Foreign Recruitment Set to Begin on April 1 of the Libyan People Is Unacceptable and Cannot Go Just 250,000

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TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 JAMADA ALAWWAL 17, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net UN plays US, EU impose Mick Jagger’s Firearms key role in sanctions as girlfriend expert tells empowering Crimea turns L’Wren Scott of Pistorius’ women to Moscow found dead love of guns 2Foreign9 recruitment13 15 Max 26º Min 10º set to begin on April 1 High Tide 00:42 & 13:12 Low Tide Ministry finalizes rules to regulate labor market 07:14 & 19:31 40 PAGES NO: 16108 150 FILS

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: Local companies can start recruiting foreign Co-pilot spoke last words from jet workers on April 1 based on new regulations that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor recently finalized. KUALA LUMPUR: The co-pilot of a missing Malaysian The new instructions, meant to regulate the labor mar- jetliner spoke the last words heard from the cockpit, ket, fight illegal hiring and ensure that employers the airline’s chief executive said yesterday, as investi- adhere to labor laws, allow employers to hire workers gators consider suicide by the captain or first officer freely compared to the past when a specific list of pro- as one possible explanation for the disappearance. No fessions were exempt from a ban on issuing work per- trace of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has been mits to foreign workers. found since it vanished on March 8 with 239 people However, the new regulations make sure that a work- aboard. Investigators are increasingly convinced it er is recruited for a job that matches his or her field of was diverted perhaps thousands of miles off course specialty, through academic qualifications and prior by someone with deep knowledge of the Boeing 777- work experience. Moreover, a medical examination and 200ER and commercial navigation. clean criminal record from the country of origin are still A search unprecedented in its scale is now under required to obtain a work visa. way for the plane, covering a area stretching from the With regards to transferring commercial visas to shores of the Caspian Sea in the north to deep in the work permits, a process that was stopped in February, southern Indian Ocean. Airline chief executive Ahmad the new regulations stipulate that permission can only Jauhari Yahya also told a news conference that it was be given to businessmen and investors ‘who execute unclear exactly when one of the plane’s automatic investment or commercial projects in Kuwait’. tracking systems had been disabled, appearing to While private companies will have freedom to recruit contradict the weekend comments of government labor forces that they need, the new regulations include ministers. measures to ensure that firms do not hire workers they Suspicions of hijacking or sabotage had hardened don’t need or employ staff illegally. For example, if a further when officials said on Sunday that the last worker is caught working for an employer other than radio message from the plane - an informal “all right, his original one, then the license of his original employ- good night” - was spoken after the system, known as er will be suspended and he will be banned along with “ACARS”, was shut down. “Initial investigations indi SEPANG, Malaysia: An unidentified woman wearing a mask depicting the flight of the missing Malaysia his first degree relatives from obtaining a new license Continued on Page13 Airline, poses in front of the ‘wall of hope’ at Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday. — AP for 5 years. Continued on Page13 MP threatens to grill oil minister Call to allow political parties By B Izzak smuggling and a contract with will implement the court verdicts. international oil major Shell. The National Assembly had KUWAIT: Opposition MP Riyadh Al- He also called on the minister to formed committees to probe the Adasani yesterday gave Oil Minister implement three final court verdicts three controversial issues of Dow, Ali Al-Omair a three-day ultimatum that reinstated three top oil execu- diesel smuggling and the Shell con- to answer a number of questions he tives who had been sacked several tract but the panels have not yet had sent to him and to implement months ago in a major shakeup of completed their investigation. court verdicts reinstating three for- the oil sector. The three executives Adasani also said that a panel that mer oil executives. Adasani said he of Kuwait Petroleum Corp had con- was formed to investigate allega- would submit a request to grill the tested the decision to sack them to tions that former lawmakers oil minister by Thursday if he fails to the court which ordered reinstating received millions of dinars in bribes answer several questions he had them immediately in their past posi- was useless and that he will sent regarding the Dow deal, diesel tions. The oil minister has vowed he Continued on Page13 Obama tells Abbas ‘risks’ needed for Mideast peace

WASHINGTON: US President Barack to embrace this opportunity,” Obama yesterday told Palestinian Obama said as he sat side-by-side leader Mahmoud Abbas that both with Abbas in the Oval Office. US seizes he and Israeli leaders must make “It is very hard, very challenging. tough political decisions and take We are going to have to take some control of “risks” for peace. Meeting Obama at tough political decisions and risks if the White House, Abbas said Israel’s we able to move forward,” Obama rogue ship release of a fourth tranche of said. The US leader wants Abbas to TRIPOLI: US Navy Seals boarded Palestinian prisoners by March 29 agree to a US framework to extend and took control of an oil tanker would show how serious Prime peace talks past an end-of April yesterday that had loaded crude at Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was deadline. Little tangible progress a rebel-held port in eastern Libya about extending peace talks. “As I has been made in the past seven and escaped to sea, the Pentagon said to Prime Minister Netanyahu months. He said that everyone said. The weak Tripoli government’s when he was here just a few weeks already understood the shape of an failure to halt the tanker had ago, I believe that now is the time .... Continued on Page 13 plunged the country into one of its biggest crises since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled by a NATO- backed uprising in 2011, with par- liament ousting Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, who fled the country. No one was hurt “when US forces, at the request of both the Libyan and Cypriot governments, boarded and took control of the commercial tanker Morning Glory, a stateless vessel seized earlier this month by three armed Libyans,” Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a state- ment. The operation was approved by President Barack Obama and was conducted in the early hours of yes- terday (just after 0200 GMT) in WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama and Palestinian President international waters southeast of Mahmoud Abbas shake hands during a meeting in the Oval Office of Cyprus. the White House yesterday. — AFP Continued on Page13 TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 LOCAL London mayor appoints Alshaya to IBAC

KUWAIT: In the context of its work to build British Ambassador to Kuwait Frank Baker strong business relations and develop trade said: “I am delighted that Mohammed opportunities between Kuwait and the UK, Alshaya has accepted the Mayor’s invitation The British Embassy in Kuwait has to join IBAC. His experience, as executive announced the appointment of Mohammed chairman of one of the world’s leading inter- Alshaya to the Mayor of London’s national franchise operators, and as Joint International Business Advisory Council Chairman of the Kuwait Britain Business (IBAC). Council (KBBC), means that he will bring an The Council, which Includes nearly 50 invaluable new perspective to the Council. global business leaders, collectively advise This move also shows the deepening rela- the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, on how tionships between the UK, in particular to maintain London’s position as a top glob- London, and Kuwait — relationships that al city. With increasing commercial and cul- provide real benefit, across the board, to tural links between Kuwait and the UK, the both countries.” appointment of a well-known Kuwaiti busi- Mohammed Alshaya added: “I am hon- KUWAIT: A group photo of the participants of the workshop held yesterday at the UN House. ness leader to IBAC sends a clear message oured to have been asked by the mayor to about the importance both sides attach to join IBAC. This further strengthens the this historic trading relationship. Alshaya’s already strong relationship our two nations membership of IBAC will also support the enjoy - politically, culturally and economical- UN plays key role in Identification of commercial opportunities ly. I very much look forward to working with for Kuwaiti businesses, particularly In the UK. the mayor and the Council’s distinguished empowering women Commenting on this appointment, members.” Kuwait hosts workshop

By Nawara Fattahova “Promoting Legal Empowerment of Women in development agenda,” he stated. the State of Kuwait”. These studies addressed the “This year, the Secretary-General of the United KUWAIT: On the occasion of celebrating following key issues: Women’s nationality and cit- Nations Ban Ki-moon has asked us all to focus on International Women’s Day, the United Nations izenship, women’s economic empowerment, achieving the Millennium Development Goals for House held a roundtable workshop titled women’s rights in family and marriage and women and girls, not only the specific MDG relat- ‘Equality for Women is Progress for All’ yesterday. women protection from gender-based violence. ed to women’s empowerment but also to ensure This workshop aimed to highlight the impor- Dr Mubashar Riaz Sheikh, UN Resident that women are fully and equally represented in tance of equity in favor of women and girls for Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative said the enjoyment of each of the Millennium the development of all fields of life. that the United Nations believes that by working Development Goals. It is important to remember that the voices of women have power and rele- vance not only on behalf of women, but on behalf of all members of society,” added Sheikh. The workshop aimed to take the discussion a step further. “The products and studies will facili- tate the development of a ‘Statement of Kuwaiti Women’, which will include concrete policy rec- ommendations in support of women’s empower- ment in the above mentioned critical areas. This KUWAIT: Opening of the Canadian heritage photo gallery on Sunday. discussion will be of great assistance to the UN — Photos by Joseph Shagra country team in distilling many issues facing Kuwaiti women and girls into a single, clear, directional statement that establishes the priority issue to be addressed by the national counter- parts and the UN Country Team in its work to support the empowerment of Kuwaiti women. As the UN country team, we intend to use the statement that you will develop as a strategic planning tool in our work with national and inter- national partners. So we look forward to receiv- KUWAIT: Dr Mubashar Riaz Sheikh (right) with officials from the UN agencies. ing a statement that contains very practical and — Photos by Joseph Shagra relevant recommendations,” Sheikh explained. Sheikh then read the message of Ban on the The workshop focused on the role of UN towards equality for women, “we will achieve occasion of International Women’ Day. “I would organizations in empowering women and that progress for women, men, girls and boys”. “This also like to acknowledge the work of UN agen- all women have the right to live in an environ- fundamental approach is the cornerstone of our cies in mainstreaming gender and women’s ment free of violence. This roundtable discussion activities globally and here in Kuwait. All UN rights through their activities in Kuwait, which provided views, insights and analyses on the situ- agencies present in Kuwait, and those outside will be shared with you later in the program as ation of Kuwaiti women in the context of the four Kuwait that provide their expertise as required well as the efforts of the UN country team gender legal studies conducted under the United from time to time, are committed to ensuring theme group in organizing today’s event,” he Nations Development Programme project that women participate fully in the national concluded.

Al-Ghanem hails outgoing Positive atmosphere IPU chief over democracy during Arab GENEVA: Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker (Cameroon), and Shazia Rafi (Pakistan), former Summit preparations Marzouq Al-Ghanem lauded here yesterday Secretary-General of Parliamentarians for the great role played by outgoing Secretary- Global Action. KUWAIT: Preparations for the Arab Summit that General of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Kuwait hosts on March 25 and 26 are going ‘in the Anders Johnson in spreading world democra- Moroccan proposal right directions’, while the chances for high suc- cy and bringing peoples closer. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti lawmakers participat- cess and representation are ‘great’, senior diplo- Speaking at an IPU session to honor ing in the IPU General Assembly meeting here matic sources said. Speaking to Al-Qabas on the Johnson on behalf of the Arab group, Al- expressed support to the Moroccan proposal condition of anonymity, the sources said that the Ghanem said the outgoing IPU chief had for enlisting the crisis in Republic of Central devoted himself to the IPU, which brings Africa (CAR) as an emergency topic on the conflicts between Gulf Cooperation Council coun- world parliamentarians together, sponsors agenda of the meeting. tries are not expected to affect the summit. “On democracy and protects human rights. MP Faisal Al-Shaya said that Kuwait sup- the contrary, the summit could be a good oppor- He said Johnson, during his term, had port to the Moroccan proposal stems from tunity to calm the situation,” the sources said. proved high efficiency and a great sense of recognition of the urgency of such an issue Meanwhile, the sources confirmed that presi- responsibility and had enjoyed the confi- which has Arab and Islamic dimensions given dent of the National Coalition for Syrian dence of all the IPU members. the horrible ethnic cleansing, human rights Revolutionary and Opposition Forces Ahmad Al-Ghanem added that Johnson had violations, and crimes against humanity that Jarba was invited to attend as a guest, while his worked in a diligent and sincere manner to take place in CAR. country’s chair will remain unoccupied. United develop the organization and to expand its On a different issue, Al-Shaya said Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will send activities and that’s why he had been elected “attempts to persuade parliamentarians from for three consecutive terms of office. Islamic countries by the Syrian parliamentary a representative to attend the summit, while “He played a major and basic role in help- delegation to adopt a proposal to list for dis- Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country ing the parliaments of emerging democracies cussion the issue of combating terrorism is currently taking a temporary spot in the Arab by means of providing financial and technical through a peaceful solution in Syria have League, also notified the organizers that he will support to them,” he acclaimed. failed because of the unpersuasive style used not be able to attend the summit personally, the Al-Ghanem is leading the Kuwaiti parlia- by the Syrian delegation in calling for such sources added. mentary delegation participating in the IPU matter.” The MP pointed out that “the Syrian An Arab League delegation led by Adnan Al- conference which is expected to discuss key delegation accused Jordan of supporting Khudhair, the Assistant Secretary-General for commitments on democratic values and what he described as terrorism, including that Financial and Administrative Affairs, arrived in Canadian heritage global security. of Saudi Arabia and not blaming the Syrian Kuwait Sunday to oversee the preparations, The Kuwaiti delegation includes MPs Faisal regime for its lack of responsibility with neigh- before a ‘large delegation from the Arab League’s Al-Shaya, Jamal Al-Omar, Saleh Ashour, Saif Al- boring countries which created a sort of photo gallery opens Azmi, Abdullah Al-Turaiji and Madhi Al-Hajri, repulsion between parliamentary delega- General Secretariat led by Secretary-General as well as National Assembly Secretary tions,” noting that proposal was denied. Nabil Elaraby arrives next Wednesday ahead of KUWAIT: The Canadian heritage photo The event is conceived by Dr Gina Valle, a General Allam Al-Kandari. The Kuwaiti lawmaker expressed hope the opening’, according to his statements. gallery opened here on Sunday as part of leading diversity trainer, speaker and author During a particularly high-level Assembly that such solidarity would consider the situa- the celebrations marking the International at diversity matters - the University of with 53 Speakers of Parliament attending, IPU tion in Central African in front of the General Security pact Francophone Day, due on March 20. Toronto, according to a statement by the Members will elect a new Secretary General Assembly meeting, despite the persistence of In other news, First Deputy Prime Minister and The gallery, co-organized by Kuwait’s Canadian embassy. on Thursday to take over from Anders the European and US parliamentary bloc to Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah National Council for Culture, Arts and It aims to promote respect for cultural Johnson who will retire on 30th June after 16 discuss the situation in Ukraine and Russia. reiterated assurances to the parliament regarding Letters (NCCAL) and Canada Embassy at Al- diversity and coexistence among people years in the post and 22 years working for the Earlier, MP Saleh Ashour said that there is a the Gulf security pact, saying in a recent response Adwani ballroom in Abdullah Al-Salem with different cultural and racial back- Organization. remarkable agreement among participating neighborhood, features 24 photos from 24 grounds. It also aims to enhance learning Candidates include former members of parliamentarians at the 130th Inter- to MP Rakan Al-Nisf’s inquiries that Kuwait’s fatwa and legislative department took part in preparing Francophone countries that portray woman the French language and culture among parliament (MPs) Barbara Contini (Italy), Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly struggle against hardships of war, poverty the Francophone countries, the statement Kimmo Roobert Kiljunen (Finland) and Geert meetings on a draft that addresses role of par- it and confirmed that it does not contradict the and immigration. added. —KUNA Versnick (Belgium), current IPU Deputy liamentarians and parliaments in women and Kuwaiti constitution. Secretary General Martin Chungong children protection. —KUNA Arab League urges NBK to guarantee two clean fuel projects clearing Arab atmosphere KUWAIT: The Kuwait National the tenders were awarded last Refinery Project, awarded to Al- KNPC spokesman Khaled Al- CAIRO: Secretary-General of the Arab He said Kuwait and the Arab League are Petroleum Company plans to sign February. According to sources Thuwaini Company for KD1,36 Assousi told agencies last month League Nabil Al-Araby stressed here yester- keen to make proper preparations and contracts for the clean fuel proj- close to the KNPC, a National billion, and the Abdullah Port that the Mina Abdullah I project day the significance of the coming Arab arrangements for the Kuwait Summit and ect starting from next week. The Bank of Kuwait (NBK) led consor- Refinery Project I, awarded to the was awarded to a consortium led Summit due in Kuwait between March 25-26. for ensuring its success. KD3.39 billion contracts will be tium was chosen to guarantee Omar Center for General Trading by Britain’s Petrofac, Mina Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of He went on to say the summit will dis- signed with the Thuwaini Trading two out of the three contracts for and Contracting for KD1.07 bil- Abdullah II to US Fluor-led con- meetings of member states’ legal experts cuss a host of major Arab issues, primarily Company, the Omar Center for KD116 million, while a consor- lion. The NBAD guarantee covers sortium, while Mina Al-Ahmadi on an Arab human rights court, Al-Araby Syria, Palestine and terrorism. General Trading and Contracting, tium led by the National Bank of the Abdullah Port Refinery went to Japan’s JGC Corp-led said: “There is a dire need to clear the Arab The chief of the Arab League appreciat- and the Fuad Mohammad Abu Dhabi (NBAD) was chosen Project II, awarded to the the consortium. The projects are car- atmosphere and to capitalize on the con- ed the significant role played by the State Thunaiyan Al-Ghanim Company. for the third for KD53 million. Fuad Mohammad Thunaiyan Al- ried out to boost capacity at oil vening of the summit in Kuwait and its of Kuwait in supporting and promoting col- The KNPC has recently finished The NBK’s bank guarantees Ghanim Company for KD962 mil- refineries and make production chairmanship of the summit to discuss the lective Arab action and in clearing the Arab the issue of bank guarantees after will cover the Ahmadi Port lion. more environmentally friendly. matter and to attain the goal.” atmosphere. —KUNA

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 LOCAL Indonesians in Kuwait to cast votes on April 4 PPLN to set up eight polling booths By Sajeev K Peter head of the Indonesian Overseas Election for Indonesia’s general election in Kuwait has Committee in Kuwait. been taken in order to encourage more people KUWAIT: Indonesian nationals residing in Addressing a meeting at the embassy, Alex to participate in the elections, said Syafei. Kuwait will cast their votes on April 4 at the Syafei, the chairman of the Indonesian Overseas The vote-casting in the polls is based on the Indonesian embassy premises to elect the coun- Election Committee in Kuwait, said yesterday permanent list of voters and additional or spe- try’s new People’s Legislative Assembly. The that the committee or PPLN will set up eight cial list of voters that have been updated by Indonesian nationals who have the right to vote polling booths on the premises of the PPLN can be seen on www.pplnkuwait.com. including those who live in Kuwait are eligible Indonesian embassy where Indonesian nation- However, those who have not yet been included to cast their vote in the general elections that als can cast their votes starting from 8 am to 6 in the list are also welcome to come to the polls will be held throughout Indonesia and at all pm. by bringing any formal Indonesian identity doc- Indonesian embassies all over the world, said The decision to choose April 4, 2014, a Friday, uments such as passports and Indonesian civil ID or KTP, he informed. KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Although Indonesia’s general elections in Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace yesterday Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Kuwait will be held on April 4, 2014, the vote Affairs Nayef Mohammad Al-Ajmi, accompanied by Imam of the Grand counting will be held only on April 9, 2014 Mosque in the holy city of Makkah Maher Al-Mueaqly. along with the national vote-counting. In 2014 general elections, voters will punch a hole on the ballot paper to cast their vote instead of KOC stresses importance marking on it with a pen. All votes of Indonesian voters in Kuwait will go to the Jakarta II election area that covers North of communication Jakarta, South Jakarta and abroad with the allocation of seven seats in the People’s KUWAIT: The Manager Operations Group mittee from all oil companies as it has an Legislative Assembly. (EK) at Kuwait Oil Company Hamed Al- organizational structure where the meet- In addition to the general elections for the Mutairi asserted yesterday the impor- ing is held every six months in one GCC new members of the People’s Legislative tance of communication among Gulf member country, he said, adding that the Assembly, there will also be the presidential national oil companies. committee, since 1999, has been working general elections that is scheduled to be held Speaking to reporters on the sidelines on constant communication via the on July 9, 2014. of the 34th meeting of GCC national oil Internet to face problems, finds solutions, The PPLN in Kuwait, headed by Syafei, will companies’ production and maintenance and exchange experiences on mainte- consist of representatives from Indonesian com- team, he said the regular meeting dis- nance and production. munity in Kuwait. The PPLN meanwhile called cusses all problems concerning modern In addition, he explained that KOC is on all Indonesian nationals in Kuwait who have maintenance and technology, during headed towards implementing a number been married or 17 years old and above to which members address solutions for of projects in order to reach 4 million daily come to the polls on April 4, 2014 at the premis- problems their companies face in this barrels and even more, adding that there es of the Indonesian embassy in Kaifan, Block 6, concern. are also several projects that would help Abdul Hameed Abdulaziz Al-Sane Street, No 29. The meeting consists of a joint com- attain this volume of production. —KUNA KUWAIT: Alex Syafei, the chairman of the Indonesian Overseas Election Committee in The PPLN also sought assistance of their employers or sponsors to allow their Indonesian Kuwait, addressing the meeting. workers to participate in the elections. Dust over Africa, Gulf linked to Indian monsoon ‘Learning for Life Educational Conference’ LONDON: The fate of the Indian monsoon global warming and local effects of pollution has for the first time been tracked back to aerosols around India that can heat and cool By Ben Garcia Todd Bullock said the objective is to cooperation,” Bullock noted. A According to Bullock, there have the dust particles in North Africa and West the air, and also affect clouds. provide professional development Fulbright scholar in Irkuk, Serbia in been ongoing programs between Asia. A new analysis of satellite data has The researchers analysed satellite data KUWAIT: A teachers’ workshop and opportunities for teachers in Kuwait, the field of teaching English, Leskes Kuwait’s Ministry of Education and revealed a link between dust in North Africa and performed computer modelling of the seminar to develop their proficiency especially those who are working in will be arriving from the United the US Education Department and West Asia and stronger monsoons in region to tease out the role of dust on the in English as well as academic the Ministry of Education. States today. Leskes also has exten- including the exchange of teachers. India. Indian monsoon. prowess will be held from March 18 Vivian Leskes, English language sive training experiences in “Currently, Kuwait has at least four The study shows that dust in the air To explore the connection, the team from to 20 in cooperation with the specialist at the US Department of Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, teachers in the US, teaching Arabic absorbs sunlight, west of India, warming the IIT Bhubaneshwar used a computer model Ministry of Education, the US State, will conduct and participate Morocco, Peru, Tajikistan, Ukraine and mastering the English lan- air and strengthening the winds carrying called CAM5 and focused on the area. Embassy cultural attaché announced in the seminar. “Exchanging experi- and Uzbekistan. She also has experi- guage,” he revealed. The seminar moisture eastward. The model included manmade aerosols yesterday. Speaking at a press con- ences is part of our journey togeth- ence of teaching and training in and workshops entitled ‘Learning This results in more monsoon rainfall from pollution and natural sea salt and dust ference at Radisson Blu Hotel, Joel er in strengthening our educational Russia over the past 13 years. for Life Educational Conference’ will about a week later in India. aerosols. First, the team ran the model and be held in various locations includ- The results explain one way that dust can noted a similar connection: more aerosols in ing Kuwait University, Holiday Inn affect the climate, filling in previously the west meant more rainfall in the east. Salmiya, American University of unknown details about the earth system. Then they systematically turned off the Kuwait and Amideast. The study also shows that natural air- contribution of each aerosol type and looked Education cooperation between borne particles can influence rainfall in unex- to see if the connection remained. Kuwait and the United States has pected ways, with changes in one location Dust turned out to be the necessary existed over five decades now. With rapidly affecting weather thousands of miles ingredient. regards to acquiring a US student away. Dust absorbs sunlight that would nor- The condition that re-created stronger visa, Bullock advised parents and mally reach the surface, warming the air rainfall in India was the rise of dust in North students in Kuwait to apply at the instead. This warmer dust-laden air draws Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. earliest possible time. “If you do not moist air from the tropics northward, and They report their findings in the journal want delays and would love to be in strengthens the prevailing winds that move Nature Geoscience. India relies heavily on its the US at the appointed time, I moisture from the Arabian Sea into India, summer monsoon rains. advise everyone to apply for stu- where it falls as rain. “The difference between a monsoon dent visas early. While we always Although dust plays a role in strengthen- flood year or a dry year is about 10% of the want quicker visa issuance, there ing monsoons, this natural phenomenon average summer rainfall in central India. are circumstances of delays, so does not overpower many other processes Variations driven by dust may be strong please come to us when there is that also influence monsoons. enough to explain some of that year-to-year Other extremely important factors variation,” said climate scientist Phil Rasch of KUWAIT: Joel Todd Bullock, being interviewed by local media yesterday at the Radisson Blu time. We always want to improve our services though for everyone,” include the effect of temperature differences the Department of Energy’s Pacific Hotel in Salwa. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat he added. between land and ocean, land use changes, Northwest National Laboratory. —Gulf News Ambassador meets Malaysian investment official KUALA LUMPUR: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Malaysia Saad Al-Asousi met here early yesterday the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Director Arham Abdul Rahman. Al-Asousi said that he stressed the great Kuwaiti interest in the invest- ment opportunities provided by Malaysia, also expressing the coun- try’s readiness to consider them close- ly, especially projects in oil and gas. The diplomat offered Abdul Rahman an official invitation to visit Kuwait in turn, to be better intro- duced to the investment opportuni- ties in the country. “Kuwait has future developmental plans and huge projects, while Malaysian companies have vast expertise in the field of constriction, which could serve Kuwait’s projects considerably,” the ambassador said. Al-Asousi promised MIDA director KUALA LUMPUR: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Malaysia Saad Al-Asousi to work hard to enhance bilateral ties meets Malaysian Investment Development Authority Director between both countries. —KUNA Arham Abdul Rahman. Kuwait keen on joint work to develop youth strategies JEDDAH: Minister of Information The minister expressed his pointing out that the hosting of and Minister of State for Youth pleasure for being in Saudi Arabia this conference confirms that. Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- and in participating in the Second Prince Nawaf expressed pleas- Salem Al-Sabah has stressed OIC meeting for Ministers of Youth ure for having all the participants Kuwait’s keenness on joint work and Sports, hoping that the con- in the conference under the aus- with Saudi Arabia in the light of ference achieves its objectives and pices of the Custodian of the Two the initiatives of Saudi King for be crowned with success. Holy Mosques, who always sup- devising strategies for youth Sheikh Salman expressed his port anything that would benefit development in Islamic countries. thanks to the Saudi Kingdom for all Islamic countries, adding that “Young people are cared for by the warm reception to him and to the conference witnessed partici- all due to what they represent and his accompanying delegation. pation of about 45 Islamic states. their important role in the For his part, the President of the Earlier, Sheikh Salman arrived progress of nations and future, the Saudi General Presidency of Youth here, heading a delegation to the interest in youth is the road to suc- Welfare Prince Nawaf bin Faisal bin second conference for youth and cess,” Sheikh Salman said after his Fahad said that the Kingdom is sports ministers of the OIC states, arrival. keen on reuniting young Muslims, due on March 17-18. —KUNA LOCAL TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 EPA, UN bodies discuss ozone layer depletion

KUWAIT:V The Environment Public Kuwait’s experience in adhering to the Authority (EPA) is gearing up for various Protocol. The authority is cooperating with meetings with UN organizations to dis- public and private sector organizations to cuss developing the unified system on guarantee the implementation of the ozone layer depleting substances in amendments to the system, said the official. accordance with the Montreal Protocol. Furthermore, the prohibition on use or set- Chairman of Air Quality Monitoring ting of quotas for ozone depleting sub- Department in the Authority Ayman stances will be of positive impact on the Bojbara said yesterday that the meetings environment, he stressed. will be held with the UN Industrial The Montreal Protocol on Substances Development Organization (UNIDO) and that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an interna- the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) tional treaty designed to protect the ozone in a matter of days. layer by phasing out the production of The meetings will discuss legal aspects numerous substances believed to be to guarantee interests of all parties related responsible for ozone depletion. to the Montreal Protocol, he said, and pre- The treaty was opened for signature on pare for GCC coordination in this regard. The September 16, 1987, and entered into force KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday. Chairman of Khentii Province’s Citizens’ meetings will also discuss implementation on January 1st 1989. Since then, there had Representatives Council of Mongolia Suren Purevjav along with his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country. mechanisms, and the authority’s experts will been seven revisions, the last adopted in present their ideas and proposals, relying on 1999 in Beijing. — KUNA Kuwait FM defends GCC security pact

‘We will never support anything that clashes with our constitution’ KUWAIT: Kuwait’s foreign minister has defended lation of each of the member states. National ty pact. A poll published by local daily Al-Qabas the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) security pact legislation and international agreements take indicated that 19 lawmakers were against the to be debated by the parliament next month, precedence over the Gulf agreement. The Gulf agreement, while only eight would support it. dismissing claims that its provisions clashed agreement clearly stresses the independence of The report said that 21 lawmakers had yet to with the constitution. Several lawmakers said each member state.” make up their minds on how to vote. Pushing for that they would vote against the pan-Gulf secu- The fate of the pact in Kuwait could be decid- a ‘yes’ vote, the government insisted that the rity agreement, insisting that it violated the text ed on April 3 when the parliamentary Foreign pact was not unconstitutional, as some lawmak- and spirit of the country’s constitution. Affairs Committee convenes to give its opinion. ers who opposed it have said. Khalid Al Jarallah, However, the government has rejected the foreign ministry undersecretary, said that the allegations and often stated that the pact was Security boost pact was in accordance with the Kuwaiti consti- needed to boost the collective security of Earlier this month, the committee said that tution. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and more studies and further consultations with “People should go through the articles of the the United Arab Emirates, the GCC member experts were needed before the voting by the agreement cautiously in order to appreciate states. “Article One of the GCC security agree- parliament should go ahead. them,” he said. “It clearly states that the national ment does not clash with the Kuwaiti constitu- “We have decided to postpone the voting on legislation is always sovereign. In fact, the term tion, and there is no way that we endorse any the security agreement as well as on seven other of national legislation was mentioned five times, law or decision that is against our constitution,” bills,” MP Hamdan Al-Azimi, the committee rap- which means that they take precedence and Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid said, quoted by local dai- porteur, told the media following the meeting. that they cannot be abolished or ignored, partic- ly Al-Qabas yesterday. The parliament was scheduled to debate in ularly the constitution.” The foreign minister was reportedly respond- March whether to endorse a Gulf security agree- However, Al Azimi said that the Gulf security ing to a query by MP Raken Al-Nisf about provi- ment between the six members of the Gulf agreement was not in line with the Kuwaiti con- sions in the Gulf agreement, mainly Article One. alliance amid calls from the government for MPs stitution and that it clashed with its articles. Last month, Oil Minister and Parliament to give their approval. “The agreement cannot be accepted under Affairs State Minister Ali Al-0mair said in media However, the task is proving formidable as any circumstance,” he said. statements that the government would not refer many lawmakers have publicly voiced their “There is a need for pressure from the parlia- anything that contradicted the constitution to opposition to the agreement, promoted by sup- ment to explain some of its articles, particularly the parliament. “I urge the representatives of the porters as a boost to regional security and to the extradition of suspects and the definition of nation to read the articles of the Gulf agreement enhancing inter-Gulf relations. crime. There is a need for popular pressure to objectively,” he said. Kuwait’s parliament has over the last months make sure the agreement is not endorsed. We “The first article of the agreement is very seemed fractured after lawmakers appeared cannot please some countries at the expense of clear about the significance of the national legis- deeply divided over the merit of the GCC securi- Kuwait and its interest.” TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 LOCAL

In my view In my view Happy birthday GCC, Germany to Internet! in Cold War By Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg write this week from Berlin, where I came to take part in efforts to strengthen GCC-German Harvesting the Irelations and explore new avenues for coopera- By Labeed Abdal tion, as Germany seeks to assert its international role and the GCC seeks to expand its strategic hori- fruits of his labor zons. I will write more on this next week. Today, I will explore Germany’s preoccupation with Ukraine and the beginnings of a new Cold War. Germany has the most extensive trade relation- [email protected] ship with Moscow of all 28 nations in the EU, and as such the most to lose economically from a con- n March 12, 1989, Dr Tim Berners-Lee invented frontation with Russia. That, plus its dependence the World Wide Web. Today, the world celebrates on Russian gas, has limited its options. A German Othe 25th anniversary of this historic achieve- Al-Anbaa (unofficial) interlocutor told me wistfully: “If only ment which became the dominant feature of the digital Employee we could import gas from GCC countries instead of era. The quarter century of the use of the Internet has Russia, perhaps we could take a different approach been filled with challenges and hardships, during which to Ukraine’s crisis. Can you supply us with gas?” many concepts of humanity were changed. Germany has been seen as playing “good cop” One of the main issues that became a topic of debate with Russia, especially at the beginning of the cri- and research since the Internet’s emergence, and con- sis, emphasizing dialogue and trying to find a face- tinues today, is public freedoms and limits on freedoms. saving way out of it. Chancellor Merkel has report- No one can deny the fact that some companies and edly spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin even governments have crossed the limits of invading several times to try to find such a way, but later personal privacies and obtaining personal information without permission for marketing purposes or gather- reportedly described him after one such conversa- ing information. tion as “living in a different world!” The harsh char- The evolution of the Internet brought other chal- kuwait digest acterization, if accurately reported, was an expres- lenges for the world to face, as it provided a platform to sion of her growing exasperation with the futility of the exchanges. Market’s incense But other EU nations, especially East European The evolution of the Internet and former Soviet republics, have taken a strong By Sami Al-Khorafi stance against Russia’s acts in Ukraine. They fear brought other challenges for that they would be next if Russia succeeds in the world to face, as it provid- local proverb says that ‘secrets are held captives that if a man does something in private and exposes it Ukraine. For those reasons, Poland’s Prime Minister within our souls, and once released, we become himself, he has squandered Allah’s forgiveness. Donald Tusk, for one, has been quite critical of ed a platform to be used by Atheir captives!’. The topic of today’s article is very We do know that everyone has his own worries and Germany’s conciliatory approach. He put it starkly: dangerous because it led to breaking up many families concerns and that he occasionally needs to talk about “German dependence on Russian gas could effec- terrorists and spies and help and toppling many regimes and leaders. Those capable them to ‘vent out’ and probably find a solution for his tively limit European sovereignty.” Tusk warned of keeping secrets are becoming very rare nowadays. As problem. Yet one might do that without knowing that that its dependence could blunt Germany’s, and them achieve their goals. a matter of fact, people’s secrets - or scandals - have his secrets might be spread all over the town the follow- the EU’s, response to threats from Russia, saying become widely desired and attract much attention of ing day by people we locally describe as the ‘market’s that Germany had to find a way to “correct its eco- people fond of violating others’ privacy regardless of incense’ that goes everywhere and is smelled by be used by terrorists and spies and help them achieve nomic behavior so that dependence on Russian their goals. This translates into a serious threat to coun- their feelings. Various types of media are ‘gossip- passersby. gas does not paralyze Europe when it needs to act tries and societies, and today has become a growing focused’ and hire many reporters to investigate a single If you cannot hold a secret, how would you know quickly and unambiguously... at a time when we issue of worldwide concern. ‘scandal’. that the one you revealed it to would do so. It had been Freedom of speech is another thing that came under Accordingly, the most readable page in any newspa- said that one should not reveal secrets to those wanting must protect Europe’s fundamental interests.” the spotlight following the Internet’s evolution. The per is the crimes one that includes enough scandals to know them because they would soon spread them In February, German officials indicated that freedom that the Internet provides for expression of that soon spread as gossip without any due cause. In around. Germany was going to assume a greater interna- opinion brought concern for many countries, and drew this regard, people are more interested in celebrities’ We should all realize that scandals have broken tional role. At the Munich Security Conference, attention of human rights supporters who campaign scandals though they would get nothing out of know- many families and this is why the interior ministry they predicted the end of an era of restraint, with against restrictions on people’s right to express their ing about them. occasionally classifies and writes off cases concerning German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier opinions freely online. Despite being private ones that should not be dis- scandals, which is the right thing to do because many saying, “Germany is too big to just sit on the side- While reasserting people’s right of freedom of cussed in public, some call-in radio programs ask callers of the secrets in such cases may break up many fami- lines and comment on world politics.” Perhaps part expression, it is also important to point out the need to to speak about their personal family problems on air. lies, and as the Prophet (PBUH) said: “ Allah will cover of that new approach, Steinmeier played a critical achieve balance between this freedom and expressing it Some callers even discuss their own scandals most hap- up on the Day of Resurrection the defects (faults) of part in February in brokering a rare agreement in responsibly. This issue is highlighted whenever freedom pily although Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said the one who covers up the faults of the others in this Kiev between the Ukrainian bickering parties. of expression online is misused, and becomes a harmful “Everyone of my followers will be forgiven except those world”. So thanks and may Allah reward you well, MoI Some western officials and experts, however, weapon that threatens social stability. who expose (openly) their wrongdoings”. This means officials! —Al-Anbaa have raised doubts as to whether Germany can successfully fulfil such a leadership role; one was quoted as saying, “The EU is dysfunctional, but Berlin is the real problem.” kuwait digest kuwait digest Initially, Germany was not only opposed to sanctions against Russia, but was also hesitant to demographic The spoiled private sector go along with lesser measures, such as excluding Russia from the G8. However, after several futile problem attempts to mediate the crisis, attempts that were By Waleed Al-Rujaib rebuffed by Russia, it appeared that Germany for By Abdullatif Al-Duaij he private sector in Kuwait and its role in the state’s departments’ offices, the private sector has hardly been kind now has decided to join other western nations in development has been overblown in the past few years in return. It was left to freely hike rents to the point where it taking punitive measures against Russia. t is funny to see the government compete with the Tto the point in which it was considered the country’s became impossible for small families to afford. On March 13, Chancellor Angela Merkel warned parliament on how to increase the children ‘savior’ and solution to the development, infrastructure and And when it comes to its duties towards the society, we that Russia risked “massive political and economic Iallowance. The reason why I find it funny is that the services problems. When the privatization law was discussed find that the private sector does not even honor the simplest consequences” if it did not change its policies. For competition happens simultaneously with discussions in the parliament for the first time, the plan was to privatize of things such as providing job opportunities for young the first time, she said that Germany, with her EU over the housing crisis, and for which Kuwait hosted a all state departments. The government even went as far as Kuwaiti men and women. While companies are forced to hire and western counterparts, supported imposing special conference recently featuring international proposing the privatization of the entire oil sector, which is a a small percentage of Kuwaiti employees, they still prefer sanctions. experts in the field. huge sector that requires competent bodies to manage it cheaper expatriate labor forces. Speaking before Germany’s parliament, Merkel Members of the government, just like their peers in such as the public sector. On the other hand, this task is too Not only that, but companies demanded financial sup- said emphatically, “We, as neighbors of Russia, the parliament, do not realize that they are the cause hard for the weak private sector port from the government to hire would not see only as a threat. And it would not of the problem. While they seek foreign experts’ help to manage and develop it. Kuwaiti employees, and the gov- only change the European Union’s relationship to face the increasing demand on housing welfare, If the oil sector is privatized, The private sector in Kuwait ernment yielded by paying part with Russia,” Angela Merkel said. “No, this would they actively seek increasing child birth in an unex- the private sector would have to is weak and incompetent. It of Kuwaitis’ salaries in averages also cause massive damage to Russia, economical- plainable manner, resulting in increased housing seek help of foreign companies, ranging between KD 250 to KD ly and politically.” She added that EU members and needs which add to the problem at hand. which opens the door for the cannot stand without govern- 800 per month or even higher. other western nations, if necessary, were prepared There is no housing crisis in Kuwait, but there is a return of Western dominance The state’s allowance for Kuwaitis to freeze bank accounts and impose travel restric- demographic one. The problem is that those two over our oil wealth similar to the ment support. While it calls in the private sector reached a tions on people and firms suspected of being situation before independence total of KD 393 million in the fiscal issues are too related to the point it became difficult involved in violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity. and nationalization. The Kuwait for more freedom in the mar- year 2012/2013. It is higher by She told the parliament: “The territorial integrity of to differentiate between them. The parliament and Airways’ privatization project is a ket, eventually it comes back nearly 431 percent compared to government share the blame for complicating the prime example of this. taxes that the state collected from Ukraine cannot be called into question.” problem by openly and actively encouraging people The private sector in Kuwait is and appeals for the govern- companies, which reached KD 74 Thus ended of Germany’s short-lived neutrality. to continue having more children. weak and incompetent. It cannot million. Part of what has led to the stiffening Germany’s Even if we separate the housing problem from the stand without government sup- ment’s support. Not only does the private resolve was the ominous actions taken by Russia demographic one, the reality remains that we do not port. While it calls for more free- sector avoid meeting its social and Russian-speaking Ukrainians, as well as have a crisis in which the Kuwaiti citizen suffers to the dom in the market, eventually it comes back and appeals for obligation, it also continues to work under the rentier sys- Ukrainian extremists. The dangers facing minori- point that requires intervention from the state or law- the government’s support. This happened several times tem. It is exempted from paying progressive tax, depriving ties, whether Tatar, Russian or Ukrainian were before, and the aftermath of the Souq Al-Manakh stock mar- the state from funds that would compensate some of what heightened by pro-Russian secessionism. ket crash, in which the state injected millions of the people’s the country loses on supporting the weak private sector. Attempts to reach a diplomatic solution failed Even if we separate the funds to save collapsing companies, is the most famous Before thinking of tightening belts and rationalizing spend- over the weekend. On March 15, at the United housing problem from the example. ing by cutting social welfare and increasing service fees, Nations Security Council, Russia vetoed a draft res- Despite the fact that the government has sided with the the state should first stop wasting public funds on the olution affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity and demographic one, the reality private sector in several cases such as establishing a multibil- spoiled private sector. Not mentioning corruption and declaring illegal the Russian-supported referen- lion-dinar portfolio for real estate and renting towers for state theft of public funds. —Al-Rai dum on Crimea’s future. It was interesting that remains that we do not have a only Russia voted against the draft, affirming its crisis in which the Kuwaiti citi- isolation on this issue. It was noteworthy that China, torn between its friendship with Russia and zen suffers to the point that kuwait digest its traditional support for the principle of territori- requires intervention from the al integrity of countries, merely abstained. Leaders in crisis management As diplomats were debating the draft resolution state or lawmakers. at the UNSC, Russian troops stationed in Crimea attacked and occupied a gas terminal just outside By Dali Mohamed Al-Khumsan Crimea. While Russians justified their incursion by referring to the use of the terminal to supply makers. trong wills make miracles. Those capable of mak- storms fear not the wind”. Thanks be to Allah we have Crimean homes with gas, others saw it as another Yes, we do not have housing welfare, and that there ing the right decisions that help solve problems many such people who are well-experienced in various sign that Russia may have designs on Ukrainian are a lot of Kuwaiti families who live in circumstances facing the society, predict what might happen fields. They have bright minds and are completely reli- compatible with the modern advancement and finan- S territories outside Crimea. and straighten up things are known as ‘leaders’. They able in dealing with different problems and crises. They There is little doubt that a second Cold War is cial wealth that Kuwait enjoys. All that is correct. But are the leaders in crisis management. They are charac- can even solve and revert them before they take place back, involving some of the same actors in the first what also is correct is the fact that the majority of this terized by strong wills, wisdom and clear visions. They by meticulous planning and setting good strategies to Cold War. GCC countries professed neutrality dur- situation is a direct result to the Kuwaiti citizen’s have lifelong experiences - they are knowledgeable. would help avoid any possible negative impacts if such ing the first war and stayed active in the Non- nature and demands, meaning to say that the citizen These men are usually made through crises and devel- problems do happen. Aligned Movement, although some tilted slightly is the one who created the problem. oped through experiences. Such people should be So it is absolutely the state’s role to take good care westwards. Citizens waiting in line for government housing made use of as advisors and consultants for the gov- of such experienced, knowledgeable and inspired In the new Cold War, the bets are off on where insist to live as close to Kuwait City as possible, and ernment and various specialized bodies where their minds. It should consult them on any mishaps to pro- the GCC as a group, or its constituent member refuse to live in apartment buildings under the vertical skills can be developed for the greater good of the tect the society and prevent problems from develop- states, will stand. While neutrality should be the construction concept. The citizen looks for ‘investment’ whole nation. ing to unsolvable levels, even when some might guiding principle, GCC countries will be called and how to turn housing welfare into a profit, and in Crisis management is very important for any society, advise everybody to ‘take it easy’. Such attitudes are upon to take sides. When their values and interests the end they add to the problem through uncivilized regardless of its nature, be it political, parliamentarian, not fit for running states and ruling peoples. Dangers counsel taking sides, some will do. However, where and uneconomic increase in child birth rates. artistic, economical, social or most importantly, foreign must be faced bravely and the right decisions must be interests and values do not converge with those of Solve the demographic problem first, and resolving or natural. Such crises should be faced and suitable made on time. either side, they will probably sit out this conflict the housing dilemma would easily follow. Of course solutions must be found with the help of specialized May Almighty Allah protect our beloved Kuwait as some western countries have refrained from while bearing in mind a change in philosophy, and expertise and advisors who are capable, through their from all crises and inspire the devoted ones of its offi- taking sides in the Syrian conflict because they making sure that a government house stays a shelter wisdom and insight, to remove their consequences. cials and specialized advisors to make the difficult but had no “dog in that fight.” instead of becoming a commercial investment. Napoleon once said: “Those who were born in right decisions. —Al-Anbaa TUESDAY, MARCH18, 2014 LOCAL

Gulf states finally supporting Egypt DUBAI: After three years of political turmoil, social strife, and economic stagnation, a mega-deal announced last week may ignite a long-overdue mercantile momentum along the Nile. The deal promises Egypt $40 billion worth of affordable housing units to be built by Dubai-based contractor Arabatec, starting this summer and ending by 2020. The project will span 13 sites from Luxor through Cairo to Alexandria, and should be the largest of its kind in the Middle East. The 40-year-old Arabtec , the largest publicly traded builder in the Gulf, has built the world’s tallest building, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, and is involved in the construction of major projects like St Petersburg’s Lakhta Center, which is planned to be Europe’s tallest building, to Dubai’s Sports City, a $4 billion campus comprising four stadiums checkered with apartment blocks. With a market cap of roughly $4 billion, Arabtec has been one of the Dubai Financial Market’s most intensely traded stocks since going public a decade ago. The other party to the deal is the Egyptian Defense Ministry. While this may seem odd to some, in Egypt it makes sense, because the military owns considerable real estate, and in this case will be providing it free of charge. Even so, the deal’s financial logic is debatable, and in fact KUWAIT: The Cabinet meeting in progress. cannot be understood without its political context and diplo- matic rationale. Egyptian home buyers lack a tradition of purchasing hous- ing through mortgages, and the banking industry often lacks Cabinet holds weekly meeting effective foreclosure leverage. Then again, such challenges have been overcome in many emerging markets once govern- KUWAIT: The Cabinet held its routine he underwent a successful surgery. Highness the Amir from Qatari Amir President, inviting him to participate in the ments saw in them an aim. In Egypt, such political will has weekly meeting at Bayan Palace yesterday The cabinet welcomed Arab delega- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Group-77+China summit in Bolivia in June. been lacking ever since the land reforms of the 1950s, which under chairmanship of His Highness the tions partaking in the 25th Arab Summit Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, Furthermore, Deputy Prime Minister focused on rural rather than urban real estate, besides having Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- due in Kuwait between March 25-26, hop- accepting Kuwait’s invitation to attend the and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad eventually failed. Hamad Al-Sabah. ing it will lead to a further promotion and Arab summit. They were also briefed on Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah kept the minis- The Egyptian who is expected to grapple with this chal- Following the meeting, Minister of consolidation of cooperation among all another letter sent to His Highness the ters on the outcomes of the recent meet- lenge is Defense Minister and presidential hopeful Abdel State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh the Arab countries for the common inter- Amir by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- ing of Arab interior ministers in Marrakech Fattah Al-Sisi. Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubark Al-Sabah est of the Arab people. moon, inviting him to attend the Climate in Morocco. Afterwards, the Cabinet dis- Sisi has yet to formally announce his candidacy in the elec- tion that is expected sometime before June. However, he is said at the onset of the meeting, the cabi- It also welcomed a two-day visit to be Summit in New York on September 23. cussed a draft decree regulating the sys- widely predicted to run and win, having already emerged net welcomed the home-return of His paid by Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi The cabinet was then apprised of a tem of governorates and governors’ pow- from the past three years’ turmoil as the strong man on the Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Jomaa to the State of Kuwait today. recent letter sent to His Highness the ers with the purpose of revamping public Nile. — Marketwatch Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah following a pri- During the meeting, the ministers were Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak services nationwide and reflecting positive vate visit to the US and UK, during which apprised of two letters recently sent to His Al-Hamad Al-Sabah from Bolivian public participation. — KUNA Haris returns jewelry box, refuses reward Drunk police officers arrested KUWAIT: A haris in Farwaniya returned a ear and left her bleeding. The woman jewelry box he found in the trash to its was rushed to Jahra Hospital where she owners, and refused to take a reward for needed stitches to close the gash. his honesty. The man, identified in the news report as Mohammed Ez, an Hawally fight Egyptian national, found the jewelry box Two people were injured in a fight in while collecting garbage at his building. Hawally over a parking spot. When The haris then left a note outside every police arrived at the scene in response to apartment, asking any tenants who had an emergency call, they found one man lost a box to come over to his room and bleeding heavily from his ear, while the describe it to collect it. The owner soon other was unable to stand up. It was dis- came over and received the box, con- covered that the Egyptian man was taining all the jewelry worth KD 4,000 slashed by a knife while his Syrian foe which his son had accidently thrown in suffered a broken foot. The two were tak- the garbage bin. The tenant offered to en to Mubarak Hospital while a case was give the janitor 10 percent of the jewel- filed. ry’s value as a reward, but the man declined. Home robbery Sulaibikhat detectives closed a home KUWAIT: Director of Public cleanliness department and road occupancy at Hawally municipality Abdelaziz Al-Yahya said a campaign Drunk cops robbery case filed recently in the area by was launched to clean areas of encroachments and obstruction of traffic movement. He said campaigns during the weekend were on Two police officers face charges after arresting two brothers who admitted of cafes encroachment on unlicensed yards between buildings, and warning were issued to adjust their status. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun they were caught drunk inside a car in stealing KD 10,000 from the house. Salmiya on Sunday. Patrol officers had Investigations into the break-in, entry pulled the car over for swerving, before and burglary case filed by a Kuwaiti discovering a policeman and police- woman led detectives to identify a prime woman inside, and that they were drunk. suspect by tracking his cell phone signal. Projects worth 1.5 billion The driver was identified as a first lieu- The bedoon man, who has a history of tenant, while the policewoman was criminal activities, denied involvement in dirhams in celebration of SICC identified as a special task force officer. the case following arrest, but later con- Backup police were called to put the fessed during questioning. He gave SHARJAH: Sharjah has revealed that the cost couple under arrest after the man police information of his brother who he of the 21 projects it is working on in celebra- attempted to assault the patrol officers. said helped him in the robbery. The tion of its selection as the Islamic Culture The two were referred to the authorities accomplice was soon arrested and Capital for 2014 nears 1.5 billion dirhams, dis- to face charges including drunk driving admitted the crime when confronted tributed over new universities, monuments, and offending police officers on duty. with his brother’s confessions. The two Islamic parks, traditional markets, museums were taken to the authorities to face and libraries, as well as scientific and architec- Stray bullet charges. tural edifices. A domestic worker miraculously sur- Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Qassimi, vived death after she was hit by a stray Murder attempt Chairman of the Executive Committee for the bullet in Jahra. Investigations are ongo- A maid escaped death after her Sharjah Islamic Culture Capital 2014 (SICC ing to determine the shooter who fired Ethiopian colleague attempted to stab 2014) celebrations, emphasised that these the shot in a shopping mall in the area. her. A citizen went to Sulaibikhat police projects translate Sharjah’s vision, which is The 25-year-old Ethiopian woman was station and told them his Ethiopian maid derived from the aspiration of His Highness accompanying her female employer at threatened to kill the Indian 10 days ago Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, the mall when a stray bullet hit her in the and pulled the knife on another. UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to promote Islamic cultural thought and spread its goodness around the world. The Chairman of the Executive Committee for the SICC 2014 celebrations confirmed the significance of the projects, which mirror the identity of the emirate and aim to highlight the greatness of Islamic culture and dissemi- nate its objectives across the world. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Qassimi said: “The projects complement the cultural mani- SHARJAH: Al-Majaz Island Amphitheatre, festations and human heritage that chronicle one of Sharjah Islamic Culture Capital Sharjah’s story of knowledge and science, Projects. (Inset) Sheikha Bodour bint promoting its status and key role in the inter- Sultan Al-Qasimi (left) and Sheikh Sultan national cultural system.” bin Ahmed Al-Qassimi He added that many of the SICC 2014 proj- ects, including the Al Majaz Island asserted that Sharjah, inspired by its Ruler, Amphitheatre project, which started only invests in everything likely to promote bright history of Islam. three months ago, would be completed with- human thought, culture and knowledge, The Head of the Projects Committee said: in days. pointing to the sustainable nature of the emi- “To complement its Islamic architectural sys- Al Majaz Island Amphitheatre, which cov- rate’s projects, which are poised to benefit tem, Sharjah, as part of its SICC 2014 projects, ers an area of 7.238 square metres and generations to come. is constructing buildings with Islamic archi- accommodates up to 4,500 spectators, is set She also pointed to the touristic value of tecture to highlight its identity and culture.” to host on March 26, 2014 the premiere of the SICC 2014 projects, which will position Citing the emirate’s keenness on its her- “Clusters of Light”, an epical theatrical per- Sharjah as an international cultural destina- itage and historical legacy, she clarified that a formance that will launch the SICC 2014 cele- tion. sum of 23 million dirhams had been allocated brations. Among the other projects that will be for the construction of new museums and Emphasising its importance as a touristic completed by late March, as stated by traditional markets, as well as other heritage and cultural edifice, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, are an projects. Al Qassimi indicated that the AED140 million 12.55 million dirhams Islamic park and an 8 Among the heritage projects that Sheikha amphitheatre is fitted with the latest high- million dirhams monument. Bodour bint Sultan Al-Qasimi said were tech equipment that are unprecedented in Another park is being built at a cost of 25 underway are several “heritage villages” dis- the region and poised to produce outstand- million dirhams. This will be the first of three tributed across Sharjah, including Kalba, Khor ing performances. parks to be constructed as part of the SICC Fakkan and Al Dhaid, to consolidate the spirit 2014 projects, adding a significant aesthetic, of heritage by reviving traditional ceremonial Cultural destination cultural and social value to the emirate. practices. For her part, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Islamic universities and libraries are also Sharjah, with all its sectors, is making Al-Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah being built to emphasise the major role of every effort and working in full swing to Investment and Development Authority Sharjah as the capital of Islamic culture in dis- finalise its projects, which are set to enrich (Shurooq) and Head of the Projects seminating Islamic knowledge and enhanc- Islamic culture on the local, regional and Committee for the SICC 2014 celebrations, ing awareness of Islamic civilisation and the international levels. TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

St Pat’s festivities kick off amid tensions in US Paris ready to get first woman mayor Page 10 PAGE 11

SEPANG: A Chinese girl takes a picture in front of an electronic display showing the weather information of the cities in Asia at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday. — AP ‘Malaysia, what else are you hiding?’ Chinese slam Malaysia govt for ‘talking nonsense’

BEIJING: Relatives of Chinese passengers aboard a missing from Chinese state media and social media users. Malaysian Monday as fears mounted that the plane might have been Malaysian government has revealed an investigation indi- Malaysia Airlines plane voiced fury yesterday, accusing the Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday disclosed that the hijacked. “It is of the utmost importance that any loopholes cates the jet was deliberately diverted and flew for several Malaysian government of “talking nonsense” and launching a flight had been deliberately diverted, and that the plane flew that might have been exploited by hijackers or terrorists be hours after leaving its scheduled flight path-either north cover-up while a rescue could have been carried out. “Only for several hours after leaving its intended flight path. In an identified as soon as possible because we need counter-mea- towards Central Asia, or towards the southern Indian Ocean. the Malaysia government knows the truth. They’ve been talk- editorial, the China Daily newspaper questioned why the sures to plug them,” the China Daily wrote. Abbott, who earlier Monday told journalists he had no ing nonsense since the beginning,” said Wen Wancheng, fol- announcement came more than a week after the flight van- information that the flight may have come close to Australia, lowing a meeting with airline officials in Beijing as the search ished and wondered whether Malaysia was sharing all of the Chaotic response said he was responding to a request from Malaysian Prime entered its 10th day. “You hid the whereabouts from the information it had gathered. Yao Shujie, the head of the School of Contemporary Minister Najib Razak. “He asked that Australia take responsi- beginning and after seven to eight days you discovered it? “The contradictory and piecemeal information Malaysia Chinese Studies at the University of Nottingham, wrote in an bility for the search on the southern vector, which the That was the best time to launch a rescue,” added the 63- Airlines and its government have provided has made search op-ed in China’s state-run Global Times newspaper that Malaysian authorities now think was one possible flight path year-old from the eastern province of Shandong, whose son efforts difficult and the entire incident even more mysteri- Malaysia “has lost authority and credibility” due to its chaotic for this ill-fated aircraft,” Abbott told parliament. was aboard the missing jet. ous,” the newspaper wrote. “What else is known that has not response. “The lack of national strength and experience in “I agreed that we would do so. I offered the Malaysian Another relative who left the meeting told AFP: “Of course been shared with the world?” Two-thirds of the passengers dealing with incidents has left the Malaysian government prime minister additional maritime surveillance resources there is no useful information for us, there never is.” The rela- on board the flight were Chinese, and Beijing has been criti- helpless and exhausted by denying all kinds of rumors,” Yao which he gratefully accepted.” Abbott said the defense chiefs tives’ anger came as Malaysia drew more scathing criticism cal of Malaysia’s sharing of information-a concern reiterated wrote. He added: “If the search continues to be fruitless even of Australia and Malaysia were discussing how to implement following the new information, Malaysia would be better off the arrangement. “Australia will do its duty in this matter. It handing over its command in the international rescue opera- will do our duty to ensure that our search and rescue respon- tion.” sibilities are maintained and upheld,” he said. China’s foreign ministry took a more measured tone, with “And we will do our duty to the families of the 230 people spokesman Hong Lei telling Monday’s regular briefing that on that aircraft who are still absolutely devastated by their the search “is faced with even more difficulties” in light of the absence and who are still profoundly, profoundly saddened new information. “We hope the Malaysian side will better by this as yet unfathomed mystery.” Asked earlier whether coordinate all the search efforts and provide comprehensive Australian agencies had detected the plane close to Australia, and accurate information to all sides, expand the search and given its western coast borders the Indian Ocean, Abbott step up search efforts,” Hong said. said: “I don’t have any information to that effect. He added that Beijing “will not reduce our search forces, but we will redirect the forces” as the situation changes. The Scouring data plane’s disappearance remained the most hotly debated top- “But all of our agencies that could possibly help in this ic on China’s popular social networks. Many users of Sina area are scouring their data to see if there’s anything that Weibo, a Chinese equivalent of Twitter, echoed concerns over they can add to the understanding of this mystery,” he told the Malaysian government’s release of information. reporters. Australia has two Orion surveillance aircraft assist- “Why is it only now that they’ve confirmed it may have ing with the search for the plane, which was en route to been hijacked?” one Sina Weibo user wrote in response to the Beijing when it disappeared. Abbott said one of those had latest revelations by Kuala Lumpur. “Malaysia, what else are now been redeployed to the Indian Ocean. you hiding?” Another posted: “I’m really getting more and Six Australians were on board the commercial flight car- more disappointed in Malaysia and their unreliable govern- rying 239 passengers and crew which vanished on March 8 ment. I’m not planning on travelling there any time in the in a busy Southeast Asian sky, and relatives have clung to future.” hope that their loved ones may still be alive. “I haven’t got a Last week, one of the most widely forwarded messages clue what is going on, but maybe they have been hijacked was a posting that read: “Vietnam keeps discovering. and that gives me hope,” David Lawton, whose brother Bob Malaysia Airlines keeps denying. China keeps sending rescue was aboard MH370, told the Australian Broadcasting teams.” On Monday the meme had taken a new twist. Corporation on Monday. “In this day and age and the tech- “Malaysia has been telling a week’s worth of lies. Vietnam has nology we have you would think they would be able to find fished out a week’s worth of trash. China has forwarded a it, but no, apparently they can’t. “I don’t blame anybody for week’s worth of news,” read the latest viral message. it, I just want to know what their fate was,” he added. Abbott said the incident could lead to changes in how aircraft are Australia joins search tracked. “I think that there will be a lot of analysis done of Meanwhile, Australia will take responsibility for the “south- this particular event which thus far remains deeply, deeply ern vector” of the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, mysterious,” he said. “And I think there will be a lot of lessons with 25 countries now involved in a huge operation to locate learnt, and I dare say some of those lessons will involve the the plane, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said yesterday. The tracking of aircraft.” — Agencies

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian residents light candles as they pray for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at their village yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Egypt to try Morsi’s son for drugs

CAIRO: Prosecutors referred the youngest son of east edge of Cairo. After a search, the officers told following mass protests against him. He has since spiked since July. Also yesterday, Judge Hassan Egypt’s ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi prosecutors, the police found two rolled hashish been put on trial on several charges, including Rashad sentenced 10 Brotherhood supporters to a to trial yesterday on charges of drug use and pos- cigarettes in their car. The police say first Morsi and conspiring with foreign groups, inciting his sup- year in prison on charges of holding a protest that session, an accusation his family dismisses as an his friend refused to take a drug test, but later porters to murder protesters, and organizing a the prosecution said sought to disrupt voting in a attempt to tarnish their image. Moumin Salman, a agreed and were then released. campaign of violence in Egypt. Thousands of referendum on the constitution amended after prosecutor in the Nile Delta city of Benha, ordered The family said the charges are fabricated, and members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the group Morsi’s ouster. Those sentenced include a journal- that 20-year-old Abdullah Morsi, a university fresh- aim to defame Morsi’s family. Abdullah’s older to which Morsi belongs, have also been arrested ist who worked at the group’s newspaper. It has man, and his friend be tried before a criminal court. brother, Osama, told The Associated Press at the and many are facing trials. But his family has large- been suspended and only has an online version. A date has not yet been set for the trial. According time that he had received warnings from officials ly been spared the crackdown. The journalist was covering the rally, which took to police accounts, Morsi’s son was arrested with his that members of the family will now be targeted Authorities accuse Morsi and his supporters of place in the Cairo district of Shubra. Clashes friend on March 1 after a local patrol became suspi- for prosecution. The ousted president has been seeking to destabilize the country following his between the protesters and security erupted dur- cious of a parked car on the side of the road on the detained since the military overthrew him in July ouster, blaming them for the violence that has ing the protest. — AP

Fall of Sunni rebel Crimea asks to join Russia town in Syria polarizes Lebanon as West readies sanctions

AL-LABWA: Two rockets struck a mainly Shiite town near Lebanon’s border with Syria yesterday and security forces East vs West Ukraine conflict not a new Cold War blew up a suspected car bomb as they struggled to contain sectarian violence fuelled by a Syrian army offensive across the frontier. The rocket attack on Al-Labwa was the latest SIMFEROPOL: Crimea declared independence yesterday and ‘We’re going home’ suggested turning Crimea into a temporary low-tax zone aimed at strike on a Shiite target inside Lebanon after Syrian President applied to join Russia while the Kremlin braced for sanctions after But the overwhelming margin of victory for the pro-Kremlin helping the region deal with the transition. But more nationalist Bashar Al-Assad’s forces and their Lebanese allies Hezbollah the flashpoint peninsula voted to leave Ukraine in a ballot that has camp underscores the mistrust the heavily Russified southeast of voices in Ukraine are calling on Kiev authorities to cut off Crimea recaptured the border town of Yabroud from Sunni Muslim fanned the worst East-West tensions since the Cold War. Official Ukraine shares for the European leanings of those who rose to from basic supplies in effort to get its leaders to reverse course. rebels on Sunday. results from Sunday’s disputed referendum showed 96.77 percent power on the back of three months of deadly protests in Kiev. “Crimea’s access to gas, electricity, water and food staples is in The rebel defeat at Yabroud sent a stream of refugees of the voters in the mostly Russian-speaking region opting for Alcohol-fuelled celebrations swept cities across the diamond- danger and Russia will not be able to compensate,” said Penta and fighters across the border towards the Lebanese Bekaa Kremlin rule in what would be the most radical redrawing of the shaped Black Sea peninsula as Russian flags flew and refrains from institute analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. — AFP Valley town of Arsal, and was followed hours later by a sui- map of Europe since Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence Soviet-era songs filled the rain-soaked streets. cide car bombing against a local stronghold of Shiite from Serbia. Crimea’s lawmakers also declared the Russian ruble “We’re free of the occupation!” Lucia Prokorovna said amid Hezbollah. The border area has been steadily sucked into the peninsula’s second official currency and vowed to “disband” bursts of fireworks in Russia’s historic naval port of Sevastopol late Syria’s nearly four-year-old conflict as Syrian troops and jets the Ukrainian military units stationed across the region-a move on Sunday. “Ukraine was attached to Crimea like a sack of pota- targeted rebel bases on the frontier and suspected Syrian that threatens to inflame the raging security crisis on the toes,” the 60-year-old said in reference to the decision by Soviet rebels fired rockets at Shi’ite towns to punish Hezbollah for European Union’s eastern frontier. The vote was strongly con- leader Nikita Khrushev-a native Ukrainian-to present the peninsu- supporting Assad. demned by Washington and Brussels, with EU foreign ministers la to Kiev as a gift in 1954. Crimea’s self-declared premier But the rebel loss of Yabroud could exacerbate sectarian meeting to discuss sanctions against Moscow. Ukraine’s interim Aksyonov-recognized by Moscow but rejected as illegitimate by tensions across Lebanon and the flight of 2,000 defeated president Oleksandr Turchynov denounced the vote as a “great Kiev and most of the world-hailed the referendum as an “historic rebels - some of them into Lebanon - would further destabi- farce” and watched from a podium as agitated lawmakers moment”. “We’re going home. Crimea is going to Russia,” he told lize the already volatile Bekaa Valley. Prime Minister approved a partial mobilization of the army aimed at countering those gathered on Lenin Square. Tammam Salam met army chief General Jean Kahwaji yes- Russian troops’ effective seizure of Crimea that the beginning of terday and called on the military to “take all necessary meas- March. The ex-Soviet nation’s acting defense minister Igor ‘Mockery’ of democracy ures to control the situation in Bekaa’s border areas”, a state- Tenyukh also firmly told reporters that the “troops deployed (in Not everyone in Crimea was happy with the result. Some eth- ment from his office said. Crimea) will stay there.” nic Ukrainians expressed bewilderment at a referendum that pre- When the two rockets struck Al-Labwa, a mainly Shiite sented them with only two choices: join Russia or go back to a town about five miles (eight km) west of the Sunni town of ‘Strongest possible signals’ 1992 constitution under which Crimea became a de facto sover- Arsal, gunmen took up positions on the street and others Most of the international community has rejected the referen- eign state. The status quo or better terms with Kiev were not leapt into cars. Reuters journalists in the town heard sirens of dum as illegal because Russia had vowed to respect its neighbor’s options-a reality that along with the massive presence of Russian emergency vehicles, but there were no immediate reports of territorial integrity under a 1994 agreement that saw Ukraine troops across the region prompted British Foreign Secretary casualties. renounce its Soviet-era nuclear arms. But the government in William Hague to call the vote a “mockery” of democracy. One of The attack on Al-Labwa followed a suicide bombing Crimea announced a series of measures to sever ties with Kiev- the greatest uncertainties hanging over Crimea itself is how the which killed three people in the nearby town of Nabi including seizing Ukrainian institutions and even plans to set the economically devastated region that relies on Kiev for everything Osmane on Sunday. Two radical Islamist groups with sus- peninsula on Moscow time, two hours ahead. from energy to water can survive in the span it would take to for- pected ties to Sunni Al-Qaeda militants in Syria claimed The White House said US President Barack Obama warned his mally be accepted as a part of Russia. responsibility. At the site of the blast yellow Hezbollah ban- Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Washington and its allies The region’s self-declared leader Aksyonov tweeted yesterday ners were flying yesterday. “Dear criminals, our blood is would “never” recognize Crimea’s breakaway vote. Obama warned that Crimea had received a 15-billion-ruble ($410-million, 295-mil- stronger than your terror,” read one of them, next to the that “Russia’s actions were in violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and lion-euro) aid package from Moscow. Crimean lawmakers also BRUSSELS: Pro-Ukrainian activists kneel to kiss Ukrainian group’s logo. territorial integrity and that, in coordination with our European claimed rights to the pipelines as well as offshore oil and natural flags as they demonstrate during an EU foreign ministers The blast blew apart buildings in the area, including a partners, we are prepared to impose additional costs on Russia for gas platforms of Ukraine’s state-owned Chornomorneftegaz and meeting outside the EU Council yesterday. — AP barber shop where the twisted remains of a barber chair its actions,” the White House said. Ukrtransgaz energy firms. Russia’s finance ministry meanwhile were visible through the door. A damaged grey Mercedes EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also said Europe was in the road and the twisted charred remains of a car. needed to send the “strongest possible signals” to Russia at a One person was killed in the same town on Saturday after meeting of the 28-nation bloc’s foreign ministers yesterday. The several rockets were fired from near Arsal. ministers are widely expected to approve “targeted” sanctions against Russian or pro-Kremlin Ukrainian leaders that could Triumph and trepidation include both travel restrictions and asset freezes. The measures- Yabroud was the last stronghold of Sunni rebels on the reportedly affecting top Russian ministers and presidential aides Syrian side of the border and its capture by the Syrian army but not Putin himself-are meant to demonstrate the West’s united and Hezbollah triggered open celebrations in Beirut’s south- resolve to punish the Kremlin for its overt show of post-Soviet ern Shiite suburb - mixed with fear of imminent revenge might. Putin has signaled no intention to turn back on what he attacks. More than 100 youths on motorbikes paraded describes as his defense of ethnic Russians who, according to through the district on Sunday, waving Hezbollah flags and Moscow, have come under increasing attack from Ukrainian ultra- hooting their horns, and sheep were slaughtered in front of nationalists since last month’s ouster in Kiev of a pro-Kremlin a mosque. regime by a far more nationalist but Western-leaning team. Hours later, however, Hezbollah members deployed in The Kremlin said Putin “emphasized” to Obama that the refer- the streets after the Bekaa suicide bombing. Soldiers endum “was fully in line with the norms of international law and blocked off entrances to the suburb and there were lengthy the UN charter”. It said Putin pointed out “the well-known prece- queues at the few open checkpoints, where cars were thor- dent of Kosovo”-a mostly Muslim region of former Soviet ally oughly searched. In the Bekaa Valley yesterday the army Yugoslavia whose independence is backed by Washington but blew up an explosives-laden car about five km (3 miles) not recognized by the Kremlin. Putin today will make a special north of Sunday’s suicide bomb attack. The twisted and address on the crisis that will be attended by lawmakers from charred remains of the car could be seen in a field of almond Russia’s two houses of parliament. Crimea’s self-declared leader trees on the side of a hill on the outskirts of the small town of Sergiy Aksyonov also tweeted yesterday that he was flying to Fakeha.—Reuters Moscow for talks. Russia’s lower house of parliament is expected to debate legislation on Friday simplifying the process under which the Kremlin can annex another part of a sovereign state. Thousands take to W Bank streets to support Abbas

RAMALLAH: Thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank administrative centre of the West Bank, the fate of Palestinian took to the streets of West Bank cities yes- Ramallah, and more than 1,000 in the refugees and the final status of Jerusalem, terday in support of president Mahmud southern flashpoint city of Hebron. claimed by both sides as a capital. Abbas’s visit to Washington for talks with Abbas was to meet President Obama Barack Obama about the peace process in Washington yesterday, having travelled ‘Waiting for peace’ with Israel. Demonstrators waved the to the US nearly a fortnight after Israel’s Israeli President Shimon Peres sought Palestinian national flag as well as that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did to clear the air yesterday, issuing a state- Abbas’s Fatah party, chanting “we are with the same, and as an April 29 deadline for ment of support for Abbas. “President you, president!” as Abbas was to weigh up the nine-month negotiations loomed. Abbas is a man of principle; he is against an anticipated US request to extend the Palestinian and Israeli leaders have been terror, against violence. He is a good part- faltering negotiations with Israel. unable to move the talks forward since US ner and I’m glad that our government is “We’re here today to stand up to pres- Secretary of State John Kerry kick-started negotiating with him,” Peres’s office quot- sures upon us and make sure president them at the end of July after intense ed him as saying in a statement. “We are Abbas adheres to his convictions,” said efforts to bring the sides back to the table all waiting for peace; it is the wish of the Nasser Eddin al-Shaer-former Palestinian following a three-year freeze. Bitter Israeli and Palestinian people.” education minister and member of Fatah’s recriminations have taken precedent, with The US is to propose a framework on Islamist rivals Hamas-who joined a 5,000- the two sides refusing to budge on key which to base final status talks and has strong rally in the northern West Bank city issues such as the borders of a future been calling for an extension of negotia- of Nablus. Some 1,500 people turned out Palestinian state, security arrangements in tions pending agreement by both sides on that framework. Israel has recently kicked up a new obstacle to ending the decades-long conflict, demanding Palestinian recognition of it as a Jewish state. Palestinian leaders have categorically rejected the calls. In the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, public demonstrations were banned, but Fatah supporters nonethe- less gathered at the Al-Aqsa University, a bastion of the West Bank-based move- ment. “We informed Fatah members of the ban on celebrations they’d demand- ed to support Abu Mazen (Abbas), in order to maintain public order, and fear- ing that inter-Fatah differences could air themselves in public,” said Islam Shahwan, a spokesman for the Hamas government. Abbas has had a spat with an exiled Fatah leader Mohammed RAMALLAH: A Palestinian boy holds a national flag, during a rally in sup- Dahlan, both accusing each other of com- port of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, ahead of his meeting with plicity in the death of late Palestinian US President Barack Obama yesterday. — AP president Yasser Arafat.— AFP TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Venice votes on cutting ties with Italy

ROME: Italians in Venice and its surrounding rich economic, cultural and trading power try that has gone to the wall. Nothing works ‘Re-conquering sovereignty’ indifference,” governor Luca Zaia told region are voting this week on whether to which existed from the 7th century until its anymore,” party coordinator Nicola Gardin The latest polls show that-of the 3.8 million Liberoquotidiano. break away from rest of the country and form fall to Napoleon in 1797. The Indipendenza said. “Italy is weighed down by an enormous people eligible to vote in the region-around 60 Venetians will be closely watching inde- their own state. The online vote, organized Veneta party behind the bill told AFP the level of public debt, thousands of businesses percent are in favor of independence. Despite pendence movements in Scotland-which will by local independence parties, is not legally separatist movement was fuelled by the gov- have closed, we have lost count of the num- protests that an attempt to split from Italy hold a referendum in September-and binding but aims to galvanize support for a ernment’s apparent inability to stamp out ber of people who have committed suicide could be unconstitutional, the governor of the Catalonia, he said. “If Barcelona gets independ- bill calling for a referendum on whether the corruption, protect its citizens from a damag- in Veneto,” he said. The region pays around 71 Veneto region has told Italian media that seces- ence, Veneto could adopt the same method region of Veneto should split from Italy. ing recession and plug waste in the poorer billion euros ($98 billion) in taxes to Rome, 21 sion is an option under international law. “The and get it too. We have knocked politely on the The new Republic of Veneto would be south. billion euros more than it receives in invest- push for independence comes from the peo- door of federalism, but it did not open. Now we inspired by the ancient Venetian republic-a “We no longer want to be part of a coun- ment and services. ple. It is a democratic request born of Rome’s will break down the door,” he said. —AFP St Pat’s festivities kick off amid tensions in US NY parade draws more than 1m spectators annually NEW YORK: St Patrick’s Day festivities were in full have allowed a gay group to march. In Ireland, St Patrick’s Day provides the launch swing Sunday with the usual merriment of bag- Still, thousands of green-clad spectators came of the country’s annual push for tourism, a big part pipes but political tensions lingered in the north- out for the parade in Boston to watch bagpipers, of the rural economy. “To Irish people by birth or eastern US, where city leaders will be conspicu- and organizers of a float intended to promote descent, wherever they may be in the world, and ously absent from parades over gay rights issues. diversity threw Mardi Gras-type beads at onlook- to those who simply consider themselves to be New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio will become the ers. A similar scene played out in downtown friends of Ireland, I wish each and every one of you first mayor in decades to sit out the traditional Philadelphia. In Georgia, the dome of Savannah’s a happy, peaceful and authentically Irish St march because parade organizers refuse to let City Hall will be lit green, and several thousand Patrick’s Day,” Irish President Michael D Higgins, the participants carry pro-gay signs. Boston Mayor people braved temperatures in the teens on ceremonial head of state and guest of honor at Martin Walsh wasn’t marching in his city’s parade Sunday to march with pipe and drum bands in yesterday’s parade in Dublin, said in a statement. Sunday, either, after talks broke down that would Detroit and Bay City, Mich. Ireland’s head of government, Enda Kenny, became the first Irish prime minister to attend PISA: The leaning tower of Pisa is colored in green to celebrate Ireland’s Boston’s annual St Patrick’s Day breakfast Sunday. national holiday on the eve of the St Patrick’s Day. —AFP But Kenny has resisted pressure, in both Ireland and America, to support the gay rights lobby’s US not done with winter still demand to have equal rights to parade on St Patrick’s Day and he planned to march Monday in CHARLESTON: Winter-weary motorists faced tures. With spring officially starting Thursday, peo- New York. another treacherous commute yesterday in parts of ple weary of shoveling snow are hoping that the lat- “The St Patrick’s Day parade (in New York) is a the Mid-Atlantic as snow and frigid weather blew in est storm will be winter’s final encore. Ricardo parade about our Irishness and not about sexuali- just days before the start of spring. At least a few Contreras, an upholsterer from Harrisburg, Pa, said ty, and I would be happy to participate in it,” he inches of snow were reported in the Washington he was tired of the winter and had no plans to shov- said in Dublin before leaving for a six-day trip to area and parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and el whatever might fall overnight. “I’ll just let it melt the US Parade organizers have said gay groups are New Jersey by early yesterday. In Washington, crews by itself,” Contreras said. Engineer Bill Bingham, not prohibited from marching, but are not worked overnight to clear snow, but transportation heading into the West Shore Plaza in Lemoyne, Pa, allowed to carry gay-friendly signs or identify officials warned that roads were still dangerous. for Sunday breakfast, said he was most looking for- themselves as LGBT. Some LGBT groups were to Heavy snow closed Reagan National Airport’s run- ward to playing some golf for the first time in many protest the parade along Manhattan’s Fifth ways. Dulles International Airport and BWI were months. “I really like the winter, but I’m done with Avenue on Monday. Others had planned to dump seeing many cancelations, but were open. the snow now,” Bingham said. “I’m ready for spring.” Guinness beer from the shelves of the Stonewall Forecasters urged drivers not to let their guards Richard Windsor of Jackson, NJ, said he was not that Inn, the birthplace of the gay rights movement, in down and federal offices in the Washington area impressed by the new storm system. protest of the brewer’s parade sponsorship, but were closed for the day yesterday. In New Jersey, Several previous storms this season dropped 10 that was canceled after the gay rights group the heaviest snow was reported in the southern or more inches of snow in the state. “With the winter GLAAD said late Sunday that Guinness had part of the state, where many schools were closed we’ve had, I’m not worried about an inch or two of dropped its plans to sponsor the parade. or delayed opening. Patience was wearing thin for snow,” Windsor said as he gassed up his sport utility New York’s parade, a tradition that predates the many. “Never thought of March as being Spring. But vehicle Sunday morning. “I figure if I made it city itself, draws more than 1 million spectators snow, yeah, I’m over snow,” said Jackie Denham, through the stronger storms, I can handle this.” and about 200,000 participants every March 17. It who was at a grocery store in Alexandria, Va, on Temperatures in many areas are expected to be in has long been a mandatory stop on the city’s Sunday. tune with spring by Thursday. But forecasters can- ALDERSHOT: Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (second left) strokes the regi- political trail, and will include marching bands, tra- Rain and thunderstorms were expected in the not say whether winter weather will finally end. mental mascot Irish Wolf Hound dog as she attends the St Patrick’s Day parade with ditional Irish dancers and thousands of uniformed Southeast, some of which could be strong. Winter’s Forecasters said snowstorms are typical through the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Mons Barracks yesterday. —AFP city workers. —AP return follows several days of spring-like tempera- March. —AP Anti-government marchers in Caracas slam Cuban ‘invader’ CARACAS: Hundreds of anti-govern- our institutions,” the university student tions” here. ment protesters marched Sunday said. Some analysts say there are But people are mainly on the against Cuban meddling in Venezuela’s Cuban advisers and Cubans taking part streets, Godoy said, because of the domestic affairs. Under the late elected in Venezuela’s security. Caracas does economic crisis in a country that has socialist revolutionary leader Hugo not comment on the claims. Cash- increasingly centralized its own econ- Chavez, Venezuela forged tight ties strapped Cuba depends almost entire- omy. “We’ve been fighting on the with Cuba, becoming its closest ly on Venezuela’s largesse billed as soli- streets for a month. So how has the regional ally and economic mainstay of darity aid to keep afloat its ailing, government improved anything?” the Americas’ only communist regime. Soviet-style centrally managed econo- she asked. “It hasn’t. Everything is The close bilateral alliance, which my. Cuba’s top hard-currency earning worse. There is nothing on supermar- includes military and security coopera- tion, is still pursued under President Nicolas Maduro’s year-old government. At least 28 people have been killed and 400 injured in the student-led protests that began February 4 in west- ern Venezuela and spread to Caracas and other cities. Oil-rich Venezuela has seen almost daily anti-government demos as tens of thousands of people vent their rage over the soaring violent crime rate, spiraling inflation and a lack of basic household goods like toilet paper. Clad mostly in white T-shirts, marchers waved signs such as “Cuba get out of the Armed Forces,” “Get out Cuban spies” and “If we keep this up, we will be the Castrocuban Republic of Venezuela.” Marchers were called out to the streets by the Popular Will, an CARACAS: A demonstrator shoots a rocket at the National Guard dur- opposition organization led by Leopoldo Lopez. He has been jailed ing a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. —AFP since February 18. export is the $6 billion Havana earns ket shelves.” The chanting throngs, sounding each year from sending its medical Workers from the subsidized noisy horns, tried to march on the staff overseas on government con- foods program held a pro-govern- Cuban Embassy to rally. But authorities tracts. ment protest. “We will defend blocked them from getting to their tar- Chavez’s legacy. It is sacred. The fas- get, and demonstrators headed to La Venezuela, Cuba’s cist right-wing will not plunge the Carlota military airfield instead. The neighborhood ATM country into chaos,” one told state bilateral alliance also includes energy, Unless Cuba can pinpoint and television. Meanwhile, opposition fig- food, defense and health care. Manuel exploit the oil reserves it believes it ure Henrique Capriles, who lost to Rangel, 24, waved a banner with a por- has, and fast, Havana must depend on Maduro in last year’s elections, said trait of Cuban revolution icon Fidel its Venezuelan economic lifeline to he was discussing with the govern- Castro: warning “Get out Invader!” survive. Maria Godoy, a 50-year-old ment some format to hold a debate “We completely reject Cuban homemaker, said “Cuban military pres- about the current crisis. Government- involvement in our affairs, of the Castro ence in Venezuela also is to blame for controlled media do not feature such brothers in our Armed Forces and in the (deadly) repression at demonstra- debate. —AFP Defense: General’s deal drops sex assault charge RALEIGH: In a hearing that will likely cap the high-profile whether the woman had lied in a pre-trial hearing. At an prosecution of an Army general accused of forcing himself upcoming hearing, a military judge will give Sinclair a sen- on a subordinate officer, Brig Gen Jeffrey Sinclair was tence that can’t exceed terms in an agreement struck expected to enter pleas in a deal that includes the dis- between defense lawyers and military attorneys. The legal missal of sexual assault charges. The hearing at Fort Bragg agreement is likely to require a punishment less severe comes as the military continues to grapple with revela- than the maximum penalties of 15 years in prison and dis- tions of sex crimes in its ranks and political pressure to missal from the Army. address the issue. A sentencing hearing for Sinclair - Sinclair may also face additional administrative penal- believed to be the highest-ranking US military officer to ties from the Army, which could force him to retire at face court-martial on sexual assault charges - could begin reduced rank. That could cost Sinclair hundreds of thou- soon. sands of dollars in pension benefits. Retired Maj Gen Walt Lawyers for Sinclair said he will plead to lesser charges Huffman, a Texas Tech University law professor who previ- in exchange for the dropping of the sexual assault charges ously served as the Army’s top lawyer, said Sinclair could and two other counts that might have required Sinclair to be busted back two ranks to lieutenant colonel since the register as a sex offender. The Army’s case against Sinclair affair at the heart of the case began before his most recent crumbled in recent weeks as questions arose about promotion. —AP TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

India denies Malaysian jet ‘9/11-style attack’ theory

NEW DELHI: India rejected suggestions have gone that far.” The speculation was “rubbished” the idea that the plane could said it was not looking for the missing decide and tell us where to go. They have yesterday that it could have been the fuelled by former US deputy secretary of have got anywhere close to an urban cen- plane there, and Islamabad’s Civil Aviation asked us to be on standby for now. “We intended target of a 9/11-style attack by state Strobe Talbott who tweeted that the tre and insisted it would have been Authority said the flight never appeared are awaiting further instructions. Once we the missing Malaysia Airlines jet. As Prime “direction, fuel load & range now lead detected by a naval base on the on Pakistani radar. have them, we will move.” Prime Minister Minister Manmohan Singh promised some to suspect hijackers planned a 9/11- Andaman islands, more than 1,000 kilo- Indian ships and planes scoured the Singh’s office said that his Malaysian maximum assistance in the massive hunt type attack on an Indian city”. meters (600 miles) off the Indian main- seas off the sprawling Andamans archi- counterpart Najib Razak, in a phone call for Flight 370, India’s foreign minister said His comments over the weekend have land. pelago last week but they suspended late Sunday, had requested “technical it was vital that the mystery over its fate been widely picked up by the Indian “There is no way our military radars their search on Sunday as they awaited assistance from Indian authorities in cor- was cleared up. But asked by the CNN-IBN media and Khurshid said people needed would have missed the airliner as it flew fresh instructions from Malaysian authori- roborating the possible paths that the network about suggestions that the answers to allay their fears. “We hope to over Andaman Sea, as there is high traffic ties. “Operations are suspended as of now, missing Malaysian airliner might have tak- plane was hijacked with the aim of flying come to some conclusion that is both around that time,” one military intelli- everything is grounded,” Indian Navy en”. Singh “assured all possible assistance it into an Indian city, Foreign Minister credible and reassuring,” he said. The gence source told the paper. The US-led spokesman DK Sharma told AFP yester- from concerned Indian authorities”, the Salman Khurshid replied: “I don’t think we Times of India said security sources had NATO mission in Afghanistan meanwhile day. “Malaysian authorities will now office said in a statement. —AFP Paris ready to get first woman mayor Crunch test for France’s Socialists in local polls

PARIS: Two women are vying to be the new is quite young, so she has a career in the mak- carried out by Mayor Delanoe, such as the Velib face of Paris, the first time in this city’s long his- ing. But she is penalized by an anti Kosciusko- bike-sharing and Autolib auto-sharing services, tory that the mayor won’t be a Monsieur. The Morizet rebellion in her own party.” Yet she and the creation of a beachfront each summer discreet, hard-working Socialist Anne Hidalgo is told The AP that she still believes in a possible on the banks of the Seine. But Kosciusko- the favorite to win municipal elections that start victory. Morizet says the Socialists in charge of Paris for Sunday, which would keep this leading tourist “Parisians want some change,” Kosciusko- the past 13 years have failed to make Paris destination in leftist hands despite the deep Morizet said while savoring a chocolate given attractive to young people, and she wants to unpopularity of President Francois Hollande’s by the shopkeeper in the touristed Montmartre change that. Socialist national government. neighborhood where she was campaigning. “There’s now a whole generation dreaming “A woman at the head of one of the most “Paris needs ... more security, more cleanliness of living abroad, starting a business in London, important cities of the world... will have of in the streets, and to be the city of the avant- being an artist in Berlin,” she said. She wants course a very, very important influence,” Hidalgo garde that reflects its reputation and history.” more stores to be open on Sunday, especially in told The Associated Press. It will also send an Kosciusko-Morizet, who comes from a family tourist zones and luxury shopping streets - important message to leaders and voters in a of well-connected politicians, tried to break her while Hidalgo says she’d stick to the traditional country where women only got the vote at the end of World War II and where sexist attitudes ANANDPUR SAHIB: Sikh warrior Major Singh, wearing a 425-meter long tur- persist toward women in power. ban, brandishes a sword as he participates in a religious procession during Hidalgo, 54, has experience on her side, after the annual fair of ‘Hola Mohalla’ in Anandpur Sahib, in the northern Indian 13 years as the deputy to outgoing Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe. In all recent polls, Hidalgo state of Punjab yesterday. —AP leads center-right challenger Nathalie KosciuskoMorizet, a 40-year-old rising star of former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s party known Lankan police arrest 2 by her initials NKM. The race for Paris mayor - one of the most coveted jobs in French politics - human rights activists is one of several thousand underway across the country for municipal elections held in two COLOMBO: Sri Lankan anti-terrorist olution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human rounds March 23 and 30. police have arrested two prominent Rights Council calling for an internation- Both the top candidates in the capital pledge human rights activists in the country’s al probe of alleged war crimes if the to improve security and transport and to build former war zone in the latest crackdown nation fails to conduct one of its own. more public housing in one of the most expen- on rights defenders, colleagues and a Last week, authorities arrested an out- sive cities of the world. Hidalgo, whose parents media advocacy group said yesterday. spoken activist, Balendran Jeyakumari, emigrated from Spain when she was 2, plays a Both Ruki Fernando, an adviser for the and her 13-year-old daughter who were low-profile card, arguing she’d rather meet with Human Rights Documentation Center, campaigning for the release of relatives as many Parisians as possible than be a media star. She leads such a quiet campaign that she and Catholic priest Praveen of the missing from the war. Military spokesman has been accused of “hibernating” by her con- Center for Peace and Reconciliation Ruwan Wanigasooriya said they were servative opponents. have been prominent in promoting arrested for harboring a former rebel who “I’m very calm, very relaxed, very deter- human rights and media freedom in the shot at police and fled when they tried to mined,” Hidalgo told the AP. “We are going to island’s north, where government forces catch him. He said one policeman was write a new page for our city. We’re going to defeated separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in wounded. take up new challenges regarding ecology, soli- 2009. The United States expressed concern darity and democracy.” Hidalgo says she wants PARIS: In these file photos, Anne Hidalgo (left) and Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet are The charges under which they were over the arrests and detention of the to allocate 5 percent of the city investment pictured during a campaign rally in Paris. —AP arrested were not disclosed, according to activists and urged authorities “to budget - 71 million euros per year- to finance their colleagues and the Free Media ensure that all those detained are given projects from citizens’ initiatives. bourgeois image by adopting a more casual day of rest for employees. Movement, a local rights group. Sunil transparent and due legal process, Her ambitious challenger Kosciusko-Morizet, look, with loose wavy hair. But she also made Hidalgo benefits from Paris’ system of indi- Jayasekara of the Free Media Movement including full access to legal counsel.” a former environment minister during Sarkozy’s some spectacular blunders, for instance when rect voting, in which the mayor is chosen by the urged authorities to release them imme- “Both previous and on-going human presidency who hardly hides her interest in the she spoke of the “charm” of the Parisian metro. 163 members of the City Council. Voters choose diately. rights concerns have led many in the French presidency someday, was at first consid- The comment set off a flood of mockeries from council members based on party lists in Paris’ 20 Attempts to contact a police international community to push for a ered to have a real chance to win Paris. But her subway commuters forced to deal with often- districts, and Hidalgo’s Socialists are very likely spokesman for comment were unsuc- UN Human Rights Council resolution on campaign has been compromised by dissent in overcrowded, bad-smelling trains. to be ahead in some of the most populated cessful yesterday. Sri Lanka faces criti- the situation in Sri Lanka. With these her own party. Her party lists are facing dissi- Both have tried to spice up their programs. neighborhoods. Image will also play a role. cism for cracking down on rights latest actions, we remain convinced dent conservative candidates in some districts, Hidalgo wants to use a former railway that sur- According to surveys, Kosciusko-Morizet is activists and has rejected calls for an that continued scrutiny by the Human which could cost her some precious votes. rounds Paris -and even its tunnels- to create mostly perceived as “dynamic” and “combative,” international inquiry into the conduct of Rights Council is necessary,” the US One the one side, Hidalgo “does not have a places for urban art or mushroom and fish- said Yves-Marie Cann, political analyst with the career at the national level and is a man’s heir,” breeding farms. Kosciusko-Morizet proposes to CSA polling agency. Hidalgo’s main assets are the final months of the civil war. The Embassy in Colombo said in a state- said Gael Sliman, a political analyst with the convert unused “ghost” stations of the Paris her ability to be “attentive to Parisians” and to United States has sponsored a third res- ment. —AP French polling agency BVA. On the other side, metro - currently closed to the public - into unite people, and she is considered “a nice per- he said, Kosciusko-Morizet has “huge political gyms, swimming pools or nightclubs. son,” he said. Such qualities may be just what it resources, a career at the ministerial level, and Hidalgo benefits from the successful projects takes to become “Madame le maire.” —AP India denies Malaysian jet ‘9/11-style attack’ theory Myanmar opium fight failing

PARIS: India remains the biggest buyer 8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. NAMPATKA: Every morning, more than eradication efforts plunged. President dition he not be named because he feared tives for poor poppy-growing farmers. of arms in the world, importing nearly In 2009-13, however, the US still 100 heroin and opium addicts descend on Thein Sein’s spokesman, Ye Htut, indicated retribution. “I was told, quite flatly, ‘Mind The No. 123 Infantry army base and three times as many weapons as its accounted for only 7 percent of India’s the graveyard in this northeastern the decrease was linked to efforts to forge your own business.’” He said every family in several police posts overlook waves of nearest competitors China and purchases according to SIPRI. India’s Myanmar village to get high. When author- peace with dozens of ethnic rebel insur- the village is now affected: “Half the popu- white and pink poppies in full bloom on ities show up, it’s for their own quick fix: gencies that control the vast majority of lation of 8,000 uses. It’s not just opium or both sides of the dusty road leading to Pakistan over the last five years, a traditional rival Pakistan increased its Soldiers and police roll up the sleeves of the poppy growing territory. heroin anymore, but methamphetamines.” Nampakta, blanketing the sloping valleys Swedish think tank said yesterday. The weapons acquisitions by 119 percent, their dark green uniforms, seemingly obliv- Ye Htut said methamphetamines are cur- and jagged peaks as far as the eye can see. total volume of arms sales was up 14 growing from 2 percent of the global ious to passers-by. Nearby, junkies lean on Government control rently a bigger problem for Myanmar than Farmers living in wooden huts dotting the percent in 2009-13 compared to the total to 5 percent during that period. white tombstones, tossing dirty needles Nearly a dozen ceasefire agreements opium, with the precursor chemicals flood- landscape say the crops are patrolled by previous five years, according to the The five largest arms suppliers world- and syringes into the dry, golden grass. have been signed with various groups, but ing into the country from neighboring government-aligned civil militias known as Stockholm International Peace wide between 2009 and 2013 were the Others squat on the ground, sucking from several insurgencies, including the Shan India, but that several recent drug busts Pyi Thu Sit, which hold sway over many Research Institute (SIPRI). United States (29 percent of global crude pipes fashioned from plastic water State Army and the Ta’ang National show the government is taking law parts of Shan and Kachin states, the coun- bottles. Liberation Army, continue to hold out. If enforcement seriously. Those seizures try’s biggest producers of opium. Indian imports of major weapons exports), Russia (27 percent), Germany Together with other opium-growing Thein Sein goes after the rebels’ main focused primarily on meth, including the Jason Eligh, country manager of the rose by 111 percent in the last five (7 percent), China (6 percent) and regions of Myanmar, the village of source of income, the drug trade, he risks reported seizure of 1 million tablets in UN drugs and crime office, said pretty years compared to 2004-08. Its share of France (5 percent). Nampakta has seen an astonishing break- alienating them at a delicate time. But Yangon this month. much anyone with a gun has a role to play. total global arms imports increased They collectively accounted for 74 down of law and order since generals from many opium-growing towns and villages, Though the government eradicated The militias force farmers to grow poppies, from 7 to 14 percent, SIPRI said. India percent of total arms exports, SIPRI the formerly military-run country handed including Nampakta, are under govern- only about 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) lend them money for seeds, protect fields replaced China as the world’s biggest said. The world’s top five arms power to a nominally civilian government ment control. Here, authorities are in a of opium poppies last year, barely half the from being eradicated and ensure that arms buyer in 2010. With its domestic importers were now India, China, three years ago. The drug trade - and position to crack down but have chosen total of 2012, Ye Htut said he is hopeful buyers collect the opium and get it to mar- addiction - is running wild along the not to. future poppy eradication efforts - this time ket, collecting fees every step of the way. defense industry struggling to manu- Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and jagged frontier. In this village, roughly half “When I first assumed this post, I said to with the help of the US - will be more suc- Soldiers and police, in exchange for turn- facture high-tech arms, India is in the Saudi Arabia. “Chinese, Russian and US the population uses. “It’s all in the open my bosses, ‘We need to take action to stop cessful. He said sanctions imposed on the ing a blind eye, get a piece of the cut, the midst of a defense spending binge as it arms supplies to South Asia are driven now,” Daw Li said at the cemetery, wiping drugs,’” said a senior official in Nampatka country when it was under military rule official in Nampakta said. Dealers hanging struggles to keep up with better- by both economic and political consid- tears from her cheeks. As she stood before who spoke to The Associated Press on con- made it difficult to finance crop alterna- out at the graveyard, on street corners and equipped Chinese forces and a range erations,” said Siemon Wezeman, senior the graves of her two oldest sons, both vic- behind hillside homes pay security forces of military challenges in its volatile researcher with the SIPRI Arms tims of heroin overdoses, she could see to leave them alone, he said, adding that neighborhood. Transfers Program. addicts using drugs. some soldiers and police prefer to receive “Everyone used to hide in their houses. drugs as payment. The main supplier of arms to India “In particular, China and the USA They’d be secretive,” the 58-year-old widow in 2009-13 was Russia, accounting for appear to be using arms deliveries to said. “Now the dealers deal, the junkies Overcoming addiction 75 percent of all imports-reflecting Asia to strengthen their influence in shoot up. They couldn’t care less if some- Police work is how Naw San, a former India’s need to upgrade and modernize the region,” Wezeman said. Arms one is watching. “Why isn’t anyone trying narcotics officer, says he became a drug weapons systems dating back to their exports to Africa between 2004-08 and to stop this?” Myanmar was the world’s addict. “Whenever we were trying to get to close relationship during the Cold War. 2009-13 jumped 53 percent. The three biggest producer of opium, the main the drug dealers, we had to pretend we India has lately sought to diversify its largest importers in the region were ingredient in heroin, until 2003. The gov- were drug addicts to make sure they didn’t sources, looking particularly to the Algeria, Morocco and Sudan. Imports ernment spent millions on poppy eradica- recognize us as police,” the 32-year-old said tion, and drug syndicates began focusing from The Light of the World Rehabilitation United States. Figures from IHS Jane’s by European nations decreased by 25 more on the manufacturing methamphet- Center, a Baptist facility where he had released in February showed that India percent between 2004-2008 and 2009- amines. But within just a few years, poppy checked in three days earlier with his wife, became the biggest buyer of US 13. Britain was the largest importer of production started picking up. also an addict, and their 2-year-old daugh- weapons last year-with total imports major weapons in Europe (receiving 12 The UN Office on Drugs and Crime esti- ter. The girl, Tsaw Tsaw, is happy, easygoing worth $1.9 billion, and a string of percent of deliveries), followed by mates the country produced 870 tons of and possibly unaware that both her par- large-scale purchases including Azerbaijan (12 percent) and Greece (11 opium last year, a 26 percent increase over ents are so weak they can’t even hold her. NAMPATKA: In this photo, addicts use needles at a cemetery in Boeing’s C-17A transport aircraft and P- percent). —AFP 2012 and the highest figure recorded in a A volunteer at the center helps care for the decade. During the same period, drug Nampatka village, northeastern Shan State, Myanmar. —AP child. —AP TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Allegations stun border agent’s family

MISSION: Esteban Manzanares was working shot wound. The missing teenager was there, a local jailer and served in the Army National questions about Esteban Manzanares’ shift whereabouts have not been released, but ICE his regular day shift as a US Border Patrol too, bound and naked. Guard, she said. and activities that day to the FBI. said Friday the group was not in its custody. agent along the busiest stretch of Mexican Manzanares’ family has no idea what The federal law enforcement official and a Their future remains uncertain. Immigrant border when a trio of Honduran immigrants could have led the Border Patrol agent to his Limited help border patrol agent who helped in the victims of crime can be eligible for a special spotted him and offered to surrender. A apparent suicide. They said allegations that The day the FBI said Manzanares kid- search for the missing girl told the AP previ- visa that allows them to stay in the country to woman, her teenage daughter and a he kidnapped and assaulted the women napped and assaulted the immigrants, he ously that the woman was spotted on a bor- help authorities investigate a crime. teenage family friend later told authorities were even harder to comprehend. “Honestly, and Susana Manzanares texted each other der camera shortly after 5 pm Wednesday. Bryan Johnson, an immigration attorney they were taken into custody and driven I don’t know,” Manzanares’ ex-wife, Susana about the kids. In his last message to her, Agents made it to the area within about 10 in New York, said the teens may also be eligi- away from a popular county park just north Manzanares said Sunday. “It’s really hard to about 3:15 pm, he said he wanted to help minutes and started searching for the ble for green cards, depending on the cir- of the Rio Grande and upriver to a more believe.” She and Esteban Manzanares met with the kids. “I want to help in any way I can teenagers. Both the official and the agent cumstances of their home life in Honduras. remote, scrub brush-filled area. It was there, online about 10 years ago. She described but I am very limited,” he wrote. Susana spoke on the condition of anonymity After the attack, the new Customs and in this rugged no-man’s land between the him as a sweet, kind-hearted man who Manzanares said she sent him another mes- because they were not authorized to discuss Border Protection commissioner, R Gil river and a stretch of rust-covered steel bor- helped strangers. They married in 2006. sage at 5:23 pm to chat about plans to swap details of the case being investigated by the Kerlikowske, apologized for the incident. “I der fence, that the older woman says the The pair divorced earlier this year, but sofas. By then, according to officials who dis- FBI. Esteban Manzanares’ day shift was end- want you to know that I consider these group was assaulted by a man wearing green Susana Manzanares, 30, said they remained cussed the case with The Associated Press, ing as the search started. If he had his radio actions, if true, to be reprehensible and I fatigues who left the area with one of the friendly and spoke often, usually about their Manzanares had left the border with the on as he left the border, he likely would have know they are not representative of the girls. 6-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter, both teenage girl. At some point, he dropped off heard his colleagues start the search for him agents of the US Border Patrol,” Kerlikowske Based on the woman’s description of the of whom have cystic fibrosis. “What surprises his patrol truck at the nearby station in and the missing girl. said. “I am deeply sorry that this incident attacker’s clothing and his vehicle, investiga- me is that he would leave his children,” she McAllen, a border city about 350 miles south Investigators narrowed in on Manzanares occurred and am committed to doing every- tors quickly concluded the suspect was likely said as she watched her daughter, Artemis, of Houston. He never responded to his ex- hours later after finding blood and remnants thing in my power to prevent incidents like a US Border Patrol agent, according a federal toddle around the living room of her apart- wife’s message. of duct tape inside the vehicle he had been this from occurring again.” Susana law enforcement official. More than seven ment. The details of what happened between assigned for that day’s shift, the federal law Manzanares’ sister, Nelly Ceniceros, said the hours after the older woman was first spot- Manzaneres, 32, was originally from the the time other border patrol agents found enforcement official said. As authorities family just wants to know what happened. ted Wednesday, her wrists cut and bloodied, McAllen area and he had been with the the older woman near the border fence in a approached his apartment sometime after “We want the truth, even if the truth is some- agents from US Customs and Border Border Patrol since 2008, serving at a check- place called Abram and when investigators midnight Thursday they heard a gunshot. thing my sister and I and everybody else Protection, the FBI and Immigration and point further away from the border before heard a single gunshot inside his first-floor Since the attack the women have doesn’t want to hear,” said Ceniceros, an Customs Enforcement found Manzanares transferring to a station along the border to apartment remain unclear. The FBI has received medical attention for what the law Army soldier who drove to the Rio Grande dead in his apartment from what investiga- be closer to his children, his ex-wife said. declined to discuss specifics of the case. The enforcement official described this week as Valley from El Paso, Texas, after hearing about tors have described as a self-inflicted gun- Before joining the Border Patrol he worked as Homeland Security Department has referred non-life threatening injuries. Their exact her former brother-in-law’s death. —AP China rejects North Korean crimes report Report unfounded, ‘divorced from reality’ GENEVA: China dismissed a UN Chen said. China, as a member of the hold up to 120,000 people. But Chen at this moment in North Korea, hun- report alleging North Korea has UN Security Council, would have the said the report was based on infor- dreds of thousands of political pris- committed crimes against humanity, power to veto any move to refer mation and interviews collected oners are waiting for their death,” he effectively confirming the fears of North Korea to the Hague-based ICC. outside the country, without first said, adding that the report could human rights advocates that Beijing Diplomats had already warned hand information. “The question not be “thrown away like a used tis- will shield its ally Pyongyang from China was likely to object to the then arises: can such an inquiry be sue and forgotten”. international prosecution. The report, which also criticized Beijing truly credible?” The commission has US Ambassador Robert King, the report, published in February, for its treatment of North Korean been seeking a meeting with US envoy on North Korean human accused the reclusive country of defectors. Chinese officials in Geneva, UN offi- rights issues, said pressure on mass killings and torture compara- The chief author of the report, cials said. “We are not very optimistic Pyongyang would go on even if ble to Nazi-era atrocities and said retired Australian judge Michael that it will happen,” a UN official told China blocked a UN Security officials, possibly even Supreme Kirby, had opened the debate urging Reuters. Council resolution. “The fact that Leader Kim Jong Un himself, should the United Nations to take action. right now we may not be able to go face the International Criminal Court “Contending with the scourges of Defector forward as far as we’d like to go SEOUL: People check their gas masks during a civil defense drill. A nation- (ICC). Nazism, apartheid, the Khmer Rouge Shin Dong Hyuk, a North Korean does not mean that we’re going to wide civil defense drill took place, preparing for possible terror, natural dis- Chen Chuandong, a counselor at and other affronts required courage born in a political prison camp who stop and say we can’t do anything aster and sudden air attack by North Korea. —AP China’s mission in Geneva, told the by great nations and ordinary escaped after his mother and broth- more, and we’re not going to do it,” UN Human Rights Council yesterday human beings alike,” Kirby said. er were publicly executed, told he told reporters. “Human rights are that the independent commission of “It is now your solemn duty to Reuters he had expected China to not a quick and easy fix and we’re S Korea urges North to stop inquiry had made unfounded accu- address the scourge of human rights reject the report. But the “big pur- not going to stop.” North Korean sations and made recommendations violations and crimes against pose” of establishing the inquiry was Ambassador So Se Pyong reiterated ‘provocative’ rocket tests that were “divorced from reality”. humanity in the Democratic to get the report discussed at the Pyongyang’s rejection of the report, “The inability of the commission People’s Republic of Korea.” Kirby UN Security Council, he added. rubbishing it as a ridiculous provo- SEOUL: South Korea urged North Korea yes- The North has habitually slammed the Key to get support and cooperation from said the team’s findings, based on In a speech at the Geneva cation and a fabrication instigated terday to stop what it called “provocative” and Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises along with the country concerned makes it testimony from hundreds of victims, debate, he noted that millions of by the United States and other “hos- potentially dangerous rocket and missile other military drills south of the border-as impossible for the commission to defectors and witnesses, were people had been slaughtered in tile forces”, who he said should be tests, a day after Pyongyang test-fired 25 pro- rehearsals for an invasion. Seoul and carry out its mandate in an impartial, unequivocal, and demanded closure Nazi concentration camps during investigated for their own human jectiles into the sea. The North Sunday fired Washington say they are purely defensive. objective and effective manner,” of political prison camps believed to World War Two. “And 60 years later, rights records. —Reuters the volley of rockets into the Sea of Japan Last week the North’s powerful National (East Sea), the latest in a series of launches in Defense Commission threatened to demon- recent weeks that have sparked criticism strate its nuclear deterrent in the face of what from Seoul and Washington. The show of it called US hostility. But Seoul’s defense min- Too soon to say if force is apparently intended to express anger istry said there was no sign of an imminent at the South’s continuing joint military exer- nuclear test by the North, which staged three Thai’s trafficking cises with its ally the United States. atomic tests in 2006, 2009 and last year. As “The North should stop actions that cause the North continues to flex its military mus- victims Uighurs military tension and unnerve its neighbors,” cle, its leader Kim Jong-Un guided an air force Seoul’s defense ministry spokesman Kim Min- and air defense exercise, KCNA said yesterday. BEIJING: China’s foreign ministry said yesterday Seok told reporters. “Provocative action made The servicemen vowed to bring down that it was too soon to say if a group of about without any prior notifications... can pose sig- “robber-like US imperialists” when ordered by 200 people rescued by police from a human nificant danger to sea vessels and aircraft Kim as he praised their combat-readiness in smuggling camp in southern Thailand were passing by the area,” he added. The South’s the spirit of becoming “human bombs”, it Uighurs from China’s restive far western region military was closely watching the North’s said. Separately, Kim led a meeting of the rul- of Xinjiang. Thai police sources told Reuters that troop movements, Kim said, citing the possi- ing party’s Central Military Commission to bility of more rocket launches. discuss combat-readiness and “important the people were believed to be Uighurs, a The rockets fired on Sunday were ageing matters arising in increasing defense capabili- Muslim people who speak a Turkic language, versions of Russian-developed Frog rockets, ty”, the news agency said. many of whom chafe at Chinese restrictions on he said, noting that the North fired more than The meeting also discussed the military’s their culture and religion. normally expected. The US State Department “organizational issue”, it said, suggesting pos- “China and Thailand have unimpeded chan- called on Pyongyang to refrain from sible personnel changes aimed at strength- KAWASAKI: Shigeru Yokota (right) and his wife Sakie whose daughter was “provocative actions that aggravate tensions”. ening the young ruler’s grip on the armed kidnapped in 1977 by North Korean agents, walk to a press conference in nels on law and order and security cooperation,” Beijing expressed concern earlier this month forces. Former members of the commission Kawasaki yesterday. —AFP Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei after the North test-fired a rocket into the included Jang Song-Thaek, Kim’s once-pow- told a daily news briefing. “As of now the identi- flight path of a Chinese airliner. erful uncle who was executed last December Parents of Japan kidnap victim ty checks on the relevant people are still being China’s special envoy Wu Dawei arrived in for charges including treason. Hyon Yong- carried out and it’s not reasonable to reach con- Pyongyang yesterday, the North’s official Chol, who failed to secure a seat in this Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a month’s parliamentary election, was also a hail meeting with grandchild clusions at present, (as this) lacks a factual basis.” brief report which did not specify the trip’s member of the commission. But he is The US State Department said last week that purpose. The annual South Korean-US mili- believed to have been replaced-or to be TOKYO: The elderly mother of a Japanese dead. The couple had previously refused to they welcomed reports of the rescue of the tary drills started in late February and will run about to be replaced-after being dismissed as woman kidnapped and taken to North Korea meet Kim for fear of being used as a propa- until mid-April. military chief last year. —AFP as a schoolgirl yesterday hailed a “miraculous” ganda tool by Pyongyang to establish their Uighurs. Hong implied that such comments first meeting in Mongolia with her long-lost daughter’s death as fact. were unwarranted. “We’ve noticed that some granddaughter. Megumi Yokota who was countries have made improper comments while only 13 years old when she was kidnapped Mother still holds out hope the facts are unclear, which is highly irresponsi- New Thai ‘red shirt’ leader by North Korean agents in 1977 on her way Yokota was abducted by North Korean ble,” he said, without elaborating. The latest traf- home from school. The secretive state insists agents in the city of Niigata by the Sea of may push fight to save PM that Yokota killed herself in 1994, an explana- Japan (East Sea) and taken to North Korea by ficking victims brings the total number of peo- tion that Tokyo has long refused to accept. boat. In 2004, North Korea handed over to ple freed from human traffickers to well over BANGKOK: The new leader of Thailand’s military and the establishment, against sup- Yokota’s parents-father Shigeru, 81, and Japan cremated remains it claimed were 800 since Reuters exposed the whereabouts of pro-government “red shirt” movement said porters of Yingluck and her brother, ousted mother Sakie, 78 — spent five days last week Yokota’s. However, Tokyo said DNA tests con- the illegal camps in a Dec. 5 investigation. yesterday that his supporters would take to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, from with their granddaughter, 26-year-old Kim ducted in Japan proved the claim to be The raid is further evidence that human the streets in support of Prime Minister the rural north and northeast. Eun-Gyong, and her family in the Mongolian untrue. “We did not want to make the meet- Yingluck Shinawatra if the elite or the If the red shirts were to launch counter capital Ulan Bator, Japan’s foreign ministry ing with her (Kim) anything that involves smugglers in southern Thailand - already a noto- courts dared try to oust her. The red shirts protests it would risk escalating violence, said Sunday. “What we have dreamt about for political matters,” the abducted woman’s rious trafficking hub for Rohingya boat people have kept to the sidelines during the past and could further destabilize Yingluk’s gov- such a long time has come true-they were mother said yesterday. “She has grown up in from Myanmar - are exploiting well-oiled net- 4-1/2 months of political unrest in Thailand, ernment. Their restraint, however, could miraculous days for us,” Yokota’s mother told a that country. We weren’t sure how much of works to transport other nationalities in large while anti-government protesters forced disappear, under the new leader. Jatuporn press briefing yesterday near Tokyo. the truth she could tell us.” numbers, despite an ongoing crackdown by state offices to close and disrupted an elec- helped organise the uprising against a pre- tion in February. vious government that ended in a bloody “We had hoped to meet her as a family... It But Yokota’s heart-broken mother still Thai police. Unrest in China’s Xinjiang has killed was a pleasing and wonderful moment.” holds out hope that her only daughter is still Any further threat to Yingluk could see military crackdown in May 2010, and sup- Yokota became a symbol of a bitter bilateral alive. “I keep telling myself that she must be more than 100 people in the past year, prompt- their patience snap, warned Jatuporn porters like his no-nonsense attitude. row over Pyongyang’s abduction of Japanese fine in North Korea and did not ask much ing a crackdown by Chinese authorities. Prompan, who became leader of the He replaced Thida Thawornseth, a former nationals in the 1970s and 1980s, mainly about it,” the woman said. “I still hold onto the In 2009, 20 Uighurs were deported from United Front for Democracy against member of the banned Communist Party of aimed at training North Korean spies in belief (that she is alive) just as I always have.” Cambodia to China despite the objections of Dictatorship (UDD), as the red shirts are for- Thailand whose schoolteacher demeanor Japanese language and customs. Pyongyang Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has the United Nations and human rights groups, mally known, at the weekend. Thousands and lofty speeches left some wondering admitted in 2002 that it abducted about a long championed to solve the kidnapping of supporters attended the rally in whether she was out of touch with the dozen Japanese nationals over the two issue by taking a hawkish policy against the who said they faced lengthy jail terms upon Ayutthaya north of Bangkok to witness the movement’s grassroots supporters. decades, and said eight of them had died, a secretive state, said he was “moved” by news their return. New York-based Human Rights change of leadership. “We’re going to fight “Thida had the theories, but Jatuporn is claim rejected by Tokyo. of the meeting. Watch also criticized Malaysia for deporting six tooth and nail to defend this government a man of action. We can count on him to The kidnapped woman’s father said he “I think it was a really good thing that Uighurs to China last December. At least 100 but we will do so peacefully,” Jatuporn told lead us,” said Chinawoot Eak-pan, an office was happy to meet Kim and her baby girl- (their meeting) came true, thanks to the Uighur men, women and children are being Reuters yesterday. security guard and red shirt supporter from their great grandchild-whom they were told cooperation from the Mongolian govern- “Thailand’s political crisis will not end Bangkok. Jatuporn still faces terrorism was born in May last year. “We had seen her ment,” he told reporters. “I am resolved to held at an immigration detention centre in with these street protests. This is about the charges related to the violence in 2010. (Kim) many times on television, but it was the make my utmost effort towards entirely solv- Bangkok, part of a small but growing number Bangkok elite denying grassroots people Yesterday, Thai army chief Prayuth Chan- first time to meet her in person,” he said. The ing the abduction issue.” The meeting was arrested for illegally entering Thailand, most the right to play a part in the democratic ocha called Jatuporn “a bandit”, telling elderly couple said they did not ask about the arranged earlier this month on the sidelines likely overland through Laos from southwest process. We can’t let this go on.” The crisis reporters that “if they (red shirts) are fate of their daughter Megumi. Japan’s Jiji of talks between Japan and North Korea in China. —Reuters pits protesters, mainly middle class Bangkok aggressive towards the military, I’ll be Press news agency reported Sunday that Kim the Chinese city of Shenyang involving Red residents and southerners backed by the aggressive, too”. —Reuters reiterated to the Yokotas that her mother was Cross and government officials. —AFP NEWS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

Co-pilot spoke last words from jet Jagger’s girlfriend Continued from Page 1 neighbour to “immediately” expand and clarify the scope of the search. About two-thirds of the passengers aboard cate it was the co-pilot who basically spoke the last time MH370 were Chinese. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott it was recorded on tape,” Ahmad Jauhari said yesterday, said he had spoken to Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak by found dead in NYC when asked who it was believed had spoken those words. telephone, and had offered more surveillance resources in That was a sign-off to air traffic controllers at 1.19 am, as the addition to the two P-3C Orion aircraft his country has NEW YORK: Fashion designer L’Wren Beijing-bound plane left Malaysian airspace. already committed. The last transmission from the ACARS system - a mainte- Malaysian Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Scott, the girlfriend of Rolling Stones nance computer that relays data on the plane’s status - had Hussein said diplomatic notes had been sent to all countries frontman Mick Jagger, has been been received at 1.07 am, as the plane crossed Malaysia’s along the northern and southern search corridors, request- found dead at her apartment in New northeast coast and headed out over the Gulf of Thailand. ing radar and satellite information as well as land, sea and air York, the rocker’s spokesman said yes- “We don’t know when the ACARS was switched off after search operations. The Malaysian navy and air force were terday. The spokesman said Jagger that,” Ahmad Jauhari said. “It was supposed to transmit 30 also searching the southern corridor, he said, and US P-8A was “completely shocked and devas- minutes from there, but that transmission did not come Poseidon surveillance aircraft were being sent to Perth, in tated” by the death of the 49-year-old through.” Western Australia, to help scour the ocean. Scott. US media reported that she was Police and a multi-national investigation team may never The plane’s disappearance has baffled investigators and found hanged. Jagger, 70, is currently know for sure what happened in the cockpit unless they find aviation experts. It vanished from civilian air traffic control in Perth, Australia, where he is touring the plane, and that in itself is a daunting challenge. Satellite screens off Malaysia’s east coast less than an hour after tak- with the Stones, according to his offi- data suggests it could be anywhere in either of two vast cor- ing off from Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian authorities believe cial Twitter account. ridors that arc through much of Asia: one stretching north that, as the plane crossed the northeast coast and flew Scott, an American former model, from Laos to the Caspian, the other south from west of the across the Gulf of Thailand, someone on board shut off its had dated the Rolling Stones front- NEW YORK: This Feb. 16, 2012 file photo shows singer Mick Jagger with Indonesian island of Sumatra into the southern Indian communications systems and turned west. man since 2001 following his split designer L’Wren Scott after her Fall 2012 collection was modeled dur- Ocean west of Australia. That has focused attention on the crew. Malaysian police from wife Jerry Hall. “He is completely ing Fashion Week. Scott was found dead yesterday. — AP Aviation officials in Pakistan, India, and Central Asian are trawling through the backgrounds of the pilots, flight shocked and devastated by the news,” unresponsive,” a police spokeswoman respond to a “possible cardiac arrest”. countries Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan - as well as Taleban and ground staff for any clues to a possible motive in what his spokesman said. New York police told AFP. “She was pronounced dead “We cannot release any more infor- militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan - said they knew noth- they say is now being treated as a criminal investigation. confirmed that officers found a dead on arrival. The investigation is ongo- mation before any proper family ing about the whereabouts of the plane. “The idea that the Asked if pilot or co-pilot suicide was a line of inquiry, woman after being called to an apart- ing. The medical examiners will deter- notification,” the police spokes- plane flew through Indian airspace for several hours without Hishammuddin said: “We are looking at it.” But he added it mine the cause of death.” woman said. The US media said the anyone noticing is bizarre,” a defence ministry official said, was only one of the possibilities under investigation. ment at 200 11th Avenue in speaking on condition of anonymity. Police special branch officers searched the homes of the Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood A spokesman for the New York six-foot, four-inch Scott was found Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban in captain, 53-year-old Zaharie Ahmad Shah, and first officer, shortly after 10:00 am (1400 GMT). Fire Department confirmed only that hanging with a scarf around her Afghanistan, who are seeking to oust foreign troops and set 27-year-old Fariq Abdul Hamid, in middle-class suburbs of “Upon arrival, officers discovered a firefighters had found a dead body neck. No note was found, local up an Islamic state, said the missing plane had nothing to do Kuala Lumpur close to the international airport on Saturday. 49-year-old female unconscious and when called to the address to media reported. —AFP with them. “It happened outside Afghanistan and you can Among the items taken for examination was a flight simula- see that even countries with very advanced equipment and tor Zaharie had built in his home. A senior police official facilities cannot figure out where it went,” he said. “So we familiar with the investigation said the flight simulator pro- MP threatens to grill oil minister also do not have any information as it is an external issue.” grams were closely examined, adding they appeared to be China, which has been vocal in its impatience with normal ones that allow users to practise flying and landing Continued from Page 1 agencies from joining any political party. The bill permits Malaysian efforts to find the plane, called on its smaller in different conditions. — Reuters only Kuwaiti citizens on joining political parties and calls announce the names of those involved and the for the establishment of a political parties commission to amount of money they received. The case is known as be headed by the chairman of the judicial council or his Obama tells Abbas ‘risks’ needed... the illegal bank deposits scandal. deputy that will look into applications of parties. In another development, five MPs yesterday submit- MP Yacoub Al-Sane said yesterday that there is noth- Continued from Page 1 Obama told Netanyahu when they met at the White ted a draft law calling to allow the establishment of ing that prevents the Assembly from debating propos- House on March 3 that the peace framework cannot be political parties, currently banned under the Kuwaiti law. als to amend the constitution, which has not been “elusive” peace agreement between Israel and the simply a deal agreed by Israel and the United States and The bill, which was submitted by MPs Ali Al-Rashed, amended since it was issued about 53 years ago. Sane Palestinians, saying it would be based on 1967 lines then presented to the Palestinians as a take-it-or-leave- Faisal Al-Duwaisan, Abdulhameed Dashti, Awdah Al- has been preparing to propose the amendment of the with mutual land swaps. it offer. But officials also privately say that the Ruwaie and Safa Al-Hashem, allows Kuwaitis to set up constitution to increase the Assembly members from Abbas did not directly address the Israeli govern- Palestinians will be required to make concessions on political parties that should specifically defend the Arab the current 50 to 60 mainly to improve the representa- ment’s demand for the Palestinians to recognize Israel issues like the return of refugees and borders if they are and Islamic identity of Kuwait. tion of the five constituencies and to allow the Cabinet as a “Jewish” state. He noted through a translator that to secure a state at long last. The draft law bans the establishment of political par- to increase its membership. Under the law, the number the Palestinians had recognized Israel’s legitimacy in However, despite intensive diplomacy by Secretary ties on the basis of religion, sex, colour or creed and of the ministers should not exceed one-third of the 1988 and in “1993 we recognized the state of Israel”. of State John Kerry, the two sides appear to have made banned servicemen and those working in the security Assembly strength. Abbas also noted the agreement that the Palestinians little progress since the talks resumed in July after a have with Israel on the release of a fourth batch of pris- three year freeze. Abbas met Kerry on Sunday for what a oners by March 29. “This will give a very solid impres- senior State Department official said were “frank and sion about the seriousness of these efforts to achieve productive” discussions. “We are at a pivotal time in the US seizes control of rogue ship peace,” Abbas said. “We don’t have any time to waste. negotiations and while these issues have decades of Time is not on our side, especially given the very diffi- history behind them, neither party should let tough Continued from Page 1 Cyprus court declined to issue arrest warrants as cult situation that the Middle East is experiencing and political decisions at this stage stand in the way of a authorities had no evidence that the alleged offence the entire region is facing,” he said. lasting peace,” the official said. The Seals operated from the USS Roosevelt, a guided was committed within the island’s territorial waters. Israeli ministers said last week that they would have The most nettlesome issues in the peace process missile destroyer which provided helicopter support, Local media said the three flew in to Larnaca on a pri- difficulty approving the prisoner release if agreement include the contours of a future Palestinian state, the while sailors from another destroyer, the USS Stout, vate jet late Friday, hired a boat from the marina and was not reached to extend the peace talks. Israel com- fate of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees, Israeli settle- boarded the tanker and prepared to sail it to an went out to the tanker to negotiate with the crew. mitted to the release of 104 Palestinian prisoners in four ments, security and mutual recognition. The unnamed port in Libya, the statement read. Police monitored their movements and the boat was tranches when talks were launched in July. It has so far Palestinians want borders based on the lines that pre- The Morning Glory last week slipped through a intercepted once they were back in Cyprus waters. The released 78 of those in three batches. Ahead of the ceded the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel captured the Libyan naval blockade of the eastern port of Al-Sidra - trio flew out to Tel Aviv on Sunday night. White House talks, thousands of Palestinians rallied in West Bank, including now-annexed Arab east controlled by rebels seeking autonomy from Tripoli - The oil tanker’s escape after Libyan authorities had West Bank cities to show support for Abbas. “We’re here Jerusalem. They have also insisted there should be no after reportedly being loaded with some 234,000 bar- repeatedly vowed to take all measures to stop it dra- today to stand up to pressures upon us and make sure Israeli troops in their future state. But Israel wants to rels of crude. Libya’s interim government confirmed the matically underscored the weakness of the central gov- president Abbas adheres to his convictions,” said Nasser retain existing settlements it has built inside occupied takeover of the ship and thanked “particularly the ernment, which has struggled to rein in heavily-armed Eddin Al-Shaer, a former Palestinian education minister Palestinian territory over the past decades. It also wants United States and the Republic of Cyprus.” It said in a former rebels from the 2011 revolt. Rebels pressing for and member of Fatah’s Islamist rivals Hamas, at a 5,000- to maintain a military presence in the Jordan Valley, statement that the tanker was on its way to Libya and autonomy for Libya’s eastern Cyrenaica region epicentre strong rally in the northern West Bank city of Nablus. where the West Bank borders Jordan. — AFP that crewmembers “will be treated in accordance with of the revolt against Gaddafi - have been blockading national and international laws”. “Oil is the lifeblood of the country’s eastern oil terminals since July, leading to the national economy and any attack on the treasures a decline in oil exports from 1.5 million barrels a day to Foreign recruitment set to begin on April 1 of the Libyan people is unacceptable and cannot go just 250,000. without a response,” it added. But the loading of the Morning Glory and its escape Continued from Page 1 More details about the new regulations should Cyprus said its vessels had deployed to monitor the to sea marked a major escalation in the struggle and become clear when recruitment opens officially at the tanker’s course as it made its way near the triggered the ouster last Tuesday of the liberal-backed This measure will help fight visa trafficking which beginning of next month, such as a requirement to pass Mediterranean island, remaining in international waters Zeidan, whose inability to bring law and order to Libya happens when employers fail to provide workers with job tests proposed in earlier reports to curb the access and eventually stopping 18 nautical miles south of the was highlighted by his own brief abduction by armed actual jobs, thus leaving the workers to look for work of unskilled workers into Kuwait. southern port city of Limassol. However, the tanker did men late last year. The Morning Glory originally was a somewhere else. Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Subaih not ask for authorisation to moor in a Cypriot port, and North Korean-flagged ship, but Pyongyang yesterday Before recruiting labor forces, a company needs to had also stated earlier that the ministry is studying a early Monday Cypriot officials were notified that the “cancelled and deleted” its registry on grounds it was meet conditions of having openings in its file at the system of quotas for the expatriate community in tanker “was placed under the control of the US Navy carrying contraband material. ministry’s database, having a record clear of labor-relat- Kuwait, which will organize the entry of foreign labor and is being escorted by US Navy vessels on a westerly The United States has viewed the chaos in Libya with ed violations, depositing monthly salaries in staff bank forces. This system is not expected to be enforced until course”. In a related development, reports in the Cypriot growing alarm since an attack on its mission in the east- accounts regularly and recruiting the required percent- after the establishment of the Labor Public Authority media said two Israelis and a Senegalese national were ern city of Benghazi on Sept 11, 2012, in which US age of Kuwaiti manpower. A work permit will only be later this year to replace the flawed sponsorship or questioned by police in Cyprus on Saturday on suspi- ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans issued after a 90-day probation period. ‘kafala’ system in handling expatriates’ affairs. cion of negotiating to buy crude from the tanker. A were killed. — AFP TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Issues Ukraine casts pall over Iran nuclear talks

By George Jahn

ehran may have a new ally today when Iran nuclear talks reconvene - the Ukraine crisis. US- TRussian tensions over Ukraine could fray the search for consensus on what Iran needs to do to ease fears it could make atomic arms. Both Washington and Moscow are emphasizing that their commitment to eliminating any Iranian proliferation threat overrides their clash over Ukraine. But diplo- mats tell AP that Moscow and Washington are wide apart on how much Tehran needs to trim its nuclear program, a split that Iran could exploit. US cites security to censor, deny records Ahead of the resumption of the Vienna talks, US State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said By Ted Bridis and Jack Gillum respond quickly,” Schultz said. worse last year than previously. “It’s a determined that. The Pentagon reported she expects Russia to “remain an active partner” in bureaucracy,” Cook said. “As often as it’s at least two requests still pending after the attempt to persuade Tehran to agree to long- he Obama administration has a way Sunshine Week about trying to keep data from falling 10 years and the CIA was still working on term nuclear curbs in exchange for full sanctions to go to fulfill its promises from Day Sunday was the start of Sunshine into the hands of reporters, it’s the con- at least four requests from more than relief. A senior Russian diplomat said his country T1 to become the most transparent Week, when news organizations pro- tractor looking for ways to reduce the eight years ago. would work “actively” to reach a deal. He demanded administration in history. More often than mote open government and freedom of caseload. It’s just bureaucrats trying to The AP’s request to the Health and anonymity because he did not have permission from ever, the administration censored gov- information. The chief of the Justice get home earlier and have less to do.” Human Services Department for con- Moscow to comment. ernment files or outright denied access to Department’s Office of Information The AP could not determine whether tracts with public-relations companies to But former US nuclear negotiator Gary Samore them last year under the US Freedom of Policy, which oversees the open records the administration was abusing the promote Obama’s health care law has says any superpower tensions will make Tehran feel Information Act, cited more legal excep- law, told the Senate last week that some national security exception or whether been pending for more than one year. “under much less pressure to make concessions”. tions it said justified withholding materi- of the 99 agencies in the past five years the public asked for more documents Requests for files about the Affordable That, in turn, could affect what the US sees as central als and refused a record number of times have released documents in full or in about sensitive subjects. The NSA said its Care Act and the IRS’s treatment of tax- goal - reducing the number of Iranian centrifuges set to turn over files quickly that might be part in more than 90 percent of cases. 138 percent surge in records requests exempt political groups have languished up at uranium enrichment sites. Iran says its enrich- especially newsworthy, according to a She noted the record number of requests were from people asking whether it had in government offices for months. ment program is meant only to make lower-enriched new analysis of federal data by AP. Most for government records, which exceeded collected their phone or email records, Similarly, the AP has waited for more fuel for reactors, scientific research or for medical agencies also took longer to answer 700,000 for the first time last year, and which it generally refuses to confirm or than 10 months for emails between the treatments. But because enrichment to very high lev- records requests. said decisions are harder than ever. “The deny. To do otherwise, the NSA said, IRS and outside Democratic super PACs els creates weapons-grade uranium used in nuclear The government’s own figures from 99 requests are more complex than they would pose an “an unacceptable risk” about tea party groups. warheads, Washington wants Tehran to scale back federal agencies covering six years show were before,” director Melanie Pustay because terrorists could check to see After Rep Paul Ryan was selected as from nearly 20,000 centrifuges to no more than a few that halfway through its second term, the told the Senate Judiciary Committee. whether the US had detected their activi- the Republican vice presidential candi- thousand. administration has made few meaningful The government’s responsiveness ties. It censored records or fully denied date, the AP asked scores of federal improvements in the way it releases under the FOIA is widely viewed as a access to them in 4,246 out of 4,328 agencies for copies of letters he wrote to Demands barometer of its transparency. Under the requests, or 98 percent of the time. them. At least seven turned over the Russia’s demands are far less strict. Two diplomats records. In category after category - Slow Motion records after the election in Nov 2012. told the AP that Moscow was open to Iran keeping except for reducing numbers of old law, citizens and foreigners can compel Some didn’t even acknowledge AP’s many more of the machines - perhaps even the sta- requests and a slight increase in how tus quo of the nearly 20,000 - with further negotia- often it waived copying fees - the govern- request for Ryan’s letters until months tions on how many would be allowed to operate. ment’s efforts to be more open about its after Obama was sworn in for a second Moscow’s condition would be that Iran ratify an activities last year were their worst since term. Last year, the government denied agreement with the UN nuclear agency that would President Barack Obama took office. 6,689 out of 7,818 requests for so-called give agency experts wide-ranging inspection powers In a year of intense public interest over expedited processing, which moves an to make sure Tehran’s nuclear program is peaceful, the National Security Agency’s surveil- urgent request for newsworthy records they said. The diplomats are familiar with the details lance programs, the government cited to the front of the line for a speedy of the closed-door talks but demanded anonymity national security to withhold information answer, or about 86 percent. It denied because they were not authorized to discuss them. a record 8,496 times - a 57 percent only 53 percent of such requests in 2008. China usually supports Russia’s position at the increase over a year earlier and more than The EPA denied 458 out of 468 expe- negotiations, but Moscow’s stance is rejected by the double Obama’s first year, when it cited diting requests. The State Department, United States, Britain, France and Germany. Moscow that reason 3,658 times. The Defense where expedited processing can save and Washington have been able to bridge previous Department, including the NSA, and the 100 days of waiting time for example, differences over Iran. And former State Department CIA accounted for nearly all those. The denied 332 of 344 such requests. The official Mark Fitzpatrick notes that even during the Agriculture Department’s Farm Service Homeland Security Department denied Cold War, the two nations cooperated “despite many Agency cited national security six times, 1,384 or 94 percent of expediting periods of intense distrust.” the Environmental Protection Agency did requests. The Justice Department, which Fitzpatrick, who is now with the International twice and the National Park Service once. denied AP’s request for video its investi- Institute for Strategic Studies, lists Russian-US team- And five years after Obama directed gators obtained days after the Navy Yard work on bringing about the nuclear Nonproliferation agencies to less frequently invoke a “delib- shooting, denied 900 out of 1,017 such Treaty and extending its reach as well as concluding erative process” exception to withhold requests. several arms control agreements as examples of how materials describing decision-making The US spent a record $420 million common interests can override even the worst ten- behind the scenes, the government did it answering requests plus just over $27 sions. Still, he says a Moscow at odds with anyway, a record 81,752 times. “I’m con- million in legal disputes, and charged Washington over larger geopolitical issues could put cerned the growing trend toward relying people $4.3 million to search and copy its own agenda - including building nuclear reactors upon FOIA exemptions to withhold large documents. The government waived fees for Iran - above cooperation. Russia, he says, always swaths of government information is hin- about 58 percent of the time that people “marches to its own drum.” dering the public’s right to know,” said Sen asked, a 1 percent improvement over the Samore, of Harvard’s Belfer Center, says Iran is Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate previous year. bound to feel “emboldened” - and public statements Judiciary Committee. “It becomes too Sometimes, the government said it from Tehran seem to mesh with that view. At the much of a temptation. If you screw up in searched and couldn’t find what citizens same time Moscow is negotiating on reducing Iran’s government, just mark it ‘top secret.’” wanted. The Office of the Director of nuclear program, it is in talks on expanding it by Citizens, journalists, businesses and National Intelligence, whose top official building new reactors there. Iranian Foreign Minister others last year made a record 704,394 has testified to Congress repeatedly Javad Zarif said last week his country and Russia had requests for information, an 8 percent about NSA surveillance programs dis- common interests, and that Tehran was banking on increase over the previous year. The gov- closed by contractor Edward Snowden, “Moscow’s help to reach the final agreement.” ernment responded to 678,391 requests, told the AP it couldn’t find any records or Iran’s Fars news agency, meanwhile, appeared to an increase of 2 percent over the previous emails in its offices asking other federal take a dig at veiled US threats of military strikes if year. The AP analysis showed that the gov- agencies to be on the lookout for jour- negotiations fail and Washington believes that ernment more than ever censored materi- nalists to whom Snowden provided clas- Tehran is working on a bomb. It republished a car- als it turned over or fully denied access to the government to turn over copies of Journalists and others who need infor- sified materials. toon showing President Barack Obama peering into them, in 244,675 cases or 36 percent of all federal records for zero or little cost. mation quickly to report breaking news British intelligence authorities had an empty paint can marked “Red Line”. The cartoon requests. On 196,034 other occasions, the Anyone who seeks information through fared worse than ever last year. Blocking detained one reporter’s partner for nine shows a grinning Russian President Vladimir Putin government said it couldn’t find records, a the law is generally supposed to get it news organizations from urgently obtain- hours at Heathrow airport and ques- walking away, with the caption: “I think you used it all person refused to pay for copies or the unless disclosure would hurt national ing records about a government scandal tioned him under terrorism laws. DNI on Syria.” —AP government determined the request to security, violate personal privacy or or crisis - such as the NSA’s phone-records James Clapper has at least twice publicly be unreasonable or improper. expose business secrets or confidential collection, Boston bombings, trouble described the reporters as “accomplices” Sometimes, the government censored decision-making in certain areas. It cited with its healthcare website, the deadly to Snowden, who is charged under the only a few words or an employee’s phone such exceptions a record 546,574 times shootings at the Washington Navy Yard or US Espionage Act and faces up to 30 All articles appearing on these number, but other times it completely last year. the attack on the diplomatic mission in years in prison. pages are the personal opinion of marked out nearly every paragraph on “The public is frustrated and unhappy Benghazi - can delay uncovering signifi- Likewise, Cook, departing as the edi- the writers. Kuwait Times takes no pages. The White House said the govern- with the pace of responses and the cant developments until after decisions tor at Gawker, was exasperated when the ment’s figures demonstrate “that agen- amount of information provided,” Sen are made and the public’s interest has State Department told him it couldn’t responsibility for views expressed cies are responding to the president’s call Richard Blumenthal said at the same waned. find any emails between journalists and therein. Kuwait Times invites read- for greater transparency.” White House congressional hearing. “There’s a com- The government said the average Philippe Reines, Hillary Clinton’s personal ers to voice their opinions. Please spokesman Eric Schultz noted that the mon reaction for anybody who has any time it took to answer a records request spokesman when Clinton was secretary send submissions via email to: opin- government responded to more requests experience with it that it doesn’t function ranged from less than one day to nearly of state. BuzzFeed published a lengthy than previously and said it released more well.” two years. AP’s analysis showed that and profane email exchange about the [email protected] or via snail information. “Over the past five years, fed- John Cook, the incoming new editor most agencies took longer to answer 2012 attack on the diplomatic mission in mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. eral agencies have worked aggressively at the Intercept, the online magazine requests than the previous year, Benghazi between Reines and its corre- The editor reserves the right to edit to improve their responsiveness to FOIA founded by investor Pierre Omidyar, said although the White House said the gov- spondent, Michael Hastings. “They said any submission as necessary. requests, applying a presumption of his experience under the open records ernment responded more quickly and there were no records,” Cook said of the openness and making it a priority to law was “abysmal” but not especially did not immediately explain how it State Department. —AP TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 SPORTS

Seedorf gets Milan backing Referee admits Yoshida tops wrestling team MILAN: AC Milan owner and president Silvio Berlusconi has given under-fire coach offside errors TOKYO: Grieving Olympic champion Saori Yoshida said she felt the presence of her late Clarence Seedorf his backing amid speculation the Dutchman could be on his way father on the wrestling mat after leading Japan to the World Cup women’s team title out of the club. just five days after his sudden death. Yoshida held up a portrait of her father Eikatsu, a Milan suffered their third consecutive league defeat on Sunday in a 4-2 reverse PARIS: Referee Freddy Fautrel admitted he was wrong to award coach of the women’s team, after the final and clutched a pouch containing his ashes at home to Parma having been reduced to 10 men inside 10 minutes when goal- Monaco three offside goals as the principality team claimed a 3- on the victory podium following Japan’s win on Sunday. keeper Christian Abbiati was sent off. 2 win at Olympique Lyon in a Ligue 1 clash on Sunday. It was a brave performance by the emotional Yoshida, whose 61-year-old father suf- The result dropped Milan to 12th, a massive 40 points behind Fautrel and his assistants failed to notice that Monaco forward fered a brain haemorrhage en route to Tokyo for the team’s leaders Juventus and 12 behind city rivals Inter, who sit fifth Dimitar Berbatov was in an offside position when he scored one training camp and was found dead in his car last Tuesday. and in the first available Europa League spot. Media specu- and set up the other two goals for the visitors. Yoshida, 31, attended the funeral and despite her grief lation yesterday suggested Milan had already lost “I made judgement errors that changed the context of the and a knee injury she battled through the two-day event to help Japan win their seventh title. Afterwards Yoshida, patience with Seedorf, who took up his first senior coach- game,” Fautrel was quoted as saying by sports daily L’Equipe yes- with 11 straight 55kg world freestyle titles, she said she ing position in January when he inherited an ailing side terday. “There were two lads (the assistant referees) who were would go for her fourth Olympic title in a row at the from former handler Massimiliano Allegri in January. feeling very bad in the dressing room and a stunned refereeing 2016 Games in honor of her father. However Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minis- team.” “He (Eikatsu) used to sit in the stands or in the sec- ter, insisted: “Seedorf is not up for discussion, he will Lyon coach Remi Garde opted against criticising the officials. ond’s corner,” Yoshida told media after Japan’s 8-0 win remain our coach even next year.” “I am not going to talk about it because I would risk a suspen- over Russia in the final. “Today, I felt my father was out Milan’s latest league defeat, their fourth in nine games sion,” he said. The win put second-placed Monaco on 62 points there with me on the mat,” she said. “I felt my father’s under Seedorf, prompted dozens of hard-line support- from 29 games, eight behind Paris St Germain, who beat St power.” ers to stage a protest outside the club’s shared San “At the (2016) Rio Olympics, I want to go for a Siro ground on Sunday after a brief meeting was Etienne 2-0 on Sunday. Lyon are fifth on 45 points, eight adrift of fourth straight title for my father,” Yoshida added. held with Seedorf and several key players, third-placed Lille, who occupy the Champions League third The Japanese great started wrestling at the age including Kaka and Mario Balotelli.—AFP round qualifying spot. — Reuters of just three under her father’s guidance.—AFP Firearms expert tells of Pistorius’ love of guns

PRETORIA: Months before he killed his girlfriend, the washing machine on and thinking its (sic) an 2012, a few months before the runner made history when he arrived at Pistorius’ house on the night of Oscar Pistorius said he drew his gun and went into intruder to go into full combat recon mode into the by competing at the London Olympics. Pistorius the killing. One photograph of the runner, taken in “combat mode” after hearing the noise of a possible pantry!” Pistorius said he killed Steenkamp by acci- wanted Rens to find a “specific” gun for him, Rens his garage, showed unexplained scuff marks on his intruder at home, which turned out to be a laundry dent before dawn on Feb. 14, 2013, shooting her testified, a Smith & Wesson 500 revolver handgun. bloodied prosthetic limbs. machine, a South African guns expert testified yes- through a closed toilet door after mistaking her for Rens also listed five other guns Pistorius was Another photograph from the Paralympian’s terday at the athlete’s murder trial. an intruder in his home. Prosecutors say he killed hoping to procure under a collector’s license. They bedroom showed a box with a label that said “Testis Sean Rens, manager of the International Firearm her intentionally after an argument. were a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, the compositum.” The runner’s representatives have Training Academy in Walkerville town, also said he Prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked Rens to describe civilian version of a Vector .223-caliber assault rifle, identified the substance as an herbal remedy used had many conversations about firearms with how Pistorius was quizzed on how to handle a and three shotguns: A Mossberg shotgun, a for “muscle recovery.” A product by that name also Pistorius, who is accused of murdering his girl- firearm in various scenarios, for example when two Maverick shotgun and a Winchester shotgun. is sold as a sexual enhancer. Testis compositum is friend, Reeva Steenkamp. He said the double- unidentified men approach the house of a gun Pistorius applied to the South African police’s marketed by some online retailers in both oral and amputee runner had “a great love and enthusiasm” owner; then when they break into the house, begin National Firearms Centre for licenses to own these injectable forms as a testosterone booster and sex- for guns. to steal belongings and order the gun owner to guns on Jan. 22, 2013, according to the center’s ual performance aid that contains the testicles, Rens said he met Pistorius in 2012 and trained in leave; and if the men threaten to kill the gun owner, records, just three weeks before he shot dead heart and embryo of pigs, among other ingredients. a gun range with him, and that Pistorius was seek- who is behind a security gate in the house. Steenkamp in his home using his 9 mm Parabellum Some retailers also say it can be used to treat ing to collect guns. In one conversation, Pistorius In each case, Rens said, Pistorius correctly pistol, the only gun he was licensed to have at the fatigue. Also found in the bedroom was a box with described how he was startled by a noise at home answered “No” when asked if it was OK to fire at the time, for self-defense. Pistorius’ applications for the label “Coenzyme compositum” as well as and decided to clear the house by drawing his gun men. He correctly said he was only entitled to shoot licenses for the other six guns were not processed syringes and needles. Steenkamp’s mother, June, and checking rooms, according to Rens. at them if they advanced on him with a gun, and were instead “sent back” four days after he was in the Pretoria courtroom for a second time “He went into what we call ‘code red’ or combat according to Rens. Nel was trying to show that killed Steenkamp, officials at the South African Monday but had left by the time van Staden was mode,” Rens said. “When he came to the source of Pistorius flouted those regulations when he shot police’s National Firearms Center told The describing the photos being displayed of the the noise, it was the laundry or something.” Steenkamp. Pistorius says he fired because he Associated Press last year. bloody bathroom scene where her daughter was Pistorius had tweeted about the incident in thought he was under threat. In later testimony Monday, police photographer shot. June Steenkamp last attended the trial on the November 2012: “Nothing like getting home to hear Rens said he was introduced to Pistorius in May Bennie van Staden spoke about the images he took opening day on March 3. — AP Flyers soar over Penguins

PITTSBURGH: Wayne Simmonds had two power-play goals in the first period as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second consecutive day, 4-3 on Sunday. Simmonds assisted on Brayden Schenn’s goal 2:06 into the game and then scored twice in a 6:54 span to give the Flyers a three-goal lead 14 minutes in. Surging Philadelphia, which beat its cross-state rival 4-0 at home Saturday, improved to 5-1-1 in its past seven. Defensemen Brooks Orpik, Matt Niskanen and Jayson Megna scored for the injury-depleted Penguins, who lost two straight in regulation for the first time since dropping three in a row from Nov. 6-13. During the final seconds, the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby hit the post with a backhand off a pass from Evgeni Malkin while skating down the right wing.

SHARKS 1, RANGERS 0 Antti Niemi stopped 41 shots for his fourth shutout of the season and made Logan Couture’s first-period, short- handed goal stand up as San Jose beat New York for its sixth straight win. Niemi and the Sharks defense were the PALM HARBOR: John Senden of Australia stands with his trophy after winning the Valspar Championship at difference in this one, unlike in the first meeting between Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club. — AFP the teams, won 9-2 by San Jose on Oct. 8. Niemi, who has 27 NHL shutouts, was particularly strong during a Rangers power play early in the third. Senden wins San Jose, tied with Anaheim atop the Pacific Division, is 11-2-1 in its past 14. In a 12-game stretch against Eastern Conference opponents that ends Tuesday at home versus PHILADELPHIA: Sean Couturier No. #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers watches as goalie Marc-Andre Fleury No. 29 of at Tampa Bay Florida, the Sharks are 9-1-1. the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save in the second period of an NHL hockey game at Wells Fargo Center. — AFP CANUCKS 4, PANTHERS 3 Lehner made his second straight start for the Senators TAMPA BAY: Veteran Australian John Senden emerged last Nicklas Jensen scored in the first period and added the since Craig Anderson was injured last week in a loss to the NHL results/standings man standing with two late birdies to win the $5.7 million only goal in the shootout as Vancouver earned a victory Nashville Predators. Lehner made 19 saves. Tampa Bay Championship by one stroke on Sunday. over former goalie Roberto Luongo and the Panthers. Philadelphia 4, Pittsburgh 3; Vancouver 4, Florida 3 (So); Senden may be noted for his stellar long game, but it CANADIENS 2, SABRES 0 Washington 4, Toronto 2; Edmonton 2, Carolina 1; San was his short game that enabled him to clinch the victory Alex Burrows had a goal and two assists and Dan Hamhuis also scored for the Canucks. Eddie Lack made 26 Rookie Dustin Tokarski stopped 29 shots to earn his first Jose 1, NY Rangers 0; Colorado 3, Ottawa 1; Montreal 2, as he pitched in from 70 feet at the 16th and then holed a Buffalo 0; Chicago 4, Detroit 1; Winnipeg 7, Dallas 2. 20-foot putt at the 17th to break clear of a logjam. saves and stopped all three shots in the shootout. NHL shutout in Montreal’s win over Buffalo. Brendan He parred the last to shoot a 70 and finish at seven- Jimmy Hayes scored two power-play goals for the Gallagher and Dale Weise scored for the Canadiens, who vaulted into second place in the Atlantic Division ahead of Western Conference under-par 277, one ahead of American Kevin Na at the Panthers. Vincent Trocheck also scored and Luongo Pacific Division Toronto and Tampa Bay. Tokarski improved 2-0 this season. Copperhead course at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida. stopped 29 shots. Luongo faced his former team just 12 W L OTL GF GA PTS “This is the biggest win over here I’ve ever had,” Senden days being traded from the Canucks to the Panthers on Tokarski was filling in for starter Carey Price, who didn’t Anaheim 45 16 7 218 172 97 told Golf Channel. “My first PGA Tour win (at the 2006 John March 4. Luongo is 2-3 since joining the Panthers. make the trip a day after stopping 30 shots in a 5-4 over- San Jose 45 17 7 214 165 97 Deere Classic) was special but this you’ve got stronger time win against the Senators in his first NHL start since Los Angeles 38 24 6 165 144 82 players in the field and it’s a real feather in the cap to know CAPITALS 4, MAPLE LEAFS 2 Feb. 8. Coach Michel Therrien was wary of playing Price on Phoenix 32 25 11 188 193 75 you’ve beaten a quality field.” Troy Brouwer scored two goals and Washington scored consecutive nights after the goalie aggravated a lower- Vancouver 31 29 10 167 190 72 Six players were within one stroke of the lead late in the three times in the first period before holding on against body injury during Canada’s gold-medal run at the Sochi Calgary 27 34 7 165 202 61 final round before Senden emerged for his second PGA Toronto. Joel Ward had a goal and an assist, and Jason Games. Edmonton 24 36 9 171 224 57 Tour victory and his first anywhere since the 2006 Chimera also tallied for Washington, which scored on three Central Division Australian Open. St. Louis 46 14 7 223 151 99 of its first five shots against James Reimer for a 3-0 lead. BLACKHAWKS 4, RED WINGS 1 The 42-year-old earned $1.026 million and a Masters Marian Hossa celebrated his return to the lineup with a Colorado 44 19 5 209 181 93 The Maple Leafs pulled within 3-2 in the second period Chicago 39 15 14 231 179 92 invitation. Senden, twice a runner-up at Innisbrook, looked goal and two assists as Chicago defeated Detroit to end a destined for another near-miss when he made three and it stayed that way until Brouwer’s empty-netter with Minnesota 35 22 10 164 164 80 two-game losing streak. bogeys in four holes from the 12th as a combination of four seconds left. Dion Phaneuf had a goal and an assist for Dallas 32 24 11 193 192 75 nerves and demanding conditions conspired to cause a Toronto and Troy Bodie also scored. The Capitals won their Ben Smith had a goal and assist, and Nick Leddy and Winnipeg 31 29 9 193 201 71 series of uncharacteristic poor shots. second straight. They begin a three-game West Coast Jonathan Toews scored for the defending Stanley Cup Nashville 29 29 10 164 201 68 But he gave himself a pep talk as he approached his ball swing Tuesday in Anaheim, California. champion Blackhawks, who are struggling to keep up with Eastern Conference in the rough short of the 16th green. “I said something spe- the top contenders in the Western Conference. The Atlantic Division cial’s got to happen here if you’re going to get it done,” he OILERS 2, HURRICANES 1 Blackhawks are just 11-8-7 in 2014 and remain fifth in the Boston 45 17 5 215 146 95 said. “I’ve been working really hard on that particular shot Justin Schultz scored a power-play goal at 9:01 of the conference and third in the Central Division. Hossa was Montreal 37 25 7 174 174 81 out of the long grass and (it was) lucky enough to go in the third period as Edmonton earned a win over Carolina. knocked out with an upper-body injury in the Blackhawks’ Toronto 36 25 8 203 211 80 hole. 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh on March 1. Tampa Bay 36 24 7 194 175 79 David Perron and Taylor Hall had the assists for Schultz’s Detroit 30 24 13 175 188 73 “Then I made a couple of really solid swings the last two ninth goal of the season. Matt Hendricks opened the scor- Gustav Nyquist scored for the injury-depleted Red holes. I’m just so happy to come out on top.” Na birdied the Ottawa 28 26 13 190 221 69 ing at 6:43 of the first to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead. Boyd Wings, who are desperate for wins as they try to get into Florida 25 35 8 169 221 58 par-three 17th after almost making a hole-in-one but could Gordon and Schultz had the assists on Hendricks’ fifth goal the playoffs for the 23rd straight time. Buffalo 19 41 8 132 202 46 only par the last in gusty winds. The American plunged off of the season. Edmonton’s Ben Scrivens made 29 saves for Metropolitan Division the leaderboard after dropping four shots in three holes the win, while Anton Khudobin made 31 saves for the JETS 7, STARS 2 Pittsburgh 44 19 4 209 167 92 before the turn, but showed resilience to battle all the way Hurricanes. Dustin Byfuglien had two goals and an assist and Blake Philadelphia 35 25 7 192 193 77 back to finish runner-up with a 72. Wheeler added four assists as Winnipeg cruised past Columbus 35 26 6 195 184 76 “It was a bad string of holes but I settled down, got back Dallas. The win pulled the Jets to within four points of the NY Rangers 36 29 4 177 170 76 right in it,” Na said. “It was playing tough and I made two AVALANCHE 3, SENATORS 1 Stars for the final wild-card playoff spot in the Western Washington 32 27 10 201 207 74 great birdies coming in but it wasn’t good enough.” Semyon Varlamov made 38 saves and Andre Benoit, Nick Holden and John Mitchell scored for Colorado in a win Conference, although Dallas has two games in hand. New Jersey 29 26 13 166 176 71 Left-handed Scott Langley, who held a share of the lead Carolina 29 30 9 169 194 67 with three holes left, had a 70 to finish third, two shots over Ottawa. Varlamov was 6 seconds away from his sec- Jacob Trouba, Michael Frolik, Evander Kane, Ollie Jokinen and Tobias Enstrom also scored for the Jets, who NY Islanders 26 34 9 195 233 61 behind. ond shutout of the season and 13th of his career until Mika Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the Overnight leader Robert Garrigus was another shot Zibanejad scored for the Senators. ended a six-game winless streak that hurt their playoff standings and are not included in the loss column (L). back, equal fourth. He dropped five shots in the first six Matt Duchene had two assists for the Avalanche, who chances. Alex Chiasson and Tyler Seguin scored first-period holes before steadying. — Reuters have won three of four and seven of their last nine. Robin goals for the Stars. — AP TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 SPORTS

Sainz Jr. promises amazing F1 street show

KUWAIT: On March 28, 2014, Spanish driver as other activities such as the Red Bull include the Formula 3 Euro Series and then Carlos Sainz Jr. will drive an Infiniti Red Bull Pitstop Game. The event sponsored by the tardily announced FIA European Racing Formula One car on the streets of Infiniti, Pirelli, Babtain Group and Sirbb Formula 3 Championship which drew its Kuwait, which will be the first time a Track is held under the organization of points from some races from each of the Formula One car has been driven on the KMRC and will take place next to Kuwait other series. country’s roads. Towers on March 28 at 2pm. It was a busy season and Sainz had some Sainz Jr. commented: “When I was told I It is clear that Sainz has every intention great races, there was the brilliant win at would be doing the show run, I was very of following the same path. It has already Francochamps in a typical Spa downpour, a happy. Anything you do with Red Bull is a been a thrilling journey. As his father was total of 4 wins in British F3 on his way to 6th lot of fun and I knew I would enjoy it. It will World Rally Champion in 1990 and 1992 it is in the championship. He was 9th in the be my first time in Kuwait and I have heard not surprising that he stepped into 4 wheel Formula 3 Euro Series and 5th in the FIA it’s a great place, so I can’t wait to get there. motorsport. At 7 years old Carlos began to European Formula 3 Championship. It’s also exciting as it’s my first Formula One drive in Karts at his father’s Indoor Karting Youthful exuberance, inexperience and Show Run and while I’ve done tests and in Las Rozas, Madrid, but he started to com- some misfortune cost him better champi- filming, it will be a great experience to be pete seriously in the summer of 2005 when onship placings. able to drive the car in front of all the fans.” he was 10. Over the next few years he In GP3 for 2013 he was teamed with fel- The Red Bull Junior Team driver has plen- gained a huge amount of experience and low Red Bull Junior Daniil Kvyat in the MW ty of racing experience behind him already success in Kart races across Europe. Arden squad. The pair were frustrated early but this is truly exceptional. “Most of all, By 2009 he was very much a talent to be on with set up problems that confounded being a racer I am thrilled to be driving an reckoned with even though he had yet to their attempts to make the tyres last the F1 car and especially the RB7. It is a world turn 15. That year he won the famous races. As that got sorted out the pressure famous race car, one of the true greats. I Monaco Kart Cup as well as the Western was on to make up ground in the champi- have never driven it before, I drove the RB9 European region of the KF3 series covering onship and while Kvyat eventually took the last year and I can’t wait to have a go in the England, France, Switzerland, Portugal, title, a mixture some atrocious luck and RB7, it will be something very special.” Andorra and Spain. overly intense desire to finish in front Fans will see the Infiniti Red Bull Racing For 2010 he was invited to join the Red thwarted the Spaniard. Tenth for the year World Champion Car on an 800-meter long Bull Junior Team. At 15 he contested the was not a just reflection of his ability. He urban track stretching from Bneid El Gar Formula BMW European Championship and had far more fun in his Renault 3.5 outings signal light to the Kuwait Towers. The car, took part in three races of Formula BMW and is happy to have that as his sole class which accelerates from 0-100km/h in 2.4 Asian-Pacific Championship with the for 2014. seconds, can reach speeds of 250km/h and Antonio Ferrari’s Euro international team, Carlos’s challenge for 2014 is to win the above. thereby winning the Rookie Cup Formula Formula Renault 3.5 championship and the In addition to the Infiniti Red Bull Racing BMW European Championship. A single 19-year-old from Madrid is certainly one to Formula One Show Run, Kuwait will get a race highlight was victory at the notoriously watch. During a limited FR3.5 campaign in glimpse of Chris Pfeiffer, a four-time World difficult Macau by 4 seconds in the Formula 2013, Sainz impressed the FR3.5 paddock Stunt Riding Champion and one of the best BMW Asian-Pacific Championship. by topping the timesheets in free practice Stunt Riders in the world who will be push- In 2011 he moved up to Formula Renault on his debut in Monaco. He had only been ing the limits with his new tricks. Red Bull 2.0 and won the Northern European Cup in the car a few times but ran a combative Athlete Abdo Feghali will also entertain the with a superb 12 race wins and a total of 26 race to finish sixth. spectators with his amazing drifts. podium appearances through the 34 races. In 2014 Sainz Jr. joins the DAMS team in The hype for the Infiniti Red Bull Racing In the Eurocup he finished 2nd overall. 2012 the FR3.5 championship. The DAMS team Formula One Show Run will begin a few saw the Spaniard step into the intense caul- has pedigree in FR3.5, having won both days before the main event, when the dron of the British Formula 3 Championship Team and Drivers’ Championships in 2013, team’s car will be displayed and fired up as a member of the Carlin Motorsport team. making a star of Drivers’ Champion Kevin around various locations in Kuwait, as well His schedule was quickly expanded to Magnussen, now racing in Formula One. SPORTS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Photo of the day DNA secrets helping athletes improve performance

MANCHESTER: British runner Jenny Meadows is using a programs and nutrition and also give an idea of any revolutionary DNA test designed to prevent injury and increased risk of tendon injury, if there is any, so that improve her performance ahead of the Commonwealth preventative measures can be taken,” Grimaldi said. Games - and a trio of leading European football teams The DNA test revealed to Meadows that she has an are about to follow her lead. even split of power and endurance, making her ideally The test is a brainchild of London-based company suited for 800 meters instead of 400 meters, and that DNAFit, which obtains genetic profiles - using a simple the potential of her sustaining a sports-related soft-tis- mouth swab - to identify genes that make athletes sue injury was high, causing her to make changes to her prone to certain injuries. It can also ensure they can tai- training schedules that included reducing her running lor a program of training and nutrition to fit their DNA. sessions and doing more cardio work on a bike. It also Meadows, a world indoor silver medalist in the 800 told her that her recovery times were quicker than aver- meters in 2010, became the first athlete to publicly age. reveal the secrets of her DNA late yesterday. In winning the 800 at a meet in Prague last month in “I only wish I’d had this information years ago,” said 2 minutes, 1.67 seconds, she is among the top six in the Meadows, who has discovered she has the gene that world this year and could be one of the favorites for makes her prone to the kind of tendon injuries that gold in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. “The forced her to miss the London Olympics in 2012. “To get real eye opener has been the prediction that I have a to the top as an athlete, it takes a combination of hard high risk of potential sports injury,” she said. “This is the work, luck and timing. But if I’d have known what my biggest fear for any athlete wanting to excel at their A competitor performs during Red Bull BC One Cypher in Cairo, Egypt genetic strengths and weaknesses I could have trained sport.” on February 28, 2014 — www.redbullcontentpool.com more effectively.” Grimaldi said the test - it takes two weeks from tak- Dr. Keith Grimaldi, DNAFit’s chief scientific officer, ing the mouth swab to getting the results - could help told The Associated Press in a phone interview that two football teams going to the World Cup know which Premier League teams and another leading club in players are more at risk of sunstroke or sunburn, for Edwards leads Ford sweep Europe have also commissioned genetic profiles of their example. “What we are trying to emphasize is that the players. He said they can’t be named for confidentiality genetic variants are very common,” Grimaldi said. BRISTOL: If two rain delays totaling more than five hours teams were talking about it because we were looking at other reasons. “There’s no hint of any bad news in the results. The only wasn’t enough, the water-logged race at Bristol Motor things around the racetrack,” Pemberton said. “The idea of having knowledge of genetic variation is thing you can get out of the result is useful and impor- Speedway had a battery fly out of a car and spread a toilet Said Edwards: “No harm, no foul, let’s act like it just didn’t such that we can give personalized advice on training tant to know.”— AP paper-looking substance all over the track. And that wasn’t happen.” The victory makes Edwards the fourth winner in four even the strangest occurrence Sunday. Moments before Carl races this season and, under NASCAR’s new rules, is supposed to Edwards closed in on what should have been the white flag get him into the 16-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup champi- lap, the caution lights were accidentally turned on from the onship. “Just to have a win this early, man, it is a huge relief,” he flag stand. As NASCAR tried to figure out what was going on, said. Five other things from water-logged Bristol: the sky opened up and prevented the race from resuming. BUMP-AND-RUN: With Chase berths conceivably on the line Edwards was awarded the win under caution - a victory he was with a win, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was salivating at a shot at team- headed to before the mishap - and celebrated his third career mate Edwards when the final caution came out at Bristol. But he win at Bristol with his trademark backflip on the slick concrete. knew if the race went green again, his only chance would be the “Oh, man, I thought, ‘This is stupid. I shouldn’t do this ... It’s old Bristol bump-and-run, which hasn’t been used in years. It’s a awfully glossy. It might be slick,’” he said. “I didn’t want to stick risky move to do to a teammate, but owner Jack Roush said he it perfectly and have my feet go that way and break my arm on expected nothing less from Stenhouse. the concrete. That would have been terrible. I was actually real- “When it comes time to really charge for the checkered flag, ly nervous about that.” there are no team orders, there are no rules,” Roush said. “I expect them to race one another as they expect to be raced, not only with one another, but with everybody in the garage. I expect Ricky is as fierce a competition as there is out there, and if his car has the speed in it and he can get to the car in front of him, particularly the short track, you’d bump-and-run and take BERLIN: This is a Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009 file photo of Britain’s Jenny Meadows as she celebrates after winning the prize if you could. I’d be disappointed if he didn’t have that in the bronze medal in the final of the Women’s 800m during the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. — AP his mind.” AWESOME ARIC: Aric Almirola finished a career-best third - and Richard Petty Motorsports teammate Marcos Ambrose was Ireland win fifth as four Ford drivers placed in the top-five - but Ambrose felt ‘Smart’ racket he could have gotten more. He restarted second behind Carl last-ball thriller Edwards with 70 laps to go and had one solid chance to take the lead. If he’d gotten past Edwards, he just might have grabbed his offers tennis first career victory. SYLHET: Ireland survived an inspired spell of swing bowl- “These races are so hard to win, and it was a great day for us,” ing from Zimbabwe’s Tinashe Panyangara to scrape he said. “I’m not disappointed at all with third, but when you see through for a three-wicket win on the last ball of their revolution it and you can taste it and it’s that close, you wonder what could group B encounter in Sylhet yesterday. have went different.” Chasing 164 for a St Patrick’s Day victory, the associate PARIS: Aluminium and graphite swept away the RIGHT DIRECTION: Tony Stewart salvaged what looked like nation seemed to be cruising against their test-playing it was going to be an awful weekend with a season-best fourth- opponents after opener Paul Stirling’s 34-ball 60. wooden racket that Bjorn Borg used to win 11 place finish. It came after he qualified 37th, needed two Stirling hit nine boundaries and a six and with captain Grand Slam titles, but smart rackets that analyse Saturday practice sessions with crew chief Chad Johnston to William Porterfield (31) added 80 runs for the opening power and spin promise a new tennis revolution. make significant improvements to the car and needed the entire wicket but Panyangara’s double strike in the 15th over One such intelligent racket is already on sale in race to work his way into the top-10. “It’s a step in the right direc- brought Zimbabwe back in the game. Panyangara (4-37), the United States and will be launched in Europe in tion for sure. This is a big one. If you come out of this place with a who was taken for 18 in his first over by Stirling, also dis- May. The Babolat Play will cost 399 euros (555 dol- top-five you’ve had a good day,” he said. missed the dangerous Kevin O’Brien (17) in the 18th over lars), about twice the price of a classic tennis racket. DISSAPOINTED FINISH: Kyle Larson flirted with the lead and and returned to bowl the final over of the innings with Eric Babolat, head of the French company that was in position to race for the win until the race-changing cau- Ireland needing just four runs for victory. developed the racket, said “it is like Star Wars is tion with 77 laps remaining. He went to pit road third, took four BRISTOL: Driver Carl Edwards celebrates at the finish coming to tennis.” The Babolat Play is shaped like tires and restarted ninth. So even though he finished a career- In the final over, Ireland lost Ed Joyce (20) to Panyangara line after winning the NASCAR Sprint series auto race any traditional racket. best 10th, the rookie wasn’t thrilled. “It’s crazy to think it’s kind of and Max Sorensen to a run out off successive balls but at Bristol Motor Speedway. — AP But sensors inside the handle record the power a disappointing finish for the way we ran for most of the race, managed to scamper for a bye off the last delivery for the but all in all it was a good race,” Larson said. winning run with wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor missing a of a stroke, the impact of the ball on the racket NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton DALE’S BAD DAY: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s strong start to the sea- run out. strings, the kind of stroke, the spin and game time said a person in the flag stand leaned on the manual override son finally came to an end at Bristol, where he finished 24th after Earlier, captain Taylor (46-ball 59) hit six fours and two and send the information to a smartphone, com- switch and that turned on the caution lights. Six seconds after opening with a win and two second-places. Although his sixes and anchored Zimbabwe’s batting as his team posted puter or other device. Babolat, whose company is the lights were turned on, the flag man waved the yellow flag. Chevrolet wasn’t great all weekend, his trouble Sunday was 163 for five in their twenty overs after being put in to bat. one of the oldest tennis equipment makers in the Pemberton said that the flag man can wave the caution flag compounded by two left-front tire issues. Once he was out of Elton Chigumbura hit 22 off 13 balls with two sixes in the world having made the first animal gut strings in without a call from series officials in the tower if they see a contention, he was basically just making laps for the bulk of the last over to take Zimbabwe to a competitive total after Irish 1875, is convinced that within 10 years all rackets proper reason. “We were scanning cars and spotters, and race. It cost Earnhardt the points lead, which went to Brad spinners George Dockrell (2-18) and Andy McBrine (2-26) will be equipped this way. The Babolat Play’s basic there’s some of us in the tower that only heard it after the Keselowski. Earnhardt now trails Keselowski by 10 points. — AP restricted them in the middle overs. — Reuters design is an updated version of a racket produced by the Lyon company already used by Chinese women’s star Li Na. The new racket only looks different because it Kuwait to host first World Police has a blue diode light at the bottom of the handle which flashes when the sensors are turned on. The rechargeable racket can be linked to a com- Sport and Security conference puter, tablet or smartphone with a cable or by wifi. The application will, for instance, tell you how many balls were hit cleanly and how many were By Abdellatif Sharaa forces. USIP strictly bans any discussion or activity of political, patronage of HH the Amir. He said the hosting of such interna- sliced. Maybe not all players will welcome publicis- commercial or religious nature. The union has 54 members with tional conferences is familiar to Kuwait, which is always a pio- ing their slice ratio. Babolat plans, however, to KUWAIT: The International Police Sports Union will hold its first Lt. General Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as neer in hosting sports events. He said the violence phenomena launch a social media application that allows play- World Police Sport and Security Conference “Sport to Serve and president from 2010 until now. in Arab stadiums in general and Kuwait in particular are less vio- ers to compare their success rate and set chal- Protect” on March 23 and 24 in Kuwait under the patronage of Meanwhile president of Kuwait and International Police lent as is the case in the Western countries, yet “ we notice that it lenges. HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The con- Unions Lt. General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf invited the President is on the increase lately”. “It could be useful for an amateur, but also for a ference is attracting a wide range of participation both regionally of Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), On his part Chairman of Salmiya Sports Club Sheikh Turky Al- star such as Rafael Nadal,” said Babolat’s communi- and internationally in the history of the union which is now President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Yousuf said it is important to find deep rooted solutions for the cations director Thomas Otton. presided by Lt. General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf. The union was to attend the conference activities. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad said violence in sports arenas. He said there is no doubt that officials “Maybe Nadal gets some information from established in Paris in 1990 by an initiative from the active the conference which is being held for the first time confirms the around the world try to curb the fan violence . Spanish and French police sports with approval of 43 countries. competence of security and sports leaderships to organize such The conference shall have a number of main themes on its courtside cameras but what happens when the ball The USIP aims at encouraging sports with the police force events, and that it is an important step for the protection of fans, agenda such as: hits the face of the racket has remained a secret.” around the world and coordinate the preparations, organization secure sports competitions and confront the violence phenom- Nadal and French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tested and supervision of international events. It also aims at establish- ena. Chairman of Kuwait Sports Club Abdelaziz Al-Marzouq INTERNATIONAL SPORTS MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY the rackets at a demonstration event. But Babolat is ing social, cooperative and professional relations between police lauded the idea of holding the conference in Kuwait under the 1 Recent Management Trends in the Sport Facilities still waiting for a player to use one in competition. Administration. It has been accepted by the men’s Association of 2 Legislative and Legal Frameworks of Police Sports and Tour Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Security. Association (WTA) since January 1. Jean-Christophe Piffaut, a former head of the PUBLIC HEALTH AND SPORTS SECURITY Roland-Garros tennis museum in Paris and a writer 1 Doping and Methods of Prevention. of a book on the history of the sport, said he was 2 Fitness life style for Police and Security Personnel. mystified as to the interest of the racket for profes- 3 Nutrition and Its Role in the Performance of Police and sionals. “Top level players have a coach and get a Security Personnel. 4 Psychological Aspects of Police Personnel. lot of information from video. I think this (racket) will only confirm what they already know,” he said. PIONEER COMMUNITY PROJECTS Eric Winogradsky, a former professional and BY SECURITY PERSONNEL coach who now works for the French Tennis Federation, is convinced that the smart racket does CHALLENGES AND CRISES FACING have a future, however. “The information crossover INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SECURITY is interesting,” Winogradsky told AFP. “This is the 1 Challenges and Obstacles Facing Sports Security and future. Lots of other sports are already doing this, how to Encounter them. why not us?” The Babolat Play will soon face smart 2 Crimes and Crises Facing International Sports Police and competition. Sony Corp is developing a sensor that Security. can be fitted to any racket. The first models will be launched in Japan in May in a partnership with the MEDIA, MARKETING AND INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SECURITY Yonex racket maker. If the smart racket gets a grip, 1 Reasons and Means of Developing Sports Media. the battle could become who can make it even 2 Marketing and International Sports Police and Security. more inter-active. Eric Babolat already predicts an 3 Role of Social Media in Sports Security (Information application that allows coaches to send informa- KUWAIT: (From right to left) Lt Colonel Tariq Al-Sadani, USIP Vice President Colonel Abdelrahman Al-Haqqabn, tion back to a player. — AFP Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad, Lt General Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah and Colonel Khalid Al-Najjar Technology). SPORTS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Drogba vows to pile on the misery for Chelsea

LONDON: Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba has warned On the eve of his first appearance at the Bridge since his Chelsea not to expect any favors when he makes an emo- departure immediately after that unforgettable night in tional return to his old club for a decisive Champions Munich, Drogba admitted he is nervous about how he will League last 16 clash today. react to being the centre of attention. Jose Mourinho’s side are reeling after a tempestuous 1-0 “First of all I was happy to play against my ex-club, defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday ended their 14-match against my friends. But at the same time it is a very special unbeaten run in the Premier League and cast doubt about moment because I do not know what my reaction will be,” their ability to cope with the pressure of the title race. Drogba told UEFA.com. The Blues imploded in spectacular fashion as Willian “You know that I spent eight years at Chelsea, so I really and Ramires were sent off, while Mourinho got his march- don’t know, I am quite apprehensive about it. “It’s the club ing orders from referee Chris Foy after stepping onto the where I experienced everything. It allowed me to get closer pitch to protest during the row that followed Ramires’s dis- to the best players in the world.” Drogba makes no attempt missal. to hide his love for Chelsea, but he would relish another The FA will examine Foy’s match report before deciding run to the latter stages of the competition, even if it comes whether to charge Mourinho, but there was no escaping at the expense of his old friends. the sense that Chelsea need to quickly recover their equi- “I hope that Galatasaray qualify. It will be difficult, but I librium to stop a promising season going up in smoke. think that regarding the welcome, I think I’m allowed to say Mourinho’s men remain four points clear at the top of that I will receive a warm welcome, because I know the table, but they have less margin for error in Champions Chelsea’s fans and our relationship is really special,” Drogba League, where a win or high-scoring draw for Galatasaray said. in Tuesday’s second leg at Stamford Bridge would send the “It will be great to see them again, I am looking forward Turks into the quarter-finals following a 1-1 draw in the first to it.” There was one piece of good news for Mourinho after leg in Istanbul last month. the Villa match as it emerged that Samuel Eto’o is expected MADRID: Schalke’s players take part in a training session at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on the eve of the In the circumstances, it will be something of a bitter- to be fit for the Galatasaray tie. UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match against Real Madrid. — AFP sweet reunion with Drogba, who is certain to be greeted as Eto’o sat out the Villa game, but Fernando Torres gave a a returning hero by Chelsea fans before the match but lacklustre performance in his place and Mourinho is likely could end up shattering their European dreams by the end to throw the Cameroon striker back into the fray. Isco could get starring of the night. Despite Saturday’s troubling defeat, Chelsea are still Drogba, who remains close to Mourinho and is report- firm favorites to advance to the last eight in Europe, which edly considering an offer to return to Chelsea as a striker would be a welcome tonic for Mourinho, who has never coach next season, won every major prize during a glori- hidden his dislike for Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini. role against Schalke ous eight-year stay in west London. He was the hero of the “In Istanbul we saw each other and only said ‘hello’. We club’s 2012 Champions League final victory against Bayern certainly aren’t friends,” Mancini was quoted as telling BARCELONA: Real Madrid, who have all but sealed a place the weekend with Angel Di Maria left on the bench as he Munich, scoring a late equaliser and then netting the win- Italian newspaper La Repubblica. “I don’t think Mourinho ning penalty in the shoot-out to seal Chelsea’s first ever wants to have friends, or maybe that’s just the way he likes in the Champions League quarter-finals after their 6-1 first- was only a booking away from a suspension. European Cup. to appear.”— AFP leg away victory over Schalke, could hand Isco another He struggled to get involved in the game, though, and opportunity to prove his worth in the return today. was taken off after an hour in the 1-0 win. But striker Karim The playmaker has not been able to hold down a regu- Benzema’s thigh injury, picked up in a collision with lar place in Carlo Ancelotti’s side since his big-money move Cristiano Ronaldo, could give him a chance in attack from Malaga. against Schalke. Isco was one of the hottest properties on the market at “When Isco was playing in midfield he did well and later the end of last season after a starring role for Malaga as he had to change position due to the knock for Benzema they progressed to the last eight of the Champions League. and he can do that role without any problems,” said He was among yet another generation of young Ancelotti. Spanish players who had come off the conveyer belt and Benzema has undergone tests to establish the extent of his success with the Spain Under-21 side meant that a the injury and while it is not thought to be serious he is place in this year’s World Cup squad was on the cards. unlikely to be ready to face Schalke. His strong technique, awareness and astute passes play- His target will be the crunch match with Barca in La Liga ing behind the forward line led to admiring glances from at the weekend with Real holding a four point lead at the Europe’s top sides but it was Real that beat the rest to his top over their bitter rivals. — Reuters signature for a figure believed to be around 27 million euros. Since then, however, it has not gone according to plan for Isco who has not been able to find a role in Real’s Matches on TV expensively assembled squad. He has been tried on the (Local Timings) wings, in attack and a deeper role in midfield but part of the reason is that after a slow start to the season, the Italian UEFA Champions League has found success with a 4-3-3 formation that does not ide- ally suit Isco’s attributes of picking the passes behind the Chelsea v Galatasaray 22:45 forwards. Still, Ancelotti has far from given up on the player beIN SPORTS 1 HD and believes that Isco can adapt to a new position, com- beIN SPORTS 14 HD paring him to Dutchman Clarence Seedorf. beIN SPORTS 3 HD “He is pushing for a starting place. I have complete con- fidence in him. In the past I had a similar situation with Real Madrid v Schalke 22:45 beIN SPORTS 13 HD LONDON: Chelsea’s Senegalese striker Demba Ba (left) attends a training session at the team’s training ground in Seedorf and plugging away he was able to become a key beIN SPORTS 11 HD Stoke D’Abernon, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, round of 16, second leg football match against player for Milan,” Ancelotti said earlier this month. beIN SPORTS 2 HD Galatasaray. — AFP Isco was given the chance in midfield against Malaga at

Japanese teams struggling United slipping into mediocrity LONDON: Conceding three penalties to Liverpool reached the summit of their careers last season. The to take over the reins on a six-year contract, seems in AFC Champions League at Old Trafford would have usually triggered a partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, reluctant to play Mexico striker Javier Hernandez furore among Manchester United fans, players and once the defensive pillars who made United’s rivals while Welbeck has been used sparingly and mostly management under any other circumstances but in England and Europe green with envy, has come to out of position. SEOUL: Japan’s football league is generally “The trend in the J-League has been for the humiliating manner in which they lost an end with the latter heading to Inter Milan and the Expensive acquisition Marouane Fellaini, his for- regarded as the best in Asia, but as its clubs recently to defend deep and in numbers Sunday’s derby. former’s future at Old Trafford uncertain at best. mer Everton protege, still looks like a bewildered struggle to prove their superiority against and look for counter attacks. Hiroshima has Not even the fiery Wayne Rooney questioned ref- schoolboy in a United shirt while speculation that regional rivals in the Asian Champions been champion playing a very defensive 5- eree Mark Clattenburg’s decisions on an afternoon PALE SHADOW Moyes made a futile bid last week to lure Paul Pogba League, that title could be under threat. In 4-1 organization and while this has been a the England striker described as one of the worst More surprisingly, striker Robin Van Persie looks a back to Old Trafford suggests that record signing group stage matches played last week, J- successful formula at home, it has not pro- days he ever had in football, after a crushing 3-0 pale shadow of the player whose goals propelled Juan Mata may be more suited to playing further League teams lost to Chinese, Korean and duced success in Asia,” he said. defeat left United with only a forlorn hope of finish- United to the Premier League’s pinnacle last term upfield than a playmaker United are still craving for. Australian opponents to continue a dismal Ahead of this year’s AFC Champions ing in the top four in the Premier League. Rooney’s and his tepid performances have raised question A looming Champions League exit on start that has seen the country’s four repre- League tournament, Hiroshima coach post-match comments underlined a gulf in class marks over his ability to lead the line beyond this Wednesday is still unlikely to force the board’s hand sentatives record a single victory out of a Hajime Moriyasu promised his team would between the two teams this season, with the bal- season. as Old Trafford’s echelons of power will probably feel combined total of eight games. improve. ance of power swinging back towards a Liverpool Van Persie criticised his team mates for moving they have to give Moyes at least another season to Japan’s troubles are not confined to this “Last year, we were not technically or side transformed by Brendan Rodgers from mid- into his space and not getting the ball enough to get a grip on things, having backed Ferguson’s year. It’s been six years since Japan last pro- tactically inferior, but overpowered by our table underachievers into title contenders. him after a 2-0 first-leg Champions League defeat by choice to name the fellow Glaswegian as his succes- duced an AFC Champions League winner, opponents’ physical strength,” he said. “We United, shockingly for their fans, seem to be Olympiakos Piraeus, but if they did it is because his sor. But even a Champions League comeback in the and since 2010, just two of the country’s 16 need to win our home games. The teams heading in the opposite direction - at least in the poor movement off the ball and lack of cutting edge return leg against Olympiakos and United’s passage teams have made it as far as the quarterfi- that compete in the AFC Champions short term. The mauling United suffered at the in big games has been palpably clear. into the competition’s last eight is unlikely to be nal stage, compared to nine from South League use different tactics when playing hands of their bitter rivals actually flattered David Rooney, often asked to operate in a dual role of a more than a flash in the pan this term unless they Korea. home or away. We have to get those vital Moyes’s men. It is difficult to fathom how a team forward and a midfield workhorse whenever Van can somehow squeeze through to the May 24 final High-paying Chinese clubs have also three points in our own stadium.” that won their 20th league title under Alex Ferguson Persie is deployed as the lone striker, seems to thrive in Lisbon. improved in recent years, with Guangzhou Hiroshima hosts South Korea’s FC Seoul on last season have struggled under his successor on his own up front when the Dutchman is sidelined Judging by their current form, United will need Evergrande - led by 2006 World Cup-win- Wednesday and needs to break that win- Moyes. But the reasons for United’s spectacular fall for one reason or another and Moyes is forced to to produce something very special if they are to get ning coach Marcello Lippi - taking the title less streak if it is to have a chance to from grace are complex. give Danny Welbeck a start. past some of Europe’s heavyweights who now look in 2013. Guangzhou trounced Japan’s progress to the knockout stage. Too many players in the squad appear to have Moyes, handpicked by his compatriot Ferguson well and truly out of their league. — Reuters Kashiwa Reysol 8-1 on aggregate on the In other AFC Champions League match- way to the title. es this week, Guangzhou hosts one of its “Club budgets are growing in many biggest rivals, Jeonbuk Motors of South Fabian lifts Cruz Asian countries, while J-League budgets Korea. are either decreasing or remaining the It marks the third consecutive year that Azul over Tijuana same,” Afshin Ghotbi, head coach of the two teams have faced each other in the Shimizu S-Pulse and former Iran national group stage and, after bad-tempered clash- MEXICO CITY: Marco Fabian scored twice as Cruz Azul defeated team coach, told The Associated Press. es in the past, there is no love lost between Tijuana 2-1 to maintain its three-point lead at the top of Mexico’s “Obviously, player’s salaries are a huge fac- them. first division. Toluca is in second place after beating Queretaro 2-0, tor in attracting talent.” Jeonbuk, the 2006 champion and 2011 and Pumas moved up to third following their 5-0 victory over One J-League team, Cerezo Osaka, finalist, has started the season well with a Atlante. In other games over the weekend, Santos Laguna defeat- made a high-profile signing earlier this year 3-0 win over Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos ed Pachuca 3-1, Chiapas drew 2-2 with America, Morelia over- - Uruguay star Diego Forlan. But according and a 2-2 draw last week with the came Monterrey 1-0, Chivas won 1-0 against Leon, Tigres defeated to Philippe Troussier, Japan’s national coach Melbourne Victory. Guangzhou, mean- Puebla 1-0 and Atlas won 1-0 against Veracruz. from 1998 -2002, that was an isolated case. while, has been led by Italy international Fabian shot low from 25 yards (meters) to equalize for Cruz “The foreign players make the differ- Alessandro Diamanti, who is currently the Azul two minutes after halftime in Saturday’s match and handed ence at the moment in China, as we can competition’s top scorer with three goals his team the lead in the 69th minute when he struck the ball past see in Guangzhou,” said the Frenchman, from the first two games. keeper Cirilo Saucedo from the edge of the penalty area. who recently completed a three-year Australian teams are hoping to build on Richard Ruiz had put Tijuana ahead just before halftime. coaching stint with Shenzhen Ruby in their impressive results from the previous Paraguayan Pablo Velazquez headed in Toluca’s opener in the southern China. “Chinese clubs are getting round of games. Central Coast Mariners 65th minute of Friday’s match against Queretaro, with Edy better than Japanese clubs because they travels to Beijing Guoan, Western Sydney Brambila increasing its lead five minutes later. Martin Bravo scored have better foreign players.” Wanderers takes on Kawasaki Frontale, the twice in the first half Sunday for Pumas, with Ismael Sosa, Diego Despite having Forlan, Cerezo Osaka only Japanese team to record a victory so Lagos and Dario Veron getting the other goals. lost to China’s Shandong Luneng 3-1 earlier far, and Melbourne hosts Yokohama F. Jurgen Damm scored in the 7th minute for Pachuca, but the this month at home, with Shandong get- Marinos. Ulsan Horangi of South Korea, squad struggled after Ecuadorian Jhon Pajoy was sent off in the ting two goals from former Brazilian inter- which recorded two wins in its first two 33rd. Andres Renteria, Javier Orozco and Oribe Peralta all scored national Vagner Love. games, can take another step toward the second-half goals to give Santos Laguna the win. America came Most disappointing for Japanese fans is last 16 with a win at home against Guizhou from behind twice against Chiapas, getting the second equalizer from Juan Carlos Valenzuela in the 70th to salvage the draw. the performance of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Renhe. Morelia’s only goal came in the 60th from Carlos Morales, who In the western half, Abu Dhabi giant Al- domestic champion in 2012 and 2013. The shot a free kick into the net from the edge of the penalty area. team has failed to win any of its last eight Jazeera faces a tough trip to Tehran to take Giovani Hernandez latched onto a throughball and finished at the games in Asia, though Ghotbi puts its on 2013 semifinalist Esteghlal, while 2011 near post for Chivas in the 6th. Argentine Damian Alvarez played a struggles partly down to the league’s style champion Al Sadd hosts Saudi Arabian one-two with Alan Pulido and curled in his team’s winner in the of play. giant Al Hilal. — AP 82nd against Puebla. Atlas’ Maikon Leite secured the three points Marco Fabian with a finish from close range in the 24th. — AP SPORTS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

Brazil pays price for lack of goalkeeping culture

SAO PAULO: Goalkeeper Julio Cesar - the wrong Zetti opened Brazil’s first academy exclusively those from rival teams. for the FIFA Ballon d’Or. side of 30 and past his prime - is the weakest link in for goalkeepers six years ago. Brazil long neglected Ceni was a reserve keeper for the World Cups of But Cesar - now 34 - has been less impressive the team which all of Brazil expects to win the to take goalkeeping seriously, he explained. Teams 2002 and 2006, where he came on as a substitute since moving to Queens Park Rangers, dropping World Cup this July. And that is no accident: The didn’t hire trainers for that position, so goalkeepers for Brazil No.1 and captain Dida late in a 4-1 demo- out of the Premier League with the London club in nation of Pele has long paid far more attention to couldn’t match strikers and midfielders for quality. lition of Japan in the group stage. 2013. Rob Green replaced him in QPR’s starting players who score and make goals than to those But Zetti said things have changed in recent Ceni has won three Brazilian championships and line-up and the club then loaned him to Toronto in who save them. The country’s best-known goal- decades. Marcos and Rogerio Ceni, goalkeepers in the 2005 Club World Cup with Sao Paulo, where he Major League Soccer after he failed to find another keeper was probably Barbosa, and he became the 2002 World Cup-winning squad, both influ- remains a starter. He stands out for scoring goals, not club in Europe. Although none of this has been ide- famous not for a great save but for the national enced the Brazilian game with their successes and just saving them. He has netted more than 100 penal- al preparation for the World Cup, Brazil coach Luiz agony he caused by letting in Uruguay’s two goals become idols for a new generation. ties and free kicks, by far the most for a goalkeeper. Felipe Scolari is sticking with Cesar, in part because against Brazil that won the World Cup in 1950. “Marcos and Rogerio Ceni really contributed to Cesar was a reserve with Ceni in the 2006 World he has few other options. Not that many Brazilians The first thing Brazilian kids often do before get more kids to want to become goalkeepers,” Cup squad before getting Brazil’s No. 1 spot at the will care. From 2002, they mostly remember pick-up games is play “rock, scissors, paper” to Zetti said. “In my academy, I can see this. Because of 2010 World Cup. Fans remember his mistake in Ronaldo and Rivaldo, not that Marcos starred decide who gets stuck in goal. With so many out- them there is a generation coming up that really Brazil’s 2-1 quarterfinal elimination by the between Brazil’s posts in the 2-0 defeat of Germany. standing strikers and midfielders in Brazilian histo- likes goalkeepers. They are not ready to play yet, Netherlands. Obstructed by midfield teammate Taffarel played well in goal in 1994, but Romario ry, few chose keepers as their childhood idols. but in a few years we may be able to start seeing Felipe Melo, Cesar failed to punch away Wesley and captain Dunga are the standout names from “If the kid is good enough with the ball, proba- some results.” Marcos’ saves in the 2002 final Sneijder’s cross that zipped past him into the goal that team. Pele, Gerson, Rivelino and Tostao over- bly he will not want to play in goal,” Zetti, a reserve against Germany helped Brazil secure its fifth world for the Dutch equalizer. shadowed Felix’s goalkeeping for the winning team goalkeeper in Brazil’s 1994 World Cup-winning title. He also enjoyed success with Palmeiras, win- At Inter Milan from 2005-2012, Cesar became of 1970. As Brazil now attempts to win its first squad, said in a phone interview. “Kids are usually ning the 1999 Copa Libertadores with the Sao one of the world’s best goalkeepers, winning five World Cup at home, Brazilians only have eyes for scared of playing in goal, and most of the time par- Paulo club where he played for nearly two decades. Italian championships and the Champions League the likes of Neymar and Oscar, the creative talents ents are always trying to convince them to play in a Easy-going and known for speaking his mind, in 2010. He and Spain’s 2010 World Cup winner Iker they so admire. Only if he makes howling mistakes different position.” Marcos was easy to like for fans of all ages, even Casillas were the only goalies nominated that year will Cesar compete with them for attention. — AP Pirlo punishes Genoa

ITALY: Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon saved a penalty and Andrea Pirlo curled in a trademark free kick late in the game to give the Serie A leaders a dramatic 1-0 win at Genoa on Sunday. Germany forward Mario Gomez scored for the second match running to help Fiorentina beat Chievo 3-1 and AC Milan’s crisis deepened when they lost 4-2 at home to Parma after playing for almost the entire match with 10 men. Lazio eased their problems with a 2-0 win at Cagliari, Livorno’s 2-1 win over Bologna pulled them out of the relegation zone and Sassuolo came from behind to beat Catania 3-1 in the meeting of the bot- tom two. Juventus forward Pablo Daniel Osvaldo had two first-half goals disallowed for offside with television replays suggest- ing that the first decision was correct and the second was not. Buffon, equalling Dino Zoff’s record of 476 Juventus appearances, rescued the visi- tors when he saved Emanuele Calaio’s penalty in the 72nd minute after a handball by Arturo Vidal. There was an air of inevitability about FRANCE : Saint-Etienne’s French defender Loic Perrin (top) vies with Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish for- ITALY : Juventus’ defender Giorgio Chiellini fights for the ball with Genoa’s forward the outcome when Juventus won a free ward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (left) and Italian midfielder Marco Verratti (center) during the French League Giuseppe Sculli during the Italian Serie A football match. — AFP football match. — AFP kick on the edge of the area with two min- utes left and, sure enough, Pirlo curled a trademark effort over the wall and into the top corner. Bayern chief set for jail term Prolific Ibrahimovic Juventus, who have 75 points from 28 games and are almost certain to win their as prosecutors won’t appeal third successive title, are 17 clear of AS sets PSG goals record Roma who host Udinese on Monday (2000) BERLIN: German prosecutors said yesterday No date has yet been fixed for Hoeness, when third-placed Napoli visit Torino they won’t appeal the tax fraud verdict who also runs a successful sausage business, PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic took his season tally to a increased the pressure, coming close twice through (1800). David Pizarro missed a penalty for against football legend Uli Hoeness, former to begin his jail term, but it is expected to club record 40 goals as the Sweden forward’s double Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani. Both combined per- Fiorentina but it did not matter as Juan boss of powerhouse Bayern Munich, freeing start in the coming weeks. inspired runaway leaders Paris St Germain to a 2-0 fectly in the 42nd, and Ibrahimovic stabbed in a close- Cuadrado, Alessandro Matri and Gomez, the way for his jail term to begin. Hoeness, 62, “The district court’s verdict is justifiable,” home win against St Etienne in Ligue 1 on Sunday. range volley with the outside of his foot from the back in action after a knee injury, were on who spent four decades at the champion said Florian Gliwitzky, a spokesman for the The French champions maintained their eight-point Uruguay forward’s perfect cross. target against lowly Chievo, who replied club, will in coming weeks start a three-and- public prosecutor’s office. lead over second-placed Monaco, who had Dimitar St Etienne had a clear chance to reduce the arrears through Alberto Paloschi. Gomez also a-half-year prison sentence handed down by Berbatov to thank for a 3-2 win at Olympique Lyon. after the break but Benjamin Corgnet inexplicably scored in the Europa League draw against a court last Thursday, which he has also said ‘MISTAKE OF MY LIFE’ PSG have 70 points from 29 matches after shot wide from point-blank range. Juventus on Thursday. he will not contest. Heidenreich told AFP that he assumed Ibrahimovic surpassed Argentine Carlos Bianchi’s PSG Earlier on Sunday, Dimitar Berbatov scored one The Bayern chief is currently due to serve Hoeness would receive the same treatment in record of 39 goals scored in all competitions in a sin- goal and set up two more in Monaco’s win at Gerland. MILAN CRISIS his term in Landsberg prison in southern Landsberg prison as other inmates. He was gle season (1977-78). Berbatov created Valere Germain and James Milan slumped to a fourth consecutive Bavaria state, prosecution spokesman Ken unable to say exactly when Hoeness’ jail time St Etienne stayed fourth on 48 points, five points Rodriguez’s first-half goals before chipping in the defeat in all competitions and conceded Heidenreich told AFP. That is the jail where would begin as the prosecution service adrift of third-placed Lille who occupy the Champions third. Lyon stayed fifth on 45 points. four goals in a game for the second time in Adolf Hitler wrote “Mein Kampf” while serving would first have to receive the written verdict. League third qualifying round spot. Germain put the visitors ahead after four minutes a week.Milan, who had goalkeeper a sentence for treason after the failed 1923 “It will take a few weeks,” he said. Laurent Blanc’s PSG side predictably dominated from close range after Berbatov had tapped the ball Christian Abbiati sent off in the fifth Beer Hall Putsch uprising in Munich. A After Thursday’s court ruling, Hoeness possession but the first clear chance was for St into this path. The Bulgarian was at it again in the minute, came to life as they clawed back a Munich court sentenced Hoeness for having walked out of the courtroom in the southern Etienne when Salvatore Sirigu tipped away Franck 27th minute, setting up Rodriguez from close range 2-0 deficit, only for Parma forwards Amauri, cheated the state out of 28.5 million euros city of Munich, pending his initially planned Tabanou’s spectacular rising shot on the turn from again. with a brilliant back-heeled flick, and ($39.5 million) after a spectacular four-day tri- appeal. But a day later, a remorseful Hoeness outside the box in the 13th minute. But Lyon did not give up and reduced the arrears Jonathan Biabiany to win the game with al that riveted football-obsessed Germany. said he would forego appealing the sentence Ibrahimovic, however, opened the scoring in the five minutes later as Jimmy Briand latched onto late goals. He admitted to hiding his wealth in secret and resigned from his posts as president and 16th minute at the end of a bizarre move. The Swede Miguel Lopes’s pass to beat Danijel Subasic. Milan, knocked out of the Champions Swiss bank accounts while obsessively “gam- board chairman of Bayern Munich. “Tax eva- played the ball into Blaise Matuidi, who was flagged Rodriguez repaid Berbatov’s favour by setting up League after an emphatic 4-1 defeat by bling” on stock and currency markets for sion was the mistake of my life,” he said in a offside but referee Lionel Jaffredo ignored the lines- the former Tottenham and Manchester United striker Atletico Madrid, are stuck in 12th place with years before seeking to come clean in return statement, adding that his decision not to man’s call and the ball fell for Ibrahimovic who found for Monaco’s third, a fine chip past Anthony Lopes. 35 points from 28 games after their 11th for immunity from prosecution. But his appeal corresponded to his understanding of the back of the net with a low cross shot. Remi Garde’s team, however, were back in con- league defeat of a miserable campaign. January 2013 attempt to turn himself in to “decency, conduct and personal responsibility”. TV replays showed that Matuidi had gained pos- tention with 12 minutes left as Briand scored his sixth It quickly got worse when goalkeeper authorities was deemed too little too late. Bayern Munich have since named succes- session from St Etienne defender Mustapha Bayal league goal of the season with a volley. But it was not Abbiati clattered into Ezequiel Schelotto Prosecutors originally suspected the tax fraud sors to Hoeness, with Adidas chairman Sall’s back pass. Brandao was lucky to escape a red enough as the Monaco defence, perfectly marshalled and suffered the so-called triple punish- case to amount to about 3.5 million euros, Herbert Hainer taking over as interim board card after elbowing Yohan Cabaye in the face as PSG by Ricardo Carvalho, held on. — Reuters ment of penalty, red card and automatic but on the trial’s opening day Hoeness admit- chairman. one-match suspension. ted it was more in the realm of 18.5 million Hoeness has spent more than four Midfielder Michael Essien was sacrificed euros. decades with the Bavarian sporting giants to make way for substitute goalkeeper A day later that figure again jumped, this first as player, helping win then West Marco Amelia, whose first job was to pick time to 27.2 million euros, before the court Germany the 1974 World Cup, then as team Williams drive out the the ball out the back of the net as former recalculated it 28.5 million euros. The prose- manager and, since 2009, as club president. Milan player Antonio Cassano fired home cution had said it would mull appealing Bayern became Germany’s first side to win the penalty. Hoeness’ sentence, having called for a longer the treble titles of Champions League, ghosts of dismal 2013 It seemed to be all over when Cassano jail term of five and a half years, but it Bundesliga and German Cup last season. was given too much space and added a announced yesterday it had decided against. News of the scandal sent shockwaves in LONDON: Valtteri Bottas scored twice as many finish both cars and in a similar position to McLaren, second six minutes after halftime, but “The Munich II public prosecutor’s office Germany where Hoeness was a hero to many points in Sunday’s season-opening Australian so maybe we were going to be first in the champi- Roberto Donadoni’s team then relaxed. will, in the criminal proceedings against young fans and was seen as a moral authority Grand Prix than Williams managed in all of last year onship,” the former Ferrari driver told reporters. Both Adil Rami headed one back from a cor- Ulrich Hoeness over tax fraud, not file an as a conservative commentator on TV talk but the Finn and his Formula One team still left Williams had qualified in the top 10 and ahead of ner five minutes later and Balotelli levelled appeal against the verdict,” its statement said. shows. — AFP Melbourne knowing they could have done better. Button, but Bottas dropped to 15th on the grid due with a 76th-minute penalty, harshly award- The 24-year-old finished fifth, thanks to the dis- to a five place penalty for an unscheduled gearbox ed after Riccardo Montolivo went down qualification of Red Bull’s second placed Australian change. under Joel Obi’s challenge. Daniel Ricciardo hours after the race, in a car that He had climbed to sixth when he clouted the A heroic draw or even win was on the showed pre-season’optimism was not misplaced. wall and had to limp back on three wheels and a cards but it quickly turned to disaster when Although Germany’s Nico Rosberg took a domi- rim, with the safety car coming out to enable mar- Schelotto fired over a low cross from the nant win for Mercedes at Albert Park, after team shals to clear up debris. The Finn dropped back to right and Amauri got in front of Nigel de mate Lewis Hamilton had retired from pole, 16th - and charged through the field again. Jong and brilliantly flicked the ball in with Mercedes-powered Williams laid down a marker for “I’m quite mad about myself for the mistake,” he his heel. the future. They are still a long way from where they told Britain’s Sky television. “I just need to learn from Milan finished dispirited and demor- want to be but there is a new sense of optimism, it and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to do that kind alised, leaving the pitch to a howl of and purpose, about the former champions as they of mistake again. protests after Biabiany headed the fourth fight back from the wilderness of last year. “The team have done such a good job here dur- with the last move of the game. “I think Mercedes are a standout team in terms ing the winter. It’s going to be a good season,” he Lazio, whose fans are furious with club of pace - and I still think there’s another team that’s added. Claire Williams, deputy principal of the team president Claudio Lotito over a lack of very quick, they just didn’t really show it today or founded by her father Frank, said the former cham- investment in the team, won 2-0 at Cagliari they made mistakes,” said McLaren’s Jenson Button - pions - winners of nine constructors’ titles between with goals by Senad Lulic and Keita Balde who started out with Williams in 2000 - after the 1980 and 1997 - had come a long way since last to climb to seventh (41 points). race. Both McLaren drivers ended up on the podi- year when they scored only five points. Teenager Balde’s goal came one minute um, with Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen second “I think we entered the weekend with lots of high after Mauricio Pinilla missed a penalty for and Button third, to send that team top of the con- hopes and there was a lot of expectation on us from Cagliari, who again played in front of less structors’ standings. the media as well but we were really trying to damp- than 5,000 fans due to ongoing rebuilding Bottas and new Brazilian team mate Felipe en that a bit and not get anyone’s hopes up too work at their Sant’Elia stadium. Massa felt it could just as easily have been them. “If high,” she said. “But coming into the race we really Sassuolo’s win lifted them off the bot- we had a good qualifying, a clean race, we had a car were hoping for both cars to get some strong points. tom to 19th with 21 points, where they here to fight for the podium,” Bottas said, and Massa “It was so disappointing for Felipe to have been were replaced by opponents Catania (20). — whose car was rear-ended at the start by knocked out on the first corner but Valtteri drove Bologna (23) dropped into the bottom Caterham’s Japanese Kamui Kobayashi — agreed. such an amazing race...I think he overtook more three below Livorno and Chievo (24). “I would say Australia was a race where we could than 20 cars which was phenomenal.” — Reuters Sampdoria’s revival was abruptly halted with a 3-0 loss at Atalanta. — Reuters Bayern Munich’s President Uli Hoeness Senden wins at Isco could get Tampa Bay starring role against Schalke

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 15 18

Brazil pays price for lack of goalkeeping culture Page 19

NEW ORLEANS: Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (bottom) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (top) go for a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game. — AP Clippers roll as Heat sizzle

LOS ANGELES: Blake Griffin had 21 points, 11 won for just the second time in their last seven en-game, regular-season losing streak to the LaMarcus Aldridge, lost for the fifth time in six been eliminated from postseason contention. rebounds and eight assists on his 25th birthday games. They were down 97-92 following a 3- Thunder. games. as the Los Angeles Clippers held off the Cleveland pointer by James Harden midway through the Kevin Durant scored 30 points for Oklahoma SUNS 121, RAPTORS 113 Cavaliers 102-80 Sunday for their 11th consecu- fourth, then finished the game on a 21-7 run. City. It was his 26th straight game of 25 points or PELICANS 121, CELTICS 120 Markieff Morris had 16 points and 14 tive victory. Allen had 11 points during that late stretch, more, the longest such streak since Michael Anthony Davis set career highs with 40 points rebounds and Gerald Green scored 13 of his 28 Chris Paul had 15 assists and scored 11 of his including a 3-pointer that allowed him to pass Jordan did so in 40 straight games during the and 21 rebounds for New Orleans, and Eric points in the fourth quarter as Phoenix beat 16 points in the final 6:04 for the Clippers, who Allen Iverson for 21st on the NBA’s all-time scor- 1986-87 season. Gordon made two crucial free throws in overtime. Toronto. Goran Dragic scored 19 points, Eric haven’t lost since Feb. 21. Los Angeles matched ing list. Dirk Nowitzki added 17 points for the Tyreke Evans added 26 points and Gordon Bledsoe had 14 and P.J. Tucker 11 for the Suns, the longest winning streak in the NBA this sea- Harden finished with 30 points and Dwight Mavericks, who became only the third Western had 19 for the Pelicans, who had lost two consec- who had lost three of four before winning 87-80 son, equaling 11-game runs in November by Howard added 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Conference team to win this season in Oklahoma utive games. Gordon’s foul shots with 9.4 seconds at Boston on Friday. Portland and San Antonio. Rockets, who’ve dropped three straight. City, joining the Trail Blazers and Clippers. Dallas’ remaining gave the Pelicans a 121-117 lead. Phoenix’s reserves outscored Toronto’s 59-11. Luol Deng scored 23 points and Dion Waiters win over the Thunder was its first since Jan. 2, Davis became the first player in team history Kyle Lowry had 28 points and 13 assists, and had 15 for the Cavaliers, who lost star point guard SPURS 122, JAZZ 104 2012. to have at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in the Terrence Ross scored 22 points as Toronto lost at Kyrie Irving in the first quarter to a left biceps Manu Ginobili scored 21 points and San same game. Jeff Green scored 39 points for home for the first time since a triple-overtime injury. Cleveland had won on its first two stops of Antonio earned its 10th consecutive victory to WARRIORS 113, TRAIL BLAZERS 112 Boston, which lost its fourth straight game. defeat to Washington on Feb. 27. a three-game West Coast road trip, but never led become the first NBA team to 50 wins this season. Stephen Curry scored 28 of his 37 points in the against the Clippers. The Spurs (50-16) shot a season-high 62.8 per- second half and Klay Thompson made the go- TIMBERWOLVES 104, KINGS 102 BOBCATS 101, BUCKS 92 Reggie Bullock scored a career-high 14 points cent from the field in their fourth victory in four ahead 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds remaining to Kevin Love had 26 points, 10 rebounds and Kemba Walker scored 21 points and Al as Los Angeles matched the 1974-75 Buffalo games this season against Utah. Tony Parker had lead Golden State to the win. five assists to lead Minnesota to the win. Love Jefferson added 16 of his 20 in the second half to Braves for the second-longest winning streak in 18 points and Tim Duncan scored 16. Thompson finished with 27 points and David was 3 for 6 from 3-point range, including one help Charlotte beat Milwaukee for its fourth franchise history. It’s the second double-digit winning streak of Lee added 16 for the Warriors, who rallied from with 1:07 to play to give Minnesota a 97-95 lead. straight victory. the Spurs, who won 11 in a row in November. an 18-point deficit in the third quarter. Kevin Martin added 31 points for Minnesota, Gary Neal added 18 in his return to HEAT 113, ROCKETS 104 Derrick Favors had a season-high 28 points for Golden State ended a two-game skid and and Senegalese rookie Gorgui Dieng had his first Milwaukee after the Bucks traded him to Ray Allen scored 14 of his 25 points in the Utah, which has lost four straight. pulled within 11/2 games of the Blazers for the career double-double with season highs in Charlotte last month. Gerald Henderson scored fourth quarter and LeBron James and Dwyane Western Conference’s No. 5 playoff spot. points (12) and rebounds (11). He also had five 14 as the Bobcats matched their longest winning Wade each scored 24 as Miami stopped its worst MAVERICKS 109, THUNDER 86 Damian Lillard scored 26 points and Nicholas blocks. streak of the season, set Feb. 18-22. Brandon skid in three years. Shawn Marion scored 19 points and Vince Batum had 23 points and 14 rebounds as the Derrick Williams scored 26 points and 11 Knight scored 21 points and Ramon Sessions Chris Bosh added 18 points for the Heat, who Carter added 18 as the Mavericks stopped a sev- Blazers, playing without injured All-Star forward rebounds for Sacramento, which has officially added 18 for the Bucks. — AP Pennetta defeats injured Djokovic captures Radwanska to lift crown first title of 2014 INDIAN WELLS: Italy’s Flavia Pennetta early in the second set and struggled INDIAN WELLS: Novak Djokovic beat his old rival Roger captured the biggest title of her career to control her emotions at the ceremo- Federer 3-6 6-3 7-6(3) on Sunday to win a nailbiting BNP on Sunday when she beat Poland’s ail- ny. “I’m sorry I could run as much as I ing Agnieszka Radwanska in the final could,” she sobbed. Paribas Open final at Indian Wells and capture his first title of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian “But I had a great week, it was my of 2014. Wells. first final here. “It’s disappointing to The Serbian overcame a shaky start when he dropped As Radwanska struggled with a lose but Flavia was just playing too his opening service game, then survived a nervous finish knee injury, Pennetta cruised to a 6-2 good today.” when he failed to serve out the match at the first attempt 6-1 victory in less than an hour and a Pennetta beat rising American before finally sealing victory in the tiebreaker. “Today was quarter in the Californian desert. Sloane Stephens in the quarter-finals an incredible match,” Djokovic said after being presented Better known as a doubles player, and Australian Open champion Li Na with the winner’s crystal trophy. Pennetta had contemplated retiring in the semis and was never in trouble “It was an incredibly difficult match. Roger is playing INDIAN WELLS: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses after last year after tumbling down the against Radwanska. great and it’s always a pleasure playing with him.” The defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland during the final of world rankings, but the veteran Italian She chalked up 20 winners and thrilling victory gave Djokovic his third championship in the BNP Parabas Open. — AFP has rediscovered the fountain of saved both break points she faced as the Californian desert tournament and lifted his career tal- Djokovic double-faulted twice in his opening service youth. She reached the semi-finals of she claimed the 10th singles title of ly to 42 titles. game as his Swiss opponent snatched the early break and last year’s U.S. Open and has now won her career and her first in four years. It was Federer’s first loss in a final at Indian Wells after went on to take the first set in 31 minutes. one of the biggest events outside the “After so many years and so much he had previously won a record four times. But the 32-year- Djokovic made a much better start to the second set, four grand slams. work and everything, this is the old showed he was anything but a spent force as he went winning the opening point with an ace right down the “Today was my day and I really moment I’ve always waited for,” said toe to toe with the best hardcourt player in the world. middle, then broke Federer’s serve in the eighth game to enjoyed this moment,” Pennetta said Pennetta. “And it’s coming when you “Personally, I’m very happy. I think I’m playing great ten- lead 5-3. at the trophy presentation. “After so don’t expect it, because in the begin- nis now and I’m really enjoying myself,” Federer said. “Of many years of working hard, this is the ning of the week I never expected to He served out the set then broke Federer early in the course, I would have liked to have more won a few more best moment.” be the champion or to be in the final third and had the chance to serve out the match when he Radwanska went into the match as or semi-final. points at the end but Novak made it tough, so congratula- led 5-4. a slight favourite but was unable to “I was here and tried to play my tions to him for winning.” But with Federer chipping and charging from the base- play near her best because of a knee best tennis...so for me it was some- INDIAN WELLS: Flavia Pennetta of Italy pos- Federer reached the final without dropping a set and line, Djokovic cracked. Roared on by the crowd, Federer injury that severely restricted her thing I was waiting a long time, and es after defeating Agnieszka Radwanska of made a flying start against Djokovic, in their 33rd career tied the set at 6-6 to force a tiebreak, but Djokovic movement. finally I have a good trophy in my Poland during the final of the BNP Parabas meeting. Despite Sunday’s loss, Federer leads their head to regained his composure to clinch the title after almost two She called for a medical timeout hands.” — Reuters Open. —AFP head record 17-16. and a quarter hours. — Reuters Kuwait jobs, salaries set to grow faster in 2014: Survey

Page 22 Business Too-big-to-fail banks still a challenge: BoE TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Page 25 DBS buys SocGen’s Asian Air Arabia AGM approves 7.25% cash dividend private banking business Page 26 Page 23

HONG KONG: Pedestrians cross a road in Hong Kong’s retail heart of Causeway Bay yesterday. The southern Chinese territory was ranked the most expensive for retailers in the world by commercial real estate giant CBRE in February, as prime rents surpassed those of the most exclusive addresses in New York, London and Paris. — AFP Russia govt admits economy in crisis Markets await full-scale of Western measures

MOSCOW: Russia’s government acknowledged for the first and the largest companies,” said Konstantin Chernyshev, defend the Russian-speaking population that the price to be an official recognition of Crimea’s appeal to include time yesterday that the economy was in crisis, undermining head for research at Uralsib in Moscow. Many economists Moscow will pay for its decisions will be hefty. The rouble- the region into Russian territory. earlier attempts by officials to suggest albeit weakening expect Russia to enter recession and most have rushed to denominated MICEX index has lost more than $66 billion in Capital has been fleeing Russia in billions since the start growth could weather sanctions over Ukraine. Moscow mar- slash their growth forecasts as a result of the worst show- market capitalization and the central bank has spent more of the year. Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and a kets wait to see the fulls-cale of western measures over the down between Russia and the West since the fall of the than $16 billion of its reserves to defend the ruble. Only series of economists see capital flight at $50 billion in the seizure of Ukraine’s Crimea and support of its referendum to Berlin Wall. last week, MICEX lost 7.6 percent and the dollar-denomi- first quarter, compared to $63 billion seen in the whole of join Russia, after losing billions of dollars in recent weeks in “Domestic demand is set to halt on the uncertainty nated RTS more than 8 percent. 2013. The ruble is down 11 percent against the dollar this state and corporate money. For weeks, Russian officials have shock and tighter financial conditions, likely dipping the In a matter of a few weeks Russia has gone from being year , continuously breaking through all-time lows. said the confrontation between Moscow and the West over economy into a recession over second and third quarter of perceived as one of the more resilient emerging markets to The Russian central bank vowed on Friday to provide for Ukraine that threatens economic sanctions and asset freezes 2014,” Vladimir Kolychev and Daria Isakova, economists are the withdrawal of the United States monetary stimulus to financial stability after the standoff with the West over would “weigh on the economy”. VTB Capital wrote in a note yesterday. one of the most vulnerable developing countries, analysts Crimea, after unexpectedly raising key rates by 150 basis Although not speaking directly about the impact from the “We are lowering our full-year growth outlook to 0.0 said. “Russia’s economy was struggling even before the points in early March to stem capital flight. conflict, Deputy Economy Minister Sergei Belyakov said yes- percent, and see downside risks if uncertainty remains ele- recent rise in geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine The bank, in possession of the world’s third-largest terday the economy was in trouble. “The economic situation vated for a protracted period and/or severe sanctions are and some softer economic data from China,” said stash of gold and foreign reserves, which stand at $494 bil- shows clear signs of a crisis,” Belyakov told a local business imposed.” Alexander Morozov, chief Russia economist at HSBC in lion, has some room for manoeuvre. But if the tensions in conference. European officials have said they are determined The Economy Ministry’s most recent estimates, issued Moscow. “Possible economic and financial sanctions on Ukraine escalate, the bank may burn through the reserves to hit Russia for its actions in Crimea, imposing sanctions before the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, envisage the Russia add to the uncertainties.” quickly. “It has become patently clear over the last several including travel bans and asset freezes on those responsible. economy expanding by around 2 percent this year. President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will respect the days that the Crimean peninsula is the prelude to wider The United States is expected to take similar steps yesterday. decision of the peninsula’s people and the country’s two and much more dangerous geo-political tensions over the “People are most afraid of sanctions. Their volume and .. Hefty price houses of parliament said they would work as quickly as fate of the Ukrainian mainland,” Nicholas Spiro, managing what sanctions there will be and how this will be reflected Economist have warned ever since President Vladimir possible to pass legislation for its accession. Putin is due to director of Spiro Sovereign Strategy in London said in a on the Russian financial system, the economy, the markets Putin declared on March 3 a right to invade Ukraine to address the parliament today in what is broadly expected note. — Reuters Property, banks lift UAE bourses Pakistan CB blocks sale of Meezan stake: Noor MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Noor Financial work and reach a 15 percent share of the DUBAI: Property and banking shares lifted stock Hermes estimates 10.10 dirhams while Arqaam added 1.1 percent while another local lender, Investment Co said the proposed sale of banking system by 2018. markets in the United Arab Emirates yesterday Capital calculates 12.00 dirhams - and any clean Commercial Bank of Dubai, jumped 6.2 percent. its stake in Karachi-based Meezan Bank As of December, Meezan Bank had a after Dubai obtained a roll-over of $20 billion of break of the chart barrier, in the form of a second Dubai’s main stock index climbed 1.6 percent but had been blocked by Pakistan’s central network of 351 branches and held assets debt. Other markets in the region were mixed as straight daily close above it, could signal a fresh total trading turnover was only slightly higher bank, which felt the prospective buyer had worth 329 billion rupees ($3.3 billion), a uncertainty over the Ukraine crisis continued to leg up for the stock. “On the monthly chart the than Sunday’s moderate level. not met its standards for suitability. 20 percent increase from a year earlier. prompt profit-taking by some retail investors. stock is now seen heading higher to 12 dirhams Banks also lifted the bourse in Abu Dhabi, Ownership of Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s first There are five full-fledged Islamic banks Abu Dhabi and the central bank of the United and 15 dirhams in the coming months,” said Shiv which jumped 1.9 percent. First Gulf Bank added and largest full-fledged Islamic lender, and 14 Islamic windows in Pakistan, with Arab Emirates said on Sunday that they had Prakash, senior technical analyst at NBAD 4.4 percent, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank rose 3.1 may be a sensitive issue for regulators as several looking to grow or spin off their agreed to extend for five years $20 billion of loans Securities. percent and Union National Bank gained 4.9 per- they seek to develop Islamic banking in existing operations while new entrants which were provided to the Dubai government Other property-related names in Dubai post- cent. the country. are also expected. Last month, Meezan as emergency aid during its financial crisis, and ed even stronger gains. Builder Arabtec Holding Qatar In a bourse filing on Sunday, Noor Bank said it was in talks to buy the were due to mature this year in two tranches. The jumped 6.4 percent and contractor Drake & Scull Qatar’s index, on the other hand, added 0.6 Financial said the prospective buyer would Pakistan operations of HSBC Bank Middle roll-over had been widely expected, but it was added 3.9 percent. Marwan Shurrab, fund man- percent largely on the back of a single stock, continue to seek approval from the regula- East, a 10-branch business which the still good news for Dubai, and Abu Dhabi’s deci- ager and head of trading at Vision Investments, industrial services provider Gulf International tor, with the offer set to expire on April 15. British lender has been trying to sell for sion to deal with both tranches at once - rather said Arabtec was subject to “positive speculation” Services, which jumped 9.9 percent on average than waiting until each one matured - appeared ahead of a board meeting on Tuesday which will trading volume. Little is known about the prospective the past two years. Pakistan’s MCB Bank to suggest a determination to clear obstacles to review its annual financial results. Traders said The firm made no announcements this week. buyer, identified only as Vision Financial plans to take a 55 percent stake in Islamic growth in the UAE. there was speculation about possible profit distri- Last week, its annual meeting approved a 20 per- Holdings Ltd in a separate filing by lender Burj Bank, alongside an additional Meanwhile, shares in Dubai’s Emaar Properties bution. cent cash dividend and a 25 percent bonus share Meezan Bank. Last December, Noor investment by the private sector arm of added 1.7 percent to 9.25 dirhams, testing chart Developer Deyaar gained 2.5 percent after issue. Qatar’s Mesaieed Petrochemical resumed Financial said it planned to sell its 49.1 per- the Islamic Development Bank. That deal, resistance at 9.16-9.20 dirhams - the February and saying it had sold out the residential units at a sliding after it published its income statement for cent stake in Meezan for $190 million and which still requires regulatory approval, March highs - for a second day after the company new mixed-use project, registering 500 million September-December 2013 and proposed a 3.5 expected to book a $24 million profit. would involve the sale of Bahraini Bank announced a higher 2013 dividend and a plan to dirhams ($136 million) in sales within hours of percent cash dividend. The stock dropped 4.0 Regulators are stepping up their efforts to Alkhair’s 36.9 percent stake in Burj Bank, list its shopping mall unit. Many analysts have opening. percent; last month it listed at levels which ana- develop Islamic banking in Pakistan, aim- which it classified as held-for-sale in June higher fair-value estimates for Emaar - EFG- Deyaar’s big shareholder, Dubai Islamic Bank, lysts believe was far above fair value. — Reuters ing to double the industry’s branch net- 2012. — Reuters TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 BUSINESS Emaar’s retail spin-off won’t affect rating: S&P

DUBAI: Standard & Poor’s plans no rating it has collected healthy deposits on the off- action relating to Dubai’s Emaar Properties plan developments it was planning, meant it after the emirate’s largest listed developer was very cash-rich. announced plans to spin off its retail unit, an Emaar, which sold properties worth 12 analyst covering the company said yester- billion dirhams last year and generated 10.3 day. billion dirhams of revenue, hiked its divi- Emaar said on Saturday it planned to list dend payment for 2013 to 15 percent from 25 percent of its shopping malls and retailing 10 percent in the previous year, its unit in a public offer expected to raise announcement on Saturday detailed. The around 8 to 9 billion dirhams. The move, shopping malls, retail and hospitality unit which would see cash distributed to share- contributed 46 percent of Emaar’s revenues holders through a special dividend but see in 2013 but Trask said a shift towards earn- Emaar’s main revenue stream of recent years ing more from property development was divested, won’t impact Emaar’s rating, which already happening. was upgraded in February to investment “A year ago, we were rating Emaar as a grade. property investment company but last time “They are in a comfortable funding posi- we looked at the rating action, we looked at tion at the moment, hence we are okay with the prospective earnings profile and we the fact (that) not only did they increase the thought the balance will change,” Trask said, cash dividend but also they announced this indicating it was now judged as a developer. potential stake sale,” Tommy Trask, director of “So in the next 2-3 years, you’re going to corporate ratings at S&P, told a media event. have more earnings coming from develop- Trask said Emaar’s strong reputation with ment and sale of properties than the income investors for delivering projects, plus the fact from investment properties.” — Reuters Majid Al-Futtaim plans ME cinema expansion DUBAI: Dubai-based shopping mall devel- has 92 screens at eight locations in the UAE Kuwait jobs, salaries set to oper Majid Al-Futtaim will invest over 750 and one in Lebanon, with 80 more screens million dirhams ($204 million) expanding its under construction and a further 78 cinema operations in the Middle East and approved but “pending landlord develop- aims to double its audience figures by 2016, ment works”, said Mitchell. This would give grow faster in 2014: Survey the company said yesterday. the company 250 screens by the end of Majid Al-Futtaim, famous for building an 2017. indoor ski slope in Dubai, will invest 190 mil- “Other developments (are) expected to GulfTalent predicts Kuwait salaries to rise 5.8% lion dirhams on cinemas in Qatar, Bahrain be finalized in the coming six months to fur- and Oman, Cameron Mitchell, chief execu- ther increase this screen count in the UAE, KUWAIT: 2014 will be a year of stronger employ- lowed by Qatar at 6.7 percent and the UAE at 5.9 by Qatar’s capital, Doha. Bahrain, on the other tive of subsidiary Majid Al Futtaim - Cinemas, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt and Oman,” said ment growth and higher salary rises, according to percent. Kuwait and Bahrain are forecast to have hand, remains the least attractive destination for said. Mitchell, adding his firm would operate at a survey by online recruitment firm, GulfTalent. the region’s lowest salary increases - projected at expatriates. In the United Arab Emirates, his company least 420 screens across 30 locations by 2020. The 2014 edition of “Employment and Salary 5.8 percent and 3.9 percent respectively. While GulfTalent’s report is based on an online sur- will spend 275 million dirhams revamping He forecast his company would host more Trends in the Gulf”, released today by GulfTalent, the salary increases are higher than the previous vey of 800 employers and 34,000 professionals, and expanding its Dubai operations, plus a than 12 million cinemagoers annually by shows that Saudi Arabia was the leader in job year, they continue to be below the levels seen as well as 60 interviews with executives and HR further 290 million dirhams in neighboring 2016, up from 5.5 million in 2013. “Each mar- creation in 2013, with 62 percent of companies before the crisis. professionals. The full version of the report emirates Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. “The budg- ket is different,” added Mitchell. “In Lebanon increasing their headcount last year. The et for our Egyptian cinemas is yet to be final- our guests appreciate romantic comedies, Kingdom was followed by the UAE and Kuwait. ized,” said Mitchell. Parent firm Majid Al- dramatic films and French and Arabic releas- Broken down into sectors, healthcare topped Futtaim, which reported a 10 percent rise in es. “Action is also popular, although not to the the table with 80 percent of companies having annual revenue to 23 billion dirhams in 2013, extent it is appreciated in the UAE and Oman. created jobs in 2013, driven by heavy govern- in January said it would invest $2.3 billion in Indian releases in the Middle East, be it ment investment in the sector and more coun- Egypt in the next few years. Bollywood, Malayalam or Tamil are also rapid- tries making health insurance mandatory for At present, the company’s cinema unit ly gaining in popularity.” — Reuters employers. According to the survey, telecom and retail sectors competed for second position.

Employment growth in 2014 GulfTalent’s survey also found that across the Etisalat’s Egypt unit GCC, more companies expect to increase their headcount in 2014 compared with last year. 75 percent of companies in Qatar will create jobs eyes market listing this year. The positive development is primarily due to the execution of major infrastructure CAIRO: The Egyptian arm of Abu Dhabi- to a five-and-a-half year high last month. projects gathering momentum, partly in prepa- based mobile operator Etisalat is consider- “Etisalat (Misr) is studying the best option ration for the 2022 World Cup. Next are compa- ing listing its shares but has not decided on for floating its shares on the bourse and nies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with 63 per- which bourse to do so or who will organize the appropriate market for them, either on cent and 57 percent of companies looking to the initial public offering (IPO) for the firm, the Egyptian bourse or outside it,” the create jobs respectively. Even companies in it said yesterday. Egypt’s financial regulator Egyptian company said in an emailed Bahrain are showing signs of improvement in changed its rules earlier this year to boost statement. job creation as the political situation stabilizes trading and attract investment on the “It is expected that the study will end further: 30 percent of companies expect to country’s bourse, making it easier for com- soon, especially after the positive indica- increase their headcount, compared with only 9 panies wishing to list on the stock tors that the Egyptian bourse has wit- percent in 2013. exchange. nessed lately.” The company said previous Hospitality and retail will dominate job The last major IPO on the Egyptian preparations for an IPO had been put on growth in 2014. 61 percent of companies in the exchange was in 2010. Since then, Egypt’s hold because of the political climate, but hospitality sector are planning to increase their capital markets have been hit by the politi- that the recent surge in stocks due to opti- headcount, as they expect 2014 to be a year of cal turmoil that has gripped the country mism that Egypt’s economy is recovering growth for the industry. As regards the retail sec- since the uprising that swept autocratic had prompted it to resume the plans. tor, 57 percent of firms will create jobs, driven by leader Hosni Mubarak from power in early Etisalat Misr competes in Egypt’s the region’s rapid population growth and 2011. Islamist President Mohammad Morsi mobile market with Vodafone Egypt and increasing penetration of retail outlets in more was overthrown by the army in July last Mobinil, which is controlled by France remote locations. “Employment and Salary Trends in the Gulf Most popular GCC countries 2014” is available for download free of charge year following mass protests. The military- Telecom. Etisalat owns a 66 percent stake Salary increases According to GulfTalent’s report, the UAE has from the company’s website at: www.gulftal- backed interim government is due to be in Etisalat Misr. Etisalat, the United Arab Across most of the GCC, private sector further strengthened its position as the prime ent.com. succeeded by an elected parliament and Emirates’ biggest telecoms operator by salaries are forecast to rise at a faster pace in destination for expatriates in the GCC. Optimism GulfTalent is the leading online recruitment president within months. Army chief Field revenue and subscribers, missed analysts’ 2014 compared with the previous year. Oman, about the country’s future has increased follow- portal in the Middle East, covering all sectors Marshal Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is widely forecasts with a 70 percent rise in fourth- where employees are expected to enjoy an aver- ing Dubai’s economic recovery and successful and job categories. It is used by over 4 million expected to announce his candidacy for quarter net profit this month after it took age pay increase of 8 percent, leads the field. bid for hosting the 2020 Expo. Expatriates also professionals across the region for finding top the presidency and win. impairments on Nigerian and Indonesian Saudi Arabia has the second highest rate with a continue to value the UAE’s stability, especially career opportunities. It is also the primary online Egypt’s main stock index bounced back operations. — Reuters projected average increase of 6.8 percent, fol- as parts of the wider region remain plagued by recruitment channel for over 6,000 companies, tensions. Not surprisingly, Dubai and Abu Dhabi providing them access to both local and expatri- are the region’s most attractive cities, followed ate talent. EXCHANGE RATES

Philippine Peso 0.006358 0.006638 Syrian Pound 2.955 Sierra Leone 0.000062 0.000068 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Nepalese Rupees 3.900 Singapore Dollar 0.219262 0.22562 Malaysian Ringgit 86.850 South African Rand 0.020184 0.028884 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.335 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001865 0.002445 Japanese Yen 2.732 Australian Dollar 259.05 256.05 Thai Bhat 9.690 Taiwan 0.009189 0.009369 Indian Rupees 4.632 Canadian Dollar 257.62 258.62 Turkish Lira 127.050 Pakistani Rupees 2.729 Swiss Franc 326.02 324.02 Thai Baht 0.008381 0.008931 Srilankan Rupees 2.158 Euro 394.72 395.72 Bahrain Exchange Company Nepali Rupees 2.896 US Dollar 281.40 284.40 Arab Singapore Dollar 223.180 Sterling Pound 473.05 476.05 Bahraini Dinar 0.741953 0.749953 Hongkong Dollar 36.351 Japanese Yen 2.78 2.80 CURRENCY BUY SELL Egyptian Pound 0.036772 0.039872 Bangladesh Taka 3.623 Bangladesh Taka 3.622 3.892 Europe Iranian Riyal 0.000078 0.000079 Philippine Peso 6.355 Indian Rupee 4.607 4.907 Belgian Franc 0.007332 0.008332 Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 Thai Baht 8.754 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.157 2.592 British Pound 0.462277 0.471277 Jordanian Dinar 0.393730 0.401230 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Nepali Rupee 2.894 3.429 Czech Korune 0.006264 0.018264 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.0000000 1.0000000 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 Pakistani Rupee 2.788 2.790 Danish Krone 0.048291 0.053291 Lebanese Pound 0.000137 0.000237 Euro 0.385259 0.393259 Moroccan Dirhams 0.024316 0.048316 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 76.68 77.15 Bahraini Dinar 748.97 751.04 Norwegian Krone 0.043228 0.048428 Nigerian Naira 0.001114 0.001749 Saudi Riyal 75.257 Omani Riyal 0.726824 0.732504 Qatari Riyal 77.543 Egyptian Pound 40.42 41.02 Romanian Leu 0.086667 0.86667 Jordanian Dinar 400.50 406.15 Slovakia 0.008066 0.018066 Qatar Riyal 0.076790 0.078003 Omani Riyal 733.110 Saudi Riyal 0.074603 0.075303 Bahraini Dinar 749.570 Omani Riyal 731.82 739.12 Swedish Krona 0.040128 0.045128 Syrian Pound 0.002162 0.002382 UAE Dirham 76.856 Qatari Riyal 77.71 78.26 Swiss Franc 0.314266 0.324466 Saudi Riyal 75.17 75.57 Turkish Lira 0.125432 0.132432 Tunisian Dinar 0.175706 0.183706 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.125432 0.132432 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.250 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia UAE Dirhams 0.075837 0.076986 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.089 Australian Dollar 0.246149 0.257649 Yemeni Riyal 0.001281 0.001361 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.318 New Zealand Dollar 0.232670 0.241170 Tunisian Dinar 180.370 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 398.530 US Dollar 281.900 America Al Mulla Exchange Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.893 Canadian Dollar 256.355 Canadian Dollar 0.248103 0.256603 Syrian Lira 2.011 Sterling Pound 470.375 US Dollars 0.278050 0.282400 Morocco Dirham 35.709 Euro 392.508 US Dollars Mint 0.278550 0.282400 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Swiss Frank 321.250 US Dollar 281.600 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 744.350 Asia Euro 391.900 US Dollar Transfer 282.100 UAE Dirhams 76.730 Bangladesh Taka 0.003293 0.003893 Pound Sterling 469.750 Euro 394.940 Qatari Riyals 78.280 Chinese Yuan 0.044791 0.048291 Canadian Dollar 254.850 Sterling Pound 475.200 Saudi Riyals 76.040 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034266 0.037016 Indian Rupee 4.633 Canadian dollar 256.450 Jordanian Dinar 397.280 Indian Rupee 0.004372 0.004773 Egyptian Pound 40.090 Turkish lira 127.970 Egyptian Pound 40.444 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.157 Swiss Franc 714.180 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.157 Japanese Yen 0.002646 0.002828 Bangladesh Taka 3.625 Australian Dollar 258.250 Indian Rupees 4.648 Philippines Peso 6.330 US Dollar Buying 280.900 Kenyan Shilling 0.003256 0.003256 Pakistani Rupees 2.819 Korean Won 0.000254 0.000269 Pakistan Rupee 2.810 Bangladesh Taka 3.621 Malaysian Ringgit 0.082334 0.088334 Bahraini Dinar 749.850 GOLD Philippines Pesso 6.330 UAE Dirham 76.700 Nepalese Rupee 0.002842 0.003012 20 Gram 240.000 Cyprus pound 692.400 Saudi Riyal 75.200 Pakistan Rupee 0.002570 0.002850 10 Gram 121.000 Japanese Yen 3.725 *Rates are subject to change 5 Gram 62.500 TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 BUSINESS DBS buys SocGen’s Asian private banking business Deal to boost bank’s access to region’s super rich

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s DBS Bank said yester- erate its private banking business through an deal flows”, he said. Gupta said the deal should day it had agreed to buy the Asian private bank- acquisition. be completed by the end of the year following ing business of French lender Societe Generale “As you know, Asia is growing in affluence, legal and regulatory approvals. in a deal worth $220 million, boosting its access and minting more millionaires every day than The deal comes as Asia’s strong economic to the region’s super rich. DBS said in a state- anywhere else in the world,” he said in the growth results in a boom in the ranks of the ment to the Singapore Exchange that the deal memo, a copy of which was seen by AFP. ultra-rich. Property consultancy Knight Frank “will accelerate DBS’s ambition of becoming a said in a recent report that Asia will have the leading wealth manager in Asia”. Asia to have most billionaires by 2023 most number of billionaires worldwide at 809 The acquisition comes at a time of growing He said that in the 2013 financial year, DBS’s by 2023, overtaking Europe. The number is up competition to manage the wealth of Asia’s wealth franchise, including the private banking 66 percent from 2013. growing ranks of millionaires and billionaires. Under the agreement, DBS will buy Societe A migrant worker reading a newspaper at a job market in Qingdao, east General’s Asian private banking operations in China’s Shandong province. More than 100 million Chinese are to be given Singapore and Hong Kong and parts of its trust vital documents making them officially residents of the country’s cities under business. a broad plan for the urbanization that is crucial to economic growth. —AFP “This transaction is in line with one of DBS’s strategic priorities to be a leading wealth man- East-West face-off obscures ager in Asia and will significantly increase the scale of its wealth management business,” any IMF deal for Ukraine Singapore’s leading bank said. Jean-Francois Mazaud, head of Societe Generale Private LONDON: Ukrainian bond prices are hold- and the tactic it used in Greece and Cyprus, Banking, described DBS as “the most suitable ing up better than expected in the stand-off is rather than just give new Pakistan-style choice”. with Russia because investors think the loans, to get bondholders to agree to give “The commercial partnership we intend to International Monetary Fund might not struggling countries more time to pay. implement together will also represent a great impose tough conditions in an expected aid Sterne thinks the situation is different to opportunity for our private banking customers program due to Kiev’s political importance Pakistan because Kiev has more debt on its to fully benefit from the very best of the two to the West. Rather like Pakistan in 2001, books than Islamabad did, meaning a banks in Europe and in Asia,” he said. which was seen as key in the fight against al restructuring would be more meaningful. DBS’s clients will have access to Societe Qaeda, some in markets say the IMF, from But he feels that with so little time to organ- Generale Private Banking’s offerings in Europe, which Ukraine is seeking financial support, ise one the result may end up the same. DBS said. It said the deal would increase its could hand it the money it needs to avoid a “They may well just stump up the money high-net-worth assets under management by default without many of the usual strings. through gritted teeth,” he said. The IMF more than 20 percent. “From a strategic per- By normal measures, Ukraine’s debt to declined to comment on its talks with spective, this acquisition will propel DBS for- GDP of around 40 percent is not high Ukraine but its head, Christine Lagarde, said ward in its strategy to grow its regional financial enough to arouse concerns, but the combi- last week it should finish its fact-finding mis- services footprint and become a leading bank in nation of its being at the centre of a geopo- sion there by Friday. Kiev has asked for at the Asian wealth management industry, which litical tug-of-war and a tumbling currency least $15 billion, but officials at the Fund and is a very fast-growing segment of the global has seen bets on a default grow. This year’s places like the European Bank for financial services industry,” said Rajiv Biswas, near 15 percent dive in the hryvnia has Reconstruction and Development, acknowl- Asia Pacific chief economist at IHS Global SINGAPORE: DBS Bank group head of consumer banking and wealth management Tan Su increased the debt burden and it could edge it will need to be quite a lot more. Insight. Shan (left) and Olivier Gougeon (right), Regional Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific of quickly spiral if the turmoil causes capital to “The concentration of acquired assets in Societe Generale Private banking Asia attend a media briefing in Singapore yesterday. —AFP flee and banks are left with funding holes Geopolitical pawn Singapore and Hong Kong is also positive in the state would need to fill. Markets appear to be thinking along sim- terms of the geographic distribution of assets business, reported record income of Sg$924 The number of billionaires in China alone by The uncertainty is rising after Crimea’s ilar lines to Ahmed and Sterne. They are pric- under management, since Singapore and Hong million ($730 million). The bank managed 2023 is projected to exceed the total in Britain, mainly Russian-speaking population voted ing nowhere near the kind of pain that Kong are the two leading international financial wealth assets totalling Sg$109 billion at the end Russia, France and Switzerland combined, it overwhelmingly to join Russia on Sunday. Greek debt holders suffered. Ukraine’s June centres in Asia,” he told AFP. of last year, he said. Those of high-end clients said. Asia is also forecast to have increasing Aside from the complexities of a split, it has eurobond is selling with a discount of 8 per- Kenny Kan, market analyst at CMC Markets came to Sg$69 billion, up from Sg$39 billion in numbers of people with investible assets of at raised suspicions that other pro-Moscow cent off of its face value whereas for the in Singapore, said the deal marked a “strategic 2010. Calling the deal complementary, Gupta least $30 million-called ultra high net worth parts of Ukraine will fall under Russian con- longer-term, but often more sought after positioning” by DBS “in view of the growing said Societe Generale Private Banking’s client individuals-as well as those with $100 at least trol. Rating firms have warned there is a siz- 2017 and 2020 benchmarks, are showing a need for wealth management in Asia with its base was largely focused on “ultra high net million, called centa-millionaires, the report able risk of default by Ukraine but markets 14 to 17 percent discount. ever-increasing millionaires”. DBS chief execu- worth” individuals, many of whom come from said. DBS shares rose 0.38 percent to Sg$15.79 are hedging their bets, suspecting the Cold “A loss in Ukrainian bonds is not really tive Piyush Gupta said in an internal memo to outside Southeast Asia. DBS’s expertise is “pre- in mid-afternoon trade, as the Straits Times War-tinged politics may ultimately deter- priced in,” said Regis Chatellier a sovereign staff it was time for the Singapore bank to accel- dominantly in Asian investment products and Index added 0.33 percent. —AFP mine the outcome. strategist at Societe Generale. “The lowest While bond buyers are demanding more they are trading at is around 82 (versus face to hold Ukraine’s debt and the price of insur- value of 100). If people thought we were ing it has risen in recent weeks, there is going to see a Greek-style restructuring they US factory output nothing to suggest a Greece-style scenario would be at more like 50.” where investors lose 70 percent of their The other issue complicating the situa- rebounds in Feb money. “Obviously Ukraine’s debt to GDP is tion is the money Russia recently lent to high so they need relief. There is no doubt Ukraine in the form of a bond when its for- WASHINGTON: US factory output rebounded strongly about that, but I think it is not a purely eco- mer pro-Moscow president Viktor in February after harsh winter storms caused a steep nomic issue anymore,” said Salman Ahmed, a Yanukovich was in charge. drop-off in production in January. Manufacturers pro- global fixed-income strategist at the invest- Kiev has far it has received 3 billion of duced more autos, home electronics and chemicals. ment arm of private bank Lombard Odier. what was meant to be a $15 billion package The Federal Reserve said yesterday factory production “In Greece there was no territorial issue in but Moscow’s grab of Crimea has sparked surged 0.8 percent, nearly reversing a 0.9 percent play. If the West wants Ukraine to align with debate on whether Kiev is likely to ever pay plunge in January that was due mainly to weather. them rather than Russia they will have to the money back. The bond has a couple of February’s gain was the largest in six months. The fig- offer a carrot and the carrot could be better special clauses that have added spice to the ures suggest that factories are poised to boost output terms on the debt.” debate. Russia can demand instant repay- and drive more economic growth as the weather ment if Ukraine’s debt to GDP hits 60 per- improves. Through gritted teeth cent and it also carries ‘pari passu’ (equal) “Assuming that the weather returns to seasonal Ahmed likened the situation to the IMF’s status with Ukraine’s eurobonds. norms, output will rise rapidly in the coming months,” dealings with Pakistan in late 2001 when That means that if Ukraine doesn’t pay Paul Dales, an economist at Capital Economics, said in Islamabad got approval for a $1.3 billion Russia back, unless it also didn’t pay its a note to clients. Overall industrial production, which loan as the West courted it as an ally in the eurobonds, Moscow could easily go through includes manufacturing, mining and utilities, rose 0.6 fight against terror in the wake of the 9/11 the courts to get the money. But ultimately percent in February, the biggest increase since attacks. Kiev has $3 billion dollars worth of bond market experts say it is likely to come September. Industrial production had fallen 0.2 per- foreign currency bonds due before the end down to a political decision - whether or not cent in January. NEW YORK: Trader Kenneth Polcari (right) works on the floor of the New York of September and though it still has suffi- the West and the IMF dangle the easy-mon- Utility output dipped 0.2 percent despite the cold Stock Exchange yesterday. Stocks were sharply higher in early trading follow- cient reserves, the view among analysts is ey carrot. “We are seeing East against West, weather. The drop came after a sharp 3.8 percent jump ing news that output at US factories surged last month. —AP that running them down too far could which makes it more difficult for the IMF,” in January. Mining production rose 0.3 percent. Auto spook investors. said Zsolt Papp, who helps oversee $2.6 bil- production rose 4.6 percent after falling 5.1 percent in Wall St jumps as geopolitical The safer alternative is to call on the IMF. lion of emerging-market debt at Union January. Home electronic output increased 0.7 per- Gabriel Sterne at emerging market specialist Bancaire Privee in Zurich. “Ukraine is just the cent. And food production rose about 1 percent. concerns ease Exotix, says the Fund’s current preference, pawn here.” —Reuters Factories ran at 76.4 percent of capacity, up one-half of a percentage point over the month and 2.3 percentage NEW YORK: US stocks rose more than 1 looking ahead to a two-day meeting of the points below the long-run average. percent yesterday, rebounding from a Fed’s policy-setting committee, which Sovereign funds off Manufacturing and the broader economy may be steep drop in the previous week as con- begins today. The Fed is unlikely to deviate emerging from a winter slump. A rebound in factory cerns eased over the situation in Crimea, from previously announced policies, but it output could drive faster growth in the coming even as the region voted to join Russia. could use the meeting - the first with Janet to a slow M&A start months. A private survey this month found that manu- The 97-percent vote in Crimea in favor Yellen as chair - to map out its plan for rate facturers received more orders in February even as of quitting Ukraine was condemned as ille- rises. The central bank has said that the first LONDON: Sovereign wealth funds have cial crisis by investing in beleaguered production fell. The Institute for Supply Management, gal by Kiev and the West, with the White rate rise is likely to come around the mid- been much slower to pursue merger and Western banks. Some funds like Qatar and a trade group of purchasing managers, said its overall House calling Russian actions “dangerous dle of next year, as long as the US economy index of manufacturing activity rose to 53.2 in acquisition deals so far this year after a Norway have been active in making property and destabilizing,” though the referendum keeps healing. In the latest economic data, February from 51.3 in January. bumper 2013, according to Thomson and infrastructure investments, which are passed without violence. In addition, while the New York Fed’s “Empire State” gauge of Reuters data. Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), less liquid than equity or debt markets but And Americans spent a bit more at retail stores in markets are considered to be vulnerable to New York manufacturing rose in March, which invest windfall revenues from oil and deliver stable income with a relatively attrac- February after pulling back in December and January. further developments in what is consid- helped by increases in new orders and other exports for future generations, sealed tive yield. That may mean that consumer demand is picking up, $155 million of M&A deals in publicly listed Oeystein Olsen, governor of Norway’s which could lead to more factory output. But some ered the biggest crisis between Russia and inventories, though the rise was less than markets up to March 10, less than a tenth of central bank which manages the SWF, told other data have been negative. A government report the United States since the Cold War, antic- forecast. Separately, industrial output rose the value for the same year-ago period. Reuters last month the fund could expand showed that factory orders dipped in January. Auto ipated sanctions against Russia have yet to 0.6 percent in February, a far bigger rise The number of deals stood at nine in this investments in real estate, infrastructure or sales have slowed after a big gain in 2013. Sales were materialize. than had been expected. period, this graphic shows: In the same peri- new asset classes. flat in February after a drop in January. Businesses kept The geopolitical tension weighed on “The data gives us another kick up, od last year, they made 20 deals worth $2.7 Qatar Investment Authority is in talks to up their restocking of store shelves and warehouses in equities last week, with the S&P 500 suffer- since it is another sign that we’re recover- billion. In the whole of 2013, sovereign funds invest $200 million in residential property in January even as sales fell. That means retailers and oth- ing its biggest weekly loss in seven and the ing from recent weather issues,” said Selkin, sealed M&A deals worth $36.5 billion, their India, according to a source. Azerbaijan’s $36 er firms could be stuck with some unwanted goods. CBOE Volatility index jumping to its high- who helps oversee about $3 billion in highest since 2010. That was still half of the billion sovereign wealth fund is planning to Rising inventories could weigh on factory production est since early February on Friday. assets. boom year of 2007, when SWFs made deals buy real estate in Asia this year in order to in coming months if companies cut back on orders. “This is a classic example of too much In company news, Chinese e-commerce worth $73 billion. further diversify its assets. “Until recently we The economy will grow at about a 2 percent annual fear and anxiety having been in the mar- giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd said on State-owned wealth funds have been were very conservative fixed income rate in the first three months of this year, economists ket. Last week’s decline more than dis- Sunday it would begin the process towards shying away from making headline-grab- investors. But we’ve started investing in riski- forecast, down from more than 3 percent in the final counted any bad news that could be rea- a US initial public offering, ending months bing M&A deals since they came under er assets, private equity and real estate,” the six months of last year. But most expect it will pick up sonably expected to come out,” said of speculation. Shares of Yahoo Inc, which severe domestic pressure after losing an esti- fund’s chief executive Shahmar Movsumov later this year to a 3 percent annual pace. —AP Donald Selkin, chief market strategist at has a 24 percent stake in the company, mated $80 billion at the height of the finan- told a conference last month. —Reuters National Securities in New York. “I don’t jumped 3.2 percent to $38.81. think anyone believes that this could esca- JA Solar Holdings Co shares jumped 9.6 late into a shooting war or the US commit- percent to $12.52 after the company post- Euro-zone inflation drops back to rate-cut level ting troops.” The advance continued a ed its first profit in 10 quarters and forecast recent trend of investors using market pull- higher shipments for the year. Intercept BRUSSELS: Euro-zone annual inflation dropped rate to a record low of 0.25 percent the following low, the higher was the probability of deflationary backs as buying opportunities. Major Pharmaceuticals Inc said on Sunday its back in February to the level that triggered a sur- month. risks emerging. indexes have not undergone a sustained experimental liver disease drug was effec- prise cut in interest rates in November, revised Inflation has not dropped below that level But the ECB has already said it expects infla- pullback in more than a year. The Dow tive in a third late-stage clinical trial, set- data showed yesterday, underlining deflation risks since November 2009, when it stood at 0.5 per- tion to only pick up slowly, to 1.0 percent this year Jones industrial average was up 182.59 ting the stage for the company to file for in the bloc. The year-on-year inflation rate in the cent, Eurostat said. The ECB, which targets infla- and 1.5 percent in 2016, and a minimal dip to 0.7 points, or 1.14 percent, at 16,248.26. The marketing approval. Shares fell 6.3 percent 18 countries sharing the euro was 0.7 percent in tion at close to but below 2 percent, considers the percent last month seems unlikely to prompt a Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was up 19.15 to $433.14. February against 0.8 percent in January, the risk of euro zone deflation as “quite limited”, its significant policy change. “The downward revi- points, or 1.04 percent, at 1,860.28. The Giant Investment Ltd will acquire European Union’s statistics office Eurostat said. president Mario Draghi said last Thursday. The sion to the February inflation figures is unlikely to The reading was the joint-lowest in four years bank left borrowing costs unchanged at its most be enough to trigger further near-term monetary Nasdaq Composite Index was up 49.35 Chinese online gaming company Giant and a touch below the initial February estimate of recent meeting on March 6. easing,” said Martin van Vliet, senior economist at points, or 1.16 percent, at 4,294.75. Interactive Group Inc for $3 billion and 0.8 percent. The annual inflation print last fell to Draghi also said the bank has been preparing ING. “This will also require a deterioration of the The US Federal Reserve’s massive stimu- take it private, the companies said on 0.7 percent in October - a decline that persuaded additional policy steps to guard against possible activity and or a further significant strengthening lus program has helped keep a floor under Sunday. Shares of Giant rose 1.8 percent to the European Central Bank to cut its key interest deflation, and that the longer inflation remained of the euro.” —Reuters equity prices, and market participants are $11.60. —Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Asian shares mixed, Crimea vote raises tensions

HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed yes- tion figures out of Beijing. The dollar was up in terday on renewed concerns over Ukraine after afternoon forex business, buying 101.57 yen Crimea voted to break away from the former compared with 101.36 yen in New York Friday Soviet republic and join Russia, leading the afternoon. West to warn of further sanctions against The euro bought $1.3880 and 141.08 yen Moscow. against $1.3906 and 140.73 yen. In China the Investors remain cautious following a sell- yuan weakened against the dollar after the off last week fuelled by weak Chinese data, central bank at the weekend doubled the cur- while eyes are on the Federal Reserve’s policy rency’s trading band as it slowly embarks on meeting today and tomorrow to see if it will long-anticipated financial reforms. The People’s announce any more stimulus cuts. Tokyo Bank of China said it would allow the yuan to slipped 0.35 percent, or 49.99 points, to move up or down two percent daily-double 14,277.67 and Sydney shed 0.22 percent, or the previous one percent-on either side of a 11.8 points, to 5,317.6. mid-point set under the guidance of the bank. But Shanghai climbed 0.96 percent, or 19.33 The Chinese unit was trading at 6.1541 to points, to 2,023.673 while Seoul added 0.40 the dollar yesterday, according to the China percent, or 7.63 points, to end at 1,927.53. Foreign Exchange Trading System, compared Hong Kong fell 0.30 percent, or 65.54 points. to with Friday’s close of 6.1502. 21,473.95. Crimea voted overwhelmingly On oil markets New York’s main contract, Sunday to join Russia, further fuelling tensions West Texas Intermediate for April delivery, was in the worst crisis between Moscow and the up four cents to $98.93 in afternoon trade, and West since the Cold War. Brent North Sea crude for May fell 36 cents to While people in the predominantly Russian- $107.85. speaking peninsula celebrated the result of the Gold fetched $1,378.76 an ounce at 1000 poll, Ukraine’s new pro-European leaders and GMT compared with $1,370.09 late Friday. the West branded it “illegal”. The vote was organized after Russian forces In other markets SHANGHAI: Chinese yuan bank notes in China’s financial capital of Shanghai. China’s yuan traded weaker against the US dollar yesterday after seized de facto control of the region and pro- Bangkok added 0.36 percent, or 4.92 points, the central bank allowed the tightly-controlled currency to move in a wider range in a long-anticipated financial reform. — AFP Moscow authorities took power in response to to 1,377.10. Thai Airways International gained the ouster of Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin leader 4.14 percent to 15.10 baht, while telecoms Viktor Yanukovych in February. US President company Advanced Info Service rose 1.85 per- Barack Obama told his Russian counterpart cent to 220.00 baht. Vladimir Putin in a phone call after the vote Singapore closed up 0.60 percent, or 18.42 that a referendum that “occurred under duress points, at 3,092.14. DBS bank gained 1.14 per- of Russian military intervention, would never cent to Sg$15.91, while vehicle agribusiness be recognized by the United States and the company Wilmar International gained 1.77 per- international community”. cent to Sg$3.45 Jakarta ended down 0.05 per- He said the US and its European allies were cent, or 2.46 points, at 4,876.19. Cigarette mak- “prepared to impose additional costs on Russia er Gudang Garam fell 1.48 percent to 48,275 for its actions”. “We’ve anticipated the results of rupiah, while tin producer Timah lost 0.29 per- the referendum. The key is what sanctions the cent to 1,715 rupiah. US and the Europe will carry out and how Taipei rose 0.14 percent, or 12.47 points, to Russia will respond to them,” said Masaru 8,700.01. Taiwan Semiconductor Ishibashi, head of the currency trading group at Manufacturing Co was 0.87 percent lower at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. Tw$114.0 while Hon Hai Precision gained 1.40 And Osao Iizuka, head of foreign-exchange percent at Tw$86.7. trading at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, told Wellington added 0.17 percent, or 8.70 Dow Jones Newswires: “A further escalation of points, to 5,088.03. Telecom gained 1.22 per- military tensions would lead to more risk- cent to NZ$2.48 and Air New Zealand was up averse trading.” 0.54 at NZ$1.87. Manila closed 0.14 percent higher, adding Yuan weakens 8.75 points to 6,399.99. JG Summit Holdings The developments added to selling pres- rose two percent to 51 pesos while SM Prime sure in Asia following last week’s losses in reac- Holdings gained 1.81 percent to 14.66 pesos. tion to downbeat trade and industrial produc- Mumbai was closed for a public holiday. — AFP Brent falls below $108 as Ukraine fears ease

SINGAPORE: Brent futures fell below $108 a prices are likely to come off again as the barrel yesterday, wiping out earlier gains as northern winter comes to an end. concerns eased that fighting could erupt after The potential for warmer weather in the Ukraine’s Crimea region voted overwhelming- United States and Europe is likely to ease oil ly to join Russia in a referendum at the week- demand after a long, harsh winter, said end. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate Mitsubishi’s Nunan. (WTI) also slipped as investors saw a diplomat- “Spring is in sight. Inventories in the US are ic resolution to the crisis emerging even building,” he said. Oil prices were initially sup- though Washington and Europe could ported yesterday after the International impose punitive measures against selected Energy Agency’s (IEA) raised its global oil con- Russian targets as early as yesterday. Western sumption forecast for 2014. IEA estimated powers have said the referendum was illegal global demand would grow to 92.7 million and have rejected the result. Brent crude barrels per day in a report on Friday amid an dropped 44 cents to $107.77 by 0825 GMT, improving global economy. Tensions between down from Friday’s close of $108.21. US crude the Libyan government and protesters that futures were steady at $98.89. have blocked oil production over the past few Brent had climbed 10 cents and WTI 24 months, cutting oil production to little over cents in early trade yesterday amid the risk of 200,000 bpd from 1.4 million bpd in summer, supply disruptions if the United States and have also supported oil prices Tan said. Western countries impose sanctions on But any shortfall from Libya would be Russia, the world’s second largest oil producer. “more than made up” by exports from Iran, “People realize (there is) going to be some said Jonathan Barratt, chief executive of com- diplomatic settlement,” to the situation in modity research firm Barratt’s Bulletin in Crimea, said Tony Nunan, oil risk manager at Sydney. Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation. South Korea’s crude imports from Iran China reiterated calls for calm and restraint doubled in February from a year ago to in Ukraine yesterday, while Vice Foreign 294,069 bpd, up 4-1/2 times from the previ- Minister Li Baodong said a political settlement ous month, preliminary customs data showed was the only way to resolve the Ukraine crisis. on Saturday. “Hesitation over the implementation of sanc- Investors will also be eyeing the US Federal tions on Russia could lead to a step-down in Reserve’s two-day meeting which starts today. geopolitical risks,” said Tan Chee Tat, invest- Policymakers are likely to support the Fed’s ment analyst at Singapore’s Phillip Futures. earlier decision to cut its bond-buying pace by Once tensions ease over Ukraine ease, oil another $10 billion a month. — Reuters Gold touches fresh six-month highs

LONDON: Gold hit its highest in six months that growth has been hurt by severe cold yesterday as cautious investors remained risk weather has recently hit the dollar, in turn averse after Western countries issued warn- bolstering gold. A weaker US currency makes ings of more sanctions on Moscow following dollar-denominated assets like gold cheaper Crimea’s vote to break from Ukraine. Bullion for foreign investors. has gained 15 percent this year and was head- “The FOMC March policy statement on ed for its biggest quarterly gain for 27 years as Wednesday will steal market’s attention, but mounting geopolitical tensions and fears over until then gold will trade on risk sentiment slowing economic growth spurred demand still watching Ukraine,” VTB Capital said. for the metal as an insurance against risk. New money has been flowing into gold- Spot gold hit a fresh high since Sept. 9 at backed exchange-traded funds as investors $1,391.76 an ounce in earlier trade and was seek safety from riskier assets during times of down 0.1 percent to $1,380.05 by 1104 GMT. uncertainty. Holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the US gold futures also rose to a near six- world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded month high of $1,392.60 an ounce, before trad- fund, rose 3.29 tons to 816.59 tons on Friday. ing at $1,378.80, unchanged on the previous Hedge funds and money managers raised close. “It’s definitely soft economic data, risk their bullish bets in gold futures and options aversion, Ukraine and geopolitical tensions,” for a fifth consecutive week to the most bull- Societe Generale analyst Robin Bhar said. ish stance since mid-December 2012, accord- “Also there is more of a risk now of China ing to Friday data from the Commodity maybe having a bit of a hard landing, US Futures Trading Commission. recovery may be slower than people thought Consumer interest in gold has been wan- and gold is coming in on its own as an insur- ing with the climb towards $1,400 as physical ance policy, safe-haven bid.” European stocks buyers expect prices to fall in the next few edged up on Monday but still traded near months. Prices in China are at a $6 an ounce one-month lows, following a fall in Asia, while discount to spot prices, indicating a sharp the dollar firmed against a basket of curren- drop-off in demand compared with the cies. beginning of the year when prices were at a Crimea’s Moscow-backed leaders declared premium of $20. “Things have been pretty a 96-percent vote in favor of quitting Ukraine quiet since the Chinese New Year holiday,” and annexation by Russia in a referendum said one Hong Kong-based dealer. “People that Western powers said was illegal and will don’t want to buy now since they think prices bring immediate sanctions. Traders were now could fall again.” awaiting the US Federal Reserve’s policy In other precious metals, silver was down meeting on March 18-19. The central bank is 0.1 percent to $21.41 an ounce. Platinum was expected to announce another $10 billion up 0.9 percent at $1,475.25 an ounce, while cut to its bond-buying stimulus. palladium rose 0.9 percent to $773.50 an A series of US economic data showing ounce. — Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Rising Crimea tensions fuel flight-to-safety

NBK MONEY MARKETS REPORT

KUWAIT: Last week was quiet in terms of economic ed. The Aussie closed the week close to its opening indicators. However, fresh concerns over tensions level at 0.9030. between Russia and Ukraine strengthened the demand for safe-havens. Market sentiment was hit Retail sales increase after Russia launched new military exercises near its Retail sales in the US rose in February for the first border with Ukraine on Thursday, showing no sign of time in three months, a sign consumers are starting to backing down on plans to annex Crimea. US Secretary shake off the effects of the harsh weather that curbed of State John Kerry said serious steps would be spending even more than previously estimated. Sales imposed by the US and Europe if the referendum on rose by 0.3 percent versus a 0.6 percent drop in Crimea joining Russia takes place on Sunday as January that was larger than initially reported. planned. AUD, EUR, GBP and USD lost some of their Similarly, Core retail sales, which exclude automobile gains after the news. sales, also rose 0.3 percent last month, ahead of In spite of the risk-off trade, the euro managed to expectations for a 0.2 percent rise. rally against its US dollar counterpart, reaching a two Initial jobless claims decline and a half year high of 1.3967. The Euro was well sup- The number of Americans filing applications for ported after the European Central Bank President unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week to Mario Draghi suggested that economic recovery in the the lowest level since the end of November, a sign of euro-zone was on track and did not require a shift in further improvement in the labor market. Jobless monetary policy. claims dropped by 9,000 to 315,000 in the week end- Sterling fell to a one-month low against the euro ed March 8, versus economist’s expectation of a rise to and weakened against the US dollar yesterday, after a 330,000. Employers cutting back on dismissals may be senior Bank of England policymaker said further gains encouraged to take on more workers once demand by the Pound would be unwelcome. Deputy BoE picks up. Faster gains in hiring will help to boost con- Governor Charlie Bean said that efforts to build an sumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, export-based recovery would be curbed by a higher after harsh winter weather weighed on everything Sterling. Cable has risen for the past three quarters on from retail sales to home purchases earlier this year. a trade-weighted basis, as investors priced in chances US Consumer sentiment dropped slightly in March, he was not concerned that Britain’s economy was fastest pace in three years, a major surprise that sug- that the BoE would tighten monetary policy in the due to a reduction in future consumer expectations close to overheating, despite a strong recovery since gests the economy is finally generating jobs after a spring of 2015 if economic data out of the UK remains .The overall index of consumer sentiment fell to 79.9 last year, putting himself in the dovish camp among painful fallow period. The positive report sent the cur- solid. However, investors have shifted towards the in March, down from the 81.6 in February, well below policymakers. Speaking to lawmakers on Tuesday, rency higher against the US Dollar as investors priced Euro as the ECB signaled it would refrain from easing analyst expectations for a reading of 82.The survey Carney said the amount of spare capacity in the econ- out any chance of a cut in interest rates, and even its policy further. The currency continued to lose director said in a statement after the figure came out omy was probably slightly more than 1.5 percent of toyed with the idea of a hike late in 2015. momentum and closed the week at 1.6649. that , “Overall, consumers continued to demonstrate gross domestic product, suggesting the BoE can hold Unemployment held at 6.0 percent as expected, but The Japanese Yen climbed against most of its coun- their resilience in the face of a long and harsh winter, off on raising interest rates for longer. Carney also said only because the participation rate rose as more peo- terparts as underlining concern about a decline in the and have not recognized any implications for the Britain’s natural rate of unemployment could be less ple went looking for work, a trend that often marks Asian economy that has sent commodity prices tum- domestic economy from the Russian incursion into than the Bank has estimated, meaning the labor mar- the early stages of recovery. bling. Demand for Japan’s safe-haven assets was sup- Ukraine.” ket can strengthen further without pushing up infla- ported by the standoff over Ukraine’s Crimean penin- tion. Sterling weakened as Carney spoke. The pound China sula. The USDJPY started the week off at the 103.00 Europe has outpaced many other currencies in recent months China’s exports unexpectedly tumbled in February, level. The pair then started to drop gradually towards On Wednesday, ECB executive board member on expectations that interest rates could rise in Britain swinging the trade balance into deficit and adding to the end of the week breaking through major support Coeure said the monetary authority saw no indica- before other economies. fears of a slowdown in the world’s second-largest levels as investors fled to safety. The currency closed tions of deflation in the euro area, while ECB Chief Manufacturing improves economy despite the Lunar New Year holidays being the week at 101.37. Economist Peter Praet noted that the euro area’s econ- UK factory production rose more than forecast in blamed for the slide. The sharp drop in exports follows The Aussie held steady at 0.9027, from 0.9016 at omy has improved over the past two years. Also on January in a sign the economic recovery is gaining a series of factory surveys since the start of 2014 that the beginning of the week, having reached a three- Wednesday, German Finance Minister Wolfgang traction. Output rose 0.4 percent from December, point to weakness in economic activity as demand fal- month high of 0.9135 late last week. It lost some alti- Schauble said interest rates in the euro zone are too when it gained an upwardly revised 0.4 percent. ters at home and abroad. Exports in February fell 18.1 tude after a sharp fall in China’s exports in February, low from a German point of view. He also said he Market expectation was for 0.3 percent growth. percent from a year earlier, following a 10.6 percent which highlighted global outlook concerns. The doesn’t expect deflation to materialize in the euro Industrial production, which also includes utilities and jump in January. Imports rose 10.1 percent, yielding a Australian dollar is seen as a proxy of Chinese growth zone. The euro rose as markets bet that the European mines, rose 0.1 percent, less than the 0.2 percent fore- trade deficit of $23 billion for the month versus a sur- because of the countries’ strong trade links. China is Central Bank will hold off on implementing stimulus cast, as bad weather hit oil and gas output. The UK plus of $32 billion in January. Market expectations Australia’s top export market. The Australian dollar measures even though recent inflation rates have economy continues to show signs of a robust recovery were for a rise of 6.8 percent in exports and an 8 per- then fell against most of its counterparts after a report come in softer than market expectations. The ECB left yet risks remain from fragility in Europe, and the glob- cent rise in imports and a trade surplus of $14.5 bil- showed a drop in consumer confidence. The currency interest rates at a record low 0.25 percent at its policy al economy. lion. rallied sharply against its US dollar counterpart, after meeting last week and implemented no new policy better than expected employment data. The Aussie measures to shore up growth despite forecasting low Australia Kuwait then lost some of its gains as investors moved to safer inflation for years to come. Australian jobs surged by the most in 13 months in Kuwaiti dinar at 0.28100. The USDKWD opened at assets as concerns over the Ukraine situation escalat- Bank of England Governor Mark Carney signalled February while firms added full-time workers at the 0.28100 yesterday morning. Too-big-to-fail banks still a challenge: BoE Regulators must get more powers

LONDON: The world’s biggest banks still could not be dismantled safely more than five years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the Bank of England’s Deputy Governor for Financial Stability Jon Cunliffe said yesterday. Cunliffe said setters of international stan- dards have made progress in reforming bank- ing rules since the US lender went under in September 2008 but more needs to be done. Implementing ambitious rules to make banks hold more capital and avoid needing recourse BUSAN: A child plays on a swing beneath a poster of a policeman in Busan. South again to taxpayers’ money has been impres- Korea’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged at 2.5 percent on March 13 sive but the core task of ending “too-big-to- for the 10th consecutive month, citing mixed signs of a global recovery. — AFP fail banks” remains, Cunliffe told a Chatham House financial conference. He urged the European Parliament to give Growth in compensation for final approval to a new European Union law that gives national regulators in the 28-coun- US CEOs may have slowed try bloc powers to wind down ailing banks. BOSTON: Big US companies appear to have tor of pay consulting firm Johnson Associates But even with the powers to impose losses on handed out smaller increases in compensa- in New York. “The indications are that compa- bondholders of failing banks to shield taxpay- tion to their chief executives in 2013 than in nies continue to do a better job of matching ers, further steps were needed. 2012, mainly as a result of reduced grants of up pay with performance.”However, the fig- “I do not think we can say with confidence stock options, according to an early review of ures are unlikely to assuage concerns that now that we could resolve a failing global annual regulatory filings. CEOs are reaping bigger increases than those giant,” said Cunliffe, Britain’s former ambassa- LONDON: British Finance Minister George Osborne poses for pictures outside 11 Downing Based on disclosures from 46 companies received by many Americans further down dor to the EU in Brussels. Last year, Cunliffe’s Street in London, as he prepares to unveil the government’s annual budget to parliament. in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index that had the food chain, exacerbating inequality. predecessor Paul Tucker surprised many in British finance minister George Osborne will unleash more austerity in today’s annual budget filed annual compensation reports by March President Barack Obama has been stressing the financial sector by saying a giant bank but could deliver sweeteners before next year’s general election and Scottish independence ref- 11, the median compensation increase for a policies intended to reduce inequality, such could now be wound down, albeit not totally erendum, analysts say. — AFP CEO was 1 percent to $8.64 million. That was as a push for a higher minimum wage. smoothly. Heads of the G20, the world’s lead- a slower rate of increase than this group of 46 The study looks at what was granted to ing 20 economies, will meet in Brisbane, received for 2012 when its median CEO pay CEOs for 2013 and does not include all the Australia in November and agreeing new rose 15 percent to $8.53 million. The median compensation CEOs actually pocketed in rules to end too-big-to-fail banks was per- Global regulators to compensation for CEOs in S&P 500 compa- 2013 after stock and option awards granted haps the most important regulatory priority nies overall increased about 5.5 percent for to them in previous years were exercised or for the summit, Cunliffe said. 2012. vested. With the S&P 500 surging 32.4 per- The success of the G20’s regulatory revive securitization The review, conducted for Reuters by cent last year, including dividends, and reforms will hinge on their consistent applica- proxy adviser and corporate governance con- almost tripling from the lows it hit in the tion across the world and mutual trust among LONDON: Global regulators will intensify The sector was tarnished when securi- sulting firm Institutional Shareholder financial crisis, some of those awards from financial supervisors to avoid unintended their efforts to revive a securitization market tized products based on subprime US home Services, provides an early peek at compen- 2009-2012 have proven very lucrative. A sep- consequences, he added. The EU has tarnished by the financial crisis and now loans became untradable in 2007, sowing sation trends but ISS cautioned that there arate review by executive compensation data seen by policymakers as a key source of the seeds of a global markets meltdown and could be significant changes once all compa- firm Equilar of 44 companies in the Fortune expressed alarm that the United States is forc- ing offshoots of foreign banks to hold capital funds for the economy, the head of an banking failures. nies have reported and that the 46 compa- 1,000 that filed their statements in January or umbrella regulatory group told Reuters. The European Union’s executive nies may not be representative of trends for February shows that the median value execu- there to keep US taxpayers off the hook if a foreign lender goes bust, even as Europe Securitization bundles loans into interest- European Commission is also keen to bring companies in the entire index. Most compa- tives gained from exercising stock options or bearing bonds to raise money that banks securitization out of the cold and will pub- nies will file their executive compensation stock vesting was $2.1 million in 2013, up 18 introduces reforms to reduce chances this will happen. can use to fund themselves and lend to lish its plans next week on ways to boost data over the next few weeks. percent from 2012. small companies. Banks, particularly in long-term financing. Efforts to revive securi- Some pay experts have been expecting to Cunliffe echoed this European concern. Europe, are traditionally the main supplier of tization have also been caught up in sepa- see slower growth in compensation for 2013 - Radical challenges “Regulators and supervisors who cannot trust despite the bull market in stocks - as S&P 500 Investor activists and proxy advisers, the implementation of standards in other loans but have become cautious as they rate regulatory attempts to crack down on corporate profits only increased 6.2 percent including ISS, have pressed companies for jurisdictions will defend stability in their own focus on rebuilding their capital buffers. so-called shadow banking, or lending out- amid a stuttering US economic performance, years to align pay with shareholder interests. jurisdictions by raising barriers,” he said. “Such The International Organization of side mainstream methods such as regulated and due to the increasing use of performance In recent weeks, a handful of companies have action minimizes the risk of international Securities Commissions (IOSCO), which banks. measures to decide on levels of compensa- made radical changes in the way they reward crises, but the cost is the rolling back of finan- groups global market regulators, and its The EU wants a greater amount of financ- tion. In the kinds of incentive plans becoming their CEOs, including semiconductor maker cial globalization with less effective and effi- banking counterpart, the Basel Committee, ing for the economy from market-based more popular, executives do not receive Intel Corp and mining group Freeport- cient intermediation on global savings.” will consider possible remedies. “IOSCO and sources like securitization. Currently about higher compensation just because a compa- McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. Without mutual trust there is a risk of more the Basel Committee are close to agreeing 30 percent of financing comes from such ny’s share price rises, but rather must perform Among the 46 S&P 500 companies sur- crises and fragmentation in global markets, on a working group to look at how the secu- sources, the rest from banks, roughly the well on a series of measures - not just profit, veyed, the median cash salary rose $27,584, Cunliffe said. The International Monetary ritization markets are working, and to see opposite situation to the United States but often including revenue, margins, cash or 2.6 percent, to $1,079,327. But the median Fund and the G20’s Financial Stability Board, whether new thinking is needed.” IOSCO sec- which is a model some European policy- flow, and in some cases even a company’s stock award rose $337,493, or 9.5 percent, to retary general David Wright told Reuters on makers want to match to reduce the con- safety and environment records. $3,887,008, and the median cash incentive chaired by BoE Governor Mark Carney, can play key roles in establishing mutual trust, the sidelines of a Chatham House financial centration of risks at banks and diversify “They’re not going to get monster award rose $63,799, or 3.3 percent, to conference. funding. — Reuters rewards,” said Alan Johnson, managing direc- $1,998,102. — Reuters Cunliffe said. — Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

BMW brings Mobile website and iDrive in Arabic

KUWAIT: BMW has introduced several ground break- available as a standard feature for most BMW models features is also available through BMW Mobi. And ing initiatives aimed at providing improved customer fitted with navigation. once users want to get a real feel of the BMW car of experience to a predominantly Arabic-speaking pop- On the other hand, the BMW Mobi in Arabic, a their choice, they could also book test drives through ulation in Kuwait. BMW Mobi, which is an optimized unique service that sets BMW apart from the compe- the website. BMW website for mobile devices and desktop (BMW- tition, is a new platform with many customer-friendly An added feature via BMW Mobi for BMW fans is ME.com), as well as its iDrive control system, are now options. Among its key features include the capability that they can also download exclusive wallpapers and available in the Arabic language. of offering customers a 360-degree view of any BMW ringtones. On one hand, the iDrive control system in Arabic, vehicle to enable users to view a car from various Yousef Al-Qatami, General Manager, Ali Alghanim which is the first-ever in the industry, has up to a 10.2- angles. Furthermore, it allows users to choose the col- & Sons Automotive - the official importer of BMW inch Control Display with standardized menu guid- or and additional design packages of the car that best Group vehicles in Kuwait - said: “In today’s fast-paced ance that grants easy access to the radio/CD, suit their preference and have a preview of how it technology world, more and more customers are telecommunication functions, satellite navigation looks like, a visualizer function on BMW Mobi enables using their mobile devices to access information. and others. The interface for the satellite navigation them to change the cars’ body color, rims and design Therefore, I am sure the entire Arabic-speaking popu- system comprising maps, menus, directions, data packages. lation in Kuwait will use and appreciate this latest entry and voice guidance are provided in Arabic with For the hard core car enthusiasts, an overview of update of the BMW Mobi, as well as enjoy the pure a male Arabic voice, and also includes an option to all the technical data of any BMW vehicle, as well as driving pleasure of their BMW vehicle with the iDrive switch to English and other languages. The system is insights about its design, driving comfort and safety in Arabic.” Wataniya Telecom announces winners of 3rd weekly draw

KUWAIT: Wataniya Telecom, the first telecom operator chances to become winners! in the private sector in Kuwait, announced the winners of the third weekly draw. The weekly draws are part of Week 3 winners are the exciting new draw campaign that gives every cus- Herminia Sumang, Mohammed Hattab, Soubhash tomer a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and a Jodeisie, Ameera Mutaab, Nashaat Alatari, Mohammad one chance to win the final draw on the Audi R8 V10, Ahmed Al-Kandari, Ahmad Mohammed Maarouf, Mona model of 2015. This new draw campaign conveys Ali Abdullah, Zeida Abdulrahman, Mohammed Abou Wataniya’s efforts to reward its customers and grant AlFatouh Fawaz, Yousef Yaqoub AlMutawa, Mona Al them additional value; thus becoming closer to them. Anazi, Abdulghalib Khaled Abdulghalib, Aisha Ahmad Al Wataniya expressed its gratitude to all the sub- Ali, Hussein ShahedAlah Bebary, Ahmad Sheikh scribers and congratulated the winners. Wataniya is Abdulghani, Mona Ismail, Jose Escander, Tigest Shomi, looking forward to carrying this weekly draw to keep Sesharatanam Shomarago, Nasser Khalaf Al-Shemmari, rewarding its loyal customers with prizes because they Tigest Komsa, Saeed Hadban AlHureiji, Akbar Ali do deserve it. Besides the weekly draw, customers will Abdulhamed, Hanan Mohammed Al-Hamli, Ahmad also get a chance to enter the grand draw on an Audi Barak Alazmi, Nabela Abdullatif Al-Housani, Jaleito R8 V10, model of 2015. If customers weren’t winners in Qasem, AneetKumar Arjun Singh, Sheikha/ Fadela last week’s draw they will surely get a chance in the Yousef AlAthbi AlSabah, Falah Sneitan AlMutairi, Imad Air Arabia AGM approves next draws. Wataniya draw campaign promises every- Ahmed Almandeel, Nafela Kaled, Mohammed Ibrahim body a chance to be a winner by simply using their Hjaj, Salah Fairoz AlHindi, Jamal Lafta AlDufairi, Wataniya line, through recharging and paying bills. Mohammad Muhmas Seif AlDosari, Ahmad Mohammed Every 1 KD is equal to 1 chance of winning. New cus- Suleiman, Moujab Morthab AlOteibi, Fatima Yousef 7.25% cash dividend tomers will get 5 chances upon activating their new AlEisa, Jalal Obeid Almaymoni, Suad Jomaa Alrahim, lines. For more information about the draw, customers Afrah Ali Alanezi, Khaled Ali Hassan Ali, Salim Hmoud SHARJAH: Following the conclusion of its Mohammad Al-Thani, Adel Abdullah Ali, Dr Air Arabia continues to deliver high levels can visit the website: www.wataniya.com/draw Sabeh Alfulaij, Francesca Balatzar, Sanar Marloh Alanezi, Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday, Ghanem Mohammed Al-Hajri, Arif Naqvi, of profitability and growth across the Wataniya continues to give all its customers several Salah Abdulrahman, Hussein Fuhaid Alajmi. Air Arabia announced that the assembly has Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Thani, breadth of its operations. The carrier added approved the distribution of a 7.25 per cent Sheikh Khalid Bin Essam Al-Qasimi, and Ali eight destinations to its network in 2013 cash dividend for the year 2013, equivalent Salem Al-Medfa. and served more than 6.1 million passen- to 7.25 fils per share. During the AGM, the Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al- gers, a 15 per cent increase on the 5.3 mil- assembly approved the report of the com- Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said: “We are lion passengers carried in the preceding pany’s auditors for the financial year ending very pleased to be able to share our success year. The airline’s seat load factor - or pas- December 31, 2013, as well as the balance in 2013, our tenth year of operations, with sengers carried as a percentage of available sheet and profit and loss accounts for the our shareholders. Our ability to deliver seats - for the full year ending December 31, same period. The assembly also discharged growth year after year stems from a highly 2013, stood at impressive 80 per cent. Air the directors and auditors of the company customer-centric business model, excep- Arabia reported a net profit of AED 435 mil- from liability for the financial year ending tionally efficient operating systems, and a lion for the full year 2013 while Turnover December 31, 2013, and appointed auditors truly world class team of aviation profession- increased by 14 per cent year-on-year to for the company for the next fiscal year in als. Today, the Air Arabia growth story con- reach AED 3.2 billion. Among the many order to fix their remuneration. The Board tinues unabated as we expand our opera- highlights for Air Arabia in the year it cele- elections took place during the meeting and tions and fleet size, demonstrating our enor- brated ten years of success was being the names of the board of directors for the mous confidence in the long-term funda- named “Low-Cost Carrier of the Year” at the next three years are: Sheikh Abdullah Bin mentals of the Middle East aviation sector.” Aviation Business Awards 2013. Banking’s back room risk cops step into top jobs

LONDON: Once modest of pay and profile, risk experts are around the world, hammered out by governments that had to being reborn as rock stars of the banking world - their status use public funds to keep many of them from sinking under the Warba encourages customers to save and salaries soaring as regulators force financial institutions to burden of bad loans resulting from excessive borrowing, risky clean up. investments and a lack of transparency. The new rules demand with ‘Investment Saving Account’ Industry-wide investigations into alleged exchange rate that banks take fewer risks, assess loans more closely and hold manipulation, trading scandals at UBS, Societe Generale and more accessible capital as a buffer against bad bets. Many KUWAIT: Warba Bank encourages its customers to invest teed by Warba credit cards equipped with the ultra- JPMorgan and HSBC’s $1.9 billion fine for lax money-launder- CROs are now also responsible for ensuring cyber security and through the Investment Saving Account. The account, secure smart chip. They can also utilize the SMS service, ing rules have upped the ante for banks already under pressure spotting terror financing and money laundering - so-called which is well-thought-of in the local market, allows cus- as well as free internet banking services to inquire about to curb reckless behavior that led to the financial crisis. compliance functions that previously often fell under the remit tomers to invest the proceeds of their savings in accor- their balances, whilst inside the country or abroad. Now watchdogs and central banks want to see a clear line of a bank’s legal division. dance with the provisions of the Islamic Sharia. Profits are Investment Saving Account is added to a series of of responsibility for the avoidance of such fiascos in the future, The scale of the new CRO job is reflected in the amount of calculated at 100 percent of the account’s lowest balance. banking services provided by Warba Bank, adopting the and as a result, the position of chief risk officer (CRO) has time such concerns occupy at board level. Santander said its Such percentage of profits is the highest and most com- same saving strategy as the Shabab Warba youth jumped up the ranks. Many CROs now sit alongside the finance board spent 30 percent of its time last year on risk manage- petitive one in the local market, given the bank’s recent account, and the Tala account which enables parents to establishment as well as the presence of deep rooted secure their child’s future with a competitive profit rate. director as second in importance behind the chief executive. ment, and Barclays’ board has spent 35-40 percent of its time local Islamic banks. The account’s profits are calculated Warba Bank is always committed to enhancing this cate- “The role of the CRO has become broader, higher profile and on governance and risk issues in the last two years. quarterly and deposited in the customer’s account. gory of banking products, so as to encourage its cus- more influential,” said Anne Murphy, head of UK financial serv- As a result some CROs are being invited to join the board, Speaking about the new account, Adnan Al-Salem tomers to adopt saving strategies. For more information ices for executive recruitment firm Odgers Berndtson. another notch for their status and pay packets. Juan Colombas, said: “Warba Bank’s Investment Saving Account is an ideal on Warba’s Investment Saving Account, please contact In turn, salaries have soared. Pay in risk-related jobs rose 6 chief risk officer at Lloyds Banking Group since the start of saving product offered to customers. It allows them to the Customer Service Center on 1825555, or visit one of percent in 2013 and rocketed 19 percent for those who moved 2011, joined its board in November 2013 and is one of only get returns on their savings and invest such returns safely the bank’s branches. firms, according to a report by recruitment firm Barclay three executive directors. He could earn 4.4 million pounds this and in compliance with the provisions of the Islamic Simpson. HSBC chief risk officer Marc Moses joined the bank’s year. Sharia. Profits are distributed quarterly, which makes it board at the start of 2014, alongside the chairman, chief execu- possible for the customers to manage their accounts tive and finance director, and could be paid 6 million pounds Accountability throughout the year.” ($10 million) this year. Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver, who The job of CRO comes with its own risk/reward equation: its Al-Salem added: “The Investment Saving Account is could be paid 11.4 million this year, says pre-crisis, the bank’s new elevated status also brings far more accountability. part of Warba’s expansion strategy aimed at offering CRO would not have made it into the top 50 earners. Following the introduction of new post-crisis legislation in innovative Sharia compliant banking products of high At Spain’s Santander the top risk executive Matias Rodriguez Britain, for example, these bankers can now be sent to prison if quality and flexibility.” Inciarte was its second-highest paid director last year, getting found guilty of the new charge of reckless misconduct leading Al-Salem concluded: “Warba Bank has created a sig- 4.7 million euros. Those numbers, says Murphy, are “recognition to bank failure. nificant impression in the local Islamic banking market that it’s a big job. There aren’t many people who have the skills “Whereas before it was a slightly techy and bookish type of and secured a strong market position in a short time to and abilities to do it well, combined with the increase in senior- job, now risk is incredibly diverse and carries a huge amount compete with the existing banks. We are committed to ity and responsibility.” more responsibility if you are running the department, and the providing our customers with new innovative and quality Wide remit repercussions for the chief risk officer are profound,” said Mark solutions, which will complement the existing banking products in a modern way that covers numerous aspects Chief risk officers ensure that where potential dangers exist, Garnier, a British lawmaker who was part of a panel that last of life, while focusing on enhancing the quality of the they are monitored and kept in check. That can range from year proposed changes to make individuals at banks more offered services and keep pace with the developments of measuring how likely loans are to be paid back, how risky accountable. market, in general, and of banking services’ sector in par- banks’ positions in financial markets might be, and what poten- However the jump in pay and profile means that the job is ticular.” tial losses may be incurred from fraudulent activities. However nonetheless likely to tempt more candidates to fill what is cur- It is noteworthy that the Investment Saving Account after the financial crisis of 2007-2008 this already wide remit rently a small pool of specialists. is characterized by the flexibility of withdrawals and has become larger still, and its parameters more clearly Headhunters say the rising status of top risk managers deposits. Customers can take advantage of the account policed. could see it become a popular path for ambitious executives by shopping through all local and international points of CROs must ensure banks abide by tougher regulations who now see it as a route to the CEO’s chair. — Reuters sale approved by the bank, with utmost privacy guaran- Adnan Al-Salem TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 technology

How Turla and ‘worst breach of US military computers’ are connected DUBAI: Experts from G-Data and BAE worm, thought to have been created interesting links between Turla, a highly infected system, and the same XOR key says Aleks Gostev, Chief Security Expert Systems recently released information around 2007, has the ability to scan sophisticated, multifunctional program for encrypting its log files as Agent.btz. at Kaspersky Lab. “The information used about a persistent cyber espionage computers for sensitive information and and Agent.btz. The Agent.btz worm *Flame/Gauss use similar naming by developers was publicly known at operation codenamed Turla (also send data to a remote command and seems to have served as an inspiration conventions such as “*.ocx” files and the time of Red October and referred to as Snake or Uroburos). control server. for the creation of a range of the most “thumb*.db”. Also, they use the USB Flame/Gauss’ creation. It is no secret Further to this, Kaspersky Lab’s research sophisticated cyber espionage tools to drive as a container for stolen data. that Agent.btz used “thumb.dd” as a and analysis team have now found an Source of inspiration date, including Red October, Turla and container file to collect information unexpected connection between Turla Kaspersky Lab first became aware of Flame/Gauss: Question of attribution from infected systems and in addition, and an existing piece of malware known the Turla cyber espionage campaign in Red October developers clearly Considering these facts, it is obvious the XOR key used by the developers of as Agent.BTZ. March 2013, when the company’s knew about Agent.btz’s functionality as that developers of the four cyber espi- Turla and Agent.btz to encrypt their log In 2008, Agent.BTZ infected the local experts were investigating an incident their USB Stealer module (created in onage campaigns studied Agent.btz in files was also published in 2008. We do networks of the United States Central involving a highly sophisticated rootkit. 2010-2011) searches for the worm’s data detail to understand how it works, the not know when this key was first used Command’s in the Middle East, and was Originally known as the “Sun rootkit”, containers (“mssysmgr.ocx” and file names it uses, and used this infor- in Turla, but we can see it for certain in called at the time the “worst breach of based on a filename used as a virtual file “thumb.dd” files) which hold informa- mation as a model for the development the latest samples of the malware, U.S. military computers in history”. It system “sunstore.dmp”, it is also accessi- tion about infected systems and activity of the malware programs, all of which which were created around 2013-2014. took specialists at the Pentagon some ble as “\\.\Sundrive1” and logs, and then steal it from the connect- had similar goals. But does this mean At the same time, there is some evi- 14 months to completely disinfect “\\.\Sundrive2”. The “Sun rootkit” and ed USB drives. that there is a direct link between devel- dence which points towards Turla’s Agent.BTZ from military networks, and Snake are in fact one and the same. Turla uses the same file names for its opers of these cyber espionage tools? development starting in 2006 - before it was this experience that lead to the It was during this research that logs (“mswmpdat.tlb”, “winview.ocx” and “It is not possible to draw such a con- any known sample of Agent.btz; which creation of the US Cyber Command. The Kaspersky Lab’s experts found some “wmcache.nld”) whilst stored in the clusion based on these facts alone”- leaves the question open.” Twitter CEO Costolo to make first China visit SAN FRANCISCO: Twitter Inc CEO Dick office anytime soon in China, which would Costolo will meet Shanghai government offi- subject the company to Chinese law. cials, academics and students in his first visit The CEO, who has never set foot in the to China, signaling Twitter’s interest in crack- country, will also meet university administra- ing a lucrative but thorny market with 600 tors and participate in a round-table discus- million Internet users. sion with students at Fudan University in Twitter, which has been blocked by Shanghai, the official sponsor of his visa. Chinese censors since 2009, described the trip as a personal tour for Costolo, who is due to Circumventing censorship land at Shanghai’s Pudong International Costolo’s visit comes at a time when the Airport on Monday and plans to spend three Chinese government, two years into President days in the business capital. He is not sched- Xi Jinping’s administration, persists in a cam- uled to visit Beijing. paign to clamp down on bloggers and dissi- Costolo is scheduled to meet Shanghai dent voices on social media platforms like government officials - including representa- Sina Corp’s Weibo, which closely resembles tives of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, Twitter. established in 2013 to test market liberaliza- In June, Costolo told the American Society tion measures, such as looser rules governing of News Editors convention that he would currency conversion and foreign direct invest- “love to be able to run Twitter as Twitter in ment. But officials have denied media reports China,” but added that “we are not going to that Internet restrictions and censorship, sacrifice the principles of the platform and the including the blocking of Twitter, will be loos- way we think users should be able to commu- ened there.Unlike at Facebook Inc, whose CEO nicate in order to do so.” Mark Zuckerberg is a frequent visitor to China Even if it does not establish an official pres- SUZUKA: The new Honda cars are to be powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injection turbocharged V6 engine paired with an energy recovery system. and has openly spoken of his desire to enter ence in China, Twitter has avenues to make China to fulfill his vision of connecting the money from China. For instance, Twitter’s sub- world, Twitter’s senior management has sidiary MoPub, which serves up ads inside played down the likelihood of seeking a mobile apps, counts many small Chinese app Honda aims to win fuel license to do business there. developers among its customers, while But Costolo’s trip is bound to stoke specu- Beijing-based PC-maker Lenovo Group Ltd is lation about the company’s ambitions in the an advertiser on Twitter itself. country. Major Internet companies including Despite the official ban, Twitter, which has efficiency race in F-1 Google Inc and Yahoo Inc have been ham- 250 million monthly users around the world, pered by Chinese government intervention. has maintained an active, if relatively small Google pulled out of mainland China in 2010, user base inside China. While some estimates SUZUKA: After a seven-year hiatus, Honda Renault, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz, to use a anonymity said two forces often collide as teams unwilling to accept what it argued was heavy- have placed the number of Chinese users in Motor Co. is returning to the F-1 circuits next smaller engine, enhancedby turbo-charging prepare for each race. handed censorship of the Internet. the tens of millions, just 0.05 percent of all year, resolving to win more races - and learn how technology, while using braking and exhaust to “In the boardroom, managers can say all they Any attempt to enter China with Beijing’s tweets in 2013 were written in Chinese, to build “greener” cars. re-generate energy. Teams are also being given want about the importance of using racing as a approval would be a delicate proposition for according to Colorado-based social data Honda is particularly aiming to turn exhaust around a third less allotment of gasoline to race, laboratory, but once the race starts, winning it Twitter, which takes pride in its reputation for provider Gnip, which analyzes Twitter output. gas that is mostly wasted in F-1 or conventional compared to the previous race rules. becomes the No. 1 priority,” one former Honda F- defending free speech and rebuffing govern- Many savvy Chinese netizens and even cars into energy. It is technology that Honda’s F- The regulations came into effect with the 1 engine designer said. “New ideas often get in ment requests for private user data. In a state- state-run media organizations regularly use 1 chief, Yasuhisa Arai, says could give Honda an new F-1 season that kicked off in Melbourne this the way.” ment to Reuters, Twitter declined to disclose virtual private networking (VPN) technology edge with its mass-market cars. weekend. Honda is particularly interested in the Where those two forces coincide is around what Costolo intended to bring up with to circumvent censorship. Cynics aren’t buying the argument that new requirement to use “exhaust-energy recov- fuel efficiency - with Arai hoping to apply the Chinese officials. Dissident artist Ai Weiwei, to name one, Honda wants to use the F-1 as a technology ery” technology. Among other possibilities, it is technology developed for Formula One cars to “Dick is visiting China because he wants to has tweeted more than 105,000 times and incubator. They say Honda is trying to redeem its looking at a way to use exhaust gas to spin a tur- its mass production models. learn more about Chinese culture and the boasts more than 238,000 followers. The name after being a dud on the F-1 circuits from bine in the car’s exhaust system to generate For Honda, it is also an extension of a broader country’s thriving technology sector,” a Twitter state-run Xinhua news agency, official broad- 2000 to 2008, when it quit the world’s premier electricity and store it in an onboard battery. A effort by CEO Ito, who has held Honda’s top job spokesman said. caster China Central Television, and Hu Xijin, motor sport. McLaren-Honda F-1 car, starting next year, could since 2009, to regain the edge it once had as a Costolo is not expected to ask Chinese the influential editor of the pro-government Arai doesn’t necessarily disagree with that. He use such regenerated energy to go faster or far- daring, risk-taking automaker. Toyota Motor authorities to lift the Twitter ban. Twitter has Global Times newspaper, all maintain active says Honda wants to be as successful as it was in ther. Honda’s move reflects what Arai calls a Corp. over the past two decades has been seen flatly rejected the possibility of opening an Twitter accounts. — Reuters the late 1980s when McLaren-Honda cars, driven resolve by CEO Takanobu Ito to use the sport as as the more futuristic company. That reputation by the late Brazilian triple champion Ayrton a “laboratory on wheels,” just as originally envi- was largely due to the success of the gasoline- Senna and French four-time champ Alain Prost, sioned by company founder Soichiro Honda in electric hybrid, Prius - technology that Honda dominated the sport. In 1988, Senna and Prost the 1960s. failed to initially embrace fully, though the com- together won 15 of the 16 Grand Prix races. Establishing that exhaust-energy-recovery pany under Ito has since adjusted its strategy. “There’s no point in racing unless you win,” know-how should help Honda boost the so- “Inside Honda, we call the 2000s a lost Arai said, strolling around a classic Honda F-1 car called thermal efficiency of an F-1 car by as decade, void of progress and impact and circa 1964 on display during a recent F-1 fan much as a third, Arai said. momentum,” a senior Honda executive said. One event at the Suzuka Circuit, 50 kms (30 miles) Even the best of today’s most advanced gaso- of the company’s missteps during those years, south of Nagoya in central Japan. line engines use only 30 percent of the thermal company insiders say, was remaining in F-1 rac- “That’s why we teamed up with a winning energy they create by combustion. The rest is ing from 2000 through 2008, during which time team,” Arai said referring to McLaren. Honda is wasted during braking and leaks out through Honda won just one race. At the time, the sport set to supply engines starting in 2015 to exhaust pipes as heat. Arai wants to improve was paying little or no attention to advanced McLaren, one of the most successful teams in F-1 that thermal efficiency to as much as 40 percent. technology - even as consumers around the history. “There’s no technology like that available world demanded more fuel-efficient cars - and today,” said the 57-year-old engineer, who is also thus contributing little to the advancement of ‘Laboratory On Wheels’ senior managing director at Honda’s R&D arm. conventional cars. But Honda’s return to Formula One is not just “It’s highly challenging, but if achieved, it could Now Formula One, thanks to the new rule about the race, either. Honda believes the new be applied in conventional cars.” change, has become an “enormously chal- F-1 cars, which are now required to have gaso- lenging” battle front for new technology, Arai line-electric hybrid technology, offer an oppor- Fuel Efficiency says. By again competing on the F-1 circuit, tunity to make a technology leap. It’s not always easy, however, to use racing as Honda hopes to hatch ideas that give its The new regulations from the F-1 governing a technology incubator. Current and former engines an “unknown level of fuel-efficiency,” body require teams and engine suppliers such as Honda executives who spoke on condition of he said. — Reuters Amsterdam canal house built with 3-D printer

MANILA: People use computers at an Internet cafe in Manila yesterday. The AMSTERDAM: Hundreds of years Philippines said yesterday it would require Internet service providers to install filters after wealthy merchants began to block access to child pornography. — AFP building the tall, narrow brick houses that have come to define Amsterdam’s skyline, Dutch archi- tects are updating the process for Philippine Internet the 21st century: fabricating pieces of a canal house out of plastic with a providers to install giant 3-D printer and slotting them together like oversized Lego blocks. Hedwig Heinsman of architect child porn filters bureau Dus says the goal of the demonstration project launched this MANILA: The Philippines said yesterday Police say the Philippines is a key cen- month is not so much to print a it would require Internet service tre of the fast-growing global industry functioning house - in fact, parts of providers to install filters to block access that streams live images of children the house will likely be built and re- to child pornography. forced to commit sex acts for pae- built several times over the course of The move comes as the Philippines dophiles abroad. The law requires service three years as 3-D printing technolo- cracks down on online child pornogra- providers to install filters blocking child gy develops. Rather, it is to discover and share the potential uses of 3-D phy, arresting at least 13 suspects earlier pornography or risk heavy fines. printing in construction by creating this year for allegedly offering online They will have till June to install the fil- new materials, trying out designs images of children being sexually abused. ters, said Cabarrios. He acknowledged and testing building techniques to To block access to child pornography that it was almost impossible to block all see what works. “There’s only one Manila will finally implement a law child pornography but said the filters AMSTERDAM: A visitor passes a 3D printer, rear, as she looks at part of a printed canal house, foreground, way to find out,” she says. “By doing in Amsterdam, Netherlands, March 13. Dutch architecture firm Dus has embarked on a project to build a passed in 2009 but which required years could keep out the majority. “We all it.” of public consultations on how to imple- know that websites are easily created so 21st-century version of a classic Amsterdam canal house, printing it out piece by piece with an oversized 3- She envisions a future in which D printer, and then slotting them together like oversized Lego blocks. — AP ment it, said Edgardo Cabarrios, regula- (filtering them) is a moving target,” he personalized architecture may be tion director of the National added. custom-crafted on the spot, or per- printer made by Ultimaker, popular grams (400 lbs). from Dutch construction company Telecommunications Commission. Child pornographers have taken haps selected from an online store with hobbyists. The blocks will later be filled with Heijmans, German chemicals manu- “There were experts (at the consulta- advantage of the widespread poverty in for architectural designs, down- It takes the Kamermaker about a a foam material, still under develop- facturer Henkel, and anybody else tions) who were one in saying this will the Philippines to recruit children to loaded and tweaked. At the core of week to print each massive, unique, ment, that will harden like concrete who wants to participate and can help. It may not eradicate (Internet child create pornography for paedophiles the project is a 6-meter (20-foot) -tall honeycomb-structured block, layer to add additional weight and bind make useful contributions.The con- pornography) completely but this will around the world, advocates and the printer dubbed the Kamermaker, or by layer. The first block, which forms the blocks together. Dus expects to struction site in northern Amsterdam help,” he told AFP. police said. — AFP “room builder.” It’s a scaled-up ver- one corner of the house and part of a add more printers and change is also an exhibition, open to the sion of the open-source home 3-D stairway, weighed around 180 kilo- designs along the way, with help public for 2.50 euros ($3.00). — AP TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE Snail venom cuts pain in early lab trial

WASHINGTON: An experimental drug made prey, injecting a venom that paralyzes fish long ment of a whole new class of drugs capable of population and can arise from cancer, AIDS, dia- from snail venom has shown early signs of enough for the snail to eat it up. relieving one of the most severe forms of chron- betes, and other debilitating diseases. promise in numbing pain, raising hopes in the A tiny protein derived from the snail’s venom ic pain that is currently very difficult to treat,” One conotoxin-derived drug, ziconotide, has hunt for new, non-addictive medications, has formed the basis of five new experimental said Craik. already been approved for human use. However, researchers said Sunday.The drug, which has not compounds, said lead researcher David Craik of Animal venoms are poisons that can block it is not available in pill form and must be been tested yet on humans, was judged to be the University of Queensland in Australia. certain channels in the nervous system, and act infused directly into the lower part of the spinal about 100 times more potent than morphine or A preliminary study using one of these new differently than opioid painkillers such as mor- cord. gabapentin, which are currently considered the compounds on lab rats “appeared to significant- phine and hydrocodone, which carry the risk of The five new compounds Craik and col- gold standard for chronic nerve pain. ly reduce pain,” said a press statement released addiction and death from overdose. leagues are developing would be taken orally. The active ingredient, conotoxin, comes from ahead of Craik’s presentation at an American Pharmaceutical companies have begun “We don’t know about side effects yet, as it carnivorous cone snails, which are common in Chemical Society meeting in Dallas, Texas. investigating venoms in recent years as poten- hasn’t been tested in humans. But we think it the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. “This is an important incremental step that tial sources of new drugs for managing neuro- would be safe,” Craik said, adding that human The marine animals can reach out and stab could serve as the blueprint for the develop- pathic pain, which affects 15 percent of the US trials are at least two years away. — AFP Polluted Paris forces half cars off the road

PARIS: Paris on Monday resorted to drastic measures to curb soaring pollution levels by forcing all cars with number plates ending in even numbers off the road for the first time in two decades. Around 700 police officers were deployed to man 60 checkpoints around the French capital to ensure that only cars with number plates ending in odd numbers were out on the streets. Public transport has been free since the weekend to persuade Parisians to leave their cars at home, and the state railway company SNCF warned on its website of packed suburban trains at peak hours due to the extreme meas- ure.”It is sure we will have more clients today,” a delighted taxi driver told AFP. “There are people who take their car because they don’t want to be pressed up against others in the metro. Today they will take a taxi.” The restrictions came into force across Paris and 22 surrounding areas from 5:30 am (0430 GMT). They will be reviewed on a daily basis, GUILO: In this Tuesday, April 6, 2004 file photo, a worker collects sun-dried cocoa with odd numbers potentially banned on beans to be put into sacks for export in Guiglo, Ivory Coast. A large-scale study is Tuesday if an extension is deemed necessary. being launched in 2014 to see if pills containing the nutrients in dark chocolate can Parking will be free for vehicles with even help prevent heart attacks and strokes. — AP number plates, the Paris city hall said, calling on residents to consult carpooling or car-sharing sites to work out their travel plans. Study to test ‘chocolate’ However not everyone seemed to be aware PARIS: Police officers control vehicles along the Seine river in Paris, yesterday. Cars with even-num- of the ban, or chose to ignore it. “You don’t have bered license plates are prohibited from driving in Paris and its suburbs yesterday following a gov- pills for heart health the right to drive with your number plate,” a man ernment decision over the weekend. Paris is taking drastic measures to combat its worst air pollu- on a scooter remarked to another while stopped tion in years, banning around half of the city’s cars and trucks from its streets. — AP NEW YORK: It won’t be nearly as much tive flavanols in most of the candy on at a red light. “Oh really? I didn’t know,” the sec- cal football, with less than a week to go before Bollecker. fun as eating candy bars, but a big study the market. Cocoa flavanols are often ond driver replied before speeding off. Those key municipal elections. “Drivers are being targeted even though is being launched to see if pills contain- destroyed by the processing,” said who choose to brave the ban risk a fine of 22 The opposition UMP candidate for Paris may- heating is more polluting, but no one is asking ing the nutrients in dark chocolate can Manson, who will lead the study with euros ($30) if paid immediately, or 35 euros if or, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, called the meas- for heating to be used on alternate days.” help prevent heart attacks and strokes. Howard Sesso at Brigham and others at paid within three days. Electric and hybrid cars ure a “fig leaf”. By Saturday the number of pollution particu- The pills are so packed with nutrients Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will be exempted from the ban as well as any Ecology Minister Philippe Martin said he lates in the air had fallen slightly after hitting a that you’d have to eat a gazillion candy in Seattle. vehicle carrying three people or more. understood the “difficulties, the irritation and high of 180 micrograms per cubic metre-well bars to get the amount being tested in Participants will get dummy pills or It is the first time since 1997 that the French even anger” over the move, adding: “But we just over double the safe limit-on Friday. this study, which will enroll 18,000 men two capsules a day of cocoa flavanols for authorities have resorted to such a drastic meas- had to take this decision.” So-called PM10 particulates are created by and women nationwide. four years, and neither they nor the ure. The government made the announcement Martin said similar measures in 1997 “had vehicles, heating and heavy industry, with the “People eat chocolate because they study leaders will know who is taking on Saturday after pollution particulates in the air yielded results,” adding that he hoped that the safe limit set at 80 per cubic metre. enjoy it,” not because they think it’s good what during the study. The flavanol cap- exceeded safe levels for five straight days in Paris number of vehicles on the roads would be “sig- The smoggy conditions have been caused by for them, and the idea of the study is to sules are coated and have no taste, said and its environs. One enterprising website did nificantly lower” on Monday, without giving a a combination of cold nights and warm days, see whether there are health benefits Manson, who tried them herself. not waste any time cashing in on the restric- figure. which have prevented pollution from dispers- from chocolate’s ingredients minus the tions. Lending site e-loue.com encouraged France’s Automobile Club Association (ACA), ing. sugar and fat, said Dr. JoAnn Manson, Dummy pills Parisians with odd-number plates to rent them which counts some 760,000 members, The pollution particulates in the air can preventive medicine chief at Harvard- In the other part of the study, partici- to neighbours who could not drive on Monday. denounced the move as “hasty, ineffective” and cause asthma attacks as well as respiratory and affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital pants will get dummy pills or daily multi- “bound to lead to chaos”. heart problems. The World Health Organization in Boston. vitamins containing a broad range of Ban is ‘hasty, ineffective’ - “This measure had no effect in any country has said finer particulates-known as PM2.5 are The study will be the first large test of nutrients. Participants will be recruited The issue has become something of a politi- where it was introduced,” said ACA head Didier cancer-causing. — AFP cocoa flavanols, which in previous small- from existing studies, which saves mon- er studies improved blood pressure, ey and lets the study proceed much cholesterol, the body’s use of insulin, more quickly, Manson said, although artery health and other heart-related some additional people with a strong Five babies a day left at China city’s ‘baby hatch’ factors. interest in the research may be allowed BEIJING: More than 260 unwanted children, most statement issued Sunday said. Many babies are given up because parents can- A second part of the study will test to enroll. The women will come from the multivitamins to help prevent cancer. Women’s Health Initiative study, the of them babies, have been abandoned in a Chinese Its quarantine facilities were “not enough to not afford expensive medical bills and fees for spe- Earlier research suggested this benefit long-running research project best “safe haven” in just over six weeks-more than five a meet the demand” and wards that had previously cial education, it said. but involved just older, unusually known for showing that menopause hor- day-since it opened in late January, authorities said. held 50 children were now caring for 80 to 100, it A disabled child can be a huge drain on a fami- healthy men. Researchers want to see if mone pills might raise heart risks rather The “baby hatch” in Guangzhou, in the southern added. ly’s resources, and although the country’s one-child multivitamins lower cancer risk in a than lower them as had long been province of Guangdong, was suspended on China has set up 25 baby safe havens in 10 policy normally allows parents to have another broader population. thought. Men will be recruited from oth- Sunday after the city’s welfare home exceeded its provinces and major cities since June 2011 and baby if their first is disabled, the restrictions can be The study will be sponsored by the er large studies. Manson also is leading a capacity to handle new arrivals. plans to roll out the facilities to most of the country, a factor in other abandonments. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute government-funded study testing vita- All of those abandoned suffered from illnesses the official Xinhua news agency reported in Anyone leaving a child at the Guangzhou safe and Mars Inc., maker of M&M’s and min D pills in 26,000 men and women. including cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome and February. haven will now be reported to police, the city state- Snickers bars. The candy company has Results are expected in three years. congenital heart disease, and 67 percent of them The havens-introduced to reduce the risks of ment said. Any re-opening will be announced at a patented a way to extract flavanols from People love vitamin supplements but were less than a year old, the Bureau of Civil Affairs children dying after being abandoned in the street- later date, it added. P cocoa in high concentration and put “it’s important not to jump on the band- of Guangzhou Municipality said. usually have an incubator, a delayed alarm device, “Losing the care and love of the family at a them in capsules. Mars and some other wagon” and take pills before they are rig- The facility was set up in late January and 262 an air conditioner and a baby bed, that report said. young age will cause lifetime psychological dam- companies sell cocoa extract capsules, orously tested, she warned. “More is not children had been abandoned at it by Sunday Welfare staff retrieve a baby five to 10 minutes age to a child,” it cited the head of the welfare but with less active ingredient than necessarily better,” and research has morning, it said in a statement. The 1,000-bed wel- after a person leaves the child and presses the home, Xu Jiu, as saying. “And abandoning children those that will be tested in the study; shown surprising harm from some nutri- fare home was housing 1,121 residents, with alarm button, allowing families to give up the is illegal. I hope parents who want to do so think candy contains even less. ents that once looked promising, she prudently before acting.” — AFP “You’re not going to get these protec- said. — AP another 1,274 being cared for by foster families, the infant safely and anonymously. Second artificial heart implant due in ‘weeks’ PARIS: After its first recipient died, French biomedical firm Carmat said yesterday it expected to try again to implant its experimental artificial heart in another patient “in several weeks”. Artificial hearts have been in use for many years as a temporary fix for patients with chronic heart prob- lems, but the Carmat product aims to provide a longer-term solution to enable hospitalised patients to return home and lead normal lives. Philippe Pouletty, Carmat co- founder, told Europe 1 radio that a second experiment would depend on finding a suitable patient, adding that the company still had to wait for the results of an in-depth analy- sis of the first trial on a 76-year-old PARIS: A file picture taken on December 21, 2013 at Georges Pompidou man. European hospital in Paris, shows an artificial heart produced by Biomedical The septuagenarian with termi- firm Carmat. Carmat announced a new implantation will be probably tried “in nal heart disease died on March 2, the next few weeks”. — AFP two-and-a-half months after being The company is hoping to trial form and function of an actual implanted with the artificial device. the artificial heart in a total of four human heart. “Currently we don’t know what patients, and if all survive for at least In that sense, it varies greatly the patient’s cause of death is, we one month, the experiment will be from other artificial hearts currently This image provided by the BICEP2 Collaboration shows slight temperature fluctuations, indicated by variations in are doing in-depth analyses before color, of the cosmic microwave background of a small patch of sky and the orientation of its polarization, shown as deemed a success. being used, which are cruder, most- going on to the next implant,” The device, a self-contained unit ly synthetic pumps. Nearly 100,000 short black lines. Researchers say since the cosmic microwave background is a form of light, it exhibits all the Pouletty said, appearing to refute a properties of light, including polarization. The changes in a particular type of polarization, indicated here, are the- implanted in a patient’s chest, is a people in Europe and the United theory that a short circuit caused orized to be caused by gravitational waves. These waves are signals of an extremely rapid inflation of the universe mix of synthetic materials and ani- States are in need of a heart trans- in its first moments. — AP the device to stop working. mal tissue, and seeks to mimic the plant, according to Carmat. — AFP HEALTH & SCIENCE TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Fitness options multiply for time-pressed and money-stressed NEW YORK: Time, money and the Internet are from large multipurpose clubs to smaller gyms, people just don’t have to think that hard about changing where Americans work out, fitness boutique or sport-specific studios and fitness-only spending $10 a month. “They forget it’s even on experts say. facilities, many of which are franchised. their credit card, she said. Time-pressed fitness fans seeking short, In the realm of no-frills gyms, Planet Fitness, Cyrus believes the financial downturn was the focused workouts are flocking to boutique studios which charges just $10 a month, is arguably king. tipping point. “That’s when people started saying specializing in everything from indoor cycling to The company’s chief executive officer, Chris to themselves, ‘They’re taking $80 a month out of boot camp, and the no-frills gyms that burgeoned Rondeau, recently announced the franchise had my Visa and I never go,’” she said. during the financial recession are still thriving in reached a milestone of 5 million members sys- Cyrus said the downside of cut-rate gyms is the recovery. temwide. service and space. “You must keep the program- Cedric X. Bryant, chief science officer with the ming very limited,” she said. “There are only so American Council on Exercise, believes fitness has Personal trainers many treadmills, and often only one studio or one taken a minimalist turn that encourages smaller “I always say we’re selling pizza, they’re selling room.” venues. cheeseburgers,” said Rondeau. “We’re geared to the Cyrus attributes the rise of the specialty studios “From a training perspective, we’re going back first-time exerciser, the beginner, as opposed to the at least partly to the time constraints of the to basics, away from more complex equipment,” more fanatical exercisers and the body builders.” Internet age. he said. “The simpler exercise approaches of popu- To keep the price low, Planet Fitness has no per- “One-stop shopping is why small spaces are lar trends like boot camp and CrossFit and High sonal trainers, daycare, pools or spas, and there are doing well. It’s often the least amount of time for Intensity Interval Training require less space and no group fitness classes and no plans to add any. the maximum workout,” she said. “These days you less sophisticated equipment.” “We’re keeping true to our low price point,” want to consolidate because the time you’re exer- All of which, Bryant said, lends itself to eco- Rondeau said. cising is that much time you’re off Facebook or nomically sized, and priced, gyms. He expects the Cost is the number one reason both men and Twitter or whatever.” trend to continue because the workouts are effec- women cancel gym memberships or refrain from But she noted that many successful one-note tive. purchasing one at all, according to IHRSA’s 2014 studios are beginning to diversify, with indoor “Time is always a big barrier for folks, so there trend report. Even the big-box gyms are getting cycling venues adding barre classes and yoga- will always be this lure to the minimal,” Bryant said. into the franchise game. based programs. PHOENIX: This Feb. 2014 photo provided by Flor Medrano shows Kevin Vicente Nearly one in five Americans is a health club Donna Cyrus, senior vice president of program- “They are getting out of the box that people in Phoenix, Ariz. Four-year-old Kevin Vicente’s road to recovery after a dog consumer, according to a 2014 report by IHRSA, ming at Crunch fitness centers, which has its own went to them for in the first place,” Cyrus said. the International Health and Racquet Club, an franchise model, Crunch Essentials, said these days “When it’s only one modality something is lost.” mauling on Feb 20, 2014, has ignited thousands of impassioned pleas, not just industry trade association. there are many more options at lower price points. Cyrus, who has been in the business for 20 years, not for him. The animal behind the attack is now the object of a Facebook page While membership has remained more or less “More people go to McDonald’s than dine at says fitness is like a wave: “It’s like fashion. It comes that has garnered more than 39,000 likes on Facebook. The fate of Mickey the steady, IHRSA reports a shift in the past few years higher-end restaurants,” said Cyrus, adding that and goes.” — Reuters pit bull will ultimately be decided in a court hearing March 25 in Phoenix. — AP WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Mazola takes centre stage at Gulfood

azola, one of the leading awards included Al Seer trading Basateen Foods Saudi Arabia - the of the new state-of-the-art, multi- names in the regional food “Oman”, George & Sami Khoury& Co manufacturers of Mazola products in million dollar plant expansion in the Mindustry, held a special gala “Jordan”, Binzagr Company “KSA” and the region, said: “Gulfood was a great country. The investment reflects the dinner for its partners and distribu- Raad Trading “Kuwait”. opportunity for us to network with company’s commitmentand strategy tors on February 25 at the Palace Mazola’s participation at Gulfood our partners across the region. We to produce increased volumes of Hotel in Dubai on the sidelines of its included a detailed review and inter- have achieved phenomenal growth Mazola products to meet the increas- participation at Gulfood 2014 - the action with its partners and distribu- in our sales and distribution network, ingbrand share, product develop- world’s largest annual food and hos- tors, aimed at shaping the future and Gulfood gave us a unique ment and geographic expansion. pitality show in Dubai. roadmap in the region. Through this chance to network with all partners The five day Gulfood was held During the dinner, Abdullah endeavour, the company aims to fur- on one platform. We are thankful for between February 23 and 27, 2014 at Binzagr, President of the company, ther leverage the reputation of its the support of our partners in our the Dubai World Trade Centre handed over some awards, including products and identify potential cus- impressive growth.” (DWTC), bringing together over 4,500 the Best Distributor Award. The win- tomers. Basateen Foods Saudi Arabia exhibitors and included 120 country ners of the Mazola distributors’ Simon Gottfried, Vice Presidentof recently announced the completion pavilions.

GUST hosts fourth English Day

he Gulf University for Science and Technology was Program Unit combined their efforts to create and organ- ‘It was great to see students so involved from start to course; a Comedy Hour of witty comic films made by stu- proud to host another year’s English Day. It was a day ize this special annual event, in celebration of English as a finish. Members of the English, Media and Volunteer Clubs dents ; Drama with our very own thespians, (Mohammad Tfull of activities, with the single aim of illustrating global language. helped organize, promote and participated in the event. Bastaki, Mona Romana, RamziG halioum, Abrar Ebrahim English as a powerful medium of communication. The day began with opening speeches by Dr Donald L. The larger student body, notably the Foundation students, and directed by Hamad Al Jenaie) in their own creation English Day evolved from humble beginnings into a Bates, President of GUST, Dr Ghassan Aouad, Vice President was instrumental as an enthusiastic audience. Bravo.’ Dr entitled “Carnage” and the ever popular Scavenger Hunt, unique fixture on the GUST calendar. It is a day for the stu- for Academic Affairs and Dr Piers Smith, Head of English Inan Deniz Erguvan, Culture Committee Chair. and many more entertaining games. dents and by the students, with a helping hand from facul- Department. They highlighted the importance of the event The day exhibited a well-balanced array of activities, The Cultural Committee would like to give special ty. to the university, its faculty and students. A grand perform- featuring; an exciting Quiz Show - in which students thanks to our sponsors: Boubyan Bank, Pepsi Cola, Kuwait Both students and faculty from the English Department ance by the Kuwait English School Orchestra followed, demonstrated their world knowledge; a Speech Contest and East India Trading Company. Well done everyone, of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Foundation thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. and Debate to showcase their fine grasp of spoken dis- thanks for taking part and making the day fun.

PBDIK holds blood donation campaign

akistani Blood Donors in Kuwait (PBDIK), extended their gratitude and thanks to him on a social welfare group in collaboration behalf of Pakistani community, PBDIK team and Pwith Central Blood Bank of Kuwait, held Hafiz Mohammad Shabbir who is Patron in- their 4thblood donation drive in Kuwait on Chief of PBDIK. During this conversation, Sheikh Friday, March 14th at the Central Blood Blank in Jaber Ahmed Khalid Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Jabriya. Held with the support from the Sabah praised the role of Pakistani Community Embassy of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to towards their second home country Kuwait and Kuwait and Pakistan Business Council in Kuwait, the efforts of PBDIK in particular for their the event was organized with an aim to express humanitarian activities keeping in view their solidarity and gratitude towards the country mission of bringing awareness in society on the while strengthening brotherly ties between noble cause of blood donation. both nations and extending credentials as a The participation also represented a strong socially responsible community in Kuwait. and humanitarian message that exemplified a Pakistani community in Kuwait firmly sincere contribution to provide support to believes that the blood donation is a noble needy individuals of the community, especially cause and the event held today is a mere token those in need of rare types of blood. of appreciation from them towards the Kuwaiti The community had exceeded the expected society and an opportunity to extend their sin- highlight of the event was an overwhelming came forward to extend their support to the event was honoured by the presence of Sheikh turnout and has responded with enthusiasm to cere support while playing a productive role for participation from female donors. The atten- community in a move to not only serve human- Jaber Ahmad Khalid Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- the donation drive and expressed their willing- the social and economic development between dees were mostly of Pakistani heritage who ity through blood donation but also to express Sabah also donated blood along with Arif Butt; ness to take part in donating blood. The both nations. have been living and working in Kuwait with their gratitude to the Pakistani community in a leading Pakistani business man in Kuwait. Pakistani Blood Donors in Kuwait group aspires The event witnessed a large attendance of their families for over a well number of years Kuwait. Chairman, Arif Butt, COO Amer Hamid and to inspire other people among the community over 350 attendees among which over 200peo- and have always considered this country as Hassan Wazir; Deputy head of Mission / 1st senior advisor Ehsanulhaq of PBDIK attended to donate blood and thus increasing the aware- ple registered themselves as blood donors their second home. The donors also included Secretary and acting Ambassador of Pakistan to Sheikh Jaber Ahmed Khalid Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber ness in the Kuwait society on lives that can be between short span of 4 hours. One of the recognizable count of Kuwaiti nationals who State of Kuwait also attended the event. The Al-Sabah while he was donating blood and saved with blood donation. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

Kuwait National English School Secondary Department Sports Day econdary pupils from Kuwait National English School enjoyed their day out for the Sports Day on school premises. Pupils grouped by houses competed with high spirit. The winning house was the green Scolour “London”. Thanks to staff and pupils from Kuwait National English School.

Kindergarten graduation celebrations at Bhavans

ndian Educational School, Kuwait concluded its 7th Annual Day celebration which was a 4 day Ievent held on March 10, 11,12 and 13, 2014. It was a massive event in which the entire kinder- garten wing of about 600 students adorned the stage. The chief guests for the evenings were Mrs Asha Sharma, Principal of Indian Learners Own Academy, Dr. Shobha Vadhadhi, Principal of Jabria Indian School, Shanta Maria of Indian Central School and Kalyani Mukherjee, Principal of Kuwait Indian School respectively. The evenings were graced by N K Ramchandran Menon-Chairman Bhavans Group of Schools Middle East, Principal T. Premkumar, Principal of Jack and Jill Mangaf, Vice principal of senior wing Mrs Anitha Sadanand and Vice principal of Primary and Kindergarten wing Mrs Lalitha Premkumar. The kindergarten supervisor Mrs Rajni Menon welcomed the huge gathering of expectant parents and the dignitaries to the function. She highlighted the principles of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and how the kindergarten wing of Bhavans, Kuwait strives to achieve it. Vice Principal, Lalitha Premkumar presented the KG-annual report. She listed all the activities con- ducted in the kindergarten for the kinesthetic and holistic development of kids which makes this tem- ple of learning the first choice of a little beginner. She stressed on the importance of fun filled learn- ing experiences including creative activities like col- lage, colouring, art, palm printing, vegetable print- ing and also field trips for entertainment which are a part of the curriculum at Bhavans. The Principal of Jack and Jill Mangaf and the sen- ior teachers of Kindergarten invited the honorable guests to share their views and encouraging words to make the evening a memorable one for the audi- ence. The chief guests who graced the occasion unanimously praised the performance of the bright and talented little students of the kindergarten. They were spell bound to watch the kids saying long speeches with utmost confidence and grace and showered their blessings upon them. Mrs Asha Sharma, former principal of IES, and the chief guest on March 10, stressed on the importance of teach- ers in the development of students and she was the fantabulous fashion show - abounding in acknowledged the experience the of the creativity. Tiny models draped in colourful cos- Kindergarten section of IES in training the kids so tumes, made out of recycled waste materials such GREETINGS well. Dr. Shobha Vadhadhi and Shanta Maria, the as CD, news papers, plastic bags, empty chips pack- chief guests for March 11 and 12 respectively, spoke ets, balloons, bubble wraps, trash bags, walked the on the importance of parents and teachers working ramp and conquered the hearts of the audience together for the betterment of the students. Kalyani with their astounding confidence. Mukherjee, chief guest for 13th March eulogized The students of UKG attired in the graduation appy birthday the efforts taken by the kindergarten teachers in gowns received their graduation scrolls from the to our dear- organizing and successfully presenting a pro- chief guests, the chairman and the principal. They Hest Harly gramme of such magnitude. bid farewell to all the teachers of Kindergarten and Theres Sijo. May God The cultural events presented by the little ones presented a lovely dance to thank the teachers who bless you with a long were a real feast for the eyes. The basic theme for taught them for the past two years. As the curtains life. Best wishes the evening was ‘The Bounties of Nature’ and how were drawn, one could see the proud parents walk come from parents to protect it by recycling. The show began with a with their heads held high with a smile that con- and relatives. welcome dance performed by the students of LKG veyed their happiness over the education the kids resplendent in their lovely and bright costumes. received at IES. The big show of the little ones will Children enumerated the endless gifts of nature in a forever remain etched in the memories of the par- mind boggling skit. The highlight of the evening ents and teachers alike. TV PROGRAMS TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

04:40 Container Wars 05:05 How Do They Do It? 07:35 Wolfblood 05:30 How It’s Made 07:55 Gravity Falls 08:20 That’s So Raven 06:00 Sons Of Guns ’Veronica Mars’ Ultimate 08:45 Jessie 07:00 You Have Been Warned 00:20 Doctors 09:05 Good Luck Charlie 00:50 New Tricks 07:50 Flying Wild Alaska 09:30 Shake It Up review: TheWrap’s 01:40 My Family 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 09:55 Austin & Ally 02:10 Walk On The Wild Side 09:30 Border Security 10:15 A.N.T. Farm 02:40 Being Erica 09:55 Auction Kings 10:40 Dog With A Blog 03:25 Spooks 10:20 Container Wars 11:05 Suite Life On Deck Movie Critic, Senior 04:15 The Weakest Link 10:45 How Do They Do It? 11:25 Jessie 05:00 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 11:10 How It’s Made 11:50 That’s So Raven 05:20 Balamory 11:35 Gold Rush 12:15 Hannah Montana TV Writer’s dual takes 05:40 Nina And The Neurons 12:25 Alaska Gold Diggers 12:35 Hannah Montana 05:50 Me Too! 13:15 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 13:00 Good Luck Charlie heWrap offers two takes on “Veronica Mars,” the 06:10 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 13:25 Austin & Ally 06:30 Balamory 14:05 Border Security movie: one from its Lead Movie Critic Alonso Duralde, 14:30 Auction Kings 13:45 A.N.T. Farm who has never watched the TV show, and another 06:50 Nina And The Neurons 14:10 Jessie T 14:55 Container Wars 07:05 Me Too! 14:35 Dog With A Blog from its Senior TV Writer Jethro Nededog, a longtime fan. 15:20 North America 07:25 My Family 15:00 Good Luck Charlie ‘Veronica Mars’ Review: You Don’t Have to Know the Show 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 07:50 The Vicar Of Dibley 15:25 Gravity Falls to Enjoy This Comic Whodunit Kristin Bell’s smart and sexy 08:20 Little Britain 17:00 Ultimate Survival 15:50 Austin & Ally sleuth gets the big-screen treatment with a script designed 08:50 Eastenders 17:50 Wheeler Dealers 16:10 Violetta to bring newbies into her world of repartee and mayhem. 09:20 Doctors 18:40 You Have Been Warned 17:00 Liv And Maddie 09:45 The Weakest Link 19:30 Sons Of Guns 17:20 Liv And Maddie By Alonso Duralde 10:30 The Vicar Of Dibley 20:20 How Do They Do It? 17:40 Mako Mermaids 1- Amy Poehler once joked that her favorite show on TV 11:00 Call The Midwife 20:45 How It’s Made 18:10 Good Luck Charlie 11:55 New Tricks is “Previously on ‘Homeland’�” and those of us who watch 21:10 Auction Kings 18:30 Jessie television the old-fashioned way (one episode a week 12:45 My Family 18:55 Dog With A Blog 21:35 Container Wars instead of bingeing through a whole season) appreciate 13:15 Little Britain 22:00 Dual Survival 19:20 Violetta 13:45 Eastenders those little reminders of what’s already happened (and 22:50 Survive That! 20:05 Jessie 14:15 Doctors what’s going to get a call-back on this next episode) 23:40 Yukon Men 20:30 Good Luck Charlie 14:45 Call The Midwife 20:50 Dog With A Blog In bringing his cult series “Veronica Mars” to the big 15:35 New Tricks 21:15 Gravity Falls screen, director Rob Thomas (who co-wrote with Diane 16:25 The Weakest Link 21:40 Shake It Up Ruggiero) has very cannily made this material approach- 17:10 Eastenders 22:00 Austin & Ally able for people who never watched the show - like me - by 17:40 Doctors 22:25 A.N.T. Farm kicking things off with the mother of all “Previously ons,” 18:10 Being Erica 22:50 Good Luck Charlie 19:00 Last Of The Summer Wine 00:40 The Colony walking us through the life and loves of teen detective 01:30 Bang Goes The Theory 23:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place Veronica (Kristen Bell), and how she and her father Keith 19:30 The Vicar Of Dibley 23:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 20:00 Upstairs Downstairs 02:00 Food Factory (Enrico Colantoni) made enemies by poking through the 20:55 Mistresses 02:25 How Tech Works sleazy underbelly of the seemingly idyllic seaside resort 21:45 The Omid Djalili Show 02:50 Mega Builders town of Neptune, Calif. 22:15 Stella 03:45 Kings Of Construction But don’t worry, “Veronica” vets, there’s plenty for you, 23:00 The Weakest Link 04:35 Thunder Races 05:25 How The Universe Works too: there are references to “marshmallows” and Kickstarter 23:45 Eastenders (the crowd-sourcing site by which super-fans helped this 06:15 Food Factory 00:00 Chelsea Lately 06:40 How Tech Works 00:30 The Spin Crowd movie get made) in the first ten minutes. As the film gets 07:05 X-Machines 00:55 The Spin Crowd underway, Veronica is living in New York as a recent law 08:00 Building The Future 01:25 Style Star school graduate, interviewing for a job with a tony, high- 08:50 Eco-Tech 01:50 Style Star powered firm. She tells us in the narration that snooping 00:00 The Planners 09:40 Food Factory 02:20 E!ES and stalking is something in her past, and she wants to 00:50 Extreme Makeover: Home 10:05 How Tech Works 03:15 Extreme Close-Up leave her old gumshoe-ing behind for a life as an attorney Edition 10:30 James May’s Man Lab 03:40 Extreme Close-Up with her fianc Piz (Chris Lowell), whose gig at NPR enables 01:35 Come Dine With Me 11:25 X-Machines 04:10 E!ES the first of several amusing celebrity cameos. 02:25 MasterChef 12:20 Thunder Races 05:05 E!ES 13:10 How The Universe Works Thomas and Ruggiero’s script treat Veronica’s sleuthing 03:20 Chef At Home 06:00 THS as an addiction, and the first taste of the forbidden stuff 03:45 Chef At Home 14:00 Kings Of Construction 07:50 Fashion Police comes when she goes back to Neptune to help out her ex- 04:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 14:50 Bang Goes The Theory 09:15 Opening Act GRASSROOTS ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD 04:55 Extreme Makeover: Home 15:20 Food Factory 10:15 Married To Jonas boyfriend Logan (Jason Dohring), who’s been accused of Edition 15:45 How Tech Works 10:40 Chasing The Saturdays murdering their high school classmate Carrie (Andrea Country 05:40 Bargain Hunt 16:10 Mega Builders 11:10 The Drama Queen 05:00 Good Morning America 05:30 Now Is Good-PG15 Estella), a famous pop star. Even though it means being in 16:30 Endeavour 06:25 Come Dine With Me 17:00 How The Universe Works 12:05 Fashion Police 07:00 Emmerdale 07:15 Girl In Progress-PG15 town for Veronica’s tenth high-school reunion - which 18:20 May The Best House Win 07:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 17:55 Thunder Races 13:35 E!ES 07:30 Coronation Street 09:00 Midnight In Paris-PG15 19:10 Coronation Street brings her back together with pals Mac (Tina Majorino) and 08:00 Extreme Makeover: Home 18:45 X-Machines 14:30 Style Star 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:00 Olympus Has Fallen-PG15 19:35 Trevor Mcdonalds Queen & Wallace (Percy Daggs III) - Veronica keeps postponing her Edition 19:35 James May’s Man Lab 15:00 Keeping Up With The 09:00 24 13:00 Magic Journey To Africa- Country return to Manhattan as she gets more deeply engrossed 08:45 The Planners 20:30 Junkyard Wars Kardashians 10:00 Emmerdale PG15 20:30 Endeavour with who really killed Carrie, especially when it appears to 09:35 Bargain Hunt 21:20 Large Dangerous Rocket 16:00 Keeping Up With The 10:30 Coronation Street 15:00 The Odd Life Of Timothy 22:20 Coronation Street have something to do with an incident from their high 10:20 Antiques Roadshow Ships 2011 Kardashians 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Green-PG 22:50 Emmerdale 11:15 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 22:10 Food Factory 17:00 The Wanted Life 12:00 Castle 17:00 Midnight In Paris-PG15 school days. Was the assailant super-fan Ruby Jetson (Gaby 23:45 May The Best House Win Notebook: London 22:35 How Tech Works 17:30 Hello Ross 13:00 Made In Jersey 19:00 Red Dawn-PG15 Hoffman, hilariously batty here)? Rich snob Gia (Krysten 11:40 Come Dine With Me 23:00 Stuck With Hackett 18:00 E! News 14:00 Live Good Morning America 21:00 The Bling Ring-18 Ritter)? Corrupt sheriff Dan Lamb (Jerry O’Connell)? Idiot 12:30 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 23:25 Stuck With Hackett 19:00 Fashion Police 16:00 24 23:00 The Campaign-18 surfer Dick (Ryan Hansen, “Party Down”)? Or any number of 13:20 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 23:50 Large Dangerous Rocket 20:30 E!ES 17:00 Castle other suspicious Neptune-ites? The mystery consumes 14:05 Antiques Roadshow Ships 2011 21:00 The Drama Queen 18:00 Made In Jersey Veronica, no matter what the damage it’s doing to her per- 19:00 24 15:05 Extreme Makeover: Home 22:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On sonal and career prospects back east. Edition 22:30 E! News 20:00 Castle 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 21:00 Made In Jersey I realize I’m late on this, not having seen the show, but 15:50 MasterChef 23:30 Chelsea Lately 01:00 The Missing Lynx Bell is flat-out terrific, mixing spunk, smarts and sex in a way Stewart 22:00 Rescue Me 02:45 The Legend Of Sarila 16:45 Bargain Hunt that brings to mind the leading ladies of Hollywood’s gold- 17:30 Chef At Home 01:00 The Colbert Report 23:00 Nip/Tuck 04:30 Free Birds 17:55 Chef At Home 01:30 The Big C 06:00 Olentzero Christmas Tale en age. There aren’t a lot of people working today who 18:20 Antiques Roadshow 02:00 South Park 08:00 Emperor’s Secret merit comparison to the likes of Jean Arthur and Rosalind 19:15 Homes Under The Hammer 02:30 Out There 09:45 Sky Force Russell, but Bell’s working on that level here. 00:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 20:10 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen 03:30 Raising Hope 11:15 Mrs. Doubtfire The ensemble cast is generally fast and funny, zipping 00:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 04:00 Seinfeld 13:30 The Legend Of Sarila Notebook: London 00:35 House Gift through the script’s clever repartee, and even “Mars” new- 00:45 Sonny With A Chance 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 00:15 Starship Troopers: Invasion-18 15:00 The Fantastic Adventure Of 20:35 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 01:30 Emmerdale comers will find themselves welcome in their company, 01:05 Sonny With A Chance Jimmy Fallon 02:00 15 Minutes-PG15 The Ugly Duckling 21:00 Food & Drink 02:25 Coronation Street even if we don’t always know who’s an ally and who’s 01:30 Suite Life On Deck 05:30 Seinfeld 04:00 Metal Tornado-PG15 16:30 The Elf Who Stole Christmas 21:30 Come Dine With Me 02:55 Holiday: Heaven On Earth secretly a murderer. There’s one odd bit of casting, although 01:50 Suite Life On Deck 06:00 Two And A Half Men 06:00 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The 18:00 Sky Force 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 03:25 Agatha Christie’s Marple saying so might be high treason to the show’s fans: Bell has 02:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place 06:30 Arrested Development Doubt-PG15 20:00 The Water Horse: Legend Of 23:15 Bargain Hunt 05:15 Ade In Britain 02:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 08:00 Arctic Blast-PG15 The Deep lots more screen chemistry with Lowell than she does with 06:10 House Gift 03:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 08:00 Seinfeld 10:00 Romancing The Stone-PG15 22:00 The Fantastic Adventure Of Dohring, and it throws off the balance, turning what should 07:05 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 03:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 08:30 Seinfeld 12:00 Shadow Conspiracy-PG15 The Ugly Duckling be an equilateral love triangle into an isosceles one. The 07:30 Agatha Christie’s Marple 03:45 Sonny With A Chance 09:30 The Crazy Ones 14:00 Arctic Blast-PG15 23:30 The Elf Who Stole Christmas romance aside, however, “Veronica Mars” makes the jokes 04:05 Sonny With A Chance 09:20 Ade In Britain 10:00 Trophy Wife 16:00 Dangerous Attraction-PG15 witty, the mystery challenging and the suspense and action 04:30 Suite Life On Deck 10:15 May The Best House Win 10:30 Arrested Development 18:00 Shadow Conspiracy-PG15 11:10 Emmerdale tense. You don’t have to have tuned in to the small-screen 00:30 Gold Rush 04:50 Suite Life On Deck 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 20:00 Breaking Point-18 12:00 Coronation Street version to enjoy it on the big one. 01:20 Alaska Gold Diggers 05:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place Jimmy Fallon 22:00 Arena-18 05:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:30 House Gift 1- ‘Veronica Mars’ review: If sleuthing is wrong, we don’t 02:10 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 12:00 Two And A Half Men 06:00 Austin & Ally 13:25 Ade In Britain 12:30 Seinfeld want her to be right Rob Thomas’s much-anticipated movie 03:00 You Have Been Warned 06:25 Dog With A Blog 14:20 May The Best House Win 13:00 Seinfeld 00:00 Knuckle-PG15 based on the canceled TV series manages to bring a truly 03:50 Border Security 02:00 Gambit-PG15 06:45 Suite Life On Deck 15:10 Holiday: Heaven On Earth 13:30 Arrested Development 00:00 Grassroots-PG15 new chapter that marshmallows will eat up. 04:15 Auction Kings 04:00 Snowflake , The White 07:10 A.N.T. Farm 15:35 Trevor Mcdonalds Queen & 14:00 Raising Hope 02:00 Detention-18 Gorilla-PG 14:30 The Crazy Ones 04:00 Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final By Jethro Nededog 06:00 Dating Coach-PG15 15:00 Trophy Wife Insult-PG15 The “Veronica Mars” movie - hard-earned by the loyalty 08:00 The Greatest Movie Ever 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 06:00 10 Things I Hate About You- Sold-PG15 of its fandom via a Kickstarter campaign - goes a long way Stewart PG15 10:00 Charlotte’s Web-PG to fill the void left behind when The CW canceled it in 2007. 16:00 The Colbert Report 08:00 My Dog’s Christmas Miracle- 12:00 Gambit-PG15 When we catch up with Veronica (Kristen Bell), she has 16:30 Two And A Half Men PG15 14:00 Barnyard-PG done a really good job of leaving the dark world of her 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 10:00 4 Wedding Planners-PG15 16:00 The Greatest Movie Ever gumshoe past behind. She’s a recent law school grad living 18:00 The Simpsons 12:00 Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Sold-PG15 19:00 The Mindy Project Insult-PG15 in New York City and she even picked the “right” guy, Piz 17:45 Iron Man 3-PG15 19:30 Modern Family 14:00 Asterix And Obelix-PG15 (Chris Lowell). 20:00 Killing Them Softly-18 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 16:00 4 Wedding Planners-PG15 But one call from frenemy/ex-lover Logan (Jason 22:00 The Possession-PG15 Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Spy Hard-PG15 Dohring) - who’s accused of killing his pop star girlfriend, 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 20:00 American Cowslip-18 Bonnie DeVille aka Carrie (Andrea Estella, who replaces Stewart 22:00 Grassroots-PG15 Leighton Meester from the series) - pulls her back to 21:30 The Colbert Report Neptune. Even when she aims to stay just a few days, we 22:00 Veep know there’s no way that’s true. Creator Rob Thomas, who 22:30 South Park 01:00 NRL Premiership 23:00 Out There 03:00 NRL Premiership co-wrote the film with series executive producer Diane 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 05:00 NRL Full Time Ruggiero, uncovers Veronica’s deep addiction to making 05:30 Futbol Mundial 01:30 Good Day For It-PG15 things right. It’s not a hard feeling for fans of the series to 03:15 The Presence-PG15 06:00 Trans World Sport tap into as it’s the same addiction we feel when we love a 05:00 Lying To Be Perfect-PG15 07:00 Trans World Sport TV show. What’s binge-watching if not a form of addictive 07:00 The First Grader-PG15 08:00 LV Cup behavior? So, we can quickly understand how Veronica can 00:00 Warehouse 13 09:00 Good Day For It-PG15 10:00 Golfing World find herself knee-deep in Neptune’s class war once again. 01:00 Mistresses 10:45 Anna Karenina-PG15 11:00 World Golf Championship As luck would have it, the trip coincides with Veronica’s 02:00 The Killing 13:00 Snow Flower And The Secret Highlights class reunion so the whole gang is back too: Mac (Tina 03:00 World Without End Fan-PG15 12:00 Super Rugby Majorino), who’s feeling her oats and ready to rub her suc- 04:00 Grey’s Anatomy 15:00 The Wild Hunt-PG15 14:00 Super Rugby cess and hot makeover into the faces of her old judgmental 05:00 The Fosters 17:00 Arbitrage-PG15 16:00 NRL Premiership 06:00 Warehouse 13 classmates; Wallace (Percy Daggs III) who’s now a basketball 19:00 Now You See Me-PG15 18:00 World Golf Championship 07:00 Drop Dead Diva coach at Neptune High (ahoy!); and Dick (Ryan Hansen) is 21:00 Barney’s Version-18 Highlights 08:00 Switched At Birth 23:00 Lawless-18 back unchanged as if it was just yesterday that exploding 09:00 The Killing 19:00 Golfing World fist pumps were the thing. Veronica has plenty of quick run- 10:00 The Fosters 20:00 PGA European Tour Weekly ins with alums who each seem to deliver a quick rundown 11:00 Grey’s Anatomy 20:30 Inside The PGA Tour of their history with the former teen detective. I saw these 21:00 Trans World Sport 12:00 Emmerdale bits of expository as necessary evils to bring newbies up to 22:00 LV Cup 12:30 Coronation Street speed, so I forgave them. 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Bell is back in true form. Her physicality, her ability to 14:00 Switched At Birth 01:15 Surveillance-18 15:00 Warehouse 13 03:00 The Last King Of Scotland-18 drop the witty turn of phrases and then lend gravity to situ- 16:00 Emmerdale 05:30 Intolerable Cruelty-PG15 00:00 Golfing World ations when needed are still spot-on. Enrico Colantoni, who 16:30 Coronation Street 07:15 Hold Fast-PG15 01:00 Premier League Darts plays Veronica’s private eye father, and Bell still have the 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 09:00 Alfie Boe: Bring Him Home 04:00 LV Cup great chemistry we remember from the series. He’s looking 18:00 Switched At Birth Tour-PG15 06:30 NRL Full Time out for her, but also knows that he can’t keep her from 19:00 Twisted 10:30 Someday This Pain Will Be doing what she wants. The movie does play off the raging 07:00 NRL Premiership 20:00 Scandal Useful To You-PG15 fan war between Veronica’s men: Logan and Piz. Dohring is 09:00 NRL Full Time 21:00 House Of Cards 12:45 Earth-PG15 still excellent at pulling off dark and unpredictable, 22:00 American Horror Story: 15:00 Offline-PG15 09:30 Dubai World Cup Carnival although Logan is less of a loose cannon after joining the 17:00 Someday This Pain Will Be Coven 13:00 Trans World Sport military in the time that’s elapsed. And Lowell, whose char- 23:00 World Without End Useful To You-PG15 14:00 Golfing World acter is being courted by NPR, still feels like a puppy you 19:00 L’amour C’est Mieux A Deux- 15:00 World Golf Championships PG15 just want to shield from pain. The movie takes a good while Highlights 21:00 Arbitrage-PG15 setting up the town, the crew of new and old characters 23:00 Savages-18 16:00 Snooker and the clues that may or may not lead Veronica to clearing 19:00 NHL Logan’s name. That story builds to a thrilling pace, though, 21:00 HSBC Sevens World Series and shows that Thomas/Ruggiero have a firm grasp of 00:00 Made In Jersey 23:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 01:00 Good Morning America what makes this chapter worthy of being shown in theaters Highlights 03:00 Nip/Tuck 01:15 Drift-PG15 and not just an extended episode of “Veronica Mars.”—AP BREAKING POINT ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 04:00 Rescue Me 03:30 Olympus Has Fallen-PG15 23:30 PGA European Tour Weekly Classifieds

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (13/03/2014 TO 19/03/2014)

SHARQIA-1 FANAR-4 RED SKY (DIG) 1:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 12:30 PM LAMO AKHZA (DIG) (Arabic) 3:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 2:30 PM RED SKY (DIG) 5:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 4:30 PM LAMO AKHZA (DIG) (Arabic) 7:45 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 6:30 PM LAMO AKHZA (DIG) (Arabic) 9:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 8:30 PM RED SKY (DIG) 11:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 10:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 12:30 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-2 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 12:45 PM FANAR-5 MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 2:45 PM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 1:45 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 4:45 PM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 3:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 6:45 PM LAST LOVE (DIG) 6:00 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 8:45 PM LAST LOVE (DIG) 8:15 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 10:45 PM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 10:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG-3D) 12:45 AM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 12:45 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED NO SUN+TUE+WED

SHARQIA-3 MARINA-1 NON-STOP (DIG) 1:45 PM RED SKY (DIG) 1:45 PM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 4:00 PM RED SKY (DIG) 4:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 6:00 PM RED SKY (DIG) 6:15 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 8:15 PM LAMO AKHZA (DIG) (Arabic) 8:30 PM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 10:30 PM LAMO AKHZA (DIG) (Arabic) 10:30 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 12:30 AM RED SKY (DIG) 12:30 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED NO SUN+TUE+WED holder of Indian Passport MUHALAB-1 MARINA-2 FOR SALE No. K7916639 change my 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 1:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 1:30 PM name to Ali Haider Shaik, 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 3:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 3:45 PM Chevrolet jeep - Trail Blazer my address in India is N.T.R. RED SKY (DIG) 5:30 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 6:00 PM - LS 2008, black color, Nagar, Chitvel, K. 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 7:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 8:00 PM Alghanim. Excellent condi- Kandulayaripalli, Kadapa 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 9:45 PM 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 10:00 PM tion. KM 127,000, KD 2,650. Dist, AP, 516104. (C 4664) 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (DIG) 12:15 AM 13-3-2014 MUHALAB-2 NO SUN+TUE+WED Mob: 50994848. (C 4669) RED SKY (DIG) 1:30 PM 18-3-2014 RED SKY (DIG) 3:45 PM MARINA-3 SITUATION WANTED LAMO AKHZA (DIG) (Arabic) 6:00 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 1:00 PM 2011 Toyota Camry, white LAMO AKHZA (DIG) (Arabic) 8:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 3:15 PM RED SKY (DIG) 10:00 PM MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 5:30 PM exterior, mileage 76,000, I am looking for a job in NON-STOP (DIG) 7:30 PM price KD 3,450. Tel: accounts & finance, my MUHALAB-3 NON-STOP (DIG) 9:45 PM 99883645. (C 4666) expectation is between KD MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 1:00 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 12:05 AM 650 to KD 1000 depending NON-STOP (DIG) 3:00 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 2013 Volvo SUV, brown MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG-3D) 5:15 PM upon the position offered. I NON-STOP (DIG) 7:15 PM AVENUES-1 exterior, mileage: 14,000, have transferable residency NON-STOP (DIG) 9:30 PM LAST LOVE (DIG) 2:15 PM under warranty + 2 years, article no. 18 & also valid LAST LOVE (DIG) 4:45 PM full insurance, price KD driving license. Kindly con- FANAR-1 LAST LOVE (DIG) 7:15 PM 10,300. Tel: 97227376. tact me by SMS with your NON-STOP (DIG) 12:45 PM LAST LOVE (DIG) 9:45 PM (C 4665) NON-STOP (DIG) 3:00 PM LAST LOVE (DIG) 12:15 AM email ID on this no. NON-STOP (DIG) 5:15 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 15-3-2014 66825635 to forward you NON-STOP (DIG) 7:45 PM my CV. (C 4667) NON-STOP (DIG) 10:00 PM AVENUES-2 16-3-2014 NON-STOP (DIG) 12:15 AM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 2:30 PM CHANGE OF NAME NO SUN+TUE+WED FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 4:30 PM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 6:30 PM Prayer timings FANAR-2 FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 8:30 PM I, Dahodwala Husain MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 1:30 PM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 10:30 PM Joharbhai, holder of MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (DIG) 3:30 PM FORCE OF EXECUTION (DIG) 12:30 AM Passport No: K-3652329, LAMO AKHZA (DIG)(Arabic) 5:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED LAMO AKHZA (DIG)(Arabic) 7:30 PM hereby change my surname LAMO AKHZA (DIG)(Arabic) 9:30 PM AVENUES-3 Bhabawala Husain LAMO AKHZA (DIG)(Arabic) 11:45 PM RED SKY (DIG) 2:00 PM Joharbhai. (C 4668) NO SUN+TUE+WED RED SKY (DIG) 4:15 PM 17-3-2014 RED SKY (DIG) 6:45 PM FANAR-3 RED SKY (DIG) 9:00 PM I, Taza, holder of Indian RED SKY (DIG) 12:30 PM RED SKY (DIG) 11:30 PM Passport No. K9682992 RED SKY (DIG) 2:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED Fajr: 04:36 RED SKY (DIG) 5:00 PM have changed my name to Shorook 05:55 Murtaza Shabbir Husain BEWAKOOFIYAAN (DIG) (Hindi) 7:15 PM AVENUES-4 Duhr: 11:56 RED SKY (DIG) 9:45 PM NON-STOP (DIG) 1:45 PM Raswala, residing at RED SKY (DIG) 12:05 AM NON-STOP (DIG) 4:00 PM Partapur, Rajasthan. Asr: 15:23 NO SUN+TUE+WED NON-STOP (DIG) 6:15 PM (C 4663) Maghrib: 17:58 NON-STOP (DIG) 8:30 PM Isha: 19:15 I, Thopugunta Sudheer

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

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 18/3/2014 KAC 514 Tehran 13:45 Departure Flights on Tuesday 18/3/2014 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 057 Dubai 13:50 Airlines Flt Route Time UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 BBC 043 Dhaka/Doha 00:05 QTR 1078 Doha 13:55 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 FDB 058 Dubai 14:30 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 KAC 546 Alexandria 14:05 PIA 206 Lahore 00:10 QTR 1079 Doha 14:55 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:30 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AXB 490 Mangalore/Kochi 00:15 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:35 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 741 Dammam 15:20 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 JZR 325 Al Najaf 16:05 BBC 044 Chittagong/Dhaka 01:45 KAC 617 Doha 15:30 QTR 1084 Doha 00:55 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:45 UAE 857 Dubai 16:40 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:30 PIA 239 Sialkot 01:05 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:10 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 DLH 637 Dammam 01:10 PIA 240 Sialkot 02:20 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 KAC 773 Riyadh 16:05 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:30 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 KAC 562 Amman 16:50 JZR 238 Amman 16:55 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:35 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:10 UAL 982 IAD 17:05 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:20 THY 764 Istanbul 02:15 TAR 328 Tunis 03:45 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 JZR 267 Beirut 02:30 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 JZR 538 Cairo 17:50 ABY 127 Sharjah 17:25 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:50 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 02:45 OMA 644 Muscat 04:05 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 KAC 542 Cairo 18:05 JAI 576 Kochi/Abu Dhabi 02:50 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 18:05 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 TAR 328 Tunis/Dubai 02:55 QTR 1085 Doha 04:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 742 Dammam 18:20 OMA 643 Muscat 03:05 FDB 068 Dubai 05:00 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:20 QTR 1080 Doha 18:40 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 RJA 642 Amman 03:15 JZR 560 Sohag 06:20 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 FDB 063 Dubai 18:45 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 18:55 FDB 067 Dubai 04:20 JAI 575 Abu Dhabi/Kochi 06:45 FDB 064 Dubai 19:25 KAC 618 Doha 19:00 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 QTR 1081 Doha 19:40 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:10 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 THY 765 Istanbul 07:05 AXB 3942 Kozhikode 20:15 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 FDB 069 Dubai 05:50 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 KAC 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 06:25 KAC 545 Alexandria 07:15 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:30 BAW 157 London 06:40 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 FDB 062 Dubai 20:45 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:45 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 OMA 648 Muscat 20:55 KAC 104 London 19:35 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 ABY 120 Sharjah 21:00 OMA 647 Muscat 19:55 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 BAW 156 London 08:45 KAC 361 Colombo 21:00 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 FDB 061 Dubai 20:05 SVA 513 Riyadh 09:15 KAC 351 Kochi 21:10 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:10 KAC 513 Tehran 09:25 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:10 SVA 512 Riyadh 08:15 ABY 129 Sharjah 20:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 IRA 604 Esfahan 21:20 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:15 IRA 605 Esfahan 20:25 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 KAC 343 Chennai 21:30 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:55 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:05 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:20 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:35 QTR 1071 Doha 10:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 IRA 618 Lar 10:55 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:20 QTR 1070 Doha 09:55 FDB 059 Dubai 22:00 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 IRA 619 Lar 10:05 QTR 1074 Doha 22:00 KAC 541 Cairo 11:30 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:35 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:05 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:50 FDB 060 Dubai 22:40 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 KAC 677 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 12:20 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:10 JZR 324 Al Najaf 12:40 KAC 381 Delhi 22:50 TMA 213 Beirut 12:10 JZR 239 Amman 22:20 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:05 JZR 561 Sohag 12:55 JZR 185 Dubai 23:20 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 QTR 1075 Doha 23:10 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 ETH 3718 LGG 23:30 TMA 223 Dubai/Beirut 13:45 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014

STAR TRACK CROSSWORD 490

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

Delays at work are likely this morning. You have a good sense of confidence It is important to open your mind to new and positive possibilities in the today and may want to review or proof some of your work before present- workplace. Round-table discussions and new research present mental stim- ing your ideas or presentation to others. You may want to invest or use other resources ulation that will help you achieve new ideas and new ways to achieve and grow. A project with which to earn extra money. You are motivated to think about and look forward to should be successful today. Something you thought was lost can be found. A problem is change. One of the most important activities for the next few weeks is the activity of solved. Also, an idea set aside earlier can now be revised and reintroduced for a successful going-with-the-flow. It is not really your turn to make big changes in the workplace-only presentation. This afternoon, a future gambling or camping trip could be planned with changes for yourself right now. A love of music, an appreciation for sensual pleasures, etc., friends and loved ones. You have energies around you now that increase your ability to are the signs of the cycle that has begun for you now. Enjoy the social opportunities that clear away a recent misunderstanding. You may find yourself and a loved one watching or looking through some old family pictures this evening. come your way this evening. You may need to only respond to an R. S. V. P.

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

You could be gaining quite a bit of attention this morning. Your expertise is A feeling of being in harmony with yourself and others is important at this of high value and you may find that higher-ups are calling on you often to teach and time. Stability and permanence satisfies a deep emotional need. Because you guide-patience. You may find yourself feeling rather proud of your accomplishments this are focused you are able to achieve and move forward regarding sales, customer service day. It may be advisable to apply for an upgrade in your job. Now you could consider the and business in general. A worry over relations with a business partner, spouse or friend is needless; relax and leave well enough alone! A volunteer opportunity arises this afternoon fee or the earned amount for those days you will be teaching. This is an aesthetic and artis- and it is something you believe in strongly . . . Consider giving of your time to this issue. You tic time to be sure, but it is also practical and materialistic: you develop a keen apprecia- will be able to make a positive difference. Music is likely to play a more important role for tion for the value of things, including the money it takes to buy them. This is a good day you than usual this afternoon. If you are not giving music lessons you may decide to begin for planning your professional life. You may receive some recognition regarding your music lessons this month. skills. Go to new places for socializing this evening.

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

After talking with a friend or co-worker this morning, some past situation is Mental stimulation from others is the key for this day. Your curiosity puts you in a mood to solve problems today and you will find plenty of opportunities. better understood. You may be sitting in on a meeting today and decide You cooperate and compromise as much as possible; however, what proves successful just ACROSS you can take charge and accomplish things faster or better than the person leading the now is your ability to guide or lead others in a group project. Your administration abilities 1. A rapid escape (as by criminals). DOWN group now. Of course, this information would be better kept to yourself. You communi- are in high focus. You may decide to visit friends after work. A feeling of being confident, in cate with feeling and strength. Projects and job responsibilities gain your uppermost control and at peace with your own progress in life is positive and you influence others. You 4. Lack of sophistication or worldliness. 1. Ions are accelerated along a linear path by attention. You work to complete whatever is set before you. Approach the emotional sub- 11. (informal) Elegant and fashionable. voltage differences on electrodes along the lead and others naturally follow. Romance is possible this evening, especially with your jects another time-results will be more positive. Home-based activities are highlighted. efforts in mending fences. This may literally mean you fix a neighbor’s fence. An announce- 15. The United Nations agency concerned path. You may work on cleaning out a particular closet or perhaps an area of the garage this ment this evening puts everyone in a good mood. with the interests of labor. 2. Scale-like structure between the base of the evening. This is an excellent time to work off some of your excess energy. 16. A member of a North American Indian wing and the halter of a two-winged fly. people of central Arizona. 3. Tropical American bird resembling a blue 17. (Norse mythology) Goddess of old age jay and having greenish and bluish plumage. who defeated Thor in a wrestling match. 4. A Mid-Atlantic state. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 18. Lacking sensation. 5. A river in north central Switzerland that New means of self-expression are possible. This may mean things like some 20. The seventh month of the Moslem calen- runs northeast into the Rhine. The travel urge has kicked in but you might want to wait until next month, if possible, for a more satisfying trip. Your enthusiasm is contagious; you can personal item in the cup-holder or your name on the panel. You may find dar. 6. Any of various coarse shrubby plants of the lift spirits around you or teach a class successfully. Matters pertaining to the family, home or yourself moving toward the more unconventional and less traditional. Eccentricities and a 22. Using the voice. genus Iva with small greenish flowers. property will require your undivided attention-your finances may be unpredictable for a different manner of presenting yourself may be in order. You should expend great zest in 24. One of two or more atoms with the same 7. Indras's thunderbolt. while. Some indecision can get in your way today. Get rid of any negative thinking as this is moneymaking efforts but show caution in your choice of activities. You are usually hard- atomic number but with different numbers of 8. A federal agency established to coordinate destructive and unhealthy. This is one of your best overall days. Work on clearing away any working and ambitious on the professional level, but it may be hard to get your attention later this afternoon. It is important to develop a team attitude so as not to alienate fellow neutrons. programs aimed at reducing pollution and emotional baggage. Consider the library as resource for self-help books for positive think- ing and merge them into your life. Spring fever will be hitting you later this month and you workers. Be attentive to your own needs this evening. A nice long soak in the tub or a mas- 26. Thick spicy sauce made from tomatoes. protecting the environment. will be ready to escape your routine. sage would be a wonderful way to relax. 28. A public promotion of some product or 9. A sock with a separation for the big toe. service. 10. A Loloish language. 30. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm 11. The cardinal number that is the sum of Aquarius (January 20- February 18) used in India for writing paper. four and one. Leo (July 23-August 22) 31. Goddess of the dead and queen of the 12. A spread made chiefly from vegetable oils Your decisions are on target today. Everything seems to be working together underworld. and used as a substitute for butter. A long-standing problem with regard to work will be resolved. You will soon to achieve the finest results. There may be some business that you can do at feel free to perform better than ever regarding work-related situations. home today; however, you may be happier to put it aside and spend time with your loved 32. Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the 13. A blow from a flat object (as an open Events line up in your favor and push you over the top to succeed. Recognition for your eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pig- hand). ones. You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving. You have a clear- accomplishments is forthcoming; meanwhile, just work through one project at a time. This minded insight into your own plans now and this includes a loved one. You are kind, loving, ment (bilirubin) in the blood. 14. The dressed skin of an animal (especially a afternoon, you show a great deal of interest in all family matters, particularly concerning trusting and forgiving. This attitude contributes toward the building of strong families. This 37. Country of southeastern Asia that extends large animal). the general living environment in the home. You may wish to strengthen the ties with an is a very good time to communicate your goals and put them into words. You help a young- southward along the isthmus of Kra to the 19. Traditional code of the Japanese samurai older family member this afternoon, not necessarily to prove yourself to that person, but to ster with homework this evening that may take you away from the house. Take some hot create an avenue through which you can be assured of that person’s welfare. Additional chocolate and a tape recorder to keep notes. Malay peninsula. which stressed courage and loyalty and self- responsibilities may be placed upon you in the context of the home setting. 42. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the discipline and simple living. alkali metal group. 21. A commercial center and river port in 43. A unit of electrical power in an AC circuit western Germany on the Rhine River. equal to the power dissipated when 1 volt 23. A prearranged fight with deadly weapons Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) produces a current of 1 ampere. by two people (accompanied by seconds) in 44. The tissue forming the hard outer layer of order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor. You may be especially self-motivated just now. There is a lot of energy and An interview or a story has you really preoccupied this morning. Seeing the world as no other person can see it is an exciting experience and you look e.g. a fruit. 25. Large South American evergreen tree tri- drive available for whatever you want to accomplish just now; you may have an urge to move forward too quickly. You feel a love of order and enjoy succeeding at what you set forward to learning more. This could mean anything from a little scuba diving to exploring 45. Tag the base runner to get him out. foliate leaves and drupes with nutlike seeds out to accomplish. This afternoon you find ways to help a loved one without being too a cave or climbing a mountain. These are your thoughts this morning as you enter the 46. Aromatic Eurasian perennial. used as food and a source of cooking oil. obvious. This is one of your better days for money but take care not to overindulge. Find workplace. These thoughts also seem to give you that incentive to think outside the box. 48. To the degree or extent. 27. Involving two dimensions. time to kick back and relax this evening-this could be the beginning of a busy time and Reading and learning are always exciting, and you should plan to set as one of your goals 50. Of or relating to or characteristic of 29. A person who announces and plays popu- finding those deep breath relaxation minutes may be hard to uncover. You might even this coming year to teach others about learning through reading. You will find a song, a poem or some saying that will show others how much you appreciate them. You hold your Thailand of its people. lar recorded music. want to schedule in a massage for you and your loved one sometime toward the middle of next week. Travel for fun will happen as a surprise; patience. good friends close. Happy birthday! 51. A town in north central Oklahoma. 33. Small buffalo of the Celebes having small 52. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit straight horns. juice. 34. Russian choreographer (1834-1905). 53. (of persons) Highest in rank or authority or 35. Of or relating to a pointed conical tooth. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Challenging Mazes office. 36. Worn away as by water or ice or wind. 55. English theoretical physicist who applied 38. Of or relating to or supporting Hinduism. relativity theory to quantum mechanics and 39. Typical geese. predicted the existence of antimatter and the 40. A lawman concerned with narcotics viola- positron (1902-1984). tions. 57. Curving upward. 41. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity. 60. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 47. Type genus of the Gerreidae. skewer usually with vegetables. 49. Having a face or facing especially of a 63. A rapid series of short loud sounds (as specified kind or number. might be heard with a stethoscope in some 54. East Indian fruit tree bearing fruit similar types of respiratory disorders). to but sweeter than that of the rambutan. 64. God of dawn and light. 56. Remote city of Kazakhstan that (ostensibly 67. Correction by erasing. for security reasons) was made the capital in 71. In addition. 1998. 72. Proboscis monkeys. 58. A minor match preceding the main event. 75. An anxiety disorder characterized by 59. Type genus of the Caricaceae. chronic free-floating anxiety and such symp- 61. Obvious and dull. toms as tension or sweating or trembling of 62. The mission in San Antonio where in 1836 light-headedness or irritability etc that has Mexican forces under Santa Anna besieged lasted for more than six months. and massacred American rebels who were 76. A pause during which things are calm or fighting to make Texas independent of activities are diminished. Mexico. 77. North American republic containing 50 65. The twelfth month of the civil year. states - 48 conterminous states in North 66. A small island. America plus Alaska in northwest North 68. Large sweet juicy hybrid between tanger- America and the Hawaiian Islands in the ine and grapefruit having a thick wrinkled Pacific Ocean. skin. 78. Either of two folds of skin that can be 69. A sudden short attack. moved to cover or open the eye. 70. Tropical starchy tuberous root. 79. Any wingless blood-sucking parasitic 73. (of champagne) Moderately dry. insect noted for ability to leap. 74. (Judaism) Sacred chest where the ancient 80. A worker in charge of a lock (on a canal). Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the 81. An agency of the United Nations affiliated Ten Commandments. with the World Bank. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 information

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

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

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

Nuzha 22526804 Afghanistan 0093 Iran 0098 Albania 00355 Iraq 00964 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Algeria 00213 Ireland 00353 Qadsiya 22515088 Andorra 00376 Italy 0039 Angola 00244 Ivory Coast 00225 Dasmah 22532265 Anguilla 001264 Jamaica 001876 Antiga 001268 Japan 0081 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Argentina 0054 Jordan 00962 Shaab 22518752 Armenia 00374 Kazakhstan 007 Australia 0061 Kenya 00254 Qibla 22459381 Austria 0043 Kiribati 00686 Bahamas 001242 Kuwait 00965 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Bahrain 00973 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Mirqab 22456536 Bangladesh 00880 Laos 00856 Barbados 001246 Latvia 00371 Sharq 22465401 Belarus 00375 Lebanon 00961 Belgium 0032 Liberia 00231 Salmiya 25746401 Belize 00501 Libya 00218 Jabriya 25316254 Benin 00229 Lithuania 00370 Bermuda 001441 Luxembourg 00352 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Bhutan 00975 Macau 00853 Bolivia 00591 Macedonia 00389 Bayan 25388462 Bosnia 00387 Madagascar 00261 Mishref 25381200 Botswana 00267 Majorca 0034 Brazil 0055 Malawi 00265 W Hawally 22630786 Brunei 00673 Malaysia 0060 Bulgaria 00359 Maldives 00960 Sabah 24810221 Burkina 00226 Mali 00223 Jahra 24770319 Burundi 00257 Malta 00356 Cambodia 00855 Marshall Islands 00692 New Jahra 24575755 Cameroon 00237 Martinique 00596 Canada 001 Mauritania 00222 West Jahra 24772608 Cape Verde 00238 Mauritius 00230 South Jahra 24775066 Cayman Islands 001345 Mayotte 00269 Central African 00236 Mexico 0052 North Jahra 24775992 Chad 00235 Micronesia 00691 Chile 0056 Moldova 00373 North Jleeb 24311795 China 0086 Monaco 00377 Ardhiya 24884079 Colombia 0057 Mongolia 00976 Comoros 00269 Montserrat 001664 Firdous 24892674 Congo 00242 Morocco 00212 Cook Islands 00682 Mozambique 00258 Omariya 24719048 Costa Rica 00506 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 N Khaitan 24710044 Croatia 00385 Namibia 00264 Cuba 0053 Nepal 00977 Fintas 23900322 Cyprus 00357 Netherlands (Holland) Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 0031 Czech Republic 00420 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Denmark 0045 New Caledonia 00687 Diego Garcia 00246 New Zealand 0064 PRIVATE CLINICS Djibouti 00253 Nicaragua 00505 Dominica 001767 Nigar 00227 Dominican Republic 001809 Nigeria 00234 Ecuador 00593 Niue 00683 Egypt 0020 Norfolk Island 00672 El Salvador 00503 Northern Ireland (UK) Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Ophthalmologists Endocrinologist England (UK) 0044 0044 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Equatorial Guinea 00240 North Korea 00850 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Eritrea 00291 Norway 0047 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Estonia 00372 Oman 00968 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Ethiopia 00251 Pakistan 0092 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Falkland Islands 00500 Palau 00680 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Faroe Islands 00298 Panama 00507 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Fiji 00679 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Finland 00358 Paraguay 00595 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 (1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 France 0033 Peru 0051 French Guiana 00594 Philippines 0063 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, Rheumatologists: French Polynesia 00689 Poland 0048 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 FRCS (Canada) 25655535 Gabon 00241 Portugal 00351 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dentists Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Gambia 00220 Puerto Rico 001787 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Georgia 00995 Qatar 00974 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Germany 0049 Romania 0040 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ghana 00233 Russian Federation 007 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Gibraltar 00350 Rwanda 00250 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Greece 0030 Saint Helena 00290 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Greenland 00299 Saint Kitts 001869 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Grenada 001473 Saint Lucia 001758 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Guadeloupe 00590 Saint Pierre 00508 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Guam 001671 Saint Vincent 001784 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Guatemala 00502 Samoa US 00684 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Guinea 00224 Samoa West 00685 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Guyana 00592 San Marino 00378 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Haiti 00509 Sao Tone 00239 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Saudi Arabia 00966 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Honduras 00504 Scotland (UK) 0044 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Hong Kong 00852 Senegal 00221 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Hungary 0036 Seychelles 00284 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sierra Leone 00232 Soor Center Iceland 00354 Singapore 0065 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 India 0091 Slovakia 00421 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 Indian Ocean 00873 Slovenia 00386 Indonesia 0062 Solomon Islands 00677 LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Lohan wants nothing to Gossip36 do with her Cruise has solid relationship with Kidman half-siblings onnor Cruise and mother Nicole Kidman have a “solid” relationship. The 19-year-old DJ insisted rumors he is estranged from the Australian actress - who adopted him with then-hus- he ‘Mean Girls’ star insists her father Michael Lohan’s daughter C band Tom Cruise in 1995 - are wide of the mark and says his Ashley - who was born in 1995 to Kristi Kaufmann, who he family mean “everything” to him. He told Australia’s Woman’s had a relationship with while separated from Lindsay’s moth- T Day magazine: “I love my mum. I don’t care what people say. er Dina - and son Landon, 13 months, who he has with girlfriend Kate Major, will never be welcomed into her family. Lindsay - who I know that me and mum are solid. I love her a lot. My family has siblings Cody, Ali and Michael Jr - said: “My dad has this whole means everything. Yeah, I love my music, but the family comes other life with all these other people that he’s created...and I do before everything else.” It has previously been claimed that not want to be a part of that.. “They are not part of my life and they Connor and his sister Isabella, 21, have a strained relationship never will be.” Lindsay’s comments came on her reality docuseries with their mother because of their ties to the Church of Scien- ‘Lindsay’ after she had a row with her father over dinner when she tology and Nicole - who has children Sunday, five, and Faith, asked him to buy a car for 18-year-old Cody. He protested: “I have three, with husband Keith Urban - even admitted they don’t child support...that’s supposed to be for the kids.” Lindsay replied: call her “mom” anymore. Speaking in 2007, she said: “My kids “I do not want to talk about your two other random kids. “Out of all don’t call me mommy, they don’t even call me mom. They call of us Cody’s the one that deserves something the most. It hurts me to see him not getting something that all his friends are getting... me Nicole, which I hate and tell them off for it.” She has also he doesn’t have a dad to take him to soccer games...he needs his spoken of her sadness that the children opted to live with Tom father.” However, Michael hit back: “Your mother cut me out of his after they separated in 2001. She said: “They live with Tom, life.” Later in the show, the pair also clashed again with the 27-year- which was their choice. I’d love them to live with us, but what old star furious at her father’s criticisms of her friends. She seethed: can you do?” “They’re people that you don’t think were good for people. See, now you’re getting me angry - because you weren’t good for me for a long time in my life!” Michael replied: “Well, if that’s what you believe, that’s fine, honey, I accept that though. I totally accept Sendy Lohan Nicole Kidman that.” Lindsay later added to the camera: “So my dad makes a nasty comment about my friends, it hurts me. “They may go out and do what they want to do but they’re not the kind of people who are going to do it around me, and that’s what matters to me. They’re good people. “They’ve been there for me when I didn’t have other people that were, you know, when other people weren’t.”!” Sheen and Mueller P Diddy puts apartment celebrate twins' up for sale birthday

Diddy is selling his New York apartment for $7.9 million. The rap harlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller threw a birthday party mogul is moving out of his 66th floor 2,300 square foot home for their twins Bob and Max on Saturday. The pair - who Pand is currently searching for a bigger property so he can throw Chave been locked in a bitter custody war about their big parties and events similar to those he enjoys at his mansion on children - put their differences aside to plan the bash, which Star Island in Miami. A source told the New York Post newspaper: David Beckham took place the day after the boys’ 5th birthday. Charlie’s fian- “Diddy wants to move downtown, into a larger apartment where he cée Brett Rossi - who also helped them work out plans for the can entertain and throw parties without disturbing the neighbors.” celebrations - was also present at ‘Anger Management’ star’s Diddy’s current New York property boasts a piano room, a Crestron house for the party, gossip website TMZ reports. The celebra- system which controls sound through the entire apartment, and a Beckham’s nephew for tions come after Brooke - who originally lost custody of the living room with a built-in 90-inch flat-screen television. Diddy - whose twins when she was placed on involuntary psychiatric hold real name is Sean Combs - previously listed the property for sale in second operation at the UCLA Medical Center last year - moved back into the 2012 for $8.5 million. As well as looking for a new New York base, the Mulholland Estates house the 48-year-old actor bought her. 44-year-old star has also been house hunting in Beverly Hills. Ac- avid Beckham’s nephew is undergoing a second life-saving opera- The 36-year-old star is now taking care of her sons, rather than cording to gossip website TMZ, the ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ star has been tion. The retired soccer star is praying his 11-week-old nephew, her brother, Scott, who was appointed their guardian before looking at a $12 million 11,200 square foot home in the gated Beverly DJenson James, who has been in intensive care suffering from Christmas. A source said: “Brooke has been living at the man- Ridge community, but is investigating the local homeowners’ associa- severe respiratory problems, will pull through after a stomach operation, sion in Mulholland Estates since before Christmas. “The boys tion’s policies on parties before he will consider making an offer. And it following an emergency tracheotomy, where a tube was inserted into had been living at the house with their temporary guardian, may be that their rules are good enough for him, as though big parties his throat. Jenson’s dad, Kevin Briggs, 41, told The Sun newspaper: “David Scott Mueller, but he hasn’t been spotted at the house lately. require a valet service and security and noise regulations are enforced, calls every day and has been amazing. His mum Sandra is also a god- “He’s been back at his house in Orange County [California] the neighborhood body are said to be “flexible” as the community is send. We’re praying for Jenson.” Jenson is the son of David’s sister Lynne to be with his family. Brooke does have a nanny and a sober home to lots of famous residents who are known for their parties. The and hasn’t been home since he was born on December 30, having been living companion also with her in the house. There just wasn’t property - which Kim moved to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital from Queen’s Hospital enough room at the condominium she had been living at Kardashian consid- in Romford, Essex. He has suffered with breathing difficulties and doc- for her staff.” Before Scott took custody of the boys, they had ered buying last year tors think he could also have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), been looked after by another of Charlie’s ex-wives, Denise - was custom built for a common condition where stomach acid leaks out of the stomach and Richards. However, last November she relinquished care of the Keyshawn Johnson in into the oesophagus, meaning he struggles to keep food down. It was twins as she worried their violent behavior was putting her 2003, but the sports- previously revealed David - who has four children, Brooklyn,14, Romeo, daughters Sam, 10, Lola, eight, and Eloise, two, in danger. man sold it the follow- 11, Cruz, eight, and two-year-old daughter Harper with wife Victoria was ing year. delighted to become an uncle for the fifth time but has been seriously concerned about Jenson’s health. He has been in “constant contact” with his sister and her partner Kevin since his nephew was born.

P Diddy Scherzinger getting to know Hamilton again Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller

Allison Williams: icole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton are getting to know each other again. The 35-year-old singer and the 29-year-old NFormula One star have been dating on and off since 2006 Engagement doesn’t feel ‘real’ and although they appeared to have split for good last year, rumors Minogue announces emerged last week that the pair had got engaged after Lewis posted a picture of them on Instagram and referred to Nicole as “wifey” in llison Williams’ engagement still doesn’t feel “real”. The ‘Girls’ star the caption. However, though Lewis has insisted they haven’t got UK tour got engaged to her boyfriend of three years Ricky Van Veen after engaged, insiders say the couple’s relationship is very much back on. Ahe popped the question last month and she admits she has no A source told The Sun newspaper: “There’s always speculation and ylie Minogue has announced a new European tour. The 45-year-old sing- idea when and where they will marry, much to the frustration of her they are very committed to one another but they have only been er’s 31-date run of shows will open in the UK in September, and will see friends. She said: “Literally, we have not even started thinking about back together since Christmas. “They want to spend time getting her visit 15 countries in support of her new album ‘Kiss Me Once’, which the logistics of the wedding. It’s so funny, even my friends are like, ‘So, to know each other again without having to worry about wedding K was released yesterday Kylie will play 12 dates in the UK and Ireland, beginning ballpark, just tell me what time of year, just in case I travel,’ and I have no bells.” The couple’s relationship has failed in the past as they’ve in Liverpool on September 24, then calling to Manchester, two dates at London’s idea. “As of now, it just exists as this hypothetical thing that will happen struggled to juggle their work commitments with spending time The O2, Cardiff, Nottingham, Birmingham, Dublin, Belfast, Newcastle, Glasgow eventually. And none of it has started to become real yet. So eventually with one another, but as Nicole has decided to step down from her and ending in Sheffield on November 13. Meanwhile, the ‘Into the Blue’ singer that’ll become things that we’re concerned with. But for now, it’s just the position as a judge on ‘The X Factor’ she could have more time to visit will perform an intimate London show tomorrow night. The gig will take place fun part.” Allison also admitted she won’t let her engagement ring out the racer as he competes in Grand Prix across the world. Lewis has at Bloomsbury Ballroom in front of 300 MasterCard holders who were lucky of her sight as ‘Girls’ co-star Lena Dunham keeps threatening to “hide” it, also revealed that his relationship with his father, Anthony Hamilton, enough to win tickets in an online ballot at pricelesslondon.co.uk. She said: “I so she will even keep it on her when shooting scenes as single Marnie. is back on track after falling out with one another following the race love performing in the UK and can’t wait to get on stage in front of such an inti- She told People: “Lena has already threatened to hide my engagement car driver’s decision to drop him as his manager in 2010. Speaking at mate crowd. Having the opportunity to get up close and personal with my fans ring, which I really hope she doesn’t do. “She’s like, ‘We’re gonna have to the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne yesterday he said: “There are is Priceless - I’m looking forward to sharing the music from my brand new album find ways to hide it while we’re shooting.’ I was like, ‘OK, then I’m going no problems between us now, he even goes to some of my races and - and a fun night with my fans!” The show is part of MasterCard’s Priceless Gigs to hide it on part of my body that you can’t see.’ I know she’s obviously always supports me ... My dad is my dad and we have a normal dad- series which bring music fans closer to their idols. Artists taking part this year kidding.” and-son relationship.” include British singing sensation Laura Mvula and Pharrell Williams. For updates on Priceless Gigs and other Priceless London experiences, register at priceless. com/london/ and follow MasterCard on twitter @MasterCardUK. Tickets for the ‘Kiss Me Once’ tour go on sale at 9am on March 21.

Kylie Minogue Allison Williams Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Gossip37 ‘Star Trek’ actor Pine pleads guilty to DUI

hris Pine has pleaded guilty to drink driving. The ‘Star Trek’ actor was fined $93 and had his driver’s license suspended for six months during a court hearing at the Ashburton district court in New CZealand today. Chris’ lawyer, Marilyn Gilchrist, had applied for the star to be discharged without conviction after claiming he had already suffered emotionally and professionally because of the world- wide negative coverage of his crime. The judge, Joanna Maze, said she accepted Chris was “entirely re- morseful” of his actions as he had pleaded guilty to the charge at the earliest opportunity and had com- plied with the police. The 33-year-old star was stopped by officers in a “routine operation” in Methven, Canterbury, New Zealand, on March 1 and was arrested after tests revealed his blood-alcohol level was 0.11 per cent, which is over New Zealand’s legal limit of 0.08 per cent. Chris was in the country filming ‘Z for Zachariah’ and had been out celebrating the end of the shoot, the night before he was arrested. Blue Pub Methven manager Casey Crawford said around 70 cast and crew members, and local volunteers had hired the nightspot on February 28, with the party ending around 3am on March 1, the morning the ac- tor was arrested. Mr Crawford said previously: “Chris Pine arrived here and had his supermodel girlfriend [Iris Bjork Johannesdottir] with him.” He added: “You can see the photos behind the bar with our staff and he looked fine, I only ever saw him drinking tap beer and his partner she was just drinking sav wine.”

Chris Pine

Jolie only helm ‘certain kind of film’

ngelina Jolie admits she’d only direct a “certain kind of film”. The 38-year-old actress was previously rumored to be in the line up to helm forthcoming ‘Fifty AShades of Grey’ movie - which is being directed by Sam Taylor-Wood - and insists she’s better at telling “some stories than others”. Asked about what actually happened regarding talks about the adaptation of E. L. James’ erotic trilogy, she told Entertainment Weekly magazine: “I - I was just.” Before adding: “I - I think they’re just ... it’s funny, I think with directing, you just think, ‘I’m better at telling some stories than others,’ but, um, who knows?”I came very clear out of the gate after [2011’s romantic Drake and Rihanna drama] ‘Blood And Honey’, if I ever directed again, it would have to be a certain kind of film.” Jolie is “looking forward” to watching ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, which stars Jamie Dornan as sadomasochistic billionaire Christian Grey while Dakota Johnson plays his love interest Anastasia Steele. The ‘Malificent’ actress added: “You know, I’m looking Drake gives Rihanna ultimatum over Brown forward to seeing what Sam does with Fifty Shades and she’s amazing.”

rake has banned Rihanna from speaking to her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. The ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ rapper has report- edly told his beau he’ll only make their relationship official if she agrees to cut all ties with the 24-year-old singer. A source told Dthe Daily Star newspaper: “Rihanna and Drake are just having fun at the moment. Neither of them are relationship people really. But Drake has made it clear that if things are going to get serious with them, he doesn’t want her speaking with Chris. “They are never going to get along properly.” Despite their turbulent past, Rihanna, 26, has never been able to stop complete contact with Chris, who left her bloodied and bruised when he physically assaulted her during an altercation in 2009. Earlier this year, the former lovers, who dated on-and-off for three years, began texting each other more regularly. However, Rihanna won’t be seeing Chris for a little while as he is currently behind bars after he allegedly violated a judge’s order by getting kicked out of the rehab facility in Malibu last week. The ‘Fine China’ hitmaker was chucked out of the facility for allegedly breaking “internal rules” and, although it is not known what he done, it is not believed to be linked to violence or drugs. Chris had been ordered to spend time in rehab for anger issues after an al- leged assault in Washington DC in October, which stemmed from his attack on Rihanna five years ago.

Lupita nyong’o for Star Wars VII role? Angelina Jolie

upita Nyong’o is in talks for a role in ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’. The 31-year-old actress reportedly had a meeting with the Lmovie’s director J.J. Abrams ahead of the Academy Awards earlier this month to discuss the lead female part in the upcoming sequel. Bosses are remaining tight-lipped on the role Nyong’o has been discussing, but it is believed the character could be linked to Obi-Wan Kenobi, which has been described as a non-Caucasian part. However, Abrams is still eyeing up a number of stars to make the complete cast, with Jesse Plemons being one of the actors to beat for a part, but Ed Speleers and John Boyega are also in the Styles writing with run-in. Meanwhile, Adam Driver is in final negotiations to play an undisclosed villain in the film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Nyong’o has taken Hollywood by storm after her break- out debut in Steve McQueen’s ‘12 Years A Slave’, which saw her play Kodaline slave girl Patsey opposite Chiwitel Ejiofor, and earned her an Oscar award earlier this month for the Best Supporting Actress. She was arry Styles is collaborating with Kodaline. The One Direction hunk was most recently seen in the thriller ‘Non-Stop’ with Julianne Moore, impressed with the Irish band - made up of Steve Garrigan, Jason Boland, Liam Neeson and Michelle Dockery. HVincent May and Mark Prendergrast - after he saw them play live and Helena Bonham Carter decided he wanted to work with them while on a break from touring with his band. Mark told The Sun newspaper: “He came along to one of our gigs, then showed up at another in LA.”We ended up going into the studio - I can’t remember who suggested it but it worked out well.” The ‘High Hopes’ band were Helena Bonham impressed with Harry’s attitude and insist the heartthrob - who was catapulted to the spotlight alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne following their success on UK’s ‘X Factor’ - is “just normal” and doesn’t act Carter returning like an egotistical superstar. Mark added: “He’s a nice lad, just normal. There was no big entourage or airs or graces or any of that, he really just wanted to for Alice in make some music.” The curly-haired hunk, 20, also teamed up with John Legend recently, to pen a track for US ‘X Factor’ duo Alex and Sierra and is said to have Wonderland sequel been interested in writing for 5 Seconds Of Summer and girl band Neon Jungle. -Bang Showbiz elena Bonham Carter is returning for the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ sequel. The British actress has been confirmed to reprise her Hrole as the evil Red Queen in ‘Through The Looking Glass’ op- posite Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska, who are back as the Mad Hatter and Alice respectively. According to Variety.com, the tyrant ruler will once again cause havoc after she returns from the Outlands, where she was banished by the Hatter and the White Queen (Anne Hathaway). However, details of the plot remain a mystery since Tim Burton borrowed from both Lewis Carroll’s classic novels ‘The Adven- tures of Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There’ for the first film. New director James Bobin is directing from a script by Linda Woolverton, with a release set for May 2016. Hathaway and Matt Lucas - who played twins Twee- dledee and Tweedledum - could also be returning for the sequel. Bonham Carter next appears in Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s ‘The Young And Prodigious T.S. Spivet’ this summer, followed by the new ‘Cinderella’ adaptation next Spring. Harry Styles Lupita Nyong’s LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Music38 & Movies ‘12 Years a Slave’ Author’s Death Still a Mystery Early George Harrison guitar leads Beatles memorabilia auction

n electric guitar played by Hold Your Hand” and “This Boy” in George Harrison on British October 1963. Harrison later gave Atelevision prior to the Beatles’ the guitar to friend and musician “invasion” of the United States will George Peckham, who played it in an go on the auction block along with a appearance on UK TV show “Top of rare album cover signed by the Fab the Pops” with the band the Fourmost. Four, Julien’s Auctions said yester- Also up for sale is a copy of the day. Harrison’s black-and-white 1962 album “Beatles ‘65” signed by Lennon, Rickenbacker 425 electric guitar is Harrison, Paul McCartney and expected to fetch between $400,000 Ringo Starr. The album is expected to fetch between $200,000 and and $600,000 at an auction on May $300,000 because it was rare for 16-17 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New all four members of the group to York City. sign copies of albums after their Harrison, who died in 2001 at popularity exploded in the United age 58, played the guitar on 1963 States in 1964. A used Hofner bass appearances on British TV shows rented by McCartney in the mid- “Ready Steady Go!” and “Thank Your 1960s is expected to sell for $30,000 Lucky Stars” months before the group to $50,000, while a signed cover by brought Beatlemania to the United the group of the 1963 album “Please States with a series of performances Please Me” is expected to bring in on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in February between $40,000 and $50,000. 1964, launching the British Invasion of An original artwork by Lennon rock bands. The guitarist bought the called “Shroud of Tourin” is estimated instrument in 1963 in Mount Vernon, to sell for $20,000 to $30,000. The In this July 18, 2012, film publicity image released by Fox Searchlight, Chiwetel Ejiofor portrays Solomon Northup in a scene from Illinois, while on a trip to visit his piece of un-stretched canvas, created “12 Years A Slave.”—AP sister, according to the Beverly Hills, circa 1966, shows a man who looks California, auction house. like Lennon with a Batman symbol on istorians know where Solomon Northup was born, where he he published a memoir of his ordeal that led to a speaking tour sup- The guitar, which Harrison had lived and where he worked. They know whom he married and ported by abolitionists. He got involved in the Underground Railroad, his chest and words scrawled across painted white and black to match it.—Reuters Hhow many children he had. They know he played the fiddle and helping escaped slaves find freedom in the Northeast and Canada. John Lennon’s Rickenbacker guitar, spent 12 years enslaved in the South before being freed. But around 1863, the height of the Civil War, he dropped out of sight was also used during the sessions What historians don’t know about the author of “12 Years a Slave” is and was never heard from again. Even the movie notes at the end that when the band recorded “I Want to when and how he died and where he is buried. It’s a lingering mystery “the date, location and circumstances” of Northrup’s death remain in the final chapter of the life of the 19th-century free-born African- unknown. American whose compelling account of enforced slavery in pre-Civil Theories abound about what may have happened to him. One War Louisiana was made into the Oscar-winning film of the same title. scenario has him being captured and killed while serving as a spy for “That’s sort of a big blank spot in the story, for sure,” said Rachel the Union Army. The man who helped rescue him said he believed Seligman, co-author of “Solomon Northup: The Complete Story of the Northup had taken to drink and was kidnapped yet again. Or Northup Author of Twelve Years a Slave,” published last year. This month, “12 could have died in a place where no one knew him or cared to prop- Years a Slave” took home the Academy Awards for best picture, best erly bury an African-American at a time when a war over slavery was adapted screenplay and best supporting actress. The accolades have tearing the nation apart. sparked new interest in Northup’s story, which was little known until “He may have just wandered around from place to place and died recent years even in the upstate New York communities where he somewhere nobody knew who he was, and he was buried in a potter’s spent most of his life. field,” said David Fiske, co-author the 2013 Northup book along with Northup was born July 10, 1807, in what is now the Essex County Union College professor Clifford Brown. “There’s no paper trail for him,” town of Minerva, in the Adirondack Mountains. His father, a former Brown added. slave, moved the family to neighboring Washington County, eventu- Fiske said Northup’s descendants also couldn’t provide any docu- ally settling in the village of Fort Edward, on the Hudson River 40 miles ments or hard facts, so he has followed numerous threads while trying north of Albany. Northup married Anne Hampton in the late 1820s, to track down where Northup may have been buried. He checked and the couple lived in an 18th-century house in Fort Edward that is cemeteries in communities outside Saratoga and other upstate com- now a museum. munities where Northup’s wife and their children later lived, but came Northup worked on his father’s farm and rafted timber on the up empty. No death records have ever been found for him. Fiske, a Champlain Canal between Fort Edward and the southern end of Lake former state librarian, points out that death records weren’t kept in a Champlain. The couple and their children moved to nearby Saratoga systematic form in New York until the 1880s. Springs when Anne got a job in one of the growing spa resort town’s For Seligman, a museum curator at Skidmore College, host of this big hotels. Northup found work as a musician, and in 1841, two white July’s annual Solomon Northup Day, the mystery surrounding Nor- men lured him to Washington, D.C., with the promise of more work. thup’s demise and resting place is part of the allure of being a histo- Instead, they kidnapped him and took him to New Orleans, where he rian. “It’s what keeps historians going,” she said. “It’s just a puzzle to be was sold into slavery. solved.”—AP

Controversial scenarios Northup endured the next 12 years enslaved on a Louisiana cotton plantation before friends in Saratoga finally won his freedom. In 1853, George Harrison

Paul Stanley: Future has his mind on Kiss miffed at Rock the future at SXSW uture had one last spot to fill on his deeply in love each is with the women Hall over snub upcoming album and he wanted in their lives. West is engaged to Kim FKanye West to guest. He sent over Kardashian and Future will marry Ciara a few tracks and what happened next later this year. The song compares their was completely unexpected. “He picked relationships with the feeling of winning this ‘I Won’ track,” the Atlanta producer- a trophy. “When you have songs like that, rapper said Saturday during a two-day they empower women,” he said. stop at South By Southwest. “He did the verse in one day and sent it back. That’s ‘Superstar’ baby rare when you get a Kanye verse back “I just feel like I want to big up women in one day, so you know it’s one of them just in general, from my lady to his lady, records when he does the verse and to all women, to make sure they get their sends it back in 24 hours. That’s the icing light on them and just knowing they’re on the cake with the album.” important.” Future has much more going Future began to debut tracks from on this year than just the album. He’s got “Honest,” out April 22, at the annual mu- a tour to rehearse for and can’t take all sic conference and festival on Friday and the outside production opportunities said he was excited for the wider world he’s being offered. He’s also launching an to hear what he feels is a very personal apparel line. That’s just the business side. album. “Honest” also includes guest ap- In his personal life, he’s preparing for the In this May 8, 2008 file photo, members of Kiss, from left, Paul Stanley, Eric pearances from stars like Pharrell, Drake, birth of a child with Ciara and trying to Singer, Gene Simmons and Tommy Thayer, poses for a photograph during a B-52s’ Fred Andre 3000 and Wiz Khalifa. West’s ap- plan their wedding.—AP news conference to promote the start of their KISS Alive/35 European Tour in pearance on “I Won” is one of the more Oberhausen, Germany.—AP Schneider says personal moments, encapsulating how

aul Stanley of Kiss wants to shout inducted rap artists, or they’ve inducted don’t eat the lobster it out loud: The band is miffed at people who have been in the band for Pthe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for seven years as opposed to ... 25 years or ne of the founders of the quirky not inducting members Eric Singer and 20 years - whatever their criteria of this rock band The B-52s is using the Tommy Thayer along with the original week is.” O35th anniversary of its hit “Rock lineup. Kiss is scheduled to be inducted A representative for the Rock Hall Lobster” to reiterate his opposition to eat- into the Rock Hall on April 10 in New didn’t immediately return an email seek- ing them. Fred Schneider says he stopped York City. But Stanley said in an interview ing comment. Acts become eligible for eating crustaceans at age 4 after going Friday with The Associated Press that he induction 25 years after the release of crabbing with family in New Jersey and doesn’t think the Rock Hall is being fair their first record. Kiss wrote on its web- watching them boiled alive. The lifelong and that the organization has altered site last month that it would not perform vegetarian said in video narrated for their rules for other acts. at the Rock Hall induction. The original People for the Ethical Treatment of Ani- “We have continuing issues with the members from 1973 - Stanley, Gene Sim- mals that he views crabs and lobsters not Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, starting with mons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley - are as seafood but as “sea life.” the fact that they chose to only induct scheduled for induction. Criss left the Schneider got the idea for “Rock Lob- the original lineup when that’s hardly band in 1980 and Frehley left in 1982. ster” when a projector displayed images the case with other bands,” he said from Other members joined during the 1980s, including lobsters on a grill at an Atlanta Los Angeles. but the current lineup includes Singer, disco. He said he thought, “Rock this, rock “In the Grateful Dead’s case, (they) who joined in 1992, and Thayer, who that... rock lobster!” The band jammed also inducted a writer who never played came on board in 2003.—AP on the title and the song was born. The an instrument,” said Stanley, referring band’s other hits include “Love Shack” and US film director and actor Ben Stiller poses for pictures with a fan prior to the to Robert Hunter’s inclusion when the “Roam.”—AP Japanese premiere of his movie “The Life of Walter Mitty” in Tokyo yesterday. band was inducted in 1994. “Or they’ve The movie will be screening in Japan from March 19.—AFP LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 Features39 Apps aid fashionistas in tracking down desired clothing, shoes ashionistas envious of clothing, shoes and accessories worn their desktop. by strangers or seen on websites can turn to new apps for Fhassle-free shopping to find, and buy or rent, similar items. Tracking details Like the music app Shazam, which identifies songs based on “The way brands are trying to communicate with customers is sound clips, new fashion apps use photos and image recognition changing. Historically, they would lure customers to their stores technology to find similar clothing. “People see items they like or websites, but now we’re seeing that brands want to create on the street but can’t really go up to the person wearing them transactions in other places too,” Elfenbein said. The technology and ask where they got them,” said Daniela Cecilio, the chief recognizes information such as how far apart buttons are, and executive of London-based startup Asap54. fabric and stitching to help power visual searches. “Or they might see items they like on Instagram, Tumblr, But image recognition is still inexact and depends on the Facebook or Twitter, but can’t really click through to buy them,” quality of the photo and other factors, such as lighting. To she added, referring to the social media websites. With the overcome the drawbacks Elfenbein said, Slyce uses a mix of Asap54 app for iPhone, which was launched last month, users technology and crowd sourcing to improve its search results. take a photo of an item, or upload an existing one, and describe Other apps making shopping easier include Pounce for Ios, what it is to help the app identify it. The app recommends created by Tel Aviv-based company BuyCode Inc It allows something similar from more than 150 retail partners across the consumers to buy items directly from retail advertisements from United State, Europe and other countries. stores such as Lord & Taylor and office supply company Staples, The Style Eyes app for iPhone and Android also uses a photo Inc by hovering their smartphone camera over an image. to find the desired or a similar item, which can be purchased With the eBay Fashion iPhone app users in the United States from its catalog of 600 retailers in Britain and 300 in the United and Britain can upload an image to find similar items available States. Mark Elfenbein, chief digital officer of Toronto-based for sale on eBay. For consumers more interested in renting than start-up company Slyce, said its image recognition technology buying, Rent the Runway’s iPhone app uses a photo of an item integrates with retail brands so shoppers can find things by seen in a store to find something similar that customers can rent taking a photo with their iPhone or scanning an image from instead.—Reuters Lakme Fashion Week

Pretty Stoned

Models showcase creations by designer Payal Khandwal on the sixth day of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) summer/resort 2014 in Mum- bai yesterday. –AP/AFP photos

Anju Modi Ileana D’Cruz

Madame Mantis: An exquisite furniture store in Kuwait adame Mantis, the exquisite concept furniture store specialized in ous crystals and gems in jewelry bezel settings, and hand-toweled Venetian Madame Mantis is a concept created by Nasser Abdulrahman Al-Eisa, a bringing uniquely designed pieces of furniture, accents, fashion plaster. Other outstanding items include the beautifully painted “White Lies designer, and Abdulrahman Barrak Al-Babtain, a businessman, who felt that Maccessories, and jewelry, from designers around the world, recently Table” marble table by Nick Ross, and the prickly “Silkie Sculpture” by Jen- a new perspective in art and design should be introduced in Kuwait and made its grand opening in Al-Mutawaa Mall located at Shuwaikh Industrial nifer Maestre, made entirely from colored pencil ends and inspired from the the Middle East. area. fascinating sea urchins. Providing customers with unique and elegant pieces is the mission of The store includes a wide range of exquisite masterpieces which are The store management expressed their happiness and satisfaction with Madame Mantis Concept Store. In addition, to endorse and encourage designed according to the highest quality standards delivered by the most the level of interaction with the designs displayed, and the increasing young local designers to grow their brands locally and internationally. talented, well-known and emerging designers from the US, Canada, Eu- number of people who are interested in such unique and limited designer rope, Sweden, Netherlands, London, Italy, Spain and Germany such as, the pieces ranging from contemporary and modern designs to classic and One-of-a-kind “Head Trip Sculpture” by Kelly Wearstler, adorned with vari- vintage ones. Apps aid fashionistas in tracking down desired clothing, shoes

TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2014 39

Indians throw colored powder and dance during celebrations marking Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, in Gauhati, India, yesterday. The holiday, celebrated mainly in India and Nepal, marks the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil.—AP/AFP photos Indians splash colors in Hindu spring festival

illions of Indians splashed bright colors on each other yes- message, in which he urged voters to change the fate of the world’s terday to celebrate the popular Hindu festival of Holi, which largest democracy when it goes to polls next month. “The country has Mmarks the start of spring. The ‘Festival of Colors’ saw revelers been submerged into the color of elections. Election is the festival of pour onto streets across the country, smearing and splashing powder, Holi for the democracy. Let’s celebrate this festival of democracy to known as ‘gulal’, and water on others to celebrate the triumph of good change the fate of India,” Modi said in his audio message. over evil. Many politicians, including ruling Congress party chief Sonia In the capital New Delhi, neighborhoods were splattered in a rainbow Gandhi, jubilantly celebrated Holi covered in fluorescent hues with of colors as people from all walks of life playfully chased each other with party workers, family and friends. water guns, water balloons and spray paint and danced to the beat of “May the festival bring health, happiness and prosperity to all,” Prime drums in clouds of flying powder. Holi is primarily celebrated in India, Minister Manmohan Singh wished the country of 1.2 billion people in Nepal and other countries with large Hindu populations. It falls on the a statement on his website. Opposition prime ministerial candidate last full moon day of the lunar month at the end of winter.—AFP Narendra Modi greeted Indians on mobile phones with an audio

Cavemen’s rock music makes a comeback

housands of years after they reso- um’s collection since the early 20th cen- nated in caves, two dozen stone tury. They have been dated to between Tchimes used by our prehistoric 2500 and 8000 BC, a period known as forefathers will make music once more the New Stone Age, characterized by hu- in a unique series of concerts in Paris. man use of stone tools, pottery-making, Known as lithophones, the instruments the rise of farming and animal domesti- have been dusted off from museum cation. For decades, their solid, oblong storage to be played in public for the shape made experts believe they were first time to give modern Man an idea pestles or grinders of grain. of his ancestral sounds. After just three shows—two on Saturday (March 22) and Notes from stone a third the following Monday—the pre- But that perception changed a de- cious stones will be packed away again, cade ago, thanks to a stroke of fortune. forever. Gonthier, a former jeweller and stone- “That will be their last concert togeth- cutter, discovered their true, musical na- er,” music archaeologist Erik Gonthier of ture when he tapped one with a mallet the Natural History Museum in Paris, told in the storeroom of the museum in 1994. AFP ahead of the production. “We will Instead of a dull thud he heard musical never repeat it, for ethical reasons—to potential, and decided to investigate avoid damaging our cultural heritage. further. “I thought back to my grand- We don’t want to add to the wear of mother’s piano and the small supports these instruments.” Dubbed “Paleomu- which made the strings resonate. sique”, the piece was written by classical “I found some packaging foam in the composer Philippe Fenelon to showcase trashcans of the museum I made two the mineral clang and echo of instru- rests that I placed under either end of ments from beyond recorded time. the lithophone, and tapped it. It made They will be played xylophone-style a clear ‘tinnnnggg,” Gonthier recounted. by four percussionists from the French “My heart beat like crazy. I knew that I National Orchestra gently tapping the had found something great.” Gonthier stones with mallets. The point is to high- named his first lithophone “Stradivarius” light our ancestors’ musical side, which after the famous makers of string instru- Gonthier says is often overshadowed ments. The instrument was the result of by their rock-painting and tool-making a “grain-by-grain” chipping process that prowess. In fact, he believes, there might could have taken as much as two years have been a strong link between music to complete. Five years after his discov- and visual art in prehistoric caves. “These ery, “Stradivarius” and dozens of other were the first theatre or cinema halls,” he stones in the museum’s collection were speculated. The instruments, carefully- officially recognized as lithophones, a crafted stone rods up to a meter (3.2 known if obscure category of musical feet) in length, have been in the muse- instruments.—AFP