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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 JAMADA ALTHANI 17, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Govt refutes Afghan woman CERN restarts Ronaldo premier’s killed by mob Large Hadron hits five as resignation becomes icon for Collider, seeks Real crush rumors3 justice,14 rights dark28 universe Granada20 9-1 Opposition activist’s jail Min 21º Max 28º upheld, tweeters bailed High Tide 01:05 & 13:05 Low Tide Barrak trial on Apr 13 • Nod to scrap jail for press crimes 07:10 & 17:40 40 PAGES NO: 16482 150 FILS

By B Izzak

Kuwait plane in KUWAIT: The court of cassation, whose rulings are final, yesterday upheld a two-year jail term against opposi- near collision tion activist Ayyad Al-Harbi for tweets deemed offen- sive to HH the Amir. Harbi has been in jail serving the over Pakistan sentence since May, when the court of appeals handed him the prison term for re-tweeting poems by well- ISLAMABAD: A Kuwait Airways plane head- known Iraqi poet Ahmad Matar highly critical of Arab ing to Islamabad nearly collided with a rulers. The same court also rejected a request to release Malaysian Airlines plane heading to London opposition leader and former MP Musallam Al-Barrak, in Pakistani airspace yesterday, the Saudi who is serving a two-year jail term handed to him about Press Agency reported. Officials at the Civil two months ago for insulting HH the Amir at a public Aviation Authority of Pakistan said the inci- rally in Oct 2012. The court however decided to start dent happened over the Zhob district of hearing the case on April 13. Baluchistan in southwestern Pakistan due to In a related development, the public prosecutor yes- weak air traffic control radar signals. There terday freed two Shiite activists after five days in deten- were no comments from Kuwait Airways or tion for questioning over tweets objecting to the war in KUNA on the incident. Yemen and deemed offensive to the Amir and critical of The near-miss comes on the heels of a sim- Saudi Arabia. The prosecutor released lawyer and for- ilar incident last week involving jetliners from mer MP Khaled Al-Shatti and writer and academic Salah the United Arab Emirates’ two main airlines, Al-Fadhli on KD 3,000 bail each pending further investi- that avoided a midair collision after they gation. The two men were also accused of attempting apparently got too close to each other over to lower the morale of the Kuwaiti army. It was not the Indian Ocean in airspace monitored by air immediately known whether the prosecutor will press traffic controllers in Mumbai. The passenger charges against them or not. planes from Dubai-based Emirates and Abu The National Assembly’s legal and legislative com- Dhabi-based Etihad Airways were traveling in mittee yesterday approved an amendment to the so- opposite directions between the UAE and the called audiovisual law which calls to scrap jail term for island of Seychelles. most offenses and limit the penalty to director of the The carriers recently rerouted flights to the television station and the guest. The committee also archipelago nation to avoid Yemeni airspace approved a proposal calling to grant Kuwaiti couples due to fighting there. Both Emirates and who are awaiting their turn for government houses with Etihad denied that passenger safety was apartments until the houses are ready. The proposal compromised. Neither carrier would say how aims to reduce the economic burden on Kuwaiti fami- close the two planes came to each other. lies in light of the sharp increase in rents. Over 110,000 Indian media later reported that air traffic Kuwaiti families are on a waiting list for their turn to controllers in Mumbai had left their seats for receive government houses. The committee also breakfast, setting the planes on a collision approved a draft law that bans buying, selling and course. — Agencies breeding harmful animals. KUWAIT: An aerial view of Kuwait’s skyline is seen, with the Al-Tijaria tower at right. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Continued on Page 13 Saudi firms tighten controls Regulators taking harder line before bourse opening RIYADH/DUBAI: When Saudi Cable Co said last shareholders to become more conscious of on condition of anonymity because of com- month it was delaying the release of its 2014 risk, executives and analysts say. mercial sensitivities. He added that his own earnings statement, because it was still compil- “What happened has set the alarm bills ring- firm’s business had grown substantially in the ing information required by an external audi- ing and pushed board members to revise their last few months as some customers began to tor, it was a sign of growing regulatory pressure roles, made investors carefully check financial find fees charged by the big international audi- on companies in the kingdom. Regulators are statements, and caused company manage- tors too steep. signalling they want corporate managements ments to review their accounts carefully,” said Another sign of the regulatory pressure is a to tighten governance and strengthen internal Turki Fadaak, head of research and advisory rise in fines levied by the CMA on listed compa- controls as the $500 billion Saudi stock market services at AlBilad Capital in Riyadh. “It has nies for violations such as inadequate disclo- prepares to open up to direct foreign invest- made us, the analysts, keen on meeting with sure of information. They rose 46 percent from ment in the next few months. company managements more often, and a year earlier to 1.83 million riyals ($488,000) in The process has become more urgent since caused us to look more carefully at everything the first quarter of this year - not a huge bur- an accounting scandal erupted at telecommu- being said and everything that managements den for the companies involved, but a signal of nications firm Mobily, which in February announce.” the regulator’s intentions. The CMA is acting to revised its 2014 earnings to a loss of $243 mil- One sign of the new mood is that the fees ensure a successful stock market opening, lion from the $58.6 million profit previously charged by some auditors are rising as demand which is an important part of the government’s claimed. The Mobily affair, and the probe into it for their services grows. “The risks associated strategy to create jobs and diversify the econo- RIYADH: A member of Saudi security forces stands next to a replica of a fighter launched by the Capital Market Authority with what happened to the listed companies my beyond oil, said a Gulf executive who does jet of the Saudi armed forces during the daily media briefing on Operation (CMA), have prompted many company man- have caused companies to raise their fees,” said business in Saudi Arabia. Decisive Storm on April 2, 2015 at an airbase in the Saudi capital. — AFP agements, board members and even major a partner at a regional auditing firm, speaking Continued on Page 13 Saudi PR offensive Secret weapon backs Yemen ops at Iran talks: A whiteboard RIYADH: The lights fade and rapid-fire The modern version with video and a images flash across a large screen to the charismatic presenter was pioneered - in WASHINGTON: In this hi-tech age of gadgets and sounds of war: marching men, the flaming Riyadh - by US General Norman gizmos, a simple whiteboard found in classrooms afterburner of a fighter jet, radio traffic and Schwarzkopf during the 1990-91 Gulf War, around the globe was the tool that helped negotia- adrenaline-pumping music. Cue multilin- otherwise known as Operation Desert tors seal the complex parameters of a Iran nuclear gual Brigadier General Ahmed Assiri and Storm, when American troops were based deal. Until the final hours, US diplomats who had his nightly media briefing on Operation in the kingdom. Assiri and the coalition are spent eight days locked in a Lausanne hotel ham- Decisive Storm, the Saudi-led coalition following in that tradition, and have the mering out the outlines of what could be one of the which began air strikes against Shiite mili- help of a Dubai-based public relations most complex arms-control treaties ever feared their tia in neighboring Yemen on March 26. In firm. The daily briefings are delivered just efforts would be in vain. a highly conservative Islamic kingdom, after 7:00 pm at the Riyadh Air Base in a Three times US Secretary of State John Kerry’s where cinemas and alcohol are banned, red-seated theatre chilled by air condition- BENGHAZI: An image taken on April 1, 2015 shows a Libyan boy sitting behind plane was put on stand-by to leave. Luggage was women are not allowed to drive and they ing, far from the stench of death and terror birdcages at a market on the grounds of slain Libyan dictator Muammar collected from his team of negotiators and staff as must dress from head to toe in black, this of gunfire on Yemen’s streets. Gaddafi’s former palace in this eastern city. — AFP well as from the travelling press. Three times the is an unusual display of public relations. After the short video clip to set the flight was pushed back. “It was quite a rollercoaster. It coincides with a more forceful Saudi mood, Assiri speaks from a lectern, stand- We’d get close, we kept on changing the plane foreign policy under King Salman, who ing in front of 11 flags representing the Gaddafi palaces now schedule. It would go, it wouldn’t go. We had to reset ascended the throne in January. “They members of the coalition. Western diplo- the clock,” said a senior State Department official. In clearly have learned their lessons from the mats say Saudi Arabia has carried out the dumps, pet markets the last two days, they sensed the deal was close. Americans, there can be no doubt,” one majority of air strikes against the Houthis “You know what the elements are, but knocking it out is another story altogether,” the official said. Western diplomatic source said of Riyadh’s itself, however. Dressed in desert fatigues TRIPOLI: The sprawling palace compounds pound resembles a wasteland. During his For the Americans, they had to reach a complicat- media strategy and operations in the field. and with his closely shaven head uncov- from which Libyan leader Muammar rule, Libyans would be nervous just walking ed formula of interlocking parts to ensure that it In the Vietnam War, sceptical journalists ered, Assiri gives a general outline of the Gaddafi ruled for four decades have been anywhere near the fortress-like seat of the dubbed daily press conferences in Saigon latest situation on the ground before would take Iran a year to gather enough fissile mate- reduced to garbage dumps and pet mar- Gaddafi regime. “People were afraid even to rial to build a bomb by reducing stocks and cutting the “Five O’Clock Follies”. Such briefings showing black-and-white video images of kets by the 2011 revolution which toppled look at the walls, for fear of being arrested,” have always been as much about present- air strikes. back its facilities. him. In the heart of Tripoli, the once feared said Hassan, a Tripoli taxi driver. Continued on Page 13 ing an image as the facts themselves. Continued on Page 13 but now humbled Bab al-Aziziya com- Continued on Page 13 LOCAL MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Amir offers condolence over Kenya attack victims

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolence yesterday to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta over the victims of the recent attack that targeted a univer- sity and left scores of people dead or injured. In his cable, HH the Amir wished those injured swift recovery and con- demned such ‘terrorist attacks’ that target innocent people. HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sabah sent similar cables to the Kenyan president. Meanwhile, HH the Amir received a phone call from Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa. The phone conversation focused on bilateral ties and the current regional and interna- tional issues. HH the Amir thanked the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Bahraini Premier for the phone call that Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah reflected historical and distinguished rela- President Jean-Claude Juncker, express- tions between the two countries and peo- ing admiration for his continuing support ples. He wished the Bahraini Premier good for the Syrian people. Juncker praised HH health and everlasting wellbeing and the Amir’s leading role at this level, name- Bahrain more progress and prosperity ly the holding of international donors’ KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets members of the National Assembly under the wise leadership of King Hamad conferences to secure humanitarian aid delegation. — KUNA photos bin Isa Al Khalifa. for the Syrian people, namely the gener- In other news, HH the Amir received a ous allocations declared by Kuwait for message from European Commission that purpose. — KUNA Crown Prince receives parliamentary delegation

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace yester- day Parliament Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- Ghanim, who presented to His Highness members of the National Assembly delega- tion to the 132nd Assembly of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 28 March - 1 April. The parliament delegation included MP Faisal Al-Shaya, MP Dr Awda Al-Rowaey, MP Saleh Ashour, MP Dr Khalil Abdullah Ali, MP Saif Mutlaq Al-Azmi and Secretary of Kuwait National Assembly Allam Al-Kandari. HH the Deputy Amir also received First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah. His Highness also received Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. He also received Information Minister and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah LAUSANNE: US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Iranian Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak meets First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Javad Zarif arrive to deliver a statement at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Al-Sabah. — KUNA Sabah. in Lausanne (Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne) on April 2, 2015, after Iran nuclear program talks finished with extended sessions. — AFP Iran says not seeking ‘hegemony’ over Gulf

TEHRAN/RIYADH: Iran is neither seeking Kerry had reaffirmed US commitment to to acquire a nuclear bomb, nor impose Gulf and regional security during a ‘hegemony’ on the Gulf region, Iranian phone call with GCC foreign ministers on Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Friday in light of a recent P5Iran nuclear said. “Iran is seeking to attain its nuclear deal, the GCC said. rights,” Zarif said as quoted by Iran’s offi- During the phone conversation, Kerry cial news agency ‘IRNA’ yesterday. “But had stressed US interest in the promo- we will never seek to make a nuclear tion and intensification of consultation bomb ... and we will never try to impose and coordination with the GCC member hegemony over the region; instead we states on the latest developments of P5- are trying to establish good ties with Iran nuclear talks, the GCC Secretariat- states of the region.” General said in a new statement yester- “We have joint interests with neigh- day. boring states and we consider security Kerry had emphasized that any agree- and prosperity of the neighboring coun- ment with Iran would prevent it from tries as ours and we suffer from terrorism getting nuclear weapons, cut its research and extremism in the region,” he added. activities in this regard, and put it under Zarif said the “fabricated nuclear crisis a mechanism of strict and unprecedent- has triggered concerns in the region. We ed inspection, the GCC added. have not resolved our problems at The GCC foreign ministers had appre- expense of interests of the neighboring ciated such US reassurances and wel- states we will not bargain with any one comed a recent invitation by US at expense of security of the neighboring President Barack Obama for a summit states.” meeting in Camp David with a view to With respect of the recently-crafted framework work deal with the West over promoting consultation and coordina- Tehran’s nuclear file, Zarif said all United tion between Washington and the GCC Nations Security Council resolutions member states in face of regional chal- related to this issue “would be immedi- lenges, according to the statement. Iran ately repealed, once a final deal has been and the six world powers agreed on a reached,” ahead of end of June. framework deal aimed at curbing Tehran’s controversial nuclear program, Kerry reassures GCC ending up marathon talks in the Swiss KUWAIT: Palestinian Children’s Day, commemorated on the 5th of April each year, constitutes an opportunity to call for reclaiming their usurped rights, Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John city of Lausanne.— KUNA due to the Israeli occupation. Children of Palestine re-affirm on this occasion their right to freedom, dignified life, like other children of the world. — KUNA ‘Humanitarian Media’ plan announced

KUWAIT: A new media plan was success of Kuwait’s humanitarian ini- launched to foreground Kuwait’s tiatives, including the three donors’ humanitarian role globally under His conferences for Syria over three suc- Kuwait commended for Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- cessive years, has prompted the Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of adoption of the campaign, the alleviating Palestinian Information and Minister of State for Minister said. people’s suffering Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Under the wise leadership of HH Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah the Amir, Kuwait has been support- GAZA: Palestinian Minister of Public Works and Housing announced yesterday. ing afflicted people, victims of catas- Mufid Al-Hasaina commended the Kuwaiti role, under the ‘Humanitarian Media’ will offer trophes and crises around the globe, directions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- programs to be produced by the he stressed. This has been crowned Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in alleviating the suffering of Kuwaiti Radio and TV, and then pro- by the UN honoring of His Highness Palestinians harmed by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza moted through other mass media to the Amir as a Humanitarian Leader Strip last year. highlight the country’s humanitarian and Kuwait a Humanitarian Center. The $200 million donation agreement offered by policy extending worldwide, the min- Such achievements have Kuwait for reconstruction in southern governorates in the ister said. undoubtedly secured success for the Information Minister Sheikh Strip will contribute to building about 1,500 housing Sheikh Salman made the three Syrian conferences, which Salman Al-Sabah units and executing several vital projects, Hasaina said at announcement after receiving a prompted outpouring of Arab and tion of the Syria conference. He also a press conference yesterday. cable from HH the Amir, who appre- international commendation of HH thanked the Higher Coordination He added that his ministry will coordinate with the ciated the persistent efforts by the the Amir, he said. Meanwhile, Committee of Conferences, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Information Ministry staff in the cov- Sheikh Salman expressed apprecia- Interior Ministry and the Foreign Refugees (UNRWA) to assess homes affected by the erage of the Third International tion to all the ministry’s officials Ministry as well as other state bod- Humanitarian Pledging Conference and staff for their hard efforts to aggression for the reconstruction process, adding the ies whose efforts granted the event units will be built through several stages.—- KUNA for Syria recently held in Kuwait. The guarantee success of the third edi- honorable image. —KUNA MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 LOCAL

In Brief Kuwait, Romania GCC discuss Committee approves discuss ties human rights clubs law amendment KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) human rights KUWAIT: The National Assembly’s legislative and legal Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah held talks yesterday officials met in Riyadh yesterday to discuss a number of committee yesterday approved amendments to the with visiting Romanian State Minister Teodor Melescanu topics bearing on human rights regulations and laws. sporting clubs law. The panel discussed and approved on issues of common interest, mainly military-related During their ninth meeting, the officials focused on a amendments introduced to Law 7/2007 regarding topics. The Minister praised the deep-rooted relations unified bill to fight domestic abuses in the GCC member supporting proclaimed sporting cubs. The amend- shared between the two countries and stressed the keen- states as a prelude to submitting it to the GCC ment calls for increasing the state’s annual financial ness of both countries to boost bilateral relations, Ministerial Council for final approval, the GCC’s General support to sports clubs to KD 1 million, in line with Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Moral Secretariat said in a statement. They also discussed a Law Number 42/1978 of the sports authority, rappor- Guidance and Public Relations said in a press statement. law on people with special needs and another unified teur Abdulhamid Dashti said. —KUNA Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mohammad law to protect the rights of crime victims. — KUNA Khaled Al-Khedr and other officials attended the meet- ing. — KUNA Photo of the day

KUWAIT: The sunset pictured from Bnaider, approximately 77 kilometers south of Kuwait City in this file photo. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Govt denies PM’s resignation rumors

KUWAIT: The government strongly denied Iraqi compensations social media rumors alleging that His Highness Iraq still owes Kuwait a total of the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- $4,629,324,000 in category E1 claims related Sabah had submitted his resignation. The gov- to the oil sector, according to figures released ernment stressed that the Prime Minister was by the public authority for assessing the com- currently in Germany on a private visit, during pensations for the losses caused by the Iraqi which he is scheduled to undergo routine med- invasion to Kuwait. The statistics show that the remaining compensations were divided ical checkups and would soon be back to into three sections - $2,967,000,000 in inter- resume his duties. mittent claims, $1,802,000,000 in defined claims and $432,000,000 in legal claims. Inter-project transfers Notably, the total compensations Kuwait has The Manpower Public Authority Director so far received total $36,460,765,000 in all cat- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Jamal Al-Dousary announced the authority’s egories. intention to allow expatriates working on gov- Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah ernment projects to transfer from one govern- Aid to Yemen immediate relief aid to Yemen, which is facing ment project to another executed by different MP Saleh Ashour yesterday urged the a severe lack of food, medicine and other aid sponsors. Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) to send in view of the tragic situation there. KUWAIT: Minister of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sane and Algerian Minister of Justice Al-Tayeb Louh shake hands after signing the MoU yesterday. —KUNA ‘Ambitious plan’ to boost renewable energy output Kuwait, Algeria sign KUWAIT: The Kuwait Institute for argued that the plan will help the thermal plant are in their first Scientific Research (KISR) is intensi- reduce pollution and consumption stages. KISR is expected to sign KD legal, judicial MoU fying efforts to materialize an ambi- of Kuwaiti crude oil on the local 116.5 million ($388 million) the tious 20-year plan to remarkably market. contract of the thermal plant next KUWAIT: Kuwait and Algeria signed a and cross-border organized crime, as well raise Kuwait’s production of the KISR has launched various month, he said, referring to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) as in terms of international pacts for com- eco-friendly renewable energy. renewable energy projects such as lowest bid. He unveiled that the yesterday to enhance legal and judicial bating corruption. This plan, which was launched in the 70 MW Shaqaya complex which thermal plant would be equipped cooperation between both Arab countries. Meanwhile, the Algerian Minister point- 2010, is in line with His Highness is divided into three parts: one for with energy storage facility that will “We aspire to activate agreements ed to the strong bilateral relations which the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad 10-MW Photovoltaic power (PV) let the plant work after sunset. The KISR Director General signed with Algeria in all fields, especially led to these various agreements. He Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s vision to plant, 10 MW-wind farm, and 50- project which makes up the first Naji Al-Mutairi legal and judicial,” Minister of Justice, referred to a host of issues affecting the increase reliance on alternative MW thermal power plant, Mutairi phase of the KISR plan would be Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sane security and stability of the Arab countries, energy to achieve sustainable said. He noted that the first two complete by 2017. Then, KISR will duction to 1,000 MW, and third told reporters after signing the MoU with Algeria and Kuwait in particular, which development, KISR Director parts of the PV plant have been start the second phase which aims phase to take it up to 2,000 MW, visiting Algerian Minister of Justice Al- prompts unifying stances before the forth- General Naji Al-Mutairi said. He completed and the wind farm and to expand renewable energy pro- Mutairi said. —KUNA Tayeb Louh. coming UN Congress on Crime Prevention Sane stressed keenness by the leaders in and Criminal Justice, Qatar 12-19 April. the two countries on consolidating bilater- Louh added that fighting terrorism fea- al ties in all fields. He referred to His tured high on the agenda of his talks with Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Minister Sane. Terrorism is impeding devel- Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s last visit to Algeria, fol- opment in many Arab states, he said. lowed by the signing of a host of projects Legislation only is not enough to resolve and agreements, among them one for the problem of terrorism, he said, calling boosting legal and judicial cooperation, for a mechanism for drying up financing and criminals extradition. Sane underlined sources and investigating causes that the importance of implementing bilateral encourage young people to join terrorist accords especially for countering terrorism groups. — KUNA Kuwait, North Korea mull agricultural cooperation

KUWAIT: Director-General of Kuwait’s two countries in this respect through Public Authority for Agriculture and sharing experience and information, Fish Resources (PAAFR) Nabila Al-Khalil and the possibility of increasing the and Ambassador So Chang Sik of the trade exchange of food and agriculture, KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) sponsored the ‘Al-Nuwair Carnival’ Democratic People’s Republic of Korea the PAAFR said in a press statement which was organized recently by Al-Nuwair Initiative; a nongovernmental organiza- (DPRK) to Kuwait discussed means of yesterday. The two sides also affirmed tion that seeks to boost positivity and productivity among young people. The event promoting cooperation between the their eagerness to develop constantly took place at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) under two countries in the agricultural bilateral relations in the agricultural the patronage of Sheikha Entisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Al- domain. The two sides reviewed the field to serve interests of the two peo- Nuwair Initiative. Dr Mohammad Ameen, General Director - Human Resources best ways of boosting ties between the ples, the statement added.— KUNA Department at CBK, attended the event. MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 LOCAL Saudi offender’s hearing adjourned

By Meshaal Al-Enezi ICU with serious injuries he sustained when he lost control over his vehicle and it collided into the walls of Bayan KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday postponed hearing Palace, said security sources, noting that on searching the a state security case filed against citizen Abdul Aziz Al- vehicle, policemen found some drugs in it. Musaileem for slandering Saudi Arabia till April 19 because the defendant was not brought from prison to Embezzlement charges attend the hearing. Informed sources also stressed that A local electronics company’s lawyer filed a case accus- those responsible for not bringing him to court would be ing an Arab accountant who worked for the company of KUWAIT: Senior ministry officials are seen during the meeting. —Interior Ministry photos held accountable by the correctional facilities depart- embezzling KD 350,000 and escaping to his home country. ment. Security situation discussed in high-level meeting Interior’s appointments Traffic policeman questioned Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh KUWAIT: Protecting Kuwait’s domestic coordination and integrated plans A traffic policeman working in Mubarak Al-Kabeer is Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday issued a minis- front is a main priority for security have the attention of Deputy Prime being prosecuted for firing at his colleague’s patrol while terial decision appointing Maj Gen Faisal Al-Senain as the departments in light of the current Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh joking with him. The policeman is facing attempted mur- airport security director, Maj Gen Khalid Al-Saqobi as developments in the region, a senior Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, the der charges. ports security director and Brig Adel Al-Hashash as public Interior Ministry official said yesterday. ministry said in a press statement yes- relations and security media director. The ministry’s Undersecretary terday. KD 2 debt Lieutenant General Suleiman Al- Lt Gen Al-Fahad ordered the senior A citizen was arrested for an unpaid telecom bill, said Stray animals Fahad made those statements while officials to conduct daily follow up security sources, noting that the man’s debt was KD 2.240 In view of repeated complaints filed by citizens and addressing senior officials from the missions at their respective depart- (two dinars and two hundred forty fils). expats over the menace of stray dogs and cats in residen- general security, operations and traf- ments, in order to avoid drawbacks tial areas, the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish fic departments during a meeting and improve productivity. He also Motorist hurt Resources (PAAFR) will launch a one-year campaign to get held yesterday to discuss the state’s stressed the importance of team work, Lieutenant General A citizen was rushed to hospital and admitted to the rid of stray animals within a few months. security situation. He added that as well as swift and precise action. Suleiman Al-Fahad Gulf Bank celebrates World Health Day KUWAIT: In celebration of World Health Day which is offi- cially marked on 7 April, Gulf Bank will be holding a num- ber of internal activities for the second consecutive year. This year the Bank is partnering with Royal Hayat Hospital and the Diet Center to offer its customers and employees free checkups and health consultations. The Diet Center will continue its ‘#Ekelny Campaign’ within Gulf Bank by distributing apples to employees and customers as part of its strategy to encourage a healthy lifestyle and to support Gulf Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. In addition, the Bank will offer various discount packages to its customers and employees including diet plans, fami- ly clinic visits, specialized packages for women’s health, general health care programs and dentistry promotions. Gulf Bank’s ‘Health Awareness’ campaign is an initiative designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and general well- being. Gulf Bank aims to deliver this message to its employees and help them understand the potential long- term benefits of having medical check-ups on a regular basis. Gulf Bank is an enthusiastic supporter of health focused initiatives that benefit the Kuwaiti society. As a socially responsible leading financial institution, Gulf Bank will continue to endorse and actively support activities that promote a healthy lifestyle.

KUWAIT: A handout picture from the Interior Ministry showing the suspect with some of the stolen items and cash found inside his house.

The suspect is shown purchasing items in this Interior Ministry handout picture.

The suspect is seen selling some of the stolen items at a Hawally store. Electronics thief arrested in Salmiya

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: A bedoon man was arrested in Salmiya on multi- ple charges of break in, robbery and forgery, the Interior Ministry announced yesterday. The suspect admitted responsibility for 30 reported thefts as well as forgery of bank documents, the ministry said in a statement. The sus- pect reportedly used the forged bank documents to get cash and buy items from electronics’ shops, then sell them in other places. Police found nine smartphones, eight cam- eras, as well as an identified number of laptops, TV sets and banknotes in different currencies worth KD1,500 inside the man’s house during search. They also found the clothes that the suspect was seen wearing in surveillance tapes when he committed the thefts. The man was taken to the proper authorities for further action. LOCAL MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Expat singles evacuation law violators ‘to be prosecuted’ KUWAIT: Breaching a law that forces expat of constructing apartment buildings is singles out of ‘private accommodations’ not allowed. will not be tolerated and violators will be The government had recently formed a prosecuted, Minister of State for Municipal committee consisting of members repre- Affairs and Minister of Communications senting the concerned state bodies to Essa Al-Kandari said yesterday. undertake the inspection and evacuation The cabinet has entrusted Kuwait task, Kandari indicated. Evacuation will Municipality with combating the phe- start with the areas of low density of nomenon of expat singles residing in pri- expat singles, he said, while alternatives vate accommodation districts, the will be sought for other high density ones, Minister said in a press statement follow- such as building labor or company towns, ing a wide-scale meeting for the authori- Kandari said. Meanwhile, the Minister ty’s senior officials and heads of sectors. called for a field plan to counter the ‘fla- He referred to areas allocated for building grant’ building irregularities in private government houses, and where licensing accommodations. —KUNA KUWAIT: Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of Communications Essa Al-Kandari meets Kuwait Municipality officials yesterday.

KUWAIT: A picture showing the barrel that was caught at Doha Port, as published by Al-Rai daily yesterday. Bahrain denies explosives smuggling reports MANAMA: Bahrain denied news indicating that customs officials in Kuwait had confiscated explosives on an Iranian ship heading to the island-kingdom. Recent media reports on the alleged confiscation of explosives from an Iranian ship in Kuwait that was heading to Bahrain are false, Bahrain’s Director-General of Port Security announced. He added that he had been in contact with the concerned authorities in Kuwait, and was informed that the ship was carrying chemical products for use in cleaning, and not dangerous explosives. He said the Kuwaiti authorities had told him that Bahrain was not the destination of the ship, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported yesterday. A Kuwaiti newspaper had reported that seven Iranian sailors were arrested and sent for questioning after a barrel weighing 50 kilograms was found inside their wooden dhow. The barrel contained a powdered substance used in the manufacturing of explosives, Al-Rai daily reported yes- terday quoting a source in the Customs General Department. The dhow had made a stop at the Doha Port en route to Bahrain, the unnamed source claimed. MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 From the Arabic press Crime Al-Qabas Report

Officer penalized for Be open-minded transporting oppositionist KUWAIT: A police officer was referred to a disciplinary council because he ferried former MP Musallam Al-Barrak By Abdellatif Al-Duaij from one place to another in the central prison. A security source said Barrak’s lawyer visited him in prison, and the ectarian people from all groups should be officer on duty gave Barrak special treatment by taking him Al-Jarida silent, and respect us with their silence. The in his car to where the lawyer was waiting for him. This state security, or rather the government, prompted the interior minister to question the officer, and S should be more rational and patient towards then refer him to a disciplinary council. Kuwaiti citizens who think that they are targeted, or Iran their turn will come next. This is a critical period and Cabdriver steals pictures concerned people must be up to the challenges and absorb the worries of those who have apprehen- A bedoon girl accused a taxi driver of ‘stealing’ her pic- sions, just like they control enthusiastic people. tures from her phone and publishing them on social What is going on now are attempts to secure the media. The girl told Salmiya police station in a hysteri- safety, security and stability of the region, or this is cal condition that she used to travel around with an what is being said at least. Egyptian taxi driver. Once she asked him to wait while The official point of view is totally different from she went to a co-op and forgot her phone in the car. A the sectarian and racist views that some adopted day later, her friends told her that her pictures were on and instigated. We must look carefully into the social media. Detectives questioned the driver, who Iranian reactions and statements related to the denied any knowledge of the pictures. The case was Yemen events. Statements of Iranian politicians and referred to concerned authorities. their announcements that they are ready to negoti- ate means that they have a hand in what is going on Yemeni man arrested in Yemen, and their offer to conduct peaceful nego- tiations prove that they have influence on those Facilities security officers arrested a Yemeni man near who toppled the legitimacy. This means that the Ahmadi refinery. He was taken to state security for ques- worry expressed by Gulf countries is justified, be it tioning about the reasons of his presence there. Al-Anbaa the cooperation of the Houthis with the Iranians, or by Iran’s use of the events in Yemen. Moreover, let us remember that in the 1960s, Bad blood Saudi Arabia sided with the Zaidi imam against the Two brothers ganged up against a citizen in Jahra, Funnels Nasiri civil rule of President Al-Sallal, and today the then beat and stabbed him in the back due to earlier opposite is taking place, as it is siding with the civil disputes. The victim was taken to hospital in critical rule against the Houthis, who are trying to restore condition. Detectives are looking for the suspects for the rule of imams. attempted homicide. The victim is a 22-year-old, while By Saad Al-Mo’tesh There is no doubt that there are many groups the suspects were identified as his neighbor’s sons. that are trying to use the situation and create sec- tarian tension to gain from it. We must realize that funnel is cone-shaped tool, tube or pipe that is beauty and wisdom and need to be sweetened or House break-in the land is fertile and ready to receive any sectarian wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, beautified with a candy. seeds and care for them. So, it will be difficult to A citizen asked for police’s help when armed men Aused for guiding liquid or powder into a small Only wise and respectful people make such mes- control the sectarian element, especially that it is stormed his house and fired their weapons amidst opening leading to something that might be com- sages to avoid embarrassing their interlocutors and now mixed with political affairs. If you sympathize women’s screams. A security source said a citizen pletely empty or partially full. Its wide opening and this is solid proof of how elevated and profound their with the Houthis for example, you will be consid- received a call from his younger brother screaming that narrow end prevent the substance injected from manners are. However, when they find that all their ered Shiite, and if you support the bombing, then some men stormed the house, so he rushed home and spilling out. Some people mistakenly believe that it efforts are in vain as if they were calling for prayers in you are on the other side and an extremist Sunni called police. He told that while the women were in the is only used to infuse liq- a non-Muslim area, a funnel zealot, and there are those on both sides who are living room, there were knocks at the door, and when it uids, but time and real life might have to be used to ready to consider you a traitor or shun you. was opened, armed men stormed the house and fired experiences have proved Many of the things we read infuse bits of information We hope that the government be patient and their weapons, scaring the women, before leaving. Police that they can also be used that might most probably understand the circumstances some citizens are are investigating. to infuse ideas into hollow might have or include some be painful to the recipient, going through, and finds in our democratic system minds. but no one can ever blame and constitution a space through which people can the message conveyor. Many of the things we hidden messages targeting express their opinions freely, whether it agrees with Death report read might have or include This article might ring a the government’s policy or not, because they some hidden messages tar- bell with you, dear readers, The body of a Kuwaiti woman in her fifties was sent to some third parties remain free patriotic opinions whether the ones geting some third parties, or with some of your the coroner after she died in a hotel in Farwaniya gov- who oppose them like it or not. ernorate. Security men found heavy objects next to as if saying ‘a word is acquaintances, and I do the body, thought to have fallen on her and causing enough for a wise man’. For instance, when someone hope that you consider it as reminder or a warning to her death. Police received a call about an unresponsive is very talkative and keeps mumbling words nobody remind you to keep what you have. Long live those woman, but found that she was dead after they understands and someone offers him a sweet or can- who can easily perceive the message and down with arrived. They are waiting for the coroner’s report for dy saying “Here, have a candy”, this is exactly as if he those who cannot be cured or put on the right path Al-Anbaa the exact cause of death. is telling the speaker to shut up or that his words lack even by cauterization. A victory worse Food security than defeat strategy prepared By Sami Al-Nisf KUWAIT: Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) began the necessary procedures to implement the strategy of he Vietnam War was like a swamp in which the investing in food security in order to ensure the supply US sunk up to its ears, just the way Afghanistan of food and strategic commodities Kuwait needs Tmountains were a trap for the Soviet Union and regardless of the political and economic circumstances, the French army was defeated by the Algerian sources said. Sources of the strategic plan prepared by Liberation Front resistance in Qasabah and on the an international consultation office include: Aures Mountains. In all cases, regular armies had very l Determining the items that fulfill food security needs bad experiences fighting public militias embraced by - which include 17 basic staples - while allowing the majority of the people who adopt the hit and run entry of new items if there is a need for them in the and resistance principles. future. In Aug 2009, the Houthis tried launching guerilla l Ignoring direct investment in farmlands or owning wars against Saudi Arabia to drag it into a long war of and tilling them due to risks and obstacles that may attrition or exhaustion just like previous ones that hinder implementation of the strategy, including lasted for long years. Well, unlike others, Saudi Arabia decisions by the governments where lands are locat- ended that war quickly and within a few months, ed to ban export of products during crises. forcing the Houthis to withdraw from Al-Dukhan l Have various investments in food companies, trans- Mountain, Al-Khoubah village and from their histori- port and warehousing by owning influential shares cal base in Saadah governorate, putting their tails in them. between their legs. Due to the difference in prepara- l Concentrate on countries that have surplus in the tion, training and armaments between both sides, main food items and avoid investment in countries this war cost them over 1,500 lives compared to only that are facing political and security problems that 13 on the Saudi side. may threaten the investments. Once more, and after the successive defeats they KIA will work on determining the amount of money received in the Decisive Storm strikes, they are trying needed for the strategy’s implementation, expecting it to to pull Saudi Arabia into a land war, a trick the Saudi reach around KD 2.5 billion, the sources said. —Al-Qabas army will never fall for out of its belief that such a role must be played by the country’s legitimate army, trib- al troops and the public committee warriors under a legitimate Yemeni leadership on the ground that News coordinates with allied forces over air strikes, military in brief movement and unifying powers. The sad thing is that the kind of victory the Advanced cameras Houthis are after is one thousand times worse than to secure borders defeat because it is based on the fact that they do not mind ending the lives of tens of thousands of KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry will import highly their followers in exchange to killing just a few advanced cameras to use on land borders, amid high Saudis, because they know how keen Saudis are on tensions in the region. The ministry will ask for certain protecting their troops’ lives and thus it is enough to specifications of the cameras and the supplier must be kill one Saudi in return for thousands of them. This committed to maintenance to ensure the cameras how they think and it is surely a losing equation and continue functioning. —Al-Anbaa view of ‘victory’ that has repeatedly failed because whoever uses it ends up with a double failure - defeat Money guarantee and losing thousands of lives at the same time. The aim of the war in Yemen is to force Houthis KUWAIT: A source at the Manpower Public back to negotiations according to their real true Authority (MPA) said the financial guarantee for essence that has been much exaggerated by the unli- work permits, which is KD 250 for each worker, will censed illegal weapons Decisive Storm is currently be held in the accounts of employers and denied destroying with the aim of turning the currently mis- that the money is in one unified account of the erable Yemen, thanks to a minority of its subjects, MPA. He said the amount will be in the employers’ into a happy one, thanks to the majority of them. accounts, but they cannot use it without approval Do Yemenis remember that Saudi Arabia and oth- from the MPA. —Al-Qabas er GCC states taking part in Decisive Storm are the ones who provide them and their children with Non-associated gas project decent life opportunities? So, what have the others criticizing Decisive Storm given them? Finally, it is KUWAIT: Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) will offer the sec- said that GCC states and wise parties provide Arab ond phase of a project for developing non-associated citizens with funds enough to build four houses for gas production at the northern fields for bidding by them and for their children while they are still alive, April 2016, KPC sources said. The project will be offered while armed opposition and militia-dominated Arab for bidding once Fluor completes the technical designs countries force Arab citizens to build the very same of the project that aims to produce one billion cubic house four times by destroying them in repeated feet of free gas daily and 350,000 barrels of light oil by useless wars. 2022, the sources explained. —Al-Anbaa MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Kenya’s religions unite Yemen rebels advance in battleground Aden in national mourning

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VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) blessing at the end of the Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter’s Square. — AP Thousands brave rain for Easter in St Peter’s Square Pope urges the world to end ‘absurd violence’

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis appealed yesterday for an secure and fraternal world”. end to “absurd violence” in hotspots around the world and said the international community must not stand by in the ‘Barbaric acts’ face of the “immense humanitarian tragedy” in Syria and The Argentine pope pleaded for “absurd bloodshed and Iraq. all barbarous acts of violence” in Libya to be halted, and In his traditional Easter message, the 78-year-old pontiff voiced his “desire for peace, for the good of the entire peo- said he was praying for those killed in armed conflict, ple” in war-battered Yemen and Ukraine. Without referring including the students massacred by Somali gunmen at a to a particular hotspot, Francis said: “Those who bear with- university in Kenya. Tens of thousands of pilgrims huddled in them God’s power, his love and his justice, do not need under a sea of umbrellas in a rain-soaked St Peter’s Square to employ violence.” He prayed for “all who have been kid- to hear the pope deliver his “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and napped, and for those forced to abandon their homes and World) blessing, broadcast live to dozens of countries. their dear ones” in armed conflict and attacks by extremists In his third Easter message since his election as pope in in Nigeria and South Sudan as well as parts of Sudan and 2013, the head of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics prayed the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition, he urged “for peace, above all, for Syria and Iraq that the roar of arms “peace and freedom for the many men and women subject may cease”. He called on the international community to to old and new forms of enslavement on the part of crimi- “not stand by before the immense humanitarian tragedy nal individuals and groups (and) for the victims of drug unfolding in these countries and the drama of the numer- dealers... And we ask peace for this world subjected to ous refugees” created by the two conflicts. arms dealers.” Francis also sounded his trademark appeal to He also prayed for the victims of Thursday’s attack in the rich and powerful to care for the world’s poor and Kenya that left 148 people dead, with survivors’ saying the downtrodden, saying: “The world proposes that we put militants spared Muslim students but taunted Christian ourselves forward at all costs, that we compete.” Instead, and Jewish students before killing them. “I think in particu- Christians should “seek to live in service to one another, not lar of the young people who were killed last Thursday at to be arrogant, but rather respectful and ready to help,” he Garissa University College in Kenya,” he said. said. Yesterday’s Easter observances capped a long and Earlier Francis greeted pilgrims personally as he rode demanding Holy Week that left Francis at times appearing through the flower-bedecked square aboard his open tired. On Friday he presided over the traditional Via Crucis Popemobile after presiding over Easter mass. The most (Way of the Cross) procession at Rome’s Colosseum evok- important and joyous moment of the Catholic calendar, ing the last hours of Jesus’s life. The day before Francis cele- Easter celebrates the day when Christians believe Jesus brated two masses-one for priests, and the other at Rome’s rose from the dead. Speaking from the balcony of St Peter’s Rebibbia prison, where he washed the feet of 10 inmates Basilica, Francis also said the framework nuclear accord symbolically evoking Christ’s humility-a theme he took up reached Thursday between Iran and six major world pow- again yesterday. “To enter into the mystery, we need to ers inspired hope for “a definitive step toward a more ‘bend down’, to abase ourselves,” Francis said. — AFP tensions fuel Netanyahu victory

ROSH HA’AYIN: Israel’s visceral election campaign has opposition Zionist Union. exposed a rift that many here thought had long subsided - the That dynamic has been going on for a while but passions deep-seated schism between Jews of European and Middle have run particularly high this time, with jarring results. Since Eastern descent. Mizrahi, or Middle Eastern, Jews heavily Netanyahu’s win, the sides have been exchanging insults that backed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, have not been heard in public in a generation - with the while Ashkenazi, or European, Jews mostly identified with the Mizrahi voters accused of being primitive and Ashkenazi vot- ers viewed as elitist. The dispute goes back to Israel’s earliest days of independ- ence. Arriving from Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa after Israel’s establishment in 1948, many Mizrahi immigrants were sent to shantytown transit camps and largely sidelined by the European leaders of the founding Labor Party. They found their political savior in Likud’s Menachem Begin - even though he was himself of Polish Jewish descent. With consummate skill the longtime opposition leader cultivated an outsiders’ alliance that appealed to their sense of deprivation - and with massive Mizrahi backing he swept to power in 1977 to break nearly 30 years of Labor rule. The exact population breakdown is hard to calculate because intermarriage is now quite common. But Mizrahi or part-Mizrahi Jews make up roughly half of Israel’s Jewish pop- ulation. They have long complained of discrimination by the European-descended elite that traditionally dominated gov- ernment, military and business institutions. The complaints have diminished, as has some of the domination, but gaps remain. There has never been a Mizrahi prime minister, for example. Mizrahim far outnumber Ashkenazim in prison - and are far outnumbered in academia. They also account for many more poor people - and yet the poorest towns, where they predominate, tend to support Likud and forgive it the capital- ist policies than have often not served their economic inter- ests. “Our parents and grandparents have voted only Likud since the upheaval” of 1977, said Malkiram Bashari, who traces his roots to Yemen. The prospect of voting for Labor? “It’s too hard. — AP INTERNATIONAL MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Bombing on Cairo Bridge kills police

CAIRO: A bomb exploded near a check- bombs in Cairo targeting police check- Rise in civilian casualties members are believed to have resorted to the government tries to attract investment point on a bridge in an affluent Cairo points and vehicles. Yesterday’s bomb- Ajnad Misr has claimed responsibility for plotting attacks on policemen after the and tourism. But the latest attacks have neighborhood yesterday, killing a police- ing was claimed by jihadist group Ajnad bombings outside the presidential palace crackdown drove them underground. shown militants can still operate despite man, Egyptian police said. The bomb Misr (Soldiers of Egypt), which has previ- and foreign ministry that last year killed In the Sinai Peninsula, jihadists affiliated the crackdown and harsh verdicts against had been placed next to the checkpoint ously said it was behind similar attacks four policemen, two of them explosives to the Islamic State group have killed scores those convicted. on a side of the May 15 bridge in the targeting security forces in the city. experts. The jihadist group has said it delib- of security personnel, including at least 15 Civilian and military courts have sen- Zamalek neighborhood, the officials “Once again Allah allowed our brave erately uses low-yield bombs to avoid soldiers in coordinated attacks last week. tenced dozens of people to death, said. Two people including a woman soldiers to plant a bomb targeting an harming passers-by, but there has also been The military says it has killed a number of although only one sentence has been car- were wounded in the blast, which tore assembly of the criminal forces,” Ajnad a rise in civilian casualties. A bomb outside militants in Sinai, and yesterday broadcast ried out so far, by hanging. Morsi himself the victim’s body to pieces, a health min- Misr said on its Twitter account. The Cairo University last month wounded four footage of bodies of suspected militants. could face the gallows if convicted in one istry official said. A police official said the group says its attacks are in retaliation civilians and four policemen. Morsi’s Muslim Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the former army of his trials on charges of espionage with bomb went off as the driver of a minivan for the deaths of hundreds of Islamist Brotherhood, the strongest political move- chief who toppled Morsi and later won a foreign powers and collusion to carry out pulled over to ask the policeman officer protesters killed in a government crack- ment before his overthrow, has been desig- presidential election, has staked his leader- attacks with militants before he became a question, probably for directions. down since the ouster of President nated a terrorist group although it denies ship on eradicating the militant groups. the country’s first democratically elected Militants have repeatedly detonated Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. being violent. However, some Brotherhood Attacks have dwindled in the past year as president in 2012. — AFP High stakes for Clinton on Iran nuclear agreement

WASHINGTON: Hillary Rodham Clinton can 1979 after the Islamic revolution and the claim a piece of the victory if the US and storming of the US Embassy in Tehran, other world powers ultimately complete a where 52 Americans were held hostage for final nuclear deal with Iran. She will own a more than a year. When Obama was getting piece of the failure if the negotiations col- credit for the clandestine negotiations, lapse or produce a weak deal. Clinton’s aides made sure reporters knew Her statement after Thursday’s tentative that the approach had started during her agreement suggests the soon-to-be tenure at the State Department. Democratic candidate for president knows those are her stakes. She called the frame- Back-channel discussions work “an important step,” while cautioning Clinton wrote in her memoir of how she that “the devil is always in the details.” “The set the negotiations in motion by facilitat- onus is on Iran and the bar must be set ing back-channel discussions with Iran high,” said Clinton, who helped lay the through the sultan of Oman, who suggest- groundwork for the diplomacy with Iran as ed the talks after he helped free an President Barack Obama’s first secretary of American hiker held by Iran. Clinton tapped state. “There is much to do and much more Sullivan to establish contact with the to say in the month’s ahead, but for now Iranians in 2012, an important step in the diplomacy deserves a chance to succeed.” path to Thursday’s preliminary agreement. The issue will figure prominently in the Sullivan has closely consulted with Clinton foreign policy debate of the 2016 presiden- on policy as she prepares to announce her tial campaign. Nearly all the expected GOP presidential campaign this month. The 38- candidates said the outline agreement was year-old Sullivan is seen as her likely pick, if dangerous to US interests. “This attempt to she wins the presidency, as national securi- spin diplomatic failure as a success is just ty adviser. Yet Clinton also expressed doubt the latest example of this administration’s as the talks dragged on and she neared a farcical approach to Iran,” said Florida Sen. return to politics. Marco Rubio. He is likely to make foreign Last year, Clinton told an American policy a centerpiece of his candidacy. Jewish organization that while Obama had given 50-50 odds of an agreement, she was Unique space “skeptical the Iranians will follow through But Clinton occupies a unique space on and deliver.” She said she had “seen many SANAA: Yemenis stand amid the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes in a village near Sanaa. — AP the nuclear issue because of her role in false hopes dashed through the years.” Brian Obama’s Cabinet. She sent a close adviser, Katulis, a senior fellow at the left-leaning Jake Sullivan, to participate in the secret Center for American Progress who focuses talks with Iran that led to the start of the on national security policy in the Middle Yemen rebels advance international negotiations over the coun- East and South Asia, said if a full deal is try’s nuclear ambitions. Clinton is also navi- reached by the summer, Clinton would be gating delicate ties with Israel and the “part of something historic” because of her American Jewish community, an influential initial role. If it failed, he predicted she still group of voters and donors. Israeli Prime would be “in a strong position at the center in battleground Aden Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a fierce critic of the debate, because Iran would be wide- of the Obama administration’s outreach to ly viewed as the spoiler.” With public polling Iran, described the framework deal as a showing a majority of Americans favor a Calls for humanitarian pause in air strikes threat to “the very survival” of his nation. diplomatic resolution to Iran’s nuclear ambi- “I don’t know how you can maneuver all tions, Katulis said, “any effort by ADEN: Yemeni rebels made new gains in battle- tees,” pro-Hadi fighter Khalid Bashaea said. idential palace in Aden on Thursday but, aided aspects of this politically,” said Ray Takeyh, a Republicans to criticize Clinton’s support for ground southern city Aden yesterday as a Saudi- by air strikes and arms drops, Hadi loyalists senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at diplomacy might ultimately push them to led coalition trying to halt their advance faced ‘Many more will die’ drove the rebels out of the hilltop complex the the Council on Foreign Relations. “You can the margins of today’s national security growing calls for a humanitarian pause in air Hospitals treating the wounded are running following day. be supportive and skeptical. I suspect that’s debate and away from the center.” strikes. The Red Cross has appealed for an imme- short of medicines and the streets of Aden are the direction.” The tentative agreement Clinton appears set to go on offense diate truce in the fighting to allow families to strewn with bodies, the Red Cross said, calling Power struggle announced Thursday by the US and its against the Republicans in the race on Iran. seek water, food and medical assistance, for a 24-hour ceasefire. “Our relief supplies and At least 185 people are reported to have negotiating partners - Britain, France, After dozens of Republican senators sent a describing the situation as “dire”. surgical personnel must be allowed to enter the been killed in the fighting in Aden between sup- Germany, China and Russia - is aimed at letter to Iran’s leaders warning that Russia presented a draft resolution to the UN country and safely reach the worst-affected porters and opponents of the president. There keeping Iran from developing a nuclear Congress could upend a deal, Clinton said Security Council on Saturday calling for a places to provide help,” said Robert Mardin, head were also violent clashes yesterday in the rebel- weapon. Negotiators have until June 30 to the lawmakers were “out of step with the humanitarian pause in the Saudi-led air war of Middle East operations for the International held southern town of Loder, in Abyan province, settle the technical details. The deal would best traditions of American leadership.” against the Houthi Shiite rebels, now in its 11th Committee of the Red Cross. “Otherwise, put where 24 people, including 21 Shiite militiamen, remove economic penalties against Iran “Either these senators were trying to be day. The coalition kept up its nighttime raids starkly, many more people will die. For the were reported dead. once the UN nuclear agency verifies helpful to the Iranians or harmful to the against rebel positions and arms depots, partic- wounded, their chances of survival depend on The violence has raised fears that impover- Tehran’s compliance. commander in chief in the midst of high- ularly around the capital Sanaa and Saada, the action within hours, not days.” ished Yemen could be torn apart by a proxy war At times, Clinton has tried to play up her stakes international diplomacy,” she said. northern stronghold of the Iran-backed rebels. The Saudi-led military coalition, which com- between Saudi Arabia and Iran-the foremost connection to the historic diplomacy. The “Either answer does discredit” to the letter- In main southern city Aden, the rebels prises four other Gulf states as well as Egypt, Sunni and Shiite Muslim powers in the Middle US and Iran severed diplomatic relations in signers. — AP advanced into the central district of Mualla, cap- Jordan, Morocco and Sudan, said aid would be East. Iran has accused Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia turing the provincial government headquarters, allowed into the country when conditions are of sowing instability in the region with its air a local official said. They bombarded residential right. campaign against the Houthis, who hail from the areas, setting fire to several buildings and dam- “The humanitarian operation is part of our mainly Shiite northern mountains. But it has aging others, witnesses said. job, part of our responsibility,” spokesman rejected as “utter lies” accusations that it armed Residents reported casualties and said Ahmed Assiri told reporters in Riyadh. But “we the rebels, who have allied with army units loyal dozens of families had fled their homes in the don’t want to supply the militias,” he added. to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh to seize vast port city, the heart of which sits on an extinct Violence has escalated sharply in the deeply trib- swathes of Yemen. volcano jutting out into the sea. The rebel forces al country on the southern tip of the Arabian Russia’s request to halt the air strikes came as advanced to near the port of Mualla, which is Peninsula since the coalition launched Gulf countries were pushing for a separate UN defended by militiamen of “popular committees” Operation Decisive Storm against the rebels on resolution that would impose an arms embargo loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, March 26. and sanctions on the Houthis. That draft text has who has fled to neighboring Saudi Arabia. Hadi took refuge in Aden in February after come up against strong opposition from Russia, “Snipers, who took position on the roofs of the Houthis seized power in the capital Sanaa, which proposed amendments to apply the arms provincial government buildings, targeted but left for Saudi Arabia last month as they embargo to the entire country and to limit sanc- passersby and members of the popular commit- advanced on the city. The rebels seized his pres- tions. —AFP 2,000 evacuate Syria’s Yarmuk as IS advance

DAMASCUS: Around 2,000 people have been maximum restraint so other civilians who wish to “to protect the residents of Yarmuk who have done evacuated from the Yarmuk Palestinian refugee leave can be evacuated.” nothing to deserve this.” His comments came as camp in Damascus after the Islamic State group some 100 protesters gathered in Ramallah, on the seized large parts of it, a Palestinian official said ‘Paying the price’ West Bank, in a show of solidarity with their fellow WASHINGTON: Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton walks off stage yesterday. “Around 400 families, approximately Since the jihadist advance began Wednesday, Palestinians in the camp. Yarmuk, in south after speaking at an event hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP) and the 2,000 people, were able to leave the camp on regime forces have pounded the camp with shells Damascus, was once home to 160,000 people, America Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). — AP Friday and Saturday via two secure roads to the and barrel bombs, according to the Observatory. Syrians as well as Palestinians but its population Zahira district, which is under army control,” said Palestinian officials have urged humanitarian has dwindled to just 18,000 since the uprising Anwar Abdul Hadi, a Palestine Liberation access to the camp and called for its residents to be erupted in March 2011. The camp is encircled by Israel preparing lobbying Organization official. “The evacuations are continu- protected. government forces and was under a tight siege for ing yesterday and some people are now in Yalda (a “The Palestinians are paying the price for wars more than a year. An agreement last year between district under regime control) and waiting to be and violence that are not of their making,” rebels and the government, backed by Palestinian strategy against Iran deal taken to shelters.” Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said in a factions, led to an easing of the siege, but humani- JERUSALEM: An official Israeli analysis has its number of centrifuges, the machines that State news agency SANA also reported the speech yesterday. He said a solution must be found tarian access has remained limited.—AFP drawn up a list of alleged shortcomings of the can spin uranium gas to levels used in nuclear evacuations, saying they were carried out in coor- nuclear framework agreement between Iran warheads, and submit to aggressive monitor- dination between the army and Palestinian fac- and world powers, providing a basis for what ing and inspections of its nuclear facilities. But tions and that the government had set up shelters is expected to be months of furious lobbying the Israeli analysis, drawn up by officials in for those fleeing. Palestinian forces inside Yarmuk by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Netanyahu’s office over the weekend, claims are largely surrounded by IS fighters who have cap- reshape or cancel the deal. Netanyahu, an out- the system of inspections is not as thorough as tured large swathes of the camp since an assault spoken critic of the negotiations with Iran, has proclaimed by negotiators because it does not that began Wednesday. already criticized the deal as insufficient. He is explicitly force the Iranians to open their sites Abdul Hadi said most of those evacuated from expected to lobby heavily against the frame- “anywhere, anytime.” the camp were being hosted in government shel- work deal as its language is finalized ahead of It also claims the agreement is vague ters, with at least 25 wounded taken to hospital. a June 30 agreement. about what happens to Iran’s stockpile of The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain- The framework agreement was announced enriched uranium, a key ingredient in produc- based monitoring group, confirmed that “hun- on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland, by US- ing nuclear bombs, or how sanctions might dreds” of people had been evacuated from the led world powers and Iran. It seems to cut sig- be re-imposed if Iran violates the deal. While camp. nificantly into Iran’s bomb-making technology Iran is not supposed to enrich uranium with It said at least 26 people, including civilians as while giving Tehran quick access to assets and its advanced centrifuges for 10 years, the deal well as fighters from IS and Palestinian factions, markets blocked by international sanctions. permits limited “research and development” had been killed in the camp since Wednesday. The The commitments, if implemented, would sub- of the advanced centrifuges, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA said it stantially pare down Iranian nuclear assets for US document. Israeli officials say this means had yesterday given “life-saving humanitarian sup- a decade and restrict others for an additional that Iran could immediately put these cen- port to 94 civilians, including 43 women and 20 five years. According to a US document listing trifuges into action after the deal expires or children, who fled Yarmuk.” UNRWA spokesman DAMASCUS: A picture taken on April 4, 2015 shows boys pushing a cart in a street of Yarmuk those commitments, Tehran is ready to reduce breaks down.—AP Chris Gunness urged the warring parties to “show Palestinian refugee camp, southern Damascus. — AFP INTERNATIONAL MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Cuba in the Summit of the Americas, but not in OAS

PANAMA: Cuba’s presence at the 7th last decade unleashed a wave of demands Summit of the Americas will ratify total rup- in the regiÛn in favor of the attendance of ture between the island and the Cuba to the Summits of the Americas. Organization of American States (OAS), Such a demand forced the OAS in 2009 which acts today as axis of the system of to revoke the obsolete resolution that in these presidential venues. 1962 separated the island from that organi- Sources of the Cuban Foreign Ministry zation, occasion that Havana ratified its per- insisted over the last few days that atten- manent and absolute rejection to an even- dance of their country to the Panama ven- tual return. The country’s representatives ue (April 10-11) is ‘dissociated’ from the pro- will also participate in four parallel forums jected final document titled Mandates for to the presidential meet, those are: social, Action. This text was prepared by the so- youth, business and university rectors. called Group of Revision and As it was confirmed, the OAS gave cre- Implementation of the Summits, of the dentials to figures from different Cuban OAS, institution that also decides on and Venezuelan antigovernment groupings accreditations for the venue, in particular financed by the United States and inserted for the parallel forums to the debate of the by Washington and the OAS as part of the Heads of State. denominated civil society. Until now, there The presence of Cuba in Panama will be are about two dozens of Cuban counterrev- headed by President Raul Castro and will olutionaries (residents in Cuba and abroad take place by the invitation of the isthmus and financed from abroad) authorized to government, with plenary powers and in participate in the social forum, while it is conditions of equality. Regarding the cele- not discarded that others are included in bration of the summit, the Cuban President several US Non-government Organizations made it clear his country will not ever opposed to the Caribbean island. return to the OAS, considered by Havana as However, groupings as the National NAIROBI: Members of the Red Cross help a woman overcome with grief after learning that a relative was killed by Somalia’s Shebab Islamists a ministry of colonies under the orders of Hostosian Independentist Movement of during the siege on the Garissa Campus University, at Nyayo Stadium. — AFP the United States. Puerto Rico, that works for the independ- The biggest of the Antilles was excluded ence of that Caribbean island associated to from that regional mechanism in 1962 at the United States and other environmental- the instance of Washington and its in-con- ist, trade unionists and a wide variety of ditionals of that time, with the exception of profiles did not receive the OAS approval. Kenya’s religions unite Mexico, and it was also isolated from the With that same line of maneuver, were also system of continental summits from its accredited several figures clearly opposed beginning in 1994. However, the increasing to Cuban society to attend the youth advances of progressive governments in forum, as well as known emissaries of in national mourning Latin America and the Caribbean over the rightwing groupings of other countries. ‘Justified anger should not lead to victimization’ Indiana success emboldens NAIROBI: Kenyans prayed for unity yesterday at want to cause scare and divisions in our society, Gunmen killed, five arrested gay rights advocates in US the start of three days of national mourning for but we shall tell them, you will never prevail.” Top All four gunmen were killed, but five men the 148 people murdered in a university mas- Muslim leader Hassan Ole Naado also offered his have been arrested in connection with the attack, sacre by Somali Islamists. Flags flew at half mast condolences. “Kenya is at war, and we must all including three “coordinators” captured as they INDIANAPOLIS: Gay rights advocates are gious objections laws, which critics said hoping to parlay the momentum from their could be used to discriminate against gays. after President Uhuru Kenyatta warned that peo- stand together,” Naado said, deputy head of the fled towards Somalia, and two others in the uni- big legislative victories in Indiana and Amid the uproar, the Republican governors ple’s “justified anger” should not lead to “the vic- Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, saying the versity. The two arrested on campus included a Arkansas this week into further expanding of Michigan and North Dakota urged their timization of anyone, (as) this would only play organization was helping to raise money for the security guard and a Tanzanian found “hiding in legal protections for gays and lesbians in own legislatures to extend anti-discrimina- into the hands of the terrorists”. funerals of those killed and medical costs of the the ceiling” and holding grenades, the interior states around the US. Hundreds of people tion protections to gays. The Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants lined scores wounded. ministry said. Forensic investigators aided by for- calling for Indiana to add protections for A wave of religious objections laws have up non-Muslim students during the massacre “We deeply feel the pain of the loss of young eign experts continued to scour the site where gays and lesbians to state civil rights laws been proposed in states across America as Thursday described by Kenyatta as a “barbaric lives,” he added in a statement, warning the one student shocked security forces on Saturday- marched through downtown Indianapolis same-sex marriage rapidly advanced, medieval slaughter”. The president vowed Shebab was aiming to “create religious conflict”. who had said all students were accounted for-by on Saturday, drawing the attention of fans prompting a backlash from conservatives. Saturday to retaliate in the “severest way” for the Political and religious leaders have condemned emerging unharmed from a wardrobe where she attending college basketball’s Final Four Court rulings and state legislatures have killings in the northeastern town of Garissa, close the attacks. Pope Francis called the killings had hidden for over two days. basketball tournament, a major event in legalized same-sex marriage in 37 states to the border with Somalia. The massacre, Kenya’s “senseless brutality”, while the Cairo-based top The remaining 600 student survivors from the deadliest attack since the 1998 bombing of the now closed college have now left Garissa for American sports. They chanted “No more and the US Supreme Court is expected to Sunni Muslim body Al-Azhar has condemned the US embassy in Nairobi, claimed the lives of 142 good, boarding buses for the home towns Band-Aids masking hate,” before they finally issue a decision on the legality of “terrorist act committed by Somalia’s Shebab.” walked several blocks to Lucas Oil Stadium, gay marriage this year. students, three police officers and three soldiers. around the country. Dozens of families of those On Saturday, the Shebab warned of a “long, killed continue to wait for the remains of their site of the NCAA men’s basketball champi- The gay rights movement is also press- gruesome war” unless Kenya withdrew its troops onship semi-final and final games. ing for protections for gays and lesbians in ‘Kenya is at war’ loved ones. Hurling grenades and firing automat- “The terrible events in Garissa are still fresh in from Somalia, and threatened “another blood- ic rifles, the gunmen stormed the university at Facing widespread pressure, including states’ non-discrimination laws. Twenty- bath”. Hours after the Shebab’s warning, police in from big businesses such as Apple and Wal- nine states don’t include protections for our minds and heart, but today is a day for new dawn on Thursday as students were sleeping, Garissa paraded four corpses of the gunmen Mart, Republican lawmakers in Indiana and gays, according to the American Civil hope,” Kenyan Anglican Archbishop Eliud shooting dead dozens before setting Muslims piled on top of each other face down in the back Arkansas rolled back their states’ new reli- Liberties Union. — AP Wabukala told a packed cathedral in Nairobi, as free and holding Christians and others armed soldiers patrolled outside. “These terrorists of a pick-up truck followed by a huge crowd. hostage.—AFP INTERNATIONAL MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Farmers work in fear in Philippine killing fields

TUKANALIPAO: Farmer Lot Pangaoilan the passage of a proposed national law will soon return home. Corn farmer Haji gazes towards a vast cornfield in the endorsing the autonomous region. Maul said he had been in an out of evac- Philippines’ rebel-infested south, hoping uation shelters three times during the that one day he will be able to farm his Deep poverty offensive to escape bursts of fighting land without fear of being killed. For two The new region would take in large near Tukanalipao, but this was not decades, he has been ploughing his parts of Mindanao, which the nation’s unusual. “It has been a very difficult life three-hectare land by hand and with the Muslim minorities of roughly five million for me and my family,” Maul, 60, said, as help of a water buffalo, worried that if he people regard as their ancestral home- troops wearing helmets and with their uses a heavy motor tractor he might det- land, including Pangaoilan’s village. rifles pointed to the ground patrolled onate an explosive. Despite fertile farming lands, vast miner- the parched earth, alongside water buf- “If I’m not careful, I might hit a al resources and idyllic beaches ripe for faloes, chickens and dogs. bomb... it could explode and I might die,” tourism, the region is the poorest in the Pangaoilan, whose leathery skin, cloudy country with nearly half of the popula- Building peace eyes and thin frame make him look tion living in poverty, according to gov- As part of its efforts to promote the much older than his 50 years, said. Two ernment data. peace process, President Benigno months ago, the farmer’s marshland vil- Tukanalipao, with no electricity or Aquino’s administration has increased lage of Tukanalipao was the site of a day- running water, is a typically impover- annual infrastructure spending on the long battle between Muslim militants ished Muslim community in Mindanao. region from 8 billion pesos ($179 mil- and police that left more than 60 people Its 1,600 residents live in palm thatch lion) in 2010 to 24 billion pesos this year. dead as security forces hunted down houses on wooden stilts, with corn and In Tukanalipao, a sore lack of infra- alleged top terrorists. rice farming their only source of regular structure is symbolized by a rickety The latest carnage has seriously jeop- income. Pangaoilan has six children but patchwork of logs that its residents use MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE: This photo taken on March 31, 2015 shows people ardized efforts to end a four-decade he was not able to afford to send them to cross a stream and get to their farm- eating their lunch inside a school turned into a temporary evacuation center in Muslim separatist rebellion which has to school. Military chiefs say villages like lands. When the stream overflows dur- Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Southern Philippines. —AFP claimed 120,000 lives, dimming hopes his make good recruiting grounds for ing the rainy season, work stops as farm- again that people such as Pangaoilan the MILF, which has about 10,000 fight- ers cannot get their animals across “Our presence here today and these “One of the requirements of building will be able to prosper in peace. The ers, and other rebel groups. because the improvised bridge might symbolic projects are meant to deliver a peace is development, we need devel- nation’s biggest rebel group, the Moro In a typical cycle of violence and fall apart, according to Pangaoilan. This message that poverty is the root cause opment,” MILF army spokesman Von Al Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), signed a poverty that builds resentment, a mili- week the government broke ground on of conflict and that we are sincere in pur- Haq said in a speech at the inauguration pact last year agreeing to give up its tary offensive launched after the January a concrete and steel bridge to replace suing peace,” Abad said as he stood ceremony. But without a final peace struggle in return for an autonomous battle against a small breakaway rebel the wooden structure. Tukanalipao and alongside supportive MILF leaders. The pact, infrastructure spending appears homeland in the impoverished southern group opposed to the peace process dis- the surrounding township of symbolic impact was deepened by destined to offer only small band aid region of Mindanao. But the January 25 placed 120,000 people. Two displace- Mamasapano has become a “representa- building the new bridge in the same solutions. “Without a political settle- battle in Pangaoilan’s village-in which 44 ment camps with tarpaulin tents lie on a tion” of the Muslim region, Budget area as the deadly battle two months ment, these socio-economic projects are police commandoes, 17 rebels and at road close to Tukanalipao, although the Secretary Florencio Abad said as he ago, showing the government and the just part of counter-insurgency,” MILF least three civilians died-triggered a military last week declared the offensive guided journalists through the area to MILF remained partners in peace even in chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal huge political backlash that threatens over and hopes the displaced people witness the inauguration. the most volatile of areas. said. — AFP

Australian questioned for helping fight Islamic State

SYDNEY: A former unionist and Australian when in the Middle East. political figure was yesterday questioned Australia is involved in the US-led coali- on his return from the Middle East where tion against IS in Iraq and last year passed a he is believed to have helped those fight- law criminalizing travel to terror hotspots, ing against the Islamic State group, reports in an measure designed to stop jihadists said. The Australian Broadcasting from going to Iraq and Syria to fight. But Corporation said it understood that fighting for either side in the conflict in Matthew Gardiner was stopped by customs Syria and Iraq is understood to be punish- officials early yesterday after flying in to the able on return to Australia. northern Australian city of Darwin via “Australians risk prosecution under Sweden and Singapore. Australian law if they fight in other coun- The Australian Federal Police confirmed tries,” the Department of Foreign Affairs that its officers “spoke to a Darwin man says on its travel warning for Iraq. Gardiner today following his return to Australia”. A was removed as the Northern Territory police spokesman said the man, who was chief of the Labor Party and suspended not named, was released without charge. from the organization after the news he “Enquiries relating to his activities while had travelled to the Middle East emerged, overseas are ongoing and as such it is not the ABC said. Federal Labor leader Bill appropriate to comment further at this Shorten expressed relief yesterday that time,” he added. Gardiner was “back home safe and sound”. Gardiner, a former trade unionist and ex- “But I’m concerned anyone thinks they president of the Northern Territory branch should be getting involved in these foreign of the opposition Labor Party, reportedly conflicts, no matter what their intentions,” left Australia early this year to join a Kurdish he said, the ABC reported. The Australian militia fighting IS. Gardiner reportedly government has increasingly been sound- served as an Australian Army combat engi- ing the alarm over radicalized citizens, with neer in Somalia in the 1990s, but it is not about 90 thought to be fighting with the known whether he engaged in fighting Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.— AFP French Muslim leader calls for doubling of mosques MANILA: Filipinos swim in Manila Bay yesterday as super typhoon Maysak melts away. — AFP LE BOURGET: One of France’s top Muslim ship with its Muslim minority-currently leaders has called for the number of estimated at between four and five mil- Typhoon Maysak melts away, mosques to double over the next two lion-that dates back to bloody struggles years to remedy a shortage of places of in its former North African colonies and worship for the country’s millions of faith- the legacy of immigrants trapped in some residents enjoy a safe Easter ful. Speaking at a weekend gathering of of the country’s poorest districts. Long French Islamic organizations, where par- decades of insurgency against French rule ticipants asked for respect in the face of a in Algeria in the mid-twentieth century, ‘We made a calculated risk and got lucky’ rise in anti-Muslim attacks, Dalil followed by a spate of Algerian extremist Boubakeur said the 2,200 mosques in the attacks in France in the 1990s created dif- BALER: A super typhoon dissolved into a tropi- the still choppy waters on Easter Sunday. “We back home, civil defence director Alexander country did not adequately represent ficulties for communal relations-which cal depression and made landfall in the made a calculated risk (that Maysak would dis- Pama told a news conference. Europe’s largest Muslim community. reawakened with the rise of global Philippines yesterday, forecasters said, easing sipate) and we got lucky. Prayers also helped,” “We had not received any reports of casual- “We need double (that number) within jihadism after 9/11. fears after thousands of residents fled remote Manila-based television producer Rona Agtay, ties,” Pama added. Faustino Dy, governor of two years,” the head of the French Muslim Apart from physical acts, anti-Muslim coastal villages to avoid potential giant waves. 39, said as she hit the surf. State weather fore- Isabela province, which includes Dinapigue, Council and rector of the Paris mosque sentiment in the country varies from may- Maysak, which began as a Super Typhoon in caster Shelly Ignacio said the super typhoon told Manila radio station DZBB that people said in the town of Le Bourget near the ors refusing to have mosques built to the Pacific Ocean, reached the northeast coast met unfavorable atmospheric conditions as it were returning to their coastal homes after capital. “There are a lot of prayer rooms, of resistance to halal meals being served in of the main island of Luzon at 8:00 am (0000 approached land, causing the storm system to Maysak passed over the area uneventfully. unfinished mosques, and there are a lot of prisons or schools. Participants at the GMT) with winds of 55 kilometers an hour, chief dissipate dramatically overnight Saturday. About three dozen surfers rode shoulder-high mosques that are not being built,” he gathering-which while organised by the state weather forecaster Esperanza Cayanan At its current strength, Maysak can break waves at the Sabang resort in the Aurora added Saturday at the Muslim gathering, UOIF, a group close to the Islamist Muslim said. tree branches and may take the roofs off hous- provincial capital of Baler, while others lounged billed as the largest in the Western world. Brotherhood, ranged from liberal to ultra- “As of now, most of our fears have melted es made of light materials, while sea travel on the beach in overcast conditions with a brisk This annual convention of the Union of conservative-denounced violence com- away,” she told a news conference shortly after remains risky for small boats, the state weather wind, but no rain, an AFP photographer said. Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF), mitted in the name of Islam. “We are loyal the depression reached Dinapigue, a remote service said in its latest bulletin. “We expect this “Yesterday the police came and stopped us which groups together more than 250 to our country, France. We love God, we town on Luzon’s northeast coast, about 250 system to melt away as it crosses the moun- from going into the water,” said TV producer Muslim associations, comes just months love our prophet, but we also love the kilometers (155 miles) from Manila. The govern- tains, although there is a small possibility it Agtay, who took a bus bound for Baler as after jihadist gunmen killed 17 people in French Republic,” said Amar Lasfar, UOIF ment had evacuated more than 25,000 people could survive by the time it hits the water Maysak churned towards the area. “Some of and near Paris. Since then, there has been head. Boubakeur agreed, adding never- from coastal villages in the region, while police (South China Sea) tomorrow,” she added. police officers even went out there on board drove away thousands of tourists from beaches surfboards because a few people refused to a marked rise in Islamophobia in France, theless that Muslims must also be on nearby Aurora province as a precaution ‘No casualties reported’ leave the water.” About 20 typhoons and storms with 167 acts against mosques or threats respected in France. “Islam is no longer an against potential tsunami-like waves known as More than 500 boats were also ordered to hit the Philippines each year, many of them recorded in January alone compared to Islam stemming from immigration, it is a storm surges. remain at port in the region, while 10 domestic deadly, but rarely hit in April. Storm surges just 14 in the same month last year. national Islam that has the right to the The tourists, many of whom had come from flights suspended. The authorities were expect- caused many of the fatalities when Super recognition and consideration of the Manila and nearby areas to enjoy the long ed to lift the restrictions yesterday. With the Typhoon Haiyan smashed onto the central Difficult relations French population, just like other commu- Easter holidays in the mainly Catholic nation, improving conditions, local officials will now Philippines in November 2013, leaving more France has long had a difficult relation- nities in France,” Boubakeur said. — AFP breathed a sigh of relief and dived back into make the call on when to send the evacuees than 7,350 people dead or missing. — AFP Bangladesh opposition leader leaves office as tension eases

DHAKA: Bangladesh opposition leader Khaleda Zia Party (BNP), said, adding she was granted bail in entering the office compound remained. More left her office yesterday for the first time in three both graft cases. than a dozen people were arrested as they tried to months in a sign of easing tensions after deadly “It’s the first time in more than three months meet Zia or bring in food for her. While confined to protests had plunged the country into a political she has stepped out of her office, where she was her office, a defiant Zia urged supporters to enforce crisis. Zia, 69, was taken by car to a court where confined on the night of January 3,” he added. Zia a nationwide transport blockade. The stoppage she surrendered and secured bail in two graft cases had threatened to lead the rally in the capital on was intended to force her bitter rival, Prime against her. Security was tight with hundreds of the first anniversary of the general election on Minister Sheikh Hasina, to quit and pave the way police and border guards surrounding the court. January 5, 2014. The BNP and a 20-party opposi- for a new general election under a neutral adminis- Authorities had confined her inside her office tion alliance which she leads had boycotted the tration. compound in an upscale district of Dhaka on election because it was not held under a neutral January 3, after she threatened to lead a massive caretaker administration, as in the past. Deadly violence anti-government rally through the capital on the Police padlocked her office’s front gate, used The blockade unleashed deadly violence, leav- first anniversary of a disputed national election. A pepper spray on her as she tried to leave the com- ing more than 120 people dead as opposition judge issued an arrest warrant against the former pound, and parked ten trucks loaded with sand activists firebombed hundreds of buses and trucks prime minister in late February after she repeatedly and bricks outside the gate to block the exit. and police responded by firing live rounds. Around failed to attend hearings in the graft cases. “She Security was relaxed weeks later and authorities 15,000 opposition supporters and dozens of BNP DHAKA: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia waves as she leaves after a left the office at 9.55 am (0355 GMT),” Shamsuddin said she was free to leave — although the BNP said senior officials have been arrested as part of a court appearance. — AP Dider, a spokesman for Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist she was still confined to her office. Restrictions on crackdown by Hasina to end the unrest. —AFP

NEWS MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

A full moon is seen as it rises over the New York City skyline seen from West Orange, New Jersey on Saturday. — AP

Secret weapon at Iran talks: A whiteboard Saudi PR offensive backs Yemen ops Continued from Page 1 integrated, very interactive back-and-forth kind of a Continued from Page 1 nication is extremely important so they are doing it, I would say, process,” the State Department official said. in a professional way,” another diplomatic source said. In return, Iran was seeking an end to a labyrinth of In the end each side made compromises. Iran agreed Then it’s time for questions. Assiri, who looks to be aged Like the military forces of other nations, the Saudis have global sanctions, which Kerry was insistent would not all its unfinished Arak heavy water reactor will not produce around 40, responds confidently in Arabic, English or French, also, so far, tightly restricted the access of journalists to the be lifted in one fell swoop while demanding a tough veri- plutonium, slashed the number of centrifuges by two- making sure he gets his point across. “All we are trying to do is to battlefield itself. The closest most of the reporters have got is fication process to ensure Tehran was sticking by the deal. thirds to 6,000 and will redesign its Fordo facility into a make sure there is security in Yemen,” he tells reporters, adding the oversized models of fighter jets, an attack helicopter and It was the highly-organized Under Secretary Wendy research center. The Americans said 1,000 centrifuges that the purpose of his briefings is to show “what we have armoured vehicles arrayed in front of Assiri as he speaks in the Sherman, who has led the negotiations, who early on hit could stay in Fordo, even though they won’t be used. “We achieved on the ground”. Little is known about Assiri, except that theatre. “Thank you very much indeed,” he says before another on the idea of a whiteboard as a way of illustrating what gave some things that are hard for us. Having even one he spent at least four years at the Saint-Cyr military college in burst of rousing music and military images closes the curtain she has long referred to as a “Rubik’s cube”. In Lausanne centrifuge in Fordo is hard,” the State Department official France. “They know that in these kinds of situations the commu- on that day’s briefing. — AFP the whiteboard on wheels followed her from room to said. room as she and Kerry met with Iranian Foreign Minister Inevitably there were last minute glitches as the talks Mohammad Javad Zarif and his team. The idea was to try resumed Thursday after Kerry snatched an hour’s sleep, Gaddafi palaces now dumps, pet markets “to make sure that we and Iran were seeing the picture in especially as all the other ministers from the so-called Continued from Page 1 briefly in history books and documentaries but nothing of the same way,” another senior administration official said. P5+1 also had to sign off on the deal. But “a certain his will remain as it is,” said Farina. The whiteboard appealed to the Iranian team “because momentum takes over, everybody begins to realize it’s All that remains of the compound, which had been hit Rebels hastily bulldozed much of the compound when if they get paper, they’ve got to take it back to Tehran,” the going to happen, and that momentum helps to get the in a 1986 US air strike before being pounded by NATO four they captured it in August 2011. Homeless families moved State Department official said. Kerry had his own version problem solved.” years ago, are a few ruined buildings, the green flooring of into the few buildings left standing, and initial plans to committed to paper to consult on the go. There was one The deal done, both sides then turned to the task of Gaddafi’s home and a dug-up network of underground turn Bab al-Aziziya into a national park have not materi- heart-stopping moment when a negotiator used a per- selling the agreement to audiences back home. It was tunnels. The monument of a gold-coloured fist clenching a alised. The walls are splattered with graffiti and revolution- manent marker to write down classified calculations. They agreed that while Zarif and the EU’s foreign policy chief US fighter plane was vandalised andsent off to Misrata, a ary slogans -some with the names of fighters killed in the took some frantic rubbing out. Federica Mogherini would make a common statement, rebel bastion during the revolt which ousted and killed battle for the compound. Another of Gaddafi’s homes in The breakthrough came during the night of Zarif and Kerry would hold separate press conferences. Gaddafi. At a safe distance from his people, Gaddafi lived Sabha in the south of the country has suffered the same Wednesday to Thursday, when Kerry and Zarif and a small Both Iran and the US wrote their own statements to put behind fortified walls with his wife, their children, close fate. team sat down and negotiated through the night. In a out to the media at a hastily convened press conference advisers and guards. In the eastern city of Benghazi, birthplace of the revo- room next door, the rest of the US staff, fuelled by con- for about hundreds of reporters. It was not lost on Apart from the bedouin tents on which Gaddafi prided lution and which has since become an Islamist strong- stant calls to the hotel’s room service, sat ready to be American diplomats, that the Iranian statement hit the himself and which accommodated him on travels abroad, hold, traders have converted his more than 10-hectare “plucked out” if needed. Hundreds of staff back in the press before the State Department’s fact sheet. Nor has it the compound once showcased a zoo, an indoor pool, palace grounds and barracks into a marketplace to sell United States, especially at the California-based Lawrence gone unnoticed that the two statements have a different countless murals and a fairground in its gardens. Gaddafi birds, dogs and other pets. “We dreamt of a better life Livermore national laboratory - which specializes in non- twist on what happened. “We understood we would have had expanded the grounds by knocking down adjacent after the fall of Gaddafi, but here we are in his ruins,” proliferation and guarding nuclear arms stockpiles - were different narratives, but we wouldn’t contradict each oth- neighborhoods. Bab al-Aziziya “was a symbol of the sighed Mohammed Suleiman, 43, surrounded by children. on standby at the end of the phones. “It was just a very er,” the State Department official said. — AFP Gaddafi era. Today, we have destroyed this symbol, we “This is a powerful message to the new rulers of Libya. If have demolished and razed it to the ground,” said Adel Gaddafi had given us freedom and treated us with digni- Mohammed Farina, tourism ministry spokesman of a ty, with a decent standard of living, he would still have Opposition activist’s jail upheld, tweeters... Tripoli-based government. “He (Gaddafi) will be mentioned been here.” — AFP

Continued from Page 1 comments made by committee members and others by Saudi firms tighten controls the Audit Bureau about the issue will help the ministry Continued from Page 1 shares suspended since July 2012 because of its accumulated Head of the public funds protection committee MP improve its legal, technical and supervision measures to losses. Last November, the CMA advised companies to stop Abdullah Al-Turaiji said yesterday the panel discussed combat diesel smuggling and theft. “They have no choice but to step in, otherwise Saudi as a engaging the local unit of international accountancy firm with Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair measures by the ministry to The Assembly’s financial and economic affairs com- market will lose credibility and people won’t invest. Deloitte & Touche for audits from June 1, 2015, according to a limit and stop smuggling of diesel. Turaiji said the com- mittee discussed yesterday a proposal to keep Kuwait Companies are preparing themselves to become more disci- circular seen by Reuters. mittee found that internal supervision of local clients is Airways Company a national carrier by amending its pri- plined and regulated because they realise they will be ques- The CMA said its decision was due to a case involving a very lax. In addition, Kuwait Petroleum Corp supplies vatization law to raise the state’s stake from 20 percent to tioned more. The sooner they begin this process, the less firm which it did not identify; Deloitte also declined to identi- local sea clubs and small fishing ports with diesel without 75 percent. Based on a law passed about five years ago, expensive it will be.” fy the firm, but said it believed its audit of the client met a clear mechanism to supervise the supplies. The law- KAC is to become a private company with a strategic Saudi Arabia has a relatively good reputation for corpo- applicable standards. Industry sources said the firm was maker said the committee also found that the ministry investor owning 40 percent, 40 percent for citizens and rate governance in the Arab world, and the Mobily debacle - MMG. Authorities increased the pressure on both MMG and lacks a clear mechanism of following up on smuggling the remaining 20 percent owned by the government. which the firm attributed to excessive booking of revenue Mobily last month by raising the prospect of prosecuting cases that have been busted. Rapporteur of the committee MP Mohammad Al- from wholesale broadband leases and mobile promotional individuals. The CMA said it was investigating the possibility The committee plans to summon representatives for Jabri said KAC accepted the proposal but Kuwait campaigns - does not necessarily indicate a string of scandals of insider trading of Mobily shares. Meanwhile, the Ministry the ministries of interior and commerce and the customs Investment Authority, which holds the government waiting to explode. The CMA is viewed by fund managers as of Commerce said it had referred a number of MMG board department to review measures being adopted by the stake in KAC, said that investing in the transport sector is one of the strictest stock market regulators in the Middle members to the Bureau of Investigation and Public three sides regarding diesel smuggling, he said. Turaiji not part of KIA’s specialization. Jabri expected that a East. Prosecution over possible violations of the companies law. It also pointed out that a key channel for possible diesel compromise deal will be eventually reached to develop But the Mobily shock came at a time when regulators did not identify the board members. The decision “comes as were already grappling with another thorny case, that of con- part of a plan by the ministry to tighten oversight of violating smuggling is the lack of supervision over petrol stations KAC, especially after the huge multibillion-dollar orders struction firm Mohammad Al-Mojil Group (MMG). The firm companies and take necessary steps to protect shareholder owned and run by private companies. Omair said that the airline has made. ran into financial trouble several years ago and has had its capital,” the ministry said. — Reuters MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues Trolls for Putin: Russian info war explained

By Marina Koreneva

yudmila Savchuk says it was money that wooed her into the ranks of the Kremlin’s online army, Lwhere she bombarded website comment pages with eulogies of President Vladimir Putin, while mock- ing his adversaries. “Putin is great,” “Ukrainians are Fascists,” “Europe is decadent”: Savchuk, 34, listed the main messages she was told to put out on Internet forums after responding to a job advertisement online. “Our job was to write in a pro-government way, to interpret all events in a way that glorifies the gov- ernment’s politics and Putin personally,” she said. Performing her duties as an Internet “troll”, Savchuk kept up several blogs on the popular Russian platform LiveJournal, juggling the virtual identities of a house- wife, a student and an athlete. While the blogs them- Africa campaigners target immovable leaders selves would be filled with apolitical content about life in Russia, she was paid to use the account identities to comment on other news sites and online discussions, By Marie Wolfrom The ‘Dictators Union’ There are allegations of widespread harassment and threats of leaving 100 comments on an average day. He was in Paris for a conference organised by ‘Turn the Page’, at violence, and even talk of a hit-list containing the names of opposi- Every morning, she says, she would get assign- ed up with immovable African presidents and political dynas- which he spoke alongside campaigners from Cameroon, Congo tion figures, civil society activists and journalists ahead of parliamen- ments for the day, a list of subjects on which to com- ties, campaigners across the continent are joining forces to “turn Gabon and Togo. New movements are springing up and inspiring tary polls in May and the presidential election in June. Bob Rugurika, ment and ideas to propagate. “Ukraine has approved a Fthe page” on leaders who see power as an end in itself. As each other; “Enough is Enough” in Senegal and the “Citizens’ Broom” in director of the popular independent African Public Radio (RPA), is reform plan to secure IMF aid” was the title of one Nigeria marked its first ever democratic change of power following Burkina Faso were trailblazers, recently joined by similar groups in among those who have been arrested, picked up in January after recent assignment that Lyudmila had kept on her cell- national elections, a report published this week by the Tournons La Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The fall of Compaore in implicating intelligence officials in the recent murders of Italian nuns. phone. The instructions were for her to respond to the Page (Turn the Page) campaign group highlighted just how unusual Burkina Faso and the proposal by Senegal’s President Macky Sall to In the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo President potentially positive Ukrainian news story with nega- incumbent Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat was. reduce his own mandate by two years have fuelled hopes that public Joseph Kabila is suspected by the opposition of seeking to hang on to tive comments, such as “For the Ukrainian govern- According to the report, 88 percent of Togolese and 87 percent of mobilisation elsewhere can bring about change. “We have to under- power at the end of his second term in late 2016. US President Barack ment, military needs are more important than those of people in Gabon have only known one ruling family. Burkina Faso dic- stand, in Africa too, that we are able to offer an example, and that Obama this week urged him to respect his country’s constitution. the people.” tator Blaise Compaore was driven out by his people last October after power is not an end in itself,” Sall said last month as he made his Protests against a draft revision of the electoral law were bloodily Savchuk spent two months as a cyber-warrior, or 27 years of rule while President Paul Biya of Cameroon and his announcement. His move followed a plea by UN Secretary-General repressed in January. This was followed by an Internet shutdown and what fans of news comment sections call “trolls”, Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso have each accumulat- Ban Ki-moon to African leaders gathered for an annual summit in the blocking of social network sites. In mid-March, 30 Congolese because they join to provoke or to spread propagan- ed more than thirty years in power. Cameroon’s democracy hunters January not to cling to power and to respect the wishes of their peo- activists, along with others from Senegal and Burkina Faso, were da, ruining what would usually be exchanges of opin- may well be casting envious glances over the border to Nigeria where ple. “We are in communication with Citizen’s Broom in Burkina. We arrested for taking part in a meeting in Kinshasa on democracy and ion in good faith. She said she worked in a nondescript Muhammadu Buhari scored a narrow electoral victory over Jonathan share our experiences,” said Kijana. “I think we can make many links good governance. grey building on Savushkin Street in a busy neigh- in the country’s March 28 poll. between African civil groups and that will send a message to the ‘dic- bourhood in the north of the city of Saint Petersburg With a raft of upcoming elections in mind, the regional appeal to tators’ union’,” said Brigitte Ameganvi of the Synergie Togo group. ‘Dinosaurs’ before quitting in March. Her short job interview was turn the page was launched late last year by NGOs in 30 African and “This is the behaviour of dictators and thugs”, said rapper Serge conducted by a man who only gave his first name, European countries and signed by prominent African figures includ- Social Networks Bambara, known as Smockey, a founding figure of the Citizens’ Broom Oleg. His first question was: “What do you think of our ing Senegalese singer Youssou N’dour and Cameroonian historian “Each country has its own people and each organises in its own movement. “We talk about the Arab Spring. Now we must speak of the policy in Ukraine?” “Like many others, I was seduced by Achille Mbembe. The call for change harks back to the multi-party way,” said Marc Ona, a Gabonese participant at the Paris event. “We’ve African Harmattan (a hot dry wind from west Africa) because it’s time their salary,” said Savchuk, who is raising two children. politics which began to emerge in the 1990s. Twenty years on the got the smartphones, the social networks, it’s impossible to block the for the prevailing wind to move the people,” he added. In his sights is Her monthly pay was 40,000 to 50,000 rubles ($700- campaigners are seeking to energise ordinary people and make a flow of information today.” But despite the exchange of ideas and President Kabila, but also Chad’s Idriss Deby who came to power by 870), considered good money in Russia’s second round of elections throughout Africa over the next couple of years experiences by linked-up civil groups across the continent, they are force in 1990 and Cameroon’s Paul Biya, all of whom he described as largest city. result in an end to the dynasties. not yet in a position to take concrete action. In the central African “dinosaurs”. The African activists’ conference in Paris is also intended to The online onslaught of identical, often abusive “We realised that Congolese civil society was becoming more nation of Burundi, ahead of elections in May and June, civil groups nudge the international community, which he sees as often too com- Internet comments discrediting Russia’s opponents, amorphous... and was not playing its role,” said Jean-Chrysostome and local media say they are paying the price for campaigning placent against African potentates. “As African citizens, we want to see and especially the United States, while hailing the Kijana, head of the New Dynamic of Civil Society group founded in against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid to defy a two-term limit and pressure and even sanctions” from the international community, Russian government, began even before Russia’s the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013. stay in power for another five years. “because things have to change,” said Kijana. —AFP standoff with Ukraine. A journalist with Novaya Gazeta opposition newspaper visited the Saint Petersburg agency in 2013 undercover and reported there were Lynched Afghan woman becomes an icon about 400 employees based out of a small building on the outskirts of the city. Since then many Russian newspapers, and even for- By Lynne O’Donnell According to witnesses, she told the man to ing killing if the perpetrators are punished and women mixing together,” Miri said. eign-language outlets that cover Russian events, have stop selling amulets to childless women; he according to the law and a professional police At the Cactus Gallery not far away, owner been forced to close comments sections because of oets, musicians, actors and activists packed shouted to whoever could hear that she had set force emerges to command public confidence. Nasir Neanderthal, who uses his nickname, com- the trolling torrent. Local media reported that the an empty shop in a Kabul mall to com- fire to a Quran. As police watched, and at times “It should lead to very positive outcomes but this missioned local artist Hamid Hassanzada to paint operation moved to the larger, new four-storey build- memorate the short life and violent death participated, Farkhunda was punched, kicked, is a very heavy price to pay,” she said. “If justice a huge wall mural of a Persian maiden being ing in October. Now the Kremlin trolling centre’s focus P of a woman who has become a symbol for justice hit with planks of wood, thrown from a roof, run prevails and the law is followed, women will also molested and murdered by black, horned is the conflict in Ukraine, and it has reportedly added and women’s rights in a country that historically over by a car and crushed with a block of con- feel safer.” demons. “I try to bring people here to my cafe departments for people with foreign language skills elevates warlords and battlefield heroes to crete. Her body was then dragged along a main Farkhunda has emerged as an icon for rights who are dissatisfied with this society and culture. and those able to Photoshop images. national icons. The name of Farkhunda, beaten to road, thrown onto the banks of the Kabul River and justice campaigners. The now-familiar ban- This mural is a protest against something that Prospective trolls initially respond to employment death by a frenzied mob apparently in the mis- and set alight. ners of her battered, bewildered face hang by the happened here in this city, I want it to depict opportunities on popular websites, where seemingly taken belief that she had burned a Holy Quran, riverside mosque, and a green satin flag of mar- those who became devils and killed a woman,” he innocuous jobs titled “editor” or “content manager” are has become a rallying cry for Afghans hoping the Innocent tyrdom has been erected near where her body said. posted by an entity calling itself an agency for Internet shocking incident will lead to profound changes The incident, filmed on cellphones and post- was burned. On the stony bank below, activists The Interior Ministry hosted a three-day studies. AFP found job ads as recently as March 17 ask- in Afghanistan. ed on social media, sparked nationwide demon- planted a pine tree to mark the spot. women’s volleyball tournament in which teams ing candidates to send a CV through a website. An Activists say the previously unquestioned strations - and vigils around the world. The In Kabul, a coffee shop originally named after competed for the Farkhunda Cup. In central Ghor automated reply then promises to contact the appli- power of the religious establishment is being Interior Ministry says it has arrested 28 suspects Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez has province, Juma Gul said she had named her new- cant in the future. The employee turnover is huge, challenged for the first time in Afghanistan’s and dismissed 19 policemen. Investigations by a changed its name to the Farkhunda Cafe, said born daughter after the dead woman “to keep the Savchuk said. “The work is hard. You have to write an modern history. Religious leaders and conserva- presidential commission, which declared owner Mir Abdullah Miri, who also runs the memory of Farkhunda alive”. In contrast to politi- enormous amount and a lot of people were laid off tive politicians have been forced by the power of Farkhunda innocent of Quran burning, continue. Afghan Women’s Welfare Foundation, a small cized figures like former Taliban opponent Ahmad since they lacked the skill or simply couldn’t express public opinion to apologize for trying to justify On Thursday, the government ordered the non-government organization helping women Shah Massoud, whose death two days before the these ideas.” Farkhunda’s killing. At least one official has been mosque closed until further notice. sell handicrafts to become economically inde- Sept 11 attacks on the US in 2001 is celebrated Most of the staff are young, often students. “They were sacked for saying the woman would have Sima Samar, head of the Afghanistan pendent. “I have already had to bow to pressure annually as Massoud Day, Farkhunda is an icon completely indifferent to politics and did not take any- deserved her brutal death if she had indeed Independent Human Rights Commission, said from the local mosque to make it a women’s only “chosen by the people, the difference between thing seriously. For them it’s just a way to earn money.” But burned the Muslim holy book. some good may result from Farkhunda’s shock- cafe because religious leaders do not want men imposition and choice,” Samar said. —AP there were also other kinds of employees roaming the At last week’s Kabul vigil, candlelight illumi- building who were older and full of enthusiasm. “There nated a huge poster of Farkhunda’s blood-red- weren’t many of them, but for them this work was a true dened face as an actor recited Shakespeare’s mission,” she said. The bland space - christened a “troll fac- “Seven Ages of Man”, followed by performances tory” by some Russian media - is closed to the public. In of works commemorating her death. Outside, fact, the only clear sign of the agency’s existence at all are documentary filmmaker Diana Saqeb broke the job ads. Inside, most workers hardly speak to each down: “I don’t believe in the humanity of this other, often giving just a brusque “Excuse me, I’m in a hur- country anymore,” she said. “It has been more ry,” said Savchuk. Some seemed afraid to talk at all, she than 10 days, but still I can’t sleep, I can’t eat. said: “They have cameras everywhere.” —AFP These people are killers, no different to the Taleban or Daesh who also kill people in the name of God,” Saqeb said, referring to an alterna- tive acronym for the Islamic State group. All articles appearing on these The rule of law, said human rights activist pages are the personal opinion of Nader Nadery, is in the ascendancy. “This is a the writers. Kuwait Times takes no turning point for civil liberties that is real. It will be difficult to return to the former status quo responsibility for views expressed when only self-proclaimed religious leaders held therein. Kuwait Times invites read- the high moral ground at the expense of justice ers to voice their opinions. Please and the constitution,” he said. “If this struggle continues, the outcome will be what the country send submissions via email to: opin- needs, to make rule of law clear and have religion [email protected] or via snail understood in its place within the context of the mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. law.” Farkhunda, a 27-year-old religious scholar The editor reserves the right to edit who like many Afghans used only one name, any submission as necessary. was killed on March 19 after an argument with a This March 31, 2015 photo, shows an artwork depicting 27-year-old Farkhunda, an Afghan woman who was beaten peddler at Kabul’s Shah-Do Shamshira mosque. to death by a mob last month, at the Cactus Gallery in Kabul. —AP MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 SPORTS

Arango bites opponent Referee in ‘messy’ decision Thiago’s ‘emotional’ return MEXICO CITY: Tijuana midfielder Juan Arango has taken a leaf out of Luis BUENOS AIRES: Referee German Delfino has controversially over- BERLIN: Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara made no secret of his ‘emotional Suarez’s book by biting an opponent in the Mexican championship. turned his own penalty and red card decision in an Argentine champi- moment’ as a he shed a few tears on his Bayern Munich return after a ‘tough’ Venezuela’s Arango bit Monterrey defender Jesus Zavala in the shoulder in onship match at Velez Sarsfield and admitted his performance was year out with injury. the final minutes of Tijuana’s 4-3 home defeat on Saturday. Zavala went down “messy”. Delfino awarded a penalty to Velez and sent off Arsenal The 23-year-old came off the bench for the last 20 minutes of Bayern’s 1-0 holding his left shoulder but the referee, who missed the incident which was defender Dany Rosero Valencia for handball, much to his own and team win at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday to make his first appearance since caught on television, took no action. Barcelona striker Suarez is still banned mates’ anger, in Saturday’s match at El Fortin. March 29 last year after a horror run of injuries. from playing for Uruguay after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World As the penalty was about to be taken, however, Delfino was told Cup, having previously been punished by the English Premier League for biting Having torn knee ligaments in Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Hoffenheim in March, Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic when he was with Liverpool. over his intercom that the handball was by Velez striker Mariano Pavone the Spain star re-injured the same joint last May in training. It meant another Tijuana had their lead in the Clausura standings cut to one point. They have and proceeded to overturn his decision and call Colombian Valencia operation and extended his time on the sidelines before a third knee injury 23 points from 12 matches, one more than Veracruz who lost 3-1 at fifth-placed back onto the field, sparking a furious reaction from the Velez players. during rehabilitation last October. “It was difficult because I couldn’t count the UANL Tigres. Monterrey climbed to ninth on 16 points, one place outside the Velez wanted to know how Delfino had learnt of his mistake as it days - I was counting months,” Thiago told Bundesliga.com. “So it was tough. top eight who qualify for the knockout rounds of the championship at the end appeared to have been on the instigation of the Arsenal bench after Every day was like the next final. of the 17-match league phase. Guadalajara, who drew their city they saw television replays, which are inadmissible. “I fought my way there and now I’ve got to enjoy it. “I don’t have derby 1-1 away to Atlas, are on 21 points with title holders and “I saw one thing and changed the decision because of a collaborator, to fight anymore, I just have to enjoy it.” In total, Thiago missed 53 arch-rivals America but continue to languish two places from we are a team but I’m unhappy,” Delfino said referring to one of the oth- games for Bayern and sat out the World Cup, but he was just bottom of the relegation table. er match officials. “The procedure was horrible, that mustn’t happen to relieved to get back on the pitch after such a lengthy absence. “As The team that finishes bottom of the relegation table, based me again. It’s messy and I take full responsibility,” he told broadcasters a footballer, we live for this,” said the Spaniard. “It’s been a long and on teams’ average points over three seasons, after the league Futbol Para Todos. “Doubts cause confusion...I hope I did the right difficult year, but now I’m back. I don’t have the words to describe it. phase will be relegated. Guadalajara coach Jose Manuel de la “Football for people is just a game, but you can see from the Torre said his team could not relax and would continue thing.” The score was 1-1 at the time and Velez still went on to win 2-1 with their fight to avoid the drop after some good results with a legitimate penalty in the 81st-minute penalty converted by strik- crowd how emotional they are, so it’s more than that - it’s not in the Clausura. —Reuters er Milton Caraglio. —Reuters about a game, it’s life.” —AFP Red Wings soar over Wild

ST. PAUL: Darren Helm scored in the eighth round of a shootout, and the Detroit Red Wings outlasted the Minnesota Wild 3-2 on Saturday night. Helm came down the slot, cut to his fore- hand and let go with a low wrist shot. Officials on the ice ruled that Devan Dubnyk stopped the puck in time; however, video review showed the stop came after the puck crossed the goal line. Gustav Nyquist and Riley Sheahan scored in both the shootout and regulation for Detroit, which ended a three-game slide and is 2-3-2 in its past seven. Jimmy Howard stopped 22 shots. Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek had shootout goals for Minnesota. Zach Parise scored twice in regulation for the Wild, who played without captain Mikko Koivu. The center was a late scratch with an eye injury and is day to day. Starting his 36th consecutive game, Dubnyk made 20 saves. Minnesota - 24-6-2 since the All- Star break - has lost consecutive games for the first time since Jan. 19 and 20. Detroit and Boston remained tied for third place in the Al Shehab wins Atlantic Division, three points ahead of Ottawa.

SENATORS 4, CAPITALS 3 Red Bull Kart Fight Kyle Turris scored on a breakaway at 3:14 of overtime to lift Ottawa over Washington. Turris stripped the puck away inside his own blue line before racing down the ice and beating Braden Holtby through his legs. Clark MacArthur, Mark Stone and Mika Zibanejad had first-period goals for the Senators, three points out of a playoff spot. Erik Karlsson had two assists and Andrew Hammond made 29 saves to improve to 17-1-1. Marcus Johansson, Mike Green and Troy Brouwer scored for the Capitals. MINNESOTA: Detroit Red Wings players celebrate with center Darren Helm (front left) after his RANGERS 6, DEVILS 1 game-winning shootout goal in an NHL hockey game. — AP Rick Nash scored his career-best 42nd goal, Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves and New York shot in overtime, and Dallas kept its faint playoff Sidney Crosby, Brandon Sutter and Ben Lovejoy moved closer to securing home-ice advantage hopes alive by beating Nashville. scored for the Penguins, just 3-7-1 in their last 11 for the playoffs with a victory over New Jersey. Colton Sceviour and Travis Moen each had a games and still not assured a playoff berth. Ian Keith Yandle and Dominic Moore scored 25 goal and an assist, and Tyler Seguin also scored Cole had two assists and Marc-Andre Fleury seconds apart to cap a three-goal first period. for the Stars. Jhonas Enroth made 33 saves as made 29 saves. Derek Stepan added a short-handed goal in the the Stars snapped a two-game skid. They are six second, and Derick Brassard and Moore scored in points out of the Western Conference’s final HURRICANES 3, FLYERS 2 the third. It was the Rangers’ third straight win. wild-card spot with three games left. James Neal Nathan Gerbe and Chris Terry scored in the They’re tied with Anaheim for the most points in and Filip Forsberg each had a goal and an assist. shootout to lift Carolina past Philadelphia. the NHL at 107, and are three ahead of Montreal Ryan Ellis also scored for Nashville, which lost its Jordan Staal had a goal and an assist, and Elias and Tampa Bay in the race for the best mark in third straight on home ice. The Predators did get Lindholm also scored in regulation to help the the Eastern Conference. New York has played a point and now sit atop the Central Division at Hurricanes win a matchup of teams eliminated one fewer game than the Canadiens and two 104, one ahead of St. Louis. from playoff contention. Sean Couturier sent it fewer than the Ducks and Lightning. Tuomo to overtime by scoring with 1:50 left in regula- Ruutu scored for the Devils with 3:30 to play. COYOTES 5, SHARKS 3 tion. He also assisted on Michael Raffl’s power- Oliver Ekman-Larsson had two goals and an play goal for the Flyers, who erased a 2-0 deficit LIGHTNING 4, PANTHERS 0 assist, Mike Smith made 42 saves and Arizona in the second period. Cam Ward closed it out by KUWAIT: Abdullah Al Shehab clinched the the top 5 from each race qualified to the Steven Stamkos scored two goals and added damaged San Jose’s faint playoff hopes. denying Claude Giroux’s backhand. 2015 Red Bull Kart Fight title in Kuwait final race. The top 10 qualified drivers went an assist to lead Tampa Bay over Florida. Tyler Shane Doan had a goal and two assists, Mark which was held at Sirbb track. Al Shehab through a qualification session to deter- Johnson also scored and Ryan Callahan had a Arcobello scored in the third period and Sam JETS 5, CANUCKS 4 won a hard fought race after facing tough mine the pole position. Race one started goal and an assist. Ben Bishop stopped 34 shots Gagner’s empty-net goal put it away for the Lee Stempniak scored twice, Mathieu competition from Bandar Ali. Both drivers from position 1 till 10 for 12 laps, points in his fourth shutout of the season. Coyotes in their first regulation win since Feb. 3. Perreault had three assists and Winnipeg defeat- were level on points after securing 48 were be granted as per the table. Race two The Lightning won for the second time in six Chris Tierney’s tip-in at 6:48 got the Sharks ed Vancouver. Jim Slater, Michael Frolik and points from the final two races but it was started from position No. 10 till No. 1 for 12 games and secured home-ice advantage for the within a goal, but Smith kept them at bay and Mark Scheifele also scored for the Jets, who the fastest lap that Al Shehab set laps, points were granted as per the table. first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. San Jose couldn’t convert on a late power play. completed a 2-2 homestand. (44.775seconds) which gave him the victo- Points of two races were added together Tampa Bay is tied with Montreal for first place in The Sharks, who have made the playoffs in 10 Alexandre Burrows had a pair of goals for ry. Third place went to Khaled Al Mudhaf and the driver with the highest points won the Atlantic Division. Roberto Luongo made 18 straight seasons, fell five points out of the final Vancouver. Daniel Sedin added a goal and two with 42 points. the race. saves on his 36th birthday for the Panthers, who wild-card spot in the Western Conference with assists, and Henrik Sedin had a goal and an Al Shehab who will now represent During the World Final, champions from were eliminated from playoff contention. They three games left. assist. Ondrej Pavelec made 26 saves for the Jets. Kuwait at the World Final in Austria said: other countries including Kuwait will show will miss the postseason for the 13th time in the Joe Thornton scored to end a seven-game Eddie Lack stopped 31 shots for the Canucks. “I’m extremely happy to win; I was well pre- their talent in an event open to the interna- past 14 seasons. point drought for San Jose. Tomas Hertl also pared but Bandar made everything tough. I tional media as well as race fans and sup- scored and Antti Niemi made 28 saves. FLAMES 4, OILERS 0 thank Red Bull for organizing a unique porters. It will be a fantastic festival of BRUINS 2, MAPLE LEAFS 1 Dennis Wideman had a goal and two assists, event and format. I will now enjoy my win speed and international competition at the Patrice Bergeron scored the only shootout BLUE JACKETS 5, PENGUINS 3 and Jonas Hiller made 27 saves for the shutout and will soon start preparing myself for the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg in Austria. goal, and the streaking Boston Bruins improved Nick Foligno scored three times and in Calgary’s victory over Edmonton. world final.” Participating in the World Final is as their playoff chances in their home finale with a Columbus beat Pittsburgh to set a franchise Markus Granlund had a pair of goals and Joe The Red Bull Kart Fight qualifiers in close as an amateur racer can get to the win over Toronto. Boston and Pittsburgh hold the record with its ninth consecutive win. It was Colborne also scored for the Flames, who have Kuwait started on March 1st and ended on feel of being a top international star. A pur- two Eastern Conference wild-card spots with 95 Foligno’s first hat trick in his 541st NHL game. won three of four. Calgary is clinging to one of Sunday March 29. More than 1,000 partici- pose built track is designed specifically to points each, but the Penguins have played one Matt Calvert and Scott Hartnell also scored, the final playoff positions in the Western pants have participated and only the test the depth of the competitors’ abilities fewer game. The Bruins have three games remain- Brandon Dubinsky assisted on all three of Conference with three games to play. The Oilers fastest 20 racing times have made it to the over 2 intense days of competition where ing - at Washington, Florida and Tampa Bay. Foligno’s goals, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 33 have lost three in a row and were swept in the Kuwait Final. only one will emerge as World Champion. The Bruins took a season-high 50 shots on saves as the Blue Jackets won for the 11th time five-game season series. Karri Ramo started in On the 2nd of April, the event started Red Bull Kart Fight in Kuwait was organ- goal but scored only when Bergeron converted in 13 games. Marko Dano added two assists. net for Calgary, but appeared to pull a muscle in with a free practice. This was followed with ized by Bassel Salem Al Sabah Motor his own rebound 19 seconds into the second Columbus, already eliminated from postsea- his left leg 58 seconds into the game and had to a qualifier where the 20 drivers were divid- Racing Club and was sponsored by period. James van Riemsdyk tied the game at son contention, scored four consecutive goals be helped off the ice. Hiller came off the bench ed into 4 groups of 5 where each driver had Chevrolet, Road Emergency, Kuwait Times 14:31. Toronto is 2-9 in its last 11 games and fell after trailing 2-0 late in the second period. in relief. — AP 3 laps to set the best time. The drivers were and Al Anba. For more info about the to 8-27-5 on the road. then divided into two groups as per the championship please follow qualification (odd & even). @RedBullKuwait Instagram & Twitter ISLANDERS 3, SABRES 0 NHL results/standings Two races of 12 laps each were held and accounts. Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves for his sixth shutout of the season in New York’s victory over Buffalo. Kyle Okposo, Brock Nelson and Nikolay Carolina 3, Philadelphia 2 (So); Columbus 5, Pittsburgh 3; Winnipeg 5, Vancouver 4; Boston 2, Kulemin scored. Halak improved to 37-16-3 and Toronto 1 (So); Ottawa 4, Washington 3 (OT); Tampa Bay 4, Florida 0; NY Islanders 3, Buffalo 0; NY has the franchise’s single-season wins record. In Rangers 6, New Jersey 1; Detroit 3, Minnesota 2 (SO); Dallas 4, Nashville 3 (OT); Arizona 5, San his first NHL start, Andrey Makarov stopped 33 Jose 3; Calgary 4, Edmonton 0; Los Angeles 3, Colorado 1. shots for the Sabres, who have been shut out 12 Western Conference Tampa Bay 48 24 8 255 206 104 times this season. Pacific Division Detroit 41 24 13 226 213 95 WL OTLGFGAPTS Boston 41 25 13 209 201 95 KINGS 3, AVALANCHE 1 Anaheim 50 23 7 234 221 107 Ottawa 40 26 12 226 208 92 Alec Martinez scored the tiebreaking goal, Vancouver 45 29 5 229 216 95 Florida 36 28 15 198 215 87 Marian Gaborik added his 26th and Los Angeles Calgary 43 29 7 234 208 93 Los Angeles 39 25 14 212 195 92 Toronto 29 43 7 205 251 65 kept pace in the playoff hunt with a victory over Buffalo 22 49 8 155 265 52 Colorado. Dwight King also scored and Jonathan San Jose 39 31 9 223 222 87 Metropolitan Division Quick made nine saves for the defending Stanley Edmonton 23 43 13 188 272 59 NY Rangers 50 21 7 240 182 107 Cup champions, who have won five of seven to Arizona 24 47 8 167 262 56 Central Division stay even with Winnipeg for the second wild- NY Islanders 46 27 6 241 219 98 Nashville 47 22 10 227 197 104 Washington 43 25 11 235 198 97 card spot in the Western Conference. St. Louis 48 23 7 240 196 103 Ryan O’Reilly scored for the Avalanche, who Pittsburgh 42 25 11 214 199 95 Chicago 48 24 6 224 180 102 Columbus 39 35 4 219 240 82 were eliminated from playoff contention earlier Minnesota 44 26 8 223 192 96 Philadelphia 31 29 18 204 223 80 Saturday when Winnipeg beat Vancouver. Winnipeg 40 26 12 222 208 92 Semyon Varlamov stopped 23 shots for the Dallas 38 31 10 248 258 86 New Jersey 32 34 13 174 205 77 Avalanche, whose 10 shots tied a franchise- Colorado 36 31 12 212 223 84 Carolina 29 38 11 180 216 69 record low for a Kings opponent. Eastern Conference Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one Atlantic Division point in the standings and are not included in STARS 4, PREDATORS 3 Montreal 47 22 10 209 182 104 the loss column (L). Cody Eakin scored on his first career penalty MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 SPORTS Warriors march past Mavs

DALLAS: Klay Thompson scored 21 points and the Golden State Warriors clinched home-court advan- tage throughout the playoffs with their 12th straight victory, beating the Dallas Mavericks 123- 110 Saturday night. The Warriors (63-13) need one more victory to assure finishing with the best record in the NBA for the first time since 1975-76. They hold the tiebreak- er on Atlanta for the top overall seed. Stephen Curry scored 11 points while big men Andre Iguodala and Maurice Speights got into the long- range fun mostly reserved for Splash Brothers Curry and Thompson. Both finished with 18 points. Dirk Nowitzki had 18 points to lead the Mavericks, who lost for the sixth time in eight games but are close to securing the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

HAWKS 131, NETS 99 Al Horford and DeMarre Carroll scored 20 points INDIANAPOLIS: Wisconsin players celebrate on the court after an NCAA Final Four each to help the Atlanta Hawks match a franchise tournament college basketball semifinal game against Kentucky. — AP record with their 57th win. However, the Hawks lost forward Paul Millsap to a right shoulder injury in a collision with Brooklyn’s Wisconsin Earl Clark with 1:52 left in the first half. There was no foul called on the play which left Millsap sprawled on the floor. He grimaced as he held his shoulder while walking off the court, finishing with upset Kentucky eight points and five assists. Jeff Teague added had 17 points as Atlanta nev- INDIANAPOLIS: Nobody ever said they game.” Dekker, a future NBAer himself, did er trailed while ending the Nets’ season-best six- were perfect. Now, the Kentucky Wildcats most of the damage during Wisconsin’s game winning streak. The Hawks looked fresh after aren’t undefeated, either. The hard-nosed comeback and eventual pullaway. He start- three off days. The Nets, coming off Friday night’s Wisconsin Badgers did what nobody else ed the run with bucket from the paint over win over Toronto, couldn’t match the Hawks’ ener- could this season: They knocked off the Trey Lyles, then Nigel Hayes tied the game gy. Bojan Bogdanovic led Brooklyn with 19 points. Wildcats 71-64 on Saturday night behind 20 by tipping in an air ball after the clock had points and 11 rebounds from birthday boy clearly turned to “0.” No violation was called, TRAIL BLAZERS 99, PELICANS 90 Frank Kaminsky and a clutch comeback and in a game full of shaky officiating that LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and 12 down the stretch. left both coaches screaming, it generated rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped Now, instead of Kentucky going for his- momentum for the Badgers and left the New Orleans Pelicans’ four-game winning tory, it’s Wisconsin heading to the final Kentucky flat. streak. Kris Kaman added 16 points and 11 Monday night to play Duke. The Badgers, Tied at 60, Andrew Harrison missed on rebounds for the Blazers, who have already who lost 80-70 to Duke in a December Kentucky’s next possession. Dekker fol- clinched the Northwest Division and are jockeying meeting in Madison, opened as a one-point lowed by spotting up for a 3-pointer that for home-court advantage among the Western favorite. “I just feel like we wanted to win gave Wisconsin the lead for good with 1:42 Conference playoff teams. Eric Gordon had 22 the national title, and we didn’t do it,” left, then drawing a charge call when Lyles points for the Pelicans, who remain a half-game Wildcats freshman Tyler Ulis said. “So the slammed his shoulder into Dekker’s chest. back of Oklahoma City for eighth place and the season was a waste.” Another free throw made it 64-60 and final playoff spot in the West. Some of the Kentucky players skulked Kentucky was in full comeback mode. off without shaking their opponents’ hands. Ahead 64-63 with 24 seconds left, PISTONS 99, HEAT 98 The Wildcats close the season at 38-1 - two Kaminsky, who was celebrating his 22nd Reggie Jackson scored 15 of his 29 points in the wins short of becoming the first undefeated birthday, hit two free throws. He and fourth quarter, including the winning layup with 5 team in college basketball since the 1975- Bronson Koenig went 7 for 8 from the line seconds remaining. Andre Drummond had 11 76 Indiana Hoosiers. Instead, this NBA-ready over the last 24 seconds to seal the win. points and 17 rebounds for his 44th double-dou- group joins the star-studded 1991 UNLV “Best birthday present I’ve ever had,” ble, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 19 points team as the latest to take an undefeated Kaminsky said. Kentucky’s last, best chance and Anthony Tolliver added 15 for the Pistons. record into the Final Four but lose in the came while trailing by three with 12 seconds Detroit rallied from 15 down in the fourth and semifinals. “I’ve had some tough losses and left. But Karl-Anthony Towns, who led the closed with a 21-6 run over the final 5:36 to get the some unbelievable wins at the buzzer,” Wildcats with 16 points and nine rebounds, win. Dwyane Wade scored 24 points and Goran coach John Calipari said. “My concern is that received the ball in the post and got fouled. Dragic had 21 for the Heat. Luol Deng added 13 these guys keep it in perspective. They just He made only one free throw, and from points and Hassan Whiteside had 13 points and 12 had an historic year. If you want to blame there, Wisconsin iced it from the line. rebounds. Miami shot 48 percent from the field, led anyone, blame me.” Plenty of folks will take Some stats that made the difference: by Wade’s 11-for-18 effort. pleasure in that. Wisconsin shot 47.9 percent from the floor - Trending on Twitter shortly after the 13 points higher than what Kentucky WIZARDS 92, GRIZZLIES 83 DALLAS: Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson scores an uncontested basket during the buzzer: “38-and-Done.” And “38-and-1.” All allowed this season - and went 10 for 20 Bradley Beal scored 20, John Wall had 18 points first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks. — AP easy pickings for the many detractors of from 3-point range. The Badgers, ranked and 14 assists for the Wizards. Drew Gooden added Calipari’s group of “One and Done” players, 262nd in the country in offensive rebound- 16 for Washington, connecting on 6 of 10 shots, of his points in three quarters, leading the Phoenix first 12 shots. But with the game on the line, he All-Americans and other future first- ing this season, finished with 12 to only six including 3 of 5 from outside the arc. Rasual Butler Suns to a win. Green didn’t play in the first quarter, took an inbounds pass from midcourt, drove past rounders and lottery picks. But there’s more for Kentucky. It helped explain how added 10 for the Wizards, who won their third scored 10 points in the second and caught fire in Ish Smith and put up a right-handed layup over the than one program sending players to the Kentucky could lose despite shooting 48 straight. the fourth with 10 more. leaping Furkan Aldemir for the lead. Smith had a NBA - more than one team that keeps on percent itself and committing only six Marc Gasol led Memphis with 18 points, while The Suns had to hang on until the final buzzer, chance to win it for the 76ers, but his driving left- fighting even when things look bleak. turnovers. Junior Willie Cauley-Stein, a key Mike Conley scored 14 points - the only two when the Jazz missed a shot to tie in the closing handed layup at the buzzer was too strong. Wisconsin had every reason to turtle, to Kentucky’s success this year, finished Grizzlies in double figures. The loss dropped seconds and were called for an offensive foul to MAGIC 97, BUCKS 90 going without a point for six minutes dur- with two points and five rebounds. Memphis into the third spot in the Western end the game. Gordon Hayward scored 12 his 21 Tobias Harris had 23 points and 10 rebounds ing an 8-0 Kentucky run that put the Calipari said the pressure of being per- Conference playoff standings - a half-game behind points in the fourth quarter for the Jazz and Nikola Vucevic scored 20 points for the Wildcats up by four and left the Badgers fect wasn’t the difference in this one. “I think idle Houston. Orlando Magic. Victor Oladipo added 15 points to gasping for breath and resting their hands what impacted the game was the most was HORNETS 92, 76ERS 91 help Orlando get its second road win in two nights on their knees. Instead, they answered the Wisconsin and how they play,” he said. CLIPPERS 107, NUGGETS 92 Gerald Henderson’s driving layup with 6 sec- after losing 12 straight away from home. Harris Kentucky run with an 8-0 run of their own A bunch of Wildcats tugged at their jer- Redick scored 24 points, DeAndre Jordan had onds left lifted the Charlotte Hornets to the win. made a career-best five 3-pointers on nine to set up the pullaway. It was a Kentucky- seys and walked slowly off the court - losers 14 points and 22 rebounds and the Los Angeles Kemba Walker had 24 points and Mo Williams attempts. Ersan Ilyasova scored 18 points and Khris like effort, the kind the Wildcats pulled off for the first time this season, and the first Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets. added 18 as the Hornets won despite playing with- Middleton added 15 for Milwaukee. Point guard yet again last week in a two-point win over time since last year’s final against UConn. A Chris Paul had 23 points and nine assists for the out three starters, including center Al Jefferson. Michael Carter-Williams had 10 rebounds and nine Notre Dame in the regional final that made few, like Towns, Cauley-Stein and Lyles, will Clippers, who moved a half-game ahead of San Henderson struggled all night, missing 10 of his assists. — AP them look more gritty than invincible. be first-round picks if they leave college for Antonio for the fifth seed in the Western “I think you guys have seen that all year,” the NBA’s millions. They wanted a title, too. Conference with their ninth win in 10 games. They Wisconsin senior Sam Dekker said. “We didn’t care about the record,” Towns are just a game back of Memphis for the third seed NBA results/standings “Whether we’re down six or up 20, we’re said. “We just cared about the trophy that and host the Grizzlies next Saturday. Los Angeles going to be us, and we’re going to play our came with it.” — AP has just two road games remaining, although one of them is against the Lakers at Staples Center. Charlotte 92, Philadelphia 91; Atlanta 131, Brooklyn 99; Detroit 99, Miami 98; Boston 117, Toronto 116 (OT); Washington 92, Memphis 83; Golden State 123, Dallas 110; Orlando 97, Milwaukee 90; CELTICS 117, RAPTORS 116 LA Clippers 107, Denver 92; Phoenix 87, Utah 85; Portland 99, New Orleans 90. Duke advance Marcus Smart hit a buzzer-beating layup in Eastern Conference Western Conference overtime to send the Boston Celtics over the Atlantic Division Northwest Division Toronto Raptors. With 2.6 seconds left and Boston W L PCT GB Portland 50 26 .658 - to title game trailing by one, Smart took a pass from a driving Toronto 45 32 .584 - Isaiah Thomas and sneaked behind the collapsing Oklahoma City 42 34 .553 8 Brooklyn 35 41 .461 9.5 Utah 34 42 .447 16 LOS ANGELES: The Duke Blue Devils Mike Krzyzewski, who won national titles Toronto defense to score the winning basket, Boston 35 42 .455 10 Denver 28 49 .364 22.5 overcame an early deficit and defeated in 1991, 1992, 2001 and 2010. Krzyzewski, silencing the sellout crowd of 19,800. Philadelphia 18 59 .234 27 Minnesota 16 60 .211 34 Michigan State Spartans 81-61 in a Final the winningest coach in college basket- Thomas scored 25 points, Tyler Zeller had 20 NY Knicks 14 62 .184 30.5 Pacific Division Four matchup on Saturday to advance to ball’s top level, also has coached the US and Evan Turner added 18 points and 10 assists for Central Division Golden State 63 13 .829 - the U.S. collegiate national championship Olympic team to two gold medals, most the Celtics, who moved one-half game ahead of Cleveland 49 27 .645 - LA Clippers 51 26 .662 12.5 game. Justise Winslow scored 19 points, recently at the 2012 London Games. Duke Miami in the race for the final Eastern Conference Chicago 46 30 .605 3 Phoenix 39 38 .506 24.5 Jahlil Okafor added 18 and the Blue took control late in the first half after trail- playoff berth after the Heat lost 99-98 at Detroit. Milwaukee 38 39 .494 11.5 Devils flexed their offense to set up ing by eight points early. They led 36-25 at The Raptors led 116-115 on a 3 by Lou Williams Indiana 33 43 .434 16 Sacramento 26 49 .347 36.5 Monday’s title matchup with the winner halftime before racing to a 20-point with 4 seconds left, but couldn’t hold on for the Detroit 30 47 .390 19.5 LA Lakers 20 55 .267 42.5 of Saturday’s second game between advantage in the second half. Denzel win. DeMar DeRozan scored 18 of his 38 points in Southeast Division Southwest Division undefeated Kentucky and Wisconsin in Valentine Jr. scored a game-high 22 points the fourth quarter and overtime, while Williams fin- Atlanta 57 19 .750 - Houston 52 24 .684 - Indianapolis. for the seventh-seeded Michigan State, ished with 27. Washington 44 33 .571 13.5 Memphis 52 25 .675 0.5 The victory puts Duke in the national who made a surprisingly strong showing Miami 34 42 .447 23 San Antonio 50 26 .658 2 title game for the ninth time under coach in the NCAA Tournament. — Reuters SUNS 87, JAZZ 85 Charlotte 33 43 .434 24 Dallas 46 31 .597 6.5 Gerald Green came off the bench to score all 24 Orlando 24 53 .312 33.5 New Orleans 41 35 .539 11 Preparations in top gear for Audi Sport TT Cup

INGOLSTADT: The preparations for the new Audi bers of the judging panel. tion to covering more test kilometers, will be doing Sport TT Cup are in full swing. 165 applications from The 18 permanent entrants, 16 male and two specific practice units, like start tests, and simulate 30 nations have been received by quattro GmbH for female drivers, of the new Audi Sport TT Cup just the procedures on a race weekend. On the first the 18 available permanent slots. “Worldwide inter- completed the initial track tests. On the Circuit de weekend in May the Audi Sport TT Cup will start its est in the Audi Sport TT Cup was overwhelming,” Catalunya in Spain, they drove the Audi TT cup car inaugural season with two races. says Project Leader Rolf Michl. over a total distance of nearly 7,700 kilometers, “We’re very much looking forward to opening “The first application was received shortly after gathering important data and experiences in the the season on this big motorsport weekend at the the world premiere at Hockenheim and our phones process. In the test on the 4.655-kilometer track Hockenheimring in May: the Audi Sport TT Cup have constantly been ringing ever since. We’re not north of Barcelona, the international entrants of the together with the DTM, the World Rallycross only delighted about the large number of registra- brand new one-make cup by Audi covered 1,584 Championship, Formula 3 and the Porsche Carrera tions but, above all, about the quality and interna- laps in total. Cup,” says Michl. “This is going to pack a punch.” The tional attention.” As expected, the majority of the At the end of the track tests, the field of 18 driv- 18 permanent starters will be joined by six guest applicants were from Germany and Europe. With a ers had clocked an aggregated driving time of more starters at the each of the six racing weekends, cov- total of twelve registrations North America was than 100 hours. “For everybody in the team it was ering 12 races overall. These six additional slots will strongly represented. Applications from Australia, an impressive experience when the drivers started be awarded to media, racing legends and VIP’s. Brazil, China, Columbia, Mauritius and South Africa the engines and went out on track for the first time,” The tire manufacturer Hankook is the first part- have been received as well. The youngest candidate says Rolf Michl, Project Leader of the Audi Sport TT ner of the Audi onemake cup. Hankook that is has just turned 16. 19 registrations have been sub- Cup. Michl was ‘impressed’ not only about the per- known from the DTM, supplies the original tires for mitted by women. formance of the race cars. “Our young drivers did an all factory-delivered Audi TT and TTS cars, which The 18 available slots were awarded in a multi- outstanding job too,” says Michl in summing up the made it a logical choice for the new one-make cup stage selection process. Up to 50 candidates were track test. “The instructors, Markus Winkelhock and Detlef Schmidt, Technical Project Leader of the going to analyze the data and subsequently opti- of AUDI AG as well. invited to an initial evaluation course held at the Marco Werner, expressly praised how quickly all 18 Audi Sport TT Cup, made a positive assessment as mize personalized settings such as the seating posi- “Tires are very important in motorsport and will Audi driving experience center in Neuburg an der entrants familiarized themselves with the TT cup well: “I’m very pleased with the reliability of the car tions and steering wheel adjustments for the 18 be playing a major role in training our young race Donau. Among others, Audi Sport TT Cup coach and how meticulously they worked out their indi- and the performance of the drivers. All race cars are entrants. Concurrently, Audi is setting preparations drivers,” says Rolf Michl. “Hankook has an enormous Markus Winkelhock, Le Mans winner Marco Werner vidual set-ups.” The youngest driver is 17 years old, completely undamaged, and after nearly 7,700 kilo- for the second pre-season test, which will take place wealth of knowhow and is a perfect partner for the and the former rally driver Sepp Haider were mem- the oldest 25 and they are from 13 different nations. meters at that.” The technical development is now at the end of April. That’s when the drivers, in addi- Audi Sport TT Cup.” MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 SPORTS

Sheikh Ahmad Al Mansoor with a group of school children. Sheikh Salman Hands Fuhaid Al-Daihani the cup. Sheikha Alrashidi in action. Sheikh Salman lauds shooting achievements

By Abdellatif Sharaa and Kuna

KUWAIT: Information Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah appreciated the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Youth and Sports, and his support of Kuwait shooting sport, which contributed to its achievements in regional, continental and international events. Sheikh Salman, who attended as represen- tative of HH the Amir at the closing ceremony of HH the Amir Annual Championship, was speaking to journalists following the ceremo- ny that was held at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex. Sheikh Salman expressed thanks to the political leadership for its continued support of the Kuwaiti youth in general and shooting in particular, and recognized the efforts of all those who support Kuwaiti sport. He said the closing ceremony was distinguished as several government bodies participated in this cham- pionship and congratulated the winners, pres- ident and members of Kuwait Shooting Federation and the Higher Organizing Committee for their efforts that brought out the championship in this outstanding form. He said Kuwait Shooting Federation achievements have made Kuwait sports proud, and pointed out that Kuwait shooters won two Olympic medals in Kuwait history, apart from making nearly 40% of Kuwait sports achievements since the start of its inter- national participations in the sixties of last century until now. He said we stand with Kuwait Shooting Federation and other federations, especially the individual games ones to keep making the A group photo of women shooters with officials. achievements and asked all to make positive contributions for Kuwait sports in the future. pation of 220 shooters who represented KSF Amir, President of the Asian Shooting and wished Kuwait shooters all success. the women’s rifle Mariam Izrouqi was first and He said we all should “develop our abilities as besides the military sports federations. HE said Confederation, Honorary President of KSF Results of the tournament saw Fuhaid Al- in the pistol Mariam Shihab. The men’s 50m sports bodies to attract the youth and provide this championship is a fitting conclusion for Sheikh Salman Al-Hmoud for his unlimited Daihani winning the gold medal in the trap three positions rifle was won by Torki Al- the sports, culture and social environment, to the 2014-2015 season which was full of support of the shooting sport, also the efforts event, while Khalid Al-Mudhaf emerged sec- Shimmari, and the prone event was won by fulfill HH the Amir’s vision through support achievements at all levels. He said Kuwait of chairman of the Public Authority for Youth ond and Talal Al-Rashidi third. Majid Al-Thafiri. and care.” He said the Public Authority for Shooting won 61 medals at the continental and Sports (PAYS) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour Fuhaid Al Daihani was able to excel and win The men’s 50 meter pistol was won by Youth and Sports, adopted the support of all and international levels, including 14 gold, 20 Al-Sabah and government bodies. the double trap gold followed by his team- Abdallah Al-Namshan. The Olympic archery productive sports association through the par- silver and 17 bronze, and lauded the roles of Shooter Fuhaid Al-Daihani who won the mate Ahmad Al-Afasi and Mishal Al-Thafiri event was won by Ahmad Al-Tamimi, and the tial professionalism rules and international shooter Abdallah Al-Torqi Al-Rashidi and gold medals for trap and double trap said third. Shooter Saud Habib won the skeet event compound archery was won by Musallam participations, which will help sports athletes Olympian Fuhaid Al-Daihani who made the competition was very difficult as all shooters gold while Mansour Al-Rashidi was second Ibrahim. to be outstanding. most notable achievements, besides the rest had a high technical levels, and they have out- and Zaid Al-Mutairi third. In the women’s Shooters Fuhaid Al-Daihani, Abdallah Al- Meanwhile, President of Arab and Kuwait of shooters. standing skills and made achievements in vari- skeet, Afrah Adel was first followed by Iman Al- Rashidi, Khalid Al-Mudhaf, Abdelrahman Al- Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Khalaf Al- Al-Otaibi said that the Gulf Shooting ous championships. Shamma in second and Sheikha Al-Rashidi Faihan, Saud Habib, Salah Al-Mutairi, Ahmad Otaibi in his speech expressed thanks and Organizing Committee was in Kuwait during Al-Daihani called upon his colleagues to third. The women’s trap event was won by Al-Afasi, Hamad Al-Afasi and Talal Abdallah Al- appreciations to HH the Amir for backing and the tournament, and held a meeting and continue their training and exert more efforts Sarah Al-Hawal, second place went to Asmaa Rashidi were given special recognition for supporting Kuwait Shooting Federation and decided to hold the next Gulf championship in to always make highly advanced places in the Al-Qatami and Fatima Fawzi was third. their achievements during the World Cup patronizing this championship every year. He Kuwait in October. upcoming international events, especially Meanwhile, shooter Ali Al-Mutairi won the which was held in Spain in August and 17th said the championship witnessed the partici- He thanked the representative of HH the those that qualify for the Brazil 2016 Olympics pistol gold medla, Abdallah Al-Harbi rifle. In Asian games in Korea in October. Hackett books relay team spot

SYDNEY: Australian swimming great Grant A strong showing at the world champi- long time,” he said. “I got scared getting into a Hackett added to his legacy yesterday by onships in Russia in July and August, could, bathtub. “To discover a love for something shaking off seven year’s worth of rust to book however, lead to a spot in the team for the Rio that has been such a big part of my life is real- a place on the Australian relay team at the Olympics next year. But Hackett, who also fin- ly pleasing now because I don’t walk away world championships later this year. The 34- ished third in the 400m freestyle on Friday, with that taste of Olympic silver in my mouth year-old double Olympic champion, in his was just happy to be enjoying swimming by a few hundredths of a second. “I can really second meet since the 2008 Beijing Games, again. “I will be honest. I hated the sport for a enjoy the sport for what it is now.” — Reuters needed a top-six finish in the men’s 200 metre freestyle final at the high-quality national championships in Sydney to book a spot on the team for Kazan. He achieved the feat with room to spare, finishing fourth in a time of one minute, 46.84 seconds despite only six months training since announcing his plan to return. Hackett won 1,500m freestyle gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and defended the title four years later at Athens, picked up 10 world titles and also a silver medal in the 1,500m in Beijing, but he said Sunday’s achievements merited mention with his past accolades. RANCHO MIRAGE: Sei Young Kim, of South Korea, watches her tee shot on the second “If you had asked me 10 years ago if the hole during the third round of the LPGA Tour ANA Inspiration golf tournament at only thing that got me on the team was on Mission Hills Country Club. — AP the relay it would be bitter disappointment,” Hackett told reporters. “But right now, it is one of the biggest Kim leads ANA Inspiration achievements of my life.” Rated one of the sport’s greatest distance swimmers, Hackett CALIFORNIA: South Korea’s Kim Sei-young was known for coming from behind and win- said he returned to the pool for his own well- picked up two late birdies to break three shots ning tournaments. But to be in the lead going being having gone into rehab early last year clear of Stacy Lewis after the third round of into the final round on the LPGA is fairly new to treat a dependency to insomnia medica- the ANA Inspiration in California on Saturday. for me.” Kim has already won once this year in tion Zolpidem. Kim, in the hunt for her first LPGA major, her rookie season as an LPGA member, at the AUSTRALIA: Dual Olympic champion Grant Hackett smiles in this file photo. — AFP was part of a three-way tie for the lead late in Bahamas Classic in February. A victory late the day with Lewis and Morgan Pressel but yesterdy would make her the seventh South moved ahead as her American rivals faded Korean-born winner in eight LPGA events this over the closing holes. year. She was more steady than spectacular Spieth leaves pack behind The South Korean carded a 69 for a 10- for most of the day, using her reliable cross- under-par total at Mission Hills in Rancho handed putting stroke to brush in a 20-foot HOUSTON: Texan Jordan Spieth continued his Spieth has been the hottest player in the world home state event would be extra special, and Mirage, while Lewis (68) was alone in second birdie from the fringe at the 16th hole and a sizzling form when he surged to a one-stroke the past five months, but he was not ready to provide him with an added confidence boost on seven-under after two late bogeys. 10-foot birdie at the 17th to gain the three- lead after the third round at the Houston Open plan his victory speech. “I drove the ball heading into next week’s Masters. Pressel (71) also had two late bogeys to fall shot cushion. Lewis, on the other hand, on Saturday. Playing in front of his parents and extremely well today to give myself some Cook, meanwhile, displayed composure four shots off the pace, equal third with com- bogeyed two of the final four holes, though it sister, the 21-year-old compiled six birdies, chances coming in,” he told Golf Channel. beyond his experience in only his second PGA patriot Brittany Lincicome and Thailand’s Ariya could have been worse. punctuated by a 40-foot putt from the fringe at “I’m not going to think about being up one. Tour event. He temporarily took the lead Jutanugarn. Kim, a five-time winner on the Her drive at the 15th was headed out of the 16th hole, on his way to a five-under-par 67 I’m going to think about playing the golf before ending the day tied second. Korean Tour, admitted she would be very bounds until it hit a palm tree and ricocheted at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble. course. “It’s a bunched leaderboard. I’m going He made a double-bogey at the par-five nervous in the final round, when strong winds back into a fairway bunker. She bogeyed the He posted a 14-under 202 total with one to have to make a lot of putts, shoot a good 15th, where he took a penalty stroke after are forecast to buffet the course. hole but avoided complete disaster. The 2011 round left, while fellow Americans Austin Cook solid under-par round to have a chance to win.” yanking his drive into a hazard, but bounced “Those two birdies give me a wider lead champion sounded upbeat about her chances (70), Johnson Wagner (66) and Scott Piercy (66) Spieth won the Valspar Classic in Florida back with a birdie at the difficult 17th. Patrick going into tomorrow, but that doesn’t neces- of catching Kim. “Three shots on this golf were equal second on 13-under. three weeks ago, one of three worldwide victo- Reed, who is tied for 10th at 10-under, had the sarily mean that it gives me less pressure or course is not a lot,” Lewis said. “I’ve trailed by Phil Mickelson (75) and halfway leader ries in his past 10 starts. Only twice in that shot of the day, a hole-in-one with a five-iron gives me more confidence,” the 22-year-old more and I’ve won. On a hard golf course Andrew Putnam (76) plunged six shots off the stretch has he finished worse than seventh. from 178 yards at the 16th. Reed celebrated by told reporters. “I don’t think I’ve ever won a when you have a big lead, it’s hard, because pace after struggling in a north-easterly breeze Though he hails from Dallas, more than 200 racing his caddie in a 75-yard sprint across a tournament leading the final round. “Back in you start protecting a little bit, then you start that provided a stern test. World number four miles away, a victory in front of his family in a bridge to the green. — Reuters Korea when I was playing on the Korean Tour, I making bad swings.” — Reuters MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 SPORTS Kristoff makes history, grabs Tour of Flanders

BELGIUM: Alexander Kristoff became the while yet another vehicle from the same first ever Norwegian to win the prestigious company caused a car crash that resulted in Tour of Flanders yesterday as he beat Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel, twice previ- Dutchman Niki Terpstra in a sprint finish. ously second in the this race, knocked off Belgian Greg Van Avermaet took third his bike. The next obstacle around 60km ahead of Peter Sagan of Slovakia in fourth. from home was an inflatable arch over the But it was a breakaway led by last year’s road that had started to deflate and col- Paris-Roubaix winner Terpstra 30km from lapse-a loan spectator seemed to be help- home that made the difference with only ing hold it up as the riders passed under- 2014 Milan-San Remo winner Kristoff able neath with barley an inch of clear air to to follow, winning his second ‘Monument’ spare. The fight really started to kick into race. “I raced here a lot as a young rider, I gear with the passage of the tough watched this race a long time before I got Koppenberg climb-with one section boast- the chance to participate,” said Kristoff, 27. ing a 22 percent gradient — 45km from the “The dream was just to participate, not to finish, with Thomas showing his strength at win it. Now I have also won it’s a great feel- that moment as he briefly opened a gap on ing. I can’t describe it. some of his main rivals. “It was my main goal for this part of the Van Avermaet was next to have a dig on season and to achieve it is a great feeling.” It the following climb before Jurgen Relandts was that break on the Kruisberg climb, the accelerated on a flat section as splits formed third last of 19 on a brutal day that covered amongst the leaders, gradually reducing 264km, that made the decisive split. Terpstra the group of possible winners. knew that Kristoff was the better sprinter by One of the big losers was Sep Vanmarcke far, although both had shown great form in who faced a forlorn chase to regain contact the last month with the Norwegian finishing on the Kruisberg climb while Olympic time- second to John Degenkolb in the defence of trial champion Bradley Wiggins had long his Milan-San Remo title before winning been in difficulty and languishing near the Three Days of De Panne last week, having back. triumphed in three of the four stages. The Kruisberg was where Terpstra Terpstra had also been in good form having attacked and took Kristoff with him, quickly finished second at Gent-Wevelgem a week opening up a gap of 30sec with 20km left. ago but although he forced Kristoff into Thomas attacked on the final of three leading for much of the last 10km and lead- ascensions of the Kwaremont-the penulti- ing out the sprint, when he finally made his mate climb-and only Zdenek Stybar initially attack, there was no contest. Pre-race could hold his wheel. They couldn’t make it favorite Geraint Thomas was unable to stick, though, and it was Van Avermaet fol- shine, hamstrung by close marking and lowed by Sagan who got a gap on the rolled over the line outside the top 10. If the chasers on the final climb, the Paterberg. NEW YORK: In a photo provided by the New York Racing Association, Frosted (left) with Joel Rosario, captures the $1 million Wood Memorial horse race first 220km were tepid, bordering on dull, But although they never gave up their at Aqueduct. — AP from a racing point of view, it was still pretty chase, the front two had the strength to hot on the road for certain riders. prevent them from bridging, leaving Frosted win Wood Memorial New Zealand’s Jesse Sergent was Kristoff to demonstrate his power in the knocked down by a Shimano service car sprint finish. — AFP NEW YORK: It’s been 12 years since a horse who ranks fourth with 113. El Kabeir is seventh with leading up to the Wood was a big concern for ran in the Wood Memorial went on to win the 95 points after earning 20 for third, while McLaughlin. He ran second in the Remsen and Kentucky Derby. The last time a Wood winner did Tencendur grabbed 40 for second and is 15th the Holy Bull and fourth in the Fountain of Youth. it was 15 years ago. with 41 points. Daredevil (20) and Tiz Shea D (20) “We know he has a ton of ability,” McLaughlin That could change in four weeks. Frosted won still have outside chances. The Derby field has a said. “And the last race really made us scratch our the $1 million Wood at Aqueduct Racetrack on maximum of 20 starters. heads, asking why? We did everything we could Saturday, and tops a possible five-horse In two other major prep races Saturday, to change everything. It all worked out, and it’s entourage heading from New York to Louisville Dortmund remained undefeated with a 4 1 /4- just a special win.” Among the changes were opt- on May 2. Frosted took the lead from 21-1 long length romp in the Santa Anita Derby, and Carpe ing to bring the colt to New York rather than run shot Tencendur in midstretch and won New Diem won the Blue Grass at Keeneland by three in last week’s Florida Derby and calling on York’s major prep for the Derby by two lengths lengths. Frosted, ridden by Joel Rosario, won in Rosario to replace Irad Ortiz Jr. Frosted now two on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. 1:50.31. The gray colt owned by Godolphin wins in seven starts - both at Aqueduct. Both 3-year-olds are on their way to the Racing returned $6.40, $4.50 and $3. Tencendur Twelve years ago, Funny Cide ran second in Derby, as well as third-place finisher El Kabeir, paid $15.40 and $5.60. El Kabeir was third and the Wood and went on to win the Derby and the based on Derby qualifying points. Fourth- and paid $2.70. “I’m from Louisville and I’d love to run Preakness; 15 years ago Fusaichi Pegasus won fifth-place finishers Daredevil and Tiz Shea D are in the Derby,” Tencendur’s trainer George Weaver the Wood and then the Derby. In other races at on the bubble. Winning trainer Kiaran said. “As long as the horse is in good shape, I’d be the Big A, favorite Condo Commando ($3.30) McLaughlin says Frosted will have no trouble inclined to go.” The seven-horse field broke well pulled away in the stretch and won the $300,000 with the 1 1/4-mile Derby distance after his per- on a sunny but breezy day at the Big A, with Gazelle for 3-year-old fillies by 2 1/2 lengths over formance in the 1 1/8-mile Wood. Toasting Master and Daredevil setting the pace. Puca, March ($21.20) held off the charge of Lord “No problem after the way he rolled up and Tencendur ran just off the leaders most of the Nelson for a half-length victory in the $300,000 passed them all,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t think way before taking over turning for home. An BayShore for 3-year-olds, and Dads Caps ($13.40) another eighth-of-a-mile will be any problem.” upset loomed by the New York-bred until a was a repeat winner in the $400,000 Carter for 4- BELGIUM: Norvegian Alexander Kristoff of Team Katusha celebrates after winning Frosted earned 100 Derby qualifying points determined Frosted made his run from sixth to year-olds and up, beating Green Gratto by 1 1/2 the 99th Tour of Flanders’ one day 264.2 kms cycling race. — AFP with his first win in more than five months and victory. A three-race losing streak by Frosted lengths. — AP England end Sevens series title drought in wet Tokyo

TOKYO: England picked up their first title on 2013. “I am unbelievably proud of this team. It’s South Africa still lead the way after collect- the Sevens World Series this season after beat- a huge effort and we are so grateful to deliver ing 19 for the runners-up spot to move onto ing championship leaders South Africa 21-14 in this title,” skipper Mitchell said after victory at a 129, four clear of Fiji with only two rounds left the final of the Tokyo tournament yesterday. wet Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground. in the series in Glasgow and London next Phil Burgess, Charlie Hayter and Tom The 22 points moved them onto 100 and month. The Fijians, winners of the last two tour- Mitchell scored the tries in the final for the ahead of Australia into the fourth and final naments in Las Vegas and Hong Kong, picked English, who bounced back from a thumping Olympic qualifying position availablefrom the up 17 points in Tokyo after edging Canada 21- group stage defeat to Fiji on Saturday to win a series. Further spots are available for next year’s 19 to finish third. first title since the Wellington Sevens in Feb. Rio de Janeiro Games via regional qualifiers. The Fijian’s hat-trick bid was ended by the South Africans in a nervy, error-strewn semi- final that the Blitzbokke took 7-5. New Zealand, winners of 12 of the 15 Sevens World Series titles and reigning World Cup sevens champi- ons, endured a disappointing week in the Japanese capital, suffering a first ever loss to Canada in the quarter-finals. The 19-15 defeat sent them into the second tier Plate tournament, which they won after MIAMI: The Andretti Formula E driven by Jean-Eric Vergne/Scott Speed takes a turn during beating France in the last four and then practice for the Formula E Miami ePrix auto race. The race features a field of 10 teams of two Scotland in the final after Dylan Collier’s try in drivers racing electric powered open-wheel Formula cars. — AP the last play of the game. The 13 points keep- ing them third on 120. Trans-Tasman rivals Australia dropped to fifth after a weekend to Getting a Frostbuster win forget in Tokyo. After losing to Portugal and Scotland in group play on Saturday, they then suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the United takes more than speed States in the lung-busting final of the third tier Bowl event. Perry Baker scoring the match end- MARSHALLTOWN: Within today’s auto racing land- did everything I wanted to do in the feature.” ing try in extra time as the ever-improving scape, any time 207 cars and drivers converge on a Shute beat Ankeny’s Adam Larson to the line by Americans prevailed 17-12. Portugal won the racetrack, it’s a boon for fans, the track and the racers about a half straightaway. Larson, who finished 13th Shield after edging Argentina 12-7 but last- alike. But when among those 207 are a former on Night 1 in Oskaloosa and did not race in Vinton, placed Japan closed the gap on the Iberians to NASCAR driver, national champions, multi-time track echoed much of what Shute said about wading eight points in the battle to avoid relegation champions and winners of hundreds of races, it gets through such a vast field of cars. TOKYO: England’s team members celebrate with the trophy after winning Tokyo Sevens after picking up 10 for making a first Cup quar- downright brutal to navigate. Such was the case What he added, though, was something that gets rugby tournament. — AP ter-final. — Reuters Friday night for Night 3 of the IMCA Frostbuster at handed down to young racers all the time: laps. Marshalltown Speedway. Having time at a particular track gives an advantage There were 71 IMCA Modifieds on hand, racing for ahead of those who have limited or no time in a car a spot in the 24-car A-main and the $1,000 check to wherever an event is held. Bosch sees Saracens past Racing the winner. And for the third night in a row, Des That showed through clearly Friday, as the top Moines’ Todd Shute was in contention. He finished three were all central Iowa drivers who have spent PARIS: Argentina centre Marcelo Bosch kicked Racing’s Welsh centre Jamie Roberts was and Hodgson then missed two kickable penal- third at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa on years tuning their setup for Marshalltown. a last-gasp penalty to hand Saracens a dra- left heartbroken. “It’s heartbreaking,” he told ties as the kickers struggled with a downfield Night 1 and was beat by a bumper in a three-wide fin- “Running here weekly helps so much,” Larson said. matic 12-11 victory over Racing-Metro in BT Sports. “To lose a match of that magnitude wind at the Yves-du-Manoir stadium. ish at Benton County Speedway in Vinton on Night 2. “Every single time I’ve been here, the fast line in 3 and Sunday’s European Champions Cup quarter- like that is devastating. “I thought we had Racing’s hard-hitting midfield defence He broke through in Marshalltown with the dominant 4 has been the same. Even if it’s slick, and the top line final and set up a semi-final showdown with them when Max (Machenaud) put the penalty and set-piece superiority threatened to over- car. Getting a win among that stout competition moves farther and farther up, there’s still moisture Clermont. over (in the 71st minute).” whelm Saracens, but the London club were wasn’t as simple as tuning the car along the way. To there and still fast. Knowing how to race this track is Clermont, who put Northampton to the Charlie Hodgson opened the scoring for aided by the Parisians’ lack of discipline and get a win against those drivers requires a series of key. And yeah, having a good draw helps. No one’s sword 37-5 on Saturday, will host the last-four last season’s beaten finalists Saracens with a a number of turnovers. Saracens then had steps. “First of all, you’ve got to be prepared; races are going to come off the back of a heat here, there’s too won in the shop,” Shute said. “Second of all, we’ve ben- many good cars.” To that end, and even with the clash in St Etienne’s 39,000-capacity Geoffroy sixth-minute penalty, with very little differ- their first real try-scoring chance, winger efited from good draws the last three nights. Draw is supreme desire to win, the racers know what they’ve Guichard stadium on the weekend of April 18- ence between two sides well drilled in Chris Ashton threading through a cross-field big, but you’ve got to put yourself in a position to win done if they’re in tech inspection after the race - they 19. Clermont-losing finalists in 2013 — will be defence in the opening exchanges. Home grubber that Chris Wyles just failed to latch these things, too.” Shute started on pole in Vinton and know exactly who they’ve beaten, even if they didn’t seeking revenge after being on the wrong end worries were eased when Saracens’ Scotland onto with the whitewash beckoning. again at Marshalltown, and before the A-main on take home the big check. Being in the conversation of of a 46-6 hammering by Saracens in last year’s international Jim Hamilton, deputising for Hodgson nailed a second penalty on the Friday night, there was a bit of frustration setting in racers to beat brings with it pride and confidence semi-final. The second semi-final will feature injured captain Alistair Hargreaves in the sec- stroke of half-time after Antonie Claassen’s over the course of the first two nights of the that’s invaluable going forward. three-time champions Leinster, who beat Bath ond row, was yellow-carded for cynically fail- indiscretion at a ruck to leave it 6-5 to the Frostbuster, because - as racers often say - sometimes “It’s what you hope for. You want to be among the 18-15, against either defending champions ing to release the ball close to the line. visitors at the interval. just finishing well isn’t enough. A team wants to have elite,” Shute said. “I’m not saying we (always) are, but Toulon or Wasps, playing later. Racing’s Irish fly-half Jonathan Sexton, who Alex Goode took over the kicking duties their car in a position to handle well and have the tonight we were. That’s the ultimate goal when you Bosch revealed that Saracens kicking coach had never lost an European knockout match from Hodgson and made no mistake with his speed it takes to beat a field like the one at come to these things is to run up front. My goal is to adopted a rather different approach to how having guided Leinster to the title three times, first effort. Machenaud then kicked two Marshalltown. Shute and his team finally found it. make all these shows, then the goal is to run top three the Argentinian should address his kicks. kicked for the corner. From the resulting line- penalties to put Racing into a one-point lead, “The frustrating part was I didn’t feel like the car and the last goal is to win. We just kept at it, kept dig- “He tells me to think I am on the beach,” he out the powerful Racing pack rolled into mid- but a careless ruck infringement would prove was right the first two nights,” Shute said. “We had a ging and kept trying stuff, and we finally found it.” told BT Sport. “I think it worked. I knew I had field, scrum-half Maxime Machenaud peeling costly, Bosch stepping up and booting a 43- great finish, but we didn’t have the car where it need- In other competition, Boyden’s Randy Brands won the wind in my face and I would not force the off to crash over for a try from short range. metre penalty with aplomb to put Saracens ed to be. “We got the car freed up finally in the feature. in IMCA Stock Cars, Lake City’s Doug Smith won IMCA kick and just kept as relaxed as possible.” Sexton’s conversion came back off the post into the last four. — AFP We found some stuff component-wise we needed to SportMod and Minburn’s Austin Luellen won IMCA change and that was the difference, really. The thing Hobby Stock. —AP MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 SPORTS 10-man Rangers break Hearts

GLASGOW: Fallen Scottish giants Zeefuik pulled one back for Hearts to pile Rangers made light of captain Lee the pressure on in the final stages. McCulloch’s red card before half-time to Rangers formed a guard of honor for inflict only the second defeat of the sea- Hearts, beaten just once as they cantered son on champions Hearts yesterday with to the Championship title, as they a fine 2-1 victory and move up to second emerged at Ibrox, but that was to be the in the second tier Championship table. last sign of respect for the champions as The win means Rangers are three the hosts snapped and snarled into every points clear, and a game in hand, of challenge. Hibernian in the race for second spot Law was first to test Neil Alexander in while Hearts, who have a 23 point lead at goal as he sent a thumping shot straight the top, remain on course for a record at the Hearts ‘keeper from an early free- points tally for the Championship. kick. Rangers were playing at a furious “It was a great day’s work for us tempo and it was Miller who opened the against a top class Hearts side,” Rangers scoring for the Ibrox club with a well- manager Stuart McCall said. worked goal in the 28th minute. “In the first half there was some good Law raced forward and laid the ball off football with two really good goals and to the overlapping Lee Wallace whose there was terrific spirit in the end after cross was expertly swept home by the going down to ten men.” Scottish striker from 10 yards out. Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson The home side extended their lead in said his side didn’t do enough to win. “In the 38th minute through a superb strike the first half we let them press us and we from Vuckic. The Slovenian striker collect- played into areas that allowed them to ed a pass from Dean Shiels before drop- do that,” Neilson said. ping his shoulder and taking a step away “It wasn’t until we went two up front from his marker to curl a shot inside the that we started causing them problems, far post from the edge of the box. but we didn’t do enough to get a result.” Despite McCulloch’s shameful exit, the Rangers took a deserved lead in the 28th home side should have extended their GERMANY: Augsburg’s midfielder Markus Feulner (left) and Schalke’s defender Dennis Aoogo vie for the ball during the German First Division minute through veteran striker Kenny lead in the 58th minute when Law burst Bundesliga football match. — AFP Miller before on-loan Newcastle United forward and swung a cross in for Nicky playmaker Haris Vuckic curled in a sec- Clark who, with time and space, fired a ond ten minutes later. weak first-time effort straight at McCulloch did not lead by example as Alexander. Hearts pulled one back in the Hertha pull clear of he saw red for leading with his elbow in a 83rd minute through Zeefuik. Sow’s challenge with Osman Sow on the brink header was saved by Bell but Zeefuik was of half-time, but the ten men held on on hand to tap in the rebound from a until the 83rd minute when Genero couple of yards out. —AFP relegation places

Ibrahimovic rumored to BERLIN: Hertha Berlin are set to stay in the Bundesliga since the start of February. a first relegation from Germany’s top flight, Hamburg next season after their 2-0 home yesterday pushed vis- Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen sacked Joe Zinnbauer ten days ago. His successor Peter itors Paderborn deeper into the relegation mire. posted big wins as the battle for third-place, and an Knaebel could only watch as his team was thrashed as have applied for US visa Second-half goals by Swiss international Valentin automatic Champions League spot, intensifies. Third- Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kiessling both scored twice Stocker and midfielder Nico Schulz sealed the win at placed Gladbach enjoyed an impressive 4-1 comeback for Leverkusen. STOCKHOLM: Paris Saint-Germain The Swede has a contract with PSG Berlin’s Olympic Stadium to lift Hertha to 11th and sev- win at Hoffenheim which keeps them two-points clear Second-placed Wolfsburg remain seven points star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has applied for until June 2016 and has previously en points above the relegation places. of Leverkusen, who recorded a 4-0 win at home over clear of Gladbach with a 3-1 win at home to bottom a US visa, according to a Swedish said he considered ending his career The capital city club are unbeaten in their last four hapless Hamburg. VfB Stuttgart. Swiss midfielder Ricardo Rodriguez con- media report yesterday, stoking spec- with a major North American club. games while second-from-bottom Paderborn are Hosts Hoffenheim took the lead at home to verted a penalty and a free-kick either side of half-time poised for an immediate return to the second division Gladbach when forward Sven Schipplock enjoyed a before ex-Chelsea winger Andre Schuerrle came off ulation about his future with the While speculation was rife over after five defeats and a draw in their last six games. simple tap-in on 17 minutes, but Gladbach proved the bench to add their third. Freiburg find themselves Ligue 1 champions. Ahead of yester- whether Ibrahimovic was already in Bottom side Stuttgart, Paderborn and Hamburg are their mettle with three goals in ten first-half minutes as three-points clear of the relegation zone after their 1-0 day’s crucial game against Marseille, discussions with a club, Aftonbladet the sides currently in the relegation places with seven winger Patrick Herrmann scored twice. win at home to Cologne while Hanover dropped to tabloid Aftonbladet said the 33-year- said there had been suggestions that games left. Earlier, Schalke 04 and Augsburg’s hopes of Fourth-placed Leverkusen also underlined their just above the bottom three with a 2-2 draw at old PSG striker had applied for a non- the trip could also be related to an reaching next season’s Champions League suffered a Champions League pedigree by putting Hamburg to Eintracht Frankfurt. Hanover’s Ivory Coast striker Didier tourist visa at the US embassy in Paris advertising contract. Ibrahimovic will setback after their goalless draw. the sword and are currently on course for a Champions Ya Konan rescued his team with a late equaliser, his last month. go before the disciplinary commission Roberto di Matteo’s Schalke remain fifth in the League play-off place. first for the north German club since his six month “He was there on March 19 and of the French league on April 9 for German league, eight points behind fourth-placed With the team third from bottom and on course for sojourn at Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad Jeddah. — AFP applied,” an anonymous source told scathing comments targeting the ref- Leverkusen, with the top four in Germany’s top flight the paper, adding that the immi- eree and the country of France after qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Sixth-placed Augsburg are a point behind Schalke German League results/standings grant visa he applied for allows PSG’s 3-2 top flight defeat at Bordeaux and are also destined to play in the Europa League long-term stays. on March 15. —AFP next season alongside Di Matteo’s Royal Blues if they keep their current place. Both sides had their chances Augsburg 0 Schalke 04 0, Hertha Berlin 2 (Stocker 68, Schulz 88) Paderborn 0. at Augsburg’s SGL Arena, but the point came at a price Played Saturday Herrmann 31, 51, Raffael 36); Werder Bremen Preview for Schalke, who lost midfielder Leon Goretzka with a Bayer Leverkusen 4 (Castro 7, 63, Kiessling 44, 0 Mainz 05 0; Eintracht Frankfurt 2 (Madlung thigh injury after only 15 minutes. The 20-year-old, 56) Hamburg 0; VfL Wolfsburg 3 (Rodriguez 27, Aigner 54) Hanover 96 2 (Marcelo 69, Ya who won his first cap for Germany last year, was mak- 41-pen, 65, Schuerrle 76) VfB Stuttgart 1 Konan 82); Freiburg 1 (Frantz 37) Cologne 0; Pellegrini wants fading ing his first start after an injury-ravaged season. Borussia Dortmund 0 Bayern Munich 1 On Saturday, Robert Lewandowski scored against (Harnik 44); Hoffenheim 1 (Schipplock 17) Bor. City to finish on a high his ex-club Borussia Dortmund to seal league leaders’ Moenchengladbach 4 (Kruse 26-pen, (Lewandowski 36). Bayern Munich’s 1-0 win which keeps them on course German Bundesliga table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals for a third straight Bundesliga title. against, points): LONDON: Manuel Pellegrini has chal- the beginning of the season to the end. Lewandowski’s 35th-minute header clinched Bayern Munich 27 21 4 2 71 13 67 Borussia 27 9 6 12 34 34 33 That is the mentality we must have as a Bayern’s win which left them ten points clear at the top lenged Manchester City to end the sea- VfL Wolfsburg 27 17 6 4 60 30 57 Hertha Berlin 27 9 5 13 33 44 32 son with eight successive victories as the big team. of the table. Their victory underlines Bayern’s domina- tion in Germany and came without injured stars David Moenchengladbach 27 14 8 5 41 21 50 Mainz 05 27 6 13 8 35 36 31 champions look to revive their fading bid “So many times you ask me after a Alaba, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. Germany cap- Bayer 04 27 13 9 5 49 29 48 Cologne 27 7 9 11 26 33 30 to retain the Premier League title at defeat if we are obligated to win. We are tain Bastian Schweinsteiger limped off with an ankle Schalke 04 27 11 7 9 37 31 40 Freiburg 27 6 10 11 27 36 28 Crystal Palace today. always obligated to win. This team injury and is doubtful for Wednesday’s German Cup Augsburg 27 12 3 12 33 34 39 Hanover 96 27 7 7 13 31 44 28 City travel to Selhurst Park nine points demand you to win every game. “Now it quarter-final at Bayer Leverkusen. Hoffenheim 27 10 7 10 41 4237 Hamburg 27 6 7 14 16 41 25 behind leaders Chelsea after Pellegrini’s is important to take it game by game Dortmund’s best chance was when Marco Reus’ Eintracht 27 9 8 10 51 54 35 Paderborn 07 27 5 9 13 23 52 24 side drop to fourth place following and we must focus on our mind on second-half free-kick was superbly saved by Manuel Werder Bremen 27 9 8 10 41 54 35 Stuttgart 27 5 8 14 28 49 23 resounding wins for Arsenal and Crystal Palace.” Neuer as Borussia suffered their first league defeat Manchester United over the weekend. After a run of just two victories in their Fortunately for Pellegrini, who has last six games, a sequence that also come in for mounting criticism in recent included two defeats and European exit Bordeaux strike late to sink Lens against Barcelona, Pellegrini acknowl- edges there is no further margin for error PARIS: An injury-time goal by substitute Nicolas the bench to grab the winner in injury time after top spot in Ligue 1 with a 3-1 win at 10-man in a disappointing campaign. Maurice-Belay gave Bordeaux a 2-1 home victory pouncing on an Ahmed Kantari mistake. The defeat Guingamp, putting the pressure on fellow challengers At least City have a completely clean against relegation-threatened Lens in Ligue 1 yester- leaves Lens bottom, nine points from safety and one Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille before they meet on bill of health following the international day. Despite the win, Bordeaux have their work cut out point behind Metz, who beat Toulouse 3-2 on Saturday Sunday. Lyon, who won the last of their seven Ligue 1 break, although the troubled season to finish in the top four the only places guaranteeing to record their first victory since November thanks to a titles in 2008, now have 61 points from 31 games, two endured by club skipper Vincent European football next season-as they are now in sixth Modibo Maiga hat-trick. Elsewhere yesterday, Caen ahead of champions Paris, with Marseille another two place on 51 points, three behind fourth-placed Kompany continued in Israel where he moved six points clear of the relegation zone after points back in third. The Parisians can strike a major Monaco, who have a game in hand. coming from behind to win 2-1 at Nantes. Alejandro blow in the title race by continuing their impressive was red carded during Belgium’s 1-0 vic- When Mariano broke the deadlock going into the Bedoya put the Canaries ahead early on but Emiliano recent record at the Stade Velodrome. tory. last 10 minutes, it looked like Lens would once again Sala levelled with a penalty 10 minutes from time and Laurent Blanc’s side have dominated the fixture However, Pellegrini insisted that rue missed chances. But Pablo Chavarria fired Lens’ a Thomas Lemar free-kick evaded everyone to end up known as ‘Le Classique’ in recent years, with their 2-0 Kompany offers him little about which to hopes of Ligue 1 survival with a fine finish just three in the net in stoppage time as the Normandy side win at the Parc des Princes in November their sixth in a be concerned ahead of the resumption minutes from time. Maurice-Belay, however, came off claimed a first win in four. On Saturday, Lyon reclaimed row against Marseille. — AFP of league action. “I don’t worry about Vincent because I know him,” said Pellegrini. “He knows perfectly in the way he must play. “I don’t know about the sending off because I didn’t see it but I think he improved a lot with our team in the last game so I don’t worry about him. There are not any prob- lems.” Palace’s revival since Alan Pardew took charge in January means they are now targeting a top half finish rather than looking over their shoulders Manuel Pellegrini towards the relegation zone. The dynamic displays of wingers weeks, fifth placed Liverpool were beat- Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie have en at Arsenal to give City a seven-point been instrumental in transforming the cushion in the battle to qualify for the fortunes of Pardew’s side. Champions League via a top four finish. Zaha is back at his former club after a While Pellegrini is not looking over his brief, unsuccessful stay at Manchester shoulder at the chasing pack, the Chilean United and the player admits he is concedes City need a lengthy winning relieved to have moved on from Old run, ideally to close the gap on Chelsea Trafford. but also to seal a top four spot. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “I think in this league you can never “When I was there United were going be sure you are going to have a through a transition. Sir Alex Ferguson Champions League place,” he said. “You was leaving, which I didn’t know before I have six or seven teams that from the signed, so I didn’t really get the chance beginning all of them play for that posi- that I wanted there because obviously tion. “At the moment, for the whole year, the new manager came in with a lot of we are in the position of the Champions pressure as well. League. I hope that now we will contin- “I have trust in Alan Pardew and he ue. “I hope we can do it. We have to play has trust in me. When he says he will do eight finals from now until the end. something he will do it. “This gaffer I hope in these eight games we con- understands that I am not going to get tinue playing that way. “Of course I everything right, that it’s my job to create always expect to win all the games from and try and take on people.” — AFP FRANCE: Bordeaux’s Uruguyan forward Diego Rolan runs with the ball during the French L1 football match against Lens. — AFP Kim leads ANA Kristoff makes Inspiration history, grabs Tour of Flanders

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 17 18 Pellegrini wants fading City to finish on a high Page 19

SPAIN : Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates a goal during the Spanish League football match against Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. — AFP REAL THRASH SORRY GRANADA 9-1

Ronaldo’s first ever five goal haul

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo’s first ever five goal “Happy to have scored five goals with this cross and he sealed an eight-minute hat-trick with haul in the one match saw Real Madrid move to excellent team work. Thank you for all your sup- some more help from the Granada ‘keeper as he Spanish League results/standings within a point of Barcelona at the top of La Liga port,” Ronaldo posted on his official Twitter couldn’t keep out the World Player of the Year’s with a stunning 9-1 thrashing of Granada yes- account. drive from 20 yards. Real Madrid 9 (Bale 25, Ronaldo 30, 36, 38, 54, 89, Benzema 52, 56, Mainz 82-og) Granada 1 terday. Ronaldo’s quintuple takes him four clear of Granada offered embarrassingly little resistance (Ibanez 73); Valencia 0 Villarreal 0. Gareth Bale continued his fine form after bag- Lionel Messi in the race to be La Liga’s top after the break as Benzema was given plenty of Playing later ging a brace for Wales last weekend by opening goalscorer. “Cristiano has improved as the team time to control a corner from the left and fire home Getafe v Deportivo la Coruna, Celta Vigo v Barcelona. the scoring after 25 minutes. has,” said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. to make it 5-0. Ronaldo then took over as he scored three “What more can I say about him? It is the first Bale then unselfishly teed up Ronaldo to nod Playing today times in eight minutes just after the half hour mark. time he has scored five goals with Real Madrid home his 46th goal of the season, although there Espanyol v Elche Spanish La Liga table after yesterday’s two early matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, Karim Benzema struck twice either side of which is great for him and for us looking forward to was a brief scare for the home fans as Ronaldo col- goals against, points): Ronaldo’s fourth as Real added three more in a the next game.” lided with the frame of the goal in doing so but four-minute spell just after the break. Chances soon began to flow for Madrid and was soon back on his feet. Barcelona 28 22 2 4 80 17 68 Celta Vigo 28 9 8 11 29 31 35 Robert Ibanez grabbed a consolation for the Bale was first to capitalise when he latched onto More shocking defending from Granada Real Madrid 29 22 1 7 87 27 67 Espanyol 28 9 7 12 32 37 34 visitors, but Diego Mainz’s own goal made it 8-1 Toni Kroos’s through ball to round Oier Olazabal allowed Benzema to saunter through for a seventh Atletico 29 19 5 5 55 23 62 Getafe 28 8 5 15 24 39 29 before Ronaldo rounded off the scoring with a and slot home from a narrow angle. barely 60 seconds later. Granada pulled a goal back Valencia 29 18 7 4 52 22 61 Eibar 29 7 7 15 27 40 28 towering header. James Rodriguez made his return after two when Ibanez burst clear of Raphael Varane to slot Sevilla 29 18 4 7 53 33 58 Levante 29 7 7 15 27 53 28 Meanwhile, Valencia’s outside hopes of a late months out with a foot injury and sealed his come- past Casillas, but their miserable day was rounded Villarreal 29 14 8 7 43 26 50 Elche 28 7 6 15 23 52 27 title challenge were dented as they remain in back with a lovely assist with the outside of his left off when Mainz could only turn Javier Hernandez’s Malaga 29 13 6 10 32 32 45 Deportivo 28 6 8 14 23 44 26 fourth, seven points off the top, after a 0-0 draw foot to allow Ronaldo to curl home his first of the cross into his own net. Athletic 29 11 6 12 27 35 39 Almeria 29 6 7 16 22 46 25 at home to Villarreal. Barca can restore their afternoon. And fittingly Ronaldo had the final word when Rayo Vallecano 29 12 2 15 35 51 38 Granada 29 4 11 14 19 52 23 four-point lead when they visit Celta Vigo later The Portuguese soon made it 3-0 by lashing he rose highest to power Luka Modric’s free-kick in Real Sociedad 29 9 10 10 34 38 37 Cordoba 29 3 9 17 20 48 18 yesterday. home from close range after Olazabal had spilled a at the far post. — AFP Defoe beauty gives Burnley blunt Spurs’ Sunderland delight top-four finish push Walker two minutes into the second half. The ly have been more different. England right-back had to hobble off after kick- Brimming with pace and pur- Burnley 0 ing the underside of Kieran Trippier’s boot, with Sunderland 1 pose from the off, Sunderland Ben Davies coming on. were the dominant side through- Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino out the opening period, and pitched Erik Lamela into the fray with 25 min- while it took until the final utes remaining, but still the visitors toiled, with Newcastle 0 moments of the half before they Tottenham 0 Eriksen and Danny Rose shooting over. were able to make their superiori- Meanwhile, Trippier almost embarrassed ty count, it was a lead they richly Vorm with an overhit cross from wide on the left SUNDERLAND: Jermain Defoe deserved. BURNLEY: Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions that landed on the roof of the Tottenham net. League ambitions faded further yesterday after Pochettino’s final roll of the dice saw Andros eased Sunderland’s Premier Billy Jones’s drive across the face of goal from Sebastian they were held to a torpid 0-0 draw at strug- Townsend replace Mason, but the winger was League relegation worries as his gling Burnley in the Premier League. unable to conjure a repeat of the stunning goal superb first-half strike earned his Larsson’s seventh-minute corner forced the recalled Jonas With top scorer Harry Kane captain in the he scored in England’s 1-1 draw away to Italy side a record fifth successive win absence of the injured Hugo Lloris, Spurs were last Tuesday. Gutierrez into a stabbed clear- over their derby rivals Newcastle seeking a victory that would have lifted them Burnley almost snatched victory at the United yesterday. ance over his own crossbar, above fifth-place Liverpool and to within five death, but George Boyd’s tame header from a Defoe lashed home a first-time before another set-piece ended points of the top four. long throw-in sailed narrowly wide of the left- volley on the stroke of half-time with Jack Colback nudging But they endured a frustrating afternoon in hand post. — AFP to secure a 1-0 victory that lifted Connor Wickham’s header off the the Turf Moor sunshine and despite recording a Sunderland three points clear of line. first clean sheet in 11 games, they are now sev- the relegation zone with seven Wickham went close again five en points below the Champions League places EPL results/standings games remaining. minutes before the interval, with only seven games to play. drilling in a near-post strike that Burnley 0 Tottenham 0; Sunderland 1 (Defoe The win was Dick Advocaat’s Burnley had stunned champions 45+1) Newcastle 0 first success since replacing Gus Tim Krul gathered, before the Manchester City 1-0 in their previous home Poyet as Sunderland head coach deadlock was finally broken in game and another dogged display enabled Playing today: last month and continued a first-half stoppage time. Sean Dyche’s side to climb above Queens Park Crystal Palace v Manchester City remarkable run of success over It was an exquisite goal, with Rangers in the battle to escape the relegation English Premier League table after yesterday’s Newcastle, who were second- Steven Fletcher cushioning a long zone. Dyche characteristically named an unchanged team and his side were the first to matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, best throughout. John Carver’s ball from goalkeeper Costel SUNDERLAND: Sunderland’s English striker Jermain Defoe cele- goals against, points): side recorded just one shot on Pantilimon into Defoe’s path and brates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier threaten on a sunny spring afternoon in Lancashire. Chelsea 30 21 7 2 63 26 70 target all afternoon as they the England international dis- League football match against Newcastle United. — AFP A loose pass from Spurs midfielder Ryan Arsenal 31 19 6 6 62 32 63 slipped to a fifth successive patching a magnificent, dipping Man Utd 31 18 8 5 55 28 62 volley into the top-right corner of isolated in his lone striker role. game safe shortly after when he Mason gave Danny Ings a clear sight of goal, defeat at the hands of but the Burnley striker put his shot straight at Man City 30 18 7 5 62 28 61 the net from 25 yards. Colback flashed a low shot stepped inside Mike Williamson Liverpool 31 16 6 9 45 36 54 Sunderland for the first time in Michel Vorm, who was deputising for the Newcastle were still to fashion wide at the start of the second in the area, only to curl a wasteful Tottenham 31 16 6 9 50 45 54 their history. injured Lloris. their first chance of the afternoon half, but Sunderland’s superiority shot well over the crossbar. Southampton 31 16 5 10 42 22 53 With Burnley’s 0-0 draw Burnley were happy to cede possession to Swansea 31 13 7 11 37 39 46 against Tottenham Hotspur hav- at that stage, and for all that was never really tested and the Newcastle finally recorded their opponents, but Spurs struggled to do any- West Ham 31 11 9 11 41 39 42 ing pulled the Black Cats to with- Carver had talked about match- hosts would have extended their their first shot on target with 12 thing with it and were reduced to ambitious Stoke 31 12 6 13 35 39 42 in goal difference of the bottom ing Sunderland’s intensity in the lead shortly after the interval had minutes left, Remy Cabella curl- efforts from range. Everton 31 9 10 12 39 42 37 three at kick-off, there was a build-up to the game, the visitors Fletcher displayed a little more ing in a strike that was parried by Home goalkeeper Tom Heaton comfortably Crystal Palace 30 9 9 12 36 41 36 were lethargic and devoid of composure when he volleyed Pantilimon. Newcastle 31 9 8 14 33 49 35 pressing need for the home side saved potshots from Nacer Chadli and Christian West Brom 31 8 9 14 28 43 33 to start with positive intent. ideas from the outset. Jordi Gomez’s cross weakly at And Perez spurned his side’s Eriksen, while Mason and the off-colour Kane Sunderland 31 5 14 12 24 44 29 Their previous home game The ploy of fielding Jack Krul. Fletcher, who scored a hat- best chance with two minutes shot wide from outside the box. Hull 31 6 10 15 29 43 28 against Aston Villa had seen them Colback at left-back deprived trick for Scotland last week, remaining as he volleyed over Ings threatened again on the stroke of half- Aston Villa 31 7 7 17 20 42 28 trailing by four goals at the inter- Newcastle of one of their most looped a header straight at Krul from eight yards after Daryl time, but his curling effort was athletically Burnley 31 5 11 15 26 49 26 potent midfield assets, and Ayoze on the hour mark, and wasted a Janmaat flicked on Ryan Taylor’s touched over the bar by Vorm. Tottenham’s QPR 31 7 4 20 35 55 25 val, but their first-half display Leicester 30 5 7 18 29 49 22 some three weeks on could hard- Perez found himself completely glorious opportunity to make the corner. — AFP cause was not helped when they lost Kyle Diversification remains a top priority for GCC

Page 22 Turkey’s Kurdish southeast Business eyes economic dividend MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Page 23 New Land Rover Discovery Sport NBK leads consortium to arrange $1.5bn financing for KUFPEC in Kuwait Page 26 Page 25

KABUL: An Afghan vendor waits for customers yesterday. —- AP US wage hikes: Real progress or publicity stunt? Businesses digging into pockets to help lowest paid workers

WASHINGTON: After turning a deaf ear to regularly work for the company but are not That raised questions about whether the of Chicago, said. Nor has he been able to get enough pressure for years, US businesses are digging Microsoft staff. moves are simply a publicity effort for the Michael Strain of the American Enterprise Congressional support for other benefits com- into their pockets to improve the lot of the The companies have made sure the public firms. The US labor union federation, the AFL- Institute in Washington agreed. “As the labor mon elsewhere, like a minimum paid materni- lowest-paid workers, but also their own takes note. McDonald’s took a full-page adver- CIO, which has been fighting for higher wages market become more competitive, the firms ty leave. “Congress is clearly broken and won’t images. Faced with a mounting campaign to tisement out in the New York Times heralding for retail and food chain workers, dismissed have to increase wages to attract the workers change anything with respect to the labor address a growing gap between the rich and its generosity. “We’re announcing a first step in the question. “It’s not essential to figure out they want,” he said. At the same time, a debate market,” said Jacob Kirkegaard, a researcher at the poor, and complaints that low wages leave rewarding the team members who work so whether or not they did it for good reasons. has mounted over why only the wealthiest the Peterson Institute for International workers dependent on state handouts, some hard for our brand every day,” it said. The key issue here is that it rewards months of Americans have seen income gains while Economics. He said that companies announc- of the largest US employers have announced Wal-Mart Stores chief executive Doug mobilization,” deputy policy director Kelly Ross wages and salaries for the lowest 80 percent ing wage increases get more than a public sweeping wage increases in recent weeks. McMillon told workers that the world’s largest said. have stagnated or declined. relations boost. After department store Walmart and cloth- retailer would “continue to provide that ladder The companies could also be responding to Worker groups want the government to “If you pay more than the average, you’ll ing chain The Gap said they would raise work- that any of you can climb.” fundamental economics. The US economy has address it by forcing up the official minimum have a higher retention rate so you won’t have er pay, this week fast food giant McDonald’s Political and market pressure been growing steadily and companies have wage. to constantly spend money on training new announced a hike for 90,000 of its workers. But the moves, which sought to raise added some 3.4 million jobs in the past year But the political gridlock in Washington hires.” The wave of companies showing a greater hourly wages above the official minimums- alone, tightening the jobs market somewhat. leaves the focus on companies. For several Some analysts express worry of the risk that appreciation for their workforce has even McDonald’s promised it would pay an average “It is a public relations move by the compa- years President Barack Obama has pressed the large firms raising wages will make busi- spread to the tech industry. Microsoft $10 an hour by the end of 2016 — still fell nies, but it comes in a macro-economic con- Congress without success to increase the fed- ness harder for small companies with less announced it would require its contractors to short of a national campaign calling for a $15 text that is pushing up low wages,” Ioana eral minimum wage, stuck at $7.25 an hour financial power. “There’s an uneven playing extend paid leave to thousands of people that an hour standard. Marinescu, a labor rights expert at University since 2009. field,” Kirkegaard said. — AFP Dubai up, Saudi down as UAE non-oil sector growth Gulf reacts to Iran deal slows to 17-month low DUBAI: Business activity growth in the United Arab separates expansion from contraction. Emirates’ non-oil private sector slowed to a 17-month The Saudi government has continued spending MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS low in March as expansion of both output and new heavily on economic development and welfare projects orders eased, a corporate survey showed yesterday. The despite the plunge of oil prices since last June. It is DUBAI: Gulf stock markets reacted very differently yesterday expand, rose 1.4 percent. seasonally adjusted HSBC UAE Purchasing Managers’ drawing down its huge foreign currency reserves to to Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, as Dubai rose on Arabtec gained 3.3 percent after confirming it had Index, which measures manufacturing and services, fell cover its budget deficit. Output growth surged to 67.6 hopes for new Iranian business while Saudi Arabia fell on agreed terms with Egypt’s Ministry of Housing for the first to 56.3 points last month from 58.1 in February. The 50- points in March, its fastest since June 2011, the survey fears of lower oil prices. Egypt continued sliding after poor phase of a 280 billion Egyptian pound ($36.7 billion) plan to point level separates growth from contraction in the showed. New order growth accelerated to 67.3 points. economic data. If confirmed in a final agreement by a June construct one million homes across the country. survey of 400 firms. Employment growth slowed slightly but remained 30 deadline, the nuclear deal - assuming it is received posi- Dubai property shares were generally active with DAMAC “Rates of expansion eased for the second month run- strong at 53.7 points. Output price inflation edged up to tively by major Gulf Arab governments - could reduce , the most heavily traded stock, surging 8.0 percent after the ning and were below those seen through much of last 50.4 points but input price inflation increased faster, to geopolitical tensions in the area, encouraging more foreign firm said it would consider taking an equity stake in a project year,” said Philip Leake, economist at data provider 53.7 points. portfolio investment throughout the region. to build a 50-storey mixed-use tower in central London - Markit. “As a result, workforce numbers rose at the slow- But Saudi investors focused instead on the fact that lift- which would be its entry into Britain’s market. est pace in three years.” ing international sanctions on Iran would allow more Iranian A handful of stocks in other Gulf markets rose because of Output growth dropped to 60.7 points from 64.3, DAMAC mulls London oil onto the market, potentially pushing down crude prices hopes for Iran business. Oilfield services provider Gulf while new order growth slowed to 61.6 from 63.3. and hurting profit margins of the petrochemical producers International Services (GIS) rose 2.6 percent, helping the However, growth in export orders actually accelerated tower investment which are heavily weighted in the Saudi bourse. Brent oil Qatar index climb 0.6 percent. because of strong demand in neighboring countries. plunged nearly 4.0 percent on Thursday in an initial reaction The European Union has been exploring the possibility of DUBAI: Dubai property developer DAMAC will consider Employment growth fell to 51.3 points. Input costs and to the deal. importing natural gas from Iran if sanctions are lifted, to taking an equity stake in a project to build a 50-storey The main Saudi stock index fell 1.7 percent yesterday reduce its reliance on Russia. Also, Qatar has offered to help output charges fell simultaneously for the first time in mixed-use tower in central London, which would mark with Saudi Basic Industries Corp, the biggest petrochemical Iran develop its share of the huge gas field between the two five years, which the survey attributed to stiff competi- its entry into the British market, it said yesterday. The maker, losing 1.5 percent. Among outperforming stocks countries. GIS could benefit from both initiatives if a final tion among suppliers. Input price inflation tumbled to second biggest Dubai developer by market value has were Saudi Public Transport Co , which rose 0.6 percent in nuclear deal is signed. Meanwhile, Egypt’s index tumbled 3.2 49.3 points from 53.6; output price inflation edged up projects in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi active trade after calling an annual general meeting today to percent as a three-week spate of heavy profit-taking contin- to 49.2. Arabia, Jordan and Lebanon. approve, among other things, a 7.5 percent dividend pay- ued. The non-oil private sector of the economy shrank in The London project, for which planning permission ment. March for the third month in a row, though at a slower pace Saudi growth has been given, comprises 685,000 square feet of inter- than last month’s contraction, a purchasing managers’ sur- Meanwhile, growth in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private nal space for 450 residential units, as well as Grade A BENEFITS vey showed yesterday. sector accelerated to a six-month high in March, a sur- offices and retail space. DAMAC said an initial exchange By contrast, Dubai’s open and trade-oriented economy Commercial International Bank sank 5.1 percent despite vey of businesses showed yesterday, indicating the of contracts for the land had taken place between an would probably benefit from the lifting of sanctions on saying its board had asked management to decide whether kingdom’s economy continues to comfortably ride out unnamed seller and another company, also not named, Tehran, as the emirate became a jumping-off point for for- to submit a binding offer for Citigroup’s retail portfolio in low oil prices. under the control of main DAMAC shareholder and eign companies and traders going back into Iran. The main Egypt after a due diligence process. News in mid-March that The seasonally adjusted SABB HSBC Saudi Arabia chairman Hussain Sajwani. Completion of the deal is Dubai stock index rose 1.4 percent in active trade. Air Arabia, CIB was interested in the assets was initially welcomed by Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 60.1 points last expected shortly, it added without specifying how large which could see increased business if transport links to Iran investors. month from 58.5 points in February. The 50-point level a stake it might take. — Reuters MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 BUSINESS News Diversification remains in brief

US dollar stands a top priority for GCC at KD 0.300 KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Kuwaiti dinar was stable yesterday exchanging at KD 0.300 while the euro went up to KD 0.329 compared to Thursday’s exchange rates, said the KCIC Weekly Analysis on Asia daily bulletin of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK). The sterling pound exchange went up to reach KD By Mahmoud Galal stages, in spite of their shared characteris- ly present unemployment, unused manu- Decelerating 0.447, while the Swiss Franc went up to KD 0.315 tics. The business cycle reflects the fluctua- facturing capacity and falling inflation. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been KUWAIT: The Gulf Cooperation Council tions of a country’s real GDP growth in Countries above potential growth suffer decelerating as well, but their countries are and the Japanese Yen remained unchanged at KD (GCC) countries are facing considerable relation to its potential growth, and is from overheating, inflation and overused considered to be in a later stage of contrac- 0.002. pressure from the ongoing slump in oil defined in terms of expansion and contrac- factories. tion. They already show some signs of prices, as they are heavily dependent on oil tion. When real GDP growth is trending There are four out of the six GCC coun- recovery in different sectors, such as the Gold price rising and gas revenues. Oil prices have been upwards, the economy is considered to be tries considered to be in the contraction housing sector in Kuwait, and the banking declining since the fourth quarter of 2014, in an expansion stage, while a downward stage as of the fourth quarter of 2014. sector in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, lead- KUWAIT: The price of gold moved up further reaching falling around 48 percent year-on-year and trending of real GDP growth indicates a More specifically, Oman and Qatar are in ing indicators started to pick up, suggest- $1,200 per ounce, buoyed by a weak dollar and signifi- raising concerns over how long GCC coun- contraction stage. The expansion phase early contraction, defined as the beginning ing more spending and positive sentiment cant geopolitical events in the Middle East. Report tries will be able to maintain their fiscal sur- going forward. issued by Kuwait’s Sabaek Company said the gold price plus positions. In the beginning of this year, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates rose $15, as compared to the opening rates at Nymex the International Monetary Fund (IMF) (UAE) ended the year in an expansionary bourse, predicting further upward movement. Weak downgraded its 2015 projection on GCC’s cycle. . The slump in oil prices did not affect American economic reports in March positively impact- consolidated fiscal surplus from $275 bil- their export growth as much as in other ed on the gold price and such forecast will nudge the lion to around $100 billion, and warned GCC countries, due to the diversification of gold prices up further. The report said the $1,200 “is a that some countries will face fiscal deficits exported goods. The good momentum of reasonable price” to buy the yellow metal. if public spending continued at current lev- their labor markets allowed the countries els. Nevertheless, most GCC countries are to experience strong private consumption, still delivering high rates of economic as a result of their healthy labor markets. Egypt CB sells $281m growth, and managed to avoid a downturn Additionally, both countries present a posi- in interbank market so far due to the resilience of their govern- tive outlook, in particular UAE, after it ments’ spending, which is supported by secured the organization of Expo 2020 and CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank said yesterday it sold large fiscal reserves. Yet, their reliance on oil the stock market was upgraded by MSCI $281 million in the interbank market to meet out- exports remains a downside risk on the from the frontier markets index to emerg- standing demand for staple commodities. The bank long run, according to the IMF. The interna- ing markets index. sold $420 million last month in the interbank market tional organization stressed the impor- Overall, oil continues to be the one fac- to meet similar demand for dollars. tance of increasing economic diversifica- tor driving economic performance in the tion and strengthening the non-oil sectors GCC. Economic diversification is a key ele- in the GCC to sustain growth and maintain ment for the Gulf countries to ensure future Al-Khodari proposes fiscal surplus in the distant future. healthy growth. It is necessary for GCC gov- 0.5 riyal/share dividend Gulf states share similar economic fea- ernments to diversify their sources of DUBAI: Saudi Arabian construction firm Abdullah A M tures, and lower oil prices have a major income away from fossil revenue. Regional Al-Khodari Sons Co said yesterday that its board had impact on the two GDP components that usually involves rising employment, indus- of an economic slowdown but still above governments should continue to improve recommended paying a cash dividend of 0.5 riyal per contribute the most to their economies, trial output, sales and personal income. We their long-term growth rate. The decelera- their legal and tax frameworks while ensur- government spending and net exports. look at these factors in particular, isolating tion is mainly due to weaker exports, and ing a stable political framework. GCC share for 2014. The figure is the same as the payouts for However, the evolution of private con- the direct impact of falling oil prices on softening private consumption and invest- authorities must set the conditions to 2013 and 2012. The contractor said the dividend would sumption and investment, which are less GDP. There is a second parameter to take ment. Leading indicators such as credit engage the private sector, the only one be paid in four equal installments starting on June 25. oil-driven, differs from one country to the into account when analyzing business and liquidity growth suggest that the that can address the upcoming challenge next. As a result, GCC countries can be con- cycles. Countries below potential growth slowdown could continue for a prolonged of demographic pressure and youth unem- Abu Dhabi Airports names sidered to be in different business cycle are underusing their resources. They usual- time. ployment. Al-Mazrouei as CEO DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Airports appointed board mem- Egypt non-oil ber Mohamed Mubarak Al-Mazrouei as chief execu- tive, it said yesterday, replacing Tony Douglas who private sector joined Britain’s defense ministry (MoD). Al-Mazrouei, who also sits on the board of Abu Dhabi Ports shrinks: Survey Company, previously served in the United Arab Emirates armed forces, the airport operator and CAIRO: Egypt’s non-oil private sector shrunk in March manager said in a statement. He will be responsible for the third month in a row, though at a slower pace for overseeing a multi-billion dollar redevelopment than last month’s contraction, with output declining and expansion project. The Midfield Terminal and new orders showing a slight pickup, a corporate Building project aims to boost Abu Dhabi survey showed yesterday. International Airport’s annual capacity to over 40 The HSBC Egypt Purchasing Managers Index million passengers. Douglas resigned in March to showed a reading of 49.6 in March, a milder slow- become chief executive of Defence Equipment & down than February’s 46.8, but a contraction Support at the MoD. nonetheless. A reading above 50 indicates expan- sion and below 50, contraction. February saw the sharpest contraction since September 2013, and Egypt bourse to the survey showed many of the same trends con- close on April 12-13 tinuing to weigh on the economy in March, includ- DUBAI: Cairo’s equity market will extend its coming ing a weak currency boosting input costs and sub- weekend as the exchange shuts on April 12 and 13, dued demand dampening output and employ- marking the Eastern Easter holiday and the beginning ment. “Egypt’s non-oil private sector remained in con- of spring, a bourse statement said yesterday. Trading traction territory in March, continuing the trend will resume on Tuesday, April 14, according to the state- observed so far in 2015,” Markit economist Philip ment. Egypt’s Christians are mostly Coptic Orthodox. Leake said. Sham El-Nessim, an Egyptian national holiday that falls “As a result, the outlook for Egypt remains after Easter, celebrates the arrival of spring. Many uncertain, with the depreciating pound providing a WASHINGTON: A delivery man pushes a trolley while carrying a box in Washington. The US economy pro- Egyptians spend the day outdoors, painting eggs and key source of instability.” For the fourth straight duced a disappointing 126,000 jobs in March, half of what was expected and the worst month since eating uncooked salted and dry fish, traditions that month, Egypt’s non-oil private sector shed jobs in December 2013, the Labor Department reported. —AFP some say date back to the Pharonic era. March, with some survey respondents saying employees had left to search for better opportuni- ties. New orders picked up slightly in March after two Qatar’s economy grew over 6% in 2014 months of contraction, though some respondents mentioned the negative impact of economic and political insecurity on their order books. DOHA: Qatar’s economy grew by more than six The strong performance is evidence of year was the construction sector, which railway network, including the construction of Egypt held an investment conference in March percent in 2014, official figures showed, driven “the resilience of the Qatari economy and its expanded 18 percent, QNB noted. Qatar has a metro system for the capital Doha and sur- which saw tens of billions of dollars of new foreign by spending on huge construction projects ability to withstand the decline in oil prices embarked on a huge $200-billion (190 billion- rounding areas, developing the city that will investment announced, as the government tries to ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Shrugging off thanks to its strong macroeconomic funda- euro) infrastructure spending splurge ahead of host the World Cup final, Lusail, and the build- turn around an economy battered by four years of eco- any fears regarding the oil price slump, the mentals,” the Qatar National Bank (QNB) said hosting football’s premier competition in seven ing of a new port. nomic and political turmoil. Detailed PMI data is only energy-rich Gulf economy expanded by 6.2 in a commentary on the figures. Qatar has years’ time. Other non-energy growth drivers last year available under license from Markit and customers percent last year, according to the ministry of made efforts to diversify its economy away Among the major projects Qatar has included the financial services and the hotel need to apply to Markit for a license. —Reuters development planning and statistics. from oil and gas. A key driver of growth last approved are plans to develop the country’s and restaurant trade. —AFP EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 80.460 US Dollars Mint 0.297150 0.301350 20 gram 241.730 Jordanian Dinar 424.925 10 gram 123.560 Egyptian Pound 39.379 Asia ASIAN COUNTRIES 5 gram 62.460 Japanese Yen 2.528 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.254 Bangladesh Taka 0.003521 0.004121 Indian Rupees 4.840 Indian Rupees 4.853 Chinese Yuan 0.047091 0.050591 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036691 0.039441 Pakistani Rupees 2.951 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Pakistani Rupees 2.955 Srilankan Rupees 2.250 Bangladesh Taka 3.868 Indian Rupee 0.004583 0.004984 Nepali Rupees 3.016 Philippines Pesso 6.770 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Singapore Dollar 224.190 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Cyprus pound 738.965 Japanese Yen 0.002448 0.002628 Hongkong Dollar 38.798 Australian Dollar 229.39 Japanese Yen 3.500 Kenyan Shilling 0.003334 0.003334 Bangladesh Taka 3.865 Canadian Dollar 242.57 Syrian Pound 2.590 Korean Won 0.000267 0.000282 Philippine Peso 6.773 Swiss Franc 316.56 Nepalese Rupees 4.000 Malaysian Ringgit 0.078658 0.084658 Thai Baht 9.277 Euro 327.51 Malaysian Ringgit 83.660 Nepalese Rupee 0.003046 0.003216 US Dollar 301.30 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 49.375 Pakistan Rupee 0.002823 0.003103 GCC COUNTRIES Sterling Pound 449.47 Thai Bhat 10.270 Philippine Peso 0.006716 0.006996 Saudi Riyal 80.232 Japanese Yen 2.56 Turkish Lira 117.325 Sierra Leone 0.000067 0.000073 Qatari Riyal 82.658 Bangladesh Taka 3.868 Singapore Dollar 0.219672 0.225672 Omani Riyal 781.680 Indian Rupee 4.820 South African Rand 0.019541 0.028041 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.251 Bahrain Exchange Company Bahraini Dinar 799.120 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001881 0.002461 Nepali Rupee 3.015 UAE Dirham 81.926 Taiwan 0.009626 0.009806 Pakistani Rupee 2.954 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Thai Baht 0.008924 0.0009474 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 81.91 Europe Egyptian Pound - Cash 41.150 Bahraini Dinar 799.72 Belgian Franc 0.007843 0.008843 Arab Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.342 Egyptian Pound 39.38 British Pound 0.442575 0.451575 Bahraini Dinar 0.791283 0.799283 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.404 Jordanian Dinar 428.11 Czech Korune 0.004027 0.016027 Egyptian Pound 0.039057 0.042157 Tunisian Dinar 156.640 Omani Riyal 781.40 Danish Krone 0.040267 0.045267 Iranian Riyal 0.000083 0.000085 Jordanian Dinar 424.670 Qatari Riyal 82.97 Euro 0.325055 0.333055 Iraqi Dinar 0.000190 0.000250 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.018 Saudi Riyal 80.26 Norwegian Krone 0.034013 0.039213 Jordanian Dinar 0.420171 0.427671 Syrian Lira 2.144 Romanian Leu 0.086271 0.086271 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Morocco Dirham 31.198 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Slovakia 0.008930 0.018930 Swedish Krona 0.031268 0.036268 Lebanese Pound 0.000150 0.000250 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Franc 0.309676 0.319876 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021525 0.045525 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate US Dollar Transfer 300.750 Turkish Lira 0.115630 0.122630 Nigerian Naira 0.001236 0.001871 Euro 332.630 US Dollar 301.050 Omani Riyal 0.775154 0.780834 Canadian Dollar 243.535 Sterling Pound 451.430 Australasia Qatar Riyal 0.081897 0.083110 Canadian dollar 242.540 Sterling Pound 449.575 Saudi Riyal 0.079563 0.080263 Euro 328.685 Australian Dollar 0.221838 0.233338 Turkish lira 116.990 New Zealand Dollar 0.222488 0.231988 Syrian Pound 0.001274 0.001494 Swiss Franc 318.590 Swiss Frank 286.250 Tunisian Dinar 0.152094 0.160094 Bahrain Dinar 801.720 Australian Dollar 231.880 Turkish Lira 0.115630 0.122630 UAE Dirhams 82.340 America US Dollar Buying 299.550 UAE Dirhams 0.080902 0.082051 Qatari Riyals 83.515 Canadian Dollar 0.235811 0.244311 US Dollars 0.296650 0.301350 Yemeni Riyal 0.001359 0.001439 BUSINESS MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Japan’s wary manufacturers resist Abe’s urge to splurge Japanese companies have a record $730 billion in cash KUSATSU, Japan: Hirotoshi Ogura, a self- trend is especially pronounced for smaller firms sent just 25 percent of Daikin’s air-conditioning described “factory geek”, is Daikin Industries’ down the supply chain. sales now, down from over a third in 2009. master of doing more with less - and part of the After increasing capital spending by 6 per- But managers also say the lean years have reason Japan’s recovery remains stuck in the cent in the just-completed fiscal year, small man- forced the company to innovate at its four home slow lane. As Japan heads into the season of ufacturers plan a 14 percent decrease in the cur- factories, a theme mirrored at Daikin’s produc- peak demand for room air-conditioners, Ogura rent year, according to the Bank of Japan’s quar- tion mentor, Toyota Motor. and other Daikin managers have been tasked terly survey released this week. Big manufactur- At the urging of Toyota president Akio with figuring out how to boost output by some ers like Daikin plan a 5 percent increase, but Toyoda, Japan’s top automaker last week 20 percent at a plant in western Japan that six overall investment remains 10 percent below unveiled the results of a five-year-old program years ago the company had almost given up on pre-crisis 2007 levels. to re-engineer the way it makes cars to cut the as unprofitable. Over the same time, corporate earnings have costs of retooling existing factories and building The wrinkle: they have no budget for new increased by 11 percent, shares have rallied - new ones. capital investment at the 45-year-old Kusatsu Daikin’s are up more than four-fold from its 2008 Already running its factories at 90 percent of KUWAIT: Nour Al-Salhiya Real Estate Co (Nour) Chairman of board and Executive plant. The still-evolving workaround shown to a low - and Japanese companies have socked capacity, Toyota expects to be able to cut the Manager Bader Al-Rabeeía addresses annual general assembly meeting. recent visitor involves home-made robots for away a record 87 trillion yen ($730 billion) in cost to retool an existing production line for a ferrying parts, experimental systems using gravi- cash. new model by half of what it cost in 2009 and ty rather than electricity to power parts of the cut the investment needed for the new plants it Nour to list on KSE, to line, more temporary workers on seasonal con- NO MOOD FOR RISK is planning for Mexico and China by 40 percent tracts and dozens of steps to chip away at the For Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic from earlier levels. 1.63 hours it takes to make a typical new air con- revival plan to work, pulling Japan out of Like Daikin, the savings at Toyota will come distribute 5% dividends ditioner. decades of stagnation and deflation, companies by a thousand cuts, from smaller and more effi- KUWAIT: Nour Al-Salhiya Real Estate Co Al-Rabee’a explained that by the end of “We can do a lot without spending anything,” need to be willing to use that cash for new cient paint booths to a faster and more flexible (Nour) Chairman of Board and Executive 2014, Al-Nour achieved a net profit of KD says Ogura, a 33-year Daikin veteran who joined investment in a way they have so far baulked at robot welding system that will also be installed Manager Bader Al-Rabee’a said that the 1,454,129 and that all the minutes on the the company just after high school. “Anything in the more than two years since he took office, at factories in Japan. Atsushi Takeda, chief econ- company recently held its annual general assembly’s meeting were approved includ- we need, we first try to build ourselves.” Like economists say. omist for the Itochu Economic Research assembly with the attendance of 97 per ing listing the company on KSE. The meet- Daikin, a number of Japanese manufacturers are “It turned out that the government and the Institute, said there was not much Abe’s govern- cent of shareholders. The meeting agreed ing elected a three-year board of directors shifting production back to Japan from China BOJ were wrong in thinking monetary easing ment could do to shake companies out of their to distribute 5 per cent dividends to them. headed by Al-Rabee’a. and elsewhere to take advantage of a weaker would boost capital spending,” said Taro Saito, caution, apart from cutting regulations and yen. Rival Panasonic has pulled back some pro- director of economic research at NLI Research encouraging new industries, areas where duction of room air-conditioners, Sharp has Institute. “Low growth expectations appear to progress has been slow. Most Japanese compa- brought back production of some refrigerators, outweigh the benefit from lower interest rates, nies still see better growth outside Japan and Turkey’s Kurdish southeast and Canon has repatriated some output of high- keeping companies from boosting capital are investing accordingly. end copiers, according to a list compiled by spending.” “Companies were so hard hit by the excessive eyes economic dividend Nomura. For Daikin, there is a wariness that the slump- yen strength after the Lehman shock they want But even as output recovers, Japanese com- ing demand and sharply higher yen that almost to be convinced there won’t be a reversal of the DIYARBAKIR, Turkey: Ending the Kurdish the country “needed new stories to attract panies remain cautious about new capital forced the closure of the Kusatsu plant in 2009 weak yen over the next five to 10 years,” Takeda insurgency in Turkey’s impoverished south- fresh capital” and cited a potential econom- investment in factories and equipment. The could return at any time. Sales in Japan repre- said. “They are in no mood to take risk.” —Reuters east would unlock trade with Iran, Iraq and ic revival in the Kurdish region as one eventually Syria, and kick-start a local econ- example. omy long left behind by the rest of the “The completion of the Kurdish peace country. process and the income catch-up that Jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah could follow in eastern Turkey along with Ocalan said last month it was time to end a the potential in Iranian and Syrian markets three-decade armed struggle that has ... are regarded as some of the key potential killed 40,000 people and stunted develop- stories,” it said in a note. ment in the region, bringing the prospect The region once provided a third of of peace closer. This has raised hopes of Turkish marble exports to China, a level regeneration in an area where household which has now fallen to around a fifth. The incomes are half the national average but government points to investments in the which is rich in farmland, marble quarries region. and potential shale gas deposits and is Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu last close to Middle Eastern export markets. month unveiled a $10 billion package to “The southeast is very fertile for agricul- revive a decades-old plan to boost hydro- ture and has great potential. Businessmen electric power production, irrigation and come here looking to invest but are reluc- agriculture, known as the Southeast tant to commit themselves until peace Anatolian Project (GAP). “This great level of takes root,” said Ahmet, 45, who runs a development (as a result of GAP) would be bookshop by the 11th century Grand an inspiration and source of strength for Mosque in the main regional city of Syria and Iraq one day when the ongoing Diyarbakir. violence disappears in those countries,” he Talks between Ocalan’s Kurdistan said in a speech in the southeastern city of Workers Party (PKK) and the state, which Mardin. The ruling AK Party says it has also were first launched more than two years pumped 13.9 billion lira ($5.4 billion) into ago, remain delicate and any peace divi- infrastructure, housing, agriculture, educa- dend is likely to come only slowly. tion and health in Diyarbakir province Mutual distrust runs high and many alone during its 12 years in power. locals are skeptical about the government’s It says southeastern exports have risen ability to fuel growth in a region whose more than ten-fold to some $10 billion, economy feels out of synch with other although critics say two thirds of that trade parts of Turkey. comes from Gaziantep province further New malls lend a semblance of prosperi- west, little touched by the conflict with the ty to parts of Diyarbakir, a city of anony- PKK. In Diyarbakir province, with a popula- mous apartment blocks which have sprung tion of 1.6 million, exports were $313 mil- up beyond its Byzantine-era walls. But it is lion last year. little more than a veneer. “We think positive discrimination should EAST POINT: John Stokes (center) culls Apalachicola oysters while his two sons Ryan (left) and Wesley Stokes tong oysters from the bottom of “I was finished off by banks and money be applied, with serious public investments Apalachicola Bay near Eastpoint, Florida. The local oyster industry in Apalachicola is under threat from water-flow issues, environmental con- lenders. There’s no economy, no factories. like in other regions. This would reduce cerns, health and safety regulations and economic realities. — AP Now I just kill time here like everyone else,” unemployment, poverty, regional back- said Atilla, a 48-year old building contractor wardness and income inequality,” said sitting by the food court of one of the Diyarbakir co-mayor Firat Anli. A ceasefire shopping centres. called two years ago has largely held but Dwindling oyster supply isolated unrest has continued, with mili- PLAYING CATCH UP tants burning vehicles and taking hostage Official unemployment in the region is workers connected to state construction threatens Florida economy around 16 percent but local business peo- projects, such as military outposts, airports ple say that ignores the tens of thousands and dams. APALACHICOLA, Florida: Five generations of Philip sand dollars a week, he said. Now it is about half to reach the bottom of the bay and haul up bundles involved in seasonal jobs and not regis- Dozens of people were killed last Vinson’s family have labored using tongs to pull that. “It is definitely not like it used to be. This use to of oysters that then must be hammered apart. It is tered as actively seeking work. The real job- October in protests triggered by Kurdish oysters from Apalachicola Bay’s shallow waters. He be a very high-paying job,” he said. “I honestly don’t back-breaking work, often in scorching sun and less rate is nearer 40 percent, they say. anger at Turkey’s perceived inaction as fears there won’t be a sixth. see the next generation making it out here.” humidity. Livestock farming, once an economic Islamic State militants besieged the Kurdish The local oyster industry is under threat from That decline shows in Apalachicola, which sits “It takes its toll on your knees and your back and mainstay, was devastated by the conflict town of Kobani just across the border in water-flow issues, environmental concerns, health on the river of the same name, 75 miles southwest there is a lot of skin cancer around here,” said Jimmy which began in 1984 when the PKK Syria. and safety regulations and economic realities. of Tallahassee. It is on the Florida Panhandle near Lashley, a longtime oysterman and head of the launched its armed insurgency. Insecurity “This is a region thirsty for peace for 30 Restaurants from New Orleans to Tampa and the Big Bend - the juncture of where the west coast Franklin County Seafood Workers Taskforce. “You was at its worst in rural areas, hindering years. The two years of the process eased beyond tout Apalachicola oysters as the tastiest of the Florida peninsula makes its turn to the west. wouldn’t want to pick a fight with an oysterman both agriculture and the development of the tension and people started to invest. oysters around, but the annual harvest has been in A fishing village of about 2,500 people, it gives though; you have to be tough to do this work.” the mining sector. But the trouble put everything on hold decline. visitors a rare glimpse of Florida coastline not dot- Lynn Martina’s parents founded Lynn’s Quality Investment bank JP Morgan said after a again,” said Alican Ebedinoglu, head of a Apalachicola-based oyster houses have either ted with high-rise condominiums, amusement Oysters, a local house, more than 30 years ago. Her visit to Turkey last month that its clients felt local business association. —Reuters stopped selling to restaurants on the wholesale parks and T-shirt shops. Instead, the waterfront is business used to take in up to 150 sacks of about market or have opted to supplement their supply lined with small oyster processing houses, boat 240 oysters a day. with oysters from Texas and Louisiana. ramps and side roads lined with the small, often- “Now we are lucky if we get five,” she said. Why job growth and cheap gas “From generation to generation, we have dilapidated boats used by the oystermen who work Martina once supplied South Florida restaurants, worked here in this paradise and we are proud of the shallow bay. The town boasts historic Southern but now limits her business to walk-in retail cus- aren’t doing what they should our oysters, we take pride that it means something homes with wide front porches and Spanish moss tomers. And the price of the limited supply has when the oysters come from here,” Vinson said, and magnolia trees growing in the yards. spiked from about $20 for a bag to about $70 now. WASHINGTON: Steady hiring is supposed to into the recovery from the Great Recession, the describing the local catch as “the best oysters in the Nowadays, many of the oyster houses are aban- The reasons for the decline are many. That per- fire up economic growth. Cheap gasoline is economy’s muddled progress seems world. They are sweet with the perfect blend of doned and fewer oyster boats comprise the flotilla fect blend of water Vinson described is endangered supposed to power consumer spending. inescapable. A long-awaited breakout remains salinity in the water.” When oyster harvesting was at that meanders across the bay early each morning. by the population explosion in Atlanta, 340 miles to Falling unemployment is supposed to boost elusive, suggesting that the economy’s direc- its peak, harvesters could earn more than a thou- The oystermen use heavy, shovel-length tongs the north. In a decades-long dispute, Florida has wages. tion has never been quite as simple as some claimed Georgia is hurting the oyster harvest by Low mortgage rates are supposed to spur analysts, politicians and bar stool philosophers taking too much water from Lake Lanier, the federal home buying. America’s economic might is would have it. reservoir that supplies water to the Atlanta area and supposed to benefit its workers. Yet all those Now, some analysts are pointing to factors feeds the Apalachicola River. common assumptions about how an economy that might have been downplayed or over- The water that makes the river is now often thrives appear to have broken down during the looked this year. Others are holding to their acidic and high in nitrogen, which can promote first three months of 2015. The economic bene- projections about the economy as it theoreti- algae growth, said Lisa Sautonia, a scientist with the fits that normally would flow after a full year of cally should be. After all, they reason, March Natural Resources Defense Council. Acid and algae solid hiring have yet to emerge. Just 126,000 may prove to be a hiccup akin to what hap- are bad for oysters. Publicity surrounding sporadic jobs were added in March, the government pened in 2014, when a first-quarter slump was outbreaks of the potentially fatal bacteria Vibrio said Friday. Average weekly paychecks fell. followed by a burst of growth in the ensuing Vulnificus, which can be transmitted by eating raw Restaurants cut back on hiring because sav- months. oysters, and lingering concerns about the 2010 BP ings at the gas pump didn’t lead to more din- Here are five factors that help explain why oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have also hurt. ner reservations. Builders and manufacturers the US economy isn’t accelerating as you might Because of the bay’s decreasing number of oys- each cut 1,000 workers from payrolls, thanks to expect. ters, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation tepid construction activity and so-so factory Commission has closed some areas to harvesting, orders. Had Friday’s report been released a few NASTY WEATHER restricted the season in other parts, lowered the days earlier, “it would have been laughed at as a For parts of the United States, it felt like end- commercial and recreational daily harvest limits great April Fools’ joke,” said Gregory Daco, head less winter. The snowfall and frigid tempera- and has begun strict enforcement of a three-inch of US macroeconomics at Oxford Economics. tures that lingered until the closing days of minimum size for harvested oysters. In August, the The middling gains confirm evidence else- March can freeze economic growth. state announced a plan to use a $6 million federal where of a broad economic slowdown. During Construction crews built fewer homes: On a grant to help the beleaguered industry through the first three months of the year, the Atlanta seasonally adjusted basis, builders broke monitoring, improvements to processing facilities Federal Reserve forecasts that the economy ground on 17 percent fewer homes between EAST POINT: Gene Dasher (left) and Frankie Crosby (center) use wire baskets on the end of 14- and vocational and educational training to help actually came to January and February. Shoppers skipped visits foot handles to tong oysters while Misty Crosby separates clumps of oysters at Apalachicola oyster workers find new jobs. It is paying some oys- a standstill - failing to grow at all. Some of to the mall and auto dealers, choosing instead Bay near Eastpoint, Florida. Apalachicola-based oyster houses have either stopped selling to termen to construct artificial reefs they say will be the first quarter’s slowdown is no doubt due to to crank up the thermostat. Retail sales fell in restaurants on the wholesale market or have opted to supplement their supply with oysters oyster habitat and help restore their numbers.— AP an especially harsh winter. Yet nearly six years January and February.—AP from Texas and Louisiana. — AP BUSINESS MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Market turbulence rises over oil price

KAMCO GCC MARKETS MONTHLY REPORT

KUWAIT: Market turbulence increased during the second half the next two trading sessions but went down further in the last Indices that dragged down the overall market included the compared to QAR 654.4 mn during February-15. The market of March-15, initially on the back of renewed concerns regard- two trading sessions of the month. TASI closed the month with Real Estate and the Banks indices, which declined by 12.4 per- breadth was strongly skewed toward losers that included 34 ing oil prices followed by the news about Yemen crisis that a loss of 5.7 percent to end at 8,778.9 points, affecting YTD-15 cent and 6.1 percent, respectively. All the three real estate stocks as compared to 8 gainers. started a panic sell-off especially in Saudi Arabia, sending the returns which stood at 5.35 percent at the end of March-15 as stocks recorded negative returns. Aldar Properties declined by Sectoral index performance was broadly in line with benchmark TASI Index down by almost 5 percent on 25-March- compared to 11.8 percent at the end of February-15. almost 10 percent whereas, Eshraq Properties declined by 27.7 investor picks in the rest of the GCC markets. Only the 15. Although the markets recovered in the subsequent trading In terms of sector performance, a majority of the sector percent on the back of net loss reported for 2014. Insurance Index was up by 1.9 percent during the month sessions, the 2-day steep decline had eroded the gains record- indices ended in the red zone with the exception of Transport whereas the rest of the sectors recorded negative returns. ed during February-15 and the first half of March-15 for all of (+1.3 percent), Real Estate (+0.8 percent)and Insurance (+0.3 DFM Sector Performance the GCC equity markets. percent) Indices that recorded marginal gains during the Against a backdrop of fluctuating oil prices and the geopo- Bahrain Bourse Amid the selloff, a majority of the selling activity was trig- month. The Petrochemical index recorded the worst monthly litical tensions, Dubai recorded the steepest monthly decline of Bahrain Bourse recorded the smallest monthly drop of 1.7 gered by international investors who offloaded their holdings performance with a decline of 10.1 percent due to concerns 9.1 percent in the GCC during March-15 led by the general percent during March-15 after reaching a seven-month peak of in a panic situation, whereas local investors were net buyers of surrounding oil prices and the related profitability of oil and weakness in regional stock markets. The loss completely 1,482.22 points by mid-March. Volatility in the index remained fundamentally strong stocks. The buying by local investors has related companies. All the stocks in the Oil & Gas index wiped-off YTD-15 gains which at the close of March-15 stood considerably low as compared to the other GCC markets, pri- provided support to the equity markets from time to time and declined during the month with the exception of Methanol at 6.9 percent, the steepest YTD-15 loss in the GCC. Markets marily due to the low trading activity. The market capitalization has prevented the stock markets to fall further. Chemical with clocked a gain of 4.2 percent on the back of continued to decline despite significant improvement in cor- also declined by 1.6 percent to BHD 8.2 Bn. In terms of YTD-15 In the oil market, the announcement from Kuwait that OPEC news that the company will re-do a feasibility study on a porate profitability which increased by 46 percent to AED returns, the Bahrain Bourse is the only market after Saudi will not hold an extra ordinary meeting and would keep oil pro- planned 60,000 tonne/year sulphonated naphthalene 28.5bn. Trading continued to be volatile during the month as Arabia to record positive YTD-15 returns which stood at 1.6 duction unchanged at the June meeting added renewed pres- formaldehyde plant in Saudi Arabia in view of recent declines the index reached a daily closing low 3,407.25 points, the low- percent. sure on oil prices. The news came especially after expectations in oil prices. est level since December-14, only to recover some points Trading activity continues to remain at depressed levels of oil prices firming up started gaining momentum. Meanwhile, after topping index performance with a month- towards the end of the month. Moreover, in the absence of any with merely 24mn shares traded during the month as com- Total value traded in the GCC equity markets increased ly return of 19.2 percent in February-15, the Energy & Utilities new listing, total market cap for DFM declined in line with the pared to 27 million traded shares during February-15. Total val- slightly to $62.8bn during March-15 as compared to $62.1bn Index recorded the second-worst monthly performance during index at 8.5 percent to close the month at AED 331.3bn. ue traded also declined by 31.0 percent to BHD 5.7 million as during February-15, whereas total GCC market capitalization March-15 with a decline of 8.4 percent as both the companies Trading activity continued to decline during the month compared to BHD 8.3 mn during February-15. Commercial witnessed a steep decline of 8.9 percent as all the markets end- within the sector (GASCO and Saudi Electric) recorded monthly reaching new lows for both monthly volume and value traded. banks continue to account for the majority of total trading ed in the red zone. declines on profit taking. The heavyweight Banks & Financial Total volume traded declined by 15.2 percent to 6.9 Bn shares, activity on the bourse with close to 73.7 percent of the total We expect the GCC equity markets to continue to tread Services Index declined by 7.7 percent as only Saudi Hollandi the lowest monthly volume since June-13, as compared to value traded during March-15. water as positive news from corporate profitability improve- Bank recorded positive returns in the sector and rest of the 8.2bn shares during the February-15. Consequently, average The top gainers of the month included Al Ahlia Insurance ments and dividend announcements are offset by develop- companies declined during the month. daily volume declined from 408.8mn shares during February- with a monthly return of 42.3 percent followed by Al Khaleeji ments in the oil market as investor sentiments continue to Monthly stock performance was topped by insurance com- 15 to 301.1mn shares during March-15. Total value traded saw Commercial Bank and Bahrain Cinema with monthly returns of swing in line with the movement in oil prices. panies as all of the top five monthly best performers were a more drastic decline of 28.1 percent to AED 9.6bn during 11.1 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively. On the other hand, insurance companies. Wataniya Insurance gained 32.59 per- March-15, the lowest monthly value traded since April-13, as monthly decliners included three banks at the top namely, KSE plunges cent followed by Ace Arabia and Saudi Fransi with monthly compared to AED 13.3bn recorded during the previous month. Ithmar Bank (-17.6 percent), Al Salam Bank (-13.2 percent) and KSE indices plunged during March-15 following consecutive returns of 21 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Apart from Consequently, average daily average value traded declined to NBB (-9.7 percent) which announced that it is eyeing M&A declines on a number of trading sessions during the month. insurance stocks, Makkah Construction was among the top AED 417.2 mn as compared to AED 667.1 mn during the previ- across the GCC. In terms of liquidity, AUB remained the most The volatility in oil price continues to remain a concern for the gainers for the month with a monthly return of 13.0 percent. ous month. In line with the other markets, market breadth actively traded stock on the exchange with shares worth BHD market despite showing strong improvement in fundamentals On the other hand, three out of the top five monthly losers with close to 9.1 percent increase in corporate net profits dur- included insurance companies, along with Ash-Sharqiyah ing 2014 to KD 1.7bn as compared to KD 1.6bnn during 2013. Development and Nama Chemicals that lost 20.6 percent and Moreover, the situation in Yemen affected markets across the 19.9 percent, respectively. GCC crushing investor sentiments to new lows. Market weak- Monthly trading activity continued to show improvement ness during March-15 wiped-off YTD-15 index gains that as compared to February-15. Total value traded stood at SAR reached a peak of 3.4 percent during the first week of February- 214.4bn during March-15, an increase of 10.3 percent as com- 15. pared to 194.3 Bn. Total volume traded increased at a more The KSE Weighted index dived 6.7 percent during March-15, marginal rate of 2.1 percent to 7.8bn traded shares as com- the steepest monthly decline since the financial crisis (January- pared to 7.7bn shares during February-15. Moreover, in terms 09) whereas the KSE Price index skid by a slightly lower 4.8 per- of most active stocks, Alinma bank and Dar Al-Arkan Real cent during the month. The large-cap KSE-15 index saw an even Estate continue to feature in the top five most traded stocks steeper declined 8.5 percent, the biggest monthly drop since with value traded recorded at SAR 17.6bn and SAR 13.8bn the index started trading on the exchange, due to negative respectively. monthly returns for the entire set of index constituents. The biggest decliners in the KSE-15 index included Zain (-18.1 per- Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange cent) that reached a monthly low of KWD 0.460 per share, KIP- ADX General Index slid 4.7 percent during March-15, a rela- CO (-11.1 percent) and NBK (-10.6 percent). Meanwhile, the tively smaller decline as compared to other active markets in KAMCO TRW Index declined by 5.6 percent to 2,676.59 points. the GCC. Market activity showed only slight improvement due The YTD-15 returns for the TRW Index and the KSE Weighted to three additional trading days in March-15 as compared to index stood at –2.9 percent and –2.7 percent, respectively, February-15. Total monthly value traded increased by 15.6 per- whereas for the KSE Price Index and the KSE-15 index, the YTD- cent to AED 4.9bn during March-15 as compared to AED 4.3bn 15 returns stood at –3.9 percent and –3.6 percent, respectively. during the previous month. Average daily value traded Total market capitalization also skid 6.7 percent after an increased slightly during the month to AED 214.3 million as upswing during the previous month. In terms of market activity, compared to AED 213.3 million during February-15. average daily trading volume also declined to 142 million Meanwhile, total number shares traded during the month shares from 218.4 million shares in the previous month whereas declined by 14.1 percent to 1.6 billion shares as compared to average daily value traded declined to KD 16.0 million in March- 1.9 Bn shares during the previous month resulting in average 15 as compared to KD 25.6 million in February-15. The market daily volumes of 70 million shares as compared to 93.7 million breadth was strongly skewed towards decliners which included shares during February-15. Market breadth remained strongly 135 companies as compared to 39 gainers. skewed towards losers that included 40 companies as com- Sectoral index performance also reflected overall market pared to 8 gainers. Prices of 17 securities remained unchanged. weakness, with only the Insurance index showing a positive In terms of sectoral index gainers, contrastingly, the return of 2.8 percent on the back of a 14.3 percent spike in Telecom index topped monthly performance with a return of share price of GIG that reported 17.6 percent increase in 2014 4.1 percent followed by 4.0 percent monthly return for the net profits. Meanwhile, the Telecom Index fell 14.5 percent due Industrial index. Within the telecom sector, positive perform- to steep fall in share prices of Zain, Ooreedoo (that recorded 14 ance of Etisalat with a monthly return of 4.2 percent more than favored decliners that included 31 companies as compared to 2.9 Mn traded during the month. percent fall in revenue) and Hits Telecom, partially offset by 4.9 offset the steep declines recorded by Ooredoo and Sudan 10 gainers whereas prices of 19 stocks remained unchanged. percent rise in shares of Viva. The large-cap Banks index fell by Telecom. Etisalat shares surged after the company reported Muscat Securities Market 5.8 percent as all the banks recorded negative returns during 25.6 percent increase in 2014 net profit which stood at AED 8.9 Qatar Exchange MSM dived 4.9 percent during the month offsetting YTD-15 the month. billion with a reported EBITDA margin of 48 percent. The telco Qatar receded by 5.9 percent during March-15 taking cues gains which now stands at negative 1.7 percent. The MSM30 Large cap stocks featuring in the monthly gainers list includ- also announced cash dividend of AED 0.7 per share, in line with from the rest of the GCC equity markets. The QE20 index broke Index consistently declined since the start of March-15 amid a ed Gulf Insurance Group (+14.3 percent), Jazeera Airways (+5.9 previous year and a bonus share of 10 percent. On the other the support level at 12,000 points after reaching a monthly slight contraction in trading activity. Total market capitalization percent) and VIVA (+4.9 percent) that surged on the back of hand, Ooredoo recorded a 17.2 percent decline in 2014 net closing peak of 12,450.34 points at the beginning of the also declined by 5.3 percent to OMR 7.7 Bn for the regular mar- strong growth in full year earnings. On the other hand, large- profits that stood at AED 2.2 Bn. Net profits for the telecom sec- month, although the daily decline were more modest as com- ket. Oil price continues to remain a concern for the Omani cap stocks on the losers side included Zain, Ooredoo and tor increased by 15.7 percent to AED 11.2 billion. pared to a majority of the other GCC markets resulting in rela- economy and the influence of the fall in oil price continues to Ithmar Bank. In terms of monthly value traded, VIVA topped the The positive performance of the industrial index came on tively low volatility. Investors primarily targeted large-cap affect stock market performance. This to some extent also off- chart with total trades valued at KD 46.1 million followed by the back monthly top gainers, RAK Ceramics (+24.2 percent) stocks which is evident from the relatively small decline of 3.4 set the positive developments related to earning announce- NBK and KFH with trades worth KD 31.9 million each. and Arkan Building Material (+16.8 percent), which more than percent recorded by the broad-based Qatar All Share Index to ments and dividend declarations. offset decline in the rest of the stocks within the sector. Arkan close at 3,133.60 points. The aggregate market capitalization Trading activity slightly declined during the month with Tadawul sector performance Building Materials recorded a strong 87.1 percent increase in for the exchange declined by 6.7 percent to QAR 630.0 bn. total monthly volume traded recorded at 433.7 Mn shares, a Saudi stock market lost SAR 218bn in market cap during net profits for 2014 on the back of projects announced by the Moreover, the decline during March-15 more than offset YTD- decline of 12.1 percent as compared to 493 Mn shares in March-15 after the market plunged amid panic selling on the Abu Dhabi government, which is also the majority owner in 15 gains that stood at –4.7 percent for the QE20 Index by the February-15. the average daily volume traded also declined to back of regional geopolitical issues in addition to oil prices the company. The company shares were also supported by end of the month. 18.9mn shares during March-15 as compared to 24.7mn shares weakness. Although the political developments provided new projects announced by Senaat, which is also owned by Trading activity plunged during March-15. Monthly volume in February-15. Total monthly value traded also declined to some support to oil prices, it hammered investor sentiments, the Abu Dhabi government. The only other gainer in the traded halved to its lowest level since January-13 and was OMR 121.1mn in March-15 as compared to OMR 166mn during offsetting the temporary gains from oil price. The TASI index Industrial sector, RAK Ceramics, reported a 3.5 percent increase recorded at 171mn shares as compared to 337mn shares dur- the previous month resulting in average value trade of OMR reached a 4-month high level of 9,691.0 points till the first half in 2014 net profits including minority interest (a decline of 1.2 ing February-15. Consequently, monthly average volume trad- 5.3mn as compared to OMR 8.3mn during February-15. The of March-15, however, market started declining from the sec- percent excluding minority interest) despite hyper inflation ed declined to 7.8mn shares as compared to 17.8mn shares number of transactions declined by 8.9 percent to 24,653 ond half of the month on oil worries. On 25-march-2015, the and currency fluctuations in Sudan and Iran that affected net traded during the previous month. Similarly, monthly value transactions from 27,345 transactions in the previous month. index plunged by almost 5.0 percent, the steepest daily fall as profits for the consolidated entity. The company also said that traded was recorded at QAR 8.1bn, a decline of 34.6 percent as Total value of shares bought by Omanis increased significantly compared to other global equity market returns for the day, on it aims at a dividend payout of 60 percent in the future sup- compared to QAR 12.4bn during February-15. The resulting from 66.1 percent of total purchases during February-15 to news of regional conflicts. The index recovered some loss in ported by sale of non-core assets. average daily value traded was recorded at QAR 417.2mn as 84.1 percent during March-15 to record at OMR 108.9 million. BUSINESS MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Co reveals the New Land Rover Discovery Sport in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Co Discovery Sport’s interior, which has been leading capability in all conditions. has revealed the new Land Rover Discovery designed with customers at its core. It features As with every new Land Rover, safety has Sport, the world’s most versatile and capable high-quality materials and a strong vertical been a key priority in the development of the premium compact SUV, during its launch on centre console graphic to reflect the premium new Discovery Sport, resulting in a first-in- April 2nd2015 at the Avenues Mall. design of the exterior, while the core class pedestrian airbag, autonomous emer- As the first member of the new Discovery Discovery value of versatility is evident every- gency braking, and a state-of-the-art family, the Discovery Sport features 5+2 seat- where. Storage solutions are integrated into bodyshell featuring both ultra-high-strength ing in a footprint no larger than existing 5-seat the cabin and up to four 12V power points and steel and lightweight aluminium. premium SUVs. Discovery Sport’s progressive six USB charging sockets can be specified for This represents a fraction of the advanced new design approach defines the new all three rows of seating, allowing multiple equipment available in Discovery Sport, which Discovery family with optimised volume, pro- electronic devices to be charged simultane- also includes Head-Up Display, an all-new 8- portions and stance. Its design leadership ously. A host of innovations have allowed inch touchscreen infotainment system, and combines with engineering integrity to result Discovery Sport to introduce the versatility of tilt-and-slide row-two seating for maximum in a dynamic profile, the ultimate use of interi- 5+2 seating into the premium compact SUV interior configurability. or space and 5+2 seating configurability. class for the first time. An all-new multi-link The Discovery Sport will be equipped with “Our challenge has been to combine premi- rear axle not only provides engaging driving four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The um design with exceptional versatility; the dynamics but it also provides ample and flexi- all-alloy Si4 2.0-litre petrol engine feature two attributes must work in harmony,” said ble cabin space behind the second row. stop-start technology, high-pressure direct Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director Coupled with supple long-travel suspen- injection, low-friction internal components and Chief Creative Officer. “I’m proud to say sion, the innovative rear axle also ensures the and smart regenerative charging for outstand- we’ve achieved that; Discovery Sport’s dynam- Discovery Sport is comfortable, refined and ing performance and economy. The 9-Speed ic design will resonate on an emotional level rewarding to drive on-road, while retaining automatic transmission is available with a with consumers, and this vehicle is more ver- the breadth of all-terrain capability for which choice of two or four wheel drive. Rover vehicles and also the exclusive importer attention and interest of a large number of satile than any other premium compact SUV Land Rover is world-renowned. In fact, with “The Discovery Sport has clearly estab- for BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and McLaren vehi- loyal as well as new customers of the Land on the market.” approach, departure and breakover angles of lished a strong following in the compact pre- cles in Kuwait. “With versatility being a key dif- Rover brand.” 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively, Terrain mium SUV market in Kuwait,” said Yousef Al- ferentiator of the vehicle against its rivals and The New Discovery Sport is now available The spirit of adventure Response(r) technology, and the ability to Qatami, General Manager, Ali Alghanim & Sons competitors, I am confident that this latest for test drive at Ali Alghanim & Sons The spirit of adventure is reflected in wade to 600mm, Discovery Sport offers class- Automotive Co, the exclusive dealer for Land model will definitely continue to capture the Automotive Co.

Ebola-hit Liberia Fed uncertainty fuels volatility in FX market sets out on road to recovery NBK MONEY MARKETS REPORT BO WATERSIDE, Liberia: Clinging to cheap kitchen- KUWAIT: The market is still trying to week at the 119.12 level against the ter of 2014. drop was the least this year, indicat- ware and the hope of a better life, Fatima Kamara determine when the Federal Reserve US dollar. The currency weakened, US manufacturing activity ing that prices of services and goods UK construction PMI drops hawks her goods to travelers when she should proba- Bank would start raising interest reaching a high of 120.36 as worse- dropped in March to its lowest level could start to pick up again soon. UK construction purchasing man- bly be doing her homework. rates. Disappointing US nonfarm than-expected inflation rates put in almost two years, pressured by Consumer prices across the euro- agers’ index fell to 57.8 last month The 16-year-old keeps her family afloat by selling at payrolls report has weighed notably pressure on the central bank of slowing gains in new orders and zone fell 0.1 percent in March, while after reaching a four-month high of the main crossing point between her native Liberia on the US dollar, with US yields Japan to expand its monetary stimu- stagnant employment levels. The prices fell 0.3 percent in February 60.1 in February, but still well above and Sierra Leone, but she was put out of business for declining and the market once again lus to jump-start inflation toward its institute for supply management and 0.6 percent in January. The infla- the 50.0 mark. As a result, the latest months when the Ebola crisis shut the border. Today siding with a less aggressive path of 2 percent target. Yen gained at the said its index of national factory tion rates was in line with consensus reading indicates expansion in the she is able to return to her spot on the reopened Mano Fed policy normalization. end of the week as disappointing fig- activity fell to 51.5 percent from 52.9 expectations, but core inflation sur- construction sector. However, United River Bridge linking the countries, desperate to make On the foreign exchange side, the ures from the US pushed investors to percent the month before. The read- prised on the downside as it declined Kingdom construction companies up for lost income. “Come and buy your rubber dishes US dollar started the week on a abandon the greenback, helping the ing came well below market expec- to 0.6 percent in March from 0.7 per- are still optimistic about their for small money. Come and see the best offers. Small, strong note against its major coun- yen erase its losses for the week and tation of 52.5 percent. A reading cent in February. Overall, the infla- prospects for growth over the course small money. Anyone can afford it,” Kamara cries out to terparts as the index rallied to 98.66. it closed at 118.96. above 50 percent indicates growth in tion data supports analyst’s views of the next year, supported by potential customers making the crossing on foot. However, a series of mixed data from the economy. Therefore, the March that the negative impact from the improving economic fundamentals Traders were dismayed when the bridge shut for six the manufacturing sector and non- Nonfarm payrolls PMI indicates growth for the 70th decline in the oil price will fade and and strong order books. months at the height of an epidemic which has farm payrolls missed expectations US employers added the fewest consecutive month in the overall that inflation will start to pick up UK Manufacturing purchasing claimed more than 10,000 lives. With the border .That fuelled the belief that the Fed jobs in more than a year in March economy, and indicates expansion in again later this year. index rose to 54.4 in March from 54.0 reopened since February, the commercial post of Bo would not raise interest rates in June amid signs the economy was starting the manufacturing sector for the Manufacturing activity across the the month before, the highest level Waterside on the Liberian side is once again open for and would likely be raised at a slow- to take strain from the rally that has 27th consecutive month. euro-zone improved faster than pre- since July 2014 and just above econ- business, a symbol of hope for the country’s desper- er- than -expected pace, which lifted the dollar to multi-year highs. viously thought last month, adding omists’ forecast for a rise to 54.3. The ately-needed economic recovery. pushed the US dollar lower, the Non-farm payrolls rose by 126,000 Consumer confidence to signs the bloc’s economy is recov- manufacturing sector continues to “I sell these dishes to help my parents in sending index closed for the week near its last month, the smallest gain since US consumer confidence ering. Growth of euro-zone manufac- show growth, with a flood of new me to school. My parents are not working... I go to three week low at 96.73 . December 2013 and well under the improved in March to the second- turing production accelerated to a orders, led by internal domestic school in the morning and sell in the afternoon,” On Tuesday 31 March, the Euro 245,000 economists had forecast. demand, with some improved activi- Kamara tells AFP. “When the border was closed I was currency closed out the worst quar- The unemployment rate held at a 6- ties from export markets such as the afraid that I would not be able to go to school.”Shops ter since its fifteen-year history. The 1/2 year low of 5.5 percent. The prior USA, China, Germany and the Middle in Bo Waterside, a settlement of a few hundred that Euro fell by 11 percent against the month’s figure, were revised lower to East. UK’s manufacturing sector has grew up around the crossing point, sell pasta, rice and Dollar in the first quarter reflecting 264,000 from the initial estimate of managed to create an average of local specialties such as popcorn balls. investors’ expectations of divergent 295,000.Avrage hourly earnings rose 5,000 new jobs every month, indicat- monetary policies. The Euro dropped 0.3 percent m/m, a tenth better than ing that the labor market is still Going hungry dramatically reaching a low of expected and up from 0.1 percent in strengthening. It is difficult to quantify the damage done by the 1.0717, soon after reaching this low February, and that pushed the y/y Ebola crisis, as very little data is available on the vol- the currency found support follow- rate up to 2.1 percent from 2.0 per- BoJ ready to act ume of cross-border trade, most of which is informal. ing worse than expected economic cent previously. For the first time in nearly two Locals at the border say countless thousands of figures coming out of the US market, years, the inflation rates across Japan Liberian entrepreneurs, unable to sell their goods, lost which pushed investors to sell the Trade balance drops stopped improving, keeping the cen- their sole means of income. Before the epidemic, dollar and buy the Euro. By the end The United States goods and tral bank of Japan under pressure to Liberia had notched up strong growth of more than of the week, the Euro currency rallied services deficit in February dropped expand its monetary stimulus to nine percent per year since 2005, rising as high as 15.7 and closed at 1.0976 just shy of its sharply to its lowest level since 2009. jump-start inflation toward its 2 per- percent in 2007, according to World Bank figures. three week high of 1.1051. The Commerce Department said last highest level since August 2007 as ten-month high in March, under- cent target. The consumer price But authorities fear the crisis will derail the impov- Similarly, the Sterling opened the week, the trade deficit narrowed 16.9 Americans grew more optimistic pinned by the fastest expansion of index rose 2.0 percent in February erished state’s drive to recover from 14 years of civil war, week at the 1.4877 levels. The curren- percent to $35.4 billion. Market about the outlook for the labor mar- incoming new business since April of from the year-ago, compared with which by the time it ended in 2003 had claimed 250,000 cy then dropped sharply towards the expectations had been for a smaller ket and incomes. The index calculat- last year. The manufacturing pur- economists forecast for a rise of 2.1 lives. The economy is forecast to grow by just three per- 1.4737 following worse-than-expect- improvement to $41.2 billion. The ed by the conference board chasing manager’s index rose to 52.2, percent However, the slowdown in cent this year-less than half the pre-Ebola projection- ed UK manufacturing data. The narrowing in the balance reflected advanced to 101.30 points this well above market expectation of inflation rates came as little surprise equating to a loss in expected income of around $200 pound then followed the euro, and imports falling by $10.2 billion and month, up from 98.8 in February. The 51.9. It was the 21st month it has to BOJ officials, who have acknowl- million. The World Bank conducted a series of mobile gained dramatically against the US outpacing the decline in exports of 3 survey based on responses from been above the 50 mark that sepa- edged that falling fuel costs will keep phone surveys between October and January to assess dollar after disappointing US non- billion dollars. However, the narrow- about 5,000 households across the rates growth from contraction. inflation subdued for much of this the damage done by Ebola to Liberian households. It farm employment numbers, fuelling ing in the real trade balance in country gives a clear view on con- Producers are benefitting from the year. reported that 41 percent of breadwinners who had the belief that the Fed would not February combined with the widen- sumer sentiments. weaker euro levels, which has had been working at the start of the crisis were unem- raise rates any time soon. The ing that occurred in the previous two the dual effect of boosting competi- Kuwait ployed, while three-quarters of households admitted to Sterling closed for the week at months still left a larger average The euro-zone inflation tiveness in export markets as well as Kuwaiti dinar at 0.29990 worries over going hungry.—AFP 1.4919. trade gap in the first quarter of 2015 The euro-zone consumer prices making competing imports more The USDKWD opened at 0.29990 The Japanese Yen opened the to date compared to the fourth quar- dropped again in March, but the expensive in the home markets. yesterday morning. BUSINESS MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 NBK leads consortium to arrange $1.5 billion financing for KUFPEC JP Morgan to act as joint coordinator

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), in cooperation with JP Morgan Limited, has led a consortium of international, regional and Kuwaiti banks to arrange an additional financing of $1.5 billion for Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC). This additional financing represents an accor- dion feature under KUFPEC’s existing $1 billion five-year term loan facility originally signed in November 2014. This raises the existing loan to $2.5 billion. NBK and J P Morgan Limited acted as joint coordinators and NBK was appointed as the Facility Agent. The consortium includes: NBK, JP tion, professionalism and credibility in the mar- NBK was founded in 1952 as the first indige- Morgan, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, HSBC ket place.” “NBK is the banking partner for all of nous bank and the first joint stock company in and The Royal Bank of Scotland as underwriters, Kuwait’s oil companies. NBK’s relationship with Kuwait and the Gulf Region. NBK reported prof- joint bookrunners and initial mandated lead KPC and its subsidiaries extends its of $ 894 million (KD 261.8 mil- arrangers. Ahli United Bank, Australia and New for more than four decades,” Al- lion) for 2014. NBK’s total assets Zealand Bank, Barclays Bank, BNP Paribas, Fulaij added. “We are happy to were $74.4 billion (KD 21.8 bil- Burgan Bank, Citibank, Commercial Bank of be the bank of choice for KUF- lion) at the end of 2014, while Kuwait, Doha Bank, Gulf Bank, Mizuho Bank, PEC and KPC’s subsidiaries in shareholder equity stood at $ Natixis, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Qatar their expansion plans.” 8.6 billion (KD 2.5 billion). National Bank, Samba Financial Group, Society NBK is the largest financial NBK is the largest financial ABK receives ‘Prepaid Generale, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking institution in Kuwait and has institution in Kuwait with effec- Corporation, and Union National Bank acted as been consistently awarded the tive market dominance in the lead arrangers. Scotia Bank, Bank of Bahrain & highest credit ratings in the commercial banking market and Marketing - Best Use of Kuwait, and National Bank of Bahrain acted as region from Moody’s, Standard & has been consistently awarded arrangers. Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings. NBK the highest credit rating of all Segmentation 2015’ award Previously in 2013, NBK, in cooperation with also stands out in terms of its banks in the region from JP Morgan Limited, led a consortium of banks to local and international network, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and arrange a $1 billion syndicated loan for KUFPEC. which includes branches, sub- Fitch Ratings. NBK also stands KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) yes- Travel Card offers holders a variety of bene- In 2008, NBK was also the Original Lender and sidiaries and representative out in terms of its local and terday announced that it was awarded the fits, such as earning Skywards Miles every the Agent Bank for a five-year term loan facility offices in China, Geneva, London, Salah Al-Fulaij international network, which ‘Prepaid Marketing -Best Use of time they use their cards locally or abroad, of $320 million for KUFPEC. Paris, New York, and Singapore includes branches, subsidiaries Segmentation 2015’ award by Visa free travel insurance up to $150,000, Salah Al-Fulaij, NBK-Kuwait Chief Executive alongside its regional presence in Lebanon, and representative offices in China, Geneva, International for its ABK Emirates VisaGold instant discounts at outlets with ABK Officer, said: “NBK has a long history in arranging Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, London, Paris, New York, and Singapore along- Prepaid Travel Card. The award was Advantages program, special offers and and leading mega financing deals in Kuwait and and the UAE. NBK was founded in 1952 as the side its regional presence in Lebanon, Jordan, received by Othman Tawfiqi, AGM Retail promotions from Visa Middle East and last the region. NBK’s leading role in this transaction first indigenous bank and the first joint stock Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Turkey, and Bankingat ABK during a ceremony held at but not the least, Visa Global Assistance is yet another testament of NBK’s, strong reputa- company in Kuwait and the Gulf Region. the UAE. Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Dubai - UAE on Services and worldwide acceptance. 18 March, 2015. ABK seeks to create partnerships with The ABK Emirates VisaGold Prepaid leading financial institutions such as Visa Travel Card is the first of its kind in the that consistently deliver excellent quality region and the only prepaid card linked to and superior customer service. Emirates Skywards; the award-winning fre- For more information on Ahli Bank of quent flyer program from Emirates Airline Kuwait please visit www.eahli.com or con- which offers a range of rewards to frequent tact an ABK representative via ‘Ahli Chat’ or travelers. by contacting a customer service agent via The ABK Emirates VisaGold Prepaid ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899899. GIC’s profits grew 23% reaching $201 million

KUWAIT: Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) rate governance frameworks were strength- announced its financial results for the year ened. We believe these achievements distin- ended 31 December 2014, posting net profits guish GIC as a leading regional financial insti- of $201 million. GIC’s net income is 23 per- tution. The three notch upgrade by Moody’s, cent higher than the prior comparative year. and the two notch upgrade by Fitch during This announcement follows the approval of 2014 endorse the soundness of our business GIC’s financial results by its model.” 31st Ordinary General Ibrahim Ali Al-Qadhi, Meeting held on 5thApril, Chief Executive Officer, com- 2015, at GIC’s headquarters mented saying, “The excel- Robot astronaut Kirobo awarded in the State of Kuwait. lent performance of GIC dur- The improved profitabil- ing 2014 can be mainly two Guinness World Records titles ity levels, driven by the attributed to the investment good performance of GIC’s mix that diversifies risks and key business lines: capital income sources. It is gratify- KUWAIT: Two Guinness World The long-term aim of the Kirobo International Space Station (ISS) on Wakata) and conducting research for markets and direct invest- ing to note that all business Records titles have been awarded to Robot Project is for robots to provide August 10, 2013 and spent a total of a future in which humans and robots ments, represent a return lines performed well during Kirobo, the robot astronaut devel- companionship to those who need eighteen months there, holding the coexist. on equity of 7.6 percent, the year, exceeding the oped as part of a joint research proj- them most and Kirobo represents the world’s first conversation experiment On 10 February 2015, Kirobo compared to 6.7 percent for planned targets. With 70 per- ect between Dentsu Inc., the first step towards this vision of the in outer space between a robot and a came safely back to Earth aboard the previous year. cent of total investments, University of Tokyo’s Research Center future.” Kirobo arrived at the human (JAXA astronaut Koichi SpaceX’s CRS-5 Dragon cargo supply Shareholders’ equity grew covering capital markets and for Advanced Science and spacecraft which splashed down in 7 percent to reach $2.7 bil- direct investments, allocated Technology, Robo Garage Co, Ltd, the Pacific Ocean off California, and lion by the 2014 year-end. Ibrahim Ali Al-Qadhi to the GCC, GIC affirms its Toyota Motor Corporation, and the then arrived back in Japan on March With a conservative financial commitment to the region. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 12. Kirobo’s first words after returning leverage of 1.9 times, GIC enjoys a solid finan- In line with our mandate, and strategic (JAXA). Erika Ogawa, Vice President home were: “From up above, the cial position, and low risk profile. goals, GIC will continue to focus on GCC Japan, Guinness World Records Ltd, Earth glowed like a blue LED.” Commenting on these commendable investments through capital markets and recently presented Kirobo with two At the debriefing session held at results, Abdul Kader Askalan, Chairman, said: direct investments”. Al-Qadhi added:”We look Guinness World Records certificates the National Museum of Emerging “For GIC, 2014 was a year of multiple achieve- forward sustaining our positive performance, for the following achievements: Science and Innovation in Tokyo, the ments. These include increased levels of prof- and will strive to continue achieving our * The first companion robot in project members gave a summary itability, enhanced capital base, improved liq- goals. Gulf Investment Corporation, incorpo- space, which arrived at the report and showed a video of the uidity ratios, lower risk profile, and increase in rated in the state of Kuwait in 1982, is fully International Space Station on 9 highlights of Kirobo’s activities net positive cash flows. Operationally, several and equally owned by the governments of August 2013. aboard the ISS. The session was initiatives were implemented that optimized the six member states of the Gulf Co-opera- chaired by Fuminori Kataoka, project utilization of corporate resources. Investment tion Council (GCC) - United Arab Emirates, general manager in the Product strategies were reviewed and developed, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Planning Group of Toyota Motor while risk management systems and corpo- Kuwait, with a paid-up capital of $2.1 billion. Corporation, and the two speakers were Tomotaka Takahashi, the presi- * The highest altitude for a robot dent of ROBO GARAGE Co, Ltd who is After a year at war, Ukraine to have a conversation at 414.2 km also a visiting research fellow at the above mean sea level achieved on University of Tokyo’s Research Center the International Space Station on 7 for Advanced Science and at financial breaking point December 2013. Technology, and Yorichika Nishijima, PARIS: Bruised and battered after a year of sis,” said Francis Malige, Managing Director for According to Takayuki Yoshitsugu, a copywriter in Dentsu Inc.’s Business armed conflict, Ukraine has been crippled by a Eastern Europe and the Caucasus at the Chief Representative, Middle East and Creation Center as well as head of the combination of monetary, budgetary, indus- European Bank for Reconstruction and North Africa Representative Office, Dentsu Robot Center. Kirobo also trial, banking and energy crises that could Development. TOYOTA Motor Corporation, “The appeared on stage to chat with the make it dependent on outside help for recognition by Guinness World project team members. decades. The country has suffered a series of ‘Play-acting’ on corruption Records is a wonderful acknowledge- Toyota’s role in the Kirobo project shocks that has obliterated its fragile econo- The international community, desperate to ment of the achievements by Kirobo has been to engineer voice and facial my. Its vital heavy industry, in the east, has avoid a collapse in the Ukrainian economy and a dedicated multi-disciplinary recognition technologies. Like every been completely hamstrung, with production that could be a propaganda coup for Russia, team who have pushed the bound- process within the company, Kirobo’s plunging by a fifth-not helped by a sharp has rushed to its aid. In April 2014, the IMF aries of science and technology to development has been conducted decline in steel prices. In addition, with for- sketched out a bailout plan worth some $17.5 understand how humans and robots under the Japanese practice of eign investors fleeing the uncertainty, the val- billion to come in a series of tranches — $5 might interact in space in the future. Kaizen, or continuous improvement. ue of the local currency, the hryvnia, has fallen billion of which has already been paid out. by around 50 percent since the beginning of This is part of a package of $40 billion the year. pledged by the international community to “Like many emerging markets, this has a help Ukraine back on its feet. The European Burgan Bank announces names direct effect on households, businesses and Union has offered Ukraine about 1.6 billion public finances, because both private and euros ($2 billion) in short-term assistance and public debt is denominated in foreign curren- put together a wider package worth about 11 of Yawmi account draw winners cy,” said Julien Marcilly, chief economist at billion euros. Ukraine has encountered huge insurance firm Coface. difficulties in borrowing on the open market, KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday Quarterly Draw with more chances to win high- a Yawmi account and/or increase their deposit Gross domestic product contracted 6.8 raising only small sums over short periods of the names of the lucky winners of its Yawmi er rewards, entitling one lucky customer to win to maximize their chances to becoming a win- percent last year, according to official statistics time. Possible lenders are scared off by the account draw, each taking home a prize of KD KD 125,000 every three months. The Yawmi ner. The more customers deposit, the higher and the central bank is bracing for a decline of potential for default-which the Moody’s rat- 5,000. The lucky winners for the daily draws Account now offers Daily and quarterly Draws, the chances they receive of winning. as much as 7.5 percent in 2015. ings agency says is near 100 percent. took home a cash-prize of KD 5,000 each, and the Quarterly Draw requires customers to For more information on opening a Yawmi Ukraine is also suffering a debt crisis, with However, others see it differently-billion- they are: maintain a minimum amount of KD 500 in their account or about the new quarterly draw, cus- its proportion of public debt to gross domes- aire investor George Soros has said he is will- 1. Marahib Salem Al-Sanea account for 2 months prior to draw date. tomers are urged to visit their nearest Burgan tic product (GDP) expected to spiral to 94 per- ing to plough one billion dollars into the 2. Thejeel Rashed Aldhefeeri Additionally, every KD 10 in the account, will Bank branch and receive all the details, or sim- cent this year, according to the International country. One thing that particularly irks 3. Fatemah Ghloum L Taqi entitle customers to one chance of winning. If ply call the bank’s Call Center at 1804080 Monetary Fund-from a healthy 40 percent in investors is the perceived level of corruption 4. Ali Eissa Alhasawi the account balance is KD 500 and above, the where customer service representatives will be 2013. “There is a banking crisis, a monetary cri- in Ukraine. The authorities in Kiev say they are 5. Hasan Eissa Kakouli account holder will be qualified for both the delighted to assist with any questions on the sis and an economic crisis that translated into trying to stamp out corruption and have fired To further add to the anticipation of Yawmi quarterly and daily draws. Yawmi account or any of the bank’s products a strong contraction of GDP last year. This a billionaire governor and arrested some high- account customers, Burgan Bank now offers a Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open and services. year, there will probably also be an energy cri- level officials. —AFP MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 TECHNOLOGY

Disaster expo shows innovations in thriving Japan industry

SENDAI: Mankind is powerless to pre- children. He thought up the idea for the from losses, in 2012-14 the World Bank tractor Shimizu Corp. have developed an a light but strong and supple cast for vent calamities such as typhoons and Jinriki while working on a tourism-relat- allocated $1.4 billion on preparedness, “anti-seismic surgical floor” to keep oper- immobilizing broken limbs, or even earthquakes, but in Japan where the ed project, but was only able to turn it nearly half the $3 billion committed to ating tables steady in case of a quake. whole bodies, in the case of an infant. devastating 2011 tsunami still looms into a reality after the March 2011 disas- post-disaster rebuilding. As it strives to revive the sluggish “Handling babies whose backs or large, there’s a flourishing industry in ters. Takahisa Kishimoto of Teijin Frontier economy, the government is aggressive- necks are broken has always been a big devising ways to cope with catastrophe. Being able to quickly escape to higher Co., a subsidiary of textiles giant Teijin, ly peddling disaster-related technology. problem because there is no neck brace Some of the products on display at an ground was a life-or-death matter when was peddling a blanket with hand-holes At the UN conference, the Japan Bosai to fit them,” said Yoshikazu Matsumoto of exhibition on the sidelines of a recent a tsunami up to 40 meters (131 feet) high that can be used to haul an injured per- Platform Bureau, set up with support Alcare Ltd. Medical Engineering United Nations disaster conference in the thrashed Japan’s northeastern coast, son out of a disaster zone when a from the Land and Transport Ministry, Laboratory, a Tokyo-based startup. northeastern city of Sendai featured including Sendai’s port and coastal sub- stretcher isn’t handy. was offering its one-stop online service On an even smaller scale, Icomes Lab high-tech innovations and new materi- urbs, killing more than 18,500 people. Many of the exhibitors in Sendai trav- center for major construction and build- Co., a mechatronics company affiliated als. But many were just inventive, practi- Many of the elderly people living in eled from Japan’s western industrial cen- ing materials companies hoping to with Iwate University in Iwate, one of the cal solutions for challenges such as Japan’s seaside villages could not escape ter of Osaka, seeking to expand into export their products and expertise. areas hardest hit by the 2011 tsunami, quickly getting people out of harm’s way. in time. Pioneer Seiko Co.’s people-carri- northern Japan and beyond. That The Japanese government was displaying micro-pumps that can be Products like Masayoshi Nakamura’s er frame, something of a cross between a includes Takashi Torano, a disaster expert announced plans this week for a new 10- used to feed IV drips to a patient without “Jinriki” - custom-made handles designed toddler backpack and an adult-sized at Fujiwara Industry Co., a maker of year risk management strategy intended having to keep the bag of solution high for easily hustling wheelchairs over chair, can be used by an adult to carry tsunami escape towers, among many to slash in half estimated deaths and enough to rely on gravity. debris and up hills. “I just wanted to do another adult on his or her back. other types of disaster equipment. damages in the earthquake-prone Tokyo One of the biggest exhibitors in something to help,” said Nakamura, Exact figures on disaster-related Fujiwara also makes beds fitted with region. Sendai was Japan’s military, which was jumping into a wheelchair as he urged a spending and manufacturing are hard to overhead steel slats to shield up to three Apart from retrofitting buildings and showing off a wide array of vehicles, visitor to give it a try. come by. The market spans both govern- adults from falling debris. “The idea is to reducing congestion in fire-prone river- tents, open air clinics and portable The snap- and screw-on handles, ment and private spending, and includes create a safe space in the home,” said side districts, the government intends to kitchens it has developed for use in dis- which turn a wheelchair into a modern an entire universe of goods ranging from Torano. Other offerings included an stockpile 72 million meals, 6 million blan- asters. version of a “rickshaw” like the ones seen tarps and water containers to sophisti- emergency kit for helping extricate peo- kets and 54 million-use portable toilets. Soldier Kazuma Kita beamed as he in old movies, enable a person to push or cated early-warning systems for ple from collapsed houses, and hard-hats While the earthquake simulator, all- explained the use of a huge, open air pull a wheelchair over sand and snow, up tsunamis and typhoons. designed to look like baseball caps. terrain vehicles and other big-ticket public bath that was deployed during and down stairs, with relative ease. Globally, disaster-related spending is “You can walk around town and not items drew the biggest crowds in Sendai, the 2011 crisis to help keep victims and Nakamura knew from early on that on the rise as losses from weather-relat- have to worry about a quake knocking some of the more innovative products rescuers clean, soothing both bodies and pushing a wheelchair can be hard work, ed catastrophes surge. Heeding esti- something onto your head,” Torano said. were on a much smaller scale. Like the spirits. having often pushed his disabled brother mates showing that $1 spending on pre- On a larger scale, Nippon Steel & “Opticure Splint,” made of a resin that “We helped 120,000 people to relax,” around as they played with friends as vention can yield up to $36 in savings Sumitomo Metal Products Co. and con- when exposed to LED light hardens into he explained. —AP

Things to know about Internet vulnerabilities in the US

nternet outages can disrupt emergency take much longer to restore service. services, business transactions and basic Icommunication. Here are few things to INCREASING OUTAGES know about the nation’s Internet infrastruc- The number of outages affecting high- ture and its vulnerabilities. capacity lines has been steadily rising, from 221 in 2010 to 418 in 2012 and 487 in 2014, HOW IT WORKS according to figures from the Federal In many cases, information is transmit- Communications Commission. That comes ted at high speeds through light waves car- as the nation’s fiber-optic network also has ried in slender glass fibers that are bundled been expanding by about 10 million miles together and strung along rights of way of fiber annually, according to an industry such as highways, railroads and pipelines. group. More fiber-optic cables means there When covering long distances, these fiber- are more chances for them to get accident- optic cables often are shared, meaning ly cut, vandalized or develop problems. they might carry Internet, telephone, tele- vision and data services for a variety of GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT companies. Internet infrastructure in the US has been largely unregulated by the federal RURAL-URBAN DIVIDE government and the states. Federal agen- In major cities, the demand for high- cies, for example, are distributing billions of speed Internet means there are typically dollars to help expand broadband into multiple fiber-optic cables delivering unserved areas but have not required the service. If a main line is damaged, grant recipients to build backup systems Internet traffic can be routed to another that could guard against outages. The path. But in rural areas and smaller Federal Communications Commission has cities, these network redundancies been more focused on ensuring open sometimes don’t exist because they are access on the Internet. It recently raised the viewed as too costly. When a fiber-optic target speeds for what it considers to be This photo provided by Sony shows a scene from the video game “Bloodborne” (for PlayStation 4, $59.99), in which a hunter battles a mutated cable gets cut in those places, it can appropriate broadband service. —AP tree creature in a haunted Gothic city. — AP ‘Bloodborne’ a punishing trek through a haunted city

here’s something masochistic about video yourself in a sprawling city called Yharnam, Those guys, like the ax-wielding lunatic gamers. Even if you’re playing an innocu- where majestic Gothic towers loom over gore- Father Gascoigne and the tree-sized Cleric Tous-looking game like “Pac-Man,” you will drenched streets. A nasty illness has overcome Beast, are less predictable, and you’ll need be killed dozens of times before you get any most of the populace, and the few remaining some trial and error before you can figure out good. humans seem to hold you responsible. Those their attacks. Even then, the bosses typically “Bloodborne” (Sony, for the PlayStation 4, survivors are relatively easy to dispatch, as long transform into something even nastier midbat- $59.99) doesn’t waste any time getting to the as you don’t let them gang up on you. It’s the tle, requiring an entirely different strategy. hard stuff. Almost immediately after it starts, creatures that have mutated - bloodthirsty If you lose, you get sent back to your last you get eaten by a werewolf. Sure, you get rein- lycanthropes, sledgehammer-wielding behe- game save, at which point you have to slog carnated and armed with a couple of flimsy moths - that will send you screaming into the your way back through the horde of lesser ene- weapons, but if you aren’t prepared to die - afterlife. mies you’ve already defeated and make your over and over and over - you won’t get very far. You’re initially armed with two devices: a way back. Here’s the spot where many players “Bloodborne” is the latest torture device melee weapon that can be extended for will slam down their controllers in frustration - from evil genius Hidetaka Miyazaki and his longer-range attacks and a firearm that seems not at losing a boss battle, but at having to Tokyo-based studio, From Software. Starting almost comically ineffective. Gamers who are retrace all the tedious steps that led up to that with 2009’s “Demon’s Souls,” Miyazaki and com- used to cutting a swath through hapless ene- fight. From Software demands much of its play- pany have developed a reputation as the cru- mies will lose quickly. You need to approach ers, including an obsessive level of patience. elest game designers in the world. If you rel- each encounter cautiously and learn to depend The studio has built an impressive cult audi- ished the challenge of their “Souls” adventures, on your “dodge” button. Eventually, you get ence for its brand of abuse, but if you’re the you’ll love “Bloodborne.” If you hated those used to the attack-dodge-attack rhythm need- type of person who plays a game to relax and games - well, their new ordeal won’t change ed to defeat most of Yharnam’s creatures - until unwind, “Bloodborne” is not for you. I admire its KUFPEC first oil company in Kuwait your mind. you stumble upon one of the game’s vicious uncompromising vision - but I don’t particularly to adopt Microsoft Office 365 Once you get past that werewolf, you’ll find boss battles. like it. Two stars out of four. —AP

KUWAIT: Microsoft Kuwait has announced Public Relations and Services KUFPEC, said: that Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration “We consider the implementation of new Company (KUFPEC) is the first oil company technology as critical to achieve the Autonomous car completes in Kuwait to adopt Microsoft Office 365, to improvements desired within our compa- improve communication and collaboration ny. One way we are helping our employees across the organization while helping work better together is by deploying Office 3,400-mile US road trip increase productivity. In a move that 365.The cloud is breaking down traditional strengthens the company’s leading posi- barriers and with it we’re better able to NEW YORK: An autonomous car’s recent 3,400- One surprise can cause signals to bounce around. tion in the Oil and Gas sector in Kuwait, achieve greater efficiency, no matter what mile U.S. road trip proves there’s at least one thing The variation in lane markings across states and Delphi will use the lessons it learned to improve KUFPEC is now completely on Microsoft’s device we’re using or what distance is computers do better than humans: Follow the communities. Some had wide white stripes, others the systems that will eventually be used in Exchange Online and Share Point solutions, between employees.” speed limit. had narrow yellow ones. Some were new, some autonomous and even driverless cars. Earlier this offering complete productivity and collab- Charles Nahas, General Manager, Auto supplier Delphi Corp. fitted an Audi Q5 were faded, and some were marked with raised week, Audi AG announced that Delphi will produce oration suites that 350 employees around Microsoft Kuwait, said: “We are pleased to with radar, cameras and laser sensors to navigate bumps. Delphi will have to further train its cameras a new central computer system that will process the world can use to connect with each work with Kuwait Foreign Petroleum the 15-state journey from San Francisco to New to detect all kinds of lane markings, since that’s one the data from various cameras and sensors and tell other. Exploration Company to provide them with York, mostly traveling on highways. The car drove way autonomous cars keep themselves centered in a car how to respond. The system will appear in Office 365 provides a variety of services, communication and collaboration tools itself 99 percent of the time, Delphi said Thursday. a lane, Owens said. Audis in about two years. Delphi is also supplying including business class e-mail, cloud stor- that have been designed to enhance pro- Along the way, the autonomous Audi never Owens said the cameras also got a little blinded Volvo with the radar- and camera-based system age and file sharing, in addition to the ductivity, promote collaboration, and drove above the speed limit, even when everyone in bright sunlight and in rainy weather, but the that enables automatic braking, lane departure Microsoft Office suite. KUFPEC’s employees reduce operational costs. KUFPEC can now else did. As a result, other drivers subjected the car radar systems always provided backup. The radar, warning and other safety features on the upcom- will now be able to work from anywhere, enjoy powerful technology capabilities to - and its human occupants - to “a few hateful ges- he said, worked well even on metal bridges, which ing XC90.—AP and, as the company has branches in match its business ambitions, with access tures,” said Jeff Owens, Delphi’s chief technology Europe, Asia and North America, to the latest cloud collaboration and pro- officer Jeff Owens. Microsoft’s cutting-edge technology makes ductivity solutions.” The person sitting in the car’s driver seat inter- it possible to centrally manage connections Through the introduction of Office 365, vened once when traffic was weaving around in a with all branches more easily and efficient- KUFPEC will benefit from enhanced pro- construction zone, and again when the car didn’t ly. Commenting on the introduction of ductivity, increased efficiency, and reduced want to move into a busy left lane to avoid police Office 365, Abdullatif A. Al-Houti, Manager costs. stopped on the right shoulder. The car also got a little skittish when it was next to semi-trailer trucks, edging over to avoid them. But for the most part, it easily navigated bridges, traffic circles and open highways, even in heavy rain, Owens said. “We expected we would be in autonomous mode most of the time, but to be in it close to 99 percent of the time was a pleasant surprise,” Owens told The Associated Press Thursday. “The equip- ment was flawless.” Delphi engineers collected nearly three ter- MICHIGAN: This undated photo provided by Delphi shows an Audi Q5 crossover outfitted with abytes of data - equivalent to 30 percent of all of laser sensors, radar and multiple cameras. The autonomous car developed by Michigan-based the printed material in the Library of Congress - auto supplier Delphi Automotive will soon be making a 3,500-mile journey across the US. A that they can use to further enhance autonomous person will sit behind the wheel at all times but won’t touch it unless there’s a situation the car driving systems. can’t handle. The car will mainly stick to highways. — AP MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE

Hawaiian leader seeks construction pause at sacred summit

HONOLULU: Scientists hoping to see 13 bil- everyone can live with,” Apo told reporters. who believe the telescope site is sacred $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Telescope. Project lead- Sanders said the telescope has been com- lion light years away, giving them a look into Stopping construction would be key, he because it is where their creation story begins, ers say they regret the arrests but safe access to municating with the governor’s office and the the early years of the universe, are facing said. “You can’t even get to the discussion point against scientists, who believe it’s an ideal loca- the site needs to be preserved. university president. He stressed the telescope opposition from Native Hawaiian groups who until they stop construction,” he said. Apo said tion for one of the world’s largest telescopes While the Native Hawaiian groups do not has been discussing the project with the public say the construction site of a new telescope is the state should revisit how it manages the because of its remote and sheltered position, oppose the telescope itself, they disagree with since 2008, when it filed a notice for an environ- on sacred land. On Friday, a Native Hawaiian summit, which belonged to the monarchy until nestled in the crater of a dormant volcano. constructing it on Mauna Kea. mental impact statement. leader called on the state and the University the US-backed overthrow of the Hawaiian king- “It is the burial grounds of some of our most The university leases the land at Mauna Kea of Hawaii to adopt a moratorium on construc- dom in 1893. The state holds former kingdom Protesters sacred and revered ancestors,” said Kealoha from the state and then subleases it to the tion after dozens of protesters were arrested lands in trust for the Hawaiian people. About 300 protesters gathered at the Pisciotta, a project opponent. “It is a place Thirty Meter Telescope project. A partnership of the day before. Peter Apo, a trustee for the The governor’s chief of staff, Mike mountain Thursday, and police and state law where we go for sanctuary and release from the Canadian and US universities plans to build the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, said he’s asking McCartney, said the governor’s office is enforcement arrested 20 people who tried to world around us, and it is also the home of our observatory along with institutions in China, Gov. David Ige and University of Hawaii involved in discussions but must decline com- block a road leading to the summit of Mauna god.” All of the highest points in the islands are India and Japan. President David Lassner to bring people ment to protect the integrity of the talks and Kea on Hawaii’s Big Island. Eleven more were considered the home of deities, she said. There are currently 13 telescopes at the together during a 30-day moratorium to work allow productive conversations to continue. arrested atop the peak, the highest point in the Gary Sanders, the Thirty Meter Telescope summit, including some of the world’s most out a long-term solution. “Hawaiians University spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said state. project manager, said Friday his organization advanced. The first was built in the late 1960s. absolutely believe in science. How that plays the school welcomes all calls for more dialogue Project opponents question whether land appreciates the support it’s received from the The people arrested Thursday were trying to out on this mountain is going to be a matter and is actively meeting and addressing the appraisals were done correctly and whether Office of Hawaiian Affairs, including in 2009 block trucks heading to the peak. Work got of getting the right set of people in the room issue at the highest levels. Native Hawaiian groups were consulted, so when the agency endorsed the selection of underway after the protesters were arrested to negotiate some sort of compromise that The dispute has pitted Native Hawaiians, they have tried to prevent construction of the Mauna Kea as the site for the observatory. and the path to the summit was cleared. —AP

Chicago businessmen follow promise of medical marijuana

CHICAGO: Late one Saturday night, Rob his 20s. Joe Caltabiano, Charles Bachtell and Sampson had a confrontation with his 15- Sampson weathered the mortgage crisis in year-old daughter about marijuana. But it prominent positions at Chicago-based was his daughter doing the confronting and Guaranteed Rate, the largest independent it was Sampson defending the drug. retail mortgage company in the nation. Sampson and his wife, after a long night Caltabiano, a star in his field, will continue of polishing his new company’s applications making mortgage loans. But Bachtell, a 36- to grow medical cannabis, returned to their year-old attorney who has been Guaranteed suburban Chicago home to find their daugh- Rate’s general counsel, and Sampson, its 40- ter waiting up. They hadn’t yet told her their year-old chief operating officer, are leaving business plans. the mortgage giant to work on medical mari- “She said, ‘What is going on?’” Sampson juana full time. recalled. “‘I know something’s going on and “Our departure is surprising a lot of peo- you guys aren’t telling me.’” ple,” Bachtell said. Walking through their That’s when they had The Talk: a conver- high-ceilinged headquarters in a River North sation Sampson and his three partners in brick-and-timber loft and settling around a Chicago-based Cresco Labs have repeated conference room table, they readily agree with parents, in-laws and co-workers to their new venture presents their biggest explain why they are switching livelihoods career gamble yet. and risking millions of dollars to follow the Caltabiano, 37, is a survivor of childhood promise of medical marijuana. leukemia to which he credits his “carpe diem Cresco Labs is poised to become the attitude.” He directly benefited from collabo- state’s largest marijuana grower. It won three rative oncology research that, over several cultivation permits, more than any other decades, has hugely improved survival for company. But the risks are daunting. Illinois’ children with cancer. Remaining involved in marijuana pilot program expires at the end follow-up research, he’s quizzed oncologists of 2017 unless state lawmakers extend it. Far about medical cannabis. They’ve told him fewer patients have signed up than project- they recommend it to ease nausea and other ed; only 2,000 have been approved at last cancer treatment side effects. count. Some Illinois doctors are skeptical. “You have some of the smartest people in What’s more, Cresco is a defendant in two the world recommending a product that’s a lawsuits filed by unsuccessful applicants. Schedule I narcotic the federal government Cresco plans to build 40,000-square-foot has deemed has no medical benefit,” growing facilities in Joliet, Kankakee and Caltabiano said. “It got me thinking.” MEYRIN: A picture taken on February 10, 2015 in Meyrin, near Geneva, shows the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) Cavern at the Lincoln, but the litigation could delay con- Cresco Labs’ applications scored highest European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). The world’s largest particle smasher restarted yesterday after a two-year struction. in the state’s selection process, not only in upgrade that will allow physicists to explore uncharted corners of the matter that makes up the universe. —AFP The cannabis industry isn’t an opportuni- the three districts where Cresco competed, ty for easy money, as some might believe, but compared to scores across the state. The said Michael Elliott of the Marijuana Industry partners credit their edge to consulting with Group, a Colorado trade group. a reputable Denver cannabis company, woo- CERN restarts Large Hadron “A lot of businesses have failed in ing local support and winning bonus points Colorado,” Elliott said. “Everyone who got into by promising to contribute 10 percent of net it found it to be 10 times more complicated profits to charities. Collider, seeks dark universe than they initially thought. And I imagine Michael Mayes, CEO of Quantum 9, a that’s going to be true in Illinois as well.” Chicago-based marijuana industry consult- ant, predicted Cresco Labs will survive the Particle beams sent round revamped machine Mortgage loans bumps and the litigation. Cresco Labs’ four founding partners are “They’re definitely one of the largest play- accustomed to high stakes. Dominic Sergi, ers in Illinois,” Mayes said. “With three licens- GENEVA: Scientists at Europe’s physics mordial blast that brought the universe into “dark matter” thought to make up some 96 per the youngest at age 31, started his own real es, there’s plenty to focus on. They’ll be just research centre CERN yesterday restarted being 13.8 billion years ago-begin and at least cent of the stuff of the universe while being estate company, Clear Height Properties, in fine.” —AP their “Big Bang” Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a year more before any results can be expect- totally invisible, and super-symmetry, or SUSY, embarking on a bid to probe into the “dark ed. Study of many billions of collisions in the under which all visible particles have unseen universe” they believe lies beyond the visible LHC’s first run from 2010-2013 produced proof counterparts. one. by 2012 of the existence of the Higgs boson “If I had to bet on what we will find, I would CERN reported that particle beams were and its linked force field, a long sought mecha- go for SUSY,” said Oliver Buchmueller, a scientist successfully pushed around the LHC in both nism that gives mass to matter. But that was on one of the four machines around the ring directions after a two-year shutdown for a part of the 40-year-old Standard Model of how that records each collision. “But we could also major refit described as a Herculean task that the universe is believed to work at the level of find something very, very unexpected,” he doubled its power-and its reach into the the fundamental particles that make up every- added. unknown. thing in it, including life. “This is what makes life on the energy frontier “It’s fantastic to see it going so well after With its capacity to smash particles togeth- so exciting.” But CERN will only gradually move such a major overhaul,” CERN Director General er at almost the speed of light and at a colli- towards applying the full energy now within the Rolf Heuer told delighted scientists and engi- sion energy twice that of its first run, scientists power of the LHC, mindful of a helium leak in neers as the beams moved round the tubes of hope that the revamped LHC will produce evi- 2008 that forced postponement of the machine’s the 27-km (17-mile) underground complex. dence of what has been dubbed “New first LHC run for two years, and an electrical fault But it will be two months before particle Physics”. that put off Sunday’s start-up, originally set for collisions- mini-versions of the Big Bang pri- Among elements of this concept are the last month, by two weeks. —Reuters Indiana begins needle exchange in county with HIV outbreak

AUSTIN: Health officials in Indiana on Saturday began a needle-exchange program Saturday in a county where an HIV outbreak among intravenous In this photo provided by the Progeria Research Foundation on Friday, April drug users has grown to nearly 90 cases. 3, 2015, Hayley Okines, right, talks during an interview with her mother Scott County’s needle-exchange program was Kerry. A campaigner who raised awareness of the rare genetic condition created through an emergency executive order progeria, which causes those affected to age some eight times faster than signed by Republican Gov. Mike Pence in an attempt average, has died at age 17. The US-based Progeria Research Foundation to curb the state’s largest-ever HIV outbreak. Pence’s said Hayley Okines, from East Sussex in England, died Thursday, April 2, 30-day order temporarily suspended Indiana’s ban 2015, at her home. It did not provide more details. —AP on such programs, but only for the southeastern Indiana county that’s about 30 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. Imported drug-resistant “While (Pence) has been clear that he does not support needle exchange as anti-drug policy on an stomach bug spreading in US ongoing basis, he’s been equally clear about his con- cern over this outbreak, and has taken a critical step NEW YORK: A drug-resistant strain of a rhea. The bacteria spread very easily to end this outbreak by allowing this needle nasty stomach bug made its way into the through contaminated food or pools and US and spread, causing more than 200 ponds. Outbreaks also are common at exchange to occur,” said State Health Commissioner illnesses since last May, health officials daycare centers when staff members Jerome Adams, the News and Tribune reported said. donít wash their hands well enough after (http://bit.ly/1C1K3cY ). Many cases were traced to people who changing diapers. The program is open only to Scott County resi- had recently traveled to the Dominican For most people, it’s an unpleasant dents through the Community Outreach Center in Republic, India or other countries. but temporary illness that ends within a the city of Austin, the epicenter of the epidemic. That Outbreaks of the shigella (shih-GEHL-uh) week and can be region now has 84 confirmed HIV cases and five pre- bacteria are not unusual, but this strain is helped with over-the-counter medi- liminary positive cases. resistant to the antibiotic most common- cines like Pepto-Bismol or Imodium. Each participant will initially receive enough nee- ly prescribed for adults. ’This is the first Sometimes antibiotics are used: usually dles for one week as a way to deal with the needle- time weíve documented this large an azithromycin for children and AUSTIN: Substance abuse treatment and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment infor- sharing that’s caused the epidemic. The center will outbreak of antibiotic-resistant (shigella) ciprofloxacin, sold as Cipro, for adults. mation, with a container of clean syringes and other medical supplies are on display also offer free HIV screening, drug treatment referrals linked to international travel,’ said Dr. The past few years, health officials at a table inside the immunization office at the “one-stop shop” in Austin, Ind., and hepatitis A and B vaccinations. Anna Bowen of the Centers for Disease have been detecting shigella bugs resist- Saturday. State and local health officials began a needle-exchange program “If we don’t pay close attention to what’s going Control and Prevention. Since last May, ant to azithromycin. The Cipro-resistant Saturday where an HIV outbreak among intravenous drug users has grown to nearly on here, we’re going to be doomed to repeat it the imported superbug has sickened at superbug has sickened people in 32 90 cases. Scott County’s needle-exchange program was created through an emer- throughout all of Indiana, and our country,” Adams least 243 people, with large recent out- states and Puerto Rico.’It’s moving itself breaks in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania around the country,’ but it’s too early to gency executive order signed last week by Gov. Mike Pence in an attempt to curb the said. The executive order permitting the program could be extended if needed. —AP and California. know if the superbug has rooted in the state’s largest-ever HIV outbreak. —AP Shigella is a common cause of diar- United States for good, Bowen said. —AP MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Tax refunds for many take hit or get bump from health law

WASHINGTON: As the April 15 tax deadline its customers who got health insurance subsi- nears, people who got help paying for health dies owed money back. Repayments averaged insurance under President Barack Obama’s law $530, reducing expected refunds by 17 percent. are seeing the direct effect on their refunds - On the other hand, roughly one-third of cus- hundreds of dollars, for better or worse. tomers with subsidies overestimated their The law offers tax credits so people without incomes. As a result, their refunds went up by access to job-based health insurance can buy $365 on average. private coverage. Because these subsidies are In a recent study, the nonpartisan Kaiser tied to income, consumers must accurately esti- Family Foundation estimated that half those eli- mate what they will make for the coming year. gible for a subsidy would owe money, while 45 That’s been a challenge for millions of peo- percent would receive a bigger refund. ple. The estimated average repayment was $794, Guess on the low side, get more help now and the refund was $773. The estimates were with premiums, but owe money later at filing based on an analysis of census data about time. Overestimate income, expect bucks back income changes among people likely eligible for from the taxman. health care subsidies. Many consumers may not have understood Kaiser calculated that overall between 4.5 that is how it works when they signed up. Some million and 7.5 million households have to experts caution that such complications could account to the IRS for their subsidies. discourage uninsured people from getting cov- This year is “a learning experience” for con- ered. sumers and the government alike, said Kaiser’s Rob Tuck of Dublin, California, said he had Cynthia Cox. “To the extent this makes people anticipated a refund of about $400 on his 2014 unsure of how much financial help they are taxes. But that almost has been wiped out going to get, it could be a discouragement for because he had to repay some of the subsidy. He some to sign up.” changed jobs during the year, and his income went up a little. Subsidy Tuck, who works for a San Francisco area To avoid tax surprises, consumers should tech-support company, said he enrolled to avoid contact the health insurance exchange if their tax penalties for being uninsured, but feels income changes during the year. penalized anyway now. Tucker Bush, an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Insta-sculpt organizes informative “I was expecting to get dinged a little bit, but in Tacoma, Washington, basically broke even. He I was actually kind of surprised when it came ended up giving back $19 of his subsidy, but not down that much,” he said. before he had spent an hour trying to figure out seminar on obesity management Kelsey Park started out 2014 in Dallas, earn- IRS Form 8962, which taxpayers must use to ing good commissions by selling wedding account for their subsidies. KUWAIT: Insta-sculpt, a leading centre for obesi- obesity and pointed out that Kuwait was ranked they use the advanced ultrasonic lipolysis gowns. She left for graduate school at the “It caused me a little bit of a headache, and I ty management, recently organized an informa- second worldwide in terms of obesity. Saying method. “In this method, the patient does not University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and signed have a college degree,” said Bush, who volun- tive seminar on ‘Obesity and Lifestyle that there were various causes for obesity, rang- undergo any surgery, feels no pain, has no side- up for coverage through the law. She ended up teers at a nonprofit dental clinic for children. “If Modification’ at the Kuwait Medical Association ing from genetic to hormonal and in many cases effects and requires no recovery time. Patients overestimating her income because she didn’t you are trying to help someone who may not hall. The seminar was given by the Founder and behavioral, she went on to note that obesity have been known to lose as much as 7.5 cm in get another job as anticipated. have a college diploma, this is going to be a Director of Instasculpt, Dr Manjiri Puranik. affected both psychological and physical health waist measurement through one session using Park’s tax refund came to $2,500, partly nightmare.” The chief guest for the event was Sunil Jain, of individuals. this technology,” she noted. because she had too much income tax withheld Bill Preus of St. Petersburg, Florida, was cov- Ambassador of India to Kuwait. Other distin- She also explained how most of modern-day The seminar was followed by a lively Q&A ses- and partly because she received a smaller health ered under the health care law for three months guished guests included, Dr Mehdi Al Musawi, diseases such as diabetes, coronary diseases, liv- sion during which Dr Puranik reiterated that the care subsidy than she was entitled to. last year before transitioning to Medicare Consultant Physician for asthma and allergies, er and kidney dysfunction, and depression are any obesity treatment should be supplemented “It was hard to estimate what I would be because of disability. Preus once had his own and Chairman of Al Fanar Clinic and Dr. Khalil caused or initiated by obesity. Moving on to dis- with diet management and regular exercise. She earning because I was transitioning in life,” said insurance agency, selling life and health policies. Yousifi, Consultant Physician for Family Medicine cussing the different methods used for fat also recommended that people should drink at Park, who’s studying for a master’s degree in He is used to complexity, but said he never has and Director of AlFanar Clinic. reduction, Dr Purnaik clarified that effective obe- least two liters of water daily. She concluded the marketing. “I tend to overestimate because I seen anything like this. In his speech at the inauguration of the semi- sity and weight reduction treatments should seminar by advising the audience to enjoy a don’t want to have to pay back,” she said. Preus said he faces the prospect of paying nar, Ambassador Jain highlighted the need for incorporate behavioral changes such as diet healthy life full of peace, giving and love and back close to $4,000 because of poor coordina- diet programs to be safe, healthy and realistic, modification, regular exercise and relaxation exhorted them to “add life to years, not years to Repayment tion between HealthCare.gov and his insurer, the without having to starve people. He added that techniques such as yoga. life. The program also attended by visiting guest The average refund is large enough to offset government’s failure to discontinue his health diets should be about eating healthy while Adding that in the last ten years, new tech- from India M.D. Nalappad, Dr. N.P. Hafiz any repayment in most cases, according to the law subsidy after he went on Medicare, and for- enjoying food. nologies have played a significant role in obesity Mohamed and other dignitaries from various Treasury Department. The White House says the giveness of a student loan debt that caused his Beginning her seminar, Dr Puranik defined management, Dr Puranik said that in her clinic fields. Affordable Care Act is working even better than income to go up. anticipated. “There is no one to talk to who can coordi- But this is the first year that the complicated nate when extenuating circumstances like this connections between the law and the tax system come up, and it’s a total mess,” he said. are playing out for consumers. Preus said a tax preparer and an IRS repre- Initial reports suggest a fairly even split sentative both advised him to file an incom- between tax-return winners and losers. plete return so as to trigger an audit, suggest- Earlier in the filing season, tax preparation ing that may be the best way to straighten company H&R Block reported that 52 percent of things out. —AP

ST PETERDBURG: In this photo taken March 31, 2015, William Preus sits in his home in St. Petersburg, Fla. Preus was covered by the health overhaul for part of last year before transitioning to Medicare, creating a major tax headache for him. —AP WHAT’S ON MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

KNES students attend rehabilitate desert ecosystem field trip uwait National English School students of Year 11 (10 pupils) have attended a workshop with the participation of Environment Public Authority and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) on Tuesday, March 3 2015. The trip was to rehabilitate the desert ecosystem, in which our students became runners up (Second Position) for successful completion of implanting fungal plants. The Korganisers were very pleased with the active participation of KNES students; especially we were the only school having mixed participants. This was a good opportunity for our young learners to have a firsthand experience with the natural ecosystems. KNES students were pleased of this opportunity to experience science in real life.

Embassy of India ABS middle school enjoys skiing in Switzerland

The Embassy of India shall remain closed on 14 April 2015 tudents in the Middle School at The American Baccalaureate School recently enjoyed an action packed skiing holiday to the Saas Valley in Switzerland. The temperature got down Tuesday-Birthday of Dr Ambedkar. However, on above to -10 degrees centigrade and the snow fell heavily at times, making it a beautiful and picturesque scene. The students had lots of fun learning to ski and, for some of them, seeing day, the Embassy will continue to provide Emergency Ssnow for the very first time. They progressed very quickly and were tackling difficult slopes by the end of the week! The morexperienced e skiers amongst them tackled some diffi- services in the Consular and Visa section. cult and challenging routes. Every day skiing was followed by a fun-filled evening activity which included bowling, pizza and movie evening, ice skating and sledging. A day trip to Lausanne encompassing a visit to the beautiful and historic Chillon Castle was a fantastic end to the week. A good time was had by everyone and they all brought back some really hap- py memories!

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Qatar Airways hosts children’s day at Kidzania Kuwait

hildren from Al Kharafi Activity Kid enjoyed their afternoon at Kidzania. We truly needs to play with their peers whilst develop- Centre and KACCH (Kuwait Association hope that this initiative was a memorable one ing their physical, emotional, social and verbal Cfor the Care of Children in Hospital) for them and are proud to be involved in such abilities. enjoyed an unforgettable day out at Kidzania, wonderful activities in our local community.” KACCH is a non-governmental charitable on 31 March 2015 as part of Qatar Airways’ pro- Kidzania Kuwait, which opened in 2013, organisation registered with the Minstry of gramme of engaging with local communities. was built on the concept of ‘edutainment’, Social Affairs and Labour in 2003 and it was The airline invited 70 children with special providing education and entertainment that founded to help children and their families educational needs to enjoy a day at Kidzania, a embraces the educational potential in having cope with the stresses of hospitalisation. It is child-sized replica of a real city featuring minia- fun. Qatar Airways sponsors the aviation managed by volunteers and funded by dona- ture replicas of buildings, transport, companies activities provided by Kidzania Kuwait, where tions. and shops, giving children the opportunity to children can explore the inside of an aircraft, As one of the fastest growing airlines in the practice working as an adult and earning mon- learn about the cockpit and control panels as world, Qatar Airways has experienced rapid ey. At the end of the afternoon the children pilots, and safety procedures and hospitality growth in just 18 years of operation. Today it were rewarded for all their hard work with FC services as cabin crew. flies a modern fleet of 151 aircraft to 146 key Barcelona and Qatar Airways’ gifts. Al Kharafi Activity Kids Centre is the first business and leisure destinations across Fadi Gdayyan Hijazin, Qatar Airways centre of its kind in the Middle East to give Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, Country Manager Kuwait, said: “All children children with disabilities the opportunity to North America and South America. need the opportunity to explore, create and learn through play within a safe and enjoy- Supporting global and local community use their imagination. And today we saw able environment. The centre has been devel- initiatives in all the communities that it serves plenty of imagination with all the kids as they oped to encourage children with special is a key priority for Qatar Airways. Citi celebrates International Women’s Day in Kuwait

iti celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD), a with the theme of International Women’s Day by empower- UN-designated occasion that celebrates the eco- ing today’s young generation and giving them step by step Cnomic, political and social achievements of women processes to prepare them for their jobs once they gradu- around the world through a series of events held at its ate from university”, commented Ozgur Kutay, General branches across the globe. Manager of Citibank Kuwait. “Organizing this day with role IWD has been observed since in the early 1900’s with play and skills building was definitely more intriguing than the first National Woman’s Day observed across the United a workshop or seminar and we felt the students not only States on February 28th, 1909. Annually on March 8th, benefited but enjoyed the day with us”, he concluded. thousands of events are held throughout the world to “We were pleased when Citibank Kuwait decided to inspire women. A global web of rich and diverse local activ- partner with INJAZ Kuwait for this important global occa- ity connects women from all around the world ranging sion. At INJAZ Kuwait, we aim to provide the necessary from political rallies, business conferences, networking support to empower the youth and prepare them for the events and government activities through to local job market through a number of programs. The Job women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion Shadow program introduces soft skills that the young gen- parades and more. eration will require moving forward in order to excel in Held under the theme: “Connecting Women. Inspiring their future careers”, commented Rana A. Al-Nibari, Chief Change. Making Progress”, Citibank Kuwait hosted 14 stu- Executive Officer of INJAZ Kuwait. dents from Bayan High School for Girls for a Job Shadow Citi’s participation in International Women’s Day (IWD) is Day. The Job Shadow is a one-day program that falls under an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women to INJAZ Kuwait’s umbrella and exposes students to the world Citi and to emphasize the role they play in defining the of work at a chosen company. The students received tips progress and future of this company. Relevant events on how to manage and achieve a successful interview which are held on the day aim at inspiring women and cel- through role play which was supervised by the Head of ebrating their achievements, as well as addressing social Human Resources at Citibank Kuwait, Hany Magdy. This and professional challenges facing women around the activity was followed by steps on how to write a CV which world. gave students an insight on skills and how to portray their The 2015 events are a continuation of 2014 celebrations Group picture of Al Bayan School students with Ozgur Kutay (3rd from left in the front row), Hany experience when applying for a job. when Citi hosted over 230 programs including over 44 Magdy (1st from left in the front row) and Jaber Ashkanani, Program Coordinator at INJAZ Kuwait (2nd “Citi wanted to combine its local community efforts client events across 89 countries. from right in the front row). Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait receives 2014 brand health award

he Four Points Sheraton Kuwait received the prominent 2014 Brand Health Award as the best Four Points in the Tregion to carry and maintain the renowned Four Points Brand Standards during the ISMRC ‘Integrated Sales and Marketing, Revenue, and Communication’ ceremony, recently held in Abu Dhabi. During this conference, which is held every two years by the parent company- Starwood Hotels & Resorts for the region (Europe, Africa and the Middle East Division), where over 700 employees of the Executive Hotel Managers within the region congregate. On this occasion, Fahed Abushaar, Regional Director and General Manager of the Sheraton Kuwait, a Luxury Collection Hotel, expressed his pride of this achievement by Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait, which claimed for five consecutive years, the best hotel award in its class. This award is the first after completing the hotels extensive renovation and expansion, which provided the hotel with a brand new feel to make guests stay even better. Accompanied by the familiar and attentive service the hotel has always been renowned for. in addition to the superb services and amenities offered , the Sheraton Kuwait, a Luxury Collection Hotel, a pioneer in the world of hospitality, just adjacent to the Four Points as a com- plex property now offers a grand image of the properties with exceptional integrated services contributing to the growth of the brand and its expansion in the region.

St Stephen’s Indian Orthodox Congregation, Kuwait celebrated Easter at Indian Community School, Khaithan. Fr Saju Philip, the vicar of St Stephen’s Indian Orthodox Congregation was the chief celebrant. Hundreds of orthodox church members from various parts of Kuwait participated in the service. MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

13:30 Dukes Of Haggle 08:55 Dog With A Blog 09:30 Farm Kings 13:55 Storage Wars Canada 09:20 Binny And The Ghost 10:30 The Big Eat... 14:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 09:45 Girl Meets World 11:00 Mexican Made Easy 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 10:10 Liv And Maddie 11:30 Chopped 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 10:30 Cars Toons 12:30 Siba’s Table 01:05 Pride And Prejudice 16:50 How It’s Made 10:35 Little Mermaid 3: Ariel’s New 13:00 Guy’s Big Bite 02:00 My Family 17:15 How It’s Made Beginning 13:30 Guy’s Big Bite 02:30 Scott & Bailey 17:40 Dynamo: Magician 11:50 Sofia The First 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:15 The Shadow Line Impossible 12:15 Sofia The First 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 The Weakest Link 18:30 Gold Rush 12:40 The Adventures Of Disney 15:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 05:00 Teletubbies 19:20 Gold Divers: Under The Ice Fairies 16:00 Chopped 05:25 Show Me Show Me 20:10 Dukes Of Haggle 13:05 Good Luck Charlie 17:00 Guy’s Big Bite 05:45 Boogie Beebies 20:35 Storage Wars Canada 13:30 Dog With A Blog 17:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 06:00 Gigglebiz 21:00 Gold Rush 13:55 Gravity Falls 18:00 Siba’s Table 06:15 Teletubbies 21:50 Gold Divers 14:20 H2O: Just Add Water 18:30 The Big Eat... 06:40 Show Me Show Me 22:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 14:55 Liv And Maddie 19:00 Chopped 07:00 Boogie Beebies 23:30 Dynamo: Magician 15:20 Binny And The Ghost 20:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 07:15 The Weakest Link Impossible 15:45 Girl Meets World 21:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 08:00 The Impressions Show With 16:10 Violetta Basics Culshaw... 17:00 Little Mermaid 3: Ariel’s New 21:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 08:30 Come Fly With Me Beginning Basics 09:00 My Family 18:40 Liv And Maddie 22:00 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 09:30 Doctors 19:05 H2O: Just Add Water 22:30 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 10:00 Casualty 19:30 Violetta 23:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 10:50 The Weakest Link 00:05 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 20:20 Binny And The Ghost 23:30 Chopped 11:35 Friday Night Dinner 00:30 Joe Rogan Questions 20:45 H2O: Just Add Water 12:00 The Impressions Show With Everything 21:10 Good Luck Charlie Culshaw... 01:20 Through The Wormhole With 21:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:30 Come Fly With Me Morgan Freeman 22:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 13:00 My Family 02:10 How Do They Do It? 22:25 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 13:30 Doctors 02:35 How Do They Do It? Teenage Witch 14:00 Casualty 00:35 Mr Selfridge 03:00 Moon Machines 22:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 01:30 Celebrity Exposed: Photos 14:50 Come Fly With Me 03:48 The World’s Strangest UFO Teenage Witch 15:20 The Impressions Show With Of Richard Young Stories 23:10 Wolfblood 02:00 Emmerdale Culshaw... 04:36 Close Encounters 23:35 Wolfblood 15:50 One Foot In The Grave 02:25 Emmerdale 05:00 Close Encounters 02:55 Coronation Street 16:25 The Weakest Link 05:24 Alien Encounters 17:10 Eastenders 03:25 Who’s Doing The Dishes 06:12 How The Universe Works 04:20 Kate Middleton: Heir We Go 17:40 Doctors 07:00 Prank Science 18:05 BBC Proms 2011: Hooray Again! 07:25 Gadget Show - World Tour 05:15 The Chase For Hollywood 07:50 Superships 00:00 The Soup 20:00 Scott & Bailey 00:30 The Drama Queen 06:00 Midsomer Murders 08:40 Food Factory 07:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes 20:45 Jonathan Creek: The Judas 09:05 Food Factory 01:25 The Drama Queen Tree 02:20 E! News 08:25 Kate Middleton: Heir We Go 09:30 How It’s Made: Dream Cars Again! 22:15 Pride And Prejudice 09:55 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 03:15 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 23:10 Mistresses 03:40 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 09:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 10:20 Joe Rogan Questions 10:15 May The Best House Win Everything 04:10 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 11:10 Emmerdale 11:10 How Do They Do It? 11:35 Emmerdale 11:35 How Do They Do It? 05:05 The E! True Hollywood Story 06:00 Keeping Up With The 12:00 Coronation Street 12:00 Prank Science 12:30 The Chase 12:25 Gadget Show - World Tour Kardashians 06:55 Keeping Up With The 13:15 May The Best House Win 12:50 Superships 14:05 Midsomer Murders 00:00 Homes Under The Hammer 13:40 How It’s Made Kardashians 00:50 Homes Under The Hammer 07:50 Style Star 15:35 Coach Trip 14:05 How It’s Made 16:00 Coach Trip 01:45 Homes Under The Hammer 14:30 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 08:20 E! News 02:35 Homes Under The Hammer 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 16:30 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 14:55 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 17:25 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 03:30 Homes Under The Hammer 15:20 Through The Wormhole With 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 07:00 Antiques Roadshow 11:10 Eric And Jessie: Game On 18:20 The Chase Morgan Freeman 19:10 Coronation Street 07:50 Antiques Roadshow 16:10 How Do They Do It? 11:35 Eric And Jessie: Game On 08:40 Antiques Roadshow 12:05 E! News 19:35 Coach Trip 16:35 How Do They Do It? 20:00 Coach Trip 09:30 Antiques Roadshow 17:00 Joe Rogan Questions 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 10:25 Antiques Roadshow 13:35 Beyond Candid With 20:30 The Doctor Blake Mysteries Everything 21:25 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 11:20 Antiques Roadshow 17:50 Sport Science Giuliana 12:10 Antiques Roadshow 14:30 Style Star 22:20 Coronation Street 18:40 Food Factory 22:50 Emmerdale 13:05 Antiques Roadshow 19:05 Food Factory 15:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 13:55 Antiques Roadshow The Hamptons 23:15 Emmerdale 19:30 Invent It Rich 23:45 May The Best House Win 14:45 Antiques Roadshow 20:20 Moon Machines 16:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 15:35 Antiques Roadshow 21:10 How Do They Do It? The Hamptons 16:30 Antiques Roadshow 21:35 How Do They Do It? 17:00 Who Wore It Better? 17:20 Antiques Roadshow 22:00 Invent It Rich 17:30 Who Wore It Better? 18:15 Beat My Build 22:50 Through The Wormhole With 18:00 E! News 19:00 Food Glorious Food Morgan Freeman 19:00 Keeping Up With The 19:45 Come Dine With Me Kardashians 20:35 Masterchef: The 20:00 House Of DVF 00:00 Apocalypse: The Second Professionals 21:00 Fashion Bloggers World War 21:25 Antiques Roadshow 21:30 Fashion Bloggers 01:00 Aftermath 22:20 Come Dine With Me 22:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 02:00 Situation Critical 22:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 22:45 Baking Made Easy 03:00 Air Crash Investigation 23:10 Beat My Build 23:00 THS 00:00 Violetta 04:00 Wild Indonesia 00:45 The Hive 05:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 00:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 06:00 America’s Lost Treasures Teenage Witch 01:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 07:00 Mammoth: Back from Dead 40 DAYS AND NIGHTS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD Teenage Witch 08:00 Apocalypse: The Second 00:45 The Island With Bear Grylls 01:40 Wolfblood 00:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives World War 04:00 Red Dawn 15:00 The Hot Flashes-PG15 02:00 Mob Wives 01:35 The Island With Bear Grylls 02:05 Wolfblood 00:30 Siba’s Table 09:00 Aftermath 06:00 40 Days And Nights 17:00 Inescapable-PG15 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress 02:25 The Island With Bear Grylls 02:30 Violetta 01:00 Siba’s Table 10:00 Situation Critical 08:00 Babylon A.D 19:00 Getaway-PG15 03:15 Something Borrowed, 03:15 The Island With Bear Grylls 03:15 The Hive 01:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 11:00 Wild Indonesia 10:00 Crimson Tide 21:00 Lizzie Borden Took An Ax Something New 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:05 Rival Survival 03:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 12:00 Wild Russia 12:00 Red Dawn 23:00 Insidious: Chapter 2-PG15 03:40 Driving Me Crazy 02:30 Siba’s Table: Fast Feasts 00:00 Enlisted 05:00 Chaos Caught On Camera Teenage Witch 13:00 Banged Up Abroad 14:00 Appleseed: Alpha 04:30 Cake Boss 05:30 Chaos Caught On Camera 03:45 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 03:00 Siba’s Table 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 15:45 Man Of Steel 05:00 Little People, Big World Teenage Witch 03:30 Best In Chow 14:00 Armageddon Outfitters Stewart 06:00 Yukon Men 15:00 Megastructures 18:15 Crimson Tide 05:30 Extreme Couponing 06:50 Wheeler Dealers 04:10 Wolfblood 04:00 Best In Chow 01:00 Hot In Cleveland 20:15 Babylon A.D 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 04:35 Wolfblood 04:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:00 Money Meltdown 01:30 Getting On 22:00 Kill Em All 06:25 World’s Worst Mum 05:00 Violetta 05:00 Chopped 16:30 Money Meltdown 02:00 Getting On 08:30 Storage Hunters 01:00 See Spot Run 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 05:45 The Hive 06:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 17:00 Family Guns 02:30 South Park 08:55 Dukes Of Haggle 02:45 Patoruzito: The Great 07:40 Something Borrowed, 09:20 Storage Wars Canada 05:50 Mouk Basics 18:00 Doomsday Preppers 03:00 Cristela Something New 06:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Adventure 09:45 How It’s Made 06:00 Dog With A Blog 19:00 Megastructures 03:30 Melissa & Joey 08:05 Say Yes To The Dress: The Basics 04:00 Two And A Half Men 04:30 Barbie And The Diamond 10:10 How It’s Made 06:25 Binny And The Ghost 20:00 Money Meltdown Big Day 06:50 Girl Meets World 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 00:00 Hammer Of The Gods-PG15 Castle 10:35 Fast N’ Loud 20:30 Money Meltdown 06:00 Blue Elephant 08:55 Kate Plus 8 11:25 Misfit Garage 07:15 H2O: Just Add Water 07:30 Roadtrip With G. Garvin Jimmy Fallon 02:00 Red Dawn-PG15 09:45 Cake Boss 07:40 Jessie 08:00 Chopped 21:00 Family Guns 06:30 My Boys 04:00 40 Days And Nights-PG15 08:00 Barbie As Rapunzel 12:15 Wheeler Dealers 10:00 Cinderella 10:10 Little People, Big World 13:05 Storage Hunters 08:05 Wizards Of Waverly Place 09:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 22:00 Doomsday Preppers 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 06:00 Babylon A.D-PG15 10:35 Extreme Couponing 08:30 Austin & Ally Basics 23:00 Wild Indonesia 08:00 Two And A Half Men 08:00 Crimson Tide-PG15 11:30 Imaginum 13:00 Patoruzito: The Great 11:00 Driving Me Crazy 09:00 Cristela 10:00 Red Dawn-PG15 11:50 Cake Boss 09:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 12:00 Appleseed: Alpha-PG15 Adventure 14:30 Little Gobie 12:15 Cake Boss 10:00 Men At Work 13:45 Man Of Steel-PG15 12:40 World’s Worst Mum 10:30 My Boys 16:15 Crimson Tide-PG15 16:00 Jelly T 18:00 Cinderella 13:30 Cake Boss 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 18:15 Babylon A.D-PG15 14:20 Secrets Of The High Street Jimmy Fallon 20:00 Kill Em All-PG15 20:00 A Turtle’s Tale 2: Sammy’s Escape From Paradise 14:45 Secrets Of The High Street 12:30 Two And A Half Men 22:00 The Terminator-PG15 15:10 Cake Boss 13:00 My Boys 22:00 Little Gobie 23:30 Jelly T 15:35 Little People, Big World 13:30 My Boys 16:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 14:00 Melissa & Joey 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 14:30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine 17:15 Something Borrowed, 15:00 Men At Work 00:30 10 Years Something New 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 17:40 17 Kids And Counting Stewart 02:30 Big Daddy 00:00 Streetdance: All Stars-PG15 18:05 Extreme Couponing 16:00 Hot In Cleveland 04:15 Hope Springs 01:45 Star Trek Into Darkness- 18:30 Driving Me Crazy 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 06:00 The Simpsons Movie PG15 19:20 Cake Boss 18:00 Cristela 08:00 Son Of The Mask 04:00 Oblivion-PG15 20:10 Randy To The Rescue 18:30 Melissa & Joey 10:00 10 Years 06:15 All In Good Time-PG15 21:00 Breaking Amish 19:00 About A Boy 12:00 Three Men And A Baby 08:00 Enough Said-PG15 21:50 Secret Eskimo Escape 20:00 Mulaney 14:00 The Life Aquatic With Steve 10:00 The Philly Kid-PG15 22:40 America’s Worst Tattoos 20:30 Enlisted Zissou 11:45 Oblivion-PG15 23:05 90 Days To Wed 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 16:00 Son Of The Mask 14:00 Mr. Peabody & Sherman- 23:55 Breaking Amish Stewart 18:00 In A World... FAM 21:30 Last Week Tonight With John 20:00 Oscar 16:00 Enough Said-PG15 Oliver 22:00 National Lampoon’s 18:00 The Hunger Games: 22:05 Girls European Vacation Catching Fire-PG15 22:30 Veep 20:00 Drinking Buddies-PG15 23:00 Togetherness 22:00 Thanks For Sharing-18 23:30 Mulaney 00:40 Dates From Hell 01:05 Dates From Hell 01:00 Grand Piano-PG15 01:30 Deadly Sins 03:00 Ain’t Them Bodies Saints- 02:20 I Almost Got Away With It PG15 01:00 Super Rugby Highlights 03:10 Deadly Affairs 08:00 C.S.I. 05:00 Magic Journey To Africa- 03:00 IRB Sevens World Series 04:00 Diabolical 12:00 Emmerdale PG15 06:00 Trans World Sport 04:45 Dates From Hell 12:30 Coronation Street 07:00 Almost Christmas-PG15 07:00 Golfing World 05:07 Dates From Hell 14:00 C.S.I. 09:00 The Last Days On Mars- 08:00 Live NRL Premiership 05:30 Deadly Sins 16:00 Emmerdale PG15 10:00 Live NRL Premiership 06:20 True CSI 16:30 Coronation Street 11:00 Magic Journey To Africa- 12:00 Live NRL Premiership 07:10 American Greed 18:00 C.S.I. PG15 14:30 IRB Sevens World Series 08:00 Nightmare Next Door 19:00 Red Band Society 13:00 Peace, Love & 19:00 PGA Tour Highlights 08:50 Fatal Encounters 20:00 Revenge Misunderstanding-PG15 21:00 IRB Sevens World Series 09:40 Murder Shift 21:00 Helix 15:00 The Trouble With Bliss-PG15 10:30 I Was Murdered 22:00 Game Of Thrones 17:00 The Last Days On Mars- 10:55 Stalked: Someone’s 23:00 Hannibal PG15 Watching 11:20 Forensic Detectives 19:00 I Will Follow You Into The 00:00 Live LPGA Tour Dark-PG15 12:10 American Greed 04:00 Super Rugby Highlights 13:00 Disappeared 21:00 The Immigrant-PG15 07:20 Live AFL Premiership 23:00 Night Train To Lisbon-18 13:50 On The Case With Paula 10:00 PGA Tour Zahn 15:30 Golfing World 14:40 Who On Earth... 17:00 NRL Premiership 15:05 Who On Earth... 02:00 Good Morning America 19:00 WWE Experience 03:00 Grimm 15:30 American Greed 20:00 WWE Afterburn 16:20 I Was Murdered 04:00 The Strain 21:00 WWE This Week 06:00 Good Morning America 01:45 Mo Better Blues 16:45 Stalked: Someone’s 21:30 PGA Tour Highlights Watching 07:00 Emmerdale 04:00 Salinger 23:30 Super Rugby Highlights 07:30 Coronation Street 06:15 Texas Killing Fields 17:10 Murder Shift 09:00 Parenthood 08:00 Atlas Shrugged 18:00 Disappeared 10:00 Emmerdale 10:00 Timer 18:50 Fatal Encounters 10:30 Coronation Street 12:00 August: Osage County 19:40 Forensic Detectives 12:00 Sleepy Hollow 20:30 On The Case With Paula 14:30 Yellow Rock 18:00 ICC World Cup H/L : 1ST 13:00 The Fosters Zahn 16:30 Atlas Shrugged Semi Final 14:00 Live Good Morning America 21:20 The Will 18:30 Dead Poets Society 19:00 ICC World Cup H/L : 2ND 16:00 Parenthood 22:10 Who On Earth... 21:00 Being Flynn Semi Final 17:00 Sleepy Hollow 22:35 Who On Earth Did I 23:00 Rust And Bone 20:00 ICC World Cup H/L: Final 18:00 The Fosters Marry? 21:00 ICC Cricket 360 19:00 Parenthood 23:00 Serial Killers 21:30 ICC World Cup H/L: AUS v 20:00 Sleepy Hollow 23:50 Most Evil ENG 21:00 The Fosters DISNEY JUNIOR 22:00 Grimm 01:00 Hick-PG15 00:10 Zou 23:00 The Strain 03:00 Saving Santa-PG 00:25 Mouk 05:00 Alfie Boe: The Bring Him 00:35 Jungle Junction Home Tour-PG15 00:50 Art Attack 07:00 Anna Nicole-PG15 01:15 Julius Jr. 09:00 Inescapable-PG15 01:25 Calimero 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 00:00 Battle Of The Damned 11:00 The Gabby Douglas Story- 00:45 Secrets Of The High Street 01:50 Zou 02:00 Hammer Of The Gods PG 01:10 Secrets Of The High Street BATTLE OF THE DAMNED ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 13:00 The 7:39-PG15 01:35 Extreme Couponing All-Stars 02:05 Mouk Classifieds

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015

CHANGE OF NAME Kuwait I, Mrs. Shaik Nazneen W/o KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (02/04/2015 TO 08/04/2015) Madanapalle Humayun, holder of Indian Passport No. K4164142, hereby SHARQIA-1 HOME 4:45 PM CINDERELLA 12:05 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:30 PM change my name to FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:15 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 6:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:30 PM Madanapalle Nazneen. CINDERELLA 3:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:45 PM AVENUES-4 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM (C 4960) CINDERELLA 5:15 PM THE CANAL 10:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:15 PM 5-4-2015 CINDERELLA 7:30 PM THE CANAL 12:45 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:15 PM 360º- 1 CINDERELLA 9:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:00 PM I, NJOKU CHINWEOKE FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM FANAR-4 FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:00 PM HOME -3D 11:30 AM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 10:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:00 PM IHEYINWA from Imo State SHARQIA-2 FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:30 PM THE GUNMAN 1:00 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:00 PM Nigeria with Passport HOME -3D 11:45 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM Number A02398494 do FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:00 PM AVENUES-5 hereby change my name to FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:45 PM CINDERELLA 12:30 PM 360º- 2 ONONAJI CHINWEOKE FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM CINDERELLA 3:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 11:45 AM IHEYINWA. FAST & FURIOUS 7 10:00 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 2:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 2:15 PM 1-4-2015 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM FANAR-5 CINDERELLA 5:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 4:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 PM CINDERELLA 8:00 PM THE GUNMAN 7:15 PM SHARQIA-3 FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:15 PM NO FRI+WED Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7 “ 7:15 PM FOR SALE THE CANAL 12:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:00 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 7:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:45 PM HOME 2:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:45 PM Special Show “HOME” 7:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 12:15 AM Mitsubishi Lancer Fortis - PAPER PLANES 4:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 10:30 PM 2013, silver color, excellent HOME 6:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 1:00 AM 360º- 3 condition, km 11000, KD PAPER PLANES 8:30 PM MARINA-1 THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 12:00 PM 1900. Mob: 97868418. AVENUES-6 THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 2:30 PM THE CANAL 10:30 PM CINDERELLA 11:30 AM (C 4962) THE CANAL 12:30 AM CINDERELLA 1:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:30 AM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 5:00 PM 5-4-2015 CINDERELLA 4:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 2:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 7:30 PM MUHALAB-1 CINDERELLA 6:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 5:30 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 7:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:00 PM CINDERELLA 8:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 10:00 PM CINDERELLA 2:30 PM THE CANAL 11:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:30 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 12:30 AM MATRIMONIAL CINDERELLA 4:45 PM THE CANAL 1:00 AM Nair boy M.Sc (N) 30y/184 CINDERELLA 7:00 PM AVENUES-7 AL-KOUT.1 CINDERELLA 9:15 PM MARINA-2 FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 PM HOME -3D 11:30 AM cms Avittam FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:00 PM THEEB (Arabic) 3:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:30 PM Sudhajathakam working in FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:45 PM THEEB (Arabic) 5:45 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:15 PM Kuwait MOH preferring girls MUHALAB-2 FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:30 PM THEEB (Arabic) 8:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:00 PM working in Kuwait contact: HOME 11:30 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 8:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:45 PM [email protected] THE CANAL 1:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM THEEB (Arabic) 10:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 AM (C 4961) HOME 3:30 PM THEEB (Arabic) 10:30 PM 5-4-2015 HOME 5:30 PM MARINA-3 THEEB (Arabic) 12:30 AM AL-KOUT.2 RUN ALL NIGHT 7:30 PM THE CANAL 11:30 AM PAPER PLANES 11:30 AM THE CANAL 10:00 PM THE CANAL 1:30 PM AVENUES-8 THE CANAL 1:30 PM THE CANAL 12:05 AM HOME -3D 3:30 PM PAPER PLANES 1:00 PM PAPER PLANES 3:30 PM HOME 5:30 PM PAPER PLANES 3:15 PM PAPER PLANES 5:45 PM MUHALAB-3 FAST & FURIOUS 7 7:30 PM PAPER PLANES 5:30 PM THEEB (Arabic) 8:00 PM 112 FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:15 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 10:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 8:00 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 4:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM Special Show “FAST & FURIOUS 7” 8:00 PM THE CANAL 12:05 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:45 PM PAPER PLANES 11:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:30 PM AVENUES-1 EX MACHINA 1:00 AM AL-KOUT.3 Prayer timings FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:15 AM PAPER PLANES 11:30 AM THE CANAL 11:30 AM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 1:30 PM AVENUES-9 CINDERELLA 1:30 PM FANAR-1 RUN ALL NIGHT 4:00 PM HOME 11:30 AM CINDERELLA 3:45 PM BONTA 11:45 AM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 6:30 PM HOME -3D 1:30 PM CINDERELLA 6:00 PM PAPER PLANES 1:45 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:00 PM HOME 3:45 PM CINDERELLA 8:15 PM BONTA 3:45 PM THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 11:30 PM HOME -3D 6:00 PM THEEB (Arabic) 10:30 PM PAPER PLANES 5:45 PM HOME 8:15 PM THE CANAL 12:45 AM PAPER PLANES 7:45 PM AVENUES-2 THE GUNMAN 10:30 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 9:45 PM THE CANAL 11:45 AM THE GUNMAN 12:45 AM AL-KOUT.4 RUN ALL NIGHT 12:30 AM THE CANAL 1:45 PM HOME 12:15 PM THE CANAL 4:00 PM AVENUES-10 HOME 2:45 PM FANAR-2 THE CANAL 6:15 PM BONTA 12:00 PM HOME 4:45 PM CINDERELLA 12:15 PM THE CANAL 8:30 PM BONTA 2:00 PM RUN ALL NIGHT 6:45 PM CINDERELLA 2:30 PM THE CANAL 10:45 PM BONTA 4:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM Fajr: 04:12 CINDERELLA 5:00 PM THE CANAL 1:00 AM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 6:15 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 11:45 PM Shorook 05:32 CINDERELLA 7:15 PM QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 8:30 PM CINDERELLA 9:30 PM AVENUES-3 QOT WA FAR (Arabic) 10:45 PM BAIRAQ-1 Duhr: 11:51 CINDERELLA 12:05 AM CINDERELLA 11:30 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:45 AM FAST & FURIOUS 7 1:00 PM Asr: 15:23 CINDERELLA 2:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:45 PM FANAR-3 CINDERELLA 4:30 PM AVENUES-11 FAST & FURIOUS 7 6:30 PM Maghrib: 18:09 THE CANAL 12:45 PM CINDERELLA 7:00 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 9:15 PM Isha: 19:28 HOME 2:45 PM CINDERELLA 9:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 3:30 PM FAST & FURIOUS 7 12:05 AM

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

Arrival Flights on Monday 6/4/2015 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Departure Flights on Monday 6/4/2015 THY 767 Istanbul 14:10 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 472 Jeddah 14:55 Airlines Flt Route Time UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 QTR 1084 Doha 00:05 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:00 UAL 981 IAD 00:25 IRC 6508 Shiraz 14:15 KAC 564 Amman 00:05 OMA 645 Muscat 15:05 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:25 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 THY 772 Istanbul 00:15 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:35 MSR 615 Cairo 00:30 FDB 058 Dubai 15:05 JZR 239 Amman 00:20 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 RJA 640 Amman 15:55 DLH 635 Frankfurt 01:35 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 FDB 068 Dubai 00:55 FDB 051 Dubai 16:10 THY 773 Istanbul 02:05 KAC 673 Dubai 15:20 JAI 574 Mumbai 01:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:20 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:50 SVA 503 Jeddah 15:45 JZR 539 Cairo 01:30 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:35 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 02:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:55 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:40 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:50 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 741 Dammam 15:55 RJA 642 Amman 01:45 KAC 792 Madinah 16:50 KKK 6508 Istanbul 03:10 KNE 473 Jeddah 16:00 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:50 KAC 562 Amman 17:00 OMA 644 Muscat 03:35 OMA 646 Muscat 16:05 KKK 6507 Istanbul 02:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:15 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:15 UAL 982 IAD 17:25 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 RJA 641 Amman 16:55 UAE 853 Dubai 02:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 OMA 643 Muscat 02:35 JZR 177 Dubai 17:45 QTR 1077 Doha 04:05 FDB 052 Dubai 17:10 QTR 1076 Doha 03:05 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 17:50 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 QTR 1073 Doha 17:25 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:05 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:50 JZR 560 Sohag 05:00 UAE 858 Dubai 17:40 FDB 067 Dubai 03:15 KAC 514 Tehran 17:55 MSC 406 Sohag 05:00 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:40 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 GFA 944 LCA 18:00 THY 765 Istanbul 05:05 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 544 Cairo 03:35 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:20 QTR 1085 Doha 05:20 JZR 184 Dubai 18:20 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:00 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:35 RJA 643 Amman 06:35 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:15 KAC 502 Beirut 18:35 QTR 8632 Lahore/Doha 06:35 JZR 538 Cairo 18:40 THY 770 Istanbul 04:40 AXB 393 Kozhikode 18:55 GFA 212 Bahrain 06:50 UAL 982 Bahrain 18:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 QTR 8632 Doha 05:05 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 JZR 238 Amman 18:45 KAC 618 Doha 18:55 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:45 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 06:15 KAC 542 Cairo 18:55 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:00 JZR 164 Dubai 07:15 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:20 BAW 157 London 06:35 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 GFA 218 Bahrain 19:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:30 KAC 742 Dammam 19:00 UAE 875 Dubai 19:05 KAC 171 Frankfurt 08:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:50 KAC 382 Delhi 07:40 BAW 156 London 08:35 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:05 FDB 063 Dubai 19:10 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 AXB 394 Kozhikode 19:55 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 QTR 1087 Doha 08:55 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:00 QTR 1086 Doha 07:55 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:20 MSR 606 Luxor 19:30 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 KAC 361 Colombo 20:00 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:55 JZR 482 Istanbul 09:30 MSR 619 Alexandria 20:30 KAC 352 Kochi 08:15 JAI 572 Mumbai 19:35 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:40 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:30 JAI 571 Mumbai 20:35 UAE 855 Dubai 08:25 FDB 061 Dubai 19:50 KAC 117 New York 09:40 FDB 062 Dubai 20:35 KAC 362 Colombo 08:30 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 UAE 876 Dubai 20:35 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 OMA 647 Muscat 20:00 UAE 856 Dubai 09:50 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 KAC 674 Dubai 20:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:00 KAC 1543 Cairo 20:55 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:10 MEA 402 Beirut 20:15 IRC 529 Ahwaz 10:15 OMA 648 Muscat 21:00 IRC 528 Ahwaz 09:15 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:20 IRA 664 Shiraz 10:25 DLH 636 Dammam 21:00 IRA 665 Shiraz 09:25 KLM 417 Amsterdam 21:05 FDB 056 Dubai 10:40 KAC 283 Dhaka 21:05 KAC 288 Dhaka 09:25 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 10:50 KAC 351 Kochi 21:05 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:15 GFA 943 LCA 10:55 MEA 403 Beirut 21:15 KAC 350 Kochi 09:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:15 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 FDB 073 Dubai 21:30 KAC 501 Beirut 11:00 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 22:05 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:10 QTR 1074 Doha 21:30 KAC 561 Amman 11:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:05 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:35 FDB 074 Dubai 22:10 UAE 873 Dubai 10:40 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:50 MEA 405 Beirut 11:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 10:55 THY 764 Istanbul 22:10 MSC 405 Sohag 11:20 KAC 791 Madinah 12:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:25 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:10 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 KAC 349 Kochi 22:30 JZR 561 Sohag 11:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:15 UAE 874 Dubai 12:10 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:30 JZR 165 Dubai 11:50 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:25 KAC 103 London 12:10 KAC 381 Delhi 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:45 UAL 981 Bahrain 22:40 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 BBC 044 Dhaka/Dammam 22:40 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:15 QTR 1075 Doha 22:40 THY 766 Istanbul 13:10 FDB 059 Dubai 22:50 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:20 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:45 IRC 6508 Shiraz 13:15 JZR 185 Dubai 22:55 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:50 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 23:00 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 MSR 614 Cairo 23:30 JZR 176 Dubai 13:10 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:25 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:20 FDB 071 Dubai 23:35 KAC 513 Tehran 13:25 FDB 060 Dubai 23:50 FDB 057 Dubai 14:20 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 415 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 23:50 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 CROSSWORD 864 STAR TRACK

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

This morning is a great day to get things done, whether you are alone or No one is a stranger today. This is a good time to try and foster a sense of with others. Strong-minded individuals are attracted to you and you may find yourself togetherness and team play among family members. You are relaxed and in tune with attracted to them. Attending a lecture or class might include a meditation class or finan- everyone around you just now. Do not be surprised if most people come to you for help! cially informative type of class. Climbing a mountain, learning to fly, dancing to the beat of Camaraderie with old friends can be fun today. Your relationship with a loved one will the drum, you are fantastically motivated to improve, learn, grow and experience. New improve-or perhaps a new one will begin. Go out and be with people tonight. Any worries places later this summer will tickle your fancy and plans can begin now for an adventure. should disappear and you could be the life of the party. Creating a fun time this evening You may receive an invitation to join a few of your friends in some sort of entertainment could be as simple as homemade hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream. You may find this activity later today. You will enjoy a flourishing exchange of ideas and chatter as you cele- get-together a great opportunity for relationships to heal, grow and mature. Who knows, brate your special day. someone might announce an engagement this evening.

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

Energy and self-confidence flourish. This is a superb day to take on a men- Visiting with friends is one of your favorite activities. There is an interest in tally difficult project, broach a subject with someone you were too shy about before or pursuing your artistic expression this afternoon. Perhaps you will enjoy some form of perhaps, ask for help or volunteer to help someone. Good luck! If you are working on a music or pottery. You will find that any social plans you want to create are as close as the project in your home today, you could make some real progress through the afternoon. telephone. Your good cheer enhances your social life and may intensify romance as well. This could be anything from new flower beds to repairs on the roof. Spring cleaning and This is a time to solidify existing friendships while gaining the affection of acquaintances. preparing for the summer seem to be the activities scheduled for the day. You enjoy deco- Seize the chance when it comes! Your relationship with a loved one will improve, or per- rating and creating good smells throughout your living area. You add a touch of class to haps a new one will begin. Tonight is a good time to relax and prepare for the next week’s wherever you are most days. Love is in full bloom this evening-it is a good time to fully work schedule. Perhaps you could enjoy a takeaway dinner and have a lovely lingering demonstrate the depth of affections to loved ones. bubble bath.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You may have a mad desire to do nothing but communicate and exchange Today may put a magnifying glass on relationships. Positive aspects will ideas today. You could shoot the breeze with someone for hours, if given the bring comfort, but hidden tensions will be exposed. You could learn a lot about your feel- opportunity-this is the day to enjoy these interactions. There are opportunities to enjoy the ACROSS DOWN ings today as well as how much you need a close friend or partner. Social involvement, dat- day without the chores, especially if you have done the work beforehand. A group of you 1. Having a toe or toes of a specified kind. 1. (military) Signal to turn the lights out. ing and general pleasantries can be enjoyed all day. This is a great time to refurbish your may decide to see a comedy movie. Emotional security, a sense of belonging and nurturing 4. The wife or widow of a czar. 2. An organization of countries formed in own energies. Weather permitting, you may want to get outside today. Fishing, bird are felt strongly now. A love of music, an appreciation for sensual pleasures and others of 12. The compass point that is one point 1961 to agree on a common policy for the watching, walking, working or playing in the yard or park, all lead to a more relaxed and the finer things in life are the signs of the energies you have begun today. Communication focused you. If you didn’t take a loved one with you on your adventures today, you will east (clockwise) of due north. sale of petroleum. with friends is enhanced. In addition, romance is heightened in your personal relationships; want to be with your loved ones this evening. Perhaps some fun get-together for the enjoy cultivating this relationship. 15. A drug combination found in some 3. Enthusiastic approval. evening meal. Conversations are fun-all through the evening. over-the-counter headache remedies 4. An accountant certified by the state. (Aspirin and Phenacetin and Caffeine). 5. An island in the Indian Ocean off the east 16. A city in Veneto. coast of Africa. ) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. Late time of life. 6. Make amends for. Cancer (June 21-July 22 18. (computer science) The smallest dis- 7. The most common computer memory Competition and challenges come your way today. This is the time to use You have a heightened interest in health and diet along with the urge to get things crete component of an image or picture on which can be used by programs to perform your energy constructively; being slow to anger or worry is a good idea. You may be partic- organized into a rational system this spring. There is much mental busywork now. Paying bills and a CRT screen (usually a colored dot). necessary tasks while the computer is on. ularly motivated at this time. Much energy and drive are available for whatever you want to making phone calls may be part of this day. Your mind is quick, making you receptive to all exter- 19. Inability to name objects or to recognize 8. Overgrown with ivy. achieve. This could involve a creative production-a play perhaps. People ask for your help nal stimuli. You are filled with self-assertiveness. Working on a project could prove fun, especially if written or spoken names of objects. 9. Brief episode in which the brain gets today but unless you are teaching a group, you may have to choose where you lend your you elicit the aid of friends-perhaps a shared hobby. There may be an opportunity for a deep emo- tional talk with a close friend or loved one. Take time to give some attention to one who needs 20. Having the leading position or higher insufficient blood supply. help in order to be thorough. You know other people that like to volunteer and can find others to fill the gap, so to speak. This evening may be a good time to study and learn new your help. Be diplomatic in your discussions with loved ones at this time. Communicating with score in a contest. 10. (Sumerian) Evil storm god represented things, as well as to assess your own goals. long-distance associates and enjoying social functions with close friends is enhanced. 22. Someone who works (or provides work- as a black bird. ers) during a strike. 11. Affect with wonder. 24. A bluish-white lustrous metallic ele- 12. French physicist noted for research on ment. magnetism (born in 1904). Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 26. A hard gray lustrous metallic element 13. (Scottish) Bluish-black or gray-blue. Adjustments and compromises must be made in the interest of harmony Your mind is wide open and demanding to be fed! This is a great day to that is highly corrosion-resistant. 14. Tropical starchy tuberous root. today. There are many things you will want to accomplish and with patience, you will see study and learn new things, as well as to assess your own position. Others’ points of view 27. That is to say. 21. Genus of New Zealand mat-forming positive results. This is an excellent time to sit down alone and get many things accom- will be clear, as will be yours to them. You may be preparing for a business trip today but it 28. Indigo bush. herbs or subshrubs. plished. This afternoon you are able to express appreciation for music, sensual pleasures is a good time to travel. If your personal popularity was absent before today, it is back now. 30. A soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent 23. Having undesirable or negative quali- and the finer things in life. This is aesthetic and artistic to be sure, but it is also practical and You may feel that you are in touch and in harmony with others and the lines of communi- and univalent) metallic element. ties. materialistic: you develop a keen appreciation for the value of things, including the money cation are open. The support you need is available. Some outside activity with children, it takes to buy them. Companionship with others is most rewarding and you take every perhaps a trip to the park, could bring you great satisfaction this afternoon. Practice initiat- 33. Date used in reckoning dates before the 25. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising opportunity to be with friends-particularly this afternoon. This evening is a good time for ing these times in your life more often. Your relationships are most harmonious. It is good supposed year Christ was born. solely the razorbill. imagination and creativity when it comes to ideas-keep notes. to work at strengthening difficult relationships. 34. The clock time given by a clock carried 29. The blood group whose red cells carry on board a spacecraft. both the A and B antigens. 31. Irish prelate who deduced from the 38. Standard time in the 6th time zone west Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) of Greenwich, reckoned at the 90th meridi- Bible that Creation occurred in the year an. 4004 BC (1581-1656). This is the time to smooth over any misunderstandings from the past. You This is a fine time to be with loved ones. Engage in activities that are both 40. A clique that seeks power usually 32. Polish filmmaker (born in 1929). express your concern for others. Communication with those around you, especially young carefree and pleasant with friends and loved ones. You may have read in the paper or heard through intrigue. 35. Beet lacking swollen root. people, may spur memories of your own youth. You may find yourself reflecting on some from someone that a friend, relative or neighbor has made a difference in some community 43. Any of various plants of the genus 36. Minute aquatic herbs floating on or event in the past. Take a drive in the country or see a movie. Surround yourself with beauty. organization. You may think about your own position in society. You seriously want to make You deserve it. Later this afternoon you may find that your high level of energy will help you a positive difference around your community. A lover or child is inspiring. There are many Althaea. below the water surface of still water con- catch up in the care and maintenance of household items. Exercise, perhaps working in the ways to make a positive difference in the lives around you-and that doesn’t mean a big 44. A wad of something chewable as tobac- sisting of a leaflike frond or plant body and garden, or some other outside activity would be a good way to balance your energies. There advertised creation to improve the streets or hospitals . . . It could just be in yielding to oth- co. single root. could be some wonderful opportunities later this day to just sit back and enjoy your ers while driving or letting someone else go first in a grocery store line or waiting for an ele- 46. The seventh month of the Moslem cal- 37. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked progress. A love relationship has great potential. vator. endar. on a skewer usually with vegetables. 48. A metrical unit with unstressed-stressed 39. An account describing incidents or syllables. events. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 49. The act of relaying something. 41. A soft silvery metallic element of the 51. Flowing in drops. alkali earth group. 52. A river in central Italy rising in the 42. Acquire or gain knowledge or skills. Apennines and flowing through Florence 45. The sensation caused by heat energy. and Pisa to the Ligurian Sea. 47. A prejudiced person who is intolerant of 53. Large west African tree having large any opinions differing from his own. palmately lobed leaves and axillary cymose 50. Not only so, but. panicles of small white flowers and one- 54. The range of colour characteristic of a winged seeds. particular artist or painting or school of art". 56. A light touch or stroke. 55. Any of several large turkey-like game 57. Type genus of the Majidae. birds of the family Cracidae. 59. An onerous or difficult concern. 58. A large spotted feline of tropical 62. United States army officer and engineer America similar to the leopard. who supervised the construction of the 60. Of or relating to the nervous system. Panama Canal (1858-1928). 61. Scarabaeid beetle considered divine by 66. (Britain) Flat semisweet cookie or biscuit ancient Egyptians. usually served with tea. 63. The ending of a series or sequence. 70. A woman hired to suckle a child of 64. (of pain or sorrow) Made easier to bear. someone else. 65. The fifth month of the Hindu calendar. 71. Wild or seedling sweet cherry used as 67. 100 agorot equal 1 shekel. stock for grafting. 68. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked 73. Not subjected to an aging process. on a skewer usually with vegetables. 74. An affirmative. 69. Swelling from excessive accumulation 77. Any loose flowing garment. of serous fluid in tissue. 78. How long something has existed. 72. Small usually bright-colored semiaquat- 79. A member of the Siouan people former- ic salamanders of North America and ly living in the Carolinas. Europe and North Asia. 80. The biblical name for ancient Syria. 75. The month following September and 81. A boy or man. preceding November. 82. A drug (trade name Trental) used to 76. A loose sleeveless outer garment made treat claudication. from aba cloth. 83. A small cake leavened with yeast.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 information

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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 LIFESTYLE36 MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Gossip

Smith jets to Paris to write new album

am Smith is penning the follow-up to his debut album ‘In The Lonely Hour’ in Paris. The ‘Stay With Me’ hitmaker has flown to the French Scapital, which is known as the City of Love, to write his second studio album following the success of his Grammy Award-winning first offering. The 22-year-old singer - who wrote his first record after suffering heart- break - told The Sun newspaper he is “completely over” his old crush and is now looking for some new inspiration. Sam’s bass player Brendan Grieve tweeted: “Another amazing writing session with @samsmithworld @itsreubenjames.” While Sam is dedicated to producing his second album, he also took some time out from working in the studio to enjoy the romance capital of the world and visited the iconic Eiffel Tower. He wrote on Twitter: “Amazing hotel room. So happy right now.” Sam recently vowed not to “hide anything” and promised complete honesty on his new record. The star told the crowd at his sold out concert at Brixton O2 Academy in London: “I had a very broad idea of things I needed to do to become well known. And I thought that if I lost loads of weight ... then people would lis- ten, but the truth was people only started to properly listen to me when I started being myself. And the way for me to do that through music was to be honest. This album is my diary, I’ve hidden nothing from anyone and I won’t hide anything from anyone on my future record, my future songs.”

Rose Byrne: There’s not many ‘good’ roles for women ose Byrne doesn’t think there are many “good” roles for women. The ‘Bridesmaids’ actress admits she often feels “frustrated” by the parts she CharliXCX’s bin bed Ris offered but is glad she has persevered because she is finally getting offered leading roles. She said: “I want to keep working as much as I can and take advantage of the opportunities that have opened up to me. “I’ve spent a harli XCX could sleep in a bin. The ‘Boom Clap’ singer insists she isn’t a diva and takes lot of time dealing with the reality that good roles are often very hard to find a relaxed approach to life in the road. She said: “On my last tour I took my childhood for women - sometimes I’ve found it frustrating to be offered the wife or the Cbest friend and I hired another of my best friends as my assistant. I enjoy touring. I’m mother or girlfriend rather than the character that drives the story forward. the opposite of a diva. “Would I sleep in a bin? As long as I’ve had some champagne, then “I’m glad to be finally getting to do those roles. It’s worth the wait if you get to probably, yeah.” The 22-year-old singer also admitted she isn’t worried about what she eats do something you love.” The 35-year-old actress only became a household and regularly indulges in her favorite calorific foods. She said: “I love fried chicken. In name a few years ago and thinks it is her own fault because she didn’t have America I eat fried chicken once a week. I’m not a salads kind of girl. My comfort food is very high expectations of what she could achieve. She told HELLO! magazine: pizza in bed.” While Charli still has a number of professional goals to achieve, she thinks her “It’s been partly my own fault. Early in my career I constantly underestimated success so far has given her the right to relax a little. She told Miss Vogue magazine: “I myself. “I think it’s a very Australian characteristic that God forbid we take our- think I’ve learned over the last year how to chill out.”Once you’ve achieved a few of your selves too seriously or allow ourselves to feel too important.”But excessive goals you feel like you deserve a break. Although I feel like I’m never going to be satisfied.” humility is not going to take you very far in this business. “I had to learn to have more confidence in myself and be proud of what I do. Now I feel I’m ready to take on anything.” No acting plans for Candice Swanepoel andice Swanepoel thinks acting would send her “postal”. The Victoria’s Secret beauty has no desire to follow her best friend Rosie Huntington-Whitely in launching a movie career Cbecause she thinks the pressure would be too much to cope with. She said: “I like to act through my modelling but I don’t think I would be a good Hollywood A-lister.”You’d probably see me going postal or something.” Though she doesn’t want to act, Candice - who has had a number of movie offers - admits she can see the appeal in playing a “twisted and damaged” role because it would come naturally to her. She said: “My agency have given up on me. I don’t want to play the hot girl in a movie, although I would enjoy something like ‘Girl Interrupted’ - some- one who is a little twisted, a little damaged. It’s easy for me to act like that!” Candice was approached by Victoria’s Secret in 2007 and admits she had no idea how important the job would be for her. She told HELLO!’s Fashion Monthly magazine: “I didn’t know I would become Disney plan live action such a big part of the company, but yeah, Victoria’s Secret is an amazing way to get your name Winnie The Pooh out to the masses. Young girls look up to it. Everyone sees you.”

isney are planning a live-action remake of Winnie The Pooh. The company are said to be working on a new adventure featuring AA DMilne’s iconic character following on from the success of their Pitt offered to leave adapted fairytale ‘Cinderella’ starring Lily James. Alex Ross Perry is on board to develop the film which hopes to give the old tale a new lease of life and will feature an adult Christopher Robin returning to the Hundred Acre Wood, reports Deadline. Meanwhile, the studios live-action retellings film for Angelina have been well received to date, with Oscar-nominee Sir Kenneth Branagh rad Pitt offered to drop out of a movie to care for Angelina Jolie. The ‘Maleficent’ actress had her ovaries having been called in to put his spin on the reinterpretation of the and fallopian tubes removed last month after markers indicated she could have signs of ovarian cancer Cinderella fairytale. The 54-year-old director has stressed the importance Band her husband - with who she raises six children - promised to be by her side as much as she needed of making the new films markedly different from the original story. He but was told to stick with his commitment to ‘The Big Short’ in New Orleans. A source said: “He offered to pull said: “I did want to make a film that was about courage and about kindness out of filming but that’s the last thing Angelina wanted. Instead, he’ll come back at least once a week and his and about a psychological modernity in the middle of this traditional sto- mother has offered to help with the children.” Meanwhile, Angelina’s uncle Ron Martin - who was married to ry.”The Cinderella myth continues to capture our imaginations.” her late aunt Debbie - has spoken of how proud he is that the 39-year-old beauty, who carries the BRCA1 gene, meaning she has a high risk of cancer, has spoken out about her recent operation. He told Grazia maga- zine: “I’m very happy for her. It was tearful reading the article [about her operation] because you felt her pain whether she had cancer or not. “She’s done a great thing and she’s a very private person, for her to expose her Statham keen to make personal medical history to the public, she’s doing it for a cause. She can save hundreds of lives.” more Expendables films Johnson reveals why ason Statham will make as many ‘Expendables’ films as Sylvester he chose to play Black Adam Stallone wants him to. The 47-year-old actor, who starred in all three Jfilms in the action film franchise, has revealed he’d happily return for a fourth installment. He shared: “Working with Sylvester Stallone is beyond a wayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson chose to play Black Adam rather than Shazam because the charac- ‘pinch yourself’ moment ... to be directed by him in a movie that he’s pro- ter is “inherently more interesting”. The 42-year-old star confirmed he was offered the oppor- duced, and to be shoulder-to-shoulder with Sly is a privilege anyone who Dtunity to play both characters from the DC Comics, but decided to appear in the role of the loves action movies would never turn their nose up at.” Asked specifically if villainous Black Adam because there’s more depth to his story. He said: “I felt ultimately, and this is he’d like to appear in another ‘Expendables’ with all due respect to Shazam/Billy Batson, it’s a mythology that I film, Jason told IGN: “I’ll do as many as love; it’s been with me for almost ten years now; what made [Sylvester] wants.” He added: “It’s not my me choose Black Adam? “I just felt Black Adam was inher- thing to dream up the ideas and ently more interesting to me because I felt there were what’s in store. One, do I want to do more layers to Black Adam starting out as a slave and another one? Two, are people tired then ultimately becoming the anti-hero who we enjoy of it already? You don’t know.” today.” Before starring as Black Adam, Dwayne Meanwhile, Stallone is busy appears in ‘Furious 7’ and recently confessed the lat- working on the eagerly-awaited est movie in the franchise felt “unique” because of fifth and potentially final ‘Rambo’ the death of co-star Paul Walker in November 2013. film, titled ‘Rambo: Last Blood’. He reflected: “Obviously it triggers lots of emotions The 68-year-old star will reprise with the loss of Paul. I think that we have created the role of action hero John something very unique and special with cars, big Rambo in the new movie, which chase sequences, big action, all these things that are he has written and is also set to happening and exploding. “Then you still have the direct. The film’s title is a reference core family and I think that resonates with people - to the 1982 film ‘First Blood’, black, white, whatever color you are, religion, it doesn’t prompting speculation this will be matter, class, it doesn’t matter, it’s still family. “It’s still fam- the last installment in the franchise. ily and that’s a very unique bond and foundation to work off of.” LIFESTYLE37 MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 Gossip eria anch om r C fo lks in ta Pine

hris Pine is in talks to star in ‘Comancheria’. The 34-year-old actor has reportedly entered into negotiations to appear in the upcoming action-thriller alongside Ben Foster, with Jeff Bridges Calso confirmed for a role. The movie follows two brothers - set to be played by Pine and Foster - who hatch a plan to rob a bank when their family’s West Texas farm faces foreclosure. It is thought Bridges, 65, will portray a law enforcer who attempts to stop them. The movie is being directed by David Mackenzie, while ‘Sons of Anarchy’ actor Taylor Sheridan will pen the script. According to Deadline, if the talks go to plan, the movie will begin filming in June. Pine most recently starred in ‘Into The Woods’ opposite Academy Award-winner Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt. He will also appear in ‘Star Trek 3’ alongside Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Anton Yelchin and Karl Urban. Last year, Bridges appeared in ‘The Seventh Son’, while Foster, 34, has ‘Warcraft’ and ‘Icon’ - in which he plays disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong - in post-production.

Nyong’o expected return to Kendrickcast

upita Nyong’o expected her life to return to normality after win- Lning the Oscar for Best opposite Efron Supporting Actress in 2014. The 32- year-old actress, who starred as nna Kendrick has been cast opposite Zac Patsey in the Steve McQueen-direct- Efron in ‘Mike and Dave Need Wedding ed ‘12 Years a Slave’, has revealed she ADates’. The new comedy is based on a real expected her ascent to fame to come life story of two brothers who advertise for wed- to a halt after collecting the presti- ding dates on Craigslist and are responded to by gious award. She explained: “You two crazy but beautiful women. The ‘Pitch know, I thought it would come to an Perfect’ star, 29, will play 27-year-old Zac’s love end after the Oscars. I thought the interest, while Adam DeVine has been cast as his Oscars would come and go and then brother. Jake Szymanski is directing the film and all of a sudden everything would be ‘Bad Neighbors’ writers Andrew J. Cohen and back to normal and I’d be back in my Brendan O’Brien will pen the script, reports apartment. “You know what kept me Empire Online. Meanwhile, 2015 is sure to be a sane? Not knowing. Having never busy year for the brunette beauty, who is set to really experienced that before... appear in ‘Table 19’, ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ and will next because this was new territory I had be seen in the musical adaptation ‘The Last Five no normal. I had no sense of what Years’ which is due out on April 17. The pretty was normal in that world. It was all star recently admitted she found auditioning for new. I don’t think [I would do it her role in the movie “terrifying” as she was asked again]. Not to that extent.” Despite to sing for Broadway songwriter, Jason Robert the increased levels of interest in her Brown, to secure the part. She said: “I figured at life, Lupita says she has no regrets some point they would want to make sure that I about her chosen career path. She could sing it, so I had to go to Jason’s house and told the British edition of Harper’s sing two songs for him from the show. That was a Bazaar magazine: “I enjoy learning completely terrifying experience.” new things. I enjoy being uncomfort- able for some reason. It’s more inter- esting, more challenging ... That’s why I’m an actor. Because there’s nothing comfortable about being an actor. You’re always out on a ledge, you know?”

Mirren wants a role in Fast and Furious franchise

ame Helen Mirren Cotillard designs ethical Ddreams of Millie starring in the ‘Fast jewelry for Chopard Rodriguez and Furious’ fran- chise. The Oscar-win- arion Cotillard has teamed up with Chopard to Mackintosh’s ning actress has create ethically sourced jewelry. The ‘The revealed she wants MDark Knight Rises’ star - who recently 70s love almost to play a “mad driv- joined the Swiss brand’s co-president Caroline er” in the action film Scheufele and producer Livia Firth in promot- illie Mackintosh loves 70s series and says she’s ing the importance of ethical labels - has style. The former ‘Made In proven her creden- left Fast designed a necklace and bracelet, which fea- Chelsea’ star has revealed tials for the role by M tures opal stones mined from a family-owned she likes to dress in clothes that com- appearing on the business in Australia. She said: “You design memorate the era of flared trousers popular motoring while thinking of the people who work on and disco gear. When asked what and Furious show ‘Top Gear’. The extracting the stones, so it’s a totally different spring style she’s looking forward to 69-year-old star energy. “Why should the creation of dreams and ichelle Rodriguez almost left wearing, she said: “I’ve got my new shared: “My great luxury turn into a nightmare for the people who are the ‘Fast and Furious’ fran- collection coming out and it’s got a ambition is to be in a providing the raw material?” The 39-year-old actress - who also sported chise after disagreeing bohemian feel.”I’ve always had a M Fast and Furious Chopard’s Green Carpet Collection at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013 - will thing for tassels. I love the 70s look - about the development of her char- movie. “I so want to unveil her designs in May when the festival kicks off once again. flared trousers, floppy hats.” And in acter. The 36-year-old beauty, who be a mad driver in a order to keep her enviable figure, the stars as Leticia ‘Letty’ Ortiz in the Fast and Furious 24-year-old television personality films, was originally due to form part movie ... my claim to Kardashian uses pregnancy spends time doing weight training of a love triangle with Dom (Vin fame is I always do but admits it is a “slow process”. She Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker), but my own driving. I cream to ‘tighten’ her neck added: “I like to do a mixture of exer- the idea was abandoned after was on Top Gear, cise. I’m really into weight training, Rodriguez threatened to walk away. and I did [my lap] in which is quite a slow process. There’s She explained: “I just said to myself, a very good time. “I hloe Kardashian uses pregnancy cream to “tighten” her neck. The 30- a real sense of achievement when ‘Look, you’re going to just have to keep putting it out year-old reality TV star has admitted to using you can lift more than you could create your own archetype, doesn’t there, and they nev- KMama Mio’s Pregnancy Boob Tube formu- before. “The health benefits are matter if you go broke doing it’.”And I er ask me. I’ll be in la - which aims to reduce expectant mothers’ amazing and I am trying to improve almost did go broke, twice! But peo- Fast and Furious 8!” stretch marks - to keep her décolletage look- my posture. I like doing spinning, ple finally got it: OK, Michelle is not What’s more, Dame ing toned. The brunette beauty became a pilates and yoga too.” And whilst malleable, you’re not going to influ- Helen said she’s a fan of Mama Mio’s products when her sister Millie - who is married to rapper ence her by shining fame and money huge admirer of Vin Kourtney, who has three children, Penelope, Professor Green - loves most kinds of at her, and they stopped offering me Diesel, who is syn- two, Mason, five and three-month-old Reign exercise, she admits she is fussier that sort of stuff. But you know, it’s a onymous with the with her partner Scott Disick, used them dur- when it comes to food and can’t Catch-22.” The actress confesses her franchise. She told ing her pregnancy. She said: “Kourtney got me stand raw vegetables. She told the attitude has been a hindrance in Yahoo! Movies: “I into all these Mama Mio products that are all Evening Standard newspaper: “It is some aspects, but she’s proud of the have to say Vin natural. I think she used them when she was breast- weird because people think I am fact that she’s stuck by her principles Diesel is brilliant. I love Vin Diesel. He’s a great guy, smart - I love him. “It’s feeding. Their names are really cute - there is one that’s called the Shrink to really healthy, and I do try to eat a and refused to back down. She told partly because of him I’d like to be in one, but also the driving.” Dame Fit Cellulite Smoother that I like. I use one of their other products called the balanced diet, but my worst food is NJ.com: “It’s helped me and it’s Helen’s remarks come shortly after Vin Diesel predicted ‘Furious 7’ will win Pregnancy Boob Tube every day. It’s got avocado oil and shea butter so raw vegetables. “My salads consist of screwed me. I’ve stuck to my guns the Oscar for Best Picture. He said: “Universal is going to have the biggest when your boobs are growing you don’t get stretch marks. I like it though, roasted vegetables. I’m not into raw and I’m proud and people get it. But I movie in history with this movie. “It will probably win best picture at the because it tightens your neck, too. I’ve been using it everyday for a year.” cucumber, raw tomato or peppers. also haven’t carried a movie since Oscars, unless the Oscars don’t want to be relevant ever.” Later, he added: While the cream does wonders for her appearance, Khloe added using the Quite a lot of typical salads I just ‘Girlfight.’” “This will win best picture. There is nothing that will ever come close to product has prompted people to speculate over whether she is pregnant. can’t eat.” the power of this thing.” —Showbiz lifestyle MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 FEATURES Exporting Philly Cheesesteaks, ices and pretzels go global

he man intent on taking the Philly or Utah or wherever they are now,” Taylor said cheesesteak global saw a familiar sight of the sugary frozen treat, which is more sor- Tfrom home on a recent trip to Florida: a bet than snow cone. “They take pride in bring- Wawa. The hoagie-making, coffee-brewing ing a Philly staple back to their home market.” convenience and gas chain from the Philadelphia area is pushing hard into the Top seller Sunshine State, opening more than 60 stores Wawa skipped straight from its footprint in since 2012 with another 25 planned by the five mid-Atlantic states to Florida, where cen- end of the year. Albie Misci, sales director at sus data shows 3 percent of residents are cheesesteak chain Tony Luke’s, knows the idea. natives of Pennsylvania and 8 percent are from He’s helping take Philly’s most famous culinary other northeast states. The company has treat to Florida, California and even the Middle stores in the Orlando and Tampa areas popular Eastern nation of Bahrain. with retirees and tourists - including the one “The cheesesteak has grown from a Misci saw near the Phillies’ complex in Philadelphia sandwich, a local food, to a Clearwater. It’s opening three stores at once national sandwich. Everyone’s familiar with it,” next week in Fort Myers. Wawa spokeswoman Misci said in a recent interview. “When we’re in Lori Bruce said the reception has been so Las Vegas or in LA, they’ll come up to us and strong in Florida, the company will continue to say, ‘Hey, Tony Luke’s, you’re from Philly!’” Other open 25 new stores there and 25 in the mid- staples from the City of Brotherly Love, includ- Atlantic - further into northern New Jersey and ing its beloved soft pretzels and water ice, are south into Virginia - each year. also going global, as their Philadelphia-based purveyors aggressively expand into national - and international - chains. Tony Luke’s has 22 stores, seven more in development and plans to grow to 360 loca- tions within a decade. Philly Pretzel Factory, started in 1998 as a single stand by friends who hawked pretzels as kids on the side of a busy Philadelphia boulevard, has 150 stores and plans to open 350 more and break into Pretzels a Rita’s Italian Ice location in Philadelphia. the international market by 2020. Rita’s Italian Ice, already up to 600 stores in the U.S., is unique connection Philly foods have with peo- of the Phillies and Eagles - for a recent one of its main rivals, Dunkin Donuts, which expanding into six Middle Eastern countries ple,” Bruce said. Philadelphia’s boom in gastro- episode. evolved into a global coffee and pastry giant and is looking to Canada and Mexico for fur- nomic exports comes at a heady time for the The brands built around the city’s iconic from a small chain of shops in the Boston ther growth. Rita’s chief development officer, city. It’ll host Pope Francis in September and foods are following a trail blazed by every area. “Part of what it takes is, is that city or Eric Taylor, said its Philadelphia-bred fran- the Democratic National Convention next July major chain before it - growing from a single that region known for those particular prod- Photo shows pretzels at a Philly Pretzel chisees - and customers who’ve relocated and a major soccer championship this sum- store into a regional player before leaping ucts,” said Reibstein. “We can think about Factory in Philadelphia. — AP photos from the city or vacationers hitting the beach, mer. It’s also been featured prominently on the into less familiar territory, said Penn market- Italian shoes. That’s really well-known and if the theme parks or Phillies spring training - Across the company and employee-owned television shows “It’s Always Sunny in ing professor David Reibstein. Think you say it’s Italian, that must be really good. have an emotional connection to the product. chain, its made-to-order Philadelphia-style Philadelphia” and “The Goldbergs,” which Starbucks, which started as a single-store But, if we saw Slovakian shoes, no one’s going “They want to bring water ice out to Arizona hoagies remain a top seller. “It speaks to the recreated Veterans Stadium - the former home operation at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, or to be really enamored with that.” — AP Modern etiquette: Demystifying the buffet

he buffet meal scene may resem- ble the siege of the Bastille. TSomehow, ordinarily sensible peo- ple fear that the food will be taken away before they get some, or that others will take all of the choice items, leaving them to munch on radishes. This irra- tional approach results in the two major buffet blunders: approaching the table too quickly and putting too much food on your plate.

Approach Never sample the food before the buffet is officially open. Just because cold platters are there before the hot dishes are set out does not signal a call to action, and it creates undue stress on the serving staff. Before piling food on your plate, look at the dining tables. If Spectacular cloud formations above the Parnidis Dune, on the Curonian Spit near the Russian border of Lithuania. utensils are already there, you don’t need to look for them at the buffet table. Remember, if place cards are set out on the table, do not shift them Lithuania’s Curonian Spit: Serene around to suit yourself. Look to see strand between the waters whether the buffet has one or two lines. titude of choices for a variety of tastes as you leave the buffet line, either and appetites. accept graciously or find a way to t the edge of the Valley of landscape, the Curonian Spit. and the blustery Baltic Sea on the oth- decline just as graciously. Even though Silence, the landscape changes On the map, the spit resembles a er. Nida, the principal town on the Serving Stations people at your table will be sitting down Aso suddenly it’s like strolling to stray hair rising from a child’s cowlick, Lithuanian side, has long attracted vis- When various dishes are served at to eat at different times, it’s still a good another continent-from a placid, fra- starting in Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave itors in search of serenity, notably serving stations, as at a brunch buffet, idea to keep pace generally with others grant pine forest to a soaring wall of and gently curving north 98 kilome- author Thomas Mann who built a remember that the attendants are limit- Gender and status privileges do not at the table, while engaging them in brown sand. A short but steep 52- ters (60 miles) toward Lithuania’s port summer home here when this was ed in what they can provide. Special conversation. If you need to leave the meter (170-foot) vertical climb to the city of Klaipeda, which it almost part of Germany. But even at the apply in the buffet line. Don’t try to get requests are okay, as long as they are ahead of anyone, and don’t break up a table temporarily, be sure to place your top of the Parnidis Dune-known affec- touches. As narrow as 400 meters height of the brief Baltic summers, the easily accomplished. And only ask for napkin on the seat or arm of your chair. tionately or humorously as (1,200 feet), thickly forested and thinly spit retains an out-of-the-way air and couple or a group going through the added ingredients that are in sight and line together. Napkins should not go back on the “Lithuania’s Sahara-reveals a sweeping inhabited, the spit is a refuge flanked its vast beaches seem to swallow up readily available. table until you are leaving for good. view of a remarkable and soothing by the smooth lagoon on one side humans. Nida, though a full-fledged resort, has only a handful of large Dishing Plates If one item is in short supply, go easy Standing Up hotels; accommodation is largely in In a restaurant, plenty of clean, fresh- If you’re eating while standing up, at on it. At a restaurant or hotel, it is fine to ly polished plates should be available, small, family-run hotels or gabled, a stand-up buffet or a cocktail party, it’s ask to have a dish replenished. At a pri- which means you should not have to brightly painted guesthouses. even more important to avoid overload- No one comes to the spit for vate party, don’t ask. Use the serving reuse a plate. When you’re going back to spoon or fork provided for a particular the buffet for seconds, don’t hesitate to ing your plate. That way you can circu- excitement. The most spectacular late a bit. Keep your food in your left entertainment may be the extraordi- dish, and put the serving piece next to ask a server to replace a plate or silver- the platter or chafing dish when you are ware, or retrieve what you need at the hand so that your right is available for nary clouds that form as sea and dry- handshakes. You put yourself at a great land air currents mix together. The finished. buffet table. In a private home, use com- A hot metal spoon in a chafing dish mon sense to determine whether you disadvantage if both hands are occu- noisiest place on the spit is one of its pied with food and drink. When you set- prime naturalist sites. Countless cor- could burn the fingers of another diner. should retain your plate or ask for a new one. In any case, never scrape and stack tle on a place to stand, make sure you morants and grey herons congregate Never overload your dish. Going back for seconds or thirds is perfectly accept- your plates when you’re finished. are not blocking the door or a path to in a forested area near the village of the buffet table. But remember that Juodkrante, filling the air with a chat- able. Don’t take platefuls of food for oth- Sitting Down social meals are seldom about the food ter of squawks and vocalizations that ers at your table. That defeats the whole If people invite you to join their table itself, so mix and mingle. — Reuters sound oddly like dogs barking. There’s idea of a buffet, which is offering a mul- a viewing platform on the edge of the colony. Humans who barge into the woods for a closer look may find the herons dropping fish from the air to dissuade them; the birds value sereni- ty as much as the tourists. Although the northern tip of the spit is easily reachable by a five- minute ferry ride from Klaipeda, its most appealing areas around Klaipeda and Juodkrante require another hour or so of travel by road. This discourages passengers on the cruise ships that visit Klaipeda from venturing deep into the spit, reinforc- ing its serenity. Lemurs feed from The spit is popular for bicyclists for hollowed out its rolling terrain, but cycle campers papier mache eggs should be aware that the only camp- filled with steamed ground on the Lithuanian side is in vegetable during an Nida; camping in the rough is forbid- Easter egg hunt at The Baltic Sea near sundown from the top of dunes. —AP photos den. — AP London Zoo. — AP lifestyle MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 FEATURES Bosnian born of wartime rape in quest for his parents

len Muhic, abandoned at birth by his ed by a member of Bosnian Serb forces who mated at over 20,000, further heightened Muslim mother who was raped by a had seized the area. She gave birth in global concerns of rape as a weapon of war or ASerb soldier during the Bosnian war of February 1993 and refused to even look at the genocide, following the devastating violence the 1990s, went on a quest two decades later baby boy. By then she and other Muslims had against women in Rwanda’s 1994 massacre. to find his biological parents. His painful and been forced out of their village as part of the Only 61 children have been documented as dramatic search was captured in a powerful Serbs’ “ethnic cleansing” operation. The being born of wartime rape in Bosnia and documentary that has made him the first woman, in her 30s at the time, later fled to the abandoned, according to research conducted “invisible child”, as those born of rape in United States, where she got married and is by a local non-governmental organization, wartime Bosnia are called, to publicly reveal “Women Victims of War”. The true number is his story. “I simply needed to learn the truth, believed to be much higher. discover who they are, why she abandoned me and why he did what he did. He commit- Adoption and forgiveness ted a war crime,” Muhic said after the recent When Muhic was seven months old he was premiere of the film, “An Invisible Child’s Trap”. adopted by a janitor who worked at the hospi- Muhic’s biological mother fled to the tal where he was born. Muharem Muhic and United States after his birth, while his father his wife Advija, now in their 60s, also have two was first tried and convicted of the rape, but a daughters. “Today I’m a happy man because I year later was acquitted of the crime. These was adopted by a great family. They raised me days the stocky, green-eyed Muhic, 22, works as if I was their own child and gave me all their in the eastern Bosnian town of Gorazde as a love,” Alen Muhic said. He first learned of his nurse in the same hospital where he was born painful past during a fight at school when a and adopted in 1993. The documentary, child taunted him, saying Muharem and Advija which also includes dramatized sequences, were not his real parents. “My parents then deals with Muhic’s “double identity-genetic told me the truth. I was angry, but now I know and adoptive”, its Bosnian director Semsudin that they wanted to protect me,” he said. 22-year-old Bosnian Alen Muhic poses dur- Alen Muhic walks with a friend in Gorazde on March 27, 2015, after the premiere of the Gegic said. ing an interview. In a society still torn apart by hatred among “International human rights organizations its three main ethnic groups Croats, Muslim documentary film “An Invisible Child’s Trap”. — AFP photos label children born of wartime rapes ‘invisible’,” now the mother of two boys, Gegic said. and Serbs-many did not approve of adopting shown and told me that she wanted to meet gave her,” said Muhic, but not the father. His he said. “I decided to make a movie in which Her name is not revealed in the film such a child. “They told my parents that Serb Alen,” said Gegic. The mother and son have yet father was sentenced in 2007 by a Sarajevo Alen becomes visible.” Gegic stressed that because she was a protected witness in the blood was flowing in my veins, and that when to sit down together, but when they do it will war crimes court to five and a half years in Muhic was only “one of thousands of children war crimes trial against the soldier, whose I grew up I would slaughter them. I made this be filmed and added to the documentary. prison for rape. But the next year he was conceived by sexual violence in conflicts identity is unveiled in the movie. The 1992- movie also to prove them wrong,” said Muhic. Initially furious at his mother for abandoning acquitted on appeal due to witnesses’ “contra- throughout the world”. 1995 war in multi-ethnic Bosnia between During the making of the film a meeting him, Muhic’s feelings have changed with age. dictory statements”. DNA tests carried out dur- Muslims, Croats and Serbs claimed around between Muhic and his biological parents “It’s not her fault that she was raped, that she ing the trial proved that he was Muhic’s bio- Weapon of war 100,000 lives, the bloodiest conflict in the would prove elusive. abandoned me. logical father. “I blame him because no one Muhic’s mother was living in the village of break-up of the former Yugoslavia. The mass “The father avoided the meeting, but the Maybe she could not bear the pain. It was a pushed him to do that and he cannot be for- Miljevina in east Bosnia when she was assault- rape in Bosnia of mostly Muslim women, esti- mother came forward after the movie was major trauma for her, a shock,” he said. “I for- given,” Muhic said. — AFP WWI graffiti sheds light on soldiers’ experience headlamp cuts through the darkness of a inscriptions that have recently come to light in environment,” said historian Ross Wilson of rough-hewn passage 100 feet underground Naours, a two-hour drive north of Paris. Many Chichester University in Britain. Etchings, even Ato reveal an inscription: “James Cockburn 8th marked a note for posterity in the face of the doom scratched bas-reliefs, were left by many soldiers Durham LI.” It’s cut so clean it could have been left that trench warfare a few dozen miles away would during the war. But those in Naours “would be one yesterday. Only the date next to it - April 1, 1917 - bring to many. of the highest concentrations of inscriptions on the roots it in the horrors of World War I. The piece of “It shows how soldiers form a sense of place and Western Front” that stretches from Switzerland to graffiti is just one of nearly 2,000 century-old an understanding of their role in a harsh and hostile the North Sea, said Wilson. The site’s proximity to the Somme battlefields, where more than a million men were killed or wounded, adds to the discov- The Mystery of Creation’ ery’s importance. “It provides insight into how they found a sense of meaning in the conflict,” said ocumentary helmer Stefan Haupt es of paying tourists and the church’s Wilson. Naours’ underground city is a 3-kilometer (“The Circle”) largely achieves his politically symbolic value as a source of (2-mile) -long complex of tunnels with hundreds of D“biography of a building” aim with Catalan pride, the site has been a hive of chambers dug out over centuries in the chalky the handsome yet bland “Sagrada: The activity, with current projections estimat- Picardy plateau. During the Middle Ages villagers Mystery of Creation.” Barcelona’s Sagrada ing completion in 2026. took shelter there from marauding armies criss- Familia is as famous for its unfinished Haupt interviews chief architect Jordi crossing northern France. By the 18th century the state as for its strange agglomerations Bonet i Armengol (succeeded since the quarry’s entrance was blocked off and forgotten. In reproducing natural forms, and visionary documentary’s completion by Jordi Fauli 1887 a local priest rediscovered the site and it even- architect Antoni Gaudi remains a cult fig- i Oller), who emphasizes the religious tually became a tourist attraction. That’s what likely ure almost 90 years after his death. Haupt element, his words juxtaposed with drew the soldiers to it during the war, said Gilles interviews a smattering of workmen, those of the late British architect David Prilaux, an archaeologist for France’s national artists and architects to flesh out the Mackay, providing the sole voice of archaeology institute. complex issues involved with construc- modernist dissent in questioning the tion, but the subject cries out for more wisdom of cleaving to a design nearly a Not to be forgotten depth. Culture vultures have kept the century old. He began a three-year study of the tunnels last docu kicking around the fest circuit since More of this counterbalance, or at July, intending to focus on the site’s medieval past - its 2012 Locarno bow, and now a small least some probing inquiry, is needed. only to stumble upon this more recent slice of his- tory. “It was a big surprise” Prilaux said of the discov- US release will generate interest for When model makerJosep Tallada talks Names engraved on the walls of a former chalk quarry, at the Cite Souterraine. — AP photos stronger ancillary. about attempting to reconstruct a “not ery of the World War I graffiti left by soldiers from There really is nothing quite like the very important” shattered Gaudi model, Australia, Britain, Canada and the US Soldiers left Sagrada Familia, with its Gothic shouldn’t someone be wondering similar inscriptions in tunnels at Arras and Vimy. But antecedents and Tolkien-ish forms. Yet whether such a structure might reflect a unlike those sites, Naours is well back from the front the design didn’t spring from thin air, and discarded vision rather than the 3D lines. And it wasn’t known to have been used as a Haupt’s most glaring omission is the equivalent of an unimpeachable gospel? shelter or hospital like other Western Front quarries. absence of even a cursory mention of Politics are too quickly rushed past, and Photographer Jeff Gusky has tallied 1,821 individual Barcelona’s wildly creative artistic milieu more could have been said about possi- names: 731 Australians, 339 British, 55 Americans, a at the time Gaudi began working, in the ble damage should a high-speed train handful of French and Canadians and 662 others late 19th century. Not only are the archi- tunnel be dug beneath the foundations. whose nationalities have yet to be traced. “All these tect’s influences ignored, apart from Where Haupt succeeds is in conveying guys wanted to be remembered,” Gusky says, point- Montserrat mountain, but no Gaudi work the passion felt by everyone who works ing out examples from Texas and Florida. Naours is apart from the Sagrada is mentioned or on the Sagrada, from foremen to sculp- only a few miles from Vignacourt, a town used as a illustrated-a bizarre oversight. tors (indeed, Etsuro Sotoo takes his staging area for troops moving up to and back from The docu moves through the history, obsession to positively Gaudian heights). the Somme battlefields some 25 miles to the east. from the laying of the cornerstone in He’s greatly helped by dp Patrick Prilaux thinks that the young soldiers from distant 1882, under a different architect, to Lindenmaier’s attractive visuals, show- countries would have heard about the famous Gaudi’s appointment soon after and his casing the busy interior’s soaring spaces, “Naours caves” and taken advantage of a break from gradual obsession with the building. By pierced with striking shafts of light. Less war to do some sight-seeing. That idea is backed by the time he was killed in a tram accident commendable is the confusingly first- an entry in the diary of Wilfred Joseph Allan Allsop, in 1926, the church was an incomplete person voice over, and the silent, Peter a 23-year-old private from Sydney, Australia. “At 1 building site with just one facade. Lack of Pan-like figure of dancer Anna Huber, pm 10 of us went to the famous Caves near Naours money, the Spanish Civil War, and mean to represent the spirit of ... of ... where refugees used to hide in times of invasion” Catalan repression all played a part in what, exactly? Bach’s B-minor Mass Direction sign engraved with names is pictured in a former chalk quarry. Allsop wrote on Jan. 2, 1917. —AP hampering construction. makes for fine accompaniment (though the performance does not take place in Represent the spirit the church). Shooting must have begun However, since the 1970s, things have in 2010 or earlier, the year of Pope been moving ahead, and thanks to mass- Benedict XVI’s blessing. — Reuters Japan company makes tear-free onions

he sobbing of a chef as he chops onions in the kitchen could be a thing of the Tpast thanks to one Japanese company, which says it has produced a tear-free veg- etable. Scientists say they have managed to disable the production of a powerful sub- stance an onion releases as the knife slices into it, cutting down on the pungent fumes that bring tears to the eyes. House Foods Group said in a press release that they bombarded the brown bulb with irra- diating ions in a process that drastically reduces the level of a certain enzyme that is key to this process. A spokesman said no deci- sion had yet been made on whether they would commercialize their tear-free onions. The company’s researchers won the Ig Nobel Prize-an award handed out to honor achieve- ments organizers consider unintentionally fun- ny-in 2013 for their discovery of the biochemi- Actors/musicians Kyle Gass and Jack Black of Tenacious D perform at KROQ Presents Kevin cal process behind how onions make people & Bean’s April Foolishness at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. — AFP blubber. — AFP Bosnian born of wartime rape in quest for his parents

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 39

What you didn’t know about what you already know about Easter

hrough centuries and across cultures, the holiday’s iconic customs have Tbeen built upon with the help of sto- rytelling. And the cotton-tailed creature that leaves us chocolate and eggs has a longer tale.

Pagan Beginnings The story of Easter is as much rooted in paganism as it is in Christianity. The holiday owes its name to Eostra, the Germanic god- dess of spring and fertility. The University of Florida’s Center for Children’s Literature traced Easter’s origins to pre-Christian Germany. An Easter Bunny character first hopped up in the 8th century with the English monk Bede’s The Reckoning of Time. CCL recounts the tale: “A little girl found a bird that was close to death and prayed to Eostra for help. Eostra appeared, crossing a rainbow bridge - the snow melting before her feet. Seeing the bird was badly wounded, she turned it into a hare, and told the little girl that from now Who is the Easter Bunny? on; the hare would come back once a year bearing rainbow colored eggs.” But because this legend is held up exclu- sively by Bede, Easter’s namesake continues to be a contentious scholarly debate. pare a thought for the Easter Bunny. One step up from the Tooth Fairy per- Shaps, yet always in the shadow of Santa Claus. To be fair, Santa Claus has eat- en so many cookies at this stage that he casts a fairly big shadow. But this weekend is the Easter Bunny’s time to shine, bringing chocolate eggs to all of us who deserve them. But who is the Easter Bunny? 1. The Easter Bunny isn’t really a bunny at all. Originally, he was an Easter Hare. 2. The Easter Bunny is German, where he is known as ‘Osterhase’. 3. The Easter Bunny originated among German Lutherans and he was first men-

The bunny tale Legends featuring bunny imagery associ- ated to Easter continued to be written down in 1500s Germany and the first story about a rabbit hiding eggs in a garden was pub- lished in 1680. As many Southwestern German immigrants settled in America, the Easter Bunny lived on in Pennsylvania Dutch tales of the Bunny as the “Oschter Haws,” where Germantown, Pa, children were gift- ed with eggs in their Easter bonnets that, today, are replaced by Easter baskets.

Cracking open the egg Egg decorating is at least a 60,000-year- tioned as an egg-bringer in 1682. old activity, practiced by the likes of 4. The Easter Hare started out as a judge, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Kalahari deciding whether children were naughty or Bushmen, who engraved ostrich eggs. nice. If they were good, the hare would lay Before giving colored eggs found its way eggs for them. into the modern Christian tradition, early 5. Hares, rabbits and eggs are all associ- Mesopotamian Christians dyed eggs red to ated with fertility and so they became symbolize the blood shed by Christ during linked with Easter. his crucifixion. 6. Protestant German immigrants Where did the eggs come from? An “Easter egg,” as it relates to hidden brought the custom of the Easter Bunny to Though the roots of the celebrations are symbols or messages planted in a pop cul- the US in the 18th century different, many cultures around the world ture medium by its creator, was first coined 7. In 19th century Sweden, there was a observe spring holidays and festivals by the Atari programmer Warren Robinett, mix-up over translation after the Germans around the common theme of rebirth. The who designed a secret room in the 1979 tried to bring over the custom of the Easter egg being a symbol of the start of a new video game, Adventure. Bunny. Instead, he became the Easter life, just as new life emerges from an egg Wizard, and children in Sweden still dress when the chick hatches out. poor European nations.At this time, choco- Less than humane up as witches and wizards at Easter today, Dyed eggs were shared and eaten at latiers were trying to figure out how they It wouldn’t be Easter if we didn’t eat can- leaving letters with neighbors in exchange spring festivals in ancient Egypt, Greece, could compete with Hot Cross Buns. dy animals. Easter bunnies turned edible in for sweets or money. Rome, Persia and China. Gradually these Chocolate makers had to try to find a way 1800s Germany when they were first made 8. It was said the rabbit belonging to traditions made their way westward and into the hearts of lower class families and of pastry and sugar. Animal rights activists Eostre could lay eggs because it used to be were expressed in various forms ˚ from high class societies at the same time. The have protested against the ritual of coloring a bird. dyed goose eggs to beautifully decorated first eggs were small and solid and made of chicks by infusing dye into the embryo 9. In the early 1800s in Germany, chil- paper mach eggs in the 17th and 18th cen- a course, bitter dark chocolate. As technolo- before it hatches. dren would build nests out of their hats for turies and of course the ultimate Easter gy improved and cocoa became more wide- the Easter Hare to fill with colored eggs. eggs in the late 19th and early 20th century ly available, so did chocolate Easter eggs. For Peeps sake 10. About 86 million chocolate bunnies ˚ the Faberg’s eggs made their royal The first mass-produced chocolate eggs Speaking of dyeing chicks, one of the are produced in Germany each year - appearance. appeared in England in 1873 when reasons Peeps keep coming back every year almost half are sold abroad. Cadbury created their first Easter egg. It is because they are so resilient and multi- What about the chocolate? wasn’t until the early 1900s that milk purpose. Unless you’re gulping down the Strangely enough, chocolate’s relation- chocolate Easter eggs became available. marshmallow birds for a challenge, a com- ship to the Easter holiday started with Hot Chocolate at Easter around the world mon practice is to microwave Peeps. If you Cross Buns, which were originally banned has become a massive money making think that’s inhumane, some enthusiasts by the Queen in the 16th century. Queen industry that, to this day, is the second even take it further with Peep jousting tour- Elizabeth I banned the giving of Hot Cross highest top selling candy holiday of the naments. Just born, the company who Buns because they had ties to Catholicism. year at $1.9 billion (followed by Halloween makes the marshmallows, even conducts However, she did allow them during Easter and then Valentine’s Day). — chefmaster- research with Peeps. All Peeps are told the which proved to be very popular amongst classes.com and metro.co.uk potential risks before voluntarily submitting to testing, of course. A niche Peep diorama culture merges fine art history with the sug- ar-coated goodies. The first Peep diorama contest was held in 2004 by the St Paul Pioneer Press. — www.npr.org