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THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 JAMADA ALTHANI 10, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net No fuel, Mentally ill Pistorius forced Atletico stun energy Moroccans await to look at Barca, Bayern subsidies deliverance ‘exploded’ head knock out for expats?2 from ‘demons’7 of19 girlfriend Man20 Utd Kuwait to compensate Max 39º Min 16º Iraqis deported after ’91 High Tide 09:20 & 19:08 Low Tide Amir approves move after meeting Iraqi VP 02:16 & 14:16 40 PAGES NO: 16131 150 FILS

By A Saleh “The issue of Iraqis who lived in Kuwait Compensation Commission that settles claims before 1991 and were deported was discussed for damages paid $1.03 billion in January KUWAIT: Kuwait has agreed to compensate during a meeting with HH the Amir,” the state- towards settling the last award that has still to Iraqi nationals who were deported after the ment added. Khuzaei likely proposed his initia- be paid in full. It results from a claim by the 1991 liberation of the state, the Iraqi govern- tive to compensate the Iraqi deportees during Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for production ment announced yesterday. HH the Amir a meeting with Sheikh Sabah on March 26, and sales losses from damage to the country’s Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has 2014 on the sidelines of the Arab League sum- oil fields. The commission said another $7.8 approved to grant financial compensation to mit in Kuwait. Iraqis can provide documents to billion remains to be paid from that award, Iraqis who provide documents that prove that claim their rights at the citizens’ affairs depart- which at $14.7 billion was the largest the pan- they are entitled to social security and finan- ment at the office of the Iraqi vice president in el made. The Geneva-based commission was cial privileges they did not receive when they Baghdad, the statement concluded. established by the UN Security Council in 1991 were deported after the Gulf War, a statement Iraq on the other hand has so far paid $44.5 and is funded by a 5 percent tax on the export released by the office of the Iraqi Vice billion to Kuwait in compensation resulting of Iraqi oil. It makes payments every three President Khudeir Al-Khuzaei said. from its 1990 invasion of the state. The UN months. New tax agreement to Amiri Diwan hit Kuwaiti-Americans seeks to gag By Ben Garcia the tax agreement can affect Kuwaitis more. I don’t think that Americans who tape uproar KUWAIT: A new tax agreement are paying taxes religiously have to wor- between the US and Kuwait would ry about it. A Kuwaiti who has an By B Izzak have a bigger impact on many American passport or citizenship, or a Kuwaitis with dual nationalities rather green card holder who’s never paid taxes KUWAIT: The Amiri Diwan yesterday stepped in into the than American citizens living in Kuwait. will be reported by the banks of Kuwait if ‘conspiracy’ videotape row by appealing to everyone in This was the assessment made by two they have accounts here. If you are a Kuwait to stay away from the subject. In a statement Americans who work and live in Kuwaiti and you have American citizen- released through KUNA, the Amiri Diwan has called on Kuwait. The Foreign Account Tax ship, you are required to pay taxes every “everybody to steer clear of the controversial tape issue Compliance Act (FATCA) obliges all year,” he said. and let the Public Prosecution take the necessary action” American citizens, permanent resi- He added that Kuwaitis with and handle the case in an “objective and neutral way”. dents and financial institutions in or American citizenship and Americans outside US territories to report their residing in Kuwait are required to The Diwan said in a brief statement that “some accounts to the Internal Revenue report and file their income tax returns. reports have been raised recently about a tape of certain Service (IRS). “This is a real shock to many Kuwaiti- people, and the issue is currently being handled by the Dr John Hayes, Professor of Marketing Americans who ask why do they have public prosecution”. “The Amiri Diwan appeals to all not at Gulf University for Science and to pay taxes to Uncle Sam when they to get involved in the subject and leave the case to the KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah attends Technology (GUST), noted that the big- make their money here. But that is the public prosecution to take whatever action is needed,” the fifth edition of Kuwait’s international Quran memorization and recita- ger ramification will be for Kuwaitis who price for being an American citizen. the statement said without providing details about the tion awards at Bayan Palace yesterday. — KUNA (See Page 3) have American citizenship. “I can see that Continued on Page 13 nature of the tape or the people involved in it. Continued on Page 13 ‘Heartbleed’ Qatar unveils soaring desert sculpture DOHA: Four steel plates rise out of Qatar’s desert sands bug causes like behemoths, symbolizing, according to US artist Richard Serra who created the sculpture, the connection between the wealthy Gulf state’s two regions. The sculp- headaches ture, East-West/West-East, was unveiled on Tuesday in a desert area around 60 km from the capital Doha, by the SAN FRANCISCO: A confounding computer bug sister of Qatar’s emir, who has been named by Britain’s called “Heartbleed” is causing major security ArtReview as the most influential figure in the art world. headaches across the Internet as websites scramble The sculpture, which consists of four steel plates which rise to fix the problem and Web surfers wonder whether to heights varying between 14.7 m and 16.7 m, was com- they should change their passwords to prevent theft missioned by Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bint Al-Thani. of their email accounts, credit card numbers and oth- The emir’s sister was named the most influential figure er sensitive information. The breakdown revealed in the art world in a “power list” published by Britain’s this week affects a widely used encryption technolo- ArtReview magazine in October. She has around $1 billion gy that is supposed to protect online accounts for a a year to spend on art as head of the Qatar Museums variety of online communications and electronic Authority (QMA), according to ArtReview - 30 times more commerce. than New York’s Museum of Modern Art. “Sheikha Security researchers who uncovered the threat Mayassa asked me if I would build a piece in the desert. I are particularly worried about the lapse because it went to several deserts with... a Bedouin... and I like this went undetected for more than two years. They fear desert the most,” said Serra, renowned for his metal sculp- the possibility that computer hackers may have been tures. secretly exploiting the problem before its discovery. “The pieces connect two regions of the landscapes... it Although there is now a way to close the security brings this peninsula together with the sea on one side hole, there are still plenty of reasons to be con- and the sea on the other,” the artist told reporters at the cerned, said David Chartier, CEO of Codenomicon. A unveiling. Qatar, which has just 1.5 million inhabitants, is small team from the Finnish security firm diagnosed trying to establish itself as the region’s cultural hub. The Heartbleed while working independently from gas-rich Gulf state hosts several museums and galleries, another Google Inc. researcher who also discovered including the Museum of Islamic Art, the largest of its kind ZEKREET, Qatar: US artist Richard Serra stands on Tuesday in front of his new permanent art installation in the threat. “I don’t think anyone that had been using in the region. the Brouq Nature Reserve. — AFP this technology is in a position to definitively say Continued on Page 13 they weren’t compromised,” Chartier said. Canada’s tax agency isn’t taking any chances. Citing the security risks posed by Heartbleed, the Saudis mull end to sports Canada Revenue Agency shut off public access to its website “to safeguard the integrity of the informa- ban in girls’ state schools tion we hold,” according to a notice posted on its website yesterday. The lock down comes just three weeks from Canada’s April 30 deadline for filing 2013 Prince Muqrin slams banks tax returns. The US Internal Revenue Service said in a state- JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is considering ending its contro- ty-related illnesses in Saudi society, particularly among ment yesterday that it is not affected by the security versial ban on sports in girls’ state schools, after its con- women and an increase in jobs if physical education pro- hole. “The IRS advises taxpayers to continue filing sultative council recommended the ban be lifted over grams were adopted for girls. Those who opposed the their tax returns as they normally would in advance vociferous opposition from traditionalists. Following a decision said there were many schools which were not of the April 15 deadline,” the agency said. Computer heated debate on Tuesday, the Shura Council recom- equipped infrastructurally to allow for sports. Some security experts are advising people to consider mended that the longstanding ban, already relaxed in members also questioned whether physical education changing all their online passwords. “I would change private schools in May last year, be ended altogether, lessons had actually decreased obesity in boys. every password everywhere because it’s possible state media reported. The appointed body, whose 150 But the council finally approved the recommenda- something was sniffed out,” said Wolfgang Kandek, members are overwhelmingly male, can only pass on its tion after agreeing that it did not run counter to the chief technology officer for Qualys, a maker of securi- recommendation to the education ministry and has no strict version of Islamic sharia law imposed in the king- ty-analysis software. “You don’t know because an powers to impose it. dom, Fahad Al-Ahmad told the official SPA news attack wouldn’t have left a distinct footprint.” All education in Saudi Arabia is strictly single-sex, but agency. The council cited a ruling by the kingdom’s late But changing the passwords won’t do any good, sports in girls’ schools remains a sensitive issue in the top cleric, or grand mufti, Sheikh Abdel Aziz bin Baz, these experts said, until the affected services install RIYADH: In this May 21, 2012 photo, members of a ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom where women have that women were entitled to play sports “within the lim- the software released Monday to fix the problem. Saudi female football team huddle before their to cover from head to toe when in public. Members who its set by Islamic law”. Continued on Page 13 training session at a secret location. — AP supported the decision pointed to an increase in obesi- Continued on Page 13 THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 LOCAL No subsidized energy, fuel for expats? Govt studying ‘strategic alternative’ KUWAIT: The government and parliament agree the Ministry of Finance requesting cancelation ment houses will still pay the subsidized fares. on the need to eliminate subsidies on public of diesel fuel subsidies, said MP Jamal Al-Omar. The plan is also to remove gas fuel subsidies, services through a mechanism that does not The government and parliament had dis- while granting ‘subsidy cards’ to citizens that Thank you Kuwait! affect Kuwaitis with limited income, a lawmaker cussed the financial position of the state during they can use when they fill their car tanks, Omar added. The card would be similar to the said Tuesday. This agreement might have already a closed session last week. The discussion By Frank Baker Tamween ration cards that Kuwaitis use to gone into effect based on information that Oil revealed that removing subsidies from some British Ambassador Minister Ali Al-Omair has sent an official letter to goods and services can save the state nearly KD obtain food items with subsidized prices. Expatriates are not entitled to these cards. 7 billion, according to Omar. “The money saved KUWAIT: As many of you will know, our The plans are still under discussion with no from removing those subsidies and addressing Great British Week - which ended up clear date on when they could be officially the imbalance in the public sector’s payroll can stretching out to a fortnight - drew to a adopted. Discussions regarding potential close on April 3 with a keynote speech be directed towards the national budget while removal of subsidies have become more com- by former British Prime Minister John allocating a share for the future generation’s mon this year after the government highlighted Major. The preparations and implemen- fund,” Omar told Al-Rai daily. the need to cut spending in order to avoid a tation for what was the largest series of The government is studying a ‘strategic alter- budget deficit by 2021. Kuwait’s welfare system events ever organised by the British native’ project to organize the payroll system in includes providing subsidized petrol and energy Embassy in Kuwait was a huge amount the public sector and unify salaries of workers for all residents, in addition to food and housing of effort, and the team at the British with similar job classifications and requirements. for Kuwaitis only. Subsidization has allowed Embassy has been working day and Under discussion Kuwait to maintain one of the world’s cheapest night to pull it off. speech, I recommend you do; particular- Omar said that he has information about electricity and water fee rates for decades. Thanks to all this hard work, the ly if you’re interested in foreign relations plans to remove subsidies from electricity and In November, Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber events were a great success. We had and how countries can work together in water in the commercial and investment sectors, Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said that the welfare state British fashion designers, celebrity chefs, the modern world. but not the housing one. This means that shops was ‘unsustainable’ and mentioned the need to musicians, artists and academics and And I really think that GREAT British and apartment buildings will have to pay actual rationalize spending in order to maintain decent even the world’s fastest man coming Week has planted seeds for UK-Kuwait energy prices, while citizens living in govern- welfare levels for Kuwaiti citizens. partnerships between individuals and Jamal Al-Omar through Kuwait to interact with their institutions that could reach fruition in peers, counterparts and with Kuwaitis in the future. Wing Commander Andy general. I really hope that we were able Green, the driver for the BLOODHOUND to give everyone in Kuwait the opportu- SSC car which aims to break the land- nity to see a little bit of what the UK has speed record and inspire a generation of to offer. If you missed it, do check out engineers, is talking to Kuwait Engineers the coverage on instagram - Society about potential partnership on @ukinkuwait and #greatweekq8. the project. The British performers who But what GREAT British Week really brought new and interesting music to meant for me was something more pro- the amazing UK-Kuwait mash-up con- found that then events we put on. cert at LoYAC are already corresponding What’s really pleased me more than any- with young Kuwaitis and looking at thing was the engagement and appetite ways to bring their talents together. of the general Kuwaiti public. It was the Leading British Entrepreneur Rekha bloggers who covered our fashion show, Mehr met and connected with young the people who ensured Gary Rhodes’ Kuwaiti entrepreneurs from the British dinner was a sell out, the Kuwaiti institu- Council’s entrepreneur network. Some tions and individuals who partnered of these connections of course already with us, and the hundreds of people existed, in different ways; fashion who attended events across Kuwait - designer Maria Grachvogel’s stunning who made GREAT British Week what it creations at Harvey Nichols in the was. It wasn’t just a celebration of the Avenues; the GREAT British cars brought UK, but a celebration of the UK and to Kuwait by Al-Zayani Automotive and Kuwait, and a friendship and mutual Ali Al-Ghanim and Sons; the magnificent respect that frequently leaves me hum- and unique collections of British-Kuwaiti bled. stamps and coins put on show by I think the attendance of Sir John Kuwait’s philatelic and numismatic soci- Major was a case in point - Sir John flew ety at historic Dickson House. here almost straight from a tour of the Overall it was a great show, which I Far East to deliver the first ever Dickson thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to our Lecture at Kuwait University. He did it sponsors - particularly headline spon- because he knows and understands sors Shell and Mabanee - and to all the Kuwait, its people, its history and its hos- partners who worked with us or organ- pitality. He wanted to talk about the UK’s ised their own events. And thank you commitment to Kuwait and about the Kuwait for the hospitality, energy and ways we can cooperate together for our zeal with which you greeted everyone KUWAIT: Interior Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Abdelfattah Al-Ali honored outstanding employees at the Traffic General mutual benefit. If you haven’t seen his who came and everything we did. Department, as well as supporting departments as part of the unified Gulf Traffic Week. —Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun KFAS Director General wins Qatari int’l energy award

DOHA: Director General of Kuwait ing up policies geared to make the achievements without their spon- Foundation for the Advancement of best possible use of the energy soring and encouragement. Sciences (KFAS) Dr Adnan Shihab resources and enhance the oil and “I’ve had the honor to enjoy this Ad-Deen yesterday won the gas technologies; they were pre- sponsoring inside and outside the Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah sented to regional and global scien- country through my selection to International Energy Award 2014 in tific forums,” Dr Shihab Ad-Deen represent Kuwait at international recognition of his efforts in energy said. organizations such as the UNESCO, researches. He dedicated the award to His the IAEA and lately the OPEC,” he Speaking following the award- Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- added. giving ceremony, he said his Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His The foundation of Abdullah Bin researches in energy aimed to serve Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Hamad Al-Attiyah International not only Kuwait but the Gulf coun- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Energy offers five annual awards for tries and all oil-exporting countries as well as the government and peo- scientific achievements in the ener- as well. ple of Kuwait, saying: “I wouldn’t be gy industry on the local and interna- “The researches focus on draw- able to make these scientific tional levels. —KUNA KAC directors News in brief reject extension

KUWAIT: Five senior officials at the Kuwait Airways are set GCC crisis ‘resolved’ to become officially retired today after they recently KUWAIT: Well-informed sources said that GCC refused offers to stay in office for six months. states have finally reached an agreement to end KAC Chairperson and Managing Director Rasha Al- recent disagreements and make a new start. The Roumi reportedly informed the directors that their con- sources added that details of the agreement tracts can be renewed on a monthly basis for a maximum would be declared soon and that the GCC of six months; after which they will not be retained to the Secretary General Abdullatif Al-Zayani would recently-privatized company. announce the return of Saudi, UAE and Bahraini She gave her statements on Tuesday before leaving to ambassadors to Qatar soon. The sources stressed Hamburg to attend the Aircraft Interiors Expo. that a GCC memo of understanding has been The directors, who include Acting CEO Sharifa Al- reached under Kuwaiti supervision and media- Ibrahim, refused the contracts on the basis that they were tion. The sources also added that both Qatar and unfair, which means that their retirement goes into effect the three states have responded to Kuwaiti efforts by today, Al-Qabas daily reported yesterday. and are keen on resolving GCC differences. “The A decision to hire replacements is pending Al-Roumi’s few past days witnessed reaching an agreement, return scheduled this weekend. On that regard, sources leaving only the final touches to be made,” said quoted in the report suggest that current directors could the sources. be assigned over other department temporarily before new officials are appointed. Early warning system KUWAIT: High-ranking security sources said that Deputy PM and Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled recently okayed building the world’s most up-to-date border security sys- tem that involves early warning by underground sensors linked to the borders’ central security operations room that would help detect intruders and infiltrators. The sources stressed that the sen- sors have proven highly successful during testing. The company executing the project has already started installing the new system over a 78-km long stretch of the border with Iraq.

3 Kuwaitis kidnapped KUWAIT: Well-informed sources said that Kuwait’s foreign ministry had started intensive communications with Turkish authorities over reports of the kidnapping of three Kuwaiti citi- KUWAIT: National Guard Undersecretary Lt Gen Nasser zens in Syria. The sources explained that the three Abdullah Al-Dei honored Maj Khalid Anwar Al-Nouri, Kuwaitis and two GCC nationals delivering aid for obtaining a Masters Degree in Business were kidnapped by gangs after their guide Management from Gulf Science and Technology betrayed them and demanded a ransom. Department. — Photo by Hanan Al-Saadoun THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 LOCAL

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah attending the international Quran memorization and recitation awards ceremony at Bayan Palace Theatre yesterday. Amir sponsors, attends Quran award ceremony

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah A documentary on the award’s history was pants in this year’s contest reached 107, repre- ny. Wuled Abuh, 24, who memorized the Holy Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sponsored and displayed after speeches by Minister Al-Ajmi senting 57 states. “Up to 15 states were Book at the age of 12, is currently studying attended the fifth edition of Kuwait’s interna- and chairman of the award’s judging panel Dr crowned as winners in the award’s diverse cat- business administration at the MA level in his tional Quran memorization and recitation Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al-Jarallah, during egories,” Al-Ali said, noting that His Highness country. awards at Bayan Palace Theatre yesterday. which both thanked His Highness the Amir for the Amir’s patronization and attendance of the The second-rank winner of the Quranic Upon arrival, His Highness was welcomed sponsoring the event. event noticeably contributed to its success, award in the same category (memorization), by Minister of Justice and Minister of Then His Highness the Amir graciously pre- luring contenders from diverse corners of the Abdul-Mejid Mujahed, from Yemen, said he Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr Nayef sented the winners with their awards, as well world. Abdul-Aziz Al-Enezi, member of the had succeeded in memorizing a large section Mohammad Al-Ajmi and Secretary General of as honoring members of the judging panels. A commission and chairman of the judging of the Koran when he was 14 of age. Endowments Dr Abddulmohsin Al-Kharafi. commemorative gift was presented to His committee, hailed the “major development” of The third winner, Abdul-Rahman Al-Bechir, The ceremony, which was attended by His Highness at the conclusion of the ceremony. the event with respect of its organization. from Libya, thanked His Highness the Amir, Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- The ceremony was marked with honoring expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, also saw the atten- Deep gratitude Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hassan Boso from and the good organization of the competition. dance of former parliament speaker Jassem Al- A number of winners and organizers of Senegal as “the top Quranic personality.” Al-Bechir, 24, said the competition was robust Khorafi, senior sheikhs, Sheikh Nasser Al- Kuwait’s international Quran memorization Hael Saeed Anaam Foundation of Yemen among the participants, beseeching His Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness and recitation award yesterday expressed won the award as “the best Quranic charitable Almighty to guide him to abide by the sacred the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak deep gratitude to HH the Amir for personally personality.” Number-one winner of the award book in words and action. Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Parliament honoring the winners. in memorization, Al-Mustafa Wuled Abuh from Identical sentiments were expressed by the Speaker Mubarak Al-Khurainij, Deputy Dr Walid Al-Ali, member of the steering Mauritania, expressed gratitude to His fourth winner, Mohammad Metwalli, Palestine, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali committee and professor at the Faculty of Highness the Amir for his generous and hon- and the fifth, Abdul Rahman Hamza, Saudi Jarrah Al-Sabah and senior state officials. Shariaa and Islamic Studies, said that partici- orable sponsorship of the concluding ceremo- Arabia. —KUNA

MoI denies reported MoH keen on offering best care remarks against officers for Kuwaiti patients abroad KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior has cat- cers who were not included in a recent egorically dismissed recent local reports promotion process that “it would be a LONDON: Kuwait’s Health Ministry is keen on “The Health Ministry closely monitors and service. attributed to Deputy Premier and Interior futile move if they resort to members of offering best care and addressing problems fac- regularly evaluates the services offered by British Dr. Al-Sahlawi wished a speedy recovery for Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled parliament”. ing Kuwaiti patients receiving overseas treat- hospitals to Kuwaiti patients,” he said. patients and a safe return to the homeland. Al-Hamad Al-Sabah against assistant “The Interior Minister has not made ment, said the Ministry’s Undersecretary Khaled Al-Sahlawi noted that he has visited several He voiced confidence that Kuwait’s Health undersecretaries. any statement or comment to any media Al-Sahlawi. medical centers where Kuwaiti patients are Offices are doing their best to care for the “The statement affiliated to Sheikh outlet in this regard,” the release said. In statements following his meeting with being treated and listened to the patients’ evalu- patients, help overcome the problems they face Mohammad Al-Khaled detailing that However, it said, the minister has held Kuwait’s Ambassador to the UK Khaled Al- ation to the provided services and their notes or to facilitate their stay in the UK. those un-promoted officers fail to do a regular meeting with assistant under- Duwaisan and representatives of health offices complaints if existed. The Health Ministry’s Undersecretary Dr. Al- their security duty properly is totally secretaries on security and traffic prob- accredited in the British capital late Tuesday, Al- He pointed out Kuwait’s political leadership Sahlawi is currently accompanied by the against reality,” the ministry’s security lems in the country. Sahlawi said that the meeting tackled all issues and the Health Minister Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi seeks to Assistant Undersecretary for Financial Affairs information office said in a release yester- Hailing policemen as a model for dis- relative to the medical care offered to Kuwaiti make sure that Kuwaiti patients sent abroad for Mohammad Al-Azmi on an official visit to the day. Local newspapers and social net- cipline and commitment, the security patients in Britain. treatment are getting the high quality medical UK. —KUNA working websites had claimed that information office urged local mass Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled warned media to seek reliable sources for accu- those assistant undersecretaries and offi- rate and detailed information. —KUNA Arabs urge US to Al-Ghanim holds talks in Berlin BERLIN: Speaker of Kuwait’s National Following the meeting, one of the Kuwaiti continue Mideast Assembly Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim met here lawmakers, Humoud Al-Hamdan, said that yesterday with chairman of the committee on among the many topics of discussion peace efforts Arab affairs at the German Bundestag (the between both sides were: boosting contacts parliament) Michael Hennrich with whom he among lawmakers of both countries, the situ- CAIRO: Kuwait’s First Deputy Premier and Foreign discussed a gamut of issues of bilateral con- ation in Syria, developments in Iraq, events in Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah cern. Joining Al-Ghanim at the meeting were Egypt, and the Palestinian problem. said here yesterday Arab foreign ministers had urged a number of Kuwaiti lawmakers making up It is expected today that the Kuwaiti law- the US to continue its Middle East peace efforts and the full delegation that is currently visiting makers will also meet with president of the to compel Israel to fulfill relevant obligations. Germany and in particular the Bundestag. Bundestag Norbert Lammert.—KUNA The Arab foreign ministers, during an extraordi- nary meeting held here today, adopted a resolution calling on Washington to pursue its efforts to ensure continuing peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, the Kuwaiti minister said following the WANTED gathering. The resolution also demanded Israel to honor its peace commitments pursuant to relevant interna- tional terms of reference, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said while leaving the Egyptian capital. Editors & Reporters Held here upon Palestinian request, the meeting focused on the latest developments of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, he said, adding that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas briefed the min- isters on the recent outcomes of peace talks. Full time, must be in Kuwait, The ministers stressed the significance of attain- ing reconciliation and unity among all Palestinian factions at this critical time, he pointed out. have transferrable 18 visa He said the Arab foreign ministers had reiterated Arab support for bids to join international organiza- and writing experience tions and treaties, urging the international communi- ty to be aware of this Palestinian right. In this regard, they asked the Arab League to con- tact the US, EU, UN and Asian and African countries Send CV, letters of reference to keep them posted on Palestinian efforts to join international bodies, the Kuwaiti minister said. and 3 writing samples to KUWAIT: Kuwaiti diver Faisal Al-Musawi left Kuwait to participate in an exploration He noted that there would be more effective Arab mission in the Maldives, and is set to become the first diver with special needs to moves to throw weight behind Palestinian negotia- explore the island-nation’s waters. Al-Musawi left with a Kuwait Dive Team delega- [email protected] tors and to promote relevant Arab views internation- tion led by trainer Meshari Al-Khabbaz, and includes diver Ali Al-Musawi as well. Faisal Al-Musawi became the world’s first diver with special needs to dive at the ally. —KUNA Only those who are shortlisted will be contacted Sipadan in Malaysia. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 LOCAL

kuwait digest In my view Listen to their Controlling feelings! the visa market

By Dr Sajed Al-Abdali ason, a young nonverbal paraplegic, communicates with others by pointing to cards with words and pic- Jtures. Pointing at a photo of a glass of water would, for instance, means that he is thirsty and so on. He later on By Labeed Abdal meets 12-year-old Catherine at an occupational therapy clinic where her autistic brother is being treated. Waiting in the waiting room, Catherine starts drawing a portrait of Jason and when her mother notices this, she tells her she has to ask for his permission to do so. Further on in the story, Catherine’s friendship with Jason [email protected] develops and she discovers that his communication flash- cards only included photos of a glass, a chair, a car, a bird, aj Gen Sheikh Faisal Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- sun, water, flower, tree and other similar items without hav- Sabah, the Assistant Undersecretary for ing a single one to express feelings. There were none to say MNationality and Passport Affairs at the that Jason was, for instance, happy, angry, sad, bored or wor- Ministry of Interior, announced recently that employ- ried. Thus, Catherine starts drawing more flashcards and ers of foreign domestic helpers were required to adding them to his book, which opened wide for Jason to report them missing within 48 hours after they express his feelings, and as he became capable of express- abscond. Furthermore, he warned that employers ing his own feelings and emotions, he regained self-confi- who fail to report their missing workers or those who dence after a long period during which he felt deficient provide shelter to runaway housemaids, drivers, etc because of his disability and incapability to speak. Now that would face legal action. he found someone to express his feelings to, he regained his Al-rai This action is considered a very important step to self-esteem. have more control over the residency law, and pre- vent labor-related violations including those that happen when employers hire or provide shelter to Feeling the appreciation of kuwait digest people around us is a basic This action is considered a very human need that ranks imme- Kuwait needs productivity important step to have more con- diately after other physiological By Abdullatif Al-Duaij trol over the residency law, and needs such as security, socializ- prevent labor-related violations ing and making a family in sn’t there anyone who finds it strange that peo- over income. addition to the most important ple concerned with national income and the Those people are acquitting citizens from respon- including those that happen Ilooming budget deficit always center their atten- sibility - if they did only that, it would have been need to achieve self-esteem. tion and proposed solutions around the wrong easier to accept. But they claim that the Kuwaiti citi- when employers hire or provide places? Aside from discussing the reasons and fac- zen is still ‘poor’ and receives low income that needs shelter to illegal residents. tors that led or will lead to the deficit, I believe that to be increased. In other words, they call for more the deficit is primarily caused by the public sector pay, allowances and gifts for the ‘poor citizens’. The above is the summary of American writer Cynthia payroll, followed by subsidies on services that the This kind of twisting of facts would be acceptable illegal residents. Lord’s novel ‘Rules’, which won the Schneider Family Book state fails to collect the actual price of (or in some coming from politicians. But it is not acceptable The action also helps create a database containing Award in 2007, an award usually given to books expressing cases anything at all). coming from normal people or specialists who specific information in this regard, which would be the sufferings of people with special needs. Reading the These are the reasons that basically reflect the deceive the citizen and encourage him to spend helpful for citizens and expatriates living legally in novel, I thought that what Jason felt was exactly the same fact that the Kuwaiti citizen does not produce, but more irresponsibly because they do not have the Kuwait by helping fight crime. There are many for- what most people lack in this world. There is no wonder in eigners who want to enjoy stability, security and at the same time consumes, sometimes a lot, since courage to tell him the painful truth. that because this was the very same thing the famous order in Kuwait. This database helps expatriates living the majority of services and produces are subsidized Citizens are the source of the deficit because they American psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) classi- legally to avoid the side effects of police campaigns fied as one of the five basic needs of mankind’s hierarchy of and available for cheap prices by the state. are the only ones who overspend. Kuwait’s main prob- against illegal residents. needs, which is the need to feel appreciated and valued. People who do not have the courage to convict or lem is that people depend on oil, not production, for Authorities are also required to take into account Feeling the appreciation of people around us is a basic even point at the Kuwaiti citizen blame the govern- spending. Unless alternative sources of income are several cases in which domestic workers become in human need that ranks immediately after other physiologi- ment’s overspending and irresponsible expenditure created, and unless the citizen is pushed to work and violation of the law due to their employer’s negli- cal needs such as security, socializing and making a family in for the deficit. They hope that a little bit of rationaliz- become productive to the point in which the state gence or unlawful practices of their recruitment addition to the most important need to achieve self-esteem. ing will create additional incomes that would be depends on citizens’ productivity instead of oil rev- offices. Furthermore, applying more strict procedures These are the five basic needs Maslow included in his hierar- enough to make the budget survive for a while. enues for income, then blaming the government’s needs to go in parallel with strong measures to curb chy. One of the ways to help someone feel appreciated by I actually feel sorry for those people. Telling citi- ‘corruption’ or rationalizing its spending will not help visa trafficking, so that these measures can be fruitful. people around him is to be given chances to express his zens honestly that they are the reason and the prob- Kuwait avoid the inevitable. thought and feelings towards his surroundings. When we lem is a hard thing to do (and requires someone as This means that those who preach about their patri- give someone a chance and listen to him attentively, this blunt as I am to do it). However, there are ‘devils’ otism and how they are willing to sacrifice everything makes him feel appreciated and treated as a human being. who spread lies and claim that the deficit is caused for the sake of Kuwait are required to rationalize and kuwait digest Let us not forget that many people around us are like by the government’s corruption, and control that give us some of their hard work. —Translated by Kuwait closed pots with ideas and feelings simmering inside, ‘some citizens’ - meaning merchants of course - have Times from Al-Qabas waiting for a chance to ‘steam out’, and the more this Confusion and chance is delayed, the closer they come to ‘exploding’. I wish we all realize this and start listening to those we love twisting the truth and care for and give them chances to express them- In my view selves, so that they sense our appreciation and realize the By Dr Bader Al-Daihani significance of their presence in our lives. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida Mideast solution in doldrums aturally enough, one would follow both regional and international developments in order to ana- Nlyze and know their potential impacts on local By Osama Al-Sharif situations as we do not live in isolated islands. We are an kuwait digest t has been more than a year since US Secretary of focus on US failures as a peace broker during the last integral part of this world. However, following up foreign Losing confidence State John Kerry launched his Middle East shuttle two decades. Historically, Washington embraced the concerns is one thing and getting preoccupied with I diplomacy in an effort to restart stalled peace ever- changing Israeli positions, and refused to another country’s domestic affairs, daily attempts to talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Last July admonish Israel for its unilateral actions such as con- interfere in everything going on there and affect them in women he convinced both parties to engage in serious nine- tinuing to build settlements in the West Bank and the way the Muslim Brotherhood and their supporters month-long negotiations aimed at reaching a deal East Jerusalem. As the two sides negotiated intermit- everywhere are doing about Egypt is absolutely some- By Nasser Al-Eidan on final status issues that should deliver a perma- tently and unsuccessfully, Israel accelerated the pace thing else that is politically and legally unacceptable. nent peace agreement. Few details are known about of its colonization of Palestinian lands. Accordingly, it is illogical to base our attitudes he government said in an infamous statement last Kerry’s framework agreement - which had now been In fact what Israel is offering today is much less towards this or that country according to its political atti- year that there are plans to appoint women as postponed - and what the two parties agreed on. But than what was delivered in the past, not that the tude towards the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt or else- Tgovernors and mokhtars (area mayor) in Kuwait. A it now appears that the gap separating the two is Palestinians could accept previous offerings. What where. It is unreasonable to deem a certain state as free, few days ago, the cabinet announced the list of the six wider than ever. In a last ditch attempt Kerry pressed Kerry hoped to achieve was a last minute deal that progressive, pro-Islam and even democratic if its sup- new governors, yet not a single woman was included. the Palestinians to accept a new extension to the would rescue the two-state solution. Many ports the Brotherhood regardless of whether it is actual- Last October, the cabinet appointed six members in talks. But as Israel balked on a commitment to Palestinians believe it is already too late for that. ly so. On the other hand, when any given country is the Municipal Council, and not a single woman was release a fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners, until Most Israeli leaders would prefer to negotiate against the Muslim Brotherhood or does not support appointed. the Palestinians commit to an extension first, indefinitely while pursuing unilateral actions on the their projects, it is simply deemed totalitarian, undemoc- Most recently, five members were appointed in the President Mahmoud Abbas said he had enough! ground and creating an irreversible reality. This has ratic and anti-Islam. Of course, what applies for countries Supreme Council of Civil Aviation, featuring no female In a surprise and bold move Abbas signed on to always been the case in spite of US efforts to revive also applies for individuals, groups and parties! How negotiations by proposing new road maps and new member. Also, seven members were appointed at the 15 treaties and conventions related to the United confusing, truth-twisting and misleading to public opin- Nations in defiance of Israeli understandings. Board of Trustees of the Anticorruption Authority, but ion this is?! no women were included. threats and warnings. By President Abbas, who Do I need to continue? Or are those examples reneging on its commitment Blaming the Palestinians is some Israelis say is not a enough to support what I am trying to say? to release prisoners, the partner for peace, has been When any given country is When women fought for their political rights in Palestinian leader felt that he not new. The late Palestinian committed to a peaceful Kuwait after the beginning of constitutional work, sev- too was free to take action. leader Yasser Arafat was often settlement since the late against the Muslim eral liberal and right groups took the frontlines and The move infuriated the 1980s. But his patience is advocating for granting female suffrage. Examples Israelis. Prime Minister accused of failing to grab “gen- wearing thin. His actions Brotherhood or does not sup- include the former Istiqlal (independence) Club, the Benjamin Netanyahu threat- this week underline his port their projects, it is simply Kuwait Graduates Society, the Women Cultural and ened to respond by taking erous” offers by Israel and belief that a just peace deal Social Society, as well as other human right groups and unspecified unilateral steps missing opportunities. is no longer possible. deemed totalitarian, undemo- NGOs. on his side. The peace He will be punished, both Their campaigns focused on criticizing the govern- process was on the brink of politically and economically, cratic and anti-Islamic. ment and parliament failure to grant women the right total collapse. A penultimate attempt by US envoy and his Palestinian Authority (PA) will come under to vote. We all remember the ‘Al-Aan’ (now) campaign Martin Indyk on Sunday to salvage the talks failed. pressure and may even implode. But this time it Such confused and distorted attitudes are intensively with its blue ribbon, which demanded equal opportuni- Another attempt may take place soon. seems he is willing to take the risk. What is at stake promoted by the Brotherhood’s electronic brigades ever ties for men and women. Kerry blamed both sides. Netanyahu blamed the here is the US role as a peace broker and a sponsor since their failure to run the country. The people revolt- But the question now is: where did that activity go? Palestinians and as expected the Palestinians poured of the PA and Abbas. But that may prove to be a ed against them on June 30, 2013, and the Brotherhood Is ‘equal opportunities’ demanded only in political blame on Israel. Kerry said the peace process needs a blessing in disguise. For more than two decades the lost power in Egypt. These electronic brigades are using affairs? Where are those who defend women’s rights in “reality check” and that US efforts and time are not US has failed to address the core issues and bring every possible power and effect to direct public opinion pressure to bear on the Israelis to adhere to their achieving equality in the job market and assuming lead- without limits. He needed time to consult with the around the world towards adapting the Brotherhood’s Obama administration. Things did not look good. earlier commitments. President Obama, who con- ing posts? The answers for those questions should come opinions and political views, be that concerning the situ- from groups that planted the desire to support the But in reality this has always been the case. Since fronted Netanyahu and failed, knows too well the ation in Egypt or elsewhere. struggle for women’s rights within us, before they sud- the signing of the Oslo accords in 1993, Israel has bitter taste of failure from his first term experience. denly disappeared. always found excuses to renege on previously But Israel’s intransigence will not help it find The strong effect of the Brotherhood’s humongous Nobody can blame the government in Kuwait, agreed commitments and delay reaching a final sta- peace either. The Palestinians are here to stay and no electronic brigades that work round the clock has because they appoint whoever they want or who they tus agreement that will decide the fate of cumber- force on earth can remove them. If the two-state reached the extent of having some passionate youth - believe is best for the job from political or sometimes some issues such as Jerusalem, West Bank settle- solution is over then Israel should consider the con- who advocate and call for democracy, freedom and dig- technical standpoints. But where is the civil society’s ments, refugees, borders and others. After the assas- sequences of its actions. The Palestinians will go to nity - glorify some regressive undemocratic countries role in pushing for a more leading role for women? sination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, international organizations to plead their case and and their leaders simply because, upon their own politi- The government’s credibility is at stake, but civil soci- Israel’s right-wing leaders decided that Oslo was a Israel knows that it has few friends in the interna- cal calculations, they are pro-Brotherhood. They even ety groups’ have become questionable. Women at all big mistake. Successive governments slowly and tional community. They will make occupation a cost- consider them role models of ‘free, developed and dem- state departments feel that their ambitions are threat- deliberately dismantled the Oslo Accords and the ly affair for Israel. ocratic’ nations whose footsteps should be followed by ened. Leading posts remain masculine-dominated, and Palestinians could do nothing. Any unilateral action by Israel will come at a hefty Kuwait despite the fact that our democratic, constitu- the government’s appointment based on the ‘quotas’ Blaming the Palestinians is not new. The late price. Kerry is right to call for a reality check. For the tional regime is incomparably far much better than criteria continues to favor men in the most part. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was often accused of Palestinians the reality is that conditions are worse theirs. If social groups failed to demand women’s rights in failing to grab “generous” offers by Israel and missing today than they were 20 years ago. For the US its fail- Our well-deserved public demands are but attempts leading post, then who would? Who can guarantee opportunities. That happened in Camp David in 2000 ure to pressure Israel has brought years of peace to reform and improve it and get more freedom, equali- women’s ambitions? under President Bill Clinton. By refusing Ehud Barak’s mediation to a dead end. And for Israel its refusal to ty and expansion of public participation as stipulated in The government needs to avoid losing confidence in offer he was made “irrelevant” and spent the final treat the Palestinians as equals with legitimate rights our constitution. They are not meant to regress and fol- women. But before that, social groups need to believe days of his life besieged in his Ramallah compound has destroyed the two-state solution and will trigger low patterns of regressive states that are built on in them first. until his mysterious death in 2004. discussions about the future and nature of Israel absolute tyranny and autocracy. —Translated by Kuwait The reality check that Kerry is asking for should itself. —Arab News —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai Times from Al-Jarida THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 LOCAL United efforts needed to curb youth violence Ministry conducts new study

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister well those who put their potential capabilities in to get acquainted with wing procedures imple- of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al- arts to be presented to the public, stressing that mented in prisons and services provided to Sabah said yesterday the youth ministry has this is what distinguishes the event, which inmates in accordance to international stan- completed a study, conducted by specialist, brings together young people in one place to dards and human rights. regarding youth violence and has issued a num- share their experiences and compete to display During the visit, the Committee, which ber of recommendations. Sheikh Salman made the best of their talents in public. included MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan, Chairman, Dr. his remarks to reporters on sidelines of attend- The minister concluded by saying that the Oudah Al-Ruwaie, Rapporteur, MP Dr. ing and sponsoring the inauguration of the 4th ministry welcomes all suggestions and youth Abdulkareem Al-Kandari, and MP Adnan forum for talents at Kuwait International Fair projects to be published or produced with cre- Abdulsamad, met with a number of male and Grounds, adding the “phenomenon of violence ativity throughout various form of fine arts and female inmates, visited children nurseries at exists in all countries.” theater. For his part, the chairman of the forum women prison, and met with social workers to However, the minister stressed all people Abdulaziz Issa said that the forum brings togeth- review female inmates’ requirements, Media KUWAIT: A team from the Commercial Bank of Kuwait visited the Aqailah bint Obaid must join hands to control their communities er Kuwaiti talented youths and encourages department at National Assembly said in a press elementary school for girls as part of its ongoing ‘Ya Zain Turathna’ cultural cam- from some negative aspects that began to those talent and energy in the country. statement. paign. Public Relations and Media Department staff gave students a presentation for spread in the world. “This forum, now in its fourth consecutive The committee members were accompanied heritage information as well as professions and popular games in old Kuwait. Sheikh Salman added that the Ministry of year here, comes to shed light on talents by the by Acting Assistant Undersecretary of Cultural-themed competitions were also held during the visit. State for Youth Affairs supports and encourages youth, in various areas and arts,” Issa added. Correctional Institutions Major-General Khaled all forms of talent, “because talent is the way to Al-Deyain, Director of the Central Prison innovation and excellence.” Surprise visit Department Colonel Shereida Al-Shammari and The minister praised participation of 890 Meanwhile, Parliamentary Human Rights Director of Women’s Prison Colonel Marzouq Al- Microsoft makes software young males and females in this event, hailing as Committee paid a surprise visit to Central Prison Mutairi, added the statement. —KUNA donation to women project GCC statistical center KUWAIT: Microsoft Kuwait recently Manager, said: “At Microsoft, we believe Saudi ‘official sponsor’ of made software donation to Kuwait’s technology can do amazing things such proposal materializes Women’s Cultural and Social Society as supporting community initiatives. Kuwait Travel Market (WCSS) in support of promoting That’s why we partner with thousands of MUSCAT: Kuwait’s proposal to establish a Gulf women’s rights and legal empowerment organizations around the world to help Cooperation Council (GCC) statistical center has finally each one achieve its mission. We are KUWAIT: Out of keenness on improving the seen the light as the center was officially inaugurated in State of Kuwait for the ‘Warcati services provided by Kuwait Travel Market in a big ceremony held in Oman yesterday. Project’. Microsoft provided the ‘Warcati happy to assist the “Warcati Project” with exhibition and in implementation of the Kuwait was represented at the ceremony by Project” with Sharepoint platform which this donation which will make a differ- agreement made between Kuwait Minister of State for Planning and Development Hind helps increase collaboration, productivi- ence and allow the society to benefit International Fairgrounds Co (KIFCO) and Al-Sabeeh. Al-Sabeeh, who doubles as Minister of ty and efficiency. from the technology. Through our Leaders Group to administer and market the Social Affairs and Labor, cheered the center’s inaugura- Sharepoint will allow the WCSS to Microsoft Kuwait Citizenship efforts, we exhibition, it was recently disclosed that tion and expressed gratitude for all who helped turn- organise their work with task lists and provide technology tools, training and Saudi Arabia has officially agreed to sponsor ing this dream into a reality. “The idea of this center project timelines, while also enabling resources that can help create opportu- the exhibition. This is the first time the exhi- was initiated by Kuwait and supported by the them to share documents within or out- nities and transform communities.” bition will be held under international spon- Sultanate of Oman,” she said on the sidelines of the side of the organization with a single “This is a very important donation for sorship in 20 years, which will surely encour- inauguration ceremony. click. Through this donation, women our organisation, we thank Microsoft for age major relevant companies operating in She noted that the center will provide decision from the society will receive access to the software donation which will help the Gulf and the Middle East to take part. makers with accurate and credible statistics about dif- the latest Microsoft technology that will enhance and upgrade our infrastructure. Chairwoman of the organizing commit- ferent domains to help them set effective strategies for in return, enhance their abilities to With the implementation of Sharepoint tee and Leaders Group general manager achieving sustainable development of Gulf states. achieve their mission. and the other software donations, the Nabila Al-Anjari stressed that international “The center will be of a great importance to the demand in taking part in the exhibition was GCC decision-makers,” Al-Sabeeh. The Minister added The “Warcati Project” reviews laws “Warcati Project” can certainly assist us increasing on a daily basis and that Egypt, that the center’s statistics would provide a comprehen- and judicial practices that affect in achieving our vision and mission in Nabila Al-Anjari Lebanon and some other international bod- sive view and evaluation of the situation in the Gulf women’s rights and hinder their full par- the long term,” said Lulwa Saleh Al Mulla, ies, authorities and embassies in Kuwait and mega discounts and exclusive offers to be countries. In 2005, the Kuwait’s Planning Ministry in ticipation in public life in Kuwait. A Chairperson of the Board and Head of the Hotel Owners Union had so far offered to visitors during the three-day exhi- cooperation with the International Monetary Fund rights-based approach has been utilized Social Program, from Kuwait’s Women’s announced intention to take part in the bition due to kick off on April 28, the exhibi- conducted a comprehensive study on the proposal. In to collect and analyze relevant laws and Cultural and Social Society exhibition. Anjari added that the exhibition tion would include recreational and cultural 2006, Kuwait presented the proposal, including com- audit practices with the view to intro- Microsoft Kuwait empowers NGOs to would include many activities and partici- activities in addition to brochures about plete vision about the future center and its administra- ducing the necessary legal reform, and help realize their vision, and increase pant categories like travel agencies, aviation, touristic destinations of interest to visitors. tive structure and budget, to the governors of the GCC ultimately ensure adequate protection productivity in the future. In addition to medical services, major hotels and some Finally, Anjari stressed that since GCC central banks and they included it in the GCC develop- for women. the donation, Microsoft Kuwait also publishing houses in addition to NCCAL, the nationals in general and Kuwaitis in particu- ment plans. In September 2011, the GCC ministerial offered the “Warcati Project” other ministry of commerce and industry (tourism lar were fond of travelling, the organizing council approved the proposal. Then center’s charter Amazing things resources, tips and tools to help them sector) and TEC. committee would do its best to provide all was endorsed by the Gulf leaders in their summit in Commenting on the donation, work more efficiently and effectively to December 2012.—KUNA Further, Anjari noted that in addition to the needs of exhibition visitors. Charles Nahas Microsoft Kuwait General help them reach their desired goal. LOCAL THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 Kuwait calls for holding anti-WMDs conference

NEW YORK: The State of Kuwait has called Al-Ajmi said the State of Kuwait wel- for holding the much-delayed conference comes the UNGA’s adoption of the resolu- or clearing Middle East of weapons of mass tion, proposed by the Non-Aligned destruction as soon as possible this year, Movement, essentially calling for a UN con- with participation of all concerned coun- ference to tackle nuclear arms proliferation tries including Israel. by 2018. The call was addressed by the second He expressed regret that despite efforts secretary of the Kuwaiti permanent mission at diverse levels to rid humanity of these at the UN, Abdul-Aziz Ammash Al-Ajmi, lethal arms, little tangible results have during a session on arms disarmament in been observed. 2014, held late on Tuesday. The second secretary indicated the UN Al-Ajmi noted resolutions of the confer- procedures “in the realm of conventional ence for examination of the Nuclear Non- arms” for sake of global peace and security. Proliferation Treaty (NPT), held in 1995, and Moreover, he underlined basic principles, the other convention for the same purpose included in the UN charter, banning exter- that convevend in 2010. This gathering had nal intervention in states’ internal affairs, called for holding a broad conference in settling disputes with peaceful means and 2012, designed to proclaim the Middle East sovereignty’s equaltiy among the UN mem- as free from WMDs. However, bids to hold it ber states. had been in vain. He also underscored other UN basic The Kuwaiti diplomat welcomed a pro- principles, namely rights of peoples under posal by Egypt at the 68th UN General occupation to determine their destiny and Assembly, held in September last year, for reject the occupation. Furthermore, Al- effective executive steps for nuclear prolif- Ajmi re-affirmed necessity of implementing eration in the Middle East. All Arab states the international convention for banning and Iran had supported it. anti-personnel mines. — KUNA Kuwait brings back smiles to Japan’s tsunami-hit people

MORIOKA, Japan: Kuwait’s financial assistance port from the State of Kuwait” in Japanese, to a tsunami-ravaged railway in northeastern English and Arabic languages are written on Japan has brought back big smiles to local resi- the side of the all eight train cars, while the dents, train users, railway employees and peo- national emblem of Kuwait is drawn at their KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality continued its campaigns to remove violating camps, as the camping season was over last month. 80 loads of left- ple across the country, as Sanriku Railway made head and back. In addition to the purchase of overs were removed from Farwaniya govenorate. Four half lorries, 12 dump trucks, three bulldozers, six ATVs as well as 50 laborers participated a complete comeback earlier this week with the eight railcars, the money was also used for in the campaign. —ééééé Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun new railcars funded by Kuwait, three years after reconstruction of five damaged station build- the earthquake-tsunami disaster. To celebrate ings and another facility. Nearly 320 points on much-awaited full recovery of the lines on the two railway lines were damaged, including Sunday, memorial trains over the weekend car- bridges and stations, and about JPY 9.2 billion Five in police custody for ried excited passengers who were chosen by ($90 million) is estimated for the reconstruc- lottery. The company has two lines-the North tion. Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Rias Line and the South Rias Line, running on a Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi and his wife celebrated forging medical certificates 107.6-km track along the Pacific coast of Iwate the railway’s full revival with Japanese minis- Prefecture. But operations were suspended ters, officials and local people in a series of cer- after its train cars, rails, bridges and stations emonies over the weekend. Many people gath- were wrecked by a magnitude 9.0-quake and ering at stations and along the railway lines 70 held in crackdown at brothels ensuring tsunami on March 11, 2011. with banners and Kuwaiti flags to celebrate the Kohei Sawasato, a 19-year-old conductor restoration of full services. serving in a memorial train showed beaming “I feel like I’m dreaming now,” a woman in KUWAIT: Immigration department detectives this week at around 20 brothels detected in police received information that he was stay- smile while serving the passengers. her 70s, who lost her house from the cata- arrested a gang of five who sold forged medical Hawally, Farwaniya, Jahra and Ahmadi gover- ing at a workers’ residence in Khaitan. The man, “I have used Sanriku Railway since my child- strophic earthquake-tsunami said in tears. “I certificates to workers looking for work in norates. Meanwhile, investigations are ongo- who was convicted in multiple cases of issuing hood, and joining this company was naturally used to live in a house within just a two Kuwait. Investigations had been ongoing after ing in statements of some Asian women arrest- cheques without balance, was taken to the my dream,” Sawasato, who entered Sanriku minute-walk from a railway station, but giant detectives received information about a gang ed during the campaign, who said that they authorities for further action. Railway one year after the disaster, said. tsunami waves swallowed my house. Now I live that used fake stamps to forge medical certifi- were kidnapped and forced into prostitution. “In the past years, we worked very hard in temporary house and have no idea when I cates required for restaurant and café workers. The detainees, who are all expatriates, were Co-op thieves towards restart of full-scale operations,” the can move out. The restoration of Sanriku The forged certificates carried stamps that read referred to the authorities for further action. Farwaniya police are investigating three young employee said. “I tried to stay cheerful Railway lightens me up so much, and I cannot ‘medically fit,’ which allow its holders to bypass The raids followed extensive investigations robberies reported within the governorate during that difficult time because our railway is stop crying,” she said. “Please convey our grati- medical tests necessary to obtain a visa. that lasted for 10 days, during which detec- Tuesday morning, under the belief that they all a symbol of the area’s recovery.” tude to the Kuwaiti people. Thank you Kuwait,” Detectives were able to obtain some forged cer- tives were able to detect apartments used as were committed by the same suspects. The railway was established in 1984 as a she added. tificates, and summoned the workers after con- brothels. Eyewitnesses at the three scenes gave match- joint public-private venture, playing many roles tacting their employers. The workers gave infor- Meanwhile, four prostitutes were arrested in ing descriptions of four masked men riding a for residents, including for commute and Unforgettable gift mation of two Indian men who they said had a police ambush outside a Salmiya café. pickup truck who committed robberies at co- access to high schools, hospitals and shopping. An elderly couple who got in the first com- given them the certificates for KD 100 each. The Hawally detectives had received information op society branches. Before the launch of Sanriku Railway 30 years memorative train said their daughter has given two were detained, and gave information for about the activity of four Asian women who The first case was reported in Omariya ago, many teenagers in this area gave up high them winning passenger tickets. “She gave us two others who were placed under arrest. Police offered sexual services and roamed cafés in where co-op workers discovered that thieves school education due to lack of transportation. an unforgettable gift to celebrate our golden later arrested a fifth suspect based on informa- Salmiya to look for customers. The women had broken in and stolen KD 1,000 in addition wedding anniversary. We have been looking tion provided by the detainees. The suspects were located and arrested by police who wait- to phone credit recharge cards. Minutes later, a Show of appreciation forward to seeing the full restoration of Sanriku said during questioning that they made a good ed for them to emerge from a café. They were similar report was made by workers at a But the high school enrollment rate has sig- Railway, and finally it made a comeback,” the profit by selling forged medical certificates to referred to the Immigration General Farwaniya co-op branch, who said that cash nificantly risen after the railway opened. In a couple said. The disaster left nearly 19,000 peo- workers who suffer from contagious diseases. Department for deportation. and recharge cards were stolen after a break in. show of appreciation for providing train servic- ple dead or missing in the northeastern region. They were referred to the public prosecution to A report with almost identical details was es for the students, high schools along the rail- In Iwate prefecture alone, 4,673 people were face charges. Fugitive nabbed made later by a co-op branch workers in way lines invite Sanriku Railway staff to their confirmed dead and 1,142 were still unac- Police detectives arrested a fugitive sen- Ishbiliya. Investigations revealed that the total graduation ceremony every year. counted for, while more than 440,000 houses Police ambush tenced to 90 years in jail over money-related value of the stolen items was over KD 3,000. The huge tsunami also severely damaged were destroyed or damaged, according to the Seventy people were arrested in police raids crimes. The Bangladeshi man was nabbed after Investigations are ongoing. aqua-farming industries in the region, includ- National Police Agency. Some people are ing production of scallops, which are special- rebuilding their homes, but still some 35,000 ties in Ofunato City, 400 km northeast of Tokyo. people are living in temporary houses in Iwate, All 10 million scallops and farming facilities the Reconstruction Agency said. were washed away. It takes three years to culti- Sanriku Railway has also drawn nationwide vate scallops to the point at which they are attention after it became the model of a railway ready for harvest. “This April, we finally man- company in popular TV drama series aged to restart harvesting scallops made from “Amachan” last year. The drama, which lifted our own seeds. And we are happy to offer our the spirits of the people in the disaster-hit first shipment to passengers on Sanriku areas, helped boost the number of passengers. Railway’s memorial train,” a fisherman in his 30s The series were also aired in Hawaii and other said. “Full return of Sanriku Railway is as impres- Asian countries including Taiwan and Thailand. sive as recovery of our scallop cultivation. I A family of four, who came from near Tokyo to went to high school by this train. Indeed, ride on the memorial train expressed their pleas- Sanriku Railway has been a part of my life. It ure. “I learned how much local people love this also shares the fate of this area, which heavily railway and they have been longing its full return. depends on fish industry,” he said. “I hope a lot We are very lucky to be a part of this historic of people, including Kuwaitis, will come to our event and see the background of the popular TV place by train and eat our delicious scallops.” drama,” said a woman in her 70s, who were with Tunisianan Ooredoo School at Hospitals programme her two daughters and a grandson. Series of ceremonies Reconstruction Minister Takumi Nemoto said Ooredoo initiatives to enable Arab Commemorating the full-scale operations, “Sanriku Railway is considered as a driving force Sanriku Railway introduced five new railcars, for the revitalization of this area, and full resump- each costs JPY 160 million ($1.6 million). In tion of operations raises hopes for the affected youth to reach their aspirations April last year, Kuwait also helped the company people.” While expressing appreciation to Kuwait buy three brand-new railcars on the occasion for its assistance, Nemoto noted, “I was deeply Mobile Health Clinics, which specifi- of the partial relaunch of the South Rias Line. impressed as many people waving hands and DOHA: Ooredoo’s support for “human working hard to develop new initia- cally target underserved communi- Following the 2011 catastrophe, upon direc- flags along the line in welcoming memorial growth” has seen its companies roll- tives to support them.” tiesin emerging markets. tives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- trains.” Sanriku Railway President Mochizuki said out a number of new initiatives in Wataniya Kuwait, an Ooredoo Empowering youth with hands-on Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait donated five the local community enormously welcomes the recent months, aiming to enable company, recently supported the collaborative experience, Nawras, million barrels of crude oil to Japan, equivalent restoration of train services. “Full service resume young people to fulfil their hopes and “Ghadi” Project in partnership with Ooredoo’s company in Oman, recent- to some $500 million, of which sales proceeds marked a great step forward. We really appreci- aspirations. the NEST aid group and Kuwait Red ly partnered the Muscat Youth were given to the three hardest-hit prefectures, ate great support from Kuwait. With eight cars Across the region, young people Crescent Society (KRCS). Through the Summit, a major event that enable including Iwate. funded by Kuwait, we can offer comfortable rail face a range of issues, including high project, young volunteers from 100 university students from 20 coun- A message of appreciation for Kuwaiti assis- travel to the people and carry their smiles,” unemployment and a lack of educa- Kuwait travelled to Lebanon to edu- tries to contribute to the city of tance, saying “We greatly appreciate the sup- Mochizuki said. —- KUNA tion opportunities. However, a grow- cate Syrian refugee children living ing number of young people are turn- there having fled the conflict in their Duqm’s expansion plans. ing to mobile and online solutions to home country. Funds raised by In Qatar, Ooredoo has recently support their learning and develop- Wataniya made it possible to contin- launchedthe Delni Campaign, a youth ment needs as a way to overcome ue the education of 1,233 Syrian initiative that aims to teach young these challenges. refugee children based in camps. people responsibility and self-worth, According to the recent Ooredoo as well as the “I Read” campaign with survey “New Horizons: Young, Arab, Medical care Childhood Cultural Centre, to pro- and Connected,” two-thirds of respon- Similar efforts are underway in mote reading among young people. dents are improving their job skills Palestine, where Wataniya Palestine In North Africa, Ooredoo Tunisiana and knowledge online, while 91 per- supports the Palestine Children’s and the Tunisian non-profit organisa- cent believe ICT encourages them to Relief Fund to help covers the cost of tion Tunaction have partnered on the Ooredoo Chairman be more entrepreneurial. Building on sending injured and needy children “Schools at Hospitals” programmes, ployment. the findings of this research, Ooredoo from the Gaza Strip for medical care which will build classrooms for long- Ooredoo has continued the part- is supporting a number of projects for abroad. term paediatric patients in 10 hospi- nership with Silatech by recently young people. In 2013, Ooredoo launched the tals in Tunis. announcing the winners of the first- Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed “Play for Dreams” initiative, which One of Ooredoo’s most successful ever Arab Mobile App Challenge, also Bin Saud Al-Thani, said: “We believe in brought young people from the programmes has been the Najja7ni supported by the Applied Innovation supporting the ambitions and aspira- MENA region and around the world (“Make Me Succeed”) platform of Institute. The Challenge promotes tions of the next generation. Young to Qatar to meet their hero, football mobile services in Tunisia, launched in entrepreneurship, start-up business- people are driving the success of our star Lionel “Leo” Messi. In addition, collaboration with Silatech, which es, and technology-based career skills company, and of every country in working with the Leo Messi supports youth employability and for Arab youth, with the next edition MORIOKA, Japan: Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi and his wife which we operate, and each opera- Foundation, the company has financial inclusion in a country where expected to be rolled-out further celebrate the railway’s full revival with Japanese officials. tion within the Ooredoo family is launched a global programme of young people face 30 percent unem- throughout the region. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Car bombs rock Drunk on democracy? Poll-bound India awash with free liquor Baghdad, 24 die

Page 11 Page 8 Morocco’s mentally ill await deliverance Mentally ill ‘healed’ by supernatural powers BOUYA OMAR: A thin mist hangs in the air as a Mohammed, a former drug addict from Tangiers, abound in the Muslim country, about good and attitude towards mental illness” in Morocco, come to see us long after, when they’re in handful of troubled souls wander aimlessly is adamant that he was subjected to brutal treat- bad genies (“jnun”) capable of affecting one’s which he mainly attributes to poor educa- bad shape.” Mohammed Oubouli, an around the Bouya Omar mausoleum in central ment seven years ago. Taken to Bouya Omar by daily life, and the power over them of tion. activist with the Moroccan Association of Morocco, the occasional chilling cry rising from his brother in 2006 to be cured of his “demon”, marabouts, holy men like Bouya Omar, whose “The level of awareness in the general Human Rights in Attaouia, a town near behind its walls. These are Morocco’s “pos- he says he was shackled and beaten repeatedly, ubiquitous white tombs are credited with the population is so low that a lot of people Bouya Omar, has campaigned for years to sessed”-from violent schizophrenics to hard given barely enough food to survive and robbed same supernatural forces. Over the past decade, tend to interpret their syndromes, their get what he calls “Morocco’s Guantanamo” drug users-who are believed to be tormented by of the little money he had. sociologists say, King Mohammed VI has encour- delusions and anxieties, as a curse, as closed. “We’re not against what the people evil spirits and whose relatives bring them here “I lived in hell for a year,” Mohammed said, aged such popular Islamic beliefs, commonly something that has nothing to do with believe; they can believe what they like. to await deliverance. But many are left wonder- adding that the experience had left him partially linked in Morocco to the world of healing, partly medicine. “So they seek healings in What bothers us is the suffering of those ing exactly what goes on inside the sanctuary of blind in one eye. He says his brother eventually as a way of countering extremist ideology. marabouts, and the problem is that they brought here.” — AFP Despite the human rights violations now associated with it, the cult of Bouya Omar falls squarely within this tradition. The saint’s mod- ern-day followers, who embody his authority and profit handsomely from the money paid for healing, mediate between the “patients” and the jnun believed to have possessed them, in rituals focused around the tomb and aimed at casting out the evil spirits. “The health minister cannot close Bouya Omar because it serves a political purpose and exists for other social and cultural reasons that are deeply rooted in Moroccan society,” says author and academic Zakaria Rhani. Promoting the culture of sainthood also strengthens the king’s legitimacy, which is itself based on the mythology of sainthood and inher- ited religious authority, Rhani says, referring to the monarch’s claim to be descended from Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). A source at the ministry of religious affairs admitted Bouya Omar is a “very complex and sensitive subject.” “The patient is imprisoned in a way to protect him, and to restrain this force, which is a kind of blind force, to exorcise the spirit,” he said, speak- ing on condition of anonymity. “We leave people BOUYA OMAR, Morocco: A mentally ill man walks in the village of Bouya Omar some 86 kilo- there because we can’t look after them. But it’s a meters East of Marrakesh. — AFP traditional system and it has to change.” the 16th-century Moroccan saint, situated in a returned and “saved” him. Damning reports ‘Crime against humanity’ small town named after him on the plains east of about mistreatment, including one presented by The difficulty of properly looking after the Marrakesh. Bouya Omar’s followers claim the a human rights organization to the UN group on patients, by getting them treatment at psychi- mentally ill are healed by the saint’s supernatural arbitrary detention visiting Morocco in atric facilities run by qualified personnel, stems powers, but rights groups allege gross mistreat- December, prompted the health minister to from the backward state of Morocco’s mental ment of those taken there, with one former announce that he would close Bouya Omar health sector after decades of neglect, medical inmate describing months of “hell”. immediately-if only he could. “I’m going to do experts say. Jallal Toufiq, head doctor at the Activists say hundreds of people have been everything I can to get this centre closed. Arrazi mental hospital in Rabat’s twin city Sale, kept in chains here, sometimes starved and Unfortunately the decision is not for the ministry says there are only 400 psychiatrists in a country beaten, making the place a byword for cruelty of health,” Hossein El Ouardi said in January. of 33 million people, while some of the psychi- and highlighting the stigma attached to mental atric institutions are in a “very advanced state of illness in Morocco. Their numbers cannot be ver- Popular beliefs disrepair”. The US-trained doctor describes the ified and officials are reluctant to speak about The issue touches a sensitive nerve running practices at Bouya Omar as a “crime against what they say is a “sensitive subject”. through Moroccan society. Popular beliefs humanity,” lamenting the “extremely negative

Egypt’s extremist group blacklisted WASHINGTON: The Obama administration is imposing sanctions on an Egypt-based group that has claimed respon- sibility for attacks against Egyptian officials, Israeli interests and foreign tourists in Cairo and the Sinai peninsula. The State Department said yesterday it has designated Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis a “foreign terrorist organization.” That means any assets it may have in US jurisdictions are frozen and Americans are barred from providing the group with any material resources. The department said the group is sympa- thetic to Al-Qaeda but is not a formal affiliate. Ansar Bayt Al- Maqdis was founded in 2011 and has attacked the Israeli city of Eilat and a Sinai pipeline. The group has also tried to assas- sinate Egyptian officials and claimed a February bombing of a Sinai tour bus that killed three South Korean tourists.

Morsi trials In another development, an Egyptian appeals court yes- terday rejected a request that new judges be appointed for two trials involving ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, judicial officials said. The trials are part of a sweeping crackdown waged against Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood since the army overthrew him in July, and the former president could face the death penalty if convicted. The court is now expected to set a date for the resumption of each of the two trials involving jailbreak and espionage charges, the officials said. Defense lawyers had requested that a new panel of judges examine both cases involving Morsi and Brotherhood figures, complaining about a soundproof glass cage in which the accused are held when the court is in ses- sion. The special dock is designed to stop Morsi and other defendants from interrupting the proceedings, as they have done in the past. The recusal request was also motivated by the alleged taping of a private conversation between the defendants and their defense team, after a newspaper leaked talks between Morsi and lawyer Selim Al-Awa. The court also fined two defendants, Brotherhood leader Mohammed Al-Beltagui and Islamic preacher Safwat Hegazi, 6,000 Egyptian pounds (more than $850, 600 euros) for each trial, as the recusal request had been made in their names. Morsi and 130 other defendants, including Palestinian and Lebanese militants, are accused of organiz- ing jailbreaks and attacking police stations during the 2011 uprising that toppled autocratic president Hosni Mubarak. Prosecutors allege the attacks on police stations and the jail- breaks, in which Morsi and other political prisoners escaped, were a Brotherhood-led conspiracy to sow chaos in Egypt. In the espionage trial, Morsi and 35 others are accused of conspiring with foreign powers, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and Shiite Iran to destabilize Egypt. Morsi is also on trial for inciting the murder of protesters during his presidency. The ousted Islamist is to face a fourth trial for insulting the judiciary, but no date has yet been announced. Since Morsi’s ouster, more than 1,400 have been killed in a crackdown, according to Amnesty International. Thousands have been jailed. — Agencies THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Only woman in Algeria presidential race KOLEA: A string of white pearls around to tax the wealthy... to suspend the and trying to drag the country into new dent is surrounded by wolves, and she is Westernized elite who speak French and her neck, her hair tied in a bun, Louisa Association Agreement with the violence. trying to get closer to him in order to are widely despised among the general Hanoune, the only woman running for European Union and accession to the In her third campaign for the presi- unmask them,” reasoned Abdelkader, a public. A law graduate from the Algeria’s presidency, holds out her palms World Trade Organisation, and to with- dency, Hanoune also has in her sights Ali taxi driver in his 40s. Benflis was absent University of Annaba, Hanoune is bilin- and declares: “I have clean hands”. The from the last leadership contest, in 2009, gual and has a rare command of Arabic remark triggers an outburst of celebrato- in which Hanoune came a distant sec- for an Algerian leader, mixing classic and ry ululations and chants of “Louisa! ond, officially scoring 4.2 percent to street Arabic to make herself understood Louisa!” among supporters of the 60- Bouteflika’s landslide 90.2 percent, by ordinary people. It was in July 1991, at year-old leftist candidate, who is widely although she alleged widespread fraud. a gathering broadcast live on state tele- popular in Algeria, even among conser- vision, that many Algerians first discov- vatives hostile to feminism. ‘Better than Chavez’ ered the outspoken politician, as she “I have clean hands,” she declares in a A nationalist and a communist, demanded the release of the main lead- husky voice. “I have not held back, I have Hanoune is often described as “Algeria’s ers of the now-disbanded Islamic not sold off any businesses, I have not Chavez”. “I’ll do better than him,” she says Salvation Front (FIS) after their imprison- oppressed women.” She was speaking at in reference to the late Venezuelan presi- ment. a gathering in Kolea, about 40 kilometers dent. “He had the courage to prise his During the devastating civil war that west of Algiers, where many women country from the grip of the IMF and the erupted months later, following the mili- were among the roughly 300 supporters World Bank, but failed to cancel debt.” A tary-backed decision to cancel elections of the head of the Worker’s Party, who charismatic orator, Hanoune raised the that the Islamists were poised to win, has been a member of parliament since Trotskyist Worker’s Party, which was Hanoune steadfastly called for a negoti- 1997. The April 17 election is “an founded secretly in the 1980s, to the ated solution. At the height of the blood- unprecedented review of the history of ranks of one of the main political parties shed, Hanoune never abandoned her independent Algeria,” argues the veteran KOLEA: Head of the Algerian Workers’ Party Louisa Hanoune gives a speech in the National Assembly. Her convic- apartment and party headquarters in leftist whose campaign calls for during a political meeting ahead of next month’s presidential election in Kolea, tions were forged in an uncompromising the working-class Algiers district of El “Audacity” and “For a Second Republic”. a town in Tipaza Province, northern Algeria. — AFP struggle to annul the Family Code, Harrach, even as most of her rivals Explaining the slogans, Hanoune says passed in 1984 and still standing, which moved to safer neighborhoods. “I it “is 52 years since independence, we draw from the Arab Free Trade Area,” she Benflis, seen as the main challenger to relegates Algerian women to the status refused the offer to live in Club des Pins,” must finish with the one-party system adds. Her targets are multinational com- incumbent President Abdelaziz of second class citizens. she said of the resort west of the capital which is stripping the people of their panies and “foreign hands” which she Bouteflika, for whom she does not hide But unlike other Algerian feminists, where some of the political elite took sovereignty”. Algeria needs the “audacity accuses of slipping into civilian clothing her admiration. “She knows the presi- she isn’t considered part of the refuge at the time.—AFP Mideast talks falter Israel freezes high-level contacts with Palestinians JERUSALEM: Israel announced yesterday a par- Yitzhak Aharonovitch told Israel Radio. At his tial freeze in high-level contacts with the Congressional appearance, Kerry said both sides Palestinians in retaliation for their signing of had taken “unhelpful” steps in recent days and international conventions, deepening a crisis that he hoped they would find a way to resume that threatens to wreck US-brokered peace talks. serious negotiations, noting they had held a A spokesman for the Palestinian Authority (PA), lengthy meeting on Monday. which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, said Israeli-Palestinian ministerial Low expectations meetings were rare but voiced concern that the Israeli and Palestinian officials cooperate on step could be followed by economic sanctions. civilian issues such as the environment, water Israeli government officials said Prime and energy, but Bseiso said this usually does not Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered cabi- entail face-to-face meetings. The PA’s main con- net members, directors-general of government cern focuses on possible economic curbs. Under ministries and other senior officials not to meet interim peace deals, Israel collects and transfers their counterparts in the Palestinian Authority. to the PA some $100 million a month in taxes on The order does not apply to Justice Minister Tzipi goods imported into the Palestinian territories. Livni, Israel’s chief peace negotiator, or to Israel has previously frozen the payments during defense and security officials, they said. A US times of heightened tensions. mediator has held a series of meetings over the Palestinian officials said Abbas had signed past week to try to push the troubled talks past the international agreements, including the an original April 29 deadline for a deal. Geneva Conventions covering the conduct of “This decision undermines all international war and occupation, in response to Israel’s fail- efforts ... to revive the negotiations, to proceed ure to carry out a promised release of several with a constructive solution to the challenges dozen Palestinian prisoners a few days earlier. facing the peace process,” said PA spokesman Palestinians were further angered by the subse- Ehab Bseiso. An Israeli official said Netanyahu quent announcement on settlements. At a cabi- had issued the order in response to “the net session on Sunday, Netanyahu pledged to Palestinians’ grave violation of their commit- retaliate for Abbas’s move, which Israel sees as a CAIRO: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas ments in the framework of the peace talks” - a unilateral step toward statehood and an attempt attends the Arab foreign ministers meeting at reference to the signing of 15 international to gain leverage over it. Israel had conditioned the Arab League headquarters in Cairo yes- agreements last week. The ban was imposed just freedom for the fourth and last group of the 104 terday. Arab foreign ministers met with hours after US Secretary of State John Kerry sug- prisoners it had pledged to release when the Abbas to discuss floundering US-brokered gested that Israel’s announcement on April 1 of peace talks restarted last July on a Palestinian peace talks with Israel ahead of a looming plans to build about 700 housing units in East commitment to extend the negotiations beyond deadline.— AFP Jerusalem was the immediate cause of talks April. It said the tender to build new houses in plunging into crisis. East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the war, could deny them a viable state. Most coun- Kerry’s comments in testimony to Congress capital of a future state, had been issued last tries consider the settlements illegal. Israel cites on Tuesday raised eyebrows in Netanyahu’s gov- year and was resubmitted because there had historical and Biblical links to the West Bank and erning coalition. “To accuse us of causing this? I been no initial takers. Palestinians fear settle- Jerusalem and says it intends to keep major set- think he’s wrong,” Internal Security Minister ments, built on land Israel captured in a 1967 tlement blocs in any future peace deal.—Reuters BAGHDAD: A crane lifts the remains of a vehicle at the site of an explosion in Baghdad yesterday. — AFP News Car bombs rock Iran, P5+1 face in brief

significant gaps MERS death toll Baghdad, 24 die hits 67 in Saudi VIENNA: Negotiators from Iran and six “Iran wants a deal in which its rights have JEDDAH: Saudi health authorities announced yester- BAGHDAD: Car bombs hit several mostly Later yesterday, three more civilians world powers struggled yesterday to nar- been considered,” the official said. “The day another death caused by the MERS virus in the Shiite neighborhoods of Baghdad and a died and eight were wounded when anoth- row “significant gaps” in talks aimed at talks have entered a very difficult stage. capital Riyadh, bringing the nationwide toll to 67. The town south of the Iraqi capital yesterday, er car bomb struck Baghdad’s central clearing the way for a long-term accord on Making progress is difficult.” 57-year-old Saudi national had been suffering from killing at least 24 people and wounding upscale commercial area of Jadiriyah. curbing Tehran’s nuclear program. The chronic illnesses, the health ministry said. It also dozens, officials said, the latest bout of vio- Medical officials confirmed the causality negotiators from Iran and the so-called P5- ‘Breakout’ period reported that another two Saudis had been infected lence ahead of the country’s first parlia- figures. All officials spoke on condition of plus-one - the United States, Russia, China, The six powers’ goal is to extend the by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-one a 51- ment elections since the 2011 US troop anonymity because they were not author- Britain, France and Germany - plan after “breakout” period Iran would need to year-old and the other a 90-year-old, both of whom withdrawal. No group immediately claimed ized to talk to the media. Violence has their two days of talks in Vienna to start develop an atomic weapon as much as are suffering chronic illnesses. The latest figures bring responsibility for the attacks but the bomb- surged in Iraq since last year, with the drafting the agreement to meet a self- possible. US Secretary of State John Kerry to 179 the number of cases of MERS in Saudi Arabia ings bore the hallmarks of an Al-Qaeda- country weathering its deadliest bout of imposed July 20 deadline. said on Tuesday the current Western view since the virus first appeared in the kingdom in inspired group and other Sunni insurgents, violence since it pulled back from the brink “The Iranians clearly have a sense of of that period is two months. Iran’s September 2012. The virus was initially concentrated who frequently use suicide and car bombs of civil war in 2008. UN figures showed that urgency to get a deal done, as does the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the eastern region but has now spread across more to target public areas and government last year, Iraq saw the highest death toll in P5+1,” a Western diplomat close to the talks has repeatedly said that the oil-producing areas. Eleven new cases were reported in the western buildings in their bid to undermine confi- attacks, with 8,868 people killed. said. “We know that there are still some sig- OPEC member’s “red lines” are that it will port city of Jeddah in recent weeks, causing a wave of dence in the Shiite-led government. The Yesterday’s attacks came as Iraq is heading nificant gaps that remain and know this never give up enrichment or shut any panic fuelled by rumors circulated on social networks. explosions also coincided with the anniver- toward a crucial election on April 30, its first process will not be easy. But we’re all com- nuclear facility. Among the toughest issues sary of the 2003 fall of Baghdad in the vote since the 2011 US troop pullout. mitted to getting it (the draft) done by July are Iran’s centrifuge research and develop- Italy navy rescues hands of US troops. More than 9,000 candidates will vie for 20,” he said, in an assessment echoed by ment program, the size of its uranium 4,000 immigrants The deadliest of the day’s attacks took 328 seats in parliament but there will be no other Western diplomats. The toughest stockpiles, the future of the Arak research ROME: Italy has rescued about 4,000 immigrants try- place in the town of Numaniyah, about 80 balloting in parts of the western, Sunni- areas to be tackled are Iran’s future urani- reactor that could eventually yield signifi- ing to cross the Mediterranean by boats to reach its kilometers south of Baghdad, where a dominated Anbar province engulfed in um enrichment capacity, nuclear facilities cant quantities of bomb-grade plutonium, shores in the past two days, the interior minister said yesterday, calling the crisis “increasingly glaring”. “The bomb first went off in a busy commercial clashes between security forces and Al- that Western powers believe have little or and the future of the previously hidden landings are non-stop and the emergency is increas- area, followed by a car bomb that exploded Qaeda-inspired militants. On Tuesday, the no civilian value, and future nuclear Fordow underground enrichment plant. ingly glaring. Right now two merchant ships are rescu- as people gathered to help the victims country’s Independent High Electoral research work, as well as a schedule of The stakes are high. Western powers, ing two boats with 300 and 361 people aboard. It from the first blast. In all, five people were Commission said those areas were too dan- steps to remove the international sanctions along with Russia and China, want to avert appears there’s at least one corpse on board,” Interior killed and 17 were wounded, police said. gerous for the vote to take place. Since late that have crippled Iran’s economy. an escalation of tensions in the Middle East Minister Angelino Alfano told public radio Rai Uno. Earlier in the day, a car bomb in Baghdad’s December, the western Anbar province has Background tensions over Russia’s in the form of a new war or a regional Alfano estimated that 15,000 migrants had been res- central Nidhal Street killed four people and seen fierce fighting between government involvement in Ukraine and Western nuclear arms race. Iran, which denies accu- cued so far this year. He said between 300,000 and wounded 11, while three people died and troops and allied tribal militias on one side, threats of further sanctions against sations it is seeking a nuclear weapons 600,000 migrants were ready to set off from Libya on nine were wounded in a car bombing in and militants from the Islamic State of Iraq Moscow and over the US denial of a visa for capability, wants an end to sanctions and the northern Kazimiyah district. Car bombs and the Levant, an Al-Qaeda spin-off the perilous journey, “a low estimate which has been Iran’s proposed new UN envoy in New York to regain what it sees as its rightful place as confirmed by European Home Affairs Commissioner also exploded in the areas of Shaab, group, on the other. The militants have have so far not harmed the nuclear talks, a leading regional power. The current Shammaiya, Karrada and Maamil, killing a seized and are continuing to hold parts of Cecilia Malmstroem”. “Europe must take the situation diplomats say. A senior Iranian official said Vienna talks are building on a preliminary in hand. It cannot say that, having given 80 million total of seven people and wounding 30, the provincial capital, Ramadi, and nearly Tehran was seeking to protect its “red lines” deal that Iran and the six powers reached in police officials added. all of the nearby city of Fallujah.— AP euros ($110 million) to Frontex, the problem has been in what he said were “difficult” negotiations. Geneva last November.-—Reuters resolved,” he said, referring to the European Union’s border control agency.

Dems call Benghazi Kenya expels scores of Somalis after round-ups probe ‘witch hunt’ NAIROBI: Dozens of Somalis were were still undergoing identity checks. ers of Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab the expulsions and said that those sent WASHINGTON: House Democrats say a Republican- led investigation into the deadly attack against the US expelled from Kenya yesterday, offi- The operation, reportedly involving rebels. home included women and children. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, is a partisan cials said, as security forces main- more than 6,000 police and elite officers, Three blasts in Eastleigh on March 31 The UN’s refugee agency has said it was “witch hunt,” and they’re demanding that it end. Two tained a major crackdown on suspect- started on Friday and has focused on that killed six people appear to have “concerned” at the wave of arrests and congressmen - Adam Smith of Washington state and ed Islamists that has seen thousands Eastleigh, an ethnic Somali-dominated triggered the latest police crackdown, has demanded access to those detained. Elijah Cummings of Maryland - tell reporters that mul- rounded up in the capital. Kenya’s district of the Kenyan capital known as although frequent swoops on Somalis In a statement this week, the UN agency tiple inquiries and reports have answered the ques- Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku said “Little Mogadishu”. The crackdown, have been taking place since last said it understood Kenya’s security con- tions surrounding the Sept 11, 2012, assault. Four 3,000 people have so far been which has seen people held in police September’s deadly siege of a Nairobi cerns, but urged security forces “to Americans, including US Ambassador Chris Stevens, detained in the operation, and 82 of cells or a football stadium in Nairobi’s shopping mall that was claimed by uphold the rights of all those arrested were killed. Smith says Republicans continue to press them flown back to Somalia’s Kasarani district, follows a spate of Shebab. Somalia’s ambassador in and to treat them in a humane and non- ahead in a partisan attempt to embarrass the Obama administration. Mogadishu. He said hundreds more attacks in Kenya by suspected support- Nairobi, Mohamed Ali Nur, confirmed discriminatory manner.” —Agencies INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 Crime breeds mob ‘justice’ in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina has been shaken by a themselves to punish suspected criminals. “They cumstances,” he said. ty has increased, which makes it the opposition’s recent wave of incidents of mob “justice,” underscor- kill, they rape, they rob. What do you expect?” 64- So far, only one person has died in the mob most exploitable issue in next year’s elections. ing public frustration with rising crime and ineffec- year-old Jose Villalba, the superintendant of a build- attacks, an 18-year-old who was beaten to death Sociologist Guillermo Perez Sosto agrees: “Part of tual police work. In the past 10 days, there have ing in downtown Buenos Aires told AFP, expressing after a purse snatching in a poor part of the city of the population lost faith in the state.” “There is a been 12 reports of attempted lynchings, where sympathy with the vigilantes. “I don’t think I would Rosario, 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires. His feeling that they’ve been abandoned,” says Perez angry members of the public have taken it upon go to such an extreme, but you’d have to see the cir- family insists he was innocent. But reports of mob Sosto, who heads the Instituto Torcuato Di Tella justice have surged in the past two weeks in places think tank. Argentina has not published crime sta- like Buenos Aires’s upscale Palermo neighborhood tistics since 2009, when the country had the highest and five provinces. Argentines have mixed opinions rate of robberies in Latin America — 974 per about the trend. “To lynch is to return to barbarism,” 100,000 inhabitants-despite a low murder rate. said Ariel Billordo, a 29 year-old systems analyst. A survey by pollster Aragon y Asociados published Drugs, police corruption Monday, however, found that nearly 30 percent of “Drugs is what has to be stopped,” said Jaime the population of Buenos Aires are in favor of vio- Meza, a 58-year-old messenger. But what to do lence against law-breakers. about it poses a dilemma, he added. “To lynch is to become a murderer. You can’t have confidence in Politicians React the police because there is a lot of corruption.” The country’s political leaders are taking note. Meza’s dim view of law enforcement is shared by The governor of Buenos Aires province, Daniel many Argentines. Scioli, has declared a state of emergency in his juris- The Aragon y Asociados survey found that 73.8 diction, where 16 million of Argentina’s 40 million percent of those polled believe there is a relation- people live. Scioli, an ally of President Cristina ship between politics and drug trafficking, while Kirchner and a favorite to run as president in 2015, 78.7 percent believe some police are involved with announced plans to buy patrol cars and rehire 5,000 drug traffickers. retired police officers to beef up a force that already Carried out earlier this month in the Buenos numbers 72,000. Sergio Massa, an opposition Aires metropolitan area, the poll also found that deputy who also is likely to run for president, said 38.4 percent feel that people have the right to the public’s taking matters into its own hands was organize and arm themselves in self-defense if the justified in light of “the absence of the state” in government is unable to control crime; 54.7 percent fighting crime. were opposed. Juan Carlos Molina, a Catholic priest “Each one tries to capitalize on the problem. But in charge of the federal anti-drug agency, criticized insecurity has taken a more complex turn with the the governor’s plans for fighting crime. “Buy a lot of lynchings,” said Mariel Fornoni, an analyst with vests and bullets, but let’s also triple the number of BUENOS AIRES: Riot police guard a supermarket attacked by looters in San Fernando, Buenos Aires Management and Fit (M&F) consulting. M&F says sports, cultural and therapeutic scholarships,’ he province. — AFP that 84 percent of the population believes insecuri- said on his Twitter account. — AFP

US Student goes on stabbing spree Study finds more US

MURRYSVILLE: A student armed with a knife went on a stay-at-home moms stabbing and slashing spree at a high school near Pittsburgh yesterday morning, leaving as many as 20 WASHINGTON: More mothers in the United States are staying people injured, including four students who suffered home, but the increase is linked more to unemployment and serious wounds, authorities said. The suspect, a male demographic changes than to choice, a study published Tuesday suggested. In 2012, nearly one in three mothers, or 29 student, was taken into custody and being questioned percent, did not work outside the home, up from 23 percent in by police. All of the victims were expected to survive, 1999, said the study from the Washington-based Pew Research doctors said. Not all of the 20 injured at Franklin Center. Most of the homemakers, 85 percent, indicated they Regional High School were cut by the knife, though stayed at home to look after their children. most were, Westmoreland County emergency manage- However, six percent said they did so because they could ment spokesman Dan Stevens said. not find employment-up from one percent in 2000. A third of Some suffered scrapes and cuts in the ensuing may- stay-at-home mothers were of foreign origin, well above the hem that broke out at about 7:15 am at the school in one in five immigrant mothers in the workforce, something the Murrysville, about 15 miles east of Pittsburgh. One vic- study said could be attributed to a fast-growing Asian and tim was an adult, authorities said, but none of the Latino population. In addition, stay-at-home moms were more names of the victims was being released. Dr Chris likely to be younger and less educated. Kaufman, the trauma director at Forbes Regional A third lived below the poverty line, double the proportion Medical Center, the closest hospital, said two victims in 1970, compared to 12 percent of working mothers. More and were in surgery and one was awaiting surgery. All three more were single mothers, while those who were married with a working husband were by far more affluent and better edu- were all stabbed in the torso, abdomen, chest or back, cated. Sixty percent of Americans surveyed thought it was bet- which he called “significant injuries.” ter for a child for one parent to be at home-a view most strong- Seven teens and one adult were listed in serious con- ly felt among Latinos, Protestants and those with lower levels of dition at Forbes Hospital, West Penn Allegheny Health MURRYSVILLE: Students leave the campus of the Franklin Regional School District where several people education. — AFP System spokeswoman Jennifer Davis said. They ranged were stabbed at Franklin Regional High School yesterday. — AP in age from 15 to 60, and some were in surgery, she hoping for more information. “My first thoughts were I said. A ninth victim, a 15-year-old girl, was in good con- think we need to home school now that this has hap- dition at another hospital, Davis said. Twelve of the vic- pened,” Hundley said. “The words can’t describe how I tims were sent to four hospitals, a spokeswoman said. feel. I’m just thinking of the victims.” She said hospital officials were still gathering informa- Gov Tom Corbett ordered state police to assist local tion on their conditions and identities, including the investigators. “I was shocked and saddened upon patients’ ages. The suspect was being questioned by learning of the events that occurred this morning as county detectives and police. Stevens said the suspect students arrived at Franklin Regional High School. As a used a knife, though he didn’t say what kind and said it parent and grandparent, I can think of nothing more wasn’t immediately clear why the student attacked the distressing than senseless violence against children. others. One student told WTAE he saw “students holding My heart and prayers go out to all the victims and their stomachs, bleeding.” That student wasn’t sure how their families,” Corbett said in a statement. School offi- the assailant was stopped, but said at some point, a fire cials and Murrysville police didn’t immediately return alarm was activated and said, “As soon as we heard the calls seeking further details, but the school issued a fire alarm was pulled we went outside.” Speaking outside bulletin on its website saying: “A critical incident has the school, Morris Hundley said his 14-year-old daughter, occurred at the high school. All elementary schools are Morriah, called him Wednesday morning in tears. canceled, the middle school and high school students Hundley came to the school still wearing his slippers, are secure.” — AP Crimea gays fear life under Russia

SIMFEROPOL: Yelena, an openly gay teacher in Crimea friends with two same-sex couples with children. There who is raising four children with her partner, fears she are a number of gay bars on the peninsula and the resort could lose her family and her job now that her home has town of Simeiz, not far from Simferopol, has long been been taken over by Russia. Since the Black Sea peninsula known as a summertime playground for gays from all of broke away from Ukraine and pledged allegiance to Ukraine. “Nothing good awaits us here,” said openly gay Moscow last month, the 38-year-old has been dreading theatre director Anton Romanov, sporting silver rings on the impact of tough Russian laws on her and her family, his fingers. she says. “There are serious concerns that children can be Like Yelena, the 29-year-old ethnic Russian chose not taken away, and there could be problems at work,” Yelena to vote in the referendum, in which nearly 97 percent of said in Crimea’s main city of Simferopol, speaking on the voters opted to split from Ukraine. Romanov said he was condition that her last name not be published. Russian planning to leave the peninsula and was considering a President Vladimir Putin last year signed a law banning number of job opportunities in Ukraine. “I have no desire the dissemination of so-called “gay propaganda” to to live in Russia whatsoever,” he said. “It seems to me the minors. words ‘tolerance’ and ‘the Russian Federation’ are Its wording is so vague that experts have said it could antonyms.” He said the pro-European uprising in Ukraine be used to persecute homosexuals. Rights activists say that ousted Kremlin-backed president Viktor Yanukovych the law has contributed to anti-gay sentiment and hate had given him hope that one day gays and lesbians crimes. Russia has also passed a law banning adoption by would be allowed to marry in Ukraine. “There is light at same-sex couples. Yelena, a slender woman with short the end of the tunnel,” he said with a smile. “In Russia hair, metal-rimmed glasses and no makeup, said the legis- there’s no such light.” lation essentially outlawed her way of life. “Generally speaking, the very existence of these people is propagan- Laws rally Putin’s base da,” she said, referring to gays. Yelena calls her partner of Since returning to the Kremlin for a third term in 2012, seven years her “wife”, although there are no laws in Putin has sought to play up conservative values to rally Ukraine to bless their union. Both she and her partner, a support from blue-collar workers and middle-aged vot- doctor, were previously married and together are raising ers, his core constituency. He has defended the legislation four children aged 10 to 18. on gays, arguing that Russia has not banned homosexual The soft-spoken teacher says she has spent years fight- relations. Some in Russia have already said Crimea should ing for her right to be different. She has given television be turned into an “oasis of morality”. “The whole world is interviews and weathered pressure from Ukrainian watching what Russia will bring to Crimea,” wrote Yury regional authorities with support from her employers and Ryazanov, head of the conservative groups Our Children relatives. She commands respect from her pupils’ parents, and Morality Police, in a recent blog post. who have grown to trust her. But after Crimea’s annexa- Perhaps surprisingly, some gays said they were in favor tion by Russia-a move condemned as illegal by both of Crimea joining Russia. A Simferopol-based gay activist Ukraine and the United Nations General Assembly-Yelena who goes by the pseudonym Artyom Lovesky said he says she fears she will have to go back “in the closet”. “Our agreed that minors should be protected from gay “propa- children consider us both mothers and call us both ganda” and that the issue had been “exaggerated”. But as moms,” she said. “They are not aware of the laws adopted someone with no children of his own, “I personally have in Russia. I can’t even imagine how I’ll be able to explain not dealt with the issue,” he said. Yelena said she did not this to them, and that you cannot talk about this.” want to take any chances and had begun looking for ways to leave. But she and her partner have discovered ‘Nothing good awaits us’ that receiving refugee status is not easy, and selling their There are no precise numbers for gays and lesbians in apartment next to impossible because local property Crimea, home to more than two million people. Yelena sales have been put on ice. “Every day we are pulled hith- estimated there could be several hundred homosexuals er and thither,” she said. “Should we leave or should we in Simferopol, whose population is about 300,000. She is stay?”— AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Spring surge: Africans risk lives to reach Europe

MELILLA: They perched atop a barbed-wire ment said Wednesday. This year, 15,000 In February, Morocco announced that it had tus-laden slopes as a light rain began to fall. Cameroon outside the temporary camp for laced fence for more than seven hours, migrants have already been rescued by reduced illegal immigration to Spain using None gave their names for fear it would refugees in Melilla. hands and feet bloodied, buffeted by chill Italy, with another 300,000 waiting in Libya boats by 93 percent. harm their chances of getting to Spain. In contrast to the grim expressions of winds whipping the cliffs of Africa’s to board dangerously unsafe smuggling Spain has sounded the alarm on illegal The sound of sirens and men shouting those on the mountain, the migrants at the Mediterranean coast. The 27 sub-Saharan boats. For the Melilla migrants, most of migration, with Prime Minister Mariano erupted in the distance. Migrants said it Melilla camp are quick to smile - for they are African migrants were literally on the edge whom spent at least two years traveling Rajoy asking last week for “greater commit- was the racket of Moroccan police forces now in Europe. After a few months wait, between Africa’s economic misery and the from their destitute homes in central and ment” to deal with the pressure on Ceuta carrying out a daily comb of the mountain they will be transported to mainland Spain long-dreamt riches of Europe: On one side west Africa to get here, the climb-down will and Melilla. Moroccan and Spanish authori- to flush out migrants. Despite the police where they will either be processed for of the fence was Morocco, on the other the be a temporary setback. In weeks, they will ties have estimated that there are no less efforts, several hundred migrants clam- repatriation - a difficult process if they lack Spanish enclave of Melilla. Thirst, hunger likely be back, trying once more to enter than 30,000 illegal immigrants in Morocco - bered down for an assault later that night. documents and lie about their nationality - and exhaustion wore the migrants down. Europe. Dozens are wounded with every most hoping to get into Europe. Under such Of those, 27 ended up stranded on the or more likely eventually turned loose. One by one, they shakily climbed down the attempt. There are often fatalities, including pressure, the countries are resorting to fence the next morning, while their rest “Nothing in the world is as hard as that ladder that Spanish authorities had 15 who drowned in waters outside Ceuta increasingly brutal tactics, human rights were repulsed. “We only have five minutes fence and there is always a loss of life,” said propped up on their side of the fence. on Feb 6 after Spanish guards fired at them groups warn. In February, Human Rights to cross the wire because then security Jackie Mefire, an aspiring rapper from the Spanish police led the Africans back to with rubber bullets. Watch slammed the countries’ security calls for reinforcements - and if we get Central African Republic, who was kicked Morocco - and into the hands of their wait- forces for beating migrants, as well as across before they come, we can make it,” back to Morocco three times before finally ing Moroccan counterparts. ‘Feel less threatened’ expelling those who had made it over the said Aba, a muscular young man from reaching Melilla. —AP The men are part of a spring migration Spain’s Supreme Court banned the use fence without considering asylum claims. offensive from Africa to Europe, with record of rubber bullets after the drowning deaths numbers of desperate people risking death caused an outcry. That may have just Rough treatment in their quest for a better life. They use per- emboldened the migrants. “They feel less Rough treatment doesn’t deter the ilous routes such as Mediterranean Sea threatened,” said Anke Strauss of the migrants. While African migrants shuffling crossings on rickety boats to the Italian International Organization for Migration. along on crutches with broken legs from island of Lampedusa or treks through Melilla and Ceuta offer the only land route failed attempts can be seen in the streets of desert, jungle and mountain that culminate between the world’s richest and poorest Nador, there are many more waiting to try. in attempts to scale fences erected to keep continents. Nearly every week, hundreds of Mount Gourougou looms over Nador and them out of Melilla and Spain’s other North migrants sneak down from mountain Melilla, and its wooded, often fog-shrouded African enclave, Ceuta. camps to throw themselves at Moroccan slopes are home to thousands of African Official data for 2013 is not yet available police and try to clamber over three layers migrants. They live in makeshift camps as from Spain - but already in the first three of fences, using poles to pull down the rolls they prepare to creep through the night for months of this year, the number of migrants of barbed wire and boosting themselves dawn assaults on the fences. making it into Melilla has surpassed the esti- over each other’s bodies. For all of them, it is the final stage of a mated 1,000 who got in last year. On March “As long as there is such a big difference yearslong journey through treacherous ter- 18 alone, a record 500 people made it over, in wealth and there are problems in Africa, rain. “I don’t even know how long ago I left while weeks before the Moroccans blocked there will always be immigration,” said Adil home,” said a young tired-looking another 700 migrants- numbers unheard of Akkid of the Moroccan Association for Senegalese man carrying empty plastic bot- in the past. The increasing pressure of Human Rights, which works with the tles up the mountain after a day of scaveng- African immigration is felt across Europe, migrants camped around the Moroccan city ing for food in nearby Moroccan villages. with the UN reporting a 300 percent rise in of Nador, outside Melilla. “Europe is the rich- “When I think of the place I left behind, I migrants this spring attempting boat cross- est and closest continent.” Along the can’t go home - to go back empty-handed MELILLA: A would-be immigrant helps a comrade as others sit atop a ings to Lampedusa. Spanish enclaves, the rise is partly due to after all this? Not possible.” His companions, border fence separating Morocco from the north African Spanish Italy picked up some 4,000 migrants at success by Morocco and Spain in discourag- including a 16-year-old youth from enclave of Melilla. —AFP sea in the last two days alone, the govern- ing sea routes between the two countries. Cameroon, nodded before trudging up cac- Ukraine crisis aggravates Moscow-NATO tensions Russia accuses US, West of fuelling tensions

MOSCOW: Russia yesterday dis- former Soviet Union were aimed ence on the border. The ministry Union said on Tuesday that top missed as “groundless” concerns in against itself. said the United States and Ukraine diplomats from the EU, Russia, Kiev and the West over the presence were conducting “an anti-Russian Ukraine and the United States of its troops near the border with International talks campaign” at the OSCE and increas- would meet next week to discuss Ukraine, saying they posed no He indicated Russia was con- ing tension over Ukraine, where the the crisis, but Russian Foreign threat, and accused Washington and cerned that since the crisis in authorities are trying to quell unrest Minister Sergei Lavrov struck a cool NATO of fuelling tension in the Ukraine started, NATO had intensi- by pro-Moscow protesters. “The tone and suggested there was no region. Washington has accused fied its contacts with Georgia and everyday activity of Russian troops firm agreement. “Dates have been Russia of orchestrating separatist unrest in eastern Ukraine this week and NATO has urged President Vladimir Putin to pull back troops WINDSOR: Guests listen during a speech by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in from near the Ukrainian border. “The United States and Ukraine honor of the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins at the State Banquet have no reason to be worried,” the during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, Russian Foreign Ministry said in a 2014. —AFP statement. “Russia has stated many times that it is not carrying out any Queen hails Irish peace unusual or unplanned activity on its territory near the border with Ukraine that would be of military efforts at historic dinner significance.” A senior Russian official accused NATO, which restricted its LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday pendence in 1922, and his wife Sabina cooperation with Moscow following welcomed the Irish president to Britain for were earlier treated to a spectacular cere- Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s the first time since the republic became monial welcome in Windsor, west of Crimea region last month, of waging independent with a banquet, controver- London, comprising gun salutes and a a “harsh, uncompromising informa- sially attended by former IRA commander glittering military parade involving 850 tion war” against Russia and trying Martin Guinness. The Windsor Castle din- soldiers and 275 horses. After a private to poison its relations with Kiev. ner, attended by British Prime Minister lunch, the 72-year-old president returned “We see what NATO is doing in Ukraine to prevent them from nor- David Cameron and a host of celebrities, to London and laid a wreath at the Grave malizing ties with us. Horror stories was thrown as part of Irish President of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster about the Russian armed forces are Michael D Higgins’s state visit as the once- Abbey. His show of remembrance for the being spread,” Deputy Defense hostile neighbors seek to consolidate British military’s fallen is highly symbolic, Minister Anatoly Antonov said, their improving ties. The historic state visit given the long history of the army in according to the Interfax news builds on the Queen’s groundbreaking quelling dissent in Ireland. agency. NATO says Russia has LUGANSK: A pro-Russian activist waves a Russian flag as he stands guard outside the regional visit to Ireland in 2011, which helped put The Queen spoke warmly of her 2011 massed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine’s borders and voiced Security Service building in Lugansk, eastern Ukraine yesterday. —AFP British-Irish relations on a new footing. visit before the evening banquet in concerns of a repeat of the takeover Shortly after guests took their seats at Windsor Castle’s grand Saint George’s Hall, of Crimea, which voted to join Moldova - former Soviet republics on its (Russian) territory does not named (for the meeting) - some 8:40 pm (1940 GMT), the monarch wel- where the menu included halibut, torna- Russia in a referendum staged after that are now eyeing closer integra- threaten the security of the United time in April. But that is what they comed Higgins to Britain and expressed does of Windsor estate beef and vanilla Russian forces were already in con- tion with the alliance and the West. States and other OSCE member want. We are awaiting an explana- her hopes for a “more settled future” ice-cream bombe with Balmoral redcur- trol. Speaking during a security con- The Foreign Ministry also said states,” it said. “Attempts to accuse tion of what they intend to do at between the two nations. The presence of rant centre. “Prince Philip and I recall our ference at Russia’s top diplomatic Moscow has shunned a meeting of Russia of building up its armed the meeting,” Lavrov told Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister visit to Ireland with great pleasure,” she university, Antonov said the turmoil the Organization for Security and forces are groundless.” reporters on the sidelines of a in Ukraine was a result of Western- Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) this The turmoil in Ukraine and government meeting on econom- and ex-IRA commander McGuinness at told guests, who included actors Judi sponsored efforts to overthrow week in Vienna, sought by Russia’s annexation of Crimea have ic and energy ties with Ukraine. the banquet was seen as particularly sig- Dench and Daniel Day-Lewis. “Your peo- rulers it disliked and that Moscow Washington and Kiev over their con- led to he biggest East-West standoff “There are more questions than nificant, as he snubbed a banquet in the ple’s famous hospitality-and, of course, considered any such attempts in the cerns about Russia’s military pres- since the Cold War. The European answers,” he said. —Reuters Queen’s honor in Dublin three years ago. Ireland’s thoroughbred horses-all these As a commander in the Irish Republican and much more left a happy and endur- Army, McGuinness played a key role in the ing impression.” Spanish MPs block British minister quits Troubles-the three decades of sectarian She said the visits showed the two violence between Northern Ireland’s nations were becoming “good and Catalonia referendum British Protestants and Irish Catholics. dependable neighbors and better friends” over expenses claims The Sinn Fein politician made the psy- who could look forward to a “more settled BARCELONA: Spain faced a national divide yesterday after its law- makers overwhelmingly shot down Catalonia’s bid for an inde- LONDON: Maria Miller, the minister who oversaw parliamentary report. This is about that.” An inde- chological leap of meeting the Queen in future”. “After so much chequered history, pendence referendum. Spain’s parliament refused the northeast- future regulation of Britain’s newspapers, quit her pendent inquiry found she should pay back Belfast in 2012. Higgins earlier hailed the the avoidable and regrettable pain of ern region’s request to hold a November 9 referendum by a land- cabinet post yesterday following a row over £45,000 ($75,400, 54,600 euros) for expenses she warm ties between the two nations, which is still felt by many of us, this goal is slide 299 votes to 47 after a seven-hour debate Tuesday. Prime expenses linked to a mortgage. Miller said she over-claimed on her mortgage, but that was cut which he said once seemed “unachiev- now within reach,” she added. The vio- Minister Mariano Rajoy led parliament in spurning Catalonia’s took “full responsibility” for her decision to stand to £5,800 by a committee of lawmakers. able”. Addressing both houses of parlia- lence in Northern Ireland was largely end- secessionist bid, refusing to countenance a breakup of Spain. His down as culture secretary, saying she did not want ment in London, Higgins said Ireland’s ed by the 1998 Good Friday peace ruling conservative Popular Party (PP), the main opposition to become a “distraction” from the government’s Public anger on expenses bloody fight for independence from accords, which paved the way for a pow- Socialists and the centrist Union for Progress and Democracy all achievements. She had faced a week of pressure In a sign of public anger towards members of voted to block the Catalan petition. “But that does not resolve the from the main opposition Labor Party, and grow- parliament abusing the expenses system, more Britain, gained in 1922, “inevitably casts its er-sharing government in Belfast, but only problem,” warned the conservative daily El Mundo. ing criticism from her Conservative Party col- than 185,000 people had signed an online peti- long shadow across our relations”. But the after an estimated 3,500 people died. “Now is the time to turn to politics to confront the social divide leagues, over payments she had claimed were tion calling for Miller to pay back the larger sum or Queen’s visit in 2011 had shown that Political relations between Britain and in Catalonia and to reach an overarching agreement on coexis- linked to a loan on a home in Wimbledon, south resign. On Tuesday, she told her local newspaper where Britain and the republic once Ireland have steadily improved since then, tence,” the paper urged. Indeed, there is a groundswell of resent- London. Prime Minister David Cameron had come she was “devastated” by the furor over her expens- looked at each other with “doubtful eyes”, building on a shared history, personal con- ment in Catalonia over its relationship with the rest of the country. under fire for giving Miller his backing over the es and that she had “let down” her constituents, they could now view each other “through nections and strong trade between the two Proud of their distinct language and culture, a growing number of issue, and in accepting her resignation said he was but stopped short of resigning. Yet support even trusting eyes and mutual respect and countries. For some, however, the pace of Catalonia’s 7.5 million residents feel the redistribution of their taxes “sad that you are leaving the government in these from her own party had ebbed away. Two-thirds circumstances”. of Conservative Party members believed she shared commitment”. In his speech at the change is too rapid. Stephen Gault, whose to other regions is unfair and that the region would be better off on its own. Even after the Spanish parliament’s rejection, Miller oversaw the ongoing negotiations on should stand down, according to a poll, because Palace of Westminster, he said: “The rela- father was killed by an IRA bomb in 1987, Catalonia’s political leader Artur Mas vowed to carry on seeking a creating a new system of regulation for Britain’s they feared the row was an unwanted distraction tionship between our two islands has, as I said that the presence of McGuinness at legal way to hold the referendum, which would ask voters two famously aggressive newspapers that resulted in the run-up to European elections next month. have said, achieved a closeness and Windsor was “another nail in the coffin of questions: from a public inquiry into press standards. She Labor lawmaker John Mann, who made the origi- warmth that once seemed unachievable.” the innocent victims”. “If Sinn Fein/IRA want “Do you think that Catalonia should be a State, yes or no?” “If also steered through the legislation that ushered nal allegations against Miller which triggered the peace, why don’t they come forward now yes, do you want that State to be independent, yes or no?” “From in gay marriage. Asked if she believed she had standards investigation, said: “About time too.” ‘Dependable neighbors’ and tell the authorities who was responsi- this painful ‘no’, the Catalan institutions will seek to build legal been the victim of a media witch-hunt due to her “Maria Miller should have resigned immediately role in implementing the recommendations of and when she didn’t resign, Mr Cameron should Higgins, the first Irish president to ble for these heinous crimes in the past,” he frameworks, and there are several, allowing for this November 9 ballot to take place,” Mas said after the vote. —AFP the press standards inquiry, Miller said in a televi- have shown a bit of leadership and sacked her,” he make a state visit to Britain since inde- told BBC radio. —AFP sion interview: “I fully accept the findings of the told BBC radio. —AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Bomb rips through Pakistan vegetable market; 22 killed Violence mars govt-Taleban peace talks Maoist rebels kill 3 Indian soldiers

NEW DELHI: Maoist rebels killed three soldiers guarding polling officials in central India yesterday, highlighting securi- Security tight in northeast ty concerns in the world’s biggest elections as the second Security was tight in constituencies in the four small states phase of voting got under way. The rebels staged the attack close to the disputed border with China which were part of in the country’s insurgency-wracked centre one day ahead of the second wave of voting in the election, which has been polling in Chhattisgarh state as voters in the restive northeast staggered to allow security forces time to redeploy. Voters of the country cast their ballots. Elsewhere election frontrun- flocked early to polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh state, ner Narendra Modi waved to thousands of supporters of his an eastern stretch of the Himalayas that China claims as its opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as he filed his papers own, despite pouring rain overnight, the Press Trust of India to stand from the Vadodara constituency in western Gujarat. news agency reported. “Citizens of Vadodara have given me a grand welcome and During campaigning in February in the area, the scene of a I thank them,” the hardline Hindu nationalist, widely tipped to 1962 war between India and China, Modi had warned Beijing emerge as prime minister when results are published on May to shed its “expansionist mindset”. Hundreds of extra security 16, told reporters. The BJP is expected to sweep to power at forces have been deployed in neighboring and underdevel- the elections for the 543-seat parliament at a time of low eco- oped Nagaland state-where rebels have long waged a cam- nomic growth as well as seething anger over corruption and paign for more rights-for polling day. Nagaland chief minister rising food prices. In central Chhattisgarh, police said rebels Neiphiu Rio, who has brought 11 regional parties under one attacked a convoy of paramilitary commandos as they were banner for the polls, has promised to support a BJP-led coali- returning from escorting election officials to a polling station, tion in the hope of bringing peace and development to the about 415 kilometers south of state capital Raipur. northeast. “In a gun battle with the Maoists, three commandos of the “The Congress party has failed to impress the people in ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani man mourns for a relative killed in a bombing, outside a morgue at a local hospital in central paramilitary forces were killed in Chintagufa area,” our region in terms of all-round development,” Rio said after Islamabad yesterday. — AP chief of the state’s anti-Maoist operations Rajinder Kumar Vij casting his vote. Six seats are up for grabs yesterday in said. Three soldiers were also injured. They were the first elec- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur, often ISLAMABAD: A bomb tore through a bustling fruit and mum carnage. tion-related deaths which underscored the security chal- neglected states in a part of India wedged between China, vegetable market in Islamabad yesterday, killing at least 22 Thousands have been killed in militant violence since lenges facing organisers in India where separatist and Maoist Bangladesh and Myanmar. A third phase of voting is sched- people, police said, the latest violence to hit government the TTP rose up against the Pakistani state in 2007 but insurgencies afflict large parts of the northeast, northwest uled for Thursday which will be by far the biggest to date with peace talks with the Taleban. The blast took place around attacks on the capital, much of which is heavily guarded, and forested central areas. Another three soldiers were constituencies in 14 states including the capital region head- 8:00 am at the wholesale market close to the Pakistani cap- have been rare in recent years. Yesterday’s blast came a lit- injured elsewhere in Chhattisgarh when they stepped on a ing to the ballot box. As well as a Vadodara, Modi is also set to ital’s twin city Rawalpindi, as hundreds of grocers and sell- tle over a month after a gun and suicide bomb attack on a mine laid by rebels who have been waging a decades-long stand from a second seat in the northern holy Hindu city of ers gathered to trade. The bombing-the deadliest to hit court complex in Islamabad killed 11 people including a campaign for greater land and other rights for tribal groups, Varanasi on the river Ganges in the battleground state of Islamabad since a huge truck bomb at the Marriott Hotel in judge. The TTP also denied that attack, which was claimed Vij said. Uttar Pradesh. — AFP 2008 - left a 1.5-metre diameter crater and littered the site by the Ahrar-ul-Hind splinter group which rejects the with body parts and guava fruits drenched in blood, an peace process. AFP reporter at the scene said. Fighting has erupted between rival TTP factions since The attack comes as the government tries to negotiate Sunday and four more people were killed in South Drunk on democracy? an end to the Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan’s (TTP) campaign Waziristan tribal agency yesterday. The clashes pit support- of violence. Talks began between government and TTP ers of Khan Said Sajna against followers of the late intermediaries in February, but more than 160 people have Hakimullah Mehsud, the TTP commander killed by a US Poll-bound India awash with free liquor been killed in attacks since the start of the process, leading drone in November. The government has freed more than many to question its worth. Javaid Qazi, the vice-chancel- 30 Taleban prisoners in the past week to try to spur talks NEW DELHI: Rickshaw puller Rampal Singh remembers alties depend on who has what to offer,” he said. “So a can- lor of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hos- with the militants and on Friday the TTP said they would vividly the “feast” of democracy he enjoyed last time India didate may end up losing simply because his rival has pital, said 22 people had been killed and 96 wounded in extend a ceasefire begun on March 1. On March 26 a four- went to the polls in 2009: it included a free hot meal, a bot- deeper pockets than him and can afford poll-eve treats,” he the blast. The TTP’s main spokesman Shahidullah Shahid member government committee held their first direct tle of whisky and a banknote. “They treated us to really explained. said the group had nothing to do with the attack and meeting with members of the TTP’s political council in good biryani (rice cooked with meat) and a quarter of urged the government to find those responsible. North Waziristan tribal district. whisky,” Singh says wistfully of the hospitality lavished on Votes of thanks There have been suggestions that high-profile figures him by a major political party. “I was taken in a bus to a While handing out liquor and cash before elections is ‘Bodies flying everywhere’ held by the militants, including the son of former prime venue where people were being treated like guests at a illegal, many political parties rely on legitimate election Eyewitness Muhammad Tahir described the bloody car- minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, could be freed in return. The grand feast. We were also handed a 500-rupee ($8) note. freebies as a crucial means to secure loyalty from voters. nage as the bomb detonated. “The blast took place around peace talks were a key campaign pledge for Prime Minister Then we were asked to vote for them,” he said. Singh, who The chief minister of southern Tamil Nadu state, 8:00, when we were standing there-bodies were flying Nawaz Sharif before he was elected to office for a third earns about 5,000 rupees a month cycling his single-gear Jayalalithaa Jayaram, is seen as the queen of such tactics, everywhere, bodies were flying at the height of 20 to 25 time last year. But some analysts have voiced skepticism rickshaw around the dusty streets of New Delhi, has a fami- having handed out sewing machines, spice mixers and feet,” he said. Ambulances were rushing in and out carrying about their chances for success, given the Taleban’s ly of five to feed, and was only happy to oblige his host at even gold to the poor after her party won state elections in wounded people and dead bodies. Senior local administra- demands for nationwide sharia law and a withdrawal of the ballot box. 2011. tion official Nauman Yousuf said “it was a planted bomb”. A troops from the lawless tribal zones. Regional deals struck “I am sure they will take us around this time as well,” the In her 2014 manifesto, she promises cows, goats, fans bomb disposal official said on condition of anonymity that in the past between the military and the Taleban have 42-year-old said ahead of voting in the capital today in the and 20 kilos of rice for the poor. Ahead of 2012 state polls, the device hidden in a fruit box weighed five to six kilo- failed and some have accused the militants of using them third of nine phases of balloting in the marathon election. the Samajwadi Party, a regional party based in northern grams and was packed with nuts and bolts to cause maxi- as a means to regroup and rearm. — AFP Influencing voters through illicit liquor and cash is an age- Uttar Pradesh state, promised to distribute free laptops to old trick across the country, despite heavy penalties pre- high school students. The party secured a thumping win in scribed by the Election Commission against vote-buying. the state, which is one of the key battlegrounds for the On Monday, the Commission said it had seized over $32.5 2014 polls because it sends 80 out of 543 MPs to parlia- million in cash and 2.7 million liters of liquor in country- ment. “It was a master stroke from the party. Many stu- wide raids since the polls were announced on March 5. Just dents had never even held a laptop before, forget being the confiscated alcohol would be enough to offer roughly able to buy one,” said Radhe Shyam Lal, a senior state gov- one in every 80 of India’s 814 million voters a quarter-liter ernment official. bottle of the sort enjoyed by Singh in 2009. There can be unexpected downsides, however. Suresh Past elections have seen alcohol being secretly trans- of Vivekanand Foundation recalled how the regional DMK ported in water tankers and cash stashed in ambulances. party from Tamil Nadu offered free television sets to voters Seventy kilograms of heroin has also been seized by elec- ahead of 2006 state polls. The party then became tion officials since March. K G Suresh, a fellow at New embroiled in one of India’s biggest ever corruption scan- Delhi’s Vivekanand International Foundation think-tank, dals when DMK minister A. Raja was charged with fraudu- says it is easy to entice voters in a country where nearly 70 lently selling mobile phone licences, losing the national percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day. exchequer up to $39 billion. “These people when they saw “There are millions in the country who have to struggle for news about DMK’s corrupt practices on their TV sets, they even a square meal. Election for them is a pay-day and loy- decided not to vote for it again in 2011,” he said. — AFP British Gurkha war hero fights one last campaign

LONDON: Rambahadur Limbu is one of Britain’s greatest liv- ing war heroes, yet the 74-year-old veteran feels dishonored by the way the country has treated Gurkha soldiers like him. Standing with his walking stick outside the Houses of Parliament in London, few who pass the old Nepalese warrior would recognize his name or the Victoria Cross (VC) on his chest. Fewer still would know the short, stocky farmer is among just four people alive who won the highest possible military honor serving in the British armed forces-an award given only for extreme bravery in the face of the enemy. Feeling his age, Captain Limbu is in London for perhaps the last time to wage one final campaign: a push for retired Nepalese Gurkhas to receive the same pensions and welfare as their British com- rades. He gave heartfelt evidence to the Gurkha Welfare Inquiry, a panel of lawmakers examining veterans’ grievances, which holds a final hearing this week. In an interview with AFP, Limbu said: “I enlisted in the army in 1957 and for the first 18 years of my career, I always regard- ed the British and the Gurkhas as equal, and I thought the British were the best friends we could ever have.” But from then on, he saw “discrimination in every area of life in the army, and that included accommodation, food, pay-anything you name”. Limbu proudly wears his VC, an award bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II in 1966 for his actions in Borneo during the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation. Its crimson ribbon is fraying at the edges. “I feel very honored because this nation honored me with a medal. But when I look back (on) my service, I feel very dis- honored,” he said. His Gurkha captain’s pension and VC allowance combined came to “way less” than the pension of a LONDON: Captain Rambahadur Limbu, the last surviv- (lower-ranked) British non-commissioned officer. “Isn’t that an ing Gurkha to have been awarded the Victoria Cross, insult to me and my bravery?” he asked. “What do I do with looks down at the award on his lapel as he is inter- this honor when that honor does not give me a dignified life viewed in central London. —AFP to live? “You cannot eat a debt of honor. You have to give equality so that people feel the debt of honor is given.” He then rejoined his platoon, which forced the The Gurkhas are renowned for their ferocity, loyalty, brav- Indonesians to abandon the position, and killed four as they ery and razor-sharp kukri fighting knives. They first served as attempted to escape. “Because of the intensity of the situa- part of the Indian army in British-run India in 1815. Around tion, there was no fear in me,” he said. “I just thought that I 3,100 currently serve in the British army. Limbu won the VC for must do anything in my capacity to stop the enemy and to his exceptional velour in the jungles of Sarawak on November take the bodies and the injured back to safety. “I don’t really 21, 1965. In a five-man uphill vanguard assault on an consider myself as a hero. “Those who died, when I think of entrenched Indonesian platoon, he twice went back into the them, they were more heroes than I am.” The day after his front line during a 20-minute spell to rescue fatally-wounded return from Sarawak, 10 weeks later, his first wife died, leaving comrades while under continuous fire from machine guns-at him with two children aged eight months and five years to point-blank range. look after. — AFP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

NY court dismisses claims over Saudi billionaire’s alleged fraud

ALBANY: New York’s highest state court has ruled Mashreqbank claims, saying the fact that the Brothers and Mashreqbank did not immediately Awal Bank had used Algosaibi accounts as part of a that a lawsuit by the Algosaibi family conglomerate, allegedly fraudulent trades were executed in New return requests for comment. massive fraud. The Algosaibis also asserted in court fil- claiming that a Saudi billionaire who married into York did not give the state’s courts jurisdiction over ings that Mashreqbank aided al-Sanea in the alleged the family committed a $150 million fraud, should the case. “New York’s interest in its banking system is Global fight scheme, according to the Tuesday’s decision. be heard in Saudi Arabia. In the lawsuit, Ahmed not a trump to be played whenever a party to such a In 2009, Al-Sanea’s Awal Bank and Algosaibis’ The two lawsuits were dismissed in 2010 by state Hamad Al Gosaibi & Brothers Co claimed that Maan transaction seeks to use our courts for a lawsuit with International Banking Corp collapsed, with an estimat- Supreme Court Justice Richard Lowe, who granted al- Al-Sanea, the billionaire head of the Saad Group, little or no apparent contact with New York,” Judge ed $22 billion owed to more than 100 banks, including Sanea’s request to toss out the case against him, say- used its accounts with Dubai-based Mashreqbank Robert Smith wrote for the court. Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Societe Generale. Since ing it did not properly belong in New York state court. PSC to commit fraudulent foreign exchange trades Because the suit involved a Saudi company, a then, the Algosaibi family and Al-Sanea have faced off As a result, he also dismissed the lawsuit brought by executed in New York. The suit is part of a global Saudi citizen and an alleged fraud committed in in courts in New York, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, London, Mashreqbank, since the two cases were closely inter- legal battle in which the Algosaibi family claims that Saudi Arabia, he said, “the jurisdiction with the the Cayman Islands and Geneva. Mashreqbank sued twined. In a 3-2 ruling in 2012, an intermediate state Al-Sanea, who married into the family 30 years ago, greatest interest in resolving the issues...is clearly the Algosaibis in New York court in 2009, seeking to appeals court reversed that decision, ruling that New defrauded it of billions of dollars after he was put in Saudi Arabia.” Al-Sanea’s attorney, Richard Serio of recover $150 million in foreign exchange trades exe- York was an appropriate forum for the complaints. The charge of its financial businesses. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, said he was pleased with cuted in New York. Those funds eventually were trans- Court of Appeals on Tuesday unanimously reversed. Al-Sanea and the Saad Group have denied the decision. “It marks the likely end of nearly five ferred into an account controlled by al-Sanea, accord- The case is Mashreqbank PSC v Ahmed Hamad Al wrongdoing. Reversing a lower court, the New York years of burdensome and unnecessary litigation in ing to the bank’s lawsuit. The Algosaibis then filed a Gosaibi & Brothers Company, New York State Court of Court of Appeals on Tuesday dismissed the New York,” he said. Attorneys for al Gosaibi & lawsuit in New York against al-Sanea, claiming he and Appeals No 54. — Reuters Indonesian election poll shows no easy PDI-P win Rise in Islamic party support

JAKARTA: Indonesians voted for a new parliament yesterday with initial counts showing the main opposition party ahead but less convincingly than expected, meaning it might have to make deals with other parties to nominate its candidate for president. In another surprise, Islamic parties appeared to have won more support than predict- ed. Though Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population, many analysts thought Islamic parties were losing their appeal because of graft scandals and the greater popularity of more pluralist parties. The main opposition Indonesian Democratic PYONGYANG: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un casts his ballot during the election Party-Struggle (PDI-P) had been expected to easily of a deputy to the Supreme People’s Assembly. — AFP win enough votes to nominate popular Jakarta governor Joko Widodo, who is widely known as Jokowi, as its candidate in a July presidential elec- Kim Jong-Un ‘re-elected’ tion. Opinion polls indicate Jokowi will easily win the presidential vote but early quick counts yester- as North Korean leader day suggested his party might not win enough votes to let it nominate him without forming a coalition with one or more of the 11 other parties ‘Hurrah! Deputies contesting the parliamentary vote. “Parliament is likely to be very fragmented because many parties break into stormy cheers have gotten a relatively big share of votes, and their bargaining power will be pretty much the same,” said Philips Vermonte, political analyst at BOGOR: Prabowo Subianto, the presidential candidate for the Great Indonesia Movement SEOUL: Kim Jong-Un was yesterday “re- sion comes after “elections” last month in Jakarta-based think-tank CSIS. (Gerindra), displays his ink-marked finger after casting his ballot during the legislative elec- elected” as North Korea’s leader, state media which single candidates-approved by the “This will have a big influence on the new presi- tion in Bogor in western Java Island yesterday. — AFP said, as parliament met in a session closely political elite-stood uncontested. Kim dent because he’ll have to pay attention to the sit- dents and repeated change of the leading party. long-serving Suharto, and Gerindra which is led by watched for power shifts in the secretive notably managed a perfect turnout in his uation in parliament and the many political play- News of the weaker than expected performance ex-general Prabowo Subianto. Early results sug- regime following the shock execution of his own constituency. Analysts say the ers there.” Party officials put on a brave face. by PDI-P put some pressure on the rupiah in the gest both will struggle to meet the threshold to once-powerful uncle. The new parliament is changes may affect the powerful NDC “Hopefully ... PDI-P will able to meet the target of offshore market. Predictions of a Jokowi presiden- contest the presidency, suggesting there will be expected to endorse personnel changes chaired by Kim, in which Jang served as above 20 percent, so we can nominate Joko cy and strong showing by his party hade helped intense horse-trading to form coalitions. Backing that observers say are likely to affect a num- vice chairman. Widodo as presidential candidate,” said Puan lift shares prices and the rupiah, Asia’s best per- for the ruling Democratic Party of outgoing ber of officials linked to his “traitor” uncle Several other elderly military leaders- Maharani, daughter of party chief Megawati forming currency this year, in the hope that it President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has fallen to Jang Song-Thaek, once the North’s unoffi- such as defense minister Jang Jong-Nam Sukarnoputri. The party needs 25 percent of the would bring a more decisive government. single digits after it was hit by a series of high-pro- cial number two and Kim’s political mentor. and Ri Yong-Gil, chief of the military’s gen- national vote, or 20 percent of seats in parliament, The stock market, up 15 percent this year, was file graft cases last year. Yudhoyono is limited by Kim was reaffirmed as First Chairman of the eral staff-are seen as likely to take seats at to nominate Jokowi on its own. After 80 percent of closed as Wednesday was declared a public holi- the constitution to two terms. Yudhoyono is powerful National Defense Commission the NDC, replacing Jang and his suspected vote results were compiled by CSIS from 2,000 day for the vote. Campaigning has been notable Indonesia’s first leader to be chosen by direct elec- (NDC) by the new parliament, in a show of associate, former police chief Ri Myong-Su. polling booths across the world’s third largest for its lack of policy initiatives to give the economy tion. “Even though we are still fixing and perfecting “absolute support and trust of all service North Korea’s leaders are also believed to democracy, PDI-P had 19 percent of the vote. a boost. Growth is expected to be a little more the system of holding these (elections), once again personnel and people in him”, the Korean have discussed plans for the future of the than 5 percent this year, but has weakened partly Indonesia can be grateful because our democratic Central News Agency (KCNA) said. party’s key administration department, Islamic vote increases on the fall in commodity prices. Jokowi has offered journey is going the right way,” he told reporters. The rubber-stamp assembly-the first which was headed by Jang. Through the The quick count also showed that the five little clue to his policies but his popularity rests Voters, nearly a third of them under 30, chose under the leadership of Kim who took over department, Jang controlled not only the Islamic parties had won 32 percent of the vote, up heavily on his no-nonsense style in running the between 6,600 candidates vying for national parlia- from his father in December 2011 - gath- Stalinist state’s police and justice system from 29 percent for eight such parties contesting capital, demanding his bureaucrats perform their ment seats. Elections were also held for 19,007 ered after North Koreans last month cast but also went beyond his remit, interven- the 2009 election. Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s jobs properly and by focusing many policies on provincial and district legislative assembly seats. ballots in pre-determined elections where ing in economic and military affairs, biggest economy, has about 500,000 polling sta- improving the lives of ordinary Jakartans. Most Indonesians view parliament as among all candidates were unopposed. Upon his Professor Yang Moo-Jin of the University of tions and more than 186 million registered voters. their country’s most corrupt institutions, according re-election, “all the deputies and partici- North Korean Studies said. The resource-rich country’s embrace of democracy Golkar and Gerindra to a 2013 Transparency International survey. Under pants in the session broke into stormy The parliament meets only once or since the downfall of former authoritarian leader The two main parties behind PDI-P, were the presidential system, however, the executive cheers of ‘hurrah!’, extending the highest twice a year, mostly for day-long sessions Suharto 16 years ago has seen four different presi- Golkar, one-time parliamentary vehicle of the branch has the authority to overrule it. — Reuters glory and warmest congratulations to him,” to rubber-stamp budgets or other deci- KCNA said. Kim also serves as first secretary sions made by the ruling Korean Workers of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea and Party. The last session in April 2013 adopt- supreme commander of the Korean ed a special order formalizing North Korea’s Evangelism booms as Catholicism People’s Army, but his re-election as head position as a nuclear-armed state-a status of the top military body confers upon him that both South Korea and the United ultimate power in the heavily militarized States have vowed not to recognize. suffers in post-genocide Rwanda state. Yesterday’s session comes amid high ten- On Tuesday, top party leaders met to sions between the two Koreas following a KIGALI: Jean-Claude Zamwita’s hands as if the end was near. “After persecuted (i.e. the Hutu) this is not up like mushrooms,” said Felicien decide on personnel changes at the head series of threats by Pyongyang in protest to family abandoned the solemn the genocide people were spiritual- an issue,” he added. “We don’t see Usengumukiza, deputy director of the regime in the aftermath of the exe- ongoing Seoul-Washington military drills. organ music and stained glass win- ly weak. They were sick,” explained them as competition,” said general of the Rwanda Governance cution of Jang, who was purged last The North since last month held a string dows of the Catholic Church in James Nsengiyumva, the 39-year- Smaragde Mbonyintege, the head Board, noting that many of those in December after being accused of crimes of rocket and short-range missile tests fol- 2006, eight years after the genocide old preacher and secretary general of the Episcopal Conference in charge of evangelical churches including treason. The session of the parlia- lowed by its first mid-range missile launch in Rwanda, and started visiting an of Celpar. “We brought them a new Rwanda, adding that the Catholic seem more interested in making ment, the Supreme People’s Assembly, is since 2009 held on March 26. Two Koreas evangelical church with tam- message of empowerment and rec- Church had a lot to learn from the money. If the evangelical churches being closely watched for glimpses into traded fire across the tense Yellow Sea bor- bourines and drumming. Such onciliation.” This Ugandan-born preaching methods of the new get financing from outside the power shifts within the reclusive regime. der last week after the North dropped churches have been springing up Rwandan, dressed in a well-cut suit, churches. country, they also depend on con- Kim led Tuesday’s meeting of the ruling some 100 shells across the border during a across Rwanda, partly because the has 29 churches in Rwanda, three in The Rwandan government for its tributions from the faithful. party’s high-level political bureau, which live-fire drill, prompting Seoul to fire back. traditional churches, notably the neighboring Burundi and a further part considers that if the evangeli- Zamwita, who ekes out a living from discussed “reinforcing” the party’s organiza- Kim last week warned of a “very grave situ- Catholic Church, were largely dis- 40 in DR Congo. cal churches do not for the moment odd jobs, gives, like many other tion in order to boost its “leadership role ation” in a meeting with his top army lead- credited by the role played by some represent a threat to public order, member of the flock who can barely and function”, KCNA said, indicating per- ers. South Korean President Park Geun-Hye of their clerics during the killings. Catholic complicity they are nevertheless difficult to afford it, 10 percent of his earnings sonnel changes. called Monday for tighter vigilance against Since the end of the genocide, The new churches have found keep tabs on. “They are sprouting to the church. — AFP the North after Pyongyang warned of a which left some 800,000 people- post-genocide Rwanda to be fertile Power shuffle prospect of a “new form of nuclear test” on essentially Tutsis-dead, Rwandans ground as the Catholic Church, Yesterday’s opening parliamentary ses- March 30. — AFP have increasingly turned to while still powerful, no longer has Pentecostal churches or in some the close relationship to the gov- cases to Islam. Zamwita, who was ernment that it enjoyed prior to Beijing recruits ‘guardian 15 when his family changed church- 1994. Rwanda is still dotted with es, said it was an easy decision. the ruins of Catholic churches “When we used to attend mass where the faithful seeking shelter angels’ to protect doctors there was no interaction between were massacred, sometimes with SHANGHAI: China’s capital Beijing is tak- stepped up security at hospitals earlier the priest and the congregation. I members of the clergy acting in ing a novel approach to protecting doc- this year, posting police at some centers was like a slave, being told what to complicity with the killers. tors from growing levels of violence from and increasing surveillance after a rise in do and what not to do. Here I feel The debate over the role of the angry patients: volunteer “guardian attacks. In February a doctor in northern free,” he said. The new churches Catholic Church was revived on angels”. The campaign will recruit stu- Heilongjiang province was beaten to started when Rwandan refugees Monday when Rwanda’s represen- dents, medical workers and other death by an angry patient, while another came back from neighboring coun- tative to UNESCO lashed out at the patients to act as middlemen between was stabbed in October last year. tries such as Uganda or the Vatican. The Catholic Church, a doctors and those in their care to defuse The Beijing campaign will recruit over Democratic Republic of Congo, moral authority and an important disagreements and smooth over ten- 1,500 volunteers to serve a one-year term where evangelical churches are institution remained silent,” Jacques sions, the official Xinhua news agency across 21 hospitals in the capital, Xinhua already well established. “These Kabale, Rwanda’s ambassador to reported yesterday. reported, citing another city official Wei churches are attractive because France and to the UN agency, said Doctors in China have come under Jiang. there is singing, a big display of on Monday, the 20th anniversary of increasing threat as the country’s health- Providing affordable, accessible emotion and an opportunity for the genocide. “Its abandonment care system struggles to cope with low healthcare is one of the key platforms of individual expression,” explained was felt all the more keenly in that doctor numbers, poor levels of training president Xi Jinping’s new government, Paul Rutayisire, a historian special- some of its members hid criminal and rampant corruption inflating the but China’s healthcare bill is set to hit $1 ized in religious issues. Inside the actions,” he said. price of care. This has seen a number of trillion by 2020, according to a report Celpar church that Zamwita and his In spite of everything the fatal attacks by patients on doctors in the from McKinsey & Co. Authorities have family attend, the service looks Catholic Church has not totally lost past year. previously said they will increase punish- more like a rock concert than any- its influence, Rutayisire said. “Patients will understand doctors bet- ment of those who cause disruption in thing else. “People go to the Catholics, then to ter after talking with our volunteers,” medical institutions and the health min- On a small stage a dozen mem- the others. Some people even go to Feng Guosheng, head of the Beijing istry in February cracked down on “red bers of the congregation sing, both... those are spiritual journeys.” Municipal Administration of Hospitals envelope” bribes for quicker and better dance, leap into the air and then “The debate over the role of the told Xinhua, adding services would treatment, often a cause of tension as it throw themselves to their knees. Catholic Church in the genocide is include “hospital guidance” and “psycho- raises the price patients have to pay for Others throw their arms into the air, something that is of interest to an logical intervention”. China’s government care. — Reuters wipe tears from their eyes before elite group of genocide survivors, KIGALI: A woman clutches her baby as she attends a service at a plunging their head into their for within the majority that was not Pentecostal church in Kigali. — AFP NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

New tax agreement to hit Kuwaiti-Americans Saudis mull end to sports ban in girls’... Continued from Page 1 whom face a shortage of affordable housing and an Continued from Page 1 objection to the law and has just finished lobbying unemployment rate which was officially put at 11.5 per- the US Congress. “We lobbied the US Congress and It’s a privilege. You have to pay taxes and you have asked them to reconsider the law. We asked them to The issue of Saudi women in sport came under the cent in the fourth quarter of last year. to report your income even if you are a Kuwaiti with repeal it or at least delay its implementation. But it is spotlight at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, when “I call them a saw - they chew when they go in and an American passport,” he said. He explained FATCA very unlikely they’ll do this because they want to cre- the kingdom bowed to international pressure and sent chew when they go out,” Al-Hayat newspaper quoted simply orders every American citizen who has bank ate more revenues through taxes,” Stevens pointed female athletes to compete for the first time. The Prince Muqrin as saying of banks while attending a accounts in foreign lands to report it to the IRS. out. Asked if the US Supreme Court could do some- International Olympic Committee agreed to allow the charity function in Riyadh. “They are on the short side in Gregg Stevens, Chairman of the American Business thing, Stevens said it can perhaps declare the law two Saudi women - a judo player and a middle-distance many things. They give little compared to the benefits Council (ABCK) Kuwait, admitted that many business- unconstitutional, “but it is very unlikely”. runner - to compete with their heads and bodies cov- they receive from citizens and from the state,” he added, men will be affected by the new tax rules. “It will not Kuwaiti economist Hajjaj Abu-Khudoor argued that ered in deference to the Islamic dress code enforced in responding to a question on the possibility of setting be as big a burden for individual taxpayers as for the new tax agreement is good for both countries in Saudi Arabia. up banks for the poor. Americans who own businesses. Accounts of joint terms of transparency in their investments and busi- But despite the two athletes’ participation, Human The English-language daily Arab News reported yes- ventures between American and Kuwaiti companies ness ventures. Nearly 26 European countries have Rights Watch says that millions of Saudi women remain terday that combined Saudi commercial bank profits in and American-owned businesses here will be report- signed the FATCA agreement and 19 others are in the effectively barred from sports. Saudi authorities shut 2013 were the highest ever at 37.6 billion riyals ($10.0 ed to the IRS. If you have ownership in foreign compa- final negotiation stage. Most Gulf states have started nies, the banks here will also have to report it,” he to take serious steps towards signing the agreement down private gyms for women in 2009 and 2010, and billion), a 7 percent increase over 2012. Social welfare added. before a July 1, 2014 deadline to prevent any US women are effectively barred from sports arenas by has become more politically sensitive in Saudi Arabia According to Stevens, ABCK has already voiced its penalties on their financial institutions. strict rules banning men and women mixing in public. since uprisings elsewhere in the region in 2011. To ease Separately, the second-in-line to the Saudi Arabian social discontent, King Abdullah announced that year throne has denounced banks in the kingdom, saying plans to build 500,000 homes, but construction has ‘Heartbleed’ bug causes headaches they are contributing too little to society compared to been delayed by bureaucracy and difficulties in obtain- Continued from Page 1 emails and chats, OpenSSL is also used to secure virtual pri- what they take, Saudi media reported yesterday. There ing land. vate networks, which are used by employees to connect were no indications that the comments by Deputy In a royal decree last month, King Abdullah said That puts the onus on the Internet services affected by with corporate networks seeking to shield confidential Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, who was appointed Prince Muqrin would assume the throne if the posi- Heartbleed to alert their users to the potential risks and let information from prying eyes. to the post last month, would be followed by any con- tions of king and crown prince became vacant. “Give them know when the Heartbleed fix has been installed so Heartbleed exposed a weakness in encryption at the crete policies against banks in the oil-rich country. The me one bank that has donated something or offers they can change their passwords. So far, very few websites same time that major Internet services such as Yahoo, comments appeared to be an effort to show sensitivity any support,” Al-Hayat quoted Prince Muqrin as say- have acknowledged being afflicted by Heartbleed, Google, Microsoft and Facebook are expanding their usage to the difficulties of ordinary Saudi citizens, many of ing. — Agencies although the bug is believed to be widespread. “This is of technology to reassure the users about the sanctity of going to be difficult for the average guy in the streets to their personal data. The additional security measures are understand, because it’s hard to know who has done what being adopted in response to mounting concerns about and what is safe,” Chartier said. the US government’s surveillance of online activities and Qatar unveils soaring desert sculpture Yahoo Inc, which boasts more than 800 million users other communications. The snooping has been revealed worldwide, is among the Internet services that could be during the past 10 months through a series of leaked doc- Continued from Page 1 human being from conception to birth. Also in October, potentially hurt by Heartbleed. The Sunnyvale, California, uments from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. Qatar displayed a statue immortalising French footballing company said most of its most popular services - includ- Despite the worries raised by Heartbleed, Codenomicon The Qatar Museums Authority bought French post- legend Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt on Italy’s Marco ing sports, finance and Tumblr - had been fixed, but work said many large consumer sites aren’t likely to be affected impressionist Paul Cezanne’s masterpiece “The Card Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. The display on the was still being done on other products that it didn’t iden- because of their “conservative choice” of equipment and Players” for $250 million in 2012, making it the most Doha corniche, removed less than a month later following tify in a statement Tuesday. “We’re focused on providing software. “Ironically, smaller and more progressive services expensive painting ever sold. Qatar last year unveiled 14 an outcry by conservatives who slammed the art work as the most secure experience possible for our users world- or those who have upgraded to (the) latest and best massive bronze sculptures, the “Miraculous Journey”, by anti-Islam idolisation, came as Qatar prepares to host the wide and are continuously working to protect our users’ encryption will be affected most,” the security firm said in a British artist Damien Hirst charting the gestation of a 2022 World Cup. -— AFP data,” Yahoo said. blog post. Although it may take months for smaller web- Heartbleed creates an opening in SSL/TLS, an encryp- sites to install the Heartbleed fix, Chartier predicted all the tion technology marked by the small, closed padlock and major Internet services will act quickly to protect their rep- “https:” on Web browsers to signify that traffic is secure. utations. Amiri Diwan seeks to gag tape uproar The flaw makes it possible to snoop on Internet traffic even In a Tuesday post announcing it had installed the Continued from Page 1 financial affairs, in addition to the ruling family, the regime if the padlock had been closed. Interlopers could also grab Heartbleed fix, Tumblr offered its users some blunt advice. and regional issues. He declined to provide specific details. the keys for deciphering encrypted data without the web- “This still means that the little lock icon (HTTPS) we all The Diwan’s statement came following a large number A large number of MPs and prominent figures from the site owners knowing the theft had occurred, according to trusted to keep our passwords, personal emails, and credit security researchers. The problem affects only the variant cards safe, was actually making all that private information of statements by MPs, opposition figures and writers for an opposition called for an immediate probe into the video- of SSL/TLS known as OpenSSL, but that happens to be one accessible to anyone who knew about the exploit,” Tumblr investigation into the videotape. The move also comes tape and also demanded that the government should of the most common on the Internet. said. “This might be a good day to call in sick and take two days after the public prosecutor interrogated Sheikh publish details of the tape. Pro-government MPs however About two-thirds of Web servers rely on OpenSSL, some time to change your passwords everywhere - espe- Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Sabah, a senior member of the ruling called for calm and demanded that the issue should not Chartier said. That means the information passing through cially your high-security services like email, file storage, family and a former minister, for five hours as a witness in be exploited by the opposition members to revive their hundreds of thousands of websites could be vulnerable, and banking, which may have been compromised by this the case. He told reporters later that he had received the status and obstruct the functioning of the National despite the protection offered by encryptions. Beside bug.” — AP videotape which includes matters related to political and Assembly. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Focus Afghanistan’s surprises

By David Rohde

n a nation more associated with calamity than consen- sus, the initial results of Saturday’s Afghan presidential Ielection are startling. Despite Taleban threats to attack polling stations nationwide, the same percentage of Afghans turned out to vote - roughly 58 percent - as did Americans in the 2012 US presidential race. Instead of col- lapsing, Afghan security forces effectively secured the vote. And a leading candidate to replace Hamid Karzai is Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank technocrat who has a PhD in cultural anthropology from Columbia University, a Lebanese Christian wife, and an acclaimed book and TED talk entitled “Fixing Failed States”. “Relative to what we were expecting, it’s very hard to not conclude that this was a real defeat for the Taleban,” Andrew Wilder, an American expert on Afghanistan, said in a telephone interview from Kabul on Monday “And a very good day for the Afghan people.” Two forces that have long destabilized the country - its political elite and its neigh- bors - could easily squander the initial success. Evidence of large-scale fraud could could undermine the legitimacy of the election and exacerbate long-running ethnic divides. And outside powers could continue to fund and arm the Quebec separatism on life support Taleban and disgruntled Afghan warlords, as they have for decades. “None of it means it’s over, Afghanistan is a democracy By Randall Palmer and Louise Egan Karl Peladeau, who recently stepped down as head of the Markets Respond and we’ve won,’” said Ronald Neumann, a former U.S. Quebecor media empire, gave a rousing cry for independ- The results buoyed financial markets on Tuesday. Ambassador to Afghanistan. “But I don’t think you can look ith the crushing defeat suffered by the Parti ence, pumping his fist in the air as he said he wanted “to Investors had been pricing in a small chance of a PQ victo- at this turnout - in the rain and against death threats - and Quebecois (PQ) in Monday’s provincial election, make Quebec a country.” ry, said Royal Bank of Canada chief economist Craig Wright. say nothing much has been achieved, as critics like to say.” WCanadians are once again wondering aloud Forced to address the issue, PQ leader Pauline Marois “There was some, albeit small, probability that the PQ One of the biggest beneficiaries was the Afghan security whether voters have finally buried the decades-old nation- refused to rule out a referendum, saying only there would would fare better than they did and hold an eventual, forces. To the surprise of both Afghan and foreign alist dream of an independent Quebec. Most Quebec be none if Quebecers did not want one. When the voters potential referendum, and that was probably weighing on observers, the Taleban failed to carry out a single large- scale assault in a major city. The group claimed to have car- watchers insist that it’s too early to write the obituary, eventually spoke, Marois lost her seat and stepped down Canadian markets,” Wright said. The yield on Quebec 10- ried out 1,000 attacks nationwide but security officials said pointing out that the sovereignty party has suffered set- as party boss. The PQ and the Bloc Quebecois, a sister party year bonds, a measure of perceived risk, narrowed to nine that was a gross exaggeration. Election observers said the backs before. But at best the PQ appears to be on life sup- that has contested seats in the Canadian House of basis points higher than similar Ontario bonds, from 18 level of violence was unclear. port, having taken its lowest share of the vote in the pre- Commons, have shown that separatists are electable when points early in the campaign. This year, there were about 90,000 fewer American and dominantly French-speaking province since its first cam- they play down their ultimate political goal. But Monday’s The Canadian dollar firmed against the US dollar to its NATO troops in the country and those that remained were paign in 1970. “It is very difficult to figure out how it can results showed what happens when independence strongest in nearly two months, although the Quebec elec- confined to bases and served as a reserve force. Instead, actually get to the finish line,” University of Montreal politi- becomes the central issue. tion was just one of several factors influencing the curren- 350,000 Afghan police and soldiers fanned out across the cal scientist Pierre Martin said. That said, the scale of PQ’s defeat suggests a deeper, cy. “It is a majority government, so it gives us four years of country. Wilder said the Afghan government security effort Anti-separatist Liberals won a convincing majority of generational shift in political sentiment in the province. stability,” said Sean Roosen, chief executive officer of in Kabul, where he observed the vote, was the most sweep- ing he has seen in thirty years of intermittently working in seats in the provincial assembly. That means no referen- “There’s a definite historical downward trend,” Martin said, Osisko Mining Corp, which operates a gold mine in the the country. “It was a really phenomenal security opera- dum on independence - a wrenching experience that the referring to the declining share of the vote the PQ has gar- province and is subject of a takeover battle. “Quebec’s got tion,” said Wilder. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” province weathered in 1980 and 1995 - for at least four nered since peaking at 45 percent in 1994. On Monday, the a clear mandate to run business for four years now.” After the vote, Afghan police were a “sensation” on years, and perhaps much longer. That assurance of stabili- party took about 25 percent. For years, separatism’s The province’s unemployment rate in March was 7.6 social media, garnering wide praise, according to Wilder. ty, combined with a more pro-business program than the biggest support has come from baby boomers, voters now percent, compared with the national average of 6.9 per- Their popularity also extended to the street: one election outgoing Parti Quebecois minority government, should in their 50s and 60s. cent. It lost a net 27,000 private-sector jobs in the last year observer reported seeing a group of young Afghans buy provide an economic fillip for a province that has faced While younger voters overwhelmingly identify more as while neighboring Ontario added 100,000. Marois, the scores of roses and distribute them to police officers the some of Canada’s biggest economic challenges. Quebecers than Canadians, Martin said, they do not ousted PQ premier, had enacted a new mining royalty day after the vote. Barnett Rubin, an expert on Afghanistan who served a senior adviser to the State Department from In recent years, under the PQ government and its equate that with a political project like independence. regime, although it was not as high as feared, and had 2009 to 2013, cautioned that the Taleban will retaliate. Liberal predecessor, Quebec’s economy has turned in a Many appear to be more concerned with the environment toyed with the idea of raising taxes on the rich, though he “There will be a test of strength this year and next year,” lackluster performance, and private-sector job creation has or simply getting a job and raising a family. That could pulled back on that proposal. Premier-elect Couillard’s first Rubin said, referring to Taleban attacks. But “an election lagged. Its 49 percent ratio of net debt to gross domestic spell trouble for the Parti Quebecois, founded with the budget, expected in late May or early June, is likely to be that goes well can only strengthen the morale of the securi- product is the highest of any Canadian province. goal of advancing the cause of independence. A francoph- more business-friendly, revealing how he plans to follow ty forces and reduce the morale of the Taleban.” one reporter asked Quebec Liberal leader Philippe through on a promise to boost private-sector job creation. The news media - as well as social media - played an Referendum on a Referendum Couillard on Tuesday if he agreed with the rush he saw in Couillard, like Marois, pledged to eliminate the provin- unprecedented role as well. A series of presidential debates Economic issues were not front and center during the much of English-speaking Canada to declare the death of cial budget deficit in 2015-16. But Wright at RBC said the broadcast live on television were more sophisticated than campaign. The vote turned into a referendum on a referen- the sovereignty movement. “An idea never dies - ideas real test would be tackling the public debt. “I think balanc- in the past. And intensive Afghan news coverage - and social media commentary - on Taleban attacks before the dum - that is, on whether the PQ would launch a plebiscite should not die,” Couillard said. “The question that could be ing the budget is achievable. The bigger issue is how much vote may have driven up turnout. In particular, the pre- on leaving Canada if it won a majority of seats. The issue asked is what the capacity of this idea is to mobilize the further to go into surplus ... to stabilize and eventually election execution-style killing of popular Afghan journal- crystallized early on when high-profile PQ candidate Pierre population politically and to form a government.” improve their debt-to-GDP ratio,” he said. — Reuters ist, Sardar Achmad, his wife, six-year-old daughter and four- year-old son as they ate a holiday dinner in a Kabul luxury hotel outraged many Afghans. A Facebook page that tracked the recovery of a two-year-old boy who was shot in the head - the family’s lone survivor - generated vast online US policy woes compounded in Mideast traffic and sympathy. “The attacks really mobilized Afghans to come out and vote,” said Wilder. By Matt Spetalnick and William Maclean Iran. On top of that, US inaction over the mili- conflict but also to rob Islamist groups like al Washington is clearly mindful that aban- And in terms of candidates, it was Ghani, the technocrat tary’s tightening grip in Egypt, upheaval in Qaeda of a recruiting tool and take away one doning the peace effort now would carry risks, turned effective campaigner, that most surprised observers. Despite wide praise for Ghani’s 2002-2004 ddressing the United Nations General post-Gaddafi Libya and renewed sectarian of Iran’s main arguments for supporting anti- including reinforcing the image of an adminis- tenure as Afghanistan’s finance minister, he was seen as Assembly in September, US President bloodshed in Iraq have raised questions about Israel militants. tration seeking to disengage from the Middle lacking political skills or a large electoral base. Afghans who ABarack Obama declared the pursuit of the administration’s broader Middle East agen- But Kerry’s peace drive was met with deep East. “There’s tremendous upheaval in the remained in the country during the 1980s Soviet occupa- Israeli-Palestinian peace one of the two main da. Polls show attitudes toward the United skepticism from the start, and over the course region and internationally right now. Do you tion and 1990s civil seemed to resent Afghans who, like US foreign policy priorities for his second term. States languishing in much of the Arab world, of more than eight months of tireless diploma- want to add to it?” said Dennis Ross, Obama’s Ghani, had fled the country and flourished. In 2009, Ghani Fast-forward to today, the Obama administra- where Obama once promised a “new begin- cy neither side has been willing to make the former top Middle East adviser. “We don’t need ran for president and won about four percent of the vote. tion faces a stark choice - expend more energy ning” in relations with Washington after his tough compromises needed to achieve a to see something we’ve been investing in col- After his 2009 defeat, Ghani remained in Afghanistan, on a faltering peace process or absorb the hit predecessor, George W Bush, was widely peace deal. That has prompted Kerry to steadi- lapse.” With the administration moving only built a home and took a position overseeing the transition to an already-troubled record in the Middle reviled because of the Iraq war. ly scale back his ambitious goals - to the point haltingly on limited arms shipments to Syrian of security operations from foreign forces to Afghan units. East and walk away from negotiations. Doubts about the Obama administration’s where now even getting talks extended rebels, some analysts believe a breakdown in Visiting every province in the nation, he developed a vast Secretary of State John Kerry, who met Obama ability to broker Israeli-Palestinian peace and beyond an April 29 deadline would qualify as the peace process could embolden Syrian network of supporters. Criticized in the past for being too on Tuesday for a “reality check”, says he hopes an overall lack of confidence in its leadership in an achievement. President Bashar Al-Assad by showing US haughty, abrasive and Western, he donned local clothes both sides will work with US mediators to “find the region appear widespread, even though Negotiations plunged into crisis last week weakness in the region. US allies Israel and and grew a short beard. In a maneuver that surprised many, a way back.” But as optimism fades, many US officials insist that Washington’s influence in a series of tit-for-tat moves by Israelis and Saudi Arabia already fear Obama’s failure to he forged an electoral alliance with Abdul Rashid Dostum, inside and outside the Middle East warn now is remains solid. Even among Israelis, who count Palestinians. By stepping away for now, Kerry strike Assad over chemical weapons use last a former Uzbek warlord long accused of gross human rights violations. Having Dostum as an ally delivered a large not the time for a US diplomatic failure in the on the United States as their closest ally, Kerry’s has reminded the parties that he can ill-afford year suggests that war-weary Washington block of votes to Ghani. In debates and on the campaign region. peace bid continues to be a tough sell. “John to focus endlessly on a fruitless peace process would not have the stomach to use force to trail, Ghani vowed to end corruption and modernize “A collapse of the peace process would only Kerry took this issue very seriously,” said Moshe when other pressing international issues, such prevent Iran from developing nuclear Afghanistan. “He has been exciting to young people,” said add to the perception that we really don’t Arens, a former Israeli foreign and defense as the crisis in Ukraine, demand his attention, weapons. Neumann, the former ambassador. “He is really the change know what we’re doing,” said Aaron David minister who also served as ambassador to US officials say. Israel and Palestinians were There are also concerns in the region that candidate.” —Reuters Miller, a former US peace negotiator. Asked to Washington. “But my guess is he did not really quick to restart discussions and the adminis- Iran could see troubles in the peace process as what extent US credibility would be damaged understand the reality of the area.” tration says it has not thrown in the towel, but a sign that the Obama administration might if the peace process failed, Mustafa Alani, a Kerry faced an even harsher assessment the outlook remains bleak and Kerry can be be desperate for a diplomatic success and that senior adviser at the Gulf Research Center when he testified on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. expected to take a lower-profile role even if Tehran could then take a tough line against All articles appearing on these think tank who has close ties to Saudi security “You can’t help but get the impression that our the peace process survives. Despite having pri- concessions in nuclear talks. But a senior US officials, suggested Arab expectations of foreign policy is simply spinning out of con- oritized Israeli-Palestinian peace along with an official said the administration saw no link pages are the personal opinion of Washington were already about as low as they trol,” Senator James Risch, an Idaho Iran nuclear deal in his UN speech, Obama has between Middle East diplomacy and the Iran the writers. Kuwait Times takes no could get. “That’s because Arabs never trusted Republican, told Kerry, who gave an impas- mostly kept his distance from the nuts and or Syria issues. responsibility for views expressed this administration as a peacemaker,” he said. sioned defense of the administration’s record. bolts of the Middle East negotiations, seem- Even so, fallout for the United States may therein. Kuwait Times invites read- But a senior US official insisted any decision ingly wary that the effort could suffer the fate be limited because Arab leaders and their on Middle East diplomacy would hinge not on Big Rollout, Then Scaled-Back Expectations of his own failed first-term initiative. But seek- nations are now more focused on their own ers to voice their opinions. Please US prestige but on whether it serves national When Kerry convinced Obama to push ing to tamp down speculation that Obama internal problems and less so on the Israeli- send submissions via email to: opin- interests and aids regional stability. While suc- Middle East peace toward the top of his sec- might pull the rug out from under Kerry, a Palestinian issue once seen as the region’s core [email protected] or via snail cessive administrations have come up dry in ond-term foreign policy agenda last year, the White House aide said the president told his conflict. “All Arabs are preoccupied with calls decades of Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, strategy was cast as a way to create goodwill national security team on Friday: “I see a lot of for revolutions and reforms,” Joseph mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. the latest initiative faces trouble at a delicate toward the United States in a region where senior officials quoted about Kerry and Middle Kechichian, a Beirut-based historian, said of The editor reserves the right to edit time as Washington seeks to weather criticism Arab Spring popular revolts were toppling East peace. But I’m the most senior official, and the Gulf Arab states who are close to the Saudi any submission as necessary. for not doing enough to curb Syria’s civil war longtime rulers. The idea was not only to win I have nothing but admiration for how John ruling family. But he added: “The Palestinian and engages in high-stakes nuclear talks with credit for tackling the decades-old Arab-Israeli has handled this.” question will not go away.” — Reuters THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 SPORTS

Latif shuns selector job FA proposes betting ban Ultimate Warrior dies at 54 KARACHI: Pakistan cricket was hit by further controversy yesterday when former ARIZONA: James Hellwig, better known as former pro wrestler The Ultimate national team captain Rashid Latif changed his mind about becoming the chief selec- LONDON: The FA has proposed a complete ban on anyone involved Warrior, has died, the WWE said. He was 54. The WWE tor despite having accepted the post last month. “I don’t want to get into controversies in England’s top eight tiers from betting on any soccer match or said Hellwig died Tuesday. Scottsdale, Arizona, and I don’t think this is the right time for me to accept this position,” Latif told Reuters. competition anwhere in the world, it said in a statement yesterday. police spokesman Sgt. Mark Clark said he col- Last month the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a press release announcing that Participants are currently blocked by Rule E8(b) from betting on a lapsed while walking with his wife to their car Latif would take over as chief selector from April 1. match or competition they have been involved in that season or on at a hotel, and was pronounced dead at a hos- “I had got a contract from the board to sign it but I pital. which they have any direct or indirect influence. Hellwig was one of pro wrestling’s biggest have declined and returned it to the board,” the 45-year- However the FA council has recommended a total worldwide old Latif said without giving any specific reasons. stars in the late 1980s. He beat Hulk Hogan in betting ban, as well as a prohibition on betting on any other foot- a memorable match at Wrestlemania in 1990. However, sources close to the former wicketkeeper- ball-related matter such as transfers, team selection or the employ- He was in the spotlight again earlier this batsman said he decided to step away because of differ- ment of managers. “The proposed betting rule adjustment to week, making appearances at the latest ences with the board over the selection of the other Wrestlemania in New Orleans and on members of the national selection committee and mat- encompass all aspects of world football provides a simple and straightforward message to all participants on where the line is “Monday Night Raw,” and being inducted ters of authority. into the WWE Hall of fame. “Rashid wanted former test batsman Muhammad drawn,” director of football governance regulation Darren Bailey said “WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to Yousuf as a selector but the board was reluctant to in on the FA’s website (www.thefa.com). learn of the passing of one of the most iconic appoint him as he has been very critical of the PCB in “It is important to stress that the rules form only one part of the WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior,” recent times,” one source said. Rashid has also been unhap- overall framework for the regulation of betting and maintaining the WWE said in a statement, adding: “We are py about the way the board reacted to the Pakistan integrity of the English game. In addition to the monitoring of bet- grateful that just days ago, Warrior had team’s performance at this year’s World T20 ting markets throughout the world, education remains a key part of the opportunity to take his right- tournament where they were knocked our work.”—Reuters ful place in the WWE Hall out before the semi-finals. —Reuters of Fame.”—AP Palmer recalls humble origins

AUGUSTA: Arnold Palmer came to be known as “The “I would drive it on the side of the hill with the old winter tour for the first time and the golf courses here playing in the Masters was that I won three times King” but the man who helped popularize the game Fordson steel wheels with the steel spikes on it, and if were, let’s say, less than great. and it was a squeaker every time,” said Palmer, who of golf in the 1950s embraced his humble origins on you didn’t keep them flat on the ground, and you had “When I got here, I felt like I was walking on a won by one stroke in 1958 and 1960 and in a playoff Tuesday. Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of his last a weight on the back you were pulling, it would spin cloud. It was so beautiful. It was something that I had in 1962. “The one thing I wanted to do here, after hav- Masters win, the 84-year-old Palmer said he often and it would tear the golf course up. dreamt about all my life and here I was for my first ing won three times, was walk up 18 feeling comfort- thinks about his days as a boy and dreaming of “And that got my attention. It got my attention, Masters, playing in the Masters Tournament.” able,” he added, giving a ‘thumbs-up’ sign indicating becoming a pro golfer. because the old man was about to kick my ass all the how he would share his joy with the galleries. The The son of a greenkeeper who introduced him to way around that golf course if I didn’t learn how to ARNIE’S ARMY King got to do just that in 1964 on his way to a six- the game of golf, Palmer still takes great pride in drive the tractor,” he said drawing howls of laughter Palmer, whose charismatic, slashing style spawned stroke romp with a 12-under-par total. remembering how he used to drive tractors and cut from reporters. “It was like playing golf, do what he a legion of followers known as “Arnie’s Army” and “When we (he and playing partner Dave Marr) teed the grass at Latrobe Country. tells you to do.” made golf popular viewing on the burgeoning new off at 18 the last day, I was comfortable,” said Palmer. “I “It taught me to be humble and to know where I Palmer, a seven-time major winner, recalled his media of television, tied for 10th in his first Masters. felt like if I could just keep it down that narrow fair- came from,” Palmer told a news conference honoring first Masters Tournament after playing on the winter Three years later, he won the first of four green jack- way, I would be all right. And I sort of casually said to him on his 1964 victory at Augusta National. “I sup- circuit when he turned professional. ets. He won 62 PGA tournaments in total but said the David, ‘If I can help you, David, I will.’ “And he looked at pose I think about my father and the things that he “It was so wonderful to drive to Augusta and to the 1964 Masters victory was his most satisfying. “My one me and he says, ‘You can help me.’ “And I said, “How is told me when I was driving that tractor. club and the Masters in 1955,” he said. “I played the thing that was disappointing to me in my existence that, David?” He says, “Make nine.”— Reuters Capitals, Flyers advance

ST. LOUIS: Alex Ovechkin became the 11th player in NHL history to score 50 or more goals in a season five times, and the Washington Capitals kept their slim playoff hopes alive by beating the slumping St. Louis Blues 4-1 on Tuesday night. Ovechkin, who added two assists, beat Ryan Miller with a one-timer from the left circle at 17:54 of the first peri- od for his 50th goal overall and 23rd on the power play, both league highs. It is Ovechkin’s first 50-goal campaign since 2009-10, when he scored 50. His single-season high is 65 in the 2007-08 season. Nicklas Backstrom scored twice and Mikhail Grabovski added another goal for the Capitals, who have 85 points and are still on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture looking in with three games remaining. Maxim Lapierre had the only goal for St. Louis, which has lost a season-high three straight.

Ian Thorpe of Australia FLYERS 5, PANTHERS 2 Claude Giroux scored two goals and the Philadelphia Flyers clinched a playoff berth by beating the Florida Thorpe ‘in good Panthers. Tye McGinn, Sean Couturier and Vincent Lecavalier also scored for the Flyers and Steve Mason made 38 saves. The Flyers won their second consecutive game spirits’ as he after losing the four previous games. Jonathan Huberdeau and Erik Gudbranson scored for Florida and Dan Ellis stopped 22 shots. Ellis substituted for fights infection Roberto Luongo, a late scratch with an upper-body injury. The Panthers have lost six of their past seven games. SYDNEY: Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe is in “good spirits” in a Sydney hospital as he fights a serious infection LIGHTNING 3, MAPLE LEAFS 0 and reports that he might lose the use of his arm are “non- Ondrej Palat had two goals, Anders Lindback came off sense”, his manager said yesterday. The five-times Olympic the bench to make 25 saves, and the Tampa Bay Lightning champion, who retired after the Athens Olympics before ended Toronto’s playoff hopes by beating the Maple Leafs. making an unsuccessful comeback bid for the 2012 Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop left with 14:17 remaining London Games, contracted the infection after undergoing in the first due to an undisclosed upper-body injury. He was shoulder surgery earlier this year. hurt while lunging to his left and landing on his side while “He’s fine, he’s a battler,” James Erskine told Channel 9’s attempting to glove the puck. Lindback replaced Bishop, Today programme. “He’s in good spirits, you know, he’s got who is 37-14-7 this season for the playoff-bound Lightning. UNIONDALE: Braden Holtby No. 70 of the Washington Capitals pauses to watch a replay on the scoreboard in this drips in, he’s got antibiotics and all that sort of thing so he’s Victor Hedman had an empty-net goal late in the third file photo. — AFP not exactly going to swim in the Commonwealth Games for the Lightning, who trail Montreal by two points for sec- lead the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Phoenix Coyotes, tomorrow.” ond place in the Atlantic Division. Bishop turned aside three tying a franchise record for wins. Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 NHL results/standings Erskine said he was not sure how long Thorpe, who shots before departing. James Reimer stopped 31 shots for saves, Blake Comeau, Boone Jenner and Mark Letestu also attended the wedding of Britain’s Prince William in 2011 the Maple Leafs, who have lost 10 of 12. had goals and Artem Anisimov added two assists for the Detroit 4, Buffalo 2; Ottawa 4, NY Islanders 1; NY Rangers and might have been expected to catch up with the royal Blue Jackets. It was their 41st victory to match their most in 4, Carolina 1; Columbus 4, Phoenix 3 (OT); Tampa Bay 3, on the upcoming tour of Australia, would remain in hospi- RANGERS 4, HURRICANES 1 their 13 seasons. Toronto 0; Philadelphia 5, Florida 2; Washington 4, St. Brad Richards scored two power-play goals, and the tal. Oliver Ekman-Larsson sent the game to overtime with a Louis 1; Minnesota 4, Boston 3 (SO); Dallas 3, Nashville 2 playoff-bound New York Rangers improved their chances “As of yesterday he’s not in intensive care. He’s a sick goal with just 14.6 seconds left in regulation, and Martin (SO); Colorado 4, Edmonton 1. boy, he’s not going to get out and have a cup of coffee and for home-ice advantage in the first round with a victory Erat and Shane Doan also had goals for the Coyotes, who go and meet Prince William,” he said of the 31-year-old. over the Carolina Hurricanes. have lost five in a row (0-2-3). Western Conference “At the end of the day he’s fighting it, he’s got an infec- Richards scored in the first period to tie it and then Pacific Division tion and like any of these infections you get in hospitals, stretched New York’s lead to two goals in the second period WILD 4, BRUINS 3 W L OTL GF GA PTS they have to take it seriously.” with his 20th of the season - the 10th time he has reached Mikko Koivu scored for Minnesota and Ilya Bryzgalov Anaheim 51 20 8 254 202 110 As for Tuesday’s reports that the infection could leave the mark in the NHL. Martin St. Louis had his best game denied all three Boston shots in the shootout, lifting the San Jose 49 21 9 239 192 107 Thorpe without the use of his left arm, Erskine was dismis- with the Rangers with three assists, and Benoit Pouliot and Wild over the Bruins and clinching a wild-card spot in the Los Angeles 45 28 6 197 166 96 sive.”I think that’s all poetic licence,” he said. Derek Stepan also scored. Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves Western Conference playoffs. Phoenix 36 28 15 212 225 87 “You could say what’s the worst case scenario, I mean, as the Rangers beat the Hurricanes for the 11th time in 12 When Bryzgalov stopped Brad Marchand’s try with his Vancouver 35 33 11 187 213 81 people have died from these infections. But that’s just peo- games. Patrick Dwyer scored for Carolina. pad to end it, he pumped his arms as he skated out of the Calgary 34 38 7 201 228 75 ple making it up, that’s just nonsense.” crease to celebrate with his teammates. The Wild will be the Edmonton 28 43 9 198 265 65 Erskine said on Tuesday that he thought Thorpe’s swim- RED WINGS 4, SABRES 2 seventh seed and face the division winner with the fewest Central Division ming career was almost certainly over if only because of Darren Helm scored the go-ahead goal 3:33 into the points. With Bryzgalov pulled for the extra skater late in reg- St. Louis 52 20 7 246 181 111 the impact of the surgery on his shoulder. third period to inch the Detroit Red Wings closer to clinch- ulation, the Wild had the Bruins in brief disarray on the Colorado 51 21 7 243 210 109 “He’s had two major operations on his shoulder ... and ing a playoff berth with a win over the Buffalo Sabres. defensive end, and Ryan Suter knocked in the tying goal Chicago 45 19 15 259 207 105 he’s got plates in there, he looks like the bionic man,” he Brendan Smith, David Legwand and Pavel Datsyuk, into with 65 seconds remaining. Minnesota 42 26 12 200 197 96 said yesterday. an empty net, also scored for the Red Wings, and Jimmy Dallas 39 29 11 230 223 89 “The first operation didn’t work, which took place after a Howard made 25 saves. Detroit moved within a point of STARS 3, PREDATORS 2 Nashville 35 32 12 200 234 82 fall at home before he went into rehab. “After rehab he securing one of the Eastern Conference’s two wild-card Tyler Seguin scored in the fourth round of a shootout Winnipeg 35 35 10 220 233 80 went back to hospital, had the operation redone. While he playoff spots, and extending its run of postseason berths to and the playoff-chasing Dallas Stars eliminated the was in hospital, he got an infection. They they’d cleared 23 straight seasons. The win was the 414th for Red Wings Nashville Predators from postseason contention. Seguin, Eastern Conference that infection up. coach Mike Babcock, who moved one ahead of Jack Adams who had been 1 of 6 in shootout chances, scored the win- Atlantic Division “He went back to rehab and the infection flared up for first on the franchise list. ner after Predators center Matt Cullen was denied. Dallas Boston 53 18 8 254 171 114 again so now he’s back in hospital.” Australia’s most deco- Zemgus Girgensons scored both goals for the Sabres holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Montreal 45 27 7 212 199 97 rated swimmer with 11 world championship gold, Thorpe (21-49-9), who are already guaranteed of finishing in last Conference with 89 points, two ahead of Phoenix after the Tampa Bay 43 27 9 232 211 95 was admitted to hospital this year to treat depression after place once the season ends Sunday. Coyotes got a point for an overtime loss at Columbus. Both Detroit 38 27 14 215 224 90 he was found disoriented in Sydney. teams have three games left. Jamie Benn scored his 34th Toronto 38 34 8 229 251 84 Police were called when a resident saw Thorpe behav- SENATORS 4, ISLANDERS 1 goal for the Stars, while Gabriel Bourque scored two goals Ottawa 34 31 14 230 262 82 ing oddly near a vehicle and Erskine later said he had been Jason Spezza scored twice and Ales Hemsky added an for Nashville. Florida 28 44 8 190 263 64 taking a mixture of anti-depressants and medication for his insurance goal as the Ottawa Senators topped the New York Buffalo 21 49 9 152 238 51 shoulder. Islanders. Craig Anderson made 45 saves for the Senators, AVALANCHE 4, OILERS 1 Metropolitan Division Thorpe won three gold in his Olympic debut at the 2000 who will still miss the postseason for the first time since Erik Johnson had a goal and an assist and the Colorado Pittsburgh 50 24 5 240 197 105 Sydney Games and clinched another two at Athens four 2011 and just the third time since 1996. They were making Avalanche earned a victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Paul NY Rangers 44 31 5 216 191 93 years later, but announced his retirement in 2006 at the their first appearance this season at Nassau Coliseum, and Stastny, Jamie McGinn and Tyson Barrie also scored for the Philadelphia 41 29 9 225 222 91 age of 24. the Islanders won the previous two meetings in Ottawa. Avalanche, who have gone 7-0-1 in their past eight games. Columbus 41 31 7 223 210 89 He returned to the pool in 2011 in a bid to qualify for Matt Kassian scored an empty-net goal in the closing The win gave Colorado a four-point cushion over the idle Washington 36 30 13 226 237 85 the London Games but flopped at national trials the fol- seconds, his first of the season. Frans Nielsen scored the Chicago Blackhawks for second place in the Central Division New Jersey 34 29 16 191 201 84 lowing year. He later revealed in his 2012 autobiography lone goal for the Islanders with his career-best 25th in the and two points up on the San Jose Sharks for third in the Carolina 34 34 11 197 219 79 “This is Me” that he battled depression, which had prompt- team’s home finale. Western Conference. NY Islanders 31 37 11 216 262 73 ed suicidal thoughts and regular alcohol abuse. The Avalanche set a team record for road wins with the Though frustrated by the injury setbacks, Thorpe last BLUE JACKETS 4, COYOTES 3 victory, improving to 25-10-3 away from Denver. David Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the year told local media he had not ruled out a bid for the Ryan Johansen took a stretch pass from James Perron scored for the Oilers, who had a two-game winning standings and are not included in the loss column (L). 2016 Games in Rio. — Reuters Wisniewski and scored on a wrist shot at 3:33 of overtime to streak end. — AP THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 SPORTS Surfing record-holder awaits ‘monster’ wave in Portugal

NAZARE: World-renowned American surfer Garrett wildest rides. He set his first record on what he calls the this (competition). How do I do it? Train, focus, and it he said. McNamara has lived most of his life in Hawaii. But McNamara holds a record for riding a 78-foot (24-m) “Holy Grail of huge waves” in Nazare (Portuguese for worked.” Just as importantly, he got all sponsorships he he has chosen Nazare over other surfing hotspots as the wave - the largest ever surfed. Now he wants to find one Nazareth) in 2011. Ever since, he has been scouring the needed. place where he is most likely to find his monster. almost twice as big. “You know every wave is so different,” horizon for the next one. “These are the biggest that I have come across,” he McNamara said, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean from “It would be nice to ride a 100-foot wave next. Well, THE ‘PERFECT BOARD’ said, looking out at the sea from a hotel balcony. “There’s the village of Nazare in Portugal. “It just depends on the actually I’d probably go for a 120-footer,” he said. McNamara has begun to design what he calls the giant waves in numerous occasions around the world, it’s ride, like when you come down and you don’t make the McNamara has achieved what few athletes have man- “perfect board” with the help of engineers from a matter of the wind being offshore. Here, you have so wave and you get blown up and you just feel like so small, aged - to follow his passion all his life. He started surfing Mercedes-Benz, which began sponsoring him two years many giant swells every year, more than anywhere I have but also so alive, because you’re at the mercy of this mon- aged 11 and never stopped. At 35 — a mature age in ago. Inside his warehouse on the dock in Nazare, the first encountered.” The Atlantic pounds Portugal’s western ster and its gotten hold of you and shaking you and rat- many demanding sports — he sat down and sketched a prototypes are on display - sleek and silver-colored. Their coast unimpeded by islands or other barriers. But Nazare tling you,” he told Reuters. plan on how to keep going as a professional. in-built weights and flexible tops help absorb the chop as is unique in having an underwater canyon that runs right McNamara, 46, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has had “I was about to retire, start working 9-to-5, and I wrote he rides down waves. “I rode it for the second time today to the beach, compressing the water and making the countless experiences like that scouring the world for the my goal - surfing,” he said. “What do I do? Win this, win and it feels so much better than all the boards I ever rode,” waves burst higher.—Reuters Rangers pound Red Sox

BOSTON: Robinson Chirinos started a five-run third inning with his first homer of the season and the Texas Rangers won 10-7 as the Boston Red Sox hit into five double plays Tuesday night. The Red Sox scored three runs in the ninth against Joakim Soria on an RBI single by Jonny Gomes and a two-run double by David Ortiz, but Mike Napoli struck out to end the game. Boston’s five double plays were one fewer than the American League record for a nine-inning game shared by eight teams. The major league mark of sev- en was set by the San Francisco Giants in 1969. All of them came against Martin Perez (1-0). Texas won for the second time in five games as every starter reached base by the fourth inning. Boston lost its fourth game in the last five. Chirinos’ second career homer broke a scoreless tie and began an inning in which the Rangers batted around against Felix Doubront (1-0).

ORIOLES 14, YANKEES 5 PHILADELPHIA: Milwaukee Brewers’ Scooter Gennett (2) hits an RBI single to center Delmon Young, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters field in the third inning of a baseball game. — AP homered as the Baltimore Orioles teed off for 20 hits, battering the New York Yankees 14-5 Tuesday. BOSTON: Dustin Pedroia No. 15 of the Boston Red Sox is unable to field a ball hit by Alex Rios Young and Wieters each drove in three runs, and No. 51 of the Texas Rangers in the 9th inning at Fenway Park. —AFP Jones delivered one of the Orioles’ four doubles at a Brewers sweep half-empty Yankee Stadium. Everyone in Baltimore’s first homer of the season and became the second INTERLEAGUE starting lineup got a hit and scored a run. The active player with 1,500 career RBIs. INDIANS 8, PADRES 6 Orioles posted their second-highest hit total in the David Murphy hit a three-run homer and had four Bronx, eclipsed only by a 22-hit outburst in 1986. BLUE JAYS 5, ASTROS 2 RBIs as Cleveland took advantage of outdoor batting past Phillies Wei-Yin Chen (1-1) weathered five innings for the Melky Cabrera homered for the fourth straight practice and San Diego’s sloppiness in their delayed win, giving up four runs and nine hits. Ivan Nova (1- game, Jose Bautista also went deep and Toronto interleague series opener. Murphy’s shot in the fourth PHILADELPHIA: Ryan Braun hit three 2003 against Cincinnati. Bruce had a two- 1) was tagged for seven runs and 10 hits in 3 2-3 handed Houston its fifth loss in six games. inning off Tyson Ross (0-2) gave the Indians a 6-2 lead. home runs and tied a franchise record with run triple in the first, Billy Hamilton’s sec- innings. Cabrera hit a two-run shot off reliever Kevin He added an RBI double in the sixth and is 6 for 8 with Chapman in the seventh, connecting on an 0-2 five RBIs in his past two games. Corey Kluber (1-1) seven RBIs to lead the Milwaukee Brewers ond hit of the season drove in a run and pitch. Cabrera has hit more home runs in eight pitched six solid innings. John Axford stopped a rally Ryan Ludwick had two RBIs for the Reds. RAYS 1, ROYALS 0 over Philadelphia 10-4 Tuesday, spoiling games this season than he did in 88 last year, when in the ninth for his third save. The Indians were rained the Phillies’ home opener. The Reds squandered a 4-0 second- James Loney hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning to lift Tampa Bay over Kansas City. he missed time with leg injuries before having a out for the second time Monday and have endured Coming off a three-game sweep of the inning lead by the bottom half of the benign tumor removed from his spine on Aug. 30. wintry conditions so far at home. They’ve only had BP World Series champion Boston Red Sox at inning, and Lance Lynn (2-0) got enough Rays starter Chris Archer wriggled out of two bases- loaded jams and went seven innings in an impres- Mark Buehrle (2-0) allowed one run and eight hits on the field twice and have scored 15 runs in those Fenway Park, the Brewers won their fourth support to beat Cincinnati for the second sive pitchers’ duel between top young arms. Royals in 5 1-3 innings. Sergio Santos struck out the side in games. Nyjer Morgan had three hits and two RBIs for straight game and improved to 5-2. Kyle straight time. rookie Yordano Ventura dazzled in his season debut, the ninth for his third save. Brett Oberholtzer (0-2) the Indians, who will play their second doubleheader Lohse (1-1) allowed three runs and seven Trevor Rosenthal finished for his third holding Tampa Bay to two hits in six shutout innings. gave up three runs and three hits in 5 1-3 innings. this season late yesterday. — AP hits, walking five. Braun connected twice save in three chances. Bruce appeared to Loney’s grounder to right scored Wil Myers, who off Kyle Kendrick (0-1), snapping the have a bead on Holliday’s two-out drive snapped an 0-for-15 slump when he reached on an longest homerless drought of his career. with two on against Logan Ondrusek (0-1), infield single to start the ninth. Myers advanced on a MLB results/standings The 2011 NL MVP came in with only three but had to jump a bit at the last instant and two-out wild pitch by Greg Holland (0-1). singles in 20 at-bats this season. the ball glanced off his glove as the Joel Peralta (1-1) struck out Danny Valencia with Baltimore 14, NY Yankees 5; Milwaukee 10, Philadelphia 4; San Francisco 7, Arizona 3; Texas 10, But Braun, who is bothered by a right Cardinals took a 6-5 lead. Bourjos added an the bases loaded, and Grant Balfour worked the Boston 7; Cleveland 8, San Diego 6; Washington 5, Miami 0; Toronto 5, Houston 2; NY Mets 4, Atlanta thumb injury, felt just fine, as usual, in RBI single in the seventh off J.J. Hoover. ninth for his second save. Ventura walked none and 0; Pittsburgh 7, Chicago Cu Bs 6; Tampa Bay 1, Kansas City 0; St. Louis 7, Cincinnati 5; Chicago White Philadelphia. He has 10 homers and 21 RBIs struck out six, including Myers three times. Sox 15, Colorado 3; Seattle 5, LA Angels 3; LA Dodgers 3, Detroit 2 (10 innings). in 20 career games at Citizens Bank Park. PIRATES 7, CUBS 6 American League National League Pedro Alvarez had two hits and two RBIs MARINERS 5, ANGELS 3 Eastern Division Eastern Division Corey Hart hit a three-run homer and a solo GIANTS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 3 and Pittsburgh overcame two home runs W L PCT GB Washington 5 2 .714 - shot, sending Seattle past Los Angeles in its Michael Morse hit a two-run single to by Starlin Castro. Russell Martin drove in Tampa Bay 5 4 .556 - Miami 5 3 .625 0.5 home opener. The Mariners became the final back Tim Hudson as each made memo- the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly in the NY Yankees 4 4 .500 0.5 Atlanta 4 3 .571 1 rable home debuts with their new team, eighth inning for Pittsburgh and Jason major league team to open at home and Toronto 4 4 .500 0.5 improved to 4-0 against the Angels this season. NY Mets 3 4 .429 2 and Brandon Belt hit a two-run homer for Grilli closed with a perfect ninth. Baltimore 3 5 .375 1.5 Philadelphia 3 4 .429 2 San Francisco. Cubs right-hander Pedro Strop (0-1) Before the game, a sold-out crowd at Safeco Field Boston 3 5 .375 1.5 gave Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll and other mem- Central Division Hudson (2-0) shut down the D-backs for walked two batters in the eighth and Central Division Milwaukee 5 2 .714 - bers of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Detroit 4 2 .667 - the second time in seven days with an recorded only one out before being Pittsburgh 5 2 .714 - Seahawks a raucous ovation. Cleveland 4 3 .571 0.5 eight-inning gem in his first outing at AT&T replaced by left-hander James Russell. St. Louis 5 3 .625 0.5 Seattle scored four times with two outs in the Chicago White Sox 4 4 .500 1 Park since agreed to a $23 million, two-year Russell immediately walked Pedro Alvarez third inning, capped by Hart’s three-run drive off Chicago Cubs 2 5 .286 3 contract in November. to load the bases and Martin followed with Kansas City 3 4 .429 1.5 starter Hector Santiago (0-2). Mariners starter Minnesota 3 4 .429 1.5 Cincinnati 2 6 .250 3.5 Belt’s drive off Trevor Cahill (0-3) gave a fly ball to right field that made it 7-6. James Paxton (2-0) gave up first-inning homers Western Division him five homers and the Giants a majors- The Cubs tied the game in the seventh Western Division to Albert Pujols and David Freese, then retired 14 Seattle 5 2 .714 - San Francisco 6 2 .750 - leading 12. New Giants left fielder Morse against Tony Watson (1-0) on Anthony straight. Paxton left in the sixth after straining a LA Dodgers 6 3 .667 0.5 emphatically pumped his fist at first base Rizzo’s hit up the middle scoring Emilio Oakland 4 3 .571 1 muscle on the left side of his back. Fernando Texas 4 4 .500 1.5 Colorado 4 5 .444 2.5 after a third-inning single, then added a Bonifacio, who went 3 for 5 and is batting Rodney earned his second save despite walking Houston 3 5 .375 2.5 San Diego 2 5 .286 3.5 .515. two-out double in the fifth. Belt became his first two batters in the ninth. Robinson Cano’s LA Angels 3 5 .375 2.5 Arizona 2 8 .200 5 the first Giants player since Jose Cruz Jr. in home debut in Seattle was mostly uneventful. 2003 to hit five home runs through the first INTERLEAGUE Cano went 0 for 3 and scored a run. Pujols hit his eight games. DODGERS 3, TIGERS 2 Carl Crawford hit an RBI double in the NATIONALS 5, MARLINS 0 10th inning, lifting Los Angeles over Gio Gonzalez threw six crisp innings to Detroit. The Tigers were down to their final lead Washington. Gonzalez allowed three out in the ninth when Victor Martinez got singles and two walks. He allowed one Max Scherzer off the hook with an RBI sin- baserunner to get as far as second, and gle against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen - struck out five hitters. He retired his last 10 who had just struck out two-time AL MVP batters and is 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA. Miguel Cabrera - to make it 2-2. Ian Kinsler Adam LaRoche had three hits and drove ignited the rally with a leadoff double. in a run off Henderson Alvarez (0-2). Joba Chamberlain (0-1) struck out the Anthony Rendon went 2 for 4 with three side in the bottom of the ninth for Detroit, RBIs as Washington improved to 5-2. Miami but walked pinch-hitter Chone Figgins to entered an NL-best 5-2, a year after finish- open the 10th and was replaced by Phil ing with a league-high 100 losses. Led by Coke. Dee Gordon popped out to first Giancarlo Stanton, the Marlins were aver- baseman Victor Martinez on an attempted aging a majors-best six runs a game, but sacrifice bunt, but Crawford lined a 2-0 they couldn’t solve Gonzalez or four reliev- pitch past left fielder Rajai Davis and ers. Figgins scampered home. JP Howell (1-0) pitched a perfect 10th inning. Austin METS 4, BRAVES 0 Jackson homered for the Tigers in an inter- Bartolo Colon combined with two league matchup between division winners relievers on an eight-hitter, Ruben Tejada from last season. Gordon led off the drove in two runs with two hits and New Dodgers’ first with a homer against York beat Atlanta. Scherzer and Justin Turner had a sacrifice Jose Valverde loaded the basses in the fly in the seventh. ninth before Jason Heyward flied to the warning track in center field to end it. WHITE SOX 15, ROCKIES 3 The 40-year-old Colon (1-1) was domi- Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia each hit nant through seven innings. He gave up six two of Chicago’s six homers. Jose Quintana hits and no walks, struck out five and didn’t (1-0) pitched seven sharp innings, and Tyler allow more than one baserunner in any Flowers and Alexei Ramirez also went deep inning until the seventh as he outpitched for the first time this season. The White Sox Catch the adrenaline-packed IPL Atlanta’s Aaron Harang (1-1). Tejada scored had six total home runs before the fire- on a wild pitch by Harang in the third and works in this one at hitter-friendly Coors had run-scoring singles in the seventh and Field. exclusively on OSN Sports Cricket HD eighth innings. The long balls were the first of the sea- son for both Garcia and Abreu, the Cuban DUBAI: The world’s most-awaited cricketing every match telecast live on OSN Sports Waqar Younis, Adam Gilchrist and Michael CARDINALS 7, REDS 5 slugger who signed a $68 million, six-year tournament well-known for nail-biting finish- Cricket HD until June 1. Vaughan - broadcasting live from the OSN’s Matt Holliday hit a go-ahead two-run contract in October. Garcia finished with es is back. Enjoy all the action from the Indian Join the excitement as reigning champions studios in Dubai Media City. double in the sixth inning that glanced off four hits and three RBIs, while Abreu had a Premier League (IPL) live and exclusively on Mumbai Indians battle it out against Kolkata As the region’s home of cricket, OSN Sports right fielder Jay Bruce’s glove on the warn- three-run homer in the seventh and a two- OSN, the region’s leading pay-TV network. Knight Riders in the inaugural match to be Cricket HD offers viewers across the region ing track and St. Louis beat Cincinnati. run shot an inning later. This year’s IPL will be even more special held in Abu Dhabi. thousands of hours of live international cricket Yadier Molina homered and Peter Marcus Semien also had four of with 20 matches being played in the UAE. The exclusive telecast of IPL follows OSN in true high definition. Upcoming cricket high- Bourjos had three hits and an RBI to help Chicago’s 19 hits. Franklin Morales (0-1) Kicking off on April 16, 2014, the tournament Sports’ live and exclusive coverage of the ICC lights include the Champions League T20, Big the Cardinals clinch their 26th series win to gave up six runs and two homers in 6 1-3 will enthrall ardent cricket fans in the UAE, World Twenty20 which featured a special stu- Bash league and all India, England, Australia, go with three losses and two splits since innings for Colorado. — AP Bangladesh and India in three phases with dio panel of cricket legends - VVS Laxman, Bangladesh and New Zealand home series. SPORTS THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 Photo of the day UConn women rout Notre Dame, win title

NASHVILLE: With Breanna Stewart back Stewart, just as much of a matchup The loss was Notre Dame’s third in for two more seasons, Geno Auriemma nightmare in the women’s game as the title game in the past four years. and UConn are in position to win a few James is in the NBA. Kayla McBride finished off her stellar more titles. None may be sweeter than But the one constant for UConn has career with 21 points to lead the Irish, the record ninth championship the been Auriemma, winning nine titles in who were looking for their first champi- Huskies won Tuesday night in unprece- only 20 seasons” including the past two. onship since 2001. dented fashion. Connecticut reached Auriemma has never lost in a nation- “Obviously we wanted to finish this the pinnacle in style, routing Notre al championship game. season with a championship,” said Irish Dame in the first NCAA women’s basket- “Congratulations to the UConn Huskies freshman Taya Reimer, who replaced ball championship game featuring for winning the 2014 NCAA National Natalie Achonwa in the starting lineup. undefeated teams. Championship!,” Summitt said in a state- “Right now, it is hard to think about. It Auriemma and his Huskies have one ment. “My compliments also to coach hurts a lot.” After proving to be no chal- more title than Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma for winning his ninth lenge for the Huskies during the first 15 Tennessee for most all time, and they national title. He has accomplished this years of the rivalry which began in 1995, did it in the Hall of Famer’s backyard. feat in record time.” It was the fifth Notre Dame had owned the series lately, The 79-58 rout of the Irish capped unbeaten season for Auriemma and winning seven of the previous nine the careers of seniors Stefanie Dolson UConn and the first time the Huskies meetings. and Bria Hartley. The pair were the final went 40-0 matching Baylor as the only UConn though has won the past remaining links to the Huskies’ NCAA- schools to accomplish that feat. two, eliminating Notre Dame in the record 90-game winning streak that The victory was also Connecticut’s Final Four last season before topping ended when they were freshman. The 46th straight dating back to last season’s them in the championship game this duo finished their careers with back-to- NCAA tournament title run, the third- year. back championships. longest streak in school history. The former Big East rivals played an Antonio Cairoli performs during FIM Motocross World Championship 2014 “It’s overwhelming,” an emotional “It means we’ve done something no entertaining first half in the highly antic- in Penha, Brazil — www.redbull.com Auriemma said. “Those two kids are two one else has ever done,” Auriemma said. ipated matchup that women’s basket- of the most unbelievable kids I’ve ever “Flattered and grateful and all the things ball hoped could transcend the sport. been around my whole life and to see that come with this kind of accomplish- The programs don’t care for each other their faces when they walked off the ment. ... I’m more proud of the legacy and the coaches added to the drama of court, I don’t usually get this emotional, that exists and what Connecticut bas- the game with their verbal sparring on Nets sweep Heat but this one got to me.” ketball is as opposed to the number of Monday. But it was Auriemma who got While Auriemma loses his two sen- championships.” the last word again. — AP iors, he still has his sensational sopho- MIAMI: Joe Johnson scored 19 points, point attempts to finish with 23 points, for the Timberwolves, who have beat- more, who has won two national cham- Mason Plumlee was credited with a and Oklahoma City started the fourth en Miami and San Antonio in two of pionships in her first two seasons and block on LeBron James’ dunk attempt quarter on a 16-0 run to pull away for their last three games. earned most outstanding player honors in the final seconds, and the Brooklyn the victory. Kawhi Leonard had 11 points and of the Final Four both times. Nets finished off a four-game season Kevin Durant scored 23 points but six rebounds for the Spurs, who were “I think that to be able to have two sweep of Miami by beating the Heat was never needed in the final quarter, playing without Tony Parker and have national championships under my belt 88-87 on Tuesday night. stopping his streak of scoring at least now lost two of three following a 19- means a lot,” Stewart said. “Each team It was the third time Brooklyn beat 25 points in 41 consecutive games. game winning streak. Parker has a has been different and I’m really happy Miami by a single point; the other win Serge Ibaka added 19 points and four back injury, but coach Gregg Popovich we could send Stef and Bria off on this came in double-overtime. Marcus rebounds for the Thunder, who rested said before the game he didn’t believe type of note.” Stewart, The Associated Thornton scored 16 points and Paul Russell Westbrook ahead of it was that serious. Press Player of the Year, scored 21 points Pierce added 14 for the Nets, who Wednesday night’s game at the Los Manu Ginobili left in the third quar- to lead the Huskies (40-0). Dolson added became the first team in the last two Angeles Clippers. ter with a left calf contusion, and the 17 points, 16 rebounds and seven years to sweep the Heat. Miami was Oklahoma City (56-21) is 11/2 Spurs were just 4 for 17 from 3-point assists. Auriemma took out his senior the only team in the league to beat games ahead of the Clippers (55-23) range in a listless performance. center with a minute left and the game every team last season and would have for the Western Conference’s No. 2 well in hand with the pair embracing in repeated that feat with a win Tuesday. playoff seed. DeMarcus Cousins col- MAVERICKS 95, JAZZ 83 a long hug. James had 29 points, 10 rebounds lected 24 points and 14 rebounds, and Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points on “We beat a great, great team,” and six assists for the Heat, who Travis Outlaw scored 24 points in 9-of-11 shooting, and the Mavericks Auriemma said. “Notre Dame is a great remained a half-game ahead of Sacramento’s third straight loss. earned their fifth consecutive victory. team. For them to have the season they Indiana, and one in the loss column, in Dallas shot 56 percent from the field had and lose their starting center and to the race for the No. 1 seed in the TIMBERWOLVES 110, SPURS 91 and had six players score in double fig- do what they did, I can’t say enough Eastern Conference. Chris Bosh scored Ricky Rubio scored 23 points and ures. Monta Ellis had 16 points and about their players, coaching staff and it 12 and Norris Cole added 10 for Miami. Gorgui Dieng had 12 points and 15 reserve Vince Carter added 13. took everything we have. I knew if we rebounds, leading Minnesota to the Derrick Favors scored 19 points for played great we’d have a chance to win.” THUNDER 107, KINGS 92 win. Kevin Love had 19 points and 12 the Jazz, who lost for the 18th time in The victory also means that UConn is Caron Butler made all six of his 3- rebounds and Corey Brewer scored 14 their last 21 games. Reserve Enes the center of the college basketball Kanter added 15 points and 19 world with both the men’s and women’s rebounds, and Richard Jefferson had teams winning the championship in the 15 points. same year again. Dallas opened the game by making The men’s team beat Kentucky in the 17 of 18 shots. The Mavericks shot 94.1 title game Monday night. This pair of percent (16 of 17) from the floor in the victories come a decade after the first quarter alone. Huskies became the only Division I school to accomplish the feat. PISTONS 102, HAWKS 95 “I couldn’t be prouder of what the Rodney Stuckey scored 29 points, men did last night,” Auriemma said. Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw con- each had a double-double and Detroit gratulated the UConn coach when they snapped a 10-game skid in Atlanta. shook hands after the game. Atlanta has five games left in the “I said something like, ‘I thought we regular season and a 11/2-game were playing the Miami Heat for a while advantage over New York for the you guys are just that good.’ What a eighth and final Eastern Conference great season, you know things like that,” playoff spot. McGraw said. “I thought ... LeBron was Paul Millsap had 24 points and 12 the only thing they were missing.” They rebounds for Atlanta, which had won didn’t need him. NASHVILLE: Connecticut center Stefanie Dolson (31) and team members cele- three of four. Monroe finished with 21 The names change at UConn, from brate with the championship trophy after the second half of the championship points and 13 rebounds and Rebecca Lobo to Diana Taurasi, Maya game against Notre Dame in the Final Four of the NCAA women’s college bas- Drummond had 19 points and 17 Moore and now the Huskies have ketball tournament. —AP rebounds for the Pistons, who have won two straight after dropping five of six. Australia Olympic champion Rice retires ROCKETS 145, LAKERS 130 Terrence Jones and James Harden SYDNEY: Australia’s triple Olympic posted on the website. plete shock and the best moment scored 33 points apiece, and the gold medallist Stephanie Rice “And I never wanted to make a that I could have ever experienced,” Houston Rockets kept up their playoff announced her retirement from com- comeback, so the decision that I she added. push with their third straight victory. petitive swimming at the age of 25 wanted to make was definitely final Chandler Parsons scored 19 points yesterday. and coming to that point today and TEARFUL APOLOGY for the Rockets, who used a 49-point Rice had a stunning Olympic not continuing my swimming career Rice signed a string of sponsorship third quarter against the Los Angeles debut at Beijing’s Water Cube in 2008, is, it’s sad. “Like I definitely feel I’m los- deals after her Beijing success, only to Lakers to solidify their hold on fourth winning the 200 and 400 metres indi- ing a part of myself but I’m really lose one with a luxury car manufac- place in the Western Conference vidual medley titles as well as gold in excited for what’s to come.” turer after she posted a homophobic standings despite their second-worst the 4x200m freestyle relay, all in world Rice hit the headlines as a 19-year- tweet in the wake of an Australia rug- defensive performance of the year. record times. She struggled with a old when she set world records at the by victory over South Africa in 2010. Houston won the opener of a three- shoulder injury heading into the 2012 2008 national trials in the lead up to She made a tearful apology for the game road trip without injured London Olympics, where her failure to Beijing, and her relationship with fel- tweet but that was not the only stum- Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley. win a medal contributed to a disap- low swimmer Eamon Sullivan ensured ble on the road to London, with per- Steve Nash moved into third place on pointing Games for Australia. she was a fixture in gossip magazines. sistent shoulder problems forcing her the NBA’s career assists list for the mis- She has not raced competitively Her triple Olympic triumph in to swim through constant pain at her erable Lakers (25-53), who tied the since and yesterday announced on China cemented her status as one of second Games. franchise record for losses in a single her website (stephanierice.com.au/) Australia’s leading sportswomen and Rice made the final of both medley MIAMI: Mario Chalmers No. 15 of the Miami Heat drives on Mirza Teletovic No. season with their worst defensive per- that she would not be returning to saw her carry the country’s flag at the events but failed to medal and her 33 of the Brooklyn Nets during a game at American Airlines Arena. — AFP formance of the year. — AP the pool. “I knew that I really had to closing ceremony. disappointment was compounded take the time for myself to get to the “Going to Beijing and competing when China’s Ye Shiwen smashed her point where I knew 100 percent what and coming home with three gold 400m medley world record to win NBA results/standings I wanted to do,” Rice said in a video and three world records was a com- gold. “London was really tough,” she Detroit 102, Atlanta 95; Brooklyn 88, Miami 87; Minnesota 110, San Antonio 91; Dallas 95, Utah 83; Oklahoma City 107, said. “There were so many things that Sacramento 92; Houston 145, LA Lakers 130. went wrong for me in that prepara- tion and it was like I was trying so Eastern Conference Western Conference hard to make everything so perfect Atlantic Division Northwest Division and everything went wrong.” Fellow W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 56 21 .727 - athletes and sporting bodies issued a stream of tributes on social media on Toronto 45 32 .584 - Portland 50 28 .641 6.5 Wednesday for Rice, who also won Brooklyn 43 34 .558 2 Minnesota 39 38 .506 17 two silver and five bronze medals at NY Knicks 33 45 .423 12.5 Denver 33 44 .429 23 three world championships. Boston 23 54 .299 22 Utah 24 54 .308 32.5 “When Steph had a big meet to Philadelphia 17 60 .221 28 Pacific Division prepare for, like the Olympic Games, Central Division LA Clippers 55 23 .705 - she left no stone unturned,” her long- Indiana 53 25 .679 - term coach Michael Bohl said in a Golden State 48 29 .623 6.5 Chicago 45 32 .584 7.5 Swimming Australia news release. Phoenix 46 31 .597 8.5 Cleveland 31 47 .397 22 “She really understood the need to Detroit 29 49 .372 24 Sacramento 27 51 .346 28 prepare at a high level, to perform at a Milwaukee 14 63 .182 38.5 LA Lakers 25 53 .321 30 high level, and you could always depend on Steph to deliver at the Southeast Division Southwest Division San Antonio 60 18 .769 - major meets. “It’s disappointing that Miami 53 24 .688 - she had to overcome a number of Houston 52 25 .675 7.5 Washington 40 37 .519 13 LONDON: In this July 30, 2012 file photo, Australia’s Stephanie Rice smiles injuries late in her career, because she Charlotte 39 38 .506 14 Dallas 48 31 .608 12.5 after competing in a women’s 200-meter individual medley swimming really loved to compete and compete Atlanta 34 43 .442 19 Memphis 45 32 .584 14.5 heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer at her best.”— Reuters Orlando 22 55 .286 31 New Orleans 32 45 .416 27.5 Olympics in London.—AP SPORTS THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Bach promises action on delays threatening Rio

BELEK: With sports federations demanding a “Plan B” made clear they expect the games to take place in told Rousseff there was “not a single day to lose,” and tingency plans if things do not progress,” hockey fed- because of the chronic delays in Rio de Janeiro, IOC Rio but the timelines are extremely tight. that the IOC’s coordination commission for Rio eration director general Kelly Fairweather said. President Thomas Bach promised yesterday to take “If action is taken now, then we can deliver and warned organizers last month there was “not a single The eight sports with planned events in Deodoro action to ease the crisis threatening the 2016 Rio can deliver,” said Gilbert Felli, the IOC’s executive hour to lose.” Bach said he was waiting for more met later Wednesday with Rio organizers, and the Olympics. Bach and other Olympic officials said the director of the Olympic Games. details of Tuesday’s meeting in Brasilia between Rio Brazilians reported “constructive dialogue on venue construction holdups and political paralysis have Leaders of 18 different federations spoke out organizers and Rousseff’s chief of staff. Brazil’s sports timelines.” Rio confirmed the tender for Deodoro reached a critical point, requiring the IOC to take about Rio’s troubled preparations in a meeting with ministry said the deadlines would be met “and the would be released this month. special measures to save the games. Bach and the IOC board. All but one - volleyball - games themselves would take place without disor- Federations expressed worries not only about “It is about time for action,” Bach said following an raised serious concerns. der.” construction delays, but also over accommodations, unprecedented venting of criticism and complaints “The general feeling is that we are in the most Bach noted that the IOC will be sending several transportation and water pollution. from international sports leaders about the lack of critical situation in the preparation for the games task forces - made up of groups of experts in various Speaking out were leaders of equestrian, field progress in Rio. that has happened in the last 20 years at least,” said fields - to Rio to monitor the situation. Felli will be hockey, badminton, rugby, tennis, sailing, triathlon, “We share their concerns,” he added. “We will Francesco Ricci Bitti, head of the Association of assigned to work with Rio when he steps down from basketball, athletics, cycling, rowing, modern pen- address them. We will do everything we can do Summer Olympic International Federations. his IOC position later this year. Ricci Bitti said the tathlon, gymnastics, archery, golf and handball. make these games a success.” Bach said the Ricci Bitti said the sports raising the issue of a Olympic project is in danger of falling further behind Volleyball, which has an existing indoor venue and International Olympic Committee executive board “Plan B” were referring to venue plans, not moving because of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil and will use the Copacabana for beach volleyball, was would meet later Wednesday to discuss the Rio situ- the games. “We are not at this stage,” he said, adding presidential election in October. the only one that said it was satisfied. Jose Perurena, ation and decide on what action to take. He did not that basketball, for example, could consider playing “We require you to take action immediately,” the head of the international canoe federation, said he say what steps might be implemented. some games in Sao Paolo if the Deodoro venue Italian told Bach. “ We cannot waste these next six would give Rio a “red card.” Basketball asked about Several sports federations asked about “Plan B” won’t be ready. months.” The greatest concerns center on the moving some games to other Brazilian cities; rowing contingencies for their venues and one - handball - The Italian urged Bach to make another trip to Deodoro complex, an area that is to host venues for noted that some fish are dying from lack of oxygen asked if there was a backup for the games them- Brazil soon to meet with government leaders and eight sports - shooting, equestrian, modern pen- at its polluted venue; sailing asked for medical selves if Rio won’t be ready on time. organizers. Bach traveled to Brazil in January for talks tathlon, canoe-slalom, rugby, basketball, cycling and experts to study the pollution in Guanabara Bay; and Without completely ruling out moving the games with President Dilma Rousseff. field hockey. Work has yet to begin on the site. golf said it would have to look at “Plan B” if the new out of Brazil, the IOC and other Olympic officials Bach told the delegates Wednesday that he had “We believe it might be prudent to consider con- course remains way behind schedule. — AP

Mourinho in a hurry to get to Stadium of Light LONDON: Jose Mourinho’s touchline dash man to lift the European Cup with three dif- after Chelsea scored the goal that clinched ferent clubs after his triumphs with Porto in their Champions League semi-final place 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010. on Tuesday was not done just because he He could get the chance to do it at the wanted to celebrate with his players by the end of May at the Stadium of Light in corner flag. Lisbon, the home ground of Benfica, the Although it evoked memories of his club where he was briefly in charge at the famous victory sprint and knee-slide with start of his coaching career before reaching Porto against Manchester United at Old the heights of the European game. Trafford in 2004, the coach explained he As well as those Champions League suc- had something else in mind near the end cesses, Mourinho has also lifted the old of their 2-0 win over Paris St Germain. UEFA Cup with Porto and domestic league The Portuguese leapt out of his techni- titles in England, Portugal, Italy and Spain. cal area and sprinted away, punching the The Portuguese has won all nine air with his right fist after Demba Ba’s 87th European competition quarter-finals he has minute strike levelled the aggregate score been involved in - eight in the Champions at 3-3 and saw Chelsea qualify on the away League and one in the UEFA Cup. goals rule. His team outfought PSG in the end as “I didn’t go to the corner flag to cele- the French side, 3-1 up from the first leg, brate, but you can see I can run,” Mourinho dominated the early part of the game told reporters at Stamford Bridge. “I went to before visibly wilting in the face of unre- tell them the changes we had to make. lenting Chelsea pressure in the second half There were three minutes plus added time when they were already 1-0 down after left and the way we were playing was too Andre Schuerrle scored in the 32nd minute. risky. Mourinho added: “I think we did enough “I wanted Demba Ba to play in front of at beginning of the second half to score the defenders and (fellow substitute striker) before we did. In the second half we totally Fernando Torres to defend (PSG’s) Maxwell. dominated and we had all the possession. TURIN: Olympique Lyonnais’ players exercise during a training session at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, on the eve of the UEFA Europa League I tried to use them in different jobs.” But it was difficult for us to penetrate. “We quarter final football match against Juventus. — AFP It speaks volumes for Mourinho that he did it in training yesterday, with three dif- tried to get through to his men when they ferent systems, all of which we used. The were screaming in delight and the noise players knew what they had to do. Demba from the delirious home fans was at its Ba made a crucial finish for us. Juventus, Basel, Porto and peak on an incredibly tense night. “It was a deserved win that the team Having glimpsed success, he was not that tried to defend was punished. The prepared to waste a moment securing it as team that played with their heart deserved he stayed on course to become the first to go through.” — Reuters Benfica eye Europa semis

MADRID: The Iberian peninsula’s grip on the Real treble hopes alive Europa League will loosen if Juventus and Basel can make good on first-leg victories and reach the despite Dortmund fright semifinals of Europe’s second-tier tournament. Juventus’ 1-0 first-leg win at Lyon provides the MADRID: Carlo Ancelotti’s 50th match in of the game and possession and in the first cushion of an away goal for the Serie A champions charge of Real Madrid was his most nerve- half we didn’t manage it.” at their home stadium, where the final will be held wracking so far but after surviving a Chelsea, coached by Ancelotti’s prede- on May 14. Champions League scare at Borussia cessor Jose Mourinho, are also through to Basel trounced Valencia 3-0 to travel to Spain Dortmund, his expensively assembled side the last four and Real’s other possible with a big lead, while Benfica and Porto both retain a chance of a rare treble. opponents are La Liga rivals Barca and secured 1-0 victories for the Portuguese clubs to be Real appeared lost without injured top Atletico, holders Bayern Munich or in control of their series. scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, who watched Manchester United. Ronaldo, top scorer Portuguese leader Benfica welcomes AZ anxiously from the bench as the La Liga in both La Liga and the Champions Alkmaar while Porto travels to Sevilla with the con- giants were comprehensively outplayed in League this season, should be fit for fidence of knowing three of the past four winners a 2-0 reverse in the quarter-final, second Saturday’s game at home to Almeria, of the competition have come from Spain or leg that meant they squeaked into the last Ancelotti said. The Portugal forward, who Portugal. Here are five things to know about four 3-2 on aggregate. has a record-equalling 14 Champions today’s quarterfinal return legs: Both of Marco Reus’s goals for League goals in the latest edition, has Dortmund came after Real howlers, the first been undergoing treatment for a left HOME SWEET HOME: Juventus has been when centre back Pepe headed the ball knee problem and Real decided not to unbeatable at home this season and will expect to into his path in the 24th minute and the risk him in Dortmund. — Reuters continue that record following its 1-0 first-leg win second when midfielder Asier Illarramendi at Lyon. A 2-0 victory over Livorno on Monday surrendered possession. marked Juve’s 16th win in 16 Serie A home match- The Bundesliga side, who knocked Real es this season, matching the record set by city rival out in the semi-finals last season, came Torino in 1947-48. close to levelling the tie when Henrikh Juventus is undefeated at home in its other three competitions this season as it hones in on a VALENCIA: Basel’s Swiss centre Fabian Schar kicks a ball during a training session at the Mestalla Mkhitaryan’s shot hit the post in the 65th stadium on the eve of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match. — AFP minute but Real held out and will go into third consecutive Italian title with an eight-point Friday’s draw for the last four as they chase lead over Roma. It just has to be sure it reaches the steam as it beat Espanyol 4-1. zero trophies last season after being undone by a record-extending 10th European crown. Europa League final, next. “The team is ready, it believes in its chances,” late goals in all three competitions, ultimately los- They are third in La Liga, three points “We want to get into a European semifinal,” Sevilla coach Unai Emery said. “But Porto is a team ing the Portuguese title to Porto, the Portuguese behind leaders Atletico Madrid with six Juventus coach Antonio Conte said. “We need the that is always capable of creating problems, so we Cup to Guimaraes, and the Europa League to games left, and also through to next support of our fans, from now until the end of the have to expect they will be at their best.” Chelsea following a stoppage-time winner. Wednesday’s King’s Cup final to face arch season.” Now, Portuguese leader Benfica enjoys a six- rivals Barcelona. BENFICA REBOUNDS: Benfica is on course to point advantage over Sporting Lisbon after a 4-0 Barca are the only Spanish side to have SWISS CAN’T MISS: Basel is playing for national erasing all of last year’s disappointments as it wel- win over Rio Ave on Monday. “We’re playing well, won the Champions League, La Liga and pride - and its own future Champions League comes Dutch side AZ Alkmaar nursing a 1-0 lead. with great confidence and good execution,” Benfica the King’s Cup in one season, in 2009 under prospects - at Valencia today. The Portuguese leaders went from treble talk to defender Maxi Pereira said. — AP Pep Guardiola. Leading 3-0 from the first leg at home, Basel is A relieved Ancelotti said the match in favored to advance to a second straight Europa Dortmund had turned when Angel Di League semifinal and earn Switzerland extra rank- Maria’s 17th-minute penalty was saved by ing points. That would lift the Alpine nation into Paranaense crash out home goalkeeper and captain Roman 12th place in UEFA’s rankings for club competitions Weidenfeller. - guaranteeing whoever is Swiss league winner “We gifted them a lot, above all in the next year a place in the 2015-16 Champions of Libertadores Cup first half,” the Italian, who has 39 wins, six League group stage. Basel has won five of the past six Swiss titles and currently leads the table. draws and five defeats in his first 50 Real BUENOS AIRES: Adriano’s first goal for two result,” the 32-year-old Adriano told reporters games, told a news conference. years could not keep Atletico Paranaense in at the Hernando Siles stadium. “I’m sad for not “In the second we didn’t lose our heads, VALENCIA FREEFALL: Valencia is in danger of missing out on European football altogether for the Libertadores Cup on Tuesday as the having gone through but happy because the we defended better and we had chances to Brazilian side went down 2-1 to The Strongest team did everything to (try) to qualify ... Now score,” he added. “I am pleased to get to the the first time since the 2005/06 season. The 0-0 draw at Valladolid on the weekend left it in the rarefied air of La Paz. The former Inter to try and have a good Brazilian champi- semi-finals, which was an important goal, Milan and Brazil striker, trying to revive his onship,” added the striker, who was nicknamed but not with the way which we did it.” winless in five matches in all competitions. Valencia is eighth in the Spanish league, nine points off career at the Curitiba club, equalised in first ‘The Emperor’. Velez, who had secured their half stoppage time after team mate Manoel’s berth with a match to spare, made it five wins PENALTY MISS KEY qualifying for the next season’s Europa League with Real’s lethargic and error-strewn per- just six games to play. “The last thing we will lose is own goal had put the Bolivians ahead in the out of six matches with a 1-0 home victory formance almost wrecked their chances of our hope,” Valencia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said. 38th minute. over bottom team Universitario of Peru in a fourth consecutive appearance in the A draw would have been enough to see Buenos Aires. semi-finals of Europe’s elite club competi- PORTO HOPES: Porto carries a 1-0 first-leg lead Paranaense through to the last 16 but The A penalty save five minutes from time by tion and they will have to improve if they to Sevilla where it will aim to make up for its disap- Strongest settled the Group One match with goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin secured are to reach next month’s final in Lisbon. pointing reign as Portuguese champion. midfielder Nelvin Soliz’s 55th-minute winner Argentina’s Lanus a 0-0 draw at O’Higgins in “The key was the penalty, which gave Porto was mathematically eliminated from the to go through in second place behind Chile in Group Three and a place in the last Borussia a big lift, and at that moment an domestic title race on Monday when it dropped 15 Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield. 16. Lanus finished second to Cerro element of fear affected the team,” points behind leader Benfica. Porto warmed up for “It’s obvious we felt the difference playing Porteno of Paraguay, who won the group Sevilla with a 3-1 victory over Academica. Ancelotti said. GERMANY: Real Madrid’s Italian coach at (high) altitude. I myself didn’t feel it much with a 3-2 home victory over Colombia’s “We didn’t play after that moment and Sevilla’s chase for one of the Spanish league’s but other players did and it was key for the Deportivo Cali. — Reuters Carlo Ancelotti attends a training ses- Champions League places continued gaining only defended. We needed to have control sion in this file photo. — AFP SPORTS THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

McLaren, Red Bull in legal dispute over aero expert

LONDON: McLaren consulted their lawyers yester- They did not say when his leave would formally Tuesday that gave him enough mileage to qualify to be learning the car and the track quite well,” day after Formula One champions Red Bull end. Prodromou was McLaren’s head of aerody- for a super licence. said Russell. announced the appointment of an aerodynamics namics until 2006, having joined that team in The 18-year-old reserve, being prepared by Sirotkin’s compatriot Daniil Kvyat, the 19-year- expert their rivals said was contracted to them. 1991, when he followed Adrian Newey to Red Bull. Sauber for a possible Formula One future, did old who races for Toro Rosso, was slowest on the Red Bull said Dan Fallows has been appointed McLaren have changed their leadership since 300km and 76 laps - more than a race distance - of timesheets in 1:40.452 with Sunday’s runner-up head of aerodynamics, replacing McLaren-bound Fallows agreed to join, with Ron Dennis retaking the Sakhir circuit that hosted the country’s grand Nico Rosberg quickest for dominant Mercedes in Peter Prodromou who is now on ‘gardening leave’. overall control and Eric Boullier appointed racing prix on Sunday. He took it in his stride, posting the 1:35.697 and completing 121 laps. The statement drew a swift response from McLaren, director in place of departed principal Martin eighth fastest time of the 11 drivers present - and Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg was second fastest who announced at their car launch in January that Whitmarsh. best of those who do not have a race seat - with a for Force India with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso third Fallows had joined along with Prodromou. The team started the season with a second and time of one minute 39.023 seconds, but he also and Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen fourth in a “Dan Fallows has a legally binding contract with third place in Australia for Danish rookie Kevin felt the pinch. “On my fast lap in the morning I McLaren. McLaren, and the matter is now in the hands of our Magnussen and Jenson Button, pending an appeal made a few mistakes, so I probably lost a second,” McLaren had originally planned for Britain’s lawyers,” said a spokesman for the Woking team. by Red Bull who had Australian Daniel Ricciardo said Sirotkin in a team statement. Oliver Turvey and Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne to test Red Bull said Fallows had left them last year after disqualified. Red Bull have won the last four con- “In the afternoon we had some difficulties with on Tuesday and Wednesday but decided after working as aerodynamics team leader but had structors’ and drivers’ championships, with my shoes. They were too small, so it was pretty Sunday’s race to keep Magnussen in the car in the returned and was starting his new job with immedi- Sebastian Vettel triumphant in the last nine races painful when I was braking. When we changed the interest of continuity. Both the Dane and team ate effect. of 2013, but have started the season chasing dom- shoes, it was still not the best and difficult to mate Jenson Button failed to finish Sunday’s race. McLaren announced last October that inant Mercedes. McLaren failed to finish on the drive.” Lotus, who have yet to score a point in three races Prodromou would be joining them but Red Bull, podium last year. Sauber’s test engineer Paul Russell said the and did little testing pre-season, suffered more constructors’ champions for the past four years, Meanwhile, Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin driver had done well in a car he had never driven problems with the Renault power unit and were determined to hold the much sought-after needed bigger shoes as he stepped up for a before on an unfamiliar layout. “He handled it pret- Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado managed only 16 Briton to his contract. Formula One test with Sauber in Bahrain on ty well. The lap times were very good. He seemed laps. — Reuters Pistorius forced to look at ‘exploded’ head of girlfriend

PRETORIA: A South African prosecutor forced Oscar Pistorius yesterday to look at a forensic photograph of the head of his girl- friend Reeva Steenkamp after it was destroyed by a gunshot fired by the Olympic and Paralympic track star. In a dramatic opening to his cross-exam- ination of Pistorius, prosecutor Gerrie Nel made him say that he had killed Steenkamp then later confronted him with the photo- graph showing the side and back of her skull matted with blood and brains. “Take responsibility for what you have done,” Nel said, drawing gasps from the public gallery and causing Pistorius to bury LONDON: Former marathon world record holder Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie, aged 40, his head in his hands in the witness stand, who will be the pacemaker for the elite male runners at the London Marathon, poses for rock from side to side and weep. photographers. The London marathon takes place on Sunday. — AP The double amputee sprinter, once revered across the world for his triumph over adversity, faces life in prison if convict- Gebrselassie worried ed in the Pretoria High Court of the murder of Steenkamp, a 29-year-old law graduate and model. about athletics future PRETORIA: State prosecutor, Gerrie Nel, looks on while cross-examining South African Olympic and His defence hinges on his contention Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius during his trial at the North Gauteng High Court. — AFP that he though he was firing at an intruder when he shot Steenkamp through a toilet LONDON: Surveying the state of the sport he think nobody cares about athletics, who is door in his luxury Pretoria home on dominated for so many years, running great going to sponsor you?” NBK FIFA World Cup VISA Prepaid Card February 14 - Valentine’s Day - 2013. Haile Gebrselassie sees a bleak future. Despite It’s not all about cash, though. 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Fellow Ethiopian Tsegaye Mekonnen KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) presents will enjoy the thrill of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, get- “Athletics has to change a little bit, bring in made his marathon debut in January in Dubai He asked Pistorius, well-known as a the new FIFA World Cup(tm) VISA Prepaid Card in ting one chance to enter draws for every cumula- new ideas, new concepts - otherwise it’s going at just 18 - and won. weapons enthusiast, if he knew what a Kuwait bringing the 2014 FIFA World Cup excite- tive KD 20 spent locally using the card on all pur- to be a just a bit boring to watch,” Gebrselassie “When I heard that age I was very shocked,” “zombie stopper” was, to which the defen- ment to its enthusiastic football customers. NBK is chases. The cardholders can win one of 32 trips for said yesterday. “I don’t know how many people Gebrselassie said. “Can he win again? There’s a dant answered no. the official non-host retail banking partner of the two to attend one of the World Cup matches in are interested in just watching running for two question mark. He’s killing his body; we are After a brief adjournment, the court 2014 FIFA World Cup(tm) in Kuwait, in association Brazil this year including the final match in associa- hours - maybe soccer yes, but running we have breaking his bones by sending him in the with Visa, the official FIFA partner. tion with Visa. NBK FIFA World Cup VISA Prepaid then viewed video footage broadcast to upgrade the situation ... attract more of an wrong competition. The new NBK FIFA World Cup VISA Prepaid Card Cardholders can also triple their chances to win for before the trial by Britain’s Sky News of audience (and give) what they like.” “It’s why the youngsters have to have a is the better alternative to cash for making pur- every cumulative KD 20 spent outside Kuwait or on Pistorius firing a .50 calibre handgun at a While the awe-inspiring performances pro- track, 10K (events), half marathons. For those chases, and is safe to use for online shopping. The international websites. watermelon at a shooting range. duced by Bolt at the last two Olympics have things we have to work hard with the IAAF.” card is accepted locally and worldwide, easy to use, NBK Cards provide an array of benefits that As the melon disintegrates, Pistorius given a major boost to the sport, Gebrselassie Gebrselassie is in London to pace a world- re-loadable and provides NBK customers with a cater to your lifestyle needs, offering special servic- says off-camera: “It’s a lot softer than brains. thinks the Jamaican’s mass-appeal could be record attempt in the marathon on Sunday, variety of features and exclusive benefits that es locally and globally, so that customers can enjoy But (bleep) it’s like a zombie stopper.” Nel masking deeper-lying issues that are not been and Mekonnen is among the strong field, include free travel insurance coverage up to USD convenience and peace of mind whether they’re in then pushed the track star, saying he had addressed. which also includes world record-holder 100,000. Kuwait or abroad. NBK Cards are the safest, most shot the melon because he wanted to see “Many stadiums are full because of him,” Wilson Kipsang and reigning champion NBK’S FIFA World Cup VISA Prepaid Cardholders convenient and rewarding way to pay. what a bullet hitting a person’s head looked Gebrselassie said. “What will happen after Tsegaye Kebede. like. Usain Bolt, who will be the next star? How To highlight the astonishment over “You know that the same happened to many spectators will come not just to watch Mekonnen’s ability to challenge the elite Reeva’s head. It exploded. I’m going to (Bolt)? If you don’t have Usain Bolt in the next marathon runners while still a teenager, the show you,” he said, before projecting the two, three years we will be in trouble.” London Marathon official hosting Wednesday’s forensic photograph of Steenkamp’s head Few figures in the sport have better creden- press conference pushed him to tell everyone on the court monitors. tials to deliver such a brutal assessment than his age. “Eighteen years old,” the Ethiopian con- Steenkamp was hit by three of four hol- Gebrselassie, who built his reputation as one firmed. low-point rounds fired by Pistorius through of the most complete distance runners ever by “When I started this running business I the toilet door. One hit her behind the right setting world records in the 5,000, 10,000, half started with short distance running, but I ear, killing her almost instantly, patholo- marathon and marathon. didn’t have good results on that,” Mekonnen gists had earler told the court. Though not pushing for a role himself, the explained, through a translator, of his decision Pistorius acknowledged responsibility 40-year-old Ethiopian is urging the IAAF lead- to take up marathon running. “I decided to run but said between sobs: “I will not look”. ership to address the lack of major track meets in Dubai. And after I got a good result in Dubai Television stations carrying the feed from beyond those on the Diamond League circuit, I also started intensive training for London. the court apologised to viewers as the and cross-country events where he gained That was my idea.” graphic image was broadcast live. vital experience in the 1990s. Putting aside his concerns about “There is no crisis for soccer, soccer is get- Mekonnen, Gebrselassie was more upbeat “MODEL SPORTSMAN” ting bigger, and other sports are getting big- about the future of the 26-mile road races. With no direct witnesses, Nel’s main task ger,” Gebrselassie said. “Do you think the finan- “Marathon is really wonderful right now,” he is to pick holes in Pistorius’ testimony and cial crisis is just affecting athletics? I don’t said. “When we talk about marathons it’s a cast doubt on his statements about a per- think. We have to attract the audience; we sport for everybody, with many participants. ceived burglar. have to attract the sponsors. If the sponsors Marathon doesn’t need to upgrade.”— AP He opened his questioning by asking Pistorius about his reputation as a global athletics star and strong Christian beliefs before hitting him with the reality of what took place. SPAIN: Team Orica Greenedge’s Australian Michael Matthews (center) celebrates after winning the third “You are a model for sportsmen, dis- stage of the Tour of the Basque Country. — AFP abled and abled bodied sportsmen, all over the world?” Nel asked. “I think I was, My Matthews wins third stage Lady. I made a mistake,” replied Pistorius, answering to Judge Thokozile Masipa. “You killed a person, that’s what you did,” came of Tour of Basque Country the reply. “I made a mistake. My mistake was that I took Reeva’s life,” said Pistorius. MADRID: Australian Michael Matthews sprinted to victo- bring their child, and know that their son or daughter “You killed her. You shot and killed her. ry in the third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country can go all the way to the top if they have the ability and Won’t you take responsibility for that?” Nel yesterday. The Orica-GreenEdge rider edged Kevin Reza dedication,” Cookson said in a UCI statement. “Without said. (Europcar) and Michal Kwiatowski (Omega Pharma-Quick having to lie, without having to cheat, without having to Earlier, Pistorius described his frantic Step) in a bunch sprint to the line to claim the 194.5km do things that will risk their health, without having to attempts to revive Steenkamp after he ride from Urdazbi to Vitoria-Gasteiz in just over five hours. spend the rest of their lives looking over their found her lying on the toilet floor and how There was no change in the general classification as two- shoulder.”“If we cannot do that as a governing body, then she had died in his arms, her blood pouring time former Tour de France champion Alberto Contador we have failed our members and our sport. But we are over his body. (Tinkoff-Saxo) maintained his 14 second lead over fellow not going to fail. We are going to succeed,” he added. The Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) with Kwiatowski commission was created after Briton Cookson ousted “I checked to see if she was breathing 20 seconds further back in third. Irishman Pat McQuaid in the UCI leadership race. and she wasn’t,” he said. “I could feel the Today’s fourth stage could prove decisive as the race McQuaid was in charge for eight years, succeeding blood was running down on me.” After sev- heads into the mountains with two category one climbs Dutchman Hein Verbruggen, in the saddle from 1991 to eral attempts, he managed to carry during the 151km ride from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Arrate. 2005. Steenkamp down stairs where neighbours Meanwhile, an inquiry team probing the role of They have rejected claims from the US Anti-Doping tried to administer first aid before para- cycling’s leaders in the Lance Armstrong doping scandal Agency that while they were in power, the UCI did too lit- medics arrived. will deliver its report by next year, the head of the sport’s tle to stem doping and beat the cheats, notably dis- But Pistorius said he knew that global governing body UCI said yesterday. Brian graced US rider Armstrong. The commission has said its Steenkamp - with whom he said he was Cookson, who won an ugly UCI leadership contest in main goal is to determine how a culture of doping was planning to buy a house - was already September 2013 vowing to right past wrongs, said the perpetuated between 1998 and 2013, and to establish dead. “Reeva, Reeva had already died whilst three-member independent commission of inquiry had who was to blame. It has appealed to riders who were I was holding her, before the ambulance FRANCE: This picture taken with an underwater camera shows Yannick Agnel competing a crucial role and would publish its findings within 12 doped in the past to come forward in exchange for arrived, so I knew there was nothing they during the 200m freestyle final yesterday during the French swimming championships in months. “We have to have a sport where a parent can reduced punishment.—AFP could do for her.” — Reuters Chartres. — AFP UConn women Juventus, Basel, rout Notre Porto and Dame, win title Benfica eye 17 Europa18 semis

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Surfing record-holder awaits ‘monster’ wave in Portugal Page 16

MADRID: (Left to right) Atletico Madrid’s Brazilian defender Filipe Luis, Atletico’s midfielder Juanfran, Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior and Atletico’s Portuguese midfielder Tiago Mendes vie during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final football match. — AFP Koke fizz dazzles Barcelona Atletico in Champions League semis after 40 years MADRID: Atletico Madrid progressed to the post and when David Villa collected the time as Koke went down under pressure And it was the Atletico man, whose won- semi-finals of the Champions League for loose ball his cross was headed by Adrian from Javier Mascherano before Cesc der strike put Los Rojiblancos in front in the Five facts on Atletico Madrid the first time in 40 years with a 1-0 win over into the path of Koke to volley home. Villa Fabregas claimed he had been caught by first leg, who nearly made an immediate Barcelona yesterday to seal a 2-1 aggregate should then have doubled Atletico’s advan- Diego Godin, but on both occasions English impact as his drive from a narrow angle was • Atletico Madrid are coming out of four decades victory. tage as he burst onto Koke’s through ball referee Howard Webb was unimpressed. beaten away by Pinto. in the football wilderness. They have reached the Koke put the hosts in front after just five and struck the post with just Jose Manuel The roles were reversed at the start of The Barca reserve ‘keeper then made a Champions League semi-finals for the first time minutes as he volleyed home Adrian Pinto to beat. the second-half as Barca pressed in search vital save with his outstretched leg to pre- since 1974. Lopez’s headed pass. Atletico also hit the Lionel Messi then had Barca’s first clear of the precious away goal that would bring vent Gabi sealing the tie as he bore down • They join Real Madrid in Friday’s draw and if pit- woodwork three times in the first-half, but opening when he headed Dani Alves’ cross them back into the tie. on goal. Andres Iniesta was surprisingly ted against each other it will be a repeat of the 1959 were made to hold on in the final stages as inches wide. However, Atletico were soon Neymar was played in by a fine through replaced by Pedro Rodriguez, but even European Cup semi-final. Real needed a replay to Neymar came within inches of taking the back on the front foot and Villa was again ball by Xavi, but Thibaut Courtois did without their creative fulcrum Barca nearly win then with the legendary Alfredo di Stefano and game to extra time when his header went denied by the woodwork against his old enough to force the Brazilian wide before found a way through when Neymar’s diving Ferenc Puskas scoring in the 2-1 win. just wide. side on 19 minutes when he volleyed Raul Xavi somehow was unable to bundle home header flew inches past 12 minutes from • Koke, scorer of Atletico’s first goal against Defeat ends Barcelona’s run of reaching Garcia’s flick-on against the bar. Dani Alves’ cross from the rebound. time. Barcelona, joined the club at the age of eight and six straight Champions League semi-finals. Barca managed to stem the Atletico tide Xavi came close again on the hour mark Pinto made another fine save to prevent made his debut when just 17 in a 5-2 hammering at Despite missing top-scorer Diego Costa somewhat as the first-half developed and as this time he headed an Alves cross just Cristian Rodriguez rounding off a famous Barcelona. Barcelona’s Xavi said ahead of the quar- through injury, Atletico made an incredibly Messi fired another decent opening wide past the far post. Both coaches then made night for Atletico in style in the final minute. ter final that Koke would replace him in Spain’s fast-paced start and were ahead within five after sensational skill by Neymar took him their first changes as Alexis Sanchez However, it made no difference to the final national team. minutes. Adrian, who was only starting due past three Atletico players. Both sides had replaced Fabregas and Diego Ribas was result as the final whistle was greeted with • Former Argentine international and Atletico to Costa’s absence, smashed a shot off the penalty shouts waved away just before half- introduced for Adrian. a huge roar by the home fans. — AFP player Diego Simeone became coach in December 2011 when Atletico were just four points above the relegation zone. In his first year in charge, the side won the Europa League, European Supercup and Bayern brush Copa del Rey. • Atletico Madrid are battling back from tackling a debt mountain. in 2013 they had to sell striker Radamel Falcao to Monaco for 60 million euros ($83 aside United million) when their debt was officially estimated at 170 million euros but some experts said it was up to 300 million euros. MUNICH: Holders Bayern Munich Bavarians’ main source of chances. The lead lasted just under two min- romped into the Champions League Just as they had in the first-leg, United utes as Ribery was released on the left Five facts on Bayern Munich semi-finals with a 3-1 victory at home to gave a masterclass in how to defend wing and his cross was met by Manchester United in yesterday’s quar- against Bayern’s star-studded attack with Mandzukic who beat Evra to the diving • Bayern are into the semi-finals for a third year in ter-final, second-leg to win 4-2 on aggre- their deep-lying defence quickly closing header. gate. down any spaces the Germans managed The relief from the Bayern squad was a row. They have reached 10 European Cup or Having drawn 1-1 at Old Trafford in to open up and tightly marking Bayern’s palpable as the Croatia international Champions League finals and won the title five last week’s first-leg, Bayern had to come stars. unleashed a primal scream after his times. from behind after United’s left-back The ten first-half chances Bayern cre- equaliser. The goals breathed life into the • The German champions are now unbeaten in Patrice Evra put the guests ahead with a ated in peppering the United goal to the match as space suddenly opened up for five home games against Manchester United. They superb second-half strike at Munich’s single Manchester effort-when Luis both teams to attack. United had their have won three and drawn two. Allianz Arena. But Bayern equalised Valencia had a goal disallowed-told its chances after when England striker • Bayern goalscorer Mario Mandzukic became the almost immediately through a diving own tale. Rooney, who played despite the effects first Croat to score in a Champions League final Mario Mandzukic header, the first of their United looked to have taken a first- of a badly bruised toe, mistimed his shot when Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund last year. The three goals in the final half an hour. half lead when Luis Valencia converted with just Neuer to beat. 27-year-old is said to be wanted by Chelsea and Thomas Mueller then tapped Bayern Wayne Rooney’s cross at the back post, Germany’s Mueller then put the Arsenal for next season. Thomas Mueller, who hit into the lead before Arjen Robben slot- but the effort was ruled offside. defending champions in the last four the second, won the Golden Boot for the top scorer ted the hosts third to knock David Moyes’ Robben was United’s chief tormentor when he flicked Robben’s cross past at the 2010 World Cup finals. United out of the competition. in the first 45 minutes and he threatened United goalkeeper David de Gea on 68 • The German side have now drawn the first leg The first-half was a tense, tactical with a probing run into the area before minutes. And the hosts turned the screw 1-1 in European competition 12 times and won each affair with Bayern failing to exploit their his final shot was charged down just on United when Robben was finally time. They had 65% of the possession against customary 70 percent possession as before the half-time whistle. rewarded with a 76th-minute goal which Manchester United, but that is down from their United packing their defence, forced the United put the Bayern defence under he had threatened to produce all night. Champions League season average of more than Germans to attack through the middle pressure after the break and they were The Dutch winger cut across the 70%. with little success. Manchester’s wing- rewarded when Evra gave the guests the United defence, then buried his shot past GERMANY: Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic (right) • Bayern coach Pepe Guardiola did not lose in backs Phil Jones and Evra worked tire- lead with a thunderbolt of a shot which the diving De Gea into the bottom left- climbs on top of Bayern’s Mario Mandzukic during the lessly to contain Bayern’s wingers gave Neuer no chance as it hit the top hand corner to complete Bayern’s fight- Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer nine home games against English clubs when play- Robben and Franck Ribery, limiting the right-hand corner on 57 minutes. back. — AFP match. — AP er and coach at Barcelona. —AF Japan, US make progress in talks on Pacific trade

Page 23 Business Gazprom, China close to gas agreement: Russia THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 Page 25 Greece faces long Asian shares rise, but yen sinks Tokyo road to recovery Page 24 Page 22

WASHINGTON: World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (left) participates in a conversation with Al Jazeera America host Ali Velshi in the Preston Auditorium of the World Bank Headquarters yesterday inWashington, DC. — AFP WB: Tough road ahead for MENA economy ‘Problems raised by Arab Spring still not addressed’

WASHINGTON: The World Bank (WB) said here forecasted global growth to average 3.6 percent growth of 1 to 2 percent,” said Devarajan. Yet he have an unemployment problem could be So this is above the median of the population,” that it remains “cautiously optimistic” for the in 2014, up from three percent in 2013, and to stressed that these numbers are still below the because of these fuel subsidies. They actually asserted Devarajan. Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in rise to 3.9 percent in 2015. The latest WEO pre-Arab Spring average. Another reason why give a preference to capital over labor,” affirmed He credited transparency, free information the coming two years, acknowledging that there emphasized that growth remains “subpar and the WB remains optimistic is because, “there have Devarajan. His next prioritized item is to “stimu- and the press as way to “empower citizens to is a “tough road ahead.” uneven across the globe.” IMF Chief Economist been favorable political developments in our late the investment climate.” He hopes there is a hold their government accountable.” “We have an During a regional economic update on the Olivier Blanchard said in this regard that “the countries,” stressed Devarajan. way to reform the monopolies that control the agenda but we remain cautiously optimistic MENA at the WB, the Chief MENA Economist recovery which was starting to take hold in system in order to create more competition and because the global economy and the political sci- Shanta Devarajan said late Tuesday night “the October is becoming not only stronger, but also Transform opportunities. ence in some countries are looking favorable. I problems that generated the Arab Spring remain broader.” “This is the moment the MENA region can His last point was that in many countries, a am looking forward to a tough but favorable unaddressed; unemployment levels are higher However, Devarjan thinks the Middle East can seize these opportunities to transform their large portion of the budget is spent on civil ser- road ahead,” concluded Devarajan. According to than they were before the Arab Spring.” benefit from a pickup in demand of manufac- economies,” affirmed Devarajan. High on the WB’s vant salaries that create a “drain on the system.” the World Bank, “while the region is going Yet, the WB remains optimistic for the MENA tured goods, oil, services and tourism that has agenda for the MENA is reform of fuel subsidies. “In a country like Egypt, they just raised the mini- through a slight growth rebound, helped by a region because the global economy is on a recov- been dormant for the last 3 to 4 years. “Many of you know the people who benefit mum wage from 900 Egyptian pounds to 1,200 recovery in the global economy and easingpoliti- ery and is expected to grow at 3.2 percent, 0.8 “We project growth in this year 2014 to be 3.3 from these subsidies are not the poor. Its people Egyptian pounds. We’ve done some calculations cal tensions in some of the countries in transition, percent more than last year. percent for the MENA region as whole and accel- who consume a lot of gasoline and drive cars,” he to find that the people who are earning 1,200 the prospects for a full economic recovery remain In its World Economic Outlook (WEO) released erating to 4.6 percent in 2015. That’s a significant noted. He proposed a system that targets subsi- Egyptian pounds in the public sector, they come uncertain, should necessary structural and eco- Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) departure from previous years when we have see dies to help the poor. “One of the reasons we from the 64 percentile of the income distribution. nomic reforms stall”. — KUNA

Gulf markets rise, China Saudi’s Khodari: Labor reform worries weigh on Saudi impact to start fading in H2

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS KHOBAR: Major Saudi Arabian construction firm with an average annual cost impact of 50 million a fact which Khodari readily acknowledged. DUBAI: Banks and petrochemical stocks “It is nothing to be afraid of.” Abdullah A M Al-Khodari Sons expects labor riyals since July 2011, Fawwaz Al-Khodari said in As demand for the company’s services grows weighed on Saudi Arabia’s bourse yesterday, Qatar’s index rose 1.5 percent to 12,375 reforms to keep weighing on its bottom line for a an interview. with rising incomes and heavy infrastructure in contrast to other Gulf markets where Qatar points, with most stocks in the black as first- few more years, but the situation will start improv- The company now includes the cost of the spending by the government, there is huge led regional gains. The Saudi index slipped 0.2 quarter earnings started to trickle in. Qatar ing in the second half of 2014, its chief executive reforms in the new contracts it signs, but it still potential for growth in the local construction mar- percent to 9,543 points, despite recording its National Bank, the largest bank in the Gulf said. feels some negative effect as it works through ket, he said. In its 2014 budget, the government highest trading volume in two years. Alinma Arab region, gained 1.3 percent. After market After decades of ineffective localization poli- contracts signed before the reforms were intro- plans to spend 855 billion riyals, with much of that Bank spearheaded turnover, dropping 2.1 hours, the bank reported a 13.7 percent rise in cies, the Saudi government imposed in late 2011 duced. This effect will “drag on for a few more focused on social welfare projects such as schools, percent after reporting its first-quarter results. quarterly profit to 2.43 billion riyals. This was stricter penalties on companies which failed to years”, but it is steadily decreasing, the executive hospitals, new roads and railways, and upgrades Alinma’s profit rose 33 percent to 293 million broadly in line with the average forecast of meet quotas for hiring Saudi citizens. A year later, said. of ports and airports. Al-Khodari’s core business riyals ($78.13 million). Petrochemicals were analysts polled by Reuters, who expected a it also introduced a levy of 2,400 riyals ($640) a “2014 will have a mix of old and new business, line is executing such government projects; it also also in retreat. Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co net profit of 2.45 billion riyals for the quarter. year for every foreigner which a company employs but I think by the second half of this year we will hauls and disposes of municipal solid waste. dropped 2.7 percent and Rabigh Refining and Abu Dhabi’s index climbed 1.2 percent to above the number of its Saudi workers. Most pri- be coming out of the rot and the damage we’ve Last July, the government awarded $22.5 bil- Petrochemical fell 2.2 percent. 5,068 points. National Bank of Abu Dhabi was vate-sector jobs in the kingdom are held by been having in the last couple of years, and we lion in contracts to three foreign-led consortia for “There has been talk about the potential the main support, rising 3.6 percent. Its small- roughly 10 million expatriates, who are typically should be witnessing an improvement reflected the design and construction of the Riyadh Metro, effect of the slowdown in China on the Saudi er rival National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah paid less than Saudis, so the tighter labor policies on our bottom line.” the capital’s first metro rail system, which will petrochemical industry in general,” said added 4.1 percent. The lender said this week have had a big impact on some firms by pushing The company, which has yet to announce its require tens of thousands of workers. Authorities Abdullah Alawi, assistant general manager its shareholders would meet on May 1 to up their costs and cutting profits. first-quarter earnings, reported a 69 percent year- plan other metro systems in cities such as Makkah and head of research at Aljazira Capital. decide whether to up its foreigner ownership In labor-intensive industries such as construc- on-year decline in net profit for the fourth quarter and Jeddah. “People are afraid that such a high depend- limit to 40 percent. Dubai’s index climbed 0.9 tion, companies complained the reforms caused of 2013 to 8.5 million riyals. It cited as one reason The company has discussed with some of the ence of Saudi petrochemicals on the Chinese percent to 4,786 points. Contractor Arabtec bottlenecks in important projects. an increase in manpower costs, which jumped 28 Riyadh consortium members the possibility of market might have an adverse effect on the Holding, which is expected to profit from a Telecommunications firms lost business as some percent. being nominated as a subcontractor for that proj- first-quarter results.” resurgent construction sector, was the main foreign workers left the country; even banks were ect, Khodari said. “If Al-Khodari participated with He said China and East Asia account for gainer, adding 3.9 percent. Shares in bourse hit as they made bad loan provisions in case the Metros one consortium or more, the areas which would more than half of Saudi producers’ sales, operator Dubai Financial Market climbed 3.1 construction firms were forced to delay some loan While the labor reforms appear to have slowed be relevant to our scope could be up to 6 billion although product prices have remained sta- percent, extending gains after a senior poli- repayments. the country’s overall economic growth moderately (riyals) in any single contract,” he said. ble and so sector earnings are unlikely to suf- cymaker said the exchange’s proposed merg- Al-Khodari, which has about 17,000 employ- - gross domestic product expanded 3.8 percent “We all know that as things develop, capacity fer for now. “(But) we have to realise that the er with Abu Dhabi’s bourse had been agreed ees, has been at the centre of the upheaval. The last year, after 5.8 percent in 2012, mostly because problems may build up with some of the contrac- market is a bit overvalued in general and a in principle, though nothing had been final- company’s margins were eroded by more than 50 of slower oil sector growth - government policies tors, and there may be a need for other contrac- correction is waiting to happen,” Alawi added. ized. — Reuters percent as the labor reforms were introduced, are in some other ways stimulating the economy, tors to come in.” — Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 Greece faces long Egypt pound weakens at CB dollar sale

CAIRO: The Egyptian pound weakened evening. Another trader said the rate was road to recovery at a central bank dollar auction and on 7.48 pounds. the black market yesterday, with some “There’s huge (dollar) demand (in the traders pointing to stock market black market). Most probably from corpo- investors booking profits after a good rates and Arab investors exiting the stock Long-term investors still not convinced run. The central bank sold dollars at a exchange,” one Cairo-based forex trader cut-off price of 6.9652 pounds, leaving said. Egypt’s main index this week PIRAEUS, Greece: Nikos Mavrikos For all the green shoots, it is too says bank credit remains extremely since 2010 when Greece’s econom- the pound weaker than at its last auction dropped to its lowest close since Feb. 11. has fired half of his employees since early to talk about long-term eco- tight. “For the last 50 years I’ve been ic disaster began to unfold. For ship on Monday when the rate was 6.9649 The benchmark has fallen around 14 per- 2010 as the Greek economy nomic stability. Thousands of busi- hearing that things are changing in suppliers, problems began when pounds. cent from March 26’s five-year closing imploded, leaving his ship supply nesses closed across Greece last Greece,” said Vanos. “I’ll believe it insurers that cover exporters The rates banks are allowed to trade high. The selloff came after former army business on the verge of collapse. year. Unemployment is at a record when I see it. against the risk of not getting paid, dollars at is determined by set ranges chief Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said he would February marked a turning point, of nearly 28 percent, and large started tightening the terms for around the results of the regular central run for president; investors, most of whom however: Mavrikos made a hire, his numbers of Greece’s 20- and 30- Bank lending business with Greece in mid-2012. bank dollar sales, giving the central bank favor Sisi, had bid up the market ahead of first in four years. somethings have lost precious Greece’s economy is the most That forced exporters to clamp effective control over rates in the official the announcement and took profits after- “People are slowly starting to years of early employment that are dependent on bank lending in the down on credit, often demanding market. Banks sold the dollar for 6.9751 wards. It had been trading in a loose pounds on Wednesday. The currency last range around 7.30-7.40 for the last two trust Greece again,” says Mavrikos, likely to hamper their work and euro zone, with bank credit to the cash on delivery or upfront. Short Thursday had hit its weakest rate since months. The central bank sold $38.3 mil- who hopes to take on even more earnings potential for the rest of private sector making up 40 per- of cash, Greek importers had to September at 6.9751. lion at its dollar sale yesterday. It had employees soon at his family- their lives. Strikes against austerity cent of total funding in 2000-2008 place smaller staggered orders The dollar on the black market was offered $40 million. Egypt’s foreign cur- compared to 33 percent across the which pushed up delivery costs. owned business. Greece is experi- continue. sold for 7.49 pounds on Wednesday com- rency reserves stood at $17.414 billion in encing a remarkable financial single currency bloc. But bank cred- pared with 7.45 pounds on Monday, March. This compares with $17.307 billion recovery. Just two years ago, the Massive debt it to the private sector has been in Cash reserves according to market participants. One in February and $36 billion before the country was expected to default Greece’s debt is still a massive 175 decline since 2011, aggravating the At the height of Greece’s eco- Cairo-based forex trader said the dollar uprising that led to the ouster President and exit the euro, possibly setting percent of economic output, and country’s six-year economic slump. nomic crisis, it was impossible for was sold at 7.52 pounds on Tuesday Hosni Mubarak in 2011. —Reuters off a messy unravelling of the entire meeting a target to reduce that to Prospects of a mild economic firms to order anything on credit, currency bloc. Today, after a tough 110 percent by 2020 will be difficult recovery this year will largely forcing them to burn through cash regime of layoffs, wage cuts and without economic growth. In its lat- depend on new lending. reserves to pay upfront. “In the reductions in government spend- est report on Greece last November, According to the latest Bank of beginning companies gave you Retailers chase reward in ing, factories are beginning to hum the Paris-based Organization for Greece data, in February lending to credit, then that stopped. Then they again, Greeks are starting to buy Economic Cooperation and the private sector shrank 4 percent wanted bank guarantees, but then that stopped too because they did- booming but risky Africa n’t trust the Greek banking system,” KANO: Opening a modern supermarket in mostly Muslim civilians, in Kano in January, says Mavrikos, whose firm supplies a city under threat from an Islamist insur- 2012. Explosions in July last year killed 11 drinks, food and tobacco to ferries, gency, with the added uncertainty of wob- people, and police and military roadblocks cruise and cargo ships. He says he bly public power supplies, may sound like are now a feature of life in the city. “We had no choice but to lay off nearly a retailer’s nightmare. cannot wish away the fact that there are half of his 40 employees. But what if that city stands on one of security concerns,” Mohammed Hayatu- Things began to shift towards the oldest trade crossroads in Africa, offer- Deen, the Maiduguri-born entrepreneur the end of 2013, however. Last year, ing a major chunk of one of the largest and and banker who chairs the group develop- passenger traffic in Piraeus rose fastest-growing retail markets on the con- ing the Kano mall, said. 11.1 percent from 2012, and there tinent? The hulking power plant standing was a 3.7 percent increase in con- Small wonder then that major retail alongside the mall building capable of tainer ships on the Asia-Europe investors like South African grocer producing nearly 5,000 kilowatts - is testi- route. Greek supplies to EU-flagged Shoprite and Wal-Mart unit Massmart mony to another challenge: guaranteeing ships improved considerably, says Holdings are opening stores in Nigeria’s uninterrupted electricity in a country Nikos Archontis, from the second city of Kano, the northern commer- whose power deficit is notorious and Panhellenic Exporters Association. cial hub of Africa’s No 1 oil producer and, where the rumble of the generator starting Now, says Mavrikos, the foreign since Sunday, its largest economy. up is as familiar as the roar of traffic. businesses from which he buys “I always want to be bold enough to “Power and security are just like food most of his stock are accepting say, you can’t be in Nigeria without being and water, you can’t survive without them,” bank guarantees. “That’s given us in Kano,” Massmart Holdings’ Africa said another local businessman working breathing space. It means we can Director Mark Turner told Reuters in on the mall. He asked not to be named, import goods, we can pay our bills.” Johannesburg at the Reuters Africa but his words encapsulate problems that More good news could lie ahead Summit this week. Nigeria, along with are some of the biggest brakes to invest- for the port. Last year, China’s Angola and Kenya, is a strategic target ment and growth not just in Nigeria, but in largest bulk shipper, COSCO market for the Wal-Mart subsidiary. Africa as a whole. Holdings, agreed to a multimillion Kano is a dusty centuries-old Sahel belt “Trading in Africa is not easy, it comes euro deal to expand its container metropolis that once offered gold, salt, with challenges, whether it be power, whether it be infrastructure. But it’s really operations at Piraeus. That deal is slaves, leather and famed indigo-dyed tex- tiles in its teeming markets at the end of about how you gear up to keep trading as expected to increase the port’s car- an ancient caravan route linking Libya to consistently as you can through all these go handling capacity by two thirds ATHENS: Thousands of protesters march in central Athens yesterday during a 24-hours general black Africa south of the Sahara. Now, challenges,” said Massmart’s Turner. strike. Greek unions held a 24-hour anti-austerity strike yesterday shutting down ferry services in the next seven years. amid banner signs proclaiming “lower “But the risk reward is there,” added to the country’s world-famous islands, disrupting rail travel and closing pharmacies and several On a recent afternoon, Vanos’ prices you can trust”, Kano consumers can Turner, whose company operates in 12 government offices. —AFP warehouse was bustling. His com- wheel their carts between shelves replete African states. But few deny that with the pany mainly supplies tankers, con- with commercial brands from across the risks, such as civil conflicts currently grip- cars and other products again and Development said the country’s year-on-year, while loans to busi- tainer ships and gas carriers from globe in a brand-new, air-conditioned ping South Sudan and Central African the country is being courted in international bailout had not yet led nesses dropped 5.2 percent year- countries such as China, Panama Shoprite supermarket, anchoring a larger Republic and an Ebola epidemic afflicting financial markets. The government to a true economic recovery. on-year. and Liberia. For his stock, he in turn $85 million shopping mall development in Guinea, Sub-Saharan Africa offers poten- is looking to the end of a tough “Restoring growth, making it sustain- The port of Piraeus - one of the buys flour and pasta from Turkey, the city. tially substantial commercial rewards as it international emergency aid pro- able and dealing with social costs are busiest tourism ports in Europe - canned fish from Malaysia and In the coming weeks, Massmart will join snaps at the heels of Asia among the gram at the end of the year. essential,” the OECD said. has long been a benchmark of the meat from Brazil. Vanos says his Shoprite by opening one of its Game fastest growing regions on the planet. On Tuesday, Greece sold six- According to James Howat, an wider Greek economy. It is a hub inward and outward business has household appliance stores in the same The continent’s expanding population month Treasury bills at the cheap- analyst at London-based Capital for Greece’s vibrant tourist business picked up in recent months. “Ships Ado Bayero mall, named after the local rapidly approaching one billion includes est borrowing cost since 2010. Most Economics, despite the fall in bor- and the transport of goods that had never sailed to Greece Kano emir. The mall is designed to house an emerging middle class of consumers of the buyers were foreign. It is rowing costs, direct investment between Asia and Europe. Yet before are starting to arrive,” he 85 shops and will be among Nigeria’s eagerly embracing Western brands, prod- planning a return to the interna- flows remain weak - suggesting marine supply firms, many of which said, as truckloads of food, alcohol, biggest. But the presence of armed and ucts and lifestyles. “Africa is brimming with tional bond markets for the first longer-term investors are not yet are small and family-run, have suf- brooms and maps were being pre- uniformed guards searching vehicles - potential for global retailers,” consultancy time in four years, with the sale of a convinced by the first signs of eco- fered brutally during the economic pared for dispatch to ships at opening boots, checking the underside for A T Kearney said in its first African Retail five-year euro bond. nomic recovery. Mimis Vanos, who crisis. Lending from the stricken Piraeus. explosives with mirrors - and frisking all Development Index report issued last “The image of Greece abroad has runs one of the biggest marine sup- banking sector dried up, leaving Yet Vanos says the Achilles Heel shoppers is a sign that this particular mall month, which ranked African states in changed dramatically. Now the sen- ply companies in Greece, has like many firms starved of cash even of the Greek economy remains location faces unusual security challenges. terms of their attractiveness for retail timent is changing in Greece as his colleague Mavrikos seen an though the shipping business, tight credit. Despite being 600 km (375 miles) dis- investors. well,” Greek Prime Minister Antonis uptick in demand. But he says the which accounts for 5 percent of “Before the crisis, banks would tant from Maiduguri, the epicentre of a It placed Nigeria, Africa’s most populous Samaras told Reuters in an inter- problems that have plagued Greece’s overall economic output, approve the amount we asked for bloody five-year insurrection against the country with 170 million people, second on view last week. “We are now at the Greece’s economy for decades - held up better than many other in a week. For the last three years, Nigerian state waged by Islamist sect Boko its list, citing its rapid urbanization, youthful edge where unemployment has including widespread corruption, sectors. they haven’t given us a cent,” he Haram mostly in the northeast, Kano has population and rising middle class. But it stopped rising, no more people are tax evasion and barriers to compe- The Hellenic Ship Suppliers says. “Until the bank tells me ‘take also suffered the insurgency’s impact. ranked tiny Rwanda with its 11.5 million being fired, and there are some very tition across industrial sectors - Association said 40 percent of its the money you need,’ nothing has Bombings and shootings by Boko people, first, for its economic reforms and positive indications of new hires.” haven’t been solved. Vanos also members had gone out of business changed.” —Reuters Haram militants killed at least 185 people, business-friendly agenda. —Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.955 Sierra Leone 0.000069 0.000075 Nepalese Rupees 3.910 Singapore Dollar 0.220725 0.226725 Malaysian Ringgit 86.990 South African Rand 0.020747 0.029247 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Japanese Yen 2.737 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.905 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001850 0.002430 Australian Dollar 264.56 261.56 Thai Bhat 9.690 Taiwan 0.009226 0.009406 Indian Rupees 4.708 Canadian Dollar 260.21 261.21 Pakistani Rupees 2.880 Turkish Lira 133.930 Thai Baht 0.008372 0.008922 Swiss Franc 323.32 321.32 Srilankan Rupees 2.161 Nepali Rupees 2.945 Euro 392.17 393.17 Arab Singapore Dollar 226.380 US Dollar 282.00 285.00 Bahrain Exchange Company Bahraini Dinar 0.743544 0.751544 Hongkong Dollar 36.453 Sterling Pound 473.37 476.37 Egyptian Pound 0.036855 0.039955 Bangladesh Taka 3.636 Japanese Yen 2.77 2.79 Iranian Riyal 0.000078 0.000079 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Philippine Peso 6.290 Bangladesh Taka 3.633 3.903 Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 Europe Thai Baht 8.712 Indian Rupee 4.621 4.921 Jordanian Dinar 0.394580 0.402080 Belgian Franc 0.007349 0.008349 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.158 2.593 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.0000000 1.0000000 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 British Pound 0.461441 0.470441 Nepali Rupee 2.940 3.475 Lebanese Pound 0.000137 0.000237 Czech Korune 0.006087 0.018087 Pakistani Rupee 2.881 2.790 Moroccan Dirhams 0.024394 0.048394 UAE Dirhams 76.85 77.31 Danish Krone 0.047764 0.052764 GCC COUNTRIES Euro 0.381493 0.389493 Nigerian Naira 0.001195 0.001830 Bahraini Dinar 750.57 752.64 Omani Riyal 0.728383 0.734063 Saudi Riyal 75.430 Egyptian Pound 39.83 40.43 Norwegian Krone 0.043063 0.048263 Qatari Riyal 77.721 Qatar Riyal 0.076954 0.078167 Jordanian Dinar 401.36 407.01 Romanian Leu 0.08094 0.181094 Omani Riyal 734.800 Saudi Riyal 0.074763 0.075463 Omani Riyal 733.38 740.68 Slovakia 0.008094 0.018094 Bahraini Dinar 751.300 Syrian Pound 0.001753 0.001973 Qatari Riyal 77.87 78.42 Swedish Krona 0.039045 0.044045 UAE Dirham 77.033 Tunisian Dinar 0.174650 0.182650 Saudi Riyal 75.33 75.73 Swiss Franc 0.310235 0.320435 Turkish Lira 0.132776 0.139776 Turkish Lira 0.132776 0.139776 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 0.076001 0.077150 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.700 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001284 0.001364 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.920 Australian Dollar 0.253658 0.265158 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.320 New Zealand Dollar 0.236450 0.245950 Tunisian Dinar 179.350 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate America Al Mulla Exchange Jordanian Dinar 399.450 US Dollar 282.500 Canadian Dollar 0.251923 0.260423 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.898 Canadian Dollar 260.195 US Dollars 0.278650 0.283000 Syrian Lira 2.016 Sterling Pound 469.120 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) US Dollars Mint 0.279150 0.283000 Morocco Dirham 35.521 Euro 388.830 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Swiss Frank 317.180 US Dollar 282.200 Asia EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 751.900 Euro 389.450 US Dollar Transfer 282.750 Bangladesh Taka 0.003251 0.003851 UAE Dirhams 76.890 Pound Sterling 469.150 Euro 390.760 Chinese Yuan 0.044362 0.047862 Canadian Dollar 258.100 Sterling Pound 471.770 Qatari Riyals 78.475 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034360 0.037110 Indian Rupee 4.700 Canadian dollar 259.880 Saudi Riyals 75.605 Indian Rupee 0.004467 0.004868 Egyptian Pound 39.910 Turkish lira 134.040 Jordanian Dinar 398.125 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.158 Swiss Franc 320.400 Egyptian Pound 40.444 Japanese Yen 0.002657 0.002837 Australian Dollar 265.500 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.158 Kenyan Shilling 0.003256 0.003256 Bangladesh Taka 3.629 US Dollar Buying 281.550 Indian Rupees 4.702 Korean Won 0.000257 0.000272 Philippines Peso 6.288 Pakistani Rupees 2.876 Malaysian Ringgit 0.082651 0.088651 Pakistan Rupee 2.875 GOLD Bangladesh Taka 3.631 Nepalese Rupee 0.002944 0.003114 Bahraini Dinar 751.400 20 Gram 240.000 Philippines Pesso 6.271 Pakistan Rupee 0.002619 0.002899 UAE Dirham 76.850 10 Gram 121.000 Cyprus pound 693.875 Philippine Peso 0.006400 0.006680 Saudi Riyal 75.350 5 Gram 62.500 Japanese Yen 3.730 *Rates are subject to change THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 BUSINESS Japan, US make progress in talks on Pacific trade Deal crucial to overall regional TPP pact

TOKYO: Japanese and US trade ing, Froman echoed recent remarks officials made progress yesterday in by Japanese officials that they are negotiations meant to spur a broad not setting any deadlines in the Pacific trade pact and prepare for a bilateral talks. visit by President Barack Obama, but they remain apart on some Ambition major issues, both sides said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo “We made some progress, but Abe has touted the TPP framework we still have gaps between us,” US as a key part of his growth strategy Trade Representative Michael but the outlook for a Japan-US deal Froman told reporters after 11 is cloudy as both sides accuse each hours of negotiations with other of inflexibility. Japanese Economy Minister Akira Australian Prime Minister Tony Amari. Froman said he looked for- Abbott and Abe confirmed a basic ward to more talks today. trade agreement on Monday, over- Japan and the United States are coming sticking points on beef and seeking a two-way trade deal, autos that had threatened to regarded as a key part of the US-led stymie a deal, and agreed to work Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that towards signing it as soon as possi- is the centerpiece of Washington’s ble. “Clearly we are looking for a push to increase its Asian presence, level of ambition in TPP that is sig- before Obama travels to Japan for nificantly higher than that,” Froman an April 24-25 state visit. The tone told reporters on Tuesday upon of the cabinet-level talks appeared arriving in Japan. TOKYO: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary brighter after recent rounds in He told US lawmakers last week General Angel Gurria (left) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe which the two sides accused each that Japan’s reluctance to lower TOKYO: US Trade Representative Michael Froman answers to a prior to their meeting at the latter’s official residence in Tokyo yesterday. Japan cele- other of inflexibility. trade barriers was holding up reporter’s question before meeting with Japanese Economy Minister brates the 50th anniversary of its accession to OECD. — AFP Amari said “debate has deep- agreement on the TPP, a 12-nation Akira Amari in Tokyo yesterday. Froman and Amari said they still hope ened considerably in some areas” in grouping that would stretch from to bridge significant differences over opening markets under an the talks, which focus on access to Asia to Latin America. Japanese ambitious pan-Pacific trade pact. —AP Japan’s agricultural market and officials say Washington needs to percent on light trucks. Abe called talks in terms of economy,” he told Market mood steadies both countries’ car markets. “But be more flexible. The United States for flexibility and said he hoped Japanese television on Tuesday. there’s still considerable distance” wants Japan to open its rice, beef that both parties would end up “If Japan and the United States after Alcoa earnings between the two sides, he added. and pork, dairy and sugar sectors - feeling that they were in a mutually fail to reach an agreement, TPP Froman said there were several politically powerful sectors that beneficial situation, as with the could collapse ... The important LONDON: A solid start to the US quarterly cent higher at 4,444. In the US, the Dow issues that the parties still dis- Abe has vowed to defend. Japan Japan-Australia agreement. thing is that it would be pointless if corporate reporting season helped shore Jones industrial average was up 0.3 per- agreed on and “were working our wants a timetable on US promises “I think we can say Japan and Japan and the United States up the mood across financial markets yes- cent at 16,301 while the broader S&P 500 way through them”. to drop tariffs of 2.5 percent on the United States are dominant remained unyielding and that hap- terday, ahead of the minutes to the last index rose 0.3 percent to 1,856. Despite the Obama visit loom- imports of passenger cars and 25 among parties participating in TPP pened.” — Reuters policy meeting of the US Federal Reserve. Perhaps more importantly, the tech- One market that bucked the trend, howev- heavy Nasdaq index rose 0.6 percent to er, was Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stock average, 4,139. The slide in the Nasdaq either side which closed down 2.1 percent at of last weekend was largely responsible for US wholesale stockpiles 14,299.69. The dollar was trading at about the early-week nervousness across finan- 102 yen, a drop from about 104 yen a cial markets as investors grew jittery about month earlier that, if sustained, could hurt whether technology, Internet and biotech sales and earnings at export-reliant com- stocks were overvalued. Upbeat earnings up 0.5% in February panies. The latest bout of yen strength from aluminum company Alcoa in an after- came after the Bank of Japan failed to hours statement on Tuesday has helped announce fresh stimulus measures earlier solidify the mood. Alcoa was up 3 percent WASHINGTON: US wholesale businesses and retailers. The report covering all inventory Inventory building had contributed 1.6 per- this week. in morning trading. “Even more optimisti- increased their stockpiles for an eighth consec- levels will be issued next Monday. centage point to economic growth in the third Elsewhere, investors appeared to be cally, the management’s accompanying utive month in February as their sales rose at For wholesale inventories, stockpiles of quarter when the economy had grown at a 4.1 brushing themselves down following a statement highlighted its improved view the fastest clip since November, good signs for autos and auto parts rose 0.5 percent while percent rate. By the fourth quarter, that contri- Nasdaq-inspired bout of uncertainty. Gains of conditions for the rest of the year,” said future economic growth. Wholesale businesses lumber stockpiles increased 1.2 percent. Many bution had dwindled to just 0.03 percentage in the US on Tuesday helped contribute to Alastair McCaig, a market analyst at IG. boosted stockpiles by 0.5 percent in February economists expect that the economy, which point. Analysts are not looking for inventories the steadier tone in markets on Investors will also be focusing later on following an increase of 0.8 percent in January, grew at a 2.6 percent rate in the October- to add much to first quarter growth. Wednesday, though investors remained the minutes to the last Fed policy meeting the Commerce Department reported yester- December quarter, slowed in the January- But for the rest of the year there is optimism cautious. to gauge the mood among policymakers day. March period, likely growing somewhere that growth will rebound to a solid rate of “At the moment traders remain wary over the current pace of the withdrawal of Sales rose 0.7 percent in February, rebound- between 1.5 percent and 2 percent. around 3 percent. That could make 2014 the that the rebound on Tuesday will remain the monetary stimulus. Earlier in Asia, ing from a sharp 1.8 percent drop in January That forecast is based on a view that the best growth year for the economy since 2005. little more than a dead cat bounce,” said Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.1 percent which had been blamed in part on severe harsh winter weather cut into various types of The expectation is that stronger hiring will Joao Monteiro, an analyst at Valutrades. In to 22,843.17 and South Korea’s Kospi weather that cut into demand. The solid gain economic activity from shopping at the mall to boost incomes and that will spur consumer Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading added 0.3 percent to 1,998.95. Australia’s in sales should encourage businesses to keep factory production. Some estimate that the spending, which accounts for 70 percent of all British shares was up 0.7 percent at 6,637 S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.0 percent to restocking their shelves to meet rising weather cut growth by about 1 percentage economic activity. There was good news on while Germany’s DAX rose 0.2 percent to 5,463.78. Markets in Southeast Asia also demand. That will mean increased orders to point in the first quarter, but will add 1 per- the hiring front in the past two months. 9,508. The CAC-40 in France was 0.4 per- rose. — AP factories and rising production which would centage point to activity in the Employers added 192,000 jobs in March, just boost economic growth. April-June quarter as the economy is below a revised 197,000 increase in February. Many economists say that the economy spurred by pent-up demand in such areas as Those gains suggest that the economy has slowed in the January-March quarter but will auto sales. Another factor that affected first recovered from the hiring slowdown caused by rebound this quarter. The government tracks quarter growth is a slowdown in the pace of severe winter storms in December and OECD: Rich countries’ inventories held by wholesalers, manufacturers restocking following a huge surge last summer. January. —AP unemployment rises

PARIS: Unemployment in advanced coun- democracies, had managed to reduce the tries rose slightly in February, the OECD total by 3.8 million since the highest point said yesterday, a setback after recent falls. in April 2010. But it still left 46 million peo- Despite improvement in the general eco- ple qualifying as unemployed, the nomic outlook for rich countries, the unem- Organisation for Economic Cooperation ployment rate edged up by 0.1 percentage and Development said. In the recovering points to 7.6 percent from the January lev- United States, the unemployment rate rose el, said the OECD. The increase-due largely by 0.1 points in February to 6.7 percent, to rises in the United States and some euro- after falling for three months. zone countries-came after three months of In the euro-zone, it edged up in the falls in the overall rate of unemployment in Netherlands, France and Italy. But in Spain, the 34 countries the OECD covers. High where unemployment has surged because rates of unemployment remain one of the of a debt crisis and local property market main legacies of the financial and euro- crash, it edged down 0.2 points to 25.6 per- zone debt crises. The OECD said there were cent. In South Korea the rate rose by 0.7 11.4 million more people unemployed in its points to 3.9 percent, but the OECD said member states than when the financial cri- this was because an improvement in the sis began in July 2008. That figure meant outlook for the economy had motivated that the OECD area, grouping advanced people to look for work. —AFP Saudi’s NCB names

advisers for share sale BERLIN: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble (left) and Juergen Fitschen, CEO of Deutsche Bank and Chairman of Deutscher Bankenverband, shake hands during the 20th meeting of German Banking Association (Deutscher Bankenverband) yesterday in Berlin. — AFP RIYADH: National Commercial Bank, Saudi owned by the state Public Investment Arabia’s largest lender, chose HSBC’s Saudi Fund. It held assets worth around $101 bil- Arabian arm and the investment banking lion at the end of 2013 and made net profit Schaeuble ‘can’t bear’ growth unit of Gulf International Bank as advisers of $2.1 billion last year. Once listed, analysts on what is expected to be one of the have said it is likely to be one of the three vs austerity debate anymore largest ever initial public share offerings in largest stocks on the Saudi exchange - the kingdom. Bankers estimate a deal size which would put its market capitalization BERLIN: German Finance Minister Wolfgang “The way I see it, the countries that have their Development, which want Europe’s biggest of between 15 billion and 20 billion riyals north of $30 billion. Saudi Arabia does not Schaeuble reacted yesterday to IMF advice to budgets in order are also the ones with the best economy to boost demand at home. ($4 billion-5.33 billion). NCB chairman, allow direct foreign investment in its stock boost investment by saying he “can’t bear hear- growth figures.” Schaeuble said that the IMF indi- The budget of the new ‘grand coalition’ gov- Mansour Al-Maiman, said in a statement market and the share sale will only be open ing” the debate over fiscal austerity versus pro- cated “that we have some leeway” for public ernment of Chancellor Angela Merkel provides yesterday that the bank was preparing to to local investors. However, the Saudi mar- growth policies anymore. He was speaking a day spending, adding however that “we have decid- for public investment in infrastructure, digital list its shares on the Saudi stock exchange ket is very liquid and, given the desirability after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ed on the measures that we think we can afford, media and education, while aiming to stop new this year. “The flotation will contribute to of the stock, demand is expected to be again encouraged export power Germany to and we can’t afford more”. debt. deepening the Saudi financial market, and high. invest more to boost domestic demand, and The IMF in a report released Tuesday said that Schaeuble presented plans to parliament on will allow Saudi citizens to subscribe to a Finance Minister Ibrahim Alassaf after Schaeuble promised a balanced budget “in Germany, an increase in investment, includ- Tuesday to achieve a consistently balanced venerable financial institution,” he added in announced in February that 15 percent of from next year. ing public investment ... not only is desirable on budget from 2015, the first time since 1969. the statement. the bank would be sold by the PIF, with a “I can’t bear hearing any longer this debate” its own, but also will reduce the large current Europe’s top economy will run up only a small No valuation for the share sale’s size or further 10 percent being transferred to a on whether fiscal discipline and stimulating account surplus”. The IMF advice is in line with public deficit of 6.5 billion euros ($8.9 billion) in the price at which the shares will be offered second state-owned investment fund - the growth are two contradictory goals, Schaeuble that of the European Commission and the 2014 — its smallest in 40 years-down from 22.1 was given. Currently, NCB is majority- Public Pension Agency. —Reuters told a banking conference in Berlin. Organization for Economic Cooperation and billion euros in 2013. — AFP S Korea’s won surges to pre-crisis level SEOUL: South Korea’s won surged yesterday to its high- won, analysts said. won’s “volatility rather than the exchange rate itself”, exporters-Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor-fell est level since before the global financial crisis, sparking “Many people believed the won would not strength- adding fuel to the market’s frenzy to buy the won. 1.65 percent and 2.01 percent, respectively, yesterday, as concern the stronger currency might undermine the en beyond the 1,050 won per dollar in the foreseeable Analysts said the sudden rise in the won’s value could the stronger won sparked heavy profit-taking. Hyundai’s export-reliant economy. future”, economist Park Sungwook of the Korea Institute undermine Asia’s fourth largest economy by making its smaller affiliate Kia shed 2.47 percent, while electronics The won ended at 1,041.40 to the dollar, up 10.80 of Finance said. “But once the won rose past that level, a exports more expensive compared with competitors. giant LG Electronics lost 1.3 percent. Suh Sung-Moon of won from the previous session and close to the 1,039.80 very large amount of orders to buy the won came in.” “The strengthening of the won sparked concerns that Korea Investment and Securities said if the won gains 10 per dollar reached on August 14, 2008. The country’s Finance Minister Hyun Oh-Seok appeared to hint yester- the price-competitiveness of major exporters might be won per dollar, Hyundai Motor’s annual operating profit continuously strong trade surplus and a recent global day that Seoul would not intervene to stop the rise. hurt,” said Kim Dae-Joon, analyst at LIG Investment and would be reduced by 80 billion won ($76.8 million) and weakening of the greenback combined to bolster the He said Seoul was paying more attention to the Securities. The stock prices of the country’s main Kia’s would be cut by 50 billion won. — AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 BUSINESS Oil rises towards $108 on Ukraine LONDON: Brent crude rose towards $108 a barrel as ris- Brent crude rose 27 cents to $107.94 a barrel by Ibrahim al-Jathran, who recruited men from within ing tension between Russia and Ukraine overshadowed 1154 GMT. US oil climbed 20 cents to $102.76. his ranks. US crude inventories rose by 7.1 million bar- the bearish impact of a steep rise in crude oil stockpiles “The geopolitical concerns surrounding Ukraine, rels in the week to April 4, data from industry group in the United States. While the Ukraine crisis may not which were heating up the market at the start of March, the American Petroleum Institute showed, compared directly impact global oil supplies and trade, the risk appear to have made something of a comeback, while with analysts’ expectations for an increase of 1.3 mil- premium on oil is rising as investors worry the Kremlin’s few would be surprised to learn that the handover of lion barrels. standoff with the West could quickly take a turn for the Libya’s key crude export facilities is turning out to be But a steeper-than-expected fall in gasoline stocks is worse. anything but straightforward,” JBC Energy said. Libya’s setting a floor under the US oil benchmark as the draw- Russia dismissed as “groundless” concerns in Kiev oil protection force is not in full control of the Zueitina down adds to evidence of a broad economic recovery and the West over the presence of its troops near the port even after a deal with rebels to end the blockade and robust demand as summer driving season gets border with Ukraine, saying they posed no threat, and of eastern oil terminals, as some militiamen are still at underway. US gasoline stocks fell by 3.6 million barrels, accused Washington of fuelling tension in the region. the facility. compared with expectations of a 700,000 barrel decline. US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday said The port, along with the country’s two largest, Es US crude inventories fell by 2.4 million barrels in the pre- Russian agents and special forces were stirring sepa- Sider and Ras Lanuf, has been under the control of an vious week ended March 28, as shown by the EIA, end- ratist unrest in eastern Ukraine. eastern federalist group led by former guard member ing 11 weeks of consecutive increases. —Reuters

TOKYO: A businessman walks past an electric quotation board flashing the Nikkei key index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) in front of a securities company in Tokyo yesterday. Tokyo stocks fell 2.10 percent after the yen soared on fading hopes for near-term monetary easing by the Bank of Japan, denting exporter shares. —AFP Asian shares rise, but yen sinks Tokyo

HONG KONG: Asia’s markets mostly rose down from the 141.21 yen earlier Tuesday in yesterday following a slight rebound on Asia. The single currency was at $1.3800 on Wall Street but Tokyo took another hit from Wednesday, against $1.3797 in US trade. a stronger yen. Oil prices eased after surg- Adding to pressure on the euro were com- ing on Tuesday on renewed fears about ten- ments from IMF chief economist Olivier sions in Ukraine. Tokyo tumbled 2.10 per- Blanchard, who said European Cental Bank cent, or 307.19 points, to 14,299.69, but action was needed soon to avert deflation in Seoul rose 0.30 percent, or 5.92 points, to the euro-zone. 1,998.95. “They are considering a number of meas- Sydney ended 0.98 percent higher at ures (including) negative interest rates, 5,463.8, its highest close since June 2008, quantitative easing, securitization programs supported by a surge in retailer David Jones of various sources,” he told journalists at the after it received a massive takeover offer. launch of the IMF’s World Economic Outlook The upmarket department store rose 23 report. “I think they should all be looked at, percent to Aus$3.91 after recommending and I know that the ECB is looking at them,” that shareholders accept a buyout from he said. “And we hope that they will imple- South Africa’s Woolworths that values it at ment them as soon as they’re technically Aus$2.15 billion ($2.01 billion). ready to do so... sooner is better than later.” Hong Kong added 1.09 percent, or Oil prices were lower after spiking 246.20 points, to 22,843.17 and Shanghai Tuesday on events in Eastern Europe. NATO ended up 0.33 percent, or 6.96 points, at on Tuesday warned Russia against further 2,105.24. In New York Tuesday the three intervention in Ukraine after pro-Kremlin main indexes enjoyed a pick-up after suffer- militants in the cities of Kharkiv, Lugansk ing three successive sessions of losses led and Donetsk seized government buildings. by the Nasdaq, as investors feared that big- The activists vowed to vote on joining Russia name tech firms such as Facebook, Google in an echo of last month’s referendum in and Tesla were overpriced. Crimea that led to it being absorbed by The Nasdaq-which has lost more than Moscow. five percent since the start of March-rose With Ukraine a key conduit for Russian 0.81 percent, while the Dow edged up 0.06 gas to Europe, traders fear that any disrup- percent and the S&P 500 rose 0.38 percent. tion to supplies will send oil and gas prices In Japan the Nikkei sank for a fourth skyrocketing. New York’s main contract, straight session as the yen strengthened West Texas Intermediate for May delivery, after central bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda dis- eased 40 cents to $102.16 a barrel in after- missed any hopes of further monetary eas- noon Asian trade. Brent North Sea crude for ing soon. Kuroda told a news conference May was down 49 cents to $107.18. Tuesday the economy was getting back on Gold fetched $1,309.91 an ounce at 0800 track as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s big- GMT, up from $1,312.13 late Tuesday. spending, easy-money policy drive kicks in. He also sought to allay fears over the higher In other markets: sales tax that began on April 1, saying it Taipei rose 0.48 percent, or 42.32 points, would not hurt a nascent recovery despite to 8,930.57. warnings to the contrary. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co was unchanged at Tw$119.0 while lead- IMF call to avoid euro-zone deflation ing smartphone lens maker Largan Precision That sent the yen higher Tuesday, sitting Co. closed 2.82 percent higher at Tw$1,640. at 101.75 to the dollar late in New York, com- Wellington rose 0.71 percent, or 35.85 pared with 102.56 earlier in the day in Tokyo. points, to 5,067.41. Yesterday in Asia the dollar clawed back Fletcher Building was up 1.16 percent at some gains to sit at 102.00 yen. NZ$9.59 and Air New Zealand steady at The euro bought 140.82 yen yesterday, NZ$2.05. up from 140.44 yen late in New York but Manila was closed for a public holiday. —AFP Gold steadies near two-week high

LONDON: Gold steadied yesterday ahead more or Ukraine tensions escalate once of the release of minutes of the US Federal more,” VTB Capital said in a note. “We do Reserve’s latest policy meeting, as a firmer not expect sustained gains in the short dollar and fresh outflows from bullion- run, given limited physical demand and lit- backed funds offset support from concerns tle investor interest.” over tensions in Ukraine. Worries over the “Today market participants will pay stand-off between Russia and Ukraine, as some attention to the March FOMC meet- well as technical momentum after a break ing minutes,” it added. above $1,300, helped to lift gold to a near two-week high on Tuesday, but uncertain- Upside limited ty over US monetary policy and lacklustre Physical gold funds showed further out- physical and investment appetite have flows, with holdings of the SPDR Gold curbed that rally. Trust, the world’s largest gold-backed Spot gold was at $1,307.55 an ounce at exchange-traded fund, falling 2.7 tons to 1121 GMT, little changed from $1,308.22 806.48 tons on Tuesday. late on Tuesday, while U.S. gold futures for That reduced its net inflow for the year June delivery were down $1.40 an ounce to just 8 tons. The fund has not seen any at $1,307.70. fresh inflows since March 24. On the physi- “Geopolitics and the slump in the dollar cal markets, buying picked up slightly in gave gold the incentive needed to make a China, the world’s largest gold consumer. break higher, but so far it has happened Bullion prices on the Shanghai Gold without any strong conviction,” Saxo Bank’s Exchange reached a premium of about $1 head of research Ole Hansen said. “Those an ounce to spot prices for the first time holding a bullish view unfortunately have since early March. to rely on the geopolitical situation to They were at a discount of as much as escalate further in order to take it back $10 last month on weak demand. above resistance, which I see located at Among other precious metals, silver $1,321.” was down 1 percent at $19.79 an ounce, Russia yesterday dismissed as “ground- while spot platinum was up 0.1 percent at less” concerns in Kiev and the West over $1,435.25 an ounce and spot palladium the presence of its troops near the border was up 0.2 percent at $773.60 an ounce. with Ukraine, saying they posed no threat, The platinum group metals are being sup- and accused Washington of fuelling ten- ported by an ongoing miners’ strike in sion in the region. South Africa, source of some three-quar- European shares rose nearly half a per- ters of global platinum supply and about a cent after a difficult few days in which ten- third of mined palladium output. sions have escalated in Ukraine and the South African coal producer Exxaro said European Central Bank has tempered yesterday it hoped to diversify into plat- expectations of a new mass asset-buying inum group metals and was looking at program. The dollar index edged off three- opportunities that could include assets week lows to rise 0.1 percent, with a recov- Anglo American has signalled it might ery against the Japanese yen after its divest. biggest fall in more than seven months. Anglo American is the parent company “We do not see much more upside (for of the world’s biggest platinum miner, gold) here unless the dollar tumbles even Anglo American Platinum. —Reuters THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 BUSINESS Surge in Russian capital outflows adds to woes

MOSCOW: A surge in capital outflows and warnings it could intervene further ing incentives to invest in large opera- billion, was the highest since the fourth reduction compared with the previous from Russia underscores how interna- in Ukraine. tional activities by Russian companies,” quarter of 2008, while banks’ foreign official 2014 growth forecast of 2.5 per- tional tensions over Ukraine are adding “Of course it’s the conflict with she said. assets reached $35 billion, also close to cent, and are also below last year’s disap- to the woes of Russia’s already strug- Ukraine and the uncertainty about Recent surveys suggest that business levels last seen in the 2008 financial crisis. pointing growth rate of 1.3 percent. gling economy. Russia’s central bank has potential (military) operations in eastern confidence is now the lowest since 2008. “Of course we see substantial increases in The Economy Ministry estimated that published balance of payments data Ukraine that triggered such big out- Reacting to such trends, President currency purchases by Russian residents for the year capital outflows would reach that showed an estimated $63.7 billion flows,” said Alexei Devyatov, economist Vladimir Putin has called for the busi- as a reaction to ruble weakness - which $100 billion, implying that the bulk of in net capital outflow in the first three at Uralsib. ness climate to be improved “substan- was triggered by capital outflow. These this year’s outflows have already months of this year - as much as the $63 Alfa Bank economist Natalia Orlova tially” and “at an accelerated pace”, things are self-supporting in a sense,” said occurred. billion in outflows seen during the said the Ukraine crisis was only one fac- though previous such exhortations have Uralsib’s Devyatov. However, some other forecasters are whole of 2013. tor, as outflows were already strong delivered scant results. The surge in capital outflows was gloomier. The World Bank warns that the The bank first published a figure of even before the threat of Russian mili- among the factors leading the Economy total for the year could reach $150 billion. $50.6 billion on Tuesday, but later tary intervention in Ukraine. Flight to dollars Ministry to cut its official economic “Looking forward you may take two included an adjusted total to add $13.2 Domestic investment by Russian VTB Capital economist Vladimir growth for this year, joining a wave of views,” said VTB Capital’s Kolychev. “The billion in forex transactions between companies fell by 7 percent in January Kolychev said the outflow was being organizations that have slashed Russian first one is that the peak of dollarization is banks and the central bank, which ana- and by 3.5 percent in February, com- driven by companies and ordinary growth forecasts because of the Ukraine over, which means that the ruble should lysts say provides a clearer picture of pared with a year earlier, illustrating households, which have been rushing to crisis. Deputy Economy Minister Andrei stabilize in the next year.” “The opposite total capital flight. The surge coincides how rising capital outflows coincide convert their ruble savings into dollars. Klepach said on Tuesday the ministry view is that we are only in the middle of with slumping investment and a sharp with declining willingness to invest in “The most important factor behind this forecast growth at either 0.5 percent or this geopolitical mess (over Ukraine). deterioration in business confidence, as production in Russia. “Overall the net huge capital outflow was savings dollari- 1.1. percent in 2014 - with the higher fig- That means more pressure on the ruble forecasters slash economic growth fore- capital outflows reflect general concern sation,” he said. Households’ demand for ure conditional on fiscal stimulus steps. as locals continue to run away from local casts after Russia’s annexation of Crimea about financial stability, and also declin- foreign currency in the first quarter, $19.6 Both forecasts represent a sharp assets.” —Reuters Gazprom, China close to gas agreement: Russia Deal to boost Moscow’s bid to turn eastwards MOSCOW: Russia’s Gazprom and China may sign gas a year. “Regarding Gazprom’s gas contract, the cent earlier this month in what Ukraine said was a a landmark gas deal next month, a Russian official sides are close to agreement ... The only issue politically-motivated move to punish Kiev for pur- said yesterday, marking some progress in a long- remaining is ... the price,” he was quoted as saying suing closer ties to the European Union. stalled agreement that would boost Moscow’s by Itar-Tass news agency, adding that both sides Bypassing Ukraine by using different pipelines or efforts to turn eastwards away from Western planned to discuss contract details yesterday. “We reorienting trade to the East have become priori- sanctions. The gas supply deal is the Holy Grail for really hope that the contract will be signed in ties for the Kremlin, and could strengthen Moscow after at least 10 years of talks, and if May.” Beijing’s negotiating position on price. signed would mark a victory for President Russia ships around 16 percent of its total Gazprom has been in painstaking talks over Vladimir Putin who has warned the West that crude exports to Asia, while gas volumes are the last 10 years about shipping gas to China and attempts to isolate Russia over its annexation of small, limited to those of super-cooled gas. The has been unable to agree on pricing. Putin plans Crimea would backfire. gas deal would help Gazprom reduce its depend- to visit China in May. Britain’s Economic Secretary to the Treasury Sajid Javid speaking during a Arkady Dvorkovich, a deputy prime minister, ency on exports to Europe, which gets around a Putin will hold a meeting with his government news conference in London. Maria Miller, the minister who oversaw future was quoted as saying during a visit to China that third of its gas needs from Russia with the bulk of on energy cooperation with Ukraine yesterday. regulation of Britain’s newspapers, was replaced yesterday by Javid, consid- Gazprom and China were close to reaching agree- transit coming via Ukraine. Some local media have said he may suggest limit- ered a rising star of the Conservative Party, after she quit her cabinet post ment, paving the way for the construction of a Moscow is again at odds with Ukraine over gas ing gas supplies to Ukraine, with owes Gazprom following a row over expenses linked to a mortgage. —AFP pipeline to carry 38 billion cubic metres (bcm) of payments after Gazprom hiked prices by 80 per- $2.2 billion in gas payments. —Reuters BoE set to hold Sanctions trump patriotism record-low rates for Russian banks in Crimea LONDON: The Bank of England is forecast ing rates. The unemployment rate has held today to freeze interest rates at a record- steady at 7.2 percent, having fallen to a SIMFEROPOL: In the rush to serve Lack of interest seize Russian assets. Kraiinvestbank from Russia’s low 0.50 percent, amid caution over the near five-year low of 7.1 percent late last clients keen to open ruble Russian officials have lamented They could also make a tidy southern Krasnodar region, just strength of Britain’s economic recovery, year. accounts, staff at the first Russian the lack of interest among banks to profit. “Nature abhors a vacuum. over the Kerch strait from Crimea, analysts said. Britain’s 12-month inflation rate mean- bank to open its doors in Crimea operate in Crimea, which voted to Ukrainian banks are leaving and issues both MasterCard and Visa The central bank’s nine-strong Monetary while slowed to 1.7 percent in February, the have yet to find time to open the join Russia in a March 16 referen- Russian banks are coming. There is and has correspondent accounts Policy Committee (MPC) is also expected to lowest level for more than four years. “With boxes stacked in the entrance or dum the West called illegitimate. a lack of bank services on the in non-resident banks. Genbank maintain its quantitative easing (QE) stimu- inflation falling comfortably below 2.0 per- put up a proper sign. With a majority of ethnic Russians, peninsula, so despite what can and Kraiinvestbank were not lus at £375 billion ($628 billion, 455 billion cent, we expect the BoE to stay on hold Instead they are relying on a plas- Putin hailed the return of Crimea as hardly be called a healthy econo- immediately available for com- euros). Policymakers will hold a shortened today, in line with the consensus, which is tic banner with letters in red saying: a victory, shrugging off sanctions my, banks could still get a healthy ment. The three are not yet able to meeting, yesterday instead of over two likely to have a limited market effect,” noted “Russian National Commercial Bank: targeting close officials and Bank profit,” said Maksim Osadchiy, head fill the space left by Privatbank, days, to allow some members to attend the Barclays analysts. The BoE’s key lending rate Your Russian bank in Crimea!” Not Rossiya, a lender Washington says of the analytical department at which had the largest banking International Monetary Fund’s spring meet- has stood at 0.50 percent since March 2009, that RNCB needs to advertise its is the “personal bank” for his inner CFB bank. services network in Crimea with ings in Washington. The outcome will be when it also launched the radical QE policy announced at 1100 GMT today. to nurse the economy back to health. services. With Ukrainian and Western circle. “With such a lack of bank servic- 339 branches. It closed them in “The April policy meeting is unlikely to “We still think the most likely outcome is banks closing, Crimea’s 2 million But the experience of Bank es, they can bump up prices.” But mid-March. “There was less than rock any boats,” said Rabobank economist that the MPC is persuaded by the weakness people have been forced to deal Rossiya, which has stopped all for- even the smaller banks have some 3,000 hyrvnias on my card to draw Jane Foley. “UK data releases over the past of inflation to tread cautiously and holds with a cash economy since Russia eign currency operations to work exposure to Western systems, my salary at Privatbank. For me, month have confirmed a continued decline off raising interest rates until late 2015,” said annexed the Black Sea peninsula last only with the ruble after being put showing that few institutions can that’s not a great loss, but never- in the number of jobless claimants and a economist Samuel Tombs at consultancy month - an illustration of the eco- on a US blacklist, has made other operate in isolation in an increas- theless it’s not very nice,” said simultaneous fall in the inflation rate. “On Capital Economics. The economy expanded nomic obstacles that might lie balance, there has been little evidence to by 1.7 percent last year, according to recent ahead for a contested region. change our expectation that steady policy downwardly-revised data. However, this Only three Russian banks have is likely to prevail until May 2015 when the was still the strongest growth since before moved to fill the vacuum, the BoE is likely to commence a slow upwards the global financial crisis. GDP grew 0.7 patriotism stirred by President adjustment in the bank rate.” percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 com- Vladimir Putin by reclaiming “an The BoE had last year vowed not to start pared with activity in the previous three inseparable part of Russia” falling lifting rates until the unemployment rate month period. flat in the face of Western sanc- falls to at least 7.0 percent, under a forward Investec economist Philip Shaw added tions that have deterred the coun- guidance policy launched by governor that the shortening of this week’s gathering try’s big lenders. In particular, Mark Carney. However, the bank tweaked suggested that there would be no change many Russian lenders have been its strategy after the rate fell more sharply in policy. He added: “For now with the econ- alarmed at moves by Visa and than anticipated. Under amended guid- omy growing respectably but not roaring MasterCard to stop providing ance, the BoE will now seek to absorb all away, we see it likelier than not that the services, albeit in most cases tem- the spare capacity in the economy as it MPC will avoid tightening policy this year, looks to keep inflation close to a govern- especially with inflation expected to remain porarily, for transactions involving ment-set target of 2.0 percent, before hik- below target over the medium term.” —AFP banks whose shareholders were on a US blacklist. RNCB was the first Russian bank into Crimea after the region’s annexation, hurriedly setting up in Brutal US winter has chilling some of the branches left empty by Ukrainian subsidiaries of effect on prom spending plans Russian state-owned banks, Sberbank, VTB and Bank of NEW YORK: It is still too cold in most were spending less. Indeed, retailers Moscow, that have curtailed their parts of the country to be thinking struggled during the winter of 2014. work in the region. about taffeta, which could be affecting David’s Bridal, one of the largest purvey- It has been followed by two how much teens and their parents plan ors of prom gowns, said that while it has small Russia-focused regional on spending on the prom and when not noted a drop in spending, it has banks whose limited business they do their shopping. Families, on noted a shift in the buying season to be activities - they have few dealings average, expect to spend $978 this year later this year. outside Russia - means they have SIMFEROPOL: Visitors leave the newly opened branch of Genbank in the Crimean capital on the prom, the annual rite of passage “It’s potentially due to weather, and less to fear from sanctions than Simferopol yesterday. Moscow-based Genbank has become the first Russian bank to start oper- for American high schoolers, which is it’s also a shift of Easter and spring break larger financial institutions with ating in Crimea, opening new branches in the Simferopol and Sevastopol, following Russia’s basically just a big dance, according to a coming later in the year,” said Brian international exposure. For annexation of the Black Sea peninsula. —AFP survey released today by Visa Inc. That’s Beitler, executive vice president and Crimea’s small businesses and resi- down 14 percent from last year. chief marketing officer for David’s dents, the lack of options has banks wary. ingly global economy. Kemal Adabashev, owner of a den- Prom spending can encompass a Bridal. Most prom dresses at David’s end translated into long queues at Russia’s top two banks, tist surgery. “It is getting harder wide range of items, primarily formal up costing around $200, Beitler said, hastily furnished branches like this Sberbank and VTB , are yet to start Linked up and harder to do business; prices wear, but also includes flowers, trans- with plenty of bestselling collections at one in the Crimean capital of direct business in Crimea and say Osadchiy said RNCB issues both are rising.” portation, pre-event dinners, hair, just $100. This year’s prom fashion trend Simferopol to open ruble only some branches of their MasterCard and Visa, and has cor- The head of the administration makeup and sometimes hotel rooms. is focused on celebrity couture, particu- accounts. Ukrainian subsidies are working respondent accounts in non-resi- of the Crimean city of Sevastopol, Most of the difference in the spend- larly the “sophisticated” dresses dis- “One of the most pressing there at the moment. Alexei dent banks, but with a very small Dmitry Belik, suggested banks had ing forecast is driven by steep drops played on the red carpet during the problems is the banking system,” Simanovsky, first deputy central balance and turnover. Local media failed their clients in Crimea, criti- among families surveyed in the winter movie awards season. “There’s a Alexander Batalin, chairman of bank governor, said not all banks said the bank was sold recently by cising Raiffeisen Bank Aval for clos- Northeast, whose spending forecast little less bling on the dresses them- electrical tools manufacturer were scared. “There are those VTB subsidiary Bank of Moscow to ing its Crimea branches by April 15. dipped 27 percent, and the South, selves,” said Beitler, although accessories Phiolent, who opened an account which cannot be frightened by two Crimean companies close to Aval has offered its Crimean where it dropped 23 percent. Visa con- remain a big category. at RNCB last week. sanctions - they work only in the new administration. RNCB was clients a choice - either close their ducted a phone survey of 4,000 families Families with income less than Last month, his factory paid its Russia,” he said. “Maybe tomorrow unable to provide details of the accounts by April 15 and lose a in January and February 2014, when it $50,000 said they were going to spend 1,800 employees in cash after its (major banks) will not be there, but reported deal. percentage for the early termina- was particularly cold in those areas of much less than the national average: accounts at Ukraine’s Privatbank I believe that the situation will A second bank, Genbank, tion of their contracts, or wait and the country. Comparatively, last year’s just $733. Last year, that income group were frozen. The company has resolve itself ... in the foreseeable opened its doors on Friday, local then close them at branches in survey was based on a survey of 3,000 was planning to spend more than the been unable to complete an order future, I am convinced there will be media said. With two branches - mainland Ukraine. “Nobody is in the same time frame in 2013. national average. “We hope this dip in for new European equipment. major banks there.” For now the one in Siberia’s city of Omsk and in driving them away from “It’s certainly a possibility that it’s spending indicates that the prom bub- “The banking system is devel- smaller, regional banks may be Rostov-on-Don to the south - and Sevastopol. We are offering all weather related, especially if it follows ble has burst,” said Visa’s Sillin. “It’s just a oping very slowly. There are only keeping the offices warm for when a headquarters in Moscow, the banks in Sevastopol to renew other general retail trends,” said Nat dance, and for parents, it’s an opportu- two banks (that are working) but the bigger banks decide they can bank issues Visa cards and has in their registration, get a licence Sillin, Visa’s head of financial education. nity to teach teens the importance of there are such lines there, they return, once they have a clearer its securities portfolio loan obliga- from the Russian Central Bank Respondents were not asked why they budgeting.” —Reuters aren’t ready to service the new view on Western sanctions and any tions of non-residents nominated and continue operating in demand,” he said. possible legal moves by Kiev to in foreign currency. Sevastopol,” Belik said. —Reuters THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 BUSINESS

Blackstone Market Commentary Canon Mideast signs up Adenar as key The inequality issue distributor for security solutions in UAE DUBAI: Canon Middle East, a leader next few years as Dubai prepares to By Byron Wien in imaging solutions, has partnered host the World Expo 2020, which with specialist distributor Adenar will witness investments of about resident Obama has said that ris- Ltd to provide advanced video $25 billion, progress in the aviation ing income inequality and a lack security products and solutions to sector to meet tourism projections, Pof economic mobility is “the customers in the United Arab doubling in the number of hotel defining challenge of our time.” He is Emirates. rooms and more than 1 million sq advocating raising the minimum wage, Investment in new infrastructure m of commercial space to be added extending unemployment benefits and and mandatory safety standards within the next two years.” making sure workers get paid for over- required by commercial establish- He added: “While the UAE secu- time. Those measures may provide ments are driving further demand rity solutions market is growing, some relief, but in my view they do not for innovative security solutions, one of the concerns faced by cus- come close to dealing with the funda- particularly as the nation prepares tomers is in ensuring that the prod- mental problem. Enhancing the Earned to host World Expo 2020 in Dubai. ucts are not only of the highest Income Tax Credit may be a better Adenar was set up to provide IP quality but also reliable, flexible, approach. surveillance solutions to the CCTV and adaptable for sensitive moni- Inequality is likely to become a more installation industry and is strongly toring requirements. important political issue. A Pew focused on customer relations. The “As part of Canon’s diversifica- Research poll in January showed that 65 strategic alliance with Canon will tion into new business, a full range percent of the respondents believe the allow Adenar to expand its range of of Internet Protocol (IP) cameras Capitalism has always rewarded risk- offerings across aviation, oil and were launched to meet security Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director, Canon Middle East gap between rich and poor has taking, entrepreneurship and innova- increased in the last decade. A February gas and large corporations. needs in the retail, education, com- and wide angle view. They also sup- the most advanced solutions in the tion. This process creates growth and Anurag Agrawal, Managing mercial, and hospitality sectors. Our port the ONVIF communication market today. The new IP security poll by CNN revealed that almost 70 jobs, and the initiators of successful percent of Americans believe the gov- Director of Canon Middle East, said: partnership with Adenar, a compa- protocol, thus assuring strong cameras from Canon offer govern- projects often benefit handsomely just “The UAE’s position as a global ny that has a strong local presence industry compliance standards. mental security initiatives and com- ernment should do more to narrow the as the unsuccessful suffer. America’s gap, and 60 percent believe taxes paid business and leisure hub is under- and a proven track-record, posi- One of the recent introductions by mercial establishments the true economic leadership is rooted in cre- lined by its reputation as a safe des- tions us at the forefront in provid- Canon is the new, ultra-compact ‘S’ power of advanced technology, by wealthy people should be raised to ativity, and financial incentives are a reduce poverty. More than half of the tination. The government invests ing reliable, high quality and sensi- series, designed for indoor environ- reliability and scalability.” major motivating force. It is true that significantly in upholding the high- tive security products and solu- ments that require sensitive moni- In addition to hotels and serv- people polled think that the rich had profit margins are at an all-time high special advantages not available to the est security standards and has set tions.” Canon’s new range of Full-HD toring. Anand Subbiah, Director, iced residences, the UAE law stipu- and median family income has been flat clear guidelines for commercial IP cameras includes the VB-H610D, Adenar Ltd added: “As a key distrib- lates that banks, exchange houses, general population and about half during this recovery, but I believe that is thought a person is poor because of establishments for ensuring ade- VB-H41, VB-H71 and VB-H610 VE, utor of Canon products, our part- jewelry manufacturers, and fuel sta- more a function of globalization and quate security provisions. offering incredible optical and digi- nership for providing security solu- tions must follow strict guidelines conditions beyond his or her control. technology than other factors. Former New York Mayor Mike “Demand for security solutions tal zoom, and are capable of low- tions will enable us to focus further relating to CCTV and alarm sys- The real problem is that we have to will gain further traction over the light shooting, smart shade control, on customer service by providing tems. Bloomberg thinks poverty is an impor- improve prosperity for those in the low- tant issue, but points out that the disad- er part of the income stream. When vantaged in the United States mostly Russia, China and India entered the live in dwellings with flush toilets, color global economy, having abandoned television and refrigerators. They also many of the commercial aspects of Hayat Communications holds have cell phones. These conditions are Communism (Russia, China) and much better than in many other coun- becoming less insular (India), the world tries. Much of this data was reported in got three billion new customers as Tom ordinary general assembly a New York Times op-ed by Charles Friedman has observed, but it also got Blow. three billion new competitors, some of Almost everyone in politics has a KUWAIT: Hayat Communications held its ordinary and we do expect greater achievement by the end the support of our professional management whom could produce quality products general assembly on the premises of the Ministry of 2014”. team which is playing a key role in attracting new plan for dealing with inequality, (and at a low cost. This has kept inflation nearly everyone agrees that getting a of Commerce in the presence of the Chairman Addressing the shareholders and media repre- opportunities and fostering our geographical low, but it has eliminated jobs in high Amer Bazei Alyaseen in addition to the executive sentatives, Alyaseen pointed to the important presence”. good education is an important key to labor cost countries like the United success). G. W. Bush had “No Child Left management and shareholders. development the company’s operations have wit- On the same note, Hayat Communications States. Technology has also had an During the assembly, Hayat Communications nessed during 2013. He said: “We have managed aspires to lead the market by providing special- Behind” and New York’s new mayor Bill impact on the size and quality of the de Blasio wants to expand pre-kinder- revealed its financial results for the year ending in to overcome the negative impacts of the accumu- ized solutions; it is currently working on imple- workforce as companies have spent December 31st, 2013 during which the company lated losses which would have prevented any pos- menting a new work prototype to increase the garten education in the public schools. money on capital equipment to get the Every three years the Organization has scored a 123 percent growth in net profit itive results should they’ve remained”. profitability. The company is taking effective goods and services out the door with recording KD205,447 in comparison with Alyaseen attributed the profit increase to the measures with the prime aim to secure extreme for Economic Cooperation and fewer workers. The impact of these fac- Development (OECD) conducts a study KD877,796 loss in 2012. reduction in costs policy implemented by the benefits to shareholders. tors has been heavy on middle-class Commenting on the results, Amer Bazei company during 2013 and led accordingly to Hayat Communications prime aim during the of 510,000 15-year-olds in 65 participat- manufacturing and service workers. I ing countries. The last survey was in Alyaseen, Chairman, said: “Year 2013 was a year reduce the overall cost base thereby allowing effi- coming period is to pioneer the provisioning of believe this is a structural change in the full of challenges where we promised to walk the ciencies to reflect on the bottomline. telecom infrastructure in the Middle East includ- 2012; 5,000 US students were tested. economy that is not likely to be The United States ranked 17th in read- talk and bring in internal efficiencies to contain With a new management and an enthusiastic ing design, implementation and services’ manage- reversed. the failing results achieved over the previous two team, Alyaseen confirmed that the company will ment. The company enjoys a rich reputation with- ing, 21st in science and 26th in mathe- There has been another change matics out of the 34 OECD member years. We’ve been committed to re-prioritize our prosper with more new expansion opportunities in operations of: Qatar, KSA, UAE, Oman, Bahrain since 1980 that may have had an even plans in addition to customizing new growth for to reinforce relations with current customers and and India Alyaseen ended: “We dedicate our suc- countries. Reading the Program for greater impact on inequality. According International Student Assessment (PISA) our operations which were the main drive which simultaneously eying prospects. He added: “Our cess to our customers for their trust in us, their to census data the percentage of births helped in our efforts to steadily overcome the strategy for the forthcoming period embeds a confidence motivates us to exert more efforts to commentary on the results may provide to unmarried women has risen from 18 some useful insights. “Students in the challenges and growing competition.” “I’m pleased bundle of diversified products and services, main- always meet their expectations and to our percent in 1980 to 41 percent in 2012. today to share with you the results of these efforts taining the policy of cost reduction and enticing employees for their deeply appreciated efforts.” United States have particular weakness- That is a remarkable increase. If you es in performing mathematics tasks assume that a two-parent family is more with higher cognitive demands, such as likely to provide a better environment taking real-world situations, translating for a child to grow up and become edu- Burgan Bank them into mathematical terms, and cated, then this change may have an interpreting mathematical aspects in important bearing on the inequality announces Value real-world problems.” issue. Many believe that teen-age preg- The Center for American Progress nancies are primarily responsible for account draw winner has done a study which shows that for this change, but teenagers only account KUWAIT: Burgan Bank yesterday announced Swani Tandon the first time in history, the current gen- for 17 percentage points of the 41 per- as the winner of its Value Account draw. The lucky winner eration will be less well-educated that cent of births to unmarried women. A took home a cash prize of KD 4000. its parents. These results are particular- single parent trying to hold a job, main- The Value Account has been re-launched with more ly disturbing when you consider how tain a household and raise one or more added value features that have been designed for expatri- much the United States spends on edu- children faces many challenges. ates living in Kuwait. Account holders can now obtain a cation. Only Austria, Luxembourg, Arthur Brooks of the American free credit card for one year, apply for a loan, and receive a Norway and Switzerland spend more Enterprise Institute has written a chance to win KD 4,000 on a quarterly basis. All expatriates per student. Other factors do not thoughtful essay in Commentary that with salaries of KD 150 to KD 400 are eligible to be a Value explain the underperformance of the explores many aspects of the inequality account holder. U.S. Parents in America are better edu- issue. He also sees it as a societal prob- Burgan Bank’s renewed Value account presents a range cated than in most other countries, lem and recommends that we try to of features that are unique to the Kuwaiti market, and ranking sixth. The share of students reestablish the fundamental values of these include attractive exchange rates for the dollar while from disadvantaged backgrounds is faith, family, community and work. I remitting money back home from Al-Muzzaini Exchange about the OECD average. We do have a support his prescription, but I think it is Company as well as a broad range of merchant discounts. higher percentage of immigrants (our hard to implement. Opening a Value account is simple, customers are rank is sixth), but so does Canada which A growing economy which would Dalya Al-Muthanna, President & CEO of GE Gulf required to visit their nearest Burgan Bank branch, or sim- performs above the OECD average. The produce a greater number of better- ply call the bank’s Call Center 1804080 for more details. For study shows that students with pre-pri- paying jobs would also help. More further information visit www.burgan.com mary education tend to perform better vocational training in high school GE appoints Dalya Al-Muthanna at the age of 15 than those without it. would also prepare people for good The data on inequality show a major jobs. I think that government programs as President & CEO of GE Gulf change since 1980. I believe it is unpro- like job-creating infrastructure improve- Puerto Rico tries ductive to attack the rich continuously ment and job retraining would be posi- DUBAI: GE has appointed UAE national Dalya new career challenges that demonstrate their to get grip on as though they deliberately exploited tive, and we can afford them now that Al-Muthanna as President & CEO of GE Gulf, true skills and potential.” others as they built their net worth. we have reduced the deficit to 3 per- reporting to Nabil Habayeb, GE’s President & Dalya Al-Muthanna joined GE in 2008 and is underground economy Most people in the top 10 percent cent of GDP. Any important shift in Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East, the company’s first UAE national to graduate worked hard in school, got a good edu- inequality is likely to be uneven, experi- North Africa and Turkey. from GE’s Experienced Commercial Leadership LARES, Puerto Rico: Mattress maker Angel Lopez is both a prob- cation, put in their 10,000 hours devel- ence setbacks and take a long time to The first Emirati to be appointed to the sen- Program (ECLP), during which she received lem and an opportunity for the Puerto Rican government. His oping a skill and benefited from the produce visible change. Hopefully the ior leadership position, Dalya will be responsi- multiple global ECLP awards and undertook one-man business works off the books as part of a vast under- growth that took place in America after fact that there is so much focus on the ble for developing GE’s business strategy for global rotations in the US. ground economy, which doesn’t directly pay into the treasury’s the 1980-82 recession. Good luck also issue may mean that steps will be taken the Gulf region, leading growth and driving She has held multiple leadership roles with- coffers and is a major headache for an impoverished island that is played a role in every one of their lives. to bring on a shift in the balance. cross business selling across the company’s in GE including as Director for Growth Strategy $70 billion in debt. diverse portfolio. Also mandated with overall for Middle East, North Africa & Turkey leading But Lopez has dreams the island’s leadership is eager to foster. strategic positioning of GE in the Gulf region strategic partnership activities and driving He wants to open a small factory, hire a few people and register covering UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, she is growth programs and strategic priorities in the with the town of Lares - as long as the taxes and fees from going entrusted with building a portfolio of prof- region. Prior to joining GE, she founded and above board don’t choke off his business. itable growth initiatives while maintaining the managed a multi-million dollar international The Lopez dilemma is playing out across Puerto Rico, which is highest level of integrity, and also promoting franchise. Dalya is a board member of a US territory in the Caribbean. From the western mountain town National leadership and talent development. Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA) of Lares to the capital San Juan, officials are wrestling with how to Nabil Habayeb said: “The appointment of Women in Solar Program and a member of the bring the underground economy out of the shadows and onto Dalya Al-Muthanna to the senior leadership Steering Committee of the MENA Clean the tax rolls without creating such an onerous financial burden role underlines our commitment to support Energy Business Council. She holds an MBA that thousands of small and medium businesses can’t survive. the localization agenda across the region. It degree from the American University in Dubai. More than a quarter of the island’s economy is informal, some also reflects GE’s ongoing commitment to To ensure the continued personal and pro- studies say, from large companies evading taxes to individuals drive the participation of women in leadership fessional growth of employees, GE has an selling items for cash at roadside stands. But estimates vary wide- roles. The GCC focus on enhancing local partic- annual investment of $1 billion in employee ly because the activity can be so hard to track. While not new, the ipation in the private sector is an ideal fit to training and development globally. The com- problem has become urgent of late. The government desperately GE’s commitment to train, recruit, and nurture pany offers several training programs for its needs to find new revenue to bolster a budget full of holes and National talent. In a short time, Dalya has employees in addition to promoting entrepre- turn around an economy now eight years in recession. It is scram- proven her leadership ability and manage- neurial culture. bling to avoid a painful debt restructuring some view as almost ment skill, supporting GE’s growth in key mar- GE has been a partner in the Middle East, inevitable. kets across the region. Her appointment will North Africa and Turkey for over 80 years, com- Last month’s $3.5 billion bond sale bought the island some serve as an inspiration for National women to mitted to the region’s progress and prosperity, time, but precious little else, with fundamental worries about its be part of GE, which has been chosen as one through its waves of change and growth. With shrinking economy still unsolved. of the Top 5 ‘Great Places to Work for Women.’” a presence in 19 countries in the GCC region, “The government here, they want you to pay here, pay City Dalya Al-Muthanna said: “I am excited to Levant, wider Middle East, North Africa and Hall, pay the Hacienda,” said Lopez, referring to the local name for take up the challenging role as President & Turkey, since the 1930s, GE has some 30 offices the island’s Treasury department. The divisions between the gov- CEO of GE Gulf, and contribute to strengthen- and 35 ground facilities, and employs over ernment and its people leave policymakers in a damned-if-you- ing the growth of GE in the region. With over 4,200 people. The company supports the gen- do, damned-if-you-don’t position. 80 years of presence in the Middle East, GE has eration of more than two-thirds of the region’s “This is the conundrum for the island,” said Emily Raimes, lead focused on building strategic partnerships electricity, and purifies 800 million liters of analyst on Puerto Rico for Moody’s Investors Service. “Actions with the public and private sectors. I look for- water daily for drinking, irrigation and munici- that they can take to help their finances may very well be actions BARCELONA: Ada Colau, co-founder of anti-eviction group PAH (the Platform of ward to fulfilling GE’s growth strategy for the pal uses across MENA. Nearly 90 per cent of that hurt the economy.” The Puerto Rico Department of the People Affected by Mortgage), speaks into a microphone as she takes part in a region and build new business partnerships. I hospitals in Middle East are equipped with GE Treasury knows it needs to jump-start both growth and revenue, PAH protest outside a branch of the Spanish Banco Popular bank in Barcelona yes- also hope the appointment will inspire technologies, while GE and its joint ventures said Melba Acosta, the island’s treasury secretary. But how to do terday.—AFP National women across the region to take up help to fly two-thirds of the region. both is a balancing act for policymakers.—Reuters technology THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 Samsung announces regional launch of curved, Ultra High-Definition (UHD) TV Ahead of the curve in creating ultimate immersive experience

Vinod Nair, General Manager of TVs at Samsung Gulf Electronics.

DUBAI: Samsung Gulf Electronics announced What’s more, Samsung’s Curved TVs are aug- the launch of its breathtaking 2014 UHD TV mented by its proprietary Auto Depth lineup across the region including the world’s Enhancer, which automatically adjusts contrast first and largest Curved Ultra High Definition for a greater sense of depth, giving a 3D effect (UHD) TV. The groundbreaking technology without the need for glasses. Color is further takes viewers one step closer to reality, with its enhanced on these sets with Samsung’s Pure advanced technology and sophisticated Color technology, which reproduces color as design. film-makers envisioned, expressing more “At Samsung, we understand that the home detailed shades. entertainment experience is valued highly by our customers across the region, and as such Introducing a better and we are excited to introduce them to an unpar- broader UHD TV lineup alleled viewing experience, never seen before”, Thanks to UHD up scaling, featured on all said Vinod Nair, General Manager of TVs at Samsung UHD TVs, viewers are treated to the Samsung Gulf Electronics. “Our new lineup of best possible picture, regardless of picture curved and UHD TVs brings together excep- source. The proprietary technology converts tional design and picture quality, offering an Full HD, HD and lower resolution sources to immersive experience like no other.” nearly-UHD clarity through a unique four-step Ushering in a bold new era of riveting real- process that includes signal analysis, noise ism and mesmerizing immersion, Samsung is reduction, detail analysis and finally, up scaling, blending its innovative Curved TV design with so everything looks better on Samsung UHD its UHD TV technology. These TVs deliver a bold TVs. UHD Dimming technology also helps to theatrical experience and fundamentally further optimize picture quality by processing change the way the world views TVs, reinforc- each block of a picture and delivering deeper ing Samsung’s leadership and setting the pace blacks and improved contrast. for innovation, design and content across the Samsung Curved UHD lineup (U9000) will industry. be available from May onwards across leading Developed with an optimal curvature of retail outlets across the region in the following 4200R, Samsung’s curved screens offer a pres- sizes: 105”, 78”, 65”, 55”. ence not felt on flat screens. Creating a wider The Samsung UHD lineup (U8500) will be field of view with a panoramic effect, the dis- available across leading retail outlets in five play seem larger than life, ensuring that no screen sizes, 65”, 60”, 55” and 48”. matter what your viewing angle, everyone can lay claim to the best seat in the house. Providing the best picture quality from a normal watching distance of 3-4 meters, the combination of the curve and UHD technology creates the ultimate immersive viewing experi- ence, bringing images to life and enveloping viewers in spectacular color, clarity and detail. Vinod Nair with senior official from Samsung. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE Data trove shows US doctors reap millions from Medicare NEW YORK: In 2012, an enterprising oph- expected to offer a roadmap to where include the names and addresses of physi- along, outside healthcare experts are request made by Dow Jones & Co, publish- thalmologist in south Florida received waste and fraud are most rampant not cians who submitted claims to Medicare in eager to scrutinize it, said healthcare ana- er of the Wall Street Journal, despite the $20.8 million in Medicare payments, the only in the Medicare program but 2012, along with the codes for the approxi- lyst and Medicare expert Cristina Boccuti continuing opposition of the AMA. highest amount the government health throughout the American healthcare sys- mately 6,000 services Medicare covers. It of the Kaiser Family Foundation. One thing Last week, AMA president Dr. Ardis Dee plan for the elderly paid an individual tem. “If you see that a doctor is doing a lists the number of times providers billed they will look for is high-volume doctors. If Hoven said the group “is concerned that provider that year, according to a prelimi- procedure hundreds or thousands of times for each service, the average submitted some providers are billing for many more (the government’s) broad approach to nary analysis of federal data. that should be done only on a small num- charge and how much that deviated from services per patient than others in the releasing physician payment data will mis- A family-practice doctor in Maryland ber of patients, you wonder,” said Dr. John the national norm. same community, she said, it could indi- lead the public into making inappropriate may have received an average of more Santa, medical director of Consumer The billing information is expected to cate overtreatment. and potentially harmful treatment deci- than $86,000 per patient that year, accord- Reports. “Are they committing fraud by indicate which physicians, therapists or Those experts will also be looking for sions and will result in unwarranted bias ing to a Reuters review of the data. And a billing for something they’re not actually others claim an inordinately high number regional disparities, Boccuti said. Since the against physicians that can destroy California laboratory apparently received doing, doing unnecessary procedures of complicated cases. If a case is particular- 1990s, the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, careers.” After CMS was deluged with FOIA $190 million, the most Medicare paid a sin- because they’re greedy, or do they practice ly complex, Medicare allows them to add a a project of Dartmouth College’s health requests for the data, it invoked a law that gle entity in 2012. someplace where so many people need “modifier” to the code they use for billing policy institute, has documented vast dif- requires federal agencies to openly publish After decades of litigation and over the the procedure?” and claim higher reimbursement. ferences between cities in the frequency of “frequently requested” information. The strenuous objections of the American Medicare paid physicians, physical ther- “You’ll be able to see back surgeons various medical procedures. data are not exactly user-friendly. CMS said Medical Association, the leading US doc- apists, nurse practitioners, chiropractors whose average bill is $50,000 because they Doctors in McAllen, Texas, perform five on Tuesday that it would post the informa- tors group, the federal Centers for and other individual providers $77 billion say almost all of the spinal fusions they do times as many coronary-bypass surgeries tion on its website, www.cms.gov, but it is Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on in 2012. About two-thirds of Medicare’s are more complicated than the usual, and per 1,000 Medicare patients as those in not easily searchable. Wednesday made public for the first time total $540 billion in payments that year others whose average bill is $5,000” Pueblo, Colorado, the Dartmouth project Still, a determined patient could see, for how much Medicare pays individual doc- went to hospitals and most of the rest to because they rarely classify the procedures has found. Yet patients in high-volume instance, that a particular physician per- tors. The massive data release, totaling prescription drugs. as extra-complicated, said Santa. cities are no sicker. forms an operation only one way. Hopkins’ nearly 10 million lines, also includes which The providers on the list all participate According to the 2012 data, 344 clini- Makary offers the example of a hysterecto- medical services each of more than in Medicare Part B, which covers services cians each received more than $3 million 1979 injunction my, which can be done as open abdominal 880,000 physicians and other healthcare from eye exams and physical therapy to from Medicare Part B. That alone is not evi- Consumer groups and media outlets surgery, vaginally or laparoscopically providers nationwide billed Medicare for in knee replacements, cataract surgery and dence of fraud, experts warned. But it can have been trying to get the Medicare (through a tiny incision). 2012. “While the data are not perfect, this CT scans. Doctors are not required to warrant additional scrutiny. physician data since Jimmy Carter was in “When discussing your options with a is a major milestone in healthcare trans- accept Medicare, which covers some 50 Last December, the inspector general of the White House. In 1979, after federal offi- physician,” he said, “that’s useful informa- parency,” said cancer surgeon Marty million elderly and disabled Americans, the Department of Health and Human cials planned to release it, the AMA and tion to know,” since it can indicate that the Makary of Johns Hopkins School of but most do. Excluding pediatricians, 91 Services, CMS’s parent agency, found that the Florida Medical Association sought an physician does not tailor procedures to Medicine, whose 2012 book, percent of U.S. doctors accept new 303 clinicians each collected more than $3 injunction to stop them on the grounds patients’ specific circumstances. “Unaccountable,” argues for making public Medicare patients, according to a 2013 million from Medicare Part B in 2009, trig- that making the information public would Healthcare watchdogs are optimistic more information on doctors and hospi- report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, gering “improper payment reviews” for violate physicians’ privacy. A federal judge that the data will also reveal which physi- tals. In addition to allowing patients to see and even more continue to see existing 104. Those reviews identified $34 million in US District Court in Jacksonville, Florida, cians are abusing the system by billing for which doctors perform a particular proce- Medicare patients. in overpayments. Three of the clinicians ruled in the medical groups’ favor. medically unnecessary procedures, which dure most frequently - often a proxy for had their medical licenses suspended; two Last May, however, a judge in the along with fraud are estimated to account expertise in rare and difficult surgeries ‘Complicated’ cases were indicted. District Court lifted the ban in response to for one-third of the $2.8 trillion in annual such as colon operations - the data are The data released on Wednesday Although CMS has had the data all a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) US healthcare spending. —Reuters Japan’s stem cell scientist stands by ‘phoney’ research Blames her inexperience for errors in methodology TOKYO: A young female scientist accused of fabricating data made a tearful apology live on Japanese television yesterday for “mistakes” in her research, but insisted her ground-breaking conclusions on stem cells were accurate. Haruko Obokata, 30, blamed her youth and inexperience for errors in her methodology, but said she had managed to create the building- block cells capable of growing into the spe- cialised cells of the brain, liver, heart or kidneys. “I apologise with my whole heart to my co- authors... and many others for causing trouble because of my insufficient efforts, ill-prepared- ness and unskilfulness,” a visibly shaken Obokata told a press conference. “To many people there may be too many unbelievable mistakes, but that does not affect the conclusion,” she said. Obokata was feted as a modern-day Marie Curie after unveiling research that showed a simple way to re-programme adult cells to become a kind of stem cell. So-called Stimulus-Triggered Acquisition of LOUISVILLE: In this undated photo provided by the University of Louisville, Kent Pluripotency (STAP) cells were hailed as a break- Stephenson, the second person to undergo epidural stimulation of the spinal cord, through that could provide a ready supply of the voluntarily raises his leg while stimulated at the Human Locomotion Research Center base material for much-needed transplant tis- laboratory, a part of the University of Louisville’s Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury sue, at minimal cost. Research Center, Frazier Rehab Institute, in Louisville Ky. Three years ago, doctors Campaigners said it represented a leap for- reported that zapping a paralyzed man’s spinal cord with electricity allowed him to ward in the fight against degenerative diseases. OSAKA: Haruko Obokata (L), 30, a female researcher of Japan’s Riken Institute bows as she stand and move his legs. Now they’ve done the same with three more patients, sug- If the science was important, Obokata’s profile-a apologises at a press conference in Osaka, western Japan yesterday, following claims that her gesting their original success was no fluke. —AP young woman in a world dominated by middle- ground-breaking stem cell study was fabricated. Obokata is preparing to fight claims that her aged men-proved irresistable to Japan’s media. ground-breaking stem cell study was fabricated, her lawyer said on Tuesday, as Japan’s male- Journalists were beguiled by eccentricities dominated scientific establishment circled its wagons. — AFP Electrical device helps that included her insistence on wearing a house- presented the data was not right, but insisted it If it finds against her, she will be “disciplined” wife’s apron in the laboratory, instead of a white had been done for cosmetic reasons and not to by the institute, which said this week it was paralyzed men move legs coat. But within weeks of her paper being pub- alter the outcome. launching a year-long study to establish if there lished in the prestigious journal Nature, ques- “I thought there would be no problem as was any truth in Obokata’s findings. Yesterday long as I could show the results properly,” she the young scientist choked back sobs during a LONDON: Three years ago, doctors tion to therapy sessions in the lab, some- tions began to emerge, with fellow scientists saying they could not replicate her results. said yesterday. two-and-a-half-hour press conference carried on reported that zapping a paralyzed man’s times wearing a Superman T-shirt for “People say I should retract the papers, but at least two television channels, in which she spinal cord with electricity allowed him inspiration. He said it has given him more Data was not right doing so will mean that the outcome of my insisted: “STAP cells do exist. I successfully made confidence and he feels more comfort- to stand and move his legs. Now they’ve The respected Riken Institute, which spon- research is completely wrong. I can’t say that to STAP cells at least 200 times.” done the same with three other patients, able going out. sored the research, launched an inquiry and the world because the outcome is right.” She said she did not believe her study should suggesting their original success was no “The future is very exciting for people declared last week that the study was flawed. Obokata on Tuesday submitted a formal com- be retracted and she hoped to announce new fluke. with spinal cord injuries,” he said. The This “amounts to phoney research or fabrication” plaint to Riken over its declaration that the study research showing “a certain recipe” to create the Experts say it’s a promising develop- study’s other two participants - Kent by Obokata, Shunsuke Ishii, head of Riken’s was bogus, demanding it reverse its decision cells. “If there is any future for an inexperienced ment but warn that the experimental Stephenson of Mount Pleasant, Texas probe committee, told a press conference after it and stand by her work. person like me as a researcher, I want to keep treatment isn’t a cure. When the implant- and Andrew Meas of Louisville, Kentucky was revealed Obokata had cut-and-pasted illus- Kyodo News reported that Riken’s rules working towards the development of STAP cells ed device is activated, the men can wig- - have had similar results. trations used in other studies. require that an investigative panel scrutinise her to a level that could be helpful to someone,” she gle their toes, lift their legs and stand “I’m able to (make) these voluntary Yesterday she accepted that the way she had objection and give its findings within 50 days. said. —AFP briefly. But they aren’t able to walk and movements and it really changed my still use wheelchairs to get around. life,” Stephenson said. He said the electri- “There is no miracle cure on the way,” cal device lets him ride on an off-road said Peter Ellaway, an emeritus professor utility vehicle all day with his friends and S African traditional medicine of physiology at Imperial College get out of the wheelchair. London, who had no role in the study. “I’ve seen some benefits of (the “But this could certainly give paralyzed device) training even when it’s turned comes under the microscope people more independence and it could off,” he added. “There have been huge still be a life-changer for them.” improvements in bowel, bladder and SOWETO: After decades in the Johannesburg’s up-and-coming tion that accompanies divination Stamp of approval In a new study published Tuesday in sexual function.” The new study was paid shadows, South Africa’s traditional Soweto township. Her consulta- involving bones, sea shells, dice Sangomas have played a key “sangoma” healers are mod- tion room is ringed by orderly and coins. role in South Africa for decades, the British journal Brain, researchers gave for by the US National Institutes of ernising and becoming big busi- shelves of transparent jars contain- The scene is far from the com- and are consulted not only on ill- Health, the Christopher and Dana Reeve an update on Rob Summers, of Portland, ness, raising questions about the ing a kaleidoscopic collection of mon perception of dishevelled nesses but also for communication Oregon, the first to try the treatment, Foundation and others. need for strict regulation. coloured powders and roots. and old-fashioned sangomas wav- with the dead. New practitioners and described successful results for all Experts said refining the use of electri- “Granny” Mahlasela Matcheke Each is carefully labelled and ing sticks around and operating must go through long initiations, three of the other men who have tried it. cal stimulators for people with paralysis runs her practice from a squeaky ready to be prescribed to patients from dingy huts in rural backwa- learning the uses of herbs and oth- All had been paralyzed from below the might eventually prove more effective clean white floor-tiled home in who undergo a physical examina- ters. While that image still rings er items before they are consid- neck or chest for at least two years from a than standard approaches, including true in some cases, a new genera- ered ready to start a practice. spinal cord injury. medicines and physical therapy. tion of urban practitioners are pre- But they still lack the sort of for- The study’s lead author, Claudia “In the next five to 10 years, we may senting a much more modern spin mal qualifications and regulation Angeli of the Kentucky Spinal Cord have one of the first therapies that can on the traditional practice. that have increasingly become Research Center at the University of improve the quality of life for people Social science graduate necessary for practitioners of Louisville, said she believes the device’s with a spinal cord injury,” said Gregoire Nokulinda Mkhize, 28, has been Chinese alternative medicine, aro- zapping of the spinal cord helps it to Courtine, a paralysis expert at the Swiss practising for five years and con- matherapy and the like. Data receive simple commands from the Federal Institute of Technology in sults her clients face-to-face or via about how many South Africans brain, through circuitry that some doc- Lausanne, who was not part of the study. Skype. Her @noksangoma Twitter actually visit traditional healers is tors had assumed was beyond repair Ellaway said it was unrealistic to think feed has nearly 7,000 followers hard to come by, but it is clear mil- after severe paralysis. that paralyzed people would be able to and her slickly designed website lions of South Africans regularly walk after such treatment but it was fea- features an online store, a brief consult the tens of thousands of Exciting and emotional sible they might eventually be able to autobiography and some newspa- practitioners operating across the Dustin Shillcox, 29, of Green River, stand unaided or take a few steps. per columns she has written. country. Embracing technology for con- A Durban-based economist, Wyoming, was seriously injured in a car “The next step will be to see how sultation is “a logical, natural step” Myles Mander, led a study four long this improvement persists or if crash in 2010. Last year, he had the elec- making her “more accessible” to years ago that estimated the trade trical device surgically implanted in his they will need this implant for the rest patients needing her services, she in traditional medicine to be worth lower back in Kentucky. Five days later, of their lives,” he said. The National SOWETO: South Africa’s Phepsile Maseko (L), a sangoma (traditional said. It “allows me the freedom and nearly three billion rand ($280 mil- he wiggled his toes and moved one of Institutes of Health is investing in healer) and coordinator of the 70,000-strong Traditional Healers flexibility to express my gifts in lion) each year. “There’s big his feet for the first time. “It was very more advanced stimulators that Organisation, speaks with a woman in a clinic in Soweto, outside ways that are less restricted, and demand for the medicine and it’s exciting and emotional,” said Shillcox. “It would better target the spinal cord as Johannesburg, on March 26, 2014. After decades in the shadows, South more true to who I am, as a young not going away,” said Mander. brought me a lot of hope.” well as devices that might work on Africa’s traditional healers or ‘sangomas’ are now big business, with mil- woman,” she said, adding the deci- “Almost in every town, there are Shillcox now practices moving his legs people who are paralyzed in their lions of people regularly using a network of pharmacies and practition- sion to become a sangoma was a hundreds if not thousands of mar- for about an hour a day at home in addi- upper limbs. —AP ers with enough public recognition to hand out sick notes. — AFP “calling, my destiny.” ket players.”—AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

IIS celebrates Rishtey - a bond of love

t was with a unique message, Rishtey-a The most thrilling moment was yet to come, bond of love, that the tiny-tots of India the Graduation Ceremony of tiny tots. It was IInternational School mesmerized the audi- inaugurated by the school Director, Malayil ence during the auspicious occasion of the Moosakoya, followed by a scintillating per- 10th Graduation Fiesta. The event was graced formance by Master Rohit, the little star singer by the august presence of the eminent digni- of IIS. With a contented heart, parents and taries, Honorable Sheikh Dawood Al Sabah, teachers witnessed the graduation of the little member of the ruling family and a leading masters who were clad in their prestigious advocate, Abdulla Ali Basri, Director, Ministry of graduation costume. It was indeed the proud- Private Education, Kuwait, Madame Bushra, est moment of self realization and accomplish- Inspector, Ministry of Private Education, other ment of an important milestone in their life. guests of honour, special invitees and the The audience was literally taken over by the proud parents. terrific stage performance put up by the stu- The School Principal F.M. Basheer Ahmed dents of LKG and UKG. The audience was briefed the incredible journey of the school moved by their astounding presentation as towards the pinnacle of success in his welcome each item was an embodiment of human rela- address. He also expressed his buoyant faith tions. They wonderfully brought meaning to that in the near future, the in-depth vision and the theme of the day, Rishtey-a bond of love. the dream of our school Chairman, Dr. P.A They touched all aspects of familiar love, start- Ibrahim, will be fulfilled. ing from ‘Wedding’. There were no hearts that The school Director, Malayil Moosa Koya, were not moved and eyes that were not wet honored the esteemed guests by presenting when they danced with the theme ‘Mom and them with bouquets. The glittering ceremony India Senior Secondary School Examination The evening once again witnessed one Bee Competition also was appreciated with the Dad’. Other themes were, ‘Brother and sister’, got off the ground by the little Masters of were appreciated and honored. Salim, Vice more hair rising moment when two promising same spirit and enthusiasm. ‘Friends’, and ‘Teachers’. The unforgettable day Ceremony, Khadeeja, Loui and Nidhin. Prior to Principal, spoke highlighting the commend- young scholars of IIS, Nida Adil of Class III, the It was followed by an Arabic dance per- in the life of each and every little graduate the Graduation Fiesta, the meritorious students able achievement made by these diligent winner, GCC Spell Bee Competition conducted formed by the KG students reflecting on the came to an end with the ‘Bollywood of IIS, Ms Harshitha Cheekala, and Safiya scholars. He also mentioned about the awards by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans, was honored. The Indo-Kuwait relationship. It was truly a tribute Dhamakka’ followed by vote of thanks by the Ayoob, who scored 10 CGPA in All India that are being conferred to the students those audience expressed their delight and excite- to Kuwait for extending a welcome hand to the KG Head Mrs Yogeetha and KG Creative Head Secondary School Examination and Ms who secure 90% and above in the board exam- ment with a standing ovation. Yumna Kulsoom expatriates in general and the Indians in partic- Mrs Nilofer. It was indeed a red letter day in the Munazza Sharafuddin, the school topper in All inations. of class VII, the first runner up of the GCC Spell ular. history of India International School.

Greetings New office bearers of NSS Kuwait for year 2014-2015 air Service Society (NSS) Kuwait Damodaran Nair & Vijayan Pillai. Area conducted area wise 13th Annual Coordinators: Hari Kumar (Abuhalifa NGeneral Body meetings during the /Mehboula), Saji Pillai (Mangaf/ Ahmadi)), month of March 2014, in which annual Radhakrishnan (Fahaheel/ Minaabdulla), report and audited annual accounts for the Prasannan Pillai (Riggai), Binu Raj 2013-14 were passed. Pradhi Nidhi Sabha (Farwaniya), Santhosh V (Abbasiya/ and executive committee members were Hassawi) & Sandeep (Salmiya/S harq). R C elected. These executive committee mem- Suresh & Sunil Menon will continue as bers were sworn in a meeting held on 4th patron of Nair Service Society (NSS), April at Sangeetha auditorium, Mangaf. Kuwait. The following office bearers are. President K P Manikantan in his presi- President: K P Manikantan; General dential address welcomed newly elected Secretary: Santosh Kumar; Treasurer: executive committee members, general Gunaprasad G Nair. Vice President: Sajith C secretary Santosh Kumar, Treasurer appy birthday to our dear son Nair; Joint Secretaries: Venugopal Nair & Gunaprasad G Nair, ex president M R Bharath Raj. Best wishes from father Anoop Soman; Joint Treasurer: Manoj Raveendran Nair, ex Gen Secretary Prasad HIndra Raju, mother Kala Chejarla, Kumar M K; General Program Convener: Padmanabhan & ex Treasuer Dilip Nair Thanu, Kaviya, Sai, Divya, Sanju, Deepu, Sasikumar Kartha; Welfare/Charity Magazine Coordinators: Damodaran Nair; Campaigner: Hari V Pillai. Advisory Board gave felicitation speech and Madhu, Dhanush Prabu, and Divya Barathi. Coordinator: Vijayakumar; System Membership Campaigner Prathap members: Raveendran Nair M K, Muraleedharan Puthoor conveyed vote of Coordinator: Deepesh Kumar; Service Chandran and Jnt. Membership Muraleekrishnan, Raveendran Nair, thanks.

Announcements

KSNA Ad-Hoc committee Urdu workshop KEF fraternity i.e, for the junior, senior and family trio. On 12th d-Hoc committee of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s yderabad Muslim Welfare Association (HMWA) in associa- April, the written test for the students will start at 1:30 pm and (KSNA) Kuwait Chapter will be reconstituted at a meeting at tion with Federation of Indian Muslim Associations (FIMA) the qualifying eight teams will compete for the final quiz in the A4 pm on Thursday, April 10 at Indian Community School Hpresents Lean Tajweed - the easy way - workshop in Urdu junior and senior category which will start at 4.30 pm. Kindly (Senior), Salmiya which will be presided over by KSNA Chairman on Friday and Saturday, April 18, 19, 2014 at 3:30 pm at Jamiat Al- note that there is no spot registration at the venue. The winners Soorya Krishnamoorthy. Malayali associations in Kuwait are Islah auditorium - Roudha, Kuwait. The program will be presented will be receiving attractive prizes. All quiz enthusiasts are wel- requested to depute one or two representatives of their associa- by eminent scholars Dr Abdulazeez Abdulraheem and Qari Imran come to the Kuwait Medical Association hall to witness the tions to participate in the meeting. Khan. Dr Abdulazeez is the founder of Understand Quran enthralling event. Academy. He also performs on Peace TV, Guides Us TV and IOC Arts Festival Paigham TV etc. Qari Imran Khan is a world renounced orator and Annual family get-together ndian Overseas Congress (IOC) will conduct Arts Festival 2014 Peace TV fame. Study material will be provided at the event venue. uwait City MarThoma Parish Salmiya Zonal Prayer groups on April 10, 11, 2014 at the United Indian School, Abbassiya. Separate arrangements are made for ladies. All are welcome to the is conducting its 7th annual family get-together at Indian IPreparations are on to host this mega event among the Indian program. KCommunity School, Salmiya on Friday 11th April from 5.45 expatriates in Kuwait. Entry forms are also available on request pm onwards. Variety of entertainment programs will include through email. Entry forms can be sent to fax no. 24331461. Filled NITCAA inter-alumni quiz solos, dance, skit, group songs, and instrumental music. The entry forms can be emailed to: [email protected]. All Indian ational Institute of Technology Calicut Alumni Association highlight of the event will be the one-hour drama, “Ohari” and children are invited to participate in the various competitions to be (NITCAA) Kuwait chapter is organizing the eighth edition traditional Indian dance by a well known group from India/ held on April 10, 11, 2014 at the United Indian School, Abbassiya. Nof TRISHNA, the Inter-Alumni Quiz for the members of Kuwait. The play is based on a real-life tragic story of a family Kuwait Engineers Forum and their families which will be con- that faces the brunt of trading shares in the market and how Super hit play ducted on 11th April 2014 and for the students of schools in they struggle to make both ends meet. The play visualizes the ankaar Arts super play will be staged after 5 years by public Kuwait for the first time on 12th April 2014 at the Kuwait amazing transformation of the family as it crosses the bridge of demand ‘Biwi Jawaan Miya Pareshan’ on April 19, Saturday Medical Association Hall, Jabriya. The quiz on 11th April will adversities with the guiding Hand of God! All are welcome to Ffrom 6 -9 pm at the Indian Embassy. start at 2 pm and will be organized in three categories for the this event with their families. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

l Najat Secondary School for Boys (Hawally) held an honoring ceremony for top graders of the school. Talal Islam Al Sharaa of ninth grade was also honored and his parents were proud of his achieve- Aments. Other parents and well wishers of top rankers were also present during this honoring ceremony to cheer the students.

Soorya India Festival today oorya Kuwait Chapter will stage Aiswarya Warrier has been noted as one of ‘Soorya India Festival 2014’ in associ- India’s top exponents of Bharatanatyam. Sation with UAE Exchange today Her solo dance presentation titled evening (April 10) at the Indian ‘Shakuntala’ sends twin messages of our Community School Auditorium Senior, life being integrally part of the rich natural Salmiya at 7pm. Indian Ambassador Sunil environment and the potential power of a Jain will inaugurate the festival. woman as an individual. This time, Soorya is bringing a mix of Duet performers of Odissi dance Arupa BDEWC elects new committee three oldest dance forms of India -a Gayatri Panda and Pravat Kumar Swain Bharatanatyam recital by Dakshina have individuated themselves by passion he new management of committee of Vaidyanathan, one of the promising for perfection, vibrant nritta and sophisti- Barisal Divisional Expatriate Welfare Advisory to Indian nationals in Kuwait Bharatanatyam dancers today, a cated senses of Abhinayam. TCouncil in Kuwait elected new president of Mohiniyattam recital by Aiswarya Warrier, a The Guinness World Record holder for (BDEWC) Mohd Jahangir Alom Basher, vice presi- he Embassy of India has been and their passport details; leading Mohinayattam exponent and an longest hand drum marathon dent Mohd Anis Mollah, general secretary Mohd receiving often reports from the (c) Contact telephone number and Odissi performance by Arupa Gayatri Kuzahalmannam Ramakrishnan uses his Anwar Hossein Mirdah, organization secretary Tmembers of Indian community the proof of residence of the person(s) Panda and Pravat Kumar Swain, leading skills in percussion as a catalyst for social Mohd Monir Khalifa, along with 151 members of residing in Kuwait regarding thefts, rob- affected; duet odissi performers of the country. In change exalting peace and anti-violence. beries assaults and damages to their (d) Copy of FIR along with address of addition, a solo fusion by Mridangam His name is synonymous with Mridangam executive committee of Barisal divisional expa- triate welfare council, Kuwait and Wazirpur expa- property etc. All such incidents should the Police station. maestro in the world of music. be immediately reported to the local 2. Please contact, Ambassador’s office triate welfare committee, Kuwait congrats and Kuzhalmannam Ramakrishnan will also The art lovers in Kuwait will experience police station. In order to extend help at Telephone No. 22561276, Fax No. be presented. a unique combination of dance and music welcomes Mohd Jahangir Hossain, gen secretary the members of our community, please 22546958 (E-mail: Dakhsina Vaidyanathan, a young prom- that will amaze and enthrall people of all Mohd Aslam. assistant secretary Mohd Motiur contact us with the following informa- [email protected] OR ising Bharatanatyam dancer and an inno- age groups. Rahman, organization secretary Mohd Abdur tion so that the matter could also be [email protected]) or Balram vative choreographer, has enriched with Soorya India, led by versatile master- Rahim, Mohd Abu Taleb Mohd Anwar Khan, taken up by the Embassy with Kuwaiti Kumar Upadhyay, Counsellor (Consular the stamp of her own personality since her mind Soorya Krishnamurthy, is present in Mohd Azizul Hoque, Mohd Anwar Sardar, Mohd authorities:- and Chief Welfare Officer) on Telephone childhood. She has performed her dance in 20 countries. It has been propagating the Kamal Mollik, Mohd Jakir Hossain, Mohd Mahadi (a) Brief details of the incident; No. 22533125, Fax No.22573910 (E-mail: many stages both inside and outside the art of India abroad over the last 16 years Farque, Mohd Younus Mollah, Mohd Faruq (b) Civil ID of the affected member(s) [email protected]). country. with active support of its chief patron Dr Bapari and others. Trained under accomplished Gurus’, BR Shetty.

KKCA holds family picnic uwait Knanaya Cultural Association (KKCA) organized a family picnic at Riggai Park in which nearly a thousand people participated. Fr John Padipurackal inaugurated the picnic by releasing balloons with KKCA inscription on them. Gulfmart Kuwait Country head Remesh T A inaugurated the ‘KKCA Charity Mission 2014’. KKCA president Tomy Praladayil presided over the event. KKCA general secretary KShinsen Olikkunnel welcomed and Treasurer Reni Abraham proposed a vote of thanks. Several entertainment programs were held for both adults and children. TV PROGRAMS THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

18:40 You Have Been Warned 14:15 Dangerous Attraction-PG15 18:30 Trans World Sport 19:30 Surviving The Cut 16:00 Magic Journey To Africa- 19:30 Total Rugby 20:20 How Do They Do It? Turbo PG15 20:00 Super Rugby Specials 17:45 Rock Of Ages-PG15 22:00 Live The Masters 00:45 Whale Wars: Viking Shores 21:10 Storage Hunters 00:00 BBC World 20:00 Warm Bodies-18 01:35 Untamed & Uncut 21:35 Game Of Pawns 01:00 BBC World 22:00 Stoker-18 02:25 Animal Kingdom 02:00 BBC World 22:00 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 02:50 Animal Kingdom 03:00 BBC World 22:50 The Big Brain Theory 00:30 Total Rugby 04:00 BBC World 23:40 Mythbusters 03:15 Call Of The Wildman 01:00 Super League 05:00 BBC World 03:40 Call Of The Wildman 03:00 WWE NXT 06:00 BBC World 04:05 Extreme Animals 04:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 07:00 BBC World 02:30 Premier League Darts 04:55 Animal Cops Philadelphia 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 BBC World 06:00 Trans World Sport 05:45 ER Vets 08:00 The Masters 09:00 BBC World 07:00 Super League 06:10 ER Vets 12:40 Live NRL Premiership 10:00 BBC World 00:20 The Gadget Show 09:00 Trans World Sport 06:35 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 15:00 Super Rugby 11:00 BBC World 00:45 How Do They Do It? 10:00 ICC Cricket 360 17:00 Trans World Sport 07:00 Escape To Chimp Eden 12:00 BBC World 01:10 Freaks Of Nature 10:35 Live Super Rugby 18:00 NHL 07:25 Animal Maternity Ward 13:00 BBC World 01:35 Freaks Of Nature 12:40 Live Super Rugby 20:00 WWE SmackDown 08:15 Living With Wolves 14:00 BBC World 14:30 Total Rugby 02:00 Human Body: Ultimate 22:00 WWE Bottom Line 09:10 Meet The Sloths 15:00 BBC World 15:00 Premier League Darts Machine 23:00 Live Top 14 09:35 Meet The Sloths 16:00 BBC World 02:45 Mythbusters 10:05 Animal Kingdom 17:00 BBC World 03:35 Sci-Trek 10:35 Animal Kingdom 18:00 BBC World 04:30 Through The Wormhole With 11:00 Animal Precinct 19:00 BBC World Morgan Freeman 20:00 BBC World 11:55 Escape To Chimp Eden 05:20 Scrapheap Challenge 21:00 BBC World 12:20 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 06:10 Strangest Weather On Earth Move over Bollywood: 22:00 BBC World 12:50 Animal Clinic 06:35 Strangest Weather On Earth 23:00 BBC World 13:45 Biggest And Baddest 07:00 Moon Machines 14:40 Animal Kingdom 07:55 The Long March Into Space US festival spotlights 15:05 Animal Kingdom 08:45 Sci-Trek 15:30 My Cat From Hell 09:40 Strangest Weather On Earth 16:30 Living With Wolves 10:05 Strangest Weather On Earth independent Indian films 17:25 Too Cute! 00:30 Crime Stories 10:30 Mighty Ships 18:20 Bad Dog 01:30 My Ghost Story 11:20 Through The Wormhole With 19:15 Tanked 02:30 Crime Stories Morgan Freeman ollywood films often capture the color and 20:10 Treehouse Masters 03:30 The First 48 12:10 Scrapheap Challenge beauty of Indian culture through high-pro- 21:05 Animal Kingdom 04:30 Private Crimes 13:00 How Do They Do It? file stars and big-budget blockbusters, but 05:00 Beyond Scared Straight B 21:35 Animal Kingdom 13:30 Sci-Trek a group of filmmakers is attempting to show a dif- 06:00 The First 48 22:00 Tanked 14:20 Mythbusters 07:00 The FBI Files ferent side of India’s people through smaller, inde- 22:55 Treehouse Masters 15:10 Scrapheap Challenge pendent fare. The Indian Film Festival of Los 08:00 Crime Stories 16:00 Mighty Ships 23:50 Animal Cops Philadelphia 09:00 The First 48 16:50 Strangest Weather On Earth Angeles, commencing on Tuesday, is bringing the 10:00 Crime Stories 17:15 Strangest Weather On Earth movies made outside of the Bollywood studio 11:00 Beyond Scared Straight system to Hollywood. The six-day event will show- 12:00 Charles Sobraj: The Serpent 17:40 Human Body: Ultimate 13:00 Model Killers Machine case 33 feature films, documentaries and short 14:00 Crime Stories 18:30 Freaks Of Nature films from filmmakers across nine countries, all 00:20 Doctors 15:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder 18:55 Freaks Of Nature exploring Indian stories. 00:50 The Weakest Link Casebook 19:20 The Gadget Show Kicking off the festival is “Sold,” a gritty drama 01:35 The Inspector Lynley 16:00 Curious & Unusual Deaths 19:45 How Do They Do It? by director Jeffrey D. Brown, about a 13-year-old 16:30 Private Crimes 20:10 Mythbusters Mysteries girl sold into prostitution in India. Brown said he 02:20 The Secret Diaries Of Miss 17:00 Homicide Hunter 21:00 Powering The Future Anne Lister 18:00 The First 48 21:50 Brave New World wanted the film to be a call to action globally for 03:50 The Cafe 19:00 The Devil You Know 22:40 Squeamish people to take a stand against child prostitution 04:15 The Weakest Link 20:00 Beyond Scared Straight 23:05 Squeamish THE BIG YEAR ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD and slavery, which as of 2013, involved 115 mil- 05:00 Tweenies 21:00 Private Crimes 23:30 Through The Wormhole With lion around the world, according to the United 21:30 Charles Sobraj: The Serpent 05:20 Teletubbies Morgan Freeman 16:35 America The Wild 02:00 Backdraft-PG15 Nations. “The film is an intense situation especially 22:30 Britain’s Darkest Taboos 17:30 Restless Planet 04:15 Shadow Conspiracy-PG15 05:45 Bobinogs when you realize it’s a light version of the reality 05:55 Show Me Show Me 23:30 When Life Means Life 18:25 Wild Hawaii 06:00 The Bourne Legacy-PG15 06:15 Tweenies 19:20 Animal Fight Club 08:15 Men In Black 3-PG of one girl’s story that represents literally millions,” 06:35 Teletubbies 20:10 Jobs That Bite! 10:15 Grosse Pointe Blank-PG15 Brown said. 21:00 How Human Are You? 12:00 Metal Tornado-PG15 07:00 Bobinogs 00:00 Chelsea Lately “Sold,” starring young actress Niyar Saikia, who 21:50 Ultimate Animal Countdown 14:00 Men In Black 3-PG 07:10 Poetry Pie 00:30 Scorned: Crimes Of Passion 00:30 The Spin Crowd turned 13 while filming, explores the harsh, terri- 22:40 America The Wild 16:00 Excess Baggage-PG15 07:15 Little Human Planet 01:20 Deadly Affairs 00:55 The Spin Crowd ble reality of child prostitution in India, but with a 02:10 True CSI 23:30 Restless Planet 18:00 Metal Tornado-PG15 07:20 The Weakest Link 00:30 Dual Survival 01:25 Style Star pinch of song-and-dance to “get the audience 08:05 My Hero 01:20 Bear Grylls: Escape From Hell 03:00 Couples Who Kill 19:45 Starship Troopers-18 01:50 Style Star 22:00 The Big I Am-18 08:35 The Cafe 02:10 Yukon Men 03:45 Nightmare Next Door through” the dark themes, Brown said. “The reality 02:20 E!ES of India is so intense that you need to escape. 09:00 Eastenders 03:00 You Have Been Warned 04:30 Dr G: Medical Examiner 03:15 Extreme Close-Up 03:50 Border Security - Series 6 05:20 Disappeared 09:30 Doctors 03:40 Extreme Close-Up Even the reality of my film, it’s one of the most Specials 06:10 On The Case With Paula Zahn 10:00 Elephant Diaries Update 04:10 THS intense realities on the planet, and so there are 10:50 The Weakest Link 04:15 Storage Hunters 07:00 Murder Shift 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 05:05 E! Entertainment Special 00:00 Tough Guys-PG15 moments of tenderness, there are moments when 11:35 The Cafe 04:40 Game Of Pawns 07:50 Extreme Forensics Stewart 06:00 THS 02:00 Ted-18 everyone breaks into dance,” he said. 12:00 My Hero 05:05 How Do They Do It? Turbo 08:40 I Was Murdered 01:00 The Colbert Report 07:50 Style Star 04:00 Think Like A Man-PG15 12:30 The Inspector Lynley Specials 09:05 Stalked: Someone’s Watching 01:30 Family Guy Such a playbook is also shared with the esti- 08:20 E! News 02:00 Brickleberry 06:15 Spy Hard-PG15 Mysteries 06:00 Surviving The Cut 09:30 Dr G: Medical Examiner mated $7.8 billion Bollywood film industry, which 09:15 Scouted 02:30 Eastbound & Down 08:00 Dark Shadows-PG15 13:15 Eastenders 07:00 You Have Been Warned 10:20 On The Case With Paula Zahn often squeezes action, drama, comedy, romance, 10:15 THS 03:00 Last Man Standing 10:00 Frankenweenie-PG 13:45 Doctors 07:50 North America 11:10 Disappeared 12:05 E! News 03:30 New Girl 11:45 Think Like A Man-PG15 music and dance into three hours. Brown, who 14:15 The Weakest Link 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 12:00 Murder Shift 09:30 Border Security - Series 6 13:05 Fashion Police 04:00 All Of Us 14:00 The Big Year-PG won an Oscar in 1986 for best short live-action 15:00 Elephant Diaries Update 12:50 I Was Murdered Specials 14:05 Married To Jonas 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 16:00 Frankenweenie-PG film, said India is experiencing a “golden age” as 15:55 My Hero 13:15 Stalked: Someone’s Watching 09:55 Storage Hunters 14:30 Married To Jonas Jimmy Fallon 18:00 The Animal-PG15 16:25 The Weakest Link 13:40 Extreme Forensics filmmakers from the subcontinent breakout into 10:20 Game Of Pawns 15:00 Keeping Up With The 05:30 My Boys 20:00 Here Comes The Boom-PG15 17:10 Walk On The Wild Side 14:30 Disappeared the wider film industry. “It’s a new wave of Indian 10:45 How Do They Do It? Turbo Kardashians 06:00 The War At Home 22:00 Peep World-18 17:40 Doctors 15:20 Dr G: Medical Examiner cinema,” he said. “This is really mainstream, global Specials 16:00 Keeping Up With The 06:30 My Name Is Earl 18:10 Casualty 16:10 On The Case With Paula Zahn cinema. It’s not art house exclusively.” The new 11:35 Dual Survival Kardashians 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 19:00 Saxondale 17:00 Murder Shift 12:25 Bear Grylls: Escape From Hell 17:00 The Drama Queen 08:00 All Of Us wave of Indian cinema could be pinpointed to the 19:30 Friday Night Dinner 17:50 Extreme Forensics 08:30 My Boys 13:15 Yukon Men 18:00 E! News success of British director Danny Boyle’s 2008 film 20:00 Incredible Journeys With 18:40 I Was Murdered 09:00 Last Man Standing 14:05 Border Security - Series 6 19:00 E!ES 01:30 Matching Jack-PG15 “Slumdog Millionaire,” Brown said. The film won Steve Leonard Specials 19:05 Stalked: Someone’s Watching 09:30 The Mindy Project 20:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 03:15 The Impossible-PG15 eight Oscars including best picture, and made 20:50 Getting On 14:30 Storage Hunters 19:30 Dr G: Medical Examiner 10:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 20:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On 05:15 The Chateau Meroux-PG15 21:20 Bedlam 14:55 Game Of Pawns 20:20 Disappeared 10:30 My Name Is Earl $377 million at the worldwide box office. 21:00 Giuliana & Bill 07:00 Muhammad Ali’s Greatest 22:05 The Town 15:20 Finding Bigfoot 21:10 On The Case With Paula Zahn 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring Fight-PG15 22:55 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 22:00 American Greed 22:00 Hello Ross Jimmy Fallon ‘Sundance of Indian cinema’ 22:30 E! News 09:00 Matching Jack-PG15 23:40 Walk On The Wild Side 17:00 Ultimate Survival 22:50 Desperate Measures 12:00 The War At Home 11:00 Flower Girl-PG15 23:30 Chelsea Lately The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles aims to 17:50 Wheeler Dealers 23:40 Deadly Women 12:30 All Of Us 13:00 Snow Flower And The Secret 13:00 My Boys be “the Sundance of Indian cinema” according to Fan-PG15 festival director Jasmine Jaisinghani, with films 13:30 My Name Is Earl 15:00 Salmon Fishing In The 14:00 New Girl Yemen-PG15 that contrast Bollywood’s often glamorized 14:30 The Mindy Project 17:00 Resistance-PG15 escapism with vivid realism. Those include “Liar’s 15:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 19:00 50/50-PG15 Dice,” about a rural village woman who sets off to 00:00 Inside 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 21:00 The Bling Ring-18 Stewart find her missing husband. The film premiered at 01:00 Dangerous Encounters 23:00 The Paperboy-18 the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January, the 02:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 16:00 The Colbert Report 03:00 Tornado Intercept 16:30 The War At Home largest gathering for the independent film com- 04:00 Blowdown 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers munity in the United States. 05:00 Close Quarter Battle 18:00 Last Man Standing “Siddharth” explores a similar fate, where a 05:30 Close Quarter Battle 18:30 New Girl 19:00 Enlisted father and mother go in search of their 12-year- 06:00 Pirate Patrol 01:00 Suicide Shop-PG15 old son who disappears after leaving home to 07:00 Nat Geo Amazing! 19:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 03:00 Closer-18 08:00 Inside 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 05:00 Sparkle-PG15 find work in Delhi. “Bombay Talkies” is an antholo- 09:00 Dangerous Encounters Jimmy Fallon 07:00 A View From Here-PG15 gy of short films from four celebrated Indian 10:00 Brave New World 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 09:00 Jakob The Liar-PG15 directors, exploring love stories of ordinary peo- 11:00 Pirate Patrol Stewart 11:00 Reign Over Me-PG15 21:30 The Colbert Report ple. “The Auction House: A Tale of Two Brothers” is 12:00 Blowdown 13:15 Broken Bridges-PG15 a documentary of two Kolkata brothers who own 13:00 Close Quarter Battle 22:00 It’s Always Sunny In 15:15 The Entitled-PG15 13:30 Close Quarter Battle Philadelphia 17:00 Reign Over Me-PG15 one of the oldest auction houses in the city. 14:00 Pirate Patrol 22:30 The League 19:15 Margot At The Wedding- “A lot of our filmmakers are interested in telling 15:00 Nat Geo Amazing! 23:00 Hello Ladies PG15 stories of people that are not represented,” 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 16:00 Inside 21:00 Love Is All You Need-18 Jaisinghani said. “The films we curate are dealing 17:00 Dangerous Encounters 23:00 The Whistleblower-18 with touching on various aspects and concerns of 18:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 19:00 Mega Factories the filmmaker’s own society.” 20:00 Situation Critical 00:00 Psych Juxtaposing the grittiness of “Sold” is the festi- 21:00 Doomsday Preppers 01:00 Necessary Roughness val’s closing night film “Jadoo” by British director 22:00 Doomsday Preppers 02:00 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. 01:15 Paranormal Activity 4-18 Amit Gupta, a light-hearted comedy about a 23:00 A Traveler’s Guide To The 03:00 True Blood 03:00 Mirror Mirror-PG15 British-Indian family, and two food-loving broth- Planets 12:00 Emmerdale 05:00 Gambit-PG15 16:00 Emmerdale 07:00 Cheerful Weather For The ers torn apart over the sale of a recipe. Set in 19:00 Glee Wedding-PG15 Leicester, a city in the East Midlands of England, 21:00 The Client List 09:00 Rise Of The Guardians-PG Gupta mined his own experiences of growing up 22:00 Survivor: Cagayan 10:45 The Expendables 2-PG15 in a family-run restaurant to tell “a simple story” 23:00 True Blood 12:30 Les Miserables-PG15 about family and cuisine. 15:15 Carnage-PG15 17:00 Rise Of The Guardians-PG “I wanted to make something where the con- 00:20 Prehistoric Predators 18:45 The Host-PG15 versation about the film was about the characters 01:10 Hooked 21:00 After Earth-PG15 and the story and nothing else. I didn’t want it to 02:00 Animal Fight Club 22:45 21 & Over-18 02:50 Jobs That Bite! be an issue film, because I feel it’s more subver- 03:45 How Human Are You? 01:00 Good Morning America sive to do that,” Gupta said. “Jadoo,” starring Amara 04:40 Animal Fight Club 04:00 Rescue Me Karan as the daughter trying to repair the rift 05:35 Animal Fight Club 05:00 Good Morning America between her father and her uncle, works as both a 14:00 Live Good Morning America 06:30 Jobs That Bite! glimpse into the British-Indian community of 07:25 How Human Are You? 19:00 24 08:20 Ultimate Animal Countdown 20:00 Red Widow 00:45 The Runway-PG15 Leicester, and the bigger theme of family feuds 09:15 America The Wild 21:00 The Glades 02:30 Jack Reacher-PG15 and culinary traditions, which the director 10:10 Restless Planet 22:00 Rescue Me 04:45 4 Wedding Planners-PG15 believes will resonate with a larger audience. “A 11:05 Wild Hawaii 23:00 Hemlock Grove 06:15 Hit List-PG15 story of two brothers falling out and being stub- 08:00 Magic Journey To Africa- 12:00 Shark Island born, and food being essential to family life, is 12:55 Animal Fight Club PG15 13:50 Jobs That Bite! 10:00 Lego Batman: The Movie - DC something that I think has connected it with 14:45 How Human Are You? Super Heroes Unite-PG international audiences,” Gupta said. — Reuters 12:00 Jack Reacher-PG15 THE BOURNE LEGACY ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 15:40 Ultimate Animal Countdown 00:15 Concrete Blondes-PG15 Classifieds

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (03/04/2014 TO 09/04/2014)

SHARQIA-1 SABOTAGE (DIG) 2:30 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 7:15 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 1:30 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 4:30 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 10:00 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 4:00 PM THE RAILWAY MAN (DIG) 6:30 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 12:45 AM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 6:00 PM THE RAILWAY MAN (DIG) 8:45 PM TOKAREV (DIG) 8:30 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 11:00 PM 360º- 1 SABOTAGE (DIG) 10:30 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 1:00 AM TOKAREV (DIG) 1:30 PM TOKAREV (DIG) 12:30 AM TOKAREV (DIG) 3:45 PM FANAR-4 TOKAREV (DIG) 5:45 PM SHARQIA-2 CAPTAIN AMERICA: TOKAREV (DIG) 8:15 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 1:45 PM TOKAREV (DIG) 10:30 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 1:45 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: TOKAREV (DIG) 12:45 AM Urgently Required CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 4:30 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 4:30 PM For the CAPTAIN AMERICA: CAPTAIN AMERICA: 360º- 2 Indian family restaurant THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 7:15 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 7:15 PM AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 2:00 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: CAPTAIN AMERICA: AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 4:15 PM 1. Restaurant Manager THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 10:00 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 10:00 PM AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 6:30 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: CAPTAIN AMERICA: AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 8:45 PM (female) THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 12:45 AM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 12:45 AM AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 11:00 PM 2. Restaurant waitress AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 1:15 AM SHARQIA-3 Seats-225 FANAR-5 Good knowledge and BLOOD TIES (DIG) 1:15 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 12:45 PM 360º- 3 experience in Kuwait ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 3:30 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 3:00 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 2:30 PM AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 5:45 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 5:15 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 4:45 PM AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 7:45 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 7:30 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 7:00 PM 97691781 ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 9:45 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 9:45 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 9:15 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 12:15 AM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 12:05 AM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 11:30 PM Henceforth, I shall be MUHALAB-1 MARINA-1 AL-KOUT.1 TOKAREV (DIG) 1:45 PM CHANGE OF NAME known as Vishal Tulsidas MATRIMONIAL NON-STOP (DIG) 12:45 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: Pereira for all purpose, hold- NON-STOP (DIG) 3:45 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 3:15 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 1:45 PM TOKAREV (DIG) 6:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 5:30 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: I, Yeenapati Subramanyam ing Indian Passport No. Well employed Post BLOOD TIES (DIG) 8:00 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 7:45 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 4:30 PM (old name) Passport No. K0626972 H.No. 376/5, Graduates/Engineers for TOKAREV (DIG) 10:15 PM Xetmalem, Carmona TOKAREV (DIG) 12:15 AM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 10:00 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: G6678230, S/O E. Guravaiah Malayalee Christian ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 12:15 AM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 7:15 PM R/O D.No. 13/316, Gandhi Salcete, Goa-403717. Orthodox girl MUHALAB-2 CAPTAIN AMERICA: Nagar, Chennur (Mandal), (C 4688) Microbiologist (M.Sc AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 12:30 PM MARINA-2 THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 10:00 PM 6-4-2014 Microbiology) 27/170, Adan CAPTAIN AMERICA: CAPTAIN AMERICA: YSR Kadpa district, changed ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 2:30 PM my name as Enapati hospital (M4 Marry: LEGEND (DIG) (Telugu) 4:45 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 1:00 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 12:45 AM THU+FRI+SAT CAPTAIN AMERICA: Subramanyam (new name) 2187923). Send details with NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 5:00 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 3:45 PM AL-KOUT.2 10-4-2013 SITUATION WANTED photo to NO THU+FRI+SAT CAPTAIN AMERICA: TOKAREV (DIG) 12:30 PM [email protected] ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 7:45 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 6:30 PM TOKAREV (DIG) 2:30 PM I, Mohammed Abbasali Lady Indian (C 4686) AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 10:00 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 4:30 PM Saifuddin, holder of Indian 6-4-2014 NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 12:05 AM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 9:15 PM Physiotherapist, having TOKAREV (DIG) 6:30 PM Passport No. J3969815 CAPTAIN AMERICA: AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 8:30 PM transferable visa with BPT MUHALAB-3 hereby change my name to and MSc (UK) need job in THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 12:05 AM AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 10:30 PM ACCOMMODATION CAPTAIN AMERICA: TOKAREV (DIG) 12:30 AM Mohammed Saifuddin homecare, or clinic or com- THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 1:30 PM MARINA-3 NO SUN+TUE+WED Merchant. C-204, Ashwini pany. Please call 96932675. CAPTAIN AMERICA: Abraq Khaitan full room NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 1:30 PM Palace, near Kedari petrol 10-4-2013 THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 4:15 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 4:00 PM and bed space available for CAPTAIN AMERICA: AL-KOUT.3 pump, Wanowarie, Pune, decent Goan/Indian bache- NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 6:00 PM SABOTAGE (DIG) 1:00 PM India, Pin code: 411040. THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 7:00 PM TOKAREV (DIG) 8:30 PM Senior accountant with five lor from May 1st with CAPTAIN AMERICA: NON-STOP (DIG) 3:00 PM (C 4691) years of work experience in TOKAREV (DIG) 10:30 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 5:15 PM kitchen and Internet facility. THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 9:45 PM 9-4-2014 Kuwait seeking suitable CAPTAIN AMERICA: SABOTAGE (DIG) 12:30 AM SABOTAGE (DIG) 7:45 PM Beside main road and bus THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 12:30 AM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 9:45 PM position in reputed compa- stop. Contact: AVENUES-1 SABOTAGE (DIG) 12:15 AM I have changed my name ny. Contact: 97528519. DIVERGENT (DIG) 1:15 PM 97523316/24745162. FANAR-1 NO SUN+TUE+WED from Vishal Tulshidas Ghadi (C 4690) (C 4689) AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 2:00 PM DIVERGENT (DIG) 4:00 PM to Vishal Tulsidas Pereira. 7-4-2014 LEGEND (DIG) (Telugu) 7:00 PM 7-4-2014 NON-STOP (DIG) 4:00 PM AL-KOUT.4 DIVERGENT (DIG) 10:00 PM AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 6:15 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 12:30 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 8:15 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 2:45 PM AL MAHARJAN (DIG) (Arabic) 10:15 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 12:45 AM Prayer timings NON-STOP (DIG) 12:15 AM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 5:00 PM 112 AVENUES-2 ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 7:15 PM Fajr: 04:07 FANAR-2 ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 1:00 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 9:30 PM TOKAREV (DIG) 1:30 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 3:30 PM BLOOD TIES (DIG) 11:45 PM Shorook 05:28 THE PUBLIC NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 3:30 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 5:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED AUTHORITY FOR TOKAREV (DIG) 6:00 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 8:30 PM Duhr: 11:49 NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 8:00 PM ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE (DIG) 11:00 PM BAIRAQ-1 CIVIL INFORMATION TOKAREV (DIG) 10:30 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: Asr: 15:23 Automated enquiry TOKAREV (DIG) 12:30 AM AVENUES-3 THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 1:00 PM NEED FOR SPEED (DIG-3D) 1:45 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: Maghrib: 18:11 aboutthe Civil ID card is FANAR-3 NEED FOR SPEED (DIG) 4:30 PM THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG-3D) 4:00 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 12:30 PM Isha: 19:30 1889988

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 10/4/2014 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:35 Departure Flights on Thursday 10/4/2014 KNE 481 Taif 15:50 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 562 Amman 14:50 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 JZR 560 Sohag 06:20 KAC 773 Riyadh 16:05 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:30 KNE 460 Riyadh 15:05 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 KNE 471 Jeddah 16:30 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 KNE 470 Jeddah 15:35 JAI 575 Abu Dhabi/Kochi 06:45 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:35 QTR 1084 Doha 00:55 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:50 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:50 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:30 JZR 535 Cairo 15:50 THY 765 Istanbul 07:05 OMA 646 Muscat 16:55 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 OMA 645 Muscat 15:55 KAC 545 Alexandria 07:15 JZR 180 Dubai 16:55 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:10 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:05 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 JZR 238 Amman 16:55 THY 764 Istanbul 02:15 FDB 8051 Dubai 16:10 QTR 8650 Dhaka 07:15 FDB 8052 Dubai 17:00 JZR 267 Beirut 02:30 JZR 135 Bahrain 16:30 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 KAC 118 New York 16:35 JZR 240 Amman 07:20 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:35 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 02:45 UAE 857 Dubai 16:40 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 JAI 576 Kochi/Abu Dhabi 02:50 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 UAE 858 Dubai 17:50 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 BAW 156 London 08:45 JZR 538 Cairo 17:50 MSC 401 Alexandria 03:45 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 IRA 616 Ahwaz 08:50 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 UAL 982 IAD 17:05 FDB 067 Dubai 04:20 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 ABY 128 Sharjah 18:05 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 JZR 534 Cairo 09:00 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 ABY 127 Sharjah 17:25 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 SVA 513 Riyadh 09:15 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:20 QTR 8650 Doha 05:45 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 503 Luxor 05:50 KAC 542 Cairo 18:05 KAC 561 Amman 09:25 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 FDB 069 Dubai 05:50 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 KAC 671 Dubai 09:30 JZR 266 Beirut 19:10 JZR 555 Alexandria 06:10 QTR 1080 Doha 18:40 BAW 157 London 06:40 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 FDB 064 Dubai 19:25 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 QTR 1081 Doha 19:40 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:45 FDB 063 Dubai 18:45 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:40 KAC 502 Beirut 18:50 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 AXB 394 Kozhikode 20:15 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 618 Doha 19:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:05 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 IRA 617 Ahwaz 07:50 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:15 IRA 606 Mashhad 10:20 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:35 FDB 062 Dubai 20:45 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 KAC 382 Delhi 07:55 QTR 1071 Doha 10:55 TAR 328 Tunis 20:50 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:30 FDB 056 Dubai 10:55 OMA 648 Muscat 20:55 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 501 Beirut 11:10 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 08:15 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:35 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:15 KAC 104 London 19:35 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ABY 120 Sharjah 21:00 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 OMA 647 Muscat 19:55 KAC 541 Cairo 11:30 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:05 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 TAR 328 Tunis/Dubai 20:00 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:50 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:10 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 KAC 351 Kochi 21:10 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 FDB 061 Dubai 20:05 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 KAC 343 Chennai 21:30 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:10 IRA 605 Esfahan 09:30 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:25 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:35 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 QTR 1070 Doha 09:55 ABY 129 Sharjah 20:20 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 543 Cairo 21:40 FDB 055 Dubai 10:15 KNE 480 Taif 20:50 FDB 8054 Dubai 13:00 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 FDB 072 Dubai 21:55 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:55 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 SYR 342 Damascus 13:30 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 FDB 071 Dubai 21:15 JZR 134 Bahrain 13:35 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:20 JZR 181 Dubai 21:30 FDB 8053 Dubai 12:15 TBZ 5484 Mashhad 13:50 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 SYR 341 Damascus 12:30 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:35 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 MSR 580 Sohag 13:50 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:35 TBZ 5483 Mashhad 12:35 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 JZR 241 Amman 12:45 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 QTR 1074 Doha 22:00 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 JZR 561 Sohag 12:55 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:05 FDB 058 Dubai 14:30 JZR 552 Alexandria 23:00 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:10 QTR 1079 Doha 14:55 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:05 MSR 579 Sohag 13:05 JZR 239 Amman 22:20 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 QTR 1075 Doha 23:10 FDB 057 Dubai 13:50 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 KAC 617 Doha 15:30 FDB 060 Dubai 23:10 QTR 1078 Doha 13:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:30 JZR 528 Asyut 23:25 KAC 672 Dubai 14:00 PIA 205 Lahore 23:15 KAC 546 Alexandria 14:05 JZR 185 Dubai 23:20 JZR 188 Dubai 15:40 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:55 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 ETH 3718 LGG 23:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

CROSSWORD 513 STAR TRACK

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

Your community is calling you and you may be wondering how you can If you are working on a project and it seems to have lasted for way too long- escape the politics. Never fear, they will keep calling until you pick your field know that it really will end soon. This is a good time to generate, negotiate and conclude or at least . . . Help support a cause. You will be enriched with those issues you dedicate contracts of any type. There is a time where you will be able to enjoy some quiet time. your time to that make a positive difference in so many people’s lives. You have an organ- Involve yourself with some competitive sport or sign up for a bike tour through your city. ized way about you and instead of hands on in some areas, you might think about organ- Many of the bicycle stores have this option and it is a good way to enjoy a change of pace izing others. Proceed by little steps and see what you can do within a certain time limit . . . as well as enjoy a fun competitive stress. There is time this evening to play with children, You may be very pleased with yourself. Real estate becomes an important factor this birth create a new recipe, read great poetry, write or just enjoy your own surroundings. Movies, year and you may find yourself in a new home or enjoying the process of refurbishing books and all forms of escape could prove enjoyable. You also might enjoy a phone visit your family home. Smile . . . There is music! Happy birthday! with a parent or sibling.

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

This may be a lucky day for you, but it could take some unexpected turns. This is a good time for clear deliberation and problem solving. You are in a Your lifelong dream may be closer than you think. All it takes is the decision to move from serious frame of mind and find yourself dealing with matters of much concern and the path you are on at this time. This could mean you change your major in college or you responsibility. Take the opportunity after work to give yourself a break and visit a library, a change your job title or you leave everything to discover a new gold mine in alaska. The bookstore, or a video store. At home this afternoon, try to sit back and let your mind have idea is for you to follow your dream. You have many talents and can be a great teacher to some time off from all that intense thinking you have been doing lately. Of course, shop- others. There may be a lot of tense energy and deep thoughts. You could find yourself ping for new clothes could be just as relaxing. You receive good news from a close friend changing your mind; careful. A love relationship may encourage and inspire you with the and may decide to plan a surprise party for the occasion. Planning and communicating plans you have created. Your mind may be more on money and resources this year than with mutual friends may find the party plans shaping up quite nicely. Don’t be afraid to let actual career progress. Your identity is evolving. yourself relax with that book or video this evening.

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

Cool your urge to be powerful and in control. There are energies helping You find yourself in a very practical mood and you are good at working with you with identifying, analyzing or searching for details or lost information instead of against yourself. You can, if you want, excel as a counselor today. If you want to be in control, this would be a good time to guide or instruct others in because you are a good listener. Dive into some fun intellectual stimulation at noon-it will matters of importance. Their success will gain you recognition. You may enjoy getting help bring your energies into balance. Tear it down and build it up again, reach in and ACROSS DOWN away from routine during your noon break and just enjoy a bookstore, library or coffee pluck out the offending element: that’s what this new cycle you have entered is like. Power 1. Rare (usually fatal) brain disease (usually in 1. Cold-water fish caught in Lake Superior and bar. People watching, listening to recorded music or feeding the birds may help your ener- becomes a compelling idea, perhaps even an aphrodisiac-and you have a stronger than middle age) caused by an unidentified slow northward. gy to balance. Tolerance and a sense of humor will help the afternoon move along nicely. usual supply of it now. Interactions with family members can be amusing tonight. You are An unlucky situation could occur today if you involve yourself too closely with an exces- considered the peacemaker in your family. Sometimes you are the mediator as well. Set an virus. 2. A holy war by Muslims against unbelievers. allocated time for serious discussions and then create some laughter. 4. Sink below the surface. 3. A conversation between two persons. sively friendly co-worker. Tonight is for networking; enjoy. 12. A vacuum tube in which a hot cathode 4. Signs collectively (especially commercial emits a beam of electrons that pass through a signs or posters). high voltage anode and are focused or deflect- 5. A transuranic element. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) ed before hitting a phosphorescent screen. 6. God of wealth and love. Work requires your full attention today. Soon you will want to make choices 15. Being one more than two. 7. Type genus of the Majidae. You do not mind performing menial tasks. Your attitude today is cool, con- that include some advancement or change in the workplace. Now would be 16. Used in or intended for inhaling. 8. Angular distance above the horizon (especial- trolled, distant and inventive. It is difficult to relax and enjoy others, but once you are away a good time to think long-term. You might spend some time in convincing others to your 17. 10 hao equal 1 dong. ly of a celestial object). from work you can be quite outgoing and able to share your laughter. Bargain hunting cause through speeches or clever arguments. Your thinking is most lucid and grasping. Be 18. The largest city of China. 9. A Hindu prince or king in India. with friends after work could be a challenge yet a good change of pace from your work. careful, though, from taking it to the extreme in trying to find a logical reason for every 20. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan 10. A silvery malleable metallic element that You show a great deal of interest in all family matters, particularly with regard to your gen- event that occurs. You are filled with the energy that is best applied in enjoying the com- River. resists corrosion. eral living environment. Further, you may strengthen ties with an older member of the pany of friends this afternoon. There may be an opportunity for a party or other type of 22. A drug (trade names Calan and Isoptin) used 11. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet. family, perhaps a parent. This is a time in which you may see the family circle increase in social gathering this evening. Go for it! Marriage and other close relationships give rise to numbers through a marriage or a new birth. There is luck and fortune where planning and great expectations at this time. as an oral or parenteral calcium blocker in cases 12. Green algae common in freshwater lakes of courtesy are applied. Others follow your lead. of hypertension or congestive heart failure or limestone districts. angina or migraine. 13. Type genus of the Ranidae. 23. Mentally or physically infirm with age. 14. Any of various tailless stout-bodied amphib- Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 25. Toward the mouth or oral region. ians with long hind limbs for leaping. Leo (July 23-August 22) 26. Dragonflies and damselflies. 19. Indian religious leader who founded Your desire to succeed is strong today. This is a great time to be with oth- You may be sought after for your advice and feelings concerning very per- 28. A humorous anecdote or remark. Sikhism (1469-1538). ers and to work together. You may be sought after as just the person for a particular job. sonal and emotional issues. You are able to be understanding and handle whatever sub- 33. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB 21. Any of various shrubs or small trees of the You can coordinate activities so that everyone has a turn to be in control and very few will ject matter comes before you. You may have the feeling that you are trapped in your life, gun. genus Dombeya grown for their rounded clus- suspect you are maintaining the peace. Your management abilities are in high focus. An but this is just a sign of excessive stress. As you make a strong effort to change what you 35. The quantity contained in a keg. ters of exquisite often sweet-scented flowers instinctive imperative to be powerful-pulling the strings-may lead to greater interest or can each day into less stress-you will find most positive outcomes. Has there been an imbalance of responsibilities or timedo not forget that you do not have to solve all the 36. Antineoplastic drug (trade name Alkeran) usually hanging beneath the leaves. experience in healing as well as investing. Be prepared to apply the brakes when it comes to money. At home this afternoon you enjoy playing or working with a hobby. You may problems in one day. Be observant to the possibility that sometimes it is good to consult used to treat multiple myeloma and some other 24. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the with others or allocate the responsibilities. There is an opportunity to help a young person malignancies. pilot is talked down by ground control using become very inventive-the potential is certainly there for creating, improving or complet- ing a favorite project. with schoolwork this evening-a fun project. 38. A river in north central Switzerland that runs precision approach radar. northeast into the Rhine. 27. When dried yields a hard substance used 42. River in eastern Asia. e.g. in golf balls. Virgo (August 23-September 22) 43. A lever that is operated with the foot. 29. A long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur. Pisces (February 19-March 20) 47. A legal document codifying the result of 30. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Your enthusiasm is contagious and before the day is over a difficult task or deliberations of a committee or society or leg- Dali region of Yunnan. This is a good day for solving problems. You have been learning some new work project is completed earlier than planned. Your taste and judgment problem-solving techniques and you will find a way around almost any obstacle. You are islative body. 31. The capital and largest city of Equatorial are fine-tuned now-you have your boss’s attention as well. Avoid interoffice politics, it will in control and able to guide yourself with ease. Your sense of inner direction is good and 48. The sixth month of the civil year. Guinea on the island of Bioko in the Gulf of only bring you trouble. This should be a productive year and the business will show an should lead to many opportunities. There is an emotional seriousness, a sober orientation 49. The blood group whose red cells carry both Guinea. upswing as the year moves forward. A lost item may have your attention at the noon and a practical awareness of time this afternoon. Your ambition grows strong at this time the A and B antigens. 32. (zoology) Relating to frogs and toads. break . . . Don’t give up too quickly; it is closer than you think. You have nice, next-door- and with your increased vocabulary, you express yourself well. You may look to a social set- 50. English aristocrat who was the first wife of 34. An aggressive remark directed at a person neighbor type of friends. They are interested in practical, down-to-earth events to ting to improve your professional standing this evening. You should take note to rely on Prince Charles. like a missile and intended to have a telling enhance family life and neighborly relations. There may be invitations soon to get with your natural abilities. Networking is a good idea. Someone visiting you in your home neighbors on a project. You will enjoy a barbeque cook out. 52. A public promotion of some product or effect. tonight may compliment you on your tastes. service. 37. Measuring instrument in which the echo of 54. A loose sleeveless outer garment made a pulse of microwave radiation is used to detect from aba cloth. and locate distant objects. Word Search Yesterday Solution 57. American professional baseball player who 39. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in that resembles manganese chemically and is 1934). used in some alloys. 59. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair 40. A self-replicating protein molecule that of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held occupies a fixed place on a chromosome. between the thumb and fingers) that are made 41. A state in the eastern United States. to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in 44. Someone whose business is advertising. rhythm with the dance. 45. One species. 61. An Asian country under the control of China. 46. Fan palms of the southern United States and 63. Military supplies. the Caribbean region. 65. A city of central Russia south of Moscow. 51. Of or relating to growth by auxesis. 69. (used as a combining form) Recent or new. 53. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann. 70. A republic in northeastern Europe on the 55. A feeling of strong eagerness (usually in Baltic Sea. favor of a person or cause). 73. Essential oil or perfume obtained from flow- 56. A state in New England. ers. 58. (Greek mythology) One of the three Graces. 74. Large African antelope having a head with 60. A particular environment or walk of life. horns like an ox and a long tufted tail. 62. Jordan's port. 75. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 64. The basic unit of money in Ghana. 76. The United Nations agency concerned with 66. A state in the western United States. atomic energy. 67. (Greek mythology) Goddess of the earth 77. An implement used to propel or steer a and mother of Cronus and the Titans in ancient boat. mythology. 78. A member of the Caddo people who for- 68. An Arabic speaking person who lives in merly lived in the Dakotas west of the Missouri Arabia or North Africa. river. 71. Fiddler crabs. 79. According to the Old Testament he was a 72. A unit of electrical power in an AC circuit pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel equal to the power dissipated when 1 volt pro- (9th century BC). duces a current of 1 ampere. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 information

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

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

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

Nuzha 22526804 Afghanistan 0093 Iran 0098 Albania 00355 Iraq 00964 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Algeria 00213 Ireland 00353 Qadsiya 22515088 Andorra 00376 Italy 0039 Angola 00244 Ivory Coast 00225 Dasmah 22532265 Anguilla 001264 Jamaica 001876 Antiga 001268 Japan 0081 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Argentina 0054 Jordan 00962 Shaab 22518752 Armenia 00374 Kazakhstan 007 Australia 0061 Kenya 00254 Qibla 22459381 Austria 0043 Kiribati 00686 Bahamas 001242 Kuwait 00965 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Bahrain 00973 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Mirqab 22456536 Bangladesh 00880 Laos 00856 Barbados 001246 Latvia 00371 Sharq 22465401 Belarus 00375 Lebanon 00961 Belgium 0032 Liberia 00231 Salmiya 25746401 Belize 00501 Libya 00218 Jabriya 25316254 Benin 00229 Lithuania 00370 Bermuda 001441 Luxembourg 00352 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Bhutan 00975 Macau 00853 Bolivia 00591 Macedonia 00389 Bayan 25388462 Bosnia 00387 Madagascar 00261 Mishref 25381200 Botswana 00267 Majorca 0034 Brazil 0055 Malawi 00265 W Hawally 22630786 Brunei 00673 Malaysia 0060 Bulgaria 00359 Maldives 00960 Sabah 24810221 Burkina 00226 Mali 00223 Jahra 24770319 Burundi 00257 Malta 00356 Cambodia 00855 Marshall Islands 00692 New Jahra 24575755 Cameroon 00237 Martinique 00596 Canada 001 Mauritania 00222 West Jahra 24772608 Cape Verde 00238 Mauritius 00230 South Jahra 24775066 Cayman Islands 001345 Mayotte 00269 Central African 00236 Mexico 0052 North Jahra 24775992 Chad 00235 Micronesia 00691 Chile 0056 Moldova 00373 North Jleeb 24311795 China 0086 Monaco 00377 Ardhiya 24884079 Colombia 0057 Mongolia 00976 Comoros 00269 Montserrat 001664 Firdous 24892674 Congo 00242 Morocco 00212 Cook Islands 00682 Mozambique 00258 Omariya 24719048 Costa Rica 00506 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 N Khaitan 24710044 Croatia 00385 Namibia 00264 Cuba 0053 Nepal 00977 Fintas 23900322 Cyprus 00357 Netherlands (Holland) Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 0031 Czech Republic 00420 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Denmark 0045 New Caledonia 00687 Diego Garcia 00246 New Zealand 0064 PRIVATE CLINICS Djibouti 00253 Nicaragua 00505 Dominica 001767 Nigar 00227 Dominican Republic 001809 Nigeria 00234 Ecuador 00593 Niue 00683 Egypt 0020 Norfolk Island 00672 El Salvador 00503 Northern Ireland (UK) Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Ophthalmologists Endocrinologist England (UK) 0044 0044 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Equatorial Guinea 00240 North Korea 00850 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Eritrea 00291 Norway 0047 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Estonia 00372 Oman 00968 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Ethiopia 00251 Pakistan 0092 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Falkland Islands 00500 Palau 00680 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Faroe Islands 00298 Panama 00507 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Fiji 00679 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Finland 00358 Paraguay 00595 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 (1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 France 0033 Peru 0051 French Guiana 00594 Philippines 0063 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, Rheumatologists: French Polynesia 00689 Poland 0048 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 FRCS (Canada) 25655535 Gabon 00241 Portugal 00351 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dentists Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Gambia 00220 Puerto Rico 001787 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Georgia 00995 Qatar 00974 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Germany 0049 Romania 0040 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ghana 00233 Russian Federation 007 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Gibraltar 00350 Rwanda 00250 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Greece 0030 Saint Helena 00290 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Greenland 00299 Saint Kitts 001869 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Grenada 001473 Saint Lucia 001758 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Guadeloupe 00590 Saint Pierre 00508 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Guam 001671 Saint Vincent 001784 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Guatemala 00502 Samoa US 00684 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Guinea 00224 Samoa West 00685 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Guyana 00592 San Marino 00378 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Haiti 00509 Sao Tone 00239 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Saudi Arabia 00966 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Honduras 00504 Scotland (UK) 0044 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Hong Kong 00852 Senegal 00221 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Hungary 0036 Seychelles 00284 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sierra Leone 00232 Soor Center Iceland 00354 Singapore 0065 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 India 0091 Slovakia 00421 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 Indian Ocean 00873 Slovenia 00386 Indonesia 0062 Solomon Islands 00677 lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

GOSSIP Stone kept overnight in Brazil hospital

ollywood actress and producer Sharon next day, news website G1 and newspaper O Globo Stone spent a night in a Sao Paulo hospi- reported. G1 cited anonymous employee reports. The H tal for treatment by an infectious diseases hospital’s press office declined comment. Stone was in specialist, Brazilian media said Tuesday. Brazil’s sprawling financial and industrial hub for an The “Basic Instinct” star, 56, who reportedly had a event by amfAR, the AIDS charity. near-fatal stroke in 2001, went into the prestigious Sirio Libanes hospital Sunday and was released the

50 Cent’s‘Power’ gets a release date from Starz

tarz will unleash its “Power” on June 7. The net- work said Tuesday that its new drama “Power,” S from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, will premiere June 7 at 9 pm. Starz also released a music video for the song “Big Rich Town,” which will serve as the series’ main title theme. The series, which stars Omari Hardwick (“Sparkle”), tells the story of James “Ghost” St Patrick, who seems to have it all: a beautiful wife, a gorgeous Manhattan penthouse, and the hottest, up- and-coming new nightclub in New York. His club, Truth, caters to the elite: the famous and infamous boldface names that run the city that never sleeps. As its success grows, so do Ghost’s plans to build an empire. However, Truth hides an ugly reality. It’s a front for Ghost’s criminal underworld; a lucrative drug network, serving only the wealthy and powerful. “Big Rich Town” was performed by Jackson, with Eif Rivera - who’s worked with Jackson, as well as Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar and Fat Joe - Daniel Craig directing. “For me the musical component of ‘Power’ is so important; I wanted to let the music speak to the viewers as they are watching the show and being able to create the theme song, ‘Big Rich Town,’ was crucial as it sets the tone quits film of the show,” Jackson said of the track. “The audience will also get the chance to hear additional music off my latest as the Daniel Craig-Renee album, ‘Animal Ambition,’ as the theme of the album trans- Zellweger courtroom drama lates into events portrayed in the show.” H “The Whole Truth” been called off? The Boston Globe reports that Craig pulled out of the project and pro- duction was halted over the weekend, cit- ing several local production sources. Representatives for Atlas, FilmNation and Jennifer Garner: Daft Day cast Craig did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s requests for comment, while a turned into Cleveland Browns fans representative for Bregman had no com- ment. Courtney Hunt is directing from a ennifer Garner says the ‘Daft Day’ cast were script by Nicholas Kazan. Richard Suckle is turned into Cleveland Browns fans after filming. producing for Atlas Entertainment, while J The 41-year-old actress stars opposite Kevin Anthony Bregman is executive producing. Costner in the story which follows the American FilmNation is handling international sales. football team on the first day of the NFL (National Football Production was slated to start April 14 in League) draft and insists the team’s fans who were needed Boston. Craig had signed on to play a skilled during shoots were so enthusiastic that it rubbed off on defense attorney who fights to get his them. She told collider.com: “We shot something where we teenage client (Gabriel Basso) acquitted of needed Cleveland fans to show up in body make-up and in murdering his wealthy father. their Cleveland gear. So many people showed up. We needed them to stay for a full day - 12 hours - standing outside. They showed up, they cheered every take. It was more about keeping them tamped down than it was ever needing to say ‘OK guys, Sorry, just to match your energy from 5 hours ago we need you to boost up.’ We never had to say that. They were good to go. Their love for the Browns was so huge it turned us all into Cleveland Browns fans for sure.” Garner also Amy Poehler Hathaway gushed about her co-star Costner, who is loved by everyone.

enjoys doing her own stunts doing her own enjoys She added: “In Cleveland he went to a baseball game one day, just quietly sitting by himself up at the top, the bleach- and brother ers, eating peanuts. Eventually the camera found him, when nne Hathaway likes doing her own stunts. The 31- they showed him on the tron - whatever that thing is - the year-old star - who grew up in New Jersey with whole place stood up and cheered for him. Everyone is a Greg team in A brothers Michael and Thomas - admits she was an huge fan of Kevin Costner’s, he’s just beloved.” active child who enjoyed to “climb trees and jump off things” and still has a “daredevil side” to her. She told the new comedy UK’s HELLO! magazine: “[As a little girl] I was a real tomboy. I grew up with two brothers and I loved to climb trees and jump nother Poehler sibling is bringing his off things that were way too high for me. I still have a daredevil A comedy to television. Greg Poehler, side - I love doing my own stunts in movies, or anything physi- whose sister Amy stars on NBC’s “Parks cal that will give me a thrill, although my mother wishes I did- loves n’t.” The actress - who is married to Adam Shulman - won Best Weisz and Recreation,” stars in “Welcome to Sweden,” debuting July 10 on the same network. Supporting Actress Oscar in 2013 for her part in ‘Les Miserables’ He plays an accountant who follows his girlfriend and insists she finds it difficult to come to terms with her own back to her native Sweden despite having no job, success and couldn’t believe she’d won such an honorary friends or any idea what he’s getting into. Poehler award. Talking about last year’s Academy Awards, Hathaway working with added: “That was a surreal evening. To be honest throughout Craig also created, wrote and serves as executive pro- ducer of the show based on his own life and shot that awards season I had a difficult time believing that I’d even mainly in Sweden. Amy Poehler, Will Ferrell, done something worth respecting like that. “The moment when achel Weisz thinks working with husband Daniel Aubrey Plaza and Gene Simmons make guest the penny really dropped, that it was all happening, was after I’d Craig is “really lovely”. The couple - who rarely appearances as themselves. The show debuted in been given the Oscar, had the pictures taken in the press room R appear in public together - were honored at the Sweden three weeks ago, drawing more than 2 afterwards and then been shown back to my seat in the theatre. Night of Opportunity gala at Cipriani Wall Street million viewers. Greg Poehler says it’s already been I looked to either side, and there was my husband to my right in New York on Monday for their work with The Opportunity picked up for a second season and he hopes it and Hugh Jackman to my left, and I’m sitting there holding an Network (OppNet), which aims to help underprivileged teens does just as well in the US. Amy Poehler is an exec- Oscar between two men who love me very, very much, and out get into education, which they fund, and launch successful utive producer on the show. She says she always onto the stage walks Barbara Streisand, who I had met only the careers, and the 44-year-old actress loved having the opportu- knew her brother was a funny writer. day before and we’d had a really cool conversation, and sud- nity to collaborate on the project with her spouse. She said: denly it was all too much - I burst into tears.” “It’s really lovely. It’s something that was incredibly natural and obvious to us.” Daniel, 46, added: “It’s not just the grand gesture that counts [when giving back] - it’s the everyday that matters.” However, Rachel - who has seven-year-old son Henry with former partner Darren Aronofsky - admitted meeting the teenagers had caused her to shed some tears. She told People magazine: “I’ve met several of these kids and they’ve told me their stories to my face, and it was very hard not to cry. Not because it was sad, but because they’re so inspiring, and so courageous.” And the ‘Bourne Legacy’ star is hoping her chari- ty work will inspire her son. She said: “Kids watch their parents closely. They watch everything they do - the good things and the bad things. “So hopefully they grow up in a culture of car- ing about others, and it will be up to them to decide what they want to do, but hopefully it will rub off on them.” Inside the event, the couple - who were openly affectionate towards one another - were praised as “authentic” and passionate about the cause by OppNet founder Jessica Pliska. She said: “People who know them all say the same thing and know this to be true - they’re incredibly authentic, they really care about this, and this night really meant a lot to them. “You can’t always say that about everyone ... especially two superstars. We hit the jackpot.” lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Music & Movies Review: ‘Only Lovers’ a moody vampire movie

he Thin Man” with blood cocktails, an ode to hipsterism through the ages, a mainline “Tshot of cool and a playful tribute to artistic fetishism, Jim Jarmusch’s vampire romance “Only Lovers Left Alive” is an addictive mood and tone piece, a nocturnal reverie that incidentally celebrates a mar- riage that has lasted untold centuries. Almost nothing happens in this minor-key drift through a desolate, imperiled modern world, and yet it is the perennial downtown filmmaker’s best work in many years, probably since 1995’s “Dead Man,” with which it shares a sense of quiet, heady, perilous passage. Vampire stories come in all shapes and sizes and the blessed and afflicted couple here is well-dressed, madly sophisticated, has impeccable taste in music and literature (the couple’s closest friend is Christopher Marlowe) and is still in love like newly- weds. The woman’s younger sister considers them condescending snobs, but perhaps that’s just a nega- tive way of acknowledging that, given hundreds of years of years of exposure to art and culture, one would be a fool not to have developed a high level of discrimination in such matters.

‘The good stuff’ Adam (Tom Hiddleston) has become quite the recluse. Holed up in an old house in an abandoned part of Detroit, he plays vinyl classics and collects rare vintage guitars brought to him by roadie type Ian (Anton Yelchin). In the not quite as depopulated streets of Tangier, Eve (Tilda Swinton) seeks out Marlowe (John Hurt), whose Shakespeare connection is bandied about. More to the point, however, is his value as a source of “the good stuff” - purified blood their kind can reliably consume now that human - aka “zombie” - blood has become dangerously contami- nated. This represents an unambiguous drug addiction reference, to be sure, but it also casts these vampires as an endangered species and, increasingly, as poten- tial tragic figures, avatars of cultivation, sophistication and monogamous devotion that put average humans down upon by a photo gallery of artistic heroes from their tower of refinement and rejoin the hunt? musically, the film is lovely. “Only Lovers Left Alive,” a This image released by to shame but may be doomed now that their food (Buster Keaton, Mark Twain) and take a nighttime tour Swinton is quite wonderful and unusually accessi- Sony Pictures Classic release, is rated R by the Motion Sony Pictures Classics supply has been ruined. For his part, Adam some- in Adam’s old Jaguar coupe of decimated Detroit. ble here in a generous, emotional, tender perform- Picture Association of America for “language and brief shows Tilda Swinton in a times receives “good stuff” from a medical facility sup- ance. With a recessive partner mostly devoted to inte- nudity.” scene from ‘Only Lovers plier, Dr Watson (Jeffrey Wright). Ancient pair rior experiences, Eve must do most of the work to ani- Running time: 123 minutes. MPAA rating definition Left Alive.’—AP When, at the 40-minute point, Eve returns to Adam To Adam’s irritation, they are soon joined by Eve’s mate their relationship and Swinton, wearing long, for R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying in Detroit, there is instant rapture, a perpetuation of wild girl imp of a sister, Ava (Mia Wasikowska), whose nearly platinum-blond hair, gives herself to this enter- parent or adult guardian. — AP the presumed longest love affair in the world (a photo reckless vampiric ways so disrupt their domestic tran- prise without going over the top. Hiddleston, with the documents their third wedding, in 1868). With the quility that the couple decides to decamp back to longhaired look of a rock star, is required to be far spirited Eve the driving force in the relationship more Tangier, where Eve can count on a continued supply more withdrawn but is a credible bohemian for the than the laid-back Adam, the two British-accented of good stuff. When this is compromised, a thimble of ages. Wasikowska supplies antic, intentionally grating connoisseurs loll around the house, listen to great doubt and suspense enters the equation, as the abandon as the dangerous sister, Yelchin is sweet as music, drink great blood, speak about old acquain- ancient pair contemplate their fate. Will this be the Adam’s flunky and Hurt presents his 16th century tances (Lord Byron, Mary Wollstonecraft), are looked end, or might they actually have to deign to descend playwright as a crusty old wise man. Physically and

‘Game of Thrones’ renewed for two more seasons

it HBO television show “Games of Thrones” was renewed The series has wowed critics with its densely-layered plot, lav- for two more seasons Tuesday, two days after its latest ish production values and a readiness to kill off, invariably in grue- Hseries opened with a bang that crashed the broadcaster’s some fashion, protagonists who had hither to seem integral to online app. Sunday’s fourth season debut drew 6.6 million view- the show. Four words-”No one is safe”-have become the unofficial ers, the most for the pay-channel since the finale of HBO cult hit catchphrase for devotees of the series. Guessing which character “The Sopranos” was watched by 11.9 million people in 2007, the may soon meet his or her maker is all part of the fun. broadcaster said. “‘Game of Thrones’ is a phenomenon like no oth- An infamously bloody episode in Season 3, involving a mas- er,” said HBO Programming boss Michael Lombardo, announcing sacre at a wedding party, was one of the most talked about and that HBO had renewed it for a fifth and sixth season. Its creators tweeted television events of 2013. YouTube videos capturing the David Benioff and D.B. Weiss “along with their talented collabora- shock of unsuspecting viewers watching as the on-screen slaugh- tors, continue to surpass themselves, and we look forward to ter unfolded rapidly went viral. All the signs are that fans of the more of their dazzling storytelling,” he said. HBO Go, an online app show will not be disappointed by the 10-episode Season 4, which that allows viewers to watch shows any time, crashed Sunday as debuted in the US on Sunday before being screened in different tens of thousands tried to log on to watch the show, which pro- markets worldwide over the following days and weeks. — AFP vides a jaw-dropping mix of sex, violence and vengeance. Since its debut in 2011, the HBO drama based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling novels about a struggle for power between feuding clans in seven mythical kingdoms has won a devoted global fan base-President Barack Obama reportedly among them-to establish itself as the star of the US cable channel’s stable.

Kiss not the first to tell Rock Hall to kiss off raciousness is not always high on the list of attributes you Frontman Axl Rose decided to skip the ceremony because it Clifford left the room while Fogerty played. The band split in together in 1999 without the band’s other three members find in successful rock ‘n’ roll stars. Because of this, the Rock didn’t “appear to be somewhere I’m actually wanted or 1972 and Fogerty was still holding grudges at the 1993 induc- and Infante and Harrison sued unsuccessfully to rejoin the Gand Roll Hall of Fame inductions have sometimes brought respected.” Guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagen and drum- tion, telling Cook and Clifford he wouldn’t play with them band. Infante continued to lobby Harry onstage at the cere- out the worst in its inductees, whether continuing once-private mer Steve Adler, however, did take the stage, performing ever again when they showed up for rehearsal earlier in the mony: “Debbie, are we allowed?” She declined and the band feuds in public or launching criticism at the hall itself. This year it’s together for the first time in nearly two decades. Myles day. Cook and Clifford returned when the lights came back went on to play its three biggest hits with stand-ins. “They Kiss that’s angry, its members upset over the organization’s deci- Kennedy served as the stand-in for Rose. up, with a forlorn Cook holding the bass he’d hoped to play. wrote themselves out of the band history, as far as I’m con- sion only to induct original members Paul Stanley, Gene 2. There was nary a Van Halen during the towering rock band’s 4. The Sex Pistols were among the first and most notorious punk cerned,” Stein said backstage. “They should have a little bit of Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley while excluding members induction. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen chose to enter rehab the rock bands and fittingly extended a metaphorical middle fin- honor. This is supposed to be rock ‘n’ roll. This is supposed to who joined later. week before the 2007 ceremony - a pretty rock-solid excuse. ger to the hall of fame when finally inducted in 2007 - six be friendly. This is like going through the trenches together.” As a result, the makeup-wearing rockers won’t be wearing But his drummer brother Alex also chose not to attend. And years after it was first eligible. The British band, which featured 6. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr recently reunited to celebrate makeup or rocking at Thursday’s ceremony at the Barclays Center original lead singer David Lee Roth pulled a very Roth-like lead singer Johnny Rotten and late bassist Sid Vicious, said in the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ first trip to the US. But in Brooklyn when they’re inducted with Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, maneuver and pulled out at the last minute in a huff over a hand-written and ungrammatical note posted on its web- things weren’t always so copacetic, as McCartney showed Linda Ronstadt, Hall and Oates, Yes, Cat Stevens, late Beatles man- what song he’d perform at the event. That left bassist Michael site that the hall was like “urine in wine” selling “old famous”: when he failed to show up to the group’s induction in 1988. ager Brian Epstein and former Rolling Stones manager Andrew Anthony and second singer Sammy Hagar as the only official “Were not coming. Were not your monkeys and so what?” He explained the decision through a publicist: “After 20 years, Loog Oldham, who also is boycotting this year’s show over dissat- attendees. They were reduced to performing with Paul Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner read the letter the Beatles still have some business differences. I would feel isfaction with his role. Shaffer’s house band. in its entirety, and invited the band to pick up their trophies like a complete hypocrite waving and smiling with them at a Here’s a quick look at seven other acts who chose to make the 3. John Fogerty also faced the prospects of a put-together band anyway: “If they want to smash them into bits, they can do fake reunion.”—AP ceremony uncomfortable for everyone else or just skipped it alto- when he refused to play with surviving Creedence Clearwater that, too.” gether: Revival members, bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug 5. Members of Blondie added even more bad blood to the 2007 1. The guys in Guns N’ Roses are at a point now where they can Clifford. He rallied with a couple of all-stars - Bruce ceremony as a division between founding members Debbie sometimes play nice together, but that was not the case Springsteen and The Band’s Robbie Robertson - to back him Harry and Chris Stein and Frank Infante and Nigel Harrison when the Los Angeles rockers were inducted in 2012. on stage, but the rift became oh so public when Cook and spilled onto the stage. Harry and Stein had begun performing

In this May 8, 2008 file photo, members of Kiss, from left, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, Gene Simmons and Tommy Thayer, This April 15, 2012 file photo shows Guns N’ Roses, from left, Matt Sorum, Duff McKagan, Slash and Steven Adler, after poses for a photograph during a news conference to promote the start of their KISS Alive/35 European Tour in their performance following induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in Cleveland. Oberhausen, Germany. — AP photos lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 FEATURES Marrying after 30? Open your heart - and wallet hen Jessica Yingling and Christopher Census Bureausurvey shows that since 1970, the cial help. “We were both 30 years old, and it 61-year-old mother who lives in Tucson, Arizona, Mahoney get married this May, they will median age for men and womenhas climbed by seemed kind of ridiculous as an adult to have our says she and her 73-year-old husband appreciate Wbe footing the bill for their wedding. “It 3.6 and 4.3 years respectively, to 26.8 years and parents pay,” she says. her daughter and future son-in-law volunteering just seemed wrong to ask for or take money from 25.1 years - that makes their parents that much to foot the wedding bill. “While they are on the our parents for a wedding,” says Yingling, who is older, too. Angela Thompson, author of “Unveiled: 2.What is your budget? upswing of their earning potential, we are on the 36. Her husband-to-be is 38. “We’re doing well in Secrets of the Wedding Industry,” says tales of cou- The lower the budget, the more affordable it downward side,” she says. “We are a blue-collar, our careers, and everyone is an adult. If we want a ples “who end up drowning in wedding debt” are will be to foot the whole cost yourself. Virginia barely middle-class family.” big wedding, or anything for that matter, we not uncommon. While credit cards do offer some Hilton and her husband Joel married in June of Adults marrying now are aware of the financial should pay for it.” protection from unscrupulous vendors, it’s too 2011 when she was 32 and he was 35 - and were burden on families, she notes. “There was a time Yingling and Mahoney, who live in San Diego easy to lose track of wedding spending by just able to afford to marry in peak season because when the financial outlay of a wedding was more and are getting married in Chicago, are among a charging everything. To decide who is going to they used a friend’s vacation home on the beach in than covered by the gifts of money received by the growing number of couples over 30 who pay for pay and how much, here are the key factors to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. newlyweds. I don’t think that’s the case any their own weddings because they can afford it and consider: The couple both set aside money from each longer.” want to keep control of the process. Many of these paycheck for eight months and spent about couples also have cash-strapped, post-Recession 1. Do you want to retain control? $5,000. For those with parents who would like a 4. Is it your second (or third) wedding? parents who may not be able to cover the costs. The reason Constance McBarron, and her hus- bigger - read: more expensive - wedding, you can If you’re on your second or third marriage, An estimated 25 percent of weddings today are band, both 30, paid for their own wedding last always let them pay for the extras themselves. Thompson says that the odds of a parent paying financed by the bride and bridegroom alone, September is that she didn’t want to budge on her That’s the advice from Elizabeth Robinson for a wedding plunges, particularly if both bride although that number jumps to around 30 percent vision. “When you accept someone else’s money, Edwards, a 36-year-old in Denver who got married and groom are starting another one. “The first if you’re looking at couples over age 30, estimates you also have to accept their input and guest list last summer. “I paid for a lot of it myself,” she says. wedding was supposed to be the ‘till death do us David Wood, president of the Association of Bridal and it always gets out of hand,” says McBarron, “But Mom pitched in for the bigger ticket details part,” Thompson says. “Very likely, the parents Consultants, which has 4,000 members in 50 who wanted a very small, intimate wedding - and she wanted to splurge on, like a fancier caterer and saved for their child’s college and first wedding, states. Ten years ago, around 15 percent covered they got just that for the cost of $1,500. Both are more hours with the photographer.” but did not make any financial plans with a second their wedding costs, Wood estimates. That’s a dra- professionals making good money, but they didn’t wedding in mind.” matic shift from even three decades ago, when a see the need to go broke for a wedding, especially 3.Who can afford to pay? She adds: “We’ve just come off a very serious bride’s parents paid the entire wedding bill, which since they had recently purchased a house. The That’s a question every family has to do decide, recession. Which means in many homes, the chil- averaged $29,858 in 2013, according to reception was at a local burger joint. but if you have the money, and your parents don’t, dren are lucky if Mom and Dad can now afford to theknot.com’s annual survey. Even if she had wanted a gala affair, McBarron you’ll likely be doing them a big favor by taking pay for your wedding the first time around, let Since couples are marrying later - a 2012 US says that she likely wouldn’t have asked for finan- away the financial burden. Joani Yingling, Jessica’s alone a second trip down the aisle.” — Reuters

Australia Models parade an outfit by Australian designer Jayson Fashion Week Brunsdon at Fashion Week Australia in Sydney yesterday. The four-day schedule will include a curated selection of Australia’s established fashion designers as well as a showcase from the bright- est emerging talent the country has to offer. — AP/AFP photos

Heidi Klum owns 2,000 pairs of shoes

he German supermodel is a self-confessed Tfootwear hoarder and admits she never throws anything away from her impressive shoe collec- tion. She frankly confessed: “It’s embarrassing, [I] probably [own] 2,000. Does that sound horrible? You know what it is - I’m a hoarder, and I just hoard and hoard and hoard.” However, the ‘Germany’s Next Top Model’ host insists the designer pieces won’t Models wear go to waste because bridal outfits by she intends to pass Chinese them on to her daugh- designer Lan Yu. ters, Leni, 9 and Lou, 4. Heidi added in an interview with ET Canada: “Being in this industry for over 20 Raf and Jennifer’s heart to heart years, I’ve collected so many pieces from af Simons sought advice from Jennifer miere at the Tribeca Film Festival this month - designers, and hand- Lawrence while shooting ‘Dior and I’. followed Raf as he started his role at the French bags and shoes, and RChristian Dior’s creative director turned fashion house and during the build up to his what not. And I have two! So everything is nicely to the ‘Hunger Games’ actress when filming debut couture show in July 2012. The designer organized with a photo in the basement for them. the upcoming documentary about the fash- admits he was skeptical about the project to Hopefully, they have my shoe size. I have an 11.” ion house, but admits they didn’t always see begin with, but is happy with the way the com- The bubbly blonde made a name for herself eye to eye throughout the production pany has been represented in the film. thanks to her numerous Sports Illustrated process. Raf told WWD: “She said she looks at He added: “Indeed, I was not too keen Swimsuit Issue covers and joined the elite gang of things very technically, when she looks at a on it actually, if you want to know the truth. Victoria’s Secret Angels in 1997, but although film she’s in, but it was not the case for me at You know, it’s scary and it would be a lot for those days are behind her, she says lingerie is still all. It’s all about emotion. It’s not about how it’s people who are not actors because it has her favorite aspect of modeling. Heidi revealed: “I cut and all that.” nothing to do with acting.” “There was an always love to model in lingerie. Because you Jennifer has been a spokesmodel for the enormous intimacy in the movie, which I don’t have to worry about the outfit so much. It’s high-end brand since 2012 and reportedly think is also present in Dior, in the company. much easier that way.” — Bang Showbiz signed a three-year contract with them earlier In the building, there was a strong kind of this year. The documentary - which will pre- family feel.” — Bang showbiz Jennifer Lawrence Jennifer lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

‘Creative Innovation’ a spectacular theme at ADMAF

By Nawara Fattahova which enthralled the Abu Dhabi audience with Khalifa Medical City as part of the Festival’s masterful renditions of works by Tchaikovsky Music In Hospital’s community program. elebrating its 11th edition, this year’s and Beethoven as well as a crowd-pleasing, Abu Dhabi Festival ran from March 2 to signature encore bursting with Latin-American Hancock the jazz legend CMarch 31 under the theme ‘Creative rhythms. From March 2-31, The Story Mile in Having welcomed world-class performers Innovation’. The event strives to contribute and Khalifa Park took residents on a voyage of dis- from jazz legend Hancock, to soprano super- enhance the image of Abu Dhabi as a cross- covery with a new chapter in Emirati story- star Fleming and classical guitar sensation roads of creativity and artistic expression by telling crafted by Zayed University students. Karadaglic, among many others, the festival bringing cultural creativity to the forefront of In an initiative that brought a fringe festival officially drew to a close on April 4 with a cere- public thought and developing a truly global ambiance to Abu Dhabi, ADF 2014 created a mony to recognize the legendary composer, society. The Abu Dhabi Festival is organized by series of laidback events entitled The Space musician and music mogul Quincy Jones, with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation Sessions for young Emiratis and peers to share the prestigious 2014 Abu Dhabi Festival Award. (ADMAF). their creativity, ideas and artistic inventions. Of the most special and very popular shows The Abu Dhabi Festival was founded in April Hosted at ‘The Space’ twofour54 during March, was the ‘Coppelia’ presented by the American 2004. The festival has successfully positioned the series enabled young people to express Ballet Theatre with the Dresden Philharmonic itself alongside international peers, raised their creativity and their visions for the future, global recognition of Abu Dhabi as a cultural while giving them valuable access to estab- destination and established itself as one of the lished artists including Emirati soul singer region’s leading music and arts events. The Hamdan Al-Abri, acapella group SAMA country of honor of Abu Dhabi Festival 2014 Quartet, and Emirati actress Amel Al-Marzooqi. was the United States of America. The main festival program commenced on With 117 events and 35 productions span- March 17 with The Asil Ensemble for Arab ning 35 venues over 29 days, Abu Dhabi Contemporary Music, who breathed new life Festival 2014 welcomed a large number of resi- into traditional Arabic music in their UAE dents and tourists to join as it celebrated the debut. Part of ADF 2014’s Bayt Al Farabi series, theme of ‘Creative Innovation’ across the UAE. the ensemble captured the spirit of the festival Coppélia Celebrating Emirati art under the Creative with a performance that drew upon the cultur- Innovation theme, Abu Dhabi Festival 2014 al heritage of the region and made it relevant ontinuing the tradition of presenting the Dr Coppélius shop - a room full of life-like, life- presented numerous leading initiatives that to audiences today. Cworld’s greatest ballet companies, the Abu size dolls. Swanilda pokes her head into an brought together international and local On March 21, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al- Dhabi Festival 2014 welcomed the American alcove to discover Coppééélia. Someone jars a artists, including the legendary Herbie Nahayan officially inaugurated the Abu Dhabi Ballet Theatre who performed ‘Coppélia’ for the Chinese doll, which dances until its clockwork Hancock with Emirati artist Hamdan Al-Abri, Festival 2014 Exhibition and attended the leg- first time in the Arab World on March 28th and runs down. The amazed young intruders wind Renee Fleming with the first Emirati soprano endary Herbie Hancock’s Gulf World Premiere 29th. The company performed a magical, color- up all the dolls, which dance as the friends held on March 28 and 29, 2014. On both days, Sara Al-Qaiwani. Students of Bayt Al Oud Al at Emirates Palace. During the inauguration, ful and enchanting ballet that delighted the watch, enchanted. Suddenly, a furious Dr the show was highly attended and tickets were Arabi performed Fairouz’s melody, ‘The People artist Bill Fontana presented the World many families that made up the Abu Dhabi Coppelius enters. All of the culprits flee except sold out. Asked Me’, as a prologue to Michel Fadel’s per- Premiere of ‘Acoustical Visions & Desert audience. for Swanilda, who runs into the alcove where The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation formance with Ahmed Sheikh on the zither, Ali Soundings,’ while Mohammed Kazem unveiled Coppélia is kept. At the same time, Dr (ADMAF) was established in 1996 as an inde- Al-Sheikh on the flute, and Sham Ghaleb his latest commissioned work - ‘Directions ACT I Coppétius apprehends the faithless Franz pendent, non-profit organization that aims to Sloom on the oud, in a celebration of creativity (Circle)’. During Hancock’s stunning perform- The curtain rises on the square of a small entering through the window. Franz pleads complement Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision and that shines in the UAE. ance, the audience was treated to an unprece- European town several hundred years ago. his love for the beautiful Coppélia. nurture society through the arts, education, dented collaboration between Emirati Coppélia, a lovely young girl, is seen sitting Dr Coppélius pretends to listen with inter- culture, and creativity. Every year, it undertakes Latin-American rhythms singer/songwriter Abri who joined Hancock on on a balcony reading a book as Swanilda enters. est as he entices Franz with several well-doc- a broad range of initiatives and events, bring- Abu Dhabi Festival 2014 kicked off on Jan stage for a one-off performance. Swanilda looks up at the girl and tries to attract tored drinks, When the unsuspecting Franz ing together audiences of diverse origins often 27 with a very special pre-festival concert by her attention, but receives no reply. Franz, passes out, Dr Coppélius brings what he in partnership with leading national and inter- Gustavo Dudamel and The Simon Bolivar ADF 2014’s Young Musicians’ Concert Swanilda’s lover, comes into the Square and thinks is his fabulous doll Coppélia from her national institutions. Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (SBSOV), On March 22, crowds were impressed and blows a kiss to the beautiful Coppélia. She alcove. However, it is Swanilda who, overhear- The international media staff stayed at the ignores him too and continues, unconcerned, ing Franz’s declaration of love for Coppélia, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, which first opened its with her book. However, Swanilda has noticed has changed places with the doll. The Doctor doors in May 2013, marking the first presence her lover’s attentions, and Franz becomes very makes magical gestures over Swanilda as she of the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts brand in the busy assuring Swanilda that he is not faithless, awkwardly rises to dance. The deluded Dr United Arab Emirates. Defining new standards, and his affections are hers alone. Still jealous, Coppélius believes his puppet has come to this five-star hotel offers locals and tourists a Swanilda refuses to believe him and runs away life. Swanilda dances on and on, creating hav- distinct and personalized luxury lifestyle expe- as a group of young people interrupts their oc in the room and upsetting all the doctor’s rience in the heart of city. Rosewood Abu quarrel. The burgomaster enters to announce work. Frarz, who has just revived, dashes out Dhabi is located in the capital city of the UAE, that at a celebration the following day, the Lord of the room chased by Dr. Coppélius. Eluding on the northeastern part of the Arabian Gulf in of the Manor will present dowries to all couples the doctor, Franz returns to watch the pro- the Arabian Peninsula. The waterfront hotel is who wish to marry. Asked if she will marry Franz ceedings with glee until he and Swanilda run based in Al Maryah Island on the prestigious the pouting Swanilda puts a sheaf of corn to out, leaving the shop in a shambles. Dr. Sowwah Square, facing the Abu Dhabi her ear; according to old custom, the corn will Coppélius returns to discover the figure of Securities Exchange. The island occupies a tell her if her lover is faithful or not. She sadly Coppélia lying in her chair, divested of unique position between Abu Dhabi’s existing says that the ear is silent. The other couples, clothes, and finally realizes that he has been downtown district, the upcoming develop- however, are delighted at the burgomaster’s deceived. ments at Al Reem Island and Mina Zayed, and good news and dance until night falls. the new cultural district on Saadiyat Island. Dr Coppélius comes out, locks his door, and ACT III is immediately swirled away by a boisterous The curtain rises on the final act, which is band of revelers, in the excitement, he drops again set in the village square. Franz and the key to his shop. Swanitda and her friends Swanilda, now reconciled, approach the bur- appear. Finding the key, they are filled with gomaster to receive their dowries and be mar- curiosity about the strange doctor and enter his ried. Dr Coppélius storms in, accusing the shop. Dr Coppélius returns, sees his door open, lovers of destroying his life’s work. Swanilda, and darts in. Franz enters carrying a ladder, realizing the justness of his claim, offers him which he uses to climb on to Coppelia’s bal- her dowry, but the Burgomaster gives Dr cony. Coppélius a bag of gold and sends him off. The townspeople then participate in the fete ACT II that unites Swanilda and Franz in a happy The curtain rises on the dimly lit interior of marriage.

inspired by ADF 2014’s Young Musicians’ Festival, Milos Karadaglic charmed his audi- Concert, which saw young musicians from Abu ence with an intimate recital on March 26. Dhabi perform an original composition Proving why he is currently the hottest talent inspired by the UAE capital. The composition, in classical music today, the talented young written by the musicians with help from New musician gave his audience an unforgettable York-based music ensemble Decoda during performance of hypnotic musicality. their 2014 Festival residency, was performed Brining the ADF 2014 main program to a by members of the ensemble and the student spectacular finale on March 31, the award-win- orchestra during an evening concert at the ning Michel Fadel made his UAE debut in a tra- Abu Dhabi Theatre. ditional evening with an electronic twist. Prior Representing the first ever, solo classical to his performance, Fadel gave a special per- guitarist to be featured at the Abu Dhabi formance for patients and staff at Sheikh p40_Layout 1 4/9/14 11:02 PM Page 1

‘Creative Innovation’ a spectacular theme at ADMAF

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 39

Tourists splash water at elephants as people celebrate ahead of the Songkran Festival for the Thai New Year with water battles in Ayutthaya province yesterday. Songkran is the Thai New Year, which this year starts on April 13, when people celebrate in various ways, including splashing water at each other. — AFP photos Scrap dealer’s bargain turns out to be Faberge egg

here is good luck, outrageous good metal dealer began to suspect he was hold- lion in 2007. Independent Faberge expert Bizarre news fortune - and now there is the case of ing a rare piece after seeing an article online Geza von Habsburg said the egg is Tthe scrap metal dealer who found one about an imperial Faberge Easter egg made “absolutely genuine” and matches the one- of the eight missing Faberge imperial eggs for Russian royalty. The dealer contacted line description found in records kept by Two-headed snake found in India at a flea market in the American Midwest. A McCarthy, who verified the egg as genuine Russia’s Imperial Cabinet. London antique dealer said that the scrap and negotiated its sale to a collector. two-headed snake has been discovered in metal entrepreneur bought the egg for “The second I saw it, my spine was shiv- AIndia. The reptile - which is believed to be of about $14,000, thinking he could make a ering,” said McCarthy, calling the piece a the checkered keelback species - was spotted slith- small profit by reselling the piece for its gold “Holy Grail” for collectors. Both buyer and ering past a house in West Bengal, eastern India, content. It turned out the jewel-encrusted seller want to remain anonymous, and before fleeing into the bushes. A local man, Apurba piece was worth millions. McCarthy did not disclose the sale price - Ghosh, managed to take a snap of the bizarre ser- Kieran McCarthy of Wartski, which spe- but experts note that a non-imperial pent on his camera phone before it disappeared, cializes in Russian artifacts, said the scrap Faberge egg sold at Christie’s for $18.5 mil- according to The Express newspaper. He said: “It happened at the blink of an eye. The snake came across and was gliding along the surface. “I only managed to take shots with my phone. It was all gone within seconds.”

Man accidentally flies to The egg, which contains a Vacheron Spain on girlfriend’s passport Constantin watch, sits on a jeweled gold stand and was given by Alexander III to his man accidentally flew to Spain using his girl- wife Empress Maria Feodorovna in Easter Afriend’s passport. Neil Clulow - who is bald and 1887. Only 50 of the imperial eggs were has a long beard - from the West Midlands, made for the royal family, and eight England, only noticed he had flown to Alicante, remained missing before the latest find, southern Spain using his blonde partner Karen though only three of those are known to Clift’s travel documents after arriving at his destina- have survived the Russian revolution. tion. Mr Clulow, 50, was shocked to find a picture “I think it’s pretty exciting,” said Tatiana of his girlfriend when his friends began comparing Zherebkina, spokeswoman for Faberge. “The their passport photos, The Express newspaper A jeweler’s employee poses for photogra- experts seem to agree it’s authentic and of reports. He said: “Me and my mates were joking phers in central London, Monday, April 7, imperial provenance - one of the eight miss- about our bad passport pictures and they looked at 2014, behind a Faberge Egg, one of the ing eggs.” It will be on display at Wartski’s mine and said ‘Neil, you’re much better looking in eight missing Faberge imperial eggs that London showroom April 14-17, the first time this picture than in real life’.” Mr Clulow’s own travel was found at a flea market in the it will have been seen in public for 112 documents were quickly sent out to the destination American Midwest. — AP photos years. — AP and Monarch airlines - who failed to notice the mis- take - offered to fly him back for free. ‘Spice Girls’ twigs sold for £62 Museum returns ancient manuscript to Greece man sold six twigs on the internet for over £50. he J Paul Getty Museum will return a 12th century ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled press preview of the exhibi- never listed on any database of stolen art. “Over the past ASeller Babak Ganjei, from Hackney in north-east New Testament manuscript to a monastery in Greece tion that is to be attended by Greek Minister of Culture six weeks, the Getty Museum has worked cooperatively London, put the twigs up for sale on internet mar- Tafter museum officials said they only recently learned Panos Panagiotopoulos. with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports to under- ketplace eBay in a bid to amuse his friends, but it was stolen decades before the museum acquired it in “We applaud the Getty for their responsiveness to this stand the recent history of this manuscript and to resolve after describing the sticks as having “characters” like 1983. Getty officials said Monday that although the matter,” Panagiotopoulos said in a statement. “Their deci- the matter of its rightful ownership in a timely fashion,” the ‘Spice Girls’ had over 27 bids on the bizarre Byzantine illuminated New Testament was acquired as part sion to return this precious Byzantine manuscript honors Timothy Potts, director of the J. Paul Getty Museum, said in items with the winner paying a whopping £62. Mr of a larger, well documented collection, recently uncovered the spirit of our 2011 Framework for Cultural Cooperation.” a statement. Ganjei, 35 - who picked the “premium twigs” from records from 1960 indicate it was removed from the In recent years, the museum has returned several artifacts “Based on new information that came to light through the upmarket De Beauvior Sqaure in Hackney - monastery illegally. to Greece, Turkey and Italy that the nations complained this process, the museum decided that the right course of wrote on the site: “Like the Spice Girls each twig has It will remain at the Getty Center until June 22 as part were taken from their countries illegally. action was to return the manuscript to the Holy Monastery it’s own character and you can’t just replace one of an exhibition called “Heaven and Earth: Byzantine Museum officials say they have never knowingly of Dionysiou from which it disappeared over 50 years ago.” with another twig.” He later explained to the Daily Illumination at the Cultural Crossroads” before returning to acquired any artifacts whose provenance was in dispute. Panagiotopoulos said the manuscript was copied in 1133 Express newspaper: “I expected to make a handful Greece, along with numerous other objects on loan for the In the case of the New Testament, officials said its disap- by the scribe Theoktistos and is considered a masterpiece of friends laugh. —Bang Showbiz show. The announcement of its return was made a day pearance was never reported to authorities and thus was of Middle Byzantine art. — AP