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SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 JAMADA ALAWWAL 1, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Turkey passes Sisi stays King Momo FIFA okays law to shut as defence kicks off wearing of schools run by minister in riotous Rio veils, turbans Erdogan7 rival new13 govt carnival40 during18 matches Putin moves to send Max 23º Min 12º High Tide troops into Ukraine 00:01 & 12:59 Low Tide 06:53 & 19:01 40 PAGES NO: 16092 150 FILS Pro-Russian militia seizes restive Crimea

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin won sula’s airports. The ex-Soviet country’s bloodiest crisis since In my view the green light from parliament yesterday to Putin’s shock decision to seek the upper its 1991 independence erupted in November, send troops into Ukraine after a bloody three- house of parliament’s authorization to use force when Yanukovych rejected an historic deal that Lack of legislation fuels month uprising that swept new pro-EU leaders in the ex-Soviet country of 46 million came less would have opened Ukraine’s door to eventual to power but sparked unrest in the pro-Kremlin than a day after US President Barack Obama EU membership in favour of tighter ties with old informal outdoor markets Crimean peninsula. The stark escalation to what warned that any such action would carry “costs” master Moscow. Yesterday, the Kremlin said threatens to blow up into the worst crisis in rela- for Moscow. Putin had remained silent since Putin had asked the upper house to authorize tions between Moscow and the West since the Ukraine’s parliament on Feb 22 ousted pro- force “in connection with the extraordinary situa- By Dr M Ziad Al Alyan Cold War came as Kalashnikov-wielding militia Kremlin president Viktor Yanukovych - who has tion in Ukraine and the threat to the lives of hoisted the Russia flag over Crimean govern- since fled to Russia - after a week of carnage in Russian citizens. ment buildings and seized control of the penin- Kiev that claimed nearly 100 lives. Continued on Page 13 sudden boom in farmers’ markets the Ministry of Commerce? has been noticed recently in Kuwait. You finally get your rent receipt and the AIt has become almost trendy to par- bank statement. The next step is to head to ticipate by having your own booth and dis- the ministry and hope whoever is in charge playing your culinary skills, artwork or your is actually working on that day. There are dental clinic! I visited Qout Market yester- many intermediate steps in the process that day, the latest in a string of outdoor markets are all designed to discourage you from and bazaars. Qout has grown in size and continuing with your business endeavor. number of participating stands. There were Once you successfully maneuver all the hur- many home businesses along with many dles, the time comes to apply for employee established, commercial enterprises display- permits. This is where the fun starts! ing their goods for sale. The environment I speak from experience when I give the reminded me of the Saturday market in following example. One might have a com- Church Street and the Portobello Road mar- pany that delivers food products. You might ket in London. have 10 vans so you will automatically need Food and beverages were obviously the 10 drivers, at least one manager and one largest section in the market. A wide range accountant. I will make no reference to any of organic, homegrown produce and spe- other jobs or staff. The Ministry of Social cial ‘Mama’s’ recipes were on display. One of Affairs and Labor will probably give you six the main attractions was the launch of permits! One might think I am exaggerating, Uncle Fatayer, a local concept - wood however, many business owners will know cooked fatayer with zaatar or parmesan exactly what I am talking about. cheese was the order of the day. The ingre- The reason for this chaos is simple - the dients were mainly locally produced and ministry, like many other ministries, they used brown bread to give you that employs the least educated individuals. extra benefit. For a short period, the boys That is the employment policy currently running the show had to stop taking orders used by all ministries in Kuwait. I am a rela- to keep up with demand. There were many tively educated man and I will always apolo- other creative homegrown entrepreneurial gize if proven wrong, so I invite any of our endeavors. beloved readers to prove me wrong. But the question remains - why the sud- I apologize for drifting from the original den surge? Actually, home businesses are topic however. It is a clear explanation of not a new thing in Kuwait. Everybody why so many potential business ideas never knows there are thousands of women who materialize, and why almost 90 percent of run kitchens from their homes and deliver Kuwaitis work in government jobs. The gov- on request. You only have to search on ernment talks about encouraging the pri- Facebook and Instagram to find just how vate sector but does absolutely nothing many of these home businesses are out about making it easy for anyone to start KHARKIV, Ukraine: Pro-Russian activists clash with pro-Western Maidan supporters as they storm the regional government building there. A few of them have moved to their own business. yesterday. — AFP become official, licensed establishments. In fact what the government has done This is the key word - ‘official’. very successfully is encourage a new type of There is no law to govern these home corruption in both the ministries of com- businesses. Worldwide, small to medium merce and social affairs. It takes an average Whales beached on Kuwait coast enterprises contribute greatly to the econo- of four to six months - if you are lucky - to my of a country. This sector is extremely have a fully operational company in Kuwait KUWAIT: A blue whale was found beached at Failaka neglected in Kuwait. We talked to many of with all the appropriate paperwork and per- Island, while reports on social media said two more the participants at the market who mits. It takes 24 hours to do the same in smaller beached whales had been found in Abul expressed their disgust at their inability to Dubai. A very high ranking government offi- Hasania and Julaia on the mainland coast. The whale in start their businesses because of the count- cial once responded to the above statement Failaka was between 15 to 20 m long, while the other less obstacles that exist. by saying “then go live in Dubai”. This was two were between one and one-and-a-half meters in To start the most simple of businesses, his solution to some of the major problems length. Blue whales are the largest mammals on earth one needs an office to be rented - regard- that we face here in Kuwait. and can exceed 30 m in size. less of whether or not you actually need This is a small article addressing only one The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) one. Many businesses are Internet based. of the problems we face here. There are so meanwhile urged authorities to utilize the blue whale Some are actually literally a one-man show. many others. I am afraid the only logical as an educational tool for students and the public alike, The result is people renting locations that explanation is that the people running the a statement by the society said yesterday. KEPS director are fictional; there is even a term called “fic- country don’t really care about it that much. Wijdan Al-Eqab said in a press statement that the skele- tional rental” where one pays for an office The sad reality is that the only thing that the tal structure of the dead whale should be preserved and only to obtain the right documents needed governments seem to do well is the restruc- to present to the Ministry of Commerce. turing of public holidays in order to maxi- readied for display at any of the museums in the coun- This practice has led to an enormous mize the number of days off work that we try, preferably the Science Museum. amount of corruption on both sides of the can all get. Allow me to look at the last holi- Eqab added blue whales roam many areas of the coin. day. Two days are celebrated -National Day world including the Indian Ocean, from where the one Another major issue is that certain and Liberation Day. The result is seven offi- beached on Failaka Island most probably came from. licenses require a significant amount of cial days off and in Kuwait that normally She suggested that the whale had likely lost its way and money to be deposited in a bank account. means most people end up taking two days was carried by swift currents into the Arabian Gulf. But KUWAIT: A dead blue whale is seen after it beached on Failaka Island. — KUNA its cause of death has not been determined yet, she This amount is purely arbitrary. Who decid- on each side of the holiday in an attempt to (More pics on Page 2) ed that KD 150,000 is the minimum amount make it a 10-day holiday. Why do they do said. — KUNA required for certain licenses? Who is respon- that? Because they get paid anyway, as sible for the implementation and execution most of them work in government jobs. Google loses bid to of the business plan? The project owner or No wonder nothing ever gets done. 27 killed in China keep anti-Islam video station stabbings SAN FRANCISCO: Google Inc on Friday lost its bid to keep an anti- Islamic film on its YouTube video sharing website while it appealed a BEIJING: At least 27 people have been killed in a “violent terror federal appeals court order that the company said would have “devas- attack” at a train station in the southwestern Chinese city of tating effects” if allowed to stand. Earlier last week, a panel of the 9th US Kunming by a group of unidentified people brandishing knives, Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to reject Google’s assertion that the state media said. Another 162 were injured, the official Xinhua removal of the film “Innocence of Muslims”, which sparked protests news agency added. It said the attack had taken place late yester- across the Muslim world, amounted to a prior restraint of speech that day evening. Victims described knife-wielding attackers dressed in violated the US Constitution. black bursting into Kunming railway station and slashing indis- In a court filing on Thursday, Google argued that the video should criminately. Beijing’s top security official was reported to be head- remain accessible to the public while it asks that a larger, 11-judge 9th ing to the scene. Circuit panel review the issue. Google called last week’s opinion Police shot dead a number of the perpetrators at the train sta- “unprecedented” and “sweeping”. However, the 9th Circuit on Friday tion in southwestern Yunnan province, according to posts by local rejected Google’s request in a brief order. Google representatives could television station K6 on its official Sina Weibo account, the Chinese not immediately be reached for comment. The plaintiff, Cindy Lee equivalent of Twitter. Officers sealed off a wide area around the sta- Garcia, had objected to the film after learning that it incorporated a clip tion, it added, while Xinhua said they were still questioning people at the site. Meanwhile ambulances had delivered the injured to she had made for a different movie, which had been partially dubbed. hospitals around the city, K6 reported. Garcia’s attorney, Cris Armenta, opposed Google’s request to repost the The attackers carried knives and were dressed in similar black video while the appeal proceeds. The actress received death threats as clothing, the official China News Service said, citing eyewitnesses. a result of her appearance in the film. The Uncle Fatayer stall is seen at the Qout Market yesterday. Continued on Page 13 Continued on Page 13 SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 LOCAL

KUWAIT: A beached blue whale at Failaka Island. The whale has been found to be between 15 to 20 meters long. No reason for its death has been determined as of yet. Assembly to probe clean fuel tenders One month to present report

By A Saleh making profit the main objective of the [KAC’s] bill in January under which the government privatization,” Sane asked in a statement yester- would grant KD 30,000 worth of construction KUWAIT: The National Assembly is set to vote day, “or is there a clear objective to turn the material to people with housing welfare who Kuwaiti charity campaign on a request that calls for setting up an inves- company into a national carrier similar to its already are entitled to receive a KD 70,000 loan tigative committee to probe the clean fuel proj- counterparts - Emirates and Qatar Airways?” to build a house. Speaking on the condition of in Sudan ‘a big success’ ect contract and ensure that no violations took The lawmaker also confirmed that the panel anonymity, the sources said that ministry offi- KHARTOUM: A Kuwaiti charity cam- things the campaign accomplished was place during the awarding process. The govern- will try to find the reasons behind the decision cials were told to finish the ‘executive list’ in paign concluded its short visit to Sudan setting the corner stone of a high school ment is not expected to stand in the way of the to cancel an earlier deal to lease five used air- order to put the law into effect ‘within a maxi- where it helped many orphans and for girls at a cost of $450,000. proposal when it is discussed during the parlia- planes from Jet Airways. “All possibilities are mum of four months’. Mudej had told Al-Jarida underprivileged families over there. She expressed appreciation to ment’s session on Tuesday, based on recom- open during investigations, including summon- daily recently that the government had no The International Islamic Charity Kuwaiti and Sudanese authorities and mendations of Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair. “[The ing the old KAC board and former CEO Sami Al- plans to reject the law. But the same thing can- Organization, the organizing body of organizational bodies for making this minister] reasserts the importance of coopera- Nisf or the current one,” Sane added. not be said about the children allowance’s this campaign, held a ceremony at its campaign possible and helping in tion with the parliament and transparency, increase, another proposal that is still being headquarters in Sudan to celebrate the achieving its goals. especially since there is nothing to hide when it Ministers’ trial discussed in the parliament. In this regard, end of the campaign’s activities. The She stressed many similar campaigns comes to the fuel project,” said sources with The parliament is also scheduled during financial committee member MP Hmoud Al- event was attended by many Sudanese will yet to come to follow-up on the knowledge of the case. If approved, the panel Tuesday’s session to review a new bill proposed Hamdan echoed earlier statements made by officials and members of the Kuwaiti activities that started here. will have one month to present its report to the for the ministers’ court, which remains “subject panel chairman Faisal Al-Shaya, saying in state- diplomatic mission. The campaign consisted of 40 high parliament. to the government’s reservations” according to ments to Al-Rai daily that introducing alterna- Head of the campaign Sumayah Al- school female students accompanied by State-owned Kuwait National Petroleum sources. The draft law, which was finalized by tives would be better than “passing a law only Maimini said yesterday that one of the their chaperons. —KUNA Company announced last month that the $12- the legislative committee in the parliament, for the government to reject it”. The topic high- billion project was awarded to British, US and was referred to the Cabinet for study. The lights the committee’s meeting today which is Japanese-led consortia to boost production Cabinet returned it later and added amend- scheduled to be attended by Finance Minister 40,551 traffic citations in a week capacity at Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah ments deemed necessary so that the bill can be Anas Al-Saleh. Another topic that does not refineries from around 730,000 barrels per day passed. “While the law could be passed in the receive much support from the government is KUWAIT: The traffic general depart- 105 people were arrested in Hawally, to 800,000 bpd. first hearing, different views in the parliament a parliamentary proposal that forces the state ment launched several sudden inspec- while in Ahmadi, 6,780 citations were as well as the government’s reservations could to naturalize at least 4,000 bedoons in 2014. tion campaigns over the last week that filed, 134 vehicles were impounded and KAC probe delay its enforcement in the second hearing,” MP Mohammad Al-Enezy told Al-Qabas daily resulted in 40,551 traffic citations, 33 people were arrested. In other news, a fact-finding committee set said the sources who spoke on the condition of that he seeks MPs’ signatures on a petition to impoundment of 1,620 vehicles and Statistics also showed that 1,438 up to probe the Kuwait Airways contracts anonymity. discuss the foreign and defense committee’s bikes and the arrest of 109 people. citations were filed, 296 vehicles meets today to continue inspection into the report during Tuesday’s session. The govern- According to statistics, 6,432 cita- impounded and 19 people arrested in recently announced deal with Airbus, which Housing subsidies ment wants the minimum limit to be removed tions were filed, 233 vehicles impound- Mubarak Al-Kabeer, while 2,521 cita- stipulates the purchase of 25 new aircraft and Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr so that the bill is considered acceptable, and ed and 16 people arrested in the tions were filed, 29 vehicles were leasing 7 others. “We want to know where the Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej gave orders to ministry proposed that the stipulation is changed to ‘a Capital governorate. In Farwaniya, impounded and two people were finance and commerce ministries as well as the officials to finalize preparations for implement- minimum of 4,000’ stateless residents natural- 7,210 citations were handed, 174 vehi- arrested in Jahra. Finally, 876 citations Kuwait Investment Authority stand on the ing the construction material subsidization law ized this year. “The government did not cles impounded and 17 people were were filed and 11 vehicles were Kuwait Airways situation,” said MP Yaqoub Al- during the second half of the current year, announce its complete rejection to the draft detained. 5,013 citations were filed, 130 impounded at Kuwait International Sane, who is the president of the committee. “Is according to sources. The parliament passed a law,” Enezy said. vehicles and one bike impounded and Airport. Road safety to be stressed at Gulf Traffic Week

ABU DHABI: In order to encourage from March 9 to 15. A number of exhibitions and road safety, a series of activities are Brigadier Hussain Al Harithi, direc- competitions will be launched dur- planned across the capital from next tor of the Traffic and Patrols ing the Traffic Week at malls and week, the Abu Dhabi Police Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Police, other public spaces, the statement announced in a statement sent yester- said that such awareness initiatives said. These initiatives will reach out day. conducted in the past have reduced especially to motorists because The activities will be conducted as the number of traffic fatalities. human error and behaviour are the part of the Gulf Traffic Week campaign However, police efforts aim to reduce causes for the greatest number of in Abu Dhabi emirate, and will run this mortality rate to zero. accidents. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah visited a checkpoint located at the King Fahad Highway and surveyed the preparations to provide services for campers around the governorate, including security and medical care. The Ahmadi Governorate supervises the southern part of Kuwait which contains 3,000 farms, a large number of chalets and large desert areas reserved for camping. The five-month camping season ends on April 1. LOCAL SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 Mediation for Pinoys in Kuwait to intensify New assistant labor attache arrives MP demands firm action against ‘vice dens’

By A. Saleh and agencies tal where he used to work, Al-Rai reported, adding at the same time KUWAIT: While a lawmaker that the remaining detainees were demanded strict action from local released on bail. authorities against ‘vice dens in all The seven suspects remain in of their shapes and forms, a local custody pending a decision to daily reported yesterday that either refer the case to the public investigations are still ongoing in prosecution, or classify it as mis- the ‘Salmiya casino’ case exposed demeanor based on testimony of recently. the apartment owner who denied Twenty people, including a doc- offering gambling services to the tor, his policeman brother and public, Al-Rai reported. four dealers visiting Kuwait were arrested inside a Salmiya apart- Bedoon protests ment turned into what resembles In other news, Al-Rai reported a casino that offers gambling serv- that local authorities deported 2 ices which are prohibited in Gulf nationals who were among Kuwait. six arrested on Thursday for dam- KUWAIT: Attendees of a recent forum hosted by Filipino journalists in Kuwait. “We cannot accept seeing aging the Taima police station By Ben Garcia moral decay spread to the point in during Bedoon demonstrations which professional casinos are featured in the area. KUWAIT: The conciliation and mediation sec- managed in Kuwait by foreign The remaining four were identi- tion of the Philippines Embassy has been bol- specialists brought specifically for fied as bedoons or stateless resi- stered as it welcomed the new Filipino assis- this purpose,” MP Abdullah Al- dents, and ‘informed security tant labor attache to Kuwait. Angelita Narvaez Tamimi said in a statement yester- sources’ quoted in the report have arrived in Kuwait two weeks ago with the day. He further urged Deputy said that they were referred to the promise of strengthening mediation between Prime Minister and Interior deportation center without pro- employees and employers before the matter Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al- viding further information regard- reaches the Ministry of Social Affairs and Khalid Al-Sabah to “provide full ing their future. Labor. “I am happy that most of the best offi- support for morality department Meanwhile, the sources who cials from the Philippines Department of detectives in order to arrest the spoke on the condition of Labor have been posted here along with me icons of moral corruption” in anonymity said that one of the to help and find a solution to labor cases of Kuwait. suspects was identified as a ‘main Filipinos who regularly seek the embassy’s In an update to the story, Al-Rai instigator’ of bedoon demonstra- help,” said Philippine Labor Attache to Kuwait daily reported yesterday that a tions, and one who uses two Cesar Chavez as he attended the regular United States embassy delegation Twitter accounts to encourage monthly ‘Kapihan sa Kuwait’ event on Friday. visited an American man who was stateless residents on violent Narvez will work with Ching Ardivilla, the arrested inside the apartment protest. other assistant labor attache to Kuwait. where he played a major role in The 26-year-old man who lives Narvaez was earlier posted at Philippine Chavez Narvaez organizing the gambling, accord- in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh was report- Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong. She also Carton Tower Hotel, Kuwait City on Friday (countrymen), especially the ‘SSS Flexi Fund ing to sources with knowledge of edly charged in the assault of used to be in-charge of the mediation and hosted by Pinoy journalists and media per- Program’. This program is intended to boost the investigations. police officers during recent conciliation section at the Department of sonalities. The Kapihan sa Kuwait is a regular the savings of our OFWs. We are the only The man remains in custody demonstrations featured in the Labor and Employment in Manila, resolving weekly program via Internet radio, ustream.tv semi-government agency that disburses pen- along with the doctor who owned Taima and Sulaibiya districts of labor disputes in small and large companies and TFM music station every Friday. Once a sion to members who paying in for a certain the apartment, his brother who Jahra. alike. month, the Kapihan sa Kuwait is held live with period of time,” Eribal stressed. “I hope all was identified as a former Interior Another suspect (22) was also “The directive of our Labor Secretary audience participation. OFWs in Kuwait will be a members of SSS to Ministry official, and the four for- discovered to have a criminal (Rosalinda Baldoz) was to strengthen media- Besides Narvaez, Kapihan sa Kuwait also secure their future and help them build eign dealers “who received larger record “including a previous tion and conciliation of our OFWs here in interviewed Social Security System (SSS) dreams,” he added. The attendees were mostly pay compared to what they attempt to run over a police offi- Kuwait. I will be in-charge and will help Labor Representative Jun Eribal, who answered leaders of different Filipino organizations in received in casinos around the cer”. The remaining two suspects Attache Cesar Chavez in this regard,” she not- queries related to SSS and its program special- Kuwait. Eribal admitted that barely two per- world”. The doctor was reportedly are 19 years of age each, the ed. Narvaez was briefly interviewed at the ly catering to OFWs. “We also want to cent of 180,000 Filipinos in Kuwait are active dismissed from the private hospi- sources said. two-hour Kapihan sa Kuwait program at strengthen our programs for our kababayans and religiously pay their SSS membership. SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 LOCAL

In my view Local spotlight 25 Peace is the February HIV/AIDS only option 2014 in Kuwait

By Labeed Abdal By Muna Al-Fazai

[email protected] [email protected]

he world heaved a collective sigh of relief when very disturbing call was made to me last week by a the 5+1 countries (the United States of America, Kuwaiti mother. She was crying over the phone TFrance, United Kingdom, China, Russia and Abecause she was informed that her son is dying of Germany) reached a historical agreement with Iran dur- HIV. Of course, this is devastating news for every mother. It ing the Geneva conference with attendance of the High means the end of every hope she holds for her son, espe- Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for cially that he is engaged to wed and is only 25 years old.

the European Union Catherine Ashton. The international Al-Anbaa HIV weakens the immune system and if no treatment is efforts which resulted in a solution regarding the Iranian 26 February 2014 provided, leads most infected people to develop Acquired nuclear issue and agreement on an acceptable uranium Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). enrichment percentage gave hope to the entire world The Kuwaiti mother told me that the doctor gave him that good results can be achieved through peaceful many tablets to be taken regularly and sent him home negotiations, and away from the horrors of war. with an open sick leave. Is that it? I was truly sad to learn Another important incident that supports this idea her condition and yet failed to give her an answer of why happened when Israeli President Shimon Peres declared we are letting Kuwaitis with HIV/AIDS go home freely. This kuwait digest is not a flu but a sickness that requires quick medical care at once. Another important inci- It also means that he will have to tell both the families Gulf security agreement the reason for cancelling the marriage, and in a society like dent that supports this idea Kuwait’s, this is not his own business but everyone’s busi- happened when Israeli ness and everyone would want to know the real reason. So By Dr Hamad Al-Asidan he will be forced to tell everyone the truth and with the lit- President Shimon Peres tle we know of how to deal with people with HIV, it will be fter writing last week in support of the Gulf Ironically, and in a step that aims to prevent fur- a drama. declared that peace is the security pact, the local scene erupted in posi- ther escalation of the issue, the parliament’s speaker We need to learn on how to focus on prevention, edu- only option that Israel and Ations against it which, in my opinion, are announced that discussing the pact was postponed cation and treatment about this disease. We live in an open exaggerated for many reasons. But before talking to the next term, and that constitutional experts will society, and it means anyone can get such diseases. We the Palestinians have. about that and why I support the agreement, I want be consulted before the agreement is put for voting. have a moral obligation to educate ourselves and others. I to express my point of view on the growing public It was a good step by the speaker, and was cautious- don’t think we have enough of this in Kuwait and letting rejection of it, which happens amid silence among ly welcomed by some MPs who hoped that constitu- someone go freely home and live normally with his family that peace is the only option that Israel and the without precautions is dangerous. Expatriates are treated Palestinians have. This principle declaration is a signifi- those who support it, especially in the parliament. tional experts would reject the agreement. at the hospital until their condition stabilizes, but are then cant step in light of ongoing efforts and negotiations to The opposition found an opportunity in the Prejudging the pact even before constitutional deported to their home countries. Kuwaitis live freely, but end one of the longest conflicts in human history. agreement to attack the government, and accuse it experts weigh in on the issue proves that the majori- how about them infecting others? The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for of taking advantage of the ‘single vote parliament’ as ty of positions made by current and former MPs are We all know that infection with HIV virus occurs by the over seven decades, and needs serious efforts to end it. they describe it in order to pass a pact that was not concerned on its constitutionality, but for goals transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk. More In order to achieve that, great and focused efforts are rejected multiple times in the National Assembly that go beyond political works as well as seizing an information is available on the Internet. But it doesn’t tell needed from the administration of United States during the past couple of decades. Furthermore, the opportunity to return back to the political spotlight. you how hard is it to have a family member with this dis- President Barack Obama - a Nobel Peace Prize winner. It pact and uproar it generated was seen by the oppo- The reason I support the Gulf security pact is ease. There is a lack of awareness by many people here further requires continuous visits from US Secretary of because for them to hear such news about someone sition as a chance to restore life back in their activity because I find it to be an important link in the chain State John Kerry so that the peace project in the Middle means they should stay away and cut all links and ties with East can be successful, and ends with the creation of a which had lost a lot of its charm in the past few of joint Gulf work, which marks the transformation the whole family out of fear of infection. My advice is that Palestinian state that lives in peace side by side with months. It was a golden opportunity for former MPs from cooperation to unity as its objection. he needs to be in the hospital if the mother has no clue Israel. who had already announced plans to resume public The agreement addresses security issues, or crimi- how to provide him with medical care at home. An active execution of their leaders’ promises is the rallies this month. nal cases in specific away from political positions. I hope this is an eye-opener to all who read my article. utmost wish of the people of our region. We look for Others found the Gulf pact as a stranglehold due Therefore, a Gulf nation cannot seek a Kuwaiti citizen There is still much to be done for Kuwaitis with HIV and steps forward to be achieved in cooperation with global to their rumored activity outside Kuwait, which is because he or she criticized their policy. Unless of find themselves hopeless and unaware when death will powers, so that we can avoid taking several steps back- more of a criminal activity rather than being a politi- course citizens verbally assault other Gulf nations, come. I pray for this family and I hope they find comfort wards towards further turmoil, conflict and destruction. cal one. This is exactly what the pact targets. which is something that we can never accept. —Al-Rai and medical support soon.

kuwait digest Old names of cities effective

By Waleed Al-Jassem e would like to thank the municipal council which Sabah and Dhahiyat Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah. Do not you agreed to name a new residential city after HH the see that the situation is somewhat confusing with those WCrown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad, north of names? And they cause much confusion for those who want Mutlaa. Sheikh Nawaf loves the people and they love him and to go to those areas. deserves to have his name immortalized. But after the munic- We repeat to those who deliberately misunderstand, we ipal council gave the city this loved name, we tell them thank are not against naming areas after sheikhs, but we hope not you and this is it. Sheikh Nawaf deserves to have a city named to cause more confusion. We also call for using what old after him such as other areas that are named after the dear Kuwaitis did in naming and follow their methodology. How sheikhs of Kuwait. nice is the name of Salmiya area for example - it is a beautiful But, I have a view that may somewhat be sensitive if it was name after the late Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak. How nice is the misunderstood by someone or who wanted to use it to doubt name of Ahmadi which was named after the late Sheikh intentions. The use of full names in new areas is confusing Ahmad Al-Jaber. How nice is the name of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and misguiding, especially in cases of similar names. The which is after a well owned by late Sheikh Mohammad and names are being used today as if they are being read from a late Sheikh Jarrah. Do we forget Jabriya, which named after civil ID, not from a sign on the road, while in the past, names the late Sheikh Jaber bin Abdullah? were more attractive and in a clearer form and did not cause Did we forget the beautiful Sabahiya and Mubarakiya any confusion to motorists or those searching for an area. which we all love and frequent so often and named after the I, for example had a somewhat embarrassing situation Late Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah? What about Khaldiya which is when a friend invited me to his new home in Mubarak Al- named after Sheikh Khalid Abdullah Al-Salem? And Daiya Abdullah area. I was puzzled when I got into my car - was I to that is named after Sheikh Duaij Al-Salman? These old names go to Mubarak Al-Abdullah or Abdullah Al-Mubarak? And more beautiful and effective, and do not confuse anyone. where is it located exactly? And where is the other located? If Rather they impose a different image and independence for you look closely, you will find a large number of areas named each area. after sheikhs - some are rulers while some with high status I hope that the use of full names stops, because the names and achievements - but using full names remains impractical of residential areas is something and the names in the civil in the long term. IDs are something else and I do not see any distinguishing For example, we have Dhahiyat Abdallah Al-Salem area feature in the three or four names of areas. Also, what applies which we used to call “Al-Dhahiya”, but we now have to use to the names of areas and sheikhs, applies to the names of the full name as many other dhahiyas emerged. streets, where everyone is trying to name a street after one of We also have Dhahiyat Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Dhahiyat their relatives in the same fashion. The full name according to Abdallah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Dhahiyat Mubarak Al- the civil ID!! I really hope to go back to the old way in naming Abdullah Al-Sabah, Dhahiyat Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and immortalizing persons. Are we going to see that or will Dhahiyat Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Dhahiyat Jaber Al-Ali Al- the flood of three-part names continue?! —Al-Watan

kuwait digest Reversed embarrassment!

By Dr Sajed Al-Abdali ne of the things I sometimes fail to understand is his debt”, said my friend, noting that his friend’s justifica- how embarrassment can be reversed by 180 tion was that life was unpredictable. He added that he Odegrees between borrowers and lenders. A borrow- tried refusing the paper because the sum was ‘not worth er may ask a friend or relative for a loan to cover one of the it’, but the borrower insisted. so many sudden needs in this life. Out of benevolence, He added that months later, he received a call from the social embarrassment or any other reason, this friend or borrower apologizing for not being able to pay his debt relative gives the loan, assuming he would be paid back back and promised to do so a further while later, which he reasonably soon. Yet what actually happens is the opposite did. This simple story says that the man acted wisely and as the borrower takes the money and vanishes for a long spared my friend, the lender, much embarrassment when time! the loan period was extended. On the contrary, the lender Such borrowers will even start avoiding their lenders. respected him more and realized he had made the right However, some others do not try avoiding lenders, do not decision by lending him the money. care about the matter and even shamelessly look them in People need to be more transparent in this matter the eyes as if they did nothing, which actually makes the because you will never know what happens. We might lender himself embarrassed while attempting to demand need each other every now and then and if borrowers payment of a long-awaited debt. insist on writing down their financial debts to others This repeated social phenomena has been causing before witnesses, as instructed by the Holy Quran, this grudges among friends and family, ones that sometimes would be much better. It would also be much better than go far and develop into more serious problems. A friend hiding and trying to avoid their lenders if they apologize once told me that one of his friends asked for a small loan when they fail to pay their debts back in time and ask for and he did not hesitate in giving it to him. “The following grace. On the other hand, lenders have the right to day, he brought me a piece of paper he signed admitting demand payment on time. —Al-Jarida SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 LOCAL Big growth in digital New brand of coconut water to flood Gulf beverages market

services landscape ABU DHABI: The beverages market coconut water in the UAE market ket, he said. in the Gulf is flooded with several within a couple of months. He claims that the Vita Coco Kuwaiti firm issues report brands of juices, carbonated drinks “It is not only 100 per cent natu- Coconut water is free from concen- and colas. ral, with zero fat and low calorie, trates, artificial colouring or KUWAIT: Given the significant Media and Telecommunications lacked the stimuli or the support- Now, coconut water, said to be but our coconut water packed from flavours. growth in the digital services land- leader at Deloitte Middle East, stated: ing infrastructure to mirror such one of the most nutritious and nat- Brazil will be competing with the “We are sourcing our coconuts scape in the Middle East, Noor “Compared with global trends, many success in the region. ural drinks in the world, is coming real tender coconuts available in from Brazil and plan to tap the nat- Telecommunications Kuwait, in coor- aspects of digital services are under- l Certain categories which typically to the already overcrowded market. the market,” said Coconut Joe, alias ural water from other Asian coun- dination with Deloitte, have issued a served in the Middle East region, with feature in a more mature market, Posing a major challenge to ten- Joe Benn, a senior business devel- tries where coconut is grown. We report entitled “Defining the Digital many services either absent or imma- such as rights and royalties man- der coconut traders who source the opment manager for the London- currently don’t have operations in Services landscape for the Middle ture. Demand in the region for new agement and digital services skills natural drink from Salalah and other based company, which controls a India, but would wish to expand East” to define the various dimen- services - even those which have and recruitment, have limited sions across this evolving landscape. been successful elsewhere globally - presence in today’s market. It is places, Vitacoco, a US-based compa- major chunk of the market for there. Coconut is grown in Asian In addition to introducing a frame- is developing but consumer willing- expected that these categories will ny, said it will flood the UAE market coconut drinks in the USA and the countries like Sri Lanka, the work to describe the digital services ness to pay for them is still to be rapidly follow international trends with its natural coconut water very UK markets. Philippines, Malaysia etc and we landscape, the report provides obser- proven.” He added: “Opportunities for and become well established over soon and plans to expand its opera- He says there are about 50 have our presence in some of these vations on the maturity of digital investors, entrepreneurs and estab- the next 5 years. tions to Asian countries currently brands of coconut water brands countries,” Coconut Joe added, dis- services across the Middle East. This lished players exist in many areas of l Services including government growing coconuts. in the USA. A 300ml packet will playing the products at the Gulf assessment draws on regional case the Digital Services landscape services and TV, radio and music “We will be launching our be sold for Dh8 in the UAE mar- food Exhibition. —Emirates studies, and is further substantiated described in this report.” have significant growth potential, by insights from interviews with key but will require investment and/or players in the region. Main findings of the report include: a substantial customer base in “The landscape definition in this l 2014 and beyond is an exciting order to succeed. Established report seeks to be comprehensive time for those with an interest in organizations offering ‘adjacent’ and is structured in a way that allows the digital services landscape in services (e.g. TV broadcasters) may present and potential digital services the Middle East. Appetite for social have the appetite for joint ven- players to draw their own roadmap to media and consumer goods mar- tures to stimulate the market or exploit the opportunities in this sec- ket (CGM) relating to news and provide a platform for their own tor,” said Eng. Ayman Al Bannaw, current affairs is unique to the expansion. Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of region, and emerging niches such “We anticipate that the digital Noor Telecommunications. “It will as religious digital services present services landscape will grow at pace enable players to identify certain opportunities for regional entre- in the Middle East over the next 3 to 5 complementary and synergetic roles preneurs. years, in some areas following global which they can fulfill to further l Other services including e-com- trends and in others carving out a expand their respective market merce and key elements of the unique path for the region. This will shares and promote the digital servic- digital ecosystem such as digital provide interest for global, regional es sector as a whole.” advertising are well established and local players and stakeholders Santino Saguto, Technology, internationally, but have so far alike,” concludes Saguto.

KUWAIT: Supervised by the Public Authority for Youth and Sports, groups of volunteers yesterday launched a campaign to clean several beaches and roads of the leftovers from the national anniver- saries’ celebrations. Commenting on the campaign, PAYS voluntary work committee chairman, Waleed Al-Ansai said that the campaign was held under the title of ‘A Beautiful, Clean Kuwait’. 570 cases treated during national ceremonies

KUWAIT: The ambulances manager at the ceremonies and that only 61 of Further, Al-Foudery stressed that 34 the Ministry of Health’s medical contin- them needed further treatment at hos- ambulances were used all over Kuwait gencies department, Jassim Al- pitals while 509 were treated on site in in addition to clinics that were Foudery said that due to the increasing 12 field clinics. He added that the treat- attached to each security point that public awareness, injuries reported ed cases included 465 with certain worked around the clock. “Using during the national anniversaries’ cele- chronic diseases and mild injuries, 64 Scooters was very successful this year brations as a result of fights and using were treated for injuries resulting from and helped use and policemen maneu- foam were much less this year. traffic accidents, 28 were injured in ver through crowds to reach people in Al-Foudery added that 570 cases fights and 13 had injuries resulting need of medical attention till the had received medical treatment during from foam sprayed at their eyes. ambulances arrived”, he highlighted. SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 LOCAL Two children killed in Kabad Road accident Gas leak poisons Farwaniya tenants KUWAIT: Two children were killed and their mother bedoon, was pronounced dead on the scene by Preliminary investigations revealed that the two and two other siblings were injured in an accident paramedics who helped his 24-year-old cousin to the suffocated from an unspecified gas that leaked reported Friday at the Kabad Road. Paramedics and Farwaniya Hospital. Criminal investigators were sum- from the sewer to their apartment, located in block police arrived at the scene shortly after the accident moned to examine the scene and transport the body 2 of the area. Specialists were able to control the was reported, but discovered that two kids, a nine- to the forensic department. A case was filed for gas leak while an investigation was opened to year-old boy and three-year-old girl had already suc- investigations. determine its source. cumbed to their injuries. Their two other brothers, aged nine and six, were rushed to the Farwaniya Severed finger Drunk officer Hospital along with their mother who sustained A child underwent an emergency procedure at A police man faces multiple charges after he was bruises in the accident. The six-year-old child was the Jahra Hospital to reattach her finger that was arrested driving under the influence of alcohol admitted inside the intensive care unit in a critical severed when a family member closed the door acci- whereas a loaded gun and drugs were found in his condition, while his brother was diagnosed with dently on her hand at their house in Saad Al- vehicle. Police regulating traffic at the Gulf Road internal bleeding and head wound. Criminal investi- Abdullah Thursday night. But the credit for saving near the Marina Mall had pulled the man’s sports- gators transported the bodies to the forensic depart- the nine-year-old’s finger goes to the girl herself, utility-vehicle (SUV) over for driving in an unstable ments after examining the crash site. Investigations according to the police report. When paramedics manner, and soon discovered that he was drunk. It went underway to determine the circumstances arrived at the house, they found that the severed fin- was not until the officers checked the driver’s ID behind the accident. ger was placed in a plastic box and was filled with that they learned that he was their comrade; after ice. They later discovered that the girl braved up after which they placed him under arrest. In addition to a ATV rider killed the incident, went to the kitchen and put the finger glass filled with an alcoholic drink, police found a Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest a herself in the ice box, then waited until paramedics loaded AK47, drugs, drug paraphernalia in addition driver who ran over an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) in arrived and rushed her to the hospital. A case was to a knife and brass knuckles when they searched Kabad Friday, killing one man and injuring another. filed. the suspect’s car. The man was taken to the Maidan The injured man was not able to provide any kind of Hawally police station and held pending further information about the car when police questioned Farwaniya leak action. him in the hospital. Paramedics had hospitalized the Two women were hospitalized after they passed man while leaving his companion’s body for criminal out inside their apartment from toxic gas inhala- Wife beater investigators who took it to the coroner after exam- tion. The incident took place in Farwaniya late A Jahra man faces charges after he admitted of ining the scene. The victim was 33 years old. Thursday night when paramedics and police head- beating and imprisoning his wife, in addition to ed to the apartment in response to an emergency threatening his brother-in-law who came in to his Bedoon dead call. They found the 74-year-old Palestinian woman house in order to help his sister. Local police had A man died and another was critically wounded and her 33-year-old daughter unconscious and launched investigations into the case after they in an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) accident reported rushed them to the Farwaniya Hospital where they were approached by the siblings, saying that the recently at the Kabad Road. The victim, 20-year-old were admitted inside the intensive care unit. suspect chased them with a gun in hand. Police managed to place the suspect under arrest, and he admitted later during questioning that he beat up his wife and held her hostage inside their house. He Kuwait chairs meeting of also confirmed his brother-in-law’s story of chasing the two with a gun after the man rushed to his sis- ter’s house when she called him for help. The sus- TV program coordinators pect remains in custody pending legal action.

ALGIERS: A Kuwaiti official stated on Saturday chairmanship of the four-day meeting for two Gang attack that Kuwait has won the chairmanship of the consecutive years was due to Kuwaiti Minister Four people face charges including attempted regular meeting of news, sports, and TV pro- of Information and Minister of State for Youth murder after they brutally attacked a person and grams coordinators of the Arab States Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud assaulted a policeman during recent National Day Broadcasting Union (ASBU), currently held here, Al-Sabah’s insight to improve Kuwaiti media Lu & Lu Hypermarket celebrates parades. According to the police report, the attack for the fourth consecutive time. work and enhance it in all areas. Saad Nafel Al-Azmi, superintendent of spe- Also, he indicated that Kuwait’s well-respect- happened at the Blajat Street where the suspects Hala with spate of promotions cial files at news and political programs sector at ed reputation and rank on Arab and interna- ganged up against a man for unknown reasons, and Kuwait TV, told KUNA on the sidelines of the tional levels contributed to this win, as well as attacked him with knives. A police officer onsite KUWAIT: Lu & Lu Hypermarket, the region- Meet & Greet show, Spiderman meet, meeting’s kick off early today, that this win coin- its assumption of various posts at international jumped to the victim’s aid, but was overpowered by al retail major and lifestyle shopping desti- Drawing and Painting competition, Magic cides with Kuwait’s celebration of national days, arenas, which was in favor of Kuwait’s national the suspects who were eventually placed under nation, participated in Kuwait’s annual Hala show, Car racing for kids, Tom & Jerry dedicating this accomplishment to His Highness interest and joint relations with other countries. arrest by backup police. The victim was taken in an February Festival, with a wave of special games, Nail art, Arabic dances and Special the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- In addition, Al-Azmi noted that this year’s ambulance to the Mubarak Hospital and admitted promotions throughout the month of Digital offers among others. Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince meeting aim at crystalizing and discussing inside the intensive care unit with four stab wounds. February 2014. The month-long participation in Hala Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. news and sports programs exchanges among Meanwhile, the suspects were escorted to the The festivals, which were held at the celebrations is a further indication of Lu & Al-Azmi, who also chairs the regular meet- members, Arab states broadcasting unions, Salmiya police station and charged with attempted Hypermarket’s Al Rai, Al-Qurain and Al- Lu Hypermarket’s continued commitment ing of news, sports, and TV programs coordina- European and Asian broadcasting unions as murder and assaulting a police officer in duty. They Dajeej outlets included Spin & Win, Trolley to connect with the community in Kuwait tors of ASBU, affirmed that Kuwait’s winning the well. —KUNA remain in police custody pending procedures to be free promotion, Special Killers, Big Bang and to join in activities celebrating the referred to the public prosecution for further action. offer for TVs, Toys fest, Yoyo competition, country’s special occasions and events. NBK Walkathon holds great surprises

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) will award more than 120 par- ticipants in the 20th Annual Walkathon alongside the grand draw for three brand new Citroen cars from Al-Babtain Group. The Walkathon is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, March 15. Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid, NBK Public Relations Manager said “the participation in NBK’s Walkathon is increasing year after year, and we are extremely thrilled to take our involve- ment with this exciting event to a new level.” “Titled “If We Can make a change ... So Can You”, NBK Walkathon this year Ten winners will be selected from will hold great surprises, 120 partici- each of the 12 categories of partici- pants will be awarded with valuable pants. The Walk for the male partici- prizes in addition to giving away three pants will start from the Scientific brand new cars as the grand prizes Center located in Ras Salmiya, while alongside the ten winners in the first the walk for female participants will draw of NBK’s campaign to win a trip begin from the Marina Crescent and for two to attend one of the 2014 FIFA the walk for kids and Zaina Friends World Cup matches in Brazil in associ- club members will be conducted at ation with Visa that will be announced the Green Island. live during the Walkathon. NBK volunteers representing vari- ous departments will be available at “Our commitment towards being Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid connected with the community is the the registration location next to the reason why we feel it is important for Scientific Center daily to help partici- be held daily - From 9am to 1pm and us to maintain the Walkathon annual- pants during registration and on the from 4pm to 9pm. Participants can ly,” added Al-Rushaid. day of the Walkathon. Registration will also register through nbk.com. What drives a company’s success

KUWAIT: New Booz & Company research strikes down the notion according to a separate Booz & Company survey, 55 percent of exec- that misreading, ignoring or de-emphasizing the market, customers utives admitted to feeling that their company’s strategy will not lead and other external forces is what gets most big companies into trou- to success. ble. Companies have actually become quite good at avoiding these When asked about challenges related to a company’s identity - problems. Instead, they get into trouble because they aren’t inward- the unique thing or things it stands for consistently over time - the looking enough and don’t assess themselves in the same unbiased, biggest one, cited by 43percent of the respondents, was actually focused way they do their competitors and the market. As a result, knowing what that identity is, i.e., “defining their identity and how the strategies they develop often fail to center on the company’s exactly they are going to add value for their customers.” most powerful capabilities and its distinctive way of providing value. Only 36 percent of executives said their leaders are good at both These are insights from management consulting firm Booz & (a) answering fundamental questions about their company’s strategy Company’s recently completed report, “What Drives a Company’s and identity and what will lead it to long-term success and (b) keep- Success ,” based on a new global survey of more than 700 senior-level ing the company on track in executing on its strategy. executives throughout several industries, including financial services, “What customers need and want, of course, is critically important technology, manufacturing, energy, electronics, consumer, pharma - but companies usually have that market-driven part well covered,” and automotive and across several countries, including Kuwait and said Leinwand. “What separates the best performing companies from other Gulf countries. The survey asked respondents to select up to their less successful peers is how well they understand their identity three companies in their industry and answer questions about what and capabilities, and how good they are at leveraging those critically drives these companies’ successes. It also asked respondents to com- important attributes.” ment more generally on the reasons for success and failure of strategy. CesareMainardi, Chief Executive Officer at Booz & Company, adds: “What companies seem to be struggling with is that they don’t “The most important question that companies need to ask is ‘Who know themselves well enough,” said Paul Leinwand, Partner at Booz & do we want to be? How will we create value for customers in a way Company. “They don’t analyze themselves with the same rigor they that no one else can?’ As long as leaders ignore this fundamental use to analyze the market, and don’t have an objective view of what question they will leave substantial value on the table and won’t be they are truly great at doing to guide their strategic decisions.” able to create strategies that lead their companies to sustainable suc- cess.” Survey findings Booz & Company developed the “What Drives a Company’s When asked which of six strategic issues are most problematic for Success” survey to better understand what is behind the success of companies, only 7percent chose “ignoring external market forces.” the world’s largest companies. It assessed the relationship between However, 29 percent said “having too many strategic initiatives that companies’ approach to value creation and their performance. 720 are disconnected”; 27percent said “focusing too much on short-term executives responded to a web-based questionnaire between spring performance improvement and too little on what will create long- and late-summer 2013 which asked respondents to select up to term success”; 20percent said “not considering whether the company three companies among the 15 largest in their broader industry, and can execute its strategy”; and 11 percent said “trying to be like others use their specific areas of expertise to comment on what drives these rather than creating a differentiated identity for the company.” In fact, companies’ successes. —Booz & Company SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 Ex-Guantanamo inmate denies China media hurls racist slur at departing US envoy terror charges Page 12 Page 10 Turkey frees suspects in corruption probe Erdogan’s govt targets arch-rival’s schools

ISTANBUL: A Turkish court has released the last five Turkey’s police and judiciary of being behind the suspects, including the sons of two ministers, graft probe in a bid to undermine his government. He detained in a corruption probe that has struck at the retaliated by sacking hundreds of police and prose- heart of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s gov- cutors believed to be linked to the movement run by ernment. Baris Guler, the son of the former interior Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United minister, as well as Kaan Caglayan, the son of the ex- States. economy minister, and Azerbaijani businessman Reza The corruption crisis, which dragged down four Zarrab, were among the remaining accused freed ministers and prompted a cabinet shake-up, has rat- pending trial, local media reported. The private NTV tled the feathers of Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted govern- channel said an Istanbul court made the decision ment ahead of a highly-charged election year begin- because the necessary evidence had been collected. ning with key local polls in March. Government has The five were also given a travel ban. also accused Gulenists of wiretapping thousands of Asked about the releases during a visit to the influential people-including the prime minister, the western city of Balikesir, Erdogan told reporters: “This spy chief and journalists. The schools law comes on is what I expected. Justice has been served.” Kemal the heels of several other measures driven by Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Erdogan’s government, which has pushed through Republican People’s Party (CHP), said he was not sur- legislation tightening state control over the Internet prised by the court’s decision. “We said earlier that and the judiciary, generating criticism at home and they would be released. They are trying to cover up abroad and raising questions about the state of ANKARA: A man holds up a stack of fake euro notes during a demonstration against Turkey’s prime minister in corruption,” he said. Guler and Caglayan stand democracy in Turkey — Agencies Ankara yesterday. — AFP accused of acting as intermediaries for giving and taking bribes, while Zarrab was suspected of forming a ring that bribed officials to disguise illegal gold sales to sanctions-hit Iran via state-owned Halkbank. The men walked free two weeks after Suleyman Arslan, the former chief executive of Halkbank, was also released. He faces allegations of corruption, fraud and money laundering in connection with ille- gal gold sales to Iran. Police also seized $4.5 million in cash hidden in shoe boxes from his home. In sub- sequent street protests against government corrup- tion, citizens have waved empty shoe boxes as a sym- bol of their anger. The graft scandal first erupted with police raids on December 17, when dozens of Erdogan’s key business and political allies were detained. The fallout prompted a cabinet reshuffle and the resignation of three ministers whose sons were among those targeted.

Controversy widens The controversy has since widened to implicate Erdogan himself, after recordings were leaked online this week in which the premier can allegedly be heard discussing hiding large sums of cash and con- spiring to extort a bribe from a business associate. The premier has accused supporters of exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who wields considerable influ- ence in the judiciary and police, of launching the cor- ruption probe to destabilize his government ahead of local polls in March and a presidential election in August. Erdogan retaliated by sacking hundreds of police and prosecutors believed to be linked to Gulen, but the crisis has evolved into the biggest challenge yet to his 11 years in power. His Islamic-rooted government has more recently pushed through legislation tightening state control over the Internet and the judiciary, generating criti- cism at home and abroad and raising questions about the state of democracy in Turkey. CHP on Friday asked the country’s top Constitutional Court to repeal the law on judiciary curbs, but the court returned the petition due to deficiency. The United States on Thursday said in its annual Human Rights Report that Turkey’s judicial system was “politicized” and “overburdened”.

Recordings ‘fabricated’ The opposition has stepped up calls for Erdogan’s resignation following the revelations of the incrimi- nating audio recordings. Thousands of demonstrators have also taken to the streets in Ankara and Istanbul this week to protest against the premier and his rul- ing Justice and Development Party (AKP). In a tape posted on YouTube on Monday, Erdogan can alleged- ly be heard telling his son Bilal to dispose of some 30 million euros ($41 million) in cash on the day of the December 17 police raids. In a second audio record- ing leaked on Wednesday Erdogan can purportedly be heard advising his son not to accept $10 million promised by a businessman in order to extort more money from him. Erdogan has dismissed the record- ings as fabricated, saying they were the result of a “vile montage” by his rivals. Prosecutors have opened a probe into the phone-tapping incidents. It comes after the government accused associates of US-based Gulen in the police and judiciary of eavesdropping on thousands of people, including the premier, cabi- net ministers and journalists.

Law to shut schools Turkey’s parliament has passed a bill to close down thousands of private schools, many of which are run by an influential Muslim cleric embroiled in a bitter feud with the government. In a late-night session on Friday, lawmakers in the 550-seat house voted 226 for and 22 against the bill which sets September 1, 2015 as the deadline to shut down the network of schools. The row between Erdogan and his former ally, cleric Fethullah Gulen, erupted in November when govern- ment first floated the idea of shutting down the schools, a major source of income for Gulen’s Hizmet movement. In December a corruption scandal erupted in which dozens of Erdogan’s allies were detained in police raids on allegations of bribery in construction projects, gold smuggling and illicit dealings with Iran. Erdogan accused so-called Gulenists implanted in INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 Daughter aims to revive, spread News in brief

‘true Islam’ of executed activist Saudi hits back at Russia over Syria RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has hit back at Russian criticism Sudanese Muslim activist hanged for apostasy of its reported plans to supply shoulder-launched missiles to Syrian rebels, saying it was Moscow’s sup- OMDURMAN: Almost three decades after unrest of President Omar al-Bashir’s rule. looked at his executors and the judges, ed to question them, and her father’s port for Damascus that was prolonging the conflict. A peaceful Muslim activist Mahmoud Dozens were killed in protests which and he just smiled on them,” Asma books are banned in Sudan. “We need a spokesman told the official SPA news agency late Muhammad Taha was hanged for aposta- came at a time when the regime is strug- Mahmoud said, citing witnesses. Nimeiri genuine democracy, where all people Friday that the foreign ministry had been “astonished sy, his daughter plans to revive his gling with internal dissent, economic crisis was overthrown in a popular uprising share power and all people have the right by Russian criticism of Saudi Arabia for its support of Republican Party and spread his notion of and multiple armed insurrections. Bashir three months later. to speak,” with freedoms based upon con- the Syrian people”. He said it was persistent Russian “true Islam”. They took his life but Taha’s took power in a 1989 military coup backed stitutional laws, she said. Many had misun- backing for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, and its message of a tolerant Islam and equality by the powerful Islamist Hassan Al-Turabi, Changing lives derstood the movement’s ideas, or viewed repeated use of its veto at the UN Security Council, for all Sudanese lives on among a devoted whose influence had grown under Nimeiri. Taha’s death sent into abeyance his it as elitist. They are a “small, isolated that was blocking a peaceful solution. “This support is and intellectual group of followers led by Taha had forecast not only the fundamen- persecuted movement, which numbered group”, said Mekki Elmograbi, a newspa- the principal reason for the barbarity of the Syrian his daughter Asma Mahmoud Muhammad talists’ seizure of power but also the divide about 1,000 devotees. Asma Mahmoud per columnist and member of the ruling regime and for the conflict dragging on for three Taha, 67. She says the time is now right to it would create within Sudan, his daughter herself fled to the United States for several National Congress Party. Elections have raise their voices, following 25 years of said. According to Taha’s “Second Message years. “At some point you feel that there is been announced for next year but Asma years without hope of a settlement or of an end any- rule by “fundamentalist” Muslims who of Islam”, its laws in the modern era need no hope of doing anything in this country, Mahmoud said the Republicans would not time soon to one of the most serious humanitarian took power after earlier supporting former to evolve “so as to construct a good socie- the country that kills its thinkers and the take part, according to Taha’s wish, until a crises of our time.” On Tuesday, Russia warned Saudi president Jaafar Nimeiri, whose courts ty where democracy and socialism are rec- good people,” she said, explaining that it majority of people had accepted their Arabia against supplying Syrian rebels with shoulder- sentenced Taha to death. onciled, and where social equality pre- took years for her to recover before trying views. “We want to convince people... This launched missile launchers, saying such a move “These people are distorting Islam. This vails.” That kind of society, coupled with to revive the party. is the right way of changing their lives,” would endanger security across the Middle East and is not Islam. We are going to show people complete submission to God, leads to It will not be easy, she said. That very she said. “I’m devoting the rest of my life beyond. The Russian foreign ministry said it was what true Islam-according to Ustaz absolute individual freedom in this “scien- morning, a state security officer had visit- to this job.” — AFP “deeply concerned” by news reports that Saudi Arabia (“respected religious teacher” Taha) - what tific” phase of Islam, he argued. was planning to buy Pakistani-made surface-to-air true Islam means,” the bespectacled for- and anti-tank systems for Syrian rebels based in mer translator said in an interview at the Age-old dream Jordan. “If this sensitive weapon falls into the hands mud and wood home where Taha lived “The age-old dream of the human cara- of extremists and terrorists who have flooded Syria, and worked. His comments about democ- van is not to send astronauts in their orbit there is a great probability that in the end it will be racy hang on the walls. “He was really a into outer space... it is to send its individu- used far from the borders of this Middle Eastern coun- great man,” said Farouk Mohammed als-every single individual-in his orbit of try,” the ministry said. Ibrahim, 83, chairman of the Sudanese self-realization,” Taha wrote. He penned Organization for the Defense of Rights and more than 30 books in a blue-painted Libya colonel shot Freedoms. “He was a very peaceful man. room that is preserved as a museum, with dead in Benghazi He never raised a stick or anything against an old dial telephone on a stand next to a TRIPOLI: A Libyan security official says gunmen have anybody.” Koran. His smiling portrait hangs over the shot dead an officer in the air defense branch in the door. The house and its small courtyard on Ideas ‘badly needed’ a quiet dirt road in Khartoum’s twin city of eastern city of Benghazi. The official says Colonel Some of Taha’s ideas were odd, Ibrahim Omdurman serve as a “cultural centre” and Wanis Massoud Al-Barghathi was gunned down admitted, but his efforts to synthesize gathering place. Friday night. He didn’t provide further details, and “faith and reason” offered a solution for a Before his execution on January 18, spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not troubled Sudan and to the conflict 1985, at the age of 76, Taha had criticized authorized to brief the media. A wave of assassina- between secularism and fundamentalism Nimeiri’s imposition of Islamic sharia law tions and bombings has targeted police and army in the wider world. “I think his ideas are which imposed amputations and other officers in Benghazi, a stronghold of militias with very badly needed now,” said Ibrahim, a harsh punishments. Taha said the poor roots in the rebel brigades that fought against slain former Communist Party member. “They were being unfairly targeted. On the dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Some of the groups are bring a perfect compromise between reli- morning he was hanged at Kober Prison, Islamic hard-liners with Al-Qaeda links. gion and the secular state.” Asma Asma Mahmoud, then in her late 30s, wait- Mahmoud’s efforts to revive the ed without tears at an aunt’s house near- ‘Mentally ill’ Gaza KHARTOUM: Asma Mahmoud, 67, answers AFP journalist’s questions at her home in Republican Party coincide with increasing- by. “We were trying to be calm, quiet, woman shot dead the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Almost three decades after peaceful Muslim activist ly vocal criticism of Sudan’s government because we knew this is what our father GAZA: A mentally ill Gazan woman was shot dead by since it slashed fuel subsidies in wants us to be,” she said. “When they Mahmoud Muhammad Taha was hanged for apostasy, his daughter Asma plans to revive his Republican Party and spread his notion of ‘true Islam’. - AFP Israeli troops near the border early yesterday, the September, sparking the worst urban pulled up the hood from his face he Palestinian territory’s Hamas-run health ministry said. The Israeli military confirmed soldiers had opened fire after several people approached the border security Seoul warns Tokyo over fence, hitting one of them. “The body of Amena Atiyyeh Qdeih, 57, was found near the border in the ‘war sex slavery’ review Khazaa area” close to the southern city of Khan Yunis, a health ministry spokesman said. “She had been hit SEOUL: South Korean President Park Geun- Nanjing Massacre by Japanese troops and by several bullets,” the spokesman said, adding that Hye yesterday warned Japan would face “isola- Japan’s defeat in World War II. On display at the her body could not immediately be retrieved because tion” if it pushed ahead with a move to revisit exhibition at the National Museum of Korean of continuing Israeli fire. The Israeli military said an apology over wartime sex slavery. Her Contemporary History in Seoul were comics troops had fired warning shots when several people warning, in a speech marking the anniversary featuring the plight of comfort women as well failed to heed instructions to keep back from the of a 1919 anti-Japanese uprising, coincided as artworks by survivors. security fence. “The suspects continued to move for- with the opening of a rare exhibition on “com- The display included a diary kept by an ward, so the soldiers fired at their legs, hitting one of fort women” in Seoul, a euphemism for operator of a World War II Japanese military them,” a spokesman said. Both neighbors and the women who were forced into Japanese mili- brothel, which South Korea says is a material Gaza health ministry said the dead woman suffered tary brothels during World War II. Japanese evidence to prove coercion took place during from mental health problems. The shooting came Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration is sex slavery. The comics made their debut at an after an Israeli aircraft hit a suspected rocket launch moving to reconsider a 1995 apology for com- international comic book festival in France last site in the north of the Gaza Strip late on Friday. fort women, putting further stress on the month, sparking a protest from Japanese Tensions have risen in and around Gaza after a year of already frayed ties between the two neigh- ambassador to France, Yoichi Suzuki. “This relative calm. An increase in Israeli raids and NAJAF: Iraqi Shiite mourners carry the coffin of a victim killed the previous day in the bors. exhibition will serve as a warning against Palestinian rocket attacks as well as border incidents Sadr City district of Baghdad during his funeral procession in the shrine city of Najaf, “Historical truth is in testimony from the those who deny the wartime sex slavery”, the have stoked fears of a new confrontation between in central Iraq. — AFP survivors. Japan would only bring isolation on museum head Kim Wang-Sik said at an open- Israel and the territory’s Hamas rulers. itself if it turns a deaf ear to their testimony ing ceremony of the exhibition. and sweeps it under the rug for political bene- In 1993, after hearing testimony from 16 Iraq death toll fits”, she said. Park called on Japan to follow Korean women, a statement issued in the Bomb blasts kill 11 Germany in repenting its past wrongs so that name of Japan’s then-chief cabinet secretary police in Pakistan the two countries can put bitter memories Yohei Kono acknowledged official complicity PESHAWAR: Two bombs minutes apart struck tribal ‘remains high’ behind them and “move forward for a new era in the coercion of women into sex slavery. It police assigned to guard polio workers in northwest of cooperation, peace and prosperity”. “I hope offered “sincere apologies and remorse” to the Pakistan yesterday, killing 11, police said. Police offi- Japan extricates itself from denial of history women and vowed to face the historical facts cial Nawabzada Khan said the first of the two bombs BAGHDAD: The death toll from violence in social and religious leaders of Iraq have an and starts making a new history of truth and squarely and was followed two years later by a struck an escort vehicle in the Lashora village of Iraq fell in February from the previous month, urgent responsibility to come together in the reconciliation”, she said. landmark official apology by then Prime Jamrud tribal region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but was still one of the worst in years, figures face of the terrorist threat,” UN envoy Nickolay Hundreds of protesters were killed in a Minister Tomiichi Murayama. But repeated province. It wounded six officers, but caused no released yesterday showed. Iraq is suffering a Mladenov said in a statement yesterday. 1919 crackdown on widespread demonstra- wavering on the issue among senior right- deaths. Khan said minutes later, another roadside year-long surge in violence to levels not seen Much of the violence was concentrated in tions by Koreans who were rallying for inde- wing politicians has contributed to a feeling in bomb struck a convoy of tribal police officers dis- since 2008, when it was emerging from a bru- six central and northern provinces that have pendence from Japan, which occupied the South Korea that Japan is in denial and is not patched there to transport victims of the first attack, tal period of sectarian killings in which tens of either religiously mixed or Sunni-majority Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. In Seoul, sufficiently remorseful. killing 11 officers and wounding six. He said gunmen thousands died. The spike has been driven by populations-Baghdad, Anbar, Salaheddin, a few hundred actors and citizens, many of In remarks in 2007 that triggered a region- widespread discontent among Iraq’s minority Diyala, Kirkuk and Nineveh. Efforts by authori- also opened fire on officers, triggering a shootout them dressed up in colonial era costumes and wide uproar, Abe in his first term as prime min- that was still going on. A government administrator Sunni Arab community, which complains of ties to curb the rampant bloodshed, which as Japanese imperial troops, on Saturday re- ister said there was no evidence that Japan being marginalized and unfairly targeted have largely been comprised of military oper- Nasir Khan said they had launched a massive hunt in enacted the bloodbath outside what used to directly forced women to work as sex slaves. effort to trace and arrest the attackers. He confirmed with heavy-handed security measures, and by ations and concessions that fall short of Sunni be a prison where pro-independence activists Last week Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide the civil war in neighboring Syria. demands, have failed to bring the violence 11 deaths and 12 injuries. No one claimed responsibil- were incarcerated. Art performances and anti- Suga told parliament that the government ity for the two separate bombings, but anti-polio February attacks and clashes killed at least under control. The government faces a two- Japanese rallies also took place in Seoul and “would like to consider” setting up a verifica- teams or their guards have been frequently targeted 744 people, according to AFP figures based month crisis in Anbar, west of Baghdad, other provincial cities with greater intensity tion team with academics who would look on security and medical sources-an average where it has lost all of the city of Fallujah as than past years, reflecting the latest gush of again at the women’s accounts. Former prime in Pakistan by Islamic militants, who say the cam- of more than 26 per day. The toll was down well as shifting parts of provincial capital anti-Japanese sentiment. minister Murayama said Thursday that the revi- paigns are a tool for spying and claim the vaccine from 991 in January, but more than three Ramadi to anti-government fighters. sion of the landmark 1995 apology would not makes boys sterile. Pakistan is one of the few remain- times that of February 2013. Meanwhile, gov- The crisis erupted in late December when Regional tensions flare serve the country’s interests. Respected histori- ing countries where polio persists. In most cases the ernment figures put the toll at 790 civilians security forces dismantled Iraq’s main Sunni The politically charged issue of comfort ans say up to 200,000 women, mostly from disease is found in the northwest, where militants and security personnel killed, while the Arab anti-government protest camp just out- women has stoked regional tensions, with Korea but also from China, Indonesia, the make it difficult to reach children for vaccination. Also United Nations said 703 people died in vio- side Ramadi. Anti-government fighters subse- South Korea and China insisting that Japan Philippines and Taiwan, were forced to serve as yesterday, a bomb targeting security forces in the lence. Both figures declined from the previ- quently seized Fallujah and parts of Ramadi. It must face up to its World War II-era sexual sex slaves in Japanese army brothels. However, southwestern province of Baluchistan killed three sol- ous month. However, the UN excluded vio- is the first time anti-government forces have enslavement of women from across occupied a minority of right-wing Japanese insist there diers and wounded six others, the paramilitary lence in the mostly-Sunni province of Anbar exercised such open control in major cities Asia. After decades of Japanese pacifism, was no official involvement by the state or the Frontier Corps said. In a statement, it said the soldiers where government forces have clashed with since the peak of the deadly violence that fol- Beijing this week approved national remem- military and say the women were common were traveling through the border village of Washuk militants who still hold one city. “The political, lowed the US-led invasion of 2003.—AFP brance days to commemorate the 1937 prostitutes. — AFP when a bomb hit their vehicle. Mideast peace talks in focus at Palestinian development meet

JAKARTA: Representatives of 22 nations including aid commitments to the Palestinian Territories, still controlled by the Israeli authorities. This Japan and Indonesia pledged further efforts to adding to the $1.38 billion already delivered by impedes any access we have to natural resources, promote Palestinian development at a conference Japan since 1993. “During the meeting I and severely restricts our development,” he said. in Jakarta yesterday, with several countries reiterat- announced that first Japan will extend assistance Indonesian President Susilo Bambang ing their support for a two-state solution. The to Palestine totaling approximately $200 million,” Yudhoyono said that providing Palestinians with Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Kishida said in Japanese. He added that Tokyo capacity-building was “critical”. “The people of Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) would also support human resources training for Palestine have been struggling to achieve this ended with a statement from participants support- 1,000 Palestinians and the establishment of a fund dream for more than five decades,” he said, adding ing the ongoing Middle East peace process and at the Islamic Development Bank to support devel- Indonesia envisaged a Middle East “at peace with saying that strengthening the Palestinian private opment. itself and the rest of the world”, and called for a sector was crucial to ensuring stability in the treaty on nuclear weapons and weapons of mass region. It came after US Secretary of State John ‘Not someone else’s problem’ destruction. CEAPAD is a Japanese initiative Kerry said Wednesday that a full Middle East peace Kishida told the representatives that security in launched in Tokyo last year. This year’s conference deal which he is attempting to broker will likely slip the Middle East was “by no means someone else’s was co-chaired by Indonesia, the Palestinian past the April 29 deadline. Kerry coaxed the two problem in a distant region” for Asian nations. “I Authority and Japan. Among attending nations sides back to the negotiating table in late July after firmly believe participating countries share the were South Africa, Singapore, Australia, Brunei and a three-year hiatus. common determination to assist in a Palestinian Vietnam, while China’s special envoy on the Middle “We still believe that the two-state vision can state-building that promises to bring about region- East Issue Wu Sike also attended. The details of the be envisaged and realized. And here I must com- al peace and stability,” he said. Hamdallah Middle East peace deal being discussed have not JAKARTA: (From left to right) Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Fumio Kishida, mend the... efforts of Mr John Kerry,” Palestinian expressed gratitude to donor nations, but said yet been made public, but Hamdallah said on Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang prime minister Rami Hamdallah said. Japan Israeli settlements were “severely” hampering Friday “all issues actually have been (put) on the Yudhoyono and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, attend the opening of Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida announced further development. “Sixty-two percent of all our land is table”.—AFP the second Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) in Jakarta yesterday. — AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 INTERNATIONAL California soaked but little drought help

AZUSA: A storm that brought some of the neighborhood as the hill grew more satu- warning that was sent to cell phones was er but knew it would not rescue California Power and Southern California Edison said. highest rainfall totals to the Los Angeles rated, at least a few residents decided to called late Friday night for central Los from drought. “Hopefully, they keep com- The storm was good news for other area in years, including eight inches on stay on. Dennis Sanderson, 50, said his reac- Angeles County. For the first time in nearly ing,” Veldhuis said of the storms. “If not, we’ll Californians who didn’t have to worry some mountains, was just the beginning of tion to the evacuation order was “we’ll ride it three years, downtown Los Angeles deal with the hand we’re dealt.” about mudslides. Kite-surfer Chris Strong what the region needs to pull out of a major out,” but by nightfall he was undecided and received more than 2 inches - doubling its Numerous traffic accidents occurred on braved pelting rain to take advantage of drought. Although the storm was expected keeping an eye on the weather because of total for the rainy season that began in July, slick or flooded roads across California, strong winds that gave him about an hour to remain strong Saturday, forecasters said forecasts for more rainfall. the National Weather Service said. Yet the including one about 60 miles east of Los of fun over the pounding surf in such systems would have to become com- Only a half-inch of rain was expected city remained 7 inches below the normal 11 Angeles involving a big rig whose driver Huntington Beach. “I don’t get to kite here mon for the state to make serious inroads late Friday night “but that doesn’t mean that inches. died after falling from a freeway overpass. in these conditions very often - only a against the drought. “We need several large mountain won’t come down, so we’ll proba- Meanwhile to the east in San Bernardino Power outages hit about 32,000 customers, handful of times - but you put them in the storms and we just don’t see that on the bly go ahead and leave,” Sanderson said. Ed County, a levee failed and put eight houses in the Los Angeles Department of Water and memory bank,” he said. —AP horizon,” National Weather Service meteor- Heinlein, 65, evacuated early Friday with danger of serious flooding, but county fire ologist Eric Boldt said Friday. “This is a rogue five other family members including his 5- crews were working to protect them and no storm. We will dry out next week.” week old grandson to stay with friends, but evacuations were ordered. Forecasters But the storm had yet to do serious dam- kept returning to eye the house and the expected the storm to last through Saturday age either. At least not yet. In Azusa and mountain, where mud filled furrows more in California before trundling east into simi- neighboring foothill communities about 25 than three feet deep and brimmed over larly rain-starved neighboring states. Phoenix miles east of Los Angeles that sit beneath retaining walls three feet tall. “It’s your home was expecting its first noticeable precipita- nearly 2,000 acres of steep mountain slopes and your life, so it’s hard to stay away” tion in two months. The storm was projected that just weeks ago were menaced by a Heinlein said. However, “We’re not to go to head east across the Rockies before peter- wildfire, about 1,200 homes were under back until the threat clears.” ing out in the Northeast in several days. evacuation orders over mudflow fears but About 13 homes were evacuated Friday Rain also fell along the central coast, the were so-far spared. In particular danger night in Palmdale in northern Los Angeles San Francisco Bay area and Central Valley. were about a dozen homes in Azusa that County, where a mudslide closed a major Winter storm warnings were in effect in the were backed up against a steep fire-denud- road. Thunder echoed and hard rain fell late Sierra Nevada. About 15 inches of new ed hillside several hundred feet high that Friday night on Hollywood, which was snow had fallen by mid-day Friday at the authorities feared could collapse. abuzz with preparations for Sunday University of California, Berkeley’s Central Muddy water swept down the hillside evening’s Academy Awards and hopes the Sierra Snow Lab located at 6,900 feet eleva- earlier in the day, spreading about two feet rain will have moved on by then as expect- tion. A tornado warning was issued for of ooze above one backyard, although fenc- ed. Rainfall totals in parts of California were Sacramento, Yolo and Sutter Counties ing walls and an orchard of about 5,000 impressive, especially in areas that typically Friday night but was canceled soon after. avocado trees behind the development don’t receive much, but not nearly enough Farmer Ray Gene Veldhuis, who grows stopped most serious debris. Despite the to offer long-term relief from a long-run- almonds, walnuts and pistachios and runs a CALIFORNIA: Mari Poblete (left) and neighbor Lorenzo Tatone look at hill- urging of police and fire officials who ning drought. Three inches fell on Bel Air 2,300-cow dairy in the Central Valley’s sides from which ash, water and mud flow through her yard as a storm cleared reporters and others out of the and Pasadena, and an urban flash-flood Merced County, welcomed the wet weath- brings rain in the midst of record drought in Azusa, California. —AFP US pointman on Documents show Clintons’ US health care concerns Syria, Ford quits WASHINGTON: Bill Clinton’s aides revealed senator, Mrs Clinton is the leading the members in her ability to help produce concern early in his presidency about the Democratic contender to succeed a viable health reform legislative product health care overhaul effort led by his wife, President Barack Obama, though she has with the president,” said an undated and Hillary Rodham Clinton, and later about not said whether she will run. Friday’s doc- unsigned document, which was cataloged Damascus accuses Ford of inciting violence what they saw as a need to soften her uments included memos related to the for- with others from April 1993. The document image, according to documents released mer president’s ill-fated health care reform urged quick action, warning that enthusi- WASHINGTON: Robert Ford, the US that erupted in March that year. He nev- as deputy chief of mission in Baghdad Friday. Mrs Clinton now is a potential 2016 proposal in 1993 and 1994, a plan that asm for health reform “will fade over time.” ambassador to Syria who has been er returned full-time to Syria. from 2008-2009. He was ambassador to presidential contender The National failed to win support in Congress and But the documents also showed the Washington’s main pointman in efforts Ford was increasingly criticized by Algeria from 2006 to 2008 and had Archives released about 4,000 pages of turned into a rallying cry for Republicans in growing concerns among Clinton’s fellow to end the war stepped down on Friday. the regime, which accused him of help- postings in Bahrain, Cairo and Yaounde. previously confidential documents involv- the 1994 midterm elections. As first lady, Democrats in Congress. Lawmakers, it said, “Robert Ford is retiring from the foreign ing incite violence and was angered But he often spoke of his love for Syria, ing the former president’s administration, Hillary Clinton chaired her husband’s “going to their home districts for the service after nearly 30 years of distin- when he visited protest hubs outside its culture, heritage and people. “There’s providing a glimpse into the ultimately health care task force, largely meeting in August break are petrified about having guished service,” State Department the capital in a show of solidarity with no question that his departure is a loss, unsuccessful struggles of his health care secret to develop a plan to provide univer- difficult health care reform issues/ques- spokeswoman Jen Psaki told pro-democracy demonstrators. In late not just because of his contacts, but task force, led by the first lady, and other sal health insurance coverage. tions thrown at them.” Administration offi- reporters. She admitted that the September 2011, Ford was blocked because of his expertise, because of his Clinton priorities such as the US economy cials also wanted to distance Hillary Clinton departure of Ford, who over the past inside a building for a few hours during knowledge,” Psaki said. and a major trade agreement. Growing concerns from a staff meeting on the touchy subject three years has built up extensive con- a meeting with opposition member She announced that for the time Hillary Clinton’s potential White House White House aides expressed initial of making health care cost projections tacts with the Syrian opposition lead- Hassan Abdel Azim when nearly 100 being, as the White House mulls a campaign has increased interest in Clinton optimism about her ability to help craft appear reasonable. Top aides wrote an ers and was instrumental in helping to angry pro-regime protesters tried to replacement for Ford, Acting Deputy Presidential Library documents from her and enact a major overhaul of US health April 1993 memo saying pessimistic cost- bring them to the Geneva peace talks, storm the offices. Washington decided Assistant Secretary Lawrence Silverman husband’s administration during the 1990s care. “The first lady’s months of meetings savings projections from the nonpartisan would be a loss. to close the embassy in 2012 as the would take up the helm. “There will be and her own decades in public service. A with the Congress has produced a signifi- Congressional Budget Office were “petrify- “His extraordinary leadership has uprising descended swiftly into a a continuity, given that there (is) a former secretary of state and New York cant amount of trust and confidence by ing an already scared Congress.” —AP guided our response to one of the most bloody civil war. Since then, Ford has range of officials who will still be in formidable foreign policy challenges in shuttled between the United States place,” Psaki said. “Obviously, part of the region,” Psaki said. “From the out- and Turkey, spending hours huddled what I’m sure will be looked at is the break of the crisis, Ambassador Ford with opposition leaders based out of role that the next person will play in has worked tirelessly in support of the Istanbul as he sought to help them terms of their engagement with the Syrian people in their pursuit of free- form a more cohesive and inclusive opposition.” The UN-led Geneva II peace dom and dignity.” A fluent Arabic body. talks broke down on February 15 and speaker, Ford became Washington’s no new date has yet been set for them first ambassador to Damascus in five Legacy and career to reconvene. But Psaki insisted that as years when he was named in late 2010. Ford has also spoken passionately the United States seeks to prepare for “a But just a few months into his post, and angrily about the mounting atroci- new Syria,” Ford’s “legacy will guide our Ford was abruptly pulled out of the ties in the war, which will enter its efforts to support Syrians and lay the country in October 2011 amid fears for fourth year next month and in which foundation for a more hopeful future.” his safety when he became a vocal crit- more than 136,000 people have been “The president and the secretary (John ic of the Assad regime and its crack- killed and millions displaced. A career Kerry) of course are both incredibly down on the pro-democracy uprising foreign service officer, Ford also served grateful for his service.” —AFP Venezuela violence rages 41 foreigners detained

CARACAS: At least 41 people, including joined students angered by high inflation another was shot twice in the leg. “All these foreign reporters, were arrested in Caracas and goods shortage in plotting to topple things are aimed at triggering a backlash late Friday as security forces battled pro- his nearly year-old government. from security forces,” Maduro said from the testers angry at the policies of Venezuela’s Miraflores presidential palace, where he leftist government. National Guard security Foreign reporters detained spoke with representatives of various politi- forces blasted the student-led demonstra- Eight of those detained were foreigners cal and social sectors. “Justice must prevail tors with high-pressure water and fired tear “and are being held for international terror- against implacable murderers and those gas canisters into the crowds in an attempt ism,” state VTV television said in a brief preparing paramilitary groups... to hide to break up the protest. Hooded protesters statement. Venezuela’s journalist associa- behind alleged protests and seek civil war.” set up barricades and responded by hurl- tion SNTP said that one of the foreigners ing rocks and Molotov cocktails. The death was US freelance reporter Andrew Rosati, ‘Inexcusable’ violence toll from three-week street battles stood at who writes for the Miami Herald. Rosati Protest organizer Alfredo Romero, pres- 18, according to government figures. was detained for half an hour and released ident of the Venezuelan Penal Forum, said With no sign of a breakthrough in the after being “struck in the face and his 33 cases of “cruel and inhuman treatment political crisis gripping the oil-rich country, abdomen” by security forces, the SNTP, said or torture” have been reported to the pub- Washington urged President Nicolas on Twitter. The group also said that Italian lic ombudsman. One of the cases involves an alleged rape with a rifle of a young man arrested by the National Guard. The Venezuelan government said it was investi- gating 27 cases of human rights abuses, though it provided no details of possible wrongdoing. Some of the deaths have been attributed to violent clashes with police, but other victims have been shot by unidentified gunmen, whom the protest- ers have accused of being government agents. The government has denied all links to such killings. Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz said that the death toll linked to the protests stood at 18, while of the 1,044 that had been detained, 72 remain behind bars. The US Congress has condemned “inex- cusable” violence against anti-government protesters, calling for a dialogue to end the crisis and urging President Barack Obama CARACAS: Demonstrators confront riot policemen during an anti- to impose sanctions on those responsible government protest in Caracas. —AFP for the crackdown. The resolution came one day after Venezuela reportedly issued Maduro to talk to the protesters. photographer Francesca Commissari, who an arrest warrant for a second opposition “They need to reach out and have a works for the local daily El Nacional, was figure accused of crimes linked to the dialogue, and bring people together and being held. Government officials gave no protests, including arson, public incitement resolve their problems,” Secretary of State information or details on the arrest of for- and criminal damage. Leopoldo Lopez, of John Kerry said in Washington, urging eigners. Security forces made the arrests at the Voluntad Popular (Popular Will) party, against “arrests and violence in the streets.” a protest in the Plaza Altamira, in the city’s had turned himself in last week after a war- Kerry said the United States was working wealthy Chacao district. rant went out for his arrest. The party said with Colombia and other countries to bol- In a separate incident, Maduro said that Thursday that Maduro’s embattled govern- ster mediation efforts. Maduro has labeled National Guard members were “ambushed” ment was now seeking Carlos Vecchio, the the protests that began on February 4 a and shot at while removing debris from the Voluntad Popular party’s national political Washington-backed attempted “coup.” He streets of Valencia, Venezuela’s economic coordinator. Court officials have not con- claims that radical opposition leaders have hub. One died from a shot in the eye and firmed the arrest warrant. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

Socialists launch campaign for European elections ROME: European Socialists yesterday Participants at the congress included going and warm but also tough, some- launched their election campaign by Austrian Chancellor Chancellor Werner times brutally so, and he has earned a rep- anointing Martin Schulz as their candi- Faymann, French Prime Minister Jean- utation in Brussels as a politician who date for European Commission president Marc Ayrault, Italian Prime Minister does not mince his words. “You have to and adopting a manifesto calling for Matteo Renzi and Romanian Prime talk straight so that people understand urgent social action. The Party of Minister Victor Ponta. Social-democrats you,” says this dyed-in-the-wool pro- European Socialists, which brings togeth- are in a minority in Europe, holding pow- European, who was first elected to the er social democrats from 28 EU member er in 11 countries sometimes in coalitions European Parliament in 1994. states, was to give its backing to Schulz, a with the right-and the PES has 195 law- It is ironic that his candidacy is taking former bookseller from Aachen in makers at the European Parliament com- place in Rome since he really made his Germany who is president of the pared to 275 conservatives. name in a confrontation with then Italian European Parliament. The manifesto due The latest polls, however, show them prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in 2003. to be approved at a congress in Rome neck and neck with the European During a debate, Schulz referred to “the ahead of European Parliament elections People’s Party or even slightly ahead. virus of conflict of interests” in politics, a in May accused the right wing of creating Their manifesto called for an end to barely veiled swipe at billionaire tycoon- “a Europe of fear and austerity” in five “social dumping” through worker turned-politician Berlusconi, provoking an years of a conservative majority. The exploitation and precarious contracts, as infamous retort. “Mister Schulz, I know a socialists said their program “will bring well as “decent minimum wages across ROME: European Parliament President Martin Schulz delivers a speech to delegates producer in Italy who is making a film back job creation, a productive economy, Europe”. They also said that “austerity- during a meeting at the PES (Party of European Socialists) electoral congress yes- about the Nazi concentration camps. I a sense of community and respect for only policy” had harmed Europe’s econo- terday in Rome. — AFP could see you in the role of a Kapo-You people”, calling the struggle against my and it was time to bring down public would be perfect,” Berlusconi said. Schulz unemployment “our first and main priori- budget deficits in “a sustainable and fair Straight-talker European Commission. Unlike the EPP refused to respond in kind. “My respect for ty”. way”. “We will be tough guardians of For the first time this year following conservatives, the PES chose its candidate the victims of the Nazis forbids me to “It is time to put jobs first and to build public money, enhancing the quality of the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon, for the post-Schulz-months ago and respond,” he said, immediately deflating a social Europe,” former Bulgarian prime public spending, cutting out waste and member states will have to take into Saturday’s congress is only his formal des- Berlusconi’s barb and winning plaudits for minister and PES leader Sergei Stanishev directing expenditure to get the best val- account the result of the European elec- ignation. The 58-year-old is a man of char- his self-control and restraint on such a said in a speech at the meeting. ue”, it read. tions when they pick a president for the acter and determination who can be out- sensitive issue. — AFP

News Divorce debate challenges Pope in brief Pontiff promises to put Church in touch with modern life Chile and US seal visa waiver deal VATICAN CITY: The issue of divorce is led to acts of defiance. The German dio- WASHINGTON: Citizens of Chile will no longer stoking a spirited debate between cese of Freiburg im Breisgau last year said need a visa to travel to the United States for busi- Catholic cardinals and revealing the chal- it was authorizing re-married divorcees to ness or pleasure. Chile is the only country in Latin lenges and expectations for Pope Francis receive Holy Communion on a case by America to enjoy this status, joining 37 other coun- after his promises to put the Church more case basis-prompting a quick telling off tries in the US visa waiver program. The deal in touch with modern life. The question is from the Vatican. announced in Washington on Friday also means whether divorcees who re-marry should The issue would affect millions of that US citizens no longer have to pay a $160 “reci- be allowed to take part in the most Catholics around the world, with around a procity fee” when they enter Chile. Nearly a quar- sacred point of Catholic mass, Holy quarter of Catholic marriages ending in ter-million Chileans traveled to the United States Communion, which is forbidden under divorce in the United States alone. Some last year, 90 percent of them for tourism or busi- current rules that in practice are often not theologians and clergymen have called for ness purposes. Starting May 1, any of these observed. Changing the doctrine could in changes to facilitate the annulment of Chileans carrying an electronic passport will no turn alter Church rules on marriage annul- marriages in cases in which it could be longer need a visa for stays of 90 days or less, as ments and raise broader questions about argued that the wedding took place under long as they apply online for advanced authoriza- the institution of marriage, prompting social pressure or was not fully under- tion from the US Department of Homeland lively exchanges between traditionalists stood. Re-marrying would then be Security. and reformers. allowed under Church rules and the cou- Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, the arch- ple would be allowed to take Holy 4 shot in Detroit after bishop of Lyon in France, told Vatican Communion. Another possibility could be fight over tax refund radio that a meeting of cardinals from the Orthodox model, which allows some DETROIT: A man involved in a dispute over a tax around the world in the Vatican this divorcees to re-marry in church and take refund check opened fire at a Detroit tax prepara- month devoted “80 to 90 percent” of the Holy Communion but gives only a bless- tion business on Friday afternoon, wounding four time to discussing the issue. German ing for the second marriage and does not employees. Police say the alleged gunman was Cardinal Ludwig Mueller, head of the consider it a sacrament. arrested running from the scene and a woman Church’s doctrinal watchdog, the Francis mentioned the Orthodox solu- VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis gestures, flanked by the Prime Minister of Romania involved in the dispute turned herself in later in Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, tion as a “parenthesis” on the plane during Victor Ponta and his wife during a private audience in the pontiff’s studio at the the day. The shooting happened at Tax City Tax has said the current rules are “impossible his return from a visit to Brazil and it was Vatican yesterday. — AFP Service on the city’s east side. Deputy Police Chief to change” and that people should stop raised again by some cardinals in their Rodney Johnson said the woman became upset thinking of marriage as “a party in a consistory this month in which they said it when her tax refund wasn’t ready Friday and start- church”. Honduran Cardinal Oscar Andres could happen following “a period of peni- ed scuffling with the guard. Johnson said the man Rodriguez Maradiaga, a member of the tence”. The issue is likely to dominate a with her pulled a gun and started shooting. The council of eight cardinals established by synod of world bishops planned for later Adopted children fight Irish security guard was wounded, as were three other the pope to advise him, has taken a more this year and another one in 2015, which employees. One victim was in critical condition, lenient line and has asked Mueller to be Francis has said should focus on families. state secrecy to find parents while the other three were listed in serious condi- “more flexible”. The divorce debate was raised in an tion. “There were no fatalities, thank goodness,” A survey by the Spanish-language net- unprecedented questionnaire sent out to OMAGH: Catherine Droogan turns 40 this ernment parties and former government par- Johnson said. Johnson said a passer-by flagged work Univision in 12 mainly Catholic coun- dioceses worldwide to find out the year. That’s one of the few personal details she ties because they know the extent to which down a police officer and pointed out the suspect, tries found that 75 percent of Europeans, approach taken by parishes on many can be sure of. Adopted at four weeks from a state and church colluded to abduct children who was arrested less than a block from the shoot- 67 percent of Latin Americans and 59 per- issues, including same-sex couples and convent in eastern Ireland, Droogan doesn’t and they colluded in forced adoption,” said ing. Police had been looking for the woman, but cent of Americans were at odds with the pre-marital cohabitation. Vatican expert know who her parents were or where she was Susan Lohan of the Adoption Rights Alliance. Johnson said she walked into a police precinct and Church on the issue, while in Africa 19 per- Henri Tincq, writing on the website born. She is not even certain who actually Fitzgerald said that was not the case. “The turned herself in Friday evening. cent of respondents disagreed. The issue Slate.fr, said the divorce issue is particular- named her Catherine. Lying on her kitchen Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is one of very personal anguish for many ly complex on a theological level since “a table in the Northern Ireland town of Omagh absolutely rejects the proposition that she is, Uganda accuses World Catholic couples, who say they are being sacrament is given by God and can never is a one-page document that the state has in any proactive way, trying to block adoption Bank of gay ‘blackmail’ treated as second-class believers, and has be taken back”.— AFP given her about her parents, containing and information legislation. The opposite is KAMPALA: Uganda accused the World Bank of what’s known as “non-identifying informa- the case,” her department said in an emailed blackmail Friday after the lender stalled a $90-mil- Former Gitmo inmate denies tion”. It took her a year to get from Ireland’s statement. “The birth parent has certain con- lion loan over the east African nation’s adoption of health service and tells her that her father was stitutional rights to privacy which reflect the a draconian anti-gay law. “World Bank is a multi- Syria-related terror charges a blue-eyed factory worker in his early 20s, fact that the original adoptions were provid- lateral institution that should not blackmail its and her mother was a catering assistant who ed for under the Adoption Acts on the basis members however small,” government spokesman liked to read and dance. There are no names of confidentiality. “There are legal and consti- Ofwono Opondo said on Twitter. The World Bank LONDON: A British man once held at came as concerns mount in Britain over or addresses. tutional difficulties in retrospectively over- announced on Thursday that it was blocking the Guantanamo Bay turned human rights the number of its nationals travelling to International laws say all children should turning considerations of confidentiality oth- loan, which was intended to help Uganda campaigner told a court in London yes- Syria to help rebels fighting President know their parents and be able to establish er than on the basis of consent.” Since strengthen its health-care system. “We have post- terday he would plead not guilty to pro- Bashar Al-Assad. their identity. But adopted people in Ireland “Philomena”, applications to join a register poned the project for further review to ensure that viding training and funding terrorism in Police fear they may become radical- have no automatic right to their birth records, that tries to match adopted people with their the development objectives would not be Syria, police said. Moazzam Begg, 45, who ized by Islamists or attend terrorist train- and no legal right to tracing services. Pressure birth parents have doubled to 30-40 a week, adversely affected by the enactment of this new was released without charge from the US ing camps before returning to Britain to change this has risen since “Philomena”, an said the state-run Adoption Authority. Nearly law,” a World Bank spokesman said. Earlier this military prison in Cuba in 2005, was where they could pose a security risk. Oscar-nominated movie, was released last 11,000 people are now on the register: It has week, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed detained at his home in Birmingham in British police had already arrested 16 year. It tells the true story of Philomena Lee, made 660 matches since 2005. The off on one of the world’s toughest anti-gay laws central England last week and charged people on suspicion of terrorism offences an Irish woman whose son was sold as a tod- Authority’s chairman said it was examining despite warnings from his Western allies. Museveni with terrorism offences dated between related to Syria this year, some as young dler by nuns to a US couple. “When I was how future laws might work. “We are explor- capped his defense of the law-which could see October 2012 and April 2013. He as 17, compared to 24 such arrests in all younger I thought someday there will be this ing all possible avenues,” Geoffrey Shannon homosexuals jailed for life and requires people to appeared at Westminster Magistrates of 2013. Security assessments estimate big reunion. As I got older, I got a bit of sense. told Reuters. “I’m quite optimistic that we are denounce them-with a lurid description of his par- Court yesterday and was remanded in that up to 500 Britons have gone to Syria But just to know who I am is my biggest want. moving into a much better place in this area.” ticular revulsion to oral sex. Museveni has been in custody to appear at London’s Old Bailey in the past two years of which about half That’s what really bugs me, that I can’t know power for 28 years, a record in East Africa. Opondo criminal court on March 14. are thought to have returned home. This the simple things,” said Droogan, who has two Hand in glove argued in another tweet that the bank’s “so-called It is the first time he has ever faced any number includes those engaged in aid or children of her own. “My eldest son wants to The Catholic Church ran many of Ireland’s ‘cut’ is attempted blackmail to set Ugandans charges. Begg was held by the US gov- humanitarian efforts. British law was know who he looks like. He is the double of social services in the 20th century, including against their government.” US Secretary of State ernment at Bagram detention centre in changed last year to make it easier for the me.” Catholic Ireland’s system of compelling mother-and-baby homes where tens of thou- John Kerry, who earlier this week likened the law Afghanistan, then Guantanamo Bay in government to confiscate the passport unwed mothers to give up their babies to sands of unwed pregnant women, including to anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany, Thursday called secret adoptions ended in the 1980s, but rape victims, were sent to give birth. Cuba, for nearly three years after being from anyone whose “actual or suspected” the Ugandan leader to express Washington’s “deep thousands of mothers and children are still Unmarried mothers and their children were disappointment” about the legislation. arrested in Pakistan in February 2002 sus- activities are deemed contrary to the being kept apart. Politicians blame the law. seen as a stain on Ireland’s image as a devout, pected of being a member of Al-Qaeda. public interest. — Reuters Successive Irish governments have argued Catholic nation. They were also a problem for Taiwanese arrested for After his release, he founded Cage, a that a 1998 Supreme Court ruling prevents some of the fathers, particularly powerful fig- second hammer killing human rights organization that cam- them from automatically opening adopted ures such as priests and wealthy, married TAIPEI: A Taiwanese man has been arrested on paigns for the rights of people detained people’s birth files because it emphasized the men. Like the Magdalene Laundries, where suspicion of murdering his grandmother with a during counter-terrorism operations. mother’s right to privacy, and said mothers single women and girls were sent because hammer, seven years after he killed his father Cage accused British authorities of should be consulted. No administration has they threatened Ireland’s moral fibre, the using the same weapon, police said yesterday. The “retraumatizing” Begg by refusing to yet drawn up laws to clarify the situation. Nor mother-and-baby homes were run by nuns man, identified by his family name Lee, has a histo- grant him bail, saying this was part of a has any government tried to challenge the but received state funding. They acted as ry of mental illness and allegedly attacked his campaign to criminalize legitimate judgment. In 2001, a junior minister proposed adoption agencies and in that capacity were grandmother on Friday, hammering at her head activism. “This is a politically motivated criminal prosecution, and possibly jail, for any overseen by the state. and face while stabbing her eyes with a screwdriv- arrest and very much bears the hallmarks adopted person who tried to contact a birth er in their house in southern Taiwan, police said. of trying to criminalize legitimate Muslim parent who didn’t want to be approached, Adoption legislation Lee, 35, woke his mother up after the alleged activity by reinforcing a climate of fear,” and for any parent who tried to contact an Major parts of adoption legislation were crime and when police arrived they found the 85- said Asim Qureshi, research director of unwilling child. That idea was dropped after a written to the wishes of the Catholic hierarchy year-old lying dead on the floor with her face Cage. storm of protest. in the 1950s and 1960s and are still used to bloody and disfigured while Lee’s face and hands Begg was one of four Britons arrested Ireland’s current Minister for Children and regulate adoption today. Irish government were dotted with blood. Lee claimed he suffered last Tuesday in central England on sus- Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has said she officials followed the Church’s preference for hallucinations and that he would have “gone out- pected Syria-related terrorism offences. is working on legislation to formalize tracing secrecy, despite the fact psychologists side to kill somebody else” if he did not kill his Another of those, 44-year-old woman and access to birth records for adopted peo- stressed the importance for adopted children grandmother, said the Apple Daily Newspaper. Lee Gerrie Tahari, also appeared in ple. Originally meant to be unveiled in 2013, it of knowing where they came from. “There is was arrested in 2007 for murdering his father with Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday is now expected sometime this year. She has no other issue I’ve come across in my studies a hammer, claiming he was angry that the victim charged with facilitating terrorism over- told parliament that the new law will have to where the state and the church was more was having an affair and abused his mother. He seas. “When asked to give an indication of reflect the “constraints” arising from the 1998 hand-in-glove than on this particular issue,” was not indicted as he was deemed to be in a state Supreme Court ruling. Campaigning group said Robbie Roulston, a lecturer at University how they intended to plead they both of insanity and was ordered to be hospitalized for the Adoption Rights Alliance, which is work- College Dublin. Ireland is not the only country five years. Lee has been in and out of hospital for replied not guilty,” said a statement from ing with Philomena Lee, believes the state has where children were taken from their moth- the past two years and two weeks ago his mother West Midlands police. Tahari was also a “deny till they die” strategy, stalling until ers. Australia’s former Prime Minister Julia arranged for him to come home to spend some remanded in custody to appear on March most birth mothers are dead to avoid contro- Gillard apologized last year for some 150,000 time with the family. He was scheduled to be read- 14. Two other men, aged 20 and 36, who versy and lawsuits. “There is a fear and forced adoptions in that country between mitted last Monday, the newspaper said. were arrested the same day, remain in Former Guantanamo Bay detainee loathing about this whole issue amongst gov- 1950 and 1970.—Reuters police custody, police said. The arrests Moazzam Begg SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Sri Lanka family finds mass grave in garden Remains of nine people found

COLOMBO: Another unmarked mass grave has been found ernment and security forces should be held responsible,” in Sri Lanka’s former war zone, police said yesterday, as military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said in Colombo braced for a US-led censure resolution at the UN a statement. rights forum next week. A family on Friday stumbled upon He said there was no “factual basis” to point a finger at nine bodies buried in the garden of their home in the dis- government forces. “The LTTE (Tamil Tigers) unhesitatingly trict of Mullaitivu, where the final battles of the island’s killed any individual or group of people that attempted to protracted ethnic war were fought in May 2009, police defy their orders,” Wanigasooriya said. “The skeletal remains spokesman Ajith Rohana said. found recently near a former LTTE-held area could very “Remains of nine people had been found so far and the well be such dead buried secretly.” The latest discovery also skeletal remains were taken for analysis by the judicial comes days after officials raised the number of bodies medical officer in the area,” Rohana told reporters. The lat- found in December in an unmarked mass grave in the est discovery came ahead of a UN Human Rights Council adjoining district of Mannar to 80. It was the first grave HERAT: Former Taleban fighters stand with their weapons during a reconciliation process in Herat province yester- (UNHRC) session starting Monday in Geneva where Sri uncovered in the ex-war zone since troops defeated Tamil day. An eleven-member armed group of Taleban have joined the government forces. The Group was previously Lanka faces the third US-led resolution in as many years rebels nearly five years ago, following a decades-long con- active in Robat Sangi district and handed over their weapons to Afghan forces. — AFP criticizing Colombo for its alleged failure to probe war flict over demands for a separate homeland for ethnic crimes. Last month, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in minority Tamils. Australia accused Sri Lankan authorities of exhuming mass The final battles between government forces and Tamil graves and destroying evidence of civilian killings, a charge Tiger rebels were fought in the Mullaitivu district which Will the ‘zero option’ in denied by Colombo. was a stronghold of the separatist guerrillas for over two Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse has said he is decades. The United Nations estimates the ethnic war committed to ensuring investigations into any allegations between 1972 and 2009 in Sri Lanka claimed at least Afghanistan cause chaos? of wrongdoing by his security forces and challenged his 100,000 lives. Last year, construction workers stumbled on accusers to provide evidence. The military yesterday another mass grave in central Sri Lanka, hundreds of kilo- WASHINGTON: If President Barack Obama were to decide to began in 2001 and is the longest in American history. denied it had anything to do with the latest mass grave meters from the conflict zone. At least 154 people were leave no military advisory force in Afghanistan next year, would found in the former conflict area and said the victims could found in Matale district, the scene of an anti-government Afghan security unravel to the point of enabling a civil war, a Will Obama abandon the idea? be civilians or conscripted combatants killed by the Tigers uprising between 1987 and 1990 unrelated to the Tamil Taleban takeover and a return of Al-Qaeda in such numbers as He is keeping his options open, but many who have closely themselves. “Some interested parties are attempting to separatist conflict. Remains from that grave have been sent to pose a 9/11-type threat? That is the question at the core of followed the war believe Obama will keep pressing the Afghans portray this as evidence of an incident for which the gov- to China for further tests. — AFP the debate over Obama’s next move in a long-running standoff to approve a US-NATO advisory mission. Less than a year after he with the Afghans over a postwar presence. A look at the debate took office, Obama took ownership of the war by ordering an and the arguments behind it. extra 30,000 troops into battle, saying America’s security depends on a stable Afghanistan. Michael O’Hanlon of the Brookings India’s women ‘sadhus’ Will war end this year? Institution think tank said in an email interview Thursday that by Yes, but that tells only part of the story of the endgame for choosing the “zero option,” as it has come to be called, Obama America’s longest war. Obama refers to ending the US and coali- would be “perilously close to conceding - or at least risking - tion combat role in Afghanistan on Dec 31, as was agreed four defeat” in Afghanistan. He does not believe Obama is leaning form all-female group years ago. Aside from the fact that for Afghans, the war and its toward that option. misery almost certainly will not end this year, the remaining LUCKNOW: Female “sadhus”, or holy issue for Obama is whether to begin a follow-on military adviso- How is it possible? Hindu women, have broken away ry mission in January that also would allow US special opera- It depends on how you look at it. US officials say they believe from tradition and formed a new all- tions forces to continue hunting the small remaining numbers of the Afghan army has shown it can stand up to the Taleban. female group in India that they hope Al- Qaeda in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan forces have taken the lead combat role for many months will end male domination of spiritual now. But they have enjoyed the luxury of knowing that American practices. In the northern city of What good would advisers do? troops have their backs. The problem is not the Afghans’ will or Allahabad a group of women sadhus The thinking is that with a little more help, US-trained Afghan ability to fight. The problem, from a purely military standpoint, is formally established their group or government troops could at least hold their own against the the government’s limited ability to sustain them in that fight. In “akhada”, holding ceremonies on the Taleban over the next few years, creating a better chance for a other words, the Afghans need help running their own defense banks of the River Ganges which is long-term political settlement. It has been clear for some time establishment to keep weapons and supplies - and paychecks - considered sacred by Hindus. Mahant that US and coalition forces can damage but not decisively flowing to the troops, and to develop effective air forces. Defense Trikal Bhavanta, a leading woman defeat the Taleban, and that the best hope for peace and stabili- Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday in Brussels that without US sadhu, told AFP late Friday that the ty is to enable an Afghan solution. A study by CNA Strategic and coalition backup, there is a risk of an “erosion of confidence” all-women akhada was believed to Studies, a federally funded think tank, published earlier this among Afghan troops. Some say that could lead to their collapse. be the first in the history of Hinduism month concluded that the Taleban is likely to regroup and gain The US’s top military officer, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen in India. An akhada is a group of sad- strength after 2014, posing a threat to the government in the Martin Dempsey, said after meeting with ground commanders in hus-reclusive ascetics or wandering 2015-18 period, even if US and other international advisers Afghanistan on Wednesday that he feared a Western departure monks who renounce normal life and ALLAHABAD: Indian first women Akhara’s Pithadhishwar Jagat Guru remain. But the picture could grow much worse, the study said, would embolden the Taleban and even cause some Afghan are often widely respected for their Shankaracharya “Shri Sadguru Trikaal Bhawanta” stands with her disciples if foreign forces abandon the country entirely. It predicted a troops to cooperate with the Taleban to “hedge their bets.” holiness. India has more than a outside her temple in Arial opposite Sangam in Allahabad. — AFP “downward spiral” of Afghan security force capabilities, and of dozen such groups, all male-domi- their own,” she said. “We are facing crit- Allahabad, drawing legions of wan- Afghan security, unless US and other advisers remain and the When will Obama decide? nated. icism from men because the move dering holy men and women. international community continues to underwrite the cost of There is no hard deadline. Administration officials had said According to some Hindu lore, it is ensures that from now on, sanyasins Smaller, similar events are held every Afghan’s army. late last year that they needed a decision by Karzai in a matter of believed the first akhada was formed (women sadhus) will also stand to rise three years in other locations around weeks. By it now appears that Obama could afford to wait even by Hindu philosopher Adi Shankar- in the seers’ hierarchy and the subju- India. The event has its origins in So what’s the argument? beyond this summer. By July, the top US commander in Kabul, acharya in the eighth century with the gation of women in the akhada sys- Hindu mythology, which describes The practical problem is that Afghan President Hamid Karzai Gen. Joseph Dunford, expects to have established a force tailored aim of safeguarding the religion’s tem run by men will end,” Bhavanta how a few drops of the nectar of has thus far refused to sign a deal he negotiated with for a post-2014 advising and counterterrorism mission, although interests. Bhavanta said the all-women added. immortality fell on the four places Washington last year that provides the legal basis for US forces the military has said it would like to know by early summer, in group was facing criticism from male Those who become women sad- that host the festival-Allahabad, to remain there after 2014. No deal, no troops, the White House part because some NATO allies who want to be part of that post- sadhus, who claim the move goes hus and renounce possessions in a Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar. Bhavanta says. There also are political factors. A war-weary American pub- 2014 force need time to make their own arrangements. It against age-old customs. “Nowhere in quest for enlightenment are often said her akhada would participate lic appears to have little appetite for even a slimmed-down com- appears Dunford might be able to wait as late as October for a the Hindu scriptures is it mentioned widows. Every 12 years, the Kumbh with its own flag in the Maha Kumbh mitment to remaining involved in the inconclusive war, which decision on whether to fully withdraw — AP that women cannot have an akhada of Mela religious festival is held in to be held in Nasik next year. — AFP Chapo’s Rise: From poor, abused to cartel kingpin

AGUA PRIETA: It was nighttime in May of 1990, in the founder of the Guadalajara cartel. heyday of the cocaine boom across America. Twenty Guzman worked as a Gallardo lieutenant for years, Mexican federal police officers and a handful of US then emerged as one of the dominant figures on the Customs agents, acting on a tip, descended on a stucco drug-trafficking scene as Gallardo was hunted by the DEA home on the edge of Agua Prieta, Mexico - a stone’s and eventually arrested for the 1985 murder of agent throw from Arizona. “Policia,” they yelled, guns drawn, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. “He shows up as an all of a sud- before busting down the front door. The house was emp- den, overnight thing,” said Edward Heath, who ran the ty but looked lived in, with dishes in the kitchen and toys DEA’s Mexico office during the Camarena killing. “The guy in the backyard. The officers moved quickly to a spacious was smart enough to pick up on how things get done. If game room, complete with a bar and a pool table, set someone did not perform well or you become a threat, atop a 10-by-10 foot concrete panel on the floor. he would set ‘em up. A lot of people got killed. A lot of An informant had told them that what they were look- people got sent to jail.” ing for was under the pool table. They moved it aside and As he consolidated power, Guzman began showing a went to work with a jackhammer. Then, a stroke of luck: flair for inventive smuggling. According to U.S. prosecu- One of them turned the knob of a faucet and suddenly tors and federal indictments, he opened a business dis- the floor panel rose into the air - like a hydraulic lift in an guised as an air taxi service and used two Learjets to ferry auto shop. A metal staircase led down to a stunning dis- drugs. In 1989, cocaine concealed as boxes of Mexican covery: Beneath the house, connecting to a warehouse in soap was shipped into Southern California. In 1992, the US 300 feet away, was an underground tunnel outfit- Guzman and his men opened a hardware store near Los ted with lighting, air vents and tracks on the floor to trans- Angeles to import rolls of chicken wire mixed with hidden port carts full of drugs. fiberglass compartments to store cocaine. Even ship- It was, at the time, unheard of, a new level of sophisti- ments of jalapeno peppers were stuffed with coke. cation in the cross-border war on the cartels shipping Then there were the tunnels. “You could call him the tons of cocaine and marijuana northbound every year. godfather of tunnels along the border,” said Kirkpatrick, Still, said retired Customs agent Terry Kirkpatrick: “None of the agent at the 1990 discovery. That passageway was the us ... looked at it with the vision that this would be the first of many linked to Guzman. About a half-dozen other MEXICO CITY: Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, in handcuffs, is escorted to a helicopter by Mexican navy future of drug smuggling.” Nor did they know then who tunnels were found in ensuing years in California and marines in Mexico City, Mexico. — AFP was behind it: The one they called “Shorty” because of his Arizona that ran the length of several football fields and laundry cart and was wheeled out of prison by a guard, with government officials who killed or arrested them, 5-foot-6 frame, a man who grew up poor and had no for- were equipped with hydraulic lifts and electric rail cars. according to the ex-DEA agent Vigil. Guzman ordered the said David Shirk, associate political science professor at mal education but would rise from a small-time Mexican One stretched 1,400 feet from Tijuana, Mexico, to a ware- guard to stop their getaway car at a convenience store the University of San Diego. marijuana producer to lead the world’s most powerful house near San Diego, according to court records. and then vanished into the night. The escape fueled “The Sinaloa Cartel brought economies of scale and drug cartel. The tunnel marked the dawn of a new, craftier By the early 1990s, the DEA considered Guzman Guzman’s near-mythical status, and he grew ever more organizational capacity but, most importantly, they knew and more deadly era in the drug war: the beginning of among Mexico’s top 10 drug traffickers, but the Mexican powerful. He solidified his distribution networks in Los how to knock out their rivals,” Shirk said. “There’s more to the reign of “El Chapo.” organizations were a secondary concern to Colombia’s Angeles and Chicago, which became the Sinaloa Cartel’s this than knowing how to hide the drugs. It’s about good A week after his capture in the resort city of Mazatlan, Medellin and Cali cartels, said Robert Bonner, who head- main US hubs. He expanded to Europe and Australia, intel and good working relations with the authorities.” Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman sits in a cell in Mexico’s high- ed the DEA from 1990 to 1993. That changed when sending emissaries to develop local contacts who knew When Forbes magazine named him one of the “World’s est-security prison, a sprawling complex surrounded by Gallardo’s group started taking payment in cocaine whom to bribe and how to set up distribution networks. Most Powerful People” in 2009, the Mexican government barbed-wire fences. It is a far cry from the life he lived as instead of cash, slowly gaining control of the drug chain To ferry cocaine from Colombia, he began using pri- responded angrily. For years he also was included in the the head of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, further still from his stretching from South America to the United States. vate airstrips in Guatemala, then moved the drugs over publication’s list of world’s billionaires, alongside Bill Gates beginnings in the mountain village of La Tuna de Medellin’s Pablo Escobar was killed in late 1993, and the land to the US, where authorities say he controlled rough- and others. “He was a thug who had capacity for great Badiraguato, Sinaloa, on the country’s Pacific coast. There, Mexicans eventually overtook the Colombians. ly half the 1,954-mile US-Mexico border. He used a Boeing violence but also had the capacity for great, great strate- Guzman was one of at least six children of a man who 747 jet, trucks, cars, boats and rail cars to move his drugs, gic planning,” said Anthony Coulson, retired head of the supposedly raised cattle but, authorities have said, actual- Sinaloa Cartel according to one federal indictment in Chicago. As DEA’s Tucson, Ariz, office. The end came quickly and qui- ly worked in the region’s main industry - growing and Guzman and his cohorts became known as the Mexican authorities killed or arrested his rivals, Guzman etly. On Feb 22, a US wiretap directed Mexican marines to smuggling opium and marijuana. Sinaloa Cartel, and they waged an increasingly bloody stayed on, his hold on the trade growing seemingly a fourth-floor condominium in Mazatlan. Guzman (whose war with former allies. Their feud with Tijuana’s Arellano stronger even after then-President Felipe Calderon age authorities have given as either 56 or 59) was found Abused, rough Felix cartel made global headlines in May 1993 when launched an offensive against the cartels in 2006. in a bathroom, with his beauty-queen wife and his twin 2 As a boy, Guzman was physically abused by his father, gunmen purportedly hunting Guzman opened fire on a 1/2-year-old daughters nearby. No shots were fired. according to Michael Vigil, a former senior US Drug car carrying a Catholic cardinal, blasting the prelate 14 World’s Most Powerful At least seven US courts have indictments pending Enforcement Administration official. He nevertheless fol- times at close range. Mexican officials, long suspected of All the while, he evaded capture, sparing no expense against him, and several are pressing for extradition. He lowed him into the drug trade and began growing mari- protecting Guzman, put out a $5 million reward for infor- on communications gear and developing a security appa- faces organized-crime charges in four Mexican states and juana. By the late 1970s, when Guzman was in his 20s, mation. Less than a month after the cardinal’s killing, ratus to rival those of some countries, said one senior US in Mexico City. He could - barring another escape - spend Mexican kingpin Hector Luis Palma Salazar placed him in Guzman was arrested in Guatemala. In 1995, he was con- law enforcement official. As a result, he moved freely, the rest of his life behind bars. As for his organization, charge of transporting drugs from Sinaloa to coastal cities victed on murder and drug charges, and sent off to a attending family bashes and marrying a beauty queen in some predict it will go on. Drug lords come and go all the on their way north to the US, according to “The Last prison in Guadalajara. 2007 at a well-attended party in Sinaloa. (Guzman is said time, after all, and their empires persist when control is Narco,” a Guzman biography. After that Guzman rose Many thought he’d never be heard from again. They to have at least nine children with three women.) Guzman assumed by the next guy in line. And, certainly, not all in quickly through the ranks, and by the early ‘80s was were, of course, dead wrong. On Jan 19, 2001, with 12 outlasted contemporaries by forging temporary alliances Mexico see Guzman or the cartel he spent much of his life supervising logistics for Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, years left on a 20-year sentence, Guzman crawled into a with other traffickers and sharing intelligence on rivals creating in the same sinister light as do authorities. — AP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Cambodia’s floating villages face uncertain future

CHHNORK TROU: Cambodia’s floating Sustenance and survival tides of time but many modern luxuries villages have adapted to the ebb and The Tonle Sap is a source of suste- are hard to come by, and for young peo- flow of Southeast Asia’s largest lake for nance and survival for more than one ple dry land can hold greater appeal. generations, but modernization and a million people living on or around the Roughly 400 families-a fifth of the popu- scarcity of fish are now threatening their lake, which has at least 149 species of lation-have left Chhnork Trou over the traditional way of life. Houses, schools, fish, the Mekong River Commission last couple of years in search of a better hairdressers and even dentists-entire (MRC) says. It transforms between the life on land, according to community communities bob around on the Tonle dry and wet seasons, with the inundat- leader Samrith Pheng. “In the past there Sap, whose waters rise and fall dramati- ed area growing from about 3,500 were a lot of fish so people wanted to cally with the seasons. The huge lake, square kilometers at its smallest to live here. Now the fish stock is going nourished by the mighty Mekong river, 14,500 square kilometers at the height down they can’t depend on the fishing,” is home to hundreds of thousands of of the floods, according to the MRC, a Pheng said. people eking out a simple-but for many regional intergovernmental body. The “The young generations such as my rewarding-existence. “Life in the floating lake’s minimum depth rises from about children and grandchildren don’t want village is much better,” said fisherman half a meter in April to as much as nine to live in the floating villages anymore,” meters in September and October. he added. The lake yields about 200,000 Sok Bunlim, who was born and raised in So people living on the lake have to to 218,000 tons of fish a year-nearly half the lake community of Chhnork Trou, be ready go with the flow-quite literally- of the total annual catch of inland fish where fleets of canoes and small motor- by allowing their homes to float. Yet as for the whole of Cambodia, according to boats ferry people around. fish stocks start to disappear, so too are a 2006 estimate cited by the MRC. The community of fishermen has the residents of the lake-top villages. “I More recent figures, as well as esti- been living atop the Tonle Sap since the SAMROANG: A boy throws fish food onto a lake as he feeds his fishes at a farm in can’t catch enough fish,” said fisherman mates of how much fish stocks have fall- Samroang village on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday. — AP time of their great grandparents, and Yorng Sarath, 25. “If the wind is calm, I en, are hard to come by and much of many older residents cannot imagine can catch around five kilos (11 pounds) the evidence is anecdotal. ernment’s fisheries department, who people living in the floating houses on any other life. “If we move onto land, I of fish a day. When there is strong wind Conservationists warn that human estimates that about 1.5 million peo- the lake is unknown, but officials and wouldn’t know how to plant rice. I I can only catch around one kilo, and population growth, habitat destruc- ple fish on the Tonle Sap. But illegal activists say tens of thousands of fami- wouldn’t know how to plough. It is real- then I have to come back as I can’t lay tion and upstream dams are also fishing-sometimes using electrocu- lies call the bobbing villages home. Yet ly hard,” Bunlim, 62 said while repairing out my net. I can’t earn enough money threats to the lake’s fisheries and tion-remains a major cause for con- beyond fishing or running a shop, job his broken net. Modern life has not to last me all day.” The father of two said wildlife. In an attempt to prevent fur- cern. “If we look at the magnitude of prospects are scarce, and with growing passed them by completely-nowadays that once he has saved enough money ther depletion of stocks, the govern- the fishing offences today, we don’t demands for a good education and many people have stereo systems, tele- he plans to move to dry land to find ment in 2012 banned large-scale com- expect fish stocks to increase,” said Om better opportunities, the traditional visions and small motorboats. But they work. mercial fishing in the lake in a victory Sovath, executive director of the way of life could become a thing of the still mostly depend on fishing or rowing for local communities. “We are working Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT), past. “I can’t say what the future holds around the village in canoes to sell food ‘Young people prefer land’ hard to improve fish stocks,” said Nao which promotes sustainable resource for this floating community,” said fish- to earn a living. Life on the lake does move with the Thourk, head of the Cambodian gov- management. The exact number of erman Bunlim. —AFP Chinese media hurls racist slur at departing US envoy Locke receives a highly undiplomatic sendoff BEIJING: A Chinese state media outlet used a racist slur to criticize departing US ambassador Gary Locke in an insulting commentary which even blamed him for Beijing’s notorious pollu- tion. The 64-year-old became the first ethnic Chinese in the post when he was appointed in 2011, going on to gain quasi-celebrity status for his modest style and for drawing attention to China’s unhealthy skies. But Locke, who left his role yesterday, received a highly undiplomatic sendoff from the China News Service in a sneering editorial which referred to him as a “banana”, and a “guide dog” for helping a blind activist. “He is a banana with yellow skin and a white heart”, Friday’s article opened by saying, calling Locke’s ethnicity a ploy by the US to win Chinese hearts and minds while seeking to kick up trouble in the region. “But the ‘yellow skin’ of bananas will eventual- ly rot, not only revealing the ‘white core’ inside but also turning into a putrid ‘black core’,” the commentary went on. Locke was viewed as a trailblazer in highlighting the PM 2.5 particulate matter carried in the thick blankets of smog per- vading China’s capital. He presided over the introduction of PM 2.5 monitors at the US embassy and consulates Outgoing US ambassador to China Gary Locke NANJING: Chinese tourists take photos beside a memorial to the victims of Japanese around China, drawing widespread attention to Chen sought shelter in the US embassy after country has thousands of years of civilization”. war crimes at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum. — AFP the stubborn problem of pollution. But the offi- escaping house arrest in nearby Shandong In a farewell press conference on Thursday cial agency wrote that “once Locke arrived, so province before being allowed to go to America Locke highlighted the embassy’s role in raising did the Beijing smog”. It also scorned Locke’s with his family. Many Chinese social media users awareness about air quality, among other Nanjing massacre memorial image as an unpretentious official known for criticized the essay and defended Locke. “He accomplishments, and urged China to improve carrying his own luggage and using a regular car took concrete steps to show us what our officials its human rights record. He described himself as stirs deep emotions in China in contrast to his Chinese counterparts. Citing are really like. He taught Chinese people about “proud of my Chinese heritage” but also “thor- unnamed foreign media outlets, the commen- PM 2.5 and the truth behind it... and ultimately oughly American” and “proud of the great values NANJING: The skulls, bones, and names of teristics,” reads one sign. It describes the tary accused him of luxuriating in a $100 million spurred the Chinese government to confront the that America has brought to the entire world”. thousands of dead at the Nanjing massacre site as a “spiritual treasure to draw historical official residence and travelling in a fancy bullet- issue of smog,” said the writer Guo Jingming. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua memorial stand as a stark demonstration of lessons so as to sustain the goals of peace proof vehicle. The verbal attacks didn’t stop Another commentator rejected the essay as “a Chunying gave a more measured response on China and Japan’s inability to move beyond and development”, but adds that it is “an there with the editorial deriding him as a “guide breach of truth, breach of logic, breach of ethics, Locke’s tenure, saying this week he had “made history in their increasingly tense relation- important topic for the patriotic education dog” for assisting the blind activist Chen breach of civilized behavior and breach of diplo- some positive contributions to cooperation ship. Six million people a year view the of the common people, especially youth”. Guangcheng in 2012. matic etiquette, and makes it hard to believe this between China and the US”. — AFP skeletal remains of victims-displayed where A young man touring the memorial with they fell-of a six-week spree of killing, rape friends said simply: “I feel hate.” The director and destruction after the Japanese military of the memorial, Zhu Chengshan, insisted it entered China’s then-capital on December was not intended to whip up hostility Boating park becomes focus of Thai protests 13, 1937. towards the Japanese. “We are not seeking Chinese lawmakers on Thursday made hate, it’s for historical education. We also BANGKOK: A green oasis in down- Yingluck Shinawatra and eradicate The tents are slowly filling up Suthep proposal for a television the anniversary of the massacre an official have a theme of peace,” he said. Chinese town Bangkok was slowly begin- the influence of her brother, ex-pre- the park, most under the shade of debate with Yingluck, who media day of remembrance, along with people take issue with Japan’s failure to ning to resemble a tent city yester- mier Thaksin Shinawatra, seen as trees and blue awnings and next to yesterday quoted as saying was September 3 to mark the country’s victory adequately apologize for wartime atrocities day, a day after anti-government the real power in Thailand. Protest boating lakes, with washing lines ready to die for democracy. against Japan in 1945. The declarations and the denial by some that a massacre protesters said they would clear leader Suthep Thaugsuban’s sup- strung between branches. “We will “Yingluck is the legitimate leader of were just Beijing’s latest gestures in a diplo- took place, he said. Ties between the Asian camps blocking key intersections porters are to move to Lumpini stop closing Bangkok and give the country and Suthep is a man matic battle as a territorial dispute festers giants turned for the worse in 2012, after and congregate in the park instead. Park, where many protesters every intersection back to with warrants for his arrest who between the two Asian powers. A group of Japan nationalized islands in the East China The protesters have blocked some already sleep in tents near an Bangkokians. We will stop closing heads an illegal movement. The nearly 40 Chinese citizens filed a lawsuit at Sea it administers but which are claimed by streets since mid-January in their established protest stage on the Bangkok from Monday,” Suthep prime minister should not talk to a Beijing court on Wednesday demanding both sides, igniting street protests across bid to push out Prime Minister edge of the Silom financial district. told supporters on Friday. “But we Suthep,” Chalerm said. “Suthep is compensation from two Japanese compa- China which the normally strict authorities will escalate our shutdown of gov- only proposing negotiations, even nies, including Mitsubishi Materials Corp., allowed. In November last year, Beijing ernment ministries and Shinawatra though he dismissed them before, for forced wartime labor. Articles and com- imposed an air defense identification zone businesses.” Protesters plan a big because protest numbers are dwin- mentaries critical of Japan are a near-daily (ADIZ) over the islands, which it calls cleaning-up day today before dling.” The crisis is hurting the econ- mainstay in Chinese state media, and Diaoyu and Tokyo refers to as Senkaku, say- opening roads tomorrow but at omy, with confidence and domestic Beijing’s foreign ministry regularly ing it required notification from planes least two affiliated groups plan to demand both down. Data on Friday denounces Tokyo at its daily briefings. crossing the area. Japanese Prime Minister stay put at their protest sites, showed factory output fell 6.41 per- “Japan’s right-wing forces... have Shinzo Abe then made a controversial visit including one led by a controversial cent in January from a year earlier. become troublemakers undermining to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Buddhist monk. “I was angry with The crisis broadly pits Bangkok’s regional peace and stability,” spokeswoman top war criminals from World War II among Suthep’s announcement,” monk middle-class and southern opposi- Hua Chunying said Wednesday, when sev- the country’s war dead, in December, Luang Pu Buddha Issara told tion supporters, backed by the roy- en of the 13 questions asked concerned the sparking more anger from China. The Reuters. “We have lost blood and alist establishment, against the neighbour in some way. History still bears Chinese government earlier this month lives and for what? To end it all largely rural supporters of Yingluck heavy on the relationship, most weightily hosted more than 40 foreign journalists at now?” and Thaksin. in Nanjing. China says 300,000 people died the Nanjing memorial, granting access to a Protest numbers have dwindled Thaksin was toppled by the in the eastern city, although some respect- massacre survivor, so they could “see with amid attacks on various camps with army in 2006. The military has tried ed foreign academics put the number low- their own eyes” evidence of Japanese atroc- grenades and guns. Three people to stay above the fray this time but er. China historian Jonathan Spence esti- ities, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said. were killed when a grenade was Yingluck is still facing multiple mates that 42,000 soldiers and citizens Viewing a photo of the decapitated thrown into a busy shopping area challenges from the courts, which were killed and 20,000 women raped, many head of a Chinese with a cigarette stuck in near one camp. In total, 20 people threw out two governments allied of whom later died. Wang Yang was among its mouth, supposedly as a joke by a have been killed in protest-related to Thaksin in 2008. Yingluck called three generations of her family, including Japanese soldier, a woman visitor said: “If violence in Bangkok since Nov 30 an election for Feb 2 to try to end her 13-year-old daughter, viewing the Chinese people come to Nanjing, they defi- and three in the eastern province of the latest crisis but it was disrupted gruesome photos in the memorial hall. nitely have to come here first. I feel bitter.” Trat. The threat of violence has tak- by the protesters. The Election “She’s a little young, but she needs to Some ultra-conservative Japanese politi- en a toll on tourism in the capital, Commission will try to hold polls even though most areas have been understand this history,” she said of her cians dispute that the atrocities occurred. today in five provinces where vot- unaffected, including the old part child. But the Japanese government points to ing was not completed. Election re- of town by the river and the Khao 1995 and 2005 statements by the then- runs planned for April in other ‘History must not be forgotten’ prime ministers, both of which used the San Road backpacker district fre- provinces have been suspended The Nanjing memorial-where entry is phrase “heartfelt apology”. On Nanjing, quented by westerners, many of pending a court decision on proce- free-has drawn comparisons to the Tokyo says that “the killing of a large num- whom, regardless of age, dress like dures. The protesters want to set Auschwitz concentration camp of Nazi ber of noncombatants, looting and other hippies. “Business is good here. As Germany and the Hiroshima memorial for acts occurred”, and adds “it is difficult to good as ever. There is no politics up a “people’s council” of unspeci- Japanese victims of the US atomic bomb. determine” the correct number of victims. here,” a restaurant worker said on fied worthy people to force But the authorities have also included Nanjing memorial guide Xu Jingjing BANGKOK: Photo shows a pet beaver owned by an anti-government Friday. through political and electoral explicitly political messages. “Under the believes the site can serve as a reminder. protestor at one of the blockade camps in Bangkok. Tensions eased in changes before a new general inspiration of patriotic enthusiasm, we “History must not be forgotten. That is the Thailand’s strife-hit capital yesterday after protesters abandoned their Debate proposal rejected election is held, hoping that will should struggle unceasingly for the con- philosophy and goal of building this muse- attempted “shutdown” of Bangkok, but the move was seen as only a Labour Minister Chalerm stop parties loyal to Thaksin from struction of socialism with Chinese charac- um,” she said.— AFP temporary reprieve for the kingdom’s embattled premier. — AFP Yoobamrung on Friday rejected a winning. — Reuters NEWS SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

Islanders still afraid 60 years after Bikini bomb Sisi stays as defence

MAJURO, Marshall Islands: The Marshall down from generation to generation,” she Islands yesterday marked 60 years since the said. minister in new govt devastating US hydrogen bomb test at Bikini islanders have lived in exile since Bikini Atoll, with angry exiled residents say- they were moved for the first weapons tests ing they were too fearful to ever go home. in 1946, when Kramer’s own grandparents Part of the intense Cold War nuclear arms were evacuated. When US government sci- race, the 15-megaton Bravo test on March 1, entists declared Bikini safe for resettlement, Morsi’s son arrested 1954 was a thousand times more powerful some residents were allowed to return in the than the atomic bomb dropped on early 1970s. But they were removed again in CAIRO: Egypt’s army chief, who has made no ed and civilian president, was removed after tling growing militancy. Interior Minister Hiroshima. It vaporised one island and 1978 after ingesting high levels of radiation secret of his intention to stand for president mass protests against his year-long rule which Mohamed Ibrahim, who heads the police, also exposed thousands in the surrounding area from eating local foods grown on the former despite not yet announcing his candidacy, was marred by allegations of power grabbing retained his post in the new government. to radioactive fallout. nuclear test site. “After they were exposed remains defence minister in a new cabinet and making an already dilapidated economy Egypt has been further polarised following a As those who remembered that terrify- like that I can never trust what the US tells us sworn in yesterday. Field Marshal Abdel Fattah even worse. brutal government crackdown targeting Morsi ing day gathered in the Marshall Islands’ (about Bikini),” said Kramer, adding that she Al-Sisi retains the defence portfolio in the new Analysts say the formation of a new govern- and his Islamist Muslim Brotherhood move- capital of Majuro, along with younger gener- wants justice for the generations forced to line-up led by Ibrahim Mahlab, a former mem- ment by Mahlab, who was also a member of ment. Amnesty International says more than ations, to commemorate the anniversary, leave. ber of ousted strongman Hosni Mubarak’s rul- the upper house of parliament in 2010 during 1,400 people, mostly Morsi supporters, have many exiles refused to go back to the zones The Marshall Islands Nuclear Claims ing party. The cabinet, which is tasked with Mubarak’s presidency, is likely to work in Sisi’s been killed in street clashes since last July. that were contaminated, despite US safety Tribunal had awarded more than $2 billion organising the presidential election, is expect- favour as he would like to stand with a govern- Morsi himself and several senior Muslim assurances. “I won’t move there,” Evelyn in personal injury and land damage claims ed to work in Sisi’s favour, after the previous ment that has a good record. Since July, Egypt Brotherhood leaders have been put on trial in Ralpho-Jeadrik, 33, said of her home atoll, arising from the nuclear tests, but stopped government faced mounting criticism for fail- has been battling deadly street violence and the crackdown. Yesterday, Morsi and other co- Rongelap, which was engulfed in a snow- paying after a US-provided $150 million ing to tackle a floundering economy and wors- militant attacks that have scared off foreign defendants were in court accused of inciting storm of fallout from Bravo and evacuated compensation fund was exhausted. At a cer- ening industrial unrest. investors and tourists alike. Beblawi’s govern- the killings of opposition protesters while he two days after the test. “I do not believe it’s emony to mark the anniversary Saturday A majority of the 31-member cabinet also ment, installed after Morsi’s ouster, had become was in office. The judges postponed the trial safe and I don’t want to put my children at Marshall Islands President Christopher Loeak served in the previous administration led by increasingly unpopular despite announcing until Sunday. Morsi and others are also on trial risk.” called on the US to resolve the “unfinished Hazem Al-Beblawi. Sisi, who has emerged as two economic stimulus packages aimed at kick- for breaking out of jail during the 2011 uprising People returned to live on Rongelap in business” of its nuclear testing legacy, saying Egypt’s most popular political figure since lead- starting the economy with funds provided by against Mubarak, and for conspiring with for- 1957 but fled again in 1985 amid fears, later compensation provided by Washington ing the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed friendly Gulf Arab states. eign powers and movements to destabilise proved correct, about residual radiation. “does not provide a fair and just settlement” Morsi last July, has not officially announced his Many Egyptians, weary of the three years of Egypt. Morsi also faces a fourth trial for alleged- One of the more than 60 islands in Rongelap for the damage caused. presidential candidacy. But his aides say he has turmoil since the 2011 toppling of Mubarak, ly insulting the judiciary. has been cleaned up as part of a US-funded US ambassador Thomas Armbruster said already decided to stand in the election sched- view Sisi as a strong hand who can restore sta- Yesterday, the authorities arrested his son $45 million program, but Ralpho-Jeadrik “words are insufficient to express the sad- uled for the spring. In order to do so, Sisi must bility. Mahlab, a former construction boss who Abdullah, 19, accusing him of possessing said she has no intention of going back. “I ness” of the 60th anniversary of the nuclear first step down as defence minister and army headed the state-owned Arab Contractors hashish cigarettes, security officials said. will be forever fearful. The US told my moth- test, adding that the United States is contin- chief. One of his aides told AFP this week Sisi is Company, one of the Middle East’s leading con- Another son, Osama, a lawyer, dismissed the er it was safe and they returned to Rongelap uing to work with the Marshall Islands to expected to stay on as defence minister until an struction conglomerates, and was also housing charge as a fabrication, calling it an attempt only to be contaminated again,” she said. It is provide health care and environmental electoral law has been passed. minister in Beblawi’s government, has vowed to “to defame” the Morsi family. He said his not just their homes which have been lost, monitoring of several affected islands. The The new government led by Mahlab, a for- fight “terrorism” and revive tourism. brother just had been transferred to prosecu- said Lani Kramer, 42, a councilwoman in US embassy in Majuro said on its website: mer member of Mubarak’s National Democratic Since Morsi’s overthrow, Islamist militants tors and couldn’t have confessed since there Bikini’s local government, but an entire “While international scientists did study the Party, faces a host of challenges including huge have killed several foreign tourists and many hadn’t been an interrogation yet. “This is an swathe of the islands’ culture. “As a result of effects of that accident on the human popu- security problems and economic woes. The security personnel in attacks that have severely attempt to smear our image,” Osama told AP. being displaced, we’ve lost our cultural her- lation unintentionally affected, the United forthcoming presidential election is seen as a dented the economically vital tourism sector. “Half the members of this government con- itage - our traditional customs and skills, States never intended for Marshallese to be major step in a roadmap outlined by the inter- Scores of policemen, including some senior sume alcohol and they are now accusing which for thousands of years were passed hurt by the tests.” — AFP im military-installed authorities after Morsi’s officers, have been killed inside and outside the Morsi’s son of consuming a substance that ouster. Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elect- restive Sinai Peninsula where troops are bat- alters consciousness.” — Agencies

Google loses bid to keep anti-Islam video Putin moves to send troops into Ukraine Continued from Page 1 to register his concerns over Moscow’s decision. “This action Continued from Page 1 debate, Google argued, and should not be taken down. is a potentially grave threat to the sovereignty, independ- But Garcia argued that her performance within the “I submit to the Federation Council a request to use the ence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We condemn any The controversial film, billed as a film trailer, sparked film was independently copyrightable and that she armed forces of the Russian Federation on Ukrainian territo- act of aggression against Ukraine,” Hague said. But one top a torrent of anti-American unrest among Muslims in retained an interest in that copyright. The 9th Circuit ry until the normalization of the political situation in that Russian foreign ministry official indicated Putin may pause Egypt, Libya and other countries in 2012. That outbreak panel agreed on Wednesday. In its court filing on country,” the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying. Putin said before sending troops into Ukraine. “The agreement that coincided with an attack on US diplomatic facilities in Thursday, Google said the 9th Circuit order would pro- Russia also had to protect servicemen from the Black Sea the president received... does not mean that that this right Benghazi that killed four Americans, including the US duce “devastating effects” if allowed to stand. “Minor Fleet that is based in Crimea’s port town of Sevastopol “fully will be realised quickly,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister ambassador to Libya. US and other foreign embassies players in everything from Hollywood films to home in line with an international accord”. The Federation Council Grigory Karasin told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency. were also stormed in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. videos can wrest control of those works from their cre- unanimously approved Putin’s request after a lightning-fast Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the same agency For many Muslims, any depiction of the Prophet (PBUH) ators,” Google wrote, “and service providers like YouTube debate. Upper chamber chair Valentina Matviyenko also that “for the moment, this decision has not been taken”. is considered blasphemous. will lack the ability to determine who has a valid copy- ordered the Council’s foreign affairs committee to ask Putin Obama warned Putin Friday that “there will be costs for Google had refused to remove the film from YouTube right claim”. to recall the Russian ambassador from the United States. any military intervention in Ukraine”. A senior US official sep- despite pressure from the White House and others, The 9th Circuit on Friday said its order does not pre- Matviyenko suggested sending in a “limited contingent” arately told AFP that Obama and some key European lead- though it blocked the trailer in Egypt, Libya and certain clude posting a version of “Innocence of Muslims” that - a phrase that mimicked the language used for the Soviet ers could skip June’s G8 summit in Sochi if Moscow’s forces other countries. In court filings, Google argued that does not include Garcia’s performance. Shortly after Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. There was no became more directly involved in Ukraine. Putin’s request Garcia appeared in the film for five seconds, and that Google learned of the 9th Circuit’s takedown order, it immediate indication about the number of troops involved. for force authorization came after a flurry of diplomatic while she might have legal claims against the director, hired Neal Katyal, the former acting US solicitor general, A senior senator said that would be up to Putin. Ukraine’s efforts to resolve what threatens to become the most dire she should not win a copyright lawsuit against Google. to advocate for further 9th Circuit review, according to Defence Minister Igor Tenyukh had earlier told the new cabi- crisis to hit Moscow’s relations with the West since the Cold The film has now become an important part of public the court docket. — Reuters net’s first session that Russia had sent 30 armoured person- War. nel carriers and 6,000 additional troops into Crimea to help Britain’s Hague said he had urged a “de-escalation in local pro-Kremlin militia gain broader independence from Crimea” in a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign the new pro-EU leaders in Kiev. He accused Russia of acting Minister Sergei Lavrov, while Germany and France also 27 killed in China station stabbings “without warning or Ukraine’s permission”. voiced concern. Kiev’s new leaders have grappled with the Troops widely believed to belong to Moscow have dual threats of economic collapse and secession by regions Continued from Page 1 he said. Those who were slower were caught by the already seized Crimea. The campaign there has been blood- that had backed Yanukovych. The threat of a debt default attackers. “They just fell on the ground.” Some who less so far, with Kiev’s new authorities powerless to inter- that Kiev leaders warn could come as early as next week “A group of men carrying weapons burst into the had escaped were desperately looking for missing vene. Putin’s move came after an appeal for help from increased further when Russia’s state-owned Gazprom - train station plaza and the ticket hall, stabbing who- loved ones. “I can’t find my husband, and his phone Crimea’s newly-chosen premier Sergiy Aksyonov - a ruler often accused of being wielded as a weapon by the Kremlin ever they saw,” it said. Photos posted on Sina Weibo went unanswered,” Yang Ziqing was quoted by not recognised by Kiev and appointed by regional lawmak- against uncooperative ex-Soviet states -warned that it may showed blood spattered across the floor and medical Xinhua as saying. She said she had been waiting for ers after gunmen had seized the parliament building in the be forced to hike the price it charges Ukraine for natural gas. staff crouching over bodies lying on the ground, her train to Shanghai “when a knife-wielding man regional capital Simferopol on Thursday. “I ask Russian “The debt is $1.549 billion, it is huge,” Gazprom spokesman although the authenticity of the images could not be suddenly came at them”. President Vladimir Putin to help in ensuring peace and calm Sergei Kupriyanov told the RIA Novosti news agency. verified. Crowds gathered outside the station among State broadcaster CCTV also called the incident a on the territory of Crimea,” Aksyonov said in an address “Clearly, with this debt Ukraine may not be able to keep its police officers and ambulances, the images also “terrorist attack” on its Weibo account. China’s top broadcast in full by Russian state television. Ukrainian boxer discount (to market price) for the gas.” showed. security official Meng Jianzhu would travel to turned politician Vitali Klitschko responded to the Russian Ukraine won a one-third discount from Gazprom under Kunming resident Yang Haifei told Xinhua that he Kunming, it said, while President Xi Jinping and move by calling on parliament to ask interim president a deal signed by Yanukovych with Putin that also saw was buying a ticket when he saw a group of people Premier Li Keqiang sent condolences to the victims Oleksandr Turchynov to declare a “national mobilization Russia promise to buy $15 billion of government debt. mostly wearing black rush into the station and start and their families. Yunnan has no history of violent after the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine”. Ukraine’s new leaders have said that the country needs $35 attacking bystanders. “I saw a person come straight at attacks, and the motive for the stabbings was not British Foreign Secretary William Hague, who heads to billion over the coming two years to keep the economy me with a long knife and I ran away with everyone,” immediately clear. — Agencies Kiev today, said he had summoned the Russian ambassador afloat. — Agencies SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Issues Israel, Germany: Moving beyond the Holocaust?

By Linda Gradstein

photo of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Angela Merkel has gone viral on social media. ATaken at their joint press conference on Monday, the photo shows Netanyahu pointing at a reporter. His arm makes a shadow across Merkel’s upper lip, that closely resembles the small mustache made famous by Adolph Hitler. The photo was taken by Jerusalem Post photogra- pher Marc Israel Sellem. It appeared briefly on his Facebook page and the Facebook page of the Hebrew edi- tion of the Post. An editor at the Post told The Media Line they decided not to run the photo. Yet it became an imme- Ukraine: A tale of two countries diate viral sensation on Facebook and Twitter and was reprinted hundreds of times. “When I saw the photo on my computer, I thought that it was unique and funny. It was By Dusan Stojanovic already separated,” said Ivan tion, closer to Moscow. occupiers, who were seen as lib- Historical Loyalties not my intention to insult Merkel in any way or to make Reyko, a 30-year-old factory work- In Lviv, though, a bookish, erators from the hated Soviets. Fierce historical loyalties any kind of Nazi connotation with the photo,” Sellem wrote n the afternoon, when the shift er from Donetsk who joined a soft-spoken mayor is dreaming of Tens of thousands of the region’s helped drive the support that has in the Jerusalem Post Tuesday. ends at the coal mine and the recent demonstration of about something else. Andriy Sadovyi Jews disappeared into Nazi poured from Lviv into Kiev and the The uproar though, showed just how central the Iminers walk out into the cold 100 people in the city’s main has been a powerful symbol of camps or were gunned down in capital’s Independence Square, Holocaust still is to both Israel’s identity and to the Israel- and past the old concrete statue plaza, Lenin Square, where a 30- resistance to Yanukovych, as well their homes by death squads. epicenter of the anti-Yanukovych German relationship. Israel was formed from the ashes of of Lenin, they often head to a tiny foot-tall statue of the Soviet hero as regional powerbroker who cut When the war ended, Moscow protests, which began late last the Holocaust, and its special relationship with Germany corner store a block away. There gazes proudly toward the horizon. ties to the central government exacted its revenge: nationalist year. For months, Lviv residents has its roots in the Holocaust. Merkel often uses the they’ll stand in the parking lot for “There is no way back to a united even before the president was fighters who fought Red Army have donated food, medicine and a while, drinking little bottles of Ukraine.” forced from power. Sadovyi, who soldiers were purged and sent to clothing for the protesters, and the vodka called “Truthful”. They insists he only wants regional prison gulags, along with Roman many have joined them. The city’s know what is happening in Kiev, Ominous Signs autonomy in Ukraine, has called Catholic and nationalist leaders churches serve as warehouses for the capital city that can seem so A recent series of ominous repeatedly for unity. “Ukraine is who could challenge Russian aid for the demonstrators, who far away. They’ve seen pictures of signs has diplomats warning the strong only if it is united,” he said authority. The city was trans- continue to occupy the square, the democracy protesters shot region could easily stumble into a couple days after Yanukovych formed from a cosmopolitan cen- fearing the return of the former dead in Kiev’s streets, and the TV widespread violence. Among fled the presidential compound. ter into a decaying backwater. president or his supporters. reports on the mansions of ousted them: military drills just across “Any division would destroy When the Soviet Union collapsed Over the months, western President Viktor Yanukovych, the the border by 150,000 Russian Ukraine.” in 1991, political groups from Lviv Ukraine became virtually inde- one-time thug and pro-Russia soldiers, and the seizure of the Modern Lviv sees itself at the were key in fighting for Ukraine’s pendent as Yanukovych focused politician who grew up in this far- parliament building in the core of Ukrainian hopes for a independence. For two decades, his attention on the Kiev uprising. eastern city. They watched from Russian-speaking region of more open, democratic govern- anti-Russian feelings quietly Then, a few days ahead of afar last week as protesters, many Crimea by unidentified gunmen, ment. But the area, once part of burned across the region, along Yanukovych’s disappearance, cen- from western Ukraine, helped who flew the Russian flag and neighboring Poland and long a with anger at Yanukovych. Even tral rule all but disappeared in Lviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu form the country’s new govern- chanted “Crimea is Russia”. wealthy agricultural region, also today, thousands of people in when masked youths stormed the and German Chancellor Angela Merkel speak ment. Russian President Vladimir Putin saw the rise of a series of nation- western Ukraine, a handful even city’s police headquarters, looted after a press conference in Jerusalem on Feb They don’t like it at all. “I have has been long dreaming of alist movements in the 1930s. wearing Nazi-themed uniforms, weapons and set fire to a number 25, 2014. —AP always felt that we are so different,” pulling Ukraine, a sprawling When Germany invaded Ukraine hold rallies every year honoring of municipal buildings. With Hebrew term, shoah, when she is in Israel. But at least said a miner who gave his name country of 46 million seen as the during World War II, some resi- men who fought Stalin’s forces policemen nowhere to be seen, some in Israel feel that Israeli officials over-use the only as Nikolai, a thickset 35-year- ancient cradle of Slavic civiliza- dents cooperated with the Nazi during World War II. order in the city fell to unarmed Holocaust. “Israel uses the Holocaust as an instrument old who went from high school “voluntary citizen patrols” in bright against anything that is opposed to government policy,” directly into the mines. People yellow vests. Moshe Zimmerman, a professor at Hebrew University and speak Russian across most of A handful of regional leaders one of Israel’s leading Holocaust scholars told The Media Ukraine’s east, and worship in also began talking about changing Line. “Whenever you are out of arguments you bring up onion-domed Orthodox churches. the country’s laws, so that Russian the Holocaust and it’s a very effective way of shutting your They were shaped by 70 years of is no longer recognized as an offi- opponents up.” Soviet rule and its celebration of cial language. This terrifies some in Netanyahu often invokes the Holocaust when talking socialist industrialization, and by Donetsk, which is in the heart of a about the danger that an Iranian nuclear weapon would the Russian empire before that. To region where Russian has been the pose to Israel. Zimmerman says it runs the risk of trivializ- them, the government is now main language for generations. ing the Holocaust. “If you use this weapon again and again, people are going to fight back,” he said. “It is not only going being run by outsiders who care Alexander Kravtsov, a top official in to backfire against Israel’s policy, but also against the effec- little for this side of the country. “If Donetsk and member of tive memory of the Holocaust.” Although the number of they try to pressure us, our region Yanukovych’s political party, says Holocaust survivors is steadily declining, the Holocaust will revolt.” he believes most people in the plays an important role in Israel’s identity. Yad Vashem, His words are echoed - except region still believe in a united Israel’s large Holocaust memorial museum, hosts millions for a few key words - in a conversa- Ukraine, but warned that the num- of visitors, including every Israeli soldier. On Holocaust tion 1,250 km to the west, in a ber who identify with Russia will Memorial Day, the entire country comes to a halt during a medieval cobblestoned city, grow significantly if they feel two-minute siren. Ukrainian-speaking residents and threatened. “People are scared of Hundreds of thousands of Israeli teens visit the concen- houses displaying the EU flag and what has happened in Kiev,” he tration camps each year and take part in the “march of the its yellow stars. “We are simply dif- said. living”. Israel’s Education Minister has introduced a bill that ferent people from those living in Talk to the pro-Russia protesters would make Holocaust education obligatory from kinder- the East,” said Ludmila Petrova, a at Donetsk’s Lenin Square, and the garten. The only other country that mandates teaching the university student in Lviv, a list of those blamed for the subject is Germany, although many US states include it in hotbed of support for Ukraine’s changes in Kiev ranges from their curriculum. Israel still has an unofficial ban on playing pro-democracy forces and opposi- Ukrainian fascists to Jews to music by Wagner, Hitler’s favorite composer. Some say it is tion to Yanukovych. “They don’t Masons to the US government. Out time to drop the ban. That ban still remains the one and know what the West is. We have a by the mines entrance, though, few only symbol,” Jonathan Livny, the president of Israel’s different history. Maybe it is better have the energy to protest. Wagner society and a Jerusalem attorney told The Media that we separate once and for all.” In this photo taken Feb 22, 2014, people watch a TV news report from Kiev on Lviv’s main Donetsk was built directly over a Line. “As long as you don’t touch their Volkswagens and square named “small Maidan”. —AP Photos Mercedes and washing machines and dryers made in If Ukraine looks neatly delineat- maze of mines, and the city’s work- Germany, it’s easy to identify with someone whose music ed on maps, its often-bloody his- ing-class neighborhoods sit beside you don’t listen to anyway.” tory is a tangle of invasions and mountains of reddish slag that can Germany is perhaps Israel’s closest ally in Europe, and occupations, peoples and beliefs. rise 10 storeys high. They are places some 30,000 Israelis today live in Berlin. “It is clear that It is a place that has been strug- where stray dogs are blackened by Germans feel responsibility for the past and there is special gling for centuries to define itself. the dust that fills the air and where relationship with Israel because of that,” Ofer Ashkenazi, a And now it finds itself so sharply you can never escape the oily smell professor of history at Hebrew University told The Media divided - between support for of coal. The little houses, with their Line. “It influences everything that has to do with this rela- Russia on one side of the country leaning plaster walls and central tionship both officially and unofficially.” —Media Line and loyalty to the West on the oth- chimneys, look like something out er - that it often seems more like of the 19th century. They are filled two countries than one. On oppo- with people who say they can site sides of Ukraine, two cities, barely feed their families between each of about 1 million people, paychecks, and who are far too All articles appearing on these illustrate that divide. frightened to give their names to a pages are the personal opinion of The eastern city of Donetsk can reporter. the writers. Kuwait Times takes no seem like a cliche of post-Soviet They may not like what is going responsibility for views expressed grimness, a place of Stalinist-era on in Kiev, but most are simply apartment blocks, tin-roofed focused on keeping their jobs. “I therein. Kuwait Times invites read- shacks and loyalty to Russia. In the don’t go to political meetings, I ers to voice their opinions. Please west, Lviv has emerged as a center don’t go to protests,” said a send submissions via email to: opin- for Ukrainian artists and writers, a somber, fifty-something miner [email protected] or via snail huge draw for European tourists with exhausted eyes and bad and a city desperate for closer ties teeth. The idea of war, or of a mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. to the West. To the fiercest pes- divided country, frightens him The editor reserves the right to edit simists, as well as to extremists on more than anything else. “All of us any submission as necessary. both sides, the cities are already in are Ukrainian. All of us,” he said. different nations. “The country is In this photo taken Feb 25, 2014, a woman feeds pigeons near a statue of Vladimir Lenin in Donetsk. “We are one people.” —AP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 SPORTS

Huge challenge for FIFA Seahawks release Rice Swann: Pietersen ‘childish’ ZURICH: FIFA has been left with a huge challenge following Brazilian delays in building stadiums NEW YORK: The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks made DUBAI: Graeme Swann called former England team mate Kevin Pietersen “child- for the 2014 World Cup, secretary general Jerome Valcke said yesterday. two “extremely tough decisions” when they released wide receiv- ish” after the South African-born batsman replied to a verbal attack from Matt Prior “We are working in conditions where the cement is not even dry,” Valcke told reporters as er Sidney Rice and defensive end Red Bryant on Friday to create by suggesting the wicketkeeper would find it hard to win a Test recall. Tuesday’s 100-days-to-kickoff milestone approaches. “We still have to install all the IT solutions for additional salary cap space. Prior, dropped after the third test of the recent 5-0 Ashes rout by Australia due the media. Without IT and without the telecommunications in place in the stadium you will say we With free agency fast approaching on March 11, Seattle to poor form, told a Q&A session at a cricketing event in Dubai on Thursday that are the worst organisers and it was the worst event. “But to install the IT in a stadium, it needs at offloaded Rice, who was due $8.5 million in base salary for 2014, Pietersen’s sacking by England this month would make the dressing room a better least 90 days and we have to work for all the people who have an interest, our commercial partners, and Bryant, who was set to earn $4.5 million. place. our media partners, hospitality...... Rice, 27, has been plagued with assorted injuries since sign- Pietersen responded by writing on his Twitter feed: “Fewer “The ball starts rolling on June 12 until July 13 and I think things ing a five-year contract with the team in 2011 while Bryant, 29, Q&As, more Sussex nets methinks”, referring to the wicket- will work well then but it is also true that whenever you receive has played limited snaps in his role as a run-stuffing defensive keeper-batsman’s county team. something late, it becomes a challenge to make it ready in time,” end. “We want to thank both Red and Sidney for their effort, Swann, who announced his sudden retirement from Valcke added. “I am not a World Cup specialist but I will say this commitment and contribution to the Seattle Seahawks over the all forms of cricket midway through the Ashes series has not been easy for sure,” he told reporters gathered after a last few years,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said that ended last month, criticised both of his former col- meeting of the annual International Football Association in a statement. “These are extremely tough decisions, but we leagues. Board, the game’s law-making meeting. “We are almost at 100 wanted to give them a head start on free agency. We wish them “It’s another disappointing episode,” he said on days before the first game starts in a stadium in Sao Paulo well in the future.” BBC radio while commentating on England’s 15-run which is still not ready and won’t be ready until May 15. “And At last week’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, defeat by West Indies in Antigua on Friday, the open- as you know another two stadiums (in Curitiba and Manaus) are Seahawks coach Pete Carroll also spoke about “difficult decisions” ing game in a three-match series of one-day interna- quite late.” Two years ago this weekend Valcke delivered his that would have to be made. “Our whole thing is we’d like to keep tionals. “Matt’s been a bit naive and Kev’s come back in a famous “Brazil needs a kick up the backside” line which this team together as best we can,” Carroll said. “There are some childish way. Gone are the days of phoning someone up incensed the local organizing committee, but certainly very difficult decisions every year you face in the league with con- and thrashing it out, it involves a million people on had something of the desired impact. —Reuters tracts and money and (salary) cap and all that stuff. —Reuters Twitter these days. —Reuters Sabres sink Sharks

BUFFALO: Jhonas Enroth made 36 saves as the Buffalo Sabres beat the San Jose Sharks 4-2 on Friday night, a few hours after they traded goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott. Cody Hodgson, Brian Flynn, Matt Moulson and Tyler Myers scored for Buffalo, while Enroth played well in the absence of Miller, who was dealt to St. Louis along with Ott before warmups. Miller was set to start his 541st career game for the Sabres, but was pulled from the lineup. Buffalo general manager Tim Murray used the two veterans in his first major trade, acquiring Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a first-round pick in 2015 and a third-rounder in 2016 from the Blues. James Sheppard and Patrick Marleau scored for San Jose. The win gave Buffalo three straight wins for the first time since last April.

AVALANCHE 4, COYOTES 2 Gabriel Landeskog had a goal and two assists, and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Phoenix Coyotes. Semyon Varlamov stopped 40 shots in his first game after playing for Russia in the Olympics, and P.A. Parenteau and Nate Guenin BUFFALO: Daniel Paille No. 20 of the Boston Bruins falls in front of Jhonas Enroth No. 1 of the also scored for Colorado, which bounced back Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. —AFP from blowing a two-goal lead in a loss to Los goalie Ryan Miller in a five-player trade with the earning his 21st career shutout. Cogliano’s early Angeles on Wednesday. Guenin’s goal was his Buffalo Sabres that included goalie Jaroslav goal stood up in a hard-hitting, choppy game first in nearly two years after spending all of last Halak. between two of the NHL’s best teams. St. Louis season in the American Hockey League. Hiller came back strong from the break after still hasn’t scored after the break, taking its first Shane Doan had two goals and Thomas posting two shutouts for Switzerland in Sochi, two shutout losses of the season. —AP Greiss had 29 saves for Phoenix, which lost 3-2 in a shootout at Winnipeg on Thursday night is 0-2- 1 in its last three games. NHL results/standings WILD 2, CANUCKS 1 Justin Fontaine’s goal in the seventh round of Buffalo 4, San Jose 2; Colorado 4, Phoenix 2; Minnesota 2, Vancouver 1 (SO); Anaheim 1, St. Louis 0. the shootout gave the Minnesota Wild a win Western Conference Eastern Conference over the Vancouver Canucks. Pacific Division Atlantic Division Fontaine went wide on Eddie Lack and slid Boston 37 16 5 180 130 79 W L OTL GF GA PTS the puck under the Vancouver goalie. Darcy Montreal 33 21 7 155 149 73 Kuemper preserved the win by denying Anaheim 42 14 5 197 147 89 Tampa Bay 33 21 5 170 148 71 Vancouver’s final shooter, David Booth, as he San Jose 38 17 6 184 149 82 Toronto 32 22 7 182 187 71 attempted a spin-o-rama shot. Earlier in the Los Angeles 33 22 6 147 132 72 Detroit 28 20 12 159 165 68 shootout, Vancouver’s Chris Higgins had Ottawa 26 23 11 170 197 63 Kuemper down and out after a deke, but hit the Vancouver 28 24 10 148 162 66 Florida 22 30 7 143 188 51 post. Phoenix 27 22 11 167 176 65 Buffalo 18 34 8 122 180 44 The Wild won their fourth straight, while the Calgary 22 30 7 137 181 51 Canucks suffered their eighth loss in their last nine games despite outshooting Minnesota 31- Edmonton 20 34 7 153 202 47 Metropolitan Division 23. Pittsburgh 40 15 4 191 144 84 NY Rangers 33 24 3 157 147 69 PALM BEACH GARDENS: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the crowd Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler and Minnesota’s Central Division Zach Parise exchanged first-period goals. Philadelphia 30 24 6 165 174 66 after finishing play during the second round of The Honda Classic at PGA National St. Louis 39 14 6 196 137 84 Washington 28 23 9 176 179 65 Resort and Spa. —AFP DUCKS 1, BLUES 0 Chicago 35 12 14 208 165 84 Columbus 29 25 5 172 166 63 Jonas Hiller made 18 saves in his fifth shutout Colorado 38 17 5 182 161 81 New Jersey 25 22 13 140 148 63 of the season and Andrew Cogliano scored in Minnesota 33 21 7 150 148 73 Carolina 26 24 9 147 165 61 McIlroy leads the opening minutes as the NHL-leading NY Islanders 23 30 8 169 204 54 Anaheim Ducks returned from their Olympic Dallas 28 21 10 168 165 66 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one break with a victory over the St. Louis Blues. Winnipeg 29 26 6 171 177 64 point in the standings and are not Brian Elliott stopped 18 shots for the Blues Nashville 26 24 10 149 182 62 included in the loss column (L). Honda Classic just a few hours after St. Louis acquired star

FLORIDA: Rory McIlroy recovered from a another shot at the par-four 12th, where poor start to record six birdies and earn a he missed the green with his approach. one-shot lead after the second round of “I think it’s a sign of a little more matu- Pistorius: Life story on trial the $6 million Honda Classic in Palm rity,” McIlroy said of his ability to maintain Beach Gardens, Florida on Friday. an emotional even keel. “I’m not trying to JOHANNESBURG: With his past murder. Prosecutors say there was Pistorius emerged from the hard- upscale home gun in hand was The Northern Irishman, who had been force the issue because I’ve made a cou- triumphs now tarnished because “a measure of preparation” in the ship of his disability and the sud- someone between the two one ahead overnight after opening with a ple of bogeys early. I knew had some he shot to death his girlfriend, way he killed Steenkamp after the den death of his mother, the extremes offered by the prosecu- flawless 63, remained mentally upbeat opportunities coming up. I didn’t panic. I Oscar Pistorius on Monday will couple argued loudly at his home. biggest influence on him, to tion and the defense. despite two early bogeys and his positive just tried to keep playing the way I was. enter court to be confronted with Pistorius gives a totally differ- become a role model for many. Guns were one of Pistorius’ attitude was rewarded with a four-under- “Now that I’m happy where my swing the jarring possibility that he will ent story, saying he was terrified He was banned from competing passions, but he also says they par 66 at PGA National. is, even if I do hit a loose shot I can get be sent to prison for at least 25 in the mistaken belief that there against the able-bodied because were his protection. In South “It’s just another 36-hole lead,” McIlroy over it much easier and quicker.” McIlroy’s years. was a dangerous intruder in his of his carbon fiber running blades Africa, a country with a high rate told reporters after posting an 11-under putting has been stellar as well, just 49 For the champion runner with- home about to hurt him and the but he got that overturned. He of violent home invasions, total of 129, one ahead of Zimbabwean putts to date, after he recently tweaked a out legs, who trained himself to woman he says he loved dearly. was a boundary-breaking athlete Pistorius is not alone in owning a Brendon de Jonge (64) and three clear of couple of things during a refresher ses- overcome all obstacles, nothing “I knew I had to protect Reeva who tested the world’s precon- gun for self-defense. He previous- American Russell Henley (68) on a day of sion with twice former PGA else matters now but beating the and myself,” Pistorius says in an ceptions of what disabled meant ly spoke of his fear of crime. But contrasting fortunes for the big names. Championship winner Dave Stockton. murder charge against him. 11-page affidavit, his only testi- and did it with apparent humility Pistorius didn’t obey gun-owners’ Masters champion Adam Scott, who Woods, in only his ninth competitive Pistorius’ family said Saturday that mony so far. She died in his arms, and decency. strict guidelines when he fired played with McIlroy for the first two round of the year, made several awful their focus is only on the trial. If he says. There were flashes of some- bullets through a door without rounds, made two double bogeys on the swings and needed a sharp short game to found guilty, Pistorius’ entire life The state’s account makes thing else though: A speedboat seeing who was on the other side. way to a 69 as he fell eight eight shots off qualify for the weekend. story will be recast. Pistorius out to be a cold and cal- crash in early 2009 that left him in Maybe he was fearful, but he was the pace. “It was a grind, no doubt about that,” When Pistorius walks on his culating killer; his own description hospital with serious facial also possibly negligent. World number one Tiger Woods con- said the 14-times major winner, who prosthetics into North Gauteng is of a disabled man on his stumps injuries amid allegations of drink- “A reasonable man most proba- tinued his recent struggles, making the holed out for birdie from 15 yards at the High Court for the start of his tri- and afraid who made a terrible ing and reckless behavior. Later bly would not have fired four cut with nothing to spare at even-par 140 par-four 13th before parring his way al, seemingly little remains of mistake. Which version is true? It that year, Pistorius was arrested shots through the door,” Marius du after carding a 69, while Phil Mickelson home. the Blade Runner, the double is the question that will underline after a female guest at a party at Toit, a defense attorney and for- will have the weekend off after shooting a “I hit a couple of loose iron shots com- amputee who ran alongside the Pistorius’ entire trial. his house made a complaint of mer South Africa state prosecutor 71 for a one-over total. ing in. I would like to hit it better than I world’s best and inspired many It’s a case where forensic and assault against him. Charges not involved in the case, told The McIlroy, 24, has rediscovered his form have been but I fought out a number, by overcoming the loss of his ballistic experts and criminal psy- weren’t pursued. Associated Press. “His actions were in the past few months and says he is which is always a good thing.” legs before he was a year old. chologists will feature, and Maybe most telling, two years definitely not reasonable and I back at the comfort level he enjoyed in Woods, who has not won a major since Now, the 27-year-old Olympian where a toilet door, bullet trajec- ago when he was reportedly with think that’s his biggest problem.” late 2012, when he was riding high atop the 2008 US Open, warned not to read must fight allegations that, in a tory, blood spatter, cellphone friends in a car pulled over by traffic A murderer, a hero who made a mistake or someone caught in the world rankings. too much into his mediocre early-season rage, he intentionally shot at girl- records and the debate over gun police and, after an altercation, he friend Reeva Steenkamp four ownership and South Africa’s vio- allegedly responded as they drove the middle, afraid but also too He changed driver and ball last form as he gears up for the Masters in times through a toilet door, killing lent crime problem will play a away by shooting his gun angrily fast to fire. They are options that autumn and sounds eminently satisfied April, saying he took a “lot of positives” her. Prosecutors allege that part, all revolving around a out the sunroof. Prosecutors will must be weighed by Judge with the results, saying he can hit a variety from his performance. Pistorius then lied extensively famous figure. Large parts of the add two counts relating to him fir- Thokozile Masipa when she of shots with the new combination. “I’m Mickelson, meanwhile, was happy about the shooting, throwing trial will be broadcast live from ing a gun in public to his murder decides whether to convict on much more comfortable with everything with aspects of his game, but not the doubt on everything the world Courtroom GD in Pretoria’s high and illegal possession of ammuni- murder, acquit, or find Pistorius and I think it shows in the way I’m play- entire package. “I had a hard time mak- thought it knew about him. court building. tion charges at trial. One of them is guilty of a lesser offense of negli- ing,” he said. ing birdies today,” said the three-time Pistorius’ life is up for debate, not Pistorius’ mindset and inten- believed to be that sunroof inci- gent killing. Pistorius’ ex-girl- Masters champion. “I drove the ball well. just the events in the early hours tion in the hours leading up to 3 dent. friend Samantha Taylor told a NOT SMOOTH SAILING My iron play, distance control was off of Valentine’s Day last year. a.m. last Feb. 14 is what ultimately Did Pistorius reach for his 9mm South African newspaper a few Not that it was all smooth sailing for and I didn’t putt as well as I expected.” Prosecutor Gerrie Nel called matters. What clues do we have pistol again when angry on months before the shooting: the two-time major champion as he For the second successive days, players Pistorius a man “willing and ready from him? Valentine’s Day, prosecutors will “Oscar is certainly not what peo- bogeyed his second hole (the par-four were allowed preferred lies because of to fire and kill” as the state His life has been tumultuous ask. Perhaps the Pistorius that ple think he is.” Only the trial ver- 11th) after a poor drive and then dropped damp fairways. —Reuters charged him with premeditated and touched by tragedy before. walked to the bathroom of his dict will decide what he is. —AP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 SPORTS Guay wins downhill race

KVITFJELL: It feels just like home for moment and the Olympics were difficult Canada’s Erik Guay when he races in for me to cope with mentally.” Norway. Guay won the fifth World Cup race Clarey had thought about retirement of his career yesterday on one of his after the Sochi Games, where he did not favorite courses in the resort of Kvitfjell. He finish the downhill and was 19th in super- clinched his second downhill win this sea- G. son, finishing ahead of Frenchman Johan “This changes my ideas a little bit from a Clarey and Olympic champion Matthias psychological point of view,” he said. “Even Mayer of Austria. though my knee’s still pretty banged up.” Two of Guay’s career five wins and four Despite already having an Olympic gold of his 22 podiums have been in Kvitfjell, medal, the 23-year-old Mayer clinched his where there is a super-G scheduled for first career podium in World Cup downhill Sunday. Guay won it here in 2010. and only his third overall. “We’ve had a great relationship over the “I had a lot of things to do, with cele- years,” Guay said. “Everything reminds me brating the Olympic victory back home. I of Quebec and Canada, I feel comfortable hadn’t much time for me to be prepared,” when I come here. The landscape in gener- Mayer said. “I can be happy with this result. al in Norway looks a lot like Quebec and It’s very difficult to be fast here, with the the weather can be a lot like Quebec. It can soft snow it’s not the best conditions.” be raining and warm, and also minus 25 American Travis Ganong, who was third and freezing cold.” on Friday, narrowly missed out on another It was the 32-year-old Guay’s third podium, finishing .62 back in fourth spot. career downhill win. He also won downhill “I really thought I could (win), so I earlier this season at the Italian resort of Val pushed a little harder and had a couple Gardena, where the 33-year-old Clarey was mistakes. I was able to make up a lot of third. time on the bottom and salvage fourth “It’s just a track that suits me well,” Guay place,” said Ganong, who is having good said. “It’s a real downhill track that follows late-season form after a respectable fifth- your run. It’s got jumps, it’s got side-hills, place finish in the downhill at the Olympics. technical sections. I think that’s what down- “It’s really fun skiing right now. I’m having a NEW YORK: Harrison Barnes of the Golden State Warriors (center) goes for ball against (left to right) JR Smith (8), Carmelo hill’s all about.” good time and the results are coming.” Anthony (7), Tyson Chandler (6) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) of the New York Knicks as Warrior Marreese Speights (left) follows play Conditions were overcast and a little Olympic super-G champion Kjetil during their NBA game. —AFP foggy but unlike Friday’s downhill the rain Jansrud of Norway, who tied for the win stayed away. Guay had a time of 1 minute, Friday with Austrian Georg Streitberger, 22.17 seconds to put him .35 ahead of placed fifth. Clarey - who secured a third career podium “I made a couple of mistakes which I - and .57 quicker than Mayer. didn’t think I would make,” Jansrud said. Warriors see off Knicks “It’s difficult conditions, soft snow. I “Fell on my inside ski a couple of times, I think you need a really well-balanced had to support myself on my hand.” Overall NEW YORK: Stephen Curry had 27 CAVALIERS 99, JAZZ 79 Jackson added 14 points for the LAKERS 126, KINGS 122 touch,” Guay said. “If you’re too aggressive World Cup leader Aksel Lund Svindal of points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists Kyrie Irving recorded his first Thunder. The Thunder had lost Jordan Farmar came off the or leaning in a little bit, it’s easy to lose Norway was tied for sixth with in three quarters, and Klay career triple-double with 21 every game since Westbrook bench to score a career-high 30 (time).” Meanwhile, it was the best result of Switzerland’s Silvan Zurbriggen. American Thompson added 25 points as the points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds returned from his latest knee sur- points, making eight of 10 shots Clarey’s career. “It shows anything can hap- Bode Miller, a bronze medalist in super-G at Golden State Warriors sent the frus- to lead Cleveland over Utah. gery. from 3-point range, as Los Angeles pen, even late on. Better late than never,” the Sochi Olympics last month, was trated New York Knicks to a fifth The All-Star Game Most Mike Miller scored all 19 of his capitalized on the absence of sus- Clarey said. “I’m not hugely confident at the eighth.—AP straight loss with a 126-103 victory Valuable Player was two rebounds points in the fourth quarter to pended Sacramento star Friday night. shy of the mark going into the help Memphis nearly erase a 16- DeMarcus Cousins. Jodie Meeks Returning to the site of his sen- fourth quarter. He grabbed his point deficit heading into the peri- made all eight of his shots and fin- sational shooting performance of a ninth rebound early in the period od. Marc Gasol had 17 points and ished with 22 points, including year ago, when he scored a career- and pulled down his 10th with Zach Randolph added 13 points three of the Lakers’ franchise- high 54 points on 11-of-13 shoot- 4:12 to go to become the first and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, record 19 3-pointers on 27 ing from 3-point range, Curry Cleveland player with a triple dou- who had won five of six. attempts. Pau Gasol also scored showed off his entire skill set in this ble since LeBron James on March 22, and newly acquired reserve one. 16, 2010, at Detroit. A young fan SUNS 116, PELICANS 104 MarShon Brooks had 23. The NBA’s assists leader made wearing a stocking cap raced on Goran Dragic scored 40 points, The Lakers shot 60 percent in a five 3-pointers, as did backcourt the floor and patted Irving on the his second career high in three matchup of teams with the two mate Thompson. The 6-foot-3 All- shoulder midway through the games, as Phoenix pulled away in worst records in the Western Star also grabbed nine defensive fourth quarter, but was quickly the fourth quarter to beat New Conference. They have won the rebounds in his fourth career triple- subdued by several policemen and Orleans and end a three-game los- first three meetings against the double and third this season, security guards. The fan was wres- ing streak. Kings this season, with one bouncing back from one of his tled to the floor and led away in Dragic was a game-time deci- remaining on April 2 at worst performances of the season. handcuffs. sion because of a sore right ankle Sacramento. Los Angeles is a game He had a season low-tying five Luol Deng scored 16 points as that had kept him out of behind the Kings in the conference points on 2-of-10 shooting the Cavaliers placed five players in Wednesday’s loss at Utah, but standings and 11/2 behind Utah. Wednesday in a 103-83 loss to double figures. Gordon Hayward played all but the last 10 seconds Chicago. Golden State easily scored 18 points for Utah, which of the second half in the first 40- SPURS 92, BOBCATS 82 rebounded from that defeat to win began a six-game road trip. point game for a Phoenix player Tim Duncan had 17 points and for the fifth time in six games. since Amare Stoudemire’s 44 on 16 rebounds as San Antonio over- Carmelo Anthony had 23 points THUNDER 113, GRIZZLIES 107 March 19, 2010. came a sluggish start to beat NORWAY: Winner Canada’s Erik Guay celebrates on the podium after com- and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, Kevin Durant scored 30 of his Anthony Davis, also a game- Charlotte. Manu Ginobili scored 15 peting in the men’s downhill at the FIS Ski World Cup. —AFP blown out for the second straight 37 points in the second half to time decision because of a points, Marco Belinelli and Patty night in a season that’s starting to help Oklahoma City beat Memphis sprained left shoulder, matched Mills added 14 each and Kawhi feel hopeless. They seem to know it, and end a three-game losing his career high with 32 points for Leonard had 12 for San Antonio. with an agitated Tyson Chandler streak. the Pelicans, who lost their sixth in Al Jefferson scored 20 points and Talebula gives Bordeaux thrown out in the fourth quarter Russell Westbrook had 21 a row. Markieff Morris added 18 former Spurs guard Gary Neal after picking up two technical fouls, points and six assists in 28 min- points and twin brother Marcus 15 added 15 for Charlotte. Gerald victory over Clermont the first for shoving Warriors back- utes, Serge Ibaka had 16 points for Phoenix. Eric Gordon scored 21 Henderson had 12 and Kemba up Marreese Speights. and nine rebounds, and Reggie for New Orleans. Walker 11. PARIS: Two tries by Fijian wing Metuiselau Sivivatu began the counter-attack from There were three ties and two Talebula saw Bordeaux-Begles to their first inside their 22 and eventually Elvis lead changes in the final 7 minutes win over Top 14 leaders Clermont since Vermeulen-in his 13th and final season NBA results/standings as San Antonio celebrated Military they returned to the top tier in 2011 as they with the club went over in the right hand Appreciation Night with camouflage prevailed 26-16 yesterday. corner for the five points. uniforms. Cleveland 99, Utah 79; Oklahoma City 113, Memphis 107; Golden State 126, NY Knicks 103; Chicago 100, The 22-year-old scored both tries in the James landed a brilliant conversion to Ginobili blocked Walker’s layup second-half-taking him to the top of the try make it 13-6 but Bernard reduced the Dallas 91; San Antonio 92, Charlotte 82; LA Lakers 126, Sacramento 122; Phoenix 116, New Orleans 104. and drew a charge on Jefferson on scorers table with 12 — to give his side an deficit on the stroke of half-time with his Eastern Conference Western Conference consecutive possessions. Duncan excellent chance of making the end of sea- third penalty. followed with a 15-foot jumper that Atlantic Division Northwest Division son play-offs by finishing in the top six. The hosts went ahead six minutes into gave the Spurs an 82-80 lead with Yesterdy’s win saw them rise to sixth. the second-half as Talebula grubber kicked W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 44 15 .746 - 1:43 remaining. Clermont’s defeat should see them the ball between two Clermont defenders Toronto 32 26 .552 - Portland 40 18 .690 3.5 remain top as they are three points clear of and outpaced them to collect it and touch Brooklyn 27 29 .482 4 Minnesota 28 29 .491 15 BULLS 100, MAVERICKS 91 Montpellier, who beat Stade Francais on down for his 11th try of the season. Taj Gibson had 20 points and 15 NY Knicks 21 38 .356 11.5 Denver 25 32 .439 18 Friday. Bernard converted for 16-13 but James Boston 20 39 .339 12.5 rebounds, and Mike Dunleavy hit a go- Both Castres and Toulon could pull level brought the sides back to parity in the 56th Utah 21 37 .362 22.5 ahead 3-pointer as Chicago overtook Philadelphia 15 43 .259 17 with bonus point wins later on Saturday minute with another penalty to take him Dallas in the fourth quarter to win for away at Racing Metro-coached by the duo over the 200 points mark for the season. Pacific Division the eighth time in nine games. Laurent Travers and Laurent Labit who Talebula tore apart the Clermont Central Division LA Clippers 40 20 .667 - The Mavericks led by 16 in the first guided the visitors to the title last season- defence again on the hour mark but the Indiana 44 13 .772 - half and had erased a six-point Chicago Golden State 36 23 .610 3.5 and home to Oyonnax respectively. visitors managed to deny Bordeaux a try Chicago 32 26 .552 12.5 edge when Dunleavy put the Bulls Clermont-who were missing several key through some sterling defence, though Phoenix 34 24 .586 5 Cleveland 24 36 .400 21.5 back in front and started a 10-0 run players such as Wesley Fofana and Bernard ensured the hosts didn’t come Detroit 23 35 .397 21.5 Sacramento 20 38 .345 19 with a 3-pointer for an 87-85 lead. Napolioni Nalaga, who were injured, and away with nothing as he converted a Milwaukee 11 46 .193 33 LA Lakers 20 39 .339 19.5 Jimmy Butler had 19 points, seven Morgan Parra who was suspended - penalty for 19-16. rebounds and a big block during the opened the scoring in the ninth minute as Bernard missed a great opportunity to Southwest Division decisive spurt, and Kirk Hinrich scored Brock James-who had missed an earlier put them six points clear as another penal- Southeast Division 17. Dunleavy finished with 16 points opportunity-slotted over a penalty at a sold ty clipped the post and dropped into a Miami 41 14 .745 - San Antonio 42 16 .724 - and eight rebounds, shooting 4 of 7 out Chaban Delmas Stadium, normally the Clermont player’s arms. Washington 30 28 .517 12.5 Houston 39 19 .672 3 from long range. Monta Ellis scored home to the Ligue 1 football club. However, that mattered not a jot when Charlotte 27 31 .466 15.5 Dallas 36 24 .600 7 20 to the lead the Mavericks, who The hosts levelled in the 16th minute Talebula went over for his second of the Atlanta 26 31 .456 16 Memphis 32 25 .561 9.5 were trying to match their season through former Castres player Pierre game two minutes from time, bursting Bernard, who like James had also missed through the middle of the Clermont Orlando 18 42 .300 25.5 New Orleans 23 35 .397 19 high with a fifth straight win. Dirk Nowitzki had 15. —AP his opening kick at goal. defence to swan dive over the tryline. Bernard gave Bordeaux the lead just Bernard converted although only after after the half hour mark, drilling one home referee Cedric Marchat had consulted the Brumbies too good Chiefs defeat Highlanders from in front of the posts but James lev- video referee over a possible interference elled soon afterwards. with Aurelien Rougerie as the Clermont for Force HAMILTON: All Blacks flyhalf Aaron Cruden Ngatai to take the game. Clermont, as is their habit, then created captain chased to recuperate James’s chip PERTH: The ACT Brumbies produced an early rugby master- helped create, then convert, Charlie Ngatai’s “We went into the sheds (at halftime) with a try out of nothing. Lee Byrne and Sitiveni ahead. —AFP class to thrash the hapless Western Force 27-14 in their try with 11 minutes remaining to give the the Highlanders having a bit of momentum Super Rugby clash in Perth yesterday. defending champion Chiefs a 21-19 win over and we wanted to try to wrest that off them The Brumbies were beaten by the Queensland Reds in the Highlanders in the Super 15 yesterday. early in the second half,” Cruden, the Chiefs their first outing of the season, but bounced back to destroy The Hamilton-based Chiefs came from co-captain, said. “I think we were able to do the home team with a scintillating start, dominating the behind in a match which saw four lead that at periods.” opening 25 minutes of the match. It was a measure of changes to post their second-straight win at Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga turned the revenge for the Brumbies, who were upset by the Force at the start of a season in which they are trying Highlanders’ territorial advantage into points the same venue in the final round last season, a result that to win their third consecutive title. yesterday, succeeding with five out of five cost them a top-two berth heading into the playoffs. The Highlanders were leading 19-14 shots at goal - a conversion and four penalties That meant the Brumbies were forced to travel to New when flanker Liam Squire split their defen- - for 14 points. Zealand and South Africa, before losing the final to the sive line with a rampaging run. From the Sopoaga gave the Highlanders an early Chiefs. breakdown, Cruden put in a pinpoint cross- lead with a second-minute penalty but the The Brumbies scored the first 27 points of the match, and field kick which found winger Asaeli Chiefs forced the first lead change with a try virtually had the game in their keeping when they led the Tikoirotuma, who turned the ball infield for to winger Tim Nanai-Williams, converted by shell-shocked Force 21-0 after just 24 minutes. Ngatai to score. Cruden, in the 10th minute. The Force had barely touched the ball by that stage of Cruden’s conversion was only his third The Highlanders regained the lead with a the match, the most damning statistic that the Brumbies success from five attempts but separated the try to flanker John Hardie after 31 minutes had 369 run metres to the home team’s paltry 46 at one team and consigned the Dunedin-based and, with a conversion and penalty to stage. Highlanders to their first loss after they Sopoaga, took a nine point lead to halftime. It wasn’t until the 62nd minute that the Force were able opened their campaign last week with a win The Chiefs narrowed the gap with to conjure their first line break of the match. over the Blues. Messam’s try in the seventh minute of the They were generally far more competitive in the second The Highlanders to take a 16-7 lead to second half but were five points behind when half, but any chances to put points on the board were typi- halftime before the Chiefs the tightened their Sopoaga added his last penalty. Cruden then FRANCE: Clermont’s flanker Julien Pierre collapses with Begles’s scrum half cally foiled by sloppy handling errors, until they finally game, holding the ball for longer periods and conjured a try for Ngatai and added the con- Heni Adams during the French Top 14 rugby Union match Begles Bordeaux scored two consolation tries in the dying minutes. —AFP scoring tries through Liam Messam and version to clinch the match. —AP against Clermont. —AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 SPORTS Warner, Clarke put Australia in control CAPE TOWN: David Warner hit a century and wicket with Clarke. captain Michael Clarke battled his way back After surviving five dropped catches in his into form as Australia dominated the first day previous three innings of 115, 70 and 66, of the series-deciding third and final Test Warner did not offer a chance although against South Africa at Newlands yesterday. when he was on 95 the South Africans Warner put a week of controversy behind thought he had been caught behind down him and hit a sparkling 135 off 162 balls in an the leg side by De Villiers off Steyn. Australian total of 331 for three. He was given not out by umpire Aleem Clarke, who twice needed treatment after Dar. South Africa sought a review but replays being hit, went past 24 for the first time in 12 showed the ball had deflected off his thigh Test innings to make 92 not out on a day pad, not his bat. when South Africa lost strike bowler Dale Clarke survived some hostile short- Steyn with a hamstring injury midway pitched bowling from Morne Morkel to be on through the afternoon. 22 not out at tea. Steyn, who took the first wicket, left the When he was on nine he was struck on field after bowling one ball of the fourth over the left forearm and needed treatment. Four of his third spell and did not return. runs later he turned away from another It was the second time in successive bouncer and was felled by a blow to the matches that South Africa, having picked cheek. only four specialist bowlers, lost one to injury He again needed treatment before after Wayne Parnell suffered a groin strain in resuming his innings and was then struck on the second Test in Port Elizabeth. the glove, with the ball falling out of reach of Warner was fined 15 percent of his match short leg fielder Duminy. fee and criticised by his captain, Clarke, after Late in the day, Clarke took a blow on the making “inappropriate comments” suggest- right thumb from Morkel, bowling with the ing ball tampering by South Africa after the second new ball. FATULLAH: Afghan bowler Shapoor Zadran (right) with teammates celebrate their win during the fifth match of the Asia Cup one- second Test. Clarke and Steve Smith scored freely day cricket tournament between Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. —AFP But if the left-handed opening batsman towards the close, against the second new was affected by the controversy he showed ball, adding 37 runs in six overs before the no sign of it. He was in charge from virtually close. the first ball he faced after Clarke won the Clarke faced 191 balls, hitting nine fours. Afghanistan upset B’desh toss and claimed first use of an easy-paced Smith became the third batsman to notch a pitch. half-century, finishing the day on 50 not out, Warner reached his fourth successive made off 92 balls. FATULLAH: Afghanistan put up a brilliant performance to upset hosts Bangladesh by 32 runs in the Asia Cup match score of 50 or better after facing just 50 balls With the series locked at 1-1, both sides at Fatullah yesterday. and went to his seventh Test century off 104 made two changes following South Africa’s Afghanistan rode on a brilliant unbeaten career best 90 deliveries. 231-run win in the second Test in Port by Asghar Stanikzai and a punishing 69-ball 81 by Warner shared partnerships of 65 for the Elizabeth. Samiullah Shinwari to post a challenging 254-6 before first wicket with Chris Rogers, who started Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, bowling out their rivals for 222 in 47.5 overs. Australia’s dominance by hitting two fours in recovered from a calf injury, replaced Shaun Afghanistan’s victory marked its first win over a Test the first over by Steyn, 73 for the second Marsh, while fast bowler James Pattinson was playing country in four one-day matches. They previously lost both their one-day internationals against Pakistan and wicket with Alex Doolan and 79 for the third selected ahead of Peter Siddle. —AFP one against Australia. Afghanistan are playing the Asia Cup for the first time. It was a great shock for the hosts, who were runners-up in the last Asia Cup in 2012 to Pakistan as they played with- out their key all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, suspended over indiscipline, and injured spearhead Mashrafe Mortaza. Bangladesh, who lost their opening match to India, never looked settled in their run-chase as they lost their openers by the second over with only a single run on the board. It was a 68-run stand between Mominul Haque (50) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (23) that lifted Bangladesh before Afghan captain Mohammad Nabi claimed his coun- SCOREBOARD terpart’s wicket. FATULLAH: Complete scoreboard in the Asia Cup match between Bangladesh and Nabi finished with 3-44 while pacemen Hamid Hassan Afghanistan played at Fatullah yesterday. and Shapoor Zadran took two wickets apiece. Mominul hit six boundaries in a sedate 72-ball innings Afghanistan: Bangladesh but once he was bowled by Shinwari (1-23), all hopes of a Mohammad Shahzad lbw b Hossain 2 Anam-ul Haque lbw b Hassan 1 home team win evaporated. Nasir Hossain and Ziaur Karim Sadiq c and b Sunny 12 Shamsur Rahman b Shapoor 0 Rahman chipped in with 41 apiece but could only delay Mominul Haque b Shinwari 50 Najibullah Zadran b Sunny 21 the inevitable. Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Nabi 23 Asghar Stanikzai not out 90 Nasir Hossain c Shinwari b Ashraf 41 ‘OUTPLAYED’ Nawroz Mangal run out 24 Naeemul Islam c Mangal b Hassan 35 Afghan captain was ecstatic over the win. “It’s our first Mohammad Nabi c Nasir b Haque 7 win against a full member,” said Nabi. “It was a good part- Ziaur Rahman b Nabi 41 nership between Stanikzai and Shinwari that lifted us and Samiullah Shinwari run out 81 Abdur Razzak run out 0 despite missing some chances in the field we bowled well Mirwais Ashraf not out 0 Arafat Sunny c Shahzad b Shapoor 0 Rubel Hossain c Mangal b Nabi 17 to achieve this landmark win. Extras: (b1, lb6, w10) 17 CAPE TOWN: Michael Clarke of Australia (right) bats on Day One of the third Test “Fans and the whole country must be celebrating and Sohag Gazi not out 2 match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands in Cape Town. —AFP we will do our best in the remaining matches,” he said. Total: (for six wkts; 50 overs) 254 Extras: (b4, lb2, w6) 12 Bangladesh captain Rahim was left disappointed. Did not bat: Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Total: (all out; 47.5 overs) 222 “We were outplayed in all three departments. We Zadran, Hamza Hotak. Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Rahman), 2-1 (Haque), 3- SCOREBOARD played well earlier in the first 30 overs but they did well Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Shahzad), 2-40 (Sadiq), 69 (Rahim), 4-88 (Mominul), 5-161 (Nasir), 6- thereafter. It’s disappointing to lose,” he said. 165 (Islam), 7-165 (Razzak), 8-165 (Sunny), 9- CAPE TOWN: Close of play scores on the first day of the third and final Test between South Earlier, Afghanistan, put in to bat, owed their total to a 3-43 (Najibullah), 4-74 (Mangal), 5-90 (Nabi), 206 (Zia) Africa and Australia at Newlands yesterday. record sixth wicket stand of 164 runs between Stanikzai 6-254 (Shinwari) Bowling: Shapoor 8-0-39-2, Hassan 6.1-1-26- Australia, first innings 3-217 (Warner) and Shinwari who lifted their team from a precarious 90-5. Bowling: Hossain 10-0-61-1 (2w), Razzak 10- 2 (2w), Sadiq 2-0-9-0, Ashraf C. Rogers c Smith b Steyn 25 Bowling: Steyn 10.1-0-44-1, Philander 19-2- The Stanikzai-Shinwari stand is the third highest part- 1-57-0 (2w), Sunny 10-0-44-2 (1w), Ghazi 9-0-51-1 (4w), Nabi 9.4-0-44-3, Hotak 7-0- D. Warner c De Villiers b Duminy 135 66-1 (1nb), Morkel 17.5-2-69-0 (2nb, 1w), nership for Afghanistan in all one-day internationals and the highest for the sixth wicket. 0.3-0-0-0, Nasir 2.3-0-8-0, Haque 10-0-38-1, 24-0, Shinwari 6-0-23-1 A. Doolan c Steyn b Philander 20 Duminy 9-0-37-1, Abbott 17-5-52-0 (1nb), Stanikzai hit six boundaries and three towering sixes in Rahman 7-0-39-0 (5w) Result: Afghanistan won by 32 runs. M. Clarke not out 92 Elgar 15-0-63-0 S. Smith not out 50 his highest one-day score while Shinwari smashed 10 South Africa: G. Smith, A. Petersen, D. Elgar, Extras (nb4, w5) 9 fours and a six. They ran riot in the final 10 overs as Total (3 wkts, 88 overs) 331 H. Amla, A. de Villiers, F. du Plessis, J. Duminy, Afghanistan added 107 for the loss of Shinwari who was Nawroz Mangal (24) and skipper lift the innings. Sri Lanka have won both To bat: S. Watson, B. Haddin, M. Johnson, J. V. Philander, K. Abbott, D. Steyn, M. Morkel run out off the penultimate delivery. Mohammad Nabi (seven) too failed to ben- their matches while title-holders Pakistan Pattinson, R. Harris, N. Lyon Match situation: Australia are 331 for three Afghanistan had lost opener Mohammad Shahzad efit from good starts as Afghanistan were and India have won one of their two Fall of wickets: 1-65 (Rogers), 2-138 (Doolan), wickets in the first innings (two) in the third over of the innings before Karim Sadiq left struggling at 90-5 in the 27th over. matches. India meet Pakistan in a high- (12) and Najibullah Zadran (21) took the total to 40. It was left to Stanikzai and Shinwari to profile match in Mirpur today. —AFP Keselowski on pole at Phoenix

AVONDALE: A few drivers, like Brad row for today’s 312-mile race. expect and there was a bit of con- some drivers racing out to get quali- teams to have cool down units in with all of our competitors,” said Keselowski and Joey Logano, raced Jamie McMurray qualified third, cern about drivers intentionally fying laps in right away while several their pit stalls, so most of the drivers Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice onto the track to get in their qualify- defending Sprint Cup champion blocking each other to prevent fast others waited several minutes to get in the field put in one fast lap and president for competition and racing ing sessions. Others waited, some Jimmie Johnson was fourth and lap times, something NASCAR offi- their first lap in. one that was much slower to cool development. “They don’t want to nearly 10 minutes, before heading Daytona 500 champion Dale cials planned to keep an eye on. One issue while there were multi- their engines, creating differences of force us to do something that’s out for the first time. Earnhardt Jr. will start fifth, next to Instead, the action on the track ple cars on the track were the speeds. up to 100 mph between the cars. wrong. They weigh in because they There were long stretches with Greg Biffle. was sparse for long stretches, with NASCAR decided against allowing “We’ve got a really good dialogue think things can be better. It’s our job almost no activity followed by mad “The qualifying format was before to take and balance all that out and scrambles to get runs in before time because I felt like I was one of those remove the agenda part of that a ran out. Cars raced past each other at guys it was exciting for me because I team may or may not have. Right close to a 100 mph difference. wasn’t in, I made another run, I got now, it’s working pretty good.” No doubt, this first round of in,” McMurray said. “The excitement For the first session, Logano and NASCAR’s new knockout qualifying was there.” Keselowski were at the front of the was a little strange and will take NASCAR made numerous pack along pit road - by random some getting used to. Brad changes for this season, including a drawing - and raced to get out in Keselowski earned the first Sprint tweaked qualifying process in an front on the track so they’d have a Cup pole under NASCAR’s new for- effort to liven up what had become a clear path. mat, edging Joey Logano with a monotonous part of race weekend. Logano put up the fastest time track-record top speed of 139.384 Instead of going out one at a early and Keselowski was right mph at Phoenix International time, the entire field gets a 30- behind him in second. Despite teams Raceway on Friday. minute session to post their fastest coming in for adjustments - one “It’s a lot more nerve-racking,” lap, with the top 12 moving on to a crewmember was allowed to come Keselowski said. “Usually a pretty 10-minute second round. On bigger over the wall to make minor changes good rule of thumb is that If it’s more tracks, the qualifying will have three - those two stayed out front for the nerve-racking for the drivers, it’s a lot sessions, with the field cut to 24 then entire first session. more fun for our fans and partners 12. For the final session, Keselowski and all those things, and that’s a NASCAR got a glimpse of the put up his fast time relatively early in good thing. I’m more interested in new system at Daytona last week, the 10-minute window and swapped feedback from our fans to see if they but it didn’t last long; the Nationwide places with Logano for the pole. liked it.” series was able to get in one round “Unfortunately, we won the Keselowski was one of the first before rain washed out the rest of wrong one,” Logano said. “We won drivers to go out in the first session the qualifying and for the Truck the first one and our teammate got and finished behind Logano. He Series. The Daytona 500 didn’t use the second one, but either way we trumped his teammate in the shorter, the new qualifying process, so AVONDALE: Danica Patrick, driver of the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet, practices for the both had a chance to win some- second session to earn his fourth Phoenix was the inaugural go-round. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The Profit on CNBC 500 at Phoenix International Raceway in thing. He just got the trophy to take career pole and a spot on the front No one knew quite what to Avondale, Arizona. —AFP the pictures with.” —AP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 SPORTS

FIFA authorise wearing of veils and turbans during matches ZURICH: Football’s world governing cover their heads during matches, and ers had been banned until 2012, with Jordan played a part in the authorisa- (FFF) reacted to the announcement by body FIFA yesterday officially autho- Valcke added that male players will FIFA saying that they posed too great tion being introduced. saying they would continue to ban the rised the wearing of head covers for also be authorised to do so following a risk of injury to the head or neck. “It was a plus for them to have wearing of head covers out of respect religious purposes during matches. a request from the Sikh community of However, the IFAB then allowed for authorisation from the IFAB for to France’s status as a secular country. “It was decided that female players Canada. them to be tested out over a two-year women to be able to play (wearing In a statement sent to AFP yester- can cover their heads to play,” said “It was decided that male players period following a request from the head covers). It was a request from day, the FFF said they will maintain FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke can play with head cover too,” he said, Asian Football Confederation (AFC), a Muslim countries that said it would “the prohibition of the wearing of all at a meeting of the International although they will not be the same as trial which proved to be successful. help support women’s football there.” religious or confessional symbols”. This Football Association Board (IFAB), the those worn day to day. “It’s a worldwide authorisation,” However, it seems that not all coun- is due to the “constitutional and leg- sport’s lawmakers, in Zurich. “It will be a basic head cover and said Valcke, who confirmed that the tries will be supporting the IFAB’s islative principles of secularism that That will allow female Muslim play- the color should be the same as the hosting of the 2016 women’s under- decision. prevail in our country and figure in its ers who wear a veil in everyday life to team jersey.” The wearing of head cov- 17 World Cup by the Arab kingdom of The French Football Federation statutes.” —AFP Monaco stumble at in-form St Etienne

PARIS: Monaco’s Ligue 1 title hopes suf- Champions League qualifying place, fered a severe blow as the big-spending although the latter are away to rock-bot- Principality outfit lost 2-0 at in-form Saint- tom Ajaccio today. Coach Christophe Etienne yseterday. Galtier said he wasn’t going to get too car- Monaco came into the game trailing ried away by their lofty position. champions Paris Saint-Germain by five “Obviously this gives us a lot of hope. points at the top of the table but this loss Until someone proves otherwise, we’ve could see them lose more ground before never said either that we want a podium the weekend is out. PSG host Marseille on (top three finish) or that we don’t want it. Sunday in the French ‘Classique’. “We’re well placed. Will we finish sev- Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri insisted enth, eighth or even third at the end of the this defeat had not ended his side’s cham- season, I don’t know. “We have to keep our pionship hopes-he said they never had any feet on the ground and tell ourselves that hope. “We haven’t lost (the title) because everything is possible. We need a lot of we’ve lost here. We need to do 130 percent humility.” In the first half, St Etienne earnt a to take the title and that’s not possible,” he deserved lead when a ball was half cleared said. “The title was promised to PSG from from a corner on 17 minutes and Lemoine the beginning of the season and it’s not hit a rasping, rising half-volley that swerved lost now.” away from Subasic and into the top corner. Midfielder Fabian Lemoine was the hero Later he broke into the box to meet for St Etienne in the first half as he scored a Brandao’s cushioned pass with a vicious wonder goal and cleared an effort from strike that Subasic did well to repel. In Nicolas Isimat-Mirin off the line. He also between, he had been in the right place at had another fine strike saved well by the right time on the line to clear the ball Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic. after Isimat-Mirin had prodded goalwards Romain Hamouma sealed the three past Stephane Ruffier as a corner caused points after beating three players in a run havoc in the home box. that began in his own half before shooting Midway through the second period home from distance, although the ball Hamouma set off on a run, ghosting appeared to go straight through Subasic, between two players and then veering who should have done much better. wide of a third before pulling the trigger, St Etienne, who have lost only once in but quite how Subasic failed to keep the their last 11 league encounters, moved ball out, perhaps only the Croatia stopper above Lille into third and the final himself knows. —AFP GERMANY: Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Armenia (right) fails to score against Nuremberg goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer during the German First Division Bundesliga soccer match. —AP Dortmund go second as Leverkusen crash again

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund built on their mid- ond goal in four days seven minutes from time. eight games. week Champions League victory over Zenit St Leverkusen’s dreadful form continued with Braunschweig gifted Gladbach a first-half lead Petersburg by going second in the Bundesliga their fourth straight home defeat as Mainz moved when Iran goalkeeper Daniel Davari turned the yesterday with a 3-0 win over Nuremberg. up to sixth with their fifth win in eight games. ball into his own net with half an hour to go. Jurgen Klopp’s side backed up Tuesday’s 4-2 Ex-Liverpool star Sami Hyypia is facing a crisis But Ter Stegen, who has been linked with a last 16, first-leg win in Russia to leap-frog Bayer as his Leverkusen side last won on February 1 and move to Barcelona next season, could only watch Leverkusen, who crashed 1-0 at home to Mainz, were also routed 4-0 at home to Paris Saint- in horror as the ball spun into his own net after he their fifth straight defeat and eighth loss in 10 Germain in the Champions League. failed to control a back pass from captain Filip games. “The team operated at a high level, which “My boys had tried to fight, but the belief and Daems. was necessary as Nuremberg began well and they the ease was missing from our game,” said the 40- There was trouble before Werder Bremen’s 1-0 had their chances,” enthused Dortmund boss year-old. “If you don’t score goals, it’s hard to win win over Hamburg in the north German derby as Klopp. a game.” the visitors’ bus was pelted by Bremen fans, “The game has clearly answered all your ques- Cameroon striker Eric Choupo-Moting breaking a window. tions,” he added when waiting reporters failed to slammed home the winner past Leverkusen goal- Police used water cannons to separate rival pose a single question. keeper Bernd Leno on 37 minutes after being set fans outside Bremen’s Weser Stadion and eight Dortmund’s Germany defender Mats up by Stefan Bell. supporters were arrested. After enjoying a win- Hummels celebrated his first game in four weeks Run-away league leaders Bayern Munich can ning debut in last Saturday’s shock 3-0 win at after a foot injury by netting the opener at go 20 points clear if they beat Schalke 04 at home home against Borussia Dortmund, which broke Borussia’s Westfalenstadion. late yesterday. Fourth-placed Schalke face the Hamburg’s eight-match losing streak, new coach Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin fired in a free-kick toughest test imaginable as they look to bounce Mirko Slomka suffered his first defeat as his side and after Robert Lewandowski’s header was back from their 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Real remain third from bottom. saved, Hummels tapped home the rebound just Madrid on Wednesday in the Champions League. Bremen grabbed an early winner when Austria after the break. A horrendous error by Germany goalkeeper midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic fired home after a Poland star Lewandowski then scored his 15th Marc-Andre ter Stegen cost Borussia spectacular back heel from team-mate Aaron league goal of the season by converting a superb Moenchengladbach their place in the top six fol- Hunt. Hanover’s Senegal striker Mame Diouf pass from Henrikh Mkhitaryan on 64 minutes lowing a 1-1 draw at bottom side Eintracht scored his first goal for a month in his side’s 1-1 before the Armenia international netted his sec- Braunschweig and left them winless in their last draw at Augsburg. —AFP Griffiths powers Celtic to victory GLASGOW: Leigh Griffiths scored his three yards out to fire the hosts ahead. first hat-trick for Celtic since joining Celtic didn’t have long to wait for a FRANCE: Monaco’s Geoffrey Kondogbia (front) is challenged by Saint- them in January as they thrashed second though with Griffiths this time Etienne’s Brandao during their French League One soccer match in Saint- Inverness Caledonian Thistle 5-0 at turning provider in the 22nd minute. Etienne. —AP Celtic Park in their Scottish Premier He sent in an awkward corner to the League clash yesterday. Their midweek front post where Mulgrew managed to Leicester, Burnley stay loss to Aberdeen had brought the nick in and neatly back-flick the ball Glasgow giants’ unbeaten start to the past Brill. season to an end but they showed an A good passing move from on course for promotion emphatic return to form against the Inverness saw Billy McKay release LONDON: Championship leaders Leicester and controversially sent off just before half-time. highlanders. Graeme Shinnie down the left wing second placed Burnley moved a step closer to Martin received a second booking for a dive Griffiths grabbed his first ever goal but his ball into the box was scooped the Premier League with a pair of significant in the penalty box, much to the anger of Derby at Celtic Park in the 11th minute with a over by Ritchie Foran. wins yesterday. manager Steve McClaren and his players. close range effort before setting up Inverness had Brill to thank for stop- Nigel Pearson’s Leicester cruised to a 3-0 Marney netted the second goal for Burnley in Charlie Mulgrew to make it 2-0 in the ping Celtic extending their advantage home win over struggling Charlton and are the 68th minute to kill off the contest. “I 22nd minute. when the keeper stuck out a foot to now 13 points clear of third placed Derby in the thought in the first half we were very good The former Wolves striker sent a siz- stop Anthony Stokes’ shot after race for automatic promotion. again, there was a real quality feel about us as a zling strike past Dean Brill in the 57th Mulgrew picked him out with a cut- Burnley enjoyed an even more vital victory side. We shifted the ball well and created minute before the Inverness ‘keeper back from the by-line. at Turf Moor as Sean Dyche’s team defeated 10- chances,” Dyche said. somehow let a long-range effort from Griffiths should have increased man Derby 2-0 to open up a five-point lead Fourth placed QPR are nine points adrift of substitute Kris Commons squirm into Celtic’s advantage three minutes after over the Rams with 13 games remaining. the automatic promotion places after being the net 12 minutes from time. the break when Nir Biton played a per- At the King Power Stadium, Jamie Vardy held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds at Loftus Road. Griffiths rounded off the scoring in fectly weighted pass through the mid- gave Leicester a ninth-minute lead and further Harry Redknapp’s side needed a Jermaine the 85th minute when he calmly con- dle for the striker but, with only the goals from Danny Drinkwater and David Jenas goal to rescue a point, but the pre-season verted a bouncing pass from keeper to beat, he sent his effort wide. Nugent in the 48th and 64th minutes sealed the promotion favourites have now gone five Commons to seal his hat-trick. However, he made up for that miss points. It was the first time Leicester had beaten matches without a win. Aberdeen’s 1-0 win over St in the 57th minute when he slammed Charlton in 11 league meetings in the last 14 Johnstone means they remain 21 home his second of the game. Griffiths years and extended the Foxes’ unbeaten run to BLOWN AWAY points behind the Hoops, who are nicked in between David Raven and 14 games. Wigan enhanced their hopes of securing a three wins away from claiming their James Vincent to steal the ball and “On today’s performance we played very play-off place, while dealing a huge blow to third consecutive league champi- burst into the box before smashing a well and showed that, as the side leading the Nottingham Forest’s chances of challenging for onship. superb left-foot shot that went in off table, we deserve to be there. But we have got automatic promotion as Uwe Rosler’s side Celtic manager Neil Lennon said he the post. 13 more games to go and 39 points to play for,” cruised to a 4-1 win at the City Ground. got the reaction he was looking for The keeper was at fault when Celtic Pearson said. Martyn Waghorn put the sixth placed visi- from his players. “I thought that was a made it 4-0 in the 78th minute. “We may still get set-backs but I would tors in the lead in the first half before setting up fantastic performance from start to fin- Leigh Griffiths Commons twisted and turned to lose rather be in the position we are in than third a goal for Emmerson Boyce in the second, after ish and with better finishing it might “One thing I will say is that we came five goals. Even in defeat we have to two defenders before firing in a shot and trying to ease a way into the top two.” Jamie Paterson had equalised. have been a bit more,” Lennon said. here and had a go. We are having quite learn and bounce back.” that Brill should have saved. Goals from David Jones and Dean Marney James McArthur and Jordi Gomez added “I am delighted for Leigh Griffiths a good season and playing with confi- Inverness arrived at Celtic Park hav- Griffiths sealed his hat-trick in the were enough for Burnley to see off promotion fine strikes to wrap up the win for the FA Cup and he could have had a lot more.” His dence,” Hughes said. ing not conceded in seven of their last 85th minute when he took a touch to rivals Derby in one of the biggest matches of holders. Reading’s chances of earning a play-off Inverness counterpart John Hughes “There were some good passages eight away trips but their defence control a bouncing pass from the season in the second tier. place were dented as they were held to a 1-1 said there was lots to learn from the of play for us but with our defensive didn’t hold out long as Griffiths con- Commons before sending a composed Former Rams midfielder Jones struck in the draw by eight-man Yeovil at the Madejski defeat. record I am disappointed we have lost verted an Emilio Izaguirre cross from angled finish beyond Brill. —AFP 29th minute and Derby had striker Chris Martin Stadium. —AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 SPORTS

Soccer results/standings Chelsea see off Fulham

English Premier League Played Friday Everton 1 (Lukaku 81) West Ham 0; Fulham 1 Hibernian 1 (Forster 45) Dundee Utd 3 (Ciftci 43, (Heitinga 74) Chelsea 3 (Schurrle 52, 65, 69); Hull Gunning 56, El Alagui 83) Fulham 1 1 (Davies 46) Newcastle 4 (Sissoko 10, 55, Remy 42, Anita 90); Stoke 1 (Walters 76-pen) Arsenal 0; Scottish Football League results Southampton 0 Liverpool 3 (Suarez 16, Sterling Championship 58, Gerrard 90-pen) Alloa 0 Hamilton 3; Dundee 2 Morton 0; Livingston 1 Cowdenbeath 0; Queen Of The South 3 Chelsea 3 Playing today Dumbarton 1; Raith 2 Falkirk 4. Aston Villa v Norwich, Swansea v Crystal Palace, Tottenham v Cardiff Division One Airdrie 3 Ayr 0; Brechin 2 Arbroath 4; East Fife 0 English Football League result Rangers 1; Stenhousemuir 4 Forfar 1; Stranraer 3 LONDON: Andre Schurrle’s second-half hat-trick Championship helped Chelsea extend their lead at the head of Bolton 4 Blackburn 0; Bournemouth 5 Doncaster Dunfermline 1. 0; Burnley 2 Derby 0; Huddersfield 5 Barnsley 0; the Premier League to four points following a 3-1 Ipswich 1 Birmingham 0; Leicester 3 Charlton 0; Division Two victory at bottom club Fulham yesterday. Millwall 0 Brighton 1; Nottingham Forest 1 Annan Athletic 4 Berwick 0; Clyde 4 Elgin City 0; Jose Mourinho’s side shook off the effects of Wigan 4; QPR 1 Leeds 1; Reading 1 Yeovil 1; Montrose 2 Albion 1; Peterhead 4 East Stirling 0; their mid-week Champions League trip to Stirling 2 Queen’s Park 2. Sheffield Wednesday 1 Middlesbrough 0; Istanbul to play Galatasaray and took full advan- Watford 4 Blackpool 0. tage of second-place Arsenal’s defeat at Stoke Division One Spanish League results City. Bradford 2 Stevenage 3; Bristol City 2 Gillingham Malaga 1 (Santa Cruz 13) Valladolid 1 (Larsson 30); The Europa League champions could stretch 1; Carlisle 0 Brentford 0; Crawley 1 Peterborough Levante 2 (Diop 4, Ruben Garcia 42) Osasuna 0. their lead even further next week as they face 0; Crewe 1 Swindon 1; Leyton Orient 2 Tottenham Hotspur in the league while Arsenal Colchester 1; Milton Keynes Dons 0 Sheffield Playing today Utd 1; Preston 2 Walsall 1; Rotherham 6 Notts Villarreal v Real Betis, Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid, and Manchester City are on FA Cup duty. County 0; Tranmere 2 Oldham 2; Wolves 3 Port Sevilla v Real Sociedad, Rayo Vallecano v Valencia, Schurrle’s treble came in 17 minutes at the Vale 0. Barcelona v Almeria. start of the second half and Jonny Heitinga’s 74th- minute goal provided little consolation for Playing today Played Friday Coventry v Shrewsbury Fulham, who remain at the foot of the table, four Athletic Bilbao 4 (Aduriz 6, 18, 74, Gurpegi 80) points adrift of safety. Mourinho had voiced con- Granada 0. Division Two cerns after his side arrived back from the 1-1 draw Burton 2 Accrington 1; Cheltenham 2 Bury 1; LONDON: Fulham’s Darren Bent (center) competes with Chelsea’s John Terry (left) German Bundesliga results at Galatasaray in the early hours of Thursday Dagenham and Redbridge 0 Mansfield 0; morning, little more than 48 hours before kick-off. and Cesar Azpilicueta during their English Premier League soccer match at Craven Fleetwood 0 AFC Wimbledon 0; Hartlepool 3 Borussia Dortmund 3 (Hummels 51, Lewandowski Cottage. —AP Torquay 0; Newport 2 Scunthorpe 2; 64, Mkhitaryan 83) Nuremberg 0; Bayer Leverkusen Yet as worried as Mourinho was about his Northampton 0 Bristol Rovers 0; Plymouth 5 0 Mainz 05 1 (Choupo-Moting 37); Werder Bremen side’s fitness levels, the manager made just two Morecambe 0; Rochdale 3 Oxford 0; 1 (Junuzovic 19) Hamburg 0; Augsburg 1 (Klavan changes to his starting line-up, with Oscar and al had a great chance to put the home side ahead right flank to collect the Belgian’s threaded return. Southend 1 Wycombe 1; York 2 Exeter 1. 56) Hanover 1 (Diouf 21); Eintracht Braunschweig 1 Nemanja Matic coming in for Willian and Frank after just four minutes when he headed wide from He then completed the move by cutting inside (ter Stegen 51-og) Borussia Moenchengladbach 1 Lampard. Pajtim Kasami’s left-wing cross. and placing a left-foot finish beyond Stekelenburg Scottish Premiership results (Davari 25-og). The miss was always likely to appear costly, but to put the visitors in control. Aberdeen 1 (Jack 8) St Johnstone 0; Celtic 5 Fulham had been held to a 1-1 draw at West (Griffiths 12, 57, 86, Mulgrew 22, Commons 78) Playing today Bromwich Albion in new manager Felix Magath’s for the remainder of the first half Fulham more than From that point on, the outcome was never in Inverness CT 0; Motherwell 4 (Vigurs 18, Hoffenheim v VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v first game in charge last weekend, but prior to matched Chelsea, creating the better opportunities doubt. Schurrle and Hazard combined again to cre- Ainsworth 37, Sutton 65, McFadden 74) Hearts 1 VfB Stuttgart. Chelsea’s visit he had restated his belief that he against their lethargic opponents. ate the second in the 65th minute, with the (Paterson 69); Ross County 1 (Brittain 14) Partick could salvage the club’s season. The visitors’ best chance came mid-way through Belgium international producing another excellent 1 (Higginbotham 9); St Mirren 2 (Newton 79, Played Friday Wylde 88) Kilmarnock 0. He has also made it clear that £12 million the half when Fernando Torres charged down pass-this time with the outside of his right boot- Hertha Berlin 0 SC Freiburg 0. ($20.1 million, 14.6 million euros) January signing Maarten Stekelenburg’s attempted clearance, but that his team-mate converted with a first-time shot Konstantinos Mitroglou is unlikely to feature in he was unable to place his shot beyond the goal- across Stekelenburg. English Premier League table Accrington 33 9 10 14 36 44 37 the immediate future due to fitness concerns. keeper. The surprise at the start of the second peri- Then, four minutes later, Torres won a header Chelsea 28 19 6 3 52 22 63 Northampton 33 8 9 16 27 43 33 The former Olympiakos striker played for just od was that Mourinho had resisted the chance to before picking out yet another positive Schurrle run Liverpool 28 18 5 5 73 35 59 Torquay 33 7 9 17 31 51 30 Arsenal 28 18 5 5 52 28 59 29 minutes at West Brom, but that was enough to make changes, with Schurrle one of those fortunate and the Germany international responded with his Man City 26 18 3 5 69 27 57 Scottish Premier League table persuade Magath that the Greek striker is not to be given the chance to improve on their first-half third ruthless finish of the afternoon. Tottenham 27 15 5 7 36 33 50 Celtic 28 24 3 1 68 14 75 ready to play in the Premier League. showing. And it did not take the German long to Fulham had been blown away in a 17- Everton 27 13 9 5 38 27 48 Aberdeen 28 17 3 8 40 26 54 justify the faith his manager had shown in him. A minute blast, although they recovered well Man Utd 27 13 6 8 43 31 45 Motherwell 27 16 2 9 43 40 50 LETHARGIC neat move seven minutes into the second period enough to claim a 74th-minute consolation Newcastle 28 13 4 11 37 39 43 Dundee Utd 27 12 8 7 49 32 44 That meant Clint Dempsey started in support of saw Schurrle touch a throw-in to Eden Hazard when Heitinga scrambled home from a Lewis Southampton 28 10 9 9 38 35 39 Inverness 26 13 5 8 33 26 44 West Ham 28 8 7 13 31 35 31 St Johnstone 27 10 5 12 34 31 35 Darren Bent up front and the American internation- inside the Chelsea half before speeding down the Holtby corner. —AFP Hull 28 8 6 14 30 35 30 Hibernian 27 8 8 11 25 32 32 Stoke 28 7 9 12 28 42 30 Kilmarnock 28 7 6 15 33 47 27 Sunderland plot Swansea 27 7 7 13 36 40 28 St Mirren 28 7 6 15 27 44 27 Aston Villa 27 7 7 13 27 37 28 Partick 28 5 11 12 29 45 26 Norwich 27 7 7 13 20 39 28 Ross County 28 7 5 16 33 50 26 City ambush Crystal Palace 26 8 2 16 18 36 26 Hearts 28 5 6 17 23 50 6 West Brom 27 4 13 10 31 39 25 Note: Hearts deducted 15 points for entering LONDON: Ten months on from their shock FA Cup final Sunderland 26 6 6 14 26 42 24 administration defeat by Wigan Athletic, Manchester City find themselves Cardiff 27 5 7 15 19 48 22 again cast as potential Goliaths ahead of today’s League Fulham 28 6 3 19 28 62 21 Scottish Football League tables Championship Cup decider against Sunderland. English Football League tables Dundee 26 15 4 7 40 22 49 As in May 2013, City will start as favourites against a Championship Hamilton 26 14 6 6 41 24 48 team residing third from bottom in the Premier League rel- Leicester 33 23 5 5 62 32 74 Falkirk 26 13 7 6 41 22 46 egation zone, but the experience of that rain-soaked Burnley 33 18 12 3 52 26 66 Q of South 26 11 5 10 37 30 38 Derby 33 18 7 8 60 42 61 Wembley day will steel them against complacency. Then, a Dumbarton 26 10 6 10 46 48 36 stoppage-time Ben Watson header gave Wigan victory, QPR 32 16 9 7 38 26 57 Livingston 26 10 5 11 40 40 35 Nottingham 33 14 13 6 54 39 55 Alloa 26 9 6 11 24 33 33 producing the biggest FA Cup final shock in 25 years and Wigan 32 15 7 10 41 30 52 Raith 26 8 8 10 35 42 32 precipitating the departure of City coach Roberto Mancini, Reading 33 14 9 10 51 38 51 Cowdenbeath 26 8 4 14 35 51 28 who was sacked two days later. Brighton 32 13 10 9 34 27 49 Morton 26 3 7 16 19 46 16 By then, City had already conceded the league title to Ipswich 33 12 12 9 44 37 48 Manchester United, but although Mancini’s successor, Blackburn 32 12 10 10 38 39 46 Division One Watford 33 11 12 10 48 39 45 Manuel Pellegrini, has enjoyed a fine debut campaign, his Rangers 27 25 2 0 84 14 77 LONDON: Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko (centre) scores his second goal Leeds 32 12 8 12 44 40 44 Dunfermline 27 17 2 8 61 44 53 side’s momentum has slowed in recent weeks. They are Huddersfield 33 12 7 14 45 44 43 Stranraer 25 12 6 7 46 34 42 of the game against Hull during the English Premier League match at the KC only three points off the top in the league with a game in Middlesbrough 33 9 13 11 41 37 40 Ayr 26 10 6 10 40 49 36 Stadium. —AP hand, but a recent home defeat by Chelsea exposed hither- Sheffield 32 9 12 11 39 38 39 Stenhousemuir 27 8 9 10 41 51 33 to unseen vulnerability, while a 2-0 loss to Barcelona has Bournemouth 32 10 9 13 42 52 39 Brechin 27 9 4 14 44 55 31 Birmingham 33 9 9 15 39 42 36 left them on the verge of elimination in the Champions Forfar 25 8 5 12 39 42 29 FA to probe Pardew’s headbutt Bolton 33 8 12 13 41 49 36 League. —AFP Airdrie 27 6 7 14 31 49 25 Blackpool 33 8 11 14 29 48 35 East Fife 26 7 4 15 21 47 25 installed Pardew as the favourite to be the next Doncaster 33 7 9 17 28 54 30 Arbroath 27 6 3 18 39 61 21 top-flight manager sacked. Millwall 33 6 10 17 31 61 28 Hull 1 Charlton 30 6 9 15 24 41 27 Hull manager Steve Bruce was keen to draw Division Two Yeovil 32 6 8 18 28 48 26 a line under the incident and said: “We accept Everton 1 Peterhead 26 15 7 4 52 28 52 Barnsley 32 5 11 16 30 56 26 Alan Pardew’s apology. He has been big enough Annan 26 14 5 7 52 36 47 Clyde 27 12 6 9 35 33 42 and brave enough to come out and apologise Division One Newcastle 4 Stirling 26 11 7 8 41 40 40 which is that you would expect. In the heat of Wolves 32 21 7 4 57 20 70 the moment things happen but Alan has apolo- West Ham 0 Leyton Orient 34 21 7 6 68 33 70 East Stirling 27 10 8 9 37 38 38 Brentford 32 20 7 5 54 31 67 Montrose 27 9 8 10 35 37 35 gised. Preston 34 17 13 4 48 34 64 Albion 27 9 8 10 32 34 35 Rotherham 33 17 10 6 64 43 61 Berwick 27 9 7 11 43 39 34 LONDON: Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will ‘UNSAVOURY INCIDENT’ Lukaku sinks Hammers Peterborough 32 16 4 12 51 42 52 Elgin 26 7 6 13 43 53 27 Queen’s Park 27 3 6 18 23 55 15 face a Football Association investigation after his “I can only be complimentary to David Swindon 34 13 8 13 51 45 47 headbutt on Hull’s David Meyler during his side’s Meyler because of the way he reacted to it. He LIVERPOOL: Everton striker Romelu Lukaku celebrated his return Walsall 33 12 11 10 38 33 47 Milton 34 13 7 14 48 46 46 4-1 win yesterday. could have rolled around on the floor but he from injury by coming off the bench to hit the late goal that secured Port Vale 33 13 4 16 44 52 43 Spanish League table Pardew apologised for the ugly clash and didn’t. a 1-0 win over West Ham yesterday. Bradford 33 9 14 10 45 41 41 Real Madrid 25 20 3 2 71 24 63 claimed his actions were just a “heat of the “I am sure Alan will regret an unsavory inci- Lukaku had been sidelined for a month with an ankle problem Sheffield 32 11 8 13 34 38 41 Barcelona 25 19 3 3 70 20 60 moment thing”, but FA chairman Greg Dyke dent that I have not seen the like of before. It has and the on-loan Chelsea star was quick to make up for lost time at Crawley 28 9 11 8 33 36 38 Atletico Madrid 25 19 3 3 59 19 60 Athletic Bilbao 26 15 5 6 49 30 50 made it clear the English game’s governing body obviously tarnished an afternoon for them and Goodison Park. Oldham 34 10 8 16 39 48 38 would launch a full probe into one of the most Newcastle’s supporters.” Gillingham 34 11 5 18 43 57 38 Villarreal 25 13 4 8 46 30 43 He came on midway through the second half and bagged his Coventry 31 13 8 10 59 56 37 Real Sociedad 25 12 7 6 46 35 43 remarkable incidents in Premier League history. The scenes overshadowed a fine win for 10th club goal of the season nine minutes from time to seal Everton’s Carlisle 33 10 7 16 37 54 37 Sevilla 25 9 8 8 43 41 35 “Well I’ve only just seen the clip and clearly it Newcastle as a double by Moussa Sissoko, one first win in three Premier League matches and end West Ham’s five- Tranmere 33 9 9 15 40 57 36 Valencia 25 10 5 10 38 36 35 looks serious and we will investigate it,” Dyke from Loic Remy and a late strike by Vurnon Anita game unbeaten run. Colchester 31 8 11 12 37 41 35 Levante 25 8 9 8 24 31 33 told BBC Sport. “I can’t really say anything else at saw them to a comfortable win. Lukaku’s heroics provided a much-needed morale boost for Bristol City 34 7 14 13 49 56 35 Espanyol 25 9 5 11 29 32 32 this stage.” Newcastle broke the deadlock in the 10th Celta Vigo 25 8 6 11 32 36 30 Everton, whose hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via a Crewe 34 9 8 17 38 63 35 Pardew appeared to take umbrage when minute as Remy and Mathieu Debuchy linked Shrewsbury 32 7 10 15 31 43 31 Osasuna 25 8 5 12 24 37 29 top-four finish had suffered a major blow after successive defeats at Stevenage 32 9 4 19 32 52 31 Granada 26 8 3 15 22 36 27 Meyler pushed him to recover the ball as the up well down the right, with the latter finding Tottenham and Chelsea. Notts County 34 9 3 22 42 61 30 Malaga 26 6 8 12 24 35 26 hosts tried to get back into the game at 3-1 Sissoko, who neatly took his chance. Roberto Martinez’s team made a vibrant start and Steven Note: Coventry deducted 10 points for entering Elche 25 6 8 11 22 37 26 down during the second-half and the manager However, Hull took the upper hand following Naismith headed wide from Leon Osman’s flick in the opening min- administration Getafe 25 7 5 13 23 40 26 offered no protest when referee Kevin Friend Sissoko’s goal with Nikica Jelavic twice going utes. Almeria 25 7 5 13 24 42 26 sent him off. close, first with a superb header and then a free- Gareth Barry and Steven Pienaar both tried their luck from long- Division Two Valladolid 26 4 11 11 28 44 23 Chesterfield 33 17 10 6 55 30 61 Rayo 25 6 2 17 25 59 20 Pardew, who has a history of explosive kick which deflected off the wall and came back range as Everton continued to dominate, but neither strike tested Scunthorpe 34 15 15 4 53 34 60 Real Betis 25 3 5 17 20 55 14 touchline bust-ups including a furious row with off the crossbar. Hammers goalkeeper Adrian. Rochdale 33 18 6 9 53 36 60 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger during his time at Newcastle made them pay for that as Naismith finally brought Adrian into action as he bent his run to Burton 34 15 11 8 38 34 56 German Bundesliga table West Ham, was quick to accept responsibility for Maynor Figueroa underhit a backpass to Allan beat the West Ham offside trap before firing in a left-footed effort Oxford Utd 34 14 13 7 46 31 55 Bayern Munich 22 20 2 0 61 9 62 his behaviour when he appeared before the McGregor and Remy pounced on it to stroke which the Spaniard kept out at his near post. Fleetwood 33 16 5 12 48 39 53 Dortmund 23 14 3 6 54 27 45 media immediately after the match. home his 13th league goal of the campaign. Southend 34 13 11 10 41 32 50 Bayer 23 14 1 8 39 26 43 West Ham’s lethargic display prompted an immediate response Plymouth 33 13 9 11 38 36 48 Schalke 22 12 5 5 41 30 41 “It was a heat of the moment thing. I mas- The hosts reduced the deficit when three from boss Sam Allardyce, who replaced striker Carlton Cole with Hartlepool 34 12 9 13 39 38 45 Wolfsburg 22 12 3 7 38 26 39 sively regret it and I will have to sit down from minutes into the second-half Curtis Davies ben- Andy Carroll after just 28 minutes. York 34 10 13 11 40 38 43 Mainz 23 11 4 8 32 35 37 now on,” Pardew said. “I didn’t mean to do any- efited from a mistake by Tim Krul to head into Carroll was back from a three-match suspension for his contro- Newport 31 11 10 10 41 40 43 Moenchengladbach23 10 6 7 40 29 36 thing aggressive. I did move my head forward the net. However, the visitors restored their two- versial red card against Swansea and the burly England forward’s AFC Wimbledon 34 11 9 14 34 39 42 Hertha Berlin 23 10 5 8 34 27 35 and that’s enough. I tried to push him away with goal advantage through Sissoko, who started presence gave the visitors a more menacing look. Cheltenham 33 10 12 11 39 45 42 Augsburg 23 10 5 8 35 33 35 my head and I shouldn’t have done that. the move from inside his own half, passed to Dagenham 33 10 11 12 39 41 41 Hoffenheim 22 6 8 8 46 46 26 Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard had to save bravely to deny Morecambe 33 10 10 13 36 47 40 Hanover 23 7 4 12 30 42 25 “Of course I apologise. I represent a big club. Remy, who found Yoan Gouffran and when Kevin Nolan when the Hammers captain tried to convert Matt Bury 32 9 12 11 38 38 39 Werder Bremen 23 6 7 10 26 46 25 It’s a shame because it’s taken the gloss off a ter- McGregor saved his shot Sissoko was on hand to Taylor’s long ball. Bristol Rovers 33 9 12 12 31 33 39 Nuremberg 23 4 11 8 27 40 23 rific performance. My team were terrific and it’s roll the ball into the net. The hosts were still monopolising possession and on-loan Exeter 34 10 9 15 39 45 39 Eintracht 22 5 7 10 24 38 22 only myself who had a poor performance.” Pardew’s red card followed soon afterwards Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu came close with a moment of Portsmouth 33 9 12 12 37 48 39 VfB Stuttgart 22 5 4 13 35 47 19 Despite his apology, the 52-year-old is likely but he was still able to celebrate the fourth goal magic as he evaded three West Ham defenders to buy himself a yard Mansfield 34 9 12 13 34 47 39 Hamburg 23 5 4 14 38 52 19 to face severe punishment from the FA, with a from the directors’ box when Anita popped up Wycombe 33 9 11 13 36 40 38 Freiburg 23 4 7 12 22 44 19 of space and then curled just wide from long-range. long touchline ban possible, while bookmakers to beat McGregor from close range. —AFP It was Everton who were on top again after the break and South African midfielder Steven Pienaar almost broke the deadlock with a low shot against the post. Cardiff aim to give Spurs another Euro hangover There was a moment of alarm for Everton when Carroll almost capitalised on a slip by young defender John Stones, but the striker’s LONDON: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Cardiff can take heart from manager Solskjaer hopes his relegation-threatened side can be We have to take that positive into the game.” shot was tipped over by Howard. Tottenham’s dismal form following Europa League games this sea- the latest team to give the north Londoners a European hangover. Cardiff head to White Hart Lane amid more outspoken com- Martinez sent on Lukaku with half an hour to play and the son as the struggling Bluebirds head to White Hart Lane for “You can look at their results after a Thursday game. That’s ments from controversial Malaysian owner Vincent Tan, who has change proved decisive. The Belgian was immediately in the thick of today’s crucial clash. Tim Sherwood’s Spurs reached the last 16 of been proven scientifically, we can take heart from that,” Solskjaer warned the club’s supporters that he will not change the kit col- it and helped set up Deulofeu for a shot that flashed narrowly wide. the Europa League on Thursday with a dramatic 3-2 aggregate said. or back to blue from red. And Sylvain Distin should have done better than stab wide from win over Ukrainian side Dnipro. “I was at the Spurs game. They impressed me. They had high Tan also insisted he is taking a more hands-on approach at a Leighton Baines cross. Everton’s pressure paid off in the 81st Yet Tottenham have dropped 17 points in the Premier League energy and were pressing, but maybe they won’t have that ener- the Bluebirds, but former Manchester United striker Solskjaer minute when Baines slipped a pass towards Lukaku, who found on the back of their European excursions this term. And Cardiff gy today. “We are one of the fittest teams in the Premier League. claims the headlines will not affect his players. —AFP space to crash home from 10 yards. —AFP Afghanistan Chelsea see upset B’desh off Fulham

SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 17 19

Sunderland plot City ambush in League Cup Page 19

LIVERPOOL: Everton’s English defender Leighton Baines (below) is challenged by West Ham United’s English defender James Tomkins during the English Premier League football match. — AFP (See Page19) Suarez sends Liverpool second

scored with his first touch of the game and ture and it was his long pass down the right Unfortunately for the home side, the ball It was Ramirez’s pass that put Rodriguez in Gerrard then netted a penalty in injury time. that created the game’s first chance. The rebounded back into the path of Suarez, who possession on the left side of the penalty area Southampton 0 Liverpool had already known that third Welshman’s ball sent Daniel Sturridge clear of calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Artur with a chance to escape Flanagan and shoot, place was theirs for the taking with League the hosts’ defenders and he needed only to Boruc. Southampton should have replied after but Martin Skrtel blocked his attempt to curl Cup finalists Manchester City not involved in find Suarez, unmarked to his left, for Liverpool 31 minutes with a slick move that would have the ball around Mignolet. Liverpool were not Premier League action. to take the lead. impressed watching England manager Roy making much impression as an attacking force Liverpool 3 The bonus was Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Stoke However, he under-hit his pass just enough Hodgson. as Southampton monopolised possession. City earlier in the day, which meant that sec- to give Jose Fonte the chance to recover and Rickie Lambert chested a cross from Jay Rodgers needed to do something to inter- ond place was also up for grabs. Southampton slide the ball away for a corner. Rodriguez down for Lallana, but although he rupt the home side’s flow and he decided to brought Dejan Lovren back in place of Maya The Saints claimed a penalty in vain when sidestepped a defender to give himself only withdraw Philippe Coutinho in favor of SOUTHAMPTON: Liverpool moved into sec- Yoshida for his first game since the Croatian their captain Adam Lallana went down under Simon Mignolet to beat, he could only roll the Sterling, but even the Liverpool manager must ond place in the Premier League table as goals centre-back damaged ankle ligaments in a 2-2 a challenge from Jon Flanagan, the Liverpool ball against the post. have been amazed by the instant effect of his from Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Steven draw at Sunderland in mid-January. right-back, and in the 16th minute they fell Morgan Schneiderlin then volleyed over substitution. Gerrard started the move, play- Gerrard secured a 3-0 win at Southampton Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, behind to Suarez’s opportunistic goal. the bar and Mignolet had to reach out to his ing Suarez through a gap on the right flank, yesterday. meanwhile, began the match with Sterling on right to parry a first-time shot by Rodriguez and when the Uruguayan crossed low, Sterling Suarez put Liverpool ahead after 16 min- the bench and Joe Allen in the starting line- SLICK MOVE after Lambert had cleverly dummied Lallana’s shot home first-time. utes of his 100th Premier League appearance up. He began the move with a run infield from low cross from the left. Southampton brought Gerrard coolly placed a penalty into the with his first goal since January 28. Allen’s inclusion appeared to be an attempt the left, but the chance seemed lost when on crowd favourite Gaston Ramirez for Steven top-right corner in injury time to add further Southampton missed chances to level to help Liverpool keep the ball better than Sturridge’s attempt at a return pass was inter- Davis at half-time to add an even greater ele- gloss to the scoreline after Fonte tripped before Sterling, a 57th-minute substitute, they had in last season’s 3-1 defeat in this fix- cepted. ment of unpredictability. Suarez. — AFP Federer wins Walters puts dent in Dubai Open Arsenal’s title bid made little impact when introduced in the sec- DUBAI: Roger Federer followed his best over the line against Berdych. ond half. win in 18 months by taking his first title “He should have brought it home,” Stoke 1 The win continued Stoke’s excellent record in nine months with a revenge victory Federer admitted. “I got a little lucky. I at home against the big sides as they made the over Tomas Berdych in yesterday’s final just fought well and I couldn’t be more Gunners their latest scalp, having previously of the Dubai Open. happy with the outcome. How had he beaten Manchester United and Chelsea and Federer came from behind to beat escaped from peril in the second set? Arsenal 0 drawn with Manchester City. world number two Novak Djokovic on “I just stand on the baseline, try to hit There is now a six-point cushion between Friday. Now he did the same against a few good shots, hope Tomas doesn’t them and the relegation zone. There has cer- Berdych, the man who saved two match keep hitting big serves, and hope you tainly been no love lost between these clubs STOKE-ON-TRENT: Arsenal’s Premier League points against him in last year’s semi- get a little lucky,” he said. since the controversial Ryan Shawcross chal- title challenge suffered a major setback as they finals, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to claim a “I was able to stay calm and once I lenge four years ago which left Arsenal mid- crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat at Stoke following sixth title in the UAE. got back on even terms I started to play fielder Aaron Ramsey with a broken leg. Jon Walters’ late penalty yesterday. It was never a great final, for the error better. I really enjoy playing against Despite Ramsey’s absence, it was soon clear Having missed four of his previous six penal- count was too high, but it became Tomas, who is a great player and has the incident was far from forgotten by both sets ties, Republic of Ireland international Walters increasingly dramatic as the game’s best had a great streak.” This was a reference of supporters as they fervently voiced support showed nerves of steel to slot home with 14 known player worked his way back into to Berdych’s 11 successive wins which is for their respective player. minutes remaining after Laurent Koscielny was it against one of the sport’s most dan- the longest streak of his career. Events on the pitch failed to match the adjudged to have handled inside the area. gerous hitters. Federer was a set and a But he will be very disappointed to intensity on display in the stands in the early Leaders’ Chelsea’s victory at Fulham meant break down and appeared to be out of have lost three of his next five service stages and, even when the game’s first note- the Gunners now trail Jose Mourinho’s team by it but managed to find some good games from 3-2 up in the second set, worthy moment came along in the 15th four points as they made the worst possible returns at last, just as the match was slip- and again questions will be raised about minute, Walters’s glancing header which crept start to a month manager Arsene Wenger had ping away, and broke back at once. the Czech’s mental capacity to make the agonisingly past the post was adjudged offside. claimed in the build-up would define their sea- Then his standard went up. It extended best of his considerable talent.Federer’s DUBAI: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates with his trophy after The visitors’ first opening arrived three min- son. Arsenal have now won just once in their Federer’s record of Dubai titles to six, patchy start happened despite being defeating Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic during their final match utes later when Santi Cazorla created space for last eight trips to the Britannia Stadium and, and moved him above John McEnroe’s donated an early break for a 2-1 lead by in the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. — AFP himself on the edge of the penalty area only to although this was the first time they had come curl over the crossbar. As has so often been the total of 77 titles into third place in the four successive driving errors from Federer for a 3-2 lead, and had he con- eroded Berdych’s self-belief with a up against Mark Hughes in the home dugout, case in games between these sides, it was a all-time title list. Berdych. After it, he dropped serve solidated that the match might have tremendous recovery from 15-40 down the game retained the same feisty edge it bruising battle, particularly for Giroud. Only Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors twice without looking likely to make a been over quickly. Instead Federer on his serve, which got him to 5-2. became famed for when his predecessor Tony The France striker found himself unfortunate remain above the Swiss. Most of all it break back. found a bit of magic at last, breaking Berdych did well to save two match Pulis was in charge. to be penalised for a challenge in which he was helped the Grand Slam record-holder to Berdych’s first serve and a few of his back with a thunderous forehand, hold- points on his own serve, which might Gunners striker Olivier Giroud was less than left in a heap after being caught by Whelan’s maintain his belief that even at 32, he forehand blows were delivered as fast as ing with a delicate little half-volley drop briefly have reminded Federer of what impressed after twice appearing to be trod on- studs before being poleaxed by Erik Pieters. has another major in him. any in the game, but still Federer’s tim- shot, then holding to love with his best happened last year. first by Glenn Whelan and then Charlie Adam- Peter Crouch spurned a golden opportunity “It’s the mental belief that you’re ing was nowhere near the sharpness it game of the match, and forcing Berdych However, the Swiss favorite was yet both incidents went unpunished by referee shortly after the restart when, unmarked, he gonna win instead of losing-I think that’s had been in the second half of his win to serve to save the set. He couldn’t. more solid in closing out his advantage Mike Jones. Wenger’s side could have few com- failed to connect cleanly with an Adam free- what I got back right now,” said Federer, 24 hours previously. Instead he produced his most inhibited than the Czech nearly man, and at the plaints with the outcome, however, after serv- kick. after lifting his first trophy since Halle in Early in the second set he stood with game of the match, dropping serve to death there were no wobbles. Berdych ing up a sub-standard display which left big It was Crouch who posed the biggest threat June last year. hands on hips, staring in frustration at love, with Federer now rampaging said: “It’s very disappointing for me the question marks hanging over their seemingly at either end and the towering striker could While he had been brilliant in the another mistimed forehand, just when around, launching great drives. way I handled that situation. I was in the faltering title bid. Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil count himself unlucky when his angled header second half of the match against he needed to make a push to turn the The third set saw Federer much better shape and playing really well, and returned to the Gunners’ squad after recovering was superbly tipped around the post by Djokovic, Federer was more circumspect match around. Berdych began to make more in the ascendant. He nearly broke made many chances, but unfortunately from a dead leg, however the Germany interna- Wojciech Szczesny following Marko about the tennis which had got him further serious progress by breaking for 2-0, did break for 3-1, and further I didn’t execute.” — AFP tional had to settle for a place on the bench and Arnautovic’s inviting delivery. — AFP Iraq oil exports hit record 2.8m bpd in February

Page 22 Business Fiat’s UK-style revival faces Italian hurdles SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 Page 23 KIB receives Best Kuwait oil revenues to reach 29.5bn in current fiscal year Islamic Bank 2014 Award Page 24 Page 26

KIEV: People visit a bank near the Independence square, in central Kiev, on Friday. Ukraine’s central bank limited bank withdrawals to about 1,000 euros a day, one of the latest signs of the desperate state of national finances and of a run on bank accounts. — AFP Ukraine may lose gas discount: Russia Kiev’s outstanding gas debt at $1.55bn for 2013: Gazprom

MOSCOW/KIEV: Russia issued several warnings yester- for Kiev by about a third, to $268.50 per 1,000 cubic firmed quarterly. It would be stupid and wrong to Ukraine consumes about 55 billion cubic meters of gas day that Ukraine may lose a discount to the gas price it metres from around $400 which Ukraine had paid since extend it to the second quarter.” each year, and more than half of this amount is import- now pays to Gazprom due to Kiev’s outstanding gas 2009, after ousted President Viktor Yanukovich spurned Ukraine’s newly appointed Energy Minister Yuri ed from Russia. Previous disputes over gas prices debt. Russia’s state gas company Gazprom estimates an EU trade deal in favor of closer ties to Moscow. Prodan told reporters yesterday that the price for between Russia and Ukraine in the winters of 2006 and Ukraine’s outstanding gas debt at $1.55 billion for 2013 The deal allowed for the price to be revised quarterly Russian gas would stay unchanged in March but it could 2009 led to stoppages in exports to Europe at times and gas deliveries so far this year. between the 5th and 10th day of the first month every jump to around $400 per 1,000 cubic meters in the sec- when consumption demand was at its peak due to the “It seems that with such gas payments and fulfilment quarter. ond quarter if the two sides fail to sign an agreement. cold weather. of its obligations Ukraine may not keep its current gas Ukraine, which has seen its currency spiraling down and Kupriyanov said yesterday, Gazprom’s deliveries in discount. The gas discount agreement assumed full and ‘STUPID’ TO EXTEND cash and gold reserves falling significantly as a result of February were unchanged year-on-year at around 13.1 timely payment,” Gazprom spokesman Sergei The news agency Interfax cited a representative of the political protests that led to the ousting of President billion cubic meters. In January, Gazprom shipped 13 Kupriyanov told Reuters. Russia’s warnings on gas prices the Russian energy ministry as saying on Saturday that Viktor Yanukovich last weekend, is in dire need of cash. percent more to Europe than in the same month of last come as the bitter and fast-moving dispute between the Moscow sees no reason to extend the discount to It faces a further $6 billion in foreign debt payments year, he added. two nations over the southern Crimea region escalates. Ukraine for the second quarter - because of the out- this year and has asked the International Monetary Fund Last year, Gazprom exported 161.5 billion cubic A price increase would deepen Ukraine’s already dire standing debt. “If this continues to happen, is there any for financial assistance of at least $15 billion. Ukraine’s meters of gas to Europe. Apart from through Ukraine, cash situation and could lead to a new “gas war” point in continuing the existing agreement on gas sup- newly appointed leaders estimated Kiev’s needs at Russian gas flows to Europe via Belarus and two subsea between Kiev and Moscow as well as interrupt gas ship- plies at discount prices? No,” the agency cited an around $35 billion. pipelines - under the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea. ments to Europe, which gets around third of its gas from unnamed ministry representative as saying. “It is impor- Prodan told journalists that the Ukrainian energy firm Gazprom plans to build another subsea pipeline - the Russia. In December, Russia agreed to reduce gas prices tant that the proposal for a reduced gas price is con- Naftogas is in “active talks” with Gazprom over pricing. South Stream - to bypass Ukraine by 2016. — Reuters China manufacturing growth slows

BEIJING: China’s manufacturing growth they have remained tight-fisted fell to an eight-month low in February, instead. government figures showed yesterday, Two liquidity crunches occurred last reflecting further weakening in the year in part because officials sought to world’s second-largest economy but impose stricter discipline over banks also the effect of a major holiday. The amid burgeoning debt levels. But the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) tum- recent Lunar New Year, China’s most bled to 50.2, the National Bureau of important holiday, may also have Statistics reported on its website, in the dampened results, Bank of America third straight drop from 50.5 in January, Merrill Lynch economists Ting Lu and 51.0 in December and 51.4 in November. Xiaojia Zhi said in a research note. A figure over 50 indicates expansion “We believe the drop was mainly while one below shows contraction. impacted by the Lunar New Year holi- This marked China’s 17th consecutive day,” they wrote, adding that they month of manufacturing growth but at expected a bounce back up to 50.5 in a slowing rate-the lowest since a June March. reading of 50.1. China’s economic “Markets will likely respond nega- growth has weakened in recent years, tively to the reading but the impact hitting 7.7 percent in 2013, the lowest could be limited. Policies are unlikely to NEW YORK: The New York Stock Exchange Euronext, Carwyn Jones, center, First Minister of the Welsh Government, celebrates St. David’s Day by level since 1999. Analysts expect a fur- be impacted by these distorted PMI ringing the opening bell at The New York Stock Exchange Euronext on Friday in New York. —AP ther drop to 7.5 percent this year. readings,” they said. The lowered forecast comes as In another closely watched indica- Beijing has pledged to reform the tor of Chinese manufacturing, British Berkshire falls short of market but Buffett upbeat country’s growth model so that con- banking giant HSBC said last week its sumers and other private actors play a preliminary PMI reading for February OMAHA: Warren Buffett says Berkshire Hathaway based conglomerate that just about everything were separate companies. The latest addition to that more significant role, rather than mas- dropped to a seven-month low, to shareholders should be confident in the company’s turned out well for Berkshire’s 80-odd subsidiaries list was the ketchup-maker Heinz, which Berkshire sive and often wasteful state invest- 48.3, down from a final figure for prospects, even though the firm failed to beat the last year. bought half of last year. Buffett says that deal will ment. Whereas in the past authorities January of 49.5. HSBC is set to release market last year. And Buffett says the company has a solid foun- start paying off in 2014 after one-time charges of have reacted quickly to inject cash to its final PMI reading for February on Buffett released an upbeat annual letter yester- dation that now includes owning 8 1/2 businesses $1.3 billion related to restructuring and the pur- stimulate a slowing economy, recently Monday. — AFP day. He told investors in the Omaha, Nebraska, big enough to be part of the Fortune 500 if they chase itself limited Heinz’s profits last year. — AP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 BUSINESS

Bayt.com weekly report Iraq oil exports hit record How to show your employees 2.8 million bpd in February that you care Oil revival plan gets a shot in the arm

By Lama Ataya BASRA: Oil exports from Iraq rose to a record 2.8 million opment and production have enabled Iraq to produce 3.5 quantities on their own terms by truck, whilst building a barrels per day (bpd) on average in February, Deputy Prime million barrels per day and to export 2.8 million barrels per separate pipeline to Turkey, infuriating Baghdad, which etting negative feedback from your Minister for energy Hussain Al-Shahristani told reporters day, which is a historic figure,” Shahristani told reporters at claims sole authority to manage all Iraqi oil. employees while you think they’re perfectly yesterday. the Basra refinery as he attended a ceremony for the open- Current Kurdish production capacity stands below Ghappy with their jobs clearly shows that The increase is likely to restore some confidence in Iraq’s ing of new units. Iraq set an export target of 3.4 million 400,000 bpd, and around one third of that is refined there is a disconnect between management’s per- oil revival, which got under way in 2010 after decades of bpd for 2014, including 400,000 bpd from the autonomous locally. Of the 2.8 million bpd exported in February, ception and the ground reality. sanctions and war, but slowed last year due to technical Kurdistan region, implying production of 4 million bpd, 2.5 million came from Basra, Shahristani said. The rest Identifying this problem and giving it due and security problems. A sustainable rise could weigh on including oil used domestically. was exported from the northern Kirkuk oilfields via a attention shows that you know how detrimental global oil prices. The February figure was up from 2.228 Production in February reached 3.5 million bpd, and pipeline to Turkey that has repeatedly been sabo- and costly a disgruntled employee can be. By mak- million bpd the previous month thanks to the completion Shahristani blamed the shortfall on the Kurds, who are at taged. Iraq also used to export between 10,000-12,000 ing sure you have the right policies in place you of work on expanding the capacity of the southern Basra odds with the Iraqi central government over oil rights and bpd of crude by truck across the border to Jordan, but can let your employees know that you truly care port, from which the bulk of Iraq’s crude is shipped. stopped exporting via the national network more than one conflict in the western province of Anbar put a halt to for them. “These projects which we carried out relating to devel- year ago. Since then, they have been exporting smaller that this year. — Reuters Below is a three-step plan from the HR experts at Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 job site, to show your employees that you truly care: Citigroup lowers 1. Be There ‘Being there’ translates into being present for 2013 profit on your employees and caring for them. Whether it’s by giving them the recognition they deserve upon achieving a particularly difficult target or identify- Mexico fraud ing a gap in their skill set and offering them the right training opportunities to help fill this gap. NEW YORK: Citigroup reduced its 2013 earnings by $235 The Bayt.com Happiness and Wellbeing in the million on Friday, saying it was a victim of fraud committed MENA Survey, July 2013, showed that receiving by a Mexican oil services company to secure hundreds of recognition at work is the number one factor millions of dollars in short-term loans. The US bank is seek- MENA professionals claim to be important to their ing to recover the missing funds with the help of Mexican professional life, and one that has a direct impact authorities. on their happiness and wellbeing. The bank said that the oil services company - According to the Bayt.com Millennials in the Oceanografia SA de CV, or OSA - overstated by $400 million MENA Survey, February 2014, 28 percent of the the business it was doing with Mexico’s state-owned oil millennial workforce (ie professionals younger than company PetrÛleos Mexicanos, or Pemex. OSA used falsi- 35 years old) prefers an open and positive work fied invoices as collateral for $585 million in loans from culture. A positive work culture is one in which Citigroup’s Mexican unit, Banamex, Citigroup said. But after employees are happy, motivated and challenged, an investigation, Citigroup could only verify $185 million of and where they can express themselves openly to invoices. Citi said that it believes the case is isolated, and it decision makers who are humble and approach- is moving to recover the money and identify anyone able. Organizations need to create a healthy and involved in the fraud. stress-free work environment that, in turn, will Mexican authorities said they have taken control of OSA, boost employee morale. in part, to help make sure Citi recoups the funds. “We are exploring every available option to recoup the misappropri- 2. Be Noticed ated funds and we will be relentless in pursuing their recov- Once you have worked hard and established ery,” Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat said Friday. One of the the right policies and behaviors to encourage a criticisms of Citigroup has been that it is so big, with so positive work culture, you need to make sure the YANGON: People pass through a street market in Yangon yesterday. The World Bank announced on January 26 a $2 bil- many businesses around the world, that it can’t possibly same is communicated publically. Showcase your lion development program for Myanmar, including projects to improve access to energy and healthcare in the impover- stay on top of all of them. It gets more than half of its rev- work culture through photos of your team, but ished former military-ruled nation. — AFP enue from outside the US. It appears that invoices from OSA also through videos and testimonials on your cor- were falsified to represent that Pemex had approved them, porate website and social media pages. A recent according to a memo from Corbat to employees on Friday. Bayt.com poll on Employer Branding in the MENA A worker at Banamex processed them, Corbat wrote. It’s (February 2014) shows that nine in 10 profession- Trade events lift UBM profit not clear how many people were involved, he wrote. He als research a company online before considering said Citi is doing a “rapid review” through Banamex, and all its job opportunities. The poll shows what jobseek- of Citi, of programs similar to the one involved in this case. ers would like to see is a description of the compa- as currency impact looms Corbat was a banker and a Citi lifer when he was named ny’s activities: video and description of its corpo- CEO in October 2012. The hope was that he would scruti- rate culture, but also testimonials from clients and LONDON: Business events organizer UBM Plc reported percent. “What makes this more positive is that these nize Citi’s operations in each country and make sure this employees, and company awards. a 10 percent rise in full-year profit as income from sever- results were delivered when there is likely to have been sort of thing didn’t happen, said Nancy Bush, an independ- al big events in China and Europe outweighed the a nasty FX headwind impact in Q4,” Liberum analysts ent banking analyst. “I think that there is still a great reser- 3. Be Active impact of a stronger pound. wrote in a note. voir of goodwill toward Michael Corbat,” she said. The fraud The tendency with most companies once they UBM’s shares rose nearly 5 percent in early trading in Mexico doesn’t completely disrupt Citi’s prospects, “but I have sent out internal feedback surveys is to just yesterday, making the stock one of the top percentage Currency threat don’t think you can have too many of these.” stand back and take in the results. You shouldn’t be gainers on the FTSE-250 Midcap index. The British com- Currency volatility will continue to weigh on UBM’s She said Citi might argue that Corbat’s vigilance helped passive. Actively engage with your employees, ask pany, which earns more than 90 percent of its revenue earnings this year. The company said it had begun 2014 bring the fraud in Mexico to light. Citi learned on Feb. 11 them for suggestions on changes, and work with in currencies other than sterling, said it expected under- with a “notably strong foreign exchange headwind” rel- that OSA had been barred from getting more contracts them to implement these changes. Being active lying growth in its core events business this year to be ative to last year. UBM generates the majority of its rev- with the Mexican government. OSA was doing work for Pemex. On Friday, Mexico’s Attorney General Jesus Murillo means maintaining this activity on an ongoing in line with 2013. enue from the United States. Sterling gained more than basis. Aiming to be a caring employer and great Karam said the government took control of OSA to preserve This year will be a “down year” for the company, 8 percent against the dollar in the second half of last pertinent information and to ensure the company’s contin- place to work is a lofty goal and requires consistent which operates on a biennial cycle. Most of its big exhi- year. direction and efforts from all departments within an ued operation during the investigation, as well as to help bitions, trade shows and conferences occur every sec- “Currency could have a very big impact on the Citigroup get its money back. Murillo told reporters that no organization. Bayt.com is proud to be awarded for ond year. UBM, which also owns PR Newswire, a service reported financials for the year,” Chief Financial Officer the fourth time by the Great Place to Work Institute one has been detained. He said his office is working with used by companies to send announcements, said that Robert Gray told Reuters. JPMorgan Cazenove analyst as one of the Top 10 places to work in the UAE. other government authorities and Citigroup “to establish as Employers of choice are not only good at retain- expansion in China and other markets this year would Mark O’Donnell reduced his 2014 earnings per share quickly as possible the appropriate criminal charges and to ing talent and achieving a lower turnover rate, but offset “cyclical pressure” on its established shows and estimate for the company by 2.8 percent due mainly to recover the funds from whoever committed these crimes.” also at attracting the best people in the job mar- venue constraints at some big events. Outgoing Chief the foreign exchange impact. He maintained his “neu- In January, Citigroup reported 2013 net income of $13.91 ket. In fact, nine in 10 professionals in the Middle Executive David Levin said a combination of big events tral” rating on the stock. billion. The changes drop its full-year profit to $13.67 billion. East and North Africa region feel that companies in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Europe contributed to a Analysts said the outlook for UBM would also “The impact to our credibility is harder to calculate,” should promote themselves to jobseekers as strong second half of the year for UBM. China is the depend on the strategy of Tim Cobbold, who will join Corbat wrote in the memo to employees on Friday. Shares employers of choice. company’s biggest market for events. the company as chief executive in May from currency of Citigroup Inc fell 6 cents to close at $48.63 Friday. — AP The company’s adjusted pretax profit from continu- printer De La Rue. Bayt.com is the #1 job site in the Middle East with ing operations rose to 160.6 million pounds ($267.74 Levin, who joined UBM in 2005 and has rebuilt the more than 40,000 employers and over 15,000,000 million) for the year ended Dec. 31 from 146.1 million group to focus on events and PR Newswire, will step registered job seekers from across the Middle East, pounds a year earlier. Underlying revenue from continu- down on March 1. UBM raised its final dividend to 20.5 North Africa and the globe, representing all indus- ing operations rose 3.7 percent to 793.9 million pounds. pence from 20 pence a year earlier. The company’s tries, nationalities and career levels. Underlying revenue from its events business, which shares were up 3.7 percent at 726 pence at 1045 GMT accounts for nearly 60 percent of total revenue, rose 6.3 on the London Stock Exchange. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Philippine Peso 0.006522 0.006802 Syrian Pound 2.985 Sierra Leone 0.000069 0.000075 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Nepalese Rupees 3.880 Malaysian Ringgit 86.870 Singapore Dollar 0.218808 0.224808 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.290 South African Rand 0.019872 0.028372 Japanese Yen 2.743 Australian Dollar 250.84 247.84 Thai Bhat 9.625 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001894 0.002474 Indian Rupees 4.555 Canadian Dollar 259.80 260.80 Turkish Lira 127.300 Taiwan 0.009223 0.009403 Pakistani Rupees 2.686 Swiss Franc 321.17 319.17 Thai Baht 0.008314 0.008864 Srilankan Rupees 2.162 Euro 391.03 392.03 Nepali Rupees 2.853 US Dollar 282.40 285.40 Bahrain Exchange Company Arab Singapore Dollar 222.950 Sterling Pound 470.62 473.62 Bahraini Dinar 0.744605 0.752605 Hongkong Dollar 36.474 Japanese Yen 2.82 2.84 CURRENCY BUY SELL Egyptian Pound 0.037193 0.040293 Bangladesh Taka 3.636 Bangladesh Taka 3.629 3.898 Europe Iranian Riyal 0.000078 0.000080 Philippine Peso 6.270 Indian Rupee 4.516 4.816 Belgian Franc 0.007360 0.008360 Iraqi Dinar 0.000184 0.000244 Thai Baht 8.626 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.162 2.597 British Pound 0.462133 0.471133 Jordanian Dinar 0.395147 0.402647 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Nepali Rupee 2.840 3.375 Czech Korune 0.006027 0.018027 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.0000000 1.0000000 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 Pakistani Rupee 2.682 2.790 Danish Krone 0.047689 0.052689 Lebanese Pound 0.000138 0.000238 UAE Dirhams 76.96 77.42 Moroccan Dirhams 0.024445 0.048445 GCC COUNTRIES Euro 0.380685 0.388185 Bahraini Dinar 751.63 753.70 Norwegian Krone 0.042077 0.047277 Nigerian Naira 0.001198 0.001833 Saudi Riyal 75.537 Egyptian Pound 40.55 41.15 Qatari Riyal 77.931 Romanian Leu 0.085006 0.85006 Omani Riyal 0.729422 0.735102 Jordanian Dinar 401.92 407.57 Slovakia 0.008113 0.018113 Qatar Riyal 0.077064 0.078277 Omani Riyal 735.840 Omani Riyal 734.42 741.72 Swedish Krona 0.039947 0.044947 Saudi Riyal 0.074870 0.075570 Bahraini Dinar 752.360 Qatari Riyal 77.98 78.53 Swiss Franc 0.307729 0.317929 Syrian Pound 0.002170 0.002390 UAE Dirham 77.142 Saudi Riyal 75.44 75.84 Turkish Lira 0.124159 0.131159 Tunisian Dinar 0.171256 0.179256 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.124159 0.131159 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.600 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia UAE Dirhams 0.076109 0.077258 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.250 Australian Dollar 0.240697 0.252197 Yemeni Riyal 0.001286 0.001366 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.321 New Zealand Dollar 0.227727 0.237227 Tunisian Dinar 176.200 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 400.010 US Dollar 283.600 America Al Mulla Exchange Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.900 Canadian Dollar 261.685 Canadian Dollar 0.248318 0.256818 Syrian Lira 2.018 Sterling Pound 466.275 US Dollars 0.279050 0.283400 Morocco Dirham 35.394 Euro 386.095 US Dollars Mint 0.279550 0.283400 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Swiss Frank 311.250 US Dollar 282.600 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 748.845 Asia Euro 388.650 US Dollar Transfer 283.150 UAE Dirhams 77.190 Bangladesh Taka 0.003511 0.004111 Pound Sterling 470.250 Euro 387.920 Qatari Riyals 78.745 Canadian Dollar 255.000 Chinese Yuan 0.045458 0.048958 Sterling Pound 470.600 Saudi Riyals 76.495 Indian Rupee 4.528 Canadian dollar 254.750 Jordanian Dinar 399.680 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034383 0.037133 Egyptian Pound 40.246 Turkish lira 130.960 Egyptian Pound 40.678 Indian Rupee 0.004163 0.004564 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.159 Swiss Franc 315.660 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.168 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Bangladesh Taka 3.635 Australian Dollar 250.160 Indian Rupees 4.607 Japanese Yen 0.002655 0.002835 Philippines Peso 6.260 US Dollar Buying 281.950 Pakistani Rupees 2.687 Kenyan Shilling 0.003282 0.003282 Pakistan Rupee 2.685 Bangladesh Taka 3.643 Korean Won 0.000254 0.000269 Bahraini Dinar 752.450 GOLD Philippines Pesso 6.276 Malaysian Ringgit 0.082376 0.088376 UAE Dirham 77.000 20 Gram 240.000 Cyprus pound 696.580 Nepalese Rupee 0.003075 0.003245 Saudi Riyal 75.500 10 Gram 121.000 Japanese Yen 3.715 Pakistan Rupee 0.002425 0.002705 *Rates are subject to change 5 Gram 62.500 SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 BUSINESS Retailer: Rival CEO posed as exec to get secrets

TRENTON, New Jersey: The CEO of a customers’ doors quickly, the lawsuit Dick’s accuses its rival of civil con- sporting goods chain who once said. Retailers spy on each other all the spiracy and trespass and is seeking appeared on the TV show “Undercover time. In his autobiography, Sam Walton attorneys’ fees and a judge’s order to Boss” pretended to be an executive writes about covert shopping trips to prevent Modell and his workers from from a rival company in an effort to get keep tabs on rivals like Kmart and Price entering nonpublic areas of Dick’s confidential information, according to Club. stores or posing as employees. A Dick’s a lawsuit. “Ever since retailers first started hav- spokesman said company policy pre- Dick’s Sporting Goods claims in a ing cash registers, retailers have scout- vented him from commenting on lawsuit filed Feb 20 in Mercer County ed each other’s stores,” said Burt pending litigation. Modell’s spokesman Court that Mitchell Modell, CEO of Flickinger III, president of retail consul- Jason Karlowski was not available for Modell’s Sporting Goods, showed up at tancy Strategic Resource Group. But if comment. a Dick’s store in Princeton in February the lawsuit’s allegations are true, this In 2012, Mitchell Modell shaved his saying he was a Dick’s senior vice presi- appears to be a particularly egregious head and put on an oversized mus- dent. The lawsuit was first reported case. It is rare that a CEO would actual- tache to pose as a low-level employee Friday by The Record newspaper ly get caught misrepresenting himself on the CBS show “Undercover Boss.” He (http://bit.ly/1dJeWqz ). to store employees, experts say. “What later said the experience taught him Dick’s alleges Modell told employ- happens all day every day is retailers how physically demanding warehouse ees he was to meet the Dick’s CEO go to their competitors’ stores and work was and led to staffing and work- there and persuaded workers to show probably and certainly don’t disclose load changes throughout the compa- MILAN: CEO Sergio Marchionne will be hoping the similarities don’t end there as he orders up sporty new Alfa him the backroom of the store and to who they are,” said RBC Capital Markets ny. His New York-based chain has more Romeos and sleek Maseratis in a bid to repeat in Italy what British brands like Mini and Jaguar have since achieved answer questions about the business. analyst Sean McGowan. “But I can’t than 150 stores, mostly in the under foreign ownership. Modell gathered information about think of any instances where a retailer Northeast. Dick’s, based in Pittsburgh, online sales, including a “ship from represents he is an executive to gain is a publicly traded company with Fiat’s UK-style revival store” program that gets products to access.” more than 550 stores nationwide. —AP Wheat, corn futures IMF: No need to faces Italian hurdles rise; Metals mixed panic over NEW YORK: Wheat and corn futures rose sharply Maserati, Alfa Romeo the focus of plan Friday, closing out a volatile week. Metals prices were Ukraine economy mixed and energy futures ended slightly higher. The MILAN/PARIS: Idle plants, surly To halt European losses by 2016, “The government has nothing to actively traded May contract for wheat rose 13 cents, WASHINGTON: International Monetary Fund chief Christine unions and a weak, ageing model Marchionne is counting on 104- put on the table,” said Fabiano or 2.2 percent, to $6.0225 a bushel. May corn rose 9 Lagarde urged calm over Ukraine’s economic situation on line-up - the challenges facing Fiat year-old Alfa to combine higher Schivardi, an economist at Rome’s cents, or 2 percent, to $4.635 a bushel. Soybeans Friday as talks on cobbling together international aid for the Chrysler’s Italian revival sound a lot pricing than the mass-market Fiat LUISS University. Marchionne’s plan increased 24 cents, or 1.7 percent, to $14.14 a bushel. country stepped up pace. With the new government in Kiev like the British car industry’s low brand with heavier sales volumes is seen as “the only chance” for an Wheat has been on a bumpy ride in recent weeks seeking “at least” $15 billion for this year, Lagarde said it was point in 1982. CEO Sergio than Maserati. Italian auto renaissance, he added. as traders respond to concerns about transportation “highly premature” to toss around large figures before a prop- Marchionne will be hoping the simi- Senior Nissan executive Andy problems in Canada hindering that country’s crop er assessment of the country’s needs. “We do not see anything larities don’t end there as he orders LITTLE GEM Palmer credits consistent UK gov- from coming to market, waning demand from com- that is critical, that is worthy of panic at the moment,” Lagarde up sporty new Alfa Romeos and Marchionne has pledged to ernment support, financial aid and mercial buyers and the release of more wheat into said after talks on Ukraine with German Foreign Minister sleek Maseratis in a bid to repeat in unveil a new strategy in May - 1980s labour reforms for its repeat- the market by Argentina. In metals trading, gold for Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Washington. “We need to rely on Italy what British brands like Mini expected to include tough goals for ed decisions to build new vehicles April delivery edged down $10.20 to $1,321.60 an facts,” she said, adding that an IMF team would arrive in and Jaguar have since achieved an array of new Maseratis and Alfas in the country. ounce and March silver lost 11 cents to $21.20 an Ukraine early next week to begin an assessment. under foreign ownership. built at plants like Cassino, south of “Grant aid tips the balance,” he ounce. April platinum fell $6.60 to $1,446.80 an That team, she added, would be discussing current policies After cementing its marriage to Rome. The 4C coupe is off to a said. “It registers a clear government ounce. March palladium rose $1.60 to $743.85 an “as well as expected policies” that would be crucial in a sup- Chrysler in January, which will move decent start; 1,200 European orders interest in having a particular car ounce and March copper edged up less than a cent port program for the country. She spoke as discussions to the group’s domicile and main share since sales opened in December, there.” Palmer, who sits on Nissan’s to $3.24 a pound. muster a financial rescue for the country in the wake of the listing abroad, Fiat is turning back to with the US launch yet to come. The executive committee as chief plan- The price of oil rose slightly, finishing the month overthrow of Russian-backed president Viktor Yanukovych long-delayed plans to relaunch its BBC’s Top Gear show called it a “fan- ning officer, believes Japanese man- with a gain of 5 percent. The price of gasoline had gained speed. The revolt led to Moscow canceling a much- Alfa and Maserati marques, with tastic little gem”. agement and competitive plant the biggest monthly increase since July as refineries needed $15 billion loan to the country after only $3 billion which it has pledged to revive Maserati’s vital statistics are also benchmarking were also essential prepared for the US driving season. US crude oil for had been disbursed, leaving Kiev with little cash in its coffers Italian production. encouraging: trading profit tripled to the UK revival. April delivery rose 19 cents to $102.59 a barrel on the and dwindling foreign exchange reserves. Next week’s Geneva car show last year as deliveries more than While Fiat Chrysler has some low- New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas ended a But US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Russia had wild month by gaining 10 cents to $4.61 per 1,000 may offer early clues as the compa- doubled to 15,400 cars - though still er-cost production experience in assured him that it was willing to rejoin the effort. Kerry said cubic feet. The price soared in the middle of the ny wheels out a cabriolet version of far short of a 50,000 target for 2015. China, he added, “I’d question Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated during a month as homeowners raised the thermostat amid the recently launched Alfa Romeo Neither brand needs the restoration whether they have access to what Friday phone call that Russia would be “involved in helping to cold temperatures and supplies fell sharply. deal with the economic transition that needs to take place at 4C coupe, along with the first job that brought Mini and Jaguar we would call lean manufacturing.” In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline rose 3 Italian-made Jeep. Marchionne said back from nationalization and near- Even if Alfa and Maserati exports this point.” Steinmeier said in Washington that any support cents to $2.79 per gallon and heating oil was flat at should have a wide base of contributors. The stabilization of last month that Fiat plants have a death after UK auto production bot- take off as hoped, they will fill just a $3.09 per gallon. —AP bright future making “premium seg- tomed out below 900,000 vehicles fraction of spare capacity at Italian Ukraine can only be successful if we get as many partners as ment, high-quality products with in 1982. plants, which last year built less possible on the table,” he said.—AFP reduced competition, more atten- But Fiat will still have to invest than one-third of their 1.87 million tive customers and higher margins”. many more billions to revive Alfa, vehicle maximum output, according Like the British auto industry, turn Maserati into a higher-volume to IHS Automotive data. which now exports 80 percent of its marque and boost the global Marchionne has promised to save car production, Fiat aims to tap renown of both brands. “I just won- all Italian sites and re-instate thou- overseas demand. That could soften der if it has the money to really sands of workers on state-backed the fallout from a six-year meltdown drive a strong interior build-out of temporary lay-off schemes, but in Fiat’s core southern European Maserati and Alfa,” said Arndt union officials don’t believe he can. markets, where a nascent recovery Ellinghorst, a London-based analyst “There’s no way the premium promises to be slow. at ISI Group. The group has almost strategy can fill all the manufactur- But Marchionne faces hurdles 20 billion euros of cash, but 30 bil- ing capacity in Italy,” said Federico including a big investment outlay, lion in debt. While the tie-up deep- Bellono, general secretary of the difficult Italian business climate and ened Fiat’s pockets, Chrysler needs a Fiom union’s Turin branch. What heavy unionization among the costly makeover of its own to keep happens next may depend on workforce of 62,000. “For a premium up with General Motors and Ford, whether new Prime Minister Matteo brand you need a broad offering of Ellinghorst said. Underlining the Renzi makes good on reform cars, but that’s very expensive and strain, Moody’s last week cut Fiat’s pledges, cutting labor costs and red takes time,” said Commerzbank ana- debt rating to four notches below tape to emulate recent French and lyst Sascha Gommel. “I’m not sure investment grade. Spanish moves towards greater flex- Fiat can deliver that.” Several promised revivals have ibility. And if Marchionne can con- BMW’s Mini and Tata Motors- stalled since Fiat bought Alfa in vince politicians and workers that owned Jaguar Land Rover have 1986, leaving behind a weak reputa- his plan leads to eventual recovery become cash machines for their tion for quality and just three mod- and job creation, it may help win parents, helping to propel British car els, including the 4C. With about acceptance for short-term sacri- production to a six-year high in 100,000 annual sales, the brand is fices. 2013, including half a million dwarfed by Audi’s 1.57 million deliv- Gianluca Spina, dean of Milan Nissans made in Sunderland, north- eries last year, a gap many doubt it Polytechnic’s MIP business school, east England. Carmakers can narrow significantly. believes the new Alfas and announced 2.5 billion pounds ($4.2 Maseratis can find a place in the billion) of UK investment last year as NOTHING ON THE TABLE market with the right balance of national output rose to 1.59 million Italy’s business environment is glamour, design and performance. light vehicles, narrowing the gap another challenge - ranked by a “Being successful in the premium with France, Europe’s No.3 manufac- World Bank survey as 65th out of segment doesn’t mean having to turer after Germany and Spain. 189 economies for ease of doing beat the Germans on volume,” Italian output was below 630,000 business, compared with Britain’s Spina said. “If they make beautiful vehicles, less than half its total a 10th place - and its cash-strapped cars that sell, then they have a decade earlier. public coffers are unlikely to help. shot.” —Reuters

SILIGURI: Indian women laborers work on a construction site in Siliguri yesterday. India’s economy grew by a slug- gish 4.7 percent in the last quarter of 2013, data showed February 28, 2014, marking more bad news for the ruling Congress party ahead of looming elections. — AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 BUSINESS Kuwait oil revenues to reach 29.5bn in current fiscal year Al-Shall Weekly Economic Report KUWAIT: By the end of February 2014, one and their average scored 129.4 (2007=bench month remains for the end of FY 2013/2014 and year 100) up from 128.8 in the second quarter, oil prices remained holding above the $100 per which is a bearable rate. This growth is attributa- barrel level for the 8th consecutive month, ble to the dominance of the impact of the rise in except for May at $99.9 per barrel and June at the wholesale prices from 121.6 to 82221 for the $99.8 per barrel. The average Kuwaiti crude oil same period (+1 percent), in addition to the price for February 2014, most of it, scored about increase in the food prices from 141.7 to 142.9 $103.4 per barrel. (The highest average Kuwaiti for the same period (+0.85 percent). oil price was achieved in September 2013 at $107.8 per barrel). Therefore, the average price KSE performance of the Kuwaiti barrel of oil in the first 11 months in February of the current fiscal year -from April 2013 to KSE performance during February 2014 was February 2014- scored $103.6 per barrel, an mixed compared with January performance. increase by about $33.6 per barrel, or 48 percent Indexes of the traded value and volume dropped above the hypothetical price of $70 per barrel as well as the transaction index while value of estimated in the current budget. The average the general index rose. AlShall index reading in price during the past part of the fiscal year is still the closing of Monday, 24/02/2014, scored 466.4 less by $ -2.9 per barrel than the average price of points up by 7.4 points, 1.6 percent (459.1 points the past fiscal year which was $106.5 per barrel. in the end of January 2014). The highest reading According to the published figures in the for the index during February scored 471.9 monthly follow up report -December 2013- points on 17/02/2014 and scored its lowest level issued by the Ministry of Finance, Kuwait was at 460.1 points on 06/02/2014. The price achieved actual oil revenues until the end of last index of the stock exchange index scored 7692.8 December in the amount of KD22.196 billion. It points in the end of February 2014 (7755.8 is assumed that Kuwait achieved oil revenues points in the end of January 2014),down by 0.8 during January and February 2014 worth KD4.9 percent. The stock exchange weighted index billion. Therefore, oil revenues during the past scored about 564 points (460.1 points in January 11 months will increase to about KD27.1 billion 2014), up by 1.1 percent. Kuwait Index 15 gained or more, taking into consideration that Kuwait about 2.2 percent compared with January 2014 exceeds OPEC production quota. This figure is 60 due to the rise in the price of KFH, United and percent higher than the oil revenues estimated National Mobile Telecommunication Company to in the budget for the entire current fiscal year in achieve some gains to the market. The discrep- the amount of KD16.8831 billion. ancy in indexes growth rates shows trading con- Assuming oil prices and production would centration on heavy and leading stocks and the continue at their present levels, it is expected rise in their prices, which is a good indication. that the value of potential oil revenues for the Value of traded stocks during (17 work days entire current fiscal year would score about KD due to the Kuwait national day and Kuwait liber- 29.5 billion, which is higher by about KD12.6 bil- ation day) scored KD 535.1 million ($1.9 billion) lion than budget estimates. Adding some KD 2.5 retreating by KD 182.8 million, 25.5 percent, (KD billion in non-oil revenues, the total hypothetical 717.8 million in January 2014) and 10.1 percent budget revenues for the current fiscal year less than February 2013. The highest value of would score about KD32 billion. Comparing this trading achieved in one day during the month figure with the expenditures allocations of about scored KD 50.8 million on 11/02/2014 while the KD 21 billion, the result will be a hypothetical lowest value in one day during the month was budget surplus for the current fiscal year KD13.4 million scored on 23/02/2014. The daily 2013/2014 by about KD 11 billion, for the 15th average of the value of traded stocks during the year in a row. In fact it might be higher when we month scored KD31.5 million (KD37.8 million in calculate the savings in the budget expenditures January 2014), a drop by 16.7 percent, and in the current fiscal year (2013/2014). The aver- decline by 10.1 percent below February 2013. age saving in the past three fiscal years was Value of all listed companies -195 companies- about 9.6 percent. If the same saving average is (after listing and transferring The Specialties achieved for this fiscal year, the budget will Group Holding Company from the parallel mar- achieve about KD 13 billion surplus. ket to the official market) during February scored KD31522.9 million. Comparing the mar- Monetary & economic ket value between February 2014 and December indicators 2013 for 194 joint companies, we note a rise by The periodic bulletin (July- September 2013) KD 581.7 million, from KD 30911.1 million on of the Central Bank of Kuwait, which is published 31/12/2013 to about KD 31492.9 million in the on its website mentions some economic and end of February 2014, 1.9 percent rise. It is worth monetary indicators whose developments pointing that the number of gainers, compared deserve follow up and documentation. The total with the last trading day of 2013, was 91 compa- population in Kuwait, for instance, in the end of nies out of 194 common companies in the mar- the third quarter of 2013 scored 3.928 million. ket. 80 companies lost from their values but val- This figure increases by 104 thousand over the ue of 23 companies did not change. After figure recorded in the end of 2012 which means excluding the companies which increased or the average growth for the total number of pop- reduced their capitals, Iskan Housing Finance ulation in the 9 months scored 2.7 percent or 3.6 Company. scored the highest rise in value, an percent on annual basis. increase by 37.3 percent, followed by Kuwait The bulletin indicates that the balance of Investment Company. With arise by 34.9 percent. trade -exports minus imports- achieved surplus On the other hand, KGL Logistics scored the in the third quarter of 2013 by KD 6584.1 million. heaviest loss with a drop by 35.1 percent then Kuwait exports during this quarter KD 8539.4 AlMudon International Real Estate by a loss at million, 94.7 percent of which were oil exports. 26.9 percent of its value. As for sectors, 7 out of Its commodity imports -excluding the military- 12 sectors gained with the financial services scored KD 1955.3 million. Balance of trade achieving the highest rise by 4.1 percent and the achieved surplus in the first quarter of 2013 by basic banking sector scored 3.8 percent. KD 5866.6 million and increased slightly in the Telecommunication sector recorded the biggest second quarter to KD 5968 million. This means drop by 4.4 percent. the balance of trade achieved surplus in the first three quarters of 2013 by KD 18418.7 million, or Weekly performance of KSE KD 24558.3 million for the entire year 2013, The performance of Kuwait Stock Exchange which is less by -5 percent than its achieved (KSE) for the last week was less active, where all counterpart in 2012 in the amount of KD 25858.6 indexes showed a decrease, the traded value million. However, the actual 2013 surplus index, the traded volume index, the transactions depends on the movement in oil prices. index, and the general index showed a decrease, Indicators imply that the balance of trade sur- AlShall Index (value index) closed at 466.4 points plus for the entire year might be close to KD 25 at the closing of last Monday, (two trading days billion though that does not mean much because of Kuwait national day and Kuwait liber- because 94 percent of Kuwait exports value is no ation day), showing a decrease of 3.2 points or more than asset consumption. about 0.7 percent compared to the end of the Consumer price index in the third quarter of previous week, and an increase of 11.7 points or 2013 achieved positive growth by 0.5 percent about 2.6 percent compared to the end of 2013. BUSINESS SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 Harsh weather likely to skew economic data

WALL STREET WEEKLY OUTLOOK

NEW YORK: After months of subpar closed down 0.3 percent at 14 on on the demand,” said Natalie Trunow, economic data that has been blamed at Friday. chief investment officer of equities at least partially on the brutal winter Calvert Investment Management, weather, investors may still struggle to THE WEATHER FACTOR which has about $13 billion in assets. discern the real picture of the economy For the past couple of months, inter- “But I think the overall trend will be next week. The closely watched month- preting US economic figures has taken positive.” The S&P 500 ended at another ly jobs report due on Friday is expected on a familiar pattern: questions are record close on Friday but was well off show that employers stepped up hiring raised about possible weakness in the day’s highs after Ukraine’s acting a bit in February, but there is a greater- demand, then investors shrug and dis- president accused Russia of open than-unusual amount of uncertainty miss it all as a product of bad weather. aggression and said Moscow was fol- around forecasts given that the weath- Reports from government agencies, lowing a similar scenario to the one er remained unseasonable. private surveys and US corporations before it went to war with Georgia in In addition, questions over whether have blamed colder-than-normal 2008. Russia could be drawn into the conflict weather and heavy snowfall across large But overall, Wall Street has been rela- in Ukraine will likely weigh on investor swaths of the country for everything tively calm to problems in Ukraine and sentiment. March futures on the CBOE from slack retail sales and weak employ- Russia thanks to a better-than-expect- Volatility index, Wall Street’s so-called ment data to poor industrial output. If ed earnings season. All three major fear gauge, shot up nearly a percent the payrolls’ growth figure for February indexes closed out the month of even as the S&P 500 closed at another comes in around the consensus of February with strong gains. The Dow record high on Friday. 148,000 on Friday, it is likely to fuel opti- Jones industrial average scored its best “It will be interesting to see the mism that the economy is pulling out of monthly percentage gain since January action on S&P futures on Sunday night its weather-induced funk. A weak read- 2013, while the S&P 500 had its best based on the kind of developments we ing, in contrast, will lead to more hand- month since October. see in Ukraine. There are definitely con- wringing and fuel debate over whether NEW YORK: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday. US In almost the last week for major cerns out there and with the S&P 500 at the economy is weakening. stocks are opening higher, pushing the market further into record territory. —AP earnings, a number of big retailers a record again, it’s a great time to buy On Wednesday, payrolls processor expansion of the services sector slowed country, on Wednesday. are due to report next week, includ- some protection like the VIX,” said JJ ADP releases its report on private-sec- in February. The US Federal Reserve will “This first quarter macro numbers ing Costco Wholesale Corp and Kinahan, chief strategist at T.D. tor hiring. A separate report from ISM release its Beige Book, an anecdotal may be dampened a bit again by the office supplies retailer Staples on Ameritrade in Chicago. The spot VIX the same day is expected to show the review of business activity across the bad weather and some of the impact Thursday. — Reuters

Moody’s raises To see US wealth gap, look Germany’s rating outlook to ‘stable’ no further than Washington

WASHINGTON: Moody’s raised its outlook for the Columbia features more poor people than national average German bond rating to “stable” from “negative” Friday, citing the lowered risk that Berlin would be WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama is making income Atlanta, according to a 2012 Fiscal Policy Institute analysis. paced inflation by 50 percent since 2000, according to called on to prop up weak euro-zone economies. inequality an issue in midterm elections, and proof of the The top 5 percent of households had average incomes of another 2012 Fiscal Policy Institute study. Country-by-country progress in the euro-zone, gap between rich and poor is close at hand right outside the $473,000, highest among the biggest 50 US cities, while the The number of low-rent apartments costing $750 a and progress in building the European Union’s insti- White House. poorest fifth averaged less than $10,000, the analysis said. month or less halved from 2000 to 2012, while the stock of tutional barriers to crisis contagion, meant there was The booming District of Columbia features the wealthiest At 18.2 percent, the District of Columbia’s poverty rate is those renting for $1,500 or more tripled, the report said. The less danger that Germany would have to lead further high-income strata among big US cities and more poor peo- more than 2 percentage points above the US average, 2012 result is that poor people are forced to move out of neigh- bailouts of other euro-zone countries, Moody’s said. ple than the national average, leading analysts to call it a Census Bureau figures show. borhoods where rents are rising, or leave the city. In addition, it cited the narrowing of Germany’s microcosm of the larger US economy. Middle-class jobs hol- “It’s the wheel of the haves and the have-nots,” said labor- fiscal deficit as also contributing to the strengthen- lowed out by the 2007-2009 recession have failed to come BIKE LANES, WINE BARS er Tyrone Queen, 43. “There is a kind of underlying move- ing of its top-flight AAA rating. “Moody’s expects bal- back. A flood of mostly young, educated newcomers has Rising federal spending, bicycle lanes and public trans- ment to get them out.” anced fiscal budgets for 2014 and 2015... the authori- helped revitalize once-blighted neighborhoods, but is wip- port and a US revival in city living have helped draw 1,000 ties are unlikely to deviate from the prudent fiscal ing out low-cost housing within sight of the Capitol. new residents a month to the capital since 2008, bringing its MIND THE GAP policy stance announced in the coalition agreement,” The red-lettered “Come Unto Me” sign on the former population to almost 650,000. At Kafe Bohem, a coffee To mitigate the wealth gap, Mayor Vincent Gray has it said. Central Union Mission still overlooks 14th Street less than house in northwest Washington where wine bars and con- pledged to create or preserve 10,000 affordable housing two miles (3.2 km) north of the White House. But construc- dos are replacing auto repair shops and cheap housing, gen- units by 2020. The District is gradually raising the minimum The rating firm pointed to an improving debt-to- tion workers have gutted the onetime shelter for homeless eral manager Lenora Yerkes said the city was becoming wage to $11.50 an hour, well above the federal minimum of GDP ratio, down to 79 percent from 81 percent in men to convert it into tony shops and boutique condos, part whiter, richer and harder to afford. “There is less and less $7.25. City officials also are seeking tax adjustments, such as 2012, and the country’s low funding costs as strong of the makeover of 14th Street in recent years from a run- room for people who work in a support capacity,” she said as making the real estate tax more progressive, to help poorer positives as well. Another reason for the improved down retail strip to an urban playground of upscale restau- patrons huddled over computer screens or admired a photo residents. outlook for Europe’s largest economy was that risks rants, bars and apartments. “We’re a city that has very display of neighborhood buildings being torn down or Obama has called income disparity “the defining chal- that the government would have to do more to sup- healthy upper-income residents, and then a very healthy rebuilt as part of gentrification. lenge of our time.” Democrats are making it a major cam- port its banks had diminished. “This change reflects lower-income population, and not a good in-between,” said Even as whites move into neighborhoods that have long paign issue in the run-up to House and Senate elections in German banks’ stronger ability to withstand shocks Phil Mendelson, chairman of the city council. been mostly black, such as the Seventh Street corridor, the November. Some of Obama’s key policy objectives are to because of a year of reduced crisis-related losses and Ed Lazere, executive director of the DC Fiscal Policy fault lines are forming over income, not race. A Washington push for Congress to raise the minimum wage, strengthen improved capital strength,” it said. Institute, a think tank, said wages were stagnant or falling for Post poll in January showed that 52 percent of District resi- US manufacturing and improve education and job training. Moody’s said the triple-A rating was rooted in the bottom of Washington’s workforce and rising for highly dents felt the city was mainly divided by income. Just 12 Outlining US inequality, the non-partisan Congressional Germany’s advanced, diverse economy “and a history educated top earners. That mirrors the US pattern, he said. percent cited race. Budget Office said in December that the top fifth of house- of stability-oriented macroeconomic policies.” But it “For people who don’t have an advanced degree, just the “It’s not a black or white thing. It’s a money thing. Either holds saw their share of pretax income rise to more than 50 said that if the euro area debt crisis worsened, and chances of participating in DC’s economy are really grim and you can afford it or you can’t,” Keith Larry, 40, a barber at percent in 2010 from 43 percent in 1979. Most of the gain especially if it affected larger economies like Italy or have only gotten worse over the last 20 years,” Lazere said. Seventh Street’s Ordinary People barber shop, who is black, went to the top 1 percent, whose share increased from 9 Spain, that could threaten the rating. — AFP Washington had the third-widest gap between wealthy and said of the gap between rich and poor. The impact of new percent to 15 percent. Households in the bottom 40 percent poor among the 50 biggest US cities, trailing Boston and money is clear in housing, where rent increases have out- saw their share of income drop. — Reuters Stable euro-zone inflation boosts euro

NEW YORK: A low but stable inflation number for the euro- zone gave the euro a boost against the dollar Friday. Prices in the euro region rose at an 0.8 percent rate in February, unchanged from the month before, amid worries that the 18- nation economy could stall into a deflationary spiral. At 2200 GMT the euro stood at $1.3800, compared with $1.3710 late Thursday. In trade during the day it reached $1.3825, its highest level since late October. The euro also advanced to 140.44 yen from 140.05 yen, while the dollar slipped to 101.76 yen from 102.15. Analysts said the euro-zone inflation data reduced the possibility that the European Central Bank would further ease monetary poli- cy at its meeting next week, and that spurred buying in the common currency. ECB chief Mario Draghi insisted again CALIFORNIA: Container ships wait to be off-loaded in a thick fog at the Port of Oakland in Thursday that he saw no danger of deflation as there was no Oakland, Calif. The Commerce Department released fourth-quarter gross domestic prod- “evidence of consumers postponing expenditure plans.” uct on Friday. — AP MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Afghan men ride on donkeys transporting firewood the outskirts Even though the inflation rate remained far from the central of Mazar-I-Sharif. Afghanistan’s economy is recovering from decades of conflict but bank’s target zone of 2.0 percent, he said, “we are clearly not in US GDP forecast signals despite the significant improvement in the last decade it is extremely poor, and deflation, which is defined as a self-reinforcing fall in prices that highly dependent on foreign aid. —AFP is broad-based across items and across countries.”—AFP looming economic thaw

WASHINGTON: The US government slashed its owned homes nudged up in January after A strong February wipes out S&P 500’s January loss estimate for fourth-quarter economic growth being on a downward trend since July. on Friday in the latest sign of a loss of momen- “That suggests some stabilization in eco- NEW YORK: After two months of trading, the stock portfolio manager of the Multi-Asset Income Fund at market’s side. Janet Yellen, who in February took over tum, but some tentative signs emerged that nomic activity,” said Millan Mulraine, deputy market is back where it started. The Standard & Blackrock. February’s rise came in spite of several the role as chair of the Federal Reserve, reaffirmed suggested the worst of the slowdown may be chief economist at TD Securities in New York. “It Poor’s 500 index rose 4.3 percent in February, the economic reports that showed the US economy that the central bank plans to keep its market-friend- over. Gross domestic product expanded at a 2.4 bolsters the current narrative that the slowing in biggest gain since October 2013, helped by strong slowed in the previous month. ly, low interest rate policies in place for the foresee- percent annual rate, the Commerce activity has been the result of the unseasonably corporate earnings and a Federal Reserve that seems It started with the January jobs report, which able future. Department said, down sharply from the 3.2 cold winter conditions, which we expect to to have Wall Street’s back at every turn. But the rise in showed employers only created 113,000 jobs that Lastly, weather, by its very nature, is temporary. percent pace it reported last month and the 4.1 reverse in coming weeks.” The mixed data February must be taken in the context that investors month. It was far fewer than economists had expect- Spring will come, at some point, and the winter percent logged in the third quarter. buoyed US stocks, but they gave up some gains spent the month making up the ground they lost in ed. Other economic reports told a similar story. storms that have kept businesses closed and con- The economy has faced a number of head- late in the session on rising tensions in Ukraine. January. “February looked a lot like January, just mov- Consumer confidence, manufacturing and the hous- sumers away from stores will fade, investors say. All winds, including a 16-day shutdown of the gov- The Standard & Poor’s 500 index closed at a ing in the opposite direction,” said Scott Clemons, ing market all fell sharply in January. Investors that pent-up demand will help the economy recover ernment in October and an unusually cold win- record high for a second straight day. chief investment strategist with Brown Brothers blamed the weather, and rightly so. Many compa- some of the ground lost in January and February. “I ter that has weighed on activity since late US government debt prices fell, although Harriman Wealth Management. nies, particularly retailers, said winter storms of the think 70 percent, 80 percent, of the weakness we saw December. they pushed off the day’s lows in late trade. The Investors are also now staring at a stock market, past two months dramatically impacted their busi- in January and February was weather related and we Growth has also been dampened by the dollar weakened against a basket of currencies. while numbers-wise is basically where it was on Jan. ness. Macy’s said that at one time in January, 30 per- will pick up strength in the spring thaw,” said Bob expiration of long-term unemployment bene- 1, that is a lot more defensive than it was two months cent of its stores were closed because of inclement Doll, chief equity strategist at Nuveen Asset fits, cuts to food stamps and businesses placing STRONGER 2014 GROWTH EYED ago. Utilities and health care stocks - two traditional weather. Management. fewer orders with manufacturers as they work Frigid temperatures have slammed retail “safe” places for investors because of their low volatil- Home Depot had a similar story. “We don’t like to Investors will have less information to work with through a pile of unsold goods in their ware- sales, industrial production, residential con- ity and higher-than-average dividends - are the use weather as an excuse but we think we probably in March than they did in February. Earnings season houses. “I don’t think the fundamentals have struction and home sales, while also putting a biggest gainers so far this year. Utilities are up 5.7 lost $100 million in the month of January,” Home is basically over. Of the companies in the S&P 500 changed appreciably,” said Ryan Sweet, a senior brake on hiring early this year. The Federal percent in 2014 and health care is up 6.6 percent. Depot’s chief financial officer, Carol Tome, said in a index, 484 have reported their results, as have all 30 economist at Moody’s Analytics in West Chester, Reserve, which has been cutting back on the Investor caution was also evident in the bond mar- conference call with investors this week. “Atlanta was members of the Dow, so investors won’t have any Pennsylvania. “Heading into this year we knew it amount of money it is pumping into the econo- ket, which has done reasonably well in the last two frozen, for example. It was tough here.” Even with the corporate earnings news to respond to. wasn’t going to be smooth sailing.” my through monthly bond purchases, views the months. The yield on the benchmark US 10-year economic concerns, investors were able to set aside In the absence of company news, investors would First-quarter growth is forecast at below a 2 recent soft patch as temporary. Fed Chair Janet Treasury note has fallen from 2.97 percent to 2.65 the volatility of January for three reasons, market typically look to the steady stream of economic data percent pace. But other data on Friday on con- Yellen told lawmakers on Thursday the cold percent in the last two months as investors returned watchers said. to find direction. However the severe winter weather sumer sentiment, regional factory activity and weather had played a role in the weakening to the relative safety of government debt. The First, corporate earnings for the fourth quarter of last two months is likely to make the upcoming housing suggested some economic thawing, data, and that it would take a “significant Barclays US Aggregate bond index, which tracks a overall turned out to be pretty good. Earnings at economic reports even more difficult to interpret. which should put growth on a stronger path lat- change” to the economy’s prospects for the cen- broad mix of corporate and government bonds, is up companies in the S&P 500 index grew 8.5 percent “You’re going to be able to put on spin on any report: er in the year. Consumer sentiment rose mod- tral bank to suspend plans to wind down its 1.6 percent this year. over the same period last year, according to FactSet. ‘well that better than it should have been’ or ‘well, it estly in February, while factory activity in the stimulus. Indeed, a number of Fed officials on “The sentiment now is, ‘bonds may not be as bad Revenue growth also picked up, albeit slightly. was the weather,’” Clemons said. “We’ll get more Midwest edged up after three months of slower Friday made clear they still believed the econo- as I originally thought,’” said Michael Fredericks, a The Federal Reserve, once again, also came to the trustworthy numbers in April.”—AP growth. In addition, contracts to buy previously my was on an improving path.—Reuters SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 BUSINESS KIB receives Best Islamic Bank 2014 Award WF Magazine Award for unique achievements KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank “KIB” added a new KIB achieved in 2012, where its operational profits achievement and honor to its track record after receiv- exceeded KD 21 million and it maintained stable ing Best Islamic Bank 2014 Award from WF, the special- growth throughout 2013 where its operational profits ized and most reputed financial magazine in the were in excess of KD 32 million. London Stock Exchange. Al-Jarrah confirmed that KIB’s success, excellence “We feel very much pleased and take pride that our and refined reputation is based majorly on three fac- achievements over the 2 past years namely; receiving tors, firstly; strong and prudent leadership, secondly; the Golden Medal Award of merit 2013 from Tatweej investment in technology and adoption of advanced IT Academy for Excellence and Quality in the Arab Region systems. A third factor that has also contributed to KIB’s and the upgraded credit rating from A- to A+ from success is the investment made in enhancing the skill Fitch due to our robust capitalization, liquidity profile sets of its staff. KIB has appointed distinguished profes- and strong capital ratios. This is no mean achievement sionals with high caliber from Kuwait and outside and given the turbulent times and the unstable situation in conducts periodic training programs that are aimed at region “, said KIB Chairman, Sheikh Mohammad Al- enhancing their performance, improving their scope of Jarrah Al-Sabah on this occasion. knowledge and skills in all fields to ensure best quality Al-Jarrah added, “KIB’s successive achievements, banking services with international standards. honor and awards are a clear recognition of its distinc- In conclusion, Sheikh Al-Jarrah emphasized KIB’s tion and excellence. It is an obvious sign of customers determination to present develop and innovative Sheikh Mohammad Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah trust, loyalty and confidence. This trust is the main Islamic banking products, widen its business scope by tinuous development of its online presence, be it the source of KIB’s innovation and vision to develop our opening new branches to meet the needs of an bank’s website or social media and electronic services. business, maximize our profits, and maintain our com- increasing customer base, focus on both small and He asserted that the secret to maintaining the forefront petency and leading position as an ideal model to be medium businesses and construction and Contracting position lies in continued innovation with trust and followed. Another indication is the financial results that sector and support their banking needs, and the con- ease. EQUATE’s 2013 net profit hits $1.2bn

14% increase over 2012 • Highest ever sales value with over $2.88bn KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company Strategy that includes three main stages with announced realizing a net profit of $1.245 billion the first - focusing on qualifying relevant human for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2013, resources, the second - preparing to enter the with a 14 percent increase in comparison with international scene and the third is venturing $1.09 achieved in 2012. into the global arena. The first phase is all about On this occasion, EQUATE President & CEO creating as much added-value from current facil- Mohammad Husain said, “These profits were ities, while the second and third are all about realized due to absolute integration between all making EQUATE have greater global presence, commercial, industrial, administrative and other with all stages focusing on distinguished human elements at the company, as well as global resources, especially Kuwaitis, through being demand for petrochemical products, all of which more specialized and optimum utilization of BUENOS AIRES: Maria and her son Luciano sit outside the art museum at Buenos despite several challenges both locally and technology within a creative, innovative and sus- Aires begging for pesos. regionally.” tainable work environment.” Husain noted, “For the first time in EQUATE’s In conclusion, Husain expressed utmost history, overall sales value exceeded $2.88 billion appreciation and gratitude to EQUATE Board of Argentina’s poor at which is due to distinguished performance at all Directors, all employees and everyone who con- levels as an embodiment of our tagline of tributed to the company’s overall success. ‘Partners in Success’ with all relevant stakehold- Established in 1995, EQUATE is an interna- risk as inflation ers within and outside Kuwait.” tional joint venture between Petrochemical Husain added, “The year 2013 witnessed sev- Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical eral milestones in EQUATE’s history as it Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical weakens safety net launched the polyethylene (PE) plant debottle- Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical necking project which is expected to be com- Industries Company (QPIC). Commencing pro- BUENOS AIRES: At a soup kitchen in a Eduardo Amadeo, a former secretary of pleted during 2015 to increase its current capac- duction in 1997, EQUATE is the single operator of Buenos Aires slum, Alejandro Monzon social programs who runs an anti-poverty ity of 825,000 metric tons annually (MTA) while a fully integrated world-scale manufacturing hung his head as he stood in line and think tank. “But they can’t negotiate their focusing on increasing and optimizing its pro- facility producing over 5 million tons annually of recounted how his fortunes have unraveled subsidies. Their only tool is taking to the duction capacities relevant to products of ethyl- high-quality petrochemical products which are over the last year. streets.” ene, polyethylene and ethylene glycol. All of marketed throughout the Middle East, Asia, Food prices have soared, the 29-year-old Although there have been no large- which being in the light of EQUATE 2020 Africa and Europe. EQUATE President & CEO Mohammad Husain maintenance worker complained, squeez- scale demonstrations this year, some ing his meager monthly budget and leav- groups of poor Argentines staged a day of ing him reliant on charity to keep his wife protests following the peso’s plunge in and six children fed. “I hoped it wouldn’t January, demanding a 40 percent increase come to this,” he said. “But it’s just too hard in cash payouts for the unemployed. Zain Group enters into to make ends meet now.” Keeping a lid on social tensions will be a He is not alone. A sharp currency deval- priority for Fernandez for the rest of her uation in Argentina last month has wors- second four-year term. Under the constitu- ened one of the world’s highest inflation tion, she is unable to seek a third term and MoU with ARBooster rates, threatening to unravel a generous will leave office in December 2015. social safety net at the heart of President On the streets of Buenos Aires, the signs Cristina Fernandez’s economic policies. of economic strains are unmistakable. Agreement to launch personal premium number service One in four Argentine families now rely on Some of the famous boulevards that state welfare programs ranging from pay- earned the city a reputation as the “Paris of outs for the unemployed to scholarships South America” are lined at night with KUWAIT: In the face of the increasing erosion of for poor high school students, as social homeless people. In the shadow of the cen- voice traffic revenues by the OTT players, Zain spending boomed along with the economy tury-old railway station Retiro at the heart Group, a pioneer in mobile telecommunications over much of the past decade. of the city, a slum known as Villa 31 has across the Middle East and Africa, has entered Monzon was one of millions of grown about 50 percent in four years, into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Argentines who benefited. He moved into housing an estimated 40,000 people in with dynamic London-based solutions provider, a bigger government-built apartment and ramshackle brick homes three stories tall. ARBooster Limited to launch a Personal found a job at a supermarket that helped The vulnerability of so many Argentines Premium Number (PPN) service, an innovative, him buy a car and even a flat-screen TV. remains a sore spot for a nation proud of its revenue-generating service. The agreement was But climbing consumer prices in recent affluent history. In the early 20th century, penned at last week’s Mobile World Congress in years have overtaken his monthly salary of Argentina ranked among the richest coun- Barcelona. 4,000 pesos ($507 at the official exchange tries in the world, thanks to its booming The PPN service is a proprietary technology rate, or about $350 at the black market beef and wheat exports. developed by ARBooster Limited that enables rate) - a complaint echoing throughout However, a succession of financial crises operators to offer a unique value-added telecom Argentina. in recent decades battered its well-educat- service. Once implemented on a mobile commu- Monzon watched the value of his pay- ed middle class. As much as half of the nications network, the PPN solution enables check tumble further last month when the country fell into poverty during the eco- users to transform their ordinary mobile sub- Argentine peso devalued sharply, trigger- nomic collapse that followed a record 2002 scriber number into a premium rate line to gen- ing a spike in prices of food and other sovereign debt default. Fernandez and her erate income from in-bound callers. goods. Facing criticism that it underreport- late husband and predecessor Nestor Scott Gegenheimer, Chief Executive Officer of ed inflation for years, the government Kirchner turned back that tide thanks in Zain Group said, “We have been keeping an eye recently unveiled a consumer price index part to new social programs and strong on how we could enhance value added voice showing 3.7 percent inflation in January, economic growth over a period of several services for a while. PPN is one of those novel the highest in over a decade. years. ideas that will appeal to several segments of our Most economists say inflation is running Kirchner took office in 2003 and four customer base across the region, as we gradually at more than 25 percent a year, compared years later stepped aside for Fernandez to roll-it out during 2014.” Unlike other OTT services, PPN brings the Scott Gegenheimer, Chief Executive Officer of Zain Group and Jason Cawley, Managing with government data that has put annual run. Popular for steering the country out of Director of ARBooster, seal the deal. inflation at just over 10 percent. As that gap the economic crisis, Kirchner was widely user focus back to mobile operators’ voice net- has grown, so has the sense among many expected to run again for president, but he work. Further, with its unique revenue-sharing commented Jason Cawley, Managing Director of providers, individuals and charitable organiza- struggling Argentines that government-set died in 2010 near the end of his wife’s first model, ARBooster enables both end-users and ARBooster Limited. tions will benefit from the PPN service. Doctors stipends cannot cover what they used to. term. “There’s no question things are better mobile operators to benefit financially from the “The MoU with Zain Group is an exhilarating and lawyers will be able to charge for advice giv- A few months ago, Monzon reached his than 10 years ago,” said Daniel Arroyo, a service. validation of all the hard work that our extended en over the phone; popular personalities can breaking point. As more of the family professor at the University of Buenos Aires “With PPN, we aim to put the “value” in “val- team has put in over the past two years to get to profit from the many people wanting to talk to budget went to just putting food on the and former vice minister of social develop- ue-added” back in the pockets of our end-users, this point. Coming off the back of a successful them; and charitable organizations will be able table, he sought help at the Los Piletones ment under Kirchner. “But many of the the mobile phone subscribers, while “adding” to soft launch of the service in Lebanon last week - to raise funds by receiving calls or organizing soup kitchen. On a recent day, a line of accomplishments have been through the bottom-line of our customers, the mobile with a full commercial launch planned by the PPN-based campaigns by their supporters. adults and children, some with bowls in direct cash transfers rather than new jobs.” network operators. This service is a rare glimmer end of this month - it really has been a wonder- These are just a few examples of the enormous their hands, stretched outside the dining of hope in the midst of otherwise depressing ful start to 2014,” he added. possible list of users and beneficiaries of the hall and onto the dust-filled streets in the STRETCHED THIN voice traffic projections for mobile operators,” It is expected that many professional advice ground-breaking PPN service. Villa Piletones slum in Buenos Aires. Inside, Formal job growth has withered in workers dished out bowls of meat stew and recent years as economic growth slowed people sat and ate at long wooden tables. and private investment dried up, scared off Gulf Bank announces winners of Al-Danah daily draws Beatriz Antunez, who helps run Los in many cases by Fernandez’s heavy-hand- Piletones, said she saw the crowds lining up ed approach to the private sector, econo- KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily (Thursday 20/02): Majed Hameed Abdulrasoul them to save money. Chances increase the more for a meal grow late last year. “People are mists say. At the same time, the cost of the draws on February 23, 2014, announcing the Al-Qallaf, Nada Hassan Salah Al-Sadeq money is deposited and the longer it is kept in having to make choices about how they government’s social and subsidy programs names of its winners for the week of February 16 Gulf Bank’s Al Danah 2014 draw lineup the account. Al-Danah also offers a number of spend their money. And to cut down on have grown to 15 percent of gross domes- to February 20. The Al-Danah daily draws include includes daily draws (2 winners per working day unique services including the Al-Danah Deposit their food expenses, they’re turning to us,” tic product from 10 percent a decade ago, draws each working day for two prizes of each receive KD1000), as well as two additional Only ATM card which helps account holders she said. according to economists at the Universidad KD1000 per winner. prizes per quarter. Al-Danah’s first quarterly draw deposit their money at their convenience; as Catolica de Argentina. As the government The winners are: for 2014 will be held on 27 March (KD200,000, well as the Al-Danah calculator to help cus- NO NEGOTIATING POWER has been lowballing inflation since 2007, (Sunday 16/02): Nasar Fadel Al-Shoumari, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 2nd Quarter - 26 tomers calculate their chances of becoming an While Argentina’s influential unions however, official poverty statistics are sus- Kareem Dahash Mohammed Al-Anzy June (KD250,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 3rd Al-Danah winner. To be part of the Al-Danah have leverage to demand steep wage hikes pect. According to official data, adults can (Monday 17/02): Abdullah Jassem Mohammed quarter - 25 September (KD500,000, KD125,000, draws, customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 56 keeping pace with inflation, those who rely cover their basic needs and stay out of Al-Hamar, Falah Mohammed Barak Al-Shammali and KD25,000) and the final draw held on 8 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer on government social programs depend on poverty with less than 600 pesos ($75) per (Tuesday 18/02): Deng Hong, Shokria Mazen January, 2015 announcing winners of KD50,000, Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and policymakers to raise subsidies at the pace month. Independent economists estimate Salem KD250,000 and the Al-Danah millionaire. guidance. Customers can also log on to www.e- of consumer prices. “The poorest are always that in fact those basic goods now cost (Wednesday 19/02): Sabeka Khaled Abdullatif Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah allows customers to win gulfbank.com/ald-anahwinners, to find out more the most sensitive to inflation,” said twice as much.— Reuters Abdulrazaq, Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al-Dabian cash prizes and simultaneously encourages about Al-Danah and who the winners are. SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 technology

Congo hopes to conquer the world with traffic robots

KINSHASA: Can giant robots with a deep offer safe passage” to pedestrians, said leisure firm, Planete J, is currently covering voice and massive arms be the answer to eas- Therese Ir Izay Kirongozi, who founded costs but she hopes the robots will eventual- ing traffic chaos in the capital of the Women’s Technology to provide employ- ly turn a profit. “This is a positive thing ... in Democratic Republic of Congo? A small ment for Congolese women with engineer- the business of road safety,” said Val Manga, cooperative, which developed the novel solu- ing degrees. Her seven-member team-which head of the National Road Safety tion and is testing two robots at key intersec- despite the name includes four men-devel- Commission. “We need to multiply these tions, thinks so-and wants to promote the ops the robots in a small workshop with intelligent robots to instal them at various concept across the country, Africa and the peeling walls and rudimentary equipment. intersections in the towns and urban world. Initial feedback is positive, from both In October, a more sophisticated model agglomerations of our country.” The solar the public and officials. “God bless those who designed to control traffic flow was panels that power the robots could prove a invented it,” said taxi bus driver Franck Mavuzi deployed at a junction in front of parliament. major asset in a city where whole districts stuck in traffic. “The robot is good.” Beneath a solar panel providing power, it still lack electrical power. Made of aluminum, Like many African capitals, Kinshasa, a city swivels its torso. A green light on its breast- the robots are designed to resist a harsh of 10 million people, has a reputation for plate turns red while it raises an arm, also fit- equatorial climate with high temperatures, chaotic driving and huge traffic jams. Tricolor ted with lights-mimicking a real-live traffic humidity and massive downpours. traffic lights are rare, many cars are old and policeman stopping one line of traffic and A sophisticated electronic detection sys- battered and not all drivers are mindful of letting another through. “There are many tem tells them when pedestrians are waiting the highway code. And traffic police, who robots in the world, but a robot handling to cross a street. Cameras built into its eyes earn minimal salaries, are often accused of road safety and traffic control, that’s truly and its shoulders provide constant video extorting money from motorists. “When the ‘Made in Congo’,” Kirongozi said. “We must footage of traffic flow. “When the robot cap- robot stops the traffic you can see that sell our expertise to other countries, as well tures images, they are sent over the Internet everybody stops and the pedestrians can as central Africa, and why not the United to a centre where they are stored and could cross without a problem,” said taxi driver States, Europe and Asia,” she said, hoping the be used to prosecute people who have com- Mavuzi. “And the traffic police bother us too project can create more jobs in the vast DR mitted offences,” said video surveillance much. Let’s leave robots to do the job,” he Congo where development has been ham- expert Claude Diasuka who is part of the proj- said. The first model, which towers 2.5 pered by repeated warfare, notably in the ect. For the moment, all data belongs to metres (eight feet) tall, was deployed last restive east. Women’s Technology. But pointing to money June at the busy Lumumba Boulevard in the raked in by Western countries for driving central Limete district. ‘600 dangerous intersections’ offences, Kirongozi said such a system here “Drivers, you should make way for pedes- Part of the team is due to show off the could guarantee earnings for communities trians,” it booms, raising one arm and lower- creation at international trade fairs in Canada that want to invest in the robots. In Kinshasa ing another while flashing red and green and Switzerland in April. A traffic robot costs alone, “we have identified 600 dangerous KINSHASA: Photo shows a traffic robot cop on Triomphal boule- lights signal cars to stop or carry on. “We about 15,000 dollars (10,000 euros) to build, intersections and complicated places” where vard of Kinshasa at the crossing of Asosa, Huileries and Patrice began with this one, which is simply there to Kirongozi said. Her own restaurant and robots could be put to work, she said._ — AFP Lubumba streets. — AFP New ‘online menaces’ From spamming fridges to hijackers

BARCELONA: It has to be annoying when your or sound from an infected device. But a new, already demonstrated, for example, that a car fridge sends spam without your knowledge, but potentially more ominous threat is emerging as could be hacked and used remotely just by how would you feel if a hacker with a smart- more and more everyday objects are connected sending an SMS text message, he said. phone disabled your car brakes or even remote- online and to smartphones, a phenomenon Consumers were sometimes responsible for ly hijacked your plane? Those security-risk sce- known as the “Internet of Things”. “Things like unwittingly increasing their risks, Diaz warned. narios may not be as far-fetched as you think. connected cars bring the risk of physical dam- Many people seemed to be happy to trade their Indeed, a fridge has already been caught send- age to persons and property in an attack,” privacy for free services, for example allowing ing spam. Ferguson said in the run-up to the February 24- free email or messaging applications access to Security provider Thinkpoint Inc said last 27 World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain. personal data, he said. Just using a smartphone month it had uncovered more than 750,000 application can leak reams of personal informa- malicious emails from more than 100,000 every- Hacking a car by SMS tion if the device has already been compro- day consumer gadgets such as home-network- “If you can get in through the entertainment mised, Diaz said. The Guardian newspaper last ing routers, multi-media centers, televisions and system for example, and work your way through month published documents it said were from at least one refrigerator. Just as hackers can take the rest of the car if it has not been adequately US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden indicat- over personal computers, creating robot-like secured and disable the brakes, then you are ing that US and British spies had been develop- “botnets” to send spam or other emails, now going to cause all kinds of damage.” Equally, a ing ways to use data from smartphone apps they are compromising Internet-connected hacker could target a traffic control system, he such as the smash-hit game Angry Birds. objects, or “thingbots’ for the same ends. “Many said. Last year, a security consultant claimed he “Apps such as Angry Birds ask for many per- of these devices are poorly protected at best and could even hijack a passenger plane using a missions, geolocation being an example for consumers have virtually no way to detect or fix smartphone Android application, Ferguson not- some versions. This data is transmitted back infections when they do occur,” said David ed. The US Federal Aviation Administration home, and is undoubtably juicy for any mass- BARCELONA: A woman stands in front of Sony devices at the Mobile World Congress, Knight, general manager of Proofpoint’s infor- manufacturer quickly denied such a vulnerabili- surveillance operation,” Diaz said.Finland-based the world’s largest mobile phone trade show in Barcelona, Spain. — AP mation security division. ty actually existed. Rovio, the developer of Angry Birds, has Rik Ferguson, vice president in charge of Even if such spectacular attacks are not an stressed that it does not share data, collaborate security research for Japan-headquartered Trend immediate threat, our vulnerability is growing as or collude with any government spy agencies. Smartphone cameras step Micro, said the most common mobile security the Internet spreads its reach yet deeper into our “When talking about privacy, having more threats now were viruses designed to make your lives, said Vicente Diaz, senior malware analyst at devices connected to the Internet sending smartphone send a premium-cost text message online security group Kaspersky Lab. More information of ourselves does not sound like closer to high-end power or even make a premium-cost call without your devices mean more opportunities for infiltration, great news,” Diaz warned. “So if you are a user SEOUL: Expect sharper, clearer selfies this knowledge. Next on the list is spyware, which he said. “That could lead to cross-device infec- worried about your privacy, be careful in what year. Samsung Electronics Co has beefed up MEGAPIXEL IMAGES collects personal information like an address tions, but more worrisome is the potential lack you consciously share, what permissions your the camera in its Galaxy S5 smartphone due LG showed off how its high-end G Pro 2 book for malicious ends such as fraud or spam, of security software and security updates in such apps are requesting and what technologies bet- for April release and added smarter camera smartphone can selectively blur and sharpen extending in rare cases to taking video images devices,” he said. Security researchers had ter fit your needs.” — AFP software, following Sony and Nokia in their a picture by tapping the area that a user upgrades of handset cameras. The tweaks wants to adjust. This feature, which adds mean smartphone photos, ubiquitous nowa- depth to a photo, was a major trait in DSLR Five big trends in days because of social media such as cameras. While DSLR cameras did this trick in Facebook and Twitter, will be closer in quality the image’s raw data by changing the lens the mobile world to images captured by digital single-lens aperture, the G Pro 2 does it through software reflex cameras, also known as DSLR. after the photo is taken in a special mode. The BARCELONA: From the release of connected bracelets, How to give a super-thin smartphone the Galaxy S5 offers a similar option though less watches and even a smart toothbrush to a future of power of a DSLR camera that can capture sophisticated. Nokia is also betting big on one-second high-definition movie downloads, the moving images with clarity is a key challenge powerful camera features to lure buyers from mobile world is developing rapidly. Here are five major for the likes of Samsung, Sony, Nokia and LG Samsung and Apple Inc. Among Nokia’s major trends to emerge at the four-day World Mobile as they try to differentiate their offerings in a products is the Lumia 1020 smartphone Congress in Barcelona, the industry’s biggest annual crowded handset market. Their efforts to announced last year, which can take 38 gathering, which wrapped up on Thursday: make smartphone cameras more powerful megapixel images. Larger pixels in the camera have taken a toll on the compact, point-and- don’t necessarily mean a better picture, which Connected watches, toothbrush shoot camera market, but catching up to the also depends on the lens and image sensors. The new star accessories of manufacturers such as high-end cameras used by professional pho- But bigger pixels allow taking photos with mobile titan Samsung, Sony or China’s Huawei are tographers had appeared a far-fetched ambi- sufficient details for poster-size prints, some- smartphone-connected bracelets and watches. You can tion. thing that professional photographers are take a call and read messages on them. But now they The gap is getting narrower thanks mainly keen on. Other high-end smartphone cam- offer to count your steps, check your pulse, even moni- to improvements in camera software and oth- eras are around or below 20 megapixels. LILLE: A man displays an Apple’s iPhone 5 smartphone in the French northern city of tor your sleep cycle and decide the best moment to er technologies, but may never close com- Sony’s Xperia Z2 smartphone, announced at Lille. Apple said it was developing a security fix for its Mac OS X computer operating wake you. They are part of a “quantified self” trend, in pletely. The global wireless show that wraps the Mobile World Congress, has a rear camera system after a patch released for its iPhones and iPads to thwart hacker attacks. — AFP which smartphone owners can measure the minutiae up in Barcelona on Thursday showed smart- with 20.7 megapixels, same as the predeces- of their own lives, right down to cleaning their teeth. phone makers using software trickery to off- sor Z1, but Sony upgraded the camera’s Mobile industry sees a boom Procter & Gamble’s Oral-B smart toothbrush will check set their camera weaknesses: inferior image video-recording power to 4K. The Z2 is also your technique, and you can share the results on social sensors and lack of optical zoom lens. The equipped with technologies that allow users networks. companies are also making photo manipula- to capture moving subjects blur-free. All these in high-tech targeted adverts tion on the phone easier to learn than manu- handsets from Samsung, Sony and LG can BARCELONA: You are strolling past a cafe they have data that is very valuable about their Cheap smartphones ally controlling DSLR cameras. record ultra-HD picture quality video, some- when a discount coupon flashes up on your consumers,” Clark said. The issue boils down to From a $25 smartphone, which Mozilla Foundation thing that isn’t widespread among stand- smartphone, tempting you to go inside and a question: “How do they leverage them while says it is developing for this year for developing markets, THINNER, LIGHTER alone cameras. purchase a drink. But as you’re about to open still maintaining the trust with their consumers to Nokia X models for less than 150 euros ($200), manu- Instead of touting their smartphones as “This trend is happening much faster than the door, a rival offer pops up on the screen and the relationship that they have?” facturers are trying to tap into the fastest-growing mar- thinner, lighter or bigger screened, Samsung, most predicted,” said IDC’s Chute of the 4K from a competitor across the street promising kets such as Latin America, China, South Asia and Africa. Sony and LG were boasting how their latest video recording in high-end smartphones. an even steeper discount, valid only for the Advertising with benefits mobile gadgets can record ultra-high defini- But will these moves push smartphone cam- A better ‘selfie’ next 10 minutes. As advanced mobile net- First, operators must stick to the rules, said tion videos known as 4K, take big-pixel pic- eras to reach the market reserved for premi- Often neglected, the camera on the front of your works gain the capacity to analyze each user’s Tom Loozen, communications analyst at tures without a second of delay and capture um cameras over $1,000? “You’re getting to smartphone for taking a photo of yourself is becoming clearer images even at a low-light settings and the stage where cameras in high-end models data, interpreting his or her surroundings and research house Accenture, notably allowing more powerful to satisfy the growth of the “selfie”. when a subject is moving. One trend in smart- are good enough for the majority of con- habits, spending on personalized publicity is users to opt in or out of being tracked for the Huawei’s Ascend G6 boosts the front camera to five phone camera this year will be phase detec- sumers in most environments,” said Nick expected to boom. purpose of receiving mobile advertising. megapixels. More broadly, photo and video quality is tion autofocus, previously available only in Dillon, a senior analyst at Ovum. But there will Improved location and personal data- Secondly, such advertising should bring some improving rapidly. Sony’s new Xperia Z2 allows users to cameras with interchangeable lens, said Chris be a significant quality gap between the pic- based advertising could generate as much as benefit to consumers. Accenture conducted a film in 4K resolution, the most advanced available on Chute, a director at research company IDC. tures from DSLR cameras and smartphones $44 billion (32 billion euros) a year in revenue small study asking consumers whether they the market. Samsung showcased the feature in the for the foreseeable future, he said. One reason by 2017 for network operators, according to a would mind telecommunications operators Galaxy S5, the latest version of the South is the sensor. The larger the sensor is, the bet- study by mobile network technology group using their location data to provide specific Spam and other threats Korean company’s flagship smartphone. It ter the image’s quality because it can capture Syniverse, published during the February 24- advertising such as discounts, Loozen said. As people pour sensitive personal data into their reduces the time it takes to focus on a sub- more light. 27 World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain. “You don’t get all sorts of vouchers and smartphones and tablets, and as more objects are ject to 0.3 second so even when the subject “There is a limitation in the sensor size you Indeed, research house Gartner Inc. predicts coupons but you actually get one for McDonald’s hooked up to the network, security threats can take on is moving, the image can be captured with can put in smartphones because it would that global mobile advertising will grow from when you’re in front of a McDonald’s, for Zara a new dimension. Some hackers manage to get into a sharp edge, said Seshu Madhavapeddy, make smartphones bigger,” Dillon said. And an expected $18 billion this year to $42 billion when you’re in front of a Zara store,” he said. target devices to take photos or record conversations. Samsung’s senior vice president for US that’s one crucial reason why professional in just three years, helped in part by geoloca- “People responded very positively to that.” One compromised refrigerator has been caught send- product and technology. “Now that phones photographers haven’t swapped their cam- tion-based publicity drawing in smaller, local Consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers tested a ing spam. Security specialists say even your connected are starting to have this, consumers will eras for smartphones. Smartphone cameras advertisers. variety of such scenarios with consumer panels car’s brakes could be at risk. only be more likely to use phones for not have yet to match high-end digital cameras just everyday pictures, but more and more especially in low-light settings, said Jun For now, geolocation-based advertising in Brazil, China, Britain and the United States. It exists only in a “very limited way” and has yet found the location-based smartphone discount Downloaded in a second for special event photography,” Chute said. Michael Park, a freelance photo journalist in The next, fifth-generation mobile networks to begin to reach its potential, said Mary Clark, head of coupon concept was acceptable to 80 percent of With the 16 megapixel rear camera in the Seoul. “I still wouldn’t switch. Smartphone’s rolling out in 2020 promise to let users download an marketing at Syniverse. She suggested opera- those questioned in Brazil and 58 percent in the Galaxy S5, it is possible to preview the result small camera comes in handy, but when I take entire high-definition movie in one second flat. The of applying high dynamic range imaging to pictures I always think about getting it print- tors could already make inroads by sharing United States. But other techniques were not so network will have to cope, also, with billions of con- pictures. HDR imaging usually helps create ed, having a show, or getting them published,” data about their customers with brands, so popular. The idea of receiving a voucher from a nected objects communicating with each other, from better pictures in extreme lighting condi- Park said. Winning over photographers like long as they withhold information that could competitor trying to entice you away from a rival kitchen appliances to cars and traffic signals, industry tions but with digital cameras, it is Park could be the next trophy for smartphone identify individuals. “The operators have a very was accepted by only 20 percent of those polled players say. — AFP processed after snapping a photo. makers. — AP valuable relationship with their consumers and in Britain, and 56 percent in China. — AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE Native Americans lived in Bering Strait for millennia WASHINGTON: Early Native Americans Insect and plant fossils found in the Shrub key to life world.” Elias, whose study was published in ture zones, which indicated that tempera- spent millenia living on the Bering Land ancient Bering Land Bridge’s sediment cores The land bridge is now buried about 50 to the US journal Science, explained that the tures were relatively mild as the last ice age Bridge now buried under water before they revealed that hundreds or thousands of peo- 60 meters (160-200 feet) under the waters of population likely used dwarf shrub wood to peaked, around 27,000 to 20,000 years ago. appeared in Alaska and the rest of the North ple likely called central Beringia home for the Bering and Chukchi Seas. help start a fire, then placed large mammal “From my view the genetics and paleoe- America, researchers said Friday. 5,000 years or more. The theory, known as But thousands of years ago, the strip of bones on top whose inner fats would help cology data come together nicely,” said The finding provides answers to a long- the “Beringia Standstill,” was first proposed in land and nearby areas were covered in shrub keep the flames burning for hours during University of Colorado Boulder researcher running mystery about where the people 1997 by two Latin American geneticists and tundra typical of modern Arctic Alaska, frigid Arctic winter nights. John Hoffecker, lead author of the study who first set foot on the New World survived refined a decade later by a team led by the including dwarf willow and birch shrubs, Many archeologists now say early appearing in Science. the last Ice Age after splitting from their Asian University of Tartu in Estonia that sampled mosses and lichens. “We believe that these humans first migrated to the New World Hoffecker said the prehistoric inhabitants relatives 25,000 years ago. mitrochondrial DNA from more than 600 ancestors survived on the shrub tundra of about 15,000 years ago after retreating gla- of Beringia may have hunted successfully in “This work fills in a 10,000-year missing Native Americans. Mutations in the DNA the Bering Land Bridge because this was the ciers provided a path into North America the uninhabited steppe-tundra region to the link in the story of the peopling of the New indicated that a group of the Native only region of the Arctic where any woody through coastal and interior routes, though east and west. World,” said Scott Elias from the Department Americans’ direct ancestors were likely isolat- plants were growing,” Elias said. the subject is still a matter of debate. Drier conditions and more grass in those of Geography at Royal Holloway college in ed for at least several thousand years in the “They needed the wood for fuel to make Elias and his colleagues also analyzed cer- areas likely fed many grazing animals such as London. Bering Land Bridge area. camp fires in this bitterly cold region of the tain beetle species living in specific tempera- steppe bison, horse and mammoth. — AFP THSC London offers world class treatment for pediatric cancers Exclusive interview with Dr Sergios Zacharoulis

By Sajeev K Peter in order to offer to our patients every possible these complex procedures? chance. Also Dr Zacharoulis in collaboration with A: THSC has a state-of-the-art new bone mar- KUWAIT: The Harley Street Clinic (THSC), one of his adult oncology colleagues have performed row transplantation unit with very experienced the most prestigious and respected private hos- the first personalized treatment in children with staff. These highly complex therapies are being pitals in London and the world, attracts some of solid tumors where the patients received treat- performed safely under the direct supervision of the finest specialist consultants in cancer, car- ment not only based molecular characterization a number of specialists including evaluation of diac and neurosciences from many of London’s but also the tumor’s sensitivity to various new every body system in order to maximize safety major teaching hospitals. Today, THSC offers drugs in xenorgafts. The only center in Europe and efficacy. tumor-specific expertise treating all childhood with experience in this novel treatment in KT: Cancer treatment involves a lot of psy- cancers, including children from Kuwait with Europe is THSC. chologically and physiologically sensitive extremely rare, complex and relapsed cancer KT: Technology in pediatric oncology has approaches, especially when the patients are cases. In an exclusive interview with Kuwait quite advanced over the years. Can you explain children. In addition to medical treatment, child Times, Dr Sergios Zacharoulis, Consultant how THSC as a private sector hospital is able to patients need specialists’ care and a supportive Pediatric Neuro-oncologist, at THSC, spoke at environment from referral to discharge. Can you length about the Clinic’s specializations and how elaborate your preparedness and specializations TOKYO: An engineer of Japanese machinery maker NS West wearing the “Earclip- it treats pediatric cancers from across the world. in this area and the multi- disciplinary team that type Wearable PC” equipped with vital sensors such as pulse meter, thermometer He also detailed the THSC’s expertise in treating runs the hospital? and bluetooth wireless communication device in Tokyo. — AFP leukemia and lymphoma in children at its state- A: At THSC we offer an holistic approach in of-the-art hospitals. Excerpts: children with cancer. The supporting ancillary KT: It is heartening to know that the services are covering every single detail that Researchers testing Haemato-Oncology unit at The Harley Street makes the journey of the ill child as smooth as Clinic in London is offering world class treatment possible taking into consideration the psycho- tiny ear computer and care for Kuwaiti children with cancer. Can logical, social, developmental and nutritional you give an overview of the types of pediatric aspects of their disease. No patient is being cancer for which the THSC can provide treat- treated without the involvement of a multidisci- TOKYO: A tiny personal computer that is as “a third hand” for everyone from care- ment and care? plinary team meeting. For example a child with worn on the ear and can be controlled with givers to rock-climbers, motorbike riders to Answer: At THSC, we provide tumor specific brain tumor will be discussed in the weekly the blink of an eye or the click of a tongue astronauts, as well as people with disabili- expertise treating all childhood cancers includ- Neurooncology Tumor Board where a large is being tested in Japan. The 17-gram wire- ties. ing the extremely rare, complex and relapsed number of specialists are involved such as neu- less device has bluetooth capability and is “Supposing I climb a mountain, look at ones. For example patients with neural tumors rooncologist neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists equipped with a GPS, compass, gyro-sen- the sky at night and see a bright star up are being taken care of the neuro-oncology neuropathologists and radiation oncologists. As sor, battery, barometer, speaker and micro- there, it could tell me what it is,” Taniguchi team and leukemias and lymphomas by the the patient is being treated, he/she will be seen phone. said. “As it knows what altitude I’m at, oncologists specialing in hematologic malignan- exclusively by the same team(specialty doctor Wearable computing is thought by which direction I’m looking and at what cies. There is mutli-disciplinary team approach and clinical nurse specialists and consultants) in many commentators to be the next big angle, it could tell me, ‘The bright star you to each patient offering the most up-to-date order to have continuity of care on a daily basis. thing in technology, with products such as are seeing now is Sirius’.” treatment (modern radiotherapy, complex oper- Sergios Zacharoulis All the supportive services (physiotherapy, dieti- Google Glass at the forefront. ations and newest available drugs). tians, psychologists and patient advocates) are The device, known at the moment as Information to relatives KT: What are your specializations and treat- offer comprehensive treatment and care to constantly involved or available. the “Earclip-type Wearable PC” has a Using a smartphone to connect to the ment options? Explain how you are accessing patients with the support of state-of-the-art KT: Give me a brief account about the unique microchip and data storage, enabling users Internet would mean you could be auto- advanced drugs for cancer treatment. technology? architectural design of the unit and its advan- to load software, said engineer Kazuhiro matically put in touch with people in far- A: We are a group of consultants highly spe- A: One of the unique features about THSC is tages. Taniguchi of Hiroshima City University. away places who are doing the same thing cialized in areas such as leukemia and lym- that all the most modern technology (for diag- A: The pediatric cancer patients units are Its designs are based on traditional “ike- as you. phoma (Dr Atra) osteosarcoma and adolescent nostic imaging, radiation techniques and very located in two large floors in the center of bana” flower arrangements. “This could connect you with a person malignancies (Dr Michelangoli) neural and soft complex cancer operations) are available and London with direct access to all emergency “We have made this with the basic idea who is looking at the same star at a remote tissue tumors (Dr Zacharoulis). Having also a used by highly experienced and specialized staff. operations and state-of-the-art pediatric inten- that people will wear it in the same way place at the same time,” enabling the peo- large adult oncology unit at THSC, we have The speed by which the diagnosis and the treat- sive care unit. They are all spacious single rooms they wear earrings,” Taniguchi said in a ple to swap impressions, Taniguchi said. access to all the new agents proven to show ment plan is established is incomparable with and when needed one to one nursing is avail- recent interview as he showcased a black A second version of the device might be benefit even if this is in a form of a small number any big academic units. able by highly experienced nurses. The bone prototype. pressed into use to help relatives keep an of patients working closely with expert oncology KT: Transplantation has become one of the marrow transplant and adolescent unit is recent- The system, which developers are hop- eye on elderly family in greying Japan. pharmacists. Even if a drug is not available off most important treatment methods used suc- ly refurbished and made extremely child/adoles- ing to have ready for Christmas 2015, can The earpiece, which could also function label we pursue even the compassionate use cessfully in cancer treatments. Can you explain cent friendly providing the best possible envi- be connected to an iPod or other gadget as a hearing aid, could monitor the wearer’s program of various pharmaceutical companies THSC’s expertise in this field in carrying out ronment to minimize stress during treatment. and would allow the user to navigate health, including their pulse and body tem- through software programmes using facial perature, while logging how often they eat expressions, such as a raised eyebrow, a and sneeze, offering early warning of the stuck-out tongue, a wiggle of the nose or onset of illness. by clenching teeth. An onboard accelerometer could tell Sea otters ‘recovered’ following 1989 spill The device uses infrared sensors that when the user falls and instruct the smart- monitor tiny movements inside the ear, phone to pass information to relatives, or ANCHORAGE, Alaska: A US federal study of which differ depending on how the eyes call an ambulance based on GPS data. Prince William Sound sea otters affected by and mouth move. Tests are being carried out in Hiroshima, crude oil spilled from the Exxon Valdez has con- Because the user does not have to move with the aim of commercialising the device cluded that the marine mammals have returned either hand, its developers say it can serve from April 2016. — AFP to pre-spill numbers a quarter century after the disaster. Sea otters feed on clams. Crude oil from the spill remained in sediment years after the spill and likely contributed to a delay in sea otter Washington nuke recovery, said lead author and research biologist Brenda Ballachey. “One of the lessons we can take from this is waste tanks flawed? that the chronic effects of oil in the environment can persist for decades,” Ballachey said Friday. SPOKANE, Washington: While one of the the situation at Hanford is being effectively The 300-meter Exxon Valdez, carrying more newer double-walled nuclear waste storage managed,” Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., wrote than 53 million gallons of Alaska North Slope tanks at a Washington state complex has Friday in a letter to Energy Secretary Ernest crude oil, strayed from shipping lanes on March leaked, six others have “significant construc- Moniz. Energy Department officials in 24, 1989, and struck Bligh Reef. The damaged tion flaws” that could lead to additional leaks. Richland said the agency continues to make supertanker leaked 10.8 million gallons. Crude The 28 double-walled tanks at Hanford thorough inspections of the tanks, and has oil flowed southwest along nearshore waters all nuclear waste complex hold some of the increased the frequency of those inspections. the way to Kodiak Island. worst radioactive waste at the nation’s most “They used to be reviewed every five to Responders recovered nearly 1,000 sea otter contaminated nuclear weapons site. seven years,” said Tom Fletcher, the Energy carcasses from the entire spill area. The estimat- One of those giant tanks was found to be Department’s assistant manager for tank ed number of immediate deaths attributed to leaking in 2012. But subsequent surveys of farms. “Now we are moving to a three-year the spill ranged from fewer than a thousand to VALDEZ: This photo taken on Thursday in Valdez, Alaska, shows a sea otter in the bay near the the other double-walled tanks performed for time frame.” The department is in the process 3,000, Ballachey said. ferry dock. The US Geological Survey report released yesterday concludes sea otters in the US Department of Energy by one of its of inspecting the final eight double-walled Sea otters rely on their thick fur to survive in Alaska’s Prince William Sound have recovered to levels seen before the Exxon Valdez oil spill Hanford contractors found at least six shared tanks at Hanford that have not been analyzed cold water. Fur covered by oil loses its insulating nearly 25 years ago. —AP defects with the leaking tank that could lead since the leak was detected in late 2012, value. A sea otter with oiled fur must groom to future leaks, the documents said. Thirteen Fletcher said Friday. itself, which leads to the ingestion of oil and veys and annual carcass recoveries. On the ment were coming into contact with lingering additional tanks also might be compromised, No new leaks have been found, he said. causes other problems, including time taken demographic side of sea otter studies, scientist crude oil from two to 24 times per year, according to the documents. “If there are changes or improvements we away for feeding, Ballachey said. looked at overall numbers and the ages of ani- Ballachey said. Besides soiling fur, scientists Questions about the storage tanks jeop- need to make in the program, based on what In the years following the spill, she said, mals found dead. In areas unaffected by a spill, detected differences in blood chemistry consis- ardize efforts to clean up radioactive waste at we learn, to make sure we capture the risks chronic problems connected to lingering oil like- most of the dead animals recovered are very tent with liver damage, Ballachey said. the southeastern Washington site. Hanford that exist on the tank farms, we will make ly may have killed as many sea otters as in the young or very old. Carcasses recovered from “We felt that low levels of exposure have been cleanup already costs taxpayers about $2 bil- them,” Fletcher said. first year. “Our modeling exercises suggest that heavily oiled areas of Prince William Sound sufficient to affect survival of the population,” she lion a year. He added the Energy Department contin- the number of otters that died from chronic showed sea otters dying in the prime of their said. Things got better after 2007. By 2009, many “It is time for the Department (of Energy) ues to examine the possibility of building exposure was close to the same number as died lives. A decade after the spill, sea otters still were areas of western Prince William Sound were to stop hiding the ball and pretending that new storage tanks at Hanford. —AP from acute exposure,” she said. not returning to areas hit hard by oil, such as the showing a sea otter population that matched Knight Island archipelago and lingering oil was pre-spill numbers. Ages of dead animals in the Carcass recoveries detected as a reason. Through 2007, according heavily damaged areas now match areas that Researchers studied sea otters with aerial sur- to an earlier study, sea otters digging in sedi- were not affected, Ballachey said. —AP NASA announces ‘mother lode’ of 715 new planets WASHINGTON: Our galaxy is looking far more Astronomers used a new confirmation tech- which is crucial for life to exist. crowded and hospitable. NASA has confirmed a nique to come up with the largest single Douglas Hudgins, NASA’s exoplanet explo- bonanza of 715 newly discovered planets out- announcement of a batch of exoplanets - what ration program scientist, called Wednesday’s side our solar system. planets outside our solar system are called. announcement a major step toward Kepler’s ulti- Scientists using the planet-hunting Kepler While Wednesday’s announcements were mate goal: “finding Earth 2.0.” telescope pushed the number of planets discov- about big numbers, they also were about impli- It’s a big step in not just finding other Earths, ered in the galaxy to about 1,700. Twenty years cations for life behind those big numbers. but “the possibility of life elsewhere,” said Lisa ago, astronomers had not found any planets cir- All the new planets are in systems like ours Kaltenegger, a Harvard and Max Planck Institute cling stars other than the ones revolving around where multiple planets circle a star. The 715 astronomer who wasn’t part of the discovery our sun. planets came from looking at just 305 stars. They team. The four new habitable zone planets are RICHLAND: Workers pictured at the ‘C’ Tank Farm at the Hanford Nuclear “We almost doubled just today the number were nearly all in size closer to Earth than gigan- all at least twice as big as Earth so that makes Reservation, near Richland, Washington. Documents show that there are “significant of planets known to humanity,” NASA planetary tic Jupiter. And four of those new exoplanets them more likely to be gas planets instead of construction flaws” in some newer, double-walled storage tanks at the nuclear waste scientist Jack Lissauer said in a Wednesday tele- orbit their stars in “habitable zones” where it is rocky ones like Earth - and less likely to harbor complex. — AP conference, calling it “the big mother lode.” not too hot or not too cold for liquid water life.—AP SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE stars30 SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

STAR TRACK CROSSWORD 474

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

You are praised for your ability to spring back from disappointment. Your Family and friends begin your day with smiles and good feelings. This can habit is to jump into an activity that demands close attention. How about a be a phase of sublime spiritual development, to be sure. You should be round of spring-cleaning this time of month is good for just such a project. This and similar aware of any tendency to believe too quickly, too deeply, or to become dependent on activities like it can bring about much satisfaction. Keeping in touch with friends and rela- things or people that seem to offer quick and easy answers to life’s deepest yearnings. You tives is important just now. Your timing should be perfect for whatever needs discussing. may find yourself being put to good use by your friends, or it could be that circumstances This can become a lucky period. You need to be needed and you have an intuitive way force you to reorganize and be more conservative. You could be helping friends move or about you in knowing when your loved ones have needs. This is a good time to share with perhaps babysitting for friends while they enjoy an afternoon movie. This should go rather a loved one. Stay away from caffeine this evening and enjoy an early, relaxed evening. smoothly. Fondness and appreciation for the past and for your roots in life take on a great deal of importance for you now as you enjoy visiting with these young people. Consider baking a cake with applesauce instead of oil.

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

You and a loved one may visit a religious group different from your own Set short-term goals along with your long-term goals so that you will actual- belief today. Widening the scope of possibilities or enjoying the different rituals, you draw ly see that you are making progress with some changes in your home sur- close in the experience. The mystic, the martyr, the sinner and the saint are archetypes roundings. A silent auction or some other opportunity to invest may take place this after- that take on a greater importance in your life. If anyone ever does know such things, you noon. Purchasing possessions does not make you better—keep a focus. Although you have a fine eye for investments and you feel you can splurge more often than most, there will probably come to understand them as this cycle unfolds. This can be a phase of sub- is a spiritual side of you that may seem stifled. Stay away from the temptation of purchas- lime spiritual development, to be sure. You should be aware of any tendencies to believe ing new things for now. However, opening yourself up to new experiences is a good thing. too quickly, too deeply or to become dependent on things or people that seem to offer Have patience with an elderly individual today. Emotional security, a sense of belonging quick and easy answers to life’s deepest yearnings. Family, home, friends and relatives play and nurturing are issues felt instinctively by yourself and others that you love. a very important part in your life now.

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

Today and tomorrow are the best times this month for you to begin a per- You desire a pleasant environment at home today. This fills you with the longing to be with the people you know and love. Having a family get- sonal diet—or at least, give it a boost. Be careful not to encourage your together may be quite enjoyable at this time. This can be an expansive, creative and even ACROSS DOWN friends to adopt the same diet methods that you choose for yourself. Steam baths and romantic phase, a time you will look back on with pride and fondness. Spreading your good masseurs will keep you feeling at the top of your energy—careful to keep your water 1. A guided missile fired from shipboard 1. Any of a number of fishes of the family good thoughts along to others means much to you just now. This is a time of the year to Carangidae. intake up. Today you will be able to tackle tasks that require real discipline or organization. plant seeds of hope. It helps everyone when you walk into a room with the intention of against an airborne target. Whether you are male or female, the family chores can become quite tedious and boring. creating a climate of happiness. You could come up with new solutions or inventions since 4. Not seeking or given to association. 2. An officer who acts as military assistant to a You may decide that you can best spend your money by hiring a cleaning person for this more senior officer. your creative side is working fulltime just now. You may find yourself looking for a little 12. Having undesirable or negative qualities. day. Someone else in the family springs for dinner out of the house this evening—yeah! romance this evening or at least enjoying some emotional release. 3. (statistics) Relating to or constituting the You thoroughly enjoy time with family members this weekend. 15. A federation of North American industrial most frequent value in a distribution. unions that merged with the American 4. 300 to 3000 megahertz. Federation of Labor in 1955. 5. A constitutional monarchy in northern 16. Aquatic herbs. Europe on the western side of the Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. American prizefighter who won the world Scandinavian Peninsula. There may be some serious decisions made about the future of a project at heavyweight championship three times (born 6. A kitchen appliance used for cooking food. Don’t be too quick to jump into a financial opportunity—further negotia- 7. The fur of an otter. tions may be needed. Talk to someone today that will not be afraid to give this time. You take this opportunity to be communicative to the associates in 1942). around you and to listen as well. An exchange of ideas will help you decide on future 8. German botanist who is generally recog- you negative input regarding this matter. You have a desire for beauty and harmony, stim- 18. A condition (mostly in boys) characterized ulating your creativity and imagination—yet making you prone for delusion. You are apt plans. You draw emotional sustenance and a sense of security from ideals, friends and nized as founding bacteriology when he rec- social involvement. You may become aware of petty problems between you and a friend by behavioral and learning disorders. to put a love interest on a pedestal or fall in love with an ideal—careful. This is a good time ognized bacteria as plants. to get rid of any unrealistic thinking. A love relationship will just naturally get better after this evening. Do not try to force an issue during the next few days. Some problems are 19. Covered with or resembling small bubbles 9. Occurring at the beginning. the middle of this month—patience. Stamp out the negative emotions now; go with the never what they seem, so listen and keep your opinions to yourself for now. It is time to as from being agitated by beating or heating. 10. Belonging to or on behalf of a specified flow and insert much laughter, a light heart, etc. Brisk walking, bicycling or horseback rid- consolidate your friendships, strengthening them before they wither away. Spending time with close, old friends is advisable now. 20. A decree that prohibits something. person (especially yourself). ing will certainly help to round out your day. 21. Lacking or deprive of the sense of hearing 11. Goods (or wreckage) on the sea bed that is attached to a buoy so that it can be recov- wholly or in part. ered. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 23. Something that happens at a given place 12. An imaginary elephant that appears in a Leo (July 23-August 22) and time. You are vibrant, witty and ready to come to the aid of whoever needs your series of French books for children. Take it easy on yourself and others today—those changes that need to be 24. Lower in esteem. 13. By bad luck. advice. People seek you out for your psychological insight and understand- made around the house or garden do not have to be made in one day. These changes ing. This afternoon you solve one of your own unsolved problems. Young people will 26. (South African) A camp defended by a cir- 14. Have supper. could involve planting, painting or any little repair jobs. A little humor will see you through enjoy your company this afternoon. Close relationships take on more emotional depth, cular formation of wagons. 22. A sheet or band of fibrous connective tis- the rough spots today. You will enjoy being with your friends or loved ones all day long. power and importance. You will have a grasp for theoretical and spiritual ideas and the 28. Located inward. sue separating or binding together muscles Most of this is because all of us have been out of touch with each other—out of town. ability to present or communicate these to others. Everything is formulated to reveal you and organs etc. Your mind is quick and sharp and you have insight into most situations that help you to at your most elegant, particularly in social situations. A relationship brightens your out- 30. A New England state. portray the truth and help others. Communicating with style is important to you this 25. As the agent of or on someone's part. look. Take time now to savor life’s little joys. You seem to know just what a loved one is 32. A white metallic element that burns with a evening. You could find yourself entering contests or writing poems. Neighbors or broth- thinking or needs this evening. This talent can bring rewards. 27. An associate degree in applied science. ers and sisters will likely bring all kinds of good experiences your way. brilliant light. 29. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the 36. A colorless and odorless inert gas. alkali metal group. 37. Drug (trade name Isuprel) used to treat 31. Relating to or characteristic of a tribe. bronchial asthma and to stimulate the heart. 33. English monk and scholar (672-735). Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 43. Wife of Ramachandra. 34. Stout-bodied insect with large membra- Dynamic, you become aware of new options that make life a little easier in 45. A condition requiring relief. nous wings. Obtaining and exchanging information takes on more importance at this 35. Desert shrub of Syria and Arabia having time. If you have a significant point to make, now is the best time to make yourself heard. the home place. A recent home show or garden show encourages your cre- 47. A loose sleeveless outer garment made ative side. Whatever the case, you are ready for the spring-cleaning, repair, install and cook small white flowers. People are in a receptive mood. Being more involved with neighbors or siblings satisfies a from aba cloth. deep emotional need for belonging. It may be time to do some serious planning toward out-of-doors type of weekend. You may, however, have to just settle for one or two of 38. An organization of independent states to those activities. Whatever the case, there are large pieces of time available for some of 49. Sour or bitter in taste. providing a safer environment for your neighborhood. You may want to do a little promote international peace and security. research so that you will have choices to put in your presentation, and if your ideas come these activities. This is an excellent time to sway others to your way of thinking. Be careful 50. A social club for male undergraduates. 39. Like peat. to a vote there will be choices in how you expect to go about making these improve- not to take it to extremes in trying to find the logical reason for every event that occurs, 51. A town in southern Georgia near the 40. A summary that repeats the substance of a ments. You work hard during this time to keep close relatives just that, close. The times especially the action of loved ones. If you are not traveling physically, you certainly will be mentally. This could involve anything from magazines to movies. Florida border. longer discussion. spent in meditation have created a light heart and loving spirit. 54. A highly unstable radioactive element (the 41. Informal terms for a mother. 42. English theoretical physicist who applied heaviest of the halogen series). relativity theory to quantum mechanics and Word Search 56. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike predicted the existence of antimatter and the Yesterday’s Solution part of an organism. positron (1902-1984). 57. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising 44. A fine grained mineral having a soft soapy solely the razorbill. feel and consisting of hydrated magnesium 58. Reed maces. silicate. 61. English scholastic philosopher and 46. A master's degree in business. assumed author of Occam's Razor (1285- 48. A heavy odorless colorless gas formed during respiration and by the decomposition 1349). of organic substances. 63. A type of submachine gun that is 52. Material used to daub walls. designed and manufactured in Israel. 53. Emotionally affected. 65. A drawing illustrating the relations 55. An oral poliovirus vaccine (containing live between certain quantities plotted with refer- but weakened poliovirus) that is given to pro- ence to a set of axes. vide immunity to poliomyelitis. 67. A pike fitted with an ax head. 59. A heavy silvery toxic univalent and biva- lent metallic element. 71. Scandinavian liquor usually flavored with 60. The mountain peak that Noah's ark landed caraway seeds. on as the waters of the great flood receded. 75. Title for a civil or military leader (especially 62. A Bantu language spoken by the Chaga in Turkey). people in northern Tanzania. 76. Minute wingless arthropods. 64. United States comedian. 79. A wound made by cutting. 66. Jordan's port. 80. The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet. 68. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 81. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 69. A mountainous landlocked communist 82. A river that rises in western New Mexico state in southeastern Asia. and flows westward through southern 70. (informal) Someone whose style is out of Arizona to become a tributary of the Colorado fashion. River. 72. Characteristic of false pride. 83. Any of several small ungulate mammals of 73. A small island. Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors and 74. The process whereby heat changes some- feet with hooflike toes. thing from a solid to a liquid. 77. A silvery malleable metallic element that 84. Dragonflies and damselflies. resists corrosion. 85. Again but in a new or different way. 78. Fiddler crabs.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 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 TV PROGRAMS SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

01:05 Jonas Los Angeles 19:00 Super Rugby 01:30 Suite Life On Deck 21:00 Live PGA Tour 01:50 Suite Life On Deck 02:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place 00:00 Pawn Stars 00:30 The Weakest Link 00:05 Curiosity: Can We Survive An 02:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 00:30 Pawn Stars 01:15 Live At The Apollo Alien... 03:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 00:00 Live NHL 01:00 Storage Wars Texas 02:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 00:55 Uncovering Aliens 03:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 03:00 Super Rugby 01:30 Storage Wars Texas 02:45 Pramface 01:45 Weird Or What? 03:45 Jonas Los Angeles 05:00 Super Rugby 02:00 Shipping Wars 03:15 Stewart Lee’s Comedy 02:35 How It’s Made 04:05 Jonas Los Angeles 07:00 PGA Tour 02:30 Shipping Wars Vehicle 03:00 How It’s Made 04:30 Suite Life On Deck 12:30 Inside The PGA Tour 03:00 The Legend Of Shelby The 03:45 The Vicar Of Dibley 03:25 How It’s Made 04:50 Suite Life On Deck 13:00 Super Rugby Swamp Man 04:15 The Weakest Link 03:50 How It’s Made 05:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place 15:00 Trans World Sport 03:30 The Legend Of Shelby The 05:00 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 04:15 How It’s Made 05:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 16:00 Live Snooker Swamp Man 05:20 Balamory 04:40 How Do They Do It? 06:00 Austin & Ally 20:00 NHL 04:00 Duck Dynasty 05:40 Nina And The Neurons 05:05 How Do They Do It? 06:25 Dog With A Blog 22:00 Live Snooker 04:30 Duck Dynasty 05:55 Bobinogs 05:30 How Do They Do It? 06:45 Suite Life On Deck 05:00 Counting Cars 06:05 The Large Family 06:00 How Do They Do It? 07:10 A.N.T. Farm 05:30 Counting Cars 06:00 Storage Wars Texas 06:15 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 06:30 How Do They Do It? 07:35 That’s So Raven 07:30 Storage Wars Texas 06:35 Balamory 07:00 Fast N’ Loud 07:55 Shake It Up 08:00 Ancient Aliens 06:55 Nina And The Neurons 07:50 World’s Top 5 08:20 Good Luck Charlie 09:00 Heroes Of War: Poland 08:40 Overhaulin’ 2013 08:45 Dog With A Blog 00:00 Champions League T20 07:10 Bobinogs 10:00 The Legend Of Shelby The 07:20 The Large Family 09:30 Gold Rush 09:05 Mako Mermaids Highlights 00:30 ICC Under 19 World Cup Swamp Man 07:30 3rd & Bird 10:20 Alaska Gold Diggers 09:30 Jessie 2014 Highlights 10:30 The Legend Of Shelby The 07:40 Tough Guy Or Chicken? 11:10 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 09:55 Austin & Ally 01:30 Asia Cup Highlights Swamp Man 08:30 A Farmer’s Life For Me 12:00 Destroyed In Seconds 10:15 A.N.T. Farm 02:30 Asia Cup Highlights 11:00 Pawn Stars 09:20 The Weakest Link 12:25 Destroyed In Seconds 10:40 Kronk’s New Groove 03:30 ICC Cricket 360 11:30 Pawn Stars 10:05 My Family 12:50 Destroyed In Seconds 11:50 Mako Mermaids 04:00 ICC Under 19 World Cup 12:00 Storage Wars Texas 10:35 The Vicar Of Dibley 13:15 Destroyed In Seconds 12:15 That’s So Raven 12:30 Storage Wars Texas 13:40 How It’s Made 12:35 Dog With A Blog 2014 Highlights 11:05 One Foot In The Grave 05:00 ICC Under 19 World Cup 13:00 Storage Wars Texas 11:35 The Weakest Link 14:05 How It’s Made 13:00 Phineas And Ferb 13:30 Storage Wars Texas 14:30 How It’s Made 13:10 Phineas And Ferb 2014 Highlights 12:20 Tough Guy Or Chicken? 06:00 ICC Under 19 World Cup 14:00 Heroes Of War: Poland 13:10 A Farmer’s Life For Me 14:55 How It’s Made 13:25 Phineas And Ferb 15:00 Counting Cars 15:20 How It’s Made 13:35 Phineas And Ferb 2014 Highlights 14:00 Doctors 07:00 Big Bash League Highlights 15:30 Counting Cars 15:45 Auction Kings 13:45 Phineas And Ferb 16:00 Pawn Stars 14:30 Doctors 08:00 Big Bash League Highlights 16:10 Auction Kings 13:55 Phineas And Ferb 16:30 Pawn Stars 15:00 Doctors 09:00 Big Bash League Highlights 16:35 Auction Kings 14:10 Phineas And Ferb 17:00 Storage Wars Texas 15:30 Doctors 10:00 Asia Cup Highlights 16:00 Doctors 17:00 Auction Kings 14:20 Phineas And Ferb 17:30 Storage Wars Texas 14:35 Phineas And Ferb 10:45 Live Asia Cup 16:30 The Weakest Link 17:25 Auction Kings 18:00 Shipping Wars 14:45 Phineas And Ferb 19:00 Australia v England T20I 17:15 Monty Halls’ Island Escapes 17:50 Border Security 18:30 Shipping Wars 18:15 Border Security 15:00 Phineas And Ferb 20:00 ICC Under 19 World Cup 18:05 Call The Midwife 19:00 Duck Dynasty 18:40 Border Security 15:25 Phineas & Ferb: Across The 2014 Highlights 19:30 Duck Dynasty 19:00 The Vicar Of Dibley 19:05 Border Security Second Dimension 21:00 ICC Under 19 World Cup 20:00 Storage Wars Texas 19:30 My Family 19:30 Border Security 16:35 Phineas And Ferb 2014 Highlights 20:30 Storage Wars Texas 20:00 Stella 19:55 Mythbusters 17:00 Phineas And Ferb 22:00 ICC Under 19 World Cup 21:00 Ancient Aliens 20:45 New Tricks 20:45 Dynamo: Magician 17:20 Phineas And Ferb 2014 Highlights 22:00 Heroes Of War: Poland 21:35 Friday Night Dinner Impossible 17:45 Phineas And Ferb 23:00 Asia Cup Highlights 23:00 Heroes Of War: Poland 22:00 Extras 21:35 The Big Brain Theory 18:00 Phineas And Ferb 22:30 The Omid Djalili Show 22:25 Gold Rush 18:10 Phineas And Ferb 23:00 Stewart Lee’s Comedy 23:15 Alaska Gold Diggers 18:30 Prank Stars Vehicle 18:55 Good Luck Charlie Hoffman died from 23:30 The Vicar Of Dibley 19:20 Mako Mermaids 19:40 Jessie toxic mix of drugs 20:05 Austin & Ally 20:30 Good Luck Charlie 00:40 Oddities 20:50 Dog With A Blog Philip Seymour Hoffman died from taking a combination 01:05 Oddities 21:15 Gravity Falls of heroin, cocaine and other drugs, the New York City med- 00:15 Cash In The Attic 01:30 Weird Connections 21:40 Shake It Up ical examiner ruled Friday, a toxic mix that addiction spe- 01:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 02:00 Building The Biggest 22:00 Austin & Ally 01:50 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent cialists say is not uncommon in the tens of thousands of 02:50 Building The Biggest 22:25 A.N.T. Farm AMERICAN REUNION ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD overdose deaths in the US each year. Hoffman, 46, who was 02:40 Come Dine With Me: 03:45 Building The Biggest 22:50 Good Luck Charlie found Feb 2 with a needle in his arm on the floor of his Supersized 04:35 Building The Biggest 23:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 15:00 Warehouse 13 07:00 Mutum-PG15 04:10 Fantasy Homes Down Under 05:25 Engineering Thrills 23:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 16:00 Emmerdale Manhattan apartment, also had taken amphetamines and 09:00 Ties That Bind-PG15 benzodiazepines, which are drugs such as Xanax and 04:55 Fantasy Homes Down Under 06:15 The Gadget Show 16:30 Coronation Street 11:00 Falling In Love-PG15 05:40 Fantasy Homes Down Under 06:40 Tech Toys 360 17:00 American Idol 13:00 Planet Of The Apes (1968)- Valium that are widely prescribed for anxiety, trouble sleep- 06:30 Fantasy Homes Down Under 07:05 Weird Connections 18:00 Switched At Birth PG15 ing and other problems, said a spokeswoman for the med- 07:30 Weird Connections 19:00 Franklin & Bash ical examiner. The death was ruled accidental. 07:15 Fantasy Homes Down Under 01:15 Ant And Decs Saturday Night 15:00 The Imposter-PG15 08:00 How Tech Works 20:00 Top Gear (UK) 08:00 Cash In The Attic Takeaway 17:00 Falling In Love-PG15 The medical examiner didn’t provide the names of the 08:25 How Tech Works 21:10 Suits 08:45 Cash In The Attic 00:00 Chelsea Lately 02:25 White Van Man 19:00 Caught Inside-PG15 drugs or the amounts found in the actor’s system, making 08:50 Joe Rogan Questions 22:00 Supernatural 21:00 The Gospel-PG15 09:30 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 00:30 The Spin Crowd 02:55 Emmerdale it impossible to determine which drug was the major fac- Everything 23:00 The Americans 23:00 Emperor-PG15 10:20 Rhodes Across Italy 09:40 The Gadget Show 00:55 The Dance Scene 05:00 The Hungry Sailors tor, said Dr Charles McKay, a medical toxicologist for 11:05 Rhodes Across Italy 10:05 Tech Toys 360 01:25 THS 05:55 Paul Ogrady: For The Love Of Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and a spokesman for the Dogs 11:50 The Hairy Bikers Ride Again 10:30 Da Vinci’s Machines 03:15 E! Investigates American College of Medical Toxicology. 06:50 Ant And Decs Saturday Night 12:20 The Restaurant UK 11:25 Da Vinci’s Machines 04:10 The E! True Hollywood Story “There’s a difference between a stimulant death, which Takeaway 13:15 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen 12:20 Da Vinci’s Machines 01:30 The Call-PG15 would be cocaine and the amphetamines, and a narcotic 05:05 Extreme Close-Up 08:00 The Jonathan Ross Show Secrets 13:10 Da Vinci’s Machines 03:15 Beautiful Creatures-PG15 death, like heroin,” he said. The first two can cause heart 05:30 Extreme Close-Up 08:55 Dancing On Ice 00:00 Fairly Legal 13:45 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen 14:00 Da Vinci’s Machines 05:15 Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most 06:00 THS 10:40 How To Find Love Online 01:00 C.S.I. New York rhythm problems, a stroke or heart attack, whereas heroin, 14:50 Weird Connections Wanted-PG Secrets 07:50 Style Star 11:35 Please Marry My Boy 02:00 Good Morning America especially with sedatives such as benzodiazepines, can 15:20 The Gadget Show 07:00 Like Crazy-PG15 14:15 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 08:20 E! News 12:25 The Chase 03:00 Nip/Tuck depress breathing. In any case, McKay said, the combina- 15:45 Tech Toys 360 09:00 The Expatriate-PG15 Notebook: London 09:15 Scouted 14:10 Four Weddings UK 04:00 Rescue Me tion of drugs “suggests someone who has been using 16:10 Building The Future 11:00 Beautiful Creatures-PG15 14:40 The Hairy Bikers: Mums 15:00 Dancing On Ice 05:00 C.S.I. New York 17:00 Bang Goes The Theory 10:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 13:00 American Girl: McKenna drugs repetitively.” Police had been investigating Hoffman’s Know Best 16:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 06:00 Good Morning America 17:55 Punkin Chunkin 2010 10:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On Shoots For The Stars-PG death as a suspected drug overdose. Tests found heroin in 15:30 Extreme Makeover: Home 17:45 Paul Ogrady: For The Love Of 07:00 Emmerdale 18:45 Unchained Reaction 11:10 Married To Jonas 15:00 One Life-PG15 samples from at least 50 packets in his Manhattan apart- Dogs 07:30 Coronation Street Edition 19:35 Alien Encounters 11:35 Married To Jonas 17:00 The Expatriate-PG15 ment. Authorities also found unused syringes, a charred 18:10 Please Marry My Boy 09:00 24 16:15 Extreme Makeover: Home 20:30 Joe Rogan Questions 12:05 E! News 19:00 Hitchcock-PG15 spoon and various prescription medications, including a 19:00 Dancing On Ice 10:00 Emmerdale Edition Everything 13:05 The Wanted Life 21:00 Lincoln-PG15 20:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 10:30 Coronation Street drug used to treat heroin addiction, a blood-pressure med- 17:00 Extreme Makeover: Home 21:20 How Tech Works 13:35 The Wanted Life 12:00 Castle 23:30 Taken 2-PG15 ication and a muscle relaxant. Edition 21:45 How Tech Works 21:45 Four Weddings UK 14:05 Keeping Up With The 22:40 How To Find Love Online 13:00 24 More than half of overdose deaths in the US involve a 17:45 Extreme Makeover: Home 22:10 The Gadget Show Kardashians 23:35 How To Find Love Online 14:00 Fairly Legal mix of drugs, said Dr Len Paulozzi, a medical epidemiolo- Edition 22:35 Tech Toys 360 15:00 Keeping Up With The 15:00 C.S.I. New York gist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At 18:30 Extreme Makeover: Home 23:00 Joe Rogan Questions 16:00 Live Good Morning America Kardashians least a fifth also involve alcohol, he said. There were more Edition Everything 17:00 Castle 01:15 Wheelers 16:00 Giuliana & Bill than 38,000 drug overdose deaths nationwide in 2010, 19:15 Extreme Makeover: Home 23:50 How Tech Works 18:00 Fairly Legal 02:45 Dino Time 17:00 Fashion Police 19:00 24 according to the most recent CDC figures. If multiple drugs Edition 18:00 E! News 04:30 Everyone’s Hero 20:00 Castle 06:00 Wheelers are listed on a death certificate, often “it means the coroner 20:00 The Hairy Bikers: Mums 19:00 Giuliana & Bill 21:00 Fairly Legal 07:45 Luke And Lucy: The Texas or medical examiner thought all of these contributed to Know Best 20:00 THS 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 22:00 Rescue Me Rangers the death,” said Paulozzi, who researches overdose death 20:50 Come Dine With Me: 21:00 E!ES Stewart 23:00 Nip/Tuck 01:00 The Colbert Report 09:45 Tinker Bell And The Secret Of trends. Supersized 00:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 22:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 01:30 Saturday Night Live The Wings “The drug of that combination that is most associated 22:25 The Planners 00:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 22:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 02:30 Enlightened 11:15 Charlotte’s Web with overdose death is heroin,” said Cindy Kuhn, a pharma- 23:15 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 00:45 Jonas Los Angeles 23:30 THS 03:00 1600 Penn 13:00 Dino Time cology professor at Duke University. “People just stop 03:30 1600 Penn 14:45 Open Season 16:15 Quest For A Heart breathing. It’s especially dangerous in combination with 04:00 Seinfeld 00:00 Texas Chainsaw-18 18:00 Tinker Bell And The Secret Of other sedatives like the benzodiazepines.” Hoffman, who 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 01:45 15 Minutes-PG15 The Wings won an Oscar for “Capote” and starred in numerous other Jimmy Fallon 03:45 Snow White And The 20:00 Problem Child 2 movies as well as New York stage productions, had been 05:30 Seinfeld Huntsman-PG15 22:00 Open Season 06:00 The War At Home 06:00 Battlestar Galactica: Blood & frank about struggling with substance abuse. He told CBS’ 23:30 Quest For A Heart 06:30 Friends Chrome-PG15 “60 Minutes” in 2006 that had he used “anything I could get 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 08:00 The Philly Kid-PG15 my hands on” before getting clean at age 22. But in inter- 08:00 Seinfeld 10:00 Paycheck-PG15 views last year, he said he’d relapsed, had developed a 08:30 Seinfeld 12:00 Nitro Circus: The Movie-PG15 heroin problem and had gone to rehab for a time. 09:00 1600 Penn 14:00 The Philly Kid-PG15 00:00 The Task Heroin addicts often mix heroin with a stimulant like 09:30 Cougar Town 16:00 The Apparition-PG15 02:00 Underworld: Awakening cocaine - a practice known as speedballing - to break the 10:00 Two And A Half Men 18:00 Nitro Circus: The Movie-PG15 04:00 Shadow 10:30 Friends effect of the opiate, said addiction specialist Dr Louis 20:00 Graystone-PG15 06:00 Vanishing On 7th Street Baxter, a former president of the American Society of 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 22:00 The Corruptor-18 Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Ice Quake Addiction Medicine. “They’re doing self-medication or self- 12:00 The War At Home 10:00 Shadow Conspiracy regulation,” said Baxter. “It’s just a part and parcel of what 12:30 Seinfeld 12:00 The Blood Bond happens with long-term abuse of substances: People will 13:00 Seinfeld 00:00 American Reunion-18 13:45 Mission: Impossible - Ghost go from just their drug of choice to experimentation and 13:30 Friends 02:00 Flypaper-PG15 Protocol ‘self-regulation’ of other drugs.” A Hoffman family 14:00 1600 Penn 04:00 Smooch-PG15 16:00 Shadow Conspiracy spokesperson didn’t immediately return messages seeking 14:30 Cougar Town 06:00 I Think I Do-PG15 17:45 The Tuxedo comment. In his will, Hoffman bequeathed his estate to his 15:00 Two And A Half Men 08:00 Damsels In Distress-PG15 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 19:45 Mission: Impossible - Ghost longtime partner, Mimi O’Donnell, with a trust fund for 10:00 House Arrest-FAM Protocol their 11-year-old son. They also have two other children. Stewart 12:00 Smooch-PG15 16:00 The Colbert Report 22:00 Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark Investigators have been probing how Hoffman may 14:00 My Dog’s Christmas Miracle- have obtained the heroin. Tests found it was not cut with a 16:30 The War At Home PG15 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 16:00 House Arrest-FAM dangerous additive such as fentanyl, a synthetic form of 18:00 1600 Penn 18:00 10 Things I Hate About You- morphine used to intensify the high that has been linked 18:30 1600 Penn PG15 to deaths in other states. A musician, veteran jazz player 19:00 2 Broke Girls 20:00 Take This Waltz-18 Robert Vineberg, was charged amid the investigation into 19:30 Two And A Half Men 22:00 American Reunion-18 00:00 Age Of Heroes-PG15 Hoffman’s death with keeping a heroin stash in a lower 20:00 Whitney 02:00 You Will Meet A Tall Dark Manhattan apartment. Vineberg, who has said he was a 20:30 The Goodwin Games Stranger-PG15 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon friend of the Tony Award-nominated Hoffman, hasn’t been 04:00 The Legend Of Sarila-PG charged in Hoffman’s death and has said he didn’t sell him Stewart 06:00 Interview With A Hitman- 21:30 The Colbert Report PG15 the heroin found in his apartment. — AP 22:00 Saturday Night Live 01:00 Resistance-PG15 08:00 Rewind-PG15 23:00 Enlightened 03:00 The Host-PG15 10:00 3 Holiday Tails-PG 23:30 Whitney 05:15 The Woman In The Fifth- 12:00 You Will Meet A Tall Dark PG15 Stranger-PG15 07:00 Arctic Blast-PG15 14:00 Love Birds-PG15 09:00 Resistance-PG15 16:00 Rewind-PG15 00:00 Warehouse 13 10:45 The Host-PG15 18:00 Olympus Has Fallen-PG15 01:00 Helix 13:00 Courage-PG15 20:00 Ruby Sparks-18 02:00 Banshee 15:00 The First Grader-PG15 22:00 The Haunting In Connecticut 03:00 The Americans 17:00 Snow Flower And The Secret 2: Ghosts Of Georgia-18 04:00 Bones Fan-PG15 05:00 Almost Human 19:00 Down The Shore-PG15 06:00 Warehouse 13 21:00 The Raven-18 07:00 Parenthood 23:00 Liars All-18 02:00 Inside The PGA Tour 08:00 Switched At Birth 02:30 PGA European Tour 09:00 Almost Human 07:00 Super Rugby 10:00 Helix 09:00 Live LPGA Tour 11:00 Bones 12:00 Trans World Sport 12:00 Emmerdale 13:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 12:30 Coronation Street 01:00 Margaret-18 13:30 Live PGA European Tour 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 03:30 Bel Ami-18 17:30 Futbol Mundial PAYCHECK ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 14:00 Switched At Birth 05:15 Young Adult-PG15 18:00 Trans World Sport Classifieds

SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

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US actress Scarlett Johansson speaks onstage after receiving a Cesar French Danish actor Niels Arestrup holds his best actor in a supporting Polish-French film director Roman Polanski holds his best director award during the 39th award of honor. role award. French Cesar Awards Ceremony in Paris, Friday, Feb 28, 2014. — AP/AFP photos ‘Me, Myself and Mum’ dominates France’s Cesar Awards

uillaume Gallienne’s “Me,Myself and Mum” was Best Adapted Screenplay: Guillaume Gallienne, “Me, named the best French film of 2013 on Friday at the Myself and Mum” GCesar Awards, France’s version of the Oscars. Best Original Music: Martin Wheeler, “Michael Kohlhaas” Although Roman Polanski won the Best Director award for Best Sound: Jean-Pierre Duret, Jean Mallet and Melissa “Venus in Fur” at the ceremony in Paris, Gallienne’s film Petitjean, “Michael Kohlhaas” dominated the awards. Gallienne himself who won the Best Cinematography: Thomas Hardmeier, “The Young best-actor award, the adapted-screenplay award and the and Prodigious TS Spivet” best-first-film award for his film, which also won for editing Best Editing: Valerie Deseine, “Me, Myself and Mum” before taking the night’s top prize. “Me, Myself and Mum” is Best Costume: Pascaline Chavanne, “Renoir” a comedy that debuted in the Directors Fortnight section Best Production Design: Stephane Rozenbaum, “L’Ecume of last year’s Cannes Film Festival. It received 10 Cesar des Jours” nominations, tying for the most with the Palme d’Or win- Best Documentary: “Sur le Chemin de l’Ecole,” director ner “Blue Is the Warmest Color.” Pascal Plisson That film received a single award, which Adele Best First Film: “Me, Myself and Mum,” director Guillaume Exarchopoulos won as most promising female newcomer. Gallienne The only other films to win more than one award were “9 Best Short Film: “Avant Que de Tout Perdre,” director Month Stretch” and “Michael Kohlhaas,” which won two Xavier Legrand each. The male newcomer award went to an actor from Best Animated Feature Film: “Loulou l’Incroyable another sexually-explicit film that received US distribution, Secret,”director Eric Omond Pierre Deladonchamps for “Stranger at the Lake.” Best Animated Short Film: “Mademoiselle Kiki et les Other acting awards went to Sandrine Kiberlain for “9 Montparnos,” director Amelie Harrault. — Reuters Month Stretch”, Adele Haenel for “Suzanne” and Niels Arestrup for “Quai D’Orsay.” None of the seven Cesar nomi- nees in the Best Film category are in the running for Oscars. “The Past” didn’t make the Oscar foreign-language French actress shortlist, and “Blue Is the Warmest Color” wasn’t eligible in Sandrine Kiberlain French actor and director Guillaume Gallienne poses that category and wasn’t nominated in any others. The holds her best with his trophies. other nominees were “9 Month Stretch,” “Stranger at the actress award. Lake,” “Jimmy P” and “Venus in Fur.” In fact, the only Cesars category that contained any Oscar nominees was Best Foreign Film, where this year’s foreign-language nominee “The Broken Circle Breakdown” won over a field that included Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine,” Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity,” Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Great Beauty” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained,” which was released in the United States in 2012 but Europe in 2013. In the 39-year history of the Cesars, 2012’s “The Artist” is the only film to win the top prize at that cer- emony and at the Oscars. Last year’s Cesar winner, “Amour,” won the Oscar for foreign-language film.

The winners Best Film:“Me, Myself and Mum” Best Director: Roman Polanski for “Venus in Fur” Best Foreign Film: “Alabama Monroe” (“The Broken Circle Breakdown”), director Felix Van Groeningen Best Actress: Sandrine Kiberlain, “9 Month Stretch” Best Actor: Guillaume Gallienne, “Me, Myself and Mum” Best Supporting Actress: Adele Haenel, “Suzanne” Best Supporting Actor: Neils Arestrup, “Quai d’Orsay” Most Promising Actress (Newcomer): Adele Exarchopoulos, “Blue is the Warmest Color” Most Promising Actor (Newcomer): Pierre Deladonchamps, “Stranger at the Lake” French actress Adele Haenel holds her trophy onstage Best Original Screenplay: Albert Dupontel, “9 Month after winning the best female revelation award for her Stretch” Composer Martin Wheeler gestures after receiving the Best Original Music award for his film “Michael Kohlhaas”. film “Suzanne”. Malaysian tribe dances for another good year

onning a fearsome mask, Ejal stamps his feet and Moyang, or “Ancestors’ Day”, before going before the village nomadic indigenous tribe but fled from the southern coast of will protect their precarious livelihoods. The exact date is cho- swings his hips to the beat of a traditional drum as his shaman to receive their blessing. Malaysia to escape attacks by pirates decades ago. At least sen by a council of elders, who are said to be given the Dcostume, made of woven pandan leaves, rustles in the “I have been doing this for more than 30 years. We need four generations have lived on Pulau Carey and are now appointed day when visited in dreams by the spirits of their tropical Malaysian heat. Several others from the Mah Meri spiritual blessings from our ancestors,” said Maznah Anak known as sea gypsies, but their official numbers have dwin- ancestors. Each village then gathers around a Spirit House on tribe also wear these carved wooden masks, akin to those Unyam, 46, who added that the women make their traditional dled to about 2,000. Hari Moyang to pay homage to their forefathers. — AFP made by Polynesian tribes, as they dance alongside women dress themselves. But while they have settled in 10 different They rely mainly on subsistence fishing supplemented by dressed in skirts, sashes and origami-like tiaras also made of villages on Pulau Carey island, on the western coast of gathering marine products such as seaweed, shellfish and edi- pandan leaves. The Mah Meri (“Jungle People” in their tribal Malaysia just 60 kilometers away from the capital Kuala ble plants that grow on the island, which is separated from the language) perform the annual ritual, which visitors are wel- Lumpur, little is known about their origins. mainland by the Langat river. The Mah Meri observe Hari come to watch, to honor the spirits of their forefathers on Hari According to authorities, the Mah Meri were once a Moyang, which falls in the first quarter of the year, believing it

Local boys watch as Malaysian men from the Indigenous tribe Mah Meri wearing traditionally carved masks take a break after performing. — AFP photos This combo picture shows members of the Malaysian Indigenous tribe Mah Meri wearing traditional masks on the occasion of the Hari Moyang festival at their village in Pulau Carey around 80 kms from Kuala Lumpur yesterday. lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

Pharrell, U2, Idina Menzel rock Oscar rehearsals

aving the nation’s No 1 song does not exempt an artist from Oscar rehearsals. Pharrell Williams ran through his Hcatchy hit “Happy” more than half a dozen times Friday in preparation for the Oscar telecast. He even shared the spotlight with a spate of stars: Jamie Foxx, Brad Pitt and Kate Hudson showed up to rehearse while he was on stage. All I care about is the fun,” Williams said to Hudson, who boogied in the audience as he practiced his dance-heavy number. A choir of high-school students and 20 professional dancers accompany his colorful performance. Also rehearsing Friday: Broadway star Idina Menzel, who’s set to sing “Let It Go” from animated film nominee “Frozen”; U2, which is nominated for its song from the Mandela movie, “Ordinary Love”; and rocker Karen O, who is nominated for “The Moon Song” from best-picture nominee “Her.” Menzel was awed by the technology that allowed the Oscar orchestra, playing off- site at the Capitol Records building, to coordinate with her live at the Dolby Theatre. “Hi, Bill, can you hear me?” she said into the microphone at conductor William Ross, whom she could see on a monitor from inside the theater. “I’m trying to get that telepathic vibe with you because I’m alone up here and this is my first time (on the Oscars). “You look very handsome,” she added. Karen O, front woman of the rock band Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, took notes from director Spike Jonze as she practiced her performance, “The Moon Song” from his best-picture nominee, “Her.” “Spike just asked me to hold the mic a little bit lower, so I need a little more level,” she told a sound engineer. Jonze sat in a front-row seat in In this file photo, Pharrell Williams rehearses before the NBA All Star basketball game in New Orleans. — AP the audience. sneakers. He danced through the audience, pausing to shake chorus of laughter. U2 also wasn’t above rehearsals, running Accompanied by Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig on acoustic hands with show producer Craig Zadan, saying, “Thanks for hav- through their nominated song “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: guitar, O sang the song again and again, sitting on a corner of ing me.” Long Walk to Freedom” late into the night. — AP This photo shows Tony Award winning the stage in a long floral dress, leather motorcycle jacket and Foxx arrived in the middle of Williams’ rehearsal. He quickly actress, singer and songwriter, Idina killer blue boots. Williams arrived wearing a polka-dot jacket, joined the dancers on stage, much to their amusement, pre- Menzel, in New York. — AP patterned scarf and his trademark hat. He ditched the chapeau tending to stretch alongside them and offering unneeded dra- for rehearsals, emerging onstage in just a T-shirt, jeans and matic direction. “Walk, walk, curiosity! And retreat,” he said to a Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres is ready to dance

even years after her Oscar debut, Ellen I should scare myself and take a chance. So here I am, DeGeneres is back. The 56-year-old TV personal- scaring myself and taking a chance.” Sity talked with The Associated Press about her plans and preparations for hosting her second AP: Describe the fear element of the job. Academy Awards tonight. DeGeneres: “It’s live around the world, to a billion people watching, and every major person who is in the room that has done every major thing. I mean, I know a lot of them. So, it helps a little bit that I’m friendly with everybody. But it’s still scary. It’s the energy in the room. There’s a lot of really anxious energy and, so, you kind of pick that up. You can feel all that when you walk out. So I’m trying to remain calm.” This image shows Sandra Bullock (left) as Dr Ryan Stone in “Gravity,” directed by Alfonso Cuaron. — AP AP: How will you be able to resist dancing along with the nominated songs, especially Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”? Cuaron’s DeGeneres: “I know. I will be dancing like crazy, Oscar nod leaves whether he likes it or not. I’m just looking forward to the hat he wears. And I hope that the person (sitting) behind him isn’t mad, because he wears a large hat, Mexico soul searching that Pharrell.” In this Feb 25, 2007 photo, Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres opens he Oscars could be Mexico’s big night, with three film he directed was “Y Tu Mama, Tambien,” in 2001, which the 79th Academy Awards telecast, in Los Angeles. — AP AP: What’s your ultimate goal for Oscar night? Mexicans nominated for directing, cinematography launched the Hollywood careers of Diego Luna and Gael DeGeneres: “I hope that everyone had fun. I hope Tand acting. Except that some in Mexico aren’t looking Garcia Bernal. AP: What did it take for you to say “yes” again? that it didn’t seem like it’s as long as it’s going to be. at it that way. Despite feeble cries of “Viva Mexico!” by In fact, several Mexican newspapers have reported that DeGeneres: “It took my agent saying, ‘Yes, you This year it’s six hours. Did you know that? Six hours... some politicians and celebrities for the best-director nomi- Cuaron alienated a professor at the prestigious National should do it.’ And I said, ‘OK.’ Look, it’s the greatest gig Here’s what I hope: I hope when I say, ‘Goodnight,’ I nation of Alfonso Cuaron, many here see “Gravity” as a non- Autonomous University of Mexico for making an English- in the world. And it’s also really, really hard. So, I wasn’t hope people go: ‘One more hour! One more hour!’ Mexican movie made by a man swallowed by Hollywood language film in college, and left shortly after without fin- going to do it, because I’ve done it before. And I And they start chanting and make me stay. That’s long ago - not as a product of Mexico’s own proud but ishing. “We have to be very proud that this is a man who thought, ‘I don’t need to do that again.’ And then I what I hope.” — AP struggling film industry. came out of the Mexican education system with Mexican realized I’m too comfortable and too complacent and “To say that ‘Gravity’ is a Mexican achievement is like film professors. He is the son of Mexican cinema. But he has saying that ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ was a Polish one,” said become universal,” said Leon Krauze, a cultural commenta- Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein, referring to director tor and news anchor for the Univision network. If he wins, Roman Polanski’s masterpiece. In a speech at an award cer- Cuaron would not only be the first Mexican, but also the An Oscar statue stands on the emony earlier this week, Ripstein instead urged moviego- first Latin American director to win an Oscar for best direc- red carpet as preparations are ers to defend Mexican films that portray the country’s cul- tor. made for the 86th Academy ture and realities, rather than feeling proud of those who Despite repeated attempts by The Associated Press, Awards in Los Angeles. — AP succeed by leaving the country and working in another Cuaron was not available for an interview. Since his nomi- language. nation, a photo of his college ID as proof of his roots has The same can be said for the two other nominees today. circulated in the Mexican media, though a newspaper pro- Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki has been nominated file later revealed his early departure from university. for six Academy Awards, including now for “Gravity,” but School representatives said they could not disclose details always for non Mexican-themed movies. And Lupita of why his studies ended in the 1980s. Nyong’o, Hollywood’s new sensation for her work in “12 After some work in TV and the Mexican 1991 comedy, Years a Slave,’ happened to be born in Mexico City but lived “Love in the Time of Hysteria,” Cuaron moved to Hollywood, there less than a year and grew up in her native Kenya. where his general film debut was “A Little Princess” in 1995, But the Mexican soul-searching centers mainly on for which Lubezki was nominated in cinematography. His Cuaron, who made the lost-in-space odyssey that has been 2006 “Children of Men,” starring Clive Owen and Julianne applauded as a sci-fi breakthrough because of its extraordi- Moore, was nominated for three Oscars, including writing nary special effects. Before that, he had directed many and film editing for Cuaron and Lubezki for cinematogra- international films, including “The Little Princess,” “Children phy.—AP of Men” and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” “Gravity” itself is an example of how global the film industry has become. Much of the “Hollywood” film was made in London, and it won Cuaron this year’s award for best director of a British film. The last Spanish-language Where are those onetime Oscar winners now?

hat’s happened to those onetime Oscar winners who’ve in after her Oscar win, but the parts just weren’t for her. “A lot of remained onetime Oscar winners? In the case of Cuba the scripts didn’t make sense,” she said. “Some of the feelings were WGooding Jr, if you aren’t destined for a return to the as if I had just got into Hollywood off of the Greyhound bus.” Academy Awards stage, you do a Pepsi commercial for the Oscar show. The ad, touting Pepsi’s mini can, celebrates iconic quotes Missing ‘Goodfellas’ from movies like “Titanic,” “Scarface” and “Jerry Maguire.” But the break has given her time to reconnect with her family. “People still ask me to say ‘Show me the money,’” laughs “What I won’t do is get to the end of this journey called life and Gooding, who scooped the best supporting actor win in 1996 for not have anyone there but memories of this business.” Yet she’s “Jerry Maguire.” “You go to a bar and people have a few cocktails also ready to return to work. Besides “Blackbird,” Mo’Nique will also and they’ll say ‘Just say it one time!’” This year, it seemed “Lee appear in the upcoming “We Are Family” and plans to work with Daniels’ the Butler” was going to get Gooding back to the Oscar Lee Daniels again on the story of Hattie McDaniel. ceremony, but the film didn’t make the cut in any category. Is the Joe Pesci won an Oscar for best supporting actor in 1990’s actor upset? “You can’t get caught up in the horse race that is the “Goodfellas.” Playing opposite Helen Mirren in 2010’s “Love Ranch” awards season,” said Gooding during a recent interview. was Pesci’s most recent acting gig, but he’ll soon reunite with his But that’s exactly what the actor did after winning in ‘96. “Goodfellas” crew, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, for “The “Immediately after it was that thing, ‘What do I do next?’” said Irishman,” according to his manager, Melissa Prophet. De Niro Gooding. It took eight months before he’d commit to another role chatted about the upcoming project this month, telling The New - in “What Dreams May Come.” “I think the mistake I made then York Post,” “We have been trying to do (the film) for the last few was I was too precious with my art when I should have just been years. That’s something I’m looking forward to very much.” Based jumping back into it,” said Gooding. “When you have people cele- on Charles Brandt’s book “I Heard You Paint Houses,” the story brate you in the way that the Oscars are celebrated, there is a lot of focuses on mafia hitman Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran. pressure to get to that place. Once you get there, there is a lot of Goldie Hawn won the best supporting actress Oscar in 1969 pressure to prove that you deserve to be there, so you always sec- for “Cactus Flower.” She last appeared opposite Susan Sarandon in In this file photo, Cuba Gooding Jr and wife Sara arrive at In this file photo, Oscar winner Mo’Nique and her husband ond guess yourself. I had to tell myself to get over it and work.” the 2002 comedy “The Banger Sisters.” In 2013, she voiced a car- the 81st Academy Awards, in the Hollywood section of Los Sidney Hicks attend the Governors Ball following the 82nd Gooding has since appeared in more than 30 films. Here are other toon character in an episode of the TV show “Phineas and Ferb,” Angeles. Academy Awards, in the Hollywood section of Los one-time Oscar winners who have yet to repeat: but she has stepped away from the film world now to focus on partner, Kurt Russell, by her side, the 68-year-old was honored in Angeles. — AP photos In 2009, Mo’Nique picked up the best supporting actress win The Hawn Foundation, an organization she launched in 2003 December by amFAR for her humanitarian efforts. But no acting jobs for “Precious.” “After I won I looked at my husband and said ‘Daddy, that’s dedicated to social and emotional literacy for children. for the foreseeable future. In 2012, Hawn told BBC radio that she I’m tired,’” said Mo’Nique in a phone interview. After a five-year hia- Hawn, a grandmother of five (from children Kate Hudson and “didn’t like the roles that have come her way since hitting 50. — AP tus, the actress has finally returned to the screen with the indie Oliver Hudson), released the book “10 Mindful Minutes” in 2012, film “Blackbird.” She assures that offers for other roles were coming which helps parents educate their children. With her long-time lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 Gossip

Angelina Jolie takes cooking lessons

he A-list actress was allegedly given a crash cooking for them is tricky because they “want to eat course in culinary skills by a personal chef different things at different times.”Angelina is said to Twhile in Australia directing her new movie be “very proud” of her new skills and has been test- ‘Unbroken’ in a bid to become a domestic goddess. ing them out at home on her brood. Brad also strug- The 38-year-old star - who previously admitted her gles in the kitchen and reportedly resorted to asking son Pax’s kitchen know-how surpassed her own - is his chef friend, British star Jamie Oliver, for advice on determined to be able to rustle up healthy meals for how to prepare a Christmas dinner in 2012. An insid- her six children. According to Us Weekly, the kids - er said at the time: “Brad asked him to do it after he Maddox, 12, Pax, 10, Zahara, eight, Shiloh, seven, begged Jamie for cookery lessons last year. Jamie and twins Knox and Vivienne, five, who she raises tried to teach him but he’s useless in the kitchen.” with her fiance Brad Pitt - are the “worst eaters” and —Bangshowbiz

Chris Brown diagnosed with bipolar disorder he ‘Look at Me Now’ star appeared in court for a hearing over his ongoing probation and a report from the rehab facility where he has Tjust completed 95 days to deal with anger management issues says he is suffering from bipolar disorder, severe insomnia and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]. Legal documents seen by website TMZ state: “Mr Brown became aggressive and acted out physically due to his untreated mental health disorder, severe sleep deprivation, inappropriate self-medicating and untreated PTSD.” The report goes on to state Chris has learned various relax- ation exercises and tested negative for drugs during his stay in rehab and praises him, saying he gets up at 5 am and works hard. The report says: “Mr Brown’s attitude has been beyond exemplary in regard to his community service responsibilities.” Chris had been ordered to complete 90 days of treatment at the facility by a court, but stayed an extra five days to ensure he wouldn’t relapse. Chris’ friends and family, including his mother Joyce Hawkins, then threw him a small homecoming party last Saturday night. A source said: “He’s back home now and he feels good about it. After Chris left rehab, he headed to a music video shoot, where he broke out some impres- sive moves for his new single, ‘Loyal.’ “

Selena Gomez wins Young Humanitarian Award he 21-year-old singer was awarded the accolade at the unite4:good and Variety’s unite4:humanity gala, held at the TSony Lot in Los Angeles, California. The ‘Spring Breakers’ star was honored after being recognized for promoting positivity, inspir- ing charitable engagement and empowering acts of kindness towards the children’s charity UNICEF. Taking to her Twitter account after the ceremony, she wrote: “By far the coolest award I’ve received -Young humanitarian award! Beyond proud to represent UNICEF since I was 17 (sic)” Meanwhile, Demi Lovato and Alicia Keys - who performed a musical set each to conclude the event - also received awards during the ceremony for their charitable contribu- tions. The glamorous event also saw President Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, honored with the Unity Recognition Award, which recognizes individuals who have used their voice to unite people around the world. Forest Whitaker, Robert F Kennedy Jr, William H Macy, Jada Pinkett Smith, Eva Longoria, Steve Coogan and Wilmer Valderrama were also in attendance as they each hand- ed out awards. Mary-Kate Olsen gets engaged Paris Hilton ary-Kate Olsen is engaged to Oliver Sarkosy. The former child star is set to marry her partner of two Myears - who is the half-brother of former French doesn’t consider herself to be a DJ president Nicolas Sarkosy - according to UsMagazine.com. he socialite has travelled across the globe spinning records, but only consid- Their marriage will be Mary-Kate’s first and Oliver’s second, ers it a small part of what she does, claiming her main focus is still on her after he was previously wed to Charlotte Bernard, with Tmany business interests. She told V magazine: “I don’t consider myself a DJ. I whom he has two children, Julien, 12, and Margo, 10. A am a businesswoman, and this is just a small part of what I do. I love music and I source has claimed they are a good match, saying: “Mary- love partying, so it’s a fun job for me. “Dance music can instantly make people hap- Kate’s family thinks Olivier is the best thing to happen to py, which is such a powerful thing. I have been going to raves since I was 15 and her. They love him. “Mary-Kate has made him a better father. have always had a love for this music. “I’ve been getting huge offers from all around She remembers all the kids’ special events. She thinks he’s a the world, so I thought, Why not?” Paris started having lessons in DJing three years great dad.” The actress-turned-designer and the banker first ago, and says one of her most memorable shows was performing for a good cause. started dating in 2012 and live in New York where they have She added: “One of my favorite experiences was performing in Macau for the Red a $6.25 million townhouse. Speaking about her relation- Cross benefit for relief efforts in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan. “David ship, Mary-Kate told the Wall Street Journal newspaper: Beckham, Stephen Baldwin, and a lot of great people came to watch me play. A fun “Everyone has an opinion. I find it’s better to focus on time for a great cause.” Paris, 33, has many other business interests, such as her per- what’s in front of you and to keep putting one foot in front fume line - which includes 14 fragrances - a racing team and her Paris Hilton Beach of the other.” Mary-Kate’s twin sister, Ashley, is also dating Club chain, and claims to have made over $1.3 billion in six years. She added: “I an older man, with it recently confirmed she is seeing 47- work hard and have so much to be responsible for - my music, my brands, and 45 year-old ‘Moneyball’ director Bennett Miller. retail stores, to name a few of my projects. I take every project very seriously and am proud of my work. “If you spend time focusing on creative ways to improve yourself and your work, I think it keeps you going in the right direction.” Kanye West Bono is jealous of Pharrell Williams he ‘Blood On The Leaves’ rapper is said to be keeping a close eye takes his own bed on tour with him on the ‘Happy’ hitmaker after reports he is close to signing a Tdeal with Adidas, the same sportswear brand that Kanye has he U2 rocker has played hundreds of shows worldwide with his been commissioned to design a clothing range for. According to The band, but as he suffers from back problems he decided on his last Sun newspaper, a source revealed: “They are competitive in both Ttour to have the bed from his home in Ireland transported to all of music and fashion, Kanye always watches what Pharrell does. He the locations he was visiting. A popular tour manager from the United thinks having a similar artist working on their own brand for Adidas States, Stuart Ross, told the Sun newspaper: “I know somebody whose job will make his collection less special.” Kanye signed a deal with Adidas it was to drive Bono’s bed from hotel to hotel on the last tour. Bono want- in December last year after a spat with the Nike - over royalties for his ed to sleep in his own bed every night. “So instead of being able to fly exclusive collection of Air Yeezy sneakers - which resulted in the end him, I assume, back to Dublin, there was a bed that was in a Ryder (rental) of his business relationship with the sportswear brand. Meanwhile, truck and they loaded it into the hotel.” The ‘With or Without You’ hitmak- the 36-year-old rapper has announced plans for his very own movie, er’s back problems have been so serious in the past that he even had to which follows his ‘Yeezus’ tour. A release date for the film is still to be undergo surgery in 2010 which resulted in him and his bandmates - The confirmed, and it is believed his fiancee Kim Kardashian - whom he Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr - cancelling their headline set at shares eight-month-old daughter North with - is set to play a “pivotal” the Glastonbury festival in Somerset, England. U2 will perform their Oscar role. nominated single ‘Ordinary Love’ at the Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles tonight. lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014 Gossip

One Direction are turning into men

he ‘Little Things’ hitmakers - Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles - think they have changed a lot since they first found fame when they Tentered ‘The X Factor’ as solo artists before Simon Cowell put them in the group in 2010. Niall said: “I mean we were all just kids ... You get pushed straight in and have to grow up fast ... We’ve got bigger, we’ve got stubble, we’re turning into men. Niall’s bandmates agreed with him, saying they thought it was especially hard for them to deal with their early success because they didn’t know one another well enough to rely on each other for support. Zayn said: “We’ve all changed. None of us really knew each other and none of us was really pre- pared. “I found it hard talking to people, answering questions, but then you realize everyone is in the same boat. You can’t take yourself too seriously, and you all start to relax into being who you are.” The ‘Story of My Life’ hitmakers admitted that although they’re enjoying their success and being able to go on perform at arenas, they often like to relax in their tour bus rather than going out partying. Liam told Top of the Pops magazine: “It’s pretty hard to just ‘go out’... A lot of the time we actually prefer sleeping on the tour bus. We park outside the venue and just stay there. We have our DVDs and Xboxes and we have a quiet bus for sleeping.”

Sarah Harding was ‘too skinny’

he 32-year-old singer admits she was too thin when she was part of the band Girls Aloud - also consisting of Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine TCoyle - but she’s now comfortable with her weight. She said: “I was too skinny when I was with the girls, it was ageing. “I’ve caught the juicing bug. I love being in the kitchen and cooking and creating juices and smoothies every day.” The blonde beauty has also decided to lay off alcoholic for a bit and curb her passion for partying by spend- ing cozy nights in with her boyfriend Foster. She explained to the MailOnline: “Me and my partner Mark are addicted to ‘Breaking Bad’. We watch three episodes a night and sit there munching away on popcorn together.” However, despite her new settling down approach, Sarah insists she won’t be following in the footsteps of her bandmates Nadine - who gave birth to a baby girl last month - and Kimberley - who just announced she’s expecting her first child - because she has other stuff she wants to do in her life before becoming a mother. She said at the time Kimberley announced her baby news: “I wasn’t at all surprised, she’s been with Justin [Scott] for years and years but it won’t be me next. I have a lot of boxes to tick before I start a family.” Girls Aloud went their separate ways last year after reuniting for their 10th anniversary, and Sarah is now embarking on a solo career. — Bangshowbiz

Beyonce spends £700 at McDonald’s

he ‘Drunk in Love’ singer splashed out at the fast food chain following Katy Perry Ther performance in North West England on Tuesday night, and ordered so much, other customers helped deliver a baby were left hungry. Local resident Helen Nugent said: “I’d stopped off on my way home from the theatre to buy a he ‘Roar’ hitmaker was celebrating a “miracle” of a cheeseburger at McDonald’s as I was day which saw her assist with a home birth. Katy feeling peckish. “The lovely girl at the Laura Vandervoort Ttweeted: “Finally you can add “helps delivers babies till looked a bit shell-shocked and I in living rooms” to my resume! It’s been a miracle of a soon found out why - she told me, ‘Oh day...?? Auntie Katy aka Stylist Auntie (sic)” Though it is my god, I’ve just done an order for ready to tie the knot unclear who Katy was helping, fans have speculated she £700 for Beyonce’s 11 tour buses.’” The was by the side of her older sister Angela Hudson, who 32-year-old star and her dancers he 23-year-old actress is set to tie the knot with her British was revealed to be pregnant late last year. The happy news worked up an appetite at the Phones 4 boyfriend Oliver Trevena - whom she has been dating since would have been a welcome distraction for the 29-year- U Arena performing tracks such as ‘XO’ Tsummer 2013 - after the hunk popped the question while old pop star as it was reported yesterday she and John and ‘Haunted’ from her latest album they were on a vacation in England over the Christmas period. A Mayer have split up after 18 months together. It is claimed ‘Beyonce’ and hit singles from the past source told UsMagazine.com: “The couple was visiting a castle in the couple decided to go their separate ways because Katy including ‘Single Ladies’ and England and it was a really romantic setting. Oliver told Laura to - who was previously married to Russell Brand - was so ‘Irreplaceable’, but made sure to keep close her eyes at 11:11 am and when she opened her eyes he was busy preparing for her upcoming world tour. A source said: some of their order healthy. Helen told down on one knee.” The brunette beauty wasn’t expecting the “She’s stressed about the tour, they’ve been fighting. It is Mancunian Matters: “She then went on romantic proposal from her beau, who accompanied his gesture probably for the best, because she is going to be on tour to tell me, ‘I made 50 portions of large fries with a stunning ring, but she gladly accepted and can’t wait to for forever. Of course this happens all the time, I can’t keep and 22 boxes of Chicken McNuggets. 22! And 26 Big Macs! There are a lot of dancers on her tour, you’d start preparing their nuptials. The source explained: “She was track anymore. But for now they are done.” think they eat healthily. Mind you, they did order a lot of salad.’ “I felt a bit of an idiot after that, just asking totally surprised, and he gave her a vintage diamond ring. She’s for a solitary cheeseburger.” BeyoncÈ has been known to spoil her tour crew before, splashing out £1,444 over the moon and so happy.” Laura first sparked rumors she was on a take-away from peri-peri chicken restaurant Nando’s after her headline set at V Festival last summer. engaged to Oliver after she was spotted flashing her huge sparkler on her ring finger at the Golden Globe award last month, before showing it off again at the Vanity Fair Young Hollywood party in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Aaron Paul used to be a geek

aron Paul never had a girlfriend until he was 19. The ‘Need for Speed’ actor - who married Lauren Parsekian in May 2013 - admits he was a A“theatre geek” at school who had a sheltered upbringing which meant he rarely went to parties or dated during his teenage years. He said: “It was a beautiful, loving home. I was very protected. “They wanted to keep me out of harm’s way, so I didn’t grow up going to parties in high school. I never dated. “My main focus was school and theatre. I was just a theatre geek. “I had a girlfriend in fifth grade but, let’s be honest, we only talked three times and we dated for a year-and-a-half. My first proper girl- friend was when I was 19, after I moved to LA.” Aaron was smitten with Lauren from the minute they got together at the Coachella festival in 2011, a year after they first met, and even told her that night he wanted to marry her some day. He recalled to Britain’s Marie Claire magazine: “There was just this unspoken thing. We ran off and had our first kiss on the Ferris wheel. “I told her that night how I felt. I said, ‘I think I love you. Don’t be ter- rified, but I truly believe that, one day, I’m going to ask you to marry me.” lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

Fashion Bad time-keeper Rihanna is early at Dior

fter turning up at Balmain’s show after everyone had cal and trapeze nylon dresses that blossomed in quilted left, Barbadian superstar Rihanna arrived this time at pleats. Dior girls don’t want to go to the office. They want AFriday’s Christian Dior show before hardly anyone to have fun! had arrived. Though the 26-year-old clearly doesn’t lack staff - with aggressive bodyguards around her - if “fashion- Critic who attended Dior’s first YSL show reminisces ably early” doesn’t catch on, perhaps she could do with a In 1958, after Monsieur Dior died in unexpected circum- better time-keeper. Also at the eventful Dior show, France’s stances, his protÈgÈ - a 21-year-old unknown called Yves former first lady Valerie Trierweiler, an ex-partner of Saint Laurent was chosen to fill his shoes and presented his President Francois Hollande, made a rare appearance. It first collection. It was a historic show, launching Saint was, by coincidence, on the exact same day as her former Laurent into the fashion stratosphere, but one that came love rival Julie Gayet made her first public appearance before the time of most people who attend Dior shows since this secret tryst with the president that rocked the these days. Apart from one: veteran fashion critic Marylou whole of France. Here are the highlights of Friday’s colorful Luther, who spoke to the AP. “In 1958 I was working for the Paris fall-winter ready-to-wear shows. Chicago Tribune and I covered the first collection after the death of Dior,” said octogenarian Luther, with her signature Rihanna is fashionably early round black spectacles. “He went to the avenue Marceau Photographers swarmed around the “Diamonds” singer headquarters, stood on the balcony and there were thou- inside Paris’ Musee Rodin in front of row upon row of emp- sands - I’m not exaggerating - thousands of people. The ty Dior seating. “I just love fashion,” she told The Associated word had gone out. This was maybe an hour after the Press as she posed in shades and a bright fur Dior wrap show. And a throng of people waiting for him to come out jacket that revealed ample bosom to flashes of camera. If and wave,” she added. Luther says that although 55 years the singer, who hopes to launch a designing career and is have passed, the current Dior collections still have traces of touring Paris Fashion Week, was aiming to create the new the heritage: “You still see signs of the Bar Jacket, and the concept of “fashionably early,” good luck to her. Celebrities New Look.” are normally expected to enter at the very last minute for Friday was the day for facing crowds, despite a scandal. fashion shows, for maximum effect. The ex-partner French President Francois Hollande Valerie Trierweiler made a rare appearance at Christian Dior - smil- Christian Dior’s city lights ing in a black coat and shades - the exact same day as Raf Simons produced a surprising show for Christian actress Julie Gayet appeared at the Cesar awards in her first Dior. In several ways. Firstly, the jacketed-businesswoman public appearance since the scandal of her alleged affair theme was a dramatic departure from his last - and very with the president broke earlier this year. Gayet showed up successful - ode to diaphanous couture. Second, the near- at the ceremony though she had been widely expected to sacred codes of Dior - softly feminine gowns, stay away, despite her nomination for best sup- sculpting bar jackets - seemed almost gone porting actress for her role in “Quai d’Orsay,” play- Barbadian singer Rihanna poses as she arrives to attend with Simons’ masculine tailoring style. The ing a seductive aide at the French Foreign Christian Dior 2014/2015 Autumn/Winter ready-to-wear show, entitled “City Lights,” which began Ministry. collection fashion show, on February 28, 2014 in Paris. with long menswear cashmere coats, did — AFP/AP photos feature some nice suits - although they weren’t particularly ground-breaking. Simons’ androgynous thinking had a lot more success in a series of wool gowns in fuchsia, bright yellow and blue that had double layers and V-shapes mirror- ing the two tiers of an office suit. But even those could have done without distracting embroidering that seemed like an afterthought to please the Dior clientele. Certainly the best part of the show was when he let the Dior girl do the talking: in a great set of asymmetri-

Models present creations for Christian Dior. lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

Fashion

Smells like tree spirit Issey Miyake used circular pleating - inspired by tree rings - to produce one of the most beautiful and unpreten- tious shows so far in Paris Fashion Week. And that was aside from the show’s great theatricality: opening with an electronic rock band and models who trod the catwalk in plain black outfits armed with tree-width circular panels. Spontaneously, guests applauded when the panels opened up magically into pop-up dresses - that were then donned by these tree nymphs. The collection itself saw curved, abstract and trapeze silhouettes float by with a gentle bounce in incredible shades of indigo, bronze, soft green, cerulean blue and warm deep pink. The elastic mas- tery was owed to the Franco-Japanese house’s new tech- nique of hand pleating on the curve. Then poncho and shawl type garments almost eluded definition, at times moving with the suspended gravity of a sea medusa.

Harvey Weinstein says “Grace of Monaco” controversy resolved Hollywood’s Harvey Weinstein, who attended the Dior show, has said that the problems associated with the trou- bled movie “Grace of Monaco,” featuring Nicole Kidman as the actress-turned princess, have “obviously” been resolved. The influential producer came to Paris to attend Friday’s Cesar awards, the French equivalent to the Oscars - for the nomination of the Quentin Tarantino movie “Django Unchained,” produced by him. But it’s not been such smooth riding for the heavyweight executive in recent months. “Grace of Monaco” director Olivier Dahan (who directed Edith Piaf biopic “La Vie en Rose”) caused contro- versy after telling French daily Liberation that Weinstein had approved changes to the film that Dahan disagreed with. “There are two versions of the film - mine and his - which I find catastrophic,” he said to the newspaper. Weinstein pointed to smoother waters now after months of silence, telling the AP on Friday: “Obviously (the prob- lems are resolved). We’re opening (May’s) Cannes Film Festival.” He did not elaborate.

Roland Mouret Roland Mouret attempted to produce a catwalk show without the usual PR gimmicks, calling his chosen styles simply the “definition of myself.” The 52-year-old French designer, who found fame for his cap-sleeved va-va-voom Galaxy dress, thus went back to his student years - the late 1970s and early 80s for a graphic collection with lashings of black. Large triangular leather collars were the leifmotif, mirrored by the angles in black and white geometric shapes, interspersed with a few looks in blown up plaid check. It was red or blue against black - the colors of punk. And one large black and white speckled jacket possessed a flat, wide silhouette that was all the rage at this time. Sadly, the designer went a little overboard with a series of warped tassled skirts. No definition of Mouret is complete without a reference to the sexy derrieres that made his name. Several body-hugging va-va-voom sheaths, zipped down the back, had fashion insiders turning their heads to Models present creations for Issey Miyake. glimpse them from behind. — AP

Models present creations by Roland Mouret. Bad time-keeper Rihanna is early38 at Dior SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2014

A nominee for Queen of the Carnival of Santa Cruz, on the main stage, shows off her outfit under the watchful eyes of the jury in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. — AFP/AP photos

io plunged into five days of pound out Beatles music to a samba beat. A dozen samba schools will com- hedonistic revelry Friday as the pete today and tomorrow in the Special Parade, which will draw around Rcity’s legendary carnival 70,000 spectators to the city’s fabled Sambadrome. opened, with King Momo taking Some 30,000 people were set to watch parades in the business hub Sao the keys of the city and declaring Paulo, more staid than Rio but catching pre-World Cup fever-the giant city joy by decree. Wilson Dias da will stage the June 12 opening match. Rio’s top samba schools, each com- Costa Neto, a smiling, moon- prising thousands of performers, will parade along the 700-meter (yard) faced 27-year-old chosen as Marques de Sapucai avenue leading to the Sambadrome designed by this year’s Momo, swept in by celebrated Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. limousine flanked by the car- Adding to the millions of local revelers, city hall expects more nival queen and two than 900,000 tourists to throng the jam-packed streets-some princesses to assume his two percent more than last year-with revenues forecast at festive reign. “In the name around $400 million. They will more than make up of the prefecture and as for those residents who pack their bags at this the monarch of the time of year to escape the constant din. world’s largest street fes- Sporadic public protests in recent tival, I decree joy,” months against political corruption and Momo beamed. the multibillion cost of the World Cup Mayor Eduardo have prompted police to step up Paes joked as he security in Rio, which will host sev- passed him the en World Cup matches, includ- keys: “I hope you’ll ing the July 13 final. Thursday, be able to sort out the eve of the carnival, had the city center’s seen the Ocupa Carnaval problems with pressure group hold a A reveler of Tom Maior samba automobile traffic!” spoof mini-carnival while school performs during the In reality, within hours, the the Banda da Rua do Mercado first night of†carnival parade city’s streets will be so clogged with a bloco held a topless march with actress Ana Paula Goncalves at the Sambadrome in Sao gyrating mass of samba drummers and sequined Nogueira, suitably unrobed, at its head. Some in the Ocupa Paulo, Brazil. dancers that cars will for once be forced to take a back seat. Carnaval group held aloft giant puppets representing city rulers, and many will carry on through Tuesday’s official close and beyond. Brazil’s This year’s festivities are set to be even more frenzied than usual as their pockets stuffed with money; others linked arms with the tentacles of a passion for carnival was also enveloping the northeastern city of Salvador Brazil prepares to host the World Cup for a month from June 12. “Finally, it’s huge black model octopus representing the long reach of corrupt politi- de Bahia, the cradle of Brazil’s African heritage, where huge blocos have carnival!” blared the Globo daily as the phoney war gave way to a flurry of cians. “But tomorrow’s carnival and that is sacred. There won’t be protests- since Wednesday been parading in the paved streets of the city’s old town. activity as the final touches were put to the spectacular floats which will glide it’s a valve to let out the frustration with politics,” one local, Reinaldo Alves Further north, Recife and neighboring Olinda are hosting thousands of through the city when Cordao da Bola Preta, Rio’s oldest group founded in dos Santos, told AFP. dancers performing the “frevo”, a rhythm inspired by martial arts-cum-dance 1918, will parade before an estimated 1.8 million people. capoeira, led by the “Galo de Madrugada” (morning cockerel) troupe. In a Dozens of other blocos will parade in different parts of town across the Nationwide fever nod to the World Cup, one Sao Paulo school was honoring 2002 world cham- five days-including Sargento Pimenta (Sergeant Pepper), who will tomorrow By tonight night, some four million people will have let their hair down pion Ronaldo and another in Rio chose 1980s star Zico as its theme. — AFP

King Momo Wilson Dias da Costa Neto (right) receives the key to the city with Queen Leticia Martins Guimaraes during the official opening of the world famous Rio’s car- nival, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Revelers of Tom Maior samba school perform.