that goodorbad? joint military:Is Arabs createda with worldpowers.—AFP(SeePages7,8,15&16) arrives atMehrabadAirportyesterday,hoursafterannouncingtheyhadtheingredientsofahistoricnucleardeal TEHRAN: IranianForeignMinisterMohammadJavadZarifgreetspeopleasthenuclearnegotiatingcommittee tional Iraniancelebration. ry anddancing while wavingwhitehandkerchiefs inatradi- ing theirhornsinapproval,people flashingV-signsforvicto- of Tehranintheearlyhoursyesterday, withdriverssound- was greetedwithcelebrations. Hundreds tooktothestreets try’s economyreelingandthe announcementofthedeal sanctions overIran’snuclearambitions haveleftthecoun- dozens liningthestreetsandcarrying Iranianflags.Crippling as theyreturnedtoTehranfromthetalksinLausanne,with other areas-willopenanewpage”forIran,hesaid. cooperation withtheworld-bothinnuclearsphereand its promises,wewillhonourourpromises,”hesaid.“New relations withtherestofworld.“Ifothersidehonours said itcouldmarkaturningpointfortheIslamicrepublic’s to globalsecurity.Butinalivetelevisedaddress,Rouhani Israel saidthepotentialagreementposeda“gravedanger” and PrimeMinisterBenjaminNetanyahuofIran’sarch-foe feared Tehranwantstobuildanuclearbomb. 12-year standoffbetweenIranandtheWest,whichhaslong - washailedbyworldleadersasamajorbreakthroughinthe ment -reachedThursdayaftermarathontalksinSwitzerland virtues atFridayprayersinmosques.Theframeworkagree- its ofapotentiallyhistoricagreement,withclericstouting to winoverdomesticsceptics,Iran’sleaderspushedthemer- would opena“newpage”inthecountry’sglobalties.Keen powers yesterdayasPresidentHassanRouhanipromisedit TEHRAN: ‘H SUBSCRIPTION Earlier, well-wishershadhailedIran’snuclearnegotiators Diplomats warnedyesterdaythatmuchworkremained istori Iran vowedtostandbyanucleardealwithworld 3 Iranians celebrate 150 Fils AUDY PI ,21 JMD LHN 5 46A No:16480 SATURDAY, 1436 AH JAMADA ALTHANIAPRIL 4,2015 15, Indian nursesabroad weigh debts,danger One agencycharged$31,300forKuwaitjob c’ nu k nuclear powerbut alsothecoreofanuclearbomb. —AFP number ofuranium centrifuges,whichcanmake fuelfor by roughlytwo-thirds-to6,104 fromaround19,000-the weapons-grade plutonium.The dealwillalsoseeIranreduce years, whileitsunfinishedArak reactorwillnotproduce stocks ofhighlyenricheduranium cutby98percentfor15 tions canbere-imposed.Theproposed limitswillseeIran’s would alsobelifted,butdiplomats havewarnedthatsanc- stuck toitsterms.AllpastUNnuclearresolutionsonIran Iran oncetheUNatomicagencyhasverifiedthatTehran European Unionaretoliftallnuclear-relatedsanctionson though analystssaystrikesareunlikely. take militaryactionifthreatenedbyanuclear-armedIran, nuclear weapons.”Israelhasrepeatedlywarnedthatitcould which allowsacountrythatvowstoannihilateusdevelop Israel,” Netanyahusaid.“Israelwillnotacceptanagreement the worldandwouldthreatenverysurvivalofstate top officialsfortalks. state’s righttoexistbewrittenintothedeal,asheconvened Netanyahu demandingthatIranianrecognitionoftheJewish And Washington’skeyallyIsraelreactedwithfury, are alsothreateningtopushfornewsanctionsfromApril14. in theUSCongress,whoremainsuspiciousofIran’spledges, highly complexagreementbyJune30.HostileRepublicans warning likeotherleadersthatworkremainstofinalizea “historic understanding”withIranafterdecadesofhostility, Shabab kill147 Kenya after Shock, defiancein e dea 10 Under theoutlinedeal,UnitedStatesand “This dealwouldposeagravedangertotheregionand US PresidentBarackObamahadearlierwelcomedthe • Israel furious l hai l ed and keepmysalary inthebank.”—Reuters expensive. “It(Yemen) isgoodforme,because Igettosave salary,” Joy,27, said.“Butaccommodationand foodisvery a famoushospitalwillgivemaximum of$400(amonth)as preferring totakeachancedespite thefighting.“InNewDelhi, vessel thatevacuated349people onTuesdayfromthecity, nurses inYemenarefrom,chose nottoboardanIndiannaval native ofthesouthernstateKerala, wheremostoftheIndian Reuters bytelephonefromthe Al-Naqib HospitalinAden.The said KCJoseph,Kerala’sministerfornon-residentaffairs. manner, withoutgivinganyroomforsortofcomplaints,” “We areplanningtoconducttherecruitmentsinatransparent matic channelstocurbbribe-takingindestinationcountries. charging modestfeesandworkingthroughlegitimatediplo- state recruitmentagencieswillbeallowedtooperateinKerala, ment ofnursesbyprivatecompanies.FromMay,onlytwo New Delhihasimposedanationwidebanonforeignrecruit- to improvethepayandconditionsofIndianmigrantworkers, at itsheadofficeintheGulfemirateofAbuDhabi. reached bytelephoneoremail.Nobodywasavailabletospeak or takingbribes.AlZarafa’sofficeinKochicouldnotbe Adolfus, contactedbyReuters,deniedcolludingwithAlZarafa Emigrants LAdolfusfailedtotakeaction,sayinvestigators. amount. fee of1.95millionrupees($31,300)-100timesthelegal to workinKuwaitand,investigatorssay,chargedanupfront migrant workers.Theagencywashiredtorecruit1,200nurses with acityofficialwhosejobwastoprotecttheinterestsof Reuters thattheAlZarafaagencyhadworked“handinglove” ruption, conspiracyandcheating.AseniorCBIofficertold Investigation hasopenedaninvestigationintosuspectedcor- one agencyintheKeralaportofKochi,CentralBureau more payandsafecontracts. times demandlargeupfrontfeesorrenegeonpromisesof meanwhile, putsnursesatthemercyofrecruiterswhosome- iority to25,000rupees.Fiercecompetitionforjobsabroad, start from5,000rupees($80),risingwithexperienceandsen- better-paid workabroad.MonthlywagesathospitalsinKerala depressing localwagesandcreatingastrongincentivetoseek of graduateseveryyear,withmorestudyingoutsidethestate, nationwide. practice bybanningforeignrecruitmentprivatecompanies abroad, andthegovernmenthasmovedtocrackdownon middlemen whochargeexorbitantfeestoplaceIndiansinjobs to earnthemoneyback.Thedebtsaresometimesowed heavily toeducatetheirchildrenandthensendthemabroad Indian healthworkers,manyfrompoorfamilieswhoborrow an aircampaignledbySaudiArabiatochecktheiradvance. fighters havesweptintothesouthernportcityofAdendespite than halfofthemnurses,outYemen,whereShiiteHouthi their debts.Indiaistryingtogetaround4,000nationals,more by stayingoninmorelucrativejobsthatallowthemtopayoff between returninghometofinancialruinortakingachance nurses caughtupinYemen’scivilwarfaceastarkchoice THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/NEW DELHI: in men’sgame player mixingit Female snooker 43 “For nowI’mstaying,”IndianmalenurseMeljoJoytold As partofbroadereffortsbyPrimeMinisterNarendraModi Despite complaintsbyapplicants,Kochi’sProtectorof Following araidthisweekbytaxofficialsontheofficeof More than100nursinginstitutesinKeralatrainthousands The medics’predicamenthighlightsthedilemmafacing Hundreds ofIndian Max Min 33º 17º

LOCAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Arab nations created a joint Amir strongly condemns Egypt terrorist attacks military: Is that good or bad? KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- By Shibley Telhami Sabah strongly condemned terrorist attacks against Egyptian forces in he Arab League’s decision to establish a joint exacerbates sectarianism in a way that’s threatening to Northern Sinai Thursday, killing and military force should be viewed, above all, as a Saudi Arabia. The Saudis do worry about the rise of wounding scores of them. Tmajor accomplishment for Saudi Arabian foreign Iranian-backed Shiite Arabs. But what they have dis- HH the Amir, in a cable to Egyptian policy - though Egypt’s president has also been advo- covered is that sectarianism can also nurture the type President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi, rejected cating this. It comes with serious risks, however. of Sunnis who want the regime’s demise even more these “heinous terrorist acts” which It all starts with Riyadh. As Arab Spring uprisings than some of the Shiites do. target innocent civilians, and under- appeared to sweep all before them in 2011, the Saudi In that sense, Riyadh’s fear in the early days of the mined security and stability of Egypt. regime seemed confident that it was immune. Even Arab Spring has been modified. The Arab public’s HH the Amir also reaffirmed rejection after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s swift fall stalled aspirations after what looked like early success- to all terrorist operations that contra- from power. The Saudi leadership’s lack of assurance es, coupled with the continuing tragedies in Syria, vened with faiths and human values, was betrayed, however, by a series of panicky steps. Libya and Yemen, have put the brakes on those who and that Kuwait stood behind the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah King Abdullah, who recently died, quickly went on may have revolted elsewhere in the Arab world. Yet international community in its fight Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Saudi television to announce extraordinary subsidies, the vacuum created by these stalled uprisings, the against terrorism. salary raises, an expansion of security forces and more failed states and the intensifying sectarianism has giv- HH the Amir extended condolences Sabah sent a cable to president Al-Sisi - essentially dispersing tens of billions of dollars in pay- en militant Islamists more recruits and a passionate for families of the victims and wished extending condolences for the victims of ments to the Saudi people. For added insurance, the mission that targets the Gulf monarchies as enemies. speedy recovery for the wounded. HH the terrorist attacks. HH the Prime Saudis proposed an expanded Gulf Cooperation Islamic State served as a wake-up call for the Saudis the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Council that would include the Arab world’s two other and other Arabs. Not only because of its ruthlessness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Al-Sabah sent a similar cable. — KUNA monarchies, Jordan and Morocco. It was more a finan- and swift expansion, but also because Islamic State’s cial-aid package to create a force of like-minded focus is far different from that of al Qaeda, which, regimes that could deal with possible insurgencies. though it opposed Arab regimes, targets the United Egypt was then on the other side of the equation: a States and largely operates far from the Arab heart- Amir congratulated on revolutionary state under the growing influence of the land in Afghanistan. Islamic State, by contrast, is intent Muslim Brotherhood, which the Saudis never trusted. on changing the regimes in Arab lands. It operates in Kuwait III’s success With the new pan-Arab force, however, Riyadh has Saudi Arabia’s backyard and could become a serious built something far bigger. Not just because of the problem on the home front, far more than Saudi KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh HH with long lasting health and wellness. number of Arab states likely to join, but also because Shiites could ever be. Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received In reply, HH the Amir sent a cable to Egypt has pledged to be a central partner. a cable Thursday from the Chief of Kuwait Sheikh Salem Al-Ali, expressing his sincere Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi gains a Added legitimacy National Guard (KNG) HH Sheikh Salem Al-Ali gratitude and appreciation to his warm great deal in the process. It could lock in the billions of The pan-Arab force is also designed to be partly Al-Sabah. In the cable, HH Sheikh Salem Al- greetings and honest prayers on the success dollars in Saudi aid he has come to depend on, and political. It spreads the responsibility and the blame. It Ali expressed his sincere congratulations, on of the Third International Pledging elevates the role of Egypt’s military, from which he could provide added legitimacy beyond the resolu- behalf of the National Guard’s chiefs and Humanitarian Conference for Syria. His hails. But Sisi also has something to lose: If he sends tions of the Arab League, which most Arabs long ago forces, to HH the Amir on the success of the Highness also valued the conference’s fruit- troops to a futile war in Yemen, a comparison to stopped taking seriously. Third International Pledging Humanitarian ful outcome through generous donations Egypt’s former popular leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, A key point, though, is that the force provides a for- Conference for Syria, held in Kuwait on that were announced during the event that which Sisi has sought to cultivate, could come back to mula for broadening the Egyptian-Saudi relationship, haunt him. For Nasser’s 1960s intervention in Yemen now essential for both countries, into an Arab arrange- March 31st. The KNG Chief also commended will, undoubtedly, contribute in assisting and was a failure. ment. Its very creation, at a time when Arabs seemed HH the Amir’s humanitarian role which has aiding the Syria people, praying to the inept, divided and incapable of taking things into their become a source of pride and appreciation mighty Allah to grant Sheikh Salem with Saudi-Egyptian alliance own hands, is psychologically important. It registers to all, praying to the mighty Allah to grant long lasting health and wellness. —KUNA Historically, though, the most effective Arab strong resolve just before an anticipated deal between actions have come through a Saudi-Egyptian alliance. Iran and world powers on the nuclear issue, which The 1973 Arab-Israeli War, for example, perhaps the Arab rulers fear will expand Tehran’s influence at their Tunisian, Kuwaiti MPs Arab states’ most effective war of the 20th century, expense. was fought largely by Egyptian and Syrian troops. But In addition, the joint Arab force has a potentially the Saudis, along with Algerians and other Arabs, important, if limited, military role. It is hard to imagine, discuss anti-terrorism played a key role economically and politically because for example, that it could face down militarily powerful oil was an essential weapon. states such as Iran, Israel or a Western power. It’s prin- TUNIS: Tunisian parliament speaker ed. He said he and Nasser discussed the In 1991, when Saudi Arabia decided to cooperate cipally aimed at insurgencies within the Arab world - Mohammad Nasser said Thursday a visit exchange of expertise and promotion of with a US-led force to expel Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and not even all of them. Consider: Given Iraq’s largely by Kuwait-Tunisian parliamentary friend- Kuwait investments in Tunisia. from Kuwait, Riyadh was emboldened to participate Shiite government, Iran’s influence there and the U.S. ship committee members would further Tunisian MP Hussein Jaziri said his by Cairo, whose support Washington had secured role, it is hard to envision a circumstance in which contribute to boosting bilateral relations meeting with the Kuwaiti lawmakers even before asking the Saudis. In fact, after the war, Arabs could intervene. and cooperation. Speaking after receiving touched upon means of cementing Hussein told his aides that he blamed Mubarak for the As for Syria, the Saudis are caught between their the Kuwaiti MPs, Nasser said the visit also economic and investment cooperation Arab action more than King Fahd of Saudi Arabia hatred for Islamic State and their hatred for President aimed at showing solidarity with the between the two countries. The because the Iraqi dictator believed the Saudis would Bashar Al-Assad. Riyadh’s vision for Syria does not Tunisian people especially following the Kuwaiti MPs also met with representa- have been reluctant to act without Egypt. exactly coincide with that of Egypt, which also doesn’t “terrorist” attack against Bardo Museum. tives of the political parties in the Now the Saudis confront the need for immediate like Assad but fears his collapse more. The tension action in Yemen. Though Saudi Arabia’s decision to over this issue was reflected in the recent Arab sum- MP Askar Al-Enezi, head of the Kuwaiti Tunisian parliament and discussed eco- play a war-fighting role is bold and new, no one can mit, when Sisi welcomed a statement by Assad’s delegation, condemned the terrorist nomic, investment and cultural rela- underestimate the challenges ahead. Particularly if backer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Saudi attack against Tunisia and cited an interna- tions. They also agreed on the need of ground forces are ultimately needed, and attacks from officials pointedly criticized it. tional rally held in Tunisia few days ago in supporting cooperation among Arab Yemen on Saudi territory expand. In the short term, though, the Saudi vision is for which Kuwait National Assembly Deputy parliament to have a common strategy Riyadh, of course, wants to register that it has final- using the Arab force in the growing chaos in Yemen, Speaker Mubarak Al-Khurainej participat- against terrorism. — KUNA ly arrived militarily. Though Saudi Arabia is the world’s while the Egyptian vision is for using it in the growing largest importer of arms, few nations view the king- chaos in Libya. For most others outside the Gulf dom’s military as a major factor in the regional military Cooperation Council, the pan-Arab effort is about Ministry warns of handling balance. The Saudi military role is untested, so Riyadh reaping economic and political rewards. That may be doesn’t want to be alone in the fight, either politically enough to make it work. But the real test is likely to or militarily. come soon enough in the outcome of the Arab inter- unofficial military news vention in Yemen, even if that takes place before the Expanding influence joint force is formally established. KUWAIT: The Ministry of Defense put out news regarding Kuwaiti military Meanwhile, Yemen is only an immediate part of a The biggest obstacle to an effective joint Arab warned of handling unofficial military actions is the state represented by the broader Saudi fear that extends far beyond its strate- force, however, may be larger than even the typical news, a statement said yesterday. The Defense Ministry otherwise any other gic competition with Iran. The Saudi concern about differences among Arabs: Dealing with insurgencies Defense Ministry’s Department of Public news source will be invalid, the depart- Iran is not so much a direct military one, nor even and failed states - the problem the force was created Relations called on all citizens and expa- ment said. The department affirmed about Tehran’s nuclear potential. True, the Saudis to address - requires more political and economic triates to heed the request, affirming that the media would be more than don’t want to see Iran become a nuclear power. But means than military prowess. And much of the sim- that anyone spreading rumors or unoffi- welcomed to ask about any news Riyadh’s biggest worry is Iran’s expanding political mering anger that fueled the Arab uprisings in the first cial news regarding any military action regarding the Kuwaiti military, adding influence in Arab lands, especially in its neighborhood. place had been aimed at many of the governments in the country or the region will have to that the Defense Ministry will provide That competition is, at its core, not sectarian. But it now leading the way for a pan-Arab force. — Reuters face the law. adequate responses to any questions or The only side that is authorized to inquires. — KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Kuwait’s leadership supports education, science: Minister AMMAN: Kuwait’s leadership, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, underlined signifi- cance of education and science, Minister of Education said. During a graduation ceremony of Kuwaiti students on Thursday in Amman, Dr Bader Al-Essa, also Minister of Higher Education, said the message of the Ministry of Higher Education seeks to meet the aspirations of Kuwaitis by achiev- ing prosperity to serve Kuwait, and Arab and Muslim nations. Education is a main pillar of progress of nations, he said, adding education builds generations. “We send you (students) to study in Jordan and look forward to returning home with science and knowledge,” he told the attendees. Dr Labib Khadra, Jordan’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said meanwhile that honoring of Kuwaiti students was part of historic relations between Kuwait and Jordan, urging students to be good representatives of their country. “The hopes of your country and the whole Arab nation are pinned on well-educated and cultured youth who AMMAN: Education Minister Dr Bader Al-Essa is seen during a graduation ceremony of Kuwaiti students in realize their roles to face all challenges during this critical Amman, Jordan. —KUNA turning point,” he noted. Meanwhile, Head of the Kuwaiti Cultural Office in Amman Dr Mohammad Al-Dhefeeri said that the State of Kuwait has contributed to enriching the Arab library and sponsored sci- Writer Keith Jardim laments entists and talented students, and financed a number of uni- versities. Kuwait’s Higher Education Ministry has paid more attention to scholarships for a number of Kuwaitis to study natural world’s destruction abroad, he said. —KUNA

By Sunil Cherian reading. He had a wonderful library, desire to write started.” He says with a thousands of books. John Le Carre, laugh. His family is from Guyana, a place Disability forum calls KUWAIT: Trinidad, the land of the hum- Doris Lessing, Peter Matthiessen, and that in many ways stole his heart and ming bird, comes insatiably alive in Naipaul came my way very early. I was mind before Trinidad did. Both of these for better services Keith Jardim’s writing in a mix of pre- taking books off the shelves even countries are fascinating but poisonous, Columbian purity and oil economy before I could comprehend written lan- a writer’s paradise. Many Caribbean DOHA: The 15th Forum of the Gulf Disability Society called blackened by corruption and crime. The guage. I would say the years I spent in authors, though most don’t live there, on Thursday for the unification of criteria for providing bet- destruction of nature is a constant the US, particularly Boston, helped like VS Naipaul, have taken their muse ter services to people with disabilities in the Gulf theme in his writing replete with lush make the writer in me. But Trinidad and from the island and Guyana, he said. Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. green, picturesque locales. An English Guyana, South America are where the Addressing the recently-concluded forum, Dr Maryam Al-Sherawi, the head of forum’s recommendation, said that literature and creative writing professor Love-hate relationship a specialized team will be assigned to create standards of at Gulf University for Science and The writer admits he has a love-hate quality and possibility of implementing them. She added Technology (GUST), Jardim is complet- relationship with Trinidad, the country that participants over four days shared views through ing five years in Kuwait while his debut of his birth. “My family is very interest- researches, studies, scientific papers, workshops and dis- short story collection Near Open Water ing. I want to write about them a lot cussions to issue the recommendations of the event. has raised waves of mixed reviews in more, but I’m waiting for some of them By the recommendations, they called for issuing a uni- the UK, the Caribbean and in cyber- to be more cooperative,” he said, laugh- fied card for people with disabilities and facilitating servic- space. It was shortlisted for the OCM ing. es to them in the GCC countries, she said. They also under- Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature and Any plans to set a story in Kuwait? lined the importance of spreading the culture of quality got a Nota Bene mention in World “Yes, I have plans for a novel set in a among workers in the care and rehabilitation centers of Literature Today. His fiction has place similar to Kuwait. I have some disabled people in these countries, she noted. Conferees appeared in Denver Quarterly, The notes so far, about a professor who also urged the GCC ministries of educations and social Antigonish Review, Mississippi Review, works here, an adventure in Oman, the affairs to review all regulations and laws so as to provide Wasafiri, Short Story, Moving Worlds people he meets. That’s a bit uncom- better services to these people, she made clear. and Trinidad Noir among others; and Keith Jardim mon for Caribbean writers who usually Kholoud Al-Ali, the chairperson of the executive com- been shortlisted for Glimmer Train’s don’t write about other places.” mittee of the Gulf Disability Society in Kuwait, said that the Open Fiction contest, the American forum included several events and activities that paid more Short Fiction contest and won the Paul I read therefore I am attention to the quality of environmental, psychological Bowles Fiction Fellowship at Georgia “Reading fiction is the best thing for and health services provided to people with disabilities. State University. The expat writer is the imagination. I wish to live in a place She underscored the significance of these recommenda- working on a novel and another collec- where imagination is not extinct but tions as they guarantee to serve these people well. tion of stories. A chapter of his novel will being nurtured constantly. A writer I The forum tackled several issues, topped with rehabili- appear this year in the anthology The enjoy being in a book, whether reading tation programs offered to disabled people inside care Haunted Tropics: Caribbean Ghost one or writing one, being with its char- centers and the quality of educational and psychological Stories, edited by Madison Smartt Bell acters around me, which is somehow programs as well as social care and diagnostic programs for these people. —KUNA and Martin Munro. more real. One of the best novels I’ve ever read is At Play in the Fields of the Hard to digest Lord by Peter Matthiessen. That book Kuwait, Bangladesh sign “It’s been disturbing, at times, to will be read when we all move to Mars write,” Jardim said. “It brings on night- and want to remember how it was on cooperation agreement mares.” Cultural values, morals and oth- Earth and why we did what we did, The Kuwait House for National Works signed a coopera- er virtues have been consistently erod- which is destroy this planet and our KUWAIT: tion agreement with Bangladesh to exchange expertise with ed in his country for the past 25 years. best selves. Reading keeps people out Bengali armed forces and to establish a pavilion about Kuwait’s Drug related crimes - money launder- of trouble. It makes us thinking beings. I history and culture in Bangladesh. Kuwait and Bangladesh share a ing, assassination - are part of everyday can’t forget the amazement in the eyes deep relationship over the years, most notably when Bangladesh life. The reading culture is diminishing, of someone seeing hundreds of books joined the international coalition in liberating Kuwait in 1991 as libraries vanishing, and the author finds on shelves, perhaps for the first time, well as contributing to removal of mines left behind by the invad- it hard to digest the digitalization of when he came to my father’s house. I ing Iraqi forces, said Head of Kuwait House for National Works reading. The cover of the writer’s ‘Near think reading is what makes us good Yousef Al-Amiri. He affirmed Kuwait House for National Works’ “My earliest memory is of my father Open Water’ short story collection. human beings,” Jardim said. vital role in enhancing Arab and international relations. —KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Second Suad Al-Sabah child award announced

By Faten Omar Salman thanked Sheikha Dr Suad Al-Sabah for her effective role in supporting artists of all ages KUWAIT: The Chairman of the Kuwaiti Society for and her belief in the role of culture and arts in mak- Fine Arts Abdul-Rasoul Salman announced the ing nations better. He thanked the hard work by launch of the second edition of the Suad Al-Sabah institutions and centers of the Gulf Cooperation award for the Gulf child on Wednesday, with the Council for the success of this event, which aims to participation of 110 children from Gulf Cooperation develop the ability of artwork and creativity and Council (GCC) countries. Salman said the children observation and accuracy in the representation of participating in the festival have presented 130 visual reality. Director of Dar Suad Al-Sabah visual artworks highlighting their concerns about Publishing Ali Al-Masoudi said: “This creative festi- the environment around them and the perception val is a ‘new pearl’ by Dr Suad Al-Sabah as part of of reality with their creative ideas, which differed her interest in youth and creative kids”. He from one participant to another. explained that Dr Suad focuses on children’s early He added that the participants showed in their literary and social activities, which were launched drawings the features they are interested in, point- at the beginning of the sixties, and children’s ing out that the paintings reflect humans, animals, upbringing and sponsorship of their talents is her birds and nature. “The drawings of the young priority. He said that this award is provided to Gulf’s artists express their vision in a simple and easy way creative children and is a part of absolute faith in with techniques such as exaggeration, deletions, the need to invest in our future generations. The zooming in and out and stretching”, he said, Kuwaiti Society for Fine Arts invited people to KUWAIT: Chairman of the Kuwaiti Society for Fine Arts Abdul-Rasoul Salman (center) is pic- adding it came from their fantasies and emotional attend the opening ceremony of the festival on tured at the press conference with society member Muna Al-Duwaisan (left) and Director of feelings and sensations. Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 7:30 pm. Dar Suad Al-Sabah Publishing Ali Al-Masoudi. — Photo by Joseph Shagra Rent issues could force Catholic Church’s closure

KUWAIT: The Roman Catholic Church in not renewed. “The the rent started at KD 900 Kuwait may close its doors in the Gulf state and kept increasing until it reached KD 2,800,” after 54 years of service, the Patriarch’s rep- he said. He added that the church does not resentative at the church Archimandrite have enough money to pay the price to pur- Boutros Ghareeb said. chase the building, estimated at KD 500,000, “If the building’s owner asks for a rent should the owners put the property for sale. increase, I will officially announce the church’s Ghareeb said that they wrote to Kuwait closure because we no longer can bear any authorities about the issue, adding that “humili- increase,” Ghareeb was quoted by Al-Rai daily ation is not good; and I am responsible for what yesterday. I say.” He added that the church is still using Ghareeb explained that the church will funds from the Amiri grant that they received have to close its doors if its rent contract is four years ago. — Al-Rai

KUWAIT: The Public Anti-Corruption Authority (PACA) organized a lecture in coopera- tion with the Kuwait Fire Services Directorate (KFSD) on Law 24/2012, regarding the PACA’s establishment and regulations. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun LOCAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Woman slammed for ‘slimming faster’

KUWAIT: A Jordanian woman was admonished by her mother-in-law and motorists who stopped in front of the house. The mother-in-law was angry because her daughter-in-law lost weight faster than her, although both followed the same extreme diet. The daughter-in-law went to Adan police station and complained against her mother-in-law and those who sympathized with her.

Domestic violence A European man bloodied his wife as he hit her in the stomach and on the head and did not stop until she bled. The Nugra police station investigator sent her to Mubarak Hospital to bring a report about the injuries she sustained. The hus- band is being summoned for questioning.

Car thief caught Farwaniya detectives arrested a bedoon man who was driving a luxury car with stolen license plates, while the car itself was reported stolen before being registered at the traffic department. A security source said that the bedooon told detectives he bought the car, whose value is more than KD 10,000, from a citizen, who is being sought. The bedoon said the car was stolen from the garage of a company before it was registered and stolen plates were placed on it. The bedoon said the person he bought the car from is a member of a gang that steals unregistered luxury cars, then sells them or smuggles them outside the country. He said he uses the car to commit robberies by posing as a detective. Man hurt in

Break in and robbery A citizen in Ahmadi told police that 9 persons holding sharp objects stormed his house, beat and tied him up, then stole KD 3,000 and his new smartphone. He workshop fire gave police the suspects’ full names. Meanwhile, a Sri Lankan woman told Adan police that her smartphone was stolen inside a school where she works as a keeper. She did not press charges against anyone. By Hanan Al-Saadoun responded to the emergency call reporting the fire. No other injuries were reported. KUWAIT: An Asian worker was injured while working at Policeman assaulted a boats’ workshop which caught fire yesterday. An Child freed A lieutenant at the criminal detectives department told Shuwaikh police that he was exploded fuel tank caused the fire in one of the boats, Firemen in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh rescued a child who got beaten after a fugitive woman was abducted by her relatives in the parking lot of the before it spread inside the workshop and other sur- stuck between a cement wall and an elevator cabin. A fire psychiatric hospital. A security source said the men pulled out a gun to keep the rounding boats, according to investigations. Firefighters source said that firemen used hydraulic equipment to lift detective away, then took the girl and left. In a separate case, a police captain report- from the Hawally, Shuhada and backup fire stations the cabin and the child was freed in good condition. ed that while on duty at a Farwaniya sports club, two citizens assaulted and insulted him. A case was filed and the two suspects are being summoned pending further investigations.

Defamation claims A citizen complained to Fahaheel police that a woman is attempting to defame him by sending messages that are harmful to his ‘prestigious profession.’ The woman is being summoned for questioning.

Search for thief maid An Asian domestic helper stole more than KD 15,000 from her sponsor’s house before disappearing. A security source said that the sponsor woke up and found that the safe’s keys were missing, then discovered the safe was open and KD 7,000 in cash and jewelry worth KD 8,000 had disappeared. He then discovered the maid had left and took her passport with her. Police notified border points to keep her from leav- ing the country as they work on the case.

Meter stolen A citizen told police that someone stole the water meter from his under-con- struction house. When police went to the site, they found out that only the water hose was stolen. Police are looking for the suspect as there were several hose thefts in the area.

Drunk passenger arrested A drunk man was sent to Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh police station as he fought with two passengers onboard a plane. A security source said the captain of a plane that arrived from UAE told police that a man lost control of himself, swore at and beat two pas- sengers onboard. The source said that when the plane landed, police arrested him and sent him to the police station where he is being held.

Maid reported kidnapped A citizen reported that an unidentified person had kidnapped and is detaining his Ethiopian housemaid, said security sources. According to the man, the maid was waiting for him to pick her up from the airport on returning from a vacation in her home country, when someone approached her asking where her sponsor lived and offering to give her a lift. Instead of taking her to the sponsor’s house, the suspect drove off somewhere else, where he detained the maid without knowing she had a mobile phone with her, which she used to call the sponsor. A case was filed and further investigations are in progress to locate the maid and free her. — Al-Anbaa, Al-Rai SATURDAY, ARIL 4, 2015 Attack survivor: Gunmen India’s concerned Christians Indiana, Arkansas stems had scouted the campus 10 pray for peace after attacks 11 religious objections uproar 13

LAUSANNE: (From left) China’s Hailong Wu, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarifat, Russian Deputy Political Director Alexey Karpov, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and US Secretary of State John Kerry arrive the Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne after Iran nuclear program talks finished with extended sessions. — AFP Despite nuke deal, US-Iran relations far from rosy Nuclear accord could redraw Middle East’s map WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama, eager to resolve at our two countries,” he said. “So make no mistake: We will opportunity to begin a “brighter future,” speaking in a video least one intractable conflict in his final two years in office, has remain vigilant in countering those actions and standing with dubbed in Farsi. But Obama is aware of the limits of its “high his eye on a major prize: reconciliation with Iran. Thursday’s our allies,” Obama added, referring to what he called Iran’s stakes investment in its Iran diplomacy,” said Suzanne Maloney, agreement on a road map for the final phase of negotiations on “sponsorship of terrorism.” senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. “The administration has a nuclear accord could open a way to a broader realignment doggedly pursued a deal with Iran as the centerpiece of its that would redraw the map of the Middle East. Major stakes Middle East strategy,” she wrote on her blog for the think tank. But analysts warn that the long-time foes remain far from a The first signs of a potential thaw came in 2013, when US “Obama’s outreach is not grounded an illusion of a new alliance rapprochement and any future cooperation would be limited. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart or wholesale rapprochement with the Islamic Republic.” “In Barack Obama’s head, there’s this fantasy of a grand bargain, Mohammad Javad Zarif met. The closed-door encounter led to an alliance with Iran, and of reconstructing the architecture of talks that have taken place over the past 18 months with Britain, ‘Discreet cooperation’ the region for a paradigm shift,” said Joseph Bahout, a visiting China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany, known as In March, Khamenei lashed out against “deceitful” world scholar at the Carnegie Center. the P5+1, to hammer out a complex comprehensive nuclear powers and branded a letter from Republican US lawmakers as “This is the fantasy of the Obama administration, but he agreement. a sign of America’s internal collapse. And the United States has knows it will never happen because Iran is a lot colder. “They’ll Both sides have major stakes in seeing the deal succeed. long decried Iran’s alliances with various countries it has black- take the nuclear deal, but everything will remain business as Removing or delaying the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran would listed as “terrorist” nations, including Sudan, Syria and usual,” he added. Relations between Tehran and Washington be a stunning victory for Obama. And for Iranians, it would spell Washington’s newest foe-turned-friend, Cuba. are haunted by the 1953 coup, orchestrated by the CIA, which the lifting of a rigorous global sanctions regime that has crip- Alireza Nader, senior international policy analyst at the RAND overthrew Iranian Prime Minister Mohamed Mosssadegh and pled the country’s economy. Corporation, is skeptical about how close Washington and restored royal rule. Obama had a historic phone call with Iranian President Tehran will be in the future. “I do not believe that the establish- Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown in turn in the Hassan Rouhani in 2013, the highest-level contact between the ment in Iran wants normal ties with the United States,” he said. 1979 revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomenei’s Islamist and two countries’ in more than three decades. Then last October, “Perhaps President Rouhani and his government want diplo- explicitly anti-American government to power. The divide Obama secretly wrote to Iran’s current supreme leader matic relations, but the Supreme Leader and his supporters between the powers has been deepened by decades of hostile Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to discuss possible cooperation in the view it as being against their interests.” rhetoric. The United States is regularly denounced as the “Great fight against jihadist militants provided a nuclear deal could be But that does not preclude both sides from exploring “dis- Satan” by Iranian leaders, and Washington has slammed Tehran struck. crete areas of cooperation” in regional conflicts. Though a major as a “rogue state,” part of an “axis of evil.” Despite these signs of outreach, restoring full diplomatic ties, ideological chasm separates them, overlapping concerns from Obama hailed the “historic understanding” with Iran severed some 35 years ago amid the 1979 storming of the US Afghanistan to Syria to Iraq have forced the two to rethink the Thursday, and said he is willing to engage with Iran “on the Embassy in Tehran and the painful 444-day hostage-taking, historically icy relationship. On the margins of the sometimes basis of mutual interests and mutual respect.” But he sent remains far off. But that has not stopped Obama from pushing laborious nuclear talks, discussions focused on the fight against Tehran a strong warning. “This deal alone-even if fully imple- for peace with its long-time enemy. As Iran celebrated Persian Islamic State jihadists who have taken over large swathes of Iraq mented-will not end the deep divisions and mistrust between New Year last month, Obama urged leaders to seize a “historic” and Syria. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

King Salman hopes final Iran nuke deal will boost security

RIYADH: Saudi King Salman told US bomb. Iran and Saudi Arabia, the fore- the ability to obtain an atomic bomb, and other major powers who negotiat- President Barack Obama that he hoped most Shiite and Sunni Muslim powers and there are concerns that Riyadh ed with Iran. If that did not work, the a final nuclear deal between world in the Middle East, have had troubled could seek its own nuclear capability. kingdom could seek its own deal with powers and Iran would strengthen relations in recent years after taking dif- The kingdom’s former intelligence nuclear-armed Pakistan, a longtime regional and world security, official ferent sides in the Syrian civil war. chief, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, warned last ally of Riyadh, the diplomat said. media said. In a phone call with Obama month that “whatever comes out of Another Gulf nation, Oman, on Friday on Thursday, Salman “expressed his Strained relations these talks, we will want the same,” welcomed the “historic” agreement hope that a final binding deal would Relations have been further specifically uranium enrichment capa- reached in Lausanne. be reached to reinforce the stability strained by the conflict raging in bility. A statement from the foreign min- and security of the region and the Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition has If an agreement is seen as too weak, istry in Muscat said that a final deal, to world,” the SPA news agency said. waged more than a week of air strikes Saudi Arabia will try to find a way to be reached by June 30, should open “a A framework agreement aimed at against Iran-backed Shiite rebels. counter-balance it, a Western diplomat new era for more regional and interna- curbing Iran’s nuclear drive was Obama said Thursday he had invit- said. “They will certainly seek a way of tional security and stability”. Unlike clinched Thursday after marathon talks ed Gulf leaders to a spring summit at balancing what would be seen as an other Gulf monarchies, Oman enjoys in Switzerland. It marked a major break- Camp David to discuss security coop- advantage on the Iranian side,” said good relations with Iran, which through in a 12-year standoff between eration in the region. Saudi Arabia the diplomat, asking for anonymity. enabled it to play a key mediating role Iran and the West, which has long fears that if too much of Iran’s nuclear Saudi Arabia would first ask for “securi- between the West and Tehran over the feared Tehran wants to build an atomic program is left intact it will still have ty assurances” from the United States nuclear program. —AFP

Iran deal a victory for Kerry’s old-school style diplomacy

WASHINGTON: Even before he became secretary of state, John Kerry vowed to stop Iran from gaining an atomic bomb and warned the clock was ticking on reining in its nuclear ambitions. But few if any of his fellow senators were aware during his January 2013 confirmation hearing that Kerry had already made tentative steps to try to bring Iran back to nuclear talks as part of a secret overture by President Barack Obama. Just over two years later, Kerry and his team of diplomats and experts have pulled off a tough assignment-laying out the contours of a deal to sharply cut back Tehran’s nuclear pro- gram. Even though the final accord has yet to be agreed, it is a huge achievement for the 71-year-old who took over as America’s top diplomat in February 2013, a month after calling for “fresh thinking” to resolve global problems at his confirma- tion hearing. The son of a diplomat, who grew up in the rubble of post- World War II Europe, Kerry has diplomacy running through his DNA. After his failed 2004 bid for the presidency, serving as sec- retary of state is the pinnacle of his career. On taking office, Kerry swiftly signaled that he was a different kind of diplomat TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (right) and Deputy Foreign Minister and chief nuclear negotia- from his predecessor Hillary Clinton, who had won rock star tor Abbas Araghchi react as they listen to President Hassan Rouhani (unseen) speaking during a press con- treatment during her record-breaking travels. The lanky former lawyer, who served for 29 years as a senator for Massachusetts, ference. —AFP was keen to roll up his sleeves and delve deep into some of the world’s most intractable problems. He took over just as the first Iran nuclear negotiators get flush of the Arab Spring began to fizzle, replaced by upheavals and chaos in countries like Egypt, Libya and Syria and as key heroes’ welcome in Tehran allies like Jordan and Turkey struggled under the strain. ‘Viva Zarif! Viva Araghchi’ TEHRAN: A crowd of well-wishers hailed remained to finalise the agreement before a Lausanne, said the outline agreement was a Iranian negotiators yesterday as they returned June 30 deadline. “This set of solutions will be major step forward. “We will move on,” Salehi to Tehran after agreeing the framework of a the basis for writing a final document,” he said said on arrival in Tehran. “We are on the potentially historic nuclear deal with world in the airport. “In negotiations, it is not sup- launching pad-in international relations, tech- powers, Iranian news agencies reported. posed to be one side taking all the advan- nology, trade and the economy.” Several dozen people greeted Foreign tages and the other side surrendering,” Zarif In the wake of Thursday’s agreement, sev- Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his team said. eral conservative websites published com- as they left Tehran’s Mehrabad airport after ments from Mehdi Mohammadi, a political returning from the negotiations in Lausanne, Serious goals analyst, describing the deal as “in no way bal- the ISNA news agency reported. “We are proud because we will never sur- anced”. He said the agreement was a “disaster “Viva Zarif! Viva Araghchi!” the crowd render... but in return for the advantages that for Fordo”, referring to a nuclear facility that chanted, in reference to the minister and one we gain, we will give things in return so we will remain open but not used for enrichment. of the main negotiators, Abbas Araghchi. In can move on,” he said. “We have serious goals He also said the deal was “vague on the brief remarks at the airport, Zarif praised Iran’s in the negotiations and eventually, based on timing of sanctions relief”. Saeidollah supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for what we have achieved so far, we believe we Allahbedashti, an aide to President Hassan “his remarkable support for the negotiating can reach them,” he added. Residents lined Rouhani, denounced claims that he said were LAUSANNE: US Secretary of State John Kerry team and his guidance” in the talks, the offi- the streets as Zarif drove away from the air- undermining the achievements of negotia- leaves after speaking to the press at the Ecole cial IRNA news agency reported. port, some carrying Iranian flags, with the tors. “The public has proven it can understand Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne at the end Reaching out to Iranian hardliners who minister emerging from the sunroof of his car the difference between traitors and those of the Iran nuclear program talks. —AFP have opposed any deal that would curb and waving to the crowd. Ali Akbar Salehi, who serve” their country, he said at the air- Tehran’s nuclear activities, Zarif said work who led the technical negotiations in port. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Rebels quit Aden palace, Al-Qaeda makes gains ADEN: Saudi-led air raids drove Yemeni rebels from the presi- dential palace in the main southern city of Aden yesterday as the UN reported more than 500 dead in two weeks of fighting. The impoverished Arabian Peninsula state has sunk further into chaos since the Saudi-led coalition launched Operation Decisive Storm on March 26 to try to halt the rebel advance. The turmoil has raised fears that Al-Qaeda will expand its foothold in the deeply tribal country, which borders oil-rich Saudi Arabia and lies near key shipping routes. A day after Al- Qaeda militants stormed a jail and freed 300 inmates, residents said the Sunni extremists had overrun large parts of Mukalla, the capital of the southeastern province of Hadramawt. UN aid chief Valerie Amos said Thursday that 519 people had been killed and nearly 1,700 injured in two weeks of fight- ing in Yemen, adding she was “extremely concerned” for the safety of trapped civilians. The conflict has sent tensions soar- ing between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the foremost Shiite and Sunni Muslim powers in the Middle East. Iran has angrily reject- ed accusations it has armed the Huthi Shiite rebels, who have allied with military units loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh to seize large parts of Yemen including the capital Sanaa.

Rebel setback The air strikes failed to stop the rebel forces battling their way into Aden, the last bastion of supporters of President SANAA: People carry the body of a child they uncovered from under the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who has fled to Saudi Arabia. On airstrikes near Sanaa Airport. —AP Thursday, in a highly symbolic victory, they captured Hadi’s Aden palace. But after a night of intense bombardment by the coalition, rebel forces quit the hilltop complex early yesterday, according to a senior official. Civilians paying the price for “The Huthi militia and their allies withdrew before dawn from the Al-Maashiq palace,” said the official in Aden, who did not want to be named. A security source and the official Saudi expanding conflict in Yemen news agency SPA also reported the anti-Hadi fighters had left the palace. The rebel forces retreated to the nearby central dis- trict of Khor Maksar, where 12 rebels were killed in an Arabia’s poorest nation being wreaked overnight attack by pro-Hadi militiamen, a military source said. The coalition insisted late Thursday that the situation in Aden SANAA: Violence in Yemen has killed an “Tens of thousands of people have ning out. Doctors Without Borders, which was “stable”. “Huthi militias are not in control of any govern- estimated 519 people the past two fled their homes, some by crossing the operates in the city, said it has received ment buildings in Aden,” said spokesman Brigadier General weeks, 90 of them children, and tens of sea to Djibouti and Somalia,” she said. over 500 wounded, including more than Ahmed Assiri. thousands are fleeing their homes, the She said all sides must avoid targeting 110 on the first day of airstrikes. UNICEF is In the southeastern city of Mukalla, several hundred Al- UN humanitarian chief said Thursday, hospitals, schools, refugee camps and giving out midwife kits to treat injured Qaeda militants flying the black banner of the extremist net- signs of the humanitarian damage being civilian infrastructure, particularly in civil- civilians because of lack of supplies. work were seen patrolling and setting up roadblocks in central wreaked in the Arab world’s poorest ian areas and said the UN was working Some districts in the city have not had and western areas. The Sunni extremists launched calls from nation in the rapid escalation of its con- with local authorities to provide emer- water for more than three days, Harneis mosques in the city for “jihad against Shiites”, according to resi- flict. gency health kits and generators. Yemen said. Electricity to Aden, a city of nearly 1 dents. What began as a power grab by Shiite was already suffering from years of inter- million people, was cut by more than half rebels dramatically escalated into a nal wars and political upheaval. More to less than 60 megawatts a day after a Calls for jihad regional conflict after Saudi Arabia and its than half the population of 25 million transmission station was hit, according to Before the latest chaos erupted, Yemen had been a key US allies launched an air campaign on March lives in poverty. Water resources are an Electricity Ministry official in the city, ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda, allowing Washington to carry 25 backing beleaguered President Abed dwindling, and the country has one of who spoke on condition of anonymity out drone attacks on its territory. The collapse of the govern- Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his loyalists. the highest rates of child malnutrition in because he was not authorized to talk to ment in Yemen forced the United States to close its embassy The air campaign, along with ground the world. The country is already dealing the press. In Al-Houta, a city north of and withdraw US special operations forces that were helping fighting between Hadi’s loyalists and the with some 330,000 displaced people - Aden, people are fleeing fighting to near- Yemeni government forces battle Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, and their Yemenis who fled their homes in previ- by villages for safety and to find goods Peninsula (AQAP). allies, are worsening the country’s ous conflicts. and produce, said 28-year old resident As a result of the US pullout from Yemen, “our capability is already chronic problems. Ahmed Rageh. The local gas station has diminished” against AQAP, a senior military official in Child soldiers been closed for nearly three weeks. “It is a Washington said Thursday. As part of its logistical support for Supplies depleting “It is a terrible situation and it is mov- disastrous situation. Somalia is now in a the Saudi-led campaign, the United States will provide aerial In battleground areas, hospitals are ing so fast,” Julien Harneis, the Yemen better shape than us,” he said. refueling, the official said. The United States was also delivering running out of supplies, water and elec- representative of the United Nations In Sanaa, Hamoud Sadek, a vegetable intelligence from surveillance satellites and aircraft to help the tricity systems have broken down, and Children Fund, told The Associated Press. store owner, said he has stopped bring- Saudis monitor their border and to track the location of Huthi produce and other goods run low as fuel “We are heading toward a humanitarian ing produce from the villages because he rebels as they push south, the official added. prices mount. Airstrikes and exchanges of disaster.” Harneis said 62 children were feared for his safety and could no longer The intelligence was helping create “a battlefield picture” of shelling between the two sides have par- killed in the first four days of the opera- afford the transport. Rumors of dwin- where the Huthis were deployed and to enable coalition air- alyzed the capital and other major urban tion - as many as were killed in all of 2014, dling fuel supplies have sent gas prices craft to avoid causing civilian casualties, the official said. New centers, and residents are huddling in when the Houthis were fighting to up. One Sanaa resident said rebel fighters clashes were reported yesterday in areas near the Aden palace homes or fleeing. expand their hold. Some of the children demanded the keys to her building’s roof and the city’s international airport, which was bombarded dur- The UN under-secretary general for were bystanders, and some were used as to install anti-aircraft missiles. She said ing the night by coalition warships, according to military humanitarian affairs, Valerie Amos, child soldiers, he said. Harneis estimated ammunition is stored in various places in sources. expressed concern Thursday “for the that about a third of the fighters on all residential areas. The resident spoke on They said a plane parked at the airport was destroyed. safety of civilians caught in the middle.” sides are under the age of 18. condition of anonymity for fear of retalia- China meanwhile said it had evacuated 225 people from 10 She said some 519 people have been “Some as young as 13 and 14. I have tion from the Houthis, who control the different countries from Yemen by a missile frigate, an killed and 1,700 wounded, many of them seen this with my eyes in many parts of capital. “We are stuck,” she said. “When unprecedented move underscoring its growing global civilians, in violence the past two weeks. the country,” Harneis said, speaking from an armed man comes to your house and reach. The evacuees included 176 people from Pakistan, the That would appear to include in fighting Amman. “This has been a longtime prob- asks you for the keys to the roof, you foreign ministry said, with the remainder from Ethiopia, between the two sides before the air lem in Yemen but it has been particularly can’t say no. It is either this or they kill Singapore, Italy, Germany, Poland, Ireland, Britain, Canada campaign began. Among the dead were visible in these last days.” In the southern you.” Lederer reported from the United and Yemen. —AFP 90 children. city of Aden, medical supplies are run- Nations. —AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Buhari told to Attack survivor: Gunmen ‘win peace’ against had scouted the campus Boko Haram Kenyan school attack was planned extensively LAGOS: Nigeria’s president-elect Muhammadu Buhari needs a comprehensive, not just military, plan to defeat Boko Haram, GARISSA: The militants who slaughtered 147 people in a Kenyan ‘Enough is enough’ experts said on Thursday, after the former army general vowed school appeared to have planned extensively, even targeting a Also yesterday, a small group of male demonstrators walked to crush the Islamists. “Military force alone is not enough to anni- site where Christians had gone to pray, a survivor said yesterday. down a main road in Garissa with signs that read “We are against hilate the movement,” Nigeria researcher Marc-Antoine Perouse Police yesterday were at the campus of Garissa University the killing of innocent Kenyans!!!! We are tired!!” and “Enough is de Montclos, from the Chatham House international affairs insti- College, taking fingerprints from the bodies of the four assailants enough. No more killing!! We are with you, our fellow Kenyans.” tute in London, said. and of the students and security officials who died, for thorough “We feel very sorry for them and we condemn the attack,” said Boko Haram may be “backed into a corner” but “is not clini- identification purposes. The northeastern Kenyan town lacks the demonstrator Abdullahi Muktar. Elsewhere in Garissa, there was cally dead”, he added. The group’s attacks and suicide bombings facilities to store all those bodies. In Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, fam- activity in a military-controlled area where medical vehicles and a in northeast Nigeria have claimed more than 13,000 lives since ily members were lining up at a morgue where about 20 bodies UNHCR truck made their way in and out, and some civilians, pos- 2009, with the insurgency-and the government’s handling of it-a had already been airlifted from Garissa. sibly relatives of the dead, gathered. Security was tight at the key election issue. Boko Haram has moved beyond northeast One of the first things that the assailants did early Thursday, gate. A Garissa University College bus was parked outside. Nigeria, attacking Cameroon and Niger, which were for long survivor Helen Titus said, was to head for a lecture hall where At one point, a group approached the gate and was blocked considered operating bases, giving the impression of an unstop- Christians were in early morning prayer. “They investigated our by soldiers. Several women began shrieking and collapsed in pable force. But the involvement of both countries, and notably area. They knew everything,” Helen Titus told The Associated apparent grief in the dust for several minutes. A bystander said Chad, in Nigerian border areas south of Lake Chad, alongside Press at a hospital in Garissa where she was being treated for a the son of one of the women had died in the attack. The masked Nigerian troops operating further inside the northeast, seems to bullet wound to the wrist. Titus, , a 21-year-old English literature attackers - strapped with explosives and armed with AK-47s - sin- have stopped their advance. student, said she covered her face and hair with the blood of gled out non-Muslim students at Garissa University College and classmates and lay still at one point during Al-Shabab’s dead- then gunned them down without mercy, survivors said. The gun- ‘Soft power’ liest attack on Kenyan soil in hopes the Islamic extremist gun- men took dozens of hostages in a dormitory as they battled Nigeria has taken back the strategic town of Baga, Chadian men would think she was dead. troops and police before the operation ended after about 13 troops Gamboru and Dikwa near Cameroon, while Chadian and The gunmen also told students hiding in dormitories to hours, witnesses said. Al-Shabab spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage Nigerien forces have recaptured Malam Fatori and Fotokol on come out, assuring them that they would not be killed, said said fighters from the Somalia-based extremist group were the Niger border. The most symbolic loss for Boko Haram came Titus, who wore a patient’s gown as she sat on a bench in the responsible. The Al-Qaeda-linked group has been blamed for a last Friday, on the eve of elections the heavily armed militants hospital yard. “We just wondered whether to come out or not,” series of attacks in Kenya, including the siege at the Westgate vowed to disrupt. Nigeria’s army, on the offensive after being she said. Many students did, whereupon the gunmen started Mall in Nairobi in 2013 that killed 67 people, as well as other vio- regularly outgunned and outmanoeuvred, seized the group’s shooting men, saying they would not kill “ladies,” Titus said. But lence in the north. The group has vowed to retaliate against headquarters in Gwoza, from where leader Abubakar Shekau they also shot women and targeted Christians, said Titus, who is Kenya for sending troops to Somalia in 2011 to fight the militants proclaimed a caliphate last year. Former military ruler Buhari on a Christian. staging cross-border attacks and kidnappings. — AP Wednesday declared war on Boko Haram, vowing they “will soon know the strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror and bring back peace”. He then told the BBC in an interview: “With the co-operation of our neighbors, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and the international community, and the commitment we are going to get from the military, I think it will take us a much shorter time to deal with them,” he told the BBC in an interview. His campaign spokesman Shehu Garba said on Thursday there would be a “more effective military response than seen under the last administration”, including development programs and “soft power”. Buhari headed a military government in the 1980s and is a former governor of the old Northeastern State, which includes modern-day Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states hit by fighting. The 72-year-old, a northern Muslim, has criticized Boko Haram’s radical brand of Islam and last year escaped with his life after an attack blamed by some on the militants. Montclos said Boko Haram has “more to fear from Muhammadu Buhari, who knows the terrain and will be per- ceived as legitimate by northern Muslims” than his beaten oppo- nent, President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan, a Christian from the south, was widely perceived in the north to have been indif- ferent to the insurgency and its devastating effects. “In many respects, Buhari walks into a situation where a mili- tary victory has been achieved. Now he needs to consolidate the peace,” said J. Peter Pham, from the Atlantic Council. Montclos also said Buhari should strive to “win peace” rather than “win the battle” against the insurgents, even if they have been weakened. But the insurgency is far from over. —AFP GARISSA: A Kenya Defense Forces soldier secures the area around the Garissa University College. — AP In UK election campaign, Muslims feeling the heat

BIRMINGHAM: With the political debate about Islam heating up the early 20th century to work in the metal industry. There have communities and the police. ahead of Britain’s general election next month, the impact is par- since been waves of arrivals, many of them from the Indian sub- Philippe Trzebiatowski, a young Frenchman working on a ticularly keenly felt in Birmingham-a city where a quarter of the continent but also from Afghanistan, Bosnia and Somalia. The city Birmingham travel guide for the company Expedia, said that population is Muslim. “The politicians are using Muslims as a is known now for a mostly peaceful coexistence between com- “people mix quite naturally here”. Not everything is rosy however punch bag,” said Abdul Rashid, head of the city’s main mosque. munities, although it was hit by a nationwide spate of riots in in Brummie-land-the diminutive nickname used for city residents. “The politicians look for cheap and easy ways to popularity... And 2011 following the police killing of a mixed-race man in London. A scandal erupted last year when it emerged that radical Muslims at the moment the cheap and easy way of gaining popularity is Birmingham is “a city where people feel that they can live togeth- were trying to take over the boards of several city schools, and immigration and Islamophobia,” the 73-year-old said. er and tolerate each other,” said Mashuq Ally, deputy head of a many communities choose to live separate lives in a type of self- Birmingham is Britain’s second biggest city with 1.2 million special local government department in charge of community segregation. According to the 2011 census, three areas have a residents-almost half of them from ethnic minorities-and is often cohesion. Muslim population of more than 70 percent-Washwood Heath, singled out when fears are expressed about a growing Islamist Bordesley Green and Sparkbrook. Professor Carl Chinn, who threat. Following the Islamist attacks against the satirical weekly Ethnic mix or self-segregation? heads up a community history project at the University of Charlie Hebdo in Paris in January, an analyst on the US network Ally is in constant contact with the city’s dozens of ethnic com- Birmingham, said the tendency to stick together does not apply Fox News even spoke of Birmingham as a “no-go zone” for non- munities to avoid any disputes or violence. “Although we are said just to Muslims in Birmingham but also the white working-class Muslims. He since apologized for the comments, which hurt to be the second most vulnerable city to terrorism after London, and happens in cities across Europe. “That is an issue we need to many inhabitants in the former industrial hub. we are fairly safe because the community is part of the solution,” address without hyperbole,” he said in an interview with The The first Muslim immigrants-Yemenis-arrived in Birmingham in he said, hailing cooperation between the city council, Muslim Guardian.—AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

S Lanka govt unlikely to allow Dalai Lama visit

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Buddhist monks have invited exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to make his first visit to the island, after a strongly pro-China government was voted out in January, but an official said Colombo was unlikely to allow it. Sri Lanka’s new President Maithripala Sirisena has loos- ened ties with Beijing and moved closer to India, which has hosted the Dalai Lama since he fled Tibet in 1959. But the majority Buddhist Island, which is home to some of the religion’s most sacred sites, still depends on China for major development investment and loans. “They can invite, but the government may not grant a visa,” a top foreign minis- ter official told Reuters, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject. “The Dalai Lama is very important. But the close relation- ship with China is more important and we have not changed our stance on ‘One China’ policy.” China approves of Sri Lanka’s stance on the Dalai Lama, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. “Sri Lanka is a traditional friendly neighbor of China’s, and bilateral relations have always developed smoothly,” Hua told a daily news briefing. “Sri Lanka fully understands and respects China’s concerns on the relevant issue.” As China has grown more economically powerful it has used its influence to dissuade world leaders from meeting the Dalai Lama, whom it denounces as a danger- ous separatist, but only a handful of countries outright prohibit NEW DELHI: This photograph taken on March 29, 2015, Indian Christian devotees walk through the grounds of a cathe- him from visiting. China offered Sri Lanka more than $1 billion dral on Palm Sunday. — AFP in grants during a four-day official visit to Beijing by Sirisena last week, underscoring how lucrative the relationship remains for the island that is rebuilding after a long civil war. India’s concerned Christians Childhood wish The invitation to the Dalai Lama was extended by a group pray for peace after attacks of high-ranking Theravada monks from Sri Lanka’s Mahabodhi Society when they attended a theological discussion in late March with Indian monks in New Delhi, senior monk Banagala Upatissa said. Upatissa said the Dalai Lama told him he had Arson and vandalism have rattled the community wanted since childhood to visit a Sri Lankan temple housing a relic of Buddha’s tooth, and Mahabodhi, which contains a NEW DELHI: As they filed out of a Modi stormed to power at elections Sparking anger descendant of the tree under which Buddhists believe he cathedral in the Indian capital on Palm last May. Father Maria Susai, pastor at Since December, a string of church- gained enlightenment. Sunday, worshippers expressed fear the cathedral, said the attacks were es and a school have reported inci- “He told us that all others in the world - Christians, Hindus and dismay over a string of attacks on part of a campaign by groups such as dents of arson, vandalism and burglary and Muslims - treat him well. But his own Buddhist brother- churches and a school along with the the influential Hindu group Rashtriya including of ceremonial items, spark- hood does not treat him well,” Upatissa told Reuters. “We felt saddened and disturbed and invited him to visit Sri Lanka. I rape of an elderly nun. Christians have Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) “to margin- ing anger and a protest in Delhi that hope to discuss with the government to find a solution for this. long lived in relative harmony in the alize minorities in India”. saw police pull nuns into buses as they Without antagonizing China, we are trying to get him a visa as world’s biggest democracy with The RSS has denied any role, but its tried to march on parliament. an ordinary monk and not as a state official.” Muslims, Buddhists and other minori- chief Mohan Bhagwat sparked protest But the rape of the nun at her con- The Dalai Lama would be happy to visit but does not want ties as well as Hindus who form the in February when he said Mother vent school in March sent shockwaves to cause any inconvenience to the Sri Lankan government, bulk of the country’s 1.2 billion-strong Teresa’s work for the poor was moti- through the Christian community, Chimme Rinzin Choekyapa, one of his senior aides, told population. vated by a desire to convert Indians to although no one is suggesting that Reuters. The New Delhi meeting came shortly after Indian But the incidents of arson and van- Christianity. religious hardliners were behind the Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited a Buddhist site in Sri dalism have rattled the community and Modi, who himself spent years in attack. Six people have been arrested. Lanka, where he was hosted by Upatissa. India, birthplace of exposed fresh fault lines in religiously the RSS, recently promised to crack The incidents also followed a spate of Buddhism, and China, home to the world’s largest Buddhist diverse India. The rape of the nun in down on religious violence and ensure mass “re-conversions” of Christians and population, both portray themselves as protectors of the reli- West Bengal state last month, when a freedom of worship for all faiths, after Muslims to Hinduism in the country gion. Upatissa rejected media suggestions that the invitation gang of robbers broke into her school, being heavily criticized for failing to that has ignited uproar in parliament. was mooted by India as a move to signal a new independ- has only compounded the concern. “I speak out earlier. US President Barack Obama warned ence from Chinese influence. “We will be very happy if we feel very afraid. Before I come to the But Susai said Modi’s government on a visit to New Delhi in January that can fulfil the Dalai Lama’s desire,” he said. “He is a Buddhist church I just look right, left and every- was not doing enough to ensure that India’s future success was dependent on brother of ours who follows the teachings of the same Lord Buddha.” — Reuters thing,” Cyril Samion said outside Sacred all citizens, not just the Hindu majority, avoiding splintering along religious lines. Heart Cathedral in central New Delhi. felt safe. “This is the darkest period in Political scientist Gurpreet Mahajan said Indian politics,” Susai said. Modi needed to work harder to shed a Mass conversions Tensions between Christians, who perception among hardliners, including In the days leading up to Easter, account for 2.3 percent of the popula- those within his own party, that his elec- worshippers said they were praying for tion, and Hindus have erupted sporadi- tion win was a victory for “Hindutva” or those responsible for the attacks, cally over the years, including in the Hindu nationalism. which have occurred mostly in the cap- eastern state of Orissa. Anti-Christian “He needs to come out forcibly ital. “A holy place where people come riots there in 2008 left more than 100 against it (the attacks),” Mahajan, from to pray should never be attacked in the people dead, according to Christian Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, first place,” Anthony Velangani said groups, after missionaries were said. Speaking to spiritual leaders last outside the cathedral. “And that’s why accused of killing a Hindu holy man. weekend, Modi’s cabinet colleague, we feel very sad about it. It’s pointless Groups like the RSS have also Home Minister Rajnath Singh, urged all blaming anybody about it. We pray to accused missionaries of targeting tribal parties to work together to ensure reli- God so that God gives some good peoples and other poor groups with gious harmony. But some Christians sense to the people who are behind the aim of conversion, claims denied remained skeptical, saying hardliners this.” by the clergy. But the majority of were simply “not listening to their Priests have blamed the attacks on Christians have lived peacefully in leaders”. “Every condemnation is fol- institutions on hardliners, whom they India, concentrated for years in the lowed by an attack on a church or a ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani woman evacuated from Yemen say have felt emboldened since Hindu northeast, Orissa and in the southern poisonous statement,” said Philip is greeted by her family member at Islamabad airport nationalist Prime Minister Narendra states of Kerala and Goa. Mathew outside the cathedral. — AFP yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Malaysian cartoonist charged with nine counts of sedition

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian cartoonist known for lam- pooning the ruling coalition was charged yesterday with nine counts of sedition over a series of tweets criticizing the coun- try’s judiciary. The charges against Zulkiflee Anwar Alhaque, better known as Zunar, came amid a widening government crackdown on opposition politicians and the media slammed by critics as a move to stifle freedom of expression. “This is a record, being charged nine times and using the sedition law. It is excessive and targeted at silencing vocal critics,” said Zunar’s lawyer, Latheefa Koya. Zunar faces up to 43 years in jail if found guilty on all nine charges under the colonial-era law, she said. He was released on bail after being charged. The nine tweets criticizing the judiciary were posted Feb. 10 when opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim began serv- ing a 5-year prison sentence after losing his final appeal of a sodomy conviction. “The lackeys in black robes are proud of their sentence. The rewards from the political masters must be plenty,” said one of the tweets. “Today Malaysia is seen as a country with- PAMPANGA: Filipino penitent Ruben Enaje center, is nailed to the cross for the 29th time during Good Friday rituals. — AP out law,” said another. Anwar’s arrest was widely seen at home and abroad as being politically motivated to eliminate a threat to the ruling coalition, whose popularity has slowly Filipino devotees nailed to been eroding since 2008 after more than five decades of unquestioned dominance. Anwar and his three-party opposi- tion alliance were seen as the most potent political challenge crosses in Good Friday rites to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s National Front coalition.

Annual practice mixing Catholic and folk belief ‘Draw until the ink ends’ Anwar led his alliance to unprecedented gains in 2008 SAN PEDRO CUTUD: Screaming in pain, Filipino devotees had ers this year banned foreigners from being nailed to crosses to elections and made further inroads in polls in 2013, when the themselves nailed to wooden crosses to mimic the suffering of prevent the event from “becoming a circus,” said Councilor National Front won with a slimmer majority and lost the pop- Jesus Christ on Good Friday in Asia’s largest Roman Catholic Harvey Quiwa. After they were lowered from the crosses, med- ular vote to the opposition. A defiant Zunar posted a new car- nation. Church leaders have spoken against the annual prac- ical workers carried the devotees on a stretcher and made sure toon on Twitter before his release on bail, vowing to “draw tice mixing Catholic devotion with folk belief, but it continues there were no complications from their injuries. until the last drop of ink.” The cartoon showed Zunar being to draw big crowds, particularly in northern Pampanga “I think it takes an incredible amount of dedication and cuffed and with a metal chain on his neck, but still drawing province. commitment to really go through something like that,” said with a brush in his mouth. Painter Ruben Enaje, 54, was among half a dozen men American tourist Tracy Sengillo. “It’s really fascinating.” Sedition as defined by Malaysian law includes promoting whose hands and feet were rubbed with alcohol before locals Devotees undergo the crucifixions in the belief that such hatred against the government. Scores of people including dressed as Roman soldiers hammered sterilized nails into his extreme sacrifices are a way to atone for their sins, attain opposition politicians, activists, academicians and journalists flesh. He has repeated the same act for the last 29 years as part miracle cures for illnesses or give thanks to God. Similar are being investigated or have been charged under the of giving thanks after surviving a fall from a building. This year, reenactments were held in other villages around Pampanga Sedition Act since last year, mostly for criticizing the govern- he added a gadget- a small microphone near his mouth, and in other provinces, but San Pedro Cutud attracts most ment or ruling officials. although a technical glitch made it difficult to hear him utter crowds. Zunar was detained again after being released on bail yes- Christ’s last words. Before the crucifixions, hundreds of barefoot devotees terday for questioning about a picture on Facebook showing walked the streets whipping their bare backs with bamboo Prime Minister Najib Razak in prison attire. Latheefa said the ‘Becoming a circus’ sticks dangling from a rope. “I started doing this when my picture was posted on Zunar’s fan club page and he had no The reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion at a dusty mound in mother got sick, kidney problem. I vowed and prayed to God knowledge of it. The cartoonist was released after a few San Pedro Cutud village drew at least 4,000 spectators and so that she could be cured,” said electrician Marvin Tao, 25, hours.—AP tourists, dozens of them foreigners. Unlike in the past, organiz- who has been a flagellant for nine years.— AP Hundreds of fishermen rescued amid Indonesian slavery probe

BENJINA: Hundreds of fishermen raced to be res- meager belongings into plastic bags and rushed cued yesterday from the isolated Indonesian island back to the dock, not wanting to be left behind. where an Associated Press investigation found that many were enslaved to catch seafood that could Locked in a cage end up in the United States and elsewhere. A small boat went from trawler to trawler pick- Indonesian officials probing labor abuses told the ing up men who wanted to go and was soon migrant workers they were allowing them to leave loaded down with about 30 men. The Indonesian for another island by boat out of concern for their delegation began interviewing men on boats and safety. More than 300 fishermen emerged from assessing the situation on the island this week. nearby trawlers, villages and even the jungle to They have heard of the same abuses fishermen make the trip. “I will go see my parents,” said Win told the AP in a story published last week, which Win Ko, 42, smiling to reveal a mouth full of missing documented a company graveyard in Benjina and teeth. “They haven’t heard from me, and I haven’t eight fishermen locked in a company cage. heard from them since I left.” He left impoverished The fishermen described being beaten, kicked Myanmar four years ago on the promise of getting and whipped with stingray tails and given Taser- a good job in neighboring Thailand, but like many like electric shocks. Some said they fell ill and were others stranded in the island village of Benjina, he not given medicine; others said had been promised was instead duped into getting on a fishing boat jobs in Thailand but were instead issued fake sea- that took him thousands of miles from home with farer documents and taken to Indonesia, where no return. He said his four teeth were kicked out by they were made to work 20- to 22-hour days with a Thai boat captain’s military boots because he was no time off for little or zero pay. Their catch is then not moving fish fast enough from the deck to the shipped back to Thailand, where it enters global hold below. markets, the AP story documented. Initially, The current and former slaves began getting Indonesian officials told about 20 men from news about the rescue as a downpour started, and Myanmar, also known as Burma, that they could be some ran through the rain. They sprinted back to moved from Benjina to neighboring Tual island for their boats, jumping over the rails and throwing their safety following interviews with officials on BENJINA: Burmese fishermen arrive at the compound of Pusaka Benjina Resources to report themselves through windows. They stuffed their yesterday. —AP themselves for departure to leave the fishing company. — AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Indiana, Arkansas stems religious objections uproar Legislation to ease concerns about discrimination

INDIANAPOLIS: Two states roiled by criticism over ing that unless they’ve got a good reason to do so,” new religious objections laws are looking to move Republican Bob Ballinger told the House Judiciary forward after taking different approaches to chang- Committee. Despite some conservative groups say- ing the legislation to ease concerns about discrimi- ing the Indiana changes wrongly weakened reli- nation. The governors of Indiana and Arkansas gious liberty protections for business owners, leg- signed bills Thursday that lawmakers hoped would islative leaders maintained that a week of national quiet the national uproar over whether the laws turmoil needed to be addressed. “It is causing real offered a legal defense for discrimination against harm to real people right now in our state. I’m not gays. talking about those who feel their rights are being For Arkansas, the changes requested by Gov infringed, I’m talking about commerce in a major, Asa Hutchinson amid mounting criticism from major way,” Republican House Speaker Brian retail giant Wal-Mart and other businesses meant Bosma said. “So we had to be prompt. We had to revising the language to closely align with that in be swift.” With the men’s basketball Final Four set the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration for this weekend in Indianapolis, NCAA President Act. But for Indiana, which had seen businesses and Mark Emmert said the Indiana law “absolutely, pos- organizations ban travel and cancel conventions, itively” needed to change. Emmert even suggested the solution was an amendment that put the first that the organization could take its business out of references to sexual orientation and gender identi- the state if the law wasn’t fixed to his satisfaction. ty into state law. Indiana Gov Mike Pence, who said Officials in both states indicated they were the law was never intended to allow discrimination hopeful the worst was behind them. The original and blamed the fallout on “mischaracterizations” of bill “gave us a black eye. This bill ices it,” said Rita the legislation, signed the bill privately Thursday Sklar, executive director of the American Civil and urged residents to move on. Liberties Union of Arkansas. “We still need some Tylenol.” Indiana and Arkansas are now among 21 Moving forward states with comparable laws on the books. More “However we got here, we are where we are, LITTLE ROCK: In this Monday, March 30, 2015 photo, Rep Warwick Sabin (center), cheers than a dozen states are considering similar propos- and it is important that our state take action to with protesters outside of the House chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol. — AP als, but the backlash has given them pause. address the concerns that have been raised and Georgia lawmakers adjourned the final day of move forward,” he said. The revised Indiana law Democrats said the damage done by the uproar Arkansas was able to avert much of the fallout the legislative session Thursday without taking a prohibits service providers from using it as a legal could last for years, and some groups, including the Indiana has seen by making changes before vote on a divisive bill, leaving the measure dead for defense for refusing to provide goods, services, Indiana Catholic Conference and the Becket Fund Hutchinson signed the law. The revised language the year. Atlanta-based Coca-Cola warned lawmak- facilities or accommodations. It also bars discrimi- for Religious Liberty in Washington, DC, raised con- more closely mirrors the 1993 federal law and only ers against approving “any legislation that discrimi- nation based on race, color, religion, ancestry, age, cern that the law now goes too far and could open addresses actions by the government, not by busi- nates.” In North Carolina, the House speaker said national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, the door to discrimination against other groups or nesses or individuals. Supporters said that would deliberations over a bill would be slowed to give gender identity or US military service. allow for criminal prosecutions. “People of faith prevent businesses from using it to deny services lawmakers time to determine if the legislation The measure exempts churches and affiliated should not be coerced to violate their conscience to individuals. Opponents said they believed the would harm the state’s economy. schools, along with nonprofit religious organiza- in their daily lives,” the Catholic conference said in measure still needs explicit anti-discrimination lan- A proposed amendment to the Texas tions. Business leaders called the amendment a a statement. Former Indianapolis Mayor Bart guage. The lawmaker behind the original Arkansas Constitution would prohibit the government or good first step but said more work needs to be Peterson, now a senior vice president at drugmaker proposal backed the changes, saying he believed any other entity from imposing burdens on reli- done. Gay-rights groups noted that Indiana’s civil- Eli Lilly, praised the changes but said the state’s the law would still protect religious beliefs. “We’re gious freedom, potentially opening the door for rights law still does not include LGBT people as a image must still be mended. “The healing needs to going to allow a person to believe what they want businesses to refuse to serve gay people on reli- protected class. begin right now,” he said. to believe without the state coming in and burden- gious grounds. — AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Among college millennials, racism a lingering problem COLLEGE PARK: Kayla Tarrant loves the University of Maryland. But the campus tour guide says a racist email and photo attributed to her schoolmates makes her reluctant to encourage other black students to enroll “in a place where you feel unsafe and no one cares about you.” “We’re literally begging people to care about our issues,” Tarrant said with tears in her eyes to applause from about 100 students - blacks, Hispanics, Asians and a few whites - gathered to dis- cuss the racial climate at the predominantly white, 27,000- student campus. Conversations like the one at Maryland’s Nyumburu Cultural Center are taking place nationwide as racist incidents continue to pop up at colleges and universities, even though students are becoming increasingly vocal in protesting racism and administrators are taking swift, zero-tolerance action against it.

Hateful and stupid acts This week alone, Bucknell University expelled three stu- dents for making racist comments during a March 20 campus radio broadcast. At Duke University, a noose was found hang- ing from a tree. “To whomever committed this hateful and stupid act,” said Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs at Duke, “I just want to say that if your intent was to create fear, it will have the opposite effect.” Officials have since accused a student in the inci- dent but have declined to release the student’s name or race. This is happening against a backdrop of promise when it NEW YORK: In this courtroom sketch, defendants Noelle Velentzas, (center left) and Asia Siddiqui, (center comes to race relations, with campuses enrolling record right) appear in federal court with their attorneys. —AP numbers of black and Hispanic millennials. The current col- lege generation - young people who came of age under the nation’s first black president - is said to have more accepting US committed to stopping racial attitudes, but putting an end to racism among them has proved elusive. The Bucknell and Duke incidents came days after spray- ‘homegrown extremists’ painted swastikas and nooses were found at dorms on the State University of New York’s Purchase campus. A former University of Mississippi student was indicted on federal civil ‘Launch an attack on the homeland’ rights charges last week, accused of tying a noose on the stat- ue of the university’s first black student and draping it with NEW YORK: The disturbing allegations indictment. I know it’s a serious case but Siddiqui came into “possession of multi- an old Georgia state flag that includes a Confederate battle were contained in court papers describ- we’re going to fight it out in court,” said ple propane gas tanks, as well as instruc- emblem. ing the latest homegrown terror plot Siddiqui’s lawyer, Thomas Dunn. tions for how to transform propane tanks Social media have stoked the issue, with top administra- thwarted by the FBI and the New York Velentzas’ attorney had no comment. into explosive devices,” and told the tors at Kansas State, the University of Northern Iowa and the Police Department. Noelle Velentzas and The complaint cites a poem written by undercover she was “disinclined” to talk University of Missouri urging students to stop posting anony- Asia Siddiqui were arrested at their Siddiqui that appeared in a magazine about her plans. “It is very, very important mous racist speech on apps. The wide usage of sharable Queens homes early Thursday following published by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian to note: there was never any imminent video has also been a factor. In February, students at the a sting operation using an undercover Peninsula that declared there is “no threat to our fellow New Yorkers,” Mayor University of Oklahoma were caught on video singing a officer wearing a wire. Officer searching excuse to sit back and wait - for the skies Bill de Blasio said when asked about the chant that included references to lynching and used a racial the homes recovered items including rain martyrdom,” investigators wrote in case. The plot, he added, “was undercut slur to describe how the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity three gas tanks, a pressure cooker, fertil- court papers. Velentzas called bin Laden before it could turn into something dan- would never accept black members. izer, handwritten notes on the recipes for one of her heroes, and said she and gerous.” “We had an epidemic of racism all across our country,” said bomb making and jihadist literature, Siddiqui were “citizens of the Islamic Neighbors of Siddiqui said she and her court papers say. State,” they said. brother lived in the basement of a red- University of Oklahoma President David Boren, who banned Velentzas, had been “obsessed with According to the complaint, the brick three floor house, owned by their the fraternity from campus. “Ferguson, Missouri, might be the pressure cookers since the Boston women “researched and acquired some parents, who didn’t live there. “She was best known case, but it’s all across our country every day, every Marathon attacks in 2013” and made of the components of a car bomb, like quiet, and I never thought she could do week.” Even before the Oklahoma incident, a little more than jokes alluding to explosives after receiv- the one used in the 1993 World Trade this,” said Mohammad Shahidul Haque, a half - 51 percent - of college and university presidents in an ing one as a gift, according to a criminal Center bombing; a fertilizer bomb, like retired hospital lab tech. The arrests came Inside Higher Ed poll conducted this year by Gallup rated race complaint citing one of the secret record- the one used in the 1995 bombing of the the same day as another US citizen was relations on college campuses as “fair.” —AP ings made by the undercover who man- federal building in Oklahoma City; and a brought from Pakistan to New York to aged to befriend the pair. The arrests pressure cooker bomb, like the one used face charges he supported a conspiracy show US authorities “are committed to in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing,” to kill Americans. Muhanad Mahmoud Al doing everything in our ability to detect, authorities wrote. After two New York Farekh appeared Thursday in Brooklyn disrupt, and deter attacks by homegrown City police officers were gunned down in federal court and was held without bail. violent extremists,” US Attorney Loretta a patrol car in December, Al Farekh, who was born in Texas, and Lynch said in a statement. “As alleged, Velentzas told the undercover officer two other co-conspirators were students the defendants in this case carefully stud- that the deaths showed it was easy to kill at the University of Manitoba in ied how to construct an explosive device a police officer, according to the com- Winnipeg, Canada, in 2007 when authori- to launch an attack on the homeland.” plaint. After the undercover officer men- ties say they started watching Al-Qaeda tioned that 25,000 officers had turned propaganda and hatching a plan to ‘Rain martyrdom’ out for the first of the funerals for the two become martyrs abroad, an FBI agent The women were held without bail officers, Velentzas “complimented” the wrote in a January complaint. after a brief court appearance where they officer for coming up with an attractive Al Farekh and the two others flew to spoke only to say they understood the target and considered whether the other Karachi, Pakistan, on round-trip tickets in MARYLAND: In this March 24, 2015 photo, charges against them. Velentzas, 28, funeral was an appropriate target, it March 2007 after selling their belongings, University of Maryland student Roland Zama wore a hijab and a dark dress, and added. disconnecting their phones and buying Siddiqui, 31, had on a green T-shirt with a mountain boots that authorities say are speaks during a town hall meeting about racism in long-sleeved black shirt underneath and Imminent threat commonly worn by Al-Qaeda fighters in universities and what can be done to stop it. —AP a dark long skirt. “My client will enter a The complaints suggests that authori- Pakistan and Afghanistan, the complaint plea of not guilty, if and when there is an ties decided to make the arrests after says. His lawyer did not comment. —AP Airbnb to Cuba in major Largest Soviet kid’s store Portugal peaceful haven for BusinessUS business expansion 18reopens as patriotic mall 19 wealthy European retirees 20 SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 US jobs machine stalls in March 17

LAUSANNE: US Secretary of State John Kerry (second left) and US Undersecretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman (second right) listen as US President Barack Obama addresses the US people about the status of Iran’s nuclear program talks at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne after the Iran nuclear program talks finished on Thursday. — AFP Billions up for grabs in Iran Good news for Gulf logistics, transport firms

DUBAI: Iranian investment banker Ramin roadshows for investors in Europe and possi- which totalled Ä7.6 billion ($8.3 billion) last Rabii said the boost to Iranian production Rabii says he shouted in joy when he learned bly Dubai. year, could balloon 400 percent by mid- from easier trade would quickly spur the that Tehran and world powers had reached Frozen out of the international banking 2018, Emadi said. economy, even if big foreign investment a deal which promises to lift economic sanc- system, its foreign trade slashed by the sanc- deals took longer to arrange. “Iranian indus- tions on Iran. Then he called colleagues to tions, Iran looks likely to become the biggest Banking Sanctions try is currently operating at about 60 to 70 discuss the business implications. Rabii, country to rejoin the global economy since The complex web of financial, shipping, percent capacity. Thirty percent is idle - managing director of Turquoise Partners, a post-Communist eastern Europe in the early energy and technology sanctions woven by that’s because of the sanctions. Getting this Tehran-based investment firm with about 1990s. The resulting boom could create tens the United States, the European Union and working again is the low-hanging fruit of lift- $200 million of assets under management, of billions of dollars worth of business for the United Nations is expected to take years ing the sanctions.” has been grappling for years with the results both local and foreign companies and shift to remove, even if a final nuclear agreement The economic benefits would extend of the sanctions: unstable growth, high infla- the economic balance in the Gulf, which has is reached and implemented smoothly. As a across the Gulf, particularly to Dubai, which tion, international banking restrictions and so far been heavily weighted towards the result Iran’s oil exports, cut by the sanctions is a traditional hub for business with Iran and hard currency shortages. rich Gulf Arab oil exporting countries. to about 1.1 million barrels per day from 2.5 has a large Iranian community. The sanc- The agreement on curbing Iran’s nuclear “Precautionary talks have already started million bpd in 2012, may not start rebound- tions slashed Dubai’s trade with Iran by program, reached on Thursday, will - if con- between Iran and some big Western ing before 2016. But the single most damag- more than a third; the emirate could now firmed in a final deal by a June 30 deadline - investors” in areas such as oil and autos, said ing sanctions measure, the US Treasury’s use become a jumping-off point for foreign begin to ease those crippling problems for Iranian-born economist Mehrdad Emadi of of Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act to companies going back into Iran. Airlines and Turquoise and thousands of other Iranian London’s Betamatrix consultancy. “Now identify Iran as a money laundering area, logistics firms around the region also stand firms. “We’ve been preparing for this there will be accelerating momentum.” He could be lifted quickly by the Obama admin- to profit. Tarek Sultan, chief executive of moment for 10 years,” Rabii said by tele- predicted annual growth of Iran’s $420 bil- istration, analysts believe. Kuwait-listed logistics giant Agility, said Iran phone, adding that in the months leading lion economy would rise by as much as 2 This would have a big impact on trade was potentially attractive because its isola- up to the deal Turquoise was in touch with percentage points to over 5 percent in the and investment by letting foreign banks tion had encouraged it to develop indige- hundreds of potential foreign investors year after a final nuclear deal. It could accel- deal with Iran without fear of being targeted nous expertise that could allow it to leapfrog about opportunities for them if sanctions erate further to 7 or 8 percent in the follow- by US officials. Iran could be re-admitted to other economies. “When the international were lifted. He said the company now ing 18 months - matching the growth of the SWIFT global payments system, from situation is resolved and restrictions are lift- planned to develop its asset management Asia’s “tiger economies” during their boom which it was expelled in 2012, within three ed, we’ll be among the first ones in there,” and brokerage businesses, and would hold years. Iran’s trade with the European Union, months of a final nuclear deal, Emadi said. Sultan told Reuters late last year. — Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Deal opens opportunities for Western oil firms PARIS: The Iranian nuclear deal, which heralds a lifting of would be lifted. Iran has pushed for an immediate lifting of While most oil investment deals globally are in the form sanctions choking the country’s economy, could offer an the sanctions during the negotiations, but the P5+1 - of production sharing agreements, with the state getting a unparalleled opportunity for foreign oil companies, but Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus slice of the output in return for the concession, Iran preferred may take time to tap. Thursday’s deal “could represent a Germany - have favoured phasing them out over two years. buy-back deals. Under these the international oil companies first step towards a return of Western oil companies” to Once sanctions are lifted, Iran will no doubt be looking to are in effect a contractor to Iran’s national oil company, and Iran, said an analyst. The sanctions imposed on Iran by the market the oil stocks it has accumulated in order to raise are paid at agreed rates for their investments into installa- United States, then by the United Nations and European cash. It could then “before the end of the year increase its tions. “Iran is conscious of that, in particular the Iranian oil Union, led to the gradual departure of major Western oil (production) level significantly”, said Guy Maisonnier, an ministry, which has been working for some time on a new companies, leaving just Chinese and Indian firms. The lift- economist at IFP Energies Nouvelles research centre, point- framework oil agreement, the Iran Petroleum Contract” or ing of sanctions offers a rare opportunity: entry into a coun- ing out it produced 3.4 to 3.6 mbpd in 2012. But the hike in IPC, which should be more attractive for foreign investors, try that is both a major oil and gas producer. production depends upon the condition of Iranian oil wells said Perrin, because Iran “wants to work with the best”. Despite sanctions cutting oil output by over a quarter, and refineries, which haven’t had access to spare parts and As the extended absence of US oil companies from Iran from 4 million barrels per day in 2008 to 2.81 mbpd on technology from the West for several years. risks making their return more complicated, European com- average in 2014, Iran still remains the fifth largest producer panies such as France’s Total, Italy’s Eni or Royal Dutch Shell in the OPEC oil cartel. It exports around 1.1 mbpd of oil. Iran Iran Wants the Best may have an advantage, said Perrin. He said Iran “isn’t very holds the second-largest gas reserves in the world behind Iran has made no secret of its desire to see Western ener- satisfied” with the Asian companies currently operating in Russia. “Iran is a country with considerable oil and gas gy companies return. At the Davos forum of international the country. While the reopening of Iran offers energy com- potential,” said Francis Perrin, head of the SPE group of business elites in Switzerland last year, Iranian President panies opportunities, it won’t immediately help them as it energy policy trade journals. Hassan Rouhani called on them to invest in his country’s could prevent a rebound in oil prices which have fallen by But any return is at least months away, according to energy sector. But their interest in doing so will depend 60 percent from peaks last year, although that is a benefit Pierre Terzian, head of the Petrostrategies weekly. greatly upon the conditions Tehran offers. “For the energy for the global economy. Thursday’s deal is “a political accord containing the major companies to return to Iran the fiscal terms of the contracts “For the world economy, the re-integration of Iran could principles. They will have to work on the technical details are attractive, which wasn’t the case before the sanctions,” help to keep oil prices lower for longer and mitigate the and reach a definitive agreement” by June 30, he said. said Bertrand Hodee, an energy analyst at the Raymond risks that conflicts elsewhere such as in Libya might pose to Moreover, as French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said James brokerage. “The Iranian system of buy-back contracts global oil supply,” said economist Holger Schmieding at yesterday, there is still no deal on when the sanctions was too risky for international companies,” he said. Berenberg bank. — AFP Turkey March Nuclear deal means more inflation jumps Iran oil, but not this year on food costs No significant increase in exports until 2016 ISTANBUL: Rising food costs pushed Turkey’s con- sumer prices sharply higher in March, data showed yes- WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: A framework terday, which may encourage the central bank to resist accord to curb Iran’s nuclear program political pressure for aggressive rate cuts in the run-up forged on Thursday could eventually allow to elections in June. Faced with flagging growth and Tehran to reclaim lost ground in the global parliamentary elections, President Tayyip Erdogan has oil market. Yet the deal all but guarantees demanded lower borrowing costs, raising concerns that cannot happen before next year. By about the independence of the central bank. The cen- ensuring that sanctions remain intact until tral bank kept rates on hold at its last meeting, citing Western powers are satisfied Tehran is the impact of a sliding currency on inflation. March’s adhering to the terms, and giving negotia- rising food prices also highlight the pressure on living tors until June 30 to hammer out a com- costs for ordinary Turks - something Erdogan and the prehensive agreement, the deal offers lit- tle chance for any significant increase in AK Party he founded want to avoid ahead of elections. exports until 2016. The inflation outlook “is far from justifying” a While global Brent oil prices tumbled resumption in interest rate cuts, Finansbank economist as much as 5 percent on Thursday to $54 Gokce Celik said in a note. “We see the bank remaining in anticipation of a deal that could allow on hold in its April meeting, as it did in March”. Iran to begin selling more crude within Consumer prices jumped 1.19 percent month-on- months, traders later began weighing the month, the Turkish Statistics Institute said, well above timing of that return. Brent traded at more the 0.89 percent increase forecast in a Reuters poll. than $55 a barrel by day’s end. Verifying Food prices contributed to half that increase. Unlike compliance by Iran, once the world’s fifth- core inflation, also closely watched by economists, con- largest oil producer, will “likely take many sumer prices include food and energy costs, which are months after implementation, which itself TEHRAN: Women sitting in a car flash the ‘V for Victory’ sign as they celebrate beyond the control of central banks. is likely to slip from the June 30 target,” on Valiasr Street in northern Tehran on Thursday, after the announcement of “We are face-to-face with an inflation dynamic that said Bob McNally, president of energy an agreement on Iran nuclear talks. — AFP does not sit with the trend we desire,” Finance Minister research group Rapidan Group and a for- mer adviser to President George W. Bush. expected and US shale oil production ‘were betting on an increase of 200,000 to Mehmet Simsek told broadcaster NTV in an interview, growth is rapidly slowing, adding to the 600,000 bpd in Iran’s exports within six adding the trend could be helped by lower oil prices. Jason Bordoff, founding director at Columbia University’s Center on Global market’s uncertainty. “This preliminary months of easing sanctions. Tim Boersma, Nonetheless, Turkey will “easily” see 4 percent growth Energy Policy and former adviser to deal will be hanging over ... the oil market acting director of the Energy Security and this year, Simsek said. A nuclear deal with Iran would President Barack Obama, agreed: “It is through the rest of this quarter,” said oil Climate Initiative at Brookings Institution, be positive for Turkey’s exports, he added. Compared going to take time for Iranian oil to come analyst Jim Ritterbusch. said Iran might even manage 500,000 bpd with the same month last year, the consumer inflation back to the global market, likely not until within 90 days. Yet a full recovery in out- rate rose to 7.61 percent. Domestic producer prices 2016 at the earliest.” The delayed impact Sanctions may ‘Snap Back’ put was seen as unlikely until the second rose 1.05 percent on the month, for an annual rise of may be quietly welcome news for Saudi US and EU sanctions, which have half of 2016 as new investment would be 3.41 percent, the data showed. Arabia, Iraq and others in the Organization choked off nearly 1.5 million barrels per needed to rejuvenate fields. Even that may However, separate data on auto sales for the month of the Petroleum Exporting Countries day (bpd) of Iranian exports since early now be optimistic. “Sanctions relief is gave a somewhat brighter picture of consumer health, (OPEC), who had feared that a rapid 2012, will only be suspended after the unlikely to begin for at least six months to showing a rise of 75 percent from the same period last rebound in Iranian output could pile more International Atomic Energy Agency has a year even after a deal is signed in June,” year, when sales were battered by a tax increase and pressure on oil prices that have halved “verified that Iran has taken all of its key analysts at Energy Aspects said in a note tougher credit regulations. The Automotive since last summer due to a global glut. nuclear-related steps,” according to a on Thursday. Distributors Association said forthcoming elections and However it may also make for a tricky statement outlining the plan of action It is unclear whether any potential buy- issued by Iran and world powers in ers might move early to step up purchas- expected structural reforms would have a “decisive” summer. OPEC is due to meet on June 5, Switzerland. “If at any time Iran fails to ful- es, betting that Washington and European impact on the auto industry in the coming year. the first gathering since it decided in November to maintain production despite fill its commitments, these sanctions will powers will be unlikely to punish them for Markets brushed off the data, with the lira little moved snap back into place.” a breach of sanctions that are about to be at 2.5930 and the main stock index flat. — Reuters tumbling prices. In the meantime, global demand has been rising more quickly than Most market experts had said they phased out. — Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Gold firms after US payrolls data misses forecasts

LONDON: Gold prices firmed on Friday in holiday-thinned trad- ing, after data showing US employers added the fewest jobs in over a year in March fuelled speculation that a US interest rate hike may be delayed. Non-farm payrolls increased by 126,000 last month, the smallest gain since December 2013, the Labor Department said on Friday. That ended 12 straight months of job gains above 200,000, the longest streak since 1994. Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,202.70 an ounce by 1418 GMT, after easing 0.2 percent on Thursday. “Investors are dialling back on the rate hike expectations,” Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Ava Trade, said. “This translates a good news for gold, but bad news for the dollar.” The data has led to speculation that the Federal Reserve may delay their first increase in US interest rates in nearly a decade, which had been expected later this year. The dollar tumbled as much as 1 percent against the euro after the significantly weak- er-than-expected report, while US Treasuries rose, with bench- mark 10-year yields hitting nearly two-month lows. “The payroll figure is a lot weaker than anybody had antici- pated,” Jim Kochan, chief fixed income strategist at Wells Fargo Funds Management, said. “These numbers suggest we won’t see the funds rate increase at the June Fed meeting and the onset of WASHINGTON: A worker stands with a sign at a construction site yesterday. The US economy produced a dis- policy normalization until later this year.” Gold tends to suffer appointing 126,000 jobs in March, half of what was expected and the worst month since Dec 2013, the Labor when rates rise, as that increases the opportunity cost of holding Department reported. —AFP non-yielding bullion, while boosting the dollar, in which the metal is priced. Gold jumped nearly 2 percent on Wednesday in its sharpest one-day gain in two months, after US private hiring in March US generates a paltry missed market forecasts, suggesting Friday’s more comprehen- sive employment report could also underwhelm. Trading is expected to be lean with most markets, including those in the United States and Europe, shut for the Good Friday holiday. 126,000 jobs in March Among other precious metals, platinum was up 0.5 percent at $1,155 an ounce, while palladium was down 0.5 percent at $740.65 an ounce. Silver was down 0.4 percent at $16.64 an Unemployment rate unchanged at 5.5 % ounce. —Reuters WASHINGTON: US employers added could even wait until 2016. least looking for a job, slipped one- the fewest number of jobs in more March’s tepid increase in payrolls tenth of a percentage point to 62.7 US Treasuries than a year in March, which could ended 12 straight months of job gains percent last month, other measures on heighten concerns over the recent above 200,000, which had been the the Fed’s so-called dashboard contin- slowdown in economic growth and longest streak since 1994. In addition, ued to improve. A broad measure of rally, futures delay an anticipated interest rate data for January and February was joblessness that includes people who increase by the Federal Reserve. revised to show 69,000 fewer jobs cre- want to work but have given up drop after data Nonfarm payrolls rose 126,000 last ated than previously reported, giving searching and those working part-time month, the smallest gain since the report an even weaker tone. The because they cannot find full-time NEW YORK: US Treasuries prices rallied, the dollar fell and December 2013, the Labor Department paltry job gains could fan fears that the employment fell to a more than 6-1/2- equity futures stumbled yesterday after weaker-than- said yesterday. The goods producing recent weakness in economic activity year low of 10.9 percent from 11 per- expected March US jobs data. Labor Department data sector, which had been hurt by a could be more fundamental rather cent in February. The number of showed US employers added just 126,000 jobs in March, the strong dollar and lower crude oil than due to transitory factors. Americans unemployed for 27 weeks fewest in more than a year. The figure was well below expec- prices, shed 13,000 jobs in March - the Until last month, the labor market or longer also declined further. tations for a gain of 245,000, according to a Reuters poll of largest drop since July 2013. had largely shrugged off a harsh win- Some economists believe that bad economists. Recent data suggests the first quarter ended on The unemployment rate held at a ter, a buoyant dollar, weaker global weather could have hampered job a weak note, weighing on investor sentiment. The bond more than 6-1/2-year low of 5.5 per- demand and a now-resolved labor dis- growth last month, citing a decline in market rallied sharply, pushing the benchmark 10-year cent because people dropped out of pute at West Coast ports, which have construction payrolls and a sharp decel- Treasury note to its lowest level in about two months, as the the labor force. “There’s no question combined to undermine economic eration in leisure and hospitality expectation for a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike by that the economy is showing the nega- activity in the first quarter. Growth employment gains. The average work September diminished. tive effects of the stronger dollar and braked sharply over the past three week fell to 34.5 hours last month from US equity futures fell nearly 1 percent, with S&P 500 E- the collapse in oil prices. Corporate months. Gross domestic product esti- 34.6 in February. “It is very likely that mini futures dropping 19.75 points to 2039.75 in thin vol- profits have come under pressure, and mates for the first quarter are as low as weather has been part of the story, but ume in a 45-minute abbreviated session. It indicates a weak hiring has been adjusted in response,” a 0.6 percent annual pace, but the the latest numbers bring payrolls more open for stocks on Monday. “The sharply lower-than-con- in line with other data that signals some sensus job creation for March is a reminder that the US eco- said Jim Baird, chief investment officer slowdown is expected to be temporary. nomic recovery is yet to reach escape velocity,” said at Plante Moran Financial Advisors in underlying slowing,” said Alan Ruskin, Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic advisor at Allianz Se in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Wages Up global head of G10 FX strategy at Newport Beach, Calif. Economists polled by Reuters had There was some good news in the Deutsche Bank in New York. Trading was thin yesterday due to the Good Friday holi- forecast payrolls increasing 245,000 employment report. Average hourly Private payrolls increased 129,000 last day, as major US stock exchanges were closed, so the reac- last month and the unemployment earnings, which are being closely month, slowing from 264,000 in tion in both US Treasuries and in US equity futures was rate remaining at 5.5 percent. Prices watched for clues on the timing of a February. Employment growth was held affected by the light volume. Major European markets are for US government debt rose as Fed rate hike, increased seven cents, back by a decline in the goods produc- closed from Friday to Monday for the Easter holiday, reopen- investors further pushed back their lifting the year-on-year gain to 2.1 per- ing sector payrolls. Construction employ- ing on Tuesday. Asian equity markets rallied in thin trading expectations for a Fed rate hike this cent. With Wal-Mart and McDonald’s ment fell 1,000. Manufacturing, which ahead of the Easter holiday and the US jobs figures. The year. The US dollar fell against a bas- announcing pay increases for their has been hit by the strong dollar and report weakened the dollar, continuing recent short-term ket of currencies and US stock index hourly workers, wage growth could softer global demand, saw payrolls fall weakness in the greenback that followed a 20-percent-plus futures slipped. The US central bank gain some traction in the months by 1,000. Government employment fell rally in the currency against major trading partners. With has appeared keen to raise its key ahead. Other companies, including TJX 3,000. The mining sector also saw more European economic data coming in better than anticipated, overnight lending rate, which it has Cos Inc and health insurer Aetna, also job losses last month, with payrolls the dollar’s recent sluggishness may have further to run. The kept near zero since December 2008. have announced wage increases. falling 11,000. That reflected ongoing dollar index slid 1 percent to a low of 96.394. Against the But the economy’s recent softness has While the labor force participation losses in oil and gas extraction, which yen, the dollar fell to 118.92, or 0.7 percent . —Reuters led investors to push back bets on the rate, or the share of working-age has taken a hit from lower crude oil rate lift-off. Some believe the Fed Americans who are employed or at prices. —Reuters BUSINESS FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Stock split could cost Google over $500m

SAN FRANCISCO: An unorthodox stock split ures under a complex formula. “This shows the designed to ensure Google CEO Larry Page and market does place a value on owning a voting fellow co-founder Sergey Brin retain control of stock,” he said. the Internet’s most profitable company could Google disclosed in a recent regulatory filing cost Google more than half a billion dollars. that it would have owed about $593 million to Page, 42, and Brin, 41, have maintained control class C stockholders had the calculations been over Google since they started the company in a done on Dec 31. Based on that estimate, the rented Silicon Valley garage in 1998. Their ideas class C stockholders would receive roughly and leadership have spawned one of the world’s $1.74 per share in cash or additional stock. The best known and most powerful companies with exact amount that Google owes will be calculat- a market value of $368 billion and a payroll of ed based on the average trading prices over the about 54,000 employees. full one-year period that ended Thursday after Yet many investors have become frustrated the stock market closed. with Page’s unwavering belief that Google The Mountain View, California, company has should be spending billions on far-flung projects until early July to pay the money. It’s something ranging from driverless cars to diabetes-control- that Google can easily afford, given the compa- ling contact lenses that may take years to pay off ny holds $64 billion in cash. And the damage and have little to do with the company’s main In this Dec 12, 2013 file photo, Google co- In this May 15, 2013 file photo, Google co- could have been a lot worse: Google would have business of search and digital advertising. The founder Sergey Brin arrives for the founder and CEO Larry Page speaks during had to pay $7.5 billion, or about $22 per share, big spending is one reason Google’s stock price Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences awards the keynote presentation at Google I/O had the first-year spread between “A” and “C” is 3 percent below where it stood at the end of in Moffett Field, California. — AP photos 2013 in San Francisco. shares was 5 percent or more. Class C sharehold- 2013, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has category of “C” stock with no voting power that ing the split, Google agreed to compensate “C” ers should ask themselves if the money they are climbed 12 percent. would allow more Google shares to be issued shareholders if the average price of “C” stock fell getting is enough to compensate for relinquish- To maintain the power to drive Google’s without undercutting Page and Brin. more than 1 percent below “A” shares through ing their voting rights and ceding control to direction, Page and Brin initially accumulated Class “A” shareholders were outraged, skew- the first year of trading. Page and Brin, said Charles Elson, director of the virtually all of the company’s class “B” shares, ering the maneuver as a textbook example of Google’s theory proved wrong, said BGC University of Delaware’s Weinberg center for which have 10 votes for each “A” share. The duo, shoddy corporate governance. Google argued Financial Partners Colin Gillis. The difference corporate governance. Shareholders “are get- though, worried that control would erode as there wouldn’t be much difference between the turned out to be between 1 percent and 2 per- ting this cash for giving up their say in effective Google issued more “A” shares to pay for acqui- price of “C” and “A” shares because Page and cent through the first year, though the final gap management,” Elson said. “This could be a case sitions and reward other workers. A year ago Brin held majority control anyway with the “B” won’t be announced for up to 30 days as Google of ‘penny wise, pound foolish.’” Google declined Thursday, Google split its stock to create a new shares. To settle a class-action lawsuit challeng- works with outside experts to determine the fig- to comment. — AP Except for the rich, incomes of Airbnb to Cuba in major Americans fell US business expansion WASHINGTON: Most Americans’ incomes continued to fall last year, but the richest 20 percent saw theirs rise, a new Labor More than 1,000 properties across island Department report showed Thursday. In HAVANA: The popular online home-rental service state telecoms firm ETECSA agreed to connect been welcomed by Cuban authorities. fresh data that adds fire to a growing Airbnb is allowing American travelers to book lodg- phone calls from the United States directly to Cuba. Asked about the expansion, the US State debate over about income inequality, the ing in Cuba starting Thursday in the most signifi- Previously, they were routed through third coun- Department said Thursday that “we applaud efforts department said that Americans on aver- cant US business expansion on the island since the tries such as Italy and Spain. Netflix and MasterCard to help the Cuban people, including the nascent age saw income decline for the second declaration of detente between the two countries have also unblocked their services in Cuba, but only private sector, take advantage of new opportuni- straight year in the 12 months to June 2014. late last year. For a half-century, the US trade a handful of islanders have connections fast ties to move Cuba towards greater openness and The average pre-tax income fell 0.9 percent embargo had blocked such businesses from enter- enough to stream Netflix, and most credit-card prosperity.” Cuba has been wrestling with how to from the same period a year earlier, to ing the Cuban market. In January, however, the issuers still prohibit transactions from Cuba, making accommodate a surge of travelers since the $64,432. But broken down into quintiles, Obama administration loosened a series of restric- MasterCard’s move largely symbolic so far. announcement of detente. Trips to the island have those in the top 20 percent of incomes saw tions on US business in an attempt to encourage The Airbnb move could be the most significant been up nearly 20 percent in recent months, mostly their money stream grow by 0.9 percent to the growth of the island’s small private sector. development in terms of putting money in the by non-US travelers, and many hotels are fully $166,048 on average. Airbnb searches for “Cuba” now turn up more pockets of entrepreneurs across the island and bol- booked, particularly the few able to offer service Every other group lost ground, with the than 1,000 properties across the island, with 40 per- stering them in a stagnant state-run economy - close to international standards. bottom 20 percent losing the most: Their cent in Havana and the rest in tourist destinations leading goals for the Obama administration in “Airbnb’s momentous expansion into Cuba rep- average income dropped 3.5 percent to such as Cienfuegos a few hours away on the south- warming relations with Cuba. “I think this is going resents the first move by a major American compa- $9,818. Those losses came despite an econ- ern coast. The company has been sending teams of to help our business prosper, to definitely improve, ny to fully seize the opportunities presented by omy that was picking up pace and generat- representatives to Cuba for three months to sign not just private business, but everything here,” said both our new Cuba policy and the island’s bur- ing well over 200,000 jobs a month last year. up home owners, and plans to expand steadily in Israel Rivero, who owns an immaculately renovat- geoning entrepreneurial sector,” said Ric Herrero, While the majority of incomes fell, con- coming months. ed, pre-war apartment in central Havana. He executive director of CubaNow, a Cuban-American sumer spending, which accounts for about “We believe that Cuba could become one of charges $25 a night per room, but the price will go group that lobbies for closer ties between the two two-thirds of US economic activity, rose 1.0 Airbnb’s biggest markets in Latin America,” said Kay to $30 on Airbnb to cover fees and currency countries. For the time being, non-US travelers will percent on average. The largest increase Kuehne, regional director for Airbnb, the website exchange costs. Kuehne said Airbnb’s plans had not be able to use Airbnb.—AP was an 11.3 percent rise in healthcare and mobile app that allows users to book rooms in spending, which has climbed every year more than 1 million private homes around the since 1996, to an average of $3,919. Housing world. “We are actually plugging into an existing expenditures rose 2.0 percent to $17,377. culture of micro-enterprise in Cuba. The hosts in The new data added further evidence of Cuba have been doing for decades what we just the widening disparity between the rich started doing seven years ago.” and the rest of Americans, an issue that is One of the most developed and important ele- stirring growing concerns as the economy ments of Cuba’s entrepreneurial sector is a network strains to recover from the Great Recession of thousands of privately owned rooms and houses caused in part by Wall Street excesses. for tourists. Starting in the post-Soviet economic Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen repeat- crisis of the 1990s as homey, bed and breakfast- edly has raised the issue. On Thursday, at a style alternatives to Cuba’s generally grim state-run Fed conference on economic and social hotels, “casas particulares,” or private homes, have mobility in Washington, Yellen emphasized expanded into an industry with options ranging that “roughly 80 percent of Americans from small apartments in central Havana to multi- across the ideological spectrum see room beach houses with top-notch food and maid inequality as a moderately big or very big service. problem,” according to her prepared The Airbnb announcement is the latest in a remarks. — AFP series of U.S. business moves into Cuba. In February, New Jersey-based IDT Corp and Cuban HAVANA: Tourist leave a privately owned home with rooms for rent on April 1, 2015. — AP BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Greece ready to make IMF payment

ATHENS: Greece will pay a loan tranche due on April 9 our obligations on time, Dimitris Mardas told Greece’s Athens has not received bailout funds since August to the International Monetary Fund on time, its deputy Skai TV. “We are ready to pay on April 9.” Adding to last year and has resorted to last-ditch measures such finance minister said yesterday, seeking to quell fears the confusion, German magazine Der Spiegel quoted as borrowing from state entities via repo transactions of default after a flurry of contradictory statements on a finance ministry general secretary, Nikos to tide it through the cash crunch. The government is the issue in recent days. Greece is fast running out of Theocharakis, as saying Greece would probably not hoping approval of its latest reforms package will cash and its euro zone and International Monetary pay next week’s IMF tranche, prompting another unlock remaining aid of Ä7.2 billion under its EU/IMF Fund lenders have frozen bailout aid until the new denial from the Greek finance ministry. bailout and lead to the return of about Ä1.9 billion in leftist-led government reaches agreement on a pack- Theocharakis said Greece would be “close to the profits made by the European Central Bank on Greek age of reforms. That prompted the interior minister to end” on April 9 and called the technical teams from its bonds. Mardas said state revenue in March had suggest this week that Athens would prioritise wages creditors “completely useless,” according to an extract topped targets without providing figures, adding that and pensions over the roughly Ä450 million ($489 mil- of the article due to be published today. “Mr. progress had been made in talks with the country’s lion) payment to the IMF, though the government Theocharakis never characterised the technical teams official international on its latest the reforms list. denied that was its stance. of the institutions with the phrase attributed to him,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Greece Euro zone officials then said Greece told them it the ministry said in a statement. “On the contrary ... he would receive fresh funds only once its creditors will run out of money on April 9, which the finance referred to them as saying they include ‘top-notch approve the comprehensive list of reforms Athens has ministry denied saying. “We strive to be able to pay people with impressive skills.’” presented. —Reuters Largest Soviet kids’ store reopens as patriotic mall Store seeks to attract new generation

MOSCOW: A legendary store where Soviet ‘Store of my Childhood’ is overt patriotism. “We did this... for a great children once flocked to snap up the latest Ahead of the official opening on Monday, Russia, for all the people who live here. We want toys has reopened in Moscow after massive, if crowds of invited guests and curious passers-by you to live joyfully and in comfort,” said Sergei controversial, renovations as a glitzy mall pushed to get through the doors. “It’s the store Kalinin, president of the developers Hals in a boasting “the biggest of everything”. Under of my childhood, the shop of my kids when they grandiloquent speech to the crowd. wraps since 2008, Russia’s largest children’s were small. We spent time here and bought Russian flags hung down the walls at the store - historically known as Detsky Mir, or goods,” said Tatyana Petrovna, 67, music profes- opening. The lobby is dominated by a stained- Children’s World, though now called the sor. “It’s great that it’s still a children’s store.” The glass double-headed eagle and a stained-glass A file picture taken on March 26, 2009 shows, a detail Central Children’s Store on Lubyanka - has creators say the new store is the world’s biggest map of Russia, including Crimea annexed from of the new Tesla Model S all-electric sedan at the car's undergone a reconstruction worth eight bil- shopping centre specialising in children’s goods. Ukraine last year. At the same time, the store is unveiling in Hawthorne, California. —AFP lion rubles ($138 million) to try to attract a new Even the store’s Russian-made clock mecha- packed with Western brands, including designer generation of young shoppers. nism is the biggest in the world, the store’s own- ones. “Are there toys here from all around the Gone are almost all the Soviet period ers say, weighing five tonnes, and able to run for world?” asked Valentina Vasilyevna, a 70-year- Tesla reports details, the clunky original escalators and the sweltering heating system, and in their place are a six-storey glass atrium, designer brands ‘record’ quarter and Europe’s largest Hamleys concession, the famous British-founded toy retailer. New is an for auto sales ouvert patriotism, including one of the store’s own-brand souvenirs - a child’s T-shirt decorat- ed with a teddy bear in a military cap with a NEW YORK: Electric carmaker Tesla announced yesterday it red star and the slogan “for the Motherland”. delivered a “record” number of vehicles in the first quarter, as “Everything is the biggest,” said Andrei Kostin, it began more timely reporting of sales figures. The California the chief executive of VTB Bank state lender, firm started by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk said it sold which owns a controlling share in the store’s 10,030 cars in the first three months of 2015. “This was a new developer, at the opening. “There aren’t any company record for the most cars delivered in a quarter and other stores like this in the world.” represents a 55 percent increase over the first quarter last First opened in 1957, the vast emporium - year,” the company said in a statement. Going forward, Tesla located just across the road from the head- said it would publish the number of new car deliveries within quarters of the feared KGB secret police - three days of quarter end. “We have decided to take this aimed to prove the Soviet slogan “all the best approach, because inaccurate sources of information are for the children”. The choicest toys available in the old Soviet Union could be obtained here, sometimes used by others to project the number of vehicle often imported from East bloc satellites such deliveries,” the statement said. as East Germany, while the store’s ice cream The statement noted that “this is only one measure of our was considered especially delectable. The MOSCOW: A picture taken on March 31, 2015 shows an interior view of the financial performance and should not be relied on as an indi- spectacular building with huge arched win- Central Children’s Store at Lubyanka square. —AFP cator of our quarterly financial results, which depend on a dows takes up an entire block opposite the variety of factors, including the cost of sales, foreign exchange notorious looming headquarters of the state 100 years. “Everything’s the biggest, every- old pensioner in a peach wool coat and fur hat, movements and mix of directly leased vehicles.” While Tesla security service on Lubyanka Square. A new thing’s the most expensive!” one visitor as she gazed at the Hamleys wares. “The prices produces relatively few vehicles, it has become a star in the roof terrace gives a bird’s-eye view. exclaimed, laughing as he read a plaque by the are probably steep. In the old Detsky Mir we sector due to keen demand and a reputation for high quality. As the store became increasingly outdated clock. Children, lapping up free ice cream and could afford to buy things, but here we couldn’t The company currently produces its luxury Model S, cost- in comparison with Moscow’s European-style snapping selfies, seemed impressed. “I think - not straight away.” ing upwards of $69,000 but it is planning new vehicles includ- malls, the owners in 2008 closed it down. It there’s a lot here that children will want,” said The new store had to be renamed for trade- ing a more affordable model. Last year the group sold some was a controversial decision, criticised by 10-year-old Sasha. “If they finish building it, it will mark reasons because a Russian store chain 55,000 vehicles. Tesla has offered to allow rivals to use its preservationists who opposed the reconstruc- be paradise for children,” he added, referring to owns the Detsky Mir brand, so it is called the tion of the listed building by architect Alexei the still many empty units on upper floors. His Central Children’s Store on Lubyanka, a name patents for free in an effort to boost the electric car sector, Dushkin, and saw their fears confirmed. “The friend Taisiya, 14, said the store is “like a fairytale unlikely to catch on. Lubyanka evokes Stalin-era and has made efforts to improve the range of the vehicles to building has practically been lost. All that is left and it’s interactive”. “I’ll come here often purges when opponents were shot in the secret ease concerns that they could lose power without a nearby from the old building is the structure of the although I’m already not such a child now.” police cells nearby. Bizarrely, Hals announced an charging station. Earlier this week, Musk tweeted that the outside walls, the lamps in the atrium and a Some parents were not so sure. “It’s all ad campaign with the slogan, “If you love your company would unveil a “major” new product line next few banisters on the stairs,” Arkhnadzor group, changed completely. The kids like it, of course,” child, take him to Lubyanka”. Leaked ads month, leaving analysts guessing. Some reports said Musk which campaigns to save Moscow’s historic said Liza’s 38-year-old mother, Gyulnara showed children “interrogating” their parents, was likely referring to a home battery based on a design used buildings, concluded this week. Many ordinary Ananeva, adding she missed the Soviet-era inte- but were never released after being mocked in the Tesla vehicles, which he spoke about during a February Muscovites feared developers would simply rior. “Let’s hope the kids have fun here and it’s online. Hals declined to comment on the cam- earnings call. —AFP open a standard mall. not just a commercial enterprise.” A new feature paign. —AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

LOULE, Portugal: Residents of Monte da Palhagueira British Village, a nursing home for people over 55 years, gather for their weekly ‘drinks & nibbles’ hosted by the complex owners in the Algarve region of southern Portugal on March 25, 2015. (Right) A British nurse speaks to a patient at the Monte da Palhagueira British Village. — AFP Portugal peaceful haven for wealthy European retirees Monte da Palhagueira a Little England

MONTE DA PALHAGUEIRA, Portugal: With its washed houses nestled on a hill and surrounded by also happy with life in the village. “It’s our little cor- try, he added. Since 2013 all European private sec- Anglican Church and English gardens, Monte da olive and palm trees, Monte da Palhagueira is mod- ner of paradise, we never get bored here, people tor retirees who move for the first time to Portugal Palhagueira is a British outpost in southern elled on the ancient towns of the Algarve, talk on their doorstep, in England we would have a are exempt from taxes on their pensions from their Portugal, an “El Dorado” for European retirees due Portugal’s southernmost province which is popular much more lonely life,” she said. country of origin for 10 years. This measure has to its generous tax incentives and sunny climate. with British holidaymakers. But life in the town Living in the retirement community has a price: drawn thousands of retirees to Portugal, with But there are conditions to living there - residents resembles Little England. English dominates, even To have the right to live in one of its 33 villas French pensioners leading the charge. Last year must be more than 55-years-old and have a size- if Portuguese language courses are offered to new- spread out over 22 acres costs between £79,000 nearly 4,000 apartments or houses were sold to able nest egg of British pounds. “Here I have a life comers. The nurses and doctors at the town’s nurs- and £350,000 (euro108,000 to euro478,000) French nationals. without stress, I do yoga and go for long walks with ing home are British as is the town’s priest. In fact, depending on their size. Monte da Palhagueira, which was built on the my dog,” said Sally Kerr, a slender-framed 64-year- virtually everyone is British except the gardeners The properties are available under a “loan and site of an abandoned farming estate and inaugu- old, as she scans a panoramic view of green hills and housemaids. The Daily Telegraph and other accommodation agreement” - so if an occupant rated in 1999 by veteran British pop singer Cliff from the rooftop of her villa in the retirement com- British newspapers are delivered daily. dies or decides to move the amount paid is refund- Richard, has appealed to more than just British munity. ed and the property reverts back to the Amesbury retirees. After living in India, Italy, France and the She moved to Portugal two years ago after leav- ‘Corner of Paradise’ Abbey Group, a family-run firm that runs similar United States, Margrethe Munch Thore, 77, a ing behind a demanding job as a security manager George Rush, 78, a retired aeronautical engi- retirement communities in Britain. “It is the same as retired Norwegian culinary journalist and her at the Sellafield nuclear power plant in northwest neer who wears thick glasses, is a voracious reader. in England except that it is warmer here,” said the Swedish husband Sten, an 84-year-old economics England. Her husband David, 65, a passionate He also spends his time preparing the village’s director of the company, David Cornelius-Reid. professor, just moved into a 270 sq-m villa. “I have golfer, stayed behind in England and flies out to be quarterly newsletter, “The Full Monty”, named after “The arrangement allows families to avoid having everything here, I don’t need to travel,” said Sten, with her on weekends. He plans to join her perma- a 1997 British comedy-drama about a group of to resell the home and have to pay taxes and who wore white running shoes and jeans as he nently once he retires. The country’s mild climate unemployed men who become strippers. “I can’t notary fees,” he added. flexed his fingers on his Steinway piano. “And with played a key role in their decision. “Even in winter I imagine passing my time sitting in an armchair the glacial cold in Sweden, I would not survive,” he can take my tea on the terrace. And the cost of liv- until the end of my life, brains have to work. Fiscal Incentives added. There is just one complaint, according to ing is about 30 percent less than in Britain,” said Writing, learning a new language, is better than Demand has increased since Portugal’s centre- another resident, 66-year-old Alan Barker. “A cup of Kerr as she watered her plants. just waiting for death,” said Rush. His wife Paulette, right government introduced fiscal incentives coffee costs three times less in Portugal but there With its cobbled narrow streets and white- a retired Latin teacher who was born in Belgium, is aimed at attracting wealthy foreigners to the coun- are no real English pubs here,” he said. — AFP Mexican seniors work for tips

MEXICO CITY: Prudencio Diaz, a 66- the informal sector all their lives, or did Nieto pushed through a fiscal reform year-old one-armed retiree, stuffs gro- not contribute long enough to the pen- aimed at luring people out of informal ceries into bags at a Mexico City super- sion system. work in return for better social security market, working as a “volunteer” for tips After spending his childhood raising coverage. “We need to open spaces for to complement his miserly pension. cattle in Zacapoaxtla, a town in central them, or they’ll do it themselves, work- Diaz is among 22,000 seniors who toil at Puebla state, Diaz moved to Mexico City ing as street sellers, taking risks in activi- the end of checkout lanes across when he was 15 years old. Once in the ties in which they could have an acci- Mexico, wearing aprons and hoping mega-capital of 20 million people, he dent. This program is better, it’s more generous customers will hand them a held a series of informal jobs, from car- controlled,” said Barbara Bernes, deputy few pesos for their efforts. The retired rying water bottles to truck driver and director of the government’s senior citi- mechanic gets the minimum pension of bartender at a high-end restaurant, zens affairs department, which pro- 1,200 pesos ($80) per month, a bit more where he made pina coladas and other motes the volunteer work at supermar- than half the minimum wage. “My pen- cocktails. A fan of sports, he was paid kets. “It isn’t the policy we love the sion is not enough. I have no problem $10 per fight as a boxer. Losing his arm most, but, as the song goes, that’s being a volunteer packer,” the former in an accident while working as a what’s on offer.” boxer said with a smile, exposing some mechanic at the age of 25 did not stop Some 800 Mexicans turn 60 every missing teeth. his passion for sports - he has run 35 day and have no more than primary Making between $10-$20 per day in marathons over the years. Today, to education on average, limiting their tips, Diaz can earn the equivalent of his make ends meet, he also sells tamales, options for formal work, so many are monthly pension in a week of packing or cornmeal dough, outside the super- willing to work for tips putting groceries groceries. Only a quarter of the 11 mil- market, makes sandwiches for parties, in plastic bags. And by not getting MEXICO CITY: An elderly man receives a tip for packing in a supermarket lion senior citizens in Mexico - Latin trains young marathon runners and acts salary, they can still receive their pen- on March 17, 2015. — AFP photos America’s second-biggest economy - in commercials. Despite all these jobs, sion checks. With only 10 percent of Mayra Membrillo, a department head at said the labor and consumer markets receive a pension. Many do not get any “it’s not enough to live,” said Diaz. seniors saying they have technological the senior citizens affairs department. “have imposed competition, producing retirement benefits in their less than With 60 percent of Mexicans in off- training, “many can’t compete with Adelina Gonzalez, of the Mexican the socially excluded, the rejects ... a golden years because they worked in the-books jobs, President Enrique Pena today’s labor market demands,” said Human Rights and Democracy Institute, break between generations.” —AFP 2015 SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 4, APRIL SATURDAY,

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Easter eggs as decoration hang on a tree behind a snow heap in Oberhof, central Germany, Friday, April 3, 2015. — AP SEE PAGE 23 SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Models present creations by Pakistani designer Yousuf Bashir Qureshi at Fashion Pakistan Week 2015 , Thursday in Karachi, Pakistan. — AP/AFP photos Pakistan Fashion Week

Models present creations by designer Fahad Hussayn. SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Will Ferrell Ferrell, Wiig say they’re nixing Lifetime movie ill Ferrell and Kristin Wiig say they are abandoning Lifetime said the movie had already been taped and was plans for a Lifetime TV movie after the secret project being kept under wraps with plans to air it this summer. The Wbecame public. Lifetime confirmed news reports network didn’t immediately respond to a request for com- Thursday that the former “Saturday Night Live” cast members ment on Ferrell and Wiig’s statement. The pair appeared were cast as a couple who befriend a pregnant woman in together in the big-screen movie “Anchorman 2: The Legend hopes of adopting her child. The film’s ominous title was “A Continues,” playing it strictly for laughs. They’ve had big- Deadly Adoption.” The actors quickly issued a statement that screen dramatic roles, but their casting in a melodramatic they were disappointed word got out. Ferrell and Wiig said Lifetime movie seemed odd.—AP they decided it’s best to forego the project they labeled “top secret.” Paris holds film festival-for the blind n most movie theatres the lights go dark and the feature ter who led an audience debate after the movie, Benjamin in the United States and spread to France in the 1990s, where begins, but for an audience attending a Paris film festival Mauro, ventured that “if there wasn’t Audiovision, it would have government subsidies since 2012 have incited theatre networks Iunder way this month, the whole world is dark and stays that been impossible to follow this film”. to take take them on. Still, said Olivier Jaud de La Jousseliniere, of way. The Audiovision Film Festival, which began this week and Many of the children agreed it helped greatly, but one or two the Valentin Huy association organising the film festival and pro- runs to April 14, is unusual in that it caters to the blind and visual- said they had adapted to piecing together movies from the dia- moting access to culture for visually impaired people, “unfortu- ly impaired. Movies are screened as normal on the big screen. logue and sounds that having a narrated description wasn’t nately it is still not developed enough”. But in the theatre in a southern Paris district hosting the festival, indispensable. “I’ve always been used to ‘watching’ series and In 2014, just 16 percent of films in France came with an audio- the audience is wearing headphones hooked into a local net- films that it (Audiovision) handicapped me, in fact,” said one ado- description soundtrack, and less than two percent of theatres work to hear blow-by-blow synchronised descriptions of the lescent, Benita, during the debate. Mauro, too, admitted that the were equipped. In an effort to minimize the theatres’ outlay for action happening before their un- or poor-seeing eyes. system wasn’t perfect, and he had to turn up the volume on his hardware, the German audio company Sennheiser supplying the “A pterodactyl swoops from the sky and pecks Edouard on headphones to make the audio description audible above the headsets for the festival on Wednesday presented a smartphone the head,” narrates a voice in echo of a scene from the opening movie’s Dolby-boosted soundtrack. Jean-Marc Plumauzille, who app that allows the audiodescription soundtrack to be beamed film shown on Wednesday: a new French animation comedy helped put the Audiovision soundtrack together for the opening in over a wifi network. The efforts were appreciated by the stu- making light of prehistoric evolution, titled “Pourquoi j’ai pas film, also said that animations were a challenge “because they go dents at the opening day screening. One young visually impaired mangÈ mon pËre” (Why I didn’t eat my father). For the crowd of along at high speed and leave little space for narration”. Other girl, Margot, encouraged those behind the festival-and the tech- blind and partially blind school children in the theatre, the movies were taxing in different ways, he said, for instance in nology-by saying: “Keep going and, again, bravo!”— AFP movie-and its added soundtrack-elicited laughs and giggles. using the right words to evoke an atmosphere produced visually. Fabio, a nine-and-a-half-year-old who lined up to get popcorn for the feature, told AFP that the Audiovision description aug- Gradual progress mented his experience of the movie. “I imagine the film and I try For the organisers of the film festival, the process was pro- to ‘see’ the description,” he said. A blind-from-birth radio presen- gressively getting better. Audio-description systems started out Texas trooper cited for Snoop Turkey mourns death Dogg photo at Austin festival state trooper has been reprimanded for posing for a photo with Snoop Dogg at of iconic singer Kayahan Athe South by Southwest festival in Austin, because the rapper has several convictions for urkey yesterday mourned the death of one Ipek Tuter, 40. An activist for environmental and drug possession. Billy Spears was working at the of its most successful singers and song- nature issues, he gave many charity concerts. March event when Snoop Dogg asked to take a Twriters, Kayahan, who won the hearts of Kayahan is to be buried Saturday after a ceremo- picture. The artist posted the image to millions with his popular love ballads. President ny at one of Istanbul’s top concert halls. — AFP Instagram with the comment, “Me n my deputy Recep Tayyip Erdogan led tributes to Kayahan dogg.” Texas Department of Public Safety offi- Acar, known simply as Kayahan and seen by cials cited Spears for deficiencies that require many as Turkey’s number one pop icon, who counseling by a supervisor. Spears’ attorney doctors said had died of cancer aged 66 earlier said the trooper didn’t know about the rapper’s yesterday. “With his songs and music, Kayahan criminal record. The citation isn’t a formal disci- earned a special place in the hears of our nation plinary action, so Spears can’t appeal.— AP and played an important role in the develop- ment of Turkish pop music,” Erdogan said in a Snoop Dogg takes part in the ‘Keynote statement, saying the death had left “deep Conversation with Snoop Dogg’ at the South scars”. by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. — AP “The works of our singer will live on and always be treated with love and respect,” said Erdogan. Culture Minister Omer Celik wrote on Twitter: “I’ve learnt with great sorrow of the passing of Kayahan... With his touching songs Mexico City denies 007 and his chivalry, Kayahan will always have a spe- cial place.” Born in 1949 in the Aegean city of film killed businesses Izmir, Kayahan’s career took off in the late 1970s and he released over a dozen highly-regarded exico City’s government denied on “We can affirm that the event did not affect albums from the 1980s onwards. Thursday that local businesses were hurt but improved commercial conditions for busi- The multi-talented Kayahan won plaudits not Mwhen James Bond descended on the nesses in the capital’s center,” it said in a state- just for his soulful singing voice but talents as a capital to film scenes for the next 007 movie in the ment. Producers agreed to pay 255 businesses songwriter, lyricist and as a guitarist. He wrote all historic center. The local small business chamber some $2,500 per day they had to close, it said. It of his own material. He represented Turkey in the of commerce, Canacope, complained this week was the latest controversy surrounding the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest with the song that the closure of streets causes total losses of movie’s filming after reports that the country’s “Gozlerinin Hapsindeyim” (“I am Held Captive in $24.6 million to some 6,600 shops. But the city government asked for changes to the script to your Eyes”), which to the disappointment of his government countered that the filming of ensure the film’s villain would not be Mexican in fans only placed 17. He was famed also for his “Spectre” between March 19-April 1 had return for millions in tax breaks, an allegation that duets with the admired Turkish female singer increased the number of visitors to the historic producers denied. — AFP Nilufer, although for many years their collabora- center by 53 percent, with hotel occupancy rising tion was halted by a row over copyright. Married 30 percent. three times he is survived by his third wife, singer Kayahan SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

In a scene from a television drama, Afghan actress Leena Alam who plays Shereen, walks as her screen husband Abdul Quddos Farahmand Afghan actress grabs her while Leena Alam who she buys a few plays Shereen things from acts on set in street vendors Kabul. in Kabul. — AFP photos Afghanistan’s daring, taboo-smashing feminist TV drama n a grimy Kabul street, the director gives the order to roll the action takes place in a studio with sets decked out to look like a cameras, and filming starts on a remarkable new TV drama courtroom, Shereen’s house and legal offices. No detail has Ithat boldly challenges taboos about women in conservative been missed, from the portrait of President Ashraf Ghani in the Afghanistan. Shereen, the star, enters the scene and buys a few courtroom to the stapler on Shereen’s desk. things from street vendors when suddenly her husband, a pos- sessive and brutal man, grabs her. But tough, no-nonsense Breaking barriers Shereen won’t back down and a row ensues. Director and writer Max Walker, an Australian who came to “Shereen’s Law”, due to be aired on Afghan TV before the work in Afghanistan, says he took advice in advance on how to end of the year, tells the story of a 36-year-old woman who avoid drawing too much attention from conservative clerics. brings up three children on her own while forging a career as a “There’s been an enormous consultation, an enormous review clerk at a court in Kabul. Such a character is already shocking in of the script and of the whole storytelling process to make sure an overwhelmingly patriarchal society where most women are that it raises these issues, but it doesn’t raise them so bluntly confined to lives of menial domesticity. But the show deliber- and so offensively that it’s going to make the program go off ately ramps up the impact. Shereen fights corruption, harass- air,” Walker said. ment, and rape, and tries to divorce her husband, whom she Under the Taliban’s hardline 1996-2001 regime, television wed in a forced marriage. More than 13 years after the fall of was banned, but now 58 percent of homes have a set, accord- the Taliban, Afghanistan remains deeply wedded to traditional ing to the Asia Foundation development organization. customs and its airwaves have never hosted anything like this “Shereen’s Law” will face tough competition for viewers from before. “It is the first such drama-that is about women, that is popular imported Turkish and Indian soap operas. about empowering women, that is about the struggles of Frenchwoman Anne Jasim Falher, the founder and head of women in Afghanistan,” Leena Alam, the Afghan actress who consultancy firm ATR in Kabul and a long-term observer of plays Shereen, told AFP. Leena Alam prepares to act on set in Kabul. Afghan society, says television has a role to play in changing actors said no to a storyline they found just too challenging. attitudes. “Television has allowed people to shake things up on Giving women a voice One, who played a lawyer friend of Shereen, was forced to pull forced marriage, probably also on violence against women and Women in Afghanistan still suffer brutal violence on a daily out because her husband was unhappy with the show. As well violence within families,” she said. The 12 45-minute episodes basis. On March 19 a young woman was beaten to death and as portraying a strong female character, the series attacks the are being made by the Tolo television channel, one of the big her body burned in central Kabul for allegedly burning a Afghan judicial system, where rampant corruption is hidden successes of Afghanistan’s new media scene, largely funded by Koran. Defying entrenched conventions in such a country behind a wall of silence. foreign donors when it was launched in 2004. comes with a risk, as Alam who moved to the US as a child “It takes a lot of courage to write something like this and it The Moby group, which owns Tolo, claims a pioneering role with her family before returning in 2007 — admits. “It’s a bit takes a lot of courage to play something like Shereen,” Alam, a for itself, notably for being the first Afghan channel to have dangerous, even for myself. Yesterday we were shooting out- producer who has also appeared in several Afghan films, said. female and male presenters alongside one another. “You have side. When... I’m waiting for the shot I’m always scared that “But I think it’s time, after more than 30 years, to move on and to cross the barriers sometimes and you have to do something somebody may throw acid on me or somebody may hit me educate people and give them the information as bluntly as where you give the voice to the women,” Moby’s director of with a knife,” she said. Casting the show was not easy-several Shereen.” Apart from the exterior street scenes, the show’s programming Massoud Sanjer told AFP. —AFP Despite gallery delays, UAE cements status as regional art hub bu Dhabi’s branches of the likely to miss their planned opening done. Prices tend to start in the tens of most conservative of the UAE’s seven Guggenheim and Louvre muse- dates of 2015 and 2017 respectively in thousands of dollars, and have risen emirates, has been hosting biennial art Aums may be long overdue, but the UAE’s capital, but both museums are sharply since 2008. But an alternative art fairs since 1993, and Kito de Boer, an that has not stopped the United Arab using the time to show previews of their scene on Al Quoz and Alserkal Avenue, avid collector who has been based in Emirates (UAE), better known to some future collections or borrowed works where galleries such as The Third Line Dubai since 1990, says it is not all about for gold-vending machines and desert from their sister locations. The annual and Ayyam Gallery are located, provides money. safaris, cementing its status as the Abu Dhabi Art fair, held every a more affordable alternative. Sharjah’s Barjeel Art Foundation, for region’s art hub. Thanks to oil revenues, November, also brings in the art lovers, A visit to the XVA Gallery in the his- instance, shows Middle Eastern and Arab the desert nation of seven emirates has but it is Dubai that is the real art market- toric but remodeled Bastakiya district art from the private collection of Sultan been on an art-investing binge for three place of the Middle East. led to an encounter with the Iraqi artist al-Qassemi, an art enthusiast and mem- decades that has, for those with deep The emirate of 2.1 million people is Halim al-Karim, who has made Dubai his ber of the ruling family, as well as regu- pockets, made it the region’s prime fine home to branches of Christie’s and home. larly rotating temporary exhibitions. art market. Sotheby’s auction houses and countless “There is real art life here,” he said. “Sharjah has the most sincere interest in Repeated delays suggest that both galleries, making it the place where “Even if the market goes up and down, the arts,” said de Boer. “They are moti- the Louvre and the Guggenheim are much of Middle East’s fine art trade is the art will go on.” Even Sharjah, the vated by art for art’s sake.” — Reuters SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Identical Brazilian triplets say ‘I do’-together

uests at a wedding in southern Brazil walking down the aisle together. The 29- father was beaming as he gave them away. was unanimous. might have thought they had had year-old sisters appeared in the same white “We walked together to the middle of the There were 18 groomsmen in atten- Gtoo much drinks, but they were not mermaid gown, with identical hairstyles aisle and from there, I walked each one dance, each wearing different colors seeing triple. There were indeed three iden- and matching veils. The only distinction down the aisle individually,” said their depending on which wedding party they tical brides. Triplets Rafaela, Rochele and was the color of their bouquets. proud father Pedro. The brides spent six were with. After the vows, the lucky Tagiane Bini were married on March 21 in The trio has done everything together hours at the salon getting hair and makeup grooms-there were three of them too-each the state of Rio Grande do Sul in a joint cer- since they were young, and dreamed of done. A few styles were tested, but the vote dipped their new brides for a kiss for a emony, fulfilling their childhood dream of getting married on the same day. Their on the final look-a low, pulled back bun- memorable wedding portrait. — AFP ‘Halal in the Family’ takes online swipe at anti-Muslim bias

asif Mandvi is bringing the satire he’s honed on “The Daily Show” to a sitcom Aparody with a serious goal: unraveling anti-Muslim prejudice. The four-episode “Halal in the Family,” starring Mandvi as the patriarch of an “all-American Muslim family,” debuts April 9 on the humor website Funny or Die, the actor and writer said Thursday. The episodes, five minutes each, use sitcom con- This photo Aasif Mandvi ventions to address issues including FBI sur- provided by arrives at the veillance of Muslims in America, cyberbully- Comedy Central world premiere ing and hate groups, and media bias, Mandvi shows actor of “Million Dollar said. Problems facing the Halal clan will be Aasif Mandvi in a Arm” at El resolved, in classic sitcom fashion, by each scene from “The Capitan Theatre, episode’s end. Daily Show” on in Los Angeles. “I don’t know if we’re going to sweep Comedy Central. — AP photos across and change people’s attitudes 100 per- cent. ... If it inspires conversation and dialogue, with the project’s advisory council consisting LaSalle added. “We wanted to make a really 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. “I wasn’t on ‘The then that is a job well done for us,” he said. of Muslim, interfaith and civil rights organiza- comic piece that would move people.” The Daily Show’ then and didn’t have that plat- The title is an homage to the 1970s sitcom “All tions, LaSalle said. Among them are the Indian-born Mandvi, the “senior Muslim corre- form,” he said. But when he joined the in the Family,” Mandvi said, a “pivotal show in Center for New Community Muslim spondent” on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Comedy Central program, “I realized there is a dealing with social and cultural issues that was Advocates and Auburn Seminary. “This was a Show,” has appeared in films including power that comedy has and satire has as an really revolutionary at the time.” “Halal in the really challenging process,” she said, with “Spider-Man 2,” “Margin Call” and “Million access point for people to deal with incredibly Family” is part of a larger campaign to fight board members holding “different opinions Dollar Arm” and HBO’s upcoming “The Brink.” difficult issues.” ignorance and discrimination involving about what was too offensive, what was He said he was compelled to combine The need is even greater now, he said. Muslims, said Lillian LaSalle, Mandvi’s manag- effective.” activism with his career. “What happened to “After 9/11 Americans were asking, ‘Why? er and collaborator on the project. me is what happened to a lot of American Why did this happen?’ Since then, the conver- A companion website also launching April Senior Muslim correspondent Muslims, which is 9/11. sation has been hijacked by the media and 9, will offer further information on the series “It was very important to Aasif that you Suddenly, the people I care about, my fam- politicians, and the answer has been given to and social action campaigns. Themes for the don’t water down the funny. We weren’t mak- ily and others I know, are being demonized,” Americans, and the answer is to be afraid,” faux sitcom emerged through consultation ing a PSA (public service announcement),” he said, recalling the aftermath of the Sept. Mandvi said. — AP SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Chinese designers face struggle parade of unknowns on the cat- Lacking ‘space to grow’ walks of Beijing Fashion Week high- Zeng Yanjie recently returned from Alights the challenges facing Chinese Milan to try to set up a label, only to find designers trying to break into an industry out that, in her view, “independent dominated by foreign brands: high pro- Chinese designers do not have a lot of duction costs, excessive retail prices, and space in which to grow”. customers who still favor Western labels. “Beijing Fashion Week only has around Not a single international fashion house 10 independent designers and it doesn’t exhibited at the show, much of which took attract individual buyers,” she added. Most place in a former factory building in the Chinese associate fashion with expensive suburbs of the Chinese capital, far from the foreign labels, but young designers often spotlights of Paris, New York or London. ask equally high prices in an effort to build Instead the event was opened by a group their brand reputation-leaving them offer- of young Chinese designers, some of them ing poor value. “The problem is that many still students, who won a competition for of them have luxury prices for Taobao- the privilege. Among them was Liang Xiudong, from Xian, who presented a mixture of black capes, silver epaulettes and oversized sleeves. His watching father-dressed in a cheap grey-beige jacket-said proudly: “It’s good, very good, I see a great future for him.” But Liang was more sanguine. “I A model looking at her mobile phone at the backstage before the araisara know the biggest difficulties are still ahead Sara Arai Collection show during China Fashion Week in Beijing. — AFP photos of me,” he said. Another winner, Liang Fashion victim Diyun, 22, opened his Beijing studio last have hundreds of shops, but international year but his brand has yet to get off the experts say Chinese designers have yet to ground. find their identity. “The Chinese public’s taste is signifi- “Honestly, I see a lot of pretty things in cantly less advanced” than in Western China, but nothing I could call ‘modern countries, he lamented. A few Chinese Chinese style’ has emerged yet”, Anna labels that have appeared in the last 15 Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, said on a years-such as Zuczug or JNBY-have man- visit in January. China will drive almost half aged to establish themselves and now of global growth in the beauty and

France bans Models parading during the 23rd China International Young Fashion Designers Contest at China Fashion Week. ultra-thin models style products,” complained fashion com- mentator Hung Huang, referring to China’s giant online equivalent of e-Bay. “You can’t rench deputies yesterday voted to ban price it as luxury and sell something ultra-thin catwalk models, despite (whose) quality is not worth it.” Fhowls of protest from modeling agen- Designers defend themselves, saying cies in the world’s fashion capital. “Anyone the problem is driven by high production whose body mass index... is below a certain costs and an inflexible textile industry, and level will not be able to work as a catwalk Hung acknowledged that for a production model,” according to the amendment voted run of, say a mere 500 shirts, “you need in the National Assembly lower house of par- totally different equipment” than that liament. Agencies found employing models required for larger orders. “No one is will- considered too thin could be liable for a fine ing to supply you, they just hang up the of up to 75,000 euros ($85,000) and six phone on you. The costs are too prohibi- months in prison. “The prospect of such a tive,” she said. punishment will have the effect of regulat- Alice McInerney, a fashion journalist ing the entire sector,” said Olivier Veran, the and consultant based in Beijing, added: deputy proposing the amendment, who said “Factories have specific minimum order that similar measures had been taken in quantities that can be extremely high for a Spain, Italy and Israel. young emerging designer. So price points Health Minister Marisol Touraine had pre- get pushed higher and higher. “This can be viously said that young models should “eat A model parading a creation from a hard sell for a customer when comparing well and look after their health”. “This is an the Sara Arai Collection show during a more established international brand important message to young women who China Fashion Week in Beijing. having the same price point as a Chinese see these models as an aesthetic example,” designer they have never heard of.” added the minister. However, the National women’s ready-to-wear luxury markets in But Manix Wong, a Hong Kong designer Union of Modeling Agencies has com- the next 10 years, according to consultan- who is helping several Chinese labels try to plained this would affect the competitive- cy McKinsey. Many would-be Chinese make a name in Europe, held out hope for ness of French modeling. dressmakers head to elite Western fashion a future in which he believes disdain for The new law comes after a similar amend- schools to learn, and some are returning to vulgar nouveau riche displays of wealth ment was passed that would punish people the country in an effort to capture that will create new opportunities. inciting others to “extreme thinness” to a potential. “Not many Chinese customers appreci- year in prison and a fine of 10,000 euros. But the Asian giant’s wealthiest cus- ate unknown independent designers,” he That law was aimed at so-called “pro-ana” tomers remain captive to foreign brands. said. “But people are (becoming) more Models wear creations for Saint Laurent’s websites that some accuse of encouraging At the same time, multi-brand shops in educated and sophisticated in fashion. Fall/Winter 2015-2016 Ready to Wear anorexia. Up to an estimated 40,000 people which they can exhibit their wares are a They start to get bored of Gucci, Prada, fashion collection presented in Paris, as suffer from anorexia in France, nine out of 10 new concept in the country, leaving few Louis Vuitton-and also too many rich peo- part of Paris Fashion Week. of them women and girls. — AFP retail outlets accessible to individual ple using the same bag and wearing the designers. same clothes.”— AFP SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 RevolutionFashion or cynical ploy: fetes older women

lder women are fronting major fashion campaigns Oand one of the next Bond girls is 50 — mature ladies are having a moment, but does it rep- resent a change of attitudes or just a marketing gimmick? With her silver hair styled into a severe bob, clad all in black with huge sunglasses, 80-year-old US author Joan Didion cuts a striking figure in the new ads for Celine. A gui- tar-strumming, floppy hat-wear- ing Joni Mitchell, 71, fronts Saint Laurent’s Music Project, and Dolce and Gabbana focuses its new campaign on cackling Italian grandmothers. Meanwhile Madonna, 56, has been posing for Versace, Julia Roberts, 47, is the face of Givenchy and Italian actress Monica Bellucci, 50, will soon be the oldest ever Bond girl. Such adverts should be no surprise giv- en an ageing population and the growing purchasing power of older people in some parts of the world. The senior market is “one of the most powerful consumer groups in mid to long-term”, said Magdalena Kondej, an analyst for Euromonitor International. “Marketing targeted at elderly consumers that has found suc- cess to date often uses older Madonna arrives on the red Model Carmen Dell’Orefice celebrities in advertisements,” she carpet for the 57th Annual presents an outfit during the Italian actress Monica Bellucci said, citing L’Oreal’s recent sign- Grammy Awards in Los Adrienne Vittadini fashion poses during an event to launch ing of Jane Fonda, 68, to advertise Angeles. show at Mercedes Benz the 24th James Bond film 90s US top model Amber a face cream for over 60s. “This Fashion Week in New York. ‘Spectre’ at Pinewood Studios at Valletta presents creation by approach would also seem the Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire, Italian fashion designer best option for apparel brands west of London. Donatella Versace. and there is no shortage of poster girls for older, glamorous women,” Kondej added. But crit- is far from the top end of the age 41, and Eva Herzigova, 42, both of seeing 20-year-old girls in tected since the financial crash ics question whether this signals spectrum-American Carmen took to the runways in Paris in adverts for cosmetics to fight while wages have stalled. In 2012, a real change in attitudes, or are Dell’Orefice is still modeling at 83 January, skinny young women still wrinkles they don’t have,” she the over 50s accounted for almost simply the latest shock tactics by — but she says that stereotypes rule. But Sylvie Fabregon, who told AFP. half of all UK household spend- a fashion industry that will never still prevail. In one of her first runs the Masters and Silver agen- ing-and spending on clothing is give up its love of youth. modeling jobs she was asked to cies for older models in the Marketing gimmick? soaring, according to the Centre sit in a wheelchair, while in anoth- French capital, says she is seeing Many Western countries are for Economic and Business ‘Makes a nice contrast’ er, scouted because of her white increased demand for more seeing a growth in the “grey Research. Sandra Howard, a 74- Sylviane Degunst, 56, was hair, she was rejected because she mature women. “People are not pound”, not least Britain, where year-old author who was a top spotted by a model scout two did not look old enough. stupid-women have had enough pensions have been largely pro- model in the 1960s and 1970s, is years ago on a London street, and Artist, writer and curator Sue skeptical about the new trend, has since appeared in photo Kreitzman insists that older saying the fashion ads featuring shoots for high-street clothes as women are becoming more visi- older women are “not about grey well as other adverts. Slim, ble in all public spheres, and even power, but the power to shock”. although not tall, she has killer goes so far as to call it an “older “It’s one thing to have a beauti- cheekbones and hair that has lady revolution”. “It’s happening ful older woman in a cosmetics been white since she was 18. slowly, but it really, really is hap- ad-I think that does work,” she Degunst was a writer and pub- pening,” said the 75-year-old told AFP, citing “The Queen” lisher in her native France, but London-based New Yorker. actress Helen Mirren’s campaign struggled to find work on moving Kreitzman praises the Celine pic- for L’Oreal. “I think in fashion pho- to Britain and has embraced her tures for showing “that older peo- tography you can mix in older and new career. “I can’t use my mind ple are here, we’re beautiful-we younger women, I think that’s any more so I may as well use my count”. good. But if you go too much and old body... I’m having a great “What I love about it is that do it as a gimmick, it’s slightly time!” she told AFP. Joan Didion doesn’t look the offensive really.” However, she “We’re not in competition with slightly bit young. She’s gorgeous concedes things have moved on a the young girls, but I think it and she’s an old lady,” she told bit. “When I was modeling, you makes a nice contrast. It’s inter- AFP. On the catwalks, even if for- Italian actress Monica Bellucci poses during a photocall to promote were old when you were 30!” she esting to mix things up.” Degunst mer supermodels Amber Valletta, the 24th James Bond film ‘Spectre’ at Rome’s city hall. laughs. — AFP SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Burundi drums beat the ancient memories of unity

ith wild dancing to a furious beat, booming have played for the ancient spring festival of the sow- wooden drums echo over a hill in Burundi: an ing of the crops, before Burundi became a republic in Wancient sound, sacred tradition and once a 1966, after independence from Belgium four years ear- symbol of unity for the kingdom. Youngsters dance lier. It was the country’s main festival, celebrated in around the circle of 15 thumping drummers, led by 79- December to bless the farms, with preparations begin- year-old Antime Baranshakaje, still sprightly and wav- ning months in advance. The giant wood drums were ing spear and shield, himself the former drummer of carved in August as well as the animal hides prepared the last king of this small central African nation. Here to make their skins, with the drummers and their on a hilltop in Gishora, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) instruments then marching the winding 60 kilometer east of the capital Bujumbura, the drummers perform. (40 mile) route from Gishora to the royal capital at But it is no simple musical show: the ritual dance of Muramvya, celebrating in the villages on the way. the royal drums were last year placed on the United “They gave us food and drink,” Baranshakaje said, Nations Educational, UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural fondly remembering the parties on the way. “They Heritage list, which describes it as “a spectacle combin- respected us...the whole country was buzzing.” Once in ing powerful, synchronized drumming with dancing, Muramvya, the drums were silenced until the king Drummers of the Gishora drumming group, perform in Gishora. —AFP photos heroic poetry and traditional songs.” It says the “entire blessed crops: then the drum beats broke out with population of Burundi recognizes it as a fundamental wild banging relayed across the country, the signal for “imitated the royal power by bringing in people “the King of Kings, Jesus Christ,” said Ntabona. part of its heritage and identity.” Today, the drums are the farmers now to sow the fields. together,” then the bloodshed could have been Drums were instead used to herald the start of played for entertainment: but for centuries they were a avoided, he added, mourning the “one-party system” church services and school. The instrument’s pow- sacred rite, symbolic of a united kingdom - a powerful Drummer sets the beat that took power after independence. As a symbol of er waned further after Burundi’s last king, Ntare the memory for a country whose recent history has been As such, the drums were a potent symbol of a royal power, almost like a crown and sceptre for oth- Fifth, was forced to flee into exile in 1966. Now the scarred by decades of civil war and bloodshed. feudal kingdom at peace and united. It is a time er monarchs, one special drum called the “karyenda” drums are commercialized, and people see the remembered with nostalgia when people lived was kept hidden in the palace, played only for the drummers as entertainment “Today.. at parties Symbol of peace peacefully alongside each other - or at least, a time king at special ceremonies. “This drum symbolized people pay to have a drum,” said Ntabona. Still, the “The drum was the symbol of royal power,” said that was a far cry from the divisions, bitterness and the stability of the kingdom,” said Ntabona, adding ancient ways of playing and dancing, handed Father Adrien Ntabona, a Catholic abbot and anthro- then massacres that would later emerge between that if the drum was seized, it marked the complete down from generation to generation, remains the pologist. “It was no little thing, nor as commonplace as the Hutu and Tutsi groups. As the country gears up fall from power of the king. According to legend, the same. “Many things have changed,” admits it is today... For God came through the drum to protect for tense presidential elections in June, memories of appearance of the special drum coincided with the Baranshakaje. But the drummer, who has per- the monarchy and the kingdom, the whole country.” the role the drums played offer a potent memory. birth of Burundi’s monarchy centuries ago. formed in over 30 countries, say he has also adapt- Indeed, in the country’s Kirundi language, the word for “The royalty had an extraordinary ability to bring But the power of the drums was chipped away ed to more modern times. “He who strikes the drum — “ingoma” is the same as that for kingdom. together the population,” Ntabona said. “All the dif- under Belgian rule, especially with missionaries drum sets the pace for the dancers,” he says, quot- Veteran drummer Baranshakaje was one of the last to ferent groups had a role.” If the government had who sought to replace the power of the king with ing an old proverb. —AFP

Hong Kong families burn macaroons to honor the dead ong Kong families trekked up to hillside ceme- sports car. But in a city where shopping is king, modern teries yesterday to burn offerings for their ances- consumer trends are increasingly shaping the sacrificial Htors, with French macaroons proving this year’s gifts. “In the past, some people had only burned paper must-have delicacy for relatives to enjoy in the afterlife. furniture or buildings, now, people are seeking 3D tele- The ancient annual tradition sees thousands of people visions and will look for iPads and iPhones,” said Ng clamber up the city’s hills, despite the hot and humid Shuk-fong, whose shop in the central Sai Ying Pun conditions, to burn incense and sweep relatives’ graves neighborhood is crammed with paper offerings. And in the run-up to the Ching Ming festival, which falls on the netherworld’s taste for luxury is not limited to gadg- Sunday. ets. High-end French-style macaroons are the latest big Families traditionally burn likenesses of everything thing in Hong Kong cake shops and now paper ver- their deceased loved ones could ever want in the here- sions of the delicate confectionery are winging their after at graveside furnaces-from false teeth, razors and way into the furnace too. “There are customers...who shirts to chauffeur-driven cars, yachts, mansions and are specially requesting this product (macaroons) wads of fake cash. “This is where the parents of my because relatives who passed away had enjoyed eating grandfather are, and we come here to pay our respects them,” said Ng, 46, whose busy store has been selling once a year because during Ching Ming festival, they the paper likenesses for more than three decades. will come to receive things,” Agnes Poon, who works It is believed that burning offerings for ancestors for a property management firm, said at a cemetery in has been a tradition since the first Chinese emperor in the city’s Diamond Hill district. 220 BC. For those in modern-day Hong Kong, undertak- Poon, 40, said she had burned paper models of ing the ritual also gives them peace of mind. “There are shoes, clothes and gold and jewelry and food so that stories of people having dreams that their deceased rel- her ancestors could be more comfortable. “We believe atives told them they were feeling cold,” said Shirley they will be able to use these items in another world,” Ho, an office clerk with bags full of paper shoes and she said. Others burned bags filled with paper gold clothes after shopping at Ng’s shop. “After they burned A woman walks down a stairway between tombstones in a cemetery ahead of while another family burned a large paper model of a the things, it got better.” —AFP the Ching Ming festival in Hong Kong yesterday. —AFP SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

A view of the interior of the Roman baths in Bath, England, surrounded by stone columns and The half-moon formation of Georgian townhouses in Bath. — AP photos walkways. Georgian architecture, hot springs among gems in Bath es, there really is a natural hot spring beneath the city of Bath, Great Bath located below street level. You can see the steam swirling overtake the city for Austen-themed readings, workshops and, of but soaking in the above-ground sights and sounds will leave from a terrace on the street above. People dressed in period clothing - course, a ball. Yyou plenty relaxed. With its Georgian brick buildings and lush such as a Roman soldier or stone mason - stand in the archways. The green hills, almost everywhere in Bath feels like a living postcard. With complex includes several underground spaces and displays. The self- Royal Crescent landmarks from Roman and medieval times, you may feel you’ve guided audio tour, which includes commentary from writer Bill This half-moon formation of Georgian townhouses is one of Bath’s landed back in time, but the juxtaposition of stately terraced houses Bryson, thoroughly explains how the citizens of Aquae Sulis (the most famous architectural masterpieces, an arc-shaped cluster of and people hustling about on smartphones brings you out of that Roman name given to Bath) socialized, worked and worshipped. At buildings set behind a green field. The first home, No. 1 Royal fantasy. Bath somehow weaves together threads of small-town life the end of the tour, visitors can sample some of that rejuvenating Crescent, where former Parliament member Henry Sanford lived in with cosmopolitan sophistication. It has galleries, museums and the- water. the late 1700s, is also a museum. Rooms are furnished in 18th century aters. It’s a college town anchored by the University of Bath. And it is a style, with a glimpse of the upstairs-downstairs lifestyle of the era UNESCO World Heritage site. Even on a mere day trip from London, Jane Austen Centre (think “Downton Abbey” but 150 years earlier). Rooms to see include just 90 minutes away by train, Bath bubbles over with charm. Novelist Jane Austen lived with family in Bath between 1801 and the scullery, parlor and gentleman’s retreat. Don’t miss the servants’ 1806. Avid readers of Austen’s work know that Bath was a prominent hall, where you can see a replica of a dog wheel where a running Bath Abbey setting in two of her books, “Persuasion” and “Northanger Abbey.” But canine actually powered a cooking spit. A majestic landmark in the center of town, Bath Abbey is the third even fans only familiar with the movie adaptations will geek out place of worship to occupy this site in 1,200 years. The first church, inside the Jane Austen Centre. The three-story building on Gay Street Walking the Canal built in 757, was replaced by a cathedral soon after the Norman con- has a permanent exhibit and tea room. The experience reaches Every alley off the cobblestoned streets seems to be lined with quest of England in 1066. That one gave way in the 15th century to delightfully Austentatious levels with employees clad in period cloth- adorable shop windows. But to truly appreciate the villages and fields the abbey that’s there today. Walk inside and eye the vaulted ceiling ing giving brief orientations on the novelist. that surround Bath, a stroll along the canal is the way to go. You can and stunning stained glass windows showing 56 scenes from Christ’s The exhibit offers two floors of clothes, knick-knacks and anec- access the path from Sydney Gardens in the town center. In a 30- life. A floor plaque marks Queen Elizabeth II’s 1973 visit. Tours of the dotes about what daily life would have been like for Austen in Bath. minute walk, you’ll see flower-filled backyards and stretches of bright church tower are available; it’s just 212 steps to the top. You can end your wandering with afternoon tea in the third-floor green grass, all perfectly reflected in the still water, as locals jog by and Regency Tea Room, where a portrait of Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy looms walk their dogs. There are even sheep nibbling off in the fields. And it Roman Baths over patrons. If you are an Austen lover, good luck holding back in the doesn’t hurt that you will pass a pub or two along the way. — AP You might say the Romans were the first in Western Europe to gift shop where merchandise includes items branded with “I heart Mr. come up with the spa weekend. The Roman Baths date back to the Darcy.” The Centre also helps stage several events such the annual year 70, with a sprawling pool of natural, hot spring water called the Jane Austen Festival in September. For 10 days, hundreds of visitors Dominican immigrant goes from dishwasher to Michelin-starred chef

hortly after Maria Marte arrived in Spain attendant told her that a position had opened that Maria is always very driven,” Berasategui from the Dominican Republic in 2003 she up as a prep cook. Marte, who has said that as added. Mate moved on to other tasks in the Sstarted working as a dishwasher at a child she liked to play with ovens instead of kitchen, starting in the pastry department Madrid’s Michelin-starred Club Allard restau- dolls, showed interest in the job but was before moving on to prepare meat and fish rant-and just a decade later she has taken over turned down. The next time a prep cook posi- dishes. When Guerrero left Club Allard in as chef. Defying her doubters, Marte preserved tion became available the restaurant chef at October 2013, Marte took over as chef with the the restaurant’s two Michelin stars, making her the time, Diego Guerrero, agreed to give her a challenge of keeping its two Michelin stars the only female chef in the Spanish capital of a chance as long as she kept up with her dish- awarded in 2007 and 2011. “Despite the fact two-star restaurant. Her trajectory has been washing duties as well. “I took it as a chal- that some food critics did not trust her, she compared to a fairy tale, a term she rejects. lenge,” said Mate, who has an easy smile and shut mouths when the Michelin guide revali- “There is a lot of struggle behind this, a lot of calm personality. “I was always on the run,” she dated the two stars,” said David Moralejo, the work, it is no tale,” she said. recalls. editor of Spanish culinary magazine David Like other immigrants, Marte said she left Moralejo. Jarabacoa, a tropical town in the mountains of ‘Always renewing herself’ Marte had already proven her abilities since the Dominican Republic that is surrounded by Marte said she would divide her time Guerrero travelled frequently and left her in rivers and waterfalls, and boarded a plane between shifts peeling potatoes and doing charge, said Luisa Orlando, the director of the “looking for a visa for a dream”, she said citing other food preparation with shifts washing up restaurant. “She just needed to give the final a song by Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra. the kitchen after lunches and dinners. “There jump and be her the one who is creative,” she Marte, who was then 27 years old, left behind were many days when I could not go home,” said. In just a few months she renewed the her small twins to be near her eldest son, then she said. After six months of this rhythm, she menu and “every dish she came out with was a aged eight, who was living in Madrid with his said Guerrero said: “This woman is fit to cook, success”, she added.—AFP father. She immediately started working in the we have to get her out of washing up”. Basque upscale Club Allard where she was charged chef Martin Berasategui, the Spanish chef with with keeping the kitchen clean. Marte-whose the most stars, recalled in a recent interview mother was a pastry chef and her father with radio Cadena Ser that Guerrero spoke Dominican top chef Maria Marte poses at owned a restaurant mostly spent her time “super highly” of Marte. the kitchen of the two Michelin stars washing dishes. “He told me that she is incredibly enthusias- restaurant El Club Allard in Madrid. — AFP Until one day the restaurant’s car parking tic, that she is always renewing herself... and TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 ‘Game of Thrones’ hits Web Cord-nevers in luck as ‘Mad Men,’

NEW YORK: Cord-nevers, you’re in luck. No more need to beg, bor- row or steal your parents’ cable password to keep up with each episode of “Mad Men” or “Game of Thrones.” When the hit shows return in the next few days, they will be available for streaming online with no cable or satellite subscription. Here’s where you can watch.

Mad Men The show is returning to AMC on Sunday to start its final seven- episode run. The channel is available through Dish’s $20-a-month Sling TV streaming service and Sony’s $50-a-month PlayStation Vue. You can sign up for Sling TV at sling.com and watch through a num- ber of apps. Sony’s service requires a PlayStation 3 or 4 and limits viewing to your home. (Plus, you need to live in New York, Chicago or Philadelphia for Vue.) Besides watching the channel live, Sling TV offers the past few episodes on demand through its apps. Vue will let you record the show for viewing within 28 days. Not caught up on where Don Draper, Peggy Olson and the other advertising executives stand? You can watch past seasons through Netflix or buy individual episodes or seasons through iTunes, Amazon or Google Play. Don’t want to subscribe to Sling TV or Vue for new episodes? You’ll likely be able to buy them through iTunes, Amazon or Google Play the next day. Game of Thrones The HBO drama returns for a fifth season on April 12. By then, HBO will debut its stand-alone streaming service, HBO Now. Cablevision’s Internet-access subscribers will be able to get HBO Now for an undisclosed price. Owners of Apple TVs, iPhones or iPads will be able to sign up through Apple’s iTunes for $15 a month. HBO Now won’t operate exactly like the regular HBO cable channel. There might be a slight delay, but each new episode is expected to appear on the app before it finishes playing on TV. Film explores Atari’s rise, fall, Sling TV will offer HBO for $15 as an add-on to those who sub- scribe to its basic service. The past few episodes are expected to be available on demand. To catch up, you must wait for HBO Now. It’s dumping of ‘ET’ videogame expected to have all past episodes available. Or you can buy individ- ual episodes or seasons through iTunes, Amazon or Google Play. ALBUQUERQUE: A documentary explores New episodes won’t likely be available for a while, though.—AP the decline of videogame giant Atari and the secret dumping of its flopped “ET” game in a New Mexico landfill. “Atari: Game Over” Snapchat shows began airing on Xbox last year and was released on Netflix on Wednesday. It also will data requests in air on Showtime on April 16. The documen- transparency report tary investigates claims Atari hid its biggest failure - 1982’s “ET The Extra-Terrestrial” - by WASHINGTON: Snapchat, the social network for users who burying the cartridges in an Alamogordo like the security of disappearing messages, released its first dump. The game had a reputation of being transparency report Thursday showing hundreds of the worst ever made and contributed to the requests from US and foreign law enforcement agencies. company’s demise. But the film also is about Atari’s rise and Between November 1 and February 28, Snapchat said it the pioneering mark it made on the gaming received 375 requests from US law enforcement officials, industry, said Gerhard Runken, VP of proper- and handed over at least some user data in 92 percent of ty development at digital agency Fuel those cases. “While the vast majority of Snapchatters use Entertainment, which obtained the rights to Snapchat for fun, it’s important that law enforcement is excavate the landfill. “It’s part of American able to investigate illegal activity,” Snapchat said in a blog history,” Runken said. “It shows how we post. evolved. This is not just about gaming.” “We want to be clear that we comply with valid legal Two years ago, Fuel approached Xbox requests.” The requests were mostly in the form of subpoe- Entertainment Studios about shooting a ALBUQUERQUE: Film director Zak Penn shows a box of a decades-old Atari nas, warrants or court orders, along with a smaller number documentary of the excavation. Word of the “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” game found in a dumpsite. —AP photos of emergency requests. Outside the US, Snapchat received project spread and generated interest 28 requests and produced data in six of those cases. The around the world, with people watching to requests came from Britain, Belgium, France, Canada, see to see if any games would be discovered. Ireland, Hungary and Norway. Between 300 and 400 games were uncov- Snapchat joins other major tech firms that have released ered from the landfill last year and were auc- similar data including Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter tioned on eBay. The city of Alamogordo, and Microsoft. Like most of its peers, Snapchat said it which owned the games, earned thousands opposed efforts to give law enforcement special access of dollars from the sale. One of the “ET” through “backdoors.” game cartridges unearthed from a heap of garbage was added to the Smithsonian’s User information videogame history collection. A museum in “Privacy and security are core values here at Snapchat Rome even opened an exhibit on the dig and we strongly oppose any initiative that would deliber- that includes dirt from the landfill. ately weaken the security of our systems,” the blog posting While the documentary dives into the said. “We’re committed to keeping your data secure and we search and excitement of finding forgotten will update this report bi-annually.” The report did not Atari games, it also tells the story of “ET” include data on US national security requests, which may game developer Howard Scott Warshaw. only be released after a six-month delay. “Even though Warshaw, now a therapist in California’s Snapchat has promoted user privacy and autonomy since Silicon Valley, was often blamed for Atari’s its founding, we’ve only recently been able to systematical- downfall. “It’s actually an emotional story,” ly track and report requests for user information,” the com- Fuel Entertainment spokesman Nick Iannitti pany said. — AFP said. “It talks about how he was scapegoated ALBUQUERQUE: Workers sift through trash in search for decades-old Atari ‘ET for everything.” — AP the Extra-Terrestrial’ game cartridges. TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

IBM connects ‘Internet of Things’ to the enterprise

MIDDLE EAST: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today Industries: This platform will provide announced that it will invest $3 billion new analytics services that clients, over the next four years to establish a partners and IBM will use to design new Internet of Things (IoT) unit, and and deliver vertical industry IoT solu- that it is building a cloud-based open tions. For example, IBM will introduce platform designed to help clients and a cloud-based service that helps ecosystem partners build IoT solu- insurance companies extract insight tions. from connected vehicles. This will IBM’s pioneering work in Smarter enable new, more dynamic pricing Planet and Smarter Cities was based models and the delivery of services on practical applications of IoT in the that can be highly customized to indi- enterprise and led to a broad set of vidual drivers. AFGHANISTAN: A US Predator unmanned drone armed with a missile on the tarmac of Kandahar mili- solutions, ranging from water man- 2- IBM Bluemix IoT Zone: New IoT tary airport. — AFP agement to optimizing retail and cus- services as part of IBM’s Bluemix plat- tomer loyalty to alleviating traffic con- form-as-a-service will enable develop- gestion. IBM leads in enterprise IoT ers to easily integrate IoT data into ‘Schizophrenia’ of US drone implementations that securely com- cloud-based development and bine and analyze data from a wide deployment of IoT apps. Developers variety of sources. will be able to enrich existing busi- program gets cinema treatment With new industry-specific cloud ness applications - such as enterprise data services and developer tools, asset management, facilities manage- PARIS: Nearly 29 years ago the movie “Top Gun” they had on the people flying them remotely. More IBM will build on that expertise to ment, and software engineering made US air warfare seem a glamorous adventure for than once the movie highlights the godlike destruc- help clients and partners integrate design tools - by infusing more real- maverick skyjocks. But today, of course, it’s all about tive power wielded by fallible pilots. Ethan Hawke, data from an unprecedented number time data and embedded analytics to drones, which a new movie argues represent a with his military haircut and intense gaze, has a pass- of IoT and traditional sources. These further automate and optimize mis- wrenching tumble to earth both for their grounded ing resemblance to Tom Cruise in his “Top Gun” role. resources will be made available on sion-critical IoT processes. pilots-and for America’s aspirations to be a morally But Niccol demurs when asked whether he chose an open platform to provide manu- 3- IBM IoT Ecosystem: Expansion just power. “Good Kill” starring Ethan Hawke and Hawke to subvert that enduring image of Cruise as a facturers with the ability to design of its ecosystem of IoT partners - from made by Andrew Niccol, the New Zealand-born hotshot jet pilot. Instead, he points out, Hawke is a and produce a new generation of silicon and device manufacturers to screenwriter-director-producer who directed regular in his movies, starring as a genetically under- connected devices that are better industry-oriented solution providers - “Gattaca” and wrote “The Truman Show”, doesn’t aim par candidate trying to get through a selective astro- optimized for the IoT and to help such as AT&T, ARM, Semtech and business leaders across industries cre- newly announced The Weather to please the crowds in the cinema multiplexes, and naut academy in “Gattaca” and Interpol agent in “Lord ate systems that better fuse enter- Company - to ensure the secure and seems destined for a limited run around the world of War”. “What I love about him is that he’s most inca- prise and IoT data to inform decision- seamless integration of data services after opening this month. pable of doing something dishonest as an actor. So if making. and solutions on IBM’s open plat- But, as Niccol told AFP in an interview in Paris this he can’t memorize a line it’s probably because the line “Our knowledge of the world form. week, “I love to live the grey. Things are not black and is bad. So I change the line.” He also joked that grows with every connected sensor IBM’s capabilities are illustrated in white.” His movie emphasizes the paradox of pilots in Hawke’s wife is “very thankful, I think, that I make him and device, but too often we are not a new global strategic alliance the US remotely controlling unmanned combat air- get a haircut,” referring to the actor’s normally free- acting on it, even when we know we announced today with The Weather craft that can stay aloft for 24 hours over conflict wheeling nature. can ensure a better result,” said Bob Company through WSI, its global B2B zones thousands of kilometers away. It also touches Picciano, senior vice president, IBM division. WSI’s forecasting system on the climbing civilian casualty toll from drones Outsider looking in Analytics. “IBM will enable clients and ingests and processes data from bombing wrongly identified targets-a sensitive sub- Niccol, who delights in being a longterm industry partners apply IoT data to thousands of sources, resulting in ject the US government tries to downplay. “Resident Alien” in the United States, says his out- build solutions based on an open approximately 2.2 billion unique fore- sider’s perspective informs his movies. “I could never platform. This is a major focus of cast points worldwide, and averages Not anti-drone write this story if I was American, you know? And investment for IBM because it’s a rich more than 10 billion forecasts a day “Good Kill” follows a former fighter pilot played by most of my stories, to be honest: I couldn’t make and broad-based opportunity where on active weather days. The IoT and Hawke as he increasingly questions his duty and life them if I was actually in the belly of the beast.” The innovation matters.” cloud computing allow for collection while carrying out Afghanistan drone missions from 50-year-old filmmaker says he keeps coming back to IBM estimates that 90 percent of of data from more than 100,000 military trailers parked on a base on the outskirts of technology-centered stories, but often with an all data generated by devices such as weather sensors and aircraft, millions Las Vegas. Niccol says the “schizophrenia” of an at- approach that doesn’t fit the Hollywood blockbuster smartphones, tablets, connected of smartphones, buildings and even home serviceman fighting a distant war prompted mould, which is why films like “Good Kill” are relative- vehicles and appliances is never ana- moving vehicles. The two companies him to make the story. “We’ve never asked a soldier to ly low budget. “I tend to have expensive, unconven- lyzed or acted on. As much as 60 per- will help industries utilize their go and fight the Taliban for 12 hours and then go and tional ideas. And if you go to a studio with an expen- cent of this data begins to lose value understanding of weather on busi- pick up the kids from school,” he says. sive, conventional idea, that’s cool. If you go in with within milliseconds of being generat- ness outcomes and take action sys- Although most of the main characters criticize an inexpensive, unconventional idea that’s cool, too. ed. To address this challenge, IBM is temically to optimize those parts of announcing it will offer: their businesses. The new unit will be aspects of the drone warfare, Niccol says calling him “But don’t go in and put those two together: don’t 1- IBM IoT Cloud Open Platform for led by Pat Toole as General Manager. anti-drone is “naive”. He says he focused on the ambi- have an expensive, unconventional idea. It’s always guity of using the airborne weapons, and the impact made my life hard.” — AFP Nissan pledges self-driving cars in Japan in 2016

TOKYO: The boss of Nissan wants to put self-driving cars on said, according to Kyodo News. Japan’s roads next year, and says they will be able to navi- “To persuade the regulators that you can take your hands gate busy urban environments on their own by 2020. Carlos off the wheel or your eyes from the road is going to take a lot Ghosn, chief executive, said formidable technological and of demonstration.” Nissan, Japan’s second biggest automak- legal challenges remain but that the direction of travel was er, is also looking at working with domestic rivals Toyota and plain. “There will be a Nissan product in Japan, which will car- Honda on the technology. Reports in February said the three ry autonomous drive,” he told reporters on Thursday at the are planning to team up with electronics giants and the gov- New York International Auto Show. “Obviously when you ernment in a bid to propel the country into the front ranks of have this kind of technology, you want also the Japanese self-driving cars. market to enjoy it as soon as possible.” The move is part of a government initiative to support A five-year tie up with NASA on the technology would see domestic industries as competition in the field intensifies NEW YORK: Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Nissan, the initial roll out by December 2016, with cars that can drive globally, with Google testing its own car and Apple also presents the 2016 Nissan Maxima Platinum during the on highways without anyone at the wheel. In 2018, models reported to be working on such a vehicle. The Japanese gov- should have the ability to avoid hazards and to change lanes, ernment has set up a panel to look at the legal issues sur- press preview of the 2015 New York International Auto and by 2020, vehicles should be able to autonomously rounding autonomous cars, which under current laws are not Show at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. — AFP manoeuver through crowded city roads. “It’s going to hap- allowed on public roads. One of the key factors is that of who help reduce the number of crashes on the roads because pen step by step, because we need to make sure that the bears responsibility in the event of an accident when a car is they remove the potential for human error. More than 4,000 regulators in the different countries feel comfortable,” Ghosn driving itself. Advocates of self-driving cars say they could people die in traffic accidents in Japan every year. — AFP TV listings SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

08:30 Bear Grylls: Escape From Hell 17:00 Close Encounters 19:05 H2O: Just Add Water 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 12:10 Coach Trip 09:20 Tethered 17:25 Close Encounters 19:30 H2O: Just Add Water 03:00 Guy’s Big Bite 12:30 Coach Trip 10:10 Survive That! 17:50 Alien Encounters 19:55 H2O: Just Add Water 03:30 Guy’s Grocery Games 12:50 Coach Trip 11:00 The Island With Bear Grylls 18:40 How The Universe Works 20:20 H2O: Just Add Water 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:35 Celebrity Exposed: Photos Of 11:50 The Island With Bear Grylls 19:30 Invent It Rich 20:45 H2O: Just Add Water 05:00 Chopped Richard Young 00:10 My Family 12:40 The Island With Bear Grylls 20:20 Game Changers 21:10 Good Luck Charlie 06:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:05 The Jonathan Ross Show 00:40 Doctors 13:30 The Island With Bear Grylls 20:45 Game Changers 21:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 06:30 Siba’s Table 15:00 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 01:10 Casualty 14:20 The Island With Bear Grylls 21:10 Strangest Weather On Earth 22:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 07:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Takeaway 02:00 Pramface 15:10 Rival Survival 21:35 Strangest Weather On Earth 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 07:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:05 Mr Selfridge 02:30 Silent Witness 16:00 Gold Rush 22:00 Rise Of The Machines Witch 08:00 Chopped 17:00 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 04:15 The Weakest Link 16:50 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 22:50 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 09:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 17:45 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 05:00 Teletubbies 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 23:15 How It’s Made: Dream Cars Witch 10:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 19:00 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 05:25 Show Me Show Me 18:30 Bear Grylls: Escape From Hell 23:10 Wolfblood Basics Takeaway 05:45 Nina And The Neurons: In The 19:20 Tethered 23:35 Wolfblood 10:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 20:05 Mr Selfridge Lab 20:10 Edge Of Alaska Basics 21:00 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 06:00 Gigglebiz 21:00 Storage Wars Canada 11:00 Siba’s Table 21:45 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 06:15 Teletubbies 21:25 Storage Wars Canada 11:30 Siba’s Table 23:00 Coronation Street 06:40 Show Me Show Me 21:50 Storage Wars Canada 12:00 Guy’s Big Bite 23:25 Coronation Street 07:00 Nina And The Neurons: In The 22:15 Storage Wars Canada 12:30 Chopped 23:50 Coronation Street Lab 22:40 Storage Wars Canada 00:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 13:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 07:15 The Weakest Link 23:05 Street Outlaws 00:00 Violetta 00:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 Rock & Chips: Special: Easter 23:55 American Muscle 00:45 The Hive 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 2011 00:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 01:25 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 15:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:50 Hustle Witch 02:20 E! News 15:30 Chopped 09:40 Doctor Who: Best Of The 01:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 03:15 Keeping Up With The 16:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 00:00 Alaska Wing Men Doctor Witch Kardashians Basics 10:25 Doctor Who Confidential 01:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 01:40 Wolfblood 04:10 E!ES 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 02:00 Banged Up Abroad 10:40 The Weakest Link 02:05 Wolfblood 05:05 THS Basics 11:25 Rock & Chips: Special: Easter 03:00 Convoy: War For The Atlantic 00:05 How It’s Made 02:30 Violetta 06:00 Keeping Up With The 17:30 Guy’s Big Bite 04:00 Armageddon Outfitters 2011 00:30 How The Universe Works 03:15 The Hive Kardashians 18:00 Guy’s Big Bite 12:15 Hustle 05:00 Animal Mega Moves 01:20 Through The Wormhole With 03:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 06:55 Keeping Up With The 18:30 Guy’s Big Bite 06:00 Wild Russia 13:05 Casualty Morgan Freeman Witch Kardashians 19:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 13:55 Eastenders 07:00 Family Guns 02:10 How Do They Do It? 03:45 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 07:50 Style Star 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 Alaska Wing Men 14:25 Eastenders 02:35 How Do They Do It? Witch 08:20 E! News 20:00 Chopped 14:55 Eastenders 09:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 03:00 Food Factory 04:10 Wolfblood 09:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 21:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 10:00 Banged Up Abroad 15:25 Eastenders 03:24 Food Factory 04:35 Wolfblood 09:45 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Basics 15:55 The Vicar Of Dibley 11:00 Science of Stupid 03:48 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 05:00 Violetta 10:15 THS 21:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 11:30 Science of Stupid 16:35 The Vicar Of Dibley 04:12 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 05:45 The Hive 11:10 THS Basics 17:15 BBC Proms 2011: Film Music 12:00 Crash Science 04:36 Joe Rogan Questions 05:50 Mouk 12:05 E! News 22:00 BBQ Crawl 13:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest Night Everything 06:00 Dog With A Blog 13:05 Giuliana & Bill 22:30 BBQ Crawl 19:05 Mr Stink 14:00 Doomsday Preppers 05:24 Prank Science 06:25 Girl Meets World 14:05 Christina Milian Turned Up 23:00 Fast Foods Gone Global 15:00 Jurassic C.S.I. 20:00 The Michael McIntyre Chat 05:48 Gadget Show - World Tour 06:50 Binny And The Ghost 14:30 Christina Milian Turned Up Show 16:00 Dogtown 06:12 Food Factory 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water 15:00 Fashion Bloggers 17:00 Beyond Magic with DMC 20:50 Pramface 06:36 How Do They Do It? 07:40 Jessie 15:30 Fashion Bloggers 21:20 Him & Her 18:00 Is It Real? 07:00 How Do They Do It? 08:05 Liv And Maddie 16:00 House Of DVF 19:00 Jurassic C.S.I. 21:50 Live At The Apollo 07:25 How Do They Do It? 08:30 Binny And The Ghost 17:00 House Of DVF 22:35 Rock & Chips: Special: Easter 20:00 Dogtown 07:50 How Do They Do It? 08:55 Hank Zipzer 18:00 E! News 00:35 Midsomer Murders 21:00 Beyond Magic with DMC 2011 08:15 How Do They Do It? 09:20 Dog With A Blog 19:00 Who Wore It Better? 02:00 The Chase: Celebrity Specials 23:30 The Weakest Link 22:00 Is It Real? 08:40 How Do They Do It? 09:45 Gravity Falls 19:30 Who Wore It Better? 02:55 Emmerdale 23:00 Science of Stupid 09:05 How Do They Do It? 10:10 Good Luck Charlie 20:00 Keeping Up With The 03:20 Emmerdale 23:30 Science of Stupid 09:30 How It’s Made 10:35 Princess Protection Program Kardashians 03:55 Emmerdale 09:55 How It’s Made 12:15 Sofia The First: Once Upon A 21:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 04:20 Emmerdale 10:20 How It’s Made Princess 21:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 04:45 Emmerdale 10:45 How It’s Made 13:05 Binny And The Ghost 22:00 E! News 05:00 Coronation Street 11:10 How It’s Made 13:30 Girl Meets World 23:00 The Soup 05:25 Coronation Street 00:45 Nigellissima 11:35 How It’s Made 13:55 Dog With A Blog 23:30 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 05:50 Coronation Street 01:10 Masterchef: The Professionals 12:00 Food Factory 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 06:15 Coronation Street 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 01:40 Bargain Hunt 12:25 Food Factory 14:55 Hank Zipzer 06:40 Coronation Street Stewart 02:30 Planet Cake 12:50 Food Factory 15:20 Binny And The Ghost 07:05 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 01:00 Hot In Cleveland 03:00 Come Dine With Me 13:15 Food Factory 15:45 Jessie Takeaway 01:30 You’re The Worst 03:25 DIY SOS: The Big Build 13:40 Food Factory 16:10 Spooksville 08:15 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 02:00 You’re The Worst 04:20 Come Dine With Me: South 14:05 Food Factory 16:35 Girl Meets World 09:00 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 02:30 South Park Africa 14:30 Through The Wormhole With 17:00 Sofia The First: Once Upon A 10:15 Kate Middleton: Heir We Go 03:00 Last Man Standing 05:15 Nigellissima Morgan Freeman Princess 00:30 Guy’s Big Bite Again! 03:30 New Girl 05:40 Masterchef: The Professionals 15:20 Moon Machines 17:50 Sofia The First: The Floating 01:00 BBQ Crawl 11:10 Coach Trip 04:00 Two And A Half Men 06:05 Bargain Hunt 16:10 The World’s Strangest UFO Palace 01:30 BBQ Crawl 11:30 Coach Trip 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 07:00 Masterchef: The Professionals Stories 18:40 Binny And The Ghost 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 11:50 Coach Trip Jimmy Fallon 07:30 Masterchef: The Professionals 06:30 My Boys 08:25 Masterchef: The Professionals 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 09:15 Masterchef: The Professionals 08:00 Two And A Half Men 10:10 Come Dine With Me 09:00 Last Man Standing 10:35 Come Dine With Me 09:30 Black-Ish 11:00 Come Dine With Me 10:00 Parks And Recreation 11:25 Come Dine With Me 10:30 My Boys 11:50 Come Dine With Me 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 12:15 Kirstie’s Fill Your House For Free Jimmy Fallon 13:00 Kirstie’s Fill Your House For Free 12:30 Two And A Half Men 13:50 Kirstie’s Fill Your House For Free 13:00 My Boys 14:35 Kirstie’s Fill Your House For Free 13:30 My Boys 15:25 Bargain Hunt 14:00 New Girl 16:15 Bargain Hunt 14:30 Black-Ish 17:10 Bargain Hunt 15:00 Parks And Recreation 18:00 Bargain Hunt 18:55 Bargain Hunt 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 19:45 Kirstie’s Fill Your House For Free Stewart 20:35 Kirstie’s Fill Your House For Free 16:00 Hot In Cleveland 21:20 Masterchef: The Professionals 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:50 Masterchef: The Professionals 18:00 Last Man Standing 22:40 Masterchef: The Professionals 18:30 New Girl 23:35 Masterchef: The Professionals 19:00 2 Broke Girls 19:30 Cougar Town 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 21:00 The Daily Show Global Edition 21:30 Hot In Cleveland 22:00 Saturday Night Live 23:00 South Park 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:10 Fast N’ Loud 02:00 Misfit Garage 02:50 Wheeler Dealers 03:40 Storage Hunters 04:05 Dukes Of Haggle 04:30 Storage Wars Canada 08:00 C.S.I. 05:00 How It’s Made 14:00 C.S.I. 05:30 How It’s Made 18:00 C.S.I. 06:00 Chaos Caught On Camera 19:00 Graceland 06:25 Chaos Caught On Camera 20:00 The Blacklist 06:50 What Happened Next? 21:00 Resurrection 07:15 What Happened Next? 22:00 Salem 07:40 Man vs Expert THE OTHER WOMAN ON OSN MOVIES HD 23:00 Hannibal TV listings SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

01:00 Good Morning America 03:00 Grimm 04:00 The Strain 05:00 Good Morning America 09:00 Parenthood 12:00 Sleepy Hollow 13:00 The Fosters 15:00 Live Good Morning America 16:00 Parenthood 17:00 Sleepy Hollow 18:00 The Fosters 19:00 Parenthood 20:00 Sleepy Hollow 21:00 The Fosters 22:00 Grimm 23:00 The Strain

00:00 Iron Man 02:15 Animal 04:00 Stash House 06:00 R.I.P.D. 08:00 The Recruit 10:00 Iron Man 12:15 The Sanctuary 14:00 R.I.P.D. 16:00 Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher 17:45 Iron Man 20:00 The Recruit 22:00 Alex Cross

00:15 Animal-PG15 02:00 Stash House-PG15 04:00 R.I.P.D.-PG15 06:00 The Recruit-PG15 08:00 Iron Man-PG15 10:15 The Sanctuary-PG15 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET ON OSN MOVIES HD 12:00 R.I.P.D.-PG15 14:00 Avengers Confidential: Black Widow & Punisher-PG15 08:55 Jo Frost’s Family SOS 15:05 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 09:00 Limon And Oli 15:45 Iron Man-PG15 09:45 Cake Boss 15:30 American Greed 09:15 Jake And The Never Land 18:00 The Recruit-PG15 10:10 Cake Boss 16:20 I Was Murdered Pirates 20:00 Alex Cross-PG15 01:00 Super League 10:35 Kate Plus 8 16:45 Stalked: Someone’s 09:40 Doc McStuffins 22:00 The Departed-18 01:00 3 Days To Kill-PG15 03:00 White House Down-PG15 03:30 PGA Tour 11:25 17 Kids And Counting Watching 10:05 Art Attack 05:15 Planes: Fire And Rescue-PG 08:30 Super Rugby Highlights 11:50 17 Kids And Counting 17:10 Murder Shift 10:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 07:15 Free Birds-PG 09:30 Live Super Rugby 12:15 Oprah’s Next Chapter 18:00 Disappeared 11:00 Sofia The First 09:00 The Love Punch-PG15 11:30 Live Super Rugby 13:05 Oprah’s Next Chapter 18:50 Fatal Encounters 11:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 11:00 Moms’ Night Out-PG 15:30 Super Rugby Highlights 13:55 Oprah’s Next Chapter 19:40 Forensic Detectives 11:50 Calimero 00:00 28 Days 13:00 Planes: Fire And Rescue-PG 16:00 Live Super Rugby 14:45 Oprah Prime 20:30 On The Case With Paula 12:05 Jake And The Never Land 02:00 Madea’s Witness Protection 15:00 Stuck In Love-PG15 18:00 Live Super Rugby 15:35 Oprah’s Next Chapter Zahn Pirates 04:00 Austenland 17:00 The Love Punch-PG15 20:00 Super Rugby Highlights 16:25 Oprah’s Master Class 21:20 The Will: Family Secrets 12:30 Limon And Oli 06:00 The Adventures Of Rocky 19:00 Think Like A Man Too-PG15 21:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 17:15 Oprah Prime Revealed 12:40 Henry Hugglemonster And Bullwinkle 21:00 The Other Woman-PG15 18:05 Oprah’s Master Class 12:55 Handy Manny 08:00 Bringing Down The House 23:00 The Wolf Of Wall Street-R 18:55 Say Yes To The Dress – 13:05 Justin Time 10:00 28 Days Bridesmaids 13:20 Sofia The First 12:00 Madea’s Witness Protection 19:20 Say Yes To The Dress – 13:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:00 She-Devil Bridesmaids 14:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 16:00 Bringing Down The House 00:00 Super Rugby Highlights 19:45 Say Yes To The Dress – 14:35 Julius Jr. 18:00 LOL 01:30 NRL Premiership Bridesmaids 14:45 Jake And The Never Land 20:00 Hello Ladies: The Movie 03:30 Sevens World Series 20:10 Say Yes To The Dress – Pirates 00:10 Zou 22:00 The Food Guide To Love 01:00 The Happets 04:00 Live IRB Sevens World Bridesmaids 15:15 Doc McStuffins 00:25 Mouk 02:45 Dino Time Series 20:35 Say Yes To The Dress 15:40 Limon And Oli 00:35 Jungle Junction 04:30 Barbie In The 12 Dancing 14:00 Gillette World Sport 21:00 Oprah’s Lifeclass 15:55 Zou 00:50 Art Attack Princesses 14:30 NRL Premiership 21:50 Oprah’s Master Class 16:05 Justin Time 01:15 Julius Jr. 06:00 Spiderwick Chronicles 17:00 AFL Premiership 22:40 Extreme Couponing All-Stars 16:20 Sofia The First 01:25 Calimero 08:00 Hatching 19:30 Inside The PGA Tour 23:05 Mob Wives 16:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 01:00 Grace Of Monaco-PG15 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 09:45 Astro Boy 20:00 Live PGA Tour 23:55 Mob Wives 17:15 Lilo & Stitch 03:00 Haunter-PG15 01:50 Zou 11:30 Happily N’Ever After 2: Snow 17:40 Adventures Of The Gummi 05:00 Now You See Me-PG15 02:05 Mouk White Bears 07:00 Return To Nim’s Island-PG 02:15 Jungle Junction 13:00 Dino Time 18:05 Chip n Dale Rescue 09:00 Temptation: Confessions Of 02:25 Art Attack 14:30 Fred 2: Night Of The Living Rangers A Marriage Counselor-PG15 02:50 Julius Jr. Fred 18:30 Ducktales 11:00 Now You See Me-PG15 00:30 ICC Cricket 360 03:00 Calimero 16:00 Blackie And Kanuto 19:00 Art Attack 13:00 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 18:00 ICC World Cup H/L : 1ST 03:15 Henry Hugglemonster 18:00 Astro Boy 19:25 Sofia The First 15:00 Step Up Revolution-PG15 Semi Final 03:25 Zou 20:00 Barbie As The Princess And 19:55 Calimero 17:00 Temptation: Confessions Of 19:00 ICC World Cup H/L : 2ND 03:40 Mouk The Pauper 00:40 Dates From Hell 20:10 Limon And Oli A Marriage Counselor-PG15 Semi Final 03:50 Jungle Junction 22:00 Fred 2: Night Of The Living 01:05 Dates From Hell 20:25 Jake And The Never Land 19:00 The Portrait Of A Lady-PG15 20:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Final 04:00 Art Attack Fred 01:30 Deadly Sins Pirates 21:30 To The Wonder-PG15 21:00 ICC Cricket 360 04:25 Julius Jr. 23:30 Blackie And Kanuto 02:20 I Almost Got Away With It 20:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:30 Crawl-PG15 21:30 ICC World Cup H/L: AUS v 04:35 Calimero 03:10 Deadly Affairs 21:20 Minnie’s Bow-Toons AFG 04:50 Henry Hugglemonster 04:00 I Almost Got Away With It 21:25 Sofia The First 05:00 Zou 04:45 Dates From Hell 21:50 Adventures Of The Gummi 05:15 Mouk 05:07 Dates From Hell Bears 05:25 Jungle Junction 05:30 Deadly Sins 22:20 Chip n Dale Rescue 05:35 Art Attack 06:20 True CSI Rangers 00:15 A Case Of You-PG15 06:00 Julius Jr. 07:10 American Greed 22:45 Ducktales 02:30 The Great Train Robbery 02:00 Marvel’s The Invincible Iron 06:10 Calimero 08:00 Nightmare Next Door 23:15 Art Attack 04:45 The Damned United Man-PG 06:25 Henry Hugglemonster 08:50 Fatal Encounters 23:40 Limon And Oli 07:00 Jack And The Cuckoo Clock 04:00 Last Passenger-PG15 00:45 Breaking Amish 06:35 Zou 09:40 Murder Shift 23:55 Henry Hugglemonster Heart 06:00 High Moon-PG15 01:35 The Undateables 06:50 Mouk 10:30 I Was Murdered DISNEY XD 08:00 Thor: The Dark World-PG15 02:25 Katie Hopkins: My Fat Story - 07:00 Jungle Junction 09:00 Sense And Sensibility 10:55 Stalked: Someone’s 00:00 Programmes Start At 10:00 Legendary Amazons-PG15 Part Two 07:10 Art Attack 11:30 Up Close And Personal Watching 7:00am KSA 12:00 Last Passenger-PG15 03:15 Medical Anomalies 07:35 Julius Jr. 14:00 Kon-Tiki 11:20 Forensic Detectives 07:00 Phineas And Ferb 14:00 Labor Day-PG15 04:05 Ballroom Blitz 07:45 Calimero 16:15 Sense And Sensibility 12:10 American Greed 07:25 Phineas And Ferb 16:00 Thor: The Dark World-PG15 05:00 Ballroom Blitz 08:00 Jungle Junction 13:00 Disappeared 07:50 Supa Strikas 19:00 Swing Kids 18:00 The Secret Life Of Walter 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 08:10 Zou 13:50 On The Case With Paula 08:15 The 7D 21:00 Robot & Frank Mitty-PG15 06:25 Hoarding: Buried Alive 08:25 Henry Hugglemonster Zahn 08:40 Ultimate Spider-Man 23:00 The Green Mile 20:00 Bachelorette-PG15 07:15 Hoarding: Buried Alive 08:35 Julius Jr. 14:40 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 09:05 Lab Rats 22:00 Filth-R 08:05 Jo Frost’s Family SOS 08:50 Calimero WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Richard Roberts presents ‘Path to Nobel Prize’ lecture at AUK

By Faten Omar zles. This changed quickly when I received a chemist,” he added. ture of the molecules we work with if we are to chemistry set as a present. My parents sup- During this time, Roberts came across a book understand how they function.” obel Medicine laureate Sir Richard J ported my curiosity and my love of puzzles, by John Kendrew that changed his life. And that Roberts presented a lecture titled ‘The and my father built a chemistry lab in the was his first step towards molecular biology. ‘Follow your passion’ NPath to the Nobel Prize’ on Thursday at basement where I learned to love fireworks “The main theme of my work in biology has cen- Roberts came from a poor family, but he the American University of Kuwait (AUK), and explosives. I knew I had to be a tered on the belief that we must know the struc- explained that money is not an issue and which was organized by the center for people should work and learn what they love research in informatics, sciences and engineer- without caring about the salary. “Follow your ing (RISE) at AUK. Sir Roberts briefly described passion and you will be happy for good, and how he became interested in science and how if you want to be successful, you must take he almost became a professional billiards play- advantage of luck if it comes,” he said. er. He also talked about the research that led Roberts advised parents against overprotect- to the discovery of RNA splicing. With his keen ing their kids and letting them explore. “Kids interest in sequencing DNA, he became heavi- love puzzles - it makes them think hard. ly involved in using computers and was a pio- Parents should not stop their kids from play- neer in what is now called bioinformatics. ing videogames - they just have to choose “I was born in 1943, in Derby, England. the right game.” My father was a motor mechanic and my The seminar comes within a series of semi- mother a homemaker. We moved to Bath nars hosted by RISE center throughout the when I was four, and so I consider myself a year and aims to host local and international Bathonian. My elementary education was at experts from a wide range of disciplines in Christchurch school and St Stephen’s junior various scientific fields. RISE seeks to initiate school. At St Stephen’s, I encountered my sustainable community engagement through first real mentor, the headmaster Brookes. a multitude of activities, such as organizing He must have spotted something unusual in community outreach events to raise aware- me, for he spent a lot of time encouraging ness and contribute to the Kuwaiti society, my interest in mathematics. He would pro- expanding the innovative research and devel- duce problems and puzzles for me to solve opment environment within Kuwait, estab- and I still enjoy the challenge of crossword lishing affiliations with NGOs to serve devel- and logical puzzles,” Roberts recounted. opment in Kuwait and advocating gender “At this time I wanted to be a detective, equality through research and academic where it seemed they paid you to solve puz- Richard Roberts is pictured during the lecture. —Photo by Joseph Shagra activities.

Greetings KEF holds Rajatotsavam n this Special day, uwait Engineers Forum (KEF), an association of April 4th, 2015, you Malayalee engineers is celebrating its silver jubilee this Oare turning first year Kyear with a yearlong series of functions. KEF day, of your Life. We wish you all Rajatotsavam, was held on Friday March 27 at American the very best, May Allah International School. The star attraction of the evening was KS Chithra. She was shower all the joy you can accompanied by Madhu Balakrishnan, Nishad and Roopa. The ever have and may you be orchestra was provided by the Asianet Idea Star Singer fame, blessed abundantly today, Nadabrahmam. The evening was anchored by stand-up tomorrow and forever. May comedian Jayaraj Warrier, whose mimicry left the audience in you have a fantastic birth- splits and provided the humor to spice up the evening. day and many more to The 1000 plus strength of the audience, which packed the come. Happy birthday wish- hall well ahead of the schedule were glued to their seats all through the evening, which lasted almost 5 hours and were es from Grandmother very receptive to each and every song and expressed their joy Ajmun, Grandfather Riyas, Ammi Shabanu, Abbu and satisfaction with a good round of applause all through. Haji Ali, Thaiba Mohammed Ali and Ghouse, Chicha The Guest of honor of the evening was Padma Shri Dr Ravi Inayathulla, Uncles Siraj and Niyamath. Pillai who is reputed to be the richest Malayalee, the CEO of RP Group of Companies. St Stephen holds Maundy Thursday, Good Friday services What’s On - Submission Guidelines he Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services of St various part of Kuwait at Indian Community School, Stephen’s Indian Orthodox Congregation, Kuwait were Khaithan. The most important event associated with the Tattended by a lot of Orthodox Church members from service was the seven times prayer , a re-enactment of the All photos submitted for What’s On passion of Jesus after he was arrested at night at Gethsemane and the two processions a re-enactment of the should be minimum 200dpi. travel Christ’s Journey to Mount Calvary from Pilate’s Palace Articles must be in plain text and and procession before Jesus’s burial. The second significant ritual in all churches is the drinking of Choruka, a decoction should include name and phone made of bitter gourd juice and vinegar and Kanji, the steam- numbers. Articles and photos that ing hot gruel made of watery rice with pulses and pickle. The Good Friday service began around 7.30 am in the morning fail to meet these requirements will and ended at 3.30pm. A lot of Orthodox Church members not be published. around 1800 from various parts of Kuwait came to Indian Community School, Khaithan for the service. Fr Saju Philip, Please send them to the vicar of St Stephen’s Indian Orthodox Congregation was the chief celebrant. The Easter service will be held at Indian [email protected] Community School, Khaithan from Saturday 4th April, 6.00 pm onwards. WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Tajik ‘Besmara’ performs at National Museum

By Faten Omar

ith amazing music and folk dances, Tajik band Besmara performed a concert on Thursday at the National WMuseum of Kuwait, marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Kuwait and Tajikistan. Kuwaiti-Tajik ties have been steadily advancing to achieve the expectations of their leaders for the good of the two peoples. In his speech during the opening of an art exhibition, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan Zabid Allah Zabidov said although diplomatic ties were established 20 years ago between the two countries, coexistence, cooperation and cohe- sion has lasted for centuries. “Those old ties have prepared us for enhancing cooperation in this new stage,” he said. Zabidov added that Tajikistan is keen to consolidate the ties of friendship and brotherhood with Kuwait in various economic, political, cul- tural and artistic fields. Besmara performed the song ‘The Owner of Beauty’, which is a classic Tajik song, followed by the song ‘Mahbt’, rhythms and popular music and songs ‘Crazy Tree’ and ‘Said the Two’, which is Niyazov music by Sardar Salihuv, the recipient of several interna- tional awards. The Besmara band for folk dance was created in 2008 by famous artists Amajan Ackermov and Kurban Khalov. It is a mod- ern band of 12 people, lead by Khalov. The band presents songs and folk dances both classic and modern, and has held a number of concerts in a lot of countries such as India, Turkey, France and Russia, in addition to all high-profile cultural events in Tajikistan. The event was attended by Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Ali Al-Youha. HEALTH SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Deadly bird flu shows up in S Dakota, Minnesota farm

SIOUX FALLS: A bird flu strain that’s deadly to poultry fourth Minnesota case in the southwest part of the Hutterite colonies that own and supply turkeys to has spread to a second turkey farm in one of the top state, in Nobles County, involving a commercial turkey Dakota Turkey Growers LLC. “It’s extremely frightening, turkey-producing counties of Minnesota, state and fed- farm with about 21,000 birds. to be honest with you,” Dakota Turkey Growers presi- eral officials said. The US Department of Agriculture Following the same protocols used at other infected dent and CEO Ken Rutledge said. “We were hopeful confirmed the H5N2 strain in a flock of 71,000 turkeys farms, the surviving birds at the operations have been we’d be able to get through this without having a break in Stearns County, the Minnesota Board of Animal quarantined and will be killed to prevent the disease’s in the state.” The birds killed by the virus or euthanized Health said. That brings the number of Minnesota spread. Any nearby poultry farms will be checked. While represent just a sliver of the overall US turkey produc- turkey farms where the strain has been detected to five, officials have stressed there’s little danger to public tion - 235 million birds in 2014, according to USDA sta- officials said. health and no food safety concern, they’ve monitored tistics. Experts say US consumers likely will benefit from The strain also has shown up in a commercial turkey workers at the affected farms as a precaution. No lower turkey prices eventually because poultry that flock in South Dakota. So far, the total number of out- human H5N2 infections have been reported in the US, would have been exported will have to be sold instead breaks in the Midwest has reached 10 and led to the although the Centers for Disease Control and on the domestic market. More than 40 countries have deaths of 314,000 birds since early March. Earlier, the Prevention said similar viruses have been detected in imposed import restrictions since late last year. Some USDA confirmed the H5N2 strain in a flock of 53,000 people in other countries. The infected South Dakota bans are limited to the affected states or counties, while turkeys in Beadle County of eastern South Dakota, and a flock is on Riverside Farms near Huron, one of several China cut off all poultry shipments from the US.—AP

Medical expenses: Senior drivers strive Finding your way with a patient navigator to stay on the road WASHINGTON: A medical emergency leaves you with tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid hospital bills. Your health insur- TOMS RIVER: Don Robertson isn’t the type drive to a local community services bureau Nelson from the AAA cautions, however, ance company rejects coverage for an important medical test. - to let a snowstorm on the first day of spring- where she helped manage the accounts. that “sometimes older adults can react very An unexpected diagnosis requires you to find three new medical or his age-stop him from doing his appoint- “I found myself going on sidewalks and different to technology than we can antici- specialists. In today’s health care system, consumers are increas- ed rounds. “Driving means to keep motivat- all over the place. I couldn’t seem to control pate.” He cited research that found that a ingly on their own when these complex and often costly-medical ed,” says “Mr Don” as he set outs in his SUV the car and I didn’t know what to do when I majority of seniors wrongly believed that problems arise. Primary care doctors once helped patients man- to pick up a fellow Jersey Shore senior who saw a light,” she said. “Finally I did manage adaptive cruise control would actually help age such situations, but many physicians now have 15 minutes or no longer holds a driver’s license. “You don’t to get to the office and I just cried and cried them avoid hitting another car. Online and less for each appointment. It’s in this high-pressure environment be still and you don’t get stiff,” adds the sex- and cried”-and yet to be told by doctors classroom courses to sharpen the skills of that a new industry of patient advocates-sometimes called agenarian New Jersey native who once that she suffered irreversible brain damage. senior drivers are widely available in the patient navigators has emerged, offering to help guide patients drove 2-1/2 ton trucks for the US army. “As “Not being able to drive has changed my life United States, with insurance discounts through knotty health situations. Driven by an increasing number long as you keep moving, you can keep in every aspect,” said Roberts from the front offered to those who get a passing grade. of baby boomers dealing with chronic medical problems, the going.” passenger’s seat of “Mr Don’s” ride. She is Illinois goes further, requiring motorists over field has mainly taken shape in the last 5 to 10 years, according to With 20,000 Americans turning 65 every open to the idea of a robot vehicle, like the 75 to submit to a practical road test every Professor Theresa Cronan of San Diego State University. “People day, seniors behind the wheel-and their self-driving car that Google is developing time they renew their license-which is every with chronic conditions use the health care system more. But the ability to keep driving safely into their 70, with an eye in part on the ever-growing year for those over 87. health care system has become so complex that it’s really hard for 80s and 90s-is a hot topic. Nearly 85 percent retiree market. Overseas, Japan, the world’s fastest-age- people to navigate,” said Cronan, who has studied the health held driver’s licenses in 2010, compared to advocacy industry. Here are some questions and answers about barely half in the early 1970s, according to these businesses and the services they offer: American Automobile Association (AAA) research. “We know through research that What do patient advocates do? older drivers are among the safest on the Patient advocates are hired to help solve health care prob- road,” said Jacob Nelson, the AAA’s director lems or help patients get the best care possible. Advocates can of traffic safety advocacy and research. work for companies with hundreds of employees or operate as “They’re most likely to buckle up, least likely stand-alone consultants for a handful of clients. Some of the most to speed and drink-and-drive,” he said. Yet, common tasks health advocates work on include: Negotiating with age comes the prospect of illnesses discounts and payment plans for large medical bills; Managing that impact on the ability to safely drive- and filing insurance paperwork, especially appeals where compa- from macular degeneration and hearing nies deny coverage for expensive procedures or equipment; loss to dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Helping patients find and schedule appointments with medical More than 90 percent of older drivers are experts who specialize in rare or hard-to-treat diseases. also on some kind of prescription medicine, the AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety says. How can it save me money? Many patient advocates highlight their ability to help reduce High demand medical bills or cut through insurance red tape. Health advocates They are “vulnerable road users,” said can review patient records to spot billing errors that drive up Nelson, statistically more likely to be injured costs. They can also coordinate care between a number of physi- or killed in a crash that a younger driver cians, usually for patients with complex conditions, avoiding might walk away from. Robertson is part of repeat billings and insurance payments. In other cases, advocates a team of senior drivers at Caregiver NEW JERSEY: Don Robertson, 66 (right) smiles as he prepares to give a lift to Mary will help patients find the best price for an expensive test or pro- Volunteers of Central Jersey who give rides Roberts, 88, amid a snowstorm on the first day of spring in Toms River, NJ. Robertson cedures. Prices for common tests, such as medical scans, can vary to other seniors who can no longer drive volunteers for an organization on the Jersey Shore that connects seniors who still by hundreds or thousands of dollars, even among hospitals that themselves. Demand is high. In Ocean drive with those who no longer hold a driver’s license. — AFP are only a few miles apart, as demonstrated by payment records County-home to 92 retirement communi- released by the government’s Medicare program. With many ties, and where one in five residents is over ing nation, is considering whether to force patients in high-deductible insurance plans that require them to 65 — a ride to the doctor or dentist needs Think ergonomics drivers over 75 with suspected dementia to pay substantial out of pocket costs before coverage kicks in, the to be booked two weeks in advance. “The “Look at people too young, old or dis- see a doctor and present a medical certifi- difference between a $300 MRI scan or a $1,300 MRI scan can be need for transportation in our area is just abled who can’t get around,” Google co- cate to police. In Europe, where the number significant. huge,” Lynette Whiteman, Caregiver founder Sergey Brin told a technology con- of over-65s has been projected to double Volunteers’ executive director said. ference last year. “It’s an issue and a real between 2010 and 2050, rules vary between How much do these services cost? Waiting for Robertson at her tidy bunga- challenge for them.,” he said, quoted in the nations. Italian and Portuguese drivers face Patient advocates typically aren’t covered by insurance, so low was Mary Roberts, 88, who sadly Washington Post newspaper. In the mean- medical check-ups from the age of 50; in customers should expect to pay out of pocket. Many charge an remembered the day in June 2006 when time, the National Highway Transportation France, attempts to require similar tests hourly rate, ranging from $50 to $250 depending on the nature she took herself off the road for good. She Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises sen- from age 75 have been rejected in parlia- of the work, their location and background. Advocates charging was the passenger in a vehicle that crashed ior drivers to keep ergonomics in mind ment as “discriminatory”. “In order to the highest fees usually have a medical degree. Other services on the Garden State Parkway, a major when car shopping. Visibility, multi-direc- increase safety for older drivers, many coun- may use alternative fee structures. For instance, the medical bill north-south thoroughfare, throwing her tional seat adjusters, large-print instrumen- tries have introduced some form of age- saver service offered by Health Advocate of Plymouth Meeting, head against the windshield. After a week- tation and the ability to easily load and related controls for relicensing procedures,” Pennsylvania negotiates uncovered medical or dental bills of end of rest, Roberts thought she was fine- unload a walker are some factors to take Britain’s Road Safety Observatory said in a $400 or more at no upfront cost to the customer. —AP until she attempted the otherwise routine into account, it says. recent study.—AFP HEALTH SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 Japan unveils plans for fund to tackle child poverty

TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has unveiled plans to set up a fund to help alleviate child poverty, in a country where one in six chil- dren is classed as poor. The move follows a law passed by parliament last year aimed at tackling an issue that critics say has long been swept under the carpet in the world’s third-largest economy. “We need to support the independ- ence of financially-constrained single parent families or families with many children,” Abe told a meeting of politicians, business leaders and non-profit groups.”I want to form a system in which the entire society helps children grow up,” the prime minister said. A memorandum adopted at the meeting called for the formation of a privately-financed fund to help groups providing education and other services for children facing poverty, news reports said. The document did not specify how much money would be placed in the fund, but Abe pledged to secure revenues for the pro- gram by December, the reports said. “The fact that the government recognizes child poverty as a national issue is a big step,” Aya Abe, a profes- sor at Tokyo Metropolitan University who has been researching child poverty in Japan said. “But the government should also make a finan- cial commitment or set a goal of how much they want to reduce the poverty rate.” In 2012, a record high 16.3 percent of chil- TOKYO: University students Tomoko Tanabe (left), whose father killed himself and is now receiving students loan to pay for living costs, dren aged 17 or under were living in poverty- speaking to an AFP reporter during an interview in Tokyo as fellow student Ryohei Takahashi looks on. — AFP defined as surviving on funds half that of the up to 40,000 yen ($330) a month for the first in conservative Japan. Most recently, the mother had to provide for the family. “I consider myself average disposable income. That compares child-topping up a single mother’s earned annu- of a 13-year-old schoolboy who was murdered lucky,” said Takahashi, now 22. His mother did with 9.8 percent in Britain and 21.2 percent in al income of just 1.81 million yen-are too small. in February, probably by a gang of youths, pub- not have money for tuition but he won a schol- the United States, according to the Organization The moves by the government “cannot be called licly blamed herself for his death, saying he arship and lives in an Ashinaga-funded dorm for Economic Cooperation and Development big progress” because it is not promising any would not have died if she had kept an eye on that serves breakfast and dinner. Not many sin- (OECD), a grouping of rich countries. The pover- financial contribution to the proposed fund, said him. She said she had not known what her son gle-parent families can afford expensive univer- ty rate jumps to 54.6 percent for children living Koji Ogawa, a former spokesman for Ashinaga, a was doing because she was working day and sity fees, he said. Even if children manage to get in single-parent households in Japan, the worst non-profit group that provides grants to children night to raise her five children alone. into university, some still have to juggle part- in the OECD. who have lost one or both parents. University student Ryohei Takahashi, who time jobs to send money to their families. “I But, he said, “a national campaign could be grew up in a single-parent household, wel- want companies to make an investment (in Cash allowances meaningful” because it might improve the dis- comed the idea of a private fund to reduce child helping under-privileged children) because we’ll Experts say the cash allowances currently giv- crimination and prejudice against people in poverty. Takahashi’s father committed suicide definitely contribute to society in the future,” he en to low-income single-parent households of poverty. Single parents face strong social stigma when he was 13 and, since then, his mother has added. — AFP SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Garipalli (V&P.O), Chitvel Kuwait CHANGE OF NAME Mandal, Y.S.R. Kadapa dist KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO A.P. change my name as I, NJOKU CHINWEOKE IHEY- Korrapati Neshitha WEDNESDAY (02/04/2015 TO 08/04/2015) INWA from Imo State Nigeria Chowdary D/o Korrapati with Passport Number Rama Chandraiah Naidu. A02398494 do hereby SHARQIA-1 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:00 PM (C 4958) FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM change my name to ONONA- 30-3-2015 CINDERELLA 3:00 PM MARINA-3 JI CHINWEOKE IHEYINWA. CINDERELLA 5:15 PM THE CANAL 11:30 AM 360º- 2 1-4-2015 CINDERELLA 7:30 PM THE CANAL 1:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 11:45 AM CINDERELLA 9:45 PM HOME -3D 3:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 2:15 PM ACCOMMODATION FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM HOME 5:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 4:45 PM I, Maddina Latika Chowdary FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM THE GUNMAN 7:15 PM D/o Maddina Ramaiah R/o. SHARQIA-2 RUN ALL NIGHT 10:15 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7 “ 7:15 PM Thimmaiah Garipalli (V&P.O), 2 BHK available in Quitaiba HOME -3D 11:45 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:45 PM Chitvel Mandal, Y.S.R. Kadapa St, Hawally, with 2 big bath- FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:15 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:30 PM AVENUES-1 dist. A.P. change my name as room, big hall, one floor 2 FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:15 PM PAPER PLANES 11:30 AM 360º- 3 Korrapati Lathika Chowdary apartment only with 2 lifts FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 1:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 12:00 PM D/o Korrapati Rama with double bed, oven, gas, FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM RUN ALL NIGHT 4:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 2:30 PM Chandraiah Naidu. (C 4958) fridge and single bed. Easily THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 6:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 5:00 PM SHARQIA-3 RUN ALL NIGHT 9:00 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 7:30 PM to make 3x3 mts room in hall. THE CANAL 12:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 11:30 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 7:30 PM I, Maddina Neteesha Call: 60982737. HOME 2:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 10:00 PM Chowdary D/o Maddina (C 4959) PAPER PLANES 4:30 PM AVENUES-2 THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 12:30 AM Ramaiah R/o. Thimmaiah 29-3-2015 HOME 6:30 PM THE CANAL 11:45 AM PAPER PLANES 8:30 PM THE CANAL 1:45 PM AL-KOUT.1 THE CANAL 10:30 PM THE CANAL 4:00 PM HOME -3D 11:30 AM THE CANAL 12:30 AM THE CANAL 6:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:30 PM THE CANAL 8:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:15 PM MUHALAB-1 THE CANAL 10:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:00 PM THE CANAL 1:00 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:45 PM Sabah Hospital 24812000 CINDERELLA 2:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM Amiri Hospital 22450005 CINDERELLA 4:45 PM AVENUES-3 CINDERELLA 7:00 PM CINDERELLA 11:30 AM AL-KOUT.2 Maternity Hospital 24843100 CINDERELLA 9:15 PM CINDERELLA 2:00 PM PAPER PLANES 11:30 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:45 PM CINDERELLA 4:30 PM THE CANAL 1:30 PM Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 CINDERELLA 7:00 PM PAPER PLANES 3:30 PM Chest Hospital 24849400 MUHALAB-2 CINDERELLA 9:30 PM PAPER PLANES 5:45 PM HOME 11:30 AM CINDERELLA 12:05 AM THEEB (Arabic) 8:00 PM Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 THE CANAL 1:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:00 PM HOME 3:30 PM AVENUES-4 THE CANAL 12:05 AM Adan Hospital 23940620 HOME 5:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:15 PM Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 RUN ALL NIGHT 7:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:15 PM AL-KOUT.3 THE CANAL 10:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:15 PM THE CANAL 11:30 AM Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 THE CANAL 12:05 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:15 PM CINDERELLA 1:30 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 10:15 PM CINDERELLA 3:45 PM Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 MUHALAB-3 THE GUNMAN 1:00 AM CINDERELLA 6:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:15 PM CINDERELLA 8:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:00 PM AVENUES-5 THEEB (Arabic) 10:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:45 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM THE CANAL 12:45 AM Kaizen center 25716707 FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:30 PM CINDERELLA 3:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:15 AM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 2:45 PM AL-KOUT.4 Rawda 22517733 CINDERELLA 5:30 PM HOME 12:15 PM Adaliya 22517144 FANAR-1 CINDERELLA 8:00 PM HOME 2:45 PM BONTA 11:45 AM NO FRI+WED HOME 4:45 PM Khaldiya 24848075 PAPER PLANES 1:45 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 7:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 6:45 PM BONTA 3:45 PM Special Show “HOME” 7:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM Kaifan 24849807 PAPER PLANES 5:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 10:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:45 PM Shamiya 24848913 PAPER PLANES 7:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 1:00 AM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:45 PM BAIRAQ-1 Shuwaikh 24814507 RUN ALL NIGHT 12:30 AM AVENUES-6 FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:30 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:45 PM Abdullah Salem 22549134 FANAR-2 FAST & FURIOUS 7 2:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:30 PM Nuzha 22526804 CINDERELLA 12:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 5:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM CINDERELLA 2:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 CINDERELLA 5:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:30 PM CINDERELLA 7:15 PM BAIRAQ-2 Qadsiya 22515088 CINDERELLA 9:30 PM AVENUES-7 HOME 12:15 PM Dasmah 22532265 CINDERELLA 12:05 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 PM HOME 2:15 PM THEEB (Arabic) 3:30 PM HOME 4:15 PM Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 FANAR-3 THEEB (Arabic) 5:45 PM HOME 6:15 PM THE CANAL 12:45 PM THEEB (Arabic) 8:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:15 PM Shaab 22518752 HOME 2:45 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 8:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:00 PM Qibla 22459381 HOME 4:45 PM THEEB (Arabic) 10:15 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 6:45 PM THEEB (Arabic) 10:30 PM BAIRAQ-3 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:45 PM THEEB (Arabic) 12:30 AM BONTA 11:30 AM THE CANAL 10:45 PM CINDERELLA 1:15 PM Mirqab 22456536 THE CANAL 12:45 AM AVENUES-8 CINDERELLA 3:30 PM Sharq 22465401 PAPER PLANES 1:00 PM CINDERELLA 5:45 PM FANAR-4 PAPER PLANES 3:15 PM CINDERELLA 8:00 PM Salmiya 25746401 HOME -3D 11:30 AM PAPER PLANES 5:30 PM CINDERELLA 10:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM Jabriya 25316254 FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:15 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 8:00 PM Maidan Hawally 25623444 FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:00 PM PAPER PLANES 11:00 PM PLAZA FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:45 PM EX MACHINA 1:00 AM HOME 3:30 PM Bayan 25388462 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 5:30 PM AVENUES-9 FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:00 PM Mishref 25381200 FANAR-5 HOME 11:30 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 PM HOME -3D 1:30 PM W Hawally 22630786 FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:15 PM HOME 3:45 PM LAILA Sabah 24810221 FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:00 PM HOME -3D 6:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:45 PM HOME 8:15 PM CINDERELLA 6:00 PM Jahra 24770319 FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:30 PM THE GUNMAN 10:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:15 PM THE GUNMAN 12:45 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:45 PM New Jahra 24575755 MARINA-1 West Jahra 24772608 CINDERELLA 11:30 AM AVENUES-10 AJIAL.1 CINDERELLA 1:45 PM BONTA 12:00 PM KOMBAN - Tamil 3:45 PM South Jahra 24775066 CINDERELLA 4:00 PM BONTA 2:00 PM KOMBAN - Tamil 7:00 PM CINDERELLA 6:15 PM BONTA 4:00 PM KOMBAN - Tamil 10:00 PM North Jahra 24775992 CINDERELLA 8:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 6:15 PM North Jleeb 24311795 THE CANAL 11:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:30 PM AJIAL.2 THE CANAL 1:00 AM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:45 PM NANNBENDA - Tamil 4:15 PM Ardhiya 24884079 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM CINDERELLA 7:15 PM MARINA-2 12:30 AM NANNBENDA - Tamil 9:30 PM Firdous 24892674 FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:00 PM 360º- 1 Omariya 24719048 FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:00 PM AJIAL.3 FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:00 PM DETECTIVE BYOMKESH BAKSHY! -Hindi 3:30 PM N Khaitan 24710044 FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:00 PM DETECTIVE BYOMKESH BAKSHY! -Hindi 6:45 PM Fintas 23900322 information SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

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

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

geography). Word Search Puzzles CROSSWORD 862 66. Type genus of the Ardeidae. 68. (prefix) In front of or before in space. 72. An indehiscent fruit derived from a single ovary having one or many seeds within a fleshy wall or pericarp. 74. An affirmative. 75. Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean. 76. (computer science) A coding system that incorporates extra parity bits in order to detect errors. 77. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 80. A city in northern India. 81. A spacecraft that carries astronauts from the command module to the surface of the moon and back. 82. The basic unit of luminous intensity adopted under the System International d'Unites. 83. A city of central China.

DOWN 1. Having the wind against the forward side of the sails. 2. Someone who has committed (or been legally convicted of) a crime. 3. Having a horizontal surface in which no part is higher or lower than another. 4. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance. 5. A state in the southeastern United States on the Gulf of Mexico. 6. Long and light rowing boat. 7. The compass point that is one point east of northeast. 8. Order by virtue of superior authority. ACROSS 9. Bearing or marked with a label or tag. 1. An abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal 10. A class of proteins produced in lymph tissue in vertebrates and that an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly). function as antibodies in the immune response. 4. Of or relating to or caused by magnetism. 11. Made of grain or relating to grain or the plants that produce it. 12. A benevolent aspect of Devi. 12. Not trimmed. 15. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity equal to 10 decibels. 13. One thousandth of a second. 16. The quality of being alien. 14. A unit of area (4840 square yards) used in English-speaking countries. 17. A committee in the executive branch of government that advises the 21. Of or pertaining to adnexa. Yesterday’s Solution president on foreign and military and national security. 23. Wild and menacing. 18. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism. 27. A flourish added after or under your signature (originally to protect 19. A motley assortment of things. against forgery). 20. Someone who drives racing cars at high speeds. 29. Tag the base runner to get him out. 22. An informal conversation. 32. United States poet and critic (1916-1986). 24. A graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocar- 33. English translator and Protestant martyr. diograph. 35. A name that has been assumed temporarily. 25. Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning). 36. Tent that is an Eskimo summer dwelling. 26. A small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee 38. Hormone released by the hypothalamus that controls the release of joint. thyroid-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary. 28. Someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is 39. A white trivalent metallic element. owned by someone else. 41. A series of things depending on each other as if linked together. 30. Avatar of Vishnu. 43. Jordan's port. 31. (British) An open river valley (in a hilly area). 45. A proposal for an appropriate course of action. 34. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad. 49. A state in northwestern North America. 37. Studies intended to provide general knowledge and intellectual skills 51. A river in northeastern Brazil that flows generally northward to the (rather than occupational or professional skills). Atlantic Ocean. 40. Being two more than ninety. 54. Wood of a sumac. 42. Scale-like structure between the base of the wing and the halter of a 58. A true bug. two-winged fly. 59. A drug (trade names Atarax and Vistaril) used as a tranquilizer to treat 44. Type genus of the family Arcidae. anxiety and motion sickness. 46. United States naval officer and historian (1840-1914). 61. Austrian composer who influenced the classical form of the symphony 47. A dissolute man in fashionable society. (1732-1809). 48. The 11th letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 64. Any competition. 50. A person forced to flee from home or country. 65. Electronic warfare undertaken to insure effective friendly use of the 52. Soft white semisolid fat obtained by rendering the fatty tissue of the electromagnetic spectrum in spite of the enemy's use of electronic war- hog v 1. fare. 53. The second month of the Hindu calendar. 67. Small European freshwater fish with a slender bluish-green body. 55. Artists or writers whose ideas are ahead of their time. 69. Medium-sized tree having glossy lanceolate leaves. 56. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank. 70. A three-tone Chadic language. 57. Capital of modern Macedonia. 71. A feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause). 60. Used of men. 73. A drug combination found in some over-the-counter headache reme- 62. King of Denmark and Norway who forced Edmund II to divide England dies (Aspirin and Phenacetin and Caffeine). with him. 78. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. 63. A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serv- 79. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite. ing some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution Yesterday’s Solution SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

Cubs to start season, missing beloved bleachers

CHICAGO: Rooting for a baseball team that has not Yellon, 58, editor of the Bleed Cubbie Blue blog, com- park in one of his propeller-topped hats. won a World Series since 1908, the Chicago Cubs’ pared the uproar over renovations to the controversy The Cubs had the third-highest average ticket price famous bleacher bums have at least always had a over lights being installed for night games in 1988. in baseball last year, at $44.16, after the Boston Red chance to party in Wrigley Field’s outfield stands. But “It’ll be kind of different, but it’s still baseball,” said Sox, who last won the World Series in 2013, and the when the 2015 season opens on Sunday, the more Yellon, who will sit somewhere else until his old spot is New York Yankees, who last won in 2009, according to than 5,000 general admission bleacher seats will not ready. Jerry Pritikin, known as the “Bleacher Preacher” the Team Marketing Report. Cubs fans like Pritikin be there for fans who like to come early and engage in for his habit of converting out-of-town spectators into have learned to be patient. When the team last won beer-fueled speculation over how the Cubs will lose Cubs fans, said the park changed for the worse start- the National League pennant 70 years ago, Pritikin’s this time. ing with night games and accelerating because of father told him he was too young to see the World Weather-related delays in rebuilding the bleachers, overpriced seats. “The majority of people like me can’t Series, but they would go next time. “I heard the part of a planned $375 million renovation of the 101- afford to go to games anymore,” said Pritikin, 78, who expression ‘wait until next year’ for the first time in year-old ballpark, mean its left-field benches will not will spend opening day walking around outside the 1946,” Pritikin recalled, laughing ruefully. —Reuters be ready until mid-May and right-field seats until mid- June. Many bleachers season ticket-holders say they will not go to a game until the outfield benches are back. “I go by myself. When I get there, there will be people I like to spend time with,” said Holly Swyers. “The fact that it won’t be there in April - it makes it not feel right.” The Cubs have offered bleachers ticket-holders a chance to get a credit while the section is unavailable, or relocate. Cubs spokesman Julian Green, who called the bleacher reconstruction “a small inconvenience,” could not say how many have taken other seats and how many will wait out the construction. Wrigley’s ivy- covered outfield walls, hand-operated scoreboard, bleachers and rooftop spectators across the streets are familiar images to audiences watching games tele- vised from the stadium, a city historic landmark. The bleachers have been celebrated in books and the 1977 play “Bleacher Bums.” The Cubs say they need to modernize Wrigley to stay competitive, but some of the planned renova- tions have drawn criticism, and owners of rooftop bars have sued the team because they say a new video board will block their customers’ view into the stadi- um. A federal judge sided with the Cubs on Thursday. Swyers, author of “Wrigley Regulars: Finding Community in the Bleachers,” said the experience can- not be reproduced elsewhere in Wrigley and fears oth- er changes like a noisy Jumbotron could mar the CHICAGO: Construction continues on renovations around Wrigley Field’s center field in atmosphere of the “Friendly Confines.” “The things Chicago. When fans arrive for the Chicago Cubs’ baseball season opener tomorrow, against that made it a cathedral and an attraction in and of the archrival St Louis Cardinals, they will get their first real look at the most visible phase of itself are kind of getting eroded,” she said. a massive renovation project. —AP But another bleachers season ticket-holder, Al

Rodriguez, Yankees aim Elbow breakdowns spur for peaceful coexistence NEW YORK: Lies, cover-ups, and cheating seemed destined MLB to set up new study to lead to a messy divorce between Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees, but the warring parties are heading into NEW YORK: The plague of elbow injuries struck again in spring training John cases. She talked about “pillar strength” and breathing. “It all starts the 2015 season hoping for peaceful coexistence. Rodriguez, with Texas ace Yu Darvish and young Zack Wheeler of the New York Mets with breathing. Part of our evaluation is checking their breathing still owed $61 million from a record 10-year $270 million the latest key pitchers to fall, and Major League Baseball wants to know mechanics,” Walters said. “A chest-breathing athlete is set up for an upper renewal with the Yankees, sued the Yankees, team doctors, why. “The last three or four years, we’ve seen an increase of Tommy John extremity injury. The diaphragm also has a role in spinal security.” Dr Carl Major League Baseball and the Players Association in 2013 injuries at the major league level,” Chris Marinak, MLB’s senior vice presi- Nissen, who worked on an MLB grant, tested college pitchers at his lab to before accepting a one-year doping ban. dent for economics and league strategy, told Reuters. “That trend is cer- measure the stress from different types of pitches. His motion studies After missing the playoffs the last two years, the Yankees tainly concerning to us.” found that curve balls and other breaking pitches put less stress on desperately need some hitting from A-Rod, who has been a Propelling a baseball at speeds over 95 miles an hour, or snapping off a elbows and shoulders than fastballs. model citizen during spring training, batting over .300 with sharp-dropping slider naturally stresses the arm, but the rate of injury is “The curveball is thrown about 10 mph slower and therefore going to three homers and no complaints. The Yanks had felt betrayed alarming. A survey of MLB pitchers found that 25 percent of them had at put less stress on the elbow,” said Nissen, founder of Elite Sports Medicine by Rodriguez after lavishing riches upon him as the man on some point in their career undergone Tommy John surgery, named for the at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Nissen, who placed dozens of track to become baseball’s clean Home Run King only to pitcher who in 1974 was the first to have his torn ulnar collateral ligament reflected balls on his subjects and used 12 high speed cameras to meas- learn later of doping escapades by the slugger, dubbed by reconstructed. Research has pointed to excessive stress on young amateur ure stresses on the body during delivery of pitches, said proper mechanics the tabloids as “A-Fraud.” Well known divorce lawyer Raoul pitchers as starting damage to the elbow, and initiatives have been under- was essential. “The true shoulder turn to the pelvis ... when that’s not con- Felder said you often see battling partners carry on together taken to address that with “Pitch Safe” recommendations by orthopedic trolled that actually puts a huge increase in the stress on the shoulder and for their mutual benefit. surgeons. the elbow,” he said. The motion tests show which pitches stress a particu- “Sometimes the president and his wife have a business Now the focus has shifted to examination of professional pitchers after lar pitcher’s arm the most. “Why not use the information to either change arrangement, as Clinton has,” Felder told Reuters in a tele- another hike in elbow injuries with 35 Tommy John surgeries for major their motion or change their pitch selection?” he said. phone interview. “It’s not a marriage, it’s a political marriage, league players in 2012 and 30 last year. Medical information on minor Dr Johnny Arnouk, orthopedist in Sports Medicine at New York’s Mt so to speak. Sure, it happens a lot of times.” Turning 40 in July league pitchers has been collected this spring training including MRIs, Sinai Beth Israel hospital said some pitchers did not throw breaking and playing on surgically repaired hips, the bar is set relative- range of motion data, physical exams and playing history details, Marinak balls properly and pitch counts mattered. “The breaking ball is a skill ly low for the third baseman, who has hit 654 career home said. “The goal is to track these players over a five-year time horizon so we and you have to learn how to throw it properly,” Arnouk said. “With runs to stand fifth on the all-time list 108 behind Barry Bonds can watch them as they progress ... which players got hurt and which play- higher pitch counts comes fatigue, poor mechanics and injuries.” Dr and has three years left on his deal. Rodriguez, thanks to ers didn’t, and try to map that back to see whether there was something Mark G Grossman, chief of sports medicine at Winthrop University baseball’s guaranteed contracts, will get his money regard- predictive,” said Marinak. Hospital, said damage done at a young age was a fundamental prob- less and the Yankees hope they will get some useful on-field In the meantime, physical therapists try to protect pitchers, and lem and referenced Dr Frank Jobe, who performed the initial surgery contribution from him since no one would ever assume such researchers have found ways to measure stresses in hopes of warding off on Tommy John. “To quote Frank Jobe, who I trained under, ‘some of a costly contract in trade. —Reuters injury. Shari Walters, of EXOS, which uses innovative sports science and the best pitchers never become the best pitchers because they’re over- methodology to train elite athletes, has helped rehab some 100 Tommy used at a young age.”—Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 New faces out Ko in contention to down McIlroy at Masters at Mission Hills PARIS: It seems like only yesterday that Rory McIlroy was the hunter. Next week when he tees off in what will be RANCHO MIRAGE: World number one Lydia Ko moved into last year’s Lalla Meryem Cup in a playoff to claim her first title his seventh Masters he is quite clearly the hunted. The contention for the ANA Inspiration in record-equalling style on on the Ladies European Tour, was delighted with her 70 after 25-year-old world number one is aiming to win his third Thursday as South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon seized a share of the arriving in the California desert late on Monday night. “I’m straight major title and in so doing become just the sixth early lead in the opening round. New Zealander Ko, watched starting to get the feel of the golf course now,” the 19 year old player in history to complete a career Grand Slam of the by the biggest galleries of the day, battled strong winds on her from Kettering said after mixing four birdies with two bogeys. sports’ four crown jewels. To achieve that feat and enter front nine before grinding out a one-under-par 71 at a sun- “I like everything about this course. I like the way it’s laid out. the realms of golfing greatness the Northern Irishman baked Mission Hills Country Club to equal an LPGA Tour record “To start with it was tricky because of that wind. I felt like put- will have to vanquish a rapidly-evolving cast of charac- for sub-par scores. ting downwind was very tricky. That was the biggest challenge ters. The richly talented 17 year old, who has to win a major but today, the wind.” When he first teed off in earnest at Augusta National in has already claimed six LPGA titles, matched Hall of Famer Ernst joined Choi and Hull in a tie for the early lead after a 2009, Tiger Woods still reigned supreme, Phil Mickelson Annika Sorenstam’s run of 29 consecutive rounds under par on round that included five birdies and three bogeys, and pointed was in his prime and Ernie Els loomed large. The youthful the circuit, achieved by the Swede in 2004. That left Ko a to the massive confidence boost she gained from winning her McIlroy had them all in his sights. Six years on, much has stroke off the early pace set by 2012 US Women’s Open cham- first LPGA title at last year’s Portland Classic. “Any time you can changed. Woods may well be in terminal decline at 39, pion Choi, England’s Charley Hull and American Austin Ernst in win, especially on this level, that always gives you more confi- riddled by injuries and loss of form. He is ranked 104th in the opening women’s major of the season. “Overall I’m happy dence just knowing you can compete,” said the 23 year old the world. Mickelson is also struggling, the 44-year-old with where I am for this tournament,” said Ko, who became from South Carolina. “I won that week and felt like I didn’t missing cuts and slumping to 21st in the rankings. Els at the youngest golfer to hold top spot in the world rankings by make every putt or I didn’t have to play perfect golf.” World 45 looks like a spent force and is down at 82nd place. tying for second place at the LPGA’s season-opening event in number two Park In-bee of South Korea and third-ranked But, as ever, from out of the ashes a new generation of January. American Stacy Lewis were among the late starters on top players is emerging. Leading the way are three “It’s just pretty cool to tie Annika’s record.” Hull, who won Thursday.— Reuters Americans-all younger than McIlroy. Jordan Spieth is only 21 but he has already won twice on the US PGA Tour, most recently at the Valspar Championship in February. Fellow Texan Patrick Reed at 24 has won four times, while Brooks Koepka from Florida grabbed his breakthrough win in February a month ahead of his 25th birthday. What the trio have in common is they all possess loads of talent and the burning desire to match up to and eventually unseat McIlroy from the pinnacle of the game. Spieth, who some believe is the finest young talent to emerge in the United States since Woods back in the late 1990s, is in no doubt over what he needs to do. “Right now what I’m really focused on is Rory McIlroy is number one in the world,” he said after winning the Valspar win. “That’s who everyone is trying to chase. Our ultimate goal is to eventually be the best in the world and this is a great, great stepping stone. “Going into the four majors of the year to have closed one out in this kind of fashion is going to give me a lot of confidence.” Reed also says he would relish the opportunity of being in contention with McIlroy going down the back nine on Sunday at Augusta National. “At the end of the day, come Sunday, if I do everything well, I should have a chance,” he said. “You know, if I don’t, then that means I have to figure something else out and I need to work on something else. “I would love to get up to that position where I’m a true rival against him (McIlroy) or battling it out one versus two, but I’ve got some ways to go. I think I’m 15th now so I still have a couple more spots to move up.” So the joint pressures of gaining golfing immortality and being the player everyone wants to beat are sure to weigh heavily on McIlroy’s shoulders at Augusta. He has already felt the full agony of a Masters meltdown in 2011 when he led by four strokes going into the final round but collapsed down the back nine to a woeful 80 that left him in a tie for 15th. He believes though that ultimately he gained more than he lost on that occasion. “It was a huge learning curve for me and I needed it, and thankfully I have been able to move on to bigger and better things,” he told the BBC in an interview. “Looking back on what happened in 2011, it doesn’t seem as bad when you have four majors on your mantelpiece.”—AFP CALIFORNIA: Lydia Ko of New Zealand plays her tee shot at the par 3, 8th hole during the first round of the ANA Inspiration on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club on April 2, 2015. — AFP Mickelson makes a solid start in Masters tune-up

HOUSTON: Three-times Masters champion Phil Mickelson looked birdies to make the turn in five-under 31. He got to seven-under swing plane during a marathon practice session two days ago. sharp in his preparation for next week’s season-opening major by before taking a bogey at the finish when he failed to get up-and- “In my 13th hour, something kind of clicked and I figured it firing a six-under-par 66 to join the first-round leaderboard at the down from a bunker. out,” Piercy said. “On Wednesday I kind of ingrained it, kept work- Houston Open on Thursday. Fellow American Scott Piercy was “If I can play well this week...it should be some good momen- ing on it. And today was awesome, it really was. “It’s been two best after firing a blistering, bogey-free round of nine-under-par tum for next week,” said Mickelson. Charles Howell III, Luke Guthrie years since I’ve really put a clubface on a ball like I know how, like 63 with compatriot J.B. Holmes and Germany’s Alex Cejka two and Shawn Stefani joined Mickelson at six under par. Piercy, who I feel like I should.” Seven players were bunched at five-under 67, shots back with 65s at the Golf Club of Houston. also started on the back nine, used an even hotter streak to take including Spaniard Sergio Garcia, France’s Victor Dubuisson, Mickelson, the 2011 Houston winner, likes to sharpen his tour- charge as he ran off five consecutive birdies from the 18th and Canadian Graham DeLaet, 2012 winner Hunter Mahan and Matt nament play the week before the major test at Augusta National capped off the round with a birdie at his last hole. The 36-year-old Kuchar, who lost in a playoff here last year. Sweden’s Jonas Blixt, and he got off to a fast start. Beginning his round at the 10th, Piercy, frustrated in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn flex- American Patrick Reed and 2009 champion Paul Casey of England Mickelson birdied three of his first four holes and added two more or in his right arm in February 2014, said he found his proper were in a large group at 68.— Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Mayweather set for ‘richest sports year’ Ali denies picking Pac-Man over Mayweather

LOS ANGELES: Floyd Mayweather’s block- The foreign rights to the fight sold for a an Ali publicist posted on the Muhammad Ali buster May 2 bout with Manny Pacquiao will record $35 million, according to Arum. As Center website denied that the champ was help make the American fighter’s 2015 earn- Forbes noted, the big X-factor in a final rev- backing either fighter. “Muhammad Ali ings shatter the all-time record for a sports- enue figure is pay-per-view sales. Boxing’s would like to wish both Floyd Mayweather man’s annual pay, Forbes.com calculated yes- record for pay-per-view purchases is the 2.4 and Manny Pacquiao well in their upcoming terday. Forbes noted that Mayweather will million buys from Mayweather’s split-decision fight on May 2,” the statement said. likely to earn at least $150 million and win over Oscar de la Hoya. “Muhammad never offered to anyone his Pacquiao more than $100 million for the wel- The record for pay-per-view receipts is the prediction on the fight. Information that was terweight world title showdown in Las Vegas. $152 million set by Mayweather’s 2013 bout published earlier this week and picked up by The financial news website said payouts with Saul ‘Canelo” Alvarez. Mayweather- other media is either a misquote or someone could be higher still if more than three mil- Pacquiao, a fight more than five years in the else’s personal opinion. making between the men considered the best “The stories saying that Muhammad Ali KEY BISCAYNE: Serena Williams of the United States lion pay-per-views are sold. Mayweather’s haul would represent the highest yearly pound-for-pound fighters of their generation, has chosen a favorite in the fight are false.” shows her emotions against Simona Halep of Romania in earnings ever by an athlete, surpassing Tiger is expected to “crush” both pay-per-view Ali, who turned 73 in January and has battled their semi final match during the Miami Open. — AFP Woods’ inflation-adjusted record of $125 mil- numbers, Forbes noted. the effects of Parkinson’s disease for lion in 2008, Forbes said. Woods currently The Wall Street Journal reported this week decades, hasn’t attended a fight in years. He Serena, Djokovic, occupies both first and second place on that the pay-per-view price for the fight will isn’t expected to be at the MGM Grand Forbes’ list of all-time highest paid athletes in be a record $99 for the high definition feed, Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2 when Isner and Navarro a given year, adjusted for inflation, his adjust- with a standard definition version costing a Pacquiao and Mayweather meet in a welter- ed earnings of $120 million in 2009 number slightly cheaper $89. weight world title fight. two on the list. Pacquiao, a two-term congressman from winners in Miami NBA legend Michael Jordan is next, with Boxing legend Muhammad Sarangani province in the Philippines, is 57-5 inflation-adjusted earnings of $115 million in Boxing legend Muhammad Ali isn’t in the with two drawn and 38 knockouts while KEY BISCAYNE: The previous two matchups between Serena both 1997 and 1998. Woods’ $113 million in prediction business when it comes to the Mayweather is 47-0 with 26 knockouts. Williams and Simona Halep were blowouts. This one was a thriller. 2007 and 2010 are next. The highest boxer May 2 mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao The fight long wanted by fans around Williams is making another trip to the Miami Open women’s final on the list is former heavyweight world and Floyd Mayweather. A report on celebrity the world has been five years in the mak- after beating Halep 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in a 2-hour, 7-minute classic on champion Mike Tyson, with inflation adjust- website TMZ this week quoted Ali’s daugh- ing, and is expected to shatter revenue Thursday night. Looking for her eighth title at Key Biscayne, the top ed earnings of $112 million in 1996. Forbes ter, Rasheda, as saying the former heavy- records. “Muhammad has the utmost seeded Williams meets 12th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain said its figures were the result of 25 years of weight world champion and civil rights respect for both fighters who will today. “I made so many errors and I was like ‘Serena, just come to the tracking athletes’ earnings. Pacquiao pro- activist “is Team Pacquiao all the way.” “He undoubtedly give boxing fans an incredi- net at this point, because that’s the only thing that was working for moter Bob Arum has predicted that record- knows Manny’s a great fighter ... but it’s more ble match,” the statement said. “He me,’” Williams said. “I’m just really happy to get through that. It was shattering revenue totals for the May 2 about what he does outside the ring. He’s believes the significance of this fight will actually a really fun match and I was able to come out and play here mega-fight could surpass $400 million. That such a charitable person,” the website quot- rival other historic matches. Muhammad tonight.” includes $74 million from just over 15,000 ed her as saying. Ali will join the rest of the world on May 2 Halep, the No 3 seed from Romania, beat Williams 6-0, 6-2 last tickets at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. On Thursday, however, a statement from to watch this match-up.”— Agencies year during round-robin play at the WTA Finals. Williams returned the favor later in that tournament, 6-3, 6-0. They were to meet in the semifinals at Indian Wells last month, but a balky right knee forced Snooker’s female player Williams out of that matchup. The knee wasn’t a problem in this one. Halep was, but as is usually the case, Williams found a way. She had 38 winners to Halep’s 10, overcoming 45 unforced errors and saying mixing it in men’s game afterward that she feels like some practice time is necessary. “Keep trying, that’s all I could do,” Williams said. “I never gave up.” Williams LONDON: The long-held image of snooker top. Because unlike other sports where is 4-0 all-time against Suarez Navarro, who’s assured of reaching the as a game played in smoke-filled working physicality is crucial, snooker is about tech- Top 10 in the world rankings win or lose. The win also means Williams men’s clubs has discouraged most British nique and hand-to-eye co-ordination. will extend her reign atop the rankings to at least 116 weeks, which women from taking up the sport. Gender shouldn’t come into it. There is passes Chris Evert’s 113-week run for third-longest in WTA history. Emerging through the haze, though, is nothing to stop women from playing on Only Steffi Graf (186) and Martina Navratilova (156) have been there Reanne Evans - a trail-blazer for the snooker’s male professional circuit, but longer in succession. “I was close,” Halep said. “I saw that I can win women’s game who is looking to achieve a there simply aren’t enough willing to give against her. ... She was better.” Suarez Navarro got her finals ticket unique feat in snooker’s male-dominated it a go. Evans is the exception. She strug- after topping Andrea Petkovic 6-3, 6-3 earlier Thursday. environs. gles to hold down a living from just com- “It’s a really important tournament for me,” said Suarez Navarro, Evans, who has won the last 10 peting in women’s events, in which she is the first Spanish woman to make the final at Key Biscayne since women’s world titles, has been invited to undefeated this season. When she won her Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1993. “I just practice all day, all the time play in qualifying for the men’s world eighth world title in 2012, she collected a during the offseason to play in a final like this.” Williams isn’t the only championship this month. Three wins, and top prize of 450 pounds (now $665) - the American still alive at Key Biscayne. No. 22 seed John Isner became she will become the first female to reach men’s champion that year, Ronnie the first US man to reach the semifinals there since Mardy Fish in snooker’s biggest stage at the Crucible O’Sullivan, pocketed 250,000 pounds (now 2011, downing fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-4, 6-3. Next up Theatre in Sheffield, northern England. $370,000). for Isner: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, the four-time champion at Key “Obviously, I’ve had to get over the sexism Evans started playing snooker at 13, Biscayne who beat Spain’s David Ferrer 7-5, 7-5 in another quarterfi- barrier,” Evans told The Associated Press in and is ambidextrous. Now 29, she still lives nal. “I played extremely well today,” Isner said after winning in just 1 a break from a practice session, a week at home with her parents and her 9-year- hour, 10 minutes. “I needed to play well in order to beat a player like before the qualifying rounds begin. “I old daughter. She doesn’t earn enough Kei and that’s what I did. From start to finish, I felt like I was aggres- don’t think the past has helped women money from snooker to get her own place. Snooker player Reanne Evans sive. I was playing all the right shots and things just went my way.” get involved in snooker but hopefully with “I was thinking of getting a part-time job Isner correctly picked Final Four on his NCAA Tournament bracket. all the opportunities that we now have, it’ll (in a supermarket), but who is going to for other female players. Her appearance He’s now in his own Final Four. Isner was serving at 4-4, 0-30 in the bring more into the game.” give you the time off to practice?” she said. in a world championship would also pro- first set, briefly flirting with trouble. A few minutes later, it was basi- The obstacles are still there. Evans says “There aren’t many jobs that will give you vide a huge boost to the profile of snooker cally over. He won the next 11 points and 19 of the next 21, at one she has been prevented from playing in the time off that you need to travel and at a time when officials of cue sports are point leaving Nishikori with no choice but to shrug his shoulders as some of Britain’s snooker halls, and once play the events. It’s a catch-22 situation. looking to get them included in the another winner whizzed past. got a male referee from New Zealand You either play or you don’t.” Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. Isner has not been broken in the tournament and won 41 of 52 thrown out of a tournament for saying She counts five-time world champion The WPBSA and the World Confede- points on his serve Thursday with 13 aces. “Serve, I didn’t have any women should not be playing. They are O’Sullivan as an inspiration - “Everybody ration of Billiards submitted a joint bid in chance,” said Nishikori, the Japanese star who stands 5-foot-10, a foot rare occurrences, but she often encounters loves Ronnie, he’s a genius” - and says ten- January to win a spot in the Tokyo Games, shorter than Isner. Djokovic got on a similar roll in his quarterfinal. prejudiced attitudes among snooker fol- nis player Serena Williams is her role mod- after the International Olympic Committee Down 3-0 early, he won 10 of the next 13 games and never looked lowers. “You don’t think things like that el: “She’s a machine at what she does, she passed a resolution to allow organizers to back - spoiling Ferrer’s 33rd birthday. “A very close match,” Djokovic happen in this day and age, but it does doesn’t care what anybody thinks. She just request the addition of one or more new said. “I enjoyed it.” Up 4-2 in the opening set but facing break point, happen, and is still out there,” Evans said. does her thing.” Evans’ progress has been sports. “It’s obviously going to help Ferrer stabbed his racket out to snare a passing try by Djokovic, the It’s the social and cultural environment hailed by Jason Ferguson, chairman of the because if it’s going to be in the Olympics, resulting drop-shot winner drawing raves from the crowd and even a in which snooker is played that appears to World Professional Billiards and Snooker you need both male and female competi- racket-clap from Djokovic himself. —AP have stopped women from rising to the Association, who hopes it will be a catalyst tors,” Evans said. —AP SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Chile’s Palestino win Palestinian fans worldwide Matches on TV SANTIAGO: Palestino, a Chilean football team long ing the matches is priceless.” His friend Daoud Nassar, caused controversy. Two years ago, the club came out down on their luck, are playing for the first time in 36 a student in the West Bank town of Birzeit, beamed in with a new jersey design that featured a map of (Local Timings) years in the Copa Libertadores, the top club tourna- his Palestino jersey-sent to him by a friend in Chile-as Palestine before the creation of Israel in 1948. That ment in Latin America, cheered on by ecstatic he described the club’s rabid following at his universi- drew an outraged reaction from Chile’s Jewish com- ENGLISH PREMIER Palestinians worldwide. The Santiago-based club’s ty. “They are raising Palestine’s colors high. They rep- munity, which complained to the local football feder- LEAGUE qualification for the regional tournament after a more resent it with pride,” he said. The club’s fans include ation. The federation sanctioned the club, ruling that Arsenal v Liverpool 14:45 than three-decade drought has sparked a football Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who has called the map was a political statement. beIN SPORTS 1 HD frenzy among Chile’s Palestinian community, one of them the “pride of the Palestinian people.” But the club has defiantly continued including the Everton v Southampton 17:00 the largest outside the Middle East. After the club defeated three-time tournament map in less visible form. Currently, it features on the beIN SPORTS 7 HD It has also won the club a rabid following among champions Nacional of Uruguay to advance to the sleeve. “Putting the map on the jersey is our way of Leicester v West Ham 17:00 Palestinians worldwide who are elated to see the second round, Abbas called the feat “a very good showing our identity and our resistance in Chile as beIN SPORTS players take the pitch in the red, green, black and example that, when Palestinians are given their free- well as in Palestine,” said Nadia Garin, a 39-year-old Man United v Aston Villa 17:00 white of their people’s flag. “Palestino triggers a lot of dom, they can work miracles.” “I call on all Palestinians descendant of Palestinian immigrants. Palestino was beIN SPORTS 1 HD emotions. It represents a people without a voice,” said and people who sympathize with our cause to sup- founded as a club for the Palestinian immigrants who Swansea v Hull City 17:00 Anuar Majluf, director of the Palestinian Federation of port Palestino, because they are carrying our message arrived in Chile by the thousands in the early 20th beIN SPORTS Chile, an organization that represents the South of freedom, justice and peace wherever they play,” he century, and made its professional debut in 1952. West Brom v QPR 17:00 American country’s 300,000 Palestinians. “Keeping our told Chilean newspaper La Tercera. The club have had Initially its players were all Arab, but over time its beIN SPORTS Palestinian identity alive through sport, raising the rougher going in the second round, and are currently Palestinian identity has become more figurative Chelsea v Stoke 19:30 Palestinian flag on the continent through sport, is sim- in third place in Group Five with four points. But with than literal. Today none of the players come from an beIN SPORTS 1 HD ply a marvelous thing,” he said. Thousands of kilome- two matches to go in the group stage they can still Arab background. Still, the club is an important part ters (miles) away, in Ramallah, Palestinian fans are fol- qualify for the knock-out round. They are hoping to of the Palestinian community’s identity. And a SPANISH LEAGUE lowing the Chilean club as if it were their home team. turn their fortunes around Tuesday when they face shared passion for football has helped pave the way Despite the time difference, Mounzer Zahran Venezuelan side Zamora, who are currently bottom of for Palestinians’ broader acceptance in Chilean soci- Sevilla v de Bilbao 17:00 rearranges his schedule to follow the Copa the group. ety, said community leader Majluf. “The club was beIN SPORTS Libertadores action at home in the West Bank. created because Chileans didn’t want Palestinians Cordoba v Atletico 19:00 “Sometimes I stay up until 5:00 am to watch the Controversial jersey to play on their teams. So we created this team. beIN SPORTS matches,” he said. “To me, it’s important to support Palestino are the only professional team in the Once we were able to play, little by little we were UD Almeria v Levante 21:00 the team, because it carries the name of Palestine. world to compete in FIFA-sanctioned matches wear- accepted and we managed to integrate into Chilean beIN SPORTS And seeing the stands filled with Palestinian flags dur- ing the colors of the Palestinian flag. The jersey has society,” he said. —AFP Malaga v Real Sociedad 23:00 beIN SPORTS

ITALIAN LEAGUE Swedes’ love for Ibrahimovic AS Roma v Napoli 13:30 beIN SPORTS 3 HD Hellas Verona v Cesena 16:00 unshaken by French outburst beIN SPORTS Sassuolo v Chievo 16:00 beIN SPORTS MALMO: A foul-mouthed outburst by Paris Saint-Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic Cagliari v Lazio 16:00 has drawn virtually no criticism in his native Sweden, where churlish comments beIN SPORTS have only underscored his image as a straight-talking underdog. The 33-year-old Citta di Palermo v AC Milan will face the French league’s disciplinary commission on April 9 for comments made 16:00 after PSG’s defeat at Bordeaux on March 15, when he labeled France a “shit country” beIN SPORTS 3 HD that “does not deserve PSG.” French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said he was “shocked”, while far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen suggested the Swede Internazionale v Parma 16:00 could leave France if he was unhappy. beIN SPORTS 9 HD But in Sweden few people were upset or even surprised by the spat. Mats Atalanta v Torino 16:00 Lilienberg, who played with Ibrahimovic at Malmo, painted a picture of a hardwork- beIN SPORTS ing, focused athlete whose hyperbole was only part of his charm. Beneath the Genoa v Udinese Calcio 16:00 swagger he “is another person if you know him,” the 45-year-old former teammate beIN SPORTS said. “He was coming up, he was young and cocky. He was exactly the same then as Fiorentina v Sampdoria 19:30 he is today. But... he’s very kind, humble. He’s there for people who are close to beIN SPORTS him,” he said. Juventus v Empoli 22:00 beIN SPORTS 3 HD Role model GERMAN LEAGUE In Ibrahimovic’s hometown of Malmo there were no signs that the French con- Eintracht F v Hannover 96 16:30 troversy had dented the image of the city’s own superstar.”He’s got class, he’s got beIN SPORTS good character. His attitude is not always good but you still like it,” 16-year-old Elias Bayer 04 v Hamburger 16:30 Abdullah said on the sidelines of a school football tournament. “It’s not every day beIN SPORTS that a small guy from Rosengaard becomes the world’s best football player,” he Wolfsburg v Stuttgart 16:30 added, referring to the immigrant-heavy neighborhood where Ibrahimovic, like beIN SPORTS himself, once lived. Ibrahimovic, born in Sweden to a Bosnian father and a Croatian Hoffenheim v Borussia M 16:30 mother, admitted in a 2011 autobiography that the first time he ventured into the beIN SPORTS city centre was in his late teens, feeling like an outsider who knew very little about W Bremen v Mainz 05 16:30 the country’s top footballers until he became one himself. “I mean, I was from beIN SPORTS Rosengaard. I didn’t give a damn about the Swedes. I’d been following the SC Freiburg v FC Koln 16:30 Brazilians,” he said. beIN SPORTS Dortmund v Bayern 19:30 Rags to riches story beIN SPORTS 4 HD Since then he’s made a remarkable journey into mainstream Swedish culture, winning numerous awards. A “fantastic class journey”, as detailed in his best-selling FRENCH LEAGUE autobiography, helped boost his popularity in the country, says Cristine Sarrimo, an assistant professor of literature at Lund University. The story was a “myth about an Guingamp v Olympique 18:00 anti-hero who... succeeds against the odds, completely on his own merits,” she said. beIN SPORTS Anja Gatu, a sports columnist at regional daily Sydsvenskan, said that even Lille v Stade de Reims 21:00 though he still had his detractors-some of whom could be found among the anti- SOLNA: Sweden’s forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic jumps to score beIN SPORTS immigrant Sweden Democrats-Ibrahimovic’s football skills had won over the during the friendly international football match between FC Metz v Toulouse 21:00 Swedish public after an initially rocky start. The fact that he “never made a secret of Sweden and Iran at the Friends Arena in Solna near beIN SPORTS wanting to be the best” coupled with his brash comments-sometimes made in jest Stockholm on March 31, 2015. —AFP Lorient v Stade Rennes 21:00 but misunderstood-sat uneasily with some Swedes, she said. Gatu herself took ing a pall over Svensson’s achievements. In a country where even prime ministers beIN SPORTS offence in 2013 when he waded into a row over the Swedish FA’s decision to have labeled themselves feminists, there was no shortage of outrage. “We’re not as Montpellier v Bastia 21:00 reward Swedish midfielder Anders Svensson with a car, but not his female counter- patriotic in Sweden as they are in France,” said Daniel Kristofferson, a sports journal- beIN SPORTS part Therese Sjoegran. ist at Expressen. The Bordeaux tantrum may not have been entirely unintentional as Nice v Evian Thonon 21:00 “They can have a bicycle with my autograph and that will be enough,” “he does very few things that are not planned,” he suggested. “Is it that he’s gotten beIN SPORTS Ibrahimovic told tabloid Expressen, adding that the criticism of the award was cast- fed up? He usually switches club after three years,” he added. —AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 Kuwait Shooting season ends with a bang

By Abdellatif Sharaa plans of KSSC board member ensured that Kuwait Shooting is ing him the gold medal; followed by Hassan Al-Mulla with the able to continue its achievements, and we are looking forward to score of 188.7 and Saad Al-Mane with 166.5 points. KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Tournament will participate in the Brazil Olympics,” he said, adding that the con- Al-Dahesh said that the 10m Air Rifle competition for men end today with a closing ceremony that will be attended by of the tinued support from HH the Amir and Kuwait government is con- saw Abdallah Al-Harby taking the gold medal with the score of representative of HH the Amir, Information Minster and State sidered the motive and incentive that makes shooters exert their 200 points, followed by Mohammad Adel with 198.3 points and Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. utmost efforts to make their achievements. Khalid Al-Subaie respectively. In the Shotgun competition, With this, Kuwait local shooting season will come to an end. Meanwhile, Director of the Pistol and Rifle Department Salem director of the Shotgun teams said the Double Trap competi- Kuwait Shooting Sports Club (KSSC) Treasurer Essa Bu Taiban Al-Dahesh said the 10M Air Pistol Event was highly competitive, tion was strong with Kuwait’s Olympian Fuhaid Al-Daihani scor- said that the results of the shooters give a good indication that as shown by the qualifications rounds score in which Abdallah ing 30 hits out of 30 (and won the gold medal) while Ahmad Al- they are ready for the upcoming events - giving them confidence Hamad scored 564 points, Ali Al-Mutairi 562 and Hassan Al-Mulla Afasi was second with 26 hits and Mishal Al-Thafiri was third in their ability to qualify for Brazil 2016 Olympics. “The efforts and 561, while the in final round, Ali Al-Mutairi scored 190 points - giv- with 27 hits.

10M Rifle officials A shooter preparing his rifle. Liverpool mind Chelsea set for final the gap ahead of push towards title Arsenal trip LONDON: Liverpool visit Arsenal for a potentially definitive LONDON: Chelsea have stuttered in their progress towards the manager Mark Hughes has set a long-term target of getting his club Premier League encounter this weekend, as the runners and Premier League title recently but Jose Mourinho’s side can take a sig- into the top six after agreeing a new four-year deal last week. riders in the race for Champions League qualification embark nificant step towards being crowned champions with victory over Hughes, whose team currently sit 10th and finished ninth last upon the season’s final lap. Having had their 13-game Stoke today. The visit of Mark Hughes’ team to Stamford Bridge pres- term, said: “We want to break the glass ceiling into the top eight - not unbeaten run ended by Manchester United before the inter- ents the Blues with the opportunity to consolidate their six-point this year, but that’s the hope in years to come. “We’ll always strive to national break, Liverpool find themselves five points below lead at the top of the table. And with second placed Manchester City be higher than top eight. Last year we were ninth and Southampton the Champions League spots with only eight games of the having just seven matches, one less than Chelsea, to close the gap were eighth so we came second in that mini-league. “The challenge season remaining. Another defeat at the Emirates Stadium following the latest round of matches, a win will make the west for us is to break in. It certainly won’t happen this year but the hope is could see Liverpool cut adrift, but victory would take them to Londoners even firmer favourites to bring the title to the Bridge for that in seasons to follow we can break through the glass ceiling. “The within three points of their opponents, revitalizing their the first time since 2010. owners like what they’ve seen and want to move forwards again.” quest for a top-four finish. However, Mourinho’s team have been less than convincing in Nigeria winger Victor Moses, on loan at Stoke from Chelsea, is ineligi- “In terms of the objectives going into the game, it’s no their last two outings on home turf, exiting the Champions League ble to face his parent club. —AFP different to what it was before Manchester United, but of on the away goals after a 2-2 draw with Paris Saint Germain before a course we had a disappointing result and performance last fortunate 1-1 draw with Southampton. And their final fixture before time out,” said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. “We signing off for the international break produced a narrow 3-2 victory English Premier League Table really want to make sure we perform and give ourselves a at struggling Hull, secured by a late Loic Remy goal and only after the chance to get a positive result.” Arsenal are seeking to record leaders had squandered a two-goal first half lead. LONDON: English Premier League table ahead of the week- a seventh league win in succession-a feat they last achieved end’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals in March 2012 - and with Manchester City not in action until Chasing pack against, points): Monday, victory would lift Arsene Wenger’s side up to sec- Hughes’ improved Stoke will provide another stern test and while Chelsea 29 20 7 2 61 25 67 ond place. Chelsea won the reverse fixture comfortably in December, City have Man City 30 18 7 5 62 28 61 “It’s a big game and an opportunity for us to continue our the capacity to ruffle the feathers of the leading teams. Fortunately Arsenal 30 18 6 6 58 31 60 run, which is what we want to do,” Wenger told his pre- for Mourinho’s side, none of the chasing pack have been able to Man Utd 30 17 8 5 52 27 59 match press conference. “You know after the international maintain a level of consistency that would have allowed them to Liverpool 30 16 6 8 44 32 54 break it’s always important that you come back and straight capitalize on recent slips, although Arsenal, playing earlier today, can Southampton 30 16 5 9 42 21 53 away you are on it.” Mathieu Debuchy, Mikel Arteta, Jack reduce the gap to four points if they beat Liverpool. Chelsea’s recent Tottenham 30 16 5 9 50 45 53 Wilshere and Abou Diaby are all back in training for Arsenal run has certainly ensured there is no risk of complacency at the Swansea 30 12 7 11 34 38 43 after injury, while Wenger said Danny Welbeck had a “little Bridge and Mourinho may ultimately have cause to be grateful his West Ham 30 11 9 10 40 37 42 chance” of playing after hurting his knee on England duty. side has not simply breezed through recent games. Denying the title Stoke 30 12 6 12 34 37 42 Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana could both feature for was already in the bag, left-back Filipe Luis said: “No, it’s really diffi- Crystal Palace 30 9 9 12 36 41 36 Liverpool despite withdrawing from the England squad cult. We have nine games, really difficult games. You know the Newcastle 30 9 8 13 33 48 35 through injury, but Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel are sus- Premier League is never easy. Everton 30 8 10 12 38 42 34 pended.Raheem Sterling, meanwhile, is likely to find more “We have to be better than ever because these are coming with a West Brom 30 8 9 13 27 39 33 than a few camera lenses trained on him after he confirmed lot of pressure, but I think we’re prepared to cope with the hard situ- Hull 30 6 10 14 28 40 28 that he has rejected a new contract offer and described ation we have. “The manager always says to us it’s not over. He never Aston Villa 30 7 7 16 19 39 28 reported interest from Arsenal as “flattering”. United, a point said anything else. He always asked for everybody to be focused and Sunderland 30 4 14 12 23 44 26 behind Arsenal in fourth place, will also have designs on sup- concentrated in the games and try to win everything we have. “Of Burnley 30 5 10 15 26 49 25 planting City ahead of a home game with relegation-threat- course, we have a chance to win the Premier League. Everyone QPR 30 6 4 20 31 54 22 ened Aston Villa. —AFP wants to be there to try to help the team to win the league.” Stoke Leicester 29 4 7 18 27 48 19 SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

GERMAN LEAGUE PREVIEW Injury-hit Bayern head to resurgent Dortmund

BERLIN: Injury-hit Bayern Munich head to time out going down 2-0 in Munich to goes for now.” With five wins and two draws resurgent Borussia Dortmund today shorn of Borussia Moenchengladbach, a fortnight in their last seven league games, Dortmund GERMAN BUNDESLIGA TABLE their top stars and with the hosts out to ago. There is, however, no talk of an upset have pulled away from the Bundesliga’s rele- prove there is still life in Germany’s ‘Der from the Dortmund camp. “At the moment gation zone. They are free to focus on their Klassiker’. The Bundesliga has been won it’s certainly not a top-of-the-table clash domestic form following their Champions BERLIN: German Bundesliga table ahead of this week- twice each by Dortmund and Bayern over when you look at the table,” admitted League exit to Juventus in the last 16. end’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals the last four years and the media here has Dortmund’s director of sport Michael Zorc. Even missing Ribery, Alaba and Robben, against, points): dubbed their meetings ‘Der Klassiker’- “But it will still grab the attention of millions Klopp expects Bayern to be dangerous. “We Bayern Munich 26 20 4 2 70 13 64 Germany’s answer to Spain’s ‘El Clasico’ of fans across Germany.” still have to reckon with some top quality VfL Wolfsburg 26 16 6 4 57 29 54 between Barcelona and Real Madrid. But a from Bayern, those boys can all play foot- Bayer Leverkusen 26 12 9 5 45 29 45 glance at the Bundesliga table highlights ‘Bad news’ ball,” he said. “But the fact is, Bayern will Bor. Moenchengladbach 26 13 8 5 37 20 47 Dortmund’s dramatic fall from grace this With Germany winger Marco Reus in have to make a few changes without their Schalke 04 26 11 6 9 37 31 39 season with Jurgen Klopp’s side currently superb form for both club and country three fastest players, which is what we have Augsburg 26 12 2 12 33 34 38 tenth having started February bottom of the alongside top-scorer Pierre-Emerick to be concerned about. “You have to pre- Hoffenheim 26 10 7 9 40 38 37 table after a disastrous run of results. Aubameyang, Dortmund have the attack to pare yourself for how the opposition will Eintracht Frankfurt 26 9 7 10 49 52 34 In contrast, Bayern are ten points clear in cause Bayern problems. “We have generally line-up against you.” Without Robben, Werder Bremen 26 9 7 10 41 54 34 the league table and heading towards a never given up on a home game in Bayern’s top scorer this season with 17 goals Borussia Dortmund 26 9 6 11 34 33 33 third straight league title. But Pep advance,” said Klopp, who will be without in 21 games, Guardiola will be missing some Mainz 05 26 6 12 8 35 36 30 Guardiola’s Bavarians will be missing injured Germany squad members Kevin Grosskreutz pace on the flanks, especially on the left Cologne 26 7 9 10 26 32 30 key stars Arjen Robben, David Alaba and and Erik Durm. “I would suggest we don’t without wing-back Alaba and winger Ribery. Hertha Berlin 26 8 5 13 31 44 29 Franck Ribery at the Signal Iduna Park. talk much and instead try to put in a good “It’s bad news,” said Bayern captain Philipp Hanover 96 26 7 6 13 29 42 27 Defender Holger Badstuber is struggling performance. “We’re not at the same level as Lahm. “They are really important for us. We Freiburg 26 5 10 11 26 36 25 with a hip injury, but veteran striker Claudio Bayern and, unless I am mistaken, we never mustn’t complain, we need to look forward. Hamburg 26 6 7 13 16 37 25 Pizarro is set to return from a leg injury. have been, but we have never considered “We’ve got a big squad and have to com- Paderborn 26 5 9 12 23 50 24 Bayern lost for the third time this season last ourselves to have no chance and that also pensate for losses like this.” — AFP VfB Stuttgart 26 5 8 13 27 46 23

FRENCH LEAGUE PREVIEW ITALIAN LEAGUE PREVIEW Tension mounts ahead of PSG aiming to strike blow crucial Roma-Napoli clash

MILAN: Rome will be on high alert today as Roma host Napoli for in ‘Classique’ showdown the first time since a supporter was killed last year in clashes between the teams’ rival fans. The game has been scheduled for 1030 GMT (1230 local time) due to fears over fan violence. Last PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain can strike a major blow in the take advantage when they go to Guingamp today. Hubert May, Napoli fan Ciro Esposito was shot and killed by a hardline Ligue 1 title race by continuing their impressive recent record Fournier’s side, who lost 2-1 at home to Nice in their last out- Roma ‘ultra’ supporter on the fringes of the Italian Cup final. City against Marseille when the bitter rivals meet at the Stade ing, are without the injury-prone Yoann Gourcuff as well as officials have banned visiting Napoli fans from the game and tick- Velodrome tomorrow. The defending champions have spent France right-back Christophe Jallet, who suffered a dislocated et sales among the Roma supporters are not expected to soar most of the season playing catch-up at the top but finally shoulder on international duty. Meanwhile, Monaco remain either. reached the summit after beating Lorient 3-1 in their last out- dangerous outsiders in the title race as they sit six points But the match itself is crucial to both sides’ Champions ing a fortnight ago, leading Lyon by one point and Marseille in behind the leaders with a game in hand. The principality club League qualification hopes. With Juventus boasting a 14-point third by two points. entertain Saint-Etienne, just one point behind them in fifth, at lead over second-placed Roma, the Bianconeri look to already Laurent Blanc’s side have dominated the fixture known as the Stade Louis II on Friday. “We are aiming to continue climb- have a fourth consecutive scudetto sewn up.But the race to join ‘Le Classique’ in recent years, with their 2-0 win at the Parc des ing the table. Every match is decisive now,” said Monaco them in the Champions League next season is far from over, and Princes in November their sixth in a row against OM. Indeed, coach Leonardo Jardim, who will be without veteran defender faltering Roma are the target for several hopefuls, including they have won seven and drawn one of the last eight match- Ricardo Carvalho due to a twisted knee. Elsewhere, Bordeaux, Napoli. A remarkable return of eight draws from a recent nine- ups since going down 3-0 at the Velodrome in November in sixth, host Lens tomorrow, while bottom side Metz enter- game run effectively ended Roma’s title hopes and left Rudi 2011, when Andre Ayew was among Marseille’s scorers. tain fellow strugglers Toulouse and Lorient host Brittany rivals Garcia’s men holding just a one-point lead over city rivals Lazio “Before the current period, Paris were struggling because we Rennes on Saturday. — AFP with 10 games remaining. Sampdoria sit in fourth, four points further adrift, with Napoli were better off financially,” recalled Ayew, the son of former in fifth a further point off the pace. Roma finally got back to win- Marseille and Ghana star Abedi Pele, in an interview with ning ways away to Cesena prior to the international break, but sports daily L’Equipe this week. FRENCH LIGUE 1 TABLE will be without injured striker Gervinho.Roma forward Adem “Since being taken over by the Qataris, Paris have taken on another dimension. We need to be realistic. They have Ljajic says beating Napoli is important to keep Lazio at bay. PARIS: French Ligue 1 table ahead of this weekend’s “Today’s game counts a lot for both sides, but we want to go out brought in players to build a great team and they proved that matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, and play our game and try to win,” Ljajic said. “Lazio are a top against Chelsea,” he added with a nod to PSG’s Champions side and are having a great run at the moment, but for now League last-16 win over the London side last month. “Playing points): we’re in second and we’ll do everything to stay there.” While vic- in a Classique is unique. My dad always used to say to me that Paris Saint-Germain 30 16 11 3 55 28 59 tory has eluded Roma of late, Napoli have not exactly been blaz- these were matches you couldn’t lose.” Marseille have climbed Lyon 30 17 7 6 57 24 58 ing a trail, dropping five points behind Lazio after winning only right back into contention after taking seven points from a Marseille 30 17 6 7 60 31 57 one of their last six league games. possible nine in March having previously gone four games Monaco 29 15 8 6 35 21 53 An eventual slip-up by Roma could see high-flying Lazio, without a win. And Marcelo Bielsa’s side will look to make the Saint-Etienne 30 14 10 6 37 24 52 who are away at Cagliari, move up to second place, adding spice most of having home advantage, with a record crowd of Bordeaux 30 13 9 8 38 37 48 to the existing bitter rivalry between the capital clubs. “Finishing around 64,000 expected at the renovated Velodrome, where Montpellier 29 13 6 10 39 32 45 second (behind Juve but above Roma) would be like winning the atmosphere can be among the most raucous in Europe. the title for us,” Lazio captain Stefano Mauri told Sky Sport. “In Lille 30 11 8 11 27 26 41 the city, people are really starting to feel the rivalry and our fans “This match is always a bit special,” Paris coach Laurent Nantes 30 10 10 10 24 30 40 are desperate for us to go ahead of Roma.” Blanc, who played in the fixture for OM for two seasons in the Guingamp 30 12 3 15 32 41 39 Fiorentina host Sampdoria in a clash that, while considered late 1990s, told PSG TV. “A sort of supremacy is at stake but at Rennes 30 10 9 11 28 37 39 crucial for their respective European hopes, was already expect- the end of the day there is only three points up for grabs. It is Nice 30 10 7 13 33 37 37 ed to serve up a cracking game between two attacking sides. an exciting game to take part in for various reasons, especially SC Bastia 30 9 10 11 30 34 37 Vincenzo Montella’s men have lost only once in their last 11 because of the satisfaction we can give to the supporters.” Caen 30 9 8 13 44 44 35 league games but welcome Sinisa Mihajlovic’s team with Marseille coach Bielsa has a decision to make in attack, where Reims 30 9 8 13 36 50 35 doubts over the availability of winger Manuel Pasqual and Andre-Pierre Gignac has been the first choice this season but Evian 30 11 2 17 32 46 35 defender Stefan Savic.Sampdoria are looking for their fifth win Michy Batshuayi is the man in form. Batshuayi came off the Lorient 30 10 4 16 34 41 34 on the trot and should be confident following a well-deserved bench to score twice in the 4-0 win against Lens last time out home win over Inter Milan two weeks ago that left Mihajlovic and the Belgian, who made his full international debut last Toulouse 30 9 5 16 31 49 32 purring. “It was the best football we’ve played all season,” said weekend, has scored six goals in his last five games. Lens 30 6 7 17 27 47 25 the Serbian. —AFP With their main rivals facing each other, Lyon will hope to Metz 30 5 8 17 22 42 23 SPORTS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015

MONTREAL: Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens and Joel Ward #42 of the Washington Capitals battle for the puck during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 2, 2015 in Montreal. —AFP Rangers clinch division title

ST PAUL: JT Miller scored the go-ahead goal in the BLUE JACKETS 4, ISLANDERS 3, SO and trickled past the goal line to give Boston its fourth in the Central Division. Derek Dorsett scored for Vancouver third period, less than a minute after Minnesota tied Ryan Johansen scored late in regulation to tie it and straight win. Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson also had (45-28-5), which was coming off consecutive wins at St the game, to give the New York Rangers a 3-2 victory then added the clinching goal in the shootout to lead the goals for the Bruins, who got 35 saves from Tuukka Louis and Nashville. Eddie Lack finished with 35 stops. over the Wild on Thursday night that clinched the Columbus Blue Jackets over the New York Islanders, Rask. Luke Glendening and Stephen Weiss had goals, Metropolitan Division title. After Thomas Vanek extending their streak to eight straight wins. After Mark and Mrazek made 22 saves for Detroit. Detroit’s Drew KINGS 8, OILERS 2 scored for the Wild, Miller’s tip-in came 55 seconds Letestu scored to lead off the shootout, Johansen slowed Miller started 48 hours after needing more than 50 Marian Gaborik and Jeff Carter scored two goals later at the 6:48 mark. The Rangers improved to 26- as he went in on goalie Jaroslav Halak and slid the puck stitches to close a pair of deep cuts near his left eye. He apiece, and Los Angeles moved up in the playoff chase 11-2 away from home, setting a franchise record for between his leg pads. Sergei Bobrovsky, who stopped was injured when he collided with Mark Stone’s skate with a victory over Edmonton. Drew Doughty and captain road wins, and stayed in first place in the Eastern Frans Nielsen in the first round, then stopped Kyle Okposo during Tuesday’s shootout loss to Ottawa. Dustin Brown ended lengthy goal-scoring droughts in the Conference with 105 points with five games to go. to lock up the victory. The Blue Jackets, out of the playoff first period to kick off the Kings’ highest-scoring perform- Jason Pominville scored and Matt Dumba had two picture, have won 11 of 12 in addition to running their road BLUES 4, FLAMES 1 ance in a half-decade. They added three third-period goals assists for the Wild, whose five-game winning streak streak to a franchise-best eight in a row. Brandon Dubinsky Jaden Schwartz had a goal and an assist and Jake against Edmonton goalie Tyler Bunz, who made his NHL ended. Dominic Moore scored against one of his and Jack Johnson had goals for Columbus, with Johansen Allen got light work in net for the St Louis Blues, who debut. Jordan Nolan also ended a long goal drought as the eight former teams, Rick Nash followed in the first also adding an assist. John Tavares had a goal and an assist ended a three-game home losing streak and clinched a defending Stanley Cup champions pulled even with period with his 41st goal and Ryan McDonagh had for the Islanders, who blew a two-goal lead in the third. playoff spot. Paul Stastny, Jori Lehtera and Patrik Winnipeg for the second wild-card spot in the Western two assists for the Rangers, who finished 18-5-5 Berglund also scored for the Blues, who reached 100 Conference. Los Angeles also moved one point behind against Western Conference opponents this season. SENATORS 2, LIGHTNING 1, OT points for the third time in four seasons without top for- Calgary for third place in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles Patrick Wiercioch scored 4:43 into overtime, leading wards Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen. St Louis hadn’t scored eight goals in a game since April 1, 2010, PANTHERS 6, HURRICANES 1 Ottawa past Tampa Bay. Mark Stone also scored for the is in second place in the Central Division with 101 points, against Vancouver. Roberto Luongo earned his 400th career win, and Senators, and Andrew Hammond made 28 saves to two behind Nashville, with five games to go. Sean Jaromir Jagr had a goal and an assist to tie Ron improve to 16-1-1 as an NHL starter. Jonathan Drouin Monahan scored his 30th goal for Calgary, with the 20- CAPITALS 5, CANADIENS 4, SO Francis for fourth place on the NHL’s career points list scored the lone goal for Tampa Bay, which has lost four year-old becoming the youngest player in Flames history Troy Brouwer scored the winner in the fourth round of to lift Florida over Carolina. Luongo made 31 saves to of its last six. Ben Bishop made 32 saves in the loss. The to reach that milestone. the shootout, leading Washington past Montreal. Alex become the 11th NHL goalie to record 400 wins as Senators continued to struggle on the power play, fin- Ovechkin and Joel Ward each scored a pair of goals for the the Panthers recorded their largest margin of victory ishing 0 for 5 with the man advantage. Ottawa is 1 for BLACKHAWKS 3, CANUCKS 1 Capitals in regulation time. Braden Holtby made 23 saves this season. With his two points against the 15 in its last three games. Jonathan Toews and Marcus Kruger scored in the third and improved to 6-0-2 in his career against Montreal. With Hurricanes, Jagr has 1,798. Vincent Trocheck scored period, and Chicago clinched a playoff spot with a victory his first goal - the 473rd of his career and fourth in his last two third-period goals, and Aleksander Barkov, BRUINS 3, RED WINGS 2 over Vancouver. Kruger also had an assist on Teuvo three games - Ovechkin became the Capitals’ career lead- Brandon Pirri and Willie Mitchell also scored for Zach Trotman scored his first career NHL goal with Teravainen’s first-period goal, and Corey Crawford made ing scorer, passing Peter Bondra. Jeff Petry, Tom Gilbert, Florida. Chris Terry scored a late goal and Anton 2:08 remaining to lift Boston past Detroit. Trotman’s 34 saves in Chicago’s third straight win. The Blackhawks Lars Eller and PK Subban scored for the Canadiens, while Khudobin stopped 29 shots for the Hurricanes. wrist shot got between Petr Mrazek’s glove and jersey (47-24-6) remained one point back of St. Louis for second Carey Price stopped 15 shots in defeat. —AP Shooting SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2015 APRIL SATURDAY, season ends SportsSports with a bang45

CALIFORNIA: Phoenix Suns’ Eric Bledsoe (left) passes the ball from Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, April 2, 2015, in Oakland. — AP James and Cavs douse Heat

CLEVELAND: LeBron James scored 23 points on and Hassan Whiteside scored 17 points apiece for Wade has battled knee trouble for several years and four in the final minutes and traded scores with the Thursday to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 114- Miami, who are now in a virtual tie with Boston for just had the same knee drained last Saturday. “It fading Suns (38-38) the rest of the way. 88 victory over the Miami Heat that dimmed his the eighth and final playoff berth in the East with could have been worse,” said Wade, who said he former team’s playoff hopes. James passed former seven games left in the regular season. The Heat still hopes he’ll be ready to play at Detroit on ROCKETS 108, MAVERICKS 101 Knicks center Patrick Ewing for 20th on the NBA’s scored seven straight points early in the first quar- Saturday. “I knew I was in trouble on my way down.” James Harden scored 24 points, former Dallas all-time scoring list with a hook shot in the first ter to take an early lead, but the Cavaliers took the guard Jason Terry hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer. The quarter. His 23 points in the game gave him 24,837 lead for good on James’s jump shot with 5:27 left in WARRIORS 107, SUNS 106 Rockets (52-24) moved a half-game ahead of for his career. He also handed out seven assists and the quarter. Harrison Barnes hit a running shot in the lane Memphis in the race for the No. 2 seed in the pulled down eight rebounds in the win over his for- Miami shot 54.5 percent from the field in the with less than a second remaining, lifting the Western Conference behind Golden State. Even mer team, which turned even more damaging for first half but still trailed 61-50 at the break. The Heat Golden State Warriors to a wild 107-106 win over with the loss, the Mavericks (46-30) are likely to end the Heat with the departure of Dwyane Wade with led 91-72 after three quarters and were never the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. Barnes’ big up with the seventh seed after a win over Oklahoma a left knee injury in the second quarter. threatened in the fourth. But the biggest blow to shot came after Eric Bledsoe broke free for a reverse City on Wednesday put them four games up on the The Cavs’ young star Kyrie Irving scored 23 the Heat could be the loss of Wade, who was drib- layup to put Phoenix ahead with 4.5 seconds to Thunder and gave them the tiebreaker. They’re now points also, while Iman Shumpert added 17 points bling near the baseline in the second quarter when play. And Bledsoe’s layup followed Stephen Curry’s 3 1/2 ahead with six to go. Trevor Ariza scored 19 off the bench. Tristan Thompson pulled down 15 his right foot slipped and his left knee buckled. go-ahead 3-pointer that seemingly put the Warriors for Houston, while Terry had 10 and Corey Brewer, rebounds for the Cavaliers, who moved three and a Wade slipped to the ground in pain, eventually ris- up for good. Instead, it took all 48 minutes for the another key member of Dallas’ championship run in half games ahead of idle Toronto for the second ing and walking off the court to the locker room. NBA-leading Warriors (62-13) to extend their latest 2011, finished with 14. Dirk Nowitzki led the seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Luol Deng The Heat said the injury was a bruised left knee. winning streak to 11 games. They fell behind by Mavericks with 21 points. — Agencies