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THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 JAMADA ALTHANI 24, 1435 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait Obama arrives Erdogan offers Benzema to release in Japan for condolences puts Real in detailed tension-filled for 1915 charge against expat stats3 Asia trip7 Armenia9 killings holders20 Bayern Qatar says dispute with Max 40º Min 24º Gulf neighbors is ‘over’ High Tide 07:59 & 18:44 Saudi prince warns enemies could exploit rift Low Tide 01:01 & 13:08 40 PAGES NO: 16145 150 FILS By Abdelatif Sharaa and Agencies Brotherhood. Kuwait has played media- conspiracy theories tor between the two sides. Foreign min- KUWAIT: Qatar has ended a dispute with isters from the six GCC states met in three of its Arab Gulf neighbors, the coun- Riyadh April 17 and reached an agree- Till death do us part try’s foreign minister said during a press ment to end the dispute but details on conference yesterday but acknowledged the agreement were not made public. that diplomats withdrawn over the dis- “Brothers in the GCC states arrived at an pute have yet to return to Doha. “For the understanding which is not considered a brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council concession by any party,” the Qatari min- (GCC) the dispute is over...but it’s up to ister said. By Badrya Darwish them to ask their ambassadors to return,” A statement attributed to Saudi Khaled Al-Attiyah told a press conference Arabia that the three ambassadors would at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait not return until Doha started to imple- City. Attiyah arrived yesterday for a meet- ment the agreement was “inaccurate”, ing with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Attiyah said. At the meeting in Riyadh, [email protected] Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah. the ministers agreed that the policies of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United GCC member states should not under- Arab Emirates recalled their ambassadors mine each other’s “interests, security and from Qatar in early March due to what stability”. The GCC is comprised of iring David Moyes, the coach of the popular the three GCC states say was Doha’s Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Manchester United football club, was not a KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah (right) and meddling in their internal affairs and Arabia and the UAE. surprise. If you are a football fan, I am sure you his Qatari counterpart Khaled Al-Attiyah exchange agreements at the Foreign F Ministry yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat supporting the banned Muslim Continued on Page 15 know that since Moyes took the reins from Sir Alex Ferguson nearly a year ago, the performance of the club deteriorated drastically. Since 1992, the worst position Manchester United - the team that has Couple arrested for killing maid won the English Premier League the most times - ever finished was third place. The fact that they are 7th now is a negative record already. This is their worst finish ever. Manchester United also failed to qualify for the Champions League for first time Barrak’s corruption since 1995, which is the lowest ever point for the team. In fact, Moyes took over a club who were claims cause furore champions last season. However, my idea is not to write about football. PM grilling to be filed today My point is that the management of the club imme- diately noticed that someone is not taking the club By Staff Reporter Barrak claims he has well-documented upward, leave alone the colossal losses. It was information and related documents enough reason for a replacement. There is no wasta KUWAIT: A hard-hitting television about inflated bank accounts, in addi- (connections), it does not matter which tribe you interview by opposition leader and for- tion to transfers of funds. belong to. It is your performance that matters. mer MP Musallam Al-Barrak in which The lawmaker said that Barrak also A similar scenario took place in the United he made major corruption allegations made strong accusations against mem- Kingdom two weeks ago when cultural secretary became the focal point of political bers of the National Assembly and the Maria Miller quit her job after being accused by par- activity yesterday, with a lawmaker government, indicating that they are liament of overspending by nearly £45,000. This calling for a criminal investigation and not doing their job to safeguard public amount in the Arab world is not enough to buy a the government urging a funds. Sane proposed that halt to baseless accusations. the interview be sent to the car for a parliamentarian or a high-ranking official. Barrak had alleged in the public prosecution which Still, the lady was forced to step down. interview to Al-Youm satel- should launch a criminal Imagine if we in the Arab world followed the lite television that the bank investigation into the issue same system. Unfortunately, in my part of the account of a former senior in order to uncover the world, people think that positions are inherited official increased from a truth behind Barrak’s accu- from their grandfathers and do not belong to the ‘mere’ $235 million in June sations. country. Whether they perform badly or lose bil- 2007 to as much as $23 bil- The Cabinet meanwhile lions in projects and not just £45,000, they hold lion in December last year. expressed “indignation” and their positions for 20 and 30 years without accom- He also accused that official concern over accusations in plishing anything. They fight to hold the positions of making transfers of hun- the media including social Musallam Al-Barrak as if they are part of their lives. They are not ready dreds of millions of dollars networks that are made to part with the positions till death takes them to several people in apparent political without evidence and constitute acts of apart. corruption scandals. But the outspo- defamation against people, especially This happens in all fields and in all countries in ken former lawmaker did not reveal those against the judiciary. A statement KUWAIT: This combo of images shows the body of an Asian maid who was beat- the Middle East. We have a system where there is no the name of the senior official or the issued by State Minister for Cabinet en to death and dumped in South Surra. accountability. It is whom you know and who you names of people who received the Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah By Hanan Al-Saadoun severely beat and injured the victim, are connected to. This is most important. Whether alleged kickbacks. Al-Sabah said such unsubstantiated leading to her death. They then dumped you bring the country down or the football club, MP Yacoub Al-Sane called for refer- claims are against the values of the KUWAIT: A citizen and his wife were her body in an open area in Siddiq. you are still given the chance to stay and stay and ring the interview to the public prose- country, in addition to breaching the arrested yesterday for allegedly killing Detectives who found the body intensi- stay. cution to launch a criminal investigation law. The statement called on people and their Asian maid, whose body was found fied their efforts until they arrested the into the claims made by Barrak, saying if the media to stop repeating such claims I have to admit that I was impressed when King in Siddiq in South Surra on Monday. The suspected killer and his wife. Separately, what he said is true, it necessitates tak- and urged taking the proper path of Abdullah of Saudi Arabia sacked the health minister man confessed providing a false state- the body of an expat was found in ing legal actions against those accused, submitting the claims to the public pros- over the spread of MERS. That is a good start, guys. I ment the day the couple disposed off the Abdaly yesterday. Investigations are and if it is wrong, then legal action must ecution to start an investigation. hope this change of mindset spreads all over the body of the maid, claiming she had ongoing to identify the victim and cause be taken against Barrak. Sane said that Continued on Page 15 Arab world. absconded. The man said he and his wife of death. Another UAE family Palestinians pledge unity Bahrain expels attacked in London Sistani’s envoy

DUBAI: Several armed men targeted a family London hotel room and battered three sisters DUBAI: Authorities in Sunni-ruled Bahrain yesterday from the United Arab Emirates by forcing their from the Emirates. Police said theft was the expelled the representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, way into their London apartment, weeks after a apparent motive. That attack drew the atten- in the latest manifestation of tension with the kingdom’s similar attack in the British capital, state media tion of the top leadership in the Emirates, a sev- Shiite majority. Sheikh Hussein Al-Najati was among 31 in the Gulf nation and police said yesterday. en-state federation that includes Dubai and the Bahrainis who had their citizenship revoked in November The attacks have been front-page news in the oil-rich capital of Abu Dhabi. The Emirati gov- 2012 over accusations that they had undermined state secu- Emirates, where violent crime is rare. The coun- ernment dispatched a high-level government rity, more than a year after authorities crushed a Shiite upris- try has longstanding ties to the United delegation and police officers to meet with the ing in March 2011. The opposition denounced the deporta- Kingdom, and London is a popular destination sisters’ family. All three women in the hotel tion as an “attack on Shiism”, accusing authorities of “sectari- for Emirati tourists and other wealthy Arabs hammer incident are still in the hospital. One of an persecution”. from the Gulf. the victims lost her left eye and has brain Najati “practiced unclear activities, without coordinating The Emirates’ ambassador to Britain, injuries, and is described as in “critical but sta- with authorities who discovered afterwards that he was Abdulrahman Ghanem Al-Mutaiwee, was quot- ble condition”, according to police. Sistani’s representative,” the interior ministry said. “Working ed by the country’s official WAM news agency A London man has been charged with as an official representative of any party necessitates a letter as saying that seven people were involved in attempted murder and aggravated burglary of accreditation that specifies responsibilities and planned the attack, some of them wielding hammers, in the hotel attack, and three other people activities,” it said. Najati worked on “collecting funds and dis- knives and guns. They stole money, jewelry and are charged with handling stolen goods. tributing them” in the name of the Iraq-based Sistani, one of credit cards from the Emirati man and his wife, British police noted the “tragic coincidence” of the top Shiite spiritual guides, the ministry added. Najati was he said. British police confirmed details of the the two attacks, but say there is no evidence born in 1960 to Iranian parents in Bahrain, it said. robbery, saying it happened in the Paddington linking them or any indication the latest vic- GAZA: Senior Fatah official Azzam Al-Ahmad (left), Gaza’s Hamas Prime He arrived yesterday in Lebanon, according to Bahrain’s area of central London early Tuesday. They said tims targeted because of their nationality. Minister Ismail Haniya (center) and senior Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouq, Al-Wefaq association, the largest Shiite opposition formation. the victims were an Emirati couple and an Britain recently introduced an electronic who is based in Egypt, join hands after the announcement of an agreement Al-Wefaq said Najati’s expulsion goes beyond affecting the Emirati acquaintance in their 40s and 50s. No visa waiver system for citizens of the UAE, Qatar between Hamas and Fatah at Haniya’s residence in Shati Refugee Camp yes- cleric personally to “target Shiism as a sect in the country and arrests have been made. and Oman, making it easier for those countries’ terday. — AP (See Page 8) is a persecution to its followers”. On April 6, a man entered an upscale citizens to travel to the UK. — AP Continued on Page 15 THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 LOCAL Social media affects people’s mindsets Kuwait hosts second summit

By Ben Garcia and Nawara Fattahova Telecom’s Abdulaziz Ibrahim Fakhroo, Matar Al-Shammari, acting General Manager of Retail Banking Department at KUWAIT: Kuwait is the first in the Gulf region in social Kuwait International Bank and Samer Abu-Latif, Microsoft media usage and it has become a key component for pro- Gulf General Manager. viding and delivering information to people, the informa- “The world nowadays is a giant network itself. We are tion and youth affairs minister said as he inaugurated the all connected. People tweet and use Facebook and second social media summit on Tuesday. In his inaugural Instagram to communicate socially, but social media tools address, Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah said social are now widely used in business - email and telephone are media has become a tool for easily delivering and receiv- no longer the dominant mediums. We use social media ing information. “What makes social media so strong is now to exchange information and search for information,” that it provides information as quickly as possible,” he said. Abu-Latif said. According to Sheikh Salman, the media revolution in The two-day summit will address important issues in Kuwait in the late 1990s was a quantum leap for social social media integration, measurement and monitoring media, which affected the entire society. “This affects the within communication strategies and enabling to build a national identity of individuals and the society in general. communications plan fit for particular goals and audi- The summit will examine and utilize modern tools in ences. In his address during the first day of the summit yesterday, Frank Baker, Ambassador of UK to Kuwait, said with the digital world around us, governments through- out the world are simply adopting changes. “For the last three years, we are using social media in the diplomatic corps. We tweet each other, we answer questions online and we interact with foreign leaders using this medium. We cannot ignore it anymore; we are in fact embracing it,” KUWAIT: (From left) Frank Baker, Nart Bouran and Dr Naif Al-Mutawa during panel discussion evaluating the long- he said. term impact of social media in the government, businesses and social life. “A few years ago, social media didn’t exist, and people had to personally see each other to make known their purposes. Nowadays, in a matter of seconds, you will be connected to everyone you like to be connected around the world. It’s interesting that now instantaneously every- thing that is going on around us can be seen in our hands through smartphones, through digital media,” Baker added. But he also acknowledged the challenges social Information and Youth Minister Sheikh Salman Al- media is facing. “We need better regulations and probably Hamoud Al-Sabah self-censorship. The challenge is how to protect individu- als from the untruthful disseminating of information. If social media to stay in touch with the society for its bene- the accusation is not true and unfounded, how do we face fit. Social media revolutionized the way individuals com- the challenge without undermining the very concept of municate and exchange information,” he added. freedom of expression and freedom of thought? These are He pointed out the government has established a the biggest challenges we are all facing,” he concluded. media environment project and an integrated media sys- The social media summit will also address the issue of tem that connects between the government and private clear governance and policy to ensure appropriate com- media. “Through this project, Kuwait looks at private munication. According to the latest statistics, 78 percent media outlets as key partners and this improves coopera- of smartphone users access social networking sites via tion at all levels,” Sheikh Salman mentioned. Speakers at the opening ceremony included Wataniya their mobile browser and mobiles apps. Incidentally, Facebook has revealed that 49 percent of their revenues come from mobile users. Inaugural ceremony on Tuesday.— Photos by Joseph Shagra Day One tively, to maximize benefits and minimize risks, stressed Management by Corey Padveen, Director, Global Social Ibrahim Elbadawi, Managing Director of Exantium, is Elbadawi. “Every year we see some difference in the issue. Business Strategy, t2 Marketing Solutions, Canada. The participating for the second year. “We have customers For instance, four years ago the question was “why social master class covered not only some of the best tools that from the public sector in Kuwait and other countries of media”, and sometimes even “what’s social media”. Now exist in the marketplace for social media management, the region. We noticed the use of technology in delivering nobody is questioning the value of social media,” he con- but also the importance of strategy when it comes to their public services. But now with the popularity of social cluded. The summit discusses ways that government effective use. media and other digital mediums like mobiles, these are organisations and businesses can use social media effec- The opening keynote on day one was by Dr Naif Al- new models of doing business in government, mainly by tively to engage citizens and clients. Participants will ben- Mutawa, creator of The 99 series, on cyber bulling and the engaging citizens more,” he told the Kuwait Times. efit from networking and brainstorming sessions with negative effect of social media if not used responsibly. Throughout the sessions, speakers are providing rec- international social media experts in addition to govern- Mutawa’s keynote generated a lot of support from the ommendations to the audience - who are mainly from ment and industry leaders. Day one of the summit started summit participants on Twitter to stop cyber bulling and government bodies - on how to use social media effec- with a master class on Technology Tool Kit for Social Media promote social media’s best practices. p3 COPY_Layout 1 4/23/14 11:14 PM Page 1

LOCAL THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

Photo of the day

Do you know where this amazing collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia is in Kuwait? You would if you read last week’s Friday Times. Check out our coverage online for more details about the famous Aladdin House of Kuwait. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Kuwait to release detailed official expat stats Challenges, priorities and achievements

By Ahmad Jabr cial statistics in various fields, Ministry information) and supervis- including population, according to ing statistical divisions at all state KUWAIT: The Central Statistical Sahar. “There are three official popu- departments. Six-month painting Bureau (CSB), the state’s main statis- lation statistics containing different tical information gathering body, numbers released by separate state Positive signs workshop for children plans to release full and detailed departments in Kuwait,” Sahar While Sahar complained from a statistics of Kuwait’s expatriate pop- acknowledged. He added that the problem of shortage in qualified KUWAIT: Kuwait’s leading cultural buildings and houses. Some of the and Letters. ulation this year, Director Dr CSB has reached out to officials statisticians, he expressed optimism foundation, Abdulaziz Hussein formative art painters colored the The young Kuwaitis painted at Abdullah Sahar said yesterday. The within the Ministry of Planning and in the CSB’s ability to retain ‘compe- Cultural Center, has organized a papers with shapes symbolizing large well-equipped halls, with statistics will be based on the 2012 other state departments in order to tent national staff’, “especially in light six-month workshop involving 54 the country’s sea environment, the presence of guides, relatives and Kuwait census data, and likely classi- study demographics and compile a of the new strategy presented by gifted children who translated national heritage, the popular cos- parents, with aim of boosting fy expatriates by nationality, age single report that the state can Hind Al-Subaih, the Minister of Social their painting skills on paper-many tumes and the old mud-made morale and encouragement. group, profession and education, adopt officially. However, its calls Affairs and Labor and State Minister drawing the National Flag. houses. Some eminent senior artists, Sahar said. It is going to be the first have so far received little response for Planning and Development.” The juniors’ works were put on The activity that involved 54 namely Abdulaziz Arti, have held time that the CSB will release official from the Public Authority for Civil Weakness in coordination between display at the center headquarters students from 34 schools was held workshops at various schools, to demographic statistics in a detailed Information, Civil Service state departments has also affected in Mishref. Most pieces depicted under the sponsorship of the help the young develop their artis- report since 1975, Sahar told Kuwait Commission, and other state the CSB’s ability to provide com- the Kuwaiti Flag hoisted atop National Council of Culture, Arts tic skills. —KUNA Times. He did not provide a departments. The challenge to pletely reliable information. However, several ministries have started acting out of acknowledg- ment of the importance of achieving such coordination, according to Sahar. These include the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, the Civil Service Commission and Public Institution for Social Security. Their positive and more transparent response is helping the CSB achieve better statistical results, Sahar said.

Achievements and priorities While acknowledging that that the challenges have kept the CSB’s achievements limited, Sahar gave a presentation of the accomplish- ments attained during the year and a half period that its report covers. KUWAIT: Dr Abdullah Sahar, Director of the Central Statistical Bureau These achievements include (left) and Faisal Al-Qana’ie, Secretary General of the Kuwait Journalists finalizing the system strategy for the Association, during a press conference held at the KJA yesterday. Labor Market Information System — Photo by Joseph Shagra (LMIS), a project that aims at provid- ing reliable and easy-to-access timetable for the report’s release, achieve cooperation is a result of information and analyses pertaining however. the fact that the CSB law is yet to be with the labor market. The CSB also Sahar spoke during a press con- fully enforced. This, according to finalized the methodology of the ference hosted by the Kuwait Sahar, is the main challenge that the Career Prediction System, an infor- Journalists Association. The event CSB faces today. The CSB was estab- mation bank that can be accessed was held to announce the CBS’ sec- lished as per law no. 27 released in by employers, jobseekers and poli- ond report that details challenges, 1963. The law recognizes the CSB as cymakers who can use the data in priorities and achievements the main source for statistical infor- studies to end labor market flaws. between June 2012 and Dec 2013. mation in Kuwait, and summarizes Priorities include completing the its duties as conducting the national 2014 labor force survey, improving Key challenges census, compiling statistical infor- the database infrastructure, launch- Lack of coordination between mation, gathering labor statistics in ing a national program to guarantee state departments has led to failure the public and private sector quality official statistics and pro- in adopting a single source for offi- (excluding confidential Defense moting statistical products. Quran, Sunnah Authority extends logo competition

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for end of May. The authority’s PR and depth of its message as a newly Quran ‘Sunnah Sciences’ Printing media manager Mubarak Al- established government authori- and Publication has extended its Dousary said that the competition ty,’ he added. Dousary also noted logo design competition till the aims at stimulating participants’ that all entries would be subject creativity and imagination to to general and technical condi- effectively contribute to building tions explained in the competi- the authority’s futuristic integrat- tion announcement. ed system. ‘The extension was He added that all entries made in view of the growing should be emailed to the authori- number of participants and in ty at [email protected] including order to give them more time,’ he the original design file in the JPG underlined. format with 300 megapixel resolu- Dousary explained that the tion in addition to a text file logo content must reflect due explaining the design’s idea, care and attention given to both entrant’s CV and contact informa- the Holy Quran and sunnah in tion. Finally, Dousary said that Kuwait. ‘It should also express the once a design is selected by the authority’s internationalism, its jury, the winner will receive a KD Mubarak Al-Dousary great mission, its vision and the 5,000 award. THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 LOCAL University degree forgery net busted Search for car thief

KUWAIT: Immigration detectives arrested forged degree. He also admitted that he was had reported stolen previously, outside his three men who sold forged university degrees able to get his license back after bribing two house. Furthermore, the owner said that he dis- to foreigners seeking to obtain a driving traffic department employees. covered after checking the service card inside license. The fraud was discovered during inves- Detectives arrested two Syrian nationals his car that the vehicle was taken for service at tigations after information reached Maj Gen and found stamps, computers, scanners and the car dealer during the time it was stolen. Ghazi Al-Meia, the General Director of the cash in their house. Meanwhile, a number of Fingerprints were lifted from the vehicle. Immigration Investigations Department, about traffic department employees were taken for a Syrian man who was able to get back his questioning to reveal their potential involve- Ex-wife charged license that was confiscated during a traffic ment in releasing the confiscated license. A Kuwaiti man filed child negligence police crackdown. charges against his ex-wife after discovering KUWAIT: Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain visited Kuwait Times this week and The investigations revealed that the license Car thief that his daughter suffered a broken left arm. held talks with Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan on matters of was issued illegally, as detectives discovered Investigations are ongoing in search for a The man told officers at Mubarak Al-Kabeer mutual interest. that the university degree provided in the thief who reportedly returned a car back to its police station that he learned that his daughter issuance transaction was forged. The man was owner a few days after stealing it. The Syrian fell from a high place at her mother’s house. He arrested and taken for questioning, during car owner told officers at Khaitan police station filed a case against the mother who has cus- which he admitted that he had bought the that he found his 2013 model vehicle, which he tody of the child. Investigations are ongoing. Armed man held after hot chase

By Hanan Al-Saadoun residential and commercial complex on Amman Street where he raped her, said KUWAIT: Jahra security arrested a citizen security sources. The girl added that the after chasing him in Amghara where his incident took place in November and it vehicle broke down and stopped, said took her this long to report the incident security sources, noting that by checking because he had been repeatedly promising on the vehicle, it was found reported to marry her, until he finally started avoid- stolen. Policemen also found a machine ing her and asked her to find someone else gun, several kinds of ammunition and five to marry and that he would pay for an other vehicle ignition keys, which suggests abortion. A case was filed and further that the suspect might be involved in other investigations are in progress. robberies. Further investigations are in progress. Youth injured A young citizen was rushed to Airport death Farwaniya ICU with serious head injuries he A 66-year-old Pakistani died moments sustained in a fight. Meanwhile, a Syrian before he boarded a flight taking him back reported that a bullet had hit his vehicle in KUWAIT: Under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior’s assistant undersecretary for border security, Maj Gen Sheikh home for good at Kuwait International Qurain, causing some damage. Mohammed Al-Yousif Al-Sabah, the coastguards department yesterday made a sudden inspection campaign within Kuwait Bay Airport, said security sources. waters targeting both boat and jet ski violations. The inspection also resulted in filing 30 tickets for recklessness and violating Vehicle fire safety procedures. 15 jet skies were detained. Girl cheated A fire broke out in a new vehicle along A Kuwaiti girl reported that she had met the Sixth Ring Road, said security sources, a young man, who after promising to marry noting that initial reports suggested that her, lured her to an apartment in a famous the fire was caused by an electrical fault. Education Ministry considers GCC artifacts, teaching traffic awareness history society KUWAIT: Minister of education Ahmad Al- traffic awareness among students,” he said. Mulaifi said yesterday the ministry was con- Drivers realize the importance of opens convention sidering the teaching of traffic awareness respecting traffic laws, said Al-Mulaifi, because it was important to spread “culture which should be a well-established culture. KUWAIT: The 15th convention of the GCC artifacts of respect” of law among students. Al-Mulaifi, meanwhile, said the ministry and history society opened here yesterday under “Teaching traffic awareness in schools is of education was considering the increase the sponsorship of Information Minister and unquestionable,” Al-Mulaifi said in a speech of school buses to include more students. Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman at the opening of a forum and exhibition Fatma Al-Ali, Principal of Rawda High themed “Until When Our Streets Bleed?” at School for girls, said the school has been Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. Rawda High School for girls. shedding light on the traffic issue because “The meeting derives its significance from cen- “Specialists in the Ministry of Education of painful accidents in the streets nation- turies-old historic and scientific milestones of the are studying all means to introduce this wide. area, which comes as a reflection of engrained subject either through curricula and books, She called for collaboration of efforts to communication among its civilizations and peo- or through school activities ... to boost the address the traffic congestions. —KUNA ples,” said Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Ali Al- Youha during the opening ceremony. The NCCAL is hosting the event, which goes Wataniya representatives with the organizers at Wataniya booth under the theme Gulf countries History and affect throughout the ages.” “Such celebration of civilization and heritage is Wataniya Telecom sponsors seen in Kuwait as a well-seated platform to envis- age the future,” Al-Youha added, pointing out that local talent expo the convention will include a number of sessions KUWAIT: Wataniya Telecom, a member of devices and offers audience a chance to run by academics and experts in the fields of histo- Ooredoo Group, is sponsoring Life N Style interact and get introduced to the latest ry and artifacts, which would contribute in unveil- annual exhibition, which features a diverse special offers that cater especially to the ing different layers of the area’s incremental history. collection of high-end luxury items. needs of small and medium businesses. On his part, Chairman of the society Ibrahim Al- Displayed items include home accessories, The booth also offers visitors a chance to Muzaini commended the gathering and its higher décor items, clothes and personal acces- learn more about Nojoom, Wataniya’s one- objective of achieving a unique historical identity sories among other things. This year’s edi- of-a-kind reward program that features ben- KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait sponsored an event on traffic aware- for the Gulf region, as well as sustaining its social tion focuses on entrepreneurs and artists efits and discounts from an all-star collection ness, organized recently at the Roudha High School with attendance of Minister from Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt and Turkey. of stores and facilities. Ranging from depart- homogeneity. —KUNA of Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi. The CBK participated in the event as well with a Wataniya Telecom’s support for this exhi- ment stores, restaurants, hotels and airline pavilion as part of the bank’s ongoing third Annual Heritage Campaign. bition stems from the company’s belief in tickets, Nojoom aims to boosts its sub- entrepreneurship and appreciation to scribers’ daily routine with great discounts emerging artists and talents. Wataniya’s and benefits. The exhibition takes place in Commerce Ministry participates booth at the event displays the latest Al-Baraka Hall in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. in Travel Market KUWAIT: The tourism division at the Ministry Ghareeb, the Assistant Undersecretary for of Commerce and Industry announced par- Tourism Affairs. ticipating in the Kuwait Travel Market, which The ministry’s pavilion is set to highlight takes place later this month at the Kuwait Kuwait’s heritage as well as the latest tech- International Fairground in Mishref under nologies in tourism, Al-Ghareeb said. the patronage of Minister of Information The Kuwait Travel Market, an exhibition Sheikh Salman Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah. on travel tourism, medical tourism and The event is an opportunity for the min- entertainment, is organized in cooperation istry to communicate with companies par- with the Leaders Group between the April ticipating in the event as well as visitors 28 and 30, featuring at least 60 companies Samira Al-Ghareeb interested in tourism, said Samira Al- from Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf region.

Consumer price rises by 2.96 percent in March KUWAIT: Kuwait’s annual record of the general index of consumer prices (inflation) rose in March by 2.96 percent compared with the same month of last year, the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) announced yesterday. In its monthly report the CSB, however, stated that the inflation rate jumped only by 0.30 month-on-month basis as result of the rise in prices of some major groups with influential figures in the movement and low standard of some groups. It noted that the price index for nine major groups increased and retreated for three others in the correspon- ding period. The price index for the major group of “furnishing equip- ment and household maintenance” hiked by 4.83 percent year-on-year and by 0.22 percent month-on-month. The price index for the major group “housing services” rose by 4.50 percent year-on-year, and by 0.92 percent month-on-month. Furthermore, the price index for the major group “educa- tion” rose by 4.06 percent year-on-year and by 1.42 month- on-month. The price index for the major group “Food and KUWAIT: Immigration officials launched a security campaign in industrial Beverages” hiked by 3.57 percent year-on-year and 0.14 per- Jahra area and arrested 102 violators, wanted and absconding persons. cent month-on-month.—KUNA They were all sent to concerned authorities. —Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun LOCAL THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

KUWAIT: Earth Day celebrations in progress at the National Museum of Kuwait.—- Photos by Joseph Shagra

Call for efforts to protect Protecting environment intellectual property rights a top priority: Kuwait CAIRO: The Arab League called here holders are required to adopt a multifac- yesterday for concerted international eted approach or policy against this seri- efforts to be exerted in order to protect ous phenomenon, Bekheit pointed out. Earth Day celebrated at National Museum intellectual property rights and stimu- She emphasized that the protection late innovation and creativity. of consumers’ health and safety is of KUWAIT: Kuwait is committed to keeping the envi- Protocol to the United Nations Framework Metro projects. For much of the past decade, interna- Speaking at a celebration held yester- paramount significance, but more con- ronment healthy and clean, said Minister of Convention on Climate Change which is an interna- tional companies operating in the major projects sec- day at the Cairo-based Arab League on certed efforts need to be exerted in Information Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Sabah, tional treaty that sets binding obligations on industri- tor have found Kuwait a challenging market in which intellectual property rights, the league’s order to fan out public awareness and opening here a two-day celebration of Earth Day at alized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse to do business, said the report. intellectual property and competition promote the concept of intellectual the National Museum of Kuwait. gases. However, the report added, there are good rea- department chief, Maha Bekheit said property culture. Sheikh Salman, who is also State Minister for Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April sons to believe this year will be different with the new innovation and creativity should be pro- On his part, Assistant Secretary- Youth Affairs, indicated in a press statement that the 22, on which events are held worldwide to demon- parliament. The significance of this change in Kuwait’s tected against the phenomenon of pira- General of the Arab League for Economic government was eager to support any public func- strate support for environmental protection which is political landscape for the projects market was con- cy in the Arab world. Affairs Mohammad Al-Twegri addressed tion promoting the protection of the environment. what Kuwait is doing for two days at the National firmed on 10 February 2014, when the Central She cautioned against social and eco- the event by underscoring the signifi- With regard to the Earth Day celebration, he said it Museum. Tenders Committee confirmed the award of three nomic losses caused by trade fraud and cance of the celebration which coincides is being observed through a number of activities on Meanwhile, a report issued by KFH-Research not- engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) counterfeiting so that international with the World Intellectual Property Day. the Museum’s stage, including musical stage presen- ed that the projects’ market in Kuwait witnesses a deals worth a combined USD 12bln for the long cooperation should be stepped up to He stressed the necessity of sharing tations and poetry recitals. Taking part in these pre- new dawn through the launch of numerous infra- delayed Clean Fuel Projects (CFP). fight relevant perils and risks. experience and making integrated efforts sentations are a selected number of local, regional, structure and construction projects, such as environ- As well as including the single biggest oil and gas To square up to piracy and counter- to fight fraud and counterfeiting and to and international artists who extol the importance of mental fuel projects worth $12 billion, in addition to EPC contract awarded in the GCC, the CFP awards is a feiting in an effective manner, all stake- highlight Arab creativity. — KUNA living in a clean and protected environment, he said. other mega projects in the fields of roads and sign that Kuwait is back in business, concluded the He noted that Kuwait is a signatory to the Kyoto bridges, including Al-Sabbiya Bridge and Kuwait report. — KUNA THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 LOCAL

kuwait digest In my view GCC disputes The ideal resolved? mother

By Dr Hassan Abdullah Jouhar s predicted, it seems that the Kuwaiti-Omani mediation has succeeded in resolving the recent GCC-Qatari disagree- Ament and the recalled ambassadors will soon return after Qatar promised to deport Muslim Brotherhood leaders and con- By Labeed Abdal trol Al-Jazeera TV channel, which is positive in itself at least for the sake of saving one’s face and prevent breaking the GCC organiza- tion despite the so many disagreements about priorities amongst its members. The recent GCC crisis was nothing but a radical disagreement Consumer bubble resulting from diverse perspectives of each member state, [email protected] namely the ruling families in each. Most of the GCC regimes are protection not actually living their best days in view of internal conflicts that law atima Abdulaziz Ibrahim, Suad Abdulmajeed have become visible even to their own peoples. The conse- Ahmad, Muneerah Badr Al-Haddad and Zainab quences of such conflicts go as far as affecting interrelations FTaqi Ali. Those are four Kuwaiti women who amongst the so-called GCC brothers. Therefore, we hope that con- were recently honored by the Kuwait Association for taining the Saudi-Qatari and the UAE-Qatari disagreement will not the Ideal Family, a great award that is important for be temporary till things are clearer and pending the results of mothers everywhere. The importance of the event rebuilding the regimes from within.

Al-Anbaa goes beyond honoring women for the sacrifices they GCC states are in dire need of building strong, specialized eco- made in raising generations. It reflects the role that nomical and political institutions. They also have to rearrange their civil society groups and non-governmental organiza- regional infrastructure and activate GCC organizational work, tions should play in order to reach positive social especially in terms of institutional decision-making and resolving goals. We truly are in need of efforts to protect the member disagreements as well as fulfilling their peoples’ aspira- natural social and family foundation, which currently tions through mega joint projects that are really productive, effec- faces huge challenges presented by social media that tive and internationally competent. Regimes are also required to leaves a negative effect on communications between contain and fulfill public demands in a way that ensures their kuwait digest family members. states’ stability in accordance to civilized measures of respecting Close family ties are slowly and gradually fading freedoms, participation in decision-making and belonging instead following the spread of social media that was influ- of the continuation of tension and division in environments that People stand behind a true opposition enced by the consumer culture. Smartphone devices promote all kinds of extremism. with bright touch screens that display countless serv- GCC youth generations are coming strongly with new enthusi- ices and are connected to the Internet all day long astic visions supported by modern technology, talents and ambi- By Saud Al-Samakah have taken people, regardless of age, out of reality tions. They are also one of the major challenges with different and into their own cyber world where they spend mentality that ought to be absorbed and utilized as a significant swear to Allah Almighty that if I had faith in the so- that it has. It is a natural result, since the Muslim hours and hours away from their family members. human resource worth to be invested for long term purposes. called Popular Action Movement or the Opposition Brotherhood follows an agenda that serves their ideolo- The issue has escalated into a problem for many Trimming religious movements’ claws and politically taming ICoalition as a true national opposition, then I would gy which eliminates everybody else. Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti families in the country, them in the coming stage might be one of the consequences of have stood in the front line of their supporters. If they Popular Action Movement is mostly concerned with opening the door for debate about the need to the Qatari-GCC reconciliation, especially the Muslim Brotherhood. were a positive opposition movement that honestly what can help them consistently provide illegitimate address the negative sides of technology that revolu- We cannot also exclude the possibility that the Brothers may seeks reform, they would not have reached the level of services for their voters. tionized the way we live. change their political tactics to the extent that they shift to become isolation and regression they suffer from today. This kind of bad behavior will soon enough reflect on more pro-government and even defend them after they had been I challenge their columnists, newspapers, TV stations the security department and judiciary’s performance, Boosting relations on the opposition side. Such a deal will not solve many problems and leaders to present to the people a presentation of leading to events such as those that happened in Egypt I can honestly say that the society today needs to because such blocs might be substituted by other liberal or public the entire career of any of their members, including the when the Muslim Brotherhood reached the ruling posi- see more communication between family members. ones that adopt the same reform demands needed to put the GCC national issue they work for. It does not matter whether it tion there, when they started the process of systematical- This includes children who find themselves neglected region in the lead after many countries that have been only eager is a leading oppositionist or a newly recruited member ly ‘Brotherhooding’ (replacing senior officials with Muslim by technology-obsessed parents, and parents unable to get their oil abandoned them. So will the disagreement be — if the opposition can tell the public about the struggle Brotherhood members) the security and judiciary sectors. to connect with children constantly glued to their resolved? —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida that any one of them went through to serve an issue of The opposition is an important part of democracy, smartphones like robots. It is very important to boost national importance, that would be great. and without it corruption would prevail when the gov- family ties today as more people, including parents But I can say for certain that ernment finds no boundaries and children, are becoming prisoners of technologi- no one in the opposition dares that control its action. But kuwait digest cal advancement. to accept this challenge simply what should this opposition That is why events such as honoring dedicated because no oppositionist has a The opposition is an important be like? Does opposition mothers are more important today than ever. Constitutional history of political work wor- mean grilling a minister if he part of democracy, and without it Boosting relations between family members reflects thy of boasting about. The so- or she refuses to break the positively on social integration, which helps con- amendments called opposition, in my opin- corruption would prevail when the law? Does democracy mean tribute to human development that is essential for ion, is an oppositionist move- limiting a parliament mem- the advancement of societies and nations. ment against reform, true government finds no boundaries ber’s job to breaking the law By Dr Bader Al-Daihani This puts us in front of a historical responsibility as democracy, constitution, law and providing services illegiti- we strive to encourage young men and women to work that control its action. mately to voters, such as what full parliamentary system cannot be reached without amend- and development. Because of hard for the service of their nation, and avoid paths that members of the Opposition ing some articles in the current constitution that was set half the opposition, Kuwait lost could lead to losing the values that our forefathers had Coalition did during their time a century ago under different socioeconomic and political several mega projects that dedicated their lives to build. More importantly, Kuwait A would have provided thousands of job opportunities for in the parliament? conditions. Practical experience has proved the need to amend must coordinate with international organizations such The people are the backbone of the opposition and some of its articles in order to get over the current political stalemate Kuwaiti young men and women and created an addition- as the UNESCO in order to benefit from the experience democracy in democratic states. They stand as watch- and regression before moving forward towards achieving and creat- al source of income for the country. of other nations as we seek to establish productive cul- men to prevent any member of the government from ing a full parliamentary system in a democratic civil state. I would like to ask Kuwaiti citizens who are truly con- tural and social communication. even trying to come close to the redlines of the law, let As we know, a civil state is one that achieves quality among all cerned about their country’s security and society’s wel- alone surpass them. Democracy, and the people behind citizens in rights and public duties (constitutional citizens) so that fare: If we assume that, God forbids, the state adopts the it, also stand as watchmen to prevent any lawmaker from everybody coexists under the umbrella of the constitution and law co-called Opposition Coalition’s ‘political reform project’ making use of his or her position to provide voters with they themselves set through participating in decision-making. and the Cabinet is formed by the parliament’s majority. kuwait digest services illegitimately. In a civil state, a nation belongs to everybody regardless of their My question is: Would that make Kuwait a better place? If the Opposition Coalition was anything like opposi- religion, doctrine, sect, tribe, color or gender - where the state vows Especially if we take into account that the Opposition tion movements in democratic states, they would have Privatization of to protect basic public and individual freedoms alike and not pass Coalition mostly comprises of the Muslim Brotherhood found the entire Kuwaiti people behind them. When are any laws that would restrict or do not allow any individual or body and the so-called ‘Popular Action Movement’. they going to become like that? In my opinion, this will sports sector violation of individual freedom or practicing guardianship over peo- But what is going to happen in that case for sure is never happen. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas ple. Because the constitution is important in regulating inter-power that Kuwait will become a failed state despite the wealth relations on the one hand and relations with people on the other, By Abdallah Al-Fadhly some opposition groups have been promoting the necessity to amend some constitutional articles that is fluctuating between he approval of privatizing the sports sector by the amending a few articles and semi-complete amendment of chapters kuwait digest legislative committee was good news for sports four and five of the constitution as away to get over the constant Tfans in order to take the sports movement to wider political crisis. Abbas threat to dismantle PA horizons. The committee also approved a proposal to But can constitutional amendments be done without national construct and organize Sabah Al-Ahmad sports city and consensus or before completing the basic primary requirements of amend some of the rules in decree 42 of 1987 of the political reform, such as declaring political organizations according By Linda Gradstein sports authority. MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji commended HH to democratic civil bases and reforming the current terrible electoral the Prime Minster Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak and system? Of course not. None of the political equation parties is enti- alestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian expert at the Truman Institute at Hebrew Information Minister and State Minister for Youth Affairs tled to amend the constitution without public consensus. Secondly, set off a storm in Israel when he reportedly told University saide. “It would mean an increase in terror- Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud for their followup and keen- radical political and constitutional reform needs basic requirement PAmerican negotiators that if the Kerry-brokered ism because Abbas is the one who is stopping terror- ness on approving the privatization law, which is an that we lack at the time-being, such as allowing the establishment of talks fail, he could dismantle the Palestinian ism against Israel.” achievement. political parties and amending the electoral system. Authority (PA), and shift responsibility for governing Shaked said that it would also strengthen Hamas, Turaiji thanked the legislative committee which To make things clearer, let’s assume that we have actually shifted 2.5 million Palestinians to Israel. That would ostensi- which would be seen as the only legitimate approved the sports clubs privatization law, adding that to the full parliamentary system. Who will have the constitutional bly mean that Israel would be responsible for all Palestinian movement if the PA, controlled by the the law is a step forward for Kuwait sports that takes it right to form a Cabinet as the majority party while we still do not aspects of life in the West Bank from health to educa- Fatah faction, opted out. from the amateur rank to professionalism. Turaiji said the have any political parties?! How will we circulate power with them, tion to garbage collection. Under that scenario, Israel would also have to cre- law will achieve the full professionalism goals and will and how can we be sure that the political party that takes over actu- As quickly as the threat was unveiled, Palestinian ate a new bureaucratic infrastructure in order to pay allow private sector companies to participate in sports ally represents the majority of the people regardless of whether its officials seemed to backpedal from the idea that the salaries of at least 150,000 civil servants such as and contribute to safeguarding players’ rights and pro- political program was a national one that suggests practical solu- Abbas would turn over the keys to the Muqata’a [the teachers and policemen who work for the PA in the vide them with health insurance. It also guarantees the tions for public problems and concerns. In order to get over the cur- presidential compound in Ramallah] to Israel. West Bank and Gaza Strip. In the months it would take government’s participation in granting rewards to play- rent terrible political situation to a better one towards a full demo- “No Palestinian is speaking of an initiative to dis- to create the infrastructure, civil servants would not ers during championships and honor the outstanding. cratic parliamentary system, we need to complete the requirements mantle the Palestinian Authority,” Palestinian chief get paid, doubtless fomenting protest and violence. Investment and marketing in the sports field provides of the due political and democratic reforms as a basic mandatory negotiator Saeb Ariqat told reporters. “But Israel’s “I could just imagine a policeman coming home clubs with the opportunity to gradually move towards condition to shift to a parliamentary system without needing to actions have annulled all the legal, political, security, and saying to his wife, ‘Sorry dear, there’s no salary privatization, in addition to protecting athletes in order amend the constitution by organizing political practices according economic and operations aspects of the prerogatives this month,’” the Israeli foreign ministry official said to make Kuwait sports move towards being at par with to democratic and civil programs and bases and amending the cur- of the Palestinian Authority.” sarcastically. “Do we really expect they would just advanced companies with regards to professionalism, rent electoral system. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida Israeli officials seem to see the idea of dismantling hand their guns over and go home? It will be armed especially that the current situation only sees competi- the PA as an empty threat being used to try to force chaos there.” tion in registering clubs members, seeking votes and Israeli concessions before the clock runs out on the paying subscription fees, in addition to the problems nine months the parties agreed to allot to Secretary of Main idea with government bodies over financial support. State John Kerry to try to reach an Israeli-Palestinian Donor nations from the international community Clubs are required not to be afraid of the government framework agreement. In the last few weeks, the talks would arguably end its support for the Palestinian leaving sports alone, and give in to companies who look have centered simply on reaching a deal to continue Authority if it dissolved, meaning Israel would have for financial profits, especially that this system is seen in negotiating past the April 29 deadline. to find large sums of money to pay the salaries, as Europe, and that whoever wants profits will seek to “If they’re threatening, let them threaten. It well as fund all municipal services the PA currently develop its club to start making financial gains, because doesn’t mean we have to panic and go into all of the provides. In backing away from the threat, profits come through promotions and advertisements implications,” an official Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Palestinian officials said it was meant mainly to push that do not come unless good results are made. Affairs said. “Someone who threatens to cut off their Israel to reassess its relationship with the PA. Privatization of clubs will put us at the level of neigh- nose off to spite their face should be thinking about “I think the main idea is that the (Palestinian) boring countries from the sports aspect, contrary to our current miserable situation, because all the champi- the implications. We’re not going to fall into their Authority cannot continue the way it is now,” Dr onships that we participate in are considered of low trap and play their game.” Bassam Al-Salahi, General Secretary of the standard, not only at club level but also with regards to The Palestinian Authority was created as part of Palestinian People’s Party and an elected member of club rankings. the Oslo Accords in 1993 and since then has gov- the Palestinian Legislative Council told The Media The idea of privatization in all sectors is an ambitious erned the West Bank and the 2.5 million Palestinians Line. “We will stop our commitments toward the wish, and what Turaiji presented is totally correct, who live there. Until 2007, the PA ruled the Gaza Strip Israelis because they stopped their commitments to because he is seeking to see the participation of the pri- as well. But after the first (and only) Palestinian elec- the Palestinian Authority. So the issue is not exactly vate sector and motivate it to invest in sports. tion, the Islamist Hamas movement forcibly took over to dismantle the Palestinian Authority but to change Privatization will improve sports programs and activities. control of Gaza. Between 1967 — when Israel the commitments to Israel.” What Turaiji presented is a deep-rooted treatment for acquired the West Bank-and 1993, Israel was respon- Palestinians have also used the PA as a way to sports, especially that some countries reached highly sible for daily life in the West Bank, and set up a build institutions such as a banking system and a advanced stages because competition among various bureaucracy called the civil administration to handle police force to pave the way for a Palestinian state. sports clubs make investors to select the best players it. Dismantling the PA would also mean dismantling and coaches, while the best halls and stadiums were Israeli analysts say that if Abbas did decide to dis- those institutions and constitute a major step back- made available, and this led to the improvement of solve the PA, it could throw the West Bank into chaos. wards in the Palestinian quest for an independent sports. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas “For Israel it would be a disaster,” Roni Shaked, a state. — The Media Line THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

Thai court gives PM time to defend herself No victor in Lebanon presidential vote Page 12 Page 8 Obama reassures Japan, allies on China

TOKYO: US President Barack Obama has said Washington wel- Treaty obligations detected at North Korea’s underground nuclear test site. told reporters after negotiating with Economy Minister Akira comes China’s rise but that engagement with Beijing would not Obama and Abe are expected to send a message of solidarity “We continue to urge North Korea to refrain from actions that Amari ahead of Obama’s evening arrival. come at the expense of its Asian allies - as Chinese state media after strains following Abe’s December visit to Tokyo’s Yasukuni threaten regional peace and security and to comply with its Amari said he had briefed Abe on the talks, but declined to greeted his arrival in the region with a broadside accusing the Shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism. international obligations and commitments,” State Department comment on the content of the discussions. Failure could take United States of wanting to “cage” the emerging superpower. Obama also assured Japan that tiny isles in the East China spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a regular briefing. the wind out of the push for a broader agreement among the The reassuring remarks aimed at Japan and other allies, set Sea at the heart of a territorial row with China are covered by a 12-nation group that would stretch from Asia to Latin America. against a robust commentary from China’s state news agency bilateral security treaty that obligates America to come to Trade deal Some trade experts said despite the hurdles, a last-minute Xinhua that also called the United States “myopic”, demonstrate Japan’s defence. That is long-stated US policy, but the confirma- Top aides to the two leaders met yesterday to discuss a bilat- agreement could not be ruled out. Both sides have stressed the delicate balancing act Obama faces on a week-long Asia tion by the president is likely to be welcome in Japan. eral trade deal that has so far been stymied largely by Japan’s that the TPP would have strategic implications by creating a tour. Obama arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday at the start of a “The policy of the United States is clear - the Senkaku islands desire to keep tariffs on politically sensitive farm products such framework for business that could entice China to play by four-nation trip that comes at a time of rising tension in the are administered by Japan and therefore fall within the scope of as beef. “This a moment for Japan to take an elevated view and global rules. The TPP talks are at “an important crossroads”, region, and as the United States urges Japan’s unpredictable ... the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security,” to choose a bold path of economic renewal, revitalisation and Froman said in brief remarks. “Its economic and strategic neighbour North Korea not to conduct another nuclear test. Obama said, using the Japanese name for the islands that are regional leadership,” US Trade Representative Michael Froman importance is clear.” — Reuters Obama, who is making the first full state visit to Japan by a known as the Diaoyu in China, which also claims them. U.S. President since 1996, must assuage worries by Tokyo and China reiterated that it “resolutely opposed” the islands being other allies that his commitment to their defence in the face of part of the security treaty. “The so-called U.S.-Japan alliance is a an increasingly assertive China is weak, without hurting vital U.S. bilateral arrangement from the Cold War and ought not to harm ties with Asia’s biggest economy. China’s territorial sovereignty and reasonable rights,” foreign Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are also ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular news briefing in keen to show progress on a two-way trade pact seen as critical Beijing. Japanese and Chinese naval vessels and coastguard to a broader regional deal that would be one of the world’s ships have played cat-and-mouse around the disputed islets biggest trade agreements and is central to Obama’s “pivot” of since Japan’s government bought the then-privately owned ter- military, diplomatic and trade resources towards Asia. Noting ritory in 2012. A joint statement to be issued at the summit will Beijing and Washington could work together on issues such as state the two allies will not tolerate any attempt to change the North Korea’s nuclear programme, Obama told Japan’s Yomiuri status quo by force - a phrase that implicitly targets China - but newspaper, in written remarks: “In other words, we welcome the likely not mention the islands or China by name, Japanese continuing rise of a China that is stable, prosperous and peaceful media have reported. and plays a responsible role in global affairs.” He added: “And our engagement with China does not and Nuclear North Korea will not come at the expense of Japan or any other ally.” Such Obama also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the assurances are likely to be high on the agenda when Obama security of South Korea, and said it would stand firm in its insis- meets Abe at a symbolic summit today. tence that a nuclear North Korea was unacceptable. Japan, whose relations with rival China have chilled over the Seoul is the second stop on Obama’s four-nation swing, past two years, has been beset by anxiety over the degree to which also includes Malaysia and the Philippines. “The burden is which reality matches rhetoric in Obama’s promised “pivot”. on Pyongyang to take concrete steps to abide by its commit- China, for its part, fears the US is pursuing a policy of contain- ments and obligations, and the United States, Japan and South ment through its network of Asian allies, several of whom have Korea are united in our goal - the complete denuclearization of long-standing territorial disputes with Beijing in the East and the Korean peninsula,” Obama said. South China Seas. North Korea, already subject to United Nations’ sanctions Yesterday’s Xinhua commentary criticised US policy in the over its previous atomic tests, the third and most recent of which region as “a carefully calculated scheme to cage the rapidly took place in early 2013, threatened last month to conduct what developing Asian giant”. “The United States should reappraise its it call “a new form of nuclear test”. TOKYO: President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe depart Sukiyabashi Jiro sushi restaurant in anachronistic hegemonic alliance system and stop pampering The United States said on Tuesday it was watching the Tokyo, yesterday. Opening a four-country swing through the Asia-Pacific region, Obama is aiming to promote the US as its chums like Japan and the Philippines that have been igniting Korean peninsula closely after news reports quoted the South a committed economic, military and political partner, but the West’s dispute with Russia over Ukraine threatens to cast a regional tensions with provocative moves,” it said. Korean government as saying that heightened activity had been shadow over the president’s sales mission. — AP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 No victor in Lebanon presidential vote

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s parliament failed to elect vote was submitted for former president a new president yesterday, with no candidate Amine Gemayel, and seven votes were securing the two-thirds of the votes needed deemed void. to win and many lawmakers leaving their bal- Hezbollah’s bloc, which holds 57 seats in lots blank. With the parliament divided the parliament, has yet to announce its sup- between two powerful blocs, one centred port for a candidate. around the Hezbollah movement and the But its supporters strongly oppose Geagea other opposed to it, the outcome had been for his anti-Hezbollah stance, and other critics expected. point to his convictions for crimes committed The parliament will now hold a second during the country’s 1975-1990 civil war. vote on April 30, in which the winning candi- Several lawmakers marked their ballots date will need only a simple majority of 65 with the names of political figures Geagea votes. Yesterday, 124 of the parliament’s 128 was convicted of killing during the conflict. members were present, with 48 casting their Lawmakers must pick a replacement for ballots for Samir Geagea, the candidate President Michel Sleiman before his term backed by the March 14 movement that ends on May 25, but the political class opposes Hezbollah. remains deeply divided over the issue of Observers had predicted Geagea would Hezbollah’s arsenal and the war in neighbour- fail to win the two-thirds majority required ing Syria. because of his fierce anti-Hezbollah stance. The March 14 bloc, led by Saad Hariri, the But speaking after the vote, he said he would son of assassinated former prime minister not drop out of the race. Rafiq Hariri, wants Hezbollah’s military power “I will continue with my candidacy. We are reined in and largely backs the uprising not going to compromise, and the other par- against Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad. ty must name a candidate so there can be Hezbollah and its supporters say it needs democratic elections,” Geagea said. Members its weapons to protect Lebanon from Israel, of the rival March 8 bloc centred around the and the Shiite movement has sent thou- powerful Shiite Hezbollah movement have sands of fighters to Syria to support Assad’s not officially backed a candidate, and most of forces. The Syrian conflict has raised ten- CAIRO: Egyptians look at a destroyed police vehicle following an attack which targeted and killed senior police officer BrigadirGeneral Ahmed Zaki its members appeared to have submitted sions in Lebanon and spilled over the bor- after an explosive device was placed under his car in Cairo’s 6th October neighbourhood yesterday. — AFP blank ballot papers — 52 in total. der. Yesterday, a security source said four A second candidate, Henri Helou, who is rockets fired from Syria landed in uninhabit- backed by members of a small bloc of inde- ed areas in the Baalbek region of eastern Two policemen, militant pendents and centrists, won 16 votes. One Lebanon. — AFP killed in car bomb in Cairo Militant hideout raided near Alexandria

CAIRO: An Egyptian policeman and a militant Two other militants were detained, the min- Cairo, when a bomb placed under his car went were killed when security forces raided a hide- istry spokesman, Hany Abdel Latif, said in a tele- off. out used by radical Islamists near Alexandria yes- vised statement. Footage broadcast on state TV Two conscript policemen were wounded in terday, and a senior officer was killed near Cairo appeared to show the body of a militant on the the bombing. Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis has claimed when a bomb blew up his car, the Interior ground. responsibility for attacks including a failed Ministry said. The militants were “among the dangerous attempt to blow up the interior minister last Militant violence has spiralled since the army elements of the terrorist group Ansar Bayt al- September, and large bomb attacks on police toppled Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Maqdis, which was planning to target police and stations. Brotherhood last July. That poses a security chal- military facilities and the security forces”, the The United States this month designated lenge ahead of a presidential election in May ministry said. The police seized weapons includ- Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis as a terrorist group. The that Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former army chief, is ing explosive belts, automatic weapons, hand group first emerged in the Sinai Peninsula in expected to win. grenades and ammunition. 2011 after the downfall of Hosni Mubarak. Since The hideout targeted in the raid was used by last July, it has switched its focus from attacking members of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, or Supporters Threats Israel to killing Egyptian security forces. of Jerusalem, the group behind some of the Attacks claimed by Islamist militants have It has also claimed responsibility for a Feb. 16 deadliest attacks of the last nine months, the killed around 500 people since last July, mostly attack that killed three South Korean tourists in Interior Ministry said. policemen and soldiers. The threat has been the Sinai Peninsula. The militants had opened fire on the security compounded by a flow of weapons from neigh- The Muslim Brotherhood, declared a terrorist forces as they arrived at the hideout in Borg El bouring Libya. Another militant group called group by the government in December, has con- Arab, some 45 km (28 miles) south-west of Ajnad Misr, or Soldiers of Egypt, has also claimed demned the violence. Sisi, who deposed Mursi, Alexandria. responsibility for attacks. the country’s first freely elected president, fol- BEIRUT: Lebanese member of parliament Sethrida Geagea wife of presidential candidate The police officer killed in the raid was named The police officer killed near Cairo yesterday lowing mass protests against his rule, has vowed Samir Geagea walks with an advisor after casting her vote for the new Lebanese presi- as First Lieutenant Ahmed Saad and the dead was named as Brigadier General Ahmed Zaki. to crush the militant threat. He offered condo- dent in the parliament building in downtown Beirut yesterday. Lebanon’s parliament militant as Hassan Abdel Aal, a 25-year old from State media said he was killed outside his home lences in a statement issued by his presidential failed to elect a new president, with no candidate securing the two-thirds of the vote the Nile Delta province of Dakahlia. in 6th of October City, 32 km (20 miles) outside election campaign. — Reuters needed to win and many lawmakers leaving their ballots blank. — AFP Palestinians in new unity push as Israel talks teeter

GAZA CITY: Rival Palestinian leaders from the West Bank and But Netanyahu accused him of setting impossible terms. Gaza Strip agreed yesterday to form a unity government with- “We’re trying to relaunch the negotiations with the in five weeks as peace talks with Israel face collapse. Palestinians. Every time we get to that point, Abu Mazen It is not the first time that the rival sides have announced a stacks on additional condition which he knows that Israel can- deal to end seven years of separate Palestinians administra- not give.” — AFP tions in the West Bank and Gaza. But the new bid by the Palestinian leadership based in the West Bank to reconcile with the Hamas rulers of Gaza drew an angry reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Syrian lawmaker Netanyahu who said it showed it was not serious about 11th- hour efforts to salvage US-brokered peace negotiations. first to field run The agreement was reached in talks in Gaza City which continued into the early hours of the morning between Hamas leaders and a Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for presidency delegation headed by Azzam al-Ahmad, a senior figure in president Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah movement. DAMASCUS: A Syrian lawmaker announced his candida- The two sides met again later on Wednesday for talks cy for the June 3 presidential election - the first to field his expected to focus on the holding of fresh presidential and bid for the top post in a vote called despite the country’s parliamentary elections across the Palestinian territories, as relentless civil war, state-run television reported yester- well as Hamas’s admission to the PLO. day. President Bashar Assad has suggested he would seek Sources close to the talks said they were being held in a another term in office but has not announced his candi- “positive atmosphere.” The rival sides have announced several dacy yet. According to a new election law, the balloting must be contested by more than one candidate. Analysts times before that they would make way for a unity govern- said they expected at least one candidate to run against ment of technocrats only for it to fail to materialise, and ana- Assad to give the election a veneer of legitimacy. lysts expressed scepticism that this time would be any differ- Lawmaker Maher Abdul-Hafiz Hajjar registered his ent. candidacy yesterday, said parliament speaker Jihad “People have heard the same thing over and over again Laham. Syrian state television said the 43-year-old was and each time the agreement had been broken by either from the northern city of Aleppo, and that his ancestors Fatah or Hamas,” said Samir Awad, politics professor at Birzeit were well-learned in Islamic law, suggesting the candi- University in the West Bank. date is part of Syria’s Sunni Muslim majority. Analyst Hani al-Masri said: “This reconciliation has hardly The armed rebels fighting to overthrow Assad are any substance on the ground. It could collapse at any mostly Sunni Muslims. Syria’s patchwork of minorities moment. “Reconciliation (between the Palestinian factions) tend to support Assad, or remain neutral, fearing for their and negotiations (with Israel) are now just tactics-each side fate should hard-line Muslims come to power. has its own calculations.” Hajjar’s identity as a secular Sunni Muslim from Aleppo underscores how the country’s Sunni community is not ‘He has to choose’ universally anti-Assad. State television said Hajjar was a The latest announcement of a deal came as US-brokered longtime communist before leaving the party in 2000 to peace talks teetered on the edge of collapse and drew an form the Popular Will Party in Aleppo. angry response from Netanyahu who accused the Palestinian Syria’s opposition has denounced the presidential vote president of plumping for a deal with Hamas instead of an as a farce. The UN has warned it would negatively affect agreement with Israel. prospects for a negotiated solution to the conflict, now “Instead of moving into peace with Israel, he’s moving into entering its fourth year, which has killed more than peace with Hamas,” the Israeli prime minister said. “He has to 150,000 people and driven a third of the population from choose. Does he want peace with Hamas or peace with Israel? their homes. It also unclear how the government may “You can have one but not the other. I hope he chooses hold a credible vote within the deeply divided country, peace, so far he hasn’t done so.” But Palestinian chief negotia- where large areas lie outside government control and tor Saeb Erakat countered that peace with Israel was impossi- where hundreds of thousands of people live in territory ble without Palestinian unity. that is either contested, held by rebels or blockaded by “We can’t reach peace without reconciliation first,” he said. pro-government forces. Erakat held yet another meeting with his Israeli counterpart Assad has ruled the country since taking over from his Tzipi Livni and US envoy Martin Indyk on Tuesday in a bid to late father in 2000. Although he has not said he will run as salvage the peace talks, which are due to wrap up on April 29 candidate, he appeared to be in campaign mode, visiting if there is no agreement on their extension. areas recently retaken by his forces. Also yesterday, the directors of five United Nations “The meeting lasted several hours but we did not manage agencies that provide humanitarian aid to Syria said their to overcome our differences,” Erakat said. “We will continue to appeal for $6.5 billion in emergency funding for 2014 has meet the Israeli delegation up to April 29 but clearly the been mostly ignored, and warned the “worst days seem Israelis don’t want to move the peace process forward.” yet to come” for millions of Syrians. Abbas has said he will extend the negotiations only if Israel With only $1.2 billion pledged, the agency heads frees a batch of Arab prisoners previously earmarked for renewed a December appeal to fund their work to help release, freezes settlement building in the West Bank, includ- Syrians trapped in areas under blockade, caught in active ing annexed east Jerusalem, and agrees to discuss the borders warzones, and as impoverished refugees.—AP of a future Palestinian state. INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 9 indicted in kidnapping of US prosecutor’s father

CHARLOTTE: As the kidnappers pulled abduct a family member of his court- into a quiet, upscale golf course commu- appointed attorney from his 2012 trial. He nity, they thought they were about to arranged in March for each member of abduct an assistant district attorney who that kidnapping team to receive about sent a high-ranking gang member to $10,000, according to the indictment, but prison for life, authorities said. at some point, for reasons not explained But they had the wrong address and in court documents, they called it off. when the prosecutor’s father answered In late March or early April, Melton the door, they took him instead. For five called again. This time he wanted a team days, authorities said the kidnappers held assembled to “kidnap the ADA,” who was 63-year-old Frank Janssen captive in an identified in the indictment as a “Wake Atlanta apartment, tormenting his family County Assistant District Attorney.” by sending text messages threatening to One of the team members used the cut him into pieces if police were called or Internet to look up Colleen Janssen’s their demands weren’t met. They even address but actually found her father’s sent a photo of him tied up in a chair. home in Wake Forest, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Raleigh. Early on April 5, four of the kidnappers left the Atlanta area for North Carolina. Melton called them several times while they were on the road, at one point asking to be put on speaker phone to give them specific instructions. He told them to wear khakis and collared shirts, so they stopped at a Wal-Mart to buy clothes. When they got to Janssen’s home, three of the kidnappers went to the door while another waited in the car, according ANKARA: Ministers applaud Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, front, at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, yesterday. Erdogan has issued a to the indictment. When Frank Janssen conciliatory message to Armenians on the eve of the anniversary of the massacre of Armenians almost a century ago, calling the events of World War I “our shared pain.” — AP cracked the door, the kidnappers forced their way in, hit him with a stun gun sev- eral times and pistol-whipped him. Erdogan says WWI massacre As they drove back to Atlanta, Janssen was forced to lie on the floorboard of the back seat of a rental car. They put hand- cuffs on him and used the stun gun on of Armenians ‘shared pain’ Kelvin Melton him dozens of times. The indictment doesn’t say what hap- On Tuesday, an indictment charged pened when Melton discovered they kid- ‘Millions lost their lives in WWI’ nine people in Janssen’s abduction, napped Janssen’s father instead of the including 49-year-old Bloods gang mem- prosecutor, but two days after he was tak- ANKARA: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip starvation during World War I and categorically The arrest and massacre of 2,000 Armenian ber Kelvin Melton, who authorities said en, Janssen’s wife started receiving the Erdogan yesterday offered condolences over the rejects the term “genocide”. “Millions of people of leaders began in Istanbul on April 24, 1915, and in was calling the shots by mobile phone threatening text messages. massacre of Armenians almost 100 years ago, all religions and ethnicities lost their lives in the less than a year hundreds of thousands were from his prison cell in North Carolina. Each one seemed to grow more describing the events of World War I as “our shared First World War,” Erdogan said. forcibly displaced, their possessions seized and Janssen’s daughter, Wake Forest assistant urgent. On April 9, Janssen’s wife received pain”. “Having experienced events which had inhu- many killed. Erdogan’s statement, on the eve of the 99th mane consequences-such as relocation-during the A century on, the killings still fuel bitter contro- district attorney Colleen Janssen, prose- a photo of him tied up in a chair along anniversary of the start of mass deportations of First World War, should not prevent Turks and versy, often upsetting relations between Turkey cuted Melton in 2012 for his role in the with a message: “Tomorrow we call you Armenians in 1915, is the first such overt comment Armenians from establishing compassion and and the West. shooting of his ex-girlfriend’s new again an (sic) if you can not tell me where by a Turkish leader over the killings, considered by mutually humane attitudes among towards one But there have been gradual signs of change in boyfriend. my things are at tomorrow i will start many as the first genocide of the 20th century. another. Turkey, with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu last Court records show Melton has a long torchering.” He acknowledged that the events of 1915 had year calling the events of 1915-16 a “mistake” and record of felony convictions in New York, The indictment said that while Janssen “inhumane consequences” but also said it was ‘Remember the losses’ an “inhuman act” during a trip to the Armenian the first being a 1979 robbery committed was in the Atlanta apartment, he was “inadmissable” for the events to be used as an “It is our hope and belief that the peoples of an capital Yerevan. when he was 14. He pleaded guilty to taped to a chair in a closet, and some of excuse today for hostility against Turkey. ancient and unique geography, who share similar “It is indisputable that the last years of the manslaughter and robbery in 1998 and the kidnappers stood watch. Melton sent “The incidents of the First World War are our customs and manners will be able to talk to each Ottoman Empire were a difficult period, full of suf- served more than 13 years in New York instructions to one member to assist in shared pain,” said Erdogan in what Turkish media other about the past with maturity and to remem- fering for Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Armenian and mil- prisons before being released in August the killing and disposal of Janssen if described as an unexpected statement that was ber together their losses in a decent manner. lions of other Ottoman citizens, regardless of their 2011. His conviction in North Carolina Melton’s demands weren’t met or if the issued in several languages including Armenian. “And it is with this hope and belief that we wish religion or ethnic origin,” Erdogan’s statement said. sent him to prison for life. Authorities said team lost contact with Melton for three Armenia has been trying to get Turkey to recog- that the Armenians who lost their lives in the con- “Nevertheless, using the events of 1915 as an he wanted revenge. At first, Melton want- days. The specific demands have not been nise the killings of up to 1.5 million people under text of the early 20th century rest in peace, and we excuse for hostility against Turkey and turning this ed the kidnappers to travel to Louisiana to released by authorities.—AP the Ottoman empire as genocide. convey our condolences to their grandchildren,” he issue into a matter of political conflict is inadmissi- But Turkey says 500,000 died of fighting and added. ble,” he added. — AFP Airport security vulnerabilities not uncommon

SAN JOSE: For all the tens of billions of dollars that the recorded the boy on the tarmac, but no one noticed until jumped a fence in San Jose and climbed up the landing activity, and sounds an alarm when a situation merits nation has spent on screening passengers and their bags, hours later - after he had survived the 5 1/2-hour flight and gear of the closest plane. Video shows him on the airfield a human attention. The problem is that many of those few airports made a comparable investment to secure the clambered onto the tarmac on the island of Maui. little after 1 a.m. Sunday, said a law enforcement official alarms are false. Poorly performing systems might have 10 airplanes themselves. “What happened in San Jose can happen as we speak at briefed on the investigation. The official was not author- false alarms per camera per day, said Illy Gruber of NICE As the case of the San Jose stowaway shows, it did not other airports, because nobody can watch all these moni- ized to speak publicly about the case and spoke on the Systems, a company that provides such software to air- take a sophisticated plan for a 15-year-old boy to spend tors” that feed video from around the airport, said Ron, condition of anonymity. ports. “It’s way too many alerts,” she said. As a result, they about seven hours in what is supposed to be a secure area now CEO of the consulting firm New Age Security It is not clear how the teen spent all the time before the “are going to be ignored.” Gruber said her company’s sys- of Silicon Valley’s main airport - much of it in a wheel well Solutions. plane took off around 8 a.m. FBI spokesman Tom Simon in tem can reduce the number of false alarms to two or three of the jet that took the teen to Hawaii. San Jose does not, evidently, have more sophisticated Honolulu, where the boy is now resting in a hospital fol- per camera per day. Aviation security experts say that San Jose International technology that can detect someone climbing a perimeter lowing his harrowing journey, said the teen “literally just A flood of false alarms is not a problem at smaller air- is hardly alone when it comes to weaknesses in securing its fence, track a trespasser with radar or automatically alert slept on the plane overnight.” He has not been charged ports used by private planes. A 2011 study by the airfield. While some larger airports have in recent years authorities at a central post when a video camera picks up with any crime. Government Accountability Office found that of 10 civil invested heavily in technology that can detect intruders, potentially suspicious activity. Since the stowaway incident, San Jose airport officials aviation airports, nine had no intrusion detection system others have systems that sound too many false alarms - or These “intrusion detection systems” are the best security have not discussed how the lapse could have happened, or and the 10th had a partial system. don’t provide enough useful information in the first place. available, though they are not foolproof. In 2012, a man even how much they invested in recent years in protecting The TSA said it has spent $80 billion on aviation security “I don’t think San Jose is different than 80 percent of the whose personal watercraft ran out of fuel swam to the the airfield. Unlike passenger and baggage screening, since its inception, shortly after the 9/11 attacks. That does airports around the country” in how secure its perimeter is, edge of New York’s Kennedy Airport, scaled a fence and which is the domain of the US Transportation Security not include perimeter security. said Rafi Ron, former head of security at the closely guard- walked about 2 miles along the airfield before being spot- Administration, each airport is responsible for protecting “We were investing all our resources in the front door, ed airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. ted. its own facilities. While technology can help spot intruders, which were the passengers and their bags,” said Ron, the Like other major airports, San Jose has dozens of securi- All this despite a $100 million system of surveillance it also can overwhelm with information. At some airports, security consultant. “And we left the back door open. And ty cameras that survey its restricted areas. Indeed, cameras cameras and motion detectors. The boy told authorities he software monitors video feeds for potentially suspicious that was the perimeter and access to aircraft.” — AP

DR Congo train crash kills 37

KINSHASA: At least 37 people were killed when an overloaded passenger train sped off the rails in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, with the toll likely to rise as rescuers struggle to reach the remote area. The newly purchased locomotive flew off the rails as it went around a bend in a swampy area in the southeast of the country, causing 15 of the train’s 19 cars to overturn, said the government’s spokesman and a journalist at the scene. The government currently puts the death toll at 37 people, “but the police fear that there will be more”, government spokesman Lambert Mende said yester- day. The journalist said a local official had given a toll of about 60 dead and 86 wounded, while local human rights activist Timothee Mbuya said that “so far at least 100 bodies have been taken from the train and buried, because there’s no morgue.” The train was travelling north from the town of Kamina in the southern province of Katanga to Mwene- Ditu in the diamond-mining province of Kasai-Oriental. Witnesses said it was carrying hundreds of passen- gers both in and on its cars, many of whom had paid an illegal reduced fare to ride the train without a proper ticket. They spoke of a grisly scene with many people still trapped inside the wreckage. “The activist I sent to the scene spoke of hearing cries from people stuck in the cars because there was no adequate emergency response,” said Mbuya. “People are trapped and they need a 100-tonne crane to lift the cars, but the area is inaccessible. The Mwyi river runs between the tracks and the road, and it’s a swampy zone that can only be accessed on foot,” said the journalist. He said an army unit had been sent to help extract both the wounded and the dead from the wreckage. There is concern that bodies could begin to rot because of the intense heat in the area, he added, saying there was already a “sickening” smell from rotting fish the train had been carrying.—AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Spooked by immigration, UK voters turn to anti-EU party

GRIMSBY: Like many in the once thriving “When I first started there 17 years ago almost one in four votes in local elections last Pollsters say UKIP has siphoned off much Yet support for UKIP goes beyond its anti- fishing town of Grimsby, Dave thinks an influx you could get a job on the docks when you year and has also pushed the Conservatives of its support from disgruntled right-wing EU stance. When asked about the three of east European migrants has made it harder wanted. We used to do 40 hours and after 40 into third place in a string of one-off votes for Conservative voters. But they say it is also biggest issues facing Britain, almost two- to find work and he plans to register his anxi- hours it would be overtime. Now, foreigners national parliamentary seats. stealing traditional Labour supporters unhap- thirds of UKIP voters don’t mention Europe in ety by voting in an election for the first time will come in and do 60 hours at minimum UKIP, which also taps into public percep- py with the left-leaning party’s move away a list topped by immigration and the econo- in 18 years. wage. They have changed it.” tions of a remote and privileged governing from its working class roots. my, according to pollster YouGov. But the 36-year-old docker will not be vot- Such resentment has helped transform elite, has forced mainstream British parties, Data in February showed the number of ing for Britain’s main opposition Labour party, UKIP, which wants Britain to exit the EU and to especially the Conservatives, to embrace Decline EU nationals who came to Britain in the year traditionally the dominant force in the area’s sharply curb immigration, from a marginal tougher immigration policies and a more crit- In Grimsby, where the imposing red-brick to September 2013 rose by 40 percent to local politics. In the run-up to next month’s protest party into one poised, say opinion ical stance on Europe. dock tower of what was once the world’s 209,000, many of them from much poorer elections for the European Parliament, Dave polls, to come second after Labour or even Despite their backing for continued EU largest fishing port overlooks several derelict eastern Europe. It was the highest figure since says he intends to back Britain’s anti-EU UK first in the May elections. membership, which they say is good for buildings with smashed windows and miss- officials began collecting statistics. Independence Party (UKIP). Such an outcome would be humiliating Britain’s economy and global clout, the three ing roof tiles, many blame the EU for the UKIP says Britain’s EU membership means “They seem like the only ones who want for Prime Minister David Cameron’s main parties - the Conservatives, Labour and town’s decline. it is powerless to stop intra-EU migration to do something about immigration,” said Conservatives and would fuel their alarm Cameron’s junior coalition partner the Liberal The constant flow of ships into its docks since the bloc’s freedom of movement rules Dave, who declined to give his surname, as about a split in the centre-right vote in next Democrats - are all agreed that the EU needs used to give the town five pay days a week, allow people to live and work in any member he enjoyed a beer in a pub on Freeman year’s national election which could deny reform. Cameron has promised to renegoti- said UKIP local councillor Stephen Harness, state. Street, formerly a bustling shopping area and them another five years in government. ate Britain’s EU ties and to hold an in/out EU whose father was a trawler skipper. But the The party’s outspoken position on immi- popular haunt of fishermen now dotted with UKIP currently has only nine seats in the membership referendum if he is re-elected EU’s common fisheries policy has reduced the gration, including a set of campaign posters boarded-up shops, pawnbrokers and at least European Parliament and no elected mem- next year. Some in his party say they would number of boats and the amount of time unveiled this week, have left UKIP fending off two Polish grocers. bers in the British parliament. Yet it won vote to quit the EU. they can spend out at sea, he said. accusations of racism. —Reuters China urges renewed peace effort in S Sudan BEIJING: China yesterday urged renewed authorities provide protection to China’s rea- peace efforts in South Sudan after the sonable rights in South Sudan and the safe- United Nations said rebels slaughtered hun- ty of Chinese nationals,” he said. dreds of civilians when they seized the China’s special envoy to Africa, Zhong South Sudan oil hub of Bentiu. Jianhua, told Reuters in February that “We strongly condemn this and urge all China’s efforts to help resolve the conflict in sides in South Sudan, including the opposi- South Sudan marked a “new chapter” in its tion and the authorities, to keep pushing foreign policy that would seek to engage political dialogue to resolve the relevant more in Africa’s security. issues and achieve reconciliation, peace and The White House on Tuesday called the development at the earliest date,” foreign massacre an abomination and urged an end ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a daily to the cycle of violence there. The United briefing. Nations said rebels hunted down men, China has played an unusually active women and children who had sought diplomatic role in South Sudan and is the refuge in a hospital, mosque and Catholic biggest investor in its oil industry. Bentiu is church. capital of South Sudan’s oil-producing Unity Rebel troops overran Bentiu last week. state. Oil firms in South Sudan, a country Rebel spokesman Lul Ruai Koang denied roughly the size of France, include China responsibility for the slaughter, blaming National Petroleum Corp, India’s ONGC government forces for the killings. Videsh and Malaysia’s Petronas. More than 1 million people have fled “China has energy interests in South from their homes since December when Sudan, so we hope even more that this fighting erupted in the world’s youngest JOHANNESBURG: South African ruling party African National Congress upcoming elections billboard campaign is seen from the country can maintain peace and stability,” country between troops backing President Qin added. Salva Kiir and soldiers loyal to his sacked vice Nelson Mandela bridge in the Johannesburg CBD yesterday. South Africans will mark 20 years of democracy since the first post- “We also ask that the South Sudanese president, Riek Machar. —Reuters Apartheid election on April 27, 1994. —AFP S Africa’s ‘Born Frees’ struggle with history One third of 18-19 yr olds registered to vote

JOHANNESBURG: When Nkululeko Simelane was born proclaiming - with some justification - that South Africa and move forward” - a sentiment at odds with the ANC’s on April 27, 1994, her parents did not have to think twice since apartheid is a “good news story” of strong econom- obsession with history. about her name. Her birth coincided with South Africa’s ic growth, relative political stability and gradual social Tellingly, the vast majority of students who visit first multi-racial elections, the momentous day that end- transformation. Soweto’s Hector Pieterson museum, named in memory ed three centuries of white domination and 46 years of However, its current crop of leaders, many of whom of a 13-year-old schoolboy shot dead by police at the formalised oppression of the black majority under spent long periods in jail or exile, remain firmly wedded start of the 1976 uprising, are foreign. apartheid. to the glorious but ever more distant past of the libera- In the same vein, Election Commission figures sup- In Zulu, Nkululeko means “Freedom”. Twenty years tion struggle. port the view that “Born Frees” are turned off by politics. BENTIU: A grab made from a video released by the United Nations Mission later, the leaders of South Africa’s no-longer teenaged Addressing an Easter weekend service at Of an estimated 1.9 million people aged 18-19, just in South Sudan (UNMISS) yesterday shows displaced people in a camp in democracy will mark the date - Freedom Day - with Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium, President Jacob 646,313 have registered for the May 7 election, a sign- Bentiu, on April 22, 2014. Rebel gunmen in South Sudan massacred “hun- pomp, ceremony and lectures about the sacrifices and Zuma, a scandal-plagued 72-year-old who served 10 up rate of just one in three. The registration rates for vot- dreds” of civilians in ethnic killings when they captured the oil town of achievements of the African National Congress (ANC) in years alongside Mandela in notorious Robben Island ers aged 20-23 are not much better. Bentiu last week, the UN said on April 21, one of the worst reported atroci- its long struggle for liberation. prison, used the word “apartheid” no fewer than seven “This non-participation is a function of the limits of ties in the war-torn nation. —AFP Featuring prominently will be the name Nelson times. the liberation narrative,” said Vishwas Sargat, a Mandela, the anti-apartheid hero and South Africa’s first In November, at a political rally near Pretoria, he criti- University of the Witwatersrand political scientist. black president who died aged 95 in December last year, cised the term “Born Free” as “propaganda”, and dis- “People are seeing a mismatch between the evocation along with other “struggle stalwarts”, as ANC elders, both missed any notion of young South Africans putting the of a glorious past, and witnessing a movement in Dead Ukraine politician dead and alive, are known. politics of the past before their interest in the latest decline and degeneration, and they are becoming cyni- Nkululeko, by contrast, will celebrate her 20th birth- iPhone or Hollywood blockbuster. cal and sceptical about it.” day with a group of friends in one of the many “Young people know the struggle,” Zuma told the faced hostile mob Bohemian, multi-cultural and multi-racial industrial-chic crowd. ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe, a gruff Economically free SLAVIANSK: The Ukrainian town councillor day. His body was found on Saturday near quarters of Johannesburg that have sprung up since the former leader of the South African Communist Party, However, not all young South Africans are tuning whose apparent torture and murder helped Slaviansk. death of white rule. piled in a few days later. out. One of the features of this year’s election has been to prompt a new government offensive in He and another, unidentified, man Unlike her parents and grandparents, hers is not a “I hate that term which most people use to describe the emergence of the ultra-leftist Economic Freedom the east was mobbed by a hostile, pro- appeared to have been tortured and South Africa of black and white, oppressor and our young people, calling them ‘Born Frees’. It’s liberal Fighters (EFF) led by Julius Malema, an expelled ANC Russian crowd before he disappeared, a dumped alive in a river to drown, police con- oppressed, the privileged and the powerless. “There’s still and it is destroying our young people,” he said at a Youth League leader who portrays himself as a revolu- video of the incident shows. cluded. a bit of racism around but it doesn’t affect me. Broadly memorial lecture to a dead Xhosa tribal king. tionary in the mould of Venezuela’s Huge Chavez, right The footage from Thursday on local news Ukraine’s acting president, who like Rybak speaking, this whole apartheid thing, I just don’t feel it “It says you have no history and if you have no histo- down to the jaunty red beret. site gorlovka.ua shows angry scenes outside is a member of the Batkivshchyna party led any more,” she told Reuters in the manicured grounds of ry you are like a tree without roots. You can’t disown your “The ANC is telling us about the past. It doesn’t mat- the town hall of Horlivka, between the sepa- by former premier Yulia Tymoshenko, cited Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand, where own history because heritage is very important to us.” ter,” said Sabelo Fumba, a 20-year-old EFF activist in ratist flashpoint cities of Donetsk and the murder as grounds for relaunching a so she is a second-year civil engineering student. Soweto who condemns the inequality that persists Slaviansk, as councillor Volodymyr Rybak is far limited operation against militants who Instead, to her, South Africa is a land of opportunity It’s the economy between blacks and whites, who are likely to earn six manhandled by several men, among them a have taken over around a dozen towns and and potential, its challenges more economic than racial. However, the reality is that 38 years after tens of times as much, as a form of economic subjugation. masked man in camouflage, while other peo- public buildings in the Russian-speaking east. It is a view that prevails among many “Born Frees”, the thousands of black students and school children rose “Nowadays, I can study where I want to study, I can ple hurl abuse. “Terrorists who have effectively taken the term bestowed on the first generation to grow up with up - and in hundreds of cases laid down their lives - wear what I want to wear, I can go where I want to go. Rybak had tried to remove the flag of the whole Donetsk region hostage, have crossed no memory of apartheid. against apartheid, most young South Africans nowa- I’m able to go out partying with white kids,” he said. “I separatist Donetsk Republic, the website said. a line, starting to torture and murder “I’m not planning anything big for my birthday. I just days have other things on their mind. can say I’m politically free. But economically I’m not “Over my dead body will you take down that Ukrainian patriots,” Oleksander Turchinov want to get all my friends together and we’ll go out to Besides the inevitable 21st century distractions of free.” flag,” one man in plain clothes yells at Rybak said. lunch somewhere,” she said. “I care about the history in sport, fashion and music, their primary concern is work. However, for all the EFF’s fiery rhetoric, the latest as the politician tries to gain entry to the Ukrainian officials who took power after terms of where we come from, but it’s got nothing to do Among the youth, 40 percent of South Africans are polls suggest it is going to notch up just 4 percent of the town hall. the fall of the Kremlin-backed president with the politics today and what they are planning on unemployed. Accordingly, nearly three in four view vote at the election, while the ANC is on track for a 65 Two uniformed policemen appear in the acknowledge that corruption and pro- doing for us tomorrow.” unemployment as a “big problem”, according to Cape percent majority, little changed from its 2009 result. The video, though only one appears to intervene Russian sympathisers in the police and SBU Town-based market research firm Pondering Panda. bottom line for many youngsters who have registered - ineffectually. After several minutes, Rybak security service have made them ineffective ‘Trees without roots’ More worrying for the ANC is a finding by the to vote is that no matter how disillusioned they may be appears able to walk away. Ukraine’s Interior in resisting what it says are activities by For the ANC, a 102-year-old political movement Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), a think tank, with the scandals that have typified Zuma’s time in Ministry said he was seen being bundled into Russian special forces to organise separatist whose raison d’etre throughout most of its life was the that only 35 percent of youth think the government is office they remain in thrall to the ANC-imbued mind- a car by masked men in camouflage later that militants. - —Reuters overthrow of white-minority rule, the “Born Frees” - who “doing well” at getting them into jobs. sets of their elders. now number 20 million, or 40 percent of the population In a 2012 “Reconciliation Barometer” study, the IJR “I haven’t decided how I’m going to vote,” Nkululeko - are problematic. also found only 9 percent of youth disagreed with the said, with a faint smile. “It’s more like my grandmother As a May 7 election approaches, the party has been statement “South Africa should forget about apartheid decided for me.” —Reuters Catalonia chief vows to call independence poll

BARCELONA: Catalonia’s political doesn’t depend on me,” Mas said. by 299-47 votes on November 8. ‘We will not stop’ chief Artur Mas vowed yesterday to The referendum would ask voters Nevertheless, the Catalan govern- Proud of their distinct language push ahead with a vote on inde- two questions: “Do you think that ment says it will now seek to pass a and culture, a growing number of pendence from Spain on November Catalonia should be a State, yes or regional law allowing it to conduct a Catalonia’s 7.5 million citizens resent 9, flying in the face of fierce opposi- no?” consultative referendum on the the redistribution of their taxes to tion from Madrid. “If yes, do you want that State to question. other parts of Spain and believe the Just two weeks after Spain’s par- be independent, yes or no?” Many Mas urged the Spanish govern- region would be better off on its liament overwhelmingly shot down Catalans point to Scotland, whose ment not to block such a vote, own. The 2008 real estate crash that the referendum bid, Mas said he was leaders have called a referendum to which he has promised to hold since triggered a five-year economic determined to hold a vote. “The ref- be held in September on independ- winning November 2012 regional downturn across Spain has added to erendum will be called for sure and ence from Britain-a move authorised elections. “We ask that it not the pressure for secession over the the Catalan people will be called to by the British government. obstruct a process that will be strict- past two years. the polls on November 9,” he told But Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy ly Catalan, with a Catalan law Polls indicate a slim majority of UKRAINE: Pro-Russian masked gunmen patrol a street in the center of foreign correspondents on the day has vowed to block any referendum. approved by the Catalan parlia- Catalans support independence. the region celebrates its patron Sant With both the ruling Popular Party ment,” he added. “It will not be strict- Spain’s prime minister has promised Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, yesterday. Pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Jordi, or Saint George. and the main opposition Socialist ly binding, it will be purely participa- to appeal against any referendum to Ukraine admitted yesterday that they are holding an American journal- “Might the central government Party against the referendum, tory to find out the opinion of the the nation’s Constitutional Court, ist, saying he was suspected of unspecified “bad activities.” —AP want to cancel it? I don’t know. That Spain’s parliament rejected the bid Catalans.” however. —AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Bangladesh court orders opposition chief’s trial to go ahead

DHAKA: A top Bangladesh court ruled yesterday Police detained thousands of opposition officials patrolling the complex in central Dhaka in case of enmity which dates back three decades. opposition leader Khaleda Zia’s trial over embezzle- and supporters and charged many more during and opposition protests. Zia was kept under de facto house arrest for more ment charges should go ahead in a case that could after the election, which was the bloodiest in the than a week ahead of the elections in January. see her jailed for life, a prosecutor said. country’s short history. Poisonous relationship Hasina was overwhelmingly re-elected at those The High Court rejected the former two-time pre- Zia’s lawyer Sanaullah Miah said he would now Prosecutors say Zia and three of her co-accused polls in what was effectively a one-horse race after mier’s bid to quash the trial which had been sched- lodge an appeal in the Supreme Court, in a final siphoned off 31.5 million taka (about $400,000) from the BNP and other opposition parties refused to field uled to start in a lower court this week after she was attempt to stop the trial from going ahead in a special a charitable trust named after her late husband Ziaur candidates over rigging fears. indicted on charges of embezzling more than anti-corruption court in Dhaka. Rahman, a former president who was assassinated in Nearly 200 people died in political violence in the $650,000. “Both her appeals have been rejected. “It is now clear that the government wants to put 1981. run-up to the election as the opposition and security There is no bar to continue her trial in the two cases,” Zia in jail. That’s why we are not getting any justice in She is also accused of leading a group of five peo- forces fought pitched battles. Zia spent nearly two deputy attorney general Mohammad Selim told AFP. any court,” he told AFP. ple, including her eldest son Tarique Rahman, in years behind bars in 2007-08 when both she and Zia’s lawyers have called the charges politically The trial had been scheduled to start on Monday embezzling 21.5 million taka ($270,00), funds which Hasina were detained by a military-backed govern- motivated, aimed at destroying her Bangladesh but was adjourned until after the two-judge bench of were meant to go to orphanage set up in memory of ment as part of a crackdown on corruption. Both Nationalist Party (BNP), which has vowed to topple the High Court had ruled on the appeal. her late husband. women were eventually freed without charge. the government of arch rival Prime Minister Sheikh Selim said the prosecution has “strong cases” The charges date back to Zia’s last term as prime Her BNP party was expected to meet later Hasina. Zia was indicted just weeks after Hasina was against Zia and there was little chance of the defence minister from 2001 to 2006 and can carry a life sen- Wednesday to decide on possible street protests and re-elected in a January 5 general election which the succeeding in getting the trial halted. tence, prosecutors have said. other action against the latest ruling and to stop the centre-right BNP and its 18 opposition allies boy- Security was tight ahead at the High Court Zia, who first became premier in 1991, has a trial going ahead, party official Masud Ahmed cotted and denounced as a farce. ahead of the verdict with hundreds of police famously poisonous relationship with Hasina-an Talukdar said. —AFP

Pakistan’s army wants TV India anti-graft champion news channel shut down ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s powerful army Regulation Authority, spokesman accuses rivals of sell-out has asked a government regulator to shut Fakhruddin Mughal said. The complaint down a leading private news channel over accuses the station of “undermining the VARANASI: Firebrand anti-corrup- what the military calls “false” reports that integrity and tarnishing the image of (a) tion champion Arvind Kejriwal the country’s intelligence service shot one state institution and its officers and falsely accused his rivals in India’s elections of its top anchors. linking it with the terrorist outfits.” yesterday of selling out to big busi- Press freedom advocates yesterday “The reporting made and the pro- ness by accepting hundreds of mil- decried the move against Geo News TV, grams aired cannot be viewed as a single lions of dollars to bankroll their cam- whose popular talk show host Hamid Mir event,” the complaint reads. “GEO paigns. suffered multiple gunshot in the attack Network has a history of acting illegally in As he arrived in Varanasi to file his last Saturday. Mir’s shooting has sparked furtherance of the anti-Pakistan agenda.” nomination papers and line up a protests by journalists in Pakistan, a coun- The complaint asks the authority to contest against frontrunner try considered one of the world’s most revoke Geo TV’s licenses. Mughal said the Narendra Modi, Kejriwal said India’s dangerous postings for reporters and authority’s legal team was meeting in democratic future was at stake in the where its military and intelligence services Islamabad to examine the request and ongoing elections. still hold tremendous power despite its could make a statement later yesterday. “The people of India have to transition to democracy. The complaint, Mir suffered six gunshot wounds to decide what kind of democracy they posted on the website of the Committee the stomach and legs in the attack in the want,” Kejriwal, who is leader of the to Protect Journalists, said the army want- port city of Karachi. Last year, authorities Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party, ed the station closed because of its “false found a bomb under Mir’s car but he told hundreds of supporters in the and scandalous campaign” against escaped unharmed. In recent weeks, holy city on the banks of the Ganges. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, or Mir’s show gave prominent coverage to a “Do you want a democracy of the ISI. Mir’s brother, Amir Mir, appeared group campaigning against the disap- neighbourhoods, streets and villages on the station after the shooting and pearances and torture of insurgents and or a helicopter democracy?”, he said blamed the ISI for trying to kill his brother, their supporters in southwestern in a jibe at Modi who is due to fly in saying he told his family about threats Baluchistan province - allegedly at the today to file his nomination and VARANASI: Leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or Common Man’s Party, Arvind Kejriwal made by the service against him. hands of ISI. Rahul Gandhi, the ruling Congress addresses supporters before filing his nomination, as a giant billboard of Hindu nationalist Since then, the station repeatedly aired Both the military and the ISI wield party’s frontman. Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi stands in the background, the accusations against the spy agency, tremendous power in Pakistan, even after Both Modi’s Bharatiya Janata in Varanasi, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, yesterday. —AP blaming it for the “assassination attempt” a successful transition of civilian power Party (BJP) and Congress have against Mir. The ISI, which has no public last year. The ISI has been accused of assembled massive warchests for the the papers or the billboards and you “We have to end this kind of democ- the capital’s chief minister after only spokesman, has not comment publicly harassing and even killing journalists in six-week election, filing the airwaves see the political adverts everywhere,” racy, and establish the rule of the 49 days is seen as having under- about the allegations. the past, including Saleem Shahzad in and dominating newspaper front- he said. “My friends, where are they people.” mined much of his popularity and 2011. US officials have said Pakistan’s mili- pages with advertisements. getting this money from? Kejriwal, a former tax inspector, few analysts expect him to beat ‘Undermining integrity’ tary and intelligence service authorized While there have been no official “Whoever gives them (the mon- stunned Indian politics in December Modi in the most high-profile con- However, the defense ministry filed Shahzad’s torture and murder. Pakistani figures, Kejriwal said the parties had ey), after the elections they will want when he came to power in Delhi’s test of the election which wraps up the complaint late Tuesday against Geo officials have denied involvement in spent around 150 billion rupees their money back and more. And state elections on a wave of growing on May 12. Results of the world’s TV to the Pakistan Electronic Media Shahzad’s death. —AP (around $2.5 billion) on adverts. where will this money come from? voter anger over levels of corruption. largest elections are due four days “You turn on the TV or you look at From the pockets of you and me. However his decision to quit as later. —AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Australia boosts air power with $11.6bn purchase of 58 F-35s SYDNEY: Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced ensure that our nation’s defences are strong,” he Aus$1.5 billion in flow-on business. to a country the size of Australia.”This is a very, yesterday the purchase of 58 more F-35 Joint said. “It will ensure our edge as a regional power.” The fighter programme will see Aus$1.6 billion very potent force with a range to take out an Strike Fighters costing Aus$12.4 billion ($11.6 bil- Abbott said the F-35 will “provide a major boost spent on upgrading air force bases at Williamtown adversary not seen around the world before,” he lion) in a major defence upgrade to maintain to the Australian Defence Force’s intelligence, sur- in New South Wales and Tindal in the Northern said. Australia’s regional edge. veillance and reconnaissance capabilities”. “The Territory where the planes will be based. “With respect to our neighbourhood I think no The new aircraft will bring Australia’s total JSF acquisition of F-35 aircraft will bring significant Australia had originally indicated it would buy one is going to be in that league for some long force to 72, with the first due to arrive in 2018 and economic benefits to Australia, including regional 100 of the jets, and that is still a target figure for air time.” Johnson said air combat capability was the enter service in 2020. The deal with US aerospace areas and local defence industry,” he added. force chiefs, but budgetary constraints under the cornerstone of Australia’s national security. “This giant Lockheed Martin includes an option to buy a The prime minister said some 700 F-35 tailfins previous government saw it trim back and delay aircraft is peerless, it has no identifiable rival in the further 18 planes and is additional to the purchase would be made at a factory in Victoria and the US- the order in 2012. The JSF, costing $160 million air at the moment. We see it dominating the skies of 14 F-35s Australia already approved in 2009. led JSF programme offered Australian manufactur- according to Pentagon figures and not due to for the next at least 10 to 15 years. “It’s expensive, “The fifth generation F-35 is the most advanced ing companies the potential to earn an additional enter service until 2016, has been touted as a it’s highly technical ... but this is a commitment fighter in production anywhere in the world and Aus$7.5 billion.The government will also consider technological wonder and the ultimate stealth that the world needs to see,” Johnston said. will make a vital contribution to our national secu- an option to buy another squadron of 18 F-35s to attack plane able to evade radar detection. South Korea has plans to finalise the purchase rity,” Abbott said.”It will also be a very substantial replace the air force’s fleet of ageing F/A-18 Super However it has suffered setback after setback of 40 F-35 jet fighters from Lockheed Martin later boost to jobs and technology here in Australia.” Hornets which are due for retirement from 2022. notably with troublesome software. It is seven this year while Israel, Japan and Singapore have Abbott said the planes would cost about $90 years behind schedule with a budget blow-out of also expressed interest in buying. million each but noted that one of the largest Ultimate stealth attack plane US$167 billion to more than $390 billion, making Australia is one of eight countries, apart from defence purchases Australia has ever made was The overall price tag includes weapons, spare it the costliest weapons programme in US history. the United States, taking part in the JSF pro- budgeted for. “This is not new money, it’s money parts and maintenance facilities, with Australia’s Australia’s Defence Minister David Johnson gramme: Britain, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the successive governments have carefully put aside to defence industry reportedly set to benefit by up to expanded on the military importance of the F-35 Netherlands, Norway and Turkey. —AFP

Mourners flock to funeral of Myanmar pro-democracy hero

YANGON: Thousands of mourners yester- echo through Burma’s fragile reform day attended the funeral of Win Tin, a giant process.” of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement, in an outpouring of grief for one of the ‘Not yet truly free’ country’s best loved champions of free- Win Tin was a journalist by profession- dom. including a three-year stint as an editor at Activists, political figures-including the Agence France-Presse bureau in Aung San Suu Kyi-and ordinary citizens Yangon in the early 1950s-but later entered crowded a cemetery on the outskirts of politics in response to the army’s tyrannical Yangon, filing past the coffin for a last rule which began when General Ne Win glimpse of the co-founder of Myanmar’s seized power in a coup in 1962. opposition party. He was imprisoned in 1989 by the mili- Many wore blue-the colour of a prison tary for his political activities and not uniform-in tribute to Win Tin, who was released until 2008. Myanmar’s longest-serving political During his incarceration he was interro- detainee under the former junta and who gated for up to five days at a time, deprived continued to wear a blue shirt after his of sleep and adequate medical treatment, release in 2008. hooded and beaten. Several thousand people followed a car But he kept writing and was unflinching bearing the coffin to the grave site where in his criticism of the military regime from Win Tin, who died in hospital in the city ear- the moment of his release. Suu Kyi, who ly Monday at the age of 84, was laid to rest. was present at the funeral, penned a short There, the mourners-many holding pic- note in homage to her longtime ally, prais- tures of their hero aloft-sang a protest song ing him as the “pride of the country, pride from 1988, the year Win Tin formed the of humanity”, according to a release by the National League for Democracy with Suu NLD. The Nobel laureate, who was herself Kyi in the wake of a student-led pro- freed from a total of 15 years under house democracy uprising that ended in blood- arrest in 2010, now leads her party in shed. Myanmar’s fledgling parliament after a Gathered around the grave they sang: wave of reforms under the new govern- “The world might end/ but our grief will ment. not/ Oh our heroes who sacrificed their But the army retains huge power in the lives in the fight for democracy.” Southeast Asian nation, casting doubts Many described Win Tin as an inspira- over Suu Kyi’s chances of becoming presi- BANGKOK: Thai anti-government protesters wave clappers as they rally in Bangkok yesterday. Negotiations on a roadmap to tion to others in Myanmar, which was ruled dent after 2015 elections which are seen as elections in Thailand following months of political turmoil suffered a major setback as the opposition pulled out of rare multi- by a military junta for nearly half a century a litmus test of the reforms. party talks at the last minute. —AFP before a quasi-civilian regime took power Win Tin consistently voiced caution in 2011. about the pace of change in Myanmar, La Pyae Way, a 28-year-old political explaining in an interview with AFP last activist, said young people should aspire to year that he wore a blue shirt in solidarity Thai court gives PM his ideals. “Whenever there are clouds with dissidents still held in jail and to show above, he will always be our blue sky,” he the world that his country was not yet truly said. Rights campaigners, politicians and free. many in the international community have “I feel like I’m still in prison,” he said. joined the tributes to Win Tin’s courage dur- Despite his steadfast loyalty to Suu Kyi, he time to defend herself ing nearly two decades of brutal treatment was not afraid to voice disagreement-a rare in jail. Human Rights Watch executive direc- attribute in a party where many are awed tor Kenneth Roth said Win Tin’s “bravery in by “the Lady”. “The only dissent comes Yingluck undermined by months of street protests the face of cruel hardship continues to from me,” he told AFP last June. —AFP

BANGKOK: Thailand’s Constitutional Court yes- much that further rate cuts can do to support tive establishment. Thaksin was ousted by the terday gave Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra the economy when the main drag is coming army in 2006 and has chosen exile rather than until early May to defend herself against charges from a slide in consumer confidence and busi- accept a jail term handed down in 2008 for of abuse of power, as the central bank warned ness sentiment,” said Benjamin Shatil, an econo- abuse of power. that the political crisis threatened another cut in mist at JP Morgan in Singapore. The protesters want to end Thaksin’s political its growth forecast. Gundy Cahyadi, an economist with DBS Bank influence and set in motion broad political The charges relate to the transfer of National in Singapore, said export growth was still provid- reforms that would prevent parties loyal to him Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri in 2011, ing some support, but the question was for how from running for office again. which opponents say was designed to benefit long. “One wonders if we can continue to have A Feb. 2 election was disrupted by the pro- her Puea Thai Party. If found guilty, Yingluck business as usual without a functioning govern- testers, who stopped candidates from register- could be forced to step down and some legal ment in place.” ing and blocked polling stations. As a result, a experts say the whole government would have court ruled the election void and the Election to go with her. Threat of violence Commission has said the earliest date for a rerun Yingluck, who heads a caretaker government Security chief Thawil was reinstated to his is July 20, but even that looks optimistic. with limited powers, has been undermined by post in March but the Constitutional Court Despite occupying key government min- six months of street protests aimed at toppling accepted a case brought against Yingluck by 27 istries for weeks at a time and bringing parts of her government as well as various legal chal- senators who argued his removal had violated the capital, Bangkok, to a halt until retreating to lenges against her, which have intensified since the constitution. a city park in March, the protesters have failed to February. “The prime minister will be given until May 2 achieve their aim of bringing down the govern- The central bank has slashed its economic to present her defence and gather further evi- ment. growth forecast for 2014 because the unrest has dence,” Somrit Chaiwong, a Constitutional Court They are now looking to the Constitutional hit tourism and business confidence, and it said spokesman, told Reuters. Court and the National Anti-Corruption on Wednesday growth would probably be even The court will then hear witnesses on May 6 Commission (NACC) to remove Yingluck. Her lower than its latest estimate of 2.7 percent. and its judgment could come any time after supporters believe the courts and other state Last October, just before the protests flared that. bodies are biased against her and Thaksin. up, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) had forecast 4.8 A verdict that removes Yingluck will escalate Amongst the charges she faces is one of dere- percent growth. tension between her supporters and the anti- liction of duty. She is the nominal head of a state Even so, its monetary policy committee left government protesters. Some fear an increase in rice-buying scheme that critics say is riddled with interest rates unchanged at a policy meeting on violence that could prompt intervention by the corruption and has run up huge losses. YANGON: Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi attends funeral cere- Wednesday, wanting to see the impact of quar- coup-prone military. The NACC, which brought that charge mony of Myanmar democracy activist Win Tin in Yangon yesterday. Hundreds ter-point cuts in November and March that took A long-running crisis broadly pits the mostly against her, is expected to deliver its ruling in of mourners gathered to mark the funeral of Win Tin, a former journalist and the benchmark rate down to 2.0 percent. poorer supporters of Yingluck and her brother, May. If found guilty, she could be removed “The BOT’s decision to stay on hold doesn’t former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, against the from office and may get a five-year ban from giant of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement, in an outpouring of grief for come as a surprise to us and there is only so Bangkok-based middle class and the conserva- politics. —Reuters one of the country’s best loved champions of freedom. —AFP HK, Manila compromise over tourist deaths

HONG KONG: Hong Kong and the ten to the families. The tourists were part of talks between Hong Kong and Philippine Philippines reached a compromise yester- a group taken hostage on a Manila tour bus officials, including a visit this week by a del- day over Hong Kong’s demands for an apol- by a disgruntled former police officer. egation including Manila Mayor Joseph ogy for the families of eight tourists killed in The two sides had previously agreed on Estrada, a top aide to Aquino and the a bungled response to a 2010 Manila three other demands - compensation, hold- national police chief. hostage-taking that soured relations. ing responsible officials accountable and While Estrada, a former Philippine presi- “The Philippine government expresses putting in place safety measures for dent, has previously apologized to the fami- its most sorrowful regret and profound tourists. lies, Aquino has expressed regret but has sympathy, and extends its most sincere Relations became increasingly strained refused to apologize, saying the lone gun- condolences for the pain and suffering of as they failed to resolve the deadlock over man and not the state is to be blamed for the victims and their families,” Hong Kong’s the apology, with Hong Kong announcing a the tragedy. leader, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, first phase of sanctions in January in which Tse Chi-kin, whose brother, tour guide told reporters. it canceled visa-free access for holders of Masa Tse, was killed, said the phrase “sor- The statement avoided the word “apolo- Philippine government passports. A Hong rowful regret” was “marginally acceptable.” gy,” which had been a longstanding Kong lawmaker also floated the idea of “It’s still an apology,” Estrada told reporters. demand of the survivors and families of the banning Filipino maids, threatening “We feel sorry for what happened.” victims. The Hong Kong government and a employment for the more than 100,000 Following yesterday’s announcement, HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s leader, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, center, spokesman for Philippine President who work in the southern Chinese city and Leung said the Hong Kong government has speaks as hostage survivor Yik Siu-ling, right, and Tse Chi-kin, left, brother of Benigno Aquino III both said the agreement the remittances that are an important lifted the travel sanctions against the offi- killed hostage victim Masa Tse listen during a news conference in Hong Kong was “mutually satisfactory.” source of income for their families. cials as well as a harsh travel warning for yesterday. —AP The Philippine police chief has also writ- The agreement comes after months of the Philippines. —AP

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Issues Major int’l effort crucial to end S Sudan carnage

By Peter Martell and Michael Mathes

s ethnic massacres in South Sudan spiral out of con- trol and politicians lose their grip on rampaging mili- Atias, only a concerted international effort stands any chance of ending the four-month-old civil war, analysts say. The past week has been described by a senior UN official as the “most bleak” in South Sudan’s short history, with pro- government gunmen storming a UN base in an attempt to Obama visit lifts lid on Asia tensions kill thousands of terrified civilians and rebels accused of con- ducting massacres in churches, mosques and hospitals. According to the UN’s top official in the war-torn nation, By Huw Griffith Australia. “Since the establishment of the postwar regime in relationship, said Washington-based international affairs ana- Toby Lanzer, the country has now descended into “a cycle of San Francisco in 1951 and the onset of the Korean War in lyst Taylor Washburn. “The United States faces a dilemma, in revenge” - barely three years after the fanfare that accompa- S President Barack Obama’s Asian tour which started in 1950, (the US has been) directly and deeply involved in East that it wants to make clear its unwavering commitment to nied its independence from Khartoum. For John Japan yesterady has lifted the lid on a bubbling caul- Asian politics,” he told AFP. “Washington’s preference for bilat- Japan’s security in the face of destabilising behaviour by Prendergast, co-founder of the anti-genocide Enough Udron of regional animosities, exposing historical rifts eralism has contributed to the lack of intra-Asian cooperation China, yet it is also frustrated by Prime Minister Abe’s person- Project, only a “high profile initiative of the international that Washington can no longer paper over. Obama touches and historical reconciliation.” al quest to efface dark episodes from his nation’s history,” he community” including the United States - which was instru- down in Tokyo a day after nearly 150 lawmakers paid homage told AFP. The impounded Japanese ship row reflects anger mental in helping South Sudan separate from Khartoum - at a shrine regarded by neighbouring nations as a symbol of ‘Fears of Containment’ about past injustices, while for Beijing, the squabble over the stands any chance of preventing a protracted conflict and Japan’s brutal imperialist past, and shortly after the prime In recent decades, foreign policy focus shifted to perennial Senkakus is directly linked to Tokyo’s imperialist march more atrocities. “If it’s a low-key, under-the-radar begging minister made an offering to the controversial site. hotspots like the Arab world, and despite the Obama admin- through Asia, with the islands’ late 19th century “annexation” operation, these parties are just going to laugh at it,” he said. In another sour note, China on the weekend seized a huge istration’s vaunted “pivot” towards the region, East Asia is feel- marking the start of Tokyo’s expansionism. “If you have a very serious, high level engagement that has Japanese freighter over what a Shanghai court says are ing a little neglected. The Middle East still draws a large meas- senior representation in key countries with some level of unpaid bills relating to Japan’s 1930’s occupation of vast ure of US attention, and the Ukraine crisis has rekindled inter- ‘Dangerous Neighbourhood’ past and present influence, that brings to bear that kind of swathes of the country. Lurking in the seas to the far south- est in Europe. The cancellation of Obama’s visit to the region If Abe can be convinced to rein in unpalatable views on pressure, then you’ve got a chance,” said Prendergast, a for- west are coastguard boats - with armed naval vessels at the last year to deal with a domestic budget battle didn’t help. Japan’s dark past - such as questioning Japan’s use of wartime mer Africa director for the National Security Council during ready - playing out a volatile dispute between Tokyo and But worse, “the so-called ‘pivot’ or ‘rebalancing’, is causing sex slaves in military brothels - it could help to take some of Bill Clinton’s presidency. Beijing over ownership of a small chain of East China Sea more confusion and increases tensions rather than stabilising the heat out of the islands spat. “Obama will impress upon islands. an already dynamic region”, said Wirth. “It heightens fears of Abe the strategic value of curbing his cabinet’s tendency to Going After the Leaders And to the west, an ever-unpredictable North Korea which containment on the part of China and increases expectations push a revisionist historical narrative that downplays the The war broke out on Dec 15 following a clash within the has denounced the presidential tour as “reactionary and dan- of military protection, and at times lends itself to assertive regional suffering caused by Japan’s past imperialism,” James presidential guard and rapidly escalated as soldiers took gerous” appears to be trying to seize the spotlight with policies on the part of some US allies.” Schoff of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace sides with either President Salva Kiir or his sacked deputy, preparations for a fourth nuclear test. But despite the increas- On this trip, Obama has to walk a tightrope between calm- wrote earlier this month. Riek Machar. The conflict quickly took on an ethnic dimen- ingly tense security situation and the need for unity, getting ing Chinese fears of US encirclement and bolstering Japan. That same effort would also pay dividends in brokering a sion, with Kiir drawing support from the ethnic Dinka com- top regional allies South Korea - Obama’s next destination - Manila, the final leg of the tour, will also be looking for reas- detente between Tokyo and Seoul, which would allow a unit- munity and Machar from his Nuer tribe. Thousands and pos- and Japan to talk to each other is tricky. surances from its protector in chief. Having mounted a plucky ed front against North Korean agitation, said Washburn. It sibly tens of thousands of people have died while over a mil- South Korean President Park Geun-Hye and Japanese stand over disputed South China Sea reefs against the might doesn’t have to be a perfect peace, he added. “The United lion have been forced from their homes. To further compli- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have met just once since both of Beijing, the Philippines needs to be told the US still has its States should not expect any South Korean leader to be silent cate matters on the ground, the notorious ethnic Nuer came to power over a year ago, and only then when the US back. Tokyo also worries that Washington may not offer in the face of historical whitewashing,” Washburn said. “But if “White army” has joined the fray on the side of Machar’s leader cajoled them into a choreographed photo op. East wholehearted support if push came to shove over the Seoul and Tokyo hold off on all security cooperation until patchwork rebel force, neighbouring Uganda is backing Kiir Asia is a tumultuous region with a multitude of fractures that Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which Beijing claims as they’ve come to terms over the past, Northeast Asia will be a while rival militias from neighbouring Sudan have reported- the US has done little to mend over the last half century, said the Diaoyus. more dangerous neighbourhood for both countries in the ly been joining in. Christian Wirth, a research fellow at Griffith University in Historical interpretations keep muddying the Japan-China meantime.” — AFP Both the government and rebel forces have been accused of committing war crimes, including massacres, rape and child soldier recruitment, and Prendergast said concrete action on this could also be used as a way to halt the fighting. “When you actually start freezing the assets, Weak US hand in Ukraine confrontation seizing the cars and the houses in Kenya and Ethiopia that are owned by most of these senior officials in government By Steven R Hurst the job. That’s the big hole in the deal. “The problem is the of reconstituting as much of the old Soviet Union as he can. and the rebellion, when you start sending their kids home Ukrainian military is not strong enough to maintain law and Obama was prescient when, on the day the quadripartite from schools... then it starts to get their attention,” he said. early a quarter century after the Cold War ended, the crisis order in its own country. The Russians are creating and fabricat- deal was struck last week, he expressed doubt the Russia would “We have both sides committing atrocities, so it’s easy to say in Ukraine symbolizes the weak foreign policy hand the ing a crisis to showcase that,” Burns said. live up to expectations. “My hope is that we actually do see fol- we’re going to go after individuals on both sides. There’s NUnited States often finds itself playing despite its status as For now, it looks very much like Putin is holding the better low-through over the next several days,” Obama said. “But I don’t some level of even-handedness, with very specific targeted the only global superpower. With a military confrontation with hand. Obama says the Russians will soon be feeling the econom- think given past performance that we can count on that, and we sanctions, very specific asset freezes.” Russia off the table and European allies hesitant to join ic pain as Washington and Europe tighten the sanctions screws. have to be prepared to potentially respond to what continue to Casie Copeland of the International Crisis Group, an inter- Washington in more robust economic and financial sanctions So far, however, Putin seems willing to accept that pain as part of be efforts of interference by the Russians in Eastern and national conflict resolution think-tank, said the South against Moscow, President Barack Obama’s administration has the price for what some observers believe is his long-term goal Southern Ukraine.” — AP Sudanese currently have no intent to stop fighting - even few tools that would modify Kremlin behavior in eastern though they are paying lip service to peace talks being held Ukraine, where pro-Russian militias have made no move to in Ethiopia and signed a ceasefire in January. “The two war- vacate government buildings they seized near the Russian bor- ring parties right now prefer to seek a solution on the battle- der. Russia, meanwhile, has rejected charges that it is fueling the Putin likely to ignore West field rather than through peace talks,” she said. “Peace talks unrest. The situation only grew tenser Monday when Ukraine’s in Addis produced a ceasefire which was almost immediate- acting president ordered security forces to resume operations in By Lynn Berry The US and EU have said they will broaden the list and impose ly violated, and right now we are seeing little commitment the country’s east, and the Defense Ministry said gunfire hit an more punishment against Russia’s banking and energy sectors from either side to a negotiated solution. There needs to be observation plane over the city of Slovyansk. Vice President Joe ince he took over Crimea, President Vladimir Putin has if Moscow fails to follow through on the provisions of an inter- concerted political action.” Biden has made a quick trip to show support to the beleaguered seen his popularity soar and his opposition fall silent. So national agreement on Ukraine reached last week in Geneva. interim government in Kiev, carrying a package of financial and when the US vice president told Russia to defuse tensions Chinese Clout non-lethal military aide. Secretary of State John Kerry last week S More Sanctions Ferdinand von Habsburg-Lothringen, a Swiss citizen in Geneva negotiated a deal with Russia, Ukraine and the in Ukraine, Putin had few reasons to listen. Emboldened by the working in South Sudan for 16 years and a former UN and European Union that was designed to ease tensions. national euphoria over the annexation of Crimea, Putin has US Vice President Joe Biden said Russia must quickly “stop government advisor, said the crisis was now as bad as the “The Russians don’t fully accept the legitimacy of this transi- moved against the few remaining critical voices in Russia and talking and start acting” to reduce tensions in Ukraine if it wants worst days of the decades-long civil war that preceded inde- tion government” in Kiev, said R Nicholas Burns, a Harvard further neutered the news media. On Tuesday, a court cleared to avoid more sanctions. “We will not allow this to become an pendence. The impact of fighting has been “catastrophic”, he University professor and formerly undersecretary of state and US the way for sending his most vocal critic to prison. Opposition open-ended process,” he said Tuesday in Kiev, the Ukrainian said, warning that “the future of the world’s newest country ambassador to NATO. “I think one reason the US and Europe are leader Alexei Navalny was found guilty of slandering a lawmak- capital. The visit was a show of US support for Ukraine’s interim is as insecure as it has ever been”. Aid agencies say more at the table (in Geneva) is that they think that by agreeing to er and fined the equivalent of $8,400. As a result, he may be government, which took over after the pro-Moscow president than a million people are at risk of famine. “Humanitarian aid these quadripartite negotiations that the Russians will be de fac- jailed during a trial in a second case that starts Thursday. If was ousted in February following months of protests and is will be the sticking plaster over South Sudan’s gaping to conferring legitimacy on the Ukrainians. That’s a good goal to found guilty, he could be sent to prison. struggling to hold the country together. wounds,” he said, saying the country had been essentially have, but you have to be careful that we don’t get out-played by Navalny was nearly jailed last summer, when he was run- After Moscow seized Crimea, pro-Russian militias began tak- left “unattended by a divisive and ineffective international the Russians.” ning a high-profile mayoral campaign in Moscow, but his con- ing over government buildings throughout southeastern community.” South Sudan’s oil wealth is now being bitterly So far, pro-Russian militias have not laid down their arms or viction brought thousands into the streets in protest. The Ukraine and setting up checkpoints on roads. Russia also has fought over by the government and rebels, but could pro- relinquished government buildings, despite the Geneva accord Kremlin evidently calculated it would be better to allow him to tens of thousands of troops arrayed along its side of the border. vide a key to speed up any diplomatic initiative by drawing calling for them to do so. Moscow, meanwhile, is demanding as run for mayor, but he surprised everyone by finishing a strong Biden urged Moscow to encourage the pro-Russia forces to in major investor and big power China. “For many Western well that the pro-western interim government in Kiev order the second with 27 percent of the vote. But now Putin, with his stand down and “address their grievances politically.” countries, it’s not a big enough revenue generator to be a dismantling of the protest infrastructure in the capital’s main approval rating at 80 percent, no longer appears willing to tol- The threat of violence only increased, however. Ukraine’s factor, but for some of the eastern countries like China, India Square, the Maidan. The gathering place was the scene of erate any criticism. Chillingly, Putin has begun to cast his critics acting president reported late Tuesday that the bodies of two and Malaysia, given their deep involvement in the oil sector months of demonstrations that eventually led former Ukrainian as “national traitors”, an intimation that anyone who opposes people he said were abducted by pro-Russia insurgents were over the years, particularly China, oil is a major factor,” said leader Viktor Yanukovych to flee to Russia and prompted the Kremlin is serving the interests of the West. He has com- found and a military aircraft was reportedly hit by gunfire. Prendergast. —AFP Moscow to send forces into the strategic Crimean Peninsula, pared Russians who oppose his aggressive actions in Ukraine to Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov ordered security forces where the population quickly voted to join Russia. Now, Obama the Bolsheviks, who took advantage of Russia’s defeat in World to resume “anti-terror” operations in the east, although previ- is under bipartisan pressure to increase sanctions on Russian War I to stage their 1917 revolution. ous ones have had little effect. Russia has denied that it has banks and its massive oil and gas industry. The Europeans are Navalny, who for years has led a relentless effort to expose been stoking the turmoil or has failed to live up to the Geneva All articles appearing on these pages reluctant because they rely on Russian natural gas for 30 percent government corruption, wrote an opinion column for The New agreement. of supplies. Russian President Vladimir Putin has already warned York Times last month that urged the US to impose sanctions Putin has little interest in seeing an easing of tensions in are the personal opinion of the writ- about a shutdown of supplies that run to the West in pipelines on Putin’s closest friends as punishment for the takeover of eastern Ukraine, which he has described as historically Russian ers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibil- that first serve Ukraine. Hence, European Union reluctance for Crimea. The next day, five of the nine people Navalny men- lands and part of what he calls the “Russian world”. The govern- ity for views expressed therein. Kuwait stronger sanctions. The Geneva agreement required all sides to tioned were hit. He understood that the Kremlin would make ment in Kiev and many in the West believe that provoking a Times invites readers to voice their refrain from violence, intimidation or provocative actions. It calls him pay for taking delight in the sanctions. “Time to pack a bag confrontation would give Russia a pretext to invade. Putin has for the disarming of all illegally armed groups and gives amnesty for jail,” said a post on his Twitter feed. said he hopes he won’t have to send in troops but retains the opinions. Please send submissions via to protesters who comply with the demands, except those The travel bans and asset freezes imposed on Russian offi- right to do so if necessary to protect ethnic Russians, a sizeable email to: [email protected] or found guilty of committing capital crimes. cials by the US and European Union have been greeted publicly minority in Ukraine’s east. Putin’s ultimate goal is to prevent via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, by bravado and ridicule in Moscow, with those targeted pro- Ukraine from moving closer to the European Union and NATO. Kuwait. The editor reserves the right Puppet Master claiming themselves proud to have made the sanctions list. But How he intends to do this is still an open question. But with dis- But there was no real way to enforce the deal. Putin denies the sanctions have hurt Russia’s economy by spooking senting voices at home falling silent, Putin may only need to to edit any submission as necessary. he’s playing the puppet master over the separatists, and the cen- investors and driving up inflation as the ruble has lost value. see how far the West is willing to go. — AP tral Ukrainian government doesn’t have the wherewithal to do NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

A man walks in front of the Dome of the Rock in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Israeli annexed East Jerusalem yesterday. — AFP

Qatar says dispute with Gulf neighbors... Barrak’s corruption claims cause furore Continued from Page 1 file. Any violation of this balance will allow the Iranian lead- Continued from Page 1 The grilling will be the fourth against the prime minis- ership to exploit all holes to do harm to us.” ter in this parliamentary term. The first one was Separately, a senior member of Saudi Arabia’s royal fam- The United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and In another development, MP Abdularim Al-Kandari scrapped over constitutional doubts while the second ily said yesterday the rift within the GCC was the biggest Russia have agreed a July 20 deadline with Iran to clinch a said he and MPs Riyadh Al-Adasani and Hussein and third were merged in a single debate. threat facing them despite the agreement last week. Prince long-term deal that would allow a gradual lifting of all Quwaiaan will today file a request to grill Prime Meanwhile, MP Kamel Al-Awadhi proposed to Turki Al-Faisal, a former intelligence chief, told a security nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran over its atomic Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Kandari toughen the penalty against sexual harassment to not conference in the Bahraini capital Manama that regional program. The Saudi prince said that Gulf Arab states were said the grilling will focus on the state’s general policy less than two years in jail and a KD 5,000 fine. The enemies could exploit the rift to destabilize the Middle East. concerned by Iran’s nuclear ambitions despite the talks and but will include several issues. He provided no details. penalty is doubled if official authority is abused. “The most dangerous thing that is facing our countries by what he described as its meddling in the internal affairs today is this new rift in our relations,” said Prince Turki, of its Gulf Arab neighbors. Gulf Arab countries have long brother of the Saudi foreign minister. accused Tehran of fueling unrest mainly among Shiite com- Bahrain expels Sistani’s envoy Prince Turki said that Gulf states should work on acquir- munities in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen. Iran denies ing nuclear knowhow to balance any threat from Iran, these allegations. Continued from Page 1 Sistani, who is based in the Iraqi city of Najaf, in 2011 adding that Gulf states should be prepared for any possible “The lack of trust in the Iranian leadership which aris- condemned Bahrain’s crackdown on Arab Spring- outcome from Iran’s nuclear talks with world powers. “We es from its double-talk and the duality of its policies It argued in a statement that religious representatives inspired protests which demanded democratic reforms do not hold any hostility to Iran and do not wish any harm prevents us from believing what it says,” he told the of Shiite spiritual guides were always present in the archi- in the Gulf kingdom. Bahrain remains deeply divided to it or to its people, who are Muslim neighbors,” he said in Bahrain conference. “At the time when we hope that the pelago without needing permission, “even before the three years after the Feb 2011 uprising, with persistent his speech. “But preserving our regional security requires ongoing nuclear talks between (Iran) and world powers that we, as a Gulf grouping, work to create a real balance of reach the desired aim by halting its nuclear ambitions establishment of Bahrain as a modern state”. “Saying that protests sparking clashes with police, scores of Shiites forces with it, including in nuclear knowhow, and to be with definite guarantees, we have to be careful until this religious representatives of (spiritual) guides need permits jailed on “terror” charges and reconciliation talks dead- ready for any possibility in relation to the Iranian nuclear is a firm reality,” he said. is a flagrant attack on the principles of Shiism,” it said. locked. — AFP THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 SPORTS

Merwe picks up ban Cech, Terry to miss EPL Stenson eyes China event CAPE TOWN: Bulls captain Flip van der Merwe was suspended for three weeks MADRID: Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will miss the rest of the sea- SHENZHEN: World number three Henrik Stenson’s bid to kick-start his 2014 yesterday after being found guilty of striking Waratahs prop Paddy Ryan, further son after landing heavily and injuring his right elbow in Tuesday’s 0- campaign at this week’s China Open has been hampered by a bout of flu. deepening the crisis the South African franchise is facing among its second row- 0 draw with Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semi-final The Swede, who won the order of merit in Europe and the Tour ers. The Springbok forward will miss Saturday’s clash against Australia’s Western first leg. Captain John Terry will also be sidelined for the last three Championships in the US last year, has struggled to reach the heady heights so Force in Perth, as well as home fixtures against compatriots the Cheetahs and Premier League games of the campaign after twisting his ankle in far this season and said he was not feeling his best ahead of the $3.2 million Stormers, compounding coach Frans Ludeke’s concerns in the scrum. Van der the second half but he could be fit for next month’s Champions European Tour event starting today. Merwe’s absence means Ludeke will once again be required to turn to 36-year-old League final in Lisbon if Chelsea get through. “I am just kind of waking up to be honest after a little bit of flu,” Stenson said Victor Matfield, who was originally taken to Australasia in an advisory capacity but Czech Republic international Cech was replaced by 41-year-old after pulling out of Wednesday’s Pro Am tournament at Shenzhen Genzon Golf has been forced onto the pitch in recent weeks. Mark Schwarzer in the 18th minute at the Vicente Calderon after club. “I am still a bit weak after spending the last 36 hours in bed, but I am slow- Matfield is expected to be partnered by Paul Willemse, 15 years his junior, who Atletico midfielder Raul Garcia took a tumble and felled the keeper ly getting there and hopefully I can rest up and drink lots of fluids and be a bit was on the bench against the Waratahs last weekend. at a corner. “Petr Cech was knocked over. I don’t remember which better tomorrow and be ready to play.” A SANZAR judicial hearing found Van der Merwe guilty of contravening Law player it was but he has an injury that means his season is over,” The 38-year-old finished tied fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in the US 10.4 (a) - punching or striking - after he was cited following the Bulls’ last month and followed that up with a tied 14th effort at the year’s first Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told reporters. 19-12 loss on Saturday. The tournament’s governing body added major, the US Masters. “And John...we’ll have to get to the final for him to be able to play that Van der Merwe escaped a lengthier five-week ban that The two finishes are the best the Swede has managed this year in could have been imposed following his guilty verdict due to his again this season.” The injuries represent a blow to second-placed nine starts on the US and European circuits and he blamed the previous conduct. “Due to the player’s good character, lengthy Chelsea’s chances of catching Premier League leaders Liverpool who below par efforts on fatigue. “There has been a little hangover from professional playing career and his relatively clean disciplinary are five points clear of the London club. The two title rivals meet at last year after so much success and then all the resulting commit- record, I was satisfied that the five-week entry point should be Anfield this Sunday. ments that come off the course,” he said. “I have only really had a reduced to three weeks,” judicial hearing chairman Adam Understudy Schwarzer deputised for an unwell Cech on Saturday two-week break from it all and it has been tough to kick-start a Casselden said in a SANZAR statement yesterday. The Bulls when Chelsea slipped to a shock 2-1 home defeat by bottom club new season when you are quite low on energy. But other have lost all three of their tour matches to date.—Reuters Sunderland.—Reuters than that I am right on track.—Reuters Angels pound Nationals

WASHINGTON: Albert Pujols became the first major leaguer to hit his 499th and 500th homers in the same game, driving in five runs to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Washington Nationals 7-2 Tuesday night. The first baseman connected twice off Taylor Jordan (0-3) - a three-run homer in the first inning and two-run drive in the fifth - to become the 26th player in major league histo- ry to reach the milestone. Pujols is the first player to collect Nos. 499 and 500 in the same game, according to STATS. About three months past his 34th birthday, he’s also the third-youngest to get to 500. He has eight homers this season, all in the past 13 games. Tyler Skaggs (2-0) gave up two runs in seven innings for the win. BOSTON: Red Sox’s David Ortiz (right) reaches down to greet a former teammate, New York Yankees’ Jacoby Ellsbury, prior to a baseball game at Fenway Park. —AP MARLINS 1, BRAVES 0 Jose Fernandez matched his career high with 14 strikeouts in eight innings and com- Yankees down Red Sox bined with Steve Cishek on a three-hitter as the Marlins shut out the Braves. BOSTON: Jacoby Ellsbury doubled, tripled, in the tying run just ahead of Choice, who Fernandez (3-1) outpitched Atlanta’s Alex drove in two runs and made a sliding catch in began his career with the A’s. Wood (2-3), who also was dominant. Wood his return to Fenway Park, helping the New Alexi Ogando (1-1) recorded one out in allowed four hits and one run with no walks York Yankees and Masahiro Tanaka beat the the eighth to pick up the win. Joakim Soria and a career-high 11 strikeouts in eight Boston Red Sox 9-3 Tuesday night. pitched the ninth for his fifth save. Luke innings. Ellsbury received a mixed reception in his Gregerson (0-1) took the loss after blowing The Marlins gave Fernandez the only run first game at Fenway since leaving the Red his third save opportunity, giving up two runs he would need in the fourth. Giancarlo Sox to sign a $153 million, seven-year con- on three hits. Gregerson appeared to have Stanton hit a one-out double to left field and tract with the Yankees. pitched out of trouble when he threw out Tanaka (3-0) allowed two runs on seven pinch hitter Mitch Moreland at the plate on a scored on Casey McGehee’s single up the mid- hits in 7 1-3 innings with seven strikeouts and safety squeeze by Leonys Martin for the sec- dle. no walks. His 35 strikeouts in his first four ond out. Martin stole second and scored Fernandez struck out the side in the fourth major league starts set a team record and he’s when Wilson, who cost the Rangers two runs and fifth innings. He allowed three hits with walked just two batters in 29 1-3 innings. Jon with a fielding error in the fourth, doubled. no walks. Cishek pitched a perfect ninth for Lester (2-3) struggled after four outstanding his fourth save. outings, allowing seven runs in 4 2-3 innings. ASTROS 5, MARINERS 2 There were more boos than cheers from the Collin McHugh struck out a career-high 12 CARDINALS 3, METS 0 crowd that contained a sizeable amount of in his season debut, and Jason Castro, Chris Adam Wainwright threw seven neat Yankees fans when Ellsbury stepped in as the Carter and Matt Dominguez homered to pro- innings before leaving with a knee injury, and first batter of the game. pel Houston past Seattle. McHugh (1-0) was Jon Jay hit a two-run single that sent the With an 0-2 count, he drove the ball about called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City for the Cardinals to a victory over the Mets. five feet from the top of the center field wall. start and struck out the first three batters to Left fielder Matt Holliday robbed Chris It was ruled a triple after a spectator reached set the tone for his first win in 10 career starts. Young of a tying homer, one night after the out and interfered with it. The right-hander didn’t walk a batter, giving Mets played some dazzling defense of their up three hits in 6 2-3 shutout innings. own to post a shutout in the series opener. TIGERS 8, WHITE3 SOX 6 Josh Fields pitched the ninth for his sec- Wainwright (4-1) faced the minimum Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer, ond save. The Astros have won six straight through four innings and outpitched Dillon Justin Verlander pitched seven solid innings against the Mariners. Justin Smoak provided Gee. It was the second consecutive scoreless and Detroit held on for a victory over Seattle’s only offense with a two-run homer in start for Wainwright, who tossed a two-hit Chicago. Cabrera was 4 for 23 on this homes- the seventh inning as the Mariners extended tand before going 3 for 5 against the White their losing streak to eight games. shutout last Thursday at Washington. Sox - including a homer and a double off WASHINGTON: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs throws against the Charlie Leesman (0-1), who was called up ROYALS 8, INDIANS 2 PHILLIES 3, DODGERS 2 Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game. —AP from the minors to start in place of the James Shields allowed two runs in six Domonic Brown doubled home the go- injured Chris Sale. Verlander (3-1) had little to innings and Mike Moustakas hit a three-run ahead run in the 10th inning after a costly needed. Volquez allowed two runs and five the bottom of the 12th for his seventh save worry about after allowing a first-inning homer to lead Kansas City over Cleveland. error by left fielder Carl Crawford, and the hits with a walk and three strikeouts. after Donn Roach (1-0) allowed just one hit homer to Jose Abreu. He allowed two runs Shields (2-2) struck out nine and won his Phillies beat the Dodgers. over two scoreless innings. and eight hits, striking out seven and walking second straight start. Moustakas’ homer Carlos Ruiz reached second base when his CUBS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 2 Headley’s homer to center off a 1-0 fastball two. Chicago’s Dayan Viciedo had a career- sparked a four-run fourth that featured five flyball to short left field glanced off Crawford’s Jason Hammel pitched seven strong from Alfredo Figaro (0-1) was one of the few high four hits, and Adam Dunn hit a two-run hits. The Royals are 10-0 when scoring at least glove as shortstop Hanley Ramirez nearly col- innings, Mike Olt hit a three-run homer and mistakes from the mound among teams with homer in the ninth to pull the White Sox with- four runs. Eric Hosmer had four hits, including lided with the left fielder. Brown followed with Nate Schierholtz drove in a pair of early runs two of the best staff ERAs in baseball. Padres in two. Joba Chamberlain got the final out for an RBI double in the seventh. a drive to the fence in left-center on a 1-1 to lead the Cubs to a victory over the starter Ian Kennedy labored through six his first save, retiring Alexei Ramirez on a liner Danny Salazar (0-3) didn’t allow a hit until pitch from J.P. Howell (1-2). Diamondbacks. innings while Brewers counterpart Yovani to left with one on. the fourth, but unraveled quickly when Antonio Bastardo (3-1) pitched a scoreless Hammel (3-1) allowed just one run and Gallardo went seven strong innings before Hosmer led off with a single. Billy Butler fol- inning for the victory and Jonathan Papelbon four hits in seven innings to lower his ERA to the bullpens took over. The Padres’ bullpen RAYS 7, TWINS 3 lowed with another single before Salazar got three outs for his sixth save, putting him 2.60. Olt still is batting below .200 for the sea- allowed three hits and struck out eight to David Price allowed six hits in his first com- retired the next two hitters. Moustakas drove within eight of 300. son (.195), but has four homers and nine runs snap Milwaukee’s four-game winning streak. plete game of the season, David DeJesus a 1-1 pitch into Kansas City’s bullpen in right batted in. The Cubs, who’ve won three of four, drove in three runs, and Tampa beat field, breaking a 2-for-15 slump. REDS 4, PIRATES 1 have won back-to-back games for the first ROCKIES 2, GIANTS 1 Minnesota. Price (3-1) struck out 12 in his Johnny Cueto tossed his second three-hit- ninth career complete game. BLUE JAYS 9, ORIOLES 3 time this season. They last won consecutive Nolan Arenado hit a go-ahead homer lead- DeJesus stopped an 0-for-24 skid with an Brett Lawrie and Melky Cabrera each hit ter against the Pittsburgh in a week and the games on Sept. 9 and 10 of last season ing off the fifth and Franklin Morales outdu- RBI single during a three-run first and added three-run homers in the eighth inning to Cincinnati Reds eased past the struggling against the Cincinnati Reds. Their last consec- eled Madison Bumgarner, lifting the Rockies a third-inning two-run single. Kyle Gibson (3- power Toronto past Baltimore. Edwin Pirates. utive home wins came on Sept. 4 and 6 to a win over the Giants. 1) gave up seven runs and 10 hits in three- Encarnacion connected for his first homer of Cueto (2-2) struck out four and walked against Miami and Milwaukee. Troy Tulowitzki also added a solo shot for plus innings for Minnesota. The right-hander the season for Toronto, another three-run three while running his career-long scoreless Brandon McCarthy (0-4) managed to lower the Rockies, who have hit seven homers in had given up just two runs over 19 1-3 drive. Lawrie’s long ball off Evan Meek (0-1) streak to 21 innings before giving up a home his ERA from 7.11 to 6.23. He allowed five runs two nights against the Giants. Morales (2-1) innings in his three other starts this year. The snapped a 3-all tie in front of a sparse crowd run to Andrew McCutchen with one out in the - one earned - and seven hits in five innings. was masterful on the mound as he allowed Twins got home runs from Brian Dozier and of 14,866 at Rogers Centre. Cabrera connect- ninth. He improved to 15-4 in his career five hits over seven innings, which matches Chris Colabello. ed for his fifth of the season off Josh Stinson, against the Pirates and became the first PADRES 2, BREWERS 1 the longest outing of his career. The left-han- putting the Blue Jays in front, 9-3.Esmil Cincinnati pitcher to toss consecutive com- Chase Headley homered in the top of the der’s only mistake was a hanging slider to RANGERS 5, ATHLETICS 4 Rogers pitched a scoreless ninth for Toronto plete games since Mat Latos did it in June 12th inning and San Diego relievers tossed six Hunter Pence in the fifth. It was Pence’s sec- Michael Choice singled in the go-ahead and reliever Steve Delabar (2-0) picked up the 2012. Brayan Pena and Zack Cozart had con- shutout innings in the Padres’ win over the ond homer of the season. LaTroy Hawkins got run in the ninth inning and Texas rallied to win to help the Blue Jays improve to 3-1 secutive RBI hits off Edinson Volquez (1-1) in Brewers. the final two outs in a rocky ninth for his sixth defeat Oakland. Josh Wilson doubled to drive against the Orioles this season.—AP the seventh to provide all the offense Cueto Huston Street retired the side in order in save in as many chances.—AP Canadiens, Sharks advance

MONTREAL: Max Pacioretty lifted the Montreal SHARKS 4, KINGS 3 that remarkable stretch. Los Angeles has slipped to be a routine stop midway through the first peri- Canadiens into the second round of the Stanley Patrick Marleau scored on a backhand 6:20 into to the brink of first-round elimination just two od on the first goal. He couldn’t. Cup playoffs Tuesday night with a power-play goal overtime, and San Jose moved to the brink of the years after its Stanley Cup title run. with 43 seconds remaining for a 4-3 victory and a second round with a victory over Los Angeles to RANGERS 4, FLYERS 1 four-game sweep of Tampa Bay. take a 3-0 first-round series lead. BRUINS 3, RED WINGS 0 Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Dan Girardi and The first team to advance this year, the Rookie Tomas Hertl tied it with 10:43 left in reg- Tuukka Rask finished with a 23-save shutout to Dan Carcillo all scored, and Henrik Lundqvist ulation for the Sharks, who survived a much- give the Bruins a 2-1 playoff series lead. Dougie stopped 31 shots to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead in Canadiens also got goals from Daniel Briere, improved effort from their bitter California rivals Hamilton and Jordan Caron scored in the first the best-of-seven series. Brendan Gallagher and Lars Eller. Ondrej Palat had after two blowout wins in San Jose. period, and Patrice Bergeron added an empty-net Lundqvist was backed by a defense that deliv- a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay. Victor Hedman Marleau ended it for the Sharks with his third goal late in the game. The Presidents’ Trophy-win- ered with a flurry of blocked shots to stymie the pulled the Lightning within one goal three min- goal of the series. His shot banked off Kings ning Bruins are ahead for the first time in the Flyers. The Rangers took an early 2-0 lead and that utes into the third period, and Tyler Johnson tied defenseman Slava Voynov’s stick on its way past opening-round series. And, it seems like a com- was enough of a cushion for a team that led the the game three minutes later. Lightning backup Jonathan Quick, who made 36 saves in his third manding lead the way Boston has played the past Eastern Conference with 25 road victories. Mark goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis replaced Anders straight loss. Antti Niemi stopped 28 shots for the two games. Streit scored for the Flyers. Lindback after Gallagher’s goal 5:42 into the sec- Sharks. Game 4 is today in Los Angeles. Detroit has to win Game 4 today to avoid fac- Ray Emery struggled in net in his third straight ond period. Lindback gave up three goals on 20 The Sharks have won five straight overtime ing elimination when the series shifts back to start of the postseason for Steve Mason, and was shots, while Gudlevskis stopped 16 of 17 shots in playoff games and 10 of their past 11, with Boston. Jimmy Howard made 31 saves for the Red lifted late in the third period. Game 4 is tomorrow relief. Marleau scoring four game-winning goals during Wings, who needed him to make what appeared in Philadelphia. —AP THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 SPORTS Ferrer ousted Photo of the day as Nadal wins

BARCELONA: Second-seeded David Ferrer 55th-ranked Gabashvili dominated Ferrer was ousted from the Barcelona Open by a on his favored clay to reach the last 16. Russian opponent for the second straight Gabashvili kept Ferrer running to the year and defending champion Rafael Nadal corners, and the fifth-ranked Spaniard was labored to victory yesterday. surprisingly unable to keep up with shots Ferrer was unable to find his rhythm in he normally returns, looking fatigued at losing 6-4, 6-2 to Teymuraz Gabashvili in his times. opening match while Nadal struggled past Ferrer netted to give his opponent a fellow Spanish player Albert Ramos 7-6 (2), triple set-point opportunity to close out 6-4. Nadal eventually overcame his 103rd- the first frame, which Gabashvili did by ranked opponent to reach the third round, smashing a crosscourt forehand Ferrer rebounding from a surprise loss to Ferrer in couldn’t handle. the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals. Gabashvili maintained his play from the “After losing in the Monte Carlo I wanted to start of the second set to race to 3-0 when raise my game here,” Nadal said. “It just took Ferrer skied his return high and into the a while.” crowd. Ferrer, who lost at this same stage Eight-time winner Nadal was made to last season to Dmitry Tursunov, slapped a work against the stubborn Ramos, who crosscourt forehand long for Gabashvili to broke back in the 11th game to force the clinch it. first-set tiebreaker. Nadal eventually came “Three weeks ago I lost to Ferrer in out on the winning end of a long rally of Miami but I dominated that first set. Today, baseline shots for a 4-2 lead as he went on I wanted to maintain my energy and keep it to take the set. going, which I did for (90) minutes, but any Nadal was steadier after that but still more and it might have been tougher to could not shake Ramos. He sealed it after a win,” Gabashvili said after winning for the quick talk with the tournament doctor by first time on the third try against Ferrer. breaking his fellow left-hander to win the Ferrer wasn’t the only significant player match. to exit early as third-seeded Fabio Fognini “I had to accept that I was going to be retired to injury while losing 6-0, 4-0 to made to work today, that I was not playing Santiago Giraldo of Colombia. Eighth-seed- at my best level,” Nadal said. “But I got ed Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine was through it.” Nadal will face Ivan Dodig next also ousted by Spanish player Albert Mansour Al Safran, Mohammed Al Attar and Mohammed Jaffar perform in Kuwait City, Kuwait www.redbull.com after the Croatian dismissed Feliciano Montanes 7-6 (5), 6-3. Other second-round Lopez of Spain 6-1, 6-4. winners included sixth-seeded Nicolas Ferrer, meanwhile, will not be facing Almagro and fellow Spaniard Albert Nadal in the final for a fifth time after the Montanes.—AP Wizards lead playoff series

CHICAGO: Bradley Beal came on strong late in regulation to finish with 26 points, Nene scored six of his 17 in overtime and the Washington Wizards beat the Chicago Bulls 101-99 Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Washington rallied from 10 down in the fourth quarter after blowing a 17-point first- quarter lead. Nene scored the first six points in overtime after being held in check by Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah in regulation, and the Wizards hung on after Kirk Hinrich failed to convert at the foul line in the closing seconds. DJ Augustin led Chicago with 25 points, and Taj Gibson had 22 points and 10 rebounds. John Wall had 16 points and seven assists for Washington, which will host Game 3 of the best- of-seven series on Friday night.

RAPTORS 100, NETS 95 DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points, and Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 14 rebounds as Toronto beat Brooklyn to even their first-round playoff series at one game each. Amir Johnson scored 16 points and Kyle Lowry had 14 as the Raptors rebounded from a 94-87 loss in Game 1. It was Valanciunas’ second straight playoff double-double. Joe Johnson scored 18 points, Deron Williams CHICAGO: Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) gets a hand on a shot by Washington Wizards forward had 15 and Mirza Teletovic 14 for the Nets, who Trevor Ariza (1) during Game 2 in an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series. —AP will host Game 3 on Friday night. tage of 21 Toronto turnovers. rebounds for the Pacers. George Hill had all 15 of Hampered by foul trouble throughout the his points in the second half. Indiana grabbed game, Brooklyn’s Paul Pierce went 2 for 11 from PACERS 101, HAWKS 85 control with a 25-2 run that carried over into the the field, including 0 for 6 from 3-point range. He Paul George had 27 points, 10 rebounds and fourth quarter. George was especially effective finished with seven points. six assists, leading Indiana to the victory. The even though he spent much of the night Kevin Garnett scored 13 points and Shaun Pacers and Hawks are tied at a game apiece defending Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, who Livingston had 12 for the Nets, who led 66-64 heading into Game 3 in Atlanta on Thursday. had 14 points. Paul Millsap finished with 19 for heading into the fourth and couldn’t take advan- Reserve Luis Scola added 20 points and seven Atlanta.—AP Valverde bags Arrow Classic

BRUSSELS: Alejandro Valverde of Spain timed his among the favorites since it is run over similar hilly Even though he long felt boxed in, Valverde said climb on the closing Wall of Huy to perfection to win terrain in southern Belgium. that “as soon as I found a way through, I started the Walloon Arrow classic ahead of Daniel Martin of After his biggest one-day victory in six years, sprinting.” His power gave him enough time to cross Ireland and Michal Kwiatkowski of Poland yesterday. Valverde said, “I will be most relaxed.” As before, the the line coasting with his arms outstretched. Pre-race favorite Philippe Gilbert, who won the last 199-kilometer (123-mile) classic through woods and Kwiatkowski was a further second back, finishing in two classics over the past eight days, never got hills was reduced to the key question: Who is fastest the same time as Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands. among the leaders on the mile-long (1,600-meter) on the final climb on the viciously steep Wall of Huy? Valverde kept quiet in the pack for most of the race climb to the finish line and ended up in 10th place. Valverde won in 4 1/2 hours, and his final kick as Gilbert’s BMC Racing Team chased down the early SPAIN: Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Albert Ramos during the Barcelona open ten- The major spring classics end with Sunday’s 100th gave him an edge of three seconds over Martin, last breakaways, and all favorites were bunched togeth- nis in Barcelona. —AP Liege-Bastogne-Liege race, and Valverde put himself year’s winner of Liege-Bastogne-Liege. er with 12 kilometers to go.—AP

Gulf Bank wins KBC soccer championship

KUWAIT: On conclusion of this year’s annual Soccer Championship recently organized by The Kuwaiti Banks Club (KBC) the Gulf Bank team man- aged to win the first place after beating the KFH team in the final match by 2-0. The final match was held under the auspices of the Kuwaiti Banks Union(KBU) chairman, Hamad Abdul Mohsen Al-Marzouq. It was also attended by KBU’s secretary general, Dr. Hamad Al-Hasawi, KBC’s chairman, Ahmad Sultan, KFH’s CEO, Mohammed Suliemna Al-Omar, Gulf Bank’s human resources manager, Salma Al-Hajjaj, Gulf Bank’s financial administration manager, Carlos Roberto, KBC’s secretary, Ali Al-Thuwaini, his assistant, Jassim Al-Haidar, head of the social committee, Reem Al-Wagyan and bankers and their families. A special ceremony was held on concluding the match to honor the winners, best players, coaches in addition to a draw on special prizes for the audience. THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 SPORTS United break with tradition in Moyes sacking

LONDON: By sacking David Moyes as ever, the board decided that it could no in November 1986, Moyes’s job was to The emphasis now will be on finding “I think there is a way of decency manager after less than a season in longer stand by and watch Ferguson’s take command of the juggernaut that a manager with a proven track-record at with dealing with people,” he said. charge, Manchester United contravened empire crumble, regardless of the his predecessor had built. the highest level of the European game “Football managers now just get tossed the principles explicitly laid out by his instructions he had left behind. Ferguson hoped the structures he capable of undoing the damage that around, chucked about, disregarded, illustrious predecessor Alex Ferguson. Had Moyes seen out his six-year con- had put in place would allow Moyes- Moyes has inflicted. While Ryan Giggs rubbished. Decent men, good men, just Ferguson was granted a three-and-a- tract, he would have become United’s who failed to win a trophy in his 11 will take charge of the first team in the get thrown away. And that’s not just half-year grace period before winning third longest-serving post-war manager, years at Everton-to slot seamlessly into interim, the names being linked with David Moyes, that’s all the way through the first of his 38 trophies as United behind only Ferguson and United’s oth- place, thereby enabling United to main- the job on a permanent basis-Louis van football.” manager, in 1990, and he expected his er great Scottish figurehead, Matt tain a tradition of appointing promising, Gaal, Diego Simeone, Jurgen Klopp- The move also met with disapproval successor, who he hand-picked himself, Busby. hungry, British managers. make it likely that United will appoint a from some United fans, with phrases to be shown the same patience. Instead, he became the club’s third manager hailing from outside the such as “disgraceful decision” and “knee- His instruction to United’s fans to shortest-serving manager, after Walter ‘GOOD MEN THROWN AWAY’ British Isles for the very first time. jerk reaction” dotting the BBC’s online “get behind our new manager” on a Crickmer (1931-32) and Lal Hilditch It was for these reasons that United The fear, for United’s fans, is that by message boards. rain-lashed day at Old Trafford last May (1926-27), overseeing only 51 matches, opted for Moyes, rather than a brash not showing Moyes the patience that But whether United have betrayed was intended as a rallying cry, but of which he won just 27. upstart such as Jose Mourinho, but the Ferguson had called for, the club risks their traditions or not, the Moyes experi- instead it became a millstone around The club’s decision to dismiss him former Everton manager’s subsequent falling into a pattern of hiring and firing ment at least means that the club’s next the club’s neck. As Moyes lurched from reflected the huge differences between failure laid bare the shortcomings in more typically associated with hated manager will not have to step directly disaster to disaster, seemingly incapable the football landscape that provided their recruitment process. As one jour- rivals Chelsea. into Ferguson’s shoes. of preventing the club from sinking into the backdrop for Ferguson’s appoint- nalist observed on Twitter: “No club Gary Neville, the former United cap- As former England striker Gary crisis, the one constant in his favour was ment and the terrain that greeted brings more/better data to tain turned media pundit, alluded to Lineker remarked on Twitter: “Always the consensus that sacking managers Moyes on his arrival last year. Whereas financial/commercial business. Yet those specific concerns when he thought the manager’s job to have at was ‘not the United way’. United had not lifted the English title for appoints manager on handshake and a lamented United’s decision to part ways Manchester United was the one after After initially showing support, how- 18 years when Ferguson was appointed nod.” with Moyes. the one after Sir Alex.”—AFP FIFA suspends Barcelona 14-month transfer ban

ZURICH: FIFA yesterday suspended a ban on Barcelona signing players while the club makes an appeal against a 14-month transfer ban. World football’s governing body, which imposed the sanction this month for breaching rules on the registration of minors, announced in a statement that the ban would be temporarily suspended allowing Barca to sign players during the summer transfer window which opens on July 1. The club welcomed the move. “FC Barcelona sees the decision announced today by the FIFA Appeal Committee to provisionally allow the cautionary measures requested in the club’s Real’s coach Carlo Ancelotti appeal against the sanction imposed by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee as a positive step,” the club said in a statement. Ancelotti in frame for The Spanish champions are in desperate need of an overhaul in the summer transfer win- dow after a difficult season which is likely to see United job — reports them miss out on a major trophy for the first LONDON: Manchester United began their United manager Alex Ferguson will play an time in six years. search for a new manager yesterday, with active role in the search for a new head Replacements are primarily needed for goal- newspaper reports claiming that Real coach, despite having been chiefly respon- keeper Victor Valdes and club captain Carles Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has emerged sible for the decision to appoint Moyes. Puyol who have both announced their intention to leave the club at the end of the current cam- as a candidate to succeed David Moyes. Ferguson, who is now a United director, per- SPAIN: Barcelona’s coach Gerardo Tata Martinio, from Argentina, looks on in this file photo. —AP Several British newspapers said that sonally recommended Moyes to the club’s paign. Ancelotti was being considered for the board after announcing his retirement in Barcelona has appealed against what would Court of Arbitration for Sport would still be tion of 10 minor players. vacancy, along with Netherlands coach May last year. Moyes, 50, was sacked after a be a dramatic restriction on its operations and decided before the beginning of the next regis- Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu Louis van Gaal, who emerged as the early wretched debut campaign that saw defend- asked for the sanction to be suspended, the FIFA tration period,” said FIFA. described the ban as a “grave injustice” and favourite for the post following Moyes’s ing champions United slump to seventh statement said. Mussenden “assures that proper and ade- insisted the club intend to make moves in the sacking on Tuesday. However, whereas place in the Premier League table, denying FIFA Appeal Committee chairman Larry quate appeal proceedings will take place and, at transfer market this summer. Ancelotti, the former Chelsea manager, is them a place in next season’s Champions Mussenden agreed that the appeal meant the the same time, that all rights of the club will be There are two transfer windows in the 14 less than a year into a three-year contract at League. Long-serving midfielder Ryan ban should be suspended. Mussenden “took into respected.” month ban, one starting in July and running to Madrid, Van Gaal is scheduled to step down Giggs has been placed in interim charge of consideration the sanctions imposed against the FIFA’s disciplinary committee imposed the the start of the new Spanish season. The second from his position with Holland after this first-team affairs “until a permanent club, the complexity of the matter, the start date transfer ban on April 2 after finding Barcelona would be in January 2015. In 2010, FIFA imposed year’s World Cup. appointment can be made”, United said. of the next registration period - 1 July 2014 - and guilty of “serious” breaches of rules on under-age a similar transfer window ban against Chelsea Van Gaal, 62, has expressed an interest in The 40-year-old Welshman, who became the fact that the FIFA Appeal Committee does players. over the signing of French youngster Gael working in England and former Holland for- a member of Moyes’s coaching staff at the not seem in a position to take a decision on the It also fined the Spanish Football Association Kakuta. It was overturned after Chelsea reached ward Bryan Roy, who worked under him at beginning of the season, is expected to main issue early enough so that an eventual (RFEF) for allowing the deals. The Spanish cham- an agreement with the player’s former club Ajax, believes that he would be a perfect fit address the media for the first time since appeal of the club against its decision before the pions were given 90 days to regularise the situa- Lens.—AFP at United. “He has definitely still got the taking up his new role on Friday. hunger,” Roy, now a coach at Ajax, told the Giggs will be assisted by Phil Neville and Daily Mirror. “He will never turn down Chris Woods, both of whom kept their jobs Manchester United, believe me. I think it’s on United’s back-room staff despite having Atletico need Costa inspiration the job he really wants. And he will be a rev- been brought in by Moyes, as well as youth- elation at Manchester United.” Speaking team coach and former team-mate Nicky shortly after news of Moyes’s dismissal Butt. BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid failed to breach Chelsea’s broke on Tuesday, Ancelotti expressed sym- However, Steve Round and Jimmy wall of resistance at the Calderon and they will now hope pathy for the former Everton manager. Lumsden, who were also appointed by for more from their leading marksman Diego Costa in the “I feel for David Moyes, but in general Moyes, have both been fired. Another of decisive return leg of their Champions League semi-final this is the life of a coach,” said the 54-year- Giggs’s former team-mates, Paul Scholes, tie in London. old Italian, whose side play Bayern Munich has also been drafted in to provide support. Costa’s goals have fuelled Atletico’s trophy charge both in the Champions League semi-finals yes- “It’s great to see Paul Scholes here at the domestically and in Europe this season, but against terday. Aon Training Complex today, assisting Ryan Chelsea, who are reportedly interested in signing him, the “At times things don’t go well and you Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville,” United 25-year-old striker couldn’t find the back of the net in the are sacked. I’m sure David Moyes will look said in a message on the club’s Twitter feed goalless draw on Tuesday night. for, and find, another job.” Diego Simeone, on Wednesday. News of Moyes’s departure It has been a remarkable season for the Brazilian-born the current Atletico Madrid coach, is anoth- met with a favourable reaction on the New striker who has chosen to represent Spain and, having won er figure to have been linked with the York Stock Exchange, where United’s shares his first cap against Italy, is set for a place in their World vacancy at Old Trafford. rose six percent to their highest level since Cup squad. Meanwhile, reports claim that former Ferguson’s retirement. —AFP Costa has come out of the shadows of Radamel Falcao who left Atletico for Monaco ahead of this season and he has now hit 27 goals as Atletico lead the La Liga title race. His pace and physical strength have helped him to a fur- Forlan takes Cerezo ther seven in the Champions League but against Gary Cahill and John Terry he failed to create much space. A strong challenge early on from Terry sparked an angry into Asia’s last 16 reaction from Costa, who is well known for his short fuse, but after that the contest rarely looked like it would boil SINGAPORE: Uruguay star Diego Forlan Motors in the next round. FC Seoul beat over. struck a precious winner to take his new Beijing Guoan 2-1 to set up a clash with Raul Garcia saw more of the ball in a game where club Cerezo Osaka into the AFC Champions Kawasaki Frontale, and Sanfrecce Chelsea successfully blocked the supply to the forwards League last 16 at the expense of China’s Hiroshima edged 10-man Central Coast with Koke in particular on the right unable to make much Shandong Luneng yesterday. Forlan, who is Mariners 1-0 and will next face Western of an impact. expected to figure at this year’s World Cup, Sydney Wanderers. In the South Korean Atletico had 65 percent of the possession but they grabbed the decisive goal shortly after half- capital, man-of-the-match Kang Seung-Jo couldn’t find a way to goal. “We tried different approaches, time as Cerezo won their final group game put FC Seoul ahead two minutes before the in the final 12 or 13 minutes with Gabi and Koke in the 2-1 to reach the knockout stages. break and Yoon Ju-Tae doubled their middle, Sosa and Arda on the wings, but our rivals defend- It was Forlan’s most telling contribution advantage on 56 minutes. ed well,” coach Diego Simeone told a news conference. since the ex-Manchester United, Inter Beijing’s Yu Yang pulled one back after a “The idea was to break up their defensive organisation Milan, Atletico Madrid and Internacional goalmouth scramble with two minutes but we lacked a cutting edge. We will have to see whether striker arrived in January on reported remaining, but Seoul held on to finish top this result will be good enough for us.” record wages of $5.8 million a year. of Group F with three wins from six games. Gabi did impose himself on the midfield and his work- Forlan has insisted his move to Japan They were joined by Sanfrecce rate and incisive passing will be badly missed in the return will not hurt his chances of World Cup Hiroshima, who reached the knock-outs for leg, where he is suspended. Atletico will be quietly confi- selection, and he gave Uruguay manager the first time after Tsukasa Shiotani’s free- dent, however, that they can get the result they need at Oscar Tabarez a reminder of his qualities kick on 72 minutes gave them a narrow win Stamford Bridge next Wednesday to reach the final in with his second Champions League goal. over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners. The Lisbon. Brazilian forward Vagner Love had put Australian side had Brent Griffiths sent off They are a compact side and with Diego Godin and Shandong ahead from the penalty spot in for a foul on Naoki Ishihara midway Joao Miranda at the back, they are capable of resisting a lot the first half, but the Japanese visitors through the second half, before Shiotani’s of pressure, while with Chelsea having to come out of their turned the tables with two goals within dead-ball kick was deflected into the shells, Atletico can pounce on the break. “Each team has three minutes of the restart. Mariners’ net. their way of playing and we were on top but we couldn’t Yoichiro Kakitani put Cerezo level before FC Seoul and Sanfrecce’s wins settled a score,” Miranda told reporters. “At home they will have to Forlan, receiving a cross from the left, had tight Group F, in which all four teams had attack more and there is no doubt that we can surprise space on the edge of the box to thump been within just two points of each other them.” His view was echoed by team mate Diego Ribas. home an emphatic finish and secure their ahead of the final games. In Group E, “The 0-0 is not what we were wanting but it isn’t bad only away win in Group E. already qualified Pohang Steelers repelled either. The tie is still open and the game there (Stamford Cerezo’s reward is a last-16 match-up waves of attacks from Buriram United, who Bridge) is likely to be different to this one. We need to be against Marcello Lippi’s defending champi- failed in their attempt to reach the elimina- clever and take our chances,” said the attacking midfield- ons Guangzhou Evergrande, who took their tors for the second year running. er.—Reuters place in the knock-outs on Tuesday. And the 2009 champions had the best Pohang Steelers, who topped Group E chances when, in the second half, Yoon and frustrated Thailand’s Buriram United 0- Jun-Sung’s header was brilliantly tipped 0 on Wednesday, will play fellow South onto the bar and Moon Chang-Jin had a Korean former winners Jeonbuk Hyundai goal ruled out for offside.—AFP SPAIN: Atletico’s Diego Costa gestures in this file photo. —AP THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 SPORTS Late Matuidi goal gives labored PSG 1-0 victory

PARIS: Blaise Matuidi struck in the 89th minute to give Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 win against struggling Evian at the Parc des Princes yester- day and take the capital club to the brink of the title. It looked like PSG would have to settle for a point against their 10-man opponents until Lucas played in fellow substitute Matuidi and the France midfielder slotted the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Jesper Hansen at the near post. The result leaves the reigning champions 10 points clear of nearest challengers Monaco with only four games remaining and means they can clinch a second consecutive title with a win NAPLES: In this March 1959 photo, members of the LPGA International team pose away to Sochaux on Sunday, or 24 hours earlier for their first group photo at the Titleholders Golf Tourney. Kneeling in the front row if Monaco lose at relegated Ajaccio. from left to right are, Patty Berg, St. Andrews, Ill.; Bonnie Randolph, Naples, Fla.; Fresh from winning the League Cup by beat- Louise Suggs, Sea Island, Ga.; Marlene Hagge, Delray Beach, Fla. and Wiffie Smith, St. ing Lyon 2-1 in the final last Saturday, Laurent Clair, Mich. Standing in back row from left are, Kathy Cornelius, Lake Worth, Fla.; Blanc’s side were looking for revenge on Evian, Mickey Wright, San Diego, Ca.; Betty Jameson, San Antonio, Texas; Marilyn Smith, who beat them 2-0 in the reverse fixture back in Wichita, Kansas; Beverly Hanson, Indio, Calif., and Fay Crocker, Wichita, Kansas. December. Beverly Hanson, rear, second from right, who died April 12, won 17 times and three Evian are still scrapping to avoid relegation majors in the first decade of the LPGA Tour. —AP but they have performed well against the lead- ing lights in Ligue 1 this season, taking four points out of a possible six against Monaco and Beverly Hanson, forgotten also holding Lille. They were unlucky not to take an early lead pioneer in women’s golf as well, Danish international Daniel Wass hitting the crossbar from a long-range free-kick in the NEW YORK: It didn’t take Beverly Hanson long addressing the ball, it started to roll. We wore fifth minute. to realize that playing golf was more rewarding skirts in those days, and I can still see her pulling Wass then forced home goalkeeper Salvatore than writing about it. The pay was better, too. her up her skirt and looking between her legs Sirigu into a good save from a header shortly Equipped with a journalism degree from watching her ball roll away. She was the class after, as a PSG team still missing injured top scor- North Dakota, she went to work at The Fargo clown, so to speak, so good-natured. She was a er Zlatan Ibrahimovic and showing seven Forum for 50 cents an hour and was assigned to good kid.” changes from that which beat Lyon struggled to cover a men’s golf tournament. Her first byline Hanson won her third major at the find their rhythm. was under the name “Ben Hanson” because the Titleholders in 1958, the year she claimed the When they did, Hansen raced off his line to PARIS: Evian’s French midfielder Olivier Sorlin (right) vies with Paris Saint-Germain’s French editor assumed the writer made a typo. LPGA money title with $12,639 and the Vare deny Ezequiel Lavezzi and young midfielder midfielder Yohan Cabaye during the French League football match. —AFP Then, she was playing golf in Florida that Trophy for the lowest scoring average. She Adrien Rabiot fired over as the first half ended winter in 1944 when Hanson discovered lawn retired three years later when she married goalless. Abdallah picked up a second yellow card for a just a minute remaining, Matuidi struck his attendants were making more money. “That’s Andrew Sfingi, and they raised two sons. The early kick-off meant the Parc des Princes foul on Lucas Digne. fourth goal of the season much to the relief of how I decided to be a golfer,” Hanson told The Hanson stayed active as the women’s golf stands did not really fill up until the second half, Visiting coach Pascal Dupraz shook his head the home fans. Forum years later. instructor at Eldorado Country Club in Indian but most of the drama was saved for after the on the touchline, mindful of the onslaught that Meanwhile, Lyon had to settle for a 0-0 draw Hanson died April 12 in Twin Falls, Idaho, Wells, Calif., for 35 years. restart. was to come, but Hansen saved from Lavezzi away to Toulouse, a result which leaves Remi from complications of Alzheimer’s and chronic Golf author and historian Rhonda Glenn saw Lavezzi was unable to convert a Rabiot cut- and Matuidi somehow missed the target after Garde’s side in fifth spot, two points behind obstructive pulmonary disease. She was 89. Hanson at the USGA’s centennial celebration in back from inside the six-yard box before Evian the Evian defence made a hash of dealing with a rivals Saint-Etienne and three clear of Marseille Louise Suggs twice finished runner-up to 1995. Hanson was still making them laugh with were reduced to 10 men with an hour played low ball across goal by the Argentine forward. in sixth. OL must finish in the top five to qualify Hanson in major championships. She’s troubled a story about Jones presenting her the trophy at when former Marseille defender Kassim It looked as if Evian would hold on until, with for next season’s Europa League.—AFP that Hanson’s career has largely been over- East Lake. looked, even in death. “She said, ‘When I was presented that trophy “I’m surprised nobody picked up on the fact from Robert T. Jones Jr., I stood there with a she passed away,” Suggs said Tuesday from her smile on my face bigger than when I got mar- Cyclist Rogers cleared to race after doping case home in St. Augustine, Fla. “I knew Bev from the ried, bigger than when I came home from my very beginning. We played amateur golf togeth- honeymoon. It was the greatest day in my life,’” AIGLE: Former world time trial champion Michael Japanese race but consulted the World Anti- Rogers’ teammate, Alberto Contador, was er. She was a clever person, always quick on the Glenn said. “She was so smart, and so funny.” Rogers can race again after cycling’s governing Doping Agency before deciding “he should not be stripped of the 2010 Tour de France title and draw. She was a great addition to the tour.” Glenn put together an obituary for the body accepted that meat he ate in China likely sanctioned any further.” served a two-year ban after testing positive for Hanson was a key link to the formative years USGA’s website. The LPGA Tour has made no caused his positive doping test. Rogers, an Olympic “Over the past four months, my family and I clenbuterol in the final week of the race. of the LPGA Tour, even though she was not mention of Hanson’s passing on its website. bronze medalist, helped persuade the International have endured a very difficult time,” Rogers said in a Contador claimed he ate a contaminated steak among its 13 founding members. The year the Mark Johnson returned to his roots in North Cycling Union that he was not intending to cheat. statement. “The UCI’s decision means I can return bought in Spain where the substance is banned LPGA was formed in 1950, Hanson won the U.S. Dakota nine years ago when he became head “Upon careful analysis of Mr. Rogers’s explana- to racing immediately, and I am looking forward to but could not prove his case at the Court of Women’s Amateur at East Lake - Bobby Jones pro at Fargo Country Club, where Hanson’s tions and the accompanying technical reports the getting back to work, competing in the sport I Arbitration for Sport. Still, the court panel decided presented her the trophy - went 3-0 in the father long ago was a member. He recalls see- UCI found that there was a significant probability love.” Rogers had been provisionally suspended last he ingested clenbuterol in a supplement and had Curtis Cup and finished the year by beating ing a framed photograph in a short hallway that that the presence of clenbuterol may have resulted December from racing for Team Tinkoff-Saxo. not intended to dope. China and Mexico have been Patty Berg in the Texas Women’s Open as an leads to a dining room in the clubhouse. It was from the consumption of contaminated meat from “I wish to show my gratitude to the board of identified for several years as a risk for athletes to amateur. She won her first event after turning Hanson posing with the U.S. Women’s Amateur China,” the governing body said in a statement. Tinkoff-Saxo for the professional manner with eat meat because of clenbuterol use in farming. pro in 1951 by beating Babe Zaharias in the trophy. Rogers raced last October in China, where clen- which this ambiguous ordeal has been handled,” he In 2011, FIFA found that players from 19 of the Eastern Open. Hanson won 15 more times over “I thought that was pretty neat,” Johnson buterol is widely administered to livestock to build said. Rogers won three straight world titles from 24 teams at the Under-17 World Cup played in the next decade, including three majors. That said. “In visiting with older members, they muscle and reduce fat. The 34-year-old Australian 2003-05. In 2012, he was upgraded to bronze in the Mexico tested positive for the substance. “It is not a included the inaugural LPGA Championship in would talk about her, but not give any detail. tested positive days later at the Japan Cup. 2004 Athens Olympics time trial after winner Tyler problem of doping, but a problem of public health,” 1955 when she beat Suggs twice in one week. She won the Amateur. The photo was taken at The UCI said it disqualified Rogers from the Hamilton was disqualified for doping. FIFA medial officer Jiri Dvorak said then. —AP Hanson finished three shots ahead in stroke Fargo Country Club. That was really the extent play in Fort Wayne, Ind., and then won 4 and 3 of my research.” in match play between the top two medalists. Sports Illustrated in 1999 published a list of “She was a powerful hitter of the ball, and each state’s top 50 athletes ever. The only golfer Michelle Wie ready to ride she had a powerful temper,” former U.S. from North Dakota was Shane McMenamy at Women’s Amateur champion Barbara Romack No. 40. He won the U.S. Junior Amateur in 1996, said Tuesday. “I remember we were paired the first 16-year-old winner since Tiger Woods. momentum from last win behind their group and she hit this booming These days, any buzz about golf and North drive on the second hole, a duck hook that Dakota is about Amy Anderson, an LPGA rookie went down a hillside in the trees. Now she’s real- from tiny Oxbow, ND, who tied for seventh in DALY CITY: A beaming Michelle Wie explained her over- ly mad. She was walking down the fairway pick- Hawaii one week after Hanson died. sized visor as a necessary new addition after recently dis- ing up rocks in the rough. She picked up her Johnson, meanwhile, plans to take that covering wrinkles at age 24, then good-naturedly defend- golf ball, unknowingly, and tossed it down the framed photo of Hanson and create a promi- ed her unique, hunched-over putting stroke because Jack canyon in the water. She was quite a player, and nent display at Fargo Country Club for everyone Nicklaus uses it. quite a character.” Suggs laughed when she to see, allowing members to appreciate heard that story, and then added one of her Hanson’s career and her contributions. “I Improved sun protection and short game aside, Wie is own. “We were in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and the showed it to my 14-year-old daughter,” Johnson riding high after a comeback win in her home state of front nine is very hilly,” Suggs said. “She hit a ball said, “and the next day she was out here practic- Hawaii last week. Now, she returns to familiar ground in up on the side of the mountain, and as she was ing for four hours.”—AP the Bay Area looking to build on her first US LPGA Tour victory in nearly four years when she competes in the inaugural Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic - just up the road from her former university, Stanford. After arriving in town early Monday, Wie took a nap before visiting the university, where she “wanted to hug every single freshman I saw.” She enjoyed a tour of new athletic facilities and is determined to represent Stanford well in her first visit back to San Francisco since graduat- ing in the spring of 2012. “I really believe we are a bunch of nerds, but at the same time we’re kinda cool,” Wie joked on Tuesday, refer- ring to Stanford’s Nerd Nation theme. “I’m so proud I’m a Stanford grad.” Her fellow golfers were quick to offer hugs and con- gratulations to the former teen phenomenon for winning the LPGA LOTTE Championship. It marked her first win since 2010 and first since gradu- ating from Stanford. Her rivals say it’s hard to cheer against Wie, so well-respected and liked on and off the DUNBLANE: British tennis player Andy Murray (left) receives the Freedom of Stirling golf course. presented to him by Stirling Council Provost Mike Robbins during a special council “She’s a smart girl. There aren’t very many girls who meeting at his old school Dunblane High. —AP have completed four solid years at Stanford while playing on the LPGA Tour,” world No. 2 Suzann Pettersen said. Murray in tears at “That takes a huge effort. For her to finally be able to con- centrate on golf full-time has helped her golf, for sure. If Scottish ceremony you ask me, Michelle has underachieved. She has every shot in the bag.” DUNBLANE: Andy Murray burst into tears yes- the University of Stirling, whose courts he Pettersen herself hopes for a rally of sorts at Lake terday as he accepted a civic honor in his practiced on as a youngster. Merced Golf Club this week. This marks her first start since Scottish hometown of Dunblane. Murray, who “Tennis players don’t really come from she was forced to pull out of last month’s Kia Classic with a was granted “the freedom of Stirling” from the Scotland, so it’s a strange story, but shows that back injury and missed the past three events, with a pre- local council, stopped to compose himself and anything can happen if you believe and you scription of rest to heal. wipe his eyes several times during the ceremo- dream and work hard, then you can achieve “I’m here, which is a good sign. I never would have ny at Dunblane High School. “I think everyone whatever you want to,” he said. Dunblane, a been here if I wasn’t feeling good,” the Norwegian said. “I knows I’m extremely proud of where I come cathedral town, was the site of a mass shoot- from,” he said, his voice cracking. “Moving away ing in 1996. Murray was 8 when a gunman love the Bay Area. It’s definitely one of my favorite spots in was one of the sacrifices I had to make for my opened fire at his elementary school, killing 16 America after New York.” job and every time I come back it’s quite emo- children and a teacher. He didn’t witness the The Swinging Skirts Classic starts on Thursday with a tional.” actual carnage, but hid under a desk in the field including world No. 1 Inbee Park, Stacy Lewis, Karrie Murray’s parents, grandparents and girl- headmaster’s study. Murray, gold medalist at Webb, Anna Nordqvist, 16-year-old Lydia Ko, and local fan friend Kim Sears were among those in atten- the 2012 London Olympics and the 2012 U.S. favorites Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis and Juli Inkster. dance. “I apologize for this behavior,” he said Open champion, became the first British man The Swinging Skirts is the first U.S. LPGA Tour event in the after again being overcome with emotion. since 1936 to win Wimbledon last year when Murray also received an honorary degree from he beat Novak Djokovic in the final.-—AP United States led by a Taiwanese organization.—AP Michelle Wie reacts in this file photo Ferrer ousted Ancelotti in as Nadal wins frame for United job — 17 reports18

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

Michelle Wie ready to ride momentum from last win Page 19

SPAIN: Real’s Xabi Alonso (left) and Bayern’s Thomas Mueller challenge for the ball during a Champions League semifinal first gle soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. — AP Real advantage over Bayern

MADRID: Real Madrid took a huge step Champions League era. too close to Manuel Neuer. tutions as the game entered the final towards their first Champions League Ronaldo was returning after four Ronaldo then missed a gilt-edged quarter with Bale replacing the clearly CL leading scorers final in 12 years as Karim Benzema’s games out with a hamstring injury as he chance to make it 2-0 when another not 100 percent fit Ronaldo 16 minutes first-half goal gave them a 1-0 first-leg replaced Gareth Bale, who had been quick break caught Bayern hopping and from time. PARIS: Champions League leading scorers in the lead over holders Bayern Munich at the suffering from flu in the days before the the World Player of the Year blasted Raphael Varane also replaced the 2013/2014 tournament following yesterday’s semi-final Santiago Bernabeu. The Frenchman was game, in the only change from the Real over Benzema’s low cross from close injured Pepe for Los Blancos, whilst first leg match: on hand to turn home Fabio Coentrao’s side that beat Barcelona in the Copa del range. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola introduced cross on 19 minutes and Madrid’s Rey final last week. Bayern were still enjoying the vast Javi Martinez, Mario Goetze and 14: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP) advantage could have been even However, it was Bayern who settled majority of the ball without cutting the Thomas Mueller in the search for an 10: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris SG/FRA) greater had Cristiano Ronaldo and first as they pinged the ball around for Madrid defence open as Robben saw away goal. And it was two of the substi- 8: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP) Angel di Maria not missed fine chances the opening 15 minutes, but Arjen another goal-bound effort blocked tutes who combined to create the visi- 7: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid/ESP) before the break. Robben’s shot from the edge of the area before Philipp Lahm shot into the side- tors’ best chance of the night as 6: Sergio Aguero (Man City/ENG), Robert Bayern had the overwhelming major- that was deflected wide was their only netting from a narrow angle. Indeed Mueller’s dinked cross found Goetze Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund/GER) ity of possession but failed to convert it serious effort on goal. Madrid should even have been further free inside the area and his low drive 5: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid/ESP), Karim Benzema into many sights of goal as Iker Casillas’ Madrid then stung the Germans with ahead at the break when Di Maria was brilliantly saved by Iker Casillas. (Real Madrid/ESP), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich/GER) low save from Mario Goetze five min- a stunning counter-attack as Ronaldo’s latched onto a deep cross at the back There was one final moment of contro- Alvaro Negredo (Man City/ENG), Marco Reus (Borussia utes from time was the only significant ball down the left for Coentrao was post but wastefully volleyed over with versy deep into stoppage time as Dortmund/GER), Arturo Vidal (Juventus/ITA) stop the Spanish captain was forced timed to perfection and the Portuguese just Neuer to beat. Mueller tumbled under a challenge 4: Edinson Cavani (Paris SG/FRA), Gonzalo Higuain into all evening. full-back’s low cross was tapped home The German international ‘keeper from Xabi Alonso inside the area, but (Napoli/ITA), Hulk (Zenit Saint Petersburg/RUS), Neymar Defeat leaves the Germans with it all at the back post by Benzema. was forced to make a save just two min- English referee Howard Webb waved (Barcelona/ESP), Raul Garcia (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Arjen to do next Tuesday, April 29, if they are Two minutes later Ronaldo came utes after half-time when he diverted away the protests for a penalty to con- Robben (Bayern Munich/GER), Robin Van Persie (Man to continue their quest to become the close to doubling Madrid’s lead, but his Ronaldo’s low shot across goal to safety. demn Bayern to a third defeat in six first side to retain the trophy in the bullet header from Di Maria’s cross was Both sides then made a raft of substi- games in all competitions. — AFP Utd/ENG). —AFP Buoyant Benfica set Hantuchova, Peng for Juve showdown in Morocco q-finals MARRAKESH: Top-seeded Daniela three times in the second. She has been PARIS: Having shaken off the hangover from their Cup back in 1962. But it would be a fitting way to pay Hantuchova of Slovakia beat last year’s sidelined by a right rib injury since the title celebrations on Sunday, Portuguese champions tribute to 1960s greats Mario Coluna and Eusebio, runner-up Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Australian Open where she retired in the Benfica host Juventus in the first leg of their Europa who died earlier this year. Spain 7-5, 6-2 yesterday to reach the quar- first round because of a right shoulder League semi-final today. Standing in their way are a Juve side who are terfinals of the Grand Prix SAR. injury. The Eagles have been driven this season by the motivated by the prospect of reaching a final that will Hantuchova won five straight games to Meanwhile, Ana Ivanovic defeated bitter memory of 12 months ago, when they found be played in their own stadium in Turin. take the first set and lead 2-0 in the sec- Sabine Lisicki 6-1, 6-3 to send the Benfica’s coach Jorge Jesus themselves on the verge of winning a treble of Juve are on the brink of retaining their Serie A title ond. Peng Shuai of China and Shahar Peer Wimbledon finalist out in the first round Portuguese league and Cup and Europa League, only - they could be crowned champions this weekend - and Ljubomir Fejsa is also struggling. of Israel also won their second-round of the Porsche Grand Prix yesterday. to miss out on all three trophies in an agonising two but success in Europe is also hugely important for a The winner will face Spanish opposition in the matches. Ivanovic, the world No. 12 and former weeks. Jorge Jesus’ side beat Olhanense 2-0 in front of club whose last continental trophy was the final itself, with La Liga rivals Sevilla and Valencia fac- The sixth-seeded Peng defeated French Open winner, needed just one almost 64,000 fans at the Estadio da Luz on Sunday to Champions League in 1996. ing off in the other last-four tie. Ukrainian qualifier Maryna Zanevska 6-4, hour to beat the 24-year-old Berliner. It open up an unassailable seven-point lead with two “Many players in this team have never won a Sevilla, who beat city neighbors Betis in the last 16 7-6 (5), while Peer overcame Patricia Mayr- left three of the six home players out of games remaining in the Portuguese top flight and European competition and Juventus haven’t won a before eliminating Porto in the quarter-finals, will be Achleitner of Austria 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (3) in a the most important German women’s secure their 33rd league title. trophy in Europe for so many years,” midfielder at home in the first leg and their recent form should match that lasted more than three hours. competition at the first hurdle. “This was our main objective and we are all Claudio Marchisio told UEFA.com. make them favorites. Zanevska made five double-faults and Wild card Julia Goerges gave the sup- delighted,” said Jesus on Sunday as thousands of fans “When you reach this stage of the competition They have won 12 of their last 15 matches in all dropped serve at 5-4 in the first set. Peng porters reason for cheer with a surprise 6- gathered to celebrate and welcome the team in their motivation can make the difference. So even if we’re competitions, form that means they remain in the rallied from a 5-2 deficit in the final set 1, 7-5 win over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea. open-top bus at Marques de Pombal square in the coming to the end of the season and our legs are running to qualify for next season’s Champions centre of Lisbon. beginning to feel heavy, the trophy can give you that League, and coach Unai Emery can look forward to and led 5-1 in the tiebreaker. Mayr failed The 94th-ranked German will next face Now, though, Benfica have a possible quadruple energy to give that bit extra.” It remains to be seen coming up against his former club. to serve out the match at 5-4 and 6-5 in Ivanovic on Thursday. in their sights. Having lost just once in 35 games, they whether key duo Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez will Emery spent four years in charge of Valencia until the last set before Peer took a 4-0 lead in Italy’s Sara Errani booked her quarter- are through to the Portuguese Cup final, in which feature after both were left on the bench in the week- 2012, leading them to three third-place finishes in La the final tiebreaker. final place by defeating Kaia Kanepi of they will play Rio Ave next month, and they face end win against Bologna after respective fitness Liga and a Europa League semi-final. In her return from injury, Polona Estonia 6-3, 6-3. Petra Kvitova of the Porto in the semi-finals of the League Cup this week- problems. Since his departure in 2012, Valencia have strug- Hercog of Slovenia cruised past seventh- Czech Republic was playing Russia’s end. European success may be the hardest to achieve Benfica are without the injured Eduardo Salvio gled and they look unlikely to qualify for Europe next seeded Zhang Shuai of China 6-2, 6-2 to Alisa Kleybanova later, with Germany’s for a club who have lost all seven continental final and Silvio, while Nico Gaitan is a doubt after picking season via their domestic league, so the pressure is move into the second round. Hercog Andrea Petkovic facing Italy’s Flavia appearances since winning their second European up a knock in the weekend win against Olhanense on current coach Juan Antonio Pizzi. — AFP broke Zhang twice in the first set and Pennetta. — AP UAE lender FGB Q1 net profit rises 27% Page 23

Hole in Afghanistan Business budget stirs unease THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 Page 22 Frustrated workers Ford demonstrates truck leadership with Ranger pose challenge to next Egypt leader Page 26 Page 25

BEIJING: Photo shows a 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible car on display at the 50-years celebration ceremony of the Ford Mustang. —AFP 50 years of Mustang: is China along for the ride? Name, logo recognition may make or break Mustang in China

BEIJING: From Steve McQueen to “The Fast crowded sports car segment. Ford hopes to capture. “Me and my friends, and the Furious”, the Mustang has long cruised we are self-employed, without anything tying through American pop culture, but Ford is ‘Crazy Freedom’ us down. The feeling of driving a Mustang is hoping its snarling sports car will find a new Shanghai-based analyst Namrita Chow crazy freedom, of expecting the unexpected, generation of fans as it turns 50: in China. believes name and logo recognition will which suits us,” he said. Launched in 1964 at an event on top of the make or break Mustang in China. “The Empire State Building, the Mustang quickly Chinese market is very brand-conscious,” she Sign of the times? became a byword for cool among America’s stressed. “At the moment, Mustang has no Ford saw its sales in China soar 49 percent in youth, who loved the slick, highly customizable presence in China, so Ford is coming from 2013, with nearly 936,000 vehicles sold, but it “pony car” that stood out next to their parents’ zero... this is a strategy to raise brand-aware- trails behind rivals General Motors (3.16 million bulky sedans. ness, to prove it has different models (to units) and Volkswagen (3.27 million). The firm Ford received 22,000 orders on its first day offer) to its competitors,” she added. Trevor has also opened three plants in China since of sale in the United States, and exceeded Worthington, Ford vice president, Product 2012, with four more under construction. In 418,000 after one year, four times more than Development for the Asia-Pacific, told AFP he the next year, it will add no fewer than 15 new expected. Since then, more than 9.2 million thinks the growling Mustang will resonate models to the Chinese marketplace, as part of have been sold. When the latest Mustang with young Chinese and their radically differ- an aggressive growth strategy taking it far was driven on stage by CEO Alan Mulally at ent outlook to the older generation. beyond the Mustang’s familiar North American the Beijing Auto Show on Sunday, its equine “Chinese consumers are looking for iconic territory. “It’s an iconic brand, and we decided emblem-the galloping free spirit of the experiences,” he said. “Mustang is one of that we’re gonna take Mustang global,” said American West-struck a chord in the Year of those cars amongst all cars that make you David Schoch, Ford group vice president and the Horse. Ford has already proved to be feel freer.” The sports car already has a cult president for Asia Pacific. Who knows: in a soci- one of the biggest winners in the recent following in the country. Richard Guo, the ety with the family still at its heart, but with NEW YORK: Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford stands on top of the obser- Chinese clamor for urban 4x4s, with sales of mid-twenties founder of the Mustang Club increasing individualism at least at the level of vation deck at the Empire State Building with the new 2015 Mustang convertible in honor its locally-produced Kuga model soaring. of China, whose members drive imported consumer choices, the Mustang may yet prove of 50 years of the Ford Mustang. —AFP Now it wants to break into the equally versions, represents the kind of consumer to be a galloping success.— AFP Luxury automakers woo young Chinese

BEIJING: At age 32, Jason Jia already is the kind of overall market growth is expected to cool to 8 to sumers in the past have not had many choices.” customer luxury automakers are seeking as com- 10 percent from last year’s 15.7 percent, analyst petition grows in China’s lucrative but crowded Zhu Bin of LMC Automotive said luxury sales Beijing Auto Show market. The energy industry consultant has trad- growth might accelerate from 21 percent to 24 At the Beijing Auto Show, people like Jia ed up from a Volkswagen Polo to a VW GTI. Now, percent. New brands including Ford Motor Co’s abounded. Geng Yunning, a mother of a young as he stood looking at a Cadillac CTS at the Beijing Lincoln are entering the market, adding to intense child, said her family wanted to upgrade their auto show, he said he wants a Mercedes Benz or a competition. Manufacturers are shifting produc- domestic brand car to a better model ranging BMW. “The engine needs to be turbo,” said Jia, tion to China, allowing them to cut costs and com- between 200,000 yuan and 300,000 yuan. “If we who has a budget of 500,000 yuan ($80,000). “Is pete on price as well as style. can afford it, we will get a car that is more spa- that a lot of money? Cars over 300,000 yuan China’s average customer is 10 to 15 years cious, safer and more comfortable,” she said, after ($48,000) are everywhere.” younger than in the West and buyers who increas- visiting the BMW exhibition floor. Han Minghua, A few years ago, Jia’s options might have ingly drive themselves instead of having a chauf- an airline employee in his late 30s, is looking to been limited to cars designed for an older feur, automakers say. Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of replace his 6-year-old Honda. “It’s an entry-level American or European. But now, luxury brands Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., owned by BMW AG, car - a typical Asian car with a good fuel economy, from Mercedes and Infiniti Audi to Lincoln are expressed surprise at how young some buyers are. but its mission has been accomplished,” Han said. racing to create smaller, sportier models for “Many young customers (are) 28, 29, 30, and it is “Our financial conditions are better than in 2008, BEIJING: Visitors check Toyota cars at the China Auto show in Beijing yesterday. — AP younger Chinese buyers. They are trying to not inherited money. It is self-earned money. Very and we wish for improvement in quality of life.” His appeal to local tastes in everything from paint impressive,” said Muller-Otvos. Younger buyers, budget? 400,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan. Shanghai and hopes to double the brand’s any Lincoln models, including the compact MKC colors to the scent of dealerships and new vehi- some of them already Ferrari drivers, are looking Audi got its start in China 25 years ago produc- annual sales to 100,000 by the end of 2015. sport utility vehicle aimed at younger drivers. “As cles. “The megatrend for us in China will be com- at Rolls’s two-door Wraith, he said. ing black A6 limousines for the government but Cadillacs sold in China are designed for local far as what makes us different, it will come down pact cars,” said Martin Keuhl, head of corporate “This is truly a car for the ‘self-drivers’ but much says today 90 percent of sales are to private buy- tastes with more attention to rear-seat comfort, to the hospitality-oriented experience that cus- communications for Audi China. “It’s not so sta- more comfortable than a Ferrari, and that is quite ers. That is reflected in colors requested by cus- said Joseph YH Liu, a GM China executive. tomers will get, plus the personalized product,” tus-driven in the sense that ‘big is beautiful.’ attractive here,” said Muller-Otvos. Smaller cars tomers, 60 percent of which are now orange, “Stereo control and curtains for the rear seat are said James D Farley, Jr, a Ford executive in Now you can have a good car that is small. such as Audi’s sporty A3 in the 200,000-300,000 yellow and other light shades, according to a must,” he said. “So is the 2.0 turbo engine. The charge of Lincoln’s global marketing. Lincoln is a Younger people also are more open to this.” yuan ($32,000-$48,000) range are particularly Dominique Boesch, president of the Audi sales Chinese consumers expect that.” Lincoln wants latecomer to China but Farley said could help competitive, Zhu said. The market is dominated division at the company’s FAW-Volkswagen joint to reinvent itself in China, shedding its staid make it feel more exclusive in the German-domi- Expanding foothold by German brands Audi AG, BMW and Daimler venture. Audi’s plans one new dealership per image at home and targeting younger buyers. nated market. “When you are selling premium- Luxury automakers, like their mass-market AG’s Mercedes-Benz, which have a combined mar- week through 2017 and doubling the sales staff The company promises personalized service in ness, and you see the product everywhere, and counterparts, are looking to China to drive future ket share of 74 percent, but competitors are likely to 50,000 people. An employee training center dealerships equipped with waterfalls - a symbol that happens because you only have three growth and are investing heavily to gain or to eat into that, said Zhu. The premium market it’s building in Beijing will be its biggest in the of prosperity in China - and a custom-designed brands, there are opportunities for challenger expand a foothold in its market. This year, while “should be more diverse,” he said. “Chinese con- world. GM is building a Cadillac factory in scent. Buyers will be able to customize details of brands,” said Farley.— AP BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 News Hole in Afghanistan in brief

WhatsApp claims 500 million users WASHINGTON: WhatsApp now has 500 million budget stirs unease regular, active users around the world, the free mobile messaging service being acquired by Facebook said. That is up from an estimated 450 million as of late February, as the service’s reach West starts packing their bags expanded rapidly in countries including Brazil, India, Mexico, and Russia. WhatsApp said Tuesday on its blog that its users are also shar- KABUL: A $375 million hole in the Afghan ment projects, ranging from building the remainder filled by domestic revenue new Afghan administration is being left, ing more than 700 million photos and 100 mil- budget is threatening public projects and schools and hospitals to roads. raising, mainly in the form of customs more than ever, to stand on its own feet. lion videos a day. Facebook founder Mark civil servants’ salaries, officials say, putting duties. After a dozen years of massive interna- Zuckerberg announced in February that his But customs revenue and imports are tional aid efforts, Afghanistan is still one of the aid-dependent economy under stress Jobs under threat social network is acquiring WhatsApp for $19 just as Afghanistan awaits a new leader and Employees of a project producing elec- down since the start of the year, the finance the world’s poorest countries. The US deci- billion. The stock and cash purchase marries foreign troops prepare to go home. US, UN tronic identification cards, a task jointly ministry says. Taxes and exports contribute sion to cut aid is also expected to shape the and Afghan finance ministry officials have managed by the interior and communica- little to the state finances. The UN envoy to contributions of other donor nations. WhatsApp’s steadily growing user base with discussed ways to resolve what they say has tions ministries, said they have been told Afghanistan Jan Kubis said last week Foreign powers have poured billions of dol- Facebook’s 1.2 billion active users. The huge become a critical situation for the budget, their jobs might go. “The head of the treas- Afghan revenue was much less than expect- lars of aid into Afghanistan since the fall of price tag raised eyebrows but Zuckerberg told with civil projects most at risk as interna- ury department of the finance ministry ed and the budget was a major problem. He the Taleban in 2001, but the country’s next the Mobile World Congress in Spain days after tional assistance starts to taper off. came with his team to our office and told us said international donors and the finance leader is unlikely to receive the same levels the announcement that he believes WhatsApp “If the political situation of the country that there is a shortfall of around $500 mil- ministry were meeting to agree a way to of financial support. The prospect of dwin- is actually worth much more. He argued that does not become normal and businesses lion and they have to cut from every devel- cover the hole. The UN office in Afghanistan dling inflows of foreign aid could stoke there are very few services that reach so many do not start again soon this problem will opment project,” Homayun Mohtat, head of and the US embassy in Kabul declined fur- uncertainty as the United States and other millions of people in the world. The acquisition become even more worrying,” Alhaj the electronic ID card department, said. ther comment. In January, US lawmakers NATO countries move to end their long war would be Facebook’s largest ever. Muhammad Aqa, director general of the Some employees said they had not been halved development aid to $1.2 billion for in Afghanistan, and as Washington seeks an treasury at the finance ministry said yester- paid for months. International assistance the 2014 fiscal year and with most foreign agreement that would permit some US Saudi Telecom picks day. “We will not only face problems in pay- covers $5 billion of this year’s budget, with troops due to leave by the year’s end, the forces to stay there beyond 2014. —Reuters banks for sukuk issue ing salaries of employees but we will have difficulties in other issues too.” Funding for DUBAI: Saudi Telecom Co (STC), the Gulf’s security will not be affected, as costs are biggest telecommunications operator by market met by foreign governments which recog- value, has picked three banks to manage its nize that any chance of stability in debut Islamic bond offer, banking sources aware Afghanistan rests on quelling the Taleban of the transaction said yesterday. It has chosen insurgency. JP Morgan Chase, Standard Chartered and the At the start of the month, Afghans voted investment banking arm of Saudi Arabia’s for a new president to replace Hamid Karzai National Commercial Bank to arrange the trans- who steps down after 12 years in power. action, three sources said, speaking on condi- The international community poured bil- tion of anonymity as the information isn’t public. lions of dollars of aid into Afghanistan dur- STC declined to comment. The sources said it ing Karzai’s rule, but the country’s next was currently unclear if STC was looking to com- leader could struggle to receive the same plete a sukuk issue in the local Saudi market, or levels of support. Preliminary final election results are due on Saturday, but early tallies if the sukuk would be US dollar-denominated show no outright winner, meaning further and sold to international investors. Shareholders delays in the political transition. A run-off of STC approved the issuance of bonds both would occur in late May or early June. Of inside and outside the kingdom at an April 2 the two frontrunners, ex-World Bank official meeting, according to a bourse statement on Ashraf Ghani has called for radical econom- the following day. Should STC decide to print a ic reforms, while former foreign minister dollar trade, it is likely to draw considerable Abdullah Abdullah campaigned on job cre- interest from investors, given the rarity of Saudi ation and fighting corruption. credits issuing outside the kingdom. When “We have to put pressure on the inter- Saudi Electricity Co printed a $2.5 billion offer national community to help us cope with split between 10-year and 30-year sukuk earlier this problem,” Aqa said. “This will become this month, it attracted demand worth more bigger if the presidential election goes to a second round.” Officials put the growing than $10 billion. An STC issue would allow the hole in the $7.6 billion budget down to a company to diversify its funding base to a much sharp decline in domestic revenue, forcing greater extent, away from the Saudi banks from some development projects to be put on which it has traditionally secured much of its hold. So far this year, the shortfall stands at financial needs. $375 million due to falling customs, the finance ministry says. About a third of the S Africa inflation ticks overall budget is earmarked for develop- KABUL: Afghan laborers work on agricultural farmland west of Kabul. —AFP up amid speculation JOHANNESBURG: Consumer prices ticked ever higher in South Africa (SA) last month, official Libya expects $8 billion deficit after oil shutout data showed yesterday, fuelling speculation about another central bank rate rise. Statistics TRIPOLI: Libya plans deep austerity measures to tackle a 1.4 million bpd before the trouble began last summer. Earlier greater autonomy and a share of oil revenues. Output could South Africa reported that the consumer price budget deficit expected to reach up to 10 billion Libyan this month the government reached a deal with rebels to rise by 400,000 bpd in the next few weeks thanks to Hariga’s index rose 0.1 of a point to 6.0 percent in March, dinars ($8 billion) this year due to rebel blockades which wind down their occupation of four oil ports, imposed to reopening, bringing it close to a goal of hitting 600,000 bpd on the back of higher food, housing and trans- have strangled oil production, a senior lawmaker said. demand a greater share of Libya’s oil wealth. Tankers have by the end of June under a budget proposal, Abdullah said. port costs. The rate is at the upper limit of the Mohammed Ali Abdallah, who heads parliament’s budget already started loading at one port. But the shutdown has By the end of the third quarter production needs to reach 1 South African Reserve Bank’s target band. The committee, said this year’s deficit could be covered by budg- cut oil revenues to less than $4 billion since the start of this million bpd to reach the budget target and pay back the cen- bank raised rates by half a point to 5.5 percent in et surpluses accumulated in past years, a central bank loan year - less than 20 percent of what was budgeted, said tral bank loan, an uncertain plan as the government is weak January, signaling another rate hike was on the and the possible issuance of government bonds. Abdallah. and parts of the country remain out of state control. cards. The South African economy has been hit However, he outlined spending cuts which are likely to be Libya has no need to press the panic button yet as the by rising prices, slow growth and a vulnerable highly unpopular with Libyans, used to subsidized bread central bank sits on more than $110 billion in foreign Subsidies currency. In March the Reserve Bank hinted loaves costing two US cents, as the government and parlia- reserves. A fund of previous surpluses worth between 10 Libya needed to cut expenditures drastically to end bil- more rate increases would follow in the “medi- ment struggle to control militias which helped oust and 17 billion dinars was available, plus unspent oil revenues lions of dollars lost to waste, inefficiency, corruption and um term.” “The real policy rate is currently below Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but kept their guns to claim a held by the central bank totaling 17 billion. “The third option smuggling of products from bread to petrol, Abdallah said. share of the oil wealth. Parliament plans to freeze public - which I hope we don’t have to go to because we are not The North African country suffers from a dysfunctional public what can be considered normal in the long run,” salaries, halt new development funding and slash the number ready for it - is to issue some government (Islamic) bonds,” service, a legacy of Gaddafi who put most adults on the pay- Governor Gill Marcus said at that meeting. of subsidized food and basic products, Abdallah told Reuters Abdallah said. “This is an option which we are studying with roll to discourage opposition. Many Libyans get two state Economists at RMB Global Markets yesterday in an interview. “Our budget deficit is looking at around 9 to the IMF and World Bank right now. We could look at doing a salaries, but public services remain highly inefficient. To tack- put the chance of another increase when the 10 billion Libyan dinars in 2014,” he said. Libya traditionally limited bond issuance to local private and public banks.” le the loss of oil revenues parliament will for now approve bank meets next month at about 50:50, saying runs large surpluses thanks to oil export revenues. But last Abdallah felt that Libyan banks, which are largely state- only 44 billion dinars - eight to nine billion less than last year - the bank faces a “difficult decision.” Raising rates year the budget slid into an eight billion dinar deficit when a owned and inefficient, were not yet ready for a market in to cover public service salaries and other government expen- could help bring inflation under control but wave of protests cut into the OPEC nation’s output. government bonds based on Islamic principles. ditures including subsidy payments, he said. Total spending could also stymie growth. Nine months of blockages at oil fields and ports have Libya hopes to raise oil production after the eastern port would be 55 billion dinars this year, down from 66 billion reduced oil production to 220,000 barrels a day (bpd) from of Hariga was reopened under the deal with rebels who want dinars in 2013. —Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.900 Sierra Leone 0.000069 0.000075 Nepalese Rupees 3.880 Singapore Dollar 0.221954 0.227954 South African Rand 0.021105 0.029605 ASIAN COUNTRIES Malaysian Ringgit 87.015 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001845 0.002425 Japanese Yen 2.750 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 45.575 Australian Dollar 266.10 263.10 Taiwan 0.009216 0.009396 Indian Rupees 4.632 Thai Bhat 9.705 Canadian Dollar 259.40 260.40 Turkish Lira 131.835 Thai Baht 0.008399 0.008949 Pakistani Rupees 2.876 Swiss Franc 324.89 322.89 Srilankan Rupees 2.157 Euro 393.78 394.78 Nepali Rupees 2.897 Arab US Dollar 281.45 284.45 Bahraini Dinar 0.741688 0.749688 Singapore Dollar 224.740 Sterling Pound 477.04 480.04 Bahrain Exchange Company Hongkong Dollar 3.384 Egyptian Pound 0.036617 0.039717 Japanese Yen 2.81 2.83 Bangladesh Taka 3.327 Iranian Riyal 0.000078 0.000079 Bangladesh Taka 3.625 3.895 Philippine Peso 6.331 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 Indian Rupee 4.619 4.919 Thai Baht 8.731 Europe Jordanian Dinar 0.393589 0.401089 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.156 2.591 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Belgian Franc 0.007329 0.008329 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.0000000 1.0000000 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 Nepali Rupee 2.890 3.425 British Pound 0.467231 0.476231 Lebanese Pound 0.000138 0.000238 Pakistani Rupee 2.886 2.790 Czech Korune 0.006170 0.018170 Moroccan Dirhams 0.024778 0.048778 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 76.70 77.16 Danish Krone 0.048104 0.053104 Nigerian Naira 0.001191 0.001826 Saudi Riyal 75.243 Bahraini Dinar 749.11 751.18 Euro 0.384163 0.39263 Omani Riyal 0.726564 0.732244 Qatari Riyal 77.529 Egyptian Pound 39.65 40.25 Norwegian Krone 0.043074 0.048274 Qatar Riyal 0.076762 0.077975 Omani Riyal 732.980 Jordanian Dinar 400.57 406.22 Romanian Leu 0.081384 0.81384 Saudi Riyal 0.074577 0.075277 Bahraini Dinar 749.440 Omani Riyal 731.95 739.25 Slovakia 0.008062 0.018062 Syrian Pound 0.001749 0.001969 UAE Dirham 76.842 Qatari Riyal 77.72 78.27 Swedish Krona 0.038706 0.043706 Tunisian Dinar 0.174204 0.182204 Saudi Riyal 75.18 75.58 Swiss Franc 0.312991 0.323191 Turkish Lira 0.133090 0.140090 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.133090 0.140090 UAE Dirhams 0.075810 0.076959 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.407 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Yemeni Riyal 0.001281 0.001361 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.760 Australasia Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.317 Australian Dollar 0.255062 0.266562 Tunisian Dinar 178.740 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate New Zealand Dollar 0.235680 0.245180 Jordanian Dinar 398.460 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 281.900 America Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.893 Canadian Dollar 258.365 Canadian Dollar 0.250912 0.259412 Syrian Lira 2.011 US Dollars 0.277950 0.282300 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Morocco Dirham 35.657 Sterling Pound 474.710 Euro 390.820 US Dollars Mint 0.278450 0.282300 US Dollar 281.450 Swiss Frank 319.360 Euro 391.650 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Asia US Dollar Transfer 282.050 Bahrain Dinar 750.035 Pound Sterling 474.450 Bangladesh Taka 0.003242 0.003842 Euro 391.200 UAE Dirhams 76.700 Canadian Dollar 256.750 Chinese Yuan 0.044248 0.047748 Sterling Pound 476.240 Qatari Riyals 78.280 Indian Rupee 4.615 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034280 0.037030 Canadian dollar 256.640 Saudi Riyals 75.420 Egyptian Pound 39.745 Turkish lira 131.800 Jordanian Dinar 397.140 Indian Rupee 0.004511 0.004912 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.154 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026 Swiss Franc 320.510 Egyptian Pound 40.258 Bangladesh Taka 3.618 Japanese Yen 0.002669 0.002849 Australian Dollar 262.730 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.156 Philippines Peso 6.308 Kenyan Shilling 0.003330 0.003330 US Dollar Buying 280.850 Indian Rupees 4.624 Pakistan Rupee 2.876 Pakistani Rupees 2.875 Korean Won 0.000263 0.000278 Malaysian Ringgit 0.083105 0.089105 Bahraini Dinar 749.550 GOLD Bangladesh Taka 3.626 UAE Dirham 76.650 20 Gram 243.500 Philippines Pesso 6.327 Nepalese Rupee 0.003000 0.003170 Saudi Riyal 75.175 10 Gram 123.350 Cyprus pound 692.155 Pakistan Rupee 0.002668 0.002948 5 Gram 63.500 Japanese Yen 3.745 Philippine Peso 0.006355 0.006635 *Rates are subject to change BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 National energy boom blurs political battle lines

DENVER: The US energy boom is blurring the traditional raging residents. Pollster Steven Greenberg said Cuomo the state can regulate energy exploration. have the right to ban fracking. “I’m not a lawyer,” he said. political battle lines across the country. Democrats are provides little notice before his public appearances In response, activists are pushing 10 separate ballot Hickenlooper has put in place several landmark regula- split between environmentalists and business and labor because anti-fracking protesters will crash his events. measures to curb fracking. One measure would let cities tions - requiring that drilling occur a set distance from groups, with the proposed Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline Republicans blame the governor for stymieing growth. and counties ban it. The effort has the support of homes and schools and limiting methane emissions a major wedge. Some deeply conservative areas are ally- New York voters split evenly on fracking, with Democrats Colorado Rep Jared Polis, a wealthy Democrat. At the from energy exploration. But that has not assuaged ing with conservationists against fracking, the drilling only modestly more likely to oppose it than Republicans. state party’s recent convention, he gave a rousing activists such as Laura Fronckwiecz, a former financial technique that’s largely responsible for the boom. The “No matter what he decides, he’s going to have half speech nominating Hickenlooper for a second term but worker who got involved in an effort to ban fracking in divide is most visible among Democrats in the nation’s the people upset with him,” Greenberg said. “From a acknowledged “none of us ... are going to agree on every her moderate suburb of Broomfield after a drilling well capital, where 11 Democratic senators wrote President purely political point of view, it’s hard to argue with his single issue.” Some Colorado Democrats worry that the was planned near her children’s elementary school. A Barack Obama this month urging him to approve the strategy - punt.” In California, Brown has a long record of ballot push is bringing energy groups who generally Democrat, she’s aghast at her party’s reluctance to Keystone XL pipeline, which is opposed by many envi- backing environmental causes, but he’s drawn the wrath support Republicans into the state. One pro-fracking embrace the cause. “Ten years ago, I’d say it was a pro- ronmental groups and billionaire activist Tom Steyer. The State Department said Friday that it was extend- ing indefinitely the amount of time that federal agencies have to review the project, likely delaying a pipeline decision until after the November elections. Several sen- ators from energy-producing such as Louisiana and Alaska have distanced themselves from the Obama administration, while environmental groups complain the president has been too permissive of fracking. There is even more confusion among Democrats in the states as drilling rigs multiply and approach schools and parks.

Gov shouted down California Gov Jerry Brown was shouted down at a recent state convention by party activists angry about his support for fracking. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has kept fracking in his state in limbo for three years while his administration studies health and safety issues. In Colorado, Gov John Hickenlooper has drawn environ- mentalists’ ire for defending the energy industry, and a ballot battle to regulate fracking is putting US Sen Mark Udall in a tough situation. But the issue cuts across party lines. Even in deeply Republican Texas, some communi- ties have restricted fracking. In December, Dallas voted to effectively ban fracking within city limits. “You’re look- ing at a similar boom as we had in tech in 1996,” said Joe WASHINGTON: Members of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance, including Native Americans, farmers and ranchers from across the United States, ride on Brettell, a GOP strategist in Washington who works with horseback down Independence Avenue as part of a demonstration against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. — AFP energy companies. “The technology has caught up with the aspirations, and that changes the political dynamics fundamentally.” Those technological advances have of some environmentalists for supporting fracking. One group has spent $1 million in TV ads. gressive cause they’d get behind,” Fronckwiecz, 41, said, made it possible for energy companies to tap deep and group cited the $2 million that oil and gas companies Jon Haubert, a spokesman for the group, said leaders “but much has changed, and the politics of oil and gas once-untouchable deposits of natural gas and oil. They have given the governor’s causes and campaigns since in both parties think the measures are economically are not what you’d expect.” Fronckwiecz says she has include refinements in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, 2006. dangerous. “We look at that and say this seems to be an Republicans and Libertarians in her coalition, as do which is the injection of chemicals into the ground to extreme opinion,” he said, referring to the initiatives. The activists pushing to limit fracking in energy-friendly coax buried fossil fuels to the surface. Freeze on fracking? ballot measures will force Democratic candidates to Texas. While the GOP-dominated Legislature in Texas has Democrats in the Legislature have proposed a freeze choose among environmentalists, labor groups and rejected efforts to limit drilling, activists have earned Largest gas producer on fracking but are not optimistic Brown will support it. Colorado’s business community, whose political and small victories in towns and cities that have limited The US is now the world’s largest natural gas produc- The Democratic split is sharpest in Colorado. financial support is vital to Democrats in the swing state. drilling, and one big win, the Dallas vote. Sharon Wilson, er and is expected to surpass Saudi Arabia soon as the Hickenlooper, a former oil geologist, has been a staunch Udall embodies this dilemma. He’s an environmentalist Texas organizer for the environmental group world’s greatest oil producer, becoming a net exporter supporter of fracking; at one point he said he drank in a tight re-election campaign with Republican Rep Earthworks, says she gets a warm reception from conser- of energy by 2025. The boom has brought drilling rigs fracking fluid, albeit a version without most of the haz- Cory Gardner, who represents an oil-and-gas rich, mostly vatives and Libertarians. “When they come into your into long-settled neighborhoods, raising fears of water ardous chemicals. His administration has fought subur- rural congressional district. community and start fracking,” she said, “it does not mat- contamination, unsafe traffic and air pollution, and out- ban cities that have banned fracking, insisting that only In an interview, Udall declined to say if cities should ter what your political affiliation is.” — AP China is a driver, not a drag, for US earnings Economic growth losing pace in China

NEW YORK: Economic growth may be slowing in China, and fears of a credit crunch there may be rife, but the world’s second-largest economy was a driving force for US company profits in the last quarter. Some of the biggest names in Corporate America, including Coca-Cola Co, General Motors Co, United Technologies Corp and McDonald’s Corp all in the past week reported strong results from their China operations. In some cases this helped to offset weak- ness in the US or Europe. Yum Brands Inc, the fast food chain operator TOKYO: A Seibu Railway train arrives at a station in Tokyo yesterday. Japanese rail- which gets more than half of its overall sales in China, way and hotels giant Seibu Holdings returned to the Tokyo stock market yesterday, a on Tuesday reported first-quarter sales at established decade after it was de-listed following a major accounting scandal. — AFP restaurants in China rose 9 percent, rebounding after an avian flu outbreak and a food safety scare badly Seibu Holdings up 11% on hurt sales last year. “It is still a little surprising how strong China remains, given what you read,” United Technologies’ Chief Financial Officer Greg Hayes said Tokyo stock market debut in an interview in reference to the conglomerate’s TOKYO: Japanese railway and hotels giant Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires. building systems businesses, which include elevators Seibu Holdings jumped nearly 11 percent Toshihiko Matsuno, senior strategist at and climate control equipment. on its return to the Tokyo stock market yes- SMBC Friend Securities, pointed to lacklus- The initial results this period could soothe con- terday, a decade after it was de-listed fol- tre trading volume in the Tokyo market, cerns on Wall Street that a cooling off of China’s lowing a major accounting scandal. The and warned that the “timing of this deal is booming economy will drag down results of US cor- stock finished at 1,770 yen ($17.25) from its just not good”. “Seibu is not an issue people porations operating in the region. China’s economy 1,600 yen initial public offering price, valu- feel they must own. It could struggle,” he expanded 7.4 percent between January and March, its slowest pace in 18 months, and well below the tur- ing the group at about 605 billion yen added. The company was delisted in 2004 SHANGHAI: Chinese workers on a suspended platform clean a window on the world’s highest ($5.89 billion) and marking a solid result after a major accounting scandal. Its return bo-charged double-digit growth rates that it has often experienced in the past 20 years. But that observation platform of the Shanghai World Financial Center in Pudong financial district in after some recent IPO bombs in Japan. to the stock market came after it aggres- Shanghai, China. — AP Seibu shares were priced at the bottom sively shed assets, cut costs and took a pri- growth is still far faster than in the United States, end of the company’s proposed range after vate bailout. The company on yesterday where the economy - which took a heavy blow from a percent higher revenue for US companies in the S&P about 300 new restaurants in the country, where the Tokyo stock market lost momentum unveiled a rosy earnings forecast, saying it deep winter freeze - is expected to have grown just 500 over that period. “If we see these Chinese com- same-restaurant sales rose 6.6 percent last quarter. In recently and global investors become more expected to report a 10.0 percent year-on- 1.1 percent in the first quarter, according to the latest panies are expecting these fantastic growth rates, the United States, its sales slipped. And clothing retail- selective about which Japanese shares they year rise in operating profit for the year Reuters poll of economists. there’s no reason US companies doing business in er Gap Inc last week forecast that its sales in China buy. Its return to trading comes about a ended in March, to be followed by a 9.7 And lower growth rates in China partly result from China should not expect similar growth rates,” said would triple in the next three years to $1 billion, as it month after shares in Japan Display-the growth rise in the year started in April. a push by Chinese authorities to rebalance the econo- Sri Raman, senior research analyst at Thomson seeks to open roughly 30 of its namesake stores this world’s biggest maker of screens for smart- Because the price range Seibu had set my so that it is less reliant on export growth and more Reuters. year after opening 34 in the country in 2013. In China, phones and tablets and a key Apple suppli- was lower than expected, its top sharehold- focused on domestic consumption. That is good for Automaking is one industry benefiting from “while overall economic growth may be slowing, from er-plunged 15 percent on their Tokyo debut, er, Cerberus Capital Management, decided Western companies trying to sell into China. “The eco- Chinese demand. GM’s first-quarter sales rose 12.6 a consumption perspective, that’s rising internally, so following a $3.2 billion initial public offering. not to sell shares in the listing. Cerberus nomic growth remains favorable in China,” said Tim percent in China - a market that now provides four that’s not surprising to me,” said Oliver Pursche, presi- Like Seibu, the screen maker was priced will continue to hold its current 35.4 per- Ghriskey, chief investment officer with Solaris Asset out of 10 of the company’s sales - even as sales in the dent of Gary Goldberg Financial Services. at the lower end of expectations, suggest- cent stake. Despite that decision the com- Management. “While that growth rate has slowed Americas weakened in the period. GM is due to report Diversified manufacturer United Technologies’ ing investors were wary about the sale. pany’s other major shareholders, including slightly there is still a lot of business being done, its earnings on Thursday. Similarly, diversified industri- sales rose 14 percent in China for its business provid- Consumer electronics Hitachi Maxell also Norinchukin Bank and Development Bank especially by larger companies, and US companies al products maker Illinois Tool Works Inc on Tuesday ing climate control, security and other systems for fell on its Tokyo debut last month. Tokyo’s of Japan, intend to sell their holdings. Last are receiving their fair share of that business.” reported a 28 percent revenue jump in China for its commercial buildings. Sales of its Otis elevators divi- Nikkei 225 index-which posted its best year Cerberus, which led a bailout of Seibu unit that makes vehicle components. China has also sion rose 16 percent in China, where orders soared annual return in decades last year-has been in 2006, failed to get its representatives Auto sales strong been a bright spot for a variety of consumer product about 25 percent. To be sure, China has been a sore choppy, with the benchmark index down appointed to its board-a move the US- In an illustration of the climate in China, 776 large companies. Kimberly-Clark Corp reported sales of its spot for some companies. IBM Corp’s revenue about 11 percent since the start of 2014. based fund said was aimed at helping and small cap Chinese companies are expected by diapers rose 30 percent in China in the first quarter. slumped 20 percent in China in the quarter, the latest “The most logical reason why Seibu is up is boost the Japanese company’s profitability. analysts to grow earnings by 14.6 percent over the Coke’s case volumes sold in China increased 12 per- in a series of setbacks it has suffered there. And other that it was priced so low that the chance of That followed an ugly battle between next 12 months, and revenue by 9.1 percent, accord- cent, boosted by marketing campaigns around the US companies with significant business in China, such failure was greatly minimized,” Tatsunori Cerberus and Seibu management over the ing to Thomson Reuters Starmine’s smart estimates. Chinese New Year holiday shopping period. as Apple Inc and Qualcomm Inc, have yet to report Kawai, chief strategist at kabu.com firm’s performance. — AFP That contrasts with 9 percent earnings growth on 4 McDonald’s said it planned this year to open results this quarter. — Reuters UAE lender FGB Q1 net profit rises 27%

DUBAI: First Gulf Bank (FGB), the second-largest lender by mar- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank improving economic picture, FGB’s impairment allowances first-quarter net profit surged eightfold, outstripping ana- ket value in the United Arab Emirates, posted a 27 percent jump posted year-on-year profit increases of 15 and 20 percent for the three months to March 31 were almost flat against lysts’ expectations as trading volumes ballooned. The in first-quarter net profit yesterday, becoming the latest UAE respectively earlier this week. Smaller lenders have also ben- the same quarter last year at 436 million dirhams. Loans exchange made 215.1 million dirhams ($58.6 million) in the bank to post strong quarterly profit growth. FGB, majority- efited: Yesterday, United Arab Bank, National Bank of Fujairah and advances rose 7 percent to stand at 123.4 billion opening three months of 2014, compared with 27 million owned by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, made a net profit of 1.33 and National Bank of Umm Al-Qaiwain posted increases of dirhams at the end of March. Deposits grew 9 percent over dirhams in the corresponding period of last year, it said in a billion dirhams ($362.1 million) in the three months to March 31, 34, 27 and 9 percent. FGB’s increase in net profit was aided by the same time frame to 119.2 billion dirhams. Last month, statement. Analysts at HSBC and Global Research had up from 1.05 billion dirhams in the prior-year period, it said in a a 17 percent increase in net interest and Islamic financing the bank priced its debut bond denominated in Australian expected a quarterly profit of 202 million and 109 million statement. Analysts polled by Reuters on average had forecast income, and a 27 percent leap in non-interest income year- dollars, a A$250 million five-year issue, while it also set up a dirhams respectively. Trading commissions are the main FGB would make a quarterly profit of 1.23 billion dirhams. UAE on-year. The latter was a reflection of the bank’s strategy to sukuk program in Malaysia. source of income for DFM, and trading activity rose sharply banks in general have recorded impressive growth in the first strengthen its wholesale and investment banking businesses, as the Dubai equity market recovered from the global finan- quarter, continuing the trend from 2013, as the local economy chief executive Andre Sayegh said in the statement. Dubai Financial Market cial crisis. The value of traded securities jumped 429 percent rebounds from a real estate crash and debt problems at Dubai FGB expects to achieve net profit growth in the low dou- In another development, Dubai Financial Market, the during the first quarter of 2014 to 110 billion dirhams, DFM government-linked entities. ble digits in 2014, Sayegh said in February. Despite the Gulf Arab region’s only listed bourse, said yesterday that said.—Agencies BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 Share rally peters out, euro lifted by PMI boost Australian dollar plunges as inflation falls

LONDON: European shares edged down yester- have seen for years. We are looking at 0.5 per- companies have beaten or met expectations, Australian dollar tumbled to a two-week red for a third day. The Indonesian rupiah day after three days of gains as signs of a slow- cent quarter-on-quarter GDP growth if we con- compared with 58 percent in Q4 2013. low after data showed surprisingly low fell to its weakest in more than seven ing Chinese economy and rising worries about tinue to see this level,” said Chris Williamson, inflation in the first quarter. It slid more weeks on rising demand for dollars at Ukraine offset reassuring European economic chief economist at Markit, which compiles the Delicate China than one US cent to $0.9277 and interbank month’s end. Turkey’s lira hovered near data. After racing higher on Tuesday on a wave PMIs. “Clearly we should see the pace of growth US analysts were already sifting through futures rallied as the market reassessed the three-week lows as traders awaited a rate of takeover activity, European stocks fell 0.3 per- continue into May and possibly June as well. some estimate-topping numbers released chances the Reserve Bank of Australia will decision from the country’s dovish central cent as investors locked in some of the gains and Companies are beginning to feel this is some- before the market opened, from the chemicals raise interest rates before year-end. bank. In commodity markets, Brent crude turned their attention to the region’s broader thing sustainable.” giant Dow Chemical and airline Delta. In Asia, “The fall in the Aussie was quite large held above $109 a barrel, just off a six-week economic outlook. US stock futures also pointed The data lifted the euro and the region’s gov- the main economic data of the day had been considering that interest rate markets high of $110.36 reached last week, to a subdued start for Wall Street on a heavy day ernment bonds, but after a 3 percent rise in the less encouraging. China’s stock markets fell weren’t pricing a hike until mid-2015 any- propped up by the stand-off in Ukraine. of company earnings as well as US PMI readings. last two days some stock market investors decid- again and the yuan tumbled to 16-month low way,” said Sean Callow, currency strategist The US threatened Russia with more sanc- The PMI readings for Europe showed that ed to in their gains. London’s FTSE dipped 0.1 after a survey showed manufacturing activity in at Westpac. “The slide gives the impression tions on Tuesday and Ukraine’s government France’s economy was still lagging, but Germany percent, but a 0.4 percent drop by Paris’s CAC 40 the world’s second-biggest economy was still that Aussie bears have been waiting for a said yesterday it was restarting an “anti-ter- continued to power the euro-zone’s recovery. and 0.3 percent declines in Frankfurt and Milan slowing in April, and the country’s central bank reason to bash it.” Back in Europe, the euro rorist operation” to eliminate armed pro- Europe’s private sector has started the second were the biggest drag on the pan-European moved again to keep its currency ticking lower. bounced to $1.3845 before fading slightly, Russian separatist groups in the east of the quarter on its strongest footing in nearly three FTSEurofirst 300. Mixed earnings were also a fac- The HSBC/Markit flash Purchasing Managers as the upbeat PMI data and more encour- country. years, according to the PMIs, although new tor. Swedish mobile telecom equipment maker Index (PMI) for April rose to 48.3 from March’s aging news on Greece and Spain’s finances That kept both Ukrainian and Russian orders were again mainly buoyed by price cuts. Ericsson fell almost 5 percent after it missed tar- final reading of 48.0, but was still below the 50 countered recent talk of interest rate cuts assets under pressure. Stocks in Moscow “It’s pretty encouraging considering what we gets. So far this reporting season, 53 percent of line separating expansion from contraction. The from ECB policymakers. The pound fell 0.6 percent to a one-week low and climbed near a four-year high as the Bank Russia’s central bank shifted its target of England flagged how Britain’s economy exchange rate as it continued interventions was gaining speed. to steady the rouble. It also helped steady gold after it had touched its lowest in more Ukraine strains than two months on Tuesday, weighed The sobering economic news on China down by this week’s gains in Wall Street added to a host of country-specific issues stocks and as outflows from physical gold to drag down most emerging Asian curren- funds pointed to weak investment cies and put emerging-market stocks in the appetite. — Reuters

SYDNEY: Two men dressed in masks carry advertising boards in a retail street of Sydney yesterday. — AFP Gold edges up

LONDON: Gold edged up yesterday from manufacturing PMI and March new home the 2-1/2 month low it hit in the previous sales are due today, with our economists session as a softer tone to equities and the expecting homes sales to have recovered dollar helped arrest its slide, though it from inclement weather conditions.” remained vulnerable to further losses as investor demand remained slack. The met- Physical demand soft al hit its lowest since mid-February on Physical demand in Asia, which tends Tuesday after US housing data beat expec- to provide some support at lower price tations, boosting confidence in the US levels, failed to emerge after Tuesday’s economic recovery and lifting stock mar- drop as buyers expect more price declines, kets, which hurt gold’s appeal as an alter- dealers said. “I thought some demand native investment. It found support at its would emerge when prices fell below 100-day moving average at $1,277 an $1,300, but I was surprised to see no ounce, however, and turned higher after strong buying interest,” said one dealer in mixed euro zone data resulted in a retreat Hong Kong. Demand has been quiet in in European shares and the dollar. Spot number one buyer China as a weaker yuan gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,284.50 an made it more expensive to buy dollar- ounce at 1245 GMT, while US gold futures denominated gold. China’s yuan hit a 16- for June delivery were up $4.00 an ounce month low against the dollar yesterday. at $1,285.10. Shanghai prices were at a premium of Prices could turn lower once more if about $1 an ounce to spot prices on there is more positive economic data from Wednesday, flipping from a discount the United States, analysts said. “In the sec- overnight. In other Asian countries, premi- ond quarter, our forecast is that gold will ums were either stable or slightly lower average about $1,250 an ounce,” Natixis from week-ago levels. Investment demand analyst Bernard Dahdah said. “It’s mainly also remained weak with the world’s US data that is going to lead to a lower largest gold-backed exchange-traded price. The more positive it comes out, the fund, SPDR Gold Trust, seeing sharp out- more it will drag gold towards the $1,250 flows in recent days. Last week alone, the level, and keep it there.” Strong data sup- fund’s outflows totalled 9.3 tons, erasing all ports expectations that the Federal the gains made in the year. Reserve will continue tapering the extraor- Among other precious metals, silver dinary stimulus measures it put in place was up 0.3 percent at $19.44 an ounce, during the financial crisis. The prospect of while spot platinum was up 0.4 percent tapering was a key factor in gold’s 28 per- at $1,398.25 an ounce and spot palladi- cent drop last year. um was up 0.3 percent at $782.22 an It is also likely to support the dollar, ounce. Talks aimed at ending a three- which tends to pressure gold, which is month strike in South Africa’s platinum priced in the US unit. “Our base case sce- sector resume on Wednesday after the nario for a US dollar-supportive spring world’s top producers and union AMCU bounce in US data remains on track, with spent Tuesday haggling over an offer April Richmond Fed surprising to the tabled last week by the companies. The upside... and the decline in March existing strike is already the longest and most home sales being smaller than expected,” costly for South Africa’s mines in living BNP Paribas said in a note. “Markit April memory. —Reuters Brent holds above $109

LONDON: Brent crude oil edged higher sanctions against Russia, the world’s sec- above $109 a barrel yesterday after ond-largest crude exporter. Brent crude for stronger-than-expected economic data June delivery rose 8 cents to $109.35 by from China and Europe reinforced the out- 1220 GMT, after ending 68 cents, or 0.6 per- look for global demand growth, and as the cent, lower on Tuesday in its biggest one- unfolding crisis in Ukraine deterred sellers. day drop in two weeks. Last week’s peace deal in Ukraine formally US crude for June delivery fell 22 cents to ended yesterday as the government said an $101.61 a barrel, after losing more than 2 “Easter truce” was over, vowing to eliminate percent during the previous session as the pro-Russian armed groups in the east of the May contract expired, its steepest decline in country. China, the world’s second-biggest nearly four months. The slide in US crude oil consumer, reported a fourth straight widened its discount to Brent to the biggest monthly downturn in factory activity, but in a month. But the US contract recovered analysts also saw initial signs of stability due slightly after the spread between the two to government efforts to underpin growth. benchmarks held its 200-day moving aver- “China is slowing down and that’s a con- age of $8.18 a barrel. The moving average is cern, but people don’t expect it to fall off a a key technical indicator watched by cliff,” said Tony Nunan, an oil risk manager at traders. The euro-zone’s private sector has Mitsubishi Corp. “Geopolitical concerns over started the second quarter on its strongest Ukraine, unfinished issues such as Syria and footing in nearly three years, surveys Libya, are keeping prices supported.” The showed yesterday, led by growth in crisis in Ukraine has supported oil prices Germany this month after a slight slowdown due to fears Western powers may increase in March. — Reuters BUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

Chinese factories stalling as euro-zone business picks up Deflation fears remain in euro-zone

LONDON: Chinese factory activity shrank for the that growth momentum is stabilizing,” said Zhou Hao, their 2 percent target ceiling, service firms cut prices jumped from March and was only just shy of fourth straight month in April but private businesses China economist at ANZ in Shanghai. Hao expected for the 29th month in a row, and did so at a steeper February’s 32-month high. The rest of the bloc also across the euro-zone enjoyed their best month in annual economic growth to pick up slightly to 7.5 pace than in March. performed well apart from France, where although nearly three years, surveys showed yesterday. Within percent in the second quarter after it slowed to 7.4 Inflation fell to just 0.5 percent in March, its sixth the index held above 50 for the second month run- the euro-zone, Germany - Europe’s largest economy - percent in the first from a year earlier, its slowest read- straight month in what European Central Bank ning it was down from the previous reading. The saw activity accelerate whereas in France, the bloc’s ing in 18 months. Manufacturers in the world’s President Mario Draghi has called a “danger zone” French PMI has been below the wider euro-zone second biggest, momentum waned. “Given the prob- biggest economy of the United States also picked up below 1 percent and keeping pressure on the ECB to reading for 20 months. lems the euro-zone faces, to get even a modest rate the pace this month, a sister survey due at 1445 GMT intervene. “Today’s figure buys the ECB a bit more France’s independent fiscal watchdog said yester- of positive growth this year is a good sign. But there is is expected to show. European shares edged down time. With the recovery still on track there doesn’t day the government’s 1.0 percent growth forecast for an increasing concern that two of the larger yesterday after three days of gains after the Chinese seem to be an urgent need for strong action, though this year was realistic and the 1.7 percent target for economies - Italy and France - are struggling to gain data offset broadly reassuring European numbers. deflationary pressures still warrant attention,” Peter 2015 was attainable but dependent on favorable cir- any traction,” said Peter Dixon at Commerzbank. Vanden Houte at ING said. Markit’s flash composite cumstances. However, a Reuters poll earlier this “The long slide in China that we have seen in FRANCE FALTERS PMI, widely regarded as a good gauge of growth, sug- month predicted only 0.8 percent growth this year recent months might have turned a corner.” Beijing The euro-zone’s private sector started the second gested economic support may not be necessary. and 1.2 percent next. But the picture is different in has introduced policy steps to arrest the slowdown in quarter on its strongest footing in nearly three years, It jumped to 54.0 in April from March’s 53.1, above Britain. The economic recovery there is gaining the world’s second biggest economy and the pace of but burgeoning new orders were again mainly the 50 mark for the 10th month and chalking up its momentum, minutes from the Bank of England’s April decline did moderate this month. The HSBC/Markit buoyed by firms cutting prices. Topping expectations highest reading since May 2011. A Reuters poll had 9 policy meeting showed. “Today’s minutes highlight flash Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for April rose of all 36 economists polled by Reuters, the bloc’s predicted no change and Markit said if maintained that the outlook for the global economy has not to 48.3 from March’s final reading of 48.0, but was still dominant services industry led the charge while man- would point to 0.5 percent second quarter growth. changed much over the past few weeks, with some below the 50 line separating expansion from contrac- ufacturers also had a stronger month than the medi- “The PMI indicator corroborates the picture that the strength in the advanced economies versus some tion. an forecast had suggested. But worryingly for policy- euro-zone recovery has legs,” Vanden Houte said. That easing in the emerging economies,” said Annalisa “It’s generally in line (with expectations), reflecting makers, who have struggled to bring inflation up to growth was again led by Germany where its PMI Piazza at Newedge Strategy. — Reuters Portugal better placed for a clean bailout exit

LISBON: Portugal sold benchmark debt at a percent, driven by signs the euro zone crisis is record low yield yesterday in its first bond auc- abating, prospects of European Central Bank tion in three years, a vote of market confidence asset purchase and Portugal’s own return to that boosts Lisbon’s chances of making a clean economic growth and lower deficits after a bru- break from its bailout next month. Despite the tal recession. As recently as February, Portugal relatively low return, demand easily outstripped paid 5.112 percent in a syndicated 10-year bond the 750 million euros ($1 billion) sold, suggest- sale. “(Wednesday’s) result means that Portugal ing Lisbon would enjoy strong investor support will probably be able to go it alone, which is if it chooses to leave the rescue program with- nothing short of shocking considering where out the backstop of a standby European Union Portugal was just 10 month ago,” said Nicholas loan. Spiro, managing director at Spiro Sovereign Whether Portugal follows Ireland in making Strategy consultants in London. The latest leg a clean exit is a focal point of discussions with its lower in the country’s yield took its premium international lenders, which began their last over investment grade-rated Italy and Spain to evaluation of its compliance with the terms of around 60 basis points, a gap that many expect the program on Tuesday. “The more money to narrow further as investors price in the they can raise at very low interest rates the prospect of credit agencies lifting Portugal’s rat- more it gives them an incentive to go for a clean ings in coming months. exit,” said Lefteris Farmakis, a rates strategist at Unlike Ireland, which exited its bailout in Nomura. Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho December without a supplementary credit line, said the auction gave the country “strong confi- Portugal managed to resume bond auctions dence about the future”, though the govern- before the end of its 78-billion-euro rescue pro- ment was still “calmly” weighing its options con- gram. Ireland did not hold its first post-bailout cerning a possible precautionary credit line. It auction until last month, though at 2.967 per- would reach a decision by May 5, when Europe’s cent its yield was much lower. Portuguese debt finance ministers are due to meet, he told an yields are close to where Irish yields were about economic conference. a month before the end of Dublin’s bailout. Debt agency IGCP placed yesterday’s bond “Funding at 3.5 percent for 10 years means it at an average yield of 3.5752 percent, the lowest would be unlikely that (Portugal) would use a on record in a Portuguese auction of that matu- (precautionary line),” Nomura’s Farmakis said. rity and significantly lower than the secondary “So in reality the difference between a MAHALA: A general view shows the Misr spinning and weaving factory in Mahala, 120 kms north Cairo. — AFP market yield of 3.68 percent registered just (precautionary loan) as a backstop or not hav- beforehand. Demand outstripped the amount ing one at all is not as large as perhaps com- placed by 3.5 times. “It’s now proven that monly thought.” Other peripheral euro zone Portugal can finance itself in the tough and bond yields fell in Portugal’s wake after the Defiant Egypt workers pose rough normal market without support from auction. Speculation that the European banks,” said Filipe Silva, head of debt at Banco Central Bank will begin an asset purchase Carregosa in Porto. “The yield below the sec- program to ease deflationary pressure in the challenge to next president ondary market is very important as it shows euro area was also driving investor flows into that investors do not demand a premium for peripheral bonds, where returns are relatively holding Portuguese debt.” In the market, the 10- higher than in lower risk bonds. Yesterday’s MAHALLAH: Egypt’s next president will have to key sectors, including textiles, steel, cement, public help break strikes. In February, Egyptian media said year yield hit an eight-year low of 3.624 percent debt sale was intended to help pre-fund contend with frustrated workers who have threat- transport, ports and postal services, further com- the army had dispatched scores of its drivers to after the auction, according to Reuters data, Portugal for 2015. “We are not desperate like ened a new wave of nationwide strikes if their pounding the country’s economic woes. replace striking public transport workers. outperforming other euro zone debt. three years ago, when we didn’t have funding demands are not met by an already cash-strapped Protesting workers have demanded higher “This comes as we witness ...a new (interim) gov- That continued a trend of sharp declines for one month. Now we have cash for a year,” government. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the ex-army chief wages along with a minimum wage plan, improved ernment that includes figures linked to the since 2012 when the yield peaked at over 17 Passos Coelho said. — Reuters who overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi working conditions, a halt to the privatisation of Mubarak regime ... which takes us back to a dark last July and is hailed by supporters as a tough state-owned units and an end to corruption. After period of Egypt’s history,” the Egyptian Initiative for leader who can restore stability, is widely expected three decades at the massive state-owned Masr Personal Rights (EIPR) said in a report. Giving in to to win next month’s election. Spinning and Weaving factory in the Nile Delta city the workers’ demands, however, would add to the of Mahallah, Fayoumi, 53, says he earns a paltry government’s already hefty deficit at a time when ‘Bread, freedom’ $200 (145 euros) a month. “How am I supposed to tourism and investment are at an all-time low and But he is likely to face strident demands from offer a life of dignity to my family? If this situation the economy is being propped up by aid from Gulf the same labor leaders who organized a massive continues, we will strike again, no matter the next allies. “The budget deficit for this year to June 2014 2008 strike seen as a precursor to the 2011 uprising president, Sisi or (Hamdeen) Sabbahi,” he said. Sisi, is estimated at about 20 percent. If the government that ended Hosni Mubarak’s three-decade rule. And who is riding a wave of popularity and nationalist adopts a minimum wage plan or increases salaries with tourism and investment having largely dried fervor after ending Morsi’s divisive year-long reign, is across categories as demanded by workers, the up following three years of turmoil, it’s unclear expected to win the May 26-27 vote. Leftist leader deficit will simply soar,” said Shaheer George, a labor whether the government can meet their demands. Sabbahi, his only rival, came in third in the 2012 researcher with EIPR. Labor activist Kamal Fayoumi says he struggles to election won by Morsi. Sisi’s picture is displayed on Officials say the government wants to cut the make ends meet despite having worked at a textile shop windows in Mahallah but are in smaller num- deficit-burdened by fuel and food subsidies-to 10 factory for 30 years, and he and other labor leaders bers than in Cairo, where large posters and banners percent and set up labor-intensive projects to insist the promise of the 2011 uprising - “bread, have sprung up in almost every square. address unemployment, which rose to around 14 freedom, social justice”-has yet to be fulfilled. percent last year from nine before the 2011 revolt. “All governments over the past three years, ‘Back to dark period’ Labor minister Nahed Ali Ashri declined an inter- including Morsi’s, have only made promises, but Analysts say that for more than five decades, the view request, but the cabinet said Thursday it has never delivered,” Fayoumi said at a roadside cafe in authorities have negotiated with the state-affiliated approved a draft law which proposes setting up Egypt’s textile hub of Mahallah, 115 kilometers Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF) as the sole fast-track courts to resolve labor disputes. Labor north of Cairo. In the years since Mubarak’s over- representative of workers, much to the frustration activists have shrugged in response, warning that throw in 2011, workers have staged persistent of critics who accuse the union of being hand in more confrontations may await. “Workers in cities strikes across the country, only halting them in glove with the authorities. Independent unions like Mahallah are supporting Sisi, but if he fails to LISBON: A trader points at a graphic on a computer screen in Lisbon yesterday dur- February under a temporary truce with military- have proliferated since 2011, but the authorities achieve social justice, they will return to the streets ing the auction of Portuguese Treasury Bills. — AFP installed authorities. The strikes had taken place in refuse to recognize them, and often use the army to against him,” said activist Hamdy Hussein. — AFP France treads fine line on EU deficit-cutting targets 2014 growth forecast ‘realistic’

PARIS: France’s government is to set out its roadmap to Valls is to present details of the package to parliament’s deficit reduction yesterday using optimistic growth forecasts finance committee before it is sent off to the European considered risky by its own fiscal watchdog to show how it Commission, which polices member states’ public finances. will meet European budget standards by the end of next Based on official growth forecasts that have been adjusted year. Europe’s second-biggest economy is a laggard where upwards to take the hoped-for impact of payroll tax cuts into recovery and public finances are concerned. It has already account, the plan is expected to show France reaching the been granted a two-year extension on the original deadline deficit-cutting target but along a slightly slower path. The to bring its deficit below the EU’s treaty limit of 3 percent of government is to raise its growth forecasts to 1.0 percent in gross domestic product (GDP). 2014, 1.7 percent in 2015 and 2.25 in 2016, versus 0.9 per- Its partners fear it may miss the deadline again next year, cent, 1.7 percent and 2.0 percent previously, said the govern- and meanwhile its unpopular Socialist government is strug- ment’s fiscal watchdog, the High Council of Public Finances, gling to sell painful cuts to rebellious rank and file lawmakers. in a statement on its website ahead of the presentation. New Prime Minister Manuel Valls has to try to bridge the gap between those positions. The government will raise the offi- Weaknesses and risks cial deficit forecast for this year and next to 3.8 percent and The new forecast for this year is “realistic” the council said, 3.0 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) respectively, but it was less sure about the 2015 projection. It called that business daily Les Echos reported on its website, leaving no “not out of reach,” but added “the macroeconomic scenario margin for error should growth fail to meet the projections. presented by the government is composed of several weak- Appointed in late March after the Socialists were drubbed nesses and is subject to different risks,” being dependent on a in local elections, Valls promised in his first policy speech to rebound in household confidence and revenues from recent- give priority to kickstarting growth, fuelling concern that ly announced supply-side measures. The council also France might let the targets slip. But after stern words from described the 2016 and 2017 forecasts as “optimistic”. The Brussels and Berlin, his government said it would stick to its 2014 and 2015 forecasts are well above those of a Reuters commitments, unveiling the terms of a 50 billion euro ($69 poll of economists last week, which showed growth at 0.8 billion) savings package that will freeze pensions and welfare percent this year and 1.2 percent next year, with France also FRANKFURT: File photo shows a sunflower sitting in front of the Euro sculpture in Frankfurt, Germany. — AP benefits for a year and clamp down on public spending. missing its deficit-reduction target next year. — Reuters THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 BUSINESS

Ford demonstrates truck leadership with Ranger

KUWAIT: Built Ford Tough com- different market requirements, it access to Ford’s global capabili- respectively while the Double Cab the high series. harshness (NVH) refinement. pact pickup, the Ford Ranger, was developed by drawing on ties, testing facilities and exten- is among the top with 1.21 cubic combines the toughness and resources, facilities and expertise sive pickup truck knowledge. meters. At 5,359 mm long and New levels of ride Safety capability of a pickup truck with from Ford locations around the Using latest computer technolo- 1,850 mm wide, Ranger is bigger The same level of detail that Ranger offers a range of pas- smart technology, outstanding world to deliver an excellent gies, the product development than the previous-generation makes Ranger stand out in a sive safety technologies, with the safety and the highest standards product that will satisfy cus- team conducted about 30,000 model, but remains easily crowd will set it apart from the availability and array of airbags of quality and comfort. And this is tomers everywhere. computer-aided assessments on manoeuvrable on narrow city competition with an entirely new dependent on the model. Side exactly what Ford Middle East “The range of qualities pickup areas such as safety, durability, streets and during parking, chassis that provides even more curtain airbags are available on all and Arabian Motors Group (AMG), customers demand from their ergonomics, vehicle dynamics thanks to a responsive steering capability along with car-like cab styles. These airbags deploy the Ford and Lincoln importer- vehicle is far greater than the dif- and aerodynamics during the vir- system requiring no more than quietness, reduced steering from the headliner to provide a dealer in Kuwait, presented ferences in conditions from coun- tual phase. 3.5 turns of the wheel lock-to-lock effort, more precise handling and protective cushion for the head of recently to key media and VIP cus- try to country. The real challenge Of these, 7,500 virtual assess- - one of the best in the segment. better on-road stability. Up front, outboard occupants in the event tomers as part of its Built Ford has been to build a Ranger that is ments were carried out in the a new coil-over-strut suspension of a side impact and the curtain is Tough Ranger ride and drive tough and yet comfortable, under-body to ensure a robust Smart, comfortable interior allows for better tuning of the designed to protect both rows of event. Ford Ranger was designed rugged yet stylish, safe, techno- vehicle foundation and more than Ranger offers a contemporary upper and lower wishbone occupants by covering the upper and developed to be best-in-class logically advanced and powerful, 10,000 virtual assessments on the look and feel with features and design. The suspension set-up, side structure and glass from the in every area important to cus- yet remaining affordable. We upper-body to align styling and comfort normally found only in while similar for two- and four- A-pillar to the C-pillar. tomers, especially those who use believe the team has succeeded functional requirements. Tested in passenger cars. Bold new interior wheel drive models, has unique Also available are newly it for both work and leisure pur- in every goal. There is no com- places such as Australia, Dubai, surfaces are finished with materi- capabilities and has been tuned designed side thorax airbags poses. Ranger delivers more pay- promise here,” Anderson added. Thailand, North America, Brazil, als that will stand up to the with specific damper valving and which deploy from the driver and load and class-leading towing Ian Partridge, Sales Operations Sweden and South Africa, Ranger demands of a workhorse while spring rates on all models to com- front passenger seat, further capability than its previous mod- manager of AMG, said: “Ranger’s had to face severe heat and cold, delivering a lasting quality els and, at the same time, is fitted rugged capability was purpose- monsoon rains, high altitudes as appearance. The B-pillar in the out with innovative and comfort fully engineered and carefully well as rushing rivers, arid deserts Double Cab has also been moved features that a dual user has come crafted into the pickup and we and potholed roads. Prototypes forward, delivering best-in-class to want and value. are very pleased to highlight the clocked more than a million kilo- rear leg room and knee clearance. And as testament to its leader- leadership of this compact pick meters on the road supported by Three adults can easily fit in the ship of its class on all fronts, up here in Kuwait. We want to countless hours of exhaustive second row of the Double Cab Ranger has registered an impres- give customers a tough truck that testing in state-of-the-art labora- while two six-footers can comfort- sive 197 per cent growth in sales they can truly rely on whether on tories. ably sit one behind the other. around the Middle East, as more rugged road, tricky sand, high Making full use of the spacious and more customers and busi- waters, other challenging terrains, ‘21st Century Tough’ styling interior, the Ranger Double Cab nesses recognize the tremendous or just commuting to work.” Exuding power and confi- offers 23 storage spaces in the value this Built Ford Tough model dence in a styling that the design- cabin - more practical stowage presents while leading its seg- Developed for the world ers call “21st Century Tough”, the than any competitor. Its deep ment in capability, performance, Designed and developed by a taut and muscular Ranger is centre console bin is the biggest safety, comfort and fuel economy. global team headquartered in equally at home on a construc- in its class at 8.5 liters and can “The Ford Ranger is a perfect Australia, the Ranger platform tion site or on the road. Its front keep up to six cans of beverage example of how our ‘One Ford’ takes advantage of global Ford end features a short overhang cool in models with a duct from global strategy works,” said Paul assets, particularly robust engines with the signature three-bar the air-conditioning. Anderson, director of Marketing and six-speed transmissions grille, a global Ford truck design The glove box is large enough at Ford Middle East. “Far from proven in tough commercial-vehi- cue. The windscreen has been to accommodate a 16-inch laptop producing a vehicle that is com- cle usage. The design and product raked back for a sporty and computer, while door pockets can promised by the need to serve development teams also had full dynamic silhouette, while the tra- comfortably take 1.5-litre water ditional square form of the truck bottles. Ample storage for mobile pensate for weight, centre of cushioning the impact and reduc- has been sculpted to give the phones and other small items can gravity, engine torque and drive ing the crash forces experienced vehicle a more modern and aero- be found in the console and in distribution. by occupants in the front seats. dynamic look. Larger headlamps, areas within easy reach of the Giving drivers more precise All new frontal impact airbags are bigger mirrors and stamped-in driver. Underneath the rear seats, steering control, Ranger’s rack- available for the driver and pas- wheel lips provide an integrated a convenient hidden storage area and-pinion steering system has senger, along with seatbelt pre- look across all series and con- for tools can be easily accessed. been carefully tuned for low- tensioners and load limiters. “The tribute to an aggressive and Poised to be a leader in innova- speed manoeuvrability and all-new Ranger is the culmination sporty stance. tion, the new Ranger comes with responsive on-road driving. of four years of hard work by Designers also raised the belt- smart technologies that make the Ranger more than holds its own almost 500 engineers in Australia line significantly, along with the pickup easier, safer and more fun in cabin quietness, an attribute and around the Ford world,” said rails of the load box, giving the to drive. On selected models with not often associated with a pick- Anderson. “The Ranger has been Ranger a substantive presence on Bluetooth, USB and iPod connec- up truck. From being better designed, engineered and pro- the road while increasing its func- tivity, there is voice control over sealed and having stiffer doors duced to lead in its segment. It is tionality with the deeper box. The the radio, CD, iPod, USB, electron- than competitors to using sound- capable, comfortable, powerful, Regular Cab has the biggest box ic air-conditioning and mobile deadening materials in the doors, fuel-efficient, safe - and it is a volume in its class at 1.82 cubic phone. Dual-zone climate control roof and body, Ranger features pickup that anyone will be proud meters and 1.45 cubic meters and cruise control are available on high levels of noise, vibration and to own and confident to drive.”

Malabar Gold & 2014 Corvette Stingray ‘star’ at Kuwait Mile event Diamonds launches KUWAIT: As an active leader in vehicle once again with its brand kW), 465 lb.-ft. of torque (630 Nm) petitive and transparent service warranty with 24x7 roadside assis- ‘Summer Surprises’ the automotive industry, Yusuf A new Corvette Stingray-a trifecta with the available performance costs, scheduled service appoint- tance. Visit any of Chevrolet Alghanim & Sons Automotive of technology, design and per- exhaust system. It is also the most ment booking with same day deliv- Alghanim’s showrooms to learn KUWAIT: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the largest participated in the Kuwait Mile formance-which now boasts a capable standard Corvette ever, ery, quality service by certified more about the All New Corvette gold and diamond jewelry retailers in the world, is drag racing event which took stiffer frame than its previous with Z51-equipped models that technicians and 3yr/100,000km Stingray and book a vehicle. launching one of the biggest promotion in the Kuwait. place on the 12th of April at the generations. Indeed, with its are able to accelerate from 0-60 in The promotional campaign - which starts from April 23, Subhan area. The event primarily sculpted athletic exterior and 3.8 seconds, run a quarter-mile in will run for 67 days till June 28 across the stores in attracted the Kuwaiti youths driver-oriented cockpit, fuel effi- 12 seconds at 119 mph, achieve Kuwait. Shoppers spending KWD 40 will be eligible for whose enthusiasm had channeled ciency and advanced technology, 1.03g in cornering grip and stop the raffle draws while anyone spending KWD 400 on their energy into an exciting drag Stingray is a beautiful weapon from 60 mph in 107 feet. diamond is entitled to a free gold coin. race around the area, which was against the ordinary. The ingeniousness of Corvette “It is that time of the year again, when people buy especially safe and secure. The 2014 Corvette Stingray is Stingray lies in its purpose-driven gold and diamond jewelry to mark various occasions The star of the event, however, considered the most powerful design. Lean materials and effi- and we are happy to offer the biggest seasonal promo- was the brand new Corvette, standard Corvette model ever, cient new processes forge the tion to our valued customers with the latest collections,” whose impressive display capti- thanks to the completely light, stiff Stingray space frame, M P Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Group said. “In vated the youths who interacted redesigned SAE engine that which helps achieve an even addition to the best design collections to match various with salespeople to learn more boasts up to 455 horsepower (339 weight distribution and impres- moods and occasions, Malabar Gold& Diamonds is giv- about the super car. Chevrolet has kW) and 460 lb.-ft. of torque (642 sive power-to-weight ratio to this ing away 2 KG of gold to customers shopping at our out- revolutionized the lightweight Nm), and 460 horsepower (343 day. The aluminum frame struc- lets across the Kuwait. “We are happy and proud to be ture, which is one-third the able to share the joy with our customers who shop with weight of steel, improves the us during this period.” rigidity of the vehicle, whereby it This is the biggest such promotions this month, and enhances cornering and han- promises to increase footfall across the retail outlets. dling. With gold price at a much competitive level, shoppers Meanwhile, the strategic are expected to cash in on the new offering on both implementation of Lightweight new jewelry and free exchange of the 22 carat gold jew- Carbon-Nano Composite under- elry. The company will give away a lucky winner,1/4 Kg body panels, which are bond to of gold weekly. Customers could also enjoy a zero the aluminum, further reduce deduction offer on 22 carat gold exchange and free gold the car’s weight for more precise coins with special jewelry collection launched as a part driver control. This revolutionary of the promotion. Customers could also walk away with chassis also improves torsional 1 gram gold coin free with every KWD 400 diamond jew- rigidity while reducing noise elry purchase and above. The company is also waiving and elevating the performance making charges on 8 gram gold coins. to an art. Established in 1993, Malabar Gold &Diamonds have the wealth of experience in serving the discerning cus- Chevrolet Care tomers for over two decades. It is the consistent efforts All customers who purchase a by their management to deliver more than what they Chevrolet will receive the benefits promise that led to their success. Commitment to cus- of the Chevrolet Care, which tomer satisfaction, unique designs and value for money entails new levels of post-sale are some of the factors that set them aside from their support. The Chevrolet Care is an competitors. exceptional customer service that is based on four mail pillars: com- technology THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 Pentagon scientists show off life-size robot

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary during the war. He controlled the device Chuck Hagel got a first-hand look at a life- using two accelerometers strapped to his size robot Tuesday that resembles feet, manipulating the elbow, wrist and fin- Hollywood’s “Terminator,” the latest experi- gers. Hagel hugged Downs and shook his ment by the Pentagon’s hi-tech researchers. mechanical hand. “He and I worked togeth- But unlike the cinematic version, the hulk- er many years ago,” said Hagel, referring to a ing Atlas robot is designed not as a warrior stint in the Veterans Administration during but as a humanitarian machine that would Ronald Reagan’s presidency. “How you rescue victims in the rubble of a natural dis- doing, Fred? How’s your family?” aster, officials said. The 6-foot-2-inch Atlas is Hagel said the new technology would one of the entrants in a contest designed to have a dramatic effect on the lives of produce a man-like life-saver machine, the wounded soldiers. “This is transformation- brainchild of the Defense Advanced al,” he said. “We’ve never seen anything like Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The this before.” Justin Sanchez, a medical doc- competition, which will require the bots to tor and program manager at DARPA who navigate rough terrain and enter buildings, works with prosthetics and brain-related was created in the aftermath of Japan’s technology, showed Hagel a video of a Fukushima quake and tsunami disasters. patient whose brain had been implanted DARPA, the Pentagon’s research arm with a sensor, allowing her to control a known for futuristic projects often evoking mechanical arm with her thoughts. science fiction, showed off the Atlas robot Scientists then displayed a shiny black to Hagel, but except for LED lighting, the mechanical hand and arm that responds to humanoid was apparently switched off on brain impulses, and said sensors would be a “static” display. Brad Tousley, head of attached to allow the fingers to send sen- DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office, told sations back to the brain. Hagel that Hollywood has created unrealis- The tactile feedback system should be tic expectations of what real robots can do. operational within a few months, officials Building robots that can climb ladders, said. “People said it would be 50 years open doors and carry objects requires before we saw this technology in daunting feats of engineering and comput- humans,” Sanchez said. “We did it in a few er science, he said. Scientists also showed years.” DARPA managers showed Hagel Hagel the latest technology for prosthetics, other technologies, but reporters were including a mechanical hand that responds ushered out after the first three demon- to brain impulses and a prosthetic arm con- strations due to concerns about revealing trolled by foot movements. military secrets. A US defense official who A wounded veteran who once worked spoke on condition of anonymity said with Hagel in the 1980s demonstrated one Hagel was given an update on “PLAN X,” a of the devices, giving the Pentagon chief a cyber warfare project, a system to link thumbs up with his prosthetic left arm. “It’s tactical air controllers using tablets and a the first time in 45 years, since Vietnam, I’m new long-range anti-ship missile that VIRGINIA: US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (left) is briefed on the ATLAS Robot, which is one of the most able to use my left hand...,” said Fred Downs, would be less dependent on global navi- advanced humanoid robots ever built at the DARPA Robotics Challenge at the Pentagon in Arlington, who lost his limb in a landmine explosion gation systems. —AFP Virginia. —AFP

Brazil hosts meeting to craft Africa’s hunger for data Internet governance rules SAO PAULO: Brazil hosted a meeting yesterday model. But NETMundial chair Virgilio Almeida, a on how the Internet should be governed in the Brazilian government official, said he sees sends satellites into orbit future, aiming for global partnership after “some points of contention” at the gathering. worldwide outrage over allegations of wide- spread online spying by the United States. Snowden leaks Terrestrial fibre networks growing slowly President Dilma Rousseff had called the two- US online spy tactics exposes by Snowden day NetMundial meeting in a bid to find ways are not on the official summit agenda but were JOHANNESBURG: Africa’s demand for band- they compete, but such is the growth in health services electronically will also drive to curb abuses following the furore sparked by expected to be hot topics. Almeida, a senior width is doubling every year, outpacing the lay- demand for bandwidth that there is room for demand. allegations of US spying revealed in documents official at Brazil’s ministry of Science and ing of terrestrial telecom fibre links and encour- plenty of players,” said Mark Newman, chief The private sector has several initiatives to leaked by former intelligence contractor Technology, told AFP that giving concrete aging commercial satellite operators to launch research officer at industry research company extend the capacity from submarine cables Edward Snowden. shape to a new model of governance will be dif- more units into orbit. The arrival of submarine Informa Telecoms & Media. inland using terrestrial cables, but until that “After what happened with Snowden, there ficult “because the Internet has no ruler.” cables on Africa’s eastern shore just five years “If you are in a landlocked country, it might bottleneck is addressed, satellite operators are has been a change in the public perception of Governance happens at the national and global ago was largely expected to herald the end of well be that even though satellite would seem innovating to plug that black hole. One opera- the Internet and there is a need for change,” said levels, which interact, he said. If a country does satellite connections, which had been the to be expensive compared to the cost of fibre tor, O3B, or Other 3 Billion, has launched four of Brazilian Communications Minister Paulo not accept new rules of governance, civil society region’s only link to the outside world for capacity that lands on the coast somewhere, by the next-generation medium earth orbit (MEO) Bernardo. But beyond looking at cyberspying can exert pressure for it to do so, Almeida said. decades. the time you get that capacity in land, it’s no satellites and plans two other launches in 2014 issues, the Sao Paolo gathering of officials from Slated to join Rousseff in opening NETmundial But the opposite is happening with Africa’s cheaper than satellite,” Newman said. SES, one to make an orbital constellation of 12. At a 80 countries also comes in the wake of word are the head of ICANN as well as Tim Berners- political geography - notably its many land- of the world’s largest commercial satellite oper- height of 8,000 kms (5,000 miles), the MEO units from Washington that it plans to loosen its grip Lee, the man credited with creating the World locked countries, such as Zambia, South Sudan ators, expects to launch its Astra2G satellite in allow for faster speeds than traditional station- on the Internet. The recently revealed plan by Wide Web 25 years ago and a fierce advocate and Rwanda - bringing undersea cable plans 2014 after sending three others dedicated to ary satellites at 36,000 kms. Washington would set into motion a process for Internet freedom. back to earth. “If you are to provide connectivity Africa into orbit in the last year. Nine of its 56 O3B’s tests have delivered capacity five times that foresees a “multi-stakeholder” model of Any resolutions that come out of the sum- to the masses, fibre is not the way to do it. Do satellites orbiting the earth are allocated for better than what traditional satellites can man- Internet governance. The United States has had mit will not be binding. It remains unclear you think that it would make economical sense Africa. Europe’s biggest satellite operator age, making its technology suitable for both a supervisory role over Internet website whether a consensus can be reached at the to take fibre to every village in Kenya?” said Eutelsat plans to fire off its tri-band EUTELSAT voice and interactive applications, said Omar addresses overlords at the Internet Corporation summit amid these concerns, and with some Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, a senior executive for 3B this month after launching another to Trujillo, vice president for Africa and Latin for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). countries seeking measures that could allow Africa at Luxembourg-based satellite operator extend sub-Saharan Africa coverage in 2013. America. O3B already has 20 customers signed As it looks set to relinquish supervision of more filtering and censorship of Internet con- SES SA . up and Trujillo expects that satellite will be the ICANN, the next steps are unclear. Some coun- tent. NETmundial organizers maintain that “Satellite is still around and will continue to Mobiles drive demand main connection for most of its clients, other tries like China and Russia want oversight of the Internet governance must be “open, participa- be around because it’s the best medium to The demand for Internet and data services in than a fall-back plan for when fibre fails. “A lot of Internet’s technical functions to come under a tory... technologically neutral, sensitive to extend connectivity to the masses.” Hundreds of Africa has been driven by affordable mobile applications for mining, oil and gas, will contin- group of governments or an intergovernmental human rights and based on principles of trans- millions of people on the continent still have no broadband connections. Mobile broadband ue to be done by satellite,” he said. “The main organization. Kuek Yu-Chuang, ICANN vice pres- parency (and) accountability.” The US on access to the Internet, he said. At least four users could grow by nearly eight times to 806 market may not be international links for ident and managing director for the Asia Pacific, Tuesday confirmed that a delegation led by the satellites are planned for launch this year as million by the end of 2018, according to Informa Nairobi or Johannesburg but will be communi- said at a meeting last month that “there is wide- White House cybersecurity coordinator Michael countries with no access to the coast have yet estimates. New services such as digital televi- cation for some of these remote areas that have spread agreement” on the multistakeholder Daniel will take part in NETmundial. —AFP to benefit from at least 10 undersea cables now sion, onboard Internet connection for passen- had very low demand before, but now have serving the continent. “There will be times when ger aircraft, and delivering education and fast-growing demand.” —Reuters

CHICAGO: Rick Fuhs operates a panel full of buttons in the press box behind home plate that sends an electrical charge into a panel of half ball- CHICAGO: John Weber keeps score with a pencil and scorecard as he watches a base- shaped “targets,” causing specific ones to flip so that they add up to form the number of the batter, and the number of balls, strikes and outs on ball game between Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs at Wrgley Field. —AP Wrigley Field’s iconic scoreboard during a baseball game between Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs, in Chicago. —AP Tech boom presents new wrinkles for Wrigley Field

CHICAGO: During a recent game at Wrigley Field, John Weber back in the 1950s (it was removed a few years later) and in 2012 The Cubs can’t do it any other way because Wrigley Field is so when a friend heard he was coming to Wrigley, he excitedly told was using a pencil and scorecard to expertly track the game were one of the first teams in the majors to offer Wi-Fi. small that food must be prepared offsite. A proposed $300 mil- him he just had to visit the restrooms and see the ancient urinal between his hometown Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 86- “The Cubs were ahead of their time and, frankly, ahead of the lion renovation project includes construction of commissary, troughs. year-old retired transit worker figures he is an increasingly rare league,” said Bob Bowman, CEO of MLB Advanced Media, the though team spokesman Julian Green said a final decision hasn’t Charlie Tausche, a 75-year-old retired attorney, has less of a kind of baseball fan. “Look around, do you see many people keep- league’s interactive branch. The lack of a video scoreboard is a been made. The Cubs are also examining whether to join the problem with a massive video board than with the technology- ing score?” he asked. No indeed. Between batters and between glaring reminder that the Cubs have some catching up to do. roughly 20 teams that have customized Major League Baseball’s toting young people who will flock the Wrigley in greater num- pitches, most fans in the stands at Wrigley - and everywhere else That is even more obvious this year thanks to a new instant replay At the Ballpark app to give fans access to information about ball- bers once school lets out. “They stand up in front of you in the in the majors - take their eyes off the game to peck away at smart- system that allows teams to challenge umpires’ calls. “With this parks as they enter, from seat location to specials on merchan- middle of the game and take their selfies,” he complained. The phones, phablets, tablets and iPads. Few bother to figure out the replay for our fans, 75 million of them at the games, get to see dise. One thing the Cubs say they won’t be doing any time soon is oldest stadium in the majors, Boston’s Fenway Park, is awash in baseball hieroglyphics that Weber and other purists lovingly what everyone sees at home,” Bowman said. Except at Wrigley, allowing fans to upgrade their seats via their handheld devices. video boards and still remains one of the jewels of baseball at 102 scrawl on their cards. where fans have to wait until they get home or watch the televi- “There are a lot of great innovations happening at new ball years old. And - this is a big one for long-suffering Cubs fans - it The Cubs are hoping to add a massive video scoreboard to sion monitors while they’re in line to buy a hot dog or beer. parks but Wrigley has magic (and) we need to be careful that we has fielded three World Series winners in the last decade. Wrigley as early as next year in what would be the biggest reno- “How ridiculous is that?” asked Marc Ganis, a sports consultant don’t implement technology that takes away from the experi- Robert Garcia, a 38-year-old Chicago teacher who came to a vation at Wrigley since lights were installed more than a quarter with SportsCorp Ltd in Chicago, who once advised the Cubs’ prior ence of Wrigley, the experience of what it has been like for sons recent game decked out in a Cubs hat, jacket and clutching a century ago. The plan has stirred plenty of opposition, with many owner, the Tribune Co. “The only time you see it is when you’re going to games with their fathers, and their fathers’ fathers,” said scorecard and pencil he just bought, said the essence of Wrigley wondering if modern electronics will rob some of the mystique not in your seat.” The lack of a video board is only the most visible Andrew McIntyre, the Cubs’ senior director of information tech- will remain with new technology. “When you come in and look that surrounds the venerable ballpark, which hosted its first game example of some of the differences between Wrigley and other nology. Many fans do worry that the Cubs’ embrace of technolo- down you still see the ivy, you still see the bleachers,” he said. on April 23, 1914 - 100 years ago Wednesday. The scene in the parks. Rather than ordering food and drink on a handheld device gy could change the atmosphere at the friendly confines for the Even Darryl Wilson, who has been working the manual score- stands illustrates how Wrigley is already a modern park and in fact and having it delivered right to their seats, fans at Wrigley get worse. They want to see the park as they imagine past genera- board for 23 years, has no objection to all the new technology, got there faster than some of the newer, shinier stadiums around things the old-fashioned way: By yelling at vendors roaming the tions saw it. “Any modernization, you risk losing what made it spe- including a new video scoreboard. “I hope they don’t think I can the country. The Cubs were the first to install a moving walkway aisles or making a trip to the concession stands. cial,” said Todd Jezierski, a 32-year-old Oregon resident. He said keep up with that scoreboard,” he said. —AP THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE Infectious Diseases Hospital celebrates Malaria Day

By Dr Ali Sher and Jamal Al-Duaj the United Nations. The goal is not only combating Macaque monkey is recognized in Malaysia in 2013. malaria, but of effectively retiring malaria to the the disease itself but also to save the lives of thou- The parasite always has two hosts in its life cycle: a history books, right where it belongs. KUWAIT: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious dis- sands of pregnant women and children below the mosquitovector and a vertebrate host ( humans ). ease caused by a protozoan parasites of the genus age of five years. Malaria has been and still is the cause of much Malaria in Gulf Countries Plasmodium. The word malaria comes from Italian human morbidity and mortality. Although the dis- All the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) are free word, mal meaning “bad” and aria meaning “air”. The Remarkable progress ease has been eradicated in most temperate zones from malaria except Saudi Arabia where term was first used by Dr Francisco Torti in Italy World Malaria Day is a chance to shine a spotlight but still endemic in much of the tropics and subtrop- Plasmodium falciparum is the main species. Malaria when people thought the disease was caused by on the global effort to control malaria. On April 25, ics. Malaria epidemics have devastated large popula- is still endemic in parts of this area, especially in its foul air or bad air in marshy areas. Prof Grassi discov- people across the globe will take part in a wide tions and poses a serious barrier to economic southern region (Jazan). The continuous importa- ered that malaria is transmitted from human-to- range of activities to mark World Malaria Day 2014. progress in many developing countries. Recently the tion of malaria from Yemen to this area is a chal- human through the bite of the female anopheles, These activities will no doubt look back at the malaria is reintroduced in Greece due to negligence lenge for the elimination of malaria in this region. which needs blood for her egg production. Malaria remarkable progress that the global development of surveillance and may be due to global warming. No local transmission of malaria has been reported is also known as Jungle fever, Marsh fever and community has made in combating malaria and Out of 97malaria endemic countries 30 countries in Kuwait but it is very vulnerable for local transmis- Paludal fever. indeed other infectious diseases over the years. are in the pre-elimination phase and 67 are in malar- sion due to the presence of Anopheles mosquitoes. World Malaria Day was instituted by the World However, one of the key lessons other infectious dis- ia control phase in 2013. Further, these 8 countries The Medical Center for Labour Examination, Health Assembly at its 60th session in May 2007. It is ease control has shown is that when there is an (Bahamas, Egypt, Georgia, Iraq, Jamaica, Oman, Department of Public Health is screening all the a day for recognizing the global effort to provide opportunity to control the spread of disease, it must Russian Federation, and Syrian Arab Republic) have new immigrants for six infectious diseases and one effective control of malaria andan opportunity for be taken. Therefore, now is the time for the malaria interrupted transmission and are in the prevention of them is also the malaria. All the new immigrants countries in the affected regions to learn from each community to regroup, reenergize and look ahead of reintroduction phase. coming from malaria endemic countries are other’s experiences and support each other’s efforts, to “invest in the future: defeat malaria”. screened in Malaria Laboratory and all malaria for new donors to join a global partnership against Investments in malaria control have created Funding for malaria infected individuals are treated in Infectious malaria, for research and academic institutions to unprecedented momentum and yielded remarkable The International funding for malaria control has Diseases Hospital and then followed by the share their scientific advances to both experts and returns in the past years. In Africa, malaria deaths continued to rise in seven years from $ 0.3 billion to Preventive Health Section of the area clinics for rad- general public, for international partners, companies have been cut by one third within the last decade; $2.0 billion in 2011. The donations of Kuwait and ical treatment. The total number of imported cases and foundations to showcase their efforts to control outside of Africa, 35 out of the 53 countries, affected Japan of $ 3 and 800 million, respectively, are well of malaria are reduced tremendously in Kuwait malaria. by malaria, have reduced cases by 50 per cent. In appreciated by the Roll Back Malaria Partners. The from 1,400 in 2002 to 287 in 2013. The World Malaria Day Roll Back Malaria (RBM) countries where access to malaria control interven- amounts required is still short to reach malaria con- The 2010 was an important year in achieving the partner organizations unite around a common tions has improved most significantly, overall child trol targets which is estimated about $5 billion per goals and targets for malaria control and the fol- theme every year. The theme of the World Malaria mortality rates have fallen by approximately year for the years 2010-2015. The financing provid- lowing strategy was adopted: 1. The year 2010 was Day for the year 2013 - 2015is”Invest in Future: 20%.The Roll Back Malaria campaign “Invest in the ed for malaria control has enabled endemic coun- the date set to achieve universal coverage for all Defeat Malaria”. The International malaria communi- future: defeat malaria” will help strengthen the polit- tries to greatly increase access to insecticide-treat- populations at risk of malaria using locally appro- ty has just over 615 days left to meet the targets of ical will across the world and will contribute to ed mosquitonets, indoor residual spraying of insec- priate interventions for prevention and case man- delivering effective and affordable protection and increase the funding needed to control malaria in ticides, number of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and agement, and to reduce the malaria burden by at treatment to all people at risk of malaria, reducing endemic countries. artemisinin-based combination therapies. Despite least 50% compared to the levels in the year 2000. the number of preventable deaths to near-zero by this significant progress, however, more work is 2. The targets are now to: (i) reduce global malaria 2015 and achieving the Millennium Development needed before the target of universal access is deaths to near zero by the end of 2015 (ii) reduce Goals decided by the World Health organization. History of malaria attained. the global malaria cases by 75% from 2000 levels World Malaria Day represents a chance for all of Currently over 200 species of Plasmodium are In December 2013 the US Congress was hosted by the end of 2015and (iii) eliminate malaria by the us to make a difference, whether, a government, a recognized and new species continue to be a conference in Washington, D.C. to finance the end of 2015 in 10 new countries since 2008. These company, a charity, or an individual, everyone can described. There are at least 6 species ( P. falciparum, Global Fund to fight HIV, TB, and Malaria from 2014 targets will be met by (a) achieving and sustaining roll back malaria and help to generate broad gains in P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, P. knowlesi and P. to 2016. There, President Obama announced that universal access by utilization of preventive meas- multiple areas of health and human development. cynomogi ) infect to humans, whereas, other species the United States will provide one dollar for every ures (b) achieving universal access to case manage- Reducing the impact of malaria would significantly infect animals, including monkeys, rodents, birds, two dollars contributed by the rest of the world, up ment in the public and private sectors and in the enhance the efforts to achieve the Millennium and reptiles. The first known case of a naturally to $5 billion by 2016. This commitment in Congress community by accelerating the development of Development Goals as agreed by every member of acquiredPlasmodium cynomolgi in humans from will remain critical not just to making history on surveillance systems. Michigan man among first in US to get ‘bionic eye’ A high-tech procedure

ANN ARBOR A degenerative eye disease slowly to a gradual loss of the light-sensitive retinal na’s remaining healthy cells, causing them to robbed Roger Pontz of his vision. Diagnosed with cells called rods and cones. Patients experience relay the signal to the optic nerve. retinitis pigmentosa as a teenager, Pontz has loss of side vision and night vision, then central The visual information then moves to the been almost completely blind for years. Now, vision, which can result in near blindness. brain, where it is translated into patterns of light thanks to a high-tech procedure that involved Not all of the 100,000 or so people in the US that can be recognized and interpreted, allowing the surgical implantation of a “bionic eye,” he’s with retinitis pigmentosa can benefit from the the patient to regain some visual function. regained enough of his eyesight to catch small bionic eye. An estimated 10,000 have vision low When wearing the glasses, which Pontz refers glimpses of his wife, grandson and cat. enough, said Dr Brian Mech, an executive with to as his “eyes,” he can identify and grab his cat “It’s awesome. It’s exciting - seeing something Second Sight Medical Products Inc., the Sylmar, and figure out that a flash of light is his grand- son hightailing it to the kitchen. The visual improvement is sometimes star- tling for Pontz and his wife, Terri, who is just as Dr Kian Sadaat amazed at her husband’s progress as he is. “I said something I never thought I’d say: ‘Stop staring at me while I’m eating,’” Terri Pontz Hassan’s Optician, said. She drives her husband the nearly 200 miles from tiny Reed City, Mich., to Ann Arbor for ZEISS host seminar check-ups and visits with occupational therapist Ashley Howson, who helps Roger Pontz reawak- KUWAIT: On April 17, Hassan’s Optician and business segments including retail and dis- en his visual memory and learn techniques ZEISS, hosted a training seminar in Marina tribution of luxury eyewear, jewelry, hear- needed to make the most of his new vision. Hotel.The CEO of Hassan’s Optician Dr Kian ing aids, etc. Saadat and the Hassan’s management At Carl Zeiss Vision, quality manage- Game-changer attended this seminar along with ZEISS ment means more than perfect production At the recent visit, Howson handed Pontz Authorized dealers and over 200 of precision prescription spectacle lenses. white and black plates, instructed him to move Optometrists and guests related to the field. The quality of ZEISS products and services them back and forth in front of light and dark The training was held by Zeiss’ highly is not only guaranteed by the quality man- backgrounds and asked that he determine their qualified German experts, where they dis- agement system. Only in this way does Carl color. cussed the high technology and new fea- Zeiss Vision provide products and services Back home, Terri Pontz helps her husband tures of ZEISS (Progressive Lenses, Single that exceed the high demands of con- practice the techniques he learns in Ann Arbor. Vision Lenses, Office Lenses, Digital Lenses) sumers. For them, the long hours on the road and the and updated them about this brand in Carl Zeiss is a company with a long tra- homework assignments are a blessing. “What’s it details. dition that was founded by Carl Zeiss in worth to see again? It’s worth everything,” Terri A few highlights on Zeiss is that the first 1846 in Jena as a precision mechanics and Pontz said. man on the moon was photographed optics workshop, headquartered in The artificial retina procedure has been per- using Zeiss Camera Lenses and Google Oberkochen, Germany. Now the Carl Zeiss formed several-dozen times over the past few Earth uses Zeiss optics to capture images of Group is an international leader in the years in Europe, and the expectation is that it the world’s surface. Not to forget that Zeiss fields of optics and optoelectronics. In fiscal will find similar success in the US, where the Camera lenses play their own role in year 2012/13the company’s approximately ANN ARBOR: Dr Naheed Khan, right, works with Roger Pontz, on an exercise to test University of Michigan is one of 12 centers Hollywood blockbusters and Zeiss 24,000 employees generated revenue of how well he sees shapes on a computer screen at the University of Michigan Kellogg accepting consultations for patients. Microscopes helped Nobel laureates make nearly 4.2 billion euros. In the markets for Eye Center in Ann Arbor. —AP Candidates for the retinal prosthesis must be red blood cells visible. Industrial Solutions, Research Solutions, 25 or older with end-stage retinitis pigmentosa In 1951, Hassan’s Optician Company, led Medical Technology and Consumer Optics, new every day,” Pontz said during a recent Calif.-based company that makes the device. Of that has progressed to the point of having “bare by Mr. Hasan Sadat opened in Kuwait, signi- Carl Zeiss has contributed to technological appointment at the University of Michigan those, about 7,500 are eligible for the surgery. light” or no light perception in both eyes. fying the start of a business empire. The progress for more than 160 years and Kellogg Eye Center. The 55-year-old former com- Dr Thiran Jayasundera, one of two physicians company has predominantly been a retail- enhances the quality of life of many people petitive weightlifter and factory worker is one of Visual information who performed the 4.5-hour surgery on Roger er operating in Kuwait for last 50+ years. It around the globe. The Carl Zeiss Group four people in the US to receive an artificial reti- The artificial implant in Pontz’s left eye is part Pontz, is scheduled to discuss his experiences is the first company in Kuwait to operate in develops and produces planetariums, eye- na since the Food and Drug Administration of a system developed by Second Sight that with the retinal prosthesis process during a branded eyewear and manufacture & dis- glass lenses, camera and cine lenses and signed off on its use last year. includes a small video camera and transmitter meeting of the American Society of Cataract and tribute ophthalmic lenses. binoculars as well as solutions for biomed- The facility in Ann Arbor has been the site of housed in a pair of glasses. Refractive Surgery on Friday in Boston. He calls it ical research, medical technology and the all four such surgeries since FDA approval. A fifth Images from the camera are converted into a a “game-changer.” High demands semiconductor, automotive and mechani- is scheduled for next month. series of electrical pulses that are transmitted Pontz agrees: “I can walk through the house Having established its presence with cal engineering industries. Carl Zeiss is Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disease wirelessly to an array of electrodes on the sur- with ease. If that’s all I get out of this, it’d be more than 40 fine optical showrooms in present in over 40 countries around the that causes slow but progressive vision loss due face of the retina. The pulses stimulate the reti- great.” —AP Kuwait, the company today has the biggest globe with about 40 production facilities, share of the optics business in Kuwait and over 50 sales and service locations and branches on several continents.Hassan’s service locations and approximately 20 Breastfeeding may protect Group vast empire comprises of varied research and development sites. against heart disease

PARIS: People who had low birth person suffers from inflammation. CRP levels in young adults. breastfeeding may reduce a major weights and those breastfed for “Each pound of additional birth Chronic inflammation had long risk factor for heart disease well short periods may be more likely weight predicted a CRP concentra- been linked to cardiovascular dis- into adulthood,” said Alan to develop chronic inflammation tion that was five percent lower,” ease, but the causes of the little- Guttmacher, director of the Eunice linked to heart disease in adults, a said a statement from Northwestern understood condition remain Kennedy Shriver National Institute study said Wednesday. University, whose experts took part unclear. of Child Health and Human Researchers in the United in the study published in the journal The US study was done among Development. States found a “significant” associ- Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 24- to 32-year-olds from different The World Health Organisation ation in almost 7,000 people “Three to 12 months of breast- race groups and educational back- describes breastfeeding as “one of between birth weight or duration feeding predicted CRP levels that grounds, and included compar- the most effective ways” to ensure of breastfeeding and higher levels were 20 to 30 percent lower com- isons between siblings so as to rule child health and survival. of C-reactive protein (CRP), an pared with individuals who were out the confounding influence It recommends exclusive indicator of inflammation, in not breastfed.” that growing up in vastly different breastfeeding up to the age of six blood samples of young adults. The study found that breast- socioeconomic environments months, but says this advice is put The protein is produced by the feeding had “the same or greater could have on the results. into practice for less than 40 per- liver and levels increase when a effect” as medicines on reducing “The results suggest that cent of infants globally. —AFP ZEISS management THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

KPFA celebrates national days of Kuwait & Pakistan

uwait Pakistan Friendship Association tions. He spoke highly of Kuwait - Pakistan ed the audience for celebrating jointly the (KPFA) recently celebrated the national relationship and emphasized that this relation- national days of Kuwait and Pakistan. Kdays of Kuwait and Pakistan with ship should grow further in all aspect. He also said that Pakistan and Kuwait renewed pledge to further cement the ties He also praised that Pakistani workforce enjoys cordial relations and there was a com- between the two brotherly nations. who are playing a pivotal role in the develop- monality on major issues of the world The gathering was attended by Sheikh ment of Kuwait and appealed to the govern- between the two nations. In his vote of thanks, Fahad Al-Sabah from Diwan Al Amiri, the ment to consider relaxing visa restriction on KPFA President Rana ljaz Hussain thanked the Acting Ambassador of Pakistan in Kuwait, them. distinguished guests and the Executive Hassan Wazir and the Ambassador of Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah, also spoke highly Council of KPFA. Afghanistan Dr Assadullah Hanif Balkhi. Large of two nations and stressed the need to fur- At the end some Kuwaiti and Pakistani indi- number of Kuwaiti and Pakistani dignitaries ther enhance the relationship between the viduals were honored for their services which also participated in the function. two countries. He also thanked the Pakistani includes Nasir Abdul Mohsin Al Man - The function started with the national Blood Donors, who have donated 1000 bags Chairman & MD of Noor Investment, Najla Al anthem of two nations, followed by a cake cut- of blood to Central Blood Bank. Sheikh Fahad Ghanium - Chairperson Gulf Consult, ting ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, the also congratulated the two communities on Abdulrahman Al Sagar, Asad Baig for promot- Patron of KPFA, Mubarak Sadoun Al Mutawar the occasion of national day celebrations. ing cricket in Kuwait, Professor Sajjad Ur welcomed the distinguished guests and con- Acting Ambassador of Pakistan, Hassan Rehman for his services to KPFA and gratulated them on their national day celebra- Wazir also spoke on the occasion and facilitat- Education, and Haji Chman Jan - Social Worker.

Indian Frontliners’ founder conferred with doctorate award

TEC organises festival for Chevrolet Corvette C Mohandoss, founder of Indian Universities in India. And there are few students, than Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of Frontliners Association (IFL), was con- already doing research on his works, for their India at Chennai at a NGO Function. he Touristic Enterprises Company organized a festival for Chevrolet Corvette owners Nferred with an Honorary Doctorate award PhD. Mohandoss is employed since 1994, with at the Khairan Resort recently. The event took place in cooperation with the Kuwait by the International Tamil University, Maryland, The IFL Association founded by him with Kuwait National Petroleum Company. He feels a TCorvette Club, and saw participation of more than 50 Corvettes of different models, USA in recognition of his work in the field of lit- service minded people in Kuwait has done yeo- sense of pride in owning that his success is due shapes and colors. erature and community services. man service to thousands of people in the past to the support, patience and guidance of his A function for conferring the award was held two decades. wife Arulmozhi, and their only daughter Vinu, recently on 6th April 2014, at Madurai V Grand Members of Frontliners Team take part in who correctly reads his mind and reflects his Hotel graced by dignitaries and eminent persons campaigns, such as tree-planting etc organized ambitions and aspirations in every way. from different walks of life including Ponraj, the by the Kuwait Volunteer Work Centre under the Mohandoss dedicates this honor to the advisor of former President Dr APJ Kalam. The guidance of its Chairperson, Madam Sheikha Frontliners team, supporters, well-wishers & doctorate was given by founder and chancellor Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Indian Embassy for their involvement and asso- of the World Tamil University Selvin Kumar. From Mohandoss was recently honored as the ciation with him for this achievement. Madurai Kamaraj University Professor ERA founder of Frontliners association by none other Mohan presided over the function and Mrs Nirmala Mohan gave felicitation speech. With Mohandoss Golden jubilee photogra- pher Yoga, Kallaru Sathis an industrialist from Swiz and 25 other achievers from various fields received this honour. Ravi Tamilvanan and sen- ior journalist Nurullah did the MC. Author of more than 100 books till date, N.C.M is well known in Tamil Nadu with his liter- ary works appearing regularly in leading Tamil newspapers and magazines. He has written 173 novels, 400 short stories and more than 3000 articles. He has also scripted four TV dramas and has crafted a distinct style of writing, including GUST participates in on travels and personalities. His narration of true-life incidents and life education exhibition sketch of people who have achieved success against heavy odds have been an inspiration nder the patronage of Ahmad Al the Courtyard Marriot Hotel. The two-day and encouragement for all. Mulaifi, Minister of Education and exhibition gave the high school students Since 5 years NCM’s writings are in the Minister of Higher Education, the the chance to know more about the univer- approved list for students pursuing their U Gulf University for Science and Technology sity, the majors it offers, the social life at Doctorate research studies at Chidambaram participated in the educational exhibition GUST and all the information they need to Annamalai University, one of the popular entitled :”How to determine my future” at apply after graduation. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

he Bangladeshi community in Kuwait organized a ceremony at the Touristic Park to celebrate the Bangladeshi New Year. Ambassador of Bangladesh to Kuwait Mohammad Ashab Uddin attended the Tevent. He was welcomed by TEC officials led by Public Relations and Media Director Saqr Al-Badr.

The Bangladeshi ambassador to Kuwait hosted a reception at his residence on the occasion of the Bangladesh New Year 1421. It was attended by a large number of diplomats and other dignitaries. —Photos by Joseph Shagra TV PROGRAMS THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

20:00 The Inspector Lynley 11:35 Treehouse Masters 18:00 Pitch Perfect-PG15 19:30 Inside The PGA Tour Mysteries 12:25 You Have Been Warned 20:00 Scary Movie 5-PG15 20:00 Trans World Sport 20:45 Mad Dogs 13:15 Head Games 22:00 Resident Evil: Retribution-18 21:00 Live Snooker 21:30 The Vicar Of Dibley 14:05 Border Security 00:45 I’m Alive 22:00 Incredible Journeys With 14:30 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 01:35 Untamed & Uncut Steve Leonard Edition 02:25 Echo And The Elephants Of 22:50 The Weakest Link 14:55 The Liquidator Amboseli 23:35 Eastenders 15:20 Machines Of Glory 01:00 NRL Full Time 01:00 Trans World Sport 02:50 Echo And The Elephants Of 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 01:30 Futbol Mundial 02:00 Snooker Amboseli 17:00 Ultimate Survival 02:00 Golfing World 06:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 03:15 Natural World 17:50 Wheeler Dealers 03:00 NRL Premiership 06:30 Inside The PGA Tour 04:05 My Wild Affair: The Rhino 18:40 You Have Been Warned 05:00 Super Rugby 07:00 AFL Premiership Highlights Who Joined... 19:30 Get Out Alive With Bear 07:00 Trans World Sport 08:00 Total Rugby 04:55 Animal Cops Phoenix 00:00 BBC World Grylls 08:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 08:30 Futbol Mundial 05:45 Wild Africa Rescue 01:00 BBC World 20:20 How Stuff Works 08:30 Live PGA European Tour 09:00 Snooker 06:10 Wild Africa Rescue 02:00 BBC World 20:45 How Stuff’s Made 12:30 Futbol Mundial 13:00 Golfing World 06:35 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 03:00 BBC World 21:10 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 13:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 14:00 PGA European Tour 07:00 Escape To Chimp Eden 04:00 BBC World Edition 14:00 Trans World Sport 19:00 WWE NXT 07:25 Weird Creatures With Nick 05:00 BBC World 21:35 The Liquidator 15:00 Live Snooker 20:00 NHL Baker 06:00 BBC World 22:00 Sons Of Guns 19:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 22:00 Live PGA Tour 08:15 Wild France 07:00 BBC World 22:50 Amish Mafia 09:10 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 08:00 BBC World 23:40 Extreme Smuggling 09:35 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 09:00 BBC World 10:05 Echo And The Elephants Of 10:00 BBC World Amboseli 11:00 BBC World 10:35 Echo And The Elephants Of 12:00 BBC World Review Amboseli 13:00 BBC World 00:20 The Gadget Show 11:00 Animal Precinct 14:00 BBC World 00:45 How Stuff Works 11:55 Escape To Chimp Eden 15:00 BBC World 01:10 Super Comet: After The 12:20 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 16:00 BBC World Impact 12:50 ER Vets 17:00 BBC World ‘Annapurna’ 02:00 Moon Machines 13:15 ER Vets 18:00 BBC World 02:45 Mythbusters 13:45 Wild Things With Dominic 19:00 BBC World 03:35 Bang Goes The Theory Monaghan 20:00 BBC World 21:00 BBC World 04:00 Bang Goes The Theory is an intimate 14:40 Echo And The Elephants Of 04:30 Moon Machines Amboseli 22:00 BBC World 05:20 Smash Lab 15:05 Echo And The Elephants Of 23:00 BBC World 06:10 How The Earth Works Amboseli 07:00 Rocket City Rednecks look at divorce 15:30 My Cat From Hell 07:25 Rocket City Rednecks 16:30 Wild France 07:55 Da Vinci’s Machines 17:25 The Wild Life Of Tim Faulkner 08:45 Bang Goes The Theory 17:50 The Wild Life Of Tim Faulkner 00:30 Nightmare In Suburbia 09:10 Bang Goes The Theory ome of the many ways people can 18:20 Animal Maternity Ward 01:30 My Ghost Story 09:40 How The Earth Works 19:15 Call Of The Wildman destroy their own happiness are on full, 02:30 My Ghost Story 10:30 Mighty Ships 19:45 Call Of The Wildman tragic display in Sharr White’s imagina- 03:30 The Haunting Of 11:20 Moon Machines S 20:10 Extreme Animals 04:30 Private Crimes 12:10 Smash Lab tive play “Annapurna.” Real-life husband and 21:05 Echo And The Elephants Of 13:00 How Stuff Works wife Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally play Amboseli 05:00 Beyond Scared Straight 13:30 Bang Goes The Theory 21:35 Echo And The Elephants Of 06:00 The First 48 a divorced couple with a big mystery in their 13:55 Bang Goes The Theory Amboseli 07:00 Homicide Hunter 14:20 Mythbusters past, in an intimate, convincingly natural pro- 22:00 Call Of The Wildman 08:00 Homicide Hunter 15:10 Smash Lab duction, directed by Bart DeLorenzo, that 22:30 Call Of The Wildman 09:00 Homicide Hunter 16:00 Mighty Ships 22:55 Extreme Animals opened Monday night off-Broadway at The 10:00 Killers 16:50 How The Earth Works 23:50 Animal Cops Phoenix New Group. 11:00 Beyond Scared Straight 17:40 Moon Machines 12:00 Evil Up Close 18:30 Super Comet: After The In a comically shocking introduction to 13:00 I Killed My BFF Impact HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD Offerman’s character, Ulysses, his estranged, 14:00 Killers 19:20 The Gadget Show urbane ex-wife Emma bursts into his squalid 19:30 Dr G: Medical Examiner 12:00 Sharks of Lost Island 15:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder 19:45 How Stuff Works 12:15 Special Ops-PG15 20:20 Disappeared 12:55 Built for the Kill trailer to find him clad only in a loincloth-like 00:10 Doctors Casebook 20:10 Mythbusters 14:00 Lakeview Terrace-PG15 21:00 Freaks Of Nature 21:10 On The Case With Paula Zahn 13:50 Dead or Alive 16:00 Superman: Unbound-PG apron and an oxygen backpack. From this 00:40 Silk 16:00 Curious & Unusual Deaths 01:30 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 21:25 Freaks Of Nature 22:00 Deadly Affairs 14:45 Night Stalkers 18:00 Special Ops-PG15 overly quirky reunion, White, (“The Other 16:30 Private Crimes 02:15 One Foot In The Grave 21:50 Human Body: Ultimate 22:50 True CSI 15:40 Lions Behaving Badly 20:00 Cherry Falls-18 Place”), builds the rest of his story with care. 17:00 Homicide Hunter 23:40 Deadly Women 16:35 Man Hunt 02:55 Absolutely Fabulous Machine 22:00 Stone’s War: War Of The DeLorenzo’s sure touch lets the focus linger 03:25 The Inspector Lynley 18:00 The First 48 22:40 Bang Goes The Theory 17:30 How Big Can It Get Dead-18 Mysteries 19:00 The Devil You Know 23:05 Bang Goes The Theory 18:25 Prehistoric Predators on more somber moments while capturing 04:15 The Weakest Link 20:00 Beyond Scared Straight 23:30 Moon Machines 19:20 Built for the Kill the humor and irony of others Ulysses and 05:00 Tweenies 21:00 Private Crimes 20:10 Dead or Alive 21:00 Night Stalkers Emma move warily into genuinely poignant 05:20 The Green Balloon Club 21:30 Evil Up Close 21:50 Lions Behaving Badly discussions about their failed relationship, 05:45 Poetry Pie 22:30 Crime Stories 00:00 Chelsea Lately 00:00 Midnight Run-PG15 05:50 Gigglebiz 00:30 The Spin Crowd 22:40 Man Hunt 02:15 BASEketball-PG15 their son Sam, and some of their other life 23:30 The First 48 00:30 Scorned: Crimes Of Passion 06:05 Charlie And Lola 00:55 The Spin Crowd 23:30 How Big Can It Get 04:00 Back To The Future-PG15 choices. Underlying their realistic dialogue, 01:20 Deadly Sins 06:15 Tweenies 01:25 Style Star 06:00 Frankenweenie-PG 02:10 Evil, I White includes some slightly heavy-handed 06:35 The Green Balloon Club 01:50 Style Star 08:00 The Big Year-PG 02:35 Evil, I suspense about the mystery of the last night 06:55 Poetry Pie 02:20 THS 10:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 03:00 Couples Who Kill 07:00 Gigglebiz 03:15 Extreme Close-Up 12:00 Back To The Future-PG15 they saw each other 20 years earlier, when 03:45 Nightmare Next Door 07:15 Little Human Planet 03:40 Extreme Close-Up 14:00 The Sisterhood Of The Emma took 5-year-old Sam away and perma- 04:30 Dr G: Medical Examiner 07:20 After You’ve Gone 00:30 Treehouse Masters 04:10 E!ES Traveling Pants-PG15 nently severed all communication with 01:20 You Have Been Warned 05:20 Disappeared 05:05 THS 07:50 One Foot In The Grave 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 16:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 02:10 Head Games 06:10 On The Case With Paula Zahn 06:00 E!ES Ulysses. 08:30 Absolutely Fabulous Stewart 18:00 Ghostbusters II-PG 03:00 You Have Been Warned 07:00 Murder Shift 07:50 Style Star Offerman, probably best-known for TV’s 09:00 Eastenders 01:00 The Colbert Report 20:00 Bob Funk-18 03:50 Border Security 07:50 Extreme Forensics 08:20 E! News 09:30 Doctors 03:00 The Simpsons 22:00 Midnight Run-PG15 “Parks and Recreation,” is impressive as a bro- 04:15 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 08:40 I Was Murdered 09:15 Scouted 10:00 The Weakest Link 03:30 Back In The Game ken man making the sardonic best of the Edition 09:05 Stalked: Someone’s Watching 10:15 Married To Jonas 10:45 Drop Zone 04:00 All Of Us 04:40 The Liquidator 09:30 Dr G: Medical Examiner 10:40 Chasing The Saturdays bottom of his self-created downward trajec- 11:35 After You’ve Gone 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 05:05 How Stuff Works 10:20 On The Case With Paula Zahn 11:10 Eric And Jessie: Game On tory. He’s eminently sympathetic as blustery 12:05 Absolutely Fabulous Jimmy Fallon 05:30 How Stuff’s Made 11:10 Disappeared 11:35 Eric And Jessie: Game On 12:35 One Foot In The Grave 05:30 My Boys Ulysses, a recovering blackout alcoholic, one- 06:00 Get Out Alive With Bear 12:00 Murder Shift 12:05 E! News 01:30 Vanishing On 7th Street- 13:15 Eastenders 06:30 My Name Is Earl Grylls 12:50 I Was Murdered 13:05 Extreme Close-Up time English professor and once-successful 13:45 Doctors 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers PG15 07:00 You Have Been Warned 13:15 Stalked: Someone’s Watching 13:35 THS cowboy-poet. 14:15 The Weakest Link 08:00 All Of Us 03:15 Les Miserables-PG15 07:50 Finding Bigfoot 13:40 Extreme Forensics 14:30 Style Star 15:00 Drop Zone 08:30 My Boys 06:00 Another Harvest Moon-PG15 Now terminally ill, Ulysses lives in self- 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 14:30 Disappeared 15:00 Keeping Up With The 15:50 After You’ve Gone 09:00 The Simpsons 07:30 Class-PG15 imposed exile and squalor in a Colorado 09:30 Border Security 15:20 Dr G: Medical Examiner Kardashians 16:20 Lark Rise To Candleford 09:30 The Mindy Project 09:00 Vanishing On 7th Street- 09:55 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 16:10 On The Case With Paula Zahn 16:00 Keeping Up With The mountain trailer park, which he sarcastically 17:10 Eastenders 10:00 Modern Family PG15 Edition 17:00 Murder Shift Kardashians calls “the ugliest, saddest accidental nudist 17:40 Doctors 10:30 My Name Is Earl 11:00 Les Miserables-PG15 10:20 The Liquidator 17:50 Extreme Forensics 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 18:10 The Weakest Link 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring colony you ever saw.” 10:45 How Stuff Works 18:40 I Was Murdered 18:00 E! News 13:45 The Intouchables-PG15 19:00 My Hero Jimmy Fallon Emmy Award-winner Mullally is understat- 11:10 How Stuff’s Made 19:05 Stalked: Someone’s Watching 19:00 E!ES 15:45 Down The Shore-PG15 19:30 The Cafe 12:30 All Of Us 20:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 17:30 Good Day For It-PG15 ed, taut and brisk as Emma tries to compre- 13:00 My Boys 20:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 19:00 The Twilight Saga: Breaking hend the newly-discovered wreckage of her 13:30 My Name Is Earl 21:00 Fashion Police Dawn Pt. 2-PG15 14:00 Back In The Game ex-husband’s life while quietly focused on a 22:00 Party On 21:00 Limitless-PG15 14:30 The Mindy Project mission of her own. Throughout her subtle 22:30 E! News 23:00 360-18 15:00 Modern Family performance, Mullally generates the feeling 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon that Emma is still fond of her unfortunate ex, Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report even though she’s only cleaning up his 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers appearance for the imminent arrival of Sam. 18:00 Last Man Standing 01:00 Internal Affairs-18 Thomas A. Walsh’s grimy, decrepit trailer 00:00 Jurassic C.S.I. 18:30 New Girl interior is so disgusting and successfully 01:00 Hard Time 19:00 The Mindy Project 03:00 The Star Chamber-PG15 02:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 19:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 05:00 The Flowers Of War-PG15 claustrophobic that you can imagine the fleas 03:00 Megastructures 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 07:30 Resistance-PG15 hopping onto the audience. Looming above 04:00 Storm Worlds Jimmy Fallon 09:00 Like Crazy-PG15 is a majestic snow-covered mountain, a 05:00 Naked Science 2.5 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 11:00 Hold Fast-PG15 reminder of the heights of success from 06:00 Megastructures Stewart 13:00 Twist Of Fate-PG15 21:30 The Colbert Report which Ulysses has fallen. Adding to the real- 07:00 Rebuilding Titanic 15:00 Encounter With Danger- 22:00 Family Guy 08:00 Jurassic C.S.I. PG15 ism, DeLorenzo has Mullally bustling about 22:30 Brickleberry 17:00 Morning-PG15 cleaning filthy surfaces, throwing out 09:00 Hard Time 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 10:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 19:00 Marie Antoinette-PG15 decayed food, and actually tidying up the 11:00 Megastructures 21:00 Meeting Evil-18 mess. If only life could be tidied up this neat- 12:00 The Indestructibles 23:00 Timer-PG15 ly, too. — AP 12:30 The Indestructibles 13:00 Naked Science 2.5 03:00 Nip/Tuck 14:00 Megastructures 12:00 Emmerdale 15:00 Rebuilding Titanic 12:30 Coronation Street 01:00 The Possession-PG15 16:00 Evacuate Earth 16:00 Emmerdale 02:45 Jack Reacher-PG15 17:00 Hard Time 16:30 Coronation Street 05:00 Wreck-It Ralph-PG 18:00 Brave New World 19:00 Necessary Roughness 07:00 Parental Guidance-PG 19:00 Pirate Patrol 23:00 Nip/Tuck 09:00 Red Dawn-PG15 20:00 Blowdown 10:45 Jack Reacher-PG15 21:00 Close Quarter Battle 13:00 The Call-PG15 21:30 Diggers 15:00 All In Good Time-PG15 22:00 Pirate Patrol 17:00 Red Dawn-PG15 23:00 Nat Geo Amazing! 01:00 Good Morning America 19:00 The Guilt Trip-PG15 05:00 Good Morning America 21:00 Promised Land-PG15 14:00 Live Good Morning America 23:00 G.I. Joe: Retaliation-PG15 19:00 24 20:00 Covert Affairs 22:00 Strike Back 00:20 Animal Autopsy 23:00 Hannibal 01:10 Inside Nature’s Giants 02:00 World’s Deadliest Killers 00:00 Excision-R 02:50 World’s Deadliest GPU 01:45 White House Down-PG15 03:45 Night Stalkers 04:00 Standing Ovation-PG15 04:40 Bug Attack 06:00 3 Times A Charm-PG15 05:35 World’s Deadliest Killers 08:00 Steel Magnolias-PG15 06:30 World’s Deadliest GPU 00:00 Starship Troopers-18 10:00 Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds This image released by Seven17 Public Relations 07:25 Night Stalkers 02:15 Dredd-18 Away-PG shows Nick Offerman, left, and Megan Mullally in a 08:20 American Eagle 04:00 Drop Zone-PG 11:45 White House Down-PG15 scene from ‘Annapurna’ performing off-Broadway 09:15 How Human Are You? 06:00 Jurassic Park-PG15 14:00 The Wishing Well-PG15 at The New Group in New York. — AP 10:10 How Big Can It Get 08:15 Lakeview Terrace-PG15 16:00 Steel Magnolias-PG15 DREDD ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 11:05 Prehistoric Predators 10:15 The Last Stand-PG15 Classifieds

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

REQUIRED Kuwait FLOOR FOR RENT KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY BIG COMPANY (24/04/2014 TO 30/04/2014) requires IN SURRA SHARQIA-1 RIO 2 (DIG) 6:30 PM OUTDOOR BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 1:45 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 8:45 PM AVENUES-3 SALES MAN TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 3:30 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 10:45 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 2:30 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 6:00 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 12:45 AM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 4:45 PM Must Have Super Deluxe finishing, TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 7:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 7:00 PM driving license BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 10:15 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 9:30 PM marble floors, 4 bedrooms, BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 12:15 AM FANAR-3 IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 11:30 PM [email protected] NO SUN+TUE+WED CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 1:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED Fax: 24761284 BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 4:15 PM 4 baths, big salon, large SHARQIA-2 CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 6:15 PM AVENUES-4 REQUIRED RIO 2 (DIG) 1:30 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 9:00 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 1:30 PM equipped kitchen, separate THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 3:45 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 11:00 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 3:45 PM IMMEDIATELY RIO 2 (DIG-3D) 5:45 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 1:00 AM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 6:00 PM entrance, overlooking THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 8:00 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 8:15 PM - A dentistry clinic in Jabriya is THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 10:00 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 10:30 PM looking to hire THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 12:05 AM FANAR-4 IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 12:45 AM the main road. NO SUN+TUE+WED THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 1:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 2 Filipina nurses. THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 3:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED - Work experience in the SHARQIA-3 THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 6:00 PM field required. BL. #2, St. # 5, Plot # 606 TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 12:45 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 8:00 PM 360º- 1 - Good salary. SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 2:30 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 10:00 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 1:00 PM TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 4:45 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 12:05 AM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 3:00 PM 99288121 Call: 99424726 IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 6:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 5:00 PM 90998835 SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 8:30 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 7:00 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 10:45 PM MARINA-1 BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 9:00 PM REQUIRED IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 12:45 AM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 1:30 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 11:00 PM FOR SALE SITUATION WANTED NO SUN+TUE+WED AL MA3DIYA (DIG) 3:30 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 1:00 AM Graphic OCULUS (DIG) 5:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED An academic Arabic MUHALAB-1 SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 7:30 PM Doctor leaving Kuwait, teacher 35 years experience Designer TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 1:30 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 9:45 PM 360º- 2 excellent condition, two in teaching Arabic lan- TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 3:30 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 12:05 AM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 1:45 PM sofas and two TVs. Phone: Must have BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 5:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 4:15 PM 99598324. (C 4707) guage for foreigners. Tel: BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 7:30 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 6:45 PM 23-4-2014 99538080. (C 4702) experience Arabic TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 9:30 PM MARINA-2 SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 9:00 PM 22-4-2014 typing & reading. BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 12:05 AM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 2:00 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 11:15 PM Toyota Prado (4 clr) 2006, Transferable NO SUN+TUE+WED THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 4:00 PM golden color, in very good residence. TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 6:00 PM 360º- 3 condition. KD 3,450. Tel: MUHALAB-2 THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 8:30 PM TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 2:00 PM 50994848. (C 4704) Contact: SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 12:45 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 10:30 PM TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG-3D) 4:00 PM 97733645 - 99648416 CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 3:00 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 12:30 AM TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 6:00 PM Camry GLX (full option sun SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 5:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG-3D) 8:00 PM roof) color-gray metallic, AL MA3DIYA (DIG) 8:00 PM CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 10:00 PM model 2010, km 75200, SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 10:00 PM MARINA-3 CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (DIG) 12:45 AM cash KD 3750. Call: THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 12:15 AM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 12:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED 97800987. (C 4706) NO SUN+TUE+WED TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG-3D) 2:30 PM 22-4-2014 CIVIL INFORMATION RIO 2 (DIG) 4:15 PM AL-KOUT.1 MUHALAB-3 TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG-3D) 6:30 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 1:30 PM Automated enquiry RIO 2 (DIG-3D) 2:00 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 8:15 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 3:45 PM CHANGE OF NAME THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 4:15 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 10:15 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 5:45 PM aboutthe Civil ID card is RIO 2 (DIG-3D) 6:15 PM IN THE BLOOD (DIG) 12:15 AM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 7:45 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 8:30 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 9:45 PM I, Mohmood Abdul THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 10:30 PM THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 11:45 PM Abubakar S/O Mohmood 1889988 THE QUIET ONES (DIG) 12:30 AM AVENUES-1 NO SUN+TUE+WED Abdul Kareem of Indian NO SUN+TUE+WED TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 1:45 PM Passport No. E8783786 TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 4:15 PM AL-KOUT.2 hereby change my name to FANAR-1 TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 6:45 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 12:30 PM Mohammed Abdul Prayer timings SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 1:45 PM TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 9:15 PM BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 2:15 PM Abubakar S/O Mohammed AL MA3DIYA (DIG) 4:00 PM TRANSCENDENCE (DIG) 11:45 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 4:15 PM Abdul Kareem R/O 12-11- Fajr: 03:49 SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 6:00 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 6:30 PM 659/A Warasiguda, Sec-bad, AL MA3DIYA (DIG) 8:15 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 8:30 PM HYD - AP, India. (C 4705) Shorook 05:13 SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 10:15 PM AVENUES-2 BRICK MANSIONS (DIG) 10:45 PM 22-4-2014 SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 12:30 AM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 12:45 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 12:45 AM Duhr: 11:46 NO SUN+TUE+WED SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 3:00 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 5:15 PM Asr: 15:22 FANAR-2 SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 7:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 RIO 2 (DIG) 1:00 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 9:45 PM RIO 2 (DIG) 12:30 PM Maghrib: 18:20 TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 3:00 PM SNOWPIERCER (DIG) 12:05 AM TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 2:30 PM TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 4:45 PM NO SUN+TUE+WED TINKER BELL AND THE PIRATE FAIRY (DIG) 4:15 PM 112 Isha: 19:42

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 24/4/2014 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 Departure Flights on Thursday 24/4/2014 FDB 058 Dubai 14:35 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 779 Jeddah 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 741 Dammam 14:35 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 QTR 1079 Doha 14:55 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:40 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:20 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:25 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:35 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 JZR 539 Cairo 00:30 KNE 460 Riyadh 15:05 KLM 411 Amsterdam 00:55 QTR 8646 Dhaka 15:30 DLH 637 Dammam 00:35 KNE 470 Jeddah 15:35 JZR 502 Luxor 01:30 KAC 617 Doha 15:30 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:25 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 DLH 637 Frankfurt 01:35 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:35 JZR 555 Alexandria 01:25 MPH 093 Amsterdam 15:40 THY 773 Istanbul 02:20 JZR 188 Dubai 15:50 MSC 403 Asyut 01:30 OMA 645 Muscat 15:50 MSC 404 Asyut 02:30 KNE 481 Taif 15:50 SAI 441 Lahore 01:35 FDB 051 Dubai 15:55 SAI 442 Lahore 02:35 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 THY 764 Istanbul 01:40 KAC 118 New York 16:00 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 GFA 211 Bahrain 01:55 QTR 1072 Doha 16:15 FDB 068 Dubai 03:45 KNE 471 Jeddah 16:30 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 RJA 640 Amman 16:20 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:35 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 02:30 JZR 125 Bahrain 16:25 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:20 FDB 052 Dubai 16:35 JAI 576 Kochi/Abu Dhabi 02:35 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:45 QTR 1077 Doha 04:25 OMA 646 Muscat 16:50 FDB 067 Dubai 03:05 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:50 JZR 560 Sohag 04:50 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 KAC 562 Amman 16:50 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 MPH 093 Dubai/SIN 17:10 QTR 1076 Doha 03:25 UAE 857 Dubai 16:55 AFG 416 Kabul 05:10 QTR 1073 Doha 17:20 AFG 416 Jeddah 04:00 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 RJA 641 Amman 17:20 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 THY 765 Istanbul 06:00 JZR 538 Cairo 17:40 THY 770 Istanbul 04:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 JAI 575 Abu Dhabi/Kochi 06:30 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:45 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 KAC 742 Dammam 17:35 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:50 FDB 069 Dubai 05:50 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 UAE 858 Dubai 18:15 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 17:45 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 IRA 673 Ahwaz 06:20 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:00 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 JZR 529 Asyut 06:35 TAR 328 Tunis/Dubai 18:05 JZR 240 Amman 07:05 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 BAW 157 London 06:35 KAC 542 Cairo 18:15 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 JZR 156 Dubai 18:35 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 QTR 1080 Doha 18:25 IRA 672 Ahwaz 07:20 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 JZR 503 Luxor 07:40 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:30 KAC 537 Sohag 08:00 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 FDB 063 Dubai 18:45 BAW 156 London 08:25 TAR 328 Tunis 18:55 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:50 KAC 104 London 18:45 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 QTR 1081 Doha 19:25 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50 AXB 393 Kozhikode 18:55 JZR 778 Jeddah 08:45 FDB 064 Dubai 19:25 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 ABY 129 Sharjah 19:00 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 ABY 120 Sharjah 19:40 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 KAC 618 Doha 19:00 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:00 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 AXB 394 Kozhikode 19:55 KAC 352 Kochi 08:05 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 KAC 502 Beirut 19:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:30 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:35 KAC 331 Trivandrum 20:50 ABY 125 Sharjah 08:50 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:55 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:35 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 FDB 062 Dubai 20:50 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 OMA 647 Muscat 19:55 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:15 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:30 FDB 061 Dubai 20:05 FDB 056 Dubai 10:15 OMA 648 Muscat 20:55 FDB 055 Dubai 09:35 AFG 415 Kabul 20:10 KAC 101 London/New York 10:25 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 IZG 4161 Mashhad 09:40 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:15 IZG 4162 Mashhad 10:40 AFG 415 Jeddah 21:10 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 JZR 552 Alexandria 21:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:25 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:30 KAC 541 Cairo 11:30 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:30 JZR 561 Sohag 11:15 KNE 480 Taif 21:00 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 501 Beirut 11:40 KNE 461 Riyadh 21:55 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:45 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 SYR 341 Damascus 12:05 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 TBZ 5483 Mashhad 12:30 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 JZR 241 Amman 12:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 KAC 381 Delhi 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 FDB 059 Dubai 22:00 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:40 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 THY 6512 Istanbul 22:10 SYR 342 Damascus 13:05 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 MSR 579 Sohag 13:05 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:25 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 FDB 060 Dubai 22:40 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 JZR 124 Bahrain 13:30 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 KAC 672 Dubai 13:40 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 TBZ 5484 Mashhad 13:45 KAC 203 Lahore 23:10 KAC 538 Sohag 13:40 JZR 157 Dubai 22:55 MSR 580 Sohag 13:50 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:35 QTR 1078 Doha 13:45 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 THY 6512 Istanbul 23:40 FDB 057 Dubai 13:55 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:20 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:40 QTR 8646 Doha 14:00 THY 772 Istanbul 23:45 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 528 Asyut 23:50 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 CROSSWORD 527 STAR TRACK

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

Communication is the drive today. Whether your business is directly in sales Solid, secure and comfortable situations can be expected in most avenues or not, you must make yourself understood-ask if the buyer has any questions. This will of your life. This is a great time to be with others, in work or play. Others help to eliminate any disagreements or frustrations later. That little extra time will endear may require your presence for a particular job and you are able to cope with the extra you to your customers. Making yourself understood creates a clear path to your positive work. There may be some serious decisions made about the future of a project, investment gains. At home this afternoon, the same one-on-one situation may occur with regard to or term of employment with your business at this time. Your management and directional taking a little time to communicate well with each family member. This time, however, it abilities are in high focus. A feeling of being at peace and stable on the emotional level is you who must do the listening. Make it a point to do your best to spend time with each comes into influence at this time. Stability is important to you now and you look for every member of your little family so as to build stability. There is talk among family members of way you can to secure your future. You are sensitive to the needs of others and can be a investing in land near a lake and you like what you hear. good mentor. Tremendous personal insights are available.

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

Your imagination just keeps firing up with wonderful new ideas. Think seriously about your work this morning and what you have learned Sometimes there are so many ideas that a few of them get forgotten along the way. and how far you can grow within the company. If you want to stay, do not Consider keeping a diary or catalog your ideas in a card catalog type of box. The wonder- hesitate to present your ideas. If you want to move forward in your profession, privately ful worlds of design, advertising, consulting are all possibilities for you along with many write down some definite goals. You may decide that now is the time to further your edu- other creative professions. While looking for a change and a better income, your attrac- cation. Most of the time your capabilities leave your present work status behind; it is time tions include your successes. Always add a picture or description of a few of your success- to reassess. Whatever you decide, this is the time to get down to business with your per- es when you apply for a new job adventure. This time around your birthday is a high-ener- sonal plans. If you have not gotten a health check yet, you may want to schedule one. If gy and positive time to achieve what you want. Picture what you want and begin now to you start school or decide to change jobs, time off now would be a good idea. Best friends see, hear and smell your successes. Happy birthday! will support your ideas and may have helpful information to share.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Your financial situation fares a bit better at this time but do not hesitate to You may be urging communications between long-time enemies in order work out a plan that will help you to invest or save for the future. Continue to create a peaceful result. There is a dynamic and outgoing quality to your lifestyle now. to avoid high-risk or frivolous spending. Willingness to cooperate over these past few days ACROSS DOWN This is no time to be meek. You’d be smart to speak up-loud and clear. Competition has good points and questionable points. You may have been moved to the limelight, 1. A change in the electrical properties of the 1. Made from or covered with gold. encourages you today. You may be besting others in the heat of competition and taking especially with superiors. You may find that you enjoy your job but there are more respon- skin in response to stress or anxiety. 2. Basically shredded cabbage. on a leadership role that means more to you at this time. A financial situation deserves sibilities than usual. Because of your management techniques, you can change these addi- your attention this afternoon. Get an agreement in writing for your own protection. tional responsibilities before it gets to be too much or you may find a raise in order. Think 4. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug 3. (botany) Having stalked flowers along an Conditions permitting, this evening will find you following through on a few previous (trade name Clinoril). on these matters but do not act on them just yet as you may find yourself going against elongated stem that continue to open in suc- plans. Outdoor sports activities are the direction of your energies. A group from work or a authority. Today it should be easy to channel your energy. 12. Title for a civil or military leader (especially cession from below as the stem continues to group you have joined may take part in a bit of competition. in Turkey). grow. 15. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm 4. A saltwater fish with lean flesh. used in India for writing paper. 5. A large vase that usually has a pedestal or Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. A river in central Brazil that flows generally feet. northward (with many falls) to join the There are many conversations around you today. There may be an occasion 6. A girl or young woman who is unmarried. You will be feeling better and better about your career path now. People or to listen to the comments of your co-workers around a conference table. Tocantins River. 7. Large herbivorous tropical American arbo- time that blocks your progress may frustrate you; this is one of your life lessons to learn. Take notes and just listen to the views of others for now; later you can research your par- 17. An informal term for a father. Allowing yourself patience, enough to go through the obstacles, learning lessons and real lizards with a spiny crest along the back. ticular interests. With good information, and a basis for individual complaints or insight 18. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac moving ahead creates that complete person you are looking for within your own self. 8. (law) Lacking any legal or binding force. before the next conference, you will be able to lend some focus to what seems like a dis- The blocks we experience will prepare and teach us about our world and how we fit into insects. aster waiting to happen. Your thoughts or comments may be up for debate but little will 9. Marked by features of the immediate and it. You can accomplish your dreams earlier than you thought possible. By carefully bal- 19. A rude expression intended to offend or be said in conflict. You are the peacemaker. At home this evening you may find yourself usually discounted past. ancing your aims with your current circumstances and needs, you can gradually increase able to be more expressive. hurt. 10. The branch of computer science that deal your finances. 20. God of wealth and love. with writing computer programs that can 22. Think moodily or anxiously about some- solve problems creatively. thing. 11. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 24. The general activity of selling. where driver sits. Leo (July 23-August 22) 25. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls. 12. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 26. A sweet quick bread baked in a cup- You can become mesmerized by the magic of life and you enjoy being There is opportunity for success or financial growth that has not been avail- 13. Mentally or physically infirm with age. able before. You should, however, avoid material status symbols at this time. Attempt to shaped pan. caught up in the glamour. Keeping your concentration steady and knowing where or how 14. (Old Testament) In Judeo-Christian you want to see your goals completed, you will remain untouched by the magic of the find a higher purpose in your career efforts. Be attentive to your responsibilities since they 28. An informal term for a father. mythology. unknown possibilities. Problem solving is easier when the creative mind is active. You cannot be ignored. This is a most beneficial time to exchange ideas and seek out new proj- 31. Any of several plants of the genus ect or investments. There could be an unexpected change in the normal family routine. 21. A large number or amount. work to develop your creative mind in some venue of art, music or photography. You can Brodiaea having basal grasslike leaves and encourage others to become expressive in some form of art as well. Your attitude is posi- This just could mean a change in scenery for some upcoming trip. A feeling of being at 23. A Baltic-Finnic language. globose flower heads on leafless stems tive, making your professional life confident. Someone may compliment you on your peace and stable on the emotional level is important at this time. Stability and perma- 27. Having much flesh (especially fat). nence satisfies a deep emotional need. If you are staying home this evening, a new CD or resembling those of genus Allium. tastes or belongings this afternoon. 29. An officer who acts as military assistant to some other form of music could be enjoyed. 33. The striking of one body against another. a more senior officer. 37. Elude, esp. in a baffling way. 30. Diabetes caused by a relative or absolute 38. A piece of furniture that provides a place Virgo (August 23-September 22) to sleep. deficiency of insulin and characterized by Pisces (February 19-March 20) polyuria. 40. Wild plum of northeastern United States There are keys and techniques for solving problems. While others do not having dark purple fruits with yellow flesh. 32. A refund of some fraction of the amount Steer away from romantic arguments today. Circumstances may conspire to limit and hinder your sense of independence and originality-this will pass. You may seem to want to cooperate today, you may be looking for ways to compro- 41. A religious belief of African origin involv- paid. mise. Study some self-help books in the library and find tools that will help you to help 34. The table in Christian churches where spend a great deal of time communicating with others today. Keep up the work-your ing witchcraft and sorcery. patience and positive train of thought will gain you much. You show a bit of assertiveness others. If you are working in an environment that is unpleasant, it can leave you feeling 43. A unit of length of thread or yarn. communion is given. as you work on a project with others. Your workday ends with all of your work completed. drained toward the end of the day. You are not the only one that is feeling this drain, but you may be the only one that is willing to find a solution. You might like to ignore respon- 45. A protocol developed for the internet to 35. Any spherical or nearly spherical bacteria. Be sure to give everyone their due and take no solo bows. An older person will be giving 36. A native American tent. you advice, strength and hope this afternoon. Your heightened instincts will prove benefi- sibilities and do some socializing later. Again, it may be up to you to make some needed get data from one network device to another. changes. This evening you will have some real opportunities to involve yourself with your 39. Late time of life. cial as you lend a helping hand in return for all the verbal encouragement. Music ends 46. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic your search for harmony and quiet moments this evening. friends and chat about your hobbies. Enjoy a walk after the evening meal. element. 42. A river that rises in central Germany and 50. A support that steadies or strengthens flows north to join the Elbe River. 44. In bed. something else. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 52. Greenwich Mean Time updated with leap 47. Tall Australian timber tree yielding tough seconds. hard wood used for staves etc. 53. A Loloish language. 48. Of or relating to or characteristic of the 55. The branch of engineering science that Republic of Chad or its people or language. studies the uses of electricity and the equip- 49. A bivalent and trivalent metallic element ment for power generation and distribution of the rare earth group. and the control of machines and communica- 51. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped tion. cucumbers and spices. 60. (astronomy) The angular distance of a 54. Method or manner of conduct in relation celestial point measured westward along the to others. celestial equator from the zenith crossing. 56. An epic in Latin by Virgil. 61. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh. 57. The cry made by sheep. 65. The upper house of the parliament of the 58. Chorea in dogs. Republic of Ireland. 59. Disposed of as useless. 69. Any of several related languages of the 62. Any property detected by the olfactory Celts in Ireland and Scotland. system. 70. Large genus of Australian evergreen 63. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a shrubs or small trees with large daisylike flow- skewer usually with vegetables. ers. 64. (Jungian psychology) The inner self (not 73. A religious belief of African origin involv- the external persona) that is in touch with the ing witchcraft and sorcery. unconscious. 74. Tree of low-lying coastal areas of south- 66. A member of an Iroquoian people former- eastern United States having glossy leaves ly living on the south shore of Lake Erie in and racemes of fragrant white flowers. northern Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania 75. Acutely insightful and wise. and western New York. 76. A member of a Mayan people of south- 67. Characteristic of false pride. western Guatemala. 68. United States poet and critic (1899-1979). 77. Paying particular notice (as to children or 71. The upper side of the thighs of a seated helpless people). person. 78. Any customary and rightful perquisite 72. A federal agency established to coordinate appropriate to your station in life. programs aimed at reducing pollution and 79. A loose sleeveless outer garment made protecting the environment. from aba cloth. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 information

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

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

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

Nuzha 22526804 Afghanistan 0093 Iran 0098 Albania 00355 Iraq 00964 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Algeria 00213 Ireland 00353 Qadsiya 22515088 Andorra 00376 Italy 0039 Angola 00244 Ivory Coast 00225 Dasmah 22532265 Anguilla 001264 Jamaica 001876 Antiga 001268 Japan 0081 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Argentina 0054 Jordan 00962 Shaab 22518752 Armenia 00374 Kazakhstan 007 Australia 0061 Kenya 00254 Qibla 22459381 Austria 0043 Kiribati 00686 Bahamas 001242 Kuwait 00965 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Bahrain 00973 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Mirqab 22456536 Bangladesh 00880 Laos 00856 Barbados 001246 Latvia 00371 Sharq 22465401 Belarus 00375 Lebanon 00961 Belgium 0032 Liberia 00231 Salmiya 25746401 Belize 00501 Libya 00218 Jabriya 25316254 Benin 00229 Lithuania 00370 Bermuda 001441 Luxembourg 00352 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Bhutan 00975 Macau 00853 Bolivia 00591 Macedonia 00389 Bayan 25388462 Bosnia 00387 Madagascar 00261 Mishref 25381200 Botswana 00267 Majorca 0034 Brazil 0055 Malawi 00265 W Hawally 22630786 Brunei 00673 Malaysia 0060 Bulgaria 00359 Maldives 00960 Sabah 24810221 Burkina 00226 Mali 00223 Jahra 24770319 Burundi 00257 Malta 00356 Cambodia 00855 Marshall Islands 00692 New Jahra 24575755 Cameroon 00237 Martinique 00596 Canada 001 Mauritania 00222 West Jahra 24772608 Cape Verde 00238 Mauritius 00230 South Jahra 24775066 Cayman Islands 001345 Mayotte 00269 Central African 00236 Mexico 0052 North Jahra 24775992 Chad 00235 Micronesia 00691 Chile 0056 Moldova 00373 North Jleeb 24311795 China 0086 Monaco 00377 Ardhiya 24884079 Colombia 0057 Mongolia 00976 Comoros 00269 Montserrat 001664 Firdous 24892674 Congo 00242 Morocco 00212 Cook Islands 00682 Mozambique 00258 Omariya 24719048 Costa Rica 00506 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 N Khaitan 24710044 Croatia 00385 Namibia 00264 Cuba 0053 Nepal 00977 Fintas 23900322 Cyprus 00357 Netherlands (Holland) Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 0031 Czech Republic 00420 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Denmark 0045 New Caledonia 00687 Diego Garcia 00246 New Zealand 0064 PRIVATE CLINICS Djibouti 00253 Nicaragua 00505 Dominica 001767 Nigar 00227 Dominican Republic 001809 Nigeria 00234 Ecuador 00593 Niue 00683 Egypt 0020 Norfolk Island 00672 El Salvador 00503 Northern Ireland (UK) Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Ophthalmologists Endocrinologist England (UK) 0044 0044 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Equatorial Guinea 00240 North Korea 00850 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Eritrea 00291 Norway 0047 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Estonia 00372 Oman 00968 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Ethiopia 00251 Pakistan 0092 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Falkland Islands 00500 Palau 00680 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Faroe Islands 00298 Panama 00507 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Fiji 00679 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Finland 00358 Paraguay 00595 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 (1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 France 0033 Peru 0051 French Guiana 00594 Philippines 0063 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, Rheumatologists: French Polynesia 00689 Poland 0048 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 FRCS (Canada) 25655535 Gabon 00241 Portugal 00351 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dentists Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Gambia 00220 Puerto Rico 001787 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Georgia 00995 Qatar 00974 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Germany 0049 Romania 0040 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ghana 00233 Russian Federation 007 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Gibraltar 00350 Rwanda 00250 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Greece 0030 Saint Helena 00290 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Greenland 00299 Saint Kitts 001869 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Grenada 001473 Saint Lucia 001758 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Guadeloupe 00590 Saint Pierre 00508 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Guam 001671 Saint Vincent 001784 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Guatemala 00502 Samoa US 00684 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Guinea 00224 Samoa West 00685 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Guyana 00592 San Marino 00378 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Haiti 00509 Sao Tone 00239 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Saudi Arabia 00966 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Honduras 00504 Scotland (UK) 0044 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Hong Kong 00852 Senegal 00221 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Hungary 0036 Seychelles 00284 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sierra Leone 00232 Soor Center Iceland 00354 Singapore 0065 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 India 0091 Slovakia 00421 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 Indian Ocean 00873 Slovenia 00386 Indonesia 0062 Solomon Islands 00677 LIFESTYLE36 THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 Gossip

Nyong’o named People’s ‘Most Beautiful’ eople magazine has named Lupita Nyong’o as the “World’s Most Beautiful” for 2014. The 31-year-old actress, who won a best supporting actress Oscar Pfor her role in “12 Years a Slave,” tops the magazine’s list, announced yester- day. Commenting on being selected for this year’s cover, Nyong’o says: “It was exciting and just a major, major compliment. I was happy for all the girls who would see me on it and feel a little more seen.”

Fey-Poehler comedy to face off with new ‘Star Wars’

he Tina Fey-Amy Poehler sister comedy “The Nest” will open on Friday, Dec 18, Universal Pictures said Tuesday. TThat’s the same day that Disney will open “Star Wars: Episode 7,” so the studio is clearly making a counter-program- ming play against the latest installment in the classic sci-fi series. Sony is rolling out the thriller “Inferno” that day as well. Fey and Jay Roach are producing “The Nest,” which will be directed by Jason Moore (“Pitch Perfect”) from a script by Paula Pell (“30 Rock”). Poehler is executive producing. It’s about two disconnected adult sisters summoned home to clean out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family house. Looking to recapture their glory days, they throw one final high-school-style party for their former classmates. Barrymore welcomes second baby girl Zeta-Jones and Douglas hit rew Barrymore is now a mommy of two. The 39-year-old actress and her 36-year- old husband, Will Kopelman, are welcoming their second daughter. Barrymore’s the town together - again! Drep, Chris Miller, confirms Frankie Barrymore Kopelman was born Tuesday. Barrymore and Kopelman’s first child, daughter Olive, is 19 months old. The couple say in a atherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas appeared “really happy” at the statement that “Olive has a new little sister, and everyone is healthy and happy!” Monte Cristo Awards this week. The couple - who announced they were Barrymore told The Associated Press earlier this month that becoming a parent is the Ctaking a temporary “break” from their 13-year marriage last August - greatest thing she’s ever done in my life. Barrymore’s latest film, out May 23, is the family- seemed content in one another’s company at the New York event and friends say friendly comedy “Blended,” which co-stars Adam Sandler. Her recent photo book, “Find It in their relationship seems well and truly back on track. A source told People maga- Everything,” was dedicated to daughter Olive. zine: “They looked really happy to be together. “Things seem to be going really well for them. I knew they were going to work as hard as they could on their mar- riage, especially for the kids. It’s a good thing.” Catherine and Michael - who have son Dylan, 13, and daughter Carys, 11 together - are said to have impressed friends with their dedication to making their union work. A source said recently: “It Kris Jenner blasted by sister is so easy to just give up. But they wanted to put in the work. I’m really happy for them.” Michael’s mother, Diana Douglas, first confirmed that he and Catherine ris Jenner has been blasted by her sister. The showbiz matriarch has “changed” and were back together last month. She said: “They are together. I knew they would got caught up in a showbiz lifestyle, Karen Houghton has claimed, but her younger work it out. They’re both gentle people, not hysterical. They’re always very affec- Ksibling doesn’t think the ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star is happy. Karen told tionate and easy with each other. I figured the more everybody stayed out of it the RadarOnline.com: “I can’t get to her anymore. But I guess it’s the money. “She’s a huge better.” The couple had a difficult few years during which ‘Red 2’ star Catherine celebrity and now she has changed. I’m not saying admitted that she suffers from bipolar disorder - which led to her spending time in good or bad. But I’ve seen what it can do to Kris... rehab for depression - and Michael battled tongue cancer. ever since she moved to LA. “I think my sister needs inner peace. She’s not warm and fuzzy. She works so hard and making money, but is it making her happy? I don’t know. “I think she needs to laugh more. She’s very serious.” Karen claims Kris - who split from husband Bruce Jenner last October after 22 years of marriage - has “isolated” herself from Spelling devastated by the rest of her family and she doesn’t like her relatives telling her what McDermott’s infidelity they really think. She added: “She’s isolating herself from the family. I ori Spelling says Dean McDermott’s infidelity “broke her heart”. The ‘Beverly Hills tried to reach out to her, but she’s 90210’ actress was left devastated when her husband confirmed he had cheated very aloof. “I tell her like it is and she Ton her with Emily Goodhand and has admitted she is unsure whether they now doesn’t like it. If something makes me have a future together. Speaking after a joint therapy session on her new reality show upset, I tell her. She doesn’t like it ‘True Tori’, she said: “I know he’s my soulmate. I know he’s the love of my life. I also know because of who she is. I love her, but I he broke my heart.” Though she admitted she “still loves” Dean, Tori - who has children tell her how I feel. “I get angry at her Liam, seven, Stella, five, Hattie, two, and 18-month-old Finn with her spouse - added that because she doesn’t respond to me. If you “this might not have a happy ending.” She also said: “I’m so scared we won’t grow old think your sister would call you back, she together. That’s my biggest fear.” Earlier in the episode, the 40-year-old star had admitted doesn’t. And it hurts me. I don’t care how she didn’t initially believe the rumors that Dean had cheated on her. She said: “I didn’t much money you have or who you are, you’re my think for a second that it was true.” However, when she confronted her spouse - who sister. I’m not afraid of her.” checked into rehab in December 2013, the day after confirming the claims - his unusual body language gave him away. She recalled: “His right eyebrow was shaking up and down ... and I said, ‘I’ve never seen your eyebrow shake before.” When Tori met with Dean, 47, in rehab, he pledged to change his life as he didn’t “want to lose” the actress. He told her: “I’ve hurt you so bad. That’s why I’m dealing with my alcoholism and my addiction. “I cheated on you and I lied to you. I’m sorry. I don’t want to lose you.” However, she replied: Meryl Streep tired of awards “I’m angry that you cheated on me. I’ve been let down over and over and over again.” eryl Streep “hates” inviting people to awards ceremonies. The 64-year-old actress - who has been nominated for an Oscar 18 times and won three of the coveted statuettes - picked up Mthe 14th annual Monte Cristo Award by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center for her “artistic commitment to excellence and accomplishment” in the arts in New York on Monday and though he was there to support her, her husband Don Gummer insisted he no longer gets “excited” when his wife wins a prize. Asked if he gets sick of watching her pick up honors, Don told the New York Daily News newspaper’s Confidenti@l column: “Not sick, I just don’t get excited. She just always hates asking peo- ple or having people asked to come support her. She gets tired of it ... after a while what can they say.” Don also admitted he and his wife - who have been married for 37 years and have children Henry Wolfe, 34; Mamie, 30; Grace, 27; and Louisa, 22, together - squabble over household chores, and a reg- ular argument between them is whether to “wash the dishes or put them in the dishwasher.” Meryl was presented with the accolade by actor Joe Grifasi, who told the audience - which included Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas - about a time he and the actress went to a beach several years ago. They swam out to a rock and she told him she wanted to be married with children by the time she was 35. And in her acceptance speech, Meryl also recalled the incident, say- ing: “Thank you to my husband for my four children that I dreamed up on that rock on the beach that day. He came along thank Perry crashed child’s birthday party God.” And the ‘Devil Wears Prada’ star also received a comical musical tribute from aty Perry made children cry after gatecrashing a five year old’s birthday party. The ‘Dark Horse’ hitmaker dressed up as a clown for the video for her songwriting duo Robert Lopez and Kristen track ‘Birthday’ and carried out a prank at a party, where she attacked a man with children in tears. Eye witnesses told TMZ, Katy pranked a real birth- Anderson-Lopez, who reworked ‘Love is an Kday party and most of the guests had no idea it was a joke. Children were crying and one woman “stormed away” visibly upset by her antics. The Open Door’ from ‘Frozen’ to be about Meryl. hidden camera gag was shot at Knollwood Country Club outside Los Angeles and a video obtained by the website shows one little girl saying, “Mommy, I A source said: “It was about how much they want to leave.” During an interview on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’, Katy spoke about going “undercover” at the bash, but didn’t mention the fall out. Speaking ear- love Meryl and her movies and the chorus lier this week, she said: “I just did a music video completely undercover as five of the world’s worst birthday entertainers, because I was sick of making gor- was, ‘We want to be Meryl Streep.’ At the geous music videos where I’m sexual.” Jimmy joked: “People are sick of that, yeah, really tired of looking at you.” Katy, 29, then previewed a clip of the video end, they sort of whispered Meryl Streep, which sees her dressed as a clown drinking and burping, saying: “I’m not really a birthday party entertainer, I’m just trying to get some cash on the side,” which was very funny.” adding, “Happy birthday kids.” —Bang Showbiz LIFESTYLE37 THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 Features Vienna’s Versailles offers imperial hideaway

choenbrunn Palace was Marie- his headquarters. Antoinette’s summer childhood home Elsewhere a six-year-old Mozart played for Sand the beautiful and tragic Sissi’s favored Empress Maria Theresa in the 1760s, while the residence. Mozart performed there as a child Blue Chinese Salon was where Emperor Charles and Napoleon was so smitten he moved in- I in 1918 signed the document that ended 640 twice. And from April 30, tourists too can years of Habsburg dominion. Later, in 1961, sojourn in Vienna’s top tourist site, in a convert- John F Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita ed suite of rooms with views over the palace Khrushchev met under the ceiling frescoes of gardens, even with butler, cook and horse- the Great Gallery, the crystal-mirrored former drawn conveyance. royal imperial ballroom. “This is unique in Europe,” Birgit Reitbauer from the Verkehrsbuero Austrian hotel group All mod cons behind the Schoenbrunn Palace Suite told AFP The suite is believed to have been the pri- during a sneak preview. The new suite is above vate apartments of Franz-Joseph’s grand- the former bed chamber of the bushy- daughter, “Red Archduchess” Elisabeth, born a whiskered Emperor Franz Joseph and the study princess in 1883 and who died a socialist in where his independent-minded wife “Sissi”- 1963. In keeping with Maria Theresa, mum of assassinated in 1898 — would write poems and guillotined “let them eat cake” Marie her diary. Renovated at a cost of 400,000 euros Antoinette, it has gushings of white, black and ($555,000), it includes two bedrooms, two bath- gold, combined with the imperial “pineapple rooms, a salon, a living room and a kitchenette damask” red cloth. Unlike in Schoenbrunn’s with a fridge full of drinks. Built as an answer to heyday, however, there are modern conven- Versailles in France, Schoenbrunn and its gar- iences like three widescreen televisions, and palace like a pampered princess in a four- star Parkhotel, roses, champagne, something Japan, looking for something special, as well as dens-home to the world’s oldest surviving zoo- elegant stucco work and chandeliers are poster bed is not for paupers, however. Prices called a “romantic bath”-and breakfast. Top of well-heeled Europeans and Americans. “Many are a UNESCO world heritage site, attracting mixed with a more modern touch. “It was per night start at 699 euros per person, not the range though is the “Imperial Suite Japanese people come to Vienna to renew eight million visitors per year. important for us to maintain the imperial flair including breakfast. For that you have to go Package” with dinner rustled up by a private their vows and have beautiful photos and Its Napoleon Room was where the French of Schoenbrunn Palace ... without having to over to the nearby Parkhotel where check-in chef, a private tour of the whole palace and memories, and we hope we can attract some dictator-who ditched his Josephine to marry a omit any modern elements,” explained Franz happens, or make your own. other goodies-all for 4,900 euros per night. of them,” Reitbauer explained. “Surprisingly, Habsburg princess-slept after occupying Vienna Sattlecker, who oversees rentals at the site.The The “Honeymoon Package”, at 2,700 euros, The main targets are wealthy tourists who however, our first bookings are actually people in 1805 and in 1809 and making Schoenbrunn experience of waking up in a 1,441-room gets newlyweds a carriage ride from the four- flock to Vienna from Russia, China, India and from Vienna.” —AFP

The 27-year-old sole vocalist Yukari Miyake, the petty officer third class of defense forces, sings during a rehearsal for the concert of her Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Band, Tokyo in Matsudo, Chiba prefecture on December 6, 2013. —AFP Japan military in popularity push

acifist Japan is gradually learning to love Most commentators agree China is off the its military, with an apparent public rela- mark and Japan remains no threat to neighbor- Ptions campaign under way to soften its ing countries. A bigger obstacle to the project is image, featuring online popularity contests, a public opinion at home. Kirk Spitzer, a journalist Photo shows Filipino students look at the carvings on a rock wall in Binangonan east of Manila. —AFP photos much-touted soprano vocalist and dating specializing in military matters, says “the majority events. The armed forces are also visible in of Japanese still have a lot of qualms about hav- youth culture, with young teens tuning in to ing a real military service”. But, he adds, “I do think “Girl und Panzer” a cartoon about schoolgirls that Japanese people are becoming a little bit who do battle in tanks. Japan’s most popular more used to (the idea) than in previous years.” Twitter hashtag in 2013 was #KanColle, a refer- Philippines’ oldest artworks ence to an online game in which anthropomor- A ‘new stage’ phized warships compete to out-pretty each A tense stand-off over disputed islands in the other as young girls. The image change comes East China Sea is greasing the wheels for Abe, as nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is push- who has decreed the military budget for this ing to give the Self Defence Forces (SDF) more financial year, which started April 1, is going up. money and scope to act as a normal military Saeki, a former Lieutenant General in the ground might, at a time of rising tensions with China. force, says the military feels that it needs to be The SDF has not fired a shot in battle since a prepared for all scenarios. Under the US-Japan in danger of disappearing battered and broken Japan surrendered in 1945, security alliance “there has been an implicit n a small rock wall a short drive from the accepting a United States-led occupation that assumption that the US is the pike and Japan the Philippine capital, enigmatic carvings would last until 1952. Its once-huge armed forces shield”, he said. that are believed to date back 5,000 years were emasculated, stripped by the foreign- “People’s mindset is now changing... We are O are in danger of disappearing before their mys- imposed constitution of the right to wage war undoubtedly in a new stage.” Spitzer says that teries can be solved. The 127 engravings of peo- and restricted to a self-defence role. What arose in even with the shifting international sands, the ple, animals and geometric shapes are the their place was an organization that spent the armed forces themselves seem unsure of where Southeast Asian nation’s oldest known artworks, intervening decades quietly becoming a highly- they fit in. He points out the differences between but encroaching urbanization, vandals and the professional and well-disciplined force, one far Japan and the US, for example, where it is not ravages of nature are growing threats. removed from the army that wreaked havoc uncommon to see military men and women. “Eventually they will disappear... preservation across Asia before and during World War II in the In Japan, generals commute to their head- is out of the question,” veteran anthropologist name of the emperor. quarters in civilian clothes and change into uni- Jesus Peralta, who did an extensive and widely Relief efforts in the aftermath of Japan’s 2011 forms when they get there, he says. It is an respected study of the carvings in the 1970s, tsunami awakened the public to its modern-day organization that is “torn about what direction told AFP. The artworks have been declared a military, and the sight of soldiers combing they want to go,” he said. “The Japanese military national treasure, regarded as the best proof wrecked coastlines became a comfort for those themselves are wondering if they should begin that relatively sophisticated societies existed in whose loved ones had disappeared beneath the to become more of a military organization than the Philippines in the Stone Age. waves. “People have begun to feel the same way they have been in recent years.” Japan hopes that “They show that in ancient times, the about the military as they do about police or its military becomes respectable as a career Philippines did have a complex culture. It’s a firefighters,” said Yoshinori Saeki, secretary-gen- choice to help with the recruitment of educated recording of our ancestors,” said Leo Batoon, a eral of the Tokyo-based Research Institute for and dedicated soldiers, sailors and airmen-no senior researcher of the National Museum. Peace and Stability. mean feat in a rapidly-ageing society. And it is Museum scientists believe the carvings date perhaps this more than anything else, suggests back to 3000 BC, based on carving tools and pot- Charm offensive Spitzer that explains the PR campaign of musi- tery shards discovered at the site, indicating On the frontline of nurturing friendly ties cians and popularity contests. It helps to “create they originated before the use of metal tools. with citizens is Yukari Miyake, a 27-year-old pet- the idea that people in the military are normal This makes them far older than the country’s ty officer third class dubbed the “sole vocalist” of people or everyday people-they are not some Photo shows carvings on a rock wall in second oldest known artworks, a series of geo- Binangonan east of Manila. the 230,000-strong SDF. On the sidelines of a group of killers”. —AFP metric shapes in the mountainous northern concert in Tokyo last year, Miyake said the public Philippines that are believed to date to 1500 BC, tide of neglect. The carvings are in mountains seemed to warm to her. “There is great signifi- according to Batoon. about 90 minutes’ drive from Manila that only a cance in the fact that I sing in uniform. But museum workers say it is difficult to con- few decades ago were entirely forested. But Whenever I sing on stage for the audience, I feel clusively determine the age of the carvings-sci- most of the trees have since been chopped dearly that I’m giving them inspiration and that entifically referred to as ‘petroglyphs’-due to down to make way for the country’s fast-grow- they’re more open about their feelings with technical and financial constraints. “Most of our ing population, with a holiday resort, a golf someone in uniform,” she told AFP. artifacts in the museum are sent abroad and course and upper-class housing now surround- Those who came to the concert said musical only if we have partners and proponents to ing the rock wall. and other cultural activities were contributing to spend for such dating,” said Batoon. A real estate developer owns the land on softening the image of troops. “As more and which the petroglyphs sit. He donated the hill- more people get to know these kind of activities, Little known about carvings side on which the carvings are located back to I think the image of SDF will change,” said Little else is known about the figures, or the the national museum but allowed only a small Nobuyuki Shikada, 43. A campaign last year people who etched them. One clue is that many buffer zone, and a road runs just 10 meters (33 invited the public to vote for their favorite per- of the human carvings appear to be in a squat- feet) from the carvings. Wind and rain, as well as sonnel in an online contest, complete with clips ting position, which has led scientists to theorize plant roots creeping through the stone, have ground pipes, which could weaken the hillside. of a muscular serviceman stripped to the waist that the area was a place of worship. The carv- also damaged the soft rock where the carvings And despite their rich importance to the nation’s and doing pull-ups. ings were first documented by acclaimed are etched. The poorly funded national museum history, the carvings are not a major tourist And a three-times-a-year, match-making Philippine artist Carlos Francisco in 1965 while cannot afford to pay for adequate security so attraction. The national museum has construct- event with ground, air and maritime officers he was leading a Boy Scout troop on a hike. vandalism is also a constant worry. ed a small wooden viewing deck so visitors can drew a record 1,427 applications from single Since then, they have been known as “the People have scrawled their names on the get a good look at the petroglyphs without get- women last month, more than 10 for every avail- Angono Petroglyphs,” after Francisco’s home- rock and there are slash marks on some carvings ting close enough to deface them, but there is able place. The charm offensive comes as a con- town nearby. that archaeologists have determined were only little else to attract. fident Abe pushes to reconfigure Japan’s role in The World Monuments Fund, a New York- made recently. Mining at a nearby gravel pit a Tattoo artist Myke Sambajon did make the the world, and specifically that of its armed based private group that works to protect histor- few years ago also shook the ancient site, Roden trip from Manila recently with his friends to see forces. He wants to re-interpret national law to ical sites, placed the Angono Petroglyphs on its Santiago, a national museum guide, told AFP. the carvings and said it was worth the long allow Japanese troops to take up arms to defend list of endangered monuments in 1996 and has Fortunately, after the museum made a request, motorcycle ride despite being initially disheart- an ally under attack, so called collective self- Yukari Miyake poses at the gate of provided help in their preservation. The UN the pit owners found a less threatening way to ened by rudimentary nature of the tourist site. “I defence. Beijing has sought to paint Abe’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization extract their minerals, according to Santiago, but felt pride because I never knew our people had moves as a dangerous slide towards the mili- the Japan Maritime Self-Defence (UNESCO) has also placed the petroglyphs on its he fears the foundations of the rock wall face anything this old,” Sambajon told AFP. “I thought tarism of last century. Force Band. —AFP “tentative list” of world heritage sites. more threats. He said planned new housing only other people had these things. We realized But that has done little to stem the powerful developments nearby would mean more under- we also have an ancient history.” —AFP lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

Music & Movies Led Zeppelin unveil unheard recordings ock giants Led Zeppelin yesterday unveiled two previ- “Keys to the Highway/Trouble in Mind”, which will appear ously unheard recordings ahead of the re-issue of the on the Led Zeppelin III re-issue, was recorded in 1970 but nev- Rband’s first three albums in June. The two tracks-an ear- er released. The early version of “Whole Lotta Love” that will ly version of their classic track “Whole Lotta Love”, and a 1970 appear on the Led Zeppelin II compilation is significantly dif- cover of blues standard “Keys to the Highway”-are among ferent from the final track. The original is missing the first cho- dozens of tracks which will be officially released along with rus and middle section and new vocals and a slide guitar the re-issued albums. Guitarist Jimmy Page, 70, chose the appear on the finished version. “You realize just how impor- material after painstakingly searching through the tracks, tant all of those additional layers and the filigree work is,” Page which have been stored in the band’s archive for decades. The said. band say the material will give fans a taste of their early studio “There’s all manner of bells and whistles to make it the sessions-the soon-to-be-released discs feature alternative ver- song ‘Whole Lotta Love’ as we all know it.” Led Zeppelin broke sions of songs, works in progress and live performances. up in 1980, but interest in the band remains intense. The sur- Singer Robert Plant said: “It was a particularly prolific time, viving members reunited seven years ago for a concert at where we were learning about each other’s capabilities.” He London’s O2 but Plant said the chances of the band perform- said when listening to the re-discovered tracks now, he was ing live again were “zero”. — AFP sometimes shocked by his younger self. “My enthusiasm sometimes got in the way of finesse,” he said in a BBC inter- view. “I listen to it and I go ‘wow, why didn’t I shut up a bit?’. In this file picture taken British rock band Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page pose at a press “But it’s of the time and it’s of the enthusiasm and it’s of the conference to announce the release of a video recording of their one-off 2007 concert in London. — AFP development of quite an amazing quartet of players.”

Justin Bieber apologizes for Japan war shrine trip ustin Bieber apologized yesterday to those he offended by removed, showed Bieber praying outdoors at the shrine and visiting a Japanese war shrine, saying he thought it was a standing beside a Shinto priest. The Yasukuni official said Jbeautiful site and only a place of prayer. The Yasukuni Bieber did not pray in the shrine’s main prayer hall. Shrine in central Tokyo enshrines 2.5 million war dead, includ- In a new Instagram post last night, Bieber said he asked his ing Japan’s 14 convicted war criminals, and operates a war driver to stop when he saw the “beautiful shrine,” located in the museum that defends Japan’s wartime aggression. It is a flash- capital’s central district near Budokan hall, where he per- point between Japan and its neighbors that see the shrine as formed a concert in 2011. It’s also near the Imperial Palace and distinct from other Shinto-style establishments mainly honor- other places tourists visit to see cherry blossoms, though ing gods of nature. China and South Korea in particular see they’ve mostly finished blooming. “I was mislead (sic) to think Yasukuni as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism and consider the Shrines were only a place of prayer. To anyone I have Japanese officials’ visits there as a lack of understanding or offended I am extremely sorry,” the post said. remorse over wartime history. Bieber, 20, gained stardom with his debut album at age 15 but has had a string of recent legal troubles and criticism for perceived cultural insensitivity. Last year he wrote in the guest- book at the Anne Frank House museum that he hoped the Jewish teenager who died in a Nazi concentration camp “would have been a Belieber” - or a fan of his - if history were different. And he apologized after appearing to drag two Argentine flags off stage with his feet and a microphone stand during a concert there last year. ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’ The Yasukuni Shrine holds a spring festival April 21-23, a major event that already has drawn attention this week. Two of Japan’s Cabinet ministers and nearly 150 lawmakers prayed at writers Kurtzman and Orci end the shrine, triggering outrage from Beijing and Seoul. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has visited the shrine once during his cur- rent term in office, last December, worsening ties with those big-screen partnership countries and triggered Washington’s concerns. He sent a reli- gious offering to the shrine on Monday, an indication he may lex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci will far more intimate drama than any of his not visit during the spring festival not work on film projects together in previous genre films. Orci wishes to direct Athe future as each of them will pur- as well, and has been linked to the next Bieber trial delayed on DUI, other charges to July sue directing careers, a spokeswoman for “Star Trek” movie. Yet no decisions have Trial was delayed yesterday until July for pop star Justin the two told TheWrap. Kurtzman and Orci been made by Paramount, Bad Robot or Bieber on driving under the influence and other charges after have collaborated on many of Hollywood’s Skydance regarding who will direct the In this March 19, 2013 Two images posted on Bieber’s Instagram account were his lawyers asked for more time to examine evidence and dis- biggest summer movies over the years - sequel, since the script - which Orci is work- file photo, Justin Bieber met with outrage from Chinese officials and by commenters cuss whether to accept a possible plea deal. Bieber attorney including Paramount’s “Star Trek” franchise, ing on with Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne - performs during a con- on social media. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Roy Black initially asked for a 60-day delay from the previous the first two “Transformers” films and is far from finished. Orci and Kurtzman will cert at Bercy Arena in Gang said the pop star should remember China’s position on May 5 trial date, but Miami-Dade County Judge William “Mission: Impossible III” - as well as Sony’s continue to make TV shows together Paris. — AP Yasukuni. “I hope this Canadian singer, after his visit, can have Altfield extended the postponement even further to July 7. “I upcoming “Amazing Spider-Man 2.” through their deal with CBS. They wrote the some knowledge of the Japanese militaristic history of external want to give everyone plenty of time,” Altfield said at a brief Frequent collaborators with J.J. Abrams, the pilot for Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow” and execu- aggression and their militaristic thinking,” he said. Yasukuni hearing. Bieber was not present. Prosecutors Daniel Diaz-Balart two have a long track record of making tive produce “Hawaii Five-0.” — Reuters confirmed Bieber visited earlier this week in what appeared to and Juan Perez said they had no objection to a trial delay.—AP commercial genre movies. be a personal trip to Japan. Yet both of them have been looking to A Yasukuni official, who spoke on condition of anonymity spread their wings in recent years. citing privacy of a specific visitor, said he strolled in the shrine’s Kurtzman already directed one film, precincts, like other ordinary tourists, and most people didn’t “People Like Us,” and will oversee the seem to notice. The two photos, which were subsequently Spider-Man spinoff “Venom.” “People” was a

Prosecutors: No immunity for Chris Brown bodyguard

rosecutors say they won’t grant Chris Brown’s bodyguard immunity to testify for the singer, a potential hurdle in start- Ping his trial on an assault charge. Brown’s trial had been scheduled for Monday and was rescheduled for Wednesday so lawyers would have time to address bodyguard Christopher Hollosy’s potential testimony. Both men were arrested in October after police say they punched a man outside a hotel. Hollosy was convicted of assault Monday. Brown’s attorneys want Hollosy to testify. Hollosy would be expected to say that he, not Brown, punched the man. Unless prosecutors grant Hollosy Jon Bon Jovi, center, takes part in a ribbon cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the JBJ Soul Homes, Tuesday, April 22, 2014, in Philadelphia. immunity, testifying could affect the appeal he plans in his convic- tion. Prosecutors say in a court document that they won’t grant immunity because he’s refused to speak with them after his con- viction and they have concerns he would lie. — AP Bon Jovi helps open low-income housing in Philly on Bon Jovi’s hit tune “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” took on Gulley said he eventually agreed to come in from the cold. He new meaning Tuesday as the rock star cut the ribbon on a stayed at a couple of shelters and attended regular counseling Jnamesake housing development for low-income residents sessions before qualifying for JBJ Soul Homes. He now hopes to and the formerly homeless in Philadelphia. The 55-unit JBJ Soul get a barber’s license. “I’m getting myself back together, and this Homes opened in the Francisville neighborhood after about 18 is a big, big step,” Gulley said. “When they give you the help, you months of construction. Bon Jovi’s Soul Foundation provided the have to be willing to do what they ask you to do. It’s beautiful.” lead gift for the $16.6 million complex, which he hopes will offer Bon Jovi has previously shown brotherly love to the city’s less for- tenants the support they need to get back on their feet.”This is not tunate, supporting the Covenant House for homeless youths and a handout, it’s just a hand up,” Bon Jovi said in an interview before helping to rebuild dilapidated row houses in gritty north the official ceremony. “This opportunity for them is special and it’s Philadelphia.— AP not easy to come by.” The four-story building, which was financed by public and private funds, also includes retail and office space. Residents will receive social services from Project HOME, a non- profit dedicated to ending homelessness in Philadelphia. HOME stands for Housing, Opportunities, Medical and Education. JBJ Soul Homes is “taking our work to a whole new level,” said Project HOME co-founder Sister Mary Scullion. The grand opening of the facility, which coincides with the agency’s 25th anniversary, is part of an initiative to build 500 such units across the city, Scullion said. Two developments totaling nearly 200 units are scheduled for groundbreaking over the com- ing year, she said. Residents of JBJ Soul Homes will have access to basic medical care, employment training and educational classes; they are required to contribute part of their income toward rent. Several units have been set aside for young adults to help them transition out of programs for homeless teens. Joyce Hawkins mother of rapper Chris Brown, arrives yes- terday at the DC Superior Court in Washington, DC for the Big step start of Brown’s trial.—AP One new resident, 53-year-old Anthony Gulley, said he had been sleeping in a local park when outreach workers from Project HOME began talking to him. Although resistant at first, Jon Bon Jovi speaks during the grand opening of the JBJ Soul Homes.— AP photos lifestyle THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

Music & Movies

In this photo taken April 17, 2014 released by the Warren Film, actors dressed in Israeli army uniforms are seen at the Photo released by The Warren Film, American director James Adolphus, left, directs an actor dressed in an Israeli army filming location of American director James Adolphus’s movie in the West Bank city of Nablus. — AP photos uniform at the filming location of his documentary. Some drama off-camera in Mideast conflict film

n American director’s short film about an Israeli army 10-minute film follows the soldiers as they raid and ransack “The soldiers go deeper and deeper into the maze of the and four others were killed in a triple suicide bombing in raid in a Palestinian refugee camp ends with a surprise - the house and at times hold the residents at gunpoint. The camp,” he said. “What do we find at the end of rabbit tunnels? Jerusalem. The assailants came from the Nablus area. Elhanan Aliterally involving a rabbit, though not one pulled from tension escalates when the soldiers fire a stun grenade into a Just rabbits.” belongs to a family of peace activists, and his mother blamed a hat. The story told in “The Warren” is meant to question the crawl space after hearing a noise and then ask the family The director said he hopes to show the short on the inter- Israel’s harsh policies against Palestinians for her daughter’s ways Israelis and Palestinians see each other as a result of their patriarch to go into the suspected hideout. national film festival circuit to raise money for a full-length death. Elhanan became a conscientious objector after his long-running conflict. The diverse cast and crew - Arabs and feature telling the story of Israeli soldiers and Palestinians in compulsory service, refusing to report for annual reserve duty. Jews, locals and foreigners - struggled with those issues off ‘As long as the movie portrays our reality’ Nablus in 2002 - a time when Israel reoccupied the West Bank During the first round of filming last summer, he said he was camera as well during several days of filming in the Al-Ein Eventually, the elderly man emerges with his back to the in response to Palestinian bombing and shooting attacks. worried people would find out he is Israeli, “without me hav- camp, a former militant stronghold near the West Bank city of soldiers, then slowly turns around, holds up a rabbit and Adolphus, who spent several months teaching in Nablus a ing the opportunity to explain myself, what kind of Israeli I Nablus. hands it to the soldiers. “We stop the film the moment the sur- decade ago, said he paid for the $65,000 film with personal am.” This time, the atmosphere was more relaxed. In identity-bending twists, those playing Israeli soldiers prise comes out,” said director James Adolphus, 36, an funds and grant money. While Elhanan never served in the occupied territories, the included a conscientious objector who quit the Israeli military American documentary maker. “It’s about creating dialogue During the filming that wrapped this week, lines between second ex-conscript, acting student Daniel Gamlieli, knew the to protest its practices in the West Bank; a former conscript after the curtain comes up.” He and others involved in the film reality and fiction often blurred. A camp resident whose house Nablus area, including Al-Ein, from his army days. Gamlieli, 29, whose unit patrolled the camp a decade ago; and six mem- spoke after leaving the camp. Israel continues to carry out is raided in the film said Israeli soldiers have repeatedly bro- said he participated in the project, in part, because he wanted bers of the Palestinian security forces who put on Israeli army arrest raids in West Bank towns and camps - areas that are ken down his front door over the years while chasing to make a case for artistic freedom. In a phone interview, uniforms as extras in the film, and were also asked to protect nominally under Palestinian self-rule. Although Israel retains Palestinian stone-throwers. “The idea is great because it repre- Gamlieli said his unit never acted as violently toward the two Israelis. The two ex-soldiers said they revealed their the right to arrest suspects, the raids are a key source of sents the experience of many Palestinians,” said the man, who Palestinians as he was asked to do in the film, but added that identities only to a few camp residents to stay safe - although Palestinian resentment. The Palestinians seek all of the West gave only his first name, Moussa, because he feared some resi- “I know there are also other stories.” their cover story of being foreigners was hard to maintain Bank, captured by Israel in the 1967 war, as part of an inde- dents would object to him hosting former Israeli soldiers. He said he entered the camp with some trepidation, think- once they started bellowing orders in accent-free Hebrew pendent state. Elhanan, who plays the Israeli captain, said he often felt ing of cases in which Palestinian crowds have attacked Israeli while in character. Durgham Sahli, a community leader in the Al-Ein camp, uneasy while in character. “I feel people are judging me” when soldiers who had taken a wrong turn. But ultimately, the resi- Producers, meanwhile, had to bring in props from Israel said he welcomed the crew at the request of Palestinian secu- in uniform, said Elhanan, who speaks fluent Arabic, participat- dents respected his work. “I didn’t come as part of an army, I that might have raised suspicion had they been stopped at rity officials. Though initially unaware of the presence of the ed in several Palestinian films and teaches theater to at-risk came as an individual,” Gamlieli said. “I was more vulnerable Israeli checkpoints, including rented Israeli military uniforms ex-soldiers, he said he had no objections “as long as the movie children in Israel. and I knew this.”— AP and M16 rifles that had been rendered unusable. “The drama portrays our reality.” Adolphus said the film focuses in part on of the production exceeded (that of) the film,” said Guy changes in the soldiers’ perceptions. The title’s “warren,” or Other stories Elhanan, 35, the Israeli actor who plays an Israeli captain lead- labyrinth of rabbit tunnels, stands for the seemingly In September 1997, Elhanan had just begun his compulso- ing his unit into a house in search of a wanted Palestinian. The intractable conflict that generates fear on both sides, he said. ry three-year army service when his 14-year-old sister, Smadar, Review: ‘Quiet Ones’ is Holmes, armed and more creaky than creepy dainty in vigilante

aying homage in style and theme to the souls for miles around? Check. Broken phone vintage horror movies of the 1970s, connection? Check. Spooky attic rooms? P“The Quiet Ones” is the latest stylish Check. satire ‘Miss Meadows’ shocker from Hammer, the recently reactivat- Flickering lights that malfunction on an o not mess with Miss Meadows, the tap dancing elemen- ed classic UK studio imprint. Mixing creaky hourly basis? You get the picture. As the tary school teacher played by actress Katie Holmes in the haunted-house and exorcism tropes with a obligatory sexual tension begins to crackle new film of the same name that has premiered at the nod to the contemporary found-footage sub- between Brian and Jane - or is it Evey? - D Tribeca Film Festival. She is a dainty sprite, bordering on fey in genre, the film relies on high production val- shocking revelations come to light about sev- the mold of French film heroine “Amelie.” But she also has some ues and sense-battering shock tactics to eral key characters, and Evey’s poltergeist-like serious issues. Decked out in frilly ankle socks and flowery dress- make up for wooden performances and an antics turn steadily more sinister. A bloody es, she is armed and just a little bit trigger happy, especially illogical, silly script. As an exercise in retro battle between scientific reason and super- when would-be rapists or child molesters enter her sights. pastiche, it impresses. But as a postmodern natural evil follows. Harris clearly relishes She tends to punctuate meet-ups with a decidedly non-iron- genre reinvention, it fails to deliver. The soph- playing Coupland as a louche, chain-smoking, ic “toodle-loo,” and as described by one of the cops on her trail in omore feature of Washington-born screen- libidinous dandy, just a degree away from “Miss Meadows” is a “pulp fiction Mary Poppins.” But her mission writer-turned-director John Pogue, “The hammy mad-scientist caricature. In a vintage to clear the streets of bad people is complicated when she falls Quiet Ones” boasts the usual vague claims to Hammer production, Vincent Price or for a local sheriff, played by James Badge Dale (“World War Z,” be “inspired by actual events.” Christopher Lee would have owned this role. and “Parkland.”) “I’m a fan of strong women, and I like seeing It draws very loosely on the “Philips The professor may be two-dimensional, but them on screen,” Holmes said of the vigilante heroine she por- Experiment” of 1972, in which a group of the rest of the cast are limited to one each. trays in the film. Toronto academic researchers tried to prove Claflin’s Brian is a pale cipher of naive good- “I liked her spirit,” Holmes added. “She was delightful and ness while his fellow researchers Kristina (Erin believed in what she was doing and the integrity of her mind.” Richards) and Harry (Rory Fleck-Byrne) are The vigilante satire co-stars three-time Emmy-award winner thinly written eye-candy roles. Jean Smart (“Samantha Who?” and “Frasier”) and Mary Kay Place, who also won an Emmy for comedy series “Mary Hartman, Mary Very original Hartman.” All three are burdened with clunky dia- Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Karen Leigh logue and contrived plot exposition in place Hopkins, the long gestation of “Miss Meadows” began with the of character. A charitable horror aficionado 1993 abduction and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas, who was might interpret all these clumsy touches as snatched from her bedroom in Petaluma, California, during a self-referential allusions to Hammer’s notori- slumber party. Hopkins recalled a reporter at the time saying the ously cheap, semi-exploitation ethos. But killer deserved compassion, having himself been abused as a they still grate, and sit oddly alongside the child. “I always thought of myself as a fairly liberal person,” film’s high technical polish. Production design Hopkins said after the film’s premiere. “But at that moment I is strong, capturing the washed-out tobacco thought, ‘We’ve lost our marbles.’ And at that moment, ‘Miss browns and bell-bottomed post-hippie fash- Meadows’ came into my head.” “That was 14 years ago,” Hopkins ions of the era. Connoisseurs of vintage added. The film was shot on location in and around Cleveland, British rock will enjoy a well-curated sound- Ohio, in just under three weeks, and according to Hopkins, get- track that includes Slade, T-Rex and Katie Holmes attends the premiere of “Miss Meadows” dur- ing the Tribeca Film Festival on Monday, April 21, 2014, in ting Holmes, known for her roles in “The Ice Storm” and “Batman Hawkwind. Visual effects are also impressive, Begins,” to play the title role helped.—Reuters particularly Brian’s hand-held footage with its New York.—AP authentically retro lens flare, degraded colors and scratchy frames. The sound design is striking too, a sonic collage of percussive This image released that ghosts and poltergeists are constructs of booms and deafening static roars that are DiCaprio eyed to play Jobs; by Lionsgate shows the human mind. Needless to say, the original often more unsettling than the film’s relative- Jared Harris, left, and trials did not involve satanic cults, paranormal ly mild visual shocks. Olivia Cooke in a love triangles or high body counts, but reality “The Quiet Ones” is not very original, nor Boyle in talks to direct scene from “The can be disappointingly mundane like that. even especially scary, and its title ultimately Quiet Ones.” — AP Print the legend. Set in 1974, the film stars proves as meaningless as its plot. All the anny Boyle is in negotiations to direct the Steve Jobs “Mad Men” veteran Jared Harris as Joseph same, this genteel shocker earns its place in movie for Sony, which has its eye on Leonardo DiCaprio Coupland, an Oxford University psychology Hammer’s campy canon of superior B-movie Dto star. Sony and producer Scott Rudin had been court- professor with highly unorthodox methods. schlock. Creaky and predictable, it should ing David Fincher to direct and Christian Bale to star, but Coupland hires amateur cameraman Brian serve as comfort food to the huge and unde- Fincher’s demands for creative control, as well as a high salary McNeil (“Hunger Games” regular Sam Claflin) manding global fan base for old-school hor- for a mid-budget drama, led to talks breaking down. to document his controversial experiments ror, the heavy metal of movie genres. “The DiCaprio is an actor Sony has long coveted to play Jobs, but on Jane Harper (Olivia Cooke), a mentally Quiet Ones,” a Lionsgate release, is rated PG- it had been unclear whether the interest was mutual. Now that unstable young woman who appears to be 13 by the Motion Picture Association of Sony is in negotiations with Boyle, DiCaprio is open to a reunion possessed by a diabolical alter ego named America for “intense sequences of violence with the director, who he previously teamed with on “The Evey. and terror, sexual content, thematic material, Beach.” While DiCaprio may not look the part of Jobs (at least The professor believes Jane is creating language, and smoking throughout.” Running compared to Bale), he’s certainly up for the dramatic challenge Evey purely through her own telekinetic pow- time: 98 minutes. MPAA rating definition for of portraying the late Apple co-founder. However, it remains ers, and thus could hold the key to curing PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some unclear where the project would fall in DiCaprio’s busy sched- mental illness across the globe. His cutting- material may be inappropriate for children ule, as he just committed to spend the fall shooting Alejandro edge treatment, bizarrely, involves locking under 13. — AP Gonzalez Inarritu’s gritty revenge thriller “The Revenant.” her in a cell-like bedroom and blasting her Aaron Sorkin wrote the Steve Jobs movie, which is based on with loud rock music. Driven out of Oxford by Walter Isaacson’s bestselling biography, which was authorized angry neighbors and nervous university by Jobs himself. Film 360’s Guymon Casady and Mark Gordon authorities, Coupland and his team relocate are also producing with Rudin. DiCaprio recently earned on to a crumbling country house straight out of Oscar nomination for his performance in Martin Scorsese’s “The the horror-cliche handbook. No other living Wolf of Wall Street.” — Reuters Some drama off-camera in Mideast conflict film

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 39

Spanish dancer Joshua Ullate performs during the general rehearsal of ‘Quiebro’ in front of the painting ’Guernica’ by Pablo Picasso at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid yesterday. — AFP Right at Home: Making a premier design show

his year’s Architectural Home Design Show, one of the lighting rigged. There was 60,000 square feet of carpeting alone. industry’s premier events, was attended by tens of thou- Buckets of flowering branches, boxes of exotic blooms and Tsands of interior designers, architects and design enthusi- bags full of moss stood near the Dining by Design section of DIF- asts looking for inspiration. Few could have imagined all the FA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS), where design- effort and organized chaos that went into making it. On the day ers and companies presented imaginative dining spaces in sup- before the four-day show opened late last month, much of Pier port of the organization’s efforts against the disease. 94’s 130,000-odd square feet on the Hudson River was a sea of bubble wrap, cardboard, moving blankets and bungee cords, Large rug , less space providing only glimpses of the glamour, elegance and innova- Calvin Klein Home ran a river of moss down the center of a tion that would shortly be on display. massive wood table. A giant nest of cherry blossoms hovered over the table at Ralph Lauren Home. Several men who looked like they’d be comfortable on a logging trail were at the Arteriors space, carefully unwrapping gilded tree stumps to put around a glass-topped table. Jess Gordon’s team at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s booth slid plastic vertebrae onto a massive set of ribs for a conceptual whale’s belly. Tin lanterns and rope creat- ed a chandelier to anchor the nautical-themed space. Designer Tucker Robbins, who collaborates with artisans around the world on sustainable furniture and accessories, was figuring out how to get a large rug into a less-large space. Ready to be placed were a group of his Snaka Waka posts - circular balls carved from coffee wood in Cameroon and stacked to make a snake shape. Sulawesi rattan fish-basket lights were strung over- Photo provided by the Fashion Institute of Technology shows the Fashion Institute of head. Technology installation which features a creation by Jess Gordon’s team of a whale’s ver- Patrick Weder showed pendant lights made of wire and tebrae for their dining environment, evoking the belly of the beast, albeit with lantern opaque paper. “People always call them honeycombs, but when lighting at Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) 17th Annual Dining By I designed them, I wasn’t consciously thinking of that - I just Design New York Gala. started forming the wire and adding the paper, and soon I had these wonderful organic shapes,” he says. quality metals and tool parts,” Rosenhaus added. The “Made” section of the show featured up-and-coming The New York show’s “Refresh” section, where the big interna- designers. Sculptor and designer Elizabeth Lyons showed an tional kitchen and bath folk were, was full of high-end tubs, enormous chandelier made of glass leaves and petals. George sinks, appliances and countertops. Jenn-Air introduced a fridge Venson hung his illustrated wallpaper rolls like whimsical water- with an all-black interior, making even leftovers look good. falls from the top of the booth; the tumbles of paper featured Radiant Orchid, Pantone’s color of the year, found its way onto a koi fish, butterflies, even a seductive lip print, in a riot of color. range hood at Prizer. Dacor broke up a long, sleek run of stain- less steel with a cheery backsplash of blue skies and puffy ‘Refresh’ section clouds. Alex Rosenhaus and Drew Arrison, the young duo behind Around the show, distressed wood in grays, brown and Alex Drew & No One, hung a walnut-framed triangle mirror “greige,” a hybrid gray/beige, often mixed with sleek elements. on the backdrop of their booth; they brought several of their Ligne Roset clad their booth walls in distressed wood; JM signature angular furniture pieces, including a din- Lifestyles installed an outdoor kitchen using a proprietary engi- ing table perched on 24-karat-gold-painted legs, neered-concrete. Scavolini and Diesel partnered on an unfitted from their new studio in Detroit. They see that city kitchen with rugged modular pieces in steel and weathered- as the next frontier for young furniture looking wood. Architectural Digest Editor- designers. “We’re able to get a in-Chief Margaret Russell said the style huge amount of studio space was gravitating to rooms throughout there for next to nothing,” the home. “Mixing contemporary Arrison said. Besides, pieces with rustic elements is a Rosenhaus is from Detroit. trend that we’ve seen in several “We’d heard that artists were homes featured in recent grabbing up abandoned or issues of Architectural foreclosed buildings Digest,” she said. “It’s the there, so we decided perfect way to add to check it out.” warmth to a space that needs to function well.” Photo provided by Many skilled trades- — AP Arteriors.com shows Three-hundred booths had to be set up. Walkie-talkie-armed people - welders, fabrica- Arteriors’ booth at DIFFA’s wranglers herded a long line of vans off the West Side Highway tors - who used to work Dining by Design section, and toward a staging door, where another battalion of expe- in the car industry are diters made sure that the goods they dropped off - 900,000 eager to lend which featured gilded tree This undated photo provided by pounds of freight when all was said and done - remained their expertise stumps, sputnik shaped Elizabeth Lyons shows Lyon’s glass grouped and undamaged till teams came with carts and dollies to furniture lighting and exotic floral chandelier from Elizabethlyons.com to deliver them to the right booths. designers in displays, in New York. where she used leaf and blossom Furniture, appliances, bathtubs, rugs, faucets, art and accent Detroit, the pair said. “You imagery to create a unique lighting pieces had to wait for flooring to be installed, walls painted, can also find really high- piece. — AP photos