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SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 JAMADA ALTHANI 9, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Shurooq Italy clears Kuwaiti designer Prince Bishop Amin an Knox of Fatma Ismail wins Dubai artist and murder that aspires for World Cup in activist4 gripped7 world global39 fame huge20 upset Amir warns Houthis Min 16º Max 32º High Tide pose regional threat 08:05 & 18:45 Low Tide Sheikh Sabah calls for joint stance against terrorism 00:55 & 12:50 40 PAGES NO: 16474 150 FILS

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt: HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah told an Arab summit in Egypt that Houthi fighters in Yemen posed a threat to the region, as Saudi Arabia led a military operation against them. “Rapid developments underway in Yemen pose a threat to our security,” Sheikh Sabah said. Sheikh Sabah was addressing the inaugural session of the 26th Arab Summit yesterday, stressing Arab nations must collectively face challenges, namely “ter- rorism and its annihilating ideas” and urged warring Yemeni parties to adhere to the GCC initiatives aimed at resorting peace and security to the crisis-stricken nation. “We have to face the challenges with collective efforts, solid unity of ranks with negligence to divisions and differences. Such efforts should be within the framework of joint Arab action that may preserve our territorial security and meet our peoples’ aspirations,” he said. “Terrorism and its annihilating ideas, delinquent approach, rogue ideology and blatant acts are some of the most eminent challenges that we, along with the whole world, are facing.” HH the Amir said rapid developments taking place in this country “have posed a threat to our security due to the Houthi militias’ continuing takeover of legitimacy SHARM EL-SHEIKH: (Top) Arab leaders, including HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (center), pose during an Arab League Summit in and key state installations, followed with attacks and this Red Sea resort yesterday. (Above left) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, Kuwait’s Amir HH Sheikh Sabah, Saudi King threats to the territories of sisterly Saudi Arabia and Salman and Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi arrive for the meeting. (Above right) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi (left) welcomes Qatar’s Emir states of the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council.” Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani upon the latter’s arrival yesterday. — AFP/AP Continued on Page 13 Hadi slams ‘puppets of Iran’ Sisi urges joint force • Strikes could last 6 months SHARM EL-SHEIKH: Yemen’s embattled president yes- terday called Shiite rebels who forced him to flee the country “puppets of Iran”, directly blaming the Islamic Kuwait to deport Republic for the chaos there and demanding airstrikes against rebel positions continue until they surrender. Egypt’s president called for a regional Arab military Houthi supporters force and a Gulf diplomat warned that Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen could go on for months, raising the Govt warns price gougers specter of a regional conflict pitting Sunni Arab nations against Shiite power Iran. The comments by Arab lead- By Mesh’al Al-Enezi monitor any unjustified price increases, ers including Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour especially during the current period of Hadi, who fled his country only days earlier, came at an KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry instability in the region. He warned that Arab summit largely focusing on the chaos there announced taking strict measures any violation would be strictly met with caused by the advance of the rebels, known as Houthis. including immediate deportation for immediate prosecution. He also urged Leaders of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait obliquely anyone who supports the Houthi mili- consumers to report any violations by referenced Iran earlier at the summit held in Egypt’s Red tants or holds demonstrations, hoists calling the hotline number 135. Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. They blamed the Persian banners or promotes slogans support- Minister of Finance and Acting country for meddling in the affairs of Arab nations, with ing the Houthis in Kuwait. Minister of Commerce and Industry Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi saying, without Meanwhile, assistant undersecretary Anas Al-Saleh earlier reassured citizens mentioning Iran by name, that it was “spreading its ail- of the commerce ministry for control about the country’s strategic food KUWAIT: Employees of Jumeirah Messila Beach Hotel pose behind candles ment in the body”. “This (Arab) nation, in its darkest and consumer protection Abdullah stocks, saying they were all-time high during Earth Hour yesterday.— Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat hour, had never faced a challenge to its existence and a Sager Al-Enezi said ministry inspectors level. threat to its identity like the one it’s facing now,” Sisi were present in various markets to Continued on Page 13 said. “This threatens our national security and (we) can- Lights go out not ignore its consequences for the Arab identity.” Hadi directly challenged Iran in his remarks and called for his supporters to rise up in peaceful protest for Earth Hour against the Houthis. “I say to the puppets of Iran, its toys and those who support it, you have destroyed Yemen with your political adolescence and by manufacturing SYDNEY: Hong Kong’s iconic skyline said Tony Jennings from Earth Hour after domestic and regional crises,” Hadi said. Iran and the dimmed and the sails on Sydney’s Opera standing under the Sydney Harbour Houthis deny that Tehran arms the rebel movement, House went dark yesterday, as lights on Bridge as the lights went off at 8:30 pm though the Islamic Republic has provided humanitarian landmarks across Asia were switched off (0930 GMT). Hong Kong’s signature high- and other aid. Officials in Iran had no immediate com- for the global climate change awareness rise skyline along the Victoria Harbour ment on Hadi’s remarks. campaign Earth Hour. Millions took part was a shadow of itself, with usually lit-up around the world in the annual event skycrapers standing dark - among them Meanwhile, a news report on the Houthi-affiliated Al- organized by conservation group WWF, were the city’s tallest building, the 118- Masirah television station referred to Hadi as a “puppet” with hundreds of well-known sights story International Commerce Centre. In of Saudi Arabia. Ali Al-Emad, a senior official of the including the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Taiwan the lights went off on the Taipei Houthi movement’s political arm, Ansar Allah, told the Seattle Space Needle plunging into dark- 101 tower, the world’s tallest building station that nothing said at the summit came as a sur- ness. before it was overtaken by Dubai’s Burj prise. Saudi Arabia, he claimed, was taking charge of the “It’s almost like the thing vanished,” Continued on Page 13 Yemen issue, deciding alone what needed to be done. DUBAI: A guest arrives at the Meydan racecourse yesterday before the start of the Continued on Page 13 $10 million Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race. — AFP (See Page 20) LOCAL SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

SHARM EL-SHEIKH: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah waves as he pre- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Egyptian His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Bahraini pares to depart Egypt after participating in the 26th President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi after arriving to Sharm Al-Sheikh on Friday. King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. Arab Summit. — Amiri Diwan photos Amir back home after participating in Arab Summit Sheikh Sabah receives Arab leaders, officials

KUWAIT/SHARM EL-SHEIKH: His Highness the Kharafi, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh came on the sidelines of the Arab Summit which Saleh. He also received Asaad bin Tareq Al- during Kuwait’s presidency of the 25th Arab Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Deputy kicked off yesterday. HH the Amir also received Saeed, representative of Sultan Qaboos of Summit. and his accompanying delegation returned to Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Tunisian Oman to the summit, and Sheikh Hamad bin Sisi held talks with HH the Amir following his Kuwait yesterday after attending the 26th Arab Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. HH the Amir was seen President Beji Caid Essebsi, Sudan’s President Mohammad Al-Sharqi, Supreme Council arrival in Sharm El-Sheikh, and commended Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Upon his off at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport by Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, and President of Somalia Member and Ruler of Fujairah who is leading Kuwait’s relentless efforts during its presidency arrival, HH the Amir was welcomed by HH the Egypt Minister of Youth and Sports Khaled Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud. the UAE delegation to the summit. of the Arab summit and supporting the common Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Abdulaziz and Kuwait’s ambassador to Egypt Furthermore, HH the Amir met with Arab action, Alaa Yusuf, Presidential spokesman, Al-Sabah, HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- Salem Al-Zamanan. Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam, as Wise leadership said in a statement. HH the Amir said the Arab Ahmad Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Earlier, HH the Amir received Iraqi President well as Speakers of the Libyan House of On Friday, HH The Amir met Egyptian people were awaiting the outcome of this sum- Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Acting Fuad Masum in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh Representatives Akila Saleh, and the Algerian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi, who commended mit to honor their aspirations towards unity and National Assembly Speaker Adel Al-Jarallah Al- International Congress Center. The meeting People’s National Assembly Abdul-Kader bin His Highness for his “wise leadership and vision” solidarity, Yusuf said. — KUNA

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives Akila Saleh. Iraqi President Fuad Masum. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi.

Kuwaiti leadership’s speech In my view clear, comprehensive: Ghanim Decisive Storm

HANOI: His Highness the Amir Sheikh refugees which will be focused upon Meanwhile, members of the GCC Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s during the next international humani- and OIC groups, attending the 132nd By Muna Al-Fuzai speech to the Arab summit in Sharm tarian pledging conference in Kuwait Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) El-Sheikh was clear and comprehen- on March 31st. Assembly, held meetings here on sive, addressing the most important Ghanim said after heading the Saturday to coordinate efforts ahead challenges facing the Arab world, said AIPU’s meeting that the Arab group of the assembly. Deputy Chairman of Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim President of focused its meeting on the issue of the Qatari Majlis Al-Shura Issa Al- the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union terrorism and means to define it. He Kuwari said that the GCC meeting (AIPU) and Kuwait’s National added that the AIPU group also focused on unifying Gulf efforts at the [email protected] Assembly Speaker. agreed during its meeting to coordi- IPU meeting, noting that the situation Speaking yesterday on the sideline nate efforts during the IPU Assembly. in the region, namely the Syrian have received a lot of questions from expatriates here about Operation of the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary He indicated that the Arab group’s humanitarian crisis, was a main issue Decisive Storm, wondering if it will end safely. This article today repre- Union (IPU) Assembly, Ghanim lauded meeting followed previous meetings on the agenda of the meeting. Isents the information I have and also my personal opinion. Operation HH the Amir’s speech for its clear and held by the GCC and OIC groups Kuwaiti MP Dr Awda Al-Rowaey said Decisive Storm is a military operation led by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf HANOI: Kuwait’s National cohesive nature. He affirmed that the which Kuwait took part in. Ghanim in the meantime that the OIC group states including Kuwait to support the legitimacy of Yemen and stop the Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- speech covered issues pertaining to met with the IPU’s President Dr Saber focused its coordinative meeting on aggression of the Houthi militants and their ally Ali Abdullah Saleh - and Ghanim chairs the Arab Inter- the Palestinian cause, the situation in Hossain, discussing issues connected topics such as a specific definition for their biggest supporter Iran. Parliamentary Union meeting yes- Iraq and Libya, the Iranian nuclear file, to cooperation between the IPU and terrorism and the freedom of speech There is no doubt that the Gulf states are passing through a difficult and terday. — KUNA as well as the plight of the Syrian Kuwait National Assembly. and belief. —KUNA ambiguous phase these days, and is not easy to predict its repercussions, especially since this confrontation is between strong opponents. I believe it is a necessity required by interests, especially defending and protecting maritime traffic lanes against possible threats. Saudi Arabia and its fellow Gulf states are never known as warmonger- ing countries unless they are forced to do so. This operation is essential to defend oil interests, sovereignty and security interests, doctrines and maybe survival. Even some of these reasons are enough for any state to take a decision to defend its borders, but all of these are believed to be involved. I am well aware of the slogans that are echoed by some media and polit- ical parties and even individuals on social media about fear and suspicion of dragging the region into a war with Iran, as the Houthis are Shiites and are doing a major service to Iran by controlling the Bab el Mandeb Sea in Yemen, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. It is an elixir of life for the Gulf states. Silence over the Houthis’ actions would mean depriving the Gulf states from an oil passage, which is unacceptable and dangerous. This alone is enough reason for war. I am in favor of Operation Decisive Storm, although it came a little late. We have to stop depicting this operation as an act of killing and remember that the world has fought world wars for peace. The Gulf itself has fought several wars and Iran itself has fought a long war with Iraq. So everyone has to pull off the mask of innocence because peace has a hefty price tag. We have to support the decision of HH the Amir of Kuwait to join this operation in these sensitive and difficult circumstances, because Kuwait and the region is a target for terror and defending it is a must. Operation Decisive Storm is a war against terrorism, which is no different from the wars against Daesh or Al-Qaeda. The war against the Houthis was not a sur- prise or came out of the blue. In fact, Saudi Arabia had invited the Houthis for talks in Riyadh, but they refused peace. It is natural that the region will face a lot of surprises by some persons or parties here in favor of their own agendas. The Kuwaiti interior ministry has boosted security measures, which is required and is very important to maintain calm and internal security. Operation Decisive Storm has the support of the Arab and the interna- tional community, and the United States has expressed its support, which is a smart act and a message to Russia and Iran. The Saudi intervention has halted the advance of the Houthis and their allies in the east and south, and Yemen has a new opportunity to regain its strength and unity. The Houthis are now facing two solutions - either return to national dialogue, KUWAIT: Ambassador of Bangladesh to Kuwait Major General Mohammad Ashab Uddin hosted a reception recently to celebrate his country’s 44th or face an international coalition waging a relentless war until they are anniversary of Independence and National Day. State officials, diplomats and other dignitaries attended the event, which took place at Crowne Plaza ousted. The latter seems probable. In the end, things will be okay. Hotel. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 LOCAL

Crime Report WFP confident Kuwait III to Trio arrested with help alleviate Syrians’ woes drugs, weapons ROME: The UN World Food Programme’s as much food to as many people as we played and is playing.” By Hanan Al-Saadoun (WFP) top official voiced optimism over can, for as long as we can.” Ensuring that its contributions make a success of the third International Pledging Emphasizing that the WFP is ‘proud’ over difference, she praised Kuwait for also KUWAIT: The Drug Control General Department’s special Conference for the Syrian people, due in the support of the Kuwaiti government and “bringing the global community together in operations force arrested three citizens for trading in Kuwait on March 31, to help alleviate suf- people, she urged the international commu- Kuwait for the past three years,” and encour- weapons and drugs, said security sources. Case papers fering of Syrian people until resolution of nity to recognize that “when you gives us a aging “other members of the global commu- indicate that detectives were tipped off concerning a citi- their crisis. dollar we feed, but it requires that we have nity to provide the support that is neces- zen’s activity in selling weapons and drugs inside a Kabd Ertharin Cousin, WFP’s Executive another dollar the next day, because as long sary.” “That leadership is being recognized,” ranch. One of the suspects was arrested with possession of Director, said she would be heading to as the crisis continues to go forward, we she said. 10 guns, two AK47 rifles, ammo and hashish bars. The man Kuwait for the third time to attend the must continue to provide assistance as nec- The WFP executive director went on to led police to the second suspect; who was arrested with third donors’ conference while the Syrian essary. “What we ask is that no hungry child urge donors not to reduce funding of the possession of a gun he used in resisting arrest. Police found conflict was in its fifth year, relying on be prioritized over the other and that the ‘School Feeding’ program which Kuwait con- 5,000 psychotropic pills with the suspect as well. The third Kuwait’s role as a major global humanitari- world continues to allow us to support tributes to in cooperation with UNICEF and suspect was arrested inside a Salmiya apartment. A case an contributor. those who need our help.” other NGOs. She said it aims to encourage was filed and further investigations are in progress. There In an interview with KUNA, Cousin said WFP’s Executive Director She described Kuwait as “a reliable part- children to go to school through providing were 14 total confiscated weapons, in addition to a large WFP has been deeply involved since the Ertharin Cousin ner for WFP” and mentioned the photo exhi- them with nutritious meals. amount of ammo. break out of the Syrian crisis in March 2011 providing food supplies for people nation- bition she was attending which highlights On a final note, she described Kuwait as to provide food aid for the most vulnera- wide in Syria and in neighboring countries. the impact of Kuwait’s humanitarian initia- “a partner that is committed to work not just ble. “However, providing food assistance tives conducted in cooperation with the with WFP but with other agencies as well as will not end the crisis in Syria” she added. Prevented access WFP. the NGOs” whose aim is to ensure that all “There is a need for a political solution to Inside Syria, she said that the WFP has “(This) partnership goes well beyond the development needs of victims of the Syrian end the Syrian crisis.” been prevented access from some areas faces of the people you see in the pictures in crisis are met. “I applaud Kuwait for the com- Cousin said she and her counterparts in that have been either besieged or sub- this exhibit. To the children I was able to talk mitment to staying in the course of a con- international humanitarian organizations mersed in conflict for months now. “What to the last time I was in (Jordan’s) Zaatari flict that has gone on too long,” she said. have signed a petition earlier this month we call upon is for all parties to this crisis camp - because Kuwait is now a regular and Some 12.5 million Syrians have been dis- urging world leaders to quickly act to to provide access to those areas that is reliable donor to our work both inside Syria placed internally and across neighboring reach a political solution for the conflict, necessary- any of the parties involved.” and for our work for the refugees outside countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, which killed more than 220,000 people Due to lack of funds, the WFP has been Syria - when you talk to them you can see along with Iraq and Armenia to a lesser and displaced some 12.5 million people, forced to reduce the amount of assistance the difference that Kuwait has helped make degree, due to the conflict in their country who were either internally displaced or it provides with this reaching the point of in their lives.” that has entered a fifth year. Kuwait hosted refugees in neighboring countries. World suspension once in December, 2014, she two events in 2013 and 2014 which raised leaders should put their differences aside said. Humanitarian Leader pledges worth a total $3.9 billion - $1.5 bil- to end the crisis politically, she said. She hoped that donor nations at Kuwait Congratulating His Highness the Amir lion and $2.4 billion respectively - from inter- The March 13th petition called for end- III “continue to support the work that WFP Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah national donors aimed at alleviating their ing the siege of more than 212,000 civil- must perform,” but she underlined that if on receiving his UN Humanitarian Leader suffering. At both, Kuwait donated a collec- ians, who were in desperate need of food its needs are not met the UN body “will title, she said this was important in recogniz- tive $800 million, including $300 million and and medical supplies. Cousin said WFP was make the appropriate decision to provide ing “the significant role that Kuwait has $500 million. — KUNA

Fatal crash A man was killed and another was injured in an accident reported at the Seventh Ring Road late Friday night. Paramedics and police rushed to the scene in response to an emergency call, but discovered that one man had already succumbed to his injuries. They rushed the other man to the hospital, while crime scene investigators were called to lift the body to the coroner. An investigation was opened to determine the circumstances behind the crash.

Underage driver hurts policemen Two traffic policemen were recently injured when they jumped out of the way of a reckless driver who was stopped for driving without a license in Ghernata. The underage driver drove off the moment he learned he was going to be ticketed for driving without a license, security sources said. Separately, two policemen were injured when a speeding vehicle collided into a checkpoint held along a Julai’ah highway, said security sources. Both the police- men, along with the driver, were rushed to Adan hospital for treatment.

Man rapes neighbor’s daughter A Syrian man was recently arrested for kidnapping and raping his neighbor’s underage daughter, said security sources. The suspect had asked the girl to come quickly to his apartment to attend to his sick mother while he goes to get a doctor. By the time she realized she was lured to a trap, it was already too late as the suspect locked the door and raped the girl, the victim’s mother told police afterwards. The suspect committed his crime even though the girl pleaded with him not to make her lose her virginity, the mother said.

Woman questioned in roommate’s death A Filipina woman was recently killed when she fell from the eighth floor of an Abu Halifa building, said security sources. The woman’s roommate was arrested for further investigations due to suspicions she might had thrown her out of the window, the sources added.

Armed robberies A Kuwaiti man was arrested over suspicion of com- mitting several armed robberies, said security sources noting. The suspect was arrested with possession of drugs and a fire weapon.

CBK’s summer promo at Jumeirah hotels

KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) launched its summer promotion offered by Jumeirah Hotels Group, inviting CBK MasterCard holders to have the most delec- table dishes in Dubai’s finest restaurants at Jumeirah Hotels. The offer includes providing 20 percent discounts in over 50 restaurants at Jumeirah hotels. It is valid from March 15, 2015 to September 30, 2015. The promotion is held in collaboration with MasterCard International. SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 Local4 Interview

Artist and activist By Ben Garcia

uwaiti artist Shurooq Amin is world renowned, controversial and daring in her art. She is also a accomplished poet and writ- Ker and a mom who cares deeply about the future of Kuwait. In an exclusive interview with Kuwait Times, she revealed herself as someone willing to reach out and ever ready to represent her country on the international scene. Amin would also like to abolish ‘subjec- tive censorship’ once and for all.

Excerpts: Kuwait Times: What has been the biggest achievement in your entire career as an artist in Kuwait and internationally? Shurooq: There have been different achievements at dif- ferent milestones in my life. For example, being awarded Artist of the Year by the Arab Woman Awards in 2013 was a huge achievement. Then having my artwork auctioned at the renowned Christie’s auction house in 2012 and 2013 was a great achievement. Being invited by BBC to be interviewed by Shurooq Amin Stephen Sackur on the prominent program HARDTalk in 2014 stands next to was another huge achievement. Currently, another massive her painting honor for me is having been invited to exhibit at the 56th Venice ‘A Man Of No Biennale from May to November 2015. The Venice Biennale is the Importance’ highest accolade for any artist. ‘Natural Born Censors’ from the 2013 series from the 2013 Popcornographic. The title is based on Quentin series Popcor- KT: What challenges have you faced as an artist in Kuwait? Tarantino’s movie ‘Natural Born Killers.’ nographic. The How do you think Kuwait can reach the status of Dubai and painting’s title is other open countries in the Arab world? based on Oscar Shurooq: There are many challenges that I have faced - from Wilde’s book ‘A not finding opportunities in the art field in Kuwait (still the case ‘Subjective censorship’ should be abolished Woman Of No for emerging artists) to rumors and haters (still the case for me) Importance.’ to not having financial backing or support (thankfully I am repre- sented now by the distinguished Ayyam Gallery). In order for Kuwait to rise to the level of Dubai in the art world, there needs to be a drastic shift in management in the government sector (ie the National Council of Culture, Arts and Letters, the Kuwait Art Association, the museums, etc) so that the money allocated to these institutions can go wisely to supporting local artists at international art fairs, biennials, etc. Secondly, people need to eradicate the “clique” mentality and start opening up generously to true talents who are less fortunate (either in terms of money or family affiliations), so that opportunities can be fairly spread to all artists who are really dedicated and talented.

KT: What made you a good artist? Shurooq: Other than the fact that I was born with talent (many people are born talented but do nothing about it) – it was an infallible belief in my abilities, determination, persistence and most importantly, artistic integrity.

KT: Is there anything that you wish to achieve in your career as an artist and a Kuwaiti? What would you like to change or maybe be part of? Shurooq: I would like to be able to help more tangibly in both Kuwait and other countries child brides, abused children or women, orphans, trafficked females and children, the stateless, refugees, etc. Currently I donate to auctions and other charity causes, as well as helping through our movement ‘The Art Salon’. ‘See the Beauty Here’ from the 2014 series We’ll Build this City on Art and Love. But I have plans for two bigger projects in the future - one soon ‘Piece of the Pie: Who Stole the Tarts’ from the 2014 and one in a few years. I would also like to abolish ‘subjective series We’ll Build this City on Art and Love. censorship’ once and for all. Bio KT: Can you share with us your younger years as a strug- Born in 1967, Shurooq Amin is a Kuwaiti mixed- gling artist in Kuwait? What sparked the fire to be an artist? media interdisciplinary artist and an Anglophone poet Shurooq: I never decided to be an artist - I was sketching and whose purpose is to instigate change in society. She has painting ever since I could hold a pencil. My family noticed my a PhD in Ekphrasis, the connection between art and po- talent and encouraged me by buying me art equipment. I used etry, and has been published and anthologized interna- to draw so much that my father contacted the NCCAL and they tionally. Shurooq’s poetry has been published into two helped me participate in my first group exhibition with adult books to date in more than 40 literary journals across artists. My school noticed it and awarded me various prizes. the globe, and has been anthologized in the ‘Gathering There was an interview with me when I was 9 years old in a local the Tide: An Anthology of Arabian Gulf Poetry’ by Ithaca newspaper and the journalist asked me: “Why do you want to be Publishers in association with the Virginia Common- an artist?” and I answered: “It’s my passion. It makes me happy wealth University of Qatar. beyond words.” So I guess even at that age, I knew my path in Her second volume of poetry, “The Hanging of the life. Wind”, is taught as part of the contemporary literature curriculum in universities in the Gulf. She is the first Ku- KT: What is your dream that hasn’t been achieved as yet waiti to be nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize (related or unrelated to your career)? in December 2007 in the US. In March 2012, her show Shurooq: The dream that I have that hasn’t been achieved ‘It’s a Man’s World’ was shut down by Kuwaiti authorities yet is to establish a special customized learning school, call it The and her work was banned in the country. In April 2013, Amin School for Custom Learning, and give a truly safe alternate Shurooq was awarded the title of Artist of the Year by methodology for children and young adults who are “fish that the Arab Woman Awards, and has since become the first can’t climb trees”. I want to establish this school for Kuwait and Kuwaiti woman to be auctioned at Christie’s auction help create a new generation of geniuses that will benefit the house. country - invent, discover and create to make us a progressive She exhibited her 2013 series ‘Popcornographic’ dur- society and a better future civilization. This school will not be ing Art Dubai with Ayyam Gallery. Her 2014 series ‘We’ll mainstream, nor will it be special needs - rather, it will be for the Build This City on Art and Love’ was exhibited from Sept kids who fall through the educational system’s cracks (like my 14 to Oct 23, 2014 with Ayyam Gallery, DIFC, Dubai, and son); kids who are smart at alternative thinking, but don’t fit into exhibited in London from Nov 12, 2014 to Jan 10, 2015 the cookie-cutter mould of our one-size-fits-all educational sylla- with an artist’s talk and panel discussion. In Oct 2014, bus. That’s my real dream. To change the next generation. Shurooq was nominated for the 2014/2015 Sovereign Asian Art Prize by Art Radar. Shurooq has been chosen KT: Where can we view your works? to participate at the 56th International Venice Biennale Shurooq: I am represented by Ayyam Gallery, so my work can from May 9 to Nov 22, 2015. As an artist, she is repre- be found in Dubai and London. You can see my paintings on my sented exclusively by Ayyam Gallery. As a speaker, she is website and on Ayyam Gallery’s website. ‘The Kiss’ from the 2011 series It’s a Man’s World. represented by BCC, international speaker’s bureau.

KT SUNDAY new.indd 2 3/24/15 6:27 PM SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 LOCAL

News in brief Kuwait takes steps to Roudhan holds on to ensure child rights grilling plans Protection against physical, sexual or psychological abuse KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait has enacted legislations The child law, recently endorsed by the parliament, The law tackles various issues, such as choosing a proper intended to maintain child rights and acted at the interna- serves to ensure that children are protected against abuse, name for newly-born, child health, psychological, social and By A Saleh tional level for protecting these rights, joining the 1991 torture or negligence. The legislation, in its text and spirit, is educational rights, in addition to provisions that ensure United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child compatible with the relevant UN convention. child protection against physical, sexual or psychological KUWAIT: MP Roudhan Al-Roudhan said that (UNCRC). abuse. MP Ashour said the law also stipulates that children those who believe that his grilling against the It has provided free of charge medical care for children, All rights must not be used for immoral acts, establishing care houses former commerce minister Abdulmohsen Al- as part of the approach to trim death rates among the MP Saleh Ashour, the chairman of the parliamentary for treating and protecting the abused, in addition to articles Mudej has ended by the former’s resignation are youngsters. At the educational level, teaching children is women and affairs committee, said the endorsement of the that call for protecting them against health and educational mistaken. “My grilling was not personal,” he said. compulsory and free and violence against the young is pun- law “has come late however it goes in the National negligence. Furthermore it calls for setting up children “I was after reform because the commerce min- ishable by law. Delinquent juveniles are viewed from a legal Assembly’s record of accomplishments.” Although Kuwait libraries in the country’s governorates, tackling some nurs- istry still has corrupt officials and I have docu- perspective as victims of social circumstances, thus authori- devoted special attention and concern for child affairs, it had eries’ affairs and those of special needs. The Kuwaiti legisla- ties have enacted laws aimed at helping them undergo cor- lacked such a law which covered all rights for children since tor added that the newly-blessed law also prohibits child ments to prove this.” Roudhan added that he had rection and rehabilitation. birth till the age 18, he said. exploitation by the media. — KUNA arranged with the acting commerce minister Anas Al-Saleh to provide him with the docu- ments. Organizations back child rights bill

MEW undersecretary By Nawara Fattahova Great achievement Long procedure The National Society for Protection of Children (NSPC) The law’s draft underwent a long procedure. “The NSPC faced Minister of Electricity and Water and Minister KUWAIT: Various institutions in Kuwait are actively work- also held a press conference on Wednesday at the many obstacles to bring this law to fruition. We took this draft to of Public Works Ahmad Al-Jassar is expected ing on approving a law on child rights and have presented Association of Social Workers in Adailiya on the occasion of various legislative and governmental institutions to adopt it, but to finish selecting his undersecretary at the many initiatives in order to protect children and secure passing the law. During this conference, Dr Siham Al-Fraih, it remained in the drawers, until the chance came with the Ministry of Electricity and Water and reshuf- their rights. The parliament last week passed the child President of NSPC, expressed her happiness over this great ‘woman and child committee’ of the parliament. The head of this fling the ministry’s assistant undersecre- rights law and sent it to the Cabinet. On Wednesday, two achievement which will eliminate the violations of children’s committee MP Saleh Ashour believed in the importance of this taries in April, well-informed sources said. events were held as part of the efforts to protect children. rights. law for the Kuwaiti community and presented it to the parlia- The sources stressed that Jassar wants to The Kuwait Child Rights Society (KCRS) held an art exhibi- “Since our foundation in 2006, we worked on eliminating ment after long discussions of all its articles with specialists from tion including an auction and the conclusion ceremony of violence against children and spread awareness in the com- different fields. With its passage in the parliament, we achieved appoint an undersecretary quickly before a campaign against child abuse at the Contemporary Art munity in order to provide a safe and stable environment the most important goal of the society,” she pointed out. the upcoming summer season, the sources Platform in Shuwaikh. The revenues will go to supporting for kids. To achieve these goals, the NSPC prepared a law Balqis Al-Najjar, Secretary General of NSPC, called on the said, adding that the decision is likely to be awareness campaigns and therapy programs for abused draft on child’s rights consisting of 171 articles divided into Cabinet to give priority to the child law while issuing implementa- done by April 15. children. 10 chapters to be a part of a group of laws, as this law is of tions rules. “About 150 laws have been issued by the legislative KCRS was founded in 2008 to protect children in Kuwait the same importance as other laws. It also is a very impor- power, but many of them are still waiting to get implementations against abuse, torture or negligence and support their rights tant law for Kuwait, as the government ratified the interna- rules. We hope that this law will get priority due to its importance,” through working on passing the child protection law and tional convention on child’s rights in 1991,” said Fraih she noted. Zour refinery applying the UN convention on child rights, which was rati- Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) fied by Kuwait. recently arranged to hold five separate meetings KD 250 bank warranty for with companies to discuss the prices offered to Spreading awareness Dr Hind Al-Mazidi, Deputy Chairperson of KCRS, high- execute the Zour refinery project, said one of the lighted the importance of spreading awareness on child labor recruitment Apr 1 invited executives. The executives “do not know abuse. “We held an awareness campaign for a week, which much about the issue to be discussed at the aimed to eliminate all forms of child abuse. Daily violence By Meshaal Al-Enezi regulations. Meanwhile, Doussary indicated that the authority meeting,” said the executive who spoke on the and abuse of children was behind launching this awareness was currently working on solving the problems related to condition of anonymity. He added that the campaign. Today we are celebrating parliament’s approval of KUWAIT: A decision on activating the KD 250 bank warranty absconding reports in a way that protects both laborer and meeting would probably discuss prices and that the law, and the remaining steps of enforcing it should be condition for companies wishing to issue work permits for employer rights. He added that suggested solutions include KNPC would try reducing them. Notably, the easy. This art exhibition is called ‘Visual Therapy’, and the every laborer brought from outside the country will take effect inspecting the concerned facilities three times before issuing a pieces were made and presented by a group of artists who on April 1, 2015, a government official said. notice to the absconding laborers, granting them three months meetings were called following the Central donated the revenues to support our campaigns,” she told Tenders Committee (CTC) announced on March Companies wishing to do so are also encouraged to open to check with the relevant department. The suggestions also Kuwait Times. the needed bank accounts and provide the Manpower Public include filing absconding reports online so that laborers could 9 that the prices offered for the project had sur- KCRS also holds awareness lectures and distributes Authority with their numbers so that the work permits they follow up how their cases are developing, he said. passed the set budget by $4.2 million. In this brochures. “Through these activities we provide informa- need could be issued, the authority’s General Director Jamal Al- Separately, Human resources deputy manager at the said regard, KNPC said that the company was consid- tion about protection against child abuse, proper treat- Dousary said. He did not provide a date for when the authority citizens registering to receive the national labor support ering reoffering the tender for bidding to bal- ment by parents and the child’s rights. The new law covers will reopen foreign laborers’ recruitment from outside. Allowing allowance can do so online starting today, said Abdullah Al- ance the offers with the budget allocated for the various areas and fields related to child protection, and private companies to recruit workers from outside has been Motoutah, Deputy Director of the Human Resources should even set up a shelter for abused children,” Mazidi closed since last year pending efforts to introduce better labor Department at the authority. project. added. SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Anbaa Report Perfect recipe to Ex-con arrested get rid of terrorism for mugging By Sami Al-Nisf KUWAIT: Ahmadi detectives arrested a citizen with a criminal record for impersonating as a policeman and robbing several victims around the governorate, said he recent terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis is security sources. They noted that the suspect admit- Corruption actually a creative shift in terrorism and violence because ted to committing seven robberies against Asian Tit was not carried out against a bus carrying tourists com- laborers and farm guards in Wafra. Separately, an ing from one single country. The terrorists attacked a museum Indian man reported that two unidentified people where tourists from Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America stopped him in Sabah Al-Salem claiming to be police were present. The museum itself is located near the historic detectives, searched him, stole the KD 300 he had Parliament House in the capital, which provided the operation and beat him before vanishing. A case was filed. with huge media propaganda that would prevent tourists from

Al-Anbaa various countries from coming to Tunisia. Back in the 1990s, Egypt was struck by similar violence and Car thieves caught Reform witnessed a series of terrorist attacks such as that at the Two citizens were arrested for robbing several Egyptian Museum in downtown Cairo in Sept 1997 and the vehicles in Fahaheel, said security sources. Case Luxor massacre in Nov 1997 that led to the dismissal of interior papers indicate that after several reports of simi- minister Hassan Al-Alfi and replacing him with Habib Al-Adli. lar robberies, detectives managed to indentify Thence, the Egyptian state waged a very effective war on terror- one of the robbers, citizen living in Sabahiya, who ism that resulted in having extreme groups reconsider their was arrested and led the police to his accomplice. beliefs and reject violence, which made Egypt one of the safest The suspects confessed that they used to work countries worldwide and brought millions of tourists back to it. jointly and that one of them usually followed the At that particular time, a large Kuwaiti media delegation victim around while shopping to make sure he or met with an Egyptian minister and asked him how Egypt man- she does not return to the vehicle before his part- aged to turn from a state held captive by terrorism to one in full ner broke it open and robbed it. control over terrorism in such a short period. The minister’s answer came as the perfect and effective ‘recipe’ to get rid of Teen sets house ablaze Al-Jarida terrorism. “We realized the link between terrorism and people’s standards of living and succeeded in having the people take A juvenile was recently arrested for setting his fami- part in the war on terrorism because security forces will never ly’s house and his sister’s vehicle on fire in protest succeed in fighting it without participation from the people,” against her marriage to someone he did not said the minister. “We shifted from focusing on the terrorist approve of, said security sources. They noted that Heaven’s gift himself to focusing on the ‘factory’ that makes him, that is some policemen and firemen rushed to the family’s house schools and mosques were we found terrorist-creating imams and controlled the fire with no casualties. and teachers,” added the minister, noting that some religious teachers do not teach the principles of Islamic tolerance and By Salah Al-Sayer House break-in clemency and instead taught extremism assisted by teachers of other subjects such as science, history and geography. The min- A citizen reported that an unidentified robber had ister said those teachers were removed from schools in addition broken into his apartment in Ishbeliya and stolen KD t is a people that really deserve respect and admira- moment the tyrant left the country, the public barged tion and live in a country named after a king who had into the presidential palace without recording a single to some imams who had been using unofficial mosques to pro- 5,000 worth of jewelry and valuable watches. A case mote terrorism. was filed and further investigations are in progress. Ioccupied it in the past, while the name of its national case of looting, robbery or sabotage in it! hero who fought colonists is only used to refer to a It is a people characterized by doing several jobs to The minister also told us security forces adopted different rather delicious fish commonly sold in its markets. perfection, be it those that require precision and soft- policies in dealing with terrorists. “Instead of arresting them Fake passports Though this country is ranked ness or hard ones that require alive to interrogate them and get information about other A Syrian woman and her two children were arrested at Kuwait 12th worldwide in terms of strength and labor. You can see accomplices, which we discovered was encouraging other ter- International Airport while trying to leave the country using population (100 million), the them amongst the ‘angels of rorists to join them knowing that their lives would be spared, It is a people characterized by and instead of sending them to prison and turning those pris- fake Bulgarian passports. Interrogating the woman, she said people of this country are very mercy’, passionately and profes- ons to new terrorism factories where ignorant and naive pick- that her husband had bought them the passports for them to organized. It is a happy people doing several jobs to perfection, sionally serving patients at vari- leave the country and that he would follow them a month lat- pockets, robbers and traffic violators could be turned into ter- that tend to rejoice and lead a ous hospitals. You can also see rorists, we decided that the best option was to eliminate them er. Arresting the husband, he justified what he did due to the merry and joyful life despite be it those that require precision them navigating giant vessels unstable situation in Syria and that he intended to take his on the spot,” explained the minister, noting that killing them poverty and natural disasters through oceans or running a was the best penalty for those who kill innocent citizens, family to Europe. The husband led the police to the person threatening it, like floods and and softness or hard ones that huge oil drilling rig in the mid- who sold him the passports, and a search is on for him. tourists and security force members. The minister also recom- quakes. require strength and labor. dle of the desert. They are a mended breaching those terrorist groups by secret agents who In mid 1980s, this people people famous for love of could convince them to accelerate their actions so that they Bomb found revolted against its tyrant ruler cleanliness and constant wish could be fought and got rid of before executing actual opera- Grave diggers at Sulaibikhat cemetery reported and millions went out to streets in an overwhelming to wash up. Though they are mainly characterized by rel- tions. Finally, a lot of what the minister said was off the record finding a strange object that turned out to be a public uprising using yellow strips (as the revolution atively short heights, their men are very fond of playing and cannot be published, though it mainly revolved around the shell left over since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait token) and filling the air with songs. They besieged the basketball. It is the Philippines, of course, heaven’s gift principles of fighting evil with evil, ideology with ideology and in 1990. A bomb squad was summoned to the state-owned television and army barracks and the on earth. violence with violence, which proved to be very effective in scene and removed the shell. fighting terrorism and getting rid of it. Will Assembly help increase production, develop oilfields?

KUWAIT: Recent statements made by Oil Minister and Minister of State for Assembly Affairs Ali Al-Omair on hav- ing the parliament take part in oil- related issues and developing oilfields seem to have raised several concerns for experts as well as international oil companies, especially with the bad previous experience of negative polit- ical influence in oil contracts still fresh in minds. Notably, Omair had said that the government would have the par- liament and its commissions take part in developing oilfields and setting the oils sector’s strategy and increase pro- duction.

Time consuming Commenting on this, former Supreme Petroleum Council member Mossa Marafi said that pushing the parliament in oil concerns and proj- ects was only meant to consume time and would not have any benefits at all. He added that it would only make things worse because the parliament lacked the expertise needed to do so. “Such a step will surely hinder and delay many projects,” he explained, pointing out that the oil minister should instead act as a link between the Assembly and KPC by presenting major projects and studies to relevant parliamentary committees for discus- sion. “Why can’t KPC be as independ- ent as Saudi Aramco?” he wondered, noting that, thanks to such independ- ence, Aramco was now one of the world’s leading companies in oil pro- duction and development. Negative messages Member of the teaching staff at the Oil strategy expert Abdul Hameed Oil industry advisor Waleed Al-Hashash Technological Studies College’s oil engineer- Al-Awadhi said that such a proposal said that the minister’s statement sends neg- ing department Prof Ahmed Al-Kouh said was strange because the parliament ative messages to international companies that having the Assembly take part as a mon- lacked the needed qualified members because Kuwait had already suffered from itor of oil companies’ performance in general to do this task, which ought to be political interference in oil-related concerns, would help enhance transparency. At the assigned to experts who have previ- where the parliament delayed some oil proj- same time, Kouh stressed that the oil sector ous experience working in this field. ects. “What Kuwait really needs nowadays is was doing a great job and that it was devel- “Instead, the minister should consult to repair its reputation after political interfer- oping on a daily basis. He added foreign KPC board members and discus KOC’s ence had cost it to lose many opportunities companies are only interested in making the needs to increase and develop oil pro- to be ranked amongst leading oil producing most profits they can in the shortest possible duction,” he underlined. countries,” he said. time and this drains the oilfields. —Al-Jarida New luggage inspection Celebrity harassed at airport methods at airport KUWAIT: An affidavit that a citizen signed at Jleeb police station recently spared from him a sexual harassment case filed against KUWAIT: Security forces at Kuwait International Airport him for sexually harassing popular Lebanese female singer changed luggage inspection methods since Friday and Najwa Karam on arrival at Kuwait International Airport. Karam started adopting new, faster methods, well-informed came to Kuwait to perform in a concert as part of the Hala sources said. The initial inspection before the check-in February festivities. According to security sources, fans gathered counters would be canceled. It was replaced by another around the singer on arrival at the airport, requesting photos method to be done at the airport yard using modern, more with her, but the suspect tried to touch her body, which made her sophisticated inspection machines, the sources said, adding bodyguards catch him, starting an argument that ended up at that these machines are already used at other airports Jleeb police station. where calls poured in begging not to file a worldwide. The new measure would only apply for cargo case against the citizen. Eventually, the dispute was amicably luggage while cabin bags would be searched and inspected resolved and the young man had to sign an affidavit, and the the same old way, the sources added. —Al-Anbaa bodyguard dropped the charges. —Al-Rai SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 Nigeria votes in crunch 15 dead in Somalia hotel attack, militants end siege presidential election

Page 8 Page 10 Italy clears Knox of murder Kercher’s mother ‘surprised and very shocked’ at ruling

ROME: Italy’s top court has thrown out Amanda Italy’s judicial system. “It was a brave decision, it Knox’s conviction for the 2007 murder of British has renewed my faith in the system,” Girgha said. student Meredith Kercher, bringing a sensational “It went beyond my wildest expectations, I’m end to an eight-year legal drama that has super happy for Amanda. She has finally got her gripped a global audience. life back. She always insisted she was innocent.” Judges at the Court of Cassation on Friday also quashed all charges against Knox’s Italian A second acquittal ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito after ten hours of Kercher, 21, died after being stabbed 47 times deliberations in Rome. and having her throat slashed. Knox said she was “tremendously relieved Her half-naked body was found in a pool of and grateful” for the court’s decision. “Meredith blood in a back room of the house she shared was my friend, she deserved so much in this life. with Knox. Ivory Coast-born drifter Rudy Guede I’m the lucky one,” a tearful Knox told reporters in was jailed for the murder in 2008 but, in a judge- Seattle. ment that was to have serious implications for The 27-year-old, who served four years in Knox and Sollecito, the judge in his trial ruled prison before being freed on appeal in 2011, that he could not have acted alone. said: “The knowledge of my innocence has given Prosecutors maintained to the end that Knox me strength in the darkest times of this ordeal.” and Sollecito fatally slashed Kercher while Guede However Kercher’s mother said she was “sur- held her down. prised and very shocked” at the ruling. Knox and Sollecito were first convicted in Arline Kercher called the decision “odd” given 2009, then acquitted in 2011, when they the pair had been convicted twice following the believed they had been freed to resume their British student’s killing in 2007. normal lives. But that decision was found to be Sollecito, 31, learned of the verdict at his flawed by the Court of Cassation in 2013, leading home in Puglia in southern Italy, where he had to a retrial in Florence which reinstated the initial driven after attending the final hearing in the convictions last year and increased Knox’s sen- high court review on Friday morning. tence to 28 years and six months. “Finally I can resume my life,” he said. “I still Lawyers for both defendants said they would can’t quite believe it. Finally I will no longer have be seeking compensation for the time spent in to spend all my time with legal papers. I can prison-two years on remand before their initial return to normal.” conviction and two more before they were freed SEATTLE: Amanda Knox, center, stands with her mother, Edda Mellas, right, and her fiance, Colin Sutherland, left, as she talks ot the The shock verdict was greeted with chaotic, on appeal. media outside Mellas’ home, Friday, in Seattle. Italy’s highest court overturned the murder conviction against Knox and her ex-boyfriend jubilant scenes in the great hall of the Roman Had the convictions been upheld, Knox Friday over the 2007 slaying of Knox’s roommate, bringing to a definitive end the high-profile case. -— AP courthouse. Chairs went flying as Sollecito’s would have almost certainly faced extradition, on with their lives”. She is unlikely ever to be able to live a com- Knox’s supporters always insisted she was lawyer Giulia Bongiorno reacted to the shock which she had vowed to resist. pletely normal life, such was the fascination with simply an innocent abroad who fell victim to a verdict by shouting “yes, yes, yes” and leaping up She said last year: “I would have to be An innocent abroad a case that had an irresistible combination of a flawed judicial system. Illustrating what the into the arms of a colleague. dragged back kicking and screaming into a Since her release, Knox had completed the youthful, photogenic cast, a particularly brutal defence says was systemic police bungling in the “Raffaele has been a rock. This verdict has prison I didn’t deserve to be in.” language studies that took her to Perugia in the crime and an endless supply of headline-friendly case, Bongiorno said in court Friday that 35 peo- proved him completely right,” she said. A friend of the Knox family, who had spoken first place, found work as a journalist and report- detail. ple had tramped in and out of the crime scene, One of Knox’s lawyers, Luciano Girgha, admit- on the phone to them at their Seattle home edly become engaged. But her lawyers admitted Such details ranged from DNA traces found making critical DNA evidence unreliable and ted he had been surprised by the verdict, but since the verdict, told BBC radio that “everybody she had been extremely worried that Friday’s on the victim’s bra strap to the vibrator that Knox eliminating any proof either of them were in the said it had restored the battered credibility of is very happy to see this finished, so they can get verdict could go against her. kept in a see-through toilet bag. bedroom when Meredith died. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 ‘Major sacrifices’ required to retake Tikrit

BAGHDAD: Retaking the city of Tikrit, ward again. ing berms and tunnels, also booby- curbed it on the ground. Iran had been the most prominent where jihadists have rigged streets and “The task of liberating Tikrit requires trapped, the officer said. Key Iranian-backed militia forces that foreign partner in the operation, but buildings with explosives, will require major sacrifices and street fighting, and IS spearheaded a sweeping offensive have done much of the heavy lifting in Baghdad eventually requested the US- “major sacrifices” on the part of Iraqi our forces are ready for these sacrifices,” last June that overran much of Iraq’s the drive to push IS back suspended led strikes after the drive stalled. forces, a senior intelligence officer said the officer told AFP on condition of Sunni Arab heartland, and the operation offensive operations after the strikes The battle has continued in the yesterday. anonymity, indicating that the pause in to retake Tikrit is Baghdad’s largest to began, commanders told AFP. absence of the militia forces, with an Iraqi forces and allied paramilitaries operations only deferred the inevitable date against the militants. The Pentagon conditioned its inter- army colonel saying there was heavy have been fighting to retake the city cost. A US-led anti-IS coalition began vention on an enhanced role for regular fighting on the southern outskirts of the since March 2, but halted ground opera- The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group carrying out air strikes in the Tikrit government forces and Friday hailed city. The advance was slow due to tions for more than a week in what offi- has planted bombs in streets, rigged area on Wednesday, a move that the withdrawal of “those Shiite militias bombs planted by IS but security forces cials described as a bid to curb human houses and other buildings with explo- increased available firepower in who are linked to, infiltrated by, (or) oth- have gained some ground, the colonel and material losses before pushing for- sives, and built defensive works includ- the air but has at least temporarily erwise under the influence of Iran”. said. —AFP

In Sudan, an unlikely path to jihad for students

KHARTOUM: Tasneem Hussein was a soft- large garden on a tree-lined street where spoken university student in Khartoum several luxury cars are often parked in the when the transformation slowly began. driveway. “Before her transformation, After returning to Sudan from Britain to Tasneem was an open, moderately conser- study pharmacology, she swapped her vative girl like the rest of her family,” said jeans for the head-to-toe niqab covering. the person who is close to the family. When But no one expected to hear reports of her she wore the niqab, her parents apparently abandoning her studies and a privileged questioned her decision, but failed to real- life to help Islamic State wage jihad in Syria. ize she was on a dangerous path. Last week, the 23-year-old told her parents she would be spending the night with rela- Conservative Sudan tives. The next day she sent a Whatsapp Sudan, which hosted al Qaeda founder message saying she was studying for a Osama bin Laden in the 1990s, promotes a Masters exam at the university library, conservative brand of Sunni Islam which according to a person close to the family, may appease hardline groups. Long-ruling who declined to be named due to the sen- President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, who sitivities of the matter. In fact, Hussein went came to power in a 1989 coup, introduced to Turkey with a group of other British- sharia law, creating an official tolerance to Sudanese medical students en route to Islamism. The University of Medical Syria, ostensibly to back Islamic State. Sciences and Technology (UMST), where To many people, the group that now the group studied, was founded by controls large areas of Iraq and Syria is Khartoum governorate Health Minister notorious for beheading Western captives Ma’amoun Houmeyda, a known Islamist. A and burning a Jordanian military pilot alive. walk across campus showed most students It imposes strict Islamist rule in its fiefdoms, wearing Western attire, unusual in the con- including repressing women. But for some servative country. But UMST has also host- youngsters like Hussein, it may have had an ed firebrand clerics like Sheikh Mohammed appeal. She used to “join us in parties and al-Jizouli who has given sermons support- occasions with neighbors. She use to wear ing Islamic State and called on people to jeans and then two years ago a big change “leave the bleachers and go to seats of happened and she started wearing the martyrdom”. Jizouli was arrested a few niqab,” said the neighbor, who saw Hussein months ago and it was not immediately the day she left for Turkey and did not possible to verify whether anyone in the LAUSANNE: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, center, takes a walk prior to meetings at the Beau Rivage Palace Hotel, in Lausanne, detect anything unusual. group had listened to his sermons, but it is Switzerland, yesterday. Negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program picked up pace yesterday with the foreign ministers of France and Germany Unlike Britons indoctrinated by militant likely. joining US Secretary of State John Kerry in talks with Iran’s top diplomat ahead of a looming end-of-March deadline for a preliminary deal. —AP ideology in mosques in the United Ahmed Babaker, UMST’s dean of stu- Kingdom, Hussein and her comrades were dents, said the group got together in an introduced to fundamentalist thought at apartment in an upscale area of Khartoum religious lectures in their university. Their and that it was recruited by Mohammed journey to Syria illustrates the complex Fakhri-a Briton of Palestinian origin - who Iran talks go into top challenges Western and Arab states face in left for Britain after graduating from UMST trying to contain the appeal of Islamic and from there went to Syria and joined State, which has succeeded in attracting Islamic State. The neighbors and friends young European-born Muslims to their ide- Reuters spoke to all seemed to lay at least gear in battle of wills al of a medieval caliphate. This group, some of the blame on the Islamic which included both medical students and Civilization student organization which new graduates, are worlds apart from the brought clerics like Jizouli to deliver ser- stereotypical profile of many militants - mons calling for jihad. “After two students ‘The work is very complicated and difficult’ poor, disaffected, angry, youths. Most of travelled to Mali to join religious groups, LAUSANNE: Tortuous negotiations aimed at lay- easy to detect any dash to make a bomb under tions are not, then there is no deal,” Salehi said. them come from well-to-do families who we halted the activities of the clerics,” ing to rest fears that Iran will acquire nuclear the guise of its civilian atomic programme. Iran wants the sanctions lifted immediately have no connection to extremist circles in Babaker said. weapons moved into top gear yesterday with In return, Iran wants an easing of internation- but global powers insist on a gradual phasing Khartoum. While the university was not shutting each side demanding the other give ground al sanctions that have excluded the Islamic out of sanctions in case Iran violates the deal. Hussein’s father is well-known in down the group, it said it was starting ahead of a looming deadline. republic from lucrative oil markets and crippled The UN has imposed several rounds of sanc- Sudanese society and is the head of one of awareness programs. “After the escape of “We’re at that point in the negotiations where its economy. tions since 2006 aimed at stopping Iran from Sudan’s largest government hospitals. this group, there’s cooperation with securi- we really need to see decisions being made,” a expanding its nuclear and missile programmes Neighbors say the family lives in the elite ty and intelligence services to monitor sus- senior US State Department official said late Pulling an all-nighter? while EU and US sanctions since 2010 have tar- Riyadh district in a three-storey villa with a picious students. —Reuters Friday at the talks in Lausanne, Switzerland. Asked at the start of their talks yesterday geted its oil exports and banks. “The work is very complicated and difficult. morning whether they were expecting a good It remains unclear what form any deal to The other side needs to choose between pres- day, Kerry replied wryly that “we’re expecting an emerge from the Lausanne talks would take. sure and a political accord,” countered Iranian evening today,” while Zarif joked “evening, night, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Islamist insurgents take Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. midnight, morning.” China’s Foreign Minister told reporters on Saturday morning that “no text France’s top diplomat Laurent Fabius, the Wang Yi and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov has been prepared”. parts of Syria’s city most hawkish in the P5+1 group of countries will reportedly fly in on Sunday, as well as the Kerry is under pressure to return from negotiating with Iran since late 2013, was the EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. Lausanne with something concrete to head off a BEIRUT: Islamist groups including Al led air strikes. first European minister to fly in for the crucial Britain’s Philip Hammond was on stand-by to push by Republican lawmakers to introduce yet Qaeda’s Nusra Front have seized major “The armed forces are pounding terror- talks saying he wanted to reach a “robust deal”. come. Kerry, Fabius and German Foreign more sanctions, potentially torpedoing the parts of Syria’s city of Idlib for the first time ist gatherings who have infiltrated the area France was “insisting” that any deal included Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will have a whole negotiating process. since the conflict in the country began, of the national museum and sides of the mechanisms to ensure that the Islamic republic, working lunch yesterday, a US official said. The Republicans are concerned that by leav- fighters and a monitoring group said yes- industrial area on the eastern entrance of which denies wanting nuclear weapons, com- The emerging accord is to be rounded out ing some of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure intact, terday. the city,” state news agency SANA said. It plies with its commitments, he said. with complex technical annexes by a June 30 as seems likely, the mooted deal will not do Syrian state television said the army was added that the army had killed hundreds of Fabius will join US Secretary of State John deadline, and Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi enough to prevent Iran getting the bomb. This engaged in fierce fighting and have man- the fighters. Kerry, Zarif and negotiators from the six powers, said he was busy redoing his “technical calcula- concern is shared by Israel, widely assumed to aged to halt the insurgents advances on A video posted on the Internet by Nusra chasing an agreement on the broad outlines of tions”. World powers want to ensure that any have nuclear weapons itself, as well as Saudi the northern, eastern and southern sides of Front shows dozens of fighters in the what they hope will be a historic deal by deal will result in a year-long “breakout time”-the Arabia, worried by the prospect of any US- the city. streets of what a voice says was Idlib city. Tuesday. Since a major diplomatic push to amount of time needed for Iran to covertly gath- Iranian rapprochement with the West after 35 “The army is fighting fierce battles to “This is my house, for four years I have resolve the long-running crisis began in 2013, er enough fissile material to be able to make a years of acrimony. “A deal is possible, but Iran restore the situation back to what it was,” it not entered it, this is my neighbourhood, Kerry and the US-educated Zarif have met multi- bomb-and experts say there are several routes will have to make painful choices,” a Western said. Idlib, a city of 100,000 people, is close this is our country and by God’s will we will ple times, but have twice missed a deadline to to getting there. diplomat said, adding however that “the Iranians to the main strategic highway linking liberate and inhabit Muslims in it,” a fighter nail down an accord. The powers want Iran to “Everything is linked. If all the technical issues like to negotiate on the edge of a precipice. Damascus to Aleppo and is also close to said in the video. shrink its nuclear programme in order to make it are resolved and the questions tied to the sanc- They’re very good at it.” —AFP the coastal province of Latakia, a strong- He was welcomed by several men, some hold of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. in civilian clothes, others hugged him and “They have entered the city from several cried. Islamist groups have formed an sides but the major push was from the alliance which also included the hardline northern and western sides,” said Rami Ahrar al-Sham movement and Jund al- 15 dead in Somalia hotel Abdelrahman from the Syrian Observatory Aqsa. They launched the offensive to take for Human Rights, a British-based group the city on Tuesday. which monitors the conflict. The grouping have called the operation attack, militants end siege If the insurgents seize Idlib, the capital Army of Fatah, a reference to the Muslim of a northwestern province of the same conquests that spread the faith through name, the province would be the second the Middle East starting in the seventh cen- MOGADISHU: The death toll from an attack by have subsided, with security forces searching and impose its strict version of Sharia, or Islamic after Raqqa to be fully under the control of tury. Syria’s civil war has killed more than al Shabaab militants on a hotel in the Somali the rooms for fighters and booby traps, while law, on the country. rebels. Raqqa is a stronghold of the Islamic 220,000 people and forced millions of capital rose to at least 15, police said, and the others carried bodies from the scene. An offensive launched last year by African State group and has been a target of US- Syrians out of their homes. — Reuters attackers said they had ended the overnight Streets surrounding the hotel were sealed off Union forces along with the Somali army has siege that was punctuated by loud explosions. by government and African Union peacekeeping driven the group out of its strongholds in central Al Shabaab fighters blasted and shot their troops. Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab was pushed and southern Somalia, while a series of US drone way into the popular Hotel Maka Al Mukaram on out of the capital by African peacekeeping strikes have killed some of its top leaders. In Friday afternoon, trapping many government forces in 2011, but has kept up guerrilla-style February, al Shabaab fighters attacked another officials. Security personnel, led by a unit from attacks, looking to overthrow the government hotel in Mogadishu, killing at least 25.—Reuters the elite US-trained special forces troops known as “Gaashaan” (Shield) stormed the hotel on Friday evening and fought the attackers into Saturday. “At least 15 people died including Somalia’s ambassador to Geneva, and at least 20 others were wounded,” Colonel Farah Aden, a senior police officer at the scene, told Reuters. “Those who died include civilians, hotel guards and government soldiers.” Sheikh Ali Mahamud Rage, al Shabaab’s spokesman, said in an emailed statement that some of its fighters had died in the attack, while those remaining had left the hotel, and were threatening more violence. Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab’s military operations spokesman, said they had targeted only government officials and spared civilians. Journalists and paramedics were barred from KOBANE: A Syrian Kurdish boy sits on a destroyed tank in the Syrian town of Kobane, entering the hotel grounds on Saturday and MAGADISHU: Security forces personnel stand guard on March 28, 2015 after a bomb attack also known as Ain al-Arab, yesterday. Islamic State (IS) fighters were driven out of were only allowed to watch from its gate. A yesterday on the Makal Almukarama hotel in Mogadishu by Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-affiliated Kobane on January 26 by Kurdish and allied forces. — AFP Reuters photographer said the siege seemed to Shebab militants. The death toll rose to 14, police said yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 Jury rejects Silicon Valley sex bias charge

SAN FRANCISCO: A California jury deliberations with the freedom to get any money in the form of missed The session in court on Friday indi- chance at an investment role. rejected charges of gender discrimina- change any or all of the verdict. Pao’s compensation or eligible for punitive cated that the jury was favoring KPCB in During several days of testimony at tion against a prominent venture capi- lawyers painted the 45-year-old woman damages. Judge Kahn’s decision to what would be seen as a major victory trial, Pao maintained that women were tal firm Friday in a case seen as a proxy as an innocent victim of sexual discrimi- send jurors back to deliberate means for the firm, which has been criticized shut out of some KPCB networking trial of Silicon Valley sex bias. The state nation common at the esteemed ven- there is no official verdict. Each point at for not settling with Pao to avoid hav- events and that bad behavior by male court jury found Kleiner Perkins ture capital firm. But KPCB attorneys issue in the closely-watched civil case ing embarrassing in-house scenarios colleagues included the gift of a “Book Caufield and Byers (KPCB) did not dis- portrayed Pao as a calculating schemer remains open for debate in the jury publicly exposed. Jurors began deliber- of Longing” poetry tome and a conver- criminate against Ellen Pao, who burning with resentment and with a room. ations late Wednesday morning after sation that included talk of porn stars. claimed she was fired after complaining thirst for a quick buck. rival attorneys finished closing argu- KPCB lawyer Lynne Hermle reminded about bias at the firm that notably Pao asked the jury to order KPCB to Silicon Valley sexism spotlighted ments. Pao’s lawyer sought to convince jurors of a chart Pao made of co-work- backed Amazon, Facebook and Google. pay $16 million in money she would The gender discrimination trial pits the panel that KPCB had a double stan- ers she resented, including a married However the outcome was immediately have made if she wasn’t fired from the an iconic venture capital firm against an dard when it came to gender, and then partner with whom she had an affair called into question however after trial firm in 2012. Pao is now the well-paid employee shown the door not long retaliated against her when she com- and high-profile partner Doerr. Hermle judge Harold Kahn found that the jury interim chief of social news site Reddit. after her affair with a married partner. A plained about it. “They ran Kleiner contended that Pao perpetually clashed verdict did not have enough votes on On each question regarding whether six man, six-woman jury was asked, Perkins like a boys club,” Pao’s attorney with co-workers and put her own agen- one of the claims. Pao’s gender was a “substantial motivat- essentially, to decide whether the suit Alan Exelrod argued. Pao contends that da first. Pao tried to “torpedo” a KPCB The question surrounded whether ing reason” for her being passed over filed by Pao is a stand against a boys she and other women were passed over investigation into her complaint while Pao’s filing of her lawsuit or a memoran- for promotion and eventually fired, a club atmosphere at KPCB or a money for advancement and endured harass- devoting much time and effort to culti- dum regarding her complaint was a requisite two-thirds or more of the jury grab by an employee who lacked the ment in a male-oriented culture. Pao vating email trails and gathering digital “substantial motivating reason” for her voted “No.” Those votes, if they stand, skills to join the rarified ranks of Silicon was hired in 2005 to be an office man- documents to give lawyers handling being fired. Kahn sent the jury back to would mean that Pao is not in line to Valley venture capitalists. ager for Doerr and years later got a her lawsuit, Hermle argued.— AFP

Autopsies determine children found in freezer were slain

DETROIT: A brother and sister whose bod- neither she nor her siblings had gone to ies were found in a deep freezer in their school in two years. It’s not clear if they Detroit home had been beaten to death, actually were receiving lessons at home. autopsies determined Friday, painting a Under Michigan’s school code, parents can more complete picture of the horrors that take their children from public schools unfolded inside the home for years but and homeschool them without alerting that apparently went unnoticed by the local or education officials. outside world. The Wayne County medical City Councilwoman Mary Sheffield said examiner’s office classified the deaths of Friday that’s not good enough. “There is Stoni Ann Blair and Stephen Gage Berry as no accountability whatsoever,” Sheffield homicides, saying both were killed by told The Associated Press. “You can pull multiple blows and that the young boy your student out (of school), but there is also had “thermal injuries.” no way to monitor the care and well-being Their older sister, who is 17, told child of that child. That’s a huge concern.” welfare officials that their mother, Sheffield, who held a prayer vigil Friday Mitchelle Blair, tortured Stephen “for night at the family’s apartment complex, approximately two weeks prior to his said she will be working with legislators to death by tying a belt around his neck, take a closer look at the law. The issue throwing hot water on him while in the gained some attention briefly in 2013, shower and putting a plastic bag over his when a bill was introduced in the state head.” The girl and Blair’s other surviving House that would have required parents child, an 8-year-old boy, have been placed to register their homeschool with the in the care of a relative. Blair, 35, is jailed state. on first-degree child abuse charges, but prosecutors said Thursday that she could Physical abuse face murder charges depending on what “But it didn’t go anywhere,” said Bill the autopsies found. The prosecutor’s DiSessa, state Education spokesman. Gilda office said Friday that there would be no Jacobs, CEO of the Michigan League for changes in the charges over the weekend. Public Policy, said it’s too easy for children Investigators believe Stoni was 13 to fall through the cracks. “Nobody knows when she died and Stephen was 9. They what goes on inside certain homes, and NEW HAMPSHIRE: In this Jan. 3, 2012 file photo, votes are tallied during a caucus of precinct 42 near Smithland, Iowa. Few states have shaped think Stephen died in August 2012 and there is literally no accountability built presidential politics like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. By hosting the nation’s first presidential primary contests, the states have that Stoni died the following May. In a into the homeschooling process,” said reaped political and financial rewards for decades on successful candidates and hastened the end for underachievers. Yet their loutc may be court filing Thursday to end Blair’s Jacobs, whose Lansing-based organiza- declining in 2016. — AP parental rights, the state Department of tion is an advocacy group for the poor. Human Services quoted her surviving Angela Gordon, an aunt who is caring for daughter as saying that after Blair killed the two surviving children, said her first Early states in US presidential Stephen, his body was wrapped in a bed priority is enrolling them in school. She linen and put in the freezer. She said in said she had no indication anything was May 2013, Stoni incensed their mother by wrong at the apartment and questioned saying she didn’t like either of the surviv- whether home checks were completed by primary may be losing clout ing siblings, and that their mother stran- the state. gled Stoni with a T-shirt and placed a plas- The state said in its court filing that tic bag over her mouth. The older girl said Child Protective Services had contacts Republican primary ‘shaping up in political marathon’ her mother forced her to put her sister’s with the family in 2002 and 2005, and that body in the freezer, the agency wrote. investigations substantiated allegations of NASHUA: Few states have shaped presidential Gov Scott Walker spent much of this month House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Conservative physical abuse. Neither of the fathers were politics like Iowa, New Hampshire and South trekking through all three states, as did other pre- donor Foster Friess, who almost singlehandedly Homeschooled involved in the four children’s lives, and Carolina. By hosting the nation’s first presidential sumed candidates who are aggressively hiring bankrolled Santorum’s super PAC in 2012, predict- Court officers carrying out an eviction both owe more than $10,000 in child sup- primaries and caucuses, the states have heaped state-based political operatives. Bush told South ed an extended campaign this time because of notice at the family’s home in an apart- port, the agency noted. Blair also collect- political and financial rewards for decades on suc- Carolina Republicans their state is critical because the quality of the candidates. “I don’t expect a ment complex near downtown Detroit on ed government food assistance and cessful candidates and hastened the end for it holds “the first big primary,” a nod to a projected clear leader to emerge until after South Carolina,” Tuesday found the bodies in the freezer. Medicaid for all of her children - including underachievers. Yet their clout may be declining turnout that dwarfs participation in Iowa, New Friess said. A compressed voting calendar, as well Neighbors said afterward that they hadn’t Stoni and Stephen - through this month. in 2016. Campaign aides and veteran political Hampshire and Nevada. Visiting New Hampshire as natural geographic advantages for some candi- seen the dead children for about a year - “While we cannot release information on a operatives expect the Republicans’ next primary recently, Kentucky Sen Rand Paul predicted the dates later on, also offers an incentive for some although investigators believe it must specific case, this type of tragedy under- season to extend well beyond the first three primary season could “go on for quite a while,” but Republican candidates to stay in longer. Several have been longer than that - and that they scores that protecting children is the states, thanks to an explosion of well-financed highlighted the momentum that the early states Southern states, including delegate-rich Texas, rarely saw the two surviving children. responsibility of everyone in our commu- super PACs, a robust stable of candidates and offer. Yet those likely contenders and others are are expected to hold their elections March 1, When neighbors asked if the children nities,” said Bob Wheaton, state Human changes in the election calendar that could make laying the groundwork to continue competing when delegates will be awarded to candidates attended school, they said Blair told them Services spokesman. “We rely on the eyes the 2016 GOP primary season one of the most even if they stumble early. proportionally. the kids were being homeschooled. The and ears of those in the community to competitive in history. 17-year-old told child welfare officials that help us protect children.”—AP That drawn-out scenario is despite the wishes Political team Shifting landscapes of the Republican National Committee, which While he faces hurdles in the early states, Bush At least three likely competitors have strong recently changed rules with the aim of giving the is amassing considerable resources to go well ties to Texas - one of its senators, Ted Cruz; the eventual nominee a quicker and easier path to beyond the early states - both through traditional state’s former governor, Rick Perry; and Bush, a the general election. While there is little competi- fundraising and his allied super PAC. Walker’s trav- Texas native as well as a brother of the former Hillary Clinton wiped tion expected on the Democratic side, the el schedule includes states voting later in primar- governor and president and a son of the former Republican primary is “shaping up to be the ulti- ies, his aides note. Paul has been organizing a president and GOP leader. Both Rubio and Bush mate political marathon,” said Phil Musser, a GOP political team both inside and outside the early have won statewide office in Florida, which is email server ‘clean’ consultant and veteran of presidential politics. He voting states for several months. And even before expected to hold its primary March 15, the first suggested candidates might not get the “sling- they formally announce their campaigns, many day that states can host winner-take-all contests. WASHINGTON: Hillary Clinton wiped “clean” manently delete all emails from her server, shot effect” from early state victories that they likely candidates already enjoy the backing of The final primaries or caucuses must be held by her private server that hosted her emails but Gowdy said it appears to have occurred once might have. super PACs that can raise campaign cash with no June 3, with a Republican presidential nominat- while secretary of state, permanently delet- after October 28, when the State Ronald Weiser, former finance chairman of the limits. ing convention set for July 18. ing all correspondence, and did not turn over Department first asked her to hand over the Republican National Committee, agrees. “The At least 10 potential contenders are now Candidates need to win early to show they can more of the messages, lawmakers said records. early states are still important, but they’re not crit- backed by super PACs, or related organizations, go the distance, says Phil Cox, executive director Friday. A simmering scandal over Clinton’s ical anymore,” he said. “You’re not gone if you that offer a financial safety net to help replace the for a super PAC backing New Jersey Gov Chris admitted use of a private email account for ‘Unprecedented’ deletion of records don’t do well in those first couple primaries.” By fundraising boost traditionally earned from Christie. Still, he says, there is less incentive for can- the duration of her four years as President In a letter to Gowdy, Clinton lawyer David nature of being first, however, Iowa, New strong finishes in Iowa, New Hampshire or South didates to drop out early than in the past. Even Barack Obama’s top diplomat has threatened Kendall wrote that she has already complied Hampshire and South Carolina will continue to Carolina. Florida Sen Marco Rubio was the latest Republicans in early states acknowledge the shift- to mar a spring rollout of her all-but-certain with the order to hand over all work-related consume much of the political world’s attention to join the super PAC club when an ally recently ing landscape. But they warned candidates not to White House campaign. emails to the State Department. Now, with over the coming 11 months. Those states, along announced plans to run the organization. take those states too lightly. Candidates who think “We learned today, from her attorney, that review process complete, “there are no with Nevada, are the only Republican primary Presidential super PACs did not exist at this point they can just survive the early rounds and fight Secretary Clinton unilaterally decided to [email protected] emails from contests allowed next February, according to par- in the 2012 campaign. Once established, they through the slog will be following “a really risky wipe her server clean and permanently Secretary Clinton’s tenure as secretary of ty rules that outline strict penalties for states that showcased the ability of a few wealthy donors to strategy without precedent,” said Fergus Cullen, delete all emails from her personal server,” state on the server for any review, even if try to jump ahead. sustain underdog candidates such as former former New Hampshire GOP chairman. “A win House Benghazi Committee chairman Trey such review were appropriate or legally Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Pennsylvania Sen Rick Santorum and former here is going to mean something.”— AP authorized,” he said. Reiterating what Clinton herself had conveyed at a press conference earlier this month, Kendall said Clinton and her legal team determined which emails were personal and unrelated to work-nearly Two Czech women freed in Pakistan 32,000 emails-and deleted them. The remaining 30,490 work-related emails were PRAGUE: Two young Czech women kidnapped negotiations with the kidnappers, told the released two months later, Humpalova called on provided to the State Department in in Pakistan in 2013 have been freed and have agency the families of the victims had contact- the Czech government to exert pressure on December at the agency’s request, he said. returned home, Prime Minister Bohuslav ed the Turkish charity as a last resort after Islamabad to return her to her homeland “as Gowdy called Clinton’s permanent dele- Sobotka said yesterday. “I can confirm that Hana exhausting all other means to save the pair. “We soon as possible”. tion of her personal records “unprecedented” Humpalova and Antonie Chrastecka have have put into use every tool at our disposal to Speaking to Anadolu, Humpalova said: “It and said the committee will work with lead- already returned to the Czech Republic,” get them back. We have delivered them to their was very hard. For the first time in our lives we ers in the House of Representatives on a path Sobotka told the CT24 news channel. He added families safely today,” Sahin told Anadolu, saw weapons and armed men.” “We still do not Hillary Rodham Clinton forward. “But it is clear Congress will need to that the two 26-year-old women were freed adding that the charity still did not know why know why were taken. There were weapons speak with the former secretary about her with the help of the Turkish Muslim humanitari- the Czechs had been kidnapped. fired and bombs going off. But we got used to it Gowdy said in a statement after Clinton’s email arrangement and the decision to per- an organization IHH. “I would like to ask the Humpalova and Chrastecka, both psycholo- in time.” She said the worst part of their two- lawyer wrote to explain why no new emails manently delete those emails,” he said. The media to respect the women’s privacy,” Sobotka gy students, were kidnapped on March 13, year ordeal was being apart from their families. would be forthcoming from the likely 2016 Benghazi committee’s top Democrat Elijah added. 2013, in the southwestern Baluchistan province “From the first moment I was kidnapped, I want- presidential candidate. Gowdy had issued a Cummings slammed as a “political charade” Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency while being escorted by a tribal policeman after ed to be with them. I am so happy right now subpoena for all Clinton emails related to Gowdy’s persistent call for emails that have quoted Chrastecka as saying: “I still can’t believe crossing into Pakistan from Iran on holiday. In a and so excited,” Chrastecka said. Kidnappings Libya, particularly the September 11, 2012 already been handed over, and said the I am here. Even now, I fear this is a dream.” The video released shortly after the kidnapping, the plague parts of Baluchistan and northwest attacks in Benghazi that killed four Clinton emails provided to the committee on agency said Chrastecka and Humpalova had two young Czechs pleaded for the release of Pakistan, where criminals looking for ransoms Americans, and formally requested she turn Libya should be made public and that she arrived in the eastern Turkish province of Van Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, jailed in snatch foreigners and locals, sometimes passing over her server to a neutral third party. It is should swiftly be scheduled for public testi- late on Friday following two months of “intense” 2010 in the United States on charges of terrorist their hostages on to the Taleban and Al-Qaeda- unclear exactly when Clinton decided to per- mony.—AFP talks. Izzet Sahin, the IHH official leading the links. In another video shot in August 2013 and linked groups.— AFP INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Italy sees record asylum requests as migrant centers fill

SIRACUSA: As Italy copes with record European countries where more estab- In all, some 63,700 people requested ers in Italy in 2014 were instead from men are free to leave and walk around number of migrants making the risky lished migrant communities offer better asylum in Italy in 2014, making Italy the Mali, with 9,800 requests, followed by the town, but if they flee before they trip across the Mediterranean to reach job opportunities. But the UN refugee No. 5 country for asylum requests after Nigeria and Gambia. “If I think about it I have appeared before an asylum hear- European shores, it is also registering a agency reported this week that the Germany, the US, Turkey and Sweden, want to cry because I have no money, ing, they will lose their chance to get it. record number of political asylum number of asylum requests submitted in according to the report by the UN High not even these clothes are mine,” Lamin Beyai from Gambia has been requests, filling migrant holding centers Italy rose 148 percent in 2014 over the Commissioner for Refugees. Landing Sono, a 25-year-old from waiting at the center for his turn at a with would-be refugees hoping that previous year, far surpassing Italy’s previ- While Syrians and Eritreans are the Senegal, said this week at the “Umberto hearing. “It is not easy being in the sea their cases are accepted. ous all-time high in 2011 when some most common nationalities of people I” migrant holding center in Siracusa, where anything can happen,” he said of For years, refugees have often passed 40,000 people sought refugee status arriving by boat on Italian shores, they Italy. He is one of 195 African men the crossing. “Only God can save you through Italy en route to northern there during the Arab Spring. tend to travel on. The top asylum-seek- trapped in a limbo at the center: The there.” —AP Uzbekistan to vote to extend leader’s rule

MOSCOW: Uzbekistan is going through Security is a perennial feature of official the motions of a presidential election this rhetoric in Uzbekistan. Uzbek authorities weekend, with a crushing win for its long- have frequently signaled their anxiety over time leader a foregone conclusion, but the the potential threat posed by Islamic terror- long-term future of the Central Asian ism in the mainly Muslim nation. Russian nation is still far from certain. news agency Interfax last week cited an Islam Karimov, 77, has led the double- Uzbek security services analyst as saying landlocked former Soviet republic of 30 that authorities are worried by reports that million people uninterruptedly since the militants from the Islamic State group have late 1980s, and ruthlessly quashed all mustered in northern Afghanistan. opposition to his rule. While Uzbekistan is In an apparent acknowledgment of that untroubled by any immediate signs of danger, the United States announced in unrest, its future is colored with uncertainty January that it had given Uzbekistan more amid a troubled security situation in neigh- than 300 armored vehicles to help boost boring Afghanistan and the lack of a clear border security and combat drug trafficking. succession plan should Karimov suddenly While Karimov is depicted in state leave the scene. Economic woes could also media as being in firm control over the be in store as a knock-on effect of the country, the state of his health has been a looming recession in Russia, where around topic of lively speculation for more than a 3 million Uzbeks live and work. decade. In late January, an exiled opposi- Karimov faces three purely nominal tion group, the Popular Movement of rivals in Sunday’s vote. In the previous elec- Uzbekistan, posted a story on its website tion in 2007, he won 91 percent of the vote. citing unnamed sources as saying the presi- Since gaining independence in 1991, dent had fallen into a coma. Karimov’s fail- Uzbekistan has pursued a policy of eco- ure to appear in public for several weeks in nomic self-reliance and sought to balance the wake of that report served only to fuel its diplomatic relations with the West and rumors that he may indeed have fallen ill. Russia, playing them against one another. Although little is known of Karimov’s The United States installed a military private life, the dramatic decline in the for- base in the country after the Sept. 11, 2001, tunes of his eldest daughter - once terrorist attacks. It was forced to abandon believed by some to be a possible succes- OTUOKE: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is registered to vote yesterday, in Otuoke. After weeks of delays over an Islamic insurgency, that facility in 2005 as relations between sor - has made international headlines. Nigerians voted yesterday to elect a president for Africa’s biggest economy. — AFP the countries soured following a violent Once Uzbekistan’s permanent represen- government crackdown on rioters in the tative to the United Nations and other Ferghana Valley city of Andijan that is international organizations in Geneva, believed to have left hundreds dead. Harvard-educated Gulnara Karimova has Nigeria votes in crunch Almost all Western media have been been targeted by a criminal investigation in barred from reporting inside the country Switzerland for suspected money launder- since that time. Independent journalists ing. Karimova is also facing corruption and activists face sustained harassment. charges in Uzbekistan, where she has presidential election At campaign rallies ahead of the elec- reportedly been under house arrest since tions, Karimov said Uzbekistan would never the summer of 2014. again host a foreign military base. In a cal- The presidential election taking place Most closely fought election since independence culated snub to Russia, however, he also today is the fourth that Uzbekistan has held ruled out membership of economic blocs since independence. Although Karimov ABUJA: Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria, identity cards will cut fraud. security grounds. There remain fears that Boko led by Moscow. should have been limited by the constitu- voted for a new president yesterday, in the most Jonathan’s PDP has been in power since Haram will mount suicide attacks and bombings, In recent years, Uzbekistan has also tion to two five-year terms, ambiguous closely fought election since independence, Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 but the including against polling stations, which has attracted strong interest from China. changes to the law have enabled him to framed by Boko Haram violence, economic woes result is far from clear this time, with the opposi- prompted heightened security measures. Beijing has pledged tens of billions of dol- circumvent that limit. and endemic corruption. tion in its strongest position ever. lars in loans and investment to Central About 20 million voters are eligible to From megacity Lagos in the Christian south The president’s until recent inability to tackle Divided opinion Asian nations as part of an ambitious series cast their ballot. Results are expected to be to cities across the Muslim north, polling sta- Boko Haram has dominated his tenure and Nigeria’s capital was eerily quiet on Friday, of energy and transportation projects. announced tomorrow. — AP tions were due to open at 0700 GMT, with 68.8 although Nigeria became Africa’s largest econo- with major expressways that surround the cen- million of Nigeria’s 173 million people registered my on his watch, global oil shocks have hit the tral district largely empty and military check- to vote. President Goodluck Jonathan arrived by country hard. “I cannot recall an election more points on major roads leading into the city. Co-pilot visited glider field helicopter in his home town of Utuoke in south- important than this in the history of our nation,” In the market opposite the Nyanya bus termi- ern Bayelsa state on Friday night, hoping for a the president said on Thursday. nal, bombed twice by Boko Haram within two second term of office despite stinging criticism Chidi Odinkalu, chairman of Nigeria’s weeks last year, opinion was divided about who near crash site as a child of his record. National Human Rights Commission, said would win. “I will vote. This is my country. I have SISTERON: The German co-pilot accused acquaintances described a man who hid His main opponent, the self-styled scourge of although the election campaign was far from to vote,” said Esther Anthony, 23, who hails from of crashing a passenger plane in the evidence of an illness from his employers - government graft Muhammadu Buhari, was in perfect, there were encouraging signs for Anambra state in southern Nigeria. French Alps frequented a gliding club near including a torn-up doctor’s note that Daura, northern Katsina state, eyeing a demo- democracy. “We have to vote for our president because the crash site as a child with his parents, would have kept him off work the day cratic return to power after a spell as military “You cannot sit down now and say General he has been there. He has been trying, so we according to a member of the club. authorities say he crashed Flight 9525. ruler in the 1980s. Buhari will win, or President Jonathan will win,” have to vote him back... he has done enough.” Francis Kefer, a member of the club in Frank Woiton, another Germanwings In Daura, wicker brooms-symbol of Buhari’s he told AFP. “We are going to have to sit this out But Abdullahi Usman Chitta Michika, who the town of Sisteron, said on i-Tele televi- pilot, said Andreas Lubitz told him he All Progressives Congress (APC) — had been and wait and have butterflies in our stomach... works in real estate, said: “We are tired of... sion that Andreas Lubitz’ family and other wanted to become a long-distance pilot hung in the streets; in Utuoke, posters of the and that I think is a wonderful thing.” bombs everywhere, insecurity, kidnapping and members of the gliding club in his home and fly Airbus A380 or Boeing 747 planes. Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) umbrella and Security has been tightened across Nigeria, the rest. “It is the negligence of the president,” town of Montabaur, Germany, came to the Woiton, who like Lubitz comes from Jonathan. Observers, from the European Union particularly in the devastated northeast, where the 31-year-old added, warning that any sniff of region regularly between 1996 and 2003. Montabaur, says he met the 27-year-old for and United Nations to the African Union and six years of Boko Haram violence has left more vote-rigging will see protests on the streets. French prosecutors say Lubitz deliber- the first time three weeks ago when they United States, were in place-a sign of interna- than 13,000 people dead and 1.5 million home- Demonstrations will be keenly watched, with ately slammed the Germanwings flight flew Duesseldorf to Vienna and back tional interest but also to ensure a free, fair and less. Nigeria, Niger and Chad, supported by explosive violence-often along religious or eth- into a mountain on Tuesday, killing all 150 together. Woiton told German public transparent contest. Cameroon, have recently claimed a series of suc- nic lines-never far away in Nigeria. people aboard. German prosecutors are broadcaster WDR on Friday that Lubitz did- Results from both the presidential and parlia- cesses, recapturing rebel-held territory. In 2011, some 1,000 people were killed in trying to determine what caused Lubitz to n’t stand out and appeared like any other mentary vote being held at the same time are On Friday, Nigeria’s army claimed to have post-poll violence after Jonathan beat Buhari, take such a devastating decision. colleague. expected within 48 hours of polls closing, retaken Gwoza, in Borno state, from where Boko and Odinkalu said more than 30 of Nigeria’s 36 The crash site is about 50 kilometers (30 He says Lubitz “flew well and knew how according to the electoral commission. Haram leader Abubakar Shekau proclaimed a states and capital territory of Abuja have already miles) away from the Aero-club de Sisteron to handle the plane.” Searches conducted caliphate last year and which was considered seen clashes. glider airfield. Officials at the club would at Lubitz’s homes in Duesseldorf and in the Democracy and security the group’s base. Shops and offices closed early as a precaution not comment yesterday. town of Montabaur turned up documents Previous polls have been blighted by rigging Some critics sensed a political motivation to on Friday, while long queues formed at filling The area, with its numerous peaks and pointing to “an existing illness and appro- but there are hopes that the first ever use of the announcement, as well as the six-week post- stations and people stocked up on water and valleys and stunning panoramas, is popu- priate medical treatment,” but no suicide handheld technology to read biometric voter ponement from February 14 of the election on groceries. — AFP lar with glider pilots. In the final moments note was found, said Ralf Herrenbrueck, of of the Germanwingsflight, Lubitz overflew the Duesseldorf prosecutors’ office. the major turning points for gliders in the Prosecutors didn’t specify what illness region, flying from one peak to another, Lubitz may have been suffering from, or Cameron launches re-election according to local glider pilots. say whether it was mental or physical. A special Mass was being held Saturday German media reported Friday that the 27- in the nearby town of Digne-les-Bains to year-old had suffered from depression. campaign with health vow honor the victims and support their fami- Germanwings declined Saturday to lies. Bishop Jean-Philippe Nault led the comment when asked whether the com- MANCHESTER: British Prime Minister David Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. of the year but the campaign proper only got Mass, attended by about 200 people from pany was aware of any psychological prob- Cameron kicked off his re-election campaign He promised a new five percent cap on prof- under way after parliament shut up shop on the surrounding region, deeply shaken by lems Lubitz might have had. The yesterday for May’s tight poll by echoing his its for private companies which take on NHS Thursday. While the NHS is a key election issue, the crash. It was the deadliest crash on Duesseldorf University Hospital said Friday main rival with a new promise to improve the contracts worth over £500,000 (680,000 euros, the Conservatives’ main focus is on the econo- French soil in decades.The plane shattered that Lubitz had been a patient there over state-run National Health Service (NHS). $745,000) and vowed to spend £2.5 billion more my, which has emerged from recession into into thousands of pieces, and police are the past two months and last went in for a Cameron’s centre-right Conservatives are than the Conservatives on the health service. All growth under the coalition as Britain’s deficit has toiling to retrieve the remains of the vic- “diagnostic evaluation” on March 10. It neck-and-neck in opinion polls with the main parties have been electioneering since the start been halved. —AFP tims and the aircraft from a hard-to-reach declined to provide details, citing medical opposition centre-left Labour, led by Ed Alpine valley near the village of Le Vernet. confidentiality, but denied reports it had Miliband, who says May 7’s vote will be the tight- Lubitz’s employers, authorities and treated Lubitz for depression.— AP est for a generation. In a rallying call to activists at his Conservative party’s spring conference in Manchester, northwest England, Cameron vowed to deliver a “truly seven-day NHS” provid- ing a service as easy to access in the evenings and at weekends as on weekdays. Polling by Ipsos MORI indicates that the NHS, which provides across-the-board care for Britons and is mostly free, is the most important issue for voters. “For years it’s been too hard to access the NHS out of hours. But illness doesn’t respect working hours,” Cameron said in a speech 40 days before the election. “The truth is that you are more likely to die if you turn up at the hospi- tal at the weekend.” He added: “With a future Conservative government, we would have a tru- ly seven-day NHS.” The British Medical Association, the trade union for doctors, warned that the NHS was DUESSELDORF: People pay their respects at a memorial with messages, candles and already at “breaking point” and that Cameron flowers for the victims of the Germanwings plane crash in the French Alps can be had not outlined how he would fund the plan. seen at the airport in Duesseldorf yesterday. The co-pilot who French authorities say Miliband kicked off Labour’s campaign Friday by MANCHESTER: British Prime Minister and Conservative party leader David Cameron (L) and his appeared to deliberately crash a Germanwings flight, was a life-long flying enthusi- pledging to protect the NHS from what he wife Samantha Cameron speak with staff during a visit to the Salford Royal Hospital in ast with no apparent psychological problems or terrorist links. — AFP claims is creeping privatisation under Cameron’s Manchester yesterday. — AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Malaysia launches crackdown to thwart protest

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police have arrested Facing ebbing voter support, Prime Minister Najib two politicians and a political activist as they seek to Razak promised in 2011 to end the authoritarian tac- thwart yesterday protest march demanding the tics of his ruling United Malays National Organization release of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, an (UMNO). But after that failed to win back voters in opposition parliamentarian said. Tian Chua said he 2013 polls, his regime launched a tightening clamp- also would comply with an order to surrender to down that has seen dozens of government oppo- police, but that the afternoon rally in Kuala Lumpur nents hauled for up sedition or other charges over would go ahead. The arrests are the latest in an esca- the past year. Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah, a mem- lating crackdown on government opponents amid ber of parliament, is among several people arrested anger over Anwar’s jailing last month on a sodomy in recent weeks as anger over her father’s jailing has charge. “Today’s protest will continue. The people will spiked. Charged with sedition, she was released on lead it. If they think arresting the leaders will stop it, March 17 after a night in jail. In a statement released they are wrong,” said Tian Chua, vice president of Friday, Nurul, 34, said Malaysia was sliding toward Anwar’s People’s Justice Party. becoming a “police state”. Zainuddin Ahmad, a top Kuala Lumpur police offi- Najib has defended the crackdown by saying dis- cial, said protesters would not be allowed to gather. sent cannot be allowed to jeopardize stability. The “The street procession is banned. Police will not hesi- three most recent arrests included Mohamad Sabu, tate to take any action, including arrests, if people deputy president of the opposition Pan-Malaysian defy the ban or break any laws,” he said. The United Islamic Party (PAS), who was detained yesterday. States has been among the international critics of Rafizi Ramli, a vice president of Anwar’s party, and Anwar’s conviction and the crackdown on dissent, activist Hishammuddin Rais, a frequent government saying both raised questions over the rule of law in critic, were arrested Friday. Zainuddin, the police offi- Malaysia. Anwar denies the charge that he cial, confirmed Rafizi’s arrest but declined comment sodomised a former male aide in 2008. He says it was on the others. All three men remained in custody, the fabricated by Malaysia’s long-ruling government to opposition said. On March 7, several thousand halt a run of opposition electoral gains that have demonstrators had marched through Kuala Lumpur KUALA LUMPUR: Supporters of Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim carry placards and a raised the spectre of the country’s first regime demanding Anwar’s release and shouting “Down banner during a protest demanding his release in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — AFP change since independence in 1957. with Najib”. No violence was reported. — AFP

In Thailand, a mercurial junta 4,000 fishermen stranded leader known for sharp tongue BANGKOK: Ear tugs. A flying banana peel. on Indonesian islands Sarcastic remarks about getting smacked, or punched - or even executed. Such is life for the press corps covering Thailand’s notoriously testy military ruler. Since lead- ing a putsch that ousted Thailand’s elected ‘It is even worse than being in hell’ government last May, general-turned prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has JAKARTA: The number of foreign fishermen been thrust from the relative privacy of stranded on several remote eastern Indonesian army life into the public arena of the politi- islands has spiraled to 4,000, including some cian. He has pounded on the podium dur- revealed in an Associated Press investigation to ing news conferences, lambasted his ques- have been enslaved. Many are migrant workers tioners, and simply stomped away. In one abandoned by their boat captains after the gov- case, he summoned two journalists for ask- Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth ernment passed a moratorium on foreign fishing ing “inappropriate” questions about when Chan-ocha five months ago, according to the International Organization for Migration, which released the and whether elections would be held. His “Otherwise they would have exploded the government, meanwhile, has engaged in figure Friday. However, others have been trapped bombs in the jungle. Why the hell are you on the islands for years, after being dumped by censorship and leaned on media outlets to asking this?” censor themselves. fishing boats or escaping into the jungle. But the mercurial junta leader has also “This is the worst moment in our life right Noodles and big brother now,” one former slave told the AP, which is not presided over light-hearted press briefings Feb 12, 2015 - Asked about security filled with humor - even song - in which releasing the names of the men for their safety. forces the junta has deployed to control “It is even worse than being in hell. We have to journalists have joked back. The media ousted Prime Minister Yingluck found it less funny Wednesday when work every day to survive. ... There is no hope for Shinawatra’s movements, Prayuth said: “If us anymore.” The AP reported earlier this week Prayuth sardonically suggested he might she wants to go to eat some noodles, or go execute journalists deemed overly critical. that slaves - some of them beaten and locked in anywhere, then she can go. But when they cages - are forced to fish, and their catch ends up Manop Thip-osod, a spokesman for the don’t allow her to go, then she cannot eat.” Thai Journalists Association, said earlier this in the supply chains of American supermarkets and restaurants. The migration agency said month that the way Prayuth communicates On power “has to change.” Some of Prayuth’s most Friday that the report follows several years of Feb 19, 2015 - “It all falls on me because close work with Indonesian authorities to rescue memorable comments and interactions I’m the prime minister. Let’s say I exercise with the media since he seized power: hundreds of fisherman identified as victims of every power (I have), do you want that? ... trafficking. Do you want me to shut down the media? BENJINA: Kyaw Naing, a slave from Myanmar, talks to a security guard through the bars of a Don’t argue Many of the stranded are men from Myanmar .... If my powers were that vast, I could just who went to neighboring Thailand in search of cell at the compound of a fishing company in Benjina, Indonesia. — AP May 26, 2014 - In his first official speech have people executed if they do something following the coup, Prayuth said: “I’m not work. They were taken by boat to Indonesia, Indonesia’s new Fisheries Minister Susi men who had been stranded in Indonesia wrong, but I haven’t done anything like which has some of the world’s richest fishing here to argue with anyone. I want to bring that.” Pudjiastuti to determine which ships are not returned home to their families, and the gov- everything out in the open and fix it ... grounds. Others left behind on the islands are properly licensed and crack down on illegal for- ernment is working to repatriate more. Major Everyone must help me. (But) do not criti- Cambodian and a few from the poorer parts of eign boats. Poaching drains billions of dollars leaders in the US seafood and retail industries Punch in the face Thailand. Steve Hamilton, IOM’s deputy chief of cize, do not create new problems. It’s no March 6, 2015 - “The other day I was from the country, and Pudjiastuti said Friday sent a letter to the ambassadors of Thailand and use.” mission in Indonesia, said for every man they’ve that stamping it out is key to addressing labor Indonesia this week, demanding to know what asked by a reporter what kind of job the already rescued, many more now need help. government has done. I almost punched abuses. She added she was horrified knowing will be done to free slaves in the seafood indus- On bikinis With the fishing ban, boats have docked or fled, fishermen are being enslaved in her country. try. Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human that person in the face. (We’ve) done so ditching their crews. “It is reasonable to expect Sept 17, 2014 - After two British tourists much. Can’t you see?” “We are not letting this happen,” she said. “In the Rights Watch’s Asia division, also urged Thai were murdered on the Thai island of Koh many are victims of trafficking, if not outright past, it’s been a normal practice. Not now. I’m authorities to tackle the scourge. slavery,” he said. “But for the first time in possibly Tao, Prayuth triggered an uproar by insinu- Birthday plans not allowing it.” “The Thailand government has made repeat- ating that foreign visitors - attractive ones, several years, their feet are touching dry land The Indonesian government has pledged to ed verbal commitments to get tough with traf- March 16, 2015 - “I’m staying home. In and there is a real possibility for them to go at least - were endangering themselves by the barracks,” he said, a few days before take legal measures to address what is happen- fickers but every time real follow-up has been dressing skimpily. “I’m asking if they wear home, once we and the authorities locate and ing in Benjina and other islands. Thai Prime lacking,” Robertson said in an email. “The ques- turning 61 on March 21. “Do not bother me. process them,” he said. bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? Only if I was born alone.” Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha also acknowledged tion now is whether the revelations in AP’s arti- they are not beautiful.” About a quarter of the men are in Benjina, a the AP story and said his government was step- cle will finally be enough to push Thailand to town that straddles two islands in the Maluku Philosophy on gardening ping up efforts to prosecute those responsible. “If take long overdue action against fishing vessels Freedom of expression chain, according to an Indonesian official who they still continue to exploit their fellow human that are systematically using slave labor to catch March 19, 2015 - When the Supreme recently visited the area. These men, some aban- Sept 23, 2014 - Speaking after the junta Court indicted Yingluck on charges of neg- beings, they should not be given any licenses to the seafood ending up in America’s kitchens.” In forced the cancellation of a university semi- doned five, 10, even 20 years ago, load and operate businesses in Thailand, and they must the meantime, Ngwe Thein, 42, is one of the lect for a money-losing rice subsidy pro- unload fish off boats for food and pocket money, nar on the demise of foreign dictatorships, gram, Prayuth took questions from receive the punishment they deserve,” Prayuth thousands of men who are waiting. Thein has Prayuth was asked whether the junta or cut and sell logs in the forest of surrounding said in a written response to questions submitted been living on an island near Benjina for three reporters, then paused shortly after to areas. When the AP showed up, asking the men would open a channel for critics to express pluck gardenias from a pot outside his by the Bangkok Post. years, after being forced to work long hours on their views. “I’m opening one right now. to share their stories, only a few emerged at first However, earlier this week, Prayuth urged a fishing trawler with inadequate food and little office. “Some withering flowers have to be out of fear. Then, more and more filtered in, until You’re yapping right now. I never stopped discarded,” he said pensively. “These plants, journalists not to report on human trafficking or no pay. you, did I?” a group of around 30 formed. Most squatted or without considering how the news would affect He said he left Myanmar, otherwise known as we have to take care of them every day. sat on the ground, others stood around them as This flower is old. Don’t pay attention to it.” the country’s seafood industry and reputation Burma, eight years ago when his country was Podium smack they recounted the horrors they had witnessed abroad. The US State Department last year still under military rule. He did not know about Sept 24, 2014 - After a reporter jokingly at sea. Then one after another, they expressed blacklisted Thailand for its handling of labor the political and economic changes that began Too much democracy their desperate desire to go home, saying they asked if he would only ever seek the pre- March 23, 2015 - “In the past, our socie- abuses, putting it on par with countries includ- sweeping his country in 2011 or that the miership through a coup, Prayuth shot were sure their families thought they were dead.. ing North Korea and Iran. The Thai government oppressive and brutal junta was gone. He asked ty experienced many problems because “Our body is here but our mind is at home,” one back by threatening, in jest: “I’ll smack you” we were too democratic,” Prayuth declared says it is cleaning up the problem and has laid if Nobel prize winning opposition leader Aung with the podium. dockworker said. “If it was possible to walk back out a plan, including new laws that mandate San Suu Kyi was still under house arrest. Hours in a speech. Still, Thailand remains “99 per- home, we would do it right away.” cent” free, he said, because if it wasn’t wages, sick leave and shifts of no more than 14 after the AP talked to him, he got a haircut and Multiple personalities Another wiped tears as he spoke, his voice hours. changed into a crisp shirt, saying he had hope “we’d jail (our opponents) and put them quivering. “Our lives have no more value than a Nov 3, 2014 - “I’m well aware that I have before the firing squad. Then it would all On Thursday, Thai lawmakers voted unani- for the first time that he might get to go home. a short temper,” Prayuth told the press. dog,” he said, adding no one cared if they lived mously to create tougher penalties for violating “I don’t know whether our country is good or be over and I wouldn’t have to lie awake at or died. The AP is not using the men’s names for “Today I’ve calmed down a lot. ... I have to night.” the country’s anti-human trafficking law, includ- bad now,” he said. “There is just always a prob- thank you for the warnings and sugges- their safety. The moratorium was declared by ing the death penalty. On Friday, 21 Thai fisher- lem for us to survive wherever we are.”— AP tions. And I won’t change my personality, Importance of seafood because I already have several personali- March 25, 2015 - Responding to allega- ties.” tions of abuse and slavery involving the Xi preaches peace fishing industry, Prayuth asked the media Ear massage not to report the issue without considering BOAO: Chinese President Xi Jinping said yesterday that turmoil at Nov 20, 2014 - A video posted on how it might affect the country’s reputa- home or abroad were not in the country’s interests as its bitter past has Facebook by a Bangkok Post reporter in the tion. “If they aren’t buying the (seafood), shown, pledging that Beijing will never stray from its proclaimed path northeastern city of Khon Kaen showed you must be responsible - you who like to of peaceful development. Xi has jangled regional nerves with a more Prayuth patting the baseball cap-clad head fan the news.” muscular approach to diplomacy since assuming the presidency two of a cameraman in front of him. He then years ago, ramping up development of advanced weapons and being began nonchalantly tugging and twisting Execution, maybe? more assertive in territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas. the man’s ear as he fielded questions. A March 25, 2015 - In an exchange regard- Speaking at a high-level forum in Boao, on the southern Chinese island government spokesman later said the ges- ing the limitations of reporting about the of Hainan, Xi said that China was ready to sign more friendship treaties ture was good-natured teasing. junta, Prayuth said: “A little criticism, that’s with its neighbours and proposed holding dialogue among Asian civi- acceptable. But if you’re saying everything lizations. The banana peel is a failure ... how the heck could that be? “What China most needs a harmonious and stable domestic envi- Dec 24, 2014 - When journalists kept The past was worse.” He warned there ronment and peaceful and tranquil international environment,” Xi said, asking Prayuth to face the camera during a would be consequences for going too far, to an audience including leaders of countries like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, public event they were covering, the junta and a reporter asked him to clarify what Indonesia and Nepal. “Any turmoil or war does not accord with the BEIJING: Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Karim Massimov (2nd left) leader took the peel of a banana he was those might be. The reply: “Execution, basic interests of the Chinese people,” he added. “China has in the past eating and hurled it at one of their heads. attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting maybe? You’re asking a silly question. Just 100 years or more suffered turmoil and war, and the Chinese people at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. — AFP The act drew surprised laughter from offi- don’t do it.” Later, as he prepared to depart will never impose upon other countries or people the tragic history cials and the press. on an official visit to Brunei, reporters joked our own people have experienced,” Xi said. islands it claims. that the death threat had killed their need “Looking broadly at history, any country trying to use force to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, speaking after Xi, said he sup- Don’t ask dumb questions to ask questions. “I’ll use the guillotine,” achieve its own development goals will in the end only fail,” he added. ported finding peaceful solutions to issues within the region. “Tension Feb 3, 2015 - After two homemade Prayuth shot back. “I’ll deal with the media “I’m willing to use this opportunity to repeat that on the path ahead, between countries in Asia is a dangerous game, which does not bene- bombs exploded outside a luxury shop- a little bit. We love each other already. I’m China will unswervingly develop peacefully.” Xi, who also used last fit any nation,” he said through a translator. Widodo said in an inter- ping mall in Bangkok, slightly injuring one asking you to help a little, not to defend year’s APEC summit in Beijing to strike a more conciliatory diplomatic view with a major Japanese newspaper shortly before arriving in person, Prayuth was asked if the perpetra- me, but to create love and unity. We’ve note, did not make any direct reference to the East or South China Sea China that one of China’s main claims to the majority of the South tors were trying to discredit the govern- come to this point anyway, so let’s turn a spats. This week China expressed serious concern after the Philippines China Sea had no legal basis in international law, but that Jakarta ment. “Everybody knows that,” he snapped. crisis into an opportunity.” — AP said it would resume repair and reconstruction works on disputed wanted to remain an “honest broker” in one of Asia’s most thorny dis- islands in the South China Sea, though China is itself building on the putes. — Reuters SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Trek to Europe brings risk, heartbreak ‘I feel like I’m not a human being’

VELES: This is the moment when Sandrine Koffi’s dream of a new life in Europe ended - and her nightmare of an infant lost in the Macedonian night began. As club-wielding police closed in, the 31- year-old from Ivory Coast couldn’t keep up with her fellow migrants. Not after more than a week of treacherous hikes through mud and bone-chilling rain; of leaky tents, stolen food and fitful sleep; of loads too heavy to bear. Koffi had given her 10-month-old daughter, Kendra, to a stronger person to carry as the 40-member group of West Africans walked with trepidation into Veles, Macedonia. They hoped, because it was pitch dark and miserably cold, that no one would see them and raise the alarm. But after a 10-day trek over 150 kilometers, their luck ran out. Officers captured Koffi and deported her with most of the group back to Greece. Others who escaped carried Kendra all the way to the Serbian border. That was more than two weeks ago. Now, the mother cannot stop crying for her distant daughter - or wondering why they can’t travel like “normal” people. “I feel like I’m not a human being,” Koffi told The Associated Press from the migrants’ safe house in Greece, where she and her daughter had arrived last month in hopes of being escorted through the Balkans to Hungary and, eventually, to family in Paris. “Why is it necessary to separate a mother from her child? Why is all of this necessary?”

Human tide Each month, a tide of humanity pours through the hills of Greece, Macedonia and Serbia in hopes of entering the heart of the 28-nation European Union through its vulnerable back door in the Balkans. This is the newest of a half-dozen land and sea routes that Arab, Asian and African smugglers use to funnel migrants illegally from war zones and economic woes to opportunities in the West. MELILLA: Sub-Saharan migrants climb over a metallic fence that divides Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla. —AP Most don’t make it on their first attempt. Nor their third or fifth. morning, he and another Malian are arrested shortly after the 45 cooking gear as he curses them. The easy part of the trip has ended. A Malian woman, 34-year-old Miriam Toure, falls with a cramp. Many, it seems, just keep trying - and failing - over and over. arrive at the Thessaloniki bus station. Unlike the others, those two Two young soccer players in the group offer her a sports massage The AP followed a group of migrants to document the chal- have no ID papers. Bright start as she howls in pain. A man with a chronic leg injury, Mohamed lenges of the Western Balkans route, witnessing key events on the The smuggler deliberately keeps his distance at the station, The first day’s hike from Polikastro takes the group along a rail “Mo-Mo” Konate, applies some ointment he uses for himself. journey: the confrontations with police and locals, disagreements communicating by phone to reduce chances of being spotted as a line, and they must navigate a rickety wooden bridge, hoping no Nothing works, so men take turns carrying Toure, joking she’s only with the smuggler leading them and among themselves, and other trafficker. Tell police you’re going to Athens, not the border, he train comes. Within the first hour, both women carrying infants faking to get a piggy-back ride. After a half-hour, they’re worn out difficulties along the way. The flow of migrants has grown from a instructs them. Don’t all sit together; spread out. In every direction become weary. “This is my souvenir!” jokes Apetey as he agrees to and she’s told to walk or stay behind. She limps barefoot, weeping trickle in 2012 to become the second-most popular path for illegal are migrants from Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea, all looking suspi- carry Sandrine Koffi’s daughter, Kendra. Another man takes silently while trying to keep up. Christian, the 10-month-old son of a Cameroonian woman, Mireille Djeukam. Kendra was born in Turkey, Christian in Greece. Both have relatives in Paris. After 10 hours, the 43 reach the border with Macedonia before midnight. They don’t bother with tents, prefer- ring sleeping bags in the open air. The smuggler doesn’t want the full group to cross the border in daylight, but they’re already short of supplies - and the cheapest local shop is on the Macedonian side. So he leads three men on a reconnaissance trip through the trees. A border patrol vehicle sits on a hilltop but doesn’t move. The three others crouch down in the woods as he heads alone into the supermarket. A cashier inside warns the smuggler to hide because police are shopping in anoth- er aisle. After a tense wait, he emerges with six trash bags full of bread, canned sardines, juice and water.

Crossing borders That night, the group crosses the border and a highway. Each approaching set of headlights is feared to be police. The chill means it’s time to sleep in the 10 tents they’ve brought. At the campsite, Hilarion Charlemagne illustrates his journey with a collection of cellphone SIM cards. “This one is from Togo, where I was a refugee for one year and eight months,” the 45-year-old Ivorian teacher says, EVZONOI: West African migrants walk on train tracks on their way towards the border with Macedonia identifying others as from Mali, Mauritania and Algeria. He tells of UDOVO: In this photo Jean-Paul Apetey of Ivory near the town of Evzonoi, Greece. —AP being turned back at the Moroccan border because he lacked 500 Coast helps carrying a baby near the village of euros; of working as a tutor for an Algerian family for a month; of Udovo, Macedonia. —AP cious. Some hide in toilet stalls as the police canvass the crowds, trying to reach Europe by boat five times and managing to reach immigration into Europe, behind only the more dangerous option checking documents. At least 20 from other groups are taken to a Greece on the sixth attempt. Charlemagne and others have anoth- Passing through cabbage fields, some stuff the greens in of sailing from North Africa to Italy. nearby police station. Fear of arrest keeps the West Africans from er way to remember the countries they’ve visited: recounting the their backpacks. They jostle to refill bottles when passing a tap Frontex, the EU agency that helps governments police the boarding their intended morning bus north to the frontier town of racial epithets hurled at them in a half-dozen languages. bearing an Orthodox sign and the inscription “holy well.” Around bloc’s leaky frontiers, says it appears nothing will deter migrants Polikastro. 4 am, in the rain, they pitch tents - difficult in the dark - under a from trying the long walk that starts in northern Greece. Their mon- It’s not illegal for documented asylum-seekers to board a domestic Suspicious minds freeway overpass marked by graffiti from Afghan migrants. After itors have detected more than 43,000 illegal crossings on the bus in Greece, so nerves eventually settle, and all 43 get on four later The group is startled by a Macedonian shepherd and his snarling sunrise, several members accuse each other of stealing their Western Balkans route in 2014, more than double the year before. buses: Greeks in front, Arabs in the middle, and blacks in the back. dog. Tents are hurriedly packed. But in the rush, one of the smug- food, drink and bags as they slept. The smuggler threatens to And 2015 already looks on pace for a record number, with 22,000 They’re a half-day behind schedule as the last members arrive in gler’s helpers has lost his cellphone. Angry accusations are levied, return them to Greece, where Syrian smugglers will charge arrivals in Hungary in the first two months. One pivotal point for Polikastro. The hatred of some locals toward the Africans is clear near and everyone is searched without success. The trek resumes at night. them triple for the journey. Apologies are demanded and given. the route is Turkey, a magnet for refugees of wars in Syria, Iraq and the town square as women prepare to boil water for the babies’ formu- They scramble over an exposed ridge and sprint across a road junc- Nearby, Charlemagne reads from the Book of Job. Afghanistan. The Turks provide easy travel visas to residents of most la. A motorist drives over their bags, smashing the milk powder and tion, hiding in long reeds. They catch their breath under a full moon. of Asia and Africa, too. Breaking point Another is EU neighbor Greece, where migrants can claim asy- That night, the rain turns to snow, and the tents start to lum and usually, after a short detention, are permitted to travel break. Sheltered campsites on the trail are occupied by other freely within the country. But few intend to stay in Greece, with its migrant groups, and the crying of the two infants is incessant. debt-crippled economy and locals’ antipathy to the migrants. Key land, sea routes to Europe Some question whether the children, so cold and hungry, could “Europe has not faced a situation like this since World War II, with so be at risk of death if they continue. They keep following the many conflicts happening so near to home, with fallen states from DUBLIN: Most migrants who live illegally in the European Western Balkans Vardar River north, but near a village abandon the 41-year-old Libya to Syria and unrelenting conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Union fly to the 28-nation bloc on valid visas and simply From Greece to Hungary via Macedonia and Serbia. This is the “Mo Mo,” who cannot continue even with his cane. Food is so Frontex spokeswoman Ewa Moncure. “And it’s a lot easier to take a overstay their welcome. But for the poorest and most desper- fastest-growing smuggling route, and increasingly the seamless scarce that sardines are rationed to one can daily for three peo- boat from Turkey to Greece than to cross the open Mediterranean. ate travelers of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the journey second half of the Eastern Mediterranean route from Turkey. Once ple. On the sixth day of walking, they reach the town of Thousands drown taking the other route.” often takes months by sea or land, with payments to traffick- reaching Greece, asylum-seekers cannot easily reach other EU ing gangs. Frontex, the EU agency that helps member states except through the former Yugoslav nations of Macedonia Nogotino, two days behind schedule and with a freezing wind howling. At 1 a.m., Sandrine Koffi passes out and slides down a From Abidjan to Athens nations detect migrants on the bloc’s frontiers, documents and Serbia. Neighboring Hungary has become the preferred EU muddy embankment. She is revived, and they walk another “Never in my life was I even on a boat,” says Jean Paul Apetey, a the flow of illegal immigration on principal smuggling opening for travel by road or rail to immigrant favorites Germany hour. 34-year-old Ivorian with a reputation as a sharp-witted opportunist. routes. and France. Many walk the entire Macedonian section because Mireille Djeukam, the other woman traveling with a child, And so, when smugglers ask him if he wants to pilot the vessel to These keep evolving in response to every government ini- locals refuse to drive the migrants, citing harsh anti-smuggling has tried and failed to pass through EU airports about 10 times Greece in exchange for a free ticket, he goes straight to the stern tiative. Ewa Moncure, spokeswoman for the Warsaw-based laws. Alongside the Greek influx, the Balkans themselves gener- already, but finds this trip much harder. “It’s very hard. Too hard,” engine of the rigid inflatable boat, overloaded with 47 migrants, agency, compares efforts to quell immigration on any particu- ate heavy illegal immigration to the EU, particularly from Kosovo. she said. “If I knew it was this difficult, I wouldn’t have done it. and acts as if he knows what he is doing. Smugglers rarely ride on lar route to “squeezing a balloon.” “You tighten a law in one More than 43,000 were recorded arriving in Hungary in 2014 I’m not used to this type of walking. I’m always in the back.” The one-way journeys, facing prison if caught. Instead, they charge country, another route swells up elsewhere,” she says. Here are using this route, double the previous year. Kosovars, Afghans and youngest and fittest men grumble under their breath that they 1,000 euros ($1,100) or more per passenger, rich compensation for the main four smuggling routes listed in order of popularity in Syrians led the way. might be in Serbia already if not for the women and children. the sacrifice of a boat. The smugglers point Apetey to a Greek 2014 as recorded by Frontex. Each lists the total number of Laughter amid such suffering seems impossible, but a limping island in the distance - he doesn’t know if it’s Kos, Samos or Lesbos migrants detected in destination EU countries last year, the Western Mediterranean Miriam Toure brings down the house with an exasperated ques- because he had no map - but boasts of reaching the target in 17 change from 2013, and the top three nationalities of migrants. By boat from Morocco or Algeria to Spain, or by land to tion: “Where is Macedonia?” minutes flat. “I have many witnesses,” he says proudly. Spanish outposts in North Africa. Once a top route for people- Central Mediterranean smugglers, but Spain’s tightened border security and bad econo- Casualties and chaos The safe house By boat to Italy. Most sail from the anarchic coast of Libya my have limited growth of migrant numbers. Relatively few As the group reaches Veles, the first major Macedonian town The walls are sweating in the safe house in Thessaloniki, Greece, to Italy’s southernmost islands or fellow EU member Malta. attempt to breach security barriers to Melilla and Ceuta, Spain’s on the route and 145 kilometers (87 miles) into their hike, a windowless basement apartment with no furnishings, two bed- More than 170,000 reached Italian soil on this route in 2014, enclaves on the Moroccan coast. Instead, migrants use private Djeukam cannot go on because of her aching legs. The group rooms and a camp-style cooker on the floor. It’s the end of quadruple the previous year and a record annual figure for boats and public ferries from Algeria and Morocco to reach leaves her and 10-month-old Christian at an Orthodox church. February, and an African smuggler has brought 45 clients to this any country in EU history. Numbers have surged since the Spain’s Balearic Islands and mainland. Just to reach the North The 40 remaining try to stick to Veles’ riverside railway, but base camp to escort them on off-road paths through Macedonia to 2011 overthrow of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who had African coast, many Africans must walk for weeks along the around 10 p.m. they are confronted by youths. They run onto a Serbia. Among the group are 11 women, including two with 10- enforced a bilateral agreement with Italy. The overcrowded Atlantic coast or through the Sahara Desert. Spanish border road, startling motorists. Two police arrive, brandishing clubs month-old children. The smuggler, a former soldier, agreed to allow boats sometimes capsize; an estimated 3,500 drowned last guards recorded 7,840 used this route last year, barely 1,000 more and beating stragglers. Five are caught, including Sandrine Koffi. an AP journalist to accompany them on condition he not be identi- year. Syrians, Eritreans and sub-Saharan Africans are the most than in 2013, led by migrants from Cameroon, Algeria and Mali. In the melee, members of the group drop their gear and scatter. fied because what he’s doing is illegal. common travelers. A woman breaks an ankle and is hospitalized in the Macedonian He goes from migrant to migrant, checking their readiness for Others capital, Skopje. By 3 am, the smuggler has found only eight of the journey to Serbia. By car, it would take less than five hours. On Eastern Mediterranean “Eastern Borders” is Frontex’s umbrella term for dozens of his clients. foot, it’s an estimated 10 days. When some giggle at his questions, By boat or land from potential routes along the The next day, Aicha “Baby” Teinturiere returns to Veles to he sets a stern tone: “Shut up. This isn’t a joke once you’re out there. Turkey to EU members EU’s 6,000-kilometer (3,600- search for her bags and stumbles into the police. She claims, false- If you think it’s funny, I’ll send you back to Athens.” He’s taken three Greece, Bulgaria or Cyprus. mile) frontier with Russia, ly, to be looking for her baby; she has none. The police believe her other groups on the route, and charges those on this trip a wide Numbers are soaring Ukraine, Belarus and and agree to help search - and in the process discover and arrest range of prices, depending on their ability to pay but averaging because of Turkey’s hosting Moldova. The EU side - many of her comrades. By the end of the 10th day, all but 13 are in around $500. Discounts apply if they help him keep the others sup- of more than 1 million chiefly Finland, the three custody and put on trucks back to Greece with scores of others plied and disciplined. Kids go free. Most are French speakers from refugees from Syria, Iraq and Baltic states and Poland - from Syria, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. But Teinturiere is not Ivory Coast, Mali, Cameroon and Burkina Faso. Only a few speak Afghanistan; its policy of employ firm border checks among them. The sympathetic police set her free so she could English. One - a Congolese whose communist parents named him making air travel from Africa that keep illegal immigration keep searching for the make-believe child. Fidel Castro - speaks both. All are hungry, so a Malian woman easy; and, above all, its inti- relatively static, including named Aicha “Baby” Teinturiere boils macaroni on the camp stove, mate proximity to the east- 1,270 migrants recorded in Next steps adding to the humid air. The smuggler sends others to stock up on ern islands of Greece. While 2014, half coming from Two days later, the West Africans reach a smuggler’s safe sleeping bags, socks and gloves for those who haven’t brought the land border controls have Vietnam, Afghanistan and house in the border town of Lojane, Macedonia. Teinturiere is giv- necessities. been toughened, it’s proved Georgia. The Western Africa harder to stop migrants from route, involving boatloads of en responsibility for caring for Kendra until Koffi can complete the trip. Others, mostly the strongest men in their 20s, cross into Shame and regret completing trips to Greek Africans arriving in Spain’s Serbia, where they meet the next smugglers, who charge them Some are confident of reaching Germany or France. Sekou Yara islands just minutes from Canary Islands, was Europe’s 100 euros each to drive them hidden in trucks to the Hungarian is not. The 28-year-old Malian has failed three times to breach EU the Turkish coast using busiest route a decade ago. border. Three weeks into the journey, the first few make it to immigration checks at airports, costing him at least 3,000 euros. smuggler-supplied rigid Tougher enforcement means Hungary and send triumphant messages to friends. The smuggler This is his first attempt on foot, and he has mixed feelings. “I left inflatable boats. More than migration has slowed to a returns to Thessaloniki with his deported clients. He organizes a many people whom I love so much. I left my wife and our 4-year- 50,000 used this route last trickle, with only 275 arrivals second trek combining new migrants with many from the original old child,” said Yara, frustrated at sacrificing so much only to be year, double the 2013 figure, in 2014 - less than 1 percent group, including Koffi and the first person arrested on the previ- stuck in Greece, where he says migrants can’t find jobs and some- led by Syrians, Afghans and GRADSKO: West African migrants warm them- of the levels recorded in ous trip, Sekou Yara. They depart a week later but run into a police times must dig for food in the trash. “It is shameful to live like this. I Somalis. selves on a bonfire near Gradsko, Macedonia. —AP 2008.- —AP ambush south of Veles. All are returned to Greece. —AP just want a normal life,” he said. Yara’s trip doesn’t last long. The next NEWS SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Voters wait to cast their ballots at a polling station set up under a tree on the outskirts of Kano during presidential elections yesterday. — AFP Hadi slams ‘puppets of Iran’ Continued from Page 1 depot and had been taken by pro-Saleh forces, killing and “inevitable.” he said, satellite imagery from Yemen showed the reposi- wounding several people. The officials spoke on condition of Already, some backers of Iran have begun to step away tioning of Scud missiles toward Saudi Arabia. Airstrikes have “We knew from day one that we are facing regimes that anonymity because they were not authorized to release the from supporting it over Yemen. Yesterday, the militant so far destroyed 21 Scud missiles, he said. are allies, agents or toys of foreign powers,” he said. “Yemen information. Security officials speaking anonymously for the group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, issued a state- Officials also said they feared an “Iranian reaction” to will prove to the world that the weak will triumph at the same reasons said that three people were killed in different ment offering support for Hadi, as opposed to the rebels. A their air campaign not military action to defend the Houthis end.” areas of Aden yesterday. The Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah tel- Gulf diplomatic official, meanwhile, said that the airstrikes but in the form of destabilising measures. “Iran will respond Hadi also said airstrikes launched by Saudi Arabia and its evision station said “Saudi and American aggression” had campaign was planned to last for one month, but that coali- with terrorist acts in the Gulf,” the official said. He said an allies against the Houthis must not stop before the rebels targeted the gas company in Saada governorate, causing a tion nations were prepared for the probability of going on Iranian response could be felt in particular in Bahrain - a surrender and return medium and heavy weapons they raging fire, and two other areas. for up to six months. “Ultimately the whole idea is to Sunni-ruled kingdom with a Shiite majority - and Saudi looted from army depots across much of the country. Saudi Hadi fled Yemen earlier this week, making his way to achieve the political objective, which is the return of legiti- Arabia’s Shiite-populated Eastern Province, or even in Gulf Arabia’s monarch, King Salman, earlier pledged that the mili- Saudi Arabia after leaving the southern coastal city of Aden macy of Yemen and a return to the political process,” said capitals. tary campaign in Yemen would not stop until security and in the face of a push into southern Yemen by the Houthis the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he Later in the day, a spokesman for the coalition air cam- stability are restored. Saudi warplanes carried out dozens of and their allies, including security forces loyal to ousted wasn’t authorized to brief journalists by name. paign said that several groups of Houthis were moving raids on military sites across the country overnight and into leader Ali Abdullah Saleh. At the summit, Sisi also endorsed The official also claimed that around 5,000 Iranian, toward the Saudi border, but that the coalition would never Saturday morning, striking targets in and around Sanaa, a resolution adopted by Arab foreign ministers on Thursday Lebanese Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militiamen were on the allow them to cross. “We shall target any kind of grouping Marib, Dhamar, Lahj and other areas, security officials said. for the creation of an Arab military force, saying the Arab ground in Yemen supporting the Houthis. They are trainers, here. We will not allow the Houthi militias to bring their Yemeni military officials said an explosion rocked the world was currently facing unprecedented threats. He also group leaders and instructors, he added. His claim could forces near the southern borders of Saudi Arabia,” Ahmed Jabal al-Hadid military camp in Aden that houses a weapons described the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen as not be independently corroborated. Around six weeks ago, Asiri told reporters in Riyadh. — Agencies

Amir warns Houthis pose regional threat Lights go out for Earth Hour Continued from Page 1 the support offered by our brothers as a decisive factor to Continued from Page 1 highlight the plight of the planet. This year it comes enable us proceed with the action and complete prepara- ahead of a crucial UN meeting in Paris in December The Amir stressed that the Houthi militias’ aggressive tions for holding the summit,” he said. Khalifa, while in Kuala Lumpur the usually dazzling which is bringing together the global community in an acts posed a threat to the region’s security, stability and “The Palestinian cause and the peace process in the Petronas Twin Towers were dark. effort to limit global warming. The initiative began in sanctity of the regional states and their peoples. Middle East remains a file that we will carry in all our bilat- In neighboring Singapore all Earth Hour events were Sydney in 2007 but quickly went global. “Over 170 “My country Kuwait has declared support and full eral and regional and international meetings, and we have cancelled because of the mourning mood following the countries and territories confirmed their participation; stance on the side of our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi been seeking to resolve it by establishing an independent death of the city-state’s founding prime minister Lee more than 1,200 landmarks and close to 40 UNESCO Arabia and other brothers in the Arabian Gulf Cooperation Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital according to Kuan Yew. In Australia, the initiative this year is focusing world heritage sites,” Earth Hour head Sudhanshu Council regarding its right to defend itself,” he said, noting resolutions of the international legitimacy and the Arab on farming, with fears that rising temperatures could Sarronwala told AFP ahead of the event. that the solid Kuwaiti stance in support of Riyadh came peace initiative to end hardships of our brothers We will ultimately damage the country’s ability to produce These range from the Christ the Redeemer statue in after diplomatic efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis reached never enjoy security and stability as long as this food. “In Australia agriculture is the most vulnerable Rio de Janeiro, the Acropolis in Athens, Edinburgh a dead-end, adding that it followed a request by the (Palestinian) cause remains unresolved,” Sheikh Sabah industry to the impacts of climate change,” said national Castle, Big Ben, Ecuador’s Quito historical centre to New Yemeni president for Arab and GCC support as well as in warned. Earth Hour manager for Australia, Anna Rose. York’s Times Square. This year will included a glow-in- activation of the joint GCC and Arab defense treaties in On Iraq, HH the Amir expressed satisfaction at efforts of Rising temperatures, increased pests and weeds, the-dark Zumba party in the Philippines, a coordinated addition to the UN charter that stipulates necessity of tak- the Iraqi government with respect of restoring the coun- changes in planting times, and more extreme weather candlelit dinner in Finland billed as the world’s largest, ing all necessary procedures to protect international peace try’s security and stability. “We affirm our full support for events were already beginning to impact farmers, she restaurant dinners by candlelight in London, and a pow- and security. realizing this objective,” he said, expressing solid confi- said. “People think about climate change as something er-generating dance floor to light up the Eiffel Tower Also in this respect, Sheikh Sabah called for immediate dence in the Iraqi leaders’ efforts to overcome the hard cir- that’s only going to happen in the future,” Rose told AFP. after its hour-long sleep, said WWF. implementation of the Gulf initiative, with “abidance by cumstances. Turning to Libya, the Amir expressed concern “In this Earth Hour campaign we want to highlight the Earth Hour’s goal is not to achieve measurable elec- results of the comprehensive national dialogue,” noting the at the recent developments in this country and called for fact that rising temperatures and more extreme weath- tricity savings, but to raise awareness of the need for sus- necessity that all the Yemeni parties respond to the call by joint action to resolve the “conflict to spare Libyan blood er are affecting something we all have in common - our tainable energy use, and this year also to demand action the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to hold a confer- and restore stability to Libya”. Touching on the Iranian food.” to halt planet-harming climate change. “We hope that ence under the GCC umbrella “with the aim of safeguard- nuclear issue, he urged Tehran to respond to international Earth Hour takes place from 8:30 pm local time, and with each light switch that goes off, the light cast on ing Yemen’s security and sparing it being plunged into civil efforts regarding its nuclear program. encourages citizens, communities, businesses and people calling for action becomes clearer and paves the warfare where the greatest loser will be the Yemeni peo- Sheikh Sabah also called for “active and generous par- organisations to switch the lights off for an hour to way ahead for climate action,” said Sarronwala. — AFP ple.” He also warned that such a dire eventuality will lead to ticipation” in the third international donors’ conference for destabilization of regional countries. “Sensing gravity of Syria, due to be held in Kuwait on March 31. He expressed this catastrophe and hardships of our brothers, I appeal to hope the planned convention would end “with its objec- Kuwait to deport Houthi supporters states of the world to extend a hand of help toward the tives realized so that we could help our brothers to enable brotherly Yemeni people so they may overcome these cir- them to cope with repercussions of this destructive con- Continued from Page 1 Gen Hashem Al-Refaei said troops were on full alert cumstances which we hope will end soon.” flict”. HH the Amir indicated that he had responded posi- and ready to address any emergencies. The National HH the Amir began his statement by touching on the tively to the UN Secretary General’s request to host the “Kuwait’s strategic food reserves have hit their Guard has taken all necessary steps to counter chal- previous summit that had been chaired by Kuwait, saying conference, sensing the “volume of the catastrophe”. “The highest-ever recorded level,” the minister said, noting lenges that might arise to threaten Kuwait’s security, that it had been preceded by “very delicate and complex conflict in Syria will only end with a political settlement that he had instructed his ministry’s control agency to Refaei said in a statement, noting that it would fully events, while the joint Arab action was going through that safeguards its sovereignty and territorial sanctity and step up inspection measures in order to curb any pos- cooperate with other security bodies for the common some of the hardest times, thus the chances of holding the restores its stability,” he said. After concluding the speech, sible price gouging in the local market amid the cur- good of the nation. Health Minister Dr Ali Al-Obaidi session (summit) had diminished”. “However, we were very HH the Amir handed over the summit chairmanship to the rent regional circumstances. also said his ministry was ready to deal with any emer- much determined on holding the summit and we found in Egyptian president. — KUNA Meanwhile, National Guard Undersecretary Maj gency. SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues When SWU met LEU: Iran talks jargon A-to-Z

By Simon Sturdee

rowning in a radioactive sea of nuclear jargon, mixing up Bushehr and breakout, plutonium and Parchin, cen- Dtrifuges and code 3.1? As Iran and six world powers negotiate in Switzerland on ending the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear program, here is an A-to-Z glossary of the key techni- cal terms: A is for Arak: Until 2014, Iran was building a heavy water reactor at Arak. In theory, once operational, it could give Iran plutonium, the alternative to uranium for a nuclear weapon. B is for Breakout: The time Iran would need, in theory, to make a worth of nuclear material. The powers want this “breakout time” extended to at least a year to give them time to react. C is for Centrifuge: Machines that “enrich” uranium gas by Washington Watch spinning it at supersonic speeds, increasing the proportion of a fissile isotope, known as U-235, used for different purposes (see enrichment below). D is for Downblending: Under a Nov 2013 interim deal Israeli Arabs pointing the way forward (see JPOA below), Iran “downblended” its stock of converted uranium enriched to medium purities to low. By Dr James J Zogby percent of Israel’s population, they will, in the words that Zayyed once to build Jewish-only communities in order to change the demographics E is for Enrichment: Natural uranium contains 0.7 percent wrote, remain a heavy weight on the heart of the state that seeks to deny of this heavily Arab region of the country. In reaction, the Arabs called for U-235. Enriched to 3.5-5.0 percent, it can be used for nuclear n 1971, I was in Beirut on a grant from my university to conduct them their legitimate right to remain in their land. a national strike and mass mobilization on May 30, 1976. The Israelis power reactors, 20 percent for nuclear medicines and 90 per- research for my doctoral dissertation on the emergence of Palestinian reacted brutally, killing six and injuring 100. This first “Day of the Land” cent for a bomb. The process gets progressively easier. Inational consciousness. Since the subjects of my study were the Success both inspired and empowered the Arab community and, as a result, F is for Fuel: Iran says its program is to make fuel for 20 Palestinians in Lebanon’s refugee camps, I set about to visit Ein al Hilweh The success of the Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel did not come March 30th is commemorated each year as “Land Day” by Palestinians, future reactors. Russia is contracted to fuel Iran’s only existing to interview families and document their stories. easy. After 1948 when Israelis were celebrating what Ben Gurion called worldwide. plant, Bushehr, until 2021. Midway through my fieldwork I had a discussion with the novelist the “double miracle” of a state that was larger and had less Arabs, the Against the backdrop of this history and these challenges, the recent G is for Gachin: A uranium mine. The powers want to Ghassan Kanafani, which resulted in a dramatic shift in my approach. 160,000 Arabs who remained in the “Jewish State” faced extreme hard- electoral success of the Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel can be seen as keep a closer eye on mines to ensure uranium is not being Ghassan told me that I was looking in the wrong place. The stories I had ships. For the first decades of Israel’s existence, these Arabs were denied all the more significant. While the Joint List includes a number of dis- taken to secret enrichment sites. collected were important and would be useful, but, he noted, in reaction the right to form an independent party. When some brave souls founded parate groups, ranging from Communist to Islamic parties, they are uni- H is for HEU: Iran would need around 1,000 kg of low- to the trauma of dislocation and hardship of the camps, their conscious- al Ard (the land) party, they were arrested and expelled from the country. fied in their resolve to remain on their land and steadfast in their struggle enriched uranium (LEU) to make enough highly-enriched ura- ness had been frozen. They were caught in a time warp, recreating the Arab laborers were denied the right to join even the Histadrut (the Israeli to fight for their rights. What is equally interesting is that despite the dif- nium (HEU) for one bomb. It currently has some 8,000 kg of structures of village life in an effort to preserve what they had lost. The labor union) on the grounds that it was only for Jewish workers. ferent positions of their parties, our polling shows a remarkable consen- LEU. important story, he said, was unfolding in Israel among the Arabs who Placed under what were called “Emergency Defense Laws”, Arab- sus in the political views of the Arab community. I is for IAEA: The UN atomic watchdog, the International had stayed behind after 1948. They were the most interesting and politi- owned lands were confiscated and the Arabs citizens were subject to They are more forward looking on most issues than either Israeli Jews Atomic Energy Agency, keeps close tabs on Iran’s nuclear cally advanced portion of the Palestinian community. Someday, he insist- harsh military justice which included curfews, collective punishment, and or Palestinians from the occupied territories. They support an end to the activities and would have a beefed-up role under any deal. ed, they may very well lead the way. arbitrary arrest and summary expulsion. Over the years, Israeli leaders Israeli occupation and the establishment of a two-state solution and they J is for JPOA: The Joint Plan of Action, the Nov 2013 “inter- It was these Palestinians, he said, who were evolving a new con- referred to them as “aliens”, “strangers in our land” (a biblical term), “a can- support the rights of the refugees - whom they see as their dispossessed im deal” under which Iran froze certain nuclear activities in sciousness. To make his point he introduced me to the poetry of cer in our midst”, and “a demographic time bomb”. They were, in reality, kin. They strongly support both the Arab Peace Initiative and the parame- exchange for minor sanctions relief. Mahmoud Darwish, Tawfiiq Zayyed, and Sameh Al-Qassim. On reading under occupation in their own country. ters of the Clinton peace proposal. And they insist that their future is in K is for Khan: Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer them, I was struck by their love of their land, their resistance to Israeli Arab cities like Nazareth lost control of their adjacent lands - their their native land, demanding equal rights on all levels equal funding for Khan, believed to have shared expertise with Iran. efforts to strip them of their heritage, and of the boldness of the chal- source of livelihood - that were then used to build Jewish-only communi- education and other public services, and an end to the 50+ laws that dis- L is for Light-Water: If Arak is changed to a light-water lenge they presented to the oppression they were forced to endure. ties. Because of the discriminatory regulations imposed by the Jewish criminate against them in favor of the Jewish citizens of the state. reactor, it will significantly reduce the amount of plutonium I changed the focus of my dissertation and titled my work “Arabs in National Fund, Arabs could not buy or rent properties in any of these new It is because of this history that I shudder when I hear liberals argue than can be extracted from the spent fuel. the Promised Land: the Emergence of Palestinian National Consciousness settlements. As the Arabs matured and organized, they were punished that Israel must end the occupation in order to remain “Jewish and dem- M is for Missiles: Western powers want Iran’s ballistic mis- among the Arabs in Israel, from 1948 to 1967”. I have retained my fascina- for their efforts. Because the only party that would accept them as full ocratic”. The reasons to end the occupation are because it is immoral and siles program to be covered under any deal, but Tehran does tion with this component part of the Palestinian people until today and members was the Communist Party, they joined it, transforming it into a illegal and because it has caused enormous hardship to millions of inno- not. N is for Natanz: Iran’s main enrichment facility, with some so I watched and celebrated the remarkable victory of the Joint List - the substitute nationalist party. cent Palestinians. And more than that, the notion that a state can favor 17,000 IR-1 centrifuges installed, including 1,000 faster IR-2M unified slate of Arab parties - in the recent Israeli elections. Even more so, I When in the 1970’s, the Arabs of Nazareth elected Tawfiq Zayyed as one group and still be democratic is impossible. machines, but with a capacity of some 50,000. have been excited by the early courageous steps they have taken to vali- their mayor, the Israeli government punished them for their insolence by Netanyahu’s promise to be the Prime Minister of all the citizens of the O is for Oman: Oman was where Iran and the US held date the trust that their voters have placed in them - from their unequivo- cutting off state funding for the Nazareth Municipality. In response to this state is lame precisely because this is what Israel has never been. His effort secret talks which dated back to 2012 and led to the current cal rejection of Benjamin Netanyahu’s lame effort to apologize for using budget loss, Zayyed organized international youth camps, welcoming to pass a “Jewish Nation State” law in the last Knesset and his promise to diplomatic effort. them as “bait” to incite rightist voters to turn out on election day to the thousands of volunteers from all over the world to come to the city to resurface this law in the next government makes clear his intention, since P is for P5+1: The group of six powers negotiating with striking call of their leader, AymanOdeh, to mobilize a peaceful demon- help with construction projects, clean-up campaigns, and to provide oth- this law only serves to codify Jewish supremacy and the subordinate sta- Iran: the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. All stration to Jerusalem to challenge the Israeli government’s plan to dis- er needed services. tus of Israel’s Arabs. That the Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel have fought except Germany have nuclear weapons. possess and forcibly resettle the 100,000 Arab Bedouin of the Negev. for their rights for 67 years and continue to advance in their struggle gives Q is for Qom: Iran’s second main enrichment facility With 13 seats in the next Knesset, the Joint List is now the third largest Turning Point me hope. As we approach this years’ “Land Day”, keep your eyes on this Fordo, near the holy city of Qom, is built into a mountain, party in Israel and given their success they are positioned to grow in A critical turning point for these Palestinians came 40 years ago when remarkable community. They do, indeed, point the way forward. making it virtually impregnable to military strikes. strength in coming years. Representing the Arab community that is 20 Israel announced plans to “Judaize the Galilee” by confiscating more land NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of the Arab American Institute R is for R&D: The powers want strict limits, or a complete stop, of Iran’s research and development of newer, faster cen- trifuges. S is for SWU: Separative Work Units - a measure of the effi- Saudi ground troops face Yemen ‘quagmire’ ciency of centrifuges. T is for TRR: The Tehran Research Reactor, originally sup- By Rene Slama last resort given the risks. “It is hard for me “Just crushing the Houthis will change the the mountainous north, belong to the Zaidi plied by the US, used to make nuclear medicines. to see the Saudis deploying ground forces factional dynamics, which could help ultra- sect of Shiite Islam - a minority in Yemen U is for UF6: Uranium hexafloride, the gaseous form of audi-led airstrikes alone are unlikely to eject the Houthis, given the likelihood of radical Sunni groups,” said Jon Marks, a where almost 70 percent of the population uranium for enrichment. to crush Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels a quagmire without a clear exit,” said Middle East expert at London-based think- is Sunni. In their push towards central and V is for Virtual Nuclear Weapon State: A country whose Sbut a ground incursion would risk a Wehrey. A possible exception would be a tank Chatham House. Yemen is home to southern regions, the Houthis received expertise and facilities put them on the threshold of being bloody “quagmire” and escalating tensions buffer zone on the Saudi-Yemeni border, he what the United States considers the dead- support from powerful military units loyal able to make nuclear weapons. with Tehran, experts say. Saudi Arabia added. A Saudi spokesman for the Arab liest branch of Al-Qaeda, which claimed the to former strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, W is for Weaponisation: The work needed to be done to pledged to do “whatever it takes” to defend coalition carrying out operation “Decisive Islamist attacks in Paris in January and has himself a Zaidi who was forced to resign in put uranium or plutonium in a bomb. A stalled IAEA probe its ally President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi Storm” told reporters on the first day of repeatedly clashed with the Houthis. 2012 following a year-long uprising. covers allegations Iran did research in this area - the infamous after launching aerial raids against the strikes Thursday that there were no imme- The rival Islamic State jihadist group has The wealthy ex-president has remained “possible military dimensions” (PMD) file - including at Houthi Shiite fighters and their allies. diate plans to put boots on the ground. also surfaced in Yemen, claiming responsi- influential, enjoying the loyalty of com- Parchin. Despite the kingdom’s formidable firepow- A protracted conflict in Yemen could bility for attacks on Huthi mosque that manders of many army units that he built X is for Xenon: Can be used for testing centrifuges er, analysts say dropping bombs alone is of also empower Sunni extremists in the killed 171 people in one week. The Huthis, during his three-decade rule. Yemen has Y is for Yellowcake: Processed uranium ore, then convert- limited effectiveness. impoverished and deeply tribal country. whose influence had long been confined to long been the scene of clashes between ed into uranium tetrafluoride and uranium hexafloride (see “History shows that airstrikes without rival factions and tribes, and experts agree above). Not for eating, and not really yellow. corresponding ground forces do not pro- that the Saudi-led intervention is unlikely Z is for Zirconium: Metal used for cladding fuel rods in a duce a decisive victory,” said Frederic to restore stability. “The prospect of Saudi reactor. Wehrey of the US-based Carnegie Arabia or other Arab states putting regular And ... 3.1: Modified Code 3.1, part of Tehran’s contract Endowment for International Peace. He troops on ground in Yemen will remain with the IAEA revoked by Iran. This, like the so-called said the raids appeared to be aimed at remote,” said Britain-based consultancy Additional Protocol which Iran stopped implementing, allows fixed, pre-identified targets like airbases group Verisk Maplecroft. Saudi Arabia “will for closer oversight. —AFP and command centres, rather than mobile not want to get bogged down in a conflict Houthi units, urban fighters or supply lines. which could morph into a protracted The coalition said that anti-aircraft counter-insurgency - and risk a more direct defence systems, missiles and artillery posi- confrontation with Iran,” it said. All articles appearing on these tions “were completely destroyed” on the The White House has voiced concern first day of strikes. But the raids risk provok- about “reports of Iranian flow of arms into pages are the personal opinion of ing a backlash among the civilian popula- Yemen”. And Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the writers. Kuwait Times takes no tion if the death toll rises. Officials at the the United States, Adel Al-Jubeir, accused responsibility for views expressed rebel-controlled health ministry said Friday Iran of “aggression” across the region and therein. Kuwait Times invites read- that dozens of civilians had been killed in backing the Huthi power grab. Saudi more than 24 hours of Saudi-led raids. “If Arabia has reportedly mobilised 150,000 ers to voice their opinions. Please Saudi Arabia relies only on airstrikes and troops near the border but said Thursday it send submissions via email to: opin- civilian casualties start mounting they will has no plans yet for a ground operation. A [email protected] or via snail lose support very, very quickly,” said Sultan ground assault would be a “significant Barakat, research director at the Doha- climb up the escalatory ladder toward Iran,” mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. based Brookings Institution. Wehrey said. The Saudis “may use the air The editor reserves the right to edit Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, wearing army uniforms, ride on an armed operation to have greater leverage in nego- any submission as necessary. ‘No Clear Exit’ tiations for some sort of power-sharing Sending in ground troops is seen as a truck to patrol the international airport in Sanaa yesterday. —AP agreement,” he added. —AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 SPORTS

India’s Nehwal to top Cape Horn, storm await Kenya sweep World Cross women’s world rankings battered global race fleet Country Championship gold ALICANTE: Volvo Ocean Race’s six-strong fleet, already bat- CHINA: Kenya strode to gold in both the men’s and women’s races at the World Cross MUMBAI: India’s Saina Nehwal will replace Olympic champion Li Xuerui as tered by the Southern Ocean, sails in to the toughest part of the nine-month marathon offshore challenge over the next Country Championships in China yesterday with 19-year-old Agnes Tirop and Geoffrey the women’s world number one badminton player, ending China’s strangle- Kipsang taking their first titles. Tirop produced an impressive start-to-finish victory over the hold at the top of the rankings. China have long dominated the women’s two days. 8,010-metre course in Guiyang in a time of 26 minutes and one second, leaving behind game and the last non-Chinese to be world number one was Denmark’s Tine It is now heading for Cape Horn in southern Chile, a Baun in December 2010. graveyard for countless sailors since it was first used as a Ethiopian Senbere Teferi in the final 200 after a head-to-head battle between the 19-year- While Li, who won Olympic gold in London, has struggled with a foot trading route in the early 17th century. olds. injury, the other contender for the top ranking, All England The region is the only time in the 38,738-nautical mile Her five-second victory on an old horse racing track in southern China champion Carolina Marin of Spain, lost in the semi-final of race where the boats are likely to see icebergs and to com- against an impressive field, that included twice world cross champion the India Open super-series. World Champion Marin, who plicate matters, a huge storm is building up behind them in Emily Chebet, provided the 300th medal in the discipline for the East the Southern Ocean. beat Nehwal in the All England final this month, lost to African country. Earlier yesterday, the Chinese boat Dongfeng Race Team, third-seeded Thai Ratchanok Intanon 21-19 21-23 22-20 “I am very happy to have won Kenya’s 300th medal,” Tirop told in the semi-finals. Olympic bronze medallist Nehwal, 25, skippered by Frenchman Charles Caudrelier, led the leg from Auckland to ItajaÌ, Brazil, but by less than 10nm from organisers, the IAAF. “I was trying to push the pace from the start. I will play Japan’s Yui Hashimoto in the second semi-final had no fear, I was just trying to run my own race. but will advance to the top irrespective of her result. “I four other crews. “The Ethiopian tried to overtake me and tried to push me to get want to be the best,” Nehwal said before her top ranking Caudrelier admitted that the stress was becoming “wear- was confirmed. “It’s not about the ranking, it’s about being ing” on his eight-man team. “I think it’s unique in the history away, but I was strong and managed to hold on.” Kipsang, a half- consistent. “Li Xuerui is injured. You can’t ignore the fact of the Volvo Ocean Race (launched in 1973) to have a fleet marathon specialist, also had a duel in the men’s race as he that she’s the best player in the world, but she’s been battling like this in these latitudes,” he told Reuters yester- overcame compatriot Bedan Muchiri to win in a time of injured over the last few months. —Reuters day.—Reuters 34:52, eight seconds ahead of his rival.—Reuters

NBA results/standings

Detroit 111, Orlando 97; La Clippers 119, Philadelphia 98; Washington 110, Charlotte 107 (OT); Atlanta 99, Miami 86; Brooklyn 106, Cleveland 98; Boston 96, NY Knicks 92; Toronto 94, LA Lakers 83; Houston 120, Minnesota 110; Golden State 107, Memphis 84; New Orleans 102, Sacramento 88; San Antonio 94, Dallas 76; Denver 107, Utah 91; Portland 87, Phoenix 81.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Toronto 43 30 .589 - Boston 32 40 .444 10.5 Brooklyn 31 40 .437 11 Philadelphia 18 55 .247 25 NY Knicks 14 59 .192 29

Central Division Cleveland 47 27 .635 - Chicago 44 29 .603 2.5 Milwaukee 36 36 .500 10 Indiana 31 41 .431 15 Detroit 28 44 .389 18

Southeast Division Atlanta 55 17 .764 - Washington 41 32 .562 14.5 Miami 33 39 .458 22 Charlotte 30 41 .423 24.5 Orlando 22 52 .297 34

Western Conference Northwest Division Portland 46 25 .648 - Oklahoma City 41 31 .569 5.5 Utah 31 41 .431 15.5 Denver 28 45 .384 19 Minnesota 16 56 .222 30.5

Pacific Division Golden State 59 13 .819 - LA Clippers 48 25 .658 11.5 Phoenix 38 35 .521 21.5 Sacramento 26 46 .361 33 LA Lakers 19 52 .268 39.5

Southwest Division Memphis 50 23 .685 - Houston 49 23 .681 0.5 San Antonio 46 26 .639 3.5 Dallas 45 28 .616 5 New Orleans 38 34 .528 11.5 MEMPHIS: Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) recovers a loose ball ahead of Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half of an NBA basketball game.—AP Warriors slay Grizzlies, Hawks soar over Heat

MEMPHIS: Stephen Curry had 38 points and 10 CLIPPERS 119, 76ERS 98 Charlotte (30-41), battling for the final Eastern who never trailed after he gave them a 3-0 lead Phoenix. assists and the Golden State Warriors won their Chris Paul scored 25 points, DeAndre Jordan Conference playoff spot, has lost eight of 10. on a long jumper moments into the game. Aldridge had 12 points in the fourth quarter 60th game, matching a franchise record, 107-84 had 17 points and 20 rebounds, and the Los Gordon Hayward scored 24 points in his return and 10 in the last 3:26 of the game, and grabbed over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Angeles Clippers cruised past Philadelphia. ROCKETS 120, TIMBERWOLVES 110 after sitting out two games with a sprained nine rebounds. Former Sun Robin Lopez added Klay Thompson finished with 28 points and J.J. Redick added 19 points for the Clippers, James Harden had 33 points and eight assists shoulder. 12 points and 10 rebounds for Portland, which Draymond Green added 10 as the Warriors (60- who won their sixth consecutive game to help as the Houston Rockets clinched a playoff spot shot just 36 of 89. Marcus Morris led the Suns 13) won their eighth straight, solidifying their their chances for home-court advantage in the with a victory over the short-handed Minnesota TRAIL BLAZERS 87, SUNS 81 with 19 points and 12 rebounds, and twin broth- hold on the top spot in the Western Conference. first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Timberwolves. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points and er Markieff added 15 and nine, respectively, for Mike Conley and Jeff Green led Memphis with Los Angeles began the day in fifth place - one Harden shot 9 for 19 from the floor, including Portland overcame one of its worst shooting per- the Suns, who are 3 1/2 games behind Oklahoma 16 points each, while Marc Gasol scored 13 game behind Portland, which played at Phoenix 6 for 12 on 3-pointers. Josh Smith added 16 formances of the season, rallying from an eight- City for the final playoff spot in the Western points. Zach Randolph finished with 10 points. later. Rookie Nerlens Noel had career-high 30 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists and Trevor point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Conference. —AP points and 14 rebounds for Philadelphia. Ariza scored 14 points for the Rockets, who shot HAWKS 99, HEAT 86 53 percent, including 20 of 44 on 3s. DeMarre Carroll scored 24 points and the PISTONS 111, MAGIC 97 Dwight Howard had 18 points on 8-for-9 Atlanta Hawks clinched the top seed in the Reggie Jackson scored 26 points, and had 11 shooting in 21 minutes in his second game back Blue Jackets down Eastern Conference playoffs with a victory over rebounds and 10 assists to lift Detroit Pistons from a right knee injury. Jason Terry added 17 the Miami Heat. over Orlando. It was the second triple-double for points for the Rockets, who are in third place in The Hawks wrapped up the No. 1 seed and Jackson since he joined the Pistons in a mid-sea- the Western Conference and clinched a playoff Blackhawks home-court advantage in the conference play- son trade. Tayshaun Prince scored 23 points and spot for the third straight year. Andrew Wiggins offs when Brooklyn beat Cleveland 106-98. Paul Andre Drummond had 16 points and nine led the Timberwolves with 31 points. CHICAGO: Cam Atkinson scored twice in also connected for the Blue Jackets. They set Millsap had 21 points and Al Horford had 15 for rebounds as Detroit won its fourth in a row. Columbus’ four-goal first period and added a team record with their seventh consecu- Atlanta, which never trailed despite playing with- Orlando placed five starters in double-figures, CELTICS 96, KNICKS 92 an empty-net goal in the final minute for his tive road victory and have won eight of nine out injured guard Jeff Teague. but lost for the ninth time in 10 games. Tobias Isaiah Thomas scored 18 points and Jae second career hat trick to help the Blue overall. Miami, seventh in the East, had won four of Harris scored 21 points, Nik Vucevic had 20 Crowder had 17 points and nine rebounds as Jackets win their fifth straight game, 5-2 Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews six but fell behind early with cold shooting points and 14 rebounds, and Elfrid Payton had 14 Boston held off a late rally by New York. over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday scored for Chicago, which dropped its sec- against the Hawks. Dwyane Wade had 13 points points and 13 assists. Brandon Bass scored 16 points, Evan Turner night. ond straight. Columbus’ Sergei Bobrovsky after missing one game with a swollen left knee. had 15 and Avery Bradley finished with 10 for Ryan Johansen and Kevin Connauton made 31 saves. Chicago goalie Corey Luol Deng led Miami with 17 points and 10 PELICANS 102, KINGS 88 Boston. Andrea Bargnani tied a season high with Crawford was pulled with 3:14 left in the rebounds. Tyreke Evans had 25 points and 10 assists, 25 points for the Knicks. first period after allowing four goals on 13 and the New Orleans Pelicans broke a four-game The Celtics led by as many as 11 points in the shots. Scott Darling finished, and stopped all NETS 106, CAVALIERS 98 losing streak with a victory over the Sacramento fourth quarter, but Langston Galloway’s 3-point- 13 shots he faced. Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez each scored 20 Kings. er with 25 seconds left cut the Knicks’ deficit to points, and Brooklyn snapped Cleveland’s four- Anthony Davis had 24 points, nine rebounds 92-88. Thomas then made 1 of 2 free throws WILD 4, FLAMES 2 game winning streak. Bojan Bogdanovic added and six blocks for New Orleans, which has 10 with 23 seconds left, and Early did the same with Thomas Vanek and Mikko Koivu scored 18 points for the Nets, who held LeBron James to games left to make up three on Oklahoma City 13 seconds remaining. early in a three-goal third period and two baskets in the second half and won for the for the final playoff spot in the Western Minnesota pulled away to Calgary. Matt sixth time in eight games as they chase a playoff Conference. Quincy Pondexter added 16 points SPURS 94, MAVERICKS 76 Dumba and Zach Parise also scored for berth. They came in tied for ninth in the East, a and Norris Cole 12 for the Pelicans. Boris Diaw scored 19 points, helping San Minnesota, which pulled within a point of half-game behind Boston for the final spot. DeMarcus Cousins had 39 points and 20 Antonio pull away for victory over Dallas. Danny Chicago for third place in the Central James finished with 24 points and nine assists rebounds for Sacramento, which saw its four- Green had 14 points, Tiago Splitter scored 13 and Division and one point up on Winnipeg for for Cleveland, while Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers game winning streak end. Rudy Gay added 18 Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard added 12 each the top wild-card spot. The Wild have won with 26 points, and Kevin Love had 18 points and points and Omri Casspi 10. for San Antonio, which avoided another disap- four in row and six of seven. seven rebounds. pointing collapse against the Mavericks in less Devan Dubnyk stopped 23 shots. He WIZARDS 110, HORNETS 107 than a week and won at home against Dallas for made his 33rd consecutive start since join- RAPTORS 94, LAKERS 83 John Wall scored seven of his game-high 32 the ninth straight time. Monta Ellis and Tyson ing Minnesota and 34th overall, tying Antti The Toronto Raptors clinched their second points in the second overtime, and the Chandler had 10 points each to lead the Niemi for the most consecutive starts in the straight Atlantic Division title, beating the Los Washington Wizards held off the Charlotte Mavericks. NHL since 2010-11. Josh Jooris and Markus Angeles Lakers behind 18 points from Lou Hornets. Granlund scored for Calgary. Williams and 19 from Jonas Valanciunas. Wall’s pull-up jumper with 9.9 seconds left NUGGETS 107, JAZZ 91 James Johnson had 17 points, Amir Johnson made it 110-107, and Charlotte’s Mo Williams and Ty Lawson and Jameer Nelson each scored 18 OILERS 4, STARS 0 11 and Terrence Ross 10 as the Raptors snapped Al Jefferson missed 3-pointers in the final sec- points as Denver beat Utah, handing the Jazz Richard Bachman made 29 saves for his a two-game skid and beat the Lakers for the first onds. their fourth straight loss. Right around tip-off, second NHL shutout and Edmonton beat time since Dec. 8, 2013. DeMar DeRozan scored It was Wall’s second game in a row with 30- the Jazz announced Hot Rod Hundley, the former Dallas. Jordan Eberle, Derek Roy, Benoit six points, making just one of his 10 field-goal plus points as the Wizards (41-32) broke its four- NBA player who broadcast Jazz games in New Pouliot and Andrew Miller scored to help attempts and missing a dunk in the fourth quar- game losing streak. Washington’s Drew Gooden Orleans and Utah for 35 years, had died. He was CHICAGO: Teuvo Teravainen No. 86 of the the Oilers win their second straight game. ter, but he had 10 rebounds and seven assists, finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds. 80. Hundley called 3,051 Jazz games from 1974- Chicago Blackhawks tries to knock the Kari Lehtonen made 24 saves for the Stars. both team highs. Jeremy Lin scored 18 points Jefferson scored 31 points and grabbed 10 2009. There was a tribute to Hundley before the puck away from Cody Goloubef No.29 of They had won four in a row. Dallas and Jordan Clarkson had 14 for the Lakers, who rebounds for Charlotte, which has lost eight of game. the Columbus Blue Jackets at the United remained eight points behind Winnipeg for lost for the 11th time in 14 games. 10. Williams, who was questionable with a sore Danilo Gallinari played with a sore right tri- Center. —AFP the final wild-card spot in the Western left knee, added 26 points and 10 assists. ceps and finished with 13 points for the Nuggets, Conference, with just seven games left.—AP SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 SPORTS Waratahs win drab game

SYDNEY: Bernard Foley kicked defending Wingers Taqele Naiyaravoro and Rob champions New South Wales Waratahs Horne were denied further tries in the back into Super Rugby’s top six in a 23-11 space of 15 minutes. As the hosts lost their win over the Auckland Blues in Sydney yes- sparkle and intensity, Auckland fly-half Dan terday. Bowden, in his first Super Rugby start in Two second-half penalty goals from fly- five years, landed two penalty goals to half Foley and a late try to replacement reduce the Tahs’ lead to one point at the winger Peter Betham saved the Waratahs’ break. blushes in a drab victory over the last- The Blues briefly snatched a four-point placed Blues. advantage 15 minutes into the second half The Waratah forwards edged their New when powerful centre Francis Saili crashed Zealand counterparts in a bruising over. encounter with South African Jacques But Foley had the final say, his two Potgieter standing out five days after being penalties and the conversion of Betham’s fined by the Australian Rugby Union for try was enough to secure NSW’s fourth win making homophobic slurs in the Waratahs’ from six outings. The Blues were forced to heated derby win over the Brumbies. defend for much of the match but stayed in Skipper Dave Dennis, who finished the touch with some resilient defence. game in the blood bin, and barnstorming But an inspired defensive effort was ulti- lock Will Skelton also led the way for the mately of little comfort for the visitors as home side. they fell to their sixth straight defeat of the There was no sign of the dour spectacle campaign. to follow when Waratahs scrum-half Nick “That’s what we’ve been looking for over Phipps scored under the crossbar in the the years-to get the crowd into the game,” eighth minute after a short pass from Waratahs coach Michael Cheika said. “Over Kurtley Beale to Michael Hooper from a the last year or two, that’s been happening lineout win. Hooper’s last pass to Phipps more and more and we enjoy it.” Blues looked a touch forward but the video refer- coach John Kirwan rued having Jerome ee cleared it and Foley’s conversion made it Kaino in the sin bin for the last nine min- 7-0. utes and Cheika agreed the visiting captain Israel Folau and Beale had plenty of was unlucky to have been yellow-carded, touches and looked sharp while the for- saying it was a head clash with Dave wards were carrying and hitting with ven- Dennis. The win pulled the Waratahs to two om as the Waratahs appeared up for the competition points behind Australian con- contest. ference leaders the Brumbies. —AFP

Highlanders blow HONG KONG: Australia’s Con Foley (right) fights for the ball with Chris Dean of Scotland (center) during a second day match at het Hong Kong Stormers away Sevens rugby tournament. —AP

DUNEDIN: The Otago Highlanders banked “The Fijian brothers out wide did some very New Zealand beat Australia a crucial bonus-point as they ran in five good work. The forwards played really well tries in a substantial 39-21 victory over the and matched it with the big, physical Western Stormers in Dunedin yesterday. Stormers pack.” in Hong Kong Sevens clash After the Stormers scored first, the After the Stormers’ opening try, the Highlanders replied with 31 unanswered Highlanders struck back with Aaron Smith HONG KONG: Defending champions New “We obviously got it together against a good England, who were pushed to a 21-21 draw by a points to have the game secure before the dotting down against the front of the right- Zealand beat Australia in the most anticipated Australian team,” he added, praising Ioane.”He strong USA side. South Africans found the line again. hand upright when his way to the tryline second-day clash of the Hong Kong Sevens yes- scores important tries when you need them and England are placed fifth in the series and beat Waisake Naholo scored twice and his fel- was blocked. terday, as the arch-rivals prepare to take each every game I feel he’s going to get better and Kenya 17-7 in their other group match. USA will low Fijian wing Patrick Osborne also Lima Sopoaga landed the conversion, a other on in the cricket World Cup. better.” meet Samoa in their quarter-final. A qualifier touched down along with Aaron Smith and penalty and then two more conversions as All Blacks coach Gordon Tietjens said before Australia lie fourth in the World Series stand- tournament runs alongside the main event with Dan Pryor. Naholo ran in two tries in the countdown the sevens that the Black Caps’ thrilling semi- ings and take on series leaders South Africa in the winner becoming a top-ranked “core” team Juan de Jongh scored two for the to half-time. final victory over South Africa in the cricket the quarters. “I thought we defended exception- next season. Stormers with one for Michael Rhodes. It For his first try, Naholo intercepted a de Tuesday was a “huge motivation” for his rugby ally well,” said Australia coach Geraint John. Hong Kong missed out on a hoped-for place was a disappointing start to a tough Jongh pass and ran 60 metres to the line, team. “It’s a big game tomorrow.” Rugby sevens will after losing to Russia in their quarter-final. Australasian road trip for the Stormers and and for his second he crashed over New Zealand take on Australia in the cricket for the first time feature at the Summer Zimbabwe, Spain and Papua New Guinea join took the gloss off celebrations for Stormers fullback Cheslin Kolbe, who is final today, also finals day at the sevens. It was Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year, with the Russia in the qualifier semis. Springbok great Schalk Burger making his much shorter and 17 kilograms (37.5 not a good start for the rugby side Saturday with top four teams at the end of the Sevens World Fans from around the world flew in for the 100th Super appearance for the Stormers. pounds) lighter. Osborne scored the bonus a shock 24-24 draw with Portugal. But teen star Series securing a berth in Brazil. three-day event and filled Hong Kong Stadium’s The South Africa franchise, who next point try early in the second half to put the Rieko Ioane, who turned 18 two days ago, twice South Africa are currently five points clear of famous South Stand from early morning, face the unbeaten Wellington Hurricanes Highlanders up 31-7 before Rhodes replied broke through the Australian defence to seal a New Zealand in the series standings. The Hong dressed as everything from Roman centurions to and then defending champions NSW for the Stormers. 14-5 victory. Kong Sevens-which is celebrating its 40th edi- North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. Waratahs, needed points to get their jour- With the gap down to 17 points and 20 New Zealand topped their group with tion this year-is the sixth of the nine tourna- Disco legends Village People sang out “YMCA” ney off on the right foot. minutes left the opportunity was there for Australia second. Both go through to today’s ments in the series. South Africa eased through under blue skies and as the sun beat down, fans They made the best possible start when the Stormers to stage a comeback. But a quarters. “We were pretty disappointed with this to the quarters Saturday, beating Japan 27-0 and were warned not to use alcohol as a “mechanism de Jongh, leading the side in place of the sustained attack was held up by a deter- morning’s performance against Portugal... we France 29-7. for hydration” by the tongue-in-cheek announc- rested Duane Vermeulen, scored first to fin- mined defence before the Highlanders defended really badly,” said Tietjens, whose team Third-ranked Fiji took Belgium 38-7 and er. HKRFU said three people had been taken to ish a long Stormers build up. broke out for Dan Pryor to score their fifth will now face Argentina. Canada 40-5 for their place and will meet hospital yesterday. —AFP But as the Stormers dominated the set try. De Jongh replied with his second try pieces and operated in the right areas of but by then the game was well beyond the the field, the breaks went the Highlanders’ Stormers and replacement fly-half Marty way. “We took the most of our opportuni- Banks had the final say for the Highlanders ties,” Highlanders captain Ben Smith said. with a penalty on fulltime. —AFP Walker leads Texas Open

SAN ANTONIO: Local favorite Jimmy Walker Pressel joins Lee atop fired a five-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the US PGA LPGA leaderboard Tour’s Texas Open here Friday. Walker’s six-under-par total of 138 put CARLSBAD: Morgan Pressel fired record- Walshe, who carded a 67. Pressel described him one in front of overnight leader Charley equalling eight-under par 64 on Friday to her sparkling effort as “stress free.” Hoffman, who posted an even-par 72 and join Lee Mi-Rim atop the leaderboard after “I hit almost every fairway, and I think I was joined on 139 by Australian Aaron two rounds of the LPGA Kia Classic. hit 16 or 17 greens and just had a chance Baddeley, who shot a 71. America’s Pressel had eight birdies with for birdie on almost every hole,” she said. “I It was a further stroke back to another no bogeys in a round that matched the just hit it where I wanted to hit it today. It’s Texan, Jordan Spieth, who carded a 69 and course record at Aviara Golf Club. Her 10- been a while since I’ve been confident was tied on 140 with Kevin Na, who shot a under par total of 134 tied her for the knowing where the golf ball would go, and 68. halfway lead with South Korea’s overnight so it was nice to swing freely out there Walker, pleased to be playing in front of leader Lee, who signed for a second-round today and have the result that I did,” added family and friends, took advantage of 69 that included six birdies and three the American, who won the most recent of improved weather to grab two birdies in his bogeys. her two LPGA titles in 2008. “It’s hard to win first five holes before his only bogey of the They were one stroke in front of out here,” Pressel said. “Sure, you would like day, at the par-four 17th. Americans Alison Lee, who climbed up the to win more. But I’ve put a lot of time and He responded with a birdie at 18, and leaderboard with a 66, and Cristie Kerr, who hard work in.” closed strong with three birdies on the trot carded a 68. Ko, the 17-year-old sensation who at six, seven and eight-a run that included a Spain’s Maria Hernandez also posted a became number one in the world in 19-foot birdie putt at the par-three seventh. six-under 66 to grab a share of fifth place February, has made winning look easy in “I was just kind of around the hole, didn’t on eight-under 136. She was tied with her short, spectacular career. Her 26th make anything, and then finally got one to Japan’s Sakura Yokomine (67), South straight under-par round has her closing in go on six,” Walker said. Korean Kim Hyo-Joo (68) and American on Swedish great Annika Sorenstam’s LPGA “I hit a good iron shot, just got it on top of Brittany Lang (68). World number one Lydia record of 29 set in 2014. “I don’t know all the ridge there on seven and made that putt. Ko of New Zealand headed a group on 137, the records and all the details on that, but “And that 12-footer I made for birdie on the firing a two-under 70 for her 26th straight like I always say, I’m going to try and have par-five (the eighth), that was a nice little fin- LPGA Tour round under par. fun,” said Ko, who has two wins worldwide ish,” added Walker, who is seeking his second She was tied with world number three this year. “If I play good golf and break title of the season after his win in the Sony Stacy Lewis, who shot 69, and Alison some records, great.”—AFP Open. The late burst let Walker overtake Hoffman, who was three-under for the day through his first nine holes but had three bogeys coming in to fade. Baddeley also teed off on 10 and shook off a double-bogey at the par-four 15th, making five birdies and two bogeys the rest of the way. Walker said a win at TPC San Antonio would be special. “A win anywhere means a lot,” he said. “But being at home, you get to have parents, in-laws, friends, best friends, distant family. It would be cool. It doesn’t put any more pressure on you, I think. If anything you’ve got a nice support crew out there and you’ve got good vibes and good mojo - and I believe in all that stuff.” Walker’s fellow Texan, Spieth arrived in San Antonio off a dramatic playoff victory in the Valspar Championship in Florida-his third victory in five months. For Na, TPC San Antonio will always be linked to the 16 he recorded on the par-four ninth in 2011, but he’s hoping to add some new, better memories to his history here. “I really like this course and played well today,” Na said. Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, tuning up for the first major of the year at the Masters in a fortnight, fired an even-par 72 to head a group on 142. He was joined by another former Masters champion CARLSBAD: Morgan Pressel tees off during Round Two of the LPGA KIA Classic at the in Zach Johnson along with Brendan Steele, SAN ANTONIO: Jimmy Walker lines up a putt on the fifteenth green during the Valero Texas Open Aviara Golf Club. —AFP Chris Kirk and Billy Horschel. —AFP golf tournament. —AP SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Ailing Crowe pens emotional tribute

MELBOURNE: New Zealand’s former crick- He was inducted into the international et captain Martin Crowe, who is terminally cricket Hall of Fame last month and is mak- ill with lymphoma, has penned a moving ing the trip from New Zealand to watch tribute to his countrymen ahead of today’s the final live, cheering on the players he World Cup final against Australia. In a regards as the “sons I never had”. heart-wrenching column published on “I will hold back tears all day long. I will Cricinfo, the 52-year-old said Sunday’s gasp for air on occasions. I will feel like a match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground nervous parent,” he wrote. “Whatever hap- might be the last he ever sees. pens, March 29 at the MCG will be the “My precarious life ahead may not most divine fun ever.” afford me the luxury of many more games Current Black Caps skipper Brendon to watch and enjoy,” Crowe wrote. “So this McCullum told a news conference on is likely to be it. The last, maybe, and I can Saturday he had read Crowe’s column and happily live with that.” he paid tribute to his ailing predecessor. Crowe, who played 77 tests and 143 “I think what he’s going through at the One-Day Internationals for New Zealand, moment is incredibly difficult. We had him was regarded as one of the world’s best involved in the group, and not long ago as batsmen during the late 1980s and early well we came and spent time with the 1990s. team and it was great,” McCullum said. “He He was diagnosed with follicular lym- seems to have really found peace with phoma two years ago but it went into himself and the game as well, and he’s remission. Late last year, however, a new, been instrumental in helping some of our more aggressive form of the disease, dou- guys on the team peel back their games ble-hit lymphoma, developed and he said and really focus on being able to develop he had been told only five percent of suf- individually but also buy into the team col- ferers survive more than 12 months. Crowe lectively. He’s been a really big asset. “It’s said he had decided against chemothera- really sad what he’s going through and we py and was instead trying natural treat- just hope that he’s able to find some peace ments. in the time that he’s got left.” —Reuters

‘Ultimate game’ MELBOURNE: Australia’s captain Michael Clarke (left) and New Zealand’s captain Brendon McCullum shake hands as they pose for a photo with the Cricket World Cup trophy at the MCG in Melbourne. —AP excites McCullum Clarke quits as Australia, MELBOURNE: New Zealand captain tournament. “There is no challenge which Brendon McCullum said he was excited, not is insurmountable with a lot of hard work, a intimidated, at the prospect of leading his lot of heart, a lot of belief and making sure country in their first World Cup final when that everyone’s heading in the same direc- NZ eye World Cup title they face old foes Australia at the gigantic tion. Melbourne Cricket Ground today. “We will play an aggressive brand of Australia, the top-ranked side in one- cricket with bat and ball. We will play with MELBOURNE: Australia captain Michael Clarke 2015 World Cup to be the “most-followed and favorites on home turf at the MCG, where New day international cricket, are bidding for a the humility which we’ve played with has added a fresh edge to today’s blockbuster best-attended cricket event in history”. Zealand last played an ODI in 2009. Clarke said fifth World Cup title and will be considered throughout this campaign. World Cup final against New Zealand in Among a plethora of statistics, the ICC cited a the Black Caps may struggle to adjust to condi- favourites on home turf at the MCG where “And hopefully the big fella upstairs Melbourne by announcing the match will be his a crowd of 86,000 at the MCG for the India-South tions at the 90,000 capacity ground after playing New Zealand last played an ODI in 2009. shines on us when the pressure situations last one-day international. “I think it’s the right Africa pool match on February 22 — “a phenom- all their eight previous matches this tournament But the Black Caps are the only unbeaten come into play.” McCullum insisted that his time for me and the Australian cricket team,” the enal result given that neither of the host teams on their own grounds across the Tasman Sea. team in the tournament, having won eight team were not overawed by the prospect 33-year-old Clarke told reporters yesterday. were involved”-and that the official website had “Conditions are a lot different to what New games in a row. One of those victories was of playing at the famous amphitheatre, “I made the decision 48 hours ago when I attracted 227 million page views as evidence of Zealand have been playing in New Zealand,” against Australia in a low-scoring pool where New Zealand have won three of asked myself if I thought I would be playing in the tournament’s success. New Zealand go into Clarke said after his team’s emphatic 95-run stage thriller in Auckland on February 28 their last five matches against Australia. the next World Cup and I said to myself that ‘I their first title clash in cricket’s 50-overs-a-side semi-final victory over defending champions when a Kane Williamson six off Pat “I guess this is the ultimate game for us,” don’t think I will be’,” added Clarke, whose career showpiece as the only unbeaten team in the India on Thursday. Cummins helped them reach a modest tar- he said. “A 100,000 people in Australia’s has been blighted by back and hamstring prob- tournament, having won eight games in a row. However, New Zealand have defeated get of 152 with one wicket standing. backyard, MCG and its history and tradi- lems. One of those wins was against Australia in a Australia in three of their last five ODIs at the “We are not intimidated, we are excited,” tions and against a very good Australian. Clarke has played 244 one-day internationals, low-scoring pool stage thriller in Auckland on MCG and their most recent appearance saw McCullum said yesterday. “This has been “I’m sure some guys will be nervous scoring 7,907 runs with a highest score of 130 February 28 when a Kane Williamson six off Pat semi-final star Elliott’s unbeaten 61 fashion a six- the greatest time of our lives. We dreamed tomorrow morning. There is some excite- since his debut in 2003. He intends to keep play- Cummins helped them surpass a modest target wicket win with seven balls to spare after right from the start and to reach the final is ment about us going out there tomorrow ing Tests, however, having already featured in of 152 with one wicket standing. Australia had been restricted to 225 for five from an amazing achievement.” and putting our skills against the best in 108 matches, with 8,432 runs and a highest It was at the same Eden Park in Auckland that 50 overs. New Zealand crossed the semi-final hur- their backyard. score of 329 not out. the Black Caps downed South Africa in a nerve- Opener Martin Guptill, who hit a World Cup dle for the first time in seven attempts to “That certainly whets the appetite and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum tingling semi-final on Tuesday with a penulti- record score of 237 not out against the West leave an enthralled rugby-mad nation creates the greatest stage we can ask for. It struck the first psychological blow when he mate-ball six by Grant Elliott. Indies, is just 10 runs away from surpassing Sri backing their cricketers to take home crick- is certainly going to be a special day.” named his team 24 hours before the final. Lanka star Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 541 to et’s biggest global prize. McCullum added he hoped his team could Unsurprisingly, the Black Caps retained the same RUGBY-MAD NATION become the tournament’s leading run-getter. “We’ve had some tremendous support win the World Cup for 36-year-old Daniel side which edged out South Africa in the semi- New Zealand’s first semi-final win in seven Left-armer Trent Boult is the leading bowler in back home and also from around the Vettori, who is likely to end his internation- finals. “It’s captivated the country back home, it’s attempts left an enthralled rugby-mad nation this edition with 21 wickets, one more than world,” said McCullum. “The brand of cricket al career after today’s final even though the immensely satisfying but we have to build on it. backing their cricketers to take home a trophy Aussie paceman Mitchell Starc, while seamer Tim that we’ve played has really touched a lot spinner has taken 15 wickets in the tourna- Gee it would be nice to win it,” said McCullum at that has so far eluded them in the World Cup’s Southee and veteran spinner Daniel Vettori have of people and endeared ourselves to a lot ment. “He is a tremendous ambassador for his pre-match news conference. 40-year history. 15 wickets each. The 36-year-old Vettori is likely of people who follow this game. the game,” the captain said. “He’s given over Meanwhile International Cricket Council chief Australia, the top-ranked side in ODI cricket, to end his international career after Sunday’s “Hopefully, if we play well we’ll be smil- half his life to this game and has been both executive David Richardson proclaimed the are bidding for a fifth World Cup title and will be final. —AFP ing at the end of the day and be able to an outstanding team-mate and a very close look back on a fantastic campaign and friend. It will be nice to achieve the ulti- something which would hopefully invigor- mate success for him.” ate the game and New Zealand.” McCullum said he expected a keen bat- McCullum said the expected full house tle against a country with whom New Kiwis descend on MCG of 90,000 at the MCG would see a keen Zealand shared a “healthy rivalry.” “We have contest between two evenly-matched seen some epic battles over the years and MELBOURNE: Kiwi fans daubed in But the same page saw one of Michael Clarke and New Zealand Brendon,” said Clarke. “I’ll always be teams. “We will play well tomorrow,” he across codes as well, not just cricket and black came out in droves yesterday the paper’s regular columnists, counterpart Brendon McCullum as grateful for the way he and his said. “It does not guarantee us anything rugby,” he said. “Tomorrow is no different. to support New Zealand on the eve Richard Hinds, deliver several jibes they chatted away during a photo team respected the Hughes and it does not mean that Australia won’t It’s a healthy rivalry which can continue of their team’s first World Cup final, as well. “Oddly some of our mild- opportunity with the World Cup tragedy and respected Phillip’s fam- beat us. But we will turn up and display our well after our time. It’s one that we look for- against fierce rivals Australia in mannered Australian players have trophy surrounded by the noise of ily, so that’s probably brought us skills just as we have done throughout the ward to as well.” —AFP Melbourne. been accused of sledging. We whirring cameras. Asked what they closer together.” Despite defending Fans gathered around the nets promise they will not resort to any had said, Clarke replied: “I think I’ll champions India’s semi-final loss to outside the vast Melbourne Cricket tired old jokes,” Hinds wrote. keep that between Brendon and I, Australia, a large number of India’s Ground arena to get a glimpse of “You know, the ones about how but the main message from both of travelling cricket media, estimated Starc, Boult in their heroes training under cool your anthem pleads with God to us was we wish each other all the at 30, are staying on for the final, cloudy skies. “defend New Zealand” because no best.” making for a packed press box According to government statis- reputable lawyer would do so. Or Clarke added he was grateful for today. World Cup swing tics there are about 650,000 New how staging Miss New Zealand the support shown by McCullum Meanwhile, ticket-less support- Zealand citizens living in Australia, only involves putting up a mirror and the New Zealand team follow- ers will be able to watch the match which is around 15 percent of the ball in a shearing shed.” ing the passing of Australia bats- on a giant screen at the fan zone MELBOURNE: For the second time at this Boult is one of four New Zealanders, population of New Zealand. man Phillip Hughes, aged just 25, near the MCG on the banks of World Cup, Australia’s Mitchell Starc and along with Williamson, Corey Anderson The huge diaspora of Kiwis HUGHES RESPECT who died after being struck on the Melbourne’s Yarra River. There will New Zealand’s Trent Boult will be asked to and Matt Henry, who will be making their residing in Australia means there is But amidst all the banter, there back of a head by a bouncer in a also be a ‘Go Gold’ march for deliver a killer blow that could determine first appearance at the gigantic 90,000- passionate support for their rugby was evidence of deep mutual domestic match in November. “I Australian supporters to the MCG their team’s fate in the final today. The two capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground. and cricket teams whenever they respect between Australia captain have a great relationship with before the game.—AFP lethal left-arm fast bowlers will go head-to But he will have good memories of play- cross the Tasman to take on the head at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as ing in Australia, being part of a historic greater-resourced ‘big brother’. the tournament’s leading wicket-takers New Zealand win by seven runs on his Test There was a brisk trade inside who lit up the group clash between the co- debut in Hobart in December, 2011. He the merchandising tent outside the hosts exactly a month ago. Boult grabbed took four wickets in the match. ground with supporters, predomi- 5-27 to bundle Australia out for 151 in He began his first World Cup appear- nantly New Zealanders, snapping Auckland before Starc hit back with 6-28 to ance with two wickets each in the first two up playing shirts, flags and caps for leave the Black Caps nine down and only games against Sri Lanka and Scotland, Sunday’s final which is expected to managing to go past the modest target managed just one against England before draw an 80,000-90,000 crowd. due to a Kane Williamson six. New Zealand emerging his team’s hero against Australia. Australia, bidding for a fifth title, captain Brendon McCullum said it would In his next two encounters against Test- remain resolutely confident of be hard to forget the performance of both nations, Boult picked up four wickets another success in a World Cup Boult and Starc in what was a “a tremen- against the West Indies and returned with final, particularly at home, and dous advertisement for the game”. figures of two for 53 against South Africa in Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper “Mitchell and Boult put outstanding the semi-final. Saturday ran a triumphalist piece spells in that game and both were able to Starc, taller than Boult, generates a lot of headlined: “New Zealand won’t win get the ball to swing quite substantially,” pace and bounce but his wicket-taking and here’s why.” But Kiwi journalist said McCullum. “They posed a lot of ques- delivery is the one that he brings in to the Dylan Cleaver got his own back in tions with wicket-taking deliveries.” right-hander, usually a deadly weapon for the Sydney Daily Telegraph, con- The two 25-year-olds have played a left-arm fast bowlers. trasting levels of support for major role in taking the trans-Tasman rivals He is Australia’s most prolific one-day Australia and New Zealand’s semi- to the final, with Boult’s 21 wickets in eight bowler in recent times with 81 wickets in final wins in Sydney and Auckland games just one more than Starc. But the 40 matches that include three five-wicket respectively. Australian has played a match less follow- hauls in his first 17 internationals. Starc, “If there had been more than ing a washed out game against Brisbane. who has extracted plenty from responsive one Australian to 10 Indians in the Boult has now taken more wickets in Australian pitches, has been equally suc- crowd I’m sure there would have eight World Cup games than he did in his cessful on slow, flat wickets. In three recent been a few signs of life in the place,” first 16 one-day internationals where he matches in the United Arab Emirates, he he wrote. “Things got a bit rowdy had only 18 scalps. claimed nine scalps against Pakistan. here at Eden Park on Tuesday when The Northern Districts bowler appears Starc may have failed to score a run in Grant Elliott hit a six to win off the to have followed in the footsteps of his three visits to the batting crease in the penultimate ball (against South hero, Pakistan’s left-arm great Wasim tournament, but he is no bunny with the Africa). The crowd went nuts. Akram, with consistent pace and his ability bat, having made 99 in the Mohali Test MELBOURNE: The New Zealand team gather during training for the Cricket World Cup final at the People looked like they cared.” to swing the ball both ways. against India in 2013. —AFP Melbourne Cricket Ground. New Zealand play Australia in the final today. —AP SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 SPORTS

KEY BISCAYNE: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Nicolas Almagro of Spain in their second round match during the Miami Open. —AFP Nadal wins Miami opener, but rain sidelines Serena

MIAMI: Second-seeded Rafael Nadal launched improved 50 percent and it stays the same. It’s cooled you down a little bit at the end HALEP HANGS ON his bid for a first Miami Masters title on Friday not limiting my movements.” Nadal took 52 MURRAY PLAYS SMART changes,” said the former Wimbledon and US Women’s third seed Simona Halep pulled with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over fellow Spaniard minutes to win the opening set. The first four Two-time champion Andy Murray also Open champion. “It was just very tough herself together after dropping the second set Nicolas Almagro. games took 23 minutes, but his early break of reached the third round, backing up his recent weather to play good tennis in. So I just tried to earn a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 victory over Czech Nicole Nadal, who has four runner-up finishes in Almagro proved enough to take the set. Davis Cup win over Donald Young with a 6-4, to play smart, and it worked.” Vaidisova. 10 prior appearances on the hardcourts of Nadal quickened his pace in the second, 6-2 win over the American. Swiss seventh seed Stan Wawrinka needed The Romanian, who won the biggest title Miami, showed no signs of the training mishap breaking Almagro twice and securing the win Murray, seeded third, has defeated Young a fightback to overpower Argentine Carlos of her career when she lifted the WTA premier which left him with a sore ankle and threat- on his first match point to book a third-round in five of six meetings, including in last Berlocq 6-7 (9/11), 7-5, 6-2, while eighth-seed- level trophy at Indian Wells, was stunned in ened to compromise his start. berth. month’s Davis Cup first-round date in Glasgow. ed Czech Tomas Berdych advanced with a 6-3, the second set by the 25-year-old Vaidisova, “I think I did the things well when I had to He was done and dusted before the arrival The Scot, who won titles at the town he 6-4 victory over South Korea’s Chung Hyeon. who retired in 2010 but is now making a do. I played with no mistakes in the important of heavy rain that washed out the night ses- uses as a training base in 2009 and 2013, mus- Austrian Dominic Thiem beat Spain’s 10th return to the WTA which began late last year. points,” said Nadal. “The wind was really high, sion, which was to feature world number one tered just 14 winners and hit 21 unforced seed Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-3 while Although Halep was broken while serving it was very difficult to find a positive feeling on Serena Williams launching her bid for an errors, but it was enough compared to the 32 South African 15th seed Kevin Anderson for a three-set win at 5-0 in the third, she court. eighth Miami title with a second-round match unforced errors from Young in the match defeated Sam Querrey 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4. promptly broke back to secure victory in 92 “I played a solid match. I played well, I had a against Monica Niculescu. played in draining heat and humidity. Australian Bernard Tomic shook off effects minutes with 17 winners and 27 unforced good movement. I had some good winners, It’s the second tournament in a row that The victory took less than 90 minutes and of last week’s wisdom tooth trouble and back errors. Almagro was not an easy opponent.” Williams will find herself opening her cam- put Murray into a third-round meeting with pain at Indian Wells-which forced him to for- Fifth seed Ana Ivanovic defeated Irina Nadal said that his ankle is not fully healed, paign against the Romanian, having worked Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo, who beat Robin feit a match-posting a 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 victory Falconi 7-5, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3. Swede Johanna but is tolerable. Although it hurt when he hard to beat her 7-5, 7-5 in the second round Haase of the Netherlands 6-2, 3-6, 6-0. over American Austin Krajicek. Larsson surprised Czech 10th seed Lucie injured it on Monday, “after two days I at Indian Wells, California. “The heat was OK and the wind obviously Safarova with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.—AFP Fernandez, Elizaveta clinch gold at worlds

SHANGHAI: European figure skating champi- training until earlier this month. on Javier Fernandez became the first Spanish “As I made a few mistakes, I feel really man to win the world singles title yesterday, regretful,” he said. “It is true that during my as Russian teenager Elizaveta Tuktamysheva pratice my quads were not going very well, so clinched the women’s gold in Shanghai. I did have some anxious feelings.”I did land Fernandez, who has twice won the bronze one in my warm up but it does not really medal at the World Figure Skating mean anything unless you do it in competi- Championships, overcame last year’s winner tion.” Yuzuru Hanyu in dramatic style to claim the Fernandez claimed victory in Shanghai biggest title of his career. The 23-year-old with 273.90 points overall, while Hanyu scored 181.16 in the final free skate-more scored 175.88 in the free skate, finishing sec- than six points above the Olympic champion- ond overall with 271.08. allowing him to go top of the overall stand- The winner of the final programme with ings and take the worlds crown. 181.83 points was Kazakstan’s Dennis Tan, “I have got no words. Not even in my who finished third overall with a score of dreams.....I am really happy,” he said, visibly 267.72. Fernandez finished second at yester- moved by his achievement. “This is going to day’s skate, while Hanyu-his training partner give me a lot of energy to practice hard and under coach Brian Orser-settled for third. keep competing and try my best,” added The Shanghai tournament had earlier wit- Fernandez, who won the last three European nessed 18-year-old Tuktamysheva take gold SEPANG: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton powers his car in the rain during the qualifying race at the Formula crowns and finished fourth at last year’s Sochi in the women’s singles after convincingly One Malaysian Grand Prix. —AFP Winter Games. beating her rivals. Fernandez nailed a quad toe loop before The European Champion scored 132.74 in falling on a quad Salchow-triple toe loop the final segment to finish with 210.36 over- combination, but continued his performance all, some distance in front of second placed Hamilton takes pole in Malaysia in assured fashion. Satoko Miyahara (193.60) of Japan and Hanyu, meanwhile, is mindful that he Russia’s Elena Radionova (191.47) in third. The SEPANG: Formula One world champion Lewis see what we can do tomorrow,” said Vettel. set quick laps before the heavens opened. failed to land a single quad jump in his free victory marks an incredible turnaround for Hamilton splashed through the puddles at a Rosberg will be joined on the second row by Rosberg and Vettel made it safely to the finish skate, making only two rotations on a the teen star, who failed to make the Russian rain-soaked Sepang circuit to secure pole posi- Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo after a tropical down- in dry conditions at the head of the field but the Salchow, before falling badly on a toeloop. team for last year’s Olympics. “I am full of tion for Mercedes in a hectic Malaysian Grand pour early in the second session forced the driv- traffic behind left Hamilton eighth while Ferrari’s The Japanese pin-up was returning to emotion right now. This is an amazing Prix qualifying yesterday. The Briton, who ers to wait in the garage for 35 minutes before Kimi Raikkonen was only 11th and missed the competition for the first time since comfort- moment,” she said following the win. Dancing cruised to victory fom the front in the season- the track was safe enough to go out again. cut. It was a bitter blow for the Finn, who had ably defending his Grand Prix Final title in to “Batwannis Beek” and “Sandstorm”, the opening Australian Grand Prix this month, had “We’ve definitely made some progress from been quick all weekend prior to the downpour, Barcelona in mid-December. emerging star of women’s skating topped the to battle through traffic just to make the final cut Melbourne. Bit by bit we’ll get closer and closer,” but his absence opened the way for Romain The 20-year-old underwent surgery for a segment, with Americans Gracie Gold in the second of the three phases and was said Ricciardo, whose team have been less than Grosjean in a Lotus and Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson bladder problem shortly after that victory, (128.23) and Ashley Wagner (127.20) in sec- rewarded with the 40th pole of his career. complimentary about engine partners Renault. to enter the top 10. Grosjean was subsequently and a sprained ankle then kept him from ond and third.—AFP Hamilton clocked one minute 49.834 seconds Daniil Kvyat will start in fifth place in the oth- dropped two places for a pitlane misdemeanour, on his first lap of the final showdown and the er Red Bull with Toro Rosso’s 17-year-old Max lifting Valtteri Bottas to eighth behind Williams time resisted all challengers, including Sebastian Verstappen joining the Russian on the third row team mate Felipe Massa in seventh while Vettel, who proved Ferrari’s impressive early-sea- following another impressive afternoon. Ericsson moved up to ninth. Grosjean will line up son form was no fluke with a solid second place. Verstappen’s qualifying was the best by a 10th. “I think the first lap was good, it’s always diffi- teenager since 19-year-old Mexican Ricardo Down at the back, Fernando Alonso’s return cult in conditions like that and not one of us Rodriguez started on the front row for Ferrari at to action following a pre-season testing crash have driven in the wet this weekend,” Hamilton the 1961 Italian Grand Prix. saw him qualify in 18th place, one position told reporters. It also equalled the career highest grid posi- behind team mate Jenson Button as both drivers Four-times world champion Vettel, who looks tion of his proud father Jos, at the 1994 Belgian struggled for pace in the Honda-powered revitalised since joining the Italian outfit from Grand Prix-also in wet conditions. McLarens. Red Bull at the end of last year, backed up his “Our form today wasn’t unexpected but I third-place finish in Australia with a scintillating MAD DASH think our performance so far this weekend has final lap to trail Hamilton by just 0.074 seconds. The first round of qualifying went as expect- maybe been better than I’d have anticipated The German not only broke the Mercedes ed with Hamilton edging Rosberg in sweltering before arriving here,” said Alonso. Manor stranglehold in qualifying by beating a disap- conditions as dark clouds began to roll ominous- Marussia also had a day to forget on their first pointed Nico Rosberg, but he also became the ly over the palm oil plantations that surround qualifying action of the season, Spaniard first Ferrari driver to sit on the front row since the circuit south of the Malaysian capital. Roberto Merhi was last in his team’s modified Felipe Massa at the same circuit in 2013. The imminent threat of heavy rain sent the 2014 car while team mate Will Stevens was SHANGHAI: Javier Fernandez of Spain competes to win the men’s free skating of “It was an interesting qualifying session, the surviving 15 cars scurrying for the front of the unable to get out of the garage. Stewards the 2015 ISU World Figure Skating Championships at Shanghai Oriental Sports car felt good in both conditions and the car pitlane at the start of the second phase, all with granted both Manor drivers permission to Center. —AFP looked good on long runs in practice. We will the faster medium-compound tyres in order to start. —Reuters SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 SPORTS Ireland to take on Poles DUBLIN: Roy Keane says the Republic of it has to come from the players. “Whether Ireland need to pull the welcome mat from that is by making tackles, creating chances beneath Poland’s feet if they are to take or putting their bodies on the line. three points from a crucial European “The old Lansdowne was brilliant and Championship qualifier in Dublin today. there was a great atmosphere but in terms Keane, the assistant to manger Martin of today, that is the least of our worries. O’Neill, has called for Irish fans and players That will take care of itself and it will be to turn the Lansdowne Road stadium into electric.” the fortress of old. With Poland top of Group D, three points ahead of Ireland, LARGE CONTINGENT Germany and Scotland, defeat for O’Neill’s Almost 10,000 Poles are expected to men could prove fatal to their dreams of attend, with a substantial number coming making it to a second successive European from the large contingent already living in finals-and the omens aren’t good. Ireland. Since 2001, when Keane and company There may be a familiarity in the stands, stunned Louis Van Gaal’s star-studded but Ireland midfielder Stephen Quinn says Netherlands team on the way to World Cup the players are also more than aware of 2002 qualification, Ireland have struggled what to expect on the field. to take a scalp of any significance at “We’ve watched a lot of videos on Lansdowne Road. Now, with Poland 32 Poland throughout the week already and I places ahead of them in the FIFA Rankings don’t think the manager wants to leave any (Ireland languish at 66), an opportunity stones unturned going into the game, for exists not only to make a case for their par- set-pieces etc,” the Hull midfielder said. ticipation at Euro 2016, but to also begin a “We know how strong they are and we new era of home dominance on a ground have done our homework so hopefully we that was once so profitable in the golden can deal with that. “We’ve watched them reigns of Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy. and we will continue to throughout the Losing to Scotland in November has week so we can capitalise on their weak- increased the pressure ahead of Sunday’s nesses.” Poland travel in confident mood, game, but Ireland know victory will keep having beaten bitter rivals Germany for the them firmly in the hunt for automatic quali- first time in 19 attempts last October, with fication from Group D. coach Adam Nawalka so pleased with how “If we want to do well in any campaign things are going that he was willing to you have to have a decent home record,” leave out Borussia Dortmund star Jakub Keane said. “A lot of teams have come here Blaszczykowski due to internal friction and probably enjoyed Lansdowne Road, between the midfielder and new captain but it’s up to us to be on the front foot and Robert Lewandowski. The 68-times capped get the fans behind us, which I sure they former skipper is not the only absentee, will be. with Lukasz Piszczek, Artur Jedrzejczyk, LONDON: England’s Harry Kane (right) is challenged by Lithuania’s Arturas Zulpa during the Euro 2016 Group E qualifying soccer match at “The atmosphere will no doubt be bril- Kamil Grosicki and Michal Zyro missing Wembley Stadium in London on Friday. —AP liant but that can’t just come from the fans, through injury. —AFP Sanchez plots Kane whips Lithuania revenge over Brazil as Spain sink Ukraine LONDON: Chile forward Alexis Sanchez The most impressive of those wins came plans to make the most of home advantage in Paris on Thursday when the Selecao as the Arsenal star plots on revenge against recovered from a goal down to beat France PARIS: Man of the moment Harry Kane scored next year’s finals in France, England are six Del Bosque’s side are now clear in second Brazil in today’s friendly at the Emirates 3-1 thanks to goals from Oscar, Neymar and just moments into his international debut to seal points clear of both Slovenia and Switzerland at place in Group C, although they remain three Stadium. Luiz Gustavo. a 4-0 win for England against Lithuania at the top of the section. points behind Slovakia, who won 3-0 at home to Sanchez is still smarting from Chile’s It was the kind of creative and coura- Wembley in Euro 2016 qualifying on Friday. The Swiss eased to a 3-0 win at home to Luxembourg for a fifth win from five outings. World Cup exit at the hands of the hosts geous display that suggested Dunga has The Tottenham Hotspur striker was called up Estonia with Fabian Schaer, Granit Xhaka and Elsewhere in Group C, Belarus came from behind less than 12 months ago and he would love managed to rid his squad of the psycholog- by Roy Hodgson having scored 29 goals for his Haris Seferovic all on target. to claim their first victory of the campaign, 2-1 in to make amends by leading his country to ical scars inflicted by their traumatising club this season, and he was brought on for cap- Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund’s Kevin Macedonia. victory over their South American rivals at World Cup exit on home soil. tain Wayne Rooney in the 71st minute of the Kampl was one of half a dozen different scorers Meanwhile, the Group G fixture between the home of his current club. Dunga, who captained Brazil to World qualifying Group E fixture with England leading as Slovenia hammered hapless San Marino 6-0. Montenegro and Russia in Podgorica was aban- The 26-year-old, who moved to north Cup glory in 1994 and coached the team 3-0. Reigning European champions Spain took an doned after the German referee stopped play on London from Barcelona last year, scored that lost in the last eight in South Africa in Within two minutes, the 21-year-old had his important step towards qualifying from Group C two separate occasions because of trouble. Chile’s equaliser in a dramatic last-16 clash 2010, is overseeing a period of transition as first goal for his country, heading home from a with a 1-0 victory at home to Ukraine in Seville. The first stoppage came with less than a in Belo Horizonte, but it was Brazil goal- his team build towards the Copa America in Raheem Sterling cross at the back post. Alvaro Morata of Juventus was handed a start up minute played after visiting goalkeeper Igor keeper Julio Cesar who finished as the hero Chile in June. Before that, Rooney opened the scoring early front in the absence of injured Chelsea star Akinfeev was hit by a flare thrown from the after saving two penalties, including one Only two members of his starting line- on with his 47th international goal, leaving him Diego Costa and took advantage to score his crowd. from Sanchez, to seal a 3-2 win in the up against France, Oscar and Luiz Gustavo, two shy of Bobby Charlton’s England record. first international goal in the 28th minute after The CSKA Moscow goalkeeper was shoot-out. began that defeat to Germany, although six Danny Welbeck was then credited with the being set up by Koke. stretchered off and taken to hospital as a pre- With that in mind, Sanchez has set his of his side were in the squad at last year’s second goal just before the break, although the Spain were still not entirely convincing, but caution, and play restarted after a half-hour sights on handing Brazil, including his World Cup. ball took a crucial deflection off Lithuania cap- they could and probably should have won by stoppage. good friend and former Barca team-mate “This year will be very important for us, tain Tadas Kijanskas before going in. more goals. However, Sergio Ramos, on the However, the game was abandoned altogeth- Neymar, a first defeat in eight matches when we will play the Copa America and And before setting up Kane’s goal, Liverpool ground where he first made his name with er with the score 0-0 midway through the sec- under new coach Dunga in front of a the qualifiers for the World Cup will also get winger Sterling claimed his first in an England Sevilla a decade ago, headed against the wood- ond half as tensions mounted between the two 60,000-capacity crowd at the Emirates. started,” Dunga said. shirt too as Hodgson’s side made it five wins work from a David Silva free-kick and only a teams after Russia’s Roman Shirokov had a hotly- “I’m so excited and honoured to be play- “Playing against Chile will be one more from five games in Group E. “I dreamed of this great Andriy Pyatov save stopped substitute disputed penalty saved. It remains to be seen ing for the national team of Chile, against opportunity for the team to get ready for and it’s just a bit of a blur at the moment,” Kane Santi Cazorla making it 2-0 after a one-two with what action UEFA will take, although Russia will our great rivals Brazil, in front of the incred- the next challenges. “Brazil vs Chile is told ITV. Isco. hope to be awarded the victory. Austria top the ible Arsenal fans at Emirates Stadium,” always a good game and I am sure that all “It’s the best moment of my career. To repre- “In the first-half we played well and we had group with 13 points after a 5-0 win in Sanchez said. fans will see a great show in London.” sent my country at senior level is the top and chances,” said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. Liechtenstein, with Sweden four points behind “I also look forward to playing against While Brazil are on the up, Chile, who hopefully I can continue to keep doing it and “In the second we had a few openings, but we in second. They won 2-0 in Moldova as captain my good friend Neymar. Matches between haven’t beaten their rivals in 13 attempts hopefully this goal is the first of many.” found it difficult to break them down. The sec- Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a second-half brace, Brazil and Chile are always exciting encoun- dating back to 2000, head into the fixture Halfway through the campaign to qualify for ond half left me with a bad taste in my mouth.” including a late penalty. —AFP ters, and for me, to play this game at keen for a morale-boosting win. Emirates Stadium will make the match They slumped to a surprise 2-0 friendly even more special.” defeat against Iran in Austria in midweek-a Preview Hired for a second spell as Brazil coach second loss in three games for Jorge in the aftermath of their humiliating 7-1 Sampaoli’s side. World Cup semi-final defeat against The Chile boss is likely to restore Germany last year, Dunga has led Brazil to Sanchez and Juventus star Arturo Vidal to Misfiring Germany under seven successive friendly victories, netting his line-up after they both started on the 17 goals in the process. bench against Iran. —AFP pressure against Georgia

Spanish star Xavi signs TBILISI: Germany coach Joachim Both defender Holger Badstuber, Loew is set to name a full-strength who has a hip injury, and winger with Qatari side — club side for today’s clash at Georgia as the Karim Bellarabi, who has a cold, have world champions look to get their stayed back in Germany and will not Euro 2016 qualification back on track. feature. DOHA: Barcelona and Spain’s Xavi The Germans are used to dominat- “We won’t make a false step in Hernandez, one of the greatest midfielders ing qualifiers for major tournaments, Georgia,” said Loew’s assistant Thomas of the modern era, has signed for Qatari but have picked up only seven points Schneider. “We are under pressure, but side Al Sadd, officials in the Gulf claimed from their first four matches so far on there is no panic in our ranks.” Having yesterday. the road to France 2016. experimented with a three-man Pictures posted on social media by Al The world champions find them- defence in Kaiserslautern, Loew is set Sadd first-team manager Abdullah Al-Berik selves in the unusual position of joint to revert to a four-man defence in said the 35-year-old 2010 World Cup win- second in Group D, three points Tsibili. ner had signed for one of Qatar’s top sides. behind leaders Poland and level on Alongside Schweinsteiger and “Al Sadd have just managed to sign seven with Scotland and Ireland while Neuer, Loew is set to also include Barcelona captain Xavi and this is a picture World Cup-winners Thomas Mueller, of him with sporting director Muhammed Georgia are second from bottom. With Ireland hosting Poland in Dublin today Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels and Ghoulam,” Berik wrote on Instagram. Xavi is Jerome Boateng, who all sat out the therefore set to move to Qatar after the and Scotland facing bottom side Xavi Hernandez Gibraltar in Glasgow, Germany need Australia draw. end of this season, despite having a con- “We will win on Sunday,” said Mario and he has a contract until the end of next the three points in Tbilisi in their bid tract with Barcelona until June 2016. Goetze, who scored Germany’s World The transfer brings the curtain down on season,” said Bartomeu. to go top of the group. Cup-winning goal in Rio, but failed to a 17-year first-team playing career with “If he decides to leave then he will have “We know that we have to win on impress up front alongside fellow Barcelona, during which time Xavi has won the full support of the board and I would Sunday,” said Loew. The Germans are attacking midfielder Marco Reus seven La Liga championships, three imagine the supporters. He has the two suffering a post-World Cup hangover against the Socceroos. On paper, the Champions League titles and two FIFA Club options and he has the right to decide.” after their shock 2-0 defeat to Poland match at Tbilisi’s Boris Paichadze World Cups. He was also an integral part of Xavi’s signing would also be one of the in Warsaw and a draw at home to Erovnuli Stadium should present the Spain’s World Cup-winning side in 2010 biggest coups for Qatari domestic football Ireland gave them only one point and their two European Championship tri- in a country set to host the 2022 World Germans few problems. from a possible six last October. Georgia have lost all three of their umphs in 2008 and 2012. Cup. Their defeat in Poland was their He has won more trophies — 25 — than Al Sadd are currently second in the previous games against Germany, first to their neighbours in 19 meet- who posted home and away wins any other Spanish footballer. Xavi has spent league, seven points behind Lekhwiya, the ings and ended their run of 18 com- when the sides met in qualifiers for his whole career at Barcelona, playing more side coached by former Barcelona player petitive fixtures without defeat. The the 1996 European championship, than 700 games for the Catalan side since and Danish international Michael Laudrup. world champions then laboured to a which the Germans eventually won. his debut in 1998. They are the most successful side in 4-0 win against part-timers Gibraltar Loew has already tasted victory Beyond mere figures, he will also be Qatari football and competed in the Club last November and needed a late against Georgia when Germany remembered as being a central figure of World Cup in 2011, finishing third after Lukas Podolski equaliser in Barcelona’s revolutionary ‘tiki-taka’ style of being knocked out by Barcelona in the Kaiserslautern on Wednesday to avoid enjoyed a 2-0 friendly win in Rostock football, which relies on possession and semi-finals. a shock defeat in their 2-2 friendly in 2006. passing, and helped the Catalan side to Xavi is thought to have signed a three- draw with Asian champions Australia. Georgia’s new coach Kakhaber become arguably the dominant team in year contract with Al Sadd. It is thought his “We know that things are now get- Tskhadadze will be in charge of his Europe in the first decade of the century. role will combine coaching as well. He fol- ting serious in terms of qualifying, but first match. His predecessor Temuri Barcelona president Josep Maria lows in the footsteps of former Real Madrid none of us need to worry,” said mid- Ketsbaia ended his five-year reign and Bartomeu said that if the transfer is con- star Raul Gonzalez, who played for Al Sadd fielder Sami Khedira. Germany captain resigned after last November’s 4-0 firmed, the club will not stand in the way of in 39 games between 2012 and 2014. Bastian Schweinsteiger, who sat out home defeat to Poland after opening what would be a surprise move for the Barcelona are currently four points clear the Australia draw, will make his first their qualifying campaign with three iconic playmaker. at the top of La Liga and also in the running appearance since the World Cup final, defeats and a 3-0 win over in Gibraltar. TBILISI: Germany soccer players attend a training session. “I will say what I did last summer, Xavi for more silverware in the Champions while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Georgia are without a win in their last Germany will face Georgia in the Euro 2016 qualifying soccer has earned the right to decide his future League and Copa del Rey.—AFP returns after a minor knee injury. five competitive home games. —AFP match today. —AP Nadal wins Miami Kane whips opener, but rain Lithuania as sidelines Serena Spain sink Ukraine

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 18 19 Hamilton takes pole in Malaysia Page 18

DUBAI: Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum and owner of The Prince Bishop (right) and his uncle, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum hold the trophy after they won the $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup during the Dubai World Cup horse races at Meydan Racecourse. — AP Prince Bishop wins Dubai World Cup

DUBAI: Prince Bishop left racing fans scratching their hope Candy Boy. Art Sherman, who trains California Chrome, was recognised the importance of having a clear track heads when he cut down the rags-to-riches American “I don’t go numb very often but I can’t explain what magnanimous in defeat. “Second money is not bad at ahead of him. horse California Chrome to win the $10 million Dubai I’m feeling right now,” Buick said. “This is just nuts.” It was all,” he said. “He ran his eyeballs out. He was right there “Saeed told me to avoid getting kickback if at all pos- World Cup yesterday. the fourth time Prince Bishop, who is trained in Dubai in contention all the way. “The horse you think is going sible,” the jockey related. It was a stunning outcome at the world’s richest race, by Saeed Bin Suroor, had contested the World Cup. He to win doesn’t always. That’s what happens in this “I knew that that was the best way to maximise my and one virtually unforseen by the 60,000 spectators at finished ninth last year, seventh in 2012 and tenth the game.” horse’s chance. He has a very unorthodox way of racing Meydan racecourse. The stage looked set for California previous year. Espinosa was equally philosophical. “He (California but he ran on well to the end.” Chrome to join a hallowed cast of previous winners His victory earned his owner, Sheikh Hamdan bin Chrome) kind of lost his stride a little bit on the home Buick forged his path to victory when he secured a when jockey Victor Espinosa moved his mount into a Mohd al Maktoum of the Dubai ruling family, the win- turn because the horse on my inside (Hokko Tarumae) place on the outside of the field from his inside gate challenging position rounding the turn for home. But ner’s purse of $6 million. Bin Suroor was posting his sev- pushed me out. But overall, he ran awesome.” Prince draw in stall one. jockey William Buick aboard Prince Bishop had other enth triumph in the race. He won it 12 months ago with Bishop’s victory was unexpected because he had run on He was always within striking distance of a gallop ideas. African Story but that horse could finish only sixth this Maydan’s dirt surface twice before and resented the dictated by Hokko Tarumae and pounced on California Having countered Espinosa’s move, Buick drove his time under Bin Suroor’s senior jockey, James Doyle. sand kickback that sprays horses in the face. However, Chrome early in the home straight. An eight-year-old mount past the sentimental favorite en route to a deci- Japan’s pair of champions, Hokko Tarumae and he had finished strongly once he found clear air. horse, Prince Bishop is the oldest winner of the Dubai sive victory by 2 3/4 lengths. The second American chal- Epiphaneia, could finish only fifth and last respectively Buick’s role in his World Cup victory was pivotal. He World Cup. This was his eleventh victory from 28 starts. lenger, Lea, finished third, one place ahead of local in the nine-runner field. had ridden Prince Bishop on his last two starts and It was by some way the most significant. — AFP Dovizioso takes pole Chernetski bags Tour at Grand Prix of Qatar of Catalonia 6th stage PORT AVENTURA: Russia’s Sergei Tour victory. Chernetski claimed victory on the sixth “Today was my day. I am very happy and DOHA: Italian Andrea Dovizioso, who has yet ferent categories. stage of the Tour of Catalonia yesterday as just want to thank my team,” said Chernetski. to win a race in MotoGP, rode his Ducati to pole “We tried our best and I couldn’t make the Australian Richie Porte maintained his over- Today’s final stage is a hilly 126.6km circuit position yesterday for the Grand Prix of Qatar, perfect lap but I feel really good for the race,” all lead. Chernetski edged out Frenchman around Barcelona which features eight laps the first race of the2015 season on Sunday. he added. Pedrosa, who finished fourth in the Julian Alaphilippe and Polish rider Maciej of the Alt de Montjuic in the final stages. A sensational lap of 1min 54.113sec relegat- world standings last season but has won titles Paterski in a time of 4hr 42min 47sec on the Meanwhile, Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara ed Spaniard Dani Pedrosa into second at in 250cc and 125cc categories, was equally 194.1km ride from Cervera to Port Aventura. has been ruled out of the Spring Classics 0.217sec, on a Honda, with his teammate and happy with his day’s work. Porte finished among the chasing pack after suffering broken vertebrae in a bad world champion Marc Marquez completing “I’m very happy and the most important along with the other general classification crash at the E3 Harelbeke in Belgium, which the front row in third at 0.324. Dovizioso, who thing was to get onto the front row. That was contenders nearly two minutes back to was won by Geraint Thomas on Friday. The was the 125cc world champion in 2004, picks huge but I think it was my fastest lap on this remain five seconds ahead of Italian Swiss classics champion-a three-time winner up his third pole position in MotoGP as he track so I’m looking forward to the race now.” Domenico Pozzovivo. of both the Tour of Flanders and Paris- upset the favourite Marquez with Pedrosa said Pedrosa. Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Roubaix - crashed along with a group of 50 sandwiched between the pair. British rider Sam Lowes on a Speed Up bike Contador remains third, a further two sec- riders on the cobbled Haaghoek descent “It’s unbelievable but I had some really set a lap record on his way to pole position in onds adrift, despite crashing three kilome- 40km into the first classic of the season. The tres from the finish line. 34-year-old got back in the saddle and con- great times and we’ve worked very hard to get the Moto2 category. The 24-year-old, who The Spaniard got up to finish the stage, tinued in obvious pain, only to pull up 10km the bike ready over the last five days. Our strat- won the Supersport world title in 2013, but his Tinkoff Saxo team confirmed he had later and climb into the Trek team car. egy for the race is good and I’m very happy,” clocked a time of 1min 59.423sec to better suffered superficial injuries to the left side of “It all happened so fast. Someone said the 29-year-old Dovizioso. Marquez, who Frenchman Johann Zarco on his Kalex by his body. slammed the brakes and there was no way set a record of 13 victories on his way to the 0.332sec with his teammate Tito Rabat of An early breakaway group of 21 riders to go, just straight into it,” said Cancellara. “I 2014 world title, said he was confident head- Spain completing the front row at 0.390. enjoyed a lead of between two and three flew over a couple of riders and then land- ing into the race despite starting from third In Moto 3, Alex Masbou of France rode his minutes for the majority of the day before a ed in a pile of bikes. There were riders position. Honda to pole position in a time of 2min DOHA: Italian MotoGP rider Andrea lead group of 13 broke away with just under everywhere. I fell so hard, and felt pain “It was a very good qualifying session but 06.170 while Spaniard Issac Vinales was sec- Dovizioso of the Ducati Team team per- 20 kilometres to go. everywhere. It was sort of reflex to get A number of failed attempts to burst for back on the bike but the pain was hard, in the strongest today was Andrea (Dovizioso),” ond on a Husqvarna at 0.067 and Italian forms a wheelie during a free practice at said the 22-year-old Spaniard who is one of Niccolo Antonelli bringing the second Honda the line ensued before Chernetski sneaked my lower back, left wrist, and my ribs on the Losail International Circuit. The Qatar past Alaphilippe to secure his first World the back.” — AFP only four men to win world titles in three dif- home in third at 0.075sec. — AFP MotoGP takes place today. — AP China should not focus only on growth, says Xi

Page 22 Zain launches direct Business payment channel with Microsoft SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 Page 23 All-new BMW X5M, X6M to take reign Kuwait population reached 4.092 million in 2014 on Mideast roads Page 25 Page 26

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Chairman Saud bin Nasser Al-Thani and General Manager and CEO Mohammed bin Abdulla Al-Thani address the annual, and extraordinary general meetings in Kuwait on Thursday. Ooredoo Kuwait holds annual and More countries join extraordinary general meetings China-backed bank Chairman, board members and 92.2% of shareholders attend SHANGHAI/RIO DE JANEIRO: Russia, same forum, Australian Finance Minister Australia and the Netherlands yesterday Mathias Cormann said the country was KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, a member of the Ooredoo also announced in a statement that it and have adopted new strategies. We man- became the latest three countries to say planning to apply to become a founding international Ooredoo Group, held its annual as amended articles 17, 23, 24, 43, 56 of the aged to increase our market share in Kuwait they plan to join the China-led Asian member, according to Xinhua, while later and extraordinary general meetings on at 11 company’s Article of Association. and across our other companies as Ooredoo Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), on Saturday the news agency confirmed am last Thursday, at the company’s headquar- During his speech, Ooredoo Chairman Saud Group, and we believe that 2015 will present us adding clout to an institution seen as that Georgia had also applied. ters in Kuwait City. The two meetings witnessed bin Nasser Al-Thani thanked his predecessor with more opportunities for growth and suc- enhancing China’s regional and global The Netherlands also plans to join, an attendance of 92.2 percent. The meetings Abdulla bin Mohammed Al-Thani, lauding his cess.” influence. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on were presided by Chairman Saud bin Nasser Al- efforts throughout his years in post. He added: Ooredoo’s operations in Kuwait date back to The AIIB, seen as a challenge to existing his official Facebook page after a meeting Thani and General Manager and CEO “Throughout our transformation to Ooredoo, December 1999 when it launched wireless institutions the World Bank and Asian with Chinese President Xi Jinping. China’s Mohammed bin Abdulla Al-Thani. we gained the advantage of working under a services as the second operator. The company Development Bank, has drawn a cool Finance Ministry said earlier on Saturday response from the United States, despite Britain and Switzerland had been formally During the meetings, the shareholders were unified international umbrella. This helped us today provides mobile, broadband internet which European US allies including Britain, accepted as founding members of the presented with the annual report and reviewed improve our services even more, enabling us to and corporate managed services tailored to France, Germany and Italy have already AIIB, a day after Brazil accepted China’s the company’s achievement throughout the give our customers world-class unparalleled the needs of customers and businesses. announced they would join the bank. invitation to join. past year. Ooredoo Kuwait announced that it services.” Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching Other countries such as Turkey and China’s Finance Ministry said Austria will distribute profits of 70 percent of the nomi- Commenting on the achievements of 2014, people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate South Korea have also said they would had also applied to join and had submit- nal value (70 fils per share) to all shareholders he noted: “We are continuously working to fur- human growth by leveraging communications join. Brazil, China’s top trading partner, said ted its documents to China. “We should registered at the date of the General Assembly. ther better our services in Ooredoo Kuwait, to help people achieve their full potential. on Friday it would sign up and that there push forward with the creation of a region- were no conditions set. “Brazil is very inter- al hub for financial co-operation,” Xi said at ested in participating in this initiative,” the the forum, adding China should “strength- office of President Dilma Rousseff said in a en pragmatic cooperation in monetary Fed weighs rate hike statement. stability, investment, financing, credit rat- Russian First Deputy Prime Minister ing and other fields.” Igor Shuvalov, speaking on Saturday at a The AIIB has been seen as a significant forum in Boao on the southern Chinese setback to US efforts to extend its influ- island of Hainan, said the country plans to ence in the Asia Pacific region to balance ‘this year’: Yellen join the AIIB, according to the official China’s growing financial clout and Xinhua news agency. Speaking at the assertiveness. — Reuters SAN FRANCISCO: The Federal Reserve is considering raising near-zero interest rates this year even though this may slow the US recovery, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said Friday. The Federal Open Market Committee is now “giving serious consid- Kuwait CB, CBR eration to beginning to reduce later this year some of the extraordi- nary monetary policy accommodation currently in place,” Yellen said in a speech in San Francisco, according to the prepared text. Yellen ink letters of intent emphasized that the FOMC was taking a “gradualist approach” as it weighs whether the economy is strong enough to weather higher KUWAIT: Governor of the Central Bank of Organization of the Banking Business, as rates. Kuwait (CBK) Dr Mohammad Y Al-Hashel amended by Law No. 28/2004 entrusts the Earlier this month, the Fed’s policy arm opened the door to a federal said here yesterday that there had been an CBK with the necessary authority for the funds rate hike as early as midyear, dropping the word “patient” in its exchange of letters between the CBK and exchange of data and information with post-meeting statement. the China Banking Regulatory other central banks and regulatory author- But a string of weak economic data, particularly in consumer spend- Commission (CBRC) for mutual coopera- ities so as to achieve the objectives of con- ing, housing and manufacturing, has muddied the outlook for an tion in the field of banking supervision solidated supervision on banks and their increase in rates pegged at the zero level for more than six years. The within the framework of guidelines and branches and subsidiaries, and that such central bank took note of the sluggishness in mid-March, saying that recommendations promoted by the Basel exchange of information should be based growth prospects were more muted than they were just three months Committee on Banking Supervision on arrangements agreed between the CBK ago. (BCBS), and for the exchange of informa- and the relevant authorities in which The US central bank slashed 0.3 percentage point from its growth tion on banking matters between Kuwait those banks are headquartered, he added. forecast for this year, to 2.3-2.7 percent, in part because American and China. Dr Al-Hashel further explained that the households had tailed back spending. Speaking to KUNA, the Governor said Exchange of Letters between the Central Still, the recovery from the Great Recession that ended in 2009 that one of the Kuwaiti banks, namely the Bank of Kuwait and the China Banking appeared on track enough to sustain a rate hike. “With continued National Bank of Kuwait, has a presence in Regulatory Commission aims to further improvement in economic conditions, an increase in the target range the People’s Republic of China and similar- strengthen the bonds of cooperation in for that rate may well be warranted later this year,” Yellen said at a con- ference sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. ly, a Chinese bank, the Industrial and the field of consolidated supervision and The Fed’s ultra-low rate has supported a sizable reduction in labor Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), has a exchange of regulatory information, par- market slack over the past two years, she said, and appears to be lead- branch in Kuwait, which have been ticularly in the light of lessons drawn from ing to “further substantial gains.” approved by the CBK Board of Directors the recent global financial crisis, which “A modest increase in the federal funds rate would be highly unlike- and Kuwait Council of Ministers became nevertheless provided the impetus for ly to halt this progress, although such an increase might slow its pace licensed to operate in the State of Kuwait cooperation between national authorities somewhat,” the Fed chief acknowledged. on 18th May 2014. especially with regard to the regulation of “We view Yellen’s remarks as attempting to shift the debate from The Governor also clarified that as per financial institutions operating in a num- ‘when’ to ‘how fast’ and communicating a gradual tightening cycle,” regulations laid down by the CBK for the ber of different foreign jurisdictions, as Barclays analyst Michael Gapen said. licensing and operation of branches of for- well as providing the basis for joint action Her remarks came after the Commerce Department earlier in the eign banks in the State of Kuwait, regula- by regulatory authorities, so long as such day left unchanged its estimate of fourth-quarter gross domestic prod- tory authorities in which the bank is head- action is in accordance with the laws and uct growth at an annual rate of 2.2 percent. The GDP number disap- quartered are required to comply with the regulations of the respective countries in pointed analysts, who expected a revision upward to a 2.4 percent principles of consolidated supervision and which the banks operate. The Governor pace that would show the economy had greater momentum going exchange of information as recommended concluded by asserting that the CBK will into 2015. by the BCBS. continue in its endeavors aimed at “The first quarter looks even softer, in part due to adverse weather, In addition, Article (82) of Law No strengthening banking supervision in line but abstracting from the vagaries of the quarterly data, real growth HARMONY: A man welds parts in fans for industrial ventilation sys- 32/1968 of the State of Kuwait concerning with best practices in banking supervi- appears to be trending close to a respectable three percent pace,” said tems at the Robinson Fans Inc plant in Harmony, Pennsylvania.— AP Currency, the Central Bank of Kuwait and sion. — KUNA Scott Hoyt of Moody’s Analytics.— AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 BUSINESS

China should not focus Bayt.com weekly report The advantages and disadvantages of only on growth, says Xi working from home lmost three quarters of professionals in the Beijing assures on Asia investment schemes Middle East, 72 percent, believe that work- Aing from home is a good idea for both the employer and employee, as revealed in the BOAO, China: Chinese President Xi Jinping said yesterday Xi Jinping said yesterday that Beijing’s new Asian invest- ners around the world” are invited to take part in the pro- Bayt.com ‘Telecommuting in the Middle East that the country should not focus on its economic growth ment schemes do not aim to displace existing regional gram as well as the AIIB, Xi added, according to Xinhua. Workplace’ poll. rate only, reiterating China’s push for a more sustainable, programs, after US skepticism about the Beijing-backed But Xi repeated earlier calls for a “new security concept” Working from home is a dream for many but it higher-quality expansion. AIIB bank. in Asia, which has been seen by Western analysts as a push Chinese leaders have announced an economic growth China is expanding its financial clout in Asia with the by China to dilute US influence in the Pacific. has its pitfalls. In this article, Bayt.com - the Middle target of around 7 percent for this year, below the 7.5 per- founding of a “Belt and Road” scheme to invest in regional The US has reportedly lobbied hard to prevent its East’s leading job site - highlights the advantages cent goal in 2014 and the slowest rate in a quarter-century. transport links, as well as the Asian Infrastructure Western allies from signing up to the AIIB-apparently to lit- and disadvantages of working from home: Xi, who was speaking at a forum in Boao on the southern Investment Bank (AIIB), a multinational lender that the tle avail, with Germany, France and Britain all expressing an Chinese island of Hainan, said 7 percent growth was still United States perceives as a threat to the Washington-led intention to join. The Advantages impressive and would be a big driver of momentum. World Bank. Xi, who leads China’s ruling Communist party, also 1. Less stress He said the Chinese economy was resilient and had Xi told a regional summit in southern China that the sought to reassure fears on China’s economy, which grew According to the Bayt.com ‘Work Satisfaction in much potential, allowing for a host of policy tools. Analysts “Belt and Road” scheme had “no intention of replacing at its slowest pace in nearly 25 years last year. He said that the MENA’ poll, 74.1 percent of professionals in the anticipate further interest rate cuts in China this year. The existing mechanisms or initiatives for regional coopera- observers should “not look at the growth rate only,” when theme of the Boao forum is: “Asia’s New Future: Towards a tion”, the state-run Xinhua news agency said. “All countries assessing economic health, arguing that economic effi- region are stressed by their jobs, with 34.8 percent Community of Common Destiny”. along the routes in Asia, as well as China’s friends and part- ciency was a more important measure. —AFP affirming that their stress is ongoing.Abad work environment, unfriendly coworkers and commuting in traffic at rush hour were all cited as main reasons for stress at the workplace and can lead to unhappy workers. A working-at-home option could signifi- cantly limit the levels of commuting-related stress.

2. Better work-life balance Work-life balance - the aspiration of the modern professional - is often achieved through a working- at-home arrangement, especially when the employee has the flexibility to work from the office partially and can fine-tune the arrangement to achieve the most optimal balance. The Bayt.com Employee Motivation in the MENA survey has shown that professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region consider a good work- life balance to be the most important factor of motivation in a job.

3. Proximity to home and family For many, the physical proximity to family and the convenience of being at home are tremendous- ly comforting. For parents, it can be especially reas- suring to know that they are very near to their chil- dren and available should they be needed for any reason.

The Disadvantages 1. Isolation SHANGHAI: A China Eastern Airlines plane taking off at Shanghai’s Hongqiao airport. Chinese airline China Eastern said its net profit rose 44 percent in Often, professionals working from home com- 2014 from a year earlier, as fuel costs fell and passenger numbers increased, it said yesterday. —AFP plain of isolation and loneliness given their removal from their bosses and coworkers, and this can be discouraging to some. Since the workplace China Eastern airline says profit up 44% provides a location to meet people and make friends for many, professionals working from home BEIJING: Chinese airline China Eastern China have to be more creative and resourceful in getting said its net profit rose 44 percent in Fitch cuts Greece’s rating to know people and in staying in touch with their 2014 from a year earlier, as fuel costs Construction colleagues. fell and passenger numbers increased. amid default worries Bank net Net profit at the Shanghai based firm 2. Need for high self-discipline was 3.4 billion yuan ($548 million) last WASHINGTON: Ratings firm Fitch cut expected to produce a revised reform list profits up 6% Working from home is not for anyone. It takes a year, it said in a statement to the Hong Greece’s credit rating Friday amid worries Monday in a bid to unblock EU-IMF funds. In lot of dedication, self-control and discipline to Kong stock exchange on Friday. that the euro-zone country is running per- February, after weeks of brinkmanship, BEIJING: China Construction motivate oneself to persevere in working alone “This result was also primarily due ilously close to defaulting on its sovereign Greece won a four-month extension of its Bank, the nation’s second over the long run without losing drive and momen- to the continuous improvement of the debt. rescue, to the end of June, supporting “our largest lender by assets, said its tum. Often a partial arrangement where you report Group’s operating abilities and the Fitch lowered Greece’s rating by two base case scenario that Greece and its credi- notches to the high-risk level of “CCC” from tors will ultimately reach a compromise deal,” net profit rose six percent in into the office once or twice a week is the optimal decrease of jet fuel prices, as well as “B,” but said that nevertheless it expected the Fitch said. 2014 from a year earlier, as arrangement as it allows for close interaction with adjustments to the retirement benefit government would survive its cash squeeze. “However, progress since then has been interest income rose. Net profit colleagues and supervisors, and ensures you policies of our employees,” China “Lack of market access, uncertain slow. It is unclear when the earliest disburse- for 2014 was 227.83 billion remain in touch with company developments while Eastern said. The number of passen- prospects of timely disbursement from offi- ment could take place and what will be yuan ($36.69 billion), up from still permitting you the comfort and convenience gers travelling with the airline rose cial institutions, and tight liquidity conditions required for this to happen.” Fitch said the of working from home. in the domestic banking sector have put damage from the crisis would take time to 214.66 billion yuan in 2013, it about six percent to reach nearly 84 said in a statement to the Hong million, it added. extreme pressure on Greek government fund- repair. “The damage to investor, consumer 3. Distractions ing,” Fitch said in a statement. “We expect that and depositor confidence has almost cer- Kong stock exchange on Friday. China Eastern is China’s third largest Although office distractions are avoided by the government will survive the current liq- tainly derailed Greece’s incipient economic “Net interest yield rose steadily, airline, operating 485 passenger airlin- working at home, different distractions may arise. uidity squeeze without running arrears on recovery,” said the ratings firm. driven by an increase in net ers and 12 freighters at the end of last debt obligations, but the heightened risks “Liquidity conditions faced by firms will Interruptions from children, neighbors, friends or year, the South China Morning Post have led us to downgrade the ratings.” have worsened substantially, in our view, due interest income over the previ- family may be very disruptive, and special efforts newspaper reported. The rating downgrade came as the new to increased government arrears to suppliers ous year,” the bank said. China’s must be made to make it known that you are actu- China’s gross domestic product anti-austerity Greek government raced to and bank funding strains.” Fitch slashed its gross domestic product grew ally working and unavailable for interruption with- grew 7.4 percent last year, the slow- reach a deal with its European Union and growth forecast for this year to 0.5 percent, 7.4 percent last year, the slow- in work hours despite your physical presence at International Monetary Fund creditors by from 1.5 percent projected in January and 2.5 est pace in nearly a quarter of a home. est pace in nearly a quarter of a cen- next month before state coffers run dry. It is percent in December. —AFP tury. —AFP century. —AFP EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.585 Sierra Leone 0.000066 0.000072 Nepalese Rupees 3.990 Singapore Dollar 0.216143 0.222143 South African Rand 0.019345 0.027545 ASIAN COUNTRIES Malaysian Ringgit 82.605 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001876 0.002456 Japanese Yen 2.519 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 48.660 Australian Dollar 234.33 Taiwan 0.009440 0.009620 Indian Rupees 4.810 Thai Bhat 10.180 Canadian Dollar 243.99 Thai Baht 0.008887 0.009437 Pakistani Rupees 2.944 Turkish Lira 115.200 Swiss Franc 317.21 Srilankan Rupees 2.244 Euro 332.77 Nepali Rupees 3.000 Arab US Dollar 300.35 Bahrain Exchange Company Bahraini Dinar 0.789427 0.797427 Singapore Dollar 220.790 Sterling Pound 451.05 Hongkong Dollar 38.702 Egyptian Pound 0.038960 0.042060 Japanese Yen 2.55 Iranian Riyal 0.000083 0.000084 Bangladesh Taka 3.856 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Bangladesh Taka 3.856 Iraqi Dinar 0.000189 0.000249 Philippine Peso 6.704 Indian Rupee 4.812 Europe Thai Baht 9.221 Jordanian Dinar 0.419179 0.426679 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.245 Belgian Franc 0.007824 0.008824 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Nepali Rupee 3.018 British Pound 0.441229 0.450229 GCC COUNTRIES Lebanese Pound 0.000150 0.000250 Pakistani Rupee 2.945 Czech Korune 0.003939 0.015939 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021447 0.045447 Saudi Riyal 80.045 UAE Dirhams 81.64 Danish Krone 0.039875 0.044875 Nigerian Naira 0.001232 0.001867 Qatari Riyal 82.465 Bahraini Dinar 797.19 Euro 0.322788 0.330788 Omani Riyal 0.773336 0.779016 Omani Riyal 779.860 Egyptian Pound 39.25 Norwegian Krone 0.033940 0.039140 Qatar Riyal 0.081705 0.082918 Bahraini Dinar 797.260 Jordanian Dinar 426.76 Romanian Leu 0.086070 0.086070 UAE Dirham 81.735 Omani Riyal 778.93 Saudi Riyal 0.079377 0.080077 Slovakia 0.008897 0.018897 Syrian Pound 0.001271 0.001491 Qatari Riyal 82.71 Swedish Krona 0.031089 0.036089 ARAB COUNTRIES Tunisian Dinar 0.152346 0.160346 Saudi Riyal 80.01 Swiss Franc 0.307456 0.317656 Egyptian Pound - Cash 41.755 Turkish Lira 0.115354 0.122354 Turkish Lira 0.115354 0.122354 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.250 UAE Dirhams 0.080711 0.081860 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.401 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Yemeni Riyal 0.001356 0.001436 Australasia Tunisian Dinar 155.310 Australian Dollar 0.225044 0.236544 Jordanian Dinar 423.650 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate New Zealand Dollar 0.221805 0.231305 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.014 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 300.000 America Syrian Lira 2.139 Canadian Dollar 242.285 Canadian Dollar 0.233146 0.241646 Morocco Dirham 30.806 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Sterling Pound 446.810 US Dollars 0.295950 0.300650 Euro 330.380 US Dollars Mint 0.296450 0.300650 US Dollar 298.850 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 299.660 Asia Euro 323.750 US Dollar Transfer 300.050 Bahrain Dinar 798.925 Bangladesh Taka 0.003511 0.004111 Pound Sterlng 452.450 Euro 329.750 UAE Dirhams 82.055 Canadian Dollar 239.000 Sterling Pound 449.470 Chinese Yuan 0.046860 0.050360 Qatari Riyals 83.225 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036601 0.039351 Indian Rupee 4.775 Canadian dollar 239.850 Saudi Riyals 80.180 Indian Rupee 0.004520 0.004921 Egyptian Pound 39.150 Turkish lira 117.010 Jordanian Dinar 423.445 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.240 Swiss Franc 315.510 Egyptian Pound 39.242 Japanese Yen 0.002437 0.002617 Bangladesh Taka 3.842 Australian Dollar 235.390 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.246 Kenyan Shilling 0.003328 0.003328 Philippines Peso 6.750 US Dollar Buying 298.850 Indian Rupees 4.791 Korean Won 0.000261 0.000276 Pakistan Rupee 2.942 Pakistani Rupees 2.944 Bahraini Dinar 795.750 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.078352 0.084352 Bangladesh Taka 3.854 UAE Dirham 81.600 20 gram 238.340 Philippines Pesso 6.693 Nepalese Rupee 0.003038 0.003208 Saudi Riyal 79.800 10 gram 122.860 Cyprus pound 736.385 Pakistan Rupee 0.002808 0.003088 5 gram 61.120 Japanese Yen 3.515 Philippine Peso 0.006708 0.006988 *Rates are subject to change SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 BUSINESS Zain launches direct payment channel with Microsoft Windows Phone first smartphone platform to support DOB in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommu- Windows Phone Store by paying for DOB platform to Zain customers who to acquire a rechargeable mobile bal- nications company in Kuwait, their purchases via their mobile phone enjoy the wide variety of Windows ance. announced yesterday the launch of the balance without the need of using their Phone smart devices. Zain strives to offer customers the direct payment channel with Microsoft, credit cards. Prepaid customers can make use of latest services and mobile solutions in offering customers and for the first time Zain launched the Direct Payment this channel by performing any pur- the world of Value Added Services, all in Kuwait an easy and unparalleled safe Channel (DOB) platform in Kuwait back chase transaction through the Windows with the aim of surpassing customers’ experience through online shopping on in June 2014, and the platform wit- Phone Store using their current avail- expectations. The company will contin- Windows Phone smart devices. nessed wide demand amongst its cus- able credit, while postpaid customers ue leading the market by launching With the introduction of the direct tomers, being a safe and straightfor- can simply activate ‘Zain Pay’ by con- unprecedented services, products, and payment channel with Microsoft, Zain ward way to pay for online purchases. tacting a customer contact center rep- solutions in addition to value added customers can now perform any online Today’s announcement comes in collab- resentative on 107. ‘Zain Pay’ is a virtual services geared at maintaining its lead- purchase transaction through the oration with Microsoft to provide the solution that allows postpaid customers ing position in Kuwait. Troika expects Greece to miss primary surplus goal Reforms will put economy on track: Athens

BERLIN: The three institutions or troika repre- the document said. Greece needs a deal next to persuade its EU-IMF creditors to accept its senting Greece’s official creditors expect Athens week to unblock stalled EU-IMF loans and alternative reforms. The government of Prime could miss its goal of a primary budget surplus enable it to keep paying its debts. Minister Alexis Tsipras, which came to power in this year, German magazine Der Spiegel report- Greek experts “will go to Brussels tonight for January, has pledged to crack down on tax eva- ed yesterday citing a source within the group of a Saturday meeting, to finalise the reform list sion and corruption to restore growth. But in the lenders. that will be presented on Monday,” a Greek gov- absence of a deal, Greece has received none of Greece’s former conservative government ernment source said. the money still remaining in its 240-billion-euro said last year it would achieve a primary surplus The government source also dismissed as ($263-billion) bailout. of 3.0 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) “groundless” a report in Germany’s Bild daily that Another government source on Friday said in 2015, but the magazine quoted the source as Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis would soon that Athens had repeatedly warned its creditors saying: “Probably nothing will remain from that.” It added Greece’s financial situation had wors- ened since January due to a lack of reforms under leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. SAO PAULO: A woman shops in a shoe store in Sao Paulo on Friday. The A spokesman for German Finance Minister Brazilian government’s statistics bureau said on Friday that Brazil’s economy Wolfgang Schaeuble declined to comment on grew just 0.1 percent last year, the worst result since 2009, and bad news for the report, that also estimated Greece’s funding President Dilma Rousseff, whose popularity has plummeted along with gap had grown to up to 20 billion euros ($22 bil- Brazil’s economic performance. —AP lion). Greece has sent its creditors a long-await- ed list of reforms with a pledge to produce a small budget surplus this year in the hope that Brazil stagnates in 2014, this will unlock badly needed cash, Greek gov- ernment officials said on Friday. The list esti- mates a primary budget surplus of 1.5 pct for recession looms for 2015 2015, below the 3 percent target included in the country’s existing EU/IMF bailout, and growth of RIO DE JANEIRO: The Brazilian economy, the my grew more than forecast: analysts had 1.4 percent, the official said. world’s seventh-largest, posted near-stag- predicted the figure would come in at The Greek finance ministry recently revised nant growth in 2014, expanding just 0.1 per- zero, and the central bank had predicted a last year’s primary budget surplus to 0.3 percent, cent, and will likely enter recession this year, 0.1-percent contraction. from 1.5 percent of GDP as estimated by the for- officials said Friday. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the econ- mer conservative government and agreed with Hosting the World Cup in June and July omy contracted 0.2 percent, said national the country’s international lenders. and gearing up for the Olympics next year statistics institute IBGE. Industry, the hard- The finance ministry said its estimate was failed to reverse the drag of rising inflation, a est-hit sector, contracted by 1.2 percent in based on preliminary data and was partly due to ballooning deficit and a $4-billion kickbacks 2014. Agrobusiness expanded by 0.4 per- a shortfall of 3.9 billion euros in state revenue scandal at state oil giant Petrobras that has cent and services by 0.7 percent. Brazil’s late last year. tarnished Brazil’s largest company and central bank is forecasting annual inflation Greece’s deputy prime minister was quoted THESSALONIKI: Demonstrators hold an “SOS” made from tree branches in President Dilma Rousseff’s party. of 7.9 percent for 2015, well above its tar- as saying by China’s official Xinhua news agency It was the fourth year of lackluster growth get of 4.5 percent. It has raised the key Thessaloniki yesterday as they protest against gold mine extensions in the northern that Greece will sell its majority stake in the port Greek peninsula of Halkidiki. —AFP for the South American giant, whose econo- interest rate to 12.75 percent in a bid to of Piraeus within weeks, a u-turn by the govern- my expanded 2.7 percent in 2013, 1.8 per- rein in prices, but that also weighs down ment as it seeks funds from its creditors. resign. Bild quoted an unnamed government it would no longer be able to keep up with its cent in 2012 and 3.9 percent in 2011, under a economic activity and investment. insider saying that the minister’s resignation was debt payments unless the flow of loans revised calculation system that took effect Other drags on the economy include a Reforms “only a matter of time.” resumed. this month. current account deficit of $6.9 billion, a Greece said the reform proposals it will soon Varoufakis, who has often cut a controversial “The government has made it clear at all Rousseff has never managed to match trade deficit of $2.8 billion and a weak cur- present to its creditors will put the country’s figure in the negotiations, said on Twitter that levels of the euro-zone and the IMF that it will the blistering 7.6-percent GDP growth Brazil rency. Even unemployment, long the indi- economy on track without the pain of austerity. rumors of his resignation were “amusing.” The not continue to service the public debt from posted in 2010, the last year in office of her cator Rousseff’s left-wing government A government document said the proposals, to maverick economist and prolific speaker had its own funds if the creditors do not immedi- charismatic predecessor and mentor, Luiz could point to as a measure of success, has be finalized by technical experts this weekend, uncharacteristically scaled back public appear- ately disburse instalments delayed since 2014,” Inacio Lula da Silva. crept up since the start of the year, reach- would bring in 3.0 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in ances this month after a dispute over whether the source said. Tsipras had already warned The central bank is expecting an even ing 5.9 percent in February. The scandal at revenue, without resorting to wage and pension he flashed his middle finger at Germany during a earlier this week in a letter to German worse year in 2015, forecasting a contraction Petrobras has also dented confidence. cuts. 2013 speech. Chancellor Angela Merkel that Athens would of 0.5 percent. Some of the country’s largest construc- The measures would also see the crisis-hit Greece’s new radical government, which not be able to service its debt without help “Looking forward, the questions are how tion firms stand accused of colluding with Greek economy grow by 1.4 percent this year, rejects austerity measures, has until next month from the EU. —Agencies deep will the recession be in 2015, when will Petrobras executives to massively inflate Brazil start to recover and how fast,” said contracts, passing much of the dirty cash Robert Wood, Brazil analyst at the Economist to politicians from Rousseff’s party and its Intelligence Unit. Analyst Alex Agostini, chief allies in Congress. Rousseff, who chaired Run from Cuba, Americans cling economist at Brazilian firm Austin Rating, the Petrobras board during much of the predicted modest growth of around one to period under investigation, has not been two percent in 2016 before a return to implicated in the graft. But the scandal stronger growth of about 2.5 percent in has become a major crisis just months to claims for seized property 2017. into her second term, which began on “There’s been a breakdown in recent January 1. OMAHA, Nebraska: The smell of Cuban have to settle very old scores. might gladly settle for rights to do busi- Dora, Florida, home to the ballad years from the inflationary, fiscal and Rousseff’s approval rating has plunged coffee drifts from the kitchen as Carolyn Soon after Fidel Castro won control of ness there today and move on. “Besame Mucho” - Spanish for “kiss me a exchange-rate standpoint,” he told AFP. to 13 percent, and more than 1.5 million Chester digs through photos, faded with Cuba in 1959, his government began But a corporation doesn’t hang on to lot.” Agostini predicted India, whose economy is Brazilians took to the streets this month to age, that fill four boxes spread across the confiscating the property of thousands of memories the way a family can. That’s “He was still smitten with her,” Carolyn growing at an annual rate of more than sev- protest her government. dining table. Friends linked arm-in-arm US citizens and companies. For Edmund clear in places like Chester’s 832-square- Chester says. In 1940, CBS hired Chester en percent, would surpass Brazil this year as There is broad consensus that the gov- on the sands of a Cuban beach. Men in and Enna Chester, the losses included an foot bungalow in Omaha, pitched atop a as its chief of radio broadcasting for Latin the world’s seventh economy. ernment must get its books in order, but suits and women in evening gowns at a 80-acre farm, hundreds of thousands of corner lot that’s mostly slope, where a America. Eventually, he became the net- Of the BRICS group of emerging Rousseff’s new finance minister, Joaquim Havana nightclub. dollars’ worth of stock, and a brand new gold-framed oil portrait of her mother work’s director of news and special economies-Brazil, Russia, India, China and Levy, faces an uphill battle to convince And in almost every frame, a dapper Buick that, who knows, may still be plying from long ago watches over the yellow- events, working in New York alongside South Africa-Brazil posted the lowest growth Congress to raise taxes and cut spending, American man with a salt-and-pepper Havana’s streets. ing property deed and the worthless Edward R. Murrow. for 2014. Russia’s economy grew 0.6 percent, especially amid the slowdown. mustache and a raven-haired woman The confiscation of American proper- stock certificates. They are reminders that Chester returned to Cuba in 1952, China’s 7.4 percent and South Africa’s 1.4 per- But he did score a victory this week by with the arched eyebrows of a 1950s ty, valued today at $7 billion or more, was the Cuba that existed before Castro is his- buying a chain of radio stations on an cent. Brazil, the largest economy in Latin convincing ratings agency Standard & movie star - Chester’s father and mother - wrapped up in the retaliatory back-and- tory. But the bitterness over what came island where US companies dominated America, also had the poorest GDP growth in Poor’s that the government is serious smiling at the good fortune that, they forth that led to the trade embargo, after lingers on. the economy. Havana was a magnet for the region outside crisis-hit Venezuela. about economic reforms. After long meet- could not know, would soon be snatched which remains in place. In 1996, Congress Inside the offices of a little-known Americans, including celebrities like ings with Levy, S&P decided to keep away. passed a law insisting Cuba repay federal agency, more than 5,900 claims Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando, search- Uphill battle Brazil’s rating at BBB- instead of down- “That life is gone,” Chester says. “I Americans for what was taken before the files tally the furniture and factories, ing for a hedonistic getaway. Despite the slowdown, Brazil’s econo- grading it to junk. —AFP always heard about Cuba ... and all this embargo can be lifted. clothing and cars that once belonged to “Cuba was a cabaret, a casino, a place money that we lost and ‘Maybe one day,’ That demand went unmentioned in Americans in Cuba. to soak up the sun,” says Louis Perez, a but I didn’t understand it.” President Barack Obama’s December But really, the claims are stories - of historian at the University of North Now, nearly 60 years and 1,500 miles announcement that the U.S. and Cuba lives that were left behind. Edmund Carolina. “Boy, did that change.” Chester Russia to join China-led later, that day may finally be nearing for would resume diplomatic ties. Given Chester’s story began soon after he came sold the radio stations after a few years. Chester, and for others like her. But to Cuba’s frail economy, some experts say home to Louisville, Kentucky, from the But his growing family continued to split development bank reach it, new and untested diplomacy will companies whose property was taken Army and got a job as a newspaper their time between an apartment over- reporter. In his off hours, Chester taught looking Havana Bay and central Florida. MOSCOW: Russia is to sign up to the sanctions over Moscow’s role in the himself Spanish, which lead him away He opened a Havana public relations Chinese-led development bank AIIB, first Ukraine conflict. again. In 1929, he was hired by The agency and when a Hollywood crew deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov said “We are glad to have the opportunity Associated Press, which dispatched him came to make a 1956 feature, “The yesterday at an international forum in to build up cooperation in the format of to Havana. Chester spent the next Sharkfighters,” Chester shepherded them China, cited by Russian news agencies. China and the Eurasian Economic Union,” decade reporting across the Caribbean around what was then called the Isle of “I’d like to inform you that Russian Shuvalov said, referring to a free trade and Latin America. His work kindled a Pines, off Cuba’s south coast. Soon after, President Vladimir Putin has taken the union championed by Putin made up of love of Cuba, whose music and art filled the Chesters bought an 80-acre farm on decision that Russia will participate in the Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Belarus, his home until his death, and seeded two the island, once home to an American capital of the Asian Infrastructure which came into force in January. crucial relationships. population large enough to support its Investment Bank (AIIB),” Shuvalov said at “We in Russia are sure that joint work own school. In 1957, the Chesters China’s Boao Forum, quoted by RIA in developing Eurasian partnership and Revolt acquired $250,000 worth of shares in the Novosti state news agency. the Silk Route economic belt will create The first came when he covered a Cuban Telephone Co. The Beijing-backed AIIB, unveiled in further opportunities for the develop- 1933 revolt that put a former sergeant, But Edmund Chester, an adviser and October, is a multinational lender that ment of the countries of the Eurasian Fulgencio Batista, in charge of Cuba’s mili- speechwriter for Batista, grew uneasy as the United States perceives as a threat to Union and China,” he said. tary. Two decades later, when Batista was Castro’s rebels gained ground. “Preciosa, I the Washington-led World Bank. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Cuba’s dictator, he trusted Chester - by have just hung up the telephone after It has proved highly successful with this month that “practical cooperation then a fishing companion and confi- talking to you and I could tell that you countries that are US allies, however, with between China and Russia is based on dant, no longer a journalist - to write his were worried,” he wrote his wife from Britain, Germany, France, Italy and this mutual need” and has “enormous internal authorized biography, with a photo of Havana in July 1958, weeks after Carolyn week South Korea all saying they intend impetus and room for expansion.” China GONZALES, Texas: A worker in the oil industry buys old boots at the men smiling alongside one another, was born. “I agree that we ought to make inside the front cover. The second rela- (a) complete break with Cuba at the earli- to join the $50 billion (46 billion euro) is hungry for Russia’s vast hydrocarbon a thrift store operated by Gonzales Christian Assistance Ministry, bank. Russia has sought to align itself resources, while Western sanctions have tionship began in 1939 when Chester est possible moment.” one of the few social services organizations in Gonzales assisting went to Chile to cover an earthquake and When he rejoined the family in Florida more closely with China in recent years made seeking stable markets an urgent those in need in Gonzales, Texas. Texas, which in just the last five and these efforts have intensified amid a need for Putin, whose economy has been spotted Enna, nearly 20 years his junior, three days before Christmas, his work in freeze in relations with the Western pow- hit hard by the fall in prices for oil, a years has tripled its oil production and delivered hundreds of at a hotel swimming pool. Years later, Cuba was still unfinished. But days later, ers, which have imposed harsh economic major source of revenue. —AFP billions of dollars into the economy, is looking at what could be a their daughter recalls, the couple would Batista fled the country, and on Jan. 1, sustained downturn in prices. —AFP dance around the parlor of their Mount 1959, Castro’s forces seized control. —AP SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 BUSINESS

KSE plunges on geopolitical tension

BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week in the red zone. The Price Index closed at 6,222.46 points, down by 3.31 percent from the week before closing, the Weighted Index decreased by 3.64 percent after closing at 423.64 points, whereas the KSX-15 Index closed at 1,018.34 points, down by 4.16 percent. Furthermore, last week’s average daily turnover decreased by 7.59 percent, com- pared to the preceding week, reaching approx. KD 14.82 million, whereas trading volume average was approx. 156.98 million shares, recording an decrease of 4.41 per- cent. The stock market indicators continued its downward direction for the fourth consecutive week, affected by the selling trend that most of the traded stocks were subject to during the week, which caused the three indicators to fall and lose all its previously realized gains since the beginning of the year, to close once again below 2014 closing. Moreover, the stock market initiated its first session of the week with grouped losses for the three indicators, among pressures from the selling and profit collection operations executed on the large-cap and small-cap stocks, in addition to a noticeable reluctance to purchase by some traders, which caused the pumped liquidity lev- els to drop. In the next session, the stock market three indicators were able to realize growth, however limited; although the market was going downward during all the session, the last minutes witnessed random purchasing operations that included stocks of different sectors, espe- ting close to end, as scheduled on 31 March. The dis- Sectors’ Activity operations concentrated on some large-cap stocks, which cially the Technology and Financial Services sectors, the closed companies realized approximately KD 1.63 billion, The Financial Services sector dominated a total trade caused the three indices to move to the green zone. most declined sectors compared to the other sectors in with an increase of 11.07 percent from its results of 2013 volume of around 407.82 million shares changing hands Also, the stock market witnessed on Tuesday session the market. financial year. during last week, representing 51.96 percent of the total some fluctuation in the indices closings, with a noticeable By the end of the week, the market capital of the 191 market trading volume. The Real Estate sector was second decline in the trading activity, especially the liquidity, listed companies reached KD 26.68 billion, with a Sectors’ Indices in terms of trading volume as the sector’s traded shares which dropped to its lowest level since last July, as a result decrease of around KD 1.47 billion, representing 5.24 per- All of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the red zone. were 27.86 percent of last week’s total trading volume, to many traders’ reluctance to trade in the market, in light cent of its value in the preceding week, which was around Last week’s biggest loser was the Telecommunications with a total of around 218.71 million shares. of their watch to the National Assembly session related to KD 28.15 billion then. sector, as its index declined by 4.83 percent to end the On the other hand, the Banks sector’s stocks were the the law amendments of the Capital Markets Authority. On For the annual performance, the price index ended last week’s activity at 608.44 points. Whereas, in the second highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of around Wednesday session, the stock market indicators returned week recording 4.79 percent annual loss compared to its place, the Real Estate sector’s index closed at 1,018.02 KD 22.03 million or 29.73 percent of last week’s total mar- to meet in the red zone closing area, as a result to the sell- closing in 2014, while the weighted index decreased by points recording 4.72 percent decrease. The Oil & Gas sec- ket trading value. The Financial Services sector took the ing trend that was strongly present during the session, in 3.47 percent, and the KSX-15 recorded 3.93 percent loss. tor came in third, as its index closed at 1,004.43 points at a second place as the sector’s last week turnover was addition to the negative quick speculative operations. On By the end of the week, the total number of the com- loss of 4.42 percent. The Insurance sector was the least approx. KD 20.06 million representing 27.07 percent of the the last trading session of the week, the stock market was panies that disclosed its 2014 financial results reached declining as its index closed at 1,103.75 points with a 0.42 total market trading value. —Prepared by the Studies & subject to violent losses affected by the random selling 140 company, although the legal disclosure period is get- percent decrease. Research Department, Bayan Investment Co.

Tokyo investors eye Japan, ‘Bubble’ talk leaves US stocks lower US data after volatile week TOKYO: A closely watched Japanese busi- surged recently,” he added. Next week, ness confidence survey and a slate of US investors will be eyeing Japanese factory WALL STREET WEEKLY REPORT data will be on Tokyo investors’ radar screens output figures after data on Friday showed NEW YORK: “Bubble” talk returned to Wall Street rection in semiconductors,” said Art Hogan, chief The deal, forged by investment guru Warren next week after the Nikkei ended lower that a key inflation measure was flat for the this week with US stocks falling in part due to market strategist of Wunderlich Securities. Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital, Friday in see-saw trading. first time in nearly two years in February, worries that biotech and other highflying stocks Hogan said sentiment is “very cautious” ahead which own Heinz, will assemble the world’s fifth- “The Tokyo market might see some more weighed by a plunge in oil prices and tepid profit-taking by overseas and domestic household spending. have risen to unjustifiable heights. of the upcoming earnings season, with analysts largest food company, with around $28 billion in investors who want to settle their positions On Wednesday, the Bank of Japan releas- US stocks rallied on Friday, but it was not having slashed estimates for many companies. annual sales. Berkshire and 3G will invest an addi- at the start of a new fiscal year” on April 1, es its closely-watched Tankan business confi- enough to offset losses the other four days. The Investors are also more focused on the liabilities tional $10 billion to pay for a special cash divi- Daiwa Securities said in a client note. “But dence survey while investors also digest US Nasdaq Composite Index, which has outper- than the merits of the stronger dollar and lower dend of $16.50 per share for Kraft shareholders. the Nikkei has a limited downside as it’s sup- data, including jobs and trade figures. Daiwa formed the broader market in 2015, fell the most oil prices, he said. Dow Chemical got a lift from news that it will ported by investors eager to pick up bar- said it expected an uptick in the BoJ’s survey, over the week, dropping 135.20 points (2.69 per- Major economic data included news that US separate its US cholorine businesses and merge gains.” which would help support the Japanese cent) to 4,891.22. The Dow Jones Industrial economic growth slowed to an annual rate of 2.2 them with chemical company Olin into a compa- On Friday, the Nikkei 225 index at the market. Average fell 414.99 (2.29 percent) to 17,712.66, percent in the fourth quarter, unchanged from a ny with revenues approaching $7 billion. Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 0.95 percent, or In share trading Friday, Toyota slipped while the S&P 500 shed 47.04 (2.23 percent) to previous estimate, from 5.0 percent in third quar- Conditions stayed turbulent for petroleum 185.49 points, to end at 19,285.63. It lost 1.40 1.44 percent to 8,481.0 yen. A day earlier, the 2,061.02 ter. Despite stronger consumption, US growth stocks, which continue to reel from lower oil percent over the week. automaker said it would overhaul its produc- Heading into the week, the Nasdaq stood was hit by a 10.1 percent increase in imports and prices. Whiting Petroleum sank nearly 22 percent The broader Topix index of all first-sec- tion methods to slash development costs above 5,000, rarified territory for an index that a 7.3 percent fall in federal government spend- in the week as it announced a $1 billion bond tion shares fell 1.02 percent, or 16.04 points, owing to what its president called “sudden took 15 years to claw back near an all-time high ing. Other data showed a slump in durable goods offering and a major equity offering that will to 1,552.78. It was down 1.75 percent this and drastic changes” in the auto sector. set in 2000. But the tech-rich index found itself orders in February, but rising sales of new single- dilute existing shares. week. The tumble followed another sell-off Market heavyweight Fast Retailing, oper- on the back foot most of the week. Biotech com- family homes and an increase in consumer prices But cruise companies surged at week’s end on on Wall Street. ator of the Uniqlo clothing chain, fell 0.22 panies like Celgene and Biogen came under pres- during the month. a better profit outlook due in part to lower fuel “With little market-moving news (on percent to 46,225.0 yen, while Canon rose sure on worries that their promising new medica- costs. Carnival Friday announced higher profits Friday), there was a fair amount of selling” in 1.27 percent to 4,253.0 yen. Panasonic tions may fizzle, or take longer than expected to Big food merger and said it ordered nine new cruise ships from Tokyo, said Norihiro Fujito, head of invest- jumped 3.20 percent to 1,576.5 yen after say- win regulatory approval. The Nasdaq biotech Highlighting the week’s corporate news was shipbuilders in Germany and Italy. Earnings sea- ment information department at Mitsubishi ing it expects profit in the next fiscal year to index lost 5.2 percent on the week. the merger deal to create The Kraft Heinz son gets under way next week with results from UFJ Morgan Stanley. rise by nearly a quarter as it moves away Semiconductor stocks were another weak seg- Company, fusing ketchup-maker Heinz with Kraft agricultural giant Monsanto on Wednesday. Most “Underwhelming moves in US stocks are from its struggling television and smart- ment in the index. “The biggest story we saw was Foods, the maker of Velveeta cheese, A-1 steak major reports will not be released until later in prompting profit-taking in shares that have phone businesses. — AFP the mini-correction in biotechs and the mini-cor- sauce, Jell-O and a host of other processed foods. April. — AFP SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 BUSINESS Kuwait population reached 4.092 million in 2014

AL-SHALL WEEKLY ECONOMIC REPORT

KUWAIT: According to the latest population percent growth rate (4.3 percent in 2013) and total number to 422.3,000 workers, of which 2013 at 1.9 percent. The growth in the number to the rise in profits by bigger than the rise in and labor force statistics issued by the Public their total scored about 2.816 million, with a 320.1 thousand are government employees, of buildings in 2014 is the second lowest shares prices. Authority for Civil Information (PACI), Kuwait’s compound growth rate in the years 2005-2014 75.8 percent of the total Kuwaiti labor force growth rate in past five years, during which the It is clear that the listed companies contin- total population has scored approximately by 3.9 percent. (309.4 thousand in the end of 2013). 1,873 lowest was achieved in 2011 at 0.7 percent. ue to improve, however the risk potential 4.092 million in the end of 2014 which means The total number of laborers in Kuwait jobs for Kuwaitis were accommodated outside Buildings are divided into different units remains high. On the one hand, some profit an increase by 3.2 percent compared with the workforce scored approximately 2.457 million the public sector, a growth rate by 2.1 percent that numbered about 653.3,000 units com- sources are attributed to increase in asset number in the end of 2013. The population workers, or about 60 percent of the total pop- in the year. This rate needs some verification pared to 635.4,000 units, at the end of 2013. prices particularly the real estate, others to growth rate in 2013 scored 3.7 percent com- ulation. For Kuwaitis this percentage is 33.1 and scrutiny as some systems are still The number of total units rose by 2.8 percent reverting provisions or settling debts all of pared with 3.4 percent, 3.2 percent and 2.8 percent of the total Kuwaiti population. But unsheathed together with unreal labor force compared to 2.6 percent rise in the end of which are good justifications. But they are percent in 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively. non-Kuwaiti employees out of non-Kuwaiti with bogus contracts. 2013. The compound growth rate for the infrequent. On the other hand, the working The absolute increase in 2014 was about population amounted to 72.2 percent. The number of units during the period from 2005 environment is still weak and credit share still 126.9,000 with 33.4,000 for Kuwaitis (2.7 per- Kuwaiti labor force, out of total work force in Real estate buildings to 2014 was 2.9 percent, and for growth in the scarce. The risks relevant to companies that cent average) and bringing their total to 1.276 Kuwait, declined from 17.3 percent in 2013 to Total number of buildings in Kuwait, accord- number of buildings, for the same period, was are not supposed to continue still exist, and million. The ratio of Kuwaitis to the total popu- 17.2 percent in 2014. Female workers formed ing to the latest issue of the Public Authority of lower at 1.6 percent, which confirms continuity the political risks both local and regional are lation dropped from 31.3 percent in 2013 to 46.8 percent of the total Kuwaiti labor force Civil Information Guide for Buildings and Units, of reducing units sizes in each building. This mainly increasing. In addition to the weak oil about 31.2 percent. (46.9 percent in the end of 2013). Proportion scored about 191.7 thousand buildings at the means the change in the demand pattern con- market in the beginning of 2015, not as the Kuwait females outnumber the males: of female workers in the total workforce in end of December 2014 (189.2,000 buildings at tinued in the same way, perhaps due to high strong position in 2014. about 649.6,000 Kuwaiti females versus Kuwait scored approximately 29.1 percent. the end of 2013), and recorded a growth rate land prices and high rental level. Most build- 626.3,000 Kuwaiti males. The number of non- Number of Kuwaiti workers increased by of 1.3 percent, which is lower than the level of ings in Kuwait are used for housing which form Ahli United Bank financial results Kuwaitis increased by about 93.6,000, a 3.4 about 12.1,000 workers and brought their annual growth rate recorded at the end of about 68.5 percent of the total number of Ahli United Bank announced results of its buildings, followed by those assigned for both business for the fiscal year ending December housing and work, and then those assigned for 31, 2014 which indicated the bank’s net prof- work only. its, after deducting taxes, reached KD 46.4 mil- The percentage of vacant buildings, as per lion, up by KD 3.5 million, or by 8.1 percent, PACI figures, dropped to 12 percent, and num- compared with KD 42.9 million in the end of bered approximately 23.1,000 buildings out of a 2013. Most of the rise in net profits is due to total of 191.7,000 buildings (23.2,000 and vacant the drop in the total provisions and impair- buildings, out of a total of 189.2,000 buildings in ment losses amount by KD 3.2 million. the end of 2013, or 12.3 percent). The following Total operational incomes went up by a table shows the number and type of usage, by higher than the rise in total operational governorate, in the end of 2014. expenses they increased by KD 2.5 million, or According to PACI statistics, apartments by 2.5 percent, to KD 101.2 million (KD 98.7 form the majority of units and scored 46.3 per- million). That was achieved due to the rise in cent of the total, followed by 22.8 percent for the item of net gain on sale of investment by houses, and shops formed 17.7 percent. The KD 3.2 million, or by 208.1 percent, to KD 4.8 apartments and houses sector regularly main- million (represent 4.7 percent of total tained the increase in its share since 2005 and incomes) versus KD 1.5 million (1.6 percent of until the end of 2014 contrary to the percent- total incomes). age of shops and annexes which dropped. The Likewise, Item of net financing incomes compound growth rate (2005-2014) for apart- increased by KD 1.7 million and reached to KD ments, houses and shops scored about 4.1 per- 79.5 million (78.6 percent of total incomes) cent, 1.5 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively compared with KD 77.8 million (78.9 percent but it dropped for annexes by about 6.5 per- of total incomes) due to the rise in financing cent. The proportion of vacant units in 2014, incomes by KD 13.6 million compared with according to PACI, dropped to about 27 per- lower rise in the item of distributions to cent, down from approximately 27.3 percent, depositors which scored KD 11.9 million. While at the end of 2013. The following graph shows the item of net income from fees and commis- the ratio of the vacant and the occupied in the sions dropped by KD 324 thousand and years 2005-2014. reached KD 10.5 million (10.4 percent of total 142 companies, or about 74.3 percent of the incomes) compared with KD 10.8 million (10.9 total 191 listed companies, announced their percent of total incomes). results for the year ending December 31, 2014, Total operations expenditures increased by excluding the companies whose results were KD 1.9 million, or by 6.3 percent, to KD 32.4 mil- not announced. lion (KD 30.5 million in 2013). This was due to a Total profits of these companies scored rise in staff costs and other operating expenses about KD 1.638 billion, an increase by about 11 items by KD 2.1 million to KD 29.6 million (KD percent over that of 2013 of approximately KD 27.5 million in 2013). While the total provisions 1.476 billion. In fact, they are higher by 15.7 and impairment losses decreased by KD 3.2 mil- percent if we exclude the non-duplicate profits lion, or by 13.7 percent, as we mentioned above, of Ahli United Bank-Bahrain Branch of about to KD 20.1 million (KD 23.3 million). Therefore, KD 60.3 million achieved in 2013. the net profit margin rose to 45.9 percent (43.5 The overall results indicate improvement; percent in 2013). number of gainers rose to 125 companies, The bank’s total assets scored about KD 3.597

(including 111 companies that increased their billion, up by 13.6 percent (KD 3.165 billion in profits and 14 companies reduced their losses, the end of 2013). Item of financing receivable or turned to profitability). This means 88 per- increased by KD 339.5 million, or by 15.9 per- cent of the companies that announced their cent, to KD 2.480 billion (69 percent of total results achieved better performance compared assets) versus KD 2.141 billion (67.6 percent of to 117 companies in the end of 2013 and for total assets) in the end of 2013. the same number of companies which Likewise, item of deposits with other banks declared their financial results. Consequently, increased by KD 137.9 million and scored KD the number of losers dropped to 17 compa- 421.6 million (11.7 percent of total assets), which nies, (including 8 companies moved from prof- represents 48.6 percent rise compared with KD itability to loss) against 25 companies in 2013. 283.7 million (9 percent of total assets) in the On the list of top winners, ten leading compa- end of 2013. While the item of cash and bal- nies achieved the highest profit value with ances with banks dropped by KD 92 million to about KD 1.023 billion, or about 62.5 percent of KD 89 million (2.5 percent of total assets) versus total absolute profits, led by NBK by about KD KD 181 million (5.7 percent of total assets). 261.8 million, “Zain” came second with about Figures indicate that the bank liabilities KD 193.3 million, and “Ahli United Bank-Bahrain (without including the total equities) increased branch” came third with KD 137.5 million, with by KD 415.8 million, or by 14.6 percent, and about KD 47 million for its Kuwaiti branch reached KD 3.258 billion (KD 2.842 billion in the share. “KFH” ranked fourth with KD 126.5 mil- end of 2013) as the item of deposits from cus- lion. In contrast, 10 companies achieved the tomers increased by KD 360.7 million to KD highest absolute losses by approximately KD 2.454 billion (75.3 percent of total liabilities) 35.8 million, including the Kuwait Syrian compared with KD 2.093 billion (73.7 percent of Holding which achieved the highest absolute total liabilities). loss by about KD 7.2 million followed by the Results of analyzing the bank’s financial “First Takaful Insurance Company” by about KD statements indicate that most profitability 5.8 million. indexes dropped slightly compared with the Five sectors out of the 12 active sectors end of 2013. The return on average capital (ROC) achieved higher profits compared with their dropped to 34 percent (34.5 percent). The return performance in the end of 2013. The best was on average bank assets (ROA) also dropped to the financial services sector which raised its 1.4 percent (1.5 percent). However, the return on profits from about KD 43.5 million to about KD average equities relevant to bank shareholder 136.6 million with growth rate by about 213.8 (ROE) increased to 14.8 percent (14.3 percent). percent, while the most retreating sector was The EPS increased to 36.5 fils (32.9 fils in 2013). the communications sector whose profits The bank announced intention to distribute 10 dropped from KD 316.8 million to about KD percent cash of the nominal share value, equal 279.4 million, i.e. it decreased by about -11.8 to 10 fils per share, and 10 percent as bonus percent. shares. This means the share achieved cash yield On the other hand, 142 companies at the rate of 1.6 percent of the closing price in announced intentions to distribute dividends, the end of 31/12/2014 which scored 640 fils 62 companies announced distribution of cash (P/E) scored 17.5 times -improved- (21.9 times). dividends only, 8 companies announced dis- (P/B) scored 2.7 times (2.9 times) in 2013). tributing bonus shares only, and 21 companies expressed interest in mixed distribution of The weekly performance of KSE cash dividend and bonus shares, while 51 The performance of Kuwait Stock Exchange companies will not distribute profits. (KSE) for the last week was less active, where all Profitability Indicators of these companies indexes showed a decrease, the traded value rose such as the rate of return on equity (ROE) index, the traded volume index, the transactions which scored 6.6 percent (6.4 percent in 2013), index, and the general index showed a the return on assets (ROA) index which decrease, AlShall Index (value index) closed at remained unchanged at 1.5 percent for both 420.7 points at the closing of last Thursday, periods, and the index of price multiplier to showing a decrease of 18.1 points or about 4.1 the earning per share (P/E) improved by percent compared to the end of the previous declining to about 16.8 times in the end of week and its decreased by 23.3 points or about 2014, from 18.9 times in the end of 2013, due 5.2 percent compared to the end of 2014. BUSINESS SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

The all-new BMW X5M and X6M to take reign on Middle East’s roads

KUWAIT: The all-new BMW X5M and BMW X6M - With the new M TwinPower Turbo engine, M leather steering wheel with aluminum the ultimate in BMW M performance - have the all-new BMW X5 M and all-new BMW X6 M gearshift paddles and M gearshift lever - which arrived in the Middle East. Combining hallmark have the most powerful engine ever devel- works in the same way as the familiar M Double high performance engineering with everyday oped by BMW for an all-wheel-drive vehicle. Clutch Transmission - are complemented by practicality, these models are set to further Boasting innovative M TwinPower Turbo tech- electrically operated M sports seats for the driver strengthen BMW’s X models, which currently nology with a pair of TwinScroll turbochargers, and front passenger, an M driver’s footrest and accounts for around 50 percent of BMW sales in cross-bank exhaust manifolds, VALVETRONIC the optional Head-Up Display which, in addition the Middle East. and High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, the to the standard system, also includes an M-spe- These second generation models follow on 4.4-litre V8 produces maximum output of 423 cific display with gear indicator, rev band and from their 2009 predecessors and set the bench- kW/575 hp. From 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 shift lights. Additional interior options include mark in terms of driving dynamics in the high- seconds through the standard eight speed M the Merino full-leather trim and M multifunction performance Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) and Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, top seats. Sports Activity CoupÈ (SAC) segments. speed is limited to 250 km/h (155mph). At the Customers can also enjoy further customisa- The striking M design and distinctive high- same time, the fuel consumption and CO2 lev- tion with BMW Individual’s range of exclusive class interior of the two newest additions to the els of both models has been reduced by 20 paint finishes like the BMW Individual Azurte BMW M GmbH stable ensure that these models percent. Black metallic and Pyrite Brown metallic. Other make an impact. When the foot hits the gas ped- Cutting a low-slung figure on the road, mixed options from the BMW Individual collection al drivers can take advantage of the BMW X5M tyres showcase the all-new BMW X5M and X6M’s include the roof liner available in Alcantara and X6M’s latest-generation 4.4-litre V8 engine sporty track width, while an interior combining Smoke White, Alcantara Scotch dark and which uses innovative M TwinPower Turbo tech- sporty features, exclusive materials and flawless Alcantara Anthracite, the three interior trims; nology to push torque and output to even high- workmanship complement their dynamic exteri- Piano Finish Black, Sen Light Brown fine wood er performance levels. or presence perfectly. The M instrument cluster, and Ash Volcano Brown fine wood. Orient Planet Academy announces new PR and Communications courses

KUWAIT: Orient Planet Academy, the first and qualified professionals.” online PR and Communications Academy in “We offer internationally recognized the Middle East, has announced that it is now courses for self-development and training accepting students for the second quarter of purposes, which are essential especially in this year. Interested communications profes- today’s highly competitive world. Aside from sionals and young students who are looking industry practitioners, university students to bolster their skills and expertise can regis- may also opt to enroll in one of our courses to ter at the Academy’s website www.opacade- complement their studies. They will learn my.com, before the classes start on April 16, from well-respected and renowned industry May 21 and June 25, 2015. practitioners, thus, providing Orient Planet Academy them an edge against their Hadeel, Al-Fadhli, Senior Manager, Internal Communications at Gulf Bank Renowned actor, Dawood Hussain during the Al-Danah draw event. provides internationally rec- peers. We hope that they will during the Al Danah draw event. ognized certificate courses in enroll in our upcoming classes Public Relations (PR), this second quarter and seize Marketing, Journalism, Event the opportunity to gain up- Gulf Bank announces Karim Al-Sonji Management and English to-date knowledge and skills,” Grammar. Offering a wide he added. degree of flexibility to its The Academy’s last batch as Al-Danah KD200,000 winner prospective students, its of classes for the first quarter courses can be completed in a of 2015 began on March 12, time span of 10 to 20 weeks. A 2015. Orient Planet Academy KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced Karim Nabil Al- Ahmed Hamad Al-Mashan (KD125,000 winner) Mohammed Younis, Hanan Nabeel Yousef Al- student is required to com- was established in October Sonji as the Al-Danah KD200,000 draw winner of and Mrs. Monera Khaled Yousef Al-Mutawa Naham plete 10 to 12 modules and 2014 as a result of a joint ven- 2015. Ghanima Ahmed Hamad Al-Mashan was (KD25,000 winner). (Thursday 19/03): Saleh Nashmi Hasan Al- pass all requirements before a ture between Orient Planet PR the winner of KD125,000 and Monera Khaled Gulf Bank also announced the names of its Ajmi, Fakhriya Habeeb Haji Ibraheem certificate is awarded. and Marketing Yousef Al-Mutawa won KD25,000. The draw winners for the week of March 15th to March The next Al-Danah Quarterly draw closing Nidal Abou Zaki, Managing Communications and its announcing the winners was the highlight of a 19th. The Al Danah daily draws include draws date is on April 30th and it will be held on 25 Director, Orient Planet Academy, said: “We at European partner, the Irish Academy of Public special Al Danah draw that took place live on each working day for two prizes of KD1000 per June for draw prizes of KD250,000, KD125,000, the Academy advocate lifelong learning as a Relations. Marina FM’s, station 88.8, Diwaniya Show on 26 winner. and KD25,000. Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2015 draw critical part of any working individual’s pro- Orient Planet is one of the Middle East’s March, held under the supervision of a Ministry lineup includes daily draws (2 winners per fessional and personal growth. During the most rapidly growing PR marketing and com- of Commerce representative and Hadeel Al- The winners are working day each receive KD1000), as well as first quarter of 2015, the Academy received munications consultancies, while the Irish Fadhli, Senior Manager - Internal (Sunday 15/03): Sakeena Qatee Ali Al- two additional prizes per quarter. Al Danah’s an overwhelming response from profession- Academy is an Ireland-based international Communications, at Gulf Bank, alongside the Taher, Hasan Abdullah Abbas Taqi 3rd Quarterly draw will be held on 17 als throughout the region who seek to online education provider of courses in com- Bank’s special guest renowned actor, Dawood (Monday 16/03): Mubarak Abdulnabi Faza September (KD500,000, KD125,000, and upgrade their skills. We are confident that we munications disciplines. The Orient Planet Hussain. The event also provided listeners with Al-Hendal, Mustafa Sajjad Shikora KD25,000) and the final draw held on 7 will receive higher enrollment rate for our Academy’s courses designed by the Irish instant gifts and prizes. (Tuesday 17/03): Yaser Abdullah Abbas January, 2016 announcing winners of second quarter courses amidst the region’s Academy have been localized for the Arab Gulf Bank would like to congratulate Karim Mohammed, Bader Nasser Ali Al-Houti KD50,000, KD250,000 and the Al-Danah mil- strong demand for excellent communicators World. Nabil Al-Sonji (KD200,000 winner), Ghanima (Wednesday 18/03): Mohammed Shahzad lionaire.

Four KD 5,000 winners in NBK’s Al-Jawhara weekly draws for March

KUWAIT: Ameena Esmaeel Abbas Esmaeel, money in an account means more chances Mohammad Mahdi Hussain Nazar, Abdalah in each draw. The new feature introduced Mohammad Daees Al-Oteebi and Husain to al Jawhara Account enables customers Asad Husain Haidar each won KD 5,000. to double their chances when maintaining The winners expressed their gratitude and their balance without withdrawing. thanked NBK for its great services and pro- Al-Jawhara is the most popular prize- motions. giving account in Kuwait. Al-Jawhara NBK has re-launched Al-Jawhara account entitles account holders to enter account recently by doubling customers’ the weekly, monthly and quarterly Al- chances to win in the weekly, monthly and Jawhara draws. All prizes are automatically quarterly draws when they do not with- credited to the winners’ accounts the day draw or transfer from their accounts. after the draw. NBK customers have chances to win KD Al-Jawhara accounts are available to 5,000 weekly, KD 125,000 monthly and a both Kuwaitis and expats and can be grand prize of KD 250,000 quarterly. Each opened at any one of NBK’s branches KD 50 in a customer’s account entitles around Kuwait, or through NBK website for them to one entry in the draw, thus more existing customers. Burgan Bank announces 3 winners of ‘Buba’ Kids account holders

KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday the three NIVEDITHAKARAN PRABHAKARAN. Burgan Bank congrat- find out more about Burgan Bank’s BuBa Account as well as well as having a growing retail, and private bank customer winners of its latest competition for all its ‘Buba’ Kids ulates the three lucky winners and wishes that it played a as the latest promotions, customers are required to visit base. Burgan Bank has five majority owned subsidiaries, account holders, in celebration of Mother’s Day this year. part in highlighting the optimal role that mother’s play in their nearest Burgan Bank branch or contact the call cen- which include Jordan Kuwait Bank, Gulf Bank Algeria, Burgan Young participants were required to honor their moth- the lives of many children. ter on 1804080. For more information, customers can visit Bank - Turkey, Bank of Baghdad, Tunis International Bank, in ers using a descriptive statement stating why their moth- The BuBa Kids account is a savings account, with a min- the bank’s website on www.burgan.com. which Burgan Bank owns a majority stake. Burgan Bank er is the greatest icon. Three winners were selected to win imum opening balance of KD 10. Children up to 14 years Established in 1977, Burgan Bank is the youngest commer- Group has one of the largest regional branch networks with a cash prize of KD 50/- each. These winners are MARK old are entitled to a free branded ATM VISA Electron card cial Bank and second largest by assets in Kuwait, with a signifi- more than 231 branches across Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, GEORGE ZAHER POULIES, JUDY RAMI RABEA ZAHABI and which offers them discounts at selected merchants. To cant focus on the corporate and financial institutions sectors, Algeria, Iraq, Tunis, Lebanon and Palestine. technology SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

The $50 device that symbolizes a shift in North Korea

SEOUL: A $50 portable media player an organization that works with incomes, more goods are available in The notel comes from China, ty-scarce North Korea. Legally-regis- is providing many North Koreans a defectors. “If Pyongyang fails to suc- the impoverished country, mostly on either smuggled or legally imported. tered notel must be fixed to official window to the outside world despite cessfully adapt to these trends, they the black market but also in some Lee Seok-young, a defector from the state television and radio channels, the government’s efforts to keep its could threaten the long-term sur- state-controlled stores. North, said he smuggled 18,000 according to the Daily NK, a Seoul- people isolated - a symbol of change vival of the regime itself.” North Chinese-made notel into the country based news organization run by in one of the world’s most repressed Koreans have been spending money Cheap and versatile last year. He said he ordered them defectors. Lee, the defector, said the societies. By some estimates, up to more openly, a sign that some forms Notel or ‘notetel’ - the name is a directly from a factory in Guangzhou device’s multi-function nature makes half of all urban North Korean house- of entrepreneurship are increasingly uniquely North Korean word combin- that was likely still in production it easier for users to get away with holds have an easily concealed tolerated and that the state is easing ing ‘notebook’ and ‘television’ - are solely to satisfy the demands of the watching illegal material. “notel”, a small portable media player some of its harsh controls over the easily found on the black market for North Korean market. The devices “To avoid getting caught, people used to watch DVDs or content economy. In recent months, con- around 300 Chinese yuan ($48), and have lost their popularity in China load a North Korean DVD while stored on USB sticks that can be easi- sumption has become more conspic- are also available in some state shops over the years, but still sell well in the watching South Korean dramas on a ly smuggled into the country and uous. and markets. The device was legalized provinces bordering North Korea, USB stick, which can be pulled out,” passed hand to hand. People are “The variety and number of places last year, according to defector-run according to data on the China- he said. “They then tell the authori- exchanging South Korean soaps, pop for locals to spend money has really news outlets in Seoul - one of many based online shopping website ties, who feel the heat from the notel music, Hollywood films and news increased,” said one regular visitor to recent measures taken by the state to Taobao. When asked to quote a to check whether or not it has been programs, all of which are expressly Pyongyang, declining to be identi- accommodate grassroots change. The wholesale price for notel, one recently used, that they were watch- prohibited by the Pyongyang fied. “People seem a lot more confi- new rules, however, also require Chinese trader in the border city of ing North Korean films”. Park at the regime, according to North Korean dent flashing the cash than they North Koreans to register their notel, Yanji said: “You want to send them to LiNK organization added: “They are defectors, activists and recent visitors used to be. I’ve seen people spend enabling authorities to monitor who North Korea? How many do you small enough to roll up in a blanket to the isolated country. $500 on a phone with no hesitation, is most likely to be watching banned want to send? They sell well there.” and hide in a wardrobe. They have “The North Korean government for example.” There is no sign, howev- foreign media. North Koreans do not The low-voltage notel differs from become so popular because they are takes their national ideology er, that the regime in nuclear-capa- have access to the internet - those the portable DVD players of the late perfect for overcoming the twin bar- extremely seriously, so the spread of ble North Korea is loosening its grip, who can go online are limited to a 1990s in that they have USB and SD riers to foreign media consumption: all this media that competes with looking to make substantial reforms state-run intranet, while the country’s card ports, and a built-in TV and surveillance and power outages. “If their propaganda is a big and grow- or making any change in its unpre- 2.5 million mobile phone subscribers radio tuner. They can also be charged you were to design the perfect ing problem for them,” said Sokeel dictable ways of dealing with the are not allowed to call outside the with a car battery - an essential piece device for North Koreans, it would be Park of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), outside world. But along with rising country. of household equipment in electrici- this.” —Reuters Soyuz spacecraft docks at ISS for year-long mission NASA eyes future trip to Mars

BAIKONUR: A Russian Soyuz space- time,” he said. “But we are not going to each previously spent about six months on September 1 and has said she will craft with three crew on board suc- know that until we have actually done on the ISS, are set to stay on the space perform in space. “We’ll sing together,” cessfully docked at the International it,” he added. “The jury is out.” station until March 2016. Three crew Kornienko pledged at a news confer- Space Station yesterday after blasting members-Russian Anton Shkaplerov, ence ahead of the launch. Space explo- off from Kazakhstan, NASA said, Space soprano Italian Samantha Cristoforetti and ration remains a hugely symbolic area launching a year-long mission on the Kelly’s twin brother Mark, a retired American Terry Virts-are currently of cooperation between Russia and the orbiting outpost. The Soyuz-TMA16M US astronaut who has flown to the ISS onboard the space station, due to leave US, despite the freeze in relations over spacecraft’s crew included a US astro- four times, is part of the experiment in May. Russia’s alleged actions in Ukraine. naut and a Russian cosmonaut who and will undergo regular health checks The arriving crew members are Russia last month confirmed that it will will be the first to spend an entire year on Earth so doctors can compare the expected to coincide with the first continue using the International Space on the ISS. brothers’ vital signs. Kelly and space tourist since 2009, British soprano Station in partnership with NASA until The successful docking occurred Kornienko, both of whom have flown Sarah Brightman, who has paid $52 mil- 2024, after threatening to pull out and after the Soyuz took off without a multiple missions to orbit and have lion for her 10-day stint planned to start stop financing it in 2020.—AFP TOKYO: Erika Ogawa (left), vice president of Guinness World Records Japan glitch from the Baikonur cosmodrome celebrates the world’s first astronaut robot “Kirobo” in Tokyo. Kirobo was in Kazakhstan at 22:42 pm (1942 GMT) recognized for two Guinness World Records, the first companion robot in Friday, Russian space agency officials space and the highest altitude for a robot to have conversation. —AFP said earlier. The hatch opened about two hours later at 0333 GMT, once the pressure between the two space ves- Future US Navy - robotic sels had equalized. The three exchanged enthusiastic hugs with sub-hunters, deepsea pods crew members already on board the ISS after the hatch opened. NASA flight engineer Scott Kelly and Russian WASHINGTON: The robotic revolution that Eyes in the water Mikhail Kornienko will together spend transformed warfare in the skies will soon DARPA, known for breakthrough experi- a total of 342 days aboard the ISS, extend to the deep sea, with underwater ments over the years that helped create while the third crew member, Russian spy “satellites,” drone-launching pods on the the Internet, stealth aircraft, drones, cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, will ocean floor and unmanned ships hunting “smart” bombs and micro-technologies, is spend the usual period of six months. submarines. Officials at the US military’s also keen on some other maritime Kelly, 51, and 54-year-old research agency outlined new programs this research. One program envisages spying Kornienko will take part in the extend- week that include a number of potentially “eyes” on the ocean floor, including mobile ed mission to test the effects of long- groundbreaking technologies that could and fixed systems, that would act as satel- term space missions on the human alter the way naval battles are fought, in the lites or “sub-ulites,” allowing the US military body. The trip marks the longest same way that robotic aircraft have altered to spot other countries’ submarines. amount of time that two people will warfare on land and in the air. One proposed Researchers with the Distributed Agile live continuously at the ISS, though a system envisages robot pods on the ocean Submarine Hunting (DASH) expect the handful of Russian cosmonauts spent floor that would be activated when needed. “sub-ulites” would have “a detection enve- a year to 14 months at the Russian The pods could launch surveillance lope that’s pretty broad,” Walker said. space station Mir in the 1990s. “This is drones in the air or at sea or provide a com- DARPA’s scientists also are working on the first time we’re doing it as an inter- munications link when American forces are passive sonars deep under sea that would national partnership, which I think is facing electronic jamming, said Jared listen out for the “acoustic signatures” of one of the great success stories of the Adams, spokesman for Defense Advanced submarines. Another maritime program at The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz TMA-16M space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station,” Kelly said Research Projects Agency (DARPA). “The DARPA is moving closer to reality, poten- at a news conference in Baikonur International Space Station, ISS, blasts off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, motivation is to enable timely deployment tially revolutionizing submarine warfare. ahead of the launch. Kazakhstan yesterday. —AP of unmanned distributed systems to distant The project would deploy unmanned ves- He said the experiment could locations by pre-deploying the assets years sels on the ocean’s surface to track enemy prove vital towards planning future in advance and then triggering their release submarines, a “ghost ship” that could free international missions, including to for rapid effects at future times of our choos- up naval warships for other tasks. Sub- Mars. “If we ever go beyond low Earth ing,” Adams said. The program has been hunting is a notoriously time-consuming orbit again, perhaps to Mars, because dubbed “Upward Falling Payloads,” or UPF. and expensive task, particularly diesel sub- of the cost and the complexity it will And officials said the robot pods floating to marines that have extremely quiet most likely be an international mission, the water’s surface to release various pay- engines. If the project succeeds, it could so I see this as a stepping stone to loads could perform some roles now carried prove a “game-changer” for the navy, offi- that.” The physical effects of a year in out by submarines, which are much more cials said. space will be closely monitored by expensive to operate. doctors on the ground in an unprece- With America’s technological edge shrink- Robot ‘Sea Hunter’ dented study of how the human body ing, researchers are looking at how to create The program, known as ACTUV or Anti- withstands the rigors of spaceflight and build new weapons quickly, instead of submarine Warfare Continuous Trail before humans plan to journey to the drawn-out process that usually prevails Unmanned Vessel, is developing a 132-foot Mars. at the Pentagon. DARPA Deputy Director (40-meter) robotic boat dubbed the “Sea NASA said the mission was key to Steven Walker said the agency is “rethinking Hunter.” A smaller experimental vessel planning a future trip to Mars, as it how we develop new military systems” to be recently passed a key six-week test in would provide valuable research. “Scott more agile and “cost-effective.” “Some of our waters off Mississippi without crashing and Kelly’s mission is critical to advancing systems today are extremely capable, the the next test with a full-sized prototype the administration’s plan to send most capable in the world, but they are very will reportedly attempt to follow another humans on a journey to Mars,” NASA complex, they are costly. They take a long boat at a 0.6-mile (one-kilometer) distance. administrator Charles Bolden said. “We’ll time to develop and field,” he said. The UPF “The navy is working with us to do a sea gain new, detailed insights on the ways program of undersea pods poses serious trial in the fall,” Walker said. The system is long-duration spaceflight affects the technological challenges, including how to relatively inexpensive compared to the human body.” Kelly said he was con- trigger the launchers, how to make them rise cost of a modern submarine, but offers a cerned about the impacts of radiation to the surface and how to secure a power potentially effective way to track an ene- and living in zero gravity, particularly in supply deep under the ocean for more than my’s sub. “It’s basically turning the cost terms of compromised immunity and a year at a time, Walker said. equation on its head,” Walker added. —AFP bone and vision loss. “I’m hopeful that there is not a big cliff out there with regards to our ability to stay and live KOUROU: A Soyuz rocket is moved from its assembly building to its launch pad at the Guiana Microsoft buys LiveLoop and work in space for longer periods of Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. —AFP NEW YORK: Microsoft said it has pur- PowerPoint presentations-a Microsoft chased the office mobile app LiveLoop, Office program-and PDFs online among which allows multiple users to collabo- collaborators who can access and syn- Europe launches Galileo satellites rate on PowerPoint presentations simul- chronize the material from any mobile taneously. The purchase is the latest by device. “You can view and present from FRANKFURT: The European Union successfully whether Europe really needs a rival navigation sys- and powered by two 5-square-metre (53.8 square tech giant Microsoft, after recent acqui- any device, including a smartphone, so launched two navigation satellites into Earth’s tem. It took months and numerous complicated foot) solar wings - in orbit to eight, of a planned sitions of other mobile apps for profes- whether you’re an attendee or a presen- orbit late on Friday, restarting a flagship project manoeuvres to nudge the two satellites into more total of 30. The EU has approved a 7 billion-euro after a botched deployment in August that cost sional use. “We are excited to welcome ter, you can take your next meeting viable orbits. The two satellites launched on Friday budget for Galileo and another navigation project millions of euros to fix. The Galileo satellites, reached their intended orbit close to 23,500 kms through 2020. It says Galileo will strengthen the talented team from LiveLoop to from the beach,” the LiveLoop website which blasted off from Europe’s space port in (14,602 miles) above the earth about 3 hours and Europe’s position in a satellite-navigation market help build great collaboration across said. The California startup said it is no French Guiana aboard a Soyuz rocket at 6.46 p.m. 48 minutes after launch, the European Space expected to be worth 237 billion euros in 2020. Office applications, part of our strategy longer accepting new users and will local time, will be part of the EU’s alternative to Agency (ESA) said in a statement yesterday. “The Airbus Defense & Space led construction of the and vision to reinvent productivity,” close shop on April 24, advising users to the US Global Positioning System, widely known deployment of the Galileo constellation is restart- first four satellites, while Germany’s OHB and Microsoft said in a statement. back up data before then. In February, as GPS. ing with this successful launch,” said Jean-Jacques Britain’s SSTL are building the next 22. Two further The tech giant did not say how much Microsoft bought the popular calendar The multi-billion-euro project suffered a set- Dordain, Director General of ESA. two-satellite launches are planned this year, mak- San Francisco startup was purchased app Sunrise, after purchasing the email back in August, when two satellites were put into The launch brings the number of Galileo satel- ing it possible to put the Galileo system into par- for. LiveLoop allows users to share app Acompli in December. —AFP the wrong orbit, adding to previous problems lites - each weighing about 700 kgs (1,543 tial service next year. Full service is planned for with delays and financing and questions about pounds), equipped with antennae and sensors 2020. —Reuters HEALTH & SCIENCE SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

US Senate approves bill to boost energy efficiency

WASHINGTON: The Senate to submit targets for UN climate approved a long-delayed bill to change talks in December, pledging boost energy efficiency Friday that that its greenhouse gas emissions includes incentives to cut energy will peak in 2026 before falling. use in commercial buildings, manu- Mexico follows the European Union, facturing plants and homes. Norway and Switzerland in present- Senators approved the bill by voice ing commitments that nations must vote shortly before beginning a make public by March 31, providing two-week recess. The measure now the backbone for a global climate goes to the House, where a similar deal in Paris. bill was approved last year. The The Mexican government’s plan widely popular Senate bill was co- foresees emissions peaking in 2026, sponsored by Sens Jeanne with greenhouse gases falling 22 Shaheen, D-NH, and Rob Portman, percent and black carbon dropping R-Ohio. A similar bill was defeated 51 percent by 2030. “It’s a very last year after it became enmeshed ambitious target, but joining our in a partisan fight over the Keystone efforts... we are convinced that we XL oil pipeline. can reach it,” Environment Minister The measure exempts some Juan Jose Guerra Abud told a news energy-efficient water heaters from conference. The global talks will pending Energy Department rules seek a pact that will enter into force and requires federal agencies to by 2020 to further the UN goal of develop best practices to increase limiting global warming to two energy efficiency in federal build- degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees ings, among other provisions. Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Shaheen and Portman said in a joint Revolution levels. statement that the bill would create The United States applauded jobs, save consumers money and Mexico for being the first major FREETOWN: A usually busy street is deserted as Sierra Leone enters a three day country wide lockdown on movement of people due to the Ebola virus. — AP reduce pollution. “This bill has gar- emerging economy to submit its nered such widespread support so-called Intended Nationally because of a simple fact - it is good Determined Contribution, with the Sierra Leoneans stay home for the economy and good for the White House saying it was “setting environment,” Portman said. an example for the rest of the “Energy efficiency has received world.” “Mexico’s target to peak its such strong bipartisan support emissions by 2026 and drive them in final push to stop Ebola because it’s the cheapest and down thereafter is a landmark step fastest way to address our nation’s in the global transition to a low- energy challenges,” Shaheen added. carbon economy,” the White House Energy efficiency is no longer about statement said. US President ‘It’s the final meters in the race’ putting on a sweater and lowering Barack Obama and Mexican the thermostat, Shaheen said. “It’s President Enrique Pena Nieto also FREETOWN: Sierra Leone’s 6 million people were tracted Ebola while working as a volunteer nurse in again. It’s going to take me a long time,” she added. about the technologies that can announced a high-level bilateral told to stay home for three days beginning Friday, Sierra Leone has fully recovered after becoming Cross, who works as a nurse in the state-run reduce energy use.” task force to “further deepen policy and regulatory coordination in except for religious services, as the West African the first patient in the world to receive an experi- National Health Service, was exposed to the virus Mexico sets greenhouse specific areas,” including clean elec- nation attempted a final push to rid itself of Ebola. mental new treatment. Anna Cross, 25, was dis- while treating patients but said she did not know gas target tricity and promoting more fuel- Thousands of teams were out reminding people charged on Friday from the Royal Free Hospital in exactly when this might have happened. She was In other news on Friday, Mexico efficient automobile fleets in both how Ebola is spread and how to prevent it. Teams London where she was taken earlier this month the third British healthcare worker to contract became the first developing nation countries. — Agencies were also going to search for Ebola cases, particu- after being evacuated from West Africa on a mili- Ebola in Sierra Leone. The two previous ones-nurs- larly in regions around the capital and in the north, tary plane. es William Pooley and Pauline Cafferkey-both where flare-ups persist. “She has completely recovered from Ebola, she recovered after being treated at the Royal Free. Streets were largely empty Friday except for is now free of the virus,” her doctor, Michael The hospital has a high-level isolation unit geared police on patrols and soldiers and their check- Jacobs, said. “Anna is the first patient in the world up to treat Ebola patients under quarantine. points. Muslims were allowed to go to Friday to have received a new special treatment for Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at prayers but attendance was low, and the streets Ebola, MIL 77,” he said, adding: “The treatment Nottingham University in central England, said emptied quickly after services. Christians will be went very well, it caused no side effects that we more trials of MIL 77 were needed to know for sure allowed to go to church on Sunday. Mabinty could elicit.” whether it had cured Cross. “She was given an Conteh, a community health worker in Freetown, He said the new treatment was produced in experimental drug, but it is impossible to say the capital, said some people her team visited were China and was similar to ZMapp, a cocktail of three whether or not this directly contributed to her receptive but others were hostile. The National antibodies that cling to the virus and inhibit its clearing the virus,” he said. “In order to know Ebola Response Center said there were no major reproduction. Cross, dressed in her army uniform, whether a drug does work we need experimental incidents. expressed her gratitude to the team that treated trials and thankfully trials of various drugs are Alfred Palo Conteh, the head of Sierra Leone’s her, saying: “Thanks to them I’m alive”. “I need to underway in west Africa, where the Ebola virus is Ebola response, said a major goal was to fight com- recover. I need to be fit enough to join the military still doggedly clinging on.” — Agencies placency, more than a year after the Ebola out- break was declared in West Africa. “We understand that people are tired and want to get back to their normal life, but we’re not there yet. It’s the final Swiss authorities target meters in the race,” said Roeland Monasch of UNICEF. ‘live cell’ injection clinics Ebola has infected nearly 12,000 people in Sierra Leone, more than in any other country, and it GENEVA: Swiss health regulators announced cancer. Health authorities said they know of at least has resorted to some of the most stringent meas- Thursday they have launched a criminal probe into 35 clinics that offer the treatments yet it appears ures to stop the disease. Over 10,000 people have clinics suspected of giving clients potentially danger- none of them have the proper permits. The clinics believed to have died in the yearlong outbreak, ous animal cell injections as part of anti-ageing treat- were already warned in 2014 to stop operating with- mostly in West Africa. While recent weeks have ments. The investigation targets private clinics and out authorization. seen a steep reduction in infections, 33 new cases people who have illegally offered the injections According to Swiss TV the treatments are worth were confirmed in Sierra Leone last week, accord- which are particularly popular among wealthy millions of Euros per year to the clinics that deliver ing to the World Health Organization. Still, the out- Chinese, Middle Eastern and Russian nationals, said them. The head of a travel agency specializing in break is most worrying in Guinea, where it is driven the Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP). medical tourism for Chinese people stood up for the by hidden cases. Liberia’s last remaining Ebola case As part of the so-called live cell treatments invent- cell therapies. “These treatments work. We have - who became infected weeks after the last previ- ed in the 1930s by Swiss doctor Paul Niehans cells clients who come back every two years,” said ous patient had recovered - died on Friday, said extracted from sheep, cow or pig fetuses are injected Swissna agency owner Xu Junhua. “If it didn’t work, Tolbert Nyenswah, the head of the country’s Ebola into patients hoping to roll back the effects of age or people wouldn’t spend so much money.” The injec- response. SYDNEY: A combination photo shows the Sydney Harbor Bridge and searching for renewed vigor. Authorities say there is tions, authorities warn, can prompt allergic reac- Opera House being plunged into darkness for the Earth Hour environ- no scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of tions, abscesses and blood infections. The animal UK nurse cured of Ebola mental campaign, among the first landmarks around the world to dim the treatments, which providers also claim can help cells can also infect patients with disease-causing Meanwhile, a British army reservist who con- their lights for the event. — AFP fight against migraines and chronic conditions like pathogens. — AFP Antarctica’s retreating ice may re-shape Earth

CAPE LEGOUPIL, ANTARCTICA: From the ground in this tor to lie down, as if on a water bed; brown mud, akin to seeing says there’s been a lot of glacier retreat and that Experts worried more about Greenland; it was easier to get extreme northern part of Antarctica, spectacularly white stepping in gooey chocolate. Patches of the moss, which worries us.” to and more noticeable, but once they got a better look at and blinding ice seems to extend forever. What can’t be alternates from fluorescent green to rust red, have grown Just last month, scientists noticed in satellite images that the bottom of the world, the focus of their fears shifted. seen is the battle raging thousands of feet (hundreds of large enough to be football fields. Though 97 percent of the a giant crack in an ice shelf on the peninsula called Larsen C Now scientists in two different studies use the words “irre- meters) below to re-shape Earth. Antarctic Peninsula is still covered with ice, entire valleys had grown by about 12 miles in 2014. Ominously, the split versible” and “unstoppable” to talk about the melting in Water is eating away at the Antarctic ice, melting it are now free of it, ice is thinner elsewhere and glaciers have broke through a type of ice band that usually stops such West Antarctica. Ice is gaining in East Antarctica, where the where it hits the oceans. As the ice sheets slowly thaw, retreated, Convey said. cracks. If it keeps going, it could cause the breaking off of a air and water are cooler, but not nearly as much as it is water pours into the sea - 130 billion tons of ice (118 billion Dressed in a big red parka and sky blue hat, plant biolo- giant iceberg somewhere between the size of Rhode Island melting to the west. “Before Antarctica was much of a wild metric tons) per year for the past decade, according to gist Angelica Casanova has to take her gloves off to collect and Delaware, about 1,700 to 2,500 square miles, said card,” said University of Washington ice scientist Ian NASA satellite calculations. That’s the weight of more than samples, leaving her hands bluish purple from the cold. British Antarctic Survey scientist Paul Holland. And there’s a Joughin. “Now I would say it’s less of a wild card and scarier 356,000 Empire State Buildings, enough ice melt to fill more Casanova says she can’t help but notice the changes since small chance it could cause the entire Scotland-sized Larsen than we thought before.” than 1.3 million Olympic swimming pools. And the melting she began coming to the island in 1995. Increasingly, plants C ice shelf to collapse like its sister shelf, Larsen B, did in a Over at NASA, ice scientist Eric Rignot said the melting is accelerating. In the worst case scenario, Antarctica’s melt are taking root in the earth and stone deposited by retreat- dramatic way in 2002. “is going way faster than anyone had thought. It’s kind of a could push sea levels up 10 feet (3 meters) worldwide in a ing glaciers, she says. “It’s interesting because the vegeta- red flag.” What’s happening is simple physics. Warm water century or two, re-curving heavily populated coastlines. tion in some way responds positively. It grows more,” she World’s fate hangs in the balance eats away at the ice from underneath. Then more ice is Parts of Antarctica are melting so rapidly it has become said, a few steps from a sleeping Weddell seal. “What is A few years back, scientists figured Antarctica as a exposed to the water, and it too melts. Finally, the ice “ground zero of global climate change without a doubt,” regrettable is that all the scientific information that we’re whole was in balance, neither gaining nor losing ice. above the water collapses into the water and melts. said Harvard geophysicist Jerry Mitrovica. Here on the Climate change has shifted the wind pattern around the Antarctic Peninsula, where the continent is warming the continent, pushing warmer water farther north against fastest because the land sticks out in the warmer ocean, 49 and below the western ice sheet and the peninsula. The billion tons of ice (nearly 45 billion metric tons) are lost warm, more northerly water replaces the cooler water that each year, according to NASA. The water warms from had been there. It’s only a couple degrees Fahrenheit below, causing the ice to retreat on to land, and then the warmer than the water that used to be there, but that warmer air takes over. Temperatures rose 5.4 degrees makes a huge difference in melting, scientists said. Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) in the last half century, much The world’s fate hangs on the question of how fast the faster than Earth’s average, said Ricardo Jana, a glaciologist ice melts. At its current rate, the rise of the world’s oceans for the Chilean Antarctic Institute. from Antarctica’s ice melt would be barely noticeable, about one-third of a millimeter a year. The oceans are that Glaciers retreating, ice thinner vast. But if all the West Antarctic ice sheet that’s connected As chinstrap penguins waddled behind him, Peter to water melts unstoppably, as several experts predict, Convey of the British Antarctic Survey reflected on changes there will not be time to prepare. Scientists estimate it will he could see on Robert Island, a small-scale example and take anywhere from 200 to 1,000 years to melt enough ice perhaps early warning signal of what’s happening to the to raise seas by 10 feet, maybe only 100 years in a worst peninsula and rest of the continent as a whole. “I was last case scenario. If that plays out, developed coastal cities here 10 years ago,” Convey said during a rare sunny day on such as New York and Guangzhou could face up to $1 tril- the island, with temperatures just above freezing. “And if lion a year in flood damage within a few decades and you compare what I saw back then to now, the basic differ- countless other population centers will be vulnerable. ence due to warming is that the permanent patches of “Changing the climate of the Earth or thinning glaciers is snow and ice are smaller. They’re still there behind me, but fine as long as you don’t do it too fast. And right now we they’re smaller than they were.” ANTARCTICA: In this file photo, Gentoo penguins stand on rocks near the Chilean station Bernardo O’Higgins, are doing it as fast as we can. It’s not good,” said Rignot, of Robert Island hits all the senses: the stomach-turning Antarctica. Here on the Antarctic peninsula, where the continent is warming the fastest because the land sticks NASA. “We have to stop it; or we have to slow it down as smell of penguin poop; soft moss that invites the rare visi- out in the warmer ocean, 49 billion tons of ice is lost a year according to NASA. — AP best as we can.” — AP HEALTH & SCIENCE SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Fetus debate looms following charges in womb-cutting case

DENVER: Colorado Republicans on Friday prosecutor who wrote the 2013 law creating the vowed to reopen a charged debate over a fetus’ crime of an unlawful termination of pregnancy, legal rights after prosecutors said they could not contended that bill effectively gives Colorado a file homicide charges against a woman who fetal homicide law. allegedly cut an unborn child from her mother’s He noted many states have different penal- belly. ties for fetal homicide and first-degree murder. Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett said he “We provided law enforcement and the courts could not pursue a murder charge against Dynel the tools to provide justice in these types of cas- Lane because the coroner found no evidence es,” Foote said. “This is a separate charge. It can the baby was alive outside the womb. “On this be separately sentenced, and it acknowledges point, Colorado law is absolutely unambiguous,” the loss that has occurred.” Wilkins’ family said in he said. Prosecutors say Lane lured Michelle a statement they were aware of the charges and Wilkins to her home last week with a Craigslist grateful for thoughts and prayers for her recov- ad for baby clothes and attacked the 8-month- ery. pregnant woman, cutting the baby girl from her The charges came the same week California belly. authorities arrested a woman they say master- Wilkins, 26, survived and was released from a minded a plot to kill mothers and steal their hospital Wednesday. On Friday, Lane was babies to pass off as her own after telling her charged with attempted first-degree murder, married boyfriend she gave birth to his twins. HAMA: A boy shelters from the rain underneath an aid box while displaced civilians queue to receive humanitarian aid parcels. assault with a deadly weapon, and unlawful ter- In the Colorado case, Garnett said investiga- mination of a pregnancy. She could face more tors found no evidence the baby ever took a than 100 years in prison if convicted, Garnett breath. Under state law, a person can face a said. The unlawful termination charge was filed murder charge in the death of a fetus only if Rain to rescue Syria’s under a new law intended to be a compromise there is evidence it survived apart from its moth- between opponents and supporters of abortion er. Outside the Boulder courthouse where rights. The maximum punishment for the felony Garnett spoke to reporters, about a dozen harvest after drought is 32 years in prison, while a person convicted of demonstrators marched to show their support homicide in the state could face the death for a fetal homicide law. penalty or life in prison without parole. “It is terrible to think that that’s the spring- Govt’s ability to reach more farmers brightens outlook Colorado has twice rejected proposals that board, but when are people going to open their would make the violent death of an unborn eyes and come to terms with the fact that these AMMAN: Heavy rain will give Syria a healthier experts say so far all the signs show the plant- an indication of an abundant crop,” Qadamani child a homicide, fearing they could interfere babies need to be recognized as an equal victim wheat harvest after last year’s drought cut the ing of the crop this season has gone well, with said. The head of Syria’s water resources with abortion rights. State Senate President Bill to the mom?” said Susan Sutherland, vice presi- crop to its lowest in around in 25 years, but war farmers having begun sowing as early as authority, Samer Ahmad, told state media Cadman announced Friday that Republicans dent of Colorado Right to Life. The attack already is making grain distribution hard and vital October at the start of heavy rain. heavy rainfall had already filled up some of its would try for the third time to get such a meas- has roiled state politics, with one Republican stocks may still be seized by Islamic State. “The continued rainfall into November over 161 dams. “Some of the dams have filled ure passed. lawmaker calling it a “curse from God” for the Syria’s northern provinces of Hasaka and until March in general compared to previous up and even flooded due to the heavy rainfall” country’s tolerance of abortion. Several other Deir Al Zor account for nearly half of its har- years was good. There are signs that some Ahmad said. More heavy rains are forecast in Fetal homicide Republicans have criticized those comments. On vest and are the battleground for the struggle wheat stalks have started maturing..this gives the first half of April. — Reuters “This was a child. A child was murdered,” he Friday, the administrator of a fund for donations between Kurdish and Islamic State forces. The said in statement. “That Coloradans have no way to help Wilkins announced a $1,000 donation wheat harvest could be on track for a 50 per- to hold the murderer responsible, or deliver jus- from the lawmaker, Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt. cent increase over 2014’s crisis levels, to tice for the victims, is a gap in Colorado’s justice Foote said he was distressed at how the case has between 2.5 to 2.8 million tons, experts and Colorado says states system which can no longer be ignored.” At least polarized the state. “It’s unfortunate some agro-economists said. Syria produced around 38 states have so-called fetal homicide laws. groups will be using this for political purposes,” 4 million tons before the war. free to legalize weed State Rep Mike Foote, a Democrat and Boulder he said. — AP Initial crop estimates come from experts working in United Nations agencies and spe- DENVER: States are free to legalize marijuana, without leadership from Washington, DC, cialists who analyze satellite findings and use Colorado argued Friday in a filing to the US which remains noticeably absent,” Coffman Syria’s agricultural ministry data from seed Supreme Court in response to a lawsuit from said in a statement. and fertilizer distribution centers across the neighboring states that have asked the In addition to the lawsuit from Nebraska country. “It’s definitely going to be 2.5 million nation’s highest court to shut down and Oklahoma, Colorado faces three more tons plus or minus and closer to 2.8. It’s excel- Colorado’s pot law. The filing marks the first marijuana challenges in a lower federal court. lent if it is that because that is probably the time Colorado has defended legal marijuana A set of county sheriffs from Colorado, Kansas maximum you can do,” said a senior agrono- in writing. The federal government did not and Nebraska have filed a separate lawsuit in mist in an international agricultural organiza- sue to block the state’s 2012 vote to legalize federal court in Denver. The third lawsuit tion who requested anonymity. The UN Food pot for all adults over 21. comes from a Colorado hotel owner who and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated Colorado said that Nebraska and argues that marijuana is hurting his business. 2014 wheat production at 1.865 million tons. Oklahoma should sue the federal govern- The fourth one is from a southern Colorado The US Department of Agriculture estimates ment for not enforcing the Controlled couple who say that a pot-growing ware- that Syria will consume 4.4 million tons of Substances Act, not other states. Colorado house near their property diminishes the wheat during the 2014/15 season, underlining said the states’ “quarrel is not with Colorado property’s value. the importance of stocks to cover harvest but with the federal government’s” approach Two other states that have legalized recre- shortfalls. to letting states experiment with pot law. ational marijuana, Oregon and Washington, “Nebraska and Oklahoma filed this case in an filed their own briefs to the US Supreme Getting to the land attempt to reach across their borders and Court on Friday arguing that states are free to Many farmers continue to work the land selectively invalidate state laws with which legalize pot. “Though federal law has long near battlefields, but Arab and Kurdish farm- they disagree,” Colorado argued. prohibited the manufacture, distribution, and ers in some villages in southern Hasaka and Because federal drug law bans marijuana use of certain drugs, states have always been Deir Zor have been unable to reach their plots, for any purpose, including medical, the feder- on the front lines of making and enforcing some farmers in the area say. Several parts of al government can’t throw out recreational drug policy, particularly as to marijuana,” rural Syria are outside government control pot laws but not medical pot laws in effect in Washington and Oregon argued in their filing. and only a fraction of the pre-crisis 140 grain 23 states and Washington, DC, Colorado Attorneys for Nebraska and Oklahoma collection centers are operating, but observers argued. “Congress has endorsed a policy, at were reviewing Colorado’s filing Friday but say this is improving. “This year the state is least with respect to medical marijuana, sup- sent some early reaction. Aaron Cooper, reaching more areas they can access and this portive of state regulatory and licensure laws,” spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General gives farmers more seeds and fertilizers,” said Colorado wrote. “This suit threatens to upset Scott Pruitt, said in a statement that one regional specialist who has dealt with those administrative and political decisions.” Oklahoma is not trying to impose drug Syria for two decades. enforcement on Colorado. It’s just challenging Experts say the war has shrunk the area of DC remains absent regulations that could be causing the drug to cultivated land by at least 30 percent. Abdul The US Supreme Court has not said spill into other states, Cooper said. “The only Mueen Al-Qadamani, a senior Ministry of whether it will hear the challenge, and it has portion of the Colorado law Oklahoma is chal- Agriculture official, said irrigated acreage had no deadline for doing so. Colorado lenging is the section that transformed fallen in the four years of conflict due to dam- Republican Attorney General Cynthia Colorado into a large-scale hub for the com- age to irrigation systems, farmers’ inability to Coffman opposes marijuana legalization, but mercial growing and selling of marijuana get sufficient seeds and fertilizers and short- she said the problem needs to be fixed by because those actions created a tide of illegal ages of fuel needed to operate pumping sta- federal drug authorities. “This lawsuit ... won’t drugs flowing into Oklahoma, Nebraska and LONGMONT: Renee Jacoby, of Longmont, holds a sign during a protest against Dynel Lane. — AP tions and machinery. FAO and Syrian food fix America’s national drug policy- at least not other states,” Cooper said. —AP WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Salma Al-Hajjaj (GM of Human ADNAR Group MD, Randa Haidar award- Resources) ing Gulf Bank The GMC Kuwait-2014 National Trophy

Gulf Bank’s Team ‘Capital Solutions’ - National Winner Gulf Bank wins Global Management Challenge

DNAR Group experts and leaders in the level of the participating teams, special con- field of vocational training and consult- gratulations to the American University of Aing services, announced the victory of Kuwait students team, they competed with Gulf Bank as “Kuwait National Team” in the experienced veteran bankers. At the same Global Management Challenge - Kuwait 2014 time Al-Hajjaj expressed the pride of Gulf Edition, which was organized by the group and Bank’s senior management for winning this was kicked-off last November, where a wide award, and she commended the efforts of range of the Kuwaiti National Organizations ADNAR Group in organizing the challenge participated. After this victory, Gulf Bank’s win- and the ability of ADNAR’s team to provide ning team “Capital Solutions”, earned the honor programs that take into account the private and privilege of representing the State of sector’s requirements and are consistent with Kuwait and raising the flag of Kuwait as “ its aim to develop the National work force and Kuwait’s National Team” in the international raise their competitiveness. finals, organized in the city of Prague in the For his part, Dr John Russell, Dean of the Czech Republic during the month of April, also College of Business Administration and Gulf Bank’s team “Optimus Prime” scored sec- Dr John D Russell Economics at the American University of ond place, the American University of Kuwait Kuwait (AUK) thanked the organizers of the (AUK)’s team “Wolf Pack” came in third. attached to developing their cadres. Global Management Challenge for organizing Haidar explained that ADNAR Group is keen this important national competition, adding Specialized programs to expand the launch of these programs and that the competition prompted them to learn After the announcement of the winning offer more of them as part of the training serv- more about themselves and others. team, the Managing Director of ADNAR Group ices provided by the group indicating that the He also offered his congratulations to the demonstrated significant capabilities in man- exchange , such futuristic programs and Randa Haidar said as a start Allow me to con- first kick-off of the GMC in the Arab world was winning teams, and added that these suc- aging an international company in a very dif- approach are the most advanced tools for gratulate Gulf Bank’s team “Capital Solutions” from Kuwait in 2012, and then in the next year cesses would not have been realized without ficult economic environment and were able training and development of managerial tal- for winning the Global Management Challenge in the State of Qatar, while currently the group technical competences, critical thinking, and to achieve the highest investment perform- ent, so far more than 500,000 participants Kuwait 2014 Edition, she expressed her confi- is preparing to launch “The Global sound values, strong leadership and foremost ance in the simulated stock exchange to win, from more than 40 countries competed and dence in the ability of the Gulf Bank team to Management Challenge” in the Kingdom of joint cooperation that made this success pos- and this team is expected to raise the name are competing worldwide. raise the name of Kuwait high in the global Saudi Arabia. At the end of her speech, Haidar sible, which is at the same time an example of Kuwait during the global competition and Participants come from all-walks-of-life competitions, and perform at the competition’s revealed that ADNAR Group will launch the of the characteristics of students and gradu- be the first Arab team who wins the global economic, academic community groups; international level this April, due to the variety 2015 edition of the Challenge next May and ates of the American University. The title; since the start of the competition about managers, corporate officers, directors, future of experiences and competencies the team the winning team will represent Kuwait inter- American University of Kuwait team awarded 30 years ago. managers and students. They compete with members possess. nationally in Macau - China during April of next citations for achieving “The Highest The Gulf Bank victory is of great impor- each other through teams consisting of 3 to 5 She added, this year’s edition was charac- year, and registrations for the 2015 Edition has Investment Performance in the One Quarter” tance because it showcases the high level of people. Each team takes the responsibility for terized with a high level of competition started. during the finals. national cadres, especially in light of the high making decisions in the areas of marketing, among the participating teams, also this Intense competition competitiveness of the Global Management sales, production, human and financial edition earned increased attention for the In turn, the General Manager of Human Esteemed National Cadres Challenge the “Number One” and the largest resources, taking into consideration that oth- value such distinctive programs, that Resources at Gulf Bank Salma Al-Hajjaj con- Going back to the competition details, strategic management competition of its er teams are competing in the same market ADNAR Group exclusively organizes in the gratulated the winning teams, pointing out leading the “National Team of Kuwait” Jarrah kind in the world based on simulation, where and their decisions influence market reaction, Gulf region, and is now attracting a wider that the three months since the Global Al-Mutairi team members included Ali each team manages a fictitious company thus affecting the decisions of other compet- participation from the private sector, espe- Management Challenge started was charac- Berjawi, Ghassan Salloum and Fuad Obeid, with the goal of achieving the highest invest- ing teams (companies), just like what hap- cially in light of the growing importance terized by fierce competition given the high experienced bankers who has already ment performance in the simulated stock pens in the real world.

Kuwait National English School - Sports Day

uwait National English School Early Years Department held their annual Sports Day on KTuesday March 10th 2015. The day started EPA director Sheikh Abdullah Ahmed Al-Humoud Al-Sabah recently visited Kuwait Voluntary Work with Pre-School (Kinderheart class) competing Center where he highly admired the work done by the Senyar diving team and various voluntary while being cheered on by the rest of the Early Years teams working with the center on protecting Kuwait’s marine environment. Al-Sabah toured the center classes. They put in a great effort and really enjoyed and was briefed on various activities, projects and future visions. their first sports day. The day was a fantastic show of the sporting talent of the youngest children at Kuwait National English School and a pleasure to What’s On - Submission Guidelines have the children participate in friendly competi- tion. One day there may be some super sports stars in our midst. All photos submitted for What’s On should be minimum 200dpi. Articles must be in plain text and should include name and phone numbers. Articles and photos that fail to meet these requirements will not be published. The Culture and Arts Club, Arab Open University Please send them to (AOU) will resume its activities after a pause. Club’s administration and members are preparing [email protected] for some activities to be presented in AOU. Ahmed Al-Ali was elected for the club presidency. WHAT’S ON SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Lu&Lu Hypermarket inaugurates Food Fest 2015, a gastronomic extravaganza

u&Lu Hypermarket, the leading retailer in Kuwait, launched its Food Fest 2015 in style with an inaugura- Ltion ceremony on Thursday, 26 March at its Al Rai out- let. The festival, which will run until 4 April, was inaugurat- ed by renowned chef Harpal Singh Sokhi. Customers of Lu&Lu Hypermarket gathered around Chef Sokhi and the Lu&Lu management to watch them start the festival’s fun activities with the cutting of the longest cake, which meas- ured 80meters and was created in association with Hershey’s. Continuing the spirit of the Food Fest, the longest pas- ta, measuring 101 meters and created in association with Pizza Inn, was unveiled on 27 and 28 March. Other food records being set during the 10-day long festival includes the longest kunafa at 25 meters; the biggest flower made of muffins, the biggest doughnut, the longest Swiss roll at 25 meters, and the biggest fatayer. The festival, which is being held at all Lu&Lu outlets in Kuwait, is designed to celebrate the Hypermarket’s diverse range of food item- sand allows visitors and customers to enjoy various culi- nary delights, as well as experience many food-filled activities. Several thrilling competitions, such as Chef, Junior Chef, Chit Chat Show, Wow the Master Chef, Taste and Win, Cookery Contests, Carving Competitions and other inter- active activities, are being held on the side-lines of Food Fest 2015. There is also the chance to get those vexing culinary questions answered at the live-cooking demon- strations being held by talented chefs at different outlets. Food, creativity and shopping come together in spectacu- lar fashion at the Lu&Lu Hypermarket Food Fest 2015. Join in the fun-filled Food Festival, which is slated to end on 4 April, and enjoy the many edible wonders bought to you by the well-known and family-friendly retail hypermarket in the country. SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

14:30 Strangest Weather On Earth 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 03:00 The Citizen-PG15 15:20 Invent It Rich Jimmy Fallon 05:00 Straight A’s-PG15 16:10 Game Changers 05:30 My Name Is Earl 07:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 16:35 Game Changers 06:00 Til Death 09:00 Diana-PG15 17:00 How We Invented The World 06:30 My Boys 11:00 Straight A’s-PG15 00:50 River Monsters 17:50 Rise Of The Machines 00:05 Chopped SA 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 13:00 A Secret Promise-PG15 01:45 China’s Deadliest Snakes 18:40 Rise Of The Machines 00:55 Siba’s Table 08:30 My Name Is Earl 15:00 Lost Christmas-PG15 02:40 Killer Iq: Lion vs Hyena 19:30 Moon Machines 01:20 Siba’s Table 09:30 2 Broke Girls 17:00 Diana-PG15 03:30 Ivory Wars 20:20 Alien Encounters 01:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 10:00 Cougar Town 19:00 Chasing Mavericks-PG15 04:20 Alaskan Bush People 21:10 Close Encounters 02:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 10:30 My Boys 21:00 The Factory-PG15 05:05 Killer Iq: Lion vs Hyena 21:35 Close Encounters 02:35 Siba’s Table: Fast Feasts 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 23:00 Dallas Buyers Club-18 05:49 China’s Deadliest Snakes 22:00 The World’s Strangest UFO 03:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Jimmy Fallon 06:36 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Stories Basics 12:00 Til Death Warriors 22:50 How The Universe Works 03:25 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 13:00 My Name Is Earl 07:00 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife 23:40 How It’s Made Basics 13:30 My Boys Warriors 03:50 Siba’s Table 14:30 2 Broke Girls 07:25 Treehouse Masters 04:05 Chopped 15:00 Cougar Town 02:30 Snow Falling On Cedars- 08:15 Treehouse Masters 04:50 Siba’s Table 15:30 The Daily Show Global 09:10 Treehouse Masters 05:10 Sweet Genius PG15 Edition 05:00 As Good As It Gets-PG15 10:05 Treehouse Masters 06:00 Tastiest Places To 16:00 The Nightly Show Global 11:00 Secret Life Of Pets Chowdown 07:30 Heart Of The Country-PG15 Edition 09:30 Bully-PG15 11:30 Secret Life Of Pets 00:00 Violetta 06:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:30 Til Death 11:55 Jurassica 00:45 The Hive 06:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 11:30 As Good As It Gets-PG15 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 14:00 Quiz Show-PG15 12:50 China’s Deadliest Snakes 00:50 Art Attack 07:15 Chopped 18:30 Melissa & Joey 13:45 Kingdom Of The Elephants 01:15 Art Attack 08:05 Siba’s Table 16:15 Unstrung Heroes-PG15 19:00 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 18:00 Bully-PG15 14:40 River Monsters 01:40 Jungle Junction 08:30 Have Cake, Will Travel 19:30 Men At Work 15:35 The Wild Life Of Tim 01:50 Jungle Junction 08:55 Have Cake, Will Travel 20:00 Life Happens-PG15 20:00 The Mindy Project 22:00 Hyde Park On Hudson-PG15 Faulkner 02:05 Jungle Junction 09:20 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 16:05 The Wild Life Of Tim 02:15 Jungle Junction Basics Stewart Faulkner 02:30 Violetta 09:45 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 16:30 Predator’s Playground 03:10 The Hive Basics Wilmore 17:25 China’s Deadliest Snakes 03:20 Art Attack 10:10 Siba’s Table 22:00 Married 18:20 The Wild Life Of Tim 03:45 Art Attack 01:00 Shiver-PG15 10:35 Siba’s Table 22:30 Married 03:00 Snitch-PG15 Faulkner 04:10 Jungle Junction 11:00 Guy’s Big Bite 23:30 The Mindy Project 18:50 The Wild Life Of Tim 04:25 Jungle Junction 05:00 Peeples-PG15 11:25 Unique Sweets 07:00 Oggy & The Cockroaches: Faulkner 04:35 Jungle Junction 11:50 Unique Sweets 19:15 Kingdom Of The Elephants 04:45 Jungle Junction The Movie-PG 12:15 Chopped SA 09:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 20:10 Best Bites: 25 Greatest 05:00 Art Attack 13:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Shark Moments 05:25 Art Attack 11:00 Dawn Rider-PG15 14:45 Chopped 01:00 Resurrection 21:05 Alaskan Bush People 05:50 Mouk 13:00 The Book Thief-PG15 15:35 Barefoot Contessa 02:00 Salem 22:00 River Monsters 06:00 Kim Possible 15:15 Mr. Peabody & Sherman- 16:00 Siba’s Table 12:00 Emmerdale 22:55 Jurassica 06:25 Girl Meets World FAM 16:25 Guy’s Big Bite 12:30 Coronation Street 23:50 Gator Boys 06:50 Binny And The Ghost 17:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 17:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 16:00 Emmerdale 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water 19:00 47 Ronin-PG15 Basics 16:30 Coronation Street 07:40 Jessie 21:00 The Last Days On Mars- 18:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 19:00 Castle 08:05 Cars Toons PG15 Basics 20:00 Scandal 08:10 Radio Rebel 23:00 End Of Watch-18 18:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 21:00 Better Call Saul 09:45 Good Luck Charlie 18:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:00 House Of Cards 10:10 Gravity Falls 19:20 Food Network Challenge 23:00 Top Gear (UK) 00:00 Masterchef: The 10:35 Jessie 20:10 Best In Chow Professionals 11:00 Dog With A Blog 21:00 Chopped 00:50 Nigellissima 11:25 Austin & Ally 21:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:15 Come Dine With Me: 11:50 Liv And Maddie 23:05 Chopped SA 01:00 Wizards And Giants Supersized 12:15 Hank Zipzer 23:55 Siba’s Table 02:45 Skateboy And The Magical 02:50 Extreme Makeover: Home 12:40 Jessie Musical Mystery Edition 13:05 Jessie 04:30 The Secret Of Nimh 03:35 Nigellissima 13:30 Jessie 00:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 Olsen Gang In Deep Water 04:00 Extreme Makeover: Home 13:55 Jessie 02:00 Good Morning America 08:00 Barbie Of Swan Lake TACTICAL FORCE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 14:15 Cars Toons 06:00 Good Morning America 10:00 Krazzy Planet Edition 05:00 Super Saver Showdown 17:25 Stalked: Someone’s 15:05 Sofia The First 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 07:00 Emmerdale 11:30 Planet 51 04:45 Bargain Hunt 00:15 Coronation Street 06:00 17 Kids And Counting Watching 15:35 Limon And Oli 14:55 Hank Zipzer 07:30 Coronation Street 13:00 Skateboy And The Magical 05:30 Bargain Hunt 00:40 Coronation Street 06:25 Super Soul Sunday 17:50 I Was Murdered 15:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 15:20 Binny And The Ghost 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Musical Mystery 06:15 Bargain Hunt 01:15 Who’s Doing The Dishes 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress ‚Äì 18:15 I Was Murdered 16:15 Lilo & Stitch 15:45 Jessie 10:00 Emmerdale 14:45 Barbie Magic Of The 07:00 Come Dine With Me: 02:00 Arthur And George Bridesmaids 18:40 Forensic Detectives 16:40 Adventures Of The 16:10 Austin & Ally 10:30 Coronation Street Rainbow Supersized 02:55 Emmerdale 07:40 Something Borrowed, 19:30 Forensic Detectives Gummi Bears 16:35 Austin & Ally 15:00 Live Good Morning America 16:15 Everyone’s Hero 08:30 Extreme Makeover: Home 05:00 The Jonathan Ross Show Something New 20:20 Forensic Detectives 17:05 Chip n Dale Rescue 17:00 Austin & Ally 19:00 Parenthood 18:00 Krazzy Planet Edition 05:55 Coach Trip 08:05 Bakery Boss 21:10 Forensic Detectives Rangers 17:25 Dog With A Blog 20:00 Sleepy Hollow 20:00 Wheelers 09:15 Extreme Makeover: Home 07:05 Tricked 08:55 Extreme Cheapskates 22:00 Devil In The Details 17:30 Ducktales 17:50 Hank Zipzer 22:00 Grimm 22:00 Barbie Magic Of The Edition 08:00 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 09:45 Cake Boss 22:50 True Crime With 18:00 Art Attack 18:15 Jessie 23:00 The Killing Rainbow 10:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Takeaway 10:10 Sister Wives Aphrodite Jones 18:25 Sofia The First Edition 18:40 Binny And The Ghost 23:30 Everyone’s Hero 19:05 H2O: Just Add Water 09:10 Above Suspicion 11:00 Ballroom Blitz 23:40 Extreme Forensics 18:55 Calimero 10:40 Extreme Makeover: Home 11:35 Horsepower With Martin 11:50 Oprah Presents: Master 19:10 Limon And Oli Edition 19:30 Austin & Ally 19:55 Dog With A Blog Clunes Class 19:25 Jake And The Never Land 11:20 Masterchef: The 13:15 Michael Flately: A Night To 12:40 Super Soul Sunday Pirates Professionals 20:20 I Didn’t Do It 20:45 H2O: Just Add Water Remember 00:00 Lockout 13:30 Say Yes To The Dress: The 19:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 12:10 Masterchef: The 00:30 Pacific Rim-PG15 21:10 Good Luck Charlie 14:05 Who’s Doing The Dishes 02:00 Sacrifice Big Day (Specials) 20:20 Minnie’s Bow-Toons Professionals 03:00 The Host-PG15 21:35 Jessie 15:00 The Chase: Celebrity 04:00 The Possession 14:20 Kate Plus 8 20:25 Sofia The First 12:40 Masterchef: The 05:15 The Wolverine-PG15 22:00 Gravity Falls Specials 06:00 Shanghai Knights 15:10 Cake Boss 20:50 Adventures Of The Professionals 08:00 Grace Unplugged-PG 00:10 Zou 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 15:55 Arthur And George 08:00 The Mortal Instruments: City 15:35 Little People, Big World Gummi Bears 13:30 Masterchef: The 10:00 The Pretty One-PG15 00:25 Mouk Teenage Witch 16:50 The Jonathan Ross Show Of Bones 16:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive 21:20 Chip n Dale Rescue Professionals 11:45 The Host-PG15 00:35 Jungle Junction 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 17:45 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 10:15 The Cold Light Of Day 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress ‚Äì Rangers 14:20 Masterchef: The 14:00 Badges Of Fury-PG15 00:50 Art Attack Teenage Witch Takeaway 12:00 500 mph Storm Bridesmaids 21:45 Ducktales Professionals 15:45 Grace Unplugged-PG 01:15 Julius Jr. 23:10 Wolfblood 19:00 Tricked 14:00 Tactical Force 17:15 17 Kids And Counting 22:15 Art Attack 15:15 Come Dine With Me: 17:30 The Great Gatsby-PG15 01:25 Calimero 23:35 Wolfblood 19:55 Arthur And George 15:45 The Mortal Instruments: City 17:40 Sister Wives 22:40 Limon And Oli Supersized 20:00 Baggage Claim-PG15 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 20:50 The Jonathan Ross Show Of Bones 18:30 Ballroom Blitz 22:55 Henry Hugglemonster 16:45 Bargain Hunt 22:00 The Hangover 3-18 01:50 Zou 21:45 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night 18:00 Brave 19:20 Cake Boss 23:10 Zou 17:30 Bargain Hunt Takeaway 19:45 Cake Boss 02:05 Mouk 23:25 Mouk 18:15 Antiques Roadshow 20:00 The Cold Light Of Day 02:15 Jungle Junction 22:50 The Chase: Celebrity 22:00 Bad Company 20:10 Super Soul Sunday 23:35 Jungle Junction 19:05 Come Dine With Me Specials 21:00 Cake Boss 02:25 Art Attack 23:50 Art Attack 19:55 Extreme Makeover: Home 23:45 Horsepower With Martin 21:25 Cake Boss 02:50 Julius Jr. 00:30 Fashion Bloggers 04:50 Live HSBC Sevens World Edition Clunes 21:50 Cake Boss 03:00 Art Attack 00:55 Fashion Bloggers Series - Hong Kong 20:40 Extreme Makeover: Home 22:40 Extreme Couponing All-Stars 03:25 Julius Jr. 01:25 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 18:00 Super Rugby Highlights Edition 23:05 Mob Wives 03:35 Calimero 21:25 Come Dine With Me: 01:50 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 20:00 Live PGA Tour 00:00 Sacrifice-18 23:55 Cake Boss 03:50 Henry Hugglemonster Supersized 02:20 E! News 02:00 The Possession-PG15 04:00 Zou 23:00 Antiques Roadshow 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 04:15 Mouk 04:00 Shanghai Knights-PG15 00:00 Programmes Start At 23:50 Come Dine With Me 00:00 Crash Science 04:25 Jungle Junction 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 06:00 The Mortal Instruments: City 6:00am KSA 01:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 04:35 Art Attack 04:10 E!ES Of Bones-PG15 06:00 Kid vs Kat 02:00 Doomsday Preppers 04:00 Live NRL Premiership 05:00 Julius Jr. 05:05 THS 08:15 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 06:10 Camp Lakebottom 03:00 Apocalypse World War I 06:00 Live NRL Premiership 05:10 Calimero 06:00 Keeping Up With The 10:00 500 mph Storm-PG15 06:35 Ultimate Spider-Man 04:00 Dogtown 12:00 Golfing World 00:40 Deadly Sins 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster 12:00 Tactical Force-PG15 07:00 Ultimate Spider-Man Kardashians 05:00 Beyond Magic with DMC 13:00 Champions Tour 01:30 Serial Killers 05:35 Zou 13:45 The Mortal Instruments: City 07:25 Zeke & Luther 06:55 Keeping Up With The 06:00 Is It Real? 15:30 Live PGA European Tour 02:20 I Almost Got Away With It 05:50 Mouk Of Bones-PG15 07:50 Star Wars Rebels 00:45 Hellriders Kardashians 07:00 Science of Stupid 22:00 Live Indy Cars Series 03:10 True CSI 06:00 Jungle Junction 16:00 Brave-PG15 08:15 Supa Strikas 01:35 How It’s Made 07:50 Style Star 07:30 Science of Stupid 04:00 Serial Killers 06:10 Art Attack 18:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 08:40 The 7D 02:00 How It’s Made 08:00 Crash Science 05:00 Fatal Encounters 06:35 Julius Jr. 08:20 E! News 20:00 Bad Company-PG15 09:05 Phineas And Ferb 02:25 How It’s Made 09:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 06:00 Fatal Encounters 06:45 Calimero 09:15 House Of DVF 22:00 Olympus Has Fallen-PG15 09:30 Star Wars Rebels 02:50 How It’s Made 10:00 Doomsday Preppers 07:00 Deadly Affairs 07:00 Jungle Junction 10:15 House Of DVF 09:55 Kickin’ It 03:15 How It’s Made 11:00 Last War Heroes 05:30 ICC World Cup H/L: Semi 07:50 On The Case With Paula 07:10 Zou 11:10 Fashion Bloggers 10:20 Kickin’ It 03:40 How It’s Made 12:00 Apocalypse: The Second Final 2 Zahn 07:25 Henry Hugglemonster 10:45 Kickin’ It 04:05 How It’s Made 11:35 Fashion Bloggers World War 06:30 Live ICC World Cup: Final 08:40 Real Emergency Calls 07:35 Julius Jr. 11:15 Kickin’ It 04:30 How It’s Made 12:05 E! News 13:00 Aftermath 15:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Quarter 09:05 Real Emergency Calls 07:50 Calimero 11:40 Kickin’ It 05:00 How It’s Made 13:05 THS 14:00 Situation Critical 00:00 Admission-PG15 Final 4 09:30 Who On Earth Did I 08:00 Limon And Oli 12:05 Phineas And Ferb 05:30 How It’s Made 14:05 Kourtney And Khloe Take 15:00 Air Crash Investigation 02:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 16:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Semi Marry? 08:15 Jake And The Never Land 12:30 Phineas And Ferb 06:00 Fast N’ Loud 16:00 Fur Seals: Battle For Survival 04:00 HairBrained-PG15 Final 1 09:55 Who On Earth Did I Pirates The Hamptons 13:00 The 7D 06:50 Misfit Garage 17:00 Swamp Men 06:00 So Undercover-PG15 17:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Semi Marry? 08:40 Doc McStuffins 15:00 Keeping Up With The 13:15 Den Brother 07:40 Philly Throttle 18:00 America’s Lost Treasures 08:00 Fred 2: Night Of The Living Final 2 10:20 Who On Earth Did I 09:05 Art Attack Kardashians 14:45 Toy Story Toons 08:30 Gold Rush 19:00 Air Crash Investigation Fred-PG 18:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Final Marry? 09:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 16:00 Giuliana & Bill 14:55 Phineas And Ferb 09:20 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 20:00 Fur Seals: Battle For Survival 10:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 10:45 Who On Earth Did I 10:00 Sofia The First 15:20 Boyster 10:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 21:00 Swamp Men 12:00 Addams Family Values-PG Marry? 10:30 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 15:45 Star Wars Rebels 11:00 Destination North Pole 18:00 E! News 22:00 America’s Lost Treasures 14:00 Chalet Girl-PG15 11:10 The Will: Family Secrets 10:55 Zou 16:10 Supa Strikas 11:50 Railroad Alaska 19:00 House Of DVF 23:00 Last War Heroes 16:00 Fred 2: Night Of The Living Revealed 11:10 Calimero 16:35 The 7D 12:40 How It’s Made 20:00 Keeping Up With The Fred-PG 12:00 The Will: Family Secrets 11:25 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 17:00 Lab Rats 13:05 How It’s Made 18:00 Mafia!-PG15 Revealed 11:30 Ducktales Kardashians 17:30 Even Stevens 13:30 How It’s Made 20:00 The Hangover 3-18 12:50 Nightmare Next Door 11:55 Ducktales 21:00 Keeping Up With The 00:45 Secret Eskimo Escape 19:05 Toy Story Toons 13:55 How It’s Made 22:00 The Royal Tenenbaums-18 13:40 Deadly Affairs 12:25 Ducktales Kardashians 01:35 Extraordinary Pregnancies 19:15 Supa Strikas 14:20 How It’s Made 14:30 Deadly Affairs 12:50 Ducktales 22:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 02:25 Extreme Couponing 19:45 Boyster 14:45 How It’s Made 15:20 Disappeared 13:20 Ducktales 00:30 The Daily Show Global 02:50 Extreme Couponing 20:10 Star Wars Rebels 15:10 How It’s Made 22:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 16:10 Real Emergency Calls 13:45 Jake And The Never Land Edition 03:15 Extreme Couponing 20:35 Phineas And Ferb 15:35 How It’s Made 23:00 Fashion Bloggers 16:35 Real Emergency Calls Pirates 01:00 The Nightly Show Global 03:40 Extreme Couponing 21:00 Lab Rats 16:00 How It’s Made 23:30 Fashion Bloggers 01:00 Beasts Of The Southern 17:00 Stalked: Someone’s 14:15 Doc McStuffins Edition 04:05 Super Saver Showdown 21:25 Kickin’ It 16:25 How It’s Made 01:30 Saturday Night Live Wild-PG15 Watching 14:40 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 16:50 Storage Wars Canada 17:15 Storage Wars Canada 17:40 Storage Wars Canada 18:05 Storage Wars Canada 18:30 Storage Wars Canada 18:55 Chaos Caught On Camera 19:20 Chaos Caught On Camera 19:45 What Happened Next? 20:10 What Happened Next? 20:35 Man vs Expert 21:25 Gold Rush 22:15 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 23:05 Alaska: The Last Frontier 23:55 The Island With Bear Grylls

00:15 How Do They Do It? 00:40 How It’s Made 01:05 How It’s Made 01:30 Dark Matters 02:20 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 03:10 How Do They Do It? 03:35 How Do They Do It? 04:00 Invent It Rich 04:45 Game Changers 05:08 Game Changers 05:30 How We Invented The World 06:15 Rise Of The Machines 07:00 Food Factory 07:25 Food Factory 07:50 Food Factory 08:15 Food Factory 08:40 Food Factory 09:05 Food Factory 09:30 How Do They Do It? 09:55 How Do They Do It? 10:20 How Do They Do It? 10:45 How Do They Do It? 11:10 How Do They Do It? 11:35 How Do They Do It? 12:00 How It’s Made 12:25 How It’s Made 12:50 How It’s Made 13:15 How It’s Made 13:40 How It’s Made 14:05 How It’s Made 500 MPH STORM ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD Classifieds

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (26/03/2015 TO 01/04/2015)

SHARQIA-1 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 11:00 PM 360º- 1 CINDERELLA 12:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 1:00 AM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM CINDERELLA 2:45 PM CINDERELLA 3:00 PM CINDERELLA 5:00 PM FANAR-4 CINDERELLA 5:30 PM CINDERELLA 7:15 PM HOME -3D 12:15 PM CINDERELLA 8:00 PM CINDERELLA 9:45 PM HOME -3D 2:15 PM CINDERELLA 10:30 PM EX MACHINA 12:15 AM HOME -3D 4:15 PM THE GUNMAN 12:45 AM HOME 6:15 PM SHARQIA-2 EX MACHINA 8:15 PM 360º- 2 HOME -3D 11:45 AM EX MACHINA 10:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 11:45 AM HOME 1:45 PM EX MACHINA 12:45 AM RUN ALL NIGHT 2:15 PM HOME -3D 3:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 4:45 PM MATRIMONIAL HOME 5:45 PM FANAR-5 RUN ALL NIGHT 7:15 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 7:45 PM HOME 11:30 AM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:45 PM NRI Marthoma parents EX MACHINA 10:15 PM HOME 1:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:15 AM inviting proposals for their THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 12:30 AM HOME 3:30 PM FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM HOME 5:30 PM 360º- 3 daughter, BSc nurse, 30 FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 7:30 PM HOME 1:00 PM years old / 152 cms, work- CINDERELLA 10:00 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 3:15 PM ing in MOH Kuwait, prefer- SHARQIA-3 THE GUNMAN 12:30 AM HOME 5:30 PM ence will be given to man- QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 12:00 PM FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 7:45 PM agement and medical pro- THE GUNMAN 2:00 PM FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 10:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 4:15 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 12:15 AM fessionals. M4 Marry ID: RUN ALL NIGHT 6:15 PM MARINA-1 2545008 / email: QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:45 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM AL-KOUT.1 [email protected] QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:45 PM CINDERELLA 3:00 PM HOME 1:00 PM (C 4954) THE GUNMAN 12:45 AM CINDERELLA 5:30 PM HOME -3D 3:00 PM 24-3-2015 CINDERELLA 7:45 PM HOME 5:00 PM MUHALAB-1 CINDERELLA 10:00 PM HOME 7:00 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM EX MACHINA 12:15 AM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 9:00 PM CINDERELLA 2:45 PM NO WED SITUATION WANTED CINDERELLA 5:00 PM MARINA-2 THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 11:30 PM CINDERELLA 7:15 PM EX MACHINA 11:45 AM FURIOUS 7 9:00 PM Accountant: Young & CINDERELLA 9:30 PM FURIOUS 7 11:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 2:00 PM dynamic B.Com graduate of THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 11:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 4:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 6:30 PM AL-KOUT.2 28-years (first class) having MUHALAB-2 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 12:00 PM good accounts knowledge RUN ALL NIGHT 1:00 PM EX MACHINA 10:30 PM THE LOVERS 2:00 PM worked in India and last 5- QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 3:30 PM THE GUNMAN 12:45 AM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 4:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 5:30 PM THE LOVERS 6:15 PM years working in Kuwait QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:30 PM knowing Microsoft office MARINA-3 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:30 PM Tally and Peachtree RUN ALL NIGHT 12:15 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 12:15 AM THE LOVERS 12:45 AM HOME 3:00 PM Accounting Software. HOME -3D 5:15 PM Having transferable visa MUHALAB-3 AL-KOUT.3 HOME -3D 11:30 AM HOME 7:30 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM looking for a job as HOME 1:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:30 PM CINDERELLA 3:00 PM Accountant, can join imme- HOME -3D 3:30 PM NO WED CINDERELLA 5:15 PM diately. Contact 50541464. THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 12:05 AM HOME 5:30 PM CINDERELLA 7:30 PM (C 4957) EX MACHINA 7:30 PM NO WED CINDERELLA 9:45 PM EX MACHINA 9:45 PM FURIOUS 7 9:30 PM EX MACHINA 12:15 AM 24-3-2015 EX MACHINA 12:05 AM WED FURIOUS 7 9:45 PM FURIOUS 7 12:15 AM AL-KOUT.4 FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM WED EX MACHINA 12:45 PM EX MACHINA 3:15 PM ACCOMMODATION FANAR-1 AVENUES-1 RUN ALL NIGHT 5:30 PM THE LOVERS 12:00 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 11:45 AM EX MACHINA 8:00 PM 2 BHK available in Quitaiba THE LOVERS 2:45 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 2:00 PM EX MACHINA 10:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 5:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:30 AM St, Hawally, with 2 big bath- THE LOVERS 7:30 PM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 6:30 PM room, big hall, one floor 2 RUN ALL NIGHT 9:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:45 PM BAIRAQ-1 apartment only with 2 lifts THE LOVERS 12:15 AM MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 11:00 PM CINDERELLA 11:30 AM with double bed, oven, gas, MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION 1:15 AM CINDERELLA 1:45 PM FANAR-2 CINDERELLA 4:00 PM fridge and single bed. Easily CINDERELLA 12:15 PM AVENUES-2 CINDERELLA 6:15 PM to make 3x3 mts room in CINDERELLA 2:30 PM EX MACHINA 12:30 PM CINDERELLA 8:30 PM hall. Call: 60982737. CINDERELLA 4:45 PM EX MACHINA 2:45 PM CINDERELLA 10:45 PM (C 4959) CINDERELLA 7:00 PM EX MACHINA 5:00 PM EX MACHINA 1:00 AM CINDERELLA 9:15 PM EX MACHINA 7:15 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 11:30 PM EX MACHINA 9:30 PM BAIRAQ-2 NO WED EX MACHINA 11:45 PM HOME 12:30 PM Prayer timings FURIOUS 7 11:30 PM HOME 2:45 PM Fajr: 04:22 AVENUES-3 HOME 5:00 PM FANAR-3 RUN ALL NIGHT 12:45 PM HOME 7:15 PM Shorook 05:42 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 1:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 3:15 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 9:30 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 3:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 5:45 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 11:30 PM Duhr: 11:53 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 5:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 8:15 PM Asr: 15:23 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 7:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 10:45 PM BAIRAQ-3 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 9:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 1:00 AM EX MACHINA 1:30 PM Maghrib: 18:04 Isha: 19:21

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

Arrival Flights on Sunday 29/3/2015 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Departure Flights on Sunday 29/3/2015 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 472 Jeddah 14:55 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 15:00 UAL 981 IAD 00:05 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 OMA 645 Muscat 15:05 AGY 681 Alexandria 00:15 IRC 6508 Shiraz 14:15 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 ETH 3403 Addis Ababa/Riyadh 01:35 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:50 KAC 513 Tehran 15:40 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:35 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 SVA 503 Jeddah 15:45 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 ETH 3403 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:50 KAC 792 Madinah 16:50 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:10 KAC 741 Dammam 15:55 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 KAC 562 Amman 17:00 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 KNE 473 Jeddah 16:00 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 OMA 644 Muscat 03:35 OMA 646 Muscat 16:05 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:10 OMA 643 Muscat 02:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 QTR 1076 Doha 03:05 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 QTR 1077 Doha 04:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 17:50 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 GFA 944 LCA 18:00 SYR 342 Latakia 04:20 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 SYR 341 Latakia 03:20 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 JZR 560 Sohag 05:00 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:40 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 QTR 8632 Doha 05:05 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 AXB 393 Kozhikode 18:55 JZR 538 Cairo 18:40 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 BAW 157 London 06:40 QTR 8632 Lahore/Doha 06:35 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 KAC 1544 Cairo 06:40 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:00 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:45 KAC 412 Bangkok/Manila 07:10 KAC 742 Dammam 19:00 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:20 KAC 382 Delhi 07:30 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:30 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 KAC 171 Frankfurt 08:30 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 BAW 156 London 08:30 AXB 394 Kozhikode 19:55 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 MSR 606 Luxor 19:30 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 MSR 619 Alexandria 20:30 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 KAC 364 Colombo 08:45 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:30 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 KAC 1541 Cairo 20:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 KAC 117 New York 09:40 KAC 514 Tehran 20:10 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:20 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 DLH 636 Dammam 21:00 IRC 528 Ahwaz 09:15 KLM 417 Amsterdam 21:05 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:25 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 IRC 529 Ahwaz 10:15 KAC 283 Dhaka 21:05 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:25 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:10 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 10:50 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:05 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 GFA 943 LCA 10:55 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:50 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 JZR 561 Sohag 11:25 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:15 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 KAC 791 Madinah 12:00 KAC 381 Delhi 22:30 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:25 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 FDB 059 Dubai 22:35 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 KAC 103 London 12:10 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:50 IRC 6508 Shiraz 13:15 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JAI 1526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 KAC 411 Manila/Bangkok 23:25 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 FDB 060 Dubai 23:35 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50 FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 CROSSWORD 856 STAR TRACK

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

Friendships and involvement in group activities, perhaps in a religious set- You are encouraged to enlarge your scope of possibilities. This could mean you ting, play an important part in your day. Friends are truly a rich gift and the satisfaction make plans to go into business for yourself or you decide how to pull in that extra money for a that comes from accomplishing things in cooperation with others is something no one special vacation. The desire for intimacy with a partner is great at this time, with the expression can take away from you. You could be most persuasive with others and you tend to of affections being most satisfying. Sometime today there will be opportunities to take part in choose friends that you can encourage and help. Today is a natural for self-expression and social activities with friends. You adore children and may be inclined to pursue romance and lends itself to your particular ideas and thoughts. If you are not on vacation today, take a lovemaking in the hopes of obtaining an offspring. If you have children, you are wise in your little trip to a romantic restaurant or a good movie this evening. It is time to enjoy the determination to begin eating more of your meals together. There is increased romantic day- company of your loved one tonight. Your energy and resistance could be a bit low today, dreaming. You may have insights into your needs and perhaps those of a romantic partner this so take care of your health and avoid overindulging. evening.

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

Today you could probably vow that you are playing the lead in a medieval You may have trouble trying to express yourself to people today because they will love drama. Friendships are uppermost, love relationships intense and any sexual hear little logic, but much emotion. This situation, however, makes you an excellent listener to all encounter transcendental. In this situation you could make great things happen. As with that may seek your guidance. You not only can hear their words, but you can empathize with romeo and juliet, if a new relationship should begin, it will seem like fate. Interactions with their feelings. Your disposition is open and welcome to all you meet. The appreciation and deep others is fun and invigorating as the conversations are not emotional; they tend to be more feelings you have for friends is heightened. Great things happen if you take the time to express toward new inventions and revelations in the science world and what-if type of comments. kindly, your true feelings. Meeting new people is most favorable at this time. You have a sense of You are likely to hear or see some good news today regarding something of interest to you. togetherness with close friends as well as relatives. Relating with old chums is easy and extremely You look hard this evening to see where you can best improve your relations with family or pleasant. Doing just about anything with friends or family tonight brings much joy. increase your friendships.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Concepts, normally too subtle to grasp, should come clear to you this day–one You may spend a little time this morning assessing the changes or improve- after the other! Your sensitivity and imagination are running rampant. Do not ments you would like to make in yourself, but especially as you would like to present your- expect too many people to understand you, though. You are just too far ahead of them at this ACROSS 7. Annual grass of Europe and North Africa. self in more professional ways. You may have chosen an adviser to follow and you strive to time. This is a good day for artistic endeavors. You might even enjoy teaching the young ones 1. The portion of the vertebrate nervous sys- 8. Of or relating to or characteristic of Thailand measure up to the same professional ease. In order to give your attention to your personal around you some artistic technique that you use–if you are tending to these youngsters you will tem consisting of the brain and spinal cord. of its people. goals–you may need a list to guide you. You may be given challenges by the elders in your have an answer as to how to keep them busy in the future. You could be most persuasive with 4. An elementary particle responsible for the 9. Decay usually accompanied by an offensive family–you can handle it. You may find that more than one person close to you under- others and persuasive in how you interact with others. A good conversation with those you love forces in the atomic nucleus. odor. stands your objective and is supportive. If you are shopping this afternoon, you may find a is possible this evening and laughter may ensue in most interesting ways. This is one of your best good buy on some silver items. This is a good time to buy silver and silver makes a good days overall. 12. The compass point that is one point west 10. A group of related languages spoken in a wedding or birthday gift. of due south. valley of southern Ethiopia. 15. An ugly evil-looking old woman. 11. Any of the openings to the nasal cavities 16. A state in south central United States. that allow air to flow through the cavities to 17. Grass mowed and cured for use as fodder. the pharynx. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 18. A unit of pressure. 12. A painful emotion resulting from an 19. Someone who (fraudulently) assumes the awareness of inadequacy or guilt. The planets are arranged just right for you and a loved one to visit perhaps a dif- A cycle of domesticity begins now, emphasizing a need for a sense of roots. Family, appearance of another. 13. A small cake leavened with yeast. ferent religious group today. Widening the scope of possibilities or enjoying the different rituals, home, relatives and real estate will play a bigger part in your life now. You may be looking at new you may use this experience to deepen your own relationship and learn about each other. The homes today in order to get an idea of the type of home you will want to make your own. This is a 20. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 14. English poet who introduced the sonnet mystic, the martyr, the sinner and the saint: these archetypes take on a great deal of importance time in your life marked by a greater involvement with friends and groups. Some of these friends from aba cloth. form to English literature (1503-1542). for you. If anyone ever does know such things, you will probably come to understand them as this or groups are likely to be way off the beaten path. Your social consciousness can be raised. If you 21. A heavy gray-white metallic element. 22. Intentional deception resulting in injury to cycle unfolds. This may be a phase of uplifting spiritual development, to be sure. You should be are in a home, renovations and spring cleaning can be initiated in one room or one portion of the 23. (Akkadian) Mother of the gods and consort another person. aware of tendencies to believe too quickly, too deeply, or to become dependent on things or house at a time. This is an excellent weekend to work on the taxes or finances in order to work out of Apsu. 24. Any of various plants of the genus Althaea. people that seem to offer quick and easy answers to life’s deepest puzzles. One step at a time. satisfactory future security for your family. Check out the new tax breaks. 25. (the feminine of raja) A Hindu princess or 26. To fix or set securely or deeply. the wife of a raja. 27. A human limb. 28. A river of southwestern Africa that rises in 29. (Hindu) A manner of sitting (as in the prac- Aquarius (January 20- February 18) central Angola and flows east and then north tice of Yoga). Leo (July 23-August 22) (forming part of the border between Angola 30. Small evergreen shrub of Pacific coast of There is a willingness to conform more to a comfortable way of living and less You are entering a phase of emotional directness and impulsiveness now– and Congo) and continuing northwest North America having edible dark purple insistence on independence and adventure. You can have it both ways if you think about the rea- one marked by powerful feelings. This is a most beneficial time to exchange ideas and bring through Congo to empty into the Congo River grape-size berries. son for conforming to a more relaxed environment. When the family has grown, the adventures about some close relationships. There is always room for growth and improvement and this on the border between Congo and Republic 32. A soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent can begin again. A strong urge to enjoy sweets may occur this afternoon and if you have a sugar- is as good a time as any to survey your surroundings and your relationships. In order to have of the Congo. and univalent) metallic element. free gelatin dessert it will help assuage those urges. Learn to differentiate hunger from habit and domestic happiness the process is ongoing. This is a good time to use home as a vehicle for 31. Made from residue of grapes or apples 33. (Greek mythology) One of the three you will discover a magic key. You might feel that some avenues of support have been cut off or entertaining or in planning a social gathering. Additionally, it is a favorable time to under- after pressing. Graces. blocked. In actuality, you are given an opportunity to grow and create and help others to grow. take renovations or spring-cleaning chores. Although you are usually healthy, you need a 35. (Old Testament) The eldest son of Isaac 34. Conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy You may join your friends this evening in a group activity that encourages exercise. good group exercise program on a regular basis to keep you heart healthy. Keep a constant schedule with this regard. who would have inherited the Covenant that (100-44 BC). God made with Abraham and that Abraham 36. The capital and largest city of Yemen. passed on to Isaac. 37. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet. Virgo (August 23-September 22) 40. A person whose head is bald. 38. A nonmetallic largely pentavalent heavy Pisces (February 19-March 20) 42. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element 43. A quantity of no importance. belonging to the halogens. You are very expressive and willing to help or guide others. Your expressiveness You feel very good about yourself at this time and others tend to support will enhance your influence over others. Children enjoy learning and having you as a mentor. The your self-confidence. If you enjoy your work, this is a good day to expand your horizons. If 45. A river that rises in northeastern Turkey 39. The large trunk artery that carries blood work you do, the ways you take care of your health and other obligations, are the important keys you consider your job little more than drudgery, this is a good time to begin a vacation, or (near the source of the Euphrates) and flows from the left ventricle of the heart to branch to your best potential. There is a need for focus and careful analysis in many areas of your life. Set to just get away for the day–a new view. You will find yourself striving for complete generally eastward through Armenia to the arteries. up systems and schedules; stick to them! You have the enthusiasm and the insight to accomplish domestic happiness. Consolidate your friendships, strengthening them before you forget Caspian Sea. 41. Decapod having eyes on short stalks and a many things throughout your life. Working with close associates and friends should prove favor- each other. Relationships with friends of the opposite sex can be a big boon at this time. 46. The basic unit of money in Panama. broad flattened carapace with a small able at this time. Phone conversations are productive and important. Perhaps the family has You have a lot on your mind and feel a strong need to communicate. You may find this a 49. Having been read. abdomen folded under the thorax and pin- gathered for a family photograph this afternoon. This is a time for family. period of greater social involvement–especially with neighbors and brothers or sisters. 51. Brief episode in which the brain gets insuf- cers. Staying in touch with other people creates a constant contact. ficient blood supply. 44. A particular geographical region of indefi- 52. Any member of Athapaskan tribes that nite boundary (usually serving some special migrated to the southwestern desert (from purpose or distinguished by its people or cul- WORD SERCH Yesterday’s Solution Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico). ture or geography). 54. A shop where a variety of goods are sold. 47. A bowl-shaped vessel. 56. Lower in esteem. 48. An organization of countries formed in 59. The cry made by sheep. 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale 61. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali of petroleum. earth group. 50. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake 62. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). Chad. 64. Having hills and crags. 53. A hemoprotein composed of globin and 69. A series of steps to be carried out or goals heme that gives red blood cells their charac- to be accomplished. teristic color. 72. Type genus of the Ranidae. 55. The capital of Croatia. 73. Belonging to or on behalf of a specified 57. Be in contradiction with. person (especially yourself). 58. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan 76. Very dark black. River. 77. A unit of length of thread or yarn. 60. (of complexion) Blemished by imperfec- 78. South American palm yielding a wax simi- tions of the skin. lar to carnauba wax. 63. Title for a civil or military leader (especially 79. A large bundle bound for storage or trans- in Turkey). port. 65. Avatar of Vishnu. 66. An amino acid that is found in the central DOWN nervous system. 1. A wad of something chewable as tobacco. 67. An organic compound that contains a 2. An international organization created in hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom 1949 by the North Atlantic Treaty for purposes which in turn is doubly bonded to another of collective security. carbon atom. 3. (computer science) A standardized lan- 68. A native or inhabitant of Denmark. guage for the descriptive markup of docu- 70. A long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur. ments. 71. A large vase that usually has a pedestal or 4. The 3 goddesses of fate or destiny. feet. 5. Swedish oceanographer who recognized 74. A crystalline metallic element not found in the role of the Coriolis effect on ocean cur- nature. rents (1874-1954). 75. A trivalent metallic element of the rare 6. Any thick messy substance. earth group.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 information

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: INTERNATIONAL Call MSAL hotline 128 CALLS

Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lithuania 00370 l i f e s t y l e SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 G o s s i p

Malik wants to get married ‘very soon’

he 22-year-old singer announced his decision in August 2013, but the ‘Steal My Girl’ hitmaker is deny being unfaithful after he was spotted holding to quit chart-topping boyband One Direction reportedly nervous she may leave him, especially as hands with another woman while on a night out in Tearlier this week, and is reportedly now eager pals think there are cracks in their relationship. The Phuket, Thailand. Following the incident, he wrote to tie the knot with his fiancÈe, Little Mix’s Perrie source told HollywoodLife.com: “Perrie is his securi- on Twitter: “I’m 22 years old... I love a girl named Edwards, because he is feeling “scared”. A friend ty blanket, and he wants her with him keeping him Perrie Edwards. And there’s a lot of jealous people in revealed: “Zayn is going to get married sooner safe. But their relationship is flawed and his friends this world I’m sorry for what it looks like.” rather than later because he’s scared and lonely.” think it would be a mistake to marry her.” The news The couple began dating in 2012 and got engaged comes just over a week after Zayn was forced to

Statham and Huntington buy $13m home Hayek doesn’t like working out he 47-year-old action movie star and engaged to the ‘Wild Card’ actor at the end his model girlfriend are believed to of last year when she was spotted wearing have each paid half of the jaw-drop- a band on her ring finger, although she has T he 48-year-old actress - who has seven-year-old daughter Valentina ping sum for the estate in Beverly Hills, just previously gushed about Jason, saying liv- a week after they celebrated their fifth ing with someone else from England helps with her husband Francois-Henri Pinault -rarely, hits the gym and cred- anniversary. According to gossip website her to stay grounded in Hollywood. She Tits running around after her little girl for her svelte figure in the new TMZ, a real estate source revealed the explained: “That’s what makes being with action thriller ‘Everly’. She said: “I don’t like to work out but I’ve tried to get expensive mansion features five bedrooms an Englishman out there so great. I mean, into the best shape I’ve ever been in. When you’re running around looking and eight bathrooms, and covers 7,119 we live in Hollywood, for god’s sake. It after your daughter you’re also doing a lot of work so I was able to manage square foot. As well as the large rooms would be easy to lose touch with reality.” pretty well on the set.” The brunette beauty - who plays the title character inside the property, the couple’s new home and is forced to fend off assassins sent by her mob boss ex in the picture - features plenty of outside space and even loves playing a “tough woman” and hopes the movie inspires people to find has a waterfall swimming pool. The 27- the strength they need to get out of “abusive” situations. She explained to year-old model was forced to deny she was Total Film magazine: “You also get a kick out of playing a really tough woman. “Women are very tough even though we often don’t show it. “This kind of story is inspiring for anyone who has felt frustrated or dominated and doesn’t know how to escape an abusive situation.”

Affleck ‘very proud’ of wife Jennifer Garner he 42-year-old actor gushed about his wife’s “extraor- dinary” work with the Save the Children foundation says fame Twhile speaking about aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo at a Senate Appropriations State, Foreign Sia Operations and Related Programs Subcommittee in Washington, DC on Thursday. He said: “In our family, my makes her feel ‘crazy’ wife does extraordinary work with early childhood educa- tion in the United States and the Appalachians and West Ludacris upset over Virginia and Kentucky and the central valley of California is something she cares deeply about. She’s extremely effec- tive at it. And we’re all very very proud of her and he ‘Chandelier’ hitmaker admits she doesn’t enjoy being in the Paul Walker jokes impressed.” The Oscar winner took a moment to praise spotlight because it has a negative impact on her self-esteem. The Jennifer, 42, after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, T39-year-old singer, who is known for disguising her face at public who worked on the push for foreign aid in Congo, events with her signature blonde wig, explained: “It literally screws with acknowledged her and their nine-year-old daughter my sanity. I stop feeling authentic because I’m trying to find ways to say Violet’s presence at the hearing, according to PEOPLE.com. the same thing differently. And after a while, you can’t. It becomes bad Nodding to the actress, she said: “Jennifer and Violet are for my self-esteem. “People say, ‘Enough of this crap where she doesn’t he ‘Good Lovin’ hitmaker, who was very proud. ‘Gone Girl’ star Ben, who is an outspoken show her face’...I’m trying to do this differently, for serenity. And it’s a fun reportedly “deeply upset” when human rights activist for the Congo and founded the game for me as well. I have nothing to lose. But of course I want to be Tcomedian Jeff Ross referred to his Eastern Congo Initiative in 2010, added: “I do work in the loved. So when people say, ‘Show your face, you’re not ugly.’ I want to ‘Fast and the Furious’ late co-star’s car crash Congo. We see that as a microcosm of what this govern- say, ‘I know. I’m not doing it because I think I’m ugly; I’m trying to have in November 2013 while poking fun at the ment can be. We can do both. We can do all of these things. some control over my image. And I’m allowed to maintain some mod- 21-year-old singer, admits he spoke to pro- We can apply our values to our relatives, to our neighbors icum of privacy. But also I would like not to be picked apart or for peo- ducers about editing some the controver- be they outside our national borders or be they within. I ple to observe when I put on ten pounds or take off ten pounds or I sial jabs from the pre-recorded show believe that’s what America is.” have a hair extension out of place or my fake tan is botched. Most peo- before it airs on March 30 because they ple don’t have to be under that pressure, and I’d like to be one of them.” “were over the line.” He told E! News: “It’s In “only the fourth interview” she has ever done with pal Kristen Wiig for not one particular person, there were just Interview magazine, Sia also claims she originally wanted to give away certain jokes that were - and I’m not saying her album ‘1000 Forms of Fear’ for free. She explained: “I had no plans to anything towards me - I’m just saying there promote it or tour it. I was newly sober and I didn’t want to be a famous were some jokes that weren’t appropriate. singer. So I delivered it to the label in the UK...But we weren’t sure what You know, there were some Paul Walker would happen if I wasn’t willing to show my face and do promo and go jokes that I didn’t feel like were appropriate. on tour and do the traditional kind of pop strategy. So I had no expecta- And I was told and promised that they tions. Because of that, I was able to take a great risk, which is the risk of would edit those out...Some of those were failure as a solo artist, because I was already gratefully making good over the line.” Sources previously revealed money writing pop songs for pop stars.” the 37-year-old rapper - whose real name is Christopher Brian Bridges - was outraged ously insisted the jokes would be cut from when Jeff said: “Move b***h, get out of the the upcoming show, saying: “Roasts often way, is what Paul Walker should’ve told that push the limits of good taste ... sometimes tree. Too soon? Too fast? Too furious?” the line is discovered by crossing it. The Fellow comedian Pete Davidson also Paul Walker references will not be in the quipped: “Just this past year, Justin got telecast.” arrested for drag racing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t with Paul Walker. What? He’s doing great! He’s got a movie coming out!” A spokesperson for Comedy Central previ-

Woodley thinks ants taste ‘great’

he ‘Insurgent’ actress, who follows a Paleo diet and sticks to unprocessed foods, claims everyone will be eating insects in the future. The 23-year-old Tstar said: “I’ve eaten ants and that was great. And June bugs, that was great. I think the future of food is in insects, so we’ll see what happens.” Shailene, who is an outspoken environmentalist, also admits she is open to eating whatever animal products her body is craving. She told Nylon magazine: “I had pigs’ feet in Spain a few months ago and that was awesome. They’re so gelatinous and it felt great for my stomach.” The ‘Fault in Our Stars’ actress previously revealed she makes her own broth out of bones and also drinks clay. Speaking last year, she said: “Clay binds to other materials in your body and helps your body excrete those materials that aren’t necessarily the best for you. “I’ve been into bone broth for a long time and it’s really cool because now there is this whole Paleo movement and it’s getting a lot of attention. What I think is beautiful about it is that you’re using the whole animal. You’re not just seeking out that perfect cut of muscle meat.” lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

World’s first ‘Otaku’ summit opens in Japan apan opened what organizers are billing as the world’s first “Otaku” summit yesterday, drawing visitors from around Jthe world as the country looks to boost the international fan base for Japanese comic books and anime. So-called Otaku- usually translated as “geeks”-from at least 18 countries and terri- tories, many dressed as their favorite anime characters, were converging on the Otaku Expo at a convention centre near Tokyo for the two-day event. The Expo is part of a special comic book fair held every five years, which attracts about half a million visitors, but this year’s event marks the first time that groups from outside Japan are invited. About four dozen overseas Otaku groups were expect- ed to attend. Briton Katie Carter, 23, was dressed as Usagi Tsukino, a character from the popular “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon”. “This is amazing. There are so many people of different cultures are coming together,” she said. The culture of Otaku has grown into a major industry in Japan. The term is commonly used in the country to refer to people obsessed with Japan’s unique take on comics and animation. While it once carried a negative connotation, many Otaku are now proudly displaying their love for two-dimensional heroes- while the number of foreign fans is also soaring. “The number of foreign visitors has been increasing over recent years,” said co- chief of the organiser, Comic Market Committee, Kahoru Yasuda. Otaku culture is spreading worldwide “like a big snowball picking up a pace,” Carter said. “In my country, Italy, currently it’s a very big thing,” said Expo visitor Valentino Notari, 28, about the Otaku culture outside Japan. “It used to be much smaller, we used to be sort of outcasts when we started back then about 10 years ago, and now it’s becoming massive,” Notari said. “It’s quite fun and nowadays everybody accepts it.” — AFP People dressed as their favorite anime characters pose for photographers during the Otaku Summit. — AFP photos Early morning dance parties take off in US

artying before breakfast? It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. married and who no longer goes out to clubs at night, said But it is the concept behind “Daybreakers,” early-morn- Daybreakers were ideal. “I love clubs and now I am over them, Ping raves becoming increasingly popular in the United this is just like a good way for me to go out and get hot and States. At 6:30 am one recent morning, some 250 young-and sweaty and not have to wear stupid shoes and dress like a old-dance enthusiasts gathered in downtown Los Angeles to whore,” she said. strut their stuff before many people have even got out of bed. Frank, a 60-something who won’t give his exact age, Andre Herd, the producer behind the event, said it com- added: “I have done this twice, I just like to dance, usually bines the fun of night-time partying without the morning- mostly by myself or standing dance sometimes, I just love it, I after downsides. “It flips the switch on what everyone knows can’t keep my feet still.” Originally launched in New York, and used to love in my opinion, which is: you go, you get breakfast parties are now organized regularly in several US drunk, you maybe meet somebody, you hook up, you have cities-but also in London and Tel Aviv. fun with your friends, you go home, you’re hungover the next In Los Angeles, the gathering breaks up around 9:00 am- day,” he said. when many head off for work or play, a smile on their faces. “Here you get to go dance, you can meet somebody, there “I’ll take my computer down to the beach and answer some is an amazing energy in the room. Because everyone comes emails, pick my daughter up from school at noon, teach a gar- here buys a ticket and comes with the intention of dancing, den lesson for her class from noon to one,” said Tawnya everyone dances.” The parties are held about once a month, Calvillo, after her vigorous party workout. “After that, we’ll with tickets costing $25 and invitations sent out by email probably eat ice cream and go for a bike ride.” — AFP about a week in advance. But unlike a regular rave, there is no alcohol or drugs: the strongest stimulant available in Los Angeles is coffee, with A handout picture fruit juices the drink of choice at the bar. There is, of course, a released by Leicester DJ to keep the rhythms coming. Lenore, whose friends are all ‘Car park king’ Richard III’s Cathedral Quarter Partnership Board (LCQPB) taken on March stone tomb gets unveiled 26 shows the coffin in the tomb area during the re- he stone tomb covering the grave of “However, there are still a considerable interment ceremony of Richard III was unveiled Friday, the number of visitors from all over the world England’s King Richard III Tlast act in the reburial of the 15th- in Leicester who we expect will want to in Leicester Cathedral in century king found beneath a car park. The take a last opportunity to see it before central England. 2.3-ton slab of Swaledale fossil stone went returning home. “We anticipate a great deal on public display the day after he was rein- of interest.” terred in Leicester Cathedral, central More than 35,000 people lined the city’s England, in the presence of royalty. The streets for a procession which took the cof- light-colored stone was quarried from land fin to the cathedral last Sunday. Some that Richard once owned in Yorkshire, his 20,000 people had queued for hours to file northern English stronghold. The oblong past Richard’s coffin in the days preceding tombstone, facing east, is slightly tilted his reburial on Thursday. The last English upwards and has a Christian cross deeply king to die in battle, Richard ruled from carved into its surface. Richard’s coffin was 1483 until his brutal death at the Battle of reburied in the Leicester Cathedral on Bosworth near Leicester in 1485, aged 32. Thursday, across the street from where his His body was hastily buried by monks at Mike Rebong remains were discovered in 2012. Greyfriars monastery, which was dissolved dances at the The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin in 1538. Bosworth was the last major con- Daybreaker LA Welby, England’s highest cleric, sprinkled it flict in the Wars of the Roses and changed morning dance with holy water and threw on soil from the the course of English history as the Tudor party, at the Springs places where Richard was born, grew up dynasty captured the crown from the in downtown Los and was slain. The tombstone over the Plantagenets. A wreath of broom, or planta Angeles Arts grave rests on a black Kilkenny marble genista, from which the dynasty took its District. plinth, which bears Richard’s name, coat of name, was laid on the plinth. It contains arms, the dates of his life (1452-1485) and white roses, the symbol of Richard’s House his motto, “Loyaulte me lie”, meaning “loyal- of York. The wreath is made of 14 pieces of ty binds me”. broom and 85 roses-the numbers appar- “King Richard III’s tomb is now a perma- ently a coincidence. — AFP nent feature in Leicester Cathedral,” said the Nobel’s will goes on cathedral’s spokeswoman Liz Hudson. display for first time Taraji P Henson apologizes for lfred Nobel’s last will and testament, the creation of the Nobel prizes on 26 hand out the awards: three in Stockholm which played a pivotal role in lines, or almost three-quarters of a page. and one in Oslo for the peace prize, since son’s racial profiling allegation Swedish history by creating the He stipulates that part of his fortune-some Norway was joined with Sweden in a A ctress Taraji P Henson has apolo- the traffic violation, but confiscated the now-illustrious Nobel prizes, has gone on 31.5 million kronor at the time, or the union at the time. The prize for econom- display for the first time in Stockholm. equivalent of more than 200 million Euros ics was created in 1968 by Sweden’s cen- gized to police in the California city marijuana. Until now, only a handful of people had ($220 million) today-was to be placed in a tral bank, the Riksbank, to mark its tricen- Aof Glendale for accusing an officer of The “Empire” star said in the interview laid eyes on the original 1895 document fund, the interest on which was to be used tenary, and is also funded by the racially profiling her son. Henson posted a her son was also racially profiled by an offi- that has been stashed away in a safe at the to honor “those who, during the preceding Riksbank.—AFP statement on Instagram Friday afternoon, cer at the University of Southern California Nobel Foundation in Stockholm. year, shall have conferred the greatest ben- hours after the Glendale Police Department and that prompted him to transfer to The Nobel Museum has changed all efit on mankind” in the fields of medicine, released video of a traffic stop of the Howard University in Washington DC. that, putting it on public display as part of physics, chemistry, literature and peace. actress’ son that showed the officer Henson said her son was stopped on the its new exhibition “Legacy”. “The exhibition He appoints four prize committees to respectfully dealing with the 20-year-old. Los Angeles campus “for having his hands draws attention to how important it is to “A mother’s job is not easy and neither is in his pockets.” Henson’s apology Friday did pass things on. The will is the center piece. a police officer’s,” Henson wrote on the not mention USC. It is a simple document, but it still today social networking site. “Sometimes as USC Public Safety Chief John Thomas provides the basis of our work with the humans we overreact without gathering all wrote in a statement earlier this week that (Nobel) prizes,” exhibition curator Karin the facts. As a mother in this case I overre- he wanted to discuss the allegations with Jonsson said. acted and for that I apologize. “Thank you Henson, but the school had no update “The aim is to show Alfred Nobel’s lega- to that officer for being kind to my son,” Friday on whether that conversation had cy to the public. It makes him more under- Henson wrote. occurred. Thomas wrote he was racially standable,” her colleague Gustav Henson accused a Glendale police offi- profiled as a teenager and was “deeply dis- Kaellstrand adds. The Nobel prizes are “one cer of profiling her son in an interview with turbed” to learn that Henson’s son felt pro- of Sweden’s biggest brands,” notes a Uptown magazine. The Los Angeles Time filed because of his race. — AP spokesman for the Swedish Institute, obtained the video of the October traffic Sergio Guimaraes. The will itself is written stop of Henson’s son, Marcell, for driving on four yellowed pages, with curlicued through a lighted crosswalk while a pedes- old-fashioned handwriting in black ink. It’s trian was walking in it. Henson acknowl- smudged in places, and there are notes edged he had marijuana in his backpack and additions running up and down the and was cited for having it without a valid sides, tops and bottoms of the pages. The testament of Alfred Nobel is displayed at the Nobel Museum in the Old prescription. The officer did not cite him for Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, details Town of Stockholm. — AFP lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 Trevor Noah on short list to replace Jon Stewart

revor Noah only joined “The Daily Show” as a con- place on CBS’ “Late Show.” The search for Stewart’s suc- Number of candidates tributor at the end of last year, but he could soon cessor takes place as Comedy Central is showing a new Since Stewart announced in February he expected to Tfind himself serving as an integral part of the pro- program in Colbert’s 11:30 p.m. slot, “The Nightly Show step down from his perch at the program sometime gram. Noah is gaining consideration as a potential suc- With Larry Wilmore,” which uses comedy to explore cul- between July and the end of 2015, a number of obvious cessor to Jon Stewart, the Comedy Central mainstay’s ture, politics and race. candidates to succeed him have made plans of their own. longtime host, according to a person familiar with the Comedy Central is already the only network to fea- Samantha Bee, a veteran “Daily Show” contributor, has matter, and if successful, could get a crack at becoming ture an African-American host in late night: Larry accepted a deal to start a similar “funny-news” program at one of the more influential voices in late night. Wilmore, a veteran producer and writer whose program Time Warner’s TBS. Both she and her husband, “Daily There is no guarantee that Noah will inherit Stewart’s has won some plaudits even as it continues to experi- Show” contributor Jason Jones, are also producing a com- seat, and no final decision has been reached, this person ment with its format. Should Noah get the nod, the net- edy for that network,, in which Jones will star. Jessica cautioned. Comedy Central’s selection process has work would add another African-American to the times- Williams, another rising “Daily Show” presence, recently accelerated in recent days, this person said. And Noah, a lot as competitors rely on white males and as many TV took to Twitter to declare herself “unqualified” for the role. South African comedian, has moved to a short list being networks recognize the need to appeal more directly to “The Daily Show” has had just two hosts since launch- put together by executives at the Viacom-owned cable America’s growing multicultural viewership. ing on Comedy Central in 1996: Craig Kilborn and Jon outlet. A Comedy Central spokesman declined to com- Like Stewart, Noah is no stranger to tackling thorny Stewart. Both were in their 30s when they took the reins ment on whether Noah was under consideration, or on issues. In South Africa, he was known for riffing on the of the program, and both were seen as up-and-comers, efforts to identify a new host for “The Daily Show.” topics of race and politics, even using his mixed-race not entrenched players in the TV business. Noah was born parentage to get laughs. Noting that his mother is a in 1984, which would make him about 31 years old. A bid farewell black South African and his father a white Swiss, he once Under Kent Alterman, president of original program- The looming choice is crucial for Comedy Central. told an audience, “I was born a crime,” according to a ming, Comedy Central has sought people able to articu- “The Daily Show” is arguably the network’s signature 2013 report in The Wall Street Journal. And he has expe- late a unique world view. The network has found success show , and Comedy Central last year bid farewell to rience with wee-hours programming, He hosted a with programs featuring comedienne Amy Schumer as another late night mainstay, Stephen Colbert. He latenight show in South Africa for two seasons, accord- well as Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, a duo who star in anchored “The Colbert Report,” a half-hour program fol- ing to a biography located at his website, which bills him the program “Broad City.” — Reuters lowing “The Daily Show” that gave Comedy Central a as the first stand-up comedian from South Africa to one-two punch in the fight to woo young audiences to appear on either NBC’s “The Tonight Show With Jay Trevor Noah its schedule. He will soon take up David Letterman’s Leno” or CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman.”

Andrews and Plummer reflect during Film Review ‘Sound of Music’s’ 50th anniversary

hether it was their first time see- tered.” Plummer, a trained stage actor who ing the film or their 21st, audience cut his teeth playing Hamlet and King Lear, Wmembers Thursday night were famously spent years dismissing his role as treated to a magical 50th anniversary a widowed naval captain who recruits a screening of “The Sound of Music,” Robert floundering novice as a governess for his Wise’s beloved Austrian Alps classic that seven children as treacle, but he’s since dra- attending Oscar-winning star Christopher matically changed his tune. Plummer called “the primal family movie of all time” and a “fairy tale come to life.” Onscreen chemistry “I love making movies,” said Plummer. “I used to think theater was so much better. The writing was so intellectual. But then I said, ‘What am I doing? They pay so well!’” As for his onscreen chemistry with Andrews, that was instant and everlasting. “I fell in love with her when I was sitting in the balcony watching her do ‘My Fair Lady,’” Plummer recalls. “Every day (on set) she was as fresh as a daisy.” The film itself has held up better than ever, with a newly restored print in which the verdant mountains pop a lush, vibrant green and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s famous ode to hills rings with joy and ebul- lience. “It was made 51 years ago, and it endures and it lives on,” said Ganis of the film. “It has the children and the nuns and it has the love story,” added Andrews. “You can pick any of those things when you’re Christopher Plummer “It’s the last sort of bastion of peace and watching the film.” In this image released by A24 Films, Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts appear in a scene from ‘While We’re Young.’ — AP (left) and Julie innocence in a very horrific sort of time,” But Andrews paid special tribute to Andrews arrive at the the winsome actor told the crowd gathered Plummer, whose stern, stoic Captain 2015 TCM Classic Film at TCL Chinese Theater Imax for the TCM eventually warms to governess Maria, Festival Opening Classic Film Festival Hollywood 2015 kickoff professing his love for her in a gazebo, on Night Gala “The Sound event. Plummer’s co-star and close friend a starry night with Europe on the brink of ‘While We’re Young’ is an Of Music” at TCL Julie Andrews was also at the fete, sparring war, their figures cutting two perfectly Chinese Theatre. — AP jocularly with her onscreen Captain Von cast silhouettes in one of the most Trapp in a way so charming and effortless it romantic scenes in cinema. “You made it begs the question how these two never ran less saccharine because of the way you insightful look at aging off together in real life as they do in the played the Captain,” said Andrews to film. Plummer. “Without that we would have t’s safe to say there aren’t a lot of movies out there introducing themselves as big fans of his previous film. ‘You called me a saint,” quipped been sunk.” — Reuters about reaching middle age gracefully and happily. And Josh is flattered of course, and soon he and Cornelia are Andrews of Plummer during an introducto- Ihow could there be? The only thing worse than getting dining with the younger couple. One dinner leads to ry Q and A moderated by Academy of old, as the saying goes, is the alternative. But at least we more. The older folks become intoxicated with the Motion Picture Arts & Sciences first VP have the movies - the good ones, anyway - to make us youngsters’ free-wheeling, impossibly hip lifestyle. Sid Ganis. “Well ruin my reputation why laugh about this fraught, undignified experience. And few The details here are delicious. Darby makes artisanal don’t you.” A moment later: “Oh, but I’m flat- recent films have done it better than Noah Baumbach’s ice cream, and does hip hop aerobics. For fun, the couple deliciously sharp and touching “While We’re Young.” explores abandoned subway tunnels. Their hipness has It seems apt indeed that Baumbach’s star here, Ben reached such an advanced state that they’re totally retro: Stiller, is 49 in real life - the age at which one finally, truly They watch old VHS tapes, play board games, use type- cannot deny having, somehow, reached middle age. In a writers; Jamie even speaks like someone out of a ‘50s minor but hilarious exchange, Stiller’s 40-something char- novel, beginning sentences with “Say ...” Josh and Season 4 will have fans begging acter, Josh Srebnick, is told he has arthritis. Surely, Josh Cornelia, in contrast, scan their iPads constantly, watch protests with utter guilelessness, it’s not “arthritis arthritis” - shows on Hulu and check texts every minute. When, at it’s some other kind. “It’s arthritis, and usually I only say it one point, the foursome can’t recall the word “marzipan,” for more, says once,” the doctor replies. Josh and Cornelia reach for their devices. “No,” says Sherlock creator Josh is a documentary filmmaker who’s been working Jamie, with the serenity of a monk. “Let’s just NOT know here’s still no airdate set for the fourth to, we should give it to them,” he said. “But I got on the same project for a decade, about a subject so dense what it is.” season of “Sherlock,” but in a new inter- persuaded by Mark, Benedict, [executive pro- and academic and boring we can’t explain it here. He’s The plot thickens when Jamie seeks Josh’s help on his Tview with Entertainment Weekly, notori- ducer Sue Vertue] and Martin saying, ‘Look, it married to Cornelia (Naomi Watts, doing some of her best own documentary, an enticing topic he seems to have ously tight-lipped co-creator Steven Moffat did will never be as good as they think it’s going to work in years), who also works on documentaries, assisting simply stumbled upon. But soon, the thorny ethics of offer some vague clues to tease fans. “There are be,’ and then I say, ‘Yes, but we’ll just bang it out her father, a legendary documentarian played by the won- Jamie’s endeavor will emerge, and Josh will begin to some answers coming to questions nobody and make it as good.’ ‘Yeah, but you can’t give derful Charles Grodin. You may think that’s enough docu- wonder whether he’s been played for a sucker. A terrific has asked,” he said. “We’re very exultant about a everybody everything they want all the time.’ mentarians for one movie, but you’d be wrong: the film’s climactic scene at an awards dinner - a multi-genera- little thing we’ve set up that no one is talking I’m in the camp of giving them everything they dream casting also includes Adam Driver as Jamie, a 20-ish, tional ideological confrontation - is both funny and dis- about.” That statement follows his cryptic want. But I think they’re sane and right and I’m ambitious documentarian-wannabe. turbing, as Josh discovers that the rules by which he’s remarks from backstage at the 2014 Emmys, just a tart.” While the Josh-Jamie dynamic will be essential to the always lived may have changed without his ever notic- when he told reporters, “We have a plan to top film’s ruminations on aging, “While We’re Young” is also ing. (last season), and I do think our plan is devas- about a marriage. The wrinkle for Josh and Cornelia is that The ending is somehow uplifting - Josh may not have tating,” he said. “We practically reduced our cast they don’t have kids, at an age when baby making - partic- won his battle against aging, but it feels like a truce is in to tears by telling them the plan.” ularly in baby-centric Brooklyn - is the chief activity of all the air. And in Baumbach’s hands, the battle has, at least, Diehard fans of the show are sure to be “des- their friends. Alone at home, Josh and Cornelia speak defi- proved highly entertaining. “While We’re Young,” an A24 perate for series 5” after they’re through with antly (and unconvincingly) of the advantages of baby-free Films release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association four, he said. “We’re certainly going to put them life. “We could go to Paris tomorrow if we wanted to!” she of America “for language.” Running time: 94 minutes. through the mill. It’s going to be more of an says. He agrees, while noting - with middle-aged practicali- Three and a half stars out of four. emotional upheaval,” he said. In the interview, ty - that it would be hard to get the best airfares at such Moffat also discussed how this coming season short notice. will be different from past seasons, how he feels about Sherlock/Watson fan fiction and the Delicious details possibility of a “Doctor Who”/”Sherlock” One day, the free-spirited Jamie and his pretty wife, crossover. Darby (Amanda Seyfried), attend a class Josh is giving, Moffat explained that each season of “Sherlock” has a different theme. “The first series was all about the beginning of their friendship. Second about the formative stages, As for the abundance of fan fiction that Benedict Paramount creating ‘Transformers’ the love and fear and loss and all that. The third places Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock and Cumberbatch and was good days, me and my pal and my pal’s Martin Freeman’s Watson in, um, not-so-ele- Martin Freeman in a wife,” he said. mentary situations, Moffat won’t disparage it. promotional image universe with spinoffs and sequels “It’s creative and exciting,” he said. “I refuse to for hit British TV Going in dark directions mock it-because I’m a man who writes Sherlock series ‘Sherlock’. aramount Pictures, Michael Bay and Lorenzo di Hours.” The franchise is a huge priority for the studio, with the Season four is “going to be... I suppose you’d Holmes fan fiction for a living!” Bonaventura are bringing on Akiva Goldsman to help most recent film, “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” crossing say... consequences. It’s consequences. Before season four of “Sherlock” bows, the Pexpand the “Transformers” cinematic universe. the $1 billion worldwide box officer marker last year, making Chickens come to roost. It’s dark in some ways- dynamic duo will be transported to Victorian Deadline reports Goldsman would not be writing but instead it the third film in the franchise to pass that milestone. obviously, it’s great fun and a Sherlock Holmes London for a special episode. BBC and PBS’ assembling and overseeing a “writers room” to hatch an idea Goldsman is no stranger to shaping box office juggernauts, romp and all that-but there’s a sense of... “Masterpiece” have yet to release an airdate for for how to tackle a two-part sequel in the film’s franchise in having helped with tent poles such as “I Am Legend,” “The Da things... coming back to bite you,” he added. the special, and season four is likely to air in addition to potential spinoffs. Vinci Code” and, most recently, “Insurgent.” — Reuters The show runner addressed the fan fantasy early 2016. — Reuters Goldsman would likely join Bay, di Bonaventura and of a crossover episode for the two series he Steven Spielberg as a producer. It’s unknown whether Bay oversees: “Sherlock” and “Doctor Who.” Moffat will return to directing duties for any new installments. He is said he’s more open to the idea of the merger currently in pre-production on his Benghazi thriller “13 than the rest of his colleagues. “If people want lifestyle SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015

Fashion

Kuwaiti fashion designer Fatma Ismail

Kuwaiti designer Fatma

uwaiti Fashion designer Fatma Ismail launched her latest collection of ladies fashion for 2015 summer titled ‘Charisma’. She chose the Italian capital to be a show ground for her unique collection as she knows aspires for world fame that Rome is also the European capital of beauty. Ismail KThe new collection is distinguished by its attractive and advanced designs and bright colors that suit spring breeze and summer levity. This collection is classical in nature and empha- sizes woman’s feminity without being showy, and denotes the designer’s captivating styles and high professionalism taking into consideration simple details and more attractive touches. These new designs reflect the latest tastes and more glorious appearances. They evoke more self-confidence and emphasize a woman’s attractiveness as if she’s a cinema star. Fatma’s collec- tion contains different styles for women’s clothes either on pri- vate occasions, at work, at home by day or at night. It empha- sizes simplicity and classicism that satisfies the tastes of different women. The collection attracted hundreds of visitors and news- papers and media reporters. Fatma got many invitations to show her new fashion designs in other European capitals and to par- ticipate in Kaftan Festival Show in London. Kuwaiti designer Fatma Ismail aspires for world fame

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 39

Kuwaiti singer Mutref Al-Mutref ‘Febrayer Al Kuwait’ comes to a rousing end

By Nawara Fattahova her bodyguards also hit a fan and the video spread on social media. Only a few in the audience clapped for her and nobody he last two musical concerts of ‘Febrayer Al Kuwait’ sang with her, and were busy chatting or using their phones. (February of Kuwait) by Rotana were held at the weekend To draw them in, Alisa sang popular songs of late singer Tat the Ice Skating Rink. Four singers performed at the Abdulhaleem and popular singer Fairouz, and some in audi- concert held on Thursday, which started at 9:30 pm with young ence started interacting with her. She concluded at 1:15 am. Saudi singer Ismael Mubarak, who performed for about an This concert concluded with Iraqi star Majid Al-Muhandis, hour. who holds Saudi nationality. He came onstage at 1:35 am. The This concert had a Saudi flavor, as three singers were from audience, the majority of whom were women, were calling him Saudi Arabia, and the majority of the audience were Saudi. At and singing his songs, and was the star of the concerts. He con- 10.45 pm, Saudi singer Ibrahim Al-Hakami came onstage and cluded at 3:15 am. performed for an hour and 10 minutes. He was the winner of the popular TV show Super Star in 2006. He has lost weight and looks great. Popular Lebanese singer Najwa Karam came onstage at 12:15 am. It seems that not many of her fans attended this con- cert. She released her first album in 1989, and is known for singing in Lebanese slang only. Karam concluded at 1:20 am. The last singer was veteran Saudi artiste Rabeh Saqer, who came onstage at 1:40 am and welcomed the audience, expressing his support for his country during the current politi- cal situation. He released his first album in 1983 and became popular in the 1980s. Saqer concluded at 4:00 am. The last musical concert was held on Friday night with four singers participating. It was one of the most well-attended concerts as all seats were sold out two weeks ago. Also, for the first time, more than 90 percent of the audience was already present from the beginning. The concert started at 9:35 pm with young Kuwaiti singer Mutref Al-Mutref, who has gained great publicity in his short career. He is the son of the late singer Yousef Al-Mutref, and has inherited some of his style. Mutref presented one song playing on lute (oud) and conclud- ed at 10:45 pm. His fans were screaming, not wanting him to leave. At 11:00 am, young Libyan singer Ayman Al-Atar came onstage. He was a participant in the popular show Super Star Iraqi star Majid Al-Muhandis in 2004, but he is not very popular in Kuwait. He concluded at 11:50 pm. At midnight, popular Lebanese singer Alisa came onstage. She has lost much of her fame after her rude behavior with fans, especially the latest incident two days ago after she arrived at the airport and pushed approaching fans away and Lebanese singer Alisa threw the flowers they brought for her on the ground. One of Saudi singer Ismael Mubarak

Lebanese singer Najwa Karam Saudi veteran Rabeh Saqer Saudi singer Ibrahim Al-Hakami Libyan singer Ayman Al-Atar