falls passport Kuwaiti Value of for Yemenbutall thecountriesofGulf, Arabia didwas100 percentright...notonly Storm”. Yemen, whichhasbeendubbed “Decisive the kingdomsupportoperation in Makkah, said“over90percent” ofpeoplein the religiouspoliceinholy cityof Sheikh AhmedAl-Ghamdi,former headof said Mubarak,aformersecurityguard. Mansour Hadi.“We’reallhappyaboutthat,” government ofPresidentAbedrabbo rebels’ advanceandtohelpthelegitimate tary coalitionactedtostoptheHouthi absolute monarchythattheSaudi-ledmili- 20s. Mubarak, anunemployedmaninhismid- done somethinggood,”saidSaud rebels inneighboringYemen.“Ourkinghas three-week-old aircampaignagainstShiite almost everyaudiblevoiceisbehindthe tightly controlledIslamickingdomwhere ringtones. ThisiswartimeinSaudiArabia,a phone companyofferspatrioticsongsas to warplanesbombingYemenirebels.A remote-controlled fighterplaneasatribute “brave armedmen”.Studentsbuilda RIYADH: Salman binAbdulazizandreading“mycountry,weallprotectyoursoil”.—AFP RIYADH: PictureshowsabillboardbearinganimagewithsoldierandSaudiKing is

In Saudi SUBSCRIPTION “I feelthatwhatthekingdom ofSaudi He echoedthegovernmentviewof A newspaperhailsSaudiArabia’s ‘ 4 so 150 Fils AUDY PI 8 05 AAAATAI2,13 HNo:16494 SATURDAY, 1436 AH JAMADA ALTHANIAPRIL 18,2015 29, Iraq Sunniinsurgency leader Al-Dourikilled m Killing offormerSaddam’saidea‘majorvictory’ e th ,

Y ing good with Yemen. wounded inskirmishesalong the frontier personnel havediedandothers havebeen dreds ofHouthis.SixSaudiarmed forces Arabs”. Thecoalitionsaysithas killedhun- fox” andisthe“enemyforMuslims andthe Ghamdi saidIranisuntrustworthy “likea Iran, SunniSaudiArabia’sregional rival. Yemen andmoveitintotheorbitofShiite Abdullah Saleh,wouldtakeoverallof army unitsloyaltoformerpresidentAli Saudi ArabiafearedtheHouthis,alliedwith The coalitionbeganitscampaignafter city ofAden,forcingHaditofleeRiyadh. hold andthenadvancedsouthontheport last Septemberfromtheirhighlandstrong- step”. has calledtheYemenoperation“ablessed Grand MuftiSheikhAbdulAzizal-Sheikh, plying weapons.SaudiArabia’stopcleric, the Houthis,despiteTehran’sdenialofsup- cial linewhichaccusesIranofsupporting ered. OnYemen,hisviewsfollowtheoffi- video withhiswifewhosefacewasuncov- kingdom lastyearwhenheappearedina sparked controversyintheconservative and ArabsIslam,”saidGhamdi,who e The rebelssweptintothecapitalSanaa m en for nurses modalities finalizing Kuwait, India Continued onPage 14 w 5 ar ’

operation asamajorvictory.HesaidAl-Douri spoke toAl-Arabiya,wherehedescribedthe Al-Douri wastherebeforehand.Jubourialso province, butthatIraqiforcesdidnotknow Hamrin areanearAlAlaminSalahuddin He saidtheoperationwascarriedoutin selves up.AmongstthebodieswasDouri’s.” them weresuicidebombersandblewthem- and thoseterroristswerekilled.Threeof security forceswentandsurroundedthearea a seniormemberoftheparty. sion thatthereportswerefalse.Al-Douriwas said incommentstoIraq’sAl-Hadathtelevi- a spokesmanforIraq’sformerBaathparty, like Al-Douri.However,KhdhayerAlmurshidy, showed photosofadeadmanwholooked The pan-ArabtelevisionnetworkAl-Arabiya the governorofSalahuddinprovincesaid. killed inamilitaryoperation,RaedAl-Jubouri, militias fightingtheinsurgents.Douriwas have beenkilledbyIraqiforcesandShiite and aleaderofIraq’sSunniinsurgency,may aide tolateIraqiPresidentSaddamHussein BAGHDAD: Yet evenincombination withrelativelyhigh ing Yemenhas also heightenedpoliticalrisk. Saudi involvement intheconflictneighbor- cent ofgovernmentincome, has shriveled. industry, whichaccountsformore than90per- in theperiodasrevenuefrom theSaudioil over thepast12months. Saudi stockindextooutperform itsGulfpeers of marketopeninghasalreadyhelpedthe have yettobepublished.Andtheprospect not haveunfetteredaccessanddefinitiverules according tooneestimate.Foreignerswillstill attract asmuch$24billioninforeigncapital, indices bythelikesofMSCI,andthiscould incorporating SaudiArabiaintomajorequity region ofrecenttimes. most anticipatedeconomicreforminthe ment fromforeignersandtheopeningis major globalboursestoallowdirectinvest- Arab marketscombined,itisoneofthelast and Russia’s.WorthmorethanallotherGulf finally getaccesstoamarketthatrivalsBrazil accept thepoliticalandfinancialrisksasthey in June,outsideinvestorsappearreadyto bourse preparestoopenitsdoorsforeigners LONDON: doors Al-Jubouri toldReutersthat“agroupof Nevertheless, theindexisdown 2.7percent The moveislikelytostarttheprocessof Saudi As SaudiArabia’s$500billion-plus Ezzat IbrahimAl-Douri,aformer t b butterfly wins 100m to beback, Phelps glad 43 o ourse o f he said. them ...Therewillbeabreakamongthem,” and Iraq.“Forsure,thiswillhaveanimpacton of Al-QaedawhichhastakenswathesSyria group,” referringtoIslamicState,anoffshoot “is consideredamastermindforthisterrorist ue and20percent ofanyparticularstock. capped at10percent ofthemarket’stotalval- tations. Theseproposedforeign ownershipbe qualified foreigninvestorsand startedconsul- erning theopeningofitsbourse toso-called Authorities (CMA)publisheddraft rulesgov- been slowerthanmanyinvestors expected. exchange-traded funds,andtheopeninghas access tothemarketonlythroughswapsand operator. Atthemomentforeignershave Saudi TelecomCo,theGulf’sbiggesttelecoms producer, SaudiBasicIndustriesCorp,and Russia. Itfeaturestheworld’slargestchemicals $600 billionforBraziland$491 currently worth$528billioncomparedwith prices andcurrencyrates,theSaudibourseis er sectors.” gy butalsotoinfrastructure,financialsandoth- country whichoffersexposurenotjusttoener- market intheMiddleEastandasubstantial Emerging GlobalAdvisors.“It’sthebiggest Nick Smythie,chiefinvestmentstrategistat wants tohaveacrackatSaudiArabia,”said to dispelinvestors’enthusiasm.“Everyone stock valuations,thisseemstohavedonelittle oreigners In Augustlastyear,theCapital Markets While marketcapitalizationsvarywithstock Ezzat IbrahimAl-Douri p Continued onPage14 Continued onPage 14 ens Max Min 33º 24º

LOCAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah Amir sends condolences to Saudi King

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent yesterday a cable to the King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, expressing condolence over the death of Prince Faisal bin Abdulmajeed Al-Saud’s mother. HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. — KUNA

PACA stresses exchange of KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim returned home, after wrapping up a visit to the US where anti-corruption expertise he took part in a conference, organized by the Global Parliamentary Network of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He was received at the airport by senior officials including his deputy, Mubarak Al-Khurainej, DOHA: Kuwait’s Public Anti-Corruption Authority (PACA) yester- Minister of Oil and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Dr Ali Al-Omair. Ghanim’s delegation included MPs Dr day stressed the momentousness of exchanging expertise for the Yousef Al-Zalzalah and Dr Khalil Abdullah. — KUNA implementation of relevant regional and international conven- tions. This has been enhancing countries’ capabilities for apply- ing the provisions of regional and international accords they ALO conference opens today signed for combating organized crime, especially preventing and countering corruption, said Mohammed Bu-Zubar, PACA’s Assistant Secretary-General. KUWAIT: Under the auspices of His He made the statement on the sidelines of the 13th UN Congress Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, which concludes Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the 42nd ses- tomorrow. The relation between the international efforts and the sion of the General Conference of the national social policies, especially corruption, is a mutual and inte- Arab Labor Organization (ALO) will be grative responsibility, he said, adding that this is one of the reasons held in Kuwait tomorrow. behind organizing such congresses. The conference, which goes through According to Bu-Zubar, PACA has April 25, will gather Acting Prime offered the UN major event a host of Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh proposals within the framework of Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and seeking practical methods to remove representatives of government organi- the obstacles hindering the implemen- zations, employers, trade unions and tation of the two UN Conventions, against Transnational Organized experts in socio-economic development Crime, and against corruption. He not- from across the Arab world. ed that the provisions of these two The gathering will debate a range of conventions still need procedural issues foremost among which is the mechanisms and arrangements to be report of the ALO Director General followed for the full enforcement and Ahmad Lokman themed ‘social dialogue KUWAIT: ALO Director General Ahmad Lokman (left) and Social Affairs and effectiveness of both. - materialization of alliance for develop- Labor Minister Hind Al-Subaih are seen during the press conference. — KUNA DOHA: PACA’s Assistant ment and employment,’ Minister of Secretary-General Organized crime Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of “The second agenda item of the con- the coming four years (2015-2019). Mohammed Bu-Zubar is On Thursday, the State of Kuwait State for Planning and Development ference is the new trends in the social Five candidates vie for the port, pictured during the con- stressed the necessity of exerting Affairs Hind Al-Subaih said Thursday. dialogue among the three factors of namely Kuwait’s Fayez Al-Mutairi, ference. — KUNA more international efforts to fight “The report which falls in six chapters production. Adnan Abul-Ragheb - of Jordan, Jamal transnational organized crime. “The tackles the ALO role in promoting the “The third item tackles the issue of Aghmani - Morocco, Rashid Al-Jamali - international community should intensify efforts and cooperation social dialogue on the national and human resources which constitutes an Lebanon, and Ahmad Al-Bora’ei of to combat transnational organized crime,” said Nawaf Al-Rujaib, regional levels as a means of bolstering essential part of the strategy of a global- Egypt, Subaih added. ALO Director the Third Secretary of Kuwait’s Permanent Delegation to up the socio-economic development ized economy. The fourth is the new General Ahmad Lokman the general International Organizations in Vienna. amid the profound changes in the Arab models of employment. The fifth is the conference coincides with the golden He also emphasized that all UN agreements, conventions and world,” she said at a pre-event press social dialogue, its frameworks and the jubilee of the Organization. protocols pertinent to the fight against organized crime should conference. “It analyzes the highly-prob- parties involved,” the minister went on. Therefore, several activities will be be fully put in place at both national and international levels. In lematic labor market with emphasis on this context, he said the State of Kuwait, represented by the held on the sidelines of the event such Ministry of Justice, has written a national piece of legislation the social, economic, educational and Union freedoms as the screening of a documentary on bearing on the exchange of legal experience, and is in the demographic dimensions of unemploy- The conferees will review reports of the achievements made by ALO over process of enacting a national law pertinent to international legal ment,” the minister pointed out. the technical committees on the ALO the last half a century, a photo gallery of and judicial cooperation. Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice has “The recent developments in the activities in 2014, including the report of the pioneers of Arab labor movement, almost finished a draft law on combating cyber crimes, the Arab countries highlight the need to the committee on trade union free- and document gallery on the progress Kuwaiti diplomat pointed out. address the challenges facing the quest doms, the report on the progress in the of the organization, he noted. He added The 13th UN Congress marks the sixtieth anniversary of UN for economic development and curb implementation of the Arab decade of that the conference will also discuss the congresses on crime prevention and criminal justice, bringing the rising rates of unemployment employment, and the report of the Arab financial dossier including the balance together governments, policy-makers and experts to exchange which impact negatively on our soci- woman labor committee, she noted. sheet of the fiscal year ending on last their experiences and step up international cooperation in tack- eties particularly at times of tensions,” The conferees are to elect a new December 31, and the financial commit- ling the threat of transnational organized crime. — KUNA she went on. Director General of the Organization for ments of the member states. — KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Value of Kuwaiti passport falls

By A Saleh ed by tribal fanatics, adding that if true, such state- ments should not have been made by an ‘academic KUWAIT: According to the Passport Index by Arton official’. Accordingly, Hajri urged Essa to apologize if he Capital Company for Consultancy, ranking international actually made these statements. passports according to how influential they are, Kuwaiti passports came in fourth in the Arab world (falling from Social allowances first) and 54th worldwide. Notably, this ranking and Responding to reports in local dailies about with- ‘influence’ index is measured according to the number holding aid given to 13,000 Kuwaiti families, MP Talal of countries a passport holder can visit without having Al-Jallal rejected the decision to stop paying Kuwaiti to obtain a visa in advance or getting visa on arrival. women married to non-Kuwaitis any social aid or According to the recent ranking, the US and UK came allowances, and stressed that such a decision discrimi- first with access to 147 countries, followed by France, S nates between citizens and violates the constitution. Korea and Germany, with access to 145 countries, then Jallal also urged the minister of social affairs and labor Italy and Sweden, then Denmark, Singapore, Finland, to immediately revoke the decision. Japan, Luxemburg and Holland in the fourth rank while Switzerland came fifth. In the Arab world, Oman came MP slams World Bank first (13th worldwide) with access to 134 countries; UAE MP Abdul Rahman Al-Jeeran stressed that the World came second (47th worldwide) with access to 72 coun- Bank will not give developing countries anything more tries, Qatar came third (52nd worldwide) with access to than it had done since its foundation in 1944 to rebuild 66 countries, Kuwait came fourth (54th worldwide) with Europe before its colonial interests developed to focus access to 64 countries and the list goes all the way on making developing countries act as mere followers. down to Palestine, which came last in the Arab world Jeeran also criticized the World Bank’s request to send a (80th worldwide) with access to only 28 countries. special committee to Kuwait to solve the housing prob- lem. “Where does this leave the strenuous efforts Essa has to apologize: Hajri already exerted by the housing authority and the min- MP Madhi Al-Hajri criticized the statements attrib- istry of planning, if we go begging for solutions from uted to the Education Minister Dr Bader Al-Essa in the World Bank?”, he exclaimed, also rejecting giving which he allegedly said that the Public Authority of the World Bank any authority over setting Kuwait’s edu- Applied Education and Training (PAAET) was dominat- cational policies. Drug dealer arrested; Ex-con arrested in Kabd hideout kids primary target By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Security men arrested a wanted ex-convict hiding in KUWAIT: Farwaniya detectives arrested two teams and exchanged blows. per-day domestic help services in viola- a Kabd jakhoor known as “Debes”. The arrest was made at 3 a man who lured children and hooked Policemen broke up the fight, and took tion of the law, sources said. Detectives am yesterday following a three-day manhunt that included them on drugs. The arrest was made them all to Khaitan police station. earlier arrested an Asian taxi driver who exchange of fire. after receiving information about the led them to the gang. The driver said Abortion pills suspect’s activities. Investigations Conmen caught that his role was only to drive the maids An Asian man was arrested for revealed that the suspect is a bedoon in Adan detectives arrested two Iranian and take payments from citizens and selling abortion pills. The arrest was his twenties, and wanted over several men who tricked a citizen into getting in expats who use their help. The driver made following information that cases, including selling shabu in Jleeb Al- the fish trade and robbed him of KD then led detectives to a Jleeb flat where Asian prostitutes used his help to Shuyoukh daily. The suspect was arrest- 10,000, before he found both are wanted the maids were found. All maids are get rid of pregnancies. The suspect ed near a place where he sold the drugs, on several similar cases. One of the sus- being processed for deportation. had a quantity of banned pills and and 100 gm of shabu were found on pects, who lived in Khaitan, was arrested confessed that his customers are not him. He was sent to narcotics authorities. after fierce resistance and taken to Adan Critical condition only Asian, but of various other Separately, Ahmadi detectives arrested detectives’ office. Police then went to A mentally disturbed citizen was nationalities, and some are married an expat with a mixture of drugs in Hawally and arrested his partner. recently rushed to hospital in critical con- and do not want to be pregnant to Mahboula during a sale to an undercover dition after he shot himself at his family’s avoid financial obligations. source. He was sent to Drug Control Shisha-smoking officers questioned house, said security sources. General Department (DCGD). Three Kuwait airport female officers Thieves arrested were sent for questioning after they were Molester arrested Capital detectives arrested two bedoon men for involve- Armed man held caught smoking shisha in a private room A delivery man was recently arrested ment in thefts in residential Shuwaikh, Shamiya and industrial An employee at the information min- for employees. An officer who was on an for sexually molesting an American Shuwaikh. A security source said the two men were arrested in istry was sent to criminal detectives as he inspection tour smelled the smoke and teacher in Hawally, said security sources. Sulaibiya and confessed to thefts that were recorded against attempted to enter the ministry building traced it to a woman’s room. He knocked Case papers indicate that on delivering unidentified culprits. with a firearm and a knife. at the door and found the three smoking the order to the teacher’s residence, the shisha. suspect sexually ‘approached’ the cus- Truck drivers blamed Several residents of ‘Tomboys’ fight In a separate case, three citizens, tomer, who screamed for help. The Sabah Al-Ahmad gathered Four ‘tomboys’ got into a fight in including a police officer, were sent to building janitor managed to hold the near the ‘Kilo 7’ road near Ardiya, who ran away as soon as police the Drugs Control General Department. suspect till police arrived. the ‘Darakeel Road’ to ask arrived. The three were in a car being driven the interior ministry to erratically, but the driver attempted to Missing girl stop trucks from passing Tenants brawl escape, so he was chased and stopped. An Egyptian man living in Maidan through Wafra Road due Farwaniya police broke up a fight Policemen then were surprised to see a Hawally reported that his daughter has to road accidents. The pro- between 15 men and women - two policeman in uniform among them who been missing for a few days after she testors blame truck drivers Kuwaitis and 13 Egyptians. A security tried to escape. The three were in an went out to do some shopping. The man for the accident by com- source said an Egyptian woman fought abnormal condition. said that all attempts to call her failed mitting violations and with her Egyptian neighbor over a park- because her mobile phone was out of ignoring traffic rules. ing spot in front of the building. She Deportation the coverage area and she was nowhere Director of Ahmadi securi- then called her neighbor for help, and Farwaniya detectives raided a place to be found at any of the family’s ty Brig Ali Al-Merri then both beat the man while swearing at where domestic helpers were staying, as acquaintances. A missing case was filed ordered the closure of all him. The fight escalated with the partic- 25 Asian females and their ‘manager’ and further investigations are in unofficial roads that lead ipation of several tenants who split into were found. The place was used to run progress. —Al-Rai to Wafra Road. LOCAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Nurses recruitment: Kuwait, India finalizing modalities India designates 3 agencies to recruit nurses from May 1

By Sajeev K Peter

KUWAIT: Kuwait and Indian authorities are in the process of final- izing the modalities of an agreement on the thorny issue of recruitment of nurses from India following two days of discussions here, said Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain. Addressing a meeting at the Indian Embassy along with the members of a high-ranking Indian delegation, the ambassador said from May 1, 2015 onwards recruitment of nurses from India will be held only through three government-designated agencies in India. They are NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs Department)-ROOTS, ODEPC (Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants Ltd) and Manpower Development Corporation, Tamil Nadu. “The employers in Kuwait who wish to recruit nurses from India KUWAIT: Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain, Kerala State Principal Secretary (Labor) Tom Jose, NORKA-ROOTS Secretary Rani will have to register through India’s e-Migrate system. Now, emi- George, CEO Kannan ODEPC and Kerala Managing Director Muraleedharan G N and Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, gration of nurses to foreign countries has been brought under ECR Subhashis Goldar (left) attend the meeting. (immigration clearance required) category,” the ambassador said. “It is a major decision by the government of India in order to “We have discussed with Kuwait authorities about the new sys- seas recruitment of nurses following cases of massive corrup- put an end to the exploitation of Indian nurses. We are receiving tem to be introduced from May 1 onwards. Their response has tion and cheating involving huge sums of money. Ambassador full cooperation from Kuwait’s ministry of health authorities in been very encouraging and positive. The ambassador is taking the Jain had moved both External Affairs Ministry and Indian introducing the new system and the final details of an agreement initiative and we are very hopeful that in the next few days’ time Overseas Affairs Ministry in India to find a lasting solution to are currently being worked out,” he explained. we would be able to reach an agreement on this issue,” said Tom the issue. “We are moving in the right direction now. We are moving to a Jose. The ambassador and Jose responded to questions raised by new system on May 1, 2015, which will be transparent and corrup- He said both Union government and Kerala state government community representatives and media persons and sought to tion-free. It will also help safeguard the interests of our nurses,” the are concerned about the large-scale corruption and malpractices dispel apprehensions about the new recruitment system. ambassador said. in recruitment of Indian nurses to overseas countries. Both govern- A delegation representing 250 private Indian nurses also ments are fully committed to solving the problems being faced by attended the meeting and submitted a memorandum to the Extensive discussions nurses today, he said. “However, it is not a very easy job because visiting delegation. In the memorandum they requested help A four-member delegation consisting of Kerala State Principal there are interests who certainly want to perpetuate the current from authorities in finding placement for them in Kuwait as Secretary, (Labor) Tom Jose, NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites’ scenario. It is some RS 2,000 core business or probably much more they are on the verge termination. Recruited through a private Affairs Department)-ROOTS Secretary Rani George, CEO Kannan, than that. When we try to change the existing system there bound agency, these nurses claim that many new Indian nurses who ODEPC (Overseas Development and Employment Promotion to be repercussions, ramifications, responses and reactions. But we arrive in Kuwait on visit visas are being recruited currently. Consultants Ltd) and Kerala Managing Director Muraleedharan G are hopeful of purging the recruitment system and bringing about “Many of us face huge financial indebtedness. We have N, arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday and held extensive discussions total transparency,” he said. paid large amounts to agents to get a job in Kuwait. Even with Ministry of Health Undersecretary Dr Jamal Al-Harbi and oth- though we are experienced and qualified nurses, we are now er officials. The delegation also met officials from the ministry of Massive corruption fired. Instead of appointing new nurses, why can’t they finance and foreign ministry. The India government took the decision to streamline over- appoint us?” they asked.

Lebanese agency applauds KRCS’ help to Syrian refugees

KUWAIT: Nora Jumblatt, head of Kiani Relief Aid Agency in Lebanon, praised yesterday Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s (KRCS) efforts at helping Syrian refugees in a number of countries, among them principally Lebanon. In a press statement after meeting KRCS Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer, Jumblatt said she discussed with the former means of assisting Syrian refugee students in Lebanon to get a proper education and earn diplomas that could later on open the doors for them to get jobs and provide for them- KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Services Directorate (KFSD) officials and the awarded media personnel pose for a group photo at the selves and their families. event. — Photo by Hanan Al-Saadoun She said there was a whole generation of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon growing up without a proper education Fire Directorate awards media due to the conditions they were currently in as a result of war and conflict in their country. She said the Kiani Agency has been trying to fill these children’s need for education but is By Nawara Fattahova for their systematic support to our work during the whole year. in dire need of financial support to do much more for them, The media transfers the picture of what the firefighters do for asking the KRCS to help the Agency in that regard. KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) held an people during dangerous incidents. The media persons are the Kiani, she noted, had completed by last December the award ceremony for the media on Wednesday at Symphony anonymous soldiers serving this country,” added Ansari. construction of three centers for the education of refugee Hotel. Lt Gen Yousef Al-Ansari, General Director of KFSD, said During the celebration, a short documentary was played children in refugee camps in the eastern part of Lebanon. this event is a mark of appreciation to various media for their showing some of the huge fire and other rescue incidents, cov- More schools were poised to be built soon by the Agency, role in highlighting the work of firefighters. “Reporters from a erage and interviews in various media. “All this negative and she said. Sayer emphasized meanwhile that KRCS was always variety of media including press, radio, TV and electronic media positive news were published for the public though the effort ready to take part in offering humanitarian assistance to the spend efforts to cover fire incidents. Media also play the same of the media, so we thank you for your work,” said the Director needy everywhere in the world and that it has dedicated role as the KFSD in raising prevention awareness that decreases of the Public Relations and Media Department at KFSD Col much effort in providing relief aid to Syrian refugees ever dangers. They work for the good of Kuwait like the firefighters,” Khalil Al-Ameer. This was followed by a raffle draw for valuable since the start of political strife in Syria and will continue to he pointed out. prizes and awarding the media with trophies. The ceremony do so as long as needed. — KUNA “We hold this ceremony every year to award media persons concluded with a dinner banquet.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Palestinian prisoners France PM launches plan to Cambodia marks 40 years since languish in stalemate 9 combat ‘unbearable’ racism 10 the Evacuation of Phnom Penh 12

BAGHDAD: Iraqi pro-government forces, including the Shiite Muslim Al-Abbas popular mobilization unit, fire a rocket as part of an operation to retake the Baiji oil refinery from Islamic State (IS) group jihadists. — AFP Iraqi forces recapture towns from IS PM downplays criticism of Saudi airstrikes on Yemen BAGHDAD: Iraqi security forces have gained second-largest city and the capital of of the Saudi air campaign against Shiite mili- Arabia and Iraq were severed in 1990, but full control over a contested area south of the Nineveh province. In November, Iraqi security tias in Yemen and welcomed news that the restored in 2004 after the fall of Saddam country’s largest oil refinery yesterday as part forces said they had recaptured the town of Saudi embassy in Baghdad will reopen soon. Hussein’s regime. Saudi Arabia announced in of ongoing operations to secure the rest of Beiji from the militant group. The refinery Abadi had told reporters Wednesday that January it was sending a delegation to Iraq Salahuddin province following the recaptur- had never been captured by the militants but there was “no logic to the operation at all in ahead of opening an embassy in Baghdad, ing of Tikrit, a senior Iraqi military official said. has been subjected to frequent attacks by the first place,” according to The New York where its last mission closed nearly 25 years General Ayad Al-Lahabi, a commander with the group. Times. “Mainly the problem of Yemen is with- ago. Abadi said he had learned Wednesday the Salahuddin Command Center, said the In Iraq’s western Anbar province, mean- in Yemen.” that Riyadh has now nominated a new military, backed by coalition airstrikes and while, Iraqi Special Forces maintained control But the Iraqi leader told a Washington ambassador and said the Saudi compound Shiite and Sunni militias dubbed the Popular of the provincial capital, Ramadi, after days of think tank on Thursday that while he was was “ready and renovated,” adding that hav- Mobilization Forces, gained control of the intense clashes with the Islamic State group “frank” about the situation in Yemen, “my ing a Saudi embassy in Baghdad “makes our towns of Al-Malha and al-Mazraah, located 3 left the city at risk. Sabah Nuaman, a Special intention is not to criticize anybody.” Abadi, a job much easier.” kilometers south of the Beiji oil refinery, Forces commander in Anbar, said the situa- Shiite, told the Center for Strategic and The Saudi-led drive to push out the killing at least 160 militants with the Islamic tion had improved early yesterday after International Studies: “We are on the same Houthi militias and restore to power ousted State group. airstrikes hit key militant targets on the city’s boat in the region. If anybody makes a hole in President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi is now Al-Lahabi said security forces are trying to fringes. Sabah Al-Karhout, head of Anbar’s that boat, we all will sink. “We have suffered in its fourth week. US point-man on Iraq, secure two corridors around the refinery itself provincial council, said there were no major so much from wars in Iraq. We are very sensi- Ambassador Brett McGurk, said the reopen- after the Sunni militants launched a large- attacks on the city yesterday but that the mil- tive to wars, very sensitive to humanitarian ing of the Saudi embassy in Baghdad scale attack on the complex earlier this week, itants still maintained control of three vil- costs. “And in our own belief we think an end would be a “significant milestone.” “We hitting the refinery walls with explosive-laced lages to the east of Ramadi, which they cap- to this war of Yemen must be very soon and think it’s very important that the prime Humvees. Extremists from the Islamic State tured Wednesday, sending thousands of civil- the only way forward is a political solution by minister has re-established ties with all of group seized much of Salahuddin province ians fleeing for safety. Yemenis themselves.” He stressed: “We are the regional leaders and they don’t have to last summer during their advance across only giving some advice, some opinion on agree on everything, but there are a lot of northern and western Iraq. The battle for Walking away from criticism this. We don’t intervene in their affairs, and common interests,” McGurk told the Tikrit was seen as a key step toward eventual- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi ask them not to intervene in our own.” Washington-based Arabic language Radio ly driving the militants out of Mosul, Iraq’s sought Thursday to walk back sharp criticism Diplomatic relations between Saudi Sawa. — Agencies INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Bahrain criticizes human rights violations report

DUBAI: Bahrain is hitting back at an The 79-page Amnesty report docu- from the Sunni monarchy. Authorities police misconduct. In their reply to the Amnesty International report alleging ments what the London-based group crushed the demonstrations with help report issued late Thursday, Bahraini that government reforms have failed to calls a “chilling crackdown on dissent” from their Gulf neighbors, but low-level authorities accused Amnesty of misrep- end serious violations of human rights in that includes the continued jailing of unrest continues. Small groups of pro- resenting the country’s stance on the the Gulf country four years after it was activists, bans on protests in the capital testers frequently take to the streets and freedoms of opinion, expression and rocked by widespread anti-government and instances of torture and other mis- regularly clash with riot police. Many peaceful assembly. The government protests. The government said in a state- treatment of detainees. It also includes government opponents and rights said those rights are protected by the ment that the report, released early new accounts from unidentified activists remain in jail. constitution and it “continues to uphold Thursday, had “significant shortcom- Bahrainis of alleged abuse by police dur- A fact-finding inquiry into the initial them robustly,” but it draws the line at ings” and did not reflect important clari- ing demonstrations over the past year. uprising called for overhauls in the polit- “violent attacks or incitement to vio- fications provided by authorities. Bahrain is a small island kingdom off ical system and investigations into lence committed under the guise of free Bahrain also said the report glosses over the coast of close ally Saudi Arabia that alleged abuses by security forces. speech and peaceful protest.” “It is the “highly significant strides” the govern- is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Authorities have since put some reforms government’s duty to protect citizens, ment has taken to enact institutional Widespread protests in February 2011 in place and have created new institu- residents and visitors alike and the gov- and legal reforms over the past four that were led by the country’s majority tions such as an ombudsman’s office ernment makes no apology for doing years. Shiites sought greater political rights tasked with hearing complaints about so,” it said. —AP

UN Chief wants Yemen ceasefire

SANAA: UN chief Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen and begun the hunt for a new peace envoy to the war-torn country, where Al-Qaeda is expanding its terri- tory. Ban’s plea follows more than three weeks of air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition aimed at driving back Iran-backed rebels whose sweeping advance forced President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee to Riyadh. Yemen “is in flames,” Ban told the press in Washington on Thursday. “I am calling for an immediate ceasefire in Yemen by all parties.” His remarks followed the resignation of his envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, a Moroccan-born career diplomat who lost the confidence of Saudi Arabia and its allies. They accused him of being duped by the rebels.

Political solution Saudi Arabia’s regional rival, Iran, renewed its calls for dia- logue yesterday and said its foreign minister had spoken to the UN chief overnight. Ban said he was in the process of finding a new envoy “who can be immediately deployed” to seek a politi- cal solution. “The Saudis have assured me that they understand there must be a political process,” he said. “I call on all Yemenis to participate, and in good faith.”Benomar had been instrumen- tal in negotiating a deal that eased president Ali Abdullah Saleh TIKRIT: Members of the Iraqi security forces and Popular Mobilization units pray during a memorial ceremo- from office in February 2012 after a year of bloody protests ny on the Tigris river waterfront. —AFP against his three-decade rule. Renegade army units loyal to Saleh allied with the Huthi rebels, providing vital support as they advanced out of their Massacre site becomes bastion in the northern mountains near the Saudi border into mainly Sunni areas. On Tuesday, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on the Huthi rebels and demanded they give up seized territory. ‘shrine’ of anti-IS war The Yemen conflict has sent tensions soaring between Saudi Arabia and Iran the foremost Sunni and Shiite Muslim Slaughter ground turns into pilgrimage spot powers in the Middle East. Tehran is a key ally of the Huthis but vehemently denies arming them. —AFP TIKRIT: On the Tigris River waterfront where body to bury, have streamed to Tikrit from the A sacred place jihadists executed hundreds of captured Iraqi south and other parts of the country to see Speaking from the same spot a few days army recruits last year, bloodstains are gradu- the last place where their loved ones were earlier, Moeen Al-Kadhimi, a leader of the ally being covered by streaks of candle wax alive. Delegations of clerics, students and Badr Organization-both an important political dripping down the quay. A symbolic tomb- artists have also travelled to the site, which is party and one of Iraq’s most powerful Shiite stone has been laid where Islamic State group still haunted by one of IS’s worst atrocities but militias-vowed to preserve the site. “We will fighters carried out their assembly-line also symbolizes and galvanizes the commit- rehabilitate this area so that it becomes a slaughter, shooting the young mostly Shiite ment of those fighting against the jihadists. symbol of the crime committed by those IS men in the head before tipping them into the “This is where the martyrs’ blood was spilt, members and their allies... so that it remains a river one by one. this should become a museum to all Iraqis, a mark of shame on their faces forever,” he said. Two weeks after troops and militia retook symbol of pride,” Sheikh Dargham Al-Juburi Kadhim Abdulhassan’s cousin was one of the Tikrit, the main site of the “Speicher mas- said as he visited the site. The black-clad and up to 1,700 recruits who were seized by IS in sacre”-named after the military base near white-turbaned cleric, a representative of June 2014 when the group swept through which the victims were seized-is fast becom- Iraq’s top Shiite religious leader Grand almost a third of Iraq. He says he received a ing a pilgrimage destination. Every day, Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, wept and prayed over call from him on his mobile as the group was dozens of Iraqi fighters visit the narrow quay the small marble memorial. He went on to being herded to the palace complex. The line SANAA: A Yemeni boy holding a weapon poses of the river police building, located inside the draw parallels between the improvised Tikrit cut and he never heard from his cousin again. for a picture during a demonstration against an sprawling palace complex that now executed shrine and Karbala, the Shiite holy city south Abdulhassan is a member of the Ketaeb Jund arms embargo imposed by the UN Security dictator Saddam Hussein built in his home- of Baghdad that was the scene of a 7th centu- Al-Imam paramilitary group and his job is to Council on Houthi leaders. —AP town. ry battle considered a defining moment in the keep watch over what is now being treated Relatives, some of whom will never have a schism between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. like a holy site. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Discreet but proud: Istanbul’s Armenians ISTANBUL: Yasmin Rostomyan makes no big outward show of her origins but works daily to keep her Armenian heritage alive and preserve it for the future in modern Turkey. “Turkey is my country, I do not want to leave,” she says. “And I don’t want my children to be obliged to leave. If they can stay here, that would make me happy.” Yasmin is one of around 60,000 Turkish-Armenians who form modern Turkey’s Armenian community and have remained in the country despite the long shadow of histo- ry. The modern state of Armenia and the diaspora say that 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the first genocide of the 20th century from 1915 in a targeted Ottoman cam- paign to wipe them out of eastern Anatolia. Turkey angrily denies that the Ottoman authorities committed genocide and says hundreds of thousands of Muslims and Christians were killed in a shared wartime tragedy. The modern day controversy over World War I massacres-which is coming to a head before the 100th anniversary of the tragedy on April 24 — looms large of the small remainder of the Turkish-Armenian community. But in daily life they do everything to keep culture and lan- guage intact, despite being a tiny Christian community in a majority Muslim country.

‘We were hidden’ Yasmin every day takes her children to one of the 20 Armenian schools that are run with approval of the Turkish education ministry and which have teaching in JERUSALEM: Palestinian protesters shout slogans and hold portraits of relatives incarcerated in Israeli jails dur- Turkish and Armenian. The playground resounds with the ing a rally marking Palestinian Prisoner Day outside Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock mosque. —AFP cries of pupils in both Turkish and Armenian, a symbol of the slow but noticeable lifting of taboos in Turkey. “We are very happy in this school, our children can learn our langauge, normally,” said Yasmin. “When my Palestinian prisoners generation was growing up, it was more hidden, and we did not speak Armenian in the street. “But my father insisted that we took courses in the house and it was very languish in stalemate important for him,” she said. The Karagozyan school respects the calendar of the Muslim and Christian religions and drawings marking Easter and still on the walls. “We have teachers in Turkish culture and we try to An issue touching every Palestinian family make our two cultures live together and we bring in the families,” said the school’s director Arsuvak Koc-Monnet. RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories: normal, it was a bizarre feeling for me.” according to the Palestinian foreign While the official community of Armenians is just 60,000 Hadi Al-Fakhri was 26 the first time he ministry. — mostly in Istanbul with tiny community elsewhere-the hugged his father, one of thousands of Day of resistance number of people of Armenian origin in Turkey is in reality Palestinians serving time in Israeli prisons The fate of those held in Israeli jails is a Crime against humanity far higher. for militant activity in the occupied West highly emotive topic for Palestinians. Few hold much hope of getting their Tens of thousands of Armenians converted to Islam Bank. A decade later, more than 30 years Prisoners Day, marked every April 17, is loved ones out of jail any time soon. during World War I to escape the Ottoman massacres and into a life sentence, Fakhri’s father was widely observed with marches and ral- Peace talks collapsed last year and many their identity gradually slipped from memory and history. freed when more than 1,000 prisoners lies. “Prisoners Day is a national day Palestinians feel hopes of resuming some Some of the so-called “Hidden Armenians” (or Crypto- were swapped for a single Israeli soldier where the Palestinian people express kind of process ended last month after Armenians) are slowly re-discovering their identity but for held by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas their opposition to occupation, and their the re-election of hardline Israeli Prime many it has been lost forever. The Rostomyan family, how- for five years. support for those resisting it,” said Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ever, has not forgotten its roots or the tragedy of 1915. The landmark 2011 deal to free Gilad Qadura Fares, a former inmate and head pledged during the campaign that there Shalit sparked hope for thousands being of the Prisoners Club. would be no Palestinian state on his ‘A great secret’ held in Israeli prisons. But more than Fares was released during a prisoner watch. In her apartment, Yasmin shows the sepia picture of three years on, with the peace process in swap as part of the 1993 Oslo peace Netanyahu subsequently back- her great-grandfather who died that year and has pride of tatters and ties with Israel severely accords. “Palestinian prisoners are in jail tracked, saying conditions were not place on the dresser between the dictionaries. The word strained, Palestinian hopes of seeing their precisely because they resisted the occu- right at the moment. But Qassem was genocide does not exist in Turkish history books and using prisoners released look more remote pation. They’re a symbol of resistance,” he pessimistic. “There’s no hope of release it to describe the killings can lead to legal action on than ever. Almost every Palestinian family said. On Wednesday, about 200 protest- for many prisoners, especially now charges of insulting Turkey. —AFP is touched by the prisoners issue. ers paid homage to them, waving flags there are no more talks with Israel. “Every Palestinian family has experi- and demanding “freedom” for relatives Netanyahu has closed all doors to ence of the occupation’s prisons-people and friends. “Today, as we approach peace,” she said. Palestinian officials have either been locked up themselves, Prisoners Day, there are some 6,000 agree a political solution appears or they have a family member who’s Palestinian inmates in Israeli jails,” a unlikely. “With a rightwing Israeli gov- been in jail at some point,” said Nojood speaker declared through a microphone. ernment being formed, and with a halt Qassem, 40, whose husband is serving “It is our right to live in freedom!” But that in talks, the political route is closed,” life. Her daughter, who is now 13, has right is being trampled, the Palestinians said Issa Qaraqe, head of prisoners’ grown up knowing her father only say, as the number of inmates increases. affairs for the Palestinian government. through the glass of a prison window. The current number of at least But senior foreign ministry official “My daughter doesn’t even know her 6,200 is the biggest for at least five Majed Bamya alluded to international father. She only sees him behind glass years, according to figures from rights steps the Palestinians could make on the panes on prison visits, and talks to him groups. Since the Shalit deal, Israel has prisoners issue. “A new element is that via a telephone only then. It’s maybe a rearrested some of those freed and we’ve joined the International Criminal couple of times a month,” she told AFP. has rounded up hundreds more fol- Court. We consider the prisoners issue as Growing up with his father in prison was lowing the kidnapping and murder of one of the priorities” there, he said. The CAGNE-SUR-MER: Shamiram Sevag, 101, sur- a tough experience for Fakhri too. three teens in the West Bank last June. Palestinians formally joined the ICC this vivor of the Armenian Genocide and daughter of “When you’re a child you want to play This month alone, Israel has arrested month, and intend to sue Israeli officials for Armenian doctor and poet Roupen Sevag who with your dad, you want his love, his 49 Hamas members as well as a female alleged war crimes. “Mass imprisonment was deported and killed in April 1915, poses physical presence, his hug. “I only got MP. Since 1967, a total of 800,000 can be considered a war crime, a crime with a picture of her parents. —AFP that after 26 years and, instead of being Palestinians have spent time inside, against humanity,” Bamya warned. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

A spare heir: Life as a royal number two

LONDON: Prince William’s new baby, due later this King George VI drinker, her health dwindled and she suffered strokes, month, will join the long line of second children born one King George V’s second son. Like his father, the dying aged 71 in 2002. step from the throne-the so-called spare to the heir. The young prince Albert of York was never meant for the big difference is that new laws that came to effect last throne. However, his elder brother king Edward VIII abdi- Prince Harry month mean that if it is a girl and if William and his wife cated months into his reign in order to marry US socialite Prince Charles’s second son. Harry, the younger of the Kate have more male children, she will not be skipped divorcee Wallis Simpson. Shy and with a stammer, as heir to the throne’s sons with Diana, Princess of Wales, over in the succession line. depicted in the Oscar-winning 2010 film “The King’s was born in 1984, two years after Prince William. He Assuring the dynasty’s continuity should the first line Speech”, George nonetheless had a profound sense of earned a reputation as a party prince-smoking cannabis fail, the spare can often end up inheriting the throne, as duty and steadied the monarchy, steering Britain and infamously wearing a Nazi fancy dress costume-but has happened in recent history. But experience shows through World War II with great personal courage. The has since tried to cut a more mature figure. After 10 the younger can often be more wayward and the elder strain of his unexpected responsibilities were thought to years in the British Army, including two tours in more dutiful. Here is a look at six generations of “spares” have affected his health and he died from a coronary Afghanistan, he is currently serving in its Australian and the life that comes the way of a royal number two. thrombosis, aged 56, in 1952. counterpart as he prepares to retire from the military. In future, Harry is expected to focus on royal duties and King George V Princess Margaret rehabilitating wounded veterans, notably with his King Edward VII’s second son. Born in 1865, George, King George VI’s second daughter. While Queen Invictus Games. who founded the House of Windsor and introduced the Elizabeth II inherited her father’s strict devotion to duty, modern style of monarchy, was never meant to be king. her only sibling princess Margaret was freer to party. Baby Cambridge His older brother prince Albert Victor died aged 28 in the Born in 1930, she brought glamour to the Swinging Prince William’s second child. The new royal baby will global influenza pandemic of 1892. Albert Victor was Sixties, mixing with actors, musicians and living a be two years younger than William and Kate’s first child, engaged to princess Mary of Teck, who became close to bohemian lifestyle. She wanted to marry her father’s Prince George. The baby’s early years will likewise proba- George during their shared mourning and they married divorced equerry but eventually decided against it bly see few public appearances and occasional picture the following year. He reigned from 1910 to his death in rather than lose her royal position. She married photog- releases. While most attention will be on George, history 1936, cut ties with German royalty during World War I rapher Antony Armstrong-Jones, then had a lengthy shows that events can take unexpected twists for the and sought to bring the monarchy closer to the people. affair with a younger gardening expert. A smoker and next in line. — AFP

Italian navy regains control of Libyan seized fishing boat

MILAN: The Italian navy said yesterday it boarded and took control of a Sicilian fishing boat that had been seized earlier in the day by armed men off the coast of Libya. The opera- tion was conducted by military personnel operating in the area on migrant rescue duty. The statement did not say whether the Italian military encountered the armed men, but the Sicilian cooperative said the seven crew mem- bers were on their way back to port. The navy said the fishing boat had been seized by armed men, apparently Libyan secu- rity forces, traveling on a tug boat around 90 kilometers northwest of the Libyan port of Misrata. The fishing cooperative said that other fishing boats operating in the vicinity had reported the seizure to port authorities. The crew, which had been fishing for shrimp, included three Italians and four Tunisians resi- dent in Italy. It was not clear if shots were fired, and there were no reports of injuries, said Francesco Mezzapelle, spokesman for the fish- ing consortium. The consortium said there have been a dozen such seizures of Italian fish- CRETEIL: French Prime Minister Manuel Valls presents the government’s plan aimed at fighting Racism and anti-Semitism with newly-appoint- ing vessels since 2005 when Libya asserted ed Interministerial delegate in charge of the fight against Racism and anti-Semitism. — AFP that its territorial waters extended more than 70 miles off shore - well beyond international agreements. One Italian boat seized in 2012 France PM launches plan to remains held in the Libyan city of Benghazi, although the crew members were released after a month, Mezzapelle said. The deteriorating security situation in combat ‘unbearable’ racism Libya had heightened concern for the fisher- men’s safety, he said. “We are very worried, and so are their families,” Mezzapelle said Anti-Muslim acts have leapt six-fold before the rescue operation. Fighting in Libya has escalated to its worst levels since the CRETEIL: France’s prime minister announced yes- able manner,” Manuel Valls said in the Paris sub- 2013, prompting a rising number of Jews to leave 2011 civil war that ended with the overthrow terday the government would pour 100 million urb city of Creteil, the scene of a brutal attack on a for Israel. and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Euros into a major anti-racism and anti-Semitism Jewish man and his girlfriend in December. “French Jews must no longer be scared to be Gadhafi. Rebel groups that fought against action plan devised in the aftermath of the deadly On Thursday, the country’s Islamophobia Jewish” and “French Muslims must no longer be him kept their weapons and militias mush- Paris jihadist attacks. The program, which among watchdog said anti-Muslim acts had leapt six-fold scared to be Muslim,” Valls said. And it is not just roomed in number. The country now has rival other measures increases penalties for crimes in the first three months of the year compared these two communities-the largest in Europe with governments - the internationally recognized deemed to have been fuelled by racism and anti- with the same period in 2014, fuelled by the an estimated four to five million Muslims and one in the eastern city of Tobruk, and an Semitism, comes as at a time when acts against January 7-9 attacks when Islamic extremists went around 600,000 Jews-that are targets. The Roma, a Islamist-backed one in the capital, Tripoli. The Muslims and Jews have shot up in France. on a killing spree that left 17 dead. And the Jewish minority group that comes mainly from Romania two sides have been negotiating in Morocco “Racism, anti-Semitism, hatred of Muslims, of for- community is also increasingly worried, with anti- and Bulgaria, are also discriminated against, to end the fighting. — AP eigners, homophobia are increasing in an unbear- Semitic acts doubling last year compared with according to activists. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

HK protester knocks Indian flag torched in protest ‘beating’ case delay HONG KONG: A Hong Kong pro-democracy protester appar- Jailed separatist leader causes outcry ently assaulted by police-in a beating captured on video- SRINAGAR: Demonstrators set fire to an slammed the authorities yesterday for failing to charge his Indian flag and hurled rocks at riot police attackers and demanded they are officially identified. It is six in Kashmir’s largest city yesterday as months since the attack on Civic Party activist Ken Tsang, protests over the arrest of a top sepa- footage of which was beamed around the world at the height ratist leader turned violent. Hundreds of mass protests for free leadership elections in Hong Kong. took to the streets of Srinagar, capital of But little progress has been made in the case, which rocked Indian-administered Kashmir, to vent the reputation of the normally respected police force. Tsang’s their anger at Masarat Alam Bhat’s lawyers appeared in court yesterday to apply for a judicial detention after he fronted a rally earlier review, which would ask for the officers’ names to be disclosed in the week where followers waved to Tsang and allow him to pursue the case privately, they said. Pakistani flags. A public investigation is ongoing after police arrested seven The violence erupted soon after wor- officers for “assault occasioning actual bodily harm” in shippers emerged from Friday prayer November. services in the city’s mosques, chanting A spokesman told AFP they remain suspended from duty. pro-Pakistan slogans and “we want free- They are yet to be charged. “A private prosecution is our last dom”, according to an AFP reporter on resort,” Tsang said ahead of the hearing. “It’s difficult to under- the scene. The police tried to disperse stand why the police still need more time for their investiga- the crowds by firing tear gas and then tion. “The whole process didn’t treat me like a victim, but like a wielding their batons. criminal. I’m just left asking ‘why’?” Video footage aired by local At least 16 people were injured dur- television network TVB showed a group of plainclothes officers ing the clashes, including three police- hauling a handcuffed Tsang to a dark corner in a protest-hit men, an officer who was not authorized public park in the early hours of October 15 last year. to speak to the media told AFP on condi- SRINAGAR: Kashmiri protesters shout slogans as they prepare to burn an tion of anonymity. Bhat, who was Searching for justice Indian flag during a protest yesterday. — AFP released in March after several years The video shows one officer stands over him and punches fully, television images of Bhat leading a public safety legislation. Kashmir has him, as three others are seen repeatedly kicking him. Tsang’s behind bars, was arrested early yester- day at his home in Srinagar, a day after chorus of his supporters chanting “jeeve been rocked by violent protests this week lawyer Gerard McCoy questioned why the case had taken so jeeve Pakistan (long live Pakistan)” and after the brother of a top rebel leader was long in court yesterday. “If one reversed the situation and sev- police registered a case against him. “He (Bhat) has been arrested after a other slogans against India’s rule of the killed by the army near the town of Tral in en demonstrators had beaten up a police officer and were disputed region triggered widespread the south of the Kashmir valley. Kashmir caught on film, is it vaguely probable that after six months they case for unlawful activity was registered against him,” K Rajendra, the state’s condemnation from politicians and the is divided between India and Pakistan would not have been facing justice?” he asked. media. Anti-India sentiment runs deep since the two countries gained inde- Department of Justice counsel Johnny Mok said that police director general of police, told AFP. The case stems from a rally on Wednesday across Kashmir, a picturesque Himalayan pendence in 1947. Both claim the territo- were still working on the identification issue and that they region which is India’s only Muslim- ry in its entirety. Although several rebel wanted Tsang to help them. But McCoy said that Tsang had organized to welcome another separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani, on his return to majority state. groups have been fighting Indian forces been held “face down by the police officers” and any identifica- Bhat rose to prominence in 2010 since 1989 for independence of a merger tion procedure six months on could harm his case. It was “strik- Srinagar from New Delhi where he had spent the last three months receiving when he organised a series of mass of the territory with Pakistan, street ingly obvious” who the attackers were, given the visual protests before being detained without protests have become the principle footage, he said. — AFP medical care. Although that rally passed off peace- charge for four years under controversial mode of opposition to Indian rule. — AFP Violence shakes Pakistan’s shrinking Sikh community

HASAN ABDAL: Pilgrims descended from all over Harcharan Singh, 22, witnessed one of the killings the world on a small town in Pakistan that is home last September-that of his friend Harjeet. “It hap- to one of Sikhism’s holiest sites this week, dipping pened in front of me. The man came, shot him and into holy spring water and solemnly offering left quickly (on a motorbike) before anyone knew prayers. They have come from India, Britain and the what was going on,” he said. “Nobody knows who Middle East to the Panja Sahib Gurdwara in Hasan it was. Nobody knows who did it. Forget that-we Abdal, 55 kilometers from Islamabad, where Guru have had around six attacks on us. Still nobody Nanak, the founder of the religion, is said to have knows who did what.” imprinted his hand. But for Pakistani Sikhs, who Harjeet’s family fled a military operation in mainly live in the countries restive northwest; this restive Tirah Valley in Khyber tribal agency around year’s celebrations are also a time of healing after eight years ago, later setting up shop in Peshawar. six murders during August and September that His father, Harbhan Singh, a mountain of a man have left their community in fear. with a majestic red turban, recalled peaceful times The 500-year-old religion was founded in what in his beloved home where he says Sikhs were well is now part of Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country respected and unmolested. of nearly 200 million people. Most Sikhs left “We have been here long before the creation of Pakistan for India after both countries gained inde- Pakistan, before the British period. Since then, we pendence from Britain in 1947. Around 20,000 had no worries,” he said from the small living room Sikhs remain in Pakistan today, most in the coun- at his home in Peshawar, flanked by Harjeet’s two HASAN ABDAL: In this photograph, Sikh pilgrim girls carry gifts after final prayers at the tries restive northwest, which has been rocked by red-headed daughters. Gurdwara Panja Sahib during the annual Vaisakhi festival. — AFP an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, forc- Singh, who speaks only the Pashto language of ing many to leave their homes in the tribal areas on the region and not the Punjabi that Sikh holy texts ly there are no leads in any of the cases. Rabia Abdal, where more than 1,000 police were the Afghan border for the city of Peshawar. are written in, said his family was struggling to Mehmood, a researcher on minorities at the Jinnah deployed to protect 5,000 worshippers who had make sense of what happened. They had no ene- Institute in Islamabad, said military operations come to offer prayers over the course of this ‘Long before Pakistan’ mies, he said, and were now relying on their sav- against the Taliban that displaced millions of week’s three-day Vaisakhi festival marking the There, they have set up businesses and often ings to get by because they had closed the shop Pakistanis in the past decade have clustered Sikhs Sikh new year. work as traders, their men instantly recognizable by out of fear. “You can’t predict about the customer in major cities, increasing their visibility and making For some such as Bhagwant Singh, a 77- the distinctive untrimmed beards and high turbans whether he is a friend or enemy. You could be an them more vulnerable. year-old shopkeeper from the Indian city of that distinguish them from their Muslim counter- enemy for all I know,” he said. Back at one of the “It’s actually a reflection of what has been Amritsar who had made the pilgrimage along parts. They have earned a reputation for upright- city’s two remaining Sikh temples still in use, high happening to other minorities Sikhs have with his wife for the first time in their lives, the ness and have many loyal customers who praise fencing, CCTV cameras and two policemen have become part of that group in the way that they journey has been peaceful. “I wanted to see their honesty. But their peace was broken in the been deputed to protect the place of worship for are targeted,” she said. “Their concern is that the this place in my lifetime and now I feel at second half of last year with a spate of killings tar- the first time in its history. security situation is bad, they are visible and peace,” he said, adding that he was very happy geting Sikh traders and many are now considering (certain groups) do not want to see minority with the hospitality shown by local authorities. leaving. Greater visibilty groups flourishing at all.” Those fears were evi- But many of his Pakistani counterparts do not From his spice and groceries shop in Peshawar, The killings have left police clueless and official- dent at the Panja Sahib gurdwara in Hasan feel the same way. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Australian woman Cambodia marks 40 years since defends Muslim couple from abuse the Evacuation of Phnom Penh Heralding four years of genocidal revolution SYDNEY: A Muslim couple racially abused by a Sydney train passenger thanked another commuter who defend- PHNOM PENH: Tearful survivors yesterday marked 40 years to the 1979 did the scale of its atrocities emerge, with the bones of thou- ed them, with a video capturing the incident going viral day since the Khmer Rouge marched on Phnom Penh, ending a civil sands of victims-including children-uncovered at mass graves across on social media as police launched an investigation. The war but heralding a terror that would kill a quarter of Cambodians the country, including at Choeung Ek. Many had first suffered at pair, Hafeez Ahmed Bhatti and Khalida Hafeez, was riding and leave the capital a ghost town. A few hundred people, including Phnom Penh’s notorious torture house-Tuol Sleng, or S21 — as per- on the airport-bound train on Wednesday when a woman monks and elderly regime survivors, gathered early yesterday at ceived enemies of the revolution. sitting nearby started to rant at them, the person who Choeung Ek-the most notorious of the regime’s “Killing Fields”-on The former school-turned-torture-chamber has also been pre- recorded the footage said. the capital’s outskirts, burning incense and saying Buddhist prayers served as a grisly testament to the horrors of the era, which ended “The lady next to me was saying things like ‘all the peo- at a memorial stupa housing the skulls and bones of victims. when the Khmer Rouge were forced to retreat to jungle hideouts. ple that were dying were because of the Muslims in the The event commemorated the April 17, 1975 triumph of the In 2010, an UN-backed war crimes court sentenced former Tuol world and look what’s happening overseas’,” Stacey Eden, Khmer Rouge over the US-backed republican army of Lon Nol and Sleng prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, to 30 years in prison- reported to be her early 20s, told the Australian with it the start of four years of a genocidal communist revolution. later increased on appeal to life-for overseeing the deaths of 15,000 Broadcasting Corporation yesterday. Eden said the Initially, the Khmer Rouge were given a cautious welcome by people. He was the first person to be held accountable for the woman added: “Read the newspapers, why are you fol- Phnom Penh’s war-weary residents as they entered the city astride regime’s crimes. Last August the two most senior surviving Khmer lowing this religion for, why do you wear things like that tanks, their distinctive red-checkered scarves fluttering behind Rouge leaders-Nuon Chea, 88, known as “Brother Number Two”, so you can marry a man who’s going to go marry a six- them. But soon enough cadres began to evacuate the city of two and former head of state Khieu Samphan, 83 — were given life sen- year-old? million people at gunpoint, in one of the largest forced migrations tences for crimes against humanity. Both have appealed. “I was like, ‘this isn’t right, why are you saying these in recent history. The sick, elderly and very young perished, their Their two-year trial focused on the forced evacuation of kinds of things?’” Eden is heard replying to the woman on bodies littering the roadsides, as “bourgeois” city dwellers were Cambodians from Phnom Penh into rural labor camps as well as the video, which she posted on Facebook: “She wears marched into the countryside to scratch a living from the parched murders at one execution site. Cambodians remain divided over them for herself, OK? She wears them because she wants soil. By the time the tyrannical rule of Pol Pot-or “Brother Number how to move forward, with those clamoring for justice countered by to be modest with her body.” Bhatti shared Eden’s clip on One”-was ousted four years later, an estimated two million others urging reconciliation in a nation where both perpetrators his Facebook page on Thursday, writing: “This video was Cambodians had been killed by execution, starvation or overwork as and victims of the regime are still alive. not recorded by me. But that is what happened to us on the Khmer Rouge drove the country back to “Year Zero” through an In March, the court charged three more former Khmer Rouge Sydney train, God bless Stacey Eden who support us.” agrarian peasant revolution. “Forty years ago Pol Pot turned members with crimes against humanity, ignoring warnings by Cambodia into a hell-a ghost land,” Huot Huorn, 67, told AFP with strongman Cambodian premier Hun Sen-a mid-ranking regime ‘Ignorant comments’ tears in her eyes after lighting incense for the 36 relatives she lost to cadre before he defected-that further prosecutions risked reigniting “I was little shocked, she touched my wife’s head like she the regime. “I still hate that regime... their sins are vivid in my eyes conflict. Speaking at yesterday’s memorial, opposition leader Sam was blessing although no one like a stranger to touch them now. They starved us, jailed people with no food and water until Rainsy repeated a call for further trials, insisting only the guilty “fear and then she started her ignorant comments,” he added. they died... I saw them smash children’s heads against a tree trunk.” the truth”. Phnom Penh has rebounded from the shell of a city left in Other commentators on his post also praised Eden for 1979 to become the driving force of a small but growing speaking out. “Thanks to this lady (Stacey) who came from Horror untold Cambodian economy that many hope will lift the nation out from nowhere as an angel,” one user wrote. Only after the regime was forced out by Vietnamese soldiers in poverty. — AFP Another added: “Great work by Stacey, good job by you as well for being patient and tolerant. The old lady should be ashamed for passing biased comments without knowing the reality.” The footage has attracted more than 130,000 views on YouTube, more than 750,000 views on Facebook and was shared more than 10,000 times on the social net- working site since it was uploaded on Wednesday evening. In the footage, the woman can also be heard mention- ing Martin Place, which is near a central Sydney cafe where a lone gunman inspired by the Islamic State group took customers and staff hostage in December. Two people, and the gunman, were killed in the stand-off. “That’s not her doing it, that’s a minority of people, not a majority of peo- ple, OK... have some respect,” Eden told her. New South Wales police told AFP they were aware of the allegations and had been in touch with Eden. “An investigation is now underway into the incident,” the spokesman added. There have been several videos of racial abuse on Australian public transport that have gone viral online. In July a 55-year-old woman was given a good behavior bond after verbally abusing an Asian passenger on a Sydney train journey in a rant that was captured on video. In 2012 a French-speaking woman singing on a Melbourne bus was told by a man to “speak English or die” in another viral video. Two Chinese students were burned, beaten and racially abused on a Sydney train the same year. — AFP PHNOM PENH: Cambodian opposition party leader Sam Rainsy (left) prays in front of skulls at Choeung Ek killing fields memo- rial.— AFP World’s-worst Jakarta traffic gridlocked for another decade

JAKARTA: Millions of Jakarta commuters will have to struggle Praitno, a Jakarta commuter who traded his motorcycle for a bicycle the president, all plans to develop public transportation in greater through the world’s most congested traffic for almost another to trim a few minutes from his 30-km commute, which still takes Jakarta must be conducted this year and this cannot be delayed,” decade, authorities believe, and they may have to wait even longer if more than an hour. There are hopes that a mass rapid transit (MRT) Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan told reporters this month after a $4 billion worth of new railway projects don’t work out as planned. system, under construction and slated to open in 2018, will provide meeting with President Joko Widodo. Jakarta’s gridlocked streets are the biggest headache for the relief. A consortium of Indonesian and Japanese companies, including Indonesian capital’s 10 million residents and a major hindrance to However, the MRT’s President Director Dono Boestami said its Obayashi Corporation, Shimizu Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui economic growth, with workers stranded for hours in buses, cars and impact would be limited initially. Instead, it will take a long checklist Construction Co Ltd, is building the MRT, which is expected to cost motorcycles each day. Jakarta ranked top among 78 cities for traffic of initiatives, including the government’s new plan to build a light rail $3 billion. The LRT, which is expected to stretch 30 km and cost stops and starts in a study published this year by motor oil firm train (LRT), to see any real change. If all goes to plan, traffic could be around $720 million, will be built by a group of around seven state- Castrol, with the average driver having to stop 33,240 times a year - reduced by 30 percent, but not until 2024 at the earliest, Boestami owned firms, including construction companies Adhi Karya and more than twice the number in New York. New York drivers also trav- said, and a second MRT line and inner city toll roads would also be Wijaya Karya. For commuters, the government’s plan to overhaul el twice as fast as those in Jakarta, whose average speed is a mere 8.3 needed. public transportation is long overdue. “If the government can pro- km per hour. Making matters worse, at least a thousand new cars and vide a convenient, safe and good public transportation system, I will motorbikes are added to Jakarta’s roads each day, government fig- Traffic scourge use it for sure because commuting with a two-wheel vehicle is the ures show. Work on the MRT began in 2013 after decades of delays, and the last alternative,” said Thomas Madya Bestari who spends more than “Congestion in Jakarta is already at an alarming level. In the not- Indonesian and Jakarta city governments say they are urgently seek- two hours a day getting to and from his marketing job at Samsung too-distant future, the city will be paralyzed by traffic,” said Budi Edi ing more solutions to the traffic scourge. “Based on instructions from on a motorbike. — Reuters INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Malaysian PM’s wife China jails outspoken sues oppn member journalist for 7 years KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife have sued an opposition parliamentarian for slander over comments suggesting they manipulated fuel subsidies for personal gain, the lawmaker said yesterday. Verdict a ‘blow to free expression’ The lawsuit filed Thursday against Rafizi Ramli, vice presi- dent of the People’s Justice Party, follows a wave of sedi- tion and other charges against dozens of the ruling coali- BEIJING: A Chinese court yesterday convict- tion’s opponents over the past year, which has sparked ed a 71-year-old journalist of leaking state concern for human rights in the country. secrets and jailed her for seven years, it said, The lawsuit said Rafizi’s comments, in a speech last with rights groups condemning the “arbi- December, implied that Najib and his wife Rosmah trary” verdict as a “blow to free expression”. Mansor had “stolen public funds and thereby betrayed Gao Yu-named one of the International the people of Malaysia”. The suit called the remarks, Press Institute’s 50 “world press heroes” in which related to the lifting of government subsidies on 2000 — “illegally provided state secrets to foreigners”, Beijing’s No. 3 Intermediate fuel last year, a “grave slander and libel”, and “utterly” People’s Court said on a verified social false. Rafizi, who has previously exposed alleged govern- media account. ment corruption and mismanagement, defended his The ruling said that Gao had leaked a comments as in the “public interest” and vowed to fight 2013 directive by the ruling Communist par- in court. ty named “Document number 9” to a Hong “I will continue to voice my opinion and will not be Kong media outlet. The document warns of cowed with the threat of a court action,” he told AFP. the “dangers” of multiparty democracy, Najib is under pressure over his management of the independent media, “universal” definitions economy, particularly allegations of possible corruption of human rights, and criticism of the party’s related to a state-owned investment vehicle he historical record, according to copies widely launched. He also has been condemned by the opposi- circulated online. tion, international rights groups, and the United Nations HONG KONG: Anti-Beijing protesters hold pictures of jailed veteran Chinese for a deepening crackdown on government critics, main- Supporter of democracy journalist Gao Yu during a rally outside Chinese central government’s liaison ly through use of a tough anti-sedition law. “We are very disappointed with this ver- office. — AP Rosmah, meanwhile, is a lightning rod for public criti- dict,” said Shang Baojun, one of her lawyers, state broadcaster a month later admitting an suffers from high blood pressure and cism over her alleged luxurious lifestyle and purported who argued in court that a “confession” she had made a “mistake”. Shang said the Shang added he was “very worried” about influence over the premier. The lawsuit seeks an apolo- from Gao had been extracted after threats main evidence presented at Gao’s trial in her health. gy and court-determined damages. It also names the were made against her son. Gao is “the vic- November was a “confession” she made Chinese courts are tightly controlled by operator of an opposition-leaning YouTube channel-to tim of vaguely worded and arbitrary state- after police threatened the journalist’s son- the ruling party and more than 99 percent secret laws that are used against activists as which Rafizi’s comments were uploaded-as a defendant. who they had also detained. of defendants are convicted, with appeals part of the authorities’ attack on freedom of He added that after the verdict was read rarely successful. Rafizi is currently facing separate charges of revealing expression,” said William Nee, a researcher confidential banking documents, after he exposed the out Gao stated in a “strong voice” that she Police and security staff pushed foreign for Britain-based Amnesty International. would appeal, but was not allowed to make journalists hoping to cover the verdict more alleged abuse of funds in a government beef-produc- Known for her outspoken support for any further statement. The court denied the than 100 meters away from the courthouse, tion scheme. — AFP democracy and press freedom, Gao went defense access to documents used to con- and bundled a Chinese individual into a missing last April and resurfaced on China’s vict her, the lawyer said. The septuagenari- police vehicle. —AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Iraq Sunni insurgency... Continued from Page 1

Baghdad has mounted an offensive against Islamic State and former Baathists once loyal to Saddam Hussein to retake territory in Iraq’s Sunni heartland captured by jihadists last summer. Al-Douri was believed to be a key figure in that insur- gency. While Baghdad has announced Al-Douri’s death sever- al times before, this time photos were circulating showing a man with similar features and red hair like Al-Douri’s. Al- Jubouri told Reuters that DNA from the body will be tested and results will be released to confirm it is him “very soon”. Ahmed Al-Kraim, the head of Salahuddin provincial council, said news of Al-Douri’s death was not confirmed and intelli- gence officers who tracked his movements did not believe he was the man in the photographs. Khaled Jassam, a member of the security committee in Salahuddin provincial council, said the committee were 70 percent sure Al-Douri had been killed but were awaiting med- ical tests. After Saddam Hussein was toppled and before al Qaeda and later Islamic State rose to prominence, Al-Douri led an insurgency against Baghdad’s Shiite-led government, organizing and leading major attacks against symbols of the new rule. Former Baathists in Iraq have also joined forces with Islamic State to fight Baghdad. Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim militant group, has seized a third of Syria and large areas of Iraq and this year proclaimed a caliphate across the two coun- tries in the heart of the Middle East. — Reuters In Saudi, Yemen war... Continued from Page 1 COLUMBUS: Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, (left) speaks with his defense attorney, Sam Shamansky, during a Journalists have been given escorted visits to troops rein- hearing to set bond on charges of money laundering and providing support for terrorism. —AP forcing the border. But from the front there have been no bloody combat pictures that might shake the nation’s morale. In the capital Riyadh, large video screens in shop- Not guilty pleas expected in ping malls and on street corners mix advertising images with shots of marching troops and King Salman saluting beside a warplane. Hints at the human cost of war have Ohio terrorism support plot nonetheless made it into the country’s newspapers. The state news agency issued a photo of the king’s son, Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman, visiting a wounded Traveled to Syria and trained with terrorists soldier in hospital. He leaned over and clasped a hand of the serviceman, COLUMBUS: An Ohio man is expected 23, of Columbus was charged with sup- indictment said. They later talked about whose face was not shown and whose wounds were not to enter not guilty pleas to charges that porting terrorism, supporting a terrorist ways Mohamud could support him described. Another Saudi Press Agency photo showed the he traveled to Syria and trained along- group and making a false statement financially, according to the govern- Governor of Asir region, Prince Faisal bin Khaled, kissing the side terrorists, then returned to the US involving international terrorism when ment. head of the son of a “martyred” Border Guard trooper, with plans to attack a military base or a he allegedly lied to an Ohio FBI agent by Mohamud told his brother of his Corporal Suleiman Al-Malki. Saudi Arabia ranks 164 out of prison. Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud, a saying he was in Istanbul when authori- desire to “join you in the high ranks as a 180 countries and territories in the Reporters Without US citizen originally from Somalia, want- ties say he was in Syria. Mujahid,” or violent jihadist, according to Borders annual index of press freedom, a situation which ed to “kill three or four American soldiers the indictment. Mohamud also told a US has left Saudis one of the world’s most active users of social execution style,” according to the indict- Violent jihadist associate he was happy about his broth- media where they have more leeway to comment. ment. Attacking the prison was part of a Mohamud was arrested in Columbus er’s death and said he “was next and But even there, voices critical of the war have been rare. backup plan if that didn’t work, the in February on state terrorism and mon- would join Aden soon,” the indictment “Yes to the #Decisive_Storm. Yemen needs the help, needs charges said. ey laundering counts. Mohamud said. A year ago, Mohamud bought a the support from its neighbors. Yemen is moving to the safe Mohamud will plead not guilty at a became a US citizen in February 2014, one-way plane ticket to Athens with a and right way,” is a typical post. “There’s no freedom of arraignment to the charges yesterday, according to the government. connection in Istanbul, where he got off which were expected following his arrest US Rep Michael McCaul, chairman of and didn’t board his next flight, the speech here in Saudi Arabia,” said a resident of the country’s earlier this year, said his attorney, Sam the Committee on Homeland Security, indictment said. Instead, he ended up in Eastern Province where most of the kingdom’s Shiite minori- Shamansky. He said it was too early to said the charges highlight the threat Syria where he received training “includ- ty live. “If you speak against this operation it means your loy- talk about the specific charges. The posed by Americans joining extremists ing shooting weapons, breaking into alty is to Iran.” Early in the campaign some people in the indictment also says Mohamud’s broth- overseas then returning home. Events houses, explosives, and hand-to-hand Shiite-majority city of Qatif wanted to protest against the air er, Abdifatah Aden, fought with Jabhat leading to Mohamud’s arrest began combat,” the government said. A cleric strikes and “support Yemeni people” but security officers Al-Nusrah, a State Department-designat- around September 2013 when he com- then instructed him to return to the US ordered them by loudspeaker to stay in their homes, said ed terrorist group, until he was killed in municated online with his brother about to carry out an act of terrorism, accord- the resident, asking to remain anonymous. — AFP battle in Syria in June 2014. Mohamud, plans to also travel to Syria to fight, the ing to the government. —AP Saudi bourse opens doors to foreigners

Continued from Page 1 higher risk sub-set of emerging economies. currently has a 7.7 percent weighting and Russia 3.9 percent. The process could take a minimum of two years, said Pavlo With $1.7 trillion benchmarked against MSCI’s emerging mar- A single foreign investor could own no more than 5 per- Taranenko, vice president and senior researcher at MSCI, ket index as of last June, the inclusion of any country in a lead- cent of any listed company. Final rules will be published on adding that the company could make announcements at any ing index attracts large sums from investment funds. HSBC May 4 and the market will open by June 15, the CMA said on time. “We have to make sure that market is sufficiently accept- estimates that Saudi joining the MSCI’s or FTSE’s emerging Thursday. able in terms of a number of parameters and that our index is index at a weighting of almost 2 percent could generate “We have been excited about Saudi Arabia for 10 years so investable and replicable,” said Taranenko. MSCI launched a inflows of $4 billion from funds tracking such benchmarks. If we are not holding our breath - they will move at their own provisional Saudi index based on the draft rules. If this were the country were to be classified as an emerging market in speed and requirement,” said Smythie. Some investors had used as the basis for incorporation into its emerging markets global benchmark indices, active and passive inflows could hoped the final rules could be published further ahead of May index, Saudi Arabia would have a 1.5-2 percent weighting, add up to as much as $24 billion, HSBC added in a recent note. 12, when index provider MSCI announces semi-annual meaning it would at least match Turkey’s current weighting Flows are difficult to predict. Data for Qatar and the United changes to its benchmarks and could start the process of and be bigger than Poland and Chile’s. Arab Emirates, both upgraded to emerging market status by including Saudi Arabia in its indexes that track stocks in Weightings depend not only on overall market size, but MSCI in May 2014, show active fund flows built up about 6-9 emerging markets or frontier markets - a less developed and also other factors including access for foreign investors. Brazil month before their inclusion. — Reuters Bloomberg terminals hit Londoners fleeing Carmakers race to Businessby global breakdown 16steep house prices 17 China auto show 20 SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Ex-IMF head Rato in graft probe 16

MUMBAI: An Indian vendor sell sugarcane juice against a backdrop of under construction buildings in Mumbai, India. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have forecast India’s growth to rise up to 7.5 per cent next fiscal, overtaking China as the fastest growing emerging economy in 2015-16. — AP Rolls-Royce wins $9.2bn Emirates order Biggest deal in RR history includes maintenance package

LONDON: Rolls-Royce has won a $9.2 billion A380neo to be powered by Rolls-Royce deal to supply engines for 50 A380 aircraft for engines based on its Trent XWB engine. “As Dubai’s Emirates airline, the largest order in far as the neo is concerned, we await the its history and giving it a boost after a torrid deliberations from Toulouse,” Clark told year of profit warnings. Shares in the British reporters yesterday, referring to Airbus head- company rose an initial 2 percent after yester- quarters. Rolls-Royce was also awaiting day’s announcement, which Rolls-Royce said Airbus’s decision on the A380 upgrade, the was the biggest order placed with a British CEO said. “We have said that if they do, we company outside the defence sector. It is the will support that. We think that we can find a first time the Gulf carrier has ordered Rolls- business case for it.” Royce engines for its superjumbo fleet, the The contract signed yesterday for the clas- rest of which is powered by Engine Alliance, a sic A380 includes a long-term “Totalcare” joint venture of General Electric and Pratt & package, which means Rolls-Royce will also Whitney. provide service and maintenance to Emirates. Announcing the deal at a press confer- Rolls-Royce is the world’s second-largest ence attended by Rolls-Royce Chief Executive maker of aeroengines after GE, but its outlook John Rishton and Emirates President Tim has been hit by cancelled orders in other Clark, the companies said the aircraft in ques- parts of its business, where it makes power tion would enter service from 2016. Though a systems for the oil and gas, marine and indus- shift in engine supplier is rare, the deal had trial sectors. It warned in February that profits been flagged by Clark in March, when he said this year could fall by as much as 13 percent, he was considering Rolls-Royce engines for on top of an 8 percent drop last year, saying the aircraft. The selection could raise hopes the low oil price had increased uncertainty. In that Rolls will win more orders from Emirates. its aerospace division, the company is in the Emirates, the leading buyer of the A380 jet throes of a cost-cutting program, aiming to with 140 orders, has said that if Airbus goes shed 2,600 jobs to try to improve profitability. ahead with a revamp of its A380 superjumbo Rishton said the new order would help secure it would place a big order for that model. jobs but the 2,600 planned cuts would still go LONDON: Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce John Rishton (left) and President of Clark has said he expected any so-called ahead. —AFP Emirates Airlines Tim Clark shake hands after a press conference yesterday. — AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Ex-IMF head Rato in corruption probe

MADRID: Spanish tax office agents on eral election. Polls show the Popular Party Thursday searched the Madrid home of for- will suffer heavy losses, in part due to voter mer IMF head Rodrigo Rato, who has anger over a string of graft cases that have already been charged in two graft cases, as tainted top party officials in recent years. part of a new money-laundering probe. Party officials avoided commenting directly Spain’s state prosecutor ordered the search- on the latest Rato investigation and es as part of an investigation into suspected stressed instead the measures the govern- money laundering, fraud and asset strip- ment has taken to fight corruption. ping, a source close to the investigation told Justice Minister Rafael Catala said the AFP. Police escorted Rato, a former econo- probe “is proof that prosecutors investigate, my minister with Spain’s ruling conservative that the law is applied and that the law is party, out of his apartment building in an the same for everyone”. upscale neighbourhood in central Madrid The head of the main opposition after searching his flat for nearly four hours. Socialist Party, Pedro Sanchez, called for the They took him to his nearby office, resignation of Budget Minister Cristobal which was also searched, before driving him Montoro and for a parliamentary enquiry. back to his flat just after midnight. Spanish Corruption scandals have tainted both of media reported the probe could be centred the main parties and have fuelled the rise of on an alleged payment of Ä6.2 million ($6.6 two new challengers that have rallied million) which investment bank Lazard against graft: anti-austerity party Podemos made to Rato in 2011, several years after he on the far left and Ciudadanos on the cen- worked for the firm as an adviser. Rato, a MADRID: Former IMF head and former Spanish Economy Minister Rodrigo tre-right. former stalwart of Spain’s ruling Popular Rato reacts as he leaves his office yesterday. — AFP Rato was a finance minister in the con- Party who has since be expelled from the servative government of Jose Maria Aznar, group, has already been questioned on sus- on company credit cards by him and other have brought separate lawsuits against the which was in office from 1996 to 2004. He picion of fraud in an ongoing probe into the ex-managers of Bankia. He has denied Bankia group, saying they lost their money then led the International Monetary Fund stock market launch of bailed-out lender wrongdoing in both cases. Bankia nearly after being misled into converting their sav- from 2004 to 2007, getting the Washington- Bankia, which he once chaired. collapsed in 2012 and had to be bailed out ings into the bank’s shares. based job thanks to his reputation for pre- He is suspected of misrepresenting by the Spanish government for 24 billion. siding over the early stages of Spain’s con- Bankia’s accounts ahead of its doomed Spain later received Ä41 billion from ‘Law Same for Everyone’ struction-led boom. Rato left the IMF in stock market listing and has been charged international creditors to protect its whole The news that Rato is the target of a 2007 for “personal reasons” and was later with fraud, embezzlement and forgery. Rato banking sector from collapse, though it fresh corruption investigation comes as handed the job of managing Caja Madrid, has also been questioned in court as part of avoided having to get a full sovereign Spain is gearing up for regional and munici- one of the regional savings banks that fused another probe into alleged spending sprees bailout like Greece. Thousands of customers pal elections on May 24 and a year-end gen- to form Bankia in 2010. — AFP Higher US gas Bloomberg terminals hit prices spark by global breakdown

mild inflation PARIS: Bloomberg terminals used by subscribers to make trades using real- WASHINGTON: Rising gas prices in March led to a slight time developments in business and increase in inflation, a sign that some of the broader economic finance were struck by a “global network impact from cheaper oil is fading. The consumer price index problem” for several hours yesterday, rose 0.2 percent in March, the Labor Department said yester- the company said. After users in financial day. Inflation moved at that same pace in February, which end- centres around the world flocked to ed three straight monthly declines caused largely by falling oil Twitter to complain of the unexpected and gasoline prices. outage of terminals, Bloomberg techni- Prices at the pump rose 3.9 percent in March, contributing cians began repair operations that start- along with other sectors to a small dose of inflation. Still, gas ed bringing some blanked terminals remains relatively cheap, falling roughly 33 percent over the back on line at around 0945 GMT. past year to an average price of $2.41 a gallon, according to “Significant but not all parts of our net- AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge. Primarily because of less expensive work experienced a disruption today,” a gas, consumer prices dipped 0.1 percent in the 12 months end- Bloomberg spokesman said in an mes- ed in March, meaning that more Americans have been able to sage emailed to AFP at around 1145 conserve their spending. Annualized inflation will soon turn GMT. “We have restored service to most positive, said Stuart Hoffman chief economist at PNC Financial customers and are making progress in Services. “With energy prices stabilizing, inflation is no longer bringing all parts of the network back slowing,” Hoffman said. Outside food and energy, core prices online. We apologise to our customers.” LONDON: A Bloomberg terminal and keyboard is seen in central London yes- also rose 0.2 percent in March. The cost of clothes, housing, Despite that improving access situa- terday. — AFP cars, and medical care increased, while food and airfare tion, Bloomberg still appeared unable to decreased. Core prices have risen 1.8 percent in the past year. pinpoint the exact cause of the blackout based Natixis bond strategist Rene majority of finance professionals. “Those Several factors outside of gasoline suggest that inflation will that began hours before. It is little won- Defossez, who is responsible for working who work with American investors prefer likely continue to be subdued. The stronger dollar has slashed der that business and finance profession- daily forecast and advisory models. Bloomberg,” says Xavier de Villepion, a the cost of imported electronics, clothing and other items. The als in financial capitals like London, “Those function using Bloomberg data, stock broker with HPC in Paris. As a result dollar has climbed in value against the euro and yen because Singapore and New York noticed the which makes this a real problem.” of Bloomberg’s dominance, said Alastair the US economy has experienced stronger growth than much Bloomberg breakdown immediately - McCaig, a London-based market analyst of Europe and Japan. At the same time, average hourly wages and began expressing their concern over ‘Waiting to Connect’ for online brokerage IG, the effects of its have risen at an annual rate of just 2 percent, too low to cause it on social media posts just as fast. Breakdowns in the Bloomberg system terminals going blank yesterday were a surge in consumer demand that would enable retailers to Bloomberg terminals feed move- are extremely rare, and many finance pro- apparent right away. “Bloomberg, nor- hike their prices. ments of global equity, commodity, for- fessionals found themselves stranded and mally a byword for dependability, has If gas prices hold steady, the annual inflation rate could eign exchange and derivative markets to stunned when their screens went blank. been hit with technical issues this morn- begin to rise later this year. Economists are carefully monitor- worldwide subscribers. Many of those Trading volumes in Europe were down ing,” McCaig said. “As a consequence ing the possibility that inflation reaches the Federal Reserve’s are themselves traders and strategists in due to the breakdown, analysts said, and trading volumes are a little lower in the target of 2 percent, a level deemed manageable enough to the global financial sector, and consider the British government was forced to early session.” encourage consumer activity while keeping prices relatively the service an essential tool. When their postpone an emission of Treasury bills as Yesterday’s outage even sent termi- stable and protecting against deflation. The March report is screens went blank, many of those pro- it uses Bloomberg’s bidding system. nals within the Bloomberg group offline, unlikely to have much impact, said Jennifer Lee, a senior fessionals were left without information Bloomberg is not the only provider of with nothing alighting many screens but economist at BMO Capital Markets. “This is not enough to they require to do business - including real-time financial information, with rivals the frozen “waiting to connect” message. change the speed of the Fed’s anticipated rate hike,” Lee said. like Thomson-Reuters offering alternative “Unfortunately this is a global issue. I also “It certainly won’t hasten their decision, nor does it give it the terminal’s application many use to data feeds. Yet Bloomberg has become am locked out of my terminal,” said a reason to pause.” —AP make trades. “(The outage) is really dis- ruptive for everyone,” said London- the leader and default resource for a Bloomberg employee. — AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Hill assures Britons EU is close to them

LONDON: European Union policymakers are much more favourable to British interests and ideas than many Britons think, Prime Minister David Cameron’s nominee to the EU executive told an audience from the City of London yester- day. Three weeks before an election in which Cameron has tried to fend off Eurosceptics by promising a referendum on leaving the EU if voters return him to power, Jonathan Hill, EU financial services commissioner, said he had been struck since arriving in Brussels how much common ground there was with London. Pledging to play a role in overcoming misunderstand- ings that stem from different traditions in politics and the media on either side of the English Channel, Hill said: “This idea that Britain is isolated in the EU or somehow that British views are eccentric it not what I have found at all.” “Single markets, free trade, better regulation. Those all sound like quite familiar things in British domestic politics,” he said, listing priorities of the new European Commission under Jean-Claude Juncker, whose appointment Cameron tried to block on the grounds the Luxemburger favoured too much EU regulation. “I don’t buy the notion that there is a kind of conflict and I am struck much more by the num- ber of people ... my fellow commissioners by how much similarity of outlook there is.” BIRMINGHAM: A ‘stretch’ limousine passes bars on Broad Street on March 14, 2015. —AFP Hill took care in his new role on the EU executive not to appear to intervene from Brussels in a campaign in which voters’ hostility to Europe may cost Cameron’s Conservatives seats. But at a Reuters Newsmaker event for Londoners fleeing leaders of a financial services industry keen for better access to the EU’s 500 million consumers but exasperated by a surge in regulation after the global crash, Hill sought to counter the view of the anti-EU UK Independence Party steep house prices that Brussels was hostile to Conservative ideas of free trade and small government. Whether Cameron will be re-elected on May 7 - and whether he can form a coalition with partners who would Residents head for provinces support his promise of an in-out referendum on the EU in 2017 - is unclear. But if the referendum project moves BIRMINGHAM: Expensive housing, an over- penny on London life. half from ethnic minorities, Birmingham has ahead, Hill, 54, could play a key backroom role as Cameron loaded transport system and a lack of space are Journalist Tom Cullen moved to long been lumbered with a reputation as seeks changes in EU treaties, notably on free migration driving thousands of Londoners out of the hec- Birmingham in 2013 after living in London for grey and dull. The city hit the headlines ear- inside the bloc, in order to campaign strongly for voters to tic British capital to other, calmer cities such as 12 years, setting up an e-magazine, ichoose- lier this year after an analyst on US TV chan- back staying in. A former Conservative campaign adviser Birmingham. The shortage of affordable hous- birmingham.com, which reviews food, culture nel Fox News called it a “no-go zone” for and public relations executive who was Cameron’s minister ing is a major theme of campaigning for the and entertainment in Birmingham. non-Muslims, drawing derision from many for the upper house of parliament until last year, Hill said May 7 general election and the National “Birmingham made me the best offer,” he said Britons. But Birmingham has had something his priority was to do his job as commissioner to improve Bureau of Statistics says a record 60,000 people in a December article for the Independent of a renaissance in recent years. “It’s develop- the EU capital markets. aged 30-39 left London between June 2012 newspaper. “Birmingham won through house ing into a more attractive city,” said Convey. “I think it’s true to say there is a role I can play in translat- and June 2013. Rather than treading the well- prices, culture, restaurants and bars... good “It’s very easy to get around.” ing, interpreting Brussels to Britain and Britain to Brussels,” worn route of relocating from the city to the schools... space, and low start-up costs for new Britain’s second-biggest city boasts four Hill said. He cited Britain’s blunt and Eurosceptic press as one countryside, many have chosen to move to the companies.” Chris Pyatt, 29, chose Birmingham Michelin-starred restaurants, a symphony reason for “misunderstandings”, with European leaders often central city of Birmingham, Bristol in the south- to launch his web design company because it orchestra, high quality theatre, concert and offended by what they saw as mischievous coverage of their west, or Manchester in the north. is cheaper than London while being close to shopping venues and proximity to two affairs by titles, some owned by global magnates such as “Rental prices (in Birmingham) are half of the capital, which is under an hour and a half Premier League football teams. Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch, which revel in unflattering national stereo- what they are in London,” said Kelly Convey, away by train. “It has a big catchment area - Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the types. “In the EU a good compromise is about the highest travel blogger for Expedia. “London is becom- because we are in the middle of the country, London Chamber of Commerce and accolade because it’s hard to achieve. In the UK in politics, ing exceptionally hard to be able to afford.” we are accessible,” he said in his office on the Industry, said that delayed commuter trains compromise?” he said, mimicking in gesture the distaste Buying a property costs an average of £500,000 top floor of a neo-Georgian building, five min- into the capital were having a “significant with which coalition and consensus-building are viewed by in London ($742,000), compared to an average utes’ walk from the main railway station. impact on business”. “London’s transport many British commentators used to a tradition of prime min- of £120,000 in Birmingham. Despite the infrastructure is creaking at the same time isters wielding sweeping personal power. —Reuters employment and lifestyle benefits of the capi- ‘Generation Who Like Cities’ as the city’s population is booming,” tal, not everyone is willing to spend every last With some 1.2 million residents, almost Stanbridge said. —AFP African cocoa golden ticket for Tanzania factory

DAR ES SALAAM: Jaki Kweka is that rare breed of East African firms carving out a niche in the chocolate find large-scale chocolate manufacturing (by African gourmet chocolatier. She makes fine chocolate in world and seeking to reverse a trend that has led to companies) in sub-Saharan Africa because it’s not Africa using local African ingredients. Other African the foreign domination of Africa’s growing chocolate commercially viable. It’s expensive to produce,” said companies such as Ghana’s Golden Tree use local economy. The firm employs five people and its small Victoria Crandall, an Ecobank analyst in Ivory Coast. cocoa but import milk powder and sugar. size sheds light on a big issue: Africa produces more Chocolate Mamas’ dark and milk chocolate bars Multinationals such as Nestle mass produce choco- than 70 percent of the world’s cocoa but the $110 bil- sell at premium prices in high-end shops and hotels in late in South Africa for the continent’s consumers and lion chocolate industry is dominated by Western Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and they have a devoted source ingredients globally. But few firms match companies. following among wealthy Tanzanians, expatriates and Kweka’s ideal - she uses Tanzanian beans and local Top cocoa producers Ivory Coast and Ghana lack tourists. The company launched in 2012 and Kweka sugar to make organic chocolate that is 100 percent dairy and sugar industries to compete with the main began using cocoa from small-scale farmers in south- African. She packages her bars in recycled maize manufacturers and cocoa is traded globally so African western Tanzania after seeing the price of importing husks for extra authenticity. bean growers don’t have a competitive advantage baking chocolate from Europe. It took nine months of Kweka’s Chocolate Mamas is one of a handful of when it comes to making chocolate. “You don’t really trial and error to perfect recipes. —Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Dollar dented by weaker US data

TOKYO: The dollar sank further in Asia yesterday as index on manufacturing activity plunged into negative held up yesterday despite worries over Greece after the another round of disappointing US data cast further territory in April for the first time since December. International Monetary Fund refused to give it more doubt on the chances of a mid-year Federal Reserve Disappointing US retail sales earlier in the week - as time to repay its loans, while the country’s Prime interest rate hike. The greenback was changing hands well as weak Chinese economic growth - also weighed Minister Alexis Tsipras said he was talking to the at 119.00 yen in Tokyo afternoon trading, slightly down on sentiment and dollar demand. A speech by Atlanta Orthodox Church about using clerical assets to boost from 119.04 yen in New York and well off the 119.33 Fed chief Dennis Lockhart, a voting member of the state coffers. The dollar was mostly weaker against oth- yen in Tokyo earlier Thursday. The euro strengthened Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s er Asia-Pacific currencies. to $1.0772 and 128.19 yen against $1.0761 and 128.10 policy arm, did little to inspire confidence in a mid-year It slipped to Sg$1.3477 from Sg$1.3557 on yen in US trade, as investors watch the slow progress in rate hike. “A murky economic picture is not an ideal cir- Thursday, to Tw$31.10 from Tw$31.17, to 1,083.95 Greece’s bailout talks with its international creditors. cumstance for making a major policy decision” on South Korean won from 1,088.15 won, and to 32.40 On Thursday, fresh US data showed housing starts beginning to raise rates, he said, insisting he was pre- Thai baht from 32.42 baht. The greenback also fell to rose less than expected in March, while initial jobless senting his own views and not speaking for the policy 44.36 Philippine pesos from 44.42 pesos and to 62.37 claims, a sign of the pace of layoffs, increased well board or the Fed. Indian rupees from 62.40 rupees. It rose to 12,862.00 above estimates to their highest level in six weeks. The Expectations earlier in the year had been for a rise as Indonesian rupiah from 12,857.50 rupiah. The tepid numbers came a day after figures showed US early as June as the world’s top economy showed signs Australian dollar rose to 77.80 US cents from 77.38 industrial production fell in March twice as much as of strength but a string of weak indicators have pushed cents, while the Chinese yuan eased to 19.22 yen from expected, while the New York Fed said its Empire State that timetable back, nudging the dollar lower. The euro 19.26 yen. — AFP Shares hit by China clampdown fears Global equities turn negative

LONDON: Global equities lost ground yesterday as low of 0.05 percent, creeping closer to zero, as traders grappled with an outage of Bloomberg Greece sounded a mix of defiance and willingness financial terminals and fears of a regulatory clamp- to compromise with its international creditors on down on trading in China. Worries that Greece may reforms required to unlock more loans. Spanish, run out of money as debt repayments loom also Italian and Portuguese yields rose. Emerging mar- spread through credit markets, with peripheral ket stocks hit a new seven-month high and headed eurozone government debt rising while core for their third consecutive weekly gain, helped by German bund yields hit a new record low. Top expectations that a US rate hike was further away European shares were down more than 1 percent, than once thought. US equity futures fell 0.7 percent and China H- Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Dennis Share index futures were down more than 5 per- Lockhart, a voting member of the Fed’s rate-setting cent at 1107 GMT, with traders saying the market committee this year, said the recent “murky” run of selloff was worsened by the expiry of futures and US data has him leaning against a June interest rate options on European indexes. hike. Lockhart quickly added he was confident the Traders said markets were spooked by reports economy would remain on track. Comments from of a crackdown in China on over-the-counter mar- Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester and Boston gin trading and regulatory allowances for fund Fed President Eric Rosengren also struck dovish managers to lend shares for short-selling, saying tones. The rate-rise uncertainty left gold prices fac- this would be negative for the flow of recent mon- ing their second straight weekly drop, while ey that has poured into Chinese exchanges. “The London tin capitulated to more than five-year lows securities regulator is encouraging short-selling to as growing supply from Myanmar and torpid TOKYO: Pedestrians pass before a share prices board yesterday. — AFP institutional investors, and they are going to stop demand punished prices. — Reuters margin trading on OTC,” Ioan Smith, managing director of KCG Europe, said. “Traders had to catch up with that news after the Bloomberg terminals Gold pares Brent rises above $64 came back online, and that’s when we saw the falls in Europe.” gains after LONDON: Oil prices repaired early losses to rally price drop is starting to slow US production and However, the MSCI All-Countries index is still set above $64 yesterday due to the conflict in from a smaller-than-expected rise in US crude for a 0.4 percent gain for the week, on track for its Yemen. Brent crude was within sight of its 2015 inventories that raised hopes months of rising third consecutive weekly gain, as cheap central US data high reached on Thursday and has rallied 16 stocks may be nearing an end. Oil prices have bank cash buoys markets. A US interest rate hike in percent in April, supported by Yemen and the almost halved since June 2014 on ample sup- the near term is now seen as less likely after a LONDON: Gold pared gains yesterday, heading prospect that lower prices are starting to curb plies. The drop deepened after OPEC refused in recent run of lackluster US economic data that sent for a second weekly drop, after data showing US shale output. At 1509 GMT, Brent crude for November to cut its production and instead the dollar down for a fourth straight day on Friday US consumer prices rose in March tempered June was up 25 cents at $64.23 a barrel. It hit a chose to defend market share against higher- to near a one-week low. At the same time, lingering speculation the Federal Reserve will delay its 2015 high of $64.95 on Thursday. US crude for cost producers such as the United States. worries about upcoming corporate earnings first interest rate rise in nearly a decade. The May was down 9 cents at $56.62 a barrel. Pressuring prices on Thursday, the reports in the United States have been offset by metal held above the $1,200 an ounce level, Military units protecting Yemen’s Masila oil- Organization of the Petroleum Exporting corporate share buybacks, according to analysts however, which it broke above earlier this week fields, the country’s largest, withdrew on Friday Countries (OPEC) said in its monthly report that and investors. after a run of downbeat US data led analysts to and handed over security responsibilities to its March production jumped 810,000 barrels “The equity market does appear to have looked reassess expectations the Fed would raise rates armed local tribes, in a sign of the weakening per day (bpd) to 30.79 million bpd, led by Saudi through the weakness in economic data and earn- in June. Spot gold was up 0.4 percent at $1,201.31 an ounce at 1339 GMT, off an earlier grip of the Yemeni state over its land and Arabia. A day earlier, the International Energy ings with extraordinary aplomb,” said Sean Darby, high of $1,207.60 and down 0.5 percent on the resources. Agency, which advises industrialised countries, global equity strategist at Jefferies, in a note to week. US gold futures for June delivery were up While Yemen is not a major oil producer, the also reported a surge in OPEC production to 31 clients. “(US) share buybacks have become a much $3.50 an ounce at $1,201.50. conflict raises concern about risks to supply million bpd, which it said could delay a tighten- more important driver for stock prices in the short- Gold is sensitive to US monetary policy, as ing in the global market. run as earnings-per-share growth wanes.” General from major exporters in the region such as its rising rates would boost the dollar, in which neighbour Saudi Arabia. Prices also drew sup- “There is the prospect in the second quarter Electric posted a first-quarter net loss of $13.6 bil- lion, weighed down by about $16 billion in charges the metal is priced, while lifting the opportuni- port from traders closing out short positions on of an enormous 2.4 to 2.7 million bpd stock- ty cost of holding non-yielding bullion. “Even if Friday, encouraged by strong technical factors build if OPEC production continues at 31 mil- tied to its exit of GE Capital assets. Excluding special items, GE posted earnings of 31 cents per share, the rate rise gets pushed back, people still see said Rob Montefusco, senior oil trader at Sucden lion bpd,” said David Hufton of brokers PVM. rates rising, and we believe that’s still a nega- Financial. “Technically, Brent is looking in better Talks between OPEC and other major produc- topping by 1 cent the average analyst estimate, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. tive for gold,” Julius Baer commodity analyst shape at the moment,” he said. “$65 a barrel is ers triggered speculation about deals to cut Warren Kreyzig said. “Maybe there’s less sensi- the next target we need to break for upward production and supported oil prices on US consumer inflation data is also due, and may reinforce the view that a near-term rise in rates is tivity around the timing than there is about the momentum.” Wednesday, though most analysts said an actual direction (of rates). —Reuters Crude also got a lift from signs this week the agreement was unlikely. — Reuters less likely. German 10-year yields hit a new all-time BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

North Cyprus counts on Turkey for survival NICOSIA: Recognised only by Ankara, the tiny Turkish ‘There is No Economy’ economy in our country,” said Ahmed Shaheen, a Republic of Northern Cyprus heads to the polls tomor- Fikri Toros, the head of the Turkish Cypriot cham- 29-year-old sitting in the sunshine outside a row with its economy suffering from international iso- ber of commerce, said the limits have very real eco- Nicosia cafe. Shaheen said he would be voting lation and surviving mainly thanks to Turkey’s largesse. nomic consequences. “Take a container coming from tomorrow, but didn’t expect any change. The campaign for the presidential vote, which will see China,” he said. “Bringing it to Limassol (the port in “Politicians don’t care, they don’t want to change incumbent Dervis Eroglu face three main challengers, southern Cyprus) is going to cost you around $2,200. If things,” he said. Whoever is elected “won’t be able has focused on stalled efforts to resolve the 40-year- you want to bring it to Famagusta, it costs $3,600.” to open the country because of Turkey”. old conflict that has left the TRNC a breakaway enclave Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 but goods Economic experts and some local businessmen on the Mediterranean island’s northern third. But for from the TRNC do not have privileged access to the say what’s needed is a political solution that the TRNC’s some 300,000 inhabitants, it’s the economic bloc so suffer from the restrictions and taxes imposed would integrate the TRNC into the global econo- consequences of the territory’s unrecognised status on outside countries. It shows in the country’s enor- my. The Cypriot branch of the Peace Research that hit home the most. mous trade deficit - exports of only about $130 million Institute Oslo (PRIO), a think-tank that promotes “The Turkish Cypriot economy has a very big struc- per year, against imports of $1.4 billion, according to reconciliation, said in a report that reunification of tural problem, and we are very much aware of that. Toros. Only Turkey’s substantial support, he said, the island would give a significant boost to the First is that the economy is an aid-dependent econo- keeps the economy going. economy, on both sides of the Greek-Turkish my, and we do have lots of funds coming from Turkey,” As well as directly providing about 30 percent of divide. If a solution were found by the start of said Mustafa Besim, a professor at Famagusta’s Eastern the TRNC’s budget, Ankara finances major infrastruc- 2016, the TRNC’s economy would grow from euro Mediterranean University. “This is a reality and this is a ture projects in the territory - from roads to hospitals - 2.6 billion in 2012 to 11.2 billion in 2035, the problem. We have this problem because the economy and encourages Turkish businesses to invest. With report said. Without a solution, it would grow to of north Cyprus is not able to have access to interna- tourism one of the few bright spots in the local econo- only euro 4.7 billion. tional markets,” he said. Since Turkey’s invasion of the my, Turkish investment has nearly doubled hotel Previous hopes for a political solution in Cyprus northern part of Cyprus in 1974 in response to an capacity in the past 10 years, Toros said. Ankara’s sub- have already shown the potential for an economic Athens-engineered coup seeking union with Greece, sidies also allow the Turkish Cypriot government to surge. In the early 2000s, when a UN-backed plan to the territory has been almost completely cut off from finance its bloated public sector, with some 80 per- resolve the dispute appeared to be making head- the outside world. A UN-monitored ceasefire line runs cent of budget spending on public employees, Toros way, the TRNC’s economy roared ahead even with- across the island, limiting movement and trade, and said. out a final agreement. “Because everyone believed the capital Nicosia is split in two. At the TRNC’s Ercan that there was going to be a solution... we had an airport, some 40 km outside Nicosia, the only planes Division Hurts Growth economy that grew 15-17 percent for 3-4 years. We taking off and landing are from Turkey. The north’s For many Turkish Cypriots, even the idea of a had a boom here because everyone was very posi- main port, at Famagusta, suffers the same restrictions. “national” economy is an illusion. “There is no tive about a solution,” Besim said. —AFP

Argentina Canada’s oil sands to sueing Falkands drillers weather price plunge LONDON: Argentina has started legal proceedings against five companies, including three British ones, Big shock for oil-rich region which are drilling for oil and gas in the disputed CALGARY: Falling oil prices have slowed Nexen slashed 350; and Anglo-Dutch must be mined or extracted to meet Falkland Islands, raising tensions in a diplomatic row the phenomenal expansion of Canada’s oil group Shell announced 300 layoffs. From growing consumption,” Maurel over the islands’ sovereignty. Argentina’s minister for sands extraction trade but the industry September to February, a total of 20,000 explained. “The 2015 price of oil is irrele- the Falklands, known as Las Malvinas in Argentina, remains optimistic it is only a temporary jobs in the oil sands were lost, according to vant. What matters is what happens in announced the start of the lawsuit in London on setback. The price of oil fell $60 from June the Canadian government statistical the long term,” he said. Despite recent Friday, saying a judge in Rio Grande, Argentina, had 2014 to January 2015, resulting in a massive agency. “When companies are taking deci- setbacks, he noted, Total remains com- agreed to take on the case. budget deficit for the Canadian province of sions on personnel, (firing people) is the last mitted to extracting 130,000 barrels of The main companies involved in oil drilling in the Alberta which will receive Can$7 billion thing they want to do,” Herald commented. oil per day from the oil sands by 2018, Falklands are Premier Oil, Noble Energy, Falkland Oil (US$5.7 billion) less in energy royalties this Total, meanwhile, has suspended representing five percent of the compa- and Gas, Rockhopper and Edison International. Daniel year, forcing the local government to hike development of two out of four oil sands ny’s global output. Filmus told a press conference at the residence of the taxes and cut services for the first time in a Argentine ambassador to London that his country was generation. It has been a tremendous determined to use international and national law to shock for this oil-rich region after a decade- long boom that saw home prices soar, a pursue the case. He said the proceedings had been new car in every driveway and jobs for brought against three UK-listed firms and two firms everyone. “The downturn has been brutal,” listed in the United States. said Brad Herald, vice-president of the He said anyone found guilty of illegal exploration in Canadian Association of Petroleum Argentina would face a sentence of 5 to 10 years in Producers (CAPP). prison, while sentences for illegal extraction would be Oil company executives initially expect- even longer. The judge will now decide how to pro- ed the global energy slump to be tempo- ceed. Earlier this month, Falklands oil explorers rary and oil prices to soon bounce back, but Premier Oil and Falkland Oil and Gas kick-started their they now admit a return to prosperity 2015 drilling campaign by announcing they had could take longer than imagined, com- found oil and gas at the first well in a nine-month pro- mented Robert Schulz, a professor of petro- gram. In response, Argentina said it would start legal leum land management at the University of proceedings against the energy firms, leading to the Calgary. Herald acknowledged the initial forecasts were wrong. However, he added: two countries summoning each other’s ambassadors “We’ve seen ups and downs. If you look for a dressing down. FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta: The Syncrude oil sands mine is seen on April 1, back at the past 30 years, we had five or six 2015. —AFP The Falkland Islands Government said it had a right dips in the market, they all happened to develop its own economy.”Exploration drilling has because of slightly different reasons but the bitumen deposits. Chief executive Doubling Production been happening in Falkland Islands waters for many fundamentals of supply and demand usual- Laurent Maurel said the two on the The petroleum industry has forecast years,” it said. “The Government of Argentina contin- ly get restored.” chopping block were simply “not finan- new investment in the oil sands to fall this ues to ignore our inalienable right to determine our In the meantime, the industry has been cially viable” at current oil prices. In his year by one-third, to Can$46 billion. Long- own future.” It is the latest diplomatic spat between slimming its liabilities, laying off workers Calgary office, surrounded by maps and term forecasts unveiled in February, how- Britain and Argentina, who fought a short war over and putting new mega-projects on hold. geological surveys of the oil sands, how- ever, point to a doubling of oil sands out- the Falklands in 1982 which Britain won. The war Over the past six months, Canadian firm ever, he insisted that foreign interest in put to about six billion barrels per day by killed more than 600 Argentine and 255 British sol- Suncor shed 1,000 jobs in the Alberta oil Canadian oil remains strong. Each year, 2035. This year and next, the industry will diers. —Reuters sands. American firm ConocoPhilips and its global oil reverses diminish “by 4.5 bil- likely see small increases of 150,000 barrels partner Paris-based Total cut 200; China’s lion barrels per day, and new deposits of oil per day, before it picks up. —AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Policy divide grows as China slows

BEIJING: With China’s economic growth heading for a quar- the government. “The biggest difficulty is not slowdown which in the short term means letting weak companies fail ter-century low, think-tanks and advisers to the government itself. Many debt-laden firms cannot repay bank loans, and and unproductive jobs evaporate, will produce better are polarizing into those calling for more stimulus to arrest we must boost the money supply as quickly as possible to quality growth, while excessive stimulus could promote the slowdown and a rival camp emphasizing structural reduce real interest rates.” dangerous asset bubbles. reforms as the route to sustainable growth. The debate The economist called for deeper cuts to banks’ reserve “They (leaders) are worried about the economy, but among the think-tanks, which influence decision-making requirement ratio (RRR) this year, probably by 3-4 percent- policy steps have limited effectiveness due to excessive but do not wield direct power, is reflected in the ambivalent age points from the current 19.5 percent, and some yuan investment in the past,” said an economist with a think- mood music coming from China’s leaders, who accept the depreciation to help exporters. Despite the rate cuts and tank affiliated to the National Development Reform need to adapt to a “new normal” of slower but better quality lower RRR, falling inflation has kept real borrowing costs Commission, the top planning agency. Cai Fang, vice head growth, while fretting that a deeper downturn could fuel high. Lu Zhengwei, chief economist at the Industrial Bank, of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), a gov- debt defaults, unemployment and social unrest. has also called for yuan depreciation to support growth, ernment think-tank, also wants more emphasis on reforms. To prevent growth from dipping below 7 percent, some but China’s leaders are concerned it would encourage a He advocates relaxing rules on family planning and the economists are urging Beijing to step up policy support on further outflow of capital. Premier Li has ruled it out, even household registration system, which ties people’s access top of the two interest rate cuts since November and a as he conceded that the 2015 growth target won’t be easy. to services to their residential status. reduction in the level of deposits banks must hold in “They will have to cut interest rates and RRR and boost “We have used a variety of approaches to appropriate- reserve. “Employment is a lagging indicator; if the slow- investment, which may only provide a short relief for the ly stimulate economic growth, but they are apparently down persists, it will definitely affect employment,” said a economy but cannot change the downward trend,” said not very useful,” he told a high-level conference last senior economist at a well-connected think-tank who Lu. month. “That will make policymakers realise that they can- declined to be named. “We still need to cut interest rates, not use traditional means to boost economic growth bank reserve ratios and taxes, (and) the exchange rate Boost or Bubble? potentials and must look to reforms to unleash divi- should become more flexible.” But other advisers say Beijing should tolerate lower dends.” Those dividends should include government’s Employment is for now holding up despite signs of rising growth, chastened by the experience of its last heavy stim- long-term goal of reducing the burden of debt in the job losses in some regions, including the rust-belt northeast- ulus programme after the global financial crisis, which sad- economy, while excessive stimulus risks further inflating ern provinces, which Premier Li Keqiang visited last week, dled state-owned enterprises and local authorities with a speculative bubbles. “If we pump out more money pledging to “stand up to” the downward pressure on the mountain of debt, run up sometimes for projects of doubt- through monetary policy, it will spur further crazy rises in economy. “The real downward pressure may be even bigger ful value. These advisers argue that reforms to make the the stock market,” said another CASS economist. “The than the headline figures,” said an economist who advises economy more efficient and responsive to market signals, government is riding a tiger.” —Reuters

Japan, US trade Carmakers race to race to seal FTA before summit China auto show TOKYO: Japan and the United States look set to hold cabinet-level trade talks in coming days as the allies race Market slowdown denting appeal to seal a bilateral trade deal, seen as crucial for a broader trans-Pacific free trade pact, ahead of a summit this SHANGHAI: China is crucial to foreign carmakers favoured by government and government-affili- the first time, it will not include scantily-clad month. Economy Minister Akira Amari was to hold a news as the world’s biggest auto market, but slowing ated institutions.” The anti-graft drive has also models, which organisers have reportedly conference yesterday, the government said after Kyodo economic growth and a corruption crackdown snared auto industry officials including the for- banned in favour of more wholesome promo- News reported that US Trade Representative Michael are denting its appeal as they gather for the mer top executive of China’s third-biggest car tion. On show instead will be a range of SUVs Froman will visit Tokyo to meet Amari on talks over the country’s premier industry show. The Shanghai company, FAW Group, which has a joint venture (sport utility vehicles), whose image in China as a agricultural and auto sectors. A US-Japan deal is consid- auto show - the location alternates with Beijing - with Germany’s Volkswagen. roomy family car rather than a fuel-guzzling ered vital to the success of a long-delayed Trans-Pacific opens on Monday and is a chance for global giant helped drive a 48.8 percent surge year-on- Partnership pact, as the two economies, the world’s automobile manufacturers to show off their lat- Family Image Favours SUVs year in the first quarter, according to industry biggest and third-biggest, account for about 80 percent est offerings to the massive market. Vehicle sales But foreign companies cannot afford to group CAAM. Just ahead of the show, US auto of the economic output of the 12-member TPP. in China reached 23.49 million last year, well ignore China’s market, particularly as Europe is giant General Motors launched a new SUV in the ahead of the United States, which it overtook in Japanese media said the ministerial talks could begin 2009. But annual sales growth halved to 6.9 per- as soon as Sunday, suggesting progress at the senior cent last year from 13.9 percent in 2013, accord- working level in bilateral talks in Tokyo that ran through ing to the China Association of Automobile yesterday. “There are still issues to be solved,” Agriculture Manufacturers (CAAM). The slowdown contin- Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday morning. “We ued in the first three months of this year, when will do our utmost so that a parliament resolution (to sales rose just 3.9 percent. “The reality is, despite protect five agricultural products) can be seen to be lower growth rates... the numbers in China are kept.” Tokyo has said a bilateral deal would require that still the largest in the world,” said London-based the US Congress give President Barack Obama “fast track” principal analyst for IHS Automotive, Namrita authority to negotiate TPP, a pact that is central to his Chow. “It’s still a big market for automakers to strategic shift toward Asia. fight for market share.” On Thursday, senior US lawmakers agreed on the The downturn comes as growth in China, the wording of a bill that would give them the opportunity world’s number two economy, is faltering. It for an up-or-down vote but not to alter a TPP agreement. expanded by an annual rate of 7.0 percent in the Still, passage of the fast-track bill remains far from first quarter, the lowest level since 2009 at the assured. “You can say that we have just cleared one height of the global financial crisis. At the same obstacle to TPP negotiations,” Amari told reporters. The time, Chinese cities are slapping limits on the number of vehicles as heavy pollution and traf- SHANGHAI: A labourer works on a scaffold as people prepare a bill- bilateral trade talks have been stymied by Japan’s efforts fic-choked roads spark calls for change. The board for the 16th Shanghai International Automobile Industry to protect politically powerful agriculture sectors such as southern boomtown of Shenzhen became the Exhibition yesterday. —AFP beef, and disputes over both countries’ auto markets. latest to impose such measures in December, Washington and Tokyo see strategic value to a broad bringing the total number of cities to at least sev- still struggling to recover from a six-year slump China market, the Buick Envision 20T. TPP deal as forming a counterweight to rising China, en, but carmakers expect more to follow. brought on by the global financial crisis. Rising Rival Ford Motor Co. will give two luxury which has not joined the group. Asked about the TPP, A prolonged corruption crackdown and gov- incomes and a low percentage of car ownership SUVs their China market debuts at the show - the Hong Lei, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said ernment austerity drive are also hurting the “pre- also point to the potential for further sales mid-size Lincoln MKX and the full-size Lincoln there was momentum in trade liberalization in the Asia- mium” market - defined by analysts as vehicles growth in the world’s most populous country. Navigator - and launch a flagship sedan for Pacific and that China supported open regionalism. costing from $33,000 to $197,000 - as well as rar- Chinese consumers are evolving, embracing China, the Taurus. The US carmaker boosted its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is due to meet Obama in efied luxury brands with even higher prices. “The auto financing instead of cash deals and foster- Chinese footprint last month by opening a $760 Washington on April 28 for a summit that will also focus whole corruption crackdown is affecting premi- ing a growing market for second-hand vehicles million assembly plant in the eastern city of on security issues. —Reuters um products,” said Chow of IHS. “We’re seeing a instead of buying the newest models. Hangzhou, adding annual production capacity greater proportion of local brand vehicles being The auto show is evolving too. This year, for of 250,000 vehicles. —AFP 18, 2015 SATURDAY, APRIL APRIL SATURDAY,

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A model presents a creation by Lino Villaventura during the 2016 Summer collections of the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 16, 2015.— AFP

SEE PAGE 24 SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

These images released by Lucasfilm show scenes from ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ the highly anticipated film by JJ Abrams that hits theaters Dec 18. — AP photos ‘Chewie, we’re home’: Star Wars trailer delights fans ype surrounding the eagerly anticipated “Star Wars” Lucas’s Lucasfilm in October 2012. Disney soon announced plans reboot made the jump to light speed on Thursday as the for three new films in the series, with acclaimed Hollywood direc- Hmovie’s makers unveiled a new trailer that delighted fans tor JJ Abrams being entrusted with the reboot. Filming began in with a glimpse of iconic characters Han Solo and Chewbacca. The Britain in May last year on “The Force Awakens,” or Episode VII. action-packed second trailer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” showed spacecraft dogfights and a chase involving the ‘Never had more fun’ Millennium Falcon before concluding with the unmistakable Abrams told a panel discussion that the new film would seek voice of Harrison Ford as Solo. “Chewie, we’re home,” Solo says to to recreate the realism of the original films by placing less empha- his Wookiee friend, who offers a signature roar in reply before the sis on computer-generated special effects. “We needed a stan- trailer closes with a shot of the famous yellow-on-black “Star dard that felt real. You want it to be legitimate, authentic. So Wars” logo. building as much (of the sets) as we could was the mandate,” said The teaser was premiered at the opening of the four-day Star Abrams of the production, which was partly filmed on location in Wars Celebration convention in Anaheim, outside Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi. “Star Wars is as much a Western as a fairytale and one sending around 40,000 fans who had flocked to the event-many of the things that you want and expect to see are beautiful John wielding light sabers and wearing full “Star Wars” costumes-into Ford landscapes and shooting in Abu Dhabi provided just that,” raptures. The hashtag #Chewiewerehome was rapidly adopted by he said. fans on Twitter while #StarWars was soon a top trending subject The 48-year-old director, who has also successfully rebooted Filmmaker JJ Abrams signs autographs for fans on the on the social media site as anticipation for the movie, due out on another science fiction franchise for the big screen with two “Star Cantina set at Star Wars Celebration: The Ultimate Fan December 18, went into overdrive. Trek” films, revealed he had initially been lukewarm when Experience. approached to oversee the return of “Star Wars.” But eventually, Tears of joy he said, he decided “it was impossible to say no.”Abrams admit- Many fans spoke about tears of joy after the trailer’s soaring chased inside the cavernous exhaust pipe of a stricken Imperial ted he was occasionally daunted by the pressure of delivering a finale featuring Han Solo and Chewbacca, central characters of Star Destroyer. film that would satisfy the expectations of millions of fans across the beloved first trilogy of “Star Wars” films made by George The trailer also featured a voiceover by actor Mark Hamill, who the globe. “But while there are moments of horror, the reality is Lucas between 1977 and 1983. “I’m 41 years old and I cried at the returns as Luke Skywalker. “Star Wars” has attracted generations I’ve never had more fun in my life working on anything and the end!” tweeted one fan, sentiments echoed by many after the trail- of loyal fans ever since the first film arrived nearly 40 years ago, opportunity far outweighs the risk,” he said. “I can’t wait for you er’s release. “The Star Wars trailer literally had me in tears and creating a signature moment in the history of popular culture and to see the movie.”— AFP cheering,” US sitcom actor Lucas Neff added on Twitter. In anoth- launching one of the biggest movie franchises ever. After a sec- er scene, played out against the familiar soundtrack used in the ond trilogy of prequel films wrapped in 2005, the movie franchise first films, Solo’s spaceship the Millennium Falcon is seen being had lain dormant until Disney shelled out $4 billion to buy creator ‘Unfriended’ has interesting concept but still a dud Ryan Gosling aking aim at cyberbullies on their home turf, Levan Laura Burns, a classmate they hated, a mysterious sixth person Gabriadze’s “Unfriended” envisions an I Know What You Did enters the chat - an anonymous digital intruder claiming to be TLast Summer-style vengeance scenario conducted by a ghost Laura’s spirit. entirely via social media. Presented as if it were being witnessed on Assuming this to be a creepy hacker, they try and fail to hang up one of the protagonists’ laptops, the pic sticks with its gimmick on “him,” but this hacker has skills. He’s soon taunting them (and a more honestly than Nacho Vigalondo’s Open Windows, a Fantasia sixth friend) across an array of platforms, controlling texts, video entry with a similar visual conceit. Though it’s substantially less suc- messages and the like. (The services are all depicted with their real cessful in dramatic than in technical terms, the pic could draw some brands - YouTube, Facebook, Skype, et cetera.) As they grow attention from genre diehards in niche bookings. increasingly agitated, he turns them against each other by revealing The setting is a group Skype chat in which five high-school secrets he has no way of knowing - betrayals, insults and worse - Ryan Gosling to star in friends log on together for no reason other than to have company before proceeding to grisly physical punishments that apparently while wasting hours of their youths sitting alone in their bedrooms. involve psychic control. Around the time they realize this is the anniversary of the suicide of ‘Blade Runner’ sequel Inexplicable plea These kids are more loathsome than the average victims of slash- yan Gosling is in negotiations to star in the “Blade Runner” er-flick boogeymen, and the young actors have little success (if sequel alongside Harrison Ford, it was announced on they’re trying) in making them interesting despite their shallow nas- RThursday. “Prisoners” helmer Denis Villeneuve is directing tiness; as the film begins knocking them off in the usual ways, we the sci-fi thriller for Alcon Entertainment with Ridley Scott exec can’t even take pleasure in their deaths. By the gory final moments, producing. Written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, the the picture finds ways to wrench the annoyance level higher, with “Blade Runner” sequel will take place several decades after the goofy onscreen animation and an inexplicable plea for help to the 1982 original, which took place in a dystopian 2019 Los Angeles. nonplussed denizens of Chatroulette. While much of the screen- Ford will reprise his role as Rick Deckard in the film; it’s unknown hopping that precedes this has a messy believability - with the lead whom Gosling will play. bully flicking ADHD style between monitoring BitTorrent, choosing The actor, who recently made his directorial debut on “Lost Pandora tunes, researching the paranormal on Wikipedia and using River,” will next be seen in “The Nice Guys” with Russell Crowe. He four or five different technologies to communicate with her frene- is in production starring alongside Christian Bale, Brad Pitt and mies - in the end, one would rather be back at one’s own computer, Steve Carell in “The Big Short.” Villeneuve’s next film, “Sicario,” was In this image released by Universal Pictures shows Shelley tending to the tedious details of digital life, than watching this announced as an official Cannes Film Festival entry on Thursday. It Henning appears in a scene from ‘Unfriended.’ — AP clique get pinged to death.—AP stars Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro. — Reuters SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 ‘Frozen’ songwriters tackle questions from 9-year-old fan (From left) US actors Mark Ruffalo, Chris Anderson-Lopez Evans, Robert Downey and Robert Lopez Jr, South Korean actress Kim Soo-Hyun pose with US director Joss Whedon (top C) for a photo session during a press conference to promote Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron’ in Seoul yesterday. — AFP

he “Frozen” phenomenon continues to grow even 17 months after the Disney film’s release. The Hollywood lot at Disney’s TCalifornia Adventure has been taken over by Elsa, Anna and ‘Suge’ Knight is ordered to Olaf. And the poor Muppets have been displaced from their long- standing theater home in the theme park by a “Frozen Sing-along.” So it was a no-brainer that the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus decided to honor the “Frozen” songwriters at their annual fundraising gala Tuesday night at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Many journalists stand trial, taken to hospital might be too old to truly appreciate the film’s impact, so 9-year-old Eden, a “Frozen” fanatic and daughter of Variety managing editor Kirstin Wilder, seemed like the best person for the job. She was able ormer rap music mogul Marion “Suge” the case. “There’s an intent to survive.” Coen, ly encounter. Sloan’s testimony demonstrat- to interview husband-and-wife songwriting duo Kristen Anderson- Knight was hospitalized again on however, said it appeared Knight, 49, wasn’t ed the difficulty in prosecuting Knight, who Lopez and Robert Lopez before the gala dinner. FThursday after a judge ordered him to attempting to flee but instead trying to kill has gang ties and a reputation for intimidat- Eden: What was your inspiration for “Let it Go?” stand trial on murder and attempted mur- someone when he accelerated forward in ing witnesses. “I will not be used to send Kristen: We knew Elsa’s powers were going to come out in front der charges filed after he ran over two men the truck. The judge did throw out one of Suge Knight to prison,” Sloan testified, of the village and she would be chased. But we didn’t know if she was in a parking lot. Knight’s condition and the two hit-and-run counts, saying the charge adding that he was on the witness stand a villain or not. So we went to a park near our house and jumped up cause of his latest health problem were not applies to one event even if there are multi- only because he was subpoenaed. He has on picnic tables and thought about what it would feel like if you were immediately known, but it was the fifth time ple victims. He also reduced bail from $25 known Knight for decades. keeping a secret your whole life and the minute it came out all the people turned on you and chased you away. So we started to feel the Death Row Records co-founder had million to $10 million. The lawyer previously Prosecutors granted Sloan immunity sorry for Elsa and we started to channel what it feels like to live up to been taken from a courthouse to a hospital said Knight has diabetes and a blood clot from prosecution after he said he intended other people’s expectations and then how good it feels to let it all go. during proceedings in the case. near his lung. His fiancee, Toi Kelly, said to invoke his right to avoid self-incrimina- Robert: We knew when we were writing it that it was a song of The latest trip came after Superior Court before Knight was hospitalized that his tion. Knight was a key player in the gangster transformation and we knew that was a great spot to write a song. Judge Ronald Coen rejected Knight’s argu- health had been improving. The ruling rap scene that flourished in the 1990s, and Eden: How old are your daughters and were they involved in the ment that he acted in self-defense when he came at the end of a hearing that focused his label once listed Dr Dre, Tupac Shakur eight “Frozen” songs you wrote? was viciously attacked by men outside a heavily on testimony from Sloan, a former and Snoop Dogg among its artists. Knight Kristen: They are now 10 and almost 6. And yes, they were Compton burger stand. Authorities contend gang member who told detectives he lost control of the company after it was involved daily, at the time they were 8 and 4. We worked above a Knight intentionally hit the men, killing Terry attacked Knight before getting run over. forced into bankruptcy. Sloan, an adviser on Greek restaurant two blocks from our house and we would come home and night and we’d say, “Guess what we wrote for Elsa and Carter, 55, and injuring Cle “Bone” Sloan. the upcoming film “Straight Outta Anna today?” They were the original Elsa and Anna fans and they Knight’s attorney Matt Fletcher argued that Intimidating witnesses Compton” about rap music, testified that he were so into it and wanted to know every day, “What happened to his client was ambushed and was trying to Sloan said he didn’t remember the fight was trying not to think about the crash in Elsa today?” Because it changed every single day for a while. escape from Sloan when Knight ran down and did not want to be a “snitch.” which he suffered two fractured ankles, a Robert: If they liked the song we would play it for Disney, and if the men in the attack captured on security Prosecutors played a statement by Sloan to serious cut to his head, two torn knee liga- they didn’t, we would rewrite it. video. “There’s no intent to kill,” Fletcher said police that offered a lucid, detailed account ments and a shoulder injury. Eden: What is your favorite song you have written and why? in court while asking the judge to dismiss of the events on Jan 29 that led to the dead- The judge also heard from the lead Kristen: That’s a really hard question. We have a show coming up detective in the case and watched the secu- in La Jolla this summer called “Up Here” which is loosely based on us. rity footage of the crash. There is a song we just wrote for the main female character called “I Have No Idea What I’m Doing.” Robert: It’s very autobiographical. Fleeing the scene Kristen: She’s in her 20s and trying to follow her gut instead of do The camera caught a limited view of the what other people tell her to do. parking lot but shows Knight struggling Robert: I always love the thing we are working on at the moment, with Sloan through the window of the truck. so for me it is from that show too. There is a song of despair at the Knight then put the vehicle in reverse, strik- end of the first act called “I Can Never Know You.” It’s about how, ing Sloan twice before running over Carter even though you are very, very close to someone, you don’t truly while fleeing the scene. Deputy District know what they are thinking at every moment. But there is a happy Attorney Cynthia Barnes said Knight gave ending to the whole show, it is not all despair. Eden: OK. (giggles nervously, fiddling with her Anna purse) up his right to claim self-defense when he Kristen: I like your purse. Will you write that in your story? I give used his car as a deadly weapon in response 10 points to anybody I see who is carrying an Anna thing because to a fistfight. Knight could face life in prison everyone can do Elsa. On Halloween, there was one Anna for every 12 if convicted in the case. Elsas, so I gave the Annas extra candy. Our daughters dressed up as He has prior felony convictions for Anna before the film came out and everyone was like, “Who are you?” armed robbery and assault with a gun. Robert: “Oh are you a princess?” people would ask them. And Knight pleaded no contest in a 1995 assault they’d reply, “Yeah, I’m Anna from the movie ‘Frozen’ which hasn’t on two rap entertainers and was sentenced come out yet.” to five years’ probation. He was sentenced Kristen: And nobody cared. This year they were a Candy Queen and Darth Bunny. What did you go as? to prison in February 1997 for violating Eden: I went as the good witch in the “Wizard of Oz.” terms of the probation by taking part in a Kristen: Did you have your own personal bubble? Because that fight at a Las Vegas hotel hours before would have been awesome. I went as Dorothy one year when our Shakur was fatally wounded in a drive-by oldest was 2 because she wanted to be a lion. In this March 9, 2015 file photo, Marion ‘Suge’ Knight arrives in court for a attack as he rode in Knight’s car. Shakur’s Robert: I always dress up at Boba Fett. Or the Ghostbusters. hearing about evidence in his murder case, in Los Angeles. — AP slaying remains unsolved. — AP Eden: I don’t really know who that is. — Reuters SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Sao Paulo Fashion Week

Models wear creations from the Lino Villaventura summer collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday. —AP/AFP photos SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Far from catwalk, Brazilian favela dreams of fashion

s the setting sun casts an orange glow over the Sao Paulo slum of Paraisopolis, a dozen aspiring Amodels sporting towering heels strut up and down an improvised catwalk. “Posture, attitude! Walk straight, stop. Again, walk!” shouts their coach, who is teaching the teenagers the tricks of the trade as part of a project to spread the glitter of the Brazilian mega- city’s famous fashion week, which wraps up Friday, to some of its poorest residents. They are far from the cameras, footlights and glamour of the main event, the largest fashion show in Latin America, which has launched careers like that of supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who strutted Wednesday in her final runway show. But these teens are taking the idea of couture into their own brightly manicured hands. The project, whose name roughly translates as Fashion From the Fringes (Periferia Inventando Moda), was launched by Alex Santos, a 24-year-old fashion student from the slum who wanted to bring some of the glitz of Sao Paulo Fashion Week (SPFW) to his own community. “A year ago, I went to a show by the designer Joao Pimenta that SPFW held in a poor neighborhood. And I had a revelation,” Santos told AFP. “I thought, ‘Why don’t we create these events ourselves?’ It’s great for SPFW to come here and hold shows, but we can do the same thing.” That is how Fashion From the Fringes was born at the municipal education center in Paraisopolis, which, with about 100,000 res- idents, is one of Sao Paulo’s largest favelas, or slums. As part of the project, Santos organizes runway shows, talks on fashion, and modeling workshops that include lessons on self-esteem, like the one these local teens-mostly girls, but also a few boys-are Models wear taking part in. creations from Pimenta, the menswear designer whose show the Lino inspired the project, is now its sponsor. “Brazilian Villaventura fashion will be stronger when everyone is included,” summer Pimenta said. “Fashion can go anywhere, without collection during regard to class or skin color. And inspiration can also Sao Paulo come from unexpected places.” Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Country of contrasts Thursday. “I’ve wanted to be a model since I was a little girl. —AP/AFP photos And now, with this workshop, I’m taking it seriously,” said 16-year-old Gabriela Freitas, a tall, slender girl with large eyes and flowing hair that reaches her waist. “I learned to improve my posture and how to walk on a runway. I never thought I would be able to do something like this, but now I see that yes, it’s pos- sible.” For other participants, the workshops are less about a future modeling career than the life skills they learn. “I’m black, I come from the slum. I live in Paraisopolis with my mom and my grandma and I know that everything will be harder for me,” 19-year- old student Denisse Sena said matter-of-factly. “All my steps to get ahead start from that situa- tion, and this workshop is helping me develop myself better.” Like many of Brazil’s favelas, Paraisopolis shows the country’s contrasts: it is a violent, impoverished enclave surrounded by the wealthy district of Morumbi, a neighborhood of towering high-rises and glistening shopping malls. Two workshop partic- ipants already scored a modeling job with Pimenta, who had them photographed on the streets of Paraisopolis for a recent advertising campaign. Brothers Anderson and Ebson Conceicao da Costa, 16 and 18 years old, were at the workshop with their sister when the designer discovered them. “We learned and saw a lot of different things,” said Ebson. “If you’re born in a place like Paraisopolis, you usually don’t get those kinds of opportunities.”—AFP SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Serenity Now: Civil War battlefield now a tranquil spot

nimaginable violence once grain shudder in the breeze. Markers and monuments at raged across the landscape of Antietam’s spirits seem as real as the Antietam are scattered, modest and UAntietam. Now, the sweeping clouds, which you can’t put your not the point of visiting. The power hills and meadows whisper peace. So hands on, either. here is from breathtaking vistas along consuming is the serenity at Antietam More than 23,000 were left dead, 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) of up and National Battlefield that it can seduce wounded or missing in the bloodiest down roads, and from hiking trails you into ignoring the story of the one-day battle on US soil, Sept 17, across the fields. mayhem that unfolded here over 12 1862, turning back the Confederacy’s hours during the Civil War. Yet even first invasion of the North at a stag- Swooping hills incurious visitors will feel that history gering cost to both sides. Antietam is And unlike in the town of in their bones. no less hallowed but certainly less Gettysburg, which is loaded with I’ve cycled the park’s roads, walked known than the fields of Gettysburg touristy spots like General Pickett’s its trails and sat in its quiet spaces 50 miles away. The two places are Buffets, the town of Sharpsburg near more times than I can count and still much different despite their bond in Antietam has little more than an Antietam National Battlefield’s quiet hills and meadows, seen don’t know which regiments per- bloodshed. amazing ice cream shop, Nutter’s, in this photo. formed what flanking movements. A few months after the 1863 Battle where two baseball-sized scoops go Markers describing everything are lost of Gettysburg that inflicted more than for $2. A bucolic escape in all seasons, on me. I’ve watched the documentary 50,000 casualties, Abraham Lincoln a little more than an hour from at the visitor center and barely remem- delivered a speech at the site counted Washington, Antietam does not feel ber it. among the greatest in history. For his crowded even when the visitor center But I can see those soldiers lining a troops at Antietam a year earlier, parking lot is full. far ridge - tens of thousands of them - though, he had nothing like the Cycling here is a joy, with scant as if they were still there and about to Gettysburg Address - instead, just traffic, buttery pavement and swoop- descend into the ghastly killing fields crisp, chilling marching orders: ing hills and hollows that seem calcu- where corn now grows and waves of “Destroy the rebel army if possible.” lated to get you going down so fast

Visitors at Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Md.

Antietam Creek, photographed on June 3, 2011, photo, at Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Md. that you are halfway up the next that early December day, when more climb before you have to pedal. than 23,000 candles begin to glow in (There are a few very aerobic excep- rows across the fields. tions, where you quickly earn your Each luminaria symbolizes one ice-cream.) The grace of this land casualty, as a bagpiper plays on a hill comes into special focus several times and thousands gather in remem- a year at events such as the open-air brance before driving slowly Independence Day concert by the through the park in the dark, head- Maryland Symphony Orchestra and a lights out. If you have somehow candlelit display each December. eluded Antietam’s spirits any other There’s nothing quite like dusk on time, they will find you then. — AP SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Bullfighting during the Corpus Christi festival in Granada.

A regatta of “rabelos,” the boats that once transported barrels, sailing from the Iberian holy days Atlantic mouth of the Douro River to the historic center of Porto, Portugal, during Celebrations boththe Saosaintly Joao festival. — AP photos and wild

moke hung heavily over this hilly city, broken They seemed puzzled. “Isn’t this what you do kings. But the atmosphere of the signal event could until the gray-bearded king took off on a trotting by flickering flames, when I mustered my for San Isidro?” I asked a bit defensively. “Mostly we not be more solemn - appropriately enough, since white horse - only his majesty’s wireless mike hint- Scourage, plunged into the crowd and brought just party,” was the rather apologetic response - the celebration here dates from those reconquista ing at the 21st century. down my bright-green hammer on a stranger’s which I’m sure pleases St Isidore the Laborer (and days and centers on the Eucharist carried in proces- head. “Bom Sao Joao!” - “Happy St John!” - the gray- his wife, whose statue is also carried in procession). sion. After a packed Mass, I watched as dignitary Porto’s Sao Joao haired man beamed as he hit me back, the circus- I still thrilled together with wide-eyed kids as the after dignitary filed out of the triumphantly grand Aside from the elaborate creches with St John like squeaks of our soft plastic hammers inducting “gigantes y cabezudos” -13-foot-high (4-meter) cathedral. Black and white lace mantillas flowed figurines in many courtyards, religion is hardly on me into the celebration of Porto’s patron saint. puppets - paraded through the historic Puerta del high from the women’s immobile coiffed heads, as display during the all-night party or the next day, All around, tens of thousands of equally armed Sol and Plaza de la Villa. I hummed along as older did fluffy plumes from the helmets of civilian and when the protagonist is this northern Portuguese revelers were indulging in other local St John ritu- couples danced the “chotis” near the Royal Palace military authorities. city’s namesake wine. als - devouring sardines off the smoky outdoor and as a flamenco performance vibrated through In the narrow city streets draped in flags and A regatta of “rabelos,” the boats that once grills and sending papier-mache mini hot-air bal- the stage-perfect Plaza Mayor. shawls, a hush followed the gigantic flower-cov- transported barrels, sails from the Atlantic mouth loons heavenward. ered silver float, borne by a couple dozen men, car- of the Douro River to the historic center crowded From late spring to fall, virtually all Spanish and rying the consecrated host. Then, someone in the with blue tile-covered buildings, Port flowing in Portuguese cities -from capitals to hamlets - turn crowd would yell “viva!” and the faithful would profusion among the fans well before noon. into moveable feasts in honor of their patrons. The cheer and applaud, as people watching from their Knowing this, I secretly welcomed my friends’ multiday, multigenerational revelries provide apartments showered rose petals. mournful announcement, a couple of hours past unique occasions to experience the distinct cul- the midnight fireworks, that we should begin to tures together with locals at their proudest and Belorado’s Feria Alfonsina walk home because their 4-year-old son was tired. perkiest. Here are some details on four Iberian holy Incense and cotton candy also wafted through Swinging the last hits with my squeaking martelo days that I’ve enjoyed. this village on the historic pilgrimage route among jubilant festa-goers, I thought again that “Camino de Santiago” in northern Spain, its main few know how to party like Iberian saint celebrants. Madrid’s San Isidro square framed by the ruins of its medieval castle Giant puppet parade, folk street dances, proces- and a couple of fake arches set up for the occasion. If You Go... sion and High Mass, open-air flamenco concert, It seemed that the whole population, in elabo- Iberian holy days: The festivals run for several fireworks and even a bullfight -I presented my rate costumes, participated in reenacting the day days around specific dates: Madrid’s San Isidro is characteristically over-packed advance program to nearly 900 years ago when King Alfonso I decreed May 15; Granada’s Corpus Christi is the first Madrileno friends. that a feria should be celebrated here - the first offi- Thursday following the eighth Sunday after Easter cial one in Spain, or so the narrator said. (in 2015, it will be June 4; in 2016, May 26); Porto’s Peasants, princes and bishops watched soldiers Sao Joao is June 23-24; and Belorado’s Feria perform dangerous balancing acts with swords Alfonsina is the first weekend in June. — AP

The “gigantes” parade in Madrid, Spain, featuring 13-foot-high puppets as part of the annual San Isidro celebration. With friends from New York and Rome, we squeezed among ebullient throngs of bullfighting fans at the landmark Las Ventas arena, cheering and recoiling as world champions El Fandi and Fandino pirouetted around unusually feisty bulls. But the last afternoon, even I relented and, skip- ping the state-fair-like madness at la Pradera, sim- ply chilled with the holiday-wearied crowds among the shady lawns and rose garden of El Retiro park.

Granada’s Corpus Christi Bullfights, dances and a buzzing fair also mark Children dressed up as part of Feria the Corpus Christi celebration in this gorgeous Alfonsina, an annual holy day festival in southern city full of monuments from when it was Costumed participants in a sword dance in Belorado, Spain, as part of Feria Belorado. the last Islamic stronghold to fall to Spain’s Catholic Alfonsina, an annual holy day festival. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

William Contreras, of the Torres Martinez Indian Reservation, and Aron Sabel , of Los Coyotes The White Rose Singers, consisting of students from Sherman Indian High School, an off-reser- Indian Reservation, sing Native songs together. vation boarding high school for Native Americans in Riverside, California, sing native songs together. California’s Cahuilla natives try to keep traditions alive

n the middle of the dusty California desert, a group of Angeles. Some 200 people joined for the latest agave roast, Cahuilla Native Americans gather, as they have for gen- held every April at the museum in honor of the agave Ierations, for the annual agave festival. Leaves from the plant, which is cherished by the Cahuilla for its hydration steely, light green plant are cut, roasted over coals and and nutritious properties. Traditionally, it was ground into passed around by a towering young man with a long black a powder and stored for periods of food or water scarcity. braid trailing down his back. “Be careful, they’re fibrous!” “It’s a small celebration, but very meaningful for us,” said he warns the crowd gathered at the Morongo reservation Cahuilla elder Ernest Siva, 76. “It’s just a piece of our life, near the city of Banning for the annual agave roast, a pillar it’s important for us to commemorate, to remember... this of is a way to show yes, we’re here and we recall some things Cahuilla culture. The festival is one way the Cahuilla about our traditions,” he said. people are keeping their culture alive from language to culinary traditions, to song and dance-amid encroaching Keeping traditions alive influences from mainstream American society. Several thousand members of the tribe survive, and The agave plant is passed around at the festival, as around 1,000 of them live on the Morongo reservation. attendees suck the flesh from the slightly bitter leaves. “It’s Their numbers have dwindled since European settlers an acquired taste,” said Sharon Mattern, a return visitor to arrived in 1776, when there were about 10,000 Cahuilla in Girls weave baskets at the annual traditional agave roast. the Malki museum on Cahuilla culture, which is located on the region. Siva laments the encroachment of modern the reservation 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Los influences, especially when it comes to agave. “Today you

Nopales, pear cactus leaves, are prepared for cooking at the annual traditional agave roast.

A man bundles white sage, which is burned as an incense in People are served native dishes at the annual traditional agave roast. blessings and sacred ceremonies. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Cooked agave plants are trimmed after being dug up from a roasting pit.

Food containers and other artifacts are displayed at the Malki Museum.

can go to the supermarket-everything is there. There is no turkey, all served with agave lemonade and chia seeds. work, someone else does it,” Siva said. In his day, every- The Malki museum, in operation for more than 50 years, is thing from the point of cultivation to consumption was both a center of preservation and education. It was the done by hand. “This required a lot of work to gather, first first museum to open on a Native American reservation in know where these plants are, roasting them, cutting California and attracts scores of tourists every year-both them,” he recalled. native and non-native. Colin said cultural preservation is a Most people today are familiar with agave in its com- matter of survival for the tribe. “Sharing their knowledge, mercial form: blue agave is used to make tequila, while singing, dancing, praying, eating traditional foods, making other forms are used to make a natural sweetener, com- baskets, allows them to maintain their identity,” Colin said. mon in health food stores. Siva is not the only one embrac- “They need this to counterbalance the effects of modern ing tradition. Malki curator Nathalie Colin said it is part of society.” The museum also has a gallery of ancient objects, Indian grinding stones, or metates, common stone tools for an overall trend. “At the beginning of the 20th century, the a library of vintage books and its own publishing house. grinding seeds and nuts, are displayed at the Malki Museum. natives seemed doomed to disappear along with their cul- One of the museum’s founders developed a mainstay proj- ture. Many left the reservations to assimilate into main- ect to devise a writing system to preserve the tribe’s stream American society,” Colin said. “But we see a real ancient oral language. There are only around 20 people revival now-people are proud again, and they tell their kids who speak the language fluently today, including Siva, ‘this is who we are.’” who said he has few people to converse with in his tradi- tional tongue. Bird songs and rabbit stew “You talk to yourself because there is no one to talk to,” The annual agave festival is part of that pride. A few he said. Raymond Huaute teaches Cahuilla culture and meters from where Siva speaks, Blossom-a woman with said the need for preservation is urgent as the language long black hair and a wide smile-teaches visitors and chil- dies off. “People used to live together three generations- dren to weave baskets. In a nearby garden, blooming with grandparents, parents, children. Now we’ve lost that struc- fragrant sage, 48-year-old Aaron Saubel sings a bird song, a ture, it’s hard to teach the kids. Plus, the English language repetitive, trance-like rhythm about nature’s cycles. Near is so dominant-you have TV, Internet, so much technolo- the museum entrance, a group of teenagers dance to a gy,” Huaute said. “There’s a resurgence in learning among drumbeat, punctuating their movements with hand-held young people, but we need more.” — AFP tambourines. After the dance, festival-goers join tribe members for a Cooked agave plants are trimmed after being dug up from traditional meal. On the menu: grilled agave leaves, pureed a roasting pit. — AFP photos acorns, rabbit stew, fried bread, bean soup, deer and wild

A man draws a cup of cactus and chia lemonade, next to a container of prickly pear cactus lemonade.

Agave plants are seen in desert mountains south of Palm Springs. Girls weave baskets at the annual traditional agave roast. TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 WikiLeaks creates online archive of hacked Sony documents NEW YORK: Sony’s hacking problems aren’t over yet. Whistleblower site WikiLeaks on Thursday put hundreds of thousands of emails and documents from last year’s crip- pling cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment into a searchable online archive. It’s the latest blow for the enter- tainment and technology company struggling to get past the attack, which the company estimates caused millions in damage. The website founded by Julian Assange said that its database includes more than 170,000 emails from Sony Pictures and a subsidiary, plus more than 30,000 other docu- ments. Sony Pictures blasted WikiLeaks for creating the archive, saying the website was helping the hackers disseminate stolen information. “We vehemently disagree with WikiLeaks’ assertion that this material belongs in the public domain,” the company said in a statement. But Assange said the docu- ments should be available to the public. Although they had been online, it was in a compressed format that wasn’t easily searchable. “This archive shows the inner workings of an influential multinational corporation,” Assange said. “It is newsworthy and at the center of a geo-political conflict. It belongs in the public domain. WikiLeaks will ensure it stays there.” The CALIFORNIA: First-graders learn keyboarding skills at Bayview Elementary School. — AP photos WikiLeaks site lets users find emails, documents or an entire cache of files through searches using keywords, people who sent or received emails and types of files. The site made a As student tests move online, name for itself in 2010 when it began publishing diplomatic cables leaked by Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Bradley Manning. keyboarding enters curriculum Financial records Assange is currently battling a detention order in Sweden, SAN PABLO: Seven-year-old Ja’Niyah Smith’s officer, said he expects fewer concerns this where he is wanted by prosecutors in an investigation of first-grade class filed into a computer lab at a year since teachers have had time to give alleged sex crimes. He has avoided being extradited to suburban San Francisco school recently and, practice tests and identify any mechanics as they do every week, practiced using mous- that need work. “Technology skills are going Sweden by taking shelter in the Ecuadorean Embassy in es to pop bubbles with a cartoon pickle, to have some impact on student perform- London since 2012. Sony Pictures’ troubles began last catch flies with a frog’s tongue and arrange ance, but we have tried to minimize that as December after it suffered an extensive hacking attack and virtual blocks into words. The students, their much as possible,” Redd said, noting that release of confidential emails ahead of its release of “The legs dangling off their chairs, fell quiet, the teachers and administrators “were far more Interview,” a comedy that centers around the assassination silence broken by an occasional “I did it!” nervous” than students, who “weren’t at all of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “Computers give us a break, so when we are bothered” by the test’s technological A group calling itself Guardians of the Peace took credit in class, our minds can be fresh for learning,” demands. for the attack, and US intelligence officials said the group was Ja’Niyah explained as she deftly maneuvered The standards themselves have become linked to North Korea, but no official link has been made. The a turtle across a 14-inch desktop screen. politically fraught in some states, and scat- attack exposed tens of thousands of sensitive documents, For teachers, administrators and parents tered technical glitches and even cyberat- including studio financial records, employment files and in San Pablo - and across the country - the tacks have hampered the rollout of the emails between Sony executives. Some emails revealed games are a way to help students, some- online tests. Morgan Polikoff, an assistant exchanges between Oscar-winning producer Scott Rudin times as young as 5, acquire the technology education professor at the University of and Sony Pictures’ co-chair Amy Pascal that contained a skills they will need to excel on standardized Southern California, said to the extent the frank assessment of Angelina Jolie’s talent and racially offen- tests that now are being offered online for test has motivated school districts to procure sive jokes about President Barack Obama’s presumed taste in the first time by a majority of states. New more classroom computers and teach chil- movies. The company announced in February that Pascal exams linked to the Common Core state dren how to use them, it’s all for the good. would transition to a job as the head of a new production standards are replacing the multiple-choice “I don’t think you want to go overboard venture at the studio. tests taken with paper and pencils in 29 and spend tons of time on skills that are not CALIFORNIA: First-graders learn key- Sony Pictures at first shelved “The Interview,” but it was states this spring. Among the functions even useful outside the context of the test, but it’s the youngest test-takers must be able to exe- boarding skills at Bayview sort of wrong or foolish or short-sighted to later opened in a limited release. The studio’s parent, Tokyo- cute are switching between screens, opening Elementary School. not provide some kind of instruction on how based Sony Corp, launched an overhaul of its own security in drop-down menus, and rearranging words call for students to “use a variety of digital to use these tools,” Polikoff said. “Yes, typing 2011 after hackers broke into its PlayStation Network gaming and numbers. is a useful skill for taking these tests, but system and stole data of 77 million users. — AP tools to produce and publish writing” with the help of adults starting in 1st grade. By the being a fast and accurate typist is a very use- Quick learners time they finish 6th grade, they are supposed ful skill period.” Districts that have acquired While adults raised in the pre-Internet era “to demonstrate sufficient command of key- enough tablets or laptops for regular class- might assume today’s youngsters are born boarding skills to type a minimum of three room use say they hope that by next year computer-conversant, educators say hands- pages in a single sitting.” In keeping with the children will be picking up keyboarding natu- on instruction is necessary because the tests Common Core’s purpose of preparing stu- rally while they are learning the 3 R’s instead require different dexterities than the ones dents for college and careers, questions on of working on them specifically for the end- many youngsters pick up playing with smart- the new computer-enhanced assessments of-year tests. phones. “Children can be quick learners are open-ended instead of multiple-choice. At Mira Vista School in Richmond, when technology is in front of them at After the tests were given a dress rehears- California, fourth-grade teacher Debbie school, but knowing very intuitively how to al last year in 21 states that are part of the Cruger-Hansen recently started a lesson by drag and drop or highlight words or even Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, asking the class to quietly open their tablets, indent a paragraph on a Google doc is not one of two national alliances that have devel- log in to their school accounts, launch their going to come naturally,” said Susan oped online tests based on the standards, web browsers and find a Google document Gonzalez, the computer lab teacher at some teachers expressed concerns that the on disappearing honey bees. But first, she Ja’Niyah’s school, Bayview Elementary. tests assume a level of digital fluency that had a confession. While reviewing the read- The Common Core tests are given in may be foreign to children in homes without ing comprehension homework they had grades 3-8 and again in high school. The computers and that the amount of key- posted on a virtual bulletin board the night ambitious benchmarks outline what stu- boarding involved was excessive for younger before, Cruger-Hansen admitted she had LONDON: File photo shows Ecuador’s Foreign Minister dents are expected to learn in math, reading students. been taken aback, amazed at how much they Ricardo Patino, left, and WikiLeaks founder Julian and writing. There are no specific standards had typed. “My first thought was, ‘Oh, their Assange speak during a news conference inside the for technology, but tech know-how infuses Technical glitches parents did it for them,’” she said with a Ecuadorian Embassy. — AP the goals. The writing standards, for example, Brandt Redd, SBAC’s chief technology proud smile.- —AP TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Sprint unit launches prepaid cell-phone service to Cuba

MIAMI: Boost Mobile, part of Sprint Corp, on Thursday launched a prepaid plan for US consumers calling and tex- ting Cuba, taking advantage of new, relaxed US commercial regulations with the Communist-run island nation. The Obama administration’s new Cuban policy regulations approved by the Treasury and Commerce departments have opened the door for US-based telecommunications firms to start potentially lucrative services to Cuba. Last month US- based IDT Corp reached an agreement with Cuba’s Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba SA (ETECSA) to provide direct international long-distance service. Boost Mobile offers prepaid wireless service to consumers with no need for long-term subscription contracts. The com- pany announced a $50 monthly plan, allowing customers to pay about $0.30 per minute, which it described as the lowest introductory rate per minute among prepaid carriers to call Cuba. The plan includes unlimited texting. “That’s a great val- ue,” Dow Draper, president of Boost Mobile and Sprint Prepaid, told a news conference. “We hope this is a meaning- ful start to reducing the costs of calls to Cuba in general, while gaining a few more subscribers.” In a show of solidarity with young Cuban-Americans anx- ious to improve connectivity with the island, the company is donating $10,000 to Roots of Hope, a group of young Cuban- American professionals at the forefront of President Barack Obama’s policy of engagement with Cuba. After the United States imposed an economic embargo on Cuba in the 1960s, BRUSSELS: In this Tuesday, March 23, 2010 file photo, the Google logo is seen at the Google headquarters.— AP phone communication between the two countries had to pass through third countries, greatly increasing calling costs. As many as 2 million Cuban-Americans live in the United States, mostly in Florida, many of whom left behind relatives. Google embraces ‘mobile-friendly’ The service is being rolled out in Miami, the heart of the Cuban-American community. Scarcely 2 million people out of Cuba’s population of 11 million have cell phones. Cuban sites in search shake-up officials cite the US embargo as the reason for its weak devel- opment and say they hope to reach 60 percent mobile- SAN FRANCISCO: Google is about to change the way its firm comScore Inc In the final three months of last year, 29 phone access by 2020. influential search engine recommends websites on smart- percent of all US search requests - about 18.5 billion - were The United States has set connectivity as a priority in its phones and tablets in a shift that’s expected to sway where made on mobile devices, comScore estimated. Google new relationship with Cuba. Telecommunications equip- millions of people shop, eat and find information. The processes the bulk of searches - two-thirds in the US and ment, technology and services were among the first exemp- revised formula, scheduled to be released Tuesday, will even more in many other countries. tions to the embargo after Washington and Havana favor websites that Google defines as “mobile-friendly.” announced a restoration of diplomatic relations in Websites that don’t fit the description will be demoted in Bracing for change December. Roots of Hope said it will use the money to fund a Google’s search results on smartphones and tablets while To minimize complaints, the company disclosed its program it operates to send cell phones to Cuba. — Reuters those meeting the criteria will be more likely to appear at plans nearly two months ago. It also created a step-by-step the top of the rankings - a prized position that can translate guide and a tool to test compliance with the new stan- into more visitors and money. dards. China’s DJI drones Although Google’s new formula won’t affect searches Google has faced uproar over past changes to its search on desktop and laptop computers, it will have a huge influ- formula. Two of the bigger revisions, done in 2011 and flying high among ence on how and where people spend their money, given 2012, focused on an attempt to weed out misleading web- that more people are relying on their smartphones to com- sites and other digital rubbish. Although that goal sounds US companies pare products in stores and look for restaurants. That’s why reasonable, many websites still complained that Google’s Google’s new rating system is being billed by some search changes unfairly demoted them in the rankings, making WASHINGTON: Chinese drone maker SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd has experts as “Mobile-geddon.” “Some sites are going to be in their content more difficult to find. established a strong early lead in the US commercial market as com- for a big surprise when they find a drastic change in the panies turn to its inexpensive, light-weight flying devices for a host amount of people visiting them from mobile devices,” said Still caught off guard of uses from shooting films to mapping and site inspections. Sixty- one of the 129 companies that received regulatory approval to use Itai Sadan, CEO of website-building service Duda. While most major merchants and big companies already unmanned aircraft are using DJI drones, or 47 percent, far ahead of It’s probably the most significant change that Google have websites likely to meet Google’s mobile standard, the its nearest rival, a Reuters review of federal records as of April 9 Inc. has ever made to its mobile search rankings, according new formula threatens to hurt millions of small businesses shows. Nearly 400 other companies, more than half of the 695 busi- to Matt McGee, editor-in-chief for Search Engine Land, a that haven’t had the money or incentive to adapt their nesses still awaiting approval, have applied to use DJI drones. trade publication that follows every tweak that the compa- sites for smartphones. “A lot of small sites haven’t really Shenzhen-based DJI, whose best-selling Phantom 2 Vision+ ny makes to its closely guarded algorithms. Here are a few had a reason to be mobile friendly until now, and it’s not drone retails for around $1,200 in the United States, estimates that it things to know about what’s happening and why Google is going to be easy for them to make the changes,” McGee already has about 70 percent of the commercial market worldwide doing it. said. and a larger portion of the consumer market. Federal records also suggest that DJI is quickly expanding its U.S. market share, thanks in Making mobile friends Burying helpful content part to a new process speeding federal exemptions for companies To stay in Google’s good graces, websites must be Google’s search formula weighs a variety of factors to that intend to use drones previously vetted by regulators. designed so they load quickly on mobile devices. Content determine the rankings of its results. One of the most DJI accounted for about a third of the roughly 50 exemptions must also be easily accessible by scrolling up and down - important considerations has always been whether a site granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from last without having to also swipe to the left or right. It also helps contains the most pertinent information sought by a September through mid-March. But it has claimed just over half of if all buttons for making purchases or taking other actions search request. But new pecking order in Google’s mobile the 89 exemptions received since then. Industry experts say basic on the website can be easily seen and touched on smaller search may relegate some sites to the back pages of the drones such as DJI’s are likely to drive the U.S. commercial market for the foreseeable future, meeting business demand for uses such as screens. If a website has been designed only with PC users search results, even if their content is more relevant to a aerial photography for site inspections, real estate promotions and in mind, the graphics take longer to load on mobile devices search request than other sites that happen to be easier to video production. and the columns of text don’t all fit on the smaller screens, access on smartphones. That will be an unfortunate conse- The market for more sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles to the aggravation of someone trying to read it. quence, but also justifiable because a person might not (UAVs) is being limited by FAA policy that restricts commercial drone Google has been urging websites to cater to mobile even bother to look at sites that take a long time to open flights to line-of-sight operations at altitudes of 500 feet (152 meters) device for years, mainly because that is where people are or difficult to read on mobile devices, Gartner analyst Whit or less. Those rules are complicating efforts by e-commerce giants increasingly searching for information. The number of Andrews said. “Availability is part of relevancy,” Andrews Amazon.com and Google Inc to develop high-tech drones capable mobile searches in the US is rising by about 5 percent while said. “A lot of people aren’t going to think something is rel- of delivering packages over long distances. — Reuters inquiries on PCs are dipping slightly, according to research evant if they can’t get it to appear on their iPhone.” — AP TV listings SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

14:20 Railroad Alaska 22:00 Weird Or What? 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 09:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 15:10 Railroad Alaska 22:50 How It’s Made: Dream Cars Witch 10:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 16:00 Gold Rush 23:15 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage Basics 16:50 Gold Divers 23:40 How It’s Made Witch 10:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 23:10 Wolfblood Basics 00:00 America The Wild 00:10 My Family 18:30 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 23:35 Wolfblood` 11:00 Siba’s Table 01:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 00:40 Doctors 19:20 Tethered 11:30 Siba’s Table 02:00 Banged Up Abroad 01:10 Casualty 20:10 Edge Of Alaska 12:00 Guy’s Big Bite 03:00 Battleground Brothers 02:00 Pramface 21:00 Storage Wars Canada 12:30 Chopped 04:00 Armageddon Outfitters 02:30 Silent Witness 21:25 Storage Wars Canada 13:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 05:00 Crimes Against Nature 04:15 The Weakest Link 21:50 Storage Wars Canada 15:30 Chopped 06:00 Years of Living Dangerously 05:00 Show Me Show Me 22:15 Storage Wars Canada 16:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 00:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 07:00 Family Guns 05:25 Teletubbies 22:40 Storage Wars Canada 00:00 Violetta Basics 00:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 08:00 America The Wild 05:50 Gigglebiz 23:05 Treehouse Masters 00:45 The Hive 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 09:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 06:05 Nuzzle & Scratch: Frock n Roll 23:55 The Pool Master 00:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage Basics 01:25 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 10:00 Banged Up Abroad 06:25 Show Me Show Me Witch 17:30 Guy’s Big Bite 02:20 E! News 11:00 Brain Games 06:50 Teletubbies 01:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 18:00 Guy’s Big Bite 03:15 Keeping Up With The 11:30 Brain Games 07:15 The Weakest Link Witch 18:30 Guy’s Big Bite Kardashians 12:00 The Border 08:00 Hustle 01:40 Wolfblood 19:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:10 E!ES 13:00 Megastructures 08:50 The Diamond Queen 02:05 Wolfblood 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 05:05 E!ES 14:00 Doomsday Preppers 09:40 The Diamond Queen 02:30 Violetta 20:00 Chopped 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 15:00 Access 360 World Heritage 10:35 The Diamond Queen 00:05 How It’s Made 03:15 The Hive 21:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 06:55 Keeping Up With The 16:00 Dogtown 11:25 A Farmer’s Life For Me 00:30 How The Universe Works 03:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 21:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Kardashians 17:00 Beyond Magic with DMC 12:20 Hustle 01:20 How Do They Do It? Witch 22:00 BBQ Crawl 07:50 Style Star 18:00 Is It Real? 13:10 Casualty 01:45 How Do They Do It? 03:45 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 22:30 BBQ Crawl 08:20 E! News 19:00 Silence Of The Bees 14:00 Eastenders 02:10 Through The Wormhole With Witch 23:00 Fast Foods Gone Global 09:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 20:00 Dogtown 14:30 Eastenders Morgan Freeman 04:10 Wolfblood 09:45 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 21:00 Beyond Magic with DMC 15:00 Eastenders 03:00 Food Factory 04:35 Wolfblood 15:30 Eastenders 10:15 The E! True Hollywood Story 22:00 Is It Real? 03:24 Food Factory 05:00 Violetta 11:10 E!ES 16:00 The Weakest Link 03:48 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 05:45 The Hive 16:45 Hebburn 12:05 E! News 04:12 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 05:50 Mouk 13:05 Giuliana & Bill 17:15 Hebburn 04:36 Sport Science 06:00 Dog With A Blog 00:35 Midsomer Murders 17:45 A Farmer’s Life For Me 14:05 Christina Milian Turned Up 02:00 The Chase: Celebrity Specials 05:24 How The Universe Works 06:25 Girl Meets World 15:00 Fashion Bloggers 18:35 Breaking Pointe 06:12 How It’s Made 06:50 Binny And The Ghost 02:55 Emmerdale 19:15 Doctor Who 15:30 Fashion Bloggers 03:20 Emmerdale 06:36 How It’s Made 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water 16:00 House Of DVF 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 20:00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 07:00 How Do They Do It? 07:40 Jessie 03:55 Emmerdale Stewart 20:45 The Pranker 17:00 House Of DVF 04:20 Emmerdale 07:25 How Do They Do It? 08:05 Liv And Maddie 18:00 E! News 01:00 Hot In Cleveland 21:15 Him & Her 07:50 How Do They Do It? 08:30 Binny And The Ghost 04:45 Emmerdale 01:30 You’re The Worst 21:45 Live At The Apollo 19:00 Who Wore It Better? 05:00 Coronation Street 08:15 How Do They Do It? 08:55 Hank Zipzer 19:30 Who Wore It Better? 02:00 You’re The Worst 22:30 Ideal 08:40 How Do They Do It? 09:20 Dog With A Blog 05:25 Coronation Street 02:30 Friends With Better Lives 23:00 Hebburn 20:00 Keeping Up With The 05:50 Coronation Street 09:05 How Do They Do It? 09:45 Gravity Falls Kardashians 03:00 Last Man Standing 23:30 The Weakest Link 09:30 How It’s Made 10:10 Good Luck Charlie 07:05 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 03:30 New Girl 21:00 Christina Milian Turned Up Takeaway 09:55 How It’s Made 10:35 Gotta Kick It Up 22:00 E! News 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 10:20 How It’s Made 12:15 Hank Zipzer 08:15 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Jimmy Fallon 23:00 The Soup 09:00 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 10:45 How It’s Made 12:40 Gravity Falls 23:30 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 06:30 My Boys 11:10 How It’s Made 13:05 Binny And The Ghost 09:55 Vera 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 11:35 How It’s Made 13:30 Girl Meets World 11:35 Coach Trip 09:00 Last Man Standing 12:00 Food Factory 13:55 Dog With A Blog 12:00 Coach Trip 09:30 Black-Ish 12:25 Coach Trip 00:45 Paul Hollywood’s Bread 12:25 Food Factory 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 10:00 Parks And Recreation 12:50 Food Factory 14:55 Hank Zipzer 12:50 Coach Trip 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 01:10 Masterchef: The Professionals 13:15 Coach Trip 02:00 Bargain Hunt 13:15 Food Factory 15:20 Binny And The Ghost Jimmy Fallon 13:40 Food Factory 15:45 Jessie 13:40 Coach Trip 14:00 New Girl 02:45 Come Dine With Me 14:05 The Jonathan Ross Show 03:10 DIY SOS: The Big Build 14:05 Food Factory 16:10 Spooksville 14:30 Black-Ish 14:30 Through The Wormhole With 16:35 Girl Meets World 00:30 Guy’s Big Bite 15:00 Harry At 30 15:00 Parks And Recreation 04:05 Come Dine With Me: South 01:00 BBQ Crawl 15:55 Mr Selfridge Africa Morgan Freeman 17:00 Liv And Maddie 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 15:20 Moon Machines 17:25 Dog With A Blog 01:30 BBQ Crawl 16:50 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Stewart 04:55 Paul Hollywood’s Bread 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 17:45 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 05:25 Masterchef: The Professionals 16:10 The World’s Strangest UFO 17:50 Hank Zipzer 16:00 Hot In Cleveland Stories 18:15 Jessie 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:30 Celebrity Exposed: Photos Of 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 06:15 Bargain Hunt 03:00 Guy’s Big Bite Richard Young 07:00 Masterchef: The Professionals 17:00 Space Pioneer 18:40 Binny And The Ghost 18:00 Last Man Standing 17:50 Alien Encounters 19:05 H2O: Just Add Water 03:30 Guy’s Grocery Games 19:00 Love And Marriage: A 20th 18:30 New Girl 07:25 Masterchef: The Professionals 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Century Romance 08:20 Masterchef: The Professionals 18:40 How The Universe Works 19:30 H2O: Just Add Water 19:00 2 Broke Girls 19:30 Battle Factory 19:55 H2O: Just Add Water 05:00 Chopped 19:55 Mr Selfridge 19:30 Cougar Town 09:10 Masterchef: The Professionals 06:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:50 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 09:40 Masterchef: The Professionals 19:55 Battle Factory 20:20 H2O: Just Add Water 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 20:20 Superhuman Science 20:45 H2O: Just Add Water 06:30 Siba’s Table 21:35 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Jimmy Fallon 10:30 Masterchef: The Professionals 07:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:30 Celebrity Exposed: Photos Of 11:20 New Scandinavian Cooking 20:45 Superhuman Science 21:10 Good Luck Charlie 21:00 The Daily Show Global Edition 21:10 Strangest Weather On Earth 21:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 07:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Richard Young 21:30 Hot In Cleveland 11:45 Come Dine With Me 08:00 Chopped 23:00 Coronation Street 12:10 Come Dine With Me 21:35 Strangest Weather On Earth 22:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 22:00 Saturday Night Live 12:35 Come Dine With Me 23:00 Friends With Better Lives 13:00 Come Dine With Me 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 13:30 Come Dine With Me 13:55 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 15:15 Bargain Hunt 16:00 Bargain Hunt 08:00 Rake 16:45 Bargain Hunt 14:00 Rake 17:30 Come Dine With Me: South 18:00 Rake Africa 19:00 Unforgettable 18:20 Extreme Makeover: Home 20:00 The Blacklist Edition Specials 21:00 Resurrection 19:40 Extreme Makeover: Home 22:00 Satisfaction Edition 20:20 Masterchef: The Professionals

01:00 Good Morning America 03:00 Grimm 05:00 Good Morning America 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 09:00 Royal Pains 01:10 Fast N’ Loud 12:00 Covert Affairs 02:00 Misfit Garage 15:00 Live Good Morning America 02:50 Wheeler Dealers 16:00 Royal Pains 03:40 Storage Hunters 17:00 Covert Affairs 04:05 Dukes Of Haggle 19:00 Royal Pains 04:30 Storage Wars Canada 20:00 Covert Affairs 05:00 How It’s Made 22:00 Grimm 05:30 How It’s Made 23:00 The Assets 06:00 Deadly Dilemmas 06:25 Deadly Dilemmas 06:50 What Happened Next? 07:15 What Happened Next? 07:40 Man vs Expert 08:30 Bear Grylls: Breaking Point 00:00 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 09:20 Tethered 02:30 The Purge 10:10 Survive That! 04:00 The Wicked Within 11:00 Railroad Alaska 06:00 Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear 11:50 Railroad Alaska 08:00 Appleseed: Alpha 12:40 Railroad Alaska 10:00 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 13:30 Railroad Alaska PAIN & GAIN ON OSN MOVIES HD 12:30 500 mph Storm TV listings SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

14:15 Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear 16:00 Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher 17:30 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 20:00 Crimson Tide 22:00 The Cold Light Of Day

00:30 The Purge-PG15 02:00 The Wicked Within-PG15 04:00 Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear-PG15 06:00 Appleseed: Alpha-PG15 08:00 The Amazing Spider-Man 2- PG15 10:30 500 mph Storm-PG15 12:15 Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear-PG15 14:00 Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher-PG15 15:30 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 18:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 20:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 22:00 World War Z-PG15

00:00 Ass Backwards 02:00 Bringing Down The House 04:00 Big Daddy 06:00 Oscar 08:00 The Simpsons Movie 10:00 Three Men And A Baby 12:00 Bringing Down The House 14:00 So Undercover 16:00 Big Daddy 18:00 The Big Wedding 20:00 Maid In Manhattan 22:00 Wedding Crashers

01:00 Knockout-PG15 03:00 I Will Follow You Into The Dark- PG15 05:00 Grand Piano-PG15 07:00 Mirror Mirror-PG15 500 MPH STORM ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 09:00 Empire State-PG15 11:00 Grand Piano-PG15 20:00 The Nut Job 13:30 Live Indian Premier League : 04:00 Zou 13:00 Peace, Love & 21:45 The Missing Lynx SH v DD 04:15 Mouk Misunderstanding-PG15 23:30 The Adventures Of Rocky And 17:00 ICC Cricket 360 04:25 Jungle Junction 15:00 Inescapable-PG15 Bullwinkle 17:30 Live Indian Premier League : 04:35 Art Attack 17:00 Empire State-PG15 KXIP v KKR 05:00 Julius Jr. 19:00 The Invisible Woman-PG15 21:00 Indian Premier League H/L : 05:10 Calimero 21:00 Devil’s Knot-PG15 RR v MI 03:00 Crimes That Shook The 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 23:00 The Frozen Ground-18 22:00 Indian Premier League RPT 00:45 Oprah’s Next Chapter World 05:35 Zou :SH v DD 01:35 America’s Worst Tattoos 03:45 Dates From Hell 05:50 Mouk 00:15 Think Like A Man Too-PG15 02:00 Too Ugly For Love? 04:07 Dates From Hell 06:00 Jungle Junction 02:15 Ender’s Game-PG15 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress 04:30 Couples Who Kill 06:10 Art Attack 04:15 Epic-PG 03:15 Something Borrowed, 05:20 True Crime With Aphrodite 06:35 Julius Jr. 06:00 Call Me Crazy: A Five Film- Something New Jones 06:45 Calimero 02:00 Rust And Bone 07:30 The Way Way Back-PG15 03:40 What Not To Wear 06:10 On The Case With Paula 07:00 Jungle Junction 04:00 Texas Killing Fields 09:15 No Clue-PG15 04:30 Cake Boss Zahn 07:15 Zou 06:00 All Is Lost 11:00 Pacific Rim-PG15 05:00 Little People, Big World 07:00 Extreme Forensics 07:30 Calimero 08:00 Salinger 13:15 Ong Bak 3-PG15 00:45 Breaking Amish 05:30 Extreme Couponing 07:50 On The Case With Paula 07:45 Loopdidoo Zahn 08:00 Limon And Oli 10:30 Yellow Rock 15:00 The Way Way Back-PG15 01:35 My 600lb Life: Where Are They 06:00 18 Kids And Counting 06:25 Cake Boss 08:40 Real Emergency Calls 08:10 Jake And The Never Land 12:30 Hope And Glory 17:00 The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Now? 14:30 Dead Poets Society 06:50 Cake Boss 09:05 Real Emergency Calls Pirates Smaug-PG 02:25 Mormon Half Love 17:00 Yellow Rock 20:00 Lone Survivor-PG15 07:15 Cake Boss 09:30 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 08:35 Doc McStuffins 19:00 Now You See Me 22:15 Oculus-PG15 03:15 Medical Anomalies 07:40 Cake Boss 09:55 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 09:05 Art Attack 21:00 Promised Land 04:05 Driving Me Crazy 08:05 Randy To The Rescue 10:20 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 09:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:00 Notes On A Scandal 05:00 Driving Me Crazy 08:55 Randy To The Rescue 10:45 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 10:00 Sofia The First 06:00 18 Kids And Counting 09:45 Toddlers & Tiaras 11:10 The Will 10:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 06:25 Toddlers & Tiaras 10:35 Toddlers & Tiaras 12:00 The Will 10:55 Zou 12:50 Deadly Affairs 11:10 Cars Toons Compilation 07:15 Toddlers & Tiaras 11:25 Something Borrowed, 01:00 Golfing World Something New 13:40 Fatal Encounters 12:00 Doc McStuffins 03:00 Live NHL 08:05 Randy To The Rescue 11:50 Something Borrowed, 14:30 Fatal Encounters 12:15 Sofia The First 01:00 Animal-PG15 07:00 Super Rugby Highlights 08:55 The Next Great Baker Something New 15:20 Blood Relatives 12:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 03:00 Stuck In Love-PG15 07:30 Live Super Rugby 10:35 Kate Plus 8 12:15 Something Borrowed, 16:10 Real Emergency Calls 13:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 05:00 Great Expectations-PG15 10:00 Super Rugby Highlights 11:25 18 Kids And Counting Something New 16:35 Real Emergency Calls 13:35 Zou 07:15 Khumba-PG 10:30 Live Super Rugby 12:40 Something Borrowed, 17:00 Stalked: Someone’s 13:50 Jake And The Never Land 09:00 Cuban Fury-PG15 11:50 18 Kids And Counting 12:30 Live Super Rugby Something New Watching Pirates 11:00 The Wolverine-PG15 12:15 18 Kids And Counting 14:45 Live Super Rugby 13:05 Something Borrowed, 17:25 Stalked: Someone’s 14:15 Doc McStuffins 13:15 Oggy & The Cockroaches: The 12:40 18 Kids And Counting 17:00 Super Rugby Highlights Something New Watching 14:45 Limon And Oli Movie-PG 13:05 18 Kids And Counting 18:00 Live Super Rugby 13:30 Oprah’s Lifeclass 17:50 I Was Murdered 14:55 Loopdidoo 15:00 Good Deeds-PG15 20:00 Live Super Rugby 13:30 Say Yes To The Dress: The Big 14:20 Oprah’s Next Chapter 18:15 I Was Murdered 15:10 Sofia The First 17:00 Cuban Fury-PG15 23:00 Golfing World Day 15:10 Little People, Big World 18:40 Murder Shift 15:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:00 Anchorman 2: The Legend 14:20 Oprah’s Lifeclass 15:35 Little People, Big World 19:30 Murder Shift 16:00 Cars Toons Continues-PG15 15:10 Cake Boss 16:00 Little People, Big World 20:20 Murder Shift 16:05 Lilo & Stitch 21:00 Bad Words-18 16:25 Little People, Big World 21:10 Murder Shift 16:30 Adventures Of The Gummi 23:00 Pain & Gain-18 15:35 Cake Boss 16:00 Cake Boss 16:50 Little People, Big World 22:00 Unravelled Bears 07:00 Inside The PGA Tour 16:25 Cake Boss 17:15 Say Yes To The Dress: The Big 22:50 Deadly Affairs 17:00 Chip n Dale Rescue 23:40 Double Cross Rangers 07:30 European Tour Weekly 16:50 Cake Boss Day 18:05 Secrets Of The High Street 00:30 Evil, I 17:25 Ducktales 08:00 Live PGA European Tour 17:15 Secrets Of The High Street 12:00 Live Snooker World 18:30 Secrets Of The High Street 00:55 I Was Murdered 18:00 Art Attack Championship 17:40 Secrets Of The High Street 18:55 Cake Boss 01:20 I Almost Got Away With It 18:30 Sofia The First 01:00 Jelly T 15:30 Inside The PGA Tour 18:05 Oprah’s Next Chapter 19:20 19 Kids And Counting 02:10 Unravelled 18:55 Cars Toons 02:45 Barbie As Rapunzel 16:00 European Tour Weekly 18:55 Say Yes To The Dress 19:45 19 Kids And Counting 19:00 The Adventures Of Disney 04:30 Hammer Boy 16:30 Live Snooker World 19:20 Say Yes To The Dress 20:10 Kate Plus 8 Fairies 06:00 True Story Of Puss’n Boots Championship 19:45 Say Yes To The Dress 21:00 19 Kids And Counting 19:30 Jake And The Never Land 08:00 Barbie Fairytopia Mermaidia 20:00 Live PGA Tour 20:10 Say Yes To The Dress 21:25 19 Kids And Counting Pirates 19:45 Doc McStuffins 09:30 Free Birds 20:35 Say Yes To The Dress 21:50 Kate Plus 8 11:15 The Legend Of Secret Pass 22:40 America’s Worst Tattoos 20:00 Adventures Of The Gummi 21:00 Oprah’s Lifeclass 13:00 Barbie As Rapunzel 23:05 90 Days To Wed Bears 21:50 Oprah’s Next Chapter 14:30 The Missing Lynx 23:55 90 Days To Wed 03:00 Art Attack 20:30 Sofia The First 16:15 The Adventures Of Rocky And 01:30 ICC Cricket 360 22:40 America’s Worst Tattoos 03:25 Julius Jr. 20:55 Cars Toons Bullwinkle 02:00 Indian Premier League H/L : MI 23:05 90 Days To Wed 03:35 Calimero 21:00 Chip n Dale Rescue 18:00 Free Birds v CSK 23:55 Too Ugly For Love? 03:50 Henry Hugglemonster Rangers WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Scientific Center chalking up more achievements: Mutawa

he Scientific Center, an affiliated to the He added that the center, in collaboration with a Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of number of State’s institutions, exerted voluntary TSciences (KFAC), continues to chalk up more environmental efforts for serving the society. He accomplishments to be a minaret regionally and said that about 1,500 male and female students internationally, the center’s Managing Director tour the center daily and about eight millions have Mejbel Al-Mutawa emphasized. visited it so far. The celebration included work- On sidelines of the celebrations of the 15th shops for children and various performances, he anniversary of its founding, Mutawa said that the made clear. center since it was established in 2000 has kept up Nawaf Al-Redini, a senior official at the center, said with the latest developments and the needs of soci- that the center has become a milestone and a com- ety to raise Kuwait’s name high. He noted that the plementary part of educational process in the coun- center was established under directions of the late try. He pointed out that the center organizes two Amir His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber camps annually in which many topics on the environ- The Scientific Center’s Managing Director Mejbel Al-Mutawa Al-Sabah and supported by the KFAC. ment are discussed in an interesting way. —KUNA speaks to reporters at the event. —KUNA photos

What’s On - Submission Guidelines

All photos submitted for What’s On should be minimum 200dpi. Articles must be in plain text and should include name and phone numbers. Articles and photos that fail to meet these requirements will not be published. Please send them to [email protected] The American Concrete Institute (ACI) organized a gallery titled ‘Kuwait of Tomorrow’ at Kuwait University’s College of Engineering and Petroleum recently. The event was held in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works. WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

The Lebanese Embassy in Kuwait hosted a reception to welcome Lebanon’s ex-president Michel Suleiman, who visited Kuwait recently. Several ambassadors and dignitaries attended the event. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

Saad Al-Abdallah Block 5 Health Center held an open health awareness day to promote the culture of regular medical checkups, and spread public awareness on the latest developments in the medical field. Sebamed was among the participants and provided information on skin care. HEALTH SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

E-cigarette use Remote corner of Bosnia triples in US teens declared ‘Town of Twins’ MIAMI: Some two million US high school students tried e- cigarettes last year, a rate that tripled in just one year, US Residents claim long tradition of twins health authorities said Thursday. The 2014 survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 13.4 BUZIM: When Nedzib Vucelj’s wife Emira gave birth to twins at the initial responses, he believes he has tracked down some 200 pairs. percent of high school students said they had smoked an e- height of the Bosnian war, it was impossible to buy a suitable baby Doctors in the regional Bihac hospital said that according to cigarette in the past month, up from 4.5 percent from 2013. stroller: their hometown of Buzim was surrounded by rival armies. medical statistics worldwide, one set of twins can be expected every In middle school, some 3.9 percent of kids (about 450,000 Vucelj tried to borrow from a neighbor, but they had lent theirs to 88 births. According to their records for the past five years, Buzim is students) said they had tried vaping in the past month another family with twins. When he came to their door, he was told not exceptional, but the data are incomplete. Given the town’s isola- according to the 2014 findings, up from 1.1 percent in it had already passed to a third family, also with twins. “That’s when I tion, a majority of women before and during the war gave birth at 2013. realized just how many twins were here,” said Vucelj, a former home, and many records have been lost. Locals are convinced there E-cigarettes are battery powered cylinders that heat a teacher and journalist who has launched an initiative to declare is a longstanding tradition of twins. “I remember the years when nicotine-containing liquid into a vapor that is inhaled, much Buzim the “Town of Twins”. Investigating the phenomenon, he dis- nearly each class in the school had twins; there were also triplets,” like a conventional cigarette but without the flame. Some covered that at least 21 sets of twins had been born in the town of said Zumreta Hodzic, a municipal birth registrar. health experts are concerned about the rising popularity of 20,000 people during the 1992-95 war. There may be many more, Locals struggle to explain the phenomenon, but a tradition of the devices, which are unregulated in the marketplace and given the rate of migration due to poverty and unemployment. large families, and possible inbreeding in an isolated rural area, contain liquid nicotine cartridges that are flavored like candy Local officials have leapt on the initiative, hoping to attract visi- may help such genes persist. “The local people mostly marry and fruit. “We want parents to know that nicotine is danger- tors to the picturesque town in northwest Bosnia, nestled among among themselves, this is a pretty much traditional and patriar- ous for kids at any age, whether it’s an e-cigarette, hookah, green hills and clear streams, where most people live off harvesting chal community,” Mayor Bunic said. Kemal Dizdarevic, an unem- cigarette or cigar,” said CDC director Tom Frieden. raspberries and chestnuts. Mayor Agan Bunic enthuses about the ployed father of 17-month-old twin boys, said there was a history “Adolescence is a critical time for brain development. prospect of “annual meetings of twins from Buzim and across the of twins in his family and his wife’s. “Maybe they will be sports- Nicotine exposure at a young age may cause lasting harm to country, the first gathering of its kind in Bosnia”. Trying to track men,” said Dizdarevic, who has created a miniature basketball brain development, promote addiction, and lead to sustained down Buzim’s twins, scattered around the world by the war, Vucelj game to entertain the energetic toddlers. “They can become any- tobacco use.”—AFP launched a Facebook page - “Buzim - The Town of Twins”. Based on thing, just not politicians.”— Reuters

CALIFORNIA: Tony Moreno touches the body of a whale on the beach in Pacifica, Calif. — AP Gray whales’ Pacific crossing leads to questions of origin

ANCHORAGE: A study of the migration of rare western Pacific be extinct, are the most endangered of the large whales, Mate recorded migratory journey by a mammal by more than 1,200 gray whales has led US and Russian scientists to question whether said. Only 150 remain as the result of overhunting. To protect miles, Mate said. The bigger question, however, is whether the they’re a separate population or simply California gray whales that them, environmental groups have campaigned against industrial western whales are remnants of a distinct population of endan- have expanded their feeding grounds. Researchers for decades activities such as oil and gas development off Sakhalin. Federal gered animals or the westernmost feeding group of fully recov- have considered the two subpopulations to be distinct, with differ- and international whale experts have considered the two subpop- ered California gray whales. ent territories and genetics. California gray whales occupy mostly ulations of gray whales to be distinct because their territories were waters closer to North America, while the much smaller western thought not to overlap, based on historic whaling data, and Photo identifications Pacific gray whale population was thought to roam the eastern because of genetics analyses, Mate said. Those conclusions are “I don’t have an answer to that,” Mate said. “I know everybody Asia coast. being reevaluated, he said. would like me to. The sample size is just too small with three ani- Recently, scientists over two migratory seasons tagged western The tagging project began in September 2010 and was done mals.” Biopsies and photo identifications indicate 30 of the west- Pacific gray whales off Russia’s Sakhalin Island, hoping to discover with scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the ern whales have made the crossing to North America, Mate said. exactly where they spend winters. The scientists were expecting Russian Academy of Sciences, the Kronotsky State Nature However, there also is evidence that western Pacific gray whales western whales to migrate to breeding and calving grounds some- Biosphere Reserve and the Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific are not extinct, according to the paper. Four western gray whales where in the south China Sea, said Bruce Mate, director of the Institute of Geography. The scientists were startled when a 13- died in fishing nets off Japan between 2005 and 2007; a gray Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University and lead year-old male whale they named Flex swam east to US and whale was stranded off southern China in November 2011; anoth- author of a research paper published this week in the journal Canada waters. He was tracked to the Oregon coast until his tag er was sighted in Mikawa Bay, Japan, in March 2012. Biology Letters. “It didn’t turn out that way,” Mate said. Instead, was lost. A year later, a 6-year-old female named Agent was More study is needed, Mate said, but a conclusion that they’re three whales with satellite tags were tracked swimming east and tracked halfway across the Gulf of Alaska before her tag was lost. part of the eastern population could change how whales are treat- across the north Pacific to Alaska waters and into the migratory A third whale, a 9-year-old female dubbed Varvara, was tracked ed and studied. Margaret Williams, Arctic program director for the route of California gray whales, also known as eastern Pacific gray all the way to Baja Mexico, where most California gray whales World Wildlife Fund, had not seen the paper but said Thursday whales. breed and give birth. Varvara spent 42 days off Baja California and protecting critical gray whale habitat off Sakhalin from chronic visited the three main breeding areas of the California gray whale. pollution, noise and industrial disturbances remains important. “It The most endangered She then swam north and west and returned to Russia waters, doesn’t negate the big conservation effort to protect the habitat “It made us realize that many of these animals were born in crossing the Bering Sea near retreating sea ice in May 2012. Her for this migratory species in a place that would otherwise be made Mexico,” Mate said. Western Pacific gray whales, once thought to trip took 172 days. The nearly 14,000-mile swim is the longest more vulnerable by offshore development,” she said. — AP HEALTH SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Families make videos to reassure patients with dementia

NEW YORK: For 94-year-old Louise Irving, who suffers from demen- services at the home. “We’re looking to see if we can set a positive a new wrinkle in dementia caretaking. “Memory tools like videos and tia, waking up every day to a video with a familiar face and a familiar tone for the day” without using drugs, she said. “What better way to photos get a lot of use, but to have a couple of minutes with a loved voice seems to spark a flicker of recognition. start the day than to see the face and hear the voice of someone you one as a way to start out the day, I haven’t heard of anything quite “Good morning, merry sunshine, how did you wake so soon?” love wishing you a wonderful morning?” As in the movie, every day is like that,” says Ruth Drew, director of family and information services Irving’s daughter, Tamara Rusoff-Hoen, sings in a video playing from a new day, and the video becomes part of the morning routine. for the association. Robert Abrams, a geriatric psychiatrist at a laptop wheeled to her mother’s bedside at a New York nursing Relatives who take part are urged to say good morning, use memory- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, called the program “both innovative home. As the five-minute video plays, with stories of happy memo- triggering personal anecdotes and remind the residents that atten- and thoughtful.” ries and get-togethers, Irving beams a bright smile before repeating dants will be helping them get dressed and ready for the day. “You’ve got a group of people with dementia who don’t really the traditional family send-off. grasp the nature and purpose of their surroundings, or the circum- Memory tools stances that compelled them to be there,” Abrams says. ‘Kiss, kiss ... I love you’ Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias afflict a growing num- “Consequently they’re alone and at sea, and feel frightened and Such prerecorded messages from family members are part of an ber of Americans as baby boomers age and people live longer. The even abandoned by family.” Experts cautioned, however, that apparently unique pilot program at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale Alzheimer’s Association says more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s patients vary widely, and that techniques that may work aimed at helping victims of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of Alzheimer’s. The first-thing-in-the morning video visits appear to be beautifully for one may not work for another. —AP dementia break through the morning fog of forgetfulness that can often cause them agitation and fear. It’s an idea borrowed from an unlikely place, the 2004 Adam Sandler movie “50 First Dates,” in which a brain-injured woman played by Drew Barrymore loses her Emotional Georgia governor memory every day and a suitor played by Sandler uses videos to remind her about him. “It was fluff, but it made me think, ‘How could that translate to our signs marijuana bill into law residents with memory loss?’” said Charlotte Dell, director of social 36th state to legalize marijuana to treat illnesses

ATLANTA: An emotional Gov Nathan Deal over,” said Deal, his voice cracking. “Now, but added that marijuana remains illegal has signed legislation that immediately legal- Georgia children and their families may return under federal law. izes the use of medical marijuana in Georgia home, while continuing to receive much- Asked if people who need cannabis oil will to treat eight serious medical conditions. needed care. Patients such as Haleigh Cox, for run the risk of arrest in states between Sponsored by state Rep Allen Peake, a whom this bill is named, and others suffering Georgia and Colorado or from federal Republican from Macon, the new law makes it from debilitating conditions can now receive Transportation Security Administration agents legal for people to possess up to 20 ounces of the treatment they need, in the place where at airports, he said he couldn’t “get into the fluid cannabis oil. The cannabis oil can contain they belong - Georgia.” hypotheticals.” That’s what scares people like no more than 5 percent tetrahydrocannabi- He hugged Haleigh, 5, who has intractable Mike Hopkins, 53, of Covington, who came noil, or THC, the psychoactive agent. epilepsy, and her mother, Janea Cox, who home from Colorado for the ceremony. He With the stroke of a pen, Georgia became have been living in Colorado for months while said he’s not willing to take a chance that his the 36th state, plus Washington, DC, to legal- husband Brian, a Johns Creek firefighter, daughter, Michala, might not be able to be ize marijuana extracts to treat illnesses. stayed in Georgia. While possession of mari- treated with cannabis oil. Two of his children Georgia’s law makes cannabis oil legal to treat juana is illegal under federal law, the US have died. He said the 17-year-old has been people with epilepsy and other seizure disor- Justice Department has said it will not stand in “helped tremendously” by the extract but ders, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, cancer, multiple the way of states that want to legalize mari- “we’re going to stay in Colorado for a while. sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, mitochondrial dis- juana as long as effective controls are in place. We just can’t take the chance.” Peake and oth- NEW YORK: Tamara Rusoff-Hoen (right) talks with her ease, Parkinson’s disease and sickle cell ane- Joseph Moses, a special agent in Atlanta for er advocates contend the state should legalize mother, Louise Irving, at The Hebrew Home of Riverdale, mia. “For the families enduring separation and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and regulate the in-state cultivation of in New York. — AP patients suffering pain, the wait is finally said the DEA will “hold to those guidelines” cannabis oil to remove any risk. — AP SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

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

SHARQIA-1 MARINA-1 BIG GAME 1:15 AM CHILD 44 12:00 PM CHILD 44 12:15 PM CHILD 44 2:45 PM BIG GAME 3:00 PM 360º- 3 KILL ME THREE TIMES 5:30 PM CHILD 44 5:15 PM CYMBELINE 11:30 AM CHILD 44 7:30 PM BIG GAME 8:00 PM CYMBELINE 1:30 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 10:15 PM CHILD 44 10:00 PM CAKE 3:30 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 12:15 AM BIG GAME 12:45 AM CYMBELINE 5:45 PM CAKE 8:00 PM SHARQIA-2 MARINA-2 CYMBELINE 10:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:30 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 5:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:30 PM AL-KOUT.1 FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:15 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:15 PM MARINA-3 FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM SHARQIA-3 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM NOTICE LAST KNIGHTS 11:45 AM LAST KNIGHTS 3:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM April 5, 2015 LAST KNIGHTS 2:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 4:15 PM LAST KNIGHTS 7:30 PM AL-KOUT.2 LAST KNIGHTS 6:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 9:45 PM CHILD 44 12:00 PM Mr. Thajudeen Rahamathullah son of Mr. Rahamathullah, ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 8:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 12:05 AM CHILD 44 2:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:45 PM resident of 1/22, Anna Nagar, Moongilburaipattu and Post CINDERELLA 5:30 PM Sankarapuram Villupuram 605 702 Tamil Nadu and Miss LAST KNIGHTS 12:45 AM AVENUES-1 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 7:45 PM BIG GAME 12:00 PM ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 9:45 PM Rahamathunisha Ansar Ali daughter of Ansar Ali, resident MUHALAB-1 BIG GAME 2:30 PM CHILD 44 12:05 AM of No. 3730, B Type, 1st Main Road, MMDA, Mathur Manali, BIG GAME 12:15 PM CINDERELLA 5:00 PM Chennai - 600068, Tamil Nadu, both Indian nationals, BIG GAME 2:15 PM CINDERELLA 7:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 BIG GAME 4:15 PM CINDERELLA 10:00 PM presently residing in Kuwait, have given notice of intended PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM BIG GAME 11:45 AM marriage between them under the Foreign Marriage Act, ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 8:15 PM LAST KNIGHTS 1:45 PM 1969. If anyone has any objection to the proposed PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:30 PM AVENUES-2 BIG GAME 4:00 PM BIG GAME 6:00 PM marriage, he/she may file the same with the undersigned BIG GAME 12:30 AM KILL ME THREE TIMES 11:45 AM according to the procedure laid down under the Act/Rule KILL ME THREE TIMES 1:45 PM LAST KNIGHTS 8:00 PM MUHALAB-2 JUNGLE MASTER 3:45 PM SKIN TRADE 10:15 PM within thirty days from the date of publication of this CHILD 44 11:30 AM KILL ME THREE TIMES 5:45 PM LAST KNIGHTS 12:15 AM notice. CHILD 44 2:15 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 7:45 PM LAST KNIGHTS 5:00 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 9:45 PM AL-KOUT.4 CHILD 44 7:15 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 11:45 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 1:00 PM (J.S. Dangi) Second Secretary E-mail: [email protected] LAST KNIGHTS 10:00 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 3:00 PM EYjjaY_]G^Ú[]j Ph. 00965-22533315 CHILD 44 12:15 AM AVENUES-3 PRESERVATION 5:00 PM Embassy of India, Kuwait. LAST KNIGHTS 11:45 AM KILL ME THREE TIMES 7:00 PM MUHALAB-3 LAST KNIGHTS 2:15 PM PRESERVATION 9:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 4:45 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 11:00 PM Thiruvottiyur, Chennai, PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 2:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 7:15 PM PRESERVATION 1:00 AM MATRIMONIAL Tamilnadu 600019 had FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 9:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:00 PM LAST KNIGHTS 12:15 AM embraced Islam and BAIRAQ-1 Parents invite suitable pro- changed the name as FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:15 PM posals for their daughter FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM AVENUES-4 FAST & FURIOUS 7 2:45 PM MOHAMMED JAVID. FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:30 AM (RCSC, 24yrs, 163cms, fair, (C 4969) FAST & FURIOUS 7 5:15 PM B.Com, MBA) hailing from FANAR-1 FAST & FURIOUS 7 2:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:45 PM 15-4-2015 ancient family, CHILD 44 11:30 AM CHILD 44 4:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:15 PM CHILD 44 2:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM Changanacherry archdiocese, CHILD 44 5:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:15 PM and working in Kuwait - from SITUATION VACANT ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 7:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM BAIRAQ-2 parents of well settled ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 9:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:30 AM BE/B.Tech RCSC boys of Driver needed for Kuwaiti CHILD 44 12:05 AM AVENUES-5 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:30 PM reputed family working in family, fulltime or parttime. PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:30 AM HOME 3:30 PM Call 60623330. FANAR-2 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:30 PM India or abroad. Email: BIG GAME 11:30 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:30 PM [email protected] (C 4967) LAST KNIGHTS 1:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:00 PM HOME 7:30 PM Deepika matrimonial.com ID: 13-4-2015 BIG GAME 3:45 PM NO THU PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 9:30 PM DM - 26205 Bethlehem matri- CINDERELLA 5:45 PM Special Show “PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2” PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 monial.com ID: BETH53863 Accountant: Young & LAST KNIGHTS 8:00 PM 6:00 PM (C 4968) dynamic B. Com. Graduate BIG GAME 10:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 8:15 PM BAIRAQ-3 (1st Class) of 28 years, hav- LAST KNIGHTS 12:30 AM CINDERELLA 1:00 PM 17-4-2015 Special Show “BIG GAME” 8:15 PM ing good accounts knowl- PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 3:15 PM FANAR-3 LAST KNIGHTS 1:00 AM CINDERELLA 5:45 PM edge, worked in India and KILL ME THREE TIMES 12:45 PM ASWAR AL QUMAR- Arabic 8:00 PM CHANGE OF NAME last 4 years working in PRESERVATION 2:45 PM AVENUES-6 LAST KNIGHTS 10:00 PM Kuwait, having transferable KILL ME THREE TIMES 4:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 12:15 AM JAGADESH, son of PERUMAL visa, looking for a job of an KILL ME THREE TIMES 6:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 2:45 PM bearing an Indian Passport PRESERVATION 8:45 PM accountant. Can join imme- PLAZA No. G0846093 having an KILL ME THREE TIMES 10:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 5:00 PM diately. Contact 50541464 PRESERVATION 12:45 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 7:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 4:30 PM address No.28/13 Pillaiyar (C 4966) PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 9:30 PM KILL ME THREE TIMES 6:30 PM Kovil Street, Sathuma Nagar, 12-4-2015 FANAR-4 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 8:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:00 PM BIG GAME 10:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 2:00 PM 360º- 1 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 4:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 11:30 AM LAILA PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:30 PM LAST KNIGHTS 3:45 PM 112 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 8:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:45 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:15 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 6:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:00 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:15 AM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 8:15 PM LAST KNIGHTS 10:30 PM Prayer timings PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 10:30 PM FANAR-5 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 12:45 AM AJIAL.1 Fajr: 03:58 PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 1:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:30 PM PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 3:00 PM 360º- 2 S/O SATYAMURTHY- Telugu 3:30 PM Shorook 05:20 FAST & FURIOUS 7 5:00 PM BIG GAME 11:45 AM O KADHAL KANMANI -Tamil 3:30 PM MR. X -Hindi 5:00 PM BIG GAME 2:00 PM Duhr: 11:48 S/O SATYAMURTHY- Telugu 6:30 PM NO THU+FRI+SAT BIG GAME 4:15 PM Asr: 15:22 FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM BIG GAME 6:30 PM O KADHAL KANMANI -Tamil 6:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM BIG GAME 8:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:30 PM Maghrib: 18:15 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM BIG GAME 11:00 PM O KADHAL KANMANI -Tamil 9:30 PM Isha: 19:35 information SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

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

Arrival Flights on Saturday 18/4/2015 JZR 357 Mashhad 17:30 KAC 101 London/New York 10:00 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 IRM 1181 Mashhad 10:50 PIA 205 Lahore 00:15 SVA 500 Jeddah 18:00 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 IRM 1180 Mashhad 18:10 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 18:20 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:25 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 CLX 856 Luxembourg 18:50 JZR 356 Mashhad 11:40 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 SAI 441 Lahore 01:35 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 RBG 554 Alexandria 12:10 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 KAC 742 Dammam 19:00 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 KAC 104 London 19:00 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:15 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 AGY 685 Sohag 12:40 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:00 OMA 643 Muscat 02:35 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 QTR 1076 Doha 03:05 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 JZR 124 Bahrain 13:30 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 MRJ 4815 Mashhad 14:05 KAC 1544 Cairo 03:35 AGY 684 Sohag 19:50 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 PGT 860 Istanbul 04:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:15 KNE 480 Taif 20:10 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 THY 770 Istanbul 04:40 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 ABY 121 Sharjah 20:20 KNE 481 Taif 15:10 GFA 050 Istanbul 05:15 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:20 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 KAC 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 06:00 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30 IZG 4168 Mashhad 15:30 BAW 157 London 06:35 KLM 415 Amsterdam 21:05 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 JZR 563 Sohag 06:45 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 JZR 503 Luxor 07:20 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 741 Dammam 15:55 KAC 382 Delhi 07:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:00 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:45 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 KNE 463 Madinah 16:00 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 IZG 4162 Mashhad 16:10 KAC 204 Lahore 07:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:10 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 KNE 470 Jeddah 22:05 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 OMA 646 Muscat 16:50 KAC 344 Chennai 08:15 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 SYR 342 Damascus 16:55 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 MSC 407 Sohag 22:45 KNE 473 Jeddah 16:55 KAC 362 Colombo 08:30 FDB 059 Dubai 22:50 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 512 Sharm el-Sheikh 17:15 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:25 JZR 513 Sharm el-Sheikh 23:30 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 IRM 1186 Tehran 09:40 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 IRC 527 Mashhad 17:30 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:40 KAC 350 Kochi 09:40 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 Departure Flights on Saturday 18/4/2015 KNE 475 Jeddah 17:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 Airlines Flt Route Time IRA 666 Esfahan 18:10 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 JZR 562 Sohag 00:20 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 325 Al Najaf 11:20 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:30 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 KAC 563 Amman 18:30 AGY 680 Alexandria 11:40 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 BBC 050 Dhaka 00:30 JZR 538 Cairo 18:40 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 KLM 413 Amsterdam 00:55 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:00 JZR 502 Luxor 01:10 IRM 1187 Tehran 19:10 JZR 241 Amman 12:40 PIA 206 Lahore 01:30 SVA 505 Jeddah 19:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 MRJ 4815 Mashhad 13:05 SAI 442 Lahore 02:35 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:50 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:10 CLX 856 Hong Kong 20:20 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 OMA 644 Muscat 03:35 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KNE 460 Riyadh 14:10 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 QTR 1077 Doha 04:05 AGY 681 Alexandria 20:50 IZG 4167 Mashhad 14:30 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 KAC 1543 Cairo 20:55 KAC 540 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:50 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 KAC 543 Cairo 20:55 IZG 4161 Mashhad 14:50 PGT 861 Istanbul 04:45 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 ABY 127 Sharjah 14:55 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 ABY 122 Sharjah 21:00 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 15:00 THY 765 Istanbul 05:05 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:00 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 KAC 287 Dhaka 21:05 KNE 462 Madinah 15:05 GFA 050 Bahrain 06:00 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:10 OMA 645 Muscat 15:50 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:15 SYR 341 Damascus 15:55 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 MSR 607 Luxor 21:30 KNE 472 Jeddah 16:00 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 JZR 324 Al Najaf 07:55 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:05 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:30 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:25 BAW 156 London 08:35 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 KAC 118 New York 16:30 KAC 539 Sharm el-Sheikh 08:50 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 IRC 526 Mashhad 16:30 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KAC 381 Delhi 22:30 KNE 474 Jeddah 16:55 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 KAC 562 Amman 17:00 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 IRA 669 Mashhad 17:10 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:50 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KNE 471 Jeddah 23:05 Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

4. Lacking gonads. WORDSEARCH PUZZLE 5. Designating a solution containing 1 mole of solute per 1000 grams of solvent. CROSSWORD876 6. The state prevailing during the absence of war. 7. The local time at the 0 meridian passing through Greenwich, England. 8. Psychoactive substance present in marijuana. 9. An officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer. 10. (astronomy) A measure of time defined by Earth's orbital motion. 11. In an unnatural eery manner. 12. Food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing. 13. A hard copal derived from an African tree. 14. Any tropical gymnosperm of the order Cycadales. 19. In a grave and sober manner. 22. Oil palms. 24. A river in central Europe that arises in northwestern Czechoslovakia and flows north- ward through Germany to empty into the North Sea. 27. Bark in a high-pitched tone. 28. Enter or assume a certain state or condition. 30. A member of the Semitic speaking people of northern Ethiopia. 31. Of the same period. 33. A castrated tomcat. 35. Of or relating to a member of the Buddhist people inhabiting the Mekong river in Laos and Thailand. 38. Fertility goddess in ancient Greek mythology. 39. Channel into a new direction. 40. A Chadic language spoken in Chad. 42. An accountant certified by the state. 44. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily. 47. Tropical starchy tuberous root. 48. Composes music as a profession. 53. A bachelor's degree in religion. 54. Lacking or deprive of the sense of hearing wholly or in part. 56. Coming next after the seventh and just before the ninth in position. 57. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control ACROSS using precision approach radar. 1. Light informal conversation for social occasions. 58. Eurasian plant having toothed leaves and small two-lipped white or purplish-red 4. Remove surgically. flowers. 12. An enclosed space. 60. An expression forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence but not containing a 15. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). finite verb. 16. A red or yellow or brown mineral. 62. So adjusted as to be appropriate or brought into harmony. 17. One or some or every or all without specification. 63. A subsidiary proposition that is assumed to be true in order to prove another propo- 18. Chiefly Old World herbs or shrubs. sition. 20. Being one hundred more than three hundred. 64. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables. 21. Antiquity that as survived from the distant past. 65. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River. 23. Blue sharks. 67. (Old Testament) The eldest son of Isaac who would have inherited the Covenant that 25. Tropical American tree grown in southern United States having a whitish pink-tinged God made with Abraham and that Abraham passed on to Isaac. fruit. 68. A book of the New Testament. Yesterday’s Solution 26. By a small margin. 70. A vote that blocks a decision. 29. Closed with a lace. 73. The compass point midway between east and southeast. 32. Red fishes of American coastal tropical waters having very large eyes and rough 74. A chronic drinker. scales. 34. Without moral standards or principles. 36. Surpassing the ordinary especially in size or scale. 37. A republic in the Middle East in western Asia. Yesterdayʼs Solution 41. Lac purified by heating and filtering. 43. Emotionally charged terms used to refer to extreme radicals or revolutionaries. 45. Short-tailed rough-haired South American rodent. 46. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum. 49. Informal terms for a mother. 50. To make a mistake or be incorrect. 51. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma. 52. The clay from which adobe bricks are made. 55. English courtier (a favorite of Elizabeth I) who tried to colonize Virginia. 59. A doctor's degree in dental medicine. 61. A mass of ice and snow that permanently covers a large area of land (e.g., the polar regions or a mountain peak). 66. 40th President of the United States (1911- ). 69. Feed excessively. 71. United States writer (born in Poland) who wrote in Yiddish (1880-1957). 72. Genus of North American spring wildflowers. 75. A master's degree in business. 76. Not reflecting light. 77. Type and genus of the Isoetaceae and sole extant genus of the order Isoetales. 78. An adult male person (as opposed to a woman). 79. The act of applying force in order to move something away. 80. A thermionic tube having four electrodes. 81. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

DOWN 1. A short labored intake of breath with the mouth open. 2. Any culture medium that uses agar as the gelling agent. 3. An island in Indonesia east of Java. CHALLENGING MAZE Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO: Arizona Diamondbacks’ Archie Bradley works against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of a baseball game on Thursday, April 16, 2015. —AP Diamondbacks overpower Giants 7-6

SAN FRANCISCO: Aaron Hill hit a two-run double season. Tommy Milone (2-0) picked up his second CARDINALS 4, BREWERS 0 Carpenter doubled to right to begin the sixth inning. with two outs in the 12th inning as the Arizona straight victory for the Twins, recovering from a rough John Lackey threw seven scoreless innings and With one out, Matt Holliday hit a 3-2 pitch up the Diamondbacks held on to beat the San Francisco start to log 5 1-3 innings. Lorenzo Cain put the Royals Matt Carpenter doubled twice, helping St Louis over middle for a run-scoring single. Holiday stole second Giants 7-6 on Thursday. Ender Inciarte singled to lead in front with his two-run shot in the first inning, but Milwaukee. Lackey (1-0) gave up five hits, struck out and went to third on Jhonny Peralta’s single. Mark off the inning against Sergio Romo (0-1) and stole starter Jason Vargas (1-1) gave up 10 hits and a walk, eight and walked one. St Louis took a 2-0 lead on Reynolds hit an RBI double to center, but Peralta was second base. After Paul Goldschmidt was intentional- leaving in the fourth with a 5-3 deficit. two doubles and two singles in the sixth inning. thrown out trying to score. Brewers starter Mike ly walked with one out, Cliff Pennington popped out Fiers (0-2) allowed seven hits in 5 2-3 innings. to short. Hill followed with a line shot into the gap in left-center to drive in both runners. Randall Delgado MLB results/standings NATIONALS 5 PHILLIES 2 (1-1), the eighth Arizona pitcher, retired six batters for Doug Fister pitched effectively into the seventh the win. Mark Trumbo, Paul Goldschmidt and AJ Minnesota 8, Kansas City 5; St. Louis 4, Milwaukee 0; Washington 5, Philadelphia 2; Tampa Bay inning, Yunel Escobar and Michael A Taylor each hit Pollock homered for the Diamondbacks, who blew a 4, Toronto 2; NY Mets 7, Miami 5; Arizona 7, San Francisco 6 (12 Innings) a homer, and Washington beat Philadelphia. Ryan three-run lead late before beating San Francisco for Zimmerman added a two-run double for only the fourth time in the last 15 games. Brandon American League National League Washington which, after averaging 2.4 runs through Crawford homered to end an 0-for-23 slump for the Eastern Division Eastern Division its first seven games, has 22 runs and 28 hits over its Giants. San Francisco has lost seven straight. W L PCT GB NY Mets 7 3 .700 - last three. Fister (1-0) allowed two runs on four hits Boston 6 3 .667 - Atlanta 6 3 .667 0.5 in 6 2-3 innings, striking out four and walking four. METS 7, MARLINS 5 Tampa Bay 6 4 .600 0.5 Drew Storen pitched the ninth for his third save. Lucas Duda got three more hits and New York Washington 4 6 .400 3 Cole Hamels (0-2) gave up five runs and five hits in Baltimore 5 4 .556 1 overcame Giancarlo Stanton’s blast and Ichiro Miami 3 7 .300 4 six innings. He walked four and struck out seven. Suzuki’s scoring dive for its fifth straight win. The Mets Toronto 5 5 .500 1.5 Philadelphia 3 7 .300 4 The left-hander had allowed three earned runs or lost a replay challenge that took nearly six minutes, NY Yankees 3 6 .333 3 fewer in each of his last 15 starts against but posted their longest winning streak since May Central Division Washington. 2013. Wilmer Flores hit a three-run homer that helped Central Division Chicago Cubs 5 3 .625 - the Mets rally from a 3-0 deficit. Duda raised his aver- Detroit 8 1 .889 - RAYS 4, BLUE JAYS 2 St. Louis 5 3 .625 - age to .395. Stanton hit his first home run since a fast- Kansas City 7 2 .778 1 Chris Archer struck out 11 in seven shutout Cincinnati 5 4 .556 0.5 ball to the face ended his season last September. Chicago W Sox 3 5 .375 4.5 innings and pinch-hitter Tim Beckham had a two- Pittsburgh 3 6 .333 2.5 Suzuki made a pair of headfirst dives into home plate Cleveland 3 5 .375 4.5 run homer in the sixth to lead Tampa Bay. It was the on the same play, eluding catcher Travis d’Arnaud to Minnesota 3 6 .333 5 Milwaukee 2 7 .222 3.5 second pinch-hit homer of the season for Beckham, make it 5-all in the seventh. Originally called out, making him the first rookie in Tampa Bay history Suzuki was ruled safe after a lengthy video review. with two pinch-hit long balls - and the first Rays Western Division Western Division Jerry Blevins (1-0) got the win and Jeurys Familia Colorado 7 2 .778 - player since Willy Aybar in 2010 to hit two in a sea- closed for his fourth save. Mike Dunn (0-1) took the Oakland 5 5 .500 - son. Before this season, the only Rays rookies with LA Dodgers 6 3 .667 1 loss. Houston 4 5 .444 0.5 pinch-hit home runs were Bubba Trammell in 1998 LA Angels 4 5 .444 0.5 San Diego 6 4 .600 1.5 and Jonny Gomes in 2005. Archer (2-1) allowed just TWINS 8, ROYALS 5 Texas 4 6 .400 1 Arizona 5 5 .500 2.5 two hits and two walks, lowering his ERA to 1.37. Kennys Vargas and Kurt Suzuki each hit a two-run Seattle 3 6 .333 1.5 San Francisco 3 8 .273 5 Steve Geltz and Kevin Jepsen worked the eighth and homer, powering Minnesota to its first series win this Brad Boxberger finished for his fourth save. —AP SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18 , 2015

Uihlein edges ahead as Watson struggles

SHENZHEN: An American topped the leaderboard yes- good.” His four-under par round of 68 gave him a nine- pleased after a second card in the 60s. terday at the Shenzhen International on nine-under par, under total of 135 and a one-shot lead over Thailand’s “It was a great round again,” said Kiradech. “The wind however it wasn’t world number four Bubba Watson but Kiradech Aphibarnrat at the halfway stage of the was getting up on a few holes before I finished but the Peter Uihlein, ranked 176 places lower. Uihlein, voted European Tour Event in the southern Chinese city. way I worked the ball was very good. “Making four birdies European Tour Rookie of the Year after a stellar 2013, The burly Thai, whose only European Tour win came on the back was a good way to finish.” Kiradech has a endured a lean time last season but showed glimpses of at the 2013 Malaysian Open, made four birdies and one two-shot cushion over a quartet tied for third comprising his best form in carding a four-under 68 in windy condi- bogey after he turned for home to card a 69. Watson Emiliano Grillo of Argentina, Gregory Havret of France, tions at Genzon Golf Club. struggled on the easier front nine and appeared to have Darren Fichardt of South Africa and Englishman Matt “It was tricky today. The wind was swirling quite a bit,” trouble reading the grainy greens. Starting the day at Ford. Overnight leader and local fan favorite Huang he said after starting his round on the 10th and playing two-under par, the 2012 and 2014 Masters champion Wenyi was a shot behind Uihlein at one stage before a the more difficult back nine in one-under before sinking dropped three shots before the turn. The big-hitting left- disastrous triple bogey seven at the 15th dropped him three birdies on the front. “I got the back nine out of the hander fought back with birdies at the 10th, 13th and back into the field. Having shot a best-of-the-day 66 on way pretty quickly. I played very solid. I felt like getting 16th but bogeyed the 15th and 18th to card a two-over Thursday he could only manage 74 Friday for a four- anything under par on the back nine was nice, and I 74 and fall nine shots off the lead. Kiradech had opened under par total of 140 and a share of 11th place going played a pretty stress-free front nine which is always his challenge with a five-under 67 on Thursday and was into the weekend.— AFP

NBA playoffs to open without star players

MIAMI: The NBA playoffs are about to being without some of the most recognizable players in the game. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and New York’s Carmelo Anthony will miss the playoffs for the second straight year, and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Miami’s Dwyane Wade are also out. So is Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, the first scoring champion to miss the playoffs since Tracy McGrady in 2004. “I’m at home, watching other teams play,” Westbrook said when asked about the scoring title after Oklahoma City’s season ended Wednesday. “It doesn’t mean nothing.” There are still plenty of star players left in the postseason. Tim Duncan will try to win his sixth title with San Antonio and LeBron James is resuming his quest to bring a title to Cleveland. Stephen Curry and James Harden will try to lead Golden State and Houston to their first NBA Finals in decades. And new faces are ready to make a splash. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love make their playoff debuts when Cleveland opens against Boston. Anthony Davis gets his first taste of the postseason when New ST LOUIS: Minnesota Wild’s Zach Parise (bottom) slides into St Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen during the second period in Orleans takes on the Warriors. Games will sell out and Game 1 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series on Thursday, April 16, 2015. — AP television ratings will surely be high, but something might just seem off. “These (are) guys who’ve been in the playoffs year in and year out, who bring a lot of Rangers beat Penguins excitement to the game and to the postseason,” Anthony said. “So when I look back and see all the guys that’s out, it’s like the game is missing some- thing.” again to open playoffs Bryant, Durant, Anthony and Chris Bosh were among those who saw their seasons end early because of injury or illness. Of those, only Bosh played in more NEW YORK: Derick Brassard and Ryan McDonagh scored in WILD 4, BLUES 2 than half of his team’s games. Paul George made a the first period and Henrik Lundqvist made the goals stand Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba gave Minnesota a two-goal lead gallant effort to help Indiana after he recovered from up as the New York Rangers won the opener of their NHL through two periods and the Wild kept chances to a minimum for the horrific leg injury he suffered last summer, but the playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Thursday. Devan Dubnyk, opening the playoffs with a victory over St Louis. Pacers were ousted on the season’s final night. Wade New York shut down Pittsburgh’s top threats, Sidney Crosby Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Steen scored in the third period for and Miami had a chance until the next-to-last night. and Evgeni Malkin, for a fourth straight victory over the the Central Division champion Blues. Game 2 is today. Dubnyk, in Penguins in the postseason. The Rangers won the final three his playoff debut, saw only 11 shots in the first two periods, and “It’s been my toughest year by far,” George wrote on games of a second-round series last year, rallying from a 3-1 finished with 19 saves. Mikael Granlund’s empty-netter made it a Twitter, “but looking forward to my greatest summer deficit. Lundqvist finished with 24 saves, while Marc-Andre two-goal cushion with 1:13 to go, 7 seconds after Allen headed for ahead!” Fleury was far busier in making 36. Blake Comeau scored in the bench. Steen scored with 58.7 seconds left for St. Louis, but In all, nearly half of the league’s 32 highest-paid the second period for Pittsburgh. Game 2 is in New York Jason Pominville scored with 20 seconds left to clinch it. players won’t be in the playoffs. Wade has had the today. shortest off-seasons in the last four years, with Miami DUCKS 4, JETS 2 going to the Finals in each. He played in 86 games dur- RED WINGS 3, LIGHTNING 2 Corey Perry scored two goals in the third period of a four-point ing those four seasons, which means he basically Pavel Datsyuk scored twice and Petr Mrazek had 44 saves performance as Anaheim rallied from another late deficit for a vic- logged an extra full season - and then some - during in his NHL playoff debut to help Detroit beat Tampa Bay in tory over Winnipeg in the teams’ first-round series opener. Perry those postseasons. “I haven’t had that much time off in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference series. Datsyuk scored scored the tiebreaking goal with 6:39 to play, but the officials a long time,” Wade said. “Playing into late June the last on two of the first four shots the Red Wings got against didn’t immediately see that the puck had crossed the goal line four years, it’s been a lot, mentally, especially physical- Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop. Luke Glendening’s short-handed near Ondrej Pavelec’s outstretched pad. The teams played on for ly. Then coming right back into this season and all the goal gave Detroit a 3-1 lead early in the third period. 62 seconds until a stoppage allowed video review. The tape con- things we went through, from the summer to the sea- Mrazek, named Detroit’s starter for Game 1 over veteran firmed another impressive third-period rally by the Ducks, who son with all the injuries and everything, it was a lot.” Jimmy Howard, gave up a short-handed goal to Brian Boyle had 24 comeback wins in the regular season. Rookie Adam Lowry Would he have rather been in the playoffs? Absolutely. in the first period and a late goal to Nikita Nesterov that and Drew Stafford scored for the Jets in their first postseason But with that not an option, Wade can see a positive enabled the Lightning to pull within 3-2. Game 2 of this game since the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Canada four years outcome. “It’ll be good for me to get away for a while,” best-of-7 matchup is today in Tampa. ago. Game 2 is today’s night.— AP Wade said, “and come back better next year.”— AP SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

Ice Hockey Challenge Cup tournament kicks off

By Abdellatif Sharaa Kyrgyzstan will play Malaysia; Oman v India will is being held under total supervision by the IIHF is keen on supporting Asia (especially play later. International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). countries new to the game) in all aspects - be it KUWAIT: Ice Hockey Challenge Cup of Asia The tournament’s organizing committee “For this event to be held in Kuwait - indi- technical, officiating, and training. “Organizing tournament to kick off today under the patron- held a press conference in the presence of cates that Kuwait had gone a long way in such tournament will lead to improving the age of Public Authority for Youth and Sports Chairman of Kuwait Winter Games Club, maintaining its presence in Asia and the world game in the continent and bringing it closer to Chairman Director General Sheikh Ahmad Chairman of the Organizing Committee Fuhaid in general,” he said as he lauded the patronage the international level,” he added. Chairman of Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The tournament Al-Ajmi, Director of the Game’s Development in of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour and the support the Information Committee Khalid Al-Mutairi is scheduled to last till 25. Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Asia Harold Springfield and Kuwait National of PAYS for Kuwait National Ice Hockey team said his committee prepared very well for the Oman, India, Singapore and the host country Team Captain Mohammad Al-Ajmi. Head of the especially in providing training camps aboard. event, adding that the board of directors Kuwait will be participating in the tournament. Information Committee and member of the Meanwhile Harald Springfeld said that the worked with PAYS to remove all obstacles that Kuwait National Hockey Team and Singapore’s Board Khalid Al-Mutairi was also present. Fuhaid preparations of Kuwait Winter Games Club for faced the team - especially the unavailability of team will face off on the opening day. While Al-Ajmi said that all is ready for the event which the tournament is impressive. He said that the a training rink. Snooker: O’Sullivan tips Phelps glad to be back, Trump for world title wins 100m butterfly

LONDON: Five-times world champion Carrington. Meanwhile Selby will be PHOENIX: Michael Phelps won the 100m training, was a good starting point from Ronnie O’Sullivan has labeled English looking to overcome the ‘Curse of the butterfly at the Mesa Pro Series meeting on which to build as he eyes a fifth Olympics rival Judd Trump the favorite to win the Crucible’ which has seen no first-time Thursday, a first step on the road to next year. “First race back, it’s OK,” Phelps 2015 World Championship, which starts champion successfully defend their title redemption and, he hopes, Rio de Janeiro said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to build and today. The pair have met in three finals the following season since the World in 2016. Phelps clocked 52.38sec to finish build. “I think the more I race and feel confi- so far this season, with O’Sullivan lead- Championship moved to the venue in ahead of longtime rival Ryan Lochte (53.11) dent with it, we can go out and control ing 2-1, although the 25-year-old Trump Yorkshire, northern England, back in and said he was just happy to be back after things,” he added, noting that he’d only impressed when winning the World 1977. “The record speaks for itself,” said a six-month suspension by USA Swimming swum a handful of long course meets since Grand Prix. Trump, who lost to world number one Selby. in the wake of his drunk-driving arrest in returning to competition a year ago. Phelps Scotland’s John Higgins in the 2011 “It is in the back of my mind, you can’t September. “It does feel good to be back,” entered five events this week, with the World Championship final, has long take that away. I feel I’m confident said Phelps, who had last competed at the 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle been hailed as one of snooker’s rising enough. “Just to win it once as I did last Pan Pacific Championships in August. Fans remaining for him and the 200m individual stars and O’Sullivan said: “Judd has now year was a fantastic achievement for me in Mesa were less raucous than the crowds medley today. The 400m free is a departure beaten me in a big final and I think that but to win it twice and break the curse that cheered him last year when he for him, but Phelps said he was looking for- was important for him. would be outstanding. “I also heard that returned from a nearly two-year retirement ward to it as a chance to “see how much I “I would say he goes in to the no-one has ever won the China Open at the same meeting in suburban Phoenix. can do, see how much I can hang.” Championship as the favorite-but of and then gone on to win the World But there was plenty of support for course there are people capable of Championship so you could say there Phelps as he strode to the blocks in one of Second win for Ledecky upsetting him.” ‘The Rocket’ added: are two records.” the new Xpresso racing suits that he In other races on Thursday, American “Hopefully I am one of those and you are He added: “Now I’m trying to make a helped manufacturer Aqua Sphere design. freestyle star Katie Ledecky and Hungarian looking at players like Mark Selby, Shaun name for myself I have noticed that play- Phelps said he’d been touched by the sup- Katinka Hosszu-FINA’s 2014 female Murphy and Neil Robertson while John ers are raising their game against you port he’d received, noting that fans in air- Swimmer of the Year-clashed twice. Higgins has come back to some better because you are seen as more of a scalp ports had wished him well, along with Ledecky won the 200m freestyle in 1:56.79 form. “But I just see Judd as the player in than you were five or six years ago-in a coaches and peers. “It’s amazing just to be with Hosszu second in 1:57.51. It was 18- front at the moment. We have seen what way that just shows what you have in this environment again,” said Phelps, year-old Ledecky’s second win in as many can happen when he gets on a roll.” achieved and is a good accolade.” For all whose arrest in Baltimore was followed by races, after her 1,500m free triumph on O’Sullivan, beaten by Mark Selby in last O’Sullivan’s talking up of Trump, Selby a stint in rehab and saw him axed from the Wednesday. Hosszu responded with a year’s World Championship final at was in no doubt about who would start US team for this year’s World dominant victory in the 400m individual Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, will face favorite for the tournament. “Ronnie is Championships in Kazan, Russia. But Phelps medley. Hosszu clocked 4:36.77 to beat tournament debutant Craig Steadman in Ronnie. says he has emerged with a better under- American Caitlin Leverenz (4:40.29) by the first round. He is one of the greatest to play our standing of himself as a person and that his more than three seconds. Vien Nguyen of Selby too is up against a Crucible game-if not the greatest. He will always new perspective has renewed his passion Vietnam was third in 4:42.60 while Ledecky newcomer in Norway’s Kurt Maflin, who be in with a shout,” Selby said. “I may be for his sport. Phelps’s time on Thursday finished fifth in the unfamiliar event in beat Irish veteran Fergal O’Brien in the the defending champion but he will still night didn’t put him in the top 10 in the 4:45.41. Venezuela’s Carlos Claverie cap- final qualifying round on Wednesday. probably go there as favorite and world this year in the 100m fly, an event he tured a narrow victory in the men’s 100m Trump too is up against another World nobody would disagree with that, he is has won at three Olympics. breaststroke, finishing in 1:02.42 to hold off Championship debutant in Stuart still the one to beat.” — AFP But he and coach Bob Bowman said the Syrian Azad Al-Barazi, who took second in time, produced while Phelps is in hard 1:02.44. — AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

CONCACAF congress turns into pro-Blatter rally

NASSAU: Hailed as “the father of football” and There were no speeches in favor of any of the their support for Blatter. On Thursday Gordon compared to Nelson Mandela, FIFA chief Sepp opposing candidates-former Portugal international Derrick, president of the Caribbean Football Union, Blatter got backing from across Caribbean and Luis Figo, Dutch FA chief Michael van Praag and said there would be no block vote from the region Central American countries at the CONCACAF con- Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein all of whom but some speakers called for the return of that prac- gress on Thursday. Blatter received pledges of sup- were present as observers. “I think CONCACAF tice. The speeches came during a time put aside for port from 10 federations as the congress quickly membership is sending a clear message that we the formal approval of minutes from the previous turned from a business meeting into a rally to sup- continue to support president Blatter,” said CONCA- congress and appeared to be well choreographed. port the incumbent president of soccer’s world CAF president Jeffrey Webb, who was later re-elect- “President Blatter has been playing on our team governing body. ed, unopposed, as head of his body. Figo was for the first half and as coaches of that team we are The Trinidad and Tobago FA chief Raymond Tim unhappy with the way the congress proceeded. not going to take him out of the game. We ask con- Kee praised Blatter as the “father of football” while “When some speak and others are silenced, democ- gress to let him play the second half,” said a Cuban the president of the Dominican Republic federation racy and football lose. Elections are, per definition, delegate. “Loud and clear” replied Webb. Despite the Osiris Guzman compared the 79-year-old Swiss to a democratic process. Otherwise they are not elec- eulogies to Blatter, opposition candidates said that Moses, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill and tions,” Figo said. behind the scenes they had picked up support. “We Martin Luther King Jr as well as Jesus and Mandela. knew in advance there was support for Mr Blatter in Guzman was suspended by FIFA in 2011 for 30 days Blatter supporters this region,” Van Praag told Reuters. “I know from my and fined following an Ethics Committee investiga- The heads of football federations from Jamaica, meetings that there also countries in CONCACAF tion into the allegations surrounding the cash for Haiti, Turks and Caicos, Cuba, Panama, St Vincent that want a change, they are sure of that and they votes scandal at the last FIFA presidential election. and the Grenadines and Puerto Rico also expressed are not going to vote for Mr Blatter.”—Reuters Celtic gunning for Scottish Cup glory

GLASGOW: Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths hopes his potentially achieving a very, very good season. perfect record at Hampden sets the Hoops up for vic- “Inverness are on a four game winless run, but have a tory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle tomorrow in good record against the Hoops with a win and a draw the Scottish Cup semi-final. The Scotland striker has at home against Ronny Deila’s side while narrowly made two semi-final appearances at the national sta- losing 1-0 at Celtic Park. dium and has triumphed in both. Griffiths is looking And manager John Hughes is hopeful his side, to make it a hat-trick of cup final appearances, but who reached last season’s League Cup final, can pull knows his side will face a tough task to overcome off a shock against Celtic. “It’s a formidable task but opponents Inverness. we can beat them,” the Inverness manager said. “I The Glasgow giants were held to a 1-1 draw at the don’t know why but there’s something in the water. I Caledonian Stadium last weekend when the sides might be wrong and it’s dangerous to dream. “But met on league duty and the Celtic striker is expecting something just tells me there might be a shock on a tricky tie at Hampden. “I’ve played in two and I’ve Sunday.” Saturday’s semi-final will be an all won two so hopefully I can continue that. But Championship affair as Hibernian take on Falkirk. Hibs Inverness will come and make it difficult for us,” are attempting to reach their third final in four years, Griffiths said. “They proved that at the weekend and but they have yet to beat their opponents in three showed they will be hard to beat. Every game has attempts in the league during this campaign. And been difficult against them and I’m expecting the after beating city rivals Hearts for the first time this same again tomorrow.” Griffiths grabbed the winner season, manager Alan Stubbs is optimistic they can in former club Hibernian’s 4-3 Scottish Cup semi-final banish another unwanted record against Falkirk as in 2013 before helping himself to a goal in Celtic’s 2-0 the Easter Road club chase their first Scottish Cup defeat of rivals Rangers in March’s League Cup last success for 113 years. four clash. “Hopefully we can put two stats right in the space While the striker has set his sights on another of two games, because we hadn’t beaten Hearts Hampden goal tomorrow, he insists he would sacri- before Sunday. It’s the same with Falkirk this week- fice it for a Celtic victory which would be another end. It’s different because of the circumstances of the huge step towards claiming a historic domestic tre- game. It’s about playing at Hampden, where some ble. “I’ll be looking to score again, but I think the most players won’t have played before,” the Hibs manager BUENOS AIRES: Andres Chavez of Argentina’s Boca Juniors (center) jumps for the important thing is for the team to get to the Scottish said. “I think we have performed OK against them, ball flanked by Esteban Carvajal (right) and Paulo Diaz of Chile’s Palestino during a Cup final,” Griffiths said. “We are doing well in the but I’m very aware that it will be a really difficult Copa Libertadores soccer match in Buenos Aires on Thursday, April 16, 2015. —AP league, we’re eight points clear again and we want to game, one where we’ll need to be at our best. There’s go for that treble. “There is still a long way to go and obviously a lot at stake - the chance to get to the final there’s some difficult games coming up, especially of the most prestigious cup competition in Scotland. tomorrow and Inverness are standing in our way of It’s a huge carrot dangling in front of us.” —AFP Boca set up derby Report shows extent against River Plate BUENOS AIRES: Boca Juniors beat Palestino “Playing against Argentine sides, we know all of Balotelli’s abuse 2-0 in the Libertadores Cup on Thursday to about them, they are games in which the set up a last-16 derby clash against arch rivals smallest details will be decisive.” LONDON: Liverpool and Italy striker Mario ened approach in other European countries River Plate. Leandro Marin got the first goal The only other side with a chance of equal- Balotelli has received more than 4,000 racist where racist chanting against black players after 82 minutes and Jonathan Calleri added a ing Boca’s 100 percent record were messages via social media this season, accord- during matches-something no longer com- second in injury time to ensure that the Corinthians, who drew 0-0 at home to reign- ing to new research from British anti-discrimi- monplace in England-still takes place. Buenos Aires side are the only team to win all ing champions San Lorenzo. The point guar- nation body Kick It Out. Arsenal striker Danny However, Kick it Out’s evidence suggests the six of their group games. antees Corinthians a place in the last 16, with Welbeck and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge have anonymity of social media is providing a new The result means Boca, who will receive San Lorenzo battling it out with Sao Paulo for also been targeted with more than a thousand platform for racist abuse of footballers in the top seeding, will play River, who have the the second qualifying spot from Group Two. discriminatory messages. In total, Kick it Out’s England. Kick It Out director Roisin Wood told weakest record so far and will be seeded 16th. Uruguayan team Wanderers also qualified on research estimates there have been 134,000 Britain’s Press Association: “It is really shock- Boca manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena played Thursday after beating Venezuelan side discriminatory posts this season, and 39,000 of ing. We knew there was an issue but even we down the already mounting excitement over Zamora 3-0 to take second place in Group these directed towards Premier League players. were shocked by how many the players have the clash and said the seedings will not mat- Five behind Boca. Brazil side Internacional English football has long prided itself on its received. For one player to have received over ter when the great rivals come head to head. moved to the top of Group Four with a anti-racism policies, contrasting them with 8,000 abusive messages is phenomenally “From now on there are no favourites, whoev- resounding 4-0 win that eliminated home what has often been seen as a less enlight- awful. —AFP er plays best will qualify,” Arruabarrena said. side Universidad de Chile. —Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 North African show of force in CAF League

JOHANNESBURG: There will be a show of force by North African since its 1997 debut in place of the African Champions Cup, pro- phies,” he said. Visiting Ahly need to contain the other leading clubs in the CAF Champions League this weekend with nine of ducing 12 of the 18 title-holders. Top-class goalkeepers, well- Champions League scorer, 29-year-old Mouhcine Iajour, whose the 16 survivors from the region. Among them are defending organized defenses and an ability to snatch precious away goals five Tetouan goals included a hat-trick against Nigerians Kano champions Entente Setif, one of three Algerian sides involved in are factors that have contributed to this success story. Good tal- Pillars. Goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy, whose father was also an Ahly last-16, first-leg fixtures. Record eight-time African champions Al ent-spotting in sub-Saharan Africa has also contributed, with the shot-stopper, will hope to foil Iajour, and two blank sheets against Ahly, the Egyptian outfit who have twice won the competition in goals of Nigerian Ighodaro Christian Osaguona propelling Raja Rwandans APR in the previous round can only boost confidence. successive seasons, are also involved. into the final qualifying round. Tall, thin and sporting a mohican Former Burkina Faso and Gabon coach Portuguese Paulo Algerians El Eulma and USMA, Tunisians Esperance and CS hairstyle, Osaguona is joint leading scorer in the 2015 Champions Duarte makes his CAF club debut with 2006 Champions League Sfaxien, Moroccans Raja Casablanca and Moghreb Tetouan and League with five goals. The predator scored twice against runners-up Sfaxien at Eulma. It is a tie the Tunisians are expected Egyptians Smouha complete the nine-prong challenge. Regional Congolese Diables Noirs and claimed all three goals against South to win, and the same applies to two-time champions Esperance derbies guarantee three North African qualifiers for the group Africans Kaizer Chiefs. against El Merrikh.But Merrikh coach Italian Diego Garzitto, who phase and there could be six. Eulma and Sfaxien, Tetouan and A close-range header off a free-kick in Durban, and a toe-poke guided Mazembe to the 2009 title, is upbeat ahead of the first Ahly, and Raja and Setif square off, USMA host Guineans Kaloum, and an unstoppable shot in Casablanca stamped the 24-year-old encounter in Omdurman. “Esperance are a very good side, but we and Esperance and Smouha are away to Sudanese El Merrikh and as a rising star. Setif visit Raja without goalkeeper Sofiane are not bad either,” he said. “My players must be smart and brave. Congolese AC Leopards respectively. Sanga Balende have home Khedairia, suspended after feigning injury to avoid playing a last- We have dreams and we will fight to achieve them.” The eight advantage over Sudanese Al Hilal and fellow Democratic Republic 32 game against Real Banjul in Gambia. Central Africa Republic first-leg fixtures are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday and the of Congo club TP Mazembe confront Stade Malien in Mali in the and Raja midfielder Vivien Mabide admits there is huge pressure return matches will be staged two weeks later. Overall winners only matches with no North African involvement. on the ‘Green Devils’ to build a first-leg lead. “Only success in advance to the lucrative group stage while the losers drop to the Clubs from the north have dominated the Champions League Africa can save our season after failing to win any domestic tro- second-tier CAF Confederation Cup. — AFP

FRENCH LEAGUE PREVIEW Wounded Paris resume title chase, Lyon face derby rivals

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain will have little time to lick their wounds following their Champions League loss to Barcelona as they turn their focus back to the Ligue 1 title race for today’s trip to Nice. PSG are staring at a third successive exit from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage after losing 3-1 at home to Barcelona in the first leg at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. The second leg at the Camp Nou awaits next Tuesday, but Laurent Blanc’s side can ill afford a slip-up when they face Nice, 650 kilometers along the Mediterranean coast, at the Allianz Riviera today afternoon. Blanc acknowledged the game is one his side “absolutely have to win” as they lie a point behind leaders Lyon, albeit with a game in hand. Already banned against Barcelona in midweek, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti will be suspended again, while captain Thiago Silva came off with a thigh injury in the first half on Wednesday and Blanc may not be willing to risk David Luiz after he had to WOLFSBURG: Wolfsburg’s Portuguese striker Vieirinha controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League first-leg quarter-final play 70 minutes of the Champions League game after being football match VfL Wolfsburg v SSC Napoli in Wolfsburg on April 16, 2015. — AFP rushed back from a hamstring problem. Having already beaten Lyon, Monaco and Marseille this sea- son, mid-table Nice may therefore fancy their chances as they Napoli thrash Wolfsburg, look to pull further clear of the relegation zone. However, when asked if he thought this was a good time to face PSG, Nice coach Claude Puel replied: “I don’t think so. I would have preferred to holders Sevilla grab win play PSG after a good result. For them, for French football and for us. “They didn’t play as well as they would have wanted LONDON: Napoli put a foot in the Europa League semi-finals with a Europe the Spanish coach is a canny operator. A European champion against the Catalans and they will be eager to put in a better perfectly crafted 4-1 win at VfL Wolfsburg on Thursday as Marek with Liverpool in 2005 and seeking to become the second man after showing against us.” Lyon reclaimed top spot on Wednesday Hamsik scored twice in an Italian masterclass to bring cheer to belea- Giovanni Trapattoni to win the Europa League trophy for a third when they beat Bastia 2-0 thanks to late goals by Mohamed guered coach Rafa Benitez. Napoli are seven points adrift of the Serie time, Benitez knows how to approach the cut and thrust of continen- Yattara and Alexandre Lacazette, the latter getting his 25th in A Champions League places but their chances of reaching Europe’s tal knockout competition. the league this season. elite competition by winning its second-tier cousin look strong after The manner in which Napoli took the lead was controversial, they crushed the German side in their quarter-final first leg. however, with Gonzalo Higuain controlling a lofted through ball with Rhone derby The other three ties are in the balance with holders Sevilla com- his arm before firing home after 15 minutes for his fifth goal in his last Hubert Fournier’s side have won their last two outings to ing back to beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 in Spain, Dynamo Kiev con- five Europa League appearances. The Argentina striker then set up boost their title chances but now they play host to Saint-Etienne ceding late in a 1-1 home draw with Fiorentina and Club Bruges Hamsik with a delightful crossfield through ball which the Slovakian in the most passionate derby in French football at the Stade de Gerland on Sunday evening. Lyon may have home advantage drawing 0-0 with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Sevilla’s hopes of retaining walloped home eight minutes later before adding a third 19 minutes but Les Verts come into the Rhone derby in great shape, a run of their title looked under threat when Aleksandr Ryazantsev lashed after the break. Substitute Manolo Gabbiadini headed in under the seven games unbeaten in the league leaving them fifth in the home for the visitors but Carlos Bacca equalised and fellow substi- trailing foot of Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benaglio to effectively kill the table, two points shy of the podium. In addition, having strug- tute Denis Suarez grabbed an 88th-minute winner with an exquisite tie, before Nicklas Bendtner grabbed a late consolation. gled so badly in the derby for the last two decades, Christophe volley. Galtier’s team won 3-0 at home to Lyon in November and have Zenit, though, will fancy their chances of overturning the deficit in Sevilla recover lost on just one of their last six visits to their rivals. “It is a chance next Thursday’s return leg, keeping alive the possibility of a final Things looked to be going awry for holders Sevilla when for us to make the supporters and the city proud. It would be between clubs from Russia and Ukraine amid simmering political Ryazantsev fired home at the second attempt to hand Zenit the lead great if we could repeat our performance of last season but tensions between the two countries. Dnipro will be the happier of after 29 minutes, but their hopes of overturning a woeful record Lyon will want revenge,” said Saint-Etienne midfielder Jeremy the two Ukrainian sides left in the competition and need only to win against Spanish clubs fell apart late in the second half. Zenit, who Clement, who started his career with Lyon. Monaco currently at home against Bruges to progress, while their compatriots face a have won only twice in 15 games against Spanish opponents and are occupy the third and last qualifying berth for next season’s tougher challenge. Kiev took the lead against Fiorentina through without a victory in their last eight against La Liga teams, were Champions League as they prepare to welcome Rennes to the Jeremain Lens’s deflected effort after 36 minutes and led until the pegged back after 73 minutes when Bacca powered home a header. Stade Louis II today. “For me it is the key game that we have to second minute of stoppage time when Khouma Babacar equalised The comeback was completed when Suarez produced a feat of win if we are to finish on the podium. It is the most important with an overhead kick to snatch a crucial away goal. clinical technique to bury a stunning volley from the edge of the area match in Ligue 1 this year,” said Monaco coach Leonardo with two minutes remaining. There was also late drama in Ukraine Jardim. His team are unbeaten in eight league games but this Higuain handball where Dynamo Kiev were hoping to meet the Fiorentina side who match falls between the two legs of their Champions League Wolfsburg might have fancied their chances against Benitez’s have struggled recently in Serie A rather than the swashbuckling quarter-final tie against Juventus and captain Jeremy Toulalan stuttering Napoli outfit having dispatched another Serie A side Inter Europa League version who put paid to Tottenham Hotspur and AS could again miss out with a hamstring problem. —AFP Milan comprehensively in the last round, but when it comes to Roma in the last two rounds. — Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

GERMAN LEAGUE PREVIEW Dortmund’s want-away Klopp out to boost Borussia

BERLIN: Bundesliga leaders Bayern missed any talk of the Bavarians being from a European berth. “It’s just another son on Wednesday when Bruno Munich host Hoffenheim today, looking vulnerable. “We mustn’t focus too much normal football game, albeit one that’s Labbadia, who they previously sacked in to bounce back from their shock on Bayern’s defeat in Porto - they’re vitally important for both sides,” said 2010 after just nine months in charge, European defeat at Porto amidst an more than capable of bouncing back,” Klopp, with Paderborn two points from took over from Peter Knaebel, who was injury crisis. Bayern are 10 points clear at said Gisdol, who has extended his safety. “It’s going to be a proper fight and dismissed as caretaker boss after just two the top of the German league table and Hoffenheim deal until 2018. we have to show we’re up to the task. games in charge. just three more wins from having their “I’m not on a goodbye tour, there’s still Labbadia has taken his players away third straight Bundesliga title confirmed. Business as usual for Borussia work to do.” on a mini training camp to get their But the Bavarians are licking their Jurgen Klopp says it’s business as usu- heads in the right place having failed to Champions League wounds with Pep al for Borussia Dortmund against neigh- Basement battle in full cry win any of their last eight games and tak- Guardiola’s Bayern facing an uphill task bors Paderborn today despite his shock While the top four places are all virtu- ing just two points in the process. for Tuesday’s quarter-final, return leg, at resignation as coach after seven years in ally decided with Bayern, Wolfsburg, Hamburg can expect no charity at neigh- the Allianz Arena after losing 3-1 to Porto charge. Having led Dortmund to consec- Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer bors Werder Bremen on Sunday in the on Wednesday. utive German league titles in 2011 and Leverkusen in the Champions League north German derby. Having themselves Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and 2012, then runners-up for the last two next season, there is all to play for at the spent some time at the bottom this sea- Bastian Schweinsteiger are all still bat- years, Klopp dropped a bombshell on bottom. Just four points separate the last son, Bremen are up to ninth and just four tling injuries, and with Bayern playing Wednesday by announcing he is leaving five teams with Hamburg, Stuttgart, points from a European berth. “I’m not every three or four days, the depth of next month. Dortmund host relegation- Paderborn in the drop zone, but Hanover too bothered about Hamburg’s possible their star-studded squad is being tested. threatened Paderborn and with six and Freiburg are both on 29 points and relegation. Perhaps another exciting Guardiola is set to rest a few players to games left, Klopp wants to bow out with just two away from dropping into the rel- team will take their place,” said Werder keep them fresh for Porto, but his side further up the table than their egation mire. Bottom side Hamburg coach Victor Skripnik to add spice to an Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol dis- current position of tenth and six points appointed their fourth coach of the sea- already potent fixture. — AFP

SPANISH LEAGUE PREVIEW ITALIAN LEAGUE PREVIEW Valencia test leaves Barca Inter host Milan derby as no time to bask in Paris joy Lazio seek Juventus upset

MADRID: Barcelona have little time to rest on their the Copa del Rey and with a result in our favor to laurels after a stunning victory over Paris Saint- qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions MILAN: Inter Milan captain Andrea Ranocchia goals past Empoli to register their eighth win on Germain in midweek as the Catalans quest for a League. “From now on every game is like a final has called on the Serie A giants to appease long- the trot. Lazio have the momentum and could treble continues when Valencia visit the Camp Nou and we don’t have time to rest. First we have suffering fans by dominating the derby against have the physical edge given Juve’s exertions in today. Luis Enrique’s men all but secured their Valencia, then PSG in the Camp Nou. The schedule AC Milan tomorrow, when Lazio travel to leaders midweek, and Brazilian forward Felipe Anderson place in the semi-finals of the Champions League is very difficult, but if we want to win as many titles Juventus looking to cause an upset. With both says Pioli wants more. with a 3-1 dismantling of the French champions as possible we have to accept it and move on.” Milan sides enduring yet another tough season in “Pioli is not getting carried away. We’ve won thanks to two wonderful goals from Luis Suarez. Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta is a doubt after suf- Italy’s top flight, the second derby of the season eight Serie A games in a row and he keeps telling However, a 2-2 draw away to Sevilla last weekend fering heavy bruising on his lower back against will be crucial for their respective Europa League us we’ve achieved nothing yet,” Anderson told means should Barca suffer one more slip-up PSG, but Dani Alves will return from suspension to hopes. Seven-time European champions Milan sit Lazio Style Radio. With 10 goals in 24 games, the between now and the end of the league campaign, take his place at right-back. ninth, 28 points behind leaders Juventus and sev- 22-year-old Brazilian has been a revelation this the destiny of the title will be in Real Madrid’s Valencia are in need of the points themselves en behind Fiorentina in the first Europa League season and Manchester United, Liverpool and hands. “We learned our lesson from the game as they battle with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla for qualifying spot. Inter are 10th, a point further Barcelona are reportedly showing interest. against Sevilla. In Paris we played a more complete the final two Champions League places for next behind, with eight games remaining this season. Anderson said Lazio-who also face Juventus in game and that shows in the scoreline,” said season. Los Che stunned the Nou Camp last Although Inter coach Roberto Mancini last the Italian Cup final on June 7 - have to focus on defender Gerard Pique, who made his 300th February with a 3-2 win and striker Alvaro week admitted that “perhaps we feel the pres- playing the game that has seen them score the appearance for the club at the Parc des Princes on Negredo sees no reason why they can’t repeat sure more at the San Siro”, Ranocchia echoed the most goals of any team (58) so far this season. Wednesday. that feat this weekend. “We know it will be very Italian handler’s call for the Nerazzurri to adopt a “We have to go to Turin and be confident in play- “We are very confident. The dressing room is difficult to win at Camp Nou but my team-mates winning attitude for tomorrow’s game. “You ing our own game. It won’t be easy to beat (goal- very happy, but we have our feet on the ground. managed it last season,” said the Spanish interna- don’t play derbies, you win them,” Ranocchi said. keeper) Gigi Buffon, but we’ll give it everything We know the most difficult part (of the season) is tional. “Why not this year as well? It’s very “We need to give our fans something to smile and try to win.” —AFP yet to come being leaders of La Liga, in the final of demanding, you have to be fully focused for 90 about after a pretty tough season. The derby is minutes and we are going to try and take all three always a good chance to make people happy.” points.” Valencia will be boosted by the return of Mancini, who returned for his second spell at Italian League table Spanish League table full-back Jose Luis Gaya from injury despite con- Inter in time for the first Milan derby of the sea- son-which finished 1-1 — in November, is under tinuing speculation about a move to Real Madrid MILAN: Italian league table ahead of this next season for the 19-year-old. just as much pressure as Milan counterpart MADRID: Spanish La Liga table ahead of Filippo Inzaghi. But while the former Manchester weekend’s matches (played, won, drawn, this weekend’s matches (played, won, Madrid host Malaga later today and could move lost, goals for, goals against, points): back to the top of the table should Barca fail to City manager has the full backing of the club, for- drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, mer Rossoneri striker Inzaghi is walking a Juventus 30 21 7 2 57 15 70 points): win. The European champions were frustrated by Lazio 30 18 4 8 58 28 58 Atletico Madrid in a 0-0 Champions League quar- tightrope. Milan defender Ignazio Abate admit- ted the ‘Derby della Madonnina’ has lost some of Roma 30 15 12 3 41 22 57 Barcelona 31 24 3 4 87 19 75 ter-final, first leg draw on Tuesday and can’t afford to let their minds wander ahead of next week’s its lustre, but claims their motivation to win Napoli 30 14 8 8 50 37 50 Real Madrid 31 24 1 6 92 27 73 decisive return against Los Rojiblancos at the remains intact. Fiorentina 30 13 10 7 43 34 49 Atletico Madrid 31 20 6 5 59 25 66 Santiago Bernabeu. Malaga have already shown Sampdoria 30 12 13 5 38 31 49 Valencia 31 19 8 4 56 23 65 their ability to upset the odds this season by beat- Reason to believe Torino 30 11 10 9 35 32 43 Sevilla 31 19 5 7 57 36 62 ing Barcelona at the Camp Nou in February and by “Obviously, it won’t be like the derbies we AC Milan 30 10 12 8 44 37 42 Villarreal 31 14 9 8 44 30 51 holding the league leaders and Atletico to draws at used to have, but the passion remains the same,” Genoa 29 10 11 8 40 34 41 Malaga 31 13 7 11 34 35 46 La Rosaleda. said Abate. “We want to go out and give some- Inter Milan 30 10 11 9 46 37 41 Espanyol 31 11 8 12 37 38 41 Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema missed train- thing back to the club, and to the fans.” With Palermo 30 9 11 10 42 44 38 Athletic Bilbao 31 11 7 13 28 37 40 ing due to minor injuries on Thursday, but both are Juventus 12 points clear of Lazio, the Turin giants Sassuolo 30 8 11 11 36 45 35 Celta Vigo 31 10 9 12 36 34 39 expected to be fit to take their place alongside are virtually assured of their fourth consecutive Chievo 30 9 8 13 22 31 35 Rayo Vallecano31 12 2 17 36 59 38 Cristiano Ronaldo in the Madrid attack. Atletico, title. But Massimiliano Allegri’s leaders host the Udinese 30 8 10 12 33 41 34 capital side only four days after laboring to a 1-0 Real Sociedad 31 9 11 11 36 42 38 meanwhile, will face a hostile atmosphere when Empoli 30 6 15 9 30 36 33 Getafe 31 10 6 15 28 41 36 they travel to meet Deportivo la Coruna. win over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Hellas Verona 30 8 9 13 36 53 33 Eibar 31 8 7 16 28 43 31 The champions’ 2-0 win over the Galicians in Atalanta 30 6 11 13 26 41 29 November was overshadowed by the death of a Lazio fans have plenty of reason to believe Elche 31 8 7 16 26 54 31 Stefano Pioli’s men can cause an upset and close Cesena 30 4 10 16 28 53 22 Levante 31 7 7 17 28 58 28 Deportivo fan in fighting between rival supporters Cagliari 30 4 9 17 35 58 21 groups in Madrid. However, Atletico midfielder the gap to nine points with eight games remain- D La Coruna 31 6 10 15 27 49 28 ing. Although Juventus remain unbeaten at Parma 29 5 4 20 24 54 12 Almeria 31 7 7 17 25 50 28 Koke said his side’s focus will be purely on the Note: Parma deducted three-point and three points. “Our objective is to qualify for the home this campaign, the champions were hum- Granada 31 4 12 15 20 56 24 bled 1-0 away at basement side Parma last week. four-point penalties for financial irregulari- Cordoba 31 3 10 18 21 51 19 Champions League, to be third and not have to play a qualifying round. — AFP At the same time, Lazio put four unanswered ties and non-payment of salaries. SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 Everton all set for ‘fearless’ Burnley Matches on TV LIVERPOOL: Everton manager Roberto Martinez has chances.” The Spaniard added: “Looking at this game, their last three games while Ings’s own mini-drought (Local Timings) told his players to steel themselves for the challenge it will be one which is open with both teams creating stretches back to a 3-1 loss away to Manchester of facing a “fearless” Burnley at Goodison Park today. chances and it will be about who takes theirs early United in February. “When that whistle blows it’s ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE The Toffees have eased any lingering concerns about and gets ahead.” down to them to remind themselves of that freedom relegation in recent weeks, but Burnley are still fight- Everton are poised to include Belgium striker I speak about. I want players to play that way,” said Everton v Burnley 17:00 ing for their Premier League survival. While other Romelu Lukaku in their squad after he missed the last Dyche. “Danny’s biggest thing is he puts a lot of beIN SPORTS 7 HD teams scrapping at the foot of the table have played two games with a hamstring problem. “Rom has demand on himself-and that can be a weakness as Crystal Palace v West Brom 17:00 tentatively, Martinez believes second-from-bottom trained really well,” Martinez said, adding he’d no well as a strength. It’s good that he has thirst to beIN SPORTS 3 HD Burnley’s predicament makes them tougher oppo- plans to rest the 18-goal Lukaku between now and improve, as do a lot of the players. Leicester v Swansea 17:00 nents. “I don’t think there is a ‘fear’ of relegation for the end of the campaign. “It’s not in his nature,” the “But it has to be balanced with that enjoyment. I beIN SPORTS 11 HD Burnley,” Martinez said. “And that is a big advantage manager said. “If I am completely honest, I think he often say to him, ‘play with a smile’ and I’ve told him Stoke v Southampton 17:00 against other teams who may not quite be in the rel- has been suffering a lot in the last seven to 10 days he’s best when he does. “We’re looking to him to beIN SPORTS 10 HD egation zone but have something to lose. that he has been away from the team. “Someone like continue doing that.” Dyche has no fresh injury wor- Chelsea v Manchester United 19:30 “The biggest threat that Burnley carry is they play Rom needs to be on the football pitch. He is only 21 ries ahead of Burnley’s short trip to Goodison and he with a real enthusiasm and enjoyment. They see an and I don’t think there is any need for that a rest at insisted the pressure was off his players because beIN SPORTS 1 HD opportunity to achieve their aim of survival. “In their all.” Everton will give a late fitness test to midfielder nobody expected Burnley to have a fighting chance beIN SPORTS 11 HD last game against Arsenal they showed that. They Leon Osman (groin) and winger Aiden McGeady of survival at this stage. “We’re not cut adrift and peo- only lost by one goal, they had a very good draw (back) but have no other fresh injury worries. ple thought we might be,” said Dyche, with the ENGLAND FA CUP against Spurs and they beat Manchester City-so the Clarets heading into the weekend just two points Reading v Arsenal 19:20 last few games at home they have been really strong. Play with a smile from safety. “That’s a good stimulus for us to move it SPANISH LEAGUE “Away from home, I think they are capable of hurting Meanwhile Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes forward. With the collective mind-set going into Barcelona v Valencia 17:00 any team. They were unfortunate against Danny Ings needs to start smiling again to rediscover these last games we’ve got to this point where we’ve beIN SPORTS 2 HD Southampton where they had three or four terrific his goalscoring touch. The Clarets have not scored in learnt a lot and now it’s putting it all together.” —AFP Deportivo v Atletico de Madrid 19:00 beIN SPORTS 2 HD Real Madrid v Malaga 21:00 Wenger warns Arsenal beIN SPORTS 2 HD Athletic de Bilbao v Getafe 23:00

ITALIAN LEAGUE to expect Reading test Sampdoria v AC Cesena 19:00 beIN SPORTS 3 HD Juventus v Lazio 21:45 LONDON: Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal stars to beIN SPORTS 3 HD heed the lessons of last season’s narrow escape at Wembley when the holders face Reading in the FA Cup GERMAN LEAGUE semi-finals today. Wenger’s side head back to Wembley Bayer 04 v Hannover 16:30 as firm favorites to see off the Championship strugglers beIN SPORTS and advance to a second successive FA Cup final. Arsenal Freiburg v FSV Mainz 16:30 have risen to second in the Premier League after reeling beIN SPORTS off eight consecutive victories, a powerful run that has stretched to 11 wins from 12 games in all competitions. Hertha Berlin v Koln 16:30 In contrast, Reading, languishing 18th in the second beIN SPORTS tier table, are not mathematically certain of avoiding rele- Dortmund v Paderborn 16:30 gation to League One following a miserable run of one beIN SPORTS 1 HD win in their last 10 matches. The Royals have failed to win TSG Hoffenheim v Bayern 16:30 any of their five matches since beating Bradford in an FA beIN SPORTS 4 HD Cup quarter-final replay. But Wenger has been scarred by Augsburg v VfB Stuttgart 19:30 several of Arsenal’s recent encounters with lower league beIN SPORTS 4 HD teams and is determined to ensure the Gunners don’t underestimate Steve Clarke’s men. To drive home the FRENCH LEAGUE point he recalled last season’s FA Cup semi-final against second tier Wigan, in which Arsenal fell behind and only OGC Nice v PSG 18:00 beIN SPORTS 5 HD equalized in the 82nd minute before eventually securing Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger a barely-deserved victory in a penalty shoot-out. Bastia v Stade de Reims 21:00 “We know that it (semi-final) is always tricky. We have what you want from the players.” everybody, but I find that circus a bit ridiculous,” he said. beIN SPORTS learnt from Wigan last year,” Wenger said. “The urgency Asked whether Klopp, reported to be a potential Metz v Racing Club 21:00 level will be quite high in our team. “Reading have many Irritable mood Manchester City target, would suit Arsenal in the future, beIN SPORTS players who have the experience in the Premier League. But although everything has been going swimmingly Wenger snapped: “I already answered this question.” Guingamp v Evian Thonon 21:00 “They have a very efficient style, who go a lot for crosses, for Arsenal of late, Wenger was in a rather irritable mood Wenger was also vexed by the decision to schedule beIN SPORTS so for us they can be a danger going forward.” Wenger in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Reading Chelsea’s crucial Premier League clash with Manchester Lorient v Toulouse 21:00 has a near full-strength side to choose from this weekend, tie. He was especially irked by questions about Jurgen United for almost the same time as his club’s meeting beIN SPORTS with England midfielder Jack Wilshere having returned to Klopp, the Borussia Dortmund coach who has been with Reading. “I am a bit surprised that a (Premier Monaco v Stade Rennes 21:00 full fitness.”Everybody feels that it is difficult to get in the linked with Wenger’s job in the past and will leave the League) game of the same stature is played at the same team, all the players have top, top quality,” Wenger said. German club at the end of the season. “I’m not an agency time. There is a bit of conflict there that is difficult to beIN SPORTS “They have to accept it and to respect the decision, that is to place managers and I like every manager and respect understand,” Wenger said. —AP Reborn Man United plot Chelsea title sabotage

LONDON: Hopes of a suspenseful conclusion to the Premier League title both matches simply represent obstacles that must be checked off. but they approach the game with confidence higher than at any previ- race rest this weekend on Manchester United, who take their six-game “They’re good games, they’re mouth-watering games and everyone is ous point in the post-Alex Ferguson era. winning streak to champions-elect Chelsea today. Chelsea looked set to looking forward to them,” said the England international. “We’ve chalked drop points at Queens Park Rangers last weekend, only for Cesc another one off against QPR and we’re taking those steps. Belief returns Fabregas’s 88th-minute goal to earn a 1-0 win that restored their seven- “We’re playing against an in-form Manchester United team, but we’re Last weekend’s 4-2 demolition of Manchester City in the derby gave point lead over second-place Arsenal with a game in hand. As things playing at Stamford Bridge and they’re playing against a very good team. Louis van Gaal’s side a four-point advantage over the defending champions stand, Jose Mourinho’s side require only 12 points from their seven It should be a great game.” Chelsea won their first 10 home games in the in third place, bringing a return to the Champions League into sight. Settled remaining matches to secure a first league title since 2010. league this season, but Stamford Bridge has become less forbidding in in their new 4-3-3 system and with players like Ashley Young, Marouane While a collapse seems unlikely, victory for United would present 2015, with Manchester City, Burnley and Southampton having all record- Fellaini and Ander Herrera belatedly blossoming in a red shirt, something Arsenal with a chance to trim Chelsea’s lead to just four points when ed draws there. They were also beaten at home by third-tier Bradford approaching the belief of old has returned to Old Trafford. City aside, Van Arsene Wenger’s team tackle their London rivals at the Emirates Stadium City in the FA Cup fourth round and crashed out of the Champions Gaal’s men have also put paid to Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool during on April 26. With United only a point behind Arsenal, a win might also League on away goals after a 2-2 draw at home to Paris Saint-Germain. a defining spell that fans had approached with no little consternation after nourish their own title ambitions, but for Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill, United have won on only two of their last 16 trips to Stamford Bridge, the slipshod displays of the autumn and winter. —AFP Reborn United plotting Chelsea title sabotage SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015 APRIL SATURDAY, SportsSports 47

MONACO: Serbian player Novak Djokovic hits a return during his Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament tennis match against Croatian player Marin Cilic yesterday. — AFP Djokovic crushes Cilic in Monte Carlo

MONTE CARLO: Novak Djokovic crushed Marin Cilic 6-0, 6-3 the tournament. That’s what I want, what I wish for in this to show him that he needs to prepare the point. You cannot yesterday to move into the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo moment. “Obviously the amount of matches that I won this dictate the point on the baseline. “I was very solid. The score Masters. The world number one and top seed took just 65 year has helped boost my confidence level, helped me to doesn’t show that, but it was a tough match. It was far from minutes, winning the first eight games against Croatia’s feel good at this tournament and continue on with good being easy. I’m tired now because I put a lot of intensity into reigning US Open champion seeded eighth but still coming performances.” it.” Monfils, leveling his career in Monaco to 8-8, will next back from months of shoulder problems. While Djokovic, Gael Monfils continued into uncharted territory, with the take on Tomas Berdych, who advanced into the final four as who fired 15 winners and broke five times, will wait for a Frenchman slugging Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-3 for a career- opponent Milos Raonic retired with a right foot injury. Saturday opponent from the Spanish pair of eight-times first semi-final in the principality where he had never previ- Monfils stands 1-5 against the sixth-seeded Czech, who winner Rafael Nadal and fifth seed David Ferrer. Should he ously been past the third round. The flamboyant Monfils fol- won his 26th match of the season when Raonic quit. Sixth win the title on Sunday, Djokovic would become the first lowed up on his surprise victory against Roger Federer in the seed Berdych, now 2-3 against Raonic, spent just 31 minutes man to lift trophies at the opening three Masters 1000 tour- previous round while Bulgarian ninth seed Dimitrov came on court against an opponent carrying the existing handicap naments of the season after completing the Indian Wells- onto the clay as just a shadow of the player who knocked into the match. Berdych has yet to drop a set this week and Miami title double. out holder Stan Wawrinka on Thursday with the loss of just was in total charge through his brief encounter with Raonic, “The first set went completely my way. I knew he was three games. “I’m just very happy,” said Monfils. “For sure I’m striking 10 winners and breaking twice. Berdych will be play- going to start to change some things in his game so he can surprised because this is not a period where I’ve played my ing in his 18th semi-final at the Masters 1000 level; he also start to play a little bit better,” said Djokovic. “But I made a best tennis so far. played Monte Carlo semis in 2007 (lost to Nadal) and 2012 crucial break in the beginning of the second, as well. So the “Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be ready physically because I feel (lost to Djokovic). “I’m in the semi-final, which is good. It’s first eight games were really fantastic. I tried to keep it up. a bit tired. But should be fine, I hope.” Monfils said he fol- positive to me,” said Berdych, “But of course, it’s not the ideal “All in all, it was probably the best match I’ve played so far in lowed a game plan to victory. “I played deep and very heavy way that you want to finish the match.” — AFP