toppling Hezbollah, a radical Shiite group in Saudi Arabia’s career) influenced Kuwait’s decision to avoid taking Arab unity and solidarity,” said Ahmed Ben Helli, the of veteran leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011, has eastern province which authorities say is linked to a similar step, which reflects a great deal of political Assistant Secretary - General of the Arab League been driven underground since the army Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah. — Reuters wisdom,” said sources in the Qatari government. HH said on Thursday.-— Agencies

INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Pakistan to start military operation against Taleban Army’s input on any talks ‘very valuable’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan could launch a full-scale military opera- just can’t afford to have talks with the Taleban.” Asif, long con- been crushed by a series of attacks and counter-attacks by both tion against Pakistani Taleban insurgents in the tribal areas near sidered a pro-talks politician, is now one of a growing number of sides. the Afghan border as early as this month, the defense minister members of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s cabinet who believe “We won’t just take this lying down,” the defense minister said, warning insurgents against violating a ceasefire. Dashing it is time for tougher military action against Pakistani Taleban said. “If we are attacked, the state is attacked, civilians are chances of a peace deal with the Pakistani Taleban, gunmen strongholds. attacked, military personal are attacked, we will retaliate. We will burst into a courtroom in Islamabad on Monday, killing 11 peo- Sharif has been under pressure from the United States and retaliate in kind.” For a government long considered soft for ple in a broad daylight attack in the heart of the heavily guarded hawks within the Pakistani army to send troops into North pursuing peace talks, Asif said there were now very few takers capital. Waziristan, a tribal region along the Afghan border that is home for the argument that the Taleban are truly committed to dia- The Pakistani Taleban denied any role in the assault and a to a complex web of Al-Qaeda-linked militant groups. Since logue. splinter group accepted responsibility. Defence Minister 2007, the military has mounted a number of offensives against “The Taleban have not even condemned this so-called splin- Khawaja Asif told Reuters in an interview that the government militant strongholds in the northwest, largely clearing several ter group four days after the attack. They are saying, ‘We have would not hesitate to bomb militant hideouts or send forces areas, including their bastion of South Waziristan. not violated a ceasefire, these are peripheral groups, they are into the tribal areas if the Taleban did not abide by the ceasefire But North Waziristan has not been tackled, even though not under our control,’” Asif said. “But we cannot believe this.” announced last weekend. “It will not take months now. We’ll Pakistani Taleban members have taken refuge with allied When asked about reports that talks may be re-launched, this have to march in the month of March,” Asif said, describing the Afghan factions based there that are not fighting the Pakistani time with Pakistan’s powerful military in the driving seat, he government’s response if insurgent attacks continued. state. In February, Pakistan launched talks with the Taleban to said: “The army’s input is very valuable. They are the people on “If there is a ceasefire, it has to be complete. Without that, we find a negotiated settlement. But hopes of a peace deal have the frontlines. They have to execute our decisions.”—Reuters Navy officer dies in Indian ship accident

MUMBAI: An Indian naval officer was killed and “some” dock workers were injured yesterday in a gas leak aboard a yet-to-be commissioned naval ship, the defense ministry said. The accident was the latest in a string to hit the navy. “Commander Kuntal Wadhwa has died,” Commander Rahul Sinha, chief defense min- istry spokesman, told AFP. A statement by the defense ministry said “some” dock workers were injured but did not say how many or disclose the nature of the injuries. The accident occurred aboard the ship called Yard 701 by its builders, the Mazagaon Dock Ltd, in Mumbai, head- quarters of India’s Western Naval Command. The ship was undergoing trials at the Mumbai Port Trust when its carbon dioxide unit developed a problem, causing the gas leakage and injuries, the defense ministry said in the statement. “It is a destroyer with stealth features and we were hoping to hand it over to the navy in a month’s time,” Parvez Panthanky, a spokesman for the Mazagaon Dock, told reporters. The ship is set to be the first in a new class of destroyers. The naval spokesman said the accident would cause a delay in com- missioning of the ship. More details about the cause of the acci- dent would only be available after talking to the shipbuilders, the spokesman said.—AFP Karzai welcomes third child at the age of 56

NEW DELHI: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has become a father again at the age of 56 after his wife gave birth to their third child in India, according to an embassy statement sent to AFP yester- day. A baby girl was delivered at a private hospital in the New Delhi satellite town of Gurgaon earlier this week, the statement said. Karzai paid a brief visit to the Fortis Hospital on Wednesday to see his wife, 44, and new child as he flew on to Sri Lanka where he is on a two-day trip. The leader, who has close ties with New Delhi, is set to retire from office after elections set for April 5 having led his war- wracked country since 2001. Both of his other children-a son and a daughter-were born in Afghanistan, but due to an unspecified “medical complication” Karzai’s wife Zinat was advised to travel to seek specialized care in India. The child was born on Tuesday at around 9:30 am (0400 GMT), the Afghan embassy in New Delhi said in the statement. In an interview last year to the BBC, Zinat explained that her husband of 15 years doted on his young family but often found it difficult to find time for them due to demands on his time. “Sometimes, perhaps on Fridays, he might be free for an hour or so, so he will go for a walk with me and the children. We all go out together - once in a while,” she said. She also stressed that for them, despite deep-rooted cultural preferences for boys in Afghanistan, they were equally happy to have a daughter. “For us... there is no difference between a boy and a girl,” she said. “A daughter is the best gift from God.” — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Malaysia’s Anwar N Korea set to elect convicted of sodomy 0% drama, 100% mandatory PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s acquittal on sodomy charges was overturned yesterday, in a fresh TOKYO: North Korean voters will make a and get a snapshot of internal movements. enforced, according to Seo Jae Pyoung, a 45- threat to the career of a charismatic politician who helped turn choice tomorrow when they elect a new “The DPRK is very good about mobilizing year-old North Korean defector who now around the country’s once-hapless opposition. A Court of national legislature, but not for a candidate. the population for events,” Madden said, works for a Seoul-based civic group called Appeals panel sided with a government challenge to Anwar’s The ruling elite have already done that for referring to North Korea by its official name, the Committee for the Democratization of 2012 acquittal on charges he sodomized a male former aide, say- them, and there’s only one per district. They the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. North Korea. Not going to polls would be ing a lower court had misjudged evidence. Anwar, 66, was sen- get to vote “yes” or “no.” Virtually all pick He said legislative elections “are celebratory “unimaginable,” said Seo, who voted in three tenced to five years in jail, but freed pending appeal. “yes.” One thing they don’t get to decide is events with various activities. According to Supreme People’s Assembly elections before Once a rising star in Malaysia’s long-ruling party until his spec- whether to bother voting. Going to the polls various North Korean migrants and defec- he fled North Korea in 2000. “If we didn’t go tacular ouster in the late 1990s, Anwar has alleged a long-running campaign by the ruling regime to destroy his political career with is expected of all eligible voters, which effec- tors, it is very difficult for a voter to get a to polls, we thought we would become reac- false charges. He bitterly rebuked the judges after the ruling. “It is tively makes North Korean elections a power- hardship dispensation from participating.” tionary forces and would be sent to prison a travesty of justice. I would have thought you would have some ful tool for checking up on the people. Madden said North Korean security offi- camps.” courage,” he said to the panel.The ruling sparked an uproar in a For outsiders trying to figure out what’s cials will review data on nonvoters to glean Everyone voted “yes,” he said, and he courtroom filled with Anwar’s opposition colleagues and sup- going on in North Korean politics, tomor- information on suspicious activity - since knows that because there was no privacy. porters, as his wife and three daughters burst into tears. About row’s elections for the Supreme People’s absentees could be workers who have snuck “We went inside the voting booth so closely 150 Anwar supporters demonstrated outside the appeals court in Assembly may shed some light on what per- off to China for higher pay, people traveling one after another that we could see where the administrative capital of Putrajaya after the announcement, sonalities are currently in favor and likely to inside the country without formal permis- the others had marked their ballots,” he said. chanting the opposition’s battle cry of “Reformasi” (Reform), as a dominate in the years ahead. For North sion, or military personnel who have gone The polls - usually held every five years - will heavy police presence ringed the building. Korean authorities, the elections provide AWOL. Officials use the data to conduct fur- be the first since Kim took power after the Sodomy is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia and punishable both a veneer of democracy and a means of ther investigations, make arrests and gauge death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in late 2011. by up to 20 years in jail. Anwar plans to appeal to the Federal monitoring the whereabouts and loyalties of the effectiveness of their social control appa- They will take place about three months after Court, Malaysia’s highest. If that fails, besides being jailed, he average citizens. ratus at the local level. Neighborhood associ- a stunning purge in which Kim had his once- would also be stripped of his parliament seat, disqualifying him Colorful posters urging citizens to go to ations, student groups, workplaces and other powerful uncle, Jang Song Thaek, executed from leading the opposition. Anwar denounced Prime Minister the polls line the streets in Pyongyang and local authorities see to it that participation is on treason charges.—AP Najib Razak and the “arrogant” United Malays National other cities. Along with nearly 700 other Organization (UMNO), the authoritarian ruling party that has gov- ‘deputies” expected to be seated in the new erned tightly since independence from Britain in 1957. assembly, supreme leader Kim Jong Un him- “They want to end Anwar’s political career but they underesti- self has announced his candidacy - in District mated the wrath of the people and I believe in the wisdom of the 111 on sacred Mount Paekdu. Official turnout people,” he said. Anwar’s legal ups and downs have riveted rates in North Korean elections are generally Malaysia since the 1990s. A charismatic campaigner and speaker, reported at over 99 percent, a practice Anwar had climbed to UMNO’s pinnacle in the 1990s, reaching as inspired by the tradition of Stalin’s Soviet high as deputy prime minister. He was considered next in line to Union. Tomorrow’s will likely be the same. take the nation’s leadership but was felled in a 1998 power strug- gle with then-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. Fictitious as that may sound, Michael Anwar was ousted, beaten, and jailed on sodomy and corrup- Madden, editor of the NK Leadership Watch tion charges. His stunning fall was widely seen both at home and website and a contributor to the 38 North abroad as politically motivated and triggered massive protests in news bulletin, said it reflects one reason the a country where dissent is suppressed. He spent six years in autocratic North has elections at all: They prison until his 2004 release. But his downfall had a profound provide “the most comprehensive assess- impact on politics, thrusting him into the formerly pushover ment of the population.” Mustering the opposition. Under Anwar, the opposition has united, rejuvenated nation every so often is a chance for the PYONGYANG: In this photo, North Koreans walk past an election poster that reads: and now has UMNO against the wall.—AFP authorities to hone their mobilization skills, “March 9 is the election of the 13th Supreme People’s Assembly, Let’s all vote in check up on the efficiency of local leaders agreement!”. — AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Conservative Violence against women alternatives make is ‘pandemic’ in Mexico their case at CPAC Corruption, incompetence rampant in police forces NATIONAL HARBOR: Traditional Republicans, stand aside-or at least make room under your tent. Renewable energy con- ECATEPEC: So many teenage girls turned up dead in a vacant shot up 155 percent to 2,764 in 2012, official data shows. servatives, Tea Party faithful opposed to the death penalty, field on the outskirts of Mexico City that people nicknamed it the Corruption and incompetence are rampant in under-funded and GOP loyalists who support legalizing marijuana are “women’s dumping ground.” They began showing up in 2006, police forces across Mexico and the vast majority of murders are among new bands of Republicans seeking political inclusion usually left among piles of garbage. Some were victims of domes- never solved. Families routinely complain that police show little at CPAC, America’s top conservative confab. Even conserva- tic violence, others of drug gangs that have seized control of interest in the cases of missing women. The parents of Barbara tive atheists-”Pro gun rights, pro small government!”-handed entire neighborhoods in the gritty town of Ecatepec, northeast of Reyes spent 18 months looking for her after she disappeared in out pamphlets at this year’s event, where many are known to the capital. The lot has since been cleared and declared an eco- August 2011 from Cuautitlan Izcalli, near Ecatepec. They finally equate Christian values with American values. logical reserve. But its grisly past is not forgotten and the killings discovered that their daughter’s body had been found by authori- The Conservative Political Action Conference, hosted by have only accelerated. Dulce Cristina Payan, 17, was one of the ties within two months of her disappearance and was dumped the American Conservative Union (ACU), is part family victims. Two years ago, armed men pulled up in a pickup truck into a mass grave with other unidentified corpses at a cemetery. reunion with a cast of familiar characters, part political bac- and dragged her and her boyfriend away from the porch of her “To this day we really don’t know what happened to our daugh- chanalia, and part therapy session as the Republican base home. He was tossed from the truck within a few blocks but she ter,” her father, Alejandro Reyes, said in the living room of their contends with deep divisions and plots strategy in a mid- was taken away and murdered, stabbed repeatedly in the face home, sitting next to a photograph of Barbara smiling. term election year. and stomach. Luminaries like Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, Her father, Pedro Payan, believes the killers belonged to La ‘Pandemic’ Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Chris Christie of Familia, a violent drug gang operating in Ecatepec, and that President Enrique Pena Nieto, who took office in December New Jersey, and far-right darling Sarah Palin all make their Dulce Cristina was murdered when she resisted rape. “I think my 2012, has pledged to reduce drugs war violence but has not pilgrimage to the closely-watched event. But beyond the daughter defended herself, because her nails were broken, and made major changes to the security policies pursued by headline-grabbing speeches, or acts that baldly pandered to her knuckles were scraped,” sobbed Payan, a former police officer Calderon. Nor has he done much to tackle murders of women, conservatives such as Senator Mitch McConnell walking on who now sells pirated DVDs from his home to get by. “She had a experts say. Before becoming president, he was governor of the stage brandishing a rifle, a youthful exuberance is coursing strong character.” As drug violence has escalated across Mexico in State of Mexico, which encircles much of Mexico City and is home through the 10,000 participants clogging a Maryland con- the past seven years, the rule of law has collapsed in some of the to Ecatepec. In the second half of his 2005-2011 term as governor, vention center through today to exchange business cards toughest cities and neighborhoods. When that happens, local the murders of women doubled in the state. and plot their next political revolution. gangs take control, imposing their will on residents and feeding a “Violence against women isn’t an epidemic, it’s a pandemic in Sure, many of them bashed President Barack Obama, and culture of extreme violence. Abductions, rapes and murders of Mexico,” said Ana Guezmez, Mexico’s representative for United real estate mogul Donald Trump was on hand to call women have all soared with more women being killed in Mexico Nations Women, the UN entity for gender equality. “We still don’t Democratic leaders “pathetic.” But this is no longer your than ever before. see it as a central theme of the current administration. You have father’s Republican core; a new generation of broad-minded, Since former President Felipe Calderon launched a military to send a much stronger message.” Experts say the spike in vio- pragmatic and more socially open conservatives is muscling offensive on the drug cartels at the end of 2006, over 85,000 peo- lence against women is worst in areas hit hard by the drugs war, in on traditional turf. Take Shannon Smith. The head of ple have died. Between 2007 and 2012, total murders rose 112 similar to what happens during civil wars like those in Colombia, Abundant Power Group is a dyed-in-the-wool fiscal conser- percent. Most are young men but the number of women killed Guatemala and El Salvador.—Reuetrs vative who expressed disdain for the government’s environ- mental regulations and doubts about human responsibility for global warming. But he recognizes that the renewable energy industry is here to stay. “We conservatives need to own the non-carbon energy economy,” he said in a session on global warming.

Peddling something new In CPAC’s cavernous exhibition hall, college students snapped selfies with “Star Wars” Stormtroopers or posed with cardboard cutouts of conservative icon president Ronald Reagan. Others took target practice with an infra-red shotgun at the National Rifle Association’s booth, or gently cradled the size- and weight-accurate fetus models dis- played by the National Right to Life Committee. But Jon Crane was peddling something new to CPAC: opposition to the death penalty. He was extremely nervous about the reception that a cause more associated with liber- als might get here. “We didn’t know if we’d be eaten alive, but actually we’ve been warmly received,” Crane told AFP about his group Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty. PUERTO TRIUNFO: In this file photo, Ramon Isaza (center) commander of the Magdalena Medio Bloc, speaks with his men Supporters latch on to how anti-execution arguments before turning in their weapons during a disarmament ceremony. — AP merge with conservative principles: respect for human life, the need to reduce costs, and prevention of government Colombian paramilitaries set for release abuse. “We’re convincing people one conservative at a time,” Crane said. Retired cop Howard Wooldridge, who wears a BOGOTA: One veteran of Colombia’s disbanded far-right militias Victims of the paramilitaries fear they won’t just go back to com- cowboy hat and a shirt with his message advocating marijua- admitted to ordering or taking part in at least 3,000 killings, mostly mitting nonpolitical crimes such as drug trafficking and extortion na legalization, does little arm-twisting at CPAC. targeting leftists, and incinerating many of the corpses to destroy but will also resume killing displaced peasants who are trying to Republicans traditionally backed tough drug laws for evidence. Another ordered a hit on a prominent intellectual who reclaim land that was stolen from, most often, by far-right militias. decades, but that appears to be changing. He frames his had been unjustly accused of backing insurgents and whose laptop “They’ve told us they are afraid of the paramilitaries getting out,” argument about the absurdity of the nation’s pot laws in held evidence that helped convict Colombia’s then-national spy Ivan Cepeda, a leftist congressman and longtime victims’ rights strict conservative principles-personal responsibility and lim- chief in the killing. Those two men and about 400 other right-wing advocate said of the victims. “It’s a feeling of great concern and anxi- ited government-and CPAC attendees are almost 100 per- paramilitaries are due to walk free this year after serving eight-year ety.” cent behind him, he said. This year saw two states, Colorado sentences for crimes that normally carry more than triple the prison There are also fears that, with 14-month-old peace talks with the and Washington, legalized recreational marijuana use, and terms. The first is expected to be released within days. FARC progressing, right-wing death squads could re-emerge and “I’m a pig in slop,” Wooldridge said. Their lenient sentences were enshrined in a 2005 “Justice and target guerrillas who put down their guns and take up electoral poli- Not all movements got their due. Gay conservative group Peace” law that provided a legal framework for the militias’ sup- tics. Prosecutors say the releases will be gradual and vow to keep a GOProud tried to squeeze in to the event, after the organiza- posed dismantling under a peace deal with the government of then close eye on the newly freed and throw them back in jail if they tion was reportedly prevented from sponsoring CPAC like President Alvaro Uribe. Human rights activists say the releases, break a single law. Formed by ranchers and drug traffickers to they did in 2010 and 2011. A push-back led to their exclusion expected to begin this month, are both premature and perilous for counter rebel kidnapping and extortion, far-right paramilitaries in 2012 and 2013, and one of GOProud’s founders quit the a country that many believe is on the cusp of making peace with killed at least 156,000 people between 1980 and 2004, prosecutors group last month, saying its members were being used as leftist rebels. Activists also say prosecutors failed the nation by estimate. They also violently stole land, which President Juan “stooges” by the ACU over this year’s compromise that neglecting to completely investigate the paramilitaries’ crimes and Manuel Santos’ government is trying to restore. Many of those due allowed them to attend only as individuals. — AFP ensure that they paid just restitution to their victims, as the law stip- to be released this year were second-tier militia commanders. ulates. Several were top honchos. — AP Entrepreneurship grows 16Europe’s gas supply at risk 18 India’s Bharti linked with 20 Businessin Egypt’s flailing economy as Gazprom warns Ukraine Carrefour in new tie-up SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Sony to sell its Tokyo ‘birthplace’ 19

PASADENA: A sign posted on a shopfront window offers employment opportunity to happy and creative people in this October 22, 2013 file photo in Pasadena, California. The US economy generated a firm 175,000 jobs in February, data showed yesterday, a modest rebound from two poor months when weakness was blamed on harsh winter weather. The unemployment rate ticked up a notch to 6.7 percent last month, the Labor Department said. — AFP US job growth offers upbeat sign Nonfarm payrolls rise 175,000 in February

WASHINGTON: US job growth accelerated sooner than had been previously thought. They growth in February would have been as high as Americans taking up the hunt for work. sharply in February despite the icy weather that now point to a 53 percent probability of a rate 200,000 if not for the weather. Payrolls averaged “Evidently, the potential employees think the gripped much of the nation, easing fears of an hike in June 2015. Unusually cold and snowy about 205,000 new jobs per month in the first 11 economy is improving and there are more jobs to abrupt economic slowdown and keeping the weather has disrupted activity in much of the months of 2013, but that figure dropped to just be had,” said Sung Won Sohn, an economics pro- Federal Reserve on track to continue reducing its United States for months, and a few economists 129,000 for December, January and February. fessor at California State University Channel monetary stimulus. Employers added 175,000 had begun to speculate that the US central bank Islands in Camarillo, Calif. jobs to their payrolls last month after creating could reconsider its plan to wind down its bond- Growth slowdown temporary A measure of underemployment that includes 129,000 new positions in January, the Labor buying stimulus. Fed officials, from Chair Janet Yellen on down, people who want a job but who have given up Department said yesterday. The unemployment With snow and ice covering densely populat- view the recent economic weakness as largely searching and those working part-time because rate, however, rose to 6.7 percent from a five-year ed areas during the week employers were sur- weather-related and temporary, and have sug- they cannot find full-time jobs dropped to 12.6 low of 6.6 percent, as Americans flooded into the veyed for February payrolls, Wall Street had gested it does not meet the high bar they have percent, its lowest level since November 2008. labor market to search for work. braced for a much weaker report. Economists had set in terms of what it would take for them to Despite the improvement, the labor market is “It reinforces the case for the economy being forecast nonfarm payrolls rising by only 149,000 stop scaling back their bond-buying stimulus. still far from a full recovery. The percentage of stronger than it’s looked for the last couple of jobs. The Fed has already reduced its monthly bond working-age Americans with a job, a broad gauge months,” said Bill Cheney, chief economist at The weather, however, did have an impact. It purchases by $10 billion at each of its last two of labor market health, was steady at 58.8 percent John Hancock Financial Services in Boston. “It cut into the length of the average workweek, meetings, and a similar reduction is expected last month. It has not risen much since the reces- makes life easier for the Fed and feeds into con- which hit its lowest level since January 2011 and when officials next meet on March 18-19. sion ended nearly five years ago. tinuing the tapering process.” The report also led to a drop in a measure of total work effort. But But the weather is not the only factor behind Job gains last month were fairly broad-based, showed the largest increase in average hourly economists expect a reversal as soon as this the lull in activity. Businesses are working with private sector payrolls rising 162,000 and earnings in eight months and the payrolls count month. “The economy will defrost in the spring through a huge pile of unsold goods accumulat- government adding 13,000 jobs. Manufacturing for December and January was revised up to and heat up in the summer,” said Michelle Meyer, ed in the second half of 2013, which means they saw a seventh straight month of gains in employ- show 25,000 more jobs created during those a senior economist at Bank of America Merrill have no incentive to place new orders with man- ment, matching the 6,000 jobs gained in January. months than previously reported. Lynch in New York. “We should see solid gains in ufacturers. Construction payrolls, which surprised in Investors on Wall Street cheered the report job growth in coming months.” In addition, the expiration of long-term unem- January by logging hefty gains, increased by and the Standard & Poor’s 500 index reached a The smaller survey of households from which ployment benefits for more than one million 15,000 last month. There were, however, declines fresh intraday record high before falling back to the unemployment rate is derived showed 6.9 Americans in December and cuts to food stamps in retail, information and transportation and trade little changed. The dollar lifted off a four- million people with jobs reported they were are also hurting spending. As a result of these warehousing employment. Average hourly earn- month low against a basket of currencies, while working part-time because of the weather. That temporary factors, growth in the first quarter is ings rose nine cents in February. “This gain, along the yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury was the highest reading for February since the expected to slow to an annual rate below 2 per- with a rise in jobs, supports our case for better note jumped to a six-week high, putting it on series started in 1978. cent. The economy grew at a 2.4 percent rate in real incomes in 2014 and, thereby, a better out- course for its biggest weekly rise in three months. It also showed 601,000 people could not get the final quarter of 2013. Economists welcomed look for consumer spending,” said John Silvia, Interest rate futures showed that traders to work because of the weather, the highest level the rise in the unemployment rate as a sign of chief economist at Wells Fargo Securities in ramped up bets on the Fed hiking rates a bit for February since 2010. Economists said job labor market strength, since it was driven by Charlotte, North Carolina. — Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

MasterCard, Visa form group to enhance payment security

NEW YORK: Visa Inc and MasterCard Inc , computer chips rather than on traditional Retail Federation General Counsel goal to have the technology in place by the world’s two largest payment networks, magnetic strips. EMV stands for Europay, Mallory Duncan said in a statement. early 2015. EMV cards are harder to coun- have formed a new cross-industry group MasterCard and Visa, the companies that MasterCard and Visa had already set a terfeit and better protect sensitive data to improve payment system security fol- launched the technology. deadline of October 2015 for US retailers through encryption. lowing a number of high-profile data The move follows several data breach- to adopt the new payment technology. They can also require users to enter a breaches. es at US retailers, including one at Target But banks and retailers have been drag- personal identification number, or PIN, The new group, which will include Corp late last year involving the theft of ging their feet over the required upgrade, to make purchases, adding an extra lay- banks, credit unions, retailers and industry about 40 million credit and debit card at odds over who should bear the cost, er of security. “The recent high-profile trade groups, will initially focus on the records. which experts say could be as much as breaches have served as a catalyst for adoption of the safer ‘EMV’ chip technolo- “We remain insistent that US retailers’ $10 billion. much needed collaboration between gy in the United States, MasterCard and customers be given the same protections Target said last month it was acceler- the retail and financial services industry Visa said yester. as consumers in more than 80 countries ating a $100 million program to imple- on the issue of payment security,” Visa EMV chip technology, already used in who have both a chip and a PIN securing ment the use of chip-enabled smart cards President Ryan McInerney said in the Europe and Asia, stores information on their credit and debit cards,” National to protect against cyber threat, with a statement. — Reuters Entrepreneurship grows in Egypt’s flailing economy

CAIRO: In Egypt’s newest reality television show, contestants sold fruit juice from push carts in Cairo’s busiest market and later organ- ized a desert safari for tourists, hustling to make sales in the capital’s crowded streets. The program, called “The Project” in Arabic, highlights entrepre- neurship and small business acumen - something experts say is more crucial than ever as Egypt tries to claw its way out of tough economic times. With youth unemployment upward of 30 percent and its econ- omy only now back to levels seen before its 2011 uprising, Egypt’s salvation may lie in the small, informal businesses run by those scrap- ing out a living in the Arab world’s most populous country. “There is not even a word for entrepreneurship in Arabic,” said Anna Elliot, executive producer of “The Project” and founder of Bamyan Media. “But there is this hunger for it.” Egypt’s economic landscape is largely controlled by its govern- ment, the country’s No. 1 employer. However, the government is grappling with large budget deficit and has had to seek billions of dollars in financial bailout cash from Gulf nations since a July 3 mili- tary overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. But outside of government-owned companies and large multinational corpora- tions, there are thousands of small, largely informal businesses, from street vendors to small shops. Most of those don’t pay taxes and operate in small towns and informal areas outside the capital. NEW YORK: In this file photo, Trader Ryan O’Day works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. World stock mar- kets were muted yesterday as investors turned cautious ahead of the release of a key US employment report and Taxing exporters Chinese economic indicators. — AP Experts believe that gray economy truly powers Egypt. Ghada Fathi Waly, managing director of Egypt’s Social Fund for Development, estimated that at least two-thirds of the country’s US trade deficit rose to economy rides on the informal businesses. Waly, who was last week also appointed a government minister, recommended allowing the businesses to run outside of government control to allow them to $39.1 billion in January flourish, while registering and taxing only potential exporters. “I think we should definitely be very optimistic about small busi- nesses in Egypt,” Waly said. “We have seen that this sector has shown resilience and has been able to change course.” ‘Trade will contribute to growth again’ One company that received aid from the social fund is Trustpack, which makes the foil backing for sheets of pills. Owner Adel Abd ElSadk, who ran the machines himself in lean times, said WASHINGTON: The US trade deficit amount. They are forecasting that US increased volume of shipments. The aver- he now employs 84 people from his two-room shop on the out- widened slightly in January as a rise in exports will keep rising, but that this will be age price for a barrel of crude oil fell to skirts of Cairo. —AP imports of oil and other foreign goods off- offset somewhat by gains in imports as a $90.21, the lowest level since February set a solid increase in exports. The trade stronger US and higher consumer spend- 2011. America’s energy exports dropped deficit increased to $39.1 billion, up 0.3 ing attracts more foreign goods. 8.4 percent to $12.4 billion. percent from December’s revised $39 bil- In the October-December quarter, the As usual, the highest country trade lion deficit, the Commerce Department economy grew at an annual rate of 2.4 per- imbalance was with China, a deficit of reported yesterday. cent and a full percentage point of that $27.8 billion, up 13.5 percent from Exports climbed 0.6 percent to $192.8 growth came from a shrinking trade deficit. December. The deficit with the 28-nation billion, led by increased sales of US-made For the whole year, the falling trade deficit European Union fell 22.2 percent in machinery, aircraft and medical equip- contributed a smaller 0.1 percentage point January to $8.9 billion as US exports to that ment. Imports also rose 0.6 percent to to growth. One bright spot for trade: region increased while imports from $231.6 billion, reflecting a 9 percent jump America’s increased energy production is Europe to the United States declined. in imports of petroleum. Imports of food expected to continue. A domestic energy The United States recorded another and machinery also rose. boom has boosted exports and reduced record annual trade deficit with China in 2013 The trade deficit is the difference America’s dependence on foreign oil. US and the expectation is that the deficit will rise between imports and exports. A higher petroleum exports rose to an all-time high further in 2014. That has led to increased pres- trade deficit acts as a drag on economic of $137.2 billion last year, up 11 percent sure on the Obama administration and growth because it means US companies from 2012. Imports were down 10.9 per- Congress to take a tougher line on what crit- are making less overseas then their foreign cent to $369.4 billion as domestic produc- ics see as unfair trade practices that China is CAIRO: In this Monday, March 3, 2014 photo, Adel Abd competitors are earning in US sales. tion took the place of the need for some using to gain trade advantages.The chief cul- ElSadk, owner of the pharmaceutical packaging company In 2013, the trade deficit dropped 11.2 imports. prit, the critics say, is China’s manipulation of Trustpack, second right, talks with an employee manning percent to $474.9 billion, providing a small its currency to keep it undervalued against one of the machines at his factory which has been boost to overall growth. Economists Trade imbalance the US dollar. That makes Chinese goods financed in part by loans from the Social Development believe that trade will contribute to growth For January, petroleum imports jumped cheaper in the United States and America Fund, located just outside Cairo, Egypt. — AP again this year but only by a modest 9 percent to $31.7 billion, reflecting an products more expensive in China. — AP BUSINESS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Gold marks time ahead of US data Heads for 2% weekly gain on Ukraine

LONDON: Gold edged lower yesterday, as investors marked bilisation in Ukraine.” time ahead of a US jobs report, but the metal was on track for Gold hit a four-month high on Monday at $1,354.80 an a fifth straight week of gains on support from a weaker dollar ounce on escalation in tensions between the West and Russia and tensions in Ukraine. over Ukraine’s mainly Russian speaking Crimea peninsula. SAVANNAH: In this Monday, Jan 27, 2014, file photo, ship- The US nonfarm payroll figures later in the day should help “If the situation in Ukraine gets worse, prices will go higher. ping containers prepare to be loaded and unloaded at the gauge the strength of the labour market in the world’s top However, if the crisis is resolved, gold could fall back to Georgia Ports Authority Garden City terminal, in economy and the implications for the pace of the Federal $1,320,” said Yuichi Ikemizu, branch manager for Standard Savannah, Ga. The commerce department releases inter- Reserve’s stimulus reduction. Bank in Tokyo. Physical demand for gold has been subdued national trade data for January, yesterday. — AP A Reuters poll of economists found employers were since prices crossed $1,300. In top consumer China, premiums expected to have added 149,000 workers to their payrolls last over spot prices were below $1 an ounce on Friday, compared month, a small improvement from levels of 113,000 in January with over $20 an ounce earlier in the year. Alliance Trust sets up given the unrelentingly harsh winter weather. English companies Analysts said investors may be bracing for a weaker reading Platinum group metals shine following soft data on US private hiring and services sector Palladium, with a 5 percent increase, was headed for its ahead of Scotland vote growth released earlier this week. biggest weekly gain in nearly eight months. It was trading Spot gold was down 0.1 percent at $1,349.10 an ounce by down 0.6 percent to $772.50 an ounce, having hit a one year- LONDON: Alliance Trust Plc, a Scotland-based investment man- 1031 GMT, after rising 1 percent on Thursday. It has risen near- high of $781.50 an ounce on Thursday. ager, has begun preparations for a possible move to England ly 2 percent for the week, its biggest weekly gain since mid- Political tensions in top producer Russia and union strikes ahead of the Scottish independence referendum, adding to evi- February.Gold futures for April delivery were down 0.2 percent in second-biggest producer South Africa have triggered fears dence of corporate unease over the looming vote. at $1,348.90 an ounce. “When we look at the consensus on the of supply constraints. Platinum was on track for its second Alliance said yesterday it was creating companies in England payrolls, it is actually quite optimistic because the really cold straight weekly gain, up 2.2 percent. It was unchanged at into which it could transfer activities, in a precautionary move weather conditions in the US lasted throughout February as $1,477.00 on the day. because of uncertainty over the implications of a pro-indepen- well,” Credit Suisse analyst Karim Cherif said. Thousands of South African platinum miners from the dence vote on tax, financial regulation, currency and EU member- “So there could be some disappointment, which would AMCU union marched through Pretoria to protest against ship. “We are extremely proud of our 126 year Scottish heritage probably give a last mini-push to gold,” he added. “However, what it says are state and company efforts to break its six- but I think the reality is you have to be very aware of the risks that as we move to the second quarter, we don’t see why investors week old wage strike against the world’s three top producers your customers are facing and ensure you can provide certainty and continuity of services,” Chief Executive Katherine Garrett-Cox would begin to build heavy gold positions, given expectations of the precious metal. Silver fell 0.7 percent to $21.29 an told Reuters in an interview. of an improvement in the global economy and a possible sta- ounce. — Reuters The comments by Alliance Trust, based in Dundee on Scotland’s east coast and which employs around 250 staff, come after similar plans by larger Edinburgh-based peer Standard Life EU lawmakers to study Plc announced last month. Scots will vote in September in a referendum on whether they want to split from the rest of the United Kingdom, ahead of which a political row has erupted over whether an autonomous bankers’ bonus rule Scotland will be able to keep the pound. Scottish leader Alex Salmond wants to share the currency with the rest of the UK, but the major British parties have rejected this LONDON: European Union lawmakers will new law and the Economic Affairs elections. Bowles said that if the new rules idea. It is also unclear how easy it would be for Scotland to join consider toughening up the bloc’s cap on Committee will meet on the sidelines of a full are rejected, it could mean that nothing the European Union, since European Commission President Jose bankers’ bonuses after lenders have begun parliament session in Strasbourg, France. would be in place before bonuses are dished Manuel Barroso has said states breaking away from existing EU softening its impact by awarding extra Britain, meanwhile, is challenging the bonus out early next year. countries would struggle to gain membership. “allowances” to top up fixed pay. cap in the European Union’s top court, argu- “The UK would be able to apply a lighter Garrett-Cox said Alliance Trusts’ clients, 80 percent based in The cap is one of the most high-profile ing that the rule will make it more difficult for regime if it wishes,” Bowles said. While England, had become increasingly concerned about the impact rules from the 28-country bloc after public lenders to cut costs when required because it acknowledging that the banks’ extra independence would have on money invested with the firm. The anger over high pay at banks, many of which encourages higher levels of fixed pay. allowances “are going to be be paid come firm has gross assets of more than 3.2 billion pounds ($5.4 bil- were propped up by taxpayers in the 2007- Bonuses, meanwhile, can be cut or with- hell or high water”, Bowles added that they lion), according to its website. 09 financial crisis. drawn easily. should be viewed as fixed overheads that “What is very clear from conversations and communications The rule limits a bonus to no more than The European Parliament will have to need to be covered by capital reserves and we’ve had with our customers is that this is at the top of their list fixed salary, or twice that level if approved by vote on any proposal by mid-April, after that shareholders should consider whether of risks, and that’s why we felt that we needed to be completely the bank’s shareholders, and will affect 2014 which it goes into recess ahead of its May they are too high. — Reuters transparent about what’s happening here,” she said. However awards to be handed out early next year. Sharon Bowles, the British Liberal Democrat Alliance Trust did not say if it envisaged moving all its operations chair of the European Parliament’s influential or just its legal domicile in the event of a “yes” vote. Economic Affairs Committee, said that some lawmakers have complained that the rule is Independence implications not strict enough. “We are going to have a Among other Scotland-based financial firms, Royal Bank of discussion on this in committee on Monday Scotland Group Plc has also warned independence could affect night,” Bowles told Reuters yesterday. its credit ratings, impacting its costs. Britain’s HSBC has said it will give new Such comments are important given Scotland is home to the “allowances” - expected to take the form of second-largest financial services centre in the United Kingdom monthly or quarterly payments in cash or after London, accounting for about 150,000 jobs. shares - to senior staff to boost their fixed Some other companies have also voiced disquiet over the pay, meaning that higher bonuses could implications of independence. In the energy sector - also crucial then be awarded. UK peers Lloyds and for Scotland given the oil and gas reserves in the North Sea - Barclays this week indicated that they would Royal Dutch Shell Plc has urged Scotland to stay in the UK. follow suit. Among other major Scottish companies, Aggreko Plc, a provider of temporary power generators, said independence Rewrite possible would likely add significantly to its administration costs, though The European Banking Authority (EBA) two airlines - British Airways and Ryanair Holdings Plc - have said wrote the rule, but the European Parliament Scottish independence could be good for them due to proposals has the power to veto it and force a rewrite. to abolish air passenger tax. “In one sense it does not help if people Alliance Trust’s comments on Scotland were included in its believe that what they have done is being full-year earnings statement, which showed a net asset value of circumvented,” Bowles said, adding that the GENEVA: A view of the inside of a Carlsson CS50 Versailles edition car model at 516.5 pence per share, reflecting a total return of 18.4 percent. only option may be to reject the rule. The the stand of the German car tuning company during the Geneva Motor Show The group also announced a 12.5 percent increase in its yearly EBA watchdog is already reviewing planned yesterday. For extravagance, luxury and bling-bling lovers, the German manu- dividend to 10.83 pence. —Reuters allowances to see if they comply with the facturer Carlsson presents the World’s first car decorated with gold leaf. — AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 AMG snatches ‘Best Technician’ title in Ford ME’s regional service excellence challenge

KUWAIT: Arabian Motors Group (AMG), sales services in the region. We com- the Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer in mend them for demonstrating their Kuwait, emerged a winner as it compet- expertise and skills acquired through ed in Ford Middle East’s Service the Ford Motor Company certification Excellence World Cup, securing the title programme. The Ford Service for Best Technician in a tough challenge Excellence Cup is an incentive to help that brought together some of the best sharpen the skills of service advisors, talents from Ford dealerships around technicians as well as parts counter the region. This is the second consecu- clerks and help them better serve their tive year where AMG wins the Best customers and achieve higher levels of Technician title for the region. satisfaction. “The Service Excellence competition And taking part in this regional chal- is a great opportunity not only to get lenge is quite challenging, where all par- our dealer after-sales teams to compete ticipants must be certified through the for the title, but also to ensure they all Ford Motor Company Certification pro- have the best skills in the industry across gramme and go through a series of the Middle East,” said Chris Noel, Ford internal challenges where only the best Middle East’s director of Customer would be chosen to represent their Service. “We congratulate the AMG dealership in the regional finals. team for this outstanding achievement. Regional finalists initially would demon- “We are very proud of this achieve- very seriously, and our teams undergo They have done a great job and stood strate their skills at the dealership level, ment and winning the Best Technician continued training and development as out among the region’s top technicians and advance to the regional contest to title,” said Martin Aherne, AMG’s general we work to deliver some of the best thanks to their commitment to provid- compete among the best of the Ford manager for After Sales. “AMG takes after sales experiences in Kuwait. This ing some of the highest levels of after- dealerships in the Middle East. after sales and customer satisfaction shows our efforts are well on track.”

China’s first-ever corporate default sparks legal action

SHANGHAI: China’s first-ever default on a domestic corporate bond yesterday has sparked legal action by investors owed interest payments from a solar company, their lawyer said. Shanghai-based Chaori Solar Energy Science & Technology Co. said Tuesday it was unable to make full bond interest pay- ments of 89.8 million yuan ($14.7 million). Chaori’s board sec- retary, Liu Tielong, confirmed yesterday that the company was in default, Dow Jones Newswires reported. The development is being widely described as China’s first ever corporate bond default, but analysts say that it could BEIJING: Workers changing a business signboard in downtown Beijing, China, yesterday. China yesterday expressed benefit the market in the long term by raising awareness of confidence over achieving its GDP target of 7.5 per cent this year, citing the expected recovery of the world economy risk and making investors more selective. and strong fundamentals of emerging markets. — AP “The default today is already an established fact,” said lawyer Gan Guolong, who represents investors. “We will defi- nitely help recover bondholders’ interests through relevant legal action.” Investors had already asked the Higher Court of Europe’s gas supply at risk Guangdong province to order payment from the company, its listing exchange and the lead underwriter for the bond’s ini- tial issue in 2012, he said, but the case was still pending. as Gazprom warns Ukraine Chaori lists both shares and bonds on the Shenzhen exchange in Guangdong. A commentary issued by China’s official Xinhua news agency late Thursday suggested the gov- Failed to pay for Feb gas supplies on time ernment could send a signal by allowing the company to default. “The episode should help reduce the moral hazard MOSCOW: Gazprom issued a thinly veiled Gazprom and a deal enabling Russia’s now stands at $1.89 billion. caused by the widespread assumption that an almighty gov- warning yesterday that it could stop ship- Black Sea naval fleet to remain at a base in “Essentially, this means that Ukraine ernment will always bail out underwater investments with ping gas to Ukraine over unpaid bills, Ukraine’s Crimea region for decades. has stopped paying for gas. This totally taxpayers’ money,” the commentary said. “That, after all, is the increasing pressure on the new govern- The turmoil in Ukraine has opened up contradicts the provisions of the contract market playing its own decisive role,” it said, using a catch- ment in Kiev and its supporters in Europe, the biggest rift between Russia and the and international trade practices. For our phrase for economic reforms pledged at a key Communist which gets half its Russian gas through West since the Cold War. A pro-Western part, we have always fulfilled and will fulfil Party meeting last year. Ukraine. government is in place in Kiev, but Russia our contractual obligations,” Miller said. China’s foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yester- “Either Ukraine makes good on its debt has said it has the right to invade Ukraine “But we cannot supply gas free of charge.” day: “No matter if it is the securities market or the bonds mar- and pays for current supplies, or there is to protect its citizens - and even Russian Last year, Gazprom supplied the ket, it is only natural for there to be some fluctuations.” risk of returning to the situation of early speakers, who are in the majority in the European Union and Turkey with 162 bil- 2009,” Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said. east of Ukraine. lion cubic metres of gas, a historic record, ‘No warning’ of risk Gazprom halted gas supplies to In December, Russia had agreed to cut of which 86 bcm went via Ukraine. The Analysts said bond buyers, who are largely retail investors Ukraine over unpaid bills at the beginning gas prices for Ukraine to $268.50 per 1,000 Kremlin-controlled company has been cut- in China, would be hurt but a default would have a positive of 2009, which led to reductions in sup- cubic metres from around $400, part of a ting gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine as impact on the country’s corporate debt market. plies of Russian gas to Europe during a bailout package seen in the West as it has built a pipeline called Nord Stream “Municipal governments and banks in China have stepped cold winter. reward for Kiev’s decision to reject closer under the bed of the Baltic Sea directly to in to help distressed companies meet their bond payment Ukraine’s desperate financial position ties with the EU and turn to Russia instead. Germany. obligations during the past few years,” ratings agency has deteriorated further in the two weeks Russian President Vladimir Putin and It also plans to build the 63 bcm a year Moody’s said in a report on Friday. “These bailouts have led since pro-Western protestors in Kiev Gazprom have said already that Russia will South Stream pipeline via the Black Sea to some investors to overlook the fundamental credit risks in brought down Moscow-backed president abandon the price discounts for Ukraine as Europe. Norwegian gas exports surged to bonds.” Chaori investors said representatives had also asked Viktor Yanukovich, which prompted of April because Kiev has failed to pay for the highest levels since January 2013 yes- the district government in Shanghai, where the firm is locat- Russian forces to seize control of Ukraine’s gas on time. terday as demand rose in continental ed, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission market Crimea peninsular in response. “Today, March 7, was the deadline for Europe due to fears that Russia may cut watchdog to act. Wang Yong, who invested 1.28 million yuan Naftogas, Ukraine’s state energy com- payments for gas supplies to Ukraine in gas supplies via Ukraine. Earlier yesterday, of his parents’ retirement funds in the Chaori bond, told AFP pany, was not immediately available for February. Gazprom has not received pay- a Gazprom spokesman said Russian gas he was not aware of the risks-but placed the blame on oth- comment. The 2009 standoff resulted in ments for the debt,” Miller said, adding transit via Ukraine to Europe remained sta- ers.—AFP the revision of Ukraine’s contract with that Ukraine’s overdue gas debt to Russia ble. — Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 India’s Bharti linked with Carrefour in new tie-up NEW DELHI: Indian mobile giant Bharti source added. A Bharti spokesman source close to the negotiations as say- kets into India while in opposition. said yesterday it was scouting for a new declined to comment on media reports ing. Carrefour, which has five wholesale However, recently the BJP’s prime partner to replace Walmart in a retail that the group, controlled by billionaire stores in India, would fold them into a ministerial candidate Narendra Modi joint venture with reports saying it was Sunil Mittal, was in talks with Carrefour joint venture with Bharti if it emerges as raised speculation about a change of in talks with France’s Carrefour and SA, the world’s second-largest retailer the company’s retail partner. The heart when he said small retailers must Japan’s AEON. and Japan’s biggest retailer, AEON Co Economic Times quoted an AEON learn to cope with bigger rivals. The new partner would replace Ltd. Discussions with Carrefour were at spokesman as saying “we will not be Foreign players such as Carrefour, Walmart, the world’s biggest retailer, an advanced stage but were put on hold able to disclose or comment.” Carrefour Britain’s Tesco and Walmart have been with which Bharti had a strategic alliance due to AEON’s interest in an alliance, also declined to comment. eyeing India’s $500-billion retail market that fell apart last October. “There are India’s Economic Times newspaper said. Aside from its mobile phone empire since the government relaxed invest- talks (for a new venture) but nothing is “Some of the senior officials of Bharti Bharti Airtel, Bharti also runs 212 Easy ment rules in 2012. Walmart, which has completed until the last dot is signed,” a Retail are in favour of tying up with the Day convenience stores. Opinion polls its own wholesale operation in India, Bharti source told AFP. French major as it has an existing foot- suggest that forthcoming elections will pulled out of the Bharti tie-up amid an Nothing will be decided until after print in India’s cash-and-carry space that be won by the right-wing Bharatiya internal bribery probe and worries over general elections conclude in May in would be a perfect match for Bharti Janata Party (BJP) which strongly the country’s still evolving retail land- case there is a change in policy, the Retail,” the Economic Times quoted a opposed the entry of foreign supermar- scape. —AFP Asian shares broadly up on hopes for US jobs

HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly rose yesterday and the dollar held on to its New York gains after better-than-expected jobs data raised hopes for a strong payrolls report later in the day. While the crisis in Ukraine is still to be resolved, investors are focused on economic fundamentals, with confidence boosted by upbeat comments on the eurozone from the European Central Bank (ECB), while Wall Street saw another record close. Tokyo rose 0.92 percent, or 139.32 points, to 15,274.07 and Sydney added 0.30 percent, or 16.4 points, to 5,462.3 while Seoul finish flat, edging down 0.94 points to 1974.68 owing to a late sell-off. Shanghai edged a touch lower, dipping 1.67 points to end at 2,057.91 while Hong Kong eased 0.19 per- TOKYO: This file picture taken on February 28, 2014 shows cent, or 42.48 points, to 22,660.49. a general view of the former headquarter’s of the Sony In the United States, the Labor TOKYO: People walk by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo. corporation in Tokyo. Sony will sell properties at a presti- Department said first-time claims for unem- Shares were mostly higher in Asia as the standoff over Ukraine between Russia gious Tokyo site where it had its headquarters for six ployment benefits fell last week to a three- and the West continued to ease and the yen weakened. —AP decades, as the once-world beating firm struggles to month low of 323,000 from the prior week’s improve its bottom line. — AFP revised reading of 349,000. Analysts had unanimously voted to join Russia, in a sharp higher at Tw$84.7. expected the claims to fall to just 338,000. escalation of the worst East-West security Wellington advanced 0.21 percent, or Sony to sell its The figure was a “sign companies are holding crisis since the Cold War. Washington has 10.86 points to a record high of 5,125.65. on to their staff even as cold weather threat- slapped visa bans on Russians and Kathmandu jumped 4.66 percent to Tokyo ‘birthplace’ ens to slow the world’s largest economy”, Ukrainians involved in the Crimean incur- NZ$3.59 and Fletcher Building gained 1.02 said Spreadex analyst Lee Mumford. It also sion, the latest series of moves by the US percent to NZ$9.90. administration to punish Moscow, while the Manila closed 0.54 percent lower, giving TOKYO: Sony said yesterday it would sell properties at a pres- provided hope that yesterday’s closely European Union has also imposed punitive up 34.99 points to 6,481.83. Philippine Long tigious Tokyo site where it had its headquarters for six watched non-farm payrolls report for measures including freezing visa and finan- Distance Telephone eased 0.14 percent to decades, as the once-world beating firm struggles to repair its February will show a sharp improvement cial talks. However, global investors remain 2,800.00 pesos, Bank of the Philippine bottom line. from the previous two months, which came upbeat, and buying sentiment was given Islands gave up 0.33 percent to 92.00 pesos The company’s 16.1 billion yen ($157 million) deal to sell in well below forecasts owing to a severe further support after the ECB held interest and BDO Unibank ended 0.30 percent down the real estate to Sumitomo Realty and Development will be winter snap across most of the country. The rates unchanged and its head, Mario Draghi, at 84.25 pesos. completed next month, it said. S&P 500 rose 0.17 percent to a record high gave an optimistic appraisal of the econo- Bangkok gained 0.21 percent or 2.87 The properties are in the Gotenyama area near the city’s and the Dow added 0.38 percent, but the my. “A gradual recovery in domestic and points to close at 1,355.08. Coal producer Shinagawa railway station, where land prices have been on Nasdaq dipped 0.13 percent. external demand is expected to be the driv- Banpu closed unchanged at 26.50 baht the rise recently. In 2007, the firm sold a portion of the site, ing factor behind the projected increase in while energy gaint PTT Plc lost 1.35 percent moving its headquarters to the opposite side of Shinagawa Draghi upbeat on eurozone activity,” Draghi said, after the ECB raised its or 4.00 baht to close at 292.00 baht. station. The dollar also rallied to 102.98 yen late 2014 growth forecast by 0.1 percentage Kuala Lumpur dipped 0.35 percent, or Sony started as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo in 1946, the year after Thursday in New York, from 102.72 yen ear- point to 1.2 percent. 6.43 points, to 1,832.26. Telekom ended 1.7 Japan’s defeat in World War II. The following year it moved lier in Tokyo.In afternoon Asian trade, the The euro surged in US trade and on percent lower at 5.80 ringgit while Genting from a different site in the capital to the Gotenyama area, greenback was at 102.95 yen. However, US Friday maintained those gains, sitting at Malaysia lost 1.4 percent to 4.29. where it grew into a global player built on its groundbreaking shares lost much of the gains after President $1.3869 and 142.75 yen compared with Jakarta ended down 0.04 percent, or Walkman and popular televisions. Barack Obama laid $1.3861 and 142.88 yen late in New York. Oil 1.97 points, at 4,685.89. Palm oil firm Wilmar A museum archiving Sony’s epoch-making products will be down a tough challenge to Moscow’s prices were slightly higher. New York’s main Cahaya Indonesia fell 2.29 percent to 1,710 one of its few remaining properties there. The deal yesterday support for a referendum in Ukraine’s contract, West Texas Intermediate for April rupiah, while tin producer Timah gained comes after Sony said last year it was selling its US headquar- Crimea on joining Russia.“The proposed ref- delivery, rose 12 cents to $101.68 in after- 5.70 percent to 1,855 rupiah. ters in Manhattan for $1.1 billion as it looks to recoup from erendum on the future of Crimea would vio- noon Asian trade. Brent North Sea crude for Singapore closed up 0.23 percent, or four consecutive years of losses. late the Ukrainian constitution and violate April was flat at $108.10. Gold fetched 7.09 points, at 3,136.26. DBS bank eased Sony and domestic rivals Panasonic and Sharp have faced international law,” Obama said. His com- $1,348.20 an ounce at 0820 GMT compared 0.55 percent to Sg$16.23 while oil rig maker severe competition from abroad in their hard-hit consumer ments come as the United States and Russia with $1,335.26. Keppel Corporation gained 0.57 percent to electronics units and have been undergoing painful restruc- try to resolve the crisis in Eastern Europe, Sg$10.65. turings to move past years of losses. which flared when Russian lawmakers In other markets Mumbai surged 1.89 percent or 405.92 Despite returning to profit in its latest fiscal year, Sony is agreed to sending troops into the mainly Taiwan edged up 0.17 points to points to end at 21,919.79. Adani braced for a $1.08 billion loss in the 12 months to March as it Russian-speaking Crimean peninsula after 8,713.96. Taiwan Semiconductor Enterprises rose 10.13 percent to 301.80 plans to cut 5,000 jobs and exit the stagnant PC market. the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Moscow gov- Manufacturing Co. rose 1.33 percent to rupees and real estate firm DLF increased Yesterday, Sony said the real-estate sale would not affect its ernment. The ex-Soviet state is in danger of Tw$114.5 while Hon Hai was 0.36 percent 9.87 percent to 167.00 rupees. —AFP earnings forecast for the current fiscal year. — AFP breaking apart after Crimea’s parliament BUSINESS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

India court again rejects Sahara bid to release chief NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court yes- had brought contempt proceedings rupees initially, and then an additional had on Tuesday rejected an offer by the terday rejected another proposal by the against Roy and Sahara for failure to 149 billion rupees in five instalments lawyers to give bank guarantees for 225 Sahara conglomerate to secure the comply with a 2012 Supreme Court through July 2015, to secure Roy’s billion rupees within three to six release of its jailed chairman by refund- order to repay billions of dollars to release. The court rejected the proposal months. Sahara is best known as the for- ing billions of dollars the company had investors. Sahara has said it repaid most as unsatisfactory and told Sahara to mer main sponsor of India’s national raised from investors in a now outlawed investors and that its remaining liability come up with another plan at the next cricket team, as well as owner of New bond scheme. was less than the 51.2 billion rupees hearing on March 11, Keshav Mohan, York’s Plaza Hotel and London’s Sahara Chairman Subrata Roy, 65, ($836 million) it deposited with SEBI, a one of the lawyers representing Sahara Grosvenor House. It has a net worth of was arrested last Friday for failing to claim that has been disputed by the reg- in the case, told Reuters. The final figure $11 billion and more than 36,000 acres appear at a hearing in the long-running ulator and the court. owed by Sahara is unclear because of of real estate, according to its website. It case that pits the unlisted group against Roy was sent to jail on Tuesday. On interest accrued, as well as a dispute also co-owns the Sahara Force India the securities regulator, the Securities Friday, lawyers for Sahara told the court between the group and the regulator Formula One auto racing team with and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). SEBI the company was ready to pay 25 billion over the veracity of investors. The court liquor baron Vijay Mallya. — Reuters Foreigners to be kept out of China’s privatisations SHANGHAI: As China embarks on a new wave of opening up state-dominated industries to private capital, foreign firms will largely be kept out and authorities are likely to look to institu- tions like domestic pension funds and insurers. State giants China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Sinopec Corp and China Railway Corporation have said they were seeking investments from private capital and also social capital, or funds sourced from pension funds and insurance companies. “I think those are going to be the key groups that the SOEs (state-owned enterprises) will first partner up with,” said Sun Lijian, deputy director of the School of Economics at Fudan University. “It will also fit in with Beijing’s strategy to diversify invest- ment channels for its vast, locally managed pension funds.” The move reflects China’s desire to avoid adding further debt on to the federal government’s books while injecting much- needed cash into vital sectors, but without ceding control. MUMBAI: An Indian onlooker watches the digital broadcast on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) during On Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang said on the opening intra-day trade in Mumbai yesterday. Indian share prices surged to a record high as the BSE benchmark Sensex index day of the annual parliament session that the fiscal deficit reached 21,866.51 points for the first time. — AFP would be maintained at 2.1 percent of GDP in 2014, the same as last year. Analysts said recent announcements by some of China’s largest state-owned enterprises to diversify ownership India’s anti-graft party takes provides a hint of Beijing’s public-private partnership model as it opens up its petroleum, railway, finance, power and tele- com sectors to private investors for the first time. aim at Modi’s economic model Investments by local insurers and pension funds will not only allow Beijing to tap into massive savings to fund invest- Modi questioned on farm growth, job creation ments as economic growth slows, but it will also allow these institutions to diversify their portfolio away from a depend- NEW DELHI: Indian opposition politi- ment. “What we’ve seen in the last two after the announcement of a month- ence on bonds and other fixed income products. cian Narendra Modi, who leads opinion days is quite shocking,” Kejriwal told long national election, to be held from Assets under management in China’s pension system polls ahead of next month’s general reporters at a meeting on the edge of April 7. Opinion polls put Modi far ahead totalled $1.2 trillion at the end of 2012, according to newspa- election, faces pressure from a small the state’s commercial capital of of his main rival, Rahul Gandhi of the per reports. Insurance companies had assets of 8.289 trillion anti-graft party attacking his economic Ahmedabad. Kejriwal, who was denied governing Congress party, but short of a yuan ($1.36 trillion) at the end of 2013, official data shows. model on his home turf, the thriving an audience with Modi, questioned the majority. Kejriwal says both Congress Invested funds totalled 7.687 trillion yuan, of which 29 per- state of Gujarat. Gujarat chief minister’s claims on farm and the BJP are beholden to corporate cent was in bank deposits, 43 percent in bonds, and 10 per- The pro-business leader has presided growth, job creation and clean gover- interests, and yesterday questioned cent in stocks and related securities. over rapid economic growth during nance, and suggested he was too close Modi’s relationship to India’s richest more than 12 years as the chief minister to big business. business families. Opportunities in energy of the coastal state, and slashed red tape He was on a tour to study conditions His party is expected to win few seats For the energy sector, however, analysts said there would to attract companies such as Ford, in Gujarat, as part of his party’s first in upcoming polls, but has tapped into a be more opportunities for foreign players in areas where they Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors. national campaign since bursting onto vein of public anger over a culture of have technological advantages, particularly in the develop- Now, Modi promises to replicate his the political scene with a stunning victo- entitlement among politicians, rising ment of unconventional gas resources. state’s development model nationwide ry in Delhi’s local election in December. prices and endemic graft - issues it has “In areas where the SOEs lack the technological know-how, if he becomes prime minister. But Leaders of Modi’s Hindu nationalist helped push to the top of the election they will open the doors to foreign companies, otherwise the Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Bharatiya Janata Party condemned agenda. priority is still local companies,” said Michael Yuk, a senior Aadmi Party, yesterday said small busi- Kejriwal’s remarks. “The Aam Aadmi Gujarat, famed as the birthplace of energy analyst at China Merchants Securities. nesses in the state were being shut- Party’s politics now includes the right to Indian independence icon Mahatma Sinopec, Asia’s biggest oil refiner, said last month that it tered, public schools and health services gate crash, the right to a violent protest Gandhi, is now at the centre of the would sell up to 30 percent of its marketing arm, which owns were in poor shape and claims of regular and the right to take liberties with the national poll campaign. Modi’s support- more than 30,000 petrol stations, in a multi-billion dollar asset supplies of electricity were not true. truth,” the BJP’s Arun Jaitley said on ers often cite the state’s economic suc- restructuring. “What is your development model?” Twitter. cess as the key reason they back him. While analysts said Sinopec could bring in strategic foreign Kejriwal asked as he tore into the heart Kejriwal was chief minister of the Opponents and some economists say players, such as Royal Dutch Shell or BP, executives at over- of Modi’s campaign, saying that 400,000 Indian capital for 49 chaotic days before Gujarat’s good image owes much to a seas energy firms are less sanguine. of the state’s farmers who had applied resigning, saying the country’s long tradition of entrepreneurship and “None (of the international energy companies) have the for electricity connections years ago had entrenched political parties were not point out the seafaring state was doing illusion that Sinopec will reach out to us in its divestment ... yet to receive them. letting him govern. The former tax col- well before Modi took charge. there’s no such possibility,” said an official with a global ener- “If you haven’t even given a connec- lector, who has described himself as an Other states, ranging from Delhi and gy firm, adding that fuel retailing is a sector where Beijing tion, how will you give them electricity?” anarchist, seems more comfortable in the western state of Maharashtra to the wants to limit foreign participation. India’s western state of Gujarat has been campaign mode. southern states of Karnataka, Andhra State-owned China Railway Corporation plans to seek pri- hailed for rapid measures to develop Street fighting between supporters Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, attracted more vate investment for a railway development fund that could be infrastructure and provide stable power of Kejriwal and Modi broke out in three foreign investment than Gujarat over launched this year, the Shanghai Securities News reported on supply, but critics often say it lags states on Wednesday when Gujarat the three years to 2012, the central bank Thursday.—Reuters behind other states in social develop- police briefly stopped his convoy, hours says. — Reuters 2014 SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 8, MARCH SATURDAY, www.kuwaittimes.net

‘Japan’s Beethoven’ says sorry but claims deafness no act PAGE 22

A dancer with the China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group performs a scene from ‘The Red Dress’ during a dress rehearsal before opening night March 6, 2014 at the David H Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center. The show which runs March 6-9 is the first time has been per- formed in a major city out- side of Asia. —AFP The most and least liked

late night talk show hosts PAGE 24 SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

‘Japan’sMamoru Samuragochi, Beethoven’ dubbed ‘Japan’s Beethoven’, bowssays in apology atsorry a press conference but room in Tokyo claims yesterday. — AFP deafness photos no act

he fraudulent composer dubbed “Japan’s Samuragochi’s story, feasting on the narrative of musical abilities. The hearing checkup revealed up with a new concept for a piece of music, he Beethoven” made his first public apology a tortured genius robbed of the ability to hear the that his problems would not merit him the dis- would come to meet me with no problem”. The Tyesterday, but insisted he has hearing prob- beautiful music he made. ability certificate that he has been forced to ghost writer would always insist on a bigger lems and threatened to sue the ghost writer who The scandal broke last month when return to officials in the nearby city of Yokohama. cheque for his work, he added. “That is the reality outed his decades-long deception. Ditching his Samuragochi, who is credited with composing an “I am very sorry for causing all this trouble,” he of the 18 years,” Samuragochi said. The fallen trademark long hair and sunglasses, a clean-cut anthemic tribute to the tenacity of Japan’s tsuna- meekly told the hundreds of assembled journal- composer’s star burned all the brighter after a Mamoru Samuragochi repeatedly bowed in mi survivors, admitted he had been paying some- ists. “I apologize for those who bought my CDs, documentary entitled “Melody of the Soul”, was shame before a packed press conference in a one else to write his music for nearly two listened to the music and came to my concerts.” shown on public broadcaster NHK last year. Tokyo hotel, where some dubious reporters decades. His ghost writer, a music school teacher Cameras followed him as he toured the tsunami- dragged along hearing-impairment experts to named Takashi Niigaki, also claimed his boss was Legal threat battered Tohoku region to meet survivors and assess the mock maestro. not deaf and couldn’t even write sheet music. The disjointed press conference, which those who lost relatives in the 2011 catastrophe. “Sounds get distorted, so I hardly recognize Yesterday, the 50-year-old Samuragochi insisted dragged on for nearly three hours, also saw the The film showed the musical genius playing with words. It’s no lie that I still need a sign-language that he remains hearing impaired, but his prob- disgraced composer go on the offensive, threat- a small girl whose mother was killed in the disas- interpreter,” he said, with an interpreter by his lem has improved over the years. He handed out ening to sue his accomplice for defamation, ter and apparently composing a requiem for the side. The carnival-like atmosphere also saw some copies of a recent hearing diagnosis, while some despite previously apologizing to him. “(The dead woman. “I was constantly scared that some- journalists demand that the disgraced composer reporters demanded he write phrases on a piece ghost writer) said he had suggested that we stop day the truth would be revealed,” he said yester- prove his sign-language abilities. Japan’s often of paper to see if his handwriting matched this many times, but it’s a complete lie,” day. “I was going to put an end to this after 10 sentimental media once lapped up instructional notes that supposedly proved his Samuragochi said, adding that “whenever I came years.” — AFP Woman asleep in Bieber’s Ben Affleck: rented Ga home arrested I was insecure about taking on the Congo - at first ven Batman deals with confidence issues. my sort of insecurity about not wanting to be Ben Affleck, who testified last week before somebody who does it without understanding it, ECongress on behalf of the Congo, revealed led me to go,” Affleck explained. to NPR’s Morning Edition’s David Greene While Affleck’s Hollywood friends Justin Bieber on Thursday that he briefly struggled pushed the “Batman vs Superman” star performs with feelings of insecurity before toward other causes, he was ultimate- during a stepping up as a celebrity advocate ly able to use his clout to draw more concert at for the region. “It seemed to me that attention to the often-ignored region. Bercy Arena in what I had to offer at the time could “Being an actor afforded me access,” Paris. —AP be better used in the Affleck began, “and the more I got Congo and after that, in involved and looked around in the Congo, the more I was drawn there. Not because of the suffering but woman found sleeping in a bedroom of Atlanta. No one was home. “She said that she because of the will and the energy and an Atlanta-area home rented by pop met him on the Internet ‘Twitter’ and was visit- the determination of the Congolese peo- Astar Justin Bieber told officers that she ing him for a birthday party,” the police report ple and the face of that suffering to over- had come to the house for the singer’s birth- states. “She realized that she was too late for come.” Despite his initial doubts, day party and realized she was too late for it, the party, so she decided to wait there for Affleck made sure he was able to according to a police report. Qianying Zhao, him.” Police say Bieber’s party had been held contribute more than just a 23, of nearby Doraville was found at the home earlier in the week at another place. Zhao was celebrity mouthpiece. “I would- shortly after 5 pm. Wednesday and charged handcuffed and taken to an Alpharetta jail. It n’t be a credible advocate if I with criminal trespass, Sandy Springs police wasn’t immediately known whether she has wasn’t taken seriously, if I said. The house is owned by music producer an attorney. It was the second time in just over hadn’t done my homework,” Dallas Austin and is being rented by Bieber, a week that police have responded to a prob- Affleck revealed. “So in police said. Ashley Austin, 20, lives there and lem related to the pop star. On Feb 25, police order to do it, I had to do came home to find Zhao in one of the bed- pulled over an SUV being used by the singer it properly.”— Reuters rooms. and his entourage after a photographer said “Austin said that she did not know Zhao, his camera was stolen as he tried to take pic- and had no idea how she got into her house,” tures of Bieber at the Sandy Springs Funhouse the report states. Police say Zhao told officers family entertainment complex. A Bieber body- that she claimed to be a friend of Bieber’s, and guard, Hugo Hesny, faces a felony charge in had entered through an unlocked door of the that case. Bieber was not involved in the home on Northside Drive, just north of alleged theft, police said. — AP SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

he stage was strewn with daffodils Kanawa, who played what is usually the Strauss operas, told Reuters in an inter- and a cake was wheeled out as non-singing role of the Duchess of view before the performance that she TDame Kiri te Kanawa celebrated Crackentorp in the production. was thrilled to be celebrating her birth- her 70th birthday on Thursday singing A special aria, lifted from Puccini’s day at Covent Garden. She had her first on stage at Covent Garden where the opera “Edgar”, was inserted for Te big international success at Covent New Zealand-born soprano first made Kanawa to sing, giving the audience a Garden singing the role of Countess an international splash more than 40 glimpse of her famous creamy high Almaviva in Mozart’s “The Marriage of Roger Taylor, from left, Adam Lambert and Brian May years ago. Te Kanawa, who retired from notes. “I thank you all so much and keep Figaro” in 1971. announce a Queen + Adam Lambert summer tour, on the opera stage in 2004 but still sings up the spirit and the love of classical “It is really my home house, I did Thursday in New York. —AP recitals, was misty eyed after video trib- music,” Te Kanawa said after the audi- everything from here, wrong or right, right or wrong, but I had some wonder- ful experiences at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and made some wonderful old friends,” she said. She Queen, attributed the quality of her voice to having been gentle with it during nearly 40 years on the opera stage. Adam Lambert “I suppose I’m really quite surprised that my voice is in such good shape but to embark on summer tour I never really did it a lot of damage, I did- n’t do the wrong things,” she told dam Lambert has never paid attention to the haters, Reuters in a backstage interview before and he won’t start now as the lead singer for the rock the performance. “Sometimes I over- Aband Queen on their upcoming summer tour. “You just worked and of course you pay the price can’t focus on that crap, especially in today’s day and age, the but my voice is still good, the high notes Internet, and everybody has an opinion and a comment. are still there - maybe not as high as it That’s not why we do this,” Lambert told The Associated Press. used to be but still at age 70 I’m not Lambert first performed with Queen in 2009 when he was a quite sure who sings top D’s anyway,” contestant on “American Idol,” where he placed second. The she said, referring to a note at the top band and Lambert have since performed together, including end of the soprano range. last year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas and a Although opera and music audiences European tour in 2012. They sang such hits as “We Are the know her from the stage and recordings, Champions” and “We Will Rock You.” including singing the role of Maria in a Still, Lambert has to stand in the shadow of the singer British actor Jim Carter, left, presents a cake to soprano Dame Kiri te Kanawa of famous “operatic” recording of Leonard many regard as one of the greatest to front a rock band. “At New Zealand, as she celebrates her 70th birthday on stage. — AP Bernstein’s “West Side Story”, television first it was a little daunting when we did our first incarnation viewers saw her more recently as sopra- of this. I definitely felt apprehensive. Freddie Mercury is one of utes from famous singers she has ence had sung “Happy Birthday to her. no Dame Nellie Melba in an episode of the greatest singers that ever lived,” Lambert said. “It’s such a worked with, including Frederica von Domingo, with whom Te Kanawa sang the popular British serial “Downton treat for me to get on stage and pay my respects, and pay trib- Stade, Jose Carreras and Placido in a fabled production of Puccini’s Abbey” which Te Kanawa said was “a ute to one of my favorite singers ever, and to sing some of the Domingo, were shown on a screen at “Manon Lescaut”, in his video tribute wonderful experience”. She said she greatest music ever written,” Lambert added. the end of a production of Donizetti’s welcomed her into her 70s where he Had particularly enjoyed meeting all the The 19-date US tour kicks off June 19 in Chicago. It wraps comic opera “La Fille du Regiment.” noted he had preceded her by three cast and getting “lots and lots of pic- up July 20 in Washington, DC Tickets went on sale yesterday. “After this day... I’m going to do a years. tures”, but also got a kick out of know- Original members Brian May and Roger Taylor flanked runner, and there’s no more birthdays,” “It’s a wonderful world...it’s so beauti- ing how the show ended months ahead Lambert for the news conference Thursday and, in the inter- Te Kanawa said to laughter from the ful,” the Spanish tenor said before of time. “We just said it was going to be views that followed, defended their choice as Mercury’s suc- sold-out opera audience. “I thank this launching into “Happy Birthday” to Kiri. dramatic and that’s all we would say - cessor. “‘American Idol’ is a long way in the past for Adam whole cast for the most wonderful per- Te Kanawa, who is of half-Maori descent we didn’t want to tell anyone about now. He’s a solo artist and well-established. And also we are formance and I’m so pleased that I was and made her reputation singing count- what was going on in the script,” she established as a partnership ... if you concentrate on the nega- able to do five minutes of this,” Te esses and duchesses in Mozart and said. — Reuters tive you’re not going to get anywhere. It’s very important to have focus, and you play to people who want to hear us,” May said. Blake Shelton, Keith Urban “Good is good, and quality is quality,” Taylor added on Lambert’s ability. May said the band will pay tribute to Mercury in the show. But “The mere fact that we’re playing to perform at the ACM Awards songs that Freddie wrote is a tribute,” he said. The guitarist also touched on releasing some old recordings of Freddie Mercury, including a collaboration with Michael Jackson, he Voice” coach Blake Shelton recorded in 1983. Mercury died in 1991; Jackson in 2009. and “American Idol” judge Keith “I was surprised that there was a little bit more in the can Urban are among the first round ‘T that we had overlooked for a long time, so we have a few of performers to be announced for this songs which we’re working on right now. Freddie songs as year’s Academy of Country Music fresh as yesterday,” May said. “It’s really amazing. We’re all Awards, which airs live from Las Vegas playing together, and I think people will enjoy it. While on CBS on April 6. The initial slate of per- Mercury has been gone for 23 years, his legacy has lived on. formers also includes Jason Aldean, Luke The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Bryan, Miranda Lambert, George Strait 2001, has sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide, and and The Band Perry. has a longstanding musical, celebrating the band’s catalog Shelton and Bryan are co-hosting that has played on London’s West End for 12 years. this year’s ceremony, which takes place “It’s been a constant reminder to people of our music, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. especially younger fans making us cross generational. And Bryan will also perform with Florida ‘We Will Rock You: The Musical’ has played a big part in that,” Georgia Line for the ACM Fan Jam, May said. That prompted Lambert to add: “What’s so genius which will air live via remote during about the catalog is that there are so many different colors. the ceremony from the the Mandalay There are huge power ballads that are really important like Bay Events Center. Additional perform- “Who Wants to Live Forever,” and “The Show Must Go On.” ers will be announced in the coming Huge, amazing dramatic songs. There are these songs that are weeks.—Reuters Blake Shelton and Keith Urban all different vibe.” — AP SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Stephen Colbert Jimmy Fallon Conan O’Brien The most and least liked late night talk show hosts

tephen Colbert is the only host in late night TV who plays a Score. But Fallon is scoring well in “Tonight” ratings, so don’t be character. On “The Colbert Report,” he’s a self-absorbed, surprised if his score goes up. At the bottom of our rankings is Sclosed-minded caricature of a jingoistic talk show host, who Arsenio Hall, who has an 8. Carson Daly has a 9. Daly was also cov- is supposed to be anything but endearing. But Americans ered in our Morning Show Personalities Q Score rankings. embrace him anyway. Colbert is the most-liked late night talk Leno’s old rival, David Letterman, scored a 9. New, successful show host, according to data that the Q Scores company provided competition in the late night TV landscape is forcing networks and to TheWrap. The leader of Colbert Nation and host of Comedy cable channels to adapt a more hip tone in an effort to reach a Central’s “Colbert Report” has the highest Positive Q Score in late growing younger demographic. Jimmy Fallon’s “Late Night” and night: a 20. “Tonight Show” viral video run, as well as Kimmel’s online pres- Perhaps the old adage, “Just be yourself,” is not valid after 11 ence has set the table for the new age of post-11 pm television. pm. To create Q Scores, executive vice president Henry Schafer Among 18-34 year-olds, Conan O’Brien makes a nice run towards Seth Meyers and his team provides a celebrity’s name and a brief description to the top, but cannot unseat Colbert. Likewise, Hall stays in the base- more than 1,800 viewers. The viewers are asked if they recognize ment, despite picking up an additional point. — Reuters the person, and how they feel about him or her. The average Positive Q Score for a celebrity is 15. The company’s numbers for late night include adults surveyed from mid-January to early February 2014, prior to Jimmy Fallon taking on “The Tonight Show” and Seth Meyers taking over “Late Night.” No. 2 in popularity is Colbert’s fellow “Daily Show” alum, John Oliver. He has a strong 18 Positive Q Score, which he will take to his new weekly HBO series, “Last Week Tonight.” Oliver’s acclaimed summer guest-hosting stint on “The Daily Show” must have been fresh in viewers’ minds. Colbert’s and Oliver’s mentor, Jon Stewart, comes in third in popularity with a 16 Q Score, the same as new “Late Night” host Seth Meyers. But Stewart has higher recognition. Meyers was best known at the time of the survey for his more than 12 years on “Saturday Night Live.” After Meyers, Jay Leno had a Positive Q Score of 15. Leno’s was the most-famous name on the list, with 81 percent recognition. Next up was Andy Cohen of “Watch What Happens Live.” Cohen is not highly recognizable, but he is fairly well received with a 14 Positive Q Score. Fallon, who was transitioning from the 12:35 am timeslot to 11:35 pm at the time of this survey, has a 13 Q Arsenio Hall Andy Cohen

John Oliver Jon Stewart Jay Leno SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

This image released by Fox Searchlight shows Tony Revolori, left, and Saoirse Ronan in Ralph Fiennes, left, and Tony Revolori in ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. — AP photos ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. Fiennes shows comic chops in Anderson film ne of the many surprises in Wes town in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, Mr Moustafa (F Murray Abraham), who wild shootout across hotel balconies. And

Review Anderson’s rich, layered and quirkily somewhere in Eastern Europe. It’s a place offers to tell him his story. there’s the funniest scene in the film, a Oentertaining new film, “The Grand where wealthy older women come to be Which brings us back in time again, to montage of old-world concierges across Budapest Hotel,” is the emergence of a new pampered. That’s where Monsieur Gustave the years between the wars, when the hotel Europe, banding together to try to help comic actor, one with impeccable timing (Fiennes) comes in. An old-school looked like a strawberry-frosted wedding Gustave. and just the right mix of gravitas and utter concierge, Gustave lives to please his cus- cake. Mr Moustafa is now a young lobby You’ll spot Anderson regular Bill Murray zaniness. Ladies and gents, meet Ralph tomers. And so the services he provides boy, Zero (Tony Revolori) an ambitious lad here, as well as Jason Schwartzman and, in Fiennes. You might not immediately think (wink wink) go beyond simply making sure whom Gustave takes under his wing. The a quick moment, Owen Wilson. Edward the man who played the tragic count in the flowers are fresh and the wine chilled. plot gets going with the death of Madame Norton is funny as a determined military “The English Patient,” an evil war criminal in Gustave is persnickety, pompous and D - an 84-year-old, extremely rich dowager police chief. Willem Dafoe is Dmitri’s ultra- “Schindler’s List,” a violent Coriolanus, and vain. But he’s committed to doing his job as countess (Tilda Swinton, barely recogniza- violent henchman, and Jeff Goldblum the oh yes, Voldemort, would be a natural in well as it can be done. He’s indeed a crea- ble in amazing makeup) and former lover of unfortunate lawyer who runs afoul of him. comedy. But he proves a deft, daft partner ture of a fast-disappearing Old World. But Gustave. Turns out she’s left him a priceless Saoirse Ronan is young Zero’s girlfriend. But to Anderson in this, their first collaboration. we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Or rather, painting. But her imperious son Dmitri in the end it’s Fiennes who makes the The film itself is a madcap caper on one behind ourselves, because the film hop- (Adrien Brody, having fun here) won’t have biggest impression. His stylized, rapid-fire level. On another, it’s a look at a dying scotches between three time periods. We this smarmy concierge get a piece of the delivery, dry wit and cheerful profanity keep world, and way of life, in the period begin in 1985. A middle-aged writer (Tom family fortune. Gustave swipes it anyway. the movie bubbling along. Here’s to further between the two world wars, with the Wilkinson) is recalling his stay at the Grand Gustave is eventually caught and sent to Fiennes-Anderson collaborations. “The specter of totalitarianism looming. Just like Budapest some 20 years earlier. Suddenly prison camp, where, with a fellow inmate Grand Budapest Hotel,” a Fox Searchlight the fictional hotel in the title, the movie is a we’re back in 1968, in the hotel, which is a (Harvey Keitel, no less), he plots escape. release, is rated R by the Motion Picture meticulously constructed confection, fea- shell of its former glory - it’s an ugly, post- They make it out, leading to more amazing Association of America for “language, some turing the extreme attention to detail that Communist relic, with really bad furniture. chases, involving motorcycles, a mountain sexual content and violence.” Running time: Anderson is famous for. That same writer (now played by Jude Law) cable car, a ski jump, a bobsled run, and a 100 minutes. Three and a half stars out of The Grand Budapest Hotel is set in a spa encounters the hotel’s mysterious owner, confession booth in a monastery. There’s a four. — AP Idina Menzel, ‘Frozen’ heat up pop charts

ony-winning Idina Menzel - or Adele Dazeem if you’re John put in your name and see what Travolta would call you, and it has Oscars as her date (“Frozen” is about two sisters who are best friends, Travolta - is enjoying massive success with “Let It Go” from the been dominating on Facebook and Twitter this week (side note: but have to keep distance because of Elsa’s uncontrollable powers). Tanimated film “Frozen,” but the entertainer is still perplexed Travolta would call himself “Jan Thozomas.”) Menzel’s song has even eclipsed Demi Lovato’s version of “Let It Go” - that she’s finally triumphing on the pop charts with a show tune- technically the “single version.” Disney Music Group president Ken esque track. “I’ve had a lot of self-introspection about this. This busi- Pop culture moment Bunt said he’s not surprised Menzel’s song has become more success- ness is so hard, especially the music business, and I’ve tried so hard to But after that fades, Menzel still has “Let It Go,” which is having a ful commercially, and adds that the soundtrack is a winner because crossover, to convince people just because I was in a Broadway show I pop culture moment because of the thousands of videos posted of the film plays like a cartoon musical. didn’t have the street cred to be a rock or a pop singer,” she said in a young girls and boys - and some adults - singing covers of the song. “The songs are part of the storytelling. They’re helping to tell the recent interview. “And then the one time I have it, it’s the arrange- Cutely, Menzel took her younger sister, a second grade teacher, to the story of the film and I think that’s different then what we’ve seen in ment from the Disney movie.” the last 15-plus years in animated movies,” Bunt said. Menzel, who “I’m singing at the Oscars - I’ve never sang at the Grammys,” has released three albums, said some members of her team want her Menzel added, laughing. Menzel’s musical moment grew even to capitalize on her recent pop star fame: “I’d like to, but also, that’s stronger when “Let It Go” won best original song at Sunday’s the trap.” “Like, ‘I better get in there and oh, make an album now. I Academy Awards (the Oscar went to the songwriters and producers, have some success and attention,’” she recalled. Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez). The song has sold close The 42-year-old does plan to record more music, but right now to 1.5 million tracks and is a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. she’s focused on “If/Then,” the new Broadway musical she stars in. The “Frozen” album, a platinum success, is the soundtrack to spend She will play the role of Elizabeth, a women returning to New York the most time at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with five weeks and City to rebuild her life after a divorce, and she’s been rehearsing for counting; it recently beat the record set by the “Titantic” soundtrack, weeks at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where she has nicely decorat- which featured Celine Dion’s epic, Oscar-winning “My Heart Will Go ed room - or mini apartment - set up to help make her comfortable On.” since the show begins previews Wednesday and officially opens “I’ve had ups and downs ... and I’m aware of when something’s March 30.”We’re hoping the show runs,” Menzel says, knocking on happening and has an energy of its own,” said Menzel, who voices the coffee table for good luck. the lead character Elsa in the film, which won the best animated fea- ture Oscar. “I’m aware enough to know of something special and to Triple duty try and be in the moment.” Menzel is having more than a moment in A few days before the Oscars, Menzel was doing triple duty: She music though, thanks to Travolta, who uttered “Adele Dazeem” at the was readying her performance that would put her in front of 43 mil- Oscars instead the singer’s name. He has since apologized. But Slate Photo shows Tony Award winning actress, singer and lion faces; she was gearing up for the new musical; and the third - and magazine created the ultrapopular “Travoltified” tool, where you can songwriter, Idina Menzel, in New York. — AP leading - priority was motherhood. —AP SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

In this undated photo provided by Brian Patrick Flynn, the In this photo provided by courtesy of Burnham Design, interior designer Flynn designed this Mulholland Drive traditional floral wallpaper is contrasted with modern fur- house in the Hollywood Hills using a style of decorating niture and unexpected accessories like a bike helmet and referred to as ‘updated traditional’ which is known for a vintage Japanese poster for the movie ‘Sabrina,’ to cre- putting youthful, updated spins on classic floral patterns ate a fresh and edgy look designed by Betsy Burnham and Photo shows Industrial loft kitchen using floral wallpaper through a fresh use of color and clean, simple lines, in Los Max Humphrey of Burnham Design, in this residence in from Graham & Brown with modern scale and colors. Angeles. — AP photos Los Angeles. Ask a designer: Florals, updated, return to decor fter years of simple solids and geometric prints, the lowly traditional style. But Call and Burnham also think floral prints can look of furniture, Burnham says. Rather than choosing a floral sofa that’s flower is making a comeback in decor. Floral patterns have modern if they’re printed on a very small scale, especially if they’re rounded and tufted, use floral upholstery on a simple sofa with Abeen blooming all over fashion runways in recent months, used on smaller items like throw pillows. straight, clean lines. and they are slowly finding their way back into the world of home And rather than hanging floral draperies in a bedroom or choos- decorating, too. It wasn’t long ago that any mention of floral uphol- Which pattern? ing a floral bedspread, use solid colored fabrics in those locations and stery or wallpaper brought back memories of 1980s cabbage roses, Find a floral print that really appeals to you personally, Burnham then upholster the headboard in a bold, oversize floral. flowery Shabby Chic borders stenciled high on bedroom walls, and suggests. “Nothing corny, nothing ordinary,” she says. You want suburban homes designed to feel like precious cottages swathed in “something really special.” You might try “chinoiseries that include What colors? pink and green. But today’s new patterns aren’t your grandmother’s figures and florals,” Burnham says, “or flora and fauna... That’s a way A great pattern can look dated if you pick the wrong color palette, florals. And they can be a refreshing antidote to the minimalist pat- to do it if you’re kind of scared of just flowers.” says Flynn. “Florals with mustard yellow and burgundy palettes terns that have dominated home decorating in recent years. Another option is choosing a pattern that’s more “botanical” than instantly feel old and stuffy. To make them fresh and fun, look for “It’s what we’re all craving,” says New York-based designer Jon flower-filled. “Homeowners with aversions to super-girly florals fea- those with unexpected color palettes, such as black and violet or Call, founder of Mr Call Designs. “It’s romance, it’s a softness ... and it turing rosebuds or elaborate petals may find botanicals a better fit,” springy greens and punchy pinks. The pattern will keep its classic feels fresh again, because no one has defined it for our generation.” says Flynn. “While floral prints include shapes and silhouettes of actu- appeal, but with a youthful update.” While brands like Laura Ashley delineated the floral look of a genera- al flowers, botanicals rely more on stems and leaves.” Burnham says floral patterns done in just two colors (or in two tion ago, the new florals have no rules. Which makes them more fun - Call points out that designers like Vivienne Westwood have creat- shades of the same color) can look more modern than florals that and more challenging - to use successfully. Here, Call and two other ed digitized, pixilated floral prints that mix traditional and modern include several colors. And “if you go for something on a crisp white interior designers - Betsy Burnham of Los Angeles’ Burnham Design, style. But, he says, even the most classic chintz fabrics can look great background,” she says, it “might read more current than something and Brian Patrick Flynn, executive producer of HGTV.com’s Spring in a modern home if they’re handmade and high quality. on a tea-dye that’s more muted.” House series - offer advice on working with this fresh crop of floral Flynn encourages clients to mix floral patterns with other prints. Call’s thinks just about any color can work, though he prefers to patterns. “The floral cottage style of a decade ago was all florals and ribbons,” steer clear of pinks and purples. “It gets too sweet, too endearing,” he Flynn says. “Anytime I’m dealing with a home occupied by couples says. You have to “be careful with the sentimentality,” he says, or What size? arguing over masculine and feminine styles, I’m likely to mix botani- you’ll lose some of the modern edge. — AP “Scale is the most important factor in modernizing the look and cals or florals with classic masculine prints such as gingham, check or feel of florals,” says Flynn. He suggests avoiding flowers that are plaid.” That juxtaposition of “classic girly prints with iconic patterns depicted at their actual size. Instead, pick patterns where the flowers used for men’s spaces” creates a modern, gender-neutral room. are bigger - between 50 percent and 200 percent larger than life-size. Call agrees: He’s a fan of using vintage prints in “the largest scale Where to use it? you can find,” so that the print’s eye-popping size contrasts with its Floral patterns can work especially well on sleek, modern pieces Art with a punch: Liu Bolin, China?s merging from the acrid fumes at a steelworks, artist Liu Bolin in my work. “But I didn’t intend to focus on the consumption. Andy inspects the progress of his latest work-a giant iron fist, poised was maybe on the positive side, he was praising that society. I pay Eto punch a hole through modern China. Weighing more than more attention to food safety in China.” seven tones and 3.6 meters (12 feet) tall, the sculpture will go on The country is regularly hit by food scandals, including one that show in Paris later this month, as Chinese President Xi Jinping visits involved tainted baby milk formula that killed six children and sick- the country. “The inspiration for my ‘Iron Fist’ comes from my reflec- ened 300,000 others. “What I tried to express was my fears that, tions on the realities of China,” Liu told AFP. when I go to buy a drink, I don’t know if it’s safe,” Liu said. Eli Klein, a “People are under pressure from so many things-their living con- New York gallerist who has shown Liu’s creations for more than six ditions, the political situation, even the air around us.” Liu is best years, describes his work as creating “a beautiful aesthetic and mes- known globally for his “Invisible Man” photographs, in which he is sage”. meticulously made up and his clothes daubed in camouflage paint “It shows that the artistic level of expression permitted in China is so that he blends almost seamlessly into everyday backgrounds, much greater than one would think,” he said. Nonetheless Liu is an from supermarket shelves and magazine racks to bulldozers. He is at admirer of the works of Ai Weiwei, the dissident artist who was the forefront of China’s crowded contemporary art scene, and his detained for 81 days in 2011, later had tax evasion charges against use of consumerist subjects earned him comparisons with Warhol him dropped, and is currently denied a passport. “His works have and his Campbell soup cans. But he has a different take. immeasurable enlightenment and give guidance to Chinese peo- “China as a developing country will encounter a lot of problems, ple,” Liu said. “I think his works have a sharp reflection on society, which become the source of artists’ inspirations,” he said. “Many going straight to the most unspoken point.”—AFP ideas in my creations are from the issues.” A youthful-looking forty- Photo shows Chinese Artist Liu Bolin beside one piece of something with an athletic build, he went on: “I’ve been called his giant fist sculpture at a steel foundry in Tangshan, in China’s answer to Andy Warhol because of the commercial images China’s Hebei Province. — AFP SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Revelers of the Unidos da Tijuca samba school perform during the second night of carnival parade at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — AP/AFP photos

Carnival crown to samba champions honoring Senna, Bolt io on Wednesday elected the Unidos da Tijuca samba After the jury announced the result, having judged criteria school as its Carnival champions, a 40-strong jury crowning such as samba style, costumes and floats, some 10,000 supporters Ra program which paid homage to late Brazilian Formula of the champions gathered at their headquarters for an all-night One racer Ayrton Senna. The champions chose speed as their celebration party. Imperio da Tijuca were meanwhile relegated theme for their Monday parade, in which their 3,600-strong from the elite section after coming last. troupe honored the memory of national idol Senna, killed in a Although this year’s Carnival officially ended Tuesday night, crash at the San Marino Grand Prix 20 years ago. the top six schools will appear again in today’s Champions’ Unidos da Tijuca also paid tribute to Olympic sprint champion Parade. One of Rio’s oldest samba schools having been formed in Usain Bolt, featuring a runner dressed in Jamaican kit during a December 1931, Unidos da Tijuca represent several slums or fave- parade which wowed 72,000 spectators at a packed las in the western Tijuca area. Some four million people, including Sambadrome. The elite dance school, whose routine featured a 918,000 tourists, participated in this year’s Rio Carnival, the Formula One car and mini race track, just pipped nearest rivals world’s biggest street party, featuring some 500 street parades as Salgueiro by one tenth of a point to land their third title in the well as the two nights of elite parades. — AFP past five years. SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 What’s next for Oscar winners Blanchett, Nyong’o, McConaughey, Leto? s expected, Cate Blanchett and Matthew McConaughey took home Oscars in the lead acting categories on Sunday, while AJared Leto and Lupita Nyong’o were honored by the Academy for supporting roles. So when will we see them again? Nyong’o, who played tormented slave Patsey in Best Picture winner “12 Years a Slave,” is already back on the big screen with a small role as a flight attendant in Liam Neeson thriller “Non-Stop.” Her future appears to be bright, but is out of focus at the moment, since she isn’t officially attached to any other projects. At least those who still haven’t gotten around to seeing her subtle, raw and painful performance in Steve McQueen’s acclaimed drama will get a sec- ond shot when Fox Searchlight expands “12 Years” theatrical distri- bution this weekend. Leto, the rock star who returned to acting after a long hiatus to play a transgender HIV sufferer in “Dallas Buyers Club,” also hasn’t decided on another film project just yet. His band, 30 Seconds to Mars, announced on Tuesday that it would be embarking on a 25- city national tour with Linkin Park and AFI. The “Carnivores Tour” kicks off on Aug 8 in West Palm Beach, FL Blanchett, who won her second Oscar for playing an alcoholic socialite in the middle of a mental breakdown in Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine,” has plenty ahead, including her directorial debut. Starting June 13, audiences can hear her voice in DreamWork’s “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” in which she plays the long-lost mother of viking dragon rider Hiccup (Jay Barachel). The 44-year-old actress also has roles in two upcoming Terrence Malick (“Tree of Life”) films: “Knight of Cups,” and an untitled drama about two intersecting love triangles set against the music scene in Austin. Providing she doesn’t get cut, at least. Blanchett has played royal Elf Galadriel in Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth since “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” and she’ll be back for the final installment of the “Hobbit” trilogy, “There and Back Again,” which hits theaters on Dec. 17. Blanchett has a larger role in anoth- er potential blockbuster, “Cinderalla” - director Kenneth Branagh’s (From left) Best actor Matthew McConaughey, best actress Cate Blanchett, best supporting actress Lupita Nyong’o, and adaptation of the classic fairy tale about a servant girl who best supporting actor Jared Leto pose in the press during the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. — AFP enchants a prince with the help of a Fairy Godmother. Prepare for one of Blanchett’s cruelest performances yet, as she will play the star of the film, as well. although it’s not clear what role they all play, since plot details are Cinderalla’s spiteful stepmother, Lady Tremaine. Disney is releasing vague and the first teaser was ambiguous. the live-action film on March 13 in 2015. ‘McConaughey’ on top of his game In a continued effort to leave his days as a shirtless rom-com That’s not all for Blanchett, either. She leads the cast of David After starring in a stellar string of dramas, including “Killer Joe,” leading man behind, the 44-year-old movie star also decided to Mamet’s “Blackbird,” a thriller about a woman who travels to Los “Mud,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” and HBO’s “True Detective,” first time board Gus Van Sant’s suicide drama, “Sea of Trees.” McConaughey Angeles for the funeral of her Hollywood VXF artist grandfather, Oscar winner McConaughey is on the top of his game. will star opposite Ken Watanabe as an American who wanders into whose well-kept secrets put her life in danger. She’ll also star as the He’ll follow-up the best year of his career with Christopher the infamous “Suicide Forest” at the foothills of Mount Fuji with the title character in Todd Haynes’ romantic drama “Carol.” Last, but Nolan’s highly anticipated 2014 science fiction film, “Interstellar.” intention of taking his own life. When he is interrupted by a not least, Blanchett has also decided to make her directorial debut McConaughey leads a group of explorers making use of a newly Japanese man (Watanabe) who has had second thoughts about his with a psychological thriller called “The Dinner.”Oren Moverman discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space own suicide, both begin a journey of reflection and survival as they (“The Messenger”) is adapting Herman Koch’s bestselling 2009 nov- travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar try to find their way out of the forest. — Reuters el, which concerns the lengths some parents will go to protect their voyage. Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Topher Grace, Casey children. Blanchett has not yet decided if she’ll pull double duty as Affleck and Wes Bentley are among McConaughey’s co-stars,

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp arrive at the Texas Film Awards on Ward Shelley (top) and Alex Schweder (bottom), both professors, designers and artists, live in their art Thursday in Austin, Texas. The Austin Film Society honored Heard, who is installation piece titled, “In Orbit” on March 5, 2014 in the Williamsburg neighborhood of the Brooklyn from Austin, with the Rising Star Award. — AP Borough of New York City. Shelley and Schweder are in the midst of living in the hamster wheel-like envi- ronment for ten days; the wheel was designed complete with beds, desks, a kitchen and bathroom and chair for relaxing. — AFP SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Tucson, Ariz: 5 free things to see and do

The Mission San Xavier del Bac, about 12 miles from Tucson. The University of Arizona campus in Tucson. icknamed “Old Pueblo,” Tucson, Ariz, is a are Tucson’s best source for people-watching. city with many faces. It’s a college town. An independent bookstore, tattoo parlors and NIt’s an artist town. It’s even still a Wild vintage clothing shops are among the store- West town. Every February, southern Arizona’s fronts you can glimpse. Merchants put on a biggest city, located 115 miles (185 kilometers) street fair every March and December with arts below Phoenix, keeps schools open on and crafts booths and street performers. But President’s Day but closes them later in the there are smaller events happening almost week for the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade. every month. What started out as an Indian village became the Tucson Presidio in 1775 and was settled by Mission San Xavier Del Bac the Spanish. It became part of the U.S. in 1854 Drive 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of down- and was Arizona’s capital from 1867 to 1877. town Tucson and you’ll spot two white towers. Today, the warm climate, surrounding land- More than 300 years old, Mission San Xavier del scape and active downtown have made this Bac was founded in 1692 by Father Eusebio Kino desert city one giant sandbox, where freebies as part of “new Spain.” Today, it’s an active place abound if you want to go outside and play on a of worship in the community of Wa:k on the budget. Tohono O’odham reservation. Slow down when heading to the entrance to Hiking and biking take in the entire facade. Then go in and admire Tucson residents love to boast about - with the altar. The interior murals comprised of multi- good reason - the numerous recreation oppor- ple hues glazed over silver leaf have been tunities in their backyard. Nestled in the painstakingly restored over the years. Visitors Sonoran Desert near five mountain ranges, can also check out the church’s gift shop and Tucson doesn’t breed couch-surfers. Hard-core Fourth Avenue in Tucson’s downtown in Arizona. museum. Be sure to watch the 25-minute video cyclists, backpacking hikers or people out for a traversing El Presidio Park, the Old County Next door to the historic district lies Fourth on the history and renovation narrated by singer little fresh air are everywhere. Among the Courthouse and other nooks and crannies. Avenue, a quirkier drag filled with foot traffic and Tucson native Linda Ronstadt. favorite spots is Mount Lemmon, the uppermost Participants get water, safety lights and dis- from morning until late. Fourth Avenue’s three peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of counts at local restaurants for that evening. blocks of densely packed stores and restaurants University of Arizona the city. At 9,157 feet (2,791 meters), Mount Between highly ranked sports teams and sci- Lemmon is a popular ski destination in the win- entific research, the University of Arizona is at ter. Some say the temperature on the mountain the heart of a lot of what makes Tucson cool and can be as much as 20 degrees cooler (7 C) than cutting edge. Fortunately, campus tours are free. surrounding areas, a welcome respite during the There is plenty to enjoy on the grounds. The brutal summer. Another hiking draw is Sabino Center for Creative Photography, one of the few Canyon, also part of the Santa Catalina moun- UA museums that doesn’t charge admission, tain range. There are multiple trails and you can contains archives for photographers such as sit and listen to the creek babble at Sabino Dam. Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. A gallery on There’s a tram for people who don’t want to the first floor consistently rotates exhibits. Also, hike to the top but tickets range from $4-$8. If multiple public art installations can be found you are coming by car, there is a $5 parking fee. around the 380-acre (153-hectare) campus. If you’re into sports, you can see the men’s basket- Downtown Tucson ball national championship trophy and read up Get your feet planted in downtown with a on past Wildcat athletes at the Jim Click Hall of walk on historic Congress Street, where the Champions. crown jewel is Hotel Congress. Open since 1919, previous guests include notorious criminal John Sunset at gates pass Dillinger and his gang, whose stay there in 1934 A sunset while perched along Gates Pass in led to their capture. You can find a small exhibit the Tucson Mountains isn’t your average sun- of memorabilia from the Dillinger days inside. set. From central Tucson, head west on Across the street is a historic rail depot that Speedway Boulevard and continue on it after it Hotel Congress’ owners transformed into becomes Gates Pass Road. Be cautious maneu- Maynards Market + Kitchen. If your visit falls on a vering the narrow curves. The available over- Monday, be sure to sign up for Meet Me at looks tend to get crowded with others eager to Maynards, a weekly walk that started in April watch the sun go down. But, the breathtaking 2009. Participants can take a paper guide with a view of saguaro cactus and rugged formations suggested 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) route and a list in all directions epitomizes for many in Tucson of highlighted sites. Get a brisk workout while Pedestrians in Austin’s 2nd Street District during an event called White Linen Night. what true beauty is. — AP TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Apple sent billions offshore to avoid Australia tax: Report

SYDNEY: Apple shifted billions in untaxed profits from that the government was determined to recover tax that from global businesses was a “big ongoing problem and its Australian operations to Ireland over the past decade, companies have inappropriately avoided and that process”. a report said yesterday, as the government vowed to Canberra was pursing the issue through the G20. She urged governments to radically rethink interna- stop global companies from dodging their fair share of “Businesses operating around the world are not nec- tional tax arrangements to deal with it. The G20 meeting tax. An investigation by the Australian Financial Review essarily paying their fair share of tax where they’re earn- agreed to new measures to crack down on international obtained 10 years worth of financial accounts for Apple ing their profits,” he said, without naming any firm. tax evasion, including the automatic exchange of infor- Sales International-an arm of the organization it “Our view is, and that is a view that’s shared around mation between member nations. The Organization for described as the “secretive” Irish company at the heart of the world, businesses should pay their fair share of tax Economic Cooperation and Development is expected to the group’s global tax arrangements. where they earn profits.” Trade Minister Andrew Robb present a report looking at the increasingly digitalized The newspaper said the US tech giant moved an esti- added to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “In global environment to another G20 meeting in Cairns, in mated Aus$8.9 billion (US$8.1 billion) in untaxed profits most cases the companies are doing what is legal, but is northern Australia, in September. Apple and other multi- from Australia to a tax haven structure in Ireland, paying it fair? “Is it what they should do as companies that are national US companies have also been under fire in the just 0.7 percent of its turnover in tax. Last year, Apple benefiting greatly from the Australian commerce? US Congress, with lawmakers accusing them last year of declared pre-tax earnings in Australia of only Aus$88.5 “No they’re not, and we’ve got to look in a global using a web of foreign subsidiaries to dodge taxes. million after sending an estimated Aus$2 billion from its sense at how to tackle this problem, that’s why it’s on at Senators Carl Levin and John McCain held a hearing Australian sales to Ireland via Singapore, it reported. the G20.” Concerns are mounting that global companies, last May that examined offshore profit shifting and tax Apple in Australia declined to comment to AFP, but particularly those involved in the digital and Internet sec- avoidance by Apple through the use of three Irish sub- the company has previously said it has complied with the tors, can reduce their tax bills by shifting profits around sidiaries that claimed they were not tax residents any- law and done everything required by the tax office. There the world to areas where rates are lowest. Ahead of a where, saving tax on billions of non-US income. Apple is no suggestion it has done anything illegal. Finance meeting of G20 finance ministers in Sydney last month, chief Tim Cook told the hearing the issue was “complex” Minister Mathias Cormann said in response to the report IMF chief Christine Lagarde said accounting for revenues and often misunderstood.—AFP Pakistan’s gaming industry breaks culture barriers Smartphone revolution sweeps country LAHORE: It’s a city better known for its history and culture, but a new genera- tion of mobile game developers is bring- ing a slice of Silicon Valley to Pakistan’s Lahore. With open plan offices, mixed gender teams, gourmet catering and an emphasis on a fun atmosphere, the small but growing IT industry worth an estimated $2.8 billion is being led by TEMPLE CITY: A man walks past the reported home of young entrepreneurs like Babar Ahmed. “Satoshi Nakamoto” in Temple City, east of Los Angeles, Ahmed, 33, left a career as a circuit California. — AFP engineer in Austin, Texas to found Mindstorm Studios in the eastern Bitcoin doesn’t Pakistani city in 2006 with his brother Faraz. Today their studio employs 47 fall under currency people thanks to hits like 2010’s “Whacksy Taxi”, which shot to number category: Japan one on Apple’s AppStore in over 25 countries; “Mafia Farm” in 2012 and TOKYO: Bitcoin is not a currency but transactions involving it “Cricket Power”, the official game of the should be “subject to taxation”, Japan’s government said yes- 2011 World Cup. “The idea was to put terday, in a move that could pave the way for formal regula- Pakistan on the gaming world,” said In this picture taken on January 21, 2014, Pakistani game designers work at the tions on the troubled virtual unit. Ahmed, explaining he was tired of game studio “We R Play” in Islamabad. According to the government, some Tokyo also said that banks could not broker Bitcoin trans- “drawing room talk” among expatriates 24,000 people are now employed in software exports - though the figure also actions or open accounts holding the virtual unit, which in the US about how something should includes more traditional areas like financial software and healthcare.— AFP launched just five years ago, in an apparent bid to clamp be done for their homeland. software exports - though the figure everyone to take ownership of their down on the digital currency. But, as regulators around the Mindstorm is one of several games also includes more traditional areas like spaces and gave them (money) to get world grapple with how to handle Bitcoin, the Japanese state- development studios in Pakistan — financial software and healthcare. stuff for their tables.” ment did not specify if Tokyo would immediately begin crack- mainly based in Lahore but also in the “One of the advantages that Pakistan Workspace and play is also seen as ing down on it, or how it would do so, given the unit’s opaque capital Islamabad and Karachi — to brings is we do have a critical mass of key at CaramelTech, a Lahore studio nature. Bitcoin “does not fall under the category of a currency” have prospered with the spread of the smartphone. people with training and aptitude, an founded in 2011 by brothers Saad and as defined by Japanese law, the government statement said, interest in developing software and art Ammar Zaeem which is responsible for echoing the views of central banks in other countries. “After the iPhone was launched, the definition of what a game is changed and combining them,” adds Zahir, who coding global 2011 mega-hit Fruit Ninja And “generally speaking it is subject to taxation if it meets is also a part-time tech journalist. (which had over 500 million downloads) conditions laid out in income tax law, corporate tax law and overnight. The definition of what a gamer is changed overnight,” said on some platforms for an Australian stu- sales tax law, among others”, the statement added. Breaking boundaries dio. The office has a designated play If Bitcoin transactions were used for money laundering Ahmed. While traditional “hardcore” games-typically played on home con- At We R Play, an Islamabad-based room complete with pool table, table “that would constitute a crime”, it said, adding that “there are studio based in a converted warehouse football, and X-box. “Every day at 4pm no Japanese laws that clearly define Bitcoin”. sole systems or PCs-need multi-million dollar budgets and teams of dozens of on the outskirts of the city, rows of they’re forced to leave their work and go “As a matter of common sense, if there are transactions twentysomethings busy themselves on play upstairs. We want that culture and subsequent gains, it is natural... for the finance ministry to developers, games designed for smart- phones need far less start-up capital. their computers surrounded by colorful where people aren’t only working but consider how it can impose taxes,” Chief Cabinet Secretary posters, plush toys and action figures. also enjoy themselves,” Ammar said. Yoshihide Suga told reporters Friday. That has allowed countries in eastern Europe, Pakistan, and the Philippines to The company was founded in 2010 Also notable in the games studios is Asked whether Japan would become a global leader on by Mohsin Ali Afzal and Waqar Azim, near gender-parity, a striking fact in a regulating Bitcoin, Suga said: “We are now sorting things out become prime destinations for software outsourcing, said Jazib Zahir, chief oper- with a major emphasis placed on a mod- country where female participation in under the current law and mulling what the government can ern office space. “We were sure from the workforce has lagged behind for do.” Unlike traditional currencies backed by central banks, ations officer at Tintash, another Lahore- based studio that provided the back- when we started that we didn’t want decades. People are dressed in every- Bitcoinis generated by complex chains of interactions among office for “Fishing Frenzy”, another top- cubicles and I wouldn’t have a big thing from Western jeans and t-shirts to a huge network of computers around the planet. ten hit. office,” said Afzal, who returned from UC hijabs. Its relative anonymity and lack of regulation has been According to the government, some Berkeley in 2010. For some, convincing their family attacked by critics who fear it could be used to finance organ- 24,000 people are now employed in “We wanted to make sure we’re sit- they are working in a “real job” wasn’t ized crime or terrorism.—AFP ting with everyone. We encouraged easy. — AFP TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

HANNOVER: Two men work on a wall as preparations are under way for the CeBIT tech- HANNOVER: A technician works on a display at the booth of IBM as preparations are nology trade fair in Hanover. under way for the CeBIT technology trade fair yesterday in Hanover.—AFP photos Merkel, Cameron head to tech fair Online snooping casts shadow over CeBIT BERLIN: The German and British leaders will Merkel has since raised the need to bolster officially open the world’s biggest high-tech citizens’ data protection by building up fair tomorrow, amid global debate about European communication networks that data security following revelations of mass bypass US Internet giants. Sass pointed to the US and British online snooping. Chancellor exponential growth of global data, saying Angela Merkel joins fellow conservative that the equivalent of all data ever required Prime Minister David Cameron to inaugurate by humans through to the year 2003 is now the CeBIT in the northern German city of produced in 10 minutes worldwide. Against Hanover, 10 days after her high-profile this backdrop, CeBIT organisers would also London visit. explore the potential benefits of so-called Berlin and London have both been caught “big data” in fields such as medicine, traffic up in the surveillance scandal revealed by management and business. rogue US intelligence analyst Edward Britain-based analyst Thomas Reuner, of Snowden, but Russia’s brinkmanship over Ovum’s IT Services, said the sector’s grap- Ukraine may well be the main focus of their pling with serious issues such as data security bilateral talks. Britain is the partner country at showed it had matured into handling its this year’s CeBIT, which opens its doors for a responsibilities. five-day run on Monday and is focused on “To talk about complex IT issues is not the theme of “datability”, the ability to use sexy, it’s not marketing,” he said. “But it’s a vast amounts of data quickly and responsibly. reflection of an industry growing up.” High- About 3,400 international exhibitors will tech gadgets will also be much on display at set up shop in the hangar-like halls of the CeBIT, including “Charlie”, the first robot with sprawling IT fair, where futuristic robots and an actuated spine and feet that can “feel”, the fresh blood of 300 start-ups will mix with developed by the German Center for Artificial cutting-edge computer technology. “What Intelligence with Bremen University. we’ve learned through the disclosures by Mr And after the excited chatter about the 3- Snowden is that this topic of ‘datability’ is of D printer, the fair will present the new kid on course closely tied up with the issue of secu- the block-a pen that can draw 3-D objects in rity,” said Hartwig von Sass, spokesman for the air. Microsoft, Samsung Electronics and organizers Deutsche Messe. IBM are among the big hitters expected at “We want this issue of data security at the the CeBIT, where China, with 500 companies, CeBIT because we think that ‘big data’ usage will have the biggest presence among the 70 or ‘datability’ cannot be discussed without countries taking part. the security aspect,” he told reporters ahead Britain has tripled its presence for its year of the event. in the limelight. A British Embassy Around 500 companies will exhibit digital spokesman in Berlin said the move was “very security solutions, he said, noting an IT indus- much a demonstration of the strength of the try trend towards protecting data through UK economy at the moment and the IT sector the use of objects such as armbands or rings, is an important part of developing a modern, rather than passwords. After all, he stressed, flexible, competitive economy”. many German online users still don’t know The IT sector is worth £58 billion (70 bil- about securing their data with hard-to-crack lion euros, $97 billion) for the British econo- and complex passwords, with the most popu- my and employs 1.3 million people in Britain, lar choices still being “password” and he said. Even if CeBIT has raised exhibitor “123456”. numbers by five percent from 2013, the fair is a far cry from its glory days at the height of Political, social dimension the dot-com boom. It also comes on the At last year’s CeBIT opening, Merkel heels of the Consumer Electronics Show in showed off her ultra-secure new smartphone, Las Vegas and Mobile World Congress in only to learn months later that US intelli- Barcelona, but Sass said CeBIT’s forte was its gence had allegedly eavesdropped on her breadth. “At CeBIT it’s not just about the lat- mobile phone conversations, as well as est technology but also about a social and hoovering vast amounts of online data and political discussion on the relevant issues of HANNOVER: A man works on the fair grounds as preparations are under way for the telephone records from average citizens. digitalization,” he said. — AFP CeBIT technology trade fair yesterday in Hanover, central Germany. TV listings SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

08:40 Mythbusters 09:40 Food Factory 12:35 Dog With A Blog Takeaway 21:00 Helix 09:30 Manhunt 10:05 Tech Toys 360 13:00 A.N.T. Farm 11:30 The Hungry Sailors 22:00 Banshee 10:20 Survive That! 10:30 Test Case 13:25 Jessie 12:25 William And Kate: The First Year 23:00 The Americans 11:10 Yukon Men 10:55 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 13:45 Austin & Ally 13:20 Please Marry My Boy 12:00 Fast N’ Loud 11:25 Test Case 14:10 Good Luck Charlie 14:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 00:20 Doctors 12:50 Fast N’ Loud 11:50 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 14:35 Mako Mermaids 15:00 White Van Man 00:50 Casualty 13:40 Fast N’ Loud 12:20 Test Case 15:00 Phineas & Ferb: Across The 15:30 How To Find Love Online 01:40 Walk On The Wild Side 14:30 Fast N’ Loud 12:45 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger Second Dimension 16:25 Dancing On Ice 02:10 Afterlife 15:20 Fast N’ Loud 13:10 Test Case 16:10 Austin & Ally 18:10 Four Weddings UK 03:00 Last Man Standing 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 13:35 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 16:35 A.N.T. Farm 19:00 Paul O’grady: For The Love Of 03:50 Friday Night Dinner 17:00 Gold Rush 14:00 Test Case 17:00 Shake It Up Dogs 03:00 Nip/Tuck 04:15 The Weakest Link 17:50 Alaska Gold Diggers 14:25 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 17:20 Jessie 19:30 How To Find Love Online 04:00 Rescue Me 05:00 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 18:40 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 14:50 Bang Goes The Theory 17:45 Dog With A Blog 20:25 Please Marry My Boy 05:00 Good Morning America 05:20 Balamory 19:30 Manhunt 18:10 Gravity Falls 21:25 Four Weddings UK 07:00 The Bachelor 05:40 Nina And The Neurons 20:20 Survive That! 18:30 Prank Stars 22:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:55 Little Prairie Dogs 21:10 Yukon Men 18:55 Good Luck Charlie 23:15 Coronation Street 09:00 24 06:05 The Large Family 22:00 Dallas Car Sharks 19:20 Mako Mermaids 10:00 The Bachelor 06:15 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 22:25 Dallas Car Sharks 19:40 Jessie 12:00 Castle 06:35 Balamory 22:50 Dallas Car Sharks 20:05 Austin & Ally 13:00 24 06:55 Nina And The Neurons 03:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 23:15 Dallas Car Sharks 20:30 Good Luck Charlie 14:00 Fairly Legal 07:05 Little Prairie Dogs 03:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 23:40 Dallas Car Sharks 20:50 Dog With A Blog 15:00 C.S.I. New York 07:15 The Weakest Link 03:45 Sonny With A Chance 21:15 Gravity Falls 16:00 Live Good Morning America 08:00 Tough Guy Or Chicken? 04:05 Sonny With A Chance 21:40 Shake It Up 17:00 Castle 08:55 Little Britain 04:30 Suite Life On Deck 22:00 Austin & Ally 03:15 THS 18:00 Fairly Legal 09:25 Friday Night Dinner 04:50 Suite Life On Deck 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 04:10 E!ES 19:00 24 09:45 The Omid Djalili Show 05:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place 22:50 Good Luck Charlie 05:05 Extreme Close-Up 20:00 Castle 10:15 Extras 05:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 21:00 Fairly Legal 06:00 Austin & Ally 23:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 05:30 Extreme Close-Up 10:45 A Farmer’s Life For Me 06:00 THS 22:00 Rescue Me 00:40 Ten Ways 06:25 Dog With A Blog 23:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 11:35 The Vicar Of Dibley 07:50 Style Star 23:00 Nip/Tuck 01:30 Bang Goes The Theory 06:45 Suite Life On Deck 12:05 Tough Guy Or Chicken? 08:20 E! News 02:00 Food Factory 07:10 A.N.T. Farm 13:00 Casualty 09:15 Fashion Police 02:25 Tech Toys 360 07:35 That’s So Raven 13:50 Eastenders 10:15 THS 02:50 Eco-Tech 07:55 Shake It Up 14:20 Eastenders 11:10 THS 03:45 Building The Future 08:20 Good Luck Charlie 14:50 Eastenders 12:05 E! News 04:35 Thunder Races 08:45 Dog With A Blog 15:15 Eastenders 13:05 The Drama Queen 05:25 Through The Wormhole With 09:05 Mako Mermaids 15:45 The Vicar Of Dibley 14:05 The Drama Queen Morgan Freeman 09:30 Jessie 05:00 Coronation Street 16:15 The Vicar Of Dibley 15:00 Giuliana & Bill 00:00 21-PG15 06:15 Food Factory 09:55 Austin & Ally 07:05 How To Find Love Online 16:45 The Vicar Of Dibley 16:00 Giuliana & Bill 02:00 Java Heat-18 06:40 Tech Toys 360 10:15 A.N.T. Farm 08:00 Paul Ogrady: For The Love Of 17:15 A Farmer’s Life For Me 17:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 03:45 Snow White And The 07:05 Engineered 10:40 The Haunted Mansion Dogs 18:10 Tough Guy Or Chicken? 17:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On Huntsman-PG15 08:00 Storm Chasers 12:05 Prank Stars 08:25 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 19:00 Live At The Apollo 18:00 E! News 06:00 Skyfall-PG15 08:50 Alien Encounters 12:15 That’s So Raven 10:15 Ant And Decs Saturday Night 19:45 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 19:00 The E! True Hollywood Story 08:45 Mission: Impossible - Ghost 20:30 DCI Banks 20:00 Married To Jonas Protocol-PG15 21:20 Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle 20:30 Keeping Up With The 11:15 21-PG15 21:50 Pramface Kardashians 13:30 Lords Of Dogtown-PG15 22:20 The Vicar Of Dibley 21:30 Fashion Police 15:30 The Saint-PG15 22:50 Last Man Standing 22:30 E! News 17:30 Mission: Impossible - Ghost 23:40 Tough Guy Or Chicken? 23:30 Chelsea Lately Protocol-PG15 20:00 Breaking Point-18 22:00 The Saint-PG15

00:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 00:50 Extreme Makeover: Home 04:00 Seinfeld Edition 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 03:00 The Iron Lady-PG15 01:35 Come Dine With Me Jimmy Fallon 05:00 StreetDance 2-PG15 02:25 MasterChef 05:30 Seinfeld 07:00 Arbitrage-PG15 03:20 Cash In The Attic 06:00 Two And A Half Men 09:00 The Words-PG15 04:05 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 06:30 Friends 11:00 Hyde Park On Hudson-PG15 04:50 Extreme Makeover: Home 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 13:00 The Woman In The Fifth-PG15 Edition 08:00 Seinfeld 15:00 Arctic Blast-PG15 05:35 Bargain Hunt 08:30 Seinfeld 17:00 Resistance-PG15 06:20 Come Dine With Me: South 09:30 Wilfred 18:45 The Host-PG15 Africa 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 21:00 360-18 07:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 10:30 Friends 23:00 Lawless-18 08:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 08:50 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent Jimmy Fallon 09:40 Antiques Roadshow 12:00 The War At Home 10:30 The Roux Legacy 12:30 Seinfeld 11:05 The Roux Legacy 13:00 Seinfeld 11:40 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen 13:30 Friends Secrets 14:30 Wilfred 01:30 Suicide Shop-PG15 12:10 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen 15:00 Hot In Cleveland Secrets 03:00 Life Happens-PG15 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 05:00 Sparkle-PG15 12:40 The Hairy Bikers USA Stewart 13:05 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 07:00 Blue Lagoon: The Awakening- 16:00 The Colbert Report PG15 Notebook: London 16:30 The War At Home 13:30 Come Dine With Me: South 09:00 My Own Love Song-PG15 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 11:00 The Wild Girl-PG15 Africa 18:00 1600 Penn 14:25 Antiques Roadshow 13:00 New York Stories-PG15 18:30 1600 Penn 15:15 Kathmandu Lullaby-PG15 15:20 Cash In The Attic 19:00 Cougar Town 16:05 Cash In The Attic 17:00 The Perfect Man-PG 19:30 Two And A Half Men 18:45 Memoirs Of A Geisha-18 16:50 Cash In The Attic 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 17:35 Cash In The Attic 21:15 Margot At The Wedding-PG15 Jimmy Fallon 23:00 All The King’s Men-PG15 18:20 Cash In The Attic 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 19:05 Cash In The Attic Stewart 19:50 The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know 21:30 The Colbert Report Best 22:00 Saturday Night Live 20:40 Come Dine With Me: Supersized 23:00 Enlightened 22:15 Antiques Roadshow 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 23:05 Bargain Hunt 23:50 Cash In The Attic 03:00 Gnomeo & Juliet-PG 05:00 Bernie-PG15 07:00 Beastly-PG15 09:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 04:00 American Idol 10:45 Jack Reacher-PG15 05:00 Survivor: Brawn vs. Brain vs. 13:00 Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Beauty Wanted-PG 00:30 Fast N’ Loud 07:00 Parenthood 15:00 Like Crazy-PG15 01:20 Classic Car Rescue 08:00 Switched At Birth 17:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 02:10 Overhaulin’ 2013 09:00 Glee 19:00 Beautiful Creatures-PG15 03:00 You Have Been Warned 10:00 American Idol 21:00 Django Unchained-18 03:50 Border Security 11:00 Graceland 23:45 Resident Evil: Retribution-18 04:15 Auction Kings 12:00 Parenthood 04:40 Dallas Car Sharks 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:05 How Do They Do It? 14:00 Switched At Birth 05:30 How It’s Made 15:00 Warehouse 13 06:00 Sons Of Guns 16:00 Parenthood 17:00 American Idol 03:00 The Adventures Of Scooter The 07:00 The Big Brain Theory Penguin 07:50 Dynamo: Magician Impossible 19:00 Bones JAVA HEAT ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 20:00 Almost Human 04:30 Cinderella TV listings SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

06:00 Everyone’s Hero 20:30 Inside The PGA Tour 07:45 Wheelers 21:00 Live PGA Tour 09:15 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 11:00 Shrek The Third 12:45 Fly Away Home 03:00 Shipping Wars 14:30 Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven 03:30 Shipping Wars Seas 03:00 Futbol Mundial 04:00 American Pickers 16:00 Charlotte’s Web 03:30 PGA European Tour Weekly 05:00 Duck Dynasty 18:00 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island 04:00 WWE Bottom Line 05:30 Duck Dynasty 20:00 Dino Time 05:00 Live Bellator MMA 2014 06:00 Pawn Stars 22:00 Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven 07:00 Trans World Sport 06:30 Pawn Stars Seas 08:00 Futbol Mundial 07:00 Storage Wars 23:30 Charlotte’s Web 08:40 Live AFL Nab Challenge 07:30 Storage Wars 12:00 Trans World Sport 08:00 Duck Dynasty 13:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 08:30 Duck Dynasty 13:30 Live PGA European Tour 09:00 Pawn Stars 17:30 Live Dubai World Cup Carnival 09:30 Pawn Stars 04:00 The Odd Life Of Timothy Green- 21:00 Bellator MMA 2014 10:00 Pawn Stars PG 23:00 Trans World Sport 10:30 Pawn Stars 06:00 Three Investigators And The 11:00 Storage Wars Secret Of Terror...-PG 11:30 Storage Wars 08:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 12:00 Storage Wars 10:00 The Legend Of Sarila-PG 12:30 Storage Wars 11:45 Oz The Great And Powerful-PG 13:00 Pawn Stars 14:00 Interview With A Hitman-PG15 13:30 Pawn Stars 16:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 03:30 ICC Cricket 360 14:00 Pawn Stars 18:00 You Will Meet A Tall Dark 14:30 Pawn Stars Stranger-PG15 04:00 Australia v England T20I 05:00 Australia v England T20I 15:00 Shipping Wars 20:00 Small Apartments-18 15:30 Shipping Wars 22:00 The Sweeney-18 06:00 Australia v England T20I 07:00 ICC Cricket 360 16:00 Storage Wars Texas 07:30 Asia Cup Highlights 16:30 Storage Wars Texas 08:30 Asia Cup Highlights 17:00 Storage Wars Texas Goldblum on ‘Occupy 09:30 Asia Cup Highlights 17:30 Storage Wars Texas 18:00 Counting Cars 06:00 Trans World Sport 10:45 Live Asia Cup 19:00 ICC Cricket 360 18:30 Counting Cars 07:00 Super Rugby 19:00 The Legend Of Shelby The Jeff Goldblum’ and how 09:00 Total Rugby 19:30 ICC Under 19 World Cup 2014 Highlights Swamp Man 09:35 Live Super Rugby 19:30 The Legend Of Shelby The 11:40 Live Super Rugby 20:30 ICC Under 19 World Cup 2014 Highlights Swamp Man 13:30 Total Rugby 20:00 Shipping Wars to be like Goldblum 14:00 Live Super Rugby 21:30 ICC Under 19 World Cup 2014 Highlights 20:30 Shipping Wars 16:00 Super Rugby 21:00 Duck Dynasty 22:30 Asia Cup Highlights 18:00 Live Super Rugby 21:30 Duck Dynasty 23:30 ICC Cricket 360 20:00 Total Rugby 22:00 Storage Wars Texas eff Goldblum isn’t on Facebook, but variety of things and interesting things,” he knows what you crazy internet kids as he put it. And while Goldblum also Jwere up to last month. In another laughs of a 2010 article in The Guardian round of the endless internet war that called him the “Buddha of between pretension and ironic nihilism, Hollywood,” his philosophical outlook on Facebook users in mid-February launched life is similarly serene and curious. Occupy Jeff Goldblum, which entailed fill- “I’m a humble student of wise people,” ing their feeds with photos and videos of Goldblum said, more than once. Off the the cult favorite 60-year-old actor. It was, top of his head, he named recent collabo- as usual, a reaction to another movement, rators like Wes Anderson, the “Grand which had sought to drown out inane sta- Budapest” writer/director, whom tus updates with pictures of art. It was all Goldblum marveled, “enters what kind of in good fun, of course, and only got back looks to be a focused transcendental state to Goldblum - who co-stars in this week- of enjoyment” as he works on set. end’s “Grand Budapest Hotel” - because Goldblum also said he spent a lot of one enterprising fan sought him out at his time picking the brains of his co-stars on weekly jazz performance in Los Feliz, Calif. the film while they all shacked up in a hotel “Somebody told me. I’m not on in Gorlitz, Germany, even if he’s been very Facebook, I haven’t seen it, but I play this famous since at least 1986, when he trans- jazz gig at Rockwell and somebody came formed for David Cronenberg’s “The Fly.” “I up to me and said, ‘Hey let’s take a picture! like to ask, living with everybody as we did, I’m gonna post it and have my own and hanging around, without making a Occupy Jeff Goldblum picture!’” Goldblum pest of myself, I sort of like to inquire, how told The Wrap last week. “I know people did you get this good and how did you were kind of into it, what was it?” Once it learn and how do you do it?” What did you was explained, Goldblum, debonaire with do to prepare?” he explained. “I know what streaked grey hair, smiled. I developed and liked to do but I’m inter- “I’m sure it’ll come and go, just like ested in hearing from others about acting everything else.” Goldblum is similarly and about life in general. I’m a student of easygoing about most other things in life, how to live.” though he is hardly passive. Take his phi- When it comes to managing what has losophy on his recent achievement of cult been a 40-year career, Goldblum keeps it favorite status, which stems in part from simple. “Don’t fall for the sales aspect of appearances on “Tim & Eric” and success,” he warned. “Offer something “Portlandia,” and also the fact that a gen- and make yourself substantial so that you eration of kids who grew up loving can offer something of real substance, and “Jurassic Park” are now in charge of the live simply.” More generally, Goldblum internet. “I don’t know, I keep my head keeps it even more simple. “Make sure you down and focused,” he said, laughing leave more than you take,” the actor again. “Like my third grade teacher said, advised. “There are movies about that when taking a test, keep your eyes on your these days, I suppose this movie has own paper. I just try to wake up every day something to do with living in a principled and keep making stuff.” and noble way for something of con- science and civility and being willing to ‘Buddha of Hollywood’ die for it. Hopefully we never get tested That’s a big part of his personal mis- like that, but devoting your life to some- sion, constantly satisfying “a serious thing you believe is beautiful is pretty appetite for getting better and doing a good.” — Reuters ALL THE KINGʼS MEN ON OSN MOVIES FESTIVAL WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Sreeja performs classical dances

n Thursday, February 27, 2014, the Indian Senior The solo Bharatanatyam presentation by Sreeja School Salmiya auditorium witnessed a scintil- Krishnan began with “Thandava Ganapathy” followed Olating one and a half hours Bharatanatyam per- by ‘Shiva Panchakshari’ continuing to “Bho Shambho”. formance by Sreeja Krishnan of Sooryagayathri School The highlight of the performance was her portrayal of of Arts. The dance recital was followed by Bhajans by Ramayana through the famous Krithi “Bhavayami Kottayam Santhosh Kumar accompanied by Perunna Raghuramam” by Swati Thirunal lasting 42 minutes. Harikumar on Mridangam, Ragesh Ramakrishnan on Kalamandalam Sreeja Krishnan, a talented Indian classi- Ghatom, Raj Kartha on Jalra, Sajeev Kumar on tabla and cal dancer hailing from Trichur, Kerala is a diploma Utpal on harmonium and vocals. The evening was host- holder in dance from ‘Kerala Kalamandalam’ a Deemed ed to celebrate the holy day of Maha Shivarathri. university for Arts & Culture. She is daughter of V S. The performance was inaugurated by Rajan Daniel, Radhakrishnan and V K Bhargavi. She was a member of Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the India “Kalamandalam” troop for performing stage programs Community School and graced by the presence of Dr right after her ‘Arangetram’. She travelled all over India Nampoori, well-known Consultant Nephrologist and performing for ‘Kerala Kalamandalam’. She completed Transplant Physician at Ministry of Health. her dance diploma with the highest marks in dance. Kalamandalam Sreeja Krishnan was honored with the Performances by Gayathri Nair and Meghna Pramod title, “Natya Sree” by Vijay Karayil, (Honorary Secretary, added variety to the already rich performance. The Board of Trustees, The India Community School, organizers announced their next classical program on Chairman, Ad-hock Committee, Kerala Sangeetha 23rd May (Friday) 2014 6 pm at ICSK Salmiya scheduled Nataka Academy, Kuwait Chapter & Vice President of with Karnatic Classical Vocal Concert by Playback “Soorya,” Kuwait Chapter.) for her outstanding perform- Singer, Sindhu Ramesh and Bharathanatyam by Shubha ance. Rajesh (Mumbai).

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Fankaar Arts to perform for Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or Rajasthan Darpan Association celebrations by email: [email protected] ocal Hindi drama group will be performing a short play for Rajashtan Darpan Association today 8th March 2014 at the Indian LEmbassy Auditorium. In this photo, Director Arif Kazi and his team during the drama rehearsals. Fax: 24835619 / 20 WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Royal Beauty Group and House of Sillage debuts new travel spray in solid gold

ouse of Sillage, a leader in the world of Haute Parfumerie, yellow gold cylinder. The Limited Edition Gold Travel Spray holds will debut its very Limited Edition Private Collection luxury 7.5ml and comes with one of each of the brand’s six different fra- HTravel Perfume Spray this fall at curated fragrance and lux- grances along with the Certificate of authenticity, packaged in a ury lifestyle trade shows being held in New York, Barcelona and gorgeous Birdseye Maple lacquered gift box. Abu Dhabi. “Our exciting new one-off statement piece is truly the essence Inspired by a moment of sheer bliss during a hot tropical night of our passion for haute parfumerie created from the inside out,” on a remote island in the South Pacific, the emerald green gecko is said House of Sillage Founder Nicole Mather. “It’s an elegant addi- seen climbing a beautiful exotic flower. The first and only one of tion to the House of Sillage line and represents a synthesis of ten made to order House of Sillage Private Collection Travel Sprays artistry and craft, tradition and innovation.” features a glorious gecko adorned with stunning bezel-set center To see and experience House of Sillage’s exceptional fra- and round over 2 carat rare Colombian green emeralds climbing a grances, magnificent bottles and unique packaging, please visit leafy vine embellished with over 4 carat round brilliant-cut color- Harvey Nichols and Tanagra in Avenues Mall, Shuwaikh and less diamonds for a total of 665 gem stones, all hand-set on an 18K Tanagra in Salhiya Complex, Kuwait. Mrs Nicole Mather Safir Hotel & Residences - Fintas organizes friendly inter-departmental soccer match

afir Hotel & Residences Kuwait - Fintas recently organized a Beverage and Accounts Departments registered for the friendly medals along with the championship trophy, followed by the friendly interdepartmental football match, which was spear- match which was held at the end of last month. Front Office team in second place with silver medals, and the Sheaded by the Human Resource Department. This is one of The football tournament was concluded by an awards ceremo- Housekeeping team ranking third place with bronze medals. several sports competitions that were hosted by the hotel’s man- ny that included the General Manager - Saif Eddin Mohammed The associates began the ceremony by extending their sincere agement to promote sportsmanship, team building and cama- and department heads to celebrate the competitive spirit of the gratitude to hotel’s management for this wonderful sporting raderie between department as well as associates. Four strong game while also awarding the winning teams. The Food & event which will be followed by a volleyball match during this competitive teams from the Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage department won the first place and received the gold month . HEALTH SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

VIRGINIA: Sawyer Whitely, 10-yrs, and Michael Mendoza, 10-yrs, who are autistic, play VIRGINIA: Sawyer Whitely who is autistic, holds the controller as he plays selected games selected games on a Microsoft X-box Kinect (screen to rear) at Steuart W Weller on a Microsoft X-box Kinect (screen to rear). Elementary School in Ashburn. — AFP photos Video games offer hope for autistic children

ASHBURN: The game over, a beaming Sawyer first three years of a person’s life, now affects an Keenan, a teacher and trainer. have social interactions challenges and have dif- and Michael, both 10, cheer and give each other estimated one child in 88 in the United States. It “It’s much easier to build the skills when they ficult times sharing the same space, it gets them a high-five. It is a small but significant reaction impacts on a person’s ability to communicate are motivated to learn. We’ve found some pretty in the same space and it’s the very first step you that experts say shows how children with autism and interact with others. With the help of impressive results. “There are many tools but want them to achieve.” can benefit from playing some computer games. schools such as Skeen’s, autism is treatable, but there are few that hold that kind of motivational The Steuart W. Weller Ashburn Elementary children do not simply “outgrow” it. value that a tool like this does, so it’s much easi- ‘Encouraging results’ School in Virginia is one of the specialized cen- er then to build the skills because they are moti- Kinect could also be used to detect signs of ters in the United States testing Microsoft’s pop- ‘I love boats’ vated to take part in it.” Dan Stachelski heads autism. For example, researchers at University of ular Xbox game console, equipped with Side by side, Sawyer Whitely and Michael the Lakeside Center for Autism in Issaquah, Minnesota have installed it to spot signs of “Kinect.” With Kinect, launched by Microsoft in Mendoza bend and stoop, directing the action Washington state. hyperactivity, one of the signs of autism. The use 2010, kids can play videogames without con- on the screen-a boat careering down a rushing “Because they are so motivated by the game, of Kinect for children with the disorder is catch- trollers. Instead, they use their bodies to dictate river. As many children would be, they are capti- they are more likely to engage and follow ing on, said Andy Shih, of Autism Speaks, an the action on the screen, courtesy of a motion vated, and when they finish, they look exhilarat- through on instructions that they might provide autism science and advocacy organization, detector. ed. “It looks like you are in the game but you’re or they might create a situation where they adding that at about $150, Kinect is an afford- Kinect was not specifically designed for chil- not,” said a breathless Michael, adding innocent- actually do it on their own, which is what we able accessory that offers “encouraging results.” dren with autism, but experts say the device is ly: “I love boats.” Ashburn’s teachers have been really want to see the kids do,” he explained. He “Many families are exploring its potential,” he proving beneficial for some with the disability. working with Kinect for two years, and are hom- takes the example of “Happy Action Theater,” a said, stressing: “We have a neutral position. “We “The positive high-fives, the cheering for each ing in on the lack of communication that typical- game in which the avatar shoots at fireballs or advocate for more researches and more datas. other, that was something that wasn’t seen as ly characterizes autism. kick rocks. “The cool thing about that is that it Right now the information is very preliminary. often, and it became a regular thing for Sawyer,” “Communicating with each other, giving creates an environment on the screen and you “The population is so diverse: some kids are ver- Anne-Marie Skeen, a specialist teacher at the each other directions, giving compliments... I are actually projected yourself onto the screen bal, other kids are not; some children have intel- Virginia school, told AFP. “Now, whenever we can teach social skills and communication with into this environment, and the cool thing about lectual disability, other do not; some children praise him, he gives us high-fives because he board games and with other games but the stu- it is that the way that the kid moves and inter- have motor-skills challenges, others do not. “It’s knows that’s a good way to say, ‘good job.’” dents are so much more motivated to take part acts with this environment on the screen,” he very difficult for any one product to be the mira- Autism, a range of complex neurodevelop- in games like this, and with games like the said. “And multiple kids can play in the same cle cure, the magic bullet that will meet all the ment disorders that typically appear during the Kinect we get a lot more out of them,” said Lynn area at the same time, so for those kids that needs of all individuals.” — AFP US teens’ e-cigarette use associated with smoking

WASHINGTON: A study published on Thursday the University of California San Francisco’s lysts believe could eventually exceed the $80- 40,000 adolescents who completed the 2011 found an association between smoking and e- Center for Tobacco Control Research and billion tobacco market. and 2012 National Youth Tobacco Surveys car- cigarette use among adolescents but didn’t Education. It comes as the US Food and Drug The aim of the study was to further under- ried out by the Centers for Disease Control and answer a pressing public-health question on Administration prepares to gain regulatory con- stand the relationship between e-cigarette use, Prevention. whether e-cigarettes acted as a gateway to trol over e-cigarettes, which generated sales of conventional cigarette use and quitting among The authors said that since the study did not smoking. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the nearly $2 billion last year, and which some ana- US adolescents. It relied on data from some follow its subjects over time, they couldn’t study found that among those who have determine whether most youths began smoking smoked, adolescents who also used e-cigarettes conventional cigarettes before moving to e-cig- were less likely to have given up smoking than arettes, or vice versa. Adult smoking rates have those who did not use e-cigarettes. fallen to 18 percent from 43 percent in 1965. The authors of the study, Lauren Dutra and Even so, more than 3,200 young people a day Stanton Glantz, a prominent opponent of e-cig- under the age of 18 try their first cigarette, a arettes, concluded that the “use of e-cigarettes recent government report found, and the use of does not discourage, and may encourage, con- e-cigarettes by young people doubled between ventional cigarette use among US adolescents.” 2011 and 2012. E-cigarettes are battery-pow- Critics say the results do not support such a con- ered cartridges that look like cigarettes and con- clusion. Dr Michael Siegel, a professor of com- tain a nicotine liquid that, when heated, creates munity health sciences at Boston University an inhalable vapor. This vapor, advocates say, is School of Public Health who has spoken publicly less dangerous than traditional cigarette smoke in favor of e-cigarettes, said that while the study since it does not contain lung-damaging tar. draws a correlation between smoking and e-cig- Nicotine itself is considered relatively benign arette use, there was no evidence to prove e-cig- compared with cigarettes, but data on the long- arettes led to smoking. term safety of e-cigarettes, which contain a vari- “The authors seem to have an axe to grind,” ety of chemicals, is limited. That uncertainty has he said. “I could equally argue that what this led a number of cities, including New York, study shows is that people who are heavy smok- Chicago, Boston and, most recently, Los ers are attracted to e-cigarettes because they Angeles, to restrict the use of e-cigarettes in are looking to quit.” The study was funded by restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other public the National Cancer Institute and conducted by spaces.— Reuters

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (06/03/2014 TO 12/03/2014)

SHARQIA-1 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3:45 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 9:45 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 2:00 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) :00 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 12:15 AM POMPEII (DIG) 4:15 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 8:00 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 6:30 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 10:15 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 8:45 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 12:30 AM 360º- 3 REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 10:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED WER (DIG) 2:30 PM POMPEII (DIG) 12:45 AM WER (DIG) 4:45 PM MARINA-2 WER (DIG) 7:00 PM SHARQIA-2 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 12:30 PM WER (DIG) 9:15 PM WER (DIG) 11:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 12:30 PM PATRICK (DIG) 2:30 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 2:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 4:30 PM AL-KOUT.1 MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 4:30 PM POMPEII (DIG) 6:30 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 2:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 6:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 8:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 4:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 8:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 10:45 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 6:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 10:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 12:45 AM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 8:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 12:30 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 10:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 12:45 AM SHARQIA-3 MARINA-3 NO SUN+TUE+WED NON-STOP (DIG) 1:15 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 1:30 PM WER (DIG) 3:30 PM FRI AL-KOUT.2 NON-STOP (DIG) 5:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 1:00 PM POMPEII (DIG) 1:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 7:45 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 3:30 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 3:45 PM WER (DIG) 10:00 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 5:30 PM POMPEII (DIG) 5:45 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 12:05 AM NON-STOP (DIG) 7:30 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 8:00 PM Preferably from CHANGE OF NAME NON-STOP (DIG) 9:45 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 10:00 PM Orthodox/Jacobite family. REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 12:05 AM Interested may contact email MUHALAB-1 NON-STOP (DIG) 12:05 AM I, Vijaykumar B. Painginkar NO SUN+TUE+WED at [email protected]. 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 1:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED R/O Goa, India, holder of 2-3-2014 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 3:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 Passport No. F5608432 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 5:30 PM AVENUES-1 NON-STOP (DIG) 12:30 PM reverted to Islam, do hereby 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 7:45 PM POMPEII (DIG) 2:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 2:45 PM change my name to Yousef 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 9:45 PM POMPEII (DIG) 4:15 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 5:00 PM Vijaykumar Painginkar. (C LOST PATRICK (DIG) 6:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 7:15 PM 4657) MUHALAB-2 POMPEII (DIG) 8:45 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 9:30 PM 6-3-2014 MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 2:00 PM POMPEII (DIG) 11:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 11:45 PM Original document Policy MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 4:00 PM POMPEII (DIG) 1:15 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED 633001470/633001464/6330 WER (DIG) 6:00 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 02341/633000763/63300082 MATRIMONIAL REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 8:00 PM BAIRAQ-1 8 of Muhammad Afzal REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 10:00 PM AVENUES-2 MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 12:30 PM Mughal by the State Life MUHALAB-3 Seats-419 12:30 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 1:15 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 2:30 PM Marthomite parents invite Insurance Corporation of POMPEII (DIG-3D) 2:45 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3:45 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 4:30 PM marriage proposal for their Pakistan, Gulf Zone is report- 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 6:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 5:00 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 6:15 PM daughter 26 years, fair (MD ed to have been lost. Anyone 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 8:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 7:15 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 8:45 PM Radiology) studying in a finding the same or claiming 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 10:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 9:30 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 11:15 PM reputed Medical college in any interest in it should com- 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 12:30 AM India. Looking for a suitable municate with State Life NO SUN+TUE+WED NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-1 proposal from God fearing Office Kuwait Tel: 22452208. family of professionally quali- NON-STOP (DIG) 1:45 PM AVENUES-3 BAIRAQ-2 (C 4655) NON-STOP (DIG) 4:00 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 2:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 1:30 PM fied doctors/medical student 4-3-2014 PATRICK (DIG) 6:15 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 4:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 3:30 PM (preferably MD). Interested NON-STOP (DIG) 8:15 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 7:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 5:30 PM may contact at: Email: NON-STOP (DIG) 10:30 PM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 9:15 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 7:30 PM [email protected] FOR SALE NON-STOP (DIG) 12:45 AM REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 11:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 9:30 PM (C 4654) 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 11:30 PM 4-3-2014 Cooker Indesit gas 4 ring FANAR-2 AVENUES-4 with oven, Linen box, ironing 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 1:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 1:45 PM BAIRAQ-3 Christian Orthodox parents board, cloths hang rail with KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) 3:45 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 4:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 1:15 PM from Central Travancore, shelf, dining table and 4 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 5:45 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 6:15 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 3:30 PM residing at Tiruvalla invite chairs, sofa 3 seats, office NON-STOP (DIG) 5:45 PM KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) 8:15 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 8:30 PM proposals for their daughter desk, office chair, bookcase. KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) 8:00 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 10:15 PM NO THU 25 years, 5’7” (M.Tech Personal trainer CPS with NON-STOP (DIG) 10:00 PM Structural Engineering from 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 12:30 AM Special Show “300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG)” NON-STOP (DIG) 12:15 AM heart monitor, dock station NO SUN+TUE+WED 8:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED NIT Calicut) from well to do for iPod, printer HP photos- THU and settled boys having mart, safe. Tel: 94400865. FANAR-3 NON-STOP (DIG) 10:45 PM PLAZA M.Tech/B.Tech/CA/MBA. (C 4656) MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 1:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 1:00 AM 1983 (DIG) (Malayalam) 6:00 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 3:00 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 8:45 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 5:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 10:45 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 7:00 PM 360º- 1 112 WER (DIG) 9:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 12:30 PM LAILA WER (DIG) 11:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 2:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 6:15 PM WER (DIG) 1:00 AM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 5:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 8:15 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 7:15 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 10:30 PM NO THU AJIAL.1 Prayer timings FANAR-4 Special Show “300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D)” 1983 (DIG) (Malayalam) 6:45 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 1:30 PM 7:15 PM 1983 (DIG) (Malayalam) 9:45 PM Fajr: 04:56 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 4:00 PM THU Shorook 06:14 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 6:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 9:30 PM AJIAL.2 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 8:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 11:45 PM TOTAL SIYAPAA (DIG) (HINDI) 5:45 PM Duhr: 12:01 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 10:00 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED TOTAL SIYAPAA (DIG) (HINDI) 8:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE DIG-3D) 12:05 AM TOTAL SIYAPAA (DIG) (HINDI) 10:15 PM Asr: 15:19 NO SUN+TUE+WED 360º- 2 Maghrib: 17:47 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 2:15 PM AJIAL.3 MARINA-1 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 4:45 PM GULAB GANG (DIG) (HINDI) 6:30 PM Isha: 19:04 REASONABLE DOUBT (DIG) 1:30 PM 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 7:15 PM GULAB GANG (DIG) (HINDI) 9:30 PM information SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers use seats

Arrival Flights on Saturday 8/3/2014 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 135 Bahrain 18:00 KAC 541 Cairo 11:30 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 KAC 542 Cairo 18:05 IRM 1185 Shiraz 11:35 KLM 413 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:30 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:50 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 IZG 4167 Mashhad 18:35 IAW 158 Baghdad/Al Najaf 12:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 QTR 1080 Doha 18:40 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 QTR 1084 Doha 00:55 KAC 774 Riyadh 18:45 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:25 DLH 637 Dammam 01:10 FDB 063 Dubai 18:45 IZG 4162 Mashhad 12:35 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:30 KAC 502 Beirut 18:50 SYR 342 Damascus 13:30 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 KAC 618 Doha 19:00 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:35 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:10 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:15 TMA 223 Dubai/Beirut 13:45 THY 764 Istanbul 02:15 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 JZR 267 Beirut 02:30 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 MSR 580 Sohag 13:50 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 KAC 104 London 19:35 MRJ 4814 Mashhad 13:55 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 02:45 KAC 790 Madinah 19:45 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JAI 576 Kochi/Abu Dhabi 02:50 IRA 607 Mashhad 19:50 IRM 1189 Mashhad 14:05 PIA 239 Lahore 03:05 OMA 647 Muscat 19:55 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 KNE 474 Jeddah 20:00 FDB 058 Dubai 14:30 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 TBZ 5483 Mashhad 20:00 MSC 401 Alexandria 03:45 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 QTR 1079 Doha 14:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:10 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 FDB 067 Dubai 04:20 ABY 129 Sharjah 20:20 JZR 134 Bahrain 15:00 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 AXB 489 Kochi/Mangalore 20:35 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:20 JZR 503 Luxor 05:50 FDB 071 Dubai 21:05 KAC 789 Madinah 15:20 JZR 529 Asyut 06:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:30 KAC 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 06:25 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 617 Doha 15:30 BAW 157 London 06:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:35 IRC 6693 Mashhad 15:35 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:45 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KNE 480 Taif 21:45 IRM 1187 Tehran 16:30 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 FDB 059 Dubai 22:00 KNE 471 Jeddah 16:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 QTR 1074 Doha 22:00 KNE 463 Madinah 16:35 KAC 382 Delhi 07:55 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:05 KNE 481 Taif 16:45 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 JZR 189 Dubai 22:15 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50 KAC 344 Chennai 08:35 JZR 239 Amman 22:20 JZR 238 Amman 16:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 JZR 181 Dubai 22:25 KAC 785 Jeddah 17:00 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 JAV 622 Amman 17:15 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:45 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:35 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 614 Bahrain 23:00 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 JZR 188 Dubai 17:40 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 JZR 185 Dubai 23:20 JZR 180 Dubai 17:40 QTR 1070 Doha 09:55 UAE 858 Dubai 17:50 IRM 1186 Tehran 10:15 Departur Flights on Saturday 8/3/2014 JZR 538 Cairo 17:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 Airlines Flt Route Time RJA 641 Amman 17:55 IAW 157 Al Najaf/Baghdad 11:00 ABY 128 Sharjah 18:05 IZG 4161 Mashhad 11:05 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 KLM 413 Amsterdam 01:45 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 TMA 213 Beirut 12:10 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:10 JZR 266 Beirut 18:50 MRJ 4815 Mashhad 12:25 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 SYR 341 Damascus 12:30 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 FDB 064 Dubai 19:25 IRM 1188 Mashhad 12:40 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:20 IZG 4168 Mashhad 19:35 JZR 241 Amman 12:45 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 QTR 1081 Doha 19:40 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:00 KAC 613 Bahrain 20:00 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 MSR 579 Sohag 13:05 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 KAC 522 Al Najaf 13:45 QTR 1085 Doha 04:15 FDB 057 Dubai 13:50 PIA 240 Sialkot/Islamabad 04:35 TBZ 5484 Mashhad 20:45 QTR 1078 Doha 13:55 MSC 406 Sohag 04:45 KNE 475 Jeddah 20:45 KAC 672 Dubai 14:00 FDB 068 Dubai 05:00 IRA 604 Esfahan 20:50 JZR 778 Jeddah 14:10 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 OMA 648 Muscat 20:55 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 JAI 575 Abu Dhabi/Kochi 06:45 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:55 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 ABY 120 Sharjah 21:00 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:35 THY 765 Istanbul 07:05 KAC 361 Colombo 21:00 IRC 6692 Mashhad 14:40 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 KAC 562 Amman 14:50 JZR 240 Amman 07:20 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:10 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 KAC 351 Kochi 21:10 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 IRM 1184 Shiraz 15:15 KAC 543 Cairo 21:40 KNE 470 Jeddah 15:35 JZR 779 Jeddah 08:40 BAW 156 London 08:45 FDB 072 Dubai 21:45 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 JZR 534 Cairo 09:00 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 JZR 535 Cairo 15:50 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 JAV 621 Amman 15:55 KAC 537 Sohag/Sharm el-Sheikh 09:05 KAC 561 Amman 09:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:20 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:30 KAC 118 New York 16:35 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 KAC 671 Dubai 09:30 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:35 UAE 857 Dubai 16:40 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 FDB 060 Dubai 22:40 JZR 357 Mashhad 16:45 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:50 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:05 KAC 381 Delhi 22:50 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 KAC 521 Al Najaf 10:05 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 KAC 538 Sohag/Sharm el-Sheikh 17:05 FDB 056 Dubai 10:20 JZR 552 Alexandria 23:00 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 JZR 356 Mashhad 10:45 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:05 ABY 127 Sharjah 17:25 QTR 1071 Doha 10:55 QTR 1075 Doha 23:10 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KAC 501 Beirut 11:10 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:55

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Word Search DOWN 1. The sound like water splashing. CROSSWORD480 2. Molten rock in the earth's crust. 3. French romantic writer (1766-1817). 4. Evergreen Indian shrub with vivid yellow flowers whose bark is used in tanning. 5. Informal terms for a mother. 6. Harsh or corrosive in tone. 7. A unit of luminous flux equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle of 1 steradian by a point source of 1 candela intensity radiating uniformly in all directions. 8. The younger of two major political parties in the United States. 9. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (trademarks Aleve and Anaprox and Aflaxen). 10. South American herb with sticky glandular foliage. 11. The dialect of Malay used as the national language of the Republic of Indonesia or of Malaysia. 12. A translucent mineral consisting of hydrated silica of variable color. 13. Being three more than fifty. 14. A fine grained mineral having a soft soapy feel and consisting of hydrated mag- nesium silicate. 19. Stem of the rattan palm used for making canes and umbrella handles. 25. Small genus of perennial herbs having deadly poisonous tuberous roots. 27. An ugly evil-looking old woman. 30. One who works hard at boring tasks. 32. (Mexican) Ground beef and chili peppers or chili powder often with tomatoes and kidney beans. 33. Containing or involving or occurring in the form of ions. 34. With rapid movements. 36. A three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides. 38. Characteristic of false pride. 39. A state in northwestern North America. 42. An accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape. 43. An inhabitant of ancient Thebes. 46. Largest known toad species. 47. Roman statesman and philosopher who was and advisor to Nero (circa 4 BC - ACROSS 65 AD). 1. A syndrome that occurs in many women from 2 to 14 days before the onset of 50. Pronounce with a lowered velum. menstruation. 54. A state in southwestern Germany famous for its beer. 4. An alloy of mercury with another metal (usually silver) used by dentists to fill 57. (of words) Formed in imitation of a natural sound. cavities in teeth. 58. A short synopsis. 11. A discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder. 60. Suffering from or suggesting a liver disorder or gastric distress. 15. A broad flat muscle on either side of the back. 62. French revolutionary leader (born in Switzerland) who was a leader in over- 16. A tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cell. throwing the Girondists and was stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday 17. The capital of Western Samoa. (1743-1793). 18. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of the Old World. 66. Extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for 20. Urge or force (a person) to an action. his own use. 21. Precipitation of ice pellets when there are strong rising air currents. 67. (`cease' is a noun only in the phrase `without cease') End v 1. 22. Slanderous defamation. 68. Of or related to or derived from oats. 23. A Mid-Atlantic state. 70. A beautiful and graceful girl. 24. Being or containing or characterized by vowels. 72. Tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the gen- 26. (Jewish cookery) A loaf of white bread containing eggs and leavened with era Arundo and Phragmites. yeast. 75. Bulky grayish-brown eagle with a short wedge-shaped white tail. 28. The psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning. 76. A prominent rock or pile of rocks on a hill. 29. A woman hired to suckle a child of someone else. 31. Any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia. 35. A radioactive element of the actinide series. Yesterdayʼs Solution 37. Type genus of the Gavidae. 40. The act of hopping (jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)). 41. Money extracted as a penalty. 44. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light. 45. A city in northern Nigeria. 48. A religious belief of African origin involving witchcraft and sorcery. 49. Related by blood. 51. Relating to or characteristic of the Celts. 52. Large brownish-green New Zealand parrot. 53. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agriculture and patron of scribes and schools. 55. Pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance. 56. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables. 59. A river that rises in central Germany and flows north to join the Elbe River. 61. Before noon. 63. A tight-fitting headdress. 64. A room equipped with toilet facilities. 65. Small tropical American tree bearing edible plumlike fruit. 69. Any of several ornamental shrubs with shiny mostly evergreen leaves and clus- ters of small bell-shaped flowers. 71. Small free-swimming tunicates. 73. Chocolate cookie with white cream filling. 74. Someone who has retired from active working. 77. Any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse. 78. Capital city of the Apulia region on the Adriatic coast. 79. A staff surmounted by a crook or cross carried by bishops as a symbol of pas- Maze Chalenge toral office. 80. The compass point midway between east and southeast. 81. Of or relating to near the ear. 82. Not prepared or in a state of readiness. 83. A fractional monetary unit of Japan and Indonesia and Cambodia.

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

FLORIDA: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning (center) battles with Mike Weber #6 of the Buffalo Sabres as he’s held back by Alex Killorn #17 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on March 6, 2014. — AFP Sabres spoil Stamkos’ return

TAMPA: Jhonas Enroth made 43 saves to spoil the NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks the night on Niklas Kronwall’s goal midway through the each had two assists. Seguin scored twice in the return of Tampa Bay star Steven Stamkos before and did just that, scoring three goals in first period and Tomas Jurco’s score with 7:50 the first period, and completed his hat trick at and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Lightning 3-1 the first period. The Canadiens fought back, left in the second. Matt Duchene tied it at 1 12:53 of the third. His third three-goal game on Thursday night. Stamkos had been side- though, holding the Coyotes to one shot in the midway through the second period. Jean- this season tied Bill Guerin and Mike Modano lined since breaking his right shin Nov 11 at second period while setting up Alex Sebastien Giguere made 35 saves for the for the Stars record. Vancouver’s Zac Dalpe Boston, causing him to miss 45 games. The Galchenyuk’s goal on a two-man advantage. Avalanche, who have won four straight. scored at 18:15 of the second period. center received a partial standing ovation dur- Vrbata made it a two-goal lead in the third Jimmy Howard stopped 22 shots for the Red ing pregame introductions, when it was period and Shane Doan scored less than 2 min- Wings, who retired Nicklas Lidstrom’s No. 5 jer- OILERS 3, ISLANDERS 2, OT announced that he is the new team captain. utes later to put it out of reach, giving Phoenix sey before the game. Taylor Hall scored the overtime winner and Right wing Ryan Callahan, acquired its first winning streak since Jan. 16-18. It was the Edmonton Oilers rebounded from a listless Wednesday from the New York Rangers for for- the team’s first win over Montreal since Dec. 9, BLACKHAWKS 6, BLUE JACKETS 1 start to earn a come-from-behind victory over mer Tampa Bay captain Martin St. Louis, made 1998, in Arizona. Andrei Markov had a goal Andrew Shaw and Jonathan Toews had the New York Islanders. The Oilers got the win his Lightning debut. Tyler Myers, Marcus and an assist, and P.K. Subban had a pair of two goals apiece, and the Chicago Blackhawks after trailing 2-0 after the second period. Sam Foligno and Cody Hodgson scored for the assists for Montreal. beat the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brandon Gagner stole a puck in the neutral zone and Sabres. Enroth stopped a combined seven Bollig and Bryan Bickell also scored as Chicago went around defender Brian Strait before send- shots by Stamkos (three) and Callahan (four) BRUINS 3, CAPITALS 0 bounced back from a 4-2 home loss to ing it on net, where Hall was able to slip it past through two periods. Tuukka Rask got the first win of his career Colorado on Tuesday night. Corey Crawford Evgeni Nabokov 2:29 into overtime. Ryan against Washington, Gregory Campbell and made 22 saves for his 10th consecutive victory Smyth and Philip Larsen also scored for the KINGS 3, JETS 1 Loui Eriksson scored second-period goals and against Columbus. Ryan Johansen scored his Oilers, who have won two games in a row and Mike Richards scored the go-ahead goal on the Boston Bruins beat the Capitals 3-0. Rask’s 25th goal for the Blue Jackets, who had won are 7-2-2 in their past 11 games. Frans Nielsen a giveaway by the Winnipeg Jets to lift the Los sixth shutout of the season and 22nd of his three in a row. Sergei Bobrovsky made 14 and Anders Lee scored for the Islanders, who Angeles Kings to their sixth straight victory. career came just five days after the Capitals stops before he was pulled during the have lost 10 of their past 13 games. The Dustin Brown scored Los Angeles’ first goal beat him 4-2, also in Boston. But since then Blackhawks’ three-goal second period. Islanders have also lost 10 games this season in and Alec Martinez added a third-period power- Washington is 0-3 and Boston is 3-0. Rask was which they led heading into the third period. play goal. Jonathan Quick made 17 saves for 0-3-3 against the Capitals, but was rarely chal- BLUES 2, PREDATORS 1 the Kings (36-22-6). Olli Jokinen had his 15th lenged Thursday when his teammates’ tight Ian Cole had a goal and an assist to lead the SHARKS 5, PENGUINS 3 goal for Winnipeg (30-27-7) and Ondrej checking limited Washington’s opportunities. St. Louis Blues to their third straight win. Joe Thornton scored the tiebreaking goal Pavelec stopped 38 shots. Jets defenseman Capitals goalie Braden Holtby suffered his first Magnus Paajarvi had the other goal for the with 5:39 left in regulation to help the San Tobias Enstrom was at the boards by the Kings’ loss against the Bruins after winning the first Blues, who have won all four of their games Jose Sharks overcome a two-goal deficit to bench and made a pass across the ice that was four matchups of his career. Boston finished against Nashville this season. Ryan Miller beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. Justin Braun supposed to be for Jokinen, but Richards inter- the scoring on Brad Marchand’s empty-net stopped 20 shots to win his third game in as started the comeback with a goal late in the cepted it halfway, crossed the blue line and goal with 1:34 left. many starts since being acquired from the second and Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns then fired a shot by Pavelec at 16:15 of the sec- Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Nick Spaling scored scored tying goals earlier in the third for the ond period. AVALANCHE 3, RED WINGS 2, OT for the Predators, losers of six of seven. Sharks, who have 10 wins and one tie in their Andre Benoit scored off an assist from rook- last 11 home games against Pittsburgh. Burns COYOTES 5, CANADIENS 2 ie Nathan MacKinnon with 31.4 seconds left in STARS 6, CANUCKS 1 added an empty-net goal and Antti Niemi Radim Vrbata scored two goals and the overtime, lifting the Colorado Avalanche over Tyler Seguin had three goals and two made 19 saves for San Jose. Olli Maatta scored Phoenix Coyotes bounced back from a shaky the Detroit Red Wings. MacKinnon has a point assists to lead the Dallas Stars to a 6-1 victory two goals and Chris Kunitz also scored for the second period to beat Montreal, their first win in 13 straight games, breaking Wayne over the Vancouver Canucks. Jamie Benn, Alex Penguins, who last won at the Shark Tank on over the Canadiens since 1998. The Coyotes Gretzky’s record for an 18-year-old NHL player. Goligoski and Ryan Garbutt also scored for Oct. 22, 1997. Jeff Zatkoff made 42 saves in his wanted to jump on Montreal early after the Colorado’s P A Parenteau made it a 2-all game Dallas, which built a 5-0 lead. Kari Lehtonen first appearance since beating Los Angeles on Canadiens won a six-round shootout against 5:49 into the third period. Detroit took leads made 31 saves, and Benn and Rich Peverley Jan 30. — AP SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

FRENCH LEAGUE PREVIEW Runaway PSG looking to avoid complacency PARIS: Fresh from beating their biggest rivals last weekend, Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain are determined to avoid complacency when they travel to face Bastia today. Laurent Blanc’s league leaders eased to a 2-0 victory against Marseille in the Classique at the Parc des Princes in their last outing to move onto 64 points-a record tally at this stage of the season-and open up a gap of eight points to nearest rivals Monaco. Apparently too strong for their domestic opponents, the club from the capital could be forgiven for focusing all of their attention on the Champions League, in which they defend a 4-0 lead against Bayer Leverkusen going into the second leg of their last-16 tie next Wednesday. Nevertheless, coming into the trip to Corsica to face a Bastia side who are ninth in the table but have won just one of their last five Ligue 1 outings, Blanc has refused to admit that a second consecutive title is secure. “It’s not up to me to LONDON: Manchester City’s Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini (right) applauds after winning the League Cup final confirm or deny that. I think it’s better to be in our situation football match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium in London.— AFP than that of our pursuers,” said the 48-year-old. “There are still a lot of points to be taken. We have a good number of points, but we need more. It’s not over. “Some people will say that if there is too big a gap we will start to lose focus. Pellegrini key to Man There is no easy solution. But we have managed to distance ourselves from our rivals and we are not going to complain.” Blanc was sweating on the safe return of many of his play- City revenge mission ers from international duty this week, while Edinson Cavani was allowed to go back to his native Uruguay for personal reasons but was expected to be available for the game. LONDON: Sergio Aguero hailed Manuel and it proved the final straw for City’s the Emirates earlier this season. Boss Second-placed Monaco entertain relegation-threatened Pellegrini as the perfect manager to lead board, who sacked Mancini in the immedi- Roberto Martinez doesn’t expect Arsenal Sochaux as they bid to get back to winning ways following Manchester City’s trophy charge as his ate aftermath. Ben Watson’s last-gasp win- to suffer a hangover from that loss at their 2-0 loss at Saint-Etienne last time out. Claudio Ranieri’s side set their sights on FA Cup revenge ner against City was Wigan’s final fling as a Stoke, but he insists his side will go on the side are now hoping to secure the automatic Champions against Wigan. Pellegrini has made a big top-flight club and they were relegated offensive. League qualification that comes with finishing runners-up as impact at City since arriving from Malaga just days later. “The whole squad is ready. It’s a glam- soon as possible, but they can ill afford to underestimate last year and he celebrated his first silver- Now a Championship club hoping to orous tie and we want to give it our best Sochaux, who have won three and drawn two of their last six ware in English football last weekend sneak into the play-offs, Wigan are unlikely shot,” Martinez said. “We will have to be at matches to keep alive their chances of an unlikely great when Sunderland were beaten in the to pose a major threat to City’s ambitions our best. You have to find a way to be escape from the drop. League Cup final. That success at of returning to Wembley for the semi- effective against a team like Arsenal. “Some people think it will be easy against Sochaux, I think Wembley could be the first of many for finals. With the Premier League title also “Arsenal are always ready, they can per- the opposite. I have the feeling that this team is going to Pellegrini according to Aguero, who has still within reach, City could enjoy their form without looking at what happened in stay up,” said Ranieri, before adding that captain Eric Abidal been impressed with the way the Chilean greatest ever season and Argentina striker the previous game. “It’s going to be a real- will miss the game at the Stade Louis II having briefly been has brought calmness and composure to a ly good game of football. We just need to admitted to hospital at the start of the week after taking the club that struggled to avoid negative FA CUP PREVIEW be effective and have a real threat.” wrong flu medication. “Eric Abidal is not quite ready for headlines under previous boss Roberto Sunderland travel to Hull bidding to today. It’s the same for Aymen Abdennour, (but) Dimitar Mancini. Aguero added: “I’d love to win the treble secure an instant return to Wembley fol- Berbatov has improved physically and he will be able to “Every manager is different, and with and I think we can aim for that.” In the oth- lowing their League Cup final heartache. start.” Manuel what he does is he talks a lot to all er last-eight ties, most of the attention will Gus Poyet’s team led for the first 55 min- Lille, in third, face a stiff test at home to Montpellier, who of us and treats every player the same,” be focused on north London, where utes before surrendering to City’s superior have not lost in nine Ligue 1 games, while Saint-Etienne, Aguero said. “This is important. He says Arsenal host Everton looking to reach the firepower and midfielder Jack Colback is who are a point off the Champions League places, travel to things to motivate us and that’s good. I’m semi-finals for the first time since 2009. determined to ensure that isn’t his last Lorient later tomorrow. Lyon go to Bordeaux tomorrow pleased as the League Cup is the first tro- The Gunners’ Premier League title chal- taste of Wembley. “I’m definitely hungry phy for Manuel. “We’ve adapted quite lenge suffered a setback with a 1-0 defeat for more. That’s the funny thing, if we win night, but Marseille were not happy about playing host to quickly to his way of playing and I’m at Stoke last weekend, leaving the Cup as our next game, we will be back there in south-coast rivals Nice. The game is taking place just 48 pleased as he’s given us a lot of guidance.” their best hope of ending a nine-year tro- the semi-finals, so that’s what we have got hours after a clutch of OM players were in action for their Pellegrini’s next challenge is avenge one phy drought. to aim to do,” Colback said. With League countries in Wednesday’s card of international friendlies. of the most embarrassing defeats in the One giant-killers Sheffield United hosting Marseille are seeking revenge for a 5-4 defeat to Nice in the club’s history. Last year’s 1-0 FA Cup final Everton won’t fear Arsenal Championship strugglers Charlton there French Cup in January, but they will also have to do without defeat against Wigan was one of the com- But Everton have no reason to fear will be at least one club from outside the top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac due to suspension.—AFP petition’s all-time great Wembley upsets Arsene Wenger’s side after drawing 1-1 at Premier League in the semi-finals.— AFP Full-strength Bayern tune up for Arsenal

BERLIN: Runaway leaders Bayern Munich will Bayern are looking to extend their record Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, second ing the first crisis of his career after five straight be at virtually full strength for today’s unbeaten league run to 49 matches and to leg at home to Arsenal with the hosts leading 2- defeats as they look for a first victory in seven Bundesliga clash at VfL Wolfsburg as they tune claim their 11th consecutive victory. Fifth- 0 from the first-leg in London. Second-placed years at Hanover 96 today. “My coaching career up for next week’s Champions League clash placed Wolfsburg were hammered 6-2 at Borussia Dortmund head to Freiburg tomorrow has not been very long and this is the first time with Arsenal. Long-term knee-injury victim Hoffenheim last Sunday and Bayern’s director with a shortage of strikers. Poland’s Robert that I’m in such a situation,” said the 40-year-old Holger Badstuber is the only absentee as stars of sport Matthias Sammer expects a backlash at Lewandowski sat out Wednesday’s internation- ex-Liverpool defender. “Of course, I have spoken Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Thomas Mueller the Volkswagen Arena. “They suffered a setback al against Scotland with a knee strain and to many people to ask advice on what I could do. and Xherdan Shaqiri all return from recent Under-23 striker Marvin Ducksch is out for a “I want to develop myself and I wouldn’t be learn- knocks. Ribery, UEFA’s best player in Europe last GERMAN LEAGUE PREVIEW fortnight with an ankle injury. It leaves ing so fast if we weren’t in this situation.” Hyypia season, has not played for Bayern in more than Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp with only is hoping to have defensive midfielder Sven a month after an operation on his buttocks, but in Hoffenheim and they will try and show a reserve striker Julian Schieber fit, but Germany Bender back after a dead leg. Schalke 04 are look- made an appearance for France on Wednesday. reaction, so we must have a few answers to winger Marco Reus could be switched to play ing to bounce back from successive horror “I felt good, those few minutes against the that,” said Sammer. With a 20-point lead, up front. defeats when they host Hoffenheim. The Royal Netherlands were good to get some match Bayern could even wrap up the Bundesliga title Blues were drubbed 6-1 by Real Madrid in the practice back. I’m ready,” said Ribery after before the end of the month. Coach Pep Hyypia’s Leverkusen crisis Champions League, then crashed 5-1 at Bayern France enjoyed a 2-0 win over the Dutch. Guardiola will want a convincing win before Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia is endur- last Sunday in the Bundesliga.—AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

Spanish League Preview

Barca target top spot SPANISH LEAGUE TABLE ahead of City return MADRID: Spanish La Liga table ahead of this week- end’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): MADRID: Barcelona could be boosted by a return to the top of La Liga Despite holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg of their last 16 tie just three days before they host Manchester City in the Champions against City, Martino is expected to continue rotating his squad with Real Madrid 26 20 4 2 73 26 64 League with a win away to Valladolid today. The Catalans trail leaders the English side’s visit in mind as Pedro Rodriguez and Andres Iniesta Barcelona 26 20 3 3 74 21 63 Real Madrid by a point, but with Los Blancos not in action until tomor- could come into the side that started the 4-1 win over Almeria last Atletico 26 19 4 3 61 21 61 row evening when they host Levante, Barca can retake top spot for at weekend. Even if Barca do emerge victorious at the Jose Zorilla, Bilbao 26 15 5 6 49 30 50 least 24 hours. The Spanish champions have had another unsettling Madrid can retake top spot when Levante visit the Santiago Bernabeu Villarreal 26 13 5 8 47 31 44 week off the field as captain Carles Puyol announced he would be tomorrow. Sociedad 26 12 7 7 46 36 43 leaving the club at the end of the season. Los Blancos remain in the fight for titles on three fronts with just Marc Bartra is one of those who stands to benefit from Puyol’s over two months of the season remaining and captain Iker Casillas Sevilla 26 10 8 8 44 41 38 departure as the 23-year-old will move up the pecking order in central admits they are targeting a first treble in the club’s history come the Levante 26 9 9 8 26 31 36 defence. However, he insisted he will miss the guidance Puyol has giv- end of the campaign. “Right now we are in a privileged position. We Valencia 26 10 5 11 38 37 35 en him as he has come through the ranks at the Camp Nou. “He has are outright leaders in the league, in the final of the Cup and, baring a Espanyol 26 9 6 11 29 32 33 helped me a lot on the field. After every attack he gives me advice and disaster, we will be in the quarter-finals of the Champions League,” he Elche 26 7 8 11 23 37 32 after each match or training session too. He has been fundamental, not told the club’s website.Marcelo and Dani Carvajal are expected to Celta Vigo 26 8 6 12 32 37 30 just with me but the whole team,” he said. Bartra is expected to start retake their places at full-back after making a positive impression as Osasuna 26 8 5 13 24 39 29 today as Gerard Pique remains sidelined by a calf injury. substitutes in Real’s 2-2 draw away to local rivals Atletico Madrid last Granada 26 8 3 15 22 36 27 And Bartra is determined to make the most of any opportunity he is weekend. Otherwise, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti is likely to name an Getafe 26 7 6 13 23 40 27 handed by Barca boss Gerardo Martino. “I am very aware of where I unchanged side as his team don’t return to Champions League action Malaga 26 6 8 12 24 35 26 am, which is the first team at Barcelona where almost nobody is guar- until next week. That draw at the Vicente Calderon last weekend left Almeria 26 7 5 14 25 46 26 anteed to start. “This year I have lived through both situations of play- Atletico still three points adrift of Real in third place. Diego Simeone’s Valladolid 26 4 11 11 28 44 23 ing very little and then playing a lot of games in a row. “With the coach, men have the toughest test of the title contenders on paper this week- Vallecano 26 7 2 17 26 59 23 none of the 20 of us in the first team know whether we are going to end as they travel to Celta Vigo today. Los Rojiblancos will also have to start or be on the sidelines. He has managed things very well because do without top-scorer Diego Costa as he is suspended after picking up Real Betis 26 3 6 18 21 56 15 every week you think you have a chance to start.” his fifth booking of the season against Real last time out. — AFP

Italian League Preview Juve seeking revenge in first of Viola match-ups

MILAN: Juventus host Fiorentina for the first of Question mark over Balotelli three matches between the sides in the next Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman gave fortnight with revenge firmly on their minds as coach Rudi Garcia a scare in midweek when he the scudetto battle with Roma enters a crucial hobbled off the Netherlands’ friendly against phase. Juventus will host La Viola twice in five France with a suspected knee injury. However days, the sides’ first leg of a Europa League last- the Dutch international has been given the all 16 tie following tomorrow’s Serie A clash, clear and is set to start in Garcia’s preferred 4-3- Birmingham’s before travelling to Florence for the second leg 3 alongside Miralem Pjanic and Radja owner Carson on March 20. Antonio Conte’s champions hold Nainggolan. Roma, however, will be without Yeung an 11-point lead on Roma, who have a game in Daniele De Rossi for the first of a three-match hand, and boast the league’s best strike force in suspension handed down for punching Mauro Carlos Tevez (15 goals) and Fernando Llorente Icardi in a hotly-contested encounter with Inter (11), who have scored 26 times between them. last week. Despite the favorable statistics, Llorente said Inter claimed a share of the spoils after their the Bianconeri will be looking to their only 1-1 draw and with Parma only one point off the defeat this season so far-a 4-2 reverse to pace in sixth with a game in hand, Walter Birmingham club owner Fiorentina in October-as inspiration in the first Mazzarri’s men would welcome three points at of their trilogy of fixtures. “We’re looking for home against Torino. Defenders Walter Samuel Yeung jailed for 6 years revenge,” said Llorente. “Fiorentina are the only and Juan Jesus are both serving suspensions side that have beaten us this season so we have meaning Hugo Campagnaro and Andrea HONG KONG: Hong Kong businessman Carson deterrence to discourage those who are in a posi- to show that what happened there was a flash Ranocchia step in. Mazzarri is set to stick with Yeung was sentenced to six years in jail yesterday tion to exploit the system for their own gains in the pan.” Juventus have been unbeaten since the front pairing of Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio for money laundering in a high-profile case that through money laundering and to send the mes- then but will be without midfielder Andrea Pirlo which has added punch to his attack of late. law enforcement officials hailed as an important sage that...the law will come down on them with due to suspension although Conte can count City rivals Milan welcome Udinese looking to victory to combat money laundering in the global full force.” Yeung, dressed in a dark suit, appeared on a central midfield boasting Paul Pogba, make up for last week’s 2-0 reverse to Juve and financial hub. Yeung, 54, who was found guilty by relaxed and waved before being taken away. His Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. with doubts hanging over striker Mario a Hong Kong court on five counts of money-laun- defense lawyers declined to comment on Vidal suffered a scare in midweek when he Balotelli for the second league fixture in a row. dering some HK$721 million ($93 million) over whether he would appeal. came off early with a muscle problem while Balotelli is recovering from a shoulder injury several years, is a flamboyant self-made million- Police investigators, who described the case as playing for Chile against Germany, but he is suffered in the 1-1 draw with Champions aire and owner of British football club a difficult one involving analysis of financial records expected to start. Juve’s bid for a third consecu- League last-16 opponents Atletico Madrid two Birmingham City. from as far back as 2001, welcomed the sentence tive scudetto, meanwhile, has been given a weeks ago. Balotelli on Thursday trained apart In the detailed exposition of hundreds of sus- even though it was less than the maximum 14 small boost by Napoli’s virtual abdication from from the rest of his teammates, prompting picious transactions made by Yeung and multiple years possible for such crimes. “We overcame a lot the title race. Napoli host Roma in tomorrow’s suggestions he could feature tomorrow in a parties, the trial cast a rare spotlight on some of of hurdles to get this result,” said Gloria Yu, a police late game but coach Rafael Benitez said their match Milan will be looking to win if their bid the murky channels and methods used by under- investigator, to reporters outside the courthouse. challenge is virtually over: “I’m not going to lie, for a Europa League place is to succeed. Coach ground banks and money launderers in moving “We are happy...and encouraged because fighting it’s gone.” During a round table interview with Clarence Seedorf is expected to call Japanese illicit capital between China, Hong Kong and the money laundering is a very arduous task.” Yeung, a the Corriere del Mezzogiorno newspaper, the international Keisuke Honda back into his start- gambling hub of Macau. “Maintaining the integri- former hair stylist to Hong Kong’s rich and famous, Spaniard added: “We have to keep going and ing line-up alongside fellow forwards Kaka and ty of the banking system is of paramount impor- who pleaded not guilty, had told the court he look to secure second place. Beating Roma is Adel Taarabt, with either Balotelli or Giampaolo tance if Hong Kong is to remain an international amassed his wealth through his hair salons, share crucial.” Pazzini in the lone striker’s role. — AFP finance center,” said District Court Judge Douglas trading, property purchases, gambling in Macau Yau. “The sentence must include an element of and other investments.—Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Chelsea out to steal march on dormant rivals

LONDON: With none of their Premier Tim Sherwood’s side bounced back was for Alex Ferguson’s final game as League title rivals in action this week- from a defeat at Norwich City by win- manager-a madcap 5-5 draw on the Matches on TV end, leaders Chelsea can open up a sev- ning 1-0 at home to Cardiff City last final day of last season-but while that (Local Timings) en-point lead at the summit by beating Sunday and could close to within a sunny May day now seems a distant Tottenham Hotspur today. Arsenal’s point of the top four if they prevail at memory amid the club’s current strug- ENGLAND FA CUP defeat at Stoke City last weekend, cou- Stamford Bridge. It is 23 years since a gles, record signing Juan Mata says that pled with Manchester City’s involve- Spurs team won at Chelsea, but there is plenty still to play for. “A thrilling Arsenal v Everton 15:45 ment in the League Cup final, saw Sherwood believes that his side’s status month is starting with five Premier beIN SPORTS 4 Chelsea move four points clear and vic- as underdogs could work in their favor. League games against important rivals beIN SPORTS 4 HD tory over Spurs would further galvanize “Games against Chelsea at the Bridge, such as Liverpool and Manchester City,” their position. Arsenal and City both Arsenal at the Emirates and Liverpool at the Spanish midfielder wrote on his per- have commitments in the FA Cup, while Anfield, perhaps the pressure’s off us a sonal blog this week. “We do know it is a ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool, who stole into second place little bit and we can cause a surprise,” crucial month to climb up positions on West Brom v Man United 15:45 last weekend, do not have a fixture. said the Spurs manager. “We’re looking the league table and we are going to While City will have three games in to mess up as many other people’s sea- give our best to try and win every single beIN SPORTS 1 hand by the time the weekend is out, sons as we can, and enhance ours at the match.” Today’s truncated program also beIN SPORTS 1 HD Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle says same time.” features a potentially pivotal game at Crystal v Southampton 18:00 that he and his team-mates are increas- the foot of the table, with second-bot- beIN SPORTS 1 ingly sure of their title credentials. “We United’s Hawthorns return tom Cardiff hosting bottom club have to believe it. I think everyone Another team looking to capitalize Fulham. The two teams are in danger of beIN SPORTS 1 HD believes it now. We have worked hard on the inactivity of teams above them being cut adrift, having played at least a Chelsea v Tottenham 20:30 for this,” said the Germany international, are Manchester United, who could draw game more than the three teams imme- beIN SPORTS 1 who scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s level on points with sixth-place Everton diately above them-Sunderland, West 3-1 success at Fulham. “We have to keep if they win at West Bromwich Albion. Brom and Crystal Palace-and defeat for beIN SPORTS 1 HD going, keep winning like we did at David Moyes’s side have not played either side could have costly conse- Fulham, then we will see at the end.” since slumping to a 2-0 loss at quences. Elsewhere, Norwich host ITALIAN LEAGUE Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are unbeaten Olympiakos in the first leg of their Stoke, while Southampton and their Udinese v AC Milan 20:00 in 13 league matches, winning 10 and Champions League last 16 tie on four England internationals-Adam drawing three, but in Tottenham they February 25 and begin the weekend 12 Lallana, Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert beIN SPORTS 3 face a team with designs on a points below the top four. and mid-week debutant Luke Shaw-visit beIN SPORTS 3 HD Champions League place. United’s last trip to The Hawthorns fifth-bottom Palace.— AFP Calcio Catania v Cagliari 22:45 beIN SPORTS 3 beIN SPORTS 3 HD United aim to rebuild SPANISH LEAGUE Real Valladolid v Barcelona 18:00 after latest setback beIN SPORTS 2 BIRMINGHAM: Manchester United head to West Bromwich by stringing a sequence of wins together to reach the safety of beIN SPORTS 2 HD Albion today at the start of a period that will determine if their mid-table. Albion have not played in two weeks and have held Real Betis v Getafe 20:00 disastrous season spirals completely out of control. As well as talks following a difference of opinion with new head coach beIN SPORTS 6 being knocked out of the League Cup semi-finals on penalties, Pepe Mel, who is still without a victory at The Hawthorns. David Moyes’ side have lost six games since the turn of the “I think the recent performances have been good for the beIN SPORTS 6 HD year. The latest indignity came when Greek side Olympiakos most part but they haven’t been good enough to see us get- Celta v Atletico de Madrid 22:00 swept to a 2-0 win over United in the first leg of the ting three points,” Olsson said. “We need to perform over 90 beIN SPORTS 2 Champions League last 16 on February 25. United have been minutes. There are a lot of games where we have played well inactive since then, but they face a busy period over the next for one half or for 60 minutes but have switched off a little bit beIN SPORTS 2 HD weeks and there is little margin for error for the beleaguered in other spells and got punished. “In the Premier League, you Granada v Villarreal 0:00 Premier League champions. can’t do that but there are a lot of teams down there with us beIN SPORTS 4 After today’s game at The Hawthorns they host Liverpool in also having tough seasons. “For example, it is only recently the Premier League before the return leg against Olympiakos, that West Ham have started to pick up. “Experience is going to beIN SPORTS 4 HD while a derby against Manchester City looms towards the end count for a lot. What we have in this squad is a lot of Premier of March. With wins in those fixtures, the complexion of the League experience-and a lot of experience of being in a situa- GERMAN LEAGUE entire campaign could change, but Moyes would face signifi- tion like this.”— AFP Hamburger v E Frankfurt 17:30 cant pressure if his team’s erratic form continued in such key contests. Moyes’ side, who are 12 points off the Champions English Premier League table Dubai Sports League places with 11 games left going into the weekend, Wolfsburg v Bayern Munich 17:30 have been relatively strong on their travels, with 24 of their Dubai Sports total of 45 points coming away from home. LONDON: English Premier League table ahead of the But the Baggies shocked Moyes’ men with a 2-1 win at Old Schalke 04 v Hoffenheim 17:30 weekend’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, Trafford in September and the United manager will hope that goals against, points): Dubai Sports his injury situation has cleared up a little over the break after Hannover 96 v Bayer 04 17:30 the defeat in Athens. Utility man Phil Jones has been absent Chelsea 28 19 6 3 52 22 63 Dubai Sports with a hip problem, while centre-back Jonny Evans has been Liverpool 28 18 5 5 73 35 59 out with a calf injury. United’s Mexican striker Javier Arsenal 28 18 5 5 52 28 59 Borussia M v Augsburg 17:30 Hernandez is doubtful with a knee problem he sustained in Man City 26 18 3 5 69 27 57 Dubai Sports his country’s goalless draw with Nigeria in midweek. Tottenham 28 16 5 7 37 33 53 Stuttgart v E Braunschweig 17:30 Hernandez, who has started just four Premier League matches Everton 27 13 9 5 38 27 48 this season, is set for tests on the injury and is likely to be Dubai Sports Man Utd 27 13 6 8 43 31 45 absent. Portugal winger Nani has not played since December Newcastle 28 13 4 11 37 39 43 Nuremberg v Werder Bremen 20:30 7 due to a hamstring problem but Spaniard Juan Mata returns Southampton 28 10 9 9 38 35 39 Dubai Sports to contention after being cup-tied for the game at West Ham 28 8 7 13 31 35 31 Olympiakos. Former Chelsea midfielder Mata has been Aston Villa 28 8 7 13 31 38 31 FRENCH LEAGUE pleased with the way he has settled in during his first weeks Hull 28 8 6 14 30 35 30 after arriving in January. Stoke 28 7 9 12 28 42 30 Bastia v Paris Saint-Germain 18:30 Swansea 28 7 8 13 37 41 29 beIN SPORTS 5 Baggies confident of safety Norwich 28 7 7 14 21 43 28 “I feel really happy. Life in Manchester is good,” Mata said. “I beIN SPORTS 5 HD Crystal Palace 27 8 3 16 19 37 27 have already found a house, I have a new home and I am try- West Brom 27 4 13 10 31 39 25 Monaco v Sochaux 22:00 ing to know different places around the city. “It is a really nice Sunderland 26 6 6 14 26 42 24 beIN SPORTS 5 city to live in. It is quiet, relaxing and you can be focused on Cardiff 28 5 7 16 19 4922 beIN SPORTS 5 HD what is important-playing football.” West Brom defender Fulham 28 6 3 19 28 62 21 Jonas Olsson has urged his side to follow West Ham’s example SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 Barking Aussies panned for boorish behavior

SYDNEY: Australians have acclaimed like to see their side play tough cricket Sutherland said in a radio interview. Steyn during the tense finish to the their cricket team’s epic series win but social media in Australia yesterday “Some people might not see the series-ending Test. Clarke had already over South Africa, but not the manner had strong feedback from fans want- humor in that but I did.” been the subject of a lecture from the in which they achieved it. Michael ing their side to behave better. “The David Sygall, writing in Fairfax match umpires, who were unhappy Clarke’s team Wednesday clinched a sight of Michael Clarke angrily con- Media, said: “The Australian psyche is with how regularly the Australians 2-1 series win over the world’s num- fronting umpires and Australian fields- characterized by uncompromising were letting the ball hit the pitch ber one-ranked Test side just months men barking like dogs at batsmen left toughness, determination and dignity. when throwing in, a scuffing tactic after thrashing England 5-0 in their a lot of people cold and alienated “Those traits must no longer be con- which generally aids reverse swing. home Ashes series. But just as from the team and its success.” fused with boorish and bullying The Australia captain conceded that Australia dominated the South Some Australian cricketers were behavior. “After another significant he had been at fault in the showdown Africans with their aggressive brand of pictured howling following the dis- win by our national cricket team, too with Steyn that immediately followed cricket under coach Darren Lehmann, missal of South African batsman Faf many people are only half-celebrat- the wicket of Vernon Philander being the team was rebuked by sections of du Plessis, in reaction to Du Plessis’s ing. Too many people feel the team overturned. “If anybody was out of the media on Friday over their on-field comments likening them to “a pack of has not spoken for them. “Judging by line it was me and I apologize to the behavior during the final Cape Town dogs” in the field. Cricket Australia commentary on websites and blogs opposition player (Steyn) I was out of Test. chief executive James Sutherland said across the country, a chunk of people line to, a player who I have the utmost “Darren Lehmann has guided the the barking dogs incident might have too large to ignore feels disappointed respect for, who tries to kill me every Australian cricket side to the top of been childish, but he saw it as funny. by the team’s behaviour. Many feel time I bat, who batted exceptionally the world. His next challenge is to “That’s just typical childish cricketers, unrepresented by Clarke’s men.” well, and I was out of line,” he said. control it,” News Ltd cricket columnist but he (Du Plessis) asked for that with Clarke apologized for being “out of “Let’s just say he got me at a bad Robert Craddock said. “Australian fans his comments a few days earlier,” line” in a spat with South African Dale time.”— AFP OSN clinches UAE Cricket teams title sponsor rights

DUBAI: Reinforcing its commitment to nurture crick- eting talent in the Middle East and North Africa, OSN has inked a milestone deal with the Emirates Cricket Board, making the region’s leading pay-TV broad- caster the first corporate sponsor of the UAE National Cricket Teams. As team sponsor, the OSN Logo will appear on all match and training gear of the UAE Men’s National Cricket Team, for all home and away series in all formats including the highly anticipated ICC World Twenty20 2014, to be held in Bangladesh from March 16. As part of the deal, OSN will also support and is the official team sponsor for the UAE Women’s National Cricket Team, UAE Under 19 Men’s Cricket Team and the UAE Under 16 Men’s Cricket Team. David Butorac, Chief Executive Officer, OSN, said: “OSN is committed to establishing its position as the region’s home of cricket and our support of the UAE National Cricket Teams demonstrates our efforts to truly encourage regional cricketing talent on an international scale. Over the last few months OSN has extended its support to a number of local and regional cricketing initiatives, and we will con- tinue to invest in young talent, at the same time bringing viewers premium cricketing action from Sangakkara and Afridi set S Africa, Australia around the world. “We would like to thank the to light up Asia Cup final Emirates Cricket Board for their continued support, set for world T20 and wish the UAE National Cricket Team the very DHAKA: Rampaging Shahid Afridi and prolific Kumar Sangakkara have best in the upcoming ICC World Twenty20,” Butorac set the stage for a rousing contest when Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the PORT ELIZABETH: South Africa and Australia will be aiming to added. Asia Cup one-day final in Dhaka today. Angelo Mathews’ Sri Lanka have hone their Twenty20 international skills when they start a three- David East, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates been the dominant team in the five-nation event with four straight vic- match series at St George’s Park tomorrow. Coming after a high- Cricket Board, said: “The UAE National Cricket Team tories in the league, including a 12-run win over Pakistan in the tourna- intensity Test series, a succession of 20-overs games would not has made significant strides over the last year, ment opener on February 25. The charge was led by Sangakkara, the 36- normally have much more than entertainment value, but for both championing the nation’s qualification into the year-old left-hander who has been in prime form during his team’s cur- teams it provides an opportunity to prepare for the World prestigious ICC World Twenty20. We are delighted rent tour of Bangladesh which began with a bilateral series in January. Twenty20, which starts in Bangladesh a week after the last match to have OSN on board with us on our ambitious Sangakkara scored 75, 319 and 105 in two Test matches and 128 in the of the series. Both squads show considerable changes from the journey to cricketing excellence.” OSN’s support will second one-day international to steer Sri Lanka to series wins in all three Test teams, with new captains and new players in key roles. With play an integral role in providing training opportu- formats against the hosts. fast bowling spearhead Mitchell Johnson withdrawn to enable nities for both up and coming and established crick- The veteran has also played three match-winning innings in the Asia him to rest ahead of the world event, Australia’s squad includes eters in the UAE, enabling them to represent the Cup, making 67 against Pakistan, 103 versus World Cup champions India only three players who appeared in the Test series. country within the international cricketing arena. and 76 against minnows Afghanistan. He remains the leading scorer in Nine of South Africa’s 16-man squad played in the Tests but Khurram Khan, Captain of the UAE National the tournament with 248 runs despite falling cheaply for two in Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock and Wayne Parnell only appeared Cricket Team, added: “As the first team in the UAE’s Thursday’s last league match against Bangladesh. “It is great to have in one Test each, while fast bowler Dale Steyn will miss at least history to receive one-day international status and Sangakkara in such good form, but the others will also need to step up the first two matches after suffering a hamstring strain during the qualify for the ICC World Twenty20, it is an honour and rally around him if we are to win,” Mathews said. “Pakistan have third Test. Abbott is not part of the World T20 squad but was to have OSN’s support, as we step out to represent shown how tough a side they are to beat. But we have our plans and are called up as cover for Steyn. There are injury concerns over two the UAE in the international circuit. We will do our confident of doing well if we execute them well.” other fast bowlers, Parnell and newcomer Beuran Hendricks, who best and look forward to playing more international Pakistan, the defending champions, bounced back after the loss will both have fitness tests ahead of the first match after suffering tournaments.” As the undisputed ‘home of cricket,’ against Sri Lanka to qualify for the final with three successive victories recent injuries. OSN Sports Cricket HD offers cricket fans across the against Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh. The mercurial Afridi fash- It is a particularly important period for South African T20 cap- region thousands of hours of live international ioned two tense last-over wins, slamming an 18-ball 34 against India tain Faf du Plessis. Following the retirement of Graeme Smith, Du cricket in true high definition. This year, OSN cricket before making an astonishing 59 off 25 balls against Bangladesh. Short Plessis and former schoolmate AB de Villiers, the one-day interna- fans can enjoy the hugely popular Asia Cup, and boundaries at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium where even mis-hits land over tional captain, are the two leading candidates to take over the look forward to the Indian Premier League, ICC the fence appear tailor-made for Afridi, and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq Test leadership. The South African squad includes short-game World Twenty20, Champions League T20, Big Bash hoped for another power-packed display in the final. “Afridi is our main specialists such as hard-hitting left-handed batsman David Miller league and all India, England, Australia, Bangladesh player,” a grateful Misbah said. “The kind of form he is in and the kind of and all-rounder Albie Morkel, who returns to international action and New Zealand home series. confidence he shows, it’s good for the Pakistan team.— AFP after a two-year absence. —AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014

KUWAIT: President of the Kuwait and Arab Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi (center) pictured with other officials duringhe t closing ceremony of the event. — Photos by Sherif Ismail International Shooting Grand Prix kicks off

By Abdellatif Sharaa higher organizing committee for his unlimit- ning a joint program with cooperation proto- ed support and hoped that Almighty Allah cols signed by Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh gives him good health. Al-Otaibi said the Morocco. “We are seeking the membership of Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah 3rd shooting sport club is honored to organize all Arab countries,” he added. Three more Annual International Shooting Grand Prix will HH the Amir International Grand Prix for the Arab countries have joined the ASF - kick off today at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad third consecutive year, and expressed his (Palestine, Mauritania and Yemen). Olympic Shooting Complex, in the presence pleasure for having the Information Minister, Meanwhile, Kuwait and Arab Shooting of Information Minister, State Minister for State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Federations Secretary General Obaid Al- Youth Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al- Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah as honorary Osaimi lauded Amir’s support, which con- Humoud Al-Sabah, who will represent the president of the shooting club and federa- tributed to the development of the sport. Al- Amir. Official trainings will start in the morn- tion. Osaimi said the KSF has organized several ing for shooters of the Grand Prix and the Al-Otaibi said the shooting club has com- activities before the launch of HH the Amir Seventh Asian Air Gun Championship in pleted its preparations to organize the Grand Grand Prix - pointing out the training camp preparation for the competition. The ceremo- Prix, which will include the Asian Air Gun and that was organized by ASC at Sheikh Sabah ny will begin at 6 pm today at the Martyr Sporting Championships. He said the Grand Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex, where Fahad Al-Ahmad hall. Prix will attract 786 shooters from 51 coun- 28 Asian countries participated. Al-Osaimi The president of the Kuwait and Arab tries across the globe. Also, Al-Otaibi thanked said that another event was the training Shooting Federations (ASF) Eng Duaij Al- the Sudan government for supporting the course for 15 new referees from Kuwait, Otaibi, thanked the Amir on behalf of the championship, adding that the ASF is plan- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.

KUWAIT: One of the new graduates receiving her certificate.

International Shooting Grand

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 SATURDAY, 46 SportsSports Prix kick off

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (top) fouls Los Angeles Lakers’ Kent Bazemore during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, March 6, 2014. — AP Spurs rout Heat in finals rematch Clippers blow out Lakers again 142-94

SAN ANTONIO: Tim Duncan tallied 23 points Rockets. It doesn’t get any easier for the Heat who most points in a quarter set by Stephon Marbury Angeles from San Diego for the 1984-85 season, and 11 rebounds to power San Antonio to a 111- visit the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. James, who had in 2002. It was Phoenix’s second 40-point perform- including 19-39 during their 15 seasons at Staples 87 victory over Miami in a rematch of the two NBA a superb month of February, also had seven assists ance in four games. Dragic had 40 against New Center. Pau Gasol had 21 points for the Lakers, the finalists from last season. Tony Parker finished with against the Spurs after scoring 22 points against Orleans on Friday. home team for the third of four meetings this sea- 17 points and four assists for the Spurs who Houston earlier in the week. It was the worst loss son between the Staples Center co-tenants. They snapped their five game regular season losing of the 2013-14 season for Miami, marking the first CLIPPERS 142, LAKERS 94 also faced each other in the season opener, which streak against the Heat. Miami beat the Spurs 113- time they lost consecutive games since losing Blake Griffin had 20 points and 11 rebounds the Lakers won 116-103. 101 on January 26 at home in the first meeting three straight in mid-January. James shot six-of-18 during three thunderous quarters by the Los The Clippers had a 64-33 rebounding advan- between the clubs since the Heat beat San from the field and played a good portion of the Angeles Clippers, who routed the Lakers again tage and increased their lead in the Pacific Division Antonio last season to win their second consecu- second half in foul trouble, while Dwyane Wade 142-94 Thursday night to extend their winning to 4 1-2 games over Golden State. They’re 21 1-2 tive league title. San Antonio came close to beat- finished with 16 points on seven-of-15 shooting. streak to a season-best six games. It was the most ahead of the last-place Lakers (21-41). The Lakers ing the Heat in the finals but Miami prevailed with Miami also shot just 44 percent from the field and lopsided loss in Lakers history. Darren Collison had are one defeat away from clinching the franchise’s a dynamic game-seven win. Boris Diaw tallied 16 committed 20 turnovers, including 10 in the final a team-high 24 points while starting at shooting first losing season since 2004 05 - when newly points, eight boards and five assists on Thursday quarter. guard for the injured Jamal Crawford. Chris Paul hired coach Rudy Tomjanovich resigned midway for the Spurs, who have won five straight and added 13 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, through the team’s 34-48 season. This one eight of nine overall. Chris Bosh finished with 24 SUNS 128, THUNDER 122 who apparently are trying to make up for decades reached blowout proportions early. The Clippers points with seven rebounds and LeBron James Gerald Green scored 25 of his career-high 41 of humiliation at the hands of the Lakers all in one stormed to a 73-40 halftime lead with the help of a contributed 19 points and eight rebounds for points in the third quarter and the Suns erased a season; they’ve won the last two meetings by a 21-1. The arena started emptying after the third Miami at AT&T Center. 16-point deficit. Markieff Morris added 24 points, combined 84 points. quarter ended 109-60. Griffin notched his 36th The Spurs have now won 13 of their last 15 reg- including two free throws with 24.4 seconds to This was the Clippers’ largest victory margin double-double and is riding a career-best streak of ular season games against the Heat at home. San play. Goran Dragic scored 22, including six of the over their longtime tormentors, and their sixth vic- 21 games with 20 or more points. Crawford (left Antonio will host the Orlando Magic Saturday on Suns’ final 12 points after Oklahoma City led 118- tory in the last seven meetings - including a four- calf strain) sat out for the third straight game. this homestand, then visit Chicago on Tuesday. 116. Russell Westbrook scored a season-high 36 game sweep last season. The last time the teams Forward Jared Dudley (back spasms) missed his Miami had an eight-game winning streak halted for the Thunder. Kevin Durant added 34. Green’s met on Jan. 10, the Clips won 123-87. The Clippers first of the season. Jordan Hill didn’t play for the Tuesday with a 106-103 road loss to the Houston outburst fell one point shy of a Suns record for are 35-98 against the Lakers since moving to Los Lakers because of a sore right knee. — Agencies