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SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 JAMADA ALTHANI 30, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net US, GCC Sabah Al-Ahmad Messi’s 400th Chelsea open and Yemen Sea City marina goal boosts up 10-pt lead coordinating ‘source of pride’ Barca title bid with gritty efforts2 for Kuwait3 in18 Valencia win United20 win Riyadh vows to cover Min 19º Max 34º UN aid call for Yemen High Tide 12:00 Saudi soldier killed in border clash Low Tide 06:00 & 18:45 40 PAGES NO: 16495 150 FILS

SANAA: Saudi Arabia, which is leading a bombing campaign against Shiite rebels in Yemen, pledged yesterday to cover the entire $274 million in humanitarian aid sought by the UN for conflict-torn Yemen. The United Nations says hundreds of people have died and thousands of families fled their homes since the air war was launched on March 26. And border skir- mishes have now killed seven Saudi security personnel, the most recent a soldier who died on Friday. Fighting and air strikes over the past two days have left 130 people dead in Yemen, according to medics, military and tribal sources. Overnight Friday, 52 people were killed, including at least 27 people who died in the southwestern city of Taez during clashes between loyalist forces and the Iran-backed Shiite Houthi rebels and air strikes. Saudi King Salman ordered the humanitarian pledge following a United Nations appeal on Friday for $274 million in emergency assistance for the mil- lions affected by Yemen’s war. The kingdom “stands with its Yemeni brothers” and hopes for “the restoration of security and stability”, the state Saudi Press Agency said, quoting an official statement. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Johannes Van Der Klaauw said in Friday’s appeal: “Ordinary families are struggling to access healthcare, water, food and fuel - basic requirements for their survival.” Aid has only trickled into Yemen, largely because of restrictions imposed by the coalition on its air- space and ports. The rebels swept into Sanaa last September from their highland stronghold and then advanced south on the port of Aden, forcing President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee to Riyadh. Residents said explosions and gunfire shook Taez overnight during fighting between Hadi loyalists and the insurgents. Nineteen rebels, four soldiers from a mechanised army unit loyal to the president and four other pro-Hadi fight- ers were killed, a medical source told AFP. Rival fighters also clashed Friday night in districts of Aden, the main southern KUWAIT: People collect toys on the last day of an operation titled “I’m Here” organized by youth for the Global Youth Service Day yesterday outside a mall in Kuwait City. city, residents and security sources said. The operation aims to break a Guinness World Record by collecting 21 tons of toys before they are distributed to poor children worldwide. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Continued on Page 13 News Rouhani: Saudis will harvest hatred in brief

Kuwaiti woman dies of swine flu US military option ‘old habit that dies hard’ KUWAIT: A female Kuwaiti citizen died at dawn yesterday at Adan Hospital after being infected with swine flu, the TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan has already called the Saudi-led airstrikes hospital director announced. The patient was pregnant Rouhani harshly criticized Saudi Arabia in Yemen “genocide” and a “major crime”. with twins and was in final phase of her pregnancy, Dr yesterday, warning that Riyadh will har- Iran has presented a four-point plan to Bader Al-Otaibi said. A caesarean surgery was conducted vest the hatred it is sowing in Yemen end the conflict that includes humanitari- to save the two infants, he added. The twin babies are through its airstrike campaign. Since an aid, dialogue and the formation of a sound and not infected with the disease, he said. The March 26, the Saudi-led coalition has broad-based Yemeni unity government patient was admitted on March 22 after undergoing treat- been attacking Shiite rebels known as after a proposed ceasefire was already ment at a private hospital. She was in coma when she was Houthis and allied fighters loyal to rejected by Saudi Arabia. Rouhani also brought to Adan Hospital. The staff struggled to keep the Yemen’s ousted President Ali Abdullah accused Saudi Arabia of providing woman alive, using cardiac revival equipment, Dr Otaibi Saleh. Iran supports the rebels but denies weapons and funding to terrorist groups indicated. The hospital admitted seven such cases in the providing any military support. in the Middle East. “What does providing past month - one passed away and the others were treated Addressing an army parade in Tehran, in a financial assistance and weapons to ter- and discharged. speech broadcast live on state TV yester- rorists in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq mean,” day, Rouhani said killing civilians in Yemen he asked. Rouhani added his military will bring neither power nor pride for should not be seen as a threat in the 700 checkpoints set up in Kuwait Saudi Arabia. Middle East. The presence of Iranian naval KUWAIT: Interior Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary “What does bombing the innocent ... ships “in the (Arabian) Gulf and the Gulf of for General Security Maj Gen Abdelfattah Al-Ali said Yemeni people mean? What goals are you Aden is intended to ensure the security of more than 700 checkpoints have been set up all over pursuing? Will killing children bring power neighboring countries and maritime traf- the country as part of security measures, focusing on to you? You planted the seeds of hatred in fic”, he said at the ceremony. the borders and areas of high density population. He this region and you will see the response Iran is supporting both Syrian said that it has been noticed that the number of sooner or later,” Rouhani said. “Don’t President Bashar Al-Assad and the Iraqi thefts, fights, unruliness and shootings have bomb children, elderly men and women government in its fight against Sunni dropped. He said that police are on full alert for any TEHRAN: Wearing ghilli suits, Iranian army troops march in a parade marking in Yemen. Attacking the oppressed will Muslim extremists, including the Islamic criminal or terrorist action. National Army Day in front of the mausoleum of the late revolutionary founder bring disgrace ... for the aggressors.” Iran’s State group. Ayatollah Khomeini yesterday. —AP Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Continued on Page 13 Farming lobby turns on Modi Egypt runners defy Cairo mayhem KANJHAWALA, India: Farmer Tarachand Mathur was one CAIRO: Young Egyptians are once of millions of Indians who voted Narendra Modi into pow- again organizing on social media er last year, but the government’s push to make it easier for and taking to the streets of Cairo by big business to forcibly acquire land means he won’t be the hundreds every Friday, not to backing the premier again. Mathur, 64, believes Modi has protest injustice or clash with police, turned his back on the plight of farmers, many of whom but to enjoy long runs through one have seen their crops devastated by unseasonal rains since of the world’s most crowded and chaotic cities. On a recent Friday the start of this year. “I am on the brink of ruin,” he said, morning, around 300 young people close to tears, as he tended the wheat growing on his gathered at a central square, a small smallholding in Kanjhawala village around 25 km north- fraction of the 2,500 that had signed west of New Delhi. “The rain gods don’t hear us and Modi up for the event on Facebook, but a has also turned deaf to our cries.” reasonable showing for an event India’s poor but powerful farming lobby flocked to held at 7 am on a weekend. Modi’s rightwing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the gener- Organizers with bullhorns led al election last May, when the Hindu nationalist premier the crowd of young men and won the biggest mandate in 30 years. But anger in rural women - many wearing head- areas has been mounting over his government’s bid to scarves - in a warmup, and then CAIRO: In this April 10, 2015 photo, runners take advantage of emp- overhaul land purchasing laws, compounding woes over they took off, flooding a four-lane ty streets during an organized run in the Mohandisseen district of extensive damage to winter crops due to unseasonal rain road and occasionally parting the capital. — AP across northern India. The government argues the before honking taxis. Cairo, a city of changes are needed to spur development - from building some 20 million people packed microbuses, manic taxis, speeding gentle mocking, and women must new cities and factories to more roads and industrial corri- onto the banks of the Nile, with few motorbikes and the occasional don- contend with leering, lewdness and dors. green spaces and no jogging paths, key cart. The crumbling sidewalks occasional unwanted touching. KANJHAWALA, India: In this photograph taken on But its attempts to push the Land Acquisition Bill is an unlikely venue for distance are often worse - blocked by parked And yet despite all the obstacles, April 15, 2015, Indian farmer Tarachand Mathur running. cars, mounds of garbage and young Egyptians have launched through parliament have been stonewalled by a united looks at his wheat crop grown on the land acquired opposition, which controls the upper house. The streets are jammed at nearly mangy street dogs. Anyone who several increasingly popular by the government in this village some 25 km north- all hours with smoke-belching runs in Cairo can expect stares and Continued on Page 13 Continued on Page 13 west of New Delhi. — AFP SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 LOCAL

US, GCC, Yemen coordinating efforts Local spotlight against Houthis: Ambassador Patterson Obama’s call US Envoy speaks on Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran to the Gulf KUWAIT: The United States said there were coordinated A US-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes efforts with GCC countries and Yemen on fighting Houthi against positions and military equipment of the IS in differ- militias and their allies to restore legitimate leadership in ent parts of Iraq, like Fallujah, Baiji, Tikrit, Mosul and that Arab country, expressing concern over foreign inter- Ramadi. The fight against IS has achieved “slow progress ference in the Yemeni scene. but progress nonetheless,” said Patterson. By Muna Al-Fuzai “The US is providing intelligence, logistical support and “I think it is going in the right direction, (and) the recent accelerated delivery of ammunition (for the coalition fight- battle in Tikrit is indicative when they (Iraqis) needed sup- ing Houthis), said Anne Patterson, US Assistant Secretary, port from US airstrikes, they drove IS out of Tikrit,” she said, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. “I think there is quite coordi- of the confrontations between Iraqi forces and IS on the nated coalition efforts with the GCC countries and with the ground, which have also been taking place in Anbar, [email protected] US and Yemen against the Houthis.” Ramadi and near Baiji. “We have been significantly involved” in Operation Patterson said the coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria Decisive Storm,” Patterson said in an interview with KUNA, is steadfast. “Every time we have a meeting of coalition referring to the military action that was launched on March there is more solidarity of two major issues like foreign he US administration announced on Friday that US 26 at the behest of Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour fighters flow because people are very concerned about President Barack Obama will receive the leaders of Hadi. that and cutting money to IS, and there has been quite a Tthe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the White Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said two days ago that progress on that,” she added, while cutting money of IS’s oil House on May 13 and at Camp David on May 14. The “We’re assisting the Saudis to protect their own territory smuggling has been “very significant.” National Security Council explained that this meeting will and to conduct operations that are designed to lead ulti- Patterson said the Saudi and Kuwaiti governments be an opportunity to discuss ways to “enhance cooperation mately to a political settlement to Yemen.” have been “very generous” in supporting the anti-IS coali- on the security front”. The US invitation to the GCC for the The Saudi-led operations in Yemen, bringing together tion the minute it was formed. She added that the Turks Camp David meeting has opened the gates of endless 10 countries for protecting Yemeni people, has received have done “better with two things, one was cutting the questions and speculations about the response of the Gulf political backing when the UN Security Council (UNSC) flow of foreign fighters from Turkish borders, and cutting states and the expected outcomes of this meeting, and this adopted resolution 2216 last Tuesday, which condemned flow of oil of IS.” She also highlighted the Iranian “big role” article tries to find an answer. Houthi military actions against the legitimate government, US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs against IS. “They are playing a role in getting rid of IS in I’ve talked with many people about this, and in this arti- imposed sanctions against the militias and their leader, as Anne Patterson Iraq,” she noted. cle I will outline some of the opinions even though I may well as on son of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. not agree with some of them. “The call was embarrassing Resolution 2216, adopted under Chapter VII of the UN removal of the entire ‘Syrian establishment.’ “The Syrian Nuclear negotiations for the Gulf states,” was the opinion of one of the officials Charter, called for the resumption of the political process state will have to remain intact, so you will not have a secu- On Iran’s nuclear negotiations following a framework commenting on the timing of the invitation which he on the basis of the GCC initiative and its implementation rity vacuum. But Bashar Al-Assad and his closest advisors agreement that was concluded between Tehran and the described as inappropriate, adding that it may serve the mechanism and outcome of the national dialogue. have to leave the scene,” she said. “Opposition will always P5+1 group in Lausanne, Switzerland, Patterson described media policy of the US president at the end of his second Patterson expressed concern over the ‘Iranian role’ in have to speak to people close to Bashar Al-Assad to get the upcoming talks as ‘pretty tough.’ “I think there are term and not his foreign policy. Yemen, which “concerns us all and concerns the Saudis him to leave,” she added. tough negotiations ahead, they have to fill in the details. I personally think the invitation may have been a sur- because their strategic interests are most immediately There are a lot of working details that have to be resolved,” prise - hence the GCC did not give an immediate response. affected by what takes place in Yemen.” “Iran is clearly play- Humanitarian responsibilities she said. But such a meeting will do well in conveying the right mes- ing a destabilizing role in Yemen, and that concerns us all The Syrian people have been suffering since outbreak of The framework agreement will curb Iran’s uranium sage. It may be true that this call may have caused some and concerns the Saudis because of their strategic interest conflict in March 2011. Some four million refugees live in enrichment capabilities, largely reduce the number of cen- sort of awkwardness, but the acceptance of the Gulf to are most immediately affected by what takes place in neighboring countries - Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and trifuges and place nuclear facilities under tough interna- attend the US meeting is something that cannot be ques- Yemen,” said Patterson. Egypt - and over seven million are internally displaced, cre- tional inspections, in return for lifting of sanctions on the tioned. The strategic relations between the United States She underlined that the freedom of navigation through ating a massive humanitarian catastrophe. Islamic Republic. and the Gulf states impose openness and clarity, more so Bab Al-Mandab Strait was very important for the region Kuwait, living up to its humanitarian responsibilities, Patterson, on the other hand, said Egypt was a ‘long- since the latest nuclear deal has raised some doubts about and the whole world. The coalition, which has been pound- hosted three donor conferences to help the Syrian people standing and critical ally of the US, commercially and the US role in the region at a time when the Gulf states are ing military facilities and positions occupied by the in 2013, 2014 and 2015, contributing $1.3 billion in the strategic,’ citing the release of military equipment sales to fighting the Houthis in Yemen. Houthis, is keen on securing uninterrupted navigation three meetings. The 2013 donors meeting pledged $1.5 the North African country. “We want to have a relationship Egyptian newspapers had expected the acceptance of through the strategic Strait. billion, the second rose to $2.4 billion while total pledges with President (Abdelfatah) Sisi and that is why President the Gulf states to the US call and even called for the in the third International Pledging Humanitarian (Barack) Obama decided to release sales of military equip- involvement of Egypt and Jordan as observers. I think the Syrian crisis Conference for Syria amounted to $3.8 billion. ment to Egypt two weeks ago,” she said. presence of Egypt and Jordan will not be harmful. If the Patterson, meanwhile, spoke of the ‘terrible humanitari- “(Kuwait’s) government has been hugely generous, they The White House said on March 31 it would release 12 F- meeting is targeting to emphasize the depth and interests an catastrophe’ in Syria that killed some 250,000 people (have) given (a) lot of money to the Syria refugees and 16 aircraft, 20 Harpoon missiles, and up to 124 M1A1 of alliance and partnership, which is normal between the and forced millions others to be either internally displaced humanitarian relief,” said Patterson. “Kuwait has been tak- Abrams tank kits. It also said it would continue to ask neighboring countries, then the attendance of Egypt, or end up as refugees in neighboring countries. The Syrian ing a real significant leadership role in the question of Congress for $1.3 billion annual aid to Egypt. Jordan or the Secretary General of the Arab League will not crisis has entered its fifth year now with no solutions Syrian relief,” she added. be less important. appeared to be looming in the horizon. The situation on The UN honored His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Peace process It is clear that the US president is keen on maintaining the ground has become more complex with the emer- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah last September as a On the Middle East peace process, Patterson said the US the strong relations with the Gulf countries, especially since gence of the Islamic State (IS). ‘Humanitarian Leader,’ and Kuwait as ‘Humanitarian Center,’ believed the two-state solution was ‘the only viable long- the Gulf states do not reject the nuclear agreement in prin- Patterson reaffirmed that there is no military solution to in recognition of the Kuwaiti leader and his country’s term solution’ for the Palestinians and Israelis. She said US ciple, but their opposition is due to the lack of confidence the tragedy in Syria, extending support to the UN Secretary relentless humanitarian efforts. Secretary of State John Kerry hoped to resume efforts to in Iran’s expansionist policy and the so-called ‘agents of General’s special representative to Syria Staffan de bring the Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiations’ Tehran’ in the region. So it is clear that Obama wants to clar- Mistura’s endeavors to negotiate a political settlement Iraq table after the Israeli government was formed. “The US ify the terms of the agreement and consult with the GCC between the government and opposition. “We will keep Turning to Iraq, Patterson commended Prime Minister believes that solving the Palestinian problem would be heads. pressing for a political solution under UN auspices,” she Haidar Al-Abadi who “is trying to do his best for reconcilia- hugely important to the whole region,” she said. I believe the significant outcome of this meeting will be said, “but it would exclude President Bashar Al-Assad, who tion between different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq,” During her visit to Kuwait, Patterson met with Acting a message to the Iranian side and its allies over the US’ has to go.” which would ultimately contribute to the fight against IS. Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled commitment to its partners in the Gulf and that the nuclear The US has been supporting what it considered as mod- Al-Abadi is trying to lead his country to minimize con- Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense deal would not be at the expense of the security of the Gulf erate opposition elements to fight the Syrian government flicts among Sunnis, Kurds and Shiites, she said. “We do Minister Sheikh Khaled Jarrah Al-Sabah, Minister of Social or its strategic relationship with the United States. I trust forces. “We are doing several things in the US, like training think he is trying to lead the country to minimize these dis- Affairs and Labor, and Minister of State for Planning and that it is an important message, especially to Iran and its and equipping moderate forces,” added Patterson. putes on Iraqi territories ... (and) He has got a very difficult Development Hind Al-Subaih as well as a host of entrepre- allies now. However, she said the US would not support the situation,” added Patterson. neurs. — KUNA News in brief Dead dolphin found at Julaia beach

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

KUWAIT: A dead dolphin was found near Julaia chalets yesterday, the first to be spotted this year after Abdulmohsen Al-Zamel, CEM Senior Manager, Khaled Al-Summait and Yousef Al-Qatami receiving the award. a series of sea mammals’ deaths recorded last year. A dead whale was first found in Failaka last year, fol- lowed by the discovery of six dead dolphins near VIVA receives ‘Best Anjafa, Fintas, Mina Abdullah and Kuwait Bay. Concerned authorities have so far failed to provide a CEM Culture confirmed explanation behind the mammals’ deaths. Man arrested with 2kg heroin Transformation Programme’ honor By Hanan Al-Saadoun Tanker explodes A call about an explosion in industrial Fahaheel area KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most devel- KUWAIT: Drug Control General Department officers arrest- prompted the Fahaheel fire center men to respond. They oped telecom operator, announced that it was recently ed a Bangladeshi man with possession of two kilograms of found out a water tanker truck burst into flames during a honored with the “Best CEM Culture Transformation heroin. The man was arrested inside his home, where welding job as ethylene gas accumulated. The welder was Programme”. police found the drugs loaded in capsules. The suspect was taken to hospital for treatment. The announcement was made during the fourth annual sent to concerned authorities for further action. “Customer Experience Management in Telecoms Middle East” Summit in Dubai, where the company teamed up with top industry authorities to explore innovative ideas for operators to assure a superior customer-service experi- ence to cope up with the dynamics of service-driven digital economy world. Abdulmohsen Al-Zamel, CEM Senior Manager at VIVA said: “Today, all service providers are being challenged to transform into true customer-centric organizations. By establishing dedicated CEM program and partnering with committed experts like Huawei, VIVA Kuwait was able to build the capabilities needed to address customer demands and dynamics better and faster.” “The challenge for us here in VIVA is to create a happy customer and in order to achieve this target we will be deploying the latest technologies in the market which will help us reach our goals faster than anticipated,” Zamel added. Beggar arrested Summit participants were unified in their recognition A Yemeni beggar was arrested in Reqqa. The that customer demands and behaviors in the region are Yemeni entered the country illegally, as he was becoming increasingly differentiated, with the public look- banned from entering since 2009, but a ing for a seamless superior service experience whether for Pakistani truck driver smuggled him in. business, entertainment, social media, or international roaming connectivity. A “one-size fits all” approach to cus- tomer experience management is no longer suitable. Instead, operators seeking to stay competitive must tap Power cable fire No injuries in bus fire the benefits of big data analytics capabilities to understand A fire in a power cable in a tower in Kuwait City spread Firemen put out a fire in a minibus in Dhajeej. No - close to ‘real-time’ - the dynamics of service demands and from the third floor to the eighth. Quick response by fire- injuries were reported. packages verities to provide more contextual offers to the men minimized losses. No employees were present. public. SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 LOCAL

NBK, KCB sign agreement for electronic payments

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) to provide its customers with the best, and Kuwait Credit Bank (KCB) signed a most convenient services. The new protocol agreement to facilitate bank- agreement with KCB is an important ing transactions for NBK customers that step in automating the process of pay- benefit from KCB services. ments between NBK and KCB. As per this protocol, NBK customers Mudhaf stressed that KCB is glad to can conduct their KCB-related transac- have worked with NBK to offer our cus- tions online. They can pay online their tomers the utmost secure, time-saving installments to KCB through NBK and convenient services. KCB is keen to Online, as well as other services. always develop its channels and Salah Al-Fulaij, NBK-Kuwait Chief processes in order to better serve its Executive Officer and Salah Al Mudhaf, customers. Director General of Kuwait Credit Bank NBK was founded in 1952 as the first signed the agreement at KCB’s head- indigenous bank and the first joint quarters in the presence of Dimitrios stock company in Kuwait and the Gulf Kokosioulis, NBK’s General Manager, Region. NBK is the largest financial insti- KUWAIT: Yousuf Al-Maroon, Deputy Director General, Member of the Board of Interior Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary Major General Mohammad Yousuf Operations and Information tution in Kuwait and has been consis- Kuwait Pearls Real Estate, speaks with State Minister for Housing Affairs Yasser Al-Sabah (center) is seen at the event. Technology Group and other NBK and tently awarded the highest credit rat- Abul at the event. — Photos by Joseph Shagra KCB officials. Commenting on the occa- ings in the region from Moody’s, Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City sion, Fulaij said that NBK is committed Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings. marina ‘a source of pride’

KUWAIT: State Minister for Housing Affairs Yasser Abul try, starting from his late father Khalid Yousuf Al- marina will be opened within the third stage and two said the marina at Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City is a source Marzouq, who had a futuristic vision based on the more in the fourth and fifth stages, so each stage of the of pride for Kuwait and reflects the ability of the private necessity to support Kuwait’s economy and tourism sec- project will have complete facilities, which includes sector to carry out mega projects, pointing to the major tor. He said this project was able to simulate some of his commercial, residential, investment, industrial and hotel development of the marina which is considered among thinking, as Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City has become a areas. the best in the Gulf and will impress sea lovers. Abul major breath of fresh air in Kuwait. Marzouq said the hotels will be built after complet- was speaking during the inauguration of the second ing 60 percent of the project and rise of population phase of Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City that was built National workers density, and it will be built by KPRE or by other develop- according to the most prestigious world designs amid a On the percentage of national workers in the project, ers, while management will be by international compa- heavy presence of people and various media. Marzouq said they make up a major proportion as per nies, as “we do not own all hotels, as some companies He added the government will work to make laws a his father’s will, adding that at KPRE, 40 percent of main bought touristic, residential and commercial lands and supporting factor for the private sector to enter as a workers are Kuwaitis, in addition to 90 percent of lead- may wish to change their activities to investment ones main partner in mega projects. He said the marina proj- ers, which means that “we exceeded the required per- by building hotels”. He said some companies bought ect in Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City reflects the distin- centages by much”. Marzouq said the most important investment lands to build hotels on them, and “the will guished Al-Marzouq family in presenting a number of thing that distinguishes the private sector is that it does of our father was fulfilled, as he insisted on allowing all important projects in Kuwait, especially since they have not think about saving at the expense of quality. He said those wishing to benefit from the project, and we at a good history in this field. Abul said rules have been work at the marina began a year ago and was completed KPRE company have an agreement with the state to TEC prepared for approved by the board of directors of the Housing Care during this period, which is a record time, as it normally establish part of the services in the area, while the Authority, and there is no clear vision so far on the requires two to three years to execute. touristic part will be the specialty of companies and groups included in the law, “but we will open the door He added that services at the marina are not com- Kuwaiti citizens to bring benefit to all”. summer season to applications and then we will study the next step”. plete yet, as an integrated service building is to be built which will include a co-op, fishing store, restaurants, Difficulties KUWAIT: The Touristic Enterprises Company (TEC) finished prepara- Most stable cafes and service facilities, and will begin building with- About the difficulties the project faced, Marzouq tions for the 2015 summer season, said Saqr Al-Badr, Acting Director Deputy Director General and member of the Board in months after receiving all licensing by government said: “We faced many difficulties at the start with of the Public Relations and Marketing Department. As part of these of Kuwait Pearls Real Estate Yousuf Khalid Al-Marzouq departments. Marzouq said the biggest challenge the regards to paperwork and bureaucracy, and this is what preparations, the Entertainment City began summertime work said the Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City marina is the project faced was its execution in a record time, as it delayed the project for 20 years, but with the grace of hours last week, welcoming visitors from 5:00 pm to 1:00 am every strongest and most stable in the region and built com- was planned to open it in June, but “fast work and over- Allah and efforts of our father, and coordination with all day, Badr said. pletely with concrete by international companies. He coming obstacles, especially in receiving government state departments, we completed the procedures and Badr also announced that the swimming pools at Agailah Beach said the marina enjoys a distinguished geographical licenses, enabled us to open it this month”. built in a very fast time, but if we were in another coun- resumed operation last Wednesday after the conclusion of mainte- location in the midst of Khairan resort and in close prox- try, things would have been easier and faster.” He said nance works. He added that several ‘surprises’ will be announced imity to all Kuwait islands, which contributes to extend- Services building the inauguration of the second stage of Sabah Al- during the summer at TEC facilities, including a special discount at ing help to boat owners to reach quickly the places they On the services building, he said “we will soon build Ahmad Marine City was to show people the importance Khairan Resort in Ramadan. wish to go, to be it an island or a seaport. a large mall that will have various services and includes of the private sector and its role in construction, Meanwhile, TEC announced hosting the qualifiers for the Asian He said the marina is a quality touristic move in the a market besides restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and a Kuwait’s economy and society. He said it was an open ice hockey championship from the 17th to 25th of April, 2015, in history of the country, and the project as a whole is a cinema”. He said the marina that was opened will not be invitation for all to see the ability of the private sector to cooperation with the Kuwait Winter Games Club. blessed move by the private sector in our beloved coun- the only one within Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City - another build the strongest marinas in the world firsthand. LOCAL SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 Kuwait raises donations for Yemen

By Meshaal Al-Enezi and agencies

KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) launched a five-day campaign to raise donations for Yemen, Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer announced yesterday. The campaign, held at the society’s headquarters, is being organized in soli- darity with the Yemeni brothers who are in diffi- cult conditions due to shortage of medicines and food, Dr Sayer told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). The KRCS has mobilized its humanitarian resources for the humanitarian campaign for Yemen. According to reports of the World Food Programme, Yemen is on the brink of a food shortage catastrophe, Dr Sayer said, urging good-will people, as well as business companies, to promptly offer donations for those in need in Arab nurses at Amiri Hospital in 1953. Yemen. He indicated that such help is necessary to secure water, provide health care and educa- KUWAIT: Citizens donate money for Yemen’s relief at KRCS building yesterday. — KUNA State spends generously tion for the Yemeni people. He also reiterated need for medical and food supplies for the Social Affairs and Labor Ministry’s Assistant tarian societies for the Yemeni people, adding to develop nursing sector humanitarian operation. The society receives Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs Ali that this practice started Wednesday and will cash donations at its headquarters during morn- Al-Roumi said the period to collect donations for continue for three months. He said the ministry KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait has dedicat- was executed by a main supporter for the ing and night shifts, or through its account on Syrian people is now over. He said donations are received a letter from the foreign ministry calling ed great concern for nursing, a vital sector profession; Barjas Al-Barjas who was serv- the website. now allowed to be made at NGOs and humani- for a campaign to collect donations for Yemen. that costs the country up six percent of its ing at the time as the undersecretary of public budget. Hefty spending on nursing health. In 1962, Barjas invited the chairper- is part of the approach to update services son of the nursing institute in Alexandria, at hospitals, ensure effective medical and Suad Hussein, to establish an institute in preventive care, as well as secure good Kuwait. During her visit to the country, she training for staff, doctors and burses, in line toured schools educating students about with Article 15 of the Constitution that, the profession’s vital significance. essentially, stipulates that the State is in The faculty was established and in charge of public health. 1988, it was placed under jurisdictions of According to latest official statistics, the Public Authority for Applied Education number of the nursing staff in the country (PAAET) — named the Nursing College. Its exceeded 18,000, with Kuwaitis estimated curricula and enrollment terms have been at six percent of the figure. Kuwait’s partic- repeatedly modified. Number of gradu- ular attention to this sector dates back to ates of the 2011-2012 teaching year 1960, when then minister of health reached 2,375, including 1,486 Kuwaitis. Abdulaziz Al-Sager, considering low and Aware of stress sustained by the staff, insufficient number of staff, proposed nurses were recently granted a two-day establishing a nursing faculty. The project off per week. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah (second from right), Dr Joe Vitale (right) and other experts are pictured during the press confer- ence.—Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Positive thinking conference kicks off

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti social initiative, Al-Nowair, cess guide, Dr Joe Vitale. Other internationally work productivity and creativity, she said. began its second conference; titled ‘Think, Work, acclaimed psychologists and social experts are also Dr Vitale said meanwhile that positivity is the Live Positive,’ yesterday as part of its objective to expected to take part in the conference, which key to successful life and progress, also noting that promote positive thinking and generally boost the concludes today. there must be “a message in our life, along with Kuwaiti society development. “Positive attitude is beneficial for our bodies insistence on being positive to make the impossi- Speaking at a news conference on eve of the and minds where scientific researches have proven ble possible.” Other foreign experts also spoke dur- event, the initiative’s president Sheikha Intisar that such approach cuts chances of developing ing the news conference, echoing identical Ministry of Health’ Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah indicated that the confer- cardiac diseases by 25 percent,” Sheikha Intisar said thoughts regarding the issue. Al-Nowair is a non- Dr Eleanor Calverley, or ‘Khatun Halima’, the first Undersecertary Barjas Al- ence would group doctors, educators and special- during the news conference Friday night. Being profitable initiative, launched in 2013, coinciding female doctor in Kuwait, pictured in 1961. Barjas in 1962. ists, including the internationally renowned suc- positive may extend person’s life span, increase with the International Day of Happiness. — KUNA SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 LOCAL ASAI helped 7,500 grads since inception Organization celebrates 39th anniversary

By Faten Omar United States, $4,000 to students in Europe, $3,000 to students studying in KUWAIT: The Arab Student Aid International Far Eastern countries and $1,500 to stu- (ASAI) is celebrating its 39th anniversary with dents in Arab countries every year,” remarkable achievements in human Qutub said, adding that ASAI only covers resource development in the Arab states. tuition fees and not the cost of living “More than 7,500 graduates have benefited there because it wants to help more stu- from ASAI so far, 45 percent of whom hold dents. PhDs, 30 percent hold master degrees while ASAI is keen on providing specialists, both qualitative and quantitative, for an effective role in supporting development processes, especially in lesser-developed Arab states. It depends on more than one source for financing its programs and projects such as returns from endow- ments and investment funds, loan repay- ments by graduates, unconditional gifts and grants, funds in trusts, deeds, stocks and bonds certificates, lifetime inheri- tance gifts to education, and contribu- tions from individuals, institutions, banks and waqf. It has funded a variety of pro- grams through the continued support Prince Turki bin Abdel Aziz, the generosi- ty of contributors, the perseverance of benefiting students, the supporting Zain concludes sponsorship of KUWAIT: Dr Ishaq Al-Qutub speaks to trustee members and the dedicated staff, Kuwait Times. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat graduates as well as hundreds of individ- uals, businessmen, institutions and Kuwait Grand Photography Contest the rest hold bachelor degrees in the fields of banks. medicine, natural and applied sciences, KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunica- why the company is keen on supporting and phers from the Gulf Region who visited humanities and social sciences from well Orphaned students tions company in Kuwait, announced the suc- encouraging such initiatives that cater to the Kuwait especially for this occasion. known universities,” Prof Dr Ishaq Al-Qutub, ASAI has made an agreement with the cessful conclusion of its official sponsorship of youth’s artistic capabilities”. Participants contested in seven categories president and one of the founders of ASAI, Arab Orphans Committee to act on its the Kuwait Grand Photography Contest for Khashti added: “we appreciate the tremen- that included the Art of Light, Kuwait, Natural told Kuwait Times. ASAI’s humanitarian mis- behalf to administer loan repayments the second year running. The contest came dous efforts exerted by the organizers of this Scenery, Islamic Culture, Sports, and the gen- sion is to make needy Palestinians students from ASAI graduates residing in Jordan under the patronage of HH the Prime Minister distinctive contest, as it truly added to the fur- eral category. become effective persons in their home- and distribute 90 percent of proceeds as Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Subah. ther progress of the arts in Kuwait. We wish all It is worth noting that 7 judges from towns or in other Arab countries. interest-free loans to enable orphaned Zain took part in awarding first place win- winners the best of luck in their creative Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, and the UK formed the ASAI is an independent, non-profit, students to enroll at Jordanian universi- ners during the conclusion ceremony, which careers, and Zain will continue to be a main judging panel that selected the winning pho- non-political and tax-exempt educational ties, providing they meet the qualifica- was held with the presence of the Minister of supporter of such initiatives that cater to tos as per international photography stan- organization without any prejudice over tion criteria. Annually, about $36,000 are State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad developing youth’s creative skills”. dards. religion, sex and ethnic and racial back- received and spent on loans, benefiting Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Subah, who in turn Zain’s sponsorship of this competition, Zain’s sponsorship of the contest springs grounds. It was started in 1976 by a over 879 male and female students. honored Zain for its support to the contest, considered the largest of its kind in the coun- from the company’s core belief that equip- group of businessmen and academicians, In Kuwait, ASAI has provided scholar- considered the largest of its kind in the coun- try, came as part of the company’s endless ping young people with skills and tools neces- ship grants for 25 staff members to part of the process of building human try. efforts to highlight and support Kuwaiti sary to help them navigate their future lives is resources and the development of highly acquire academic and practical training During his speech at the ceremony, Waleed youth’s hidden talents, especially since pho- an opportunity it should not pass on. specialized and qualified scholars in the at the Maritime Arab Academy in Arab world, with the objective of enhanc- Alexandria, Egypt. They were employed Al-Khashti, Zain’s Corporate Communications tography is considered one of the most Photography is developing to become a well- ing social, economic and peace progress. after graduation in various shipping cor- and Relations Director said: “Zain believes in adopted hobbies in Kuwait. recognized and regarded profession and Zain “ASAI supports young scientists and intel- porations as captains. To apply for an the importance of contributing to the devel- This year’s contest witnessed the participa- is keen to support its further development lectual students by providing financial interest free loan, students must review opment of the arts in the community. This is tion of a number of professional photogra- within the local community. aid in interest-free loans payable five and fill the applications and the required years after graduation, with the objective documents, be an Arab citizen (perma- of helping students,” Qutub said. nent resident or dual nationals of a non- Arab country do not qualify), have a stu- Helping students dent visa of the country of study and “We try hard to help needy students in intends to return to serve the home Palestine to complete their studies and country, have an outstanding academic invest their talents in Arab countries with record, be enrolled for a masters or PhD interest-free loans. We also develop their program at a credited university, provide talents and educational experience by proof of active fulltime enrollment in an training courses that the institution pro- accredited university, finish one academ- vides. Ten years ago, we started sending ic semester at least in the field of study to our best students in the Gulf according to be eligible to apply for an interest free the market’s need to spread awareness, loan, must achieve “B” average or “very culture, knowledge and technology to good”, a transcript record of university develop Arab countries. We send our stu- grades of previous years (original), letter dents to universities specializing in a vari- of enrollment for the new academic year ety of scientific fields that you will not from the registrar (original), provide any find here,” he told Kuwait Times. change in contact information, two guar- Qutub explained that not all students antors and provide revised financial receive the same amount of money “We statement/financial status for the aca- pay $5,000 to those studying in the demic year.

Inw my vie What if

By Talal Al-Ghannam

[email protected]

ood morning dear readers. In patients and workers? this article I will replicate my old What if sport stadiums fall apart on Gseries of ‘Only in Kuwait’ with a the fans and players because they are new title: ‘What if.’ I will leave the so old? answers to be figured out by you. The What if the government and private topics I am discussing in my articles sector schools shatter into pieces on the seem very obvious to all, and they need students? I am talking about the old to be addressed and finally resolved. If ones as there are no serious efforts to we want to be among the most devel- renovate them currently. oped nations, we need to reconsider Don’t you agree that we all have to many wrongdoings that are being neg- be united in addressing these issues lected in the economic, sport, political rather than only blaming each other for and social domains. In this article, I will the faults? Someone has to be blamed, touch on the positive aspect as I have and efforts must be put together to find never tackled the positive side of solutions, rather than waiting for the Kuwait. catastrophe to happen. What if Kuwait decided to ban all Turning to the positive side: domestic laborers from entering the What if the price of gasoline was like country? What will happen then? that in Turkey, where you would have to What if the governments of pay between KD 50 and KD 60 to fill up Philippines, Sri Lana, India, Indonesia, the tank of a four cylinder car? Ethiopia and the rest of African coun- What if water price here was the tries decided not to deal with Kuwait for same as in Europe? manpower business? What if a falafel sandwich and a can What if the cleaning companies of soda were sold for KD 3 or KD 4 like in decided to stage a strike and stop their France or the UK? workers from cleaning the roads? What if the car insurance is outra- What if the European and Asian geous like in America? What if car countries decided to ban Kuwaitis from prices, cost of traffic citations, and the entering their territories for treatment cost of living were comparable to or tourisms? Europe? What if the franchise restaurants All these bounties need thanks and stopped opening renowned food cater- appreciation to Allah Almighty for them ing and restaurants here in Kuwait? to continue and be blessed. What if domestic workers’ agents After all, we are in infinite bounties decided to increase the fee to recruita here in Kuwait despite the many wrong- domestic worker to KD 2,000, instead of doings and faults. Kuwait remains a par- the current fee of up to KD 1,200? adise for honorable people. What if old hospitals collapse on the Till the next article Insha Allah.

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Anti-immigrant Pakistan arrests 47 Indian fishermen violence in South Africa spreads Page 11 Page 8

JALALABAD: Afghan men assist an injured man at the site of suicide attack near Kabul Bank in Jalalabad east of Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday. — AP Suicide blast kills 33 in Afghanistan Taleban execute three men in eastern Ghazni

JALALABAD: A suicide bomb blast in Afghanistan’s eastern city of Jalalabad killed 33 people and injured more than 100 yester- day outside a bank where government workers collect salaries, the city’s police chief said. Police were investigating whether there was a second explosion after people rushed to the scene to help, the police chief, Fazel Ahmad Sherzad, told a news confer- ence. “It was a suicide attack,” Sherzad said, adding police had yet to determine if the attacker had worn the explosives or had placed them in a car. “It is early to say what kind of suicide bomber.” Taleban insurgents denied responsibility. The militants, who were ousted from power by a US-led invasion in 2001, rarely claim attacks that kill large groups of civilians, saying their activities are restricted to foreign or Afghan military and government targets. “It was an evil act. We strongly condemn it,” the Islamist militants’ spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said. Police said another blast that shook Jalalabad was a con- trolled detonation after experts discovered a further bomb close to the scene of the first explosion. Local media reported a former spokesman for the Pakistani Taleban claimed responsibility for bombings in the eastern city on behalf of the Islamic State in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The spokesman could not be reached and his connection to the group could not be verified by Reuters. Elsewhere in the east, the Taleban announced the execu- tion of three men accused of murdering a couple during a rob- bery, saying they had been tried by an Islamic court. The killing was carried out in front of a crowd by Taleban fighters who fired at the men with AK-47s, according to a Reuters witness. Footage seen by Reuters show the men were made to sit on the ground with their eyes blindfolded and their hands tied at the time of their execution. “(They) killed a female doctor and her husband ... inside their house and then they took all their assets, jewelry and cash,” the Taleban said in a statement. The execution- ers, one stood behind each man, also had their faces covered, and were dressed in white salwar kameez and turbans. After the initial shots were fired, one continued to shoot at the bodies while the crowd of villagers cheered. This is the first year Afghan forces are facing the Taleban with very limited international support on the ground, although help with intelligence and special operations will continue through 2016. Yesterday, parliament approved the nomination of 16 min- isters, leaving only the position of defense minister vacant because the president and his coalition have been unable to agree on a candidate. The vacancy has frustrated military officials who say the army has been left rudderless in the face of escalat- ing violence by the Taleban. NATO, which at its peak had 130,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, has only a small contingent of around 12,000 troops left and most are involved in training.— Reuters

Palestinians, Israelis ‘reach accord’ on frozen taxes

RAMALLAH: Israel has agreed to transfer in full hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes collected for the Palestinian Authority but frozen in a row over the International Criminal Court, the Palestinian premier said. Rami Hamdallah, in a statement from his office late Friday, said Israel pledged at a meeting with Palestinian officials to hand over the taxes col- lected between December and March, amounting to almost half a billion dollars. Israeli media said the transfer of 1.8 bil- lion shekels would take place tomorrow. The Palestinians had threatened to turn to the International Criminal Court over Israel’s decision in early January to retain the taxes in retaliation for the Palestinians joining the ICC. The monthly funds account for two-thirds of the Palestinians’ annual budget, excluding foreign aid. Israel agreed at the start of April to release the funds after deduct- ing debts due for electricity, water and medical services, a proposal rejected by the Palestinians who insisted on full payment. Hamdallah said the PA, once the funds are received, will firstly pay the April salaries of its 180,000 employees, who have been receiving only 60 percent of their wages since December. The deficit will also be paid “as soon as possible”, the prime minister said. Under an economic agreement signed in 1994, Israel transfers to the PA tens of millions of dollars each month in customs duties levied on goods des- tined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports. Although transfer freezes have been imposed many times, they have rarely lasted more than one or two months, except in 2006 when the Islamist movement Hamas won a landslide victory in Palestinian legislative polls and Israel withheld the funds for six months. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Antiquities market on alert for looted Syrian spoils

LONDON: As armed groups in Syria and ($160-215 million). Marinello said rep- Iraq destroy priceless archaeological utable dealers are “being very careful not sites, European authorities and dealers to touch anything that could remotely be are on high alert for smaller, looted arte- part of this recent wave of looting”. But facts put on sale to help finance the Hermann Parzinger, an archaeologist and jihadists’ war. Stolen-art expert Chris president of the Germany-based Prussian Marinello, director of Art Recovery Cultural Heritage Foundation, said there International, said he has been shown was an “enormous market” from private photographs of items being offered from buyers. He warned that the cultural costs Syria that were “clearly looted right out of were huge, telling AFP: “The context the ground”. “You could still see dirt on which is so important to reconstruct the some of these objects,” he said. They history of these civilizations is completely included cylinder seals, Roman bottles destroyed.” and vases, although Marinello said it was unclear whether the items were still in Looted items held back Syria, were in transit or had arrived in the Italy has proposed that world heritage key markets of Europe and the United body UNESCO create a military taskforce States. to protect cultural sites in war zones, but Concerns about looting during the many experts believe little can be done Syrian war have increased following the to stop the current destruction. Instead, advance of the Islamic State group they are forced to wait until the conflict through parts of Syria and Iraq, and ends and watch in horror as priceless his- recent propaganda videos showing their toric sites are destroyed and the spoils destruction of ancient sites such as gradually emerge onto the market. Nimrud. The UN Security Council in Vernon Rapley, a former head of the art February demanded UN states act to and antiquities squad at London’s stop the trade in cultural property from Metropolitan Police, expects many Syrian ALEPPO: A man walks past the rubble of a building following a reported shelling by Syrian government forces in the Bab those two countries, amid warnings that items to be held back to avoid flooding Al-Hadid neighborhood of the northern city of Aleppo yesterday.—AFP they represented a significant source of the market, as occurred after the US-led bat looting. The French policeman would crime is rarely a police priority. The law been photographed and digitally cata- funding for the militant group. Experts invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. like to see tougher national laws on traf- puts the onus on the authorities to logued are more likely to be recovered. say it is impossible to put a value on The looted artefacts were likely to be ficking of cultural goods, something prove an item is illegal and a long delay Interpol is currently building a database antiquities looted from Syria, which has “hauled up in warehouses either in the Germany is currently considering. “We in an artefact being sold, or multiple of stolen objects, and James Ede, a been home to many civilizations through country or near the country, and only have to act by seeking to narrow markets owners, make it hard to establish prove- London dealer and IADAA board mem- the millennia, from the Canaanites to the linked to the art trade in small pieces and for the illicit trade, hoping that by curb- nance. At a conference at the V&A ber, urged cultural bodies to share their Ottomans. at a later stage”, he said. Stephane Thefo, ing the demand, the supply would even- museum in London this week on the information with dealers. “This material The London-based International who leads an Interpol unit dedicated to tually decrease,” Thefo said. destruction of cultural property in con- will necessarily surface on the open Association of Dealers in Ancient Art fighting the illegal trafficking of cultural flict areas in Iraq and Syria, Mali, Libya market sooner or later. The challenge (IADAA) estimates the entire legitimate goods, agreed that many items may dis- Identifying heritage items and Yemen, archaeologists stressed the therefore is to identify it and where pos- antiquities market in 2013 was worth appear for years-but insisted that tack- Identifying looted objects is no easy need for proper inventories of heritage sible to return it when it is safe to do so,” between 150 and 200 million euros ling the trade was the best way to com- task, however, not least because cultural sites. They noted that objects that have he said.— AFP ‘Differences’ emerge in Libya peace talks

SKHIRAT: The UN said Friday it was trying ‘Definitive agreement’ to narrow differences between Libya’s rival Earlier Friday, Mohammed Chouaib of parliaments over an agreement aimed at Libya’s internationally recognized parlia- forming a unity government to end unrest ment said his delegation had handed Leon tearing the country apart, as fresh fighting written observations. “We hope that the broke out near the capital Tripoli. The dif- dialogue will resume in order to reach a ferences emerged in written observations definitive agreement in the next two days,” by the two sides on the agreement envoy he added. Mohamed Maazab, a member of Bernardino Leon is trying to clinch, said the rival parliament, said his group had also Samir Ghattas, spokesman for the UN mis- submitted remarks to Leon on the draft sion in Libya (UNSMIL). “We have received agreement. the text from the parties on their remarks. He said the accord being considered There are differences that we are working aims to find “consensus on which authori- to narrow,” he said in statement texted to ties will take charge of the future transition- AFP. “But there are many elements that al period”. Leon warned Wednesday that they are in agreement on,” he added, with- this round of talks would be the last. “I real- out elaborating. ly hope that the negotiators that are com- Leon did not meet the delegates Friday, ing today are understanding that we can- as he had done since the talks to thrash out not wait any more and this will really be the an agreement resumed two days earlier in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat. But he final round,” he said. Tawfiq Othman from reportedly spent the day reviewing written the recognized government’s delegation observations to try to find common said that he expects the talks to continue ground. The impasse comes as forces of the after today. “The UN mission is working internationally recognized government today and tomorrow on our observations attacked a base controlled by the rival to formulate a third draft, which will be a administration near the capital Tripoli, with new starting point for further discussions,” at least 21 people killed in the clashes, he said. including three civilian women. One sticking point, Othman said, was The fighting marks a new front to the the other side’s insistence on being repre- east of Tripoli as pro-government forces sented in the legislature, as well as in the attempt to regain the capital, under the government. “This is very difficult for us. We control of the rival Islamist-based alliance agreed that it participate in the govern- since August. Libya has been divided since ment and we are negotiating this point, BAGHDAD: Children sit in a trolley as displaced people from Ramadi cross Bzabz bridge 65 km west of Baghdad yesterday. — AP the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed but their participation in the legislature will dictator Muammar Gaddafi, with the two be very difficult,” he said. Othman’s govern- opposing governments and parliaments ment is backed by the parliament that was and armed groups now battling to control elected last June, and which fled the capital its cities and oil wealth. On March 24, after it was seized by Islamist-backed mili- Troops retake most of UNSMIL unveiled a six-point plan to end tias in August. The rival parliament is the the crisis, including the formation of a tran- General National Congress, a transitional sitional unity government until a new con- body elected after Kadhafi’s ouster, whose stitution is adopted and elections held. mandate expired last year.— AFP Iraq’s largest refinery Anti-immigrant violence PM’s spokesman resigns over pro-Saddam song BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces retook most of the coun- fled Anbar in recent days as Islamic State mili- so I requested I be relieved and that was done,” in South Africa spreads try’s largest refinery from Islamic State yesterday, tants gained on Ramadi and local officials Jaboori said in a post on his personal Facebook security officials said, reversing gains by the mili- warned the city was about to fall. Two members page. Jaboori-a former BBC journalist who JOHANNESBURG: Mobs in South Africa deaths of six people there, police said. tants who seized parts of the sprawling complex of the Anbar provincial council and police Major became Abadi’s spokesman less than six months attacked shops owned by immigrants in a Some 112 people were arrested in this week. The insurgents attacked Iraq’s Baiji Khalid Al-Fahdawi who is stationed inside ago-confirmed to AFP that he had resigned. poor area of Johannesburg yesterday fol- KwaZulu-Natal province, which includes refinery a week ago by blasting through the Ramadi said reinforcements were on the way In a video that has been widely circulated lowing similar violence in another part of Durban, during the riots there, according to security perimeter around it and taking over sev- and the city was no longer in immediate peril. online in recent days, Jaboori performs a song the country that killed six people, accord- authorities. Some South Africans have eral installations, including storage tanks. A “The danger is still there, but the situation is bet- that describes the dictator, who has since been ing to media reports. There was a heavy accused immigrants of taking jobs and spokesman for Iraq’s counterterrorism forces ter than yesterday,” provincial council member executed, as the “sword of righteousness against police presence in Alexandra township opportunities away from them in a country said troops protecting the refinery had now Sabah Karhout said. wrong,” and says: “O Saddam Hussein, your ene- after rioters looted some shops, burned with high unemployment. The government retaken most facilities, although there were still mies all fall and you remain.” The video is inter- tires and built street barricades overnight. has said it is addressing complaints about small pockets of insurgents left on the site. “We Pro-Saddam song spersed with images including of Saddam stand- The report says police fired rubber bullets undocumented migrants, while noting that expect to regain full control within a couple of In another development, Iraqi Prime Minister ing in front of crowds, holding a sword and rid- in an attempt to stop the unrest, news out- many foreign nationals are living legally in hours,” Sabah Al-Noamani said. Haider Al-Abadi’s spokesman Rafid Jaboori has ing a white horse in a parade. On Friday, Jaboori let eNCA reported. South Africa and contributing to economic Iraqi forces retook Baiji refinery from militants resigned over a video showing him singing the posted a statement on his official Facebook Several shops and cars owned by immi- development. About 60 people died in sim- once before last November, but lost control of it praises of dictator Saddam Hussein more than a page that confirmed that he sang the song grants were torched in downtown ilar unrest in South Africa in 2008. In again. Islamic State insurgents suffered a major decade ago, he said yesterday. Twelve years after “more than 15 years ago,” saying that “I had to Johannesburg in recent days. Attacks on January this year, four people died during a defeat this month when Iraqi troops and Shiite Saddam was overthrown by the US-led invasion, meet the requirements of living at that time”. “I immigrants, many of them from other week of looting of foreign-owned shops paramilitaries routed them from the city of Tikrit, many Iraqis still despise him for the abuses com- was young then and lacked wisdom, but even at African countries, in and around the coastal and other violence in Soweto and other but struck back at Baiji and in the western mitted by his Baath party regime. “I didn’t want that time, I was not a member of the Baath party, city of Durban have subsided after the areas of Johannesburg.—AP province of Anbar. Thousands of families have to further embarrass the prime minister’s office... and I am not a Baathist now,” he said.—Agencies

Australia FM hails Iran effort to defeat IS

TEHRAN: Australia’s foreign minister yesterday terrorist organisation and put an end to the mis- Iranians make up 23 percent of 1,848 people hailed Iran’s efforts to crush the jihadist Islamic ery of the people in Iraq,” she said, referring to held in immigration detention centres in State group in Iraq, saying on a rare trip to Iran and Australia’s efforts. Iraq needs “a strong Australia, according to official figures from late Tehran that the militants can be defeated. Julie and stable government” added Bishop, who March. Bishop is Australia’s highest-ranking official to along with Zarif said Australia and Iran were in Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott also visit Iran in 12 years and she discussed the con- Iraq at the request of the Baghdad government raised the subject last week, noting: “We will be flict in Iraq with her Iranian counterpart in fighting IS. “The fight against Daesh and ter- talking to the Iranian government about taking Mohammad Javad Zarif. Australia is part of an rorism in Iraq should be managed by the Iraqi back people who are... Iranian citizens, because international coalition in Iraq and has 500 troops government,” Zarif said. “Anything we do in Iraq they deserve to be in Iran. They belong in Iran.” deployed there. Iran, though not part of the is in coordination with the Iraqi government.” However after their meeting, Bishop and Zarif coalition, has run a parallel campaign using Bishop will later meet President Hassan gave no details of proposed changes in policy. Shiite militias and military advisers to reverse the Rouhani and Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign affairs “We discussed the challenge we have been fac- IS surge that came close to felling the Baghdad adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali ing these recent years of people in the smug- government last June. Khamenei. Her trip comes after Iran and world gling trade. We agreed to continue these discus- “We are witnessing a more complex and dan- powers reached a political framework on April 2 sions at consular level,” Bishop said. Zarif added: gerous form of terrorism with Daesh,” Bishop for a deal to end the standoff over Tehran’s “It is an important and sensitive human rights said at a joint press conference, using an Arabic nuclear program. A comprehensive agreement is issue and we hope that (the visit) paves the way JOHANNESBURG: South African hostel dwellers demonstrate against foreigners in acronym to refer to the militant group. “Both due by June 30. But in Australia public concern for improving the situation of the asylum seek- Johannesburg. — AP countries can contribute in the fight against this towards Iran has focused on asylum seekers. ers.” -— AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 Man gets 100-year jail term in murder of teacher

SIDNEY: A man was sentenced to 100 and grabbing Arnold from the side of said he was relieved the case had come years in prison Friday in a Montana the road. to a resolution after causing so much teacher’s murder - a case that local offi- Spell, wearing a cardigan and check- anguish for his family and the communi- cials say robbed the victim’s rural home- ered shirt, kept his hands in his pockets ty. “I’m even more relieved the judge town of its innocence amid an oil boom and head bowed as the sentence was imposed the full sentence,” an emotion- that’s swept across the Northern Plains. pronounced. He expressed remorse in a al Arnold said. Michael Keith Spell, 25, of Parachute, brief statement to the court. “I know The murder occurred as drilling for Colorado, was sentenced following a that I hurt a lot of people. I’m just hop- oil in the Bakken shale formation hearing before state District Judge ing that someday they’ll be able to for- beneath eastern Montana and western Richard Simonton in Sidney. Spell, who is give me,” he said. He will become eligi- North Dakota was getting into full mentally disabled and described by the ble for parole in 2037. Defense attorneys swing, with people from around the defense as functionally illiterate, pleaded had asked that Spell be placed into state country flooding into the region for guilty in October to killing Sherry health officials’ custody for placement in work. The boom has almost doubled Arnold, 43, after attempting to abduct an institution for the mentally disabled. Sidney’s population to an estimated the popular math teacher as she was They said Spell’s mental problems made 9,300 people, bringing with it more traf- jogging near her home in 2012. him unable to conform to the law. In the fic and higher housing costs. Arnold’s Arnold’s body was found months lat- days before Arnold’s killing, Spell and death brought another kind of change: er buried in a shallow grave in a rural Waters traveled to Sidney from Right away, people started locking their area near Williston, North Dakota. Co- Colorado, looking for work in the boom- front doors and quit leaving their keys defendant Lester Van Waters Jr was sen- ing Bakken oil patch and using crack in their vehicles. Many in the communi- tenced in December to 80 years in cocaine throughout their journey. ty remain reluctant to venture out prison on a charge of deliberate homi- Waters allegedly told Spell during alone, according to local residents and SIDNEY: Michael Keith Spell, 25, sits in state District Court in Sidney, Mont. —AP cide by accountability. Spell’s defense the trip that crack “brought the devil out city officials. “The innocence of Sidney attorneys portrayed Waters as the one in him,” and he began talking about kid- has definitely changed,” Sidney Mayor that Spell’s history of low IQ scores, his County Attorney Mike Weber noted that who hatched the pair’s plan to kidnap a napping and killing a woman, according Rick Norby said. “You’re never going to difficulty reading and other mental Spell acted on his own volition when he random woman for sex. They alleged to an affidavit filed by prosecutors. After get over it.” problems rendered him incompetent to ingested crack cocaine, alcohol and Waters threatened to kill Spell unless he the pair spotted Arnold along a Sidney Spell was spared a potential death stand trial. Psychologist Craig Beaver, a marijuana leading up to the attack. went along. But Simonton noted Spell street, Spell tried to grab her, leading to sentence after state health officials defense witness, said Spell has a child’s Defense attorneys Al Avignone and Lisa did not try to escape from Waters when a struggle in which Arnold was choked agreed with the defense that he was mentality and a subservient personality Banick said Friday’s sentence will be he had the chance, including in the final or otherwise asphyxiated, authorities mentally disabled. But Simonton in May that allowed him to be manipulated by appealed based on their continued moments between leaving Waters car said. The victim’s husband, Gary Arnold, rejected arguments from the defense Waters. But prosecutor and Richland belief that Spell was not fit for trial.— AP

Denver teacher’s third grade assignment goes viral online

DENVER: A Colorado teacher who posted notes classed as English language learners. Schwartz from her third grade class online and started a said one message that garnered a lot of sympa- social media whirlwind under the hashtag thy online, from a girl who said she missed her #IWishMyTeacherKnew said on Friday the father after he was deported to Mexico several assignment had been a revelation for her. Kyle years ago, was particularly revealing. “That stu- Schwartz, 26, asked the eight- and nine-year- dent comes to school each day with a smile on olds at her Denver inner city school to write her face,” the teacher said, adding that she down something they wished she knew about would not have known what the girl was going them, partly as a writing exercise, and partly as a through if not for the hand-written note. way for her to learn about her pupils. Responses She said the pupils were told they could included “I don’t have pencils at home to do my write anonymously if they wished, but that homework,” and “I want to go to college,” to one most were happy to add their names and to tear-jerker from a girl who said she had no share their messages with classmates. One friends to play with at recess. When the teacher widely commented upon note was from a girl shared photographs of some of the notes on who said she had no friends to play with during Twitter, similar messages and pictures came break time. Schwartz said that message had pouring in from other schools worldwide. been “heartbreaking,” but that she was glad- Schwartz, a self-described suburban girl who dened to see how the other pupils rallied to has taught at southwest Denver’s Doull support the child who wrote it. “The next day at Elementary for three years, said she has con- recess, all the girls huddled around her and ducted the exercise each year, in part because played tag,” Schwartz said. “A lot of what we’re she wanted to underline the issue of poverty in teaching is how to be a good friend. My stu- US inner cities. About 90 percent of Doull’s 532 dents’ emotional needs are just as important as students are Hispanic, and 46 percent are their academic needs.” — Reuters California’s pipeline explosion injures 15

SACRAMENTO: A construction crew on cent railroad line, Martinez said. Rail traffic Friday accidentally ruptured a natural gas was halted to check for possible damage to WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama signs the bill HR 2 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 in the Rose Garden of the transmission line in Fresno, California, spark- a railway bridge over a river, he said. One White House in Washington. —AP ing an explosion and fire that injured up to worker in critical condition was flown to hos- 15 people, four of them critically, officials pital by helicopter, and 13 or 14 others were said. The 12-inch pipeline, belonging to taken to hospitals for evaluation and treat- Obama gets tough on GOP Pacific Gas & Electric Corp, was struck by a ment of injuries after the pipeline was rup- backhoe near state Highway 99, unleashing tured at about 2:30 p.m., Martinez added. a fireball that injured members of the con- Four of the injured were taken to struction team and a jail inmate crew near- Community Regional Medical Center in Diplomacy out, blunt talk in by, Fresno Fire Department spokesman Peter Fresno, and two more were taken to the WASHINGTON: With a tone of outrage and eye-rolling dismissiveness, Secretary of State John Kerry. “That’s an indication of the degree to which Martinez said. burn unit there, said hospital spokeswoman President Barack Obama and his White House team are working out their partisanship has crossed all boundaries,” Obama said. “That’s a problem. The accident forced closure of the high- Mary Lisa Russell, adding that four were in aggressions on Republicans. Well into the final quarter of Obama’s presi- It needs to stop.” He went on: “We have Mitch McConnell trying to tell the way in both directions, along with an adja- critical condition and two serious.—Reuters dency the White House approach is, if you can’t join ‘em, beat ‘em. Even world, oh, don’t have confidence in the US government’s abilities to fulfill with a whiff of bipartisanship in the air, the president is going on offense any climate change pledge that we might make.” On Thursday, White and building on a strategy employed since Democrats lost control of the House spokesman Josh Earnest singled out Grassley, declaring com- Senate. Disagree with a Republican? The White House approach is to sin- ments he made about the Lynch vote “duplicitous.” gle a lawmaker out, pick a fight and don’t mince words. In just the past week, the president and his spokesman have targeted Harsh words Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican Sens. John Asked how harsh words might help his cause, Earnest replied: “Being McCain and Charles Grassley, on topics from climate change to the Iran nice has gotten us a 160-day delay. So maybe after they look up ‘duplici- nuclear deal to the delayed confirmation of attorney general nominee tous’ in the dictionary we’ll get a different result.” It was the kind of “ouch” Loretta Lynch. This is a White House unleashed, forgoing niceties for the moment seldom heard from the White House. Republicans have their kind of blunt talk some of Obama’s allies have been demanding for some own eye-rolling response. “We’re used it,” said McConnell, whose jousts time. But the rhetoric carries risks of sounding peevish and signals that a with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid are legion. “We used to get it president who once ran on the promise of changing the tone in from the Democratic leader routinely.” Still, Pat Griffin, who was legisla- Washington has fully embraced its political combat. tive director in the Clinton administration, said the tone from the White House dovetails with the aggressive strategy Obama has set since his Enough! Enough! party lost control of the Senate in November and put Congress in On Friday, Obama delivered a testy lecture to Republicans, decrying Republican hands. the long wait Lynch has faced since she was nominated in early “I think the president since the election has kept these guys on their November. “Enough. Enough!” he said, addressing Senate Republicans. heels,” Griffin said. Obama and his aides “have come to understand that “This is embarrassing, a process like this.” you don’t get the attention of these guys and the attention of the coun- Last Saturday, Obama hit McCain especially hard, after his 2008 presi- try without having some edge.” Republicans maintain Obama would be dential rival declared a major setback in the Iran nuclear talks after Iran’s better off working on bipartisan efforts, such as trade. Top lawmakers on supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, demanded that sanctions Thursday revealed a bipartisan agreement to give Obama authority to against Tehran had to be lifted immediately after a deal went into place. negotiate trade deals without having to face delays in Congress. But (The preliminary deal says the sanctions will be lifted as Iran proves it is many Democrats oppose such deals, fearing they will cost jobs or lower complying with limits on its nuclear program.) environmental standards. Obama cast McCain’s criticism as an assault on the credibility of Cheap shots “Rather than spending so much time criticizing peo- ple like Chuck Grassley and myself, he ought to be out there lining up the Democratic votes for trade promotion authority,” McConnell said in an interview Friday. “This is a time for presidential leadership.” As for Lynch, McConnell said, “The cheap shots at Sen Grassley were particularly inappropriate.” Lynch’s confirmation has been delayed because McConnell has wanted to pass a sexual trafficking bill through the Senate first. That bill has been held up because of Democratic objections to anti-abortion language in the bill. McConnell predicted the dispute would be resolved next week, opening the way for a vote on Lynch. For many Democratic allies of the White House, Obama’s confrontational talk could have come even sooner. “If you’re sitting at the White House looking at Republicans on Capitol Hill, especially on the House side, you can’t expect either much respect from them or a willingness to get much done,” said Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist and former top aide to Reid. “Point two, as we move into the primary season, the base is looking for a more combative tone from the White House as well.” The last two years of a second term are especial- ly liberating for presidents. They don’t face re-election and they don’t feel they have much to lose legislatively by going on the offensive. “It feels good to do that when you have been bottled up,” said Matt Bennett, a veteran of the Clinton White House.— AP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

‘Bookkeeper of Auschwitz’, 93, faces trial in Germany

BERLIN: A former Nazi officer known as divided on arrival, and either taken directly the man in charge of supplying the lethal the “bookkeeper of Auschwitz” goes on tri- to the gas chambers or sent to work as gas Zyklon B received eight years. al in Germany next Tuesday, possibly the slaves, prosecutors say. Groening has apol- In total there have been 6,656 convic- last SS member to face punishment after ogized in a string of media interviews for tions since 1945, on charges ranging from most escaped justice. Oskar Groening, 93, serving as an Auschwitz guard, but insisted perjury to murder. More than 90 percent of will be tried on “accessory to murder” he was personally innocent of murdering sentences were less than five years, accord- charges in 300,000 cases for his role in the deportees. “The SS was a criminal organi- ing to historian Andreas Sander. Just 49 deaths of mostly Hungarian Jews deported zation, that much is clear. But back then I former Auschwitz SS officers were among to the death camp in 1944. His trial - 70 though I was serving Germany,” he told the the convicts. Groening, a witness in three years after the liberation of Germany’s con- daily Hannoversche Zeitung last year. “For trials, had himself been cleared by a court centration camps at the end of World War me it was nothing different to what was in 1985. A 2011 case set a new legal prece- II-is the last currently scheduled for a for- happening at the front. I thought what dent, when a Munich court sentenced to mer Nazi. About a dozen preliminary happened in Auschwitz was right. That’s jail the former Nazi death camp guard John investigations have been launched, but the the message I had been fed since I was 10.” Demjanjuk, a former Ukrainian citizen who others are unlikely to go to trial given the had spent years in the United States. advanced age and poor health of the sus- Justice delayed Judges accepted that Demjanjuk was pects. Groening’s trial illustrates a last push by an accessory to the murder of almost Media interest is expected to be intense German justice to pursue surviving Nazi 28,000 Dutch Jews, based on the fact that in Lueneburg’s trial near the northern city war criminals. Despite post-war Germany’s he had worked at the Sobibor extermina- of Hamburg, where some 50 Auschwitz efforts to atone for the war and Holocaust, tion camp in Nazi-occupied Poland. If the survivors will appear as co-plaintiffs or wit- relatively few Nazis were jailed by a court courts had applied the current criteria all nesses. Groening has insisted he “never OSWIECIM: A woman walks through snow near the entrance to the former Nazi con- system initially staffed by many judges and along, “tens of thousands of German citi- gave so much as a slap” to a prisoner, but centration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau with the lettering ‘Arbeit macht frei’ (‘Work prosecutors who themselves were tainted zens” should have been in the dock, said prosecutors argue he was a cog in the makes you free’) in Oswiecim, Poland, days before the 70th anniversary of the lib- by the regime. For decades, they targeted legal expert Cornelius Nestler at the Auschwitz death machine that claimed eration of the camp by Russian forces. — AFP only suspects linked to specific atrocities, Demjanjuk trial. Some 1.1 million people, more than a million lives. The defendant usually demanding rare eyewitness testi- among them about one million European volunteered for the Waffen SS in 1941 and job was to account for the cash stolen from Berlin. mony. At landmark mid-1960s Frankfurt tri- Jews, perished between 1940 and 1945 in was transferred to Auschwitz in Nazi-occu- inmates, sorting the money by currency, At times he was also stationed at the als, Auschwitz deputy chief Robert Mulka the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp before it was pied Poland the following year. There his counting it and sending the funds on to railway platform, where prisoners were was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while liberated by Soviet forces.— AFP In Labor’s Scottish bastion, nationalists prepare upset Glasgow is symbol of Labor’s reversal of fortune

GLASGOW: In Scotland’s biggest city, SNP, according to John Curtice, profes- moved England rightwards from 1979 nationalists have triggered a once-in-a- sor of politics at the University of to 1990, Scots stood opposed, especially century shift in political loyalties that Strathclyde and Scotland’s most to Thatcher’s use of Scotland to test an could dash Labor leader Ed Miliband’s respected opinion poll analyst. unpopular poll tax. dreams of winning the May 7 election “Glasgow North East is the safest Labor Her successors, from John Major to and thrust secessionist ‘kingmakers’ to seat in the country and nobody has yet Labor prime ministers Tony Blair and the heart of British power. The shifting come up with an opinion poll that sug- Gordon Brown, broadly accepted currents in Glasgow, the citadel of gests it could be lost,” he told Reuters. Thatcher’s legacy while millions of Scots Scottish socialism for more than a cen- “But everything else in the city is held to their socialist traditions. Those tury, show the seriousness of the absolutely up for grabs.” traditions go back to the dawn of the nationalists’ bid to end Labor’s domi- British Labor movement when Keir nance of Scotland, a significant change Glasgow ‘up for grabs’ Hardie, the Scottish trade unionist born in recent British political history. From the banks of the River Clyde, in Glasgow in 1856, helped found the The nationalist challenge could trig- Glasgow’s merchants earned fortunes in Labor Party. As Blair moved Labor right- ger events after the election that threat- the 18th Century from tobacco from wards to win voters in England and en the future of the United Kingdom America and after the American established the Scottish parliament, the and possibly its membership of the Revolution disrupted trade, they party assumed its Scottish flank would European Union. Scots voted to pre- imported sugar from the West Indies. be secure. serve the United Kingdom in a Sept. 18 Glasgow became one of Europe’s That opened an opportunity for the referendum but the once marginal biggest shipbuilding centers by the SNP, which pitches itself as the social Scottish National Party (SNP) has spent 19th Century but by the early 20th conscience of Scotland opposed to what two decades persuading Scots that it is Century, the docks of “Red Clydeside” leader Nicola Sturgeon calls the crum- bling institutions of the London elite. SICILY: A boat transporting migrants arrives in the port of Messina after a rescue operation at sea yesterday in Just 12 years after the establishment of Sicily. — AFP the Scottish Parliament, the SNP would topple Labor, winning a majority in the 2011 Scottish election. “Labor has, from the 1970s, been regarded as the natural party of government in Scotland,” said New horror at sea Stewart MacLennan, 64, a former Labor candidate who now backs the SNP. But now Murphy is greeted on the campaign Amid growing migrant crisis, 20 burn victims rescued trail by SNP taunts that Labor, whose party color is red, are the “Red Tories”, in MILAN: The unabated flow of migrants fleeing instability in ing in Lampedusa, a small island off the coast of Sicily. Aid reference to the Conservatives’ nick- Libya brought a new horror on yesterday: The discovery of 20 workers helped some whose hands were covered in gauze name. migrants adrift at sea who had suffered grave burn injuries in walk off the boat, while more gravely injured victims were a cooking gas explosion before departing Libya, and then moved by stretcher. ‘Reaping the whirlwind’ were forced onto a smuggler’s boat without treatment. Italian While the SNP has added members ships have picked up 10,000 people, many of them refugees Horrific incident since the referendum, opinion polls of war and persecution, over the past week, an unprecedent- Five of the most seriously burned were flown to hospitals show its share of the vote has risen just a ed number in such a short period. in nearby Sicily. “This latest horrific incident involving human few percentage points. What has The influx is putting pressure on Italy’s shelter system and smugglers shows the urgent need to create safe legal alterna- changed is that Scots now appear to raising calls for a better response to the emergency. Friday’s tives so that refugees don’t need to put their lives at risk in this have broken a tradition of voting SNP rescue comes after the feared drowning of more than 400 way,” the UNHCR said in a statement. Prosecutors in Sicily, only in Scottish elections and have now migrants in two shipwrecks in the last week, bringing to more meanwhile, were investigating 15 Muslim migrants for PENSBY: Opposition Labor Party leader Ed Miliband (left) is greeted by staff as also fixed their sights on the London than 900 the number of people who have died or gone miss- allegedly throwing 12 Christian migrants overboard in a reli- he arrives at Pensby High School in Pensby, north-west Engand yesterday for a parliament. Such a change in voting ing so far this year making the perilous crossing - 10 times gious dispute. Survivors, who police said resisted being general election campaign visit. Britain goes to the polls to elect a new parlia- habits could shake the foundations of higher than over the same period last year. In Washington, thrown overboard in part by holding on to each other, report- ment on May 7. — AFP Britain’s political establishment. A President Barack Obama pledged more intense cooperation ed the incident after being rescued. YouGov poll on April 8-9 found the SNP with Italy on threats coming from the instability in Libya, The International Organization for Migration said the rate a worthy alternative to Labor, which were breeding a radical socialism that had 49 percent support in Scotland, with which has contributed to the influx of migrants across the of migrant and refugee deaths this year is 10 times higher many voters say has abandoned its spooked Britain’s leaders during World Labor on 25 percent. Mediterranean. than in 2014, even though the number of those who made it Scottish heritage. “We’re recovering War One. It was the biggest lead so far for the across safely is about the same. The agency put arrivals so far from a period where the Scottish Labor Labor became Scotland’s biggest SNP and the lowest level for Labor since The closest point this year in Italy through Thursday at 21,191. That compares party wasn’t strong enough, and it was- party in the British parliament in 1922 2007 in a YouGov poll. Under a uniform Libya, the closest point in north Africa to Italy, is a transit with 26,644 for the first four months of last year. “This is unac- n’t good enough. And that takes time,” and the last time it lost Scotland in a swing, the poll showed the SNP would point for migrants hoping to reach Europe by sea. Speaking ceptable,” said Federico Soda, director of the IOM coordination said Jim Murphy, leader of the Scottish national election was in 1955. By 2014, win 53 seats out of all 59 in Scotland, up after a meeting with the visiting Italian prime minister, Obama office for the Mediterranean, calling for more intensive search Labor Party. 45 percent of Scots would vote for inde- from 6 in the 2010 general election, promised to “work together even more intensively to encour- and rescue efforts. “This is a humanitarian emergency that “We’ve got less than three weeks to pendence. In a small campaign office in while Labor would win four Scottish age cooperation on threats coming from Libya, including the involves us all.” turn it round but I’m confident that we a block of council flats, the SNP candi- seats, down from 41 in 2010, making it growing ISIL presence there, as well as additional coordination can,” said Murphy, a 47-year-old teetotal date for Glasgow Central, Alison Labor’s worst result in Scotland since with other partners in how we can stabilize what has become Dangerous journeys vegetarian who opinion polls show has Thewliss, is trying to sow the seeds of 1918, YouGov said. The Liberal a very deadly and difficult situation.” Italian Premier Matteo Greece, the EU’s second-biggest gateway for migrants after so far failed to stem a flood of support Labor’s defeat. Asked why so many Democrats would win one seat, down Renzi said he expected to see results of the commitment in Italy, appealed to its European Union partners Friday for more from Labor to the SNP. The destiny of Scots were turning away from Labor, from 11 in 2010, while the Conservatives the coming weeks. help in policing its sea borders as immigrants increasingly Glasgow’s once safe Labor seats will she said: “They saw Labor joining up would hold its one seat. “It has to do with the justice and the dignity of mankind,” make dangerous journeys to escape war and poverty in the show whether Labor has lost Scotland, a with the Tories during the referendum, Losing so many seats would scupper he said. Among the burn victims rescued Friday after two Middle East and Africa. The deteriorating security situation in defeat that would scupper Miliband’s and it’s hurt people actually.” Labor’s Miliband’s chances of leading a majority days adrift on a half-deflated dinghy was a 6-month-old baby. Libya has added new urgency to the migrant crisis. Earlier bid to win an overall majority in the joint effort with the Conservative Party government and potentially allow Prime They were among 70 migrants who were rescued and trans- Friday, gunmen seized an Italian fishing boat with seven 650-seat London parliament and poten- to urge Scots to reject independence Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives ported to the Italian island of Lampedusa. One of the burn vic- crewmembers from international waters and were towing it to tially give the SNP a kingmaker position alienated some voters, even those who to win a second term. Sturgeon has giv- tims, a woman, died en route. The UN refugee agency said the the Libyan port of Misrata before the Italian navy intervened from which to bargain for more powers support the 308-year-old union, she en mixed signals on seeking a second cooking gas explosion occurred at a holding center run by and regained control of the boat. There were no immediate for Scotland. The loss of Glasgow, a par- said. independence referendum but has smugglers who demand thousands of euros (dollars) for a reports of injuries. Sicily’s main fishing consortium said the ty stronghold for so many decades, warned that a vote on Britain’s member- place on unseaworthy boats making the journey across the seizure appeared related to a dispute over fishing rights. would symbolize the extent of Labor’s ‘Sense of entitlement’ ship of European Union, which Cameron Mediterranean. Fighting in Libya has escalated to its worst levels since the decline in Scotland and the emerging Labor’s potential loss of Scotland has promised, could trigger another ref- “A gas cylinder exploded and killed several people and 2011 civil war that ended with the overthrow and killing of supremacy of the nationalists. illustrates the divergence of England erendum. “The referendum last year was injured many others,” said the UN High Commissioner for longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Rebel groups that fought Labor won all seven of Glasgow’s and Scotland and what many Scots see the culmination of a long process of Refugees spokeswoman in Italy, Barbara Molinario. “The traf- against him kept their weapons and militias mushroomed in seats in the British parliament in the as an arrogant London political estab- political disillusionment,” said Professor fickers would not allow them to leave and reach the hospital number. The country now has rival governments, an interna- 2010 election with apparently unassail- lishment that has failed to heed or Gregor Gall, editor of the Scottish Labor so they did not get treatment for a few days. And then they tionally recognized one in the eastern city of Tobruk and an able majorities of up to 16,000 votes. address their needs. While Conservative History Society. “The whirlwind from that were put on a boat.” UNHCR released video images of the bad- Islamist-backed one in the capital, Tripoli. The two sides have Now all but one are threatened by the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is still being reaped for Labor.” — Reuters ly burned victims being taken from an Italian vessel after arriv- been negotiating in Morocco to end the fighting.— AP Shark attacks shake surfing paradise of reunion

SAINT-PAUL: Reunion, once a haven for surfers from around 1,000 others at a memorial for his son on the beach. “I have 1,600 when bodyboard champion Mathieu Schiller was killed surf schools in Reunion has fallen from 14 to one. Since 2013 the world, has become a deadly black spot for the sport now two children left and I want them to stay alive and I want all of in 2011, to 400 now. Some have remained registered in when another leading local surfer Fabien Bujon had his hand plunged into even deeper mourning after a shark mauled Elio you here to stay alive,” he said as he pleaded with Reunion’s Reunion but do not go into the sea there, said Christophe and right foot torn off by a shark, the authorities have banned Canestri to death. The 13-year-old, one of the Indian Ocean youngsters to stay out of the sea. Mulquin, coach to the French youth and junior surfing teams. swimming and water sports outside of monitored areas. island’s most promising young surfers, was killed after he Two hundred of the mourners went to the government Reunion has for years provided the core of French teams. Reunion now pays for its best surfers to go train far from ignored an official ban and hit the waves with friends. Canestri office and tipped red paint on the road to protest against the Hugo Savalli, France’s surfing champion in 2012, said he the island. “Last year, I only saw my son for four month,” said left a note for his mother saying “don’t worry”. But he was lack of official action against the sharks. “Words can’t describe stopped going into the sea off Reunion after the death of his Marc Bernard, whose 15-year-old son Lucas is another leading dragged off his surfboard by a 2.5 meter long bull shark and how sad and angry I am,” commented Reunion’s best known friend Schiller. “Last year I went into the water twice, but only youth hope. The teenager spends most of his time between dragged out to sea. surfer Jeremy Flores on his instagram account. Canestri was up to two meters and I was like a little child,” he said. South Africa and France. The Reunion authorities had planned The boy was the seventh fatal victim of shark attacks the second shark death this year. A 22-year-old woman was Janique Hoarau, a silver medalist in the European body- to open up safe surfing zones with extra lifeguards, observer around Reunion since 2011. Nine others have miraculously killed as she swam in the sea in February. Most of Reunion’s board championships, said she left Reunion in 2013 “with boats and cameras. But the death of Elio Canestri has halted survived surfing or swimming near internationally known surfers have already decided not to take any more risks how- three suitcases and no work” because she was scared for her such ideas. Since the tragedy, no date has been spoken of and beaches such as St Leu and La Pointe au Sel. On Wednesday, ever. children who were in the same surf club as Elio Canestri. Now many surfers say it will be difficult to get back to the paradise three days after the killing, Canestri’s father Giovanni joined The number of licensed surfers in Reunion has fallen from the Hoarau family live on France’s west coast. The number of surfing they enjoyed before 2011.— AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 US state of Nebraska could abolish death penalty Oklahoma gov signs bill allowing nitrogen in executions

WASHINGTON: Nebraska has taken a major step closer imposes the death penalty. A recent shortage of a drug drug shortage. Executions are on hold in Oklahoma or a lack of oxygen in the blood - is a humane execution to doing away with the death penalty, amid controversy used in lethal injections prompted a state scramble to while the US Supreme Court considers whether the method. “The process is fast and painless,” said Christian, over lethal injection that has some US states questioning find an alternative to move forward with executions. state’s current three-drug method of lethal injection is a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who wrote the punishment and others digging in. Despite a threat Some inmates appeared in agony as they were exe- constitutional. Supporters of the new law maintain nitro- the bill. “It’s foolproof.” Opponents say there’s no way to of veto from the state governor, the Nebraska senate cuted with alternative drugs, prompting a public outcry gen-induced hypoxia is a humane and painless method know whether the method is painless and effective. “It endorsed the measure to replace the death penalty with and raising questions over whether the punishment is of execution that requires no medical expertise to per- just hasn’t been tried, so we don’t know,” said Rep. Emily life imprisonment on Thursday, according to official overly cruel. The US Supreme Court is due to consider form. Virgin, a Democrat from Norman who opposes the death records. Nebraska would join 18 other US states that the controversy at the end of the month. A recent Pew “Oklahoma executes murderers whose crimes are penalty. have banned the death penalty if the bill becomes law. survey puts US public support for the death penalty at especially heinous,” Fallin said in a statement announcing The changes come after a botched execution last Governor Pete Ricketts promised to veto the legislation, 56 percent. In the meantime, some states with the death that she had signed the bill into law. “I support that poli- year in which Oklahoma was using a new sedative as the saying on Twitter that capital punishment “is an impor- penalty have tried to ensure scheduled executions go cy, and I believe capital punishment must be performed first in a three-drug combination. State officials tried to tant tool for public safety and our prosecutors.” “Death forward. Utah reinstated the firing squad and Texas effectively and without cruelty. The bill I signed today halt the lethal injection after the inmate writhed on the row inmates have earned the penalty they received. restocked supplies of the needed lethal injection drug gives the state of Oklahoma another death penalty gurney and moaned. He died 43 minutes after the They do not deserve the luxury of living on the tax- from an anonymous supplier. Oklahoma passed a law option that meets that standard.” The bill authored by process began. Adam Leathers, spokesman for the payer dime for a lifetime.”The legislature though could Friday to allow execution by gas chamber. Republican Rep. Mike Christian and Republican Sen Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, overturn the governor’s veto with 30 votes-the number Anthony Sykes had passed the state House on an 85-10 released a statement blasting the new law. “This is not of votes the bill received Thursday. Executions have con- Nitrogen in executions vote and cleared the Senate on a 41-0 vote. only a grotesque waste of resources but indicative of a tinued to decline in the United States with 11 states hav- In another development, Oklahoma became the first There are no reports of nitrogen gas ever being used corrupt value system,” he said. “It is sad to know that our ing abandoned the use of the death penalty without US state to approve nitrogen gas for executions under a to execute humans, and critics say that one concern is State’s collective bloodlust is so unabated that our lead- legally doing away with the punishment. Around 80 per- measure Gov Mary Fallin signed into law Friday that pro- that the method is untested. Some states even ban its ership feels the need to spend resources to put a back up cent of the country’s executions take place in Texas, vides an alternative death penalty method if lethal injec- use to put animals to sleep. But supporters of system into place so State sponsored murder can go on Missouri and Florida. The US federal government rarely tions aren’t possible, either because of a court ruling or a Oklahoma’s plan argue that nitrogen-induced hypoxia - uninterrupted.”— Agencies Mexico drug lord’s arrest sparks gunfights; 3 dead Stolen radioactive material still missing

NUEVO LAREDO: A cartel attacked Mexican securi- battles began around noon. Authorities said fed- ty forces Friday in reaction to a drug lord’s arrest eral and state force retook control of the situation in a city near the US border, unleashing gunfights at 6:00 pm. that killed at least three gunmen and wounded One of the federal officials said the gang two officers. The gang torched several vehicles, burned several vehicles to terrorize the popula- including a school bus, and used trucks and cars tion and distract police forces. “There’s obviously to block streets in Reynosa, sowing panic in the resistance that emerges when people of this city of 610,000 people across from McAllen, Texas. nature are arrested,” Reynosa Mayor Jose Elias Terrified Reynosa residents posted pictures on Leal told Radio Formula, adding that he expected Twitter of burning vehicles and people taking the situation to calm down overnight. The city cover on the ground, while the US consulate government issued a “red light” alert on Twitter, urged Americans to stay indoors. urging residents to avoid some areas. The local The firefights began after a leader of the Gulf daily El Manana reported that two US-Mexico KASHMIR: An Indian policeman jumps to avoid a stone cartel was arrested in the city, two federal officials border crossings were temporarily closed. In a thrown at him by Kashmiri protesters in Narbal, some said on condition of anonymity, identifying the separate operation further west along the border, 15 Kilometers North of Srinagar yesterday. — AP suspect as Jose Tiburcio Hernandez Fuentes, also federal forces detained the suspected leader of known as “El Gafe” (The Jinxed One). His arrest the Juarez drug cartel, Jesus Salas Aguayo, alias dealt a new blow to the gang, which holds sway “El Chuyin,” in Chihuahua state, an official said on India troops fire at in northern Tamaulipas state but has seen several condition of anonymity. Authorities believe he leaders taken down, triggering deadly internal succeeded Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, alias “El Kashmir protesters; power struggles that have surged along the bor- Viceroy,” who was arrested in October. der this year. The Gulf gang’s violent reaction teenager killed echoed similar operations launched by another Radioactive material missing criminal group, the Jalisco New Generation Drug In another development, Mexican authori- Cartel, against security forces. The New ties have yet to find a toolbox-sized container SRINAGAR: Government forces fired on anti-India protesters Generation launched two ambushes on federal carrying dangerous radioactive material that yesterday and killed a teenage student on the second day of and state police in the western state of Jalisco was stolen on April 13, authorities said Friday. violent clashes in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, that left a total of 20 officers dead in recent weeks “Up to now, we have found neither the source police said. Relatives disputed the official account, saying the in apparent revenge over the takedown of gang nor the truck in which it was located,” Juan boy was killed in custody. The protesters, hurling rocks and members. Eibenschutz, director general of the National shouting slogans, had gathered yesterday morning in the Nuclear Safety Commission, told Milenio televi- western village of Narbal as shops, businesses and public Cartel ‘resistance’ sion. The theft of the Iridium-192, which is used transportation shut down for a strike called by separatists A Tamaulipas security task force issued a state- for industrial radiography, triggered a govern- challenging India’s sovereignty in Kashmir, police said. ment saying that army troops and federal police ment alert in five southern and eastern states. Troops fired on the demonstrators, killing the boy, police had detained an unspecified number of gang Officials believe the thieves probably did not inspector general Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said. Relatives members. “Resulting from the operation, mem- know they were stealing radioactive material and villagers contested the official story, however, saying the bers of the same criminal group reacted by when they robbed the truck in Cardenas, teen had been picked up by authorities before being shot. attacking federal and Tamaulipas forces, setting Tabasco. The population is safe as long as the “They detained him and held him on a roadside for a while. up blockades in the city,” the Tamaulipas source remains in the sealed protective box. Later they shot him,” the boy’s uncle Tariq Ahmed Sofi said. In Coordination Group said. “Up to now, three Similar thefts of radioactive material have REYNOSA: A truck blazes on a street of Reynosa, Tamaulipas state, Mexico. an unusual move for law enforcement in Kashmir, police armed civilians are reported dead, and two mem- occurred three other times since 2013. Officials Gunfights erupted in broad daylight in a Mexican city across the US border quickly opened a case for murder and began investigating the bers of the Tamaulipas Force were wounded in have always recovered the material, with no and vehicles were torched, apparently in reaction to a drug cartel leaderís boy’s death. In a statement, they called the incident “unfortu- the attacks,” it said. The city’s mayor said the gun deaths reported. —Agencies arrest. — AFP nate” and said the preliminary inquiry indicated that Indian forces “acted in violation of the laid down SOP (standard oper- ating procedure).” “All this is matter of investigation,” police director-general K Rajendra said. “We’ve registered a case, and the truth will come out.” Locals and rights groups have long said, however, that such investigations rarely yield results and are aimed only at calming public anger. The boy was identified as Suhail Ahmed Sofi. His exact age was not immediately clear, with reports ranging from 15 to 18 years old. News of his death drew hundreds more angry villagers to join the protests in Narbal, and troops tried to disperse them with tear gas. At least six police officers and paramilitary soldiers and four protesters were injured. Some protesters torched a gov- ernment-run cafeteria. Later, thousands of people attended the boy’s funeral, chanting slogans including “We want free- dom” and “Long live Pakistan.” Protests and clashes also erupt- ed in at least half a dozen other towns and villages across Kashmir. In total, at least 16 police officers and 12 protesters were injured in the clashes, including those in Narbal. Authorities put all separatist leaders under house arrest in an attempt to keep the demonstrations from spiraling out of con- trol.—AP

Pakistan arrests 47 Indian fishermen

KARACHI: Pakistani marine forces yesterday arrested 47 Indian fishermen for allegedly violating territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, police said. Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency also captured eight boats belonging to the fishermen, who it said had strayed into Pakistani waters. The fishermen were later hand- ed over to local police in the port city of Karachi. “We have been given the custody of the 47 Indian fisher- men who have been arrested from the sea for violat- ing territorial waters,” Fida Hussain, a senior police official in Karachi said. “We will present these detainees to court for completion of the due legal procedure,” he said. Such arrests are frequently carried out by both countries, as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea is poorly defined and many fishing boats lack the tech- nology needed to be certain of their precise location. The fishermen often languish in jail even after serving their term, as poor diplomatic ties between the two arch-rivals mean fulfilling official requirements can take a long time. Pakistan released 172 Indian fisher- men in February as “a goodwill gesture” but arrested 45 others last month. A Pakistani jail official in Karachi told AFP that they already had 428 Indian inmates in custody before the fresh arrests yesterday. Both coun- tries also use the release of fishermen to express goodwill from time to time. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Alabama officials: ‘Military mistress’ released by mistake MOBILE: An Alabama sheriff’s deputy released a Lori Myles. The mix-up was revealed publicly by The officer consulted with prosecutors by Finley and her husband are both wanted on woman dubbed the “Military Mistress,” who is the Marion County Sheriff’s Department in phone and seized the vehicle since it was listed check-fraud charges. Marion County officials said wanted in three states, because a radio dispatch- Oregon, which issued a news release this week as stolen, Myles said, but no charges were filed the couple wrote bad checks totaling almost er failed to pass along that there were warrants saying Finley had married 14 military men and since the woman had paperwork indicating she $13,500 in March and appeared to be purchasing out for her arrest, the agency said Friday. Bobbi was wanted on bad-check charges along with her had purchased the car. items that could be used for camping or living in Ann Finley, who got her nickname because of current husband, Zackerie House. Finley was pre- The deputy later found out through Oregon rural or remote areas. They were at one point allegations that she moved from military base to viously called the “Military Mistress” in news investigators who Finley was and went back to driving a 2005 Cadillac Escalade with an Oregon military base marrying more than a dozen US reports about the string of marriages. A deputy the service station where he had encountered license plate. It wasn’t clear why Finley might service members to gain access to their bank stopped Finley, 39, and House in a vehicle near the couple, but surveillance video showed the have been in Alabama, but court records show accounts, is wanted on check fraud charges in Interstate 10 on Tuesday morning, Myles said. A pair had already left with someone else in a pick- she pleaded guilty to theft of services in the state Colorado, Oklahoma and Oregon. But a Mobile records check showed the vehicle was stolen and up truck, said Myles. Officials haven’t had any in 2011. She was credited with serving 252 days County deputy who stopped the woman and her that Finley was wanted for check fraud charges, contact with the woman since then. “I don’t know in jail and received three years on probation. husband wasn’t informed that she was wanted, but the dispatcher only told the officer about the where she is now,” said Sgt Chris Baldridge of the Authorities asked an Alabama judge to revoke said Lori Myles, a spokeswoman for the Mobile vehicle and failed to mention the warrant, she Marion County Sheriff’s Department in Oregon, Finley’s probation in January, alleging she owed County Sheriff’s Office. “The bottom line on all of said. “We don’t know if it was just an oversight or which first revealed that Alabama authorities had the state $7,412 in court-ordered payments and it was a failure to communicate on our part,” said what,” Myles said. let the woman go. hadn’t made a payment since May 2014.—AP Australia arrests 5 for IS-inspired terror plot

SYDNEY: Five Australian teenagers were appeared they were planning a specific arrested yesterday on suspicion of plotting attack. “This is a new paradigm for police,” an Islamic State group-inspired terrorist Phelan said. “These types of attacks that are attack at a Veterans’ Day ceremony that planned are very rudimentary and simple. included targeting police officers, officials ... All you need these days is a knife, a flag said. The suspects included two 18-year- and a camera and one can commit a terror- olds who are alleged to have been prepar- ist act.” One of the teens, Sevdet Besim, ing an attack at the ANZAC Day ceremony appeared briefly in court yesterday on a in Melbourne later this month, Australian charge of preparing for, or planning, a ter- Federal Police Acting Deputy Commissioner rorist act. He did not apply for bail and was Neil Gaughan told reporters. Another 18- ordered to reappear in court next week. year-old was arrested on weapons charges, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has warned and two other men, aged 18 and 19, were in that the terrorism threat in Australia has custody and assisting police. All the arrests escalated, with one-third of all terrorism- took place in Melbourne. related arrests since 2001 occurring in the ANZAC Day is the annual April 25 com- last six months. At least 110 Australians memoration of the 1915 Gallipoli landings - have gone to Iraq and Syria to fight along- the first major military action fought by the side extremists, and the nation’s security Australian and New Zealand Army Corps agency is juggling more than 400 high-pri- during World War I. Police said they believe ority counterterrorism investigations - the plot was inspired by the Islamic State more than double the number a year ago. group, also known as ISIS, and was to have In February, two men were charged with involved “edged weapons.” “At this stage, planning to launch an imminent, Islamic we have no information that it was a State group-inspired terrorist attack after planned beheading. But there was refer- authorities said they appeared on a video ence to an attack on police,” Gaughan said. threatening to stab the kidneys and necks “Some evidence that we have collected at a of their victims. In September, a man arrest- couple of the scenes, and some other infor- ed during a series of counterterrorism raids mation we have, leads us to believe that was charged with conspiring with an NEW YORK: Anti-Hillary Clinton posters are seen on a sign post in Brooklyn. The posters feature illustrations of Clinton’s face along with slo- this particular matter was ISIS-inspired.” Islamic State group leader in Syria to gans, including: “Don’t Say Secretive and “Don’t Say Entitled.” — AFP Australia’s government has raised the behead a random person in Sydney. country’s terror warning level in response In December, Man Monis, an Iranian- to the domestic threat posed by supporters born, self-styled cleric with a long criminal Clinton faces early test on of the Islamic State group. In September history, took 18 people hostage inside a last year, the group’s spokesman Abu Sydney cafe, forced them to hold up a flag Mohammed Al-Adnani issued a message bearing the Islamic declaration of faith and urging attacks abroad, specifically men- demanded he be delivered a flag of the Pacific Rim trade deal fight tioning Australia. Federal Police Deputy Islamic State group. Monis and two Commissioner Michael Phelan said at a hostages were killed. Abbott said the latest separate news conference that the teens alleged plot was at an advanced stage of Labor gearing up to fight deal had links to Numan Haider, an 18-year-old planning, prompting police to swoop in. who stabbed two Melbourne police officers Still, he urged the public to participate in WASHINGTON: Less than a week after formally ever TPP deal Obama agrees to - could be raging and is prodding Clinton to make her views and was subsequently shot dead in ANZAC Day events as usual. “The best sign launching her presidential campaign, Hillary as the November 2016 election nears. “She puts known. September. Haider had caught authorities’ of defiance we can give to those who Clinton is already being tested on a thorny issue herself in a very difficult position no matter what attention months earlier over what police would do us harm is to go about a normal, for Democrats: free-trade deals and their impact she says” about trade, said Paul Sracic, who Cautious response so far considered troubling behavior, including peaceful, free and fair Australian life,” he on workers. The issue is a backdrop for almost heads Youngstown State University’s Politics and For the moment, Clinton’s response was non- waving what appeared to be an Islamic said. “And I say to everyone who is thinking any global economic affairs debate in International Relations Department in Ohio and committal. In a statement on Friday, Clinton State group flag at a shopping mall. of going to an ANZAC Day event, please Washington, with many Democrats and their focuses on global trade. spokesman Nick Merrill said Clinton believes the Phelan said the teens arrested yesterday don’t be deterred. Turn up in the largest backers arguing that free-trade deals help big That is because Clinton, who has spent United States “should be willing to walk away” were on officials’ radar for months, but the possible numbers to support our coun- corporations, but drive American jobs abroad to decades in the national limelight including as from any trade measure that does not “protect investigation was ramped up when it try.”—AP cheaper labor markets. secretary of state from 2009-2013, could face American workers and create more good jobs at On Thursday, the debate rose to a full boil attacks from many angles, especially in swing home” while also strengthening national securi- when members of Congress from both parties states like Ohio that could decide who wins the ty. Clinton, he said, “will be watching closely” to announced legislation that would give President White House. If Clinton were to align herself with see how the final deal tackles currency manipu- Barack Obama the “fast-track” trade negotiating the labor unions - a position that would also put lation, labor rights and other contentious issues. authority he needs to complete a massive Asia- her in the same camp as conservative Tea Party The AFL-CIO, the largest US labor organization, is Pacific free-trade deal. Over two days of cam- Republicans - that are already trying to defeat already working to stop the trade deal and is paigning in Iowa this week, where she discussed TPA and TPP, she could win points in Ohio, urging its members to sign a petition “and tell economics, Clinton, who is the commanding Nevada and other states rich in organized labor Congress to stop the fast-track bill; it’s undemoc- front-runner to be the Democratic nominee for votes. ratic and bad for working families.” the 2016 election, uttered not a word about the But at the same time, she would be distanc- Meanwhile former Maryland Governor Martin potential Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ing herself from some of the work she did O’Malley, who is considering challenging Clinton between the United States and 11 other Pacific when she was a top official in the Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Rim countries. administration at the exact time Obama, her Friday laid down a marker when he blasted TPA ex-boss, is traveling the country selling the and said, “Chasing cheaper labor abroad will not A difficult position free-trade deal. “One of her primary accom- help us build a stronger economy here at home.” If Obama does not get fast-track “trade pro- plishments as secretary of state was the so- Labor was a power to be reckoned with when TPA motion authority” (TPA) from Congress setting called Asia pivot” that refocused US diplomacy was before Congress in late 2001. At the time, the rules for debating TPP, it will be nearly impossi- away from the Middle East and toward the House of Representatives voted 215-214 in favor SYDNEY: In this file photo, a pipe band marches on George Street during the ANZAC ble to complete the sprawling pact that aims to Asian countries that are central to the TPP, of giving then-President George W. Bush fast- Day parade, commemorating the anniversary of the first major military action lower trade barriers and further stimulate trade Sracic noted. Conversely, if Clinton were to track negotiating authority. A mere 21 Democrats fought by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during the First World with countries ranging from Australia, Japan and embrace the pact and campaign on it, she voted yes while 189 voted no. That is a stark result War. Five Australian teenagers were arrested yesterday on suspicion of plotting an Chile to Singapore and Vietnam. The TPA fight in would put herself at odds with Democratic that Clinton likely will weigh when forming and Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack at an ANZAC Day ceremony that included tar- Congress could be over this year, long before the stalwarts such as former Ohio Governor Ted explaining her position to voters. A senior House geting police officers. — AP election campaigns really heat up. But if Strickland who is running for a Senate seat and Democratic aide said Obama will “have to make a Congress approves fast-track, the second chap- Senator Sherrod Brown, also from Ohio, who strong case” for TPA and TPP and “educate a lot of Japanese population ter - an up-or-down vote by Congress on what- opposes the fast-track legislation as drafted people” to win the day.—Reuters falls to 15-year low US-Philippines wargames set to begin

TOKYO: Japan’s population has shrunk for expectancy. Japan’s rapidly greying popula- MANILA: Thousands of American and Filipino sol- presence in disputed parts of the sea in recent Sea. US President Barack Obama also expressed the fourth year running, falling back to a tion poses a major headache for policymak- diers tomorrow will kick off expanded wargames, years, including by taking control of a shoal that is concern this month, criticizing China for “using its level it was last at in 2000, with more than ers who are faced with trying to ensure an showcasing a deepening defense alliance as alarm a rich fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclu- sheer size and muscle to force countries into subor- one in four people now aged 65 or older, ever-dwindling pool of workers can pay for bells ring over China. The 10-day exercises in the sive economic zone. It has also embarked on giant dinate positions”. “Just because the Philippines or the government said. The population the growing number of pensioners. The Philippines are an annual affair between the long- reclamation works on reefs and islets, turning some Vietnam are not as large as China, doesn’t mean dropped by 0.17 percent, or 215,000 peo- country has very little immigration. Any time allies, but this time they will involve double into islands capable of hosting military aircraft that they can just be elbowed aside,” Obama said. ple, to 127,083,000 as of October 1 last year, suggestion of opening its borders to young the number of soldiers as last year in a sign of their landing strips. China has repeatedly insisted it has sovereign rights according to the data released on Friday. workers who could help plug the popula- expanding military partnership. The Philippines is to the contested areas, so criticism of its reclama- The figure includes long-staying foreigners. tion gap provokes strong reactions among seeking more US military and diplomatic support ‘Elbowed aside’ tion and other activities in the area are baseless. The The number of people aged 65 or over rose the public. Japan’s population is forecast to to fend off China’s increasing forcefulness in its bid The Philippines has been the most vocal of the US has been looking to re-build its military pres- by 1.1 million to 33 million and now out- drop to some 86.7 million in 2060 with the to assert sovereignty in disputed areas of the South rival claimants to express alarm over China’s moves. ence in the Philippines, a former colony where it number those aged 14 or younger by two proportion of people aged 65 or over esti- China Sea. In an interview with AFP last week, In his interview with AFP, Aquino warned that the had naval and air bases until the early 1990s, as part to one. The demographic shift is due to a mated to reach nearly 40 percent of the Philippine President Benigno Aquino said the two world should fear China’s actions in the South China of Obama’s “pivot to Asia”.—AFP combination of a low birthrate and long life total, the government has warned.— AFP militaries operating side-by-side should offer a “deterrent aspect to any entity, be it a country or Islamic radicals”. Aquino insisted the Balikatan (Shoulder-to- Shoulder) wargames starting tomorrow were not directed at China, pointing out they were annual exercises, but he discussed at length the Philippines’ reliance on the United States. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario also said last week the Philippines planned to ask Washington for extra help in containing China. “We are, at this point, seeking additional support from the US in terms of being able to take a stronger position, in defending our position, which is to uphold the rule of law,” del Rosario told local broadcaster ANC. Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the strategically important South China Sea, including areas just off the coasts of other Asian nations, using vague demarcation lines that first appeared TOYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (standing fourth left) and his wife Akie on Chinese maps in the 1940s. The Philippines, (standing third left) pose with guests during the annual cherry blossoms viewing par- Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have over- ULUGAN BAY: US and Filipino soldiers seen during a joint mock beachfront assault on the ty hosted by Abe at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden park in Tokyo yesterday. — AP lapping claims. China has sought to expand its shore of Ulugan Bay on Palawan island. — AFP NEWS SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

A woman sits on the bench inside the Kremlin with the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the background in Moscow yesterday. — AP

Rouhani: Saudis will harvest hatred Riyadh vows to cover UN aid call for... Continued from Page 1 The United States has long said targeted bombing of Continued from Page 1 The bombing campaign was launched amid Saudi fears Iran’s nuclear sites and other key facilities may be needed the Houthis would shift Yemen into the orbit of Iran, the Tehran says Saudi Arabia and several other Middle if Tehran - which denies seeking the bomb - does not rein Pro-Hadi forces backed by air strikes held off rebels bat- Shiite rival of the Sunni kingdom. Tehran is a key ally of the East governments support the Islamic State group. in its atomic activities. But Zarif hit back at Dempsey, tling for the past week for control of Aden’s refinery, 15 km Houthis but denies arming the rebels who have allied with Prominent lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who heads the highlighting that his claim was old and discounting its west of the city. army units loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Yemeni presi- parliamentary national security and foreign policy com- validity given the talks aim to end the nuclear impasse Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Assiri dent forced out by the 2011 uprising. Al-Qaeda has taken mittees, predicted that Saudi Arabia will find itself and culminate in a final deal by the end of June. “The mil- said yesterday that a Saudi soldier was killed the day before advantage of the air war on the Houthis to expand its influ- trapped in the Yemeni “quagmire”. “We are so sorry that itary option is non-existent and doesn’t work against Iran, in fighting in the southwestern Saudi region of Najran, ence in Yemen. On Friday the militant group overran an today Saudi Arabia and (its allies) have placed themselves and it’s better to stop making those statements,” Zarif along the Yemen border. He said the fighting flared Friday army camp in the southern province of Hadramawt, a day in a quagmire and leaving it will definitely not be an easy said at a joint news conference with his Australian coun- afternoon and continued unabated until late that night. after seizing the airport in provincial capital Mukalla. task,” he told reporters yesterday. terpart Julie Bishop. “One of our soldiers was killed,” said Assiri. The spokesman Tribesmen, a key component of the impoverished Arabian Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister dismissed yesterday “We don’t pay attention to them because we know added that the coalition had launched more than 2,000 air Peninsula country, also seized a major oil terminal in the threat of a US military strike against Tehran’s nuclear that there is none,” Zarif said, again referring to the option strikes on Yemen since the air campaign began. Hadramawt on Thursday.— AFP sites, describing such warnings as an “old habit that dies of a military attack on Iran. “The fact we are negotiating hard” given ongoing diplomacy. Mohammad Javad Zarif, indicates that everybody understands the only way to who leads the Iranian side in talks with six world powers deal with Iran is to recognise Iran’s rights and have mutual Egypt runners defy Cairo mayhem that aim to end the dispute over the Islamic republic’s respect. “That will provide a far better answer than getting nuclear program, said threats of conflict should be off the engaged in disastrous adventurism,” he added. Dempsey’s Continued from Page 1 The streets have been much calmer over the past year follow- table. He was responding to General Martin Dempsey, comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin ing a massive crackdown by the military-backed government of chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who Thursday lifted a ban on supplying S-300 missile systems to Iran. running clubs over the past two years. A half-marathon this President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, who overthrew Morsi at the height said “the military option... to ensure that Iran does not The US general said the move would not affect America’s weekend drew thousands of runners, and more than 200 volun- of the unrest in 2013. Organizers say they’ve never encountered achieve a nuclear weapon is intact”. ability to conduct a military strike. — Agencies teers - some wearing American football pads and helmets - deftly any problems with the authorities. “When hundreds of people guided the runners through traffic circles and onto and off of are in running shoes and shorts, we don’t seem that scary,” overpasses. Shahin said. And the runners say ordinary people have grown Farming lobby turns on Modi Small running groups catering mainly to expatriates have used to seeing them trot by in the mornings. been around for years, but Egyptians trace the growth in local “In the beginning, people thought it was very strange, but Continued from Page 1 on land and environmental laws. “Resources ultimately interest to Cairo Runners, a group with a large social media pres- they’ve gotten used to it,” said Ashraf Samir, a 47-year-old belong to the people. The land must remain with the ence that attracts hundreds of people to its weekly runs and has accountant who has been running with Cairo Runners since last While the government has issued a temporary order farmers.” inspired similar groups across the city. “The first time I ever went year. “You get to breathe clean air, you get to run far away from making it easier to buy land for projects, the changes Modi recently used his monthly radio show to out on the streets to run was with Cairo Runners,” said Mariz Doss, any chaos or traffic, and you get to know nice people at the same need parliamentary approval before they can be made appeal to farmers not to oppose the bill, repeatedly 27, who is now one of the group’s organizers. “Whenever I trav- time,” he said. permanent. The left-leaning opposition Congress party assuring them that acquiring their land would be a “last eled outside Egypt I saw that people had the opportunity to run Mahmoud Al-Aawadi, 27, who joined the group two years will today lead a mass street protest against the legisla- resort”. But the unpopular bill has given a boost to the outside in their own country, and I thought it was a pity that we ago, tells the kind of road-to-Damascus story one often hears tion in the capital before the reopening of parliament, ailing Congress party, whose vice-president Rahul didn’t have this in Egypt.” from running addicts. “It was the first time I had done any sports when the government is expected to reintroduce its bill. Gandhi this week returned from a sabbatical of nearly The group organizes weekly runs and advertises them on its at all in my entire life - I didn’t even play soccer when I was a kid,” The new bill overhauls legislation passed by the pre- two months to lead today’s protest. Bhupender Rawat, Facebook page, which has racked up more than 320,000 “likes.” he said. “I used to smoke cigarettes.” Now he goes to the gym, vious Congress-led government in 2013, which was a from the non-profit National Alliance for People’s The runs are usually held early Friday - the first day of the swims laps and earlier this month attended a nighttime practice key initiative of its decade in power. It would exempt Movements, believes the land bill could inflict serious Egyptian weekend - when the streets are mostly empty. Strength run to prepare for the half marathon. “I would have never imag- projects related to defence, rural housing and power, political damage on the BJP government. “Farmers are in numbers protects the runners from both cars and street ined,” he said. “When I started I ran 500 meters, now I do 7 kilome- ters. I run further and further every time. The others encourage along with industrial corridors, from the requirement not fools, they can see what Modi is trying to do,” he harassment. “We run when everything that is wrong with Cairo is asleep, and that has been our winning formula,” said Salma me, and we all encourage one another.” that 80 percent of the affected landowners must agree told AFP. “Modi has been going abroad and telling Shahin, the group’s social media manager. Shahin’s cousin, The running groups are adamantly non-political. But when to a sale. It also does away with the need for a “social investors: ‘Come to India, we will give you cheap land Ibrahim Safwat, founded Cairo Runners in Dec 2012. The first run the runners describe how the sport has brought them togeth- impact assessment” to find out how many people and labour’. The farmers are feeling cheated, and right- attracted 70 people, and now a weekly 5k run can draw up to er, and how they have reclaimed their city’s squares and would be affected by the loss of land. ly so.” 2,000, she said. streets, one hears an echo of the early days of Egypt’s 2011 The BJP says these rules are restrictive and deter the Many have good reason to be sceptical about the The group began organizing runs nearly two years after uprising, when a spirit of inclusiveness prevailed in Cairo’s investment needed to fuel India’s growth. “To be able to government’s assurances. Baljeet Singh, another Egypt’s popular uprising toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Tahrir Square. Doss said that during the darkest days of recent push the manufacturing sector, you need land,” party Kanjhawla farmer, said the government forcibly Mubarak. At the time, Egyptians were fiercely divided over his years, when the country was gripped by unrest and furiously spokesman G V L Narasimha Rao told AFP. “And that acquired the deeds to his land in 2005, but had yet to successor, the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. divided, running brought people together. “I remember at land can come only from the existing land available... take possession of it or provide adequate compensa- Demonstrations regularly set off clashes, and if hundreds of peo- that time I was running and beside me were people from dif- Industries can’t come up in (a) vacuum.” Critics, howev- tion. “We thought Modi’s government would address ple were running through the streets it was usually to get away ferent backgrounds, different beliefs, different religions,” she er, say India’s development should not come at the cost our problems, that is why we voted for him. But look from something. “The first time we ran in the streets all the work- said. “It doesn’t cross your mind if the person beside you is a of its poorest. “The government thinks it owns the what he is doing. We will not back him again,” said the ers and doormen stared at us,” Doss recalls. “They asked, ‘Who are Christian or a Muslim or whatever. You just come for one pur- resources. This is wrong,” said Sanjay Parikh, an expert 70-year-old as he smoked a hookah pipe. — AFP you running from? Is this a demonstration or what?’” pose, to run, and to enjoy your time running.” — AP SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues War of words as Armenians fight for recognition

By Mariam Harutyunyan

ass killings? Mutual bloodletting? Genocide? The hun- dreds of thousands of dead have been silent for a Mcentury, but generations on, Armenians are still bat- tling to get the World War I slaying of their ancestors recog- nized as a genocide. As Armenians around the world gear up to mark 100 years since the start of the slaughter on April 24, the struggle to get the world - and above all Turkey - to use the term “genocide” remains deeply divisive. To Armenians the word represents definitive proof of their ancestors’ horrific suffering at the hands of the Ottoman empire during World War I, but for Ankara the violence was perpetrated by all sides and describing the events as “geno- cide” is a red line it cannot cross. Trapped somewhere in the middle is an international community, notably the United Washington Watch States, under pressure from Armenia’s large diaspora but wor- ried about upsetting a rising Turkey. “For Armenians the word ‘genocide’ encapsulates what hap- US must treat Arabs as partners pened to their forefathers in 1915 and also elevates the Armenian experience to the level of that of the Holocaust,” said Thomas De Waal, an expert on the region at the Carnegie By Dr James J Zogby suggested that it was pointless to dwell on the past, unless it new plan of action must be laid out for Iraq that doesn’t Endowment for International Peace in Washington. “Precisely was to learn lessons from the process that would enable the allow for US airpower to pave the way for Iranian-backed for the same reason, official Turkey has always rejected the rab leaders cautiously welcomed the P5-1 framework US to move forward with greater trust and partnership. militia to take over from IS. This will only exacerbate the term, on the grounds that it equates the behaviour of their with Iran. The Arab press, on the other hand, was not The US allies in the Gulf have long been concerned not deep divide and political alienation that helped spawn IS, in grandparents with the Nazis and also out of paranoia that the Aso circumspect with criticisms ranging from the fanci- only with Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but more importantly the first place. Discussions should then move on to Syria application of the word could lead to legal claims against ful (“the US is ushering in a new US-Iranian order” to domi- with the Islamic Republic’s regional ambitions and its med- and Yemen to discuss the steps that need to be taken to Turkey.” Armenians say up to 1.5 million of their kin were sys- nate regional affairs) to the anxious (with the end of sanc- dlesome intrusion into affairs in the Arab region. Statements achieve negotiated solutions in both countries. tematically killed between 1915 and 1917 by Ottoman authori- tions Iran will have greater freedom and resources at its dis- from Tehran boasting that they now have sit in capitols in Finally, the President will have to do better to demon- ties as their empire - the precursor to modern Turkey - crum- posal to pursue its troubling regional agenda in Iraq, in Syria, Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut, and Sanaa, weigh heavy on the strate that he understands the relationship between the bled. Turkey rejects the claims, arguing that 300,000 to 500,000 and now in Yemen). collective Arab consciousness. external and internal challenges facing each of the Arab Armenians and as many Turks died in civil strife when While I have concerns with how the process evolved, I Some Western commentators cavalierly dismiss this con- Gulf countries than he did in his recent interview with New Armenians rose up against their Ottoman rulers and sided with strongly support the deal and believe that it can be a very cern as nothing more than an age-old Sunni/Shia rivalry. In York Times columnist Tom Friedman. In that interview, after invading Russian troops. good thing if for no other reason than the fact that it fact, the problem is neither “theological”, nor is it age-old. It noting that the US would work with its “Sunni allies” to help demonstrates the power and the possibilities of engage- is a political struggle, pure and simple. As Arabs see it, since secure their defense needs, he went on to note that “the Rise of a Movement ment. Moving forward, if we play it right and if we listen 1979 Iran has operated as a revolutionary regime that has biggest threats that they face may not be coming from Iran For some 30 years after the killings no one thought of call- carefully to what our Arab partners are saying to us, the deal sought to export its theocratic model of governance and its invading. It’s going to be from dissatisfaction inside their ing the massacres of Armenians a genocide - because the term can open the door to constructive discussions with allied ideology of resistance against the West. As such, Iran has own countries. ... That’s a tough conversation to have, but itself did not exist. Up until then, Armenians referred to the Arab leaders that will enhance the prospects of peace and fomented unrest - even during the hajj in Saudi Arabia - and it’s one that we have to have.” tragedy simply as the “Great Catastrophe” - or Medz Yeghern in stability across the region. has sought regional hegemony through partners who Of course, these Arab states, each in differing degrees, Armenian. Coined only in 1944 by Polish-Jewish lawyer In a statement my Institute issued with the National would embrace their militant world-view. are facing internal challenges. And again, to differing Raphael Lemkin, the word “genocide” became codified in law Iranian American Council and J Street we noted: “This deal In response, the Arab Gulf states joined forces in a Gulf degrees they are addressing these challenges by con- in the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, which may provide an important first step towards de-escalating Cooperation Council and have made arrangements with the fronting extremism and reforming their educational and defined it as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole regional tensions and pave the way for resolving the many US to enhance their individual and collective security. At the religious institutions, and by working to create educational or part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”. conflicts that still persist. The lesson that we all must learn same time, each of these states, at their own pace and in and employment opportunities for their young. In each of The start of the clamour for recognition came later in 1965 from these successful negotiations is that diplomacy works. their own way, have attempted to grow their economies, these areas US support can be helpful and will be wel- as Armenians around the world marked the 50th anniversary This deal demonstrates that no disagreement should be so address local development concerns, and provide for their comed. But if the US were to attempt to meddle in the of the killings. In Armenia itself - then a republic of the Soviet deeply entrenched that it cannot be resolved through the growing populations. internal affairs of these countries, it will neither be helpful Union - discussing any official acceptance of the genocide was give and take of serious diplomacy.” As their publics’ frustrations and even anger at US poli- nor welcomed - not only by leaders, but by a majority of the a taboo but an unprecedented protest that saw some 100,000 My concerns are not with the deal itself, but with how it cies grew - in reaction to US support for Israel’s treatment of Arab public. take to the streets forced the Kremlin to start reevaluating its was done, and the lessons I hope we will learn as we move to Palestinians and the devastation the US brought to Iraq - With three wars being fought in their immediate vicinity, position. “It was like a genie was let out of the bottle,” Rolan the next stage. To be sure, the next few months will still Arab leaders were forced to confront public dissatisfaction with the threat of Iran looming large, and with trust in the Manucharyan, a physics professor who took part in the 1965 involve rounds of tough private negotiations, coupled with with their close ties with the US. And so one can imagine US at extremely low levels - the president needs to tread demonstration in downtown Yerevan, told AFP. The 1980s then public posturing. All this time, critics will be having a field day the bind in which Arab leaders have found themselves carefully and speak even more carefully. As our most recent saw an surge in the international movement for recognition, trying to upend the process. We have already heard from the when they see the US, after destabilizing Iraq and leaving it polling demonstrates, Arab attitudes toward the US remain mainly fuelled by the Armenian community in the US, with Israelis who, in their continuing efforts to scuttle the deal, open to Iranian influence and then abandoning Syria, now deeply conflicted. Arabs want ties with the US, but they lack outbursts of violence as radical groups killed Turkish officials. have combined warnings of imminent Armageddon with the negotiating in secret with Iran over its nuclear program. trust in America’s intentions and remain profoundly dis- So far, Armenia says 22 countries - prominently France, with its insistence that the final arrangement include a number of If all that were at stake were Iran’s nuclear program, turbed by US policies toward Israel, Iraq, and Syria. large Armenian community - have recognised the genocide. “poison pills” - like Netanyahu’s demand that it include Iran’s there would be far less concern than there is given Iran’s As I noted, the nuclear deal establishes that when the Last Sunday Pope Francis became the latest international fig- recognition of Israel as a “Jewish state”. The US Congress ini- increasing disruptive regional role. When the GCC leaders US, together with other powers, use all of the political and ure to wade into the controversy as he used the term “geno- tially balked threatening to be tough with the President. They come to Washington next month, the most important task diplomatic tools available to them, negotiations can yield cide” to describe the killings, sparking a furious reaction from then agreed to soften their stance in a compromise bill that facing the Administration is not to rehash or make their results. Moving forward, the US should demonstrate that it Turkey. should allow the Administration sufficient leeway to avoid a case for the deal. It is to rebuild trust. If the US wants to see can use those same tools to help rein in Iran’s regional For American presidents the issue has always been a thorny Congressional block. the Arab states as allies, it must treat them as such. ambitions. And it should do so with Arabs as partners in this one. Ronald Reagan used the term in the early 1980s but since As I noted, Arab leaders, even those who have deep dis- A good place to begin would be for the US to make clear process, not as mere by-standers. then the commanders-in-chief in Washington have shied away. trust with Iran’s intentions, have been tempered in their that it understands the dangers that Iran poses in foment- NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of the Arab Barack Obama - who pledged before he won the presidency to reactions to the deal. One Arab official with whom I spoke ing and/or prolonging conflict in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. A American Institute recognise the genocide - has sidestepped the contentious term by using the Armenian term Medz Yeghern.

Return of Land? Anger at inequality drives S Africa attacks The fallout from the massacres still shapes the region with official ties between Turkey and Armenia frozen. Part of the fear By Kristen Van Schie loud applause. The king has since said his words frustrations are, and foreign nationals are the soft Africans are not willing to do, or to start their own in Ankara over the push for genocide recognition is that it could were misinterpreted, but for some, Zwelithini sim- target that frustrated communities have chosen to business: 21 percent were self-employed, 11 per- see Armenians lay claim to land in eastern Turkey. “The term igh unemployment and a failure to address ply articulated what many were feeling. “People are pick on.” cent were employers. ‘genocide’ is not just an academic concept but also a legal one. growing inequality are to blame for a wave frustrated,” said Braam Hanekom, director of Passop In downtown Johannesburg earlier this week, It means that a crime was committed and suggests that there Hof anti-immigrant attacks in South Africa, (People against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty), 1 Percent of Population as foreign traders closed shop and clustered anx- should be punishment and compensation,” said Ruben say analysts. “We believe that the cause of the a Cape Town non-profit organisation that supports Accused of flooding the country, foreigners in iously on the sidewalk, South African Eveline Safrastyan, the director of Yerevan’s Institute of Oriental Studies. xenophobic attacks is policy failure by the govern- asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants. fact make up just one percent of the working pop- Mangani elbowed her way in front of a camera and At present Armenia has no official territorial claims against ment,” said Mienke Mary Steytler, of the South “It’s hard to fight for jobs. It’s hard to fix the ulation in KwaZulu-Natal province - where the lat- began loudly decrying the anti-immigrant senti- Turkey but in 2013 prosecutor general Aghvan Hovsepyan African Institute of Race Relations. “High unemploy- economy. It’s hard to create opportunities. It’s very est violence began - and only four percent nation- ments. “I’m very hurt by people saying they must sparked fury in Ankara by saying Armenians should have their ment and inequality are not being tackled.” The vio- easy to blame someone, but it’s hard to blame the ally, according to a study released last year by the be kicked out of the country, because I survive “lost territories” returned. But despite the dreams of some lence has left at least six dead and more than a elected leadership who have the majority of sup- Wits University-based Migrating for Work Research thanks to them,” she said. “I get all my stock to resell Armenians to reclaim their land, analysts said few outside the thousand displaced since the beginning of the port on the ground. “It’s much easier to find a soft Consortium. The researchers also found foreign from them. So I can put food on the table so that community seriously think there will be any move to retake month, with attacks spreading from the east coast target to express your frustrations, whatever those workers were more likely to take jobs South my five kids can survive. Now the shops are closed the land. “It would be very difficult for any Armenian political city of Durban to parts of the economic hub, and look at my bag: it’s empty. I want the shops to leader to say that Armenia has no territorial claims to Turkey,” Johannesburg. open and I want them to be protected - Somalis, Svante Cornell from the Washington-based Central Asia- “The root of this problem lies in our inability to Ghanaians, Ethiopians must be protected.” Caucasus Institute told AFP. “But Western politicians don’t take bring about economic growth and decrease the The commercial success of foreigners running seriously” the possibility of a land dispute. —AFP inequality that plagues our nation,” said the main small general stores can be a sore point - and a opposition Democratic Alliance’s leader in parlia- cause for envy, said Paul Ngema, provincial general ment Mmusi Maimane. “It is the hopelessness that secretary of the National African Chamber of results from unemployment that drives drug use Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC). “When you All articles appearing on these and criminality in these communities, and under- look at people, they derive their income from run- pages are the personal opinion of lies xenophobic attacks.” ning ‘spaza’ shops. Most of these foreigners, they In January, foreign shopkeepers in and around come and also run the same small businesses - and the writers. Kuwait Times takes no the vast township of Soweto, south of they happen to do it better than the local ones. You responsibility for views expressed Johannesburg, were forced to flee and six were may call it perhaps jealousy.” therein. Kuwait Times invites read- killed as looters rampaged through the area. And in In January, Small Business Development ers to voice their opinions. Please 2008, 62 people were killed in xenophobic violence Minister Lindiwe Zulu was accused of fuelling anti- across the city’s townships. immigrant sentiment when she said foreign shop- send submissions via email to: opin- keepers must share their trade secrets. “Foreigners [email protected] or via snail ‘Take Their Bags and Go’ need to understand that they are here as a cour- mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. The current outbreak has been largely blamed tesy and our priority is to the people of this coun- on a speech last month by King Goodwill try first and foremost,” she was reported as saying The editor reserves the right to edit Zwelethini, traditional leader of the Zulus, in which at the time. “They cannot barricade themselves in any submission as necessary. he blamed foreigners for South Africa’s high crime A child runs pass burning tyres during xenophobic violence on Friday in the and not share their practices with local business rate and said they must “take their bags and go” - to Jeppestown area of central Johannesburg. —AFP owners.” —AFP SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 SPORTS

Phelps suffers 400 setback Kim calm in gusty Hawaii Lee eyes SEA Games spot MESA: Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps suffered his first set- HAWAII: LPGA Tour rookie Kim Sei-young held firm in KUALA LUMPUR: Former Badminton world number one Lee Chong Wei is confident he windy conditions to take over the solo lead after the third back in his return to the pool after he failed to qualify for the 400 metres will be cleared from a failed dope test and will find a place in the Malaysian squad for round of the South Korean-dominated LOTTE freestyle final in Mesa, Arizona on Friday. the Southeast Asian Games in June. The twice Olympic silver medallist is provisionally Phelps, competing first time following a six-month ban for a drunk driv- Championship in Hawaii on Friday. Facing winds that reached up to 30 miles per hour, Kim banned and awaiting a verdict from Badminton World Federation (BWF) after testing ing conviction, flashed his old form on Thursday when he won the 100 positive for the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone during the world champi- metres butterfly in the Arena Pro Swim Series meet. scrapped out a two-under-par 70 that put her at 12-under onships in August. But on Friday, the 18-times Olympic gold medalist could only manage for the tournament and gave her a one-stroke edge over Lee, 32, faced a hearing in Amsterdam last week but was confident he will receive 17th in the 400 freestyle after a time of 4 minutes, 2.67 seconds kept him fellow South Korean Kim In-kyung, who entered the day good news in the next two weeks from the sport’s world governing body and will take out of the main final. tied for the lead. For Kim Sei-young, the final round at the Phelps’ time put him in the C final but he elected not to Ko Olina course near Honolulu will give her a chance at part in the June 5-16 SEA Games in neighboring Singapore. swim it and also pulled out of his scheduled 100 metres redemption. The 22-year-old held a four-shot advantage in “I’ll only play in the team event as the BAM (Badminton Association of backstroke race in the evening. the ANA Inspiration two weeks ago, but only finished Malaysia) plan to send me for a tournament which will clash with the SEA While it was not the result he was looking for, fourth at the major championship. Games’ (singles) competition,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysian Phelps was swimming the freestyle for the first time Kim In-kyung will be breathing down her neck after a media on Saturday. since 2009 and said he saw it as a personal challenge. third-round 71, while just two strokes back lurks world “If I’m eligible to compete, the team will be counting on me to deliver He spent the rest of the evening working in the tele- number three Park In-bee at 10-under. Park fired a 69, one the first point. I hope to play the crucial role of boosting the team’s vision booth as he will now turn his attention to of the better rounds on a day where birdies were tough to morale.” Lee, Malaysia’s favourite sporting son having also won four Saturday’s 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle come by. Commonwealth Games golds and finishing runner-up at the world events. Phelps is competing for the first time since last Jenny Shin was fourth on eight-under after her second championships three times, could face a two-year ban for the failed dope August with an eye toward returning to glory at the straight 70, with Chella Choi (71) a further shot back as test. However, he reiterated his determination to be back on court 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. —Reuters South Korean players held the top five positions.—Reuters next month to begin the qualifying process for next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics. —Reuters

MLB results/standings

Detroit 2, Chicago White Sox 1; San Diego 5, Chicago Cubs 4; Washington 7, Philadelphia 2; Pittsburgh 6, Milwaukee 3; Atlanta 8, Toronto 7; Boston 3, Baltimore 2; NY Mets 4, Miami 1; NY Yankees 5, Tampa Bay 4; Minnesota 3, Cleveland 2 (11 Innings); Kansas City 6, Oakland 4; LA Angels 6, Houston 3; St. Louis 6, Cincinnati 1; Texas 3, Seattle 1; LA Dodgers 7, Colorado 3; Arizona 9, San Francisco 0. American League Eastern Division W L PCT GB Boston 7 3 .700 - Tampa Bay 6 5 .545 1.5 Baltimore 5 5 .500 2 Toronto 5 6 .455 2.5 NY Yankees 4 6 .400 3 Central Division Detroit 9 1 .900 - Kansas City 8 2 .800 1 Minnesota 4 6 .400 5 Chicago White Sox 3 6 .333 5.5 Cleveland 3 6 .333 5.5 Western Division LA Angels 5 5 .500 - Oakland 5 6 .455 0.5 Texas 5 6 .455 0.5 Houston 4 6 .400 1 Seattle 3 7 .300 2 National League Eastern Division NY Mets 8 3 .727 - Atlanta 7 3 .700 0.5 Washington 5 6 .455 3 Miami 3 8 .273 5 Philadelphia 3 8 .273 5 Central Division St. Louis 6 3 .667 - Chicago Cubs 5 4 .556 1 Cincinnati 5 5 .500 1.5 Pittsburgh 4 6 .400 2.5 ST. PETERSBURG: Tampa Bay Rays’ Steven Souza Jr. (20) steals second base as New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius can’t hang onto the ball during the seventh inning. —AP Milwaukee 2 8 .200 4.5 Western Division Colorado 7 3 .700 - LA Dodgers 7 3 .700 - San Diego 7 4 .636 0.5 Yankees shut out Rays Arizona 6 5 .545 1.5 San Francisco 3 9 .250 5

ST. PETERSBURG: Alex Rodriguez inched 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases. lineup as the cleanup hitter and third base- METS 4, MARLINS 1 closer to Willie Mays with two more home runs Trout, who has 104 steals, hit a two-run man. He struck out in his first three at-bats Bartolo Colon hit a tying sacrifice fly for his CARDINALS 6, REDS 1 as the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay shot off Roberto Hernandez in the sixth inning against James Shields (2-0). second RBI in two starts as well as pitching the Michael Wacha pitched seven strong Rays 5-4 on Friday. for his 100th homer, giving the Angels a 3-1 Myers connected against Brian Schlitter (0- Mets to their sixth straight win. innings for St. Louis, and Yadier Molina had a Rodriguez hit a solo shot in the second, lead. At 23 years and 253 days old, Trout 1) in the seventh. San Diego has won three Colon (3-0) gave up Giancarlo Stanton’s bases-clearing double. Wacha (2-0) scattered driving an 0-1 pitch from Nathan Karns an esti- became the youngest player to reach the feat - straight and six of seven. Shields (2-0) allowed second homer of the series in the first inning, five hits to beat Johnny Cueto (0-2) and the mated 471 feet to center. He connected again breaking the mark set by Alex Rodriguez (23 four runs and five hits in six innings with nine and then allowed just five more hits through Reds for the second time in the past week. in the sixth, belting a two-run drive to left years, 309 days old). strikeouts. Craig Kimbrel pitched a one-hit seven. Michael Cuddyer had a go-ahead single Cueto gave up four runs and six hits over sev- against Ernesto Frieri for homer No. 658 - just After the Astros tied it with single runs in ninth for his fourth save, retiring Jorge Soler in the sixth for New York, and Juan Lagares en innings. Joey Votto gave Cincinnati a first- two shy of Mays for fourth place on baseball’s the sixth and seventh, Trout hit a three-run on a game-ending groundout with the poten- made two nimble catches in center field on inning lead with his fourth homer, his third career list. shot against reliever Chad Qualls (0-1) in the tial tying run on second. the night he collected his 2014 Gold Glove against St. Louis. Rodriguez, who missed last season because eighth. Cesar Ramos (1-0) got the win and award. Jeurys Familia pitched the ninth for his of a drug suspension, also had a tiebreaking Huston Street pitched a scoreless ninth for his DIAMONDBACKS 9, GIANTS 0 fifth save. Miami’s Brad Hand (0-1) recorded BRAVES 8, BLUE JAYS 7 RBI single in the eighth against Kevin Jepsen fourth save. Josh Collmenter pitched a four-hitter and two outs was charged with two runs and three Pinch-hitter Jonny Gomes belted a (0-1). Brett Gardner, who came in to run for had a career-high three hits as the hits. tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning for Carlos Beltran after his leadoff single, stole sec- TIGERS 2, WHITE SOX 1 Diamondbacks sent the Giants to an eighth Atlanta, and Freddie Freeman added a two- ond before Rodriguez singled to center with Jose Iglesias hit a game-ending RBI single straight loss. RANGERS 3, MARINERS 1 run shot. two out. After Dellin Betances (2-0) threw a as the Tigers improved their major league-best Jake Lamb hit a two-run triple in the third Yovani Gallardo pitched six scoreless Nick Markakis went 4 for 4 and scored three scoreless inning, Andrew Miller got the final record to 9-1. Nick Castellanos led off the ninth and Collmenter (1-2) added an RBI single as innings for Texas, and Robinson Chirinos runs as the Braves won for the third time in four outs for his third save. Allan Dykstra and with a sinking liner to right off Zach Duke (1- Arizona knocked Jake Peavy (0-2) out of the homered. Gallardo (2-1) allowed six hits, their last 11 interleague road games. Logan Forsythe hit consecutive homers in the 1). Castellanos stretched the hit into a double, game after only 3 2-3 innings. A.J. Pollock walked two and struck out three. Tanner Batting for Cameron Maybin, Gomes fourth to give Tampa Bay a 4-2 lead. and while replays appeared to show shortstop matched his career high with four hits for Scheppers gave up a run in the eighth on Seth opened the eighth with a drive to center off Alexei Ramirez tagging him on a toe, second Arizona, including an RBI double. Smith’s sacrifice fly, and Neftali Feliz got the Brett Cecil (0-1). It was Gomes’ 10th career DODGERS 7, ROCKIES 3 base umpire Brian O’Nora called the runner The Giants’ eight-game skid is their longest last three outs for his second save. pinch-hit homer, most among active players. Clayton Kershaw struck out 12 batters in six safe. since June 13-22, 2007, in home run king Barry Chirinos made it 2-0 in the fifth with his Cody Marin (1-0) worked one inning for the innings on his way to his first win, helping the Chicago manager Robin Ventura came out Bonds’ final season. Their 3-9 record matches second homer of the season. Mariners starter win, Jim Johnson gave up two runs in the Dodgers beat the Rockies. to discuss the play with the umpires. Ventura the worst start in San Francisco history. J.A. Happ (0-1) gave up two runs and six hits in eighth and Jason Grilli finished for his fifth Kershaw (1-1) allowed three runs - one said O’Nora told him that Ramirez had missed seven innings. save. Toronto hit five home runs, including earned - and six hits. The reigning NL MVP is him, and the manager returned to the dugout. RED SOX 3, ORIOLES 2 four off Julio Teheran, but still lost for the 21-2 with a 1.69 ERA in his last 24 regular-sea- Ventura then came back on the field after Xander Bogaerts blooped a winning single PIRATES 6, BREWERS 3 fourth time in five games. Josh Donaldson and son starts. hearing from the team’s replay staff. Umpires with one out in the ninth inning, sending Vance Worley worked six effective innings Russell Martin both hit two homers, and rook- Troy Tulowitzki and Charlie Blackmon ruled the time for a challenge had lapsed Boston to the victory. Mike Napoli began the as the Pirates broke out of a lengthy slump. ie Devon Travis also connected. homered for Colorado. Kyle Kendrick (1-2) because the manager had gone back to the ninth with a walk from Brian Matusz (0-1) and Worley (1-1) allowed two runs and six hits, and gave up six runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 dugout and the Tigers had inserted Andrew Daniel Nava sacrificed. Tommy Hunter Mark Melancon got the final out for his first TWINS 3, INDIANS 2MINNEAPOLIS innings. Adrian Gonzalez had three hits and Romine to run for Castellanos. Alex Avila then relieved, and Bogaerts hit a ball over second save. Trevor Plouffe led off the 11th inning with a two RBIs for the Dodgers. Howie Kendrick sacrificed and Iglesias singled to shallow right- baseman Jonathan Schoop and in front of Gregory Polanco went 3 for 4 for soaring home run for Minnesota.Plouffe con- drove in three runs. center. Joakim Soria (1-0) got the win with a right fielder Travis Snider. Pittsburgh. Starling Marte had two hits, includ- nected against Bryan Shaw (0-1), sending a perfect ninth. Napoli easily beat the throw home on ing a long two-run homer off Jonathan drive into the second deck in left field. He was ROYALS 6, ATHLETICS 4 Boston’s fourth hit of the game. Koji Uehara (1- Broxton in the eighth that broke open a close swarmed by teammates as he hit home plate. KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) - Paulo Orlando PADRES 5, CUBS 4 0) struck out two in a perfect ninth. Orioles game. Chris Herrmann had two hits, an RBI and hit a tiebreaking RBI triple in Kansas City’s two- Top prospect Kris Bryant went 0 for 4 with starter Ubaldo Jimenez held the Red Sox hit- The Pirates came in hitting just .207 some slick baserunning to help the Twins win run eighth inning as the Royals beat the three strikeouts in his first game with the Cubs less for 3 2-3 innings before being ejected through their first nine games but collected 11 their third straight. Brandon Moss homered for Athletics in their first meeting since last as Wil Myers hit a three-run homer for the when he plunked Pablo Sandoval with a pitch. hits against Jimmy Nelson (1-1) and three the Indians, who fell to 0-3 in games pitched September’s dramatic wild-card game. Omar Padres. In the second, Sandoval took out second base- Milwaukee relievers. Khris Davis had his sixth by AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. Infante drove in a pair of runs for the Royals, Chicago selected Bryant’s contract from man Schoop with a hard slide on a force play. career three-hit game for the Brewers, who Blaine Boyer (1-1) went 1 1-3 innings for the whose 12-inning victory over the Athletics last Triple-A Iowa and inserted him into its starting have lost three in a row. win. —AP year ultimately spurred them all the way to Game 7 of the World Series. Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis (2-0) each Nissan Altima triumphant in 48-Hour Endurance Challenge pitched a scoreless inning in relief of the Royals’ Jeremy Guthrie, and Greg Holland Race equivalent to driving from Riyadh to Rome breezed through the ninth for his fourth save. Dan Otero (0-1) gave up both runs in the RIYADH: Nissan’s Altima mid-size sedan non-stop driving, and these are trade- answering technical related questions. endurance race in 2007 where it covered eighth inning for Oakland. Stephen Vogt hit a has triumphed in an extraordinary marks of the Altima,” says Nissan’s Middle Previously the Nissan Altima proved its all- approximately 2,270 km, or roughly the pair of solo homers, and Ike Davis also went endurance challenge over 48 hours, which East managing director Samir Cherfan. round quality in the Dubai 24 Hours distance between Dubai and Beirut. deep for the A’s. saw the vehicle travel 4,323.2 km non- “Our company mantra is ‘Innovation stop- an equivalent distance of driving that Excites’ and to demonstrate this we NATIONALS 7, PHILLIES 2 from Riyadh to Rome. Certified by the came up with the endurance challenge for Max Scherzer pitched eight strong innings Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, the the Altima to showcase its incredible capa- to get his first win with the Nationals, and endurance test started on Sunday first of bilities in an interesting and exciting way. Bryce Harper hit a three-run homer. Danny March at 9:00 am and lasted for 48 hours. The Altima has already been active and Espinosa also homered and Ryan Zimmerman It took place at Al Reem International successful in the endurance racing scene added a two-run double to help Washington Circuit in Riyadh where several profession- but the regional challenge has been the to its third straight win. al drivers pushed the car to new limits for most demanding the vehicle has encoun- Scherzer (1-1) allowed one run and struck two straight days. From Sunday 9:00 am to tered.” The Regional 48H Endurance Race out nine in his third start since signed a seven- Tuesday 9:00 am, the Altima traveled in Saudi Arabia has grabbed the attention year, $210 million contract in January. 4,323.2 KM and drivers had to complete of adventurous car lovers all over the The Phillies have lost six in a row. Sean 1,351 laps of the circuit. Middle East, particularly as an Altima has O’Sullivan (0-1) went five innings in his second “At Nissan we always relish a challenge been up for grabs in a competition for the start of the season - both against the Nationals and while this endurance event was as public. Fans were able to track the - and allowed four runs and five hits. tough as they come, we had no doubt the progress of the endurance challenge via a Altima would succeed brilliantly. A vehicle designated website updated frequently. ANGELS 6, ASTROS 3 must boast the best in durability, quality There was also an opportunity to win an Angels star Mike Trout homered twice to and reliability to go through 48 hours of Altima via social media (#Altima48h) by become the youngest player in history with SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 SPORTS

Top players roll into Kuwait Open Tennis final

By Abdellatif Sharaa Abdelreda Al-Shatti reached the final final and will have to wait for the winner Malabitan and Avrim Garcia. Sheikh net which contributes to its success and and in the junior category Hussein Ali between Majdi Al-Bitar and Avrim Ahmad Al-Jaber expressed his content- thanked the media for their coverage. KUWAIT: Kuwait sixth Open Tennis Jamal and Tamim Al-Hallaq made it to Garcia. In the masters category Ali ment towards the success of the tourna- He also thanked the tournament’s Tournament 2015 continued its success the final. In the men’s singles Nasser Abdelreda Al-Ghareeb, Milos Ojonovitc, ment since its start with a large number committees headed by Faleh Al-Otaibi since it started on April 7 under the Abdelsalam Al-Obaidly and Ali Abdelhameen Abdelreda Al-Shatti and of players participating especially mem- and his assisstant Abbas Al-Basri. He also patronage of President of Arab and Abdelreda Al-Ghareeb reached the final Nasser Al-Obaidly reached the quarter bers of the national teams and players thanked the officiating team led by Kuwait Tennis Federations Sheikh as well as in the U-18 girls singles finals. of clubs. Sheikh Ahmad lauded the high Abdelraouf Al-Abdelsalam and the Ahmad Al-Abdallah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Fareeda Al-Ayyat and Banisa reached the In the men’s doubles the semi finals technical level the tournament wit- board of Al-Yarmouk Sports Club. The tournament will conclude tomorrow same round. will see Mohammad Al-Ghareeeb, nessed so far. He said the tournament is Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber wished play- at the main court of Kuwait Tennis The ladies singles will see Sarah Mohammad Sadiq, Hamid Al-Sulaiteen , a good opportunity for positive compe- ers all success and invited fans to attend Federation located at Yarmoouk Sports Behbehani and Latifa Al-Sayyed Omar in Abdallah Al-Qallaf, abdelaziz Maayouf, tition in a highly sporting atmosphere the final match which will take place at club. the final. In the pioneers singles above Ali Al-Sheikh, Ali Hussein Ghareeb and among all. 4.30 pm on Al-Yarmouk Club’s main The tournament reached its final 45 Mohammad Tounieh and Majdi Ahmad Ashoor. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber thanked court, to be followed by the closing cer- rounds as in the U-13 beginners catego- Khamis made it to the finals, while in the In the pioneers category the final will ambassadors and the diplomatic core in emony and distribution of prizes to the ry Ahmad Mufid Khamis and Ali over 55 category Ringan reached the see Majdi Al-Bitar, Majdi Khamis, Ray Kuwait who participated in the tournam- winners. Rebels stun Brumbies

SYDNEY: The Melbourne Rebels stunned as fly-half Jack Debreczeni kicked low Australian Super 15 conference leaders ACT allowing the ball to skate across the wet Brumbies with a history-making 13-8 win in surface and causing problems for the trying conditions at Canberra Stadium yes- Brumbies back three. terday. Scrum-half Nic Stirzaker also played a The upset win by the 11th-placed significant role giving his opposite Michael Rebels also snapped the Brumbies 11- Dowsett, one of three players on debut in game home winning streak dating back to the injury-ravaged Brumbies side, a torrid February last year. time around the rucks and scrums. Points were hard to come by on the wet The make-shift Brumbies looked every and greasy ground with the Rebels leading bit a patched-up unit through the first half 13-5 at half-time and a sole penalty by and with what ball they won they had diffi- Christian Lealiifano 23 minutes into the culty making good use of it. second half the only points after the break. Stirzaker, who made several incisive runs It was the first time the Rebels have beaten from the base of the ruck, sparked the the Brumbies in Canberra and, for the first Rebels first try when he carved through a time since 2013, they have posted back-to- faltering defence to put Sefanaia Naivalu back wins after beating the Queensland over in the corner. Reds 23-15 in their last outing. It was also Mike Harris landed the conversion and payback for the 15-20 loss to the Brumbies two penalties to have the Rebels 13-0 up in Melbourne earlier in the year. before Henry Speight broke his try-scoring For the Brumbies it meant back-to-back drought for the season when he put the losses after falling to the Auckland Blues Brumbies on the board on the stroke of last week, and it was their first loss at home half-time. There were no further points since going down to the Reds in February until the final quarter when Christian last year. Lealiifano landed a handy penalty to put They remain at the head of the the Brumbies within striking distance of Australian conference although their lead taking the lead. has been cut to three points after the NSW With five minutes remaining they made Waratahs beat the Wellington Hurricanes a concerted effort from a lineout drive to 29-24 earlier yesterday. score a match-saving try but were held With the rain creating greasy conditions, back by a determined Rebels defence and the Rebels played basic wet-weather rugby eventually turned the ball over.—AFP United States survive Russia blitz to win gold

TOKYO: World champion Elizaveta like that is the essence of this event and it’s Tuktamysheva produced a majestic display wonderful,” he added. to win the women’s free skate at the World Earlier, world champions Meagan Team Trophy yesterday but the United Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada some- States pipped Russia to the title. what controversially won the pairs free Tuktamysheva’s poise and elegance swept skate, edging out China’s Sui Wenjing and her to a top score of 134.21 points after Han Cong in a repeat of their victory in Japan’s world silver medallist Satoko Shanghai. The pint-sized Miyahara, who Miyahara had brought the Tokyo crowd to charmed fans skating in a red dress deco- its feet with a sparkling “Miss Saigon” rou- rated with sequins, rated her performance tine. as better than in China. However, Gracie Gold’s final skate was “Of course there’s extra pressure ANTIGUA: West Indies batsman Jason Holder plays a shot before making his century on day five of the first cricket Test match between West just good enough to give the Americans a because it’s a team event,” said the 17-year- Indies and England. —AFP winning total of 110 points to Russia’s 109, old. “But I didn’t make any mistakes with with hosts Japan finishing third of the six my jumps as I did at the world champi- teams at the season-ending event on 103. onships, so it was a nice way to finish the Canada took fourth on 82 points with season.” Holder earns Windies draw China on 77 and France 59. Miyahara was cheered on in Japan’s box After a final day of fluctuating fortunes, by Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, who Miyahara and Kanako Murakami briefly put had dominated the men’s free and short Japan in the driving seat until Elena programmes to end a bruising season on a despite Anderson record Radionova and Tuktamysheva took to the positive note, having recently lost his world ice. title to Spain’s Javier Fernandez in China. Radionova overhauled Miyahara’s sea- In the pairs, Duhamel and Radford ANTIGUA: Jason Holder struck his maiden vived on a flat pitch and the hosts took tea at Samuels in his next over, Buttler missing a dif- son-best 129.12 with a score of 129.73 to earned 140.70 points to 139.73 for Sui and first-class century to lead West Indies to a 268 for six. Anderson equalled Botham’s total ficult stumping chance from a sharply turning take second behind Tuktamysheva, who Han, despite Duhamel falling on a quad draw in the first test in Antigua on Friday after in the morning session when Samuels, on 23, delivery. skated to gold at the world championships throw and crash-landing a triple toeloop. James Anderson had become England’s lead- flashed at a wide ball and was well caught by Samuels soon fell to a full delivery from in Shanghai two weeks ago. The Chinese, who had won the short ing test wicket-taker. Tredwell in the gully. Anderson before Chanderpaul and “It was so much more stressful watching programme, looked stunned in the kiss and Denesh Ramdin and Holder shared a res- Off-spinner Tredwell had already tempted Blackwood dug in. The limpet-like than actually skating,” said American team cry area as the judges announced their olute seventh-wicket stand of 105 and Smith to try to drive him over the top but the Chanderpaul appeared well set for another captain Evan Bates. “Especially when the score to audible gasps from a sympathetic although the former became Anderson’s opener holed out to Gary Ballance at mid-on marathon knock but, on 13, he was trapped ladies were skating-they were some of the Japanese crowd. American sweethearts 384th test victim in the final session, the hosts for 65. Tredwell should have dismissed lbw by part-time spinner Joe Root. —Reuters most nerve-wracking moments I can Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim took third remember. “To have our fate tied together with a career-best 127.87. —AFP did enough to ruin England’s hopes of going 1-0 up in the three-match series. Holder ended unbeaten on 103 and Kemar Roach was 15 not out as West Indies finished SCOREBOARD on 350 for seven, 88 runs short of their improbable victory target of 438. NORTH SOUND: Scoreboard at the end of play on the final day of the first Test between the Paceman Anderson surpassed Ian Botham’s West Indies and England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Friday. tally of 383 test victims when he had Ramdin caught by captain Alastair Cook at first slip for England 1st Innings: 399 (I Bell 143, J Root D. Ramdin c Cook b Anderson 57 83, B Stokes 79; K Roach 4-94, J Taylor 3-90) 57. J. Holder not out 103 West Indies 1st Innings: 295 (J Blackwood K. Roach not out 15 Holder held his nerve, however, and he 112 no; J Tredwell 4-47) Extras (b-2, lb-2, nb-2) 6 reached three figures by hitting James England 2nd Innings: 333 for 7 declared (G Tredwell for four in the penultimate over of Ballance 122, J Root 59, J Buttler 59, J Taylor 2- Total (7 wickets, 129.4 overs) 350 the match. 42) Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Brathwaite), 2-90 (Bravo), Earlier, England looked to be closing in on 3-119 (Smith), 4-127 (Samuels), 5-155 victory when they dismissed Devon Smith, West Indies 2nd Innings (Chanderpaul), 6-189 (Blackwood), 7-294 Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (overnight 98 for 2) (Ramdin) in the morning session, leaving West Indies on K. Brathwaite c Root b Broad 5 To bat: Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn 162 for five at lunch. First-innings centurion D. Smith c Ballance b Tredwell 65 Jermaine Blackwood fell for 31 soon after the D. Bravo c Jordan b Root 32 Bowling: Anderson 24.4-3-72-2, Broad 21-5- interval, aiming a wild heave at Chris Jordan M. Samuels c Tredwell b Anderson 23 61-1, Tredwell 40-14-93-1, Jordan 18-6-48-1 and edging a catch to wicketkeeper Jos S. Chanderpaul lbw Root 13 (2nb), Stokes 13-0-50-0, Root 13-6-22-2 JAPAN: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia performs during the free skating in the Buttler. J. Blackwood c Buttler b Jordan 31 Result: Match drawn women’s singles event at the ISU World Team Trophy figure skating competition. —AFP But Ramdin and Holder comfortably sur- SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 SPORTS Capitals, Canadiens advance

WASHINGTON: Nicklas Backstrom had a in Ottawa. goal and two assists, and Alex Ovechkin scored once, leading the Washington PREDATORS 6, BLACKHAWKS 2 Capitals and fill-in goalie Philipp Grubauer Craig Smith scored the first two playoff past the New York Islanders 4-3 Friday goals of his career and added an assist, as night to even their first-round playoff Nashville beat Chicago to tie the Western series at a game each. Conference opening-round playoff series After Washington’s two stars - Ovechkin at a game apiece. led the NHL in goals, Backstrom was No. 1 The Predators won for the first time in assists - were reunited on the top line, since clinching a postseason berth on both scored to erase a 3-1 deficit. Jason March 28. Pekka Rinne made 24 saves for Chimera netted the go-ahead goal with 12 the win and even had an assist. 1/2 minutes left. It was the first time the Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist, Capitals had led in the series, which moves and Colin Wilson, Roman Josi and Mike to New York for Game 3 today. Santorelli each scored a goal. Nashville lost Grubauer was called up from the captain Shea Weber to a lower body injury minors Friday to replace starting goalie nearly midway through the second period. Braden Holtby, who was ill. Grubauer, a 23- Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane scored for year-old from Germany, made 18 saves. Chicago, which hosts Game 3 today.

CANADIENS 3, SENATORS 2 CANUCKS 4, FLAMES 1 Alex Galchenyuk scored on a spin- Eddie Lack made 22 saves as Vancouver around shot 3:40 into overtime, leading defeated Calgary to even the first-round Montreal past the Ottawa Senators and playoff series at a game apiece. Daniel giving the Canadiens a 2-0 lead in their Sedin, Chris Higgins, Ronalds Kenins and first-round playoff series. Radim Vrbata - into an empty net - scored Max Pacioretty, back from a concussion for the Canucks, who snapped a seven- that sidelined him in Game 1, and P.K. game losing streak at home in the playoffs Subban scored in regulation for the dating to the 2011 Stanley Cup final. Kris Canadiens, while David Desharnais picked Russell scored late in the third period for up an assist on each. the Flames to end Lack’s shutout bid. The Clarke MacArthur and Patrick Wiercioch physical game was capped by a full brawl scored for the Senators, and Mark Stone late in the third with fights erupting all added two assists. Carey Price stopped 29 over the ice deep in the Vancouver zone shots for Montreal, while Ottawa’s Andrew after a whistle. Calgary hosts Game 3 Hammond made 38 saves. Game 3 is today today. —AP MONACO: Serbian player Novak Djokovic hits a return to Spanish player Rafael Nadal during his Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament semifinal tennis match. —AFP Hamilton on pole in Bahrain Djokovic and Berdych MANAMA: Series leader and defending It was Hamilton’s first pole in Bahrain, world champion Lewis Hamilton secured the first time he has taken four poles in a his fourth straight pole position of the sea- row and the 42nd of his career. Vettel son yesterday when he outpaced all his delighted Ferrari’s fans and management. in Monte Carlo final rivals in qualifying for Sunday’s Bahrain He said: “I am very happy with second Grand Prix. The 30-year-old Briton, in today. It was a tough session, I didn’t find untouchable form, crushed his opponents’ the rhythm to begin with, but at the end it MONTE CARLO: Novak Djokovic moved into Masters tournaments of a season and would win Berdych will be competing in a fourth career efforts to stay with him as he delivered a was getting better and I could push. “Very position for a potential fourth trophy this season his fourth in a row - levelling with Nadal in that Masters 1000 final and first since losing to stunning final lap in one minute and 32.571 happy with the front row - in the race we as he reached his fourth career final at the category - after also winning in November 2014 Federer in Madrid three years ago. His only title seconds. are maybe a bit closer so let’s see what month Carlo Masters yesterday with a 6-3, 6-3 at Paris Bercy. in the series came at Paris Bercy in 2005. This lifted him clear of Germans happens.” The opening Q1 session saw the defeat of Rafael Nadal. Djokovic, the world num- Against Berdych, Monfils showed little of the “This year is going pretty well, I’m missing a Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, on the front row usual suspects in control once they ber one and form player this season with titles surprising form that took him to upset wins this trophy but I have another chance tomorrow,” of the grid, and his Mercedes team-mate switched to soft tyres with Hamilton from the Australian Open plus the first two week against second seed Roger Federer and said Berdych. “I’ve put myself in the best possible and rival Nico Rosberg, who was third emerging fastest ahead of Bottas and Masters 1000 events of 2015 at Indian Wells and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. position to be ready for it, be prepared. ahead of Finn Kimi Raikkonen in the sec- Rosberg. Miami, advanced into his 33rd Masters final with Instead, the Frenchman slumped to 23 “I’m having a great week so far, it’s all good ond Ferrari. Spaniard Fernando Alonso, notably, a 97-minute winning display. unforced errors and lost serve four times. The and positive,” said the Czech who kept Monfils “I feel great, very happy,” he said after- reached Q2 for the first time in his McLaren He has won his last 16 matches. Nadal, eight- first set was a command performance for from becoming the first Frenchman into the final wards. “That was the target, to try to master Honda while Rosberg, having considered time champion in the principality, played with Berdych, the Czech emerged with the 2-1 lead as in the principality since Cedric Pioline, champion this track. That’s how it’s gone this week- staying on medium tyres and a banker lap, enthusiasm but appeared to still be suffering the second set began with three straight breaks in 2000. The win was the sixth out of seven for end. The laps were pretty good, you can had to make a late second run on softs to from the lack of confidence and elite fitness and took victory in 68 minutes. Berdych will be Berdych over Monfils. Berdych has reached the always improve, but I’m grateful to have deliver his time. which has bothered him for months. playing in his third final of the season after los- final without losing a set as he plays the tourna- this beast underneath me and really feel I Out went Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado On Sunday, Djokovic will take an 18-2 record ing title bids in Doha and Rotterdam. ment for the 11th time.—AFP can attack the corners here.” of Lotus, after suffering familiar Renault into the final against Czech sixth seed Tomas The two Williams of Finn Valtteri Bottas engine problems, Russian Daniil Kvyat in Berdych, who deflated the finals dream of Gael and Brazilian Felipe Massa were fifth and his Red Bull, bright Briton Will Stevens and Monfils 6-1, 6-4. sixth ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo his Manor Marussia team-mate Spaniard Djokovic said he needed a top performance Czechs lead France in Fed Cup semis of Red Bull and German Nico Hulkenberg of Roberto Merhi and luckless 2009 champion to go through against Nadal as he won his fifth Force India. Briton Jenson Button who failed to clock a match from the last six played between the two OSTRAVA: Lucie Safarova and Petra Kvitova would turn out differently in the end.” Hamilton was four-tenths of a second serious time, again, in his McLaren Honda longtime rivals. gave holders the Czech Republic a 2-0 lead Her stunned opponent ended up in tears. faster than Vettel and half a second quicker and managed only three laps. “I’m very happy with how I played against over France in the Fed Cup semi-finals after “I think this has never happened to me than a disappointed Rosberg, who had By the time Q2 was under way, the tem- such a tough opponent. Rafa is the all-time best the opening rubbers yesterday. before,” said Garcia. “If I lost, it’s because I been bidding for a third successive Bahrain peratures were dropping and the lights on the clay, it was not an easy match,” the Serb On the hardcourt of the CEZ Arena in the made mistakes and I need to improve.” pole in a bid to rekindle his title challenge were on to create a stunning atmosphere said. eastern Czech city of Ostrava, world number Coming back after a month-long break after winning just one of the last 12 races. to match Hamilton’s lap in 1:32.669 which “I played well, it was a relief to get this win. 13 and Czech number two Safarova took an from the sport, Kvitova, the 2011 and 2014 Rosberg admitted: “Strategy-wise, I got was clearly the fastest. It was more than a There was a lot of tension, it was tough to keep it hour and 58 minutes to beat 29th-ranked Wimbledon champion, lacked her usual spirit it wrong today... I was thinking too much second quicker than Rosberg’s, set just all under control. “I know the final with Tomas Caroline Garcia 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-1. World num- against the 21-year-old Mladenovic. about the race and I under-estimated minutes earlier. will be a different kind of match, but I’ll do my ber four Kvitova then saw off 58th-ranked But a break in the first set and two in the Sebastian’s speed. Raikkonen was second quickest and best to recover and get ready.” Kristina Mladenovic 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 21 second were all the 25-year-old Czech need- “I took it easy in Q2 to save the race both Massa and Vettel were faster than Djokovic won the opening set after coming minutes to take the Czechs within a point of ed against an even more lacklustre tyres, so I lacked the rhythm for Q3. That’s Rosberg, who was fifth, just ahead of Bottas. back from an early break down against Nadal, the finals. The two lefties already led the Mladenovic, preferred by French captain where I went wrong today. Being third is For Hamilton it was a major signal of intent with the top seed claiming the set on a third set Czechs to Fed Cup titles in 2011, 2012 and Amelie Mauresmo over the higher-ranked not ideal.” before the top ten shootout.—AFP point. 2014 while France are playing their first semi- Alize Cornet. “It was a tough game, I have The second pivoted on a massive 11-minute finals since 2007 after winning their last Fed come back after a longer pause and I didn’t seventh game, which Djokovic won on a break Cup trophy in 2003. Safarova and Garcia held know what to expect from myself,” said for a 4-3 lead after Nadal lost a 40-0 lead. serve until the tenth game of the first set Kvitova. “I got a boost from the first point Djokovic closed out the victory two games when an aggressive, well-serving Garcia won by Lucie, it was a bit easier for me to later with another break of the Spaniard as broke her rival and closed out the set 6-4. play.” Nadal saved a match point before falling victim The second set went exactly the same way Mladenovic admitted Kvitova had out- to a cross-court winner. but the 21-year-old Garcia squandered five played her. “It was small details that made the “In moments I was playing at a very high lev- match points against Safarova’s serve and the difference today. I could have done better, el, but he played great,” said an upbeat Nadal. game changed dramatically. especially on the backhand side and she was “He’s winning almost every match of the year. The 28-year-old Safarova took the set in a also more precise,” said Mladenovic. In today’s “For me it’s a very positive week, the most tie-break after sweeping Garcia 7/1 and never reverse singles, Kvitova is due to face Garcia positive week of the season, without any doubt. looked back, breezing past the French young- and Safarova will then take on Mladenovic, If I’m able to keep doing that in the next tourna- ster 6-1 in the third set. but the captains may decide to change the ment in Barcelona, I will say that I am very well “It was pretty wild, wasn’t it?” Safarova teams. Czechs Karolina Pliskova and Barbora again. beamed after the game. “Of course I was Strycova were drawn against Alize Cornet “The way that I played yesterday (against nervous... but I kept hoping, in tennis it’s not and Pauline Parmentier for today’s doubles. BAHRAIN: Mercedes AMG Petronas British driver Lewis Hamilton steers his car dur- David Ferrer) and for moments today is the way over until it’s over, you can always come back, The winner of the tie will take on either ing the qualification session for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir that I want to play.” Djokovic is bidding to so I played more aggressively and hoped it Russia or Germany in the final. —AFP circuit. —AFP become the first man to win the opening three

Kuwait, India to meet in Asian Challenge Cup Ice hockey tournament

KUWAIT: Kuwait National Ice Hockey team patronage of PAYS Chairman, Director General of the tournament, due to the continued He said the club provided all facilities for Al-Asousi said the team will enter all five take on its Indian counterpart at 8 pm tonight, Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad, will see teamwork by all those involved. the Kuwaiti team to ensure good results in the matches focused, as each match will be con- in its second match within the Asian Challenge another match between Oman and Malaysia, He said that all participating Asian delega- tournament included training camps in sidered a final, to be able to win the tourna- Cup, which was opened last night at the and in the third match Kyrgyzstan meet tions expressed their satisfaction with all Sweden, and having several friendly matches ment. He said the board of directors fully sup- Skating Rink with the participation of six Singapore. Meanwhile, Secretary General of preparations made by the organizing commit- which contributed to improving the level of ported the team, and the rest is in the hands teams, and will continue until April 24. Kuwait Winter Games Club Bashar Al-Nassar tee, especially in regards to training timing the team, and appreciated the support of PAYS of players to give all they got to put their The tournament, being held under the expressed satisfaction towards the proceeding and other technical matters. in this regard. Kuwait team member Abdallah hands on the cup. SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 SPORTS PSG trounce Nice to forget Barca defeat

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain bounced back team to get past the French Riviera side. from their Champions League humbling Lucas Moura, Serge Aurier and Lucas Digne against Barcelona by beating Nice 3-1 yes- were introduced into the starting line up terday to boost their bid for a hat-trick of while former Chelsea defender David Luiz, Ligue 1 titles. despite not being fully fit, was bestowed A clinical first half finish from Javier with the captain’s armband. Pastore put PSG in charge against the run But it was Pastore’s fourth goal of the of play. Minutes later, Mathieu Bodmer season, following a defence-opening pass deflected a speculative effort from Said by Lucas, who gave PSG the breakthrough Benrahma to level with the last kick of the with their first real chance of the match. half. But Paris took a decisive lead in the It was, however, quickly cancelled out second half with a fine volley from Pastore by former Parisian Bodmer, although Nice and an Edinson Cavani penalty in a game still went into the half-time break frustrated sandwiched between Champions League to have nothing more to show form their commitments. first half dominance. “We must face the facts: two days ago, The second half was a complete rever- we were playing a game against Barcelona. sal, though, as Nice goalkeeper Simon We are tired. I’m not complaining, that’s Pouplin shined, preventing David Luiz and how it is but Nice had a whole week to rest,” Lucas from finding the back of the net. coach Laurent Blanc explained. “We always Pastore added his second of the afternoon try to fight physical and mental fatigue. The just after the hour mark as he latched onto first half was difficult for us and Nice played a rebound after Pouplin saved his original well,” he added. driven effort. “At half time, I told the players that we Cavani, brought down in the box by shouldn’t focus on the first half. We came to Jordan Amavi, bagged his ninth of the sea- Nice to get the three points and everyone son on 69 minutes to seal the deal. Late agreed to make the required efforts. The yesterday, Monaco can strengthen their second half was even better. “It was impor- grip on third by beating Rennes before tant for us not to lose twice in a row.” looking to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit PSG temporarily moved a point ahead when they host Juventus in the second leg Lyon at the top of the table ahead of of their Champions League quarter-final today’s derby against Saint-Etienne. Nice next week. At the foot, the bottom two remain mired in midtable in 11th but are Metz and Lens meet in what is almost cer- still not sade, only six points above the rele- tainly the last chance for either to avoid the gation zone. drop. On Friday, Marseille’s slump contin- SPAIN: Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi kicks a ball during the Spanish League football match against Valencia. —AFP With Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco ued as Marcelo Bielsa’s side went down to a Verratti suspended, on top of injuries to 1-0 defeat at Nantes that further damaged Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta, PSG coach their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Messi nets 400th Barca goal, Laurent Blanc had to rely on a reshuffled Champions League. —AFP Bale injured in Real victory

MADRID: Lionel Messi scored the 400th goal break. Hernandez taking over in attack. Carlos of his Barcelona career as the Catalans beat Rodrigo flashed a shot just wide before he Kameni prevented the Mexican from opening Champions League-chasing Valencia 2-0 at the was deemed to have been brought down the scoring with a fine save, but there was Camp Nou yesterday. inside the area by Gerard Pique. Parejo’s penal- nothing he could do to prevent Ramos turning Real Madrid remain just two points behind ty was poorly struck, though, and Bravo made home Ronaldo’s free-kick after 24 minutes. Barca at the top of the table as goals from a comfortable save low to his right. Kameni produced more heroics to prevent Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Paco Alcacer then had a hat-trick of chances Rodriguez doubling Madrid’s advantage with a Ronaldo secured a 3-1 win over Malaga despite to grab a deserved equaliser as he turned sweetly struck shot, but Malaga should have a rare missed penalty from Ronaldo. Andre Gomes’s dangerous cross wide, saw a gone in level at the break as Sergi Darder However, victory came at a cost for the goalbound effort blocked by Pique and struck slashed wide with the goal at his mercy. European champions as Gareth Bale and Luka the outside of the post. Nordin Amrabat flashed wide with another Modric hobbled off with injuries just days Bravo was needed to come to his side’s res- good opening for the visitors after the restart before their decisive Champions League quar- cue again 15 minutes from time when he before Madrid were dealt another injury blow ter-final clash with Atletico Madrid. Luis Suarez turned the ball behind from Rodrigo’s volley. as Modric hobbled off with a knee injury. got Barca off to a flying start as he slotted But it was Messi who had the final word as Madrid’s bad luck continued as Ronaldo home the opener after just 54 seconds from he was given all the space he needed to break struck the post from the penalty spot after Messi’s through ball. clear and score his 400th goal in 471 games for Rodriguez had been upended by Samu Valencia then went onto enjoy the majority Barca in stoppage time as Valencia chased in Castillejo. FRANCE: Nice’s Valentin Eysseric (left) challenges for the ball with PSG’s Serge Aurier of the chances, but they were left to rue Dani vain for an equaliser. However, there was no stopping during their French League soccer match. —AP Parejo’s missed penalty in the first half. A fourth consecutive La Liga win ensured Rodriguez’s 14th goal of the season as he And Messi made sure of all three points Madrid remain in the title hunt, but victory blasted into the top corner after a neat one- with the final kick of the game after Diego could come at a cost with both Bale and two with Ronaldo. Alves had saved his initial effort. “400 goals Modric now fitness doubts for the decisive sec- Malaga replied almost immediately as Federici’s howler sends with Barcelona. Hopefully I can score many ond-leg against Atletico on Wednesday with Juanmi headed home Roberto Rosales’s cross, more!” Messi posted on his official Facebook the tie locked at 0-0. but Madrid saw out a nervous spell before page. “But the most important thing was that Bale was forced off with a left calf problem Ronaldo slotted home from Hernandez’s pass Arsenal into FA Cup final we won three points in a very difficult match.” after less than five minutes with Javier in stoppage time. —AFP Defeat, meanwhile, leaves Valencia now LONDON: Alexis Sanchez sent holders towards Sanchez. The Chilean still had plenty four points adrift of third-placed Atletico Arsenal back to the FA Cup final as the Chile to do to make the most of his team-mate’s Madrid, who beat Deportivo la Coruna 2-1 Spanish League results/standings winger benefitted from Reading goalkeeper creativity, but he was more than equal to the thanks to a double from Antoine Griezmann. Adam Federici’s howler to seal a 2-1 win at task, nimbly controlling on his thigh and then “We played very well in the first-half and Barcelona 2 (Suarez 1, Messi 90+3) Valencia 0; Deportivo la Coruna 1 (Riera 77) Atletico Madrid 2 Wembley yesterday. cleverly side-stepping McCleary before slot- had a lot of good chances,” lamented Valencia (Griezmann 5, 21); Real Madrid 3 (Ramos 24, Rodriguez 69, Ronaldo 90+2) Malaga 1 (Juanmi 71). Arsene Wenger’s team struggled to ting a low shot under Federici for his 21st boss Nuno Espirito Santo. “We go away hurt, impose themselves on their Championship goal of the season. That should have been the sad and angry because we wanted to win. In Playing later opponents for much of a tense semi-final and springboard for Arsenal to close out the tie, the first-half we had too many chances to end Athletic Bilbao v Getafe were forced into extra-time after Garath yet they made a subdued start to the second up with this result.” McCleary struck in the second half to cancel half and Reading snatched an equaliser in the Suarez scored two wonderful individual Spanish League table before yesterday’s late match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals out Sanchez’s opener. 54th minute. goals as Barca all but secured their place in the against, points): The Gunners avoided the lottery of a Pavel Pogrebnyak did well to dig out a Champions League semi-finals with a 3-1 win Barcelona 32 25 3 4 89 19 78 Rayo 31 12 2 17 36 59 38 penalty shoot-out thanks to a gift from cross just before the ball ran out of the play away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. Real Madrid 32 25 1 6 95 28 76 Sociedad 31 9 11 11 36 42 38 Australian international Federici, who allowed and the Russian’s delivery floated beyond the And he took less than a minute to pick up Atletico 32 21 6 5 61 26 69 Getafe 31 10 6 15 28 4136 Sanchez’s shot to slip agonisingly through his far post, where McCleary stretched for a vol- from where he left off in the French capital as Valencia 32 19 8 5 56 25 65 Eibar 31 8 7 16 2843 31 grasp in the first period of extra-time. ley that took a slight deflection off Kieran Sergio Busquets fed Messi and his pass was Sevilla 31 19 5 7 57 36 62 Elche 31 8 7 16 26 54 31 Arsenal’s competition-record 19th FA Cup Gibbs and hit slow-to-react goalkeeper fired low past Alves by Suarez for his 12th goal Villarreal 31 14 9 8 44 30 51 Levante 32 7 8 17 30 60 29 final appearance will be against Liverpool or Wojciech Szczesny on the leg before looping in as many games. Malaga 32 13 8 11 35 38 46 Deportivo 32 6 10 16 28 51 28 Aston Villa, who meet in the second semi- into the net. Mertesacker was forced off with However, Valencia went on to dominate the Espanyol 32 11 9 1239 40 42 Almeria 31 7 7 17 25 50 28 final today. Wenger had warned his players to an injury to add to Arsenal’s anxiety and the remainder of the opening 45 minutes and were Bilbao 31 11 7 13 28 37 40 Granada 31 4 12 15 20 56 24 Celta Vigo 31 10 9 12 36 34 39 Cordoba 31 3 10 18 21 5119 heed the lesson of last season’s FA Cup semi- Gunners were fortunate not to concede a desperately unlucky still to be behind at the final victory, when they needed a penalty penalty when Hal Robson-Kanu’s cross was shoot-out to see off second-tier Wigan, but handled by Mathieu Debuchy. they clearly didn’t take his message on board. Gabriel’s goalbound header cannoned off A day that would end in abject misery for the bar as Arsenal tried to turn the momen- Federici had started promisingly as he got tum back in their favor. Wenger then sent on Bayern’s injury woes worsen down at his near-post to keep out Per Giroud in place of Welbeck and he must have Mertesacker’s header. wished Arsenal’s next chance had fallen to The Royals have slumped to 19th in the the France striker instead of Gabriel, who BERLIN: Bayern Munich could claim a third Anthony Modeste failed to capitalise on a mistake Shinji Kagawa left Dortmund just three points from second tier table and were playing in the should have buried Ozil’s cross but headed German Bundesliga title next weekend following by Dante, whose error led to a goal in Porto, and a Europa League place. semi-finals for the first time in 88 years. tamely over from close-range. yesterday’s hard-fought 2-0 win at Hoffenheim, but Eugen Polanski should have won a penalty after “We deserved to win and I’m pleased with the Yet although Mesut Ozil went close with a Aaron Ramsey was guilty of an even worse have fresh injury worries for Tuesday’s crucial clash being tripped by Rode in the area. The hosts’ mis- way we played,” said Klopp. “It will get emotional curling free-kick, Arsenal, rendered impotent miss in the 84th minute when the Arsenal against Porto. ery was completed when Beck turned Thomas towards the end of the season, but it’s all about by Reading’s relentless pressing, were well midfielder somehow contrived to hit a post Bayern face a make-or-break Champions Mueller’s cross into his own net deep in injury time. football at the moment and everything else must short of the sparkling form they had showed from no more than two yards after his initial League quarter-final second leg against Porto in Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund enjoyed a 3-0 be ignored.” After Borussia Moenchengladbach’s in winning 16 of their previous 18 matches. shot was blocked by Federici. Taken to semi- Munich having lost 3-1 in Portugal in the first leg victory at home to relegation-threatened goalless draw at Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, Wenger’s side eventually broke the dead- final extra-time by Championship opposition last week, but they have eight players injured. Paderborn to climb to eighth in their first game Bayer Leverkusen took Gladbach’s place in third, lock in the 39th minute with a fine goal out of for the second successive season, Arsenal Bayern were already missing captain Philipp since coach Jurgen Klopp announced on and amongst the automatic Champions League character with the rest of their rather tepid remained short of inspiration, although Lahm and his deputy Bastian Schweinsteiger with Wednesday he would be leaving at the end of the berths, with a 4-0 mauling of Hanover 96. performance. Ozil took possession 30 yards Ramsey’s long-range effort almost creeped in illness in Hoffenheim, while wingers Franck Ribery season. Having won the 2011 and 2012 titles, then It was Leverkusen’s seventh straight league win, from goal and, sensing that only a speedy under Federici. It was a narrow escape for and Arjen Robben and defenders Medhi Benatia finished runners-up to Bayern for the last two a new club record. Centre-backs Omer Toprak and delivery would unhinge Reading’s massed Federici, but his luck ran out in the final sec- and David Alaba are long-term casualties. “Bastian years, Klopp will quit Dortmund at the end of sev- Kyriakos Papadopoulos, plus forwards Julian defence, unfurled a perfect first-time pass onds of the first half of extra time. —AFP is sick, but he could play (against Porto), Philipp en years in charge-ex-Mainz boss Thomas Tuchel is Brandt and Stefan Kiessling scored to put probably won’t but we have to wait to see how tipped to take over. Second-half goals by Henrikh Leverkusen level with Gladbach on 54 points, but things go,” said coach Pep Guardiola. Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and ahead on goal difference.—AFP Left-back Juan Bernat had to be helped off in the first half in Hoffenheim, but Guardiola said the German League results/standings Spaniard was only taken off as a precaution: “We didn’t want to take any risks”. Borussia Dortmund 3 (Mkhitaryan 48, Aubameyang 55, Kagawa 80) Paderborn 070; Bayer Leverkusen 4 (Toprak 20, Depending on results elsewhere, next Brandt 40, Papadopoulos 49, Kiessling 70) Hanover 96 0; Hoffenheim 0 Bayern Munich 2 (Rode 38, Beck 90+3-og); Saturday’s clash at home to Hertha Berlin could be Hertha Berlin 0 Cologne 0; Freiburg 2 (Mehmedi 81, Schmid 90+1) Mainz 3 (Okazaki 39, 45, Malli 84); Augsburg 2 when Bayern are confirmed champions after (Werner 7, Bobadilla) VfB Stuttgart 1 (Ginczek 22). Sebastian Rode’s first-half strike and an own-goal from Hoffenheim captain Andreas Beck gave them Playing today three more points. Werder Bremen v Hamburg, VfL Wolfsburg v Schalke “We played really well in the first half and con- trolled the game,” added Guardiola.”It will obvious- German Bundesliga table after yesterday’s evening match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): ly be difficult (against Porto), but it’s our main goal. Bayern 29 23 4 2 76 13 73 Hertha Berlin 29 9 7 13 34 45 34 I have faith in the players.” Wolfsburg 28 18 6 4 62 30 60 Freiburg 29 6 11 12 29 39 29 With second-placed Wolfsburg at home to Leverkusen 29 15 9 5 56 31 54 Hanover 96 29 7 8 14 32 49 29 Schalke on Sunday, Bayern extended their lead to M’gladbach 29 15 9 5 44 22 54 Paderborn 29 6 9 14 25 56 27 13 points with five games left. Augsburg 29 13 3 13 36 37 42 Stuttgart 29 6 8 15 32 53 26 Guardiola named a weakened side with 18- Schalke 04 28 11 8 9 37 31 41 Hamburg 28 6 7 15 16 43 25 year-old Gianluca Gaudino and Mitchell Weiser, Hoffenheim 29 10 7 12 43 4737 NB. Top three qualify automatically for the Champions Borussia 29 10 6 13 38 37 36 League, fourth goes into the play-offs. Fifth and sixth who turns 21 on Tuesday, included either side of Eintracht 29 9 9 11 51 57 36 carry Europa League places. Rode in midfield. Bayern took the lead in Sinsheim Bremen 28 9 8 11 43 57 35 The bottom two sides are automatically relegated, while when Rode fired past a posse of defenders from Mainz 05 29 7 13 9 40 41 34 the side finishing 16th faces a two-legged play off LONDON: Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez (right) competes for the ball with Reading’s the edge of the area on 38 minutes. Hoffenheim Cologne 29 8 10 11 29 35 34 against the third-placed side in the second division. Garath McCleary during the English FA Cup semifinal soccer match. —AP were unlucky not to be level at the break as striker SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 SPORTS

Preview Gerrard eyes one last bid for FA Cup glory

LONDON: Steven Gerrard is gunning to would see former England captain Gerrard lead Liverpool against fellow Premier lifting the FA Cup in a Wembley final on League side Aston Villa in an FA Cup semi- May 30 — his 35th birthday. final at London’s Wembley Stadium today. Reds’ staff organised a behind-closed- The Reds captain, in his final season, doors friendly on Monday to help assess with the Anfield club, is available after Gerrard’s fitness but Rodgers was in no missing Liverpool’s last three matches doubt he could feature against Villa. through suspension, having been sent off “Steven is definitely ready. We had a for stamping on Ander Herrera during a 2-1 game here on Monday that he played in,” league defeat at home to bitter rivals said Rodgers. “He’s a special footballer. He Manchester United on March 22. has always produced big goals and big But now the question is how Liverpool moments. The most important thing is hav- manager Brendan Rodgers will deploy vet- ing him back for today,” the Northern eran midfielder Gerrard. Liverpool native Irishman added. Gerrard has been a one-club man in his 17- “He knows Wembley well. He’s got spe- year professional career so far, but he is set cial quality.” Liverpool also have a chance of to bring down the curtain on his time at finishing in the top four and qualifying for Anfield come the end of the season when next season’s Champions League but goal- he joins Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles keeper Simon Mignolet said they shouldn’t Galaxy. have to decide between dreams of Europe For Liverpool fans, the fairytale finish or FA Cup success. “The next game is the FA Cup semi-final so the focus is on that but you don’t really choose between your mum and dad so we still have two things to play for and we will try to do that from now until the end of the season,” Mignolet said. “We want to do both-let’s hope we can do both. We have the FA Cup and league still to play for and we want to do well in every single game.” Both Liverpool and Villa have won the LONDON: West Ham United’s English midfielder Kevin Nolan passes the ball during the English Premier League football match against FA Cup seven times, but whereas the Reds Stoke City. —AFP most recent success was in 2006, you have to go back to 1957 for the last of the Birmingham club’s Cup triumphs. Adam dents Saints’ Euro bid This has been a gruelling season for Villa, who sacked manager Paul Lambert and brought in Tim Sherwood but are cur- rently just six points above the bottom deserved in the 22nd minute when Schneiderlin empty net. Mane led the Southampton response three and still not safe from relegation Stoke 2 met Jose Fonte’s header and tapped in from vir- and he almost created a goal for Dusan Tadic However, they head into Sunday’s tually on the line. after skipping away from two defenders and match with key striker Christian Benteke, a Steven N’Zonzi had a golden opportunity to picking out the Serb, whose weak shot was Belgium team-mate of Mignolet, on a run equalise on the stroke of half-time when the ball cleared off the line. Yet it was Stoke who had the of nine goals in his last eight games for Southampton 1 dropped to him after a goalmouth scramble, but last word as Adam, on as a half-time substitute, club and country, including he winner in the Stoke midfielder could only scuff wide from bagged the winner in the 84th minute. Saints last week’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham close-range. Mark Hughes’s side drew level two claimed Ryan Shawcross was offside, but, after Hotspur. minutes into the second half thanks to a Jon Walters had a shot blocked, Adam’s deft “I still think I can do more, in everything. STOKE-ON-TRENT: Stoke midfielder Charlie moment of indecision from Southampton goal- touch bought him just enough time and space I can’t say I’m happy to be there now, I want Adam damaged Southampton’s challenge for a keeper Kelvin Davis. to send a bobbling shot trickling into the net. to do more and more and more,” said European place as his late strike secured a 2-1 When N’Zonzi chipped a pass into the penal- Peter Crouch had a chance to wrap up the points Benteke, who ruptured his Achilles 12 win at the Britannia Stadium yesterday. ty area, Davis misread the bounce and the ball late on, but the former Liverpool striker pro- months ago. He added everyone connect- Ronald Koeman’s side had hoped to climb ricocheted onto the crossbar before falling per- duced a candidate for miss of the season as he LIVERPOOL: Lverpool’s English midfield- ed with the club was desperate their Cup above Liverpool into fifth place in the Premier fectly for Senegal striker Diouf to lash into the sliced wide of an open goal. —AFP er Steven Gerrard (left) and Liverpool adventure didn’t end today. League and also put pressure on Manchester manager Brendan Rodgers (right) arrive “I think when you play a semi-final you City as the race heats up for places in the for a memorial service at Anfield on the want to get to the end. You can’t say you’re Champions League and Europa League. They EPL results/standings 26th anniversary of the Hillsborough just happy to be there even if you lose, you made the perfect start when French midfielder Disaster, where 96 Liverpool supporters want to go until the end.” Today’s winners Morgan Schneiderlin opened the scoring mid- Chelsea 1 (Hazard 38) Manchester United 0p; Crystal Palace 0 West Bromwich Albion 2 (Morrison 2, Gardner 53); died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final will play either Arsenal, currently second in way through the first-half. Everton 1 (Mirallas 29) Burnley 0; Leicester 2 (Ulloa 15, King 89) Swansea 0; Stoke 2 (Diouf 47, Adam 84) between Liverpool and Nottingham the Premier League or Championship side But Mame Diouf levelled soon after the inter- Southampton 1 (Schneiderlin 22). Forest. —AFP Reading. —AFP val and Scotland midfielder Adam struck with six minutes left to hand Southampton their second Playing today defeat in their last three matches. Manchester City v West Ham, Newcastle v Tottenham To make matters worse for Southampton, Pakistan body score first victory defender Toby Alderweireld needed an oxygen English Premier League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): mask as he was carried off on a stretcher after a over government in power play nasty fall in the final moments. Sixth placed Chelsea 32 23 7 2 65 26 76 Crystal Palace 33 11 9 13 42 45 42 Saints are now five points adrift of City and one Arsenal 32 20 6 6 63 32 66 Everton 33101112414341 KARACHI: Sardar Naveed Haider was elect- Nation. behind Liverpool with six games remaining. Man Utd 33198 6593165 West Brom 33 9 9 15 32 46 36 ed president of the Pakistan Football “We want to move ahead with positive Koeman’s team appealed in vain for an early Man City 32 18 7 7 65 34 61 Newcastle 32 9 8 15 33 51 35 Federation’s largest regional body late on approach and want just development and penalty when Sadio Mane went down under a Liverpool 32 17 6 9 47 36 57 Aston Villa 33 8 8 17 24 45 32 Friday after a chaotic election which FIFA progress of football.” Pakistan are ranked challenge from Stephen Ireland, then Graziano Southampton 33 17 5 11 45 24 56 Sunderland 32 5 14 13 25 48 29 were dragged into and a government- 172nd by FIFA and were knocked out last Pelle fired into the side-netting as the visitors Tottenham 32 16 6 10 50 46 54 Hull 32 6 10 16 29 45 28 Swansea 33 13 8 12 38 42 47 Leicester 32 7 7 18 34 51 28 backed candidate barred from. month by Yemen in the first round of the pressed for the opener. Haider, who told the Dawn newspaper joint qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and Stoke 33 13 7 13 38 41 46 QPR 33 7 5 21 38 59 26 After dominating the early stages, West Ham 32 11 10 11 42 40 43 Burnley 33 5 11 17 26 51 26 his phone line had been hacked and he 2019 Asian Cup. —Reuters Southampton finally got the goal their pressure had suffered threats if he did not withdraw from the race, was elected head of the Punjab Football Association until 2019 “with a majority”, the PFF said in a brief Matches on TV statement. (Local Timings) The election win for the PFF’s marketing consultant was a win for PFF President English Premier League Faisal Saleh Hayat, who is expected to face a strong challenge from another govern- Man City v West Ham 15:30 ment-backed candidate for his position in beIN SPORTS 1 HD July, possibly from Prime Minister Nawaz beIN SPORTS 11 HD Sharif’s son-in-law. Newcastle v Tottenham 18:00 Hayat, a member of the Asian Football beIN SPORTS 1 HD Confederation’s executive committee, was beIN SPORTS 11 HD at the centre of the row after being accused of nepotism in the build-up to the vote by England FA Cup government-backed candidate Ali Haider Aston Villa v Liverpool 17:00 Noor Niazi. beIN SPORTS Politician Noor, supported by former PFF Secretary Hafiz Salman, made the accusa- Spanish League tion before failing to have his ban from the Rayo v Almeria 13:00 vote overturned by the electoral commit- beIN SPORTS tee, headed by FIFA and AFC disciplinary Granada v Sevilla 18:00 committee member Syed Nayyar Haider. beIN SPORTS A week ago Noor and his supporters Villarreal v Cordoba 20:00 had occupied the PFF House for two hours. beIN SPORTS “Faisal Saleh Hayat has appointed his Eibar v Celta 22:00 brother-in-law as the election commission- beIN SPORTS er for the PFA elections which speaks vol- umes about favouritism and nepotism,” Italian Calcio League Noor said earlier this month, also accusing Hayat of corruption. Hayat, who attempted Sassuolo v Torino 13:30 to warn the government off in a series of beIN SPORTS 12 HD Twitter posts about the likelihood of a FIFA Roma v Atalanta 16:00 ban, then hit out at Salman, who had beIN SPORTS 3 HD LEICESTER: Swansea City’s Lukas Fabianski (right) makes a save in front of Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez during their English Premier League soccer helped him take control of the PFF in 2003. Citta v Genoa 16:00 match at the King Power Stadium. —AP “Hafiz Salman is against me because I beIN SPORTS 5 HD didn’t help him in overturning the life ban Empoli v Parma 16:00 imposed by FIFA on him some 14 years beIN SPORTS Ulloa ends goal drought as Foxes rise off the table ago,” Hayat told reporters this week. Verona v Udinese 16:00 However, in a bizarre twist to the already beIN SPORTS and with a fighting chance of staying up in their ball broke free it was the former Brighton man sorry affair, the world governing body, who Cagliari v Napoli 19:00 remaining six league matches. However, the who struck a low shot into the bottom corner had been “monitoring” events, claimed to beIN SPORTS 8 HD Leicester 2 Midlands club were indebted to Kasper from some 10 yards out. Leicester were good have no record of a ban for Salman. Inter v AC Milan 21:34 Schmeichel, son of Manchester United goal- value for their lead, but their failure to score a “They have been lying all these years beIN SPORTS 3 HD keeping great Peter, for a fine save from Nelson second goal kept Swansea in the game. The that I’ve been banned,” Salman told Dawn Oliveira in the second half. Leicester manager Swans forced a save from Schmeichel in the 53rd on Thursday, saying he had settled the case German Bundesliga Swansea 0 Pearson recalled Marcin Wasilewski, King and minute when he turned away an 18-yard shot with FIFA in 1995 after former PFF President Andrej Kramaric following last week’s 3-2 win at from former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey Bremen v Hamburger 16:30 Mian Azhar attempted to have him West Brom. before Gylfi Sigurdsson tested the Denmark beIN SPORTS banned. “They’ve used it as a tool to side- Meanwhile Swansea boss Garry Monk ‘keeper. Schmeichel produced a much better line me from the game which I love dearly.” Wolfsburg v Schalke 18:30 LEICESTER: Leonardo Ulloa scored his first replaced suspended Neil Taylor and injured save 13 minutes later when, after Oliveira had The venue for the election was switched beIN SPORTS Premier League goal since Boxing Day as Bafetimbi Gomis with Jordi Amat and Oliveira got through Leicester’s defence, he saved the Leicester climbed off the bottom of the table repectively. forward’s shot with his legs. Leicester forward only on Thursday from a Lahore hotel, French League which said their electricity supply was with a 2-0 win at home to Swansea yesterday. But the Welsh club missed the physical threat Jamie Vardy had a penalty appeal rejected when being suspended, to the PFF House and Lille v Girondins 15:00 The Argentinian striker, who only started the of Gomis up front and found themselves under he went down under a challenge from Ashley there was heavy security presence for beIN SPORTS match after David Nugent suffered an injury in siege almost from the kick-off against a buoyed- Williams but fortunately for the Foxes it did not Friday’s vote, The News reported. Montpellier v Caen 18:00 the warm-up, ended his personal drought with a up Leicester. Marc Albrighton curled a shot wide turn out to be a decisive decision. Haider attempted to move on from the beIN SPORTS 10th goal of the season before Andy King’s 89th- before Leicester got the goal they had been Instead they made the game safe a minute mess. “Whatever happened during the Lyonnais v Etienne 22:00 minute effort secured victory for Nigel Pearson’s threatening in the 15th minute. from time when Lukasz Fabianski failed to hold election was... bad, but its (in the) past beIN SPORTS 5 HD side. Leicester’s third win in a row left them in Wasilewski’s lofted long-ball forward was Esteban Cambiasso’s free-kick and King pounced now,” he was quoted as saying by The the relegation zone but on goal difference alone flicked on by Ulloa to Wes Morgan and when the to score from the rebound. —AFP Djokovic and Federici’s Berdych in Monte howler sends Carlo final Arsenal into FA 17 Cup18 final SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Hamilton on pole in Bahrain Page 17

LONDON: Chelsea’s John Terry (left) vies for the ball with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney during the English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge stadium. — AP Hazard fires Chelsea closer to title

in the 38th minute at Stamford Bridge. afternoon in west London. From Ashley title, but seven minutes before half-time, the bar from a tight angle. The Belgian’s strike left his side 10 points Young’s pass, the over-lapping Luke Shaw cut hosts went in front. A United move broke United continued to press, with Courtois Chelsea 1 clear of second-place Arsenal, who welcome the ball back for Rooney, but the United num- down when Radamel Falcao failed to control saving from McNair and Rooney-at the second Jose Mourinho’s side to the Emirates Stadium ber 10 shot’s hit the stanchion to the left of the Chris Smalling’s pass and within seconds attempt-while Juan Mata and Falcao also went next weekend, when another Chelsea win will goal and bounced back into the net, fooling Chelsea were in, Oscar’s back-heel freeing close. bring a first title since 2010 within reach. the travelling fans at the other end into think- Hazard to motor through and beat De Gea left- Mourinho stiffened his midfield by intro- United’s recent surge had prompted talk of an ing the deadlock had been broken. footed at the near post. ducing Ramires in place of Oscar and Van Gaal Man United 0 improbable title tilt, but with Louis van Gaal’s United goalkeeper David de Gea had to toe Falcao-making his first start since February responded with a double change, sending on men 11 points below Chelsea having played a the ball behind for a corner after Hazard’s pass 28 — got a sniff of goal in first-half stoppage wingers Angel di Maria and Adnan Januzaj for game more, automatic Champions League sent Cesc Fabregas scampering into the box, time when Rooney’s stabbed pass was headed the final 20 minutes. qualification is now their only objective. but for most of the first half, the away team down by Marouane Fellaini, but Thibaut While Hazard again worked De Gea, United LONDON: Champions-elect Chelsea took a sig- And while United’s football suggested looked serene. With Ander Herrera assuredly Courtois flew out to swat the ball off his toes. procured another sight of goal with 13 min- nificant step towards the Premier League title there are better days ahead at Old Trafford, it anchoring the midfield, Van Gaal’s men were Chelsea sat even deeper in the second half, utes to go when Shaw’s pass released Falcao, as Eden Hazard’s first-half goal secured a clini- is League Cup winners Chelsea, whose last finding passing triangles all over the pitch and but they came within inches of extending their only for the Colombian’s left-foot shot to strike cal 1-0 home win over in-form Manchester seven wins have all been by a one-goal mar- they demonstrated their confidence when lead after Herrera inadvertently drilled the ball the outside of the post. There was another United yesterday. gin, who are on the brink of another corona- Paddy McNair advanced and saw a shot straight to Nemanja Matic. scare for Chelsea at the death when Herrera United were seeking a seventh consecutive tion.A calf injury to Michael Carrick obliged deflected wide. The Serbian’s pass freed Didier Drogba, went over Gary Cahill’s outstretched leg in the league win, but despite bossing possession, it Wayne Rooney to drop into midfield for the vis- An uninformed observer would perhaps whose shot was partially blocked by Smalling, penalty area, but to the relief of the hosts-and was Chelsea who prevailed after Hazard sped itors, but it was to the United captain that the have been forgiven for thinking it was United, sending it looping over De Gea, but Hazard, the disbelief of the visitors-referee Mike Dean through to score his 13th goal of the campaign first chance of the match fell on a warm, sunny and not Chelsea, who were on the verge of the following in, could only jab the ball against the adjudged it a dive. — AFP Burnley suffer serious blow Albion grab precious win

into mistakenly giving the penalty. Pulis right at the beginning of the cam- Ross Barkley strode up but his shot failed to find paign. Pulis kept Palace up against all the Everton 1 the left-hand corner of the net and Tom Heaton’s Crystal Palace 0 odds last season but departed on the eve dive was sufficient to block. of this season amid worries that the Leighton Baines, who missed the first penalty of squad had not been suitably strength- his career in October, has scored 14 of his 15 career ened over the summer. Premier League penalties but spot-kick duties have After the brief but unsuccessful return Burnley 0 West Brom 2 been a major headache for Everton manager of Neil Warnock, Pardew has got the best Roberto Martinez since Belgium winger Mirallas out of a side who romped to a 4-1 win at snatched the ball and insisted on taking one in a Sunderland in their last outing. goalless draw with West Brom in January and duly LONDON: Tony Pulis made his mark on West Brom, in contrast, had leaked 10 LIVERPOOL: Burnley’s hopes of avoiding relega- missed. his return to Selhurst Park yesterday as goals in losing their last three matches tion from the Premier League suffered a severe Fortunately for Everton, it was Mirallas who his current side West Bromwich Albion but the form book was ripped up as they blow as Kevin Mirallas’s goal gave Everton a 1-0 ensured the latest miss would not prove too costly claimed a precious 2-0 win over his old got off to a dream start. win at Goodison Park yesterday. when he subsequently opened the scoring in the club Crystal Palace. The game was just two minutes old The Clarets defeat, allied to a win for Leicester 29th minute. A goal in each half from James when a corner came to the unmarked over Swansea, saw Sean Dyche’s men drop to the James McCarthy crossed from the right with Morrison and Craig Gardner gave the Morrison, who headed in from eight bottom of the table on goal difference with just Arouna Kone running over the ball in the centre of Baggies a first away win since early yards. That goal separated the sides at five league games left to play this season. the area, allowing it to run onto Mirallas who mis- LONDON: Everton’s Kevin Mirallas (right) November as they ended a run of three the interval, although Palace fans saw Burnley were forced to play the second half controlled but recovered his composure sufficient- fights for the ball against Burnley’s Sam consecutive defeats and took a huge their appeals for a penalty dismissed by with 10 men following a red card for Ashley Barnes ly to stab the loose ball past Heaton. Vokes during the English Premier League step towards clinching top-flight sur- while Everton’s match-winner Mirallas could con- That was no more than the hosts deserved for a the referee after Wilfried Zaha went soccer match. —AP vival. West Brom are now eight points down in the box under a Gardner chal- sider himself fortunate not to have been dismissed half of complete dominance. Not until going a goal clear of the relegation zone, albeit hav- following an incident early in the second half. down did Burnley seriously threaten but Jones lenge. The visitors then increased their Burnley keeper bundling the ball away from the ing played a game more than Leicester Everton, well on top throughout the first half, wasted the chance of an instant response to the lead eight minutes into the second peri- foot of his post but Everton were fortunate that City in 18th. also squandered a glorious opportunity to take opening goal when he hurried his shot over after they were not a man down themselves after 51 od, Gardner latching on to a loose ball Palace, meanwhile, saw their superb control of the game when they failed with a ninth neat approach play by Danny Ings. minutes when Mirallas escaped with a caution for following a corner and beating goal- minute penalty, a miss that once more opened the However, any hope of a much-needed point for stamping on George Boyd’s leg. Kieran Trippier’s recent run of form come to an end as keeper Julian Speroni with a fine strike debate about the Merseyside club’s spot-kick poli- the visitors looked ever more distant in first-half corner had flashed through the six-yard area in they missed out on equalling the club from 25 yards. cy. injury time when they were reduced to 10 men fol- between those incidents but that was a rare record of five successive wins in the top The closest Palace came to getting a The award came after David Jones tripped lowing a second yellow card being shown to mid- moment’s relief for the visitors who enjoyed a 56th flight. The south London club have goal back was when substitute Dwight Aaron Lennon a full yard outside the area, fielder Barnes, who had tripped Seamus Coleman. minute reprieve when McCarthy shot high and excelled since Alan Pardew took over as Gayle was contrived to hit the bar from although the Everton winger’s momentum took An opportunistic near-post effort by Kone wide, unmarked from 12 yards, following an accu- manager at the start of the year and have six yards, as it proved to be a great day him into the box and duped referee Mike Jones almost caught Heaton by surprise, with the rate Lennon centre. — AFP firmly put behind them the departure of for Pulis and the visitors. — AFP GCC bond yields ease as fiscal concerns subside Page 22

Joyalukkas to open Business Kuwait’s biggest showroom tomorrow SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 Page 23 Al-Mazaya announces net profit of Buying interest buoys Kuwait bourse KD1.71 million Page 24 Page 26

WASHINGTON: World finance chiefs and central bankers pose for a photo during the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual eetingsm at IMF headquarters in Washington yesterday. —AP G20 discusses plans to sidestep US on IMF Finance leaders upbeat on growth prospects WASHINGTON: The Group of 20 leading countries under an “ad hoc” increase without their shares, as all reallocations must allow meetings of the IMF and World Bank in major economies welcomed modest economies discussed ways to raise emerging touching US veto power. That plan was dis- the United States to keep at least 15 percent Washington. “Because we see difficulties in improvements in the global economy. countries’ voting rights at the IMF as part of cussed, along with another proposal to push of the votes. The interim proposal also would getting (the quota reforms) through Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao an effort to move past US foot-dragging on through the voting reforms without dou- not resolve the IMF’s financial crunch, as it Congress for the third year, so we don’t see said in a speech Friday that the failure to pass reforms to the institution, but they failed to bling the Fund’s resources, which would see increasingly relies on temporary arrange- any basis for optimism.” the IMF quota reforms had damaged the rep- reach an agreement. the loss of the US veto, according to officials ments approved during the height of the But the United States would have to agree utation of the IMF and the G20 and the The IMF’s member countries agreed in in attendance. The “ad hoc” interim plan 2007-2009 financial crisis to fund major loan to give up its voting shares, which most Fund image of the United States. Growing frustra- 2010 to give more voting power to countries made it into a draft communique by the G20 programs in countries like Greece and officials admitted was unlikely. The G20 min- tion has caused other major countries to like China and India, double the Fund’s finance ministers and central bank gover- Ukraine. isters said they remained “deeply disappoint- examine ways to break the stalemate, an resources, and reduce the dominance of nors, but it was dropped from the final ver- Some other countries including Brazil and ed” the 2010 reforms had not been approach that could lessen America’s influ- Western Europe on its 24-member board. But sion after officials failed to come to an agree- Russia also had pushed a second proposal, approved, and urged the United States to ence on global economic issues if US critics the Obama administration, which supports ment. known as “de-linking,” in which the IMF board ratify them as soon as possible. were successful. Japanese Finance Minister the reforms, has been unable to persuade “We call on the IMF executive board to would detach the doubling of resources from US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said in a Taro Aso, speaking to reporters after the G20 the US Congress to pass funding changes pursue an interim solution that will meaning- changes to the board structure, and the statement on Friday that the United States meeting, noted the growing dissatisfaction necessary for the agreement. The United fully converge quota shares as soon as and to United States would be asked to temporarily “will continue to press Congress to approve over the stalemate and said: “There are other States can block the IMF reforms because it the extent possible to the levels agreed give up its veto power until it ratified the these much-needed reforms as soon as pos- camps who are saying we can leave the US holds a controlling share of votes. under the (2010) review,” the G20 said in its reforms. sible.” behind and do something else. However, To get around the United States, the IMF’s final communique. “We’re in favor of the more strict option, there’s a voting power being held by the board had proposed one “interim” plan to Even under the “ad hoc” plan, countries de-linking,” Russian Finance Minister Anton Improvement United States, so it’s not realistic to think raise the voting rights of some emerging like China would only get a small bump up in Siluanov told reporters during the spring The financial officials from the world’s about other ways.” — Agencies

Russia gas deal won’t solve China: New bank to enhance global finance system Greece’s problems: Germany WASHINGTON: China’s proposed infrastructure bank for Asia is intend- ed to complement, not replace, existing lenders dominated by the US and Japan, a senior Chinese official said Friday. Vice Finance Minister Zhu WASHINGTON: German Finance Minister Athens’ massive debt bailout program and Guangyao said after a meeting of the Group of 20 leading world Wolfgang Schaeuble said yesterday he was reforms it must adopt in exchange for economies that China has proposed the Asian Infrastructure Investment happy over a report that Greece was urgently needed funds, sources said. Bank, or AIIB, to help fill an estimated $8 trillion gap in infrastructure poised to sign a gas deal with Russia, Progress in the talks has so far proved funding for the region over the next decade. though he added it would not solve the elusive while Athens is running out of Fifty-seven countries have signed up, including 16 of the world’s 20 cash-strapped euro zone nation’s econom- money to pay its creditors, raising the risk largest economies. Notable exceptions are the US and Japan, which are ic problems. of a default and a potentially chaotic exit the leading shareholders of the World Bank and Asian Development “I am happy about that for Greece,” from the single currency bloc. Bank and have expressed concerns over the new bank’s governance Schaeuble told journalists on the sidelines “The Brussels group is meeting this standards. of the spring meetings of the International weekend as of tomorrow afternoon,” But China’s proposal has been a diplomatic coup, as Britain, France Monetary Fund and World Bank in European Commission spokeswoman and Germany have broken with Washington and joined Asian govern- Washington. “But I do not think that this Mina Andreeva told a press conference ments in seeking membership. The US also faces growing criticism over Friday. The Brussels group is made up of would solve the problems Greece has in the refusal by Congress to approve reforms to the International fulfilling the commitments of the memo- Greece, the European Union, the European Monetary Fund that would increase the voting power of fast-emerging randum of understanding (with its Central Bank and the International economies such as China, Brazil and India, and boost the Fund’s European partners).” German magazine Monetary Fund, plus the European resources to help countries facing financial troubles. Der Spiegel, citing a senior official in Stability Mechanism, which issues bonds Zhu said China supports and contributes to the IMF and World Bank - Greece’s ruling leftist Syriza party, reported or other debt instruments on the financial which are holding their annual spring meetings in Washington this that Athens could sign a gas deal with markets to raise capital to aid member Russia as early as Tuesday that could bring states. weekend - and plays a constructive role in the current international 3-5 billion euros into the Greece’s depleted The meeting will be held in Paris, not in financial system. government coffers. WASHINGTON: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble (left) shakes Brussels as previously planned, for “logisti- “We want to improve that and enhance that capacity rather than It said that during a visit to Moscow ear- hands with Chinese central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan as Singapore cal reasons”, a European source told AFP, overthrow the current system,” he told the Atlantic Council think tank. lier this month Greek Prime Minister Alexis Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, watches during International adding that it is “expected to last more US officials opposed creation of the AIIB, saying it might undercut insti- Tsipras expressed interest in participating Monetary Fund (IMF) Governos a group photo, at the World Bank- than a day”. tutions like the World Bank by extending credit without adequate envi- in a pipeline that would bring Russian gas International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Washington yesterday.— AP “We are trying to keep the process ronmental, labor and social safeguards. But Washington has taken a to Europe via Turkey and Greece. Under expected future profits linked to the progress has been slow and Athens has moving,” the source said. “The problem is more positive tack in recent weeks, although it still doesn’t plan to join. the proposed deal, Greece would receive pipeline. The Greek energy minister said been exploring other sources of funding. not that there is not enough dialogue, but When Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew visited Beijing late last month, he advance funds from Russia based on last week that Athens would repay Spiegel, citing the Syriza official, reported that there is not enough technical work. urged the new bank to work in partnership with existing international expected future profits linked to the Moscow after 2019, when the pipeline is that the Russian deal could be signed on The process lacks numbers, detailed institutions to ensure high standards in lending. pipeline. expected to start operating. Tuesday and yield an advance of between tables,” she said, adding that discussion are Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso echoed that sentiment Friday, During a visit to Moscow earlier this Greek government officials were not 3 and 5 billion euros. The official was quot- still “far from talking about a bailout”. saying that if borrowers were to default on loan repayments to the new month, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras immediately available to comment on the ed as saying the deal could “turn the page” The talks come ahead of an informal bank, it could affect other lenders as well. expressed interest in participating in a Spiegel report. The new government in for Greece. April 24 meeting in the Latvian capital Riga Zhu said China also wants high standards for the bank. He said its pipeline that would bring Russian gas to Greece has been talking with its euro-zone where the finance ministers of the 19- founding members would meet later this month to discuss the bank’s Europe via Turkey and Greece. Under the partners for months to try to secure aid More debt talks country euro-zone will have the opportu- mandate and he hoped those negotiations could be concluded within two proposed deal, Greece would receive and avert a default which could push the Greece and its international creditors nity “to take stock of progress”, Andreeva to three months. — AP advance funds from Russia based on country out of the single currency bloc. But were scheduled to meet in Paris to discuss said. —Agencies SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 BUSINESS GCC bond yields ease as fiscal concerns subside

NBK ECONOMIC REPORT

KUWAIT: GCC bond yields and CDS rates eased 3.00 percent, and 2.26 percent, for Abu Dhabi, (y/y),with outstanding debt rising to $265 billion. during 1Q15 as concerns over the GCC’s fiscal Bahrain, Dubai, and Qatar, respectively. Despite an increase in issuance, the level positions receded and perceived risks declined. Credit default swaps (CDS) for most GCC remained weaker than a year ago, at $10.4 bil- Yields had risen towards the end of last year fol- countries also declined, reflecting the improve- lion, in part on weaker issuance by the non-finan- lowing the sharp decline in oil prices and amid ment in investor sentiment. Dubai witnessed the cial sector. The financial sector, especially in the concerns of GCC vulnerability. Meanwhile, the largest change in perception, shaving off 46 UAE, led issuance activity in 1Q15 as more banks stock of outstanding debt picked up as debt points from its 1Q15 peak of 265 points in began complying with new capital regulations. issuance bounced back, led by the financial sec- January. Solid fundamentals, satisfactory fiscal Meanwhile, public sector issuance was led by tor in the UAE. A low rate environment and a prospects and domestic backing from its neigh- Oman, with its second sovereign bond issuance robust economic outlook will likely see debt boring emirates have alleviated most concerns. since the drop in oil prices, and Bahrain, which activity pick up this year. The only exception was Bahrain, which saw its issued a couple of long term sukuk. Both coun- AMRITSAR: Indian workers carry bundles of shawls for sale in the wholesale Earlier market fears that GCC economic growth CDS rates rise by 27 points over the quarter, as its tries are seeking to finance projected deficits this market of Amritsar yesterday. — AFP would slow sharply in the wake of the decline in vulnerable fiscal position remained a concern. year. oil prices now appear unfounded. Assurances that Meanwhile, domestic developments remain the Debt issuance is likely to recover this year, governments intend to maintain spending levels main driver behind risk perception in GCC coun- with rates expected to remain contained and Reliance profits fall despite weakening revenues thanks to healthy tries, with regional developments, including the borrowing needs very likely to rise. In the current reserves and ease of access to debt markets have escalating conflict in Yemen, having little impact environment of lower oil prices, governments are helped sooth investor sentiment. As a result, sov- on GCC bond yields. expected to require more debt to finance fiscal on global oil slump ereign yields have recovered from their GCC debt saw a healthy pickup in issuance deficits. The region’s robust economic outlook December spike when OPEC announced it would during1Q15 compared to the previous two quar- and substantial capital spending plans, means not support falling global oil prices. Yields on five ters. As a result, net growth in the stock of debt private borrowing needs are expected to remain MUMBAI: India’s Reliance Industries due to the recent slump in oil prices, the year paper settled at 1.81 percent, 3.63 percent, accelerated to 4.65 percent year-on-year large. reported a small profit increase for the year company said. on Friday as a slump in oil prices hurt its The drop in prices and subdued global major revenue streams of petrochemicals demand cut Reliance’s exports of refined and refining. The Mumbai-based firm said products to $5.2 billion over the quarter in a statement that consolidated net profit from $9.9 billion a year ago. Although for the year, which ended March, rose 4.8 Reliance derives most of its earnings from percent to 235.66 billion rupees ($3.78 bil- its massive energy operations, it is trying to lion) from 224.93 billion rupees ($3.61). diversify and now owns a supermarket Reliance’s net profit for the last quarter, chain and a telecommunications company. however, rose 8.5 percent to 63.81 billion Those forays have been aided by Reliance’s rupees ($1.02 billion) from 58.81 billion high credit ratings cushioned by a $13.5 ($943.98 million) compared with the same billion cash pile. period a year ago. The firm controlled by Ambani, India’s That figure was better than a median wealthiest man, aims to launch a multi-bil- estimate of 59.6 billion rupees by 16 ana- lion-dollar telecommunications network lysts surveyed by Bloomberg. “The earnings called Reliance Jio Infocomm this year to power demonstrated by our hydrocarbon capitalize on fast-growing mobile and businesses in this environment validates internet demand in India. It won more our philosophy of investing in world-scale, spectrum last month in the latest round of cost competitive assets, cutting-edge tech- auctions by the Indian government and the nology and the talent of people,” Reliance firm hopes this will give it an edge over Launching 3 discounted chairman, Mukesh Ambani, said in a state- competitors when it launches 4G mobile ment. services. Revenues from its refining business Reliance’s supermarket chain opened nosedived nearly 42 percent in the quarter 930 stores across India during the year tak- trips in summer season to 564.42 billion rupees, and fell 16.3 per- ing the total count to 2,621, the company cent year-on-year to 3,398.90 billion rupees said. —AFP Jabriya Coop signs contract with Al-Wataniyah Resort

KUWAIT: The Chairman of Al-Jabriya ed out that this step comes in the Ghadanfari clarified that there will include entertainment competitions, Kuwait oil price climbs Cooperative Society Ahmed Taleb context of changing the routine and be three trips to be launched to Al- special shows, qualified services and Ghadanfari announced that a con- giving our shareholders the opportu- Wataniyah Resort soon. He indicated valuable prizes. It is going to be to nearly $58 pb tract had been signed with Al- nity to see different places. also that this activity could be regard- supervised directly by the Board of Wataniyah Resort to organize trips in He stated that the 2015 summer ed as a great opportunity for having Directors that is keen on having all KUWAIT: Kuwait oil price rose $0.57 to est gains per week since middle of 2015 summer season with discount- season will be very distinguished; a people to fill their leisure time with the participants restful during the $57.86 per barrel, in Friday’ trades, com- October, 2009. American crude posted ed prices as well as distinctive pro- trip program had been planned to useful and healthy activities. activity. He said that there will be a pared to $57.30 pb on Thursday, Kuwait the fifth consecutive gain per week, grams and a variety of activities. meet the expectations of our area Furthermore, it is chance to let family lot of future activities that will be Petroleum Corporation said yesterday. In climbing by 7.9 percent, the highest This came during a signing cere- residents. Moreover, it will be com- members meet in one place and get launched; in addition, we are dis- international oil markets, price of the since late February 2011. mony with the representative of Al- patible with the general adopted introduced to other groups for the cussing the possibility of repeating crude forward deals dropped from the Forward deals for the Brent closed Wataniyah Resort Fouad Boushahri at policy aimed at developing the serv- sake of promoting the national cohe- chalet trips activity in the course of highest level it reached this year, howev- Friday’s session with a $0.53 drop, set- the presence of the Secretary Hamid ice aspects and social activities sion, mutual understanding and the current year. Finally, he thanked er it retained the highest gains per week tling at $63.45 pb. The American crude Haider and the Treasurer Abdul Reda besides doing the best for maintain- entertaining in a social, healthy and Boushahri for his fruitful cooperation this year. Brent crude jumped 9.6 per- forward deals dropped $0.97 to $55.74 Baqir. After many years of contracting ing the reputation of Al-Jabriya safe environment for shareholders. in completing this agreement with cent, during the week, posting the high- pb. —KUNA with Khalifa Resort, Ghadanfari point- Cooperative Society. He added that the trip in 2015 will Al-Jabriya Cooperative Society. London stakes claim as global bitcoin hub Govt aims to curb bitcoin use in crime

LONDON: London, centre of the $5-trillion-a-day global a former derivatives trader who left the world of tradi- which unlike traditional money has no printed form spending the first year working out of a two-bedroom “What we see in the UK ... is a different attitude,” said currency market, now wants to be home to a contro- tional finance to work on a digital currency start-up, is and remains outside the control of central banks - with- apartment in northern England. Now Blockchain, Jerry Brito, executive director of Coin Center, a versial upstart - bitcoin. British authorities have come the biggest bitcoin networking group in the world. Its out stifling innovation. “London has been the home of named after the technology behind bitcoin, is the Washington DC-based non-profit advocacy group for out in support of digital currencies in the name of pro- meetings draw a mostly young, mostly male crowd - financial innovation for hundreds of years,” said Nicolas world’s biggest wallet provider, with over 3 million digital currencies. “It’s a very positive attitude, one of: moting financial innovation, while proposing that regu- some amateurs, others who have come to Britain to Cary, co-founder of Blockchain, which provides bitcoin users. Last year it raised over $30 million in its first this is an amazing innovation, we’re going to have to lations should be drawn up to prevent their use in start bitcoin businesses. Already the capital of tradition- data and “wallet” software for storing the currency. “It round of funding, including from billionaire Richard have some kind of regulation in terms of money laun- crime. But it is technophiles who are leading the drive al currency trading, London is competing with San would be a historical mistake not to make this the Branson. dering, but let’s do this in a constructive way, in partner- to make London a real-world hub for trade in web- Francisco’s web expertise and New York’s financial clout home of digital currencies. There’s an incredible ship with the technologists and the industry.” based “cryptocurrencies”, of which bitcoin is the original as it pushes to be the foremost financial technology - or amount of talent and experience here.” Positive attitude Detractors worry that digital currencies make it easy and still most popular. Every Tuesday evening in a fintech - centre in the world. Just over 14 million bitcoins are in circulation, worth While some people argue that London lags New for users to buy products anonymously from websites trendy cafe in London’s Shoreditch neighborhood, a Last month the British government announced around $3.1 billion at the current exchange rate of York overall as the centre for traditional finance, many like Silk Road, an underground marketplace for drugs group of digital currency enthusiasts gathers to discuss plans to regulate digital currency exchanges to prevent around $220 each. Bitcoin brought 29-year-old Cary to say the latter’s attitude to digital currencies - including a and other illegal goods which was shut down in 2013. ideas, “vape” from e-cigarettes and exchange their their use in money-laundering, and to help to develop Britain two years ago from Denver, Colorado. He joined state plan to impose a “BitLicense” on bitcoin start-ups - But advocates argue that using cash for illicit trades is pounds for bitcoins in a dedicated “ATM”. a set of standards for cryptocurrencies. Backers of bit- forces with Ben Reeves, then a 22-year-old computer makes London more attractive for the growing number easier and less traceable, pointing out that most US With more than 2,200 members, CoinScrum, run by coin praised this for lending legitimacy to the currency - science graduate, to develop the Blockchain wallet, of businesses dealing in the budding technology. banknotes are contaminated with cocaine. —Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Jordanian Dinar 427.045 US Dollars Mint 0.299000 0.303200 20 gram 241.450 Egyptian Pound 39.576 10 gram 123.420 Asia ASIAN COUNTRIES Sri Lankan Rupees 2.266 5 gram 62.390 Bangladesh Taka 0.003545 0.004145 Japanese Yen 2.536 Indian Rupees 4.848 Chinese Yuan 0.047430 0.050930 Indian Rupees 4.861 Pakistani Rupees 2.980 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036930 0.039680 Pakistani Rupees 2.977 Bangladesh Taka 3.887 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Indian Rupee 0.004696 0.005097 Srilankan Rupees 2.268 Philippines Pesso 6.826 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Nepali Rupees 3.039 Cyprus pound 742.650 Japanese Yen 0.002467 0.002647 Singapore Dollar 223.020 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Japanese Yen 3.540 Hongkong Dollar 39.062 Australian Dollar 229.39 Syrian Pound 2.600 Kenyan Shilling 0.003357 0.003357 Canadian Dollar 242.57 Bangladesh Taka 3.889 Nepalese Rupees 4.030 Korean Won 0.000270 0.000285 Swiss Franc 316.56 Philippine Peso 6.793 Malaysian Ringgit 84.100 Malaysian Ringgit 0.079513 0.085513 Euro 327.51 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 49.220 Nepalese Rupee 0.003065 0.003235 Thai Baht 9.336 US Dollar 301.30 Thai Bhat 10.335 Pakistan Rupee 0.002819 0.003099 Sterling Pound 449.47 Philippine Peso 0.006744 0.007024 GCC COUNTRIES Japanese Yen 2.56 Turkish Lira 113.210 Saudi Riyal 80.766 Sierra Leone 0.000067 0.000073 Bangladesh Taka 3.868 Singapore Dollar 0.222181 0.228181 Qatari Riyal 83.207 Indian Rupee 4.820 South African Rand 0.019434 0.027934 Omani Riyal 786.870 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.251 Bahrain Exchange Company Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001859 0.002439 Bahraini Dinar 804.440 Nepali Rupee 3.015 UAE Dirham 82.498 Pakistani Rupee 2.954 Taiwan 0.009623 0.009803 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Thai Baht 0.009012 0.0009562 UAE Dirhams 81.91 Europe ARAB COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 799.72 Belgian Franc 0.007894 0.008894 Egyptian Pound - Cash 41.379 Egyptian Pound 39.38 Arab British Pound 0.446850 0.455850 Bahraini Dinar 0.796190 0.804190 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.604 Jordanian Dinar 428.11 Czech Korune 0.003919 0.015919 Omani Riyal 781.40 Egyptian Pound 0.039312 0.042412 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.413 Danish Krone 0.039903 0.044903 Qatari Riyal 82.97 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Tunisian Dinar 154.390 Euro 0.322863 0.330863 Saudi Riyal 80.26 Iraqi Dinar 0.000192 0.000252 Jordanian Dinar 427.400 Norwegian Krone 0.035111 0.040311 Jordanian Dinar 0.422792 0.43092 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.032 Romanian Leu 0.086803 0.086803 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Syrian Lira 2.159 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Slovakia 0.009016 0.019016 Morocco Dirham 30.581 Swedish Krona 0.031336 0.036336 Lebanese Pound 0.000151 0.000251 Swiss Franc 0.311155 0.321355 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021732 0.045732 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.114743 0.121743 Nigerian Naira 0.001248 0.001863 US Dollar Transfer 302.750 US Dollar 302.550 Omani Riyal 0.779951 0.785641 Canadian Dollar 249.610 Euro 323.490 Australasia Qatar Riyal 0.082405 0.083618 Sterling Pound 455.435 Sterling Pound 448.520 Australian Dollar 0.228237 0.239737 Saudi Riyal 0.080057 0.080757 Euro 327.755 Canadian dollar 243.470 New Zealand Dollar 0.227067 0.236567 Syrian Pound 0.001282 0.001502 Swiss Frank 288.400 Turkish lira 112.550 Tunisian Dinar 0.152240 0.160240 Bahrain Dinar 805.720 Turkish Lira 0.114743 0.121743 Swiss Franc 312.440 UAE Dirhams 82.700 America UAE Dirhams 0.081406 0.082555 Australian Dollar 231.450 Qatari Riyals 83.930 Canadian Dollar 0.242459 0.250959 US Dollar Buying 301.550 Saudi Riyals 80.855 US Dollars 0.298500 0.303200 Yemeni Riyal 0.001367 0.001447 BUSINESS SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Joyalukkas to open Kuwait’s biggest showroom on April 20 World’s favorite jeweler to create ‘never before experience’

KUWAIT: The globally renowned jewellery retail prosperity” said Mr. Joy Alukkas, Chairman & MD, spread across 10 countries around the world with Joyalukkas is the only ISO 14001-2006 & ISO chain will expand its presence in Kuwait by open- Joyalukkas Group. 105 showrooms and has a following of over 10 mil- 9001-2008 certified jewellery retail chain and has ing the biggest showroom in Al-Rai, Kuwait on Conveniently located near Lu & Lu Hypermarket lion loyal customer’s world-wide. been recognised with many awards and accolades April 20, 2015 at 5.30 pm. “We decided to create the & Friday Market, Al-Rai the biggest Jewellery show- “The Joyalukkas vision is to ‘ornament the world’ for its exceptional standards in jewellery retailing. biggest jewellery showroom for Kuwait because we room in Kuwait will feature wide range and most and we intend to manage this with a perfect mix of It’s popular Chennai showroom has been recog- wanted to create a never before experience in jew- exquisite collection of jewellery in all precious form product, price, choice, service and convenience. We nised by the Limca Book of records for being the ellery shopping for shoppers here. We have the i.e. Gold, Diamond, Precious Stone, Pearls and have planned the best in jewellery for residents of largest jewellery showroom in the world. global experience and understanding of every pro- Platinum. This showroom will offer a choice of over Kuwait and I am eager to invite them to a delightful Joyalukkas has been recognized with the file of jewellery shoppers and we are ensuring the One Million designs from around the world to meet experience in jewellery shopping”, said Mr. John ‘Superbrand’ status 6 years in a row in Dubai and in- best for Kuwait. Our strength is we offer the best in all the dreams and expectations of jewellery lovers Paul Joy Alukkas, Executive Director, Joyalukkas addition to this has also been recognized by the choice, designs, value, service and convenience at in Kuwait. The Joyalukkas sales team have also Group. Dubai govt. under its Dubai Quality Awards all times. Also along with this we have tailored our been extensively trained by retail specialists to The Joyalukkas jewellery showroom has been Program for their strict adherences to quality and Akshaya Tritiya promotion to keep the spirit of the manage the superior expectation of the residents designed in the signature Joyalukkas format with procedures in all aspects of jewellery retailing. The occasion. I take this opportunity to wish people cel- of here. stylish and convenient interiors to offer the widest brand has also won the ‘Middle-east retailer of the ebrating Akshaya Tritiya, good health, wealth and ‘JOYALUKKAS’ is the only jewellery brand that is choice of jewellery under one roof. year’ award from Retail ME. US Treasury secretary urges Gauge of US economy rises 0.2% in March

WASHINGTON: An index designed to predict the future Greece to reach debt deal health of the economy slowly crept upward for the third straight month, a sign that the pace of growth has been weakening since the start of 2015. WASHINGTON: US Treasury Secretary Jacob Guindos, Spain’s economy minister, said the The New York-based Conference Board said Friday that Lew is urging Greece to reach a deal with its Greek government had sent “contradictory” its index of leading indicators rose 0.2 percent in March, creditors, warning that a default would “cre- signals regarding the negotiations. “We have after gains of 0.1 percent in February and 0.2 percent in ate immediate hardship for Greece” and wasted very precious time over the last three January. Building permits were the weakest part of the damage the world economy. or four weeks,” de Guindos said in an inter- index, while slowdowns in average working hours and new Greece is in negotiations with the view with The Associated Press. “The com- factory orders have also been in a drag over the past six International Monetary Fund and European munication of the Greek government has months. Analysts said that the smaller increases over the authorities to receive the final 7.2 billion euro not been great. They have not made a lot of past two months may be signaling a period of more mod- ($7.8 billion) installment of its financial friends,” he said, while adding, “I expect and I erate activity. “Although the leading economic index still bailout. Creditors are demanding that hope that the communication will improve.” points to a moderate expansion in economic activity, its Greece produce credible reforms before slowing growth rate over recent months suggests weaker releasing the money. Reforms question growth may be ahead,” said Conference Board economist The country has relied on loans from the Greece wasn’t the only country that drew Ataman Ozyildirim. international community since 2010. criticism at the finance meetings: China and The index is composed of 10 forward-pointing indica- Without more bailout money, Greece could Japan complained that the United States has tors. Six of the 10 indicators increased in March, with the miss two debt payments due to the IMF in still not approved the legislation needed to biggest support coming from the meager number of peo- May and run out of cash to pay government put into effect IMF reforms that have been ple filing for unemployment benefits, the spread on inter- salaries and pensions. stalled for the past five years. The reforms est rates and consumer expectations. “It’s something that the European and would boost the IMF’s resources to deal with The three indicators which subtracted from growth global economies don’t need - to have financial crises and increase the voting pow- were building permits, new factory orders and average another crisis,” Lew told reporters Friday. er of fast-emerging economies such as weekly manufacturing hours. Stock prices - another of the Fears that Greece could default and abandon China, Brazil and India. Lew said he had indicators - were basically unchanged in March. the euro currency group sent shockwaves assured his fellow finance ministers that the Many economists expect growth to slow from its annu- through global markets Friday. After being Obama administration still believed it would al rate of 2.2 percent in the October-December quarter. The down nearly 360 points, the Dow Jones soon overcome objections from Republican WASHINGTON: French Finance Minister Michel Sapin (right) speaks with an aide as he Atlanta Federal Reserve projects that growth in the first industrial average recovered a bit to finish lawmakers and win congressional approval arrives at an International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) breakfast at the three months of 2015 could be as low as 0.1 percent.—AP down 279.47, a drop of 1.5 percent. for the IMF reforms. The United States is the IMF/WB Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, yesterday. — AFP Lew said he stressed in a series of one-on- IMF’s largest shareholder and congressional one meetings, including discussions with approval is the last hurdle to putting the Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, that reforms into effect. it was urgent that the debt negotiations be Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu resolved quickly. Guangyao said in a speech Friday that the The status of the Greek debt talks was a failure to pass the IMF quota reforms had prime topic on the sidelines at the spring damaged America’s image. meetings of the 188-nation International Growing frustration has caused other Monetary Fund and its sister lending organi- major countries to examine alternatives to zation, the World Bank. Those meetings break the stalemate in ways that might were scheduled to conclude Saturday with reduce America’s global influence. financial officials addressing a variety of Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso, issues - from the weak global economy to a speaking to reporters after the G-20 meet- stalled effort to overhaul IMF voting proce- ing, noted the growing dissatisfaction: dures. The negotiations over Greece’s debt “There are other camps who are saying we have proved contentious. Greek officials said can leave the US behind and do something they planned to meet with creditors else. However, there’s a voting power being Saturday in a search for “common ground.” held by the United States, so it’s not realistic Some finance officials expressed their to think about other ways.” As the largest frustration with Greece’s new left-wing gov- shareholder, the United States is the only ernment, elected in January. Luis de country that can veto key IMF actions. — AP Japan, US ministers to hold trade talks today

TOKYO: Japan and the United States will hold On Thursday, senior US lawmakers agreed on cabinet-level trade talks from this weekend, but the wording of a bill that would give them the are unlikely to seal a final deal, seen as crucial for opportunity to approve or reject but not to alter a broader trans-Pacific free trade pact, by a sum- a TPP agreement. Still, passage of the trade pro- mit this month, Japanese Economy Minister motion authority (TPA) bill remains far from Akira Amari said. assured. US Trade Representative Michael Froman will A USTR spokesman said the trip was an discuss farm and car trade when he meets Amari important and timely opportunity to make in Tokyo today and tomorrow, Amari told progress in bilateral negotiations. “The produc- reporters. A US-Japan deal is considered vital to tive meetings our teams had this week and the the success of a long-delayed Trans-Pacific introduction of a TPA bill have added important Partnership pact, as these two economies, the momentum in the negotiations, but difficult world’s biggest and third-biggest, account for work remains,” he said. about 80 percent of the economic output of the The bilateral trade talks have been stymied 12-member TPP. by Japan’s efforts to protect politically powerful Amari said he did not expect to finalize the agriculture sectors such as beef, and disputes deal in his talks with Froman, but that it would over both countries’ auto markets. Amari said be good if they could make enough progress to differences remained on some of the agricultural be welcomed by President Barack Obama and areas Japan wants to protect - rice, beef and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they meet in pork, dairy, wheat and sugarcane - and some Washington on April 28. areas of the US car and parts market. “We will do “Leaving aside whether Japan is fully satis- our utmost so that a parliament resolution (to fied, as a result of vigorous discussions, we protect the five agricultural products) can be recognise that we have made a certain amount seen to be kept,” Agriculture Minister Yoshimasa of progress,” Amari told reporters after three Hayashi said. Washington and Tokyo also see days of working-level talks. “We’ve decided we strategic value to a broad TPP deal as forming a must shift to cabinet-level discussions and make counterweight to rising China, which has not efforts to further narrow our differences.” joined the group. Asked about the TPP, Hong Lei, Tokyo has said a bilateral deal would require a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said the US Congress to give Obama “fast track” there was momentum in trade liberalization in authority to negotiate TPP, a pact that is central the Asia-Pacific, and that China supported open to his strategic shift toward Asia. regionalism. — Reuters Ford to build $2.5bn Mexico engine, transmission plants MEXICO CITY: The Ford Motor Company conditions to attract more investments,” Pena unveiled Friday a $2.5 billion investment for Nieto said. engine and transmission plants in Mexico, the “This makes the world turn to look at Mexico,” second major project announced in the country he said. Mexicans officials said the new invest- by a foreign auto power this week. The US firm’s ments will boost the country’s goal of becoming plan to expand an engine plant in the northern a top five auto producer in the world by 2020, border state of Chihuahua and build a transmis- producing 5 million vehicles per year. The auto sions factory in the central state of Guanajuato industry’s growing success brought the govern- will create 3,800 jobs, the company said. ment much-needed good news as falling oil The investment was announced by Ford’s prices have led to budget cuts and a reduction president for the Americas region, Joseph of economic forecasts for 2015, from 3.0-4.0 per- Hinrichs, and President Enrique Pena Nieto at cent growth to 2.5-3.5 percent. the Mexican leader’s official residence in Mexico The country’s proximity to the world’s City. Just two days earlier, Pena Nieto had invited biggest market, the United States, its relatively Toyota executives to his residence for the cheap and skilled labor, and its free trade agree- Japanese auto giant’s announcement that it was ments with several nations make it an attractive ending a new plant freeze with a $1 billion facto- destination for investors. Mexico overtook Brazil ry in Guanajuato to produce the Corolla sedan. last year to become the top auto producer in The back-to-back announcements “prove to the Latin Americans and the seventh biggest in the world that Mexico has conditions for competi- world. It is the sixth producer of auto parts in the tiveness, conditions to be more productive and world.—AFP SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 BUSINESS Buying interest buoys Kuwait bourse

BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week in the mid-week session, the stock market was able to realize a green zone. The Price Index closed at 6,295.75 points, up by grouped increase for the three indices, especially the 0.29 percent from the week before closing, the Weighted Weighted and KSX-15 indices which benefited from the return Index increased by 2.15 percent after closing at 434.79 points, of the purchasing crowd to the market as a reaction to the whereas the KSX-15 Index closed at 1,054.70 points up by 3.39 positive results announced by some listed banks for the first percent. Furthermore, last week’s average daily turnover quarter of the current year, which positively affected the trad- increased by 24.02 percent, compared to the preceding week, ing value to increase by almost 75 percent. On the next ses- reaching KD 19.19 million, whereas trading volume average sion, the stock market returned to fluctuate, where the Price was 209.73 million shares, recording an increase of 8.56 per- Index returned to decline, whilst the other two indices contin- cent. ued its gains, affected by the traders’ concentration on collect- The stock market indicators managed to meet in the gains ing the large-cap stocks and getting rid of the small-cap ones. area for the first time in several weeks, whereas the market Also, the stock market witnessed during the last session of received support from the purchasing power that included the week a good increase to the three indices, especially the many stocks, headed by the blue-chip and operational stocks Weighted and KSX-15 indices that benefited from the strong and lead by the Banks sector, especially after the disclosures purchasing operations that targeted the large-cap stocks of some to its positive first quarter results, which positively among a noticeable increase to the trading activity, mostly the reflected on the Weighted and KSX-15 indices performance. liquidity level that increased by around 60 percent by the end On the contrary, the stock market was subject to the profit of the session. collection operations that were present also during few week- Moreover, the market cap reached KD 27.90 billion by the ly sessions, as it concentrated on the small-cap and mid-cap end of last week, increasing by 2.30 percent compared to its stocks, especially the ones that realized gains during the pre- level to the preceding week, where it reached KD 27.28 billion. ceding week. For the annual performance; the market cap of the listed com- As far as the daily trading activity of the week; the first ses- panies declined by 0.28 percent from its value at 2014 year sion witnessed an increase to the three indicators as a result end, where it was KD 27.98 billion. to the continued optimism state that was controlling some of For the annual performance, the price index ended last the traders as a result to the National Assembly’s approval on week recording 3.67 percent annual loss compared to its clos- the Capital Markets Authority’s law amendments; and despite ing in 2014, while the weighted index decreased by 0.93 per- the purchasing trend witnessed during this session that cent, and the KSX-15 recorded 0.50 percent loss. included many large-cap and small-cap stocks and pushed the market indicators to close in the green zone, the liquidity Sectors’ Indices levels witnessed a large drop by around 50 percent, which Eight of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the green zone, came after the investors’ migration from the market waiting while the other Four recorded declines. Last week’s highest was second on the losers’ list, which index declined by 0.73 cent of last week’s total trading volume, with a total of around for new good and encouraging investment opportunities to gainer was the Basic Materials sector, achieving 2.32 percent percent, closing at 1,165.02 points, followed by the Health 207.06 million shares. rise. growth rate as its index closed at 1,099.53 points. Whereas, in Care sector, as its index closed at 858.97 points at a loss of 0.13 On the other hand, the Banks sector’s stocks were the high- In the next session, the stock market witnessed a fluctuat- the second place, the Telecommunications sector’s index percent. est traded in terms of value; with a turnover of around KD ed performance as a result to the different traders’ prefer- closed at 653.58 points recording 2.86 percent increase. The Sectors’ Activity 25.77 million or 26.85 percent of last week’s total market trad- ences, as the Price Index returned once again to the red zone Banking sector came in third as its index achieved 2.43 per- The Financial Services sector dominated a total trade vol- ing value. The Financial Services sector took the second place affected by the profit collection operations that the small-cap cent growth, ending the week at 1,004.08 points. ume of around 467.73 million shares changing hands during as the sector’s last week turnover was approx. KD 25.42 million stocks were subject to, while the Weighted and KSX-15 indices On the other hand, the Consumer Services sector headed last week, representing 44.60 percent of the total market trad- representing 26.49 percent of the total market trading value. continued its upward direction affected by the random pur- the losers list as its index declined by 1.88 percent to end the ing volume. The Real Estate sector was second in terms of — Prepared by the Studies & Research Department, Bayan chasing operations that included few large-cap stocks. On the week’s activity at 1,034.78 points. The Consumer Goods sector trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 19.75 per- Investment Co.

US investors look to US stocks drop as Greece earnings for direction fears override bank results NEW YORK: Large US banks bested earnings expectations this analyst forecasts. However, Hogan said investors remain jittery week, but stocks still lost ground due to worries about high about the strong dollar, as evidenced by American Express, WALL STREET WEEK AHEAD equity valuations and the Greek debt crisis. US stocks looked which cited the strong greenback as a drag on results. headed for another week of gains before deep losses Friday Investors are also gearing up for painful results from energy NEW YORK: Investors attempting to determine whether “Most companies have been able to beat on the bot- pushed the market into the red. companies hit by crashing oil prices, he added. Earnings from US equities will rebound from Friday’s selloff or continue tom line and miss on the top line, and that has been the For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 231.35 energy companies in the S&P 500 are projected to fall 65.6 per- to sink will look to a deluge of earnings next week for a story now for quite a while,” said Rick Meckler, president of points (1.28 percent) to 17,826.30. The broad-based S&P 500 cent, with profits falling 2.6 percent for the index as a whole, clearer picture of the economy. The S&P dropped 1.1 per- LibertyView Capital Management in Jersey City, New declined 20.88 (0.99 percent) to 2,081.18, while the tech-rich according to S&P Capital IQ. cent on Friday, its biggest decline since March 25. Equities Jersey, referring to companies’ ability to beat profit esti- Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 64.17 (1.28 percent) to Some of the week’s most important economic data showed lost ground after industrials Honeywell International and mates while falling short of sales expectations. 4,931.81. improvement in the US, but not by as much as expected. General Electric took hits from the strong dollar, while “Their ability to make numbers keeps their stocks from Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities, US retail sales rebounded in March from a three-month concerns over new trading regulations in China and really selling off, but their inability to show top line growth said investor sentiment is “cautious,” in part because stocks are slump, rising 0.9 percent. New construction of homes in the Greece’s place in the euro-zone dented sentiment. keeps their stocks from really taking off.” According to still so fully valued. “Sentiment probably gets better at lower” United States rose 2.0 percent to an annual rate of 926,000 Since hitting a high of 2,119.59 on Feb. 25, the S&P has Thomson Reuters data, of the 59 companies in the S&P valuations, he said. Earnings have so far been “better than very units, missing estimates. held in a range of about 80 points. Investors have grown 500 that have posted earnings to date, 74.6 percent have low expectations,” Hogan said. “Next week, we’ll have a much The week’s biggest move in stocks came Friday, with the concerned about the impact of a strong dollar on quarter- topped profit expectations, above the 70 percent beat better read of a broader swath of corporate America.” Among Dow slumping 1.54 percent as uncertainty about Greece roiled ly results, even as they remain leery of missing out on any rate for the past four quarters and 63 percent rate since the large banks, standouts included JPMorgan Chase, which European markets and dominated the International Monetary rally. 1994. rode strong gains in investment banking and trading to net Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington. “Our markets will get kind of quiet again as we wait for Early returns on revenue have been disappointing, income of $5.9 billion in the first quarter, an increase of 12.2 Negotiations between Greece and international creditors will some of those earnings and what is going to happen on however, as 45.8 of companies have topped estimates, percent from a year ago. resume Saturday in Brussels on reform requirements Athens the 24th with Greece,” said Keith Bliss, senior vice-presi- well short of the 58 percent rate for the past four quarters “We have an outstanding franchise which is getting safer needs to meet to receive its last payment of its bailout funds, dent at Cuttone & Co in New York. Euro-zone finance min- and 61 percent rate since 2002. and stronger, and is gaining market share over time,” said the European Union said. isters meet April 24 to try to reach a deal for Greek debt “Next week you get everybody, you get a much better JPMorgan chief executive Jamie Dimon, implicitly rebutting Late Friday, US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew called for par- repayments. picture of what corporate America looks like in the first calls from politicians and some financial analysts to break up ties to reach agreement. “Not reaching agreement would cre- Next week is among the busiest of the earnings season, quarter,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at the largest US bank by assets. ate immediate hardship for Greece, and uncertainties for with results expected from companies including Wunderlich Securities in New York. Goldman Sachs also wracked up strong results, with profits Europe and the global economy more broadly,” Lew said. Next Amazon.com Inc , General Motors, Boeing and Morgan Although earnings season is typically choppy for rising 40 percent from the 2014 first quarter, to $2.7 billion. week’s agenda includes a flood of earnings reports, including Stanley. The results could help investors gauge the impact stocks, traders in the options market do not seem to be Bank of America returned to profitability after a loss in the year- from Boeing, Verizon, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, Microsoft of the rise in the greenback and assess the strength of the raising many red flags about volatility for companies set to ago period, while Wells Fargo’s profits edged lower but bested and Google. — AFP economy after a string of lackluster economic reports. report results. — Reuters BUSINESS SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 BUSINESS SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

CHENNAI: T S Kalyanraman, CMD, Kalyan Jewellers inaugurating Chennai’s largest Jewellery showroom with Amitabh Bachchan. Kalyan Jewellers opens flagship showroom in Chennai Bachchan, Aishwarya among mega stars attend inaugural ceremony

KUWAIT: Chennaiites thronged to the much-awaited launch of Kalyan Jewellers prelaunch multimedia campaign had man- the crowd jostling to get a glimpse of the Bachchans. Bachchan.??Malayalam cine star Manju Warrier said that it was a Kalyan Jewellers’ first showroom in Chennai at Sir Theyagaraya aged to create a positive hype for the event and had also Amitabh Bachchan strode in majestically, waved at the historic moment for Chennai, Kalyan Jewellers and her person- Road in T Nagar. Kalyan Jewellers’ brand ambassadors and brought the crowd to the streets. While Kalyan Jewellers, has a cheering crowd. He was the cynosure of all eyes, notwithstand- ally. She added that she was happy sharing the stage with leg- mega stars of Indian celluloid Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai strong presence in Tamil Nadu with 16 showrooms, the Chennai ing the presence of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Chennai stars ends of Indian film industry. Shivaraj Kumar reminisced about Bachchan, Prabhu Ganesan, Nagarjuna, Shivaraj Kumar, Manju store is the biggest they have in the country. The showroom has Prabhu and his son Vikram, Nagarjuna, Shivaraj Kumar and his early days especially his education in Chennai. He added Warrier and Vikram Prabhu regaled the crowd at the inaugura- one of the largest collections of gold and diamond jewellery. Manju Warrier. that he was delighted to be back in Chennai. tion of Kalyan Jewellers’ 50th showroom in South India and Kalyan Jewellers will open four more showrooms, with 15,000 Amitabh Bachchan shared his excitement of being in A beaming Prabhu Ganesan said, “I am very happy that 78th store globally. sq. feet each, in Chrompet, Adyar, Vellacherry and Anna Nagar, Chennai and spoke in Tamil saying, “I have worn the ‘vesti’ on Kalyan Jewellers has launched its inaugural showroom in Kalyan Jewellers has invested close to INR 200 crores in their of which two will be during the course of this financial year and my own and want to greet my Tamil ‘Vaadiyar’ Prabhu,” He fond- Chennai in my very own T Nagar. I have cherished my relation- flagship store at T Nagar, the South Indian jewellery hub. This is two in the early part of next year. A total of INR 300 crores will ly remarked, “I have been associated with the Tamil film industry ship with Kalyan Jewellers and the promoter family of also the largest investment by any jeweller in a single show- be invested in these four showrooms. for the last forty years including superstars like Sivaji Ganesan. I Kalyanaraman. It is a privilege to share the stage with my room across the country. The flagship showroom is spread The stars themselves were overjoyed with the massive am happy to be a part of the Kalyan Jewellers launch in father’s ‘Thambi’ Amitabh Bachchan, My ‘Marumagal’ Aishwarya across 40,000 sq. feet and will display 600 kg of jewellery. The turnout and yet, a bit overwhelmed by its scale. Thundering Chennai,”??”I have always had a special bond with Chennai. This and the other stars of Indian film industry.” store offers a wide variety of more than 5,00,000 contemporary applause and loud whistles greeted the celebrities as they inauguration of Kalyan Jewellers is special as it is my first such Nagarjuna said that he was delighted to come to Chennai as and traditional designs. Customers can access a private lounge walked towards the stage outside the showroom. The audi- event with my ‘Paa’(Amitabh Bachchan). The inaugural store of he was born and educated in Chennai. He was happy to be part through prior appointment for an exclusive experience. A des- ences were completely star-struck and the appearance of one Kalyan Jewellers in Chennai is very impressive and I encourage of the Kalyan Jewellers team. The stars greeted the crowd and ignated children’s play area inside the showroom creates an of Indian cinema’s biggest icons Amitabh Bachchan and former all Chennaites to shop for their jewellery from the 5 lakh thanked them for the support. After this appearance, the stars inclusive and comfortable shopping environment for families. Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, created quite a frenzy, with designs available here,” said Ms. Aishwarya Rai were ushered for a private tour of the new showroom. Gulf Bank announces winners Al-Mazaya announces net of Al-Danah daily draws KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily the next one. profit of KD1.71 million draws on April 12, 2015, announcing the 4) The Al-Danah account gives away the names of its winners for the week of April 5 to highest amount of prize money April 9. The Al-Danah daily draws include 5) The daily draw has two winners drawn for Operational revenues jump 175 percent to KD 9.59 million draws each working day for two prizes of every working day, each receiving KD1000 per winner. KD1,000. 6) With 64 draws a year, and up to 532 win- KUWAIT: Al-Mazaya Holding Company (KSC) ed and 45 percent of the project has been The winners are ners, Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account offers announced its financial results for the first sold so far, while marketing campaigns are (Sunday 5/4): Refaah Nayef Methri Al- you the highest number of draws and quarter of 2015. The company reported a net underway to sell the remaining units Shammari, Abdelsalam Mouihate winners profit of KD1.71 million, a 16.6 percent inside and outside Turkey. Al-Mazaya has (Monday 6/4): Haifa Sadaf Ali Hussain, 7) Al-Danah account also offers customers increase compared to the net profit of KD1.47 completed its project which serves the Mohammad Hussein Ali the best quarterly prizes, with quarterly million reported in the corresponding period logistics sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. (Tuesday 7/4): Zahra Abdulrasoul Taqi Al- prizes ranging from KD25,000 up to of 2014. Earnings per share amounted to 2.77 The KD6 million project offers storage solu- Saffar, Mohammad Bandar Soan Al-Anezi KD500,000. fils, as compared to 2.37 fils in Q1 2014. tions and warehouse spaces for lease at (Wednesday 8/4): Sulaiman Thunaian Al- Following the board meeting held yester- Bahrain Investment Wharf. The project is Ghanim, Khaled Abdulaziz Al-Jnahee Open an account and Deposit now to Win day in presence of board members and the 100 percent completed and leasing is (Thursday 9/4): Hadi Masoud Mohammad Big, Live big, with Al-Danah 2015. CEO, Eng. Ibrahim Al-Saq’abi, Group CEO of Al- underway, with noticeable results. Al-Hajri, Khaled Mubarak Mousa Al-Oubaydan Al-Danah also offers a number of unique Mazaya Holding, said: “In the first quarter of Eng Ibrahim Al-Saq’abi • Al Mazaya has made significant progress at Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2015 draw lineup services including the Al-Danah Deposit Only 2015, Al-MazayaHolding continued to sub- the Queue Point project in Dubai Land. The includes daily draws (2 winners per working ATM card which helps account holders stantially improve its financial results, thanks sale and delivery of a large number of residen- 38-plot project is underway with a comple- day each receive KD1000). Al-Danah’s 2nd deposit their money at their convenience; as to its focus on sales and lease operations, as tial units at its Queue Point project. At Queue tion rate of over 75 percent. Quarterly draw will be held on 25 June well as the Al Danah calculator to help cus- well as on maintaining delivery of units in Point, the company has developed about • Al Mazaya has completed the design works (KD250,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 3rd tomers calculate their chances of becoming accordance with the predetermined sched- 3,131 residential apartments - 75 percent of of its new medical centre. Strategically situ- Quarter - 17 September (KD500,000, an Al-Danah winner. ules. The company has managed to increase which have been sold - while the project’s final ated at Sabah Al Salem district in Kuwait, KD125,000, and KD25,000). The final Al-Danah Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open to sales on its offered-to-sale projects and to phase’s units are being marketed and sold. and spanning an area of more than 2,000 draw for the Million Dinars will be held on 7 Kuwaitis and all residents of Kuwait. increase the occupancy rate in its income-gen- square meters, the project is conceived to January, 2016 whereby the Al-Danah million- Customers who open an account and/ or erating projects, which has ultimately led to an Financial results be similar to the high-level Clover Medical aire will be announced alongside winners of deposit more will enter the draw within two Speaking about the company’s financial KD250,000 and KD50,000. days. To take part in the Al-Danah 2015 impressive 175 percent jump in operational complex in Al Jabriya district. The company revenues - which totaled KD9.59 million over results in the first quarter of 2015, Al-Saq’abi is selecting contractors in order to com- Seven reasons why the Al-Danah account upcoming yearly draw, customers must have said it had been able to maintain its strong is the best: an Al-Danah account containing at least KD the first quarter of 2015, compared to KD3.49 mence construction work. million during the same period last year. He growth in operational performance and net • Design work on Al Mazaya’s new residen- 1) Each year, every eligible account holder 200. To be part of the Al-Danah draws, cus- profits as part of its carefully-planned and gets the opportunity to win Kuwait’s sin- tomers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 59 branch- stressed that the company’s significant rise in tial project on the 23,193 square meterplot astute objectives. He presented the remaining gle biggest cash prize of KD 1 million es, transfer on line, or call the Customer revenues was a direct result of its well-studied acquired by the company in the Al 2) Customers’ chances are calculated on a Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and marketing campaigns and huge sales transac- financial statements for the first quarter of Mawaleh area in Al Seeb, a city in the daily basis and added up for every draw. guidance. Customers can also log on to tion recently completed. The company report- 2015, noting that the company’s total assets Governorate of Muscat in the Sultanate of 3) Gulf Bank is the only bank in Kuwait to www.e-gulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to ed KD8.07 million in revenues from sale - a stood at KD261.19 million at the end of the Oman, is 80 percent completed. The com- transfer all of its customers’ Al-Danah loy- find out more about Al-Danah and who the surge of 311.3 percent compared to the first quarter of 2015, representing growth of pany will soon announce construction bid- alty chances from the previous year into winners are. KD1.96 million it posted in the same period a 15.4 percent compared to the assets of ding and will invite contractors to submit year ago. Rental revenues climbed by 24.9 per- KD226.24 million recorded in the first quarter their tenders to commence the construc- cent to KD1.47 million, compared to KD1.17 of 2014. Total Shareholders’ equity amounted tion work. Gulf Bank offers discounts million in Q1 2014. to KD106.26 million in Q1 2015, climbing 8.4 • Al-Mazaya has completed construction Commenting on the operational activities, percent from the KD98.07 million reported in bidding for four buildings in Dubai Land for Visa Platinum, Al-Saq’abi said that the company has contin- the same period in 2014. in Dubai. The works will be awarded to ued to see a high occupancy rate in its the construction contractor and is sched- Infinite credit cardholders income-generating projects. These include the First Quarter Achievements: uled for completion by the end of 2017. Sky Gardens project at Dubai International Al-Saqa’abi summarized Al-Mazaya’smost Al AlSaqa’abi concluded that Al-Mazaya Financial Centre, which has an occupancy rate important achievements in the first quarter, as has a number of investment opportuni- KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced the count at over 75 restaurants across the UAE. of 95 percent, the three Mazaya Towers in the follows: ties being currently examined in the GCC launch of an exceptional new offer for its VISA To take advantage of this fantastic offer, Gulf • Al-Mazaya Holding has launched Ritim Platinum and Infinite credit cardholders, Bank customers must use their VISA Platinum heart of Kuwait’s capital, which have a 100 per- and Turkish markets, as these markets cent occupancy rate, and its other projects in Istanbul, which is the first joint venture of meet the company’s goals of expansion promising them the largest premium dining or Infinite credit cards when paying for their the 50/50 strategic alliance agreement discounts in Kuwait and the UAE. The offer is meal at a participating restaurant in Kuwait or the region - such as in the KSA and Dubai - into the most stable, growing markets. where the company has achieved a 100 per- signed between Al-Mazaya Holding and He added that Al-Mazaya’s growth in valid for till the end of the year2015, starting UAE. Dumankaya Real Estate. The 40,000 square from 29th March. Gulf Bank is committed to offering its cus- cent occupancy rate. Moreover, the company these markets will include the signing of meter project consists of six towers - three This latest promotion gives Gulf Bank’s tomers an exceptional range of promotions in has achieved excellent sales in its properties strategic partnerships with leading VISA Platinum and Infinite credit cardholders addition to one of the widest selections of which are offered for sale, including the office residential towers and three office towers - investors to achieve the best returns and discounts up to 20 percent at over 50 restau- financial products and banking services cur- spaces at Mazaya Business Avenue, the final in addition to a shopping mall. serve the interests of the company and rants in Kuwait, and up to 25 percent dis- rently available in Kuwait. phase of the Villa residential project, and the Construction work is 65 percent complet- shareholders. Dubai the new global convention center

DUBAI: Planners are convinced that Dubai will definitely events. The largest and most impressive of theses was “Nu lucrative segment of what is known as the MICE-or meetings, Anniversary of their Middle East North African Network, achieve its target of attracting 20 million tourists annually by Skin Enterprises” Who brought to Dubai last November 14,500 incentives, conferences and exhibitions-market”. namely TBWA\RAAD. 2020 judging by the percentage increase it has been witness- of their Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China-based employees on Amongst the last to be seen in Dubai participating to The TBWA participants flew in from New York, Los Angeles, ing year-on-year. their 2014 Sales Convention which caused Dubai to bag the their2015 Global Steering Committee Conference was the Denver, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Sydney, Singapore, Hong It’s important to note that Dubai’s balancing act never prestigious Crystal Award -the highest award in the incentive leadership team of the international advertising agency Kong, Johannesburg, Paris, London, Dusseldorf, Algeria, seems to stop. As the number of Russian tourists drops as a travel industry. According to Bloomberg Business Week “This TBWA\WORLDWIDE. The company disrupted its convention of Kuwait, Doha, and Beirut, to meet in Dubai where they all result of the Ruble’s depreciation against world currencies, a event sealed Dubai’s Reputation as a burgeoning destination holding such meetings only in LA or Paris, and held their con- enjoyed every minute of their stay thanks to the wonderful recent report from Oxford Economics and the Intercontinental for incentive tourism and underscored its ambition to win a ference this year in Dubai to coincide with the 15th advantages this city has to offer. Hotels Group predicts the number of Chinese visitors surging to 98 percent in the coming 10 years. The report foresees the Chinese continuing to be a key customer for Dubai because of their rising income levels and the much-improved flight con- nections through Dubai. However, observers point out that the growth of tourism to Dubai is also largely influenced by the sector of Incentive Tourism in addition to individuals, families, and traditional sightseeing and shopping groups. More and more companies from Europe, the Americas, and Asia are awarding their achieving staff by flying them to Dubai to participate in their own conventions and conferences held at exotic hotels, as well as in business hotels which offer golf- ing, sailing, desert safaris, and even snow skiing. Since the beginning of the year many international compa- nies have staged - with great success - all sorts of corporate SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 technology Govt-led projects drive IT services spending KUWAIT: The combined IT services market of the says Eric Samuel, a senior analyst for IT services at ven, and government-led projects in the trans- ect pricing is also becoming more complex as so-called Other Gulf Cooperation Council (OGCC) IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. “And we are portation, healthcare, and education sectors. Qatar greater numbers of organizations expect their ICT countries, comprising Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and now at a stage where CIOs are actively evaluating will continue to have the fastest growing IT services partners to develop and implement solutions that Kuwait is expected to expand at a compound annu- the capabilities of ICT services providers to build market of all the OGCC countries, and IT services are capable of solving their specific business chal- al growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5 percent over the com- and operate their ICT environments. Some organi- spending in the country will surpass Kuwait’s total lenges rather than merely meeting their opera- ing years to total $1.82 billion in 2018, according to zations are already reaping the benefits associated by the end of this year. Qatar is also expected to tional requirements. the latest forecasts released by International Data with these technologies, such as improved opera- lead IT services spending in the region through “IT services maturity has significantly improved Corporation (IDC). The global advisory services firm tional efficiency, reduced capital expenditure, and 2018. in the OGCC countries, and both public and private expects this growth to be driven by government- enhanced ICT management. And as the outsourc- The competitive landscape in Qatar is changing sector organizations are looking at implementing led infrastructure development projects, egovern- ing services offered by ICT services providers at a rapid pace. An increasing number of global ICT complex IT solutions while addressingthe chal- ment initiatives, transformations in the transporta- mature over the coming years, we expect the adop- companies are now competing with local ICT lenges associated with finding and retaining expe- tion and banking and financial services sectors, and tion of such services to increase notably.” providers, either directly or through partners, as rienced in-house IT personnel,” continues Samuel. private sector developments as governments in the IDC’s latest data shows that the OGCC IT services they strive to capitalize on the myriad ICT opportu- “As a result, organizations are expected to take a region pursue diversification strategies into non-oil market reached a total value of $1.13 billion in nities present within the country. However, this cautious approach to CAPEX outlays when imple- sectors. 2014, up 11.7 percent on 2013. Qatar presented the increasing competition is exerting downward pres- menting ICT solutions, and this is also expected to “The willingness of CIOs to procure outsourcing strongest growth in the region, with IT services sure on project pricing, which is impacting the mar- drive spending on hosting, cloud, and managed services is increasing across the OGCC countries,” spending fueled by large-scale, infrastructure-dri- gins of many ICT providers in the region. ICT proj- services over the coming years.” New Google security chief eyes balance with privacy

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California: Google has a new sheriff keeping watch over the wilds of the Internet. Austrian-born Gerhard Eschelbeck has ranged the British city of Oxford; cavorted at notorious Def Con hacker conclaves, wrangled a herd of startups and camped out in Silicon Valley. He now holds the reins of security and privacy for all-things Google. In an exclusive interview with AFP, Eschelbeck spoke of using Google’s massive scope to protect users from cyber villains such as spammers and state-sponsored spies. “The size of our computing infrastructure allows us to process, analyze, and research the changing threat landscape and look ahead to predict what is coming,” Eschelbeck said during his first one-on-one press interview in his new post. “Security is obviously a constant race; the key is how far can you look ahead.” Eschelbeck took charge of Google’s 500-strong security and privacy team early this year, returning to Silicon Valley after running engineering for a computer security company in Oxford for two years. “It was MOUNTAIN VIEW, California: In this video grab from video, Google’s new privacy and security a very natural move for me to join Google,” team chief Gerhard Eschelbeck talks to AFP about the Internet landscape during his first one- Eschelbeck said. “What really excited me was on-one interview on April 16, 2015. — AFP doing security at large scale.” BUCHAREST: In a picture taken on April 8, 2015, laser beams shine while a Romanian Google’s range of global services and prod- State-sponsored cyber attacks making news Google identifies about 50,000 malicious web- military woman is scanned during body shape statistic measurements for a flak jack- ucts means there are many fronts for a security et designed specifically for women at a military research facility. — AP in the past year come on top of well-known sites monthly, and another 90,000 phishing web- expert to defend. Google’s size also means there trends of hacking expressly for fun or profit. The sites designed to trick people into giving up are arsenals of powerful computer servers for sheer numbers of attack “vectors” has rocketed their passwords or other valuable personal infor- Romania to make special defenders to employ and large-scale data from exponentially over time, with weapons targeting mation, Eschelbeck said. “We have some really which to discern cyber dangers. Eschelbeck’s smartphones, applications, datacenters, operat- great visibility into the Web, as you can imagine,” career in security stretches back two decades to a ing systems and more. “You can safely assume he said. “The time for us to recognize a bad site is flak jackets for females startup he built while a university student in that every property on the Internet is continu- incredibly short.” Austria that was acquired by security company ously under attack,” Eschelbeck said. “I feel really BUCHAREST: A Romanian research insti- smaller sizes, even though their anatomy McAfee. What started out as a six-month work strong about our ability to identify them before Doubling-Down on Privacy tute is developing a bulletproof vest for is different. For many women, that means stint in California where McAfee is based turned they become a threat and the ability to block and Eschelbeck saw the world of online security the growing number of female soldiers wearing a standard issue vest that is tight into a 15-year stay by Eschelbeck. He created and prevent them from entering our environment.” as fairly black and white, while the privacy side signing up to serve in the country’s army. across the torso and too loose around the advised an array of computer security startups of his job required subjective interpretations. Though the US Army produces flak jack- middle, causing discomfort and offering before heading off to Oxford. Eschelbeck, has Scrambling Data Google works closely with data protection ets for women, they are not common less protection. “Even if women and men worked at computer technology titans such as Eschelbeck is a backer of encrypting data, authorities in Europe and elsewhere to try and worldwide, prompting the Romanian have the same circumference around the Sophos and Qualys, and holds patents for net- whether it be an email to a friend or photos harmonize privacy protections with the stan- government to commission the project. torso, their body shape is different,” said work security technologies. stored in the cloud. “I hope for a time when all dards in various countries. “I really believe that Lt Claudiu Lazaroaie, who heads the proj- Claudia Niculescu, a senior scientist at the the traffic on the Internet is encrypted,” he said. with security and privacy, there is more overlap ect at the Scientific Research Center for National Institute for Textiles and Leather, Constant Attack “You’re not sending a letter to your friend in a than there are differences,” he said. “We have He was confident his team was up to the chal- CBRN Defense and Ecology, said that who is involved in the project. transparent envelop, and that is why encryption made a tremendous effort to focus and double- lenge of fending off cyber attacks, even from manufacturing is expected to start next The US Army says that since 2013 it in transport is so critical.” He believes that within down on privacy issues.” onslaughts of sophisticated operations run by five years, accessing accounts with no more than As have other large Internet companies, year and that thousands of the flak jack- has provided its female soldiers a vest the likes of the US National Security Agency or ets in three different sizes will be pro- whose feature include narrower shoul- passwords will be a thing of the past. Google lets Google has routinely made public requests by the Chinese military. Eschelbeck vowed that he people require code numbers sent to phones be government agencies for information about duced. The respected center, which was ders for the easier aiming of rifles, dart- would “absolutely” find any hacker that came used along with passwords to access accounts in users. Requests are carefully reviewed, and only founded in 1924, carries out scientific ing to accommodate the female chest, a after his network. “As a security guy, I am never what is referred to as “two-factor” authentica- about 65 percent of them satisfied, according to research for defense technology and shorter torso, greater adjustability for the comfortable,” he said. “But, I do have a very tion. Google. “Privacy, to me, is protecting and secur- equipment. waist and hips and a neck collar that strong team...I have confidence we have the right The Internet titan also provides “safe brows- ing my activities; that they are personal to For now, Romania’s female soldiers are accommodates the hair bun worn by reactive and proactive defense mechanisms as ing” technology that warns people when they myself and not visible to the whole wide world,” forced to wear men’s body armor in some female soldiers. — AP well.” are heading to websites rigged to attack visitors. Eschelbeck said. — AFP Some experts pondering flights without pilots

NEW YORK: To improve airline safety, maybe we need to all operations would shift to the ground. Airlines would save on remove the pilots. That radical idea is decades away, if it ever pilot training, salaries, retirement costs and hotel and travel becomes a reality. But following the intentional crashing of expenses. Plus, ground-based pilots would be able to hand off Germanwings Flight 9525 by the co-pilot, a long-running flights from one to another, allowing them to work normal debate over autonomous jets is resurfacing. At the very least, eight hour shifts even if their jet is in the air for 12 hours. some have suggested allowing authorities on the ground to Cummings says such a shift could occur in 10 or 15 years. “In take control of a plane if there is a rogue pilot in the cockpit. my mind, it’s a done deal,” she says. “The business case is so The head of Germany’s air traffic control agency on Wednesday strong.” became the latest to raise such a prospect. Pilots are getting further and further removed from their Such moves might seem logical in the aftermath of this crash, aircraft. In the past, pilots would pull back on the yoke which but industry experts warn that the technology is fraught with was connected to a cable that ran the length of the plane. That problems. Besides, no matter how tragic the deaths of the 149 cable would move flaps on the tail called elevators, causing the other passengers and crew were, it was an anomaly. Each year, plane to climb. Today, there is no cable. When the pilot moves EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey: This April 7, 2013 photo shows the Verizon Studio booth at MetLife Stadium. — AP more than 3 billion people around the globe step aboard some the yoke a computer sends a signal to the rear of the plane, 34 million flights. The number of crashes purposely caused by moving the elevators. The majority of aircraft maneuvers out- commercial pilots in the last three decades: fewer than 10. side of takeoff and landing are already automated. Even when Verizon slices bundle, “Would this really be the wisest investment of our air safety a pilot wants to change course, they program the new direc- dollars?” asks Patrick Smith, a commercial airline pilot for 25 tions into the plane’s computer instead of making the turns years and author of “Cockpit Confidential.” Smith says that even themselves. the newest jets would need an expensive reengineering of lets customers choose their key systems. And that doesn’t even tackle any of the con- Windowless Cockpit cerns over terrorists hacking into the communications link and If that weren’t removed enough, Airbus is exploring a win- NEW YORK: Under pressure from an expanding number of FiOS Custom TV, available today, has a setup similar to some taking over the jet. Despite those major technical - and psycho- dowless cockpit. The aircraft manufacturer is experimenting cheaper online video services, the long-dominant bundle of chan- new online entrants, although bigger, pricier and, of course, not logical - hurdles, the concept isn’t so farfetched. with a system of cameras and screens that would give pilots a nels offered by pay-TV companies is becoming a bit more flexible. an online video service. Dish’s Sling TV Web service gives you There was a time when riding an elevator without an opera- wider, more-detailed view, although one step removed from Verizon said Friday that it would let customers pick groups of about 20 channels for $20/month, with add-on options including tor seemed unimaginable. Today, we don’t think twice about reality. Todd Humphreys, a University of Texas professor of channels that interest them, a plan that is separate from the tradi- HBO for $15 and other pre-selected channel packs for $5 each. stepping into an empty elevator. Airports around the world aerospace engineering, says it isn’t hard to go one step further tional bundle that has been offered to customers for years. The Sony’s PlayStation Vue service, an online package of more than 50 have trams without drivers, as do some subways systems. Even and have the pilots watching those same screens from a room penchant for pick-and-choose online video is reshaping pay-TV. channels, starts at $50 a month. cars are starting to take some of that control away from us: the on the ground. “Anything you can control with knobs or but- More and more people, fed up with large cable bundles with Verizon will give customers the option to buy a base package latest models will automatically brake if there is a sudden haz- tons, without getting out of your seat, can be done equally well ard. The military already has pilots remotely flying drones that - or even better - on the ground,” Humphreys says. dozens of channels they don’t watch and hate to pay for, are sign- for about $55 with more than 35 channels - such as AMC, CNN are on the other side of the earth. But making that jump for Humphreys argues that ground-based pilots wouldn’t have ing up for cheaper streaming services like Netflix. Amazon.com and Food Network - plus two additional channel packs that have passenger jets is simply unnerving. to deal with time zone changes and jetlag, uncomfortable air- has also entered the game, as have HBO Now and Dish Network’s themes including sports, children and lifestyle. You can add more port hotels or even the dehydration that comes after long Sling TV. Apple is reportedly working on its own version, too. packs, which have about 10 to 17 channels on average, for $10 Unnatural flights. Since most flights don’t have a problem, “pilots only Verizon FiOS president Tami Erwin said on CNBC Friday that each, and swap out packs after 30 days. There’s no contract Planes don’t operate in the confined space of an elevator face extreme challenges once in a blue moon,” Humphreys while she expects some existing customers to switch to the new required. shaft or train tracks. And flying has always seemed unnatural. says, and might not be most apt to handle an emergency. plan, it will also attract new customers. But the new FiOS Custom While momentum has been swinging toward streaming serv- When jets make odd noises or hit a rough patch of turbulence, Instead, he says you could have a team of specialized experts in TV option is still fairly expensive, starting at $55, and may not ices like Netflix, many industry watchers believe that traditional TV we eagerly wait for that soothing voice of the pilot to tell us the room with all the remote pilots who could jump in and appeal to people who have already cut the cord, or who have nev- is changing, but not necessarily facing extinction. “This is more of that everything is OK. “The real reason a person wants another assist with any emergency, actually reducing the amount of er subscribed to cable TV packages, said Jefferies analyst Mike an evolution than a revolution,” said Nomura analyst Adam human in the cockpit is because they want to believe there’s pilot error. McCormack. “This is going to be more for people who just want Ilkowitz. “This is not Verizon saying the bundle is dead - there’s still somebody in the front who shares their own fate and thus if Pilots mostly disagree with that, saying they need to make less content,” he said. “To me this feels sort of like a half-step. I don’t a lot of bundling attached to it. This is an acknowledgement that anything goes wrong, they will do everything they can to save split-second decisions. Take US Airways Flight 1549 which think ‘cord-nevers’ have an interest, frankly, in set-top boxes.” consumer preference is maybe shifting.” their own lives,” says Mary Cummings, a former US Navy fighter famously landed on the Hudson River. Capt Chesley “Sully” If you want Internet too, the FiOS skinny TV deal plus Internet Only about 20 million households have access to FiOS, which pilot who is now a Duke University professor studying Sullenberger had seconds to decide what to after both engines costs $65 to $85 per month. It also doesn’t include taxes, equip- has 5.6 million video subscribers and 6.6 million Internet cus- autonomous flight. were disabled by a bird strike. And how would pilot thousands ment and other fees - but it’s not a promotional price similar to tomers. But the shift by Verizon Communications Inc. could put That’s why Cummings and other aviation experts see cargo of miles away handle a fire in the cockpit? Ultimately, it will those used by pay-TV companies to hook customers, including pressure on bigger TV providers. “If Comcast is wise they can move planes being the first aircraft to fly over the US without pilots. come down to passengers. Are travelers more worried about FiOS. On FiOS’ website, promotional prices for an Internet plus TV more into the skinny bundle,” said McCormack. “I would expect cur- First, the big cargo companies would go from two pilots to one the rare rogue pilot killing them or stepping onto a plane with- deal cost $75 to $85 per month for a two-year contract. That rent cable operators to at very least try to replicate something like with a team of pilots remotely assisting from the ground. Then out any pilot? — AP comes with more than 150 channels. Sling is doing. At least get your hat in the ring.” — AP SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Obama: No greater threat to planet than climate change

WASHINGTON: US President Barack on April 22. “Climate change can no pollution by 26-28 percent from 2005 lev- everything we could to protect it.” economic engine for the South Florida Obama said yesterday that climate longer be denied, or ignored,” he added, els by 2025. “This is an issue that’s bigger Obama said he would travel to the tourism industry-at risk,” Obama said of change poses the world’s biggest single noting that 2014 was the hottest year on and longer-lasting than my presidency,” Florida Everglades, a region known for its the famous wetlands. Obama, who has threat. “Today, there’s no greater threat to record. Obama said. “This is the only planet we’ve tropical wetlands, on Wednesday to talk made the fight against climate change our planet than climate change,” Obama The United States is the second largest got. And years from now, I want to be about the ways in which climate change one of his priorities, hopes to help seal a said in his weekly address, which had an greenhouse gas emitter after China, and able to look our children and grandchil- affects the economy. “Rising sea levels global deal at an international climate environmental theme to mark Earth Day Obama has pledged to reduce US climate dren in the eye and tell them that we did are putting a national treasure-and an conference in Paris in December. —AFP China struggling for water security

DAEGU, South Korea: Way back in 1999, has tried to prod things along by publishing before he became China’s prime minister, recipes on its Weibo account, including one Wen Jiabao warned that water scarcity for Kung Pao potato. Northern China’s thirst posed one of the greatest threats to the for water-the coal industry is centered there “survival of the nation”. Sixteen years later, as well-extends to its rapidly growing and that threat looms ever larger, casting a for- increasingly affluent urban populations. bidding shadow over China’s energy and The need to meet the rising demand food security and demanding urgent solu- from these cities resulted in one of the tions with significant regional, and even world’s most ambitious engineering proj- global, consequences. ects, with an overall estimated cost of more The mounting pressure on China’s than $80 billion. The central phase of the scarce, unequally distributed and often massive South-North Diversion Project highly polluted water supply was highlight- opened in December, as water began flow- ed in a report released at the World Water ing to Beijing through more than 1,200 kilo- Forum this week in Daegu, South Korea. meters of channels and pipes-the distance Published by the Hong Kong-based NGO, from London to Madrid. But experts stress China Water Risk (CWR), it underlined the that China cannot simply engineer its way complexity of the challenge facing China as out of its water crisis with headline mega- it seeks to juggle inextricably linked and projects that will never be big enough to often competing concerns over water, ener- keep pace with increasing demand. gy supply and climate change. “There are no one-size-fits-all solutions ‘Good water after bad’ to China’s water-energy-climate nexus,” the A study published in the Proceedings of report said. “More importantly, China’s ener- the National Academy of Sciences journal in gy choices do not only impact global cli- January warned that large-scale water mate change, but affect water availability transfers would actually exacerbate prob- for Asia,” it said, warning of the danger of lems in the long-run. “China needs to shift future “water wars” given China’s upstream its focus to water demand management control over Asia’s mightiest rivers. instead of a supply-oriented approach,” said The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau is essential- the study’s co-author, Dabo Guan, a profes- ly the world’s largest water tank and the ori- sor at the University of East Anglia. “The cur- gin of some of Asia’s most extensive river rent transfer programme is pouring good systems including the Indus, Brahmaputra water after bad: the problems of water- and Mekong. The most significant link in the stressed regions aren’t being alleviated and nexus the report describes is the fact that the provinces sharing their water are suffer- 93 percent of China’s power generation is ing greatly,” Guan said. Years of declining water-reliant. “Chinese officials are starting rainfall in southern China means it now reg- SAWAI MADHOPUR: In this April 12, 2015 photo, a tiger walks at the Ranthambore National Park. India’s tiger population has to say water security comes first,” the ularly sees droughts of its own. gone up 30 percent in just four years. The government lauded the news as astonishing evidence of victory in conservation but report’s author Debra Tan told AFP in China is in fact implementing an independent scientists say such an increase doesn’t make sense. Daegu. “Because without it, there is no ener- extremely ambitious water management gy security and, of course, no food security.” strategy, albeit one that risks being under- mined by inter-departmental rivalries, cor- Rising tiger numbers might Kung Pao potato ruption and incentives that favour econom- Agriculture accounts for between 65 and ic development over sustainable resource 70 percent of China’s water use and vast use. amounts are wasted by inefficient irrigation. In 2011, it issued its “three red lines” poli- only be a victory on paper This is especially true in northern regions cy establishing strict limits on water quanti- that, despite being some of the most arid in ty usage, efficiency and quality, while this the country, are the production focus for year a new Environment Law came into ‘Success claims are unscientific and ridiculous’ water-hungry crops like corn and wheat. force with harsh fines for polluters. State “They even grow corn in Inner Mongolia, media reported last year that 60 percent of SUNDARBAN TIGER RESERVE: At first, the num- Though tigers have high birth rates, they also and business interests to say, ‘We’ve been doing which is incredibly dry,” said Li Lifeng, direc- China’s groundwater and more than half its bers seem impressive: India’s tiger population has have high natural death rates, and factors such as really well. We can pull back a bit.’” tor of the WWF International Freshwater major freshwater lakes were polluted. gone up 30 percent in just four years. The govern- habitat loss and poaching haven’t slowed. At Desperate to develop its economy and allevi- Program. “I recently talked to a farmer there “Before, there wasn’t much of a stick for ment lauded the news as astonishing evidence of least 110 tigers were killed in 2011-14, barely a ate widespread poverty, India faces intense pres- who had been growing corn for just three punishing wastage and polluting,” said victory in conservation. But independent scien- drop from the 118 poached in 2007-10, according sure to convert forests for roads or industrial use, years,” Li said in Daegu. “His well started off CWR’s Tan. “Now there are strict standards tists say such an increase - to 2,226 big cats - in so to the Wildlife Protection Society of India. or to allow polluting factories or mining opera- three meters deep, but now it already goes and a very big stick.” Having experimented short a time doesn’t make sense. They worry an Globally, experts believe the best that can be tions near forest reserves and water supplies. down 50 meters.” Efforts to change the crop with charging urban residents for water in enthusiastic new government under Prime hoped for is a 50 percent increase in the world Conservationists worry more of those projects will mix have included a recent campaign to order to encourage conservation, the gov- Minister Narendra Modi is misinterpreting the population over 10 years - a much more modest be green-lighted around tiger habitats if the cats promote the harvesting of potatoes, which ernment is reportedly set to roll out a tiered numbers, trumpeting false claims of a thriving rate of growth. Such incongruities have happened are seen to be thriving. The government has require far less water. pricing system for residential users in all tiger population that could hurt conservation in before. India claimed a 17 percent increase already cut the Environment Ministry’s 2015-16 Given the traditional taste preference for cities and some towns nationwide later this the long run. between 2006 and 2010, even while tiger habitats budget by almost 25 percent, with funds for tiger rice and wheat, the state broadcaster CCTV year. —AFP “The circus is not necessary,” said tiger expert K shrank by some 40 percent. But while Danda conservation dropping 15 percent. Ullas Karanth, science director for the Wildlife interprets the latest numbers more conservatively Over the weekend, the Supreme Court allowed Conservation Society in Asia. “All of this tom- than some government officials, he agrees they for the widening of a 10-kilometer road between tom’ing and arm-waving, claiming we’ve had stu- show that conservation efforts appear to be work- two tiger sanctuaries in central Madhya Pradesh - pendous success, is ridiculous and unscientific.” ing: “Otherwise, how come we have so many work its own appointed committee warned would The first numbers were released in January. Last tigers outside the tiger reserves?” irreparably damage critical wildlife habitat and week, the government offered details of the data. invite heavy traffic that might mow the animals World leader in tiger protection down. When India says it now is home to 2,226 Begged caution India is by far the world leader in protecting tigers, what it is giving is an estimate - a best- Even as scientists begged caution in present- tigers, spending more resources and money than guess based on a technique called index-calibra- ing the count, India’s government doubled down. any other country. For decades it has faced tion that combines small-scale cat counts and, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar again immense challenges, from habitat loss and through complex calculations, extrapolates them boasted of a 30 percent population increase. And human encroachment to poaching, disease and to a national total. Those counts are conducted by Prime Minister Modi rounded that up, saying tiger pollution. Still, India manages to keep about 70 various groups - forest rangers, independent sci- numbers had seen “about a 40 percent increase. percent of the world’s wild tigers on less than 25 entists, tiger charities - through various means, Feels good to hear it!” If only it were true. This cen- percent of the world’s tiger habitat. That’s partly a including photographing individual tigers and sus differs in an important way from earlier tallies: credit to its vast rural population, which long ago analyzing tiger droppings and paw prints. It estimates India’s entire wild tiger population, learned to live in relative proximity to the secre- The technique, which India adopted in 2006, is while preceding counts focused only on cats in tive beasts. by no means perfect. An Oxford-led study pub- sanctuaries and reserves. If India can protect tigers, despite a human lished in February by the journal Methods in “I’d prefer to say there are 30 percent more population 1.26 billion strong, that proves any Ecology and Evolution suggested the data collec- known tigers, rather than say there is actually an country can do it, conservationists say. “But they tion was too erratic for adequately predicting cat increase in tigers. We might not have counted can’t relax. And that’s my biggest worry about this populations in areas outside census monitoring. them all earlier,” said Anurag Danda of the World latest census and the way it’s being presented,” Scientists also question the absence of independ- Wildlife Fund in the Sundarbans, one of many said Alan Rabinowitz, head of Panthera, a New ent oversight in the government-organized cen- BEISHANGPING: This file photo shows Chinese farmers preparing to pump groups that participated in the census. A 30 per- York-based big-cat conservation group. “The sus. And some say that one census every four water from a drying up reservoir at a well in eastern China, where a record cent increase within four years is implausible. worst outcome of that is it allows development years is not enough. —AP drought threatens to push global food prices up. —AFP Unprecedented germ diversity found in remote Amazon tribe

WASHINGTON: In a remote part of the Center. “The challenge is to determine which ‘Fascinating study’ in our intestines. This microbial zoo starts forming 40 percent less diverse. The Yanomami’s microbio- Venezuelan Amazon, scientists have discov- are the important bacteria’s’ and whose func- Everyone carries a customized set of microbes at birth and varies depending on where you live, mes also were somewhat more diverse than sam- ered that members of a village isolated from tion we need to be healthy,” she said. that live in our noses and mouths, on our skin and your diet, if you had a vaginal birth or a C-section ples from two other indigenous populations with the modern world have the most diverse and, of course, antibiotic exposure. Most of what more exposure to Western culture - the Guahibo colonies of bacteria ever reported living in scientists know about the human microbiome community of Venezuela and rural Malawi com- and on the human body. The microbiome - comes from studies of Americans, such as the US munities in southeast Africa. the trillions of mostly beneficial bacteria that government’s Human Microbiome Project, or of Intriguingly, the Yanomami harbored some share our bodies - plays a critical role in Europeans. But increasingly, scientists are attempt- unique bacteria with beneficial health effects, such maintaining health. Friday’s study raises tan- ing to compare non-Western populations, espe- as helping to prevent the formation of kidney talizing questions about the microbial diver- cially those that keep traditional lifestyles like the stones, the researchers reported. Then genetic sity of our ancestors, and whether today’s isolated Yanomami. testing uncovered a few silent antibiotic-resistant Western diets and lifestyles strip us of some “It’s a fascinating study,” Dr Lita Proctor of the genes lurking in some bacterial strains. Antibiotics bugs we might want back. National Institutes of Health, who wasn’t involved still could kill the bugs. But when the genes were Most surprising, this group of Yanomami in the new research. “The more diverse your micro- switched on, by antibiotic exposure, they could indigenous people harbored bacteria con- biome, the more those microbes bring properties block activity of some common modern antibi- taining genes with the ability to resist antibi- to your body that you might need.” The Yanomami otics, said study co-author Guatam Dantas of otic treatment, even though the villagers continue to live a hunter-gatherer lifestyle in rain- Washington University School of Medicine in St presumably were never exposed to commer- forests and mountains along Louis. cial medications. This isolated population the border of Venezuela and Brazil, and as a Today, exposure to antibiotics in medicine or offers “a unique opportunity to put our group are fairly well-known. But Friday’s research, agriculture spurs germs to become harder to treat. microbial past under the microscope,” said reported in the journal Science Advances, stems But bacteria in soil were a natural source of early lead researcher Jose Clemente, an assistant from the discovery of a previously unmapped antibiotics, Dantas explained, and probably these genetics professor at the Icahn School of Yanomami village in the mountains of southern villagers at some point picked up those bugs Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New Venezuela. Researchers aren’t disclosing the vil- which had evolved resistance genes as a defense York. lage’s name for privacy reasons but say it was first from competitors. He said it suggests people have The results bolster a theory that dimin- visited by a Venezuelan medical expedition in a natural reservoir of genes that may have other ished microbial diversity in Western popula- 2009 that collected fecal, skin and mouth swab duties but that can activate to trigger drug resist- tions is linked to immune and metabolic dis- VENEZUELA AMAZON: Yanomami Indians dance in their village called Irotatheri. samples from 34 villagers. ance in the right environment. “It emphasizes the eases - allergies, asthma, diabetes - that are In a remote part of the Venezuelan Amazon, scientists have discovered that mem- Scientists compared the bacterial DNA from need to ramp up our research for new antibiotics on the rise, said senior author M Gloria bers of a village isolated from the modern world have the most diverse colonies those villagers with samples from US populations because otherwise, we’re going to lose this battle Dominguez-Bello of NYU Langone Medical of bacteria ever reported living in and on the human body. —AP and found the Americans’ microbiomes are about against infectious diseases,” Dantas said. —AP SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Texas vet fired over gruesome cat killing

WASHINGTON: A Texas veterinarian who er deleted and Lindsey’s Facebook account was Washington Animal Clinic or any of its person- that he was disturbed by the photo. “This kind apparently shot a domestic cat through the taken offline amid the outcry. nel.” The Austin County Sheriff’s department of stuff shouldn’t happen in our society,” head with a bow and arrow before posing with Local media said the cat belonged to an eld- said it was investigating and appealed for out- Brandes said. “It’s a very sad thing. Hopefully we the dead animal on Facebook was sacked erly couple who had reported it missing. raged members of the public to “take it easy” will get to the bottom of it and get the truth, Friday as police launched an investigation into Lindsey’s employer, the Washington Animal on deluged switchboard operators. “A lot of 100 percent truth, and get it to the DA (district the slaying. Kristen Lindsey triggered an ava- Clinic, confirmed the vet had been sacked. “We concerned individuals are calling our dispatch attorney) and put it in his hands if it needs to lanche of complaints and several online death are absolutely appalled, shocked, upset, and for information,” a statement said. “As we are go any further.” A local cat rescue group mean- threats after posting a picture of herself smiling disgusted by the conduct,” the clinic said in a trying to conduct normal operations of dis- while announced it had offered a $7,500 reward with the assassinated ginger and white adult statement. “We have parted ways with Ms patching Police, Fire and EMS, our dispatchers for evidence leading to an arrest and conviction male late on Wednesday. Lindsey. We do not allow such conduct and we are being snowed under answering calls about in connection with the heartless killing. “Animal “My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral condemn it in the strongest possible manner. our investigation... please take it easy on our cruelty must be taken seriously and the guilty tomcat is one with an arrow through it’s head! “Please know that when informed of this we dispatchers.” parties should be punished to the fullest extent Vet of the year award ... Gladly accepted,” read a responded swiftly and appropriately and please Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes was quot- of the law,” said Becky Robinson, president and caption accompanying the post, which was lat- do not impute this awful conduct to the ed by the local KBTX-TV broadcaster as saying founder of Alley Cat Allies. —AFP

Top egg-producing state aims to keep bird flu out

DES MOINES, Iowa: The discovery of the virus is gone. bird flu on an Iowa turkey farm has raised In Iowa, several steps have been taken serious concerns that the poultry-killing to protect the facilities. Barn ventilation virus could find its way into chicken systems and openings are designed to barns in the nation’s top egg-producing keep wild birds out, and workers must state and rapidly decimate flocks that dip boots in disinfectant before entering provide the US with its breakfast staple. barns. Vehicles’ tires and floor mats must Iowa is home to roughly 50 million hens be disinfected upon entering and leav- that lay nearly one in every five eggs ing farms, and workers must keep their consumed in the country. The highly vehicles’ windows rolled up, because flies contagious H5N2 virus has not yet been can carry the virus and get into vehicles. detected in Iowa chicken barns, but it Those steps and numerous others are was confirmed Tuesday on a turkey farm detailed in a 30-page manual developed in northwest Iowa - marking the first for poultry producers by Iowa State occurrence in the state of the virus, Veterinarian David Schmitt. Most were which has forced farmers to kill more developed to protect against salmonella than 2.4 million turkeys and chickens in in eggs in 2011. several Midwestern states since March. “It caused the industry to upgrade “My worst fear at the moment is the biosecurity, and I believe inadvertently virus gets into the commercial egg-lay- their salmonella rule has helped with ing chicken flocks because that would protection of the egg industry against destroy that particular industry here,” viral diseases like avian influenza,” said said Kyoungjin Yoon, professor of veteri- Simon Shane, a poultry industry consult- nary diagnostic and production animal ant and adjunct professor of poultry sci- medicine at Iowa State University. Iowa ence and veterinary medicine at North sales of eggs and egg products exceed Carolina State University. “They need to $2 billion a year. So far, just one commer- be concerned but nobody needs to get cial egg-laying chicken farm - a 200,000- panicked,” Shane said. “I do not believe bird facility in Wisconsin - has confirmed we will have a wholesale mass uncontrol- the virus. lable outbreak of influenza.” It’s unclear how the virus gets into the largely enclosed poultry barns, but Bio-security measures experts believe the droppings of migra- Bird flu vaccines have been used in tory birds carrying the virus are tracked other countries, but the US government into barns by workers, equipment or has no plans yet to widely vaccinate rodents, or in other ways. Once inside, flocks, choosing instead to focus on bio- LYNNWOOD: Workers clean up after a semi truck filled with over 400 beehives overturned on Interstate 5. —AP the virus quickly sweeps through a flock. security measures to keep the virus out of barns. However, vaccines are under All poultry at risk development and in testing. The US Food Turkeys appear to be especially sus- and Drug Administration said infected Highway abuzz with millions ceptible, though experts have long said hens usually stop laying eggs. The few all poultry is at risk. No humans have eggs that are laid generally wouldn’t get become ill from the virus and there is no through washing and grading because of bees after big trailer slips food safety risk. “Obviously we’re under a their shells are weak and misshapen, heightened alert,” said Randy Olson, making it unlikely contaminated eggs executive director of the Iowa Poultry would get to market. Also, properly cook- 448 hives or about 13.7 million bees were spilled Association. “This is the same type of ing poultry meat and eggs would kill the stuff they’ve been dealing with in virus if present, according to the FDA. LYNNWOOD: A tractor-trailer carrying millions active as the sun rose and the weather warmed, at the bees as they tried to do their jobs.”I think Minnesota for a few weeks now. We’re Iowa’s egg layers are spread out on of honeybees overturned on a highway north and firefighters had to spray a layer of foam on everybody there got stung,” Shearer said. trying to learn from them and make sure 3,800 farms. But just 40 farms have of Seattle early Friday, scattering hives and some of the boxes, killing the insects for safety. Seattle television station KIRO posted a video we continue best practices here.” 100,000 chickens or more, meaning the sending white-suited beekeepers scrambling to compilation of its on-scene reporter swatting Minnesota - the country’s top turkey virus showing up at one of them could save as many insects as they could. The truck #beesafe the insects as he reported on the accident. producing state - has killed more than result in significant loss. Yoon, the Iowa had just merged onto Interstate 5 around 3:30 Many of the hives were still along the high- Shearer urged drivers to keep their windows up 1.7 million turkeys since the virus was State professor, said it appears states in am when it tipped on its side, dumping its load way more than seven hours after the accident, and to “#beesafe when traveling through that first detected there in early March. The the upper Midwest have been more vul- of 448 hives, or about 13.7 million bees, when a front-end loader began scooping them area,” as he wrote on Twitter. H5N2 virus has since shown up on com- nerable because they stay colder and dri- Washington State Patrol Trooper Travis Shearer up and dumping them into a dump truck, Company owner Eric Thompson told The mercial turkey farms in Arkansas, Iowa, er longer, conditions favorable for the said. The driver, a 36-year-old man from Idaho, Shearer said. The majority of the hives had been Seattle Times the beekeepers he sent recovered Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota virus. New cases should drop to near zero was not hurt. crushed. The bees were being transported from 128 hives before the sun came up but he said and Wisconsin. To fight the virus’ spread, once the weather warms up and kills off The company that owns the insects, Sunnyside, in central Washington, to a blueber- the damage would be hundreds of thousands the current approach is to quarantine the virus, but it’s likely to return when this Belleville Honey and Beekeeping Supply of ry farm in Lynden, a city near the Canadian bor- of dollars in equipment and future profit. infected farms, destroy all the property’s fall’s migration begins, according to US Burlington, sent beekeepers to recover as many der about 100 miles north of Seattle, Shearer Everything was insured, he said. “I’m disap- birds, thoroughly disinfect the barns and Department of Agriculture Chief as possible, and bees covered their protective said. Their job: pollinating crops. pointed we caused such chaos and confusion,” leave the farm idle for months to ensure Veterinary Officer John Clifford. —AP suits as they worked. The bees became more First responders and reporters alike swatted he added. —AP WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Lu&Lu Hypermarket launches Festival of Egypt

u&Lu Hypermarket, Kuwait’s first choice along with the top management from Lu&Lu, wide range of delectable and diverse quality of Egyptian products, is also displaying an introduction to Egyptian cultural life. for shopping excitement, is holdinga11- and in the presence of a large crowd of shop- Egyptian products. Among the food items on a special cultural extravaganza, featuring tradi- The Festival of Egypt is yet another Lday Festival of Egypt at all their outlets pers and well-wishers on Thursday, 16th display are specialty Egyptian cheese, lus- tional music and folkloric dance, such as the instance where Lu&Lu Hypermarket demon- in Kuwait. April. cious fresh fruits and vegetables, including horse-dance and tanoura, in the evenings on strates their deep market insight by interact- The festival was inaugurated at the The festival, which got underway with a oranges, strawberries, pomegranate and 16th, 17th and 18th of April. The Festival of ing with customers and providing them with Hypermarket’s Al-Dajeej branch by His colorful start, will continue until 25 April and tomatoes, as well as a wide variety of other Egypt provides Egyptians, as well as other resi- what they need and when they need it, with Excellency AbdulKareem Mahmoud is expected to draw shoppers from all walks goods from Egypt. dents and citizens in Kuwait, with ample selec- the clear focus of consolidating their retail Suleiman, Ambassador of Egypt to Kuwait, of life to this eclectic sale, which showcases a The festival, which highlights the excellent tion of top-notch Egyptian products, as well as dominance in the region.

NBK organizes a carnival at Bayt Abdullah

ational Bank of Kuwait (NBK) organized take great pride in celebrating with our chil- Children’s Hospital at Al Sabah Medical Area, a carnival at Children’s Hospice project dren at Bayt Abdullah.” which provides medical care to underprivi- NBayt Abdullah. Dr Hilal Al-Sayer, Former Rushaid added: “Since its establishment, leged children. The hospital houses a number Minister of Health and President of Kuwait NBK has been at the forefront of supporting of clinics specialized in leukemia treatments, Association for the Care of Children in Hospital Kuwait’s community through a range of edu- neurology, psychiatry and pediatrics as well as (KACCH), Salah Al-Fulaij, NBK-Kuwait Chief cation, health, sports and social initiatives. The surgeries and operating theatres. Executive Officer, Sulaiman Al-Marzouq, establishment of NBK Children Hospital at Al Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice was General Manager, NBK Treasury Group, Faisal Sabah Medical Area stands as one of many designed to accommodate the needs of chil- Al-Hamad NBK Capital Chief Executive Officer, NBK initiatives for children. NBK donated KD 4 dren with life-limiting and life-threatening Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid, NBK Public million to build an independent cancer center conditions and their families, in Kuwait. The Relations Manager and NBK family shared in order to expand the hospital’s capability to hospice is part of a continuum of care that happy moments with children. treat children with cancer and blood diseases.” offers children and their families the maximum “NBK has always considered supporting NBK has undertaken several initiatives to freedom of choice without compromising the the children an essential part of its social and support the healthcare sector in Kuwait, quality of that care, whether at home in hospi- philanthropic outreach,” said Al-Rushaid. “We including the establishment of NBK’s tal or within the hospice itself.

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Please send them to [email protected] he Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) sponsored an exhibition organized recently at the Wafa’a School for female students with special needs. The sponsorship came as part of CBK’s social responsibility efforts which primarily target taking care of people with special needs, the bank said in a state- Tment. WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Al Dente restaurant Movenpick Hotel Kuwait welcomes chef Vigano at Al Dente restaurant

ovenpick Hotel Kuwait is delighted to feature the and diners flock in from all over Dubai to enjoy his shining derful yet simple and relaxing ambience, as well as Italian culinary talent and worldwide expertise of Chef talent. entertainment, live cooking, special offers and a variety of MMarcello Vigano in the third week of this month to “I am very excited and honored to visit Kuwait to pres- dishes that satisfies all tastes. launch his new authentic Italian menu at Al Dente restau- ent Italian cuisine and I am looking forward to new chal- Al Dente guests will certainly enjoy a variety of pizza rant. To ensure only authentic Italian flavors are served, lenges and surprises in the event of launching the new from the open kitchen and all kinds of delicious pastas. The Movenpick Hotel Kuwait is flying in Chef Marcello from menu in a few days.” Chef Marcello says restaurant is located on the ground floor and opens for Restaurant Sicilia, Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Dubai. It is worth mentioning that Al Dente is one of the best lunch from 12 noon until 3:00 pm and for dinner from 7:00 He has been extraordinarily successful with his restaurant, Italian restaurants in Kuwait and is known to offer a won- pm until 11:00 pm with live entertainment. Italian Chef Marcello Vigano

Al-Ahmadi Governorate held the second coordination meeting for its long-term urban development campaign project. The governorate plans to launch the project titled ‘my governorate is more beautiful’ under the patronage of Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Representatives of ministries, state departments, volunteers, entrepreneurs and governorate residents attended the meeting. Zain Platinum sponsor of AUK’s Career Fair

ain, the leading telecommunications company in Zain was present at the job fair with its own booth, Kuwait, announced today its Platinum Sponsorship where it highlighted to visiting students and graduates Zof the 11th Annual Career Fair held at the American the available job vacancies in the company, in addition to University of Kuwait (AUK) in the main campus in Salmiya. providing a detailed explanation of the nature of work at Zain is keen on participating in job fairs organized by various departments and divisions. The company’s team various universities, colleges, and educational institutions. also took the opportunity to answer any questions and This comes in line with the company’s core belief in the inquiries visitors had. importance of such educational activities that cater to the Zain is committed to playing an active role in the development of students and graduates to prepare them investment in the human capital of Kuwait. The company for a bright future. This particular event played a big role seeks to provide young and eager Kuwaitis with suitable in exposing bright and optimistic youth who are looking job opportunities that allow them to apply their practical for job opportunities, ultimately contributing to the devel- skills, achieve their potential, and fully develop their capa- opment of the national economy. bilities.

ABK hosts Dasman Model School students

l-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) within the Bank, by allowing them to ing them to different areas within the ABK supports AUK Job Fair announced that it hosted 2 stu- interact with customers. The hosted Bank’s departments. Adents from the Dasman Model students had the opportunity to share ABK is keen to support the commu- l Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) labor law. tional platform for fresh graduates. It School for a two week internship pro- their experience and key learning with nity and give back to it by supporting announced the successful con- Commenting on the Bank’s is also an opportunity for the Bank to gram, as part of the Bank’s Corporate ABK Management and employees, the development of its community Aclusion of its ‘Gold’ sponsor- involvement, Hamza Enki, General further support the Kuwaitization Social Responsibility (CSR) activities plus, their teachers and supervisors. and the Bank will continue to seek dif- ship of the American University of Manager Human Resources at ABK labor law by recruiting national related to the development of national The two students were recognized ferent opportunities that bring value Kuwait (AUK) job fair, which was held said, “ABK is keen to support Kuwait’s youth to work at ABK.” youth, held from 15 to 26 March, 2015 by the Assistant General Manager of to Kuwait and its people. at the university campus on 14 April, youth by providing career and train- ABK’s CSR strategy focuses a great at the Bank’s Head Quarter. Human Resources Department Jasem For more information on Ahli Bank 2015. The Bank’s participation under- ing opportunities through such deal on education and training, and ABK’s ‘Learning and Development Al-Salman, who emphasized that the of Kuwait please visit www.eahli.com pins its commitment to supporting events and better yet, develop their will continue to play an active role in Team’ briefed the students about the main objective of this internship pro- or contact an ABK representative via graduates by providing career and skills and knowledge of the Kuwait the support of Kuwait’s youth and Bank’s different products and services, gram organized by ABK is to develop ‘Ahli Chat’ or by contacting a customer training opportunities, while contin- banking sector through the ‘ABK encourage the development of local and were presented with first-hand the students’ skills and overall outlook service agent via ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at uing to support the Kuwaitization Academy’, which acts as an educa- talents. experience of the work environment to the working environment by expos- 1899899. SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

08:30 Gold Rush 10:35 Jessie 09:20 Gold Divers 11:00 Dog With A Blog 10:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier 11:25 Austin & Ally 11:00 Edge Of Alaska 11:50 Liv And Maddie 11:50 Railroad Alaska 12:15 Hank Zipzer 00:15 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 12:40 How It’s Made 12:40 H2O: Just Add Water 00:15 Coronation Street 01:00 The Pranker 13:05 How It’s Made 13:05 H2O: Just Add Water 00:40 Coronation Street 01:30 Him & Her 13:30 How It’s Made 13:30 H2O: Just Add Water 01:15 Vera 02:00 A Farmer’s Life For Me 13:55 How It’s Made 13:55 H2O: Just Add Water 02:55 Emmerdale 02:50 Breaking Pointe 14:20 How It’s Made 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 03:20 Emmerdale 03:30 Doctor Who 14:45 How It’s Made 14:55 Hank Zipzer 03:55 Emmerdale 04:15 The Weakest Link 15:10 How It’s Made 15:20 Binny And The Ghost 04:20 Emmerdale 05:00 Show Me Show Me 15:35 How It’s Made 15:45 Jessie 04:45 Emmerdale 05:25 Teletubbies 16:00 How It’s Made 16:10 Spooksville 05:00 The Jonathan Ross Show 05:50 Gigglebiz 16:25 How It’s Made 16:35 Girl Meets World 05:55 The Chase: Celebrity 06:05 Nuzzle & Scratch: Frock n 16:50 Storage Wars Canada 17:00 Liv And Maddie Specials Roll 17:15 Storage Wars Canada 17:25 Dog With A Blog 06:45 Celebrity Exposed: Photos 06:25 Show Me Show Me 17:40 Storage Wars Canada 17:50 Hank Zipzer Of Richard Young 06:45 Teletubbies 18:05 Storage Wars Canada 18:15 Jessie 07:15 Tricked 07:10 The Weakest Link 18:30 Storage Wars Canada 18:40 Binny And The Ghost 08:00 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 07:55 Pride And Prejudice 18:55 Deadly Dilemmas 19:05 H2O: Just Add Water 08:45 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 08:50 Pride And Prejudice 19:20 Deadly Dilemmas 19:30 My Babysitter’s A Vampire 09:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 09:40 A Farmer’s Life For Me 19:45 What Happened Next? 20:45 H2O: Just Add Water 10:40 Harry At 30 10:35 Breaking Pointe 20:10 What Happened Next? 21:10 Good Luck Charlie 11:35 Mr Selfridge 11:15 The Weakest Link 20:35 Man vs Expert 21:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:25 May The Best House Win 12:00 Doctor Who 21:25 Gold Rush 22:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 13:10 May The Best House Win 12:45 Hebburn 22:15 Gold Divers 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 14:05 Love And Marriage: A 20th 13:15 Jack The Ripper: Prime 23:05 Alaska: The Last Frontier Teenage Witch Century Romance Suspect 23:55 Railroad Alaska 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 15:00 Vera 14:05 Doctors Teenage Witch 16:45 The Chase: Celebrity 14:35 Doctors 23:10 Wolfblood Specials 15:00 Doctors 23:35 Wolfblood 17:30 Celebrity Exposed: Photos 15:30 Doctors Of Richard Young 16:00 Doctors 18:05 Harry At 30 16:30 Doctor Who 19:00 Vera 17:15 BBC Proms 2011: Film Music 00:05 How It’s Made 20:50 Harry At 30 Night 00:30 Sport Science 21:45 Who’s Doing The Dishes 19:05 Pride And Prejudice 01:20 How Do They Do It? 00:30 Fashion Bloggers 22:40 The Chase: Celebrity 20:00 The Lady Vanishes 01:45 How Do They Do It? 00:55 Fashion Bloggers Specials 21:25 DCI Banks: Aftermath 02:10 Through The Wormhole With 01:25 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 23:35 Love And Marriage: A 20th 22:10 DCI Banks: Aftermath Morgan Freeman 01:50 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Century Romance 22:55 The Weakest Link 03:00 Battle Factory 02:20 E! News 23:40 Doctor Who 03:24 Battle Factory 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 03:48 Superhuman Science 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 04:12 Superhuman Science 04:10 E!ES 04:36 Strangest Weather On Earth 05:05 E!ES 05:00 Strangest Weather On Earth 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 05:24 Weird Or What? 00:00 The Border 06:12 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 01:00 Megastructures 00:40 New Scandinavian Cooking 06:36 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 02:00 Doomsday Preppers 01:05 Come Dine With Me 07:00 Food Factory 07:50 Fashion Police 08:20 E! News 03:00 Silence Of The Bees 01:30 Come Dine With Me 07:25 Food Factory 04:00 Dogtown 01:55 Come Dine With Me 07:50 Food Factory 09:15 House Of DVF 10:15 House Of DVF 05:00 Beyond Magic with DMC 02:20 Come Dine With Me 08:15 Food Factory 06:00 Is It Real? 02:45 Come Dine With Me 08:40 Food Factory 11:10 Fashion Bloggers 11:35 Fashion Bloggers 07:00 Brain Games 03:15 Extreme Makeover: Home 09:05 Food Factory 07:30 Brain Games Edition 09:30 How Do They Do It? 12:05 E! News 13:05 Beyond Candid With 08:00 The Border 03:55 Come Dine With Me: South 09:55 How Do They Do It? 09:00 Megastructures Africa 10:20 How Do They Do It? Giuliana 14:05 Keeping Up With The 10:00 Doomsday Preppers 04:45 Bargain Hunt 10:45 How Do They Do It? 11:00 Money Meltdown 05:30 Bargain Hunt 11:10 How Do They Do It? Kardashians 15:00 Keeping Up With The 11:30 Money Meltdown 06:15 Bargain Hunt 11:35 How Do They Do It? 12:00 D-Day Sacrifice 07:00 Come Dine With Me 12:00 How It’s Made Kardashians 16:00 Giuliana & Bill 13:00 Inside World War II 07:25 Come Dine With Me 12:25 How It’s Made 14:00 Situation Critical 07:50 Come Dine With Me 12:50 How It’s Made 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 18:00 E! News 15:00 Air Crash Investigation 08:15 Come Dine With Me 13:15 How It’s Made 16:00 Wild Indonesia 08:40 Come Dine With Me 13:40 How It’s Made 19:00 House Of DVF 20:00 Keeping Up With The 17:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 09:10 Masterchef: The 14:05 How It’s Made 18:00 America’s Lost Treasures Professionals 14:30 Through The Wormhole With Kardashians 21:00 Keeping Up With The 19:00 Air Crash Investigation 09:35 Masterchef: The Morgan Freeman 20:00 Access 360 World Heritage Professionals 15:20 Battle Factory Kardashians 22:00 Who Wore It Better? 21:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 10:25 Masterchef: The 15:45 Battle Factory 22:00 America’s Lost Treasures Professionals 16:10 Superhuman Science 22:30 Who Wore It Better? 23:00 Fashion Police 23:00 Money Meltdown 11:20 Masterchef: The 16:35 Superhuman Science 23:30 Money Meltdown Professionals 17:00 Strangest Weather On Earth 11:45 Masterchef: The 17:25 Strangest Weather On Earth Professionals 17:50 Weird Or What? 12:35 Masterchef: The 18:40 How It’s Made: Dream Cars Professionals 19:05 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 13:30 Come Dine With Me 19:30 Moon Machines 00:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:55 Come Dine With Me 20:20 The World’s Strangest UFO 00:30 Siba’s Table 00:30 The Daily Show Global 14:20 Come Dine With Me Stories 01:00 Siba’s Table Edition 14:45 Come Dine With Me 21:10 Space Pioneer 01:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:00 Hot In Cleveland CRIMSON TIDE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 15:10 Come Dine With Me 22:00 Alien Encounters 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:30 Saturday Night Live 15:35 Extreme Makeover: Home 22:50 How The Universe Works 02:30 Chopped 02:30 Friends With Better Lives 18:00 The Call-PG15 17:15 Something Borrowed, 10:00 Sofia The First 03:00 Last Man Standing Edition Specials 23:40 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 03:30 BBQ Crawl 20:00 Recoil-PG15 Something New 10:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 16:55 New Scandinavian Cooking 03:30 New Girl 04:00 BBQ Crawl 22:00 Shaft-18 17:40 18 Kids And Counting 10:55 Zou 17:25 Antiques Roadshow 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 11:10 Cinderella 2 Dreams 18:15 Antiques Roadshow Jimmy Fallon 18:05 Extreme Couponing 05:00 Chopped 00:15 A Case Of You-PG15 18:30 What Not To Wear Come True 19:10 Come Dine With Me 06:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 02:15 The Hobbit: The Desolation 12:30 Jake And The Never Land 19:55 New Scandinavian Cooking 09:00 Last Man Standing 19:20 Super Soul Sunday Basics Of Smaug-PG 21:00 The Next Great Baker Pirates 20:20 Come Dine With Me 06:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 09:30 2 Broke Girls 12:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 00:00 Violetta 00:30 Reginald D. Hunter: Live 05:15 Ong Bak 3-PG15 21:50 Secrets Of The High Street 20:50 Come Dine With Me Basics 10:00 Cougar Town 13:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 00:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 02:00 The Big Wedding 07:15 Maleficent-PG 22:15 Secrets Of The High Street 21:15 Come Dine With Me 07:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 13:35 Zou Teenage Witch 04:00 The Simpsons Movie 09:15 Turbo-PG 21:40 Come Dine With Me 07:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Jimmy Fallon 22:40 America’s Worst Tattoos 13:50 Jake And The Never Land 01:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 06:00 So Undercover 11:00 The Hobbit: The Desolation 22:05 Come Dine With Me 08:00 Chopped 14:00 New Girl 23:05 Too Ugly For Love? Pirates Teenage Witch 08:00 Ghost Dad Of Smaug-PG 22:35 New Scandinavian Cooking 09:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 14:30 2 Broke Girls 23:55 The Next Great Baker 14:15 Doc McStuffins 01:40 Wolfblood 10:00 Maid In Manhattan 14:00 Europa Report-PG15 23:00 Antiques Roadshow 10:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 15:00 Cougar Town 14:45 Limon And Oli 02:05 Wolfblood 12:00 Admission 16:00 Maleficent-PG 23:50 Come Dine With Me Basics 15:30 The Daily Show Global 14:55 Loopdidoo 02:30 Violetta 14:00 Son Of The Mask 18:00 The Monuments Men-PG15 10:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Edition 15:10 Sofia The First 03:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 16:00 Ghost Dad Basics 16:00 Hot In Cleveland 20:00 Endless Love-PG15 15:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Teenage Witch 18:00 Last Vegas 11:00 Siba’s Table 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 22:00 About Last Night-18 16:00 Cars Toons 03:45 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 20:00 The Life Aquatic With Steve 11:30 Siba’s Table 18:00 Cristela 16:05 Lilo & Stitch Teenage Witch Zissou Discovery ID 12:00 Guy’s Big Bite 19:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 16:30 Adventures Of The 04:10 Wolfblood 22:00 Boomerang 03:00 Deadly Affairs 12:30 Chopped 19:30 Men At Work Gummi Bears 00:45 Tanked 04:35 Wolfblood 20:00 The Mindy Project 03:45 Double Cross 13:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:00 Live LPGA Tour 17:00 Cinderella 2 Dreams 01:35 How It’s Made 05:00 Violetta 20:30 Enlisted 04:30 Evil, I 02:00 How It’s Made 05:50 Mouk 15:30 Chopped 03:00 Live NHL 04:55 I Was Murdered Come True 16:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 18:25 Minnie’s Bow Toons 02:25 How It’s Made 06:00 Dog With A Blog Stewart 07:30 Live PGA European Tour 05:20 Fatal Encounters 02:50 How It’s Made 06:25 Girl Meets World Basics 12:00 Champions Tour 06:10 Fatal Encounters 18:30 Sofia The First 21:30 Hot In Cleveland 01:00 Empire State-PG15 03:15 How It’s Made 06:50 Binny And The Ghost 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 15:00 Super Rugby Highlights 07:00 Extreme Forensics 18:55 Cars Toons 22:00 Getting On 03:00 The Invisible Woman-PG15 03:40 How It’s Made 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water Basics 17:00 LPGA Tour 07:50 On The Case With Paula 19:00 The Adventures Of Disney 22:30 Getting On 05:00 Inescapable-PG15 04:05 How It’s Made 07:40 Jessie 17:30 Guy’s Big Bite Zahn Fairies 23:00 Friends With Better Lives 07:00 Peace, Love & 20:00 Live PGA Tour 04:30 How It’s Made 08:05 Liv And Maddie 19:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:40 Real Emergency Calls 19:30 Jake And The Never Land 23:30 The Mindy Project Misunderstanding-PG15 05:00 How It’s Made 08:30 Binny And The Ghost 20:00 Rev Run’s Sunday Suppers 09:05 Real Emergency Calls Pirates 09:00 Diana-PG15 05:30 How It’s Made 08:55 Hank Zipzer 20:30 Siba’s Table: Fast Feasts 09:30 Who On Earth Did I 19:45 Doc McStuffins 11:00 Inescapable-PG15 06:00 Fast N’ Loud 09:20 Dog With A Blog 21:30 Best In Chow Marry? 20:00 Adventures Of The 13:00 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 06:50 Misfit Garage 09:45 Gravity Falls 22:00 Chopped 01:00 Super Rugby Highlights 09:55 Who On Earth Did I Gummi Bears 15:00 The Trouble With Bliss-PG15 07:40 Wheeler Dealers 10:10 Good Luck Charlie 23:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 Rake 02:00 Snooker World Marry? 20:30 Sofia The First 17:00 Diana-PG15 12:00 Emmerdale Championship 10:20 Who On Earth Did I 20:55 Cars Toons 19:00 The Citizen-PG15 12:30 Coronation Street 07:00 Live NRL Premiership Marry? 21:00 Chip n Dale Rescue 21:00 Paranoia-PG15 14:00 Rake 09:00 Live NRL Premiership 10:45 Who On Earth Did I Rangers 23:00 As I Lay Dying-18 16:00 Emmerdale 12:00 Live Snooker World Marry? 21:30 Ducktales 16:30 Coronation Street Championship 11:10 The Will 22:00 Lilo & Stitch 18:00 Rake 16:30 Live Snooker World 12:00 The Will 22:25 Art Attack 22:55 Limon And Oli 19:00 Castle Championship 12:50 Deadly Affairs 23:05 Zou 20:00 Scandal 20:00 Super Rugby Highlights 13:40 Extreme Forensics 14:30 Extreme Forensics 23:20 Mouk 21:00 Tyrant 22:00 IndyCar Highlights 22:00 House Of Cards 00:45 Dead Poets Society 15:20 Blood Relatives 23:35 Jungle Junction 03:00 Now You See Me 23:00 Live IndyCar Series 16:10 Real Emergency Calls 23:50 Art Attack 05:00 Hope And Glory 16:35 Real Emergency Calls 00:15 Julius Jr. 07:00 Promised Land 17:00 Stalked: Someone’s 00:30 Calimero 09:00 Heart Of The Country Watching 00:45 Henry Hugglemonster 10:30 Dead Poets Society 17:25 Stalked: Someone’s 01:00 Zou 13:00 Now You See Me 01:30 Indian Premier League RPT : Watching 01:15 Jungle Junction 15:00 Promised Land KXIP v KKR 17:50 I Was Murdered 01:25 Art Attack 02:00 Good Morning America 17:00 Heart Of The Country 13:30 Live Indian Premier League : 18:15 I Was Murdered 01:50 Julius Jr. 03:00 Grimm 19:00 The Portrait Of A Lady RR v CSK 18:40 Forensic Detectives 06:00 Good Morning America 21:30 As Good As It Gets 19:30 Forensic Detectives 07:30 Coronation Street 17:00 ICC Cricket 360 20:20 Forensic Detectives 09:00 Royal Pains 17:30 Live Indian Premier League : 21:10 Forensic Detectives 10:30 Coronation Street RCB v MI 22:00 Stalked: Someone’s 12:00 Covert Affairs 21:00 Indian Premier League H/L : Watching 15:00 Live Good Morning America DD v RR 01:15 A Single Shot-18 22:25 Stalked: Someone’s 06:00 Kid vs Kat 16:00 Royal Pains 22:00 Indian Premier League RPT : 03:15 Good Deeds-PG15 Watching 06:10 Zeke & Luther 17:00 Covert Affairs RR v CSK 05:15 Cuban Fury-PG15 22:50 True Crime With 06:35 Ultimate Spider-Man 19:00 Royal Pains 07:00 Oggy & The Cockroaches: Aphrodite Jones 07:00 Phineas And Ferb 20:00 Covert Affairs The Movie-PG 23:40 Extreme Forensics 07:25 Zeke & Luther 22:00 Bates Motel 09:00 The Love Punch-PG15 00:30 Solved 07:50 Star Wars Rebels 23:00 The Assets 10:45 The Butler-PG15 08:15 Supa Strikas 13:00 Grace Unplugged-PG 08:40 The 7D 15:00 Return To Nim’s Island-PG 09:05 Phineas And Ferb 17:00 The Love Punch-PG15 00:45 Secret Eskimo Escape 09:30 Star Wars Rebels 09:55 Mighty Med 19:00 Baggage Claim-PG15 01:35 Extraordinary Pregnancies 23:00 The Counselor-18 10:20 Mighty Med 00:00 World War Z 02:25 America’s Worst Tattoos 10:45 Mighty Med 02:00 The Baytown Outlaws 02:50 America’s Worst Tattoos 03:00 Art Attack 11:15 Mighty Med 04:00 500 mph Storm 03:15 America’s Worst Tattoos 03:25 Julius Jr. 11:40 Mighty Med 06:00 Crimson Tide 03:40 America’s Worst Tattoos 03:35 Calimero 12:05 Phineas And Ferb 08:00 The Cold Light Of Day 04:05 What Not To Wear 03:50 Henry Hugglemonster 12:30 Phineas And Ferb 10:00 Avengers Confidential: Black 05:00 What Not To Wear 04:00 Zou 13:00 The 7D Widow & Punisher 01:15 Barbie Fairytopia Mermaidia 06:00 18 Kids And Counting 04:15 Mouk 13:15 Rusty The Great Rescue 12:00 The Call 02:45 The Nut Job 06:25 Super Soul Sunday 04:25 Jungle Junction 14:40 The 7D 14:00 Crimson Tide 04:15 The Missing Lynx 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 04:35 Art Attack 14:55 Phineas And Ferb 16:00 The Cold Light Of Day 06:00 Free Birds 07:40 Something Borrowed, 05:00 Julius Jr. 15:20 Mighty Med 18:00 Tactical Force 08:00 Quest For A Heart Something New 05:10 Calimero 15:45 Star Wars Rebels 20:00 The Call 09:45 Barbie And The Magic Of 08:05 Secrets Of The High Street 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 16:10 Supa Strikas 22:00 Recoil 05:35 Zou Pegasus 08:30 Secrets Of The High Street 16:35 The 7D 05:50 Mouk 08:55 19 Kids And Counting 17:00 Lab Rats 11:15 The Adventures Of Rocky 06:00 Jungle Junction 09:20 19 Kids And Counting 17:30 Eddie’s Million Dollar And Bullwinkle 06:10 Art Attack Cook Off 09:45 Cake Boss 13:00 The Nut Job 06:35 Julius Jr. 18:55 Phineas And Ferb 14:30 The Olsen Gang In Deep 10:10 Little People, Big World 06:45 Calimero 19:20 Supa Strikas 00:00 The Baytown Outlaws-18 10:35 Extreme Couponing 07:00 Jungle Junction 02:00 500 mph Storm-PG15 Trouble 19:45 Ultimate Spider-Man 16:00 Garfield’s Pet Force 11:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 07:15 Zou 20:10 Star Wars Rebels 04:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 11:50 Oprah’s Next Chapter 18:00 Barbie And The Magic Of 07:30 Calimero 20:35 Lanfeust Quest 06:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 12:40 Super Soul Sunday 07:45 Loopdidoo 08:00 Avengers Confidential: Black Pegasus 21:00 Boyster 14:20 Kate Plus 8 08:00 Limon And Oli 21:25 Hulk And The Agents Of Widow & Punisher-PG15 20:00 Eleanor’s Secret 15:10 Cake Boss 08:10 Jake And The Never Land S.M.A.S.H. 10:00 The Call-PG15 22:00 The Olsen Gang In Deep Pirates 12:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 15:35 Little People, Big World 21:55 Marvel Avengers Trouble 16:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 08:35 Doc McStuffins Assemble 14:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 23:30 Garfield’s Pet Force 09:05 Cars Toons Compilation WORLD WAR Z ON OSN ACTION MOVIES HD 16:00 Tactical Force-PG15 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 22:20 Wander Over Yonder Classifieds

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Kuwait Kncc Programme From Thursday To Wednesday (16/04/2015 To 22/04/2015)

SHARQIA-1 PRESERVATION 12:45 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:15 PM CHILD 44 12:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM CHILD 44 2:45 PM FANAR-4 KILL ME THREE TIMES 5:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:00 PM AVENUES-5 CHILD 44 7:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 2:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:30 AM KILL ME THREE TIMES 10:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 4:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:30 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 12:15 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 8:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:00 PM SHARQIA-2 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:15 PM NO THU PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:15 AM Special Show “PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2” 6:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:00 PM LAST KNIGHTS 8:15 PM MATRIMONIAL FAST & FURIOUS 7 5:00 PM FANAR-5 Special Show “BIG GAME” 8:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:30 PM Parents invite suitable pro- FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:00 PM LAST KNIGHTS 1:00 AM posals for their daughter FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 5:00 PM (RCSC, 24yrs, 163cms, fair, MR. X -Hindi 5:00 PM AVENUES-6 B.Com, MBA) hailing from SHARQIA-3 NO THU+FRI+SAT PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:30 PM ancient family, LAST KNIGHTS 11:45 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 2:45 PM LAST KNIGHTS 2:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:00 PM Changanacherry archdio- PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 4:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 7:15 PM cese, and working in Kuwait LAST KNIGHTS 6:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 9:30 PM - from parents of well set- ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 8:30 PM MARINA-1 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:45 PM tled BE/B.Tech RCSC boys of PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:45 PM CHILD 44 12:15 PM reputed family working in LAST KNIGHTS 12:45 AM BIG GAME 3:00 PM 360º- 1 India or abroad. Email: CHILD 44 5:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:30 AM MUHALAB-1 BIG GAME 8:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:30 PM [email protected] BIG GAME 12:15 PM CHILD 44 10:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:45 PM Deepika matrimonial.com change my name to BIG GAME 2:15 PM BIG GAME 12:45 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:00 PM ID: DM - 26205 Bethlehem Burhanuddin Mohammedi. BIG GAME 4:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 8:15 PM matrimonial.com ID: 12-4-2015 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:15 PM MARINA-2 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:30 PM BETH53863 ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 8:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:45 AM (C 4968) PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:45 PM 17-4-2015 BIG GAME 12:30 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:30 PM 360º- 2 FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM BIG GAME 11:45 AM FOR SALE MUHALAB-2 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:15 AM BIG GAME 2:00 PM CHILD 44 11:30 AM BIG GAME 4:15 PM CHANGE OF NAME Cherokee Liberty, 6 cylin- CHILD 44 2:15 PM MARINA-3 BIG GAME 6:30 PM der, white color, model LAST KNIGHTS 5:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:45 PM BIG GAME 8:45 PM JAGADESH, son of PERU- 2003 in good working con- CHILD 44 7:15 PM LAST KNIGHTS 3:00 PM BIG GAME 11:00 PM MAL bearing an Indian dition. KD 850, call LAST KNIGHTS 10:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:30 PM BIG GAME 1:15 AM Passport No. G0846093 60982737. (C 4970) CHILD 44 12:15 AM LAST KNIGHTS 7:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 9:45 PM 360º- 3 having an address No.28/13 MUHALAB-3 LAST KNIGHTS 12:05 AM CYMBELINE 11:30 AM Pillaiyar Kovil Street, Pajero 2007 for immediate PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:30 PM CYMBELINE 1:30 PM Sathuma Nagar, sale, V6, metallic gold, good PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 2:30 PM AVENUES-1 CAKE 3:30 PM Thiruvottiyur, Chennai, condition and well main- FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:30 PM BIG GAME 12:00 PM CYMBELINE 5:45 PM Tamilnadu 600019 had tained, expected price KD FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:00 PM BIG GAME 2:30 PM CAKE 8:00 PM 2,600, please contact: embraced Islam and FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:30 PM CINDERELLA 5:00 PM CYMBELINE 10:15 PM 66832848. (C 4971) FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM CINDERELLA 7:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:30 AM changed the name as 19-4-2015 CINDERELLA 10:00 PM MOHAMMED JAVID. FANAR-1 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM AL-KOUT.1 CHILD 44 11:30 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:45 PM (C 4969) SITUATION VACANT CHILD 44 2:15 PM AVENUES-2 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:15 PM 15-4-2015 CHILD 44 5:00 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 11:45 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:15 PM Driver needed for Kuwaiti ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 7:45 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 1:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM I, Burhanuddin Ujramama, ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 9:45 PM JUNGLE MASTER 3:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM family, fulltime or part- CHILD 44 12:05 AM KILL ME THREE TIMES 5:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM holder of Indian Passport time. Call 60623330. KILL ME THREE TIMES 7:45 PM No. F6534066, issued in (C 4967) FANAR-2 KILL ME THREE TIMES 9:45 PM AL-KOUT.2 Jaipur on 01/03/2006, 13-4-2015 BIG GAME 11:30 AM KILL ME THREE TIMES 11:45 PM CHILD 44 12:00 PM LAST KNIGHTS 1:30 PM CHILD 44 2:45 PM BIG GAME 3:45 PM AVENUES-3 CINDERELLA 5:30 PM Prayer timings CINDERELLA 5:45 PM LAST KNIGHTS 11:45 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 7:45 PM LAST KNIGHTS 8:00 PM LAST KNIGHTS 2:15 PM ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 9:45 PM BIG GAME 10:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 4:45 PM CHILD 44 12:05 AM Fajr: 03:55 LAST KNIGHTS 12:30 AM LAST KNIGHTS 7:15 PM LAST KNIGHTS 9:45 PM AL-KOUT.3 Shorook 0518 FANAR-3 LAST KNIGHTS 12:15 AM BIG GAME 11:45 AM KILL ME THREE TIMES 12:45 PM LAST KNIGHTS 1:45 PM Duhr: 11:47 PRESERVATION 2:45 PM AVENUES-4 BIG GAME 4:00 PM Asr: 15:22 KILL ME THREE TIMES 4:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:30 AM BIG GAME 6:00 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 6:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 2:00 PM LAST KNIGHTS 8:00 PM Maghrib: 18:16 PRESERVATION 8:45 PM CHILD 44 4:45 PM SKIN TRADE 10:15 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 10:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 12:15 AM Isha: 19:37

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Arrival Flights on Sunday 19/4/2015 FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 Departure Flights on Sunday 19/4/2015 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time IRC 6508 Shiraz 14:15 KAC 564 Amman 00:05 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:55 AIC 988 Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 UAL 981 IAD 00:25 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 OMA 645 Muscat 15:05 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 DLH 635 Frankfurt 01:35 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 KAC 513 Tehran 15:40 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:50 SVA 503 Jeddah 15:45 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:35 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 741 Dammam 15:55 RJA 642 Amman 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Amsterdam 09:05 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 MSR 606 Luxor 19:30 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:30 MSR 619 Alexandria 20:30 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 KAC 117 New York 09:40 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 KAC 362 Colombo 08:30 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 1543 Cairo 20:55 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 KAC 514 Tehran 20:10 IRC 529 Ahwaz 10:15 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 IRC 528 Ahwaz 09:15 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:25 DLH 636 Dammam 21:00 KAC 288 Dhaka 09:25 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 KAC 283 Dhaka 21:05 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:25 KLM 417 Amsterdam 21:05 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 10:50 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 KAC 350 Kochi 09:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 GFA 943 LCA 10:55 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:05 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:10 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:50 KAC 791 Madinah 12:00 KAC 381 Delhi 22:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 JZR 561 Sohag 11:25 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:15 KAC 103 London 12:10 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 MSC 402 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he ‘Haven’t Met You Yet’ hit- maker is currently holidaying Tin Miami, Florida with his wife Luisana Lopilato but has left some of his supporters fuming after he post- ed a photograph on his Instagram account of a woman wearing short shorts. Sharing the picture with his one million followers on the photo- sharing website, he wrote: “There was something about this photo, that seemed worthy of Instagram. #myhumps #babygotback #hun- gryshorts #onlyinmiami #picofthe- day #beautifulbum (sic)”. And fans were quick to blast the 39-year-old singer for “bullying” the young woman. One wrote: “That awkward moment when @michaelbuble changes Instagram from a photo sharing application to a pulpit of bullying misogyny.” Whilst another read: “@michaelbuble Did you ask her permission to post that? Would you say what you hashtagged to her face?” A third fan wrote: “Her body and outfit isn’t for your comment or consumption. The fact that you took a picture of her without her consent is disgusting. Even if this is “shaming” it’s very disrespectful. (sic)” Michael has yet to respond to the comments. Banderas ‘still Kourtney acting as ‘mediator’ loves’ his ex-wife he ‘Shrek’ star divorced from ‘The Night We Called It A Day’ actress last year but has between Kris and Bruce admitted he still has feelings for the 57-year-old star. He told Colombia’s Caracol TV: T“Obviously, it has been a year full of changes. Sometimes in life, the circumstances make you wreck everything to build it again. Things come naturally, people are not bad or he couple had been married for 24 years before their divorce was that she can help Bruce become the classy woman that he is looking to good, no one is going to be the good guy or the bad guy during a break-up, things come officially finalised last month and the 35-year-old ‘Keeping Up With become because she sees herself as the epitome of class.” Kris is also said to an end naturally. “It’s been tough, a long time TThe Kardashians’ star is believed to be relaying messages between to be keen on discussing the future of the pair’s “empire” they built togeth- relationship is now broken. But well, we the pair as she is the “only one” the 65-year-old former Olympian will listen er during their marriage. The insider told Us Weekly magazine: “She want- have changed our status. I still love her to. A source shared: “Kourtney has been playing mediator between Bruce ed to discuss the family and the future of their empire with him. Bruce and very much and we still have a good and Kris because she is the only one that Bruce will listen to out of the Kris knowingly put this whole entire thing into place because that is what friendship.” The pair were mar- three Kardashian girls.” The 59-year-old matriarch reportedly asked her they wanted when they were together. “Now that that the family is clearly ried for 19 years before daughter to help her out as she wants to let her former husband know she being torn apart, Kris just wants to work with him and try to put the pieces Melanie filed for divorce in is supportive of his rumored gender transition. The source added: “Kris back together.” 2014, citing irreconcilable asked Kourtney for her help because really wanted to talk to Bruce face to differences. To help move face. [She] wanted to let Bruce know that she is now fully supportive of his on with his life following transition too and she also wants to be involved in the process. “Kris thinks the split, Antonio is plan- ning on moving to London to study fashion at St Martin’s University. He also hopes the deci- sion to move will bring him closer to his family, namely 18-year-old Gaga questioned daughter Stella Banderas. He said: “I’d love to spend more time with my family. her ‘identity That is probably the biggest failure in my life. “That’s probably the and self-worth’ heaviest burden I carry on my shoulders nowadays, he ‘Pokerface’ hitmaker’s mother Cynthia Germanotta has revealed her the fact that I didn’t spend daughter - whose real name is Stefani Germanotta - wasn’t fully appreci- much time with my family.” Tated by her peers for who she was and the “cruelty” lead her to feel iso- lated. Writing for Billboard magazine, Cynthia said: “[She] was creative and unequivocally her own person, but her peers didn’t always appreciate the things that made her unique - and different. “[The] persistent, thoughtless cruelty of her peers caused Stefani to question her identity and self-worth.” The mother and daughter team set up the Born This Way Foundation to sup- port those feeling a similar way. Speaking in a video promoting the cam- paign, she said: “I know what it’s like to feel depressed, to feel humiliated, to Cohen and Fisher gives feel isolated. And I know too many young people, no matter who they are or where they come from, who are feeling the same way I do. “It was so beauti- ful, in a way, that our sadness bonded us at the shows and yet, I so badly wanted to understand why that cloud was there at all. How could I help to lift son lengthy name it? How could I help to be a part of more of a global change and working together, we can make the world a kinder and braver place where all voices he couple - who also have two daughters together, Olive, seven, and Elula, four - wel- are heard, all feelings are respected.” Advising those who may feel the same comed their baby boy - Montgomery Moses Brian Baron Cohen into the world on way as her, she added: “It’s OK to be different. It’s OK to feel different. TMarch 17, although they never announced he’d been born until Isla stepped out minus her baby bump last week. Now, one month on, the name of the tot has been revealed thanks to TMZ who have obtained a copy of the birth certificate. Before the ‘Shopaholic’ actress had given birth, a source had claimed her third pregnancy was the “toughest yet”. The insider previously said: “Isla’s exhausted. Sacha helps, but she’s been finding this pregnancy her toughest yet because her daughters are so active.” The 39-year- old actress had been convinced she was having a boy the whole time because she had been suffering from less morning sickness than her previous pregnancies. The source Reynolds’ ‘obsession’ with ‘Game of added: “Luckily, she hasn’t had morning sickness this time and feels that could be a sign she’s having a boy.” Isla is also likely to be breastfeeding little Moses after she previously revealed she loved the special “bond” it created between her and her other children. She Thrones’ affected his marriage said: “What I loved about breast-feeding was that bond of one-on-one time. The serotonin that’s released calms you down and connects you to the baby.” lake Lively - who has 3-month-old daughter James with husband Ryan - joked the ‘Deadpool’ star’s addiction to the popular television show meant he was struggling Bduring the HBO series’ off-air time, leading to “tough points” in the couple’s mar- riage. She quipped to E! News: “My husband, I’m outing him and I shouldn’t, but he became obsessed with [Game of Thrones]. “He did everything he could to pirate episodes that hadn’t even been shot yet. So that was a little tough point in our marriage. Now we’re through it because there’s a new season coming out.” The couple is thoroughly enjoying bringing up their little girl and the 27-year-old actress has admitted she’s finding it both “awesome and exhausting” being a new mother. She said: “[It’s] awesome and exhausting. It’s everything that everyone always says. “I want to say something different than anyone else, but there’s a reason everyone says the same things. It’s going good.” And Blake is also pleased about her post-baby body.

Amal Clooney is ‘not thinking about babies’ he British human rights lawyer and her husband George Clooney - who she married last September - do not have any immediate plans to have a baby because she is fully focused on her career. As well as her case work, Amal recently relocated Tto New York City to lecture at Columbia University. A source close to the 37-year-old beauty told PEOPLE magazine: “Amal’s very much in love and extremely busy. (She’s) not thinking about babies. She’s concentrating on her marriage, her legal cases and teaching at Columbia. That’s enough for anyone to juggle in the first year after their wedding without being in the spotlight!”The couple is really happy to be living in Manhattan and are having lots of fun on The Big Apple as well as working hard. The source added: “They’re having a great time in New York - both working really hard and also having fun together. “Amal and George look happy and in love. They’re spending time with other couples and friends who are bright and driven and interested in improving the world.” The duo were recently spotted enjoying a romantic date at CafÈ Boulud in the city, where an eyewitness said: “They were laughing and talking the whole time.” LIFESTYLE37 SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 Features Video of Knight running over 2 people released

ideo of Marion “Suge” Knight plow- detectives he repeatedly punched Knight ing into two men with his pickup in response to insults by the former rap Vtruck and other key evidence in the mogul. Knight’s pickup is seen backing up, former rap music mogul’s murder case was throwing Sloan to the ground before the released Friday by a Los Angeles court. truck drives over his legs and then plows Superior Court Judge Ronald Coen over Carter. reviewed the items before determining The entire incident took approximately Knight should stand trial on murder, 30 seconds. The video, shot by a surveil- attempted murder and hit-and-run lance camera monitoring the drive-thru at charges. He authorized their release after a the burger stand, continues until the arrival request by The Associated Press. of a paramedic. The footage is likely to be Among the released evidence was an used by both sides during Knight’s trial. hourlong interview with Cle “Bone” Sloan, Knight’s attorney, Matt Fletcher, has said who survived being run over by Knight’s the video appears to show an associate of truck, and photos of the Death Row Sloan’s taking a gun off of him after he is Records co-founder after his arrest. Coen run over, and jurors likely will be shown an ruled Thursday that there was enough evi- enhanced version of the video. dence for Knight, 49, to stand trial on Knight turned himself in to authorities charges he killed Terry Carter and attempt- the morning after the incident. Detectives ed to kill Sloan during a parking lot con- took pictures of him to try to show he did frontation in late January. Knight has plead- not have any serious injuries from the ed not guilty. His attorney has said Knight attack. Sloan’s interview with detectives was fleeing an ambush by Sloan and others will also be crucial to the case since he is when he hit the men outside a Compton unlikely to repeat the lucid account of the burger stand. event and his own actions that he gave The video played by a prosecutor in investigators. In court on Monday, Sloan court shows Knight’s pickup truck pulling repeatedly said he didn’t remember the up to the driveway of the burger stand and incident and refused to identify Knight as Sloan approaching the driver’s side win- the person who injured him, saying he did- dow. A struggle ensues, and Sloan told n’t want to be a “snitch.” —AP In this file photo, a Citbike cyclist picks up his ride near Grand Central Terminal in New York. New Yorkers may soon be able to count calories burned and miles traveled while pedaling Citi Bikes, the popular bicycle-sharing program. —AP Counting calories on NYC’s Citi Bikes

ew Yorkers may soon be able to count bumpy ride. Superstorm Sandy swamped and to 15 seconds, Walder said. That process used to calories burned and miles traveled while damaged a fleet of bicycles in Brooklyn in 2012 take several minutes or longer. “As I said to one Npedaling Citi Bikes, the popular bicycle- and delayed the program’s debut. Bikes got of the suppliers ... ‘You do know that a New York sharing program with a troubled history that is stuck at docking stations and were poorly main- minute is about 15 seconds,” Walder said. undergoing a major overhaul under new leader- tained. The app wasn’t reliable. People com- Motivate is upgrading all 12,000 docking points ship. The new CEO of the Brooklyn-based com- plained of a dearth of bikes in the most high- in the city and overhauling every single bike, pany that owns Citi Bike says a revamped smart- trafficked areas of the city. Alta Bicycle Share, its with 4,500 of them already refurbished. And it’s phone app will soon offer such detailed fitness parent company, was nearly bankrupt when it doubling the number of bicycles from 6,000 to stats and allow people to make real-time reports was bought by a group of investors, then re- 12,000 to forge ahead into new neighborhoods, of such issues as flat tires or broken seats. branded as Motivate in a restructuring deal that including Long Island City in Queens and Jay Walder, a mass transit veteran who used relocated the company from Portland, Oregon, Williamsburg and Greenpoint in Brooklyn. After to run the city’s Metropolitan Transportation to New York. Walder, who had been running that, Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Upper Authority, envisions the bikes becoming a seam- Hong Kong’s mass transit system since 2011, was West Side will be the next neighborhoods to This evidence photo by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, released by less part of the city’s transportation network, hired to turn the company around. join. Los Angeles Superior Court, shows the truck driven by Marion “Suge” Knight with plans in the works to incorporate docking “The problems actually ended up being the Eventually, Walder wants the company’s bike stations into architectural design plans for mas- software and the operations. And what a bum- share programs across North America to be after his arrest after an altercation in which his vehicle struck two men in sive new development projects. mer,” said Caroline Samponaro, who works at linked in such a way that a New Yorker who trav- Compton. “We are still defining how bike share should Transportation Alternatives, a powerful transit els to Chicago, for example, could use the Citi fit into the urban fabric of the city,” said Walder, advocacy group that helped launch Citi Bike in Bike key fob to hop on a bicycle in that who became chief executive officer of Motivate, 2013. “Here you are, sort of getting this whole Midwestern city, creating a seamless inter-city the company that owns Citi Bike, several months new transit system. And really the only thing bicycle network. —AP World would be ‘barren’ ago. “Maybe it could be inside of businesses. keeping people from using it is the system itself.” Maybe it could be inside of buildings. Maybe it She said the rider experience has improved could be built into the environment.” tremendously since Walder took the helm. One major improvement stems from Citi A bumpy ride Bike’s app software, which has been completely without poetry: Obama Launched in May 2013 to much fanfare, the rewritten. Now, if you dock a bicycle, you will see wildly popular public bicycles have endured a the app update showing it has docked within 10

oetry helps people understand them- from her newly released memoir, “The Light selves and each other, and the world of the World,” which she wrote after her Pwould be “pretty barren” without it, husband’s unexpected death in April 2012 President Barack Obama said Friday. left her to raise their two sons. Her emo- Obama and his wife, Michelle, celebrated tional 17-minute reading left many in the National Poetry Month at the White House audience on the verge of tears. That includ- by inviting student poets to a workshop ed the first lady, whose voice cracked as ‘Star Wars: Battlefront’ and reading by Elizabeth Alexander, the she addressed the audience afterward. American poet who wrote and delivered a Mrs Obama said her friend’s “crushing poem at Obama’s frigid inauguration in grief” would have left most people unable January 2009. to function normally, yet Alexander “trans- They are friends who once taught formed it into something beautiful and game shown at fan con together at the University of Chicago. powerful, not just for herself, but for any- “Poetry matters. Poetry, like all art, gives one who has ever lost someone they love.” he Force isn’t merely awakening on the big shape and texture and depth of meaning “So this book is not just an achievement for screen. It’s also returning to the video game to our lives,” Obama said. “It helps us know her, it’s also a lifeline for others who are Trealm. “Star Wars: Battlefront” publisher the world. It helps us understand ourselves. overwhelmed by their own grief,” she said. Electronic Arts and Swedish developer DICE show- It helps us understand others, their strug- “It’s Elizabeth’s way of telling us all, ‘You are cased their next-generation rendition of the “Star gles, their joys, the ways that they see the not alone, you will eventually find your way Wars” multiplayer shooter Friday at Star Wars world. It helps us connect.” “I think it’s fair to out to the other side, and the love you felt Celebration, the annual fan extravaganza celebrating say that if we didn’t have poetry that this for the one you lost will ultimately be your the sci-fi franchise. The new iteration of “Battlefront” would be a pretty barren world,” he added. salvation.’” “And that’s really the power of takes place amid the conflicts of the original film tril- Alexander, now teaching at Yale, read writing, right?” Mrs Obama added. —AP ogy and is scheduled for release Nov 17 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PCs. “Battlefront” will focus on frenzied shoot-outs between up to 40 players portraying Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire forces. In a demonstration of the game’s multiplayer mode, a team of jetpack- equipped rebels were shown carving their way through the woodsy Endor while Stormtroopers charged at them on foot, on speeders and within walkers, including a hulking AT-AT war machine. Other locales teased in game footage included the snowy Hoth, sandy Tatooine and gooey Sullust, a lava-spewing planet referenced in 1983’s “Return of the Jedi,” as well as many “Star Wars” games and nov- els, but rarely ever seen. “Battlefront” won’t solely be centered on expendable ground troops. The game will reward sharpshooters with the ability to embody such iconic characters as bounty hunter Boba Fett and Sith baddie Darth Vader on the battlefield. “You can storm in as the Dark Lord himself,” said “Battlefront” design director Niklas Fegraeus. “You can wield a lightsaber. You can Force choke the rebel scum, which is fun. Basically, you are the boss of the battle. This means that you, as Vader, can lead your team to victory - if you play well.” The action will also take to the skies with players engaging in dogfights with TIE Fighters, X-wings and the Millennium Falcon, though the developers were coy about how battles would alternate between ground and air combat. teasers. The expansion, dubbed “Battle of Jakku,” will rytelling in favor of shoot-’em-up action. The forth- ‘Authentic to the universe’ explore the moment following “Return of the Jedi” coming “Battlefront,” which was first teased at the “We wanted it to feel authentic to this universe,” when the New Republic confronted Imperial hold- Electronic Entertainment Expo in 2013, marks the said “Battlefront” executive producer Patrick Bach. outs on the previously unseen Outer Rim enclave. first title in a 10-year deal between the Walt Disney “You can get into these vehicles, from speeder bikes “You never get to see it in the new movie, so it Co. and Electronic Arts Inc. to create new “Star Wars” to X-wings, TIE fighters, AT-STs, AT-ATs. There’s a wide was this brilliant opportunity to recreate the Battle games. “We didn’t want this to be a normal licensing range of vehicles that we wanted to realize. The diffi- of Jakku, which you only see the remnants of in the relationship,” said LucasArts digital business vice culty with a game is that they need to be balanced movie,” said Bach. “In the game, you actually get to president Ada Duan at Celebration. “We didn’t want with the troops on the ground.” “Battlefront” will also play the Battle of Jakku. It’s the same place from the them to just make movie games. We wanted a deep include a free downloadable level available two new movie but 30 years earlier.” partnership to create brand-new experiences.” —AP weeks before “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens The original “Battlefront” was released in 2005 by President Barack Obama introduces poet laureate Elizabeth Alexander for a poetry in theaters Dec 18. It’s set on Jakku, the battle- publisher LucasArts and developer Pandemic reading in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. —AP scarred desert planet glimpsed in “Force Awakens” Studios. It dispensed with traditional “Star Wars” sto- lifestyle SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015 George Lucas to Colbert: Why aren’t you replacing Stewart?

tephen Colbert came to the Tribeca Film New Star Wars big screen,” he said. “If you want to see it on a cell- Festival to interview filmmaker George Lucas, “We had no idea what it was going to be,” he phone, that’s fine with me, but it won’t be the full Sbut the “Star Wars” creator had a question of said. And then the music began, and the movie’s experience.” Lucas spoke about the history of his his own. “The perfect choice to replace that Jon opening scroll appeared and everything was differ- biggest hits, starting with the 1973 “American Stewart fellow would have been you,” Lucas told ent. “We couldn’t explain to anyone how the world Graffiti.” Studio executives didn’t like “Graffiti” at all Colbert on Friday. Why, he wanted to know, wasn’t was different now,” Colbert told Lucas. “We had no at first, he said, and it ended up being enormously he replacing him? Colbert, who replaces David vocabulary for what you showed us.” He says he still successful: It was made for $700,000, he noted, and Letterman in September as host of “The Late Show” keeps a button from that screening, saying, “May earned $100 million. on CBS, tried to explain. the Force Be With You.” The two men didn’t speak With “Star Wars,” there were similar trepida- “Trevor Noah is a very funny guy,” he said of much about the much-anticipated new “Star Wars” tions. Showing it to a group of famous filmmaker Stewart’s recently named replacement. Moreover, trilogy, directed by JJ Abrams, with the first install- friends, no one liked it and basically said, “Poor he said, “I don’t want to be the guy to take over ment, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” opening in George,” he recounted - except Steven Spielberg, from Jon Stewart. I worked for Jon Stewart at that December. who immediately declared it was going to be show, and my memories will always be of him Lucas, who sold the franchise and his Lucasfilm huge. “And everyone just said, ‘Poor Steven,’” being the keenest, most intelligent, most beautiful- to Disney in 2012 for $4.05 billion, said he doesn’t Lucas quipped. When it opened in 1977, the ly deconstructive mind. ... And I would never, how- know what the film’s plot will be but looks forward director went off to Hawaii to lie on a beach, ever successful I’d be, get out of his shadow.” Lucas to seeing it. “The one thing I regret about having wanting to escape the stress. That first weekend, then suggested that Colbert wouldn’t need to get made ‘Star Wars’ is that I never got to just go and he got a call to turn on the TV; Walter Cronkite out from Stewart’s shadow; he could simply “start see it,” he said. “I hope it’s successful,” he said. “I was on, describing how the film had become a jumping on his body and shouting, ‘I won! I won!’” hope they do a great job.” He added that the origi- phenomenon. “It’s the first time I understood this “I’ll try that,” Colbert quipped. nal saga was about a father, children and grand- was going to be a hit,” Lucas said. —AP The hour-long interview focused mostly on children. “I’m hoping they take it in a different Lucas, however, and Colbert, sporting an ample direction,” he said. “I have no idea what they’re white beard to match that of Lucas and appearing doing.” George Lucas and Stephen as himself, not as his retired “Colbert Report” pun- Lucas said one thing is sure: He’ll wait to see the Colbert attend the Tribeca dit, made clear that he’s a huge fan. At age 13, he movie on a big screen. Asked by Colbert how he Talks: Director Series during said, his world changed when he saw the first “Star feels about people watching movies on their the Tribeca Film Festival at Wars” with friends, having won four tickets in a phones, he said it didn’t anger him as much as it the BMCC Tribeca Performing radio station contest in Charleston, South Carolina. does some other filmmakers. “They work best on a Arts Center. — AP Robin Williams stars postmortem in documentary ‘3 Still Standing’ Why Jerry Seinfeld is wrong about efore the late Robin Williams Williams provides a poignant focal point YouTube being a ‘Garbage Can’ enthralled television audiences on for “3 Still Standing,” which has toured US B“Mork and Mindy,” he already was a film festivals and is being shown this erry Seinfeld is a very smart and funny guy. But the 60-year-old Meanwhile, despite Seinfeld’s trash-talking, he’s savvy enough to star on the 1970s stand-up comedy circuit - month at Toronto’s Hot Docs, North comic obviously is not familiar with what appeals to younger know top YouTubers draw some very large audiences. One of his and by the ‘80s was a leading light for a America’s largest documentary festival. His Jaudiences. Seinfeld, at Sony’s Crackle upfront Tuesday in New guests in season 5 of “Comedians in Cars” was YouTube star Miranda new stand-up generation. The political 2013 interview for the documentary repre- York, majorly dissed YouTube. When asked about the place for user- Sings, the awkward character created by comedian and singer satirist Will Durst recalls how he once had sents one of Williams’ final appearances on generated content in the digital-media landscape, he responded, Colleen Ballinger, who has 3.8 million subscribers and has generated the unenviable task of following Williams at screen. “The less the better”-and added: “We have a giant garbage can 437 million video views to date. Content from digital-first studio the Holy City Zoo comedy club in San called YouTube for user-generated content.” He appeared at the Defy, distributed on YouTube and other platforms, include Smosh- Francisco, a venue with a star-studded his- Influenced by Williams Gotham event to promote “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” his the comedy team who are starring in “Smosh: The Movie”, slated for tory that is being explored in a new docu- The documentary follows the stand-up original series which will return to Crackle for a sixth season June 4 release this summer-as well as Screen Junkies (proprietors of mentary, “3 Still Standing.” careers of Durst, Larry “Bubbles” Brown and with guests including Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bill “Honest Trailers”); Movie Fights; Made Man (whose shows include Johnny Steele, who are credited with help- Maher, Steve Harvey, Jim Carrey and Trevor Noah (newly named “Speakeasy” and “Gentleman Up”); Break (“Prank It Forward”); and ing to launch a comedy revolution in San host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show”). entertainment and pop-culture brand Clevver. Francisco in the 1980s alongside Dana But Jerry’s trashing of YouTube-clearly, aimed at positioning At the Sony event, Seinfeld boasted that “Comedians in Cars Carvey, Rob Schneider and Paula Crackle as in a different league in front of Madison Avenue buyers-is Getting Coffee” last month crested 100 million views to date. That’s Poundstone. All were awed and influenced misinformed. All major Hollywood studios and broadcast and cable great. But Defy Media, for one, says it reaches about 150 million by Williams. “There’s a story Dana Carvey TV networks use YouTube in one way or another. Major draws on the viewers per month between its YouTube and mobile apps. Other tells,” Robert Campos, the producer of the Google-owned service include clips from Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy digital-centric media properties like Disney’s Maker Studios, documentary, told The Associated Press. Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and dozens of other media outlets. YouTube Fullscreen and AwesomenessTV are in the same ballpark (or bigger) “He was at an open mic watching these also is a significant driver of movie trailers and TV previews. — indeed, the Maker multichannel network has north of 11 billion comedians up on stage and he thinks, ‘Oh I In addition, there’s a huge swath of original material that’s not monthly views. “I’m a huge Seinfeld fan, but he’s out of touch with can do that.’ And then some guy goes up even on TV-and, arguably, is better than Jerry’s original TV show. youth,” said Richman. — Reuters and blows the roof off the stage and Dana “There’s this misconception that YouTube is UGC,” said Defy Media thinks, ‘Oh, I can’t do that’ - and it’s Robin president Keith Richman in an interview. “We produce stuff that is Williams.” way better than the first season of ‘Seinfeld.’ The first season looked “You can go to any tiny comedy club in like crap... It’s practically unwatchable.” the country and there’s a picture of Robin with the owner arm in arm,” Campos said. “He just really loved to perform. It’s like Jerry Seinfeld and Jon Stewart say: Once you’re a stand-up, you’re a stand-up. There’s something pure about that form.” Durst puts it another way: “It’s like malaria. It’s in your bloodstream.” Campos and his wife and co-producer Donna LoCicero said they felt compelled to make the documentary because they were huge fans of the ‘80s San Francisco comedy scene. Campos said when they told Williams about their project focusing on Durst, Brown and Steele, he Robin Williams said, “I love these guys, let’s do it!” Williams, who had battled depression and Parkinson’s disease, hanged himself on “There were 15, 20 people in the club Aug 11, 2014, at age 63. This year’s theme before (Williams) came on stage. He came at the Hot Docs festival is comedy. The on and word went up and down the opening night film, “Tig,” is a profile of streets. There were a bunch of nearby bars stand-up comedian Tig Notaro made in the and everybody left them and wandered wake of her discovery that she had breast A screenshot from over to the Zoo. The place was packed, all cancer. — AP the ‘Honest Trailers’ the way out to the hall, onto the sidewalk. series, a massively People were trying to peer in, just to watch popular web series him. And I had to follow him. When I hit the on Youtube from stage, it was like a massive movement out, content creators like the great exodus,” Durst said, laughing. ‘Screen Junkies’. “That was quite a baptism.” ‘Furious 7’ crosses $1bn at worldwide box office niversal’s “Furious 7” will cross $1 billion at the Breaking records worldwide box office Friday, becoming the studio’s Universal said “Furious 7” chalked up the record for second- Ufirst film to reach that milestone. “Furious 7” has biggest worldwide opening weekend at $397.2 million behind grossed $735.2 million overseas in 17 days and $273.7 mil- only “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” It was the lion in North America after 15 days-making it the fastest studio’s highest-grossing domestic launch at $147.2 million movie to reach $1 billion. “The Avengers,” “Avatar” and and international opening at $250 million. “Furious 7” also set “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” had all records as the highest opening weekend in 29 territories and crossed $1 billion in 19 days. Universal said the seven films has become Universal’s highest-grossing film in 26 territories. in the franchise have totaled $3.392 billion in worldwide Its $63.5 million opening day in China set a record, demolish- grosses. ing the previous record of $36 million for “Transformers 4.” “Furious 7” is directed by James Wan and stars Vin Ron Meyer, vice chairman of studio parent NBCUniversal, Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, sent out a congratulatory note to the staff. “At Universal we Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Jason Statham and have had franchises with strong results at the box office, Ludacris. It is the 20th film to take in $1 billion, with including ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Despicable Me’ and the ‘Bourne’ series, “Avatar” leading the list at $2.79 billion, followed by and although we take great pride in these accomplishments, “Titanic” at $2.19 billion. Paramount’s “Transformers: Age of what distinguishes ‘Fast and Furious’ is that it is an original live Extinction” had been most recent addition to the list last action concept with an entirely diverse cast,” Meyer noted. “It is year with a $1.09 billion worldwide gross, which leaves it in the only franchise of its kind to reach a total of more than $3.39 10th place. billion and counting.” Meyer also noted the unique circum- “We’re incredibly proud to watch ‘Fast & Furious’ stances created by star Paul Walker’s death in late 2013. take its place as the only original live-action franchise to “When our friend and colleague Paul Walker tragically reach these kinds of results at the box office,” said Nick passed away in the middle of production, our team, led by Jeff Carpou, U’s head of domestic distribution. “Our cast, film- Shell and Donna Langley, and the filmmakers, along with the makers and all of our Universal and ‘Fast’ family deserve cast and crew, did what they do best: They focused on family credit for working so hard to make ‘Furious 7’ a huge suc- first; then talked to the fans; then got to work on making a cess and we look forward to continuing to watch the film great film that we can all be proud of,” he said. “We were all sad- grow over the next few weeks.” “What started as a small dened and honored to be a part of Paul’s final career perform- film about the street racing sub-culture of East Los Angeles ance and to celebrate his defining role in our lives.” — Reuters has become a global phenomenon, with ‘Furious 7’ shatter- ing records in so many territories around the globe,” said Vin Diesel arrives at the premiere of ‘Furious 7’ at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 1, 2015, in Los Angeles. — AP Duncan Clark, president of international distribution. lifestyle SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Models wear the creations from the Amapom, Mali Xuly Bet and Adriana Degreas Summer collection, during Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil. — AP photos Fashion Week Sao Paulo George Lucas to Colbert: Why aren’t you replacing38 Stewart? SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

Filipino fans of DC Comics super heroes pose at the country’s largest shopping mall during an attempt to establish a world record for the most number wearing their costumes yesterday at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. Hundreds of fans from babies to adults turned out for the attempt but some have to be turned down because they were not dressed as DC comic characters. The most popular were Superman and Batman.—AP

he official “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” trailer has been in on whether Superman can be trusted or whether “power corrupts.” released after leaking online days before its premiere. Director Zack “Dawn of Justice” also stars Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Laurence Fishburne TSnyder tweeted the video on Friday with the hashtag “not pirated.” (Perry White), Jeremy Irons (Alfred Pennyworth) and Diane Lane (Martha The leaked version appeared to be shot on a phone camera and featured Kent), and will feature the bigscreen debut of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman ‘Batman v Superman’ Portuguese subtitles. The official debut of the trailer was planned as an and Jason Momoa’s Aquaman ahead of the characters’ standalone films, as Imax special event set for tomorrow at select Imax locations, and Snyder well as two planned “Justice League” films, which will bring all of DC tweeted that those screenings would go ahead as planned, featuring “a Comics’ most iconic heroes together. Other Justice League solo movies trailer released few extra shots plus a little swag.” already planned include “The Flash,” starring Ezra Miller; “Shazam,” with The full trailer offered fans a proper glimpse at Ben Affleck’s Dark Dwayne Johnson appearing as antagonist Black Adam; and “Cyborg,” star- Knight coming face to face with Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel, with Batman ring Ray Fisher. Snyder directed “Batman v Superman” from Chris Terrio’s ominously asking, “Tell me, do you bleed? You will.” The footage also fea- script, based on a story by Snyder and David S Goyer. — Reuters after online leak tures shots of the Batmobile in action, along with voiceovers from Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor and Holly Hunter’s mystery character as they weigh

Ringo Starr, Green Day headline eclectic Rock Hall class ingo Starr was always behind the other Beatles. Once he stepped from their shadows, Starr proved he Bobbing his head as he sat at his drum kit, Starr kept could hold his own. Forever a Beatle, Starr will enter the Rthe steady backbeat for Paul McCartney, John Lennon Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist yesterday, induct- and George Harrison, a once-in-a-century group that con- ed along with an eclectic class of musicians. Starr, who was quered the music world. Starr got fourth-billing, the adored previously enshrined with the Beatles in 1988, will be hon- and yet overlooked sideman to his more celebrated band- ored along with pop punks Green Day, soul singer-song- mates. John, Paul, George ... and Ringo. writer Bill Withers, underground-rock icon Lou Reed, bluesy guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The “5” Royales. When the Beatles split at the height of their fame, Starr decided to take a shot at being a frontman and surprisingly flourished with a string of radio hits, including “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen,” singles that earned him new-found respect and popularity. He wasn’t the artistic one, but Starr was the first of the “Fab Four” to have commercial success upon going solo. Starr will be inducted by McCartney, who pushed for the drummer’s enshrinement after learning Starr was the lone Beatle not to be honored for his individual music. McCartney told Rolling Stone magazine that he and Lennon began writing songs for Starr because fans were so fond of Ringo. “We wrote the line, ‘What would you do if I sang out of tune?’ for him,” said McCartney, referencing the opening line to “With A Little Help From My Friends.” “When you think about it, how many people in rock and roll can sing? But Ringo can deliver a song.”

Disillusioned with the industry Green Day pushed punk rock into the American main- stream. Lead singer/guitarist Billy Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tre Cool thrashed onto the scene in the early 1990s, spewing Generation X attitude and People look at the Class of 2015 exhibit at the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Friday, April 17, 2015, teenage angst to the masses. The Bay Area trio’s album in Cleveland.—AP photos “Dookie” won a Grammy and the group went on to make “American Idiot,” a punk-infused rock opera that later Reed’s transformative sound influenced artists such as Runaways, a band that broke down barriers for women in became a hit show on Broadway. David Bowie, REM and U2. He will be inducted by Patti rock. With The Blackhearts she did even more with an Disillusioned with the industry, Withers walked away Smith. One of rock’s biggest guitar heroes, Vaughan created unapologetic, loud style that empowered girls and boys. from his lucrative career in the mid-’80s, leaving enduring magical moments with the way he bent and bled notes on Jett’ says she’s thrilled to be honored in a city where she’s felt songs like “Lean On Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” in his stub- his Stratocaster. A blues legend from Texas, Vaughan, who a deep connection. “If I’m going to be inducted, Cleveland is born wake. His songs have been covered by a wide range of was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in 1990, had hits where it should be,” she told The Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I musicians, including the Temptations, Garth Brooks and Kid like “Pride and Joy,” “Look At Little Sister” and his cover of don’t find Cleveland to be a kind of place that puts on any Rock. Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” earned him a Grammy. John airs, and I don’t either.” — AP Stevie Wonder will induct Withers, who has performed Mayer will induct Vaughan and then join Gary Clark Jr on only a few times in public over the past 20 years. The late stage for a blistering set of Double Trouble tunes. Reed, who died in 2013 at age 71, took listeners to danger- For the third time, the induction ceremony is being held ous places with lyrics that often dealt with taboo subjects at Cleveland’s legendary Public Hall, where thousands of Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of fans will undoubtedly scream “I Love Rock and Roll” along Fame and Museum, places a 1961 Fender stratocastor gui- like drugs, prostitution and suicide. Though he didn’t have much commercial success, Reed’s songs like “Walk On The with Jett, who is expected to perform her Top 40 classic tar played by Stevie Ray Vaughn at the opening of the along with her hard-charging band. Jett helped found The Class of 2015 exhibit. Wild Side,” “Sweet Jane” and “Heroin” remain vibrant today.