baseball
Page 41 Established in 1977 / www.arabtimesonline.com
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 / RAJAB 7, 1438 AH
CAMERAS SNAP SUSPECT IN ST. PETERSBURG BOMBING
Blast on Russian subway claims 10
Blast victims lie near a subway train hit by an explosion at the Tekhnologichesky Institut subway station in St Petersburg, Russia on April 3. The subway in the Rus-
sian city of St Petersburg reported that several people were injured in the explosion on the subway train. (AP)
Trump kin Kushner in Iraq
Newswatch
DUBAI: Dubai police have
arrested foreign hackers who
targeted five senior White
House officials in a blackmail
email scam, state-owned
media reported on Monday.
The Arabic-language Al
Bayan newspaper and the
television channel Dubai One
reported the arrests, while
Dubai police did not answer
repeated calls for comment.
The arrests come as the
United Arab Emirates,
which hosts some 4,000 US
troops fighting the Islamic
State group, remains a crucial
regional ally.
Al Bayan quoted Maj
Saud al-Khalidi of Dubai
police as saying an African
gang broke into the emails
of the five senior officials and
got highly confidential
information. He said the US
asked Dubai police for assis-
tance.
Al-Khalidi was quoted as
saying that investigators
tracked down the gang to an
apartment in the emirate of
Ajman and arrested three
suspects. Those arrested are
Continued on Page 37
US$/KD 0.30495/05
Euro/KD 0.3254
Yen/KD 0.0027
British /KD 0.3805
KSE -22.14 pts at closing April 3
See Page 35
Dow -58.30 pts at 21:40 April 3
See Page 36
Nasdaq -19.82 pts at 21:40 April 3
FTSE -40.23 pts at closing April 3
Nikkei +73.97 pts at closing April 3
Gold $1,247.25 per oz (London)
NYMEX crude $50.41 pb
Brent crude $53.28 pb
3-month $ LIBOR rate 1.14956%
THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY IN FREE KUWAIT
Ranks of non-state militias swell
US President Donald Trump shakes hands
with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-
Sisi in the Oval Ofce of the White House in
Washington on April 3. (AP)
Full support to Sisi,
joint fight on terror
WASHINGTON, April 3, (RTRS): US Presi-
dent Donald Trump moved to reset US relations
with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on
Monday after the prior Obama administrations
strained ties, giving him rm backing and vow-
ing to work together to ght Islamic militants.
I just want to let everybody know in case
there was any doubt that we are very much be-
hind President Sisi. Hes done a fantastic job
in a very difcult situation. We are very much
behind Egypt and the people of Egypt, Trump
said in an Oval Ofce meeting with the Egyp-
tian leader.
The trip was Sisis rst ofcial US visit since
being elected president in 2014. Trumps pre-
decessor, Barack Obama, never extended an
invitation.
Obama froze aid to Egypt for two years after
Sisi, then a general, overthrew President Moham-
ed Morsi in mid-2013 after mass protests against
Morsis rule. Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood mem-
ber, had been elected the previous year.
The one-on-one meeting between Trump and
Sisi, followed by a separate gathering with top
aides, showed how intent the new US president
is on rebooting the bilateral relationship and
building on the strong connection the two presi-
dents established when they rst met in New
York last September.
Continued on Page 37
emergency number 112 NO. 16432 44 PAGES 150 FILS
Second device disarmed
ST. PETERSBURG, April 3, (RTRS): Ten people
were killed and more than 20 were injured when
an explosion tore through a train carriage in a St.
Petersburg metro tunnel on Monday in what au-
thorities called a probable terrorist attack
Russian news media reported that police were searching for a
man recorded on surveillance cameras who was thought to have
been involved in the attack, which coincided with a visit to the
city by President Vladimir Putin.
A grainy photograph published by the Fontanka news outlet
showed a middle aged man with beard and black hat. Interfax news
agency cited unnamed sources as saying the bomb, packed with
shrapnel, may have been hidden in a train carriage inside a briefcase.
Russias National Anti-Terrorist Committee said an explosive
device had been found at a different metro station, hidden under a
re extinguisher, but had been made safe.
The Investigative Committee, a state body which investigates
major crimes, opened a criminal case on charges of terrorism.
Target
Russia has been the target in the past of numerous bomb attacks,
frequently targeting public transport. Most were blamed on Islam-
ist rebels from Russias North Caucasus region. The rebellion there
has been largely crushed, but security experts say Russias military
intervention in Syria has made Russia a potential target for Islamic
State attacks.
Soon after the blast happened at 2:40 pm, ambulances and re
engines descended on the concrete-and-glass Sennaya Ploshchad
metro station as a helicopter hovered overhead.
I appeal to you citizens of St Petersburg and guests of our city to
be alert, attentive and cautious and to behave in a responsible mat-
ter in light of events, St Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchen-
ko said in an address.
The blast raised security fears beyond Russian frontiers. France,
which has itself suffered a series of attacks, announced additional
security measures in Paris.
Video from the scene of Mondays blast showed injured people
lying bleeding on a platform, some being treated by emergency ser-
vices and fellow passengers. Others ran away from the platform amid
clouds of smoke, some screaming or holding their hands to their faces.
I saw a lot of smoke, a crowd making its way to the escala-
tors, people with blood and other peoples insides on their clothes,
bloody faces,, St Petersburg resident Leonid Chaika, who said he
was at the station where the blast happened, told Reuters by phone.
Many were crying.
Continued on Page 37
BAGHDAD, April 3, (RTRS):
US President Donald Trumps
son-in-law, Jared Kushner,
ew into Iraq on Monday with
the top US military ofcer to
get a rst-hand assessment of
the battle against Islamic State
from US commanders on the
ground and to meet Iraqi of-
cials.
For Kushner, who has not
been to Iraq before, the trip
comes at a critical time as
Trump examines ways to ac-
celerate a US-led coalition
campaign that US and Iraqi
ofcials say has so far been
largely successful in uprooting
Islamic State militants in Iraq
and Syria.
The visit appears to demon-
strate the far-reaching portfolio
of Kushner, 36, who is part of
Trumps innermost circle and
who has been given a wide
range of domestic and foreign
policy responsibilities, includ-
ing working on a Middle East
peace deal.
Marine General Joseph
Dunford, the chairman of the
US militarys Joint Chiefs of
Staff, said he invited Kushner
and Tom Bossert, White House
homeland security adviser, to
accompany him so they could
hear rst-hand and unltered
from military advisers about
the situation on the ground and
interact with US forces.
I said, Hey, next time I go
to Iraq, if youre interested,
come and itd be good, Dun-
ford said, adding he extended
the invitation weeks ago.
That kind of ground-level
awareness of the war helps in-
form strategic decisions, Dun-
ford said, adding it was the
same reason he regularly leaves
Washington to visit Iraq.
The more appreciation you
could have for whats actually
happening on the ground, the
more informed you are when
you start talking about the stra-
tegic issues, Dunford said.
Kushner, who is married
to Trumps daughter Ivanka
Trump, did not speak with re-
porters during the ight to Iraq.
Dunfords spokesman, Navy
Captain Greg Hicks, said Kush-
ner was traveling on behalf of
Trump to express the presi-
dents support and commit-
ment to Iraqs government and
Continued on Page 37

LOCAL
Studies & scientific projects
to address air pollution: KISR
Quarter of worlds diseases caused by exposure to pollutants
KUWAIT CITY, April
3, (KUNA): Director-
General of Kuwait In-
stitute for Scientic
Research (KISR) Dr
Samira Omar, stressed
Monday KISRs keeness
on the air pollution as
an important environ-
mental issue in Kuwait.
During the opening of (In-
door Air Quality In Dry And
Hot Climates) workshop, Dr
Omar said, the pollution not
only includes outside air but
the inside air as well, which is
one of the most important fac-
tors affecting human health,
especially that the most time
of life is spent inside homes
and ofces.
Any imbalance in the standards
of internal air clarity and humidity
will cause unhealthy conditions
leading to permanent or tempo-
rary diseases that will affect also
the level of human productivity,
she added.
For her part, Head of the En-
vironment and Life Sciences Re-
search Center Dr Faiza Al-Yama-
ni said the workshop is the rst of
its kind in Kuwait and the Middle
East, aims at measuring indoor
and outdoor air pollution as well
Workshop participants pose for a group photo.
KUNA photo
Director General of Kuwait Institute for Scientic Research (KISR) Dr
Samira Omar.
KUNA photo
Head of the Environment and Life Sciences Research Center Dr Faiza
Al-Yamani
measuring its severity to ensure its improve air quality.
consistency with national safety The World Health Organiza-
standards and adopting a policy to tions (WHO) statistics show
that a quarter of the worlds dis-
eases is caused by exposure to
pollutants in the domestic envi-
ronment and have an effect on
the respiratory and nervous sys-
tem, she said.
The centers air quality group is
working on developing strategies
to improve air quality and health
in Kuwait by giving recommenda-
tions based on the research meth-
odology of government and indus-
trial decision makers on the best
ways and means to mitigate the
effects of air pollution, air qual-
ity control and pollution reduction
techniques, she added.
For his part, head of the work-
shops organizing committee Dr
Mohammad Yaseen said, the in-
stitute held this workshop as a step
to support and enhance coopera-
tion and exchange of experiences
among scientic institutions in all
parts of the world and to show the
results of scientic research on in-
door air pollution.
WHO announced that 2.4 mil-
lion people die every year due to
some factors caused by air pollu-
tion, where 1.5 million of them die
from diseases caused by indoor
pollution, he said.
A group of experts and research-
ers from Arab, Islamic and foreign
countries who participated at the
workshop presented more than 35
scientic papers dealt with the lat-
est scientic research on internal
air quality.
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
2
KUNA photo
KUNA photos
Kuwait divers lift tons of waste from Fahaheel waters.
KDT lifts tons of waste
Kuwait Dive Team (KDT), afliated waters and the rest of Kuwait beach-
with the Environmental Voluntary es that pose dangers to navigation of
Foundation (EVF), on Monday lifted ships and boats and cause pollution
two tons of disposed shing nets in to the marine environment.
addition to plastic and wood waste, He called for tightening relevant
from Fahaheel waters in cooperation laws against shermen in regards with
with Kuwait Ports Authority and pri- such malpractices and to protect the
vate bodies. marine environment of Kuwait.
In statement to KUNA, the teams He urged citizens spotting such ille-
leader Waleed Al-Fadhel stressed the gal acts at sea to report to the author-
continuous efforts to clean Fahaheel ized bodies. (KUNA)
News in Brief
Exhibit witnesses high turnout: The 18th Annual Ku-
wait Textile Art Association Exhibition organized by Kuwait
Textile Arts Association aflliated to Bait Al Sadu witnessed
a high turnout of visitors fond of this art. A total of 25 par-
ticipants from Kuwait, Europe, United States, India, Pakistan,
Jordan, Egypt and Yemen took part in the fair that is held
under the auspices of the General Secretariat of the National
Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCAAL).
This fair aims at encouraging textile art inside Kuwait as
well as mantling the traditional knitting and textile arts of Ku-
wait and the participating countries. (KUNA)
KNPC upgrades 43 fuel stations: Kuwait National Pe-
troleum Company (KNPC) has commenced developing and
upgrading of 43 fuel stations after the study it assigned the
Kuwait National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprise
Development to carry out on privatization was completed,
reports Al-Shahed daily. According to sources, the company
has allotted some activities for the local private sector to un-
dertake which include lube oil blending factory, and to oat a
tender for construction of 19 fuel stations.
KNPCs Deputy CEO for Administration and Commercial
Affairs Bassam Al-Essa said he is expecting the tender for
preliminary studies worth KD 400 million of Al Mutla Ware-
house Project for oil products to be oated in June.
Theatrical seminar April 6-9: Bandar Al-Mutairi, the
Director of the Fouad Al-Shatti International Theatrical
Seminar revealed that the rst edition of the seminar will be
held in Kuwait on April 6-9, reports Al-Anba daily. He ex-
plained that the seminar is being organized by the Arabian
theater team in Kuwait under the patronage of His Highness
the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. It
will host one of the most important theater personalities in
the world as well as a number of prominent Arab theater stars.
Association taps Kuwaiti MP: Kuwaiti member of
parliament Allam Al-Kanderi has been chosen as a mem-
ber of the Executive Board of the Inter-Parliamentary Un-
ion (IPU)s Association of Secretaries-General.
This took place during the 136th session of the IPU held
in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. Al-Kanderi has been
chosen to ll one of the associations three vacant posts.
Al-Kanderi is a member of a Kuwaiti parliamentary
delegation participating in the 136th IPU Assembly, led
by head of the Kuwaiti Parliamentary Caucus MP Rakan
Al-Nisf. (KUNA)
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

LOCAL 3

KUNA photos
From left: HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with Sheikh Nasser, Hind Al-Sabeeh and Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah.

His Highness the Crown Prince receives state officials

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah country. State Minister for Economic Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh who presented His
received Monday at Bayan Palace Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh The meeting was attended by Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Highness a report on the developmental planning march in the state of
Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. State Minister for Municipality Affairs Mohammad Naser Al-Jabri and Head Kuwait during the past 65 years.
His Highness also received member of the senior scholars council of the Amiri Protocol in the Diwan of His Highness the Crown Prince His Highness then received President of the National Security Bureau
and special adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Dr Sheikh Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah. Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Dr Bader Hamad
Abdullah bin Mohammad Al-Mutlaq on the occasion of his visit to the His Highness later received Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Al-Essa. (KUNA)

Cabinet approves committee

on revocation of citizenship
FM briefs on outcome of Amirs participation in 28th Arab Summit
KUWAIT CITY, April
3, (KUNA): The
Cabinet has consented
HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with Dr Bader
Al-Essa. to a decree forming an
ad hoc committee
Funeral details to be announced later entrusted with looking
into Kuwaiti citizen-
ship abrogation cases.
Liberian envoy to Kuwait, The move was taken during
a customary weekly Cabinet
meeting held Monday at

UAE passes away: report Bayan Palace under chair-

manship of His Highness the
Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber
LIBERIA, April 3: A Foreign Ministry Plenipotentiary to Egypt from 2006 to Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad
press release said Ambassador Konah K. 2010. Before then, he served as Charge Al-Sabah.
Blackett died on March 28, 2017, at the St dAffaires/Chief of Mission of the Republic The committee would also
Nicholas Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria where of Liberia to the United States of America give appropriate practical over-
he had sought medical from 1992 to 1993 and Minister Counselor tures in this regard in line with
attention since March at Liberias Permanent Mission to the law, and would eventually report
18, 2017, after falling United Nations in New York, United States to the Cabinet over relevant find-
ill while in transit of America from 1989 to 1992. ings, Minister of State for
enroute to the State of The late Ambassador Blackett served as Cabinet Affairs Sheikh
Photo from PMs Diwan
Kuwait, reports the Counselor and later Charge dAffaires at His Highness the PM Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah chairs the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Mohammad Abdullah
newdawnliberia.com Liberias Embassy in the Federal Republic of Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah said in a
He had just attended Nigeria from 1982 to 1986. He also served press statement following the
a two-day retreat for as First Secretary and later Charge dAffaires meeting.
heads of Liberias 25 at Liberias Embassy in the Kingdom of The Cabinet also instructed all
diplomatic and consul- Belgium, Luxembourg and the European state agencies to use the logo of
ar missions here in Economic Community from 1978 to 1982. activities pertinent to the choos-
Monrovia from March Blackett Before joining Liberias diplomatic ser- ing of Kuwait Capital of Arab
9, 10, 2017. The late vice, the late Ambassador Blackett served Youth for 2017 on their respec-
Ambassador Blackett, before his appoint- as Deputy Director, Bureau of General
ment to the State of Kuwait and the United Accounting at the Ministry of Finance. tive websites, added Sheikh
Arab Emirates, served as Liberias Meanwhile, funeral arrangements will be Mohammad Abdullah, who dou-
Ambassador Extraordinary and announced later. bles as Acting Minister of
Information.
At the onset of the meeting,
the ministers were apprised of a
Kuwait Today letter addressed to His Highness
the Amir from UN Secretary
General Antonio Guterres, invit-
ing him to attend a donor confer-
Prayer Timings
Fajr ............................................................... 04:14
deaths ence on Yemen due in Geneva
Sunrise .......................................................... 05:35 Enba Mustafa Ahmad, 55 years old, buried on on April 25.
Zohr ............................................................... 11:51 Monday. Condolences: (Men) Ali Sabah Al Salem,
Asr .................................................................. 15:23 Block 1, Street 34, House 14, Tel: 55885806. Participation
Maghrib ........................................................ 18:08 (Women) Ali Sabah Al Salem, Block 6, Street 28,
Isha ............................................................... 19:26 House 5, Tel: 60405669. Ibrahim Khaleel Abu
The ministers then listened to
Al-Hasan Al-Qaed, 64 years old, buried on a briefing from First Deputy
Weather Monday. Condolences: (Men) Daiya, Diwan Al Prime Minister and Foreign
Expected weather for the next 24 hours: Awadi, Tel: 50588899. (Women) Sabah Al Salem, Minister Sheikh Sabah
By Night: Fair with light to moderate north west- Block 4, Street 12, House 51, Tel: 99566526.
erly wind, with speed of 12-32 km/h.
Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah
Mishref Meshaileh Khabeeb Al-Dehani, 63 years
By Day: Mostly sunny with light to moderate old, buried on Monday. Condolences: (Men)
on the outcomes of His Highness
freshening gradually at times north westerly wind, Ferdous, Block 2, Street 1, Avenue 15, House 6, the Amirs participation in the
with speed of 15-40 km/h with chance for blowing 28th Arab Summit held in Dead
dust over open areas.
Tel: 60093888 / 52224047. Khadeeja Ali
Station Max Min Sulaiman, 84 years old, buried on Monday. Sea in Jordan. KUNA photo
Exp Rec Condolences: Rawda, Block 4, Abu Musa Al Ashari In the briefing, Sheikh Sabah
Kuwait City 30 20 Street, House 36, Tel: 67062323 / 99999543. KUNA Chairman Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij poses with other officials in the bureau in Riyadh.
Zakiya Abdul Razak Sultan, 75 years old, widow
Al-Khaled quoted His Highness
Kuwait Airport 32 20
the Amir as calling for a fresh
Abdaly
Bubyan
33
24
17
19
of Abdullah Ahmad Al-Farhan, buried on Monday.
Condolences: (Men) Faiha, Block 9, Street 91, approach to be adopted in order KUNAs chief tours bureau in Riyadh
Jahra 33 20 House 1, Diwan Al Farhan, Tel: 99666910. to address the grave challenges
Failaka Island 26 20 (Women) Rawda, Block 5, Al Baroudi Street, of the Arab world.
Salmiyah 26 20 Chairman of the Board of Directors in Riyadh and all its affiliated offic- dards of credibility, impartiality
Avenue 53, House 1. Zahra Abdul Rasoul Husein The Cabinet lauded the efforts
Ahmadi 23 21 Ali Al-Khayat, 75 years old, wife of Taher Kathem
and Director General of Kuwait es, stressing the need to strength- and transparency and always
Nuwaisib 33 21 Al-Khayat, buried on Monday. Condolences: (Men) of His Highness the Amir and News Agency (KUNA), Sheikh en the agencys status regionally seeks to benefit from the latest
Wafra 33 20 other Arab leaders during this Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim and internationally through inten- technical means in dealing with
Daiya, Al Bahrana Mosque, Tel: 66523586.
Salmy 33 16
(Women) Adan, Block 2, Street 61, House 3. Sanaa summit, and thanked Jordanian Al-Sabah, on Monday paid an offi- sive follow-up to the news as well the news materials in order to
4 days forecast - Weather Mohammad Taqi Al-Awadi, 55 years old, to be King Abdullah II for proper cial visit to KUNAs office in Riyadh. as events around the world. achieve flexibility and speed in the
Tuesday, April 04 buried on Tuesday at 09:00 am. Condolences: preparations and successful orga- Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij and He added that KUNAs offices transfer of news and events.
Expected weather ................ Sunny + blowing dust (Men) Daiya, Diwan Al Awadi, Tel: 99770067 (for his accompanying delegation abroad are important and promi- On the other hand, Kuwaits
Max Temp ........................................................ 30C men only). (Women) Edailiya, Block 3, Isa Al nizing of the Arab gathering.
Min Temp ......................................................... 18C Asousi Street, House 44. Afterwards, Sheikh Sabah were briefed about the work prog- nent, pointing out that the work of Ambassador to the Kingdom
Wind Direction ...................................................NW Al-Khaled kept the ministers ress in the office and ways of the agencys offices is a main Sheikh Thamer Jaber Al-Ahmad
Wind Speed ...........................................15-40 km/h April 3, 2017 posted on the outcomes of the dealing with the various news. complement to the work of the Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held earlier a
Wednesday, April 05 Sheikh Mubarak called for con- Kuwaiti embassies. dinner banquet in honor of Sheikh
Expected weather..........................................Sunny Min Temp ......................................................... 17C 142nd session of the GCC
Max Temp ........................................................ 31C Wind Direction .......................................... NW-VRB Ministerial Council recently held stant communication between He stressed KUNAs keenness Mubarak Al-Duaij and his delega-
Min Temp ......................................................... 17C Wind Speed ...........................................12-35 km/h in Riyadh, which underlined KUNA and the Kuwaiti embassy to adhere to the professional stan- tion. (KUNA)
Wind Direction .......................................... NW-VRB Thursday, April 06
Wind Speed ...........................................12-35 km/h Expected weather......................Clouds to increase Gulf positions and resolutions
Thursday, April 06
Expected weather......................Clouds to increase
........................................................+ scattered rain
Sea state ................................... Slight to moderate
against terrorism and extremism.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet con-
Two Kuwaiti writers honored by Tunis Intl Book Fair
........................................................+ scattered rain Wave height ................................................... 2-4 ft demned a recent attack that tar-
Max Temp ........................................................ 32C Max Temp ........................................................ 32C
geted a police training center in
Min Temp ......................................................... 20C
Wind Direction ........................................... VRB-SE
Wind Speed ...........................................10-32 km/h
Friday, April 07
Min Temp ......................................................... 20C
Wind Direction ........................................... VRB-SE
Wind Speed ....................................................10-32
Friday, April 07
Tanta City in Gharbiya
Governorate in Egypt, and left
Kuwaiti farmer nominated for agric prize
Expected weather.....Partly cloudy + scattered rain Expected weather ....Partly cloudy + scattered rain several policemen wounded. KUWAIT CITY, April 3, (KUNA): After the referees committee eval- Meanwhile, the Tunis International
Max Temp ........................................................ 35C Sea State..................... Moderate to rough at times The Cabinet reiterated Middle East Agricultural Award for uated hundreds of participants, Book Fair honored at the end of its
Min Temp ......................................................... 21C Wave height ................................................... 3-6 ft Kuwaits unshakable positions best innovation in Dubai selected Al-Kuraibani was chosen as one of 33rd session on Sunday many literary
Wind Direction ....................................................SE Max Temp ........................................................ 35C
Wind Speed ...........................................15-40 km/h Min Temp ......................................................... 21C
based on rejecting all terrorist act Kuwaiti farmer Yousef Al-Kuraibani the best three nominees, as he took and novelist figures in Tunisia and
Wind Direction ....................................................SE regardless of relevant motives for the second consecutive year part individually and presented a the Arab world, including Kuwaiti
Marine Forecast Wind Speed ...........................................15-40 km/h and goals. among best three nominees to win comprehensive project of planting writers Amal Randi and Latifa Buti,
Station Max Min Sea Todays
Exp Rec Surf Waves Tide times at Shuwaikh Port the prize. rare kinds of vegetables which he who held a childrens workshop dur-
Ht Direction 1st high tide: ...................................................15:39 Al-Kuraibani said in remarks to succeeded to plant for the first time ing the exhibition.
South Dolphin 25 20 21 6ft NW 2nd high tide: ..................................................06:11 KUNA on Monday that hundreds of in the Middle East region. Director of Tunis International
Umm Mudayrah 25 20 - 6ft NW 1st low tide: ....................................................10:17
Beacon M28 - - - 6ft NW 2nd low tide: ...................................................23:14 companies, universities, research His plantations include black Book Fair Shokri Al-Mabkhout pre-
Beacon N6 24 20 - 6ft NW Sunrise: ..........................................................05:36 centers and agricultural organizations tomatoes, white strawberries, and red sented certificates of appreciation to
Qaruh Island 25 20 - 6ft NW Sunset: ...........................................................18:07 around the world are competing to corn besides many other rare kinds. both writers for their respective awards
Umm Al-Maradim 25 20 - 6ft NW
Sea Island Buo - - - -ft - Recorded yesterday at Kuwait Airport win the prize, one of the top agricul- I prefer to take part in this competi- in the child literature recently and for
Salmiyah 26 20 - 6ft NW Max temp.......................................................... 36C tural prizes in the region. tion individually and to compete with their efforts, perseverance and creativ-
Min temp........................................................... 21C The prize is not only restricted to international companies and organiza- ity in the field of childrens literature.
4 days forecast - Marine Max Rh .............................................................87% the Middle East, but also allowed tions to prove the ability of young Al-Randi expressed to Kuwait
Tuesday, April 04 Min Rh ..............................................................24%
Expected weather.................... Sunny blowing dust Max Wind .............................................SE 53 km/h participation of companies and agri- Kuwaiti youth, Al-Kuraibani said. News Agency (KUNA) her pride to
Sea state ..................... Moderate to rough at times Total Rainfall in 24 hrs ...................................0 mm cultural organizations around the The prize recognizes the promi- be honored by the Tunis International
Wave height ................................................... 3-6 ft world in case they possess branches in nent achievements of individuals, Book Fair, noting that she won two
Max Temp ........................................................ 30C Recorded yesterday at South Dolphin the Middle East like many American departments, teams, or organizations weeks ago the first place in the chil-
Min Temp ......................................................... 18C Min/Max Air Temp ....................................... 21/26C
Wind Direction ...................................................NW Min/Max Rel Hum ........................................51/91% and European companies that have that contributed to the growth and dren literature branch of the Sheikh
Wind Speed ...........................................15-40 km/h Wind Direction/Wind Speed .................NE/45 km/h long expertise in this domain. development of agriculture, aquacul- Rashid Bin Humaid Award for
Wednesday, April 05 Prev Wave Dir/Max Wave Ht ........................... N/-ft This resulted in raising the number ture and veterinary industry. Culture and Science in Ajman.
Expected weather..........................................Sunny Min/Max Sea Surface Temp............................... - /-
Sea state ................................... Slight to moderate Sea Current ............................................ Downdraft of participants from various parts of The UAE Ministry of Climate Buti won the Sheikh Zayed Book
Wave height ................................................... 2-5 ft Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the world and made the competition Change and Environment approved Award for the childrens literature
Max Temp ........................................................ 31C Meteorological Dept. Antonio Guterres tougher. the prize officially in 2017. category.

LOCAL
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace Monday Minister of Health Dr Jamal Mansour Al-Harbi and members of the Gulf Union for Cancer Control on the occasion of the first
Gulf joint conference on cancer control in Kuwait. The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah. (KUNA)
Kuwaits integrated educational
system on par with that of Spore
Two-semester system alleviates stress: officials
KUWAIT CITY, April 3, (Agencies): Minister of
Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr.
Mohammed Al-Fares said that the integrated system
is a Kuwaiti educational project of a global nature that
NBAAEQA team to visit Egyptian universities
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Head of
National Bureau for Academic
Accreditation and Education Quality
Assurance (NBAAEQA) Dr Nouria
Al-Awadhi has affirmed that a delega-
tion from the bureau will visit a num-
ber of Egyptian universities next week
to explore and inquire about the causes
for increase and accumulation of
is similar to Singapores experience in this field and
competes with it.
on Monday that the ministry is going through a real and integrated experiment
for the development of education, consisting of five axes, pointing out that the
Kuwaiti students of certain courses in
some of these universities, reports
Aljarida daily.
Dr Al-Awadhi said the recent statis-
tics prepared by the cultural attach in
Cairo reveal that the number of
Kuwaiti students registered in
Egyptian universities and higher stud-
ies institutions has exceeded 15,000,
Al-Fares said in an interview with the local daily Al-Seyassah published
adding that 90 percent of them are
paying for their expenses from their
own pockets.
She explained that the delegation
from the bureau will meet the univer-
sity presidents and deans of the col-
leges and institutes with specialties
which have large number of Kuwaiti
students.
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
4
KUNA photo
project of integrated system
will bear fruit during the next
five years.
He explained that the project
will be carried out by interna-
tional consultants in coopera-
tion with their Kuwaiti coun-
terparts and experts in the field
of education, indicating that it
is related to the development of
curricula through the curricu-
lum competencies, raise the
performance of the teacher and
the development of schools.
He said that national test-
ing procedures, national mea-
surement, decision-making
mechanism and organizing
the organizational structure of
educational institutions will
start soon, pointing out that
the ministry is working on
transferring this experiment,
in its second year, to other
countries.
Meanwhile, some education
officials are of the view that
cancellation of the four-semes-
ter system has benefited stu- Top & above: Some photos from the training course for teachers organized by
dents, parents and teachers a Zak Solutions for Computer systems.
great deal. They added applica-
tion of the two-semester sys- Training course for teachers held on use of iCloud
tem alleviated stress on the stu-
dents and teachers, reports Zak Solutions for Computer Systems ized programs.
Al-Anba daily. in cooperation with Microsoft orga- The teachers who were coached by
Records nized a training course for teachers a team of instructors expressed joy
on the use of iCloud application MS for advanced skill theyve obtained,
Director of Jahra Educational Office 365 in the framework of which will help them make the best of
Zone Waleed Ben Ghaith developing education through computer applications in the field of
pointed to the main difference advanced technology and special- education.
between the old and the new
system. He explained the old
system preserved the cumula- 20,000 new e-passports issued to citizens
tive records of secondary
school students as follows;
Grade 10 (10 percent), Grade
11 (30 percent) and Grade 12
Over 9,000 sons of Bedoun military
(60 percent). He added the two
semester system also preserves officers register through e-system
the marks for Grade 12 by 100
percent. KUWAIT CITY, April 3: The sons of the approved service centers in all six
several Bedoun military officers have governorates, has issued 20,000 new
Chairman of the Board of been registering to join the Kuwait Army e-passports to citizens whose passports
Directors of Kuwait Teachers such that more than 9,000 of them have validity had expired or will expire in less
Society (KTS) Mutee Al-Ajmi registered through the electronic system than six months, reports Al-Shahed daily
stressed the cancellation of first as of Sunday, reports Al-Nahar daily quoting an official.
and third semester exams is quoting informed sources. He said it is possible for citizens with
welcomed by teachers, students They said 500 volunteers will be passports that are valid for more than one
and parents in proportion to accepted in each batch for military train- year to get the new e-passports, if they
plans to review curriculum and ing, the duration of which has been want, indicating that they will go through
specific subjects. He noted reduced to two and a half months in order the same process just like the 20,000 citi-
some students were having dif- to enable entry of a huge number of train- zens in getting fingerprints vetted before
ficulty with the high number of ees among the applicants in the coming applying for the new passports.
lessons. phase. Most of the 20,000 citizens who
Manager of Balat However, the sources stressed that reg- received e-passports are from the Capital,
Al-Shuhada Secondary School istration does not necessarily mean Hawally and Mubarak Al Kabeer gover-
for Boys Khalid Al-Saeed stat- admission, as priority will be given to the norates, while those from Farwaniya,
ed the new system has contrib- sons of martyrs and registered POWs as Jahra and Ahmadi governorates form a
well as sons of retired military officers minority.
uted to reduce absenteeism, and those who are still serving in the It is reported that several MPs are
which was generally witnessed military in addition to members of the under pressure from their constituencies
among the students ahead of families included in the 1965 census. to intervene in the cancellation of finger-
first and third semester exams. Meanwhile, General Department for prints conditions before applying for the
He added some subjects have Citizenship and Passport Affairs, through new e-passport.
been replaced by two or three
short exams. This is one nega-
tive consequence of the deci-
sion, he added.
Manager of Munira Al-Sabah
News in Brief
Secondary School for Girls
Sawsan Al-Kandari also said
the new system eases stress on Move to supply gas: Iraqi Oil basis in the context of good coopera-
families and teachers, although Minister Jabar Al-Luaibi said Sunday tive relations between both countries,
the curricular still needs to be his country will complete soon a proj- Al-Luaibi addressed the two-day
revised and reformed. ect for supplying gas to Kuwait in line forum.
Technical Supervisor of with an earlier agreement hammered The Iraqi minister also unfolded
Psychiatric Services Badria out between both sides. Iraqi-Iranian talks on a partnership
The minister made the remark dur- agreement pertinent to the production
Al-Rouqi indicated the new of joint border oilfields.
ing the third Iraq Energy Forum held
system places the marks in the in Baghdad between April 2-3, lauding He added that his country has
hands of teachers, which is a good cooperative relations between invested 1.4 billion cubic feet of
great source of worry, as they Iraq and Kuwait. gas a day in 2017, compared with
might abuse the code of ethics Iraq will supply around 200 million 650 million cubic feet last year.
based on personal relationships cubic feet of gas to Kuwait on a daily (KUNA)
with students.

LOCAL
The host HH Sheikh Nasser and his guest Dr Abdullah Al-Mutlaq with Dr Khalid Al-Mathkour, Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah,
Dr Ismail Al-Shatti and Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij.
Sheikh Nasser is anked on the right side by Dr Abdullah Al-Mutlaq, Dherar Al-Ghanim and Abdul-Rahman Al-
Shurae, while he is anked on the left by Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij, Dr Ismail Al-Shatti and Dean Ahmad Al-
Jarallah.
Sheikh Dr Salem Al-Jaber, Faisal Al-Hajji and Hamoud
Hamad Al-Roumi.
Marzouq Al-Khora, Dr Yaqoub Al-Sane and Dean Ah-
mad Al-Jarallah.
Dr Khalid Al-Mathkour, Dr Mohammad Al-Tabtabaei
and Ahmad Baqer.
HH Sheikh Nasser hosts Saudi scholar
His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Ahmad
Al-Sabah organized a luncheon party at his Shuwai-
kh Palace in honor of the visiting member of the Per-
manent Committee for Scholarly Research and Iftah,
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
5
MP seeks to know number
of citizens, expats in MoCI
Al-Mirdas queries on oil pipeline tender
By Abubakar A. Ibrahim
Arab Times Staff
KUWAIT CITY, April 3:
Since Kuwait has embarked
on a program to offer jobs
for Kuwaitis, MP Nasser
Al-Dosari has forwarded
a parliamentary query to
the Minister of Commerce
and Industry and Minister
of State for Youth Affairs
Khaled Al-Roudan to know
the number of Kuwaitis and
expatriates working in the
ministry.
He has asked the minister to
provide him a list of expats and
Kuwaitis hired as advisers in the
Ministry of Commerce and In-
dustry and its subsidiaries from
Jan 1, 2016 to date. He also wants
to see the individual contracts
signed with these advisers.
Moreover, MP Nayef Al-Mirdas
has presented two parliamentary que-
ries to Minister of Oil, Electricity and
Water Essam Al-Marzouk for details
on the oil pipeline tender and projects
owned by the Petrofac company in
Kuwait since 2000 to date.
He has also asked for a copy of a de-
cision issued by the Supreme Petrole-
um Council cancelling the oil pipeline
tender No. 2013041 and the legal basis
which allows the Supreme Petroleum
Council to cancel the tender since the
contract was awarded in a public offer-
ing by the Central Tenders Committee
(CTC) on Jan 4, 2017.
He also asked for a copy of list of
names of companies and contractors
who have obtained tenders for oil pro-
jects with all state oil companies be-
lieved to be worth KD 100 million and
above from Jan 1, 2005 until the date.
He added the list should contain
the name of the project, the duration
of the contract, the contract value and
Sheikh Nasser in the middle with Fahad Al-Daihani and the names of companies and contrac-
Waleed Al-Raslan. tors who have not delivered on time;
for how long the project was delayed
and percentage of work to be com-
pleted.
He also has asked for a list of names
of companies and contractors who
have won the tenders for oil projects
with state-owned companies but have Photos by Rizk Tauq
cases pending in courts against them, Above: Some photos from the National Day celebration.
complete with all details from Jan 1,
2005 until the date. Kuwait, Pakistan enjoy strong ties
He has requested the names of
companies qualified for the Staging Minister of Social Affairs and Labor tion with the Pakistani government.
Center Tender (32) of the Kuwait Oil Hind Al-Sabeeh attended an event She commended the strong rela-
Company (KOC) and the estimated which was held at the Pakistani Em- tions shared between Kuwait and
budget value, a list of projects of the bassy in Kuwait to mark the Nation- Pakistan, afrming the keenness of
companies qualified for this tender al Day of Pakistan. Kuwait to enhance the friendly bilat-
and percentage of work completion. During a press conference held on eral relations.
Ahmed Ismail Behbehani, Luay Al-Khora and Adel Al- He wants to know if the CTC has the sidelines of the event, the min- Meanwhile, the Pakistani Ambas-
Rashid. requested the KOC to provide it with ister highlight the Kuwaiti-Pakistani sador to Kuwait Ghulam Dastager
the names of the disqualified compa- agreement to host Pakistani experts insisted that Pakistans relations
nies and if the answer is Yes, he wants in the medical and engineering elds, with Kuwait are distinguished, af-
indicating that Ministry of Interior is rming his governments keenness
the list of companies which were dis- taking necessary steps to complete to bolster political, economic and
qualified. the security processes in coordina- social ties with Kuwait.
With regard the second question, Al-
Mirdas said UKs The Times newspaper
has published a statement quoting a newspaper on April 8, 2016. and if any Petrofac official was invited
Petrofac official that bribe was paid to The lawmaker wants to know what to obtain information on this topic and
KOC officials to win oil contracts. This legal action has taken against British when was he invited and who is this of-
statement was carried by the Al-Anba newspaper for publishing this statement ficial and what is his post in Petrofac?
Abdul-Rahman Al-Ghunaim, Dr Nayef Al-Ajraf and Dr
Mohammad Al-Busairi.
member of the Council of Senior Scholars, and advisor
to the royal diwan in Saudi Arabia Dr Abdullah Muham-
mad Abdulrahman Al-Mutlaq and his accompanying
delegation.
Singer vows to
give back to his
fans in few days
KUWAIT CITY, April
3: Singer Abdulaziz
Al-Mufrej, popularly
known as Shadi Al-
Khaleej (Singer of the
Gulf) has promised to
give back in the next
few days to his fans and
well-wishers who sup-
ported him on his treat-
ment abroad and those
who received him at the
airport upon his return
to the country, reports
Al-Anba daily.
Al-Mufrej noted hell
not hesitate in partici-
pating in the National
Days festivities once
hes in good health.
Al-Mufrej

LOCAL
MPs must have a role in DIWANIYA
fostering tolerant culture
Almost 4,000 fail to declare assets
Head of the Kuwaiti delegation MP Rakan Al-Nisf and MP Dr Walid Al-Tabtabaei
at the conference.
News in Brief
Immigration relocated:
Following the decision to demolish
Capital Immigration Department with-
in the next few days, the transactions
of citizens and expatriates affiliated to
the governorate will be completed at
the old Hawalli Immigration
Department premises in Salmiya area,
reports Al-Rai daily.
The daily quoting reliable sources
said reconstruction work at the Capital
Immigration Department building will
be completed within two and half
years.
Jobs in July: Minister of Education
and Higher Education Dr Mohammad
Al-Fares stated the ministrys intention
to fill vacancies in its departments and
educational zones coming July or
September, reports Al-Anba daily.
Meanwhile, Assistant
Undersecretary for Administrative
Affairs in the Ministry of Education
Fahad Al-Ghais affirmed that Civil
Service Commission (CSC) has
endorsed the payment of monthly KD
35 hazard allowance to Gulf and
Kuwaiti Chemistry teachers in second-
ary schools beginning April, reports
Al-Anba daily.
Ambulances sought: Senior
health officials disclosed that Ministry
of Health will sign contract worth KD
4 million with the automobile compa-
nies to supply new and modern ambu-
lances, reports Al-Anba daily.
Meanwhile, State Ministry for
Services has decided to replace 50
percent of its expatriate employees
with citizens before the end of this
year based on the government policy
to provide jobs for unemployed citi-
KUNA photo
zens, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting
sources.
They said this move by the ministry
will be implemented gradually in coor-
dination with the Civil Service
Commission (CSC).
Walid Al-Tabtabaei, members of
Customs meetings: Kuwait is
keen on taking part in Arab and
regional customs meetings to activate
action of World Customs Organization
(WCO), said Acting Director General
of General Administration of Customs
Adnan Al-Qedheebi.
Al-Qedheebi made the statement to
KUNA on Monday on the sidelines of
the 45th meeting of heads of customs
in North of Africa, and Near and
Middle East (MENA) region.
Kuwaits participation in the meet-
ing is part of its eagerness to activate
the role of WCO, and its realization of
the importance of coordination and
consultation with member states to
benefit them, he said.
He stressed Kuwaits commitment
to all recommendations issued by the
meeting, adding that participants dis-
cussed some of topics of the agenda,
including a report of the 76th session
of WCOs general policies commit-
tee and the activities of regional
bureau.
He noted that the meeting also dealt
with a Moroccos report on entering
the WTO Trade Facilitation
Agreement into effect, and a working
paper on governance of WCO.
It focused on observations provided
by Kuwait on evaluation of the World
Bank to improve business atmo-
spheres in collaboration with Kuwait
Direct Investment Promotion
Authority (KDIPA), he pointed out.
(KUNA)
KUWAIT CITY, April
3, (Agencies): A
Kuwaiti member of
Parliament underlined
Monday the significant
role by lawmakers in
the promotion of cul-
ture of tolerance and
accepting others.
Speaking to reporters on
the sidelines of the 136th
Inter-Parliamentary Union
(IPU) Conference held in the
Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka,
Walid Al-Tabtabaei called for
promoting democracy and
respect of human rights.
In this context, he sharply
lashed out at the serious violation
of human rights in Syria, Palestine
and Myanmar, not to mention rac-
ism against immigrants and for-
eigners in Europe and US.
However, he claimed that
Islam advocates tolerance and
respect of human rights, and sup-
ports the principles and basics of
human rights.
A Kuwaiti parliamentary dele-
gation is participating in the 136th
IPU Assembly. It comprises head
of the Kuwaiti Parliamentary
Caucus MP Rakan Al-Nisf, the
caucus secretary, Dr Odah
Al-Ruwaiee, the treasurer MP Dr.
the executive committee MPs
Omar Al-Tabtabaei and Yousef
Al-Fadhalah as well as the
National Assembly Secretary
General, Allam Al-Kanderi.
About 3,980 officials in
Kuwait have yet to declare their
assets regardless of efforts and
notifications they have received
from concerned authorities in
that regard, and 3,020 others
have already done the needful,
reports Al-Qabas daily.
The daily quoting a source
added the majority of officials have
declined to abide by stipulations of
the rule of law, indicating the offi-
cials are not law abiding as they
ignore the anti-corruption law and
care less about the possible penal-
ties thereof, which shows lack of
respect to the countrys laws.
He noted the high number of
officials who have declined to
cooperate with the directive is
disastrous, especially as the same
officials are in charge of imple-
menting laws! He reiterated the
law obliges Public Authority for
Anti Corruption to refer default-
ers to prosecution and slam
appropriate penalties on them. He
wondered if it will be possible to
fight corruption when the major-
ity of officials who are supposed
to be responsible are defaulters.
A DIGEST OF PUBLIC OPINION
End rifts, solve own issues
Arab future in foreign hands
IN POLITICS, ambition is always linked to practical
reality because humans cannot understand what they
want particularly if their ship is moving against the
wind, as an Arab poet says, columnist and former MP
Abdulmohsen Yusuf Jamal wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
Speaking of the Arab recent summit near the Dead
Sea in Jordan, it is needless to say this summit has faced
a difficult reality and it is known to all, particularly
since we know that solving of the Arab-Arab crisis is
not in the hands of Arabs, rather in the hands of others
the great powers and the latter are being consulted
for any Arab-Arab solution.
It has been said the delegates to the Arab summit
have agreed to send representatives to the capitals of the
so-called great powers to find necessary solutions for
Arab problems because Arabs have failed to solve the
Arab problems.
As a matter of fact, HH the Amir always observes
the situations and promptly diagnoses the Arab reality.
Speaking before the delegates to the Dead Sea Summit,
HH the Amir said what is currently facing the Arab
world in terms of big challenges and imminent dangers
entail that we must abide by a new method different
from the current one.
In this context, HH the Amir has made it clear and
he was frank when he said the so-called Arab Spring
has actually undermined the security and stability of the
brotherly nations and this has impeded the development
in these countries.
He added, the negative reper-
cussions of the Arab Spring have
actually seeped into many other
parts of the Arab world leading to
steady deterioration of the secu-
rity and the peoples of these
countries face a life of bitter tor-
ment.
Notwithstanding, the accurate
diagnosis of the situations by HH
the Amir before the delegates
shall ring a bell in the ears of the
leaders of the Arab nation, particu- Jamal
larly when he said the differences
which have surfaced at the moment will result in more
divisions and this will reflect on our attitudes when we
deal with various issues. This shall give birth to a state
of weakness and promote incoherence in our ranks.
In this connection, persistent Arab-Arab differences
in the absence of real diagnosis and serious attempts to
provide necessary solutions coming from the Arab real-
ity but rather depending on the foreign countries includ-
ing the great powers to deal with the Arab-Arab differ-
ences will bear no fruit, nothing but aggravate and
deepen the crisis, because the foreign countries will only
look at their interests and will not exert any efforts to
look at the sufferings of our countries and our peoples.
Consequently, we suggest HH the Amir has right-
fully told the delegates to the recent Arab Summit and
urged them to hold themselves above their current dif-
ferences and work to find solutions for the Arab-Arab
problems, provided these solutions are realistic, and not
based on the dreams of the foreign countries which are
currently striving to persuade us about the feasibility of
these dreams.
In the meantime, we must keep in mind that the great
powers will surprise us sooner or later that they are deal-
ing with the global problems including the Arab issues
through the relevant realities, but not through emotions,
or in response to our desires.
Also:
I have read and heard that the Iraqi prime minster
calls for normalizing ties with the elderly sisterly coun-
try the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and open the doors
for commercial investments between the two Arab
neighbors, columnist Abdulaziz Al-Tamimi wrote for
Al-Shahed daily.
Certainly both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iraq,
are two important nations within the Arab and Islamic
geography, but I think the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider
Al-Abadi has chosen the wrong term, normalization as
it has been reported, because I believe the appropriate
sentence Al-Abadi should have used is to boost and
enrich the fraternal relations between the two sisterly
countries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
We say the above, because the term normalization,
can be used for resuming ties between two antagonizing
nations, but our peoples in the Arabian Gulf are linked
with fraternal ties in terms of blood, religion and lan-
guage. In other words, we are living under one ceiling
and dont need normalization.
Such being the case, we would like to address the
Iraqi prime minister by saying Your Excellency, you
are welcome in your country the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia among your brothers.
In this regard may I take upon myself to speak on
behalf of our brothers in Saudi Arabia and tell Your
Excellency that all of us in the Arabian Gulf and Iraq are
brothers in terms of blood bonds, and this means neither
we nor you will need normalization or the so-called
protocol because our doors shall remain open for our
peoples and eventually keep in mind that our emotions
towards our Arab peoples are unlimited.
In this context, we would like to point out that the
rules of the right neighborhood, can be realized by the
Arabs like Your Excellency, hence, you have to expect
every appreciation from your brothers in the Arabia
Gulf, particularly if you have extended the hand of
cooperation and solidarity to them far away from the
intervention of the foreigners who are hiding under the
cloak of Islam.
In conclusion, I would like to say Your Excellency
you are welcome to any place in the Arab world. We
also need no official invitation from you to visit your
country, because we prefer to stay away from the diplo-
matic traditions in this respect. Looking forward to see
you and hoping that our relations will not be troubled by
the intervention of any foreign party.
Several Muslims have relocated from their home
countries to Europe, the United States, Canada and
Australia to become immigrant settlers there, Sultan
Al-Khalaf wrote for Al-Anba daily.
They have left their home countries due to unfavor-
able political situation there, especially military coups,
regimes which do not respect the right of people to
make dignified living, coupled with unemployment and
low standard of living. People are forced to search for
greener pastures or education and Muslim immigrants
have to contend with a new lifestyle and contribute
meritorious services to their newly found countries.
Many of them occupy high political places and some of
them turn out to be great physicians, surgeons, engi-
neers, experts and scientists.
Former Director of Space Research Institute in the
United States Farouq Al-Baz and Nobel Laureate in
Chemistry Ahmad Zuwael is among them. In spite of
meritorious services offered by Muslim migrants to the
West, the governments are still uncomfortable integrat-
ing them completely in their societies.
A series of attacks recently carried out by the oppo-
sition in Damascus and several other locations in Syria
is an affirmation that Bashar regime and Iran are not
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
6
capable of stopping them without the support of Russia,
Talal Abdulkareem Al-Arab wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
The Syrian regime has been moving towards collapse
regardless of the monstrous different forces of invasion
against Syrians. The only option left for Bashar regime
and Iran is to request for support from the powerful
Russia, which is capable of rescuing Syrian regime from
the imminent dead-end and save Iran from ruthless defeat.
In December 2016, Iran and Russia interfered under
the guise of fighting DAESH, so they left DAESH
aside, while they mounted severe attacks on the opposi-
tion and civilians with bombs and hand grenades. They
did not differentiate between fighters and infants, and
did not see any difference between military bases, hos-
pitals and refugee camps.
Constitutional citizenship is the basis of a democratic
civil state. There is no relation between other frame-
works, such as ideologies, families and origins, and their
citizenship, rights and general duties, Dr Fahad
Marzouq Al-Enezi wrote for Al-Kuwaitiah daily.
It is known that democracy is a political and social
system, in which people are the source of sovereignty
and power. Add to this, democracy makes the society
control itself through representatives. There is no doubt
that practicing democracy, as one among the elements
of citizenship, is linked to citizenship. Any political
propositions remain applicable because it can include
any citizen.
The consolidation and establishment of the constitu-
tionality principles means that the authorities derive its
legitimacy from the high legal reference, and citizens
respect the Constitution and refer to the judiciary to
settle their conflicts.
When are we going to be an effective nation that
adopts and embraces factors that make us effective and
beneficial? Those who think they can continue living
without improving their knowledge and culture by read-
ing, acquiring knowledge, and encouraging their family
members or friends to read especially subjects related to
arts and science, are wrong, Dr Sabah Al-Suwaifan
wrote for Al-Rai daily.
By living, we mean becoming effective individuals
that contribute to the society. Through reading, indi-
viduals widen their horizon of knowledge. We were
once a reading nation. How did we become a nation
that does not read? Even when we read, we are not
patient enough to carry out serious constructive reading.
A lot of us are fond of reading entertainment stuff that
lack substance and articles about famous people and
stars or scandals and other strange subjects. When it
comes to serious constructive reading of scientific or
artistic books, we get bored very fast.
Reading is the only way for nations to rise to top posi-
tions; otherwise nations are condemned to backwardness.
Yes, the Arab and Islamic societies all boast about the old
ages which did not attain civilization and scientific devel-
opment but still took the world by surprise through the
habit of reading and seeking knowledge.
We are required to be readers; not just readers but
serious readers to reach the required levels. Let us read
and teach others what we have learnt. Let the books be
our guide to development because we are seriously not
doing our nations any good by waiting for someone else
to come with the knowledge we want or for someone
else to come and invent and discover for us.
Honorable lawmaker Riyadh Al-Adsani in his blogs
sought explanation from us regarding the recent state of
affairs in the local political terrain the most notable
of the inquiry was governments relationship with the
Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM), Mubarak
Fahad Al-Duwailah wrote for Al-Qabas daily.
We are obliged to comment on the issue, consider-
ing the questions are legitimate and have been circulated
on the surface from various quarters. It came from
somebody whose case is important to us, because we
understand his mindset, and well avoid fishing in dirty
waters in the same way the antagonists of the movement
act on small and big issues.
The lawmaker asked about stripping MPs Jamaan
Al-Harbash and Merdas Al-Ajmi of their parliamentary
immunity. He wondered if there was any agreement
with government in that regard. This is a legitimate
inquiry but hes not aware that the ministers present
voted in favor of lifting the immunity! Look at the
antagonists of the movement around you today who are
busy crying foul and suspicion each day and night. You
will notice theyre not the kind of personalities whose
involvement will be of interest to you.
Taking care of people with special needs is a com-
mendable humanitarian attitude. Our religion urges
everybody to imbibe this trait by all possible means and
approaches, Abdul-Rahman Al-Awwad wrote for
Al-Sabah daily.
Islam played a frontline role in taking care of the
rights of people of this category, as the religion takes
care of people of all categories. It teaches preservation
of peoples dignity, justice and equality. It encourages
the need to balance between their rights and rights of
other normal people, especially their rights to job, edu-
cation, training and engagement.
Kuwait is one of the countries that provide full wel-
fare to this segment such that their right to basic and
secondary education. The government completely bears
the costs in both stages. It also creates an avenue for
them to engage in sporting activities, in addition to ter-
tiary education. They are recognized in Kuwait as an
integral part of the society with roles to play in the
national development and to move the wheel of devel-
opment forward.
A group of academics and professors at the Public
Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET)
were referred for investigation last week over state-
ments they posted on social media expressing their
opinions on outstanding problems the sector and its
affiliates face, columnist Ahmad Al-Khayat wrote for
Al Jarida daily.
Its a shame that discussion in an academic edifice
has reached a dictatorial level and professors are
dragged to court for expressing opinion. The issue was
supposed be resolved amicably with all frankness
instead of using threats or a neutral committee.
Obviously, the complainants resorted to social media
to be heard, because their calls met deaf ears. Major
issues are yet-to-be disclosed if those expressing opin-
ions have been referred for investigation as punishment.
The idea of referring personnel to investigation is
not a good way of in dealing with academics considered
role models to their students. PAAET must respect its
academic staff.
I am friend of some colleagues who work there, and
I know the kind of problems they are facing. The sector
without doubt needs reform, and nobody should be
silent about it. The intervention of the Minister of
Education Dr Mohammad Al-Fares is needed to rescue
the deteriorating situation in the authority.
Compiled by Zaki Taleb

LOCAL
Other Voices
Good people in society
There is light at tunnel end
By Ahmad Al-Sarraf
I n the midst of gloom and frustration
which we are experiencing because
of the political and administrative cor-
ruption, not to mention the daily head-
aches caused by the Muslim Brother-
hood group afliated members and
the related hassle in the National As-
sembly, desperate attempts have been
made to make gains and sweep their
scandals under the carpet.
Nonetheless, there are a lot of no-
ticeable efforts which have been ex-
erted and are worthy of being high-
lighted.
We asked many people
for their opinion about
the efforts that have been
exerted by Ahmad Al-
Manfouhi in the Kuwait
Municipality. By the
way, I had written earlier
on this subject.
We must also not forget
the sincerity of Ahmad
Al-Mousa who works at
the Public Authority for
Manpower and the efforts
exerted by Abdul Karim Al-Sarraf
Taki and Abdullah Al Za-
mami in the development of the Public
Authority for Industry, which is suffer-
ing from serious problems.
However, all these people have been
exerting all out efforts to correct situa-
tions in their respective institutions.
We must also commend the efforts
exerted by the Minister of Social Af-
fairs and Labor and her relentless ef-
forts to develop a Ministry that is ex-
periencing rampant corruption.
Let us also laud the good efforts
made by the Center for Child Evalua-
tion & Teaching (CCET), about which
I will write soon because this institu-
tion is not receiving proper funding
and is semi-forgotten in spite of its
educational and humanitarian effec-
tiveness.
We should also pay tribute to the
specialized consultants who work
relentlessly to treat the neurological
diseases. It is because of their efforts
Kuwait today has reached the high-
est level of treatment at the Arab and
regional level in the treatment of epi-
lepsy using the latest methods and sci-
entic techniques.
I mentioned this on the sidelines of
a Kuwaiti-Lebanese conference which
was held in Beirut with the same ad-
vanced level of management reached
by the Epilepsy Treatment Unit at Ibn
Sina Hospital under the management
of Dr Maher Orabi and able supervi-
Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammed Khaled Al-Hamad
Al-Sabah Monday received the American Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Sil-
verman who was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of the Ofce of Military Co-
operation Lieutenant Colonel Scott Rowe. A number of issues of mutual interest
and ways to enhance them were discussed during the meeting along with the
latest regional and international developments. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled
also received the French Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Nakhla who was ac-
companied by the military attach of the French Embassy Patrick Peret. They
discussed issues of mutual interest for the two nations and ways to bolster co-
operation between them. Both meetings were attended by the Chief of General
Staff of Kuwait Armed Forces Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Khader and
other military ofcials. (KUNA)
News in Brief
Yemeni attacked: A Yemeni
expatriate sustained serious injuries
when he was attacked by two Kuwaiti
citizens with a cleaver during a quarrel
between them in Qasr area, says Al-
Seyassah.
According to security sources, the
victim went to a Kuwaiti citizens
house in Waha area to discuss about
the dispute. While he was standing in
front of the house and discussing with
the citizen, the brother of the latter
pulled out a pistol and tried to shoot at
the victim. When the victim managed
to dodge the bullets, the other suspect
attacked the victim using a cleaver,
causing the victim to fall on the ground
and bleed profusely.
He was taken to Farwaniya Hospital
where he was admitted in the Intensive
Care Unit in serious condition.
A case has been registered against
the two citizens, and investigations are
ongoing to nd and arrest them.
will be used to nance a project
Forbidden items: General De-
partment of Public Relations and
Media Security of Ministry of Interior
revealed in a press statement that
Central Prison ofcers arrested two
individuals for attempting to smuggle
banned items into the prison, reports
Al-Seyassah daily.
The department explained that the
Jail Security Department arrested the
two suspects during inspections at the
Security Section.
The rst suspect was found in pos-
session of a mobile SIM card which he
wanted to hand over to his brother who
is an inmate. The second suspect was
found in possession of drugs and drug
paraphernalia which he had hidden in a
small bag in his pocket.
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
7
sion of the head of Neurology Depart-
ment at the Ibn Sina Hospital Dr Jas-
sem Al-Hashel.
Thanks to this team and a group
of distinguished physicians, Kuwait
has become one of the most advanced
countries in the treatment of this dis-
ease, which is evidenced by the re-
markable achievements since the es-
tablishment of the unit four years ago.
Since then the unit has gained rec-
ognition from the global hospitals for
its ability to provide the best treatment
without the need to send patients for
medical treatment abroad.
The unit has performed
more than 1,700 CT (com-
puted tomography) scans
for patients with epilepsy,
ranging from 1 to 5 days,
and was able also to diag-
nose patients who needed
surgery.
Some of them were
operated in Kuwait, while
others were sent abroad
for accurate surgery and
returned to Kuwait for re-
cuperation.
The Ibn Sina Hospital
has also planted a large number of bat-
teries in the body of patients suffering
from epilepsy and provided medical
care to thousands of other cases us-
ing the latest technology and adopted
globally scientic methods.
We should also mention the smooth
and civilized transition of the leader-
ship of the Kuwait Investment Author-
ity, the worlds oldest sovereign wealth
fund, which managed more than $2
trillion of our funds, after Farouk Al
Zanki became the new Managing
Director. And Bader Al Saad, for-
mer managing director has become a
member of the Board of Directors of
the Authority, after having played his
role faithfully and sincerely for more
than 13 years.
KFSD photos
In a wonderful attempt to bring joy Kuwaiti Fire Department ofcers at the Dubai exhibition.
to life, LOYAC will broadcast the
World Peace show from the ancient
French theater of Olympia to Kuwait KFSD in Dubai exhibition
on April 8, a show combining various
civilizations, led by world-renowned Kuwait Fire Service Directorate Al-Maktoum. Lieutenant General Mohammad dia and Social Media Ofcer First
artiste Naseer Shamma with a group (KFSD) is currently participating in Secretary General of Dubai Ex- Al-Salem, Head of Administrative Lieutenant Redha Al-Salman,
of most procient musicians, who will Dubai International Exhibition for ecutive Council Abdullah Al-Shai- Support Department Lieutenant Head of Service Improvement and
take us on a outward journey drawing Government Achievements slated bani also graced the occasion. Mohammad Dashti, Major Engi- Work Methodologies Department
boundaries outside time and space.
for April 2-4 under the auspices The Kuwaiti delegation was led neer Mohammad Al-Sahaf from Ms Afrah Al-Faraj, Head of Data-
Tickets can be booked electroni- and presence of Vice President by the Deputy Director General of Quality Control Department and base Department Engineer Eman
cally through: jacc-kw.com/events or
of the United Arab Emirates, the Human Resources Major General Public Relations Ofcer Captain Salah, and Head of Projects Ex-
from the Jaber Cultural Center, or by Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Khalid Yousef Al-Terkit, Comptrol- Mohammad Al-Najar. ecution Department Ms Mashael
contacting Marwa: 97239408.
Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid ler of Administrative Development It also included Electronic Me- Al-Hamad.
email: habibi.enta1@gmail.com
Aden University hails Kuwait
total support to Yemen people
Urgent aid campaign for drought-hit Somalis
RIYADH, April 3,
(KUNA): The University
of Aden on Monday high-
ly appreciated Kuwaits
support to the Yemeni
KUNA photo people who are experienc-
ing terrible conditions.
The university honored the
Chairman of the Patients Help-
ing Fund Society and the head
of the Health Committee of the
Kuwait Society for Relief Dr
Mohammad Al-Sharhan, offer-
ing him its golden shield.
The honoring came in recog-
nition of Al-Sharhans efforts in
support of the health education
sector in Yemen within the frame-
work of the Kuwait beside you
relief campaign, according to a
statement by the health commit-
tee.
Japan $1bln loan According to the statement,
University President Dr Al-
Refinery overhaul Khedr Nasser Lasour expressed
gratitude and high appreciation KUNA photo
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: The Ja- to the State of Kuwait and the Kuwait Patients Helping Fund Society team members in discussions with members from the UN Ofce for
pan Bank for International Coop- humanitarian efforts in Yemen.
eration plans to extend $1 billion Kuwaiti people for their gener-
to a Kuwaiti oil renery company ous support to Yemen, saying it
in concert with Japanese mega- will also serve education in the
banks and a major British nancial
rm, it was learned on Sunday, re-
various faculties.
He said that the University has
Guard mentally ill girls to avert abuse
ports japan times.
The government-backed JBIC a host of future projects and is KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Some stressed that this surgery is carried mously agreed that such practices
and the commercial bank group, looking forward to further Ku- families especially those with girls out to disable Kuwaiti girls with the are illegal if they are not backed by
comprising Sumitomo Mitsui waiti support, referring to the suffering from severe mental dis- approval of their families. medical reasons.
Banking Corp, Bank of Tokyo- huge devastation caused by war abilities force such girls to undergo Meanwhile, the Obstetric, A member of the Fatwa Depart-
Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Bank hysterectomy when they reach pu- Gynecology and Infertility Con- ment at Ministry of Awqaf and Is-
and Britains HSBC, will evenly in Aden. berty under the pretext of fears over sultant Dr Naheda Al-Ali said lamic Affairs Dr Ahmad Al-Kordi
On his part, Dr Al-Sharhan
share the 11-year loans, informed their future and social reputation, hysterectomy surgeries are car- said removal of any organ from the
sources said, adding that the voiced pleasure for visiting the reports Al-Qabas daily. ried out on girls who suffer from body without urgent medical rea-
commercial lending portion will be teaching edice whose gradu- Along with some specialists who severe mental disabilities such as sons is religiously prohibited.
covered by the Nippon Export and ates took part in the building and are against such an action, consid- cerebral palsy, with the approval He stressed that hysterectomy
Investment Insurances overseas ering them as changing the nature of their guardians. does not prevent exposure to sexual
investment insurance. The funds development in Yemen and the
neighboring countries. of the body which can result in She revealed that she has seen aggressions such as rapes, adding
to renovate a renery of Kuwait He added that the university dangerous consequences, Director ve such cases and carried out three that it is better to pay extra atten-
of Genetic Diseases Center at Ob- surgeries. tion on such girls and keep them on
National Petroleum Co (KNPC), will have a good share of the third
a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum stetrics Hospital Dr Laila Bastaki In addition, lawyers unani- constant watch.
phase of the health committee re-
Corp, the sources said.
Japanese engineering com- lief campaign.
pany JGC Corp. will take part in Meanwhile, the health commit- Meanwhile, the Kuwait-based Islamic Charitable Organization 7,000 people, he added.
the project to enable Al-Ahmadi tee delegation visited the Yemeni Mercy International, afliated (IICO) and Al-Najat Charity, be- Al-Otaibi noted that the part-
Renery in southern Kuwait to Minister of Higher Education to the Association of Social Re- sides Qatars Eid Charity Foun- nership between the charity or-
produce gasoline, gas oil and jet and Scientic Research Dr Hus- form, on Monday announced the dation, head of the African sec- ganizations in Kuwaiti and the
fuel that meet stringent European
standards. sein Abdulrahman Baslama. The launch of an urgent relief cam- tion at the Mercy International Gulf region has come to form a
The Japanese public and com- meeting discussed the coopera- paign for the victims of drought Saad Al-Otaibi told KUNA. pillar of humanitarian efforts to
mercial lenders hope that the tion between the universities and in Somalia. Mercy International and part- overcome challenges and reach
concerted loans, the rst foreign the research institutions in both The campaign includes medi- ners are targeting the regions victims in areas of conicts. So-
funds to be procured by KNPC. countries. cal programs, food packages and most affected by the drought malia is one of four countries at
The delegation also visited the mobile water tanks, to be car- wave in Somalia, with a short- high risk of famine, in addition
The suspects were referred to the
concerned authorities for necessary Yemeni Health Ministrys Primary ried out in cooperation with Ku- term plan, offering food, and a to Nigeria, South Sudan and Ye-
legal action. Health Care, where they were ac- waits Zakat House, the Kuwait long-term one that will see water men, Al-Otaibi said citing UN
quainted with the services it offers. Relief Society, the International wells dug for the benet of about report.

LOCAL
Court Cases
Barrack acquitted
Return Kuwaiti citizens
docus, court orders MoI
By Jaber Al-Hamoud
Al-Seyassah Staff
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: The
Third Administrative Circuit of
the Court of First Instance decid-
ed to cancel the decision of
Ministry of Interior to hold back
a Kuwaiti citizens passport.
According to the lawsuit filed by
Lawyer Esmat Al-Kharboutli on
the behalf of the citizen, the plain-
tiff suffers
from a psychi-
atric disease
and had trav-
elled to
Thailand for
convalescence
for a couple of
weeks after
leaving the
hospital. Kharboutli
Based on the
doctors advice, he had taken his
medicines with him. However, he
was forced to extend his stay in
Thailand. When his medicines ran
out, he searched for the medicines
in pharmacies in Thailand but did
not find them. He then called
Kuwaits Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, asking for help but did not
receive any response. After a few
days, his medical condition deteri-
orated and he fell unconscious
after reaching Kuwait International
Airport. However, securitymen
seized his passport and referred
him to Psychiatric Medicine
Hospital where he was admitted
for three months. After he left the
hospital, the General Department
of Criminal Investigations refused
to give him his passport.
Lawyer Al-Kharboutli said the
passport is the right of the citizen and
should be with him wherever he is,
insisting that there are no criminal
cases recorded against her client. She
asked the court to return the passport
to her client.
purpose.
Other Voices
It is the era of power
By Yousef Awadh Al-Azmi
T he ongoing events in the Arab give and take to the extent that even
world, which began few years contradicting itself will not be an
ago especially in Iraq and Syria, are issue.
massive operations aimed at preoc-
cupying and exhausting the regimes stiff relations with the former
and people of the region. Perhaps, Democrats administration of the
in the end, there will be a demo- United States of America. However,
graphic change and even changes it currently appears as though all that
on the map of the region.
This is the art of politics, which
manipulates the maps of countries
based on the principle of power.
Considering that this started years
ago, very few have managed to end it
and reach where they are
today in terms of demo-
graphic changes, which
occur openly in front of
cameras, despite some
ineffective opposition
here and there.
The actual process of
annexation or partition of
lands is carried out with-
out the original dwellers
and owners of those lands
having any say in the Al-Azmi
matter. Such a process
cannot be described as random, as it
happens through agreements among
major powers and prior planning.
The use of militias, especially for-
eign militias, has a significant effect
in the entire process. This is why the
utilization of a group like DAESH in
this new arrangement comes in
handy until the mission is completed.
Hence you see the Syrian regime
being handed a peace card to remain
in power under the same previously-
mentioned arrangements, considering
that it no longer poses any threat or
obstacle or even problem in front of
any agreement which was signed or
will be signed in the future.
When it comes to the main regional
players, all that is permissible is to air coincidence, even when it comes to
an opinion or observation, which can
be either accepted or rejected. This is
the mentality of the force at its best.
Iran continues to market itself as
the rentable gun due to its military
importance. However, in reality, it
has failed in that aspect. If it were not
for the Russian intervention in Syria,
its ally Bashar Al-Assad would fall.
Iran incorporates paid militias in its
fight either on sectarian or any other
basis. Some of its military elements
have not even proven their compe-
tence and effectiveness in the war to
save Al-Assad.
Previously, Turkey was not
allowed to intervene even in a con-
flict that was just few meters away
from its door in a town called Qabbani
in Syria. However, even though it is
now fully engaged in the war in Syria,
its presence will not change anything.
In fact, Turkey is careless about
anything apart from achieving its
Barrak acquitted: The Court of
Appeals yesterday acquitted the
former MP Musallam Al-Barrak
of charges of insulting and
offending the former Head of the
Judiciary Committee Judge
Faisal Al-Murshid.
Previously, the Public
Prosecution had charged
Al-Barrak of offending Judge
Al-Murshid, even though the
defendant denied the charges,
claiming irregularities in
them.
According to the case files, the
Misdemeanor Court had fined
Al-Barrak KD 150 for the charg-
es leveled against him, which
involved insults and defamation.
However, the defense insisted
that the prosecution did not sub-
mit any substantial evidence to
back the claims.
Wrong procedure: The
Misdem-eanor Court of First
Instance acquitted a suspect in
his 30s of possessing an unli-
censed weapon and illicit drugs
for sale. He was arrested while
parking his car in front of the
Central Prison.
The prosecution officer
explained that security opera-
tives were busy conducting
checking at a makeshift check-
point inside the Central Prison
and Firdous area when they
sighted the suspects car.
The officers found the weapon
at the backseat as they approached
the suspect for checking. They
later found illicit drugs on him dur-
ing a thorough search and referred
him to concerned authorities.
In his defense, Lawyer Ali
Matar Al-Wawan faulted the idea
of searching and arresting his cli-
ent. He noted the wrongful arrest
shouldnt have led to testing the
sample of his clients urine,
because the officers had no
search and arrest warrant for that
while swimming with his
strategic objectives related to Kurds.
Apart from that, Turkey is willing to
Saudi Arabia was suffering from
has changed and the new American
President is willing to work with
Saudi Arabia all the way.
In addition, the ability of Saudi
Arabia to accommodate international
changes with a good political
demeanor has been
observed, considering
the recent interesting
meeting between the
U.S. President Donald
Trump and the Deputy
Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman
who received a pompous
reception in the White
House.
This is a clear unequiv-
ocal message to the
region regarding the vital role that
Saudi Arabia will have in the future,
which will be boosted by its successful
political and military alliance in the
Operation Desert Resolve and other
important political achievements.
Regarding the Kurds, despite their
smartness and brilliance in dealing
with any changes that would affect
their status quo or the demographic of
their influence and land, they trans-
form them into positive changes that
solely serve their interests.
However, the Kurdish decision-
makers might get deceived by how
events are transpiring into making them
think that change is easy. Nothing that
will happen on the ground will be a
expansion of its influence and authori-
ty. Everything must go through the
major powersWashington, London,
Paris and Moscow hence, it is not as
easy as it appears.
Finally, the region is taking various
risky political and military turns. The
situation is very sensitive, let alone
unpredictable and unknown about the
direction the major powers are head-
ing towards, even though it appears
easy for them to change directions.
However, on the regional front,
nothing can be done except receive
the letter which will inform the rele-
vant regimes about the new develop-
ments and actions that need to be
taken. They do not have the luxury of
even setting forth their observations.
It is tough to be weak; it is the era of
power.
twitter@alzmi1969
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
8
MoI photo
Marine forces, Air Force help in freeing the oil tanker during the drill.
Seized oil tanker freed, chem arms dealt with
The participants of Eagles field of defense. an oil tanker belonging to Kuwait Coastguard, Ministry of Interior
Resolve 2017 (Hasm Al-Uqban) Major Hussain Al-Anzi gave a Oil Tankers Company targeted by Helicopter, Marine Rescue Team
dealt with a chemical missile and brief representation about the pirates. at Kuwait Fire Service Directorate,
freed a seized oil tanker in the important role played by Air Kuwait Air Force, Kuwait Navy, and Kuwait Petroleum Company
current stage of the field training Defense Forces in the massive Al-Maghaweer Brigade 25, Kuwait participated in the exercise with
to bolster joint cooperation destruction of weapons. Armys Medical Services forces from several friendly and
between the GCC countries and Muhammad Al-Ahmad Marine Department, the Directorate sisterly countries, including Saudi
United States of America in the Base also conducted a drill to free General of Special Security, Arabia, Qatar, Emirates and USA.
3 deported, 71 arrested, 189
cars seized in traffic swoop
Kuwaiti dies in accident; man drowns at sea
KUWAIT CITY, April 3:
The remains of an uniden-
tified person who drowned
friends, have been
referred to Forensics,
reports Al-Rai daily.
According to reports the friends
failed to rescue him. He was
reportedly swept away by the
rough waves and an undercur-
rent.
Meanwhile, a Kuwaiti died on the
spot in a traffic accident on the Sixth
Ring Road opposite Saad
Al-Abdullah City, reports Al-Anba
daily.
The victim reportedly lost control
over the vehicle and crashed into a
metal barrier.
He was rushed to the hospital but
pronounced dead on arrival.
Traffic crackdown: General Traf-
fic Department carried out several
traffic campaigns in all six governor-
ates of Kuwait from March 26 to
April 1, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
During the campaigns, a total of
36,185 traffic citations were issued,
189 vehicles and 17 motorbikes were
seized, 71 individuals were detained
in traffic custody, three expatriates
were referred for deportation for
driving without licenses and five Municipality workers removing the abandoned tents.
vehicles that are involved in various
cases were discovered. Camping tents demolished
The General Department of Public
Relations and Media Security of
Ministry of Interior urged road users The Public Relations and Media ed to organization of the surrounding areas as well as
to follow the traffic rules and regula- Department of Kuwait 2016/2017 camping season Ahmadi Stables area.
Municipality announced the which started on Oct 1, 2016 The department affirmed that
tions. launch of campaigns to remove and ended on March 31, 2017, the campaigns, which are spear-
violating spring camping tents in reports Al-Seyassah daily. headed by specialized teams
accordance with the administra- The campaigns began with the from the municipality, will contin-
Smuggling bid foiled: General
Department of Public Relations and tive decision No. 25/2016 relat- removal of 41 tents in Julaia and ue.
Media Security at Ministry of Interior
revealed in a press statement that the
Coast Guard Department arrested a
Kuwaiti citizen and a Saudi national
for attempting to smuggle drugs into
Court sets April 24 Fintas Group trial
the country via sea, reports
By Jaber Al-Hamoud issued by the Court of First Al-Hajraf, Sheikh Ali Al-Khalifa,
Al-Seyassah daily. Instance which sentenced Hamad
The department explained that the Al-Seyassah Staff Sheikh Ahmad Dawood Al-Sabah
Al-Haroun, the prime suspect, in and Sheikh Athbi Al-Sabah to
Marine Security Department received KUWAIT CITY, April 3: The absentia to ten-year imprisonment
a tipoff about a group of people who five-year imprisonment with hard
Court of Cassation has set the ses- with hard labor. It also imposed
are planning to smuggle drugs into sion of April 24 for the trial of the labor. Saud Al-Asfouri was sen-
jail sentences against three other
Kuwait via sea. They immediately case filed against a group infa- Kuwaitis who helped Al-Haroun tenced to one-year imprisonment
held investigations, which confirmed
mously known as Fintas Group. escape from the country. with hard labor while the other
the tipoff was true. Necessary legal Previously, the Court of defendants involved in the case
action was taken after which the sus- The court also sentenced
pects a Kuwaiti citizen and a Appeals had upheld the verdict Abdulmohsen Al-Ateeqi, Falah were acquitted.
Saudi national were placed under
observation. Eventually they were
arrested in possession of a bag of 60 Securitymen arrested the rest of the those who have shown interest in her The thief, an ex-convict, would
pieces of a drug. suspects who also confessed to the case. pry on motorists who leave the
The suspects were referred with thefts. They revealed that they sold The housemaid said she did not engine in operation and go to a gro-
the drug to the concerned authorities the stolen items in the scrapyard. attempt to commit suicide but she cery or a store, get behind the wheel
for necessary legal action. Necessary action was taken and just wanted to attract the attention and escape.
the suspects were referred to the and avoid being killed by her spon- He would then change the number
Public Prosecution. sor. plates of stolen vehicles, park them
Gang of thieves held: A gang of Meanwhile, Jahra securitymen Investigations conducted by on open ground with a for sale tag,
five Syrians were arrested for steal- arrested a wanted Kuwaiti citizen in Criminal Investigation Department receive down payment under pretext
ing from vehicles parked in Hawally possession of narcotic pills. He was revealed the maid was reported of completing registration formalities
Governorate, says Al-Seyassah. discovered to be involved in three absconding by her sponsor since and disappear.
According to security sources,
when the General Department of
criminal cases. 2014.
Reports said the maid had not been
Criminal Investigations received paid her salary for a month and this Officer detained: A Kuwaiti
complaints about thefts of contents Maid reveals ordeal: An prompted her to commit suicide. This working for the Ministry of Defense
from parked vehicles in Hawally Ethiopian housemaid who appeared is not true and baseless because the has been kept in the custody of the
Governorate, a team was formed and in a video clip made by her sponsor maid had begun work in the spon- Fintas Police Station for assaulting a
investigations were carried out which and circulated on the social media sors home only three days before the compatriot, reports Al-Rai daily.
led to the discovery that a gang of which shows the maid attempting to incident. The arrest came after the victim
Syrian expatriates are involved in the jump to her death from the seventh filed a complaint and submitted a
thefts. floor of a residential building, is seen medical report, and the car plate
Securitymen managed to arrest in another clip lying on a hospital Cunning thief: Personnel from the number of the suspects vehicle.
one of the gang members who con- bed, reports Al-Anba daily. Criminal Investigations Department Upon instructions from the mili-
fessed to committing the thefts with The maid reportedly says she is have arrested a Kuwaiti for stealing tary police the military man has been
the help of four other compatriots. fine and recovering and thanks all cars, reports Al-Anba daily. asked to change his military uniform.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

LOCAL/GULF 9

Ministry panel accuses officials of negligence for floods

Kuwait, S. Korea sign Saad Al-Abdullah city contract

KUWAIT CITY, April 3, (KUNA):
Kuwaiti Minister of State for Housing
Affairs and Minister of State for Ser-
vices Yasser Abul and the Korea Land
and Housing Corporation on Sunday
signed a contract for the planning and
design of the Saad Al-Abdullah city.
The contract will be implemented over
two years at costs of KD 12.5 million (about
$41 million), the minister said. It is an ex-
ample of successful partnership and co-
operation between nations, he said.
Saad Al-Abdullah will be the rst
eco-friendly and smart city in the Mid-
dle East, mainly depending on modern
technology, Abul said.
The contract was signed following
detailed talks, and a visit by His High-
ness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-
Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to South
Korea for boosting bilateral ties, espe-
cially in housing welfare and new cities.
On his part, Director General of the
Public Authority for Housing Welfare
Bader Al-Waqayyan said that the con-
tract covers the technical, economic, en-
vironmental and scientic studies of the
smart city, as well as the structural chart
and the design of the road network.
The total area of the project is 64.42
million square meters, with 30,000
housing units, he added.
Al-Waqayyan referred to a MoU
signed between Kuwait and South Ko-
rea on Sept 21, 2014 for cooperation in
housing welfare and new cities.
negligence, non-protection of citizens
The committee afliated to Ministry
of Public Works which is responsible for
investigating the recent ood issue has
started its tasks in studying the Sabahiya
and Mangaf tunnels in coordination with
a number of concerned specialized of-
cials, reports Al-Anba daily.
Their investigations lasted for nearly
two hours and involved reviewing the
documents of the project. In the end,
the committee accused the ofcials of
and non-operation of the Mangaf sta-
tion during the rainfalls.

American Hospital Dubai conducts

Kuwaiti Minister of State for Housing Affairs and Minister of State for
Services Yasser Abul and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation after
signing the contract.
Radio 1 ofcials
ADMs journey to success
Abu Dhabi Media officially
launches Radio 1, Radio 2
DUBAI, April 3: Abu Dhabi Media has
announced the ofcial launch of Radio
1 and Radio 2 stations, part of the Abu
Dhabi Radio Network, bringing the total
number of stations under its umbrella to
eight stations. The new launch, which
brings ADMs number of brands up to
27, underscores the corporations plans
to expand its English-language radio
stations.
The ofcial launch for the two radio
stations follows Abu Dhabi Radio Net-
works comprehensive development
of content for both stations to ensure
that they broadcast exceptional content
that appeals directly to audience inter-
ests. This approach is aligned with Abu
Dhabi Medias commitment to offering
targeted and diverse media content that
resonates with the organizations wide
audience base.
Radio 1 launched on 100.5 FM in
Abu Dhabi and on 104.1 FM in Dubai.
While Radio 2 started airing on 106FM
in Abu Dhabi and on 99.3 FM in Dubai.
Abu Dhabi Media revealed that Radio
1 has been transformed to specialize in
delivering music content that targets 18-
30 year olds; while Radio 2 will broad-
cast content catering to 30-45 year olds,
who are interested in music and hits
from the 1980s and 1990s.
Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood,
Chairman and Managing Director at
Abu Dhabi Media said: The ofcial
launch of Radio 1 and Radio 2 under
Abu Dhabi Media underscores our stra-
tegic efforts to create tangible change
in media content at Abu Dhabi Media,
and diversify the media brands under its
umbrella.
Al Mahmood added: The addition of
Radio 1 and Radio 2 reafrms our con-
tinuous commitment to enhancing Abu
Dhabi Media as a comprehensive and di-
verse media platform. It also highlights
our ongoing efforts to further advance
the media sector in the UAE and the
region by supporting all traditional and
modern media.
Dr Ali bin Tamim, Director Gen-
News in Brief
UAE woman wins award: Dr
Manal Raq Jarour, Vice-President
of the Emirates Down Syndrome As-
sociation, has won the Ideal Mother
Award for Intellectual Disabilities
in Kuwait.
Aisha Al-Salem, Director of Al
Khara Activity Kids Centre in
Kuwait, announced at a press confer-
ence the names of 19 mothers who
won the Ideal Mother Award for
Intellectual Disabilities from the
State of Kuwait, the GCC states and
some Arab countries.
The event was organised for the
fth year in a row to honour the
mothers who have spent their lives
in the service of their children with
disabilities.
She stressed the importance of
highlighting the parents of children
with the intellectual disabilities, their
role in society, as well as encourag-
ing them to sustain social work so
as to continue improving the lives of
their children with disabilities.
Dr Jarour expressed her pride
in the appreciation of Kuwait and
the Gulf States, adding, What
distinguishes a mother endowed with
a child with disability is the consent
and acceptance of the Lords gift.
She added, These mothers exercise
patience and persevere in their
KUNA photo
Abdul Rehman Awadh Al-Harthi
eral, Abu Dhabi Media said: Since its
establishment, Abu Dhabi Media has
worked tirelessly to build a broad audi-
ence base through our 27 diverse brands
and distinguish a strong media presence
not only in the UAE but also across the
Middle East.
Dr bin Tamim added: Radio 1 and
Radio 2 represent a new phase in Abu
Dhabi Medias journey aimed at reach-
ing a more diverse radio audience with
a new cultural perspective that imitates
the lifestyle of listeners, seeking to pro-
vide content that is compatible with their
interests taking into account age range
and varied cultural backgrounds.
Abdulrahman Awadh Al Harthi, Ex-
ecutive Director of Radio, said: Launch-
ing Radio 1 and Radio 2 is an indication
of our ongoing pursuit of a larger base of
listeners, delivering the best radio content
and achieving a diversity that suits all tar-
geted audiences across our community by
providing the broadcasting sector with a
unique media experience.
upbringing of such children with
tenacity to get out the best of them.
She said that the award is an ap-
preciation from the Khara Centre in
Kuwait in recognition to the efforts of
these mothers. Dr Jarour expressed
gratitude for her selection within a
distinguished elite of mothers interested
in the affairs of sons and daughters with
disabilities inside and outside Kuwait.
LNG index launched: Singapore
Exchange (SGX) and Tullett Prebon
have successfully launched a lique-
ed natural gas (LNG) spot index for
Dubai, Kuwait and India (DKI).
A statement said it is: a collabo-
ration that seeks to enhance price
discovery and risk management in
one of the fastest-growing regions
for LNG spot trading.
The DKI Sling offers a transpar-
ent and trusted reference price
for LNG delivered ex-ship under
exible terms to key ports in the
three countries, complementing an
increase in spot trading volumes.
First introduced in January for
launch during the second quarter, it
provides an independent physical
price marker as the industry moves
away from oil-linked pricing and
towards gas-on-gas pricing.
maiden cancer treatment operation
UN precedented medical achievement in Gulf
DUBAI, April 3: A team
of physicians at Ameri-
can Hospital Dubai the
rst accredited hospital
of Mayo Clinic Care Net-
work in the Middle East
successfully completed
the rst cancer treatment
operation of its kind in
the Gulf region. The mile-
stone achievement was
announced at a press con-
ference this morning in
the presence of Sheikha
Hind bint Faisal Al Qas-
simi and Doctor Marwan
Mohd Al Mulla, acting
director of Health Regu-
lation Department. The
press conference was held
at the American Hospital
Dubais premises.
Led by Dr Tariq Dufan, Di-
rector of Radiation Oncology,
American Hospital Dubai, the
team of physicians conducted an
operation to treat cancer of the
eighth cranial nerve in a record
time of four minutes. The pa-
tients discharge on the same day
of the operation is considered an
unprecedented medical achieve-
ment in the Gulf and a signicant
advancement in same day opera-
tions, regionally.
American Hospital Dubai also
launched several treatment services
during the press conference including
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy
(SABR) / Stereotactic Body Radia-
tion Therapy (SBRT) and Stereotac-
tic Radio Surgery (SRS) to treat vari-
ous types of cancers, becoming the
rst healthcare facility in the GCC to
introduce the ground-breaking can-
cer treatments. In addition, it is the
only hospital in Dubai to successfully
perform Brachytherapy for treating
of prostrate, cervix, endometrium,
breast, skin, bronchus, and esophagus
cancers as well as soft tissue sarco-
mas, among others.
SABR / SBRT is an innovative,
non-invasive procedure for treating
cancers in the lung, head and neck,
prostrate and liver along with other
disease sites outside the central nerv-
ous system (CNS). This line of treat-
ment escalates the dose to the target
lesion to increase local control while
limiting the effect on nearby critical
structures and normal tissues. SRS,
on the other hand, is most commonly
used for tumors and other medical Doctors perform operation at the American Hospital Dubai.
conditions in the brain or CNS, deliv-
ering high doses of radiation to treat
tumors with precision.
This procedure uses Varian tech-
Sharjah groceries have a year to adhere to new rules
nology and is widening the options
available to multi-disciplinary oncol-
ogy teams worldwide.
Lastly, Brachytherapy make use
of two different techniques Low
Dubai dispels food safety rumors
DUBAI, April 3: The municipality has impurities or carcinogenic substances ment Department (SEDD) has given
Dose Rate (LDR) and High Dose
Rate (HDR) to place radioactive responded to the latest food rumour in the food in circulation in the emirate groceries a year to implement the
circulating on social media lately, of Dubai. changes, starting with those in com-
sources directly into or next to the
malignant area. It enables oncologists which questions the safety of tea bags Al Bastaki said: Before being circu- mercial areas.
to efciently deliver a high dose with in Dubai. lated and sold to the public, the food Sultan Al Suwaidi, chairman of
minimal impact on the surround- Authorities on Wednesday issued a in Dubai is subjected to routine health SEDD, said the new requirements would
ing healthy anatomy. Image Guides statement responding to the rumours, as- inspections. They have to undergo a contribute to the quality of service and
suring residents that all tea bags are safe comprehensive analysis to make sure help increase consumer demand.
Brachytherapy (IGBT), on the other
hand, combines advanced imaging for consumption, Gulf News reported. that they are free from anything that The SEDD recently started distribut-
techniques with modern procedures Eman Al Bastaki, Director of Food is detrimental to the health and safety ing brochures to groceries to explain
for quick and precise treatment. Safety Department at Dubai Munici- of consumers and the community in the new requirements.
American Hospital Dubai has a pality, said that the rumours claimed Dubai. We ensure they are free from The move is similar to the Baqala
state-of-the-art oncology department that a material called Epichlorohydrin the dangers of any illegal substances. (Grocery) project in Abu Dhabi, imple-
offering a comprehensive and in- was used to make tea bags, which is a They are also tested to make sure mented in 2013, that introduced univer-
novative range of treatment to can- substance used in making pesticides. that they are free of carcinogens in or- sal decor in groceries as well as better
cer patients. In our quest to provide The laboratory tests conducted by der to preserve public health and safety refrigeration and shelving methods.
patients with the latest techniques the Municipality have proved that the of citizens and residents, and all the Hundreds of groceries that were too
tea bags are free from this material, foodstuffs adhere to international spec- small, or failed to comply with other
in the treatment of cancer, we have
become regional pioneers in offering said Al Bastaki. ications in food control, she added. Baqala standards, had to close.
The municipality conrmed that it The municipality has conrmed that Sharjahs new rules stipulate that gro-
SABR and SRS procedures and the
rst hospital in Dubai to administer has tested different samples of tea bags the grades belonged to another country, ceries must not be less than 30 square
Brachytherapy. of several brands to check their safety although they did not specify which one. metres in area, a grocery manager said.
and afrmed that they are all compliant On its ofcial Facebook page, Dubai Cluttered shelves will not be allowed,
Our objective is to ensure quick,
effective and precise treatment while with global specications, with labora- Municipality assured that all food im- with separate metal shelves for baked
causing minimal impact to nearby tory tests proving the rumours wrong. ported into the UAE are safe and adhere items. Fruits and vegetables must be dis-
healthy tissues. We are condent that For this, we have devoted a large to strict safety protocols that follow Gulf played in refrigerators, while ve-gallon
our new line of cancer treatments will force of observers and inspectors in Cooperation Council (GCC) regulations. water bottles must be secured in metal
be a swift and painless experience, all areas concerning the protection of Kindly note there are international enclosures. There must also be a provi-
enabling patients to live long, healthy public health in terms of waste, food or regulations for meat and chicken, based sion for insect traps.
and cancer-free lives, concluded Dr pest control, she said. on the World Organization for Ani- All groceries must have a glass front
Tarek Dufan, Director of Radiation She pointed out that all the food mal Health (OIE), and the circulating under the new standards, which also
Oncology, American Hospital Dubai. that enter the emirate undergo various grades are not issued by an ofcial or make it compulsory for grocery staff to
American Hospital Dubai is a rounds of inspections. concerned entity, but a media website. wear uniforms that include name tags.
premium, multi-specialty healthcare The documents attached to the con- Dubai Municipality also pointed that The project also aims to, Al Suwaidi
signment undergo a thorough scrutiny according to the International Noti- said, create investment opportuni-
facility in Dubai. Its cutting-edge
oncology department offers the and then random samples are taken cation System, the authority did not ties for the citizens of Sharjah and the
most advanced treatments for vari- by the Food Safety Department for receive any notication regarding the UAE. He emphasised that the main
ous types of cancers administered by lab tests on a regular basis before let- matter. goal of the new standards is to develop
expert and experienced oncologists. ting them out in the market. The food Meanwhile, Groceries in Sharjah the retail sale sector in terms of operat-
Its latest treatments include SABR / samples are subjected to microbiologi- have to conform to new standards, in- ing mechanisms, from traditional ways
SBRT for tumors outside the CNS, cal, chemical, and radiological tests by cluding installing uniform signboards to a modern framework. The chairman
SRS for tumors and medical con- the Food and Environment Laboratory and security cameras, and adopting added that the project contributes to the
ditions in the brain or CNS, and Section of Dubai Central Laboratory stricter food storage standards, authori- development of the emirates economy
Brachytherapy, a highly-advanced Department, Al Bastaki explained. ties said on Monday. by making the sector more attractive
form of radiotherapy. She also denied the presence of any The Sharjah Economic Develop- for investors.

INTERNATIONAL
World News Roundup
Politics
Fights nothing new
Unlikely Gorsuch
can clear hurdle
WASHINGTON, April 3, (Agencies): The top Demo-
crat in the US Senate said on Sunday it was unlikely
that Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch would be
able to clear a procedural hurdle to a nal vote, even
as a third Senate Democrat threw support behind the
pick.
Senator Joe Donnelly, a Democrat from Indiana,
said he would vote in favor of Gorsuch, calling him in
a statement a qualied jurist who ... is well-respected
among his peers.
Donnelly joined Senators Joe Manchin of West Vir-
ginia and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota as the only
Senate Democrats to announce support for President
Donald Trumps court pick.
If conrmed to ll a vacancy created by the Feb-
ruary 2016 death of conserva-
tive Justice Antonin Scalia,
Gorsuch, 49, an appeals court
judge, would restore the nine-
seat high courts conserva-
tive majority, fullling one of
Trumps top campaign prom-
ises.
Most other Democrats have
made their opposition clear
and 37 senators have indicat-
ed support for a libuster of
Garland
the nomination, which would
force Republicans to come up
with 60 votes to move forward. Republicans control
the Senate 52-48.
Its highly, highly unlikely that hell get to 60,
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on
NBCs Meet the Press.
On Sunday evening, Democratic Senator Jon
Tester declared he would vote against Gorsuch. In a
statement, the Montana lawmaker said Gorsuch was
smart but added: That doesnt make him right for a
lifetime appointment to the US Supreme Court.
If the planned libuster holds, Senate Republican
leader Mitch McConnell would only be able to ad-
vance the nomination of Gorsuch by changing long-
standing Senate rules so it could be approved by a
simple majority.
McConnell, who also appeared on Meet the Press,
declined to rule out that option, which the Republican
president has urged, and vowed the Senate would con-
rm Gorsuch one way or another.
What I can tell you is Neil Gorsuch will be con-
rmed this week. How that happens really depends on
our Democratic friends, he said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee was set to vote on
the nomination on Monday, setting the stage for what
McConnell has said will be a vote in the full Senate
on Friday.
McConnell declined to say if he had sufficient
support among his fellow Republicans to change
the Senates rules.
Vote
In related news, a US Senate panel on Monday was
expected to advance Gorsuch, to a full Senate vote
later in the week, setting up a political showdown as
Democrats seek to block his conrmation.
Republicans hold an 11-9 majority on the Senate
Judiciary Committee, which is considering Gorsuchs
nomination, and control the full Senate by 52-48. But
Democrats are planning to use a procedural hurdle
called a libuster that requires 60 votes to allow a
conrmation vote.
The Senates No. 2 Republican, John Cornyn, said
on Sunday the expected libuster was a last-gasp
effort by Democrats.
If they libuster Neil Gorsuch, they are going to
libuster everyone that this president might propose,
Cornyn said on the CBS program Face the Nation.
Meanwhile, wondering when Supreme Court nomi-
nations became so politically contentious? Only about
222 years ago when the Senate voted down George
Washingtons choice for chief justice.
This years brouhaha sees Senate Democrats and
Republicans bracing for a showdown over Presi-
dent Donald Trumps nominee, Neil Gorsuch. Its
the latest twist in the political wrangling that has
surrounded the high court vacancy almost from the
moment Justice Antonin Scalia died in February
2016.
We are in an era of extreme partisan energy right
now, said University of Georgia law professor Lori
Ringhand. In such a moment, the partisanship will
manifest itself across government, and theres no rea-
son to think the nomination process will be exempt
from that. It hasnt been in the past,
Each side has accused the other of unprecedented
obstruction. Republicans wouldnt even hold a hear-
ing for Merrick Garland, president Barack Obamas
nominee. Democrats are threatening a libuster,
which takes 60 votes to overcome, to try to stop Gor-
such from becoming a justice. If they succeed, Re-
publicans who control the Senate could change the
rules and prevail with a simple majority vote in the
100-member body.
As she lays out in Supreme Court Conrmation
Hearings and Constitutional Change, the book she
co-wrote, Ringhand said, There were more rejected
nominees in the rst half of the nations history than
in the second half. That controversy has been partisan
in many cases, back to George Washington.
Controversial
Conrmations have been episodically controver-
sial, said Ringhand, who is the Georgia law schools
associate dean. The level of controversy has ebbed
and owed.
John Rutledge, a South Carolinian who was a
drafter of the Constitution, was the rst to succumb
to politics. The Senate conrmed Rutledge as a justice
in 1789, a post he gave up a couple of years later to
become South Carolinas chief justice.
In 1795, Washington nominated Rutledge to re-
place John Jay as chief justice. By then, Rutledge had
become an outspoken opponent of the Jay Treaty,
which sought to reduce tensions with England. A year
after ratifying the treaty, the Senate voted down Rut-
ledges nomination.
The rejected chief justice was partly a victim of his
own design. He was among the drafters who insisted
Congress should have a role in the Supreme Court ap-
pointment process, rather than leave it solely to the
president, historian Henry Abraham wrote in his his-
tory of high court appointments, Justices, Presidents,
and Senators.
Rutledge was not the last to get close to the lifetime
appointment to the court only to see it yanked away.
The most recent were Garland and former White
House counsel Harriet Miers, whose nomination by
President George W. Bush was withdrawn under pres-
sure from conservatives.
In this March 8, 2017 photo high school teacher Natalie OBrien (center), calls on students during a civics class called We the People, at North Smitheld High
School in North Smitheld, Rhode Island. More states are requiring graduating high school students to know at least as much about the US founding documents as
Sen Rand Paul, R-Kentucky (center),
waits for his turn to get in the presi-
dential vehicle on the South Lawn
driveway at the White House in Wash-
ington on April 2. (AP)
America
Trump takes up health with Paul:
President Donald Trump brought Sen
Rand Paul to his Virginia golf course
on Sunday to talk health policy with the
outspoken critic of the failed plan to repeal
and replace so-called Obamacare.
The outing to Trump National Golf Club
came hours after Trump tweeted that talks
on replacing the law have been going on
and will continue until such time as a deal
is hopefully struck.
He added that anyone who thinks the
effort is dead does not know the love and
strength in R Party!
Trump golfed and discussed policy with
Paul and budget director Mick Mulvaney,
said White House spokeswoman Stephanie
Grisham.
Paul came out strongly against the
House GOP legislation, and its collapse
humiliated Trump in the early days of his
administration. After their golf excursion,
Paul struck a positive tone, calling it a
great day with the president.
I continue to be very optimistic that we
are getting closer and closer to an agree-
ment on replacing Obamacare, said the
Kentucky senator, who fell to Trump in the
2016 Republican presidential primary.
Trump talked about his efforts to move
forward on health care in an interview with
the Financial Times published online Sunday.
Of the recent defeat, Trump said: I dont like
to lose. But that wasnt a denitive day. They
are negotiating as we speak.
Trump said the bill was pulled because
I didnt want to take a vote. It was my
idea. And he said that one way or the
other, I promised the people great health
care. We are going to have great health
care in this country.
It is not clear how a new health care bill
will come together, with deep divides among
Republicans and little interest in cooperation
from Democrats. Since the bill went down,
Trump has repeatedly lashed out at members
of the conservative House Freedom Caucus
who contributed to the defeat.
On CNNs State of the Union on
Sunday, a member of the caucus, Rep Jim
Jordan, R-Ohio, responded to those attacks.
He said tweets and statements and blame
dont change facts. And the facts remain
the same. When you look at the document,
when you look at the legislation, it doesnt
repeal Obamacare.
Trump told the Financial Times that
members of the caucus were friends of
mine. But he added: if we dont get what
we want, we will make a deal with the
Democrats and we will have in my opinion
not as good a form of health care, but we
are going to have a very good form of
health care and it will be a bipartisan form
of health care.
investigation into President Donald Trump.
The Sunday golf outing was not unusual
for Trump, who has visited his golf courses
in Virginia and Florida repeatedly since
taking office. Sometimes these rounds
incorporate official business, like when
he played with Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe in Florida. (AP)
immigrants passing a citizenship test. (AP)
Immigration
More states look to teach it
Knowing US Constitution required
NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI, April
3, (AP): Should US high school stu-
dents know at least as much about
the Declaration of Independence, the
Constitution and the Federalist pa-
pers as immigrants passing an Ameri-
can citizenship test?
In a growing number of school sys-
tems, having such a basic knowledge
is now a graduation requirement. But
states are taking different approaches
to combating whats seen as a wide-
spread lack of knowledge about how
government works.
Kentucky last week and Arkansas
on March 16 became the latest of
more than a dozen states since 2015
that have required the high school
social studies curriculum to include
material covered by the 100 ques-
tions asked on the naturalization
exam. Lawmakers in other states,
including Minnesota, are hoping to
foster even deeper understanding
of the fundamentals of American
democracy by adding a full course
to study its most important docu-
ments.
Rights might be inherent, but
ideas need to be taught, said Maida
Buckley, a retired classroom teacher
in Fairbanks, Alaska, who testi-
ed last year to an Alaskan legisla-
tive task force on civics education.
When you have a system of govern-
ment thats based on ideas, espoused
in the Declaration of Independence
and carried out with a working docu-
ment in the Constitution, those ideas
need to be taught.
Its a bipartisan cause, and in many
states such bills are jointly introduced
by Republicans and Democrats. But
proponents motivations vary from
dismay about the lack of participation
in local school boards and town halls
to concerns about how Republican
President Donald Trump and his sup-
porters view the power of the executive
branch.
We clearly have seen there is a
serious civics deciency in this coun-
try, all the way up to the top, the very
top, said Rhode Island Democratic
state Rep Gregg Amore, a longtime
high school history teacher who is
co-sponsoring legislation that con-
tends the survival of the republic
depends on Americans understanding
its principles and history.
A campaign by the Scottsdale,
Arizona-based Joe Foss Institute has
led many states to pass laws requiring
students to know whats on the citi-
zenship test.
Its not a panacea or silver bul-
let, but its a step forward, said the
groups Lucian Spataro, who said
17 states have adopted the model
or something similar. You have to
learn the basics before you can have
Impeachment probe weighed: The
Massachusetts city of Cambridge is weigh-
ing whether to call for an impeachment
Vice-Mayor Marc McGovern has led
a policy order for Mondays city council
meeting pushing for an investigation.
The proposed order calls on the US
House to back a resolution directing the
Judiciary Committee to investigate whether
there are grounds to impeach Trump.
McGovern and others believe Trump
Can you pass the American
Citizenship test? try it out
WASHINGTON, April 3, (AP): In
a growing number of states, high
school graduates are being re-
quired to know at least as much
about U.S. founding documents as
immigrants passing the citizenship
test. Can you ace it?
An applicant must correctly answer
six out of 10 questions, selected from
100 possible questions, to pass the
civics portion. A sample test, with the
answers at the bottom:
QUESTIONS
1. What does the Constitution
do?
2. The idea of self-government is
in the rst three words of the Con-
stitution. What are these words?
3. What is an amendment?
4. What do we call the rst 10
amendments to the Constitution?
5. How many amendments does
the Constitution have?
6. What are two rights in the Dec-
laration of Independence?
7. Under our Constitution, some
powers belong to the federal gov-
ernment. What is one power of the
federal government?
8. The Federalist Papers sup-
the higher-level discussions.
Other civics education boosters say
such a mandate is too simplistic.
If you do something like that, peo-
ple are going to start teaching to the
test and teaching a game of Trivial
Pursuit, said Charles Quigley, ex-
ecutive director of the Calabasas,
California-based Center for Civic
Education. Kids are already tested
to death.
The Rhode Island bill, introduced
by a Republican from North Smith-
field, a conservative town where
Trump is popular, is partly inspired
by a ninth-grade class taught at
North Smithfield High School. The
honors class uses the We the Peo-
ple curriculum developed by Quig-
leys group. Students participate in
a national competition in which
they must orally defend their ideas.
On a March afternoon, teenagers
stood at their classrooms lectern one
by one, debating whether a California
police ofcer can search a suspected
gang members smartphone without a
warrant.
As they argued, some cited lan-
guage from the US Constitutions
Fourth Amendment. Others looked to
Supreme Court Justice Louis Brande-
is 1928 dissenting opinion in a wire-
Trump McGovern
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
10
ported the passage of the Constitu-
tion. Name one of the writers.
9. There are four amendments
to the Constitution about who can
vote. Describe one of them.
10. What is one right or freedom
from the First Amendment?
ANSWERS
1. Sets up the government, de-
nes the government and protects
basic rights of Americans
2. We the People
3. A change or an addition to the
Constitution
4. The Bill of Rights
5. 27
6. Life, liberty, the pursuit of hap-
piness
7. To print money, to declare
war, to create an army or to make
treaties
8. James Madison, Alexander
Hamilton, John Jay (under the col-
lective pseudonym Publius)
9. Citizens 18 and older can vote;
you dont have to pay to vote; any
citizen can vote, a male citizen of
any race can vote
10. Speech, religion, assembly,
press, petition the government
tapping case.
Their teacher, Natalie OBrien,
gently prodded them to think criti-
cally and tap into more than 200
years of American history and legal
philosophy. She didnt tell them that,
in 2014, a unanimous Supreme Court
ruled in the California case that po-
lice may not generally search the cell-
phones of people they arrest without
rst getting search warrants.
Someones going to channel
James Madison, right? she asked.
What would Brandeis be saying
about this particular decision? What
would the founders be saying?
North Smitheld High student
Megan Skinner said she didnt pay
much attention to politics before
OBriens class, but the 15-year-old
now said she now uses the founding
US documents as a guide as family
and friends debate the Trump presi-
dency.
It gives us an entirely new per-
spective on all the events that are
going on, Skinner said. You see
all these things in the news, and es-
pecially about the election, and all
the things that are going on with the
executive orders he passed, the travel
bans. Before this class, we wouldnt
have understood these things.
has violated the emoluments clause of the
US Constitution that prohibits govern-
ment ofcials from proting from foreign
businesses.
McGovern said he believes the Republi-
can president is still deeply involved in his
business operations.
Cambridge voted for Democrat Hillary
Clinton in the presidential election.
The city is across the Charles River
from Boston, and is home to Harvard
University. (AP)

INTERNATIONAL
The White House is lit with blue lights in honor of World Autism Awareness Day, on April 2, in Washington. On World Autism Awareness Day, we highlight the importance of addressing the causes and improving the treatments for autism
Diplomacy
Aides complete review
Trump to press
Xi on N. Korea
WASHINGTON, April 3, (Agencies): US President
Donald Trump held out the possibility on Sunday of
using trade as a lever to secure Chinese cooperation
against North Korea and suggested Washington might
deal with Pyongyangs nuclear and missile programs
on its own if need be.
The comments, in an interview published on Sunday
by the Financial Times, appeared designed to pres-
sure Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of his visit to
Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this week.
China has great inuence over North Korea. And
China will either decide to help us with North Korea,
or they wont. And if they do that will be very good
for China, and if they dont it wont be good for any-
one, Trump was quoted as saying, according to an ed-
ited transcript published by the
newspaper.
Asked what incentive the
United States had to offer Chi-
na, Trump replied: Trade is the
incentive. It is all about trade.
Asked if he would consider a
grand bargain in which China
pressured Pyongyang in return
for a guarantee the United States
would later remove troops from
the Korean peninsula, the news-
Xi paper quoted Trump as saying:
Well if China is not going to solve North Korea, we
will. That is all I am telling you.
It is not clear whether Trumps comments will move
China, which has taken steps to increase economic pres-
sure on Pyongyang but has long been unwilling to do an-
ything that may destabilize the North and send millions
of refugees across their border. It is also unclear what the
United States might do on its own to deect North Korea
from the expansion of its nuclear capabilities and from
the development of missiles with ever-longer ranges and
the capacity to deliver atomic warheads.
Trumps national security aides have completed
a review of US options to try to curb North Koreas
nuclear and missile programs that includes economic
and military measures but leans more toward sanctions
and increased pressure on Beijing to rein in its reclusive
neighbor, a US ofcial said.
Strikes
Although the option of pre-emptive military strikes
on North Korea is not off the table, the review prioritiz-
es less-risky steps and de-emphasizes direct military
action, the ofcial added, saying it was not immedi-
ately known if the National Security Council recom-
mendations had made their way to Trump.
The White House declined comment on the recom-
mendations. Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss
Chinese ambitions in the South China Sea, through
which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every
year, when they meet on Thursday and Friday. China
claims most of the resource-rich South China Sea,
while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and
Vietnam also have claims on the strategic waterway.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke on Sun-
day with Chinas top diplomat, State Councilor Yang
Jiechi, about Xis visit and other issues of bilateral and
regional importance, a State Department ofcial said
on condition of anonymity.
Chinas foreign ministry said in a statement on Mon-
day about the call that Yang had described the meeting
between Xi and Trump as being of great signicance
for peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacic
region and the world at large. Tillerson told Yang that
the United States would do its utmost to ensure that the
meeting had positive results, the ministry said.
Trumps deputy national security adviser, K.T. Mc-
Farland, said there was a real possibility North Ko-
rea could be capable of hitting the United States with a
nuclear-armed missile by the end of Trumps four-year
term, the Financial Times reported.
While China provides diplomatic and economic sup-
port to its neighbor, it claims that its inuence over Kim
Jong Uns government is limited.
See Also Page 15
spectrum disorders (ASDs), President Donald Trump said in a presidential proclamation. (AP)
Rachel Baker, a Unitarian Minister from
Las Vegas, Nevada, maneuvers to take
a sele through the US-Mexico border
fence while standing in Nogales, Arizona,
during a solidarity march, on April 2. (AP)
Trump Moreno
America
US backs out of Latam fund: The United
States, historically a major backer of multi-
lateral lending institutions, will not renew its
contribution to a Inter-American Develop-
ment Bank fund that supports pilot develop-
ment projects, the head of the Washington-
based organization said on Sunday.
In a news conference at the IDBs annual
board of governors meeting in Paraguays
capital, Asuncion, President Luis Alberto
Moreno linked the US decision to a policy
shift since Republican President Donald
Trump took ofce in January.
On this occasion, the United States,
for various domestic reasons, did not want
to participate, Moreno said. He added
that the US delegation had indicated at an
October 2016 meeting that it was willing to
contribute, but that it all depended on the
result of the election.
Once President Trumps government
began, they informed us -at the beginning
of February that the United States would
not be making any contribution.
The IDB provides loans to govern-
ments and businesses to nance projects
ranging from large-scale infrastructure to
small businesses. Founded in 1959, it says
it is the leading source of development
nancing for Latin America, lending $11.3
billion and $13.8 billion in 2015 and 2014,
respectively. The Multilateral Investment
Fund, or MIF, created in 1993, was instru-
mental in the development of micronance
and provides technical assistance to small
projects aimed at providing economic op-
portunity to the poor.
It was a brainchild of former US presi-
dent George H.W. Bush, and the United
States has historically been its largest
donor, the IDB said in a statement.
IDB member countries pledge to renew
the funds coffers every several years. At
the October meeting, the IDB governors
agreed to provide an additional $300 mil-
lion to keep the fund running from 2019
to 2023.
This marked the rst time since the MIFs
founding that the United States did not
contribute to its fund replenishment, an IDB
spokesman conrmed. It comes as Trump
has proposed slashing the US foreign aid
and diplomacy budget by 28 percent.
In the US absence, Latin American and
Caribbean countries contributed 55 percent
of the total $317 million added to the MIF
this year, while Japan pledged $85 million,
the IDB said. During the last replenishment
in 2007, contributions from Latin America
and the Caribbean totaled 8 percent of the
$501 million added to the fund. The United
States contributed $150 million.
Politics
Federal prosecutors raise fresh concerns
Messy ties in Turkish moguls case
WASHINGTON, April 3, (AP): A
high-ying Turkish-Iranian business-
man is busted in Miami, accused of
laundering money for Iran. Turkey
accuses the prominent American pros-
ecutor of ties to a shadowy group it
blames for a failed coup attempt. Presi-
dent Donald Trump res the prosecu-
tor. Then the businessman hires a for-
mer New York mayor close to Trump
to help him avoid conviction.
And the case becomes a bitter dis-
traction for two allies that are sup-
posed to be focused on ghting the
Islamic State group.
In the year since Reza Zarrab was
arrested, his case has grown ever more
complex and far-reaching. As Turkey
presses the Trump administration to
get the charges tossed, an increasingly
messy web of connections has come
into view, prompting questions about
conicts of interest, Turkish corruption
and pro-Turkey lobbying by individuals
near the center of Trumps orbit.
On Friday, federal prosecutors raised
fresh concerns about a recent trip that
former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani
made to Turkey to consult with Presi-
dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the
case. Joining Giuliani was former At-
torney General Michael Mukasey.
Both were hired by Zarrabs de-
fense. But oddly, neither is involved
in pleading the case in US District
Court, leading prosecutors to wonder
if the defense is trying to circumvent
the regular judicial process by going
above prosecutors heads.
In a letter to the judge, Zarrabs at-
torneys said what Giuliani and Muka-
sey are up to quite frankly is none of
the governments business.
Zarrab, a 33-year-old gold-trader
married to a Turkish pop star, was
arrested in Florida last year. He and
several others are accused of conspir-
ing to evade US sanctions against Iran,
using a network of companies to mask
the true nature of transactions and de-
fraud multiple banks. Prosecutors say
they processed hundreds of millions
A representative of the US delegation
said delegates were under instruction not to
comment.
US talking points for MIF Replenish-
ment Discussions seen by Reuters and
dated on Sunday, said the worlds largest
economy applauded the increased contribu-
tions by Latin American countries.
The remains of a trailer lie where a woman and her 3-year-old daughter were killed
following a severe storm, in Breaux Bridge, La, on April 2. (AP)
of dollars for Iran and claim to have
thousands of pages of bank, email
and phone records to prove it. Zarrab
pleaded not guilty.
Its not surprising the involvement
of Giuliani and Mukasey would raise
red ags.
Giuliani, one of candidate Trumps
staunchest supporters, advises the
president, in an unofcial capacity, on
cybersecurity. Both his and Mukaseys
law rms have represented bank vic-
tims in Zarrabs case, which prosecu-
tors say may be a conict of interest.
Giulianis company has also regis-
tered as a foreign agent for Turkey, a
trait shared with another of Trumps
advisers: Michael Flynn. The former
Trump national security adviser had
to register retroactively for work he
performed in 2016 that could have
beneted Turkeys government. At the
time, Flynn was a Trump campaign
adviser.
Foreign
There have been no indications
Flynn ever lobbied on Zarrabs case.
Flynns foreign agent ling says his in-
telligence rm was hired by a company
owned by a Turkish businessman close
to Erdogan, and conducted research
into a Muslim cleric and Erdogan foe
who also emerges in Zarrabs case.
If theres intrigue about the defense
team, it extends to the prosecution.
Last month Trump red Preet Bha-
rara, the US attorney who launched
the case against Zarrab, as part of a
purge of Obama-era prosecutors. Bha-
rara was dismissed even though Trump
made a point during the presidential
transition of asking him to stay.
Bhararas possible replacement:
Mukaseys son, Marc Mukasey, who
is frequently mentioned as a contender.
That could put the younger Mukasey
in charge of prosecuting the man his
father has been trying to set free.
For Turkey, the saga is bigger than
Zarrabs case. It has its origins in a
massive 2013 corruption scandal in
While the United States will not be
pledging additional funding, we remain
committed to the MIF and will continue to
play an active role on the Donors Commit-
tee, the talking points read. (RTRS)
SC to weigh banks liability: The
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
11
Turkey involving allegations of brib-
ery, fraud and smuggling. Zarrab and
Turkish state-owned bank Halkbank
were at the center of the storm.
Homes linked to several top Erdog-
an lieutenants were raided and three
sons of Turkish ministers detained.
Erdogan dismissed the allegations as
a conspiracy by Fetullah Gulen, the
Muslim cleric who lives in Pennsyl-
vania and leads a global movement of
schools and charities.
The corruption scandal eventually
subsided. Yet it contributed to a dra-
matic falling out between Erdogan
then Turkeys prime minister and
Gulen, whose movement had long
been allied with Erdogans party.
The rivalry has only grown worse.
Turkey has been feverishly seeking
Gulens extradition from the US after
blaming him for a failed coup attempt
last July that killed more than 270 peo-
ple. Gulen denies involvement in the
coup, and the US has said Turkeys
evidence is unconvincing.
Although the Turkish charges
against Zarrab were ultimately
dropped, his subsequent arrest in the
US has brought fresh attention to
concerns about corruption in Turkey.
Worsening matters for Erdogan, the
deputy CEO of Halkbank, Mehmet
Hakan Atilla, was arrested in New
York this week on charges of conspir-
ing with Zarrab.
Turkeys response has been force-
ful. Erdogans government has argued
that Atillas prosecution is politically
motivated. And at a meeting this week
with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson,
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Ca-
vusoglu offered another explanation:
Bharara, the former Manhattan pros-
ecutor, is loyal to Gulen.
He retweets or likes everything that
is anti-Turkey, Cavusoglu said.
Bharara says hes never been to
Turkey and had to Google Gulen to
learn who he was. But the Gulenist
charge from Erdogans government
isnt surprising.
US Supreme Court on Monday agreed
to consider reviving litigation seeking to
hold Arab Bank Plc nancially liable for
militant attacks in Israel and the Palestinian
territories that accused the Jordan-based
bank of being the paymaster to militant
groups.
The justices agreed to hear an appeal
by roughly 6,000 plaintiffs, who included
relatives of non-US citizens killed in such
attacks and survivors of the incidents,
of a lower court ruling throwing out the
litigation.
The plaintiffs accused Arab Bank under
a US law called the Alien Tort Statute of
deliberately nancing terrorism, including
suicide bombings and other attacks. They
are hoping to overturn a 2015 New York
federal appeals court ruling that the bank
could not be sued under the statute because
it is a corporation.
The Alien Tort Statute, a law dating
back to 1789, lets non-US citizens seek
damages in US courts for human rights
violations abroad. The lead plaintiff in the
case is Joseph Jesner, whose British citizen
son was killed at age 19 in a 2002 suicide
bombing of a bus in Tel Aviv.
The plaintiffs led several lawsuits
under the law in Brooklyn federal court,
claiming Arab Bank used its New York
branch to transfer money and serve as a
paymaster for international terrorists.
(RTRS)

INTERNATIONAL
World News Roundup
Brexit
No change on Gibraltar
Merkel wants to
limit Brexit fallout
BERLIN, April 3, (RTRS): The European Union (EU)
should try to limit the fallout from Britains decision
to leave the European Union, German Chancellor
Angela Merkel said on Monday, conceding that some
damage was inevitable.
This is an incision for the European Union, its an
unfortunate event Britains decision, Merkel told
a joint news conference with Slovakian Prime
Minister Robert Fico and Czech Prime Minister
Bohuslav Sobotka in Berlin.
We want to limit the damage. But there will natu-
rally be some negative impact, Merkel said, adding
that it was more important that the remaining 27 EU
member states stick together
and improve the competitive-
ness of the bloc.
Meanwhile, there will be no
change to Gibraltars sover-
eignty without Britains con-
sent, Foreign Secretary Boris
Johnson said on Monday,
while his Dutch counterpart
called for calm after a British
politician raised talk of defend-
ing the outpost.
Merkel The sovereignty of
Gibraltar is unchanged and is
not going to change, and cannot conceivably change
without the express support and consent of the people
of Gibraltar and the United Kingdom, and that is not
is going to change, Johnson said on arrival at a meet-
ing of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
A former leader of Mays Conservative party said
she would even be prepared to go to war to defend the
territory, as then prime minister Margaret Thatcher
did with Argentina over the Falkland Islands 35 years
ago.
Asked by reporters if Gibraltar could become a
military issue, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders
urged everyone to keep their cool in Britains exit
negotiations from the EU.
Harsh
You can now see how difficult the divorce is,
Koenders said. Let us be cool and carry on and not
use too harsh language. Let us negotiate, I think thats
the most important.
Britain will wait until the end of the month to find
out what guidelines the other members of the
European Union have agreed regarding issues such as
Gibraltar, Mays spokesman said on Monday.
The future of Gibraltar has become the first dispute
of the exit talks since May filed the formal divorce
papers, with the EU draft joint position saying any
agreement on the British outpost on Spains southern
tip had be agreed between Spain and Britain.
These are draft guidelines that were issued ... We
will wait and see what is agreed by the 27 (EU coun-
tries), the spokesman told reporters.
Britains Brexit minister David Davis held a
friendly and constructive meeting with Spains
Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis in Madrid on
Monday as part of a pre-arranged visit, the spokes-
man added, during which he raised the issue of
Gibraltar.
On Sunday a former leader of Mays Conservative
party, Michael Howard, said she would be prepared to
go to war to defend the territory, as then prime minis-
ter Margaret Thatcher did with Argentina over the
Falkland Islands 35 years ago.
Mays spokesman said what Howard was trying to
establish was the resolve that we will have to protect
the rights of Gibraltar and its sovereignty.
Asked if that would include ultimately sending a
naval taskforce to protect Gibraltar as Britain did to
the Falklands, he said: That isnt going to hap-
pen.
Gibraltars leader on Monday cast EU Council
President Donald Tusk as a cuckolded husband tak-
ing it out on the kids for explicitly proposing that
Spain be given a veto over the ties between the British
enclave and the European Union after Brexit.
The future of Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory
of just over 2-square miles (6.7 sq kms) of rock on
Spains southern tip, has become the first big dispute
of Brexit since May filed formal divorce papers on
March 29.
In the EUs draft position on the exit talks distrib-
uted by Tusk, Gibraltar was given explicit mention.
Spain was specifically named as having a veto on the
application of any future EU trade deal with Britain.
Mr Tusk, who has been given to using the analo-
gies of the divorce and divorce petition, is behaving
like a cuckolded husband who is taking it out on the
children, Gibraltars Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo,
told Reuters in an interview.
This is clear Spanish bullying.
Picardo said the EU should remove the reference to
Gibraltar, which voted overwhelmingly to stay in the
EU, from the draft guidelines.
While years of tortuous negotiations await on
issues that could affect trillions of dollars in trade, the
Brexit debate in Britain has for three days focused on
the future of the Rock captured by Britain in 1704
but which Spain wants back.
Influence
The row over Gibraltar illustrates how swiftly the
United Kingdoms influence has declined since the
June 23 Brexit vote in this case in Spains favour
and how issues perceived by EU powers as mar-
ginal can become major complications.
After the explicit reference to Spain and Gibraltar
became publicly known, May spoke to Picardo and
issued a statement saying London was steadfast in
its commitment to the territory which has positioned
itself as a springboard for finance to the EU because
of an attractive tax and regulatory regime.
A former leader of Mays Conservative party,
Michael Howard, even said she would be prepared to
go to war to defend the territory, as then prime minis-
ter Margaret Thatcher did with Argentina over the
Falkland Islands 35 years ago.
The Spanish government is a little surprised by the
tone of comments coming out of Britain, a country
known for its composure, Spains Foreign Minister
Alfonso Dastis said during a conference in Madrid.
Ceded to Britain in perpetuity in the 1713 Treaty
of Utrecht, Gibraltar has long been a bone of conten-
tion between London and Madrid and the border was
closed for many years during the Franco dictatorship.
In a 2002 referendum, Gibralatrians rejected by 98
percent a proposal for joint British-Spanish sover-
eignty.
The sovereignty of Gibraltar is unchanged and is
not going to change, British Foreign Secretary Boris
Johnson said on Monday as he arrived for an EU for-
eign ministers meeting in Luxembourg.
A member of the Royal Collection Trust inspects the Vessel of Friendship, a model of the treasure ship sailed by the 15th century Chinese navigator Zeng He,
that was presented by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2015 at Buckingham Palace in London, on April 3. A selection of objects from Royal Gifts will be on display
as part of the Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace on July 22, 2017.(AP)
A plaque commemorating The
Falkland Island conflict, at the
National Memorial Arboretum during
a service marking the 35th anniver-
sary of the Argentine invasion of the
Falkland Islands, in Staffordshire,
England, on April 2. Forces veterans
gathered to remember the 255 British
military personnel and three civilians
killed during the 1982 conflict over
sovereignty of the South Atlantic
Falkland Islands. (AP)
Rowling Watson
Britain
Statue for suffragist: British votes
for women campaigner Millicent Fawcett
is to become the first woman to be hon-
oured with a statue in Londons Parliament
Square.
Fawcett, who formed the National
Union of Womens Suffrage Societies in
1897, spent decades advocating for equal
rights including voting rights and access to
higher education.
The idea for the statue gained momen-
tum following an online petition which
garnered more than 80,000 signatures and
was backed by Harry Potter author J.K.
Rowling, actress Emma Watson and
London mayor Sadiq Khan.
The example Millicent Fawcett set dur-
ing the struggle for equality continues to
inspire the battle against the burning injus-
tices of today, Prime Minister Theresa
May said in a statement.
It is right and proper that she is hon-
oured in Parliament Square alongside for-
mer leaders who changed our country. Her
statue will stand as a reminder of how poli-
tics only has value if it works for everyone
in society. (RTRS)
Detained woman remembered: The
family of a British-Iranian woman detained
in Iran marked the first anniversary of her
detention by tying yellow ribbons on the
branches of trees at a park near her home.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been held
in Iran for one year on allegations she con-
spired to overthrow the countrys cleric-
run government.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has dual British-
Iranian citizenship, was returning home to
Britain after visiting her family in Tehran
with her toddler daughter.
Ahead of the anniversary event in north-
west London on Sunday, she described her
wish to see her husband and child dancing
France
Le Pen renews anti-Islam rhetoric
Fillon eyes Hollande inquiry
PARIS, April 3, (Agencies): French
presidential candidate Francois Fillon,
an outsider to win after involvement in
financial scandal, said on Monday he
would order a parliamentary inquiry
into allegations President Francois
Hollande interfered in the justice sys-
tem, if elected.
Once the frontrunner, the conserva-
tive former prime ministers poll rat-
ings have slumped since allegations
surfaced that he paid his wife and sons
hundreds of thousands of euros of pub-
lic money for minimal work.
Although some polls show his sup-
port recovering slightly with less than
three weeks to the April 23 first round,
he is well behind far-right leader Marine
Le Pen and independent centrist
Emmanuel Macron, who are tipped to
go through to a May 7 run-off.
Fillon, 63, who is being investigated
by magistrates over the jobs allega-
tions and over a gift of expensive suits,
insisted on his innocence.
If I had the slightest doubt about
my guilt I wouldnt be a candidate in
the presidential election, he told BFM
TV.
He said he was the victim of
manipulation and believed his case
was being closely followed by the
highest authorities.
He drew back from previous allega-
tions that Hollande, a Socialist presi-
dent who is not standing for a second
term, had personally led a smear cam-
paign against him. He said he could
not prove this.
He said however that prosecutors
should open an inquiry into allegations
made in a book by two journalists
from the satirical weekly Le Canard
Enchaine that Hollande had had judi-
cial wiretaps that interested him sent to
his office.
Prosecutors should take up this
to Michael Jackson in the middle of our
sitting room.
Supporters also affixed to the trees
quotes from Zaghari-Ratcliffes fellow
inmates at Evin prison in Iran describing
what they would do with one day of free-
Britains Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, visit the
SantAmbrogio Market in Florence, Italy, on April 3. The heir to the British throne
is on a three-country trip seen as an effort to reassure European Union nations
that Britain remains a close ally despite its impending departure from the bloc.
(AP)
case. If they dont do so and if I am
elected president, there will be a par-
liamentary commission of enquiry,
Fillon said.
Hollandes office has rejected
Fillons accusations and denied inter-
ference in the justice system.
Fillon said that, given the investiga-
tions against him, there was every
chance his own phone was tapped.
Fillon also said that Francois Baroin,
a former finance minister, would be a
very good choice for prime minister
if he won election to the Elysee.
Election
Meanwhile, with just three weeks
before the first round of Frances pres-
idential election, far-right candidate
Marine Le Pen is working to galvanize
voters with the anti-Islam rhetoric that
is one of her trademarks.
Le Pen addressed thousands of sup-
porters on Sunday in the southwest
French city of Bordeaux, where she
vowed to uncompromisingly fight
Islamist fundamentalism which seeks
to impose its oppressive rules in our
country.
She also criticized the headscarves
that some Muslim women wear, say-
ing girls in France should be able to
dress as they wish and shouldnt be
forced to bury themselves under
clothes of another age.
Polls suggest Le Pen is one of the
top contenders in the elections first
round on April 23, but would lose in
the May 7 runoff.
In another development, Frances
polling commission has issued a warn-
ing over a Russian news report sug-
gesting conservative candidate
Francois Fillon leads the race for the
presidency - something which contra-
dicts the findings of mainstream opin-
ion pollsters.
dom. (AP)
Grammar vigilante fixing signs:
Its an urban myth come true the pres-
ence of a man dedicated to ridding the
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
12
The cautionary note from the watch-
dog on pre-election polling followed
allegations in February by aides of
centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron
that he was a target of fake news put
out by Russian media including the
Sputnik news agency.
Macron takes a hard line on
European Union sanctions imposed on
Moscow over the Ukraine crisis,
whereas Fillon has said they are totally
ineffective, creating a cold war cli-
mate that needs to be reversed.
Almost all media in France are
drawing on polls that have shown
since mid-February that Fillon, a for-
mer prime minister, is trailing in third
place behind Macron and far right
leader Marine Le Pen for the April 23
first round. Third place would mean
Fillons elimination from the May 7
runoff.
State-run Sputnik carried different
findings in a report on March 29 under
the headline: 2017 presidential elec-
tions: the return of Fillon at the head of
the polls.
It quoted Moscow-based Brand
Analytics, an online audience research
firm, as saying that its study based on
an analysis of French social media put
Fillon out in front.
In a statement, Frances polling
commission said the study could not
be described as representative of pub-
lic opinion and Sputnik had improper-
ly called it a poll, as defined by law
in France.
It is imperative that publication of
this type of survey be treated with cau-
tion so that public opinion is aware of
its non-representative nature, it said.
Brand Analytics track record either
for political polling or for commercial
internet audience measurement outside
of Russia and former Soviet territory is
unknown.
English city of Bristol of grammatical
errors in its shop signs.
He goes out at night with a self-styled
device used to cover up misplaced apostro-
phes from street signs in the city 120 miles
(195 kilometers) west of London. He uses
stickers, not paint.
The man has not been identified but he
told BBC in a report broadcast Monday
that he doesnt consider his alterations of
the signs and store fronts to be a crime.
(AP)
Police charge 5 over attack: British
police said on Monday they had charged
five people over a brutal attack involving
a gang of up to 30 assailants on a teenage
asylum seeker in south London which left
the victim with a fractured skull and blood
clot on his brain.
Detectives, who are treating the incident
as a racially motivated hate crime, said the
17-year-old Kurdish Iranian boy was left crit-
ically injured after the attack shortly before
midnight on Friday as he waited at a bus stop
with two friends near a pub in Croydon.
It is understood that the suspects asked
the victim where he was from and when
they established that he was an asylum
seeker they chased him and launched a
brutal attack, said Detective Inspector
Gary Castle.
He sustained serious head and facial
injuries as a result of this attack, which
included repeated blows to the head by a
large group of attackers. (AP)

INTERNATIONAL
Germany
Extremist gets life sentence
Refugees must have
to respect tolerance
BERLIN, April 3, (Agencies): Chancellor An-
gela Merkel said refugees in Germany must
respect tolerance, openness and freedom of reli-
gion, while senior members of her party called
for a ban on foreign funding of mosques.
Merkel, who will seek a fourth term as chan-
cellor in what is expected to be a tight election
in September, has come under re for allowing
more than one million refugees to enter Germany
over the past two years.
Interviewed by a Syrian journalist who came to
Germany in 2015 and asked about what Germany
was expecting from refugees, Merkel said in her
weekly podcast:
We expect the people who come to us to stick
to our laws.
Merkel said it was para-
mount that new arrivals re-
spected and understood the
liberal values of modern
Germany such as tolerance,
openness, freedom of reli-
gion and freedom of opin-
ion.
The centre-right leader
urged Germans to show
openness in return. We
Merkel
know very few things about
Syria, we know very few things about Iraq or Af-
rican countries. And we must see this as an op-
portunity to learn more and experience more,
she said.
Merkels conservative Christian Democratic
Union (CDU) party has lost support since her de-
cision in 2015 to leave Germanys borders open
for hundreds of thousands refugees eeing the
civil war in Syria and Iraq.
Immigration and security are set to be major
issues in the election, in which the far-right, anti-
immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party
is expected to enter parliament.
In an apparent attempt to address unease among
traditional CDU voters over Merkels migration
policy, CDU deputy party leader Julia Kloeckner
called for stricter rules for Islamic preachers and
a ban on foreign funding of mosques, echoing
comments by other senior CDU members in re-
cent days.
Most of the four million Muslims living in
Germany have a Turkish background and some
mosques in Germany are nanced by the Turkish
government.
Duties
An Islam law can place the rights and duties
of Muslims living in Germany on a new legal ba-
sis, Kloeckner told Bild am Sonntag.
Kloeckner also called for a public register that
would list all mosques in Germany and provide
background information on sponsors and nan-
ciers.
Such rules should also include a right to a Mus-
lim religious counsellor in prisons, hospitals and
nursing homes, she added.
The CDUs coalition partner and rival party the
SPD, whose new leader Martin Schulz will stand
against Merkel in Septembers election, atly re-
jected the idea.
In my opinion, the proposals are hardly com-
patible with the German constitution, SPD
deputy leader Olaf Scholz told the Funke media
group, adding that a law could not only be made
for a single religious community.
The chairman of the Islamic Council in Germa-
ny, Burhan Kesici, said the proposals were popu-
list and put Muslims under blanket suspicion.
Meanwhile, the German government says
theres no need for new legislation to regulate Is-
lamic organizations in the country.
Members of Merkels center-right Christian
Democratic Union party have called for a ban on
foreign funding of Islamic organizations, and for
Muslims to get statutory rights to pastoral care
from an imam in prisons and hospitals.
Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said
Monday that such a law was a non-issue at the
moment and noted that religious freedom is guar-
anteed by the German constitution.
The arrival of hundreds of thousands of Mus-
lim migrants in Germany in recent years has re-
kindled public debates about the countrys rela-
tionship with Islam.
A recent report by public broadcaster ARD
found that the Islam preached in some mosques
is more conservative than in many Muslim coun-
tries.
A German court handed lengthy prison sen-
tences Monday to four Islamic extremists over
plots to bomb a train station and kill a far-right
politician.
Laws
The Duesseldorf regional court found 29-year-
old Marco G., whose surname wasnt published
in line with privacy laws, guilty of attempted
murder for placing an explosive device at the
main train station in the western city of Bonn in
December 2012.
Although the home-made bomb was discov-
ered and defused before it detonated, the court
said the German convert to Islam deserved
a life sentence due to the seriousness of the
crime, the dpa news agency reported. It ruled
out his release after 15 years, the usual life
term in Germany.
He and three others were also found guilty of
forming a terrorist organization and planning to
kill a member of the far-right Pro NRW party
who had taken part in protests against mosques
during which caricatures of the Muslim prophet
Muhammad were shown.
Judges sentenced Albanian citizen Enea B., 46,
German-Turkish dual national Koray D., 28, and
German citizen Tayfun S., 27, to between 9-
years and 12 years in prison.
Prosecutors said the mens plan was partly fu-
eled by an audio message disseminated by the
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. They were
arrested in March 2013, the night before the
planned killing.
Their lawyers had asked the court to acquit the
men, according to dpa.
Uwe Gerstenberg decorates a robinia tree with nearly 10,000 painted Easter eggs in Saalfeld, central Germany on April 2. (AP)
Armenias President Serzh Sargsyan
casts his ballot at a polling station dur-
ing a parliamentary election in Yere-
van, Armenia on April 2. Armenians
voted Sunday in the countrys rst
parliamentary election since the ex-
Soviet nation modied its constitution
to expand the powers of parliament
and the prime minister. (AP)
Markovic Anastasiades
Europe
More work needed for talks: The
rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus
said Sunday more work is needed to
prepare the ground for the resumption of
stalled reunication talks, despite having
their rst face-to-face meeting after nearly
two months that was hoped would clear the
negotiations logjam.
Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anas-
tasiades and the islands breakaway Turk-
ish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, said in
a joint statement that United Nations Envoy
Espen Barth Eide would continue contacts
with them both to get negotiations back on
track.
The leaders said they had an open and
constructive exchange about what caused
the talks to break down on Feb 16 and
shared ideas about moving the process
forward.
The two leaders reconrmed their joint
commitment to nding a solution in the
best interest of all Cypriots, taking into ac-
count the concerns of both communities,
the joint statement said.
The brief statement came at the end of a
highly anticipated dinner hosted by Eide,
where it was hoped the two leaders could
smooth out their differences and then get
back to the negotiating table as soon as
possible. (AP)
Montenegro NATO entry historic:
Albanias prime minister says neighboring
Montenegros upcoming accession into
NATO is a historic event for the troubled
Balkan region.
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Monday
that Montenegros entry into the military
alliance would mean that the entire Adri-
atic and Ionian coast will become a zone of
NATO.
Montenegro is slated to join NATO once
all 28 member states conrm the entry in
their parliaments. The US Senate gave its
approval last week.
Poland
Putin spokesman rejects Polish claims
Poland accuses Russians in crash
WARSAW, Poland, April 3, (AP):
Polish prosecutors alleged Monday
that a new analysis of evidence from
the 2010 plane crash in Russia that
killed the Polish president shows
that two Russian air trafc control-
lers and a third Russian ofcial in the
control tower deliberately contribut-
ed to the disaster.
Russian President Vladimir Pu-
tins spokesman quickly rejected the
Polish claims, which seemed likely
to deepen already tense ties between
Russia and NATO member Poland.
The circumstances of this trag-
edy have been thoroughly studied,
and we cannot agree with such con-
clusions, Dmitry Peskov said.
Polands National Prosecutor
Marek Kuczynski said there is no
doubt that one of the causes of the
crash was the behavior of those in
the control tower. Deputy prosecu-
tor Marek Pasionek said the two air
trafc controllers were guilty of
deliberately causing an air trafc
catastrophe, and said the third Rus-
sian ofcial present was guilty of
assisting in deliberately causing a
catastrophe.
Polish investigators said they want
to question the men and cannot re-
veal details about the evidence until
that happens.
The crash on April 10, 2010, killed
President Lech Kaczynski and 95
others, many of them top Polish state
and military leaders. The disaster
occurred when the Polish crew tried
Russia strongly opposes NATOs expan-
sion in the Balkans. Montenegro accuses
Moscow of plotting an election day coup
in October to try to keep the country out of
the alliance.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko
Markovic says he expects accession op-
ponents to organize protests ahead of par-
liamentary ratication of the entry protocol
People greet Pope Francis in front of the Duomo of Mirandola, northern Italy,
during a one-day pastoral visit to Carpi and Mirandola on April 2. Greeted by
tens of thousands of faithful, Pope Francis on Sunday visited Italys northern
Emilia Romagna region that has largely been rebuilt after a pair of deadly earth-
quakes ve years ago, an example meant to give hope to central Italy, which is
still reeling from more devastating temblors last year. (AP)
to land in heavy fog at a rarely used
airport near Smolensk, Russia. The
plane clipped a tree on approaching
the runway and crashed.
It was the worst tragedy in modern
Polish history and at rst the nation
united in grief.
But the Smolensk tragedy has
since become a highly divisive po-
litical issue, pitting liberal Poles
against conservative supporters of
Kaczynski and his twin brother Ja-
roslaw Kaczynski, a former prime
minister who now heads the populist
ruling Law and Justice party.
Guilt
Jaroslaw Kaczynski has suggested
that Russian President Vladimir Pu-
tin and the Polish prime minister at
the time, Donald Tusk, now a top
European Union leader, bear guilt
for the tragedy.
Kaczynski and his allies have made
a range of allegations, at times suggest-
ing that there was an explosive device
on board that brought the plane down
or that Putin ordered the assassination
of the Polish leader, who was deeply
critical of Russia. Other suggestions
have included an unproven claim that
the Russians produced fake fog to dis-
orient the pilots.
They have also alleged that Tusk
failed to provide adequate security
for the presidential ight and that
he failed to properly investigate the
tragedy afterward or get back the
wreckage or ight recorders, which
in coming weeks. Markovic says protests
are legitimate. (AP)
Sargsyan party wins vote: Armenias
ruling party has won just under half of the
vote in the nations parliamentary elec-
tion, enough to claim a majority of seats,
authorities said Monday.
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
13
remain in Russia almost seven years
later.
Defense Minister Antoni Maciere-
wicz sent a note to military prosecutors
last month accusing Tusk of commit-
ting the crime of diplomatic treason,
alleging he worked with Putin to harm
Polands interests after the crash.
Tusk strongly denies those claims
and government critics believe Kac-
zynski and his nationalistic sup-
porters have encouraged conspiracy
theories to win political points with
voters skeptical of Russia and pro-
European liberals like Tusk.
Some critics said they consider
allegations against the Russians as
a sign that a commission headed by
Macierewicz that is investigating the
tragedy has not uncovered anything
new.
There were two major investiga-
tions into the crash separately car-
ried out by Poland and Russia.
The Polish investigation blamed
the disaster on a combination of fac-
tors, including bad weather and er-
rors made by a pilot who was not ad-
equately trained on the plane he was
ying, a Tupolev-154. That probe
also said Russian air trafc control-
lers gave incorrect and confusing
landing instructions to pilots but
it stopped short of alleging intention-
al wrongdoing.
A Russian investigation at the
time put all blame on the Polish side,
nding no fault with the Russian air
trafc controllers.
Sundays election was the rst since the
ex-Soviet nation modied its constitution
to expand the powers of parliament and the
prime minister.
The Republican Party of Armenia, led by
President Serzh Sargsyan, won 49 percent
of the vote, and the bloc led by businessman
Gagik Tsarukian trailed with 27 percent, the
Central Election Commission said on Monday
after all ballots were counted.
Two more parties cleared the 5-percent
barrier necessary to get seats in parliament.
The ofcial results are to be announced
later this week.
Critics see the constitutional amend-
ments as part of Sargsyans efforts to retain
control of the country after he steps down
in 2018 due to term limits. If his party
controls parliament, he could be appointed
prime minister after that. (AP)
Russia has launch attack ability:
Russia has developed the capability to launch
an attack on the Baltic states with as little as
24 hours notice, limiting NATOs options
to respond other than to have military forces
already deployed in the region, Lithuanias
intelligence service said on Monday.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, annexed by
the Soviet Union in the 1940s but now part of
both NATO and the European Union, have
been increasingly nervous since the Russian
takeover of Crimea in 2014.
The Lithuanian intelligence service said
in its annual threat assessment that Russia
had upgraded its military in the Kalinin-
grad region last year, reducing lead times
for any attack and potentially preventing
NATO reinforcements.
The Russian upgrade included Su-30
ghter aircraft and missile systems allow-
ing ships to be targeted almost anywhere in
the Baltic Sea. (RTRS)

INTERNATIONAL
World News Roundup
Mideast
Settlers getting fed up
As settlement growth
slows, some drift away
BEITAR ILLIT, West Bank, April 3, (RTRS): After
ve years, Batsheva Reback couldnt take living in
an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank any
longer.
Despite renting a house with a garden for far less
than it would cost in Israel itself, it didnt make sense.
Her new apartment in Israel may be small, but unlike
where she used to live it has a supermarket and a clinic
nearby, its a quicker commute to work and she feels
her children are safer.
Its easier to get things done, said the 26-year-old
kindergarten assistant, adding that the decision was
not based on expedience alone. I started feeling un-
comfortable living in a settlement. Personally, I dont
think building more and more settlements is going to
help bring peace.
To the world, the narrative
on settlements often reads
one way: more of them being
built, with more settlers mov-
ing in. But there are cracks in
the picture, and signs Rebacks
perspective is not uncommon
settlers are getting fed up.
Statistics show the popula-
tion continues to rise, having
now reached around 400,000
Arieli in the West Bank and 200,000
in East Jerusalem.
But behind the gures lies a different story. Al-
though the population may have risen by nearly
two-thirds in the past decade, the rate of increase has
slowed sharply, according to Israels Central Bureau
of Statistics.
A decade ago, for every 1,000 settlers already living
in occupied territory, 20 more arrived each year. Now
the expansion rate is just six per 1,000.
The settlement enterprise is waning and what is
left is being articially kept alive by the government
pouring money in, said Shaul Arieli, an analyst at
the Economic Cooperation Foundation, a think-tank
that advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-
Palestinian conict.
Successive
Since capturing the West Bank in the 1967 Middle
East war, successive Israeli governments have helped
establish more than 120 settlements, spending billions
of dollars to build tens of thousand of homes and the
infrastructure to support them: roads, electricity, gas,
water and communications.
There are scores more informal settler outposts,
some of which have also received government fund-
ing.
While Israels right-wing government headed by
Benjamin Natanyahu is in talks with the Trump ad-
ministration about limiting expansion, it has also
promised to build thousands more units this year to
accommodate what it calls natural growth families
having more children.
Yet while population growth in the settlements is
higher than the national average, its rate is also fall-
ing: In 1995, it stood at 10 percent. By 2015, it had
dropped to 4 percent.
Leaders of the settler movement acknowledge the
decline but say it does not reect falling popularity.
While the downturn is a concern, they say it stems
from government curbs on construction: people arent
moving to the settlements because there arent enough
homes to house them.
The pioneering settlement spirit, the desire to re-
turn to those places where the people of Israel have
always been, is just getting stronger, said Yigal Dil-
moni, deputy head of the Yesha Council, the settlers
main representative body.
That is what concerns the international community,
which views settlements on occupied land as a breach
of international law and an obstacle to peace between
Israelis and Palestinians, who seek a state in the West
Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.
Israel disputes the view that the settlements are ille-
gal, and argues that it has biblical and historical ties to
the land. Some right-wing members of the Israeli gov-
ernment want to annex up to 60 percent of the West
Bank and massively ramp up the settlement enterprise.
Palestinians see any expansion of settlements as
part of an Israeli project to deny them a state.
They are building settlements at a rate of construc-
tion that is politically motivated, Xavier Abu Eid,
spokesman for the Palestinian Authoritys Negotia-
tions Affairs Department. Settlements and the incen-
tives given to settlers are part of the Israeli govern-
ments agenda. The two-state solution is clearly not.
Settlement population growth is now largely driven
by a handful of settlements built for the ultra-Ortho-
dox community, whose families on average have six
children.
Over the past two decades, the two main ultra-or-
thodox settlements, Beitar Illit and Modiin Illit, have
grown from comprising about 10 percent of the West
Bank settler population to making up nearly a third
of it.
Cramped
Unlike many of the hardline, ideological settle-
ments deep in the West Bank, Beitar Illit and Modiin
Illit are adjacent to Israel and would probably be in-
corporated in any peace deal with the Palestinians.
Their cramped apartment blocs stand in stark con-
trast to the red-roofed, spacious houses with gardens
that identify most settlements built on West Bank
hilltops.
Ultra-Orthodox residents say they moved here be-
cause its cheap. The conict with the Palestinians and
settling the land are not on their minds. Any place that
enables their often poor and close-knit community to
live together is ne.
Politically Im not bothered. All those global con-
siderations are not something the average ultra-Ortho-
dox family can afford, said 37-year-old Motti Hizki-
yahu, standing outside a discount store in Modiin Illit.
While the rate of people moving to settlements and
the growth within them has tapered, there are also
signs of a generational shift in some of the most es-
tablished, ideological settlements that spearheaded the
movement in the 1970s.
Itzik Fleger, a real-estate agent in Beit-El settle-
ment, said the founding generation is beginning to get
older, their children have grown up and some have
moved away.
It took Ruchi Avital two years of deliberations until
she left the settlement of Ofra, her home of 30 years,
to be closer to her children, all of whom moved out of
the West Bank. She is a still an ardent supporter of the
settlement enterprise, but a desire to be closer to her
children overrode ideology.
Pictures of her former two-storey house and garden
are afxed to her refrigerator in her new Jerusalem
apartment, which she said is double the price and half
the size.
Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves at supporters during a rally in Ankara on April 2. Turkey is heading to a contentious on April 16 referendum on
constitutional reforms to expand Erdogans powers. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Net-
anyahu (right), stands with Israeli air
force commander, Major-General,
Amir Eshel, next to the Davids Sling
Air Defense System during a cer-
emony at the Hatzor Airbase, Israel
on April 2. Netanyahu warned Israels
enemies not to test the Jewish state at
a ceremony inaugurating the joint US
Israeli missile interceptor. (AP)
Bashi El-Sisi
Mideast
Israel blocking access to Gaza: An
international human rights group on Monday
accused Israel of barring foreign researchers
from entering the Gaza Strip to document
abuses, saying the restrictions call into ques-
tion Israels stated commitment to investigat-
ing possible rights violations.
In a 47-page report, Human Rights Watch
accused Israel of systematically preventing
its researchers from visiting Gaza since 2008,
only granting them one exceptional permit
last year. The group also said that Egypt has
prevented it and London-based Amnesty
International from entering Gaza from its
territory since 2012.
Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade
on Gaza, home to nearly 2 million people,
since the militant Hamas group took over
the territory in 2007. Israel and Hamas, an
Islamic group sworn to Israels destruction,
have fought three wars since then.
International rights groups have accused
both sides of committing war crimes, while
the International Criminal Court (ICC) is
conducting a preliminary investigation into
possible wrongdoing by both sides.
Israel has long accused Human Rights
Watch of being unfairly biased against it.
Last month, Israel refused to grant a work
permit to the New York groups regional
director, though it later allowed him to visit
the country as a tourist.
Human Rights Watch said the Israeli
restrictions cast doubt on the governments
claims that it is conducting its own investiga-
tions and there is no need for the ICC to get
involved. If Israel wants the ICC prosecutor
to take seriously its argument that its criminal
investigations are adequate, a good rst step
would be to allow human rights researchers
to bring relevant information to light, said
Sari Bashi, Israel and Palestine advocacy
director at Human Rights Watch. (AP)
Bill unconstitutional: Egypts judges
are up in arms over a draft law expanding the
presidents control of the judiciary, explain-
ing on Sunday that the bill would undermine
their independence and violate the principal
of separation of powers.
Speaking at a news conference, judges
labelled the bill as suspicious and uncon-
stitutional.
The bill, whose rst reading was rushed
through Parliament last week with uncus-
tomary speed, empowers the president to
ultimately pick the countrys top judges from
three nominees put forward by each of the
Turkey
Voters in EU should defy grandchildren of Nazism
Many Turks seeking asylum in Germany
BERLIN, April 3, (Agencies): At least
262 Turkish diplomats and army per-
sonnel have applied for asylum in Ger-
many since a failed July coup that Tur-
key blames on supporters of a US-based
cleric, a spokeswoman for the German
Interior Ministry said on Monday.
The number of Turkish citizens seek-
ing asylum in Germany rose dramatical-
ly after the failed coup and Turkey has
warned its NATO ally to reject applica-
tions from soldiers it suspects of having
links to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen.
Annegret Korff, a German Interior
Ministry spokeswoman, said 151 appli-
cants had diplomatic passports and 111
had no-fee passports, which are issued
by governments to military personnel
and other civil servants who are on of-
cial travel assignments.
She did not specify whether the 262
also included diplomats families, who
would also have diplomatic status.
Statistically
Those gures are not actually statis-
tically sound because they are based on
the voluntary statements of the asylum
applicants, Korff told a regular govern-
ment news conference, suggesting the
real number could be higher.
Tensions are running high between
the two NATO allies ahead of a referen-
dum in Turkey next month that propos-
es expanding the powers of President
Tayyip Erdogan. Germany infuriated
Turkey by cancelling several campaign
rallies by Turkish ministers on German
soil, drawing accusations from Turkey
of Nazi tactics.
The German government said in De-
cember that 5,166 Turkish citizens had
applied for asylum in the rst 11 months
of last year, compared with 1,767 appli-
cations received in the whole of 2015.
Some 80 percent of the applicants were
ethnic Kurds.
Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik
urged Germany in January to reject asy-
lum applications from 40 mostly high-
ranking former soldiers suspected by
Ankara of having links to the coup.
Following the July 15 coup, Turkey
has arrested more than 40,000 people
judiciarys councils and courts. Currently,
the most senior judges automatically get the
top jobs.
We fully respect and appreciate the
legislative branch and believe that it has
a discretionary authority ... however, this
discretionary authority doesnt mean in any
way the presence of an authoritarian power,
Samir al-Bahy, deputy head of Egypts State
Council, told the news conference. The State
Council is one of Egypts judicial authorities.
An Iranian woman smokes a water-pipe during the ancient festival of Sizdeh
Bedar, an annual public picnic day on the 13th day of the Iranian New Year, west
of Tehran, Iran on April 2. Sizdeh Bedar, which comes from the Farsi words for
thirteen and day out, is a legacy from Irans pre-Islamic past that hard-liners in
the Islamic Republic never managed to erase from calendars. (AP)
and sacked or suspended more than
100,000 in the military, civil service and
private sector.
Germanys Foreign Minister thanked
his Turkish counterpart Monday for
granting consular access to a German-
Turkish journalist detained since Janu-
ary, the rst positive development
between the two NATO partners after
weeks of acrimony.
The detention of Deniz Yucel on
charges of producing terrorist propagan-
da and incitement to hatred was one of
several issues that have caused friction
between Ankara and Berlin in recent
months.
Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel
said that he had pressed Germanys case
for diplomatic access to Yucel in one-
on-one talks with his Turkish counter-
part Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines
of a NATO meeting on Friday, and that
Cavusoglu came through, telling him
verbally on the weekend it would be
granted.
This morning Turkey also ofcially
conrmed that we will receive access to
Deniz Yucel tomorrow nally so that
we can determine for ourselves his well-
being after difcult days in custody,
Gabriel said in a statement.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er-
dogan has alleged the reporter for Die
Welt was a German spy and a repre-
sentative of the Kurdish PKK rebel
group all of which the newspaper
denies.
Germany has pressed repeatedly for
consular access to Yucel, something tions between the two countries.
Turkey was not obliged to provide
because the reporter is also a Turkish
citizen. In comments last week, Gabriel
slammed Turkey for preventing access,
saying one must almost assume that
Yucel is serving the Turkish leadership
as a political football in a dirty election
campaign.
Yucels case is just one of several
spats to arise between Ankara and Ber-
lin over the past year at a time when
Germany and the rest of the European
Union are looking to Turkey for its sup-
port in the ght against the Islamic State
Judges believe the draft law is tailored
to prevent specic judges from presid-
ing over top courts and may be linked to
a pair of high-prole rulings that annulled
an agreement to transfer two strategic Red
Sea islands to Saudi Arabia signed a year
ago. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his
government insist the islands are Saudi, but
the agreement sparked the largest anti-gov-
ernment street demonstrations since el-Sisi
took ofce in 2014, when thousands took to
injured were taken to Abu Yusuf Al-Najjar
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
14
and in helping slow and regulate the
ow of migrants into Europe.
Turkish ofcials attempts to rally
support among their citizens living in
Germany last month for a referendum
over whether to expand Erdogans pow-
er caused widespread irritation in Ger-
many, and several of their public events
were canceled. That caused Erdogan to
accuse German ofcials of acting like
Nazis which, in turn, prompted strong
condemnation of the Turkish presidents
words from Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Eligible
There are some 3 million people of
Turkish origin in Germany, almost half
of whom were eligible to vote in the ref-
erendum. There was further sniping be-
tween the two governments last week,
after German ofcials revealed that Tur-
keys foreign intelligence agency MIT
had provided them a list of suspected
supporters of a US-based cleric, who
Turkey claims was behind last years
failed coup.
Turkey asked Germany to put the
people under surveillance, but instead
Germany warned those on the list,
which reportedly included a member
of German Parliament, they were under
Turkish suspicion.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildi-
rim called the German move not ethi-
cal.
A German parliament resolution la-
beling the early-20th century killing of
Armenians in Turkey as genocide and
an offensive poem about Erdogan by a
German comic have also soured rela-
President Tayyip Erdogan on Mon-
day called on Turkish voters in Europe
to defy the grandchildren of Nazism
and back a referendum this month on
changing the constitution, comments
likely to cause further ire in Europe.
Erdogan has repeatedly lashed out at
European countries, including Germa-
ny, in campaigning for the referendum,
accusing them of Nazi-like tactics for
banning his ministers from speaking to
rallies of Turkish voters abroad.
the streets in April last year. Hundreds were
detained, but were mostly released later.
(AP)
German, Lebanese ties solid: The Ger-
man-Lebanese relations date back to 1953
when Germany appointed its rst envoy in
Lebanon. The Lebanon Government then
sent an ambassador to the European country.
Recognizing East Germany (German
Democratic Republic) in 1973, Lebanon also
appointed an envoy in East Berlin. After
the reunion of East and West Germany in
1990, the embassy was closed. In 2000, it
was moved to Bonn, formerly capital of the
once Federal Republic of Germany (West
Germany), then to the new capital of Berlin.
According to the Germany Foreign
Ministry, state visits by Lebanese ofcials to
Berlin over the past decade have contributed
a lot to promoting bilateral ties.
Former Lebanese president Michel Sulei-
man paid an ofcial visit to Berlin in 2008,
and former Prime Minister Fuad Seniora
visited Germany in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Premier Naguib Miqati visited the country in
2012. (KUNA)
3 Palestinians injured: Three Palestin-
ians have been wounded as a result of an ex-
plosion in a military site west of Rafah, south
of Gaza City, medical sources said Monday.
Spokesman for the Palestinian Ministry of
Health, Ashraf Al-Qadra, said that three Pal-
estinians were injured as a result of a blast in
Tal Al-Sultan area, west of Rafah city in the
southern Gaza Strip. Al-Qadra said that the
Hospital for treatment.(KUNA)

INTERNATIONAL
People on boats enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms along the Chidorigafuchi imperial moat in Tokyo, on April 3. (Inset) A couple on a boat enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms. (AP)
Philippines
More than 10 militants killed
Duterte warns rebels
ahead of peace talks
MANILA, Philippines, April 3, (Agencies): Philip-
pine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened Monday to
unleash new attack aircraft and the full power of the
state against communist rebels if a new round of peace
talks fails, and insisted they accept new conditions in-
cluding a halt to extortion and to territorial claims.
Government and rebel negotiators have own to the
Netherlands for a resumption of the talks, which col-
lapsed in February after Duterte angrily protested the
killings of government troops in renewed attacks by
the New Peoples Army rebels. The formal opening
ceremony of the Norwegian-brokered talks, which the
government announced would take place Sunday, was
delayed by a day.
Were facing the NPAs, were having talks in the
Netherlands, they have not
made any progress because I
have some conditions to impose
before we go back, Duterte
said in a speech at the presiden-
tial palace in Manila.
He accused the guerrillas of
undermining the talks and said
the 48-year conict one of
Asias longest-running rebel-
lions may continue if the re-
bels dont accept his conditions.
Duterte
Duterte told reporters Sunday
that he had asked his adviser on the talks, Jesus Dureza,
and chief government negotiator Silvestre Bello III to
stick to four new conditions he has laid down, including
the forging of a joint cease-re and an end to extortion
by the rebels and their claims to rural territories. All
military, police and civilians held by the rebels should
also be freed, he said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte told school
children on Monday he would not hesitate to kill to
protect them from the scourge of drugs and encouraged
them to enlist in the army to defend the country from
its enemies.
Speaking during a Boys Scouts ceremony at the
presidential palace, Duterte did not mince words, say-
ing he would kill dealers if you touch our children.
Duterte has repeatedly rebuffed international criti-
cism about his bloody war on drugs, during which more
than 8,000 people have been killed since he took power
on June 30 last year.
Police have taken responsibility for a third of those
deaths, citing self-defence during anti-narcotics opera-
tions.
Philippine soldiers killed more than 10 Islamic
State-linked Abu Sayyaf militants in an attempt to free
Vietnamese captives held on a remote southern island
as troops red howitzer shells on rebel positions, an
army general said on Monday.
The small but violent militant group, known for ex-
tortion, beheading and kidnap-for-ransom activities, is
holding more than two dozen captives on Jolo island. It
beheaded a German captive two months ago when no
ransom was paid for his release.
Major-General Carlito Galvez, military command-
er of western Mindanao, said 32 soldiers were also
wounded in Sundays assault on an Abu Sayyaf hideout
in Talipao town, where the militants were believed to
be holding six Vietnamese captives.
Philippine authorities said Monday that have arrested
three South Koreans wanted in their home country, in-
cluding a man who allegedly swindled his compatriots
of more than $5 million.
Interpol had issued red notices for the three and coor-
dinated their arrests with Philippine police and the im-
migration bureau, said the Philippines national police
chief, Ronald dela Rosa.
Among the three is 32-year-old Yong Ho Jeon, who
was arrested March 25 in his rented condominium in
metropolitan Manila after hiding in the Philippines for
two years, dela Rosa said. South Koreas Jeonju Dis-
trict Court has issued an arrest warrant for him on fraud
charges.
A reworks display is set off over the
Lotte World Tower ahead of the of-
cial opening of the tower in Seoul,
South Korea, on April 2. The Lotte
World Tower, with 123 oors over the
555-meter height skyscraper, is the
fth tallest building in the world and
will open on April 3. (AP)
Nagamine Jae-win
Asia
Japan envoy recalled: Japan said Mon-
day that it is sending back its ambassador
to South Korea despite an ongoing impasse
over a comfort woman statue, stressing
that it is not meant to be a compromise.
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida an-
nounced that Ambassador Yasumasa Nag-
amine will y back to Seoul on Tuesday,
along with the consul-general in the South
Korean city of Busan.
Kishida said Japan made the decision
because of the need to study and develop
ties with a new government succeeding
ousted South Korean President Park Geun-
hye amid North Koreas missile threat. He
said Japan regrets that South Korea has not
complied with what was supposed to be a
nal agreement to resolve their differences
over the comfort woman issue in late 2015,
and that the ambassador will be working to
make sure the new administration respects
the deal.
Before and during World War II, Japan
forced many Korean and other women in
Asia to work in brothels for the Japanese
military in what was known as the comfort
woman system.
The agreement is a promise that the
two countries made to international society.
We must sincerely implement it, Kishida
said. (AP)
South Korean liberal wins: South Ko-
rean human rights lawyer Moon Jae-win
won the liberal Democratic Party primary
vote on Monday, setting him on course to
become the next president and perhaps take
a softer line on North Korea.
Moon has been leading in opinion polls
ahead of the May 9 election to succeed
impeached Park Geun-hye, who was
dismissed last month over a corruption
scandal involving family-run conglomer-
ates, or chaebol.
If elected, Moon, 64, is expected to
soften South Koreas policy towards North
Korea, possibly delay deployment of a
US anti-missile defence system that has
enraged China and get tough on corporate
criminals, including chaebol bosses.
I will do everything I have to do to look
after the failing standard of peoples living,
revive the economy and resurrect national
North Korea
Going it alone not his Plan A
Can Trump solve N. Korea?
TOKYO, April 3, (AP): US President
Donald Trump is suggesting ahead of
his meeting later this week with Chi-
nese President Xi Jinping that he can
handle Washingtons North Korea
problem with or without Beijings help
totally.
Is the self-proclaimed master of the
deal doing what he does best talking
up his game?
Even Trump said going it alone is
not his Plan A. While declaring the US
is ready to deal with Pyongyang on its
own, Trump stressed in an interview
with the Financial Times that hed
rather much rather, actually have
Beijing on board. China, he noted, has
the most inuence over the North eco-
nomically and politically.
But can he sway Beijing into do-
ing more of what Washington wants?
The big meeting is set to take place at
Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in South
Florida on Thursday and Friday.
Heres a closer look at some of
the rhetoric being tossed around, by
Trump in the interview released Sun-
day, and by a top US ofcial:
Trump: China has great inuence
over North Korea. And China will ei-
ther decide to help us with North Ko-
rea, or they wont. And if they do that
will be very good for China, and if they
dont it wont be good for anyone.
The Context: China is without
doubt a lifeline for North Korea. It
accounts for about 90 percent of the
Norths trade and is a key supplier
of fuel and many of the other neces-
sities that keep the Norths economy
running. If Beijing were to aggres-
sively clamp down on all its trade with
Pyongyang, the North would certainly
feel the pain and possibly collapse.
The question, however, is what
Trump means by help.
security thats been riddled with holes,
Moon told an enthusiastic party crowd in
his acceptance speech.
In a major policy statement in March,
Moon said there was no choice but to
recognise Kim Jong Un as the leader of
reclusive North Korea and deal with him.
Protesters against Afghan President Ashraf Ghanis visit to Australia gather out-
side Government House where Ghani met with Governor-General Peter Cos-
grove, in Canberra on April 3. Hundreds of protesters demonstrated against his
visit, calling for his government to end discrimination against the Hazara ethnic
minority and to refuse to repatriate asylum seekers rejected by Australia. (AP)
Sanctions advocates in the US be-
lieve that with just the right amount
of pressure, the North can be coerced
into giving up its nuclear weapons.
But thats not a certainty. Too much
pressure could also lead to open con-
ict with a tremendously high cost in
casualties and deaths, wreaking havoc
on the Chinese, South Korean and
Japanese and by extension US
economies. A North Korean implo-
sion, meanwhile, could be even more
problematic, causing a massive refu-
gee crisis. As Beijing well knows, that
would impact China far more dramati-
cally than the faraway US.
Trump: According to the Financial
Times report, when pressed on wheth-
er the US really could resolve the
North Korean denuclearization prob-
lem without China, he said, Totally.
I dont have to say any more. To-
tally.
The Context: So there it is, the
tease.
If Trump does have a dramatic so-
lution to this problem, it will have to
be pretty clever. And the stakes are ex-
tremely high.
Pre-emptive
Back in 1994, President Bill Clin-
ton considered a pre-emptive strike to
take out the Norths nuclear weapons
building capability. That was ruled out
as too risky. He chose negotiations,
and those failed, too, after George W.
Bush took over.
Fast forward to today, and North
Korea has a nuclear arsenal. It may al-
ready be able to hit Japan and the tens
of thousands of US troops based there
with nuclear warheads. It could be just
a few years if that away from hav-
ing an intercontinental ballistic missile
(RTRS)
No reason to pull of China: South
Koreas Lotte Group will continue to invest
in its China business despite diplomatic
tensions over the deployment of a US mis-
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
15
capable of hitting the US mainland.
Whatever Trump has in mind, any
change in the status quo that comes
about without Chinas participation,
or Russias, is likely to antagonize the
Norths two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Trump may not need to tell a news-
paper what his plan is. But if hes got
one, leaders across Asia are all ears.
And P.S., from your UN ambas-
sador:
Trumps ambassador to the United
Nations, Nikki Haley, also had some
tough talk over the weekend but it
conicted with the presidents.
She said on ABCs This Week
that China needs to show us how
concerned they are ... They need to
put pressure on North Korea. The only
country that can stop North Korea is
China, and they know that.
The Context: If Haley is right and
China is the only country that can stop
North Korea, it stands to reason the US
cant resolve this issue alone. And no
one expects it to.
UN resolutions and unilateral sanc-
tions imposed on the North have so far
failed to deter Pyongyang from con-
ducting nuclear and missile tests. Last
year, the North conducted two nuclear
tests and two dozen tests of ballistic
missiles. During his swing through
Asia last month, Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson said the past 20 years of US
policy toward Pyongyang have been a
failure. In fact, that could be extended
all the way back to President Truman
and the Korean War, which thanks
to Chinas decision to back the North
ended not in a peace treaty in 1953
but in an armistice.
So what would the US actually do if
China doesnt cooperate?
China has to cooperate, Haley
said.
sile defence system, a Lotte executive said
on Monday, denying rumours it wants to
scale back there.
Chinese authorities closed dozens of
Lotte retail stores following inspections,
ramping up pressure on Koreas fth-larg-
est family-run conglomerate after it agreed
to provide land for the US Terminal High
Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile
system outside Seoul.
South Korea and its ally the United
States say the system is designed to thwart
nuclear-armed North Koreas missile
threat, but Beijing says its radar can also
reach far into China. Chinese state media
have called for a boycott of Lotte busi-
nesses in response to the THAAD deploy-
ment. (RTRS)
Attack in Thai south wounds 12:
Insurgents red hundreds of shots into a
police booth in restive Muslim-majority
southern Thailand on Monday, wounding
12 ofcers in what police called the biggest
such attack in years.
A decades-old separatist insurgency
in the provinces of Yala, Pattani and
Narathiwat has claimed more than 6,500
lives since it escalated in 2004, according
to independent monitoring group Deep
South Watch.
CCTV footage showed what appeared
to be about 30 insurgents surround a Yala
police booth and ring more than 500 shots
inside the building, Police Major General
Kritsada Kaewchandee, chief of Yala pro-
vincial police, said. This was the biggest
attack in the deep south in many years, he
told Reuters. (RTRS)

INTERNATIONAL
World News Roundup
Alianza PAIS ruling party presidential candidate Lenin Moreno waves an Ecuador flag as he celebrates winning Ecuadors presidency, at a victory rally in Quito, Ecuador on April 2.
Moreno was declared the winner of Ecuadors presidential runoff by the National Electoral Council saying he beat his rival, conservative banker Guillermo Lasso 51 percent to 49
percent. Lasso has yet to concede defeat and demanded a recount after three exit polls showed him winning. (AP)
Subcontinent
German tourist rape
Pakistan women ride
bikes to claim space
ISLAMABAD, April 3, (Agencies): Dozens of
women in Pakistan took part in female-only bike races
in major cities on Sunday, in an event organised to
challenge male dominance of public spaces in the
country.
Our strategy is simply to be visible in public
spaces, said Meher Bano of Girls at Dhabas, a femi-
nist group which organised the races after a woman
from Lahore was pushed off her bicycle by a group of
men last year for not responding to catcalls.
The bike race was one of many events organised in
the last few years by Girls at
Dhabas the name given to
roadside restaurants in Pakistan
to promote female partici-
pation in public events, fight
restrictions faced by women in
public places and increase
awareness.
I drive on these roads all
the time but this was maybe
the first time I got to experi-
ence them while biking, said
Baloch Humay Waseem, one of the
riders on the 5-km race around
Pakistans leafy capital Islamabad.
Members of Girls at Dhabas say they are a new
generation of Pakistani feminists determined to build
on progress made by their predecessors.
Last September, an upcoming Pakistani fashion
brand, called Do Your Own Thing, removed an adver-
tising campaign on social media featuring a female
flash mob after the women appearing in it faced
online harassment.
In July, Qandeel Baloch, a social media celebrity
known for her risque online posts was killed by her
brother for bringing dishonour to the family. She became
a feminist icon after her murder shocked the nation.
4 Afghan intel agents killed: Afghan officials
confirm that at least four provincial intelligence ser-
vice agents have been killed in an attack by Taleban
insurgents in eastern Ghazni province.
Two provincial officials from eastern Paktika prov-
ince confirmed on Monday that the deputy provincial
director for Paktika, Abdul Wahib Khan, as well as
his driver and two other people were killed in the
ambush on Sunday.
The attack took place when their convoy was trav-
elling from Ghazni toward Paktika province. Both
officials spoke on condition of anonymity, because
they were not authorized to talk about intelligence-
related issues.
it still gives embattled leftist President
German tourist raped: Indian police say they are
searching for two men suspected of raping a German
tourist in the beach town of Mamallapuram in south-
ern India.
The German woman told police that she went for a
walk and dozed off in a deserted part of the beach
when she was raped Sunday.
The woman was part of a group of German tourists
visiting the town, which is famous for its many Hindu
temples.
Teams of police were searching nearby areas in
Tamil Nadu state. Police said Monday that no arrests
had been made so far.
The incident highlights persistent violence against
women in India despite tougher laws against sexual
assault imposed after the 2012 death of a young
woman who was gang-raped on a bus in New Delhi.
Pakistan interrogating suspects: Pakistani
police say an anti-terrorism court has given police
three days to finish the interrogation of four men sus-
pected in the killing of 20 devotees at a shrine in
eastern Punjab province.
The custodian of a local shrine and his accomplices
are said to have killed the 20 after intoxicating them
amid a dispute over custodianship of the shrine.
Police officer Shamsher Joya says the four appeared
before the court on Monday where Judge Zahid Iqbal
extended their custody pending the investigation.
Firefighters and rescuers cover with a
blanket the body of a woman in
Mocoa, Colombia on April 2.
Colombias President Juan Manuel
Santos, who has declared Mocoa a
disaster area, said that at least 254
were killed but that the death toll was
changing every moment. Authorities
said another 200 people, many of
them children, were injured and just
as many were unaccounted for amid
the destruction. (AP)
Lat/Am
Rescuers dig for victims: Families
and rescuers searched desperately on
Sunday through mud-plastered rubble for
victims of flooding and landslides in
Colombia that have killed 254 people,
injured hundreds and devastated entire
neighborhoods.
Several rivers burst their banks near the
southwestern city of Mocoa in the early
hours of Saturday, sending water, mud and
debris crashing down streets and into hous-
es as people slept.
Volunteers and firefighters tended to 82
bodies downstream in the town of
Villagarzon and said many corpses were
still caught in debris.
We had to recover them ourselves. We
think well find more, Villagarzon Mayor
Jhon Ever Calderon told Reuters. He said
the town had no coffins or sanitary storage.
Many families in Mocoa stayed up
through the night to search through the
debris, despite the lack of electricity in the
city.
I need to know where they are, if they
are injured or where to find them, sobbed
Maria Lilia Tisoy, 37, looking through the
rubble for her two daughters, one pregnant,
and a 4-year-old granddaughter. (RTRS)
Maduro wins power over oil: The
Venezuelan Supreme Court may have
amended part of its explosive decision to
take over the opposition-led congress, but
Nicolas Maduro broad new powers over
the OPEC nations vast oil wealth.
The reversal on Saturday came after
political leaders worldwide and street pro-
testors at home accused the pro-govern-
ment court of effectively making Maduro a
dictator.
While the court backed off its
Wednesday decision to fully take over the
legislative branch, it left in place sweeping
new authority for Maduro to cut oil deals
on behalf of PDVSA, the state-run oil
company, without congressional approval.
Maduros cash-strapped government
now has the autonomy to sell stakes in
Venezuelas oil fields, which contain the
worlds largest reserves, or launch new
joint ventures with foreign firms.
The court action sets the stage for a pro-
tracted legal and political fracas that could
spook foreign investors and further under-
mine the nations efforts to stabilize
PDVSA, said opposition lawmakers and
industry experts. The state-run firm is
already reeling from lower oil prices, a
cash-flow crisis and chronic operational
problems that have crippled its ability to
serve customers worldwide. (RTRS)
End re-election proposal:
Protesters were collecting signatures on
Sunday demanding the withdrawal of a
Ecuador
Relief for WikiLeaks Assange
Moreno wins vote
QUITO, Ecuador, April 3, (AP):
Leftist candidate Lenin Moreno
appeared to have won Ecuadors
presidential election but his opposi-
tion rival refused to recognize the
results, calling on his supporters to
take to the streets to guard against
fraud.
Sundays second-round runoff in
the Andean nation of 16 million was
being watched closely as a barometer
of whether the left, which had domi-
nated South American politics for the
past 15 years, could stop a string of
right-wing victories across the
region.
With more than 97 percent of vot-
ing acts counted, Moreno garnered
51 percent of the vote while conser-
vative banker Guillermo Lasso stood
at just under 49 percent. A difference
of about 224,000 votes separated the
two candidates with a smaller num-
ber of ballots still left to count.
Lasso said he would challenge the
results in all of Ecuadors 24 prov-
inces after three exit polls showed
him winning. He also questioned
why results that took three days to
calculate following the first round of
voting in February were announced
so quickly in Sundays runoff.
This is very sickening. Were not
going to allow it, Lasso told sup-
porters, adding that he had shared his
concerns with the head of the
Organization of American States in a
phone conversation.
Accused
He accused President Rafael Correa
of trying to install an illegitimate
government and called on his support-
ers to protest peacefully but firmly.
Thousands of outraged Lasso sup-
porters shouting fraud crashed
through metal barricades to almost
reach the entrance of the electoral
councils headquarters in Quito. By
midnight a few hundred protesters
remained.
In Guayaquil, where Lasso is
from, supporters shouted Get out
Correa! and threw sticks at riot
police in formation before being
pushed back with tear gas. There
were reports of small scuffles and
clashes in other cities.
Correa accused Lasso supporters
of trying to disavow the results and
provoke violence, while the head of
the electoral council, a favorite
punching bag of the opposition,
appealed for calm.
Ecuador deserves that its political
actors show ethical responsibility in
recognizing the democratic will
proposed amendment that would allow
Paraguays president to stand for re-elec-
tion while his allies vowed to move for-
ward with the measure despite Fridays
violent clashes.
Maduro Cartes
expressed by the people at the voting
booths, National Electoral President
Juan Pablo Pozo said while announc-
ing results.
So far the only evidence of possi-
ble fraud presented by Lassos cam-
paign are the results in one tiny pro-
vincial voting center that it said were
reversed when they were reported to
electoral authorities in Quito. There
was no immediate comment from the
OAS, which sent a mission of elec-
toral observers.
Moreno, meanwhile, said he would
start work immediately on his transi-
tion. With Correa standing behind
him, the two joined supporters in sing-
ing leftist classics in an outdoor rally.
Election
Outside the region, the election
was being closely watched by sup-
porters of WikiLeaks founder Julian
Assange, who has been living under
asylum at Ecuadors embassy in
London since 2012. Before the elec-
tion, Lasso had said he would evict
the Australian activist, who is wanted
for extradition by Sweden, within 30
days of taking office. Moreno said he
would allow him to stay.
On his Twitter account shortly
after the results became known,
Assange took a jab at Lassos pledge.
I cordially invite Lasso to leave
Ecuador within 30 days (with or
without his tax haven millions), he
wrote.
Three exit polls had shown Lasso
winning, including one that accurate-
ly predicted the first-round results
and gave him a six-percentage point
victory. A quick count of voting acts
by a respected local watchdog found
there was a technical tie with a differ-
ence of less than 0.6 percentage
points separating the two candidates.
The group refrained from saying
which candidate had the advantage.
Correa said the exit polls had lied.
The moral fraud of the right-wing
wont go unpunished, he wrote on
Twitter.
For weeks Ecuadoreans polarized
by 10 years of Correas iron-fisted rule
had been bracing for a contested vote
With Ecuadors economy slated to
shrink by 2.7 percent this year as oil
prices remain low, analysts had been
anticipating that Lasso would rally
support from the 60 percent of voters
who backed anti-Correa candidates
in the first round and join the grow-
ing list of Latin American nations
Argentina, Brazil, Peru and
Venezuela shifting to the right in
recent elections.
The capital has been relatively calm
since rioters stormed and set fire to
Congress, though anger simmers over the
death of a protester who was killed when
police fired shots at the headquarters of the
countrys second-largest political party.
Paraguays constitution, introduced in
1992 after 35 years of dictatorship, strictly
limits presidents to a single five-year term.
Fridays secret vote in the Senate on a con-
stitutional amendment that would allow
President Horacio Cartes to run for re-
election sparked riots.
The most important thing is to with-
draw the amendment ... if this is not done,
we are sitting on a time bomb that could
blow up at any moment, said Asuncion
Mayor Mario Ferreiro, a member of an
opposition party. (RTRS)
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
16
Africa
S. Sudan frees 6
Pirates kidnap
Indian sailors
DUBAI, UAE, April 3, (Agencies):
Pirates have seized a small boat
and kidnapped its 11 Indian crew
members off the coast of Somalia,
an investigator said Monday, the
latest vessel targeted by the
regions resurgent hijackers.
The attack on the small ship
happened Saturday as the vessel
passed through
the narrow
c h a n n e l
b e t w e e n
Y e m e n s
Socotra island
and the Somali
coast, said
Graeme Gibbon
Brooks, the
CEO of the
maritime firm
Dryad Mariti- McConnaughey
me. The pirates
are taking the vessel to the Eyl
area of northern Somalia, he said.
The small dhow, a traditional
wooden ship common in regional
waters, initially was heading from
Dubai to Bosaso, Somalia, he said.
Lt Ian McConnaughey, a
spokesman for the US Navys 5th
Fleet in Bahrain, said sailors there
are aware of the reports and we
are monitoring the situation. The
5th Fleet oversees regional anti-
piracy efforts.
Piracy off Somalias coast was
once a serious threat to the global
shipping industry. It has lessened
in recent years after an interna-
tional effort to patrol near the
country, whose weak central gov-
ernment has been trying to assert
itself after a quarter-century of
conflict. Since then, concerns
about piracy off Africas coast
have largely shifted to the West
Africas Gulf of Guinea on the
Atlantic Ocean.
But frustrations have been rising
among Somali fishermen, includ-
ing former pirates, at what they say
are foreign fishermen illegally
fishing in local waters.
No confidence motion: South
Africas Speaker of parliament
said she is considering an emer-
gency motion of no confidence
against President Jacob Zuma after
he fired the countrys widely
respected finance minister last
week.
Baleka Mbete said Sunday that
she cut short an overseas trip to
deal with the serious parliamen-
tary issues that have arisen since
Zuma reshuffled his Cabinet last
week.
Mbete, speaking to
Johannesburg at Johannesburg air-
port upon her arrival from
Bangladesh, said her office
received a letter from the main
opposition party, the Democratic
Alliance, requesting that the
national assembly, which is in
recess until May 10, resume earlier
to vote on the motion.
South Sudan releases 6: An
international aid organization says
South Sudans military has
released six of its workers who had
been arrested in January and
accused of smuggling arms.
Doctors Without Borders told
The Associated Press Monday that
the aid workers were arrested Jan 4
in the Yei area on suspicion of
transferring weapons to the oppo-
sition, charges denied by the
Switzerland-based organization.
However, South Sudans
Information Minister Michael
Makuei insisted on Monday that
the charges are valid. He added
that the released workers left Yei
without permission.
Armed gang steal cash cargo:
South Africa police are hunting for
a gang of armed robbers who blew
up an armored cash-in-transit truck
in busy traffic in Johannesburg,
escaping with an undisclosed
amount of money.
Police spokesman Lungelo
Dlamini said Sunday that police
recovered the two vehicles used in
the heist and are hunting for the
suspects but no arrests have been
made.
The robbers, travelling in a
BMW and a Mercedes-Benz, shot
out the tires of the armored truck
shortly before noon on Saturday as
it was traveling toward
Johannesburgs international air-
port, according to police.
3 suicide bombers die:
Nigerian police confirm that three
suicide bombers blew themselves
up attempting to get into the north-
eastern city of Maiduguri.
Police spokesman Victor Isuku
said that on Sunday morning two
men detonated explosive vests
when security agents challenged
them near an entry to Maiduguri,
the northeastern city that has sus-
tained several attacks. He said the
bombers killed only themselves.
Isuku said a lone bomber at a
different location also blew him-
self up, injuring a civilian.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

INTERNATIONAL 18

World News Roundup

In this photo taken on March 29, 2017, a man walks out from a ladybird shaped public toilet in Beijing, China. Launched two years ago, a toilet revolution campaign calls for at least 34,000 new public bathrooms to be con-
structed in Beijing and 23,000 renovated by the end of this year. (AP)

Using technology, China ramps up its toilet revolution

Fed up with the theft of toilet paper from
public bathrooms, tourist authorities in Chi-
nas capital have begun using facial recog-
nition technology to limit how much paper
a person can take.
The unusual move part of a toilet
revolution is another step in Chinas
vast upgrading of public facilities.
Bathrooms at tourist sites, notorious for
their primitive conditions and nasty odors,
are a special focus of the campaign, a re-
sponse to a vast expansion in domestic
travel and demands for better-quality facili-
ties from a more afuent public.
Today in China, people are highly en-
thusiastic about tourism, and we have
entered a new era of public tourism, said
Zhan Dongmei, a researcher with the Chi-
na Tourism Academy. The expectation of
the public for the toilet is becoming higher.
At Beijings 600-year-old Temple of
Heaven, administrators recognized the
need to stock the public bathrooms with
toilet paper, a requirement for obtaining a
top rating from the National Tourism Au-
thority. But they needed a means of pre-
venting patrons from stripping them bare
for personal use hence the introduction
of new technology that dispenses just one
60-centimeter (2-foot) section of paper ev-
ery nine minutes following a face scan.
People take away the paper mostly be-
cause they are worried they cant nd any
when they want to use it the next time. But
if we can provide it in every toilet, most peo-
ple will not do it anymore, Zhan said.
Launched two years ago, the revolution
calls for at least 34,000 new public bath-
rooms to be constructed in Beijing and
23,000 renovated by the end of this year.
Authorities are also encouraging the instal-
lation of Western-style sit-down commodes
rather than the more common squat toilets.
Around 25 billion yuan ($3.6 billion) has al-
ready been spent on the program, accord-
ing to the National Tourism Administration.
The ultimate target, Zhan said, is to
have a sufcient amount of toilets which
are clean and odorless and free to use.
(AP)

Electricity Technology

Billion trapped in poverty Cyborgs at work

Energy access grows,
gaps need plugging
LONDON, April 3, (RTRS): Access to energy is neces-
sary to meet peoples basic needs: to grow, distribute and
cook food, to light homes, and to power machines and
technologies.
It is also a key requirement for agriculture, commerce
and industry and the provision of public services, such as
education or health.
But more than one billion peo-
ple, or one in seven, still lacked
access to electricity in 2014 and
many more suffer from poor sup-
ply, which keeps them trapped in
poverty, experts say.
This week, governments, busi-
ness, development agencies and
others will meet in New York
to work out how to reach three
international goals by 2030: uni-
versal access to modern energy
Kyte
services, doubling the rate of im-
provement in energy efciency, and doubling the share of
renewables in the global energy mix.
Here are some facts about access to energy, based on
2014 gures when comprehensive data was last compiled
: Three Siberian tiger cubs destined for a zoo
More than 95 percent of those living without electric-
ity are in sub-Saharan Africa and developing countries in
Asia, predominantly in rural areas.
Africa, excluding North Africa, has the largest per-
centage of people living without electricity at 37 percent
overall and just 17 percent in rural areas.
South Sudan is the country with the lowest access
rate in the world at ve percent, followed by Burundi at
seven, Chad at eight and Liberia at nine percent.
Urban areas across the world have close to univer-
sal access at 96 percent although challenges remain in the
rapidly growing cities of Africa and in the Asia-Pacic
region.
Progress in electrifying urban areas has outpaced that
in rural areas where electrication rates have reached 73
percent.
Even regions with almost universal access to electric-
ity, such as Latin America and the Caribbean, have coun-
tries that lag behind: in Haiti only 38 percent of people
have access electricity.
Meanwhile, just over 1 billion people, or around one in
seven, still have no access to electricity, a gure that has
barely improved in two years, while the number cooking
with health-harming fuels rose slightly to just over 3 bil-
lion, a report said on Monday.
Data showed progress in providing clean, modern en-
ergy to the poor was losing the race against population
growth, especially in rural areas, the World Bank and the
International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a tracking re-
port.
If we are to make access to clean, affordable and reli-
able energy a reality, were going to have to drive the rate
of progress up, and that is going to require political leader-
ship, said Rachel Kyte, CEO of Sustainable Energy for
All, an initiative of the UN Secretary-General.
Reaching those targets is fundamental to achieving oth-
er global goals to end poverty and boost healthcare and ed-
ucation, as well as keeping global temperature rise below
limits set in the Paris climate change accord, Kyte said.
Every day we delay, or every day we dont deliver, it
becomes more painful and expensive, and we risk losing
people and leaving people behind, she told journalists by
telephone. The three organisations behind the report said
some countries even among the poorest are making
rapid progress.
For example, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Uganda and
Zambia increased electrication by two to three percent-
age points per year, while Rwanda topped that and Af-
ghanistan and Cambodia made use of off-grid solar energy
to expand access even faster.
Self-described body hacker Jowan
Osterlund from Biohax Sweden, holds
a small microchip implant, similar to
those implanted into workers at the
Epicenter digital innovation business
centre during a party at the co-work-
ing space in central Stockholm on
March 14, 2017. (AP)
Trump Mier
Discovery
3 tiger cubs rescued in Lebanon:
in war-torn Syria were rescued by a Leba-
nese animal rights group after being trapped
in an unmarked, maggot-infested crate in
Beiruts airport for almost a week.
The tigers, which were being transported
from Ukraine, arrived at the Beirut airport
on March 7, inside a ventilated 0.3-cubic-
meter (10.6-cubic feet) crate, where they
could not stand or move and were forced to
urinate and defecate on each other, accord-
ing to Animals Lebanon.
The animal rights group, which had been
alerted to the shipment ultimately bound
for Samer al-Husainawi Zoo in Damascus
before it landed in Beirut, petitioned a Leba-
nese judge to release the tigers into their
care the following week, Executive Director
Jason Mier said.
The judge responded by issuing an order
demanding the tigers be released, citing
concerns for their health and welfare, the
group said.
Once we nally got them out of the box,
the box had dozens and dozens of maggots
crawling around in it. There were maggots
all over the back thighs of the animals and
around their anus, Mier said. The tigers
also suffered from dehydration, according to
the group. (AP)
Backlog could fuel budget cuts:
Visitation to national parks, monuments
and other sites managed by the National
Park Service increased in 2016, but the
parks popularity has led to $11.9 billion in
deferred maintenance needs.
Last year, 330 million people visited NPS
sites nationwide 7 percent more visitors
than in 2015, The Arizona Daily Sun (http://
bit.ly/2oNAT4n ) reported last week.
But conservation groups worry that the
park maintenance backlog $371 million
at Grand Canyon National Park alone
could be used as an argument to increase
privatization of national parks and as a
reason to defund other Interior Department
programs.
President Donald Trumps latest budget
proposal includes a 12 percent cut to the De-
partment of the Interior, which manages the
parks. The spending plan justies eliminat-
ing $120 million used to fund federal lands
acquisition by saying the money will instead
Employees get microchip implants
STOCKHOLM, April 3, (AP): The sy-
ringe slides in between the thumb and
index nger. Then, with a click, a mi-
crochip is injected in the employees
hand. Another cyborg is created.
What could pass for a dystopian vi-
sion of the workplace is almost routine
at the Swedish startup hub Epicenter.
The company offers to implant its
workers and startup members with mi-
crochips the size of grains of rice that
function as swipe cards: to open doors,
operate printers, or buy smoothies with
a wave of the hand.
The injections have become so pop-
ular that workers at Epicenter hold par-
ties for those willing to get implanted.
The biggest benet I think is con-
venience, said Patrick Mesterton,
co-founder and CEO of Epicenter. As
a demonstration, he unlocks a door by
merely waving near it. It basically re-
places a lot of things you have, other
communication devices, whether it be
credit cards or keys.
The technology in itself is not new.
Such chips are used as virtual collar
plates for pets. Companies use them
to track deliveries. Its just never been
used to tag employees on a broad scale
before. Epicenter and a handful of oth-
er companies are the rst to make chip
implants broadly available.
And as with most new technologies,
it raises security and privacy issues.
While biologically safe, the data gen-
erated by the chips can show how often
an employee comes to work or what
they buy. Unlike company swipe cards
or smartphones, which can generate
the same data, a person cannot easily
separate themselves from the chip.
Of course, putting things into your
body is quite a big step to do and it was
go toward investing in, and maintaining,
existing national parks, refuges and public
lands. (AP)
In this March 29, 2017 photo, Siberian tigers destined for a zoo in war-torn Syria,
and rescued by Animals Lebanon, an animal rights group, eat inside a cage in
Aley, east of Beirut, Lebanon. (AP)
even for me at rst, said Mesterton,
remembering how he initially had had
doubts.
But then on the other hand, I mean,
people have been implanting things
into their body, like pacemakers and
stuff to control your heart, he said.
Thats a way, way more serious thing
than having a small chip that can actu-
ally communicate with devices.
Epicenter, which is home to more
than 100 companies and some 2,000
workers, began implanting workers in
January 2015. Now, about 150 work-
ers have them. A company based in
Belgium also offers its employees such
implants, and there are isolated cases
around the world where tech enthusi-
asts have tried this out in recent years.
Devices
The small implants use Near Field
Communication (NFC) technology,
the same as in contactless credit cards
or mobile payments. When activated
by a reader a few centimeters (inches)
away, a small amount of data ows
between the two devices via electro-
magnetic waves. The implants are
passive, meaning they contain infor-
mation that other devices can read, but
cannot read information themselves.
Ben Libberton, a microbiologist at
Stockholms Karolinska Institute, says
hackers could conceivably gain huge
swathes of information from embed-
ded microchips. The ethical dilemmas
will become bigger the more sophisti-
cated the microchips become.
The data that you could possibly
get from a chip that is embedded in
your body is a lot different from the
data that you can get from a smart-
phone, he says. Conceptually you
Cook Inlet oil leak stopped: The ow
of oil from an underwater pipeline leak
discovered in Alaskas Cook Inlet over the
weekend has been stopped, although its not
could get data about your health, you
could get data about your whereabouts,
how often youre working, how long
youre working, if youre taking toilet
breaks and things like that.
Libberton said that if such data is
collected, the big question remains of
what happens to it, who uses it, and for
what purpose.
So far, Epicenters group of cyborgs
doesnt seem too concerned.
People ask me; Are you chipped?
and I say; Yes, why not, said Fredric
Kaijser, the 47-year-old chief experience
ofcer at Epicenter. And they all get ex-
cited about privacy issues and what that
means and so forth. And for me its just a
matter of I like to try new things and just
see it as more of an enabler and what that
would bring into the future.
The implants have become so
popular that Epicenter workers stage
monthly events where attendees have
the option of being chipped for free.
That means visits from self-de-
scribed body hacker Jowan Oster-
lund from Biohax Sweden who per-
forms the operation.
He injects the implants using pre-
loaded syringes into the eshy area
of the hand, just next to the thumb. The
process lasts a few seconds, and more
often than not there are no screams
and barely a drop of blood. The next
step for electronics is to move into the
body, he says.
Sandra Haglof, 25, who works for
Eventomatic, an events company that
works with Epicenter, has had three
piercings before, and her left hand
barely shakes as Osterlund injects the
small chip.
I want to be part of the future, she
laughs.
yet known how much crude poured into the
water posing a threat to wildlife.
The leak was discovered Saturday com-
ing from an 8-inch-wide pipeline that was
carrying more than 19,000 gallons of crude
oil, according to the Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation. Workers on
a Hilcorp Alaska offshore platform noticed
an oil sheen and bubbling from underwater.
(AP)
Losses may be less than feared:
Economic damage from a Colorado mine
waste spill caused by the US Environmental
Protection Agency may be far less than
originally feared after attorneys drastically
reduced some of the larger claims, The As-
sociated Press has learned.
Farmers, business owners, residents and
others initially said they suffered a stag-
gering $1.2 billion in lost income, property
damage and personal injuries from the
2015 spill at the Gold King Mine, which
tainted rivers in Colorado, New Mexico
and Utah.
But the total now appears to be about
$420 million. A single law rm that origi-
nally led claims totaling $900 million for
a handful of New Mexico property owners
told the AP it had lowered their claims to
$120 million. (AP)
 Annabelle reveals origin of Conjurings cursed doll

Mummy shows more of Boutellas creepy villain

LOS ANGELES, April 3, (RTRS): Dont mess with an angry mummy.
Universal dropped the terrifying new trailer for its latest take on
The Mummy on Sunday, which shows Soa Boutellas evil mum-
my, Ahmanet, on a quest to swallow the earth. But dont worry she
wont if Tom Cruise has anything to say about it.
Cruises Nick Morton unearths Ahmanet from her crypt, and, as seen
in the rst trailer, dies in a plane crash while trying to transport the
mummy. However, hes resurrected himself, and is joined by Anna-
belle Wallis Jenny Halsey and Jake Johnsons Sgt Vail on his quest to
stop Ahmanet from destroying the world.
She will not stop until she makes our world her own, says Russell
Crowes Dr Jekyll of Ahmanet in the new footage.
The trailer debuted earlier this week at CinemaCon in Las Vegas,
where stars revealed to theater owners that Cruise did 64 takes in zero
gravity for the plane crash sequence.
Film
rst created the toy that would become a demonic conduit, along with
her husband. After tragically losing their own child, the couple takes
in a nun and a group of girls, who can be seen being terrorized by the
evil spirit in the trailer.
The contact started small, but then it wanted permission to move
into a doll so that it could be with us forever, explains Miranda Otto
in the footage.
The previous lm, directed by John R. Leonetti, followed a cou-
ple that was plagued by Annabelle after welcoming the doll into their
home. Lights Out helmer David F. Sandberg takes over directing
duties for Annabelle: Creation.
Produce
The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2 director James Wan re-
turns to produce Annabelle: Creation, reteaming with Sandberg after
colorful bounce house, families had fun with carnival games and free
food for a few hours before being treated to a show when many of the
lms stars, including Demi Lovato, Joe Manganiello, and Danny
Pudi, made their arrivals.
Culver City, celebrating its centennial this year, did not hold back in
celebrating its rst world premiere in the citys hundred-year history.
Mayor Jim Clarke, proudly wearing a white smurfs hat, even ofcially
declared one of the streets in the fair to be renamed Smurfs Lane for the
day. The stars of the lm, who all arrived on the top deck of a sightsee-
ing tour bus, walked the carpet and talked about their enthusiasm for
both the lms premiere and the unique nature of the festival being held
in the lms honor.
Pudi, who plays Brainy Smurf in the lm, talked about his excite-
ment in sharing the movie with his children. Its something that I can
share with my kids right now. Theyre ve years old, this is the rst

We jump off buildings ... and Tom really does it all, said Johnson.
My character dies. I almost died.
Alex Kurtzman directed The Mummy from a script by Jon Spaihts.
Kurtzman also produced with Chris Morgan and Sean Daniel. Court-
ney B. Vance also stars.
The Mummy will hit theaters on June 9.
The haunting new trailer for Annabelle: Creation, released on
Sunday, gives an origin story to the titular cursed doll.
Creation, which is a prequel to 2014s Annabelle itself a pre-
quel to the 2013 hit The Conjuring takes us to the dollmaker who
working with him as a producer on Lights Out. The cast includes
Talitha Bateman, Stephanie Sigman, Philippa Anne Coulthard,
Lulu Wilson, Lou Lou Safran, Grace Fulton, Tayler Buck, Samara
Lee, and Anthony LaPaglia.
Although none of the stars of Smurfs: The Lost Village wore the
signature white Smurf hat when they walked the carpet for the lms
world premiere, it seemed like almost everyone else in the crowd did.
For a few hours on Saturday morning, the area in front of the Arc-
Light Culver City was transformed into a colorful Smurfs-themed
street fair in honor of Sonys animated feature. Under the shadow of a
premiere Im taking them to being together as a family. It feels really
cool to share that, said Pudi. And the fact that I get to be Brainy
Smurf and identiable makes it real easy to point and say, Im that
one. Im the blue one without a shirt with glasses.
The lm, unlike previous Smurfs movies, is fully animated, and
many of the actors expressed their enthusiasm with the creative free-
dom that the medium affords. Jack McBrayer, who plays Clumsy
Smurf, talked about the change and what it meant for the lm. With
animation you can do anything, and the story that this one has followed
is pretty spectacular, McBrayer said. It has some great messages for
kids and parents, and its a beautiful movie.

Variety
Features

Hosts Luke Bryan (left), and Dierks Bentley present a performance by Florida Georgia Line and Backstreet Boys at the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the T-Mobile Arena on April 2,
in Las Vegas. (AP)

ACM Awards

Lambert wins album of year, female vocalist of year

NEW YORK: The taskmaster
toddler of The Boss Baby
dethroned Disneys Beauty and
the Beast at the box ofce with
Backstreet Boys bring nostalgia
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

a $49 million debut, handing its

star Alec Baldwin what President
Donald Trump might call a
huge no. 1 opening.
Paramount Pictures suffered
another op with its controversy-
plagued Ghost in the Shell.
The DreamWorks Animation
release from 20th Century Fox,
starring Baldwin as a suit-clad
baby, narrowly edged out the previ-
ous two-week leader, according to
studio estimates Sunday. The live-
action Beauty and the Beast took
in $48 million in its third weekend.
Final North American ticket sales
were to be released Monday.
We expected a decent opening.
We didnt expect to be number
one, said Chris Aronson, Fox
distribution chief.
Despite the popularity of
Beauty and the Beast (nearly
$400 million domestically in 17
days, and $876.3 million globally),
Boss Baby was able to attract its
own family audience. (AP)
LOS ANGELES: Beauty and the
Beast is waltzing toward the $1
billion mark.
The Disney romance has earned
$876.3 million globally after
three weeks of release. It added
another $66.5 million to that haul
last weekend, topping the foreign
box ofce in the process. The lm
added a number of territories,
including The Netherlands, Ma-
laysia, New Zealand, and Chile,
and is now screening in 55 Territo-
ries. Japan is the last major market
where Beauty and the Beast has
yet to screen it opens in the
country on April 21.
Beauty and the Beasts suc-
cess continues Disneys hot streak.
The studio made $7 billion glob-
ally last year, with four of its lms
crossing $1 billion. Next month
brings a sequel to Guardians of
the Galaxy, with followups to
Cars, Thor, and Star Wars enhanced human, was Asian in the
all slated to open this year.
After bombing domestically,
Paramounts Ghost in the Shell
By Mesfin Fekadu
W hile Justin Timberlake had a show-stopping
moment alongside Chris Stapleton at the
2015 Country Music Association Awards, it was
the Backstreet Boys who shined brightly at the 2017
Academy of Country Music Awards.
The boy band had the nights liveliest moment Sun-
day in Las Vegas: the vesome brought the party vibe
to life while singing their classic Everybody (Back-
street Back) along with duo Florida Georgia Line.
Carrie Underwood and Nicole Kidman were just a
few of the audience members at the T-Mobile Arena
who felt the nostalgia, sang along and danced excit-
edly.
The performance hit a new height when Brian
Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of FGL joined the Back-
street Boys during their memorable dance routine,
earning louder cheers from the crowd.
Before that moment, FGL sang their duet with
the boy band, , Your Mama and Me. It was the
duos third performance at three-hour show, which
aired live on CBS.
Though they won two awards, FGL lost the top
prize entertainer of the year to Jason Aldean,
who also won the honor last year.
Man, one of the Eagles just gave me an award,
he said, looking to Joe Walsh. I am so thankful.
You guys dont know how much I love getting up
and doing what I do every day.
FGL, Aldean and Walsh were part of the six sepa-
rate performances that kicked off the high-energy
ACM Awards.
Walsh and co-hosts Luke Bryan and Dierks Bent-
ley performed Johnny B. Goode in tribute to
Chuck Berry, who died last month.
did better overseas, pulling in
$40.1 million abroad from 50 for-
eign territories. The science-ction
adventure has been dogged by
charges of whitewashing after
Scarlett Johansson landed the
lead role. Her character, a cyber-
Japanese manga that inspired the
lm. DreamWorks Pictures and
Reliance Entertainment backed the Baldwin
For the man that inuenced every form of music, Academy Awards.
including country, Bryan said. This is odd. David? asked Entertainment To-
Keith Urban, who had success with his genre-
bending, Grammy-nominated album Ripcord, was
night host Nancy ODell, who had the winners
card in her hand.
the top nominee with seven, though he walked away Emma Stone, La La Land, magician David
empty-handed. Coppereld announced.
But he shined onstage when he sang the soulful Rhett also won male vocalist of the year, beating
Blue Aint Your Color with a throwback, black- out Urban, Aldean, Bentley and Chris Stapleton. In his
and-white vibe, while the back of the stage was seat, he shook his head after his name was announced.
smoky and bright blue. As he switched to the upbeat,
I dont have a whole lot of words except for: Eve-
disco-avored The Fighter where he was joined ryone in this category are my idols, said Rhett, who
by Underwood the camera focused on his actress- was teary-eyed and paused throughout his speech.
wife, who sang and danced along. This is the most amazing award that Ive ever re-
ceived in my whole existence.
Hit
Rhett also sang his new collaboration with Maren
Miranda Lambert also had a top-notch perfor- Morris, who won new female vocalist of the year.
mance: She earned a standing ovation after she sang
Sam Hunt performed his No. 1 hit, Body Like
the slow, acoustic-sounding Tin Man as the crowd a Back Road, and he went into the audience to sit
watched along seriously while she hit all the right
next to his anc to sing the song. Other performers
notes and strummed her guitar. included Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Kelsea Bal-
She won album of the year for her double disc,
lerini as well as Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, who
The Weight of These Wings, and female vocalist sang a new duet.
of the year, besting Reba McEntires record for most
The music video for Forever Country, the medley
wins in the category. celebrating the Country Music Association Awards
I am really so thrilled that I can still lead the
50th anniversary featuring Willie Nelson, Dolly Par-
charge for women in this business, on any level of
this business, singer-songwriters, anybody behind- ton and others, won video of the year. Brothers Os-
borne were double winners, while Jon Pardi and song-
the-scenes, managers, whatever it is, Lambert said
backstage, winning her eighth consecutive female writer Lori McKenna also picked up trophies.
vocalist trophy. I am just so thrilled that I can keep Little Big Town won vocal group of the year, beat-
pushing forward and making way for other women ing out Lady Antebellum.
to do the same thing. I just wanna be in Lady Antebellums band, Lit-
Thomas Rhett was a multiple winner too. Before tle Big Towns Kimberly Schlapman yelled.
he took home song of the year for Die a Happy Me too, screamed fellow member Karen Fair-
child.
Man, the presenters earned laughs from the audi-
ence for mocking the infamous mishap at the recent Continued on Page 21
lm along with Paramount. It cost box ofce, in a quiet weekend million. They both nished with
a hefty $110 million to bring to ahead of a public holiday. $22.6 million for the three days.
the screen. Set in the near future, Suspect X, a Chinese adapta- For Kong the weekend score
Johansson plays an agent on the tion of a Japanese detective novel represented a 67% drop from its
trail of terrorist hackers. (RTRS) that has been popular in China, powerful opening last week. But it
opened on top on Friday. It made also propelled its 10-day cumula-
$6.71 million from some 72,000 tive score to $123 million. That
LOS ANGELES: New release, screenings, according to data from is good news for Wanda, owner
The Devotion of Suspect X and Ent Group. But on Saturday and of Kong producer Legendary
holdover Kong: Skull Island Sunday, Kong headed the chart Entertainment and for investor
Trump were neck and neck at the Chinese with $6.99 million and $10.8 Tencent. (RTRS)

NEWS/FEATURES
People & Places
Obits
Roland founder
Digital music pioneer
Ikutaro Kakehashi dies
TOKYO, April 3, (AP): Ikutaro Kakehashi, the
Japanese engineer who pioneered digital music and
founded synthesizer giant Roland Corp, has died, his
company ATV Corp said Monday. He was 87.
Kakehashi, reputed to have devoted his life to the
pursuit of live entertainment, had a denitive impact
on shaping the sound of electronic, hip hop and dance
music.
He founded Roland in 1972, and the companys
rst product was the rhythm machine. Since then, Ro-
land instruments have graced the stage of top artists
from Lady Gaga to Omar Hakim.
Kakehashi received a Grammy in 2013 for devel-
oping MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface,
which digitally connects instruments.
Upon receiving the Gram-
my, Kakehashi noted how
quickly the years had passed
since the debut of the MIDI
protocol in 1983.
It is my great pleasure that
MIDI played a signicant role
in their prevalence, he said at
that time on the Roland web-
site. This years Technical
Grammy Award is the result of
the cooperation by the compa-
nies who worked towards the
Kakehashi same dream growth of elec-
tronic musical instruments.
ATV, a company Kakehashi founded in 2013, after
he left Roland, declined to give details about his death,
citing the familys wishes for privacy. Japanese media
reports said Kakehashi died on Saturday.
Music literally would not be what it is today with-
out Mr Kakehashi, said Steven Fisher, now at Yama-
ha and a former employee at Roland, who worked
with Kakehashi on electronic percussion and drum
products.
Kakehashi taught him not to plan for something per-
fect, instead advising him to take action, follow your
passion and respect your competition, Fisher said on
his Facebook page Saturday, mourning his death.
Kakehashi always stressed that the advent of elec-
tronic music was not at odds with acoustic instru-
ments, or that it was trying to undermine the rich
legacy of music.
Great
But amplication held great potential, including the
possibility to create various speakers as well as pre-
sent music to far larger audiences, like the hundreds
at concert halls, not the previous dozens in old-style
chamber settings, he said.
One Roland product he liked to show off was a gui-
tar that was a collaboration with Fender, which could
not only play Stratocaster riffs but also the sounds of
an acoustic guitar, sitar and 12-string acoustic guitar,
as well as instantly drop octaves and distort notes.
The options have widened, Kakehashi said of
electronic music at a Roland seminar in 2012. I be-
lieve the ways of musical expression have expanded.
Chicago blues musician Lonnie Brooks, whose re-
lationship with his adopted hometown was cemented
by his hit recording of Robert Johnsons Sweet
Home Chicago, died at age 83, his son Ronnie Bak-
er Brooks said Sunday.
A prolic musician known for his intense guitar so-
los and raspy but strong voice, Brooks died on Satur-
day night, his son said.
Brooks came to the blues by a circuitous route.
Born Lee Baker Jr in Louisiana, he was focused on
guitar when he was noticed and invited to Chicago by
soul singer Sam Cooke more than 50 years ago. He
stayed and changed his name to Lonnie Brooks.
He recorded a number of albums for Chicago-based
Alligator Records Living Chicago Blues series
including classics such as Bayou Lightning, Hot
Shot, and Lone Star Shootout. He appeared in Dan
Aykroyds lm Blues Brothers 2000.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune in 1992,
Brooks said the blues did not come naturally to him
at rst.
Then one night, I saw Magic Sam (Maghett) in a
little blues club on the South Side. He went on stage
right after hed gotten into a big ght with his girl-
friend, and it was like he was taking it out on his gui-
tar. I seen how it came from the heart, so I went home
to the basement, and got into that mood that Magic
Sam had been in, and the blues came to me, Brooks
said.
He toured for many years with his son Wayne and
Ronnie, who are both guitar players.
He was a great family man and a great musician
and did a hell of a job with both, Ronnie Baker
Brooks said.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called him a blues
legend with a towering talent and soulful style that
won him legions of fans across the country and around
the world.
Darcus Howe, one of the most prominent black ac-
tivists of his generation in Britain, has died. He was
74, and had been suffering from prostate cancer.
Howe was a leader of the UKs little-chronicled
black power movement, which battled institutional
racism and challenged the prevailing view that racism
wasnt a problem in modern-day Britain.
Genuine
He was a genuine radical, Howes biographer,
Robin Bunce of Cambridge University, said. He was
at the center for bringing racial justice to the UK.
Howe rose to prominence in 1970 when he mas-
terminded a campaign to stop the Metropolitan Police
from closing down the Mangrove Restaurant in Not-
ting Hill, a hub of black culture. Police had raided the
restaurant a dozen times, triggering a backlash that
climaxed in a pitched battle between police and 250
protesters.
Howe and eight others the so-called Mangrove
Nine were charged with riot, affray and assault. But
the trial, and Howes ultimate acquittal, brought pub-
lic attention to the issue.
A decade later, he organized a march to protest
what activists saw as the failure of police to fully in-
vestigate allegations that a racially motivated arson
attack caused the New Cross Fire, in which 13 young
black people died.
Born in Trinidad, Howe came to Britain in 1961
with the intention of studying law. Instead, he became
a writer. At the advice of his uncle, the Caribbean
intellectual C.L.R. James, Howe in 1968 attended a
congress of black writers in Montreal, where he met
members of the US-based Black Panther Party.
He recalled his early days in London in a 2013 col-
umn for the Guardian newspaper.
In this Jan 29, 1989 le photo, Clinto Eastwood poses with Doris Day at the 46th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP)
In this Jan 11, 2013 photo, Ikutaro
Kakehashi speaks during a press con-
ference after he received a Grammy,
for developing MIDI, or Musical Instru-
mental Digital Interface technology,
which digitally connects instruments,
in Hamamatsu, central Japan. (AP)
Cena Bella
Variety
LOS ANGELES: Paramount Pictures has
named longtime Disney executive Dan
Cohen the new president of worldwide
television licensing, Variety has learned.
In his new role, Cohen will oversee the
global licensing and distribution of all
Paramount lms, television series and other
content across multiple platforms including
mobile, pay television, broadcast, cable and
SVOD as well as emerging digital arenas.
He will lead the television licensing teams
in setting strategy and guiding the teams
in their negotiations across the global
marketplace and nding strategic distribu-
tion opportunities. In this new role, he will
report to Andrew Gumpert, Paramounts
chief operating ofcer.
Im thrilled to bring aboard a seasoned
executive like Dan, who was the force
behind some of the most important pay-tv
licensing deals in our industry, Gumpert
said. He has a proven track record of
growing the business while discovering
the ideal distribution platforms for content.
I look forward to working with him to
maximize our revenue opportunities for
Paramounts lms, series and catalogs.
Cohen previously spent 20 years at Dis-
ney/ABC where he most recently served as
executive vice president of pay television
and digital sales for home entertainment
and television distribution for The Walt
Disney Studios, where he distributed
catalog and properties including Disney,
Pixar, Marvel, Lucaslm, ABC and Disney
Channel to businesses around the globe.
(RTRS)
ORLANDO, Florida: Wrestlers John
Cena and Nikki Bella nished off their op-
ponents at WrestleMania and then decided
to take on what could be their biggest chal-
lenge yet: Marriage.
Cena got down on one knee after the pair
defeated The Miz and Marse in a tag team
match Sunday at WrestleMania 33. A tweet
from WWE showed Cena proposing with a
diamond ring.
He said he had been waiting so long to
Celebs
Bday surprise for ageless Day
LOS ANGELES, April 3, (AP): To
Doris Days many admirers, the pert
and fresh-faced charmer who starred
in Pillow Talk and Move Over Dar-
ling is ageless.
But Day turns 95 on Monday
which is a birthday surprise to even
the star herself, who has long pegged
her age to a 1924 birthdate that would
make her 93. Media outlets have vari-
ously reported her as between 93 and
95.
A copy of Days birth certicate,
obtained by The Associated Press from
Ohios Ofce of Vital Statistics, settles
the issue: Doris Mary Kappelhoff, her
pre-fame name, was born on April 3,
1922, making her 95. Her parents were
Alma and William Kappelhoff of Cin-
cinnati.
Ive always said that age is just a
number and I have never paid much
attention to birthdays, but its great to
nally know how old I really am! Day
said in a statement Sunday.
Shes in excellent company with
other vibrant Hollywood standouts
lucky enough to reach that milestone
year, including Betty White, a close
friend, and Carl Reiner.
There has long been speculation
and rumors about Doris age and we
get this question a lot, looks like we
nally have the answer, said Days
spokesman, Charley Cullen Walters.
The story I have heard the most is
that at one point Doris was up for a
role when quite young and her age may
have been miswritten on the audition
form. We dont know if thats correct,
but if so it couldve simply stuck for all
these years.
He said Day and White had long
joked about White being two years
older.
Now we know that they are actu-
ally just a couple months apart, and
turns out its an even bigger exciting
landmark than we thought, Walters
said. White was born in January 1922.
ask her to marry him.
She said yes. (AP)
NEW YORK: Facebook and Mozilla are
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right), and his wife Sophie Gregoire
Trudeau appear on stage at the Juno Awards show on April 2, in Ottawa. (AP)
Shes actually 95
On previous birthdays, Day has said
she doesnt care about her age but rath-
er using the occasion to highlight her
favorite cause: animals.
A longtime supporter of animal wel-
fare, Day founded the nonprot Doris
Day Animal Foundation in 1978 to
provide grants to projects that rescue,
care for and protect animals. Among
the wide-ranging recipients: a group
that helps seniors and others with pet
care needs; one that provides trained
service dogs for veterans and others;
Iowa Parrot Rescue, and Mist Acres,
a Minnesota horse sanctuary.
Mission
Day, who lives in Carmel, Califor-
nia, has effectively parlayed her fame
for her mission. This year, shes seek-
ing to bring younger people on board
with a social media campaign that asks
people to post a photo or video of their
pet with the hashtag #DorisBirthday-
Wish and the tag @ddaf_org for her
foundation. The best of the submis-
sions will be combined into a digital
birthday card for her.
Famous friends and admirers are
among those saluting Day online.
Country music star Reba McEntire
tweeted that she was donating to the
foundation and invited her Twitter fol-
lowers to do the same.
Day, who started out as a big band
singer, made her lm debut in 1948
with Romance On the High Seas
before starring in a string of smash-
hit 1950s and 60s rom-coms. She
remained a pop star as well, with hits
including Whatever Will Be Will Be
(Que Sera) and Secret Love.
Pillow Talk earned her an Acad-
emy Award nomination, and she won
critical acclaim for dramatic turns in
Midnight Lace and Love Me or
Leave Me. But Oscar gold, including
the lifetime achievement award that
her career justies, hasnt come to her.
Yet Day, who once dismissed her
among the companies and organizations
launching a $14 million fund to promote
news literacy and increase trust in journal-
ism.
The nonprot, called the News Integ-
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
20
goody two shoes image as so bor-
ing, isnt necessarily predictable:
Walters said she has been offered the
honorary award several times and po-
litely declined. She always concludes,
he said, in a classic Doris tone
Never say never!
Also:
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York: A con-
cert venue owned by recording star
Daryl Hall is suing a New York town,
saying that measures taken to reduce
the occupancy of the site would force
the business to close.
The Poughkeepsie Journal reports
the dispute comes amid negotiations
to build an outdoor stage at Daryls
House, a venue owned by the Hall and
Oates musician.
A lawsuit led in March seeks to
prevent the town of Pawling from
lowering the venues maximum occu-
pancy from 318 standees to 198.
The lawsuit comes in response to
notice given in early March that says
the venues headcount was over capac-
ity.
Live From Daryls House is a mu-
sic program that lms at the Hudson
Valley venue. Performers last year in-
cluded Kenny Loggins, Wyclef Jean,
Cheap Trick and Elle King.
LOS ANGELES: Michael Jacksons
son, Prince, is showing off a tattoo
tribute to the late King of Pop.
Prince Jackson posted a video of
the new ink on Instagram on Friday. It
shows Michael Jackson in a signature
black-and-red outt striking a dance
pose. His up-raised arms are laced with
angel wings. Prince Jackson calls the
tattoo incredible and beautiful. He
says it took nine hours to complete.
He and younger sister Paris also re-
vealed a set of companion tattoos last
month, with each sporting one half of
the yin and yang symbol on their legs.
rity Initiative, will be based at the City
University of New York. It will run as an
independent project of the CUNY Graduate
School of Journalism.
Others contributing to the fund include
Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and the
Ford Foundation.
Recent polls show the publics trust in
the news industry at a low.
False news and misinformation, often
masquerading as trustworthy news and
spreading on social media, has gained a lot
of attention since the 2016 US presidential
election. Companies like Facebook are try-
ing to address the issue. (AP)
LOS ANGELES: Chinas theatrical box
ofce showed no sign of recovery in the
rst quarter of the year. A weak March fol-
lowed an up and down rst two months.
Box ofce revenue for March was
RMB3.37 billion ($88 million) according
to data from Ent Group. That was a 9%
lower than March 2016 when the reported
total was $539 million (RMB3.72 billion.)
Admissions were 101 million compared
with 109 million in the equivalent month
last year.
(Data had shown January gaining on last
year, and February declining. But with the
Chinese New Year holidays having shifted
from February last year into January this
time, such month-by-month comparisons
were distorted.) (RTRS)
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

NEWS/FEATURES 21

Brian Kelley (third from left), and Tyler Hubbard (third from right), of Florida Georgia Line and (from left), AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson, of Backstreet Boys, perform at the 52nd
annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the T-Mobile Arena on April 2 in Las Vegas. (AP)

Jason Aldean, winner of the award for Carrie Underwood (left), and Keith Urban perform The Fighter. (AP) Faith Hill (left), and Tim McGraw perform Speak To a Girl. (AP) Brian Kelley (left), and Tyler Hubbard,
Entertainer of the Year, poses in the of Florida Georgia Line, pose in the
press room. (AP) press room with their awards. (AP)

Cole Swindell performs Flatliner. Luke Bryan (from left), Joe Walsh and Dierks Bentley perform John- Hillary Scott (from left), Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood, of Lady Kelsea Ballerini performs Yeah Boy.
(AP) ny B. Goode. (AP) Antebellum perform. (AP) (AP)

T.J. Osborne (left), and John Osborne, of Brothers Jon Pardi poses in the press room with the award. Thomas Rhett poses in the press room with his Miranda Lambert accepts the award for Female Vo-
Osborne, pose in the press room with their awards. (AP) awards. (AP) calist of the Year. (AP)
(AP)

Top nominee Urban walks away empty-handed

Jason Aldean wins entertainer of the year

Raelynn arrives at the 52nd annual
Academy of Country Music Awards.
(AP)
Continued from Page 19
The Academy of Country Music Awards
will unite Democrats and Republicans, ac-
cording to Luke Bryan, the shows host and a
part-time comedian.
The country star, hosting Sundays show
for the fth straight year, joked as usual
about his duties at the country music party held
annually in Las Vegas and airing live on CBS.
Democrats and Republicans are going to get
along on Sunday night. Theyre all going to watch
the ACMs together and stuffs going to start hap-
pening in this country. Its going to change, Bry-
an said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Cats and dogs are going to make out.
Coming to an election near you. Is politics
your next career? chimed in fellow country
singer Dierks Bentley, who will co-host with
Bryan. Yes, Bryan replied.
Their playful demeanor and carefree at-
titude will be a main focus Sunday night as
country musics A-list players celebrate their
success in the genre.
Florida Georgia Line may have lost enter-
tainer of the year to Jason Aldean, but the
country duo owned the Academy of Country
Music Awards, thanks to some help from the
Backstreet Boys.
The boy band brought the audience to its
feet at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on
Sunday night, singing their anthemic classic
Everybody (Backstreets Back), and get-
ting fans such as Carrie Underwood, Nicole
Kidman, Tim McGraw and others out of their
seats to sing and dance along.
Winners
Entertainer of the year: Jason Aldean.
Album of the year: The Weight of These
Wings, Miranda Lambert.
Single record of the year: H.O.L.Y.,
Florida Georgia Line.
Song of the year: Die a Happy Man,
Thomas Rhett.
Male vocalist of the year: Thomas Rhett.
Female vocalist of the year: Miranda
Lambert.
Vocal duo of the year: Brothers Osborne.
Vocal group of the year: Little Big Town.
Video of the year: Forever Country,
Artists of Then, Now & Forever.
Vocal event of the year: May We All,
Florida Georgia Line and Tim McGraw.
New female vocalist of the year: Maren
Morris.
New male vocalist of the year: Jon Pardi.
New vocal duo or group of the year:
Brothers Osborne. Nicole Kidman (left), and Keith Urban
Songwriter of the year: Lori McKenna. arrive at the 52nd annual Academy of
(AP) Country Music Awards. (AP)
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

22

Cantores Maiores Choir human live voice

Dar Al Athar to present Springtime Music

KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Dar Al
Athar Al Islamiyya will hold Organ
and Choir Concert Springtime Music
by Cantores Maiores on Wednesday,
April 5 at 07:00 pm at the Al-
Yarmouk Cultural Centre Yarmouk,
Block 3, Street 3. The concert is being
held as part of the 22nd Cultural
Season. Entrance is free.
The project Springtime Music by
Cantores Maiores Choir is a contin-
uation of a 8-year conductors activity
of Dr Valentina Maria Baginska in
Kuwait. The purpose of it is to present
the beauty and emotional richness of
worldwide famous and favorite songs
from movies and musicals.
Cantores Maiores Choir is very
young, lled with talented people
coming from different cultural back-
grounds and many countries: Egypt,
India, Philippines and Poland. They
were brought together by their com-
mon love to singing and to music.
Dr Valentina Maria Baginska
consecutively fullls her artistic
visions, perfecting vocal abilities of
the singers, combining the members
of Cantores Maiores into a single,
perfect and most beautiful musical
instrument human live voice.
The predecessor of Cantores
Maiores was The Embassy Vo-
cal Ensemble The Polish Singers
which came to existence thanks to its
founder and director, Maestro Valenti-
na Maria Baginska in May 2010. The
purpose of The Polish Singers was
to popularize Polish music in Kuwait.
The rst project ,Polonia Restituta
(Poland Reborn) was concluded
with a concert on the 8th of Novem-
ber 2010 to the occasion of Polish
Independence Day. The repertoire
consisted of historical and patriotic
songs, as well as instrumental music
and presentation of Polish rich history
by the narrator.
The second project, Music Semper
Viva (Music Always Alive) had its
purpose to bring Polish folk tradition,
show the richest and varsity of Pol-
ish folk songs from all over Poland.
Similarly, the Polish dances (polonez,
mazur, krakowiak, oberek, kujawiak).
The project concluded with a per-
formance on the Dec 14, 2011 to the
occasion of the Polish Presidency in Dr Valentina Maria Baginska, music director and conductor
the Council of the European Union.
Project
The third project , Music from
Mazurkas Land consisted of tra-
ditional, army and popular songs, as
well as instrumental dance music. The
concert took place on Dec 5, 2012.
The fourth project , Musica Lin-
gua Mundi (Music is the Language
of the World) on Dec 8, 2013 was of
international nature in 12 languages.
Music is a universal language, felt and
understood without the need of trans-
lating the text. Every human being is
able to feel the atmosphere created
by the music, as well as the emotion.
Music is a medium of expressing hu-
man emotion. Music, choral singing
is a bridge, connecting people all over
the world.
The fth project, The Art of
Canons on April 29, 2015 presented
a richness of European polyphonic
music starting from 13th century and
requested more advanced skill in
choral singing.
The sixth project The Sound of
Music on 6th April 2016 was ful-
lled by the songs composed by Oscar
Hammerstein II (lyric) and Richard
Rodgers (music).
Dr Valentina Maria Baginska is an
artist with international achievements
as a conductor, concert organist,
pianist, music professor, juror, lec-
turer and impresario. She graduated
with rst class honors degree at the
Frederic Chopin University of Music
in Warsaw, the Music Academies
in Gdansk (PhD in organ perform-
ing) and in Riga. She perfected her Cantores Maiores Choir
virtuoso skills in prestigious European
music centers.
She was assistant professor and
associate conductor at the Frederic GSC regularly holds seminars with experts in various fields of study
Chopin University of Music and su-
pervisor in the National Philharmonic
in Warsaw, conducted many choirs
and orchestras. Some of her students
are currently famous Polish vocalists,
opera singers and conductors.
GUST holds workshop on Technical Communication
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Gulf Uni- University of Navarra, Professor al political, economic, social, cultural,
Prestigious versity for Science and Technology Lloyd Davis, University of Otago, and environmental issues of critical
Maestro Baginska performed in (GUST) today announced a workshop and Dr Michael Bourk, GUST. importance, as well as share research
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, by their Global Studies Center (GSC), Throughout the workshop, they output and information regionally
Denmark, Estonia, Germany, France, led by Professor Bienvenido Leon of shared results of an international and globally. It seeks to foster public
Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the University of Navarra, Professor research project on online science understanding of global issues and
Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and Lloyd Davis of the University of Ota- communication, involving 15 schol-
go, and Dr Michael Bourk of GUST, ars from ve different countries and support the policy-making processes
Ukraine during prestigious interna-
tional music festivals. entitled Technical Communication nine different universities. of concerned states.
She recorded CDs with organ for Non-Technical People: Opportuni- Their ndings were highlighted to Previous events hosted by the GSC
music, made interviews and perfor- ties and Challenges Communicating help attendees improve their science include a discussion to commemorate
mances in Radio and TV. Science in Digital Environments, communication messages with non- the 25th anniversary of the liberation
She cooperated with different gov- which took place on the university technical audiences and communities. of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation,
ernmental and social organizations, campus this week. The focus of the Attendees were given better tools sponsored by the US Embassy in Ku-
corpus diplomatic; she made music event was to help faculty and staff and advice to enable them to become wait, a lecture by Dr Peter Sluglett, an
therapy projects with disabled people. learn how to communicate scientic better communicators of scientic expert on Middle Eastern history and
Dr Baginska introduced the organ and technical knowledge more effec- and technical knowledge, which can Director of the Middle East Institute
into Kuwaiti music life. Since 2006 in tively to students or colleagues. be used with their students, or during at NUS, entitled: An Improvement
Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah, she regu- Assistant Professor in the Mass research seminars with a non-special-
larly performs organ recitals, chamber on Colonialism? The A Mandates
Communication & Media (MCM) De- ized audience.
concerts and lectures with versatile partment at GUST, Dr Michael Bourk, The GSC regularly holds seminars and their Legacy in the Middle East,
Dr Michael Bourk of GUST. and another by Dr Daniel Brumberg,
repertoire ranging from Renaissance to said, Academics sometimes struggle with experts in various elds of study.
Modern periods. These include organ, to communicate their research in the and fake news proliferation, we need environments. The center was founded in 2015 in the Kuwait Program Visiting Profes-
symphonic and piano music arranged everyday language of most people. to ensure the ability to communicate The workshop was interactive, partnership with the National Univer- sor at the Paris School of International
by her for organ. She also performed This workshop aims to address this objective truths and rational science taking on a panel discussion style sity of Singapore, and aims to conduct Affairs, on US-Arab Relations in a
Arabic music arranged for organ. issue. In an era of pseudo-science effectively, particularly in online with Professor Bienvenido Leon, cutting-edge research on cross-nation- Time of Crisis.
Maestro Baginska is called a
woman-orchestra since she presents
a modern digital organ Viscount-Pres- Music School in Cracow. In 2001- co-founder and vice-chairman of Carl 1. Somewhere, my love Lyric Lyric by O. Hammerstein II, music by 10. Fly me to the moon Lyric
tige 100 in St Augustine Warsaw and 2006 she graduated with Master Loewes Association in Szczecin, by P.F. Webster, music by M. Jarre; R. Rodgers; from South Pacic and music by B. Howard; from In
the same model of organ in Kuwait. Degree (diploma with distinction) at Poland, organizer of the ofce and Laras Theme from Doctor Zhivago 6. Mona Lisa Lyric and music Other World
She is the initiator and animator for the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz internal and international activities of 2. My Cherie Amour Lyric and by Y. Livingston and R. Evans; from Cantores Maiores Choir com-
organ music in Kuwait, one from the Piano Department and in 2005-2008 the Society. music by S. Wonder, S. Moy, H. the Paramount Picture Captain prises of Annabelle Valencia, Arlene
founders and a former member of Acting-Vocal Department. Since autumn 2009 she is a piano Cosby Carey Bacani, Jasmine Bitoin, Jocelyn Cello,
DAI Music Circle Committee. For her In 2006-2008 she worked as ac- teacher in private music school Ku- 3. Strangers in the night Lyric 7. Speak softly, love Lyric by Leila Menezes, Marlene Guliban,
untiring efforts to popularize Polish companist at the Academy of Music wait Music Academy in Kuwait. She by Ch. Singleton and E. Snyder, L. Kusik, music by N. Rota; from the Michelle Menezes, Mylene Mosquito,
music abroad, many connoisseurs (Acting-Vocal Department) and as a participated as singer and pianist in music by B. Kaempfert; from A man Paramount Picture The Godfather Nancy Eshak, Olivia Lobo, Pamela
described her as a music ambassador piano teacher & accompanist at Music several music projects leading by Dr could get killed 8. Oh, what a beautiful morning Viegas, Rachael Rodrigues, Rosie
for Poland. Schools. In 2008-2009 she worked Valentina Baginska in Dar Al-Athar 4. Where or when Lyric by L. Lyric by O. Hammerstein II, music by Ferrao, Shaila Lobo, Shanece-Ann
Kinga Masternak is a Polish pianist at Private Music School Pogodno Al-Islamiyyah. Hart, music by R. Rodgers; from R. Rodgers; from Oklahoma DMello, Sybil Fernandes. Albert
and singer. In 2001 she graduated Muzyczne in Szczecin. Choir Concert Springtime Mu- Babies in arms 9. Always Lyric and music by Edulan, Bernie Minucan, Gaspar Bap-
with distinction F. Chopin High In 2009 Kinga Masternak was sic to feature following songs: 5. Younger than springtime I. Berlin tista, Hywel Pinto, Trevor Furtado.

WFK presents insightful poetry, prose at monthly meeting
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: What Boris Paster-
nak said about Literature, could not have been
truer than what the evenings of Writers Forum
bring to the fore. He had said: Literature is the
art of discovering something extraordinary
about ordinary people, and saying with ordi-
nary words something extraordinary.
At the monthly meeting of the Writers
Forum, Kuwait (WFK) held at the residence
of its President Umesh Sharma on March
31, some very insightful and beautiful words
in poetry and prose, were presented by its
members.
The beauty not only lay in the content which
had depth and provoked the listeners to think,
but it also lay in the linguistic variety thereof.
Original Short Story, Essays, Articles and
Poetry were narrated and recited in English,
Hindi, Urdu, Oriya, Sanskrit, and Gujrati.
The Forum is unique in the sense that it
unequivocally cherishes each and every Indian
language and encourages the amateurs and the
stalwarts to share space and thoughts on the
same platform. While the seniors such as Dr
Arvind Raina, Umesh Sharma and Maimuna
Billava Sangha family picnic 2017 a huge success
By Suresh S. Rao Neramballi
Billava Sangha Kuwait members feel
blessed to have successfully organized the
Family Picnic 2017 at the Fintas Gardens
on March 24, 2017, a day when Kuwait had
thunderstorms from the early morning. But
the day was spared by the rain god and the
rain spell followed only after the members
returned home after an eventful day in the
picnic.
BSK applauds its Sports Committee and
the ground marking team who patiently
Ali Chougle have their own Halo Effect, there
also are present in WFK other ne and
young creative litterateurs.
While the evening was presided over by
Aamir Diwan who writes poetry in Hindi,
the Chief Guest on the occasion was Dr
Arvind Raina who is one of the founders of
WFK and writes poems in Hindi, Dogri, and
English. The meeting was steered by Rajesh
Verlekar.
In the rst session, Maimuna Ali Chougle
presented a critique on a great scholar, poet,
and professor at Aligarh Muslim University
Ale Ahmad Suroor. The article was very
well received, and so was the short story
that followed in Oriya, penned and narrated
by Biswa Ranjan. The story was translated
in English by another Oriya poet Tushar
Misra. Dr Navniit Gandhi presented a satiri-
cal essay in Hindi on the spiritual bonding
that the mobile phones have brought about
amongst humans.
The second session comprised the recita-
tion of poetry by Preeti Rajgolikar (Sanskrit),
Ravin Singh (Hindi), Sayeed Nazar Kadapavi
waited at the venue since 5:30 am in the
morning for the rains to stop so as to make
preparations for the event.
The event commenced as the sky got
clear at 10:00 am, with a prayer rendered
by the future generation, the BSK kids.
It was followed by the ag hoisting,
breaking of coconut by the President Ra-
ghu Poojary and a lighting of the torch by
the Sports Committee that included Sand-
esh Amin, Sudhir Kumar, Dheeraj Salian,
Sujith Kotian, Mithun Vishwanath, Avin Su-
varna, Ms Jyothi Sudhir and Ms Ashwitha
Surendra.
Gratifications and gains
A photo from the event.
Photos from the event.
The picnic had fun elements for each and
every age group. Small kids played musi-
cal chair, passing of the ball and ball in the
basket, while the bigger kids enjoyed play-
ing Cricket Ball throw, Javelin throw and
Rabbit Race.
The ladies competed to aim the Ring
in the wicket and Sooji Dhara while the
men Frog Raced and played Single wick-
et hit. The couples Raced with the Bal-
loon and Raced feeding orange to their
spouses.
There were team games of Volleyball for
men and Throw ball for ladies, while ladies
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
23
(Urdu), Kamaal Ansari (Urdu), Shakeel Jam-
shedpuri (Urdu), Chhaya Thakkar (Gujurati),
Umesh Sharma (Hindi), Rajesh Verlekar (Eng-
lish), Tushar Misra (Oriya), Dr Navniit Gandhi
(Hindi) and Chhaya Athavale (Hindi). Another
former member Parminder Kaurs poem in
English was recited by her father Mohan
Singh. Others who were present included Sunil
Sonsi, Rajeev Athavale, Ameer Uddin Ameer
and Milind Rajgolikar.
The Chief Guest Dr Arvind Raina weaved
his sentiments beautifully into words and
expressed his happiness at the WFKs success
in bringing and keeping together the languages
and poets of all seasons.
He said that all the presentations evoked
some very strong and deeply moving emo-
tions. He then recited a beautiful poetry in
Hindi. Aamir Diwan who was presiding
over the evening, also expressed his elation
and contentment, while listening to all the
members. He too recited a gripping poem in
Hindi.
The host Umesh Sharma was thanked for
the gracious hospitality.
and men both tried power of their strength increased number of students.
in Tug of war. The breaking the pot had a The breakfast for the event was spon-
twist with two people playing it blind folded sored by the sports secretary Sandesh
and three legged. A game of housie-housie Amin, Mineral water sponsored by Pradeep
was also played with everyone trying their Kotian and delicious lunch was served by
luck. Mughal Tandoori.
The picnic proved a platform to launch The event was concluded by the prize
the 2017 Scholarship program, which was distribution, vote of thanks was given by
initiated by Billava Sangha Kuwait from the the General Secretary Gautham Suvarna
year 2016, in association with the Shree and the rafe winners names were an-
Guru Charitable Trust, Surathkal. nounced.
BSK had given scholarship to 88 stu- The picnic was beautifully hosted by
dents in the last year and anticipate of Amarnath Suvarna and photographed by
continuing this charity this year as well with Sandeep Attavar.

By Dean Fosdick
D affodils and tulips are almost certain
to bloom when another spring rolls
around, but even they can have an occa-
sional bad season.
Perennial bulbs need a long dormancy pe-
riod after they nish owering a chance to
regenerate. Without that, theyre likely to be
colorless the following year, or what horticul-
turists call blind plants.
Even after the plants have nished bloom-
ing and dropping their petals, they are active-
ly photosynthesizing, said Christian Curless,
a spokesman for Colorblends, a wholesale
bulb company in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Leave them alone until the foliage is yel-
lowed and withered, Curless said. A plant
stays green as long as it needs to stay green.
What are the odds they will continue to
ower if you gamble and promptly clear
those unsightly stems and leaves from your
Lifestyle
Life Again aims to inspire the terminally-ill
By Suresh Shyam Rao Neramballi
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Life Again Foun-
dations is celebrating the World Health
Day 2017 for the rst time in Kuwait with
Padmasri Shobanas Trance on 8th April 2017
at American International School, Maidan
Hawalli, Kuwait at 6 pm. The programme is
organized by Life Again Kuwait Team. The
entire programme will be conducted in English
and Arabic language to reach more audience.
Life Again Foundation founded by the
renowned lm star Gautami Tadimalla in
Hydrabad in the year 2015 in Chennai & USA
in 2016 and in Kuwait 2017. It is a nonprot
organization established to help and inspire
people who are in the pre/post transformation
stage of terminal diseases. The foundation
is aimed to spread awareness on terminal
diseases like Cancer, Support and sponsor
medical treatment/therapies for the needy.
Message from Smt Gouthami Tadimalla:
We are proud to introduce ourselves as the
Life Again Foundation. We are a young
social service organization that has evolved
out of our own learnings while facing the
challenges that life has offered us. Life Again
is a Foundation that aims to harness the power
of the individual to effect a positive change
in society by means of offering an effective
platform for them to contribute to the welfare
of their fellow human beings and the world
around them.
Our motto is One for One, We are there for
Everyone and it is our aim that this becomes
the universal dictum that our world will live by
without barriers of race, color or creed.
One for One, We are there for Everyone
We recognize the power of One as having
the capacity to bring about great change in the
world. When one human being stands up to
support and uplift another, they create a wealth
of love and support that translates into a
culture of giving and sharing. Those that have
been helped by their fellow human beings in
their time of need realize the power of reach-
ing out and in turn create a network of truly
integrated humanity, connected at the deepest
level of human understanding. It is this vision
of a resurgent humanity that is at the heart of
Life Again Foundation.
Life Again was born out of our understand-
ing that, no matter how great a challenge we
face, when we have surmounted it, there is life
again. And we must prepare ourselves to live
that life with a fresh outlook and understand-
ing of our responsibilities towards our fellow
human beings. Pursuing our lives with a
philosophy of consideration, care and sharing
is a way of building a more harmonious and
progressive society.
Essential building blocks of such a world
are good health practices and an education that
arms one with the tools to live an informed and
empowered life. A life that will allow each of us
to create our own opportunities and give us the
freedom to pursue our dreams with equal ability
and condence. A society that is aware of them-
selves as individuals and that is respectful of the
collective good, is a progressive and inclusive
society. It is our aim to empower our fellow hu-
man beings with these necessary skills and drive
the changes that will enable societies to evolve
in a positive and inclusive manner.
It is our goal that Life Again is a way of life
that must belong to every citizen of this world.
One for One, We are there for Everyone is the
motto that must inspire all of us to live the best
life that we can, in harmony and in pursuit of our
dreams with respect and love towards humanity.
This is a journey that must include every one of
us in order to be truly meaningful and successful.
To raise awareness about responsible health
practices and screening for lifestyle diseases
and cancer, we have been conducting regular
health and yoga camps through Kuwait that
have beneted both the Kuwaiti as well as the
Indian peoples here. We are proud and happy
that we have been able to make a beginning in
this manner and are anticipating expanding on
our initial efforts. We have received an amaz-
ing response and support from the people of
Kuwait who have stepped forward with eager
and enthusiastic participation. This gives us
great impetus to carry our work forward and
dream bigger.
One for One, We are there for Everyone.
Life Again
click
Alcoholics Anonymous: If you know
someone who cant stop drinking and would like
to help them please check us out and we promise
to try to help at www.aaarabia.org There are no
fees. This is a genuine public service.
Drinking problem?: Friends of Bill W. are
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
24
Somethin different
gardening
Fill the space but leave breathing room, food and have no space.
he said. n Predation. If the bulbs dont sprout, it
Other things to consider if bulb foliage de- may be because voles or squirrels ate them,
velops but the blooms dont follow:
n Timing. Maybe youre planting too early
Mason said. There are no wildlife-proof bulbs
but some like daffodils, fritillaria and allium
or too late for spring-blooming bulbs. Plant are more distasteful to foraging wildlife than
too early and theyre susceptible to disease. others.
Plant too late and they may not have enough Unseasonable freeze-thaw cycles also hin-
time to develop. der bulb performance. A string of late-winter
n Depth: Perhaps youre not planting the temperatures soaring into the 50s and 60s
bulbs deep enough. Bulbs should be placed 2 followed closely by another round of blow-
to 3 times their height into the soil. ing snow or freezing rain can wreak havoc on
This undated photo provided by Victoria Hannley shows a fairy garden made by Hann- n Growing conditions. If leaves and stems emerging bulbs. But there is little a gardener
ley, in Tucson, Arizona. (AP)
dont appear, then dig down and check the can do when the weather turns, Curless said.
landscape? approach isnt without its problems. bulbs. Its possible they rotted because the If the owers havent opened, theres a
Thats a big unknown, Curless said. Be sensitive to how much sunlight each ground was too wet. Find areas with better good chance theyll survive the variable tem-
Theres no rule of thumb for how long bulbs needs, Curless said. Daffodils planted next drainage for the next batch of bulbs you plant. peratures, he said.
should be allowed to get the energy they need to a small perennial can op all over that pe- n Massing. If the leaves are small, the Gardeners know from woeful experience
to bloom again. rennial. And if you plant daffodils with some- bulbs may have to be divided, said Sandra that you cant control the weather.
Some gardeners try camouaging their thing like hosta, they may shade the daffodils Mason, an extension horticulturist with the A major part of planting spring-blooming
bulbs after they ower by planting them to the extent that their leaves arent getting University of Illinois. After a time, they get bulbs is that it requires a leap of faith, Cur-
among groups of different perennials, but that any light. so tight in there that theyre competing for less said. (AP)
Foundation to mark World Health Day for the first time in Kuwait
BSK
A photo from the event
BSK students perform powerful drama
Hard to Swallow is a play by Mark Wheeller based on when they are extremely thin. It really was theatre laid bare, and with a true storyline deal-
Maureen Dunbars award winning novel and lm Cathe- Hard to Swallow was performed over two evenings by ing with such a sensitive topic there was no room for error .
rine: The Story of a young girl who died of Anorexia Nervo- Year 11 students studying GCSE Drama at The British School and the performances were superb, with all actors rising to
sa. People with eating disorders often struggle with body of Kuwait (BSK). With a cast of seven, simple costume, mini- the challenge and delivering a play that had the audience on
image and disrupt their normal activities with unusual eat- mal set and makeup the performance was very much about the edge of their seats from start to nish.
ing habits to alter their appearance. Anorexia is a condition the ability of the actors to assume multiple roles and to really The hours performance ew past but the memory and
where people see themselves as being overweight, or want get into character. The focus of the audience was at all times message contained within the script will remain for much
to control the shape and size of a specic body part, even on the person speaking their lines; there were no distractions. longer; an epitaph to such a tragic life.
available to help. Totally condential. Email: Cancer online support group: If you are help others. October is recognized as National lish- French; Arabic (English upon prior request);
rohsecretary@gmail.com Cancer patient or family member ghting with Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). The Arabic- English- French: Arabic (English upon
this deadly disease, come join our online support primary purpose is to promote self examination prior request)
group. Best way of dealing with this disease is and screening mammography as the most effec- Rules and Regulations:
Narcotics Anonymous: NA can help with providing support and share our experience with tive way to save lives by detecting breast cancer Please arrive in time for your visit.
addiction problems. Totally confidential: each other. There are lot of things which even at early stage. For more information visit: http:// All visitors are kindly required to abide by the
94087800 English/Arabic. doctors cant tell so be member of this website ghtingwithcancer.webs.com/ mosques dress code. Male visitors should wear
and start sharing your experiences which may long pants. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not
allowed. Female visitors: should wear head cover
Latest and long loose clothing (available at the mosque).
Foods and drinks are not allowed inside the
Chinese Embassy notice: Documents prayer halls.
issued in Kuwait and to be used in China
mainland shall rst be notarized and legalised For school visits, teachers are responsible for
their students and are required to cooperate with
by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait,
the staff members of the Grand Mosque.
and then be legalised by Chinese Embassy in Photography is allowed inside the Grand
Kuwait. Specic requirements and information Mosque (please note that disrespectful poses are
for document legalisation, please refer to the strictly prohibited).
website of Chinese Embassy in Kuwait. If you would like to book a tour, please contact
For documents issued by member countries us:
of the Apostille Convention*, after getting
Tel: 22980813/ 22980815/ 22980812
Apostilles from the competent authorities, they Email: gmvisits@gmail.com
can be used in Hong Kong SAR and Macao
Fax: 22473708
SAR of China directly.
*Refer to the Convention of Abolishing the
Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Chinese Embassy notice: Please be noted
Documents that effective starting today, the photo used in a
Chinese visa application must meet the require-
ments (For details, please visit the website of
Invitation to Grand Mosque: The Visits Chinese embassy http://kw.chineseembassy.org/
Department is pleased to invite you to visit the eng/). Application with non-compliant photos
Grand Mosque, which is one of Kuwaits most will not be processed.
treasured religious and cultural landmarks to dis- Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
cover the beauty of Islamic arts and architecture.
Free guided tours are available all year round
on ofcial working days between (9-11 am) and IEI Kuwait Chapter membership: The
(5-7 pm), within a special tour program designed Institution of Engineers (India), Kuwait chapter
to cater to the needs of different age groups. The invites all its members to update their mem-
program is as follows: bership information for the year 2016-17 and
Reception; Auditorium show; (according to actively participate in the chapter activities.
age group); Touring the Mosque; Q & A; Art Indian engineers residing in Kuwait are welcome
workshops; (according to age group between 5
and 18 years old); Snack break; Distribution of
to join the pool of more than 700,000 engineers
by becoming corporate or non-corporate mem-
the Grand Mosque publications and souvenirs; bers of The Institution of Engineers (India). IEI,
End of tour. Kuwait Chapter conducts many technical events
According to these age groups: for the benet of its members. Please watch for
Age group: 5 to 9 years old: Morning: 60 visi- the upcoming events in your registered e-mail
tors max; Evening: 20; 10 to 15 years: Morning: or announcement in the media. The chapter has
100 visitors max; Evening: 45; 16 and above: science club activities for members children, and
Morning: 140 visitors max, Evening: 105: ladies wing activities for the members family.
Tour language: Arabic- English- French; Ara-
A yer of the event. bic (English upon prior request); Arabic- Eng- Continued on Page 27

PET
Look out for the Arab
Times series, the
Pet Palace, and read
about how people and
their animals enrich
each others lives.
The Palace welcomes
submissions by our
readers. If youd like
to tell the world about
your pet, send us a
photograph and ac-
companying article for
publication.
Editor
Kuwait
New Look
Dr Salehs legacy soars high among the stars
This is the last in a series of articles on
Dr Saleh Mohammed Al Aujairi (1921), the
rst Kuwaiti astronomer and outstanding
gure in the development of Kuwait cultural
awakening.
Editor
By Lidia Qattan
Special to the Arab Times
O ne of the greatest contributions Saleh Al
Aujairi made not only to his own country,
but to the Islamic world, is the moon-based
calendar he compiled, which was approved by
a specially appointed committee of professors
and scientists from universities from all over
the world, as well as by religious men at the
conference of Istanbul in 1973. This unied
calendar, valuable in all Muslim countries,
makes Saleh Al Aujairi the recognized author-
ity in his eld.
Saleh also wrote several books, the rst
of which Astronomy lesson for beginner
has been written in simple and direct style, to
make it easy for beginners to appreciate the
beauty and thrills of astronomy.
Knowledge of timing, is a specialized
book, in it the author deals with the timing
of seasons and other terrestrial or heavenly
events, some of them in connection with
religion.
Universal Almanac is a book of special
importance to scholars in particular; in it the
author had been drawing a comparison of tim-
ing between the Moon-year in respect to the
Solar year.
The calculation begins with Year One Al
Hajry (Moon year) up to 2000, the total cor-
responds to the year 2562 AD (Solar-year).
PALACE
Nina Fetter, of Lima, Ohio, the handler for Letee,
a 3-year-old Pomeranian from Canton, Ohio, tries
a bite of a snack on the second day of the Western
PA Kennel Association dog show at the Monroeville
Convention Center in Monroeville, Pa on April 2. (AP)
Moon-based calendar one of his greatest contributions to Islamic world
Al Hisban is a voluminous book dealing
with the movement of the sun and the moon
and predictions of main events befalling the
years from 1900 to 2500.
Another interesting book deals with how
one can predict eclipses of the moon and of
the sun.
was rejoicing, everyone was congratulating
Theories
Scholars and scientists inevitably emerge
with some theories that question certain
phenomena; Al Aujairi theory concerns the
earths plane of inclination to the sun, which
appears to become shorter, due to the moon
interference.
In his opinion the shortening is one of the
causes in changing global weather conditions.
Another interesting observation of Al Aujai-
ri is the relation of the earth inclination plane
pointing North, which is right in the middle of
the Islamic timing, as well as the precise point
where the Kaaba stands.
Before the ofcial meteorological report fol-
lowing the news, Saleh
could tell to people what
kind of weather they
were to expect in days,
even weeks ahead. He
could also explain in
detail certain phenom-
ena occurring with the
season, for example
why the population of
some insects explodes at
certain period.
Lidia Qattan He also could predict
correctly when the month
of Ramadan starts and ends, and when a solar
or moon eclipse is due.
In the old days of superstitions a solar-
By Lisa Maria Garza
TNothisnamedjust
is a story about a capricious cat
Harvey.
any wayward feline, mind
you, but a Tabby who wandered 800
miles from Denver to Dallas, took a side
trip into a 25-foot (7.6 m) pit and is actu-
ally going home after about nine months
on the road.
The 5-year-old orange cat, who went
missing last June from his Colorado home,
narrowly escaped being cemented into the
hole when a utility worker spotted him and
called Dallas Animal Services. Harveys
family was identied through a microchip
under his skin.
After a six-hour rescue, Harvey was
caked in mud but uninjured, animal ser-
vices spokeswoman Gabrielle Vannini
said.
How Harvey ended up in Dallas is any-
ones guess and hes not saying.
Vannini speculated that he may have
hitched a ride or walked all the way to the
afuent Highland Park neighborhood in
central Dallas.
Heavy clouds in Kuwaits sky.
eclipse was held in great fear and awe. At the
moment it was happening the whole popula-
tion took to the streets beating puts and drums,
making a deafening noise, singing special
chants to scare away the terrible monster that
was threatening to swallow the sun.
When the sun eventually reappeared there
everyone else, and Saleh, knowing better, was
simply smiling.
Incidentally, because of his connection with
the stars and his wide range of knowledge on
cosmic phenomena, Saleh was regarded with
special consideration by people, who believed
he possessed the power of healing.
Their belief grew stronger when a man
forced him, under threat, to perform some sort
of miracle on his sick horse. By a fortuitous
coincidence the animal recovered and the news
that Saleh had the healing power spread like In 1981 the Kuwait University awarded
wild-re.
Soon people were coming from all over
town and beyond to seek help, bringing their
sick ones to Saleh to be cured.
Saleh had a hard time in convincing them
that he was an ordinary man with no special
power at all!
Incidentally that was the time when he
began practicing magic tricks and hypno-
tism, people still remembers some of his best
performances.
Knowledge
From the time Saleh Al Aujairi became
seriously involved in astronomy he was
dreaming of having an astronomy center with
an observatory in Kuwait, where young people
could become acquainted with the beauty and
purpose of astronomy , and gain some useful
knowledge.
people & their pets
With that amount of time, its not to-
tally impossible hes just been roaming but
given how far he was from home, its likely
he had some help getting down here, she
said.
Harveys owner Jackie Ewer told TV
broadcaster Denver7 that the Tabby has
always been an outdoor cat and she was
surprised he was found in Texas.
If any cat would have some crazy ad-
venture, it would be Harvey. Hes very
funny, Ewer said.
A cat that went missing in California
2- years ago has shown up many miles
away in Canada.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports
that BooBoo the cat went missing in Au-
gust 2014 in Watsonville, California. Last
week, the tabby showed up in southeastern
Canada, about 3,000 miles (4827.81 kilo-
meters) from home.
When BooBoo arrived at Guelph Hu-
mane Society in Ontario, she hardly looked
like a grizzled traveler.
Humane society Executive Director
Adrienne McBride says BooBoo is in fan-
degree, the first ever issued by the Kuwait
Saleh Al Aujairi the Doctorate degree.
For forty years he pondered on this issue,
till in the early seventies he decided to make
it feasible.
He bought a 1,000 square meter of land
in the Andalos district, traveled to the
USA and the UK to buy equipments for
his project and in 1973 he got the building
under-way.
Incidentally, at about the same time a group
of young dilettanti, headed by Abdul Sharhan
and Dawd Sleman Ahmad, were also planning
to have an astronomy center in Salmiya, to
attract young enthusiasts to the science of
astronomy and meteorology.
In 1975 they founded the Astronomy club
within the premises of the Tourist club.
When the secretary of the club met Al Au-
jairi in 1977, he invited him to visit the place.
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
25
tastic shape. In fact, she might need to go
on a diet when she gets home.
How did BooBoo reach Canada?
Owner Ashley Aleman suspects Boo-
Boo hitched a ride as she has a habit of
jumping in cars. The cat was identied by
a microchip.
Animal protection ofcers will carry the
cat across the border Friday.
Also:
NEW YORK, NY: The ASPCA(r) (Ameri-
can Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals(r)) released national shelter
estimates showing dramatic decreases in
shelter intake and euthanasia of homeless
dogs and cats.
The ASPCA reports that an estimated
1.5 million companion animals are eu-
thanized in US animal shelters nationwide
every year, a decrease from about 2.6 mil-
lion estimated in 2011. Contributing to this
reduction is an 18.5 percent increase in na-
tional adoptions.
An estimated 3.2 million shelter animals
are adopted each year (1.6 million dogs
and 1.6 million cats), up from 2.7 million
adoptions in 2011. (Agencies)
(KUNA Jaber Abdualkhaleq)
During his visit it was proposed to establish a
large observatory bearing his name. Saleh was
deeply moved.
In 1980 the Science Club was relocated
at the Meshrif district, on the Sixth Ring
Road; on the following year (in 1981) Saleh
Al Aujairi was awarded an honor Doctorate
University.
On the 10th April 1986 HH the Amir,
Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad inaugurated Al
Aujairi Observatory, for Saleh Al Aujairi
that was indeed a proud, emotional moment;
having seen the realization of his dream he
dropped his project at the Andalos .
Since the observatory was open to the
public it became a magnet to school children
in particular.
From the start about 130 boys and girl
began visiting it on a daily basis, about 8000
during the rst scholastic year. Membership to
the Club ranged around 6,500 members. The
number has increased since then.
All through the years, while studying and
working, Saleh has been lecturing on as-
tronomy and meteorology at the Science Club,
in schools, in summer clubs and taking part in
symposiums.
Society advances on the fullled dreams of
others. Saleh Al Aujairi has left a legacy that
has contributed to the general cultural awaken-
ing of Kuwait.
In his retirement he is still the same quick
witted, positive minded individual as in his
younger days.
Humble in his greatness, his restless spirit
soars high among the stars with the same en-
thusiasm with which he gazed at the night sky
when he rst opened his eyes to this world and
fell in love with the stars.

Gulf Bank wins Excellence in VIP Customer Service Award
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Gulf Bank
was pleased to receive the Excellence
in VIP Customer Service Award
from Kuwaits Public Relations As-
sociation. Held under the patronage
of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-
Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the awards
ceremony took place on March 29,
2017 at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad
Cultural Center.
The event convened a high level
of attendance, where the Minister of
Social Affairs and Labor HE Hind Al-
Subaih and the Chairman of Kuwaits
Public Relations Association, Jamal-
Al Nasrallah presented the award to
Gulf Bank representative, Meshari
Shehab, Assistant General Manager
Priority Banking.
Upon receiving the award, Meshari
Shehab commented in a statement to
the press: We are proud to be recog-
nized for our efforts in Priority Bank-
ing customer service and would like
All 10 777-300ER aircraft to be in service by Q3 2017
Kuwait Airways 6th Boeing arrives on time
Rasha Al Roumi, Chairperson and CEO, Kuwait Airways, welcomes the airlines 6th Boeing 777-300ER with ight, cabin
Ms Sahar Al Therban (ABK) and Ali Al Baghli (ABK) with Kuwait Dream Centers staff and children during World
Autism Day celebration.
ABK marks World Autism Day
Reinforcing its support towards the
special needs segment in Kuwait,
Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) cel-
ebrated World Autism Day in col-
laboration with the Kuwait Dream
Center; a UK accredited Early In-
tervention Centre Specialized in
autism. The event was held at the
Centers headquarters in Khaldiya,
on April 2.
World Autism Day is an interna-
tionally recognized day, which aims
to raise awareness of children with
autism around the world. The day
itself brings individual autism orga-
nizations together to aid in things
like research, diagnoses, treat-
LuLu Hypermarket awards prizes to Food Expo 2017
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: LuLu Hy-
permarket, the leading hypermarket
brand in the region, capped its Food
Expo 2017 with a prize distribution
ceremony held on April 2 at its Al Rai
outlet. Winners of the various competi-
tions held during the food festival were
felicitated by LuLu management in the
presence of a large crowd of shoppers
and well-wishers. The competitions,
which were launched on March 19
and extended throughout the expo pe-
Award recognises bank strategy to provide tailored services
Meshari Shehab, Assistant General Manager Priority Banking at Gulf Bank accepting the award from the Min-
ister of Social Affairs and Labor HE Hind Al-Subaih.
and ground crew.
ment, and overall awareness for
those with the disorder.
ABKs sponsorship and support
to this cause stems from its strong
belief in the value of supporting
individuals with special needs and
raising awareness of the impor-
tance of recognizing them among
Kuwaits communities, and provid-
ing them with a sense of equality.
The children from the Center
enjoyed a fun-lled day and were
engaged in various activities. The
event was concluded with a pow-
erful message sent across by the
children, where they released blue
balloons into the sky of Kuwait, as
A photo from the event
Food festival features various competitions
riod, featured a Cookery Contest, Live
Cookery Demo, Junior-Chef Contest,
Wow the Master Chef Contest, Taste
& Win Contest, Make and Eat Com-
petition, Carving Competition, Pickles
Contest and Kitchen Queen Contests.
All of the winners displayed re-
markable cooking talent and skills in
preparing distinct dishes. The top place
winners in each segment were awarded
KD 125 worth of gift vouchers, while
the second place and third place win-
recently announced has seen its
a sign of solidarity.
The Bank is keen to play an ac-
tive role in encouraging a stronger
sense of belonging among these
individuals by celebrating them
and offering them the opportunity
to realize how special they truly
are. It will continue to participate
in impactful events and activities
in an effort to make a true differ-
ence in the lives of these individu-
als.
For more information about Al
Ahli Bank of Kuwait, please visit
eahli.com or contact a customer
service agent via Ahlan Ahli at
1899899.
ners were handed KD 75 and KD 50
worth of gift vouchers respectively.
In addition to the food competitions,
the Food Expo 2017, which started
on March 22 and ended on April 1,
featured various other cooking and
food-based activities that drew in large
crowds. Among the programs were
special promotions, a live demonstra-
tion of Arabian-cooking by Chef As-
maa Al-Bahar, and an assortment of
displays such as the biggest pizza, the
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Kuwait
Airways, the ofcial national carrier
of the State of Kuwait, has once again
welcomed a further addition into its
eet today, with the arrival at Kuwait
International Airport of the sixth of
10 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on
order. The sixth delivery in only four
months.
The new aircraft is to be called
Meskan named after the small
Kuwaiti island just off the East coast
of the mainland.
The addition of Meskan brings
Kuwait Airways operational eet
up to 25, with the ve 777-300ER
aircraft already in service having
made an immediate impact on the
ofcial national carrier of Kuwaits
improving product, seat capacity and
frequency increases to its passengers.
The sixth Boeing arrives during a
Summer Season that Kuwait Airways
weekly frequencies increased by 16
per cent, across its network a total
of 324 ights per week. The 777-
300ERs introduction has also seen
seat capacity boosted by up to 58 per
cent, on certain routes.
Support
With the sixth 777-300ER now set
to enter commercial service within
days, this allows Kuwait Airways to
not only support existing routes on its
regular 36-destination network, but
has also meant that certain routes are
now exclusively served by the new
aircraft. These routes include: Lon-
don; New York; Frankfurt; and soon
to be Dhaka; Bangkok and Manila.
The addition of the Boeing
777-300ER into our eet is not only
making a signicant difference to the
overall product and service Kuwait
Airways can now offer our passen-
gers, but the fact that we are receiving
more than one new aircraft per month,
since the rst delivery in December
2016, proves that we are well on
schedule for this order of 10 to be
completed by Q3 2017, said Rasha
Al Roumi, Chairperson & CEO,
Kuwait Airways.
We are pleased to note that
Kuwait Airways aircraft acquisition
programme is backed fully by all
stakeholders and the Kuwaiti govern-
ment and we are condent that the
ofcial national carrier of Kuwait will
be a signicant driver of success
not just for the airline but for the
overall ambitions of the government
for the diversication of the economy
and the countrys long-term commer-
cial status, infrastructure develop-
ment and wider business and tourism
goals.
A further 25 Airbus aircraft are also
on order by Kuwait Airways, over the
next four to ve years, including those
from the A320neo and A350 families
of aircraft.
longest egg roll and more.
Indian celebrity chef and culinary
consultant Hari Nayak inaugurated the
Food Expo and interacted with his fans
during the Chit Chat with Master Chef
program. LuLu Hypermarkets Food
Expo 2017 marks another brilliant en-
deavor by the hypermarket to provide
shoppers with an exciting and unique
shopping experience that includes a
wide variety of high-quality products
at competitive prices.
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
to thank Kuwaits Public Relations
Association for this recognition. The
Excellence in VIP Customer Service standards in regards to the level of
award afrms the success of Gulf
Banks strategy to provide its valued
customers with services tailored to
their needs.
With Gulf Bank Priority Banking,
customers enjoy a personalized and
preferential treatment coupled with
a suite of Banking and investment
products and services designed to
meet their nancial goals.
The awards aim at underscoring the
importance of customer service and
public relations that require unique
skills and high experience, and at
highlighting the efforts invested in the
elds of public relations and customer
service across all industries, from the
public and private sectors.
A judging committee was formed
to select the winners. It consisted of
international and local public relations
A photo from the event
Live presentation held
Centrepoint showcases style
inspiration for SS17 collection
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Regional
fashion retailer, Centrepoint, recently
launched its fabulous collection for
a stylish Spring Summer 2017 at the
beautiful rooftop of Landmark Tower.
The prestigious event introduced the
regions top tier media and fashion
inuencers to a range of trendy and
contemporary fashion, footwear and
accessories for women, men, teens and
tots.
The presentation primarily show-
cased the style inspiration from Cen-
trepoints Spring Summer collection.
Models, including men, woman and
children, strutted on a styled runway,
amidst the season backdrop campaign
colours in sophisticated hues of purple,
blue and yellow; allowing guests to see
the key pieces come to life.
The SS17 collection is comprised of
nautical styling with a neo-twist with
colourful stripes seen in both an opti-
cal re-arrangement and in the classical
nautical style for women. Fashionistas
can show off their pretty feet in a range
of oral-printed sandals and feminine
pearl-detailed wedges this season. La-
dies can choose from a range of fash-
ionable accessories to complement
their summer outts with lighter tones
embellished with Swarovski crystals
and bright bohemian prints on bags. A
range of matt, glossy and frosty make-
up shades to suit every womans style
sentiment complete the Spring Sum-
mer look.
As for men, the collection is in-
spired by 90s graphic styling teamed
with modern minimalism. Men can put
their best foot forward from a range of
trendy footwear, with a collection of
smart and comfortable sandals, high- such an important musical event.
top sneakers, and formal leather loaf-
ers. A pretty palette of pinks for little
girls and bright aquatic greens and
blues help dapper tots and teens get
ready for the season.
The main inspiration behind the col-
lection this season is distinctive styles
and trendy looks to add glamour to the
Spring Summer night!
Get your hands on the latest Spring
Summer collection at Centrepoint stores
located in Al Rai, Avenues, Hawally,
Salmiya, Fintas, Jahra, Fahaheel, Sulaib-
hikhat, Kuwait City and Khaitan.
2 winners each working day
Gulf Bank announces winners
of Al Danah draws for a week
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Gulf Bank
held its Al Danah daily draws on 2
April 2017 announcing the names of
its winners for the week of March 26
March 30 2017. The Al Danah daily
draws include draws each and every
working day for two prizes of KD
1,000 per winner.
The winners were: (Sunday 26/3):
Latifa Mohammed Bader Al-Bader,
Fahad Abdulaziz Al-Hamad Al-
Thwaikh.
(Monday 27/3): Abdelshakur Ab-
delhameed Ibrahim, Sadeq Abdulreda
Makee.
(Tuesday 28/3): Soud Abdulaziz
Mohammed Sherif Al-Shri, Majed
Hashem Al-Tamemy.
(Wednesday 29/3): Salah Sulai-
man Othman Al-Nasralla, Mohammad
Fayrouz Abed Ali Karam.
(Thursday 30/3): Waleed Moham-
mad Abdullah Al-Ali, Hashem Ab-
dulrasoul Askar Al-Saffar.
Gulf Banks Al Danah 2017 draw
lineup includes daily draws (2 win-
ners per working day and each receive
KD 1,000). Al Danahs 2nd Quarterly
26
and customer service experts. The
evaluation was based on international
client servicing and the ability to meet
the clients needs.
The event also featured a number
of workshops about the strategies of
public relations and customer service
targeted at employees of ministries
and organizations, in addition to a
small exhibition area where partici-
pants showcased their products and
services.
The Kuwait Public Relations
Award is one of the most prestigious
events in Kuwait. The main objectives
of the association is to promote the
role of the State of Kuwait in public
relations practice and functions, to
create channels of cooperation with
international and regional public
relations associations, and to raise
awareness of the importance of this
industry.
Burgan Bank sponsors
Greek Musical Night
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Burgan
Bank, the second largest conventional
bank in terms of assets, in partnership
with the Embassy of Greece in Ku-
wait and Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah
recently sponsored a Greek musical
night event at the Yarmouk Cultural
Center on April 2, 2017. The musical
night, held under the patronage of the
Greek Ambassador in the State of Ku-
wait, HE Andreas Papadakis, aimed to
celebrate the rich Greek music and en-
courage the exchange of cultures.
The night hosted a group of famous
Greek musicians as well as renowned
Zoe Tiganouria, the Greek com-
poser, accordion soloist and performer
worked as a composer and accordion-
ist with famous singers in the Greek
discography, as well as with interna-
tional artists (such as James Brown,
Al Di-Meola, Omer Faruk Tekbilek,
Goran Bregovi, Chico Freeman, Zl-
f Livaneli, and others). Zoe enter-
tained the audience through her Greek,
Middle Eastern, Latin and internation-
al music performance.
Burgan Bank believes that sponsor-
ing cultural events such as this, gives a
chance to the public and younger gen-
erations to meet international artists and
get introduced to different music genres
from different cultures. As art contin-
ues to play a powerful role in bringing
people of different cultures together and
supporting progress and advancement in
society, Burgan Bank is proud to support
This sponsorship falls under Bur-
gan Banks full-edged community
program entitled ENGAGE To-
gether to be the change. This program
sheds light on important aspects af-
fecting every segment of the society
by promoting social welfare through
educational, cultural, social and health
initiatives. Burgan Banks approach
to ENGAGE begins with a vital prin-
ciple that as a Kuwaiti nancial institu-
tion, its conduct and policies should be
aligned with the needs and interests of
the Kuwaiti society.
draw for the prize of KD250,000 will
be held on 29 June and the 3rd Quar-
terly Draw for the prize of KD500,000
will be held on Sept 28. The nal Al
Danah draw for 1 Million Kuwaiti
Dinars will be held on Jan 11, 2018
whereby the Al Danah Millionaire will
be announced.
Five reasons why the Al Danah ac-
count is the best:
1) Kuwaits single biggest yearly
cash prize of KD 1 Million
2) Kuwaits biggest quarterly cash
prizes, up to KD500,000
3) Two winners of KD1,000 every
working day
4) The most chances to win
5) Only Bank that transfers your
chances to win from year to year
Only Al Danah Makes Millionaires.
Al Danah also offers a number of
unique services including: the Al Da-
nah Deposit Only ATM card which
helps account holders deposit their
money at their convenience; as well
as the Al Danah calculator to help
customers calculate their chances of
becoming an Al Danah winner.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

27

h o
By Jacqueline Bigar
Happy birthday for Tuesday, April 4, 2017:
This year you often wear your heart on your
sleeve. People tend to misread your intentions.
Be open to questions. If you are single, you
could attract someone who is emotionally una-
vailable. Be careful, and get to know potential
suitors well before committing. If you are
attached, your sweetie often acts in surprising
ways. The good news is that this creates an
element of excitement for your relationship.
LEO is always great company.
The Stars Show the Kind of Day Youll
Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average;
2-So-so; 1-Difcult
r o s c
person very soon, and make sure you keep the
lines of communication open. Tonight: Dinner Aries - (Mar 21 - Apr 19)
for two.
**** You will share some news with a loved
Aquarius - (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
one, who, based on his or her reaction, seems
rather surprised. You could be taken aback by
this persons response. Tap into your imagina-
**** You could feel out of place, no mat-
ter what you are doing. Your generosity goes
tion for some help in dealing with this differ-
ence of opinion. Tonight: Add more spice to
above and beyond, and others know it. Stay
true to yourself, and you will be A-OK. Trust
your life.
that you will land on your feet, no matter what
happens. Tonight: Say yes to a special offer.
Taurus - (Apr 20 - May 20)
Pisces - (Feb 19 - Mar 20)
*** Your mind is likely to keep replaying
the same story over and over. Take a walk, or
**** You could surprise a friend, or vice
versa. The unexpected is likely to run through
your day. At the same time, youll realize that
you are becoming more and more accustomed
to these bouts of chaos. Feelings seem to be
intense. Tonight: Go along with the moment.
Cancer - (June 21 - July 22)
**** You are full of fun, and you are able
to see what is happening around you. You will
come up with some strong ideas, but without
testing them out rst, you wont know whether
they are likely to backre. Listen to others sug-
gestions and feedback. Tonight: Indulge a little.
o p
will feel more like yourself. Tonight: Happy
wherever you are.
Virgo - (Aug 23 - Sept 22):
**** You could be full of fun, despite the
fact that a loved one seems to be acting in an
unpredictable way. You suddenly might feel
very concerned about issues that exist between
you. Try to keep your cool, and decide to have
a talk in the near future. Tonight: Get some
zzzs.
different direction from where you thought you
Libra - (Sept 23 - Oct 22)
e
Scorpio - (Oct 23 - Nov 21)
*** You will need to keep your feelings
under control. You tend to assume the role of
the leader, and you also enjoy maintaining the
status quo, at least for the most part. You might
feel caught off guard when disruptions occur.
Tonight: Make plans to visit with a loved one.
Sagittarius - (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
***** Your impulses might point you in a
were headed. Your knee-jerk reaction is far from
subtle. Listen to what others have to say, even

Capricorn - (Dec 22 - Jan 19)
**** Let a close friend or loved one know
how you feel. You might get a moody or tear-
ful response, but know that he or she will re-
cuperate quickly. Plan to get together with this
*** Use the daylight hours to the max. Your
creativity soars to an almost unprecedented
level. Be aware of the costs of your ideas and
actions. You do not want any surprises to ap-
pear and ruin a project or turn off a key person.
Tonight: Get some much-needed R and R.
throw yourself into some other kind of physical
activity that helps your mind relax. Return calls
and emails. You will hear some unusual news
today or in the near future. Tonight: Happy at
home.
Gemini - (May 21 - June 20)
Leo - (July 23 - Aug 22)
** You cant seem to get a word in edge-
wise, as others seem to dominate right now.
You also might not choose to be part of that
energy. Clear out as much as you can, then call
it a day. By sunset, youll sense a change and
**** Someone is likely to showcase his or
her unreliability. You could experience a whole
if it frustrates you. A solution will appear soon
enough. Tonight: Detach and observe more.
range of emotions as you react to this persons
unpredictable display. Recognize how impor-
tant it is to understand this person but also be Born today: Actor Robert Downey Jr.
as independent as possible. Tonight: In the (1965), magician David Blaine (1973), actor
limelight. Heath Ledger (1979)

home decor indoor gardening beauty tips taste buds

recycled-sweater sham saintpaulia ionantha pumpkin for skin buko salad

To make this sham, youll need an 18-inch square
pillow insert and a large sweater, cut into two 19-
inch squares. Sew the right sides of the wool to-
gether along the edges, leaving the bottom open.
Turn right side out and insert the pillow form, then
stitch the bottom closed. For the ower, cover a
two-inch circle of card stock with a piece of a thin
sweater; hot-glue to the circles back. Next, fold a
3- by 20-inch strip of another sweater in half length-
wise. Glue the edges together, then sew a running
stitch down the strip lengthwise along the glued
seam. Once youve stitched the entire length, pull
the thread to gather the fabric and knot. Hot-glue
the gathered edge in a circle to the back of the card
stock, then hot-glue a pin-back in the center and
afx to the pillow.
African violets are easy-to-grow, rewarding house-
plants. They bloom well with lower light than most
other blooming plants, although they will perform
better with medium to bright, indirect light. All bear
clusters of purple, pink, white, rose, or lavender
owers over fuzzy leaves. Flowers may be single,
double, rufed, or edged in an accent color.
African violets thrive in warm conditions (65F or
warmer), although newer varieties tolerate cooler
conditions. Keep the soil evenly moist, and water
from the bottom to prevent leaf browning from wa-
ter spots.
Pumpkins orange hue is from carotenoids, wrinkle-
ghting plant pigments that help neutralize free
radicals in the skin, keeping them from damaging
the cells that fast-forward aging. Pumpkin is lled
with vitamins C, E, and A, as well as powerful en-
zymes that help to cleanse the skin.Plus, pumpkin
has hydrating properties, Ionescu adds. Although
the seeds make a great ber-lled snack, you get
the skin-saving antioxidants from the pulp.
Ingredients: 4 cups young coconut (buko), shred-
ded, 6 ounces sugar palm fruit (kaong), drained, 12
ounces coconut gel (nata de coco), drained, 2 cans
(15 ounces each) fruit cocktail, drained, 8 ounc-
es pineapple chunks, drained, 1 (14 ounce) can
sweetened condensed milk, 7 ounces table cream.
Procedure:
In a mixing bowl, combine young coconut, kaong,
nata de coco, pineapple chunks, and fruit cocktail.
Gently stir to distribute the ingredients.
Add sweetened condensed milk and table cream.
Mix until all the ingredients are properly distributed.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or place in the
freezer for 1 hour.
Transfer to a serving bowl.

Dear Abby whats on today emergency number 112

Civil ID info: 1889988
Pink grad gift comes Site for checking travel ban www.kuwaitcourts.gov.kw/mojweb/NGeneral/Main.jsp

right out of the blue
By Abigail Van Buren
Dear Abby: My daughter is graduating from high
school in May. She has been accepted to a prestigious
university, entirely due to her own hard work and dedica-
tion.
My father-in-law recently informed us that his new wife
had selected our daughters graduation present, and they are
excited to give it to her. They chose a
pink luggage set. My husband and I are
mystied about why they decided this
would be the perfect gift for our daugh-
ter. We know she will be embarrassed
but gracious if she receives this
gift in front of our family and friends on
graduation day. We would like to spare
her the awkwardness and having to re-
turn an inappropriate gift.
Abby, would it be rude of us to
strongly encourage them to rethink
Abigail Van Buren their gift? How do we broach the sub-
ject so we dont cause hurt feelings or
a rift? We are grateful for their generosity, but we know
the gift wont suit our grad.
Mystified mother
Dear mother: I do not advise your becoming
involved with this. Warn your daughter in advance
what the gift will be so she isnt caught at-footed
on graduation day. If she chooses to exchange the
luggage for something she feels will be more appro-
priate, she should do so. Luggage that stands out
like a sore thumb may be easier to spot on an airport
carousel, but it can also be more vulnerable to theft
than something that blends in.
Monday, April 3 and Tuesday April 4,
Dear Abby: I have a tough problem. I care very much
for my girlfriend. She keeps me in check and does every-
thing for me. However, my best friends sister and I are
extremely close. By close, I mean we have conversations
about how things would be if we were dating. We have
so much fun together. We never, ever argue, whereas
my girlfriend and I are constantly ghting. I legitimately
want the other girl, but I dont know what I should do.
Scared and stuck in St. Paul
Dear scared and stuck: You are a free man,
neither married nor engaged. Because you have
romantic feelings for someone else, gather your
courage and level with your girlfriend. Tell her
that while you appreciate everything she has
done for you, you want to be free to date other
people and think she should, too. The news will
probably come as a shock to her, but its the hon-
est thing to do and better for both of you.
Dear Abby: My ex-husband recently died, and I have
just learned he had an illegitimate son 25 years ago. The son
tracked me down wanting to know things about his biologi-
cal father. My late husband and I had two children before
this one was born. So, do I tell my children they have a half-
brother and his aunts they have another nephew?
Tracked down in Illinois
Dear tracked down: I see no reason to make
any announcements right now. Keep the news to
yourself until you are sure that the man wants more
contact with his relatives and isnt just looking for
medical information that could affect him. You also
should make absolutely certain that he truly IS your
late husbands son by discussing it with an attorney
before sharing any news or details.
Karthikeyan (99840191) for any further
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also
known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by
her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby
at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los
Angeles, CA 90069.
(Source: Universal Uclick)
Fresh at Dar Al Funoon: Dar Al
Funoon is presenting exhibition titled
Fresh by Karim Ghidinelli until April 22
Karim Ghidinelli was born in Brescia,
Italy. He received his Bachelors and
Masters degrees at Savannah College
of Art & Design, Savannah, GA. He has
widely exhibited in the United States of
America and Europe. For the third time,
Ghidinelli will present his most recent
work at Dar Al Funoon. Karim lives and
works in New York, USA.
Artists statement: Fresh, as in re-
newed, innovative and free. Freshness
as the liberation from stagnant and re-
dundant policies and tendencies. Fresh
as positive, peaceful and meaningful
evolution. In this ever certain world of
absolute truths and populist totalitari-
anism. I offer no answer, merely the
honesty of my journey, my reections
and dilemmas, Id rather continue to
ask, than attempt an overly simplistic
answer.
Gallery hours Sunday to Thursday:
10:00 am-1:00 pm and 4:00-8:00 pm.
Saturday: by appointment. Getting To
The Gallery A1-Watiah, Behbehani
Compound, House No. 28. For further
information call +965 2243 3183. web-
site: www.daralfunoon-kwcom.
KTAA 18th annual exhibition: Ku-
wait Textile Arts Association 18th an-
nual exhibition: Alfunoon Hall, Dahiyat
Abdulla Al Salam, exhibition hours:
2017, Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and
4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The exhibition will
feature the judged show of recent works
of members of Kuwait Textile Arts As-
sociation, Sadu weavers and also
showcase display pieces from Weav-
ing Stories a contemporary interactive
exhibition and outreach initiative honor-
ing the textile arts of Kuwait along with
display Walls of Appreciation and Wall
of Recognition as special features.
click
Latest
Continued from Page 24
IEI, Kuwait chapter has facility to register
student members for AMIE Examination for
those interested in pursuing career enrich-
ment.
For more information and on chapter
membership, kindly contact IEI, Kuwait
chapter office on 22445588 extn. 314
between 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm (Sunday
through Thursday) or through email to
ieikwt@hotmail.com. You may also contact
Engr Ashok Kumar (97275974) or Engr
clarification.
email address: Mystory@darmuseum.org.
Share your story with Amricani: Do
you or any of your family members, acquaint-
ances or friends happen to have a story with
the American Missionary hospital in Kuwait
(Mustashfa Lemraicani) during the years
A yer of the event.
A yer of the event.
from 1914-1967, the ofcial period of offer-
ing medical services in Kuwait?
Please share with us your story or your
memory during those old days by writing
the event and sending it to the following
kw
Notes: 1. Please send your story only to
the above mentioned email. Story shared in
Instagram, Facebook or Twitter will not be
considered.
TIES Center events: TIES Center
announces following events Tajweed
and Recitation: Learn and practice the
art of reciting the Holy Quran (tajweed).
The instructor will also answer ques-
tions related to the meaning of the Ara-
bic words and verses.
Every Sunday & Tuesday @ 10
11:30am; every Monday @ 5-6:30pm.
The TIES Center is the social and
educational hub for English Speaking
expats in Kuwait. For more informa-
tion, please call 25231015 or e-mail
info@tiescenter.net or visit www.ties-
center.net.
IPC Islamic Courses: Say: O my
Lord, let me grow in knowledge. IPC is
offering Islamic courses in English (for
ladies only). Muslims and non-Muslims
are welcome.
1. Tilawa Surah Ar-Rad and Surah
Ibrahim Sundays at 5:30-7:00 pm;
2. Principles of Tafsir (part 2) - Sun-
days at 7:00-8:30 pm; 3. Tajweed 3 -
Tuesday, at 5:30-7:00 pm; 4. Jesus in
Surah Mariam (part 2) - Tuesdays at
7:00-8:30 pm.
Instructor: Sr Zeinab Hassan Ashry
Place: IPC - Women Section Al-Raw-
dah, Area 3, Street 30, House 12, opp
4th Ring Road.
Email: ipc_sch@yahoo.com, Tel-
ephone: 22512257.
Redeemed Christian Church: The
Redeemed Christian Church of God
(HOD Parish) worship in English.
Celebration Service: Friday 9 am
11 am; Divine encounter: Sunday, 6:30
pm 8:30 pm; Digging Deep (Bible
studies): Tuesday, 6:30 pm 8:30 pm;
Night vigil every last Friday of the month
from 10 pm.
Venue: New Mishref. For more infor-
mation and direction please call 9927-
6603, 6557-7482. Email: rccghouseof-
davidq8@gmail.com
General
KIFF anti-drugs campaign: As part of
the Fraternity fest, Kuwait India Fraternity
Forum (KIFF) is conducting Anti-Drugs
Campaign among Indians living in Kuwait.
According to the available statistics of Indian
Embassy, 60% of the convicted Indians in
Kuwaiti Jails are arrested on drug-related
cases.
The recent cases of death and captives of
Indian drug abusers is a threatening news. To
defend and to campaign against such social
crisis by protecting individuals as well as the
society has become obligatory. In this cur-
rent situation, Kuwait India Fraternity Forum
is conducting campaign by distributing
handouts, conducting counseling, seminars
etc. to educate the Indians living in Kuwait
informed President Saifudheen Nalakath in a
press release.
2. Please write your story or memory and
sign it with your full name, and your contact For more details contact: 55062071 or
email at kiffkuwait@gmail.com.
number.
3. It will be great if you send us your
personal photos or those of the place related NYF offers free yoga classes: NYF
to the story (optional).
Kuwait offers free yoga, breathing, medita-
Your story will be part of a new book to be tion and reiki classes by a well-experienced
published by DAI. female yoga teacher for all age groups.
I am condent that your contributions will Classes are given on the basis of different
be an essential part of the history of Amri- health problems, stress and other problems
cani. Share with us! by different techniques. Contact: 99315825.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

28

Couch slouch
Shocking twist

War breaks out in Walking

Dead season seven finale
By Ian Servantes
D onny Hathaways Someday Well All Be
Free was interpreted by many to be about
black rights. But in truth, the 1973 song from
Extension of a Man was written by Edward
Howard about the mental pain he saw Hatha-
way experiencing. The song meant so much to
Hathaway that he cried upon hearing the nal
mix. More than 40 years later, Sasha too nds
catharsis in it in the Season 7 nale of The
Walking Dead.
Sasha listens to it en route with the Saviors
to spill the blood of one more Alexandrian.
Having caught wind of the Alexandrians
making moves, he wants to kill three people as
punishment, but Sasha is able to talk him down
to just one casualty. She has him wrapped
around her ngers, although he insists its not
a man-woman thing.
The Alexandrians are prepared for the visit
after Dwights apparent betrayal. He warns
of Negans arrival and offers to set up some
roadblocks to slow the Saviors down. This
gives Rick and co enough time to rig up some
dynamite outside the fences and get the Alex-
andrians in place alongside the Scavengers.
The Hilltop is on standby, and unbeknownst to
Rick, Ezekiel and his regiment are en route to
join the cause.
Shocking
All this preparation is for naught, however,
after a capital shocking twist in the form of
another betrayal. Eugene leads the Saviors
cavalry to Alexandrias gates and makes a
plea for Rick to fall back in line. Conicted,
he asks where Negan is. Eugene is Negan, he
says. This seals his fate, or seems to, at least,
as Rick gives the nod for Rosita to set off the
dynamite. But it fails, and Jadis puts a gun
to Ricks head and the rest of the Scavengers
follow suit.
It was her crew who tipped off the Saviors,
so we can spare at least some of our ire toward
Gregory, who is still a scumbag but less of a
scumbag than we thought. The surprise gives
Negan a chance for another one of his mono-
logues. He taunts Rick once again and outlines
his demands: all the guns, all the lemonade, a
sacrice for Lucille, Daryl, and the pool table
with all its accessories. Furthering his air for
the dramatic, he has Simon and Dwight unveil
a cofn. Negan reveals that Sasha is inside and
says hell kill her and everyone else (prob-
ably) if Rick doesnt comply.
Sashas nonlinear journey is somewhat
frustrating in the episode. The First Day of
the Rest of Your Life opens with her listening
to Hathaway and takes turns returning there, as
well as to her at the Sanctuary, in a ashback
with Maggie, and in another ashback with
Abraham. Most of those are still unnecessary,
save for the more immediate events. As she
gets into the cofn at the Sanctuary, she asks
only for a glass of water. And while listening
to one last song, she pops her suicide pill.
Cut back to Alexandria, where Negan
opens the cofn and is attacked by Walker
Sasha. Her sacrice opens the window for the
Alexandrians not held at gunpoint to begin
opening re. Still, Rick is immobilized, and so
too is Michonne, by the Scavenger sniper who
was supposed to be her partner in crime. Rick
tries to make an even better deal with Jadis,
but shes having none of it. She pops a shot in
his hip and kicks him off the platform. Then
she brings him to Negan, who has Carl on his
knees and surrounded by a gang of Saviors. Vidhan Soudha or Legislative Assembly during, the premises where Karnataka states lawmakers conduct their business is partly lit up in
Outlines blue to mark World Autism Day in Bangalore, India on April 2. (AP)
Once again, its monologue time for Negan.
He outlines his fondness for Carl If I had
a kid, Id want him to be just like him but
New cancer drugs show success at a steep price
says hes going to kill him in front of Rick,
then cut off his arms. As this is happening,
Michonne is in a ght for her life with the
Scavenger. Shes nearly choked out when she Babies cry more in UK, Canada, less in Germany
gets a hit in, but still not safe. Rick then hears
a womans screams from off-camera. Unde- LONDON, April 3, (RTRS): Babies cry more babies crying as little as 30 minutes a day, and For cancer drugs in general ... it is hard for
terred, and unwilling to return to his neutered in Britain, Canada, Italy and Netherlands others more than ve hours. us to drive down cost, said Steve Miller, chief
self, he repeats his taunt from the Season 7 than in other countries, while newborns in The research, published in the Journal of medical ofcer at Express Scripts Holding Co,
Denmark, Germany and Japan cry and fuss the Pediatrics, was a meta-analysis of studies cov- the nations largest manager of drug benet plans
premiere, saying he will still kill him one day.
In yet another twist, this one much more least, researchers said on Monday. ering some 8,700 babies in countries including for employers and insurers. You dont want to
expected, Ezekiel and his regiment arrive just In research looking at how much babies Germany, Denmark, Japan, Canada, Italy, the be in the position of being told to use the second
in time to spare Carls life and allow the war around the world cry in their rst three Netherlands and Britain. best cancer drug for your child.
to continue. Shiva pounces on one of Negans months, psychologists from Britain have Wolker said the new crying chart would Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, as
henchman just as he pulls the bat behind his created the rst universal charts for normal help health workers reassure parents whether well as President Donald Trump, have been
shoulders, ready to swing. Ezekiel, Morgan, amounts of crying during that period. their baby is crying within a normal range grappling with how to restrain rising pre-
and Carol all come in guns blazing, with the Babies are already very different in how in the rst three months, or may need extra scription drug costs. They have talked about
king delivering a properly dramatic decry: much they cry in the rst weeks of life, said support. solutions ranging from more price negotiation
Alexandria will not fall, not on this day. Dieter Wolker, who led the study at Warwick to faster approval of new drugs, often invoking
The Scavengers ee, and eventually the University. increased competition between drugmakers.
Saviors are run out of Alexandria. Along the We may learn more from looking at cul- Newer cancer drugs that enlist the bodys Competition is key to lowering drug
way were treated to some awesome action tures where there is less crying (including) immune system are improving the odds of prices, Trump told pharmaceutical executives
shots, particularly the pairings of Ezekiel whether this may be due to parenting or other survival, but competition between them is not at an Oval Ofce meeting in January.
and Carol and Rick and Morgan ghting factors relating to pregnancy experiences or reining in prices that can now top $250,000 a But that is not happening with new drugs
alongside each other. The newly aligned genetics. year. called checkpoint inhibitors that work by
army attempts to chase Negan and the rest of The highest levels of colic dened as The drugs success for patients is the result releasing a molecular brake, allowing the im-
the Saviors, but a crew left behind is able to crying more than three hours a day for at least of big bets in cancer therapy made by Bristol- mune system to recognize and attack cancer
ward them off with gunre and allow them three days a week were found in babies in Myers Squibb Co, Merck & Co Inc and Roche cells the same way it ghts infections caused
to escape back to the Sanctuary. War is just Britain, Canada and Italy, while the lowest col- Holding AG, among others in big pharma. The by bacteria or viruses.
getting started. ic rates were found in Denmark and Germany. industrys pipeline of cancer drugs expanded For cancers like melanoma, the treatments
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life On average, the study found, babies cry for by 63 percent between 2005 and 2015, accord- can mean long-term survival for around 20
written by Scott M. Gimple, Angela Kang, around two hours a day in the rst two weeks. ing to the QuintilesIMS Institute, and a good percent of patients.
and Matthew Negrete; and directed by Greg They then cry a little more in the follow- number are reaching the market. Bristols Yervoy, rst approved in 2011,
Nicotero isnt quite a perfect nale, but ing few weeks until they peak at around two The global market for cancer immuno- targets a protein known as CTLA-4. Other
its damn fun and undeniably satisfying. My hours 15 minutes a day at six weeks. This then therapies alone is expected to grow more than immunotherapies, including Bristols Opdivo,
only real beef is with the gratuitous Sasha reduces to an average of one hour 10 minutes fourfold globally to $75.8 billion by 2022 from Keytruda from Merck, Roches Tecentriq,
ashbacks and the indulgently sappy ending by the time they are 12 weeks old. $16.9 billion in 2015, according to research and Pzer Incs Bavencio, involve a different
monologue from Maggie. But there are wide variations, with some rm GlobalData. protein called PD-1.

tv highlights
Cinema
Cinema programme from Thursday 30/03/2017 to Wednesday 05/04/2017

Akher Deek Fe Masr (Arabic Film) 01:00 (Thu, Fri) 360 3 11:45 (No Fri) Fanar 1 17:45 13:30, 15:30, 20:00, Monday
14:45, 17:30, 20:30, 23:15 Marina 3 00:05 22:00, 00:05
Sharqia 1 13:15 (No Fri) Kong: Skull Island Showtime Available for Groups 09:30 am
Ajial 4 15:45, 21:15 Avenues 10 11:45 (No Fri) Grand Hamra 8 14:30, 16:45, 19:30, 22:15
20:00, 22:15 A Beautiful Planet 3D 10:30 am
Sharqia 2 23:00 18:30 (Thu) 17:00, 21:45, 00:05 Grand Gate 3 14:30, 16:30, 18:30,
Fanar 3 21:30, 23:45 05:30 pm, 07:30 pm
Muhalab 1 14:30 360 5 13:00 (No Fri) 20:30, 22:30
Marina 1 22:15 Collide Humpback Whales 3D 11:30 am
Muhalab 2 19:30 (No Fri, Sat, Mon) 15:30, 20:30, 22:45, 01:00 00:30 (Thu, Fri)
Avenues 1 13:15 (No Fri) 09:30 pm
22:30 Sharqia 3 19:45 360 13 14:15, 16:30, 21:15
15:30, 17:45, 20:00, Hebbuli (Kannada Film) Flying Monsters 3D 12:30 pm, 06:30 pm
Fanar 2 14:15, 19:15 Muhalab 3 22:00, 00:05 Grand Hamra 4 15:15, 17:30, 20:00, 22:30
22:15, 00:30
Marina 1 15:15, 19:45 Fanar 4 23:45 Grand Gate 6 14:00, 16:15, 18:45, 21:15 Avenues 8 18:30 Journey to Space 3D 08:30 pm
Avenues 4 12:45 (No Fri)
Avenues 2 12:15 (No Fri) Marina 1 13:15 (No Fri) 23:30 (Thu, Fri) 360 14 21:30
17:45 (No Mon)
14:45, 19:45, 22:15, 00:45 17:45, 00:30
Tuesday
22:00 Power Rangers Smurfs: The Lost Village
Avenues 4 15:15, 00:15 Avenues 9 19:15, 21:15, 23:15, 01:15 Showtime Available for Groups 09:30 am
360 8 12:15 (No Fri)
14:30, 16:45, 19:00,
Avenues 8 13:30, 16:00 360 2 11:45 (No Fri) Fanar 2 16:45 (Arabic Film) Journey to Space 3D 10:30 am
Avenues 11 00:05 14:15, 16:15, 18:15, Avenues 2 17:15 Avenues 9 13:15 (No Fri) 04:30 pm
21:15, 23:30 360 7 12:15 (No Fri)
360 9 15:00, 19:45 20:15, 22:15, 00:15 Avenues 10 19:15 15:15, 17:15 Flying Monsters 3D 11:30 am
14:45, 17:15, 19:45, Al-Kout 2 23:45 360 5 17:45 360 4 12:00 (No Fri) 09:30 pm
Al-Kout 2 11:45 (No Fri) 22:15, 00:45
16:45, 21:30 Grand Gate 7 20:15, 22:15 360 14 11:30 (Sat) 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, A Beautiful Planet 3D 12:30 pm, 02:30 pm,
360 9 12:30 (No Fri) 16:00 (No Thu, Fri, Mon)
Bairaq 3 18:00, 20:45, 23:15 00:15 (Thu, Fri) 20:00, 22:00 05:30 pm, 08:30 pm
17:15 360 15 14:15, 19:15
Laila 20:15 Bairaq 3 12:00 (No Fri) Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 01:30 pm
360 13 11:45 (No Fri) Sleepless Grand Hamra 5 19:45, 22:30 14:00, 16:00 Humpback Whales 3D 03:30 pm, 06:30 pm
Dont Knock Twice 18:45, 23:30 00:45 (Thu, Fri)
Muhalab 2 11:30 (No Fri) Ajial 3 17:00 Secret Ocean 3D 07:30 pm
360 14 18:45 (No Thu, Fri, Mon)
Grand Gate 8 14:45, 17:15, 19:15, 01:00 Grand Hamra 7 14:30, 17:00, 19:30, 22:00 19:00, 21:00 (Thu)
360 15 11:30 (No Fri)
21:15, 23:15 16:45, 21:45, 00:15 Avenues 7 16:15 Grand Gate 7 14:15, 16:15, 18:15 Wednesday
Avenues 8 11:30 (No Fri)
Safra 5 Njoom (Arabic Film)
Al-Kout 2 14:15, 19:00 Logan Showtime Available for Groups 09:30 am
Daylights End 00:15 Fanar 5 12:00 (No Fri) Flying Monsters 3D 10:30 am
Bairaq 2 17:30
Sharqia 1 15:30, 17:45, 00:30 Grand Gate 4 14:15, 16:45, 19:30, 22:00 360 14 14:00 (Fri, Sat) 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, Avenues 10 14:15 05:30 pm
Fanar 2 12:00 (No Fri) 00:30 20:00, 22:00, 00:05 360 4 00:05
A Beautiful Planet 3D 11:30 am
21:45, 00:05 Max Steel Grand Hamra 3 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00 Avenues 3 12:15 (No Fri)
06:30 pm, 09:30 pm
Avenues 7 11:45 (No Fri) 23:00 (Thu, Fri) 14:30, 16:45, 19:00, The Windmill Massacre
Grand Hamra 1 14:15, 16:15, 18:15, Humpback Whales 3D 12:30 pm
14:00, 18:15, 20:30, 20:15, 22:15 21:15, 23:30 360 6 17:30
Guru (Telugu Film) Avenues 4 20:00 Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 07:30 pm
22:45, 01:00 01:00 (Thu, Fri)
360 6 12:45 (No Fri) Grand Gate 5 14:45, 16:45, 19:00, Muhalab 2 13:30, 16:30 (Fri) 360 9 22:00, 00:05 Hamah (Kuwaiti Film) Journey to Space 3D 08:30 pm
15:00, 19:30, 21:45, 00:05 360 11 13:15 (No Fri) 360 14 15:30 (Thu)
21:00, 23:00 19:30 (Fri, Sat, Mon) Thursday
Al-Kout 4 12:45 (No Fri) Fanar 3 15:30 (Fri) 15:30, 17:45, 20:00, 17:00 (Thu, Fri)
15:00, 21:45, 00:05 Get Out 22:15, 00:30 Showtime Available for Groups 09:30 am
18:30 (Fri, Mon)
Sharqia 3 12:30 (No Fri) Ajial 2 15:30, 18:30, Al-Kout 3 12:30 (No Fri) Honey Bee2: Celebrations A Beautiful Planet 3D 10:30 am
Smurfs: The Lost Village 14:45, 21:45, 00:05 14:30, 16:30, 18:30, (Malayalam Film) 07:30 pm
21:30 (No Thu)
Sharqia 2 13:00 (No Fri) Muhalab 1 12:15 (No Fri) 20:30, 22:30, 00:30 360 14 18:30 (Thu, Fri, Mon) Flying Monsters 3D 11:30 am
15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00 17:00, 22:15, 00:30 Life Bairaq 2 11:30 (No Fri) Plaza 15:45, 21:30 (Thu) 06:30 pm, 09:30 pm
Muhalab 3 12:00 (No Fri) Fanar 1 13:00 (No Fri) 18:45 Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 12:30 pm
14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00 Journey to Space 3D 05:30 pm
Fanar 4 11:45 (No Fri)
15:15, 20:00, 22:15, 00:30 How to find us Ajial 1 15:45 (No Fri)
Marina 2 12:45 (No Fri) 18:45, 21:45 Humpback Whales 3D 08:30 pm
13:45, 15:45, 17:45, 15:00, 17:15, 19:30, 1. 360 Zahraa Area, South Surra, 6th Ring Road, corner of
19:45, 21:45 21:45, 00:05 King Faisal Highway Dora (Tamil Film) Friday
Marina 3 12:00 (No Fri) Avenues 5 21:00 (No Fri) 2. Ajial Ajial Complex, Fahaheel Plaza 15:45 (No Thu) A Beautiful Planet 3D 02:30 pm, 06:30 pm,
14:00, 16:00, 20:00, 22:00 23:15 3. Al Bairaq Between Jaber Al Ali East & Al Agalia West Ajial 4 18:30 (No Thu) 09:30 pm
18:00 (No Thu) Avenues 6 11:30 (No Fri) 4. Al Fanar Al Fanar Complex, Salem Al Mubarak Street, near Journey to Space 3D 03:30 pm
Avenues 5 13:00 (No Fri) 13:30, 15:45, 18:00, Sultan Center, Salmiya Kavan (Tamil Film) Humpback Whales 3D 04:30 pm
15:00, 17:00 20:15, 22:30, 00:45 5. Al Kout Al-Kout Complex, at the end of the Coastal Road, Plaza 21:30 (No Thu) Secret Ocean 3D 05:30 pm
19:00 (No Tue) 360 1 12:30 (No Fri) Ajial 3 19:00, 22:00 (No Thu)
Fahaheel Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 07:30 pm
Avenues 11 12:00 (No Fri) 14:45, 17:00, 19:15, 6. Al Muhalab Al Muhalab Complex, Behind Hawally Clinic, Hawally Flying Monsters 3D 08:30 pm
14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 21:30, 23:45
7. Al Sharqiya Arabian Gulf Street, Souq Sharq, near the Amiri Hospital Loot 2 (Nepali Film)
20:00, 22:00 360 10 20:15, 22:30, 00:45 Saturday
360 10 12:15 (No Fri) 360 12 01:00
8. Laila Gallery Salem Al Mubarak Street, near Sultan Center, Salmiya Ajial 1 16:00 (Fri)
14:15, 16:15, 18:15 9. Marina Marina Mall, Between Salem Al Mubarak Street & Showtime Available for Groups 09:30 am
Al-Kout 1 22:00, 00:15
Arabian Gulf Street, Salmiya
Katamarayudu (Telugu Film)
360 12 13:00 (No Fri) Al-Kout 4 17:15, 19:30 Flying Monsters 3D 10:30 am
10. Metro Metro Complex, Farwaniya, near Crowne Plaza Hotel & Ajial 2 15:30, 18:30, 21:30 (Thu) 05:30 pm, 07:30 pm
15:00, 17:00, 19:00, Laila 22:30
21:00, 23:00 Grand Hamra 2 14:15, 16:30, 19:15, 21:45 Farwaniya Garden A Beautiful Planet 3D 11:30 am
Al-Kout 1 12:00 (No Fri) 00:00 (Thu, Fri) 11. Plaza Salem Al Mubarak Street, near Sultan Center, Salmiya IMAX 03:30 pm, 08:30 pm
14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00 Grand Hamra GC 15:00, 17:30, 20:00, 22:30 12. The Avenues The Avenues Mall, Al Reggai near Al Rai, 5th Ring Imax film programme at The Scientific Journey to Space 3D 12:30 pm, 06:30 pm,
Bairaq 1 13:00 (No Fri) 01:00 (Thu, Fri) Road & Ghazali Road Intersection Center 09:30 pm
15:00, 17:00, 19:00, Grand Gate 2 14:15, 16:30, 19:15, 21:30 NB: Friday no show before 1:30 pm Humpback Whales 3D 01:30 pm
21:00, 23:00 23:45 (Thu, Fri) Sunday
Regular show KD3:000; 3D-Digital KD3.500; VIP show Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 02:30 pm
Laila 16:15, 18:15 KD6.000. On Monday, price is KD1.500 except Digital movies. Showtime Available for Groups 09:30 am Secret Ocean 3D 04:30 pm
Grand Hamra 5 14:45, 17:15 Naam Shabana (Hindi Film) Flying Monsters 3D 10:30 am
Grand Hamra 6 14:00, 16:00, 18:00,
Cinescape cinema movies inquiries and Fax Back hotline 1803456 07:30 pm Notes: All films are in Arabic. For
Sharqia 3 17:00
20:00, 22:00 Muhalab 1 19:15 13. The Scientific Center IMAX Opp Holiday Inn, Salmiya, Gulf Road A Beautiful Planet 3D 11:30 am English, headsets are available upon
Grand Gate 1 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, Muhalab 2 13:30, 16:30 (No Fri) 06:30 pm, 09:30 pm request. Film schedule is subject to chang-
14. Grand Al-Hamra Grand Al-Hamra, tel: 22270333, www.grand cinemas.com Journey to Space 3D 12:30 pm es without notice.
20:00, 22:15 Fanar 3 12:45, 15:30 (No Fri)
Grand Gate GC 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 18:30 (No Fri, Mon) 15. Grand Gate Grand Gate, tel: 22056464, www.grandcinemas.com Humpback Whales 3D 05:30 pm For information call 1 848 888 or visit
21:00, 23:00 Avenues 8 21:30 Kenya: Animal Kingdom 3D 08:30 pm www.tsck.org.kw

HEALTH
Hospital struggles with Mosuls injured and its dead
QAYARA, Iraq, April 3, (Agencies): The hos-
pital in Qayara sometimes receives so many
dead bodies that they do not t in the refrig-
erator unit and have to be left in the corridors.
Inside the mortuary, the dead are simply put on
the oor because there are no containers, some-
times piled one on top of the other in a grue-
some fashion and wrapped in a blanket, just as
they were brought in.
The bodies are casualties from Mosul, where
Iraqi forces backed by US-led coalition forces
have been battling the Islamic State group for
over ve months to take control of the city.
We asked for shelves but they gave us noth-
ing, shrugged Dr. Mansour Marouf, the hospi-
tals chief surgeon.
The beleaguered Qayara hospital is one of
only two public hospitals within a 120-mile
(193-kilometer) radius, between Mosul and the
central Iraqi city of Tikrit. It is overwhelmed
with casualties from the eld clinics in Mosul.
Activity in the hospitals mirrors the intensity of
the operation: There were 21 dead on Friday,
nothing on Saturday.
Since it reopened in January, after Qayara
was retaken by Iraqi troops from IS, the hos-
pital has treated over 2,000 patients, including
some 600 battle casualties.
The hospital is also responsible for general
health care, including maternity care, for the
hundreds of thousands of people living in the
surrounding area. Yet it receives no govern-
ment support even doctors salaries are cov-
ered by a foreign aid organization. It has only
six surgeons who get so busy when the injured
start owing in that sometimes they sleep no
more than a few hours in several days. It has
only two operating theaters and 50 beds be-
cause the upper levels of the hospital were de-
stroyed in the ghting, leaving only the ground
oor usable. Medical equipment is also lacking.
It is shameful to say this but we have re-
ceived no help and no support from the govern-
ment at all even though the town was liberated
eight months ago, said Dr. Mansour.
He said the only public help they got was
from the local governorate, which sent forensic
inspectors twice a week to try to identify the
dead who come in without an identity card or
a relative. Everything else, including all the
equipment and the medical disposables, have
been paid for by WAHA, a foreign aid organi-
zation that focuses on health issues.
It has even occurred to Dr. Mansour that they
are being ignored by ofcials because of suspi-
cions they might harbor toward local residents
No government support
Dr Mansour Marouf (center), stands with a patient in Qayara general hospital, south of
Mosul. (AP)
who spent over two years under IS rule. But
every employee has been checked by the secu-
rity services so they cannot even blame it on
that, he said.
The hospitals situation underscores the ex-
tent to which the Iraqi governments efforts
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
29
to reclaim the areas that it lost to IS in 2014
have been uneven at best. Military operations,
assisted by the US-led coalition, have been pro-
ceeding relatively evenly, if slowly, but the pro-
vision of public services, let alone reconstruc-
tion, has only barely begun or not at all in most
liberated towns.
Also:
BEIJING: China reported six new cases of
H7N9 bird u including one death in Hunan
after live poultry markets in the province were
shuttered last month.
The infections were reported in the last week
of March by the provincial centre for disease
control and prevention, according to a report by
Xinhua news agency on Sunday.
A total ban on live poultry trading in the pro-
vincial capital of Changsha has been in effect
since March 17 and will continue for another
ve days, the agency said.
In March authorities reported an outbreak
of the virus in the province originating from
a farm with about 29,760 infected birds. Over
170,000 birds were culled as a result.
The number of human infections this season
has surged to the highest level since 2009. At least
162 deaths have been reported since October.
 Mashreqs Iossifidis to become CEO of Noor Bank
The head of corporate and in-
vestment banking at Dubais
Mashreq is leaving to become
chief executive of Noor Bank,
sources familiar with the matter
told Reuters on Monday.
Mashreq, Dubais third-big-
gest bank by assets, said John
Iossidis was leaving to pursue
other opportunities, adding he
had made a signicant contribu-
tion to the banks growth in the
UAE and internationally over the
past eight years. It said Nabeel
Waheed, currently Mashreqs
head of treasury and capital mar-
kets, would take over from him.
Noor was not available for im-
mediate comment.
An Islamic bank, Noor was
launched in 2008 and is 87.8
percent owned by the govern-
ment of Dubai, members of the
ruling family of Dubai and a
select group of government of
Dubai nominated shareholders,
according to its website.
Iossidis, who has been at
Mashreq since 2009, helped
overhaul the structure of
Mashreqs wholesale bank to
bring in more exposure to real
estate, non-bank nancial insti-
tutions, education, healthcare
and multinational companies
across the region. (RTRS)
Mediterranean gas pipeline could be built by 2025
European and Israeli govern-
ments gave their support on
Monday to moving forward with
a Mediterranean pipeline project
to carry natural gas from Israel to
Europe, setting a target date of
2025 for completion.
The planned 2,000 km (1,248
mile) pipeline aims to link gas
elds off the coasts of Israel and
Cyprus with Greece and possibly
Italy, at a cost of up to 6 billion eu-
ros ($6.4 billion).
This is an ambitious project,
which as the Commission, we
clearly support, as it will have a
high value in terms of security
of supply and diversication tar-
gets, said European Climate and
Energy Commissioner Miguel
Arias Canete. Israel has discov-
ered more than 900 billion cubic
metres (bcm) of gas offshore,
with some studies pointing to
another 2,200 bcm waiting to be
tapped.
Along with the European
market, it is exploring options
to export to Turkey, Egypt and
Jordan.
Cyprus Aphrodite natural gas
eld holds an additional 128 bcm,
and Cypriot waters are expected
to hold more reserves.
Israeli Energy Minister Yuval
Steinitz said the pipeline could be
completed in 2025. But we will
try to speed up and to shorten the
timetable, he said. (RTRS)

Market Movements 03-04-2017

Business
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Move to support growth in local funds industry

Bahrain unveils new Investment Limited Partnership Law

MANAMA, April 3: Bahrain has
become the rst country in the GCC
region to introduce an Investment
Limited Partnership Law and inte-
grate it in the countrys legal sys-
tem. The new move allows inves-
tors to establish limited partnerships
nationwide, as oppose to only in
identied free zones.
The law offers new nancing
structures that complement the
existing opportunities available
in the Kingdom. It is expected to
provide a strong boost to the -
nancial sector, supporting growth
in real estate funds, private equity
funds, venture capital and technol-
ogy funds, start-ups, and Shariah
compliant funds, as well as captive
insurance.
The ILP will have its own legal
personality while allowing inves-
tors to contribute to the investment
fund without taking an active man-
agement role, which will be mostly
led by banks and investment rms
with a Category 1 or 2 licence. The
new legislation will allow new ILPs
to be incorporated and permits ex-
isting partnerships to convert to an
ILP.
Activities within the newly intro-
duced law include collective invest-
ment undertakings, private invest-
ment undertakings, securitisation
and insurance captives. The exi-
bility to develop tailored investment
terms is expected to be welcomed
Khalid Al Rumaihi, CE of EDB
by investors as a more cost effective
option than in other GCC econo-
mies, which currently only offer it
through free zones.
Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Execu-
tive of the Bahrain Economic De-
velopment Board (EDB) said: We
see great potential in the GCC for
investors looking for strong returns
and the development of the local
funds industry can play an impor-
tant role in facilitating that invest-
ment.
These reforms will provide a
strong boost to the sector, support
growth in a number of areas and
help to make Bahrain a highly com-
petitive location for those looking to
access the opportunities around the
Gulf.
Abdulrahman Al Baker, ED of CBB
The new law joins two others,
the Trusts Law and Protected Cells
Companies Law, to be highlighted
in an outreach programme by the
EDB and the CBB that focuses on
the importance of recent changes to
the regulatory environment in Bah-
rain.
The outreach programme will
facilitate an ongoing dialogue with
industry to discuss opportunities of
further boosting Bahrains position
as a nancial hub. said Abdulrah-
man Al Baker, Executive Director
of Financial Institutions Supervi-
sion at the CBB.
The Kingdom has a strong and
mature nancial sector that is only
growing in par with international
markets, and we at the CBB are
Imports needed after start-up of Clean Fuel Project
Kuwait set to import fuel oil in 2018: KNPC CEO
DUBAI, April 3, (RTRS): Kuwait is
set to import fuel oil to use mainly
in power generation for about a year
following the start-up of the Clean
Fuel Project by 2018, the chief exec-
utive of state rener Kuwait National
Petroleum Co (KNPC) said.
Fuel oil to meet the requirements
of the Ministry of Electricity and Wa-
ter is currently being produced from
the other existing reneries, Mina
Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi, the
CEO of KNPC Mohammad Ghazi al-
Mutairi told Reuters.
Reuters reported last week that
looking for ways to nurture this
growth with the joint support of the
EDB, our main partner.
We have introduced the outreach
programme to stress the importance
of the three laws enacted last year
and to show the favourable position
of Bahrain in the region, providing
investor friendly, cost and time ef-
fective solutions.
Brian Howard, Partner at Trow-
ers & Hamlins, said: The addi-
tion of the new investment limited
partnership law, the protected cell
companies law and the new trusts
law in Bahrain, opens the door to
with the scheduled decommission-
ing of the 200,000 barrels per day
(bpd) Shuaibah renery on April 1,
Kuwait would be forced to import
the residual fuel from next year
until the al-Zour renery starts run-
ning in 2019.
The fuel oil import is not linked to
Shuaibas retirement, Mutairi said.
Part of the countrys 30 billion di-
nar ($100 billion) economic develop-
ment plan, the Clean Fuel Project will
upgrade Kuwaits the Mina Abdullah
and Mina Al-Ahmadi reneries, with
a focus on producing higher-value
many new lines of business and
investment structures not previ-
ously available and brings Bahrains
structuring options in line with the
best modern international examples.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is the
rst country in the GCC region to
introduce such structures into its
mainland legislative framework
and we know that investors and
institutions have been looking for-
ward to the new opportunities these
laws present. We are delighted to
have been able to support the Cen-
tral Bank of Bahrain, the Economic
Development Board and the King-
products such as diesel and kerosene
for export.
Fuel oil imports will be needed af-
ter the startup of the Clean Fuel Proj-
ect by around October 2018 until the
new al-Zour renery, currently under
construction, starts running later in
2019, Mutairi said.
When operational, the al-Zour re-
nery is expected to produce some
225,000 bpd of fuel oil, he said.
Post Shuaiba retirement, imports
of gasoline will be needed from time
to time until the start up of the Clean
Fuel Project, he added.
dom of Bahrain in these develop-
ments.
The new law provides an extra
degree of exibility for companies
structuring investment in different
areas in Bahrain. With partnership
laws being a longstanding staple
within Common Law jurisdictions
such as in London, New York and
Singapore, the new law will allow
nancial rms to be able to operate
within a familiar legal framework.
The Law will also support nancial
rms in establishing nancial in-
vestment funds, and grant them ac-
cess to new funding mechanisms.

8-1/2 year high

Turkey inflation
jumps in March
ISTANBUL, April 3, (RTRS): Tur-
keys annual ination hit its highest
in 8-1/2 years in March as chronic
weakness in the lira currency stoked a
surge in consumer prices that could be
unwelcome news for President Tayyip
Erdogan ahead of a referendum to ex-
tend his powers.
Ination jumped 11.29 percent last
month from a year earlier with prices
for food, transportation and alcohol all
booking double-digit increases, data
showed on Monday.
Hit by political concerns and worries
about the direction of monetary policy,
with the central bank apparently reluc-
tant to raise its benchmark interest rate
to defend the currency, the lira has lost
3 percent of its value against the dollar
this year, on top of a 17 percent dive
last year.
Erdogan has declared himself an
enemy of interest rates, and repeat-
edly railed against what he says is the
high cost of credit in Turkey. Some
investors are concerned that the cen-
tral banks increasing reliance upon
unorthodox methods to tighten policy
shows it is wary of raising borrowing
costs.
Todays gures on their own are
probably not enough to prompt anoth-
er interest rate hike, William Jackson
and Liam Carson of Capital Econom-
ics said in a note to clients.
The recent rise in the lira, last
months rate hike and renewed pres-
sure from the government to reverse
the tightening cycle make this unlike-
ly. Nonetheless, there is no scope to
loosen policy.
The Turkish central bank last month
hiked the cost of funds from its late
liquidity window by 75 basis points
while leaving conventional policy rates
on hold.
The ination data may not be good
news for Erdogan, who is counting on
broad support in an April 16 referen-
dum that would change the constitu-
tion to give him sweeping executive
powers.
Consumer prices rose 1.02 percent
from the previous month in March,
the data showed, outstripping the 0.6
percent increase predicted by a Reuters
poll. Annual ination was at its highest
since October 2008.
Erdogan adviser Bulent Gedikli said
on Twitter that the upswing in ination
was temporary, and the impact of gov-
ernment measures would be seen from
the second quarter onwards. He did not
elaborate.
It is possible to say that the ina-
tion data is driven by the impact of for-
eign exchange rate, is temporary and
that we will see the reections of the
measures taken from second quarter
onwards, he said after the data was
released.
Producer prices rose 16.09 percent
year-on-year, and 1.04 percent month-
on-month, the data also showed.
The lira weakened slightly after the
data and was at 3.6420 at 0809 GMT,
from Fridays close of 3.6350.
Qatar restarts development of biggest
gas field after 12-year freeze: QP CEO
Doha faces stiff competition from US, Australia and Russia
DOHA, April 3, (RTRS): Qatar has lifted a self-imposed ban on develop- Executive Saad al-Kaabi told reporters Monday at Qatar Petroleums headquarters in Doha. For oil
there are people who see peak demand in 2030, others in 2042, but for gas demand is always growing.
ment of the worlds biggest natural gas eld, the chief executive of Qatar The development in the southern section of the North Field will have a capacity of 2 billion cubic feet
Petroleum said on Monday, as the worlds top LNG exporter looks to see per day, or 400,000 barrels of oil equivalent, and increase production of the eld by about 10 percent,
off an expected rise in competition. when it starts production in ve to seven years, he said.
Qatar declared a moratorium in 2005 on the development of the North Field, which it shares Qatar is expected to lose its top exporter position this year to Australia, where new production is due
with Iran, to give Doha time to study the impact on the reservoir from a rapid rise in output. to come on line. The LNG market is undergoing huge changes as the biggest ever ood of new supply is
The vast offshore gas eld, which Doha calls the North Field and Iran calls South Pars, accounts for hitting the market, with volumes coming mainly from the United States and Australia.
nearly all of Qatars gas production and around 60 percent of its export revenue. President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russia aimed to become the worlds largest LNG pro-
We have completed most of our projects and now is a good time to lift the moratorium, QP Chief ducer. The urry of LNG production has resulted in global installed LNG capacity of over 300 million
tonnes a year, while only around 268
million tonnes of LNG were traded in
2016, Thomson Reuters data shows.
That has helped pull down Asian
spot LNG prices by more than 70 per-
cent from their 2014 peaks to $5.65
per million British thermal units
(mmBtu).
Qatars decision to lift the mora-
torium on new gas development now
could help the tiny Gulf monarchy
maintain a competitive edge after
2020, when the global LNG market is
expected to tighten.
With global activity levels and
costs low, now is a good time to add
new capacity, even if the LNG market
does presently look over supplied,
Giles Farrer, research director, global
LNG at Wood Mackenzie, said in an
email. Its a signal that Qatar intends
to increase its market share, which has
been falling as other regions have built
new capacity.
An energy advisor to the Qatar gov-
ernment said he saw it as a preemptive
step to warn competitors who are con-
sidering LNG investments that Qatar
Photo from the event remains an aggressive seller.
It will certainly give rivals some-
Attendees include renowned personalities, key decision makers thing to chew on, he said, declining to
be named as he was not authorised to
speak publicly.
AIM 2017 to focus on topics for attracting FDIs The announcement coincides with
the start of a major LNG industry con-
ference this week in Japan, attended by
DUBAI, UAE, April 3: The Annual overall competitiveness of businesses ties for their rms and people. To be even in an uncertain future and allow many of its competitors and potential
Investment Meeting (AIM 2017) has all around the world. competitive in the market, we must more safety and prosperity to the resi- new customers. Kaabi said low prices
brought together on day two a wide One of the major discussions at the create new ideas, trends and strate- would not pressure Qatar.
dents, thereby posing a positive impact
range of attendees including renowned forum was about the Relationship gies. As such strengthening both global on the current global economic land- By the time this project comes on-
line in ve years or so it should be a
personalities, key decision makers in between international investment and openness and domestic competitive- scape.
industry, nance and politics from the competitiveness and how it is changing ness has never been more important. good market for gas, he said.
The Annual Investment Meeting Iran, which suffers severe domes-
MENA region and around the globe. the current global economic landscape. To revive sluggish productivity and (AIM) unites the growing number of
This edition is continuing until Tuesday In an increasingly market-driven global tap new sources of growth, innovation, tic gas shortages, has made a rapid
international investors, corporates, fund increase in production from South
(4th April 2017) at the Dubai Interna- economy, a national economy needs to job creation and development, a trade- managers and think tanks that engage in Pars a top priority and signed a pre-
tional Convention and Exhibition Cen- be competitive to develop and prosper. and-competitiveness agenda should be the transformation process of sustain- liminary deal with Frances Total in
tre. As such, the discussion has highlighted a priority for policymakers around the able nance. It is offering sessions on November to develop its South Pars
Having cemented its status as the a detailed analysis of the nature and world which will not only benet the lo- 12 different topics for debate and reec- II project. Irans oil minister last week
foremost meeting destination dedicated determinants of nance and trade and cal economies, but also the global land- tion, allowing participants to hit strate- vowed to ramp up production of its
to the development of the foreign direct their relationship between international scape, said Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, gic topics for driving international cor- part of the shared eld.
investments (FDI), this years theme investment and competitiveness. AIMs Organising Committee. porate growth. In addition, the Annual Irans gas production in South Pars
International Investment, Path to Com- As trade and competitiveness are In lieu of the above, the Middle East Investment Meeting (AIM) participants can exceed Qatars before the end of new
petitiveness & Development, has been connected, it is the competitiveness of region and the world step ahead to in- are having an exclusive opportunity to Iranian year (ending March 20, 2018),
offering a unique platform for facilitat- economies the level of productiv- crease foreign direct investment. The have access to some prominent stake- Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Tas-
ing thought-provoking and forward- ity of continents, nations, sub national governments of the world are formulat- holders and pioneers of the sustainable nim news agency on Thursday. Total
thinking discussions, as well as unique regions, and even cities that deter- ing principles of transparency, effective nance community, said Al Shezawi. was the rst Western energy company to
opportunities for business development, mines how well they translate openness communication and engagement. This sign a major deal with Tehran since the
strategy renement and improving the to trade and investment into opportuni- will help people to seize opportunities Continued on Page 31 lifting of international sanctions.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
BUSINESS 31

imagination technology shares dive 60%
Shares in chipmaker Imagination will no longer use the groups in-
Technologies plunged over 60 per- tellectual property in its new prod-
cent on Monday after the British ucts within two years.
company announced that Apple That would mean the company
plans to stop using its products. wouldnt be eligible for royalty
The development highlights payments under existing agree-
how, through its sheer size, Ap- ments.
ples decisions can make or break Imagination says Apple has for
the fortune of entire companies years used the companys technol-
that work with it. ogy in the graphics processor units
Imagination, a multimedia, pro- of its phones, tablets and watches
cessor and communications tech- but has asserted that it is working
nology company, said Apple Inc. on a separate, independent de-
sign to control its products.
Imagination said it would be
extremely challenging for Apple
to design a new product without
infringing Imaginations intellectual
property rights.
Accordingly Imagination does
not accept Apples assertions, the
company said.
There are longer-term issues
than the loss of royalties and li-
cense fees, which amounted to
60.7 million pounds last year. (AP)
architect of modern VW cuts ties with share sale
Former Volkswagen chairman
Ferdinand Piech has agreed to
sell a major part of his stake in the
rm that controls Europes big-
gest carmaker, reducing his links
with Volkswagen after more than
two decades of undisputed rule.
Volkswagens (VW) ruling Por-
sche and Piech families have
agreed to buy a large part of the
14.7 percent stake Piech holds in
Porsche Automobil Holding SE,
which in turn owns 52.2 percent
of voting shares in VW, exercis-
ing their right of rst refusal on the
shares, Porsche SE said on Mon-
day. It did not say exactly how
much of the stake the families
would buy and gave no details
on the price. Piechs total stake in
Porsche SE is worth about 1 bil-
lion euros ($1.1 billion) at current
market prices.
The withdrawal from Porsche
SE of Piech, who turns 80 on April
17, had been expected after the
company said last month he was
in talks about selling his holding.
It marks an end to the inuence
of one of the last towering gures
in the auto industry, who has had
a rocky relationship with VW since
he was ousted as chairman in
2015, months before the company
was engulfed in an emissions test
cheating scandal. (RTRS)

US factory activity retreats from 2-1/2-year high

WASHINGTON, April 3,
(RTRS): An index of man-
ufacturing activity retreat-
ed from a 2-1/2-year high
in March amid modest
declines in new orders and
production, but a surge
in manufacturing jobs in-
dicated that the sectors
energy-led recovery was
gaining momentum.
Other data on Monday showed
construction spending rising to a
near 11-year high in February amid
robust gains in home building in-
vestment. The reports pointed to
strong economic fundamentals,
despite growth appearing to have
slowed sharply in the rst quarter.
The Institute for Supply Manage-
ment (ISM) said its index of national
factory activity slipped to a reading
of 57.2 last month from 57.7 in Feb-
ruary, which was the highest since
August 2014.
A reading above 50 indicates an
expansion in manufacturing, which
accounts for about 12 percent of the
US economy. The manufacturing re-
covery is being driven by the energy
sector as steady increases in crude oil
prices boost drilling activity.
A report from energy services rm
Baker Hughes on Friday showed US
drillers added 137 rigs in the rst quar-
ter, the most since the second quarter
of 2011. That has fueled demand
for machinery, resulting in business
spending on equipment rising in the
fourth quarter for the rst time in a
year.
Last month, the ISM surveys pro-
duction sub-index decreased 5.3 per-
centage points to 57.6. A gauge of
new orders fell to 64.5 from a reading
of 65.1 in February. But a measure
of factory employment jumped 4.7
percentage points to 58.9, the highest
Global manufacturing growth caps strong first quarter, led by China
In this le photo, recycled plastic chips destined to be made in to thread
are shown at the Repreve Bottle Processing Center, part of the Uni textile
company in Reidsville, North Carolina. On April 3, the Institute for Supply
Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, issues its index of
manufacturing activity for March. (AP)
reading since June 2011.
Manufacturers reported pay-
ing more for raw materials, more
evidence that ination pressures are
steadily building up. A report on Fri-
day showed a key consumer ination
measure in February recorded its big-
gest annual gain in nearly ve years.
The ISMs prices index rose 2.5
percentage points in February to 70.5,
the highest reading since May 2011.
Factories across Europe and much
of Asia posted another month of sol-
id growth in March, rounding off a
strong quarter for manufacturers, even
though exporters fear a rise in US pro-
tectionism could snuff out a global
trade recovery.
China led the way, with an ofcial
manufacturing index expanding at the
fastest pace in nearly ve years. Sur-
veys on Monday also showed encour-
aging growth in Europe, Japan, India
and much of emerging Asia.
In the euro zone, IHS Markits nal
manufacturing Purchasing Managers
Index rose to its highly in nearly six-
year high of 56.2 in March, far above
the 50 mark that separates growth
from contraction.
However, British manufacturers
lost some momentum last month, as
export orders grew more slowly and
rising ination cut into consumer de-
mand.
Sterlings tumble following Junes
vote to leave the European Union
helped manufacturers enjoy their fast-
est annual growth in three years during
the nal quarter of 2016 but the sec-
tors PMI suggested growth slowed in
the rst three months of this year.
The ofcial Chinese PMI on Fri-
day rose to 51.8 in March from 51.6,
thanks to a months-long construction
boom which is helping to boost re-
sources prices around the world.
That was the strongest reading since
April 2012, though a private survey
focusing on smaller companies sug-
gested a more cautious outlook, rais-
ing questions about whether the export
recovery can be sustained.
Julian Evans-Pritchard, an econo-
mist at Capital Economics, said the
strength in China wont last meas-
ures to cool its overheated property
market and tighter central bank policy
is likely to curb investment and indus-
trial activity in coming quarters.
But the biggest risk for China may
be brewing halfway across the world.
US President Donald Trump is due to
hold his rst meeting with his Chinese
counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Florida
later this week and those talks may be
tense.
On Friday, Trump sought to push
his crusade against US trade decits
and for more manufacturing jobs back
to the top of his agenda, by ordering a
study into the causes of the trade de-
cits and a clampdown on import duty
evasion.
The failure of the new US admin-
istration to push through healthcare
reforms last month has also added to
global worries Trump will struggle to
pass the tax cuts and spending plans he
promised, which could boost demand
in the worlds largest economy.
Delays to the re-ationary plans
could see US orders and global invest-
ment slow in coming months as busi-
nesses grow more cautious.
China has strong domestic demand
to fall back on, at least for now, but
other export-reliant Asian economies
are more vulnerable if Trump goes on
a trade offensive.
Japanese factory activity expanded
at a solid clip in March, though the
pace slowed from the previous month
as growth in new export orders and
output slowed.
In South Korea, where exports ac-
count for half of the economy and
domestic demand is similarly weak,
readings have been decidedly mixed.
On a more upbeat note, Indias
manufacturing activity grew at the
fastest pace in ve months as output
and new orders accelerated.
Carmakers shares drop
US in March auto sales
lag market expectations
DETROIT, April 3, (RTRS): Major US
automakers on Monday posted sales
gures for March that came in below
market expectations and heightened
concerns the countrys boom in vehi-
cle sales may be losing steam, sending
shares in car companies down.
General Motors Co and Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles NV shares both fell al-
most 4 percent, while Ford Motor Co
was off 3 percent.
Also of concern for the market was
that inventory levels and consumer
discounts have continued to rise as au-
tomakers have had to push harder to
sell their products. A pricing war in the
market could undermine automakers
prots.
March was a tough, tough, tough
market, said Judy Wheeler, vice presi-
dent of US sales at Nissan Motor Co
Ltd, which reported a 3.2 percent in-
crease in sales for the month. Its go-
ing to be an aggressive year and I think
everybody realizes that.
Wheeler said Nissans internal data
showed consumer discounts were $441
higher per vehicle than a year ago and
inventory levels were on the rise.
Nissan trucks, SUVs and crossovers
were up 26 percent and had hit record
highs, especially its high-selling Rogue
crossover.
Car sales in America have risen since
end of the Great Recession and hit a re-
cord last year of 17.55 million. Inves-
tors and analysts have been watching
for signs that the current boom cycle
has begun to wane.
Trucks and SUVs pushed sales at
some major automakers higher in
March at the expense of cars as Ameri-
can consumers continued to shun small-
er vehicles amid low gasoline prices.
No. 1 US automaker General Motors
Co reported a 2 percent increase in sales
to just over 256,000 vehicles, with sales
of its Tahoe and Suburban SUV mod-
els seeing their best sales month since
2008.
But sales at Ford Motor Co fell more
than 7 percent to 236,000 vehicles, with
eet sales to rental agencies, businesses
and government entities down nearly 17
percent on the year. Sales of Fords F-
Series pickup trucks rose 10 percent on
the year.
The F-Series has been the best-selling
model in the United States since 1982.
The full-size pickup truck is a key prot
generator for the No. 2 US automaker.
On a conference call, Ford executives
said they expected the seasonally ad-
justed annualized rate (SAAR) for US
auto sales of over 17 million vehicles.
Analyst polled by Reuters expected
a SAAR of 17.3 million vehicles for
March.
Toyota Motor Corp reported a 2.1
percent decrease in sales, including a
decline of more than 7 percent at its lux-
ury Lexus brand. Fiat Chrysler said its
sales were down 5 percent on the year,
though sales of its popular Ram pickup
were up 6 percent.
Honda Motor Co Ltd reported an
overall decline in sales of 0.7 percent
versus March 2016, but said truck sales
were up 8.4 percent.
GM shares were down 3.8 percent
at $34.03 and Ford was off 3 percent
at $11.29. Fiat Chrysler shares were
down 5.9 percent in New York trading
at $10.28.

The report also emphasised that dif-

Investment is generally a win-win situation for both countries
Trumps pro-business stance buoys Saudi effort: Prince Saud
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April Aramco. to limit Saudi reliance on oil exports.
3, (AP): The Saudi prince tasked with Prince Saud bin Khalid al-Faisal, the Prince Saud said the visit was char-
attracting foreign investment said Mon- acting governor of the Saudi Arabian acterized as a reset in the US-Saudi
day that US President Donald Trumps General Investment Authority, pointed relationship, which had cooled under
pro-business administration can be a to last months visit to Washington by the Obama administration. A White
good thing for the kingdom as it over- Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin House statement after Trumps meeting
hauls its economy and prepares to pub- Salman, who is second-in-line to the with Prince Mohammed emphasized the
licly list shares of state-owned oil giant throne and leading a nationwide push need to strengthen economic and com-
mercial ties between the two countries,
including embarking on joint initiatives
in the energy, industry, infrastructure
and technology sectors, with opportuni-
ties worth more than $200 billion.
The new administration being a
pro-business administration I think will
realize that business in Saudi Arabia
will create benets in the US in terms
of job creation, said Prince Saud.
Investment is generally a win-win
situation for both countries, he said,
speaking in an interview with The As-
sociated Press on the sidelines of the
Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai.
The Saudi government is preparing
to list less than 5 percent of Aramco
next year on the Saudi stock exchange
and an international exchange. It is
gearing up to be the largest otation in
history, with ofcials valuing Aramco
at more than $2 trillion.
Saudi Prince Saud al-Faisal who oversees the Saudi Arabian General In- The otation is part of a broad effort
vestment Authority about Vision 2030 talks to the Associated Press along- to raise Saudi Arabias prole and boost
side the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on government revenues after a sharp drop
April 3. The Saudi prince tasked with attracting foreign investment says in oil prices impacted its ability to pay
US President Donald Trumps pro-business administration can be a good for large infrastructure projects, sub-
thing for the kingdom as it overhauls its economy and prepares to publicly sidies that have citizens have come to
list shares of state-owned oil giant Aramco. (AP) rely on and public sector wages. It also
spends heavily on defense, ranking as
the worlds third largest military spend-
er with billions of dollars in purchases
from US manufacturers.
Prince Mohammed, 30, and Prince
Saud, 38, represent a younger, newer
generation of royals seeking to diver-
sify Saudi Arabias oil-addicted econ-
omy. More than half of the population
of Saudi Arabia is under 25-years-old
and 70 percent are under 35, represent-
ing a large potential consumer market,
but also a massive challenge for the
government to keep up with job crea-
tion and affordable housing.
Prince Saud said Saudi Arabias ma-
jority young population should encour-
age investors.
Theres a lot of potential in terms
of retail and the demand is there for
goods and services, ranging from pots
and pans to building material and eve-
rything in between, he said.
Amazon last week announced it pur-
chased the Middle Easts biggest on-
line retailer Souq.com, which is based
in Dubai. Souq.coms main market is
Saudi Arabia, however. Prince Saud
said the kingdom worked with Ama-
zon last year to introduce them to the
region.
While Saudi Arabia is courting com-
panies in Silicon Valley, it has invested
there too. Last year, Saudi Arabias
Public Investment fund pumped $3.5
billion into the San Francisco-based
ride-sharing rm Uber.
AIM 2017 to
Continued from Page 30
Held under the theme International
Investment, Path to Competitiveness
& Development, this years edition
of AIM has been discussing economic
development opportunities and counter
challenges. The international forum is
host to 100 high-level ofcials, 500 ex-
hibitors and more than 100 media part-
ners.
As part of the Annual Investment
Meeting (AIM 2017) being held at the
World Trade Center in Dubai, World
Bank Group (WBG) issued today (Mon-
day, 3rd April, 2017), a global report
discussing the relevance of foreign direct
investments (FDI) across the world.
The new report presented ideas
and explanations on the best methods
to achieve sustainable development
through foreign direct investment (FDI)
at a time it is considered as a vital source
for sustainable development.
The report emphasised three funda-
mental propositions that policy makers
should keep in mind when dening a
modern investment vision for develop-
ment in the era of globalisation. The
rst proposition highlighted that invest-
ment policy and development is about
connecting foreign and domestic invest-
ments. The second, proposition focused
on investments, and in particular for-
eign direct investment (FDI), which are
not homogenous phenomena. The third
proposition sheds light on how invest-
ments are more than just transactions, en-
tailing multi-staged relationships among
different stakeholders.
ferent types of FDI generate different
kinds of jobs and thus have a different
impact on the development of the local
economy. In addition, the report quoted
a UNCTAD (United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development) study which
revealed that FDI ows to developing
economies reached record levels at $681
billion in 2014 with a total FDI stock
in developing countries exceeding $8.3
trillion. It said that UNCTAD research
shows that FDI can trigger multiple di-
rect and indirect benets in a host coun-
try, most importantly the transfer of new
technology, managerial capabilities and
increased productivity, although these
benets dont materialise automatically.
The WBG report stressed that in order
to achieve economic and job growth, it
is crucial that Domestic Value-Added
(DVA) is increased on a competitive
basis.
The report concluded with a note stat-
ing that the World Bank Group is cur-
rently assisting over 80 countries with
framing their investment reform propos-
als and improving their investment com-
petitiveness. In addition it highlighted
the signicance of different types of FDI,
which can generate varied economic, so-
cial and other benets for a country in
the short and long-term. It also stressed
the importance of having a sophisticated
framework good enough to differentiate
between the various kinds of FDI and
their potential challenges and benets for
development, while being simple enough
to enable governments to clearly start or-
ganising and prioritising the multiple and
complex variables affecting the maximi-
zation of benets of investment.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

BUSINESS 32

SNC-Lavalin offers to buy WS Atkins for $2.6 bln
Canadian engineering and con- the possible offer would deliver
struction company SNC-Lavalin value to Atkins shareholders at
Group Inc has offered to buy a level that the Board would be
WS Atkins for about 2.1 billion prepared to recommend, sub-
pounds ($2.6 billion), the Brit- ject to reaching agreement on
ish engineering and consultancy the other terms and conditions
rm said on Monday. of the offer, Atkins said in a
Atkins said SNC planned to statement.
offer 2,080 pence per share in The boards are discussing
cash, 35 percent above Atkins other terms and conditions of the
closing share price on Friday. possible offer which is condition-
The board of Atkins has al upon diligence and nancing,
indicated to SNC-Lavalin that Atkins added.
Atkins shares jumped to a
new high of 2,004 pence follow-
ing news of the proposal. They
were up 29 percent at 1,986
pence in afternoon trading in
London.
In January, the stock rose
sharply after media reports said
the group had been approached
by US peer CH2M about a pos-
sible $4 billion merger.
Moelis & Co and JPMorgan
are advising Atkins. (RTRS)
British luxury brand Burberry
said on Monday it would license
its fragrances and cosmetics to
Coty in a deal totalling $225 mil-
lion that will help it develop new
products and benet from the
U.S. groups distribution.
Known for its British-made
trenchcoats, Burberrys beauty
range is led by fragrances My
Burberry and Mr Burberry, and in-
cludes cosmetics to help introduce
its brand to new consumers.
Burberry licenses beauty business to Coty
The company, which brought
the perfume business in house
in 2013, said it would retain crea-
tive control while Coty, which
counts Gucci, Hugo Boss and
Calvin Klein in its portfolio, would
bring its global distribution net-
work to the table.
Chief Financial Ofcer Julie
Brown said Burberry had repo-
sitioned the business by cutting
secondary-channel sales, and it
was now the time to partner the
premium fragrance leader.
Coty has very broad experience
of working closely with other luxury
brands, she said in an interview.
We will benet from their deep
beauty industry expertise and also
their rst class distribution.
Coty will pay 130 million
pounds for the long-term licence,
plus about 50 million pounds
for inventory and other assets,
Burberry said. It will also pay
royalties from October. (RTRS)

CFA Institute research outlines trends and disruptions, suggests roadmap needed

Leaders must transform if investment industry is to thrive: study

DUBAI, April 3: The Future State
of the Investment Profession study
released today by CFA Institute de-
scribes an industry at an existential
crossroads. It warns that investment
industry leaders who fail to trans-
form their business models may
jeopardize the future of their rms.
The report provides a guide to in-
vestment industry leaders looking
to adapt, however, and it is timed
to coincide with
the Putting In-
vestors First
campaign, a
recurring CFA
Institute annual
initiative to fo-
cus the attention
of the industry
on the needs of
investors around
the world. Smith
The study
provides a series of planning sce-
narios derived by combining mega-
trends impacting all industries with
other forces specic to the invest-
ment industry. These can be used as
tools for leaders in investment man-
agement to steer the future of their
businesses and ultimately improve
outcomes for end investors.
Our industry is at an inection
point, where success or failure hangs
in the balance, said Paul Smith,
president and CEO of CFA Institute.
Industry leaders will make deci-
sions over the next ve years that
will have an impact not just on their
rms, but also on the entire land-
scape of the investment profession
as we know it.
Among the megatrends identied
are technological advances, rede-
ned client preferences, new macro-
economic conditions, different regu-
latory regimes reecting geopolitical
changes, and demographic shifts.
The scenarios are not forecasts but
include possibilities for the future
state of the investment industry.
Leadership Skills Critical to Fu-
ture Competitiveness
The study also analyzed the most
important skills needed for effective
leadership in the future. While there
are common global themes, certain
regions differed in their assessment
of the skills that are most important
for leadership success. Respondents
from North America (61%) and
Europe (46%) noted that the most
important skill of an asset manager
CEO will be the ability to articulate a
compelling vision for the institution.
In Latin America and in the Middle
East and Africa, relationship build-
ing skills (42% and 40% respective-
ly) and crisis management (39% and
37%) will be the two most important
skills for leadership success. Re-
spondents based in Asia Pacic see
ethical decision-making (38%), and
relationship building skills (40%) as
especially important.
Whatever the future holds, lead-
ers in the investment industry will
need new skills, and they will need
to recruit and develop employees
along new dimensions, said Roger
Urwin, a co-author of the report and
chair of the Future of Finance Advi-
sory Council at CFA Institute. Soft
skills such as creativity, empathy,
and negotiating complex situations
will become increasingly impor-
tant.
Roadmap for success
To help leaders navigate through
these changes successfully while
building trust and increasing the
benets to society, CFA Institute
urges asset owners, asset managers
and investment intermediaries to fo-
cus on these areas for the future:
Professional transformation: De-
velop the mindset and practices
by which the investment industry
evolves into a professional status
akin to law or even medicine.
Fiduciary implementation: Master
the meaning of duciary in a way that
can be effectively implemented even
with inherent trade-offs and conicts.
New skills for new circumstances:
Develop new-era leadership. The
industrys biggest challenge is nd-
ing leadership who can articulate
a compelling vision and instill an
ethical culture. Improving diversity
is linked to better performance and
culture.
Stronger standards to restore in-
dustry trust: Specify and inuence
culture and practice with regard to
values and costs. Create a culture and
business model which align cred-
ibility and professionalism across a
spectrum of critical attributes. Use
the CFA Institute TRUST checklist:
Transparency, Realistic measures,
United values, Sustainable and fair
rewards, and Time-tested relation-
ships.
This study clearly shows a critical
need for investment rms to adapt
more quickly to new conditions. In
many cases organizations need to
adopt transformational change as
we enter a new global investment
era, noted Smith. As the drivers of
this transformation, industry leaders
hold our professions future in their
hands. They must demonstrate their
purpose and passion to serve others,
show investors the value of what the
industry does and elevate the trust
that end investors feel in investment
organizations.
Key survey ndings
The views of more than 1,000 in-
vestment management profession-
als, including CFA charterholders
indicate that signicant change on
all fronts lies ahead over the next
5-10 years:
Changing investment trends
73% expect environmental, social,
and governance factors will become
more inuential
70% expect nancial centers in
the Asia Pacic region will become
more inuential
Business models facing pressure
84% expect industry consolida-
tion
70% expect to see more assets go-
ing into passive investment vehicles
63% expect prot margins at asset
management rms to remain at or
to contract
57% expect institutional investors
will look to reduce costs by in-sourc-
ing more investment management
activities
Opportunities on the horizon
55% expect globalization will of-
fer new opportunities for the invest-
ment professionals, while 18% per-
ceive globalization as a threat
49% expect technologies will
present new opportunities for invest-
ment professionals, while 23% see
new technologies as a threat.
To learn more, read our report
Future State of the Investment
Profession at www.cfainstitute.org/
FutureState

Banking sector issues in focus Awareness campaign entitled With KIB, I learnt how to spend and save

Markaz Gold Sponsor to KIB concludes Global Money Week campaign

Kuwait Financial Forum
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Kuwait
Financial Centre Markaz has
announced its participation as a
Gold Sponsor to (Kuwait Finan-
cial Forum) that will be held to-
day and tomorrow under the pa-
tronage of His Highness Sheikh
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sa-
bah, Emir of Kuwait. The forum
is organized by Kuwait Banking
Association in collaboration with
Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group at
Sheraton Kuwait and will include
a number of relevant ministers,
central bank governors, senior
government ofcials and a group
of senior leaders in the Arab, re-
gional and international nancial,
banking, advisory and economic
institutions.
The (Kuwait Financial Forum)
is a platform to discuss issues and
challenges facing the Gulf bank-
ing sector in the next phase re-
sulting from the falling oil prices
and budgets decit. The forum
will also discuss future options in
depth with governments, relevant
regulatory authorities and leaders
of Gulf and international banks
and companies, as well as nan-
cial economists and experts in or-
der to offer proposals for meeting
those challenges and developing
Alrazi Y. Al-Budaiwai, VP and Head
of Media and Communications at
Markaz.
the banking sector in this high-
risk phase.
Alrazi Y. Al-Budaiwi, VP
and Head of Media and Com-
munications at Markaz said:
Markaz is always keen on par-
ticipating in such constructive
economic events that aim at
creating a sustainable economic
environment and enhance the
national economy. Markaz is
committed, as one of the lead-
ing financial companies in the
Middle East in asset manage-
ment and investment banking
fields, to monitor and keep up
with economic developments
and challenges affecting the
local and regional investment
climate.
He added that the conference
discusses many topics including
GCC Countries Economies &
the Outlines of the Next Phase,
Monetary & Banking Policies
in light of the Gulf Econom-
ic Changes, Global Economy
Trends & Investment Prospects,
Gulf Economic Union, Prospects
of the Gulf Banking Industry in
light of Economic Changes, The
Reality and Future of the Islamic
Banking Industry and Digitaliz-
ing the Gulf Banks.
Al-Budaiwi stated: This
sponsorship comes as part of
Markaz corporate citizenship
strategy that aims at fullling the
corporate social and economic re-
sponsibilities through three main
pillars, which are a) building hu-
man capabilities, b) aligning our
business environment with the
principles of sustainable devel-
opment, c) and promoting good
governance in the business en-
vironment. Our activities within
this strategy include several vari-
ety of topics aimed at sustainabil-
ity, including the development of
the capacities of young people
and enabling them to utilize their
abilities towards achieving a sus-
tainable future.
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: As part of the Banks strategy to promote nancial amongst youth and children worldwide. The annual celebrations are spearheaded
by Child and Youth Finance International (CYFI), an organization dedicated to
education and awareness across all segments of the community, Kuwait Interna-
economically and socially empowering children and youth around the world. This
tional Bank (KIB) recently organized an awareness campaign entitled With KIB,
year, GMW featured a diverse range of events and activities aimed at inspiring
I learnt how to spend and save. The multi-channel campaign was held as part of
children and youth to learn about money, saving, creating livelihoods, gaining
the Banks participation in the sixth annual Global Money Week (GMW) celebra-
tions, which took place this year under the theme Learn. Save. Earn. employment and becoming entrepreneurs.
Speaking about the KIBs participation in GMW, Nawaf Najia, Manager of the
GMW is an annual global initiative which seeks to promote nancial literacy
Corporate Communications Unit at the
Bank, said: KIB was one of the rst
banks in the region to have partnered
with CYFI, highlighting our strong
belief in the importance of spreading
nancial literacy and economic educa-
tion amongst children and youth. We
have always considered nancial liter-
acy to be one of the focal points of our
social responsibility program, and we
have sought through a comprehensive
program to promote awareness of the
importance of good money manage-
ment amongst every segment of the
population.
This year KIB chose to celebrate
GMW with a dedicated, multi-plat-
form campaign, which focused on edu-
cating youth about the basics of saving
and the fundamentals of good money
management, as well as encourag-
ing parents to teach their children
about the values of saving starting at
an early age. With KIB, I learnt how
to spend and save featured a social
media awareness campaign which ran
Photo from the NBKs Al Jawhara quarterly draw. throughout GMW. The education-
focused campaign also included the
Mohammed Bashier Abdullatef wins KD 250,000 distribution of an educational yer
along with a specially designed piggy
bank and a Habboub Account educa-
NBK names Al Jawhara quarterly draw winner tional coloring book to children and
parents at the Avenues Mall over the
course of the GMW weekend.
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: National Ahmad Albouhassan. a customers account entitles them As part of its social responsibil-
Bank of Kuwait (NBK) announced On this occasion, NBK held one entry into the draw, thus more ity program, KIB aims to draw on its
the winner of the KD 250,000 Al an exciting game Al Jawhara money in an account means more vast experience in the nancial sector
Jawhara quarterly draw, Mohammed Challenge in Marina Mall-Main chances into each draw. This feature to educate the Kuwaiti community in
Bashier Abdullatef, during a spe- Dome, where participates had to enables Al Jawhara Account hold- all areas of nance, business and eco-
cial event held at Marina Mall last look for Al Jawahra to win instant ers to double their chances when nomics.
Thursday. The draw was conducted prizes. Besides, NBKs booth was maintaining their balance without
live on Marina FM through Refresh installed for three consecutive withdrawing. Customers can easily
Program with Ali Nagem on Thurs- days to serve customers and an- calculate their number of chances in
day 30th March and under the su- swer their queries. the draw by accessing a customized
pervision of Abdulaziz Ashkanani, Since the start of the Al Jawhara calculator on nbk.com.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry program, more than 11,000 winners Al Jawhara account is available
for both Kuwaitis and expats and
representative. The Executive Man- have already been announced. Al
ager of Communications and PR at Jawhara continues to be the most can be opened at any of NBKs nu-
NBK, AbdulMohsen Al Rushaid, popular prize-giving account in Ku- merous branches around Kuwait,
announced the name of the proud wait and prizes are automatically or safely and easily through NBKs
winner, who is the fourth winner for credited to the winners accounts the website for existing customers.
the month of March, where 3 lucky day after the draw.
customers each have won KD 5,000 NBK customers have chances to For more information, please
in Al Jawharas weekly draws: Mo- win KD 5,000 weekly, KD 125,000 contact NBK Call Center at
hammed Amin Nasimi, Mahmoud monthly and a grand prize of KD 1801801 or visit NBK ofcial web- The winner posing with NBK repre-
Murad Ashkanani and Abdulmajid 250,000 quarterly. Each KD 50 in site www.nbk.com/Jawhara sentatives.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

BUSINESS 33

90 firms interested in supplying grid-scale batteries: Australia
Dozens of companies from 10 countries are
vying with Elon Musks Tesla Inc to install
Australias largest grid-scale battery to help
keep the lights on in the countrys most wind-
dependent state.
The South Australian state government
said on Monday it had received 90 expres-
sions of interest to set up a battery by Decem-
ber with about 100 megawatts of capacity to
store wind and solar power. That would be
used to stabilise the grid at peak times, which
tend to be when the sun and wind are low.
Grid stability has become a hot-button
political issue in Australia since a state-wide
blackout in South Australia paralysed indus-
try for up to two weeks last September, and
outages during a severe heatwave over the
past summer.
If successful, the storage project could de-
liver a political windfall to South Australias
government, vindicating their investment in
renewables, and give Tesla a high-prole
platform to demonstrate their product.
Musk was rst to say he could supply 100
MW of battery storage for the state at $250
per kilowatt hour, in a social media exchange
with the co-founder of Australian software
rm Atlassian Corp, Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Teslas interest and enthusiasm in this
goes beyond just the Australian market. It is
proving a concept and providing a solution,
said Gero Farrugio, managing director of re-
newables consultancy Sustainable Energy
Research Analytics. The South Australian
government did not name the companies
who had expressed interest in the project.
A handful of companies have publicly said
they would consider supplying the battery:
Zen Energy, privately owned Lyon Group,
working with US power company AES Corp,
and Carnegie Clean Energy, using batteries
from Samsung SDI Co Ltd. (RTRS)
Tesla reports record deliveries of vehicles
Electric car maker Tesla Inc says it de-
livered a record 25,000 vehicles in the
rst quarter, up 69 percent from the
same period last year.
Tesla said Sunday that it delivered
about 13,450 Model S cars and about
11,550 Model X SUVs.
Tesla says another 4,650 vehicles
were being transported to customers at
the end of the quarter and will be includ-
ed in second-quarter deliveries.
Production in the rst quarter totaled
25,418 vehicles, also a record, Tesla
said.
Tesla posted its rst prot in three
years in the third quarter of 2016, but it
followed that with a $121 million loss in
the fourth quarter. Analysts expect an-
other loss for the rst quarter.
Sundays report indicates Tesla is
on track to hit its forecast of 47,000
to 50,000 deliveries in the rst half of
2017.
CEO Elon Musk said recently that the
Palo Alto-based company will produce
5,000 cars a week later this year after
production begins in July on the new
Model 3. (AP)

GCC markets monthly report

KAMCO Research

Markets pull back as stocks go ex-dividend

L arge-cap stocks in the GCC went ex-
dividend during March-17 adding to
the softer market sentiments in the GCC
markets. The decline was also reected
in the MSCI GCC index that declined by
1.3% during the month. A total of 43%
of the companies by market cap have
gone ex-dividend by the end of March-
17. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were the
only two positive performing market
with an index return of 0.5% and 0.4%,
respectively. On the other hand, Dubai
witnessed the biggest monthly decline
of 4.1% as largecap indices, including
Bank and Real Estate, declined. Lower
oil prices added to the market pressure as
crude slid almost 6% during the month
on the back of rising production in the
US, although talks of an extension to the
ongoing OPEC production agreement
provided interim relief to falling prices.
Trading activity continued to decline
for the second consecutive month with
total value traded down by 7.4% to reach
USD 28.4 Bn. Qatar and Bahrain were
the only markets that recorded higher
value traded during the month with in-
crease of 53% and 35%, respectively.
On the other hand, Dubai recorded the
steepest decline of 39%. Volume traded
on the GCC exchanges also declined by
almost a third to 18.9 Bn shares during
the month as compared to February-17.
On the economic front, Fitch ratings
slashed Saudi Arabias credit rating by
one notch to A+ with a Stable Outlook.
As reasons for the downgrade, the agen-
cy highlighted continued deterioration of
public and external balance sheets, wid-
er-than-expected scal decit in 2016
with the low oil prices being the key un-
derlying factor. On the regulatory front,
the Kingdom took another step towards
its efforts to join the MSCI Emerging
Market index. The Saudi exchange said
it would extend the period for settling
trades and introduce short-selling on
April 23. In addition, Kuwait also an-
nounced similar efforts including intro-
duction of T+3 settlement, a reorganiza-
tion and a new benchmark by next year.
Boursa Kuwait
Boursa Kuwait retracted during
March-17 amid a broader sell-off in the
GCC. The Weighted index dropped
2.5% during the month but continued to
trade above the 400 points support level
to close at 413.27 points. Contrastingly,
the Price Index surged during the month
by 3.6% indicating demand for small cap
stocks in the market as against blue chips.
In terms of YTD-17 performance, the
Kuwait Price index leads in the GCC with
a return of 22.3% whereas the Weighted
index reported a rise of 8.7%, third in the
GCC. The monthly performance of the
weighted index reected a decline in most
major sectoral indices including Banks
and Telecom that declined by 3.5% and
3.1%, respectively. The banking index
performance primarily reected 10.8%
and 13.1% fall in shares of NBK and Ku-
wait Finance House, respectively, while
AUB and Burgan Bank were the only
banking stocks that reported positive per-
formance during the month. Moreover,
8 out of the 10 banks went ex-dividend
during the month which also reected
the poor sector performance. In the Tel-
ecom sector, Viva was the only positive
performing stock with a return of 10.6%,
while Zain and Ooredoo dropped 5.2%
and 4.8%, respectively. The Technology
index recorded the steepest decline of
7.7%, while the Healthcare index topped
monthly performance with a surge of 8%.
Trading activity continued to drop for
the second consecutive month. Monthly
volumes traded on the exchange de-
clined by almost 20% to 7.1 Bn shares
as compared to 8.6 Bn shares during
the previous month. Value traded also
declined at an even higher pace of 25%
to KWD 653 Mn as compared to KWD
866 Mn during February-17. In terms
of stocks, Alimtiaz topped the monthly
value traded chart with KWD 58 Mn
worth of shares traded during the month
followed by KFH and Zain with KWD
44.8 Mn and KWD 41.8 Mn worth of
shares changing hands, respectively. The
monthly gainers chart primarily included
small-cap stocks that was also reected
in the positive performance of the price
index. Shares of NCCI and Amwal more
than doubled during the month followed
by 60% gain in shares of REAM and
32% gain in shares of Educational Hold-
ing.
On the regulatory front, Kuwait com-
pleted the long awaited sovereign in-
ternational bond sale during the month
achieving a pricing that was better than
that of Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Ara-
bia. According to reports, the govern-
ment sold USD 3.5 Bn in 5-year notes
at 75 bps over corresponding U.S. Treas-
uries and USD 4.5 Bn in 10-year bonds
at a 100 bps spread after receiving bids
worth USD 29 Bn, more than three times
the total issuance size. On the regulatory
front, the CMA Kuwait announced key
reforms in its bid to qualify as an emerg-
ing market. The regulator said it would
extend trade settlement cycle to 3 days
by the end of April from the current 2
days for foreigners, whereas local trad-
ers trades would be settled the same day.
The CMA also plans to introduce short-
selling and derivative products allowing
tradable rights issues and ETFs next
year. The exchange would also group
companies in segregated markets based
on market cap and volumes.
Saudi Arabia (Tadawul)
After two consecutive months of de-
cline, TASI recorded marginal gains of
0.4% during March-17 as the positive
performance of banks and telecom stocks
were partially offset by a decline in ener-
gy stocks. The benchmark mostly traded
below the 7,000 mark during the month
only to surge 0.8% and regain this key
support level on the last trading session to
close at 7,001.63 points. Food, Healthcare
and Retail were the best performing sec-
tors during the month in addition to 2.8%
return for the Telecom index and 1% for
the Banks index. On the decliners side,
Insurance and Utilities indices recorded
the steepest monthly decline of 4.2%
each, while the Energy index declined by
3.1% as oil prices were under signicant
pressure during the month led higher pro-
duction in the US.
Monthly trading activity declined in
line with the rest of the GCC markets.
Monthly volume declined by 12.6%
to 3.6 Bn shares as compared to 4.2
Bn shares during the previous month.
Monthly value traded also declined but
at a signicantly lower pace of 3.6%
to reach SAR 72.5 Bn in March-17 as
compared to SAR 75.2 Bn during the
previous month. Alinma Bank topped
the monthly value traded chart record-
ing trades worth SAR 8.2 Bn during the
month followed by SABIC and Al-Tay-
yar Travel recording trades worth SAR
6.8 Bn and SAR 3.3 Bn, respectively.
The monthly gainers chart was topped
by United Electronics recording a gain
of 26.5% although trades in the stock
was marginal at SAR 0.6 Mn. Bank Al
Jazira followed with a gain of 23% af-
ter the bank proposed a 30% capital in-
crease. NADEC surged 22.8% and was
third on the list. The decliners side was
topped by Emaar Economic City record-
ing a decline of 13.5% followed by Qas-
sim Cement and Sagr Coop Insurance
with declines of 12.8% and 12.3%, re-
spectively.
On the economic front, Fitch ratings
slashed Saudi Arabias credit rating by
one notch to A+ with a Stable Outlook.
As reasons for the downgrade, the agency
highlighted continued deterioration of
public and external balance sheets, wider-
than-expected scal decit in 2016 with
the low oil prices being the key underly-
ing factor. Nevertheless, the Fitch down-
grade brings the Kingdoms rating in line
with that of Moodys whereas S&P rates
it at two notches below the corresponding
rating of Moodys and Fitch. Moodys
highlighted its A1 rating outlook on the
Kingdom that is supported by the coun-
trys strong scal position, large oil and
gas reserves at low production costs and
signicant external liquidity. The Min-
istry of Finance said that the downgrade
was anticipated and is based on quantita-
tive analysis although the fundamentals
of the economy remains strong.
On the regulatory front, the exchange,
as part of its efforts to be included in the
MSCI Emerging Markets index, said it
would extend the earlier announced peri-
od for settling trades and introduce short-
selling on 23-April-17. These reforms
are requirements for the MSCI inclusion.
In addition, the timing of the reform is
also crucial as it would be considered
during the June-17 review by the MSCI
that would decide whether to included
Saudi Arabia on its review list, one of
the rst steps in the direction towards
inclusion. Nevertheless, even if included
in the review list, the Kingdom would be
able to join the index not until mid-2019
as per the normal MSCI schedule.
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
ADX followed broad GCC market
cues and retraced lower in March-17
after closing mostly at in the rst two
months of the year. The index was down
2.4% m-o-m and closed at 4,443.53
points, as most major sectoral indices
closed lower. Investment & Financial
Services was the worst performing index
as it plunged by 12.1% m-o-m, followed
by Energy & Real Estate indices, that de-
clined by 7.7% and 7.3%, respectively.
Waha Capital largely led the decline of
the Investment & Financial Services
index as it went down by 12.2% m-o-
m, while large-cap Aldar Properties
declined by 5.8% and pulled the Real
Estate index down. In terms of gainers,
the Telecom index led all indices with
a monthly gain of 2.6%, as Etisalat was
up by 2.6% m-o-m. The Insurance index
followed and moved up 1.8% m-o-m.
In prominent earnings, Etisalat re-
ported FY 2016 revenues of AED 52.4
Bn, a 2% y-o-y increase from 2015, de-
spite a 1% decline in subscriber base to
162 Mn. Consolidated EBITDA came in
at AED 26.3 Bn, a 1% y-o-y decline in
2016 driven mainly by unfavorable FX
in Egypt, competitiveness pressure in
Morocco and non-telecom operations.
Net Income came in at AED 8.4 Mn
which increased by 2% y-o-y.
In the Real Estate sector, Aldar an-
nounced the components of their AED
1.9 Bn capex which would comprise of
mid-market residential, hospitality & lei-
sure, and retail assets on Yas Island and
Reem Island. The capex program fol-
lows the AED 1.1 Bn already invested
in the Daman House acquisition, Al Jimi
Mall extension, Al Mamoura school and
Repton school. All projects announced
are scheduled to start construction this
year and be complete during 2019 and
2020. In merger related developed the
NBAD-FGB became effective with new
NBAD ordinary shares of 5,643,000,000
been issued to those shareholders of
FGB. The new number of outstanding
NBAD ordinary shares following the
capital increase is 10,897,545,318.
Dubai Financial Market
DFM continued its declining trends
from February-17 into March-17, and
was the worst performing market for
the month that passed. For March-17,
DFM was down by 4.1% and closed
at 3480.43 points. Sectoral trends were
mixed, but was skewed towards losers.
The Financials pack plunged as Banks
were down by 6.3% m-o-m, Insurance
was down by 6.2% m-o-m, while In-
vestment & Financial Services dropped
by 5.3%. The Consumer Staples & Dis-
cretionary sector index also declined by
6.2% m-o-m, mostly due to DXB Enter-
tainments losing ground by 5.6%. The
Real Estate & Construction continued to
slip in March-17 similar to February-17,
as it fell by 2.5% m-o-m. Indices, which
witnessed higher levels, were led by In-
dustrials, which was up 6.9% m-o-m,
single-handedly due to National Ce-
ment Company, which was up by 6.9%
as well. Telecom also moved higher by
1.3%, driven by DU (+1.3%).
In prominent earnings, Arabtec re-
ported revenues of AED 8.2 Bn for FY
2016, up 7.1% y-o-y from FY 2015. The
company announced that order backlog
stands at AED 18 Bn, which is more than
two years of book-to-bill based on current
year revenues. Group net loss came in at
AED 3.5 Bn, higher than the AED 2.8 Bn
loss reported in 2015, mainly attributed to
AED 1.9 Bn of impairment of receivables
for the current year. Arabtec mentioned
that the group plans to raise AED 1.5
Bn through a rights offering. Telecom
operator DU reported full year revenues
of AED 12.73 Bn for FY 2016, a 3.2%
increase from 2015 driven by a 12% in-
crease in number of mobile subscribers
and a 4.4% increase in y-o-y xed line
market conditions, as per the announce- Q4-15. The board recommended a cash
revenues. Net prot after royalty however ment on the stock exchange. Qatar Insur- dividend of 50% (2015: 45%).
declined by 9.7% y-o-y, due to a 10% rise
ance Companys reinsurance subsidiary Muscat Securities Market
in royalty paid to the government. The -Qatar Re (Bermuda) Limited, success- After minimal volatility since the start
proposed nal AED 0.21 per share, bring-
ful placed USD 450 Mn of reg S per- of the year with the index being at at the
ing the annual dividend payment for 2016 petual non-call 5.5 subordinated Tier 2 end of the rst two months of the year,
to AED 0.34 per share.
notes, and the issue attracted more than the MSM30 index recorded the second
Qatar Exchange USD 6.5 Bn. The initial coupon has been highest monthly decline of 4% during
The QE 20 index reversed its positive
set at 4.95% per annum. March-17. The decline was broad-based
trends exhibited in the rst two months Bahrain Bourse as seen in declines in all the three sec-
of the year to decline in March-17, as
Bahrain All Share Index continued as toral indices with Services sector falling
the index receded by 2.9% m-o-m, and one of the best performing markets YTD by 4.1% followed by 4.0% decline in
closed at 10390.60 points. The Qatar All
-2017, and was the best performing mar- Financial index and 1.3% decline in the
Share index dropped by a lower 1.4% ket in the GCC in March-17. The index industrial index. Al Anwar Holding was
for the third month of 2017, while sec-
rose, albeit marginally and closed 0.5% the only Financial stock in the regular
toral trends were mixed. Indices such higher on a m-o-m basis. . The index market that closed with a gain of 5.7%
as Transportation, Telecoms and Insur-
closed at 1355.99 points at the end of the during the month. Banks in particular
ance were among the main laggards for had a weak month with Bank Muscat,
month. Sectoral performance was mixed
the month of March-17. Transportation as there were indices which gained and the largest stock on the exchange, re-
index was the index, which receded the
receded. Market breadth for the index corded a decline of 19.7%, the second-
most as all stocks in the index declined, highest fall during the month. The stock
was positive, as 9 stocks gained ground,
witnessing an average drop of 9.7%. while 7 stocks witnessed declines in going ex-dividend added to the already
Ooredoo was responsible for the decline
their share prices. Industrials was the weak trends in the sector. Shares of NBO
in the Telecoms index as the stock de- also declined by 8.9% due to the cash
main sector which drove the index up as
clined by over 8.8% m-o-m. Amongst the sector was up 37.8% for the month, dividends announced during the month.
the indices which gained during the
singlehandedly pushed up by Aluminum Banks in the Sultanate continue to
month was the Real Estate index which Bahrain which was the best performing face tight liquidity conditions, in line
gained by 1.0% m-o-m for the month as
index in the overall index. The Hotels & with most of the other GCC countries.
Ezdan (+3.8% m-o-m) was able to ne- Tourism sector went up as well by 3.6%, According to the latest monthly report
gate the declines in Union Development
followed by Insurance names which from the Central Bank of Oman (CBO),
and Barwa (-10.3% m-o-m). went up by 1.6% m-o-m in March -17. the prevailing liquidity conditions has
In corporate ratings related action
Services stocks and Commercial Banks led to an increase in average interest
Capital Intelligence Ratings announced were the two sectors which were key rates with lending rate rising by as much
that it has afrmed Doha Banks Fi-
laggards for the index as it went down as 34 bps year-on-year in January-17
nancial Strength Rating (FSR) at A. by 3.0% and 2.3% respectively for the and deposit rates increasing by 63 bps.
Key drivers supporting the rating were
current month. However, the funds raised in the interna-
the Banks good capital base, currently In earning releases, Al Ahlia Insur- tional market has alleviated some pres-
being further augmented by a rights is-
ance reported a net prot of BHD 31,808 sure from the domestic banking system.
sue and good overall asset quality. They for FY 2016 as compared to a net loss Contrastingly, credit facilities by the
mentioned that the NPL ratio is above of BD 622,699 for FY 2015. The muted banking sector was upbeat with the CBO
average for the peer group, along with performance was ascribed to the contin- reporting an 8.9% year-on-year increase
more than a full loan-loss reserve cov- ued unfavorable investment climate dur- in credit facilities in January-17. Credit
erage, which points towards a sound ing the year. The net prot from the com- to the private sector increased by 10.6%
asset quality position. In funding initia- panys insurance operations for FY 2016 on the back of diversications initiatives
tives, developer Ezdan Holding Group came in at BHD 1.39 Mn compared to undertaken by the government. Depos-
has mandated HSBC and Mashreqbank BHD 1.42 Mn, a marginal decrease its also increased but at a lower pace of
as joint global coordinators, and Dubai despite heightened claims activity, as a 6.7% with private sector adding 5.3% as
Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capi- result of companys prudent underwrit- compared to the previous year.
tal, HSBC, Mashreqbank, Natixis and ing and sound claims management. The The trends in the Services sector was
Standard Chartered Bank as Joint Lead gross premiums stood at BHD 13.5 Mn similar, with only Omantel, in the regu-
Managers and Bookrunners to arrange a for FY 2016 as compared to BHD 10.9 lar market, reporting a monthly gain of
series of xed income investor meetings Mn for FY 2015. Bahrain Commercial 4.0%. Most of the other stocks in the sec-
in Asia, the UAE and the UK. A bench- Facilities Company reported a net prot tor had a weak trend, including Port Ser-
mark USD Reg S senior unsecured sukuk of BHD 19.9 Mn for the FY 2016 up vices Corp., which recorded the steepest
offering under Ezdan Sukuk Company 14.4% than BHD 17.4 million earned decline of 24.2% during the month fol-
Limiteds USD 2 Bn Trust Certicate in 2015. Net prot for Q4-16 was BHD lowed by 14% decline in shares of Sohar
Issuance Program may follow subject to 5.3 Mn as compared to BHD 4.4Mn in Power.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

BUSINESS 34

Honda sales fall Name: Kuwait Sharia Bloomberg Todays Todays closing Prev closing % 1-week 3-month YTD 12-month 24-month
Index name ticker value as of value value change change change change change change
Compatible Indices Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Composite AMIC April 3, 2017 178.41 178.86 -0.25% -2.72% 6.30% 6.91% 17.98% -3.82%
Honda says its March sales fell just under 1 percent, Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Kuwait Only AMIC April 3, 2017 169.61 169.98 -0.22% -2.64% 5.54% 6.14% 15.49% -6.60%
dragged down by sagging demand for its Acura luxury Providers: Al Madar Finance Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Active
Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Banking Sector
AMIC
AMIC
April 3, 2017
April 3, 2017
98.32
272.61
97.77
273.68
0.56%
-0.39%
-1.41%
-8.33%
21.66%
1.35%
23.88%
2.43%
45.90%
10.15%
12.27%
-16.02%
brand. The automaker sold just over 137,000 vehicles, Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Investment Sector AMIC April 3, 2017 57.31 56.70 1.08% -2.20% 20.88% 22.00% 33.56% -9.91%
with the Honda brand up 2 percent, and Acura sales & Investment Co. Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Insurance Sector AMIC April 3, 2017 23.25 22.49 3.37% 0.82% 48.42% 47.44% 33.45% -13.67%
down more than 21 percent. Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Real Estate Sector AMIC April 3, 2017 52.49 52.49 0.00% -1.55% 6.09% 7.67% 12.15% -6.60%
Sales were led by SUVs and trucks. The company sold Description: Index of Sharia Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Industrial Sector AMIC April 3, 2017 149.61 148.84 0.52% -1.79% 23.13% 23.44% 23.14% 5.98%
Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Services Sector AMIC April 3, 2017 209.84 209.73 0.05% 1.16% 6.51% 6.29% 23.09% -0.46%
nearly 33,000 CR-V small SUVs, a 23 percent gain. compatible companies traded Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Food Sector AMIC April 3, 2017 365.87 374.55 -2.32% 3.37% -4.43% -3.75% -0.31% -9.63%
But Honda said Monday that car sales struggled. Sales Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Islamic Sector AMIC April 3, 2017 138.40 138.75 -0.25% -6.54% 6.33% 7.28% 19.85% -4.70%
Kuwait Sharia Compatible Index - Non Kuwaiti Sector AMIC April 3, 2017 539.69 543.55 -0.71% -4.18% 20.86% 21.73% 85.87% 109.98%
of the Accord midsize car fell 12 percent, while the com- on the KSE Kuwait Stock Exchange Index - Price KWSEIDX April 3, 2017 6,999.23 7,021.37 -0.32% -0.47% 21.20% 21.77% 34.40% 12.50%
pact Civic was off 4 percent. Sales of the Acura TLX de- S&P 500 SPX April 2, 2017 2,362.72 2,362.72 0.00% 0.80% 5.53% 5.53% 13.99% 14.71%
clined over 25 percent. (AP) Website: www.almadar-fi.com DJ Islamic Index. DJIM April 2, 2017 3,128.62 3,130.30 -0.05% 0.44% 7.91% 7.64% 11.27% 7.01%

global markets report

National Bank of Kuwait

Markets get a small dose of realism in late Q1

T he rst quarter of the year
saw the January inauguration
economy.
Political and election risk in
50 bps for Bunds), as well as near
zero-yield Japanese 10-year notes

Japan business outlook of a new US president, the un-

conventional Donald Trump, and
the advent of a more normal or
perhaps more aggressive Fed-
eral Reserve. The Fed also raised
Europe would weigh on the euro
and help the USD.
These three factors remain
in play but appear to have been
are preventing US rates from ris-
ing too fast or too far.
Like equities and the USD,
US rates also corrected slightly
largely discounted already. Fur- late in the quarter, driven in part

brightens, survey shows its target rates in March when the

TOKYO, April 3, (AP):
Encouraged by stronger
export orders, Japanese
manufacturers are feel-
ing a bit more upbeat than
they were late last year, ac-
cording to a quarterly sur-
vey by the Bank of Japan
released Monday.
The central banks tankan re-
port put sentiment among large
manufacturers at 12, up from 10
in December. Medium-sized and
small companies also were more
optimistic.
The surveys findings fell slight-
ly below economists forecasts.
But they were seen as a sign that
improved exports are underpin-
ning growth in the worlds No. 3
economy as Chinas economy sta-
bilizes.
Masamichi Adachi of J.P.Morgan
described the results as a B, or
not good but not bad.
The improvement is basically
consistent with our bullish view on
the current Japanese economy, Ada-
chi said in a research note. Some
improvement of business sentiment
with persistent cautiousness is prob-
ably in line with the BoJs view, as
well, he said.
For the current April-June quarter,
rms of all sizes forecast a slight de-
terioration in operating conditions,
which is typical when conditions are
favorable, said Marcel Thieliant of
Capital Economics.
The survey suggests that growth
will remain strong for now,
Thieliant said.
A separate, monthly survey of
purchasing managers, Nikkei Japan
Manufacturing, also showed im-
Improvement modest
People stand in front of an electronic stock board of a securities rm in
Tokyo, on April 3. Asian markets were mostly higher Monday, cheered by
a positive report on the Japanese economy, as players awaited a meeting
between US and Chinese leader later in the week. (AP)
proved conditions. The latest read-
ing of 52.4 was down slightly from
Marchs reading of 53.3 on a scale
where 50 marks the cutoff between
expansion and contraction.
Japans exports to the rest of
Asia, especially China, have re-
covered as Chinese factory activ-
ity has picked up amid a prolonged
slowdown.
But Japans own recovery remains
vulnerable: Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe has twice delayed a sales tax
increase to avoid shocks to the
economy. The BoJ, meanwhile, is
injecting tens of billions of dollars
a month into the economy through
purchases of assets, mainly Japanese
government bonds.
The weak links in the strategy
have been lower-than-expected
corporate investment and consum-
er spending. While unemployment
sank to a 22-year low last month
of 2.8 percent, companies have so
far kept wage increases to a mini-
mum.
The BoJs survey showed large
manufacturers intend to increase
spending on factories and equip-
ment by only 0.6 percent in this
fiscal year, which began April 1.
Overall, companies plan to cut
such capital spending by 1.3 per-
cent.
But capital outlays often increase
during the year, Thieliant noted.
The survey of 10,799 companies
was conducted from late February
to the end of March. Readings are
based on the difference between
those surveyed who say conditions
are good and those who say they are
unfavorable.
earlier expectation had been for
June 2017.
These events and others (includ-
ing the disappointing performance
of anti-establishment voices in the
Dutch election) were taken in stride
by most markets, and were in line
with expectations.
The markets were looking
for rising equity markets, a ris-
ing USD, and higher US interest
rates. That is more or less what
they got, except for the USD,
which continues to bafe many,
and especially against major cur-
rencies.
In the case of Trump and his
agenda for a friendlier business
environment, the expected gains
are many (deregulation, tax cuts,
infrastructure spending), and
stocks had a very strong run af-
ter the election of November 8.
By quarters end (Q1), US stocks
were up 13% (Dow Industrials)
and 10% (S&P 500) since the US
election and some 4-5% year-to-
date (ytd).
Moreover, after a long stint of
daily gains, US politics and the
US legislative process nally
caught up with markets late in
Q1. Some (overdue) adjustment
nally weighed in, primarily on
the USD and US equities, espe-
cially after the Trump administra-
tion failed to secure enough sup-
port to pass its priority health care
reform legislation. According to
the broad consensus of late 2016,
the USD was supposed to rise in
2017, at least in the rst part of
the year. That view was based on
three arguments:
The stronger US economy
would imply a still tighter Fed
policy stance, certainly relative
to the eurozone and the ECB (and
other countries).
Trumps economic agenda
would further pump up the US
thermore, expectations are turn-
ing less supportive of the USD, in
all three cases.
EU economic numbers are rela-
by the more realistic expecta-
tions for the Trump economic
and tax agenda. Mr. Trump and
the Republicans (currently with
tively solid, and the days of ag- zero help from the Democrats)
gressive ECB easing action may were intent on, in that order:
well be numbered. In fact, the repealing and replacing Obam-
eurozone outgrew the US in 2016 acare, cutting taxes, and push-
for the rst time since the nan- ing infrastructure spending.
cial crisis (1.7% to 1.6%, in the The rst part, health care re-
US, real GDP growth). form, has now been postponed,
On the second point, the agenda or scrapped, for lack of suf-
of Trump and the Republicans cient Congressional support. This
is indeed in the pipeline but the should further weigh on expecta-
rosy view of a smooth and timely tions ahead.
policy unfolding has bumped into The US House of Representa-
reality: Congressional votes have tives failure to pass the Ameri-
to be rounded; different groups can Health Care Act (ACHA, to
and factions need to be satised, replace Obamacare) was seen
parliamentary rules get in the as a crucial rst test of Trumps
way, etc. leadership in Washington and of
Finally, point-three above was his inuence on his own party.
deated by the results of the Markets have thus turned more
Dutch election. These saw the cautious in their anticipation of
far-right party do well but under- the other expected economic
perform expectations. Now fresh goodies (tax cuts, infrastructure
French polls show support for the spending) down the road.
mainstream candidates, so far, for Meanwhile, regional GCC
the April-May presidential elec- economies are showing signs of
tion. growing moderately, led by Ku-
So, the USD, which always had wait and Qatar and the UAE. Oil
an extremely difcult time break- prices have helped nances and
ing the 1.05 level to the euro, was sentiment by spending a good
trading above 1.08 recently (euro deal of time near $55 per barrel.
up 3% ytd). Similarly, the JPY Prices were pressured lower more
had a good run and traded near recently, by strong US (shale-led)
111, or up 5.5% ytd. Many ana- production, now exceeding 9 mil-
lysts revised their USD numbers lion barrels per day.
lower for 2017. The major story in the region
For the Fed and interest rates, the past few months has been
US rates are up roughly 40-50 the massive issuance of sover-
basis points (bps) since the two eign debt, more recently by Ku-
rate hikes of December 2016 and wait ($8 billion) and Oman ($5
March 2017 (two 25 bp hikes billion) in what were very suc-
of the federal funds target). The cessful issues (in terms of both
10-year note is currently around interest and pricing). Following
2.4% after irting briey with the 4Q16 issuance, Saudi Arabia is
2.6% level. now looking to issue interna-
European levels are moving in tional sovereign sukuk.
the same direction, when not im- These issues are also helping
pacted by ight-to-quality. At the relieve any liquidity pressures in
same time, their low yields (sub- the GCC countries.

investment funds
Funds Fund Manager Valuation Valued date Currency Net Asset Prev NAV Prev NAV Dated Funds Fund Manager Valuation Valued date Currency Net Asset Prev NAV Prev NAV Dated
Value (NAV) Value (NAV)

National Bank of Kuwait Index Funds GCC Large Cap Index Fund Global Weekly March 23, 2017 KD 1.202 1.183 March 9, 2017
Equity Funds Al-Mamoun Fund A Global Weekly March 23, 2017 KD 0.655 0.647 March 9, 2017
Money Market Funds
Watani KD Money Market Fund II NBK Capital Weekly March 28, 2017 KD 1.024 1.022 Jan 17, 2017 Al-Mamoun Fund B Global Weekly March 23, 2017 KD 0.655 0.647 March 9, 2017
Watani USD Money Market Fund NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly March 28, 2017 USD 10.190 10.182 Jan 17, 2017 GCC Large Cap Fund Global Bi-weekly March 21, 2017 USD 144.580 144.080 March 7, 2017
Watani KD Money Market Fund (Acc Al-Noor Fund Global Bi-weekly Jan 31, 2017 SAR 197.090 197.090 Jan 24, 2017
to Islamic Shariah principles) II NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly March 28, 2017 KD 1.022 1.020 Jan 17, 2017 Global Saudi Equity Fund Global Bi-weekly March 21, 2017 SAR 203.290 206.020 March 7, 2017
Watani USD Money Market Fund (Acc Money Market Funds Global Money Market Fund Global Weekly Nov 20, 2016 USD 1.160
to Islamic Shariah principles) II NBK Global Asset Management Co. Ltd. Weekly March 28, 2017 USD 10.069 Sectoral Funds EPADI Fund Global Weekly March 21, 2017 USD 107.050 107.850 March 7, 2017
NBK Kuwait Equity Fund Watani Investment Co. Weekly March 23, 2017 KD 0.670 Islamic Funds Global GCC Islamic Fund Global Weekly March 21, 2017 USD 99.020 98.670 March 7, 2017
Gulf Equity Investment Fund Watani Investment Co. Weekly March 23, 2017 USD 10.105 Al-Durra Islamic Fund Global Monthly March 23, 2017 KD 1.202 1.182 March 9, 2017

Gulf Bank Kuwait Finance & Investment Co (KFIC)
Al Bashaer GCC Equity Fund Kwt. Fin. & Inv. Co. & Gulf Fin. House Monthly Feb 28, 2017 USD 7.070 7.082 Jan 31, 2017 Al Wasm Fund KFIC Weekly March 16, 2017 KD 0.420 0.421 Feb 15, 2017
Coast Fund Coast Investment & Dev. Co. Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.672 0.652 Jan 31, 2017 Al Bashaer GCC Equity Fund KFIC Monthly Feb 28, 2017 USD 7.073 6.853 Dec 31, 2016
Sanaya Dow Jones Kuwait Index Fund Industrial & Financial Investment Co. Weekly Jan 26, 2017 KD 0.561 0.561 Dec 30, 2016
Markaz Capital Preservation Program 1 Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.912 0.917 Dec 31, 2016
Markaz Capital Preservation Program 2 Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.942 0.940 Dec 31, 2016
KAMCO
KAMCO Investment Fund KAMCO Monthly Jan 31, 2017 KD 1.065 0.889 Nov 30, 2016
Markaz Gulf Real Estate Fund Bi-annual Feb 28, 2017 KD 1.417 1.418 Jan 31, 2017
KAMCO GCC Opportunities Fund KAMCO Monthly July 31, 2016 USD 115.890 114.380 Feb 29, 2016

KAMCO MENA Plus Fixed Income Fund KAMCO Jan 31, 2017 USD 12.551 10.260 Dec 31, 2016
Al Ahli Bank KAMCO Real Estate Yield Fund KAMCO Jan 31, 2017 USD 10.220 10.270 Dec 30, 2016
Al Ahli Gulf Fund Al Ahli Bank Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.893 0.892 Jan 31, 2017 Kuwait Education Fund KAMCO Quartely Sept 30, 2016 KD 1.457
Al Ahli Kuwaiti Fund Al Ahli Bank Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.818 0.824 Jan 31, 2017

Wafra International Investment Co.

Burgan Bank Wafra Equity Fund Wafra Co. Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.902 0.911 Jan 31, 2017
Burgan Equity Fund Burgan Bank Monthly March 26, 2017 KD 1.809 1.794 Feb 26, 2017 Wafra Bond Fund Wafra Co. Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 1.034 1.032 Jan 31, 2017
Masaref Investment Fund ISKAN Weekly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.816 0.817 Jan 31, 2017
Fajir Islamic Fund Wafra Co. Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.675 0.695 Jan 31, 2017
Boubyan Bank
Boubyan KD Money Market Fund Boubyan Bank Weekly March 28, 2017 KD 1.062 1.061 Feb 28, 2017
Boubyan KD Money Market Fund II Boubyan Bank Weekly March 28, 2017 KD 1.009 1.006 Feb 28, 2017 Shuaa Capital Co.
Emirates Gateway Fund Shuaa Capital Weekly Feb 7, 2017 AED 15.110 15.070 Jan 31, 2017
The Arab Gateway Fund Shuaa Capital Weekly Feb 7, 2017 USD 28.160 29.040 Jan 31, 2017
Boubyan Capital Investment Co.
Boubyan USD Liquidity Fund Boubyan Capital Investment Co March 28, 2017 USD 10.190 10.180 Feb 28, 2017
Boubyan Multi-Asset Holding Fund Boubyan Bank Feb 28, 2017 USD 10.250 10.125 Jan 31, 2017 Al Aman Investment
Al Aman Islamic Fund Al Aman Investment Weekly Dec 31, 2016 KD 0.342 0.322 Nov 1, 2016

Kuwait Investment Co.
Local Fund Al Raed Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 23, 2017 KD 1.014 1.001 March 16, 2017 Tharwa Investment Co.
Kuwait Investment Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.695 0.696 Jan 31, 2017 Tharwa Investment Fund Tharwa Investment Co Weekly March 13, 2017 KD 1.379 1.406 Dec 31, 2016
Al Hilal Fund Kuwait Investment Co Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.541 0.541 Feb 13, 2017 Tharwa Arab Investment Fund Tharwa Investment Co Bi-weekly July 31, 2016 USD 1.977 2.251 June 30, 2016
Al Atheer Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly Feb 28, 2017 KD 1.089 1.112 Jan 31, 2017 Tharwa World Fund Tharwa Investment Co Monthly March 31, 2016 USD 1.024 0.986 March 15, 2016
International Global Bond Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 22, 2017 USD 24.510 24.210 March 15, 2017 Tharwa Islamic Fund Tharwa Investment Co Monthly March 13, 2017 KD 0.571 0.590 Dec 31, 2016
Diversified Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 22, 2017 USD 18.550 18.530 March 15, 2017
European Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly Jan 31, 2017 Euro 19.890 19.820 Dec 30, 2016 Bank Al-Bilad
Pacific Equity Fund Kuwait Investment Co Weekly March 22, 2017 USD 29.430 29.200 March 15, 2017 Al Seef Fund Bank Al-Bilad Daily March 15, 2017 KD 0.422 0.415 March 1, 2017
North American Equity Fund Kuwait Investment Co Tw. Monthly Feb 28, 2017 USD 18.100 17.570 Jan 31, 2017

Commercial International Bank

National Investment Co. (NIC) CIB Money Market Fund (Osoul) CI Asset Management Weekly March 30, 2017 EGP 286.030 285.700 March 27, 2017
Al-Wataniya Fund NIC Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.613 0.630 Jan 31, 2017
CIB II Equity (Isthethmar) CI Asset Management Weekly March 30, 2017 EGP 141.400 142.780 March 27, 2017
Al-Darij Fund NIC Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.355 0.361 Jan 31, 2017
CIB and Faisal Islamic Al Aman CI Asset Management Weekly March 30, 2017 EGP 80.840 81.300 March 27, 2017
Mawarid Fund NIC Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.513 0.515 Jan 31, 2017
Hemaya CI Asset Management Weekly March 1, 2017 EGP 169.020 168.910 Feb 1, 2017
Zajil Fund NIC Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.744 0.749 Jan 31, 2017
Thabat CI Asset Management Weekly March 30, 2017 EGP 167.840 168.710 March 27, 2017
Al Mada Investment Fund NIC Weekly Feb 28, 2017 USD 0.773 0.779 Jan 31, 2017
Takamol CI Asset Management Weekly March 30, 2017 EGP 137.140 138.000 March 26, 2017

Misr El Mostakbel CI Asset Management Weekly March 27, 2017 EGP 24.880 24.740 March 23, 2017
Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz)
Mumtaz Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 16, 2017 KD 4.036 4.023 March 9, 2017
MIDAF Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 16, 2017 KD 3.083 3.075 March 9, 2017
Noor Financial Investment Co.
Noor Islamic Fund Noor Financial Investment Co Monthly Feb 29, 2016 KD 0.613 0.645 Dec 31, 2015
Islamic Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 16, 2017 KD 1.572 1.565 March 9, 2017

Markaz Arabian Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly Nov 10, 2016 KD 2.990 2.920 Nov 3, 2016
FORSA Financial Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.972 0.996 Jan 31, 2017 Al Zumorroda Investment Co.
Real Estate Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 1.412 1.419 Jan 31, 2017 Zumorroda GCC Fund Al Zumorroda Investment Co Monthly Jan 31, 2016 KD 0.481 0.543 Dec 31, 2015
Markaz Fixed Income Fund Kuwait Financial Center Monthly March 16, 2017 USD 11.490 11.470 March 9, 2017
Mawazeen International Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 19, 2017 USD 9.140 9.070 March 12, 2017 KFH Capital Investment Co.
Markaz MENA Islamic Fund Kuwait Financial Center Weekly March 16, 2017 USD 10.640 10.720 Feb 28, 2017 Muthanna Islamic Index Fund (MUDX) KFH Capital Investment Company Daily Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.357 0.354 Jan 31, 2017
Muthanna GCC Islamic Banks Fund KFH Capital Investment Company Daily Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.683 0.673 Jan 31, 2017
Kuwait & Middle East Financial & Inv. Co. Baitak GCC Fund KFH Capital Investment Company Weekly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.916 0.957 Jan 31, 2017
Al Rouyah Fund KMEFIC Monthly Feb 28, 2017 KD 1.414 1.434 Jan 31, 2017
Gulf Gate Fund KMEFIC Monthly Oct 31, 2016 KD 0.944 0.918 Sept 30, 2016 CapCorp Investment Co.
CapCorp Local Fund CapCorp Investment Company Weekly Feb 28, 2017 KD 0.941 0.962 Jan 31, 2017
Global Investment House

BUSINESS
Bapco starts talks on Sitra expansion bids
State-run Bahrain Petroleum Co
(Bapco) has started two weeks
of negotiations with international
contractors to clarify bids to
expand the Sitra oil refinery,
estimated to cost around $5 bil-
lion.
The negotiations will last at
least two weeks and hopefully
the award will take place in a
month or so, said a source
familiar with the matter.
Bapco declined to comment.
Kuwait market extends
losses; volume ticks up
Commercial Bank dips 25 fils; Zain flat
By John Mathews
Arab Times Staff
KUWAIT CITY, April 3:
Kuwait stocks tripped fur-
ther following Sundays
downtick. The price index
pared back steep early ses-
sion losses to close 22.14
points down at 6,999.23 pts
amid selling in some of the
heavyweights. The broader
trend however remained
mixed.
The KSX 15 benchmark slipped
2.1 pts to 9,343.23 points while
weighted index inched 0.69 pts up
to 414.72 points. The volume turn-
over rose for the third straight ses-
sion to push past the 300 million
mark. 318.81 million shares
changed hands a 14 pct rise
from the day before.
The sectors closed mixed.
Healthcare outperformed the rest
with 1.81 pct gain whereas technolo-
gy shed 1.97 percent, the biggest
loser of the day. In terms of volume,
financial services garnered the high-
est market share of 36.9 percent
while real estate followed with 35.12
pct contribution.
Among notable losers, Commercial
Bank of Kuwait dipped 25 fils to 425
fils erasing last sessions gains while
Boubyan Bank gave up 5 fils to settle
at 405 fils. Kuwait Food Co
(Americana) dived 60 fils to KD
2.500 with thin trading.
Zain vacillated narrowly before
closing unchanged at 460 fils with a
volume of 2.5 million shares and
Ooredoo too did not budge from its
earlier close of KD 1.120. Kuwait
Telecommunications Co (VIVA)
stood pat at 910 fils and Agility fol-
lowed suit to close at 640 fils.
Sector bellwether National Bank
of Kuwait paused at 680 fils and
Kuwait International Bank followed
suit. KIBs fourth quarter earnings
stood at KD 4.72 million in last quar-
ter of 2016 and the board has recom-
mended a cash dividend of 10% or 10
fils per share for FY16.
The market opened weak and fell
sharply in early trade. The price
index held steady for nearly an hour
before slipping further to plumb the
days lowest level of 6,934.46 pts. It
rebounded thereafter amid renewed
buying in select counters and wound
up with moderate losses.
Top gainer of the day Educational
Holding Group jumped 7.4 pct to 290
Mideast Stocks
TAQA surges on land transfer, higher capex
Dubai, Egypt bourses outperform
DUBAI, April 3, (RTRS): Stock mar-
kets in the Middle East diverged on
Monday with Dubai and Egypts index
outperforming their peers while shares
of Abu Dhabi National Energy soared
again on investors optimism that the
company had turned a corner.
Shares of Abu Dhabi National
Energy jumped 9.6 percent in a second
day of unusually heavy trade. On
Sunday its shares had surged their 15
percent daily limit.
TAQA said it had secured land from
its top shareholder valued at 18.7 bil-
lion dirhams ($5.1 billion), and had
increased its capital expenditure in
2017. The increase will be self-funded
by cash generated by the business said
the companys spokesman.
This is the biggest clean up the
company is seeing and going forward
those assets the land will bring
revenues and be converted into prof-
its, said Mohammed Yasin, head of
NBAD Securities.
The restructuring that has hap-
pened has given investors comfort that
the government is supporting the com-
pany due to its losses in oil and gas,
Yasin added.
Last week TAQA reported a 2016
loss of 18.55 billion dirhams, largely
fuelled by 16.9 billion dirhams post-
tax impairment related to its oil and
gas assets.
The index rose 0.4 percent and vol-
umes stayed at the low levels they
have been trading in over the last sev-
eral weeks.
Dubais index climbed 1.4 percent
in the highest daily volumes in three
weeks. The benchmark had been trad-
ing in a narrow range for most of
March, and volumes had been dwin-
Bahrain relies on output from
the Abu Safa oil field that it
shares with Saudi Arabia for the
vast majority of its oil. A new
pipeline will replace an ageing
230,000 barrel-per-day (bpd)
link and enable the country to
expand the processing capacity
of the 267,000 bpd Sitra refin-
ery.
Under the Bapco
Modernisation Program (BMP),
Sitras capacity will hit 360,000
fils while FTI climbed 6.9 percent to
stand close behind. Alshamel tum-
bled 12.9 pct, the steepest decliner of
the day and Ithmaar Bank topped the
volume with over 49 million shares.
Despite the days drop, the winners
outnumbered the losers. 46 stocks
advanced whereas 39 closed lower.
Of the 130 counters active on
Monday, 45 closed flat. 6,155 deals
worth KD 25.38 million were trans-
acted a 0.43 pct rise in value from
the day before.
National Industries Group rose 2
fils on back of over 2 million shares
to 122 fils while Gulf Cable was
unchanged at 470 fils. Heavy
Engineering Industries and
Shipbuilding Co gained 4 fils and
Kuwait Foundry Co was flat at 310
fils.
Kuwait Cement Co fell 5 fils to
485 fils and Kuwait Portland Cement
Co climbed 10 fils partly paring last
sessions losses. Metal and Recycling
Co was up 3 fils at 77 fils while
ACICO gave up 5 fils. KBMMC rose
8 fils to 126 fils.
Gained
Kuwait National Cinema Co was
unchanged at KD 1.380 and
Equipment Holding Co dialed up 1
fil. Boubyan Petrochemical Company
gained 10 fils and Al Qurain
Petrochemical Co added 5 fils.
Independent Petroleum Group stood
pat at KD 1.120.
NAPESCO gained 20 fils and
Humansoft Holding climbed 40 fils
to KD 3.100. Automated Systems Co
dropped 15 fils and PAPCO was up 6
fils at 110 fils. Mowasat Hospital
rose 15 fils to 385 fils and Yiaco gave
up 5 fils.
Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport
Co clipped 2 fils after trading 1.4 mil-
lion shares and KGL Logistics Co
inched 1 fil into green. AWJ Holding
and Oula Fuel were down 4 fils each
at 95 fils and 126 fils respectively.
Jazeera Airways shed 10 fils and
ALAFCO paused at 244 fils.
Zimah Holding dialed down 2 fils
and Mezzan Holding closed flat. The
company s net profits jumped 23.1
pct to to KD 4.0 mln in Q4 while
profits for the 2016 profit slipped
11.6 pct to KD 17.1 million. The
board has recommended a cash divi-
dend of 28 fils per share to sharehold-
ers.
In the banking sector, Gulf Bank
eased 2 fils to 246 fils while Al Ahli
Bank and Burgan Bank were
unchanged at 305 fils and 335 fils
respectively.
Ahli United Bank fell 5 fils and
Kuwait Finance House did not budge
dling for the last 10 sessions as most
institutional investors lacked reasons
to allocate funds.
On Monday, 25 shares rose while
only five declined; Union Properties
climbed 2.5 percent and the most trad-
ed share for a second day in a row.
Other small and mid sized shares also
outperformed.
Egypts index rebounded 1.2 per-
cent, following global shares higher.
Two-thirds of shares listed on that
index rose and foreign institutional
investors were net buyers, exchange
data showed.
Operations
Juhayna Food Industries added 1.5
percent. On Sunday a local daily paper
said, citing company spokesman, the
dairy maker had started operations in
its new farm in the west of Egypt. The
area is 10,000 feddans (10,380 acres),
with investments reaching 600 million
Egyptian pounds ($33.1 million).
Alongside its current products, the
new facility will also be making a new
milk product. The output capacity and
financial impact were not stated.
Kuwaits index, which has been one
the best performing stock markets in
the world since the start of the year,
fell 0.3 percent to 6,999 points but
closed 65 points above its intra-day
low.
Kuwait Food Co lost 2.3 percent but
hospital manager Al Mowasat
Healthcare, which had slumped as
much as 6.8 percent earlier in the day
as its shares went ex-dividend,
rebounded 4.1 percent.
Saudi Arabias index fell 0.3 per-
cent in slightly lower liquidity than the
previous session. Number of declining
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
35
bpd by adding and replacing a
few units.
Four consortia made up of
international engineering firms
submitted bids in December.
These include Japans JGC
Corp and South Koreas GS;
Technip, Tecnicas Reunidas and
Samsung Engineering; Fluor,
Hyundai Engineering and
Construction and Daewoo E&C;
CB&I, Petrofac and Japans
Mitsui and Co. (RTRS)
from its earlier close of 530 fils after
trading over 7 million shares. Warba
Bank stagnated at 255 fils.
KIPCO was unchanged at 500 fils
with thin volume and Kuwait
Investment Co inched 1 fil into green.
Coast Investment Co and was flat at
48 fils while Al Mal Investment Co
and Unicap gave up 0.5 fils each.
Aayan Investment Co closed 1 fil
higher at 49 fils with brisk trading.
Securities House Co and Securities
Group Co stalled at 50 fils and 99 fils
respectively while Sokouk Holding
inched 0.5 fil into green. Bayan
Investment Co eased 1 fil and Ektittab
Holding inched 1 fil higher.
Kuwait Real Estate Co and
National Real Estate Co were flat at
67 fils and 102 fils respectively
whereas United Real Estate Co took
in 2 fils. Mazaya Holding Co gave up
2 fils to end at 120 fils.
The market has been retreating so
far during the week and has dipped
30 pts in last two sessions. It had
gained 238 points during whole of
March and is trading 21.77 pct higher
year-to-date. KSE, with 208 listed
companies, is the second largest
bourse in the region.
In the bourse related news, Al
Mazaya Holding net profits soared
31.7 pct to KD 2.59 million in last
quarter of 2016 while profits rose 10
pct to KD 10.25 million during the
fiscal year of 2016. The board has
recommended an annual cash divi-
dend of 8% or 8 fils per share.
Gulf Glass Manufacturing Cos
fourth quarter net profit dipped 64%
in KD 14,000 from KD 39,000 in
same period last year. During the fis-
cal year of 2016, profits was down 48
percent to KD 1.21 million from KD
2.34 mln in the previous year.
Al Mowasat Health Care has post-
ed KD 1.8 million profits during the
fourth quarter of 2016 and for the
fiscal year of 2016, earnings rose
35.3 pct to KD 4.52 million from the
year before. The board of directors
has recommended a dividend payout
of 20% or 20 fils per share.
Injazzat Real Estate Development
has posted a net profit of KD 550,000
in the last quarter of 2016 and during
the fiscal year of 2016, the bank
earned KD 3.2 million. The board has
recommended a cash dividend of 5%
or 5 fils per share for FY 2016.
Ajial Real Estate Entertainment
Company (AREEC) net losses nar-
rowed by 22.7 pct to KD 888,620
from KD 1.15 million in Q4 of 2115.
The annual profits in 2016 clocked
KD 1.5 million and the board has
recommended the distribution of cash
dividends at 5% of capital.
shares outnumbered advancing ones
101 to 44.
Domestic-focused shares were some
of the main underperformers, with
apparel retailer and mall operator
Fawaz Alhokair, the worst performer
on Monday, dropping 3.0 percent.
Qatars index closed down 0.5 per-
cent as a little over half of the 20 blue
chip shares declining. Islamic lender
Masraf Al Rayan was the main lag-
gard, dropping 3.0 percent.
Saudi Arabia
The index edged down 0.3 per-
cent to 6,968 points.
Dubai
The index added 1.4 percent to
3,539 points.
Abu Dhabi
The index edged up 0.4 percent to
4,467 points.
Qatar
The index fell 0.5 percent to
10,344 points.
Kuwait
The index fell 0.3 percent to
6,999 points.
Egypt
The index rebounded 1.2 percent
to 13,061 points.
Oman
The index climbed 1.1 percent to
5,597 points.
Bahrain
The index edged up 0.1 percent to
1,348 points.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
BUSINESS 36

Germany wants G20 drive for global fast internet by 25
Germany wants to use its presi-
dency of the Group of 20 major
economies to promote fast inter-
net for all, agree common techni-
cal standards and promote life-
long digital learning, Economy
Minister Brigitte Zypries said.
Zypries comments come
ahead of a rst meeting of G20
ministers responsible for digital
policy later this week in Dues-
seldorf, ahead of a G20 summit
chaired by Germany in July.
Germany wants the G20 to
agree to a concrete plan, includ-
ing rolling out fast internet across
the globe by 2025.
The message must be: we are
working together to make the op-
portunities of the digital revolu-
tion usable for all and to regulate
it through a framework of rules,
Zypries said in emailed answers
to questions from Reuters.
Zypries said Germany and Eu-
rope were in a good position to
South Africas credit rating cut to junk by S&P
take a leading role in the devel- S&P Global Ratings downgraded view that the divisions in the ANC- we currently project.
opment of the so-called Internet South Africas sovereign credit led government that have led to A downgrade to junk would
of Things (IoT), in which regular rating to BB+ from BBB- grade changes in the executive leader- increase South Africas debt-ser-
objects are connected to net- on Monday, saying the recent r- ship, including the nance minis- vicing costs, seen at 144 billion
works to send and receive data. ing of its internationally respect- ter, have put policy continuity at rand ($11 billion) in the 2016/17
By 2020, 21 billion IoT devices ed nance minister posed a risk risk, S&P said in a statement. scal year.
will be in use worldwide, up from scal policy. S&P assigned South Africa Paying higher debt costs
fewer than 5 billion last year, The rand fell by as much 2 a negative outlook, saying this would mean less money for
research rm Gartner has esti- percent to the dollar in response reected its view that political critical services such as housing,
mated. However, experts argue to the news of the downgrade, risks will remain high this year, education and sanitation, which
that the lack of global standards while government bonds also and that policy shifts are likely could incite more protests that
is stopping the sector reach its weakened sharply. which could undermine scal have rocked towns across the
full potential. (RTRS) The downgrade reects our and growth outcomes more than country. (RTRS)

Bank to shut toxic assets unit

RBS emerging from ruins

as shadow of former self
LONDON, April 3, (RTRS):
Nine years after the beginning of
a 45-billion-pound ($56 billion)
bailout by the British government,
Royal Bank of Scotland is emerg-
ing from its restructuring process a
shadow of what was once the big-
gest lender in the world.
RBS had a balance sheet of 2.4
trillion pounds in 2008 almost
double Britains annual econom-
ic output at the time having
staged a meteoric rise from be-
ing a small Scottish lender in the
early 1990s.
Since the bailout it has ofoaded
billions of pounds of assets a week,
as it tries to shrink down to being a
simple UK-focused lender.
Later this year RBS will shut its
Capital Resolution division, which
has sold off large chunks of its
huge stockpile of unwanted assets.
The closure will mark a milestone
in the banks road to recovery,
with its balance sheet around 1.6
trillion pounds lighter than when
its great sell-off began.
For the rst time in a long
time there is a distinction between
yesterday and tomorrow, Mark
Bailie, who runs the unit told Re-
uters in an interview at the lenders
lenders ultra-modern glass-and-
steel ofces in Londons nancial
district.
RBS has undergone a huge asset
sale, ranging from a eet of aircraft
in Beijing and the largest hospital
in Sydney, to a golf course 110 km
from the nearest road in Florida,
and a graveyard in the US Deep
South.
The steep and ongoing asset-
shedding, plus the deep staff and
IT systems overhaul still to come,
mean the future shape of RBS and
its growth potential are still un-
known propositions for investors,
according to shareholders and ana-
lysts.
Investable
I think it is not investable at
the current time. There is just too
much more work to be done, said
Julian Chillingworth, chief invest-
ment ofcer at Rathbone Brothers,
which holds some RBS shares.
Britains government has ruled
out reducing its stake in the bank
until it resolves a multi-billion
pound US ne for mis-selling
toxic mortgage-backed securities
and resolves its state aid require-
ments.
The banks relatively small
size now and the cost of its nine-
year overhaul is raising questions
from politicians and industry
experts over whether taxpayers
who already face a paper loss
of 29 billion pounds on their in-
vestment will see the kind of
stellar RBS growth needed to re-
trieve all their cash.
Few in the banking sector or
government believe rescuing and
reducing RBS was the wrong deci-
sion, given the risks it posed to the
wider nancial system. A collapse
could have triggered a run on every
bank in Britain.
Still, RBSs story illustrates the
perils of bailouts at a time when
state intervention is back in focus
in Europe; while EU regulations
have been tightened to make state
bailouts a last resort, the Rome
government is nonetheless seek-
ing permission from European
authorities to bail out debt-laden
Monte dei Paschi di Siena and two
smaller Italian banks.
An RBS spokesman directed
queries on whether taxpayers
would retrieve their money to
comments by Chief Executive
Ross McEwan last year when
he said it was possible the state
would not get its full investment
back.
A spokesman for the Treasury
said any future sale of its stake is
dependent on market conditions,
and that the government will seek
value for money for taxpayers.
Crippled
It was three weeks after the col-
lapse of Lehman Brothers crippled
global credit markets in 2008 that
Britains then nance minister
Alistair Darling had to make a snap
decision to buy RBS.
The giant bank was hurtling to-
wards bankruptcy so fast no one in
government had a chance to nd
out exactly what it owned or how
to value it.
Reuters calculations based on
RBSs nancial statements go-
ing back to the crisis show how
extreme the turnaround has been
since then.
RBSs management has been
selling or running off on average 3
billion pounds worth of assets ev-
ery week, according to the analy-
sis which tracked the size of the
banks balance sheet from 2008
onwards.
Thats the equivalent of selling
Londons Shard Western Eu-
ropes tallest skyscraper every
ve days.
In total about 1.6 trillion
pounds of assets have been
stripped out of RBSs balance
sheet equivalent to the eco-
nomic output of Brazil.
Bailie, 44, a qualied accoun-
tant, was tasked with shedding
much of these unwanted assets.
You had an unsustainable bal-
ance sheet, an unsustainable cul-
ture and an unsustainable cost base
and, therefore, I do think it will be
the biggest turnaround ever done,
he said.
Much is yet to be done, accord-
ing to the other senior RBS source
who said the bank had three to four
years of cutbacks ahead.
Tasks range from reducing the
number of payment systems from
140 to 10, and mortgage process-
ing systems from ve to one, to
cutting thousands of back-ofce
staff, said the source, who declined
to be named as he is not authorised
to speak publicly.
Global stocks retreat ahead of
Trump-Xi meeting; dollar gains
Oil prices under pressure on Libyan output recovery
NEW YORK, April 3,
(RTRS): Global equity
markets eased on Mon-
day as investors awaited
the rst meeting later this
week between US Presi-
dent Donald Trump and
Chinese President Xi Jin-
ping, as the dollar gained
amid a positive US back-
drop of rising interest
rates.
European shares touched a
16-month high before paring gains
as they tracked Asian shares higher
in the wake of upbeat manufactur-
ing data out of Europe and China.
Shares on Wall Street fell in morn-
ing trading as investors assessed how
Trumps protectionist stance on trade
will play out during meetings with Xi
slated for Thursday and Friday.
Trump held out the possibility, in
an interview published on Sunday by
the Financial Times, of using trade as
a lever to secure Chinese cooperation
against North Korea.
The market will be anxious and
will be eager to glean whatever they
get from those talks, said Andre Bak-
hos, managing director at Janlyn Capi-
tal in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
The market was a little taken aback
by Trumps comments recently about
the meeting, he said.
The pan-European FTSEurorst 300
index lost 0.49 percent, shedding ear-
lier gains, and MSCIs gauge of stocks
across the globe shed 0.39 percent.
German manufacturing growth
hit almost a six-year high in March,
Markits Purchasing Managers Index
(PMI) showed. Manufacturing activ-
ity in France and Italy also rose, add-
ing to signs of a pickup in the global
economy.
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones In-
dustrial Average fell 79.12 points, or
0.38 percent, to 20,584.1. The S&P
500 lost 11.29 points, or 0.48 percent,
to 2,351.43 and the Nasdaq Composite
dropped 27.46 points, or 0.46 percent,
to 5,884.28.
The dollar rose amid investor expec-
tations US rates will continue to rise
this year, even as Federal Reserve of-
cials have said the Fed is in no rush to
tighten monetary policy.
US construction spending and man-
ufacturing data were positive overall,
afrming the economys steady im-
provement and helping lift the dollar.
Construction spending grew 0.8 per-
cent to $1.19 trillion, the highest since
April 2006.
The dollar index rose 0.31 percent,
with the euro unchanged at $1.0649.
The Japanese yen strengthened 0.34
percent versus the greenback at 111.01
per dollar, while sterling was last trad-
ing at $1.247, down 0.60 percent on
the day.
Oil prices were under pressure as a
rebound in Libyan oil output over the
weekend offset upbeat economic data
from Asia that suggested robust energy
demand from the region.
Benchmark Brent futures eased by
8 cents to $53.45 a barrel. US West
Texas Intermediate crude futures were
down 10 cents at $50.50 a barrel.
Manufacturing data showed facto-
ries across much of Asia posted an-
other month of solid growth in March.
The Bank of Japans tankan sur-
vey showed business sentiment im-
proved, albeit slightly less than ex-
pected.
US
Wall Street fell on Monday after
some US states accused President
Donald Trumps administration of il-
legally delaying certain energy ef-
ciency standards, casting further doubt
over the governments ability to de-
liver on its promised reforms.
A coalition of US states and mu-
nicipalities began legal action against
Trumps administration, saying its
delay of energy efciency standards
for several consumer and commercial
products violated federal law.
The move comes barely two weeks
after the administration had to pull leg-
islation to overhaul the US healthcare
system.
Trumps campaign promises to cut
tax, ease regulations and spend more
on infrastructure had driven Wall
Street to record highs. However, after
the administrations recent legislative
setbacks, investors are worried when
and if these promises will be fullled.
Trump held out the possibility on
Sunday of using trade as a lever to se-
cure Chinas cooperation against North
Korea, in comments that appeared de-
signed to pressure Chinese President
Xi Jinping ahead of his rst meeting
with Trump later this week.
Investors are waiting to see if cor-
porate reports in the impending earn-
ings season justify the lofty valuations.
The S&P 500 is trading at about 18
times earnings estimates for the next
12 months, above its long-term aver-
age of 15.
At 11:56 am ET (1556 GMT), the
Dow Jones Industrial Average was
down 108.03 points, or 0.52 per-
cent, at 20,555.19, the S&P 500 was
down 14.85 points, or 0.63 percent, at
2,347.87 and the Nasdaq Composite
was down 35.62 points, or 0.6 percent,
at 5,876.11.
The CBOE Volatility index, known
as Wall Streets fear gauge was up
at 13.34 points, on track to rise for the
third straight trading day.
All 11 major S&P 500 sectors were
lower, led by the nancial indexs 1.3
percent drop.
The banks faced issues like slow-
down in commercial lending growth
this quarter. Investors think that the
banks have not done quite well this
quarter, said Stephen Biggar, an ana-
lyst with Argus Research.
Tesla shares gained as much as 5.7
percent to a record high after the elec-
tric car maker reported record rst-
quarter vehicle deliveries.
But, other automakers fell after re-
porting March sales that came in below
market expectations. GM dropped 3.7
percent, Fiat Chrysler sank 5 percent,
while Ford was off 2.4 percent.
Declining issues outnumbered ad-
vancers on the NYSE by 1,869 to
1,020. On the Nasdaq, 2,010 issues fell
and 757 advanced.
The S&P 500 index showed 17 52-
week highs and ve lows, while the
Nasdaq recorded 69 highs and 22 lows.
Asia
Hong Kong stocks edged up on
Monday morning, on track to break a
two-day run of losses, with infrastruc-
ture-related stocks surging after Bei-
jing announced plans to set up a special
economic zone in the heavily polluted
province of Hebei.
Mainland markets were closed for
a holiday, and will resume trading on
Wednesday.
The benchmark Hang Seng index
had gained 0.4 percent to 24,205.59
points by 0612 GMT, while the Hong
Kong China Enterprises Index edged
up 0.24 percent, to 10,297.92.
Shares of China building materials
maker BBMG Corp surged as much
as 46 percent to its highest since May
2015, making it the top performer in
Hong Kong. The company said in a
statement it was not aware of any rea-
son for the jump.
LongiTech Smart Energy Hold-
ing Ltd, a smart energy solution pro-
vider which also engages in public
infrastructure construction, climbed as
much as 70 percent to its highest since
April 2015.
China VAST Industrial Urban De-
velopment and Tianjin Port Develop-
ment Holdings Ltd rose 21 percent and
19 percent, respectively.
China will establish a new special
economic zone in Hebei province in
order to promote integration with the
neighbouring cities of Beijing and
Tianjin, the government announced on
Saturday.
Kulun Energy Co Ltd rose 4.3 per-
cent, to its highest since July 6, 2015,
while China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd
rose 1.3 percent.
Chinas ofcial Purchasing Manag-
ers Index (PMI) rose to 51.8 in March
from the previous months 51.6, and
was well above the 50-point mark that
separates growth from contraction on a
monthly basis. The reading was stronger
than the 51.6 that economists had ex-
pected and the highest since April 2012.
Oil
Oil prices were under pressure on
Monday as a rebound in Libyan oil
output at the weekend weighed against
upbeat economic data from Asia that
pointed to strong energy demand from
the region.
Benchmark Brent futures eased by 8
cents to $53.45 a barrel by 1356 GMT.
US West Texas Intermediate crude fu-
tures were down 10 cents at $50.50 a
barrel.
Libyas Sharara oil eld, the coun-
trys largest, resumed production on
Sunday after a week-long disruption.
State-owned NOC lifted force majeure
on loadings of Sharara crude on Mon-
day, sources told Reuters.
The eld was producing around
120,000 barrels per day (bpd) on Mon-
day and about 220,000 bpd prior to the
March 27 shutdown.
Adding to pressure on prices, en-
ergy services rm Baker Hughes said
the US rig count rose by 10 to 662
last week, making the rst quarter the
strongest for rig additions since mid-
2011 and raising prospects for more
US shale oil.
Rising supplies tempered data from
Asia that suggested the regions buoy-
ant economy would ensure solid de-
mand for energy.
Manufacturing data showed facto-
ries across much of Asia posted an-
other month of solid growth in March.
Purchasing managers index (PMI)
data from China showed its factories
expanded for a ninth straight month
in March, although the pace slipped as
new export orders slowed.
Oil prices had rallied for three days
last week, lifted by reduced Libyan
output and helped by expectations
that members of the Organization of
the Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) and non-OPEC producers
such as Russia would extend produc-
tion cuts beyond June.
But in a sign investors were more
cautious about further price gains,
hedge funds and money managers cut
net long positions last week by 28,942
contracts to 372,756 lots in the week
to March 28, the lowest since Nov. 29,
data released by the InterContinental
Exchange showed.
Gold
Gold prices rose on Monday despite
a rmer dollar, but was trading in a
tight range as the market sought more
direction from key US economic data
expected later in the week.
Spot gold was 0.23 percent high-
er at $1,245.71 per ounce at 1530
GMT, trading in the range between
$1,253.52- $1,244.05.
Gold is stuck between $1,238-
$1,260 with the risk to skewed to
downside based on rising expected in-
terest rates and failure to break higher
which has left it vulnerable to prot-
taking in the short term, said Ole Han-
sen, the head of commodity strategy at
Saxo Bank.
Hansen said focus now turned to US
payrolls data on Friday which could
provide more clues on the direction
of interest rates. Supporting gold was
geopolitical tension sparked by US
President Donald Trump who on Sun-
day held out the possibility of using
trade as a lever to secure Chinese co-
operation against North Korea.

exchange rates April 3

US dollar Sterling pound Euro Japanese yen Swiss franc Canadian dollar Swedish krona Saudi riyal UAE dirham Bahraini dinar Omani riyal
Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer
BEC Buy .301750 .303500 .303500 .378489 .377489 .377489 .321205 .321205 .321205 .002734 .002734 .002734 .301657 .302657 .302657 .221161 .219161 .219161 .029458 .029458 .029458 .079993 .080493 .080493 .081357 .081300 .081300 .799929 .799428 .799428 .783320 .777819 .777819
Sell .306150 .305850 .305850 .388489 .387089 .387089 .330205 .328305 .328305 .002914 .002914 .002914 .312657 .309657 .309657 .230161 .229161 .229161 .034458 .034458 .034458 .081293 .081133 .081133 .083057 .082750 .082750 .808429 .807928 .807928 .789000 .788819 .788819
Muzaini Sell .304650 .305850 .305850 .385980 .385980 .327870 .327870 .002697 .002697 .302970 .302970 .230510 .230510 .081654 .081654 .083356 .083356 .813070 .813070 .795218 .795218
Dollarco Sell .306000 .305500 .305500 .386000 .384717 .384717 .330000 .327087 .327087 .003500 .003690 .003690 .310000 .309220 .309220 .235000 .233480 .233480 .083000 .082500 .082500 .084000 .083680 .083680 .813000 .810915 .810915
Commercial Bank Buy .301000 .304450 .304450 .381000 .382191 .382191 .323000 .324300 .324300 .002837 .002837 .306000 .306109 .306109 .224000 .225454 .225454 .033372 .033372 .077000 .080741 .080741 .082149 .082421 .082421 .800355 .803169 .803169 .784615 .786308 .786308
Sell .306800 .306550 .306550 .389000 .384828 .384828 .333000 .326537 .326537 .002871 .002871 .315000 .308233 .308233 .235000 .227019 .227019 .033603 .033603 .083000 .081301 .081301 .082975 .082993 .082993 .808399 .808742 .808742 .792501 .791764 .791764
Gulf Bank Buy .304450 .304450 .304450 .378070 .378070 .378070 .320830 .320830 .320830 .002810 .002810 .002810 .308020 .308020 .308020 .222680 .222680 .222680 .033320 .033320 .033320 .080170 .080170 .080170 .081890 .081890 .081890 .797750 .797750 .797750 .781220 .781220 .781220
Sell .306550 .306550 .306550 .389790 .389790 .389790 .330720 .330720 .330720 .002890 .002890 .002890 .317690 .317690 .317690 .229520 .229520 .229520 .034340 .034340 .034340 .081890 .081890 .081890 .083600 .083600 .083600 .814380 .814380 .814380 .797480 .797480 .797480
NBK Buy .303700 .303700 .375890 .375890 .323290 .323290 .002863 .002863 .307200 .307200 .225290 .225290 .033320 .033320 .080610 .080610 .082340 .082340 .801620 .801620 .785390 .785390
Sell .306800 .306800 .386170 .386170 .333030 .333030 .002895 .002895 .310750 .310750 .227610 .227610 .033630 .033630 .081310 .081310 .083030 .083030 .808570 .808570 .791970 .791970
Burgan Bank Buy .303200 .303200 .372069 .372069 .320585 .320585 .002792 .002792 .307446 .307446 .225799 .225799 .033837 .033837 .080340 .080340 .082054 .082054 .799406 .799406 .782777 .782777
Sell .307300 .307300 .392484 .392484 .338196 .338196 .002946 .002946 .309736 .309736 .227450 .227450 .034084 .034084 .081115 .081115 .082850 .082850 .807107 .807107 .790274 .790274
ABK Buy .301950 .304450 .304450 .377740 .381110 .381110 .321580 .324450 .324450 .002729 .002729 .303430 .303430 .228110 .228110 .338800 .338800 .079750 .080460 .080460 .082637 .082420 .082420 .800590 .800590 .786930 .786930
Sell .308050 .306550 .306550 .387830 .385630 .385630 .330540 .328650 .328650 .002761 .002761 .307680 .307680 .230820 .230820 .346200 .346200 .082480 .082000 .082000 .083467 .083800 .083800 .815750 .815750 .799850 .799850
KFH Buy .302490 .303200 .303200 .362625 .368024 .368024 .312805 .318087 .318087 .002776 .002776 .305609 .305609 .224967 .224967 .033368 .033368 .080090 .080518 .080518 .081786 .082223 .082223 .794037 .801697 .801697 .777623 .785047 .785047
Sell .308020 .306300 .306300 .398639 .390287 .390287 .346368 .336777 .336777 .002933 .002933 .311255 .311255 .228483 .228483 .033799 .033799 .081861 .081369 .081369 .083591 .083088 .083088 .816600 .808785 .808785 .799556 .791970 .791970
KBE Sell .306250 .306250 .380900 .380900 .332100 .332100 .082810 .082810 .806500 .806500
Danish krone Indian rupee Pakistani rupee Sri Lanka rupee Bangladesh taka Philippine peso Australian dollar Hong Kong dollar Singapore dollar Jordanian dinar Egyptian pound
Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer
BEC Buy .040530 .040529 .040529 .000030 .004461 .004461 .002697 .002869 .002869 .001651 .002020 .002020 .003383 .003827 .003827 .006142 .005800 .005800 .224322 .222322 .222322 .037033 .036532 .036532 .213951 .214951 .214951 .423775 .422147 .422147 .017442 .021482 .021482
Sell .045530 .045529 .045529 .004184 .004537 .004537 .002987 .002901 .002901 .002231 .002062 .002062 .003967 .003871 .003871 .006442 .006267 .006267 .236322 .235322 .235322 .039783 .039632 .039632 .223951 .220951 .220951 .432775 .429647 .429647 .024695 .022251 .022251
Muzaini Sell .004578 .004578 .002917 .002917 .002062 .002062 .003853 .003853 .006156 .006156 .039456 .039456 .215040 .215040 .431200 .431200 .023900 .017300 .017300
Dollarco Sell .004650 .004568 .004568 .003100 .002917 .002917 .002300 .002022 .002022 .004150 .003854 .003854 .006350 .006082 .006082 .435000 .432620 .432620 .023000 .019476 .019476
Commercial Bank Buy .044221 .044221 .004000 .002000 .005000 .229000 .228750 .228750 .038936 .038936 .216649 .216649 .420000 .016000
Sell .044749 .044749 .006500 .004547 .004547 .002923 .002923 .003500 .002065 .002065 .003897 .003897 .007900 .006315 .006315 .235000 .231477 .231477 .039400 .039400 .219232 .219232 .434000 .432199 .432199 .024000 .034598 .034598
Gulf Bank Buy .043920 .043920 .043920 .230110 .230110 .230110 .038790 .038790 .038790 .214770 .214770 .214770
Sell .045260 .045260 .045260 .004660 .004660 .004660 .002960 .002960 .002960 .002090 .002090 .002090 .003940 .003940 .003940 .006370 .006370 .006370 .234790 .234790 .234790 .039570 .039570 .039570 .221340 .221340 .221340 .435960 .435960 .435960 .034920 .034920 .034920
NBK Buy .044130 .044130 .004470 .004470 .002010 .002010 .006090 .006090 .232450 .232450 .216640 .216640 .424370 .424370 .033890 .033890
Sell .045080 .045080 .004650 .004650 .002950 .002950 .002080 .002080 .006260 .006260 .235440 .235440 .219340 .219340 .431750 .431750 .034430 .034430
Burgan Bank Buy .043536 .043536 .004399 .004399 .002829 .002829 .002044 .002044 .003838 .003838 .006239 .006239 .228040 .228040 .218767 .218767 .424741 .424741 .033796 .033796
Sell .045929 .045929 .004667 .004667 .003003 .003003 .002066 .002066 .003894 .003894 .006321 .006321 .229778 .229778 .220417 .220417 .428904 .428904 .034417 .034417
ABK Buy .043540 .043540 .004652 .004652 .231160 .231160 .039110 .039110 .217710 .217710 .428480 .428480
Sell .044650 .044650 .004763 .004763 .003003 .003003 .002132 .002132 .006683 .006683 .234220 .234220 .039560 .039560 .220280 .220280 .435740 .435740 .018290 .018290
KFH Buy .044029 .044029 .004492 .004492 .002868 .002868 .002033 .002033 .003802 .003802 .006148 .006148 .231898 .231898 .216405 .216405 .424743 .424743 .017393 .017393
Sell .044901 .044901 .004632 .004632 .002934 .002934 .002078 .002078 .003914 .003914 .006328 .006328 .235376 .235376 .219743 .219743 .429924 .429924 .017702 .017702
KBE Sell .004594 .004594 .002901 .002901 .002057 .002057 .003873 .003873 .006211 .006211 .017995 .017995
Cyprus pound Yemeni riyal Thai baht South African rand Korean won Syrian pound Iranian Riyal Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Indonesian rupiah New Zealand dollar
Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer Cash Draft Transfer
BEC Buy .001374 .001364 .001364 .008291 .008230 .008230 .016426 .000255 .001286 .001285 .001285 .000084 .000147 .000181 .000181 .068677 .067416 .067416 .000019 .000018 .000018 .215304 .213304 .213304
Sell .001454 .001464 .001464 .008841 .008645 .008645 .024926 .000270 .001506 .001505 .001505 .000085 .000247 .000201 .000201 .074677 .074416 .074416 .000025 .000025 .000025 .224804 .224304 .224304
Muzaini Sell .001229 .001229 .008601 .008601 .002182 .002182 .002040 .002040 .068841 .068841
Dollarco Sell .695000 .167990 .167990 .009000 .009715 .009715 .000980 .002425 .002425 .076000 .069500 .069500
Gulf Bank Buy .215310 .215310 .215310
Sell .022540 .022540 .022540 .000020 .000020 .000020 .219690 .219690 .219690
ABK Buy .212340 .212340
Sell .216090 .216090
KFH Buy .001199 .001199 .008485 .008485 .000197 .000197 .070853 .070853
Sell .001229 .001229 .008803 .008803 .000206 .000206 .071672 .071672
KBE Sell .001550 .001550 .002377 .002377

travellers cheques US dollar Sterling Euro local gold Gold 999 kg Gold 999 10 tola Gold ounce Gold gm 22k Gold gm 21k Gold gm 18k 100 gm 999 10 gm 999
BEC .3058500 .3870890 .3283054 BEC All rates in KD per unit of
Commercial Bank .3065500 .3848280 .3265370 Muzaini Exchange 12,376.800 1,463.295 395.410 11.360 10.840 9.290 130.595
.3065500 .3897900 .3307200
foreign currency
Gulf Bank
Al-Ahli Bank .3065500 .3856300 .3286500

INTERNATIONAL
EU reiterates support to UN efforts in Yemen
BRUSSELS, April 3, (Agencies): The
EU stressed Monday that there can be
no military solution to the conict in
Yemen but that the crisis can only be
solved through a negotiation process,
involving all the parties concerned, to
an inclusive political solution.
EU foreign ministers meeting in
Luxembourg in a statement reiterated
the EUs strong support to the efforts
of the UN Secretary General and the
UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail
Blast on
Continued from Page 1
A huge hole was blown open in the
side of a carriage with metal wreckage
strewn across the platform. Passengers
were seen hammering at the windows
of one closed carriage.
Russian TV said many had suf-
fered lacerations from glass shards and
metal, the force of the explosion maxi-
mised by the connes of the carriage
and the tunnel.
Ofcials said earlier on Monday that
the death toll from the explosion was
9, but the health minister later revised
that upwards to 10 dead.
Authorities closed all St Petersburg
metro stations. The Moscow metro
said it was taking unspecied addi-
tional security measures in case of an
attack there.
Russia has been on particular alert
against Chechen rebels returning from
Syria, where they have fought along-
side Islamic State, and wary of any at-
tempts to resume attacks that dogged
the country several years ago.
At least 38 people were killed in
2010 when two female suicide bomb-
ers detonated bombs on packed Mos-
cow metro trains.
Over 330 people, half of them chil-
dren, were killed in 2004 when police
stormed a school in southern Rus-
sia after a hostage taking by Islamist
militants. In 2002, 120 hostages were
killed when police stormed a Moscow
theatre to end another hostage-taking.
Putin, as prime minister, launched
a 1999 campaign to crush a separatist
government in the Muslim southern
region of Chechnya, and as president
continued a hard line in suppressing
rebellion.
Trump kin
Continued from Page 1
US personnel helping combat Islamic
State.
Trump, who campaigned on defeat-
ing Islamic State, has yet to announce
any dramatic shift in war strategy.
The trip to Iraq comes as Iraqi secu-
rity forces engage in erce, house-to-
house ghting to retake Mosul, Islamic
States last major stronghold in Iraq
and the city where leader Abu Bakr al-
Baghdadi declared a caliphate nearly
three years ago.
Nearly 290,000 people have ed the
city to escape the ghting, according to
the United Nations.
Although the loss of Mosul would deal
a major defeat to Islamic State, US and
Iraqi ofcials are preparing for smaller
battles even after the city is recaptured
and expect the group to go underground
to ght as a traditional insurgency.
What happens to the US military
role in Iraq after Mosul is recaptured
remain unclear.
Inuential Shiite cleric Moqtada
al-Sadr has previously called on Iraqs
government to order the withdrawal of
US and allied forces after the battle of
Mosul is over.
Dunford said Iraqi Prime Minister
Haider al-Abadi understood the need
for continued US military support.
Its not our judgment that the Iraqis
will be self sustaining and self suf-
cient in the wake of Mosul. More
importantly, its not Prime Minister
Abadis assessment, Dunford said.
Across the border in Syria, a US-
backed campaign to isolate Islamic
States de facto capital of Raqqa is
advancing ahead of an eventual assault
on the city.
US-backed Syrian forces repelled a
major counter-attack by Islamic State
militants holding out at the countrys
largest dam and in the nearby town of
Tabqa, the group and activists said on
Sunday. The dam is a strategic target
in the military campaign, located about
40 kms (25 miles) to the east of Raqqa.
Meanwhile, for Iraqi police ofcer
Jassem and his brothers, the battle
against Islamic State is personal. The
militants captured and beheaded their
father, a Shiite militiaman, in 2014;
before that, the family lost another son
ghting the jihadists.
We were able to identify my dads
body by the tattoo on his arm. The head
wasnt found. They had also drilled
holes in his hands and cut ngers off,
31-year-old Jassem told Reuters on the
front line in Mosul as Iraqi forces bat-
tle with Islamic State in the city.
After the murder, Jassems youngest
brother signed up with the army and
another joined a Shiite paramilitary
group. With a further brother already
with the Counter-Terrorism Service,
that meant their mother had all four of
her surviving sons at war.
Mum wasnt happy, said Jassem,
not giving his full name because he
works in intelligence. But his brothers
still answered the call to arms. They
said Iraq was falling apart, and they
wanted to protect it, he said.
The family from southern Iraq far
from Mosul which lies near the coun-
trys northern border is just one
of many where entire sets of brothers
have taken up arms against Islamic
State out of revenge, duty or just to
earn money.
The US-backed Iraqi forces are now
set to drive the group from its strong-
hold of Mosul, taken in 2014 when the
Britain expresses regret over disturbance during Saudi aides London visit
Ould Cheikh Ahmed, to achieve a re-
sumption of negotiations and urged
all parties to the conict to react in a
exible and constructive manner and
without preconditions.
The EU called on all parties to ur-
gently agree on a cessation of hos-
tilities to be monitored by the United
Nations as a rst step towards the
resumption of peace talks under UN
leadership.
It also called on all international and
Syrian govt forces besiege
rebel suburb of Damascus
BEIRUT, April 3, (AP):
Syrian troops intensied
their bombardment of op-
position-held areas around
Damascus on Monday and
besieged a rebel neighbor-
hood northeast of the city,
the latest in the govern-
ments push to erase bat-
tleeld advances made by
insurgents in March.
Airstrikes on the rebel-held Da-
mascus suburb of Douma killed
at least 16 people, including three
children, according to the Britain-
based Syrian Observatory for Hu-
man Rights. Douma-based activist
Mazen al-Shami said 16 people
were killed in Douma, including a
whole family. He gave no further
details.
The governments siege of the Bar-
zeh neighborhood came as President
Bashar Assads forces work to expand
their security belt around Damascus,
his seat of power.
After hours of ghting under the
cover of airstrikes and intense bom-
bardment, government forces and their
allies captured Hafez Road, according
to the Observatory and opposition ac-
tivist Anas al-Dimashqi, who is based
near Damascus.
Capture
The capture of the road cut off
Barzeh from the Qaboun and Tishrin
neighborhoods, which are partially
held by the rebels.
Mondays developments will in-
crease pressure on opposition ghters
who have suffered major defeats in
recent months, including the loss of
eastern neighborhoods of the northern
city of Aleppo, Syrias largest, and the
western Damascus suburb of Wadi
Barada, a main source of water for the
capital, earlier this year.
In March, insurgents launched a
counter-attack, capturing several areas
northeast of Damascus before losing
much of them over the past few days.
Assads forces are seeking to cap-
ture rebel-held parts of Qaboun,
Tishrin, Jobar and Barzeh areas that
opposition ghters have held for years.
Losing them would deal a new blow to
the opposition.
The Hafez road represents a stra-
tegic artery, though the rebels have
been widely known to use tunnels in
the nearby neighborhoods to smuggle
ghters, weapons and food.
Earlier on Monday, Syrian govern-
ment forces stepped up the bombing of
opposition-held areas in and near Da-
mascus and the central city of Hama.
Theres been a major escalation
north of Hama in the directions of
Maardes and Souran, said a local me-
dia activist who goes by the name of
Obeida Hamawi fearing for his own
safety. He estimated more than 70
bombs and rockets had fallen on the
adjoining village and town.
Syrian opposition activists say
airstrikes on a suburb of the capital
Damascus have killed 16 people and
wounded others.
The Britain-based Syrian Observa-
tory for Human Rights said Mondays
airstrikes on the rebel-held Damascus
suburb of Douma killed at least 16
people, including three children.
Douma-based activist Mazen al-
Shami said 16 people were killed in
Douma, including a whole family. He
gave no further details.
Syrian troops intensied their bom-
bardment of opposition-held areas
around Damascus and besieged a rebel
neighborhood northeast of the city.
jihadists seized large areas of Iraq and
Syria, proclaiming a caliphate.
But the ght has further militarised
Iraqi society, pushing young men into
the armed forces and, increasingly,
sectarian and tribal militias. This has
raised fears of new outbreaks of vio-
lence once the caliphate has crumbled.
Iraqs top Shiite cleric issued a fat-
wa in 2014, calling on all men able to
carry arms to ght Islamic State, which
is known in Arabic by its opponents as
DAESH.
On another Mosul front line, Coun-
ter-Terrorism Service commando
Hamza Kadhem said that before Is-
lamic State arrived, he was the only
one of ve brothers to have picked up
a gun. The others all joined after the
fatwa, he said.
They joined the Hashid Shaabi, or
Popular Mobilisation Forces, a state-
run umbrella that includes Shiite mili-
tias. Two are deployed west of Mosul,
and another two near the Syrian bor-
regional actors to engage construc-
tively with Yemeni parties to enable a
de-escalation of the conict.
The statement expressed concern at
the consequences of the war in Yemen
for the regions stability.
The war has created the conditions
for criminal and terrorist organizations
like al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula,
Daesh in Yemen and others to thrive,
it said.
It urged the Government of Yemen
Airstrikes kill 16: activists
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace Monday member of
the senior scholars authority and special adviser to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques Dr Abdullah Al-Mutlaq
and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Deputy
Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and State
Minister for Municipality Affairs Mohammad Naser Al-Jabri.
Other Voices
Ahead of Brussels conference
By Philippe Lazzarini
UN Resident and Humanitar-
ian Coordinator
A s the seventh year of conict
in Syria begins, Lebanon fac-
es overwhelming socioeconomic,
security and demographic chal-
lenges. It hosts more than one mil-
lion people who have ed the brutal
conict in Syria and this, together
with the economic slow down, has
placed a huge strain on the limited
resources and infrastructure of the
country. Nevertheless, Lebanon re-
mains unwavering in its hospitality
and support to those in need. With
no end in sight for the conict how
will Lebanon continue to cope with
this crisis?
Lebanon has come a long way
since the beginning of the crisis in
2011. Assistance has changed from
lifesaving support to also supporting
host commu-
nity. Together,
we have en-
sured con-
tinued food
support to the
most vulner-
able, while at
the same time
improving the
water supply
distribution
Lazzarini
network and
the municipal
solid waste management systems
of host communities. By shifting
from food delivery towards cash-
based support, millions of dollars
have been injected in local Leba-
nese markets, boosting the local
economy.
Since the start of the crisis, 4.9
billion US dollars have been pro-
vided to address the crisis in Leba-
non. In 2016 alone, more than 1.5
billion US dollars were provided,
assistance eclipsed globally only
by Syria itself. Unfortunately, this
has not been enough to signicantly
turn the tide of increasing poverty
and decline of the most vulnerable.
Since 2014, the amount of people
living with less than 2.9 US dollars
per day has doubled to 1.2 million.
People are struggling to live off this
der, where Shiite ghters have played
a crucial role in cutting off Islamic
State supply lines.
Before the call-up, they had worked
as farmers in the southern Kut region,
more than 500 kms (300 miles) away.
As well as Shiites from the south,
young men from around Mosul - where
Sunni Muslims are in the majority
are also keen to ght.
They are now ooding to join Sunni
tribal militias also under the Hashid,
security ofcials and militia leaders
say. Many residents told Reuters in re-
cent weeks they want to join, or know
relatives and friends who are trying to
do so.
Many men are volunteering in the
Hashid groups. They either want to
ght terrorism or to get wages, one
security ofcer in the area said, de-
clining to be named because he was
not authorised to speak publicly. Its
easier than joining state armed forces.
You just put your name down.
to assume its responsibilities in the
ght against terrorist groups which are
taking advantage of the current insta-
bility.
The EU urged all parties to the con-
ict to take resolute action against
such groups, whose activities repre-
sent an additional threat to a negotiated
settlement and pose signicant risks to
the security of the region and beyond.
The EU welcomed the high-level
pledging conference for the crisis in
frugal amount and around 300,000
Lebanese and more than one million
Syrian refugees are sinking deeper
into a cycle of debt from which they
can not escape. Unemployment
remains one of the most pressing
issues for host communities and
refugees alike, disproportionately
affecting youth and making them
even more vulnerable to involve-
ment in illegal, extremist, and vio-
lent activities.
Deepening socio-economic dis-
parities, as well as overstretched
infrastructure and services are re-
sulting in legitimate concerns over
safety, security, and employment,
which fuels discontent and social
tensions. In most of the munici-
palities that I have visited, the same
concerns and complaints are repeat-
ed time and again: people want run-
ning water, proper sewage systems,
schools for their children and access
to a job. In Aarsal for example, the
groundwater is contaminated with
sewage because the local infrastruc-
ture, already inadequate for the local
population needs, cannot handle the
additional waste water coming from
settlements hosting Syrian refugees.
This is causing an escalation of ten-
sion, which could result in violence,
if not addressed properly. Arsaal is
not a unique case.
We should not let the legendary
Lebanese hospitality turn into a
hospitality fatigue.
International solidarity is needed
more than ever and must be rein-
forced. It is imperative that humani-
tarian and stabilisation assistance
continues but the shift from human-
itarian to development assistance
needs to go further to include sup-
port to Lebanon and its economy as
a host country.
Next week, in Brussels, more
than 70 countries, together with
civil society organizations, the EU
and the UN will meet to take stock
of progress made since last year
Londons conference. We will re-
afrm the support of the interna-
tional community to address key
remaining challenges in Syria and
in neighbouring countries and the
conference will be an important op-
portunity to promote Lebanons ex-
Full support
Continued from Page 1
I just want to say to, Mr President,
that you have a great friend and ally in
the United States, and in me, Trump
said.
Sisi said he appreciated that Trump
has been standing very strong ... to
counter this evil ideology.
While Trump noted the United
States and Egypt have a few things
they do not agree on, he made no pub-
lic airing of US concerns about human
rights in Egypt.
Rights groups have called for the
release of Aya Hijazi, an Egyptian-
American who works with street chil-
dren and was arrested in May 2014 on
human trafcking charges.
Hijazi has been held in custody for
33 months in violation of Egyptian
law, which states that the maximum
Yemen that will take place on 25 April
in Geneva co-hosted by the Secretary-
General of the UN and the govern-
ments of Sweden and Switzerland.
Also:
LONDON: Britain has expressed regret
to Saudi Arabia after what it described
as a disturbance during a visit by an
aide to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman to London
last week.
KUNA photo
ample and to embrace a new way of
working together. For Lebanon, this
means moving beyond the short-
term humanitarian and stabilisation
efforts towards longer-term efforts,
focusing on economic growth and
job creation.
In advance of the Brussels con-
ference, the Prime Minister has an-
nounced that he will present a vision
aimed at achieving stabilisation and
development through a long term eco-
nomic program, driven by a package
of priority infrastructure initiatives.
This shift in approach is timely, and
will allow us to collectively address
the most pressing needs of Syrian ref-
ugees and host communities affected
by the Syrian crisis.
Turning the crisis into an op-
portunity, and to nally walk the
talk to support critical reforms and
investments aimed at creating jobs
and modernising the economy will
require the action of all us the
international aid community, the
Government and the private sec-
tor. It will require innovation, both
in terms of funding and approach.
For aid partners, it will require go-
ing beyond traditional donor grant
nancing by seeking innovative
investments and engagement of the
private sector.
We are at a critical juncture but I
believe we can succeed together. If
we succeed, Lebanon will become
a beacon of stability, progress and
prosperity, known for its openness,
ease of doing business and inno-
vation. It will offer opportunities
not only to its citizens, its youth,
but also to those who are seeking
temporary shelter in the country,
enabling them to live in dignity
and prepare them to contribute to
rebuilding their country once they
are able to return. Preserving the
stability of Lebanon means preserv-
ing tolerance and diversity in the re-
gion. More than ever, international
solidarity needs to match the hospi-
tality of Lebanon as a host country.
Together let us deliver action to
create a better future for Lebanon
and the region.
Follow Philippe Lazzarini on
twitter: @UNLazzarini
period for pretrial detention is 24
months.
Human rights groups have estimated
that Sisis government has detained at
least 40,000 political prisoners.
Egypt has long been one of Wash-
ingtons closest allies in the Middle
East, receiving $1.3 billion in US
military aid annually. It is ghting an
Islamist insurgency in Sinai in which
hundreds of Egyptian soldiers and po-
lice have been killed.
A US ofcial said Sisi would nd a
White House ready to soften US criti-
cism of Egypt on human rights and to
work on counter-terrorism but unwill-
ing to provide additional aid to the
most populous Arab nation.
Hes going to get an end to nger-
wagging. Were not giving him any
more money, said the US ofcial,
who spoke on condition of anonymity
before Sisis meetings with Trump.
Hes going to be disappointed be-
cause he wants more assistance and
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
37
Activists said on social media that a
demonstrator tried to perform a citi-
zens arrest against Major General
Ahmed al-Asseri as he tried to enter
an ofce in London on Thursday.
Asseri is also the spokesman of the
Saudi-led coalition engaged in ght-
ing against Iran-aligned Houthis in
Yemen. Activists accuse Saudi Ara-
bia of committing war crimes against
civilians in Yemen, a charge Riyadh
denies.
hes not going to get it, the ofcial
added, saying it was not yet clear
whether Egypt would escape a cut in
its foreign aid as part of the Trump
administrations plan to cut the over-
all State Department budget by 28.7
percent.
Newswatch
Continued from Page 1
between 24 and 26 years of age
and had a list of 5 million bank
accounts, as well as hacking soft-
ware and millions of dollars in
assets, he said. (AP)
DUBAI: Etihad Airways bookings
to the United States are healthy
despite last months introduction of
a ban on most electronics from the
cabins of passenger flights to the
United States, the Abu Dhabi car-
rier said on Monday.
On March 25, the US banned
electronic devices larger than a
mobile phone from passenger cab-
ins on direct flights to the US
from 10 airports in the Middle
East, North Africa and Turkey,
including the United Arab
Emirates. (RTRS)
CAIRO: An Egyptian human
rights lawyer said on Monday he
had launched an appeal against a
court ruling which backed Cairos
proposed transfer of two Red Sea
islands to Saudi Arabia.
President Abdel Fattah el-
Sisis government announced last
year a maritime demarcation
accord with Saudi Arabia, which
has given billions of dollars of aid
to Egypt, ceding control of the
islands to the Gulf kingdom.
The proposal angered many
Egyptians and the issue was referred
to the courts irritating Riyadh
and raising political tensions
between two major Arab states and
traditional allies.(RTRS)
DUBAI: The Saudi cabinet
announced a pay increase of up to
60 percent for air force pilots on
Monday, state news agency SPA
reported, as a military campaign
led by the kingdom in neighbour-
ing Yemen entered its third year.
Saudi Arabia and its mostly
Gulf Arab allies have launched
thousands of air strikes in an attempt
to dislodge Yemens armed Houthi
movement from the capital Sanaa.
The kingdom is also member of
the US-led alliance against
Islamic State in Syria. (RTRS)
AMMAN: British Prime Minister
Theresa May has begun a visit to
Jordan where she is to announce
plans to send more British mili-
tary trainers to help the kingdoms
air force in the fight against
Islamic State group extremists.
Jordans royal court said Monday
that May and Jordans King
Abdullah II toured a military facil-
ity, inspecting a rapid response force
and a joint training program.
May is on a three-day visit to
Jordan and Saudi Arabia. (AP)
DUBAI: Bahrains highest court
on Monday overturned a nine-
year-prison sentence imposed last
year on the leader of Bahrains
banned main opposition party and
restored his original sentence of
four years in jail, local media and
lawyers said.
They said the Court of
Cassation cleared Sheikh Ali
Salman of the charge of calling
for regime change by force. It
upheld an initial ruling that had
found him guilty of inciting hatred
and insulting the interior ministry,
according to the Arabic-language
al-Wasat newspaper. (RTRS)
DUBAI: Bahrains king has
approved a law passed by parlia-
ment that allows for military
courts to try civilians amid a
major crackdown on all dissent in
the island kingdom.
The state-run Bahrain News
Agency reported King Hamad
bin Isa Al Khalifa approved the
constitutional amendment on
Monday.
The islands elected 40-mem-
ber Consultative Council and its
appointed 40-seat Council of
Representatives, the two houses
of Bahrains parliament, had ear-
lier passed the amendment. (AP)
MONTEVIDEO: Uruguays
navy said on Sunday it was losing
hope of finding alive any of 22
crew members missing two days
after a South Korean ore carrier
sank in the South Atlantic but was
still continuing the search, a Navy
spokesman said.
Two Filipino crew members
have been rescued floating in a
life raft on Saturday, but other
lifeboats and rafts found in the
area were empty, South Koreas
Yonhap news agency reported.
The more hours pass, the less
the chances are of finding them,
spokesman for the Uruguayan
Navy Gaston Jaunsolo told
Reuters. (RTRS)
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

LEISURE 38

Shermans Lagoon By J.P. Toomey

N E W Y O R K T I M E S CROSSWORD

Like a pie and

Mutts By Patrick McDonnell clotted cream

Hagar The Horrible By Chris Browne

Beetle Bailey By Mort Walker

Scratch pad

odds n ends
HONOLULU: The US Air Force
will reduce exterior lighting at
a Hawaii facility to help protect
endangered and threatened
seabirds there.
The Air Force agreed to re-
duce lighting at a mountaintop
Garfield By Jim Davis radar facility on the island of
Kauai, The Honolulu Star-Ad-
vertiser reported Sunday. After
the announcement, the Center
for Biological Diversity said it
no longer intends to sue the Air
Force.
The nonprot conserva-
tion group says the threatened
Newells shearwater and Ha-
waiian petrel are attracted to
bright lights at night, which can
cause crashes onto the ground
and sometimes death.
The center believes lights
at the Kokee Air Force Station
caused more than 130 birds to
fall out of the air in 2015, includ-
ing Hawaiian petrels, endan-
gered band-rumped storm pet-
Baby Blues By Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott rels and Newells shearwaters.
Most of them died, the center
said.
The Kokee Air Force Station
was founded in 1961 to detect
and track all aircraft operat-
ing near Hawaii. The Air Force
has taken steps to try to reduce
the bird losses over the years,
including switching from white
and yellow exterior bulbs to
green ones in 2013, according
to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
(AP)

KATHMANDU: Nepals only
international airport was briey
shut down Monday after a leop-
ard was spotted on the runway,
Conceptis Sudoku Challenger In this Aug 3, 2014 le photo, a grizzly bear crosses through a back country camp-
ofcials said.
Tribhuwan International Air-
port, located in Kathmandu,
site in Montanas Glacier National Park. Grizzly bears continue to expand their Nepals capital, was closed
The grid must be so completed that every row, column range amid an ongoing effort to turn over management of the bears from the US Monday morning as soon as the
and 3x3 box has every digit from 1 to 9 inclusive Fish and Wildlife Service to the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, a federal animal was spotted on the run-
ofcial said, in late March 2017. (AP) way, said airport ofcial Prem
DIRECTIONS: Nath Thakur.
Police and forest ofcers

contract bridge
Fill each square were immediately called and
with a number, one the storm drains where the
through nine. leopard was believed to be hid-
Horizontal ing were blocked.
By Steve Becker Flights resumed after a shut-
squares should down that lasted about half an
add to totals on hour. The search for the animal
right. was continuing. (AP)
Vertical squares
should add to DANA POINT, California:
totals on bottom. Boaters were asked Sunday
Diagonal to be on the lookout for a gray
squares through whale tangled in an unknown
center should add material heading north along
Yesterdays solution Southern Californias coast.
to total in upper Capt Frank Brennan was
and lower right. leading a whale-watching tour
Saturday when he spotted the
THERE MAY BE whale with what looks like some
MORE THAN ONE kind of metal frame around its
SOLUTION. head about 2 miles (3.2 kms) off
Dana Point.
The whale was being eva-
Todays Challenge sive because there were so
Time 6 Minutes many boats around it, Brennan
Answer to yesterdays puzzle 1 Seconds told the Orange County Regis-
Your Working ter.
Time __ Minutes He saw it a second time later
in the day off Laguna Beach.
__ Seconds (AP)

Word by Word

Want Raghebt
If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.
Etha raghebt fe an yakoon ma tatloboho
motqan al sonoi faesnaoho be nafsic.

Numbers

7521 Seven thousand five hundred

twenty one
Sabat alaf wa khamso maah
wa wahed wa eshroun

SPORTS
The Under-17 Basketball Team of Kuwait Sporting Club were crowned champions of the youth basketball league after they crushed their rival team from
Qadsiya Club with a score of 106/61 in the final match of the tournament. This led to the Al-Qadsiya Team coming in second place while Al-Tadhamoun
Conte taking season step by step ahead of City test
LONDON, April 3, (RTRS): Premier
League leaders Chelsea are focused on
getting results in their remaining nine
games as they fight for the title, instead
of dwelling on Saturdays 2-1 loss to
Crystal Palace, manager Antonio
Conte said.
Chelsea suffered their second loss in
10 league games, and their first home
defeat in the league since September.
The loss cut their lead at the top of the
table to seven points after second-
placed Tottenham Hotspur defeated
Burnley 2-0.
There are nine games to play and
we have to think step by step, Conte
told British media.
At the end (of the season), if we
deserve to win the title, we will be
very happy ...When you lose this type
of game, in your mind you try to apply
a lot of questions. But its very diffi-
cult to find a reply to this result.
Chelsea host fourth-placed
Manchester City on Wednesday. Their
last home win against the Manchester
side in the league was in 2013.
They (Man City) have a really
SOCCER
strong squad but I think its right to
think about ourselves, to go game by
game, the Italian manager said. In
England, every game is very tough,
whether the name of your opponent is
City or another team.
City drew 2-2 against sixth-placed
Arsenal on Sunday and will be hoping
to end their three-game winless streak
at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Manager Mauricio
Pochettino has played down Tottenham
Hotspurs chances of beating Chelsea
to the Premier League title this season,
but admitted nothing is impossible
after watching his team cut the gap on
the leaders over the weekend.
Chelsea saw their lead trimmed to
seven points after falling to a shock
2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace on
Saturday, while second-placed Spurs
beat Burnley 2-0 away to breathe life
back into the title race.
Pochettino, however, said there was
still a massive difference between
the teams and insisted that Tottenhams
main target was to improve on last
seasons third-placed finish.
Pictured top and below some of the winning teams celebrating on the podium.
Team took third place.
Pochettino plays down Spurs title chances
FA council votes unanimously to accept reforms
LONDON, April 3, (RTRS): The FA council unani-
mously approved on Monday a package of gover-
nance reforms put forward by chairman Greg
Clarke that will see more women appointed to the
board of the English soccer body and term limits
imposed.
A Football Association spokesman said the pro-
posals, which include an expansion of the council
to bring more diversity, would now go to the
annual general meeting of shareholders for final
approval on May 18.
Only one woman, Heather Rabbatts, now sits on
the board and the changes have been criticised by
some as not going far enough.
Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said last
month that the reforms were a sham that still
failed to give sufficient representation to minority
groups.
Former FA chairman David Bernstein has said
Nothing is impossible that is three points but it is still a big gap.
our idea and our philosophy. We need Seven points is a massive difference.
to keep going in that direction. It is For us its about being focused and
tough to compete and win every game trying to improve on last season in
in the Premier League, Pochettino terms of numbers.
told a news conference on Monday. Tottenham visit relegation-threat-
We reduced the gap to Chelsea by ened Swansea City on Wednesday,
Michy Batshuayi (center), shields the ball from Crystal Palaces Martin
Kelly (right), during their English Premier League soccer match between
Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge Stadium in London on April
1. (AP)
the soccer body risks missing an opportunity for
real change and could end up with a fudged com-
promise.
Clarke previously threatened to quit if the pro-
posals were not approved.
British Sports Minister Tracey Crouch warned in
February that the FA was in danger of losing 30
million pounds ($37.29 million) of public funding
and that legislation could be brought in to force
change.
The FA has proposed reducing its board from 12
to 10 members and increasing the number of
women on it to three by 2018.
Nobody will be allowed to serve more than three
terms of three years, and 11 new members will be
added to the 120-strong FA Council to ensure it
better reflects the inclusive and diverse nature of
English football.
while Chelseas lead could be cut fur-
ther after they host fourth-placed
Manchester City, but Pochettino said
there was no pressure on the league
leaders.
Our challenge is to be consistent
but there is still a big gap to Chelsea
and a lot of work to do, he said.
So many of their players have the
experience of how to manage pressure.
They can win or lose but it is not a
question of putting pressure on them.
We are fighting to keep our position in
the table second and then see
what happens.
We will keep to our philosophy
and if we assess the season it is fantas-
tic, very good, he said. It is a reality
that we are there, second in the table.
Now in the last period of the season
we must focus, give our best and fight
to the end.
The Argentine will still be without
striker Harry Kane, fullback Danny
Rose and midfielder Erik Lamela for
the trip to Swansea, while youngster
Harry Winks could be out for the sea-
son after injuring his ankle at Burnley.
The 21-year-old left the field on a
stretcher, and Pochettino said it will
be difficult for him to play again this
season.
Midfielder Victor Wanyama injured
his back in the Burnley game and faces
a late fitness test to see if he will be
available for Wednesday.
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
39
Al-Attiyah and
Walkner lead
A good day for us
QASR AL SARAB, UAE,
April 3: Qatars Nasser
Saleh Al-Attiyah found
himself alongside Austrian
KTM Red Bull Factory
team rider Matthias
Walkner at the top of the
leader board of the Abu
Dhabi Desert Challenge
Powered By Nissan, after
the second 289.39km
Nissan stage of the event
through t he Rub Al-Khali
on Monday.
The Toyota driver claimed the
fastest time on the days stage, held
in punishing heat across the mighty
dunes of the UAE. Al-Attiyahs
stage win meant he extended his
lead over Abu Dhabi Racings
Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi to 23min
03sec heading into the night halt at
Qasr al Sarab. Seeded rider in action
Today was a good day for us. It
was not an easy stage. The stage is
called Nissan. It is very difficult and rally. The heat is really high and, with
hard. We just need to take care. To win the sun, you do not see so easy. I guess it
by a big gap and have a big lead from is the same for everyone.
Al-Attiyah began the gruelling loop
stage with a cushion of 11in 35.1sec
RALLYING over Abu Dhabi Racings Sheikh Khalid
Al-Qassimi and the Overdrive Racing
Toyota Hilux driver pressed home his
Al-Qassimi is good, said Al-Attiyah. advantage from the front for the second
Sam Sunderlands starting position day in the cars. Czech driver Martin
Prokop produced another useful perfor-
meant that the overnight leader was
hardly going to win the days stage
and the Dakar champion ceded time to
mance in the Jipocar Ford F-150 Evo to
set the fourth quickest time behind
his rivals in the motorcycle category. Qatars Mohammed Abu Issa and the
Husqvarnas Pierre Alexandre Renet former WRC star leapt into third place in
began the day fifth on the road and the overall rankings. Russian Vladimir
pressed on to take the stage win from Vasilyev got stuck in the dunes and
Monster Energy Hondas Paolo slipped to fifth.
Gonalves. Polands Kamil Wisniewski main-
tained his lead in the quads from a charg-
New overnight leader Walkner was
ing group, even though the days stage
third quickest. I did not know that I
was leading), said the Austrian after win went to the Dutchman Kees Koolen
on a Barren Racer One 690. Wisniewski
the finish. Saying that, tomorrow they
take the gap back. Hopefully I can fin- now leads the class by 5min 42.8sec
ish on the podium. Tomorrow, the from Kuwaits Fahad Al-Musallam.
Its been another very difficult day
guys will take three or six minutes and
the lead is changing again. It has been at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
with heat and fatigue again taking their
a good two days and I feel more confi-
dent riding in the dunes. I get into it toll, said event founder and ATCUAE
President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
and I enjoyed it.
Sunderland said: You always lose Its pleasing to see the local drivers
time when you start in front. I opened all showing through and using their expe-
rience and knowledge of the dunes to
the way for nearly 300km (the stage) and
only Pablo (Gonalves) and Matthias carve their path towards good results.
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is
physically caught me. Of all the riders
here, that meant it was a good day. taking place under the patronage of
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin
This race is strange with the strate-
gy, you know. You kind of swap times Zayed Al-Nahyan, the Rulers repre-
sentative in Al-Dafra region, and has
each day. Tomorrow I start back and it
invaluable support from Al Dafrah
will be the opposite.
You just have to take each day as it Region Municipality, Abu Dhabi
comes. Its been really hot the past few Municipality, the UAE Army, Abu
Dhabi Police, National Ambulance
days and its really unpredictable out
there. The bike is good. I am happy. Service, Yas Marina Circuit, ADNOC,
Abu Dhabi Aviation, Al-Ain Water,
The team have done a great job.
Stage winner Renet was upbeat: Yes, Abu Dhabi Waste Management,
Rotana and Centro Hotel Yas
really happy. Today I start five, so its
easier for me because I have the line and Island, the Qasr Al-Sarab Resort and
the tracks. Its good to have a win at this Al-Forsan Circuit.
Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah

SPORTS
VIVA Man U Soccer Academy tryouts conclude
VIVA, Kuwaits fastest-growing and
most developed telecom operator,
concluded tryouts to choose elite
players who will have the chance
to participate in VIVA Manchester
technical aspects, such as dribbling,
short passing, turning and nishing.
Kuwait Football Associated certi-
ed coaches shortlisted 32 players
among 700 participants and 16 play-
United Soccer Academy in Man- ers were selected (to be announced
chester, for the third year in a row.
The tryouts focused on different
Jeers for Higuain
soon) based on their skills and tness
to go to Manchester United Soccer
Juventus hold out for
tense draw at Napoli
MILAN, April 3, (AP): Gonzalo Higuains every
touch was greeted with whistles and jeers by his for-
mer fans but the Argentina forward had little impact
as Juventus could only draw 1-1 at Napoli in Serie
A.
It was Higuains rst time back at Napoli since
his move to bitter rival Juventus for an Italian-re-
cord 90 million euros ($100 million) after scoring
36 goals last season to break a 66-year-old Serie A
record.
Higuain, who has not scored in ve matches, was
largely anonymous.
Higuain had a good game, Im happy with him,
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said. He
should be grateful to Napoli for what it gave him
and Napoli should be grateful to him for what he
did.
Thousands of blue whistles had been handed
out before the match and they were used often by
Napoli supporters to vent their hatred toward their
former hero.
They will have another opportunity on Wednes-
day, when the two teams meet again in the second
leg of their Italian Cup seminal, which Juventus
leads 3-1.
League leader Juventus moved six points clear of
Roma. Napoli remained third, 10 points below the
Bianconeri.
When a team plays like Napoli did tonight, a
coach can go home with all sorts of emotions apart
from disappointment, Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri
said. Never in Italy have we seen Juventus in such
difculty.
It took Juventus less than seven minutes to take the
lead when Sami Khedira played a one-two with Mi-
ralem Pjanic and slotted past Napoli goalkeeper Ra-
fael, who was standing in for the injured Pepe Reina.
Napoli dominated but Marek Hamsik and Lor-
enzo Insigne sent efforts wide, while Dries Mertens
red straight at Gianluigi Buffon.
Jose Callejon had the ball in the back of the net in
the 56th but it was ruled out for offside.
Napolis pressure paid off four minutes later as
Mertens played in a delightful through ball which
Hamsik curled into the top right corner.
Napoli almost doubled its tally four minutes later
as Mertens ran onto a woeful back pass from Ju-
ventus midelder Kwadwo Asamoah but his effort
came off the right post.
Striker Mario Balotelli equalized from the penal-
ty spot and then helped to create the winner as Nice
rallied to beat Bordeaux 2-1 in the French league.
The win moved third-placed Nice one point be-
hind Paris Saint-Germain and four behind leader
Monaco, although they both have a game in hand on
Nice, which hosts PSG at the end of April.
All of Balotellis 11 league goals this season have
been scored at home, and the Italian forward con-
dently struck a 16th-minute penalty after veteran mid-
elder Jeremy Toulalan was adjudged to have fouled
right back Arnaud Soquet as he burst into the area.
Bordeaux had taken the lead in the ninth minute
thanks to a ne goal from Gaetan Laborde. The
striker took advantage of an error from Nices Bra-
zilian center half Dante to break into the penalty
area, beat two defenders and score with an angled
nish.
After leveling from the penalty spot, Balotelli
showed clever anticipation to cushion a pass into the
path of midelder Valentin Eysseric, who turned to
hit a brilliant curling strike past goalkeeper Cedric
Carrasso in the 27th minute from just outside the
penalty area.
There were no goals in the second half but Bor-
deaux missed four chances, with forward Francois
Kamano missing an open goal and missing with
another strike.
Napolis Gonzalo Higuain (right), controls the
balls during a Serie A soccer match between
Napoli and Juventus at the San Paolo stadium
in Naples, Italy on April 2. (AP)
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
40
Participants at the VIVA Manchester United Soccer Academy.
Camp for world-class training in Eng-
land during the summer.
To nd out more about VIVAs
partnerships, latest offers and pro-
motions, visit one of the 73 VIVA
Barca down Granada,
branches, or the VIVA website at
www.viva.com.kw, or call VIVAs
24-hour call center on 102.
trim Real advantage
Suarez rises to the challenge
BARCELONA, April 3, I do not see a lack of freshness, but
(RTRS): Luis Suarez rose we could not hit the target once we were
in the oppositions half, Sampaoli said
to the challenge that Lionel after the 0-0 draw with Sporting.
Messis absence provided We must improve in regard to con-
verting our chances. Do we have less
by powering second-placed energy now than earlier in the season?
Barcelona to a hard-fought I do not agree with that analysis.
4-1 win at struggling Gra- With Sevilla in poor form, Barcelo-
nada on Sunday after La
SOCCER
Liga leaders Real Madrid
laboured to a 3-0 victory
na will expect to earn the three points,
over Alaves. particularly with key players rested.
The Uruguay striker scored Bar-
Lionel Messi was suspended for the
cas opener with a classy lob in the 4-1 win at Granada on Sunday and
44th minute and provided assists Gerard Pique was rested after playing
for Paco Alcacer and Ivan Rakitic Barcelonas Luis Alberto Suarez
from Uruguay celebrates after twice for Spain. Andres Iniesta was
to seal the points after the home scoring against Granada during a only a substitute and Samuel Umtiti
side surprisingly drew level early Spanish La Liga soccer match be- did not feature. But all four players are
in the second half through Jeremie tween Granada and Barcelona in expected to start against Sevilla.
Guess the number of footballs Boga. Granada, Spain on April 2. (AP) Luis Enrique was pleased to be able
Neymar added extra shine to the to rest his stars and still take three
victory with his 100th goal for Barca just after Granadas Uche Agbo was points from Nuevo Los Carmenes.
AABC offers customers by knocking in a cross from Alcacer in sent off for a second booking. Its great when you can make up for
absent players with the type of squad
added time. Neymar rounded off the victory
chance to attend CL Final Its great when you can make up
for absences with the type of squad we
with his milestone goal.
Meanwhile, Jorge Sampaoli takes
we have, because it is with squads that
win you trophies.
have, because it is squads that win you his stuttering Sevilla to Camp Nou Ranha injured his knee against
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Granada and will be missing, along
Babtain Company (AABC), the authorized dealer of Nissan trophies, Barceona coach Luis En- on Wednesday in his last chance to
rique told reporters. prove to Barcelona he has the quality with Arda Turan and long-term absen-
vehicles in the State of Kuwait, is delighted to kick off a tee Aleix Vidal.
The game became complicated to coach them next season.
competition that offers a chance for 1 lucky winner to attend The Catalans are looking to keep the Real Madrid, meanwhile, head to lo-
the UEFA Champions League Final, started Sunday April 2, with their equaliser in their only
chance of the game but we managed pressure on Real Madrid at the top of cal rivals Leganes, although they will
2017 for 10 days only. La Liga ahead of Los Blancos game be without Raphael Varane, who in-
First, all participants have to be following Nissan Kuwait to turn it around quickly and get a
big scoreline which I think is a fair at Leganes afterwards, but the clash jured his hamstring in the 3-0 win over
Instagram account, @nissankwt. Then participants have to with Sevilla isnt as tough as it rst Alaves on Sunday.
either come to Nissan Al Rai Showroom or watch the com- result.
Barca are second on 66 points, two appeared. Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane
petition video posted on Nissans account and estimate the For much of the season Sampaolis hopes they can pick up the pace after a
behind Real who have a game in hand
number of footballs that are inside the Nissan kicks. Partici- as they chase a rst title triumph since side were in the title race but their sea- good result though disappointing dis-
pants who guess or get a close guess of the actual number 2012. Atletico are third above Sevilla, son collapsed in March, with Leicester play at the Bernabeu.
of footballs inside the Nissan kicks will enter an automated who also have 58 points. City eliminating them from the Cham- We know we have to improve.
draw for a chance to win a ticket for two to attend the UEFA La Liga top scorer Messi was sus- pions League and their Liga form suf- With games every three days, you
Champions League Final live. pended for Barcas trip to the pictur- fering too. cant always play well for 90 minutes.
Participants have the opportunity to win a complimentary esque Andalusian city, where they Since beating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 We have to consider that this is the
trip to attend the UEFA Champions League Final live and clinched the title last season, and Luis on March 2, Sevilla have drawn three way its going to be almost every three
enjoy an experience of a lifetime. The UEFA Champions Enrique took a risk by resting regu- games against Alaves, Leganes and days and itll only get worse.
League Final match will take place in the City of Cardiff, lars Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Sporting Gijon, as well as falling at
Wales on June 3, 2017. The package includes airplane tick- Samuel Umtiti before losing Ranha Atletico Madrid.
ets for two to London from June 2-4, 2017 and a 2-night stay
at the Magellan Cruise Ship.
True to its promise to deliver value and excitement
to injury in the 17th minute.
The visitors dominated but took
44 minutes to open the scoring when
They are now fourth in the table and
10 points behind leaders Madrid, who
have played a game more.
SKorea stick
to its customers in a form of unparalleled service
and world-class Japanese engineered cars, Nissan Al
Babtain regularly strives to design offers that people
Suarez calmly chipped Jordi Albas
sumptuous through ball over goal-
keeper Guillermo Ochoa to nally get
Sampaolis chances of replacing
Luis Enrique, who will leave when
his Barcelona contract expires in June,
with Stielike
simply just cant resist while creating a more memo- SEOUL, April 3, (RTRS): Uli Stielike
the better of the Mexican. have dwindled, with Athletic Bilbaos
rable and enjoyable car purchasing experience. As Ni- Boga grabbed an equaliser ve min- Ernesto Valverde and current assistant will be given more time to get South
ssan is the official automotive sponsor of the UEFA Koreas stuttering 2018 World Cup
utes after the break for second-bottom coach Juan Carlos Unzue now the fa-
Champions League since the 2014/15 season, Nissan Granada and Luis Enriques rotations vourites. qualifying campaign back on track after
the Korea Football Association (KFA)
Al Babtain is providing customers for the third time in suddenly looked misguided before Su- Only a high quality display could
a row the chance to win a trip to the most anticipated arez got them out of jail. help his case, but critics say that Sam- said on Monday it was sticking by the
under-re German coach.
match of the year the UEFA Champions League Fi- He teed up Alcacer in the 64th and paolis high-pressing style has taken
nal bringing Innovation and Excitement closer to its then provided a pass to Rakitic which a toll and his squad is now drained, Stielike guided the South Koreans to the
2015 Asian Cup nal just ve months after
customers as a token of appreciation. was deected in off Matthieu Saunier though the coach disagreed. taking charge but a string of poor perfor-
mances in the nal round of Asian quali-
fying have left their 2018 hopes in doubt.
Man U to focus on Europa League: Mourinho Lee Yong-soo, head of the KFAs
Technical Committee, said that while
the qualifying campaign had gone
ENGLAND, April 3, (RTRS): Manchester with the same perspective ... then the Eu- Lennon and James McCarthy. Right-back through some rough patches they still
United may eld weakened teams in the ropa League comes and I dont know. Seamus Coleman is out for the season after had condence Stielike would get them
league if a top-four nish seems beyond Its possible that you see me play in the breaking his leg on international duty. through to the 2018 nals.
them in order to boost their chances of Premier League with a team where Im go- The slew of injuries led Koeman to start Weve decided to trust Stielike once
more, Yonhap News quoted Lee as
winning the Europa League, manager Jose ing to protect the players that I consider the relatively inexperienced Dominic Cal- saying at a news conference. The na-
Mourinho has said. fundamental for the Europa League. vert-Lewin, Tom Davies, Matthew Pen- tional team had hard times in the past,
United were held 0-0 by West Brom- Manchester United have never won the nington and Mason Holgate in Evertons but theyve always overcome the dif-
wich Albion at the weekend, leaving them Europa League or its predecessor, the UEFA 3-1 defeat by Liverpool in the Merseyside culties and advanced to the World Cup
ve points adrift of fourth-placed Man- Cup. derby on Saturday. in the end.
chester City but with a game in hand. They Meanwhile, Everton manager Ronald Despite the chastening nature of the I dont think its right to judge Stie-
host seventh-placed Everton on Tuesday Koeman is hoping his team can capitalise defeat, Koeman said he would keep faith like by one or two matches, Lee added.
We decided to trust Stielike based on
and travel to bottom club Sunderland on on Manchester Uniteds struggles at home with his youngsters against United. all he has done so far.
Sunday. when the two sides meet at Old Trafford in We will have the same players avail- The Koreans, who are bidding to ap-
United visit Belgian side Anderlecht in the Premier League on Tuesday. able as the weekend. I knew the team to pear at a ninth consecutive World Cup
the rst leg of their Europa League quar- United, who are fth in the table, have start - a really young team - and thats nals, are second in Group A with three
ter-nal on April 13 before hosting the re- drawn eight of their 15 home games in the different to the one if I had all the players games remaining, trailing group lead-
turn a week later. league this season, and Koeman urged his available. ers Iran by four points and just a point
To compete against a strong team is al- ahead of Uzbekistan in third.
A top four Premier League place is need- team to try and impose themselves on the The top two teams gain automatic
ed for access to the Champions League but contest from the outset. ways difcult. But I try to be realistic about berths at the World Cup next year while
United could grab a place in Europes elite We know that they have difculties at the situation of the team, its progress, and the third-placed team goes into a play-
club competition next season by winning home, the Dutchman told a news confer- the project of Everton, said Koeman. off.
the Europa League. ence on Monday. We like to play in our I am a manager who if a young player Korea have a perfect home record in
I just want to think that against Ever- way; that means we like to dominate the is developing and we have injury prob- the group with one-goal wins over Chi-
ton we are going to do what we tried to do game. lems it is an opportunity for the young na, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Syria.
However, away from home it is a dif-
(against West Brom), to try to play with United will have striker Zlatan Ibrahi- players. Everybody is always talking ferent story, with defeats to China and
our best team and try to win the match, movic available again after a three-game about the Academy of Everton. Im
Iran and a draw with the Syrians (held
Mourinho told British media. suspension, while Everton will be without Dutch, Im not afraid to give a chance to in Malaysia for security reasons), all
And after Everton we go to Sunderland midelders Morgan Schneiderlin, Aaron young players. without scoring a single goal.

SPORTS
Giants lose 6-5 despite Bumgarners record performance
PHOENIX, April 3, (AP): Madison
Bumgarner hit two homers but the Ari-
zona Diamondbacks scored twice with
two outs in the bottom of the ninth in-
ning off new San Francisco closer Mark
Melancon to beat the Giants 6-5 in a
wild season opener Sunday.
Derailed by a dreadful bullpen last
year, the Giants started this season the
same way even after trying to solve the
problem by bringing in Melancon on a
$62 million, four-year contract. They
wasted a record-breaking performance
by Bumgarner, who retired his rst
16 batters and became the rst major
league pitcher to hit two home runs on
opening day.
Arizona got a double and three singles
after Melancon (0-1) retired his rst two
hitters in the ninth. AJ Pollock singled in
the tying run and Chris Owings dumped
a base hit into right eld to end it.
New Diamondbacks closer Fernando
Rodney (1-0) gave up a run in a shaky
ninth but got the victory.
San Francisco took a 5-4 lead when
Joe Panik led off the ninth with a triple
and scored on pinch-hitter Conor Gil-
laspies sacrice y.
Bumgarner struck out 11 with no
walks in seven innings. He gave up three
runs and became the rst Giants pitcher
to go deep twice in one game since Jim
Gott in 1985.
Cardinals 4, Cubs 3
In St Louis, Randal Grichuk hit a
two-run homer in the eighth inning and
a game-ending RBI single in the ninth,
helping the St. Louis Cardinals top the
Chicago Cubs in a wild prime-time
opener on Sunday night.
Jose Martinez sparked the winning
rally with a pinch-hit double against
Mike Montgomery, who closed out
Chicagos World Series championship
Keselowski pulls away, wins at Martinsville
MARTINSVILLE, Virginia, April 3, (AP): Brad Keselowski had sam-
pled success at Martinsville Speedway, but had never put everything to-
gether to get to Victory Lane.
He changed that on Sunday, passing Kyle Busch with 43 laps to go and pulling away to win
for the 23rd time in his career.
It felt like we were due, and if you ever can be, this is one of those tracks and today was one of those
days where we persevered in a special way, Keselowski said.
The battle there with Kyle at the end was a lot of fun to be a part of. I hope it was a lot of fun to
Mahindra Racing driver Nick Heidfeld (left), crashes with his teammate Felix Rosenqvis, past Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver Adam Caroll (front), during
the Formula E Mexico City ePrix auto race, in Mexico City on April 1. (AP)
No sign of clenbuterol abuse in re-testing samples
Coe apologises after IAAF suffers cyber attack
ZURICH, April 3, (RTRS): The govern-
ing body of global athletics (IAAF) said
on Monday it had suffered a cyber at-
tack which it believes has compromised
information about athletes medical re-
cords.
An IAAF statement said the hack-
ing group known as Fancy Bear was
believed to be behind the attack in Feb-
ruary and that it targeted information
concerning applications by athletics for
Therapeutic Use Exemptions.
The IAAF said it had contacted ath-
letes who had applied for TUEs since
2012 and its president, Sebastian Coe,
apologised.
Our rst priority is to the athletes
who have provided the IAAF with in-
formation that they believed would be
secure and condential, he said in the
statement. They have our sincerest
apologies and our total commitment to
continue to do everything in our power
to remedy the situation.
TUEs are issued by sports federations
and national anti-doping organizations
to allow athletes to take certain banned
substances for veried medical needs.
The IAAF said that data on athlete
TUEs was collected from a le server
and stored on a newly created le.
The attack by Fancy Bear, also
known as APT28, was detected during
a proactive investigation carried out by
cyber incident response (CIR) rm Con-
text Information Security, the IAAF
in November. Yadier Molina then was
awarded the rst no-pitch intentional
walk in major league history, part of
baseballs offseason rule changes de-
signed to speed up the game.
With two outs and the bases loaded,
Grichuk lined a 1-2 pitch into the gap in
left-center for his second career game-
ending hit. He was mobbed as he round-
ed rst in the rain, and what was left of a
sellout crowd of 47,566 cheered wildly.
The Cardinals appeared set for a tidy
3-0 win before the Cubs rallied in the
ninth. Ben Zobrist was hit by a pitch
from Seung-hwan Oh and Jason Hey-
ward singled before Willson Contreras
hit a drive to left for a tying homer.
Rays 7, Yankees 3
In St Petersburg, Florida, Chris Ar-
cher pitched seven solid innings and
Tampa Bay won the rst game of the
BASEBALL
major league season, roughing up New
York ace Masahiro Tanaka.
Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison
homered and drove in three runs apiece
before a sellout crowd of 31,042 at
Tropicana Field on opening day. Tanaka
(0-1), who had baseballs best ERA in
spring training, was tagged for a career-
worst seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.
A rst-time All-Star in 2015 who lost
an AL-leading 19 times last season, Ar-
cher (1-0) limited New York to two runs
and seven hits. He narrowly escaped a
bases-loaded jam and turned a ve-run
lead over to a revamped bullpen.
Alex Colome replaced rookie Austin
Pruitt with the bases loaded in the ninth,
yielding a sacrice y to pinch-hitter
Chris Carter before nishing for a save.
Furthermore, when it was over, when
No problem with being bumped: Busch
said.
It was not known if the information
was stolen from the network, the IAAF
said, but the incident was a strong in-
dication of the attackers interest and
intent, and shows they had access and
means to obtain content from this le
at will.
The attack was uncovered after Brit-
ish company Context Information Se-
curity conducted a
investigation of the
IAAFs systems at
the request of the
athletics body.
Context Infor-
mation Security
said in a separate
statement that it
was a sophisti-
cated intrusion
and that the IAAF Coe
have understood the
importance and impact of the attack and
have provided us comprehensive assis-
tance.
Fancy Bear, widely believed to be
from Russia, could not immediately be
reached for comment.
Last year, the same group hacked
into the World Anti-Doping Agency
(WADA) database and published the
condential medical records of several
dozen athletes.Those included cyclist
Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de
France winner and Britains most deco-
Cubs make losing start
MLB Results/Standings
WASHINGTON, April 3, (RTRS): Results and standings from the MLB games on Sunday:
St Louis 4 Chicago Cubs
Arizona 6 San Francisco
American League
Eastern Division
W L
Tampa Bay 1 0
Toronto 0 0
Boston 0 0
Baltimore 0 0
NY Yankees 0 1
Central Division
W L
Minnesota 0 0
Kansas City 0 0
Detroit 0 0
Cleveland 0 0
Chicago White Sox 0 0
Western Division
W L
Texas 0 0
Seattle 0 0
Oakland 0 0
LA Angels 0 0
Houston 0 0
the numbers were nalized and the con-
tract was ready, Yadier Molina cried.
Tears of joy.
Molina and the St Louis Cardinals
announced a new deal Sunday that adds
$60 million over three seasons through
2020, increasing the likelihood that the
catcher will nish his decorated career
with his only major league team.
This is a special day. I cant be more
happy than I am right now, Molina said.
This is a dream come true. I always
wanted to be here. ... It was a hard week,
going back and forth with feelings. But
Im just glad that we got it done because
this is the right place to be.
The opening-day crowd at Busch Sta-
watch.
The victory came in team owner Roger Penskes 1,000th start in NASCARs top series, and gave
Ford its rst victory on NASCARs oldest and smallest track since 2002. It also made Keselowski the
rst two-time winner this season, and was his fth consecutive top-ve nish.
This is one Im never going to forget, said Keselowski, who had been the runner-up twice in the
past four races here.
Keselowski or Busch led the last 160 laps and swapped the lead several times during a green ag
run that began with 64 laps to go.
Keselowski had the lead coming out of the 14th and nal caution, but Busch quickly slipped un-
rated Olympian with eight medals, who
was revealed to have used TUEs before
key races. Wiggins retired last year un-
der something of a cloud after it was re-
vealed he took corticosteroid triamcino-
lone for asthma, although he broke no
anti-doping rules.
The IAAF banned Russias athletics
federation after a WADA commission
report found evidence of state-spon-
sored doping. Almost all Russias ath-
letes missed the track and eld events at
the Rio Olympics last year and are likely
to also miss the world athletics champi-
onships in London in August.
Meanwhile, the IOC said it had not
detected any signicant abuse of clen-
buterol after nding very low levels of
the banned substance during re-testing
of samples from the Beijing Olympics.
The International Olympic Com-
mmittees comments on Monday came
one day after German broadcaster ARD
reported that traces of the banned sub-
stance were found in samples provided
by members of the Jamaican sprint team
at the games in 2008.
Jamaica won 10 medals in the sprint
events led by Usain Bolt, who took gold
in the mens 100 and 200 metres.
In a statement, the IOC said that very
low levels of clenbuterol were found in
the cases of athletes from a number of
countries and different sports. It said the
athletes were innocent and could not
give any more details.
3 Tampa Bay
5
PCT GB
1.000 - Washington
0 0-1/2 Philadelphia
0 0-1/2 NY Mets
0 0-1/2 Miami
0 1 Atlanta
PCT GB
0 - St Louis
0 - Pittsburgh
0 - Milwaukee
0 - Cincinnati
0 - Chicago Cubs
PCT GB
0 - Arizona
0 - San Diego
0 - LA Dodgers
0 - Colorado
0 - San Francisco
dium roared its approval when Molina
was introduced before Sunday nights
4-3 victory against the Chicago Cubs,
prompting the catcher to doff his cap
twice as the cheers continued. He got
another standing ovation when he came
to the plate for the rst time in the sec-
ond inning, and there were chants of
Ya-di! Ya-di! before he grounded a
single back up the middle.
Molinas previous deal called for a
$14 million salary this year and a $15
million mutual option for 2018 with a
$2 million buyout. But neither side had
any interest in messing with the option,
preferring an extension of their long-
running partnership.
derneath him to go back in front. Ke-
selowski stalked him for 14 laps, the
nose of his Ford inches from the rear
bumper of Buschs Toyota.
again, he gradually pulled away,
opening a lead of nearly two seconds
as Buschs car, dominant for much of
the day, faded. The lead paid off at the
end when Keselowski had to navigate
around lapped trafc. He won by 1.8
seconds.
and when we did, it went to junk,
Without mentioning Jamaica or the
ARD allegations, the IOC said that all
values were in the range of potential
meat contamination cases.
It said it carefully deliberated
whether or not to proceed with the cases
and consulted the World Anti-Doping
Agency (WADA).
According to the IOC, WADA said
that it could not nd any signicant
and consistent pattern of abuse of clen-
buterol in these cases and that it would
be appropriate not to take these cases
any further.
OLYMPICS
The IOC stores samples for a decade
to test with newer methods or for new
substances. It ordered re-tests of sam-
ples from Beijing in the run-up to last
years Rio Olympics to try and root out
drug cheats.
Clenbuterol is a performance-enhanc-
ing substance that is sometimes found in
weight-loss pills and is on the World
Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned
list.
In 2011, more than 100 players tested
positive for clenbuterol during the un-
der-17 soccer world championship held
in Mexico. They were also acquitted of
any wrongdoing after FIFA, soccers
governing body, said they were victims
of a health problem in the country.
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
7 NY Yankees 3
National League
Eastern Division
W L PCT GB
0 0 0 -
0 0 0 -
0 0 0 -
0 0 0 -
0 0 0 -
Central Division
W L PCT GB
1 0 1.000 -
0 0 0 0-1/2
0 0 0 0-1/2
0 0 0 0-1/2
0 1 0 1
Western Division
W L PCT GB
1 0 1.000 -
0 00 0 -/2
0 0 0 0-1/2
0 0 0 0-1/2
0 1 0 1
Under the new contract, the 34-year-
old Molina will make $20 million in
each of the following three seasons.
There has been a lot written about
this being a legacy contract, general
manager John Mozeliak said. To me,
this is much more than what hes done.
What it means to me is what hes go-
ing to do. In a way, today is just the next
chapter in our future.
We believe he can compete at the
highest level and we still feel that Yadi
is one of the greatest catchers in the
game. Since Molinas debut in 2004,
St Louis has made nine playoff appear-
ances and won two World Series titles.
Molina hit .285 with 108 homers and
When he nally got around Busch
All we did was put four tires on,
CAR RACING
Busch said of his car. I hate it for our
guys. Theyve deserved all year better
nishes than what weve been able to
produce, and heres another one today.
Just frustrating season so far.
Busch led a race-high 274 laps and
nished second, followed by Chase El-
liott, Joey Logano and Austin Dillon.
It was the rst time NASCAR tried its
new stage racing on a short track, and
it provided some excitement.
Martin Truex Jr won the rst stage
in a three-lap sprint that featured lots
of banging as drivers jostled to make
the point-scoring top 10.
Elliott won stage two when Ricky
Stenhouse Jr, trying to get back on the
lead lap, nudged Busch on the nal lap
of the stage, getting Busch just loose
enough for Elliott to slide underneath
him to score the regular season points
and coveted playoff point.
Busch said he has no problem with
being bumped, as long as Stenhouse
knows to expect the same treatment in
reverse.
Head of Kuwait Olympic Committee Sheikh Fahad Jaber Al-Ali with Chi-
nese ambassador Wang Di.
Sheikh Fahad receives China envoy
Head of Kuwait Olympic Committee
Sheikh Fahad Jaber Al-Ali received
in his ofce the Ambassador of Chi-
na to Kuwait Wang Di.
During the meeting, they dis-
cussed various issues concerning
sports and youths, as well as ways
to improve relations in this aspect.
Sheikh Fahad expressed his
keenness to discuss with his guest
the possibility of Kuwait and China
cooperating on sports level, espe-
cially in the schools sector, which is
the foundation for building good indi-
vidual and social personality.
They also discussed the need for
exchanging experiences and exper-
41
Arizona Diamondbacks Chris Ow-
ings (16) celebrates his walk-off
single against the San Francisco
Giants with David Peralta (left), and
Daniel Descalso (3) in an opening
day baseball game on April 2, in
Phoenix. The Diamondbacks de-
feated the Giants 6-5. (AP)
703 RBIs in his rst 13 seasons in the
majors, but his biggest value to the Car-
dinals likely is on the defensive side.
Molina is an eight-time Gold Glove
winner only Ivan Rodriguez (13) and
Johnny Bench (10) have more among
catchers. The seven-time All-Star also
has played an integral role in the devel-
opment of the Cardinals pitching staff.
He has set the standard for defensive
excellence during this generation. ...
There is no question he is without equal
in managing a pitching staff, Cardinals
owner Bill DeWitt Jr. said.
Best of the Rest
Prosecutors wrap trial: Prose-
cutors have wrapped up their case in
the double-murder trial of ex-NFL
star Aaron Hernandez.
The prosecution formally rested
its case Monday after more than a
month of testimony.
The former tight end for the New
England Patriots is charged with
rst-degree murder in the shootings
of two men in 2012. Prosecutors
allege he shot the men after one of
them bumped into Hernandez and
spilled his drink at a Boston night-
club. Hernandezs attorneys have
pointed the nger at the states star
witness, a former Hernandez friend
who was with him the night of the
shootings. The defense claims Alex-
ander Brad-
ley shot the
men in a drug
dispute.
Hernan-
dez is also
charged with
witness in-
timidation
and accused
of shooting
Bradley to
silence him. Hernandez
The defense
began calling witnesses Monday.
(AP)
Hearing postponed: A court
hearing has been postponed for a
Texas teenager charged with capi-
tal murder in the shooting deaths
of his mother and father, who was a
standout linebacker for Texas A&M
before a brief NFL career.
A judge Monday delayed the
hearing by two weeks. He ordered
Antonio Armstrong Jr. to remain in
jail in the meantime. Authorities say
Armstrong shot Antonio and Dawn
Armstrong inside their townhome in
July. They say the teen told investi-
gators an intruder shot his parents.
A juvenile court determined he
will stand trial as an adult. He was
16 when the shooting happened.
The elder Armstrong was a rst-
team All-American who was taken
in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL
draft. He had brief stints with the
San Francisco 49ers and Miami
Dolphins. (AP)
tise in the elds of sports and youths,
and agreed on the importance of en-
hancing good relations shared by the
two nations.
Sheikh Fahad also managed to
convey to the Chinese Ambassador
the voices from the Kuwaiti sports
street, urging him to help in restora-
tion of deserved right of sports which
the people of Kuwait have been un-
justly deprived of, so that Kuwait can
return to the regional and internation-
al sports arenas. This was in consid-
eration of the fact that the Chinese
support in lifting Kuwaits sports ban
will be credited in the interest of the
sports and the youths.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

SPORTS 42

quarter, topping Rod Strickland in Charlotte, which entered the day in

Cavs keep 1997-98. 10th place in the East, two games be- Garcia has the quality to end majors drought
Celtics 110, Knicks 94 hind Chicago, Indiana and Miami, who
Continued from Page 44 In New York, Isaiah Thomas scored were tied for seventh.
of his 23 points in the fourth quarter,
and Troy Williams, called up from the
19 points in just 24 minutes and Bos-
ton remained atop the Eastern Confer-
Walker went 6 of 12 from 3-point
range. It was the 14th time this season
Johnson, Spieth, McIlroy clear favorites
D-League early Sunday, scored 18 of ence with its 50th victory, beating New Walker hit ve or more 3-pointers in
York. a game. AUGUSTA, April 3, (RTRS): Dus-
his career-high 21 points in the rst tin Johnson returns to this weeks US
Jaylen Brown added 16 for the Celt- Spurs 109, Jazz 103
half.
Williams, who last appeared in an ics, who will be no worse than tied In San Antonio, Kawhi Leonard had Masters a different person than a year
ago, more condent and comfortable,
Pakistan beat West Indies in 4th T20
NBA game on Dec. 16 with Memphis, with Cleveland for the best record in 25 points and seven assists, and San PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, April Shehzad pressed on in partnership
the East when they host the defending Antonio held off Utah in a matchup of a golfer with greatness in his sights
shot 5 of 7 from 3-point range in the but some Everest-like mountains still 3, (Agencies): Ahmed Shehzad with Babar Azam (38) to take his
rst 20 minutes. NBA champions on Wednesday. Bos- postseason-bound teams. scored 53 from 45 balls as Paki- team to the brink of victory.
ton is off until that showdown, while The Jazz closed to 102-98 on Joe to climb. stan beat West Indies by seven With the target down to 15, both
Tyler Ulis nished with a career- Johnson, the newly-ascended world
high 34 points for the Suns, who were the Cavaliers were set to play two Johnsons 16-footer with 2:06 remain- wickets on Sunday to win the were dismissed in quick succes-
games in between. ing that capped a 10-0 run. Leonard number one, Jordan Spieth and Rory Twenty20 international series 3-1. sion by Kesrick Williams, who
swept in a season series by the Rock- McIlroy are the three clear favourites
ets for the rst time in franchise his- Boston secured its rst 50-win sea- then blocked a shot by 7-foot-1 center Pakistan reached 127-3 in 19 bowled Shehzad with the last ball
son since going 56-26 in 2010-11 and Rudy Gobert to help San Antonio pre- for the years rst major champion- overs in reply to West Indies 124- of one over and had Azam caught
tory. At 22-56, Phoenix has the Wests 8. The tourists won the toss at by substitute Rovman Powell with
worst record by a half-game below the did it easily, shooting 55.6 percent and serve the victory. ship, though at least two dozen others
have a realistic chance of winning if Queens Park Oval and put West the rst ball of his next.
Los Angeles Lakers. Ulis added nine getting 14 points apiece from Marcus Gobert had 19 points, 14 rebounds Indies into bat, and Chadwick Sarfraz Ahmed survived the hat-
rebounds and nine assists, and Devin Smart and Al Horford. and six blocked shots. Boris Diaw the stars all align at the right time. Walton top-scored on 40 with four trick ball and Shoaib Malik was
Booker scored 27 for the Suns. Courtney Lee scored 16 points scored 19 points, making all nine of his But the road to the Green Jacket will sixes and two boundaries for the dropped before the pair saw Paki-
Warriors 139, Wizards 115 and Kristaps Porzingis had 14 for the shots against his former team. lead through Johnson, who ticks all the hosts. stan across the line with an over to
In Oakland, California, Stephen Knicks, who announced during the Utah (47-30) leads the Los Angeles boxes as the man to beat. Before he From 52-1, West Indies slumped spare.
game that Derrick Rose will have sea- Clippers (47-31) by a half-game for is measured for a Green Jacket, how- to 83-7 as Hasan Ali (2-12) and
Curry hit nine 3-pointers and scored Shadab Khan (2-16) produced
42 points, also dished out eight assists, son-ending surgery to repair torn carti- the Western Conferences No. 4 seed ever, it would be wise to remember he
would not be the rst favourite to be economical spells. Former England opener Mi-
and Golden State moved closer to lage in his left knee. They also played and home-court advantage in the open- Some late hitting from Carlos chael Carberry enjoyed a fair-
locking up the Western Conferences without Carmelo Anthony (sore lower ing round. spat out by the unforgiving Augusta Brathwaite, who scored an unde- ytale return to rst class cricket
top playoff seed by beating Washing- back). San Antonio (59-17) is second in the National layout. feated 37 from 24 balls, gave West following his battle with cancer,
ton. Hornets 113, Thunder 101 West behind Golden State. The American, with victories in Indies something to bowl at but it scoring a century for county side
Draymond Green had his 19th ca- In Oklahoma City, Kemba Walker Nuggets 116, Heat 113 his past three starts, has a game tailor appeared unlikely to be enough. Hampshire in their pre-season
In Miami, Danilo Gallinari scored made for Augusta, prodigiously long Pakistan opener Kamran Akmal xture against Cardiff MCCU in
reer triple-double and fth this sea- scored 29 points to help Charlotte Southampton.
off the tee, condent with his irons and fell to Marlon Samuels for 20 but
son with 11 points, 13 assists and 12 overcome Russell Westbrooks sixth 29 points, Nikola Jokic and Wilson
rebounds. Curry scored 10 points over straight triple-double and beat Okla- Chandler each added 19, and Denver short game and a soft putting stroke
the nal 1:52 of the rst half and shot homa City. topped Miami. that seems to be getting better with play the best I can. I played good there said. Putting well next week obvi-
15 for 22, including 9 of 14 on 3s, in Westbrook nished with 40 points, Emmanuel Mudiay scored 17 for age. the last two years. Im excited to go ously is important considering I didnt
the Warriors 11th straight victory. It 13 rebounds and 10 assists. It was Denver (36-40), which got back within He also has a good recent Masters back when the game is in good form. strike it very well last year and certain-
was his 26th career 40-point game and Westbrooks 40th triple-double of the two games of Portland for the nal I feel like everything is working pretty ly was in position to win.
fourth this season. season, putting him one behind Os- playoff spot in the Western Confer- GOLF well. While Spieths short game and put-
John Wall had 15 points and 11 as- car Robertsons NBA record of 41, ence. While Johnson arrives with a spring ting are usually second to none, McIl-
sists for the Wizards, who couldnt set during the 1961-62 season. It was Gallinari hit two straight jumpers in his step, Spieth is hardly looking roy has been working to raise those
make it two wins over the mighty War- Westbrooks rst career triple-double late in the fourth to push a one-point record tied fourth last year and tied forward to being reminded of his 2016 facets of the game to a level close to
riors in just more than a months time. against Charlotte. Denver lead out to six, and the Nug- sixth in 2015 and returns approach- debacle, when he endured arguably the his ball-striking.
He set the single-season franchise as- Frank Kaminsky had 18 points and gets held on at the end to deal Miamis ing a golfers usual peak at the age of worst collapse in Masters history, giv- Perhaps only Johnson can drive the
sists record with No. 802 in the third Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 16 for playoff hopes another blow. 32. ing up a ve-shot lead over the nal ball as long and accurately as McIl-
I dont think Ive ever gone into a nine holes, due largely to a quadruple roy, whose chances often hinge on the
major being ranked number one, he bogey at the 12th hole. He missed the quality of his wedge game and putter.
NBA Results/ Standings said recently, before adding to laugh- cut in Houston on Friday, but publicly I feel like that part of my game is
ter: Actually, I know I havent. at least sounded an upbeat note. as sharp as it has ever been going into
Its not going to be any differ- I made strides in my putting this Augusta, so thats a good thing, said
ent for me. Im still going to prepare week, which is something I can take a McIlroy, who with a victory would be-
WASHINGTON, April 3, (RTRS): Results and standings from the NBA games on Sunday: come just the sixth man to win all four
like I always do and go out and try to lot of condence into next week, he
Houston 123 Phoenix 116 Cleveland 135 Indiana (OT) 130 modern major championships.
Golden State 139 Washington 115 LA Lakers 108 Memphis 103 Others to watch include American
Chicago 117 New Orleans 110 veteran Phil Mickelson as he goes for
Dallas 109 Milwaukee 105
Toronto 113 Philadelphia 105
Brooklyn 91 Atlanta 82 San Antonio 109 Utah 103 a fourth Green Jacket at the age of 46,
Denver 116 Miami 113 Charlotte 113 Oklahoma City 101 Hideki Matsuyama trying to fulll
Eastern Conference Western Conference the hopes of a nation and become the
Atlantic Division Northwest Division rst Japanese player to win a mens
W L PCT GB W L PCT GB major, and Jon Rahm, young, strong
Boston 50 27 .649 - Utah 47 30 .610 -
Toronto 47 30 .610 3 Oklahoma City 43 33 .566 3-1/2 and fearless, whose chances maybe
NY Knicks 29 48 .377 21 Portland 38 38 .500 8-1/2 be hindered only by his lack of course
Philadelphia 28 49 .364 22 Denver 36 40 .474 10-1/2 knowledge in his Masters debut.
Brooklyn 18 59 .234 32 Minnesota 30 45 .400 16 Fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia has
Central Division Pacic Division
W L PCT GB W L PCT GB the quality to end his majors drought
Cleveland 49 27 .645 - Golden State 63 14 .818 - if he can turn back the clock and putt
Milwaukee 40 37 .519 9-1/2 LA Clippers 47 31 .603 16-1/2 as well as before several near-misses
Chicago 38 39 .494 11-1/2 Sacramento 30 47 .390 33 started to weigh him down.
Indiana 37 40 .481 12-1/2 LA Lakers 22 55 .286 41
Detroit 35 42 .455 14-1/2 Phoenix 22 56 .282 41-1/2 For those searching for a realistic
Southeast Division Southwest Division dark horse, keep an eye on Australian
W L PCT GB W L PCT GB Marc Leishman, winner of the recent
Washington 46 31 .597 - San Antonio 59 17 .776 - Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Atlanta 39 38 .506 7 Houston 52 25 .675 7-1/2
Miami 37 40 .481 9 Memphis 42 35 .545 17-1/2 Another outstanding ball-striker,
Charlotte 36 41 .468 10 New Orleans 33 44 .429 26-1/2 Leishman tied for fourth in 2013, when
Orlando 27 50 .351 19 Dallas 32 44 .421 27 Mike Weir hits out of the bunker on the driving range during practice for the he played the nal round with eventual
Masters golf tournament on April 3, in Augusta, Georgia. (AP) winner Adam Scott.
 ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017

SPORTS 43

Is this a joke?

Ryu wins ANA Inspiration in playoff after Lexis penalty

RANCHO MIRAGE, California, April
3, (AP): Lexi Thompson had no idea
why LPGA Tour rules ofcial Sue
Witters was approaching her on the
way to the 13th tee at the ANA Inspi-
ration.
When she found out, Thompson still
couldnt believe it.
A television viewers email had
alerted ofcials to a day-old rules vio-
lation by Thompson for a 1-inch ball
placement error . Her three-shot lead
GOLF
had just been wiped out by a four-shot
penalty.
Is this a joke? Thompson asked
Witters.
After being assured it wasnt, she
responded: This is ridiculous.
Thompson survived the shock and
tears, and she forced a playoff with
three gutsy birdies that had the Dinah
Shore Course crowd on its feet.
But So Yeon Ryu managed to take
advantage of the break created by
Thompsons extraordinary penalty.
Ryu birdied the playoff hole to
win the LPGA Tours rst major of
the year Sunday after Thompson was
blindsided for an infraction she had ac-
cidentally committed 24 hours earlier.
Thompson, the 22-year-old US
Olympian who won here in 2014,
was left stunned by the decision that
stopped her from cruising to what
looked like an easy victory. The
ruling cost her more than a strong
chance at her second major title: Ryu
So Yeon Ryu holds the trophy
after winning the LPGA Tours
ANA Inspiration golf tournament
at Mission Hills Country Club in
Rancho Mirage, California on
April 2. (AP)
won $405,000 with the victory, and
Thompson went home with just over
$250,000 in second place.
Every day is a learning process,
said Thompson, who still stopped to
sign dozens of autographs after her
heartbreak. I wasnt expecting what
happened today, but ... it happens, and
Ill learn from it and hopefully do bet-
ter.
The fateful email arrived during
Sundays nal round, alerting ofcials
to the violation committed Saturday.
Thompson marked a 1-foot putt with a
Henley wins Houston Open, earns trip to Masters
HUMBLE, Texas, April 3, (AP):
Russell Henley no longer gets to
take a week off, and he couldnt be
happier.
Hes going to the Masters.
Henley overcame a four-shot
decit Sunday in the Houston by
closing with a 7-under 65 for a
three-shot victory, one of the most
important nal rounds of his career.
Only later did he realize it might
have his best.
He made 10 birdies. He never
went more than two holes without
a birdie.
I made 10 birdies today? he
asked. Oh, wow. Wow. Yeah, then
I guess its denitely the best.
Henley ran off ve of them in the
opening eight holes to briey catch
up to Sung Kang, only to make a
double bogey from the bunker on
coin on the 17th green during her third
round, but she replaced the ball perhaps
1 inch out of position.
After an extensive video review ,
Thompson was penalized two strokes
for an incorrect ball placement and two
strokes for an incorrect scorecard. Wit-
ters regretfully explained the penalty to
Thompson.
I cant go to bed tonight knowing
I let a rule slide, Witters said. Its a
Rickie Fowler never in picture
the par-3 ninth at the Golf Club of
Houston. Only the 27-year-old from
Georgia was just getting warmed
up.
The decisive stretch came on
the par-5 13th, where Henley and
Kang were tied for the lead. Hen-
ley pitched to 3 feet for birdie, while
Kang missed from 15 feet. On the
par-3 14th, Henley rolled in a 35-foot
birdie putt on the fast greens, cut to
try to mimic what players will face at
Augusta National. Kang did well to
save par from 6 feet. And then Hen-
ley raced out to a three-shot advan-
tage with another up-and-down for
birdie on the par-5 15th.
He nished with a bogey for
20-under 268, three shots ahead of
Kang.
Rickie Fowler was never in the
picture. He made a double bo-
hard thing to do, and it made me sick,
to be honest with you.
Thompson fought back tears after
getting the news, but she incredibly
birdied the 13th hole. She battled back
into a ve-way tie for the lead, making
three birdies and a bogey on the nal
six holes of regulation at Mission Hills
Country Club.
Its unfortunate what happened,
Thompson said. I did not mean that
gey with a wild drive on the sec-
ond hole, and then got hit driver
off the deck into the water on the
par-5 fourth hole to drop another
shot. Fowler trailed by as many as
seven shots until a urry of birdies
late in the round when it was out
of reach.
Fowler closed with a 70 and tied
for third, along with Luke List (68).
Just an alignment problem that
just caused me to make a couple
bad swings, cost me a few shots,
Fowler said. Nice that I got it turned
around and started to make some
good swings and made some bird-
ies and fought back, got a good
nish out of it. Obviously, yeah, I
would have like to have gotten off to
a better start.
Jon Rahm, the 22-year-old rookie
from Spain, closed with a 67 and
at all. I didnt realize I did that. I felt
strong through the nish, and it was
great to see the fans behind me.
Golf fans on the course and the in-
ternet reacted with bewilderment and
outrage when the LPGAs decision be-
came understood. Tiger Woods imme-
diately came to Thompsons defense on
Twitter.
Viewers at home should not be of-
cials wearing stripes, Woods wrote .
tied for 10th, his fourth consecutive
top 10 as he heads to Augusta Na-
tional for his Masters debut.
Henley won for the third time in
his PGA Tour career, and his rst
since a playoff victory over Rory
McIlroy in the 2014 Honda Classic.
He was in danger of missing the
Masters for the second straight year
until winning the Houston Open, the
only way into Augusta National at
this point.
I wasnt expecting to go back to
Augusta, he said. I was planning
on not going, but I was going to try
my best to win. So, the fact I get to
go back is pretty cool and Im ex-
cited. It hasnt really sunk in yet.
Henley became the third player in
the last four years to win the Hou-
ston Open and earn a trip to the
Masters.
Lets go @Lexi, win this thing any-
way.
Most golfersweighing inon Twit-
ter didnt disagree with the ruling, but
condemned the practice of allowing TV
viewers to have their say particular-
ly an entire day afterward.
Even Justin Timberlake saw it : @
Lexi is SO CLASSY. Handled that
with grace and ght. Career dening
moment.

Pens hold off Hurricanes

to move into second place
Sharks pip Canucks
PITTSBURGH, April 3, (AP): Jake Guent-
zel and Conor Sheary scored power-play
goals and Scott Wilson picked up his eight of
the season as the Pittsburgh Penguins held
off the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 on Sunday.
Matt Murray nished with 33 saves for the Pen-
guins, who moved into second place in the Metropoli-
tan Division with a week to go in the regular season.
Jeff Skinner collected his 33rd goal of the season for Car-
olina and Justin Faulks 17th of the year halfway through the
third period gave the Hurricanes momentum but Pittsburgh
tightened up in front of Murray to beat Carolina for the sev-
enth straight time.
Eddie Lack made 23 stops for the Hurricanes in his rst
start since being taken to the hospital with a strained neck
last week. The loss inched Carolina closer to missing the
playoffs for an eighth consecutive season.
Capitals 3, Blue Jackets 2
In Columbus, Ohio, Braden Holtby stopped 35 shots, An- Montreal Canadiens right wing Alexander Radulov
dre Burakovsky had a goal and an assist and Washington (47) celebrates his winning goal in overtime during an
NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning
held on to beat Columbus. on April 1, in Tampa, Florida. (AP)
T.J. Oshie and Matt Niskanen also scored for the Capitals,
who improved to 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. Washington,
with a league-best 112 points, leads Pittsburgh by ve points
St Louis Blues Magnus Paajarvi (56), of Sweden, is checked by Nashville Predators Mike Fisher (12) during the
third period of an NHL hockey game on April 2, in St Louis. (AP)
in the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets are another
point back in third. McIlroy inks new deal
Holtbys 41st win of the season also tied him with his Blue
Jackets counterpart Sergei Bobrovsky for best in the league. LONDON, April 3, (RTRS): World number two
Rory McIlroy has signed a long-term extension to
NHL Results/Standings Rangers 4, Flyers 3 his contract with Nike ahead of this weeks US Mas-
In New York, Oscar Lindberg and Chris Kreider scored ters at Augusta National.
2:09 apart midway through the third period, and New York Looking forward to the next 10+ years as a @
held on for its rst home win in six weeks. nike athlete, the Northern Irishman said on his
WASHINGTON, April 3, (RTRS): Results and standings from the Tampa Bay 6 Dallas 3
NHL games on Sunday: Mika Zibanejad and Brendan Smith scored in the rst veried Twitter account.
Washington 3 Columbus 2
Arizona 2 Los Angeles 1 Pittsburgh 3 Carolina 2
period, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 20 shots to help the The worlds biggest sportswear maker said last
Anaheim 4 Calgary 3 St Louis 4 Nashville 1 Rangers win at Madison Square Garden for the rst time August that it would stop selling golf equipment
NY Rangers 4 Philadelphia 3 NY Islanders 4 Buffalo 2 since beating Washington on Feb. 19. New York was 0-5-3 including clubs, golf balls and bags to focus on
San Jose 3 Vancouver 1 Chicago 2 Boston 3 on home ice since. footwear, apparel with the familiar swoosh logo and
Minnesota 5 Colorado 2 partnering more golfers.
Western Conference Eastern Conference ICE HOCKEY The company, which built its golf business on the
Central Division Atlantic Division
W L OTL GF GA PTS
success of Tiger Woods, gave no details about the
W L OTL GF GA PTS Ducks 4, Flames 3 deal in a separate statement.
Montreal 45 24 9 216 191 99
Chicago 50 22 7 239 202 107 Boston 43 30 6 228 207 92 In Calgary, Alberta, Logan Shaw scored with 3:06 left in Ive loved this company since I was a kid, it
Minnesota 46 25 8 254 201 100 Toronto 38 24 15 238 226 91 the third period to lift Anaheim past Calgary. quoted McIlroy as saying. Im really happy to con-
St Louis 43 28 7 219 204 93 tinue this journey with Nike.
Ottawa 41 27 9 199 203 91 Patrick Eaves, Jakob Silfverberg and Korbinian Holzer
Nashville 40 28 11 231 217 91 Tampa Bay 39 29 10 222 218 88 British media estimated, however, that the new deal
also scored for the Ducks, who moved ahead of Edmonton
Winnipeg 37 35 7 237 249 81 Florida 33 34 11 201 227 77 into sole possession of rst place in the Pacic Division. could be worth $100 million with the 27-year-old re-
Dallas 32 36 11 213 250 75 Buffalo 32 34 12 195 225 76
Colorado 21 54 3 154 264 45
Ryan Kesler nished with three assists and Jonathan Bernier maining free to negotiate with equipment makers.
Detroit 31 35 12 196 234 74 made 18 saves to improve to 10-0-2 in his past 12 games.
Pacic Division Metropolitan Division
W L OTL GF GA PTS
Kris Versteeg had two goals and Michael Frolik also
W L OTL GF GA PTS Ryan Spooner, Patrice Bergeron and Kevan Miller
Washington 52 18 8 254 178 112
scored for Calgary. TJ Brodie and Mark Giordano each had
Anaheim 43 23 13 212 196 99 two assists and Brian Elliott nijshed with 30 saves. scored for the Bruins, who jumped over idle Toronto and
Pittsburgh 48 19 11 266 221 107
Edmonton 44 25 9 231 200 97 Ottawa into second place in the Atlantic Division. Boston
San Jose 44 28 7 213 195 95
Columbus 49 21 8 239 180 106 Blues 4, Predators 1 began the day in wild-card position, four points ahead of
NY Rangers 47 26 6 252 213 100
Calgary 44 31 4 220 214 92 In St Louis, Alexander Steen scored the tiebreaking goal early Tampa Bay for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Con-
NY Islanders 37 29 12 228 237 86
Los Angeles 37 34 7 188 191 81
Carolina 35 29 14 204 220 84
in the second period, David Perron had a goal and two assists, ference.
Vancouver 30 39 9 174 228 69
Philadelphia 38 33 8 212 229 84 and St Louis prevented Nashville from clinching a playoff berth. Lightning 6, Stars 3
Arizona 29 41 9 190 251 67 Vladimir Tarasenko and Joel Edmundson also scored, and
New Jersey 27 37 14 175 229 68
Jake Allen stopped 35 shots as St Louis earned at least at point In Tampa, Florida, Adam Erne scored twice and Ondrej
Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L)
for the ninth straight game (7-0-2). Allen improved to 9-1-2 Palat added a power-play goal and two assists as Tampa Bay
with two shutouts and 16 goals allowed his past 12 starts. beat Dallas.
Brayden Point scored the go-ahead goal in the third period
Islanders 4, Sabres 2 to break a 2-2 tie, and Braydon Coburn and Anton Stralman
New US rule having unintended consequences In Buffalo, New York, Anders Lee scored third-period also had goals for Tampa Bay. Backup Peter Budaj made 23
goals a little more than ve minutes apart, and New York saves to help the Lightning move within three points of the
overcame the absence of captain John Tavares to stay in the idle Ottawa Senators, who hold the second wild-card spot in
Female hockey facing off-ice obstacles playoff hunt.
Cal Clutterbuck and Joshua Ho-Sang also scored and Ja-
the Eastern Conference.
Wild 5, Avalanche 2
roslav Halak stopped 35 shots to improve to 3-1 since being
PLYMOUTH, Michigan, April 3, get it to move forward. I look forward old enough to play 14U hockey next recalled from the minors. In St Paul, Minnesota, Erik Haula had a goal and assist,
(AP): The best womens hockey play- to see how far womens hockey is go- year have limited options. They can Devan Dubnyk stopped 30 shots and Minnesota beat Colorado.
ers in the US can now make a living ing go. drive 2-plus hours, each way, to join Bruins 3, Blackhawks 2 Martin Hanzal, Jared Spurgeon, Zach Parise and Jordan
playing the sport they love thanks to a In a border town about 300 miles a 12U team in Kalkaska, Michigan; In Chicago, backup goalie Anton Khudobin made 41 Schroeder also scored for Minnesota, which recovered from
landmark agreement with USA Hock- north of suburban Detroit, a new USA play with 12U boys in their area; par- saves and Boston held on for its fth straight win. a tough 3-0 loss at Nashville a day earlier with a resounding
ey reached after a threat to boycott the Hockey rule appears to be having unin- ticipate in house hockey with girls win against the NHLs worst team.
world championship. The deal will tended consequences for girls trying to just learning how to skate; or quit Sharks 3, Canucks 1
likely help their counterparts north of nd their stride. playing the sport.
the border make more money in their The Soo Lady Lakers, an organiza- Its heartbreaking to tell the girls In Vancouver, British Columbia, Tomas Hertl scored
next Olympic agreement with Hockey tion based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michi- I dont know what our team will look twice in the rst period and Martin Jones made 29 saves as
Canada. gan, participated in the states Tier II like next year, McCormick said. San Jose beat Vancouver after losing Joe Thornton to an ap-
Even those who will benet, though, 14-and-under tournament with just 11 Kristen Wright, USA Hockeys man- parent injury to his left leg.
acknowledge the off-ice ght isnt over. ager of girls player development, said Patrick Marleau scored an empty-netter and Jannik Hans-
At every level of female hockey, the new rule was put in place for safety en picked up an assist in his return to Vancouver for the
from pre-teen girls to college to post- ICE HOCKEY and development reasons because girls Sharks, who have won 11 straight regular-season games at
graduate players, there are obstacles. usually hit a growth spurt at about 13. Rogers Arena dating back to Jan 21, 2012.
Womens hockey has come a long girls that were mostly from Canada and The rule hasnt gone into effect Coyotes 2, Kings 1
way with the amount of teams that 12 years old or younger. Beginning yet and we want to see whats going In Los Angeles, Anthony Duclair scored 3:09 into the sec-
are popping up and support and vis- next season a USA Hockey rule states, to happen, Wright said in a telephone ond period, Mike Smith made 34 saves and Arizona ended
ibility, said Meghan Duggan, cap- no player 12 years or younger is eligi- interview Saturday night. We think Los Angeles slim playoff hopes.
tain of the Americans team playing ble to play on a team intending or de- more good than bad will come up this, Alexander Burmistrov scored a power-play goal and
in the world championship. I think clared to compete in district or national but well review this over time and Oliver Ekman-Larsson had two assists for the Coyotes,
it has a long way to go, and Im ex- championships. well see how it changes the landscape Bieke van Nes (right), of The Netherlands ghts for the who followed up an impressive 6-3 win over Presidents
cited to push it ahead. Im certainly Malory McCormick, who coached of the game. puck with North Koreas Jong Su Hyon during their IIHF Ice Trophy-leading Washington by guaranteeing the Kings
proud to be someone standing up for the Lakers at this years tournament, Given the chance to comment on Hockey Womens World Championship Division II Group A would miss the postseason for the second time in three
womens hockey and really trying to said the girls on her team that are not this story with a conversation or email, game in Gangneung, South Korea on April 3. (AP) seasons.

tuesday (all times are kuwait local)
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Cavs maintain slim
lead over Celtics
Rockets hand Suns 12th straight loss
CLEVELAND, April 3,
(AP): LeBron James made
a big 3-pointer in the nal
minute of the second over-
time and scored 41 points to
offset 43 by Indianas Paul
George, and the Cleveland
Cavaliers opened their
April schedule with a 135-
BASKETBALL
130 win Sunday over the
Indiana Pacers, who re-
main on the outside of the
playoff picture in the East-
ern Conference.
James added 15 rebounds and
11 assists in 52 minutes for the
defending NBA champions, who
ended the game with some drama
as Tristan Thompson and James
angrily exchanged words during a
timeout in the second OT.
Kyrie Irving made four free throws
in the nal 16.5 seconds and Kevin
Love had 20 points and 12 rebounds as
Cleveland stayed within a half-game
of Boston for the top spot in the East.
The Cavs visit the Celtics on Wednes-
day night.
George was magnicent in defeat,
scoring 19 straight points for Indiana
Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office:
AHMED AL JARALLAH Airport Road, Shuwaikh
ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 44
Sports
Latest sports scores at http://sports.arabtimesonline.com
KUNA photo
A photo shows part of the closing ceremony activities of Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah Shooting Tournament.
Shooting tournament concludes
Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah
Shooting Tournament concluded
its activities on Sunday, April 2 at
Kuwait Shooting Club.
The tournament consisted of
competitions in skeet, trap, double
trap, pistol, rie and archery cat-
egories for men, women and ama-
teurs.
Present at the closing ceremony
was the President of Kuwait and
Arab shooting associations Duaij
Al-Otaibi, who afrmed that the
political leadership supports the
sport of shooting, stressing that
such support is reected in the
performance and results of various
shooting competitions held inside
and outside the country. At the end
of the event, Al-Otaibi distributed
the prizes to the winners.
Indiana Pacers Paul George (right), drives against Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game on April
2, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 135-130 in double overtime. (AP)
in the overtime sessions and adding Harden was ruled out with acute
nine rebounds and nine assists. But he viral syndrome, the team announced
couldnt prevent the Pacers from their before the game. He had not missed
eighth straight road loss. a game all season and entered Sunday
Rockets 123, Suns 116 tied for second in the league in scoring
In Phoenix, Patrick Beverley scored at 29.2 points per game.
a career-high 26 points and the Hou- Beverley played despite a sore right
ston Rockets sent the Phoenix Suns ankle and scored 11 of his points in the
to their 12th straight loss with a 123- third quarter. Lou Williams scored 16
116 victory despite not having James
Harden in the lineup. Continued on Page 42
Former official
gets a life ban
ZURICH, April 3, (RTRS):
Former Guatemalan foot-
ball chief Brayan Jimenez
has been banned from the
sport for life for offences
which included bribery
and corruption, FIFAs
ethics committee said on
Monday.
Jimenez, also a former
member of a FIFA com-
mittee for fair play and
social responsibility, was
among several dozen of-
cials who were indicted in
the United States in 2015,
sparking the biggest cor-
ruption scandal in the his-
tory of the global soccer
body.
He pleaded guilty to
racketeering and corrup-
tion charges before a US
judge in July and is due to
be sentenced on April 28.
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